What are the benefits of Phytolacca americana?
Modern research indicates that pokeweed has healing potential. A protein isolated from the leaves called pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) appears to be effective against such viruses as herpes and HIV and as an anti–tumor agent. Historically, poke root has been used in herbal medicine. However, all the components of the pokeweed plant are toxic to humans if not prepared in a specific way. Poke root (Phytolacca americana) is a flowering shrub with red-pink stems and black-purple berries.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. Eating just 10 berries can be toxic to an adult.There’s simply no plant like pokeweed. For many gardeners, pokeweed represents a conundrum. On the one hand, all parts of pokeweed are considered toxic, especially its root and seeds, both to eat and to touch.Phytolacca americana, also known as American pokeweed, pokeweed, poke sallet, pokeberry, dragonberries, pigeonberry weed, and inkberry, is a poisonous, herbaceous perennial plant in the pokeweed family Phytolaccaceae.Historically, poke root has been used in herbal medicine. However, all the components of the pokeweed plant are toxic to humans if not prepared in a specific way. Poke root (Phytolacca americana) is a flowering shrub with red-pink stems and black-purple berries.
What is the common name for Phytolacca?
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. Phytolacca refers to a genus of plants known for their use in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, with species such as P. P. P. A and B, as well as flavonoids and phytosterols.
Can you eat Phytolacca?
Pokeweed is poisonous to humans, dogs, and livestock. In spring and early summer, shoots and leaves (not the root) are edible with proper cooking (hence the common name poke sallet), but later in the summer they become deadly, and the berries are also poisonous. If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of pokeweed poisoning, call 911 or the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222), where you will be connected to a poison control center in your area.For the safety of your family and pets, it is essential to remove pokeweed from your yard and prevent it from returning. If allowed to grow uninhibited, pokeweed develops a rather large and toxic root mass,” says Dwight Lingenfelter, senior extension associate at Penn State University.