Hypocistus

Succus Hypocistidis, Hypocystis

Hypocistus Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Hypocistus New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Hypocistus
Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586

Cytinus hypocistus
Wilhelm, Flora of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, 1885

Cytinus hypocistus
(Photo by Acord H. Brisse) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Cytinus hypocistus (growing on Cistus ladanifer)

Parts used:

Dehydrated juice of the fruit or whole plant
NOTE: this was described as an excretion or something growing underneath the Cistus plant (see picture); it is an ant-pollinated parasitic plant growing at the base of the Cistus plant.
Good quality is shiny, black like Licorice, and astringent to taste, and with no smell of being burnt.

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry

Uses:

1. Astringes to Stop Leakage:
-Stops all Fluxes and Leakages; of the belly, Vomiting etc.

2. Stops Bleeding:
-Stops Bleeding of the Uterus, Spitting of Blood etc
-Lohoch made with wine and Honey is used for Ulcers of the Lungs, Stomach or Bowels.

3. Externally:
-Externally to strengthen moist Stomach, Bowels etc.

Dose:

600mg–3 grams (half scruple–1 dram)

Substitute:

Because it was often unobtainable (even in the 17th century) Acacia gum can be used for it, but is weaker. (Schroder)

Main Combinations:

1. Wind-Phlegm diseases, such as Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Vertigo, Migraine, Cough, Asthma, Hypocistus with Storax, Benzoin, Aloeswood,  Camphor, Musk (as in Alipta Muscata of Nicholas)
2. Chronic Diarrhea, Hypocistus with Pomegranate flower, Sumac, Indian Spikenard, Aloeswood, Coriander seed, Celery seed, Gall (as in Powder for Chronic Diarrhea of Nicholas)
3. Heat-type Bleeding:
i. Hypocistus with Red Coral, Red (Armenian) Earth, Earth of Lemnos, Pomegranate flowers (as in Troches of Coral of Galen)
ii. Hypocistus with Amber, Gum Arabic, Red Coral, Tragacanth, Mastic, Pomegranate flower, Frankincense, Saffron (as in Troches of Amber of Mesue)
iii. Hypocistus with Lemnian Earth, Armenian (Red) Earth, Gam Arabic, Dragon’s Blood, Rose, Red Coral, Amber, Pomegranate flowers, Tabasheer, Purslane seed, Frankincense, Cypress nuts, Saffron, Tragacanth (as in Troches of Earth of Lemnos of Mesue)
4. Bleeding of the Stomach:
i. Hypocistus with Pomegranate flower, Rose, Sumac, White Sandalwood, Frankincense, Alum, Amber (as in Powder to Stop Bleeding of the Stomach of Nicholas)
ii. Hypocistus with Amber, Red Coral burnt, Pearl, Deer horn burnt, Oyster shell burnt, Hematite burnt, Rose, Purslane, Coriander, Sumac, Gum Arabic, Pomegranate flower, Tabasheer (as in Powder for Bleeding from the Stomach of Nicholas)

Major Formulas:

Powder for Chronic Diarrhea (Nicholas)
Powder to Stop Bleeding of the Stomach (Nicholas)
Powder for Bleeding from the Stomach (Nicholas)
Troches of Coral (Galen)
Troches of Amber (Trochisci de Succino) (Mesue)
Troches of Earth of Lemnos (Trochisci de Terra Lemna)(Mesue)
Surgeon’s Musked Troches (Alipta Muscata) (Nicholas)
Mithridate
Theriac

Cautions:

None noted

Main Preparations used: