The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

I know the root tends to resemble the human form, but I can only guess that the connection of the milk is sort of like, receiving the milk of the mother...but what is the blood for?

;)

Maybe the blood is to give life also? Blood is in all living things.

:)

I haven't heard that before but I had heard that people slept with them under their pillows.

I have heard that as an herb when used properly it has healing properties.

I have heard the healing powers bit and that people did sleep with them either in the bed or under it -- I think in those circumstances, they were trying to trick evil spirits. The milk and blood ceremony was as Morrigon say, a ritual of extending life to the tuber so it could become human

Suppositly mandrake root is made form the semen of a male who is hung. After their death you dig the root from under the spot were they were hung.
The root is used in casting love and binding spells. If you split the root and the female bites into and the male eats form the other side, it is beleived that they will become madly in love and be together for ever. AS for binding it has similar effects. There's a book on wiccan herbology that give more info on mandrake root.

I dont know about the pregnacy theory. It is used for medicinal reasons. Here is a link on it http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mandra10.html

Wasn't that in that one movie.....oh what was that? Pan's Labrynth....

It is quite real. Why they chose to fictionalize it for Harry Potter, I have no idea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrake_(plant)

Blood is the life force in us all, milk often represents the life a mother gives to a child, and as per the root I am not sure, it could represent the unborn child?

yeah that root was in harry potter and pans lab. I remember the little girl was puttin it under her mothers bed for the baby.

It was also believed that whoever digs up one of them would die and that the end of the root should be tied to a dog so that the dog would pull it up and then die.

Supposedly the root would scream or something which whoever could hear the scream would die.

Sounds kinda like pewp to me, but who am I to judge? LOL :P

maybe the blood is symbolism for when a mother gives birth and the afterbirth?

If everyone who dug it up died then we probably wouldn't have any accounts of how beneficial it is :P
Either way, it seems like a scary root, I'm not too sure how to feel about a root who can become human.

The myths about the Mandrake root are many, and it is mentioned in the bible as well.

I have two mandrakeroots in my garden. They can be poisonous. It is called "manroot" Because of the roots resemblence to the human form.

According to legend, a mandrakes cry is fatal, so when you harvested it, you tied a string to the root, covered it in blood and the other to the tail of a black dog. You covered your ears and when the root came out of the ground, the dog would drop dead and you can go pick it up.

It is a spring flower and used to treat astma, hayfever and cough. It has also been used as a a drug to make you throw up and an anastethic was made to use for operations.

But due to it being poisonous it is not used as much anymore.

I have not heard it to affect pregnancies, since it is used as a talisman. You can however become nausious if you carry it in a necklace.

Mandrake is very real but I can't find anywhere it states putting it in milk and blood except in a old wives tale which is not true , it is a very good herb to use .The leaves are quite harmless and cooling, and have been used for ointments and other external application. Boiled in milk and used as a poultice, they were employed by Boerhaave as an application to indolent ulcers.

The fresh root operates very powerfully as an emetic and purgative. The dried bark of the root was used also as a rough emetic.

Mandrake was much used by the Ancients, who considered it an anodyne and soporific. In large doses it is said to excite delirium and madness. They used it for procuring rest and sleep in continued pain, also in melancholy, convulsions, rheumatic pains and scrofulous tumours. They mostly employed the bark of the root, either expressing the juice or infusing it in wine or water. The root finely scraped into a pulp and mixed with brandy was said to be efficacious in chronic rheumatism.

I was trying to think what movie that was in. It was Pan's Labrynth I was thinking of. Thanks for mentioning that Jamie. I'm not sure if it would really help with a difficult pregnancy. However if I was in that situation. I would probably try it. I don't see what it could hurt.

Only time I have seen it is in that movie Pan's Labyrinth and the girl put the mandrake under the mother's bed cause she was having complications. I believe the mandrake symbolizes the person, while the blood symbolizes life and the milk symbolizes nurturing and or health.

Eh, I wasn't disputing the reality of the root. Just disbelieving of the myths surrounding it.

Many of the myths are untrue. I harvested my first mandrake plant last year, and there was no scream, and obviously I am still alive.

I use it as a talisman and a good luck charm. The leaves I am using if I have sprained something, and the fruit can be used decoratively.

I've studied herbs for a number of years and yes there are many myths about the mandrake including the pregnancy one. The root itself is very poisonous and should never be ingested, so please don't EVER eat it!!!! I can't stress this enough. Mandrake is supposed to have been used in some love spells where you put a bit in some wine and both people drink from it falling in love, but I'm sure they either died or got very sick soon after. I have picked more than one mandrake root and no, unfortunately they do not scream. Actually nothing happens. But they are fun to study as they do resemble the human form, there are even males and females!

i have heard of said ritual as i would call it to help woman become moms but mandrake in the wrong amount can be leathel

i have never heard of it to heal people but to kill people yes just to let you know that the amount being leathel in my last post had nothing to do with the ritual thing

it is real and yes the blood is for life and milk for fortitude as it would be from a mother, I feel it is one of the most natural roots we can use for things. just an opinion

it is quite real alot of people think its fake because it is in the harry potter series

Mandrake root was used anaesthetic for operations, a piece of the root being given to the patient to chew before undergoing the operation. It was also used as a narcotic. Today I have heard it used for bowel and liver complaints.

Another myth of Mandrake root wants it to grow in the exact area where a hanged man's semen drops. (This comes from very old days I suppose) And that's why it looks such human alike. And it's supposed to scream when you pick it. There's a beautiful song which describes it.
Yes, it's very powerful in Witchcraft, one form of how it helps in pregnacy is shown in that movie.

I've heard that dark witches would do some sort of spell to make the human-like root come to life and be their personal slaves. I doubt that's true, but that's all I really know about the mandrake root.

There are alot of weird supertitions using the mandrake root. whether they work I have no idea. I have never come across or used one. It does grow like human form though

Just did a little research and found out that Mandrake was always used as a love potion. Perhaps with devasting effect!

I heard about mandrake... it is used in many medicinal things... and in magic practices. the legend about it.. is that the roots is looking like human.. and it wanted to be human...

I also saw pan's labyrinth... and It was a scene where it was used to help one woman with her pregancy...

That's odd about the pulling it up and it killing you. I think trees should do that when people carelessly cut them down. Logging companies taking out our rain forrests. ;)

That is interesting though about the pulling it up, though sounds more supersitious though. ;) I think you could have unsavory people pull them up. hahaha...:P They could have death row inmates do it. HA.....

I wonder if the part about pulling it and it killing you with its scream was just something that was made in to fiction for the movies such as Harry Potter. I have used this for various different herbal recipes and tinctures. Its got healing properties that can be used as long as it is not used in a high quantity.

I would think that the association in Pan's Lab would be that the milk is the "mother's milk " and the blood would be the life sustaining portion that is needed.

Not certain if I am correcting myself or not but if I am then so be it. Mandrake is considered as posionous by the food and drug addministration. Here's a link for those that would like to check it out.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/653453/the_history_of_the_mandrake_plant.html?page=2&cat=7

I made the mistake and yes I am owning up to it. I stand corrected.

Yes, Darkxwhisper, the comments that I made about the mandrake root. There are several different versions of the plant and I thought that I would correct what I said. Probably making myself look like a fool but oh well. I am glad that I caught it though.

No..they took the idea from the movie straight from all the folklore that actually surrounds it.

I watched a show about Hitler & The Occult and he had a Mandrake Root. There were alot of pictures of him taken with it. I believe he thought it was a Talismon of Power. It came from his Birth Place and was a Bond between him and a Occultist. Then once their Bond was broken he lost power. I have heard other stories of Mandrake Roots being used as Charms of Power also in Tales through History. Not sure how they are used though. I still Think Hitler was a sick Freak too but the Therory of his ManDrake was interesting.

We have lots of american mandrake in our woods outback. Yes it said that it does indeed resemble a person . nad it has been used in many rituals in spells over the years. It belong to the Nightshade gfamily of herbs . As there is also two kinds of Mandrake American and European.

opps to quick on the send button.

Mandrake root, does fall into the herbal classification of anodyne (like aconite, belladonna, & coca leaves), which contains those herbs which are pain relievers (often narcotic), and does work as a soporific (sleep inducer).

Mandrake's magickal properties are well-documented, and are related to their herbal ones. Mandrake has been used to invoke various deities (Circe, Diana, Saturn, etc.), and is considered to enhance creativity (remember it is a narcotic). Ingestion of minute prepared portions is reputed to enhance psychic awareness & abilities, and when used properly
in magickal spells mandrake is used to increase sexual desire (aphrodisiac).

There is an ancient practice of carving the roots into amulets of protection, love attraction, aura purity, or as a sign of magick (depending on the preparation). The planetary rulers of Mandrake are Uranus, Mercury, and Pluto. A piece of the root immersed in a chalice of water and set in the moonlight each night until the moon becomes full, creates 'Moon Water' (which is used in purification & lunar rituals). Needless to say, Mandrake also play a part in "The Great Rite", a very potent sex-magick ritual.

link
http://www.wiccat.net/info-mandrake


It also has many many names , here are a few that I have heard of,Sorcerer's Root, Gallows, Herb of Circe, Witches' Mannikin, Womandrake, Man-Dragon, Warlock Root, Earth Manikin, Root of Evil, Little Gallows Man, Devils Apple is the one I hear most often.

It has been included in many spells as I previously stated , some of the uses are : Engendering Shaminic Trance States, Healing Arts, Ecstacy, Protection Against Demonic Possession, Repelling Disease, Fertility



I will go thru my note book and see what else I have .
Hope that was helpful.

I have never heard of this as far as putting under the bed and such. I did find this web site that talks more about the mandrake root. Here is the link if anyone is interested.

http://www.preker.co.il/israelwines/yaad/passion.html

Hello

Ive never heard of doing that personally, but im gonna take a wild guess and say the milk represents the mother and the blood going into the milk represents the child inside the mother. The root of course links them together.

There are many different things in different cultures and religions to bring on fertility.

It's kinda like that statue your suppossed to bury to make your house sell...


Starr

I have never heard of doing that...but I am going to guess that the milk symbolizes nutrients or substinence, the blood represents the life given by the mother, and the root ofcourse represents the child or baby.

Menstrual blood was the original source of many blood-worked spells. It was thought that mandrakes could be taken from the ground only after being soaked with a woman's urine or menstrual blood. Paracelsus maintained that he could create a new person by combining the mandrake with human semen and menstrual blood.

It was sometimes called the herb of beaten women, because its berries healed bruises.

Dictionary of symbols and Sacred Objects

The Mandrake Root is truely a diversified herb. As posted, it has many uses. I have also heard of it being used in Astral travel, and that is also dangerous.

Mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum: N.American, Mandragora officinale: European)

Click for the health code keyHealth Code: Poison

Folk Names: Alraun, Antrhopomorphon, Baaras, Brain Thief, Circeium, Circoea, Galgenmannchen, Gallows, Herb of Circe, Hexenmannchen, Ladykins, Mandragen, Mandragor, Mannikin, Racoon Berry, Semihomo, Wild Lemon, Womandrake, Zauberwurzel.

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mecury

Element: Fire

Dieties: Circe, Diana, Hecate, Hathor, Saturn

Powers: Protection, Love, Money, Fertility, Health.

Ritual Uses: Few herbs are as steeped in magickal lore as mandrake. It is associated with the most intense practices of magick and especially well suited for love magick. It has great power as a visionary herb. It empowers visions, providing the impetus to bring them into manifestation. It intensifies the magick of any situation. A whole mandrake root placed in the home will bring protection and prosperity. Carried, it will attract love. The human shape of the root makes it well suited for use as poppet. (Substitute ash roots, apples, root of the briony, or the American may apple if the cost is prohibitive). To activate a dried mandrake, place it on the altar undisturbed for three days. Then place it in warm water overnight. The root will then be activated and ready for any magickal purpose

Magical Uses: Mandrake is used in the home as a powerful protection. It is carried to promote conception, and men carry it to promote fertility and cure impotency.

Parts Used: Roots, fruit

Culinary Uses: Fruit, though not advised. The fruit is about the size of a small apple, with a strong apple-like scent. Caution is advised in the use of this fruit, it is quite possibly poisonous.

Habitat: Open woodland, deserted fields and stony places

Flowers: In leaf March through July. Flowering time March through April. Seed ripens July through August.

Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame in the autumn. The seed can also be sown in spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Root cuttings in winter. Division. Ths can be rather difficult since the plants resent root disturbance.

Cultivation: Prefers a deep humus-rich light soil and a sheltered position in full sun. It also tolerates some shade. Prefers a circumneutral soil and dislikes chalk or gravel. Plants are liable to rot in wet or ill-draining soils. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. The roots are somewhat carrot-shaped and can be up to 1.2 metres long. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and should be put out into their permanent positions as soon as possible. The root often divides into two and is vaguely suggestive of the human body. In the past it was frequently made into amulets which were believed to bring good fortune, cure sterility etc. There is a superstition that if a person pulls up this root they will be condemmed to hell. Therefore in the past people have tied the roots to the bodies of animals and then used these animals in order to pull the roots out of the soil.

Traditional Uses: Mandrake was once used as a purgative for the liver, worms, jaundice, constipation, hepatitis, fevers and syphilis. Pregnant women should not use this herb. Do not use this herb without the proper guidance from a professional! Cathartic; Emetic; Hallucinogenic; Narcotic. Mandrake has a long history of medicinal use, though superstition has played a large part in the uses it has been applied to. It is rarely prescribed in modern herbalism, though it contains hyoscine which is the standard pre-operative medication given to soothe patients and reduce bronchial secretions[244]. It is also used to treat travel sickness. The fresh or dried root contains highly poisonous alkaloids and is cathartic, strongly emetic, hallucinogenic and narcotic. In sufficient quantities it induces a state of oblivion and was used as an anaesthetic for operations in early surgery. It was much used in the past for its anodyne and soporific properties. In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains, ulcers and scrophulous tumours. It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions and mania. When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delerium and madness. The root should be used with caution, and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The leaves are harmless and cooling. They have been used for ointments and other external applications to ulcers etc.

Modern Uses: The root resin (podophyllin), is used to treat venereal warts and a semisynthetic derivative is FDA approved for testicular and small cell lung cancers.

As for the milk and blood--I could only find reference to it in Pan's Labyrinth, as was mentioned in other posts.

OK. Mandrake is believed to have mystical powers. The plant and root itself are EXTREMELY poisonous so be careful with it. It has been believed for thousands of years that it's very powerful. It is really weird looking. It is really shaped like a human. Head, arms, legs n all!

i think the blood has somthing to do with the giving life and maybe the milk symbolizes the mother

I believe the root can be used for healing.

healing how? Do you mean in a magical/spiritual sense? because the entire plant, seeds, leaves, root and all is extremely toxic. Most poison is in the root.

There are a lot of toxic remedies that don't make the person deathly ill. Chemotherapy, for example...

I saw the mandrake deal in Pans Labyrinth, but have also heard about it from my friend's grandmother who practices Santaria (sp). She basically said it was good for healing, but not something anyone can just do (meaning experience, not special gifts...)

Either way, thinking of that molded mush under the bed *cringes*.

Some people find the use in blood useful for some rituals. It would be like putting a piece of yourself in it. Without blood one couldn't survive. I think the fact blood is so important to life and helath may be the main reason.

For those unfamiliar with the herb, below is a photo. The root is shaped like a human. There are photo's of the root on yahoo and photobucket for those who are curious. =)

i have seen it in a movie pans labrith and i dont kn ow if its natural or unnatural but it was inthe movie

well, we have american mandrake growing all over the place here. The think harry potter really made more people aware of it. It has been used in many different spells and rituals because of it appears, but i have yet to have one scream when i dug it up =}


Pink Panther ........

I haven't heard of this before but if you wondering why blood it could be the link to the mother and child because blood has cells that are the basic building blocks of humans.