Philonium Persicum Philon’s Persian Antidote

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name White Henbane seed White Pepper Opium Lemnian Earth Hematite Saffron Pellitory Indian Spikenard Castoreum Pearl Amber Zedoary Elecampane Troches of Ramich Camphor

Latin Hyoscyamus alba Piper album Opium Terra Lemnia Haematitum Crocus sativus Anacyclus pyrethrum Nardostachys jatamansi Castoreum Margarita Succinum Curcuma zedoaria Inula helenium Troschisci Ramic Camphora Amount 2 drams ea. 10 drams ea. 5 drams ea. 1 dram ea. 1 scruple

Preparation:

With three times their weight of clarified Honey, form an Electuary

Function:

Clears Heat, stops Bleeding

Use:

1. Excess Menstruation
2. Spitting or Vomiting Blood
3. Bleeding Hemorrhoids
4. Diarrhea or Dysentery with Blood
5. Good for Bleeding during Pregnancy and Threatened Miscarriage
6. Vomiting
7. It was also used by some for the Plague
8. It was listed for listlessness and to sharpen the Wit.

Dose:

1⁄2–1 scruple, usually taken with Conserve of Rose or Diaphoenicum.

Cautions:

Not to be used by the inexperienced, it is basically an early form of Opiate.

Modifications:

1. If this were to be recreated, Poppy seed could be used to substitute both Henbane seed and Opium.
2. The Pharmacopoeia Augustana said Armenian Earth could be used instead of Sealed Earth.
2. There were many versions of Philonium; later, Earth of Lemnos, Pearl and Amber were omitted; some versions did not contain Camphor or Troches of Ramich, neither the Zedoary or Elecampane.
3. Some added Euphorbium (1 dram)
4. For Plague, add Rhubarb and Agaric
5. Another for the Plague, combine with Confectio Hamech

Similar Formulas:

Some of the Triphera formula are used similarly, but are far safer.

The Philonium formulas are very powerful medicines and were important and highly regarded formulas in the past, being an early form of Opiate. It was advised to get the ‘counsel of a learned Physician’ before using this type of medicine.

They are largely obsolete today due to their heavy reliance on Henbane seed and Opium. Some of the Triphera formula are used similarly, but are far safer.

The Small Dispensatory of Sabur ibn Sahl (approx. 869 CE) said it is “useful against Colic, excessive menstrual bleeding, menstrual pain, premature delivery [miscarriage], it tightens the womb and strengthens it, regurgitation, vomiting, phlegm, listlessness, it sharpens the wit and mends the body”.

‘It is also exceedingly good for women which have first conceived, for to preserve and keep the fruit’. (Wirtzung, 1598)
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