Introduction:

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a flowering plant native to the eastern part of the United States and Canada. The root and budding rootstalk (called the rhizome) secrete a red fluid when cut, giving the plant its name.

Bloodroot has long been used by Native Americans to induce vomiting in a practice intended to cleanse the body of harmful toxins.  In western herbal medicine, the plant is used most often used as an expectorant and antimicrobial in respiratory infection, and as a debriding agent in oral health.

Medical uses:

Dental diseases:

There is some evidence suggesting that bloodroot can reduce dental plaque and prevent or treat gingivitis and other gum diseases.

Skin Problems:

Bloodroot is often used in topical skincare products due to its high antioxidant content. It is considered a treatment for skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis and to debride (reduce) skin growths such as warts, moles, and benign tumors.

Respiratory Health

Bloodroot is used to treat flu, common colds, sinus infections, and lung infections. It is believed to act as an expectorant, eliminating phlegm and mucus in the airways.

Heart Health:

Proponents of alternative medicine believe that bloodroot has positive effects in people with cardiovascular disease.  A chemical unique to bloodroot, called sanguinarine, is said to reduce blood pressure while preventing the buildup of plaque that can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Cancer:

A chemical compound in bloodroot, called berberine, has shown promise in triggering apoptosis (programmed cell death) in prostate, breast, and skin cancer cells in test tube studies.

Side effects:

• Dizziness
• Blurring of vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bradycardia
• Fainting
• Dilated pupils
• Diarrhoea

Interactions:

• Bloodroot may interact with anti-hypertensive drugs used to treat high blood pressure, amplifying their effects and leading to a potentially serious hypotensive event.
• It can interact with anti-arrhythmic drugs, leading to bradycardia and other heartbeat irregularities.
• Bloodroot may also slow blood-clotting and intensify the effects of anticoagulants (blood thinners) like warfarin, causing easy bruising and bleeding.

Conclusion:

Bloodroot is often used in topical skincare products due to its high antioxidant content. It is considered a treatment for skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis and to debride (reduce) skin growths such as warts, moles, and benign tumors.