Indian podophyllum, Podophyllum emodi (family Berberidaceae; emodi is Latin for the Greek word for the
Himalayas) grows over most of the Himalayan Range and is included in Royle's Illustrated Botany of the Himalayas,
published in 1839. The plant has white flowers growing beneath the leaves and large paprika-like fruits; all parts
of the plant are highly toxic. The height of the plant varies from 30 - 90 cm.
The natives of the Himalayan region knew that an aqueous extract of the dried roots of Podophyllum emodi could be used as a purgative. Extract of the herb was used in China as an anti-tumour drug more than 2000 years ago, and a crude extract was also used in the treatment of snake bites, peridontitis, skin disorders, coughs and against various intestinal worm diseases.