Troches of Earth of Lemnos (Trochisci de Terra Lemna)
Trochisci de Terra Lemna,
or Trochisci de Terra Sigillata
Troches of Earth of Lemnos,
or Troches of Sealed Earth
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
| Herb Name | Latin | Amount * |
|---|---|---|
| Lemnian Earth | Terra Lemnia | 2 drams ea. |
| Armenian Earth | Terra Armenius | 1 1⁄2 drams |
| Gum Acacia | Acacia senegal | 1 dram |
| Gum Arabic toasted | Acacia arabica | |
| Hypocistus | Cytinus hypocistus | |
| Dragon’s Blood | Daemonorops draco | |
| Starch | Amylum | |
| Rose | Rosa gallica | |
| Rose anthera | Rosa gallica | |
| Hematite | Haematitum | |
| Red Coral | Corallum rubrum | |
| Amber | Succinum | |
| Pomegranate flowers | Punica granatum | |
| Tabasheer | Bambusae silicae | |
| Purslane seed toasted | Portulaceae oleracea | |
| Frankincense | Boswellia sacra | |
| Burnt Deer Horn | Cornu Cervii Usta | |
| Cypress nuts | Cupressus semperviens | |
| Saffron | Crocus sativus | |
| Black Poppy seed | Papaver spp. | |
| Tragacanth | Astragalus tragacanth | |
| Pearl | Margarita | |
| Opium | Papaver somniferum |
Preparation:
Form into troches with Plantain juice
Function:
Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding
Use:
1. Hemoptysis
2. Blood Nose (applied to the forehead mixed with Plantain water)
3. Hematuria
4. Excess Menstruation
5. Epidemic Fevers
6. Venoms and Poisons
Dose:
1⁄2–1 dram, often with with Conserve of Roses or Plantain water; for blood Nose or Blood in the Urine, it was dissolved in Poppy Water or Plantain Water and injected in.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
This can be simplified with the omission of Opium and some of the other herbs.
Earths are used in all systems to clear Heat, astringe, and stop Bleeding. Lemnian Earth was available as Sealed Earth (Terra Sigillata), where the Earth was formed into round discs like coins and stamped with a design. These sold at high prices throughout Europe and the Mediterranean for centuries. Some versions listed Sealed Earth in place of Lemnian Earth.
“These be excellent balls to staunch Spitting of Blood and chiefly if they be taken with water of Plantain: if the forehead be therewith anointed, it stops bleeding at the nose, if the Matrix [Uterus] be anointed therewith it stops the Flowers [Menstruation], and also for any Flux [Leakage]”. (Nicolas Prepositas)
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