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Common Name/s: |
Other Name/s: |
Botanical name/s: |
| Pokeroot, Pokeweed, Phytolacca root |
Phytolacca berry, Pigeon berry, Red ink plant, Poke berry, Virginian
poke, Bear's grape. |
Phytolacca Decandra, Phytolacca Americana |
General description and domicile:
Pokeroot is a perennial plant that can be found growing in moist ground all over
North America. It is an attractive small shrub with dark purple stems and oval
leaves. Small white flowers appear in August and the fruit ripens to deep
purple clustered berries.
The root is large and fleshy, mostly harvested in autumn.
Although native to North America this plant is grown in Europe, North Africa and
Mediterranean countries.
As it is narcotic overdosing can lead to respiratory failure due to paralysis of
the nervous system. This is preceded by vomiting, cathartic diarrhea and
convulsions.
Part used and extraction:
Root and berries.
Remedy preparation:
Tincture, lotion, dried root, infusion and liquid extract.
History:
Pokeroot is regarded as one of the most significant medicinal herbs native to
North America and has a long history as an important medicine of the Native
Americans who used it for a variety of illnesses including rheumatism,
inflammation, skin conditions and constipation.
Used for treatment of:
Rheumatism
Inflammation
The phytolaccosides are powerfully anti-inflammatory which
accounts for this herb's reputation for inflammatory conditions and diseases.
The lectins in pokeweed have been researched for their reputed
antitumor properties. Although there has been little definite proof tests have
indicated that there is some evidence that it may be true.
Properties:
Slow emetic - there are better herbs
for this purpose.
Narcotic
Anti-rheumatic
Alterative
Cathartic
Anti-inflammatory
Constituents:
Phytolaccosides:
As the name implies these are triterpenoid saponins found in
Phytolacca Decandra, the pokeweed. They are powerfully anti-inflammatory
and laboratory tests indicate that they may have anti-tumor effects too. They
are also antiviral and antifungal.
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Triterpenoid Saponins: A glycoside with
triterpenoid aglycone structures.
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Saponins: Wound healing, anti-scarring. Saponins occur as
glycosides with aglycone structures that are steroidal or terpenoid. Saponins can cause the
destruction of red blood cells if injected causing anaemia or worse. Ingested
saponins are poorly absorbed in the digestive system reducing the risk of
poisoning but care must be taken on dosage as Saponins are mucus membrane
irritants.
Many herbs containing saponins have been identified as
"adaptogens" also referred to as harmony remedies (see: The Root of
being: Ginseng and the Pharmacology of Harmony - Stephen Fulder 1980).
Instead of being purely remedial herbs these adaptogens improves and energizes
vitality and resistance thereby keeping ailments at bay. It is claimed that
these adaptogens can improve mental functions like learning speed, awareness and
alertness as well as help with emotional and intellectual stress. As a tonic
they will also reduce the risk of infections by stimulating the immune system. Saponins are also expectorant, anti-inflammatory,
hepaprotective, combats cholesterol build up and antifungal. |
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Alkaloids Typical alkaloids are alkaline organic vegetable
substances containing one or more nitrogen atoms. This nitrogen base is capable
of combining with acids to form crystalline salts. Most alkaloids are derived
from amino acids while a few are derived from isoprene units. Alkaloids are white or colourless solids containing oxygen (oxygen
free alkaloids are few and far between and then can only exist as liquids) Most
alkaloids are not water soluble, extraction is normally by tincture.
Alkaloids are found in about one quarter of all flowering plants. Thousands of
alkaloids have been identified from a large number of plants where the alkaloid
can be present in virtually every part of the plant or just a specific part like
rhizome, leaf or seed.
Alkaloids
generally have profound physiological impact on the human body and nervous
system effects are predominant.
Many alkaloids are used as extracted and refined compounds derived from the
actual plants or synthesised compounds in pharmaceutical drugs.
Several Alkaloids are banned in many countries because of the extreme impact
on the nervous system (strychnine for instance is a deadly poison in very small
doses) and the habit forming nature of some of the alkaloid compounds. Lignans: Lignans occur in a variety of plants and cannot be
classified in terms of properties as a group. Some are antiviral and
antimicrobial while others are antioxidant and anti-tumour. The latter are
currently being researched as there is some indication that they may have a
positive cardiovascular effect. Polyphenols - Flavonoids: Affecting the cardiovascular system
flavonoids protect against environmental stress and pollution. Based on studies
a correlation was found with improved cardiovascular function. A similar study
found the same trend in respect of strokes. general effects of flavenoids:
antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive while specific
actions are membrane strengthening and antioxidant.
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Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. |
Quercetin:
A Flavonoid
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Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. |
Lectins:
Lectins are polypeptides. They have a high molecular weight
and large complex structures.They have a cytotoxic effect, they stimulate
B and T lymphocytes to mature and divide.
Lectins are found in most legumes but is destroyed by processing (cooking).
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Polypeptide: In some laboratory tests there seem to be
indications that polypeptide causes mild contractions of the uterus, which may
indicate that it will assist menstrual problems and during child birth but it
also means that pregnant mothers or people that are trying to fall pregnant
should only use this substance under the supervision of their doctor. |
* Statements made
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or authority of any other country.
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