Comments on: Pokeweed: an herb for all things pokey. http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/ Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:10:55 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Raven http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-130666 Raven Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:10:55 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-130666 I've always eaten poke shoots/leaves in the spring as a tonic...it's an old recipe that's come down through the generations. Blanch 1-6 times (depends on how late in the season it is), fry in bacon grease with onions/garlic/leeks and eggs. Interesting about how it works with the thyroid, since I realized I had a big problem with mine when the annual poke therapy didn't work, nor did red meat, vitamins, or any other spring pick-me-ups. But I wonder, if poke berries are good for rheumatism and arthritis, would it have an effect on carpal-tunnel? I've got a half gallon of berries in the freezer I was keeping to use for a fabric dyeing experiment, and tons of berries more every year that go to the birds in the yard. Stuff's trying to take over! 'Chopping it down' does nothing to clear it out, since it comes up from a huge taproot. This root must be completely removed from the ground in order to get rid of it. Even a chunk of root will grow a new plant. And the seeds can live in the ground for 50 years before sprouting--they're just waiting for the ground to be disturbed. But I love my poke patches, and only rid the garden and yard of unwanted new ones. Even brought some indoors in a pot of dirt to get some sprouts going early. With the long winter this year, I probably won't be picking from the yard until mid-April. --Raven I’ve always eaten poke shoots/leaves in the spring as a tonic…it’s an old recipe that’s come down through the generations. Blanch 1-6 times (depends on how late in the season it is), fry in bacon grease with onions/garlic/leeks and eggs. Interesting about how it works with the thyroid, since I realized I had a big problem with mine when the annual poke therapy didn’t work, nor did red meat, vitamins, or any other spring pick-me-ups.

But I wonder, if poke berries are good for rheumatism and arthritis, would it have an effect on carpal-tunnel? I’ve got a half gallon of berries in the freezer I was keeping to use for a fabric dyeing experiment, and tons of berries more every year that go to the birds in the yard. Stuff’s trying to take over!

‘Chopping it down’ does nothing to clear it out, since it comes up from a huge taproot. This root must be completely removed from the ground in order to get rid of it. Even a chunk of root will grow a new plant. And the seeds can live in the ground for 50 years before sprouting–they’re just waiting for the ground to be disturbed. But I love my poke patches, and only rid the garden and yard of unwanted new ones. Even brought some indoors in a pot of dirt to get some sprouts going early. With the long winter this year, I probably won’t be picking from the yard until mid-April.

–Raven

]]> By: Ulrike http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-117242 Ulrike Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:49:41 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-117242 My father has told us stories of pokeweed and how they use to eat it when the plant was small. My grandmother (who is 92 this year) would make a poke salad or cook it just like spinach. Thank you so much for the other info too. I wonder if it could be used for gallbladder stones. The doctor has said that is what I have, and I would like to get rid of them other than their yanking the gallbladder out of me! If anyone has any good suggestions please let me know! Thanks!!! Ulrike My father has told us stories of pokeweed and how they use to eat it when the plant was small. My grandmother (who is 92 this year) would make a poke salad or cook it just like spinach. Thank you so much for the other info too. I wonder if it could be used for gallbladder stones. The doctor has said that is what I have, and I would like to get rid of them other than their yanking the gallbladder out of me! If anyone has any good suggestions please let me know!
Thanks!!!
Ulrike

]]> By: Captain's Wife - Jennifer http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-117110 Captain's Wife - Jennifer Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:18:02 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-117110 Very interesting! I have pokeweed growing wild all over the place on our farm! I had heard it was poisonous too, which made me think I should chop it down, now I am glad I didn't! Might have to try a berry. :) It is a gorgeous plant. Thanks for the info! Very interesting! I have pokeweed growing wild all over the place on our farm! I had heard it was poisonous too, which made me think I should chop it down, now I am glad I didn’t! Might have to try a berry. :) It is a gorgeous plant. Thanks for the info!

]]> By: Victoria I. http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-116873 Victoria I. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:56:14 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-116873 I am from Alabama and have seen these everywhere all my life! There is actually one growing around my mailbox right now. Its interesting to now know they are not poisinous like i have been told my whole life. One question I have is can it be used topically for swollen lymph nodes. I have had these semi hard knots under my arms for 4 yrs now and the doctors tell me they are harmless and not to worry about them. But they are tender and get much more tender during pregnancy. I am pregnant right now and saw in the post not to take it right now but was wondering if there is any benefit to topically applying the berries(smashed and applied to the areas). I am from Alabama and have seen these everywhere all my life! There is actually one growing around my mailbox right now. Its interesting to now know they are not poisinous like i have been told my whole life.
One question I have is can it be used topically for swollen lymph nodes. I have had these semi hard knots under my arms for 4 yrs now and the doctors tell me they are harmless and not to worry about them. But they are tender and get much more tender during pregnancy. I am pregnant right now and saw in the post not to take it right now but was wondering if there is any benefit to topically applying the berries(smashed and applied to the areas).

]]> By: S. C. DIXON http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-114243 S. C. DIXON Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:21:37 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-114243 I'm from Kansas, my dad was from Arkansas. I’ve eaten poke greens every springtime of my life, a bit later we harvest the stalks, “peel” them with a potato peeler, (they look kinda like rhubarb), slice them then, roll them in salt, pepper, and flour and fry them like okra, which they kind of taste like. Use any cooking oil, but of course bacon greese is best. Delicious with ham and beans, some fried taters and sliced ‘maters…Mmmm. I have, for the first time, made an external tincture from berries using isopropyl alcohol in a decorative bottle (beautiful color in the liquid) to apply topically and tonight I'm steeping some seeds in vodka for internal use. I’ve been told a teaspoon a day to help with the arthritis in my hands. Whether or not the seeds work, I'm here to tell you that young leaves and stalks are a culinary treasure…let the others fear it while we enjoy it to the max. Bon apatite! I’m from Kansas, my dad was from Arkansas. I’ve eaten poke greens every springtime of my life, a bit later we harvest the stalks, “peel” them with a potato peeler, (they look kinda like rhubarb), slice them then, roll them in salt, pepper, and flour and fry them like okra, which they kind of taste like. Use any cooking oil, but of course bacon greese is best.

Delicious with ham and beans, some fried taters and sliced ‘maters…Mmmm.

I have, for the first time, made an external tincture from berries using isopropyl alcohol in a decorative bottle (beautiful color in the liquid) to apply topically and tonight I’m steeping some seeds in vodka for internal use. I’ve been told a teaspoon a day to help with the arthritis in my hands.

Whether or not the seeds work, I’m here to tell you that young leaves and stalks are a culinary treasure…let the others fear it while we enjoy it to the max. Bon apatite!

]]> By: Kristy Zuur http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-112978 Kristy Zuur Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:35:44 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-112978 If anyone would like some Poke root, contact me, pay shipping and I will send you some. I went wild the other day while in the woods (after a rain) and pulled up about 20lbs of it! Contact me at . Kris If anyone would like some Poke root, contact me, pay shipping and I will send you some. I went wild the other day while in the woods (after a rain) and pulled up about 20lbs of it! Contact me at .

Kris

]]> By: Darryl http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-111526 Darryl Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:41:17 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-111526 Vickie, You should have plenty of Poke in your area. It is common in Florida. Kristy, Poke can be dug any time of the year you find it. Some people get their nose bent out of shape over the controversy of fresh vs dried root but it in actuality doesn't matter. Either way is going to work fine. Darryl thesouthernherbalist.com Vickie,

You should have plenty of Poke in your area. It is common in Florida. Kristy, Poke can be dug any time of the year you find it. Some people get their nose bent out of shape over the controversy of fresh vs dried root but it in actuality doesn’t matter. Either way is going to work fine.

Darryl
thesouthernherbalist.com

]]> By: Kristy Zuur http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-109608 Kristy Zuur Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:13:06 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-109608 I have tons of Poke growing in the woods and fields near wear I live in Southern New Jersey. This past spring. I made a quart of tincture, and my Mother inadvertently threw it out because she is older and did not know what it was--it was in an old bell jar. I was planning on doing it again, but I am not sure if summer is a good time to harvest the root. Anyone know? Vickie, if you would like, I can dig some up for you too when I do it. My e-mail is itzkristy@gmail.com Kindest, Kristy I have tons of Poke growing in the woods and fields near wear I live in Southern New Jersey. This past spring. I made a quart of tincture, and my Mother inadvertently threw it out because she is older and did not know what it was–it was in an old bell jar. I was planning on doing it again, but I am not sure if summer is a good time to harvest the root.

Anyone know?

Vickie, if you would like, I can dig some up for you too when I do it. My e-mail is itzkristy@gmail.com

Kindest,
Kristy

]]> By: Vickie Purvey http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-109440 Vickie Purvey Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:14:03 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-109440 Hello I am looking for fresh poke weed root. I despartely need to find some. If you can help me I would be greatly appreciate any information you could pass on to me. I live in Seminole Fl. 727-399-9127 or you can email me. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Vickie Purvey Hello I am looking for fresh poke weed root. I despartely need to find some.
If you can help me I would be greatly appreciate any information you could pass on to me. I live in Seminole Fl. 727-399-9127 or you can email me.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Vickie Purvey

]]> By: debbie http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/comment-page-1/#comment-109380 debbie Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:33:47 +0000 http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2007/07/31/pokeweed-an-herb-for-all-things-pokey/#comment-109380 P.S. I have also prepared Fresh sliced root by soaking for 2 weeks in 100 proof, shake well each day, until liquid looks like milk, then strain. Root Used more specifically for rheumatism and arthritis, can dry, and grate and make paste later for poultices as well. The berry tincture seems to have a wider variety of ills improved upon, such as sore throats for example, to body aches, and joint pain, and seems to increase energy levels. IMHO:) P.S. I have also prepared Fresh sliced root by soaking for 2 weeks in 100 proof, shake well each day, until liquid looks like milk, then strain. Root Used more specifically for rheumatism and arthritis, can dry, and grate and make paste later for poultices as well. The berry tincture seems to have a wider variety of ills improved upon, such as sore throats for example, to body aches, and joint pain, and seems to increase energy levels. IMHO:)

]]>