Seseli, Siler Montane
Hartwort, Laserwort, Mountain Cumin
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491
Seseli
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Left: Seseli massiliense; Right: Seseli ethiopicum
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Left: Seseli peloponnesiacum, Right: Seseli creticum,
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Siler montanum
Flora von Deutschland (27), Kohler, 1886
Siler tortuosum
Flora von Deutschland (27), Kohler, 1886
Botanical name:
Siler montanum (syn. Laserpitium siler, L. montanum, L. trifoliatum, L. garganicum, Daucus siler)
Ferula-leaved or Fennel-like-leaved types were used synonymously (the first called Siler Montane, the latter, Rock Fennel); S. tortuosum (syn. S. massiliense) is also used; other varieties were known.
TCM uses the related Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fang Feng) (syn. Siler divaricatum, Ledebouriella divaricata, Rumia seseloides, Saposhnikovia seseloides). Both plants were previously grouped together in the Siler genus and are similar in appearance and use.
Parts used:
Root, Seed
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent, Sweet, Bitter
cuts, opens, discusses
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Cold, Resists Poison:
-Cold, Influenza
-in Antidotes against epidemic and infectious diseases
-Cough, shortness of Breath, Catarrhs
-“it is beneficial for Orthopnoea … and against the old Cough”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“a special Antidote against Hemlock”. (Schroder)
-Scrofula (from Wind-Phlegm)
2. Settles Wind, Regulates Qi:
-chiefly for Head diseases, Epilepsy, Cramps, weak Sight etc
-Opens obstructions of the Liver
-Wine decoction for Back pain
3. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, Stranguria
-Stones of the Kidney and Bladder
-“Wine in which the seed is decocted helps with Stranguria”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
4. Regulates Qi, Benefits the Uterus, Promotes Menstruation:
-Promotes Menstruation, clears a Dead Fetus
-suffocation of the Uterus, Menstrual Cramps
-Infertility from Damp or obstruction
-“If taken before intercourse, it promotes Conception”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
5. Clears Damp, Benefits the Stomach, Moves Qi:
-clears Wind and crudities from the Stomach
-“Seseli cuts thick and concrete humors, and powerfully draws them out”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
6. Externally:
-Cramps, Convulsions
-congealed Milk
-obstructed and foul Womb
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Substitute:
1. The closely related Chinese Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fang Feng) (formerly Siler spp.) may be used for Siler montanum in most instances.
2. Tabernemont said the seeds of Brank Ursine were sold for it in the shops
Main Combinations:
Acute Disease:
1. Colds and Influenza from Wind-Cold:
i. “Against colds in winter time with Pepper and wine”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
ii. Wind and Cold, Seseli with Ginger, Hyssop, White Pepper, Black Pepper, Parsley seed, Elecampane, Long Pepper, Ameos, Aniseed, Fennel, Honey (as in Antidote for Wind and Cold of Nicholas)
Wind diseases, Diseases of the Head:
2. Epilepsy:
i. Seseli with Orris decocted in wine. (Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485)
ii. “taken with wine, mixed with Long Pepper, helps against Epilepsy”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
iii. Seseli with Peony root, Squill, Mint, Wormwood, Sage, Rue, Licorice, Raisins
iv. Seseli with Stoechas, Agaric, Cardamon, Hyssop, Licorice, Peony (Mesue)
v. Seseli, Rue, Oregano, Balm, Marjoram, Rosemary, Betony, Sage, Clove, Nutmeg, Aniseed, Pyrethrum (as in Powder for Epilepsy of Philon)
3. Apoplexy, Seseli, Rosemary, Doronicum, Peony, Costus, Lavender, Peony, Aniseed, Cinnamon, Clove, Aloeswood, Amber (as in Powder Against Apoplexy)
4. Dizziness, Vertigo, Seseli, Calamus, Red Coral, Calendula, Betony, Rosemary, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Aniseed, Peony, Cardamon, Clove (as in Powder for Cold Diseases of the Head)
5. Poor Memory, Seseli, Clove, Ginger, Senna, Calamus, Gentian, Indian Spikenard, Aniseed, Cumin, Caraway, Lovage seed, Mace (as in The Powder of Trithemius)
6. Headache, Seseli, Feverfew, Lovage
7. To benefit the Eyes and clear the Sight:
i. Seseli seed, Eyebright, Fennel, Celandine, Rue, Rosemary, Aniseed
ii. Seseli, Fennel, Blue Germander, Stavesacre, Celery seed, Aniseed, Parsley seed, Pennyroyal, Hyssop, Saxifrage, Juniper berry (as in Electuary of Pope Innocent Against Blindness)
Infertility:
8. Infertility:
i. Seseli with Red and White Behen, Ash tree keys, Turnip seed, Cinnamon, Marjoram, Balm, Pearl (Wirtzung)
ii. Seseli, Parsnip seed, Turnip seed, Ivory, Ash tree key, Cinnamon, Doronicum, Rosemary, Balsam wood, Blatta Byzantina, Marjoram, Pennyroyal, Balm, Citron peel, Spikenard, Ambergris, Pearl (as in Confection for Impregnation)
iii. Seseli, Madder, Mugwort, Mint, Wormwood, Fennel root, Marjoram, Calamus, Aniseed, Clove, Balm flower, Cyperus root, Cinnamon, Raisin, Mastic, Ginger, Mace, Clove, Ivory, Saffron, Nutmeg, Doronicum, Zedoary, Basil (as in Electuary to Promote Fertility)
Other:
9. Cold and Wind affecting the Stomach, with Nausea, poor Appetite, Stomach weakness, Siler seed, Calamint seed, Pennyroyal seed, Parsley seed, Celery seed, Thyme, Black Pepper (as in Electuary of Calamint of Galen)
10. To promote Menstruation, Seseli with Madder, Asparagus root, Mint, Valerian, Pennyroyal, Balm, Licorice, Currants (Wirtzung)
Major Formula:
Powder for Cold Diseases of the Head (Renodeus)
The Powder of Trithemius
Powder Against Apoplexy (2) (Zwelfer)
Powder for Epilepsy of Philon
Antidote for Wind and Cold (Nicholas)
Antidote for Cold Kidneys and to Excite Libido (Nicholas)
Confection for Infertility from Cold
Electuary of Calamint (Galen)
The Queen of Colen’s Electuary
Electuary of Pope Innocent Against Blindness
Electuary for a Duke (Electuarium Ducis) (Nicholas)
Extraordinary Confection for Epilepsy
Electuary to Promote Fertility (Wirtzung)
Confection for Impregnation (Renodeus)
Expert Pills for Epilepsy from Phlegm
1. Electuarium ad Coitum Augmentendum
Siler Montane
Cumin
Nettle seed 10 drams
Ginger 15 drams
Satyrion 5 drams
Pine nut 20 drams
Annis 6 drams
Triturate with Butter, then add clarified Honey.
Dose: ½ oz. (Isaac)
Cautions:
1. Not used for Yin deficient Heat, or Wind associated with severe Blood deficiency.
Main Preparations used:
Click the above Tabs for more information on this medicine
“The root and the fruit, as Dioscorides says, cure Stranguria, Orthopnea, women’s Suffocation, Epilepsy, and Menstrual Cramps”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
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