Pulvis Pepticus
Peptic Powder
Tradition:
Western
Source / Author:
1. A version from Lazarus Riverius:
|
Herb Name |
Latin |
Amount |
|---|---|---|
|
Coriandrum sativum |
1⁄2 ounce | |
|
Foeniculum vulgare | ||
|
Pimpinella anisum |
2 drams ea. | |
|
Cinnamonum zeylanicum | ||
|
Eugenia caryophyllus |
1⁄2 dram ea. | |
|
Saccharum |
18 drams |
2. A more compound version from Pharmacopeia Extemporanea (Fuller, 1710):
|
Herb Name |
Latin |
Amount |
|---|---|---|
|
Coriandrum sativum |
4 drams | |
|
Foeniculum vulgare | ||
|
Pimpinella anisum |
4 scruples ea. | |
|
Myristica fragrans |
1⁄2 dram | |
|
Cinnamonum zeylanicum | ||
|
Eugenia caryophyllus |
1 scruple ea. | |
|
Piper longum |
1⁄2 scruple | |
|
Saccharum |
1 ounce |
Preparation:
Powder
Function:
Warms the Stomach, promotes Digestion, clears Wind and Cold
Use:
Used for all disturbances happening after eating including Nausea, Belching, Bloating, fullness of the Stomach, tension or discomfort in the abdomen, as well as Headache or Tiredness due to weak digestion.
Dose:
1⁄2–1 dram doses; taken before meals to stimulate appetite and promote digestion, after meals to settle wind, bloating etc. It can be sprinkled on toasted bread that has been dipped in wine, or sprinkled over food.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
1. The Sugar could be reduced, replaced with a lesser dose of Licorice, or Honey could be used instead.
2. Riverius had a version to strengthen the Eyesight; based on his version above, he replaced Clove with Nutmeg, added 3 drams of Eyebright, and mixed them with twice their weight of Sugar of Roses.
Similar Formulas:
There are a number of similar formulas such as Carminative Powder.
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How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures
There were a great many variations, sometimes under other names such as ‘Stomach Powder’. They are usually based upon the aromatic, warming seeds of the Apiaceae, along with some Spices, in a sugar base. In this case, the sugar base makes the medicine appealing to the taste, and grateful to the Stomach. It also moderates the excessive warming and drying nature of the seeds and spices.
Fuller in his Pharmacopoeia Extemporanea said “It’s most commodiously used, when after Meals happen illness, Nauseousness, Belching, Heaviness, Tension, Inflation, and fulness of the Stomach. As also flushings in the Cheeks, Listlessness, Drowziness, Headache, and other the like signs of bad Digestion”.