Prunus domestica, Plumtree, Prune

P. domestica
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563

P. sylvestris
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886

Uses:

1. Clears Heat, Opens the Bowels:

-good to clear Heat and open the Bowels in Fever and Heat disease
-allay sharp Humors (Damascens are best)
-‘They cool excellently in Fevers’. (especially Prunellaes)
-Steep in water and the water drunk, they quench Thirst

Main Combinations:

1. To clear Heat and open the belly,
i. Prune with Tamarind pulp and Cassia Fistula
ii. Prune, Senna, Fennel seed
iii. Prunes, Licorice, Currant, Aniseed, Fennel seed, Borage (as in Common Decoction)
iv. Figs with Tamarind, Cinnamon, Senna, Prune, Coriander seed, Licorice
2. To clear Heat in Fevers, Prune, Tamarind pulp, Sandalwood, Rhubarb, Violet, Purslane, Barberry, Tragacanth (as in Diaprunis)
3. To purge Bile:
i. Prune, Tamarind, Raisin, Barley, Violet (as in Decoction to Cool)
ii. Prune, Chicory, Agrimony, Borage, Violet, Tamarind, Licorice (as in Decoction to Expel Bile of Andernacus)
iii. Purge Bile and Phlegm, Prune, Yellow Myrobalan, Chebulic Myrobalan, Black Myrobalan, Tamarind, Fumitory, Wormwood (as in Decoction of Myrobalan of Mesue)
4. To purge Melancholy, Prune, Senna, Polypody, Borage (as in Decoction of Senna)
5. Heart Fire with Insomnia and Palpitations, Prune, Raisin, Jujube, Borage flower, Violet flower, Balm, Maidenhair, Basil seed, Licorice (as in Cordial Decoction of Florentini)

Major Formulas:

Common Decoction
Decoction of Fruit
Decoction of Fruit and Flowers
Decoction of Myrobalan (Mesue)
Decoction to Cool
Cordial Decoction (Florentini)
Decoction of Senna
Decoction to Expel Bile (Andernacus)
Syrup of Dodder of Thyme (Mesue)
Electuary of Prunes (Diaprunis lenitiva) (Nicholas)
Arabian Confect Purging Melancholy (Confectio Hamech) (Mesue)
Triphera Persica (Mesue)

1. Confection of Senna:
i. Senna leaf in powder (4 oz.), Pulp of Prunes (1 lb.), Pulp of Tamarinds (2 oz.), Molasses (1 ½ pints), Essential oil of Caraway (2 drams). (Dublin Pharmacopoeia)
ii. Pulp of Prunes (1 ½ oz.), Senna powder, Cream of Tartar (1 ½ drams each), Simple Syrup (sufficient). (Niemann)
iii. Prune pulp, Tamarind pulp (1 oz. each), Senna powder (2 drams), Fennel powder (½ oz.)
iv. Prune pulp (1 lb.), Cassia pulp, Tamarind pulp (2 ½ oz.), Senna powder (4 oz.), Coriander powder (½ oz.), Simple Syrup (1 pound). (Pharmacopoeia Amstelodamensis, 1792)
v. Figs (6 oz.), Licorice root (2 oz.), Water (4 pounds); boil to half, press and add White Sugar (16 oz.). Boil to a syrup and add: Tamarind pulp, Prune pulp (5 oz. each), Powdered Senna leaf (4 ½ oz.), Aniseed powder (½ oz.). (Pharmacopoeia Oldenburgica, 1801)