Pleurisy root

Pleurisy root is stated to possess diaphoretic, expectorant, antispasmodic, and carminative properties. It is used for treating bronchitis, pneumonitis, influenza, and particularly pleurisy. 

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Colds Anise, boneset, coltsfoot, comfrey, echinacea, elderberry, ginger, goldenseal (yellow-root), licorice, nettle, pleurisy root, slippery elm, spotted cranesbill, valerian, and willow bark or dogwood... 

EXPECTORANTS Assist, by their influence on the respiratory passages, the increased secretion and ejection of mucus.—Coltsfoot, Elecampane, Horehound, Black Horehound, Lobelia, Mouse-ear. Mullein, Pleurisy Root, Squill, Sundew, Yerba Santa. 

Horehound Coltsfoot Marshmallow Valerian Pleurisy Root. ... 

Porcher s Resources was a monumental work. Listing some 35,000 native plants, Porcher believed that 410 had medicinal value. Moreover, he gave an exhaustive list of native substitutes for imported drugs. For gum arabic (acacia), for example, he recommended slippery elm. Citing McKeown, Porcher suggested that a teaspoonful of the powdered [pleurisy] root in hot water, often repeated, acts as a safe and useful substitute for the preparations of antimony Porcher had particular favorites and tended to give them in running lists. A typical commentary ran as follows ... 

Ascleplas tuberosa. Pleurisy root, or butterfly weed. Diaphoretic in decoction. 1 teacupful. Rad. 1[lb.j 8[oz.j... 

Asarum heterotropoides (Xu xin) Asclepias tuberosa (pleurisy root) Xysmalobium undulatum (xysmalobium)... 

Pleurisy root Asclepias tuberose overview. Herbalgram 1998 44 33-46. ... 

Several combination products contain coltsfoot. Hormone Rejuvenator is a capsule containing bilberry bark, cascara sagrada, chamomile, chickweed, coltsfoot, comfrey root, dandelion root, golden seal root, hyssop, juniper berries, licorice root, and wild cherry bark. Respiratory Rejuvenator contains pleurisy root, horehound, lobelia, fenugreek, eucalyptus, coltsfoot, comfrey, mullein, lady slipper, marshmallow, white pine bark, myrrh, and hyssop. Alvita Teas, Herb Pharm, and Nature s Answer are all manufacturers that provide coltsfoot products. 

Pleurisy root The butterfly weed Ascleplas tuberose also its root, used aa a diaphoretic and expectorant especially in pleurisy. 

Infuse 1 oimce pleurisy root ibr 30 miniiU s in 14 pints water. A tea-spoonful taken warm as often as the stinnach will bear it. 

Sudorific, or Fever Powder, Crawley root, 1 ounce lobelia herb, ounce pleurisy root, 1 ounce skunk cabbage, 4 ounce. Powder, and mix them together. Dose, from i to 4 tea-spoonful every one hour and a half till perspiration is produced. It may be given in balm or common tea. In fevers, infliftmmations, inflnenxa, and colds, this powder is invaluable. It subdues irritation, corrects the pulse, improves respiration, and promotes sound natural sleep. It is sure, if propel iy administered, to arrest a fever. Keep It in a bottle, well corked. 

Asclepias, Pleurisy root butterfly weed. Dried root of Asclepias tuberosa L., Asclepiadaceae. Habit. Ontario to Minnesota. Gonsrit Asclepiadin, resins, volatile oil. 

While the standardized common name of the root of A. tuberosa is pleurisy root, that of the plant itself is butterfly weed (McGuffin et al. 2000). 

While one toxicology text indicates that ingestion of pleurisy root may cause irritation of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract (Lewis 1998), a pharmacy text written in the late 1800s, when pleurisy root was commonly used, did not list such adverse effects (Felter and Lloyd 1898). 

No case reports of adverse events associated with pleurisy root were identified. 

In an older study, estrogenic activity of a pleurisy root extract was observed in castrated rats (Costello and Butler 1949). 

Uterine stimulation and uterotonic activity has been reported in animal studies (Costello and Butler 1949). One reference indicates that pleurisy root is probably inappropriate for use in "delicate pregnancies" (Moore 2003). Based on these reports, use in pregnancy is not recommended except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner. 

No information on the safety of pleurisy root during lactation was identified. While this review did not identify any concerns for use while nursing, safety has not been conclusively established. 

Inhibition of ouabain binding to membrane Na, K -ATPase and cross-reactivity with digoxin antibody in a radioimmunoassay from a pleurisy root aqueous extract were observed in vitro (Longerich et al. 1993). 

In vivo uterine stimulant action was observed in rabbits, dogs, and cats intravenously administered an ethanol- and isopropanol-based extract of pleurisy root (Costello and Butler 1949). Increased uterine tone was observed in cats and rabbits injected with an extract of pleurisy root (Hassan 1952). 

One reference indicates that pleurisy root is probably inappropriate for use in "delicate pregnancies" (Moore 2003). 

No information on the safety of pleurisy root during lactation was identified. 

An alcohol extract of pleurisy root administered intravenously to rabbits and intraperitoneally to rats at doses of 0.04 ml/kg induced partial paralysis (Hassan 1952). 

Rats intraperitoneally administered 10 mg daily of an alcohol extract of pleurisy root developed diarrhea and continuous tremors after 5 days (Hassan 1952). 

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