Witnessed by: Western
Pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa), of the Apocynaceae family. Showy perennial with brilliant orange flower-heads, unusual in its clan for lacking milky sap; native range: dry open fields and roadsides of eastern and southern North America. Globally recognized as butterfly weed, tuber root, Canada root, orange milkweed in English. The part used is root. Knotty pale root, bitter and acrid with little smell.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
PLEURISY ROOT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- pleurisy root
- Scientific name
- Asclepias tuberosa L.
- Family
- Apocynaceae
Form
- Part used
- root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- neutral
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- lungs · skin
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- relaxing diaphoretic, expectorant, antispasmodic, mild bronchial relaxant
Cautions
Contraindications: pregnancy; heart disease, on account of its cardiac-active glycosides
Toxicity: large doses are emetic and purgative; the cardenolides may act upon the heart
Interactions
- Western
- cardiac glycosides: its own cardenolide content may add to the action of digitalis-type drugs
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.