Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Mesue

Preparation:

Boil the Barley in 8 lbs. of spring water for half an hour. Then add the roots and boil in Balneo Marie for 15 minutes; then the fruits, seeds, and herbs, with about 15 minutes cooking between each addition. Boil until 5 lbs. have evaporated, then strain and clarify, and make into a syrup with 2 1⁄2 lbs. of Sugar (or Honey).

Function:

Clears Tough Phlegm, Stops Cough, strengthens the Lungs

Use:

1. Helps prepare the Phlegm Humor
2. Hoarseness
3. Cough with tough Phlegm
4. Asthma
5. Wheezing
6. Breathlessness
7. Pleurisy
8. Also to cleanse the Kidneys and prevent Stones
9. Hypochondriac pain

Dose:

1–2 oz; it may be taken throughout the day with a Licorice stick

Comment:

Mesue had several versions of this Syrup, the above version being most used.

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. The original version used pure Spring Water instead of Barley Water
2. Another version out of The Medical Formulary of al Samarqandi:
  Celery root-bark
  Fennel root-bark
  Marshmallow root
  Caper root-bark
  Celery seed
  Fennel seed
  Hyssop  5 drams ea.
  Figs
  Raisins stoned.  10 drams ea.
Used to “ripen thick Phlegm” in the Lungs, and for Asthma.
3. The source text notes that if necessary to increase the strength, add Maidenhair and Orris root.
4. If it is a Heat disorder, some of the hot drugs are replaced with Violet, Marshmallow seed, Quince seed, Jujube, Sebestens and Poppy are added.

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