The bloodroot is a plant that contains a reddish sap in its rhizome and roots which can be used as a dye. It is toxic to both humans and livestock.
Synonym: red puccoon, red root, tetterwort
Plant species: Sanguinaria canadensis
Toxin: sanguinarine and other alkaloids
Action: anticholinesterase
Symptoms of intoxication:
(1) nausea and vomiting
(2) bitter taste with burning of mucous membranes (often limits human ingestion)
(3) salivation
(4) extreme thirst
(5) vertigo or faintness
(6) dimming of vision, mydriasis
(7) dermatitis
(8) weakness or paralysis
In high doses it can result in
(1) a depressed level of consciousness which can progress to coma
(2) depressed cardiac function
(3) dyspnea
(4) death
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,