Bloodroot: Applications, Treatments, Health Benefits

Bloodroot is a rose plant. The plant can also be used as a medicinal herb.

Occurrence and cultivation of bloodroot

The name bloodroot is attributed to the blood-red discoloration of the plant roots when they are scratched. The rose plant reaches a growth height of about 30 centimeters. Bloodroot (Potentilla erecta) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is also known as tormentil, durmentil, seven-fingered, redroot, adder root or dysentery root. The name bloodroot is attributed to the blood-red discoloration of the plant roots when they are scratched. The rose plant reaches a growth height of about 30 centimeters. A typical feature of the plant is its bright yellow flowers. The rootstock is red in color inside and dark brown on the outside. Several stems are sprouted from the bloodroot. On these are the toothed leaves. The flowering period of the bloodroot takes place between June and August. The plant is native to Northern and Central Europe, but it can also be found in the West of Asia. The plant prefers to thrive in meadows, sparse forests and sunny places. In order for it to grow well, it should not be too warm. The bloodroot has several ingredients that can be used therapeutically. First and foremost among them are the tannins. 15 to 20 percent of the tannins come from the catechin type. They also contain the glycoside tormentillin as well as flavonoids and essential oils. Other constituents include saponins, phenolic carboxylic acid, gum, resin, and the dye tormentol.

Effect and application

Herbal medicine uses the tannins found in the root of bloodroot for therapeutic purposes. After collecting the plant, the root is first crushed. Then the active medicinal substances are extracted with the help of alcohol. The tannins in bloodroot have an astringent effect. They also have the property of changing the structure of proteins. This leads to a hardening or upper skin and mucous membrane layers. In this way, a hemostatic effect is achieved, which in turn allows wounds to be sealed. Furthermore, the blood root makes it more difficult for bacteria to penetrate the skin or mucous membrane. Nerve signals are transmitted more weakly by the skin. This circumstance can have a positive effect on itching. Furthermore, the medicinal plant has an antibacterial, detoxifying, antispasmodic and immunostimulating effect. Bloodroot can be administered in different ways. Among other things, it can be taken as a tea. To brew it, one or two cups of hot boiled water are poured on the bloodroot. After that, the tea brews for another ten minutes. After straining, the patient can take one to three tea cups per day. It is recommended to take a break from bloodroot tea after six weeks of therapy. Instead, the user drinks another tea that has a similar effect. After this break, the bloodroot tea can be offered again. Another possible application is the administration of a bloodroot tincture. This can also be prepared by the patient. For this purpose, the bloodroot is poured into a screw-top jar. Afterwards, the user douses all parts of the plant with ethyl alcohol or double grain. After closing the jar, this mixture is left to brew for six to eight weeks. Later, the mixture is strained and poured into a dark bottle. The dose for using the tincture is 10 to 50 drops daily. It is also possible to dilute the tincture with water. Bloodroot can also be used externally. Thus, the tincture or bloodroot tea can be used in the form of washes, compresses or baths.

Significance for health, treatment and prevention.

The therapeutic effectiveness of bloodroot was already known in the Middle Ages. At that time, the medicinal plant was even considered an effective remedy against the dreaded plague. Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) recommended it for the treatment of diarrhea. Even today, bloodroot is used against acute, non-specific diarrheal diseases such as traveler’s diarrhea. It is also suitable for the treatment of bacterial dysentery, which is caused by the Shigella bacteria. Other applications in the gastrointestinal tract are intestinal cramps, bleeding in the rectum and a so-called irritable bowel syndrome.Due to its high content of tannins, the plant is often used to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat, such as pharyngitis, inflammation of the oral mucosa, gingivitis or sore throat. For this purpose, the patient rinses his mouth with the bloodroot tea or tincture. There are also some external ailments that can be treated with bloodroot. These include wounds, bleeding and various skin diseases. Also against loss of appetite, immune deficiency, fever, rheumatic diseases, gout, conjunctivitis of the eye, hemorrhoids, anal itching, bruises or burns a treatment with the plant is considered useful. Since bloodroot is said to lower blood sugar levels, it can also be used as an adjunct in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Another field of application is gynecological disorders. Bloodroot can be used to treat uterine bleeding or excessive menstrual bleeding. It also promotes menstruation in women. In homeopathy, bloodroot is used rather rarely. There it is used for the treatment of acute or chronic intestinal complaints. Treatment with bloodroot is not suitable if the patient reacts to its ingestion with nausea or other stomach complaints. In this case, the patient should refrain from therapy with the plant. Simultaneous use with other medications is also discouraged.