Porcupine Stones, also known as bezoar stones, are organic and inorganic masses formed within the gastrointestinal tract and were introduced into Europe from the Arabic medical tradition during the Crusades. These stones were classified as precious and were believed to be an antidote to poison. The European Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries led to an increase in trade routes, resulting in the popularity of bezoar stones as a medicinal remedy. As demand for these stones increased, fake bezoars flooded the market, leading to the invention of the Lapis de Goa and the diversification of bezoar varieties. Caspar Bauhin, a Swiss botanist, introduced the Porcupine Bezoar in 1613.
The article discusses two Porcupine Bezoar specimens found in an 18th-century Materia Medica collection. It also explores the historical and therapeutic uses of these stones, including their use as an antidote to poison, their high market value, and their use in treating various diseases. The article also provides insight into the origin of the stones, the confusion surrounding their synonyms, and tests for their authenticity.
The Porcupine Bezoar was highly prized and expensive, holding a position of great esteem in the apothecarial arsenal for almost two centuries. The stone was believed to have infinite medicinal virtues and was used in the treatment of various ailments and diseases. The article also touches upon the confusion and controversy surrounding the origin and authenticity of these stones.
Overall, the article provides a comprehensive historical overview of Porcupine Stones, shedding light on their origins, uses, market value, and the tests used to verify their authenticity.
What are the sources of the porcupine stone?
The sources of the porcupine stone are believed to be three species of porcupine endemic to the Malay Peninsula. These porcupines are nocturnal, forest-dwelling foragers that consume roots, tubers, bark, fallen fruits, carrion, and insects. The bitter taste attributed to the Porcupine Bezoars is believed to come from the sap of the liana, Leuconotis anceps Jack, 1825, which the rodents also eat. The stone is also described as originating in the bitter fluid gall of the animal, gradually increasing in size. Additionally, the stone has been ascribed to various parts of the rodent's anatomy, including the skin, liver, stomach, intestines, and most commonly, the gall bladder. These sources were recognized and documented by various naturalists and physicians throughout history.
What are the therapeutic uses of the porcupine stone?
The therapeutic uses of the porcupine stone, also known as the Porcupine Bezoar, have been extensively documented throughout history. It has been credited with a wide range of medicinal virtues and has been used in the treatment of various ailments and diseases. Some of the therapeutic applications mentioned in the document include its use for kidney stones, pleurisy, cholera, fevers, palpitations of the heart, epilepsy, intestinal worms, bloody flux, colic, flatulence, poisoning, internal abscesses, stomach pains, intestinal obstructions, jaundice, chicken pox, burning fevers, acute and malignant diseases, smallpox, measles, bilious and hysterical conditions, and splenetic conditions. Additionally, it has been recommended as a sudorific against the fevers produced by the plague and as an antidote for poisons. The stone has been used as an infusion in various liquids such as rainwater, distilled water, honey water, thistle water, and linden flower water. It has also been prescribed in combination with other substances for the treatment of malignant and acute diseases. These historical accounts demonstrate the extensive and diverse therapeutic uses attributed to the porcupine stone.
Who conducted a review of bezoar stones in the early 1600s?
Caspar Bauhin, also known as Gaspard, a renowned Swiss botanist, conducted a review of bezoar stones in the early 1600s. In 1613, he published his work "De lapidibus Bezaar Orient. Et Occident," in which he discussed numerous alexipharmic materials and introduced the Porcupine Bezoar, known as Lapis malaccensis. Bauhin's review provided valuable insights into the diverse therapeutic uses and properties of bezoar stones, contributing to the understanding and appreciation of these highly prized and expensive medicinal substances during that period.
References：
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251748008_Porcupine_Stones
https://nautil.us/these-clumps-of-undigested-food-used-to-be-medicinal-charms-236024/
Porcupine Date (or porcupine bezoar stone) is a type of Chinese herbal medicine that is similar to animal-based medicines like cow bezoar, it is formed from stones found in the animal's body.
In some modern in vitro studies, Porcupine Date has been found to contain components with antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. It can inhibit the formation of tumor blood vessels, which in turn can control tumor growth and metastasis, as well as exhibit other functions such as detoxification and a lot of other healing purposes.
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