goldenseal

[ gohl-duhn-seel ]

noun

1. a plant, Hydrastis canadensis, of the buttercup family, having a thick yellow rootstock.
2. Also called hydrastis. the rhizomes and roots of this plant, formerly used in medicine as an astringent and to inhibit bleeding.

goldenseal

/ ˌɡəʊldənˈsiːl /

noun

1. a ranunculaceous woodland plant, Hydrastis canadensis, of E North America, whose thick yellow rootstock contains such alkaloids as berberine and hydrastine and was formerly used medicinally

Word History and Origins

Origin of goldenseal¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; golden + seal ¹

Example Sentences

Practically all of these drugs except goldenseal are ignored in the standard works on pharmacology.

From Project Gutenberg

I'd ruther trust bitter-goldenseal root to cure a ailment than all the durn physic in this here horspittle.

From Project Gutenberg

It has a string of names as long as a princess, but I call it goldenseal, because the roots are yellow.

From Project Gutenberg