Female Mandrake - Medieval Marginalia - Tote Bag

A female mandrake from Gart der Gesundheit, Germany, 1487. The mandrake, a human-shaped root, was believed to have medicinal properties but was dangerous to harvest, as its scream was said to cause death or madness. It was safely harvested by tying a starved dog to it. The dog, lured by meat, pulled it out while the master stayed at a safe distance, returning once the screaming stopped.