Poke Root | Banishing - Protection - Hex Breaking - Uncrossing

Poke Root – Phytolacca americana

Hex-Breaking - Uncrossing - Courage - Banishing - Protection - New Moon Work

Important Notice:
Pokeroot is toxic. All parts of the plant - root, berries, leaves, and seeds contain phytolaccatoxin and related compounds.

Sold as a ritual curio only.
Do not ingest. Do not apply to broken skin.

The name poke comes from the Algonquian word puccoon or pakon, referring to plants used to create red dye, revealing its long history of use among Indigenous peoples of eastern North America before European settlement. The genus name Phytolacca reflects this too - from Greek phyton (plant) and lac (crimson pigment) - named directly for the deep red-black juice of its berries.

Algonquin, Cherokee, Pamunkey, and Delaware peoples worked with pokeweed medicinally, spiritually, and practically. The berries were used as dye for baskets, cloth, and ceremonial decoration, while the plant itself was employed in treatments for rheumatism, skin conditions, and seasonal cleansing practices. Later, settlers adopted the plant into American folk practice, where it became deeply associated with protection, uncrossing, and banishing work.

Pokeroot sits firmly within Hoodoo, Appalachian folk magic, Ozark practice, and Granny Magic traditions, where it is valued for breaking crossed conditions, removing harmful influence, and fortifying courage during difficult situations. Cunningham places Pokeroot under Mars and Fire, associating it strongly with New Moon workings, particularly those involving uncrossing, curse breaking, and protection.

One of its most enduring magical uses is pokeberry ink. The dark crimson-black juice of the berries was historically used to write letters, petitions, and records, many of which still survive today. In magical practice, pokeberry ink is used for writing petitions, sigils, and intentions where forceful banishing, uncrossing, or protective energy is required.

• Breaks crossed conditions and harmful spiritual interference
• Supports uncrossing, banishing, and protection work
• Strengthens courage during conflict or confrontation
• Traditionally associated with New Moon rituals and curse-breaking
• Used in magical inks, petitions, sigils, and written spellwork
• Make an infusion of the dried root and sprinkle around the home during the New Moon to remove crossed conditions and stagnant energy.
• Add a small amount to ritual bathwater for uncrossing and spiritual cleansing work.
• Carry the root for courage, resilience, and protection during challenging situations or confrontations.
• Use pokeberry juice as magical ink for petitions, sigils, and banishing work where written intention forms part of the spell.
• Can be added to protection sachets, mojo bags, and uncrossing blends alongside Agrimony, Rue, or Nettle for stronger defensive work.

Our herbs are packaged in 100% biodegradable bags with compostable labels.

All apothecary items are filled by volume, not weight. The quantity received depends on the cut, weight, and density of each herb. Typical fills range between approximately 3g–40g depending on the herb and selected unit price.