What are the benefits of taking milkweed?
Milkweeds contain cardiac glycosides, naturally occurring drugs that increase the force of heart contraction and have been used to treat heart conditions. Milkweed species as a group are known to contain cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to humans and livestock, as well as other substances that may account for their medicinal effect. Resinoids, glycosides, and a small amount of alkaloids are present in all parts of the plant.Yes, all milkweed species contain chemicals called cardenolides, or cardiac glycosides, which make them toxic. However, species differ in their level of toxicity.The toxic nature of milkweed is due to one of two agents: cardiac glycosides (cardenolides) or an unidentified neurotoxin. The cardiac glycosides are found in the majority of milkweed species, while the neurotoxin is specific to the whorled-leaf types such as horsetail milkweed.Leaves or other above-ground parts of the plant are poisonous. They contain several glucosidic substances called cardenolides that are toxic. Milkweed may cause losses at any time, but it is most dangerous during the active growing season. Several species of milkweed are poisonous to range animals.Although many milkweeds contain resinoids, most of the ones that cause fatal poisonings contain cardenolides (cardiac glycosides). These cardenolides are similar to digoxin causing electrolyte balances in heart muscle resulting in arrhythmias and cardiac failure.
What does milkweed do to the body?
All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and heart rhythm changes. Milkweed can also irritate the skin and eyes if touched. The white secretion of this plant can be applied to remove warts but can be toxic to humans if consumed when the plant is not in its sprout stage. As a sprout the milkweed plant can be boiled and resembles asparagus but as the plant grows, so does it’s toxicity.Milkweed sap can cause mild skin irritation or an allergic reaction, but it is not highly toxic through skin contact. Brief Explanation: The milky latex sap contains toxic compounds that can irritate sensitive skin or eyes. It’s advisable to wear gloves when handling the plant.While milkweed can be used as a topical pain reliever it is very important to note that it is for topical use ONLY as it is indeed mildly toxic.Milkweed Medicine The Miwok people used the latex to remove warts. The Cheyenne made a decoction of the dried plant tops and used it as an eyewash to heal snow blindness. Cherokee, Delaware, and Mohegan peoples used pleurisy root, also called butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), made into a cough remedy.The toxic milky white sap, which gives milkweed its name, was applied to remove warts. Native Americans also learned how to prepare parts of the milkweed plant for food, a knowledge they shared with settlers (young milkweed shoots and pods, lightly sautéed, are a forager’s delight).
Is milkweed good for a fatty liver?
Milk thistle has been used for centuries in herbal practices to support liver health and manage various liver conditions, including fatty liver disease. It contains a mixture of flavonolignans, with silymarin being the most active compound. Milk Thistle Drug Interactions Blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Seizure treatment, such as phenytoin and fosphenytoin. Diabetes medications: Milk thistle can lower blood sugar levels and increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when taken with other diabetes treatments.