Echinacea Goldenseal

Echinacea purpurea (commonly called purple coneflower) and Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) are two North‑American herbs that are frequently combined in dietary‑supplement form. The blend is marketed primarily to support immune function and to provide mild antimicrobial support during periods of increased susceptibility to infection.

• Echinacea polysaccharides (e.g., echinacoside) – C₁₈H₂₆O₁₁; IUPAC: 3‑O‑β‑D‑glucosyl‑4‑hydroxy‑cinnamic acid. These are high‑molecular‑weight (≈ 1 kDa) glycans with multiple hydroxyl groups, conferring high water solubility.
• Goldenseal alkaloids – Berberine (C₂₀H₁₈NO₄⁺) – IUPAC: 13‑methoxy‑2‑(2‑methoxy‑5‑hydroxyl‑1‑methylenedihydro‑1,2‑dihydro‑3‑pyridine‑4‑yl)‑5,6‑dihydro‑2‑oxo‑1‑benzopyrylium. It is a quaternary isoquinoline with a planar, positively charged heterocycle, enabling intercalation into nucleic acids and inhibition of bacterial DNA‑gyrase.
• Key structural features: berberine’s cationic nature facilitates membrane interaction, while Echinacea’s polysaccharide backbone provides ligand‑receptor binding capacity. Both compounds are stable in dry, low‑pH conditions and are typically extracted with ethanol‑water mixtures to retain both polar and semi‑polar constituents.

Echinacea purpurea is cultivated primarily in the United States (North Dakota, South Dakota, and Canada) under Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). Goldenseal is harvested wild‑crafted in the Appalachian and Great Lakes regions; sustainable harvesting requires root regeneration periods of ≥ 5 years. Extraction typically uses 70 % ethanol at 40 °C for 2–3 h, followed by spray‑drying to produce a standardized powdered extract. High‑quality supplements employ third‑party verification (e.g., USP, NSF) to confirm berberine content (≥ 2 % w/w) and absence of heavy metals or pesticide residues. For maximal consistency, manufacturers source certified organic Echinacea and wild‑harvested Goldenseal from USDA‑certified farms that employ rotational harvesting to protect wild populations.