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Bloodroot, also known as Sanguinaria Canadensis, is a plant native to the eastern US and Canada. It has a history of use in Native American medicine and modern medicine, but its effectiveness is questionable. Bloodroot extract was once used in mouthwash and toothpaste to reduce gum disease, but mild antibiotics are now considered more effective. Bloodroot is also used by some herbalists to treat pharyngitis or bronchitis, but its use is not recommended by the medical profession due to potential health risks. Bloodroot is a member of the poppy family and blooms from March to May, producing white-petaled flowers. It is most commonly found in wooded areas and grows wild.
Bloodroot is a plant indigenous to the eastern US and parts of Canada. It is scientifically known as Sanguinaria Canadensis. Bloodroot can also be called red root, raccoon root, terrorwort, Indian paint, and snakebite. It has a long history of use in both Native American medicine and modern chemistry and medicine.
Native Americans in the eastern US used blood to treat skin lesions such as cancers or warts. The juice of the blood root was also thought to purify the blood, and was sometimes taken internally to calm coughs. It could also have been used in higher doses to cause vomiting.
In the late 19th century, blood root was used in medicine of the time as a caustic agent to burn off skin cancers. There is no clinical evidence that the caustic qualities of bloodroot were effective. The use of leech for such purposes has long been ruled out.
Later in the 20th century, blood root extract became a common ingredient in both mouthwash and toothpaste. It was thought to reduce gum disease. Bloodroot has become a less common ingredient in the 21st century, as mild antibiotics are considered more effective in eliminating gum disease.
Some herbalists recommend taking a blood root tincture for pharyngitis or bronchitis. However, the use of blood root is not recommended in the medical profession. Bloodroot showed evidence of causing a precursor to cancer in the mouth. Additionally, overdoses have been linked to intestinal bleeding, diabetes, heart disease, miscarriage, and death. The use of bloodroot is strictly contraindicated in pregnant women and children.
Since the uses in medicine are highly questionable, one can simply enjoy the attractive appearance of blood root, a member of the poppy family. It blooms from March to May, producing white-petaled flowers that are about an inch (2.54 cm) wide. It has a pretty yellow center and the flower is found on a six to twelve inch (15.24-30.48cm) plant.
Bloodroot is most commonly found in wooded areas, preferring a greater degree of shade. It tends not to be cultivated, but grows wild in areas where its seeds have been distributed by ants. Spring hikes in most forests of the eastern United States will usually include a sighting of one of these beautiful flowers.
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