Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Oil  Root  Seedpod  Shoots
Edible Uses: Oil  Sweetener

Whilst most parts of this plant have been used as food, some caution is advised since large doses can cause diarrhoea and vomiting - see the notes above on toxicity. Flower buds - cooked. They taste somewhat like peas[85]. Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute[2, 4, 46, 85, 183]. The tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach[85]. Young seed pods - cooked. Harvested when 3 - 4 cm long and before the seed floss begins to form, they are very appetizing[2, 4, 21, 61, 85]. The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup[2, 4, 85, 183]. In hot weather the flowers produce so much nectar that it crystallises out into small lumps which can be eaten like sweets, they are delicious[K]. Root - cooked[2, 4, 46, 61, 85, 105]. A nutty flavour[165]. Some reports say that it is poisonous[183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[112]. The seed is very small, however, and commercial usage would not be very viable.

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Carminative  Cathartic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Dysentery  Expectorant  Poultice  
Tonic  Vasodilator

Pleurisy root is a bitter, nutty-flavoured tonic herb that increases perspiration, relieves spasms and acts as an expectorant[238]. It was much used by the North American Indians and acquired a reputation as a heal-all amongst the earlier white settlers[254, 257]. Its main use in present day herbalism is for relieving the pain and inflammation of pleurisy[254]. The root is antispasmodic, carminative, mildly cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, tonic and vasodilator[4, 21, 46, 165]. The root was very popular as a medicinal herb for the treatment of a range of lung diseases, it was considered especially useful as an expectorant[4, 213, 254]. It has never been scientifically examined and warrants further investigation[213]. It has also been used internally with great advantage in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, rheumatism etc[4]. Use with caution[21], This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[238]. A poultice of the dried, powdered roots is used in the treatment of swellings, bruises, wounds, ulcers, lameness etc[222, 238, 268].

Fibre  Latex  Oil  Pollution  Stuffing

A good quality fibre is obtained from the bark and is used in making twine, cloth etc[112]. It is easily harvested in late autumn after the plant has died down by simply pulling the fibres off the dried stems[169]. The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibres to make cloth[169]. It is a kapok substitute, used in life jackets or as a stuffing material[169]. Very water repellent. The floss has also been used to mop up oil spills at sea. The plant is a potential source of latex, used for making rubber[57]. This species is the only member of the genus that does not have latex in its sap[213]. The seedpods contain an oil and a wax which are of potential importance. Candle wicks are made from the seed floss. The seed contains up to 21% of a semi-drying oil[112]. The dogbane-milkweed family Asclepias, Apocynum, Calotropis, and Trachomitum spp) has been used for fiber industrial crops for millennia with a number in cultivation as regional crops. All of these crops are dual-purpose fibres, offering bast fibres from the stem and seed finer or ‘floss’ in the fruit pods. Many have also been identified as potential hydrocarbon crops due to high latex content. Could be integrated into various agroforestry systems rather than as monocultures [1-1].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming