Dry for later herb use. Medicinal, Use internally with caution, it contains toxic opium-like alkaloids and can cause mucous membrane irritation, an over dose can be fatal, do not use when pregnant or lactating, Bloodroot is not edible. The root is used in alternative medicine as an anaesthetic, cathartic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant and tonic. Bloodroot was used as a medicinal herb extensively by the Indian Medicine Men and Women in some North American tribes. It was also a ritual skin paint, or war paint, and used as dye by others.
Research is very promising for the plants constituents.
One is sanguinarine, it is showing results as an anesthetic, antibacterial, anticholinesterase, antiedemic, antigingivitic, antiinflammatory, antineoplastic, antioxidant, antiperiodontic, antiplaque, antiseptic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, fungicide, gastrocontractant, hypertensive, pesticide, respirastimulant and more. Another important constituent is Berberine which is showing promise in fighting brain tumors and many other cancers. Bloodroot is used in alternative medicine in very small doses, mainly for bronchial problems and severe throat infections. Used externally for skin diseases, warts, and tumours. For ringworm apply the fluid extract.