The myth of the mandrake (Mandragora Officinarum) is an ancient one. It's roots go back to medieval Europe although it has an even more ancient tradition that the one I'm about to explain. I'm sure that most people are familiar with the mandrake but for those few who are unsure then this article is for you. It needs to be understood first and foremost that the mandrake is POISONOUS. It has hallucinogenic properties if used correctly and I'm not going to elaborate on that. The reason for the mandrake's popularity in Occult use is because how the root is shaped. It's believed that the mandrake has great power because the root has a human shape. The mandrake can be either male or female depending on how the roots are divided. The female appears to be spreading her legs. There's an American version of the mandrake called the mayapple but the European mandrake is the one this article will be focusing on.
It brought a smile to my face when I saw the mandrake portrayed in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. For many youths first getting into the Occult, Harry Potter may be the only impression of the mandrake. This is how the legend goes. It was believed that the mandrake could be used as a powerful familiar possessed by a spirit. Uprooting the plant brought it so much pain that it's shriek would kill anyone who heard it's terrible wail. The earth around the mandrake was made lose and a dog was used to pull it from the ground tied with a thread (or rope) between the dog and the plant. The master of the mandrake was far removed from the location with wax stuffed into his ears to deafen the sound of the shrieking creature. Of coarse the dog who uprooted the mandrake would be found dead.
Another part of that myth which isn't commonly spoken states that if you wrap the mandrake in silk and bath it in wine that the gift of speech would be granted. Much of this lore comes from Jewish myth written by Joshephus who was an early Christian historian. In all actuality the mandrake doesn't entirely resemble human form. What are often called the legs can be numerous roots spread out. The mandrake was used as an aphrodisiac and in some cases to numb the pain of those who were sick, in fact the mandrake root was a powerful narcotic. If there was an overdose of the mandrake the victim often fell into insane madness and anyone who beheld such a spectacle would assume that this man or woman fell under the spell of the Devil. The legend which surrounds the mandrake is based on a combination of myth and fact but myth often overshadows fact from fiction. However, I suppose that a mandrake can truly be used as a familiar by inhabiting a spirit within the root itself. This would make a good experiment. If you're fortunate enough to own a mandrake I would highly recommend this.