Marvellous Milkweed – Food for Butterflies, Medicine for Humans
Milkweed is a detoxifying herb. It supports removal of toxins from the body through its action on blood and lymphatic circulation, kidneys, digestive tract, and the liver. (Photos by Michael Vertolli, RH)
In most parts of Ontario, when we take a walk in the open fields from late June to mid-July, sooner or later we are going to find that the air is filled with a strong sweet aroma. A quick search is likely to turn up some common milkweed plants with their large globular clusters of unusually shaped pinkish or yellowish flowers. There are 11 different of species of milkweed native to Ontario, but it is common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) that is the most common and aromatic species.
In the fall this plant has a different kind of beauty. As the aerial parts of the plant begin to die back the pods open, releasing thousands of seeds that float through the air on their wispy filaments. These filaments are very soft and silky and were historically used to stuff pillows.
Common milkweed prefers a lot of sunlight and usually grows in open fields. It tends to grow in small colonies because it partly spreads by rhizomes. These are underground stems that send up the leafy shoots that we see. With herbs that grow this way the aerial parts are not individual plants. They are the leafy stalks of a single plant that are connected by rhizomes below the ground.
Milkweed has an interesting history. Its common name comes from the milky latex that exudes from the plant whenever it is damaged. During the Second World War when Japan threatened to control the world’s supply of rubber trees, the latex from milkweed was considered as a possible alternative source of rubber in the West.
The plant's botanical name was given to it by Carl Linnaeus, the famous botanist and creator of our earliest system of plant classification. Because of its long history of use as a medicinal plant, the genus was named after Asclepias, the Greek god of medicine. Linnaeus called this species syriaca because he mistakenly believed the plant to have originated in the Middle East. Thus he named it after Syria.
In reality, this herb is a native of North America that had been introduced in Europe before Linnaeus’ time. Those of us who live in North America tend to be aware that many species of plants that grow here are naturalized Eurasian species. What we often don't realize is that many plants were introduced – intentionally or otherwise – in the opposite direction as well. For example, milkweed is a native of the temperate regions of eastern North America south of the boreal forest, but it is also naturalized in much of temperate Europe.
Milkweed Medicine
Common milkweed is more than a medicine. The young buds, flowers and very young seed pods are edible. It is usually recommended to boil them a couple of times and discard the water to reduce their bitterness. I particularly like the seed pods which remind me of a cross between green pepper and okra. The dried stalks were also used as a source of plant fibre for making rope by Native Americans.
This plant is not just used by human people. Milkweed contains some very bitter constituents as well as minute amounts of potentially toxic constituents called cardioactive glycosides. These constituents occur in most members of the Dogbane family which includes the various milkweed and dogbane species. It is likely that these herbs evolved the ability to manufacture cardioactive glycosides as a way of discouraging foraging by insects and mammals.
As a lymphatic herb, milkweed is also helpful for any condition characterized by swollen lymph nodes.
Some insects, however, have developed a tolerance for these constituents and have developed the ability to concentrate them in their tissues. This makes them unpalatable and even toxic to many potential predators. Most notable of these is the monarch butterfly. Both the caterpillars and the adults of this species are brightly colored to warn predators that they are not good to eat.
Common milkweed has a long history of use as a medicine, although in the last century it has been overshadowed by another species of milkweed called butterfly weed (A. tuberosa) in most wildflower books, pleurisy root in most herbals. Butterfly weed has orange flowers that have a similar shape to the flowers of common milkweed but do not grow in globular clusters. This species is more common south of the Great Lakes. It is rare in most parts of southern Ontario but is a bit more common in eastern Ontario and in the region immediately north of Lake Erie. It is particularly common in sandy areas.
FOR WARTS – The milky latex of common milkweed is used to treat warts. It must be applied fresh several times per day for several weeks. It doesn't always work, but when it does the wart will turn black and fall off like a scab. The latex from dandelion stems (Taraxacum officinale) can be used similarly, but milkweed latex is usually more effective.
It is primarily the rhizomes of common milkweed that are used as a medicine. It's properties are very similar to those of butterfly weed. The rhizomes are dug in October or November after the aerial parts of the plant have died back. At that time it is still easily recognized this plant by its characteristic pods and single, unbranched stalk.
FOR COUGHS, COLDS, AND OTHER LUNG CONDITIONS – Milkweed is an excellent herb for the treatment of lung conditions. It relaxes the bronchioles, reduces spasms and liquefies the mucus secretions of our lungs making them easier to expectorate. It is used for coughs, colds and more serious conditions like bronchitis, asthma, pleurisy and tuberculosis. It is one of the stronger lung herbs that can be used when milder, more tonic herbs aren't getting the results that we need.
FOR FEVERS, CIRCULATION, WATER RETENTION – Milkweed is also a great diaphoretic and sudorific. It is used to induce sweating to help cool down our body during a fever. It can be used for any kind of feverish condition and is one of the more effective herbs for very high fevers.
Milkweed's strong diaphoretic properties are due to its capacity to dilate blood vessels, making this herb very effective at increasing blood circulation to the extremities of the body. Combined with regular exercise, it can be used by anyone with poor circulation. The herb also improves lymphatic drainage. The combination of these properties makes it effective in the treatment of peripheral edema (water retention). As a lymphatic it is also helpful for any condition characterized by swollen lymph nodes.
FOR DIGESTION, CONSTIPATION – Milkweed has a fairly significant action on the digestive system. It increases our production of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid, thereby improving our digestion and assimilation of nutrients from our food. It is also beneficial for chronic constipation. Its action on the digestive tract can be somewhat intense for individuals with a sensitive system. Occasionally it will cause nausea or diarrhea. This is very unlikely when it is used as recommended (see below). If these symptoms do occur, reduce the percentage of this herb in your formula or discontinue its use.
FOR GOUT AND ARTHRITIS – Milkweed is a detoxifying herb. It supports the removal of toxins from the body through its action on our blood and lymphatic circulation, kidneys, digestive tract, and also has a mild action on the liver. In this capacity it is primarily used in the treatment of rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. It can also reduce rheumatic pain and inflammation when applied topically.
Common milkweed is best used as a tincture of the fresh rhizomes and roots, although it is still very effective when dried or taken as a tea.
Cautions
As I mentioned above, milkweed contains small amounts of chemical constituents called cardioactive glycosides. These constituents can have a strong stimulating effect on the heart. In common milkweed these constituents have a very low concentration and are of a variety that is less toxic than stronger heart stimulants such as foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). They are most concentrated in the latex of the herb, and the rhizomes and roots—the parts we use—contain the lowest level of latex. Nevertheless, the presence of these constituents requires a number of restrictions on the use of this herb.
First of all, common milkweed is a medium potency herb. It therefore should only be used in combination with other herbs. I recommend that it only be used up to 25% of a formula and not for more than two to three months at a time.
Due to its potency and the presence of cardioactive glycosides, this herb should not be used during pregnancy, by nursing mothers, children under three, or seniors. It also should not be used by anyone with high blood pressure or a heart condition except under the supervision of a qualified practitioner who is experienced with the use of this herb. Milkweed is also contraindicated for anyone taking blood pressure, heart or MAO inhibiting medications.
If we follow these restrictions, milkweed is a very safe and effective herb. However, every person is different and there is always the possibility that someone could have a rare idiosyncratic reaction to the herb. This is possible with any herb. Therefore, if you are using milkweed or any herb and you have an unusual reaction, discontinue it immediately and consult with an herbalist or other qualified natural health practitioner who is experienced with the use of this herb. In most cases it will probably be nothing more than some kind of detox reaction, but it is always better to rest on the side of caution.
It’s amazing how herbal trends come and go. In naming the milkweeds after the Greek god of medicine, Linnaeus was acknowledging their importance as medicinal herbs. Yet today milkweed is rarely mentioned in herbal texts. This is partly due to the fact that it’s easier for companies to market something that is foreign and exotic: “the grass is always greener...” The most amazing thing is that Nature has provided for all of our medicinal needs no matter where we live. All we need to do is look in our own backyard!
Editor's note: This article is for information purposes only and is not mean to replace the advice of a physician
