Practical
Plants

Sanguinaria canadensis

Blood Root

a perennial member of the Sanguinaria genus in the family Papaveraceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.2 m
Spread
0.3 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This species contains many alkaloids and is poisonous in large doses[14][8][16][3]. This herb should not be used by women when they are pregnant or lactating[3]. The sap, fresh or dried, can cause intense irritation to the mucous membranes[4].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Blood root was a traditional remedy of the native North American Indians who used it to treat fevers and rheumatism, to induce vomiting and as an element in divination[12]. In modern herbalism it is chiefly employed as an expectorant, promoting coughing and the clearing of mucus from the respiratory tract[12]. The root is locally anaesthetic, cathartic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant, tonic[14][8][16][3]. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchial, respiratory tract and throat infections, and poor peripheral circulation[11]. Use with caution and preferably only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner[11]. The root is toxic[8][3][10], containing a number of opium-like alkaloids that are also found in other members of this family[9][11]. An excessive dose depresses the central nervous system, causes nausea and vomiting, and may prove fatal[11]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant or lactating women[11]. Externally, the root is used in the treatment of skin diseases, warts, nasal polyps, benign skin tumours, sore throats and chilblains[11]. An infusion of the root or the sap of the fresh root is used[7]. The root can be harvested in the autumn, dried and stored for later use. It should not be allowed to become damp since it will then deteriorate[14][9]. Sanguinarine, which is obtained from the root, is used as a dental plaque inhibitor[11]. The root is used to make a homeopathic remedy that is used to treat migraine[11].

Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A red dye is obtained from the sap of the root[14][16][17][18][13]. It was used as a face paint by the North American Indians[6][9]. Caution is advised, see notes on toxicity[4]. The crushed root has been applied to the body as an insect repellent[9]. Caution is advised, see notes on toxicity[4].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Arkansas and N. Florida, west to Nebraska.
Habitat
Rich soils in open broad-leaved woodland and on shaded slopes[8][15][3][5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - can be sown in the spring or late summer in an outdoor seedbed. We would advise sowing in pots in a cold frame, preferably as soon as the seed is ripe, otherwise in late winter[K]. Stratification can improve germination rates. The seed produces a root after the first stratification but then requires a warm period and another cold one before a shoot is produced. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late summer as they die down. Division in August after the leaves die down[1], or in early spring[2]. The plant has brittle roots and so should be handled carefully[11]. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots in late spring in a frame.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sandy soil but it is not fussy so long as the ground is not water-logged[1]. Requires a leafy soil in a cool position in the shade of deciduous trees[2][5]. Thrives in sun or shade according to another report[1]. Plants grow freely in Britain if they are given a suitable site, and have even succeeded in an open position in a dry gravelly soil[14]. Tolerates a pH range from 5 to 7, or perhaps a bit higher[6]. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -20°c[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], but the flowers are very short-lived[5]. It can succeed in grass[1]. Plants are generally free of disease[6]. Polymorphic[1]. There is at least one named form with double flowers[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  8. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  12. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  13. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  14. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  15. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  18. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩

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