Electuary of Rhubarb

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Zenon of Athens (Omnia Quae extant in Latinum Sermonem Conversa, 1556)

Herb Name	Latin	Amount
Rhubarb	Rheum palmatum	100 aur *
Lacca	Laccifer lacca	20 aur
Aloeswood	Aquillaria agallocha	36 aur
Cinnamon	Cinnamonum zeylanicum	11 aur
Long Birthwort	Aristolchia longa
Round Birthwort	Aristolchia rotunda	30 aur ea.
Pistachio	Pistachio verum	50 aur
Squinanth	Juncus odoratus	80 aur
Marjoram	Oreganum marjorana
Aniseed	Pimpinella anisum
Sealed Earth	Terra Sigillata	20 aur ea.
Agaric	Fomitopsis officinalis
Indian leaf	Cinnamonum tamala	6 aur ea.
Agrimony **	Agrimonia eupatoria	30 aur
Indian Spikenard	Nardostachys jatamansi	16 drams
Black Pepper	Piper nigrum
Long Pepper	Piper longum
White Pepper	Piper album
Ginger	Zingiber officinalis	10 aur ea.
Stoechas	Lavendula stoechas
Oregano	Oreganum vulgare	9 aur ea.
Orris	Iris germanica
Endive root	Chicorium endiva	6 aur ea.
Hyssop	Hyssopus officinale
Mastic	Pistacia lentiscus
Sa ff ron	Crocus sativus	7 aur ea
Balsam fruit	Commiphora opobalsamum
Balsam wood	Commiphora opobalsamum	17 aur ea.

* Aur is a traditional weight being that of a Gold coin. Over time, it was reduced from over 8 grams to around 6 grams. The weights may be adjusted for modern use.
** Gafit, given in the text, is Eupatorium, which sometimes equates with Eupatorium cannabinum. No matter which is intended, Agrimony was a commonly used for Eupatorium in Europe.

Preparation:

Powder and mix with Honey to form an Electuary

Function:

Strengthens the Liver, Opens Obstructions, Promote Urine

Use:

1. Flux of the Stomach (Diarrhea)
2. Liver obstruction with weakness
3. Used for hardness of the Organs
4. Edema

Dose:

2–3 drams

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

Similar Formulas:

This looks to perhaps have been the inspiration for some of the Opening formulas devised by the Arab physicians a millennia later. Compare with Greater Gum Lacca Powder of Mesue, Troches of Rhubarb and Troches of Lacca.

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Herb categories: Agaric, Agrimony, Aloeswood, Aniseed, Balsam fruitBalsam wood, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Endive root, ff, Ginger, Hyssop, Indian leaf, Indian Spikenard, Lacca, Long BirthwortRound Birthwort, Long Pepper, Marjoram, Mastic, Oregano, Orris, Pistachio, Rhubarb, ron, Sa, Sealed Earth, Squinanth, Stoechas, White Pepper