Mandragora autumnalis Health Dictionary

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  2. Mandragora Autumnalis

Mandragora Autumnalis: From 1 Different Sources

Spreng.

Synonym: M. microcarpa Bertol. M. officinarum Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Mediterranean region.

English: Mandrake.

Ayurvedic: Wrongly equated with Lakshmanaa, a fertility promoting herb. (In Indian medicine, Panax quinquefolium Linn. and Panax schinseng Nees have been equated with Lakshmanaa.)

Action: Anaesthetic, narcotic, poisonous. Alkaloid pattern similar to Atropa belladona. A sample of roots from Morocco contained atropine (0.2% at flowering stage).

In India, Panax sp. are perceived as fertility and vitality promoting herbs, which have been attributed to Laksh- manaa. Mandrake exhibits anticholinergic effects.

English Mandrake and American Mandrake are equated with Bryonia alba and Podophyllum hexandrum respectively.
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Bryony

Bryonia alba. N.O. Cucurbitaceae.

Synonym: Bryonia, English Mandrake, Mandragora, Wild Vine.

Habitat: Hedges and thickets.

Features ? Stem rough, hairy, freely branched, climbs several feet by numerous curling tendrils. Leaves vine-like, five- or seven-lobed, coarse and rough. Flowers (May to September), white, green-veined, in axillar panicles. Berries scarlet when ripe. Branched root one to two feet long, white internally and externally. Not to be confused with American Mandrake (q.v.).

Part used ? Root.

Action: Cathartic, hydragogue.

Cough, influenza, bronchitis. Cardiac disorders resulting from rheumatism and gout. Is also used in malarial and zymotic diseases. Dose of the fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm. Large doses to be avoided.... bryony

Chigger

Another name for Trombicula autumnalis, popularly known as the harvest mite (see BITES AND STINGS).... chigger

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