can anyone tell me about the myths of the plant [mandrake]?
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at
17:02
under a hanging tree?
Tagged with: hanging tree
Filed under: Mandrake
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MANDRAKE
Mandrake is a mysterious plant believed to have powers of preventing sterility in men and animals, causing barren women to bear children, and compelling love.
Mandrake is thought to have aphrodisiac and fertilizing properties.
Clairvoyants use mandrake to increase their visions to enable them to see strange and wonderful things.
http://www.corsinet.com/trivia/scary1.html
EDITED: I’m sorry I thought you just wanted the myths of the plant not the facts.
Wikipedia covers the myths and witchcraft stuff as well:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrake_(plant)
Mandrake got its name from the appearance of its branched roots . Some thought the roots resembled a man .
All parts of mandrake are very poisonous except the fruit , which is edible .
The Romans used mandrake as an anesthetic . They experminted on slaves to learn just how much mandrake could be given to make a person feel no pain , but would recover .
Another plant used in the same way was belladonna , also known as the deadly nightshade .
Mandrake, in addition to what has been written, was almost used like a voodoo doll. The roots resemble a person so the root was enhanced with a little something from the person and then the torture or death began. Mandrake should not be confused with the MayApple. May Apple is often erroneroulsy called American Mandrake. The May Apple is not mandrake although it has similarities. The plant is poisonous except for the fruit which can be eaten when ripe. Tastes like cotton. Yuk.