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Pilulae de Foetida
Foetid Pills, or Stinking Pills
Picture

Tradition:
Western, Unani

Source / Author:
Mesue

Herb Name
Aloe
Colocynth
Sagapen
Gum Ammoniacum
Myrrh
Rue seed
Dodder of Thyme
Turbith
Scammony prepared
Lesser Spurge root prepared
Colchicum
Ginger
Indian Spikenard
Cinnamon
Sa
ffron
Castoreum
Euphorbium prepared

Latin
Aloe spp.
Citrullus colocynthus
Ferula persica
Dorema ammoniacum
Commiphora molmol
Ruta graveolens
Cuscuta europea
Operculina turpethum
Convovulus scammonia
Euphorbia spp.
Colchicum autumnale
Zingiber o
fficinalis
Nardostachys jatamansi Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Crocus sativus
Castoreum
Euphorbium resinifera

Amount






5 drams ea.
1⁄2 oz.
3 drams


2 drams ea.
1
1⁄2 drams




1 dram ea.
2 scruples

Preparation:
Dissolve the gums in Leek juice; then add the remaining in powder, and with Syrup of the Juice of Leeks, make a Pill mass, S.A.

Function:
Clears Cold Phlegm and Damp

Use:
1. Arthritis
2. Rheumatism
3. Back Pain
4. Sciatica
5. Leprosy

6. Obstinate skin diseases: Pruritus, Morphew

Dose:
1–2 scruples

Cautions:
1. These are strong and irritant in excess. They are only suitable for cases with excess Damp or Phlegm, and are contraindicated in Yin deficiency.
2. Not used during Pregnancy.


Modifications:

Similar Formulas:
Pills of Sagapen
Pills of Sarcocolla

Pills of Colchicum.


  • Comment
  • History
  • Research
<
>
"They purge gross and raw phlegm, and diseases thereof arising; Gouts [Arthritis] of all sorts, pains in the backbone, and other joints: It is good against Leprosies, and other such like infirmities of the skin". (Culpeper)
    
"Foetid Pills are of much use, for they evacuate frigid, pituitous, crude, and also bilious humours; and thence cure such affections as arise from thence, as diseases of the Junctures [Joints], Podagry [Gout], Gonagry [Gonorrhea], Dolours [Pain] in the Back-bone, Leprosy, Morphews, Itch, cutaneous Infections, and cholical affections". (Renodeus)


Mesue had greater and lesser versions of the Foetid Pills, these being the Greater, the Lesser being far less commonly used. Galen originally formed the Pills of Spurge upon which these are loosely based.
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