Herbs & Supplements

Should I take it?

Mayapple plants are common spring sights in the woodlands of North America where they often form extensive colonies in the damp ground under hardwood forests. They are perennial plants that spread primarily through rhizomes, which are fleshy extensions of their stems. Rhizomes run along or under the ground and often produce shoots and roots for new plants. Mayapple plants have big, characteristically shaped leaves that hide an attractive, but strong-smelling white flower that blooms very briefly--usually in May. The berries that follow the blossoms resemble tiny lemons when they are ripe. The ripe fruits occasionally are eaten or made into jelly or jam. However, all other parts of the mayapple--including the unripe fruits, seeds, and roots--are toxic. They should never be eaten or taken orally.

The parts of mayapple used for medicine are the roots and rhizomes. Fleshy extensions of plant stems, rhizomes run along or under the ground and often produce shoots and roots for new plants. Dug up in the fall, these underground parts of mayapple are shredded, mixed with alcohol, and then condensed into a thick, sticky liquid. Further processing of the liquid with cold water causes a powdery substance to settle out. This powder, usually called podophyllum resin, is dried for use as a topical wart remover. It is often combined with alcohol and benzoin, another resin.

Native Americans used a powder made from dried mayapple plants as an insecticide on crops. They also took oral forms of mayapple as a very strong laxative and as a cure for intestinal worms. Other historical uses of mayapple range from treating hepatitis to causing abortion. Today, prescription drugs made from synthetic derivatives of mayapple are used to treat some forms of cancer. Eating any part of the mayapple plant except for the ripe fruits is strongly discouraged, however.

Dosage and Administration

Neither mayapple nor podophyllum (the resin obtained from it) should ever be taken by mouth. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has judged podophyllum unsafe to be used orally.

Podophyllum (mayapple resin) should be applied only to small areas of the skin in very small amounts and for limited times, because it is easily absorbed through the skin. Systemic (body-wide) side effects may result. Typically, podophyllum will be applied by a healthcare professional. If it is used at home, care must be taken to keep it out of the reach of children or pets and to avoid getting it in the eyes or on mucous membranes, such as inside the mouth. After the application of podophyllum, the hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

A typical dose for removing a wart is either one drop of 0.5% podophyllum solution or a small dab of 0.25% podophyllum cream, applied twice a day for three days. Warts treated with podophyllum generally turn white and then break off in tiny pieces.

Podophyllum preparations should never remain in contact with the skin for more than 6 hours at a time. Most recommendations are to wash them off with soap and warm water after one hour to 4 hours. Areas of normal skin surrounding the wart should be protected by covering them with petroleum jelly before applying podophyllum.

Summary

Today, podophyllum resin derived from mayapple plants is used mainly to remove warts from the skin.

Risks

Podophyllum and other products containing mayapple should never be used by pregnant women due to their potential to cause birth defects or death of the fetus. Children and women who are breast-feeding should not use mayapple and individuals with gallbladder, intestinal, or stomach conditions should also avoid using it.

Side Effects

Taking podophyllum orally or applying large amounts of it topically may result in:

• Hallucinations
• Paralysis
• Kidney failure
• Breathing failure
• Coma
• Death

Other side effects from podophyllum may include confusion, headache, irritated skin, low blood pressure, and nausea.

Interactions

Although no interactions have been associated with using podophyllum (mayapple resin), it has not been well studied and interactions may exist. Individuals who have questions about its use should discuss using it with a doctor or pharmacist.

Last Revised April 15, 2008