Poke Root Herbal Tea Poisoning

To the Editor.—  All parts of poke (Phytolacca americana, synonym P decandra) are toxic, except aboveground parts growing early in the spring. The active components are triterpene saponins, eg, phytolaccigenin, and a proteinaceous mitogen, PWM. Ingestion of the saponins elicits gastroenteritis, while ingestion and absorption through skin abrasions of PWM may result in plasmacytosis, mitotic changes in peripheral blood cells, and other hematologic abnormalities.¹Poisonings were widespread in eastern North America during the 19th century from overdoses of poke root tinctures then used as an antirheumatic and from eating berries or roots in error for parsnip, Jerusalem artichoke, or horseradish. Recoveries were common, but fatalities occurred.^2,3Increasing numbers of persons are purchasing plant materials as foods from an expanding health food industry. Unfortunately, the public is unaware of the dangers of certain of these products, including poke that until recently had not been generally available for sale (240:109,