BOOK 8 ON THE POWERS [OF SIMPLE MEDICINES]

Chartier Edition, Vol. 13. [183.]

Basel Edition, Vol. 2. (87.)

...combination. Therefore, it moderately promotes urination original: "οὐρητικός" (ourētikos) or "urina movet"; a diuretic and is mixed into treatments applied to the liver and stomach. It is also usefully added to uterine fomentations original: "πυρίας" (pyrias) or "fomenta"; warm medicinal steams or packs used to treat inflammation or to stimulate menstruation original: "καταμηνίων ἐρεθισμοῦ" (katamēniōn erethismou); literally "the irritation of the monthly flows".

Let it be placed in the second degree of those substances that heat and dry, though it dries more powerfully than it heats. It possesses a certain quality of fine particles original: "λεπτομερὲς" (leptomeres) or "tenuitas partium"; referring to a substance that is subtle and able to penetrate deep into the body's tissues, just as all other aromatic substances do. However, while most aromatics have a great abundance of these fine particles, this reed does not have very many.

3. About the Common Reed

Some authors have written that the root of the common reed original: "κάλαμος φραγμίτης" (kalamos phragmitēs) or "calamus phragmitis"; likely the common marsh reed, Phragmites australis, when used with bulbs, can draw out thorns and splinters from deep within the flesh, as if it possessed a certain pulling power. I have not personally tested this claim. However, judging by its taste, it possesses a significant cleansing power original: "ῥυπτικῆς" (rhyptikēs) or "abstergentem"; a detergent quality used to clear away unwanted substances, though it is not at all pungent.

The green leaves are moderately cooling, while also sharing in this cleansing power. The bark of this reed, when burnt, becomes a substance of very fine particles and possesses a dispersive power original: "διαφορητικῆς" (diaphorētikēs) or "digerentis"; the ability to break up, dissipate, or evaporate fluids or swellings. It also has a cleansing quality, so that it dri—