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Emplastrum Tripharmacon,
or Emplastrum Apostolicon
Plaster of Three Ingredients,
or Apostles Plaster
or Emplastrum Apostolicon
Plaster of Three Ingredients,
or Apostles Plaster
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
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Herb Name
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Preparation:
Boil to the consumption of the Vinegar, stirring it constantly to the thickness of a Plaster (or Ointment)
Apostles Plaster and Plaster of Three Things are formed of the same 3 ingredients, but the latter generally had more Vinegar added.
Function:
Warms, dries, resolves, cleanses and heals
Use:
1. Swellings
2. Abscesses
3. Hard Lumps, Nodes and Fibroids
4. Fistulas; it was said to ‘cure old Fistulas easily’.
5. Applied to Wounds to heal and promote growth of healthy flesh
6. Applied to all chronic and slow-to-heal Sore, Wounds, Ulcers and Fistulas
7. Applied to Piles, including Ulcerated Piles
8. As it is very drying, some applied it to chronic Damp joint diseases
9. ‘Consolidates broken bones’.
Dose:
Applied topically
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. If 1⁄4 oz. of Verdigris, and some Wax and Turpentine was added, it was then called Apostolicon by the Apothecaries.
2. Another version added Frankincense, Myrrh, Aloe, Dragon’s Blood, and Tormentil
3. Yet another version from The General Practice of Physic of Wirtzung (1598) added Ammoniacum and Opopanax
4. This same combination of 3 ingredients was also prepared into an Ointment, where it was also called the Nourished Ointment, Ungentum Tripharmacum and Ointment of Litharge.
5. For application to Arthritis and Sciatica, Wirtzung combined 1 1⁄2 oz. Apostles Plaster with 1⁄2 oz. Diachilon Plaster, and 2 scruples each of Peony, Colchicum and Calamus.
6. Applied with Ointment of Tutty and a little Oil of Sulphur to Herpes.
7. Goiter and Scorfula, add Gum Ammoniac, Orris and Rock Salt (Wirtzung)
Mesue originally gave no proportions in his prescription. So various proportions were used. Note that The Apostles Plaster and Plaster of Three Things are both composed of the same three ingredients, but with differing proportions. The latter contains a greater quantity of Vinegar.
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