Some Classical Western Formulas and Their Actions

(Compiled by Les Moore, ND)

Jethro Kloss’ Composition Powder

Therapeutic Principle:
Diaphoretic with a pungent and warm nature
Constituents:
4 ounces Myrica cerifera
2 ounces Zingiber officinale
1 ounce Pinus strobus
1 dram Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
1 dram Capsicum frutescens
Form: powder
One cup of tea every hour until the client perspires freely. To prepare, use all of the
herbs in powdered form, mix and put through a fine sieve twice. Pour boiling water
over one tsp. powder in a cup, cover, allow to steep for fifteen minutes. Drink the
clear liquid poured off from the sediment.
Indication:
Fever, hoarseness, lack of perspiration, cramps, colic, rhinitis, pharyngitis, body aches,
sluggish circulation, cough, headache, intolerance of cold, no perspiration. The pulse
tends to be superficial and tight, while the tongue usually has a thin white coating.
(Kloss, 1939)

Robert’s Formula
Therapeutic principle:
For ulcers and gallbladder
Constituents:
1 part Hydrastis canadensis
1 part Echinacea angustifolia
1 part Althaea officinalis
1 part Phytolacca americana
1 part Geranium maculatum
Form: tincture or capsule
Dosage:
Tincture: 10 gtts, QID before meals and before going to bed
Capsule: 2 “OO” capsules QID before meals and before going to bed
Indication:
Abdominal pain, pale facial color, fatigue, spontaneous perspiration, dyspnea,
fullness sensation in the epigastric region or abdomen, loss of appetite, fullness and
oppression in the chest, hiccough, belching; the pulse tends to be deep and slow,
while the tongue usually appears pale or light with a white coating

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Weiss’ Cough Formula
Therapeutic Principle:
Antitussive, with a moisturizing nature
Constituents:
1 part Verbascum thapsus
1 part Tussilago farfara
1 part Althaea officinalis
1 part Pimpinella anisum
Form: decoction
Dosage:
One cup, TID
Indication:
Cough, dry cough with or without sputum, fever, headache, dry throat with thirst, the
tongue tends to be dry and red with a thin white coating, the pulse is usually rapid
and superficial
Application:
Cough or flu with a dry cough, upper respiratory tract infection, asthma

Thomson's Cough Syrup

Therapeutic Principle:
Anti-tussive
Constituents:
4 ounces Lobelia inflata
2 ounces Marrubium vulgare
2 ounces Symphytum officinale
2 ounces Inula helenium
4 ounces Eupatorium perfoliatum
Form: decoction. To prepare, boil the herbs in three quarts of water down to three pints,
strain, and add two pounds sugar and one pint gin.
Dosage:
Two to three tsp. every hour
Indication:
Cough, dry cough, fever, headache, body aches, the pulse is usually weak, thready or rapid,
the tongue is red and dry with a thin white coating.

Spezies Grippales Compositum

Form:
Therapeutic Principle:
Decoction
Anti-tussive
Dosage:
Constituents:
One cup TID
Verbascum thapsus
Indication:
Marrubium vulgare
Cough, fever, hiccough with dyspnea and

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 Foeniculum vulgare dry throat, the pulse can be rapid or
thready, sometimes superficial, the tongue
Peucedanum graveolens usually has a thin white coating

The Hoxsey Formula

Therapeutic Principle:
Blood purifier; invigorates the circulation; lymphatic and glandular alterative
Constituents:
Trifolium Rhamnus Phytolacca americana
pratense frangula Xanthoxylum clava-herculis
Glycyrrhiza Arctium lappa Baptisia tinctoria
glabra Stillingia sylvatica Potassium Iodide USP
Berberis aquifolium
Form: decoction
Dosage:
Tea: three cups per day, warm
Tincture: 30-60 gtts, TID
Indication:
Pain of a fixed nature, anorexia, wasting, glandular swelling, glandular
congestion, loss of voice, sore throat, constipation, sinus pain and congestion,
joint pain, pain in the ear, and moist, red, irritable skin, general irritability, the
pulse tends to be wiry, taut and hesitant, while the tongue usually appears dark
red with purple spots
Application:
Cancer, tumors, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, constipation, laryngitis,
bronchitis, pharyngitis, arthritis, skin diseases, chronic middle ear infections,
detoxification

Weiss’ Nerve Tea

Therapeutic Principle:
Sedative
Constituents:
2 parts Angelica archangelica
1 part Rosmarinus officinalis
3 parts Melissa officinalis
1 part Lavandula vera
2 parts Humulus lupulus
1 part Achillea millefolium
Form: infusion
Dosage:
One cup, TID
Indication:

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Insomnia, nervousness, excessive dreaming, the tongue is usually red and the
pulse is usually wiry