2O. Astringents

Binding

Materia Medica in Arabic & Persian, Shirazy, 1793

These medicines were traditionally also classed as Incrassating (thickening), Repellent (repelling) or Adstringent (binding).

Astringent medicines are drying, usually in the 3rd or 4th degree. They thicken Humors and Fluids, and therefore hinder leakage. They also tighten lax tissues.

They are used for Diarrhea, Dysentery, Leukorrhea, Spermatorrhea; some restrain Sweat and Excessive Urination. Some have a secondary tonic action and help stop loss of Essence. Some are also Hemostatic, or hinder Miscarriage.

They are known by their astringent and contracting effect on the tongue when they are tasted.

They are opposed to Loosening, Lenitive and Opening medicines.

Compare with the TCM classification of R. Astringents

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Bistort                        Chebulic Myrobalan                        Horsetail                        Pomegranate flower                        Raspberry leaf                        Borage root                        Rose                        Sage                        Soloman’s Seal                        Toasted Rhubarb                        Oak bark                        Rice                        Plantain                        Poppy seed                        Tragacanth gum                        Sumac                        Dragon’s Blood                        Frankincense                        Burnt Deer Horn                        Coral                        Armenian Earth                        Alum                        Hematite                        Cornus Shan Zhu Yu

Tormentil Belleric Myrobalan Shepherd’s Purse Pomegranate rind Blackberry leaf Bugloss root Rose hip Yarrow Comfrey Walnut hulls Galls Quince Purslane Cypress nuts Gum Arabic Sloe Mastic Sandalwood Ivory Pearl Earth of Lemnos Gypsum Cuttlefish bone Schisandra Wu Wei Zi

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Addendum:
Anhydrotics–Medicines that Stop Sweating

Sage                        Agaric                        Datura seed                        Belladonna root

Walnut leaf Ergot Henbane seed Nux Vomica prepared

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Others:
Jaborandi
Externally: rub oil over the body; wash the body with Vinegar; Starch as a dusting powder

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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