Milkweed History and Uses 101

1/21/2019

11 Comments

Did you know that Milkweed is one of the most useful and versatile plants in the world? Not only is it a vital plant-food for Monarchs, it is extremely useful for us as a source of food, medicine and fiber.

From it's historical uses in World War II to it's use as a nematicide, Milkweed's many uses may just surprise you!

Historical Uses

The young shoots, flower buds, immature fruits, and roots of butterfly milkweed were boiled and prepared as a food-source by various indigenous groups of eastern and mid-western America throughout history.
During World War II, milkweed quite literally saved hundreds if not thousands of lives. In 1943, a milkweed seed and floss-extracting plant was created in Michigan which provided the armed forces with over two million pounds of plant material used to stuff 1.2 million life-vests! (Berkman, 1949)

Medicinal Uses

In 1892, Charles Millspaugh recorded the early medical history of butterfly milkweed, also known as pleurisy root. He stated that it is a proven remedy for certain forms of dry coryza, indigestion, colic, diarrhea, dry coughs, pleurisy, rheumatic pains, and some skin affections (1974, p. 540).
The milky white sap is sometimes applied topically to remove warts.
Caution: Some people have allergic reaction to the milky sap and avoid contact with your eyes by washing hands thoroughly after touching.
Famous ethnobotanist, Melvin Gilmore, wrote that the Omahas and Poncas ate the raw root of the butterfly milkweed for bronchial and pulmonary troubles and also as a treatment for wounds (1977).
The Lakota's name for green milkweed is "hu cinska" which describes the shape of the leaf. The pulverized roots of green milkweed were used to treat children with diarrhea (Rogers, 1980, p. 34). The Blackfeet also used the root of green milkweed to relieve sore throats (Hellson, 1974, p. 71).

Culinary Uses

Common milkweed has been used for food by the Omaha-Ponca, Winnebago and Pawnee tribes in all three stages of it's growth, from young sprouts to floral buds to young fruits (Gilmore, 1977, p. 57)
Experienced foragers still enjoy eating young milkweed sprouts (after being boiled) but only when identified properly. Refer to my Milkweed Identification blog if you aren't sure or pick up a field guide to help you. If you are confident in your identification skills are are looking for ways to prepare milkweed refer to Kay Young's book, Wild Seasons, for more ideas.

Note: All species of the Milkweed (Asclepias) family are known to contain cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to animals and humans. Monarchs have used these as their chemical defense against predators. Viceroy butterflies are a classic example of Batesian mimicry and also benefit from milkweed. Although they are not poisonous and do not eat Milkweed, predators confuse them for Monarchs and will avoid them.

Current Uses

Milkweed is currently being commercially used for stuffing pillows and comforters which proves more cost-effective and sustainable then down or synthetic fibers (Nehring, 2014).
The fluff of the milkweed pods prove to be a wonderful fire starter!
In current research by the USDA, a chemical extracted from the seed is being tested as a pesticide for nematodes (O'kuru, 1999).

Tewa-speaking people of the Rio Grande still make string and rope from these fibers
Over the years, researchers have investigated growing milkweed for paper-making, textiles, and lubricants, and as a substitute for fossil fuels and rubber (Lohmiller).

We hope that Milkweed continues be grown and protected in order to provide sustenance, medicine, and a habitat for many creatures of the world, including humans!

References

Boris Berkman. “Milkweed: A War Strategic Material and a Potential Industrial Crop for Sub-Marginal Lands in the United States.” Economic Botany, vol. 3, no. 3, 1949, pp. 223–239. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4251941.

Harry-O'kuru, R.E., Mojtahedi H., Vaughn S.F, Dowd, P.F.,...Abbott, T.P. "Milkweed seedmeal: a control for Meloidogyne chitwoodi on potatoes." Industrial Crops and Products 9, 1999, pp. 145-150. USDA. 'https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/25487/PDF'

Kindscher, K. 1992. Medicinal wild plants of the prairie. An ethnobotanical guide. University Press of Kansas. pp. 54-58.

Lohmiller, G., Lohmiller, B. "Common Milkweed Uses and Natural Remedies." The Old Farmer's Almanac. 'https://www.almanac.com/content/common-milkweed-uses-and-natural-remedies'

Gilmore, M.R. 1977. Uses of plants by the Indians of the Missouri River region. University of Nebraska Press. pp. 55-57.

Nehring, J. "The potential of milkweed floss as a natural fiber in the textile industry." Journal of Undergraduate Research. 2014. University of Kansas. 'https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/15034/Nehring_jur14.pdf;sequence=1'

Shakyawar, D. B., Dagur, R. S., & Gupta, N. P. (1999). Studies on milkweed fibres. Chicago

11 Comments

Jack link

7/10/2019 04:51:31 pm

Difference between prairie and common milkweed? Always fun to blow the seeds to the wind!

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7/17/2020 12:52:12 am

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7/17/2020 10:45:39 pm

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7/17/2020 11:20:26 pm

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Crystal Fisher

7/18/2020 07:38:53 am

I counted 13. What happened to the rest of the 101 uses?

Elizabeth Peacock

4/28/2022 05:05:21 pm

I'm responding to the person who inquired about "101". The 101 is not saying there are 101 uses, it's a title like in the college class "English 101". It means it's offering the basics.

I tested the raw milkweed by eating one young shoot and for the next 24 hours I had stomach cramps and the runs pretty bad. I'll cook them next time. I'm a test the boundaries kind of person.

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1/19/2023 03:00:03 am

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4/6/2023 10:47:59 am

I find this post so useful. Thanks for sharing!

KAREN

7/18/2023 05:31:36 pm

I have heard there is a Milkweed that has white in the leafs... looks like milk on the 🍃.
My understanding is it can be used for many health benefits. But I can' not find any information on that milkweed. Like where is grows etc...
Do you have any information on that particular plant!?? The one that has white one 🍃 as if milk was spilled on them?.?

Rishikesh link

8/29/2023 10:46:49 pm

Your meticulous research and passionate delivery have shed light on the remarkable versatility of this plant, from its historical significance during World War II to its role as a source of food, medicine, and even fire starter in our contemporary world. Your ability to weave together both the traditional and modern uses of Milkweed showcases its enduring importance in our lives and the environment. Thank you for sharing such invaluable insights and knowledge with your readers.

Jurvis J. LaSalle

1/13/2024 08:41:07 am

Nylon did replace the milkweed Parachutes of WW 2, but enough of the white chutes took off from England on June 5th for Normandy = D-Day Invasion. Funny how a simple plants fiber was the start of the US 82nd ,101st and 11th Airborne Divisions ability to jump into combat and to train so first using those white parachutes. All of us owe so so much to the men who jumped in, the workers who spun the fibers into thread, the workers who made the chutes and all the kids who helped to pick the pods which was the start the process, and to that amazing Plant itself. AATWATS !!!