Electuarium de Gemmis
Electuary of Gems

“This composition is kept either in form of a powder, or of an Electuary; and that either soft, consisting of an equal quantity of powders, and of honey of Roses; or solid, consisting of the same, and Sugar of Roses: but it is most commodious, to keep its powder well occluded in fit vessels for future uses.


It takes its name from the Gems or precious stones, of which, it is made, with the vulgar, and other rare and unknown cordials, whose faculties cannot be well, learned from the Ancients or Neotericks, as appears by the examination we had of Been [Behen]: in whose stead, we substitute Enula-Campana’s [Elecampane] roots, both roots being pastinacious, cordial, and hotter then Bugloss or Borrage, which some take for both the Beens [Behens]: the root also of Tormentil may be substituted instead of each Been [Behen]. But I do not fancy their humours, who in composition of this solemn Electuary, usurp [substitute] those exotical roots designed by the name of the two Beens [Behens]; for either Tormentil alone, or Enula [Elecampane] alone, or an equal quantity of each, may be much better assumed for both Beens [Behens]: and if any one would rather have Angelica’s root, then that of Enula, he may.


The preparation of this powder, consists in idoneus triture [appropriate powdering]; the Gems and Corals must be levigated on a purple stone; the roots, woods and fruits brayed [powdered] in a mortar, and all at length commixed.

The Electuary of Gems is most efficacious for the cold affections of the brain, heart, ventricle [Stomach], liver, and uterus, according to Mesue: for it helps the melancholical; sad, solitary, and fearful; it cures the palpitation of the Heart, hinders swounding, roborates [strengthens] the languid ventricle [weak Stomach] and recreates all the intrails [organs]: but Apothecaries seldom make it, because of the rarity and dearness of the simples that ingrede its composition”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)