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Bloodroot Side Effects

Bloodroot is an herb that oozes red-orange sap when wounded. This perennial plant has white cup-shaped flowers with heart-shaped leaves. Orange veins lace the undersides of the leaves. It grows about 6 to 14 inches and flowers in the early spring. Bloodroot is native to North America deciduous woodlands. Native Americans used this herb in rituals and everyday life. They painted their skins and dyed cloth with the sap. Tea was also used to treat sore throats, fevers and burns.

  1. High-blood Pressure

    • High blood pressure and stimulated respiration arean effect of the sanguinarine alkaloids present in bloodroot. The use of these alkaloids has the potential of causing issues with people who have hypertension. Bloodroot can raise already high-blood pressure or interfere with blood pressure medications.

    Leukoplakia

    • Dental use of bloodroot is connected with leukoplakia, which are white spots that develop on the soft tissues inside the mouth. Leukoplakia may be pre-cancerous and might lead to other conditions. More research is necessary to determine the severity of leukoplakia on people.

    Toxicity

    • Internal use of bloodroot can cause nausea, headaches and vomiting. It only takes 1/30 ounce to cause these reactions. Long-term use of bloodroot can cause more devastating effects that include stomach pain, diarrhea, fainting and paralysis.

    Sanguinarine Alkaloids

    • Long-term oral use of sanguinarine alkaloids in India are suspected to helping cause glaucoma, edema, heart disease, miscarriage and diarrhea. These alkaloids did not come from bloodroot, but caution should be taken with any plant containing sanguinarine alkaloids. Children and pregnant women should not take bloodroot internally.

    Cancer Treatment

    • Ointment made from bloodroot has recently been developed as a treatment for skin cancer. The effectiveness of bloodroot as a cancer remedy needs more research before it is approved as a medical treatment for cancer. Severe pain and skin burns are caused by these treatments. Bloodroot ointment can also damage healthy skin tissue.

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