Simple Syrups
The syrups of many herbs may be made as for Syrup of Wormwood; Syrups of Fruits may generally be made in the manner of Syrup of Lemon juice; Syrups of Seeds are generally made as the Syrup of Aniseeds; Syrups of Spices and Aromatics may be made as for Syrup of Cinnamon; Syrups of various Citrus and other similar peels should be made as for Syrup of Citron Peel.Syrups may generally be taken in doses of 1–2 spoonfuls as a dose, two-4 times daily, diluted in water or a suitable infusion. Often 1–3 oz. was taken as a dose.
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Syrupus, or Syrupus Simplex Simple Syrup Refined Sugar 2½ lbs. Water 1 pint Heat them gently in B.M. to dissolve the sugar. Set aside 24 hours, remove the scum, and pour off the clear to keep. This was not used alone, but rather, used in formulas. Syrupus Absynthio Simplex Simple Syrup of Wormwood Wormwood juice depurated and clarified, Sugar 3 lbs. ea. Form a Syrup according to Art. Dose: ½–2 oz., taken on an empty Stomach first thing in the morning, and last thing at night. It has all the virtues of the herb. It is a wonderfully good thing for the Stomach, cleansing it, and promoting good digestion. It also purges Heat and Bile from the Liver and Gall Bladder, and is also useful to clear Phlegm from the body. After the same manner may be made Syrups of Apples, Betony, Borage, Bugloss, Carduus, Camomile, Chicory, Coltsfoot, Endive, Strawberry, Fumitory, Ground Ivy, Hops, Mustard, Plantain, Purslane, Raspberry, St. John’s Wort, Sage, Scabious etc. Syrupus de Acetosa Simple Syrup of Sorrel (Mesue) Sorrel juice 3 parts Sugar 2 parts Boil them gently to a Syrup, removing the scum as it arises, continuing until it is well clarified. Dose: 1–2 oz. ‘This Syrup is good for all hot Pestilential Agues; it quenches Thirst, and the inflaming heat of the Heart, and also of the Stomach, and it strengthens the same’. Good for Heat of the Stomach and Bowels, and is good for Bilious and Pestilent Fevers. (Wirtzung, Renodeus) Syrupus Acetosus Simplex or, Oxysaccharum Simple Syrup of Vinegar (Mesue) White Wine Vinegar 3 lbs. Sugar 5 lbs. Melt them together in the heat of a B.M. to form a Syrup, without boiling, clarifying with an Egg white if necessary. It must be prepared in an Earthen or Stoneware vessel, not Copper or Brass. Some used a ratio of 2:5 instead of 3:5. Others boiled the Sugar with 4 lbs. of Fountain water until half the water is evaporated, then add 2–4 lbs. of White Wine Vinegar (depending on the desired acidity, typically 3 lbs.), and form a Syrup according to Art. Nicholas Myrepsus had a Syrup of Vinegar: Vinegar 4 oz. Pomegranate juice 8 oz. Sugar 1 lb. Boil the Juice and Sugar together, then when boiled down, add the Vinegar and boil gently to a Syrup. It is used as the former. Dose: 1–2 oz. can be taken in the morning fasting, at night going to bed, or both. It was often taken with a laxative or mild purgative to carry off the corrupted Humors, such as a decoction of Prunes with a little Rhubarb added. ‘This Syrup is very good against all corrupted Humors: for it does attenuate all thick slime, and causes all tough matter to avoid, softens the hard, and expels all bad Humors: it opens all Obstructions, and provokes Urine. In fine, it is good for all bad corruptions of the body, and is also very good for all Pestilent Fevers, for it quenches the Thirst’. (Wirtzung) This was primarily used to prepare the body for Purging or Vomiting; it is especially useful to prepare the Melancholy Humor for purging. It Cools, Opens, Cuts and Attenuates. It opens obstructions, cuts and cleanses tough Phlegm and softens hardness. It quenches Thirst and is good in Epidemic Fevers; it promotes Urine; it cuts tough Phlegm from the Lungs and Stomach, strengthens the Stomach, and promotes Appetite and Digestion. Also good for obstructions of the Spleen. Good against all foul and corrupted Humors. It cools the Kidneys, and was considered particularly useful for stopped Urination. Syrupus Althaeae Simple Syrup of Marshmallow (Riverius) Fresh Marshmallow root ½ lb. Refined Sugar 2 lbs. Water 4 pints Boil the root in the water down to half, then press out strongly when cold. Dissolve the sugar in it with the heat of B.M. Set it aside for 24 hours to allow the sediment to settle, remove the scum, pour off the clear liquor, and keep. Dose: 1–2 oz. It can be taken with a little oil of Linseed or Almond for Coughs. It has the virtues of Marshmallow, and is a good way of preserving the fresh virtues of Marshmallow, being more effective to nourish the Yin. Most used for Coughs. Syrupus de Semine Anisi Simple Syrup of Aniseeds (Quercetan) Aniseed, bruised 4 oz. Sack Wine 2 lbs. Infuse them for 3 days; strain, and with 2 lbs. of Sugar, boil gently to a Syrup. The Syrup of other Seeds may be made similarly. Dose: 1–2 oz. It is a good Pectoral. It is also very good for Colic and Griping, especially in Children. It promotes Urine, and cleanses the Kidneys. Other seed Syrups may be prepared similarly, including Fennel, Celery, Parsley, Peony, Bay berries, Juniper berries etc. Syrupus Aurantii Corticis Simple Syrup of Orange Peel Fresh Orange Peel 2 oz. Water 1 pint Macerate overnight for 12 hours in a covered vessel; then strain and dissolve 3 lbs. of refined Sugar in it. Dose: 1–2 oz. It is a good carminative and may be used similarly to the Syrup of Citron peel. Syrupus Betonica Succus Syrup of Betony juice Betony juice, clarified 3 lbs. White Sugar 1½ lbs. Mix gently with the heat of a B.M., to the consistency of a Syrup, S.A. Dose: ½–1, or 2 oz. Used for diseases coming from Cold in the Head, Stomach, Spleen and Womb. Also for wind diseases of the Head including Headache, Vertigo, etc. It also promotes menstruation, relieves obstruction of the same, and eases pain. After the same manner may be prepared Syrups of the juices of Borage, Blessed Thistle, Chicory, Dandelion, Scabious etc. Syrupus Cinnamomo Simplex Simple Syrup of Cinnamon Cinnamon, bruised 4 oz. White Wine, Water of Cinnamon ½ lb. ea. Steep them together in a sealed glass jar in gentle heat for 3 days; strain, and with 1½ lbs. of Sugar, form a Syrup. Dose: ½–1 oz. ‘It refreshes the Vital Spirits exceedingly, and Cheers both the Heart and Stomach languishing through cold, it helps digestion exceedingly, and Strengthens the whole body’. (Culpeper) After this manner may be prepared Syrups of other Spices and Aromatics including Ginger, Cloves, Nutmegs, Calamus etc. In these cases, 1 lb. of White Wine may be used instead of their distilled water. Syrupus Citro Corticis Simple Syrup of Citron Peels Citron peel, cut small 1 lb. Water 5 lbs. Seethe down to half; then strain it through a cloth, and with one pound of Sugar, form a syrup according to Art. When it was almost completed, 4 grains of Musk, which had been triturated with Rose water, was usually added. Dose: ½–1 oz., to 2 oz. ‘It Warms and strengthens the Heart, the Brain, all inward parts, and the Vital Spirits. It strengthens the weak Stomach, makes a good breath, and defends from the Plague &c.’ (Wirtzung) It moves the Qi, clears Damp and relieves pain coming from spasms of the Stomach and Bowels. Syrup of Peels of Lemons, Orange and other Citrus fruit may be made similarly. Syrupus Cardiacus Divinus The Heavenly Cardiac Borage Water 4 oz. White Sugar, refined 16 oz. Boil almost to the consistency of a Syrup, then, while boiling, add 6 oz. of fresh Borage flowers freed from their black spots, and continue boiling until the flowers are crisp, then remove from the fire, and mix with it 16 Gold leaves in fine powder, and 24 grains of Ambergris. Dose: ½–1 oz. It may be liberally used. ‘A most elegant Cardiac, recreating the Vital and Animal Spirits, and is profitable against all affections arising from Atrabilis: In Hypochondriac Melancholy, it has no second. It is not only Cardiac, but it is good against Diseases of the Breast and Lungs, as Colds, Coughs, Asthmas, tickling Rheums, Wheezing, Hoarseness &c’. (Bates) Borage is cool and moist, a great Cordial medicine, calming and soothing the Heart and Spirit. It clears Heat from the Heart and Lungs, and is therefore useful in any Heat condition of the Chest. Syrupus de Endivia Simple Syrup of Endive Juice of Endive 1 lb. Sugar 10 oz. The juice is gently boiled first, scumming it until it is clear; then add the Sugar, and boil gently to a Syrup, according to Art. Dose: 1–2 oz. ‘This Syrup is good against all inward heat of the Liver, and other nutritive parts’. (Wirtzung) Endive is cool and dry, and clears Heat from the Liver, being similar in nature to Dandelion and Chicory. Syrup de Helix Syrup of Snails Garden Snails, gathered before the rising of the Sun, shells removed, and cut in pieces 1 lb. Sugar candy in fine powder ½ lb. Mix them and put into Hippocrates Sleeve in a Cellar so it may fall through as a Syrup. Dose: ½–1 oz., up to 1 spoonful hourly. This was used as a specific for Consumption and Lung ulcers. It may also be used for dry Coughs, Hectic Fevers, Wasting and other conditions associated with dryness and Yin deficiency. (Bates) Snails are Cool and Moist, nourish the Yin, clear Heat and Deficient Heat, and promote Healing. They were also used to resolve hard swellings including Fibroids and Cancers. |
Syrupus Lumbricus Simple Syrup of Earthworms Fresh Earthworms, cleansed 1 lb. Put them into a glass with a narrow mouth, and seal it close stopped; wrap the Glass in a paste made of wheat flour and water, and bake it in an oven with bread; strain out the liquor, and add a sufficient amount of refined Sugar to make a Syrup. Earthworms are generally cleansed by putting them in white wine overnight to purge them. In modern TCM, they are usually prepared by cutting down the center and washing well to remove the soil from their digestive tract. Dose: 1 oz. Used for Epilepsy and Apoplexy, and diseases of the Head, Brain and Womb. It was said to be a specific against Rheumatism. (Bates, Salmon) Earthworms are Cold, dry, earthy, clear Heat and Settle Wind. They have a special property for opening all obstructions caused through Heat, Phlegm or thick Melancholic Humors. They have therefore been used for obstructions of the Lungs with Cough and Wheezing; obstruction of the joints with pain, stiffness and swelling; obstruction of the nerves with Paralysis, Neuralgia, Numbness or Tremors; obstruction of the circulation with Bruising, chronic fixed pain; also for Tumors, Swellings etc. It is also effective for Hypertension. Syrupus et Succo Oxytriphylli, or Syrupus et Succo Oxalii Syrup of the Juice of Wood Sorrel ‘Take 4 pints of the juice of Wood Sorrel well purified; pour them into a glass-Cucurbit, cover it with its Alembic slightly luted, place it in Balneo Marie, and distil with a moderate fire about half the moisture. Then take away the Cucurbit, and let it cool. That done, pour out the acid Juice, which remains by Inclination, and pass it through a brown paper, to separate the Terresities gathered in Distillation. Then weigh out two pints of this clarified juice, and dissolve therein four pound of fine powdered Sugar, and give the whole a little wamble over the fire. Take it off, scum it, and put up the Syrup, when it is cold’. This is prepared like this because the juice is less acid and more watery then the juice of Lemons or Citrons. Therefore, the distillation (which only removes the excess water) is necessary to increase its acidity. Otherwise, 2 pints of the juice made into a syrup with 4 pounds of sugar without distillation would be more than adequate. Dose: 1–2 oz., taken several times daily if needed. This Syrup cools very much. It is very useful for all burning Fevers, for all Malignant and Epidemic diseases, for Heat of the Stomach and Liver, and to quench Thirst. It cools and comforts the Heart, and strengthens it in Fevers. It is also good for all inflammations of the Mouth, Tongue, and Throat. Syrupus Florum Paeoniae Simple Syrup of Peony Flowers Peony Flowers 1 lb. Water 2 lbs. Sugar 4 lbs. Infuse 24 hours, add the Sugar, and form a Syrup without boiling. Dose: ½–1 oz., once or twice daily. Gerard said it ‘Helpeth greatly the Falling Sickness’. It can generally be used for all the purposes for which Peony was used, and is accounted most appropriate for Women. The flowers are more ‘spiritual’ and are therefore more settling to the Heart and Spirit, clearing Heat and settling Wind while gently supporting the Heart and Liver Yin. Syrupus Papaveris, or Diacodium Syrup of Poppy (Mesue) White Poppy heads (to be gathered a little after the petals have fallen off, & kept for 3 days) 8 oz. Black Poppy heads (to be gathered as above) 6 oz. Rain Water 8 lbs. Steep them for 24 hours, boil them gently, and then press them. Add 24 oz. of Sugar, or what is better still, equal parts of Sugar and Penids, and boil to a Syrup. Dose: ½–1 oz. with twice as much water. ‘Syrup of Poppy conciliates Sleep, mitigates the temper of the choleric [Bilious] Humor, and allays the Cough’. (Renodeus) Used to promote rest and sleep, and ease pain. Used as an adjunct in the healing of Ulcers, and in Consumption. Syrupus Flos Persicae Simple Syrup of Peach Flowers Fresh Peach Flowers 1 lb. Warm Water 3 lbs. Steep a whole day, then gently bring to the boil and strain. Repeat the Infusion 5 times with new flowers in the same water. Add 2½ lbs. of Sugar; form into a Syrup in B.M. Dose: ½–1 oz., or 3 oz. ‘Commended to purge the serosities that trouble the Brain, Nerves, Muscles, and which not only cause Rheumatism, but the Apoplexy, Palsy, Convulsions, and other diseases of the Brain’. ‘It purges choleric [Bilious] Humors, opens obstructions, cuts the thick matters in the Mesentery, Pancreas, Liver and Spleen. It is very proper to Kill Worms and resist the putrefaction of the Humors’. (Renodeus, Salmon, Culpeper) Syrupus Regalis sive Alexandria, or Syrupus Aqua Rosaceus The Princely, or Alexandrian Syrup, or Syrup of Rose Water Damask Rose water 3 lbs. Loaf Sugar 2 lbs. Boil them gently to form a Syrup. Dose: 1–3 oz. It was called the Princely or Alexandrian Syrup ‘for both Kings and delicate persons delight to use it. It is easy to make, and may be made at any time, and no Pharma-copoly can well be without it; though our Ancestors knew not of it, being not of skill to elicite Rhodostagme or Rose-water’. (Renodeus) This syrup is a gallant Cordial, being good to clear Heat, relieve Thirst, calm the Heart and Spirits, ease Pain, stop Coughs, and clear Heat from the Blood. It benefits the Heart, Lungs, Liver, Stomach and Bowels. Syrupus de Rosarum Siccis Simple Syrup of Dried Roses (Fernelius) Make 4 lbs of Spring Water hot, and infuse a pound of Dried Red Roses. Steep a while, then press out, and make a syrup with 2 pounds of Sugar. Dose: take 1–2 oz. before food for fluxes; after food for vomiting. ‘Syrup of dried Roses, strengthens the Heart, comforts the Spirits, binds the body, helps Fluxes, and corrosions, or gnawings of the Bowels, it strengthens the Stomach, and stays Vomiting. You may take an ounce at a time, before meat, if for Fluxes; after meat if for Vomiting’. (Culpeper) It is Cool and Dry, good to clear Heat and stop Fluxes and Vomiting coming from Heat. It strengthens the Stomach, clears Liver heat, comforts the Heart and Spirits, resists putrefaction and infection. It was also used to help heal internal Ulcers, especially of the Stomach and Bowels. Some claimed it to be very useful for Rheumatism. Syrupus Tussilaginis Simplex Simple Syrup of Coltsfoot Fresh Flowers of Coltsfoot 1½ lbs. Cover with a sufficient amount of water; ‘Put the Flowers into an Earthen Pot glazed within, having a straight mouth; and covering the Pot, set it upon hot cinders for 12 hours, at the end whereof give the Infusion some few bubbling-boilings, strain it and press it out. Then putting the like quantity of fresh Coltsfoot flowers into the same pot, pour upon them the strained Liquor. Cover the pot and set it upon the hot Embers, as long as before, then letting the infusion boil a little, strain it, squeeze it, and clarify the Liquor with the white of an Egg, with 4 lbs. of fine Sugar, and let it boil over a soft fire to the consistence of a Syrup’. (Charras, French Pharmacopoeia) Renodeus said ‘Those that make this syrup in the beginning of the spring, take only the Flowers of Tussilage; those that make it in summer, add as much of the green leaves, as they take of the green flowers. Some make it in the middle of summer, only of the succe [juice] of its leaves depurated, and sugar’. Dose: 1–2 drams, up to ½ oz. ‘The Syrup of Flowers of Coltsfoot is highly extolled to cut and loosen tough phlegm from the Lungs, for which reason it gives great ease to those that are Asthmatic, and such as cannot freely breath. It is taken alone by intervals of fasting, from 2 drams to half an ounce’. (Renodeus) Syrupus Violarum Simple Syrup of Violets Violet Flowers, fresh 1 lb. Boiling Water 2 lbs. Put them in a closed vessel for a day. Then press them out hard; traditionally the Infusion was repeated twice more with fresh Violet flowers. With 2 lbs. of the liquor, dissolve 4 lbs., 3 oz. of sugar. Make a syrup without boiling, and remove the scum. Dose: 1–3 oz., up to 4 oz. for adults; with cold water for Fever and Thirst, with warm water as a digestive. ‘Syrup of Violets breaks the acrimony of Choler, tempers the heat of the Bowels, subdues the Belly, and conduces to the Vices of the Breast. It is a special auxiliatory in pectoral and lateral Inflammations, and against the roughness of the Aspera arteria: and is very good against the heat of Fevers, choleric and acute diseases, the arbour of the entrails, and will quench Thirst’. (Renodeus) This greatly cools and moistens. It clears Heat from the Breast, Stomach, Liver and Heart, and is good in Pleurisy, Hot Catarrhs, Diabetes etc. It is good in Fevers, quenches Thirst in acute Fevers, and resists Putrefaction and Poison. Syrupus de succo Violarum Syrup of the Juice of Violets It is made using the expressed juice of Violets along with twice their weight of Sugar, by dissolving in B.M., form a Syrup according to Art. Dose: ½–1 oz., or 2 oz. It is used as the preceding, but is more powerful and more emollient. It has all the virtues of fresh Violets, being Cooling, Nourishing, and Moistening, nourishing the Yin of the Body, clearing the Heat of Fevers, and quenching Thirst. Violet is useful in Cancer, and this is an excellent way of administering it. Syrupus Zingiberis Syrup of Ginger Ginger root sliced 2 oz. Boiling water 1 pint Refined Sugar 2 lbs. Macerate the Ginger in the boiling water for 24 hours, strain, and then form a Syrup with the Sugar according to Art. Dose: 1–2 drams. It warms the Stomach, clears Cold and promotes Circulation. Used for Nausea, Vomiting from cold, abdominal pain etc. Good for cold-type Headache, and is used for Dizziness and Vertigo. It also clears Cold Phlegm from the Lungs, and is used for cold Coughs. |