Pleurisy Root (Asclepias tuberosa) is one of the plants named in my Crooked Crows® products, so here is what I would tell you about it across the counter: what it is, which part is used, how people have traditionally prepared it, and when to leave it alone.
This page is educational, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing, managing an illness or taking medication, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you use this plant.
A little botany, so you know what you have
Pleurisy Root (Asclepias tuberosa). AnonymousUnknown author [illustrator not stated, no signature]. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
The plant I mean is Asclepias tuberosa, in the plant family Apocynaceae. Other common names include butterfly weed.
Useful field marks (identification only):
- Hairy milkweed with narrow leaves and no milky sap.
- Bright orange flower clusters that draw butterflies.
Plant parts used
Root. This is the part traditionally used and the part you will find in my products.
Traditional uses
Pleurisy root was used by Indigenous peoples of North America and adopted by 19th-century American Eclectic physicians for cold-season chest complaints, as the common name suggests.
These are traditional descriptions, not proof that pleurisy root treats, cures or prevents any disease. A lasting health concern deserves a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Preparations
These are the kitchen methods I use. They are not official doses.
A note on preparation
- This is not a plant I suggest preparing at home.
- If you use it, choose a properly made product from a trusted maker, follow the label exactly, and talk with a qualified practitioner first.
Cautions — who should skip it, or ask first
- Like other milkweeds, it contains cardiac glycosides. Large amounts can cause nausea, vomiting and heart effects.
- Use it only in a properly made product at label amounts. It is not a home-harvest herb.
- Pregnancy and nursing: avoid.
- Heart medicines such as digoxin: avoid unless your healthcare provider approves.
- The sap and plant can irritate the eyes.
- Stop if you get a rash, itching, stomach upset, or anything that feels off.
From the shop
You will find pleurisy root in: Respiratory Relief Oxymel Herbal Honey and Vinegar Extracts, Respiratory Relief Herbal Extracts Subscription, Respiratory Relief Tea Blend Subscription, Trial Size Tea Sample Crooked Crows®, Herbal Tea Sampler in a Keepsake Tin, Respiratory Relief Natural Herbal GF Alcohol Extracts, Respiratory Relief Tea.
If you are not sure whether a product is right for you, write me before you order.
References
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Asclepias tuberosa L. (scientific name and family).
- Lockwood TT Asclepias Tuberosa. Northwest Med Surg J. 1848. PubMed 37319458.
- Mikkelsen LH et al. Corneal Toxicity Following Exposure to Asclepias Tuberosa. Open Ophthalmol J. 2017. PubMed 28400886.
This page is for education and traditional-use context, not medical advice.
A Note from Erin
Everything I share here is my own opinion, and I’ve listed my references so you can read the sources for yourself. I’m not a doctor, and nothing on this blog is medical advice. When I mention an herb or one of my products, I’m telling you how it has traditionally been used, not promising that it will cure, treat, or prevent anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before trying any herb, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or have a health condition.
