Description
Latin Name : Phytolacca
Origin Country: France
Phytolacca is a genus of perennial plants native to North America, South America and East Asia. Some members of the genus are known as pokeweeds or similar names such as pokebush, pokeberry, pokeroot or poke sallet. Other names for species of Phytolacca include inkberry and ombú. The generic name is derived from the Greek word φυτόν (phyton), meaning “plant”.
Pokeweed is a plant. The berry, root, and leaves are used as medicine. Extracts of Phytolacca species display multiple pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antifungal, anticancer, and insecticidal effects. It also treats painful menstruation, syphilis, mumps, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The medicinal drug derived from dried Phytolacca roots is used orally in human phytotherapy at daily doses of 60 to 100 mg. Up to 1 g of the dry roots may be used orally as an emetic.
Pokeweed is LIKELY UNSAFE. All parts of the pokeweed plant, especially the root, are poisonous. Severe poisoning has been reported from drinking tea brewed from pokeweed root and pokeweed leaves. Poisoning also has resulted from drinking pokeberry wine and eating pokeberry pancakes.
Pokeweed can cause nausea, vomiting, cramping, stomach pain, diarrhea, low blood pressure, difficulty controlling urination (incontinence), thirst, and other serious side effects.
Don't touch pokeweed with your bare hands. Chemicals in the plant can pass through the skin and affect the blood. If you must handle pokeweed, use protective gloves.
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