Mandrake has a very long history of use as a sacred herb. The root of Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) is thought to take on almost a human form. It has been used in association with magic in European folklore.

Mandragora occicinarum (Mandrake) was a common admixture in witches' brews. Mandrake contains extremely large amounts of tropane alkaloids and should be regarded as poisonous. It was often carried for protection and luck.