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Plant
Remedies Pokeroot
Pokeroot Phytolacca
americana.
This is regarded as one of the most important of
indigenous American plants and one of the most striking in appearance. The
root is large and fleshy with a hollow stem
The Delaware Indians took it as a heart stimulant
and in Virginia it was regarded as a strong purgative. Arriving in Europe
in the 19th century it is used as a lymphatic cleanser,
particularly in glandular fever and tonsillitis, the dried root can also
be helpful for mastitis. Externally, it can be used for skin infections
such as scabies and ringworm.
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The berries are milder in action than the root
and in the past they were used for skin complaints and rheumatism.
Constituents
Saponins, Phytolaccic acid, formic acid, tannins,
alkaloids, bitter principle
Character
Chinese herbal
medicine regards it as pungent, drying and slightly cold
Action
It traditionally acts
as an anti-rheumatic, stimulant, anti-catarrhal, purging action,
anti-parasitic, immune stimulant, lymphatic stimulant and mild analgesic
Application
Dried root
Tincture This is traditionally used for
acute lymphatic congestion and infection – including mastitis,
tonsillitis, glandular fever (a maximum dose of 1ml (20 drops)).
It can be combined with wild indigo, purple
coneflower (echinacea) or cleavers and can be useful for rheumatoid
arthritis and rheumatism.
Poultice This can be applied to inflamed
joints, varicose ulcers and haemorrhoids
Lotion The diluted tincture in water can
be used to disperse lymphatic swellings
Powder This is traditionally taken
internally in small doses (50-250mg) for lymphatic disorders.
Cautions
All parts of the fresh plant are toxic and can
cause vomiting. In
large doses, the dried root is an extremely violent emetic. Avoid
using in pregnancy, as it can cause foetal abnormalities
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This page was last updated on 18 December 2006 21:12:08
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