The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 5 (of 6)

Chapter 195: CHAP. 76.—THE PHRYNION, NEURAS, OR POTERION; ONE REMEDY.

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This volume catalogs remedies derived from forest trees and wild plants, presenting systematic entries for dozens of species with prescribed treatments and applications. It enumerates specific uses for resins, barks, leaves, berries, and sap, and gives instructions on preparation, dosage, and testing of potency. The text also records variations among species, regional observations on growth and harvesting, and anecdotes on how certain plants were discovered or associated with animals and human practices. Overall it functions as a practical herbal compendium combining botanical description with medicinal recipes and empirical notes.

CHAP. 76.—THE PHRYNION, NEURAS, OR POTERION; ONE REMEDY.

Frogs, too, have their venom, the bramble-frog 801 in particular, and I myself have seen the Psylli, in their exhibitions, irritate them by placing them upon flat vessels made red hot,802 their bite being fatal more instantaneously than the sting even of the asp. One remedy for their poison is the phrynion,803 taken in wine, which has also the additional names of “neuras”804 and “poterion:” it bears a small flower, and has numerous fibrous roots, with an agreeable smell.