-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Podophyllum peltatum (May Apple, Mandrake)
botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Podophyllum peltatum
synonyms: may apple, mandrake, lemon apple, American mandrake, duck's foot, ground lemon, hog apple, Indian apple, raccoon berry, wild lemon, wild mandrake, entenfut, podophylle americain
part(s) used: rhizome, root, resin from root
qualities: bitter, cold
affinities:
actions: alterative, cathartic
dosage:
» tincture: 0.006 - 0.5 ml. (toxic at 2-4 g) (Felter and Scudder, p. 555)
» resin: 0.002 - 0.03 g.
pulse:
» full and open (Scudder, 1903, p. 153)
specific indications: fullness of tissues, and particularly by fullness of superficial veins; oppressed full pulse; dirty yellowish coating of tongue; vertigo (Felter and Scudder, p. 555)
therapy: chronic rheumatism; scrofula; atonic dyspepsia; gastric and intestinal catarrh; chronic hepatitis; habitual constipation, especially when due to portal engorgement (Felter and Scudder, pp. 555-556)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 3
toxicity: 4
» contraindicated during pregnancy (Brinker, 1996, p. 76) due to the teratogenic and feticidal effects of its podophyllotoxin and the peltatin components, including the topical use of the resin (De Smet, Lust, Boyd, Lewis and Elvin-Lewis)
» teratogenic, mitogenic, and anticarcinogenic (Keeler and Tu, pp. 182, 261)
» warning: external applications near or above the eye may lead to permanent damage from irritation and toxicity to the eye; symptoms of severe cases include keratitis with erosion, conjunctivitis with ecchymoses, corneal ulceration, desquamation of the epithelium, photophobia, and attenuation of the pupillary reflex (von Oettingen, p. 505, Boyd, Brooks)
» contraindicated in gallstones due to the cholagogue effect of its podophyllin resin on bile secretion (Brinker, 1989; Felter and Lloyd)
» contraindicated in intestinal obstruction due to the profuse cathartic action caused by its two peltatin components (Brinker, 1989 & 1996; Felter and Lloyd)
» contraindicated in debilitated subjects due to its potent depleting effect (Brinker, 1989)
» contraindicated in subjects with diabetes, or others with poor circulation, on moles, birthmarks, or inflamed or irritated warts since permanent damage can result due to the escharotic effects. (Boyd)
» do not use over large areas due to toxicity from absorption (Boyd)
» purgative and antimitotic effects; irritating to conjunctiva, nasopharynx and epidermis in topical applications, even in dry forms; scalp preparations can cause inflammation and alopecia; systemic intoxication has been found after external applications; symptoms develop within twelve hours (Phillips, p. 15; Levy and Primack, p. 129); overdoses can occur if ointments, applied for the treatment of venereal warts, are kept on too long (Duke, p. 387-388)
» hepatic/intestinal stimulant: gastrointestinal ulcerant causing salivation, nausea, bilious vomiting, colic, tenesmus, and severe diarrhea; other signs include bloating, weakness, vertigo, headache, pallor, and diaphoresis; later stages are indicated by an increased pulse rate, hypotension, hyporeflexia, stupor and coma (Phillips, p. 15; Levy and Primack, pp. 128-129)
» associated with renal failure; urinalysis indicates albuminuria and casts; gastro-intestinal endothelial tissue deterioration leads to weakened pulse, blood loss, poor peripheral circulation, and decreased red cell count; potentially fatal (von Oettingen, p. 505); fatalities may occur within 36 hours (Duke, pp. 387-388)
» handling of fresh root or rhizome may cause dermatitis (Muenscher, p. 9)
constituents: lignans; the main one being podophyllotoxin; also: flavonoids, resin, starch, gums
drug interactions:
» common table salt increases its purgative power (Brinker 1996, Felter and Lloyd)
» lobelia, ipecac, leptandra, hyoscyamus or belladonna render its effect milder (Felter and Lloyd)
footnotes
Boyd JR (ed.-in-chief).1985. Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: J.B. Lippincott Co.
Brinker F. 1989. To Health With Herbs (from Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics. vol. I, Alstat E (comp.)), Portland, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Brooks S (ed.). 1995. Botanical Toxicology. Protocol J Bot. Med, 1:147-58.
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.
Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.
Levy, C.K.; and Primack, R.B. 1984. A Field Guide to Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America. The Stephen Green Press.
Lewis, W.H., and Elvin-Lewis, M.P. 1977. Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Lust, J. 1983. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books.
Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.
Phillips, C.D. 1879. Materia Medica and Therapeutics: Vegetable Kingdom. New York: William Wood and Company.
Scudder, J.M. 1985. Specific Medication. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.