Herbs: Phytolacca decandra

[liveonearth]

Just ran across a nice southern article about eating the leaves as salad, and painting the skin with the toxic berry juice. I have been taught to use an alcohol extract of the root as a "lymphogogue" meaning it is supposed to stimulate lymph movement, or at least a strong immune response. Far as I know there is no science to support this use. The juices of the root are very strong and caustic, and it should not be handled with bare hands.

Comments

[grail76.livejournal.com]

The leaves are also poisonous unless you boil them several times.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Have you eaten them?

[grail76.livejournal.com]

No, the threat of death has been enough to keep me away from them.