Bloodroot

Scientific Name(s): Sanguinaria canadensis L.
Common Name(s): Black paste, Bloodroot, Bloodwort, Coon root, Indian paint, Moh's paste, Paucon, Red puccoon, Redroot, Snakebite, Sweet slumber, Tetterwort

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 22, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

In vitro studies suggest potential applications in cancer therapy; however, animal experiments and clinical studies are lacking, and use is not recommended. Topical application and/or use in toothpaste and mouthwash products is not recommended due to adverse effects and potential toxicity.

Dosing

Clinical studies are lacking to provide dosage guidelines.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use due to documented adverse effects.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Use of bloodroot as an escharotic agent in the form of a salve or paste has led to localized tissue damage and disfiguring scarring in case reports.

Toxicology

Based on epidemiological studies, there is a correlation between the use of toothpastes containing sanguinarine, an alkaloid derived from bloodroot, and development of oral leukoplakia (a possible precursor to oral cancer).

Scientific Family

• Papaveraceae (poppy)

Botany

Bloodroot is an early spring wildflower that grows in the woodlands of the eastern United States and Canada. Its single white flower emerges from the ground folded within a grey-green leaf, and the delicate petals rapidly detach as the seed pod matures. The stout rhizome yields a bright red latex when cut, giving the plant its common name. The root and rhizome are collected in the fall for medicinal use.Salmore 2001, USDA 2017

History

Bloodroot was used by eastern American Indian tribes as a red dye, and medicinally as a blood purifier and for treatment of ulcers and skin conditions (eg, warts, polyps, moles). These medicinal uses derived from the blood-red latex exuded from the fresh root. The juice has also been used for treatment of cough and sore throat, with the bitter taste masked by placing the juice on a lump of maple sugar that is then sucked. Higher oral doses have been observed to have expectorant and emetic properties. Use of the root as a caustic topical treatment for skin cancer was first reported in medical literature in the 19th century. In 1983, an extract of bloodroot was marketed in toothpastes and mouthwashes for prevention of gum disease and plaque; however, the sanguinarine-containing oral rinse product Viadent has been withdrawn from the market in North America, and use of these products has been largely discontinued due to increased risk of developing oral leukoplakia. Bloodroot is also added to livestock feed for its antibiotic properties.Croaker 2016, Eversole 2000, Laub 2008, Wang 2012

Chemistry

Sanguinaria root is an abundant source of isoquinoline alkaloids, with the 2 major quaternary alkaloids sanguinarine and chelerythrine isolated in the 19th century. While most alkaloids are colorless, sanguinarine is a bright red benzophenanthridine alkaloid and is considered to be the most active constituent in the plant. The highest levels of sanguinarine are found in the rhizomes, followed by the roots, with lesser amounts found in the flowers and leaves. Other related compounds include berberine, sanguidimerine, protopine, and other minor alkaloids.Croaker 2016

The alkaloids have been characterized and quantified by a variety of methods, such as thin-layer ch...