Episode 240: Poke for Lymph, Skin, and Immunity, Plus How to Eat It—with AC and Isaac Hill

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Episode Summary

Pokeweed is poisonous—but that’s not the whole story. What if knowing how to work with this potent plant could turn fear into respect, and even put a delicious wild green on your dinner table?

As many of us learned growing up, poke (Phytolacca americana) is a plant that deserves a healthy amount of caution. It is poisonous, after all! But AC and Isaac Hill have spent years learning how to work with poke as food, medicine, and more, and they joined me in this episode to dispel some of the fear surrounding this generous and abundant plant.

During our conversation, AC and Isaac explore the many faces of poke: a powerful lymphatic herb, an expectorant and immune stimulant, a traditional wild food, a striking dye plant, and a plant with a fascinating history of magical use. And perhaps most importantly, they share the practical knowledge that makes all the difference in preparing and working with pokeweed safely.

Curious about bringing poke into your own kitchen? Be sure to download the beautifully illustrated recipe card for AC and Isaac’s Poke Salad from the section below.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► How poke differs from other lymphatic herbs like cleavers and chickweed

► Which part of the poke plant to harvest for food (and the physical clues that tell you when it’s ready)

► Tips for growing, harvesting, and extending the season for poke

► The simple method that AC and Isaac use to turn this poisonous plant into a delicious spring green

► How Isaac views the botany and actions of poke through an astrological lens

► A clever way to make your tinctures more potent (for many plants, not just poke!)

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know them, AC & Isaac Hill are the hosts of the Plant Cunning Podcast, where they have interviewed some of the most influential herbalists, permaculturists, astrologers and spiritual practitioners in the world.

AC is a community herbalist, product maker, and co-director of the Actaea Institute for Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy. Isaac is a permaculture gardener, astrologer, and author of The Zodiac Garden Guide. They are married and live on a small herb farm in Central NY.

I’m excited to share our conversation with you today!

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect with AC and Isaac:

• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/plantcunning/
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@plantcunning
• Website | https://plantcunningconference.com/

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:09] Intro to AC and Isaac Hill + their plant paths
• [16:07] Why AC and Isaac chose to speak about poke
• [19:00] But isn’t poke poisonous? Working with it safely
• [25:04] Medicinal benefits and major herbal actions of poke
• [29:58] Poke and astrological herbalism
• [31:19] Poke for the skin
• [34:46] Who should NOT work with poke
• [35:46] Poke Salad recipe; how to prepare poke for safe eating
• [42:34] Tips for growing, harvesting, and extending the season for poke
• [46:56] Poke berry for rheumatoid arthritis and dye
• [48:37] Other species of poke
• [49:30] How plants brought AC and Isaac together
• [51:25] Plant Cunning Podcast and other herbal offerings
• [1:04:09] Herbal remedies AC and Isaac couldn’t live without
• [1:07:59] Student spotlight
• [1:08:47] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe Download!

-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 00:37 - Intro to AC and Isaac Hill + their plant paths
• 16:20 - Why AC and Isaac chose to speak about poke
• 19:14 - But isn’t poke poisonous? Working with it safely
• 25:35 - Medicinal benefits and major herbal actions of poke
• 30:47 - Poke and astrological herbalism
• 32:10 - Poke for the skin
• 35:45 - Who should NOT work with poke
• 36:46 - Poke Salad recipe; how to prepare poke for safe eating
• 43:45 - Tips for growing, harvesting, and extending the season for poke
• 48:12 - Poke berry for rheumatoid arthritis and dye
• 49:56 - Other species of poke
• 50:54 - How plants brought AC and Isaac together
• 52:51 - Plant Cunning Podcast and other herbal offerings
• 1:05:55 - Herbal remedies AC and Isaac couldn’t live without
• 1:09:49 - Student spotlight
• 1:10:37 - Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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