Sentry Page Protection
Formica, Ant
Pismire, Emmet
Entomological name:
Formica spp.
Many species have been used:
Wood Ant: Formica rufa
Parts used:
Whole Ant
Various ants are used which have a strong acid odor (due to formic acid)
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Pungent
Formica spp.
Many species have been used:
Wood Ant: Formica rufa
Parts used:
Whole Ant
Various ants are used which have a strong acid odor (due to formic acid)
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Pungent
Uses:
1. Strengthens the Kidneys, Warms the Yang:
-Aphrodisiac; Impotence
-Promotes Urine; Edema from Cold and weak Kidneys
-Melancholy, Sadness, Dejectedness of Mind
-traditionally to make one Magnanimous
2. Settles Wind, Moves the Blood:
-Apoplexy, Paralysis
3. Externally:
-applied to Paralysis, Arthritic and Rheumatic complaints (Spirit, Oil)
-Oil is applied to the genitals to stimulate erection and sexual pleasure (esp. Oil of Winged Ants)
-Infused in Oil and dropped into the Ear warm for Deafness and Cold-type Earache
-Pimples, Warts, Abscesses (Lexicon of Alchemy, Rulundas)
-Greater and Winged varieties are applied with Salt to Psoriasis and Leprosy. (Salmon)
-Ant eggs rubbed on the skin make it smooth (Salmon)
DOSE:
Most often used in pills, powders and tinctures.
Tincture (1 in 10): 5–20 drops
Of the Spirit: 1–2 drams
COMMENT:
'It is a creature which contains a mighty Spirit, which being taken into the body of man, wonderfully animates him, makes him brisk and strong, filling him with Magnanimity of Mind. (Salmon, Seplasium)
Most often used in pills, powders and tinctures.
Tincture (1 in 10): 5–20 drops
Of the Spirit: 1–2 drams
COMMENT:
'It is a creature which contains a mighty Spirit, which being taken into the body of man, wonderfully animates him, makes him brisk and strong, filling him with Magnanimity of Mind. (Salmon, Seplasium)
Main Combinations:
1. Gout and Arthritis, add Ants to a bottle with alcohol infused with juices of Polypody root and Bryony. (Pharmacopoeia extemporanea, Augustin, 1822)
2. Impotency, and to stimulate Sexual desire:
i. Ants with Cinnamon, Clove (Distilled)
ii. Distilled Spirit of Ant with Viper Powder added (Salmon)
3. Edema, to promote Urine, Ants (1 handful), Ant Eggs (200 in number), Millipedes (100 in number), Bees (150 in number), Spirit of Wine (2 lbs.). Infuse 40 days and decant. Also for Impotence, Hysteria and Epilepsy. (Salmon)
4. Sciatica or Tumors, mix Ants, Lard and Salt and apply
5. As a depilatory, Ant Eggs mixed with Bat Blood and applied (Salmon)
Cautions:
Not used in heat diseases or Yin deficiency. Avoid excessive dose.
Main Preparations used:
Spirit of Ants, Magnanimous Water, Oil of Ants
1. Spirit of Ants:
i. Ants collected in June or July (1 pound), Alcohol (2 pounds). Distil 1 pound. (Dispensarium electorale Hassiacum, 1806)
2. Liquor Formicarum
Put a number of Ants into a clean glass jar, seal it and wrap the dough of bread around it and bake in the oven until the bread has cooked. Filter and keep for use.
Causes Magnanimity, and clears Stones. Externally cures the Itch and dissipates Corns and Warts. (Salmon, Seplasium)
3. Magnanimous Water:
Mangnanimous Waters are Cordial, Stomachic, Nervine and Aphrodisiac.
i. Ants (2 pounds), Alcohol (3 pounds); macerate 5 days, then distil to dryness in a water-bath. Then infuse in: Cinnamon (1 oz.), Clove, Lesser Cardamon (6 drams each), Cubebs (½ oz.), Zedoary (10 drams). Distil to dryness. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)
ii. Spirit of Ants (60 oz.), Spirit of Balm (48 oz.), Lemon peel (½ oz.), Cinnamon (3 drams), Clove (1 oz.), Cardamon, Cubeb (3 drams ea.), Zedoary (1 oz.), Mastic, Storax, Benzoin (1 ½ oz. each). Digest 8 days and distil. (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
4. Oil of Ants:
Applied to paralytic limbs and to the genitals to stimulate coitus. Dropped into the ear for Deafness
i. Ants (4 oz.), Olive oil (1 oz.). Digest in a moderate heat for 20 days and strain. (Niemann)
ii. some used oil of Bitter Almonds in place of Olive oil which is better for the ears.
Not used in heat diseases or Yin deficiency. Avoid excessive dose.
Main Preparations used:
Spirit of Ants, Magnanimous Water, Oil of Ants
1. Spirit of Ants:
i. Ants collected in June or July (1 pound), Alcohol (2 pounds). Distil 1 pound. (Dispensarium electorale Hassiacum, 1806)
2. Liquor Formicarum
Put a number of Ants into a clean glass jar, seal it and wrap the dough of bread around it and bake in the oven until the bread has cooked. Filter and keep for use.
Causes Magnanimity, and clears Stones. Externally cures the Itch and dissipates Corns and Warts. (Salmon, Seplasium)
3. Magnanimous Water:
Mangnanimous Waters are Cordial, Stomachic, Nervine and Aphrodisiac.
i. Ants (2 pounds), Alcohol (3 pounds); macerate 5 days, then distil to dryness in a water-bath. Then infuse in: Cinnamon (1 oz.), Clove, Lesser Cardamon (6 drams each), Cubebs (½ oz.), Zedoary (10 drams). Distil to dryness. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)
ii. Spirit of Ants (60 oz.), Spirit of Balm (48 oz.), Lemon peel (½ oz.), Cinnamon (3 drams), Clove (1 oz.), Cardamon, Cubeb (3 drams ea.), Zedoary (1 oz.), Mastic, Storax, Benzoin (1 ½ oz. each). Digest 8 days and distil. (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
4. Oil of Ants:
Applied to paralytic limbs and to the genitals to stimulate coitus. Dropped into the ear for Deafness
i. Ants (4 oz.), Olive oil (1 oz.). Digest in a moderate heat for 20 days and strain. (Niemann)
ii. some used oil of Bitter Almonds in place of Olive oil which is better for the ears.