Fun Facts: Our word ‘treacle’ comes from the ancient Greek word ‘theriac’ (or theriaca), meaning wild (or venomous) beasts. Search TREACLE below to find out how it worked, and what it’s got to do with modern day treacle.
Fun Facts: Is another version of ‘Treacle’. Search ANDROMACHUS to find out who he was, how it was used as a ‘preservative against plague’, and where you can still buy it today.
Fun Facts: Mithridates, the King of Pontus devised this ‘antidote to all poisons’, because he believed that they were all out to get him. Search MITHRIDATIUM below to find out how he made it, and also where Pontus was.
Fun Facts: The Electuary Diasatyrion was held in high regard during the seventeenth century as an aphrodisiac. Search DIASATYRION to discover the origins of the name and how it was made.
Fun Facts: Invented by Girolamo Fracastoro, a polymath who studied the transmission of syphilis and hence is regarded as the father of epidemiology and a pioneer of germ theory. Search DIASCORDIUM below to find out how he formulated his remedy for plague.
Fun Facts: Not just a cooking ingredient, Syrup of Garlic (S. EX. ALLIO) was once a remedy. Search ALLIO to find out what unpleasant condition it was used to treat and how it was made.
Fun Facts: Honey was widely used to make medicines more palatable. Honey of Roses (MEL ROSA) has been a popular remedy since the time of the Ancient Greeks. Search HONEY below to find out what else it was used for.
Fun Facts: Besides being a remedy for worms, wormwood was distilled into a popular alcoholic drink. Search WORMWOOD below to find out why its consumption was banned in early 20th century Europe.
Fun Facts: Mercury is a deadly poison. So why was it used as an ingredient in several remedies? Search CITRINUM below to find out. And to find out who came up with the line ‘everything is a poison and nothing is a poison, it’s the dose that counts’. And why hatters went mad.
Fun Facts: An example of a remedy still in use today. Not just an ingredient in gin and tonic, search QUININE to discover its early origins.
A: or AQ: Aqua (Water) - B: or BALS: Balsam - C: Conserve - CER: Ceratum - CONF: Confection - CORT: Bark or ‘outer layer’ - D: or DE: indicates ‘of’ - Dia or DIA Prefix indicating ‘made from’ or ‘preparation of’ - E: Electuary or Extract - EXT: Extract - G: or GA: Galen - GRA: Gras (Fat) - LOH: Lohoch - MEL: Honey - O: or OL: Oleum (Oil) - P: Pill or Powder - RAD: Radix (Root) - R: Rob (Fruit Juice) - S: or SYR: Syrup - SAL: Salt - T: Tablets - T: or THER: Theriac or Theriaca - U: or V: Unguent or Ointment
Antipyretic: Used to prevent or reduce fever
Anti-scorbutic: Having the effect of preventing or curing scurvy
Anti-spasmodic: Used to to prevent spasms of the stomach or intestine
Anthelmintic: Used to treat worms of the gut
Aperient: Used to relieve constipation
Astringent: Causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues
Balsam: An aromatic resinous substance exuded by various trees and shrubs and used as a base for certain fragrances and medical preparations.
Carminative: Used to relieve flatulence
Cathartic: Purgative (in medicine)
Ceratum: A cerate is a composition based on a mixture of wax and oil, and its difference from ointment is that it does not contain resins. Repairs and protects the skin.
Demulcent: Used to relieve inflammation or irrita
Diuretic: Diuretics are medicines that help reduce fluid buildup in the body, and 'provokes urine'.
Dropsy: An old term for the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess water
Electuary: A medicine consisting of a powder or other ingredient mixed with something sweet such as honey to make it more palatable.
Embrocation: A liquid for rubbing on the body to relieve pain from sprains and strains
Emplaster: Made with a base of olive oil or lard combined with beeswax, to which the active ingredients can be added. Usually applied to the skin on a piece of linen or leather.
Escharotic: Is a substance that kills unwanted or diseased tissue e.g. warts
Excipient: An inactive substance used in drug formulations e.g. binding agents in pills
Lenitive: Laxative
Lohoch: From the Arabic word 'to lick', and refers to a medicine that must not be eaten or chewed, but must 'melte in the mouth'.
Expectorant: Used to treat coughs by promoting the secretion of sputum by the air passages
Palsy: A condition characterised by paralysis and involuntary tremors
Purgative: Having a strongly laxative effect
Rob: Refers to fruit juice
Stomachic: Used to promote the appetite or assisting digestion
Search by name, ingredient or use. Type into the search box below right. Results will appear as you type.
Main Ingredient | Label Name | Short Label Name | Latin Drug Name | English Drug Name | Uses | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Artemisia absinthium Wormwood |
C. ABSINTH | ABSINTH | Confection of Wormwood | anti spasmodic | Prepared by boiling the fresh tops of the plant with sugar and water | |
VINEGAR | S.
ACETI SYR. ACETOS SYR. D: SUCCO ACETOSE |
ACETI ACETOS |
Syrup of Vinegar | soothing
and antiseptic Prepares the body for purging or vomiting, aids digestion, increases appetite |
A simple acid syrup prepared by dissolving sugar in vinegar by heat | |
VERDIGRIS Vinegar Honey |
V.
AEGPIPTIC U. ÆGYPT. U. ÆGYPTIAC. V. ÆGYPTIAC V. ÆGYPTIA |
AEGIPTIC AEGYPTIC |
Unguentum Aegyptiacum | Egyptian Ointment | detergent
and escharotic cleansing ulcers (TMM11) |
Had a universal reputation, from the XVIth to the XVIIIth century, as an application to wounds, and was included in the London Pharmacopeoeia until 1721. It was composed of prepared verdigris, vinegar and clarified honey. Verdigris Ointment is mentioned in the ancient Egyptian papyrus, Ebers, which dates from 2500 B.C. |
Borago officinalis Borage |
A. D. BORAGINE | BORAGINE | Aqua di Boragine | Water of Common Borage | exhilerates the heart, epilepsy | |
COLOCYNTH | T. ALHANDAL | ALHANDAL | Alhandal Lozenges | purgative and laxative | Composed of colocynth in powder mixed with gums tragacanth and arabic, and sugar. These lozenges were formerly used as a purgative and laxative, but have been superseded by the aperient (a drug used to relieve constipation.) pill of more recent date. | |
GARLIC | S.
EX. ALLIO S. E. ALLIO |
ALLIO | Syrupus ex Allio | Syrup of Garlic | used
for Ascarides (a parasitic nematode worm) Diuretic (TMM p8). |
Made by boiling garlic, first with vinegar and then adding sufficient sugar to make a syrup. |
MARSHMALLOW | S. ALTHÆ: S. ALTH: F: |
ALTHEA | Syrupus Althaea | Syrup of Marshmallow | demulcent diuretic |
Prepared by boiling the root of the plant with sugar and water. Was valued for its demulcent properties and is still largly empoyed in the form of pastilles in France. |
ALMONDS | O. AMIGD. AM | AMYGDALAEA AMARAE | Oil of bitter almonds | The old name for oil of bitter almonds | ||
Various | T.
ANDR. THER. AND THER: ANDR. THER: ANDRO. THER: ANDROM |
THERIACA OF ANDROMACHUS | Theriaca Andromachi | Theriaca of Andromachus | Used to cure everything from plague, distempers of the heart, cancer to madness. | Theriaca (from the Greek for wild beasts) of Andromachus was an ancient polypharmic preparation which was originated by Andromachus, physician to the emporor Nero, A.D. 37. Much has been written concerning this extrordinary preparation which was declared to be an antidote to all poisons. it was used in the seventeenth centuary as a preservative against plague. It originally contained 73 ingredients, the chief of which was flesh of vipers. In a modified form it found a place in the London Pharmacopoeia until the eighteenth centuary, and is still sold in the pharmacies of Italy. Constantinople and other cities in the Near East. |
various | U.
APOSTOL V. APOSTOL. |
APOSTOL | Ointment of the Twelve Apostles | Dating from the fifteenth centuary, it is so called from the number of ingredients employed in making it. | ||
ORANGE Citrus sinensis |
S.
AURANT S. AURANT: S. AURANTIORV. |
AURANT AURANTIORUM |
Syrupus Aurantii | Syrup of Orange | Calm stomach, promotes expecoration. | Prepared from fresh orange peel, sugar and water; has been used in medicine for centuries and is still empoyed as a flavouring agent in pharmacy, and is included in the British Pharmacopoeia. |
COUCH GRASS | A. D. GRAM | GRAM | Aqua di gramen | Water of Couch Grass | mild diuretic | |
MALLOW | A. D. MALVA | MALVA | Aqua di malva | Water of Common Mallow | helps ulcers in the bladder and bowel | |
Arsenic Trisulfide | V. AUREL | AUREL | Golden Ointment | Had formerly a great reputation as an application for the eyes. | Composed of arsenic sulphuret (arsenic trisulfide As2S3 also know as orpiment) and lard. | |
Myroxylon balsamum | S.
BALSAMI S. BALSAM S. BALSAMICUS S.BALSAM: |
BALSAMI | Syrupus Balsamicus | Syrup
of Tolu Balsamic Syrup |
expectorant and demulcant | Prepared from tolu balsam boiled with sugar and water and has had a reputation as an expectorant and demulcant for centuries. Its properties are still highly valued and it is frequently empoyed in medical treatment today.Tolu balsam is a sap-like substance that comes from the Myroxylon balsamum tree. |
Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) | AG. D. BUGLOSSA | BUGLOSSA | Employed as an astringent. | A water distilled from the fresh flowering tops of Viper's Bugloss. | ||
Calendula Pot Marigold Calendula officinalis |
C. CALENDUL | CALENDUL | Confection of Marigold | Employed as s demulcent. | Prepared by boiling the petals and leaves of the plant with sugar and water. | |
Adiantum capillus-veneris | S.
CAPILL. VENER S. CAPIL: VEN. |
CAPILLUS VENERIS | Syrupus capilli Veneris | Syrup of Maidenhair Fern | Much used in France and remained an official preparation in the French Codex until 1839. (Opens obstructions of the lungs TMM.) | It was composed of chopped Maidenhair Fern, boiled with water, the whites of two eggs and sugar. Orange Flower water was added to flavour. The Southern Maidenhair Fern is native to the southern half of the United States and other temperate climates from warm-temperate to tropical. |
Geum urbanum | C. CARIOPH. | CARIOPH. | Used as an astringent and formerly valued for its properties as a nervine tonic. | Prepared from Wood Avens (the Herb Bennet). | ||
Dianthus caryophyllus | S.
CARYOPH. S. CARYOPHI S. CARYOPHIL S. CARYOPH S. FL. CARYOPH |
CARYOPH CARYOPHILLUS |
Syrupus Caryophyllae | Syrup of Clove Gillyflowers | Pectoral and cordial. | |
Citrus x sinensis | C. CORT. AUR. | AUR. | Confection of Orange | Prescribed for its mild tonic properties. | Made from orange peel, sugar and water. The 'main ingredient' column indicates a number of Sweet Orange species, hence the 'x' symbol. However, in earlier times the Bitter Orange may have been used. This is designated Citrus aurantium. | |
Crocus sativus Saffron |
S.
CROCI. S. CROCI |
CROCI | Syrupus Croci | Syrup of Saffron | Believed to act as an expectorant. (Cordial, used in fevers, measles and small pox and disorders of the lungs TMM.) | Made by boiling saffron with sugar. This would be the saffron or autumn crocus. |
Cydonia oblonga Quince |
S.
CYDONIOR. S. CYDON S. CYDONIOR S. CIDONIORV. |
CYDONIOR. CYDONIA CYDONIORUM |
Syrupus Cydoniorum | Syrup of Quinces | Was used for its astringent properties. (Comforts and strengthens the stomach, stops vomiting TMM.) | Prepared from the fresh juice of the fruit boiled with sugar and water. The quince is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the family Rosaceae. |
Daphne mezereum Spurge Laurel |
U. DESICCAT. RUB. | The Ointment of Mezereon | It was employed as an application to sores and wounds. | Prepared by boiling the coursely powdered mezereon bark with lard. The mediaeval name Mezereum is derived from the Persian Mazariyun, a name given to a species of Daphne. The barks of Daphne laureola, or Spurge Laurel, and D. Gnidium are also official in the British Pharmacopceia and United States. | ||
Cinnamomum verum Cinnamomum zeylanicum |
P.
DIAMBR. PULV. CINNAMON CO. |
DIAROMATON CINNAMON |
Powder
of Diaromaton Powder of Cinnamon |
It was composed of cinnamon, cardamom seeds, ginger and long pepper (a type of wild pepper). Without the latter ingredient, the formula is still included in the British Pharmacopoeia as PULV. CINNAMON CO. Cinnamomum zeylanicum is the old botancal name. Cinnamomum cassia is a more 'earthy' tasting cinnamon used in curries. | ||
Papaver somniferum | S.
DIAMOR. S. D. MECON S. D. PAPAVERO: |
DIAMORPHINE DIACODIUM MECON PAPAVERO |
Syrupus
de Meconio Syrupus de papavero |
Syrup of Poppies | It
was used in the treatment of chest diseases and for persistant cough. Opiate, pain reliever (TMM). |
It was prepared from poppy heads freed from seeds, sugar and water. Its properties were due to the small amount of opium contained in the capsules. "The Syrupus Meconio or Diacodium is made of the poppy heads dryed, infused & boiled in water." The word 'meconium' is derived from the Greek for 'opium-like'. |
Various | B.
LOCATEL BALS. LOCATELL BALS. LUCAT BALS. LVCAT B. LUCATEIL LUCATELLUS. BALSAM |
LUCATELLUS'S BALSAM | Balsamum Lucatelli | Lucatellus's Balsam | Used to treat intermal bleeding, ulcerations in the lungs, external wounds and ulcers | Ingredients: Olive Oil Turpentine Yellow Wax Melt them together, and add Dragons-blood Mix into a red Balsam. Dragon's blood is a bright red resin which is obtained from different species of a number of distinct plant genera: Croton, Dracaena, Daemonorops, Calamus rotang and Pterocarpus. The red resin has been in continuous use since ancient times as varnish, medicine, incense, and dye. |
Orchis sp. Various |
E. DIASAT. | DIASATYRION | Electuary Diasatyrion | Had a great reputation in the XVIIth (seventeenth) century as an aphrodisiac. | It
was composed of orchis root (orchid root, from the ancient Greek meaning testicle),
cinnamon, vanilla, horehound, eryngo root and elecampane. The ingredients
were reduced to a powder and mixed with sugar and water to form an electuary. According to Greek mythology, the Orchis root was the favourite food of the Satyrs. It owes its origin to the son of the Satyr Patellanus and the nymph Acolasia. Apparently, the young man raped one of the god Bacchus’ priestesses, which so incensed the Bacchanals against him, that they tore him in pieces. His father asked that his mangled corpse should be transformed into a flower, which should retain his name of Orchis. |
|
Teucrium scordium Water Germander Various |
E.
DIASCORD DIASCORD: DIASCORDIV DIASCORDI E. DIASCOR: E. DIASCORDIUM ELECT: e: SCORD |
DIASCORDIUM | Diascordium Electuarium e scordio |
Electuary
Diascordium Electuary of water germander (TMM) |
Used for the plague and later as an opiate and astrigent. | Diascordium
comes from the Greek 'dia' (prepartion of) 'Teucrium scordium' (Water
Germander). The formula for which was orginated by Frascatorius (Fracastorius) in the XVIth (sixteenth) century, was formerly regarded as a remedy of great importance, and was chiefly used for plague. The original formula, which was included in the London Pharmacopoeia of 1618, contained seventeen ingredients, the chief being cinnamon, cassia, galbanum and Lemnian earth, which were made into an elecutary with Canary wine (a sweet white wine called Malmsey, mentioned in Twelth Night). In the XVIIIth century it became largely used as a popular opiate and astringent. In modern medicine it has been superseded by the compound of catechu. Girolamo Fracastoro was an Italian physician, poet, and scholar in mathematics, geography and astronomy. Fracastoro subscribed to the philosophy of atomism, and rejected appeals to hidden causes in scientific investigation. He's the founder of epidemiology and studied the mode of transmission in syphilis. Lemnian earth was a clay used in Classical Antiquity. It was mined on the island of Lemnos (Limnos, Greece). Its use continued until the 19th century, as it was still listed in an important pharmacopoeia in 1848. Catechu is an extract of acacia trees used variously as a food additive, astringent, tannin, and dye. It is extracted from several species of Acacia, but especially Senegalia catechu (Acacia catechu), by boiling the wood in water and evaporating the resulting brew. |
Myrica sp. Bay Berry |
E. E. EBACC. LAVR. | EBACC BACA |
Electuary of Bay-berries | Used as an astringant and carminative. | Made by boiling the juice of the berries with sugar and water and used as an astringent and carminative. Baca (BACC) is berry in Latin. Lava (LAVR) is wash in Latin. | |
Tussilago farfara | S. FARFARE. | FARFARE FARFARA |
Syrup of Coltsfoot | Used as a demulcent. | Made by boiling the fresh tops of the herb with sugar and water. The name "tussilago" is derived from the Latin tussis, meaning cough, and ago, meaning to cast or to act on. | |
Inula helenium Wild sunflower |
E. HELENII. | HELENII HELENIUM |
Electuarium helenii | Extract
of Elecampane Electuary of Elacampane |
According to Nicholas Culpeper, Elecampane was used it to warm a cold and windy stomach, to resist poison, to strengthen sight, and to clear internal blockages | Made by macerating the root in rectified spirit and water for a week, then evaporating it to the consistance of an extract. The herb is named for Helen of Troy. |
Ajuga chamaepitys Ground pine Gout ivy |
S.
IVIVBIN. S. IVIVBINUS |
IVIVBIN IUIUBIN IVIVBINUS |
Syrupus Ivivbinus | Syrup of Ground Pine | Used as a stimulant and stomachic. It formed an ingredient of the once famous gout remedy, Portland Powder. | Prepared
from the tops of the herb boiled with sugar and water. Here we are assuming
Ajuga, but in this case the drug referred to is not clear, a citation may be
needed. "The seventeenth century practice of using the letter 'V' for 'U' is rarely seen on eighteenth century specimens, although one sometimes comes across the letter 'I' for 'J' as in S. LVITVLAE (S. LUJULAE syrup of wood sorrel). A trap for the unwary is S. IVIVBIN which transliterated becomes S. JUJUBIN or syrup of jubes (berries)!" (From Apothecary Jar Inscriptions - Their Interpretation by Agnes Lothian Short FPS ALA.) |
White Dead Nettle Lamium album |
C. FL. LAMII. | LAMI LAMIUM |
Confection of Nettle-flowers. | Used as an anti-scorbutic. | Was prepared by boiling the fresh flowers with sugar and water and evaporating the liquid to the consistance of a conserve. | |
various | LOH.
SANV. & EX. LOH: SANUM LOHOCH. SANVM |
LOHOCH SANUM EXPERTUM |
Lohoch
Sanum et Expertum |
Safe and Sound' medicine | Used
as a demulcent and given to relieve cough. According to Culpeper: It "succors the breast, lungs, throat, oppressed by cold, it restores the voice lost by reason of cold, and attenuates thick and gross humours in the breast and lungs" |
(CJST)
A thick syrupy preparation prepared from pine-apple kernals (perhaps pine
nuts), almonds, poppy heads, liquorice and orris root, together with starch,
gum arabic and sugar. (TMM) The word 'Lohoch' comes from the Arabic word 'to lick', and refers to a medicine that must not be eaten or chewed, but it must 'melte in the mouth'. 'Sanum and expertum' loosely translates as 'healthy and tested' or 'safe and sound'. According to Culpeper, the preperation contains the following ingredients: Hyssop, Calaminth, Jujubes, Sebestens, Raisins, Figs, Dates, Linseed, Fenugreek seed, Maiden-hair, Annis-seeds, sweet Fennel seeds, Orris Roots, Liquorice, Cinnamon, Pine-nuts, sweet Almonds, Liquorice, Gum Tragacanth, Gum Arabick and some white Starch. |
Macrocnemum cinchonoides | P. MACRI. | MACROCNEMUM | Powder of Macrocnemum | Used to reduce fever. | Probably powder of Macrocnemum, a bark introduced into this country from Peru about the same time as cinchona. It is a febrifuge with similar bitter properties and so closely resembles cinchona that it was doubtless supposed to be practically identical with it, though, in face, its alkaloid content is negligible. Nevertheless, it can fairly be claimed as the earliest known example of Peruvian Febrifugal Bark being inscribed on an English Drug Jar. | |
Various | U. MARTIAT. | MARTIATUM | Unguentum Martiatum | When applied to wounds, the ointment was believed to have antiseptic and healing properties. | Largely uses as an application for wounds in the XVIIth and XVIIIth (seventeenth to eighteenth) centuries. It was composed of the leaves of bay, rue, marjoram, rosemary, myrtle, elder, mint, and sweet basil. The leaves of these plants were heated in olive oil, together with butter, bear's grease, chicken fat and stag's marrow, to which wax, storax and gum olibanum were added. | |
Papaver somniferum | S. DE. MECON. | DEMETER MECON |
Demeter Mecon | Syrup of Poppies | An old name for the syrup. From Demeter, a Greek godess, and Mecon, the Greek for poppy. | |
Honey | MEL.
ALB. MEL. ALBUM: |
MEL ALBUM |
White honey. | |||
Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm |
C. MELISSAE. | MELISSAE MELISSA |
Confection of Balm. | Used for its stimulating and anti-spasmodic properties. | Prepared by boiling the leaves of the herb, gathered fresh, with sugar and water. | |
Honey Rose Rosa damascena |
MEL
ROSA. MEL. ROS. S MEL ROSAC. MEL. ROSAR: |
MEL ROSA |
Mel
Rosarum Mel Rosaceum |
Honey of Roses. | It was esteemed for its demulcent properties. Also used to cleanse wounds, and to heal ulcers of the mouth and throat. | Has been a popular remedy from the time of the ancient Greeks. It was prepared by gently heating rose petals in honey. |
various | E. MITHRIDAT. | MITHRIDAT. MITHRIDATES MITHRIDATIUM |
Electuary of Mithridates | In early times was regarded as a universal antidote to poisons. | The
electuary takes it's name from Mithridates VI, King of Pontus, who is said to
have originated the formula between the years 120 and 63 BCE. It originally
contained 54 ingredients, but later the formula went through many
modifications. It was included in the London Pharmacopoeia until 1746. The Kingdom of Pontus was a Hellenistic-era kingdom, centered in the historical region of Pontus and ruled by the Mithridatic dynasty of Persian origin. The kingdom was proclaimed by Mithridates I in approximately 281 BCE and lasted until its conquest by the Roman Republic in 63 BCE. Situated in modern day Turkey, it's northern border was the southern coast of the Black Sea, and it extended southwards into the region of Cappadocia. |
|
Myrtle Myrtus communis |
S. MYRTINUS. | MYRTINUS. MYRTUS |
Syrup of Myrtle | Given in cases of an inflamed throat. | Made by boiling myrtle flowers with cane sugare and distilled water. | |
Honey Drimia maritima Scilla maritima |
S.
OXIMEL SCILLI. OX. SCILL. OX. SCILLIT: OXYM: SCILL OXIMEL. SQL. S. M. |
OXIMEL OXYMELLUS OXYMELLIS OXYMEL SCILLI. SCILLA |
Oxymel
Scilliticum Oxymel Scillae |
Oxymel of Squills. | Used by Roman physicians in treating chest diseases. Also used as an emetic, and for asthma and lung infections. | Prepared
from vinegar of squills and honey is an ancient remedy which has survived for
centuries. A simple oxymel was known in the Greek period. Oxymel from the Latin 'acid and honey', a mixture of honey and vinegar. Squill is a common name for Drimia maritima, a medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean, formerly classified as Scilla maritima. |
Papaver somniferum | S.
PAPAVER. R. S. PAPAVER. ALB. |
PAPAVER PAPAUER. |
Syrup
of Poppies Syrup of Red Poppies Syrup of White Poppies |
Used as a remedy for coughs and colds. | Prepared from the crushed seeds boiled with sugar and water. | |
Various | U. PECTORALE. | PECTORALE | Pectoral Ointment | Formerly used as a popular remedy for children's coughs and difficult respiration. It was employed as an embrocation. | It was composed of oil of sweet almonds, chamomile and violet flowers, chicken's and duck's fats, orris root, saffron and white wax. | |
Various | PHYL.
PERSICOR. PHILON: PERSICUM: ELET: FILON: PERSICO PHIL: ROMAN PHILON. ROM |
PERSICOR PHILONIUM PERSICUM PHILONIUM ROMANUM |
Philonium
Persicum Elettuario filonio persico Philonium Romanum |
Persian Electuary | Used
to stop menses (menstruation - possibly excessive bleeding) or prevent
miscarriages. Used to relieve pain and induce sleep (TMM). |
According
to the book 'English Delftware Drug Jars: The Collection of the Museum of the
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain', the name Philonium Persicum
refers to the Persian medicine of Philon of Tarsus. Alleged to have contained
opium, white pepper, saffron, rosewater, and a variety of aromatics. Filonio
is Spanish for electuary. |
Paeonia sp Peony |
S. POENIAE. | POENIAE | Syrup of Peony | Used as an anti-spasmodic. | Prepared from the root of the plant boiled with sugar and water. | |
Apple Malus domestica |
S.
DE POMIS. S. DE POM: IS. P. 1665 |
POMIS | Syrupus
de Pomis magistralis Syrupus de Pomis Purgans |
Syrup
of Apples Purging Syrup of Apples |
"Out
of doubt this is a gallant Syrup to purge choler and melancholy, and to
resist madness" Culpeper. Purge for children. |
Prepared by dissolving sugar in apple juice and adding sufficient water to from a syrup. |
Marrubium vulgare White Horehound |
S.
DE PRASSIO. S. PRASIO. |
PRASSIO PRASIO |
Syrupus prasiorum | Syrup of White Horehound | Still employed in country places as a domestic remedy for coughs and colds. (For asthma, coughs, wheezing and tuberculosis. TMM9) | Made by boiling the flowering tops of the herb with sugar and water. |
Prunus domestica Plum |
C. PRUNELLO. | PRUNELLO. | Confection of Plum Bark | Used for its astringent properties. | Prepared by boiling the coursely powdered bark of the tree with sugar and water. | |
Various | S.DE
QUIN. RAD. SYR. QUInq: RAD: A: (TMM10) |
QUIN.
RAD. QUINQ. RAD. (TMM10) |
Syrupus de Quinque Radicibu (TMM10) | Syrup of Five Roots | "frequently
prescribed amongst aperient pectorals" John Quincy Removes obstructions of the urine (TMM10) |
Take roots of smallage, asparagus, parsley, fennell and Dyer's Broom; of each 2 ounces; macerate in vinegar; add sugar and water and boil together. |
Rhubarb Rheum rhabarbarum |
S.
DE RHABAR. S. DE. RHABARBAR: S. RHABARB S. RHEADOSReputed to clear the bile. |
RHABAR. RHABARBAR |
Syrupus de Rhabarbaro | Syrup of Rhubarb | Extensively
used as an aperient for children. Gently cleanses the stomach. |
Which was used in the XVIIth century, still remains a popular preparation. It was formerly made by simply dissolving sugar in an infusion of rhubarb root, but oil of coriander and spirit of cinnamon have been included in modern formulae. |
Rose Rosa sp. |
SYR. ROSAE. | ROSAE. | Syrup of Red Roses | It has long been a popular domestic remedy for coughs and infantile chest troubles. | Made by boiling the petals of the Red Rose with sugar and water. | |
Rose Rosa sp. Liver-wort Liverwort Marchantiophyta |
S.ROSAR. CU. | ROSAR. CU. | Syrup of Red Roses with Liver-wort | Used as an astringent and tonic. | The syrup was prepared by boiling red rose leaves with liver-wort, sugar and water. | |
Rose Rosa sp. |
C.
ROSAR.R. CONF. ROSAE |
ROSAR. R. | Confectio rosae | Confection of Red Roses | Used as a mild demulcant and continues in use, but chiefly as an excipient in making pills. | Prepared by beating together eight parts of red rose petals to three parts of refined sugar until they are thoroughle incorporated. |
Rose Rosa sp. |
V. ROSATU | ROSATU | Ointment of Roses | Used like cold cream for excoriated skin. | Prepared by triturating lard and rose water. | |
Sage Salvia officinalis |
C. SALVIAE | SALVIAE | Confection of Sage | Used as a cordial and stomachic. | Prepared by boiling fresh sage leaves with sugar and water. | |
Elderflower Sambucus nigra |
V. SAMBUCI | SAMBUCI | Elder-flower Ointment | Still in use today as an astringent application. | Prepared by heating the fresh flowering tops of the shrub with lard. | |
Lead | U. SATURN | SATURN | Ointment of Lead | Employed as a sedative and soothing dressing. | Prepared by mixing a solution of the Subacetate with olive oil and lard. | |
Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara |
E.
SUCCO TUSSILAG. ELECT. FARFARE |
TUSSILAG FARFARE |
Electuary of Coltsfoot Juice | Given for catarrhal cough. | Prepared by boiling the juice of coltsfoot with sugar and water. | |
Comfrey Symphytum officinale |
S.
SYMPHITI. S. DE SYMPHITO |
SYMPHITI SYMPHITO |
Syrupus de Syphyto | Syrup of Comfrey | Used
as an astringent. For wound and bruises of the chest, spitting of blood (TMM). |
Prepared by boiling the fresh leaves and tops of the herb in water and adding sugar. |
Potassium sulfate | P.
TARTAR. V. TARTAR VITRIOL |
TARTAR | Sulfate
of Potash Vitriolic Tartar Glaser's Salt |
Used as a laxative. | ||
Lime Flowers Tilia sp. |
C. FL. TILAE. | TILAE | Confection of Lime Flowers | Still frequently used in France as a tisane for their antipyretic properties. | Prepared by boiling fresh lime flowers with sugar and water. | |
Zinc Oxide | V.
TUTIAE U. TUTI |
TUTIAE | Unguentum Tutiae | Tutty Ointment | "Much employed against affections of the eyes" | Prepared by mixing Tutty powder (impure zinc oxide) with lard. |
Viper | T. DE VIPER | VIPER | Viper Lozenges | The Viper Lozenges of Venice were also renowned throughout Europe in the XVIIth century as a preventative of plague and as an antidote to poisons. | Prepared from dried viper flesh in powder, made into a mass with mucilage of tragacanth and white wine. | |
Fox Vulpes vulpes |
O.
VULPIN. O. VVLPIN; |
VULPIN | Oleum Vulpinum | Oil of Fox | Chiefly employed as an embrocation in chest diseases. | Prepared by boiling fox flesh, freed from bones, in olive oil and flavouring the product with dill seeds and thyme. |
Ruta graveolens Rue |
A. D. RVTA | RVTA RUTA |
Aqua di Rutae | Water of Rue | Expels poisons, not to be taken by pregnant women. | |
Peony Paeonia sp. |
A. DE PEONIA | PEONIA | Aqua di Peonia | Peony Water | Aids poor memory and is used against convulsions. | |
Sage Salvia officinalis |
A. SALVIE | SALVIE | Aqua Salviae | Sage Water | Detergent absorbent, cephalic. | |
Squill Drimia maritima Drimia indica |
ACET. SCILL | SCILL SCILLAE |
Acetum Scillae | Vinegar of Squills | Aids digestion, obstructions of the liver and spleen, diseaase and tumours of the joints. | |
Goat's Rue Galega officinalis |
AD. RVTACAP.A | RVTA
CAPRARIA RUTA CAPRARIA |
Aqua di Ruta Capraria | Water of Goat's Rue | Used for measles and smallpox. | Ruta capraria is an old botanical name for Goat's Rue. G. officinalis is rich in galegine, a substance with blood glucose-lowering activity and the foundation for the discovery of metformin, a treatment for managing symptoms of diabetes mellitus. |
Bear's Grease | ADIPIS URSI | ADIPIS URSI | Adipis Ursi | Bear's Grease | Hair pomade, no special medicinal value | Adipis Ursi, literally bear's grease in Latin. |
Mercury Sulfur |
AETHIOP. MIN | AETHIOPS MINERALIS | Aethiops Mineralis | Given to young children for worms and used externally for scurvy and other skin diseases. | Mercury and sulfer amalgum, bisulphide of mercury. See also P. AETHIOP. (Ethiopic Pills) | |
Salvia rosmarinus | ANTHOS. | ANTHOS | Conserva Anthos | Conserve of Rosemary Flowers | A help for most diseases of the head, headache, convulsion, epilepsy, cures stinking breath. | |
Southernwood Artemisia abrotanum |
AQ. D. ABROTAVO | ABROTAVO | Aqua di Abrotavo | Water of Southernwood | Kills worms, cures jaundice. | |
Greater Celendine Chelidonium majus |
AQ. D. CELIDONIA | CELIDONIA | Aqua di Celidnia | Water of Greater Celendine | Jaundice and eye diseases. | |
Chicory Cichorium intybus |
AQ. D. CICORIA | CICORIA | Aqua di Cicoria | Water of Chicory | Liver and bowel complaints. | |
Common Bugloss Alkanet Anchusa officinalis |
AQ. DI. BVGLOSSA | BVGLOSSA BUGLOSSA |
Aqua do Buglossa | Water of Bugloss | Used against yellow jaundice. | |
Canarium luzonicum Various |
BAUME D'ARC | BAUME D'ARCAEUS | Unguentum Elemi | Balsam of Arcaeus | A digestive ointment formerly of great repute, and still much empoyed on the continent. | Composed
of mutton suet (4 parts), turpentine (3 parts), Elemi resin (3 parts), axunge
(2 parts). Melt with a gentle heat, strain through cloth, and stir together
until cold. Canarium luzonicum, commonly known as elemi, is a tree native to the Philippines. Axunge is pig or goose fat (literally axle grease). |
Various | BAUME NERVAL | BAUME NERVAL | Balsamum Nervinum | Nerve
Balsam Nervine Ointment |
Comforts the nerves, cures palsies and convulsions. | ingredients: Expressed oil of mace, Beef marrow (Melt and add) Oil of rosemary, oil of cloves, Camphor, Balsam of Tolu, Recified Spirit (Mix). Applied as a liniment in rheumatism. |
Geum urbanum Common Avens |
BENEDETTA NA | BENEDETA | Common Avens | Internal wounds and ruptures, preservative against plague. | Called Erba Bendetta in Italian. Also known as Herb Bennet. | |
Cnicus benedictus Blessed thistle |
BENEDICTA S. CARD: BEN: S. E. SVC.CARD: B |
BENEDICTUS | Carbenia
benedicta Syrupus cardui benedicti Syrupus e Succo Carduo Benedicti |
Blessed
laxative Blessed thistle Syrup of the blessed thistle St. Benedict's thistle Syrup of the juice of Blessed Thistle |
A good thing against the gout, sciatica, dropsy and other chronic diseases. | A thistle-like plant, native to the Mediterranean. Used to treat the Black Death during the Middle Ages. |
Borax Sodium tetraborate |
BIBOR: NATRIC. PULV | BIBORATE NATRICO | Natrium biboracicum | Borax | Its main use is as a cleaning agent. | Powdered unrefined (native) borax. A salt of boric acid. |
Boletus sp. Hartshorn |
BOLET. CERVIN | BOLETUS CERVINI | Used as a styptic to stop bleeding. | There appears to be two drugs here: Boletus sp. a fungus used as a styptic, and Cervini, which is hartshorn burnt to a white powder. | ||
Sea Wormwood Old Woman |
C. ABSIN: MAR: | ABSINTH | Artemisia maritima | Confection of Sea Wormwood | Known for its anthelmintic properties. | The plant is a source of the sesquiterpenoid santonin. "Boiling water poured upon it produces an excellent stomachic infusion, but the best way is taking it in a tincture made with brandy" Culpeper |
Artemisia absinthium Wormwood |
C. ABSINTH: | ABSINTH | Conserve of Wormwood | Kills worms, reduces the inflamation of the stomach and the liver | Absinth is is an anise flavoured spirit derived from the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium (wormwood). It can be a highly alcoholic, it is 45–74% ABV, but is normally diluted with water before being consumed. Absinthe was created in Switzerland in the late 18th century by the French physician Pierre Ordinaire. It became popular in the late 19th and early 20th century France. In the early twentieth century, consumption of absinthe was temporarily banned, because of its supposed role as an addictive psychoactive drug. | |
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus |
C. ANTHOS. | ANTHOS | Conserva Anthos | Conserve of Rosemary Flowers | Strenghens nerves, preservative against the plague | Sometimes called anthos, from the ancient Greek word ἄνθος, meaning "flower" |
Seville Orange | C. AURANT. FL | AURANTIUM | Citrus aurantium | Conserve of the rind of Seville orange peel | Kills worms, resists poison, helps the stinging of scorpions | |
Berberis | C. BERBERO. | BERBERIS BORAGO |
Conserva Berberorum | Conserve of Barberries | Quench thirst and fortify the stomach | |
Borago
officinalis Borage |
C. BORAGINIS. | BORAGINE | Conserva Boraginis | Conserve of Borage | Comforts and revives the spirity, help epilepsy | |
Anchusa officinalis Alkanet Common Bugloss |
C. BVGLOSSI | BUGLOSSA BUGLOSS |
Conserva Buglossae | Conserve of Bugloss | Used against yellow jaundice. | |
Cochlearis sp. | C.
COCH: HOR C. COCHLE: C.COCHLEAR H C. COCHLEAR: |
COCHLEARIA | Conserva (folium) cochleariae hortensis | Conserve (of the leaves) of Scurvygrass | Cures scurvy, dropsy, jaundice, opens obstructions of the liver | |
Citrus aurantium Bitter Orange |
C.
CORT: AUR. C. CORT: AURAN C. CORT: AURANT: |
AURANTIORUM | Confectio Cortex Aurantium | Convection of orange peel | Strengthens the stomach, expels wind and protects the heart from poison and disease. | |
Cynosbati fructus Rosa canina L |
C.
CYNOSB. C. CYNOSBA: C. CYNOSBAT. C. CYNOSBATI |
CYNOSBATI | Conserva (Fructus) Cynosbati | Conserve of (Rose) Hips | Kills worms, breaks 'the stone'. | |
damson plum Prunus domestica Damask Prune |
C. DIAPRVNV. LENITIV | DIAPRUNUM LENITIVUM | Conserva Diaprunum Lenitivum | Laxative conserve of (Damask) prunes. | Gentle purge. | |
Citrus aurantium Bitter Orange |
C.
FL. AUR C. FL. AURANT C. FLAV. AVR. ANT |
AURANTIUM AURANTIORUM |
Conserva flavendis (Corticum) Aurantiorum (Hispaniensis) | Conserve of the yellow rind of (Seville) Orange Peel | Expels wind, defends the heart from all poison and disease. | |
Tamarind Tamarindus indica |
C.
FR: TAMARIN: F: TAMARIND |
TAMARINDUS TAMARIND |
Conserve of (fruit) Tamarind | Quench thirst, good against all buring and putrid fevers. | ||
Fumitory Fumaris officinalis |
C. FVMARIAE | FUMARIAE | Conserva Fumariae | Conserve of Fumitory | Recommended for jaundice and hypochondriac cases. | |
Wood Sorrel folia lujulae Oxalis sp. |
C.
LUJULE C. LVIVLAE C. LVJVLAE |
LUJULAE | Conserva (foliorum) Lujulae | Conserve of (the leaves of) Wood Sorrel | Cools fever, quenches thirst, stops vomiting. | |
Mallow Malva sylvestris |
C. MALVAE | MALVAE | Conserva Malvae | Conserve of Mallows | Used in most disease of the lung, helps coughs and asthma. | |
Mint Mentha sp. |
C. MENTHEE | MENTHEE MENTHAE |
Conserva Menthae | Conserve of Mint | Good against vomiting, wind, hiccup, griping of the guts. | |
Various | C.
MITHRIDAT MITRIDAT. DEMOCR |
MITHRIDAT. MITHRIDATIUM MITHRIDATES DAMOCRATIS |
Confectio Damocratis | Damocrates' Confection | Cure and preservative of the plague and all infections. Universal cure. | Servilius
Damocrates (or Democrates) was a Greek physician working in Rome in the
middle to late 1st century AD. His Confectio Damocratis is another version of Theriac (Treakel). John Woodall has this to say: "MIthridate of Damocratis is in quality and vertue like to Treakel, but more hot and forcible against the poyson of Serpents, mad Dogs, wilde Beasts, creeping things, being used as a plaster or drunk; it cureth all the cold affections of the head, helpeth the melancholick, or those that are fearful of waters, them also that have the falling sicknesse". |
Nymphaea alba White water-lily |
C. NYMPHEAE: | NYMPHAEAE NYMPHEAE |
Conserva Nymphae | Conserve of white water-lily | It contains the active alkaloids nupharine and nymphaeine, and is a sedative and an aphrodisiac/anaphrodisiac depending on sources. | |
Paeonia officinalis Peony |
C. PAEONIAE: | PAEONIAE | Conserve paeoniae | Conserve of Paeony | ||
unknown | C. PARALYSAE | PARALYTICUM | Cataplasma Paralyticum | Poultice against the Palsy | Cures or eases the palsy | Cataplasma means 'poultice'. Palsy is a medical term which refers to various types of paralysis, often accompanied by weakness and the loss of feeling and uncontrolled body movements such as shaking. |
Prunus spinosa Sloe Blackthorn |
C.
PRUN: SIL. CONSER. PRUN. |
PRUNORUM | Conserva Prunorum silvetrium | Conserve
of Sloes Conserve of Prunes Conserve of Plums |
Helps cholic and irritated bowels. Also, quench thirst, used for fevers. | |
Prunus spinosa Sloe Blackthorn |
C.
PRUNEL C. PRVNELL C. PRVNEILORV: |
PRUNELLORUM | Conserva Prunellorum | Conserve
of Sloes Conserve of Prunes Conserve of Plums |
Stops vomiting, strengthens the stomach and liver. | |
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus |
RORISMA: C. RORISMARIN |
RORISMA RORISMARIN |
Conserva (florum) Rorismarini | Conserve of Rosemary Flowers | A help for most diseases of the head, headache, convulsion, epilepsy, cures stinking breath. | |
Rosa damascena | C.
ROS.DAM: C. ROSAR. DAM. |
ROSARUM DAMASCENUM | Conserva Rosarum Damascenum | Conserve of Damask Rose | Gentle purge. | |
Rosa | C.
ROS. RUB: C. ROSAR: RU C. ROSAR: RUB C. ROSAR: R |
ROSARUM RUBRUM | Conserva Rosarum Rubrum | Conserve of Red Roses | Gentle purge. | |
Elder Sambucus nigra |
C. SAMBUC | SAMBUCI SAMBUCUS |
Conserva Sambuci | Conserve of Elder | Used for burns, scalds, stitches and pains in the side. | |
Violet Viola sp. |
C. VIOLARV | VIOLARUM | Conserva Violarum | Conserve of violet (flowers) | Reduces the heat of fevers, cures headaches, coughs, pains in the side. | |
Acorus calamus Sweet flag |
CALAM. AROM | CALAMUS | Calamus aromaticus | Calamus, an aromatic plant from the east. | Used to treat digestive disorders. May be toxic. | |
Charcoal | CARBO LIGNI PRAEP | CARBO | Prepared charcoal | Used as an anti acid. | ||
Cassia Officinalis Senna alexandrina |
CASSIA
TRATTA CASSIA. T. |
CASSIA SENNA |
Cassia trattamento | Cassia treatment | Senna alexandrina was used in the form of senna pods, or as herbal tea made from the leaves, as a laxative. | A native plant in Egypt and the Sudan. Not to be confused with the spice Cinnamomum cassia. |
Cumin Cuminum cyminum |
CAT: e: CYMIN. | CYMINO | Cataplasma e Cymino | Cumin poultice (plaster) | Very hot, helps coughs, asthma, shortness of breath when applied on the chest. | When used topically, cumin poultices can treat skin troubles, giving relief to bothersome insect bites and painful stings. |
Mercury | CER: MERCUR. | MERCURY | Cerat de Mercury | Mercury Ointment | Used for skin problems | Ceratum is an ointment based on wax and lard. |
Lead | CER: PLUMB:f | PLUMBUM LEAD |
Cerat de Plumbum | Lead Ointment | For inflammations, burns and scalds, deformaties and discolouring of the skin | |
Lead | CERAT DE SATUR:F | LEAD | Cerat de Saturni | Lead acetate ointment | ||
Wax Almond oil |
CERAT: FLAV. | FLAVUM | Ceratum flavum | Yellow ointment | Used as a base for other remedies | Yellow cerate, a mixture of yellow wax 10, oil of sweet almond 35, water 25. |
Zinc carbonate | CERAT: LAP. CAL: | CALAMINARIS CALAMINE |
Ceratum Lapis calaminaris | Zinc carbonate ointment | Zinc carbonate can be applied to inflamed skin in the form of a powder or as calamine lotion | Calamine is a historic name for an ore of zinc. The name calamine was derived from lapis calaminaris, a Latin corruption of Greek cadmia (καδμία), the old name for zinc ores in general. |
Various | CEROTO
STOMAT CIT. STOMATICO GANo |
STOMATO STOMATICO |
Ceroto
Stomato Cerato Stomatico Galeno |
Used to treat diseases of the mouth | Stomatic, a medicine for diseases of the mouth. | |
Cetyl palmitate | CETACEUM | CETACEUM SPERMACETI |
Cetaceum Spermaceti |
Cetin | Used to impart firmness to ointment bases. | A fatty, waxy substance, chiefly cetin (cetyl palmitate), obtained from the head of the sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus; |
Various | CF
:RALEIGH: S. OD: CONF. RALCIGH; |
RALEIGH RALCIGH |
Confectio Raleighiana | Sir Walter Raleigh's Confection | Various, including a cordial that was 'good for women who had recently given birth'. | Having successfully annoyed both Queen Elizabeth I and King James I, Walter Raleigh found himself spending plenty of time locked up in the Tower of London. Here he created a range of cordials and herbal remedies, including Balsam of Guiana. |
Various | CONF.
ALKER CONF. ALKERM |
ALKERMES | Confectico Alkermes cum M[***} | Confection of Kermes with M[***} | it was ranked among the best tonics for the heart, and was frequently used for the palpitation of the heart, or syncope, sometimes for smallpox or measles, a general restorative and a cure for 'wounded nerves'. | An 8th-century potion, a tonic composed of raw silk, apple juice, ground pearls, musk, ambergris, gold leaf, rose water, cinnamon, sugar and honey. The 'M[***]' mentioned in the drug name could refer to 'Musk'. A version is available today if you wish to try it - follow the link to www.heirloomliqueurs.com. |
Anchusa officinalis Anchusa tinctoria Alkanna tinctoria Bugloss |
CONF. D. RADD BUGLOS | BUGLOSS | Confectio di radiche Bugloss | Confection of ox-tongue | Used to treat abscesses and inflammations | Bugloss is derived from the Greek word 'Bou' and the Latin word 'Glosso', which together mean 'Ox Tongue', a reference to the shape of the leaves. There are several species of Bugloss, but the one referred to here is probably Alkanna tinctoria, the dyer's alkanet, on account of the fact that it appears that it is the root (radiche) which is the main ingredient, the source of a red dye. Traditionally used in Indian food under the name ratan jot (or ratan jog). The dye is soluable in oil, but not water. |
Teucrium scordium Water Germander |
CONF. FRAC. | FRASCATORIO | Confectio Frascatorio | Frascatorius' Confection | Used for diarrhoea and fevers | Contains Scordium (water germander) and opium. Girolamo Fracastoro (Hieronymus Fracastorius in Latin, born 1476/8 died 6 August 1553) was an Italian physician. His studies of the mode of syphilis transmission are an early example of epidemiology. |
Various | CONF. HAMEC. | HAMECH AMECH |
Confectio Hamech | Confection of Hamech | Used as a purgative and laxative. | Named after an Arab physician, The recipe for this medication originates from medieval times. The drug exhibited a laxative effect and was recommended for melancholy and skin diseases, for example the treatment of scabies and leprosy. |
Ruta graveolens Rue |
CONS. ROSAR. RUTAE | RUTAE | Conserva (foliorum) Rutae | Conserve of Rue (leaves) | Expels all manner of poison. Helps the biting of mad dogs, stinging of serpents, and other venomous beasts. | |
Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort |
A. D. ARTEMISIA | ARTEMISIA | Aqua de artemisia | Water of Mugwort | Promotes menstruation, deliver, cleanses womb. | |
Opopanax chironium | DE. OPOPANACE. | OPOPANEX | Purges thick phlegm, helps coughs and asthma. | Opopanax means the gum resin of all-heal (panaces). This is not the opopanex used in perfumery, which is a different plant. | ||
Raphanus sativus Radish |
DI DUE RADICHE | RADICHE | Two Root | Diuretic | Radishes do have diuretic properties, although it is not clear here whether or not you need a radish with two roots, or whether there is another root vegetable involved. | |
Cuminum cyminum Cumin |
DIA. CIMIMN° DE M | CIMIMN | Cyminum | Astringent - 'a great strengthener of the stomach and the bowels'. | Perhaps cumin, this is a guess. | |
Prunes Plums Prunus domestica |
DIA.
PRVNIS SE. DIA. PRVNIS SMP |
PRVNIS | Prunus | Prunes Plums |
Mild laxative | Made from plums or prunes. The SE or SMP may be short for 'simple'. |
Prunes Plums Prunus domestica |
DIAPRVN: SOL | DIAPRVN | Prunus | Prunes Plums |
Stronger laxative | |
Various | E.
CARIOCOS. E. CARYOCOSH E. CARYOCOST |
CARYOCOSTINUM | Electuarium Caryocostinum | Clove and Costus Electuary | For gout, pains of the joints, scurvy, jaundice, used in enemas. | Attributed to Galen. According to Culpeper: "Take of Cloves, Costus, or Zedoary, Ginger, Cummin of each two drachms, Hermo∣dactils, Diacridium, of each half an ounce, with their double waight of Honey clarified in white Wine, make them into an Electuary according to art." Saussurea costus is a type of thistle native to India. Zedory is Curcuma zedoaria, also know as white turmeric. |
Rose Rosa sp. |
E. DE. SVG° DE. ROS | ROSE | Elettuario de suygo de ros | Electuary of Rose Sap | Purges phlegm, gout. | Suygo is possibly from the Italian Zucchero meaning sugar. |
Laurus nobilis | E.
DE: BAC. LAVR E. BACCIS. LAVR E: BAC. LAVRI E: E: BACC LAVR E: D: BAC. LAV EMPL. DE. BACCISLAVR |
BACCIS LAURI | Emplastrum
e baccis lauri Elect. de Baccis Lauri |
Plaster of bay berries | Healing of wounds. | Baccis or Bacca is derived from the french word Baie meaning berry (R. E. A. Drey). |
Carthamus tinctorius Safflower |
E. DIACARTHAM | DIACARTHAMUS | Electuarium Diacarthamum | Electuary of Safflower | Purges phlegm and wind, prepared as lozenges and used to kill worms in children. | Dia is a Latin term for compound, hence compound of Carthamus. Safflower has been cultivated in the Middle East since 2500BCE. |
Various | E. DIACATHOLIC | DIACATHOLIC | Electuarium Diacatholicum | Allsorts' Electuary | Purgative. | Compound made from senna leaves, tamarind pulp, cassia pulp, polypody rhizome, cucumber and fennel seeds, rhubarb, liquorice, and a few other ingredients. |
Dates Phoenix dactylifera |
E. DIAPHENICON | DIAPHENICON | Electuarium Diaphoenicon | Phoenician
Electuary Confection of Dates |
Purgative. | Compound made from dates. |
Prunus domestica Prune |
E. DIAPRUN: SOL: | DIAPRUNORUM | Electuarium Diaprunorum Solitivum | Aperient Electuary of Prunes | For gout, rheumatism and French pox. | |
Rose Rosa sp. |
E. E: SVCC. ROSAR | SUCCO ROSARUM | Electuarium e Succo Rosarum | Electurary of the Juice of Roses | Purges phlegm, gout. | |
Various | E.
LENITIVUM: ELECT; LENI EL: LENITIV. E: LENETIUV E. LENITIVVM E. LINITIV |
LENITIVUM | Electuarium Lenitivum | Lenitive (laxative) electuary | Laxative. | A mixture of stoned raisins, oak bark, mercury, violet leaves, cleansed barley, prunes, tamarinds, senna leaves, coriander and sugar. |
Various | E.
METHRID. E. MITHRID: E. MITHRIDAT |
METHRID MITHRID MITHRIDAT |
Mithridatium Mithridate Confectio Damocritis |
Cure and preservative of the plague and all infections. Universal cure. Cures bites and stings. | Named for Mithridates VI, the King of Pontus in Northern Turkey. This is a duplicate entry. | |
Various | E. PECTORAL | PECTORAL | Electuarium Pectorale | Pectoral Electuary | Used to soften, cool and heal the lungs. A cure for a tickling cough. | Prepared from white Troches (a type of lozenge), clarified honey, conserve of red roses, unsalted butter, oil of nutmeg, and made up with Syrup of Injubes (citation needed). |
Convolvulus scammonia Scammony |
E.SCAMMON. | SCAMMONY | Electarium e Scammonio | Electuary of Scammony | Juice of the scammony root used for 'purging the passages and glands' of many things, including worms. | Scammony is a powerful purgative and was used as an anthelmintic to treat roundworm and tapeworm. |
Teucrium scordium Water Germander |
E.
SCORD: E: SCORD |
SCORD SCORDIUM |
Electarium e Scordio | Electurary of Scordium | For fevers - 'helps both to raise the spirits' and promote sweat'. | Duplicate entry, see CONF. FRAC. |
Various | E.
THER. VEN E. THER: AND E. THE: AND E. THER: ANDR. E. THERACA. ANDROM E. THERIAC. AND THER. VENET: THER: UENET: |
THERIAC THERIACA |
Theriaca Venetii | Venice Treacle | A universal cure | This 'Treacle' would have originally been imported from Venice, hence
the name. Our word 'Treacle' is derived from the Greek word 'Theriac' meaning
'wild (or venemous) beast'. The connection here is that venemous beasts would
have been incorporated into the recipe (as in 'Flesh of Vipers'). The idea
being that the 'beasts' being imune to their own venom would transfer this
immunity to those who took the remedy. There are overtones of Homeopathy
here. Andromachus was a Roman physician (1st century A.D.) who extended the
list of ingredients comprising Theriac from the original Greek recipe. In the Middle Ages, when sugar was still an exotic Eastern commodity, the English recommended the sugar-based ‘treacle’ as an antidote against poison. Later, the word treacle could be applied to any healing property. There is a ‘treacle well’ in the churchyard at Binsey near Oxford. There are also ‘treacle mines’ in the village of Chalvey, near Slough in Berkshire, possibly a folk memory of the springs in the area that provided healing waters for Queen Anne and afterwards Queen Charlotte at the nearby Windsor Castle, where the water was considered ‘beneficial to the eyes’ |
Tormentil Potentilla erecta |
E. TORMENT: | TORMENT TORMENTIL |
Electurium tormentillae | Electruary of Tormentill | Root used to treat malignant cases of the bowels or womb, also used for the treatment of 'looseness in the measles, smallpox or fevers'. | Common throughout Europe, and in other places as an introduced species. The plant is used in herbal medicine as an astringent because of its tannin content. |
Laurus nobilis Bay laurel |
EL. BACIS LAURI | BACCIS LAURI | Electuarium baccis lauri | Electuary of Bay-laurel Berries | Used as an astringant and carminative. | Duplicate entry. Baccis or Bacca is derived from the french word Baie meaning berry (R. E. A. Drey). In turn, from the Latin. |
Saussurea costus Costus Syzygium aromaticum Clove |
EL. CARIOCOST | CARIOCOST | Electuarium Caryocostinum | Clove and Costus Electuary | Used in the treatment of gout and bilious attacks. | Duplicate entry. Indian costus, kuth, or putchuk, is a species of thistle in the genus Saussurea native to India. |
Various | ELL ELESCOPH | ELESCOPH | Electuarium elescoph | The Bishop's Electuary | Purgative made from scammony, turpeth root, polypody rhizome and various herbs and spices. | Turpeth root (white Turpeth) is a tropical climber also know as Indian Jalep. Latin name Operculina turpethum. Polypody is a type of fern, Polypodium vulgare. The various ingredients were mixed with honey to produce an electuary. |
Various | ELO. INDO. MA | INDUM MAJUM | Elettuario indum majum? | Greater Indian Electuary | Purgative made from turpeth root, scammony, cardamom seeds and cinnamon. | See also the Bishop's Electuary. |
Cantharides Spanish Fly Lytta vesicatoria |
EMP. CANTH | CANTHARIDIS | Emplastrum cantharidis | Emplaster of Cantharides | For blisters; also used as a diuretic. | This emerald green blister beetle is the source of cantharidin, a powerful irritant. The word cantharidin comes from the Greek kantharis, meaning beetle. Emplasters are substances made with a base of olive oil or lard combined with a thickening agent such as beeswax, to produce a sticky paste or salve, usually applied to the skin on a piece of linen or leather |
Cinchona sp. | EX. CORT: PERU. M | CORTICIS PERUVIANI | Extractum corticis peruviani | Extract of Cinchona Bark | Quinine for fevers. | Cinchona
is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae containing at least 23
species of trees and shrubs.
Quinine comes from the cinchona tree, a native of Peru. The extract was used to treat malaria from as early as the 1600s, when it was referred to as the Jesuits bark. This stems from its use in 1630 by Jesuit missionaries in South America. Quinine is still used to treat malaria today, although it has been superseded by more effective drugs. |
Hyoscyamus niger | EXT. DE JUSQUIANE | JUSQUIAME | Extracte de Jusquiame | Extract of Henbane | An opiate and strong poison. | Jusquiame noire is the French for Hyoscyamus niger. |
Atropa belladonna | EXT.
BELLADON EXT. DE BEL: |
BELLADONA | Extractum belladonae | Extract of Deadly Nightshade | Causes sleep, eases headache and helps in fevers. | |
Crocus sativus | EXT. CROC. | CROCI. | Extractum Croci | Extract of Saffron | Greatest of all vegetable cordial: quickens the senses, resists poison, plague, fevers, prolongs life and health, cures Asthma, eases aches and pains… very costly! | |
Juniperus communis | EXT. DE. GEN: | GENIEVRE | Extracte de Genievre | Extract of Juniper | Used to dissipate wind and alleviate the effects of gonorrhea: some believed it to be effective against 'malignant and epideical infections'. | Traditionally used to flavour Genever gin. |
Lactuca sativa | EXT. DE LAIT: | LAIT | Extract of lettuce | Used as a mild opiate. | ||
Mint Mentha sp. |
EXT. DE MEN: | MENTHE | Extracte de menthe | Extract of Mint | ||
Ruta graveolens Rue |
EXT.
RUTAE EX RUTAE |
RUTAE | Extractum (foliorum) Rutae | Extract of Rue (leaves) | ||
Various | FILON ROMANO | FILON ROMANO | Filon Romano | Roman Electurary | Polypharmaceutical preparation made from opium and other ingredients. Used to relieve pain and induce sleep. | Filonio is Spanish for electuary. Also see 'Persion Electuary'. |
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare |
FRUCT FOENIC CONT | FOENICULI | Fructus foeniculi | Fennel Fruit | ||
Various | Gr D -. GALLINA | GALEN GALENA |
Grasso di Galena | Cerate
of Galen Galen's cold cream |
Used for softening and moisturising the skin. | The
invention of this cold cream recipe has been attributed to Galen, a second
century Greece physician This was the original cream for moisturising the skin. It is an emulsion, and when applied to the skin, the water component dries, leaving the softening oils behind. It is the evaporation of the water which is responsible for the 'cold' feeling of cold cream. Traditionally, it comprises Olive Oil and Beeswax, which were melted, and then rose water mixed with borax (sodium borate) was beaten in to the oils. The borax acts as the emulsifier, stopping the oil and water separating. Generally, Ceratum or Cerate is a preparation for external use consisting of wax, resin or spermaceti mixed with oil or lard, and medicinal ingredients. |
Duck Anas sp. |
GRA. D. ANATRA | ANATRA | Grasso de anatra | Duck's fat | More of an ingredient rather than a remedy. Many species of duck can be found in the genus Anas. Anatra is Italian for duck. | |
Various | HIERE
LOGOD IERALOCODION |
HIERE
LOGOD IERALOCODION |
Hiera Logadii | Logadius' Mixture | A purgative electuary and anthelmintic. Also a cure for melancholy. | Allegedly,
formulated by Ptolemy in the second century AD, and named after Logadius, a
physician at Memphis. Hiera loosely translates as 'Holy Remedy', perhaps in an attempt to imbue the remedy with spiritual powers. These 'Holy Remedies' have been associated with a number of ancient physicians, such as Galen, and in this case, Logadius. Ingredients include: Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) is a type of squash. It grows as a vine in desert conditions around the Mediterranean and Asia, especially Turkey, and Nubia. Aloes, possibly a tree from Asia (Aquilaria agallocha), which has a fragrant wood that yields a resin used as a perfume. Or it could refer to Aloe Vera. Agaric (Amanita muscaria) is the iconic toadstool. It is poisonous and mildly hallucinogenic (so I've heard). Scammony is a type of bindweed (Convolvulus scammonia) and is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. A resin can be extracted from the root, which is used as a purgative. It also kills roundworm and tapeworm. Squill (Drimia maritima) is a medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean. All parts of the plant are poisonous, although rendered harmless by drying. |
Various Fox Vulpes sp. |
LOHO.DE: PVL: VLP | LOHOCH DE PULMONE VULPIS | Lohoch de Polmone vulpis | Lohoch of fox's lungs | Taken for consumption and ulcers of the lung. | Culpeper provides a recipe: Lohoch of Fox lung could be made by beating the lungs into a fine powder with liquorice juice, maidenhair, anise seed, sweet fennel and sugar |
Wheat semolina Triticum sativa |
MANNA: OPT. | MANNA OPTICAE | Manna
Opticae Manna Optima |
Manna
of Best Quality Manna for the eyes |
Not sure what this is. A search turned up a brand name of semolina. | |
VERDIGRIS Vinegar Honey |
MEL. AEGYP. | AEGYPTIACUM | Mel Aegyptiacum | Egyptian Honey | detergent and escharotic | Made from honey, verdigris and vinegar. These are the same ingredients as for Egyptian Ointment. |
Honey Mercury |
MEL. MERCUR | MURCURIALE | Mel Mercuriale | Honey of Mercury | Used externally for skin problems and internally as a laxative. | Mercury has been used in remedies since the time of the ancient Greeks, and later, the Arabs. Hopefully this was only used topically. |
Honey Rosa sp. |
MEL.
ROS. S MELE. ROSATO SOL |
ROSARUM SOLUTIVUS | Mel Rosarum Solutivus | Solutive honey of roses (perhaps) | Cleanses and heals wounds, used in enemas. | See also MEL ROSARUM. |
Puppy dog Canis lupus |
O. CATELLOR: | CATELLORUM | Oleum
Catellorum Oglio di Cagnolini |
Oil of puppy dogs | Good against cold diseases of the nerves, sinews and joints: cramps and running gout. | Oglio di Cagnolini is Italian for 'Oil of Puppy Dogs'. A recipe from 1696 recommends boiling two live puppies (less than nine days old) with Oil of Violets until the bones break down before adding 1 lb (0.45 kg ) of earthworms (probably live) and wine. The mixture was boiled and the resulting oil used to soothe aches and pains. They have a jar in the London Science Museum. |
Swallows Hirundo rustica |
O. HIRUNDIN | HIRUNDINUM | Olem Hirundinum | Oil of swallows | For the relief of aches and bruises. | An early recipe for this remedy may be found in Thomas Dawson's The Good Husvvifes Ievvel [Housewife's Jewel] from 1587, which begins "Take eight Swallowes readie to flie out of the nest, driue away the breeders when you take them out, and let them not touch the earth, stampe them vntill the Fethers can not be perceiued". It also requires the addition of approximately five herbs to be mixed with butter, and it eventually produces an oil that should be externally applied to aches and bruises. |
St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum |
O. HYPERIRI | HYPERIRI | Oleum Hyperiri | Oil of St. John's Wort | Traditionaly used to treat nerve disorders. | It was popular in ancient Greece and Rome as a healing remedy for wounds, as well as sores, burns, bruises and nerve pains |
Myrica sp. Bay Berry |
O. LAURIN. | OLEUM LAURINUM | Oleum Laurinum | Oil of Bay Berries | Cures cold distempers in any part of the body. | |
Erythronium albidum White Lily |
O. LILIORUM | LILIORUM (ALBORUM) | Oleum Liliorum (alborum) | Oil of (white) Lily Flowers | For burns, ulcers, eczema, bruises and rheumatism. | Oleum Liliorum, the lily oil, is an extract of the flowers with olive oil. |
Flax Linseed Linum usitatissimum |
O. LINI: S: I: | LINI | Oleum Lini | Oil
of Flax Linseed Oil |
Used internally as a laxative | |
Lumbricus terrestris Earthworm |
O.
LUMBRICOR O. LVMBRIC. OLEI LOMBRICOR |
LUMBRICORUM | Oleum Lumbricorum | Oil of Earthworms | Cures wounds, particularly of the sinews and ligaments, cures gout and kills worms in children. | |
Nymphaea alba White water-lily |
O. NIMPHAEAE | NYMPHAEAE | Nymphaea alba | Oil of white water-lily. | Helps shrink sinews | It contains the active alkaloids nupharine and nymphaeine, and is a sedative and an aphrodisiac/anaphrodisiac depending on sources. |
Olea europaea Olive |
O. OLIVAR: COM: | OLIVARIUM | Oleum Olivarium Compositum | Compound olive oil. | ||
Rose Rosa damascena |
O.
ROSARV OL. ROSAR. |
ROSARUM | Oleum rosarum | Oil of Roses | Cordial, used against swooning and fainting fits. | Oil of Rose is the oil distilled from the flowers of Rosa damascena. |
Juniperus Sabina Savin |
O. SABINAE | SABINAE | Oleum Sabinae | Oil of Savin | Savin was once used in an ointment or dressing for blisters, for syphilitic warts and other skin problems. It is a powerful emmenagogue, and fatal cases of poisoning have resulted when attempted to use as an abortifacient. | Savin Oil is obtained by steam distillation of twigs and leaves of the conifer savin, Juniperus Sabina |
Elderflower Sambucus nigra |
O.
SAMBUCI O. SAMBUC. |
SAMBUCINUM | Oleum Sambucinum | Oil of Elder (flowers) | External application for arthritic swellings. | |
Violet Viola sp. |
O. VIOLARUM: | VIOLARUM | Oleum Violarum | Oil of Violets | Reduces the heat of fevers, cures headaches, coughs, pains in the side. (Citation may be required.) | |
Olea europaea Olive |
O. VIRIDE. | OLEUM VIRIDE | Oleum Viride | Green Oil | Bruises and lacerated wounds, gunshot, foul ulcers. | Perhaps green extra virgin olive oil, or maybe oil of Elder leaves. |
Anthemis nobilis Common Chamomile |
OL. CHAMAEMO. | CHAMAEMELINUM | Oleum Chamaemelinum | Chamamile Oil | Tonic, achic, anodyne and antispasmodic. | The oil is extracted from the flowers by steam distillation. |
Cherranthus cheiri Wallflower |
OL.
CHEIRINUM OLL. CHEIRINUM |
CHEIRINUM | Oleum Cheirinum | Oil of Wallflowers | The oil is useful acting on nerve centres and on the muscles. | |
Cocos nucifera Coconut |
OL.
COCOIS. OL. NUC. COC. |
COCOIS | Oleum
Cocois. Oleum Nucis Cocois. |
Cocoanut oil | A treatment for dry skin. An important ingredient of many toiletries including soap. | Coconut milk is obtained by pressing the grated coconut flesh, usually with hot water added which extracts the coconut oil. |
Laurus nobilis | OL. LAURINI. | LAURINI | Oleum laurini | Oil of laurel | ||
Olea europaea Olive |
OL. OLIVAR. OPT | OLIVAR | Oleum olivarium optimum | Best quality olive oil | Taken to relief constipation. Also widely used in the production of toiletries and soap. | |
Spike lavender Lavandula latifolia |
OL. SPICAE | SPICAE | Oleum spicae | Oil of Spike Lavender | Usually mixed with other medicines good against cholic. | |
Artemisia absinthium Wormwood |
OLL D'ASENTIO | ASENTIO ASSENTIO ASSENZIO |
Oleum d'asentio | Oil of wormwood | Mix with other medicine, strengthener of the stomach and liver, stops vomiting, aids digestion. | Wormwood can be used to make a strong alcholic drink called Absinthe, or Assentio or Assenzio in Italian. |
Various | ONG. EGYPT:f | EGYPT | Possibly Egyptian Ointment | See the entry for V. AEGPIPTIC. ONG is short for onguent, the French word for ointment. | ||
Honey Vinegar |
OSSIMELLE
SEM OX. SIMP. OXIM: SIMP OxI MELLIS SIM |
OXYMEL | Oxymel Simplex | Simple Oxymel | Used to remove ulcers of the lungs. | A simple syrup of honey and vinegar. See also Oxymel of Squills. |
Mercury Sulfur |
P. AETHIOP. | AETHIOPICAE |
Pilulae Aethiopicae | Ethiopic Pills | Used for dropsys, venereal diseases and all cutaneous distempers, infallible against the weevil. | See also AETHIOPS MINERALIS. |
Aloe vera | P. ALEOPHAN | ALOEPHANGINAE | Pilulae Aloephanginae | (compound) Aloe Pills | Strengthen the memory and quicken the senses. | |
Citrullus colocynthis Colocynth |
P. COCH MINORIS | COCHIAE | Pilulae Cochiae Minoris | Pills [called] Cochiae (of Galen) | Used to clear the eyesight | Cochia is from a term meaning to 'make round'. There were two compositions bearing this name; the pil. cochiae majores from Rhases, and the pil. cochiae minores from Galen: The second is called pil. colocynth. cum aloe,or extractum colocynthi-dis compositum. So the pill may contain Citrullus colocynthis, with many common names including colocynth, bitter apple, bitter cucumber, desert gourd, egusi, vine of Sodom, or wild gourd, is a desert viny plant native to the Mediterranean Basin and Asia, especially Turkey, and Nubia. |
Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue |
P. DE. CINOGLOSSA | CINOGLOSSA | Pilulae de Cynoglossa | Pills of Houndstongue | Stops catarrahs, coughs | |
Styrax tonkinensis Liquidambar styraciflua |
P.
E. STYRAC P. ESTYRAC |
STYRAC ESTYRAC |
Pilulae e Styrace | Storax Pills | Stops catarrahs, coughs | This is made from the resin of a tree, but it could be either Styrax (as in Styrax tonkinensis) or Liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua). Both are know as storax. |
Colocynth Aloes |
P. EX: COLO. C. AL. | COLOCYNTH ALOE |
Pilulae ex Colocynthide cum Aloe | Colocynth Pills with Aloes | Probably a purgative. | Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) is a type of squash. It grows as a vine in desert conditions around the Mediterranean and Asia, especially Turkey, and Nubia. Aloes, possibly a tree from Asia (Aquilaria agallocha), which has a fragrant wood that yields a resin used as a perfume. Or it could refer to Aloe Vera. Also see Logadius' Mixture, as Colocynth and Aloes are key ingredients. |
Colocynth Citrullus colocynthis Scammony |
P.
EX: DVOBV P. EX: DUOBUS |
DUOBUS | Pilulae ex Duobus | Pills of two ingredients (colocynth and scammony) | Scurvy, gout dropsy. | Scammony is a powerful purgative and was used as an anthelmintic to treat roundworm and tapeworm. |
Asafoetida Ferula sp. |
P. FAETIDAE | FOETIDAE | Pilulae Foetidae | Fetid Pills | Pain of back, stomach, head joints and against ringworm. | Asafoetida is the dried latex exuded from the tap root of several species of Ferula (a fennel like plant from the Mediterranean). Used as a condiment to aid digestion. Common in Indian cookery. |
Various | P. HYSTERIC | HYSTERIC | Pilulae Hystericae | Hysteric
Pills Pills for the Womb |
Cleanses the womb, good against fits of the mother. | Ingredients (amongst other things): Faecula of Bryony (the dried juice of the root), Myrrh, Vitriol of Mars (Iron[III] Sulphate), Salt of Mugwort |
Various | P. MASTICHINAE | MASTICHINAE | Pilulae Mastichinae | Mastic Pills | Gentle purge. | According to Nicholas Culpeper, ingredients include: Mastich (Mastic), Aloes, Agrick(?), Species Hiera simple, and Syrup of Wormwood |
Various | P. MATHAEI | MATHAEI | Pilulae [Pacificae, vulgo] Mathaei | [Pacific, commonly called] Mathew's Pills | Reputed to be an antidote to various poisons. | From Richard Mathew (died 1661), English medical practitioner, who manufactured and sold the pill. |
Mercury | P. MERCURIAL | MERCURIAL | Pilulae MercurialS. | Mercurial Pills | Against Syphilis. | |
Various | P.
RVDII P. RUDII |
RVDII RUDII |
Pilulae Rudii | Rudius' Pills | Against Syphilis. | According to Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts, Rudius' Pills were "one of the most safe and certain cathartics in troublesome constipation". Ingredients included: Colocynth, Agaric, Black Helebore, Turpethum root (Operculina turpethum), Cinnamon, Mace and Cloves. |
Various | P.
STOM: CV. GV P STOM: C. G. P. STOM. CV GVM P. STOM: CUM: GUM |
STOM STOMACHICAE |
Pilulae Stomachicae cum Gum | Stomachic pills with gum | Opens obstructions of the spleen. | According to the Pharmacopœia Londinensis: or, the New London Dispensatory, this drug consisted of Aloes, 'Sena', 'Ammoniacum dissolved in Elder Vinegar', 'Mastich (gum mastic)', Myrrh, Saffron, 'Salt of Wormwood', and 'Syrup of Buckthorn'. It was used to 'purge melancholy, open opstructions of the spleen, and are good against surfeits. They strengthen the head and stomach, and disburden the lungs.' |
Mercury Various |
PIL. HYGRARG: | HIDRARGYRI | Pilulae Hydrargyri | Mercury pills | For sypnilis and skin compaints. | Was regarded as a cure-all during the 19th century. The pills consisted of about 30 per cent mercury, as well as liquorice, marshmallow and glycerin. Reputed to have been taken by Abraham Lincoln, who at one time showed symtoms of mercury poisoning. |
Anacyclus Pyrethrum Pyrethrum Spanish Pellitory |
RAD. PYRETHRI | PYRETHRE PYRETHRUM |
Radix pyrethri | Root
of Spanish Pellitory Pyrethrum root |
Used as a masticatory, and as a tincture for the relief of toothache. | Obtained from the root of Anacyclus Pyrethrum. It contains an alkaloid, pyrethrine. |
Various | RES. DRACON | DRACON DRAGON |
Resina draconis | Dragon's Resin | For fluxes and haemorrhages. | Dragon's blood is a bright red resin which is obtained from different species of a number of distinct plant genera: Croton, Dracaena, Daemonorops, Calamus rotang and Pterocarpus. The red resin has been in continuous use since ancient times as varnish, medicine, incense, and dye. It is an ingredient in Lucatellus's Balsam, see seperate entry in this list. |
Grape Vitis sp. |
S. AGRESTAE | AGRESTAE | Syrupus agrestae | Syrup of unripe grape | Comfort the stomach, reduce the heat of burning fevers. | |
Soap | S. ALB; | SAPO ALBUS | Sapo albus | White soap | An ingredient in pills. | |
Elderflower Sambucus nigra |
S. BAC. SAMB | SAMBUCAE SAMBUCUS |
Syrupus baccae sambucae | Syrup of Elderberry | ||
Glauber's salt Sodium sulfate |
S.
CATH: AMAR SAL. GLAUB: |
AMARUS CATHARTICUS GLAUBERI |
Sal
catharticus amarus Sal catharticus Glauberi |
Bitter
purging salt Glauber's salt |
A mild laxative | Amarus is from the Latin meaning 'bitter'. The German chemist, Johann Glauber (1604 - 1668) was the first to produce this salt from Hungarian spring waters. |
Chicory Cichorium intybus |
S. CICORA COMP. | CICORIA CICORA |
Compoun Syrup of Chicory | Mild cathartic (purgative). | ||
Coral weed Corallina officinalis |
S. CORRAL: SIMP. | CORALLINA | Simple Syrup of Corallina | For intestinal worms. | Used in some skin care preparations. | |
Liquorice Glycyrrhiza glabra |
S.
D. LIQIRIT: S. GLYCIRRHIZE |
LIQIRIT LIQUIRITIAE GLYCIRRHIZE |
Syrupus
de liquiritiae Syrupus Glycirhizae |
Syrup of Liquorice | Helps coughs, ulcers and obstructions of the lungs. | |
Mouse-ear Hawkweed Pilosella officinarum |
S.
D. PILOSELLA S. D. PILOSELL: |
PILOSELLA PILOSELL |
Syrupus de pilosellae | Syrup of Mouse Ear Hawkweed | Dries out ulcers and cures wounds. | |
Artemisia absinthium Wormwood |
S. D. ABSINTH | ABSINTH | Syrupus de Absinthio | Syrup of Wormwood | Opens obstructions of the liver and spleen, used against jaundice and dropsy. | |
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris Artemisia officinalis |
S.
D. ARTEMIS S. D. ARTEMISS |
ARTEMIS ARTEMISS |
Syrupus de Artemisiae | Syrup of Mugwort | Invented for 'womens diseases' promotes delivery, cleanses womb. | |
Hedge Mustard Sisymbrium officinale Erysimum officinale |
S.
DE ERYSI S. DE ERYSMO |
ERYSI ERYSMO |
Syrupus de erysimo | Syrup of Hedge Mustard | Pectoral, diseases of the lungs like asthma, hoarseness, ulcers of the lungs. | |
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis |
S. D. HYSOPO | HYSOPO | Syrupus de hyssopo | Syrup of Hyssop | Chest complaints. | |
Papaver somniferum | S.
D. MECON S. E. MECON |
MECON | Syrupus de Meconio | Syrup of Poppy | Opiate, pain reliever. | "The Syrupus Meconio or Diacodium is made of the poppy heads dryed, infused & boiled in water." The word 'meconium' is derived from the Greek for 'opium-like'. |
Rose Rosa sp. |
S.
DE ROS. SICC S. DE ROSIS SICC |
ROSIS | Syrupus de rosis siccis | Syrup of dry rosses. | Siccus' is Latin for 'dry'. | |
Purging Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica |
S.
DE SPIN CERVI S. S. DE SPINA C S. DE SPINAE CERVI S. DE: SPIN: CER S. E. SPIN: CER S. E. SPIN: CERV |
SPINA CERVINA | Syrupus de Spina Cervina | Syrup of Buckthorn | Purgative. | In 17th-century England this was the only native purgative. This plant was formerly known as Spina Cervina, literaly 'thorn' + 'buck' (as in deer). |
Betonica officinalis Wood Betony |
S. DE: BETONICA | BETONICA | Syrupus de Betonica | Syrup of Wood Betony | Remedy for arthritis and gout, also claimed to be effective against snake and dog bites. | |
Common Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea |
S.
DI HEDERATERE S. HAEDERAE IERR |
HEDERATERE HAEDERAE |
Syrupo di Hederatere | Syrup of Ground Ivy | Tuberculosis and other chest complaints. | |
Henbane Hyoscyamus niger |
S. Di. IVSQIAMO | IVSQIAMO | Syrupo di Jusquimo | Syrup of Henbane | ||
Succory Common Chicory Cichorium intybus Various |
S. E. CICH. CV. RH | CICHOREI | Syrupus e Cichorei cum Rhabarbaro | Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb | According to Nicholas Culpeper, this is a purging syrup. | It cleanses the body of venemous humours, as boils, carbuncles, and the like; it prevails against pestilential fevers, it strengthens the heart and nutritive virtue, purges by stool and urine, it makes a man have a good stomach to his meat, and provokes sleep. |
Morus nigra Black Mulberry |
S.
E. MORIS S. MOROR |
MORIS MOROR |
Syrupus [e Succo] Mororum | Syrup of Mulberries | The black mulberry berries are regarded as being laxative, a tonic for the blood, and anti-inflammatory | The black mulberry tree is originally from Persia, found within the area of modern-day Iran. |
Citrus limon Lemon |
S. E. SUC. LIM. | LIMON LIMONOM |
Syrupus e Succo Limonum | Syrup of Lemon Juice | "cheereth up the heavie heart, and dispelleth sorrow there from, and against all obstructions of the spleene is a good helpe, and also well approoved good in the cure of the Scurvy." | |
Borago officinalis Borage |
S.
E. SVC. BORAG S. E. SUC. BORAG |
BORAGINE BORAG BORAGE |
Syrupus e Succo Boragine | Syrup of Borage Juice | Comforts and revives the spirity, help epilepsy. | |
Fumitory Fumaris officinalis |
S.
E. SVCC. FVMARLAE S. E. SUCC. FUMARLAE |
FUMARIAE FVMARIAE |
Syrupus e Succus Fumariae | Syrup of Fumitory juice | ||
Wood Sorrel folia lujulae Oxalis sp. |
S. LVIVLA: | LVIVLA LUIULAE LUJULAE |
Syrupus Lujulae | Syrup of Wood Sorrel | Used to sweeten juleps and apolems. | |
Mint Mentha sp. |
S. MENTHAE | MENTHAE | Syrupsu Menthae | Syrup of Mint | Stops vomiting and diarrhoea. | |
Papaver somniferum | S. PAPAU. ALB | PAPAU | Syrupus Papaveris albi | Syrup of white poppies | Opiate, pain reliever. | |
Common Poppy Papaver rhoeas |
S.
PAPAV. ER S. PAPAV. ERR S. PAPAVER S. PAPAVER: ER: S. PAPAV. ERRAT S. PAP. ERR. |
PAPAVER
ER PAPAV ER |
Syrupus Papaveris Erratici | Syrup of Wild Poppies | For fevers and as a painkiller. | The common red poppy. |
Various | S. PECTOR. | PECTOR | Syrupus Pectoralis | Pectoral syrup | For possilbe uses see Pectoral Ointment | |
Various | S.
QUIN: RAD: SYR. QUInq: RAD: A: |
QUIN RAD | Syrupus de Quinque RadicibuS | Syrup fo the five [opening] roots. | Laxative. Reputed to clear the bile. And opstructions of the urine. | The five roots were smallage (celery), asparagus, fennel, parsley and butcher's broom. See references. |
Violet Viola sp. |
S.
VIOLAR S. UIOLAR S. VIOLARU S. VIOLARV |
VIOLAR UIOLAR VIOLARU VIOLARV |
Syrupus Violarum | Syrup of Violets | Reduces the heat of fevers, cures headaches, coughs, pains in the sides. | |
Ginger Zingiber officinale |
S.
ZINGIB SYR. ZINGIB |
ZINGIB | Syrupus Zingiber | Syrup of Ginger | Used agains ulcers. | |
Various | SY BISANTINI | BISANTINI | Syrupus byzantiis | Byzantium Syrup | Used in treatment of liver disorders. | Made from bugloss smallage (celery), hops and sugar. |
Clay | T. DE: TERRA: L | TERRA LEMNIA |
Trochisci de Terra Lemnia | Troches (tablets) of Lemnian earth | Used agains gonorrhoea, kills worms, good against malign and pestilential disease. It was considered an effective antidote to poisons, snakes bites and useful in treating fevers and the plague. | A Particular clay from the Aegean island of Lemnos has been valued since antiquity for its medicinal qualities. Pliny regarded it highly. |
Various | THER.
LONDINEN THER: LOND. THER: LONDIN |
THERIAC | Theriaca londiniense | London Theriac | A universal cure | Duplicate entry, see Venice Treacle. This would be a London version of theriac. |
Mercury Nitrate | U. CITRIN. | CITRIN CITRINUM |
Unguentum Citrinum | Ointment of Meruric Nitrate | Used as an escharotic agent. | Named for its lemon yellow colour, as in citron. The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians used mercury (in the form of mercuric sulfide) for cosmetic and decorative purposes, and in ointments. In the Middle Ages, mercuric salts were used in the treatment of vermin, lice, and most notably syphilis, when Paracelsus noted that a little might be useful but too much could be fatal, leading to his immortal dictum "the dose makes the poison". In the 18th century, the extensive use of mercuric nitrate in the hat-making industry led to the 'mad as a hatter syndrome'. |
Tobacco Nicotiana tabacum |
U.
E. NECOTIAN U. NICOTI. |
NECOTIAN | Unguentum e Nicotiana | Ointment of Tobacco | Cures bruises and wounds from poisoned weapons and skin diseases. | |
Mercury | U. NEAPOLIT. | NEAPOLIT NEAPOLITANUM |
Unguentum Neapolitanum | Naples ointment | A cure for syphalis | The first case of syphils was recorded in fifteenth centuary Rome. The Romans blamed the disease on the French, who in turn blamed it on the Neapolitans of Naples. Syphilis was treated using mercury on the basis that mercury is slightly more toxic to syphils than it is to humans. |
Populus sp. Various |
U. POPULEUM | POPULEUM | Unguentum populeum | Poplar Ointment | Used as an emollient to treat burns. | Made from poplar buds, black nightshade, henbane leaves amongst others. |
Rosa sp. | V. POMATVM | POMATUM POMATVM |
Uguentum Pomatum | Pomatum Ointment | Yet another rose based drug. Usually associated with hair products, early recipes probably did contain apples and used rose as a scent. | |
Lead | VNG: DI: PLOMBO | PLOMBO | Unguento di Plombo | Lead Ointment | See CER: PLUMB:f | |
VNG: TO D'AGRIPPA | VNG: TO D'AGRIPPA | AGRIPPA | Agrippa's Ointment | For tumors and dropsy | Named after Heron Agrippa, the last Jewish king of Judea. He was born in 11BC. |
Most of the more complete descriptions above came from this book: 'Early English Drug Jars' by Geoffrey Eliot Howard, although the Glossary of Drugs it contains was compiled by C J S Thompson MBE.
However most of the entries came from a private communication with the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds. Here they have an extensive collection of early drug jars, which are accompanied by a folder listing the contents of the jars. Although the descriptions of the contents are, for most of the entries quite brief, there are a lot of them. The staff at the museum were good enough to photocopy the complete folder for me, which provided source material for the descriptions above. If you search for Thackray Museum of Medicine > discover, you can see pictures of some of the actual jars.
Another useful source of information came from the book 'Apothecary Jars' by Rudolf E A Drey. There is an extensive glossary of drug jar terms, although most of these are confined to the translation of Latin terms into colloquial English.
Searching online for the name of the drug also provides useful information (in some cases at least).
The above list was digitised by Doctor Dulcamara (a harmless drudge)