botanical name(s): Asclepias tuberosa
synonyms: pleurisy root, butterfly weed, orange swallow-wort, canada root, flux root, tuber root, white root, wind root
part(s) used: root
qualities: bitter, acrid, cool
affinities:
actions: carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, antispasmodic, tonic
dosage:
» tincture: 2.5 - 5 ml.
specific indications: "pulse strong, vibratile; skin moist; pain acute, and seemingly dependent on motion" (Scudder); skin hot and dry, or inclined to moisture; urine scanty; face flushed; vascular excitement marked in the area supplied by the bronchial arteries; inflammation of serous tissues; gastrointestinal catarrhs due to recent colds (Felter, p. 222)
therapy: broncho-pulmonic inflammations and catarrhs; suppressed skin secretion; acute coryza; la grippe; acute bronchitis; pleuropneumonia; pneumonia; pleural pain; acute nasal catarrh of infants; acute gastrointestinal disorders of the catarrhal type; mumps; mastitis; measles (Felter, pp. 222-224)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d (may cause nausea and vomiting) (McGuffin)
toxicity: 3; see digitalis toxidrome
» treatment of overdose: EDTA, monitor serum potassium levels (Ellis, p. 18)
» avoid during pregnancy due to the uterine stimulant action on animal uteri (Brinker, Costello & Butler, Farnsworth) and its estrogenic activity (Costello & Butler)
constituents: asclepiadine, asclepione, cardenoliedes, essential oil, resin, sterol
footnotes
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Costello CH, Butler CL. 1950. The Estrogenic and Uterine-Stimulating Activity of Asciepias tuberosa. A Preliminary Investigation. J Am. Pharm. Assoc., 39: 233-7.
Ellis, M.D. 1975. Dangerous Plants, Snakes, Arthropods, And Marine Life. Hamilton, IL: Drug Intelligence Publications, Inc.
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.
Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.
McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Associations Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.
Scudder, J.M. 1985. Specific Medication. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.