Asclepias tuberosa

Common Name: Pleurisy root or Butterfly weed

Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed family)

Parts used: Root

Constituents: Glycosides (asclepidine, asclepione), cardenolides, flavonoids

Taste/smell: Slightly acrid, sweet

Tendencies: Cooling, drying

Actions

• Diaphoretic

• Expectorant

• Antispasmodic

• Carminative

• Anti-inflammatory

• Cardiac tonic

Uses

Expectorant:

• Respiratory tract infections

• Congestion in the respiratory tract

• Acute bronchitis

• Pertussis

• Cough

• Pleurisy

• Pneumonia

• Common cold

• Flu

Cardiac Tonic:

• Similar to Selenicereus grandiflorus and Convallaria majalis, it slows down and strengthens the heart rate

• Congestive heart failure

Mental Picture and Specifics

• Pleurisy root is indicated for hot, dry skin, and difficult, painful breathing accompanying a fever and chest pains that are relieved by bending forward.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy

Adverse Effects

• None

Toxicity

• None

Interactions

• Cardiac glycosides may potentiate the activity of cardiac glycosides in other plants