MANDRAKE, Atropa mandragora.
Usul-ul-lufab, . . ARAB. Mandragen,. . . GER.
Aztrung„ . . . „ Mandragola, . . . Ir.
Tuhfah-us-shaitan, „ Lufahat, . . . MALAY.
Serag-ul-koshrob, „ Mardam-i-giah, . PERS.
Yebruj, . . . . Yabruz, Yabrukh, Lakmuna, Lalanuni, HIND. Kaat-juti, . . . Thu. Mandragore, . . FR.
The mandragora or mandrake, the fetid root of which was so celebrated in the magic rites and toxicology of the ancients, is known in the bazars of Central Asia and the north of India. It has various names, arising from its fancied resemblance to the human form. It was formerly an article of the materia medics. of Europe, but is now ex ploded, though the leaves are still sometimes employed in preparing anodyne fomentations. The Arabians place the root, which they call Usul ul-lufah, amongst their most powerful cathartics, and also suppose it to be of use as an antispasmodic. What of it is found in India is probably brought from Persia or Arabia. It is found in many parts of the south of Europe, is of poisonous qualities.
Lufah is the plant. Tuhfah-us-shaitan is the fruit. Its properties are identical in nature with those of Atropa belladonna, but weaker, in conse quence of drying and decomposition of the atropin. The mandrakes of Genesis xxx. 14, are generally supposed to be the root oLMandragora otlicinalis.
Calmet regards dudaim and plantains as citrons ; but violets, lilies, jasmines have all been named. The Chinese physicians assert that this plant possesses the faculty of renovating exhausted constitutions. Some nations have believed that the root of the mandrake, if wholly dislodged from the ground, becomes the good genius of the possessor, not only curing a host of maladies, but discovering hidden treasures, doubling the amount of money locked up in a box, keeping off evil spirits, acting as a love-charm, and rendering several other notable services. — O'Sh. p. 466 ; Hogg, p. 552; Faulkner ; Ain. p. 26; Calmet.