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Mandrake is still used occasionally in homeopathic and folk medicine and has applications in modern witchcraft and occult practices. After the plant had been freed from the earth, it could be used for beneficent purposes, such as healing, inducing love, facilitating pregnancy, and providing soothing sleep. In medieval times it was thought that as the mandrake was pulled from the ground, it uttered a shriek that killed or drove mad those who did not block their ears against it. Human hands were not to come in contact with the plant. It was believed that the mandrake could be safely uprooted only in the moonlight, after appropriate prayer and ritual, by a black dog attached to the plant by a cord. Its root was thought to be in the power of dark earth spirits. In ancient times it was used as a narcotic and an aphrodisiac, and it was also believed to have certain magical powers. The flowers emerge in a cluster from the center of the plant. The best-known species, Mandragora officinarum, has long been known for its poisonous properties. Mandrakes are stemless, perennial herbs with large taproots that can grow up to two feet in length. You may know that rice is the seed of a plant, but what is the world’s oldest known plant? Which kind of plant can be an annual, biennial, or perennial? Dig deep and unearth the answers in this quiz.
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Learn about the major environmental problems facing our planet and what can be done about them!
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COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.Mandrake roots are also much lighter and cheaper than cure disease potions. It has cure disease as its first effect, which can be used to cure diseases by eating it raw. #WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find. Mandrake Root is an ingredient in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.
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The necropolis of Fen Carn is said to have an unusually large.
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Britannica Classics Check out these retro videos from Encyclopedia Britannica’s archives.
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