Manaka Root

The rare North American plant manaka is found only in parts of central New England. Originally slightly more common, it was believed extinct (even mythical) for many years. Native American lore claims manaka root grants great strength, speed, and stamina, if used sparingly. In a small portion of the population, manaka root can grant super human physical abilities in short bursts, lasting not much more than a minute or so. The Colonial era masked hero Minuteman used manaka root for just this purpose.
Compounds extracted and synthesized from manaka root have been used in experiments to create permanent physical enhancements, including elements of The DNAscent Process used by The Labyrinth, and the “super-serum” that gave the Patriot his powers in the 1940s. Unfortunately, large and regular doses of manaka root have serious side effects, such as those seen in the street drug "Max", which is derived from the Patriot Formula, and usually causes cardiac arrest, internal bleeding, or organ failure with repeated use, despite giving users a temporary “boost” and a sense of invincibility.