Atriplex, Arrach

Orach

Ortus sanitatis, Cube, Johann von, 1501

Larger Garden Arrach
Salmon, Botanologia, 1710

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Botanical name:
Atriplex hortensis
Salmon described 4 types:
  1. Garden
  2. Wild
  3. Stinking
  4. Sea
The garden (dealt with here) is also of 3 types:
  1. Great White Garden Arrach
  2. Lesser White Garden Arrach
  3. Purple Garden Arrach
They are generally used similarly, but the Wild varieties were accounted less cooling and moist

Parts used:
Herb, fresh or dry; Seed

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, moist. Sweet

Classifications:
2X. INCARNATIVE
Alterative, Aperient, Abstersive, Emollient, Expulsive
Pectoral, Hepatic, Uterine, Arthritic

Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Opens Obstructions:
-inflammations (internally and topically)
-laxative, useful in jaundice

2. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Scrofula, Swellings of the Throat
-Fever (decoction)
-Poison of Cantharides

3. Clears Heat, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Asthma, Shortness of Breath
-Spitting of Blood
-syrup of the juice made with honey was most used for the Lungs

4. Benefits Yin:
-Avicenna said when eaten it nourishes Serous humor (Serum, Phlegm portion of blood)

5. Emetic.
-2 drams of the seed in infusion promotes Vomiting (Matthiolus)

6. Externally:
-linen cloth soaked in the juice is applied to inflammations and erysipelas
-applied to swelling breast when breastfeeding
-pain coming from heat (cataplasm)
-Heat-type Gout
-topically for hard swellings of the Throat

DOSE:
Of the Seed in Powder: 3 grams;
Of the Juice: 2–4 oz.;
Syrup of the Juice with Honey: 1–2 oz.

SUBSTITUTE:
Similar to Spinach

Main Combinations:
1. Heat-type Gout:
-beat the fresh herb with Honey and apply
-beat the fresh herb with Honey, Saltpeter and Vinegar (Macer)
2. Cataplasm for heat and inflammation, Arrach with Sorrel and Mallow

Major Formulas:
Electuary of Aloeswood (Avicenna)
Antidotum Haemogogum

Cautions:
None noted

Main Preparations used: