Powders

Powders have a number of benefits:

1. Relatively smaller doses are used when compared to other dosage forms
2. The ‘whole’ medicine is taken, rather than an extract in water or alcohol
3. Better for expensive or highly aromatic ingredients.
4. Powders are good ways of administering medicines which can’t be cooked or extracted (Pearl, Bezoar, etc.)

Making Powders

1. The most important part of powdering is drying. Medicines must be thoroughly cleansed then dried before they can be powdered. Even when they seem totally dry, putting the medicines into a low oven (50–75˚C) for half–1 hour facilitates pulverisation. Medicines such as seeds which have an oil content often need to be gently roasted or dry-fried until brown to enable powdering. Medicines such as Saffron and some flowers were dried gently between sheets of paper to avoid loss of aromatic compounds.
2. While it is deemed better to powder medicines separately, in practice, medicines can be powdered together. However, in this case, expensive, toxic or ‘special’ medicines are added separately at the end to avoid loss and regulate dose.
3. Hard stones and minerals are often heated then quenched several times to facilitate powdering.
4. Stones and Gems are often levigated which means triturating in a mortar with a liquid. Adding liquid to the substance being powdered stops the fine dust from flying away during the powdering process. Often a distilled water was used for this process which can enhance the efficacy of the medicines being powdered. Stones that are used for the Heart and Spirit (‘Cordials’) were most often levigated with Rose water. This gives a sweet-smelling scent, helps direct the medicine to the Heart, and enhances efficacy.
5. In the case of powdering animal medicines such as organs, placenta, testicles, pizzle etc., the best way is washing the organ very well, removing any membranes, and then to cut into slices (if large) and dip into brandy or alcohol. The alcohol will evaporate quickly carrying off water as it dries. Repeating this step a number of times will dry flesh quicker and better than any other way. The alcohol somewhat lessens the smell and helps to preserve the medicinal qualities. Myrrh tincture can be used in place of alcohol to preserve.
6. Sometimes preparation is used to facilitate powdering or to enhance the effect of the medicine. This may include dry-frying or roasting; stir-frying with a liquid such as vinegar; scorching or carbonising; forming a confection with Sugar; powdering by adding a drop or 2 of oil (such as with Camphor or Ambergris); and, in the case of some animal medicines, drying in salt. In some cases, medicines are dried after being impregnated with juice to form a paste which is then dried and powdered.

Administering Powders

Powders are often taken in small doses of half-1 teaspoonful, or around 500mg–1 gram. They can be mixed with liquid, put into capsules or mixed with honey to take. Often, a specific ‘vehicle’ is used as a carrier for the powder. This can help direct the action of the formula or strengthen its effects.

Taking a powder with warm water is better for cold diseases, cool water may be used for Heat conditions and Fevers, and Wine is used to move the Blood and lead the medicine into the Blood level. Honey is a good vehicle to clear Phlegm and strengthen the Lungs and Spleen, and Oxymel (Honey mixed with Vinegar) is better to break tough Phlegm. Sometimes medicines were to be taken with a Egg yolk, for example in threatened miscarriage and as a tonic during labor.

In some cases, course powders are prepared which are made to be infused in Hot water, or decocted briefly. These are really a sort of infusion or decoction respectively.

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Eastern Formula

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See also:
Ayurveda & Siddha Formulas
Chinese Medicine (TCM) Formulas
Tibetan & Mongolian Formulas
Unani Formulas