Sunday, November 8, 2020

Materia Medica Lesson 7-6: Ferula, Ancient Silphium

 The herb, Asafetdita... the legit, real thing, is one of those herbs that had like a mystic reputation in old herbs. Apparently, it really stinks - I've never encountered the real thing. But, it was used for sleep, aphrodisiac, contraceptive, asthma and to ward off evil spirits and curses... etc. Liver stimulant. I don't think the cooking spice has anything in common with the medicinal herb, at least in effect.... I mean, you wouldn't cook with "devil's dung"! Anyway, it was once the most expensive substance on earth and the real thing may have been picked into extinction.

Musk root is used now, but still very rare. Tonic to nervous system. Particularly good for nervous exhaustion and for recovery from long illnesses.

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

SILPHIUM 

Alopecia (externally). 

ASAFETIDA (Ferula asafetida,Devil's Dung, Stinkasant) GUM. Tincture [1:5, 85% alcohol] 5-20 drops. STATUS : W(rare)/C

SUMBUL (Ferula sumbul, Musk Root, Jatamansi) ROOT.Tincture [1:5, 95% alcohol] 5-20 drops. Cold Infusion, 1-4 oz., to 3X a day STATUS : U

From  SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:

ASAFETIDA Gastroenteritis with flatulence and palpitations. Impotence/frigidity with depressed circulation and intestinal function.

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/

No comments:

Post a Comment

Show 212: Morel Mushrooms and Veronica Speedwell

  Listen to "Show 212: Morel Mushrooms and Veronica Speedwell" on Spreaker. In this episode I discuss Both the medicinal and culin...