Witnessed by: Western
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), of the Papaveraceae family. Low woodland perennial whose single lobed leaf enfolds a white eight-petalled flower rising from a red rhizome; native range: rich deciduous woodlands of eastern North America. Globally recognized as red puccoon, red root, tetterwort, Indian paint, sweet slumber in English. The part used is rhizome and root. Root bleeds an orange-red juice, bitter, acrid and persistently pungent, burning the throat.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BLOODROOT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- bloodroot
- Scientific name
- Sanguinaria canadensis L.
- Family
- Papaveraceae
Form
- Part used
- rhizome and root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- acrid · bitter
Temperature
- Western
- warm and drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- lungs · mucous membranes · skin · liver
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- stimulating expectorant, antispasmodic, emetic (large dose), escharotic (topical), antimicrobial, cardioactive
Cautions
Contraindications: pregnancy and lactation, gastritis, glaucoma; internal escharotic doses avoided
Toxicity: large doses cause vomiting, faintness, intense thirst, visual disturbance and circulatory collapse; the caustic salve destroys healthy tissue and scars
Interactions
- Western
- cardiac glycosides: sanguinarine has digitalis-like cardioactivity that may add to glycoside effects · anticholinergics: additive effects on secretions and heart rate
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