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Pistacia, Pistachio

Pistah, Pista, Fastaq (Unani)
Mistaka (Arabic)
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586

Duhamel du Monceau, Traité des arbres et arbustes, Nouvelle édition, 1809

Botanical name:
Pistacia vera

Parts used:
Nut

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, moist. Sweet
opens, attenuates

Classifications:
2F. PURIFYING.    2S. STRENGTHENING
3J. INCREASE SEMEN.   
4d. PECTORAL.    4g. HEPATIC.    4h. NEPHRITIC

Uses:
1. Clears Cold Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough and Wheezing associated with Lung weakness
-‘Used chiefly in the Mucilage of the Lungs’.

2. Warms and Strengthens the Stomach:
-Strengthens the Stomach, prevents Nausea and Vomiting, promotes Appetite
-nourishes Qi and Blood; chronic weakness, convalescence

3. Warms and Strengthens the Kidneys:
-nourishes Yin and warms Yang
-sexual tonic, nourishes seed; Impotence, Infertility
-lower back pain
-Nourishing and strengthening; used for weakness of the Lungs or Kidneys


Comment:
The Nut shell in astringent and expectorant

Dose:
Usual dose in formula is around 1–3 grams; up to 12 grams or more has been used
In Decoction: 6–12 grams

Substitute:
1. Walnut
2. Almond (Unani)

Correctives:
1. Prune
2. Lemon juice
3. Hedysarum alhagi

Main Combinations:
1. Often combined with Pine nuts to strengthen the Lungs and Kidneys
2. Cold Phlegm of the Stomach and Lungs, with Pine nut, Aniseed, Fennel seed, Licorice, Saffron, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamon (as in Electuary of Ginger)
3. Warm and strengthen the Kidneys:
i. with Almonds, Figs, Cardamon, Saffron
ii. with Orchis, Sea Holly, Pine nut, Clove, Ginger, Rocket seed, Cinnamon (as in Electuary of Orchid)
iii. with Pine nuts, Sweet Almond, Walnut, Sesame, Linseed, Orchis, Galangal, Sea Holly root, Asparagus root, Fennel seed, Rocket seed (as in Antidote for Cold Lumbar, for Venery, and Defect of Semen of Nicholas)
4. Infertility:
i. Pistachio with Sweet Almonds, Hazelnut, Pine nut, Pomegranate seed, Black Pepper, Ginger, Long Pepper, Peony seed (as in Electuary of Fruit Kernels of Rhazes)
ii. Pistachio with Walnut, Ram Testicles, Hare Uterus, Cinnamon, Clove (as in Decoction for Sterility)
5. To Nourish Sperm, with Ginger, Almond, Cinnamon, Deer Pizzle
6. Strengthen the back, with Walnuts, Cinnamon, Clove, Aniseed, Mastic (as in Antidote for Back Pain of Galen)

Major Formulas:
Decoction for Sterility
Powder of Optimal Nutrition (Nicholas)
Troches of Gordon (Trochisci Gordonii)
Antidote for Back Pain (Galen)
Antidote for Cold Lumbar, for Venery, and Defect of Semen (Nicholas)
Electuary of Orchid (Diasatyrion) (Nicholas)
Electuary of Ginger (Dia Zingiber) (Nicholas)
Electuary of Fruit Kernels (Rhazes)
Electuary of Horehound (Diaprassium)
Electuary of Rhubarb (Zenon)

Cautions:
Safe. Rich and heavy to digest, so care in people with weak digestion.

Main Preparations used:
Expressed Oil of Nuts, Confected Pistachio