MANDRAKE.

Description:

Atropa Mandagora.—It is an exotic; but began to be cultivated in England, 1560. Superstition has said much about it. Its root sometimes dividing into two below and shooting on each side, give a resemblance to a man, and aided by art, this resemblance became so complete as to deceive the multitude. It was said to be death to dig up the root; that screams were heard when these became wounded; and that they were to be drawn out by a dog, which perished; and in this way only could they be extracted. —As an amulet, it was once placed on Mantel-pieces to avert misfortune, and to bring prosperity and happiness.

The Mandrake has no stalk; the large leaves rise immediately from the root, a foot long, four inches broad, of a dusky green colour, and disagreeable smell. The flowers stand upon foot-stalks four inches high, slender and hairy, and rise immediately from the root; these flowers are large, of a dingy purplish colour, and of a bad smell. The fruit is of the size of a small apple, like a small pear, yellow when ripe. The root has been described. By designing people the roots are taken up, shaped like a man, and then put back to grow, and thus people are deceived.

Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Uses of Mandrake:

Mandrake is narcotic, and soporific. Some say that even the smell of the plant produces sleep. It was employed by the ancients in maniacal cases, and Pallas mentions its frequent use in dreadful chronic disorders which require alleviation by some powerful drug. In scrofulous or glandular affections, the leaves boiled with milk are reported by Boerhaave as beneficial. The root finely scraped into a pulp, and mixed with brandy, has been found efficacious in chronic rheumatism. The berries eaten, above two or three, are dangerous; five have been known to produce syncope, and other dangerous symptoms.