[Sca-cooks] allergies

[Terry Decker]

Most of that comes from a couple medical journal articles I read. 
Unfortunately, most of the books and papers I have on Galen and humoral 
theory are weighted toward foodstuffs.

Allergies, asthma, bronchitis, etc. are all respiratory problems with 
similar symptoms that differ in degree.  Even if you don't know the 
underlying cause, you can treat the symptoms.  Upper respiratory problems 
were ascribed to phlegm which is cold and wet.  Sulphur is hot and dry. 
Sulphur is also antiseptic.  When used to treat upper respiratory problems 
sulphur is used as a fine powder mixed with a liquid or semi-liquid.  Storax 
(benzoic resin) dissolved in wine or water and oxymel were probably used to 
coat the throat to ease coughing up mucus.  Mucinex, whose primary 
ingredient is guaifenesin, actually thins the mucus to make it easier to 
cough up and with which I use coffee to lubricate the throat.

Bear

-----Original Message----- 


Thanks. My offhand comment was actually on seasonal allergies/hay fever. I 
wasn't actually thinking of food allergies which can be more serious. I was 
thinking of the former, in which you just feel terrible. How would Galen 
treat allergy symptoms with sulfur? Hopefully not by having the patient 
inhale burning sulphur. And how did he suggest using storax and oxymel for 
expectorants? I thought oxymels were drinks. Maybe I need to stock up on 
those drinks in spring.

I am feeling surprisingly better today. I don't know if it was the 
antibiotic prescribed, the expectorant suggested (never used Musinex before) 
or the use of my CPAP machine even when not sleeping.

Bear, your range of knowledge never ceases to amaze me.

Stefan