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Pokeroot

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Phytolacca americana

Introduction

Pokeroot is a plant the grows in North America. The leaves have been used to help the body fight infection and improve lymph node health. All parts of the plant are poisonous and should not be consumed.

Dosages

There are no advised doses for pokeroot

What Research Shows

There is not enough data to support that pokeroot is helpful in treating health problems. We will review future studies as they are published.

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is not safe to take pokeroot.1-3

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

References►

1. Furbee B, Wermuth M. Life-threatening plant poisoning. Crit Care Clin. 1997 Oct;13(4):849-888.

2. Mowry JB, Spyker DA, et al. 2012 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data System (NPDS): 30th Annual Report. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2013 Dec;51(10):949-1229.

3. Diaz JH. Poisoning by Herbs and Plants: Rapid Toxidromic Classification and Diagnosis. Wilderness Environ Med. 2016 Mar;27(1):136-52.

Last reviewed July 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
Last Updated: 4/24/2020

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