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Red Paint Root | | Name : | Red Paint Root | | Synonyms : | Indianpaint
Indianplant
Indianred paint
Pauson
Redpaint root
Redpuccoon
Redroot
Sanguinaria
Tetterwort
| | Parts Used : | Rootstock collected early in the spring, carefully dried, then groundinto powder. | | Habitat : | Found in shaded, rich soils in the northeastern states of the U.S. | | Description : | Bloodrootis a small perennial plant, about 6 inches high. Thefinger-thick rootstock contains a toxic red juice when fresh; whendried it is yellow inside and brown outside. The leaves are basal,each coming from a bud on the rootstock; they are cordate or reniformin shape, palmately veined and lobed. The naked single flower stemis shorter than the footstalk of a leaf and bears a white flower with8 to 12 petals arranged in 2 ormore whorls. Early spring blooming, North American poisonous wildflowerof the poppy family. Blooms March to June, before its leaves appearand usually before the leaves on the trees emerge. Difficult to findin its woodland home.
May be propagated by seed or division. | | Constituents : | Alkaloids including whelidonine, berberine, chelerythrine, sanguinarine
Expectorant, alterative, stimulant, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative,antibacterial, emmenagogue, tonic, emetic in larger doses. An overdosecan be fatal. | | Uses : | Internally: expectorant for acute and chronic respiratorytract affections, sinus congestion,stimulates the digestion,laryngitis, sore throat,asthma with cold thick phlegm,and croup. Most effective forpneumonia are 1 to2 drop doses repeated frequently throughout the day.It combines well with cherry bark, eucalyptus, and honey in a syrup.A syrup may also be made with garlic and bloodroot tincture
Externally: The tincture is directly applied externally forthe treatment of fungus, eczema,cancers, tumors, and other skin disorders . It is a good remedy forathlete's foot and rashes.An ointment of bloodroot alone or in combination with other herbsis directly applied to venerealsores, tinea capitis, eczema, ringworm, scabies, and warts.
Can be used for the following ailments: adenoid infections, nasalpolyps, syphilitic troubles, piles(use strong tea as an enema), typhoid fever, catarrh, scarlatina,jaundice, dyspepsia,whooping cough and rheumatism.
Small doses stimulate the digestive organs and heart. Large dosesact as a sedative and narcotic. When the condition is not easily overcome,combine with equal parts of goldenseal.
Experimentally, the alkaloid sanguinarine has shown antiseptic, anesthetic,and anticancer activity. | | Dosage : | As a stimulant, expectorant, or alterative use; 1/4 to1/2 tsp. of the powdered root or 1/2 to1 gm. in decoction; tincture, 5 to 20drops.
In a dose of 1/20 grain (a grain is 0.002083 ounces),bloodroot is a gastric and intestinal stimulant. A dose of 1/12grain, it is an expectorant. Doses any larger will produceemetic (vomiting) effects. 8 grains given to a patientresulted in nausea after 15 minutes. 40 minuteslater complaints of headache, nausea much more violent; 60 minuteslater, the patient vomited twice. The cautions surrounding care indoses is clear.
The drug is usually administered in several-drop dosages of a tincture. | | Safety : | Bloodroot is a powerful herb. Some reports of nibbling the root hascaused tunnel vision. Do Not Ingest.
Do not use without medical supervision. An overdose can be fatal. | | Myths : | Bloodroot was used by the American Indians as a body paint and asa dye. A bachelor of the Ponca tribe would rub a piece of the rootas a love charm on the palm of his hand, then scheme to shake handswith the woman he desired to marry. After shaking hands, the girlwould be found willing to marry him in 5-6 days.
One Indian folk medicine guide recommended a tincture made by fillinga pint bottle half-full with finely mashed root and adding equal partsof alcohol and wart until full. The recommended dosage ranged from1-7 drops every 3-4 hours.
A recommended ointment was made by mixing an ounce of the powderedroot in 3 oz. of lard, bringing the mixture to a boil,simmering briefly, then straining. | | Sold : | Tincture, powdered root Today, components of the root are used inminute amounts in commercial toothpastes and mouthwashes to fightplaque. |
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