Goldenseal

This East Coast Woodland herb was traditionally used in numerous ways by Native Americans and Settlers alike. Goldenseal is a very bitter anti-microbial herb. It is strong medicine and should not be used long term but is excellent when used in combination with other herbs for Colds, Flu, digestive disorders, peptic ulcers, excess mucus, sinusitis, excessive menstruation, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Not to be given to pregnant women or patients with high blood pressure. Goldenseal is a woodland herbaceous perennial. It unfurls in early spring with pretty, maple shaped leaves and spreads by rhizomes laterally eventually covering a large area with new plants. The bright red Berry shaped flower blooms in early to mid-summer and is lovely in the shade Garden. Organic cultivation of this plant should be a high priority. It has been severely overharvested in its natural habitat. Likes a shady, moist location, and a soil high in organic matter preferably under a canopy of hardwood trees but any shade can work. Perennial Hardy to zones 3-8.