Background

Goldthread is a plant. It is native to China and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The underground stem (rhizome) is used to make medicine.

Goldthread is used for digestive disorders, a skin infection caused by Leishmania parasites, a sexually transmitted infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: There is not enough information to know if goldthread is safe in medicinal amounts.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Children: Goldthread is LIKELY UNSAFE in children, especially infants. It contains a chemical called berberine that can increase the amount of bilirubin in newborns. Bilirubin is a chemical released by the liver. Too much bilirubin can lead to permanent brain damage in newborns, especially in newborns born too early.

Pregnancy: Goldthread is LIKELY UNSAFE during pregnancy. It contains a chemical called berberine that is thought to cross the placenta and may cause harm to the developing child. Brain damage due to too much bilirubin has developed in newborn infants exposed to berberine. Early research suggests pregnant women who take goldthread during the first three months of pregnancy increase the risk that their newborns will have birth defects affecting the central nervous system.

Breast-feeding: Goldthread is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth by breast-feeding mothers. Berberine and other harmful chemicals in goldthread can be transferred to the infant through breast milk.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of goldthread depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for goldthread. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) to get rid of it. Goldthread might decrease how fast the body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). This might cause there to be too much cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) in the body and potentially cause side effects.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Goldthread might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking goldthread along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking goldthread, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some medications changed by the liver include cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), indinavir (Crixivan), sildenafil (Viagra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Goldthread might decrease acid in the stomach. It also appears to have antibacterial effects and may reduce swelling.