| |  | | Can St. John’s Wort Be Taken with Echinacea and Goldenseal?
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Name not given
Posted on: January 28, 2002
I would like to know if a person can take St. Johns Wort along with Echinacea-Golden Seal. I have just gotten over pneumonia and am taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C each day now. I just don’t want to mix the wrong herbs together.
St. John’s wort can be taken with Echinacea and Goldenseal.
Goldenseal is used to heal mucous membrane tissue that it comes in contact with, like the mouth, the intestinal wall and external wounds. It is not a systemic antibiotic. Goldenseal is often used treat systemic infections such as colds, influenza, and upper respiratory tract infections, but it should not be. The antibacterial effects in a laboratory do not translate to systemic antibacterial effects because the herb is not well absorbed through the intestinal wall. It has a drying effect, so should only be used when mucous membranes are inflamed or congested with excess mucous. In clinical practice it is used for a short period of time only. Because Goldenseal is an endangered plant, it is important to ensure that your herb supplier provides only the organically grown herb, not wildcrafted. If unsure, Plantain (Plantago major or Plantago lanceolata) can be used as an alternate for healing mucous membranes.
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