Lohoch de Papavere
Lohoch of Poppy

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue, Luminare Majus (1551)

Herb Name White Poppy seed Sweet Almonds blanched Pine nut Gum Arabic Tragacanth Licorice juice Starch Lettuce seed Purslane seed Quince seed Saffron Sugar Penids Syrup of Meconium (Poppy)

Latin Papaver somniferum Prunus amygdalus dulcis Nux Pinea Acacia arabica Astragalus tragacanth Succus Glycyrrhiza Amylum Lactuosa sativa Portulaceae oleracea Cydonia oblonga Crocus sativus Amount 25 drams 10 drams ea. 1 oz. 3 drams 1⁄2 oz. ea. 1 dram 4 oz. 3 lbs.

Preparation:

Boil the Seeds and Nuts in sufficient water down to half, strain, add the Gums, Sugar and Starch, mixing them in well in the heat of a B.M., then add the Syrup and Saffron in powder, and heat them while stirring, then remove from the heat, and keep for use.

Function:

Clears Hot Phlegm, Benefits Yin, Stops Cough

Use:

1. Cough from Heat
2. Dry Cough
3. Cough from thin Hot Phlegm
4. Chronic Cough
5. Cough from Yin deficiency
6. ‘It is excellent for such as are troubled with Pleurises to take now and then a little of it’. (Culpeper)
7. Hectic Fever
8. Chronic Illness with Heat and Yin deficiency
9. Convalescence, especially after Fever.

Dose:

1⁄2–1 dram

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

Some versions listed 4 drams of Poppy seed. Luminare Majus (1551) listed 25 drams

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