MayApple Podophyllum peltatum

Podophyllum resin obtained from the root is the only part of the plant used in herbal medicine. The plant was used by the American Indians as a cathartic, to induce vomiting, and as an emetic but it is now considered too toxic. The main therapeutic use of the resinous root of mayapple is that of a topical treatment for genital warts and similar papillomas caused by viral infection. In Japan, mandrake is used to make Hakkakuren, an over the counter preparation for removing genital warts. ^{1, 2}