Poke Berry Root

After doing some research and learning about plants that grow in my environment I decided to take a stab at harvesting some Poke Berry root. You have probably seen this plant and chalked it up to being an annoying weed. The reason it is so annoying is that if you try to pull it out of the ground the stalk breaks off of the root and so you are left with the plant growing back and taking over your garden. The plant is poisonous and so I did a lot of research to make sure that I knew what I was doing. Medicinally you can use the berries to treat arthritis by swallowing a berry a day. Be sure not to chew the berry as the seeds are poisonous. The leaves can be boiled twice in fresh water in the early spring to make a nutritious meal. The root can be made into a tincture to treat tumors, lumps, and boost the immune system. It can also be made into an oil. This oil can be applied to the lymph nodes to reduce swelling.

I got my shovel ready, gloved up and was ready to do battle with the Poke Berry bush. It was a beast to get out of the ground. I discovered why it is so hard to pull it up. The root grows horizontally rather than vertically. Thus when you try to pull it out the stalk breaks off. I must of been in the garden pulling, tugging a cursing for about an hour until my I birthed that stubborn root from the ground. It was quite large and should last me for the next ten years!
I scrubbed the root clean and chopped it up into rather small pieces. I put some into olive oil and set it in the window to make an oil. In another jar I covered it with alcohol to make a tincture. The rest I am drying for a later use. Apparently when using the tincture you only use a drop at a time. It is that potent! Too much of it and you can have hallucinations, vomiting, diarrhea, and feel as though you are not really in your body. Sounds fun!!

The day after creating all of these wonderful potions I think I got some Poke Berry in my eyes!! I awoke to my eyes glued shut and very puffy. Some saline solution and Chamomile tea compressed set me right. I spend the next two days looking like I had smoked way too much marijuana and had to wear my glasses. I hate wearing my glasses. So, if you decide to harvest your own Poke Berry, be VERY careful. I like to think that this experience is a valuable one as I learnt to have a deep respect for the potency of the Poke Berry root and love of the Chamomile flower for soothing my eyes and ego!

What Kate Ate 11/14/10

Oatmeal
Mini molasses cupcake
Veggie sandwich on wheat bread
Zucchini topped with veggie sauce