Evidence supporting the use of: Bloodroot
For the health condition: Ulcerations (external)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) has a long history of use in traditional Native American and early Western herbal medicine for treating external ulcerations and skin conditions. Historically, it was applied topically as a poultice or ointment to help manage ulcers, wounds, and skin lesions. The root contains several alkaloids, most notably sanguinarine, which has demonstrated antimicrobial and escharotic (tissue-destroying) properties in laboratory studies. These properties may have contributed to its traditional use in managing infected or non-healing ulcers. However, there is little to no robust clinical evidence from human trials supporting its efficacy or safety for this use. In fact, escharotic preparations of bloodroot can cause significant tissue damage, scarring, and other adverse effects, and have been associated with harmful outcomes in modern case reports. While the traditional use is well-documented, current medical guidelines do not recommend bloodroot for external ulcers due to safety concerns and lack of proven benefit. As a result, while the evidence for traditional use is established, scientific validation is lacking, and risks from use are significant.
Other ingredients used for Ulcerations (external)
AbrusAbuta
Acacia
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Agrimony
Ajuga
Alchemilla
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Aloe vera
amber
American Liverleaf
Ampelopsis
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
Ardisia
Arisaema
arnica
asarabacca
assam indigo
aucubin
bai ji
Baliospermum
Baphicacanthus cusia
benzoin
birch
black-eyed Susan
bleeding heart
Bletilla
bloodroot
boxwood
butter
camphor oil
Cedrus libani
celandine
Chiococca alba
cocklebur
comfrey
cranesbill
dianthrone
dragon\'s blood
dyer’s woad root
Echinodorus
Elaeagnus glabra
English elm
Erigeron
European field elm
ficin
figwort
Gambir
Genipa americana
Glutamine
Guazuma ulmifolia
hairy arnica
hound\'s tongue
Houttuynia
Immortelle
Japanese sophora
Jessica\'s sticktight
Kigelia africana
lac resin
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
Levant cotton
Lophira lanceolata
Lygodium
Mahonia
mandrake
Marking Nut Tree
Marshmallow
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Moss
Mountain horopito
Oak
Pellitory
Plumbago zeylanica
Plumeria lancifolia
Potentilla
Povidone
protease
purple loosestrife
purple Tephrosia
red soapwort
red spiderling
Rhus coraria
Rhus glabra
Rubia cordifolia
Sangre de Grado
Sanicle
Sapindus mukorossi
Sesquiterpenic Acid
sheep's sorrel
Shikonin
Simaruba
Sinapis arvensis
Smooth Alder
Spilanthes
Stillingia
Storax
Takuna
Tannins
Taraxol
Tea Tree Oil
Teucrium marum
Thuja
Thymol
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
Western Buttercup
White oak
Witch Hazel
Wood betony
Wrightia tinctoria
Yarrow
Yerba Mansa
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by bloodroot
AbrasionsAbscesses
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Cuts
Lesions
Scratches and Abrasions
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores
