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a springtime favorite :-)

Another early spring wildflower, the Bloodroot.

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Sanguinaria canadensis

 

Excerpts from "Peterson Field Guides, Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants:"

 

"The blood-red fresh root was used in minute doses as an appetite stimulant; in larger doses as an arterial sedative. Formerly, the root was used as an ingredient in cough medicines. American Indians used root tea for rheumatism, asthma, bronchitis, lung ailments, laryngitis, fevers; also as an emetic. Root use applied to warts, also used as a dye and as a decorative skin stain....

...Experimentally, the alkaloid sanguinarine has shown antiseptic, anesthetic, and anticancer activity. It is used commercially as a plaque-inhibiting agent in toothpaste, mouthwashes and rinses.

Warning: Toxic. Do not ingest."

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Uploaded on March 23, 2022
Taken on March 22, 2022