in the middle ages it was considered a magic plant with aphordisiac powers and was often used in potions
in alchemy books it was usually depicted as a man or a child because of the anthropomorphic appearence of its roots
the plant was said to shriek when pulled up, causing madness or death to the seeker unless proper precautions were taken and the rituals for safe handling varies from place to place
the safest way to take the plant out was to tie a dog to it then let the animal roam freely, pull the mandragora, hear the heartbreaking cry and die in his master's place...
