Pilulae Masticinae
Pills of Mastic
Western, Unani
Mesue
Powder well and form pills with a little Marshmallow juice or Hydromel
Purge Phlegm and Bile, strengthen the Stomach
1. Weak Stomach with Phlegm and Bile; Indigestion, Poor Appetite, Nausea
2. Stomach and Abdominal Pain
3. Stomach Ulcers
4. Headache, Migraine
5. Pain of the Uterus
6. Pensiveness (Wirtzung)
1⁄2–1 dram
None noted
A version from the London Pharmacopeia added 3 drams of Species Hiera Picra, and formed a pill mass with Syrup of Wormwood.
Similar to Stomach Pills of Mesue, these using Agaric in place of the Roses
‘They do great pleasure and virtue unto all them that use the same, against all pain of the Stomach, of the Head, of the Belly, and the Matrix [Uterus]. Item, for all Pensiveness be they also especially good” (Wirtzung). This is interesting as these pills strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, and Spleen deficiency is the cause of Pensiveness in TCM.
“They purge very gently, but strengthen much, both Head, Brain, Eyes, Belly, and Reins [Kidneys]”. (Culpeper)
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Pills of Mastic
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
Herb NameAloeMastic Agaric |
|
Preparation:
Powder well and form pills with a little Marshmallow juice or Hydromel
Function:
Purge Phlegm and Bile, strengthen the Stomach
Use:
1. Weak Stomach with Phlegm and Bile; Indigestion, Poor Appetite, Nausea
2. Stomach and Abdominal Pain
3. Stomach Ulcers
4. Headache, Migraine
5. Pain of the Uterus
6. Pensiveness (Wirtzung)
Dose:
1⁄2–1 dram
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
A version from the London Pharmacopeia added 3 drams of Species Hiera Picra, and formed a pill mass with Syrup of Wormwood.
Similar Formulas:
Similar to Stomach Pills of Mesue, these using Agaric in place of the Roses
‘They do great pleasure and virtue unto all them that use the same, against all pain of the Stomach, of the Head, of the Belly, and the Matrix [Uterus]. Item, for all Pensiveness be they also especially good” (Wirtzung). This is interesting as these pills strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, and Spleen deficiency is the cause of Pensiveness in TCM.
“They purge very gently, but strengthen much, both Head, Brain, Eyes, Belly, and Reins [Kidneys]”. (Culpeper)
Back to PILLSBack to FORMULAS
How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures