Podophyllum peltatum (May Apple or American Mandrake) 250

Family: Berberaceae

Part Used: Root and rhizome

Active Constituents:

Anti-mitotic, glycosides, podophyllic acid (podophylloquercitin), podophyllotoxin (purgative principle in the rhizome), Resin. Perscription medicine known as podophyllin

Medicinal Actions:

Alterative, cathartic, cholagogue, laxative, lymphagogue, sialagogue, stimulant

Medicinal Uses:

1)The specific indications for use of this herb, according to Felter, is fullness of tissues, fullness of veins, and oppressed, full pulse, dirty yellowish coating of tongue and dizziness. It is contraindicated for use in a patient with pinched features and tissues and contracted skin and tongue.

2)The resin , Podophyllin, is sometimes used separately and has a slightly higher cathartic effect. It is specifically indicated for use in a patient with "fullness of tissues, fullness of veins, sodden, expressionless countenance, dizziness, tongue coated dirty yellowish-white, heavy headaches, indisposition to bodily exertion, intestinal atony with a sense of weight and fullness and a full, open pulse.".

3)Use these botanicals in a patient who presents with chronic constipation, flabby or atonic function, and fullness of veins. It should be used in low dose, results may take 4-12 hours.

4)One of the most interesting points about the use of Podophyllum is that the effects on bowel function and bile flow are permanent, unlike other cathartic botanicals.

5) The plant should be used in small doses over a period of time, until the patient is experiencing regular bowel function and then discontinued.

6)It is especially indicated for atonic conditions with mucous secretions due to hepatic hypofunction.

7)It's actions for correcting constipation and as a cholagogue are achieved with the lower dosing.

8)It was commonly used to treat both acute and chronic hepatitis, and in cholelithiasis, combined with other botanicals.

This plant also has use as a lymphagogue, to clear stasis in the lymph system. It is indicated for use in a patient with the above picture, usually combined with other lymphagogues.

9) Podophyllum is also used topically on warts. The resin of Podophyllum is very irritating to skin and mucous membranes and will cause suppuration of the dermis and subq tissues. It was applied directly to the wart, causing the inflammation and irritation and sloughing of the tissue and the wart. It needs to be applied on a regular basis, twice daily until the wart is gone. It can cause conjunctivitis, coryza and sneezing when inhaled or touch the eye. Ellingwood used this botanical to treat chronic eczema and psoriasis

10) Podophyllum has also been used in cancer treatment due to cytostatic action. The use of the plant has decreased since discovery of the vinca alkaloids.

11) Taking this herb with Cream of Tarter (used for cooking as drying agent) will enhance the effects of kidney clearance when mixed with salt and may cause more spasm in the bowels. Taking this herb with salt will intensify the action in the intestine.

Contraindications:

This botanical in contraindicated for use in patients with kidney failure and inflammatory bowel disease. Higher, cathartic doses can cause glomerular inflammation.

Pharmacy:

Tincture (1:5, 1:10): 5 drops QD to TID, cathartic action is achieved at 20-50 drops