The botanical identity of the ancient vernacular cynomorium does not correspond to the modern scientific genus while it is not clear how many species of hipocistis (Cytinus sp.) were differentiated by the ancient physicians and whether Cynomorium coccineum was subsumed. The early history of therapeutic uses related to the herbal drugs derived from these parasitic taxa is therefore not easily accessible. Cynomorium coccineum became an important pharmaceutical commodity after the Siege of Malta but its importance decreased in the 18th century and now is considered obsolete.

Astringent drugs for bleedings and diarrhoea: The history of Cynomorium coccineum (Maltese Mushroom)

Leonti, Marco
Primo
;
Zucca, Paolo
Penultimo
;
Rescigno, Antonio
Ultimo
2020-01-01

Abstract

The botanical identity of the ancient vernacular cynomorium does not correspond to the modern scientific genus while it is not clear how many species of hipocistis (Cytinus sp.) were differentiated by the ancient physicians and whether Cynomorium coccineum was subsumed. The early history of therapeutic uses related to the herbal drugs derived from these parasitic taxa is therefore not easily accessible. Cynomorium coccineum became an important pharmaceutical commodity after the Siege of Malta but its importance decreased in the 18th century and now is considered obsolete.
2020
Cytinus; dysentery; gallic acid; haemorrhage; history of materia medica; tannins
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/281574
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