Historically, poke root has been used in herbal medicine. However, all the components of the pokeweed plant are toxic to humans if not prepared in a specific way. Poke root (Phytolacca americana) is a ...

China: root eaten. Due to the presence of phytolaccotoxin, the root must be sliced, thoroughly boiled, and soaked in changes of water. Alternatively thinly sliced, soaked two nights in eastern (sic) ...