Mandrake
May apple, Raccoon Berry, Indian Apple, Duck's Foot
 Bodily Influence:
Alterative (cleansing), Anti-bilious (reduces jaundice), Cathartic,
Cholagogue (stimulates bile), Diaphoretic (cause perspiration),
Emetic (cause vomiting), Hepatic (stimulate liver, gall bladder and
spleen), Hydrogogue (water evacuation of bowels), Parasiticide,
Tonic
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.
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 murders, 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 the ordinary manner.
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 a very strong glandular stimulant and useful for
treating chronic liver diseases, promoting bile flow and digestion,
and in the elimination of obstructions and skin problems. It has
been used as part of a formula to promote female gland activity and
eradicate sterility.
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 patients needs.
Uses:
Bowels, Cancer, Colitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dyspepsia, Fevers,
Gallbladder, Gallstones, Headaches, Indigestion, Jaundice, Liver,
Tumors (cancerous), Uterine disease, Vomiting, Warts, Worms (expels)
Sources:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
Nutritional Herbology, by Mark Pedersen, Wendell W. Whitman Company, 1998
Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 1987
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
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