Pills to Aggregate
Pilulae Aggregative
Tradition:
Western / Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Terminalia chebula (yellow) | ||
Rheum palmatum | 4 drams ea. | |
Agrimonia eupatoria | ||
Artemisia absinthum | 2 drams ea. | |
Convovulus scammonia | 5 drams | |
Terminalia chebula | ||
Terminalia chebula (black) | ||
Fomitopsis officinalis | ||
Citrullus colocynthus | ||
Polypodium vulgare | 2 drams ea. | |
Operculina turpethum | ||
Aloe spp. | 6 drams ea. | |
Pistacia lentiscus | ||
Rosa gallica | ||
Sal Gem | ||
Cuscuta europea | ||
Pimpinella anisum | ||
Zingiber officinalis | 1 dram ea. |
Preparation:
Powder and form Pills with Electuary of Rose.
Function:
Purge Mixed Humors, Opens Obstructions
Use:
“These Pills be very good in all ligering Agues, in all diseases of the head, of the stomach, and of the Liver, they expel Cholera [Bile], and all slimy matter”. (Wirtzung, 1598)
1. Complex and Chronic Fever
2. Chronic and Obstinate diseases from Mixed Humors (especially Phlegm and Bile, Damp–Heat)
3. Melancholy diseases
4. Opens obstruction of the Liver and Spleen
5. Chronic Liver disease
Dose:
1–2 scruples
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
Similar Formulas:
Arabian Pills
Pills of Eight Ingredients
Pills of 5 Myrobalans
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Weights & Measures
“We hold to the ancient description of Mesue, and change only the order of the Simples, and substitute the Syrup of Roses, for the subaction of the composition, in stead of the Electuary of Roses.
Mesue gives three descriptions of Pills of this name; the first whereof is most usual, and prepared almost in all Shops; the other, both Greater and Lesser Aggregatives, are omitted. The are called Aggregative Pills, because of the aggregation of many Faculties; as also Polychrest, and Catholical, because they are of much use, and expurge all humours.
The manner of their mixtion is manifest; the roots must be first brayed, then the fruits, and afterwards the seeds; only Rhubarb and Agaric must be prepared apart, the Trochisks whereof are better then the simple. The succe [juice] of Agrimony and Wormwood dried and brayed, must be added thereunto; then all being duly pulverated, must be subacted into a mass, with the Syrup of pale Roses which must be involved in leather madefied with Oil of Almonds. And it is not unreasonable, that the Powders should be received in the Syrup of Pale Roses; partly, because it accedes nearest the mind of the Author, for nothing is liker Roses then Roses; and partly, because that Electuary of Roses, which Mesue mentions, is not now made in shops, seeing its composition is inept, and of no use.
Aggregative Pills are not only conducible, to many affections of the head, but also of the Ventricle [Stomach] and Liver: for from these parts they detract and purge pituity, Bile, and Melancholical succe [juices]; and therefore help in complex and inveterate Fevers; and complicated diseases. He may be without the Pills of Eight Things, and Five kinds of Myrobolans, that hath Aggregative ones”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)