Indian pokeweed is a poisonous plant from Southeast Asia. There, the plant looks back on a long tradition in medicinal medicine because of the serpentine it contains. Even today, the plant is used for healing purposes and is used, for example, as a natural antibiotic, cancer prevention or anti-inflammatory.
Occurrence and cultivation of Indian pokeweed.
Its erect flowers distinguish it from the American pokeweed, which is still much more toxic. Indian pokeweed, also called Asian pokeweed, is a psychoactive poisonous plant from Southeast Asia. It is common in China and Japan, as well as North and South Korea, in addition to India. It is also found in Bhutan, Myanmar and Vietnam. Meanwhile, it is also found as an ornamental plant in Europe, where birds spread its seeds. Its erect flowers distinguish it from the American pokeweed, which is still much more poisonous. Indian pokeweed grows in sunny locations, especially in loose and moist soils. Its seeds and roots are considered the most toxic component, as the psychoactive substance triterpene saponin phytolaccagenin is concentrated mainly in these areas. Young leaves and shoots of pokeweed contain only small amounts of toxin and are often prepared as salads in Asia, as they provide many important proteins and offer an asparagus-like flavor. The older the pokeweed is, the more toxic its seeds and root parts are. The flesh of the berries, on the other hand, loses its toxicity with age.
Effect and application
Indian pokeweed is mainly used for medicinal purposes. It is processed into preparations that are used within homeopathy. The healing effect of the substance is primarily due to the contained saponins, which bring about antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory effects. Saponins can also strengthen the immune system. Therefore, preparations containing components of pokeweed are mainly used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and glandular disorders. The treatment of inflammations with the help of pokeweed has a long tradition, because centuries ago the root of the plant was put into alcohol and this mixture was used, for example, in the treatment of bacterial infections of the female mammary gland. Today’s homeopathy also makes use of the diuretic and expectorant effect of pokeweed. In addition, the plant’s saponins support the absorption of certain ingredients from the intestines and have a cholesterol-binding effect. Animal studies have also confirmed a preventive effect against colon cancer, as regular intake can inhibit cell division in the intestine. In moderation, saponins also have an antibiotic effect. The active ingredient thus inhibits the formation of fungi and the replication of various viruses. However, higher doses of the substance can lead to mild symptoms of poisoning. Symptomatic documented in this regard are, for example, dizziness, vomiting and cramping symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract. The homeopathically used preparations of Indian pokeweed, however, contain small doses of the toxins that are not expected to cause symptoms of poisoning. Apart from the production of homeopathic products, Indian pokeweed is sometimes used as a vegetable substitute. For this purpose, young leaves of the plant are boiled and served with sauce. Poisoning symptoms do not occur even in this case, since the poison of the plant is primarily in the roots and seeds. In addition to homeopathy and food presentation, the Indian pokeweed is used in a third field of application. The pale pink to pitch-black berries are sometimes used as a dye. The ornamental function of the plant should also not be underestimated. In Europe, the berry so often decorates the home garden for purely visual purposes.
Significance for health, treatment and prevention.
Indian pokeweed berries were eaten in China as early as 1000 BC. At that time, they replaced belladonna. The ingestion of young leaves was mainly intended to give the consumer an experience of intoxication, but pokeweed was also used in medicinal medicine even then. In China as well as Tibet it was supposed to relieve pain, heal edema and prevent cancer. The saponins contained in Indian pokeweed, a subgroup of glycosides, are the most therapeutically effective component of the plant. They possess many biological-pharmaceutical properties.Experiments confirm a decrease in the proliferation rate of colon cells, which confirms the significant value of pokeweed within cancer prevention. Controlled ingestion inhibits the growth and DNA synthesis of tumor cell types, as the saponins interact with the cell membrane. Furthermore, by stimulating the immune system, natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are stimulated, which attack tumors in their nascent stages. Since the ingredients of pokeweed also have an antibiotic effect, the Southeast Asian plant can also be used to treat fungal, inflammatory and viral diseases. The antibiotic effect of pokeweed should not be underestimated. Especially in Western culture, immunity to conventional antibiotics has become a widespread disease, which makes antibiotic-active natural substances all the more in demand. Indian pokeweed is less toxic than American pokeweed, which makes it even easier to use for medicinal purposes compared to this species relative. However, American pokeweed is also used in homeopathy. In both cases, the right dose is the key to success. Even apart from the healing effect of the ingredients, the Indian pokeweed can be used for health. The proteins contained in the leaves, for example, can make the plant an extremely healthy food ingredient, although proper dosage should always be observed in this regard as well.
