Skin tags, also called acrochordons, are small, benign growths that grow on little stalks from the surrounding skin. They're seldom painful, though they can be if they're in a location where clothing catches and tugs on them. Doctors may remove skin tags by cutting them at the base, by freezing the tags with liquid nitrogen, or by cauterizing them. Some herbalists recommend bloodroot herb as a natural way to remove skin tags. Bloodroot preparations for removing skin tags are not regulated by any regulatory agency, and may be dangerous to use. Always consult a medical professional before using bloodroot at home to remove skin tags or other growths.
History
Bloodroot is a spring wildflower that grows on the North American continent as far west as Kansas. Its name comes from the crimson color of its root, which Native Americans used to dye cloth and paint their bodies, according to James Duke, author of "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." Practitioners of folk medicine used bloodroot to treat skin conditions, including skin cancer, skin polyps, ringworm and skin ulcers, and as an antibacterial.
Active Compounds
The primary active compound in bloodroot is an alkali called sanguinarine. Sanguinarine shows antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine and anti-microbial properties. Several studies in the early 2000s suggested a correlation between the use of a toothpaste containing sanguinarine and the development of oral leukoplakia, according to a monograph on bloodroot from Natural Standard, an international research collaborative focusing on integrative medicine. Oral leukoplakia are precancerous growths of skin cells in the mouth.
Usage
Bloodroot is an escharotic, a substance that corrodes the skin and forms a dark, thick scab. Bloodroot pastes, tinctures and salves remove skin tags by chemically burning and destroying the tissue. Duke, generally a strong proponent of natural and herbal cures, warns against using any topical or supplemental preparations of bloodroot from health food stores or herbal apothecaries with the statement, "It's a dangerous herb."
Adverse Effects
Products containing bloodroot may cause serious scarring, according to an article published in "Archives of Dermatology" in 2002. The article's authors, Shana McDaniel and Glenn Goldman, discussed the case of a patient who had used bloodroot to treat a non-melanoma skin cancer with resulting severe scarring that required surgical repair. They also reviewed photographs in testimonials on Internet websites promoting the use of bloodroot salves and noted that many show severe scarring after use. The Natural Standard monograph notes a 2005 legal case against an unlicensed herbal practitioner after several women reported scarring and tissue damage from a topical treatment containing bloodroot.
Warning
Bloodroot is toxic if ingested. It may cause vomiting and visual disturbances. Use it only under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner.
References
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook"; James A. Duke, Ph.D..; 2000
- "Bloodroot: An Annotated Bibliography"; Mary L. Predny, James L. Chamberlain; 2005
- Natural Standard: Bloodroot Monograph
- "Archives of Dermatology"; Consequences of Using Escharotic Agents; S. McDaniel; 2002
