Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
An Irish Materia Medica (Author: Tadhg Ó Cuinn)

subsection 70

70. Cameactis, ebulus: i.e. the dwarf elder; it is hot and dry in the second degree; it has the same virtues and operations as the sambucus (elder) except that the sambucus has a greater laxative virtue; it has the attractive virtue, and the virtue of expelling the viscous humours; this herb has the virtue of purging above and below; it should not be given except when the matter has been digested and when the body has been prepared for purging and for undertaking a flux;


p.500

similarly, that is how every emetic should be administered, when the matter has first been digested. This herb serves well against tercian fever and the yolky cholera; this herb is good against oppilation of the lever and spleen, colic, arthritis, white leg, and podagra; this is how it should be administered i.e. half an eggshell full of the juice of this herb, with the same amount of white wine, will relax and purge the matter we have referred to. Item, the roots of this herb should be boiled in water and modified with oximel and with a laxative syrup. If the juice of this herb and the same amount of honey be boiled together and given as a purge, it will serve well. Item, if a bath be made with the tops of this herb, and the steam of it be allowed under a person suffering from cold dropsy, it will be good for him. Item, a fomentation of the foliage of this herb against every swelling or a fall or a blow, and it will drive away pains, dissolve swelling, and strengthen the nerves. Item, the juice of this herb, powder of petty spurge, and sugar, if they be mixed together and given as a purge, it will serve well. Item, make a powder of the root of this herb, with juice of fennel, juice of celery, and sugar, and give it as a purge. Item, a fomentation of this herb is good against swelling of the feet and hands, and for dropsy patients. Item, boil this herb in its own juice and make a plaster of it for podagra, chiragra and arthritis.