An ancient used herb, Mandrake’s history in love potions dates back to the Biblical period. By the Middle Ages, Mandrake had attained a powerful and sinister reputation. The early medieval period polymath Hildegard of Bingen in her treatise on the use of Mandrake describes the herb as being either in male and female form, each form being available for ailments of either female or male origin.

Medieval pharmacology stipulated that nature had hidden clues to medically effective drugs in their resemblance to the human body. For example Bingen notes that the throat of the mandrake would be used for relieving ailments or pain in the throat.

Later medieval herbal thought would warn of its shrieking power to make a person go mad when attempting to dig it up, therefore prescribing using a hungry dog tied to the plant wherein the dog is tempted by a piece of meat out of reach. Also due to its human looking form, Mandrake was considered as a powerful fertility aid, especially when worn.

Handcast from handmade mold, taken from 18th and 19th century medicine bottles.