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Hiera Picra
Ayarij Fiqra
‘Holy Bitters’

Tradition:
Western, Unani

Source / Author:
Themison of Ladodicea (c. 50 BC)
Galen is often credited, but he was not the originator.

1. The First version is the original of Themison of Ladodicea (c. 50 BC)
Herb Name
Mastic
Saffron
Indian Spikenard
Balsam fruit
Asarum
Aloe

Latin
Pistacia lentiscus
Crocus sativus
Nardostachys jatamansi
Commiphora opobalsamum
Asarum europeum

Aloe vera
Amount




1 ounce each
100 drams

2. The Second is the reformed version of Galen:

Herb Name
Cinnamon
Balsam wood
Asarum
Indian Spikenard

Mastic
Saffron
Aloe

Latin
Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Commiphora opobalsamum

Asarum europeum
Nardostachys jatamansi
Pistacia lentiscus
Crocus sativus

Aloe vera
Amount





6 drams each
12
1⁄2 ounces


3. The Third is from Mesue

Herb Name
Cinnamon
Balsam fruit
Asarum
Indian Spikenard

Saffron

Mastic
Cassia Lignea
Aloe

Latin
Cinnamonum zeylanicum Commiphora opobalsamum
Asarum europeum
Nardostachys jatamansi
Crocus sativus

Pistacia lentiscus
Cinnamonum cassia
Aloe vera

Amount






1 ounce each
14 ounces

4. A version from
Pharmacopeia Pauperum, (1718)

Herb Name
Cinnamon
Galangal
Asarum

Indian Spikenard
Myrrh

Saffron
Aloe

Latin
Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Alpina o
fficinarum
Asarum europeum
Nardostachys jatamansi
Commiphora molmol
Crocus sativus

Aloe vera
Amount





6 drams each
12 ounces

5. A Contemporary Unani version (Ayarij Fiqra):

Herb Name
Valerian
Cassia Wood
Cinnamon
Balsam wood
Balsam fruit

Mastic
Saffron
Aloe
Latin
Valeriana officinalis
Cinnamonum cassia
Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Commiphora opobalsamum Commiphora opobalsamum
Pistacia lentiscus

Crocus sativus
Aloe vera

Amount





25 grams each
8 grams
400 grams


Preparation:
It is either used as a powder, or mixed with Honey to form an Electuarty. Generally, 3 parts by weight of clarified Honey can be used to form an Electuary.

Function:
Cleanses the Stomach, purifies the Blood, opens Obstructions, promotes Urine and Menstruation

Use:
1. cleanses the Stomach and Bowels; used when Appetite or Digestion is affected by excess Humors or Food Stagnation.
2. cleanses the Blood;
3. used for various diseases requiring cleansing and opening; Ulcers; Tumors;

4. often added to larger formulas.
5. Also sometimes used in Enemas


Dose:
1⁄2–1 dram of the powder with Honey, or with Prunes; 2–3 drams if made into a confection with Honey.

Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Not used for more than 2 weeks without a break


Modifications:
1. To cleanse and purge the Stomach, add Cassia Fistula and Sugar.
2. To cleanse the Stomach when Damp, take with Tubith and Ginger
3. Insatiable Hunger from Heat, take with a decoction of Rhubarb, Myrobalans and
Sour Dates
4. Obstruction of the Liver with Heat, take with Cassia Fistula 5. Stomach Ulcers, take with Barley water or Mead


  • Comment
  • History
  • Research
<
>
‘Probably it is the oldest Pharmaceutical compound still in existence’, according to Woottons Chronicles of Pharmacy (1910). That would, perhaps, be debatable when we consider the age of some of the Chinese and India formulas, nevertheless, this was commonly used for nearly 2 millennia. Also, its exact origin is not certain; it could be older than 50BCE. It is a principle cleansing formula, promoting circulation of Qi and Blood, removing obstructions, and clearing stagnation and excess.
In 1721, the London Pharmacopeia omitted Mastic and Spikenard, substituting Cardamon for the latter, and in 1746, it was reduced to just Aloes and Canella, under the name Pulvis Aloeticus.
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