Key Constituents

Cardiac glycosides (cardenolides such as asclepin, calactin and calotropin)^{[11, 12]}

Heart-active compounds that make dosing and safety critical.

Glycosides

Flavonoids and amino acids^[12]

Supporting constituents of the root.

Flavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^[12]

Anti-inflammatory for lung inflammation (traditional)

Diaphoretic^{[9, 10, 11, 12]}

Diaphoretic - promotes sweating to support feverish illness

Expectorant^{[9, 10, 11, 12]}

Traditional expectorant - helps clear phlegm in chest conditions, bronchitis and pleurisy

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^[12]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bronchitis^{[10, 11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

Traditional expectorant - helps clear phlegm in chest conditions, bronchitis and pleurisy

more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →

Cold & flu^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from diaphoretic action

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →

Cough^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

more plants for cough →detailed sources →

Fever^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from diaphoretic action

more plants for fever →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^[12]Traditional · 1/10

Anti-inflammatory for lung inflammation (traditional)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Respiratory support^{[9, 10, 11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[7, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[8, 11, 12]}Caution

Contains cardiac glycosides: do NOT use in pregnancy, breastfeeding or infancy, in anyone with a heart condition, or alongside cardiac glycoside medicines (e.g. digoxin). The plant's cardenolide-rich latex is directly toxic - a documented case caused corneal injury through Na/K-ATPase inhibition.

Safety note^[12]Info

Large doses are emetic and purgative (cause vomiting and diarrhoea). There is very little modern safety or efficacy data, so use only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

References

REF-0734, REF-0738, REF-0735, REF-1944, REF-1945, REF-1946, REF-1947, REF-0626, REF-1948, REF-1949

References & Sources

Warashina, T. and Miyase, T (2017) 'New 8,12;8,20-diepoxy-8,14-secopregnane hexa- and hepta-glycosides from the roots of Asclepias tuberosa', Journal of Natural Medicines, 72(1), pp. 347-356. doi:10.1007/s11418-017-1155-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-017-1155-9
Abe, F. and Yamauchi, T (2000) 'An androstane bioside and 3'-thiazolidinone derivatives of doubly-linked cardenolide glycosides from the roots of Asclepias tuberosa', Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 48(7), pp. 991-993. doi:10.1248/cpb.48.991 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.48.991
Lockwood, T.L (1848) 'Asclepias Tuberosa, Butterfly-Weed, Milk-Weed, Pleurisy Root, White Root', The Medical Examiner (Philadelphia), 4(42), pp. 367-368. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38120955/ Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38120955/
Abe, F. and Yamauchi, T (2000) 'Pregnane glycosides from the roots of Asclepias tuberosa', Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 48(7), pp. 1017-1022. doi:10.1248/cpb.48.1017 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.48.1017
Warashina, T. and Noro, T (2009) '8,14-Secopregnane glycosides from the aerial parts of Asclepias tuberosa', Phytochemistry, 70(10), pp. 1294-1304. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.07.033 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.07.033
Warashina, T. and Noro, T (2010) '8,12;8,20-Diepoxy-8,14-secopregnane glycosides from the aerial parts of Asclepias tuberosa', Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 58(2), pp. 172-179. doi:10.1248/cpb.58.172 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.58.172
Warashina, T., Umehara, K., Miyase, T. and Noro, T (2011) '8,12;8,20-diepoxy-8,14-secopregnane glycosides from roots of Asclepias tuberosa and their effect on proliferation of human skin fibroblasts', Phytochemistry, 72(14-15), pp. 1865-1875. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.05.012 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.05.012
Mikkelsen, L.H., Hamoudi, H., Gul, C.A. and Heegaard, S (2017) 'Corneal Toxicity Following Exposure to Asclepias Tuberosa', The Open Ophthalmology Journal, pp. 1--4. doi:10.2174/1874364101711010001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1874364101711010001
Lockwood, T.L (1848) 'Asclepias Tuberosa, Butterfly-Weed, Milk-Weed, Pleurisy Root, White Root', Medical Examiner (Philadelphia), 4(42), pp. 367-368. Traditional / reference
Find this source
Lockwood, T.T (1848) 'Asclepias Tuberosa, Butter-Fly-Weed, Milk Weed, Pleurisy Root, White Root', Buffalo Medical Journal and Monthly Review, 3(10), pp. 600-602. Traditional / reference
Find this source
The Naturopathic Herbalist (n.d.) 'Asclepias tuberosa'. Available at: https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/2015/09/06/asclepius-tuberosa/ Traditional / reference
https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/2015/09/06/asclepius-tuberosa/
Herbs2000 (n.d.) 'Pleurisy Root (Asclepias tuberosa)'. Available at: https://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_pleurisy_root.htm Traditional / reference
https://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_pleurisy_root.htm

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