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Opium
Afiyun (Unani)
Aiphena (Ayurveda)
Ya Pian (TCM)
Aiphena (Ayurveda)
Ya Pian (TCM)
Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico, Vietz, 1800–1806
Botanical name:
Papaver somniferum
Parts used:
Opium is the drops which come after cutting the immature Seed-capsule of the Poppy; Meconium is the expressed juice, usually of the whole Plant; this latter was most common in Europe into the 17th century.
Temperature & Taste:
The ancients said it was Cold, as it is Narcotic and dulling; the more modern writers (of the 17th cent.) often said Warm.
Classifications:
2I. ANTISPASMODICS. 2R. NARCOTICS & HYPNOTICS
4k. ARTHRITIC
Stop Cough and Wheezing
Papaver somniferum
Parts used:
Opium is the drops which come after cutting the immature Seed-capsule of the Poppy; Meconium is the expressed juice, usually of the whole Plant; this latter was most common in Europe into the 17th century.
Temperature & Taste:
The ancients said it was Cold, as it is Narcotic and dulling; the more modern writers (of the 17th cent.) often said Warm.
Classifications:
2I. ANTISPASMODICS. 2R. NARCOTICS & HYPNOTICS
4k. ARTHRITIC
Stop Cough and Wheezing
Uses:
1. Stops Pain:
-Primarily used to ease severe pain and promote rest.
2. Calms the Mind, Promotes Rest:
-‘composes unquiet Spirits, makes the animal faculty dull, causes Sleep and unsensibleness, very comfortable in Watchings and strong Pains’.
3. Stops Cough:
-severe Cough
4. Astringes to Stop Leakage:
-Sometimes added to astringent formulas
DOSE:
quarter–half grain
CORRECTIVES:
Saffron, Cinnamon (as in Laudanum)
SUBSTITUTES:
1. The dehydrated decoction of the whole Poppy plant may be used in place of Opium.
2. Lettuce Opium (concreted juice of Wild Lettuce) is the most effective, legal option, having similar effects but being milder than Opium. The evaporated long decoction of the whole plant of Wild Lettuce may also be used.
3. It has been stated that tincture of Datura (1:8) taken in 20 drops doses is equal to 1 grain of Opium
4. In some cases, Poppy seed may replace Opium.
quarter–half grain
CORRECTIVES:
Saffron, Cinnamon (as in Laudanum)
SUBSTITUTES:
1. The dehydrated decoction of the whole Poppy plant may be used in place of Opium.
2. Lettuce Opium (concreted juice of Wild Lettuce) is the most effective, legal option, having similar effects but being milder than Opium. The evaporated long decoction of the whole plant of Wild Lettuce may also be used.
3. It has been stated that tincture of Datura (1:8) taken in 20 drops doses is equal to 1 grain of Opium
4. In some cases, Poppy seed may replace Opium.
Main Combinations:
1. Spasmodic Cough, Whooping Cough:
i. Opium with Almond emulsion, Syrup of Marshmallow
ii. Opium with Jujubes, Raisins, Maidenhair, Licorice (Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1824)
iii. Opium with Storax, Saffron, Licorice, Myrrh (Pharmacopoeia medici practici universalis, Bruxelles, 1817)
iv. Opium with Storax, Licorice, Olibanum, Benzoin, Mastic, Saffron (Dispensatorium Pharmaceuticum, 1777)
2. Asthma, Opium with Anise oil, Camphor, Benzoic acid in Spirit (as in Compound Tincture of Camphor)
3. Severe Colic and spasmodic Pain:
i. Opium with Peppermint, Camomile
ii. Opium with Zedoary, Calamus, Orange peel, Lemon peel, Aniseed, Caraway, Camomile, Clove, Juniper (as in Anti-Colic Tincture of Pharmacopoeia Hispana, 1798)
4. Spasmodic conditions of the Urinary organs, Opium with Troches of Winter Cherry, Licorice, Venice Turpentine, Camphor, Saffron, Gum Tragacanth, Mastic (as in Glycrrhized Extract of Opium, from Pharmacopoeia Hispana, 1798)
5. Dysentery, Opium with Catechu, Bistort, Angelica, Calamus, Tormentil, Zedoary, Pomegranate bark, Rose, Saffron, Myrrh, Rhubarb (as in Anti-Dysenteric Pills from Pharmacopoeia Lusitana, 1711)
6. Oriental Pills: Opium, Saffron, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Lesser Cardamon (equal parts), Syrup of Orange flowers sufficient to form pills of 3 grains. Dose: 2–3 pills in the evening. (Formulaire Magistral et Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1823)
7. Topically for Spasmodic pain, Opium with Camphor in Spirit.
8. Foul Cancerous sores: Pulp of Carrots, Powdered Hemlock, Sydenham's Laudanum
9. Anti-Cancer Balsam: Opium (24 grains), acetate of Lead (4 oz.), Camphor (1 dram), Spirit of Turpentine (12 oz.). Digest for 2 days and strain. (Formulaire de Montpellier, 1822)
10. Painful Hemorrhoids, Opium with Ungent Populeon and calcined Oyster shells (Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1824)
11. Painful Tumors, Wounds, Excoriations, Pustules, Opium with Rhubarb in cerate (ie. an ointment base).
12. Painful Tooth caries, Opium with Belladonna extract, Camphor, Clove oil; make a paste and apply
Cautions:
1. Toxic in overdose, highly addictive and narcotic. Heavily regulated in most countries.
2. ‘it stops the Urine and stool, and causes cold Sweats, small Breath, and Alienation of Mind’. (Schroder)
Main Preparations used:
Various Extracts and Laudanums were prepared; also various Syrups including Meconium.
1. Tincture of Opium:
i. Opium in powder (2 ½ oz.), Proof Spirit (2 pints). Macerate 14 days, strain. (London)
1. Sydenham's Laudanum:
i. Opium (1 oz.), Saffron (½ ounce), Cinnamon (1 dram), Malaga Wine (9 oz.). Digest 3 days, strain. (Dispensarium Lippiacum, 1792)
ii. Opium (2 oz.), Saffron (1 oz.), Cinnamon (2 drams), Alcohol (3 oz.), Spanish Wine (1 lb.). Digest several days, express, filter.
iii. Saffron (½ oz.), Cinnamon, Clove (1 dram each), Spanish Wine (8 oz.). Digest 3 days, dissolve in the strained liquor Opium (1 oz.). Filter after 24 hours digestion, pour upon the residue Spanish Wine (4 oz.). Digest, express strongly, filter. Mix with the preceding.
1. Toxic in overdose, highly addictive and narcotic. Heavily regulated in most countries.
2. ‘it stops the Urine and stool, and causes cold Sweats, small Breath, and Alienation of Mind’. (Schroder)
Main Preparations used:
Various Extracts and Laudanums were prepared; also various Syrups including Meconium.
1. Tincture of Opium:
i. Opium in powder (2 ½ oz.), Proof Spirit (2 pints). Macerate 14 days, strain. (London)
1. Sydenham's Laudanum:
i. Opium (1 oz.), Saffron (½ ounce), Cinnamon (1 dram), Malaga Wine (9 oz.). Digest 3 days, strain. (Dispensarium Lippiacum, 1792)
ii. Opium (2 oz.), Saffron (1 oz.), Cinnamon (2 drams), Alcohol (3 oz.), Spanish Wine (1 lb.). Digest several days, express, filter.
iii. Saffron (½ oz.), Cinnamon, Clove (1 dram each), Spanish Wine (8 oz.). Digest 3 days, dissolve in the strained liquor Opium (1 oz.). Filter after 24 hours digestion, pour upon the residue Spanish Wine (4 oz.). Digest, express strongly, filter. Mix with the preceding.
Use in Cancer:
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'Dr. Herbert Snow, resident physician at the Brompton Cancer Hospital, says (1895) he has found : "after long experience, Opium exhibits a strong inhibitive influence on the cancer elements, retarding and checking the cell growth, which is a main feature of the disease. Even when no surgical operation has been performed.
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Opium is the only drug which markedly checks cancer growth: and the early employment of this medicine will usually add years of comfortable life to the otherwise shortened space of the sufferer's existence." (Herbal Simples, Fernie, 1897)
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