TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS
Diseases of the Brain
Crooke, Mikrokosmographia, 1618
“Diseases of the Brain” refers to diseases of the Mind, Brain and Senses. This includes diseases such as Headache, Migraine, Vertigo, Dizziness, Epilepsy etc., being comparable to what would be called ‘Wind’ diseases in the Eastern systems. Sometimes referred to as ‘Diseases of the Head’ or Capitalis, meaning Head.
In the West, medicines that ‘Strengthen the Brain’ and ‘Medicines which Purge the Brain (or Head)’ were most often referred to. The former are applicable in poor mental function, confusion or poor concentration and failing Memory. The latter are indicated in poor mental function associated with excess humors of the Head. There will be confusion, lack of clear thinking, a thick tongue coating and discharge of the eyes, ears or nose.
See also
Western Tradition
Simples
Rosemary
Balm
Sandalwood
Calamus
Storax
Emblic Myrobalan
Simples to Purge
Sage
Betony
Aloeswood
Indian Spikenard
Stoechas
Chebulic Myrobalan
Sagapen
Sarcocolla
Senna
Colocynth
Cyclamen
Opopanax
Birthwort
Agaric
Lapis Armenius / Lazuli
Black Hellebore prepared
Primary Compounds for the Brain
All Diseases of the Brain:
Electuary of Pearl
Diatessaron
Diamoschu Dulcis
To Comfort the Brain:
Aromaticum Rosatum
Diambra
Aloephangine
Stomach Pills
Brain Weakness:
Pleres Arconticon
Warm and Strengthen:
Gallia Moschata (Mesue)
Aromaticum Rosatum
Diambra
Cold affects of the Brain:
Diamoschu Dulcis
Conserve of Lavender
Confected Calamus root
To Purge the Head:
Oxymel of Squill
Pills of Washed Aloe
Aloephangine
Pills of Mastic
Pills to Clarify (Mesue)
Cerebrum confortant–Strengthen the Brain
Decoction of Senna
Compound Syrup of Peony
Syrup of Citron Peel
Rosemary Wine
Sage Wine
Tincture of Sage
Tincture of Amber
Confection of Borage (Khamira Gaozaban) (Unani)
Conserve of Rosemary
Aromatic Rose Formula (Aromaticum Rosatum)
Abbots Confect of Rose (Diarrhodon Abbatis) (Nicholas)
Powder of Three Sandalwoods (Diatriasantalum) (Mes.)
Powder of Ambergris (Diambra) (Mesue)
Restorative of Nicholas (Pleres Arconticon)
Powder of Happiness (Letificans)
Cooling Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Frigidum)
Cooling Powder of Gems (Mesue)
Warming Powder of Gems (Mesue)
Electuary of Calamus (Diacorum) (Mesue)
Gallia Muscata (Mesue)
Gallia Muscata (Nicholas)
Common Pills
Stomach Pills (Mesue)
Powder of Trithemius
Troches of Gallia Alephangine
Triphala Electuary of Coriander (Itriphal Kishneez)
Oil of Oregano
Oil of Cinnamon
Oil of Stoechas
Cerebrum Frigidum–
Brain Diseases from Wind and Cold/Phlegm
Conserve of Betony flower
Conserve of Sage flower
Calamus root confected
Vinegar of Squill
Oxymel of Squill
Syrup of Citron Peel
Syrup of Stoechas (Fernelius)
Confection of Galen
Electuary of Gems of Mesue
Electuary for Amnesia (Unani)
Aromatic Musk Compound (Aromaticum Moschatum)
Theriac of 4 Ingredients (Diatessaron)
Antimoron (Nicholas)
Confection of Alfesera (Diabryonias) (Democrites)
Cerebrum Calidum–
Brain Diseases from Heat
Syrup of Rose
Syrup of Violet
Conserve of Rose
Conserve of Violet
Cooling Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Frigidum)
Abbots Confect of Rose (Diarrhodon Abbatis) (Nicholas)
Powder of Three Sandalwoods (Diatriasantalum) (Mes.)
Cooling Powder of Gems
Troches of Camphor
Cerebrum purgant & mundificant–
Purge and Cleanse the Brain
Confection of Alfesera (Diabryonias) (Democrites)
Troches of Agaric
Triphala Electuary of Coriander (Itriphal Kishneez)
Aromatic Pills of Aloes (Aloephangine) (Mesue)
Pil Assaireth
Golden Pills of Nicolai
Cerebrum oppilatum sanant–
Open obstructions of the Brain
Oxymel of Squill
Antimoron (Nicholas)
Electuary for Amnesia (Unani)
Triphala Electuary of Coriander (Itriphal Kishneez)
Dullness of Mind
Syrup for the Memory
Powder of Rosemary Compound (Dianthos) (Nicholas)
Powder for the Memory (Sennertus)
Powder to Warm the Head (Rondeletius)
Troches of Musk (Gallia Muscata) (Nicholas)
Confection of Galen
Electuary for Amnesia (Unani)
Pills to Increase Memory
Bi Ma La (Tibetan Medicine)
Eleven Holders of Life (Tibetan Medicine)
Melodious Pill (Tibetan Medicine)
Mental Happiness (Tibetan Medicine)
Cerebri apostematibus conferunt–
Abscess of the Brain
Agaric
Antimoron (Nicholas)
Blanca Nicolai
TCM Classification
The TCM classification for ‘Diseases of the Brain’ are generally associated with Wind disorders. They can be classified as follows:
Qi Stagnation
Dull mind, depressed, worry, thinking too much
Xiao Yao San
Internal Wind
Spasms, vertigo, tinnitus, thinking too much, hypertension etc. are from Wind affecting the Head.
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Heat
Irritability, restlessness, headache, insomnia with high colored urine and a rapid pulse
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Phlegm or Damp
Dullness and heaviness of the Head, excess mucus and saliva, pale face, weak pulse and a thick or wet tongue coating; vertigo, dizziness, dull headache
Er Chen Tang
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Shi Xiang Fan Sheng Wan
Heart Yin Deficiency
Irritable, insomnia, low spirit, confused, poor memory, red tongue with little coating and a thin, rapid pulse
Tian Wan Bu Xin Wan
Heart Wind
Tibetan Medicine recognises Heart Wind as a disease. Wind in the upper body affects the Heart, Mind and Spirit. There will be chest pain and oppression, poor memory and concentration, nervousness, withdrawal, despondency, depression, mental unrest, shortness of breath, insanity
Bi Ma La (Tibetan Medicine)
Special Formula
1. Warming Magisterial Powder for the Head
Stoechas
Nutmeg
Betony
Seselos
Marjoram
Aloeswood
Clove 1 dram
2. Temperature Powder for the Head
Rose
White Sandalwood
Betony
Stoechas
Peony
Sage
Marjoram
Clove 1 dram
3. Troches for Cold Diseases of the Head
Calamus
Red Coral prepared 2 drams
Calendula
Betony
Stoechas
Rosemary 1 scruple
Coriander prepared
Nutmeg
Cinnamon ½ oz.
Annis
Sweet Fennel
Peony
Siler montane 3 drams
Cardamon
Clove 1 dram
With Sugar of Rosemary, qs, form Tragema.
