Electuary for Back Pain

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Galen (Omnia Quae extant in Latinum Sermonem Conversa, 1556)

Herb Name Clove Cinnamon Ginger Costus Frankincense Asparagus seed Asparagus root Galangal Pellitory Indian Spikenard Saffron Myrrh Macedonian Parsley seed Hog Fennel Saxifrage Milium Solis Dock seed * Henbane seed Coriander seed Celtic Spikenard ** Asarabacca Parsley seed Spignel root Valerian Gromwell Lovage Black Pepper

Latin Eugenia caryophyllus Cinnamonum zeylanicum Zingiber officinalis Saussurea lappa Boswellia sacra Asparagus officinale Asparagus officinale Alpina officinarum Anacyclus pyrethrum Nardostachys jatamansi Crocus sativus Commiphora molmol Petroselinum macedonicum Peucedanum officinale Pimpinella saxifraga Lithospermum officinale Rumex spp. Hyoscyamus niger Coriandrum sativum Valeriana celtica Asarum europeum Petroselinum crispum Meum asthmaticum Valeriana officinalis Lithospermum officinale Levisticum officinale Piper nigrum Amount 1 oz. 4 oz. 3 drams 1 oz. 2 oz. 5 oz. 3 oz. ea. 2 oz. 8 oz. 3 oz. 1 oz. 4 oz. 2 oz. 4 oz. ea. 3 oz. ea. 1 oz. ea. 2 oz. 4 oz. 10 oz. 1 oz. 4 oz. ea. 1 oz.

* Lapathi, as listed in the text, can refer to several species of Dock. Burdock seed would be a suitable choice in this case.
** Celticae, listed in the text, probably refers to Celtic Spikenard

Preparation:

Powder and with sufficient Honey, form an Electuary

Function:

Strengthens Kidneys and Back, Promotes Urine, Breaks Stones, Eases Pain

Use:

1. Back Pain
2. Stones
3. Strangury
4. Dysuria

Dose:

2 drams

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

This would be easy to simplify and remodel, reducing the number of ingredients and rewriting the proportions.

Doses as given in the text seem unlikely. All measurements are listed in ounces with the exception of Ginger, and there is a wide range range of variation in the doses with some of the herbs with largest doses seeming unlikely.

Back To ELECTUARIES
Back to FORMULAS
How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures