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Mandragora officinarum Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal Information: Mandrake has a long history of medicinal use, though superstition has played a large part in the uses it has been applied to. It is rarely prescribed in modern herbalism[238], though it contains hyoscine which is the standard pre-operative medication given to soothe patients and reduce bronchial secretions[244]. It is also used to treat travel sickness[244]. The fresh or dried root contains highly poisonous alkaloids and is cathartic, strongly emetic, hallucinogenic and narcotic[4, 21, 46, 192, 244]. In sufficient quantities it induces a state of oblivion and was used as an anaesthetic for operations in early surgery[238]. It was much used in the past for its anodyne and soporific properties[4]. In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains, ulcers and scrophulous tumours[244]. It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions and mania[244]. When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delerium and madness[4]. The root should be used with caution, and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[21, 238]. See the notes above on toxicity. The leaves are harmless and cooling. They have been used for ointments and other external applications to ulcers etc[4]. For further Mandragora officinarum gardening information |
