Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a perennial and a member of the poppy family (Papaveraceae). The plant gets its name from the red liquid that oozes from damaged roots.

Bloodroot is a lesser-known herbal treatment used by numerous indigenous tribes including the Meskwaki, Haudenosaunee, and Omaha. On the site, “Cornell Botanic Gardens”, bloodroot has a range of usages between tribes. The herb served as an emetic medicine (a medicine that causes vomiting), a gastrointestinal aid, a tuberculosis remedy, and a dermatological treatment. The Cherokee used the root for coughs, lung inflammation, and as a wash for ulcers and sores in the throat. It is overall a respiratory aid and medicine that historically and modernly benefits tribes by providing alternate treatments for throat and stomach problems.