Diascordium
Electuary of Scordium

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Francastor (Pharmacopoeia Augustana)

Herb Name	Latin	Amount *
Armenian Earth	Terra Armenius	1 1⁄2 oz.
Scordium leaf	Teucrium Scordium	1 oz.
Cassia Wood	Cinnamonum cassia
Cinnamon	Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Sealed Earth	Terra Sigillata
Galbanum	Ferula spp.
Gum Arabic	Acacia arabica
Dittany of Crete	Origanum dictamnus
Tormentil	Potentilla tormentilla
Bistort	Polygonum bistorta
Storax	Styrax officinalis
Gentian	Gentiana lutea	4 drams ea.
Long Pepper	Piper longum
Ginger	Zingiber officinalis	2 drams ea.
Opium	Opium
Sorrel seed	Rumex acetosa	1 1⁄2 drams ea.
Clari fi ed Honey	Mel clarificans	2 1⁄2 lbs.
Rose Sugar	Saccharum rosata	1 lb.
Aromatic wine	Vinum aromaticum	1⁄2 lb.

Preparation:

Form an Electuary

Function:

Clears Wind and Heat, resists Poison, prevents Infection

Use:

1. Protects against Infection of Epidemic and Infectious diseases including the Plague.
2. Used for Infection of Epidemic and Infectious diseases
3. Used for Spotted Fevers including Measles and Small Pox.
4. Also acute infectious Diarrhea and Dysentery.
5. Syphilis
6. Stomach Heat with ‘Dig-like’ appetite.
7. It was also used by some for Abdominal pain.
8. Some used it as a vehicle for stronger medicines in diseases such as Cancer, Tumors, Gangrene etc

Dose:

1⁄2 scruple–2 drams, usually 1 dram.
One method of use was Fracastorius’s Small Decoction in which 6 drams of Diascordium and 1 scruple of Cochineal were boiled briefly in 1 pint of water; strain, add half an ounce of sugar and 2 oz. of Cinnamon water. This can be taken in small cupfuls.

Comment:

“One dram of this is very good against Measles and Small Pox”.
Diascordium, together with Philonium, Mithridate, and Treacle of Andromachus formed “The Four Capitals”, the cornerstones of medicine for centuries, particularly in the treatment of Epidemic diseases.
Diascordium was basically used like Mithridate and Theriac, being a cheaper version.

Invented by Hieronymo Frascatoro (1483–1553) of Verona. His speciality was infectious diseases and the Plague, for which purpose Diascordium was written.

Cautions:

Traditionally accounted safe for use by children and during pregnancy.

Modifications:

1. Some added Roses equal in weight to the Scordium in place of Sugar of Roses, and omitted Sealed Earth.
2. Some used Syrup of Poppy instead of Honey and Opium.
3. A simpler version was offered which omitted Scordium, Dittany, Sorrel seeds, Storax, Sealed Earth, Bistort and Galbanum.
4. One version added Amber and used Honey of Rose instead of Honey.
5. Against poison, some Diascordium 2 scruples with Confect of Hyacinth 1 scruple.
6. Diarrhea and Dysentery, take with Conserve of Roses.
7. Also for Diarrhea and Dysentery, add 15 grains Rhubarb powder to 1⁄2 dram of Diascordium
8. For Gangrene (when a diaphoretic was desired), combine 2 drams Diascord. with 2 scruples of Virginian Snakeroot, Contrayerva root 1⁄2 dram, Confect of Hyacinth 1 scruple, mixed with 1 1⁄2 drams of Syrup of Lemon juice.
9. Syphilis, take with Guaiacum
10. Cancer: Diascord ium 1 scruple, Calomel 3 grains. (Physical Vade-mecum, Philanthropos, 1741)
11. Dysentery, Skin eruptions, Jaundice, Inflamed Testicles and other inflammatory conditions: Diascordium with Calomel 5 grains.
12. Spasmodic pain or Colic of the Uterus or Bowels: Diascordium 2 oz., powdered Zedoary 1 oz., Long Pepper 16 drams, Conserve of Marjoram 6 drams, Balsam of Peru 2 drams. Dose: 2 drams. This was called Electuary of Zedoary.
A later reformed version out of the Dutch Dispensatory:
Armenian Earth      2 oz.
Dried Scordium leaves,
Roses   1 oz. ea.
Roots of Bistort, Gentian,
Tormentil, Cassia Wood,
Cinnamon, Cretian Dittany,
Sorrel seed, Storax calamita,
Galbanum, Gum Arabic      0.5 oz. ea.
Opium prepared, Ginger,
Long Pepper      2 drams ea.
Clarified Honey      3 lbs.
Canary Wine      sufficient