What is poke root salve used for?

Poke root used externally is a powerful lymphatic herb which makes it helpful for mastitis, sore throats, tumors, cysts, swollen lymph nodes & glands, clogged ears, and painful joints due to arthritis or reduced circulation.

What is Polk root good for?

Nevertheless, pokeweed root has been used for achy muscles and joints (rheumatism); swelling of the nose, throat, and chest; tonsillitis; hoarse throat (laryngitis); swelling of lymph glands (adenitis); swollen and tender breasts (mastitis); mumps; skin infections including scabies, tinea, sycosis, ringworm, and acne; …

What poison is in poke?

Pokeweed contains phytolaccine, a powerful irritant that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms in humans and mammals. (Birds are largely unaffected, hence the moniker “pigeon berries.”) Every part of the pokeweed plant is poisonous, including the root, stems, leaves, and berries.

Is poke root poisonous?

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.

How do you make poke root tincture?

Uses for pokeweed The best way to do that is to make a tincture (alcohol extract). Wash the root, chop it into small pieces, fill a jar with the plant material, and then add enough 100-proof alcohol to cover the roots. Leave it on your counter for six weeks, then strain out the roots.

How poisonous is Polk Salad?

Unfortunately, every part of the pokeweed plant, from roots to leaves to fruit, is poisonous to varying degrees. Thus a raw poke salad is a very, very bad idea.

How poisonous is American pokeweed?

Is pokeweed a narcotic?

Although pokeweed can cause severe poisoning in humans, Native Americans once used this plant as a heart stimulant and as a narcotic. The plant also contains a protein that has been shown to have a positive impact on HIV, a precursor to the AIDS virus.

How much pokeweed is fatal?

Deaths have been reported. Improper cooking of leaves or eating some of the roots with the leaves can cause serious poisoning. Eating more than 10 uncooked berries can cause serious problems in children. DO NOT touch or eat any plant with which you are not familiar.

What do I do if I touched pokeweed?

Unless severe, pokeweed rash can usually be treated at home. Treat it as you would poison oak by washing the skin thoroughly as soon as possible. Avoid scratching and apply calamine lotion to help dry and heal the injured skin.

What happens if you touch Pokeberry?

Pokeweed can cause nausea, vomiting, cramping, stomach pain, diarrhea, low blood pressure, difficulty controlling urination (incontinence), thirst, and other serious side effects. When applied to the skin: Pokeweed is LIKELY UNSAFE. Don’t touch pokeweed with your bare hands.

How do you make a poke berry tincture?