Diacatholicum
Or, Electuarium Catholicum
Catholicum,
Or, Universal Purging Electuary
Western,, Unani
Nicholas
Boil the fresh Polypody roots and Fennel seed together in 4 lbs. of water until one-third has wasted, then strain and press well. Boil the strained liquor with 2 lbs. of Sugar to the thickness of an electuary (like Honey), then remove from the fire and add the Cassia pulp and Tamarind. Then gradually add the rest in fine powder, stirring well.
Purges all Humors from all Parts of the body
1. Acute Fevers
2. Quartan Fever; Tertian Fever; Quotidian Fever
3. Acute diseases in general
4. Fever associated with Liver or Spleen obstruction.
5. Obstruction
6. Diseases where the Blood is in a poor state (cleanses the Blood)
7. Diarrhea
8. Dysentery
9. Arthritic diseases
10. Chronic Skin diseases
11. Headache and other pains of the Head.
2 drams–1⁄2 oz., up to 1 oz. in an appropriate vehicle.
Regarded as safe, including for use in the young, old and pregnant.
There were many versions, many or most Physicians and Apothecaries having their own type of Catholicum.
The original version did not boil Fennel with the Polypody, but later Fennel seed, Annis, or otherwise Coriander seed was decocted with the Polypody to reduce its windiness; others added Fennel or Coriander seed instead of the Annis, or an equal weight of each of them. Often Cinnamon is added, which is also a useful addition both to make it more grateful to taste, more effective, and better corrected for all the cold medicines. Others used clarified Violet juice rather than the flowers or seeds, which is also acceptable. Yet others made it up with clarified Honey rather than Sugar. Some also made Catholicum up as a Syrup rather than a stiff Electuary.
1. A version from the French Pharmacopeia of Charras added these powders instead of the above: Rhubarb, Senna, Violet seed, Aniseed, Licorice and the Cold seeds. It omitted Sugar Penids and Sugar Candy, didn’t add Polypody roots a second time and used Violet seed rather than the herb or flower.
2. Some added Fennel seed or Coriander seed with the Anise.
3. Often Cinnamon was added, which is a good addition.
4. Some used Violet juice rather than the herb, flower, or seed.
5. Some preferred adding Honey rather than Sugar.
6. Fernelius gave several descriptions containing additions such as Elecampane, Hyssop, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Turpentine or Agaric.
7. Chronic skin diseases, it was common to combined with Confectio Hamech.
8. Severe Bruising, dissolve Catholicum in Common Decoction.
The original author was uncertain. Nicholas Salernitanus, Nicholas Myrepsus and even Galen were credited with inventing this medicine. The version here was typically called Catholicum of Nicholas. There was another more compound version called Catholicum Duplicatum, this being called Catholicum Simplex.
This was called Catholicum because it was accounted as a universal purger of all bad humours from all parts of the body.
‘Tis as profitable as commonly used. It evacuates all Humors; chiefly Bile, Atrabile, and then Phlegm; and may be used in all Ages, States and times, either by itself, or dissolved in some proper liquor. ‘Tis helpful in acute, and peracute Diseases; it mollifies, alters and strengthens; ‘tis good in affects of the Liver, Spleen, helps all Gouts, Tertians, Quartans, Quotidians, also pains of the Head’ (Cooke).
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Or, Electuarium Catholicum
Catholicum,
Or, Universal Purging Electuary
Tradition:
Western,, Unani
Source / Author:
Nicholas
Herb NameFresh Polypody rootFennel seed Cassia pulp Tamarind Senna Polypody root Violet Rhubarb Aniseed Sugar Penid Sugar Candy Licorice Melon seed Gourd seed Pumpkin seed Cucumber seed |
|
Preparation:
Boil the fresh Polypody roots and Fennel seed together in 4 lbs. of water until one-third has wasted, then strain and press well. Boil the strained liquor with 2 lbs. of Sugar to the thickness of an electuary (like Honey), then remove from the fire and add the Cassia pulp and Tamarind. Then gradually add the rest in fine powder, stirring well.
Function:
Purges all Humors from all Parts of the body
Use:
1. Acute Fevers
2. Quartan Fever; Tertian Fever; Quotidian Fever
3. Acute diseases in general
4. Fever associated with Liver or Spleen obstruction.
5. Obstruction
6. Diseases where the Blood is in a poor state (cleanses the Blood)
7. Diarrhea
8. Dysentery
9. Arthritic diseases
10. Chronic Skin diseases
11. Headache and other pains of the Head.
Dose:
2 drams–1⁄2 oz., up to 1 oz. in an appropriate vehicle.
Cautions:
Regarded as safe, including for use in the young, old and pregnant.
Modifications:
There were many versions, many or most Physicians and Apothecaries having their own type of Catholicum.
The original version did not boil Fennel with the Polypody, but later Fennel seed, Annis, or otherwise Coriander seed was decocted with the Polypody to reduce its windiness; others added Fennel or Coriander seed instead of the Annis, or an equal weight of each of them. Often Cinnamon is added, which is also a useful addition both to make it more grateful to taste, more effective, and better corrected for all the cold medicines. Others used clarified Violet juice rather than the flowers or seeds, which is also acceptable. Yet others made it up with clarified Honey rather than Sugar. Some also made Catholicum up as a Syrup rather than a stiff Electuary.
1. A version from the French Pharmacopeia of Charras added these powders instead of the above: Rhubarb, Senna, Violet seed, Aniseed, Licorice and the Cold seeds. It omitted Sugar Penids and Sugar Candy, didn’t add Polypody roots a second time and used Violet seed rather than the herb or flower.
2. Some added Fennel seed or Coriander seed with the Anise.
3. Often Cinnamon was added, which is a good addition.
4. Some used Violet juice rather than the herb, flower, or seed.
5. Some preferred adding Honey rather than Sugar.
6. Fernelius gave several descriptions containing additions such as Elecampane, Hyssop, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Turpentine or Agaric.
7. Chronic skin diseases, it was common to combined with Confectio Hamech.
8. Severe Bruising, dissolve Catholicum in Common Decoction.
The original author was uncertain. Nicholas Salernitanus, Nicholas Myrepsus and even Galen were credited with inventing this medicine. The version here was typically called Catholicum of Nicholas. There was another more compound version called Catholicum Duplicatum, this being called Catholicum Simplex.
This was called Catholicum because it was accounted as a universal purger of all bad humours from all parts of the body.
‘Tis as profitable as commonly used. It evacuates all Humors; chiefly Bile, Atrabile, and then Phlegm; and may be used in all Ages, States and times, either by itself, or dissolved in some proper liquor. ‘Tis helpful in acute, and peracute Diseases; it mollifies, alters and strengthens; ‘tis good in affects of the Liver, Spleen, helps all Gouts, Tertians, Quartans, Quotidians, also pains of the Head’ (Cooke).
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