Monday, December 29, 2008

Mandrakes

These are the duda'im of the Bible. They're supposed to increase fertility.

4 comments:

Leora said...

Neat. This is what Yehuda picked for Leah?

For some reason, I think they show up in the Harry Potter series. In the Chamber of Secrets, with Prof. Sprout.

Batya said...

yes, that's it. There are a number of the plants growing in Shiloh. but off-hand, I thought it was Reuven. Must check the Bible.

My neighbor, a retired dr, pointed it out.

Anonymous said...

What are you supposed to do with them to increase fertility?

Batya said...

I "asked" (http://www.ask.com/?&o=10181&l=dir) and found nothing specific, but it's potent, probably taken in very small quantities as a tea or part of a potion. http://www.wildflowers.co.il/english/plant.asp?ID=10

And Leora, it was Reuven, Leah's first born who had gotten the plant.