Blood Root
Blood RootAlso known as- Sanguinaria Canadensis, Indian paint, and Paucon. Introduction Blood root is a low-growing woodland herb that grows in the north central United States and the prairie provinces plus British Columbia in Canada. The red juice pressed from the root is poisonous when taken by mouth, but when used externally it has a unique ability to dissolve abnormal growth without disturbing normal tissue. Constituents Alkaloids, berberine and coptisine (antibacterial chemicals also found in barberry and coptis), various forms of sanguinarine. Parts Used Dried sap from the pressed root, or whole root. Typical Preparations Powder or paste from ground dried root. Can also be administered in extract form. Summary Although blood root is used to make commercial toothpastes and mouthwashes, the main use of the herb in herbal medicine is treating skin tags.Skin tags, known in the medical literature as acrochordons, are soft, rubbery, skin-colored growths that typically grow into a droplet shape and hang from the skin by a stalk. They do not become malignant and, except for getting caught in zippers and being irritated by rough clothing, they do not cause pain or inflammation, they are not a medical concern.Skin tags are, however, a cosmetic problem, and for this reason insurance usually does not pay the doctorÍs bills for removing them. A dermatologist can snip them off in seconds with a scalpel or scissors. A family practitioner is more likely to burn them off with an electric spark or freeze them off with liquid nitrogen. All of these procedures are at least unpleasant and sometimes painful, and if youÍre susceptible to skin tags, you may get rid of one crop only to develop another. Blood root is a far less expensive way to handling the problem.Where you need to be careful is application. Follow the directions on the label, and donÍt apply blood root to your eyelids, lips, nose, or genitals. Blood root can damage healthy tissue, so make sure you are applying the herb just to the areas your want to treat. Precautions The testimonials that blood root can remove skin cancers are true, but thereÍs no way youÍve removed a skin cancer completely if youÍre treating yourself. ItÍs especially important not to try to remove a blue or black skin tumor with blood root. These could be melanoma, and must be treated by a physician.Blood root is for external use only and it is recommended to be avoided during pregnancy.
The information on this web site is intended for educational purposes only, and not as any form of medical advice. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider.
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