Pokeweed, also known as Phytolacca americana, is an herbaceous plant native to North America. While it may have some medicinal properties, it is also known for its toxicity so you may ask, is pokeweed poisonous, and could pokeweed kill you?
Pokeweed can be grouped into the most dangerous plants you could come across and causes reactions like poison ivy. The entire plant, from its roots to its leaves and berries, contains a toxin called Phytolacca toxin. It can cause various symptoms in humans, including skin irritation, stomach pain, and even breathing issues.
If you have touched American pokeweed with bare hands, taking immediate action is vital to minimize the risk of poisoning. First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to remove any traces of the plant’s juices. If you have touched your face or other areas of your body, it’s also important to wash those areas.
It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms of poisoning, which can include skin rash, stomach pain, and spasms. If you experience any of these symptoms after touching pokeweed, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately. In addition, it’s essential to avoid scratching the affected area, as this can cause further irritation and increase the risk of infection.
In our guide, you can learn more about whether is pokeweed poisonous to touch. By the end, you’ll better understand if myths are true and is pokeweed edible or what can happen if you or a family member touch or ingest the Pigeon berry. (Learn How To Keep Begonias Blooming)
What Part Of Pokeweed Is Harmful For Humans To Touch?
Pokeweed is a toxic plant like poison ivy that can cause severe poisoning when ingested or exposed to the skin. All parts of the pokeweed plant are poisonous to touch, except the above-ground leaves that grow in the early spring. The other parts, including the roots, berries, stems, and seeds, are toxic to touch with bare hands.
Roots
The roots of the pokeweed plant contain a toxic chemical called Phytolacca, which can cause serious symptoms such as chest pain, lowering blood pressure, and respiratory insufficiencies by constricting blood vessels when ingested. Contact with skin from the pokeweed roots also can cause skin rashes as compounds found are skin irritants.
Berries
The dark purple berries of the pokeweed plant are toxic and can cause severe poisoning when ingested. Even touching unripe berries with bare hands can cause skin irritations and rashes. However, ripe berries are less toxic than unripe ones and can be eaten in small amounts after proper preparation.
Leaves & Stems
The leaves and stems of the pokeweed plant contain toxic biochemicals, including Phytolacca toxin and pokeweed mitogen, which can cause severe symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea when ingested. Skin contact with the leaves and stems can cause pokeweed rash and irritation. (Learn How To Get Rid Of Pokeweed)
Seeds
The seeds of the pokeweed plant are toxic and can cause severe poisoning when ingested. They contain poisonous toxins that can affect the internal organs, causing muscle spasms and more severe symptoms such as respiratory and digestive system disruptions.
- To handle pokeweed safely, use rubber gloves and protective clothing, and avoid touching the plant’s juices.
- If you have handled pokeweed with bare hands, immediately wash the affected area with soap and water to avoid skin irritations and rashes.
- Avoid scratching the affected area to prevent further skin irritations. If you have ingested pokeweed, induce vomiting, and seek medical attention immediately.
- Homeopathic remedies are not recommended for treating pokeweed poisoning. Pokeweed is a dangerous plant that should be avoided. Native Americans used to eat pokeweed after proper preparation, but it is not recommended for consumption due to its toxicity.
Symptoms Of Pokeweed Poisoning
Pokeweed is a toxic plant and touching it with bare hands can cause severe poisoning, like the symptoms of poison ivy or poison oak. Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the pokeweed exposure, but some of the most common symptoms of pokeweed poisons include:
- Stomach pain
- Skin rashes and irritations
- Severe symptoms such as seizures, irregular heart rate, and muscle spasms
- Low blood pressure
- Respiratory insufficiency
Seizures
One of the most dangerous symptoms of pokeweed poisoning is seizures. If you experience seizures after touching pokeweed plants, seek medical attention immediately. Seizures can be life-threatening and require prompt medical care.
Irregular Heart Rate
Pokeweed poisoning can also cause an irregular heart rate, leading to chest pain and other cardiovascular problems. If you experience an irregular heart rate after touching pokeweed, seek medical attention immediately.
Muscle Spasms
Pokeweed poisoning can cause severe spasms, which can be painful and debilitating. If you experience muscle spasms after touching pokeweed, seek medical attention immediately.
What To Do After Pokeweed Poisoning
First Aid Steps
If you have encountered pokeweed with bare hands or have ingested any part of the plant, it is vital to take immediate action to minimize the effects of the poison. Here are some first-aid steps to follow:
- Wear rubber gloves and protective clothing to avoid further skin contact with the plant’s toxins.
- If the plant’s juices have come into contact with your skin, wash the affected area repeatedly with soap and water to remove any remaining toxins.
- If you have ingested pokeweed, do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a healthcare professional.
- If you experience severe symptoms such as chest pain, respiratory insufficiency, or low blood pressure, seek medical attention immediately.
What To Do About Pokeweed Rash
If you develop a mild rash or skin irritation after touching pokeweed, you can take the following steps to alleviate the symptoms:
- Avoid scratching the affected area, as this can spread the rash and cause further damage to the skin.
- Apply a cool compress or take a cool bath to soothe the skin.
- Use over-the-counter anti-itch creams or lotions to relieve itching.
- See medical attention if the rash is severe or accompanied by more severe symptoms.
It is important to note that pokeweed is a toxic plant and should be cautiously handled. The plant’s roots, leaves, berries, and sap all contain toxic chemicals and biochemicals that can cause severe poisoning if ingested or if there is skin contact.
The ripe pokeweed berries are often used to make pokeberry ink, but the unripe berries are toxic and should not be consumed. Ingesting pokeweed can cause stomach pain, spasms, and other symptoms that affect the respiratory and digestive systems.
The plant’s toxins can also cause rashes and other irritations. Pokeweed toxicity can lead to more severe symptoms, such as respiratory insufficiency and low blood pressure, which can be life-threatening. (Read Avocado Tree Leaf Browning – What To Do)
Suppose you have eaten pokeweed or have come into contact with the plant’s toxins. In that case, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately, mainly if you use beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors. Do not rely on homeopathic remedies or other unproven treatments to alleviate the symptoms of pokeweed poisoning.
What You Should Know About Pokeweed
Pokeweed Identification
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a large herbaceous plant native to North America. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and has smooth, reddish-purple stems and large, oval-shaped leaves. The plant produces clusters of small, white flowers in the summer, followed by dark purple berries in the fall.
How To Get Rid Of Pokeweed
If you have pokeweed growing in your yard or garden, it’s essential to remove it carefully. Wear rubber gloves and protective clothing to avoid skin contact with the plant’s juices, which can irritate and cause rashes. Pulling works well for controlling young plants and seedlings. Nonetheless, it is advised to take repeated cuttings or use pesticide on more established plants.
This is due to the large, difficult-to-remove taproot’s large energy reserves. Therefore, if a plant is already established, cutting it will only cause it to regenerate using energy stored as carbohydrates in the root quickly. According to research, glyphosate is the most efficient herbicide for eradicating and controlling pokeweed, with an efficiency rate of between 80 and 90%. Pokeweed was more effectively controlled by glyphosate than other herbicides, like 2,4-D or dicamba, which were only about 60% effective.
Applying herbicide to freshly cut stalks and leaves late in the growing season, but before the berries have developed, can be effective for spot-treating mature plants. To get rid of pokeweed, dig up the entire plant, including the roots, and dispose of it in a sealed plastic bag.
Traditional Medical Use
Pokeweed has a long history of use in traditional medicine by Native Americans. The plant’s roots, leaves, and pokeweed berries were used to treat various ailments, including rheumatism, arthritis, and skin conditions.
Modern Medical Use
While pokeweed is no longer used in modern medicine, some homeopathic remedies still use the plant’s extracts to treat certain conditions. However, it’s important to note that consuming pokeweed tea can be dangerous with a potentially lethal dose.
Food Use
While some people have eaten pokeweed in the past, it’s not recommended due to the plant’s toxicity. The pokeweed berries are dangerous and can cause severe symptoms, including respiratory insufficiency, low blood pressure, and even death. It’s important to note that even ripe berries are toxic and should not be consumed.
Overall, it’s best to avoid handling pokeweed with bare hands and to wear shielding clothing when handling the plant. If you come into contact with pokeweed, avoid scratching the affected area and wash it thoroughly with soap and water. If you experience unbearable symptoms after ingesting pokeweed, seek medical attention immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I touch any pokeweed?
If you feel pokeweed with bare hands, washing the affected area with soap and water is essential. Evade scratching the area, as this can cause the rash to spread. Wear protective clothing when handling pokeweed to prevent skin contact.
If you experience skin rash or other irritations again, use homeopathic remedies or seek medical attention if the symptoms are severe.
Is pokeweed toxic to humans?
Is pokeweed poisonous to touch? Yes, if you feel pokeweed leaves and other plant parts, it can cause an allergic reaction. The plant contains toxic chemicals and biochemicals that can cause severe poisoning if ingested or if the pokeweed sap or juices come into contact with the skin.
Symptoms of pokeweed poisoning include an allergic reaction, stomach pains, loss of urinary control, and other harmful symptoms such as seizures and respiratory failure. It is essential to avoid ingesting pokeweed ingestion or encountering pokeweed with bare hands.
What is pokeweed good for?
Pokeweed (American Nightshade) is an herbaceous plant used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans. They used to eat pokeweed plants to treat various ailments, including achy muscles and joints, skin infections, and swollen breasts.
However, due to its toxicity, using pokeweed berries for medicinal purposes is not recommended without consulting a healthcare professional. (Read Pruning Arborvitae Guide)
Are poke berries edible?
No, pokeweed is not safe to eat. The plant’s leaves, roots, and unripe berries contain poisonous toxins that can cause severe symptoms if ingested. While some people have eaten pokeweed in the past, it is not recommended as Poke Salat (sounds like poke salad) due to the potential for serious harm. The ripe berries may be less toxic, but eating them is still not recommended.
What Makes Pokeweed Toxic?
The Phytolacca toxin and phytolaccigenin proteins found in pokeweed are present in every plant region. making every berry, root, stem, and leaf potentially poisonous. Pokeweed poisoning incidents that are the most severe happens when any portion of the plant is consumed. Whether on purpose or by mistake.
For your safety and protection, always do your homework on the plants and bushes you intend to remove from your land. When plants are believed to be benign when they are actually quite hazardous, poisonings happen frequently.
