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Blatta Byzantina

Sweet Hoof
Unguis odoratus, Anguis odoratus, Onycha, Onyx Marina, Conchula Indica
Azfar al-tib (Unani)
Gart der Gesundheit, Johannes von Cuba, 1487

Above: Unguis odoratu, Blatta Byzantina
(Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578)

Strombus dianae
Iconographia Zoologica, 19th century

Chicoreus virgineus
(Photo by Llez)
Zoological name:
Neogastropod whelks (predatory sea snails including Muricidae)
Several species have been given by various sources as a source of Blatta Byzantina:
  1. Strombus dianae, S. lentiginosus
  2. Chicoreus virgineus (Murex anguliferu)
  3. Chicoreus ramosus (Murex inflatus) (best for fumigation)
  4. Hexaplex trunculus

Parts used:
Operculum of the shell

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent, Sweet, Aromatic
"It is Hot and Dry in the Second degree". (Avicenna)

Constituents:
Operculum: Thymine, adenine, adenosine, tryptophan
Trace element, mg per kg: Calcium 6356;  Sulfur 6300;  Sodium 3597;  Potassium 1614;. Magnesium 918;  Phosphorus 689;  Iron 311;  Silicon (acid soluble) 289;  Aluminium 40;  Total arsenic 25.7; Selenium 23.3;  Boron1 6.7;  Zinc 14.4;  Copper 6.0;  Chromium 3.1;  Manganese 2.8;  Vanadium 2.0; Lead 0.3;  Molybdenum 0.3;  Barium 0.2;  Cadmium 0.2;  Silver 0.2;  Cobalt 0.1;  Mercury 0.002
Smoke from fumigation contains Cresol and phenol; Pyridine; Acetamide;

Uses:
1. Clears Damp, Moves Qi, Opens Obstructions:
-obstructions of the Liver or Spleen; Jaundice
-obstructed Urine

2. Moves the Blood, Resolves Phlegm, Softens Hardness:
-hardness of the Spleen
-hard Tumors
-Scrofula

3. Moves the Blood, Clears Damp, Promotes Menstruation:
-Amenorrhea; Chlorosis
-hardness of the Uterus
-Infertility; used to help promote conception
-promote expulsion of the Placenta
-"Its fumigation brings a Hysteric patient to senses". (Avicenna)

4. Settles Wind, Clears Damp:
-Epilepsy, Paralysis
-arthritis, rheumatism

5. Externally:
-the fumes are used for Epilepsy and Hysteric Fits


Dose:
Powder: 500mg–3 grams

Main Combinations:
1. Scrofula from Cold-Phlegm:
i. Blatta Byzantina with Frankincense, Spikenard, Clove
i. Blatta Byzantina with Euphorbium, Aloeswood, Pearl, Frankincense, Spikenard, Clove (as in Marvelous Powder Against Scrofula)
2. Infertility:
i. Blatta Byzantina with Parsnip seed, Turnip seed, Cinnamon, Pennyroyal, Spikenard, Pearl (as in Confection for Impregnation)
ii. From Cold, Blatta Byzantina with Cinnamon, Ginger, Long Pepper, Turnip seed, Indian Spikenard, Nutmeg (as in Warming Confection for Infertility)
iii. Blatta Byzantina with Cinnamon, Ivory
3. Parkinsonism, Shaking Palsy, Wind diseases from Cold, Blatta Byzantina with Pearl, Cinnamon, Aloeswood, Clove, Spikenard, Licorice, Nutmeg, Pearl, Tabasheer (as in Warming Pearl Powder of Mesue)

Major Formula:
Warming Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Calidum) (Mesue)
Marvelous Powder Against Scrofula (Arnold de Villa Nova)
Warming Confection for Infertility (Wirtzung)
Confection for Impregnation (Renodeus)

Cautions:
1. Not suitable for long-term use. Heavy metals including arsenic, chromium, selenium, aluminium, boron and vanadium exceed 10x the safe acceptable level for human consumption.

Main Preparations used:
Levigated Powder; Spirit, Oil, Essential Salt, Volatile Salt
A Useful Article on Shell Operculum as medicine:
Volatile and bioactive compounds in opercula from Muricidae
molluscs supports their use in ceremonial incense and traditional medicines
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