Pilulae de Foetida Foetid Pills, or Stinking Pills

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name Aloe Colocynth Sagapen Gum Ammoniacum Myrrh Rue seed Dodder of Thyme Turbith Scammony prepared Lesser Spurge root prepared Colchicum Ginger Indian Spikenard Cinnamon Saffron Castoreum Euphorbium prepared

Latin Aloe spp. Citrullus colocynthus Ferula persica Dorema ammoniacum Commiphora molmol Ruta graveolens Cuscuta europea Operculina turpethum Convovulus scammonia Euphorbia spp. Colchicum autumnale Zingiber officinalis Nardostachys jatamansi Cinnamonum zeylanicum Crocus sativus Castoreum Euphorbium resinifera Amount 5 drams ea. 1⁄2 oz. 3 drams 2 drams ea. 1 1⁄2 drams 1 dram ea. 2 scruples

Preparation:

Dissolve the gums in Leek juice; then add the remaining in powder, and with Syrup of the Juice of Leeks, make a Pill mass, S.A.

Function:

Clears Cold Phlegm and Damp

Use:

1. Arthritis
2. Rheumatism
3. Back Pain
4. Sciatica
5. Leprosy
6. Obstinate skin diseases: Pruritus, Morphew

Dose:

1–2 scruples

Cautions:

1. These are strong and irritant in excess. They are only suitable for cases with excess Damp or Phlegm, and are contraindicated in Yin deficiency.
2. Not used during Pregnancy.

Modifications:

Similar Formulas:

Pills of Sagapen
Pills of Sarcocolla
Pills of Colchicum.

“They purge gross and raw phlegm, and diseases thereof arising; Gouts [Arthritis] of all sorts, pains in the backbone, and other joints: It is good against Leprosies, and other such like infirmities of the skin”. (Culpeper)
    
“Foetid Pills are of much use, for they evacuate frigid, pituitous, crude, and also bilious humours; and thence cure such affections as arise from thence, as diseases of the Junctures [Joints], Podagry [Gout], Gonagry [Gonorrhea], Dolours [Pain] in the Back-bone, Leprosy, Morphews, Itch, cutaneous Infections, and cholical affections”. (Renodeus)

Mesue had greater and lesser versions of the Foetid Pills, these being the Greater, the Lesser being far less commonly used. Galen originally formed the Pills of Spurge upon which these are loosely based.
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