Pleurisy Root
Asclepias tuberosa
Other names: Pleurisy Root
Photo credit: Eric Hunt
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Contains cardenolides (cardiac glycoside–type).
Contraindications: Caution given cardenolide content and uterine-stimulant/estrogenic signals.
Interactions: Increases risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity if taken with cardiac-glycoside drugs/herbs.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Uterine-stimulant signal — pregnancy caution.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
infusion · rhizome
Part used: rhizome
Traditional use: Traditionally used as a diaphoretic and expectorant for respiratory infections, bronchitis, influenza, pleurisy and pneumonia.
How to prepare (traditional): Infusion: pour 1 cup of boiling water over half a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of the herb and infuse 10-15 minutes.
Dosage note (descriptive only): Drunk three times a day.
tincture · rhizome
Part used: rhizome
Traditional use: Diaphoretic expectorant.
How to prepare (traditional): Tincture at 1:5 in 45% alcohol.
Dosage note (descriptive only): 1-2 ml three times a day.
Associated conditions
Healing traditions
Sources (1)
- Hoffmann D., Medical Herbalism (2003) — materia medica, Asclepias tuberosa