Goldenseal has been around for a long time and is one of the highest selling herbal supplements in the USA. It has been part of traditional medicine for thousands of years. Native Americans use the root for its benefits but the flowers and leaves can also be used. They also used the plant for coloring. It actually belongs to the buttercup family and grows naturally in Canada and parts of eastern US. It has a particular taste and smell but if you can get past that, it has numerous benefits. I chose to take capsules. The tea is a bit much for me.
It is well known for helping with bowel troubles because it contains berberine which has a ton of health benefits from stimulating the immune system, slowing down bacterial growth and relieving inflammation. It can keep your gut and intestines strong. It can also help rid the body of any parasites by starving them and then having them pass through the system into the toilet. It also helps the body detoxify in the kidneys and the liver.
It is also great for the immune system, as it is also anti viral and can keep your respiratory tract healthy. It is also used for other infections for men and women if you know what I mean including sexually transmitted disease. Read up on this before trying please.
Other benefits of goldenseal are helping relieve allergies like hay fever. It calms the nervous system and reduces inflammation in the mucous membranes. It also can boost appetite after someone has been sick. It is used to reduce fevers which the body generates, when trying to ward off infections. Topically, it has been used for skin problems from acne to eczema and rashes because of the anti inflammatory properties and can be found as a tincture or salve.
So, if you are looking for an all around good herb, that is anti bacterial, anti inflammatory, astringent and anti viral, maybe consider goldenseal. Containing minerals like iron, calcium and manganese and vitamins A, C, E and B complex, it is quite an herb!