Diaolibanum
Electuary of Frankincense

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Nicholas

Herb Name Castoreum Opium Henbane seed Cassia wood Indian leaf Saffron Frankincense Rhubarb Amomum Myrrh Indian Spikenard Pellitory Euphorbium White Pepper Peony Storax Long Pepper

Latin Castoreum Opium hyoscyamus niger Cinnamonum cassia Cinnamonum tamale Crocus sativus Boswellia sacra Rheum palmatum Amomum subulatum Commiphora molmol Nardostachys jatamansi Anacylus pyrethrum Euphorbium resinifera Piper album Paeonia officinalis Styrax officinalis Piper longum Amount 4 drams ea. 2 dr, 2 scr. 2 drams ea. 1 dr, 2 scr. ea. 1 1⁄2 drams 2 1⁄2 scr. ea. 1 dram ea.

Preparation:

Powder, then with three times their weight of clarified Honey, form an Electuary.

Function:

Stops Leakage, clears Damp, moves Qi and Blood, eases Pain

Use:

1. Headache, Eyebrow pain
2. Migraine
3. Pain and Neuralgia of the Head
4. Stomach Pain
5. Nausea and Vomiting
6. Cough
7. Pneumonia
8. Pleurisy
9. Coughing Blood
10. Sore and Inflamed Throat, Tonsilitis
11. Spermatorrhea
12. Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

Dose:

1–2 scruples

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

“The present Confection of Frankincense is seldom used and prepared, but it is good against all pains and rheums of the Head, and also of the Eyes, it assuages all bad Throats which proceed of defluxions, it is also valuable against the Cough and spitting of Blood, it stays all Wambling [Nausea] and Vomiting. Further, it is also good for all diseases of the Lights [Lungs], and for the Pleurisy, whereas the matter is coughed up; it stays the Running of the Reins [Spermatorrhea], and Women’s Terms [Menstruation], it is also used against the Scouring [Diarrhea]”. (Wirtzung)

This was not a commony used fromula of Nicholas. Its large reliance on Castoreum and Opium make it obsolete today, however even with these removed the remaining herbs form a useful and powerful Blood-moving formula.
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