Pleurisy Root Asclepias tuberosa


Asclepias tuberosa
Orange butterfly weed
  • Common Names
  • Pleurisy Root , Butterfly-weed. Swallow-wort, Tuber root, Wind root, Colic root, Orange Milkweed
  • Botanical Name
  • Asclepias tuberosa
  • Family
  • ASCLEPIADACEAE

Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Pleurisy Root

remedyHow to Use| Side Effects | Plant & Garden| Folklore

How to Use: Pleurisy Root


Pleurisy root gets its name from its medicinal uses against a wide range of respiratory and lung conditions specifically pleurisy, inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest (the pleura) that leads to sharp pains in the chest when you take a breath or cough. It was formerly official to the United States Pharmacopoeia for pleurisy, but outside the herbal community, this herb is best known as butterfly weed for its attraction of butterflies, particularly monarchs.

Preparation Methods & Dosage :Teas and extracts, rarely encapsulated.

see remedies

Pleurisy Root Remedies


Pleurisy Root Side Effects: Large doses are emetic and purgative. The mature plant contains alkaloids that are toxic to livestock, and not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children..

^ Top^

Plant Description


Butterfly weed is a North American native perennial which occurs in dry/rocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields and roadsides. It typically grows in a clump to 1-3 feet tall and features clusters (umbels) of bright orange to yellow-orange flowers atop upright to reclining, hairy stems with narrow, lance-shaped leaves. These flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars). Unlike many of the other milkweeds, this species does not have milky-sapped stems. 1

Regional Traditions :North America *