This product is the dried root of the Pokeberry Root plant (Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.) or American Pokeberry Root (Phytolacca americana L.) of the Pokeberry Root family. It is harvested from autumn to the following spring, with fibrous roots and soil removed, cut into pieces or slices, and then dried in the sun or shade. The texture is hard. It has a slight odor, a slightly sweet taste, and causes a numbing sensation on the tongue when chewed for a long time.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter, cold; toxic. act on lung, spleen, kidney and large intestine channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Promoting diuresis to reduce swelling, facilitating urination and defecation, detoxifying, and resolving masses.

bubble_chart Indications

Used for edema and fullness, inability to urinate or defecate; externally treats abscesses, sores, and toxins.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "Main Shuizhang, hernia and abdominal mass, impediment; ironing to remove abscesses and swellings, kills ghostly and spiritual entities."
2. Bielu: "Treats pathogenic qi in the chest, edema, wilting impediment, abdominal distension and fullness, straightens the flow, regulates the five zang-organs, disperses water qi."
3. Yaoxing Lun: "Can purge ten types of water diseases. For pharyngitis and blockage, thinly slice and boil with vinegar, apply thinly to the swollen throat area for relief."
4. 《Rihuazi》: "The white variety is effective with garlic." "The red variety can subdue cinnabar, arsenic, and orpiment." (Quoted from Gangmu)
5. 《Materia Medica Yuanming Bao》: "For water qi and floating swelling, cook with foxtail millet to make porridge and drink."
6. Bencao Tongxuan: "For children's pox toxicity, use with Fistular Onion Stalk to fill the navel."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

3-9g; for external use, mash fresh product or grind dried product into powder and apply topically.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Pregnant women are prohibited from using.

bubble_chart Processing and Storage

Store in a dry place, protect from mold and insects.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

The root contains Pokeberry Root glycosides A, B, C, and D.

1. Effects on immune function: Oral administration of Pokeberry Root polysaccharide (PI) at 50mg/kg in mice can promote the phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophages, stimulate the proliferation of mouse spleen lymphocytes, and induce spleen cells to produce I factor. PI can also induce mouse peritoneal macrophages to produce interleukin-1 (IL-1).
2. Anti-inflammatory effects.
3. Antibacterial and antiviral effects: Pokeberry Root decoction and tincture have certain inhibitory effects on Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Neisseria in vitro, with the decoction being more effective than the tincture.
4. Antitumor effects.
5. Effects on the respiratory system: Oral administration of the alkaloid fraction of Pokeberry Root has a significant antitussive effect on ammonia-induced cough in mice;
6. Effects on the kidneys: Perfusion of Pokeberry Root extract into the kidneys of toads significantly increases urine output, and direct application to the kidney or web causes capillary dilation and increased blood flow, likely due to the dilation of glomerular capillaries and accelerated renal blood circulation, with potassium salts possibly playing an additional role.
7. Effects on the digestive system: Oral administration of PS-E at 50mg/kg in mice significantly inhibits intestinal carbon propulsion, 100mg/kg significantly inhibits stress-induced ulcers, but 200mg/kg can induce or aggravate gastric ulcers.
8. Effects on metabolism: Oral administration of Pokeberry Root total saponins in mice significantly increases the incorporation of tritium-labeled thymidine (3H-TdR) into DNA, suggesting that Pokeberry Root total saponins may be a bioactive substance that activates ribonucleotide reductase.
9. Other effects: The resin-like substance in the root of Phytolacca americana has a strong inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, with 50mg/kg causing death in cats, and its liquid extract causing severe vomiting in cats, with 1ml inhibiting respiration and circulation, and 4ml causing cardiac and respiratory arrest.

bubble_chart Modern Application

1. Treat chronic bronchitis.
2. Treat psoriasis.
3. Treat mammary gland hyperplasia.