Pokeweed Herb – Cure tonsils, laryngitis, swollen glands & other inflammations
Common name for Pokeweed Herb: Pokeweed is known in scientific or medical terms as Phytolacca americana, phytolaca, or phytolacca dioica.
It is commonly referred to as common pokeweed, poke root, poke berry, poke, inkberry, cancer root, pigeon berry, red ink berries, red weed, red ink plant, garget etc.
Occurrence of Pokeweed Herb: Pokeweed is a common perennial herb observed growing in Northern and Central north America all along from New England to Minnesota. It is also seen in Florida and Texas. Pokeweed today is naturalized in Britain and other countries where it needs damp rich soils to grow and thus can be seen in clearings, woodland margins and fence sides.
Parts Used of Pokeweed Herb: The root leaves, and berries of the pokeweed herb are used in medicinal remedies.
Medicinal uses of Pokeweed Herb: Pokeweed is a highly toxic plant in its natural state.
It must not be consumed in any form without having been thoroughly cooked. Pokeweed must not be used or consumed if it is inadequately cooked. It must be thoroughly boiled, and the water drained and discarded.
It must be boiled again in fresh water while draining off the water once again. Only once it has been completely devoid of its toxic properties can it be sued in herbal remedies. Hence care must be taken to ensure complete toxic removal from the plant before consumption.
After it has been well cleansed of it poisonous qualities, pokeweed can be used as a remedy for a host of infections especially those affecting the upper respiratory tract. Folk medicine emphasizes the role of pokeweed as an effective remedy for fungal infections, inflammation of the joints, hemorrhoids, and localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue in the breasts, skin ulcers, and bad breath. Pokeweed herbal medications are useful in removing catarrh and assisting the cleansing of the lymphatic glands.
It is also useful in treating inflammation of the tonsils, laryngitis, swollen glands and epidemic parotitis. The root of the pokeweed herb is also helpful in treating long standing rheumatism. As an external application, pokeweed can be used as a cream or ointment for treating scabies and other skin infections due to bacteria and fungi.
Native Americans use pokeweed in herbal remedies for stimulating the heart and in treating cancer, severe chronic itching, and syphilis. The root is also particularly useful as a laxative and in inducing vomiting.
Pokeweed Herb Administered as: Pokeweed extracts are not found in popular cultures and hence its uses are restricted among herbalists and alternative therapists. They use the liquid extracts of the plant as tinctures, powders, and poultices.
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