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Contents:
Common Names
Parts Usually Used
Plant(s) & Culture
Where Found
Medicinal Properties
Biochemical Information Legends, Myths and Stories
Uses
Formulas or Dosages
Warning
Bibliography
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Common Names
Asclepias
Butterfly weed
Canada root
Flux root
Orange swallow-wort
Swallow wort
Tuber root
White root
Wind root
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Parts Usually Used
The root, dried
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Pleurisy root is a native North American perennial plant; The fleshy, white,
tuber-like, root produces several stout, erect, round, hairy stems (without
milky juice) from 1-3 feet high. The alternate, sessile, with watery sap, leaves
are lanceolate to oblong, a darker green above than beneath. Bright orange flowers,
stamens forming a structure like a crown, grow in terminal, flat-topped, 2-inch,
umbels from June to September, later producing long, edible seed pods that are
spindle-shaped. Full sun. Zones 3-10. Heat tolerant.
The plant has a nauseous, bitter taste when
fresh, but better when dried.
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Where Found
Found in dry fields, woods, meadows, prairies, on roadsides, and sandy soils
along the east coast and westward to Minnesota, Arizona, and northern Mexico.
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Medicinal Properties
Carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, antispasmodic, relaxant, tonic
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Biochemical Information
Ascepin is the active principle, asclepiadine, asclepione, cardeno liedes, traces
of essential oil, resin, sterol
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Legends, Myths and Stories
One species in the Far East was possibly used as a hallucinogen, which is known
in the Hindu religion as "Soma".
As the name suggests, this herb is used
for upper respiratory and lung problems.
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Uses
Widely used as an expectorant in the late 19th century. It is recommended for
colds, flu, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, bilious fever, typhus, measles,
promotes sweating therefore reducing fever, suppressed menses, headache, and
bronchial, pleurisy, asthma, and pulmonary problems. Sometimes it was given
with cayenne at the beginning of a cold. Native Americans chewed the dried root
or made a tea by boiling the root as a remedy for bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea,
and dysentery. Root poultice used for bruises, swellings, and rheumatism.
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Formulas or Dosages
Use the root dried or cooked.
Infusion: steep 1 tsp. of powdered root in 1 cup boiling water for 45 minutes, strain, and take 2 tbsp. every 2 hours; more if necessary.
Decoction: boil 1 tsp. root in 1 cup water. Take 1 to 2 cups per day.
Tincture: take 5 to 40 drops every 3 hours,
depending on age and condition. At the beginning of a cold, take 5-15 drops
in hot water and 3 grains cayenne every hour until you feel warm throughout.
For children, the dose is 1-5 drops.
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Warning
Animals have been poisoned by feeding on the leaves and stems. The fresh root
may also produce undesirable symptoms. For humans, potentially toxic in large
doses. The fresh root can be dangerous. Use only commercial preparations.
