Pills to Aggregate
Pilulae Aggregative

Tradition:

Western / Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name

Latin

Amount

Yellow Myrobalan

Terminalia chebula (yellow)

Rhubarb

Rheum palmatum

4 drams ea.

Agrimony juice thickened

Agrimonia eupatoria

Wormwood jucie thickened

Artemisia absinthum

2 drams ea.

Scammony prepared

Convovulus scammonia

5 drams

Chebulic Myrobalan

Terminalia chebula

Black Myrobalan

Terminalia chebula (black)

Agaric

Fomitopsis officinalis

Colocynth

Citrullus colocynthus

Polypody

Polypodium vulgare

2 drams ea.

Turbith

Operculina turpethum

Aloe

Aloe spp.

6 drams ea.

Mastic

Pistacia lentiscus

Rose

Rosa gallica

Rock Salt

Sal Gem

Dodder

Cuscuta europea

Aniseed

Pimpinella anisum

Ginger

Zingiber officinalis

1 dram ea.

Preparation:

Powder and form Pills with Electuary of Rose.

Function:

Purge Mixed Humors, Opens Obstructions

Use:

“These Pills be very good in all ligering Agues, in all diseases of the head, of the stomach, and of the Liver, they expel Cholera [Bile], and all slimy matter”. (Wirtzung, 1598)
1. Complex and Chronic Fever
2. Chronic and Obstinate diseases from Mixed Humors (especially Phlegm and Bile, Damp–Heat)
3. Melancholy diseases
4. Opens obstruction of the Liver and Spleen
5. Chronic Liver disease

Dose:

1–2 scruples

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

Similar Formulas:

Arabian Pills
Pills of Eight Ingredients
Pills of 5 Myrobalans


“We hold to the ancient description of Mesue, and change only the order of the Simples, and substitute the Syrup of Roses, for the subaction of the composition, in stead of the Electuary of Roses.

Mesue gives three descriptions of Pills of this name; the first whereof is most usual, and prepared almost in all Shops; the other, both Greater and Lesser Aggregatives, are omitted. The are called Aggregative Pills, because of the aggregation of many Faculties; as also Polychrest, and Catholical, because they are of much use, and expurge all humours.

The manner of their mixtion is manifest; the roots must be first brayed, then the fruits, and afterwards the seeds; only Rhubarb and Agaric must be prepared apart, the Trochisks whereof are better then the simple. The succe [juice] of Agrimony and Wormwood dried and brayed, must be added thereunto; then all being duly pulverated, must be subacted into a mass, with the Syrup of pale Roses which must be involved in leather madefied with Oil of Almonds. And it is not unreasonable, that the Powders should be received in the Syrup of Pale Roses; partly, because it accedes nearest the mind of the Author, for nothing is liker Roses then Roses; and partly, because that Electuary of Roses, which Mesue mentions, is not now made in shops, seeing its composition is inept, and of no use.


Aggregative Pills are not only conducible, to many affections of the head, but also of the Ventricle [Stomach] and Liver: for from these parts they detract and purge pituity, Bile, and Melancholical succe [juices]; and therefore help in complex and inveterate Fevers; and complicated diseases. He may be without the Pills of Eight Things, and Five kinds of Myrobolans, that hath Aggregative ones”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)

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