Poke

Phytolacca Americana

Phytolaccaceae - Pokewood Family

Common names: Poke Root, Poke Weed, Virginian Poke, Pigeon Berry, Inkweed, Skoke

Caution is the watchword for Poke. Dr. John R. Christopher, who founded the School of Natural Healing and was the originator of many of the herbal formulas in use today, said, "Poke Root requires skillful and careful use. To be safe in using this herb medicinally one should either use in combinations by approved herbalists or use it under the direct care of an herbal or a natural practitioner."

In her book Herbal Healing for Women, Rosemary Gladstar has cautioned that fresh Poke Root can cause irritating skin rashes and that the berries are toxic as well as the stalks and leaves when past their young, tender stage.

It would seem that eating the plant could be extremely hazardous to ones' health, but many people do. It is a matter of proper gathering and preparation. Jethro Kloss defines the process of preparation in his book, Back to Eden. He says that the tender leaves are excellent as greens but the plant should never be eaten raw. It must be boiled before eating and the water drained and thrown out. Then fresh water should be added and boiled a second time. Again, the water needs to be discarded. The greens can then be seasoned. Edelene Wood in A Taste of the Wild also mentions Poke greens as an Appalachian wild food. The shoots are edible when very young and tender and are either cooked in water or fried. Dr. Christopher mentions that in some southern areas of the United States the shoots of Poke have been commercially canned under the name Poke Salet which is a term that means "a wild green to be cooked."

Historically, Poke Root has been used as a wash (tea form) to treat a wide variety of skin problems and to reduce swollen glands. As a poultice, it was also used to help women eliminate the condition of caked breasts which are quite painful and interfere with nursing.

Those who are not interested in using this plant at all can still enjoy its beauty. It is a large, perennial plant, growing to 8 feet tall. The stems are large and green to start with but by the end of the summer develop a purplish color. The leaves may acquire a tinge of red. Poke produces white flowers and later wine red berries hanging in clusters. When the sun lights up the red foliage it is a beautiful sight.

The name Poke is of Indian origin. It came from the Virginian Indian pokan which referred to any red-juiced plant which is used for a dye. Poke is native to America but also grows in Europe, North Africa and China.