Troches for the Womb
or Hysteric Troches

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Herb Name Asafetida Galbanum Myrrh Castoreum Asarabacca root Long Birthwort Savin Feverfew Catnip Dittany

Latin Ferula asafetida Ferula galbaniflua Commiphora molmol Castoreum Asarum europeum Aristolchia longa Juniperus sabina Tanacetum parthenium Nepeta cataria Dictamnus albus Amount 2 1⁄2 drams ea. 2 drams 1 1⁄2 drams 1 dram ea. 1⁄2 dram

Preparation:

Steep the Gums in the Juice or Decoction of Rue, strain, and add Honey, boil down until thick, add the rest in fine powder, and form into Troches

Function:

Moves Qi and Blood, regulates the Uterus, promotes Labor

Use:

1. Hysteria
2. Menstrual Cramping and Pain
3. Promotes Labor and expels the Afterbirth
4. ‘expels the relics of a careless Midwife’. (Culpeper)

Dose:

1 scruple–1 dram in wine or another suitable vehicle

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. If this were to be recreated today, the Asarum and Birthwort would need to be omitted or replaced due to toxicity and legality. Calamus or Cubeb can replaced Asarum, and Zedoary can replace Birthwort in the current formula.
2. Castor (Beaver Castor) would be omitted due to unavailability in most instances. It can be replaced with Valerian or Asafetida.
3. Galbanum is a gum-resin closely related to Asafetida. So a larger proportion of Asafetida could replace the Galbanum and Castor.

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