Tradition:

Unani / Western

Source / Author:

Pharmacopoeia Persica (1681)

* Bitter Costus is generally regarded to be Inula racemosa. Costus root could also be used.

Preparation:

Powder all, and with twice the weight of Honey, form a Confection.
If an Electuary was to be made, the sugar could be omitted and 3 times the weight of Honey could be used.

Function:

Moves Qi, clears Cold and Damp, Benefits Qi, Strengthens the Organs

Use:

“This preparation possesses as many faculties as possible, and strengthens all the members [organs]”
1. Clears Bad breath, makes the mouth smell pleasant
2. Disperses Wind and Colic
3. Urinary Incontinence
4. Stupidity, Mental dullness
5. Headache
6. Cough with Cold Phlegm
7. Hemorrhoids
8. Arthritic disease
9. Vitiligo
10. Palpitations
11. Kidney and Bladder Stones
12. Preserves the Hair
“some said that whoever used this concoction for a period of twenty days would be safe from all the aforesaid diseases, and would escape unscathed”

Dose:

3–4 drams

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. This has a very large amount of Sugar and Honey, which may be reduced. The Sugar could be omitted altogether, using three times the weight of clarified Honey, as is typically used in the formation of an Electuary. The dose would then be 2 drams.
2. Sometimes Gentian is added, according to the source text.

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