- Region
- North America
- Origin
- North America
North America · Herb · № 372
Sanguinaria canadensis
Herb · North America
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.
Safety notes
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Not long-term, not in pregnancy/for children. Not with bowel problems or glaucoma. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (4)
- Western herbalism: Not long-term, not in pregnancy/for children. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Herbs for viral infections: Not with bowel problems or glaucoma. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Poisonous and corrosive: not internally without an expert and not on mucous membranes.
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Poisonous; do not take it and do not use it on the skin without guidance.
Preparation
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Use in traditions
Indigenous peoples such as the Haudenosaunee and Cherokee used the orange-red sap as paint for the body, baskets and clothing, and the root in small amounts for coughs. Eclectic physicians used bloodroot as an expectorant. Corrosive salves with bloodroot ('black salve') are still sold as cancer cures and cause severe burns and scarring.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: decoction, tincture, ointment, syrup.
Caution: Not long-term, not in pregnancy/for children. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Herbs for viral infections
Attributed effects
Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant (sanguinarine); especially against HIV; further for croup, nasal polyps, sore joints, gum disease, dental plaque, poor circulation.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: tea, tincture, powder, paste.
Caution: Not with bowel problems or glaucoma. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For cuts, sores and inflamed wounds; for cough, colds and sore throat.
Preparation and amount
Boil the root and lay it mashed on a wound as a poultice; a piece of root in water for cough.
Caution: Poisonous and corrosive: not internally without an expert and not on mucous membranes.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
In small amounts for coughs, lung inflammation and croup, as a snuff for nasal polyps and catarrh, and as a wash for sores; the root gave the red dye for baskets.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare it yourself.
Caution: Poisonous; do not take it and do not use it on the skin without guidance.