Subject: mandragora officinarum (mandrake)

From: [email-masked] (Shlomo)
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 1996 13:22:54 GMT

Does anyone have any information concerning the Mandragora's fruit?
Please reply if it's eatable at all.

								thnx,
								Shlomo Ben David.

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From: [email-masked] (Dr. Peter Bachmann)
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 11:47:17 +0100

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked]
(Shlomo) wrote:

>                                                                 Shlomo
Ben David.

Don't try it !!!!!!
Plants of the genus Mandragora synthesise tropan alkaloids eg. Hyoscamaine
(atropine). All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Peter

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From: Henk van Velthooven <[email-masked]>
Date: 22 Apr 1996 22:31:55 GMT

>(atropine). All parts of the plant are poisonous.

You're right. Mandragora is, like Belladonna, deadly. But isn't nicotine, 
alcohol, heroine too? People who are seeking information about these 
plants in this newsgroup only receive warnings as an answer.I thought this 
newsgroup had an other purpose. Especially when it concerns (in this 
case) the holy herbs of the European witches. There are amazing stories 
that has to be told. And practical information like the save ways to use 
these herbs. (however, save or not, the psychoactive impact of these herbs 
is very heavy. A warning indeed) Furthermore, there is a kind of 
Mandragora that isn't deadly. 

My point. We got governments to warn us. Let us be practical and 
objective and try to rediscover the information the witches once had.

Henk.

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From: [email-masked] (Dr. Peter Bachmann)
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 13:02:25 +0100

> >(atropine). All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Dear Henk,
I hate to do this, but I think there are a few things to reply:

> newsgroup had an other purpose. 

If somebody is asking, if he can eat a Mandragora fruit it is necessary to
say 'NO' - or do you like to be responsible for a dead person?

> Especially when it concerns (in this 
> is very heavy. A warning indeed)

Sorry, but there is no save use of psychoactive compounds for everybody.
That is why we are educate medicine and pharmacy at our universities and
asking for diplomas.

> Furthermore, there is a kind of Mandragora that isn't deadly. 

The name Mandragora (if written in this way, starting with a capital
letter) clearly indicate the genus Mandrogora of the family Solanaceae. If
you believe it or not, but all members of this genus are toxic !!!!!! It
is only possible to discuss how many species are belonging to the genus
(if you are a  taxonomic 'splitter' or 'lumper').
> objective and try to rediscover the information the witches once had.

There is nothing to rediscover. All what you need is a simple textbook
about poisonous plants and/or pharmacology. Also a lot of witches recipies
are published. So nobody will hinder you to try it. But remember - one of
the effect is often, that you will think you are able to fly. So better go
to the basement without any windows if you like to poison yourself.

And I'm very sorry, but I don't understand, what a government has to do
with this. You are responsible to answer these dangerous questions if you
see them, not to wait for your government

Good Health

Peter