Pilulae Sine Quibus
‘Pills without which I would not be’
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Nicholas
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Aloe Rosata | 14 drams | |
Convovulus scammonia | 6 drams | |
Terminalia chebula | ||
Terminalia bellerica | ||
Emblica officinalis | ||
Terminalia chebula (black) | ||
Terminalia chebula (yellow) | ||
Rheum palmatum | ||
Pistacia lentiscus | ||
Cassia angustifolia | ||
Artemisia absinthum | ||
Rosa gallica | ||
Viola odorata | ||
Fomitopsis officinalis | ||
Cuscuta europea | 1 dram ea. |
* Aloe prepared with Rose juice
Preparation:
Beat the Scammony and Mastic apart, then add them to the other herbs and roots (except Aloes) which have been powdered together. Depurate about 4 oz. of the Juice of Fennel, and boiled to an Electuary with Honey. Melt the Aloes in this, rubbing both together in a warm Brass Mortar, adding the other powders little by little, and beat them well to a Pill Mass, from which, form pills.
Function:
Purges Mixed Humors (Phlegm, Bile and Melancholy), especially from the Head Chest and Upper Body, but were also used for the Liver, Kidneys and Stomach
Use:
1. Headache
2. Arthritis
3. Poor or failing Eyesight, dimness of Sight
4. Deafness
5. Tinnitus
6. Chronic and stubborn Fever
7. Can be used periodically in the treatment of various chronic disease
Dose:
1 scruple–1 dram on an empty stomach, typically ½ dram
Comment:
Regarded as a “detergent” formula, cleansing excess Humors from the Head in particular.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. Some version omitted Scammony; others omitted Agaric and Dodder.
2. A reformed French Version omitted the Myrobalans, but doubled the amount of Agaric, Rhubarb and Senna to 2 drams; it also used seeds of Violet and Dodder.
3. Triphala (Three Myrobalans) could be used in place of 5 Myrobalans.
4. Gonorrhea, add Rhubarb, Camphor and form into pills with Turpentine.
Similar Formulas:
Golden Pills
Aloephangine Pills
Common Pills.
Pills to Clarify
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How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures
‘These Pills are variously prescribed in several Dispensatories, especially as to the quantities of the Medicaments: But they that will take the pains to consider the Receipt, must acknowledge that it is not inferior to any of the rest, provided it be well prepared’. (The Royal Pharmacopeia [of France], Charras, 1678)
“These are also Universal, as well as the Imperial [Pills]; but more cholagogous and valid, because of their Diagridium. Their denomination being noted by a certain circumlocution, show the efficacy and necessity of their use, which no man, or Master of a Family, that minds his sanity, should be without. Their ingredients are such as deduce humours from all principal parts of the Body, and roborate [strengthen] those parts. Rhubarb is their Basis, if we respect their better part; Scammony, if their more valid and exuperant; and Myrobalans, if the weight of fruits.
That they may be duly made, Scammony, Aloes, Agaric, and Mastic should be pulverated apart; the rest partly alone, and partly together. They must not be subacted with the water or succe [juice] of Fennel, as the Author would; but with Honey, that they may not too soon become dry and marcid.
These Pills educe Phlegm, and both the Biles, from all parts, but especially from the head, eyes, and senses: and thence they lessen the suffusions of the eyes, conserve sight, and cure the pain and noise in the ears”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)