What Is Gravel Root Used For?

Gravel root, or Eupatorium purpureum, is a perennial herb also known by such names as joe-pye weed, kidney root, purple boneset and sweet-scented joepyeweed. It is native to Eastern North America and is part of the aster family. The uses of gravel root include the medicinal, textile and culinary realms.

Native American Medicine

Native Americans used the gravel plant as a diaphoretic, a substance that induces sweating. They administered it to break fevers. Gravel root's name "joe-pye weed" comes from the name of a Native American, Joe Pye, who gave it to someone suffering from a form of typhus, with positive results.

Modern Alternative Medicine

Settlers in America saw American Indians using gravel root and began using it themselves. In modern-day herbalism, herbalists consider all parts of the gravel plant to be an astringent, tonic, diaphoretic, diuretic and nerve soother. Of all the parts, the root of the gravel root is considered the most effective. Herbalists use gravel root to treat such conditions as cystitis, urethritis, rheumatism and gout. They also use it as a preventive for bladder stones and kidney stones. For these diseases, gravel root tends to be prepared as a tea or tincture.

Miscellaneous Uses

The fruit of the gravel root has been used to dye cloth, making a pink or red dye. The flowers also have a dye property, making a reddish dye. In addition, the gravel root's root has been used as a condiment. It was burned to ashes, and these ashes were used as a kind of salt for food. Another use of the gravel root involves its stems, which have served as straws.

Consideration

Scientific studies have been conducted on gravel root. In a study published by S. Habemariam in the December 2001 edition of Phytotherapy Research, a chemical in the rhizome of gravel root, cistifolin, was found to have activity when tested in vitro and in vivo.