Sentry Page Protection
Formica, Ant
Entomological name:
Formica spp.
Wood Ant: Formica rufa
Parts used:
Whole Ant
Various ants are used which exhale a strong acid odor (due to formic acid)
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Pungent
Formica spp.
Wood Ant: Formica rufa
Parts used:
Whole Ant
Various ants are used which exhale a strong acid odor (due to formic acid)
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Pungent
Uses:
1. Warms the Yang:
-Aphrodisiac; Impotence
-Edema from Cold and weak Kidneys
-traditionally to make one Magnanimous
2. Clears Wind, Moves the Blood:
-Apoplexy
3. Externally:
-applied to Paralysis, Arthritic and Rheumatic complaints (Spirit, Oil)
-Oil is applied to the genitals to stimulate erection and sexual pleasure
DOSE:
Of the Spirit: 1–2 drams
Of the Spirit: 1–2 drams
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. To stimulate Sexual desire, with Cinnamon, Clove
Cautions:
Not used in heat diseases. 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. 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)
2. 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)
3. Oil of Ants:
Applied to paralytic limbs and to the genitals to stimulate coitus.
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.
Not used in heat diseases. 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. 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)
2. 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)
3. Oil of Ants:
Applied to paralytic limbs and to the genitals to stimulate coitus.
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.