Pokeroot (Phytolacca americana)

Question 1

How do you recognise Pokeroot?

Answer 1

• A perennial, non-woody member of the Phytolaccaceae.
• Native to Eastern, Midwest and southern parts of USA. You can grow it in the UK.
• Simple alternate leaves on red/purple stems. Grows up to 3 metres tall in woodland clearings.
• Used by at least 9 indigenous peoples of the USA – 60 citations on the Native American Ethnobotany Database: “Rheumatism” & sores and swellings frequently mentioned, and also as cooked greens.

Question 2

What are Pokeroot’s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Poke weed Mitogen - a lectin – stimulate B & T cell proliferation and immunoglobulin synthesis - most of the research
* Triterpenoid saponins – phytolaccasides, esculentosides.
* Sterols including spinasterol
* Phytolaccacine – an alkaloid
* Phytolaccagenin
* Phytolaccic acid

Question 3

What family is Pokeroot in?

Answer 3

Phytolaccaceae

Question 4

What is Pokeroot good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Bendle uses as a lymphatic system stimulant, like Cleavers but a more short term, ‘kick’ to clear things out. Also anti-inflammatory. Bendle also uses when complaints have become chronic or in individuals who get frequent colds.

Actions:
* Lymphatic
* Immune enhancing
* Depurative
* Anti-catarrhal
* Anti-inflammatory
* Alterative
* Emetic
* Purgative
* Overdose: burning in mouth, emesis, diarrhoea, convulsions, respiratory collapse…death!

Applications:
* Leaves cooked appropriately (and cooking water discarded) has been used as a vegetable and berries used to colour food.
* Used in acute infections.
* URTIs, laryngitis & tonsilitis.
* Mastitis (not when breast feeding).
* Inflammatory skin conditions.
* Inflammatory joint conditions.
* Sores and swellings.
* Has been used externally for abscesses, sores, tinea and scabies.

Question 5

What is Pokeroot’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Phytolacca americana

Question 6

What parts of Pokeroot do you use?

Answer 6

Part used medicinally: root.

Question 7

What safety issues might Pokeroot have?

Answer 7

Dangerous! < 10ml/week 1:5 tincture (Bone & Mills say 5ml/week)
Contraindications: pregnancy & breastfeeding; avoid in children; and not one for lymphocytic leukemia.
Poisonous – but has been used as a food!

Question 8

What useful research does Pokeroot have?

Answer 8

External Links:
Poke Weed Mitogen Requires Toll-Like Receptor Ligands for Proliferative Activity in Human and Murine B Lymphocytes
Very technical but worth looking at the introductory sections – it is worth noting that PWM is easily available and used in
research. Also, this paper suggests a synergistic activity between the plant constituent and bacterial compounds.
Growing American Pokeweed in the UK
Not medicinal, but interesting observations and photos

Question 9

What remedies might you use Pokeroot in?

Answer 9

Bendle might use it alongside Gallium, Echinacea and Astragalus, but only on short term basis due to toxicity, for lymph/ immune support.