Oxymel Scilliticum Simplex
Oxymel of Squill Simple

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Herb Name	Latin	Amount *
Vinegar of Squill	Acetum Scillitum	2 lbs.
Clari fied Honey	Mel depurata	3 lbs.

Preparation:

Boil gently until the thickness of a Syrup.
To make it without Vinegar of Squill, boil 1 lb. dried Squill in 3 lbs. water down to 1 1⁄2 pints; strain and press, and add an equal amount of Vinegar, then with 3 lbs. of Honey, boil gently to the consistency of a syrup.

Preparation from Ibn Bayan’s Dustur:
“Take from a medium Squill bulb at harvest time the quantity of one and a half raṭls. Chop finely with a wooden knife and place in a linen cloth and suspend in a vessel filled with strong vinegar. Let there be the space of two fingers between it and the vinegar. Stop the mouth of the vessel and place in the hot Sun for two months; take out of the Sun. For every raṭl of sugar or good pure honey, add four ūqiyya of the squill vinegar. Cook as plain oxymel, remove and use”.

Function:

Cuts tough Phlegm, prepares Humors, stops Cough

Use:

“Beneficial for Hemiplegia and Facial Paralysis and Joint pains and poor Constitution and coarseness of the Spleen; opens obstructions in the Liver”. (Ibn Bayan’s Dustur)
“It incides Crass Humours, takes away obstructions caused by crass humours impacted on the Lungs, and cures the Epilepsy, Vertigo, Cephalgia [Headache], and Hemicrania [Migraine]”. (Renodeus)
1. Prepares Phlegm and Melancholy for purging
2. Cough, Asthma, Catarrh, Pleurisy with cold, thick and tough Phlegm
3. Adjunct treatment in COPD.
4. Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Vertigo, Headache, Migraine
5. Paralysis, Hemiplegia, Facial Paralysis
6. Arthritis, Gout and Tumors of the Joints
7. Preserve Health
8. Improves Complexion

Dose:

1–2 oz. (or 1–2 tablespoon)

Comment:

This was classically used for many diseases caused by obstruction of thick Humors, either Phlegm, Damp, Bile or Melancholy. It is used as Vinegar of Squill, but is milder, more cleansing and strengthening, and especially better for tough hard-to-clear Phlegm.
It was regarded as a health tonic, capable of keeping health to extreme old age and allowing no excess Humors to remain in the body.

Cautions:

Avoid overdose.

Modifications:

1. The Asthmatic Mixture: Oxymel of Squill, Barley Cinnamon Water, 3 oz. ea. Mix. Take a spoonful 3 or 4 times daily. It is also a strong Diuretic.
2. For use in Cancer or Ulcer of the Uterus, combine Oxymel of Squill ½ oz., Byzantine Syrup and Syrup of Vinegar of each 3/4 oz., Lovage and Agrimony water 1 oz. ea., Chicory water 2 oz. taken in the morning until the urine is clear; used after due purging. (Wirtzung)
3. To promote vomiting in Apoplectics with excess phlegm mix with warm water and oil of Roses.
4. Loss of Taste: Oxymel of Squill is taken with Hyssop, Marjoram, Sage and Stoechas.