The following podcast contains audio extracted from videos on the Harry Potter Theory YouTube

channel.

Hey everyone, welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory.

Today we're going to be discussing the intersection of Muggle and Magical, taking a look at

some magical aspects of the wizarding world that also happen

to exist in our own world?

From people to magical objects, join me as we unravel the magic that has existed around

us all along.

Mandrakes.

Remember those human-like roots in the Chamber of Secrets that looked eerily like human

babies?

Well, they're real plants.

Mandraks, genus Mandragora, come from a genus of six species of hallucinogenic plants in

the Nightshade family, native to the Mediterranean region and the Himalayas.

Mandrakes have a long history and folklore and traditional medicine, with their roots used

as an anesthetic, aphrodisiac, and hallucinogen.

They aren't deadly like their magical counterparts, but their effects can be dangerous if

misused.

While the Harry Potter filmmakers took some liberties with their physical appearance, they aren't

too far off.

Nicola Flamele. Remember the creator of the philosopher's stone, Nicola Flammel? Well,

he was a real person. Admittedly, the Harry Potter story took a few liberties with his identity,

...