2B. Attenuaters

Also called Digestives, Preparatives, Inciders

Materia Medica in Arabic & Persian, Shirazy, 1793

These are next in order to Opening and Aperient Medicines. Attenuators cut, divide, dissolve and lessen thick and compacted humors, and may also be called Digestives or Preparatives. Most are warm and thin, thereby being better to penetrate, but some are cold, sharp and cutting as Lemon juice, Vinegar and Oxymel.
They are used internally to help open obstructions of the organs, to open the Bowels, to cleanse Phlegm, promote Urine or Menstruation, as well as externally to dissolve thick humors of or under the skin.
Their taste is generally sharp, sour or bitter.

As with Aperient medicine some of these medicines Move Qi, some Move Blood, some clear Damp or Heat and Damp.

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Celery root and seed                        Anise                        Gentian                        Garlic                        Leek                        Mustard seed                        Cinnamon                        Cloves                        Cassia Fistula                        Sorrel                        St. Johns wort                        Rue                        Hyssop                        Calamint                        Chebulic Myrobalan                        Elecampane                        Aloeswood                        Guaiacum                        Orris                        Dodder                        Mastic                        Linseed                        Nettle seed                        Gum Ammoniac                        Galbanum                        Marjoram                        Wormwood                        Juniper berries                        Centaury                        Ceterach                        Ground Pine                        Hemlock                        Red Coral                        Musk                        Fox Fat                        Earthworm                        Pitch                        Cinnabar                        Crystals of Tartar                        Vinegar

Fennel root and seed Dill seed Elder Onion Radish Rocket seed Ginger Nutmeg Tamarind Wood Sorrel Mint Rosemary Pennyroyal Thyme Prunes Costus Sandalwood Sassafras Calamus Savin Cinnamon Fenugreek Rocket seed Asafetida Opopanax Oregano Southernwood Barberries Camomile Caper root bark Birthwort root Cypress Amber Bezoar Goose grease Viper Sulphur Saltpeter Tartar Vitriolate Oxymel

Others:
Spirit of Salt, Spirit of Niter, Spirits of Sulphur
Volatile Salts of Ammoniac, of Deer Horn, of Urine

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Western Classification

2. Secondary Faculties a. Aperients b. Attenuaters c. Inciding Medicines d. Attenuaters of Congealed Blood e. Lenitive f. Purifying g. Cleansing h. Carminatives i. Antispasmodics j. Rarefying k. Resolvent l. Emollients m. Drawing n. Repellents o. Astringent p. Hemostatic q. Anodyne r. Narcotics & Hypnotics

s. Strengthening t. Glutinate u. Suppuratives v. Expel Pus w. Sarcotics x. Incarnative y. Corrosive z. Cicatrizing 3. Tertiary Faculties a. Sudorifics and Diaphoretics b. Febrifuge and Antipyretic c. Alexipharmic d. Cordials and Cardiacs e. Diuretics f. Lithontriptic g. Emmenagogue h. Lactagogue i. Aphrodisiacs j. Increase Semen

k. Expectorant l. Anti-tussive m. Arthritic Medicines n. Vulnerary o. Emetics p. Masticatories & Sternutatories q. Anthelmintic 4. According to Part a. Cephalic b. Opthalmic c. Cardiac d. Pectoral e. Stomachic f. Splenetic g. Hepatic h. Nephritics i. Uterine j. Nervine k. Arthritic