The Torah Temimah explains the Talmud as referring to aromatic plants for which a berachah must be said. Rashi regards it as the jasmine, Hertz as a love-apple. However he does not know why it promotes conception. Two points emerge. The plant was considered an aphrodisiac, which seems to originate with the root of the word in Hebrew, dod, which means love, friendship, as in lechah dodi, and possibly through its shape.
Various legends surround the mandrake.
The spot where this plant grows is where Jacob escaped from Esau. Iago in Shakespeare's Othello credits the plant with soporific properties. It is slightly poisonous, and according to a view, contains traces of hyoscine, a muscle relaxant administered occasionally with other materia medica at a crucifixion. The underlying motivation in administering reproof should be the sense of responsibility and concern Jews feel for their co-religionists. The moral responsibility to admonish extends to any individual who has it in his power to correct an offender's guilt.