# On Mandrake Potion
### The rambling musings of the wizard Lam#8531 as pertain to all things mandrake


Perhaps we should start with a classical definition of a mandrake. According to wikipedia a "...mandrake is the root of a plant, historically derived either from plants of the genus Mandragora found in the Mediterranean region, or from other species, ...which have similar properties. The plants from which the root is obtained are also called "mandrakes". Mediterranean mandrakes are perennial herbaceous plants with ovate leaves arranged in a rosette, a thick upright root, often branched, and bell-shaped flowers followed by *yellow* or *orange* berries..."(1).

#### Could it be possible that the *yellow and orange berries* are what gives FRWC Mandrake Potion its orange glow?

There exist many historical and mythical accounts of the Mandrake root being used in the preparation of potions and tonic but rarely do we hear of the fruits being ingested.

The plant genus Mandragora belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae) which are colloquially known as "hexing herbs" and contain anticholinergic alkaloids. More specifically these plants contain the alkaloids hyoscyamine/atropine and scopolamine that allow them to be used as medicine, poison or intoxicant (2).

Anticholinergic alkaloids refer to alkaloids responsible for managing or mitigating the neurotransmitters known as acetylcholine in the parasympathetic nervous system.


A study in 2021 showed that there was a correlation acetylcholine and changes in states of consciousness (3). The two most dramatic examples of human states of consiousness are the waking and dreaming states. Could there be a correlation between dream manipulation and the Mandrake Potion from the Runiverse? (my Dream Master thinks yes).


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Other researchers on the topic point out that "During the middle ages in Europe, belladonna or deadly nightshade assumed importance in witchcraft and magic. Mandrake Mandragoza officinarum became famous in magic and witchcraft due to its powerful narcotic effects. The root of this plant is likened to a human body and this extraordinary resemblance led to the early belief that excercised great supernatural power over the human body and mind"(4).

So it may be possible that the belief of having supernatural power of one's body is responsible for the historical use of mandrake root as an aphrodisiac. They go on to mention accounts that "...mandrake was revered as far back as genesis for its alleged aphrodisiac powers and its use as a drug persists even today. In Greece, Circe stirred mandrake into her potion for turning men into swine. Because its forked roots resemble legs, the mandrake was often depicted in medieval Europe as a tiny human figure, as in 1498 French drawing of a 'Female root'"(4).



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The claim that mandrake is still used today as an aphrodisiac today in not cited but is fascinating lore nontheless. Could the FRWC Mandrake Potion possibly have narcotic and aphrodesiac properties in addition to channeling altered states of consciousness and dream manipulation?

## *You bet your ass it does*
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Thank you for reading if you made it this far!

My motivation behind researching some mandrake lore is my main wizard: *Sorcerer Ifran of the Ether #1115*. He is a Dream Master that has no familiar and no rune. All Ifran has left in the Runiverse is his Mandrake Potion. This led me to believe that he has forsaken all other worldly pleasures and companionship to persue a life devoted to the study and mastery of mandrake magic. This might be due to him not being able to differentiate from the waking and dreaming states since he simultaneous exists within both worlds at all times. Or possibly he spent his life perfecting this particular Mandrake Potion to allow others in the Runiverse to see and experience the world as he does.

#### Side effects to consuming Sorcerer Ifran's Mandrake Potion include, but are not limited to, intense hallucinations, uncontrollable horniness, all around ecstasy, soul separation and death.

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Sauces:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrake
2. Fatur, K. “Hexing Herbs” in Ethnobotanical Perspective: A Historical Review of the Uses of Anticholinergic Solanaceae Plants in Europe. Econ Bot 74, 140–158 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-020-09498-w
3. Brito MA, Li D, Fields CW, Rybicki-Kler C, Dean JG, Liu T, Mashour GA, Pal D. Cortical Acetylcholine Levels Correlate With Neurophysiologic Complexity During Subanesthetic Ketamine and Nitrous Oxide Exposure in Rats. Anesth Analg. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000005835. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34928887. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34928887/
4. Aulakh, Gian Singh, and Tapan Mukerjee. "Plants associated with withcraft and evil eye." Ancient science of life 4.1 (1984): 58. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3331491/pdf/ASL-4-58.pdf