Sanguinaria canadensis is a tall perennial herbaceous plant with large basal leaves and small dark red flowers, preferring moist places: river banks, flooded meadows. The plant reaches a height of 80 to 180 cm and flowers throughout the summer.
In medicine, attention is mainly paid to the rhizomes and roots of Sanguinaria canadensis, which are collected from summer to autumn. After washing and drying in the air, the roots undergo additional drying in ovens. They contain ellagic and gallic acids, tannins, catechin, gallocatechin, vitamin C, pyrogallol, flavonoids, saponins and other biologically active compounds. Thanks to this, the plant has a hemostatic, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, uterotonic, demulcent, vasoconstrictor, antiseptic and astringent effect.
Sanguinaria canadensis was traditionally used to treat neurological diseases in children; it is believed that the aroma of the grass brings health and longevity. For cultivation, seeds are sown in autumn in the ground. The plant does not require special conditions: it grows on any soils, both in direct sunlight and in partial shade, but it is important to avoid drying out the soil. In spring, you can feed it with mineral fertilizers. Sanguinaria canadensis is winter-hardy and resistant to diseases, does not need covering for winter.
