Bloodroot

Scientific Name(S): Sanguinaria canadensis L. Family: Papaveraceae

Common Name(S): Bloodroot, red root, red puccoon, tetterwort, Indian red plant, Indian plant, sanguinaria

Bloodroot grows primarily in North America and in India. The rhizomes and root of the plant contain an orange-red latex.

Botany: Bloodroot grows to about 6 to 7 inches tall.  The pale green, palmate, lobed, basal leaf is wrapped around the flower as it emerges and opens as the flowers blooms. The stem of Bloodroot is round, often orange or red when mature, it is topped by a single white flower with 8 to 12 petals and bright yellow center. The root is a thick, tender, tuber which contains a red juice that stains the skin readily. Gather root when flowers are in bloom. Dry for later herb use.

History: Blood root has a long history of use, especially in Russia and North America. A root tea was used externally by American Indian tribes for the treatment of rheumatisms. Other folk uses included the treatment of aarts, nasal polyps and skin cancers. During the mid 1800s, topical preparations containing bloodroot extracts were used as part of the "Fell Technique" for the treatment of breast tumors. Solutions of the root were also used as a dental analgesic. Extract of the root has been used as an emetic and expectorant and in combination products as a cough remedy. A number of these folk uses have spurred research into the pharmacology of this plant.

Uses of Bloodroot

Used externally in folk remedies to treat rheumatism, warts, polyps and cancers. Evidence indicates den compounds are antineoplastic. Derivatives in mouthwash and toothpaste limit dental plaque.

Sore throats , cough , rheumatic pains, and various types of cancer were all treated with bloodroot.

Side Effects of Bloodroot

Because of low oral toxicity, ingestion is not recommended. In some cases, excessive doses of Bloodroot can cause low blood pressure, vertigo, tremors, vomiting, reduced pulse, shock, and coma.  Large doses can be poisonous. 

Dosage

Sanguinarine-containing toothpastes and mouth rinses should be used according to manufacturer's directions. Bloodroot tincture is sometimes included in cough -relieving formulas, and 10 drops or less may be taken three times per day. 5 However, bloodroot is rarely used alone for this purpose.

Toxicology: Despite the general opinion that blood­root is considered to have a low oral toxicity potential, its ingestion has been discouraged because of safety concerns. Sanguinarine appears to be very poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

The LD of sanguinarine administered to rats is approximately 1.66 g/kg orally and 29 mg/kg IV. When applied topically, the LD exceeded 200 mg/kg in the rabbit.

When ingested in large doses, extracts of the root produced nausea and vomiting. Sanguinarine may cause slight CNS depression. In large doses in animals it may result in hypotension, shock and coma. It has been used to produce experimental glaucoma in animals, but the potential for inducing this disease in humans is unknown.

Sanguinarine is a mild irritant to the eye and dust of the root irritates mucous membranes. Sanguinarine rinses in concentrations ranging from 0.03% to 0.045% generally did not induce mucosal irritation. No dermal sensitization or irritation has been noted in humans. Although the oral toxicity is low, it is suggested that reasonable precautions be used during processing of the crude drug to protect against inhalation exposure. It is not mutagenic in the Ames mutagen assay.

If ingested in large quantities, gastric lavage or emesis followed by symptomatic treatment has been suggested if tolerated by the patient.

Summary: Bloodroot is an old-time herbal remedy that continues to find use in modern society. While its oral toxicity is low, its ingestion is not recommended. However, its topical use as a mouthwash and toothpaste to fight plaque has been documented and products Containing bloodroot extracts find use in modern dentistry.