15 Powders to Warm the Stomach
‘All disease begins in the Stomach’ was an aphorism taken from Hippocrates. The ability of the Stomach to digest properly is directly related to the maintenance of Health, and the development of Disease.
Therefore, making sure the Stomach is working properly is of prime importance. Medicines used to warm the Stomach and activate the Qi are used to stimulate digestion and absorption, clear Cold and Damp, and promote movement of food through the Digestive system.
The following are all related formulas traditionally used to warm the Stomach, promote Digestion, restore appetite, increases nutrition, and relieve Wind and bloating.
There are many, many variations, but basically they consist of warming spices along with aromatic seeds of the apiaceae (celery) family. Cinnamon and Ginger are the most important spices, Long Pepper, Mace, Nutmeg, Clove and Cardamon all being common additions.
Fennel and Aniseed are most commonly used of the seeds, these being sweetest and most grateful to taste and the stomach. Cumin, Caraway and Coriander are also often used.
Sugar is often added, or the seeds are used in their confected form. Sweetness is better liked by the Stomach and the sugar acts as a type of buffer to the very warming ingredients. Licorice was sometimes used with sugar, and can be used today in place of sugar, or else Honey can be used to form an Electuary.
These are pleasant, safe medicines for people with poor digestion, nausea, indigestion, bloating etc.
Remember: 3 scruples = 1 dram; 8 drams = 1 oz.
Common Tragea (1)
Cinnamon
Ginger 1 oz. ea.
Clove 1 ½ drams
Annis ½ oz.
Mace 1 dram
Sugar sufficient
Common Tragea (2)
Nutmeg
Coriander seed 2 oz. ea.
Cinnamon
Clove 1 dram ea.
Mace ½ dram
Sugar 3 oz.
Common Tragea (3)
Cinnamon
Ginger ½ oz. ea.
Coriander seed 1 oz. ea.
Nutmeg
Clove
Mace
Galangal 2 drams ea.
Sugar sufficient
Common Tragea (4)
Confected Fennel
Confected Annis
Confected Caraway
Licorice equal parts
Ginger
Long Pepper of each a little
Tragea Grossa
Cinnamon ½ oz. ea.
Ginger 3 drams
Nutmeg 1 ½ oz.
Mace 1 dram
Clove ½ drams
Confected Annis 2 drams
Tragea Grossa for the Stomach
Calamus
Licorice
Gentian 4 oz. ea.
Tormentil
Zedoary
Amomum
Galangal 1 oz. ea.
Ginger
Nutmeg
Long Pepper ½ oz. ea.
Cinnamon
Clove 6 drams ea.
Annis
Fennel
Caraway 1 oz. ea.
Tragea for the Stomach, Head, Lungs and Liver
Cinnamon 1 oz.
Licorice 3 ½ drams
Nutmeg 3 drams
Ginger 3 drams
Galangal
Aniseed 2 drams
Mace
Clove 1 dram ea.
Sugar sufficient
Common Tragea (5)
Cinnamon ½ oz.
Ginger
Clove
Mace
Galangal 2 drams ea.
Calamus
Zedoary 2 scruples ea.
Tabasheer 1 scruple
Imperial Powder
Cinnamon
Ginger 2 drams
Nutmeg
Galangal
Amomum
Cardamon
Long Pepper 1 scruple ea.
Calamus 1 dram
Clove ½ dram
Species Incisa
Licorice 1 oz.
Cinnamon 6 drams
Ginger 5 drams
Calamus 4 drams
Nutmeg
Galangal
Clove 2 drams
Fennel seed
Aniseed
Caraway
Coriander seed 2 oz. ea.
Sugar sufficient
Powder with a suitable amount of sugar.
Tragea Optima
Fennel seed
Caraway
Cumin
Caalmint
Pennyroyal 1 dram ea.
Long Pepper
Indian Spikenard
Mastic
Rock Salt
Licorice
Cardamon ½ dram ea.
Good for the Stomach and Digestion, clears Wind, benefits sight, Vertigo and Stones
Powder to Season Food With
Cinnamon 2 oz.
Ginger 1 oz.
Long Pepper
Galangal
Amomum 2 drams ea.
Cardamon
Nutmeg
Sandalwood
Rose 1 dram ea.
Clove ½ dram
Saffron 1 scruple
Optimal Powder to Have with Food
Greater Cardamon
Lesser Cardamon
Aniseed
Fennel seed
Caraway
Cumin
Zedoary
Sage
Long Pepper
Clove
Saffron 2 drams ea.
Licorice
Nutmeg ½ oz. ea.
Cinnamon 1 oz.
Pennyroyal 2 ½ oz.
Purges the Brain; good against Vertigo, benefits Sight, restores when lost; strengthens digestion, increases appetite, clears intestinal wind, strengthens the cold and in convalescence, strengthens Lungs
Examples from Ayurveda
Trikatu–Three Pungents
Ginger
Black Pepper
Long Pepper equal parts
Despite this being a simple formula, only composed of three spices, it is the foundation of many formulas to warm the Stomach, clear Cold and Damp, and promote Digestion in both Ayurveda and Tibetan Medicine. It is also used in the other traditions occasionally.
Because so much importance is placed on Digestion in Ayurveda, this combination appears in many traditional formulas of that system, and not only for digestive disorders. As it enhances digestion and assimilation, when added to large formulas, or formulas with hard-to-digest medicines, it enhances their efficacy.
Asafetida 8 Powder
Ginger
Black Pepper
Long Pepper
Celery seed
Cumin
Nigella
Asafetida
Rock Salt equal parts
The Asafetida is fried in Ghee, then the other ingredients are mixed. This again combines Apiaceae seed with Spices, but adds Rock Salt and Asafetida. Ayurvedic prescriptions regularly add Rock Salt to such digestive formulas, and Rock Salt could be added to any of the above formulas with benefit
Used similarly for Indigestion, Bloating, Abdominal Distention or Pain, Belching, Hiccups, Food Stagnation etc. Dose: 1–2 grams
Other Related formula
Powder to Strengthen the Stomach of Andernacus
Powder for Digestion (Riverius)
Peptic Powder
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