What are the side effects of pokeweed?

They have the common names: pokeweed, pokeberry, poke, inkberry, scoke, pigeonberry, American cancer, garget

The leaf part is often ingested as a salad (pokesalad), after boiling leaves twice and discarding the water (liquid has toxin)

Though toxic to human, they are not toxic to birds.

The toxin in the plant are Phytolaccine and Mitogens.

Phytolaccine is a powerful GI irritant and Mitogens stimulate plasma cell production

The symptoms after ingestion are severe and immediate symptoms of NVD (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) and abdominal pain, hemorrhagic gastritis, dehydration ,elevated White blood cell (WBC) count and diaphoresis.

Treatment is to use activated charcoal try to bind to the plant. If patient has lots of NVD and seizure, manage with benzodiazepine, such as lorazepam, and diazepam.