PLEURISY ROOT ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA

PLEURISY ROOT (Asclepias tuberosa L.) +

Activities (Pleurisy Root) :
Abortifacient (f; TOM); Analgesic (f; FAD; PH2); Antiinflammatory (f; PH2); Antispasmodic (1; PH2; WAM); Cardiotonic (f; PHR; PH2); Diaphoretic (f; APA; PH2; TOM); Digestive (f; APA); Diuretic (f; FAD); Emetic (1; PHR; PH2; WAM); Estrogenic (1; APA; CEB); Expectorant (1; FAD; PH2; TOM; WAM); Laxative (f; CEB; DEM; FAD); Oxytocic (f; TOM); Tonic (f; PH2); Uterocontractant (1; APA); Uterotonic (1; HHB).

Indications (Pleurisy Root) :
Asthma (f; CEB; FAD); Bite (f; DEM); Bleeding (f; CEB); Bronchosis (1; FAD; WAM); Bruise (f; APA; CEB; FAD); Cancer (f; JLH); Cardiopathy (f; CEB); Catarrh (f; TOM); Chancre (f; CEB); Childbirth (f; CEB; DEM); Cold (f; APA); Congestion (f; APA); Constipation (f; CEB; DEM; FAD); Cough (f; PH2; WAM); Cramp (1; PH2; WAM); Diarrhea (f; PH2); Dropsy (f; CEB); Dysentery (f; PH2); Dyspepsia (f; APA); Dyspnea (f; PH2); Enterosis (f; DEM); Fever (f; APA; PH2; TOM); Flu (1; APA; DEM; WAM); Gastrosis (f; DEM); Hoarseness (f; TOM); Infection (f; CEB); Inflammation (f; PH2); Lameness (f; FAD); Mastosis (f; DEM); Mucososis (f; PH2); Pain (f; APA; DEM; FAD; PH2); Pleurisy (f; FAD; PH2); Pulmonosis (f; FAD; TOM); Pneumonia (f; APA; PH2); Respirosis (f; PHR); Rheumatism (f; APA; FAD; PH2; TOM); Rhinosis (f; APA); Snakebite (f; DEM); Sore (f; CEB); Stomachache (f; APA; PH2); Swelling (f; FAD); Syphilis (f; CEB); Typhus (f; CEB); Uterosis (f; PH2); VD (f; CEB); Worm (f; CEB); Wound (f; CEB).

Dosages (Pleurisy Root) :
1–4 g root, or in tea, 3 ×/day (CAN); 1 tbsp powdered root/8 oz warm liquid 1 ×/day (APA); 2.5–5 ml liquid root extract (APA; PNC); 1–4 ml liquid root extract (1:1 in 45% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 1–5 ml root tincture (1:10 in 45% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Pleurisy Root) :
Class 2b, 2d. May cause nausea and vomiting (AHP; WAM). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) (but PH2 designates no specific quantified dosage! JAD). CAN reports cardenolides can be irritant and cause cardiac activity and dermatosis. Because of cardioactive constituents and uterine activity in vivo, its use in pregnancy, lactation, and cardiac patients is to be avoided. May interfere with cardiac, depression, and hormone therapy (CAN; PH2; WAM). “Not allowed as a nonmedicinal ingredient in oral use products in Canada” (Michols, 1995). Toxic in large quantities (FAD).

Extracts (Pleurisy Root) :
Indian studies report a positive inotropic activity for asclepin (from Asclepias curassavica), which was reported more potent, longer acting, and safer than other cardiac glycosides (including digoxin). In sheep and guinea-pigs the plant, extracts, purified cardenolide, and digoxin exhibited similar toxicity and gross pathology. In a 3 month toxicity study in rats, asclepin was found safe in doses of 0.8, 8, and 20 mg/kg. Cat studies were less cumulative compared to digoxin. Asclepin reportedly was stronger toward weak cardiac muscle. Extracts of A. curassavica, A. engelmanniana, and A. glaucescens stimulate mammalian CNS, increasing noradrenaline and serotonin. Cardenolide LD50 = <50 mg/kg ipr mouse CAN.