Bloodroot, a small shrub originating in North America, is both powerfully medicinal and extremely toxic. Because of its remarkably ability to "digest" dead tissue, bloodroot is frequently used as a primitive treatment for skin cancer, moles and skin tags. Additionally, bloodroot's powerful astringent properties make it a useful component of toothpastes, mouthwashes and oral hygiene products. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves of bloodroot as an ingredient in dental products, major health organizations strongly advise against the use of bloodroot for any other purpose. If misused, bloodroot can cause problems ranging from disfiguring to life-threatening.
Disfiguring Properties
Stephen Barrett, founder of the anti-alternative medicine website Quackwatch, strongly advises against the use of topical bloodroot preparations. Barrett's criticism of the herb includes case reports and photographs of people who have experienced severe, permanent scarring from preparations containing bloodroot. In several cases, "black salves" containing bloodroot and zinc oxide have destroyed massive amounts of skin and muscle tissue, leading to exposed bone. Stephen Barrett reports that several patients have lost their noses after using these caustic topical bloodroot preparations.
Failure as a Cancer Cure
Renowned naturopath Dr. Andrew Weil notes that, when used cautiously and appropriately, bloodroot can remove skin tags and moles. However, Weil strongly cautions against the popular use of bloodroot as a treatment for skin cancer. Weil notes that bloodroot may not eliminate all malignant tissue, and that many people who have used bloodroot have failed to completely cure the condition. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration includes bloodroot on the list of "187 Fake Cancer Cur'es'" that consumers should avoid.
Internal Dangers
You should never consume bloodroot in any form. Twentieth-century herbalist Margaret Grieve noted that bloodroot's extremely bitter taste frequently causes vomiting. Grieve also stated that bloodroot can cause stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, vertigo, thirst and dimmed vision. Herbalist Ingrid Naiman also warns that bloodroot, taken internally, can cause severe eruptions on the skin.
Dangers of Oral Use
George Gallagher, a dentist and medical professor, authored a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2003 that suggested that bloodroot extract may cause precancerous mouth sores known as leukoplakia and requested that bloodroot extract "continue to be regarded as unproved" as an oral-hygiene ingredient until further studies have evaluated its safety. In theory, toothpastes and mouthwashes containing bloodroot extract may contribute to the formation of leukoplakia.
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