Saxifraga alba, White Saxifrage

Stonebreak
Picture Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485

Picture White Saxifrage
Herbarum Vivae Eicones, Otto Brunfels, 1530

 Picture ‘Tall Saxifrage’
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Picture An alternate type of ‘Saxifrage’
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Botanical name:


Saxifraga alba (syn. S. granulata subsp. granulata, S. officinalis)
A number of different species supplied ‘Saxifrage’

Parts used:


Root, leaf

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Pungent

Uses:


1. Promotes Urine, Clears Damp, Breaks Stones:
-Urinary obstructions, Dysuria, Strangury
-clears Kidneys and Bladder
-special for Gravel and Stones.

2. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea

3. Clears Cold Phlegm:
-cold Phlegm or the Stomach and Lungs.
-‘Crass’ or undigested Humors
    
4. Moves the Blood, Promotes Healing:
-Used for Wounds, for which it was said to be as effective as Sanicle.


Dose:


Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
For Stones: add 2–3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb to 2 cups of boiling water, simmer 10 minutes and drink throughout the day.

Main Combinations:


1. Obstructed Urine and Stones, Saxifrage is often combined with Pellitory of the Wall
2. Stoppage of Urine, Stones:
i. decoct Saxifrage in wine (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
ii. decoct Saxifrage, Pellitory of the Wall, Water Cress, White Dittany, Fennel seed, Aniseed in white wine; use as a fomentation over the bladder, or it can be injected into the bladder (Wirtzung)
3. Stones:
i. Saxifrage with Parsley or Fennel seed
ii. Saxifrage with Aniseed, Pepper, Celery seed, Grommel seed, Asparagus seed, taken with Honey water or wine. (Wirtzung)
iii. Take Peach kernels with decoction of Saxifrage and Cinquefoil
4. Crass Humors, Saxifrage with Aromaticum rosatum or Diagalanga (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
5. Gall Stones, Saxifrage with Celandine, St. Mary’s Thistle, Peppermint, Yarrow (Türk)
6. Hip bath for pain from Urinary obstruction, Saxifrage with Nettle, Mallow

Major Formulas:


Decoction of Parsley Compound
Electuary of Pope Innocent Against Blindness
Antidote Experienced Against Cold Gout & All Feet Pain

Cautions:


None noted

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Water of the whole Herb