Pilulae de Hermodactylis Majus
Habb-e-Suranjan Kalan
Pills of Colchicum Greater
 Picture

Tradition:


Western, Unani

Source / Author:


Mesue

Herb Name

Colchicum (Suranjun shireen)
Sagapen (Sakbeenaj)
Aloe (Elwa)
Yellow Myrobalan (Haleela Zard)
Turpeth (Turbud)
Bdellium (Muqil)
Colocynth (Hanzal)
Euphorbium (Afarbiyun)
Opopanax
Sarcocolla (Anzaroot)
Castoreum (Jundbedastar)
Rue seed (Sudab)
Celery seed (Karafs)
Saffron (Zafran)

Latin


Colchicum luteum
Ferula persica
Aloe vera
Terminalia chebula
Ipomoea turpethum
Commiphora mukul
Citrullus colocynthus
Euphorbium officinale
Commiphora guidottii
Astragalus sarcocolla
Castoreum
Ruta graveolens
Apium graveolens
Crocus sativus

Amount








6 drams ea.





3 drams ea.
1 ½ drams

Preparation:


Dissolve Opopanax and Sarcocolla in a warm syrup made of Cabbage juice and Honey, strain, boil to a suitable thickness, then add the rest in fine powder and form pills.

Function:


Clears Wind-Damp, Relieves pain
It has demonstrated Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-arthritic effects.

Use:


This has the same indications as the Lesser Pills of Colchicum.
1. Gout
2. Hyperuricemia (high Uric acid)
3. Arthritis
4. Rheumatoid Arthritis
5. Osteoarthritis
6. Back pain
7. Musculo-skeletal aches and pain
8. Sciatica
9. Diseases of the Nerves from Wind-Cold-Damp

Dose:


Traditionally taken in doses of 1 scruple (1.2 grams)–half a dram (1.9 grams).
Today it is used in doses of 250–500mg, twice daily with milk. (Maximum daily dose is around 2 grams)

Cautions:


1. Avoid overdose or long-term use.
2. Not used in Pregnancy
3. Not used in Yin deficiency

Modifications:


1. Even without Colchicum, Colocynth and Euphorbium, it has the basis of a good formula to clear Wind-Damp Arthritic pain. Colocynth and Euphorbium are not used in the Lesser Pills of Colchicum.
2. Indian Spikenard can replace Castoreum.
3. Often combined with Foetid Pills for Arthritic diseases, and Damp diseases of the Nerves.

Similar Formulas:


Lesser Pills of Colchicum
Foetid Pills
Pills of Opopanax
Pills of Sagapen
Arthritic Pills

In contemporary Unani medicine, Colchicum (Suranjun) is divided into Sweet and Bitter varieties. The Bitter variety, which is the true Colchicum on the ancients, is generally not used internally, but is used externally in certain compounds. The Sweet variety is variously reported to be of Merendera spp. or Colchicum luteum. However, it is the type most suitable for internal consumption in modern days being less toxic and irritant.
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