1. the act or process of boiling anything in a watery fluid to extract its virtues.
2. an extract got from a body by boiling it in water.

in pharmacy decoction is opposed to infusion, where there is merely steeping. –latham. (more info below)
general preparation guidelines

(do not use metal pots for preparing. use ceramic or enamelled cookware.)
Helen’s note’s there are exceptions with pure stainless steel. NOT ALL POTS ARE PURE STAINLESS STEEL!! All plants from the poke family (Bloodroot, golden seal, poke root at no time should be proccessed in stainless steel.) The metal weakens its energy / polarity wise and even chemically. These are very aggressive herbs and are drawing herbs.
Hard herbs such as barks, twigs, stems, roots, hulls and seeds,are best prepared as decoctions; the higher temperature ensures that the active ingredients are actually released into the water.
for dried herbs add one teaspoonful to each cup of water; three teaspoonfuls per cup for fresh herbs.
crushing dry herbs to release there vital oils and finely chopping fresh helps speed the process along.
boil the mixture for a minute, then simmer at medium heat, with the lid on, for about 15-20 minutes depending on the denscity of the plant matter..
strain the decoction before drinking.

1-3 tea cups are usually drank a day demending on the condition

Try some of these herbs for yourself and you can be your own spice doctor.

Allspice

Great at relieving flatulence and dyspeptic pain, helps with nervous exhaustion, gas, and diarrhea.  It may be applied as a compress in cases of rheumatism and neuralgia

Anise

Excellent for improving memory, colds, flu, cough, bronchitis, sinusitis, gas, colic, tension, lactation (not pregnancy!), eye brightener, fresh breath.  Anise is very useful for breaking up mucus and is used for hard, dry coughs where expectoration is difficult.  A tea is made by adding a cup of boiled water to three teaspoons of crushed seeds, steeping for 20-minutes.  This may be used to stimulate the productions of mother’s milk.  The seeds may be smoked or added to a cough syrup formula.  It is also used as a stimulant and carminative to treat flatulence and colic, taken as a tea.  Added to laxative formulas, it will reduce cramping of the bowels.

For hacking coughs add 7 teaspoons of Anise Seeds to 1 quart of boiling water and then simmer down to 1 1/2 pints.  Strain and add 4 teaspoons each of honey and glycerin.  Take 2 tsp. of this syrup every few hours to relieve the cough.

To improve memory, take 2 tablespoons, 3 times a day.

Basil

A basil tea is good for lowering blood sugar levels and blood pressure, relieves colds, fever, congestion, joint pain, analgesic, anti-inflammatory. Externally applied to insect bites, skin infections.  A Basil tea is good to use for indigestion, fevers, colds, flu, kidney and bladder troubles, headaches, cramps, nausea, vomiting, constipation and nervous conditions.  A tea made of one heaping tablespoon to one pint of water simmered for 20-minutes with 3 crushed black peppercorns per cup will be effective for most fevers.

Traditional uses: coughs, colds, fevers, headaches, lung problems, abdominal distention, absorption, arthritis, memory, nasal congestion, nerve tissue strengthening,  clears the lungs, heart tonic, oxygenates the body, cleanses and clears the brain and nerves, relieves depression and the effects of poisons, difficult urination, prevents the accumulation of fat in the body (especialy for women after menopause), obstinate skin diseases, arthritis, rheumatism, first stages of many cancers, builds the immune system.

Basil contains the trace mineral copper (organic form), needed to absorb iron.

Bay Leaf

Internally good to stimulate appetite, promote digestion, relieve colic and flatulence.  Externally good for dandruff, boosting hair growth, rheumatism, sprains, scabies, and bruises. Also externally, can be applied as a poultice on the chest with a cloth covering to relieve bronchitis and coughs. An oil infused with Bay Leaves can be applied with great benefit to rheumatic and arthritic aches and pains as well as to swellings and sprains.

Pepper (black)

Pepper is an excellent remedy one can take at the first sign of most diseases.  Yogis consider Pepper to be one of nature’s most perfect foods and useful not only to cure disease but also as a preventive, taking a dose of seven peppercorns, ground, and mixed with honey each morning.  The mixture of pepper and honey is useful to overcome cold mucous diseases and sore throats.  When treating acute diseases, it may be used three to four times a day.  Useful for asthma, boils, colic, cough, diarrhea, fever, gas, hemorrhoids, indigestion, chronic rheumatism, obesity, phlegm, sinus congestion, skin diseases, sore throat, and worms.

Cardomom

Cardamom is often used to treat indigestion and gas.  It warms the body and is good for darrhea, colic and headaches.  It is an important ingredient in Chai tea, an Indian spice valued for its warm, stimulating effects.  To make this tea, mix one teaspoon of ginger, add seven peppercorns, a cinnamon stick, five cloves, and 15 cardamom seeds and heat in one pint of water, simmering for 10-minutes.  Then add one-half cup of milk and simmer for another 10-minutes.  Add a sprinkle of nutmeg and a few drops of vanilla extract.  Drink one cup of the tea, sweetened with honey, twice per day or as needed for warmth.

Cayenne (red) Pepper

Considered a superior crisis herb, useful as a first aid remedy for most conditions.  Taken as a daily tonic, one-quarter teaspoon three times daily, it is beneficial for the heart and circulation, preventing heart attack, strokes, colds, flu, dimished vitality, headaches, indidgestion, depression, and arthritis.  Cayenne is hot, but it not harmful. It may be difficult to swallow for a beginning user.  Cayenne powder can be rubbed on toothaches, swellings, and inflammations.  A remedy for arthritis is to rub a little Cayenne over the inflamed joint and wrap a red flannel around it to remain throughout the night.  The pain is usually relieved by morning.  A little Cayenne on a banana skin placed on the skin with a bandage will remarkably draw out any foreign object (splinters, etc) embedded in the flesh.

Cilantro

Used traditionally for digestive and gastric complaints as well as for coughs, chest pains, bladder complaints, leprosy rash, fever, dysentery, externally for headaches, oral and pharyngeal disorders, halitosis, and post-partal complications.  Can be applied externally for rheumatism and painful joints.  It improves the flavor of other medicinal preparations.  Once thought to be an aphrodisiac.  Chinese herbalists use Cilantro to remove unpleasant odors occurring in the genital areas of men and women, as well as bad breath.

Cinnamon

Very helpful for digestive problems especially when accompanied by gas and cramping, diarrhea, vomiting.  Also used to treat colds, flu, arthritis and rheumatism. Medicinally it is used to warm the organs to treat chronic diarrhea, cramps, heart and abdominal pain.  It is effectively used as a tincture given every fifteen minutes or so to stop bleeding from the uterus.  Simmered in milk and taken with a little honey, Cinnamon is very effective for indigestion and gas, diarrhea, and dysentery.  Not for the pregnant.

Traditional uses: backaches, bronchitis, colds, congestion, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, flu, gas, headaches, hiccup, indigestion, liver problems, menorrhagia, menstrual pain, melancholy, muscle tension, nausea, pain of the waist and knees, palpitations, toothache, vomiting.

Cloves

Internally good for pain relief, nausea, vomiting, digestive problems, antifungal, antibacterial, hiccups.  Cloves will kill intestinal parasites and act as an antimicrobial agent against fungi and bacteria.  Externally good for insect bites, myalgia, and rheumatism. May be chewed for toothaches.  Eating cloves is said to be an aphrodisiac.

To make an infusion, use 1 teaspoon of powdered herb per cup of boiling water, steep 10-20 minutes and drink up to 3 cups a day.

Coriander Seed

Coriander Seeds are added to hot stimulating foods to impart a balanced coolness.  Steeped in tea, it is useful to relieve fevers (a small amount of black pepper may be added to stimulate its action).  Use 2 teaspoons of crushed seeds in a cup of boiled water and steep for 20-minutes.  Before the invention of toothpaste, coriander seeds were chewed as a breath sweetener.  Coriander is added to laxative formulas to help prevent cramping.

Curry

A blend of ginger, turmeric, cardamom and other spices that have been shown to increase metabolism, help breathing, and reduce cholesterol.

Garlic

Useful for asthma, bronchitis, circulation, colitis, coughs, gas, high blood pressure, intestinal infections, lungs, parasitic diarrhea, warts, worms, anti-fungal, arthritis, blood purifier, cancer, cold, fever, flu, infections, detox liver, mucus, prostate, toothache, tumors, whooping cough, and yeast infections.

Ginger

Good for bronchitis, colds, muscle and menstrual cramps, energy, sore throat, circulation, cough, digestion, flu.  Externally, Ginger is applied as a fomentation for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and stiff joints. Simmer one ounce of dried Ginger Root in two quarts of water for ten minutes. Strain and soak a cloth in the water and apply to the affected area.  Keep changing the cloth to keep a constant warm temperature on the skin.  The skin should become red as the circulation increased.

For children and adults with bronchial coughs: mix Ginger Root powder with a non-petroleum jelly and rub on their chest to help loosen coughs and expel mucous.  Works great!

Lemongrass

Useful for menstruation disorders, congestive and neuralgic forms of dysmenorrhea, vomiting, diarrhea, colic, flatulence, muscle spasms, fever, catarrh. For fevers, combine with ginger, sugar, and cinnamon.  Good for children’s digestive system. Externally, great for lumbago, chronic rheumatism, neuralgia, ringworm, lice, athletes foot, scabies, and sprains.  Mix with pure coconut oil to apply as a liniment.

Marjoram

A tea made from Marjoram is used for an upset stomach, headache, colic, and a variety of nervous complaints.  It can be used for cramps and nausea associated with menstruation and for severe cases of abdominal cramps.  It is also considered helpful for seasickness.  It can be added to the bath to promote a calming effect and to relieve insomnia.  Marjoram is applied as a fomentation to painful swellings and rheumatic joints and in salves to stimulate the circulation.

Mustard

Internally, a teaspoon full of crushed seeds in warm water acts as a mild laxative and blood purifier.  Externally, a Mustard infused oil is used to stimulate local circulation.  A Mustard plaster is used for aches, sprains, spasms, and cold areas needing ciruculation.  It should not be used on tender, sensitive areas and if it seems to strong, the Mustard may be diluted with a little rye flour.

Nutmeg

A small amount of Nutmeg, about the size of a pea, can be taken once daily over a long period to relieve chronic nervous disorders and heart problems.  Internally good for diarrhea, dysentery, gastroenteritis, vomiting, bloating, indigestion, colic.  Externally good for eczema, rheumatic and abdominal pain.

Oregano

Oregano helps to settle flatulence and stimulates the flow of bile, useful promoter of menstruation. Great for headaches.  It is often used in the treatment of colds and flu also, the infusion is used in coughs and whooping cough. Use as a mouthwash for inflammations of the mouth and throat. It may also be used externally for infected cuts and wounds and may be applied as a hot fomentation to relieve painful swellings and rheumatism, as well as for colic.  A lotion may be made which will soothe stings and bites.  As with basil, it has been suggested that eating a lot of oregano can help repel mosquitoes.  Oregano has many of the medicinal attributes of the other marjorams, but it also contains further essential oils which make it much more antiseptic in action, both internally and externally.

Paprika

Good source of Vitamin C. Acts as antioxidant. Mild form of cayenne pepper which serves as a carrier for other nutrients.

Parsley

Internally used as a diuretic, to relax spasms, reduce inflammation, clear toxins in the body, inhibit tumor growth, menstrual complaints, urinary tract problems, gas, dyspepsia, rheumatism, arthritis, anemia, anorexia, colic, indigestion, lactation.  Externally relieves itching.

Rosemary

Commonly used as an aspirin substitute for headaches. Internally good for improving digestion, gas, rheumatism, circulatory problems, headaches, nervous complaints, antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial. Good as a mouthwash for gums and sore throat.  Externally use in baldness shampoos, increases circulation, scalp stimulation, and dandruff.

Sage

Internally good for indigestion, gas, reduce excessive lactation, night sweats-especially menopausal, excessive salivation, profuse perspiration, anxiety, depression, female sterility, and menopausal problems.  It should not be used for more than a week, but during this period, the tea may be taken up to 3 times per day.  Externally good for insect bites, throat mouth and gum infections, vaginal discharge, combats greasy and oily hair and scalp and helpful with acne.

Thyme

A tea made with thyme is commonly used for bronchial problems such as acute bronchitis, whooping cough and laryngitis.  It is aso beneficail for the treatment of diarrhea, chronic gastritis, and lack of appetite.  Uses: alcoholism, headache, mucus, stomach, worms, parasites, hangover, infection, respiratory, stomach cramps.  Externally, its antiseptic properties make it a useful mouthwash and cleansing wash for the skin.  It will destroy fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and skin parasites such as scabies, crabs and lice.  For those purposes, a tincture made from 4 ounces of Thyme to a pint of alcohol is used.  It is said that Thyme is to the trachea and bronchitis what peppermint is to the intestines and stomach. It contains an aromatic oil called thymol that is responsible for many of its excellent properties.

Turmeric

Makes an excellent arthritis tea! Strong anti-inflammatory, blood purifier, hepatitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, bruises, colic, ulcers, hemorrhages, yeast infections, antiseptic. It can be used internally and externally to heal wounds, relieve pains in the limbs, break up congestion and as a restorative after the loss of blood from childbirth.

Turmeric Arthritis Tea Recipe: 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric, 3 cardamom pods (optional), 1/4 cup water. Simmer 5 to 7 minutes, then add 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons almond oil (cold pressed). Bring just to the boiling point (but do not boil). Add honey or Agave Nectar to taste. Sip slowly as a hot tea.

One is a simple mustard plaster. Its simple to make and it really helps break up congestion of the bronchial’s and reduces pain from excess coughing. We tend to take for granted all of the old remedies that are available in the kitchen cabinet that we put together in a pinch. This is one of them.

To make a basic mustard plaster you will need…….

dry mustard
flour (any kind)
salt
hot water
Vicks vaporub or any equivalent.
two pieces of quality paper toweling
olive or vegetable oil (if you have sensitive skin)

In a glass or metal bowl put 2 tablespoons of dry mustard, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 cup of flour and mix well.
Plop 1 teaspoon of vaporub and pour in enough hot water to make a spreadable paste.

Spread on to a paper towel with out getting to close to the edge. And place the other paper towel on top.

Place on the chest for 20 minutes every hour for up to three times. But don’t leave on to long or it may irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin put a thin layer of olive oil on the skin before applying. Can be refrigerated and used up to twelve times. It can be reheated in the microwave for 30 seconds before applying.

Besides being used for congestion, it can also be used on a frozen shoulder or knee and relieves pain from arthritis. Just follow the same directions above.

Stay well and warm during this winter season from Helene Gentili at Botanica West

In a large enough jar, place 4 oz of dried herb to each pint of alcohol (vodka – no more than 30% alcohol), or 8oz of fresh herbs, and close tightly. (Some use 100 proof but that is for medical herbalism in general because it double tinctures well and quickly)
keep the jar in a warm place, and shake twice daily.
after 14 days, you can strain the liquid through cheesecloth.
store in a dark air-tight bottle.
Optional (Helene’s note’s) You can place on a warmer as one used for a mug warmer and tincture in half the time but the tincture has better healing energy if the full fourteen days and slower process. One really shouldn’t hurry good medicine. Do not tincture in sunlight unless the jars are covered in a black or dark cover to absorb heat.
My favorite way to tincture is to use the heat of the sun and uncover at night and recover at bedtime to get the energy of the moon. I shake with the left hand on the bottom and my right on top. This how I was taught. Shake in increments of seven for completion as in the seven creative days.

This is a general rule of thumb I teach my apprentices on how to create an herbal remedy.

One part demulcent.
One part Aromatic.
One part Laxative. (optional, see below)
Two parts Active Herb.

Demulcents are substances taken internally for
their soothing or protective coating like properties,
to prevent irritation.
Some popular ones being;
Comfrey root
Flaxseed
Okra pods
Oatmeal
Irish moss
Licorice
Psyllium seed
Slippery Elm bark
Aromatics are substances with a fragrant smell,
which produce a peculiar sensation of warmth
and pungency.
Some popular ones being;
Anise seed
Caraway seed
Catnip
Cinnamon
Cloves
Coriander
Cumin
Eucalyptus
Fennel
Ginger
Mace (Nutmeg)
Mint (All)
Laxatives or Cathartics, eliminate poisons.
Psyllium seed, which is listed as a Demulcent,
in large enough quantities also has a laxative
effect. Others are;
Cascara bark
Castor Oil
Senna
Aloes
Jalap root Blue flag root
Buckthorn bark
All of the above mentioned herbs are available through
any herb store or many mail order companies. Many cross
over from one category to the next. Catnip, which is an
Aromatic is also a relaxant, so it would not be combined
in stimulant preparations. Consult a good herb book from
the library or local book store for possible side effects
before compounding any herbal remedy.
The presence of the demulcent and
the aromatic are self explanatory.
If the potion is repulsive to the senses
one is not inclined to use it.
The laxative is an important part as
without proper evacuation of the
poisons healing can not occur.
On the other hand this ingredient may be
omitted in the case of treating bowel problems.
Doctrine of signatures and the Hot/Cold
principals can be employed for determining
the active principal.

Mountain Medicinal Plants- What drew me to the mountains was the wide variety of medicinal plants growing wild right by my door. You may have a full medicine chest right in your own back yard.
One of the easiest herbs to spot are those cute little clusters of small daisy like flowers come up around late summer just in time for cold and flu season. These are called feverfew (pyrethrum parthenium). This herb is well known to curb migraine headaches, but it also works well as a fever reducer because it promotes sweating. It regulates the circulatory system and its effect on the skin and nervous system. Its very safe to use even wThis herb can be dried and made into a infusion or a tea or for prolonged use you can tincture it in alcohol. I’ll give directions for this method at the end of this article.
Another common herb and one I use often is Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) It has many uses and is excellent for stopping hemorrhaging. You can sprinkle it over a bleeding wound but make sure its clean and the yarrow stops bleeding almost immediately. We make a Yarrow tea in our clinic called flood gates tea and it can actually stop your menses. Yarrow is an excellent blood tonic if you feel run down. Yarrow juice clears up blood shot eyes. It strengthens weak kidneys and aids digestion and clears excess mucus. The list can go on and on. The whole plant can be used. It can made in a tea or tinctured or dried powders and put in capsule. This herb was named after the God Achilles you the Greek god with the heel problem. He was dipped into the river of Immorality as a baby by his heel and of course his heel didn’t get wet. So he had a mortal heel that wouldn’t heal. So his mother made him a pouch to carry yarrow to rub on his heel to protect and heal it. Romans carried it into battle the same way to treat wounds received in battle. You should try this truly versatile herb.
Another blood cleansing herb that grows wild in the mountain is Yellow Dock (Rumix crispis) It’s a member of the buckwheat family, it grows 2-3 feet high with slender crip edged leaves that are light green in color. It has numerous flowers on the top stalk. The useful part of this plant is the roots. Its high in iron and builds blood. Yellow Dock is a favorite herb from the early settlers, Native Americans, Old time Doctor’s and Herbalists for centuries. It is used for eruptive diseases like discharge from the eyes, nose, ears, and ulcerated skin. I make a tea for teenagers for acne that works quite well and the main ingredient is Yellow dock. Its widely used for cancer treatment because of its high mineral content and ability remove waste from the body through blood and lymph. It was given to the chronically ill, elderly and weakness in females. It can be dried powdered and capsuled, decocted or tinctured. Very useful in immune building.
Stinging Nettle (Uritica dioca) has multiple uses, it helps to expel phlegm from the lungs and stomach and cleans the urinary canal. We use it to treat gout, gravel in the urine, whooping cough, vertigo, hemorrhage of the uterus and Rheumatic conditions. Stinging Nettle is a popular herb for seasonal allergy. Always remember Nettle for mountain allergy and Echinacea for plains allergy. An old allergy formula that works very well as an over all allergy medicine is one part of each of the following ingredients, nettles, thyme, fenugreek and Echinacea made into a tincture. It works better than your over the counter products that weaken the immune system and make you feel drowsy or groggy.
Gather stinging nettles with thick rubber gloves and dry in brown paper sacks. Like poison Ivy nettles have a stinging action though not as severe but still unpleasant. When dried crush them in the sack you dried them in and store in a glass jar in a cool dark place. Use gloves when handling the dry nettles or your skin can get quite itchy. Nettles can be made into a tea or tinctured in alcohol.
Blue Flag (Iris Versicolor) are wild Iris’s that flower on the mountain May through July. Many never hear much of this medicinal plant because of its short season. This herb performs miracles and was widely used by Native Americans for use during sweat lodge ceremony. It has the amazing ability to improve lymph circulation . It is also used to treat thyroid imbalance and was a standard treatment for secondary Syphilis. A valuable substance for diseases of the blood and kidney and spleen infections. It has been known to relieve chronic hip disease. Clinically it has been recognized to treat bronchitis and teething babies. The part of the plant that is used is the root and rhizome. When harvesting blue flag cut each end of the root and rhizome and replant them for the next year. When taking medicinal plants from the mountain you must practice responsible wild crafting so as not to strip the mountain of its valuable resources.
At the forestry service station in Sky Forest they have wonderful poster of edible and medicinal plants for a small cost. That way you can learn to recognize these plants and get to know them well. There are excellent books at your public library with photos and drawings and explanations of there uses as well as the internet.
Now I mentioned earlier about how to make a tincture first you dig up a clean mason jar with a lid, 100 proof vodka (80 proof is Ok and so is brandy) or organic apple cider vinegar. For fresh herb leaf and flower chop and fill loosely a little over half full. Fill with vinegar or vodka and seal with a lid and shake every day for at least two weeks. Strain and store in a amber bottle. For roots you crush the roots and fill a little less then half way and fill the same as above and shake every day for 3-4 weeks. Strain and store the same way. Or as my Great grandmother taught my me you tincture until the herbs look tired. The herbs will keep there medicinal properties for two years in vinegar and up to 10 years in 100 proof vodka. To learn more about using herbs in healing talk to a knowledgeable herbalist before attempting to use these herbs for medicinal purposes. Herbal healing is an art and takes years of practice to be good at it and years of unending learning. Start now with your back yard pharmacy and get to know your Medicinal Mountain.
Disclaimer ;This article is not intended diagnose or make any attempt to cure any disease condition, and we make no claims or imply any claims that suggestions given to the reader are to cure any conditions. Furthermore, we do not claim that anything written in this article we may suggest will cure any condition or that its purpose is to treat any condition. In essence, we do not intend to prescribe for, or teach you to treat any disease.

Another condition is aire de oido (air in the ear). This is believed to occur when a person, especially a child, is exposed to cold air or a strong wind. Air enters the ear and causes the condition. The patient will complain of earache, altered hearing, and headache. The folk treatment for aire de oido is to roll a piece of paper into a cone, place the small end of the cone into the ear canal, and light the large end with a match. The flame will create a vacuum that will evacuate the offending air from the ear. Aire de oido may be mistaken for a legitimate ear infection (otitis media), which requires antibiotics.

In addition to the “illnesses” described above, many signs and symptoms of traditional illnesses cause increased concern in many members of the Mexican-American population. Fever ( calentura or fiebre ) is worrisome. Many see fever as a discrete disease, not as a symptom of broader processes such as infection. Also, increased sputum ( flema ) is a cause for concern and may also be thought to be an illness in and of itself. This belief can be traced back to one of the four “humors” of Greek medicine.

. Not all Mexican-Americans practice folk medicine. However, to those who do believe, it is as real as any traditional illness.

]]> http://mountaincurandera.wordpress.com/2009/01/23/common-mexican-american-folk-illnesses/feed/ 0 botanicawest http://mountaincurandera.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/four-humors/ http://mountaincurandera.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/four-humors/#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:43:58 +0000 botanicawest http://mountaincurandera.wordpress.com/?p=28 ]]>

Hippocrates is credited with being the first physician to reject superstitions, legends and beliefs that credited supernatural or divine forces with causing illness. Hippocrates was credited by the disciples of Pythagoras of allying philosophy and medicine. He separated the discipline of medicine from religion, believing and arguing that disease was not a punishment inflicted by the gods but rather the product of environmental factors, diet and living habits. Indeed there is not a single mention of a mystical illness in the entirety of the Hippocratic Corpus. However, Hippocrates did work with many convictions that were based on what is now known to be incorrect anatomy and physiology, such as Humorism.

Hippocratic medicine was humble and passive. The therapeutic approach was based on “the healing power of nature” (“vis medicatrix naturae” in Latin). According to this doctrine, the body contains within itself the power to re-balance the four humours and heal itself (physis).[24] Hippocratic therapy focused on simply easing this natural process. To this end, Hippocrates believed “rest and immobilization [were] of capital importance”.In general, the Hippocratic medicine was very kind to the patient; treatment was gentle, and emphasized keeping the patient clean and sterile. For example, only clean water or wine were ever used on wounds, though “dry” treatment was preferable. Soothing balms were sometimes employed.

Diagnoses was based on the for humors.

Black bile like wine is prone to ferment and produce an alternation of depression and anger….
-From The History of Melancholy

* Earth: black bile
* Air: blood
* Fire: yellow bile
* Water: phlegm.

Too much earth made one melancholic; too much air, sanguine; too much fire, choleric; and too much water, phlegmatic

* Too much Earth: Melancholic
* Too much Air: Sanguine
* Too much Fire: Choleric
* Too much Water: Phlegmatic.

Finally, each element/humor/season was associated with certain qualities. Thus yellow bile was thought of as hot and dry. Its opposite, phlegm (the mucus of colds), was cold and moist. Black Bile was cold and dry, while its opposite, blood was hot and moist.

* Black Bile: Cold and Dry
* Blood: Hot and Moist
* Phlegm: Cold and Moist
* Yellow Bile: Hot and Dry.

As a first step, the prudent Hippocratic physician would prescribe a regimen of diet, activity, and exercise, designed to “void the body of the imbalanced humor.” According to Gary Lindquester’s History of Human Disease, if it was a fever — a hot, dry disease — the culprit was yellow bile. So, the doctor would try to increase its opposite, phlegm, by prescribing cold baths. If the opposite situation prevailed (as in a cold), where there were obvious symptoms of excess phlegm production, the regimen would be to bundle up in bed and drink wine.

If this didn’t work the next course would be with drugs, often hellebore, a potent poison that would cause vomiting and diarrhea, “signs” the imbalanced humor was eliminated.

We might assume such Hippocratic ideas sprang from speculation rather than experimentation, but observation played a key role. Furthermore, it would be simplistic to say ancient Greco-Roman doctors never practiced human dissection. If nothing else, doctors had anatomical experience dealing with war wounds. But especially during the Hellenistic period, there was extensive contact with the Egyptians whose embalming techniques involved removing bodily organs. In the third century B.C. vivisection was permitted in Alexandria where living criminals may have been put to the knife. Still, we believe Hippocrates, Aristotle, and Galen, among others, only dissected animal bodies, not human.

So man’s internal structure was known primarily through analogy with animals, inferences from the externally visible structures, from natural philosophy, and from function.

Such ideas might seem far-fetched today, but Hippocratic medicine was a great advance over the supernatural model that had preceded it. Even if individuals had understood enough about contagion to realize rodents were involved somehow, it was still the Homeric Apollo, the mouse god, who caused it. The Hippocratic aetiology based on nature permitted diagnosis and treatment of symptoms with something other than prayer and sacrifice. Besides, we rely on similar analogies today, in Jungian personality types and ayurvedic medicine, to name two.