Butterfly milkweed medicinal uses

Unlike other milkweed plants, butterfly weed does not contain any milky sap in its stems. Probably the bestknown fact about milkweed is that its a host plant for butterflies like the monarch. The species name tuberose refers to the tuberous knobby and with swellings roots. Also known as milkweed, butterfly weed, butterfly milkweed, and butterfly weed. It is commonly known as butterfly weed because of the butterflies that are attracted to the plant by its color and its copious production of nectar. It is high in toxins contained in the milky latex of the plants sap. It spreads by way of seeds released from pods in early autumn. Strong color, blooms ornamental, showy, longliving, perennial garden.

Learn all about the historic medicinal and industrial uses of milkweed. The milky white sap was applied topically to remove warts, and the roots were chewed. People have used milkweed for fiber, food, and medicine all over the united states and southern canada. The same diaphoretic properties make it an effective herb for various conditions that cause fever but it is also able to stimulate blood flow to the bodys extremities. Butterfly milkweed asclepias tuberosa butterfly milkweed is also known as butterflyweed, chiggerweed and pleurisy root.

Milkweed, aka asclepias, is a drought tolerant wildflower that is known for attracting monarch butterflies. From its historical uses in world war ii to its use as a nematicide, milkweed s many uses may just surprise you. The medicinal and edible uses of butterfly weed and other milkweeds are many. Milkweed is the obligate food source for monarch caterpillars and this valuable medicinal plant is vital habitat for this declining pollinator species. Milkweed plants are most often associated with monarch butterflies, but lots of other animals are attracted to milkweeds as well. Genus name honors the greek god asklepios the god of medicine. Mar 20, 2014 butterfly weed is known for its flowers, though. Asclepias tuberosa butterflyweed native plants of north america. Pleurisy root, or butterfly weed as it is also commonly known, is edible and medicinal, with a long history of use as a valuable medicinal herb. Plants for a future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Milkweed is listed in many herbal books as having medicinal properties, but the rodale herb book warns that it should only be used by experienced herbalists. Asclepias syriaca is a perennial growing to 1 m 3ft 3in by 1 m 3ft 3in at a medium rate. Dec 15, 2015 common milkweed, asclepius syriaca, is an extremely useful plant to know.

Medicinal uses and benefits of milkweed growing up we used milkweed sap to remove our warts by reapplying morning and night covering it with a bandaid over the course of a few weeks. Butterfly weed herbal uses also known as pleurisy root, butterfly weed is an edible plant that is used by herbalists. Lady bird johnson wildflower center the university of texas. The ubiquitous butterfly of north america is the glorious monarch butterfly. Asclepias tuberosa, commonly called butterfly weed, is a tuberous rooted, missouri native perennial which occurs in dryrocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields and roadsides throughout the state steyermark. Butterfly milkweed for monarchs growing tips and advice. Swamp milkweed how to grow asclepias incarnata growit buildit.

During wwii, american school children collected over 5 tons of milkweed seeds with comas that were used to stuff lifejackets when kapok was not available. Butterfly weed, asclepias tuberosa, also known as pleurisy root for its use as a pulmonary aid. The root is anodyne, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and purgative. Plants are also easy to grow from seed but can take three years before the first flowers appear. Common milkweed, asclepius syriaca, is an extremely useful plant to know. The omaha tribe used butterfly milkweed medicine for rites belonging to the shell society. Butterfly milkweed asclepias tuberosa butterfly milkweed is also known as butterfly weed, chiggerweed and pleurisy root. Jul 12, 2019 swamp milkweed is a native perennial that grows to about 4 tall. Names of common milkweed in various languages of the world are also given. Historical uses the young shoots, flower buds, immature fruits, and roots of butterfly milkweed were boiled and prepared as a foodsource by various indigenous groups of eastern and midwestern america throughout history. Butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa united plant savers. The plant also creates a clear milky sap that can be used to treat warts. The three species of asclepias most used in medicine are the calotropis procera, a.

It was a regular food item for all native american tribes within its broad range. It was much used by the north american indians and acquired a reputation as a healall amongst the earlier white settlers254, 257. Also commonly called pleurisy root in reference to a prior medicinal use of the plant roots to treat lung inflammations. Native americans taught early european settlers how to properly cook milkweed so that it could be safely eaten or externally applied. Asclepias tuberosa, the butterfly weed, is a species of milkweed native to eastern north america. Pleurisy root is used in herbalism as an antispasmodic, carminative, mildly cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, tonic and vasodilator. Although common milkweed is only mildly poisonous, some similar plants in the same family are very poisonous. Cherokee, delaware, and mohegan peoples used pleurisy root, also called butterfly milkweed asclepias tuberosa, made into a cough remedy. Medicinal action and uses the plant is used medicinally in the united states for the anodyne properties of its root and its rhizome and root have been employed successfully, like those of a. Medicinal benefits of milkweed milkweed can be used for medicinal remedies if you know what youre doing, or under the guidance of a knowledgeable herbalist. Milkweeds supply tough fibers for making cords and ropes, and for weaving a coarse cloth.

Butterfly milkweed asclepias tuberosa for certified butterfly. More recently, it has largely fallen into disuse because it has been overshadowed by another more popular species of milkweed, butterfly weed a. The flowers are very popular with many kinds of insects, especially longtongued bees, wasps, flies, skippers, and butterfly species, which seek nectar. Milkweed is an allaround cool plant with a multitude of uses. Butterfly milkweed has a long, interesting history. Sep 05, 2018 although milkweed is common, milkweed is a powerhouse for bushcrafters, survivalists and foragers. Milkweed seeds have a tuft of long silky hairs attached to one end, which is the seed dispersal mechanism. It has been used in the treatment of asthma, kidney stones, venereal disease etc. Butterfly weed, pleurisy root, asclepias tuberosa herb use. Both will attract butterflies to your property, with these plants the main magnet for the orange and black monarch butterfly in particular. Butterfly milkweed is easiest to establish as a young plant but due to its large taproot, mature plants of butterfly milkweed are not easy to move. The silk is used in thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, and oil absorbents.

It typically grows in a clump to tall and features clusters umbels of bright orange to yelloworange flowers atop upright to. Butterfly weed is a member of the milkweed family asclepiadaceae. The stem is hairy and branches near the top forming several flower heads. Omahas and poncas ate the raw root of the butterfly milkweed for bronchial and pulmonary troubles. The omahas and poncas ate the raw root of the butterfly milkweed for bronchial and pulmonary troubles.

Asclepias tuberosa pleurisy root, butterfly milkweed. If you are planting common milkweed to encourage monarch butterflies, create a small patch of milkweed that includes at least six plants. Monarchs use milkweed as preventive medicinebut climate change may wreck the pharmacy. Most species are toxic to humans and many other species. What is a butterfly weed how to grow butterfly weed in the. Roots are a respiratory expectorant and diaphoretic. Include a nearby water source for your butterflies. Swamp milkweed is a native perennial that grows to about 4 tall. Altnature herbal banner pictures of medicinal herbs and flowers alternative nature.

Because of the absence of milky latex, it is often referred to as butterfly weed, rather than butterfly milkweed. Milkweed produces four different edible products, and all of them are delicious. Milkweed may be toxic when taken internally, without sufficient preparation. It is in flower from july to august, and the seeds ripen from august to october. This attractive variety of asclepias also called pleurisy root is a beautiful addition to your garden and also looks great in a pot or container for rooftop and patio gardens. This is where this plant received its name, butterfly milkweed. Preferring full sun and dry, loamy soil, the tuberosa attracts many different pollinators and is essential to the monarch butterfly s survival. Like other asclepias, this is a larval hose to the monarch butterfly, and is pollinated by many other butterflies and bees as well. Butterfly weed helped to ease pain and breathing difficulties caused by these illnesses by l oosening mucus, soothing inflammation, and helping with longterm recovery. It is also an important nectar plant for bees and other insects. Butterflyweed and other milkweeds prince william wildflower.

A breeze can move the seeds quite a distance and kids find the floating seeds fascinating. Milkweed eases multiple skin ailments including ringworm as the milky substance is antibacterial. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The scientific name comes from asclepius, the greek god of healing, because of the many folk medicinal uses for the milkweed plants. Thats great news if youre a butterfly, a beetle, a bug or a human being. Pleurisy root organic asclepias seed johnnys selected seeds. Some differences in features exist in the two types of milkweed. Butterfly weed plants are milkweed cousins with tall, clumping perennials that reach heights of 12 to 36 inches 3091 cm. This makes perfect sense since this plant has several medicinal uses throughout history. Uses, benefits, cures, side effects, nutrients in common milkweed. This is a herbaceous plant, it is a perennial which can reach 64cm in height 25inches. The genus name asclepias is named after the greek god of medicine asklepios. Pleurisy root, or butterfly weed, is a natural remedy used in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, and chronic rheumatism and its antispasmodic and carminative properties are thought to provide a natural treatment for colic, muscle tension and spasm. Today herbalists still use it for pleurisy, an inflammation in the lining around the lungs.

Plus, milkweed is the food of our beautiful american monarch butterflies. Once established, butterfly milkweed will self seed if seedpods are not removed. Therapeutic uses, benefits and claims of pleurisy root. The blooms appear atop fuzzy, green stems, which are adorned by attractive, lanceshaped leaves. In a report on the traditional use of plants in the indiana dunes area, rebecca troupal wrote, indians used butterfly milkweed as a salve for scrofulous swelling, and rashes. The common name milkweed was given to this plant because of its milky juice. Consequently, the adult butterflies become poisonous. The plants database includes the following 3 subspecies of asclepias tuberosa. Swamp milkweed how to grow asclepias incarnata growit. Its main use in present day herbalism is for relieving the pain and inflammation of pleurisy254. It has also been employed topically by renowned american health practitioner jethro kloss to help soften and remove gall and kidney stones. The old farmers almanac garden planner makes planning a garden easy. Asclepias tuberosa pleurisy root, butterfly milkweed, rolfs.

Common milkweed has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries but has fallen from favor in recent years. That means if there is no milkweed, there would be no monarchs. Butterfly milkweed is a perennial plant with a deep root system. Monarchs use milkweed as preventive medicinebut climate. It has been used as a diuretic and laxative as well as serving as a principle ingredient in lydia e. Learn how to harvest and prepare milkweed for food, the practical and medicinal uses for this amazing plant, and so much more. It is a very common roadside weed in the eastern and central states of north america, where it is called silkweed, from. As a result, another common name for this species is pleurisy root. Asclepias is also known as silk of america which is a strand of common milkweed asclepias syriaca gathered mainly in the valley of the saint lawrence river in canada. Asclepias is a genus of herbaceous, perennial, flowering plants known as milkweeds, named for their latex, a milky substance containing cardiac glycosides termed cardenolides, exuded where cells are damaged. Milkweed is needed for monarch butterflies to lay their eggs, and it is the only plant that monarch caterpillars can eat. Common milkweed herb uses, benefits, cures, side effects. The large, flattopped clusters of bright orange to yellow orange flowers make it easy to spot from early summer to fall.

Planting other pollinatorfriendly plants in a comprehensive butterfly garden is a. It stimulates the vagus nerve, which controls breathing. The flowers soon give way to seed pods filled with light, silky seeds. Common milkweed has a long history as a natural remedyand many other uses. Pleurisy root, is also known by many other names including butterfly weed it is the food of both monarch and queen butterfly larvae, canada root, chigger flower, flux root, indian paintbrush, indian posy, orange milkweed, orange swallowwort, silky swallowwort also used for the closely related common milkweed, tuber root, white root, wind root and yellow milkweed, butterfly love. Jun 27, 2019 milkweed is a must have for butterfly gardening, but the right milkweed plants are good for people, too. The caterpillars build a store of these toxins in their bodies. The milky white sap was applied topically to remove warts, and the roots were chewed to cure dysentery. Butterfly weed is the only member of the milkweed family that does not have the white milky sap that is commonly associated with other species of milkweed. Historical medicinal uses of butterfly weed included treating lung inflammation of pleurisy and asthma, swelling from rheumatism, and eliminating intestinal worms. Not least among the uses of common milkweed, however, is its versatility as a vegetable. Common milkweed asclepias syriaca, showy milkweed a.

Butterfly weed, or pleurisy root is an edible plant of the milkweed family and is used by herbalists. Common milkweed provides food for many different types of insects, both through its nectar and its leaves. The medicinal uses are similar to common milkweed, but this type of milkweed, asclepias tuberosa, was specifically widely used as medicine. As the name implies, butterfly weedas with all milkweed is a critical plant for already endangered or atrisk pollinators such as butterflies and bees. The genus was formally described by carl linnaeus in 1753, who named it after asclepius, the greek god of healing. Butterfly milkweed root was also chewed and placed on wounds, or dried, pulverized, and blown into wounds.

Native americans taught early european settlers how to properly cook milkweed so that it could be safely eaten. Besides being edible and used for its medicinal properties, it has a slew of other uses. Butterfly weed has orange flowers that do not grow in globular clusters. How common milkweed is effective for various diseases is listed in repertory format. Lady bird johnson wildflower center focused on protecting and preserving north americas native plants through native plant lists and image galleries, conservation, education, natural landscapes, seed collection millennium seed bank msb project, preserving and restoring native communities, spreading awareness on invasive species and gardening to attract wildlife. Milkweed benefits plant profiles heirloom gardener. Butterfly milkweed ascleipias tuberosa is found throughout the tallgrass prairie region in open areas, usually in prairies or remnants of prairies.

Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae caterpillars. Historical medicinal uses of butterflyweed included treating lung inflammation of pleurisy and asthma, swelling from rheumatism, and eliminating intestinal worms. Oct 21, 2015 milkweed is an allaround cool plant with a multitude of uses. Milkweed has diaphoretic properties meaning that it can be used to promote sweating and cool down the body if you are suffering from a fever. Monarch butterflies appear to use medicinal plants to treat their offspring for disease, and that some species of milkweed, the larvas food plants, can reduce parasite infection in the monarchs. Common milkweed has a long history of use as a medicinal plant.

Asclepias syriaca common milkweed, silkweed, milkweed pfaf. It is showing up now along old country roads and abandoned roads and abandoned railroad rightofways. These comas are still used to stuff hypoallergenic pillows. In a report on the traditional use of plants in the indiana dunes area, rebecca troupal wrote, indians used. Butterfly weed plants spread by way of seeds, which are released from large pods in early. Plants profile for asclepias tuberosa butterfly milkweed. The thick and bittertasting roots were used for various medicinal purposes in the past, including the treatment of pleurisy. Dec 17, 2015 butterfly weed, asclepias tuberosa, also known as pleurisy root for its use as a pulmonary aid. Well share answers to some of the most common questions about growing and using these beautiful native plants. Sep 21, 2017 common milkweed and butterfly weed are two species of milkweed that have much in common. Similar to common milkweed in structure, it blooms slightly later which allows for a longer milkweed blooming season. Milkweed was a multipurpose medicinal plant in the pharmacopeia of native americans. These days milkweed is better known as a means of attracting the monarch butterfly to your garden but for those of you with an interest in herbal remedies, milkweed can still offer numerous benefits.