GALEN ON THE MIXTURES AND POWERS OF SIMPLE MEDICINES

...two drachms, given with water for those suffering from fever, but with wine for those without fever. Furthermore, according to the action of all its combined qualities, it is suitable for ruptures, convulsions, difficulty breathing dyspnea: shortness of breath or labored breathing, and for long standing coughs. In these cases, it is not only necessary to evacuate what is contrary to nature, but also to strengthen and tone the parts that have been cleared.

For the purpose of evacuation, sharpness is useful, provided it is not alone or pure. It should be mixed with some sweetness, or at least not entirely with bitterness. The medicine will not have such great force or violence if a well tempered substance is mixed with it. Sweetness is such a substance. To strengthen and contract the parts that were evacuated, astringency stypsis: a drying or contracting quality in medicine is required. Its juice performs the same actions as the root. Some people use this medicine instead of lycium lycium: a medicinal plant extract often used as an astringent for eyes and wounds.

(90) [18. On Small Centaury.]

The root of small centaury small centaury: Centaurium erythraea, a plant famous for its bitter properties, distinct from the Great Centaury mentioned previously is completely ineffective. However, the branches, and even more so the leaves upon them and the flowers, are most useful. The bitter quality prevails in them, which also shares a little astringency. Because of this mixture, it is a strongly drying medicine...