Pilulae de Bdellio
Pills of Bdellium

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name Bdellium Belleric Myrobalan Emblic Myrobalan Black Myrobalan Pearl Flakes of Iron * Leek seed Choncula Veneris burnt ** Coral burnt Amber

Latin Commiphora mukul Terminalia bellerica Emblica officinalis Terminalia chebula (black) Margarita Ferrum Allium porrum Concha usta Corallum usta Succinum Amount 10 drams 5 drams ea. 4 drams 3 drams ea.  1 1⁄2 drams ea.

* Flakes of Iron possible refers to flakes of Iron Rust.
** Choncula probably refers to Conch. In any case, burnt Sea Shells are used.

Preparation:

Dissolve the Bdellium in Leek juice, add the remaining in powder, and with sufficient Syrup of the Juice of Leek, form a pill mass.

Function:

Moves the Blood, Stops Bleeding

Use:

1. Bleeding Hemorrhoids
2. Excess Menstruation
3. Ulcers and Tumors of the Cervix or Uterus
4. May be useful for Uterine Fibroids with excess Bleeding

Dose:

1⁄2–1 dram

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

Mesue had a Greater Pill of Bdellium:
  Bdellium                               12 drams
  Ammi                                      3 drams
  Myrobalan, Black
    Chebulic
    Belleric
    Emblic
  Concharum veneris burnt
  Amber                                     2.5 drams ea.
They were used similarly.
‘These Pills be very good against much bleeding of the Piles, and against Women’s flowers [menstruation]’. (Wirtzung)
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