Podophyllum peltatum appears in 10 of the 13 classic books on Similia. Each was written to do a different job — here is what each adds on this remedy, with the opening of its entry.
- Allen HC — The keynotes that separate this remedy from its nearest neighbours.
“May Apple. (Berberidaceae) Adapted to persons of bilious temperament who suffer from gastro- intestinal derangement, especially after abuse of mercury; "bilious attacks.". Thirst for large quantities of cold water (Bry.). Pains: sudden shocks of jerking pains. Depression of spirits, imagines he is going to die or be…”
- Allen TF — The raw proving record — symptoms as the provers reported them, unedited.
“Podophyllum peltatum, L. Natural order , Berberideæ. Common names , May apple; Mandrake (American). Preparation , Tincture of the whole plant. Authorities.”
- Boger (Syn) — Generals and modalities in a short analytical portrait rather than a symptom list.
“Liver: Duodenum. Intestines. RECTUM. Right side: Ovary. Scapula. Throat. EARLY MORNING. Eating. Hot weather. Dentition. Drinking. Motion. Mercury. Stroking liver. Lying on abdomen. Biliousness . .................... Whining. Rolls head. Eyes half open. Bad breath. Burning rough or flabby, indented tongue. Bites gums…”
- Clarke — The widest entry — sources, provings, clinical uses, relationships and antidotes in one place.
“peltatum. May Apple. Mandrake (American). N. O. Berberidaceæ (by some placed in the Ranunculaceæ and closely related to both). Tincture of root gathered after fruit has ripened; of whole fresh plant; of ripe fruit. Solution of resinous extract, Podophyllin. Acidity / Amenorrhœa / Anus, Prolapse of / Asthma, bronchial…”
- Hering — Graded symptoms, each weighted by how often provers and practice confirmed it.
“May Apple ; Mandrake. Berberidaceæ. Grows extensively in the United States, in moist, shady woods ; flowers early in June, the fruit ripens in September. The tincture is prepared from the root, gathered after the fruit has ripened. Proved by Williamson, Jeanes, Ward and Husemann, Trans. Amer. Inst. of Hom., vol. 1, p…”
- Kent — The mental and general picture — who the patient is, before what the remedy cures.
“This remedy is seldom used except in acute affections, but it is a long acting and deep acting drug; it produces a powerful impression on the economy; it relates to the deep-seated miasms. It affects profoundly the abdominal viscera. It shows its symptoms largely on the abdominal organs, the pelvic organs, and the…”
- Lippe (MM) — The strict Hahnemannian reading — the symptom picture without clinical interpretation.
“Depression of spirits; imagines he is going to die or be very ill. Giddiness, with the sensation of fulness over the eyes. Delirium and loquacity during the fever, with excessive thirst. Morning headache, with flushed face. Headache alternating with diarrhœa. Rolling of the head during difficult dentition in children…”
- Lippe (Red) — Keynotes with the most-trusted ones marked as red-line symptoms.
“Common names: may apple; mandrake. Acts especially upon the liver and digestive tracts, its special affinity being for the mucous membranes, more especially of the duodenum and rectum, and for glandular structures, producing irritation, excessive secretions, inflammation and even ulceration or suppuration (C.)…”
- Nash — The comparisons — the remedy set beside the ones it is most often confused with.
“Diarrhœa; stools profuse (drain the patient dry), offensive, < morning and during dentition. Persistent gagging, without vomiting; rolling the head and moaning with half-closed eyes. Great loquacity during the fever stage, especially with jaundiced skin. Prolapsus of uteri; prolapse of rectum. There are many remedies…”
