Foetid Pills (Mesue)
| Pilulae de Foetida | |
| Foetid Pills, or Stinking Pills |
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
| Herb Name | Latin | Amount * |
|---|---|---|
| Aloe | Aloe spp. | 5 drams ea. |
| Colocynth | Citrullus colocynthus | 1⁄2 oz. |
| Sagapen | Ferula persica | 3 drams |
| Gum Ammoniacum | Dorema ammoniacum | 2 drams ea. |
| Myrrh | Commiphora molmol | 1 1⁄2 drams |
| Rue seed | Ruta graveolens | 1 dram ea. |
| Dodder of Thyme | Cuscuta europea | 2 scruples |
| Turbith | Operculina turpethum | |
| Scammony prepared | Convovulus scammonia | |
| Lesser Spurge root prepared | Euphorbia spp. | |
| Colchicum | Colchicum autumnale | |
| Ginger | Zingiber officinalis | |
| Indian Spikenard | Nardostachys jatamansi Cinnamonum zeylanicum | |
| Cinnamon | Crocus sativus | |
| Saffron | Castoreum | |
| Castoreum | Euphorbium resinifera | |
| Euphorbium prepared |
Preparation:
Dissolve the gums in Leek juice; then add the remaining in powder, and with Syrup of the Juice of Leeks, make a Pill mass, S.A.
Function:
Clears Cold Phlegm and Damp
Use:
1. Arthritis
2. Rheumatism
3. Back Pain
4. Sciatica
5. Leprosy
6. Obstinate skin diseases: Pruritus, Morphew
Dose:
1–2 scruples
Cautions:
1. These are strong and irritant in excess. They are only suitable for cases with excess Damp or Phlegm, and are contraindicated in Yin deficiency.
2. Not used during Pregnancy.
Modifications:
Similar Formulas:
Pills of Sagapen
Pills of Sarcocolla
Pills of Colchicum.
“They purge gross and raw phlegm, and diseases thereof arising; Gouts [Arthritis] of all sorts, pains in the backbone, and other joints: It is good against Leprosies, and other such like infirmities of the skin”. (Culpeper)
“Foetid Pills are of much use, for they evacuate frigid, pituitous, crude, and also bilious humours; and thence cure such affections as arise from thence, as diseases of the Junctures [Joints], Podagry [Gout], Gonagry [Gonorrhea], Dolours [Pain] in the Back-bone, Leprosy, Morphews, Itch, cutaneous Infections, and cholical affections”. (Renodeus)
Mesue had greater and lesser versions of the Foetid Pills, these being the Greater, the Lesser being far less commonly used. Galen originally formed the Pills of Spurge upon which these are loosely based.
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