Syrupus de Althea
Syrup of Marshmallow

Tradition:


Western

Source / Author:


Fernel

Herb Name

Marshmallow root
Red Chick peas
Couch grass root
Asparagus root
Licorice

Raisins
Marshmallow leaf
Mallow leaf
Pellitory of the Wall
Burnet Saxifrage
Plantain
White Maidenhair
Black Maidenhair

Melon seed
Gourd seed
Pumpkin seed
Cucumber seed
Chicory seed
Endive seed
Lettuce seed
Purslane seed

Latin


Althea officinalis
Cicer arietinum
Agropyron repens
Asparagus o
fficinale
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Vitis vinifera

Althea officinalis
Malva sylvestris
Parietaria di
ffusa
Pimpinella saxifraga
Plantago majus
Adiantum ruta-muraria
Adiantum spp.
Citrullus vulgaris
Lagenaria vulgaris
Cucurbita pepo
Cucumis sativus
Chicorium intybus
Chicorium endiva
Lactuosa sativa
Portulaceae oleracea

Amount


2 oz.
1 oz.



1⁄2 oz. ea. 






1 handful ea.








3 drams ea.

Preparation:


Infuse all the herbs in the Water a whole day, then boil down to 4 lbs., and form a Syrup with 3 1⁄2 lbs. of Sugar, according to Art.
Charras in his Royal Pharmacopeia of France said the best method was to decoct the Grass roots for 15 minutes before adding the Marshmallow and Asparagus roots, then boil them all gently for half an hour together. Next add the dried Raisins and whole Chick peas, boil them a short while, then add the other herbs (except the Licorice and Maidenhair) and boil for a further 15 minutes. Lastly, the Licorice and Maidenhair are added, and as they boil, the Cold seeds are added, and just after, the pot is removed from the fire, and left to sit for a further 15 minutes. After straining, the beaten white of an Egg is added and mixed through to clarify the liquor, and afterwards 31⁄2 pounds of Sugar is added; boil over a moderate fire to the consistency of a Syrup

Function:


Clears Heat, nourishes Yin, promotes Urine

Use:


1. Obstruction of Urine by Heat; Strangury, Dysuria
2. Gravel and Stones
3. Colic
4. Dysentery
5. Chronic dry Cough, Bronchitis, Pleurisy, Consumption etc.
6. Gonorrhea
7. Yin de
ficiency

Dose:


1–2 oz. morning and evening

Cautions:


None noted

Modifications:


1. A French version used 1 oz. each of Asparagus, Licorice and Raisins
2. The cold seeds may be reduced in number.


“A fine cooling, opening, slippery Syrup, and chiefly commendable for the Colic, Stone, or Gravel in the Kidneys or Bladder” … “It is no less commended in diseases of the Breast [Lungs]” (Salmon)
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