Asclepias incarnata - Flesh-colored Asclepias
"It may be given in coughs and colds, rheumatism from cold, painful stitches in the chest with threatened inflammation of the lungs and pleura, asthma, chronic gastric catarrh, diarrhea, dysentery, dropsy, worms, erysipelatous diseases.
It improves digestion, and is a good remedy in chronic catarrh of the stomach, and in catarrhal inflammation of the respiratory organs.
It is both emetic and cathartic and may be used with advantage in the early stages of dysentery and diarrhea.
In rheumatic and catarrhal inflammations it should be given to produce slight nausea.
In doses of ten to twenty grains it acts as a vermifuge.
It is also beneficial as a local and internal remedy in erysipelas and erysipelatous diseases."
(Finley Ellingwood: The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1915)

Asclepias tuberosa - Pleurisy Root
"CONSTITUENTS: Glucoside, tannic and gallic acids, resin, fixed oil, volatile oil, fat, gum, starch.
PREPARATIONS: Extractum Asclepiadis Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Asclepias. Dose: from one to five grains. Specific Asclepias. Dose: from one to sixty minims.
Therapy: It is beneficial in acute pleuritis specifically, also in bronchitis, pneumonitis and peritonitis. It has distinct expectorant properties. In tight and painful coughs with difficult respiration, especially where there is a general suspension of secretion, with dry skin and mucous membranes, and in soreness of the chest from coughing, it is a most excellent remedy. In all these conditions if there is the least elevation of temperature its influence will be greatly enhanced if given in conjunction with aconite.
It was in great repute among the older Eclectic physicians in the treatment of acute pleuritis, as suggested above. They also used it in acute inflammations of serous membranes, especially if there were acute, quick pains, and a tendency to serous effusion. Its eliminative action upon the skin greatly enhances its influence in these cases.
If the powdered asclepias be combined with ipecac and camphor, a powder is produced with diaphoretic properties of an Improved Dover's Powder.
To obtain active diaphoresis, asclepias should be given in strong, hot infusion. Its influence in acute rheumatism should not be overlooked. It may be combined with such agents as cimicifuga and colchicum, and will markedly intensify their action, especially if aconite be indicated."
(Finley Ellingwood: The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1915)