THE Sapagenum, likewise call'd Serapinum, because of its Smell that is almost like that of the Pine, and by the French, Gum Seraphin, flows from the Trunk of a Plant whose Leaves are very small, and the Seeds resembling those of Galbanum, except that they are less: These grow plentifully in Persia, Media, &c. from whence they are transported to us and all other Parts of Europe. Chuse your Sagapen in fine Tears, clear and transparent, of a strong Smell agreeable to the Pine: outwardly of a yellowish or reddish Colour, inwardly the whitest and least full of Dirt and Filth that can be. This enters into several Galenical Compositions. Mr. Wormes a Danish Physician says, in a Book of his, that it is admirable for the Falling Sickness and Palsy; I know, by my own Experience, that it is excellent for Asthma's, taken about the Size of a Pea at Bed-time, and the same Quantity in the Morning rising.
This Gum is of a thin Substance, and attractive, drawing forth Splinters, Thorns, &c. gotten into the Flesh; it has, as Hoffman affirms, a peculiar magnetick Quality, qua Intestina dislocata in Iliaca Passione ex Hernia, in pristinum reducit locum; for which Reason he made it the chief Ingredient of the magnetick Emplaster: It is also us'd in Disaffections of the Womb, and being apply'd, it cures the Sty in the Eye-Lid. It purges Water and all gross Humours from the Stomach, Guts, Womb, Reins, Head, Nerves, &c. Is good in Dropsies, Convulsions, Palsies, Numbness, Weakness and Obstructions; besides which, it is excellent in Pleurisies, to ease Pains, and dissolve hard Tumours of the Spleen; Dose, from one Dram to two Drams; but because it is apt to disturb the Stomach, it is corrected with Ginger, Cinnamon and Mastich.
Sagapenum, Serapinum, Sacoponium, is a Gum reddish without, and whitish within; of a strong unpleasant Smell, of an acrid Taste, that flows by Incision from a Sort of Plant that is of the Nature of Fennel: Chuse Sagapenum in Drops, that are pure, neat, and bright; it yields Abundance of Oil and volatile Salt, and will dissolve in Wine, Vinegar, and in Juice of Plants, but had better be reduc'd to Powder, when us'd in Compositions that require its Dissolution: This Gum is incisive, penetrating, aperitive, a little purgative, sudorifick; opens Obstructions of the Spleen, Mesentery and Liver; assists Respiration, and strengthens the Nerves; is good in Epilepsy, Palsy and Asthma; to provoke Urine, and the Terms, and to suppress Vapours; Dose, ten or sixteen Grains in Pills. There is a Spirit and Oil made from it, after the manner as from Galbanum: The acid Spirit has all the Virtues of the Gum, but with this Advantage, that it is more penetrating; for which Reason it is successfully given against Obstructions of the Womb, &c. The Oil is good for the same Purposes, but is mostly us'd against Vapours, being smell'd to or anointed upon the Nostrils: It is seldom given inwardly, except in Fits of the Mother, to four or five Drops in some proper Vehicle.