1. Moves the Qi, Calms the Liver: -Depression, Nervous Headaches and Poor circulation from Liver constraint. -Physical and Nervous exhaustion, Nervous Palpitations, especially in nervous individuals. -as an aromatic Bitter to calm and regulate the Digestion. -‘resolves all obstructions of the Liver, Spleen and other viscera’. (Salmon) -Hysteria
2. Clears Wind-Phlegm from the Brain: -great cleanser and strengthener of the Brain (Unani) –Mesue regarded it as a useful purge of Phlegm and Black Bile from the Brain, although slow -clears Phlegm, opens obstructions and strengthens the Intellect. -Melancholy, Insomnia, Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Paralysis and Lethargy. -Chronic Sinusitis.
3. Benefits the Heart: -‘cheers the Heart, revives the Spirits’
4. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough: -Cough, Bronchitis, Wheezing –Schroder said ‘In diseases of the Breast, it is as good as Hyssop’.
5. Resists Poison: -‘a great counter-poison’ (Culpeper) -‘resists Poison, and the infection of the Plague, and all other infectious diseases’ (Salmon) -Bites of Rabid Dogs (acid tincture, internally and externally)
6. Clears Cold and Damp, Promotes Urine: -in formula for Gout, Arthritis, Rheumatism -Stones. -Cold and Damp pain
7. Externally: -rubefacient -applied to Burns and Scalds (oil) -applied to Varicose veins (oil) -used as a wash for the Head in various Nervous diseases. -aches, pains, cramps (herb boiled in oil) -commonly used in herb sachets and fumigations (to calm and clear the Mind).
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams (up to 5 grams) Infusion or Brief Decoction: 3–9 grams Juice: 1–2 spoonfuls in wine Tincture or Acid Tincture: 1–2 spoonfuls diluted Distilled Oil: 3–6 drops, up to 8 drops, added to sugar and dissolved in wine
Correctives:
Lemon juice and other sours
Substitutes:
1. Calamus 2. Lavender 3. Dodder herb 4. Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris) is a substitute for Stoechas in Unani medicine.
Main Combinations:
1. Migraine, Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Paralysis, Lethargy, Trembling, Cramps: i. Stoechas with Vinegar of Squill ii. Stoechas with Calamint, Oregano, Thyme, Betony, Sage, Rosemary, Peony, Rue (as in Syrup of Stoechas) 2. Dizziness, Vertigo, Stoechas with Eyebright, Thyme, Betony, Rosemary, Aniseed, Peony root, Clove, Aloeswood (as in Tincture for Vertigo) 3. Arthritic conditions, combine Stoechas with Ground Pine. 4. Promote Menstruation, Stoechas with Celery root, Pennyroyal, Bay berry, Zedoary 5. Hysteria, Stoechas with Valerian, Peony root 6. Melancholy: i. Stoechas with Indian Salt ii. Stoechas with Bugloss for oppression and sadness of the Heart. iii. Stoechas with Polypody, Dodder, Senna and Black Myrobalan
1. Compound Syrup of Stoechas: i. Cinnamon (1 part), Ginger, Calamus (2 parts each), Fresh leaves of Fennel, Rue, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Stoechas (8 parts each), Water (500 parts). Distil 70 parts and with White Sugar (128 parts), form a syrup in a water-bath. (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821) ii. Dried Stoechas (3 oz.), Thyme tops (4 ½ oz.), Sage, Rosemary (6 drams each), Rue seed, Fennel seed (4 ½ drams each), Cinnamon, Ginger, Calamus (2 drams each), Water (8 lbs.). Macerate 2 days in a covered vessel, then distil half a pound and with White Sugar (1 pound); strain the residue with expression and add White Sugar (4 pounds) and dissolve; add the 2 syrups together. (Pharmacopoeia Gallica, 1818) iii. Stoechas (2 oz.), Rosemary (2 drams), Mountain Calamint, Oregano, Thyme (3 drams each), Betony, Sage (2 drams), Aniseed, Peony seed, Calamus, Cinnamon, Ginger (1 dram each), Boiling Water (1 pound). Macerate 2 days in a warm place, express, and to 9 oz. of liquor add White Sugar (16 oz.), boil and strain. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)
Cautions:
1. Not used during pregnancy 2. Not suitable in those with Heat and dryness (causes thirst and fainting–Salmon)
Main Preparations used:
Syrup
1. Syrup of Stoechas: i. Stoechas (1 oz.), Distilled Water of Stoechas (2 lbs.). Digest in a water-bath for 2 hours and add to the strained liquor White Sugar (twice the quantity). Dissolve in a water-bath, strain through flannel. Dose: ½–2 drams. (Pharmacopoeia Gallica, 1818)
Arabian Stoechas
Stoechas
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
(Photo by Carsten Niehaus) (Wikimedia)