Native people who lived for generations in the wild learned many things that have now been forgotten. These might be some of that wisdom. Thanks for the post!
Chipewa Hunting Charms
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Common milkweed is a different plant from whorled milkweed. Some regard the tender young leaves of common milkweed as edible. The young leaves and shoots of otherwise toxic plants are sometimes edible (eg. pokeweed). As a veterinarian, I can assure you that horses and cows are different creatures than people, and 0.1-0.5% of body weight is a fair amount of greens to eat at one time.
The leaves and shoots of boneset is a well-known treatment for colds, flu and fevers. I'm not sure about the toxicity of the roots of either plant, but maybe they just spit them out after chewing, and didn't swallow.
Food for thought or food that can kill you? Which is it?
You post a source citing the chewing of milkweed root and then don't want to take any responsibility for it?
Sources?
Google "MILKWEED - Asclepias species" and take your pick of a hundred or so listing the toxicity of the milkweed family.
http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/poison/plants/ppmilkw.htm
The primary toxic principle, galitoxin, is of the resinoid class. Galitoxin is found in all vegetative parts of the plant. In addition, a group of toxicants known as cardenolides may be responsible for digitalis-like signs that cause or contribute to death. In general, it appears that the broad-leaved species produce cardiotoxic and GI effects while the narrow-leaved species are more commonly neurotoxic.
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/common_milkweed.htm
Common Milkweed is considered by many to be a pesky garden weed. Others, however, value it as a great attractor of wildlife, especially butterflies. It is poisonous to humans, so do not eat it. The fluffy seeds of milkweed are sometimes used as insulation or stuffing for life jackets.
http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_assy.pdf
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. Symptoms of poisoning by the cardiac glycosides include dullness, weakness, bloating, inability to stand or walk, high body temperature, rapid and weak pulse, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, spasms, and coma.
Any of those work for you?
Im pretty much astounded to hear a veterinarian posting info here about chewing and smoking milkweed. Are you a small animal vet? Have you ever seen a ruminant with milkweed poisoning? I bet if you had you would be so hot to trot on it.
This forum would be non-existant if everyone, including you, took responsibility for everything posted or reported. I reported what a group of native americans did to attract game over the thousands of years that they occupied this land before Colorado Ranchers happened on the scene. They would not have survived long enough to have their land taken away if the toxicity had been that overt. Since I have some Chippewa blood flowing in my veins, I take great pride in their accomplishments, which were substantial, considering what it must have taken to figure out what I reported. I did not advocate following their example, but if one is on the verge of starving to death, it might be wise to risk a little toxicity using ancient knowledge.Food for thought or food that can kill you? Which is it?
You post a source citing the chewing of milkweed root and then don't want to take any responsibility for it?
Sources?
Google "MILKWEED - Asclepias species" and take your pick of a hundred or so listing the toxicity of the milkweed family.
http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/poison/plants/ppmilkw.htm
The primary toxic principle, galitoxin, is of the resinoid class. Galitoxin is found in all vegetative parts of the plant. In addition, a group of toxicants known as cardenolides may be responsible for digitalis-like signs that cause or contribute to death. In general, it appears that the broad-leaved species produce cardiotoxic and GI effects while the narrow-leaved species are more commonly neurotoxic.
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/common_milkweed.htm
Common Milkweed is considered by many to be a pesky garden weed. Others, however, value it as a great attractor of wildlife, especially butterflies. It is poisonous to humans, so do not eat it. The fluffy seeds of milkweed are sometimes used as insulation or stuffing for life jackets.
http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_assy.pdf
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. Symptoms of poisoning by the cardiac glycosides include dullness, weakness, bloating, inability to stand or walk, high body temperature, rapid and weak pulse, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, spasms, and coma.
Any of those work for you?
Im pretty much astounded to hear a veterinarian posting info here about chewing and smoking milkweed. Are you a small animal vet? Have you ever seen a ruminant with milkweed poisoning? I bet if you had you would be so hot to trot on it.
For your information, I am a toxicologic pathologist with 40+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. I have publications/book chapters dealing with toxicity, and I am a board certified veterinary pathologist. I know the effects of toxic agents on tissues. I have even worked with compounds that were glycoside analogs. I took courses on poisonous weeds in veterinary school.
In addition to that I grew up in Northern Minnesota and have spent much time there in the bush hunting and hiking so I know the country. In addition, I have about 20 years of raising livestock on two farms....cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
Why don't you impress me with some more citations.
Or you could actually search for many of the safe to eat plants instead?
Which makes it even more /boggle that you take this stance on milkweed.
You might want to double check that chapter you wrote on milkweed.:taped:
You asked for the citations, remember?In addition to that I grew up in Northern Minnesota and have spent much time there in the bush hunting and hiking so I know the country. In addition, I have about 20 years of raising livestock on two farms....cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
Why don't you impress me with some more citations.
Posting Indian remedies and herb lore here without proper instruction is dangerous. Your first post listed chewing the root of milkweed.
Which is dangerous and stupid.
Why don't you put your money where your mouth is and go on a milkweed salad diet for a month?
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