Conclusion: Weak effects in terms of either induction or inhibition were found for GB (presystemic/hepatic CYP3A4 induction/inhibition, CYP2C19 induction at high doses), milk thistle/silymarin (CYP2C9 inhibition), GS/berberine (CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibition), Echinacea (presystemic/hepatic CYP3A4 inhibition/induction, CYP1A2 and CYP2C9 inhibition at high doses). Information was found not always complete for the major drug metabolizing CYP enzymes in the less well-studied herbs and is largely limited to P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) when effects on drug transporters have been investigated.
PubMed 22855269 ↗Goldenseal
The short answer. There isn't much data on Goldenseal yet — 4 mentions, 1 with a clear outcome — so treat these numbers as anecdotal. There is a moderate body of research — 2 meta-analyses and 4 trials.
Out of 4 mentions; the other 75% didn't say how it went and aren't counted.
What Goldenseal does, according to users
Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.
What the research says
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.
At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.
Conclusion: This review finds that important drug level changes exist when NHPs are combined with HIV medications. Considering patient values and the implications of these studies, further research is urgently required to determine the extent of interactions with other commonly used NHPs.
PubMed 15829016 ↗Dosage people report
As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.
Reported side effects
How often each side effect came up across all reports.
What users say
First-hand experiences, quoted verbatim. We show one positive and one negative where both exist.
“This makes me feel like my old self for a couple of days, by clearing the effects of the LPS.”
Top discussions (4)
- Lion's Mane protects mice from alcohol-induced liver damage (2015) ↗
- Any uncommon nootropics or cognitive pharmaceuticals that have caught your interest that are not really spoken about? ↗
- The link to fatigue; Low Cortisol, gut problems - why do Probiotics lessen my cortisol response? (Maca is a b******) ↗
- A combination of berberine and artichoke dry extract reduced plasma total cholesterol by 19%, LDL-cholesterol by 16%, non-HDL cholesterol by 19%, and triglyceride levels by 15%, in hypercholesterolemic subjects. ↗
Other options for energy
User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 3, 2026. How we rate