Syrupus Fumaria Minus
Syrup of Fumitory Lesser

Tradition:

Western, Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name	Latin	Amount *
Yellow Myrobalan	Terminalia chebula (yellow)	2 oz.
Violet	Viola odorata
Dodder	Cuscuta europea
Wormwood	Artemisia absinthum	1 oz. ea.

Preparation:

Decoct in 7 lbs water to the third part. Then with clarified Fumitory juice and Sugar, of each 2 lbs., boil to a Syrup.

Function:

Clears Heat, drains Damp, opens Obstructions, resolves Melancholy

Use:

1. Herpes
2. Acne
3. Eczema
4. Psoriasis
5. Swollen Nodes, Lymphadenitis
6. Fibroids

Dose:

1–3 oz.

Comment:

This was not as commonly used as the Syrup of Fumitory Greater of Mesue.
It was specifically used for ‘Salt-pituitous Humors’ which causes chronic skin diseases in particular.
There appears to be an excessive amount of water and boiling for the amount of herbs. Violet and Dodder would not normally be boiled for so long, so would be added towards the end of decoction. 2 oz. of Myrobalan and 1 ounce of Wormwood then appears to be too little in 7 lbs. of water (approx. 3 1⁄2 liters).