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Goldenseal

Goldenseal suppliers and sourcing guide

Goldenseal is the root and rhizome of Hydrastis canadensis, a woodland perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to eastern North America. Supply comes from cultivated woodland plots and wild harvest, and the rhizome is dried and sold as powder, cut root or water-alcohol extracts. Material is specified by its alkaloids hydrastine and berberine measured by HPLC. Because much of the supply is slow-growing woodland root, sourcing records (cultivated or wild) are part of the spec.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Hydrastis canadensis · goldenseal root · orangeroot · yellow root
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of goldenseal

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Root and rhizome powder

    Dried, milled root and rhizome, sold with minimum hydrastine and berberine levels.

  • Cut root

    Dried, cut root and rhizome for tinctures and further extraction.

  • Standardized extract

    Hydroalcoholic extract with declared alkaloids by HPLC.

  • Cultivated material

    Woods-grown or farm-grown root, documented by grower, often requested to avoid wild harvest.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity (HPTLC or HPLC)
Alkaloid fingerprint that confirms hydrastine is present; berberine alone can come from cheaper plants such as barberry or Oregon grape.
Alkaloid assay (HPLC)
Hydrastine and berberine by a named HPLC method, reported separately.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella (often Staphylococcus aureus too).
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
Physical tests
Loss on drying, mesh or particle size, bulk density, color and odor against the spec.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store root and powder sealed in lined, light-proof containers in a cool, dry place. Berberine and hydrastine degrade with light and moisture. Suppliers give shelf life or retest dates and repeat the alkaloid assay at retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Adulteration with other berberine-containing plants is a known problem, so test each lot for hydrastine. Record supplier lot, wild or cultivated origin and any export documents, and keep lots traceable.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Goldenseal suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking goldenseal suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of goldenseal can brands buy?

Common forms include root and rhizome powder, cut root, standardized extract and cultivated material. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for goldenseal include?

Expect identity (HPTLC or HPLC), alkaloid assay (HPLC), heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should goldenseal be stored?

Store root and powder sealed in lined, light-proof containers in a cool, dry place. Berberine and hydrastine degrade with light and moisture. Suppliers give shelf life or retest dates and repeat the alkaloid assay at retest.

What is the regulatory status of goldenseal?

Health Canada's goldenseal (oral) natural health product monograph lists Hydrastis canadensis with the dried root and rhizome as the source part.

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