May apple, Raccoon Berry, Indian Apple, Duck’s Foot
Once called the witches umbrella and thought to be employed by them as a poison, which may be true. It is one of the herbs known to have magical powers such as protecting the home if placed on the hearth or altar. Women carry the root to help them conceive, men carry it to cure impotency. The root is also used in image magic and driving out the evil of demonical possession. There are a number of reasons for the Mandrake to take on this magical folk legend image.
First, it is a very strong herb and must be used with care by an expert herbalist. Second, Mandrake is a thick tuberous root that can take on the image of a little man. Third, Mandrake is a plant that phosphoresces sometimes at night when chemical substances in its berries react with dew to give a pale light. Our ancestors attributed this light to spirits and magical forces.
The One Virtue By Josephus
Josephus says that the Mandrake-which he calls Baaras-has but one virtue, that of expelling demons from sick persons, as the demons cannot bear either its smell or its presence. The plant was fabled to grow under the gallows of murderers, and it was believed to be death to dig up the root, which was said to utter a shriek and terrible groans on being dug up, which none might hear and live. It was held, therefore, that he who would take up a plant of Mandrake should tie a dog to it for that purpose, who drawing it out would certainly perish, as the man would have done, had he attempted to dig it up in an ordinary manner.
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Mandrake was used in Pliny’s day as an anesthetic of operations, a piece of the root being given to the patient to chew before undergoing the operation. In small doses, it was employed by the Ancients in Maniacal cases.
The herb taken internally is a powerful stimulant to the liver and intestines. It is a very strong glandular stimulant and useful for treating chronic liver diseases, promoting bile flow and digestion, and eliminating obstructions and skin problems. It has been used as part of a formula to promote female gland activity and eradicate sterility.
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Mandrake has been studied as a possible natural plant treatment for cancer since clinical tests seem to indicate its capacity to halt cell division and destroy cancer cells in test animals. It is presently being used in Cancer Chemotherapy in some hospitals.
Mandrake is a slow reliable purgative agent with a cleansing stimulating effect that efficiently removes waste products and chemicals. It has long-lasting results that will continue far into the day after it is ingested. The main effect is on the duodenum and will increase intestinal secretion and bile flow. Mandrake is most effective when taken in very small doses, which makes it very functional in combinations. It may be combined with less active and corrective laxatives which allows the herbalist to tailor-make formulas to meet the patient’s needs.
Uses:
Bowels, Cancer, Colitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dyspepsia, Fevers, Gallbladder, Gallstones, Headaches, Indigestion, Jaundice, Liver, Tumors (cancerous), Uterine disease, Vomiting, Warts, Worms (expels).
Bodily Influence:
Alterative (cleansing), Anti-bilious (reduces jaundice), Cathartic, Cholagogue (stimulates bile), Diaphoretic (cause perspiration), Emetic (causes vomiting), Hepatic (stimulate liver, gall bladder, and spleen), Hydrogogue (water evacuation of bowels), Parasiticide, Tonic.
References:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, by James A. Duke, Pub. CRP Second Edition 2007
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Published by Dorling Kindersley