Bloodroot
BLOODROOT | SANGUINARIA
Bloodroot is a ghostly white forest bloom with a vivid crimson heart. On the surface, it’s all elegance- early-spring petals, delicate leaves, soft woodland vibes. But dig deeper and you’ll find one of the most potent, controversial, and myth-laced roots in North American plant medicine. Bloodroot doesn’t whisper; it warns. And when used wisely, it heals in ways other herbs wouldn’t dare attempt.
Natively rooted in the hardwood forests of eastern North America, bloodroot has been used for centuries by Indigenous peoples, including the Cherokee, Iroquois, and Meskwaki, who understood both its strength and danger. They used the root’s intense red juice to make dyes, insect repellents, and ceremonial paints, but also employed it medicinally in ways both topical and internal- to treat respiratory infections, skin conditions, rheumatism, and as part of complex ritual healing.
The root’s pigment-rich sap (hence the name Sanguinaria) was seen as symbolic of life force, blood, and transformation. It was used in ritual body paint, especially for warriors and medicine people, signaling not only physical power but spiritual insight. But even then, it was handled with respect… Because bloodroot, quite literally, burns.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, European settlers and herbalists adopted bloodroot into their apothecaries. The root was used in syrups and tinctures to treat bronchitis, sore throat, and congestion, as well as in escharotic salves meant to “draw out” growths, tumors, or infections from the skin. This is where bloodroot’s legacy gets complicated, because while its compounds, especially sanguinarine, are indeed cytotoxic (they kill cells), they don’t always discriminate. Used improperly, bloodroot can cause tissue destruction, scarring, or worse.
Still, in the hands of trained herbalists and traditional practitioners, bloodroot retained a role as a powerful purge herb, used for deep, rooted infections, oral health (ever wonder where some early toothpaste ingredients came from?), and energetic cleansing- the kind that comes with emotional or physical intensity.
In Appalachian folk medicine, bloodroot was treated like a plant of last resort- a “strong medicine” brought in when other remedies failed. It was used externally for skin tags, warts, fungal infections, and sometimes internally for lung congestion or chronic infection, though always in minuscule, precisely measured doses.
Modern science backs some of this up. Bloodroot contains sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and other alkaloids with confirmed antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. However, because of its potential for tissue damage, it’s generally not used internally anymore in modern clinical herbalism. It remains a respected - but restricted - plant, and is often studied more than it’s prescribed.
Energetically, bloodroot is all about purification through confrontation. It brings what’s hidden to the surface. It says, Let’s deal with the root of the issue- no more masking symptoms. It’s the herb you don’t invite to the party unless you’re ready for transformation.
So no, bloodroot isn’t for casual tea blends or everyday skincare. It’s ritual plant, edge-walker, medicine of the threshold. A reminder that nature has no problem giving us power, as long as we approach it with respect, knowledge, and humility.
Medicinal Uses of Bloodroot
Respiratory Support
Traditionally used to treat coughs, bronchitis, chronic congestion, and sore throats
Acts as an expectorant, helping to loosen and expel mucus from the lungs
Was once an ingredient in early cough syrups and lozenges
Oral and Dental Health
Bloodroot extract (specifically sanguinarine, one of its main alkaloids) has antibacterial properties
Historically used in mouthwashes, toothpaste, and oral rinses to help with plaque control and gum inflammation
Still found in some natural dental products in very small concentrations
Skin Conditions (Topical Use Only)
Used externally in traditional medicine for warts, ringworm, fungal infections, and skin growths
Can stimulate tissue destruction, which is why it's been used (and misused) to remove moles, skin tags, and other lesions
Some herbalists have historically used it for eczema or skin ulcers, though this is less common today
Immune and Lymphatic Stimulation
Considered a “blood purifier” in early American herbalism, meaning it was used to stimulate detoxification via the liver and lymphatic system
Sometimes used in small, controlled doses to move stagnation and improve circulation
Antimicrobial and Antifungal
The alkaloid sanguinarine is known for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects
Topically used to combat bacterial and fungal skin conditions, though modern use is highly restricted
Cancer Research and Controversy
Studied for potential anticancer properties, particularly for skin cancers, due to its ability to provoke cell death (apoptosis)
Not safe for self-treatment—so-called “black salves” or escharotics made with bloodroot have caused serious tissue damage, disfigurement, and have not been approved as safe treatments for cancer
Homeopathic Use
In homeopathy, Sanguinaria is used in extremely diluted doses for:
Headaches (especially right-sided migraines)
Menopausal symptoms like hot flashes
Coughs with chest fullness or burning
Homeopathic preparations avoid the toxicity risks associated with crude or raw bloodroot
Forms of Use
Tincture or extract (very rare and only under expert guidance)
Poultices or pastes (used historically, but now discouraged without supervision)
Homeopathic pellets or solutions (safe when used properly)
Infused oil or salve (used topically for very specific applications)
Cautions and Warnings
Bloodroot is toxic in large or unregulated amounts—can cause nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, coma, or death
Topical misuse (such as with black salve) can cause severe skin damage, permanent scarring, and tissue necrosis
Never use on broken skin or mucous membranes
Not safe for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or individuals with liver disease