Asplenium, Ceterach
Spleenwort
Saquluqandrium (Unani)
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Left: Scolopendrum;
Right: Scolopendrum verum, Arabian Ceterach
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Botanical name:
Asplenium ceterach (syn. Ceterach offcinarum, Hemidictyum ceterach)
Parts used:
Herb
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry
“Hot in the First and Dry in the Second degree” (Avicenna)
Uses:
1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-urinary diseases; Edema
-removes Kidneys and Bladder Stones (Avicenna)
-“It is also useful in Hiccough and Jaundice”. (Avicenna)
2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Asthma
3. Opens Obstructions, Clears Melancholy:
-Spleen disease; swelling or hardness of the Spleen
-cleanses the Blood
-Fibroid Tumors and Cancer
-“With oxymel it becomes a wonderful drug for Spleen”. (Avicenna)
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams
Substitutes:
1. Scolopendrum (Hart’s Tongue) was commonly used by the Apothecaries for Ceterach according to Wirtzung.
2. Cynoglossum (Hound’s Tongue) is also used
Main Combinations:
1. Cleanse the Blood, Ceterach with Fumitory, Thyme, Chicory, Agrimony, Polypody
2. Obstruction of the Spleen, Ceterach with Tumeric, Rhubarb, Agrimony, Tamarisk, taken with the Syrup of 5 Opening Roots.
3. Cancer, Ceterach with Figwort root, Herb Robert, Agrimony, Tormentil, Scabious (Fuller)
Major Formulas:
Syrup to Purge all Humors of Frankfurt
Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb (Nicholas)
Decoction for Cancer (Fuller)
Decoction to Open the Body (Riverius)
Decoction of Fumitory Compound
Cautions:
Not suitable in Yin deficiency
Main Preparations used:
1. Infusion of Ceterach:
i. Ceterach leaf (1 oz.), Boiling Water (1 pound). Dose: 2 oz.
