Natural products from New York's beautiful Finger Lakes Region and Adirondack Mountains
Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis
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Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis, is a flowering herbaceous plant native to the Northeastern United States. It tends to grow in old-growth areas with moist, but well-drained soil and part shade.It is protected in some states so take care if you harvest.
The red root or rhizome can be used to make a dye. Indigenous Americans used it as anemetic, for gastrointestinal issues, for tuberculosis, skin wounds and rashes. It is an ingredient in Black Salve, a controversial treatment for skin cancer. It is antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.
Studies have shown that the sanguinaria component does display activity against cancer cells.1However, Black Salve does not distinguish between normal cells and cancer cells so it can cause tissue destruction and necrosis.2Caution is warranted.
Bloodroot, with its antibacterial and antiviral properties, has been used in dentistry to treat periodontal disease.3 My household finds it effective for stubborn facial blemishes and bleeding gums.
1Tuzimski, Tomasz, Anna Petruczynik, Tomasz Plech, Barbara Kaproń, Anna Makuch-Kocka, Małgorzata Szultka-Młyńska, Justyna Misiurek, and Bogusław Buszewski. 2021. "Determination of Cytotoxic Activity ofSanguinaria canadensisExtracts against Human Melanoma Cells and Comparison of Their Cytotoxicity with Cytotoxicity of Some Anticancer Drugs"Molecules26, no. 6: 1738.https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061738
2 Ordille AJ, Porter A, Scholl AM. Black Salve: A Dangerous Corrosive Disguised as an Alternative Medicine. Cureus. 2023 Jul 1;15(7): e41248. doi: 10.7759/cureus.41248. PMID: 37529807; PMCID: PMC10388685.
3Herbs: A Good Alternatives to Current Treatments for Oral Health Problems M Anushri1, R Yashoda2, Manjunath P Puranik3 1 Postgraduate Student, Government Dental College & Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, 2 Associate Professor, Government Dental College & Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, 3 Professor & Head, Government Dental College & Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India