Mandragora officinarum

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Mandragora officinarum L.

Solanaceae

  • Mandragora autumnalis
  • Mandrake
  • beid el-jen بيض الجن
  • jabruh جبروح
  • shuja' شجاع
  • tuffah al-najm تفاح النجم
  • tuffah majan تفاح المجن
  • duda refu'i
  • דּוּדָא רְפוּאִי

Hemicryptophyte

  • Batha
  • Phrygana
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and other botanical details.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Mandragora officinarum L.

System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use
Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/ Administration
Parts Used
Source
Cancer

Cancer

Anti-carcinogenic

1. Eat ripe fruit
2. Decoct roots & drink x1 cup /day. (TOXIC See CAUTIONS.)

Fruit, Root B
Gastrointestinal

Stomach ulcer

Anti-ulcer

Eat ripe fruits. (See CAUTIONS.)

Fruit B
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Urinary tract infections

Anti-Infective

Decoct roots & drink x1 cup/day until well. (TOXIC See CAUTIONS.)

Root B
Mens Health/ Sexuality

Impotence

Aphrodisiac

Decoct roots & drink x1 cup /day. (TOXIC See CAUTIONS.)

Root B
Musculoskeletal/ Joints

Knee pain

Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory

Mash fruit + leek (Allium porrum), spread on cloth & apply locally.

Fruit Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints

Rheumatism

Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory

Apply juice of roots to affected area.

Root B
Women`s Health/ Reproductive Health

Female infertility

Fertility

Use fruit. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) (TOXIC See CAUTIONS.)

Fruit Z

Other Uses

Mandragora officinarum L.

System/State Complaint / Use Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/Administration
Parts Used
Source
Veterinary

Induce hatching in chicken

Hatching

Feed seeds to chickens.

Seed Z

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

Cautions

Mandragora officinarum is toxic with roots & leaves especially poisonous. Alkaloids are responsible for its toxicity including anticholinergic, hallucinogenic & hypnotic activity. Symptoms include asphyxiation, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, pupil dilatation, dryness of mouth, difficulty urinating, dizziness, headache, vomiting, blushing, rapid heart rate, hyperactivity & hallucinations.