Bloodroot, known explicitly as Sanguinaria canadensis, is a paradoxical little flower. It is also called redroot, bloodwort, red puccoon, Indian red paint, sang-dragon, snakebite, and a dozen others based on minute region variations. It is found in eastern North America and is the only species in its genus. Is it the closest relative? Snow poppies are found only in China. The species appears with a wide variety of shapes in its leaves and white, yellow-centered flowers, but its juice is always bright scarlet, hence its name.
Alternative Properties of the Bloodroot
Yet this same property means sanguinaria is being investigated as a cancer treatment. Investigations are inconclusive, but it's been used in alternative medicine for a long history. Red juice means it can be used as a paint or dye, and even today, it's a commercially used food additive.
Bloodroot's Seeds
The bloodroot is also prized in specific capacities by gardeners. Double-flowered mutations are especially showy and last longer than the few days average for sanguinaria flowers. They're considered lovely shade plants blooming in spring and look at home in woodland-like gardens and landscapes. Though their bloom time is short, the plants are relatively easy to collect seeds from, making them fun and easy to propagate, and they'll flower for years with little care. However, it needs to be handled carefully in the garden due to the properties of the juice of its leaves and roots.
Uses Of The Bloodroot
Bloodroot is surprisingly renowned as an experimental homeopathic cancer treatment despite microscopic studies having been applied to its efficacy. It's most commonly associated with treating skin tumors, harkening back to its history of being used to treat skin conditions. However, when it comes to treating severe conditions, this plant is likely best left off the table in favor of proven remedies. As an odd treatment for moles and skin tags, it seems unlikely to vacate the pages of herbalists' books soon.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.