Electuaries & ConfectionsAn Electuary is a stiff paste. Some are simply Powders that are mixed with clarified Honey. Some are mixtures of concentrated decoctions to which Sugar or Honey are added to form a thick type of syrup; some of these also have juices or powders added.
In India, similar paste-medicines are made with Ghee (clarified butter), or Ghee and Honey, while some also add Coconut Milk or animal Milk.
Electuaries are often elaborate medicines, and are suitable for keeping over a period of time. They are generally fairly concentrated and are usually quite palatable due to the Honey or Sugar content.
Sometimes the Electuary is left to ferment, being stirred a couple of times weekly over months until it rises. This was the case with Mithridate and Theriac.
In Unani medicine Electuaries are called Majun, of which there are several types differentiated either on their consistency or ingredients:
- Majun–Electuary or Confection, powdered herbs mixed with Sugar syrup or Honey
- Itrifal–Electuaries based on Triphala
- Anushdaru–means Digestive, usually based on Emblic Myrobalan
- Jawarish–consistency is more liquid and the powder more coarse.
- Mufarreh–made with aromatics
Other systems have some similar paste-like preparations.
Extra Classical Formulas – Electuaries
A number of Classical Electuaries, less commonly used by 17th century
Triphala, Triphera and Itrifal – Formulas based on the Myrobalans
All the Great Medical systems with the exception of TCM have relied heavily on Myrobalan fruit and their formulas. Formulas based on the Three Myrobalans are called Triphala in Ayurveda, Triphera in Latin and Itrifal by the Arabs. They are some of the famous formulas of Traditional Medicine. The formulas of Mesue are especially well regarded, many of the Unani formulas below being based on his formulas. Most Myrobalan based formulas are in the form of Electuaries; some are Powders but will be listed below.
Electuaries and related medicines from Ayurveda
In Ayurveda there are a number of types of preparations that fall under the class of Electuaries.
Anushdaru Sada
Ashwagandha Avaleha (Withania Electuary)
Cyavanaprash
Eight-Limbed Electuary
Saptamrit Lauh (Electuary of Five Medicines with Iron)
Stanyajanana Rasayanum
Ghirta–Preparations of Ghee
In Ayurveda, paste-medicines similar to Electuaries are made of powders and ghee, often with the addition of Honey.
Asparagus Ghee (Shavatari Ghritam) (Ayurveda)
Confection of Sesame and Triphala (Ayurveda)
Kalya Avaleha (Ayurveda)
Licorice Ghee (Yashtimadhu Ghirta) (Ayurveda)
Medicine for Infants (Pillari Marundu) (Siddha)
Raisin Electuary (Mrdvikadi Leha) (Ayurveda)
Raisin Tonic (Drakshadi Rasayana)
See also:
Ayurveda & Siddha Formulas
Chinese Medicine (TCM) Formulas
Tibetan & Mongolian Formulas
Unani Formulas