Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesRashSide EffectsToxicityInteractions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Uses

Rash

Side Effects

Toxicity

Interactions

Pokeweed has been used in alternative medicine to treat tonsillitis, skin conditions, and more. But the plant, an herb native to the Gulf Coast of the United States, ispoisonousas well. Pokeweed can cause a painful, blistering contact rash on the skin, similar to poison ivy, and it must be prepared in a certain way to be safe for oral consumption.

Pokeweed has been studied in lab and animal studies as an herbal remedy for some health conditions. It is sometimes used in herbal supplements. However, there’s no proof that it can benefit humans.

Poison Control and SafetyIf you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of pokeweed poisoning, call 911 or the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222). You will be connected to a poison control center in your area. This article is for information only and is not a substitute for emergency medical care.In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.

Poison Control and Safety

If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of pokeweed poisoning, call 911 or the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222). You will be connected to a poison control center in your area. This article is for information only and is not a substitute for emergency medical care.In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.

If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of pokeweed poisoning, call 911 or the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222). You will be connected to a poison control center in your area. This article is for information only and is not a substitute for emergency medical care.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.

Verywell / Getty Images

Pokeweed Nutrition benefits photo compositie

Uses of Pokeweed

Pokeweed has many suggested benefits but little science to back them up. Historically, Indigenous Americans had two main uses for pokeweed:

Despite its toxicity, many alternative practitioners believe pokeweed can treat health conditions, such as:

However, there is little to no research to support any health benefits of pokeweed.

Pokeweed berries are also used to produce ink and dyes.However, it should never be eaten because the berries are highly poisonous.

There are no guidelines for the safe use of pokeweed or pokeweed remedies in humans. As a rule, the consumption of fresh pokeweed should be avoided.

Can Pokeweed Cause a Rash?

Some people may developcontact dermatitisafter touching the plant with unbroken skin. Contact with the plant can trigger inflammation and severe skin irritation, such as a rash.

An over-the-counter (OTC) 1%hydrocortisone creamand nonsteroidal painkiller like Advil (ibuprofen) can help reduce pain and inflammation. Avoid topical antihistamines and benzocaine anesthetic creams, which may cause an allergic rash on top of the pokeweed rash.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Plant dermatitis on the arm from contact with a rhus tree

Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.

Poisonous Effects of Pokeweed

Pokeweed containsphytolaccine. This is a powerful irritant that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms in humans and other mammals. Pokeweed contains the poisonous compoundsphytolaccatoxinandphytolaccigenin.

Every part of the pokeweed plant is poisonous, including the roots, stems, leaves, and berries. Older plants contain higher concentrations of phytolaccine. The berries are more poisonous when green.

If eaten, pokeweed usually causes symptoms within six hours, including:

Less severe but similar symptoms may occur if any part of the plant comes into contact with broken skin.

Call 911 or seek emergency care if you experience vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, or irregular heart rate or breathing after eating or coming into contact with pokeweed.

Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak

Pokeweed dried herb

How to Recognize and Treat Poisoning

Symptoms of Severe Pokeweed Poisoning

Symptoms of severe pokeweed poisoning include:

Severe poisoning may cause death, which usually occurs as a result of respiratory paralysis.

If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of pokeweed poisoning, call 911 or the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222), where you will be connected to a poison control center in your area.

Be prepared to answer these questions:

Do not induce vomiting unless a healthcare provider or someone with poison control tells you to.Doing so can risk chemical aspiration (the inhalation of vomit and poison into the lungs).

Treatment may involve gastric lavage. This procedure involves the administration and removal of small volumes of fluid to clear the stomach. Other treatments may include:

Hospital observation may be needed. Mild to moderate cases tend to improve within one to two days.

Not much is known about how pokeweed affects other drugs you may be taking. However, based on how the body responds to pokeweed, it would be safe to assume that interactions do exist. Some could be potentially significant.

Pokeweed contains compounds that are known to cause theagglutination(clumping together) of red blood cells.As such, it may need to be avoided if you are takinganticoagulants(blood thinners) like:

Pokeweed can also cause a drop in blood pressure.This could trigger hypotension (low blood pressure) in people onantihypertensive drugslike:

Always talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements or herbs you may be taking to avoid potentially serious drug interactions.

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Summary

Pokeweed is a poisonous plant that is said to have health benefits, but there is little research supporting the purported health benefits. Contact with pokeweed leaves, roots, or berries can cause skin rash. Swallowing any part of the fresh pokeweed plant can cause severe toxicity and even death. Call 911 or seek emergency care if you experience any serious symptoms from pokeweed exposure.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Missouri Department of Conservation.Pokeweed.Northern New England Poison Center.Pokeweed/Pokeberry.Medline Plus.Pokeweed poisoning.Poison Control.Calling poison control.Horii Y, Hhirano T. Pokeweed mitogen(Pwm).In: Encyclopedia of Immunology. Elsevier; 1998:1978-1979.doi: 10.1006/rwei.1999.0499Additional ReadingMcGeady S, Buckley R.Depression of cell-mediated immunity in atopic eczema.J Allergy Clin Immunol.1975;56(5) 393-406. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(75)90133-5.Stetler K.Tonsillitis and sore throat in children.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;13:Doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000110.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Missouri Department of Conservation.Pokeweed.Northern New England Poison Center.Pokeweed/Pokeberry.Medline Plus.Pokeweed poisoning.Poison Control.Calling poison control.Horii Y, Hhirano T. Pokeweed mitogen(Pwm).In: Encyclopedia of Immunology. Elsevier; 1998:1978-1979.doi: 10.1006/rwei.1999.0499Additional ReadingMcGeady S, Buckley R.Depression of cell-mediated immunity in atopic eczema.J Allergy Clin Immunol.1975;56(5) 393-406. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(75)90133-5.Stetler K.Tonsillitis and sore throat in children.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;13:Doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000110.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Missouri Department of Conservation.Pokeweed.Northern New England Poison Center.Pokeweed/Pokeberry.Medline Plus.Pokeweed poisoning.Poison Control.Calling poison control.Horii Y, Hhirano T. Pokeweed mitogen(Pwm).In: Encyclopedia of Immunology. Elsevier; 1998:1978-1979.doi: 10.1006/rwei.1999.0499

Missouri Department of Conservation.Pokeweed.

Northern New England Poison Center.Pokeweed/Pokeberry.

Medline Plus.Pokeweed poisoning.

Poison Control.Calling poison control.

Horii Y, Hhirano T. Pokeweed mitogen(Pwm).In: Encyclopedia of Immunology. Elsevier; 1998:1978-1979.

doi: 10.1006/rwei.1999.0499

McGeady S, Buckley R.Depression of cell-mediated immunity in atopic eczema.J Allergy Clin Immunol.1975;56(5) 393-406. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(75)90133-5.Stetler K.Tonsillitis and sore throat in children.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;13:Doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000110.

McGeady S, Buckley R.Depression of cell-mediated immunity in atopic eczema.J Allergy Clin Immunol.1975;56(5) 393-406. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(75)90133-5.

Stetler K.Tonsillitis and sore throat in children.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;13:Doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000110.

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