When it comes to mandrake, for some reason many people have thoughts about magic and witchcraft. Immediately recalls the plots of science fiction films and stories, which mention how witches at night searched for this miraculous root, and then made a potion from it. And indeed, the name of this plant is very bewitching, magical. There is something supernatural and magical about him. What kind of plant is this? Is it really so magical, since in history there are so many references to the root of the mandrake.
What is this plant
Mandrake is a truly unique plant. She has a huge root. Its length sometimes reaches a meter in depth. It is straight and fat, has two or more branches. Outwardly, the root of the mandrake is somewhat reminiscent of the root of parsnip. The upper part of the plant consists of large, dark green leaves. At first they grow, aspiring to the sun. But, given that their size is more than 10 cm in diameter, under their weight the leaves cover the ground as they grow. Mandrake flowers have a beautiful pale purple color with a purple tint. As it grows from the flowers after, a fruit is formed that resembles a small ripe yellow apple. For all its beauty, the plant emits a fetid odor of hydrogen sulfide. But it is surprising that the ripened mandrake fruit itself has exactly a rich apple flavor.
Mandrake in medicine
The mandrake root, like the plant itself, really has healing properties. Mandragora is widely used in medicine. It helps to cope with diseases, and is also used as sleeping pills. Soothing medicines, painkillers are made from mandrake. It helps those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, experience pain in the joints, muscles. Mandrake tinctures are attributed to those who have neuralgic pain.
The root of the mandrake will help overcome asthma and lung disease. Drink tincture from the plant to facilitate breathing, free the bronchi from mucus that does not allow breathing freely. Also tincture of mandrake helps to remove fluid from the lung sacs.
The root is widely used in folk medicine. Mandrake is one of the main ingredients of tinctures and oils. For example, the mandrake root is crushed (100 grams), and then pour alcohol (400 ml). In order for the tincture to become healing, it is necessary to withstand 15 days. After it is filtered. This tincture is used for pain of various nature, and is also a powerful sleeping pill . You need to take tincture very carefully. 3-10 drops is the norm. If you exceed the specified rate, then poisoning can not be avoided. Also, the resulting tincture is mixed with fat and oil is prepared for external use.
Mandrake root is used to make ointments that help with tumors, swelling, skin diseases, eczema, peeling, ulcers.
Danger of misuse
Medications from mandrake not only benefit, but can also serve as poison. It is enough to take the wrong dose of medicine from the plant. Serious mandrake poisoning can even lead to a coma. If the maximum dose is exceeded, a person immediately feels lethargic, nauseous, and a desire to fall asleep. All this is accompanied by a constant vomiting reflex with painful cramps. Hallucinations, delirium and clouding for some time of reason may occur. That is why taking medications from the mandrake should be very careful, under the supervision of doctors.
In general, having become acquainted with this plant, we can draw one conclusion: the mandrake is really magical. Its juice is healing, and tinctures and oils from it help the sick and needy. But at the same time, one extra drop is enough to turn a plant from a medicine into a poison.