Podophyllum Peltatum: Homeopathic Medicine – Its Use, Indications And Dosage

Homeopathic medicine Podophyllum Peltatum is derived from plant ‘may – apple’. This plant belongs to family Berberidaceae, or Ranunculaceae according to some. The root of this plant gathered after the fruit has ripened or the entire fresh plant or ripe fruit undergoes potentization (process to prepare homeopathic medicines that arouse medicinal powers of a crude substance) to prepare homeopathic medicine Podophyllum Peltatum. This medicine has well-marked action on rectum and female genitals. It is a wonderful remedy to manage diarrhea, rectal prolapse, ovarian pain and prolapsed uterus.

Drug Action

The principal action of this medicine is noted on the gastric tract mainly on rectum and intestines though it also acts on stomach. Its action is also marked on female genitals. The other parts of the body where it shows remarkable action include mouth, teeth, throat and liver.

Clinical Indications

Diarrhea, prolapsed rectum, piles, cholera, ovary disorders, ovarian tumour, prolapsed uterus, painful periods, abdomen pain, vomiting, taste disorders, tongue burning, difficult dentition, liver disorders

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1.Gastric Issues (Diarrhea, Cholera, Rectal Prolapse And Piles)

The most prominent action of this medicine is noted on the gastric system. Among the entire gastrointestinal tract, its most important action is noted on the rectum. It acts brilliantly on the rectum to manage diarrhea, cholera, rectal prolapse and piles. To begin with, its role in managing diarrhea is highly noteworthy. In case of diarrhea, it is mainly used when stool is watery, green or yellow, copious, gushing and has fetid smell. Sometimes mucus is present in the stool. Undigested food particles may pass in stool as well. It is a well-indicated medicine to manage diarrhea in children during dentition. Diarrhea in early morning is a characteristic feature to use it. Another notable feature for using it is diarrhea in hot weather. It can also effectively deal with cases of diarrhea after eating acid fruits. It offers great help in cases of cholera (infection of small intestine caused by bacteria vibrio cholerae). Here it is beneficial when watery foul-smelling painless stool is passed that comes out in a gush with marked weakness and vomiting. Besides the above, Podophyllum is one of the best medicine for managing rectal prolapse. The prolapse of rectum may occur before passing stool or while passing stool. It is also useful for piles along with anal prolapse and long-standing diarrhea. Anus is sore, swollen and sensitive. Sometimes bleeding may appear too.  It acts well on abdomen to give relief in pain. It can be given when pain in abdomen occurs from eating and drinking. The pain gets better by flexing the limbs. Its use is also done in cases of vomiting when hot, frothy mucus is vomited out, along with sour belching.

Key Indicating Features

Diarrhea with watery, green/yellow, copious, gushing stool having fetid smell

Diarrhea in children during dentition

Diarrhea in hot weather

Rectal prolapse before stool or while passing stool

Piles with anal prolapse and long-standing diarrhea

2. Female Problems (Ovarian Pain, Uterine Prolapse, Painful Periods, Piles)

This medicine acts well on female genitals to manage various complaints effectively. Firstly, it offers help to provide substantial relief in ovarian pain. Mainly it helps in cases of pain in right-sided ovary. There is shooting pain that radiates down the thighs. It gets worse before and during menses. The pain also gets worse at night disturbing sleep. The pain may be throbbing, beating or drawing type. Along with ovarian pain, there may be complaint of retarded menses. Podophyllum gives good results in cases of inflammation of ovaries and ovarian tumour. Secondly, it can handle cases of prolapse of uterus well. It is well indicated to manage cases of uterine prolapse that occurs after childbirth or from over-lifting. There is aching and bearing down pain in uterus. It is of great service in managing painful periods. There is bearing down in abdomen and back during periods, ovarian pain running down the thighs. Lastly, it is a wonderful medicine for piles and anal prolapse during pregnancy.

Key Indicating Features

Pain in right-sided ovary that may radiate down the thigh

Ovarian pain worse before and during menses and at night time disturbing the sleep

Uterine prolapse after childbirth or from over lifting with aching and bearing down pain in uterus

Piles and anal prolapse during pregnancy

 3. Mouth (Bad Taste, Offensive Mouth Odor, Difficult Dentition)

By acting on mouth, Podophyllum helps to manage cases of bad taste in mouth and odour. It can be given when there is foul or bitter taste in mouth. It can also be used for loss of taste. It is suitable to manage offensive odor in the mouth. Another indication for using it is coated tongue with roughness and burning sensation. The tongue may be coated white or yellow. It is an important medicine for handling cases of difficult dentition as well. It is useful when during dentition, there is excessive desire to press the gums together.

Key Indicating Features

Foul or bitter taste in mouth or loss of taste

Coated tongue with roughness and burning sensation

Difficult dentition with excessive desire to press the gums together

4. Throat (Sore Throat, Goitre)

If we talk of throat, then this medicine can be considered for cases of sore throat when the complaint begins on the right side and then goes to the left. In such cases, there is pain in the throat extending to the ears where this medicine is required. Pain in the throat occurs during swallowing. The throat is dry. Second complaint in which it is recommended is goiter (swelling in front of the neck from enlarged thyroid gland).

Key Indicating Features

Sore throat starting on right side then going to the left

Pain in throat extending to the ears

Pain in throat while swallowing

5. Liver Complaints (Pain, Hepatitis)

Lastly, podophyllum has affinity to manage liver complaints too. Its use is preferred for managing liver pain that is stitching in nature. The pain increases while eating. Soreness and pain in liver which gets better by rubbing is a noteworthy symptom to prescribe this medicine. Its use in cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) can also be done when there is constipation, liver pain and tenderness. In liver disorders, when there is constipation, dark stool and yellow furred tongue, this medicine can prove very effective.

Key Indicating Features

Liver pain, stitching type worse during eating

Liver pain which gets better by rubbing

Hepatitis with constipation, liver pain and tenderness

Liver disorders accompanied by constipation, dark stool and yellow-furred tongue

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints worsen by eating, drinking, from motion, in early morning, in hot weather, from exertion, during dentition, in open air and from washing

Relieving factors: Complaints get better by lying down, pressure, rubbing, lying on abdomen

Dosage

Use of this medicine can be done in low as well as high potencies. In low potency, it can be repeated frequently but in high potencies frequent repetition of this medicine should be avoided.

Relationship With Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Colocynth, Nux Vomica, Leptandra and Lacticum Acidum

It antidotes: Merc Sol

It can be compared with some other homeopathic medicines including Aloes, Aesculus, Bryonia, Chelidonium, Collinsonia, Nitric Acid, Iris Versicolor and Sulphur