Everything You Need To Know About Bloodroot History

Bloodroot salve is famous for its anti-c***** and anti-inflammatory properties. When people search for alternative medicine for cough and skin problems, bloodroot pops up as an option. Where did this all information come from? What is the bloodroot history? 

Bloodroot Uses

Bloodroot is a miracle plant in Native America and other Western parts of the world. In ancient history, bloodroot stops vomiting, helps in emptying the bowel, and reduces tooth pain. Even up to now, many people use bloodroot salve for skin problems and reduce dental plaque build-up. 

Bloodroot Native American Uses

In Native America, especially in the Iroquois, Algonquian, and Siouan groups, they call bloodroot salve poughkone or puccoon. At first, bloodroot mixed with walnut oil is a skin dye. Bachelors use it as a love charm to attract ladies. Also, most Native American tribes drink bloodroot tea or inhale the powder to treat common colds and congestion. 

Furthermore, the Ojibwe natives of Wisconsin use bloodroot, added with maple sugar, as lozenges (dissolved in the mouth) to relieve sore throat. The diphtheria epidemic is from 1921-1925 and is one of the worst outbreaks in US history. During this period, Native American groups use bloodroot to cure diphtheria. As they say, it really is true that everything we need is in Mother Nature, even the cure for diseases. 

 In Native American groups, even up to now, here are the bloodroot history uses:

  • Bloodroot mixed with blue cohosh and made into a tea can treat abdominal cramps. 
  • The Malachite Indians heat the rhizome of bloodroot in a small kettle. Its steam is a known treatment for hemorrhoids.
  • The Cherokee tribe uses a dampened cloth for manual reduction of hemorrhoids. They soak the cloth in a boiled bloodroot mixture.
  • Women in Native America drink bloodroot as a tea for menstrual cramps. 
  • The elderly Native Americans use bloodroot tea to relieve pains from arthritis. 
  • The Rappahannock tribe drinks bloodroot tea to treat purge fever. 
  • Bloodroot rhizomes boiled in water, when applied in ax wounds, is effective. 
  • The Meskwaki group chew the bloodroot rhizomes. This is then applied to burns.
  • Bloodroot has antibacterial properties. Many Native Americans use it to treat wound infection and gangrene. 
  • The dry powder of the bloodroot rhizome is also used as an escharotic. This is to remove unwanted skin growths like skin tags and warts. 

 

Early Western Use of Bloodroot

 European Colonists, through the influence of Native American tribes, appreciated the medicinal value of bloodroot. The medical practitioners of European countries use bloodroot to treat a variety of many illnesses.

For instance, bloodroot treats respiratory problems like asthma, influenza, whooping cough, and croup. The bloodroot uses of Native Americans are similar to European countries. 

Other Early Western uses of Bloodroot are:

  • To treat jaundice caused by chronic liver disease and alcoholism. 
  • Its antibacterial properties treat diphtheria, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and nasal polyps. 
  • Anti-inflammatory properties of bloodroot to treat rheumatism. 
  • The tincture made of bloodroot mixed with rose water and vinegar is a popular, topical application. The tincture is used to wash off eczema and remove facial pimples. 
  • Bloodroot combined with glycerine is used to prevent baldness and rejuvenate hair follicles.