Mandrake Cut Root (Mandragora Officinarum) – *BANEFUL

Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Mandrake Cut Root (Mandragora Officinarum) 1 Ounce CAUTION! | POISON! NOT FOR INTERNAL USE! HERB COMMON NAME :  Mandrake HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Mandragora Officinarum OTHER NAMES :  Mayapple, Devil’s Apple, Devil’s Shoestring, Hog-Apple, Indian Apple, Racoonberry, Witch’s Umbrella, Manroot, Love Apple FAMILY :  Solanaceae Element: Fire Planet: Mercury Day: Saturday Direction: South Zodiac Sign: Scorpio Chakra: 6th Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) Energy: Yin Gender: Masculine Rune: Isa Tarot: the Devil, Death Sabbat or Holiday:  the Waning Moon, Solar Eclipse with a Full or New Moon Deity or God / Goddess Association: Circe, Hecate, Diana, Hathor, Saturn, Venus, Aphrodite, Pasithea   Parts Used:  Root Description:   **CAUTION! NOT FOR INTERNAL USE!** All parts of the Mandragora species are poisonous (including the leaves, seeds, berries, and roots)! Mandrake (Mandragora Officinarum) is a species of perennial plant included in the Mandragora genus and nightshade family (Solanaceae). All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids like hyoscyamine, scopolamine, atropine, and mandragorine which have an intense affect on the central nervous system. These alkaloids make the plant poisonous due to their anticholinergic, hallucinogenic, and hypnotic effects. Large amounts used internally excite delirium and madness. In sufficient quantities it induces a state of unconsciousness. Even incorporating into incense may cause noxiousness. **SEE MORE CAUTION INFORMATION BELOW** Mandrake root was used as a soporific (sleep inducing) and pain-killing plant for many hundreds of years. The root is hallucinogenic and narcotic. In ancient Rome was used as an anesthetic and painkiller for surgery. In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains. It was also used to treat melancholy, convulsions, and mania. When large amounts were used internally it excited delirium and madness. Mandrake was also used during ancient times as an aphrodisiac. Wild mandrake root is used in the pharmaceutical industry for various purposes, most notably in wart creams and salves. Dandelion sap is also used for warts. American mandrake is being tested as a possible treatment for cancer as it contains podophyllotoxin, which has an antimiotic effect (it interferes with cell division and can thus prevent the growth of cells). In the past, mandrake was used as a strong laxative and purgative, which means fluids would be emptied from all orifices in a most unpleasant way. Currently, mandrake is sometimes used by substance abusers for its hallucinogenic properties which sometimes results in poisoning and severe effects including coma and death. Historical Uses:  hallucinogenic, narcotic, pain-killer, anesthesia, warts, anti-cancer, laxative, purgative Mystical Attributes:  The common name of “mandrake” comes from the words “man,” i.e., human (because of the anthropomorphic image of the root) and “drake” (alluding to the magical powers of its hallucinogenic properties). Mandrake is considered a powerful herb in magical and spiritual practices. Some use mandrake root to boost their psychic or intuitive abilities. It is thought to open the Third Eye and increase sensitivity to spiritual energies. It is used in divination rituals and is also used to enhance creativity. It is burned as incense or placed on the divination tool to heighten spiritual insights. Mandrake was also an ingredient often used in flying ointments, and is used quite often by witches and magicians. Dolls made of mandrake roots have been kept to aid the household and answer important questions. Possession of one of these dolls could be used as evidence during witch trials. During her trial in 1431, Joan of Arc was accused of having a mandrake about her person and the suggestion helped send her to the stake. Because the shape of Mandrake roots often resemble human figures, they have been associated with a variety of religious and spiritual practices throughout history. They have long been used in magic rituals, today also in contemporary Pagan practices such as Wicca and Heathenry. The human-shaped root can be used as a poppet for sympathetic magic. It can also be carved into various shapes for magical use. In the past, mandrake was often made into amulets which were believed to bring good fortune and increase fertility. Mandrakes are mentioned in the Christian bible when Leah bought a night with Jacob from Rachel with some mandrakes, which Rachel wanted to help her conceive. Some say that the golden apples of the mandrake were the same golden apples that belonged to Aphrodite. In some love and attraction spells, mandrake berries and roots are used to enhance one’s allure and romantic prospects. It might be included in love charm bags, mojo bags, or candle spells with a focus on attracting love or enhancing an existing relationship. It is also used in aphrodisiac spells. In one superstition called Mandrake’s Curse, people who pulled up this root would be condemned to hell, and the mandrake would scream as it was pulled from the ground, killing anyone who heard it. The plant was said to grow under the gallows of murderers, sprung from the bodily drippings of criminals and to shriek when dug up. The sound would kill a man or drive him insane. In ancient times people would tie an animal to the plant so the animal would pull it out of the ground and die in their place. Mandrake is believed to help restore people who have been transfigured or cursed to their original state. It is used in exorcisms and to prevent demonic possession. The Anglo-Saxons considered mandrake (as well as periwinkle) the definitive herbs for use in cases of demonic possession. And is sometimes used for spiritual purification and cleansing rituals employed to remove negative energies or obstacles. A dried mandrake root placed on the mantel will protect and bring happiness and prosperity to the household as well as prevent demons from entering. Placed on top of money, mandrake will make it multiply. The Female roots are the most valuable and believed to be a useful charm to promote luck and wealth. Mandrake is highly poisonous, making if useful for hexing, banishing and justice spells, and for spells to cause delirium and madness. Mandrake intensifies magic in any situation. Some legends say that you can harvest mandrake only after sunset, or that you must draw a circle with a sword or wand three times around the plant before harvesting. Once harvested, a witch must wash it in wine and wrap it in silk for storage. Mystical Intentions:  hallucinogenic, psychic ability, intuition, insight, spiritual sensitivity, divination, creativity, sympathetic magic, fertility, attraction, love spells, finding a lover, aphrodisiac spells, curse breaking, hex breaking, exorcism, demonic possession, purification, cleansing, removing obstacles, banishing negative energies, money, fortune, wealth, cursing, hexing, dark magic, baneful magic, justice spells, boosting magical energy Smell:  Mandrake fruit incense generally smells like a strong red apple with a fruity heart, often described as resiny. Some mention a hint of basil or a green, foresty aroma. The scent is described as intoxicating and sweet. Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean region with a thick upright root, often branched. It is native to regions around the Mediterranean Sea, within the borders of Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco in north Africa; southern Spain, southern Portugal, Italy including Sardinia and Sicily, former Yugoslavia, Greece and Cyprus in southern Europe; southern Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestine region in the Levant. Mandrake is usually found in open habitats, such as light woodland and disturbed sites, including olive groves, fallow land, waysides, railway embankments and ruins, from sea level to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet). American Mandrake grows wild in damp Eastern North American woodlands from southern Maine to Florida, and west to Texas and Minnesota. American Mandrake flowers in April and early May. The fruit is produced in the early summer but ripens in the summer months. Mandrake grows well in moist peaty or leafy soils, in shade, part shade, or deep shade; in rich woods, thickets and pastures. Sow seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in a cold frame in early spring. The seed germinates in 1-4 months at 15°C. Transplant out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least two growing seasons. Plant them out into their permanent locations in the garden in winter when the plants are dormant. Division can be done in March/April. The root is harvested in the autumn after foliage dies back and either dried for later use or the resin is extracted. Store dried roots and root pieces in a cool dry place. The ovate leaves arranged in a rosette are very variable in size and shape, which a maximum length of 45 cm (18 inches). They are usually either elliptical in shape or wider towards the end (obovate), with varying degrees of hairiness. The bell-shaped flowers appear from autumn to spring (September to April). They are borne in the axils of the leaves. The five sepals are 6-28 mm (0.2 – 1.1 inches) long, fused together at the base and then forming free lobes to about a half to two-thirds of their total length. The five petals are greenish-white to pale blue or violet in color, 12-65 mm (0.5 – 2.6 inches) long, and, like the sepals, joined together at the base with free lobes at the end. The lobes are between half as long as the petals to almost as long. The five stamens are joined to the bases of the petals and vary in length from 7-15 mm (0.3 – 0.6 inches). The anthers of the stamens are usually yellow or brown, but are sometimes pale blue. The plant has almost no stem. The flowers are followed by berries which form in late autumn to early summer (November to June) and are shaped like a globe or an ellipsoid (i.e., longer than wide), with a very variable diameter of 5-40 mm (0.2 – 1.6 inches). When ripe, the fruit is glossy and yellow to orange, somewhat resembling a small tomato. It contains yellow to light brown seeds, 2.5-6 mm (0.1 – 0.24 inches) long. CAUTIONS, Contraindications & Toxicity: CAUTION! Not for internal use! Contains deliriant hallucinogenic tropane alkaloids which cause delirium and hallucinations. WARNING! Keep out of reach of children and pets. CAUTION! Anticholinergic properties can lead to asphyxiation. CAUTION! Ingestion of Mandrake root is likely to have other adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhea. CAUTION! Accidental poisoning can occur. Internal use can cause coma and death. As little as 3-6 mg is lethal for an adult. CAUTION! Consumption can cause other symptoms of poisoning including incoherence, loss of consciousness, blurred vision, dilation of pupils (mydriasis), dryness of the mouth, difficulty urinating, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, thirst, inflammation of the stomach and intestines, blushing and a rapid heart rate (tachycardia), muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, renal failure, seizures, convulsions, hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis, and hyperactivity. CAUTION! Do not handle or use if pregnant or nursing or trying to conceive. Birth defects, fetal death, and stillbirth have been associated with use of mandrake during pregnancy. Topical application may cause skin irritation and chemical burns.   Constituents: Atropine Hyoscyamine Scopolamine (hyoscine) Scopine Cuscohygrine Apoatropine 3-alpha-tigloyloxytropane 3-alpha 6-beta-ditigloyloxytropane Belladonnines Sitosteral Beta-methylesculetin (scopoletin)     Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product. PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. 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