Eupatorium maculatum, E. purpureum, E. ternifolium, E. verticullatum

Family

Asteraceae (Daisy Family)

Etymology

The genus name Eupatorium honors an ancient Persian king, Mithrades Eupator, who was a renowned herbalist. The common name gravel root refers to the plant's long history of use in helping the body rid itself of stones. The common names joe-pye weed and jopi weed derive from that of Joe Pye (or Jopi), who, according to folklore, was a Native American medicine man in New England who used the plant to treat typhus. The common name queen of the meadow is a reference to the plant's beautiful and stately purple or pink flowers.             

Range of Appearance

Gravel root is a perennial native to the meadows, woodlands, and lowlands of Europe and eastern North America. It usually reaches a height of about 6 feet but on occasion 12 feet. The stems are green, with a purplish hue at the leaf nodes. The leaves are broad, rough, and jagged and grow three to five at a joint. The hermaphroditic flowers are tubular and white or pale pink to purple and grow in rounded clusters.

Parts Used

Root (primarily), entire plant (rarely)

Physiological Effects

Antirheumatic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, immune stimulant, lithotriptic, nervine,

Medicinal Uses

Ojibwa Indians would wash their children, up until about the age of six, with a solution of gravel root tea to strengthen them. The plant was widely used by Native American tribes in treating kidney problems. It is known to balance the genitourinary system, cleanse the kidneys, clear heat, calm inflammation, and help the body eliminate uric acid. It is used to treat arthritis, asthma, bedwetting, bladder irritation, bladder stones, cough, cystitis, difficult labor, dropsy, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, fever, flu, gallstones, gout, hematuria, incontinence, kidney stones, lumbago, polyuria, prostatitis, rheumatism, threatened miscarriage, typhus, urethritis, and uterine prolapse.

Culinary Uses

Gravel root is not generally considered edible. The roots were at one time burned and powdered for use as a salt substitute.

Other Uses

A red dye can be made from the seeds.

Constituents

Protein, carbohydrates (polysaccharides), flavonoids (quercitin, euparin), oleoresin (eupatorin), sesqiuterpene lactones,             

Contraindications

Large doses may cause vomiting. Avoid during pregnancy. Gravel root contains some pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Plant details were provided by iPlant by Brigitte Mars.

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