Pulvis Pepticus
Peptic Powder


Tradition:


Western

Source / Author:

1. A version from Lazarus Riverius:

Herb Name

Coriander seed, prepared
Fennel seed

Aniseed
Cinnamon

Clove
Sugar

Latin


Coriandrum sativum
Foeniculum vulgare
Pimpinella anisum
Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Eugenia caryophyllus
Saccharum

Amount


1⁄2 ounce

2 drams ea.


1⁄2 dram ea.
18 drams


2. A more compound version from Pharmacopeia Extemporanea (Fuller, 1710):

Herb Name

Coriander seed, prepared
Fennel seed

Aniseed
Nutmeg

Cinnamon
Clove
Long Pepper
Sugar

Latin


Coriandrum sativum
Foeniculum vulgare
Pimpinella anisum
Myristica fragrans
Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Eugenia caryophyllus
Piper longum

Saccharum

Amount


4 drams

4 scruples ea.
1⁄2 dram

1 scruple ea.
1⁄2 scruple
1 ounce


Preparation:


Powder

Function:


Warms the Stomach, promotes Digestion, clears Wind and Cold

Use:


Used for all disturbances happening after eating including Nausea, Belching, Bloating, fullness of the Stomach, tension or discomfort in the abdomen, as well as Headache or Tiredness due to weak digestion.

Dose:


1⁄2–1 dram doses; taken before meals to stimulate appetite and promote digestion, after meals to settle wind, bloating etc. It can be sprinkled on toasted bread that has been dipped in wine, or sprinkled over food.

Cautions:


None noted

Modifications:


1. The Sugar could be reduced, replaced with a lesser dose of Licorice, or Honey could be used instead.
2.
Riverius had a version to strengthen the Eyesight; based on his version above, he replaced Clove with Nutmeg, added 3 drams of Eyebright, and mixed them with twice their weight of Sugar of Roses.

There were a great many variations, sometimes under other names such as ‘Stomach Powder’. They are usually based upon the aromatic, warming seeds of the Apiaceae, along with some Spices, in a sugar base. In this case, the sugar base makes the medicine appealing to the taste, and grateful to the Stomach. It also moderates the excessive warming and drying nature of the seeds and spices.

Fuller in his Pharmacopoeia Extemporanea said “It’s most commodiously used, when after Meals happen illness, Nauseousness, Belching, Heaviness, Tension, Inflation, and fulness of the Stomach. As also flushings in the Cheeks, Listlessness, Drowziness, Headache, and other the like signs of bad Digestion”.

There are a number of similar formulas such as
Carminative Powder.

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