Spongii, Sponge

Picture Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Picture Spongia officinalis
Photo by Liez
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Botanical name:
Phylum porifera
Spongia officinalis
Spongia lacinulosa (of the Red Sea, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean was said to be most used). Many sponges have been used.

Parts used:


whole dried Sponge; Sponge ashes; Sponge stone, a stone at the center of the Sponge.

Temperature & Taste:


Cold, dry. Salty
Salmon (Botanologia) said ‘It is temperate in respect of Heat or Coldness, dryness or moisture’.

Classifications:


Aperitive, Abstersive, Diuretic, Nephritic

Uses:


1. Clears Phlegm and Heat, Resolves Masses:
-Scrofula, Swollen Lymph Nodes

2. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine, Clears Stones:
-Gravel and Stones

3. Clears Heat and Toxin:
-Boils, Acne, Eczema

4. Externally:
i. burnt Sponge makes an excellent Tooth Powder.


Dose:


Powdered Sponge and Burnt Sponge may be given in similar doses.
Powder or Ashes: 1–3 grams

Preparation:


… available in PRO version

Substitute:


… available in PRO version

Correctives
… available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Scrofula:
i. Sponge with … available in PRO version
ii. Sponge with … available in PRO version
iii. Sponge with … available in PRO version
iv. Sponge with … available in PRO version
v. Burnt Sponge, … available in PRO version
vi. Burnt Sponge … available in PRO version
vii. Burnt Sponge, … available in PRO version
2. Goiter and Testicular swelling, Burnt Sponge, … available in PRO version
3. Asthma, Sponge ashes with … available in PRO version
4. Congealed Blood, Sponge with … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Powder of Burnt Sponge (Gabelhover)
Powder for Scrofula (Pharmacopoea Argentorarensis)
Powder for Scrofula (Arnold de Villa Nova)
Powder for Scrofula (Palestra Pharmaceutica)
Powder for Scrofula (Bononiense)

Cautions:


Cold, so not suitable for Cold constitutions or weakness of the Stomach.

Main Preparations used:


Sponge ashes