Bloodroot facts | Health Benefits

Bloodroot is a plant which is cultivated for its medicinal properties and has been used for the centuries. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic. This plant is used to treat cancer, infections and coughing. The dark red sap is found in the roots of Bloodroot which resembles blood. It is a stemless plant.

Name	Bloodroot
Scientific Name	Sanguinaria Canadensis
Native	Native to Eastern North America
Common/English Name	Bloodroot, Indian paint, Red root, Sweet slumber, Snakebite, Coonroot, Pauson, Puccoon, Tetterwort, Bloodwort, Red puccoon, Coot root, Indian plant, Saguinaria
Name in Other Languages	America: Tetterwort
Plant Growth Habit	Herbaceous, perennial
Soil	Light to medium, well-drained
Plant Size	Height: 20-50 cm (7.9-19.7 inch)
Sap	Bright orange
Root	Thick, round; Length: 1-4 inch (2.5-10 cm)
Stem	Smooth, round, pale green, tinged with red, Height: 8 inches
Leaf	Basal, kidney shaped, Width: 2.5-8 inches (6-20 cm)
Flowering Season	Late March-Early April
Flower	8 to 12, white petals, showy, hermaphroditic; Across: 2 inches
Pod shape & size	Oblong, elongate capsule, Length: 1-2 inches (3-5 cm)
Seed	Round, black to orange red, Length: 1/16th-1/8th inches (2-3 mm)
Season	Late spring
Health Benefits	Prevents cancer Respiratory system Healthy heart Applied topically Treat migraine Relief arthritis
Traditional uses	Bloodroot is used to empty the bowels, cause vomiting and lower the tooth pain. It is used to treat hoarseness, croup, sore throat, nasal polyps, poor circulation, warts, rheumatism and fever. Bloodroot is applied to the skin around the wounds to eradicate dead tissue and enhance healing. During the mid 1800s, the extracts of bloodroot were applied to treat breast tumors. In dentistry, bloodroot is used on the teeth to reduce the build-up of plaque. Plaque is a film of saliva, mucus, bacteria, and food particles that can promote gum disease. Bloodroot was used by Native Americans to treat health ailments such as fevers, bronchitis and warts. The rhizome was used by American Indians to treat rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, laryngyitis and lung ailments. Bloodroot was used by Native Americans as a love charm, dye and medicine. Bloodroot helps to cure warts, eczema, benign skin tumors and skin afflictions. The internal use of this herb helps to cure ailments such as asthma, laryngitis, emphysema, pharyngitis, bronchitis, sore throats and croup. Bloodroot is used in a homeopathic remedy to treat migraines. The sap or infusion made from root helps to treat benign skin tumors, eczema, warts, chilblains, tumors or ringworm. The dried powder is used to cure nasal polyps. It is used to encourage bleeding in women, abortion and treat cramps. It is used as an ingredient in toothpastes and eliminates oral bacteria. The topical application of bloodroot is used to treat skin problems such as fungus, athlete’s foot, chronic eczema, venereal blisters, ringworm and rashes. The salve which is made from root helps to eliminate warts and cancerous tumors. Bloodroot is used as an ingredient in homeopathic remedies, cough formulas, pharmaceutical preparations and mouthwash. The root is mixed with various compounds to cure heart problems, and migraines. The extracts of fluid are used to treat ringworm. The root is used as an anesthetic, emetic, cathartic, emmenagogue, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, febrifuge, tonic and stimulant. The extract is used to treat gingivitis, plaque, cavities and tartar. Blood root helps to eliminate the abnormal skin growths. The tinctures are used to treat skin blemishes and moles. The tea of Bloodroot assists in the peripheral blood circulation. It acts as a powerful insect repellent. Bloodroot helps to enhance coughing and clears mucus from the respiratory tract. It is used as an emetic which helps to treat piles.
Precautions	The side effects experienced with the bloodroot includes nausea, drowsiness, vomiting and grogginess. The skin contact with the plant can cause rash. It can cause irritation when it get into the eyes The excessive use of Bloodroot can lead to low blood pressure, coma, shock and an eye disease which is called glaucoma. Bloodroot is not sage when it is used as a mouthwash and toothpaste because it may raise the chances of white patches inside the mouth. The breast feeding and pregnant women should avoid Bloodroot. Bloodroot can irritate the intestinal or stomach problems such as Crohn’s disease, infections, or inflammation. The internal use of Bloodroot is not recommended. The overdose of Bloodroot extract can cause nausea, dizziness, intense thirst, slow heart rate, stomach burning, loss of consciousness and vomiting. The topical use of Bloodroot may burn the skin or makes the skin red. The red sap possesses a toxic alkaloid, sanguinarine which is able to poison nerves if used internally. The mixture of Bloodroot and zinc chloride is savage and unpredictable. The long use of Bloodroot may lead to glaucoma, oral cancer, edema, miscarriage, heart disease, collapse, fainting, diarrhea and vision change. It is not safe to use Bloodroot internally by the children. The whole bloodroot plant is poisonous. One should consult the licensed healthcare professional to use Bloodroot. The Bloodroot products such as tinctures, paste, salves and oils should be used after consulting with doctor. It should not be applied to eyelids, genitals, etc. Don’t let bloodroot get into your eyes because it can cause irritation.
Other Facts	The red orange juice from the roots is used as a dye for clothing war paint, basket and used to repel insects. Bloodroot was used by Native Americans for spiritual, medicinal, and practical purposes. Bloodroot belongs to the member of Poppy family. It is considered as one of the first wildflowers which blooms in the spring, and one of the largest early flowers which is about 1.5-2 inches. Flower blooms for one or two days. The flowers of Bloodroot do not have nectar. The seeds contain elaiosome that attracts ants.