Electuarium de Succo Rosarum
Electuary of the Juice of Roses

Tradition:


Western, Unani

Source / Author:


Mesue

Herb Name

Rose juice
White Sugar
Scammony prepared
Red Sandalwood
White Sandalwood
Yellow Sandalwood

Tabasheer
Camphor

Latin


Rosa gallica
Saccharum alba
Convovulus scammonia
Pterocarpus santalinus
Santalum album
Santalum citrinum
Bambusae silicae
Camphora

Amount



8 oz. ea.
3⁄4 oz.


3 drams ea.
1 1⁄2 drams
1 scruple


Preparation:


Seethe the juice and sugar together until it starts to become thick, removing the scum as it arises; when it is almost cold, add the other ingredients in fine powder. This was commonly made into a Solid Electuary

Function:


Clears Heat, Purges Bile

Use:


1. Heat-type Headache
2. Dizziness
3. In
flammatory Pain
4. Pain caused by Heat or Bile
5. Fever from excess Bile
6. In
flammation of the Eyes
7. Jaundice


Dose:


2–3 drams, up to 6 drams, usually taken in the morning with a decoction of Raisins or Bugloss etc.

Cautions:


None noted

Modifications:


1. A French version out of Renodeus used 1 lb. of Rose juice to 1 1⁄2 lbs. of Sugar, so it will more quickly be boiled to a suitable thickness. It also substituted Mastic for the Tabasheer, and added Citron peel.
2.
For Jaundice: Electuary of Rose juice 1.5 drams, Conserve of Prunes 3 drams, Distilled Water of Dodder 3 oz., Honey of Roses 1 oz.
3. Another for Jaundice: Electuary of Rose juice 2 drams, Rhubarb 0.5 dram, Cream of Tartar 1 scruple, Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb, qs. Form a bolus to be taken first thing in the morning with Rhenish wine. (Sydenham)
4. For Dizziness: take 10 dried Prunes and 1 oz. of Sour Dates; boil in 6 oz. of water down to 3 oz.; add 2.5 drams of Electuary of Rose juice. Take this warm as a dose. (Wirtzung)

Wirtzung (1598) said “This present Confection named of the juice of Roses, is one of the chiefest purging confections. This Confection purges Choler [Bile] without any anguish, and it is also good for all pain of the members, which be caused through hot choleric rheums, also for the Tertian Ague, and to other more such like hot accidents”.
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