Flora Friday - Mandrake

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(Credit - damnederangel)

 

Hi Guys,

Continuing our Hallowe'en series this month, I have decided to look at Mandrake.

As this plant is considered poisonous (especially the leaves and root), it makes our Hallowe'en list! 

It is considered a masculine herb with fire energies. It is connected to the deities Hecate and Hathor.

It is hallucinogenic, and a neurotoxin. It is mainly found in Mediterranean areas and England.

 Ancient Greeks burned Mandrake as an incense. 

It is said that mandrake was a key ingredient in witch's flying brew, possibly due to its hallucinogenic properties.

Although it is not all bad, it has healing properties too, and these include:

  • Reducing inflammation
  • Analgesia
  • Eases joint pain
  • Eases Rheumatic pains
  • Treats skin ulcers
  • Treats skin inflammation
  • Treating melancholy
  • Treating convulsions
  • Treating mania
  • Sedative

Metaphysical properties:

  • Love
  • Fertility (sleep with a root under your pillow to boost fertility)
  • Protection
  • Health 
  • Money

In Flower Language, the mandrake is said to help overcome:

  • Grief
  • Scarcity
  • Fear and 
  • Horror

Myths:

Some commonly believed myths about the mandrake are as follows:
  • Due to the human-like shape of the root, it was said to scream when pulled from the ground
  • Said scream was reputed to be fatal to all who heard it
  • The scream was said to contain a curse, thus leading to the plant being labelled as cursed
  • Thought to appear under gallows or at crossroads, born from the bodily fluids (usually ejaculate) of the condemned
  • Anyone who pulled up a root was condemned to Hell
  • Said to grow on the graves of witches, whether marked or unmarked
  • Was used to summon the Devil in Bacchanals

As always, please consult a medical professional or qualified herbalist before adding anything into your lifestyle, especially in this case due to its toxicity!

I hope this has helped you today. Leave us a comment below.

Kerenza x


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