At allnature.com, I found exactly what you described:
Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
Other Names: Poke Salet, American Pokeweed, Cancer-root, Cancer jalap, Inkberry, Pigeon Berry, Pocan, Poke, Poke Root, Pokeberry, Reujin D Ours, Sekerciboyaci, Skoke, Virginian Poke, Yoshu-Yama-Gobo, Yyamilin
Caution : Toxic when misused. For experienced herbalists only. Can cause intense vomiting and diarrhea.
Habitat
Pokeweed is a common perennial native plant, found in Northern and Central N. America from the New England States to Minnesota and south to Florida and Texas, naturalized in Britain and other countries. Growing in damp rich soils in clearings, woodland margins and roadsides. Cultivation: Pokeweed is an easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and full sun or partial shade. The stout erect stalk is tall, growing to 10 feet or more, smooth and branching, turning deep red or purple as the berries ripen and the plant matures. The root is conical, large and fleshy, covered with a thin brown bark. Leaves are about 5 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide, simple, alternate, ovate-lanceolate, and smooth. The flowers which appear from July to September are long-stalked clusters and each has 5 whitish petals with green centers. The fruit is a rich deep purple round berry, containing a rich crimson juice. Gather young edible shoots in spring, the roots in fall, slice and dry for later use, and berries as they ripen.
Properties
Pokeweed is edible (cooked) and medicinal. It has a long history of use by Native Americans and in alternative medicine. The young shoots are boiled in two changes of water and taste similar to asparagus, berries are cooked and the resulting liquid used to color canned fruits and vegetables. The root is alterative, anodyne, antiinflammatory, cathartic, expectorant, hypnotic, narcotic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, tonsillitis, mumps, glandular fever and other complaints involving swollen glands, chronic catarrh, bronchitis and diseases related to a compromised immune system it has potential as an anti-AIDS drug. Some of the chemical constituents in the plant are triterpenoid saponins, lectins, antiviral proteins and many phytolaccagenic acids, which are not completely understood.
New research has revealed that a possible CURE for Childhood Leukemia called (B43-PAP) is found in the common Pokeweed. Anti-B43-pokeweed antiviral protein, B43-PAP, PAP is a pokeweed toxin. The B43 carries the weapon--the PAP--to the leukemia cells. It has been touted as a smart weapon. In one study 15 out of 18 children who had participated had attained remission. The following is part of a repot from Parker Hughes Institute: The two parts of this drug are the B43 antibody (or anti-CD19) and the pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) immunotoxin, a natural product in the pokeweed plant. B43 is designed to recognize specific B-cell leukemia cells just as natural antibodies attack and recognize germs. When the antibody finds a leukemia cell, it attaches and B43 delivers the other part of the drug, PAP. Inside the cell, PAP is released by the antibody and inactivates the ribosomes that make the proteins the cell needs to survive. With the cell unable to produce proteins, the specific leukemia cell is killed. More than 100 patients have been treated with B43-PAP and shown only minimal side effects.
Caution is advised as the whole plant, but especially the berries, is poisonous raw, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
A beautiful red ink and a dye are obtained from the fruit. The rootstock is rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute.
Folklore
Some Native American tribes used Pokeweed as a Witchcraft Medicine, believing that it’s ability to totally purge the body by causing drastic diarrhea and vomiting would also expel bad spirits. Fruit was made into a red dye used in painting horses and various articles of adornment.
And, at another site:
Therapeutic Actions:
* Alterative
* Anti-inflammatory
* Antiviral-inhibits the replication of influenza, HSV-1, URI viruses and poliovirus
* Cathartic
* Mitogentic for T-cells or for both T-cells and B-cells (lectins, glycoproteins, Pa-1 to Pa-5)
* Stimulates B and T lymphocytes
* Stimulates elimination from tissue
* Stimulates production of interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor
Clinical Indications:
* Cancer prevention
* Endometriosis
* Fibrocystic breast disease
* Herpes simplex
* Mastitis
* Uterine fibroid
* Influenza
* Lymphadenopathy
* Mumps
* Parotitis
* Pharyngitis
* Tonsillitis
* Upper respiratory infections
Contraindications:
* Pregnancy
Drug/Nutrient Interaction:
* Limited data
Chemical Constituents:
* Alkaloid:
Phytolaccine
* Formic acid
* Lectins, glycoproteins, Pa-1 to Pa-5
* Phytolaccic acid
* Resin
* Saponin
* Tannin
* Vitamin K
Toxicity:
* Limit use to short duration
* Symptoms of long term use or overdose happen slowly and may be difficult to recognize
* Symptoms include:
Burning in mouth and stomach
Decreased blood pressure
GI disturbances
Nausea , vomiting and diarrhea
Slow heart and pulse
If consumption is greater than 1/2 ounce of the berries or root or 10 berries in an infant, coma and death by respiratory paralysis
Copyright 1998 - 2007 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).
