Syrupus de Mucilaginibus
Syrup of Mucilages

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Herb Name	Latin	Amount *
Marshmallow seed	Althea officinalis
Mallow seed	Malva sylvestris
Quince seed	Cydonia oblonga	1 oz. ea.
Gum Tragacanth	Astragalus tragacanth	3 drams

Preparation:

Infuse these for 6 hours in a warm decoction of Mallows, White Poppy seeds and Winter Cherries; then press out the mucilage to 11⁄2 oz., add 2 oz. of Sugar; form a Syrup.

Function:

Clears Heat, relieves Inflammation, heals Ulcers

Use:

1. ‘It heals Ulcers of the Internal parts, chiefly of the Breast, Stomach, Bowels, Reins and Bladder’. (Salmon)
2. ‘Excellent for any sharp corroding humors be they in what part of the body soever, pthisics, bloody flux, stone in the Reins or Bladder, or ulcers there … for by its slippery nature it helps corrosions, and by its cooling helps inflammation’. (Culpeper)

Dose:

1–2 Spoonfuls, or 11⁄2 oz., often taken in Poppy Water

Comment:

This serves as an inspiration for the use of mucilages which may be derived from numerous different seeds. The cooling, soothing, demulcent effect of mucilage relieves heat and inflammation of the mucus membranes, and soothes pain associated with hot, sharp humors.