Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium) a Native American herbal medicine that can be used to treat fevers, colds, kidney and bladder stones, rheumatism, and other ailments.
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium, Joe-Pye) is a perennial flowering plant in Asteraceae family. The herb reaches 5-6 feet in height, with purple to white tubular flowers. It is native to Eastern North America. The name Joe Pye is referred to a Native American healer from New England. He used the herb to treat typhus and a variety of ailments.
Uses of Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium)
Joe Pye Weed is a diuretic. It flushes the bladder and kidneys with increased urine flow, removing stones in kidney and bladder, reducing urinary tract infections, and treating difficulty urinating.
Joe Pye Weed is a stimulant and tonic, and is used to treat urine retention, dropsy, bed wetting, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, enlarged prostate) and impotence.
Joe Pye Weed is soothing, calming and sedative. It relaxes the nerves and can be used to relieve neuralgia, rheumatism, gout, sciatica and hysteria.
Eutrochium is also used to stimulate perspiration and induce sweating for treating fevers, headaches, typhus, coughs, colds, asthma, and sore throat.
From the uses, we can see that, Joe Pye Weed basically is a diuretic and diaphoretic. It affects urinary tract and upper respiratory system. With these properties, Joe Pye Weed may also help treat indigestion, poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea if the problems are caused by dampness and excess water.
How to use Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium)
The roots, flowers and leaves of eutrochium can be used as a medicine. Traditionally, Joe Pye Weed is used to make an infusion or a decoction. When treating upper body ailments, flowers and leaves are better than roots, and when treating lower body disorders, roots are better than flowers and leaves.
Joe Pye Weed root decoction:
– Dried Joe Pye Weed root 10g
– Boil and simmer in 2 cups of water for 20 minutes
– Consume 1 cup every 2 hours
– This remedy increases urine flow, reduces excess uric acid and treats stones and urinary tract infections
Joe Pye Weed flower tea:
– Dried Joe Pye Weed flowers and leaves 5g
– Boiling water 1 cup
– Steep for 15 minutes
– Drink it, 2-3 times a day
– This tea can be used to induce sweating for treating coughs, colds, fevers, typhus, headache, sore throat and asthma
Joe Pye Weed cough syrup:
– Dried Joe Pye Weed flowers and leaves (or roots) 50g
– Water 1 cup
– Honey 1 cup
– Boil and simmer the herb for 15 minutes
– Strain and add honey to the decoction
– Bring to a boil again to make a syrup
– Store in a jar when cool
– Consume 1 teaspoon, 2-3 times a day
Please note, you should consult your doctor before using Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium).
References
- New combinations in Eutrochium, an earlier name for Eupatoriadelphus, Lamont, Eric E. (2004), Sida 21: 901-902.
- American Folk Medicine, Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, 1973.
- An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants, Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books, 1992.
