Pulvis Oxytocius
Birth Powder

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Preparation:

Powder

Function:

Moves the Blood, promotes Labor, relieves Pain

Use:

‘It is a most powerful medicament to accelerate the Birth, provoke the Terms &c.’ (Salmon)
1. Promotes and Increases Labor; especially useful if Labor has stalled
2. Evidently, it was used to induce Labor when due or overdue,
3. Promotes expulsion of the Afterbirth
4. Also powerfully promotes menstruation

Dose:

2–4 scruples in wine, Mugwort water, or mixed into a soft-cooked Egg yolk; doses can be repeated every 2–4 hours as needed (smaller doses more often maybe better), with a maximum of 4 doses in 12 hours. Often, a full dose given to begin with, followed by a half dose 2 or 3 hours later if needed will suffice.
Once regular, strong contractions have begun, it is not necessary to use unless Labor is lasting too long or has stalled again.

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy, except when labor is due or has begun.
2. Borax is potentially toxic in overdose.

Modifications:

1. There were many variations on this theme; variations were often prepared without Borax:
i. Cinnamon, Saffron
ii. Myrrh, Saffron and Amber;
iii. Cinnamon, Saffron and Amber;
iv. Cinnamon, Cassia Wood and Saffron
v. Cinnamon, Cassia Wood, Saffron and Amber
vi. Cinnamon, Saffron, Amber, Borax (equal parts); this was Emmenagogick Powder.
2. Another added Dittany of Crete and Castoreum of each 2 drams, Savin 1⁄2 dram
3. A stronger version added dried and prepared Horse Testicles, Round Birthwort and Savin, this primarily being used to promote Menstruation.

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