Succisa, Devil’s Bit
Devils Bit Scabious, Premorse
Morsus diaboli, Praemorsa, Lacea nigr
Gart der Gesundheit, Cuba, 1485
Flora Batava, Kops, 1814
Succisa pratensis
(Photo by Christian Fischer) (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Succisa pratensis (syn. Scabiosa succisa)
Parts used:
Root
“The root should be collected in the autumn, and lasts for up to two years with its full strength”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, sweet
Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Poison:
-Fevers, Epidemic Diseases, Plague
-Spotted Fevers, Measles, Small Pox etc.
-Syphilis, Venereal Sores and Ulcers
-Internal Abscess of the Lungs or Stomach; Swellings of the Neck or Throat (Matthiolus)
-Erysipelas
-Sore Throat
-Venomous Bites; Dog and Snake Bite
-“helps against Plague, and all Poisons”, (Dorsetn, 1540)
2. Clears Wind and Heat, Stops Spasms:
-Epilepsy, Convulsions, Vertigo, Dizziness
-Body aches and Pain (Russian folk medicine)
-Toothache
3. Clears Heat, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Hoarseness, Asthma (Matthiolus)
-inveterate Tumors and Swellings of the Throat
4. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis:
-Pain from internal Bruising; Trauma (Lonicerus)
-Internal Ulcers
-Uterus Pain
-“all congealed blood collected from a Bruise, Fall, or Blow”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
5. Kills Worms:
-Root powder was taken to kill and expel Worms
6. Externally:
-Fresh Wounds, Trauma and Bruising, Cataplasm of the fresh Herb is applied
-decoction is used as a gargle for Sore Throat, Tonsillitis
-Ointment ripens Abscesses, and brings Tumors to suppuration
-Chronic Ulcers and Fistulas
-“The root, crushed and applied to inflammation, quenches the fire”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
Dose:
“The herb is used green, against all external affections of the body, it should not be taken internally, because it brings heat”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
Root in Powder: 2–3 grams
Tincture (1:5): 5 mls, 3 times daily
Oily Tincture: 10–30 drops
Of the Juice: 2–4 oz.
Comment:
1. Generally used as Scabious
2. It has been used as a Tea substitute
Substitute:
Scabious
Main Combinations:
1. As a gargle for Sore Throat, with Sage
2. Tumors and Swellings of the Throat, Devil’s Bit decoction with Honey of Roses
3. Herpes, Acne, Eczema, Itchiness, Distilled Water is mixed with Zinc oxide and applied as a wash
Cautions:
None noted
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water, Fixed Salt
1. Fixed Salt:
Diuretic, Alexipharmic, Aperitive, Antifebriti; for Urinary obstruction, Gravel, to resist Poison, open the Womb, and to abate burning Fevers.
Dose: 1 scruple–half dram in the Distilled Water.
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