Trochisci Diarrhodon
Troches of Rose
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
There were a number of versions, the first from Mesue:
Herb Name | Latin | Amount * |
|---|---|---|
Rosa gallica | 1 ounce | |
Glycyrrhiza glabra | 4 drams | |
Pistacia lentiscus | ||
Nardostachys jatamansi | 2 drams ea. | |
Aquillaria agallocha | 8 scruples | |
Bambusae silicae | ||
Crocus sativus | 2 scruples ea. |
A Second version of Mesue:
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Rosa gallica | 9 drams | |
Nardostachys jatamansi | ||
Aquillaria agallocha | 3 drams ea. | |
Glycyrrhiza glabra | 4 ½ drams | |
Bambusae silicae | 1 ½ drams | |
Pistacia lentiscus | 2 drams | |
Crocus sativus | 2 ½ scruples |
A modern Unani version:
Herb Name | Latin | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Rosa gallica | 100 grams | |
Glycyrrhiza glabra | 60 grams | |
Nardostachys jatamansi | 30 grams | |
Bambusae silicae | ||
Pistacia lentiscus | 10 grams ea. |
This last version is most practical due to the omission of Aloeswood and Saffron.
Preparation:
Powder and form Troches with White Wine.
The last version above of modern Unani recommends forming Troches with Rose water.
Function:
Cordial Tonic, clears Heat, open Obstructions, calms the Mind
Use:
1. Used to cool and strengthen the Heart, Brain, Stomach and Liver
2. Fever from Phlegm and Bile; useful in Chronic disease, complex Fevers;
3. Pain and Obstruction of the Stomach, Liver and Bowels; Dysentery and Colic.
4. The modern Unani version is specifically indicated in obstructive Jaundice.
5. Some commended them for Mania and Mental Illness; they were also used for Consumption.
Dose:
1 scruple–1 dram
The modern Unani version is slightly weaker so is given in doses of up to 5 grams.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. In later times, Sandalwood was used in place of Aloeswood.
2. Later versions commonly added 1⁄2 scruple of Camphor, making it better for clearing Heat.
3. When Tabasheer is omitted it is less Cooling and more strengthening for the Stomach.
4. Nicholas had a version which used Rose, Tabasheer, and Red and White Sandalwood in place of Aloeswood. He ommitted Licorice, Spikenard and Mastic, but added Saffron and Camphor
5. A version from The Medical Formulary of al Samarqandi used onle 4 ingredients: Rose (10 parts), Licorice juice (2 parts), Mastic and Indian Spikenard (1 dram each). These were listed to strengthen the Stomach.
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Various Authors give various descriptions of these Pastils: for every one at his pleasure, adds, detracts, perverts, changes, and oftentimes designed the same medicament with diverse names, calling two or three by one word of the same acceptation. Besides this of the Trochisks of Diarrhodon; or of Roses, Mesue describes others; whose significations [uses] include others. Their reasons are futilous, who endeavor to prove the diversity of these, from the diversity of names: But, if I may, with an approved Author, speak my mind, I will call these the Trochisks of Diarrhodon, and not of Roses; whose preparation further to declare, were superfluous, seeing it bears nothing of difficulty in it. Instead of Spodium, we put the vulgar Antispodium, which is burnt Ivory,
They cure pituitous, inveterate and implicite Fevers; they allay the dolours [pain] of the ventricle [Stomach], and deterge the humours adherent there unto: they are mixed in many great compounds described by Mesue”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)
“Troches of Rose is a good useful remedy for stomach ailments especially when the patient is weak because of chronic and compound Fevers. These are because the stomach has been weakened. The ailment does not disappear unless the Stomach is made strong and its condition is improved. The ratio of Rose needed to strengthen the Stomach in fevers since it is useful in this condition is like the ratio of the Myrobalans to it with no fevers attendant. It is as if the Myrobalans are a yeast. The basis for the Myrobalans is like that for the Troches of Rose. It is so made that the dose of it contains a dirham of Rose.
The first thing which must be added to the Rose and mixed with it is the Licorice root and Indian Spikenard according to the ratio of a half to a fourth. Thereafter, its prescriptions vary according to the differences in Fevers. Sometimes more cold medicines promote flowing; sometimes more of the hot are included according to necessity.” (The Medical Formulary of al Samarqandi)