Traditional Uses: Traditionally used by Native American tribes (Cherokee, Iroquois, and Mi’kmaq) as a tea or decoction for coughs, sore throats, and bronchial congestion, and topically as a poultice for wounds, skin lesions, ulcers, and ringworm.
Potential Benefits: The alkaloid sanguinarine exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties; it was historically used as an escharotic to remove warts, moles, and other skin growths and has been incorporated into dental products to reduce plaque and gingivitis.
Warnings: Toxic in large doses (as little as 1 gram or 1 ml of tincture can cause nausea/vomiting); internal use may cause dizziness, visual changes, bradycardia, and liver damage; topical “black salve” products can cause severe burns, disfigurement, and permanent scarring; avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children; may interact with antihypertensives, anticoagulants, and antiarrhythmic drugs.
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