Tanacetum umbelliferum, Buzidan

Sweet Pellitory
Buzidan (Unani)
Boozaidaan (Arabic)
Metha Akarkara (Ayurveda)
Picture ‘Buziden from Ortus Sanitatis (Cube, Johann von, 1501).

Picture Tanacetum umbelliferum
(Calcutta Unani College, Adam, 2019)

Botanical name:


Tanacetum umbelliferum (syn. Pseudohandelia umbellifera)

Parts used:


Root
“Buzfdan which is white, thick, multistripped and rough, is the best, but one which is thin, whitish and smooth, is inferior”. (Avicenna)

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, slightly dry. Sweet
“Hot in the Second and Dry in the First degree”. (Avicenna)

Uses:


1. Clears Wind-Damp, Eases Pain:
-Joint pain, stiffness
-Arthritis, Rheumatism, Gout
–Serapion said it resembles Colchicum in its action
-“It is useful in Rheumatism and Gout”. (Avicenna)

2. Warms and Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Impotence, Premature Ejaculation
-Aphrodisiac; ‘Increases the Sexual Urge’. (Avicenna)
–Avicenna said its nature is like the Behens

3. Moves Qi, Opens Obstructions:
-enlargement of the Liver and Spleen

4. Resists Poison:
-‘It acts against Poisons’ (Avicenna)


Dose:


Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction (1 in 10): half–1 fluid ounce

Substitutes:


1. It has been used as a substitute for Salep (Orchis spp.), Asparagus racemosus and Asparagus ascendens. Therefore, any of these medicines may be used in its place, depending on the requirement.
2. Orchis morio and Dactylorhiza hatagirea have been listed as sources for Buzidan.
3. Said to be similar to White Behen. It has a “potency almost similar to Behen“. (Avicenna)

Main Combinations:


1. Rheumatoid Arthrits, Cervical Spondylosis:
i. Tanacetum umbelliferum with Orchis, Ginger, Colchicum, Coriander, Ammi, Withania
ii. Tanacetum umbelliferum with Colchicum (Sweet), Withania, Galangal, China root, Ginger (as in one version of Powder of Colchicum) (Safoof-e-Suranjan) (Unani)
iii. Tanacetum umbelliferum with Colchicum (Sweet), Chebula, Nepeta hindostana, Water Melon seed, Almond, Cucumber seed, Coriander seed, Poppy seed (equal parts), add sugar equal to the rest. (as in one version of Powder of Colchicum) (Safoof-e-Suranjan) (Unani)
2. Aphrodisiac, Tanacetum umbelliferum with Withania, Orchis, Mucuna, Sesame seed, Shilajit

Major Formulas:


The Great Electuary
Water of Ambergris (Arq-e-Amber) (Unani)
Powder of Colchicum (Safoof-e-Suranjan) (Unani)

Cautions:


Serapion said it ‘engenders Semen, but hurts the Testicles’..

Main Preparations used:



  • Extra Info
  • History
History
This herb was unidentified by western writers, and when it was mentioned, it was with its Unani name, Buzidan (or Buzeiden), which is still used today.

It was stated to be a species of Orchis (Satyrion) by several authors including Serapion and Avicenna. Later authors suggested Orchis morio (syn. Anacamptis morio). Avicenna listed it as a substitute for Pastinaca secacul. He says it is of Indian origin, is an Aphrodisiac, used for Gout and Arthritis like Colchicum, and is Alexipharmic. It was
said to be similar to White Behen.

Although Serapion says its a species of Satyrion, he says it hurts the testicles. It was said to be as strong as Hermodactyls (Colchicum) for Gout and Arthritis which suggests a plant other than an Orchid species.

Only now we can say with certainty, that the herb (or at least the modern version of it), is Tanacetum umbelliferum.