Botanical Index No. 137

Bloodroot

sanguinaria canadensis

Medicinal Actions

Abortifacient; Alterative; Analgesic; Anesthetic; Antibacterial; Anticholinesterase; Antiedemic; Antiemetic; Antiinflammatory; Antiplaque; Antipyretic; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Antitumor; Aphrodisiac; Arteriosedative; Bradycardic; Cardioactive; Cholagogue; COX-2-Inhibitor; Decongestant; Depurative; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emetic; Emmenagogue; Escharotic; Expectorant; Laxative; Narcotic; Paralytic; Positive Inotropic; Rubefacient; Secretagogue; Sedative; Spasmogenic; Sternutator; Stimulant; Tonic; Vermifuge; Adenopathy; Alcoholism; Alzheimer’s; Anemia; Aphonia; Arthrosis; Asthma; Bacteria; Bleeding; Blepharosis; Bronchosis; Burn; Cancer; Cancer, Alterative, Analgesic, Anesthetic, Antibacterial, Anticholinesterase, Antiedemic, Antiemetic, Antiinflammatory, Antiplaque, Antipyretic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antitumor, Arteriosedative, Bradycardic, Cardioactive, Cholagogue

Primary Conditions Treated

breast; Cancer ear; Cancer nose; Cancer skin; Cancer uterus; Candida; Cardiopathy; Catarrh; Chest Ache; Childbirth; Chlorosis; Cold; Congestion; Constipation; Cough; Cramp; Croup; Deafness; Dermatosis; Debility; Diarrhea; Diphtheria; Divination; Duodenosis; Dysentery; Dysmenorrhea; Dyspepsia; Ear; Eczema; Enterosis; Escherichia; Fever; Fits; Flu; Flush; Frigidity; Fungus; Gall; Gas; Gastrosis; Gleet; Gingivosis; Glossosis; Gonorrhea; Gout; Halitosis; Headache; Head Cold; Hemoptysis; Hemorrhoid; Hepatosis; Hysteria; Impotence; Infection; Inflammation; Insomnia; Keratosis; Laryngosis; Melanoma; Migraine; Mucososis; Mycosis; Nervousness; Neuralgia; Ophthalmia; Pain; Periodontosis; Pertussis; Pharyngosis; Phthisis; Plaque; Pneumonia; Polyp; Pulmonosis; Quinsy; Respirosis; Rheumatism; Rhinosis; Ringworm; Salmonella; Scarlatina; Scrofula; Sore; Sore Throat; Spermatorrhea; Staphylococcus; Stomachache; Streptococcus; Swelling; Syncope; Syphilis; Tinnitus; Toothache; Tracheosis; Tuberculosis; Tumor; Typhoid; Ulcer; Vaginosis; VD; Vomiting; Water Retention; Whitlow; Worm; Wound; Yeast Abortifacient Aphrodisiac COX-2-Inhibitor

General Dosage

0.06–0.5 g rhizome 3 ×/day; 0.06–0.3 ml liquid extract 3 ×/day; 0.3–2 ml tincture 3 ×/day; 0.5 g powdered root; 0.5–1.5 ml liquid root extract; 2–8 ml root tincture; 0.3–0.5 g solid root extract. 0.06–0.5 g rhizome 3 ×/day; 0.06–0.3 ml liquid extract 3 ×/day; 0.3–2 ml tincture 3 ×/day; 0.5 g powdered root; 0.5–1.5 ml liquid root extract; 2–8 ml root tincture; 0.3–0.5 g solid root extract.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b. May cause nausea and vomiting. Powerful emesis may result from doses as low as 1 g. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. PH2 does state that overdoses can cause colic, diarrhea enterosis, vomiting, and possible collapse. And CAN are sanguine about sanguinarine, no side effects or toxicity documented for bloodroot. Carcinogenic potential of sanguinarine Carcinogenic potential of sanguinarine has been recently disproven. Hepatotoxicity has not been noted in toxicity studies with oral administration of sanguinarine. Human patch tests indicate it is nonirritant and nonsensitizing. Animal studies indicate it is also nonallergenic and shows no anaphylactic potential. Still, they say, “Use of bloodroot during pregnancy and lactation is best avoided. Oral rinses and toothpastes B containing either sanguinaria extracts, or sanguinarine, may be of value in dental hygiene, and are of low toxicity”. The suspected glaucomagenic activity of sanguinarine has been disputed and the toxicity of A. mexicana oil has been attributed to a fatty acid constituent rather than sanguinarine. Canadians do not allow in food. May interfere with glaucoma medications.

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