This was also used on chickens who had diarrhea. Years ago it was used as a poison for eliminating chipmunks. Historical uses by Native Americans are varied. It's uncertain how the Indians first discovered the various uses of mandrake, but most believed that is was found by trial and error or by accidentally use. The Indians harvested the plant by drying the rhizomes in the shade and making a powder out of them.
Many tribes consume or drink brew from the powder as a laxative or to treat intestinal worms.
Penobscot Indians used mayapple in poultice form for external use of wart tumors on the skin. It was also used for committing suicide by the Hurons and Iroquois. Cherokee Indians used the plant for an anti-rheumatic, cathartic, dermatological aid, ear medicine, insecticide, and laxative. Other Cherokee used the root as a purgative, vermifuge, for the treatment of warts and as an anthelmintic. The rhizome and root of the Mayapple have been utilized for their pharmacological properties.