Pros & Cons of Bloodroot

Bloodroot is a flowering plant that grows in North America from Florida to Nova Scotia. The plant gets its name from the bright red juice that oozes out when someone picks or breaks it. Native Americans traditionally used bloodroot in dyes and medicines. Though still used today, bloodroot has attracted some controversy due to its high toxicity.

History

• Bloodroot is a poppy, but is more toxic than opiative.

  Although early Native American tribes used bloodroot for making red dyes, its primary use was medicinal. They administered bloodroot to induce vomiting, as well as to clear nasal and throat passages. European settlers learned about the plant's properties from the tribes and began using it to treat coughs, croup, influenza and lung disease. Because bloodroot is a member of the poppy family, said to have opiative properties, but was also known to be extremely toxic. It allegedly killed four patients in a New York hospital in the mid 1800s.

Approved Uses

• Many dentists oppose the use of sanguinarine in toothpaste.

  The compound sanguinarine, extracted from the bloodroot plant, entered the commercial market in 1983. Colgate included the compound in its new line of Viadent toothpastes and mouthwashes. The company has since replaced it, but it is available in some herbal and natural product lines. The compound is considered anti-microbial and may prevent plaque build-up and gum diseases, like gingivitis. In 2003 the FDA declared that sanguinarine in small doses was safe for use in dental hygiene products, but did not make any statements regarding effectiveness.

Unapproved Uses

• Some herbalists use bloodroot in minute amounts.

  Some herbalists use small doses of bloodroot as part of their treatment regimens. They claim that a paste made from the plant can be useful in treating skin conditions like ringworm, warts and infections. They also sometimes use it for throat infections and bronchial problems like asthma or severe congestion. Some even believe that it may have cancer-fighting properties. However, herbalists who use bloodroot for unapproved uses do caution users against ingesting the plant, and agree with the FDA that expectant or nursing mothers should never use it.

Risks and Warnings

• Prescribing bloodroot led to a conviction in a 2005 case.

  Although the FDA has declared sanguinarine safe for use in toothpaste and mouthwash, some studies have shown a possible link between these products and pre-cancerous lesions of the mouth and throat. In addition, serious skin reactions have been reported by those who have used bloodroot paste topically. In 2005, an herbalist was convicted for prescribing the paste to women with breast cancer. Several women he treated with the bloodroot paste suffered severely disfiguring skin damage. While there are people who support use of the plant, as of 2011 no conclusive studies establish any medical benefit of bloodroot.