Poke (Phytolacca Americana), wildcrafted, root, cut and sifted, USA. A slow emetic (produces vomiting) and purgative (causes watery evacuation of the intestinal contents) with narcotic properties. As an ointment, it is used in scabies, tinea capitis (scalp fungal infection), favus (human ringworm) and sycosis (chronic inflammation of the hair follicles, esp. those of the beard, caused by a staphylococcal infection) and other skin diseases, causing at first smarting and heat. The slowness of action and the narcotic effects that accompany it render its use as an emetic (to produce vomiting) inadvisable. Headaches of many sources are benefitted by it, and both lotion and tincture are used in leucorrhoea (vaginal infection). As a poultice it causes rapid suppuration in felons (closed-space infections of the fingertip pulp). The extract is said to have been used in chronic rheumatism and hemorrhoids. The infused oil is said to help with fibroids, cysts and fibrocystic breast tissue. Cautions: Should be used only by trained herbalists. In the lower animals convulsions and death from paralysis of respiration may be caused. Overdoses may produce considerable vomiting and purging, prostration, convulsions and death. The stain of the juice is a beautiful purple, and would make a useful dye if a way of fixing it were found.