Pokeweed has long been used in folk medicine for several reasons, including these:
Anti-parasitic Treatment for arthritis Immune boosting Induce vomiting Most often, the pokeweed is made into a tincture to be taken orally or a poultice to be applied to the skin. Given its toxic properties, there is great risk of damage to the internal organs or even death from taking pokeweed, and it's generally considered to be an unsafe drug.