Centaurea behen, White Behen
Cornflower, Star ThistleBehman Safed (Unani)
Ortus sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491
White BehenNew Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
White BehenDioscorides Materia Medica, Ruellio, 1549
Lychnis sylvestris was also listed as a source of White Behen(Image from New York Public Library‘s Digital Library) (Wikimedia)
White Behen(Calcutta Unani College, Adam, 2019)
Botanical name:
Centaurea behen (syn. C alata, Behen album); C. ruthenica
Parts used:
Root
Like Pellitory, grey, whitish within; insipid taste, eventually bitter
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet, slightly Bitter
Constituents
Essential oil (β -caryophyllene (40.3%), β-sesquiphellandrene (18.4%) and caryophyllene oxide (9.9%),
Uses:
1. Strengthens Spleen, Increases Qi:
-increase energy and sense of well-being;
-weakness, poor digestion;
-tonifies Heart, Brain and Liver
-traditionally said to make Strong and Powerful.
2. Benefits the Kidneys, Increase Yang:
-Infertility, Impotence, and to augment Sperm.
-enhances Hair growth.
3. Settles Wind, Calms the Mind and Spirit:
-Anxiety, Mental unrest and Insanity;
-regarded as Exhilarant, is Sedative, and improves Concentration
-contracted sinews (Wirtzung)
4. Clears Phlegm:
-Cough, Catarrh, Hoarseness
Dose:
Powder: 500mg–2 grams
Decoction: 3–6 grams
Comment:
The Behens (Centaurea behen, White Behen and Centaurea haematodes, Red Behen) were not known to the Greeks but were introduced by the Arab physicians. The exact identification was unknown to many authors so substitution was common throughout Europe. They appeared in a number of Arabic tonic formula. The White can be looked at as a Qi tonic, the Red a Blood tonic, both having strengthening effects on the Kidneys.
Substitutes:
In most cases, the combination of Dang Gui and Withania (or Ginseng) can replace the two Behens.
1. Asparagus root
2. Withania
3. Curculigo orchioides (Musli siyah)
4. Chlorophytum arundinaceum (Musli safed)
5. Elecampane
6. Salep (Orchis spp.)
7. Borage or Bugloss roots
8. Cheiranthus cheri, Curcilago orchioides (Unani)
9. Erysimon (Tudari) in equal dose and Holarrhena in half dose (Avicenna)
10. Tanacetum umbelliferum
Adulteration:
Adfulteration is apparently a common problem. According to research looking at various market samples, adulteration was common, none of the samples being C. behen. Sixty-nine percent of samples were Cousinia spp. (Asteraceae), 23% Korshinskya spp. (Apiaceae) and 8% Crambe spp (Brassicaceae). (See research here)
Correctives:
1. Jujube (Unani)
2. Tragacanth (Unani)
Main Combinations:
The Two Behens
The Two Behens (Centaurea behen, White Behen and Centaurea haematodes, Red Behen) were nearly always used together in formulas, usually being combined with other tonics like Salep (Orchis spp.), Asparagus root, Withania, Tribulus seed etc.
1. Aphrodisiac:
i. combine both Behens with Withania, Tribulus and Mucuna
ii. for those with a cold and moist temperament, both Behens with Triphala, Long Pepepr, Ginger, Orchid, Ash tree keys, Sesame seed, Mace (as in Triphala Electuary Greater of Unani)
2. To Warm and strengthen the Kidneys, both Behens with Pistachio, Sweet Almond, Orchis, Sea Holly root, Asparagus root, Linseed, Rocket seed, Clove, Nutmeg (as in Antidote for Cold Lumbar, for Venery, and Defect of Semen)
3. Infertility, both Behens with Turnip seed, Ash tree key, Cinnamon, Clove, Long Pepper, Rosemary, Marjoram, Pennyroyal, Balm (as in Confection for Impregnation)
4. To nourish Semen, White Behen, Cucumber seed, Ash Tree Keys, Almond, Pistachio, Pine nut, Poppy seed (Uyghur Medicine)
5. To warm and strengthen the Heart, both Behens with Mastic, Cinnamon, Basil, Pearl, Red Coral, Amber, Indian Spikenard, Chebulic Myrobalan (as in Powder to Warm the Heart)
6. To promote Happiness, both Behens with Chebulic Myrobalan, Emblic Myrobalan, Cinnamon, Balm, Citron peel, Mastic, Saffron, Nutmeg, Greater Cardamon, Peony, Basil seed (as in Letificans Almansoris of Rhasis)
7. To strengthen Memory, the power is taken with Milk (Persia)
Major Formulas:
Powder of Musk Sweet (Diamoschu Dulce) (Mesue)
Powder to Warm the Heart
Powder to Ascertain if Pregnant (Gabelhover)
Letificans Almansoris (Rhasis)
Letificans Temperate Electuary
Cooling Exhilarating Electuary (Unani)
Restorative of Nicholas (Pleres Arconticon) (Nicholas)
Electuary of Pearl (Avicenna)
Electuary of Pearl (Galen)
Electuary of Aloeswood (Diaxyloaloes) (Mesue)
Electuary of Steel (Unani)
Electuary for Stomach Debility (Unani)
Electuary for Sadness and Worry
Letificans Electuary (Unani)
Letificans Cooling Electuary (Unani)
Confection for Impregnation (Renodeus)
Confection for Infertility from Cold
Special Confection for Scoliosis
Antidote for Cold Lumbar, for Venery, and Defect of Semen (Nicholas)
The Great Electuary
Triphala Electuary Greater (Unani)
Cautions:
Generally safe.
1. Large doses or long-term use are unsuitable for those with a hot temperament. Excessive dose causes Headache