Alraunwurzel

Six species of short-stemmed, rosette-forming perennials belong to this genus, which is distributed through Mediterranean regions to the Himalayas. Mandragora officinarum is an interesting, early flowering subject for a dry sunny border. The mandrake is a strange plant, both in appearance and associations, with a forked root that resembles the human form and was once esteemed as an aphrodisiac and cure for sterility. Its narcotic, hallucinogenis properties were exploited in witchcraft and magic ritual during ancient and medieval times. According to folklore, digging up a mandrake causes the plant to shriek, scaring the perpetrator to death; hence the tradition of tying a dog to the root for the final pull. Like the closely related Atropa bella-donna (See, deadly nightshade) and Hyoscyamus niger (See, henbane), M. officinarum is poisonous, containing potent sedative and painkilling alkaloids. In sufficient quantities, these compounds induce unconsciousness, an effect utilized in early surgery. Mandragora officinarum became an official homeopathic preparation in 1877, and is rarely used for any other purpose today; M. officinarum should not be confused with Podophyllum peltatum, (See, American mandrake), a major medicinal herb, often loosely referred to as mandrake. Mandragora autumnalis (autumn mandrake) is slightly smaller with a different flowering time and distribution; it has similar properties. Mandragora is the plant's ancient Greek name and may be a corruption of the Assyrian nam tar ira, "male drug of Namtar" since the plant was reputed to cure sterility.

Ancient Israeli tribes, always outnumbered by hostile neighbors, used mandrake to help ensure their marriages would be be fruitful and their ranks would increase. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, mandrake was associated with sex and fertiity, which may explain why it's also known as Satan's apple. Used by Native Americans as a laxative and to remove intestinal parasites, in modern times mandrake root has been investigated as a possible treatment for leukemia.

Stemless perennial with a fleshy tap root and spreading rosettes of broadly ovate, wavy-margined leaves, to 30cm (12in) long. Greenish white to violet, upward-facing, bell-shaped flowers, to 2.5cm (1in) across, are borne at ground level in spring, as the new leaves emerge, followed by aromatic, spherical, yellow fruits, to 3cm (1¼in) across.


Common Name:
Alraunwurzel
Other Names:
Mandragora, Mandrake, Satan's Apple
Botanical Name:
Mandragora officinarum
Genus:
Mandragora
Family:
Solanaceae
Native Locations:
N Italy, W Balkans, Greece, and W Turkey
Cultivation:
Deep, light, well-drained soil, around pH7, in a sunny, sheltered position. Resents root disturbances. Dislikes cold, wet conditions in winter. Prone to damage by slugs and snails.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe; by root cuttings in winter.
Harvest:
Roots are collected during dormancy and grated fresh for extraction of juice, or dried for use in decoctions.
Height:
30cm (12in)
Width:
60cm (24in)
Hardiness:
Z6-8
Warning:
Toxic if eaten.
This herb is subject to legal restrictions in some countries.
Parts Used:
Roots, Whole Plant
Properties:
A sedative, painkilling herb that has purgative and emetic effects.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally, used formerly as a painkiller, aphrodisiac, and treatment for nervous disorder. Externally for ulcers, and rheumatic or arthritic pain. For use by qualified practitioners.
To treat stomach ulcers, hay fever, whooping cough, and asthma.
Possible Side Effects:
Mandrake's side effects include drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, decreased sweating, overheating, and flushing.
Drug Interactions:
Taking mandrake with these drugs may increase the therapeutic and/or adverse effects of the drug:
Atropine, (Isopto Atropine, Sal-Tropine)
Benztropine, (Apo-Benztropine, Cogentin)
Clidinium and Chlordiazepoxide, (Apo-Chlorax, Librax)
Cyclopentolate, (Cyclogyl, Cylate)
Dicyclomine, (Bentyl, Lomine)
Glycopyrrolate, (Robinul, Robinul Forte)
Homatropine, (Isopto Homatropine)
Hyoscyamine, (Hyosine, Levsin)
Hyoscyamine, Atropine, Scopolamine, and Phenobarbital, (Donnatal, Donnatal Extentabs)
Ipratropium, (Atrovent, Nu-Ipratropium)
Oxitropium, (Oxivent, Tersigat)
Prifinium, (Padrin, Riabel)
Procyclidine, (Kemadrin, Procyclid)
Propantheline, (Propanthel)
Scopolamine, (Scopace, Transderm Scop)
Tiotropium, (Spiriva)
Tolterodine, (Detrol, Detrol LA)
Trihexyphenidyl, (Apo-Trihex)
Trimethobenzamide, (Tigan)
Disease Effects:
May worsen coronary artery disease, rapid heart rate, congestive heart failure, elevated blood pressure, stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal ailments, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), narrow-angle glaucoma, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), liver disease, or kidney disease.
Supplement Interactions:
May increase positive and negative effects of herbs and supplements that have anticholinergic effects, such as Belladonna, Henbane, and Scopolia.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 271
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.328-329