Diacrocon,
or Electuarium Croci,
or Diacurcuma Majores
Electuary of Saffron

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name Saffron Asarabacca Parsley seed Cretan Carrot seed Aniseed Celery seed Rhubarb Spignel root Indian Spikenard Scordium Hart’s Tongue Licorice juice Cassia Wood Costus Myrrh Schoenanth Balsam fruit Madder Wormwood juice Maudlin Balsam oil Cinnamon Calamus Tragacanth

Latin Crocus sativus Asarum europeum Petroselinum crispum Daucus spp. Pimpinella anisum Apium graveolens Rheum palmatum Meum asthmaticum Nardostachys jatamansi Teucrium Scordium Asplenium scolopendrium Succus Glycyrrhiza Cinnamonum cassia Saussurea lappa Commiphora molmol Cymbopogon schoenanthus Commiphora opobalsamum Rubia tinctorum Artemisia absinthum Achillea ageratum Commiphora opobalsamum Cinnamonum zeylanicum Acorus calamus Astragalus tragacanth Amount 1⁄2 oz. ea. 6 drams ea. 2 1⁄2 drams ea. 1 1⁄2 drams ea. 1 dram

Preparation:

With 8 times the weight of all the rest in Sugar dissolved in Endive Water and clarified, form an Electuary.

Function:

Warms, Opens Obstructions, Moves Blood and Qi, Promotes Urine

Use:

1. Antidote
2. Cold and Weakness of Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Kidney
3. Edema
4. Gravel and Stones
5. Cold-type Bladder or Kidney Pain
6. Liver disease
7. Hardness, Sclerosis or Cirrhosis of the Liver
8. Liver Pain
9. Pain caused by Blood Stagnation

Dose:

1–2 drams, with warm water, or with wine

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. For Edema, and to more strongly move the Blood and open Obstructions, it was often combined with Dialacca.
2. Some version listed 4 drams of Rhubarb rather than 6.
3. Some added 6 drams of Valerian.

There are several substitutes which can be used to make this formula more viable for modern-day use, and which were commonly employed in Europe:
1. Safflower can replace Saffron.
2. Cubeb can be used for Balsam fruit
3. Expressed oil of Nutmeg can be used in place of Balsam oil.
4. Thickened juice of Agrimony was used in place of Maudlin.
5. Regular Carrot seed for Cretan Carrot seed.
6. Licorice powder or extract can be used in place of Licorice juice if unavailable.

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Substitutes
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