The Voynich Botanical Plants

Folio 44r. Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum). In the Middle Ages the people believed that the forked, parsnip-like taproot of this plant resembling a human form gave the plant magical powers. The aphrodisiac properties of the mandrake are referred to in Genesis. The Romans gave the juice from the root to patients as an anesthetic during operations. Dioscorides describes how it is “given to such as cannot sleep, or are grievously pained, and upon whom are cut or cauterized they wish to make a non feeling pain. He explains who ever eats it is non sensible for 3-4 hours.” (2) (B)