Joe Pye Weed - Eutrochium maculatum

Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium or Eutrochium perfoliatum, purpureum, maculatum and more, was known to indigenous people in the Americas as a treatment for colds, bladder infection, fevers, chills, pain after childbirth, diarrhea, liver problems, and kidney stones. It is commonly called gravel root since the roots are used for kidney stones.

It is traditionally used for typhus, and typhoid, which are both bacterial infections. A study shows it to be active against Proteus spp., Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Bacillus subtilis, B. thurengiensis, B. cereus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella paratyphi, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Citrobacter freundii, Proteus spp., B. subtilis, B. thurengiensis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella spp. and S. paratyphi.¹ S. Paratyphi is the bacteria responsible for typhoid infections.

I have not found a study showing it effective for the typhus bacteria but there is plenty of anecdotal and written history attesting to its use among indigenous people of North America and among enslaved peoples in the American South.

These days it is used primarily for kidney and bladder problems. It is active against E.coli, which is responsible for the majority of UTIs.

There are several different species that all go by the common name of Joe Pye weed and are similarly useful. The Latin names have all been repeatedly changed between genus Eupatorium, Eutrochium, and Eupatoriadelphus. In addition, the various plants are all extremely similar and confusing to tell apart. But for now, Eutrochium is the genus officially settled on although all three names are in use. The ones I harvest the most of are Eutrochium maculatum, and Eutrochium purpureum.

Suggested dosing: Tincture 1-2 ml 3x day for up to two weeks.
Possible side effects: Allergy, gastrointestinal upset, headache, skin irritation
Contraindications: Allergy to the aster family. Lithium and some drugs metabolized by the liver like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.

¹ Bhattarai, Nabin, and Geeta Shrestha. 2010. “Antibacterial and Antifungal Effect of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng Against Bacterial and Fungal Isolates”. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 10 (April):91-95. https://doi.org/10.3126/njst.v10i0.2834.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any illness.