Pokeweed Rash and Other Potential Toxicities (2024)

Pokeweed is a poisonous, herbaceous plant native to the Gulf Coast of the United States. It has long been used for food and folk medicine in this part of the world and in parts of eastern North America and the Midwest.

Contact with the plant can cause a painful, blistering skin rash similar to poison ivy. Swallowing any part of a fresh pokeweed plant cause also be dangerous.Because of its toxicity, it must be prepared in a certain way to be safe for consumption.

Pokeweed has been studied in lab and animal studies as an herbal remedy for some health conditions. It is sometimes used in herbal supplements. However, there’s no proof that it can benefit humans.

In traditional Chinese medicine, pokeweed is known as chui xu shang lu. Due to its potential toxicity, alternative practitioners sometimes refer to it as the "Jekyll and Hyde plant."

This article reviews the toxicity and side effects, including rash, associated with pokeweed. It also discusses pokeweed research and how people use it.

Uses of Pokeweed

Pokeweed has many purported benefits but little science to back them up. Historically, Indigenous Americans had two main uses for pokeweed:

• As a purgative (to stimulate bowel clearance; laxative effect)
• As an emetic (to promote vomiting)

Despite its toxicity, many alternative practitioners believe pokeweed can treat health conditions, such as:

• Tonsillitis
• Laryngitis
• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Acne
• Scabies
• Painful menstruation
• Mumps
• Cancers, such as breast, melanoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma
• HIV

However, there is little to no research to support any health benefits of pokeweed.

Pokeweed is also an ingredient in traditional Appalachian cuisine. It's made edible by cooking the young shoots of the plant repeatedly to remove the poisonous toxins. When cooked this way, it has a flavor similar to asparagus.

Pokeweed berries are also used to produce ink and dyes. However, it should never be eaten because the berries are highly poisonous.

Can Pokeweed Cause a Rash?

Some people may develop contact dermatitis after touching the plant with unbroken skin. Contact with the plant can trigger inflammation and severe skin irritation, such as a rash.

Unless severe, pokeweed rash can usually be treated at home. Treat it as you would poison oak by washing the skin thoroughly as soon as possible after exposure. Avoid scratching and apply calamine lotion to help dry and heal the injured skin.

An over-the-counter (OTC) 1% hydrocortisone cream and nonsteroidal painkiller like Advil (ibuprofen) can help reduce pain and inflammation. Avoid topical antihistamines and benzocaine anesthetic creams, which may cause an allergic rash on top of the pokeweed rash.

Poisonous Effects of Pokeweed

Pokeweed contains phytolaccine. This is a powerful irritant that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms in humans and other mammals. Pokeweed contains the poisonous compounds phytolaccatoxin and phytolaccigenin.

Every part of the pokeweed plant is poisonous, including the roots, stems, leaves, and berries. Older plants contain higher concentrations of phytolaccine. The berries are more poisonous when green.

If eaten, pokeweed usually causes symptoms within six hours, including:

• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
  
• Low blood pressure
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heart rate
• Slow or difficult breathing
• Stomach pain
• Weakness

Less severe but similar symptoms may occur if any part of the plant comes into contact with broken skin.

Symptoms of Severe Pokeweed Poisoning

Symptoms of severe pokeweed poisoning include:

• Seizures(convulsions)
• Bloody diarrhea (hematochezia)
• Bloody vomiting (hematemesis)

Severe poisoning may cause death, which usually occurs as a result of respiratory paralysis.

If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of pokeweed poisoning, call 911 or the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222), where you will be connected to a poison control center in your area.

Treatment may involve gastric lavage. This procedure involves the administration and removal of small volumes of fluid to clear the stomach. Other treatments may include:

• Activated charcoal
• Laxatives
• Breathing support
• Fluids by IV (through the vein)
• Medicines to treat symptoms

Hospital observation may be needed. Mild to moderate cases tend to improve within one to two days.

Interactions

Not much is known about how pokeweed affects other drugs you may be taking. However, based on how the body responds to pokeweed, it would be safe to assume that interactions do exist. Some could be potentially significant.

Pokeweed contains compounds that are known to cause the agglutination (clumping together) of red blood cells. As such, it may need to be avoided if you are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) like:

• Coumadin (warfarin)
• Heparin
• Plavix (clopidogrel)

Pokeweed can also cause a drop in blood pressure. This could trigger hypotension (low blood pressure) in people on antihypertensive drugs like:

• ACE inhibitors
• Beta-blockers
• Diuretics (water pills)

Always talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements or herbs you may be taking to avoid potentially serious drug interactions.

Summary

Pokeweed is a poisonous plant that is said to have health benefits, but there is little research supporting the purported health benefits. Contact with pokeweed leaves, roots, or berries can cause skin rash. Swallowing any part of the fresh pokeweed plant can cause severe toxicity and even death. Call 911 or seek emergency care if you experience any serious symptoms from pokeweed exposure.