Podophyllum – May Apple

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh rootstock with roots attached, gath- ered after the fruit is fully ripe, of Podophyllum peltatum L., which grows in damp woods of Eastern North America. N.O. Berberidaceae.

The root of American Podophyllum – also known as American mandrake or wild lemon – contains a resin which is used as a laxative. In homoeopathy it is principal- ly indicated in juvenile diarrhoea, congestive states of the abdomen and head, and in liver problems. In recent years Podophyllum has gained in importance by virtue of

the fact that the diarrhoea, apparently the result of liver problems, has in many cases turned out to be of pancreatic origin. Thus Podophyllum may be used in a wide range of potencies in the treatment of pancreatic problems, and in recent years has also acquired further importance through a certain effectiveness in treatment of can- cer, particularly in the colitis which occurs after radiotherapy.

Designated “vegetable Mercury”, Podophyllum has, amongst other things, a sphere of action covering liver, duodenum and rectum, which manifests particularly in co- pious, painless and spluttering morning diarrhoea, driving the patient out of bed (cf. Sulphur). Whereas an aggravation may be seen after eating, in hot weather, during dentition (infatile diarrhoea) and in the mornings, there is by contrast an ameliora- tion in the evenings.

Apart from its effectiveness in chronic diarrhoea, by way of counterpoint action it is also indicated – in low potency – in chronic constipation, especially if headaches and distension are present. The stool is dry, difficult to pass, and there may be spas- modic abdominal pain and rectal prolapse. There may also be jaundice, with irri- tability and a bilious temperament.

Apart from characteristic biliary complaints with flatulence and congestion in the portal system and a desire to rub the liver-area, pancreatic illnesses, as already men- tioned, are also typical of Podophyllum, although these are mostly difficult to di- agose and are usually combined with liver and biliary illnesses. There may also be haemorrhoids (especially in pregnancy), and also a prolapse of the womb with bear- ing-down sensations in the intestines.

There are also characteristic drawing and tearing pains in the right ovary, extending down the right thigh to the knee.

Podophyllum’s characteristic conditions can affect the whole of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth (dental caries) to the anus, foetid stools being typical, as well as a feeling of abdominal weakness, as though everything would fall out, associated with rumbling and borborygmi in the colon and tremendous weakness after diar- rhoea.

In chronic diarrhoea, apart from Mercurius Sublimatus Corrosivus, Podophyllum shold particularly be borne in mind and, in extreme chronicity in the elderly, also Phosphoricum Acidum. However, Podophyllum is also indicated in diarrhoea during dentition, with mucous, green evacuations, cramps, gnashing of gums, screaming and whimpering during sleep.

The tongue is usually flaccid, whitish-yellow, showing imprints of the teeth (cf. Mer- curius).

There may also be renal pain with urging to urinate and anuria, likewise pyelitis with renal gravel and enuresis.

Palpitations and stabbing in the praecordium are also typical of Podophyllum, with a sensation as if the heart were rising up into the throat (cf. Glonoinum). There may be pulsation in the temporal arteries, and a numbing headache with vertigo.

Nash draws attention to the copiousness of the stools and the foetor of the movement as main symptoms, likewise the aggravation in the morning, in hot weather and dur- ing dentition.

Boericke characterises the symptoms of Podophyllum Peltatum above all as a gas- troenteritis with colicky pain and vomiting of bile, copious, abundant, painless stools with jelly-like mucus, gushing out and smelling offensive. Also in the picture of Podophyllum there are numerous complaints during pregnancy, as well as a relax- ation of the abdomen after delivery.

A further characteristic of Podophyllum is said to be a rolling of the head from side to side, associated with passing stools and vomiting with the eyelids half-closed, the child sweating on the head during sleep.

Podophyllum is a remedy of limited therapeutic range, but of great importance in gastro intestinal and biliary illnesses, and particularly in pancreatic conditions and in cancer.

As it is very likely that the pancreas plays a part – the exact nature of which is not yet known – in the genesis of neoplasms, Podophyllum may well have relationships to cancer-therapy. A possible example would be a case where, following hysterecto- my on account of cervical cancer, the now lapsed germino-dermal excretory process of menstruation is vicariously replaced by colitis with a tendency towards excretion of bloody, mucous and possibly membranous masses, after possible radiotherapy, creating a site of least resistance in the lower intestinal sections. This condition re- quires Podophyllum, or a combination-remedy containing it.

If we now sum up the main symptoms of Podophyllum, the result is the following typical remedy-picture:

1. Dyspepsia. Teething complaints, burning of the tongue, gastritis with sour eructa- tions, nausea and vomiting or empty retching. Distension with borborygmi mov- ing from place to place.
2. Liver and gall-bladder involvement. Must rub the liver area.
3. Acute and chronic pancreatitis with copious, foetid and spluttering diarrhoea, particularly in the morning, driving one out of bed.
4. Constipation alternating with diarrhoea. External and internal haemorrhoids. Rec- tal prolapse before or during stool.
5. Pain in the right ovary and the uterus, extending down into the right thigh. Post- partum uterine prolapse, especially after exertion. Possible headache, renal affec- tions, palpitations.
6. Aggravation first thing in the morning, in hot weather and during dentition.
7. Anti-neoplastic Reversal-effect in cancer and in mucous and ulcerative colitis.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Podophyllum peltatum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for podophyllum: disorders of the hepatobiliary system; condition after gallbladder surgery; diarrhoea with vomiting; prolapsed rectum; prolapse of the uterus; teething complaints.