Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
“Orally, bloodroot is used as an emetic, cathartic, antispasmodic, and expectorant. Bloodroot is also used orally for bronchitis, asthma, croup, laryngitis, pharyngitis, deficient capillary circulation, nasal polyps, rheumatism, warts, cancer (Fell technique), dental analgesic, fever, and as a general tonic.”
- Botanical Safety Handbook
“Antimicrobial effects: Sanguinarine has demonstrated antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, antifungal activity against Candida and dermatophytes, and antiprotozoal against Trichomonas. The proposed antibacterial mechanism of action is sanguinarine's ability to react with nucleophiles. Sanguinarine may also kill animal cells by blocking the action of Na+/K+-ATPase transmembrane proteins. There is particular interest in sanguinarium's effects on oral bacterial and fungal populations. In a clinical split-mouth study, a seven day treatment with 5% sanguinarium led to significant microbiota changes, such as decreases in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and yeast in periodontal sites as well as in the saliva. The reduction in bacteria may be due to sanguinarine's inhibition of bacterial adherence and plaque formation, as it induces bacteria to aggregate and become morphologically irregular in vitro.”
- http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/nutrition-research/learning-center/plant-profiler/sanguinaria-canadensis.html
a.k.a.
coon root, Indian paint, red puccoon, red Indian paint, red root, snakebite,
sweet slumber, tetterwort