Podophyllum peltatum

American Mandrake

A genus of about nine species of perennial, distributed throughout N America and the Himalayas. Podophyllum peltatum is a handsome plant for the woodland garden, with umbrella-shaped leaves, anemone-like flowers, and edible, lemon-flavored fruits. It was used in various ways by native N Americans; in minute doses as a purgative, emetic, vermifuge, and liver tonic, and externally for removing warts. The Menominee made a decoction of the plant as an insecticide for potato crops. It was also used as a means of suicide. Podophyllums contain a resin, podophyllin, which consists of lignan glycosides, the most important being podophyllotoxin. These substances are highly toxic to cells, causing fetal death if ingested by pregnant women. Podophyllin resin was introduced as a purgative by John King, a young physician from Ohio, and it became popular worldwide for this purpose. It is no longer considered safe for internal use. In the 1970s research by the pharmaceutical laboratory Sandoz led to the development of the semi-synthetic drug etoposide, a potent anti-tumor agent. The Himalayan P. hexandrum (syn. P. emodi), especially rich in podophyllotoxin, is now a protected species, after serious depletion in the wild through over-collection for the pharmaceutical industry. Podophyllum comes from the Greek pous, “foot”, and phyllon, “leaf”, describing the leaf shape.

The mayapple, native to the woodlands of Canada and the eastern United States, is a small plant that produces a single white flower in may which, later turns into a yellow berry that resembles a tiny apple. The mayapple rhizome contains high amounts of the compounds pogophyllotoxin and alpha and beta peltatin, which have cancer-fighting properties. Extracts of mayapple are currently used in certain topical medications for genital warts and some forms of skin cancer.

Perennial with a red-brown rhizome, to 2m (6ft) long, and upright stems, bearing drooping, 5-9-lobed, toothed leaves, to 30cm (12in) long. Solitary, semi-pendent, bowl-shaped white flowers 5cm (2in) across, are followed by yellow fruits, to 5cm (2in) long.

Common Name:

American Mandrake

Other Names:

Duck’s Foot, Hog Apple, Mandrake, Mayapple, Raccoon Berry, Wild Lemon

Botanical Name:

Podophyllum peltatum

Genus:

Podophyllum

Family:

Berberidaceae

Cultivation:

Rich, moist soil, pH4.0-7.0, in sheltered semi-shade. Young leaves may be damaged by frost in cold areas.

Propagation:

By seed sown when ripe at 20°C (68°F); by division in spring or late summer.

Harvest:

Rhizomes are lifted in autumn, and dried for use in tinctures and for commercial extraction of resin.

Native Location:

NE America

Height:

30-45cm (12-18in)

Width:

1.2m (4ft)

Hardiness:

Z3-9

Parts Used:

Rhizomes, resin extracted from rhizome

Properties:

An acrid, caustic herb with an unpleasant smell. It has anti-cancer and anti-viral effects, and is a drastic purgative.

Medicinal Uses:

Internally for certain cancers. Externally for venereal warts and plantar warts.
To treat warts, fever, snakebite, and syphillis; and as a laxative. Germany’s Commission E has approved the use of mayapple to treat warts.

Typical Dose:

A typical dose of mayapple root may range from 1.5 to 3.0 gm per day, applied to the skin.

Possible Side Effects:

Mayapple’s side effects may include severe skin irritation.

Drug Interactions:

Taking mayapple with these drugs may increase the risk of hypokalemia (low levels of potassium in the blood:
Acetazolamide, (Apo-Acetazolamide, Diamox Sequels)	Azosemide, (Diat)	Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex)	Chlorothiazide, (Diuril)
Chlorthalidone, (Apo-Clorthalidone, Thalitone)	Ethacrynic Acid, (Edecrin)	Etozolin, (Elkapin)	Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix)
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide)	Hydroflumethiazide, (Diucardin, Saluron)	Indapamide, (Lozol, Nu-Indapamide)	Mannitol, (Osmitrol, Resectisol)
Methazolamide, (Apo-Methazolamide, Neptazane)	Methyclothiazide, (Aquatensen, Enduron)	Metolazone, (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn)	Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide, (Benicar HCT)
Polythiazide, (Renese)	Torsemide, (Demadex)	Trichlormethiazide, (Metatensin, Naqua)	Urea, (Amino-Cerv, UltraMide)
Xipamide, (Diurexan, Lumitens)

Taking mayapple with these drugs may decrease the laxative effects of the herb:
Belladonna and Opium, (B&O Supprettes)	Belladonna, Phenobarbital, and Ergotamine, (Bellamine S, Bel-Tabs)	Ipecac, ()

Lab Test Alterations:

May decrease red blood cell concentrations.

Disease Effects:

May worsen gastrointestinal ailments by irritating the gastrointestinal tract.

Food Interactions:

Increased laxative effect of mayapple when used concurrently with salt.

Supplement Interactions:

Increased risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity when used with other herbs that contain cardiac glycosides, such as Black Hellebore, Calotropis, Motherwort, and others.
Increased risk of potassium depletion when used in conjunction with Horsetail Plant or Licorice.
Increased risk of potassium depletion when used with other stimulant laxative herbs, such as Black Root, Cascara Sagrada, Castor Oil, and Senna.
Decreased laxative effect of mayapple when used concurrently with Hyoscyamus, Leptandra, or Lobelia.

Warning:

All parts, except ripe fruits, may be fatally toxic if eaten. Handling may cause systemic poisoning.
Contraindicated during pregnancy
This herb is subject to legal restrictions in most countries.</B<

Bibliography:

Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 324-325
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp. 337-338