Pills of Rhubarb (Greater) (Pil. de Raved Sceni) (Mesue)
Pilulae de Raved Sceni,
or Pilulae de Rhabarbaro
Pills of Rhubarb (Greater)
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
| Herb Name | Latin | Amount * |
|---|---|---|
| Gum Ammoniacum | Dorema ammoniacum | 10 drams ea. |
| Sagapen | Ferula persica | 8 drams |
| Bdellium | Commiphora mukul | 7 drams |
| Turbith | Operculina turpethum | 6 drams |
| Yellow Myrobalan | Terminalia chebula (yellow) | 5 drams ea. |
| Lacca | Laccifer lacca | 4 drams ea. |
| Rhubarb | Rheum palmatum | |
| Mastic | Pistacia lentiscus | |
| Indian Spikenard | Nardostachys jatamansi | |
| Poley Montane | Teucrium polium | |
| Aloe | Aloe spp. | |
| Opopanax | Commiphora guidottii | |
| Mezereon prepared | Daphne mezereum | |
| Gum Arabic | Acacia arabica |
Preparation:
Dissolve the gums in wine, powder the remaining, mix and form into pills
Function:
Opens obstructions (caused by mixed Humors), clear Phlegm, moves the Blood
Use:
1. Liver or Spleen obstruction;
2. Bile and Phlegm obstructing the Abdominal Organs
3. Beginning of Edema
4. Some commended them for Tertian (Malarial) and Quotidian Fevers
5. Used for Hardness and Tumors
Dose:
1–2 scruples, up to 1 dram
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. If the Mezereon is omitted this can be made today.
As with other similar formulas of Mesue, there were a number of formulas called Pills of Rhubarb; Mesue himself had several versions.
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