Syrupus Phthisicus,
Or, Syrupus Helix Resumptivus
Or, Syrupus Resumptivus
Syrup Against Consumption,
Or, Syrup of Snails Resumptive,
Or, The Resumptive Syrup

Tradition:


Western

Source / Author:


Renodeus

Herb Name

Snail Flesh
Barley
Date
Raisins
Licorice
Jujube
Sebesten

Cotton seed
Melon seed
Gourd seed
Cucumber seed

Lettuce seed
White Poppy seed
Coltsfoot
Lungwort
Violet
Water Lily flowers

Latin


Helix
Hordeum vulgare
Diospyros lotus
Vitis vinifera
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Ziziphus jujuba
Cordia spp

Gossypium herbaceum
Citrullus vulgaris
Cucurbita spp.
Cucumis sativus

Lactuosa sativa
Papaver somniferum
Tussilago farfara
Pulmonaria officinalis
Viola odorata
Nymphea alba

Amount


4 oz.
2 oz.
1 oz.

6 drams ea.





1⁄2 oz. ea.

2 drams ea.

1 handful ea.


1⁄2 oz. ea.

Preparation:


The Snails are cleansed by removing their shells and organs, washing well, then cutting in pieces. Commonly, their heads and tails were cut off.
Boil to 4 lbs., according to art, then clarify with egg white; then with 2 lbs. of Sugar, and 5 oz. each of Sugar of Roses and Diatragacanth Frigidum form a Syrup.

Function:


Nourishes Yin, Clears Heat

Use:


1. Chronic Cough
2. Wheezing, Breathlessness
3. Consumption, Wasting
4. Convalescence after long illness
5. Night Sweats
6. Heat, Restlessness, Insomnia from Deficient Heat
7. A useful strengthening tonic in the old and weak.

Dose:


2–3 oz.

Cautions:


Not suitable for Phlegm and Damp conditions

Modifications:


1. Chicken could replace Snails. It can be made without flesh and will still be useful.
2. Almonds can be added for Lung deficiency.
3. Asparagus root can be added for severe Lung deficiency.

“It is an excellent thing to restore such as have been lingering in a long and wasting Consumption” and for those “consumed by Long Disease”. (Salmon)

This formula serves to show how animal flesh can be cooked with dried Fruit and Herbs to form a tonic broth. Chicken, Lamb, Oxe-tail or bones could be used instead of Snails.

The use of Snails in the West is similar to the use of Turtle and Turtle shell in TCM.
Renodeus said “Joannes Tornamyra is Author by assent; though I could neither see it in him, nor any other Antidotariographer in my life: and that which is now made by Medicks, is made after as many different manners, as there are different shops wherein it is made; yea all the descriptions that I have seen of it (and there were no few) differ among themselves; some admitting too many attenuatives; others, too viscid ingredients; others useless ones; and others in such a confused form, as if they could scarce be prepared as described”.
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