Haritaki benefits from the 13th century in Europe using Glysters

Haritaki benefits from the 13th century in Europe using Glysters

 

European medica from the 13th century features Haritaki
European medica from the 13th century features Haritaki

Glysters are suppositories or enemas used to heal any number of health conditions.

Here is a good reference to them  being used to help with horses.

https://books.google.com/books?id=zOVhAAAAcAAJ&pg=PT165&lpg=PT165&dq=glysters&source=bl&ots=nZMhQsfnTB&sig=cHHneC-tIsU0RO14xdAyNWBl0mU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-u4rY87nLAhUU6mMKHUs-DCIQ6AEIRjAI#v=onepage&q=glysters&f=false

Haritaki enemas or glysters are identified here in this poem from the 13th century.

 

THE POEM ON THE BUBAS. II9

Of glysters.

|ND lavements he should use that are appropriate,

For the which some anise, centaury, and fennel should

And chamomile and carthamus and violet, [be ta’en.

And also epithymum and mixed prunes you get.

And raisins stoned, like portions each, and put them in a pan;

And when they are well boiled and strained aright

Add cassia fistula an ounce and a half,

One ounce of benedicta and of hiera with it,

And the honey, salt, and common oil as requisite,

‘Tis loosening, evacuant, remedial, and safe.

LIV.

Of the minorative to he taken by the mouth.

 

This done for eight days’ term consecutively.

He should then take this decoction as a minorative.

Of yellow mirabolans an ounce let there be.

And also some fine chebulic and Indian, all three.

To boil with these of plums two ounces you will have.

To which some epithymum and some lavender you add.

And of tamarinds an ounce and a half thereunto.

Of palomine and raisins one ounce each should be had.

With three pounds of water the decoction will be made,

And keep it on the fire till you’ve wasted two.

 

https://archive.org/stream/b21782052#page/120/mode/2up

Author of this work is: Francisco López de Villalobos o Francisco de Villalobos, (VillalobosZamora1473 – Valderas, provincia de León, 1549)

Find our more about him at this link: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_L%C3%B3pez_de_Villalobos

He was born in Spain and served as doctor to the royal court of Spain. His first published work was on medicine called a “Summary of Medicine” As you can see from this, Haritaki was well established as a useful herb in the courts of Europe during this time period. In this case Haritaki was used as a cure for syphilis.

To find out more about the benefits and side effects of Haritaki click here

14th century purge details of use of Haritaki
14th century purge details of use of Haritaki

This is the cover of the book of Medicine below:

 14th Centurey Spanish Materia Medica with Haritaki
14th Centurey Spanish Materia Medica with Haritaki

 

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