Medicamen ex inventione nostra defendens basin ab omni periculo
Medicine to Defend the Base from all Danger
Tradition:
Western / Unani
Source / Author:
De morbus internis curandis, Mesue, 1551
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Corallum rubrum | ||
Myristica fragrans | ||
Os Cordis Cervii | ||
Ambre gris | ||
Margarita | ||
Crystallos | ||
Aurum | ||
Argentum | ||
Eboris | ||
Rubinus | ||
Sapphirus | ||
Hyacinthus | 5 drams ea. | |
Commiphora opobalsamum | 2 drams | |
Moschus | 1⁄2 dram ea. | |
Rosmarinus officinalis | ||
Bambusae silicae | ||
Santalum album | ||
Eugenia caryophyllus | ||
Alpina officinarum | ||
Acorus calamus | ||
Piper cubeba | ||
Nardostachys jatamansi | ||
Staceorum bark | uncertain | |
Os Sepia | ||
Ocinum basilicum | ||
Elettaria cardamomum | ||
Piper alba | ||
Piper longum | ||
Laurus nobilis | ||
Anacyclus pyrethrum | 3 drams ea. | |
Styrax officinalis | ||
Acorus calamus | ||
Magnetitum | ||
Commiphora molmol | ||
Opium Thebanum | 1 dram ea. | |
Peonia officinalis | ||
Matricaria recutita | ||
Wild Sage (Lilifagus) | Salvia agrestris | |
Oreganum marjorana | ||
Balsamita ** | Mentha aquatica ? | |
Ammi majus | ||
Aristolchia rotunda | ||
a compound | 3 drams ea. | |
Crocus sativus | 1⁄2 dram | |
Aquillaria agallocha | ||
Papaver somniferum | 2 drams ea. | |
Saccharum | sufficient |
* Peony seed is to be collected during the New Moon
** Several herbs were called Balsamita. It could refer to Achillaea ageratum or other herbs
Preparation:
The stones must be levigated until very fine. The gums and Opium are dissolved in a little aromatic wine, then the powdered herbs are mixed in along with the Dianthos and stones and then sufficient sugar is mixed in to form a confection, adding the Musk at the end.
Function:
Moves Qi and Blood, calms the Mind and Spirit, strengthens Qi and Yang
Use:
1. Promotes Cheerfulness
2. Good for those who suffer from Sorrow, Melancholy, who love Solitude, and hate themselves. It makes them pleasant and courteous.
3. Removes Deficiency of the Principle Organs
4. Promotes Menstruation.
5. Syncope of Women
6. Helps in Paralysis
7. “Defends the foundation from all danger of the past and future’”
Dose:
2–3 drams with wine or warm water
Comment:
This is a quite remarkable formula for several reasons. The combination of Gems, Magnetite and Cuttlefish bone along with a large number of aromatics makes this a unique medicine to calm the Mind and Spirit, move Qi and Blood, restore strength and promote wellbeing.
The source text states that it removes weariness of the principle Organs (Heart, Liver, Brain and Kidneys), and “defends the foundation’, sounding familiar to the TCM concept of perhaps the ‘Source Qi”.
Cautions:
If recreated, the stones require proper preparation and some modifications would be needed.
Modifications:
This could be used as the foundation to create a simpler formula without Opium.
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