Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum)Mandrake InformationMandragora officinarum is the botanical name of the plant more commonly known as mandrake. The Mandragora genus that Mandragora officinarum belongs to is part of the Solanaceae family, more commonly known as the nightshade or potato family of plants. All species in the Mandragora genus are commonly called mandrake. The Solanaceae family also includes belladonna, brugmansia, capsicum (used to make paprika and chili pepper), eggplant, jimsonweed, petunia, potato, tobacco, and tomato plants. In older botanical classifications, the mandrake plant was considered a species belonging to the Atropa genus. It was given the name Atropa mandragora. However, more recent botanical classifications put mandrake in the Mandragora genus, under the name Mandragora officinarum. Scientific Classification Of Mandragora officinarum The Mandragora genus is thought to have originated in the warmer parts of Europe. Today plants in the genus are cultivated by humans in various parts of the globe where the temperature does not get lower than about 5 degrees fahrenheit. Mandrake has a long history of being employed by humans for magical, medicinal, and mind altering purposes. In Europe and the Middle East written references date back thousands of years. In some instances mandrake is associated with being an aphrodisiac, or in some way related to copulation, or to ensure conception of a child. Chemistry Of Mandragora officinarumAs with other related plants from the Solanaceae family that are consumed for their psychoactive effect, the primary active chemicals found in Mandragora officinarum are hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and atropine. All parts of the mandrake plant will contain some amount of psychoactive compounds, but the largest concentration of alkaloids can be found in the root and leaves. After consuming small doses of mandrake there is sometimes a sense that something important is going to happen. Effects of consuming larger doses of mandrake can include intense thirst, headaches, nausea, fever, high blood pressure, dry mucous membranes, difficulty swallowing and speaking, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, hyperthermia (heatstroke), confusion, agitation, combative behavior, and hallucinations. How To Use MandrakeMandrake is a member of the potato or nightshade family, and like most other members of the family it can be toxic. Sometimes small doses of mandrake are mildly pleasant, but at larger doses sizes losing touch with reality and hallucinations are common. The hallucinations experienced by people that consume mandrake often include delirium, delusions, disorientation, and incoherent speech. At these high dose levels, users often do not recall what happened. Those who do remember will generally say it was a negative experience. Larger doses than those that produce hallucinations can cause unconsciousness or death. Ingesting mandrake is not recommended, if you decide on trying it, do so with extreme caution. Mandrake may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you decide to try it, do so in a place where you have access to a toilet. The root and leaves can be eaten or smoked. Some people report a pleasant experience when mandrake is smoked, by itself or combined with tobacco or marijuana. Smoking is the mildest form of ingestion. Effects are felt within a few minutes, duration is shorter, and the negative side effects are minimal when compared with other methods of consumption. To make mandrake tea, start at a dose of a gram of plant material or less, if stronger effects are required you can increase the dose (by a gram or less) each time you try, waiting a week or more between attempts. When consumed as tea, sugar or honey can be added to somewhat mask the bad taste. See this for more information about making herbal tea and other methods of consuming herbs. Effects occur within 30-180 minutes after ingestion. Peak effects can last 24-36 hours and usually include hallucinations, lesser symptoms and visual disturbances can continue for 72 hours or more. Negative thoughts can persist for weeks after doses that are strong enough to cause hallucinations. If you are interested in pursuing a relationship with this plant but can't find a local supply, you can buy mandrake here. They ship from the USA to most countries. copyright © www.a1b2c3.com/drugs/ Books The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: |
