Diacameron Magna
or Diathamaron

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Nicholas (Antidotarium)

Herb Name	Latin	Amount *
Anthophyllorum *	Eugenia caryophyllus
Ginger	Zingiber officinalis	5 dr., 1 scr., 16 gr.
Cinnamon	Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Clove	Eugenia caryophyllus
Date fl esh	Diospyros lotus	4 dr., 1 scr., 16 gr.
Galangal	Alpina officinarum
Celtic Spikenard	Valeriana celtica
Indian Spikenard	Nardostachys jatamansi
Anacardium	Anacardium occidentale
Zedoary	Curcuma zedoaria
Date stone	Diospyros lotus
Costus	Saussurea lappa
Balsam fruit	Commiphora opobalsamum
Pellitory	Anacyclus pyrethrum
Aniseed	Pimpinella anisum
Red Coral	Corallum rubrum
White Coral	Corallum album
Bay berry	Laurus nobilis
Ammi	Ammi majus
Tragacanth	Astragalus tragacanth
Rhaponticum	Rheum rhaponticum	1 dr., 1 scr., 8 gr.
Black Pepper	Piper nigrum
White Pepper	Piper album
Long Pepper	Piper longum	1 dr., 2 scr., 8 gr.
Gold leaf	Aurum
Silver leaf	Argentum
Bone of a Stag’s Heart	Os Cordis Cervii	2 1⁄2 scruples.
Ivory	Eboris
Musk	Moschus	1 scr., 8 gr.
Ambergris	Ambre gris	1 scruple

* Mother Cloves, also called Anthophyllorum, are mature Cloves as opposed to regular Cloves which are buds.

Preparation:

Powder and with three times their weight of clarified Honey, form an Electuary.

Function:

Strengthens Qi, Warms the Yang, benefits the Lungs, Kidney and Heart, clears Phlegm and Damp

Use:

“Improves all weakness of the stomach, strengthens weak loins” (Nicholas, Antidotarium)
1. Fatigue and Weakness
2. Restorative
3. all Cold diseases of the Stomach
4. Cold Cough
5. Asthma
6. Phthisis
7. Kidney and Lower Back pain
8. Aphrodisiac
9. Arthritic pain
10. Coldness of the Heart
11. Palpitations
12. ‘Leads a man to a Long Life’. (Hoffman)

Dose:

1–3 drams morning and night

Comment:

The name Diacameron what said to mean “leading a man from Death”.
This lost favor during the 16th century, yet without the last group of metal and animal ingredients it could still be practical today. Two of the main ingredients, Date and Cinnamon nourish the Spleen Qi and increase digestion, assimilation and distribution of nourishment. It warms the Kidney and Spleen Yang and increases Qi.

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

Regular Cloves can replace Mother Cloves.

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Diacameron Magnaor Diathamaron