Practical
Plants

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Thoroughwort

a perennial member of the Eupatorium genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Thoroughwort is one of the most popular domestic medicines in North America[13][5] where it is used in the treatment of influenza, colds, acute bronchitis, catarrh and skin diseases[9]. It has been shown to stimulate resistance to viral and bacterial infections, and reduces fevers by encouraging sweating[10]. The plant, however, should be used with some caution since large doses are laxative and emetic and the plant might contain potentially liver-harming pyrrolizidine alkaloids[6]. The leaves and flowering stems are antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emetic, febrifuge, laxative, purgative, stimulant, vasodilator[13][14][2][9]. A hot infusion of the dried leaves and flowers is used as a very effective treatment to bring relief to symptoms of the common cold and other similar feverishness - it loosens phlegm and promotes its removal through coughing[5][10][11]. This herb is practically unequalled in its effectiveness against colds[11]. It is also used in the treatment of rheumatic illness, skin conditions and worms[10]. The leaves and flowering stems are harvested in the summer before the buds open, and are dried for later use[9]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant, harvested when it first comes into flower[7]. It is used in the treatment of illnesses such as flu and fever[7].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Vasodilator

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Quebec to Manitoba, south to Florida and Texas.
Habitat
Wet woods, scrub, fens and damp grassland[3]. Sandy soils in Texas[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[1]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in ordinary well-drained but moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade[4]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[3]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[8]. A polymorphic species[13].

References

  1. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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  2. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  5. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  6. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

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  7. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2

  12. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

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  13. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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