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Canada Root | | Name : | Canada Root | | Synonyms : | Asclepias
Butterflyweed
Canadaroot
Fluxroot
Orangeswallow-wort
Swallowwort
Tuberroot
Whiteroot
Windroot
| | Parts Used : | The root, dried | | Habitat : | Found in dry fields, woods, meadows, prairies, on roadsides, andsandy soils along the east coast and westward to Minnesota, Arizona,and northern Mexico. | | Description : | Pleurisy root is a native North American perennial plant; The fleshy,white, tuber-like, root produces several stout, erect, round, hairystems (without milky juice) from 1-3 feet high. The alternate, sessile,with watery sap, leaves are lanceolate to oblong, a darker green abovethan beneath. Bright orange flowers, stamens forming a structure likea crown, grow in terminal, flat-topped, 2-inch, umbels from June toSeptember, later producing long, edible seed pods that are spindle-shaped.Full sun. Zones 3-10. Heat tolerant.
The plant has a nauseous, bitter taste when fresh, but better whendried. | | Constituents : | Ascepin is the active principle, asclepiadine, asclepione, cardenoliedes, traces of essential oil, resin, sterol
Carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, antispasmodic, relaxant,tonic | | Uses : | Widely used as an expectorant in the late 19th century. It is recommendedfor colds, flu,scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, bilious fever, typhus, measles,promotes sweating therefore reducing fever,suppressed menses, headache,and bronchial, pleurisy,asthma, and pulmonary problems.Sometimes it was given with cayenne at thebeginning of a cold. Native Americans chewed the dried root or madea tea by boiling the root as a remedy for bronchitis, pneumonia,diarrhea, and dysentery.Root poultice used for bruises, swellings, and rheumatism. | | Dosage : | Use the root dried or cooked.
Infusion: steep 1 tsp. of powdered root in 1 cup boiling waterfor 45 minutes, strain, and take 2 tbsp. every 2 hours; more if necessary.
Decoction: boil 1 tsp. root in 1 cup water. Take 1 to 2 cupsper day.
Tincture: take 5 to 40 drops every 3 hours, depending on ageand condition. At the beginning of a cold, take 5-15 drops in hotwater and 3 grains cayenne every hour until you feel warm throughout.For children, the dose is 1-5 drops. | | Safety : | Animals have been poisoned by feeding on the leaves and stems. Thefresh root may also produce undesirable symptoms. For humans, potentiallytoxic in large doses. The fresh root can be dangerous. Use only commercialpreparations. | | Myths : | One species in the Far East was possibly used as a hallucinogen,which is known in the Hindu religion as 'Soma'.
As the name suggests, this herb is used for upper respiratory andlung problems. |
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