Temperate Electuary for the Heart

Tradition:


Unani

Source / Author:


Avicenna

Herb Name

Pearl
Amber
Red Coral
Silk
Burnt River Crab
Ox Tongue
Gold
filings
Basil seed
Balm seed
Red Behen
White Behen
Aloeswood
Armenian Stone
Lapis lazuli prepared
Mastic
Cassia Wood
Cinnamon

Sa
ffron
Cardamon
Greater Cardamon
Cubeb
Dodder of Thyme
Stoechas
Zedoary
Doronicum
Endive
Cucumber seed
Manna
Rose
Musk
Camphor
Indian Spikenard
Indian leaf

Latin


Margarita
Succinum
Corallum rubrum
Sericum

Cancer usta
Picris echiodes
Aurum
Ocinum basilicum
Melissa o
fficinalis
Salvia hemotodes
Centaurea behen
Aquillaria agallocha
Lapis Armenius
Lapis Azureus praeparata
Pistacia lentiscus
Cinnamonum cassia
Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Crocus sativus
Elettaria cardamomum
Amomum subulatum
Piper cubeba
Cuscuta europea
Lavendula stoechas
Curcuma zedoaria
Doronicum hookeri
Chicorium endiva
Cucumis sativus
Fraxinus ornus
Rosa gallica
Moschus
Camphora
Nardostachys jatamansi
Cinnamonum tamala

Amount




4 1⁄2 grams ea.

5 grams ea.
16 grams
1 gram


9 1⁄2 grams ea.











4 1⁄2 grams ea.
8 grams
9 grams
4
1⁄2 grams
9 grams
15
1⁄2 grams
12
1⁄2 grams
31 grams
12
1⁄2 grams
9 grams
4
1⁄2 grams

3 grams ea.

* Note: doses given are rounded off from the Arab doses

Preparation:


Powder the herbs; powder the stones separately then add to the herbs. Add the Musk and Camphor at the end. It may be formed into Troches with Rose water, each weighing 1 dram. Alternatively, it may be formed into an Electuary with 3 times their weight of clarified Honey.

Function:


Strengthens and Regulates the Heart, regulates Qi and Blood

Use:


1. Heart weakness
2. Palpitations
3. Arrhythmia
4. May also be used for Anxiety, Restlessness and Insomnia associated with the Heart.


Dose:


1 dram; 2–3 drams of the Electuary

Cautions:


None noted

Modifications:


1. For a Hot Temperament: reduce Musk to 4 1⁄2 grams, replace Dodder with Fumitory, add 12 1⁄2 grams Senna, increase dose of Rose to 31 grams, add Purslane seed 25 grams, Tabasheer 15 1⁄2 grams, Asphodel seed 6 grams, Sandalwood 9 grams
2. For a Cold Temperament: add Nutmeg, Citron peel, Balsam wood, Ginger, Pepper of each 3 grams, Castoreum 9 grams, reduce the dose of Camphor by half.

This grand composition of Avicenna is similar to some compounds still used in Unani medicine for Heart disorders.
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