Home

Consortium Members

Information on Herbs
-For Consumers
-For Health Professionals
-For Growers

Herbal FAQs

Annotated Bibliography

Links

Glossary of Herbal Terms

North Carolina Consortium on Natural Medicines

HerbInformation Sheets for Consumers

Bloodroot

(Sanguinaria canadensis)
Family: Papaveraceae
Synonyms: Indian Paint, Tetterwort, Red Puccoon,
Red Root, Paucon, Coon Root, Snakebite, Sweet Slumber,(1)
Pauson.(2)

Downloadable PDF of this monograph

Plant characteristics

 
Bloodroot is a perennial herb in the poppy family (16). It grows in the forests of the eastern United States and Canada in sheltered locations (12). Bloodroot flowers early in the spring, before the trees leaf out (9). The first bloodroot leaves appear wrapped around the flower buds in the spring (12). As the flowers unfold into white, waxy star shapes with golden stamens, the leaves become distinctive and palmate with 5-9 lobes (9, 10). The entire plant stands 6-8 inches high with a similar spread (14).

Bloodroot is on the United Plant Saver's list of species at risk from over-collection or deforestation (20).

Bloodroot can be propagated by seed or division. The seed matures 4-5 weeks after the flowers die and should be planted immediately, though they may not germinate until spring. Divide the rhizome in the fall, making sure to have a root bud on each division and replant right away. Grow in full shade and harvest the root in the 5^th fall (18)

Herb medicinal and properties

Biologically-active chemicals: isoquinoline alkaloidsÐ chiefly sanguinarine and opiate alkaloids.

Herbal properties: alterative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, cathartic, diuretic, expectorant, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative, and stimulant (9, 11, 21).

How herb was used traditionally

Native Americans used bloodroot as a dye for their skin (10) and, in small doses, as a tonic for the blood (12).

Herbalists use bloodroot in small doses to stimulate the appetite and to treat acute and chronic coughs (9, 21). Herbalists also find it useful for treating a variety of skin conditions, ranging from fungal skin infections and warts to skin cancers and varicose ulcers (7, 10, 21). Use of bloodroot as for treating skin cancers was popularized by Frederick Mohs, M.D., who used a bloodroot paste prior to a surgical excision (2). Harry Hoxsey used a paste containing bloodroot as well as an herb cocktail to be taken internally, to treat skin cancers in the 1930's and '40s

In recent years, dentists have recommended mouthwashes containing bloodroot's chief alkaloid, sanguinarine, because it reduces plaque formation (7).

Preparation and dosage:

The usual dose of ground dried root capsules is 60-500 mg three times daily.

Herbalists use 0.3-2 ml of the tincture (1:5 in 60% alcohol) or 0.06-0.3 ml of the 1:1 fluid extract (13).

How herb is used today (based on scientific evidence)

Studies have shown that mouthwash containing sanguinarine and zinc is effective in reducing plaque formation, but unproven in the treatment of gingivitis (8). The safety of using bloodroot in the mouth is questionable, though- it may cause precancerous lesions known as leukoplakia (15). Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidane are more effective than sanguinarine, but have limited long-term usefulness, because they stain the teeth (20).

No scientific studies have examined the effectiveness of bloodroot as a treatment for cancer, although research does show that sanguinarine, a constituent of bloodroot, kills cultured skin cancer cells (1).

Dermatologists published four case studies documenting treatment failures or complications with their use. They contend that bloodroot, even when combined with surgery, affords no advantages over surgery alone for skin cancers (16).

Bloodroot has shown promise in animal husbandry as a substitute for antibiotics in cattle, especially in Europe. Phytobiotics GmbH, a German company, produces livestock feed to fatten animals using bloodroot rather than synthetic antibiotics. (4).

Safety issues

Side effects: nausea and vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, and edema (5). The mouth wash containing sanguinarine can cause a burning sensation of the gums (17). If ingested, bloodroot may result in a positive urine screen for opiates.

Adverse events: Fresh bloodroot can cause irritation of the skin.

Precautions/contraindications:

á     Avoid in pregnancy, because it can stimulate uterine contractions (3)

á     Avoid contact with the eyes (3)

á     Do not give with other substances that cause gastric irritation (3)

á     Avoid with gastro-intestinal inflammatory diseases and glaucoma (13)

References
1. Adhami VM, Aziz MH, Mukhtar H, Ahmad N. Activation of prodeath Bcl-2 family proteins and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by sanguinarine in immortalized human HaCaT keratinocytes. Clin Cancer Res 9 (8): 3176-82, 2003.
2. Alleger I. Cancer Salves: A Botanical Approach to Treatment. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients: Townsend Letter Group, pp. 142, 1999.
3. Brinker F. Herb contraindications and drug interactions. Second ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
4. Clark P. Scientists hope bloodroot plant could be new crop for farmers. Vol. 2004: Asheville Citizen-Times, 2002.
5. D'Adamo P. Chelidonium and Sanguinaria alkaloids as anti-HIV therapy. Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. Vol. 3: American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, pp. 31, 1992.
6. Davis J, Greenfield J. Results from Strategic Reports' Analysis of the economic viability of cultivating selected botanicals in North Carolina, 2001 statistics. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University, pp. 243, 2003.
7. Duke JA. The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press, 1997.
8. Eley BM. Antibacterial agents in the control of supragingival plaque--a review. Br Dent J 186 (6): 286-96, 1999.
9. Foster S, Duke J. A Field guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2000.
10. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc, 1971.
11. Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.
12. Hutchens AR. Indian Herbology of North America. Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc., 1991.
13. Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz F, Hitchens K. Pharmacist's Letter/ Prescriber's Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Vol. 2004. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2004.
14. Lust J. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books, 1974.
15. Mascarenhas AK, Allen CM, Moeschberger ML. The association between Viadent use and oral leukoplakia--results of a matched case-control study. J Public Health Dent 62 (3): 158-62, 2002.
16. McDaniel S, Goldman GD. Consequences of using escharotic agents as primary treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer. Arch Dermatol 138 (12): 1593-6, 2002.
17. Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.
18. Simard F, Landry RG. Mouthrinses as an antibacterial adjunct in periodontal treatment. J Can Dent Assoc 60 (10): 906-7, 910-1, 1994.
19. Sturdivant L, Blakeley T. The Bootstrap Guide to Medicinal Herbs in the Garden, Field, & Marketplace. Friday Harbor, WA: San Juan Naturals, 1999.
20. Tenenbaum H, Dahan M, Soell M. Effectiveness of a sanguinarine regimen after scaling and root planing. J Periodontol 70 (3): 307-11, 1999.
21. Thornton L. Wildcrafters Alert! Aromatic News: Herbal Rose Report, pp. 4A, 1999.
22. Tierra M. The Way of Herbs. New York: Pocket Books, 1998.

Grower's Guides