All Flower Water
Or, Water of Cow Dung
Or Water of Many Virtues
Tradition:
Western
Source / Author:
First Version
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Feces Bovis recens | sufficient |
Distil it gently.
Another version:
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Feces Bovis recens | 3 parts | |
White Wine | Vini alba | 1 part |
Steep for 24 hours, then distil.
Another version:
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Feces Bovis recens | 3 pounds | |
Spring Water | Aqua | 9 pounds |
Digest for 24 hours, then strain through cloth and decant the clear water.
Preparation:
Note the first 2 versions are distillations, the 3rd being simply an infusion.
If this was recreated, distillation is preferred.
Note also that fresh dung collected in the Spring is preferred when the meadow flowers are out in bloom.
Function:
Clears Heat, REsolves Wind-Damp, Promotes Urine, Stops Cough
Use:
“This Water is said to be good against Gout, Rheumatism, Stones, Stoppage of Urine &c. being very effectual”. (Bates)
“Good for all Hot Diseases … an excellent Pectoral”. (Salmon)
1. Acute Fevers, Colds, Epidemic diseases
2. Cough, Asthma
3. Gout, Arthritis, Rheumatism
4. Obstructed Urine
5. Gravel, Stones
6. Paralysis
7. Childhood Epilepsy
8. Some recommeded it to promote Menstruation and Labor.
9. Externally, used warm, it eases Pain and Inflammation, and is applied to Strains, Strains, Bruises, as well as Burns, Pain from Inflammation including Gout and Arthritis.
10. Used as a wash for Falling Hair and Alopecia.
In treating Epilepsy in children: ‘Others do commend much for this, the Water of Cowdung: and if it cannot be had then is the Cowdung to be broken into fair water, and strained through a cloth, and to give thereof half an ounce at least’. (Wirtzung)
For Gravel and the Colic of Stones: “Distil in the Months of April or May Cow-dung what you please, and drink a Glass thereof fasting in a Morning: This is call’d the Water of many Virtues, and is Excellent for the Lungs”. (Lemery)
Dose:
4–6 oz. each night.
For serious or stubborn diseases, a dose is taken morning and night.
It can also be applied topically when warm.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
Some distilled equal parts of Cow Dung and Snails beaten with their shells.
Several sources relay the story of a peasant Lady in the 1600’s who made £20,000 with the recipe, administering it to nearly all who asked her help. This woman, who was not medically trained, used this medicine as a cure-all, and obtained a great reputation. Salmon said “This she gave in all distempers, and against all diseases; and so happy and successful she was, that she cured almost all such who were given over by others for incurable, and it was rare that anything came under her hands that miscarried; this was her Catholicon, this her Secret, by which she did wonders in the Art of Physick”.
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