Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name	Latin	Amount *
Saffron	Crocus sativus
Asarabacca	Asarum europeum
Parsley seed	Petroselinum crispum
Cretan Carrot seed	Daucus spp.
Aniseed	Pimpinella anisum
Celery seed	Apium graveolens	1⁄2 oz. ea.
Rhubarb	Rheum palmatum
Spignel root	Meum asthmaticum
Indian Spikenard	Nardostachys jatamansi	6 drams ea.
Scordium	Teucrium Scordium
Hart’s Tongue	Asplenium scolopendrium
Licorice juice	Succus Glycyrrhiza	2 1⁄2 drams ea.
Cassia Wood	Cinnamonum cassia
Costus	Saussurea lappa
Myrrh	Commiphora molmol
Schoenanth	Cymbopogon schoenanthus
Balsam fruit	Commiphora opobalsamum
Madder	Rubia tinctorum
Wormwood juice	Artemisia absinthum
Maudlin	Achillea ageratum
Balsam oil	Commiphora opobalsamum
Cinnamon	Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Calamus	Acorus calamus	1 1⁄2 drams ea.
Tragacanth	Astragalus tragacanth	1 dram

Preparation:

With 8 times the weight of all the rest in Sugar dissolved in Endive Water and clarified, form an Electuary.

Function:

Warms, Opens Obstructions, Moves Blood and Qi, Promotes Urine

Use:

1. Antidote
2. Cold and Weakness of Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Kidney
3. Edema
4. Gravel and Stones
5. Cold-type Bladder or Kidney Pain
6. Liver disease
7. Hardness, Sclerosis or Cirrhosis of the Liver
8. Liver Pain
9. Pain caused by Blood Stagnation

Dose:

1–2 drams, with warm water, or with wine

Cautions:

Not used during Pregnancy.

Modifications:

1. For Edema, and to more strongly move the Blood and open Obstructions, it was often combined with Dialacca.
2. Some version listed 4 drams of Rhubarb rather than 6.
3. Some added 6 drams of Valerian.

There are several substitutes which can be used to make this formula more viable for modern-day use, and which were commonly employed in Europe:
1. Safflower can replace Saffron.
2. Cubeb can be used for Balsam fruit
3. Expressed oil of Nutmeg can be used in place of Balsam oil.
4. Thickened juice of Agrimony was used in place of Maudlin.
5. Regular Carrot seed for Cretan Carrot seed.
6. Licorice powder or extract can be used in place of Licorice juice if unavailable.

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