Pulvis Laetificans, or Electuarium Exhilarans
Powder of Happiness

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Galen is often attributed to be the originator.
This version taken from Nicholas Praepositus

Herb Name Seeds of Clove-Basil * Saffron Zedoary Galangal Yellow Sandalwood ** Clove Citron peel dried Mace Nutmeg Storax Calamita Ivory shavings Aniseed Thyme Dodder of Thyme Pearls prepared Deer’s Heart-bone Ambergris Musk Camphor Gold leaf Silver leaf

Latin Ocinum sanctum Crocus sativus Curcuma zedoaria Alpina officinarum Santalum citrinum Eugenia caryophyllus Citrus medica Myristica fragrans Myristica fragrans Styrax officinalis Eboris Pimpinella anisum Thymus vulgaris Cuscuta europea Margarita Os Cordis Cervii Ambre gris Moschus Camphora Aurum Argentum Amount 2 1⁄2 drams ea. 1 dram ea. 1⁄2 dram ea. 5–15 each

* Basil flower was originally ordered
** Balsam wood was in the original recipe but was replaced by Sandalwood

Preparation:

Powder; it was also made into a confection with 8 times their weight of Sugar in which the clarified juices of Quince, Sweet Apple and Borage had been added and boiled to a syrup.

Function:

Moves Qi and Blood, clears Cold and Damp, relieves Melancholy, strengthens

Use:

1. clears Cold and Phlegm from the Stomach and Liver, benefits Digestion and restores Appetite (when hindered by Damp);
2. Weakness of the Heart
3. Palpitations
4. restores a ‘Good Habit’ to the body
5. improves Complexion.
6. Principally used for Melancholy, Sadness, Fear without Cause, Depression, and to help in Anxiety

Dose:

1⁄2 scruple–1⁄2 dram in wine or some other appropriate vehicle

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. Some versions omitted Camphor, Gold and Silver. Musk and Ambergris were commonly added in a fraction of the dose given in the recipe, and were likewise sometimes omitted.

Galen was commonly credited as being the author. However, Renodeus said none of his works mentioned it, and he was apparently unfamiliar with some of the medicines. It may have been a formula written by Galen with later additions added by other authors. The Arabs, including Rhasis and Nicholas had versions of it.

‘It causes a merry Heart, a good color, helps Digestion, and keeps back old age’.. (Culpeper)

Charras in his French Pharmacopoeia (1678) said ‘This powder is highly esteemed to correct Cold and Moist temperature of the Stomach and Liver, to help Digestion, and restore the Appetite. It is also very proper against Weaknesses, and Palpitations of the Heart, to restore a good habit of the body, and to bring a good color to the face, to keep the breath sweet, restore decayed strength, and dissipate Melancholy that proceeds from an Internal or no real cause’.
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