Species de Gemmis Calidii
Warming Powder of Gems

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name Troches Diarrhodon Troches of Aloeswood Pearl Zedoary Doronicum Citron peel Mace Basil seed Sapphire Jacinth Sardonyx Garnet Emerald Cinnamon Galangal Red Behen White Behen Clove Ginger Long Pepper Indian Spikenard Indian leaf Saffron Cardamon Amber Red Coral Ivory Gold leaf Silver leaf Musk

Latin a compound a compound Margarita Curcuma zedoaria Doronicum hookeri Citrus medica Myristica fragrans Ocinum basilicum Sapphirus Hyacinthus Sardinus Granatum Smaragdus Cinnamonum zeylanicum Alpina officinarum Salvia hemotodes Centaurea behen Eugenia caryophyllus Zingiber officinalis Piper longum Nardostachys jatamansi Cinnamonum tamala Crocus sativus Elettaria cardamomum Succinum Corallum rubrum Eboris Aurum Argentum Moschus Amount 5 drams ea. 3 drams 2 drams ea. 1 1⁄2 drams ea. 1 dram ea. 2 scruples ea. 1⁄2 dram

Preparation:

Powder
The stones must be properly levigated, then mixed well with the herbal powders. It may be prepared into a confection or soft Electuary

Function:

Warms the Heart, Head, Stomach, Liver and Uterus, Settles and Invigorates the Mind and Spirit

Use:

1. Cold, Moist and Weakness of the Heart, Head, Stomach, Liver or Uterus
2. Melancholy, Sadness, Fearful
3. Palpitations, Arrhythmias
4. Fainting
5. Digestive weakness

Dose:

1⁄2 scruple–1⁄2 dram; 1 dram of the Electuary

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. Some versions ommitted the Troches.
2. Some versions used half an ounce of Amber.
3. The Behens were often substituted with Tormentil, Avens or Elecampane
4. Cassia wood can replce Indian Leaf
5. Musk can be omitted, or replaced with a substitute.

Renodeus said ‘This Electuary of Gems is most efficacious for the cold affections of the Brain, Heart, Ventricle, Liver, and Uterus, according to Mesue: for it helps the Melancholic, Sad, Solitary, and Fearful: it cures the Palpitation of the Heart, hinders Swooning, roborates the languid Ventricle, and recreates the Entrails: but Apothecaries seldom make it, because of the rarity and dearness of the simples’.
Back to POWDERS
Back to FORMULAS
How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures