Mandrake

Mandrake is a turf plant can be found in Mediterranean countries, with large leaves and a forked root that looks like the open legs of a human being who stands upright. Unique species in the world is the Mandrake of Rhodes because of the different color of its blossoms (mauve-white).

The legends tells about the self-punishment of a man, who fell in love with a fairy and when she lost her life, he willingly followed her and asked to be buried upright next to her and whenever somebody tries to uproot him from beside her, he cries out a wail that is capable to kill or turn one's brain if will not keep his ears covered, at the moment.

Ancient people had this expression for those who were sleeping very deep: "sleeps under the mandrake" and from this plant hypnotic and spasmolytic medicines are made.

According to other traditions, mandrake heals the barren women. It was also believed that if one drank the decoction of its root he/she would give labor to male children and thus it is also called the "maleherb".

ITS MYTH AND MAGIC

In the middle ages this plant was called the "apple of Satan" and it was believed that could cause insaneness. It was also believed that under the tree where a hanging would take place, a mandrake would sprout from the sperm of the hanged.