Atriplex, Arrach
Orach
Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485
Ortus sanitatis, Cube, Johann von, 1501
Larger Garden Arrach
Salmon, Botanologia, 1710
Botanical name:
Atriplex hortensis
Salmon described 4 types:
1. Garden
2. Wild
3. Stinking
4. Sea
The garden (dealt with here) is also of 3 types:
1. Great White Garden Arrach
2. Lesser White Garden Arrach
3. Purple Garden Arrach
They are generally used similarly, but the Wild varieties were accounted less cooling and moist
Parts used:
Herb, fresh or dry; Seed
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, moist. Sweet
Classifications:
2X. INCARNATIVE
Alterative, Aperient, Abstersive, Emollient, Expulsive
Pectoral, Hepatic, Uterine, Arthritic
Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Opens Obstructions:
-inflammations (internally and topically)
-obstruction of the Liver or Spleen from Heat
-laxative, useful in jaundice
2. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Scrofula, Swellings of the Throat
-Fever (decoction)
-Poison of Cantharides
3. Clears Heat, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Asthma, Shortness of Breath
-Spitting of Blood
-syrup of the juice made with honey was most used for the Lungs
4. Benefits Yin:
–Avicenna said when eaten it nourishes Serous humor (Serum, Phlegm portion of blood)
5. Emetic.
-2 drams of the seed in infusion promotes Vomiting (Matthiolus)
6. Externally:
-linen cloth soaked in the juice is applied to inflammations and erysipelas
-applied to swelling breast when breastfeeding
-pain coming from heat (cataplasm)
-Heat-type Gout
-topically for hard swellings of the Throat
Dose:
Of the Seed in Powder: 3 grams;
Of the Juice: 2–4 oz.;
Syrup of the Juice with Honey: 1–2 oz.
Substitute:
Similar to Spinach
Main Combinations:
1. Heat-type Gout:
-beat the fresh herb with Honey and apply
-beat the fresh herb with Honey, Saltpeter and Vinegar (Macer)
2. Liver or Spleen obstruction, Arrach seed with Endive and Scolopendrum (Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485)
3. Cataplasm for heat and inflammation, Arrach with Sorrel and Mallow
Major Formulas:
Electuary of Aloeswood (Avicenna)
Antidotum Haemogogum
Cautions:
None noted
