Historically, poke root has been used in herbal medicine. However, all the components of the pokeweed plant are toxic to humans if not prepared in a specific way.

Poke root (Phytolacca americana) is a flowering shrub with red-pink stems and black-purple berries. It’s native to the southwest and eastern regions of the United States. You can also find it in South America, Europe, and Asia.

Sometimes, it’s grown for culinary or decorative purposes.

Poke root has many names, including:

  • pokeweed
  • pokeberry
  • inkberry
  • American nightshade
  • American scoke
  • pigeonberry
  • red plant
  • pocan

Historically, people have used poke root in food, herbal medicine, and dye for fabric and wine. However, despite these traditional uses, the whole plant is toxic to people. It needs to be cooked in a specific way to reduce its toxicity or have its beneficial compounds extracted from it in a lab. Experts recommend not consuming poke root or any part of the pokeweed plant.

Let’s explore what the science says about poke root, its side effects, and its uses.

Researchers have studied specific compounds of the pokeweed plant, including the roots, by isolating them in a lab.

According to a 2023 research, earlier test tube studies demonstrate that, when extracted from the plant, some of these bioactive compounds may have anticancer and antifungal effects:

  • Breast cancer: The authors suggest that one of these compounds, Esculentoside A, may inhibit breast cancer growth, while another, Esculentoside H, may prevent human cancer cells from migrating.
  • Colon cancer: The authors also refer to earlier research that suggests compounds isolated from pokeweed seeds, americanin A and isoamericanol A, may have anticancer effects on colon and breast cancer.

Additionally, the 2023 researchers experimented with cultivating poke root to increase these beneficial compounds in this study and an earlier 2022 study. Their results suggest that pokeweed roots cultivated under specific conditions in a lab may contain more of these properties than poke roots cultivated in the wild or those sold as herbal supplements.

Additional research on pokeweed and its possible cancer-fighting compounds is still needed. How a compound acts in a test tube or animal study does not always predict how it will act in the human body, which is much more complex.

New research is still needed to examine:

  • poke root’s possible anticancer effects
  • how its effectiveness may compare to current treatments
  • if effective, whether the benefits extend to humans
  • what kind of dosage may be safe and effective

Pokeweed is not the only plant that contains bioactive compounds with anticancer properties. Learn about foods that contain anticancer compounds.

In herbal medicine, poke root is sometimes used for inflammation and breast conditions like mastitis.

Mastitis occurs when breast tissue becomes inflamed. The condition typically affects people who are breastfeeding.

Users claim poke root can help because it has anti-inflammatory properties.

However, research does not support this use. The pokeweed plant’s root and other parts contain toxins that may negatively affect humans.

It is best to stick to remedies that have been demonstrated by scientific research to treat mastitis and other inflammatory conditions effectively.

Mastitis typically results from a bacterial infection and often requires antibiotics to treat. In addition to doctor-prescribed treatment, over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications and using a warm compress may more effectively relieve pain and swelling.

Historically, people have made medicine from different parts of the pokeweed plant. This includes:

People also use the leaves to make herbal tea and sallet, a traditional dish from the southern US. Both are made by boiling the leaves, which is said to make them safe and reduce their toxicity.

However, most of the purported benefits of poke root are anecdotal. Poke root supplements or cooked parts of the plant haven’t been proven to help any of the following conditions in people:

The whole poke root plant is toxic to humans, but the berries are the most toxic. People may also develop symptoms from coming into physical contact with parts of the plant.

Poke root is also poisonous to dogs and other animals. If you have pets, make sure they avoid the plant. Note that the berries are a food source for some species of birds native to the U.S.

In people, the pokeweed plant can cause the following side effects when taken orally or applied topically:

High doses can lead to:

In rare cases, high doses of poke root may lead to death.

If you’re breastfeeding, avoid applying poke root products on your breasts. It’s unsafe for your baby to consume poke root.

Poke root is a traditional herbal remedy said to treat cancer, infections, and inflammation, but the available research has only involved cell cultures or animals. The supposed benefits haven’t been proven in humans.

Raw poke root is toxic to people. When eaten or applied topically, the plant can cause side effects like severe nausea or diarrhea. It shouldn’t be ingested unless prepared properly.

If you’d like to use poke root, use caution. Avoid the herb if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.