Pills of Fumitory (Avicenna)
Pilulae Fumaria
Pills of Fumitory
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Avicenna
| Herb Name | Latin | Amount * |
|---|---|---|
| Chebulic Myrobalan | Terminalia chebula | 5 drams ea. |
| Yellow Myrobalan | Terminalia chebula (yellow) | 7 drams |
| Indian Myrobalan | Terminalia chebula (black) | |
| Diagridium * | Convolvulus scammonia | |
| Aloes | Aloe spp. |
* Diagridium is the name given to prepared Scammony.
Preparation:
Powder and mix into a paste with clarified Fumitory juice, dry, and repeat twice more with new Fumitory juice. Lastly, powder, and mix with Syrup of Fumitory and form Pills.
Function:
Opens Obstructions, clear Heat, Salt-Phlegm and Melancholy from the Blood
Use:
1. Scabs (various skin diseases with redness, itching, pustules)
2. Scurf (like Dandruff)
3. Morphew
4. Pruritus
5. Eczema, Psoriasis
6. Chronic skin diseases with red, itchy skin
7. “Pustules and Roughness of the Privities [genitals]”,
8. Skin Cancers.
Dose:
1 scruple–1 dram
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. This formula is still effective without Scammony. The dose of Aloe can be increased or Rhubarb could be used in its place.
2. Avicenna had a version with Senna, Dodder, Polypody and prepared Black Hellebore root-bark added for more obstinate cases.
3. To purge Melancholy: Pills of Fumitory, Pills of Lapis Lazuli equal parts; form pills.
‘They open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, purge Salt Phlegm and Melancholy, and are good for such diseases as proceed therefrom, as Scabs, Leprosy, Scurf, Morphew, Tetters, Cancers, Itch, &c.’
This formula written by Avicenna became one of the main formulas of his to be used for centuries throughout Europe, due largely to its effectiveness.
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