RT Journal
A1 Lewis WH, Smith PR
T1 POke root herbal tea poisoning
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1979
FD December 21
VO 242
IS 25
SP 2759
OP 2760
DO 10.1001/jama.1979.03300250015012
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1979.03300250015012
AB 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,