Aromaticum Rosatum
Aromatic Rose Compound
Tradition:
Western, Unani
Source / Author:
Gabriel
Latin
Rosa gallica
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Aquillaria agallocha
Santalum citrinum
Eugenia caryophyllus
Myristica fragrans
Acacia arabica
Astragalus tragacanth
Myristica fragrans
Elettaria cardamomum
Alpina officinarum
Nardostachys jatamansi
Amount
15 drams
7 drams
5 drams
3 drams ea.
2 1⁄2 drams ea.
8 scruples ea.
1 dram each
2 scruples
Preparation:
Powder; or form an electuary with Syrup of Rose. Sometimes Ambergris 2 scruples and Musk 1 scruple was added.
Function:
Strengthen the Stomach, Warms and Harmonises the Heart, Liver and Spleen, Calms the Mind
Use:
1. promotes Appetite, strengthens Digestion; Stomach weakness with Damp
2. Strengthens; good after chronic illness, Consumption
3. Weakness of the Stomach, Liver, Heart and Brain through Cold and Damp; Palpitations
4. Good for all diseases caused by Damp
5. Melancholy; cheers the Spirit
6. Nourishes Sperm
7. Infertility
8. Tonic during Pregnancy; threatened Miscarriage.
Dose:
Powder: 1⁄2 scruple–1 dram; Electuary: 2 drams–1⁄2 oz.
Cautions:
If used during Pregnancy, Musk and Ambergris are not added.
Modifications:
1. Sometimes Ambergris 2 scruples and Musk 1 scruple were added.
2. A version out of Wirtzung (1598) added Red Coral (1⁄2 dram) and Amber (1 scruple). This addition makes it stronger to benefit the Heart. It also added Ivory (1 dram), Diarrhodon Abbatis (1 scruple), Long Pepper (10 grains) and Grains of Paradise (8 grains).
3. To strengthen the Mother and Fetus during pregnancy, add Mastic.
4. Threatened Miscarriage, Aromaticum Rosatum, Coriander seed, 1⁄2 dram each.
5. Liver Obstruction, or Evil state of the body, take 1 dram Aromatic. Ros. with ½ dram Dialacca.
Similar Formulas:
Aromatic Rose Compound Lesser (Mesue)
Aromatic Rose Compound for the Stomach (Mesue)
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How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures
This formula was widely used in the Western tradition for centuries. Its primary effect is to gently warm and clear Dampness, especially from the Digestion. Because it is gentle and mild, it is applicable in numerous diseases. Because it is gently strengthening, it was often used to strengthen after Chronic Illness.
“Mesue describes many, cordial and suaveolent [aromatic] Electuaries, but more especially six, which he calls aromatical; out of which I have selected this one; and he that has this, may easily be without the rest.
It is called Aromaticam, from the Aromata’s whereof it consists, and Rosatum from its Roses, which are therein; prepollent both in quantity and quality: It is cognominated from one Gabriel, it is probable its Author, or Mesue’s friend. But however, the description is good, and its use salutary.
It is kept in form of a Powder, which is easily made; or of a soft Electuary, which is effected, by admitting it to an equal quantity of the Syrup of Roses, and of Orange-pill [peel]. But it is most usually had in form of a tabellated Electuary, the Powders being
cocted in Sugar.
It roborates the brain, heart, ventricle [stomach], and the inferior Belly; dissipating the excrementitious humidity of their parts; it corrects all putretude, excites appetite, helps coction [digestion], abates loathsomness [poor appetite] and vomiting, and is very good for such as are weak, and newly recovered from a disease”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)
‘It does strengthen the weak Stomach and comforts the Heart, the Brains, the Head, and the Liver; it drives out also the bad and superfluous humours of the Stomach: it helps the Digestion of the Stomach, and especially them which be afoot again after a long continued and lingering sickness’. (Wirtzung)
‘It strengthens the Brain, Heart and Stomach, and all such internal members as help towards decoction [digestion], it helps digestion, consumes the watery excrements of the Bowels, strengthens such as are pined away by reason of the violence of a disease, and restores such as are in consumption’. (Culpeper)