AHPA’s 40th anniversary celebrations continue with our showcase of the eighth of many beloved herbs at the heart of our robust industry and vibrant community.
No. 8: Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Goldenseal is one of many amazing native herbaceous perennial species found in hardwood forests throughout the Eastern United States and Southern Canada. Used by Native Americans as both a medicine and a dye, goldenseal was eventually adopted by early settlers and Eclectic physicians who used it in their practices.
Hydrastis canadensis was officially listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia (1830, 1860-1926); in the National Formulary (1888, 1936-1955); and in the 1899 edition of the U.S. Dispensatory and Physicians’ Pharmacology.
Goldenseal is an ephemeral that emerges in early spring and flowers when the leaves are only partially developed. The relatively small and delicate white bloom with white stamens lasts only 3-6 days. The fruit or seed pod turns from green to red as it ripens in early to mid-summer contains 10 to 20 small, hard, shiny black seeds.
Goldenseal has been protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) since 1997 and is also on the United Plant Savers’ list of Species At-Risk. At Native Botanicals, we have been responsibly cultivating goldenseal since 1997. We invite others to join us in our efforts to ensure sustainable access to this amazing species for the generations to come.
Contact Native Botanicals to discuss your needs for this cherished indigenous American species and, together, we can help conserve our wild populations of goldenseal.
Share the Love
Do you want to celebrate an herb you love with AHPA’s 40 Herbs We Love campaign for AHPA’s 40th anniversary? Contact Amber Bennett to learn more about sponsoring your favorite herb!
More Ways to Celebrate
In addition to AHPA’s 40 Herbs We Love, there are more fun and exciting ways to get involved with AHPA’s 40th anniversary celebration.
You can:
- Share your photos from the 80s! Pay homage to the 1980s (the decade AHPA was founded) by submitting photos of yourself and/or friends and colleagues in the herbal industry. The photos will be shared in the AHPA Report and on social media for members and followers to guess who is in the photo!
- Author a 40th anniversary letter or guest article for the AHPA Report! Share a favorite memory or lesson learned, comment on a historical or present issue, or address AHPA members and friends of the herbal and natural products industry with your own 40th anniversary message in the monthly AHPA Report.
- Join us for the 40th anniversary Founders Series fireside chats! Gather (virtually) with fellow AHPA founders and friends for a pre-recorded fireside chat to discuss topics celebrating AHPA history, achievements, and what sets us apart in the herbal community. Videos will be available to watch on-demand and shared in AHPA Updates, the AHPA Report, and on social media.
Click here to download more information on all the ways you can join us to celebrate 40 years of AHPA, and contact Melissa Do with any questions and to get started.