Theriaca

Theriaca (in common speech kiriak), Electuarium theriacale, Theriaca, a electuary made from various powders with honey; the powders are selected with diverse pharmacological effects (laxatives, sedatives, diuretics, strengthening agents, etc.). Historically, the recipe for T. dates back to King Mithridates (124-60 BCE); T. was the product of the pharmaceutical research of the time, aimed at creating an "alexipharmakon" - a universal antidote, which at the same time - as its creators expected - should also be a universal medicine. The T. of the French pharmacopoeia consisted of 57 components, the Russian "Manuale" (without opium) - of 9 components. In individual countries or cities, the preparation of T. constituted an essential part of the pharmaceutical examination until the 18th century. Starting from the 18th century, the mystical aura surrounding the mysterious T. underwent criticism, primarily from the London physician William Heberden. At present, theriaca is prepared in some countries according to unofficial recipes, serving more for psychological effects on the patient than for treatment. The prescription for T., included in the appendix to the pharmaceutical tax of 1910, according to which it was prepared in all pharmacies of Russia, is as follows: Rhiz. Angelicae p. 6.0, Rhiz. Serpentariae p. 3.0, Rhiz. Valerianae p. 2.0, Bulbi Scillae p. 2.0, Rhiz. Zedoariae p. 2.0, Cort. Cinnamomi p. 2.0, Ferr. sulfur, p. 1.0, Myrrhae 1.0, Mel. depur. 75.0. In the USSR, it is not manufactured.