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Hiera Pachi, or Hiera Archigenis, or Hiera Diacolochyntidos The Hiera of Pachius or, Hiera of Archigenis |
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Tradition:
Western
Source / Author:
Scribonius
Herb NameColocynthAgaric Germander White Horehound Stoechas Sagapenum Parsley seed Round Birthwort White Pepper Spikenard Cinnamon Myrrh Saffron |
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Preparation:
The gums are macerated overnight in Honey-water or Wine, then strained; these are then mixed with the Honey (3 lbs., 3 oz., & 5 drams) and boiled gently together, after which the others in powder are gradually added, stirring consistently, adding the Saffron, Agaric and Colocynth alone at the end. Form an electuary.
Function:
Purges Melancholy, Purges the Head and Stomach, settles Wind and guides Qi down.
Use:
Used in all Chronic diseases
1. Epilepsy
2. Vertigo (for which it was called specific)
3. Headache
4. Nightmare
5. Mental Illness
6. Melancholy
7. Dementia
8. Classed as Exhilarative
9. Liver obstruction with foul humors
10. Abscesses
11. Hardness of the Liver or Spleen
12. Scrofula
13. Cancer
14. Leprosy, Elephantiasis
15. Coma
16. Stubborn Amenorrhea
17. Sciatica
18. Venemous Bites including Snake and Rabid Dog bite
Dose:
½–1, or 2 drams, taken in infusion of Thyme
Cautions:
1. This is elegantly formulated, but still a strong purge, and therefore only suitable in strong bodies
2. Not used during Pregnancy
Modifications:
Some added Opopanax with the Sagapenum.
“Pacchius his Hiera is efficacious to many things: for it cures the Epileptical, the Furious, Vertiginous [with Vertigo), Cephalalgicous [Headache], suspirious [sighing], anhalent [panting], Comatose, and such as are obnoxious to the Incubus [nightmare], and other affections of the Eyes, Ears, and Head”.
“It purges also the Stomach, emends the affections of the Liver, takes away the sand in the Spleen, and diminishes its hardness; auxiliates the diseases of the Intestines, discusses or opens Imposthumes [abscesses], either already made there, or in making; and moves flours [menses] in such women as can hardly be purged”.
Out of a number of similar and related formula, Renodeus said “But we prefer Hiera of Pacchius before them all, which we call Magisterial because of the excellency of its basis and faculties. He that has this, may easily be without all the Hiera’s which admit Coloquintida [Colocynth]’.
The Hiera formulas are purgative drugs compounded with their correctives to reduce side effects, help relieve the condition, and which are gentle in action.
The author was uncertain. Some attributed it to Ruffus, others to Archigenus (Aetius called it Hiera of Archigenus). Pharmacopoeia Augustana listed Nicholas Alexandrius (Nicholas Myrepsus) as the author.
One account of the story of its origin goes like this: Scribonius Largus, Physician to Emperor Tiberius (52 CE.) said that this formula was in high demand, and that large sums of money had been offered for the formula. When Pachius (the supposed author) died, a book containing the formula dedicated to Tiberius was found. The Emperor handed it to his court Physician, Scribonius, who published it.
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