Diaolibanum
Electuary of Frankincense

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Nicholas

Herb Name	Latin	Amount
Castoreum	Castoreum
Opium	Opium
Henbane seed	Hyoscyamus niger	4 drams ea.
Cassia wood	Cinnamonum cassia	2 drams, 2 scruples
Indian leaf	Cinnamonum tamale
Saffron	Crocus sativus
Frankincense	Boswellia sacra	2 drams ea.
Rhubarb	Rheum palmatum
Amomum	Amomum subulatum	1 dram, 2 scruples ea.
Myrrh	Commiphora molmol	1 1⁄2 drams
Indian Spikenard	Nardostachys jatamansi
Pellitory	Anacylus pyrethrum
Euphorbium	Euphorbium resinifera
White Pepper	Piper album	2 1⁄2 scruples ea.
Peony	Paeonia officinalis
Storax	Styrax officinalis
Long Pepper	Piper longum	1 dram ea.

Preparation:

Powder, then with three times their weight of clarified Honey, form an Electuary.

Function:

Stops Leakage, clears Damp, moves Qi and Blood, eases Pain

Use:

1. Headache, Eyebrow pain
2. Migraine
3. Pain and Neuralgia of the Head
4. Stomach Pain
5. Nausea and Vomiting
6. Cough
7. Pneumonia
8. Pleurisy
9. Coughing Blood
10. Sore and Inflamed Throat, Tonsilitis
11. Spermatorrhea
12. Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

Dose:

1–2 scruples

Comment:

“The present Confection of Frankincense is seldom used and prepared, but it is good against all pains and rheums of the Head, and also of the Eyes, it assuages all bad Throats which proceed of defluxions, it is also valuable against the Cough and spitting of Blood, it stays all Wambling [Nausea] and Vomiting. Further, it is also good for all diseases of the Lights [Lungs], and for the Pleurisy, whereas the matter is coughed up; it stays the Running of the Reins [Spermatorrhea], and Women’s Terms [Menstruation], it is also used against the Scouring [Diarrhea]”. (Wirtzung)

This was not a commony used formula of Nicholas. Its large reliance on Castoreum and Opium make it obsolete today, however even with these removed the remaining herbs form a useful and powerful Blood-moving formula that resolves Damp and eases pain.