Huxham’s Tincture Bark

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Title

Huxham’s Tincture Bark

Description

Huxham’s Tincture Bark, prepared by Duncan, Flockhart & Company. Devised by Dr John Huxham (c.1692-1768) to treat fevers, Huxham’s Tincture contained cinchona bark, orange peel, serpentary root, saffron, cochineal and alcohol. Huxham’s original publications on fevers gave him an excellent reputation and his tincture was credited with having saved the life of the Queen of Portugal.

Directions for use: One teaspoon mixed with water, taken three times a day before eating.

Ingredients: Cinchona bark (also known as Jesuit’s Bark, Peruvian Bark, China Bark) is the source of quinine, a medicine in its own right which was prescribed to treat malaria, lupus and arthritis. Serpentary root, or snakeroot, is used to this day in homeopathy as a treatment for fevers. Saffron has long been used in traditional medicine and can be prescribed for a multitude of ailments. Cochineal, or carminic acid, is produced by Cochineal insects and is most often used as food colouring.

Date

19th century

Archive Reference

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