Stoechas, Stoechas

New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

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Botanical name:
Lavendula stoechas

Parts used:
Flowers

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, pungent

Classifications:
2A APERIENT.    2F. PURIFYING.    2H. CARMINATIVE.    2U. SUPPURATIVE
3G. EMMENAGOGUE.    3M. ARTHRITIC
4a. CEPHALIC.    4j. NERVINE
Preparers and Purgers of Phlegm

Uses:
1. Moves the Qi, Calms the Liver:
-Depression, Nervous Headaches and Poor circulation from Liver constraint.
-Physical and Nervous exhaustion, Nervous Palpitations, especially in nervous individuals.
    
2. Clears Wind-Phlegm from the Brain:
-great cleanser and strengthener of the Brain (Unani)
-Mesue regarded it as a useful purge of Phlegm and Black Bile from the Brain, although slow
-clears Phlegm, opens obstructions and strengthens the Intellect.
-Melancholy, Insomnia, Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Paralysis and Lethargy.
-Chronic Sinusitis.
    
3. Moves the Qi of the Stomach and Bowels:
-aromatic Bitter to calm and regulate the Digestion.
    
4. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Bronchitis, Wheezing
-Schroder said ‘In diseases of the Breast, it is as good as Hyssop’.
    
5. Resists Poison:
-‘a great counter-poison’ (Culpeper)
    
6. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-formula for Gout, Arthritis, Rheumatism; also Stones.
    
7. Externally:
-rubefacient
-applied to Burns and Scalds (oil)
-applied to Varicose veins (oil)
-used as a wash for the Head in various Nervous diseases.
-commonly used in herb sachets and fumigations (to calm and clear the Mind).


ADVERTISEMENT:

DOSE:
3–9 grams in Decoction

CORRECTIVES:
Lemon juice and other sours

SUBSTITUTES:
1. Calamus
2. Lavender
3. Dodder herb

Main Combinations:
1. Migraine, Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Paralysis, Lethargy, Trembling, Cramps, Stoechas with Calamint, Oregano, Thyme, Betony, Sage, Rosemary, Peony, Rue (as in Syrup of Stoechas)
2. Dizziness, Vertigo, Stoechas with Eyebright, Thyme, Betony, Rosemary, Aniseed, Peony root, Clove, Aloeswood (as in Tincture for Vertigo )
3. Arthritic conditions, combine Stoechas with Ground Pine.
4. Promote Menstruation, Stoechas with Celery root, Pennyroyal, Bay berry, Zedoary
5. Hysteria, Stoechas with Valerian, Peony root
6. To purge Melancholy, Stoechas with Polypody, Dodder, Senna and Black Myrobalan

Major Formulas:
Decoction of Dodder of Thyme (Mesue)
Decoction to Warm the Head
Syrup of Stoechas (Fernelius)
Syrup of Stoechas (Judeus)
Confection of Stoechas
Extraordinary Confection for Epilepsy
Theriac for Pain in the Head
Tincture for Vertigo

1. Compound Syrup of Stoechas:
i. Cinnamon (1 part), Ginger, Calamus (2 parts each), Fresh leaves of Fennel, Rue, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Stoechas (8 parts each), Water (500 parts). Distil 70 parts and with White Sugar (128 parts), form a syrup in a water-bath. (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)
ii. Dried Stoechas (3 oz.), Thyme tops (4 ½ oz.), Sage, Rosemary (6 drams each), Rue seed, Fennel seed (4 ½ drams each), Cinnamon, Ginger, Calamus (2 drams each), Water (8 lbs.). Macerate 2 days in a covered vessel, then distil half a pound and with White Sugar (1 pound); strain the residue with expression and add White Sugar (4 pounds) and dissolve; add the 2 syrups together. (Pharmacopoeia Gallica, 1818)
iii. Stoechas (2 oz.), Rosemary (2 drams), Mountain Calamint, Oregano, Thyme (3 drams each), Betony, Sage (2 drams), Aniseed, Peony seed, Calamus, Cinnamon, Ginger (1 dram each), Boiling Water (1 pound). Macerate 2 days in a warm place, express, and to 9 oz. of liquor add White Sugar (16 oz.), boil and strain. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)


ADVERTISEMENT:

Cautions:
Not used during pregnancy

Main Preparations used:

1. Syrup of Stoechas:
i. Stoechas (1 oz.), Distilled Water of Stoechas (2 lbs.). Digest in a water-bath for 2 hours and add to the strained liquor White Sugar (twice the quantity). Dissolve in a water-bath, strain through flannel. Dose: ½–2 drams. (Pharmacopoeia Gallica, 1818)