Mandrake, The Witches' Herb

Mandrake is a member of the nightshade family, and most members of that family are poisonous. Even our potatos and tomatoes can be dangerous, as they are also part of the Solanaceae. The picture is potato flowers.

By the way, I always refer to the Mediterraneum mandrake, Mandragora officianalis as mandrake root, not the US version, which is may apple.

I've been having a browse around to find more information about mandrake root, and came up with a couple of interesting tidbits.

Did you know that in the ancient world, mandrake was recommended as an aphrodisiac? Not sure just how they used it, becaue you wouldn't want to ingest it! Anyway, it's mentioned in the bible: the reference I found is Genesis 30 : 14-17

The Romans believed that a demon resided in the mandrake root, and if you pulled up the plant, the scream from the demon would kill you.

In the Middle Ages, mandrake root was a popular anaesthetic. Wonder if the patients recovered?

Almost at the end of Autumn, another of my four mandrake plants decided to flower. It was too late for me to cross pollinate the two plants, but at least two are now at flowering size, so maybe next year, they'll flower at the same time, and I'll have a chance of getting some seeds.

If I'm really lucky, the two smaller plants will start flowering also, next year, and then it will be only a matter of time before I can start reproducing them.

It's been a long wait for flowering size, about 4 or 5 years, but perhaps it has something to do with the climate. I believe that originally these plants came from the Mediterranean area. Maybe that's why they're out of time with our seasons here in Australia - who knows, but I'd love to get some seeds from them.

Luckily, all four of my mandrake plants came up again, the other three in early Autumn. It's good that they are all surviving so well.

Unfortunately, because the biggest plant came up so early, and only had one flower again, it looks as if I won't be getting any seeds this year, because no fertilisation took place.

Oh well, maybe next year, the plants will be bigger, and will come up a little earlier, not that they seem to be changing their schedule to the warmer weather. Certainly hope so, because I grew these plants from seed, and would like to try again with my own seeds.

Yesterday while watering the pot plants in front of the house, I noticed that one of my mandrake plants was coming up. What a surprise! Normally they come up in Autumn, and die down in Spring.

This one must finally be adjusting to the Southern Hemisphere, but it might find the heat of midsummer is not to its liking. Shall just have to take good care of it, and see that it gets a good water supply. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to get flowers and seeds this year........

Lucius Apuleius, an ancient philosopher and student of Plato, best known for "The Golden Ass", had this to say about Mandrake:

'For witlessness, that is devil sickness or demoniacal possession, take from the body of this said wort Mandrake by the weight of three pennies, administer to drink in warm water as he may find most convenient - soon he will be healed.'

I wouldn't recommend that you try it!

Mandrake belongs to the element of Fire, and is
ruled by the Planet Mercury.

Its powers are : Fertility, Health, Love, Money, and Protection

Mandrake has been used as an aphrodisiac, and as an anaesthetic, especially in the Middle Ages.

It seems that mandrake has hypnotic qualities, so in the past, it was used as the original 'date-rape' drug! Other herbals mention it as being a protection against rape.

The four mandrake plants in a pot are looking very sad and sorry for themselves right now. The leaves are drooping and broken, and there are insect bites in them.

They come up in our Autumn, and die down in Spring, so they're sort of back to front for our climate. Must be because they're really a Northern Hemisphere plant and they haven't learned any different! :-)

Hopefully, they'll come up again next year.....

Here are some snippets of information about the mandrake from "Culpeper's Complete Herbal & English Physician", published in 1826.

......The green leaves, bruised with axungia and barley-meal, heal all hot swellings and inflamations.

......Infused in wine, and drank, it causeth sleep, and easeth pains; the apples smelt to, or the juice taken in a small quantity, also cause sleep.

......The seed and fruit do cleanse the womb.

......It heals vehement pains of the head, and the tooth-ache, when applied to the cheeks and jaws, and causeth sleep.

The mandrake shown in the picture above was grown from seed by me. There are four plants in the pot, and the tiny purple speck in the centre is the first flower I've ever had on them, and they are four years old.

Seeds are difficult to come by where I live, so I was really happy to find these some years ago. Out of just twenty seeds, there are four survivors, which is a 20% rate. That's not too bad. Of course, I'm hoping for more flowers next year, and maybe this time, they'll be pollinated.

There are many legends about Mandrake, and of course, if you've seen the Harry Potter films, then you'll have seen the plant being grown in the school, and screaming when uprooted.

It's said that if you hear the scream from a Mandrake being pulled up, then you'll die, so don't pull them out of the ground. :-)

In ancient times, Mandrake was used as an anaesthetic - the patient chewed on a piece of root before being operated on.

It was also used for purging, and as an emetic.
Sometimes it was uses as a sedative for the insane.

Herbally, Mandrake is still used, but can be toxic, so mostly it is used for salves. It is claimed to be useful against hydrophobia and epilepsy.

Warning : If you have any Mandrake, do not ingest it, as it is toxic if not used properly.

Mandrake will protect you against demons, and you may also use it for exorcisms.

If you can find a root which is shaped like a mannikin, and place it on your mantelpiece, it will bring you wealth and happiness.

Mandrake is also used for fertility. It is alleged to also improve the strength of any spell.