- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Dry prairies, open woods and roadsides across most of North America, from Ontario to Florida and Arizona
- Traditions
- Cherokee medicine
North America · Herb · № 990
Asclepias tuberosa
Herb · North America
Butterfly weed
Asclepias tuberosa
A milkweed with bright orange flower umbels that attract many butterflies, and a thick, tuberous root. For a milkweed it contains few cardiac glycosides, but it does contain steroids that in larger amounts can cause weakness, seizures and eye damage. The root was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia as pleurisy root, an expectorant.
Safety notes
Do not take it internally: large amounts are poisonous, and not with heart conditions or heart medicines. Not in pregnancy. Pleurisy and pneumonia need a doctor. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Poisonous in larger amounts; not with heart conditions or in pregnancy.
Preparation
Do not prepare it yourself.
Use in traditions
In English it is called butterfly weed or pleurisy root. Garrett tells how Little Butterfly, still a caterpillar in its cocoon, saw the silky seed floss shine and later showed the plant to sick people and animals for their coughs. According to Hamel and Chiltoskey the Cherokee used the root as an expectorant for pleurisy and inflamed lungs, an infusion for heart trouble, and root or seeds as a gentle laxative. They made belts from the stems.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
The root as an expectorant for pleurisy and inflamed lungs, an infusion for heart trouble, root or seeds as a gentle laxative; the stems for belts.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare it yourself.
Caution: Poisonous in larger amounts; not with heart conditions or in pregnancy.