Botanical Index No. 680

Mayapple

podophyllum peltatum

Medicinal Actions

Analysis pending research update.

Primary Conditions Treated

Congestion Constipation Cough Cystosis Deafness Dermatosis Diarrhea Dropsy Dysentery Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Enterosis Enuresis Fever Gastrosis Hepatosis Herpes Hodgkin’s Disease Incontinence Infection Inflammation Jaundice Keratosis Leukemia Lymphoma Malaria Migraine Myosis Neuralgia Pleurisy Prostatosis Psoriasis Pulmonosis Rheumatism Scrofula Sore Stomatosis Syphilis Ticks Tumor Ulcer VD Virus Wart Worm

General Dosage

Do not take it; exclusively for external application, 1.5–3 g root; 0.5–2.5 g rhizome; 1.5–3 g rhizome fluid extract; 2.5–7.5 g rhizome tincture; 1–1.5 g rhizome tincture.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b, 3. Commission E reports contraindications for rhizome and resin external use in pregnancy. To be used 1–2 times weekly on skin surfaces not exceeding 15 cm2. The resin is potentially lethal if ingested, and three deaths have been attributed to oral ingestion or topical application. An intrauterine death has been reported in a woman treated for vulvar warts. Etoposide is a semisynthetic derivative.

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