Pokeroot - Medicinal Uses, Interactions, Side Effects, Dosage
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<p><strong>Pokeroot </strong></p>
<p>Poke root, <em>P. americana </em>or <em>P. decandra, </em>is also referred to as pokeweed, poke, pokeberry, inkberry, and American nightshade. This ubiquitous perennial shrub is found throughout the United States, often in roadside ditches and damp fields. </p>
<p><strong>Uses and Benefits: </strong> </p>
<p>Poke root was once a popular folk remedy, used orally or lapically for inflammatory and rheumatic conditions, itching, headache, lymphadenitis, edema, cancer, and infectious syn­dromes. The dried root was listed in U.S. pharmacopoeias as an official emetic and purgative in the early part of the 20th century. Because this plant can cause severe gastrointestinal toxicity, However, its medicinal use has appropriately waned. Pokeroot accounts for a significant number of plant poisonings each year, and has been on the "top 20" list of the most frequently ingested plants reported to poison control centers. </p>
<p><strong>Pharmacology:</strong></p>
<p>Poke root contains triterpene saponins, tan­nins, resins, glycoproteins, and many other components. An active glycoprotein lectin called pokeweed mitogen stimulates lymphocytes and can cause hemagglutination. Plasmacytosis, cosinophilia, and platelet phagocytosis can follow internal inges­lion or cutaneous exposure through cuts or abrasions. An isolated pokeweed antiviral protein has activity against a number of plant and mammalian viruses (including herpes simplex, influenza, IInd HIV-1) and is being studied in animal models for HIV disase. This cytotoxin, covalently linked to specific antibodies to lorm an immunotoxin, is also being investigated against osteosaromas and other malignancies.</p>
<p><strong>Clinical Trrals: </strong></p>
<p>The potential medicinal uses of pokeroot as a traditional herbal remedy are historical and anecdotal. Pokeroot has never been studied in controlled clinical trials. </p>
<p><strong>Adverse Effects:</strong></p>
<p>Poke root poisoning causing acute, self-limited gastroenteritis has been well documented. Emesis and diarrhea have been reported after eating salad discovered to contain pokeroot leaves. Pokeroot tea has caused nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, bloody diarrhea, hypotension, and syncope. Chewing or ingesting the raw root can cause a similar presenta­tion. One patient who ingested raw leaves developed a second-degree heart block (Mobitz type 1), possibly caused by a vagal <em>effect. </em>Rarely, deaths have occurred. </p>
<p><strong>Side Effects and Interactions:</strong> </p>
<p>No drug interactions are recognized. </p>
<p><strong>Cautions: </strong></p>
<p>Young, tender greens that have been parboiled (boiled twice and the water discarded) and mature berries are considered less toxic. However, even these precautions may nol eliminate toxicity.</p>
<p><strong>Preparations </strong><strong>& </strong><strong>Doses:</strong></p>
<p>Doses of dried root preparations up to 0.2-1 g/day and dilute tinctures and teas have been used in tho past. A distinction between safe and toxic dosages is difficult, and oral use in general should be considered potentially toxic. </p>
<p><strong>Summary</strong> <strong>Evaluation </strong></p>
<p> As early as 1979, the Herb Trade Association recognized the toxi" city of pokeroot, and recommended that it not be sold without ap' propriate warnings. It is currently accepted that poke root <em>should not be sold or recommended for any indication, </em>since the poten tial for harm outweighs any likely benefit.</p>
About the Author
Steve Mathew is a writer, who writes many great articles on <a href="http://www.online-health-care.com/herbal-medicines/index.htm">herbal medicines </a> for common ailments and diseases. For more information on herbal remedies and <a href=http://www.health-care-tips.org/home-remedies/index.htm">home remedies </a> visit our site on <a href="http://www.health-care-tips.org">health care</a>.
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