Ostracites – Fossilized Oyster shell
Museum Wormianum, Olao Worm, 1655 |
Metallotheca Vaticana, Mercati, 1719 |
‘Ostracites stone is like a shell, crusty and easy to break. Women use it instead of pumice stone for taking off hair. A teaspoonful (taken as a drink with wine) stops the menstrual flow. If anyone drinks two teaspoonfuls after the menstrual flow it prevents conception. Applied with honey it soothes inflamed breasts, and stops gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks.’ Dioscorides: |
Culpeper Held to both promote and hinder Menstruation; however due to its cold and dry nature, we can assume it stronger to stop Excess Menstruation. Two drams taken for 4 days after Menstruation was said to prevent Conception. Applied topically for corrosive Sores and Ulcers, and as an ointment in Honey for Inflammations of the Breast. |