TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS
Ulcers & Fistulas
Ulcer
An Ulcer is an open sore on the skin or mucosa which fails to heal. Ulcers are often associated with bacteria which hinders normal healing. Poor nutrition or chronic diseases may predispose to Ulcers. In elderly and diabetic patients, Ulcers of the lower limbs are often caused by poor circulation.
Fistula
A Fistula is an abnormal passage formed between two organs, or between an organ and the exterior of the body. They can come after an inflammation or infection, or may be caused by Surgery or Trauma.
Both conditions require similar approaches. Heat (redness, inflammation) indicating infection, requires medicines with antibacterial effects. Medicines to promote healing may then be applied.
Western Tradition
Ulcers
1. Make an infusion of Willow root and drink often.
2. Beat Artichoke root, boil i water and use as a wash.
3. Willow leaf, Walnut leaf, Plantain leaf, decoct and drink.
4. China root (1 oz.), Raisins (½ pound), Licorice, Aniseed (6 drams each).. Steep overnight, then boil to half. On the second day use 1 ½ oz. of China root, on the third day 2 oz., fourth day 2 ½ oz., fifth day 3 oz. Continue at that dose for 21 days cures all Ulcers. If the bowels are bound, Use Prunes instead of Raisins. Also take a purge of Rhubarb before starting, at 10 days, and at the end. (Natura exenterata, Philiatros, 1655)
5. Bull Bile mixed with Vinegar is applied to all types of Ulcers of the Head
Ulceribus malis conferunt – Evil ulcers
Wine Decoction of Centaury
Potion for Virulent and Corrosive Ulcers
Pilulae Aggregative minor
Hiera Logadii
Ointment of Centaury
Plaster of Calamine
Plaster of Red Clover
Chronic Ulcers
Kaisor Guggulu
Apostles Plaster
Cerate Diadictamnus
Plaster Barbarum Majus
Plaster of Calamine
‘Plaster of the Jew of Steten’
Tincture of Alum
Ointment of Tutty
Ointment of Ceruse
Oil of Juniper berries
Oil of Mezereon
Oil of Ash tree
Ulcers, Stubborn and Difficult to Cure
Kaisor Guggulu
Oil of Mezereon
Oil of Ash tree
Oil of Juniper Berries
Ointment of Lead
Ointment of Ceruse
Apostles Plaster
Plaster of Calamine
‘Plaster of the Jew of Steten’
Plaster of Red Clover
Malignant Ulcers
Potion for Virulent and Corrosive Ulcers
Electuary for Internal Bruising
Ointment of Lead
Ointment of Tutty
Egyptian Ointment
Oil of Sulphur
Plaster of Calamine
Plaster of Red Clover
To Purge Foul Ulcers
Hiera Logadii
Pil. Aggregative Minores (Mesue)
Fill Ulcers with Flesh
Ointment Basilicum Majus
Ointment of Tutty Galen
Apostles Ointment
Graita Dei
Ointment of Litharge
Oil of Fir
TCM Classification
Chronic and Non-healing Ulcers
Ba Zhen Tang
Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Fang Feng Tong Shen San
Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan
Si Miao Yong An Tang
Special Formulas for Ulcers
LEG ULCER
Long Birthwort
Aloe
Myrrh
Powder and mix with Honey of Roses and apply.
DEEP SORES OR ULCERS OF THE LEGS
Chicken Bile
Turpentine
Ceruse
Mix to form an Ointment, apply often.
Fistula
1. Standard practice was the application of Egyptian Ointment topically while taking Hiera Logadii internally.
2. Take 1 dram of Myrobalan powder every morning; either Chebula, Black (if from melancholy) or Yellow (if from Bile)
3. Plantain juice can be put into a Fistula to help heal it.
4. Distilled Water or Spirit of Black Nightshade is good to wash Fistulas.
Hiera Logadii
Syrup of Dodder
Apostles Plaster
Arabian Plaster
Egyptian Ointment
Alphesericum Ointment
DECOCTION OF MADDER AND RED CABBAGE
Madder
Red Cabbage with seed
Take equal parts of each; boil until three-quarters has been consumed, strain, add Honey and boil until thick. Give 2 spoonfuls twice daily. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
POWDER FOR FISTULA & ULCERS
Plantain
Ribwort Plantain
Primrose
Daisy eqal parts
Powder, take a dram 3 times daily
DECOCTION FOR FISTULA
Cloves
Pimpernel
Valerian
Mousear
Herb Robert
Tansy equal parts
Seeth it all in white Wine, and give it to the Patient to drink twice or thrice a day’. (Natura exenterata, Philiatros, 1655)
FISTULA OF THE BREAST:
Wash it daily with Wine in which Myrrh has been boiled. Then mix Sarcocolla and Aloe with Honey, adding a little Bile and put into a linen bag and insert in the Fistula ‘and with this most certainly you shall have your purpose’. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
POWDER FOR FISTULA
Alum
Green Copperas 2 lb. each
boil in water, then add Verdigris powder (4 oz.) and boil until the water has evaporated and it becomes a hard mass. Powder, add Armenian (Red) Earth (4 oz.). To be applied topically. (Natura exenterata, Philiatros, 1655)
SALVE FOR FISTULAS AND OLD, FOUL ULCERS
Verdigris 1 oz.
Sarcocolla ½ oz.
Gum Ammoniac. ½ oz.
Pound them with vinegar, then mix with Honey to a salve.
“good for fistulas, to cleanse any filthy, dirty ulcer, and to eat the dead flesh”. (Formulary of al Samarqandi)
CAUSTIC FOR FISTULAS (1)
Cantharides 4 drams
Unslaked Lime 5 drams
Powder, make into a paste with Alkali Water and keep as a paste. To be applied only to unhealthy tissue, avoiding healthy tissues. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine‘, Budge, 1913)
CAUSTIC FOR FISTULAS (2)
Unslaked Lime
Vegetable Alkali
Cantharides
Orpiment
Realgar
Sal Ammoniac equal parts
Powder, form a paste with Alkali Water, then apply to the affected parts, being careful to avoid healthy tissue. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine‘, Budge, 1913)
In the former 2 recipes the surrounding healthy tissues can be protected weith this: Mix Sarcocolla in water and dip strips of wool in the mixture and apply around the Fistula.
After the Fistulas have been burned with one of the above caustic medicines, apply roasted Sesame seed powder mixed with Sheep oil (lanolin?). Use this as a palkster until the Fistulas are removed. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine‘, Budge, 1913)
Research
1. Management of non‐healing leg ulcers in Unani system of medicine
