Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Crato

* Some versions listed Long Birthwort

Preparation:

Form a Pill mass with Syrup of Wormwood or Betony, 1 dram making 7 Pills.

Function:

Clears Phlegm and Heat, Moves the Blood

Use:

Used to purge Heat and Phlegm, and to cleanse and strengthen the Head, Womb, Stomach, Bowels and Kidneys.
1. Strengthens Head, Stomach and Uterus
2. Catarrh
3. Debility of the Stomach, poor digestion
4. Stomach Pain
5. Amenorrhea
6. Dysmenorrhea.
7. Female Infertility (cleanses Uterus, removes what hinders conception)
8. Zwelfer said they were useful for pains of the Eyes, Ears and Teeth

Dose:

half–1 dram

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Birthwort should be omitted or substituted.

Modifications:

This formula will stand without Birthwort, or a suitable substitute can be used. When used for the Uterus, or for Pain, Corydalis Yan Hu Suo can be substituted. When used to clear tough Phlegm, prepared Arum root (Tian Nan Xing) can be used. According to Avicenna, Zedoary and a third part Mace and half part Costus can be used as a substitute for Round Birthwort.

Similar Formulas:

These are Pills of Mastic with Amber and Birthwort added.

Comment:

“They gently loosen the Belly, and strengthen the Head, and so preserve from Catarrh; they may be taken twice in a Month, after the first sleep”. (Schroder)

“It purges and cleanses the Bowels and Womb, evacuates Choler, and stops Fluxes: being often given they take away the cause of Barrenness”.

“Amends Evil states of a women’s body, strengthens Conception, takes away what hinders it”. (Culpeper)

Expels “humidity and uncleanness from the Stomach, and cleanse the same: they which use it often get never any more pain in the Stomach: it causes mirth, it strengthens the Heart and Head, it cleanses also the Reins [Kidneys] and the Womb [Uterus] exceedingly”. (Wirtzung)

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