Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Renodeus

Preparation:

The Snails are cleansed by removing their shells and organs, washing well, then cutting in pieces. Commonly, their heads and tails were cut off.
Boil to 4 lbs., according to art, then clarify with egg white; then with 2 lbs. of Sugar, and 5 oz. each of Sugar of Roses and Diatragacanth Frigidum form a Syrup.

Function:

Nourishes Yin, Clears Heat

Use:

1. Chronic Cough
2. Wheezing, Breathlessness
3. Consumption, Wasting
4. Convalescence after long illness
5. Night Sweats
6. Heat, Restlessness, Insomnia from Deficient Heat
7. A useful strengthening tonic in the old and weak.

Dose:

2–3 oz.

Comment:

“It is an excellent thing to restore such as have been lingering in a long and wasting Consumption” and for those “consumed by Long Disease”. (Salmon)
This formula serves to show how animal flesh can be cooked with dried Fruit and Herbs to form a tonic broth. Chicken, Lamb, Oxe-tail or bones could be used instead of Snails.
The use of Snails in the West is similar to the use of Turtle and Turtle shell in TCM.

Renodeus said “Joannes Tornamyra is Author by assent; though I could neither see it in him, nor any other Antidotariographer in my life: and that which is now made by Medicks, is made after as many different manners, as there are different shops wherein it is made; yea all the descriptions that I have seen of it (and there were no few) differ among themselves; some admitting too many attenuatives; others, too viscid ingredients; others useless ones; and others in such a confused form, as if they could scarce be prepared as described”.

Cautions:

Not suitable for Phlegm and Damp conditions

Modifications:

1. Chicken could replace Snails. It can be made without flesh and will still be useful.
2. Almonds can be added for Lung deficiency.
3. Asparagus root can be added for severe Lung deficiency.

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