Pleurisy Root
OTHER NAME(S): Asclépiade, Asclépiade Pleurétique, Butterfly Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Canada Root, Flux Root, Orange Milkweed, Orange Swallow Wort, Pleurisy, Racine du Canada, Racine Colique, Racine de Flux, Racine de Tubercule, Swallow-Wort, Tuber Root, White Root, Wind Root, Asclepias tuberosa, Swallow Wort, Vencetósigo, Asclépiade Tubéreuse
Overview
Pleurisy is a plant that grows throughout most of the U.S. The root is used as medicine.
Pleurisy root is used for coughs, swelling of the lining of the lungs (pleuritis), swelling of the air sacs in the lungs (pneumonitis), swelling of the airways (bronchitis), influenza, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using pleurisy root can also be unsafe.
There isn't enough information to know how pleurisy root might work.
There isn't enough information to know how pleurisy root might work.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Cough.
- Lung inflammation.
- Bronchitis.
- Influenza (flu).
- Disorders of the uterus.
- Pain.
- Spasms.
- Promoting sweating.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of pleurisy root for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Pleurisy root is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It contains a chemical that is similar to the prescription drug digoxin (Lanoxin). It might cause serious heart problems. Pleurisy root can also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and skin rash.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Pleurisy root is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It contains a chemical that is similar to the prescription drug digoxin (Lanoxin). It might cause serious heart problems. Pleurisy root can also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and skin rash.
Pregnancy: It's UNSAFE to use pleurisy root if you are pregnant. Pleurisy root can stimulate the uterus and it can also act like the hormone estrogen. These effects can endanger the pregnancy.
Breast-feeding: It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to use pleurisy root if you are breast-feeding. Avoid use.
Heart problems: Pleurisy root might interfere with medicines used to treat heart problems. Don't use pleurisy root if you have a heart condition.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with Pleurisy rootDigoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Pleurisy root also seems to affect the heart. Taking pleurisy root along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take pleurisy root if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional.
- Estrogens interacts with Pleurisy rootLarge amounts of pleurisy root might have some of the same effects as estrogen. But pleurisy root isn't as strong as estrogen pills. Taking pleurisy root along with estrogen pills might decrease the effects of estrogen pills. Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Pleurisy rootPleurisy root might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from pleurisy root. Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of pleurisy root depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for pleurisy root. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Gossel TA, Bricker JD. Principles of Clinical Toxicology. New York, NY:Raven Press, 1994.
- De Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hansel R, Chandler RF, Eds. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 1. Verlag, Berlin: Springer, 1992.
- Abe, F. and Yamauchi, T. An androstane bioside and 3'-thiazolidinone derivatives of doubly-linked cardenolide glycosides from the roots of Asclepias tuberosa. Chem Pharm Bull.(Tokyo) 2000;48(7):991-993.
- Abe, F. and Yamauchi, T. Pregnane glycosides from the roots of Asclepias tuberosa. Chem Pharm Bull.(Tokyo) 2000;48(7):1017-1022.
- Torbert, H. A., Prior, S. A., Runion, G. B., Davis, M. A., Pritchard, S. G., and Rogers, H. H. Nitrogen and Carbon Cycling in a Model Longleaf Pine Community as Affected by Elevated Atmospheric CO(2). Environ.Manage. 12-4-2003;
- Petricic, J. [On the cardenolides of roots of Asclepias tuberosa L.]. Arch Pharm Ber.Dtsch.Pharm Ges 1966;299(12):1007-1011.