The Encyclopedia of ADDICTIVE DRUGS

(Greg DeLong) #1
Mandrake 237

strong enough dose converts mandrake into a stimulant that can cause manic
behavior, delirium, and hallucinations. An amount sufficient to bring on those
latter effects may be an amount sufficient for dangerous poisoning. Expert
guidance is recommended for anyone using the plant.
Abuse factors.Not enough scientific information to report about tolerance,
dependence, withdrawal, or addiction.
Drug interactions.Not enough scientific information to report.
Cancer.Not enough scientific information to report.
Pregnancy.Not enough scientific information to report.
Additional information.Podophyllum peltatum(CAS RN 9000-55-9 for resin)
is the American mandrake, a different plant from the European one and one
that persons sometimes use accidentally when they are seeking the European
variety. The American version is also known as Devil’s Apple, Duck’s Foot,
Ground Lemon, Hog Apple, Indian Apple, May Apple, Peca, Raccoon Berry,
Umbrella Plant, Vegetable Calomel, Vegetable Mercury, Wild Jalap, Wild
Lemon, Wild Mandrake, and Yellowberry. American mandrake is not a con-
trolled substance.
Odor from the flowers may be unpleasant, yet the small fruit is not only
edible but enjoyed by some persons. Leaves and stems are described as poi-
sonous.
American mandrake is a traditional Native American medicine, and in for-
mer times it was considered a substitute for mercury’s medical employment.
Folk medicine uses the plant to treat fever, worms, constipation, warts, syph-
ilis, jaundice, liver disease, and cancer. Etoposide, a substance derived from
the plant, is scientifically known to work against cancer. American mandrake
contains podophyllotoxin, a substance that acts against viruses causing mea-
sles and herpes simplex type I. A study found podophyllotoxin and podo-
phyllin (another American mandrake substance) to be effective against a type
of wart. Application of American mandrake natural product preparations to
the skin must be skillful because the plant can injure the skin and even be
fatal if too much drug content is absorbed.
Animal experiments with the natural product have produced salivation,
vomiting, pain, and straining to defecate. Those unwanted effects also appear
in humans, with enough force to cause hemorrhoids and displacement of the
rectum. One authority warns that if someone eats too much of the fruit, its
laxative effect can become overpowering. Ulcers of the small intestine have
developed in animals that ingest American mandrake. A case is known of
damage to nerves providing sensation to limbs after a person drank an Amer-
ican mandrake preparation. Persons working in an environment containing
American mandrake dust have suffered irritated eyes and noses, along with
coldness in their hands and feet.
The plant is suspected of causing birth defects, and usage is supposed to
be avoided during pregnancy. A case report tells of fetal death after American
mandrake was used to treat warts on a pregnant woman.
Additional scientific information may be found in:


Frasca, T., A.S. Brett, and S.D. Yoo. “Mandrake Toxicity: A Case of Mistaken Identity.”
Archives of Internal Medicine157 (1997): 2007–9.

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