The Many Uses and Benefits Of Bloodroot

Bloodroot is a medicinal plant native to North America. The plant's evocative name comes from a secretion formed if the plant's root or rootstalk is cut. However, it's important to note that this secretion is in no way related to blood. 

 The plant can be used for multiple health-related issues. Native Americans traditionally used bloodroot to induce vomiting. This might not sound very health-promoting at first. However, one should note that vomiting can be an essential way to remove toxic substances from someone's body. Consider a case where someone has ingested a poisonous substance. The importance might cause serious health issues once fully metabolized. Vomiting induced through bloodroot would remove the poison from one's system before it had a chance to do much damage. 

 There is some speculation that the ingestion of bloodroot may offer some additional benefits. Speculation over benefits from ingestion usually focuses on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. This is due to the proposed benefits of smooth muscle tissue. It's important to note that there's far more speculation than evidence at this point. Future research will prove or disprove the proposed benefits to smooth muscle tissue. 

 One of the more recent findings regarding bloodroot is its antibacterial properties. This is another area where future studies will need to shed more light on the subject. However, there is firm experimental evidence that bloodroot extracts have antibacterial properties that are effective against gum disease. Special toothpaste and mouthwash compounds infused with bloodroot showed statistically relevant positive effects on oral health conditions. One crucial point to consider is that this study also involved clearance by the FDA as safe for topical use on teeth and gums. 

Bloodroot is also used to treat symptoms aligned with the flu or common cold. This is due to a proposed mechanism of action analogous to standard expectorants. The proposed use as an expectorant means that it should clear mucus buildup from the nose and throat. If speculation on bloodroot's impact on smooth muscle tissue proves correct, this would also improve some colds or flu conditions. However, it's important to note that the antibacterial action indicated in the mouth and gums don't seem to impact cold or flu cases. 

 Along with speculation about smooth muscle tissue, there is also early evidence of anti-cancer effects. A compound found in bloodroot called berberine appears to trigger a self-destructive impact on some cancer cells. However, it's important to note that this has only been demonstrated within cell cultures. Researchers have yet to prove that berberine has a similar effect on cancer cells active within the human body. Even if it does hold, it's unlikely that orally ingesting bloodroot would have that anti-cancer effect. The fact that bloodroot triggers vomiting means that one would have significant difficulty using it as a continual orally delivered medication. 

 It's also important to keep in mind that bloodroot does have some contraindications with common medicines. The most important of these is interaction with antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic medications. Using a bloodroot with either class of medications could cause a cardiovascular event. This could include a hypotensive crisis or bradycardia. Bloodroot can also increase the effects of anticoagulants. People with heart problems should probably avoid bloodroot given all three compounds are often used to treat the issue.

You can find actual bloodroot plants at Online Plant Nurseries.