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The roots of mandrake bear a resemblance to the human form. Magically speaking, there are male and female mandrakes. The female form, its roots forked and looking like a pair of human legs, is the most sought after. The male, on the other hand, has a single root. It was the female form that was carved in the Middle Ages (in Germany and France) into manikins. It was believed that they brought good luck and wealth.

Do you believe in the magical power of a mandrake?

Please also provide some information on the mandrake

I believe in the magical power of all herbs. I have not worked with Mandrake,(Atropa Mandragora),before but do believe if used properly can give results. Mandrake has many folk names...brain thief,circeium, herb of Circe,ladykins,mannikin, raccoon berry and womandrake to name some. It is a masculine herb, ruling planet Mercury and its element is fire. Useful info to guide you in getting good results. Mandrake is supposed to possess powers of protection, love, money, health & fertility; and is also associated with the goddesses Hecate and Hathor. It was/is believed that hung on the bed it protected one whilst they slept. Or carried it would attract love. Its scent supposedly causes sleep, and if money is placed next to a root it will double. Before using Mandrake, it must be activated...It must be left in a prominent spot in the home, and left undisturbed for 3 days. After which it should be put in warm water and left to soak all night. Then it is now "activated" and can be used. The water from the soak can also then be used for purification/protection purposes...sprinkled around doors/windows or on a person.

Mandragora officinarum

Perennial growing to 0.1m by 0.3m . It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from March to July, in flower from March to April, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. We rate it 1 out of 5 for usefulness.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.


Medicinal Uses

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. 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 scrofulous tumours[244]. It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions and mania. When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delirium 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.


SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandragora_officinarum

wow. I think I will go out and get some and try this out. I read that now days they are trying to see if mandrakes can cure HIV and aids.

What do you think of this?

I think that's stellar; I've always believed that everything we needed to cure ourselves was in the plants, rocks, and animals of the planet.

Well.. it probably somewhat can help. And sometimes we just need to believe we can cure things. lol I have faith that the mandrake will do so much more then we believe.

Honey, I'm Wiccan. Of course I believe in the powers of Mandrake. lol

It's really a useful plant. It's got a lot of strange connotations though. It's really expensive though :/