Common Name: Blood Root

General Information

Sanguinaria canadensis is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.20 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

,

Range

Eastern and central N. America - Manitoba to Quebec and Nova Scotia, south to Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida,

Habitat

Rich soils in open broad-leaved woodland and on shaded slopes[, , , ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Dormant plants are hardy to at least -20°c[].
Prefers a sandy soil but it is not fussy so long as the ground is not water-logged[]. Requires a leafy soil in a cool position in the shade of deciduous trees[, ]. Thrives in sun or shade according to another report[]. 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[]. Tolerates a pH range from 5 to 7, or perhaps a bit higher[].
A very ornamental plant[], but the flowers are very short-lived[]. It can succeed in grass[]. Plants are generally free of disease[].
Polymorphic[].
There is at least one named form with double flowers[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

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[]. In modern herbalism it is chiefly employed as an expectorant, promoting coughing and the clearing of mucus from the respiratory tract[].

The root is locally anaesthetic, cathartic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant, tonic[, , , ]. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchial, respiratory tract and throat infections, and poor peripheral circulation[].
Externally, the root is used in the treatment of skin diseases, warts, nasal polyps, benign skin tumours, sore throats and chilblains[]. An infusion of the root or the sap of the fresh root is used[].
This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant or lactating women[].
Use with caution and preferably only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner[]. The root is toxic[, , ], containing a number of opium-like alkaloids that are also found in other members of this family[, ]. An excessive dose depresses the central nervous system, causes nausea and vomiting, and may prove fatal[].
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[, ].

Sanguinarine, which is obtained from the root, is used as a dental plaque inhibitor[].

The root is used to make a homeopathic remedy that is used to treat migraine[].

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the sap of the root[, , , , ]. It was used as a face paint by the North American Indians[, ]. Caution is advised, see notes on toxicity[].

The crushed root has been applied to the body as an insect repellent[]. Caution is advised, see notes on toxicity[].

Propagation

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[]. 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[], or in early spring[]. The plant has brittle roots and so should be handled carefully[].
Cuttings of half-ripe shoots in late spring in a frame.