Phytolacca

Pokeroot

Phytolacca americana

This remedy has a strong affinity with the glands. Phytolacca may be given for mastitis with hardness, burning, and pain in the breasts that radiates through the whole body on breast-feeding. Breast ulcers, hard lumps, and even breast cancer may also be helped, as may psoriasis.

Phytolacca may be used for hard, inflamed neck glands, with pain in the throat on swallowing. The tonsils may be inflamed, painful, and discolored dark red, and the tip of the tongue may be red. Inflamed parotid glands - for example during mumps - may be helped by the remedy, as may mononucleosis. Breathing feels difficult, restricted, and oppressed, with a sense of suffocation and emptiness in the chest.

Pokeroot was used by native Americans for a range of complaints from rheumatoid arthritis to hemorrhoids, this plant is highly potent and toxic in excess.

The fresh root is unearthed during the fall, finely chopped, and macerated in alcohol.

Uses

Phytolacca (pokeroot) is mainly used for glandular problems, especially in the breasts, such as a tumor (either cancerous or benign) or mastitis with stitch like pain. The breasts are swollen and hard and the pain can spread throughout the body. Phytolacca is also given for tonsillitis and pharyngitis where the throat is dark red and the pain extends to the ear on swallowing.

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