Joe-Pye Weed 

(Eutrochium purpureum)

Joe-Pye Weed is a common name given to 5 species of wildflowers of the Eutrochium genus that are native to North America. They are perennials that grow from 4-10′ tall in full sun or partial shade, and blooms approximately 1 month in mid-Summer to Fall. An ecologically important plant, it attracts numerous bees and butterflies. It is one of the Best plants to attract butterflies from small skippers to large Swallowtails, and even Monarchs. Being a pollen and nectar producer, it will attract numerous species of bees from large bumblebees to small bee flies.

Joe-Pye Weed is a showy plant that will make a great addition to any garden and since it loves moist soil, it can grow in places that most other plants can't.

In the year 2000 all Joe-Pye Weed were removed from the genus Eupatorium and placed in a new genus, Eutrochium. You may see some other online references that still refer to species of Joe-Pye Weed in the Eupatorium genus.

Joe-Pye Weed was used medicinally by Native American tribes. There are over 100 documented uses by numerous tribes. It has been used to treat a number of ailments from the common cold to kidney problems.

Latin Name: Eutrochium purpureum

Family: Asteraceae

Common Names: Joe-Pye Weed, Sweet Joe-Pye Weed, Gravel Root, Kidney Root, Trumpet Weed, Purple or Tall Boneset, Queen of the Meadow

Parts Used: Root, flowers, leaves

Plant Type: A tall, erect herb with leaves arranged in whorls on the stem that may grow as tall as 12 feet. The stem is green except at the leaf nodes, where it is purple. The leaves are sharply toothed but generally come in whorls of three or four. They emit a vanilla odor when bruised. Its pale pinkish or purplish flowers are held in rounded clusters. It is found in thickets and open woods in eastern North America. Bloom from July to September. 

Properties:  Anti-inflammatory, Bitter, Cathartic, Diuretic, Emetic, Febrifuge, Nervine

Constituents: Flavonoids (including Eupuriun), Volatile oil, Resin

Medicinal Uses:  Dried flowering tops and leaves were used as a tonic for biliosness and as a laxative but this is now felt by some to be too toxic. Specifically to help remove stones in the bladder caused by excess uric acid--which gives one of its names of gravel root. 

Leaves of Joe Pye stimulate circulation and sweating and reduce inflammation. The dried root has been used to tone the entire reproductive tract, helping with pelvic inflammatory disease, gonorrhea, menstrual cramps, and also prostate and urinary infections; gout and rheumatism. It is toning to the mucous membranes and cleans sediments that have settled on their surfaces.

Teas of the roots or tops were used as a diuretic, as well as for rheumatism, gout, fevers, diarrhea, respiratory disorders, and even impotence. (Gravel-root refers to the kidney or bladder stones that E. purpureum was supposed to eliminate.) 

As a nervine, it is said to influence the entire sympathetic nervous system. As an internal remedy, the root has been administered to increase urine flow, for urinary infections and female disorders, and as a tonic and a stimulant.

Foraging: Collect leaves and stems before the flower buds open in the Summer & flowers in the Summer, and harvest roots in the Fall after flowers stop blooming.

Flavor: A tea made from the Infusion of the leaves & flowers has a vanilla odor and makes a pleasant tea. The flavor of root Decoctions has been described as old hay with a hint of bitterness.

Preparation Methods: A tea  (Infusion) made from the whole herb is Diuretic. It is used in the treatment of kidney complaints, painful urination, rheumatism etc.

The leaves and stems are harvested in the Summer before the flower buds open, and are dried for later use. 

A tea (Decoction) made from the roots is used in the treatment of fevers, colds, kidney and liver complaints, rheumatism etc. 

Externally, a Decoction of the roots is used as a wash on rheumatic joints. The roots are harvested in the Autumn and can be dried for later use.

Not recommended during pregnancy.

While not poisonous, overdoses cause nausea, pains in the stomach and bowels, increased heart action and a run-down feeling.

Joe-Pye Weed Look Alikes