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Pleurisy Root

Uses

Botanical names:
Asclepias tuberosa

Parts Used & Where Grown

As its common name indicates, the root of pleurisy root is used as medicine. This brilliant-orange-flowered herb is native to and continues to grow primarily in the southwestern and midwestern United States. Many plants similar to pleurisy root are known as milkweeds because they produce a milky sap—something pleurisy root does not do.

What Are Star Ratings?

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for Why
1 Star
Bronchitis
Refer to label instructions
Pleurisy root is traditionally used to loosen bronchial secretions and is thought to be helpful against all types of respiratory infections.

Expectorant herbs help loosen bronchial secretions and make elimination of mucus easier. Numerous herbs are traditionally considered expectorants, though most of these have not been proven to have this effect in clinical trials. is an expectorant and is thought to be helpful against all types of respiratory infections. It is traditionally employed as an expectorant for bronchitis. However, owing to the cardiac glycosides it contains, pleurisy root may not be safe to use if one is taking heart medications. This herb should not be used by pregnant women.

1 Star
Pleurisy
Refer to label instructions
Pleurisy root has a history of use internally as a remedy for lung infections and other problems, such as pleurisy and pneumonia.
Pleurisy root was used by Native American tribes both internally as a remedy for pulmonary infections and topically to treat wounds. The Eclectic physicians seized upon these ideas and continued to use the plant primarily for lung problems such as pleurisy and pneumonia. It was also used as a diaphoretic (a substance that causes sweating) for all manner of infections. Pleurisy root was an official medicine in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1905.
1 Star
Pneumonia
Refer to label instructions
Pleurisy root has a history of use internally as a remedy for lung infections and other problems, such as pneumonia and pleurisy.
Pleurisy root was used by Native American tribes both internally as a remedy for pulmonary infections and topically to treat wounds. The Eclectic physicians seized upon these ideas and continued to use the plant primarily for lung problems such as pleurisy and pneumonia. It was also used as a diaphoretic (a substance that causes sweating) for all manner of infections. Pleurisy root was an official medicine in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1905.

Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)

Pleurisy root was used by Native American tribes both internally as a remedy for pulmonary infections and topically to treat wounds.1 The Eclectic physicians seized upon these ideas and continued to use the plant primarily for lung problems such as pleurisy and pneumonia. It was also used as a diaphoretic (a substance that causes sweating) for all manner of infections.2 Pleurisy root was an official medicine in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1905.3

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PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.