Pilulae de Agarico
Pills of Agaric

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Avicenna

Herb Name

Latin

Amount

Agaric

Fomitopsis officinalis

Mastic

Pistacia lentiscus

3 drams ea.

Turbith

Operculina turpethum

5 drams

Hiera Picra of Galen

Hiera Picra Galenii

4 drams

Colocynth

Citrullus colocynthus

Sarcocolla

Astragalus sarcocolla

2 drams ea.

Blue Flower-de-luce

Iris pseudoacorus

Horehound

Marrubium vulgare

Saffron

Crocus sativus

1 dram ea.

Preparation:

Powder and form pills with Wine.

Function:

Purges Phlegm and Damp, stops Cough and Wheezing

Use:

1. Cough with excess Phlegm
2. Asthma
3. Wheezing
4. Catarrh
5. Arthritis
6. Edema
7. Vertigo
8. Lethargy and Sleepy diseases

Dose:

1⁄2–1 dram

Cautions:

Very drying; only for cases with excess Phlegm or Damp.

Modifications:

1. Later authors used Troches of Agaric and Troches of Alhandal rather than pure Agaric and Colocynth, these being better corrected and more gentle.
2. For Arthritic disorders, combine with Pills of Colchicum.

Comment:

This formula was listed by Avicenna in Book 3, and by Mesue in his chapter on Asthma

Similar Formulas

See Pills to Cleanse the Chest which is a variation of Pills of Agaric. However, Pills of Agaric were far more commonly used.
See also Pills of Agaric of Mesue


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