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{{about||the Uncle Tupelo album|Anodyne (album)|the mathematical type of morphism|Model category}}

In medicine before the 20th century, an '''anodyne''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] ἀνώδυνος ''anōdynos'' < ἀν- ''an-'' 'without' + ὀδύνη ''odynē'' 'pain') was a medicine that was believed to relieve or soothe [[pain]] by lessening the sensitivity of the brain or nervous system. It is a kind of [[analgesic]].

Some definitions restrict the term to [[topical]] medications, including [[herbalism|herbal simples]] such as [[onion]], [[lily]], [[root]] of [[Malva|mallow]]s, [[leaf|leaves]] of [[violet (plant)|violet]], and [[elderberry]].

Other definitions include [[narcotic]]s, [[hypnotic]]s, and [[opiate]]s.<ref>Richard Quain, ''A dictionary of medicine: including general pathology, general therapeutics'', 1883 [http://books.google.com/books?id=Zu8PAAAAYAAJ full text]</ref>

Certain compound medicines were also called by this name, such as ''anodyne balsam'', made of [[castile soap]], [[camphor]], [[saffron]], and spirit of [[wine]], and digested in a sand heat. It was recommended not only for easing extreme pain, but for assisting in discharging the ''[[peccant]]'' matter that occurred with the pain.

{{wiktionary|anodyne}}

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==
* {{1911}}
* {{1728}}


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[[Category:Analgesics]]
[[Category:2Fix]]