Goldenseal

/ˈɡoʊldənsiːl/ noun

Definition

A rare woodland plant with golden-yellow roots and rhizomes, historically used in herbal medicine.

Etymology

From 'golden' + 'seal' (Old English 'sēl' meaning a mark or impression, possibly referring to the seal-shaped leaf markings). Also called Hydrastis canadensis, it's native to eastern North America.

Kelly Says

Goldenseal became so popular in alternative medicine that wild populations were nearly wiped out—it's now cultivated commercially because harvesting wild plants threatened its survival!

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