( excellent in goitre, internally and externally), hardening of the liver and reduced biliary flow. The root excites the whole glandular system and is very useful in the removal of mercurio-syphilitic affection, scrofula and chronic skin diseases.
Very few, if any of the alteratives have superior power to Poke if properly gathered and prepared for medicinal uses. Both the berries and root have high recognition for the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis, especially when used with Black cohosh( Cimicifuga) and Prickly ash( Xanthoxylum flaxizeum-rue family). Poke is indicated, and should be combined in formulas, for throat conditions when membrane is dark in colour, tonsils swollen, shooting pains through the ear with difficulty in swallowing. Dose: Tincture of Phytolacca alone, 2 – 5 drops, as frequently as indicated by symptoms. As a decoction, 1 tablespoonful of the root, leaves or berries cut small to 1 pint of boiling water, steeped 10 min. Take a mouthful at a time several times a day. The juice of the ripe berries preserved in syrup form may be used in teaspoonful doses every 3 hr. Externally: Dr. Wood and Dr. Ruddock in“ Vitology”( 1921):“ The juice of the berries dried in the sun until it forms the proper consistency for a plaster, applied twice a day has cured cancer.” It is a dependable agent in the treatment of mammillary swelling from which so many women suffer following childbirth, making nursing impossible. In such cases, a mixture of Phytolacca, 3 parts to 1 part of glycerine, will abate the swelling in its beginning, or when suppuration has taken place it will help and bring about granulation. In bone enlargements and bone growths from injuries, when in a chronic state apply a solution of Poke root tea, made fresh daily. This will also relieve itching skin. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh root dug in winter: tincture of the ripe berries; tincture of fresh leaves; solution of the resinous extract, Phytolaccin— Abortion( threatened), Albuminuria, Angina pectoris, Anus( fissure of), Asthma, Barber’ s itch, Boils, Bone( disease of; tumours of), Breasts( affections of), Cancer, Cholera, Cicatrix, Ciliary neuralgia, Constipation, Corpulence, Cough, Dentition( difficulty), Diarrhoea, Diphtheria, Diplopia, Dysentery, Dysmenia, Ears( affections of), Erythema nodosum, Eustachian tubes( affections of), Glands( enlarged), Gleet, Glossitis, Gonorrhoea, Gout, Granular conjunctivitis, Haemorrhoids, Headache, Hearing( altered), Heart( affection of; hypertrophy of; fatty), Impotence, Influenza, Intestinal catarrh, Itch, Lactation( abnormal), Laryngismus, Leucorrhoea, Lichen, Liver( affections of), Lumbago, Lupus, Mercury( effects of), Mouth( ulcer), Mumps, Neuralgia, Nipples( sore), Nursing( painful), Orchitis, Ozaena, Panophthalmitis, Paralysis( diphtheritic), Parotitis, Prostatitis, Prostate( affection of), Rectum( cancer of), Respiration( abnormal), Rheumatism( Syphilitic, Gonorrhoeal), Ringworm, Rodent ulcer, Salivation, Sciatica, Sewer gas poisoning, Spinal irritation, Spleen( pain in), Stiff neck, Syphilis, Syphilitic eruptions, Tetanus, Throat( sore; diphtheritic, herpetic; glandular), Toothache, Tumours, Ulcers, Uterus( affection of), Warts, Wens. Russian Experience: Phytolacca decandra is not native to Russia. Poke was brought from North America to the Black Sea regions of Caucasus and Crimea. The natives have adopted Fitalaka Americana( or from Folk Medicine, Lakonos Americana) as the identifying name. Folk Medicine soon found use for the American import as diuretic, laxative, vermifuge, emetic. They use it as tea, decoction and Nastoika( with vodka) for ulcer conditions, kidney and bladder trouble. Clinically: Experiments prove that taken internally in small doses it is very relaxing and calming; large doses create disturbing effects of shortness of breath and convulsions. Externally: Nastoika used as rheumatic liniment.
POPLAR Populus tremuloides, Michx.( N. O.: Salicaceae)