Miss Efficient
Bitter melon is known as Miss Efficient in Nigeria for its certainty as an abortifacient. In Cameroon the seeds are used as a pessary. In Nigeria a decoction of the leaves and salt is taken as a ‘morning-after’ remedy after …
Tansy, Feverfew and Mullein. Receptaria: Hildegard von Bingen
Tansy emmenagogue A woman who is in pain from obstructed menses should take TANSY (Tanacetum vulgare) and equal weight FEVERFEW (Tanacetum parthanium), a bit more MULLEIN (Verbascum) than either of the others. She should cook these in water FROM A FREELY FLOWING STREAM which is tempered by the SUN AND AIR.
Receptaria: Tansy & gin
Very much recognised as an emmenagogue….. A strong decoction or infusion of the herb is in common use…
Aqua Matricariae
White bryony (Bryonia) roots juice 3 quarts; Feverfew (Tanecetum Matricaria /Parthanium) and Rue (Ruta graveolens) 3 pint each; Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and Thyme (Thymus vulgare) leaves, Savin (Juniperus sabina) leaf tops; Tree of Life, Myrrh (could be Myrrhis odorata) leaf … Read More
Receptaria : Savin pessary
This remedy, also given to abort a dead fetus and to promote afterbirth and menstruation, contained a number of likely effective abortifacients: Take half a pound of iris roots (Iris foetidissima / pseudacorus / germanica) and half an ounce of … Read More
The Diuretic Syrup
Take the Bark of the Roots of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and that of Parsley (Petroselinum crispum/sativum), each 8 ounces; Spring Water 3 quarts. Digest in a moderate Heat for a Night; then boil them together till a Quart be evaporated. … Read More
Hysteric Troches
Take of Asa Foetida (Ferula – dried latex/gum) and Galbanum (Ferula gummosa – aromatic gum resin) each 2 drams and half; Myrrh (Commiphora myrrh – resin), 2 drams; Castor (ricinus communis), a dram and half; Birthwort Root (Aristolochia clematitis), 2 … Read More
The Savin Pills
Take the tops of Savin (Juniperus sabina), half a dram; Saffron (Crocus sativus) and Castor (Ricinus communis), each 15 grains; Take HYSTERIC TROCHES (see separate recipe), a dram; DIURETIC SYRUP (see separate recipe), what is requisite to make them into … Read More
Receptaria:Cuckoo-Pint
A dram of powder of dried root of Cuckoo-Pint (and twice as much sugar in the form of licking electuary) taken in wine or other drink, or juice of the berries, or powder of the berries, or wine wherein they … Read More
Miss Efficient
Momordica charantia, aka Miss Efficient. A Cameroon abortive pessary: 10 seeds are ground to a past and divided into three small balls using saliva. One ball is inserted into the vagina, once a day, before going to bed. It will … Read More