Confectio Alkermes Regia
Royal Confection of Kermes
Western, Unani
Mesue
* cleansed and cut small
** powdered with 3 drops of Cinnamon oil
*** heated to red hot 3 times and quenched in Rose Water, then washed and levigated with the same.
Digest the juice, rose water and Silkworm cocoons in a sealed vessel and heat in a water bath for 24 hours, then squeeze out the Silk in a press, and gently boil to the consistency of an Electuary with 2 lbs. of the best Sugar. Next remove from the fire, and dissolve in it 1 lb. of the thickened juice of Grains of Kermes. Then add the rest in fine powder, adding the Musk and Ambergris at the end.
Strengthens the Heart and Spirits, strengthens Spleen Qi, clears Heat and Melancholy
1. Palpitations
2. Fainting
3. Sadness, Fear, Melancholy
4. Strengthens in weakness, chronic disease or convalescence
5. Tiredness, Fatigue
6. Stomach Weakness, continual vomiting, chronic indigestion
7. ‘Preserves both body and mind in good estate’.
8. Impotence
9. Infertility
10. Weakness during or after Childbirth
11. Threatened Miscarriage
12. Bleeding after Childbirth
1⁄2–1 scruple, up to 11⁄2 drams in Wine, Broth, or in any other Cordial Liquor; one dram was a common dose.
None noted
1. Later physicians, perhaps not convinced of the benefit or strength of Silkworm Cocoons used 1 lb.
2. Some used 6 drams of Pearl.
3. Some used Sandalwood instead of Aloeswood.
4. musk and Ambergris were often omitted, and the Gold leaf was reduced in dosage or omitted altogether.
5. For Palpitations, take with Tincture, Wine or Infusion of Cinnamon or Saffron
6. Confection for Memory: Confect. Alkermes 2 scruples, Cinnamon, Nutmeg 1 scruple each, Clove, Saffron 1⁄2 scruple, Musk 6 Grains. Form pills for 3 doses.
Kermes is the dried body of a scale insect, Kermes ilicis, which infects the Kermes Oak and are crushed to yield a crimson dye.
‘This Confection is without question one of the best Cordials that ever Galenic Physick invented. For it repairs and recreates the Vital and Animal Spirits; it ceases Palpitations of the Heart, and Swooning Fits. It fortifies the Brain and all the Noble parts very much. It is an Enemy to putrefaction, reestablishes the languishing and decayed Strength, drives away Melancholy and Sadness, and restores and preserves both body and mind in good estate’. (Royal Pharmacopoeia of France, Charras, 1678)
‘It is very efficacious for many things; for it cures the Palpitation of the Heart, Swoonings, Dotings, and Sadness without a manifest cause, and much helps such as are languid, wearied with Long Sickness, and newly recovered’. (Renodeus, his Dispensatory … 1657)
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Royal Confection of Kermes
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Mesue
Herb NameJuice of Rennet ApplesRose Water Silkworm Cocoons * Aloeswood Cinnamon Ambergris ** Lapis lazuli prepared *** Pearl Gold leaf Musk |
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* cleansed and cut small
** powdered with 3 drops of Cinnamon oil
*** heated to red hot 3 times and quenched in Rose Water, then washed and levigated with the same.
Preparation:
Digest the juice, rose water and Silkworm cocoons in a sealed vessel and heat in a water bath for 24 hours, then squeeze out the Silk in a press, and gently boil to the consistency of an Electuary with 2 lbs. of the best Sugar. Next remove from the fire, and dissolve in it 1 lb. of the thickened juice of Grains of Kermes. Then add the rest in fine powder, adding the Musk and Ambergris at the end.
Function:
Strengthens the Heart and Spirits, strengthens Spleen Qi, clears Heat and Melancholy
Use:
1. Palpitations
2. Fainting
3. Sadness, Fear, Melancholy
4. Strengthens in weakness, chronic disease or convalescence
5. Tiredness, Fatigue
6. Stomach Weakness, continual vomiting, chronic indigestion
7. ‘Preserves both body and mind in good estate’.
8. Impotence
9. Infertility
10. Weakness during or after Childbirth
11. Threatened Miscarriage
12. Bleeding after Childbirth
Dose:
1⁄2–1 scruple, up to 11⁄2 drams in Wine, Broth, or in any other Cordial Liquor; one dram was a common dose.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. Later physicians, perhaps not convinced of the benefit or strength of Silkworm Cocoons used 1 lb.
2. Some used 6 drams of Pearl.
3. Some used Sandalwood instead of Aloeswood.
4. musk and Ambergris were often omitted, and the Gold leaf was reduced in dosage or omitted altogether.
5. For Palpitations, take with Tincture, Wine or Infusion of Cinnamon or Saffron
6. Confection for Memory: Confect. Alkermes 2 scruples, Cinnamon, Nutmeg 1 scruple each, Clove, Saffron 1⁄2 scruple, Musk 6 Grains. Form pills for 3 doses.
Kermes is the dried body of a scale insect, Kermes ilicis, which infects the Kermes Oak and are crushed to yield a crimson dye.
‘This Confection is without question one of the best Cordials that ever Galenic Physick invented. For it repairs and recreates the Vital and Animal Spirits; it ceases Palpitations of the Heart, and Swooning Fits. It fortifies the Brain and all the Noble parts very much. It is an Enemy to putrefaction, reestablishes the languishing and decayed Strength, drives away Melancholy and Sadness, and restores and preserves both body and mind in good estate’. (Royal Pharmacopoeia of France, Charras, 1678)
‘It is very efficacious for many things; for it cures the Palpitation of the Heart, Swoonings, Dotings, and Sadness without a manifest cause, and much helps such as are languid, wearied with Long Sickness, and newly recovered’. (Renodeus, his Dispensatory … 1657)
Back To ELECTUARIESBack to FORMULAS
How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures