Decoction to Open the Body

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Riverius (Opera Medica, 1737)

Herb Name Bugloss root Chicory root Agrimony Borage Ceterach Veronica

Latin Anchusa officinalis Chicorium intybus Agrimonia eupatoria Borago officinalis Asplenium ceterach Veronica officinalis Amount 1 oz. ea. 1⁄2 handful ea.

Preparation:

Decoct the herbs with a Chicken; in the strained decoction, add 1 dram of Cream of Tartar.

Function:

Opens, clears Heat and Toxin, prepares Melancholy Humor

Use:

1. Prepares the Melancholy Humor before purging in Tumor and Cancer
2. Gentle Laxative to cleanse the Blood in Chronic Skin diseases

Dose:

take every morning for 12 days

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

In Humoral theory, the Humors need to be prepared for purging before they can be adequately removed from the Body. This is perhaps most important in Melancholy Humor which tends to be thick, stubborn and obstinate by nature. Therefore, this decoction was given to prepare the Humor in such diseases as Leprosy, Fibroid Tumors, Cancers, and certain types of Mental illness. After which, a Purgative for the Melancholy Humor would be given enabling it to be more effectively purged from the body.
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