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Centaurea behen, White Behen

Behman Safed (Unani)
White Behen
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

White Behen
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Ruellio, 1549
White Behen
(Calcutta Unani College, Adam, 2019)
Botanical name:
Centaurea behen (syn. C alata); C. ruthenica

Parts used:
Root
Like Pellitory, grey, whitish within; insipid taste, eventually bitter

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet;

Uses:
1. Strengthens Spleen, Increases Qi:
-increase energy and sense of well-being;
-weakness, poor digestion; 
-traditionally said to make Strong and Powerful.

2. Benefits the Kidneys, Increase Yang:
-Infertility, Impotence, and to augment Sperm.
-enhances Hair growth.

3. Calms the Mind and Spirit:
-Anxiety, Mental unrest and Insanity;

4. Clears Phlegm:
-Cough, Catarrh, Hoarseness

5. For contracted sinews (Wirtzung)


DOSE:
500mg–2 grams in powder; 3–6 grams in decoction

NOTE:
The Behens were not known to the Greeks but were introduced by the Arab physicians. The exact identification was unknown to many authors so substitution was common throughout Europe. They appeared in a number of Arabic tonic formula. The White can be looked at as a Qi tonic, the Red a Blood tonic, both having strengthening effects on the Kidneys.

SUBSTITUTES:
In most cases, the combination of Dang Gui and Withania (or Ginseng) can replace the two Behens.
1. Asparagus root
2. Withania
3. Elecampane
4. Salep (Orchis spp.)
5. Borage or Bugloss roots
6. Cheiranthus cheri, Curcilago orchioides (Unani)

CORRECTIVES:
Jujube; Tragacanth (Unani)

Main Combinations:
1. The Behens were nearly always used together being combined with other tonics like Salep (Orchis spp.), Asparagus root, Withania, Tribulus seed etc.
2. Aphrodisiac:
i. combine both Behens with Withania, Tribulus and Mucuna
ii. for those with a cold and moist temperament, both Behens with Triphala, Long Pepepr, Ginger, Orchid, Ash tree keys, Sesame seed, Mace (as in Triphala Electuary Greater of Unani)
3. To Warm and strengthen the Kidneys, both Behens with Pistachio, Sweet Almond, Orchis, Sea Holly root, Asparagus root, Linseed, Rocket seed, Clove, Nutmeg (as in Antidote for Cold Lumbar, for Venery, and Defect of Semen)
4. Infertility, both Behens with Turnip seed, Ash tree key, Cinnamon, Clove, Long Pepper, Rosemary, Marjoram, Pennyroyal, Balm (as in Confection for Impregnation)
5. To nourish Semen, White Behen, Cucumber seed, Ash Tree Keys, Almond, Pistachio, Pine nut, Poppy seed (Uyghur Medicine)
6. To warm and strengthen the Heart, both Behens with Mastic, Cinnamon, Basil, Pearl, Red Coral, Amber, Indian Spikenard, Chebulic Myrobalan (as in Powder to Warm the Heart)
7. To promote Happiness, both Behens with Chebulic Myrobalan, Emblic Myrobalan, Cinnamon, Balm, Citron peel, Mastic, Saffron, Nutmeg, Greater Cardamon, Peony, Basil seed (as in Letificans Almansoris of Rhasis)

Major Formulas:
Powder of Musk Sweet (Diamoschu Dulce) (Mesue)
Powder to Warm the Heart
Powder to Ascertain if Pregnant (Gabelhover)
Letificans Almansoris (Rhasis)
Restorative of Nicholas (Pleres Arconticon) (Nicholas)
Electuary of Pearl (Avicenna)
Electuary of Aloeswood (Diaxyloaloes) (Mesue)
Electuary for Sadness and Worry
Confection for Impregnation (Renodeus)
Antidote for Cold Lumbar, for Venery, and Defect of Semen (Nicholas)
Triphala Electuary Greater (Unani)

Cautions:
Generally safe.
Large doses or long-term use are unsuitable for those with a hot temperament.

Main Preparations used: