Pilulae Arthritica
Pills for Arthritis

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Nicholas

Herb Name	Latin	Amount
Colchicum	Colchicum autumnale
Turbith	Operculina turpethum
Agaric	Fomitopsis officinalis	1⁄2 oz. ea.
Cassia Wood	Cinnamonum cassia
Indian Spikenard	Nardostachys jatamansi
Clove	Eugenia caryophyllus
Aloeswood	Aquillaria agallocha
Cubeb	Piper cubeba
Mace	Myristica fragrans
Galangal	Alpina officinarum
Ginger	Zingiber officinalis
Mastic	Pistacia lentiscus
Asafetida	Ferula asafetida
Aniseed	Pimpinella anisum
Fennel seed	Foeniculum vulgare
Saxifrage seed	Pimpinella saxifraga
Asparagus seed	Asparagus officinale
Butchers Broom	Ruscus aculeatus
Rose	Rosa gallica
Gromwell	Lithospermum officinale
Rock Salt	Sal Gem	2 drams ea.
Scammony prepared	Convovulus scammonia	1 oz.
Aloe	Aloe spp.	7 oz.

Preparation:

Powder and form into Pills with Syrup of Ground Pine, or thickened Fennel juice, or another suitable syrup or juice.

Function:

Clears Wind-Cold-Damp, relieves Pain

Use:

1. Arthritis
2. Rheumatism
3. Sciatica
4. Scrofula, Swollen Lymph nodes
5. Cook (Marrow of Surgery, 1685) recommended them in chronic Legs Ulcers, taken every 3 days.
6. Used for other diseases caused by Damp and Phlegm

Dose:

1⁄2–1 dram in wine or another suitable vehicle

Cautions:

Not used during Pregnancy

Modifications:

1. In Arthritic conditions, some used a greater proportion of Asafetida.
2. Asparagus root can replace the seed.

Similar Formulas:

Pills of Colchicum Major (Mesue)

Comment:

‘It helps the Gout, and other pains in the joints, comforts and strengthens both Brain and Stomach, and consumes diseases whose original comes of Phlegm [and Damp]’. (Culpeper)

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Pilulae Arthritica Pills for Arthritis