'It was only to be had from the druggists as you nowadays buy an ounce of rhubarb'
Moby Dick, or The Whale
Herman Melville
How odd, I thought. Why in 1851, the year Melville wrote his compendious novel, would you go to a druggist / chemist / pharmacist to buy an ounce of something that is a staple these days of the home gardener and long-time favourite of the home pie-maker?
A quick search in Google further intrigues. It makes an appearance as a medicinal in the Shennong Bencao Jing (the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) attributed to the mythical Chinese sovereign Shennong, who was said to have lived around 2800 BC, though now thought to be a compilation of oral traditions written between about 300 BC and 200 AD. Here, from The Rhubarb Compendium, is a description of its uses in Chinese medicine today.
The primary result of rhubarb root as an herbal medicine is a positive and balancing effect upon the digestive system. Rhubarb roots are harvested in the fall from plants that are at least six years old. The roots are then dried for later use. The root is used as an anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, aperient, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, laxative, purgative, stomachic and tonic. Rhubarb roots contain anthraquinones which have a purgative effect, and the tannins and bitters have an an effect that is opposite that of an astringent.
Closer to home for Melville, I found these recipes for tincture of rhubarb in The American Dispensatory of John Redman Coxe M.D. (Sixth Edition 1825).
" Tinctura Rhei E.L.D.A. Tincture of Rhubarb
Take of rhubarb three ounces; Lesser cardamom seeds, half an ounce; Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half. - Digest for seven days, and strain through paper. E
Tinctura Rhei Composita L Composite Tincture of Rhubarb
Take of rhubarb. sliced, two ounces; Liquorice root, bruised, half an ounce; Ginger, powdered, Saffron, each two drachms; Distilled water, one pint; Proof spirit of wine, twelve ounces, by measure. - Digest for fourteen days and strain.
Tinctura Rhei et Aloes E, A
Tincture of Rhubarb and Aloes; formerly. Elixir Sacrum
Take of Rhubarb ten drachms; Socotorine aloes, six drachms; Lesser cardamom seeds, half an ounce: Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half. - Digest for seven days and strain through paper. E
Tincture Rhei et Gentiane E.A.
Tincture of Rhubarb and Gentian
Take of Rhubarb bruised, two ounces; Gentian root, half an ounce; Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half. - Digest for seven days and then strain the tincture through paper. E
Tinctura Rhei Dulcis. A. Sweet Tincture of Rhubarb
Take of Rhubarb bruised, two ounces; Liquorice, bruised, Anise, bruised, each one ounce; Sugar, two ounces; Diluted alcohol, two pints and a half. - Digest for ten days, and filter.
This is an old prescription revived with slight alterations. It might as well have continued its slumber.
All the foregoing tinctures of rhubarb are designed as stomachics, and corroborrants, as well as purgatives: spiritous liquors excellently extract those parts of the rhubarb in which the two first qualities reside, and the additional ingredients considerably promote their efficacy. In weakness of the stomach, laxity of the intestines, diarrhoeas, colic, and other similar complaints, these medicines are frequently of great service."
I have no idea and could find no guide in the book at to what the letters A, D, E or L stand for.
I equally have no idea why Melville was familiar with the medical uses of rhubarb.
Moby Dick, or The Whale
Herman Melville
How odd, I thought. Why in 1851, the year Melville wrote his compendious novel, would you go to a druggist / chemist / pharmacist to buy an ounce of something that is a staple these days of the home gardener and long-time favourite of the home pie-maker?
A quick search in Google further intrigues. It makes an appearance as a medicinal in the Shennong Bencao Jing (the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) attributed to the mythical Chinese sovereign Shennong, who was said to have lived around 2800 BC, though now thought to be a compilation of oral traditions written between about 300 BC and 200 AD. Here, from The Rhubarb Compendium, is a description of its uses in Chinese medicine today.
The primary result of rhubarb root as an herbal medicine is a positive and balancing effect upon the digestive system. Rhubarb roots are harvested in the fall from plants that are at least six years old. The roots are then dried for later use. The root is used as an anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, aperient, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, laxative, purgative, stomachic and tonic. Rhubarb roots contain anthraquinones which have a purgative effect, and the tannins and bitters have an an effect that is opposite that of an astringent.
Closer to home for Melville, I found these recipes for tincture of rhubarb in The American Dispensatory of John Redman Coxe M.D. (Sixth Edition 1825).
" Tinctura Rhei E.L.D.A. Tincture of Rhubarb
Take of rhubarb three ounces; Lesser cardamom seeds, half an ounce; Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half. - Digest for seven days, and strain through paper. E
Tinctura Rhei Composita L Composite Tincture of Rhubarb
Take of rhubarb. sliced, two ounces; Liquorice root, bruised, half an ounce; Ginger, powdered, Saffron, each two drachms; Distilled water, one pint; Proof spirit of wine, twelve ounces, by measure. - Digest for fourteen days and strain.
Tinctura Rhei et Aloes E, A
Tincture of Rhubarb and Aloes; formerly. Elixir Sacrum
Take of Rhubarb ten drachms; Socotorine aloes, six drachms; Lesser cardamom seeds, half an ounce: Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half. - Digest for seven days and strain through paper. E
Tincture Rhei et Gentiane E.A.
Tincture of Rhubarb and Gentian
Take of Rhubarb bruised, two ounces; Gentian root, half an ounce; Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half. - Digest for seven days and then strain the tincture through paper. E
Tinctura Rhei Dulcis. A. Sweet Tincture of Rhubarb
Take of Rhubarb bruised, two ounces; Liquorice, bruised, Anise, bruised, each one ounce; Sugar, two ounces; Diluted alcohol, two pints and a half. - Digest for ten days, and filter.
This is an old prescription revived with slight alterations. It might as well have continued its slumber.
All the foregoing tinctures of rhubarb are designed as stomachics, and corroborrants, as well as purgatives: spiritous liquors excellently extract those parts of the rhubarb in which the two first qualities reside, and the additional ingredients considerably promote their efficacy. In weakness of the stomach, laxity of the intestines, diarrhoeas, colic, and other similar complaints, these medicines are frequently of great service."
I have no idea and could find no guide in the book at to what the letters A, D, E or L stand for.
I equally have no idea why Melville was familiar with the medical uses of rhubarb.
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