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Herbal BOS

Poke Root

Phytolacca Decandra

Saturn

Visionary Herbe

USAGE:

Poke is used among some mountain peoples primarily for its remdial value. There are some who have explored its use as a Visionary Herbe, but it is dangerous and nor recommended.

Description:

This is regarded as one of the most important of indigenous American plants, and one of the most striking in appearance. The perennial root is large and fleshy, the stem hollow, the leaves alternate and ovate-lanceolate, and the flowers have a white calyx with no corolla. The fruit is a deep purple berry, covering the stem in clusters and resembling blackberries.

The young shoots make a good substitute for asparagus, and poultry eat the berries, though large quantities give the flesh an unpleasant flavour, also causing it to become purgative, when eaten.

In Portugal the use of the juice of the berries to colour port wines was discontinued because it spoilt the taste. The stain of the juice is a beautiful purple, and would make a useful dye if a way of fixing it were found.

A decoction of the roots has been used for drenching cattle.

As found in commerce the roots are usually sliced either longitudinally or transversely, are grey in colour, hard and wrinkled. The fracture is fibrous. It is inodorous, and the taste is acrid and slightly sweet.

It is often used to adulterate belladonna, but may be recognized by the concentric rings of wood bundles in the transverse section. The leaves are used for the same purpose, requiring microscopical identification.

Constituents:

Phytolaccic acid has been obtained from the berries, and tannin. In theroot a non-reducing sugar, formic acid, and a small percentage of bitter resin have been found. The alkaloid Phytolaccin may be present in small quantities, but it has not been proved. A resinoid substance is called phytolaccin. The virtues are extracted by alcohol, diluted alcohol, and water. The powder is said to be sternutatory.

Medicinal Action and Uses:

A slow emetic and purgative with narcotic properties. As an alterative it is used in chronic rheumatism and granular conjunctivitis. As an ointment, in the proportion of a drachm to the ounce, it is used in psora, tinea capitis, favus and sycosis, and other skin diseases, causing at first smarting and heat.

The slowness of action and the narcotic effects that accompany it render its use as an emetic inadvisable. It is used as a cathartic in paralysis of the bowels. Headaches of many sources are benefited by it, and both lotion and tincture are used in leucorrhoea.

As a poultice it causes rapid suppuration in felons. The extract is said to have been used in chronic rheumatism and haemorrhoids.

Authorities differ as to its value in cancer. Great relief towards the close of a difficult case of cancer of the uterus was obtained by an external application of 3 OZ. of Poke Root and 1 OZ. of Tincture used in the strength of 1 tablespoonful to 3 pints of tepid water for bathing the part. It is also stated to be of undoubted value as an internal remedy in cancer of the breast.

The following prescription has been recommended: Fluid extracts of Phytolacca (2 OZ.), Gentian 1 OZ.) and Dandelion 1 OZ.), with Simple Syrup to make a pint. One teaspoonful may be taken after each meal.

Infused in spirits, the fruit is used in chronic rheumatism, being regarded as equal to Guaicum.

It is doubtful if the root will cure syphilis without the help of mercury.

Dosages:

As emetic, 10 to 30 grains. As alterative, 1 to 5 grains. Of fluid extract of berries, 1/2 to 1 drachm. Of fluid extract of root, 1/4 to 1/2 drachm; as an emetic, 15 drops; as an alterative, 2 drops. Phytolaccin, 1 to 3 grains.

Poisons and Antidotes:

In the lower animals convulsions and death from paralysis of respiration may be caused. Overdoses may produce considerable vomiting and purging, prostration, convulsions and death.

Other Species:

Phytolacca drastica of Chile is a violent purgative.

From "A Modern Herbal" and Full Moon Paradise

Poke

(Phytolacca americana)

Source: www.susunweed.com

That strange-looking weed with the drooping black berries that towers over gardens and roadsides throughout much of eastern North America is pokeweed—an old favorite of wise women dealing with breast lumps and breast cancer. If I felt a suspicious lump, I’d reach for poke root oil. It reduces congestion, relieves swelling, and literally dissolves growths in the breasts.

Jethro Kloss, author of the classic herbal Back to Eden, used freshly grated raw poke root poultices to burn away breast cancer. Caution: Fresh poke placed directly on the skin is strong enough to damage healthy tissues as well as cancerous ones.

The infused oil is also effective and far safer. A generous amount is gently applied to the lump, covered with a flannel cloth and then with a hot water bottle (no heating pads), and left on for as long as you’re comfortable. This is repeated at least twice a day. Poke root oil is too powerful for regular preventive care. Caution: Poke oil can cause a rash on sensitive skin. Ingestion of poke oil can cause severe intestinal distress.

Poke root tincture can be used instead of poke root oil. The properties are quite similar, though the oil is absorbed better and may be considerably more effective.

Other Names: Cancer root, kermesberro, skookum, ink berry

Type: Potentially poisonous

Found in: Gardens (as a weed) and roadsides of northeastern North America; easily cultivated; naturalized in Europe, Australia.

Part Used: One- or two-year-old roots, dug after first frost, fresh only; berries, before frost, fresh or dried—do not chew.

Actions & Uses: Resolves cysts, lumps, and some in situ breast cancers; stimulates immune system; counters infection (especially pneumonia); protects lungs; relieves lymph congestion; antiviral; antiseptic; anti-tumor; anti-cancer. Used externally and internally.

Important Constituents: Acids, antioxidants, alkaloids, carotenes, phytosterols, pokeweed-antiviral-protein, saponins, tannins, resins (root only).

Preparation & Daily Dose: Used with caution for short periods; rarely for more than 10 months.

Tincture of fresh (not dried) root: 1�?0 drops.

Fresh berry juice preserved with honey: 4 teaspoons/20ml.

Dried berries: 1�? swallowed whole. Seeds are poisonous.

Oil/ointment/poultice of fresh roots: with care.

Toxicity: Caution! All parts of fresh or dried poke—except berries with unbroken seeds and well-cooked young leaves—can cause such intense vomiting, diarrhea, and pain that you don’t know which end to point at the toilet. This is frequently accompanied by out-of-the-body sensations, but rarely leads to death. (I felt a little "spacey" when I swallowed two dried berries as an anti-inflammatory against joint pain one evening.) The numerous seeds are only toxic if crushed, and are too hard for children (and most adults) to break. I’ve read of skin rashes caused by handling fresh poke, but have never personally experienced such problems. Alkaloids in poke root tincture can accumulate in the kidneys, making extended use risky, though some people have taken doses of 15 drops a day for a year or more without apparent harm.

Works Well With: Echinacea.

Results & Notes: Poke root tincture kicks the immune system into gear incredibly fast. I’ve seen chronic infection of many years�?standing begin to resolve after only one dose, and acute infection subside in a matter of hours. Poke’s effect seems to be focused on the lymphatic and glandular tissues of the breasts, ovaries, throat, and uterus, where it reliably resolves cysts, growths, infections, and swellings. First-hand reports attest to the ability of fresh poke root poultices to burn away tumors, including breast cancers. Phytolacca is a standard homeopathic remedy against breast cancer. Women at high-risk of developing breast cancer may wish to follow advice from Traditional Chinese Medicine and use one drop of poke tincture daily from the beginning of May until mid-June yearly as a preventive. To be assured of a supply of poke tincture, I make it myself, as it is rarely found for sale.

References: 1, 3, 6, 8, 11, 12, 21, 22; illustrated on page 266.

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