Pokeroot's therapeutic uses
Pokeroot, a plant indigenous to North America, has historically been used for its medicinal properties, primarily as an "alterative" believed to cleanse the body of toxins and promote overall health. Traditionally, it was utilized in treating conditions such as cancer and skin diseases, along with other ailments thought to be linked to toxin accumulation. However, pokeroot is now recognized for its toxicity, leading to gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea, which were once considered beneficial but are now viewed as harmful side effects.
Despite its toxic nature, research has indicated that specific compounds derived from pokeroot, such as pokeweed mitogen and pokeroot antiviral protein, may have potential applications in drug development, particularly in the context of viral infections like HIV. Nevertheless, these findings pertain to specific components rather than endorsing the use of the whole plant.
The safety concerns surrounding pokeroot are significant, as ingestion can result in severe health issues, including rapid heart rate, dangerously low blood pressure, and even death. Due to these risks, it is advised that pokeroot not be used in any form, particularly by vulnerable populations such as pregnant or nursing women and young children. Overall, the historical therapeutic uses of pokeroot must be balanced with a strong caution regarding its toxicity.
Pokeroot's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: None recommended due to toxicity
Overview
The herb pokeroot grows wild in many parts of North America. The name comes from an Indigenous American word, pocan, a term that indicates any plant used to provide a red-colored dye. Pokeroot is a source of a blood-red pigment. Medicinally, it was used as an “alterative,” supposedly removing toxins from the body and restoring overall health. Like other alteratives, pokeroot was used for the treatment of cancer, skin conditions, and many other diseases attributed to toxins. Pokeroot causes vomiting and diarrhea, and these effects were also traditionally considered salutary. However, in modern times, it has become clear that pokeroot causes vomiting and diarrhea because it is toxic; it should not be used.
Therapeutic Dosages
The use of pokeroot in any dosage is not recommended.
Therapeutic Uses
Pokeroot itself is not sold in the United States. However, substances found in pokeroot have shown promise for drug development. One of these, pokeroot antiviral protein, has shown potential as a treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and other viral infections. Note, however, that these findings on one ingredient of pokeroot do not indicate that the whole herb is useful for HIV infection.
Another substance in pokeroot, pokeweed mitogen, forces cells to divide, a property that has led to a great deal of scientific investigation. These mitogenic effects are potentially quite dangerous and are more an argument against the use of pokeroot than for it. Other pokeroot constituents have shown potential anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and blood-pressure-lowering effects.
Safety Issues
Pokeroot is a toxic herb. Ingestion can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, rapid heart rate, a dangerous fall in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, confusion, and death. Symptoms may develop with one-time use or insidiously over time. Fresh root is more toxic than dried root. The juice of pokeweed berries is even more toxic and can cause severe damage to blood cells, even when applied only to the skin. Pokeroot should not be used by pregnant or nursing women or young children. Although once a traditional remedy for myriad health conditions, the toxicity of pokeroot cannot be overlooked in modern medicine.
Bibliography
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Wang, S., et al. "The Effects of Pokeweed Mitogen (PWM) and Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on Bovine Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Development In Vitro." Animal Reproductive Science, vol. 67, 2001, pp. 215-220.