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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 montane
Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586

S. montanum.                                                                                                              S. tortuosum
Flora von Deutschland (27), Kohler, 1886

The Chinese Saposhnikovia divaricata (syn. Siler divaricata)
Ledebour, Icones plantarum novarum, 1829

Siler montanum
(Photo by Kenraiz) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Siler montanum (syn. Laserpitium 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
-‘a special Antidote against Hemlock’. (Schroder)
-Scrofula (from Wind-Phlegm)

2. Clears Wind and Damp, Regulates Qi:
-Chiefly for Head diseases, Epilepsy, Cramps, weak Sight etc
-Opens obstructions of the Liver

3. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, Stranguria
-Stones of the Kidney and Bladder

4. Regulates Qi, Benefits the Uterus, Promotes Menstruation:
-Promotes Menstruation, clears a Dead Fetus
-suffocation of the Uterus
-Infertility from Damp or obstruction

5. Clears Damp, Benefits the Stomach, Moves Qi:
-clears Wind and crudities from the Stomach

6. Externally:
-Cramps, Convulsions
-congealed Milk
-obstructed and foul Womb


DOSE:
Of the Powder: 1–3 grams
In Decoction: 3–9 grams

NOTE:
Tabernemont said the seeds of Brank Ursine were sold for it in the shops (though this seems unlikely). They may have been an adulterant.

SUBSTITUTE:
The closely related Chinese Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fang Feng) (formerly Siler spp.) may be used for Siler montanum in most instances.

Main Combinations:
1. Epilepsy:
i. Seseli with Peony root, Squill, Mint, Wormwood, Sage, Rue, Licorice, Raisins
ii. Seseli with Stoechas, Agaric, Cardamon, Hyssop, Licorice, Peony (Mesue)
iii. Seseli, Rue, Oregano, Balm, Marjoram, Rosemary, Betony, Sage, Clove, Nutmeg, Aniseed, Pyrethrum (as in Powder for Epilepsy of Philon)
2. Apoplexy, Seseli, Rosemary, Doronicum, Peony, Costus, Lavender, Peony, Aniseed, Cinnamon, Clove, Aloeswood, Amber (as in Powder Against Apoplexy)
3. Dizziness, Vertigo, Seseli, Calamus, Red Coral, Calendula, Betony, Rosemary, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Aniseed, Peony, Cardamon, Clove (as in Powder for Cold Diseases of the Head)
4. Poor Memory, Seseli, Clove, Ginger, Senna, Calamus, Gentian, Indian Spikenard, Aniseed, Cumin, Caraway, Lovage seed,  Mace (as in The Powder of Trithemius)
5. Headache, Seseli, Feverfew, Lovage
6. For 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)
7. 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)
8. 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)
9. To promote Menstruation, Seseli with Madder, Asparagus root, Mint, Valerian, Pennyroyal, Balm, Licorice, Currants (Wirtzung)
10. 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)

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)
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)

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: