Mayapple

Mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum, American Mandrake, Ducks Foot, Ground Lemon, Hog Apple, Indian Apple, Lang-tu, Love Apples, Mandragora, Mandrake, Racoon Berry, Umbrella Plant, Wild Lemon, Wild Mandrake
See also : Podophyllum (Homeopathy)

Special Precautions of Mayapple

• The roots and the leaves of the mayapple plant contain a very potent poison
• The FDA warns against using Mayapple because of its potential toxicity. Due to Mayapple’s strong actions caution should be used when taking it internally. If you are on other medications, it is best to consult with your physician before using this herb for the treatment of your condition. Not for use by small children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease.
• Mayapple comes in various forms and can be an ingredient in some products. If you have cancer or other tumor activity, it is best to use Mayapple only under the supervision of a qualified physician. Due to its strong actions, it is best to consult with your physician for the treatment of your condition.
• Don't use if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan pregnancy in the near future.
• Don't use if you have any chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach or duodenal ulcers, esophageal reflux (reflux esophagitis), ulcerative colitis, spastic colitis, diverticulosis, diverticulitis.

The benefits of Mayapple are

Inhibits or prevents cell division.

• The drug Etoposide comes from the podophyllotoxin in Mayapple and is used in treating testicular and small-cell lung cancer.
• Tenoposide also comes from this component and is used in treating brain tumors and childhood leukemia.
• The plant Mayapple, has been used in treating conditions ranging from liver ailments to cancer, but it is still most widely used as a laxative.
• Taken in small doses, it can also be given for stomach flu accompanied by colicky pain, bilious vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Mayapple extract is used externally to treat all types of external warts and some skin cancers.
• Genital Warts : Studies shown that treatments were safe and effective in the treatment of anogenital warts.In addition, an earlier study (published in Genitourinary Medicine in 1997) indicates that a self-applied solution containing 0.5-2.0% podophyllin or 0.5% podophyllotoxin may be safe and effective in the treatment of penile warts. The study involved 315 patients with penile warts, each of whom was treated with podophyllotoxin or podophyllin for five weeks.
• Podophyllum and HIV-Related Oral Hairy Leukoplakia : Podophyllum resin shows promise in the treatment of HIV-related oral hairy leukoplakia, according to a small study published in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics in 1995.