A perennial plant which can reach 25cm in height (10inches). Only about half that high at the time of blooming. Leaves can be as wide as 20 cm (8inches). There is usually only one leaf which has five to nine lobes. The flowers have numerous parts and are up to 5cm wide (2 inches). They are white with yellow center.

Inhibit reverse transcriptase, adjuvant, alterative, analgesic, anthelmintic, anticonvulsive, antidiarrheal, antiemetic, antihemorrhagic, aphrodisiac, blood cleanser, carminative, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hemostat and laxative.

Plants for a Future
Blood root

Allocryptopine, chelerythrine, malic acid, (plant); alpha-allocryptopine, berberine, beta-allocryptopine, chelirubine, coptisine, protopine, sanguinarine (root)

HIV/AIDS, asthma, bronchitis, atonic, dyspepsia, crouph, heart disease weakness and palpitation of the heart, pulmonary consumption, nervous irritation, torpid liver, scrofula, dysentery, ulcers, fungoid growths and cancerous affections.

Sanguinaria is poisonous in large doses and must never be used during pregnancy or lactation.

Godowski KC. Antimicrobial action of sanguinarine. J Clin Dent 1989 Spring;1(4):96-101.Grieve. M. A Modern Herbal. 1931 (www.botanical.com).