Indications

Toxic plant used with care to treat serious infections and cancer.

Immune
• conditions associated with nodular growths or enlarged glands:
- infections with swollen nodes
- lymphadenopathy
- tonsilitis
- cancer
- lymphoma
- leukemia
• orchitis
• epididymitis
• mastitis

Infection
• strept throat
• diptheria
• mumps
• syphilis
• influenza
• mononucleosis
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - research underway

Actions

• Lymphatic
• Alterative
• Antipyretic
• Antiviral
• Anticancer
• Antiinflammatory
• Emetic
• Purgative

Constituents

• Triterpenoid Glycosides (E.g. Phytolaccosides)
• Lectins
• Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (Pap)
• Alkaloid (E.g. Phytolaccine )

Posology

• Tincture (1:10 in 45% EtOH): 0.25 ml tid
• Decoction (root): 1/4 tsp tid

Safety

High doses: May cause violent emesis, catharsis, convulsions and possibly death.

Note: Should be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about the effects of the plants.

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002