Diospyros ebenum, Ebony

Lignum Ebenum
Tinduka (Ayurveda)
Abnus (Unani)

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Diospyros ebenum
E. Spach, Histoire naturelle des végétaux, Atlas (coloured version), (1834-1847)

Botanical name:

Diospyros ebenum, D. melanoxylon, D. peregrina, D. malabarica

Parts used:

Wood
The Ethiopian was said to be the best.
“The best Ebony is black, straight, without lines, gives the feeling of a conical horn when hand is passed over it. It is thickened irritating in taste and gives a pleasant smell when put on burning coal”. (Avicenna)

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry.
“It is Hot and Dry in Second degree”. (Avicenna)

Uses:

1. Clears Wind-Damp:

-Kidney Stones (Avicenna); “Ebony crumbles Bladder stones”. (Rhazes)
-the Salt of the Wood purges in Arthritis, Paralysis
-old rheums
-used as Guaiacum as a sudorific

2. Externally:

-eye growths; Corneal Opacity; membranes growing over the Eye (Avicenna); much used in eye preparations
-Ophthalmia (grind the wood on whestone and apply)
-Blepharitis; Trachoma; Eye Ulcers (burnt and washed Ebony is applied) (Avicenna)
-Burn Blisters (Dioscorides)
-Oil of the Wood is used for Gout and Paralysis, Syphilis and Pustules (externally

BARK:

The Bark has been used for Diarrhea, Indigestion and diseases associated with Debility.

Dose:

1–2 grams of the Powder

Substitute:

1. Dalbergia Melanoxylon has also been used for Ebony.
2. Ebony was regarded as similar to Guiaicum wood by some.

Preparation:

1. Rubbed Ebony:
It is triturated with water as stones are. This method of preparation was used by Avicenna. It makes it more attenuent and detergent
2. Burnt Ebony:
Burnt to ashes, then wash the ashes like burnt Lead. Used in Eye medicines. (Dioscorides)

Main Combinations:

1. Eye salve, mix Ebony powder in Chian Wine and use as a salve (Dioscorides)
2. Films of the eye, rub the wood on a whetstone with Raisin Wine and apply (Pliny)

Cautions:

None noted

Main Preparations used:

Ashes; Salt of the Wood; Oil of the Wood

Galen:
“This wood is one of the objects which, when rubbed with water, are dissolved like certain stones. Its juice strongly clears dimness of sight”.

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