Pilulae de Rhabarbaro
Pills of Rhubarb

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name Yellow Myrobalan Hiera Picra of Galen Licorice juice Wormwood juice dehydrated Mastic Troches of Rose Rhubarb Fennel seed Celery seed

Latin Terminalia chebula (yellow) Hiera Picra Galeni Succus Glycyrrhiza Succum absinthum Pistacia lentiscus Trochisci Rosum Rheum palmatum Foeniculum vulgare Apium graveolens Amount 3 1⁄2 oz. 10 drams 1 oz. each 3 1⁄2 drams 3 drams 1⁄2 dram ea.

Preparation:

Powder the herbs and mixed with the thickened juices (and a little honey), and form a pill mass.

Function:

Purges Bile, opens Obstructions

Use:

1. Purges Bile of the Stomach and Liver
2. Liver pain
3. Liver or Spleen Obstruction
4. Corruption of the Liver from Bile
5. Beginning of Edema
6. Cachexia

Dose:

1 scruple–1 dram

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. Combine with Pills of Agrimony for Liver disease.

“There is as much difference in the receipt of these Pills, as in any other that are met with in Dispensatories”. (Charras, French Pharmacopoeia)

This was classed as a ‘Warming Hepatic’; warming medicine for the Liver.
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