Poke root, an amazing herb for diabetic nephropathy

What is poke root(Shang Lu)?
Medicinally it mainly refers to the dried root of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. or Phytolacca americana L., which are two members of Pokeweed family (Phytolaccaceae). Hence, other common names of this herb include common pokeweed, red ink plant, Virginia poke, poke salad, American nightshade, poke sallet, cancer jalap, poke berry or pokeberry, coakum, poke, garget, inkberry, pocan, cancer root, pokeweed, pigeon berry, Radix Phytolaccae, redweed, Phytolacca acinosa root, scoke, Chui Xu Shang Lu, and more. It is produced in most parts of China, in particular in Henan, Anhui, and Hubei provinces. It is harvested from autumn to following spring, sliced, dried in the sun or in the shade, and used raw or rice-vinegar processed medicinally.

Phytolacca acinosa is a perennial herb, up to 1.5 meter. The whole plant is glabrous. Root is stout, conical, fleshy, and with yellowish skin, long horizontal lenticels, and many lateral roots. Stems are green or purplish red and multi-branched. Leaves are alternate and petiolate; base of the handle is slightly flat and wide; blade is ovate-elliptic or oval, 12 to 15cm long, 5 to 8cm wide, and with acute or acuminate apex, attenuate base, and entire margin. Racemes are on the top of branches or on the sides of stems; inflorescences are upright; tepals are 5, white in the beginning and light red later; stamens are 8 to 10; carpels are 8 to 10, separate, but close together. Poke root berries are oblate, mulberry or black when ripe, and with persistent calyx. Seeds are kidney-shaped and black. Bloom and fruiting time is from May to October. Habitats are roadside woodland or gardens.

Poke root benefits
As a traditionally used Chinese herb, it is categorized as a drastically purgating water drug and commonly used in the treatment of all kinds of excess edema. Pharmacological studies suggest that pokeroot has an amazing therapeutic effect for many diseases, such as glomerular sclerosis, nephrotic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy, and other secondary kidney damage due to immune system disorders. And modern pharmacology believes that its main chemical constituent of esculentoside can reduce inflammation, induce γ-interferon, enhance leukocyte phagocytosis, promote DNA transformation, prevent impregnation, and kill soncomelania. As a matter of fact, it can do more as follows.

Modern pharmacological actions of pokeroot
1) It has a significant expectorant effect;
2) Its alkaloids have antitussive effect;
3) Poke root extract has a diuretic effect. And studies have shown that the diuretic effect is dose-related – low dose increases the flow of urine while large dose decreases urine output;
4) Its extract has different degrees of inhibition on Shigella, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and some skin fungi.