Trochisci de Capparis
Troches of Capers Root-bark

Tradition:

Western / Unani

Source / Author:

Mesue

Herb Name

Latin

Amount

Root bark of Capers

Capparis spinosa

Seeds of Agnus Castus

Vitex agnus-castus

6 drams ea.

Gum Ammoniac

Dorema ammoniacum

1⁄2 oz.

Nigella

Nigella sativa

Calamint

Calamintha officinalis

Calamus

Acorus calamus

Bitter Almond

Prunus amygdalus amara

Water Cress seed

Nasturtium officinale

Round Birthwort

Aristolchia spp.

Rue

Ruta graveolens

Agrimony juice boiled thick

Agrimonia eupatoria

1 dram ea.

Preparation:

Dissolve the Ammoniac in vinegar, mix in the Agrimony juice, then add the rest in powder and form Troches.

Function:

Opens Obstructions, moves the Qi, resolves Hardness

Use:

1. Obstructio, Hardness and Tumors of the Spleen or Liver (or other abdominal organs)
2. Scrofula, swollen Lymph nodes
3. Hypochondriac Melancholy
4. Beginning stages of Edema

Dose:

1 dram taken with wine; 1 scruple for Children

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. Stronger if Gam Lacca and Madder are added. (Renodeus)
2. Blood stasis, add Saffron and Myrrh

Similar Formulas:

Used the same as Troches of Lacca.
See also Troches of Capers Root-bark from Dispensatory of Ibn at Tilmid


“We have admitted of Mesue’s old description, without any immutation, as performing what it pollicitates; for these, of all incisive and reserative Trochisks, are the most efficacious, consisting of many things, which attenuate and incide crass, melancholical, and terrene humours, take away infarctures, and mollify hardness, Whereunto, if any will add the Gum of Lacca and Madder, ana. ʒ j. [of each, 1 dram]. he shall make them much more efficacious; and he shall not need Trochisks of Lacca, because the Trochisks of Capers are enough, according to Plantius, for the obstructions of the Spleen, and old affections. Both these and the superior are made alike, Ammoniac must be dissolved in Vinegar, cocted to the consistence of Honey, and therein the Powders subacted for Trochisks.

They are much commended against all obstructions, hardness, inflations, and preternatural tumours in the Spleen and Liver: they help in the Kings Evil, and the beginning Dropsie [edema]; they take away infarctures, discuss flatulency: their dose is one dragm with tenuious wine, or the water of the decoction of Capers-roots, ashes, or Tamarisks-bark. Mesue says, some make them more valid, by duplicating the Ammoniack”, (A Medicinal Dispensatory, Renou, 1657)

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