Mandragora officinarum- Mandrake is arguably one of the most magical plants in western plant lore. Native to the Mediterranean and Levant, mandrake was widely known as an aphrodisiac, fertility drug and magical medicine or Pharmakon. It has been used for ceremonial purposes since the time of the ancient Egyptians, where it had a religious significance. Mandrake wine was used to calm Hathor when she was on her bloodthirsty rampage. Morion or mandrake wine was an ancient form of anesthetic used by the Greeks and Romans. It was an ingredient in the Spongia somnifera, or soporific sponge, an inhalational anesthetic used to perform surgical operations before chlorophorm. Mandrake has been known to have effects that are analgesic, sedative, antispasmodic, euphoric and in larger doses entheogenic effects. While it is a nightshade and does contain tropane alkaloids, mandrake is one of the safer nightshades to work with. It can be infused into wine or made into extracts like you see here. It can even be infused into honey. The root is the part that contains the majority of the plants active constituents, however the leaves contain the same occult correspondences and plant spirit medicine and can be used in formulas as well. Mandrake is one of the best plants to work with when you are seeking to begin relationships with familiar spirits. Mandrake is a tutelary spirit and oftentimes acts as a familiar itself. It has been thought to allow one to command and commune with spirits since the time of King Solomon. For these reasons and more, mandrake is one of our most magical plants. #mandrake #mandrakeextract #veneficium #banefulherbs #poisonpath #poisonersapothecary #mandragora #mandragoraofficinarum #magickalmandrake #nightshade #solanaceae #plantspiritmedicine #plantspiritally #entheogens #witchingherbs #witchsgarden #gardenofhekate https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgYisvLVWN/?utm_medium=tumblr