Electuarium de Baccis Lauri
Electuary of Bayberries
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Ferula persica | 4 drams | |
Ammi majus | ||
Cuminum cyminum | ||
Nigella sativa | ||
Levisticum officinale | ||
Carum carvi | ||
Daucus carrota | ||
Prunus amygdalus amara | ||
Piper longum | ||
Piper nigrum | ||
Oreganum marjorana | ||
Mentha sylvestris | ||
Acorus calamus | ||
Laurus nobilis | ||
Castoreum | 2 drams ea. | |
Ruta graveolens | ||
Commiphora guidottii | 1 dram ea. |
Preparation:
Beat the herbs well together, melt the gums, then form an Electuary with 1 1⁄2 lbs. of clarified Honey.
Function:
Warms the Stomach and Intestines, clears Wind, Eases Pain
Use:
1. Wind, Colic
2. Stomach and Intestinal Spasm and Pain
3. May be useful for Irritable Bowel, Crohn’s disease etc.
4. Tympanites (Fluid and Wind collecting in the abdomen)
Dose:
1⁄2–1 dram, or as much as a Hazel nut with Wine; usually taken in the morning fasting. Also used in enemas.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. The basic theme of this formula can be recreated today with the omission of Castoreum.
2. Rhasis had a similar version but used 10 drams of Rue and 3 drams of Opopanax.
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“It is exceedingly good either in the Colic, or Illiac passion, or any other diseases of the Bowels coming of Cold and Wind; it generally eases pains of the Bowels”. (Culpeper)
“In this confection, Bay-berries, (which give the name) the leaves of Rue, Origanum, and wild Mint, make up a Basis; it admits of many hot and inciding seeds, to attenuate, viscid [thick] humours, califie [warm] frigid [cold] Humours, and dissipate flatulency; of Gums, to deterge and discuss; and of Honey, to receive and conserve the Powders, and to make the compound more efficacious and pleasant.
The Gums being few, and prescribed in small quantity, need not be solved in any liquor, but minutely incided, and pulverated with the rest; then all received together in despumed [clarified] Honey, while yet hot, and cocted into the form of an Opiate.
It cures the cholical dolour arising from crude humours and flatulency [wind], the tympany, turbulency in the guts, belching; and helps cold natures”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)