September 19, 2002

POKE

Latin Name: Phytolacca americana

Alternate Names: Pigeon Berry, Cancer Root, Red Ink Plant, Shang-lu (Chinese), Congora (Spanish), Coakum, Inkberry, Scoke, Red Weed

Family: PHYTOLACCACEAE

Parts Used: Root, berries.

Properties: Alterative, Anodyne, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumatic, Antitumor, Cathartic, Emetic, Immune Stimulant, Laxative, Lymphatic Decongestant, Molluscidal, Spermicidal.

Internal Uses: Cancer, Herpes, Leukemia, Liver Cancer, Lymphatic Infection, Mumps, Rheumatism, Swollen Glands, Tonsillitis, Tumors

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

It stimulates the immune system by increasing T-cell activity.

Topical Uses: Bedsores, Boils, Breast Cancer, Carbuncles, Chickenpox, Eczema, Fungal Infection, Hemorrhoids, Herpes, Mastitis, Measles, Melanoma, Psoriasis, Ringworm, Scabies, Shingles, Wounds

Topical Applications: Has been used as a poultice for boils, fungal infections, skin and breast cancer and as a compress for mastitis. Poultice of berries is used on boils, ringworm, scabies and wounds. Salve for bedsores, carbuncles, chickenpox, eczema, fungal infection, hemorrhoids, herpes, measles, psoriasis, and shingles.

Culinary uses: A salad is made of the young leaves (less than 8 inches long) which must be cooked in two changes of salted water before serving so as to leach out any toxic components (10 minutes the first time, 5 minutes the next). You may have heard the term poke salet. Do not eat the mature leaves because they can be emetic. The Portuguese have used the berries to color wine. Cooked berries have been made into pies. Never eat raw berries.

Energetics: Bitter, Pungent, Cold, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Triterpenoid saponins, alkaloid (phytolaccine), phyolaccic acid, formic acid, lectins, tannin, antiviral protein (PAP), fatty oil, resin, sugars.

Contraindications: Never eat raw berries. Avoid during pregnancy. Use with supervision of a competent health care professional. All parts of the plant may cause digestive distress, vomiting, lowered blood pressure and depressed respiration. Overdoses have been fatal. Handle the root with gloves to avoid irritation. Dust of the dried plant may cause sneezing and eye irritation. Undried plant is more toxic.

Doses for this plant are much smaller than other herbs. If using tea, one mouthful is taken several times daily. Two to five drops of tincture are used twice daily. It is important to consume plenty of water when using Poke as medicine. Do not grow the plant in your garden if you have small curious children that may be attracted to the colorful purple berries.

Comments: The genus name, Phytolacca is from the Greek phyton, meaning 'plant' and the French word lac in reference to the plant's ability to yield a reddish dye. The name Poke is derived from an Indian word pocan, a name for any plant that yields a red dye, and from pak, meaning 'blood'. A dye from the berries has been used as ink and paint and basket coloring. The United States Constitution was written in Pokeberry ink. During the campaign of James Polk, his supporters wore a sprig of Poke in their lapels.

At one time, Poke was used to treat syphillis. In Africa the plant is being investigated for its ability to control Bilharzia, a parasitic disease contracted by bathing in water containing certain snails.

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), September 19, 2002

Answers

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), September 19, 2002.