Thursday, November 8, 2012

Herb of The Day - Bloodroot



Herb of The Day – Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).

More than just a pretty flower, this herb was discovered by American Indians who used it for among other things to cure skin cancer.  Its effectiveness in helping to destroy skin cancer has been validated by modern medical research.  The plant got it’s common name due to the red-orange sap that flows from the plant if you pluck a leaf or cut a root.  This sap contains Sanguinarine which is the active ingredient, and can also be used as a dye for cloth or as ‘War Paint’ worn by The Lakota (Sioux) and other Native Americans.  It was The Lakota living along Lake Superior who first used the plant to treat skin cancer.

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