Diasenna, Or, Electuarium de Cassia Electuary of Senna

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Nicholas

Herb Name Senna Hazel Nuts, torrefied Silk, torrefied Lapis Armenius, washed Lapis Lazuli, washed Sugar Cinnamon Clove Galangal Pepper Indian Spikenard Basil seed Mace Cardamon Saffron Ginger Zedoary Rosemary flowers Long Pepper

Latin Cassia angustifolia Corylus avellana usta Sericum usta Terra Armenius praeparata Lapis Azureus praeparata Saccharum Cinnamonum zeylanicum Eugenia caryophyllus Alpina officinarum Piper nigrum Nardostachys jatamansi Ocinum basilicum Myristica fragrans Elettaria cardamomum Crocus sativus Zingiber officinalis Curcuma zedoaria Rosmarinus officinalis Piper longum Amount 3 oz. 50 2 drams 1 dram 3 drams 6 oz. 1 oz. 2 drams ea.

An alternate version from Dispensarium Magistri Nicolai:

Herb Name Aloeswood Clove Galangal Nutmeg Indian leaf Mace Cinnamon Lapis Lazuli, washed Lapis Armenius, washed        Senna Saffron Silk, torrefied Ivory Tabasheer Anacardium Bone of a Stags Heart Blatta Byzantina Colchicum Myrrh Gentian Bay berry Black Hellebore, prepared Hazel Nuts, torrefied Ambergris

Latin Aquillaria agallocha Eugenia caryophyllus Alpina officinarum Myristica fragrans Cinnamonum tamala Myristica fragrans Cinnamonum zeylanicum Lapis Azureus praeparata Terra Armenius praeparata Cassia angustifolia Crocus sativus Sericum usta Eboris Bambusae silicae Anacardium occidentale Os Cordis Cervii Unguis Odoratus Colchicum autumnale Commiphora molmol Gentiana lutea Laurus nobilis Helleborus niger Corylus avellana usta Ambre gris Amount 2 drams ea. 2 ½ drams ea. 38 drams 1 dram 2 scruples 2 drams ea. 1 oz. 2 drams ea. 15 in number 2 scruples

Preparation:

Powder the Hazelnuts and boil in 2 lbs. of clarified Honey, then add the rest in Powder and form an Electuary

Function:

Purges Melancholy

Use:

‘It is good against Melancholy, Madness, and discontent of the Mind; also affects of the Spleen, Boils, Scabs, Elaphantiasis &c’.
1. Melancholy
2. Sadness
3. Madness, Mania, Lunatics
4. troubled Mind
5. Boils
6. Chronic skin diseases
7. Leprosy, Elephantiasis

Dose:

1⁄2–1 oz.

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy.
2. Not used in Yin deficiency

Modifications:

1. For Melancholy of the Head, take (the first version) with a little prepared Black Hellebore root. Note that Hellebore is added in the second version.
2. Leprosy, add 2 oz. of Viper powder.

“It is good against Melancholy, Madness, and discontent of the Mind; also affects of the Spleen, Boils, Scabs, Elaphantiasis &c.”. (Salmon)
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