Trochisci de Rhabarbaro
Troches of Rhubarb
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Rheum palmatum | 10 drams | |
Agrimonia eupatoria | ||
Prunus amygdalus amara | 1⁄2 ounce ea. | |
Rosa gallica | 3 drams | |
Asarum europeum | ||
Rubia tinctorum | ||
Nardostachys jatamansi | ||
Artemisia absinthum | ||
Pimpinella anisum | ||
Apium graveolens | 1 dram ea. |
Preparation:
Powder; with white wine that has been boiled, or with Dodder water, form Troches of 1 dram.
Function:
Opens Liver Obstructions, clears Heat and Damp, resolves Swelling, moves Qi
Use:
“Trochisks of Rhubarb are good against the cold and bilious affections, the obstructions, dolours [pain], Tumours, and depraved actions of the Liver: they help also the present or the imminent Dropsy [Edema], and the Jaundice”. (Renodeus)
1. Obstruction, Pain and Tumors of the Liver, Spleen and Bowels;
2. Fever from Liver Heat or Obstruction;
3. Internal Abscesses;
4. Edema from Heat;
5. Jaundice;
6. Cachexia;
7. beginning of Consumption.
8. They are useful in Chronic Diseases coming from a poor state of the Liver, and at the end of chronic conditions to prevent the return.
9. Used classically for conditions arising from Cold and Bile
Dose:
1 scruple–1 dram, up to 1 1⁄2 or 2 drams in wine, or an appropriate vehicle, for 7 days. In the treatment of Edema, or various Chronic conditions, 2 drams was taken twice weekly on an extended basis.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. A similar version is found. in The Medical Formulary of al Samarqandi
Indian Spikenard
Mastic
Agrimony extract
Wormwood
Fennel seed
Aniseed 2 drams ea.
Rhubarb 10 drams
Used for Coldness and Obstruction of the Liver.
2. Jaundice: Troches of Rhubarb (½ oz.), Diacurcuma (2 drams), Earthworms (2 ½ drams), Cyclamen root (2 scruples). Form Pills with Byzantine Syrup. (Praxis Medicinae, Bruele, 1639)
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“This does assuage the pain of Liver, and delivers it from obstructions, it does cure inward Impostumes, old griefs, the Dropsy, Yellow Jaundice, and restores again good color; the drink of them is a present remedy for those which be of evil liking or in a Consumption; many physicians do use them in Hot Agues, and when the body begins to fall in a Consumption”. (Nicholas Prepositas)
“These Troches are used at the end of Long Sicknesses, especially the Jaundice, Dropsy [Edema] and Cachexia. It serves also for the cure of those that are troubled with pains, swellings and obstructions of the Liver, Spleen and Mesentery”. (Charras, French Pharmacopoeia)
“Few such Pastils are kept in Pharmacopolies, seeing when use calls for them, Medicks can take some Rhubarb, and mix it with simples fit for their purpose: but prudent Apothecaries, who are not given to avarice, will not want such; whose use is salutary, and description good.
But that they may be duly made, the Rhubarb must first be brayed small, that they may better pervade the Liver, the infractures of the Mesentery, and the passages of the Uterus and Reins: The rest must also be pulverated very small, and made into a mass, with a sufficient quantity of the succe of Egrimony, whereof Trochisks of any figure may be formed. If the definite quantity of Egrimonies succe be not sufficient for the receipt of the powders, it may be augmented, that all may be better subacted; and the Trochisks, when concinnated, must be dried and kept”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)