Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis

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 rhizome can be used to make a dye. Indigenous Americans used it as an emetic, for gastrointestinal issues, for tuberculosis, skin wounds and rashes. It contains alkaloids that studies have shown are anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. It is a vasodilator and has been used for high blood pressure. Studies have shown that the sanguinaria component does display activity against cancer cells by regulating cell growth, preventing growth of tumor-feeding blood vessels, and suppressing certain gene expressions.¹Bloodroot is sometimes used topically for skin cancer however it does not distinguish between normal cells and cancer cells so it can cause tissue destruction and necrosis.² Caution is warranted if using this topically. Bloodroot, with its antibacterial and antiviral properties, has been used in dentistry to treat periodontal disease.³ It is active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Mycobacterium aurum. It is antiparasitic and active against schistosomiasis, and Strongyloides stercoralis. It is antiviral against Parainfluenza Virus-3. It is antifungal against Candida albicans.⁴

Suggested dosing: Tincture 3-4 drops 3x day, 20 drops per day max. Do not use it for more than two weeks.

Possible side effects: Nausea and vomiting. Skin irritation. Tissue destruction. Dizziness, fainting, blurry vision.

Contraindications: Not for use in children or pregnancy and breastfeeding. Not for use in cardiac patients or glaucoma patients or inflammatory bowel disease patients.

¹ Tuzimski, Tomasz, Anna Petruczynik, Tomasz Plech, Barbara Kaproń, Anna Makuch-Kocka, Małgorzata Szultka-Młyńska, Justyna Misiurek, and Bogusław Buszewski. 2021. "Determination of Cytotoxic Activity of Sanguinaria canadensis Extracts against Human Melanoma Cells and Comparison of Their Cytotoxicity with Cytotoxicity of Some Anticancer Drugs" Molecules 26, 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.

³ Herbs: A Good Alternatives to Current Treatments for Oral Health Problems M Anushri, R Yashoda, Manjunath P Puranik, Postgraduate Student, Government Dental College & Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Associate Professor, Government Dental College & Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Professor & Head, Government Dental College & Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

⁴ Croaker A, King GJ, Pyne JH, Anoopkumar-Dukie S, Liu L. Sanguinaria canadensis: Traditional Medicine, Phytochemical Composition, Biological Activities and Current Uses. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Aug 27;17(9):1414. doi: 10.3390/ijms17091414. PMID: 27618894; PMCID: PMC5037693.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any illness.