MANDRAKE

(Podophyllum peltatum)

Podophyllum peltatum, , is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Berberidaceae,commonly called mayapple, native to wooded areas of eastern North America

Though the common name is mayapple, it is the flower that appears in early May, not the "apple". The fruit or "apple" is produced early summer and ripens later in summer. P. peltatum is also called hogapple, Indian apple, mayflower, umbrella plant (shape of the leaves), wild lemon (flavor of the fruit), wild mandrake, American mandrake (shape of rhizomes) or "devil's apple" 

A flowering plant

Fruit touching the earth

Immature plants with single leaves

Part used: Roots.

Properties: hepatic, laxative, cholagogue, alternative, stimulant and emetic.

What it affects: gallbladder, intestines skin and liver.

Preparation and amount:

Decoction: Simmer 5-15 min and drink 1 tbsp. (cold) 2 times a day.

Tincture: drink1-10 drops 2 times a day.

Fluid extract: drink 1/4-1/2 tsp twice a day.

Powder: drink 1-3 #0 capsules twice a day

Purposes:

Internally, mandrake is a powerful glandular stimulant and should be taken in small amounts It is used for lymhatic problems,liver diseases, all skin diseases, and obstruction of the liver and gallbladder (gallstones and jaundice),as well as digestive problems.It is best taken in small doses in combination with ginger, licorice, or Oregon grape root.It is said to eliminate poisoning from mercury ingestion. American Indian used it as a cathartic.

Externally, the concentrated tincture ( by gently cooking it down) is directly applied to warts, to rapidly remove them, but it must only be put on the wart and not on the surrounding skin. A diluted solution is applied to skin diseases. Indians used the crushed rootstock on warts, but doing so could produce dermatitis.

Note:

European mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) is a different herb, with different properties.

Warning:

Only take mandrake in small doses. Large doses, even applied externally, produces nausea, vomiting, and inflammation of the intestines and the stomach lining. An overdose could be fatal.Taking it during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Placing it undiluted on the skin may cause dermatitis.

Plant Description:

The single second white flower 3-5 cm diameter, with six (rarely up to nine) petals, is produced at the axil of the two leaves (the upper two in a three-leaved plant); the flower matures into a yellow-greenish fruits 2-5 cm long.The stems grow to 30-40 cm tall, with 2 or occasionally 3 palmately lobed leaves up to 20-30 cm diameter with 5-9 deeply cut lobes on reproductive individuals, or one peltate (umbrella-like) leaf on sterile individuals. Plants are commonly found infected by the rust Puccinia podophylli, appearing as honeycomb-patterned orange colonies under the leaves, and yellowish lesions on the upper surface. The plant is widespread and appears in clonal colonies in open mesic woodlands. Individual shoots are often connected by systems of thick tubers and rhizomes.