Bloodroot
Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis, is a pretty North American herbaceous perennial that pops up in spring when it gets warmer and dies down after flowering. It has beautiful white flowers that flower for a short time only (1-2 days). The leaves are attractive and large for the tiny plants’ size. This rhizome only grows around 5-10cm tall. They prefer a woodland garden with partial sun-shade and under deciduous trees being the ideal spot. Mine is a double-flowering variety.
I thought mine had died from neglect and I was pleasantly surprised to find it hiding under some honesty with a second plant just getting its leaves. It is damp enough there and quite sheltered. The woman I bought the plant from said it’s very hardy and she’s unable to understand why more people don’t grow it.
When I was looking for my bloodroot, I was weeding where I thought it would be and I found out how it’s earned its name. I ended up with blood coloured streaks on my hands where I’d bruised the leaves. I did lick the discolouration (because I had wondered what was bleeding) and it tasted bitter.
Bloodroot is maybe known best as the main component of black salve which some people use to treat skin cancer. There are many cautions around this as the ‘eschar’ often swells up giving the person a bit of a fright and may take weeks to heal. I have seen some awful looking reactions in photos so I can understand why some people become concerned.
It is used commercially in some toothpastes and mouth rinses as it has been shown to slow down plaque formation and reduce gingivitis. It has had a lack of clinical trials on its efficacy in cancer treatment although it may show some promise.
Many report it as being poisonous but I guess many safe and effective medicinal herbs would be thought to be like this especially if large amounts are ingested. This herb is known for is dramatic skin reactions. The Natural Medicines Database states that it is possibly safe when used orally and appropriately short term. Please take care. If you have concerns, avoid using it or consult your medical herbalist or medical professional for their advice.
As you can see, my bloodroot is thriving on neglect, tucked away in a weedy patch of garden.