Pokeweed, a plant native to North America, has been used for making ink, food coloring, and medicine. It has been used to treat various symptoms, including cancer, lymphatic conditions, and skin problems. However, it is poisonous before cooking and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
Phytolacca decandra (also Phytolacca americana) is known by many names: pokeweed, pokeberry, poke root, inkberry, poke, cancer root, inkweed, and pigeonberry. Native to North America, especially throughout the eastern United States, pokeweed can be found growing almost anywhere, from wooded areas and fields to home sites and roadsides. For this reason, grass has earned a reputation as a nuisance in and around many landscapes. Despite this, pokeweed has been extremely useful to various cultures.
The dark purple berries were once popular for making ink. In fact, the names inkberry and inkweed were used in reference to this. The berries were also commonly used as a food coloring. The entire plant is considered to be poisonous before cooking, and many experts recommend against consuming cooked pokeweed, as the toxins may remain. Although this is true, the young shoots are sometimes boiled and eaten as a vegetable or used in salads. More common, however, was its use for medicinal purposes.
Pokeweed often developed into various forms to treat a variety of symptoms. These preparations included everything from tea extracts and tonics to tinctures, poultices, and powders. For example, the cooked berries or tea extract was commonly ingested as a remedy for rheumatism. The leaves and root of Phytolacca decandra were often crushed into a poultice and applied externally to relieve sprains, bruises, and joint inflammation.
As early as the late 1800s, powder made from this plant has been used by homeopathic practitioners as a remedy of choice to treat cancer and lymphatic conditions, such as breast infections. It worked well with bumps and growths too. Glandular conditions associated with swollen tonsils or sore throats were also treated with Phytolacca decandra remedies. The plant is believed to help relieve pain and inflammation, and promote healing. Pokeweed seems to work well on fibrous tissues and muscles.
Additional plant remedies include various skin related problems such as eczema and psoriasis. Many Native Americans also prescribed Phytolacca decandra to stimulate the heart. In some areas, the plant was thought to ward off evil spirits. Therefore, it would be administered to those who were considered to be possessed, causing these patients to vomit and ultimately cleanse their bodies.
Phytolacca decandra should never be used without the advice of a qualified herbal or homeopathic practitioner. Ingestion or excessive amounts of the plant extract have been known to cause various problems. These may include nausea, vomiting, gastric cramps and upset, weakness, extreme thirst, and skin irritation. Also, pregnant women and children should never use remedies that contain any form of this plant.
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