Electuary of Centaury

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Zenon of Athens (Omnia Quae extant in Latinum Sermonem Conversa, 1556)

Herb Name	Latin	Amount *
Centaury	Centaurium erythraea	100 aur *
Gentian	Gentiana lutea	10 aur
Aniseed	Pimpinella anisum
Fennel seed	Foeniculum vulgare
Celery seed	Apium graveolens	6 aur ea.
Frankincense	Boswellia sacra
Clove	Eugenia caryophyllus	1 dram ea.
Agaric	Fomitopsis officinalis
Orris	Iris germanica	1 aur ea.
Cubeb	Piper cubeba
Galbanum	Ferula spp.
Gum Ammoniacum	Dorema ammoniacum
Castoreum	Castoreum
Black Pepper	Piper nigrum
Long Pepper	Piper longum
White Pepper	Piper album
Roman Spikenard **	Valeriana celtica	20 aur ea.
Indian Spikenard	Nardostachys jatamansi
Turbith	Operculina turpethum	30 aur ea.
Aloe	Aloe spp.	17 aur
Balsam fruit	Commiphora opobalsamum
Balsam wood	Commiphora opobalsamum
Squill roasted	Scilla maritima	16 aur ea.
Mastic	Pistacia lentiscus
Sa ff ron	Crocus sativus	10 aur ea.
Scammony prepared	Convovulus scammonia	8 aur

* Aur is a traditional weight being that of a Gold coin. Over time, it was reduced from over 8 grams to around 6 grams. The weights may be easily adjusted for modern use.
** Several sources have stated that Roman Spikenard is the same as Celtic Spikenard. In any case, Roman Spikenard was regarded as a slightly weaker type of Spikenard when compared to Indian Spikenard, the latter of which was also commonly used for Liver obstruction. Therefore, Indian Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) may be used in its place.

Preparation:

Powder and mix with Honey to form an Electuary. The source text says to ‘submit in Barley for six months’ (submittantur in hordeo per sex menses). This probably refers to sitting the compound in a pot of Barley for 6 months to rise, as was done with Mithridate and Theriac.

Function:

Clears Phlegm and Damp, Opens Obstructions, Promotes Urine, Eases Pain

Use:

1. Arthritis
2. Joint Pain
3. Joint Disease
4. Gravel and Stones
5. Cleanses Phlegm from the Lungs

Dose:

4 drams

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

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