Pleurisy Root

(Asclepias tuberosa)

Asclepias tuberosa — Pleurisy Root, Butterfly Weed, or Orange Milkweed — is one of the most striking and botanically distinctive native wildflowers of North America, and one of the most historically significant herbs in the traditional botanical practices of Indigenous peoples of the eastern and central United States. A member of the milkweed family (Apocynaceae, formerly Asclepiadaceae), Asclepias tuberosa is named for Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine — a testament to the high regard in which this plant was held. It is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial native to the open prairies, dry meadows, and roadsides of eastern and central North America, producing brilliant clusters of deep orange flowers that are among the most vivid of any North American wildflower and are a critical nectar source for monarch butterflies and a wide range of native pollinators. The thick, fleshy root — wildcrafted from its native habitat — is the part used in herbal preparations, and it has a long and well-documented history of use among numerous Indigenous nations including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Omaha, and many others, where it was one of the most widely used respiratory botanicals in the native herbal tradition. The common name “Pleurisy Root” reflects this traditional association with respiratory botanical practice.

This product is Wildcrafted — harvested from its native North American habitat.

The root contains a range of phytochemicals including cardenolides (cardiac glycosides characteristic of the Asclepias genus, including asclepin and related compounds), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin), saponins, alkaloids, tannins, resins, volatile oils, and amino acids. Available in Cut & Sifted and Powder forms.

Product Highlights

• Cut & sifted and powdered root of Asclepias tuberosa — Pleurisy Root / Butterfly Weed / Orange Milkweed
• Wildcrafted — harvested from its native North American prairie and meadow habitat
• One of the most historically significant respiratory botanicals in Indigenous North American herbal tradition
• Used by the Cherokee, Choctaw, Omaha, and numerous other Indigenous nations for centuries
• Named for Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine — a reflection of its long-standing botanical significance
• Contains cardenolides, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and tannins characteristic of the Asclepias genus
• Available in Cut & Sifted and Powder forms

How to Use

Herbal Tea (Decoction): Simmer ½–1 teaspoon of cut & sifted pleurisy root in 8 oz of water for 15–20 minutes; strain. Use in small amounts — this is a potent botanical. Tincture: Use in alcohol-based tincture preparations. Herbal Blends: Traditionally combined with elecampane, mullein, and horehound in traditional respiratory herbal formulas.

Available in Cut & Sifted (4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz) and Powder (4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz).

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition. Not recommended during pregnancy. Use with caution — Asclepias species contain cardenolides (cardiac glycosides) and should be used only in traditional, small amounts. Keep out of reach of children and pets.