Revered for its striking orange flowers and vigorous roots, Pleurisy entices all types of pollinators. The vibrancy and allure made way for the alternative name Butterfly Weed. Although Pleurisy’s flowers are graceful, its roots are powerful. Pleurisy has been a staple of Native American cultures for thousands of years and has amazing health benefits and a wonderful history.
Beautiful history
The Latin name/botanical name of Pleurisy is Asclepias tuberosa. The genus name Asclepias is derived from the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius. This God is a symbol of the ancient wisdom of plant medicine and the rise of scientific medicine. The word Tuberosa is representative of the tuberous roots, which contain the beneficial compounds used in herbal medicine.
The benefits of Pleurisy were brought to light by Native Americans. Their symbiotic relationship with nature has unraveled many medicinal plants that we still use today, including a blueprint for pharmaceutical medicine. They used pleurisy root to support the pulmonary system and as a local aid for skin discomfort.
Great benefits
Alchemizing this plant into medicine uses the rhizome part of the plant, which is located directly on top of the root, just below the surface of the earth. There are many components found in the rhizome of Pleurisy, but there are a few stars of the show. This root contains two flavonoid favorites, Rutin and Quercetin. They both contain powerful radical scavenging properties and support a healthy inflammatory response. Because Pleurisy has an affinity with the lungs, it can support our bronchial system at a fundamental level when it is in need. Pleurisy is a great ally to remove excess mucus, support deeper breathing and overall lung health, promote sweating, reduce the urge to cough and expel excess gas from the digestive tract. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties, so using it in a topical cream can help soothe the skin.
Preparations and formulas
When prepared as a tincture (extracted in alcohol or vegetable glycerin) or as a decoction (extracted in hot water), use only the dried root. You can drink Pleurisy as hot tea or use a tincture form for internal use.
Here at WishGarden we use Pleurisy in our Get Over It formulas! and severe cough. Get over it! is the perfect formula if you have a lingering “ick” that just won’t go away. It helps loosen stagnant mucus and strengthens the immune system so you can finally feel better! Severe cough soothes irritations of the bronchioles, calms the urge to cough and has an expectorant effect.
If you’ve been wondering which plant allies to keep on hand this year to support seasonal well-being, Pleurisy deserves a spot in your cupboard!
Rebecca Younger strives to spark interest in herbs within her community through education and by integrating herbs into everyday life in exciting and innovative ways. She studied herbal medicine at Herbalism Roots in Denver. She is a Customer Journey Representative at WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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