The Mandragora, or Mandrake in English, is often found in European Folklore, describing a plant whose roots have magical powers, protecting its owner from evil spirits. It is said that the Odyssey’s sorceress Circe used it both in her potions and to turn men into pigs.
But the most interesting aspect of the Mandragora is, of course, the similarity between the shape of its roots the human figure or the shape of human legs.
We believe that was the characteristic that inspired countless tales.
It is very dangerous to uproot it because, according to legend, “(…)when the root is dug up, it screams and kills all who hear it”. Josephus explains how to do it: “A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this, the root can be handled without fear.”