Diacalaminta Simplex
Powder of Calamint Lesser
Tradition:
Western
Source / Author:
Nicholas Myrepsus
|
Herb Name |
Latin |
Amount |
|---|---|---|
|
Calamintha officinalis | ||
|
Mentha pulegium | ||
|
Piper nigrum | ||
|
Siler montanum | ||
|
Petroselinum crispum |
3 drams, 2 scruples ea. | |
|
Levisticum officinale |
2 dram, 1 scruple | |
|
Ammi majus | ||
|
Pimpinella anisum | ||
|
Thymus vulgaris | ||
|
Zingiber officinalis | ||
|
Cinnamonum zeylanicum |
2 scruples ea. | |
|
Apium graveolens |
1 scruple |
Preparation:
Prepare a Powder. It can be made into an Electuary with Honey or Sugar dissolved in Rose water.
Function:
Warms the Kidney, Bladder, Stomach and Bowels, clears Cold Phlegm, relieves Wind, moves Qi, promotes Urine
Use:
“Especially valid for every disease of the chest from coldness, especially for those who are in old age”. (Nicholas, Antidotarium)
1. used for cold-type pain of the Stomach, Bowels, or Kidneys;
2. poor Digestion
3. Nausea from Cold and Wind;
4. Cough, Wheezing from Cold phlegm (especially in the aged)
5. good for Cold-Wind-Damp type joint pain including Sciatica.
6. Stones
7. Amenorrhea
8. Dysmenorrhea
Dose:
1⁄2–1 dram, morning and night in Honey, pulp of Prunes, a suitable Broth or Syrup, or a Decoction of Elecampane and Licorice.
Cautions:
None noted
Modifications:
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Substitutes
Weights & Measures
‘It heats and comforts cold bodies, cuts thick and gross phlegm, provokes urine and the menses. I confess this [reformed version]differs something from Galen, but is better for our bodies in my opinion than his. It expels Wind exceedingly, you may take half a dram of the powder at a time. There is nothing surer than that all their powders will keep better in Electuaries than they will in powders, and into such a body, you may make it with two pound and an half of white sugar dissolved in rose water’. (Culpeper)
There are various descriptions given of this Powder; but all practical Medicks take and approve of this of Myrepsus as best. Galen exhibits the like; but he makes it too hot and sharp, by too much Ginger and Pepper: we have put Dill for Anise; yet with this reserve, That any one may without difference or damage to the compound, substitute which he pleases. This is prepared as the precedents.
Diacalaminthe extenuates crass and viscid humours, discusses flatulency, moves urine and fluors [menses], cures the cough from cold humour, helps the distribution of the aliment to the Liver, roborartes [strengthens] the ventricle, augments appetite: it may be given in form of a soft Electuary, if it be mixed with Honey; a solid one if with Sugar”. (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)