Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb (Nicholas)

Syrupus de Chichorio cum Rhubarbaro
Syrup of Chicory with Rhubarb

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Nicholas Prepositus

Herb Name	Latin	Amount *
Barley	Hordeum vulgare	2 oz. ea.
Celery root	Apium graveolens	2 handfuls ea.
Fennel root	Foeniculum vulgare	1 handful ea.
Asparagus root	Asparagus officinale	6 drams ea.
Chicory	Chicorium intybus
Dandelion	Taraxacum officinale
Endive	Chicorium endiva
Sow Thistle	Sonchus arvensis
Lettuce	Lactuosa sativa
Liverwort	Hepatica spp.
Fumitory	Fumaria officinalis
Hops	Humulus lupulus
Maidenhair	Adiantum capillus-veneris
White Maidenhair	Asplenium ruta muraria
Black Ceterach	Asplenium ceterach
Licorice	Glycyrrhiza glabra
Winter Cherry	Physalis alkekengi
Dodder	Cuscuta europea

Preparation:

Boil in 16 lbs. of Spring Water to half, strain, then add 6 pounds of Sugar, scumming it as the need requires. Towards the end, add Rhubarb 6 oz., Spikenard 6 drams tied up in a rag, crushing it regularly while boiling, and form a Syrup according to Art
The version listed by Renodeus orders 2 oz. of the herbs for which 2 handfuls each are here prescribed; orders Dodder seed instead of Dodder herb; and boils in 12 lbs. of water down until one-third is consumed; he also orders 0.5 oz. of Rhubarb and 4 scruples of Spikenard to every pound of Syrup to be added towards the end of decocting.

Function:

Use:

1. Boils, Carbuncles.
2. Acne
3. Inflammatory skin conditions; Dermatitis and Eczema
4. Melancholy, Hypochondriac Melancholy
5. Jaundice
6. Cachexia
7. Epilepsy in Children
8. Chronic and Obstinate Fever with Heat and Damp or Toxic Heat
9. Liver Heat, inflammation of the Gall Bladder
10. Can be used in other Bile diseases.

Dose:

1–3 oz.; often taken with water or decoction of Agrimony, Chicory, Endive, Wormwood, Maidenhair etc. Smaller doses are alterative, larger doses are purgative

Modifications:

1. The version of Renodeus listed Dodder seed instead of the Herb.
2. Some added 4 oz. of Rhubarb to every pound of Syrup so that each ounce of Syrup has 4 drams of Rhubarb, but this is excessive except for marked interior heat obstruction with constipation.
3. If there is obstruction of the Liver, add Agrimony and Wormwood.
4. Often taken with Decoction of Senna

Renodeus said: “Nicolaus Prepositus, whom most Apothecaries have as president, doubles the quantity of Rhubarb prescribed eight times, and adds four ounces of Rhubarb to every pound of syrup; so that for every ounce of syrup, there are four drams of Rhubarb: and thus it is made all over Paris”. He then says several Physicians believed that is too large a dose, and prefer to Infuse Rhubarb in a convenient decoction as desired, and dissolve some of the above Syrup in that. Of course, Rhubarb powder could be mixed into the syrup as needed. The above version has been listed because of the reduced dose of Rhubarb which would be more acceptable to modern use, if it were to be reproduced. Note also that the smaller dose of Rhubarb also acts as a better alterative.
“It cleanses the body of Venomous Humours, as Boils, Carbuncles, and the like; it prevails against Pestilential Fevers, it strengthens the Heart and nutritive virtue, purges by stool and urine, it makes a man have a good Stomach to his meat, and provokes Sleep. But by my author’s leave, I never accounted purges to be proper physic in Pestilential Fevers; this I believe, the Syrup cleanses the Liver well, and is exceeding good for such as are troubled with Hypochondriac Melancholy”. (Culpeper)
“It allays the heat of the entrails, demulceates the acrimony of Choler, opens the Veins, takes away obstructions, roborates the Liver, gently purges the Stomach, and upper region of the body, educes hot and pituitous humours: if it be assumed in great quantity, it helps all bilious diseases, and it may be given safely to all ages and sexes”. (Renodeus)
This is very good to clear Heat and Heat-Toxin from the Blood, as well as Heat, Heat-Toxin and Damp-Heat from Liver. It is very effectual for Heat conditions of the Blood and Liver, or those coming from excess of the Bile humor.
A Syrup of Chicory was made as the above, omitting only the Rhubarb and Spikenard..