In Effigiem Nicholai Culpeper Equitis The shaddow of that Body heer you find Which serves but as a case to hold his mind His Intellectuall part be pleas'd to looke In lively lines described in the Booke Crofs sculpsit THE English Physitian OR An Astrologo-Physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs of this Nation Being a Compleat Method of Physick whereby a man may preserve his Body in Health or cure himself being sick for three pence charge with such things only as grow in England they being most fit for English Bodies Herein is also shewed 1. The way of making Plaisters Oyntments Oyls Pultisses Syrups Decoctions Julips or Waters of all sorts of Physical Herbs That you may have them readie for your use at all times of the yeer 2. What Planet governeth every Herb or Tree used in Physick that groweth in England 3. The Time of gathering all Herbs both Vulgarly and Astrologically 4. The Way of drying and keeping the Herbs all the yeer 5. The Way of keeping their Juyces ready for use at all times 6. The Way of making and keeping all kind of useful Compounds made of Herbs 7. The way of mixing Medicines according to Cause and and Mixture of the Disease and Part of the Body Afflicted By Nich. Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrologie LONDON Printed by Peter Cole at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil near the Royal Exchange 1652. TO THE READDR Courteous Reader ARISTOTLE in his Metaphysicks writing of the Nature of Man hit the Nail on the Head when he said That Man is naturally enclined to and desirous of Knowledg and indeed it is palpable and apparent that as Pride is the first visible sin in a child whereby we may gather that it was the first sin of Adam so Knowledg being the first Vertue a Child minds as is apparent to them that do but with the eye of Reason heed their actions even whilst they are very yong even before they are a yeer old even by natural instinct whereby a man may more than guess that Knowledg was the greatest loss or at least one of the greatest we lost by the fall of Adam Knowledg saith Aristotle is in Prosperity an Ornament in Adversity a Refuge and truly there is almost no greater enemy to Knowledg in the world than Pride and Covetousness Excellently said Juvenal Sat. 7. Scire volunt omnes mercedem solvere nemo Alhtough all men in Knowledg take delight Yet they love money better that 's the spight And again some men are so damnable proud and envious withal that they would have no body know any thing but themselves the one I hope will shortly learn better manners and the other be a burden too heavy for the Earth long to bear The Subject which I here fixed my thoughts upon is not only the Description and Nature of Herbs which had it been all I had authority sufficient to bear me out in it for Solomon employed part of that wisdom he asked and received of God in searching after them which he wrote in Books even of all Herbs Plants and Trees some say those Writings were carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar being kept in the Temple at Jerusalem for the publick view of the People but being transported to Babylon in the Captivity Alexander the GREAT TYRANT at the taking of Babylon gave them to his Master Aristotle who committed them to the mercy of the fire But since the daies of Solomon many have those famous men been that have written of this Subject and great Encouragements have been given them by Princes of which I shall quote an example or two Mathiolus his greediness was such to finish his Comment upon Dioscorides which Book is yet in use in the famous Universities in Leyden in Holland Mountpilier in France that he forgot to count what the charges of it might amount to although I rather cōmend him for his dilligence in Studie and Care of the Worlds good than harbor the leastill thought of him for not counting the middle and both ends before he began the Work I say when he came to count the charges of Printing and cutting the Cuts it far surmounted his Estate in this he was abundantly furnished by Ferdinand the Emperor and diverse other Princes of Germany as himself confessed furnished him with great sums of money for perfecting that so great so good a Work the Prince Elector of Saxonysent him much money towards his charge as also Joachim Marquess of Brandenburg who as he was neighbor to Saxony in Place so was he in Affection to so good a Work Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhine the Cardinal Prince of Trent the Arch Bishop of Saltzberg the Dukes of Bavaria and Cleveland and the Free State of Norimberg together with many others so that he had the help of the Emperor of Arch Dukes Dukes Electors Cardinals Princes Happie is that Nation whose Magistrates countenance such as mind and study their Good I might instance in many more and thereby give you a glimps how Magistrates formerly favored this Art and which is more how studious they were in it Bellonius a man that soared high in the Nature of Herbs also professed he had the helping hand of Kings and Cardinals to maintain him in his Studies and more than this Kings themselves were Studious in it amongst which Solomon excepted Mithridates that renowned King of Pontus seems to bear away the Bell his Writings after his death were found in his Country Mannor by Pompey the great but never a Roman of them all had the honesty to print them with his name in the Frontispiece so that we have nothing of them but what is quoted by some honest Authors especially by Plutarch Ad nos vix tenuis fame dilabitur aura Men mind our good but such cross times do fall We only hear they did and that is all Mesue King of Damascus Avicenna and Evax King of Arabia labored much in this Study and I could well have afforded ◠have mentioned Dioclesian the Roman Emperor had he not washed out his Vertues and defiled them with a Purple stain in a most bloody persecution of Christians It is quoted in Virgil that when a famous Prince was proffered by Apollo to be taught his Arts viz. Physick Musick Augury and the Art of shooting in the Bow he made choice of Physick and to know the Nature of Herbs Ipse suas artes sua munera laetus Appollo Augurium Citheramque dedit celeresque sagittas Ille ut depositi preferret fata Parentis Scire potestates Herbarum usumque Medendi Maluit mutas agitare inglorias Artes. His Arts to him when great Appollo gave He did nor Augury nor Arrows crave Nor the Melodious Lute but to prevent His Fathers death who now with age was spent To be an Herbarist and Medicine To learn he rather did his thoughts incline So precious hath the knowledg of the Vertues of Herbs been in former times to men of quality and indeed happy is
usually little round flat Cakes or you may make them square it you will 2. Their first invention was that Pouders being so kept might resist the intromission of Air and so endure pure the longer 3. Besides they are the easier carried in the Pockets of such as travel many a man for example is forced to travel whose Stomach is too cold or at least not so hot as it should be which is most proper for the Stomach is never cold till a man be dead in such a case 't is better to carry Troches of Wormwood or of Galanga in a Paper in his Pocker and more convenient behalf than to lug a Gally-pot along with him 4. They are thus made At night when you go to bed take two drams of fine Gum Tragacanth put it into a Gally-pot and put half a quarter of a pint of any distilled Water fitting the purpose you would make your Troches for to it cover it and the next morning you shall find it in such a Jelly as Physitians call Mussilage with this you may with a little pains taking make any Pouder into Past and that Past into little Cakes called Troches 5. Having made them dry them well in the shadow and keep them in a Pot for your use Chap. 14. Of Pills 1. THey are called Pilule because they resemble little Balls the Greeks call them Catapotia 2. It is the Opinion of Modern Physitians that this way of making up Medicines was invented only to deceive the Pallat that so by swallowing them down whol the bitterness oâ— the Medicine might not be perceived or aâ— least it might not be unsufferable and indeed most of â—â—ills though not all are very bitter 3. I am of a clean contrary Opinion to this I rather think they were done up in this hard form that so they might be the longer in digesting and my Opinion is grounded upon Reason too not upon Fancy nor Hear-say The first invention of Pills was to purge the Head now as I told you before such Infirmities as lay neer the passages were best removed by Decoctions because they pass to the grieved part soonest so here if the insirmity lie in the Head or any other remote part the best way is to use Pills because they are longer in digestion and therefore the better able to call the offending Humor to them 4. If I should tell you here a long Tale of Medicines working by Sympathy and Antipathy you would not understand a word of it they that are fit to make Physitians may find it in the Treatise All Modern Physitians know not what belonged to a Sympatherical Cure no more than a Cookoo knows what belongs to Flats and Sharps in Musick but follow the vulgar road and call it a hidden quality because 't is hid from the Eyes of Dunces and indeed none but Astrologers can give a reason of it and Physick without Reason is like a Pudding without Fat. 5. The way to make Pills is very easie for with the help of a Pestle and Mortar and a little diligence you may make any Pouder into Pills either with Syrup or the Jelly I told you of before Chap. ult The way of mixing Medicines according to the Cause of the Disease and part of the Body afflicted THis being indeed the Key of the Work I shall be somthing the more dilligent in it I shall deliver my self thus 1. To the Vulgar 2. To Such as study Astrology or such as study Physick Astrologically First to the Vulgar Kind souls I am sorry it hath been your hard mishap to have been so long trained in such Egyptian darkness even darkness which to your sorrows may be felt the vulgar road of Physick is not my practice and I am therefore the more unfit to give you advice and I have now published a little Book which will fully instruct you not only â—â— the knowledg of your own Bodies but â—â— fit Medicines to remedy each part of it when afflicted mean season take these few Rules to stay your Stomachs 1. With the Disease regard the Cause and part of the Body afflicted for example suppose a Woman be subject to miscarry through wind thus do 1. Look Abortion in the Table of Diseases and you shall be directed by that how many Herbs prevent miscarriage 2. Look Wind in the same Table and you shall see how many of those Herbs expell wind These are the Herbs Medicinal for your Grief 2. In all Diseases strengthen the part of the Body afflicted 3. In mixed Diseases there lies some difficulty for somtimes two parts of the Body are afflicted with contrary Humors the one to the other somtimes one part is afflicted with two contrary Humors as somtimes the Liver is afflicted with Choller and Water as when a man hath both a Dropsie and the yellow Jaundice and this is usually mortal In the former suppose the Brain be too cold and moist and the Liver too hot and dry thus do 1. Keep your Head outwardly warm 2. Accustom your self to smell of hot Herbs 3. Take a Pill that beats the Head at night going to bed 4. In the morning take a Decoction that cools the Liver for that quickly passeth the Stomach and is at the Liver immediately You must not think Courteous People that I can spend time to give you examples of all Diseases these are enough to let you see so much light as you without Art are able to receive If I should set you to look upon the Sun I should dazle your eyes and make you blind Secondly To such as study Astrology who are the only men I know that are fit to study Physick Physick without Astrology being like a Lamp without Oyl you are men I exceedingly respect and such Documents as my Brain can give you at present being absent from my study I shall give you and an example to shew the proof of them 1. Fortifie the Body with Herbs of the Nature of the lord of the Ascendent 't is no matter whether he be a Fortune or an Infortune in this case 2. Let your Medicine be somthing Antipathetical to the lord of the sixth 3. Let your Medicine be somthing of the Nature of the Sign ascending 4. If the lord of the Tenth be strong make use of his Medicines 5. If this cannot well be make use of the Medicines of the light of time 6. Be sure alwaies fortifie the grieved part of the body by Sympathetical Remedies 7. Regard the Heart keep that upon the Wheels because the Sun is the Fountain of Life and therefore those Universal Remedies Aurum potabile and the Phylosophers Stone cure all Diseases by only fortifying the Heart But that this may appear unto you as cleer as the Sun when he is upon the Meridian I here quote you an Example which I performed when I was as far off from my study as I am now yet am I not ashamed the world should see how much or little of my Lesson I have learned
Brunfelfius P Parkinson Pliny Pena Platearius Pona R Dr. Reason Rhazis S Serapio T Taberna Montanus Theophrastus Turner Tragus A Catalogue of the Herbs and Plants c. in this Treatise apropriated to their several PLANETS Vnder Saturn are Barley Red Beets Beech-tree Bifoyl or Twayblade Birdsfoot Bistort or Snakeweed Blewbottles Buckshorn-Plantane Wild Campions Pilewort Cleavers or Goosgrass Clowns Woundwort Comfry Cudweed or Cottonweed Sciatica Cresses Crosswort Darnel Doddar Epithimum Elm-tree Osmond Royal Fleawort Flixweed Fumitory Stinking Gladwin Goutwort Wintergreen Haukweed Hemlock Hemp Henbane Horstail Knapweed Knotgrass Medlar-tree Moss Mullein Nightshade Polypodium Poplar-tree Quince-tree Rupture-wort Rushes Solomons-Seal Sarazens Consound Service-tree Spleenwort or Cetrach Tamaris Melancholly-Thistle Blackthorn Throughwax Tutsan or Parkleaves Woad Vnder Jupiter are Agrimony Alexanders Asparagus Avens Bay-tree White Beets Water-Bettony Wood-Bettony Bilberries Borrage Bugloss Chervil Sweet Cicely Cinkfoyl Costmary or Alecost Dandelyon Docks Bloodwort Dog or Quich-grass Endive Hartstongue Hysop Housleek or Sengreen Liverwort Lungwort Sweet Maudlin Oak-tree Red Roses Sage Sauce alone or Jack by the Hedg Scurvy-grass Succory Our Ladies Thistles Vnder Mars are Arsesmart Asarabacca Barberry-bush Sweet Bazil Bramble-bush Briony Brooklime Butchers-broom Broom Broomrape Crowfoot Cuckoopint or Wake-Robin Cranebil Cotton-Thistle Flax-weed or Toad-flax Fursebush Garlick Hawthorn Hops Naddir Masterwort Mustard Hedg-Mustard Mettles Onions Pepperwort or Dittander Carduus Benedictus in the Epistle Rhadish Horse Rhadish Rhubarb Rapontick Bastard Rhubarb Thistles Star-thistle Tobacco Wolly Thistle Treacle Mustard Mithridate Mustard Wold Weld or Dyers Weed Wormwood Vnder the Sun are Angelica Ash-tree Bawm One-blade Burnet Butter-bur Chamomel Chelondine Centaury Eyebright St. Johns wort Lovage Marigolds Misleto Peony St. Peters wort Pimpernel Rosa Solis Rosemary Rhue Saffron Tormentil Turnsole or Heliotropium Vipers Bugloss Walnut-tree Vnder Venus are Alehoof or Ground-Ivy Black Alder-tree Alder-Tree Apple-tree Stinking Arrach Arch-Angel or Dead Nettles Beans Ladies Bedstraw Birch-tree Bishops Weed Blites Bugle Burdock Cherry-tree Winter Cherries Chickweed Cichpease Clary Cocks-head Coltsfoot Cowslips Daisies Devils-bit Elder Dwarf Elder Eringo Featherfew Figwort Filipendula Foxgloves Golden-rod Gromwel Groundsel Herb Robert Herb Truelove Kidneywort peniwovt pa yo Ladies Mantle Mallows Marsh-Mallows Mercury Mints Motherwort Mugwort Nep or Catmint Parsnip Peach-tree Pear-tree Penyroyal Perewinkle Plantane Plum-tree Primroses Ragwort Rocket Winter-Rocket Damask Roses Wood Sage Sanicle Selfheal Sopewort or Bruisewort Sorrel Wood Sorrel Sowthistles Spignel Strawberries Garden Tansy Wild Tansy or Silver-weed Teazles Vervain Vine-tree Violets Wheat Yarrow Vnder Mercury are Calaminth or Mountaâ— Mint Carrots Carraway Dill Elicampane Fern Fennel Hogs Fennel Germander Hazel Nut-tree Horchound Houndstongue Lavender Liquoris Wall-Rhue Maidenhair Golden Maidenhair Sweet Marjoram Melilot Moneywort Mulberry-tree Oats Parsley Cow Parsnep Pellitory of the Wall Groundpine or Chamepitys Rest-Harrow or Chamock Sampire Summer and winter Savory Scabious Smallage Southernwood Meadow Trefoyl Garden Valerian Woodbind or Honey-Suckles Vnder the Moon are Adders Tongue Cabbages Coleworts Sea Coleworts Columbines Watercresses Duckmeat Yellow Waterflag Flower-de-luce Fluellin Ivy Lettice Water-Lillies Loosestrife with and without spiked Heads Moonwort Mousear Orpine Poppies Purslain Privet Rattle-grass White Roses White Saxifrage Burnet Saxifrage Wall-flowers or Winter-gilliflowers Willow-tree The Names of several Books printed by Peter Cole at the sign of the Printing Press in Cornhill by the Exchange London Four several Books by Nich. Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrology 1 A PHYSICAL DIRECTORY Or a Translation of the Dispensatory made by the Colledg of Physitians of London Whereunto is added The Key to Galen's Method of Physick 2 A DIRECTORY for Midwives or a Guide for Women 3 An EPHEMERIS for the year 1651. Amplified with Rational Predictions from the Book of the Creatures 1 Of the State of the Year 2 What may probably by the effects of the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars July 9. 1650. in Scotland Holland Zealand York Amsterdam c. and about what time they may probably happen To which is joyned An Astrologophysical Discours of the Humane Vertues in the Body of Man 4 GALENS ART OF PHYSICK wherein is laid down 1. A Description of Bodies Healthful Unhealthful and Neutral 2. Signs of good and bad Constitutions 3. Signs of the Brain Heart Liver Testicles Temperature Lungues Stomach c. being too Hot Cold Dry Moist Hot and dry Hot and moist Cold and dry Cold and moist 4. Signs and Causes of Sickness Translated into English and largely Commented on Together with convenient Medicines for all particular Distempers of the Parts a Description of the Complexion their Conditions and what Diet and Exercise is fittest for them A Godly and Fruitful Exposition on the first Epistle of Peter By Mr. John Rogers Minister of the Word of God at Dedbam in Essex The Wonders of the Load-stone by Mr. Samuel Ward of Ipswich An Exposition on the Gospel of the Evangelist St. Matthew By Mr. Ward Clows Chirurgery Marks of Salvation Christians Engagement for the Gospel by John Goodwin Great Church Ordinance of Baptism Mr. Love's Case containing his Petitions Narrative and Speech Vox Pacifica or a Perswasive to Peace Dr. Prestons Saints submission and Satans Overthrow Pious mans practice in Parliament Time A Treatise of the Rickets being a Disease common to Children Wherein is shewed 1. The Essence 2. The Causes 3. The Signs 4. The Remedies of the Disease Published in Latin by Dr. Glisson Dr. Bate and Dr. Regemorter Mr. Symsons Sermon at Westminster Mr. Feaks Sermon before the Lord Major Mr. Phillips Treatise of Hell of Christs Geneology Seven Books of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs lately published As also the Texts of Scripture upon which they are grounded 1 The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment on Phil. 4. II. Wherin is shewed 1. What Contentment is 2. It is an holy Art and Mystery 3. The Excellencies of it 4. The Evil of the contrary sin of Murmuring and the Aggravations of it 2 Gospel-Worship on Levit. 10. 3. Wherin is shewed 1. The right manner of the Worship of God in general and particularly In Hearing the Word Receiving the Lords Supper and Prayer 3 Gospel-Conversation on Phil. 1. 17. Wherin is shewed 1. That the Conversations of Beleevers must be above what could be by the Light of Nature 2 Beyond those that lived under the Law 3. And sutable to what Truths the Gospel holds forth To which is added The Misery of those Men that have their Portion in this Life only on Psal. 17. 14. 4 A Treatise of Earthly-mindedness Wherin is shewed 1 What Earthly-mindedness is 2 The great Evil therof on Phil. 3. part of the 19. Vers. Also to the same Book is joyned A Treatise of Heavenly-mindedness and walking with God on Gen. 5. 24. and on Phil. 3. 20. 5 An Exposition on the fourth fifth sixth and seventh Chapters of the Prophesie of Hosea 6 An Exposition on the eighth ninth and tenth Chapters of Hosea 7 An Exposition on the eleventh twelfth and thirteenth Chapters of Hosea The Compassionate Samaritan Twelve
troubled with the Wind in the Bodyâ— It purgeth the Belly gently helpeth the hardness of the Spleen giveth eas to Women that have sore travall in Childbirth and easeth the pains of the Reins and Bladder and also of the Womb. A little of the Juyce dissolved in Wine and dropped into the Ears easeth much of the pains in them and put into an hollow Tooth easeth the pain therof The Root is less effectual in all the aforesaid Diseases yet the Pouder of the Root clenseth foul Ulcers being put into them and taketh out Splinters of broken Bones or other things in the Flesh and healeth them up perfectly as also it dryeth up old and inveterate running Sores and is of admirable Vertue in all green Wounds Figwort or Throatwort ♀ Description THe common great Figwort sendeth forth divers great strong hard square brown Stalks three or four Foot high wherin grow large hard and dark green Leavs two at a Joynt which are larger and harder than Nettle Leavs but not stinging At the tops of the Stalks stand many purple Elowers set in Husks which are somwhat gaping and open somwhat like those of Water-Betony after which come hard round Heads with a small point in the middle wherin lie small brownish Seed The Root is great white and thick with many branches at it growing aslope under the upper crust of the Ground which abideth many yeers but keepeth not his green Leavs in Winter Place It groweth frequently in moist and shadowy Woods and in the lower parts of Fields and Meadows Time It Flowreth about July and the Seed will be ripe about a Month after the Flowers are fallen Vertues and use The Decoction us the Herb taken inwardly and the bruised Herb applied outwardly dissolveth clotted or congealed Blood within the Body coming by any Wound Bruis or Fall and is no less effectual for the Kings Evil or any other Knots Kernels Bunches or Wens growing in the Flesh whersoever and for the Hemorrhoids or Piles or other Knobs or Kernels which somtimes grow about the Fundament An Oyntment made hereof may be used at all times when the fresh Herb is not to be had The distilled Water of the whol Plant Roots and all is used for the same purposes and drieth up the superfluous virulent moisture of hollow and corroding Ulcers It taketh away all redness Spots and Freckles in the Face as also the Scurff or any foul Deformity therin and the Leprosie likewise Some Latin Authors call it Cervicria be caus 't is apropriated to the Neck and we Throatwort becaus 't is apropriated to the Throat Venus owns the Herb and the Coelestial Bull will not deny it therefore a better Remedy cannot be for the Kings Evil becaus the Moon that rules the Diseas is exalted there nor for any Diseas in the Neck the rest of the Diseases specified you may if you look see a very good reason for their cure by this Herb. Filipendula or Dropwort ♀ Description THis sendeth forth many Leavs some bigger some lesser set on each side of a middle Rib and each of them dented about the edges somwhat resembling wild Tansie or rather Agrimony but harder in handling among which riseth up one or more Stalks two or three Foot high with like Leavs growing theron and somtimes also divided into other Branches spreading at the top into many white sweet smelling Flowers consisting of five Leavs apiece with some threds in the middle of them standing together in a tuft or Umbel each upon a smal Footstalk which after they have been open and blown a good while do fall away and in their places appear final round chaffy heads like Buttons wherein are the chaffy Seed set and placed The Root consists of many smal black tuberous pieces fastned together by many smal long blackish Strings which run from one to another Place It groweth in many places of this Land in the Corners of dry Fields and Meadows and their Hedg Sides Time They Flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Vse It is very effectual to open the passages of the Urine and help the Strangury and all other pains of the Bladder and Reins helping mightily to expel the Stone in the Kidnies or Bladder and the Gravel also and these are done by taking the Roots in Pouder or a Decoction of them in white Wine whereunto a little Honey is added The same also helpeth to expel the Afterbirth The Roots made into Pouder and mixed with Honey into the form of an Electuary doth much help them whose Stomachs are swollen dissolving and breaking the Wind which was the cause therof and is also very effectual for all diseases of the Lungs as shortness of breath wheesings hoarsness of the Throat and the Cough and to expectorate cold Flegm or any other parts thereabouts It is called Dropâ—ort becaus it helps such as piss by drops The Yellow VVater-Flag OR Flower-de-luce Description THis groweth like the Flower-de-luces but it hath much longer and narrower sad green Leavs joyned together in that fashion the Stalk also groweth oftentimes as high bearing smal yellow Flowers shaped like the Flower-de-luce with three falling Leavs and other three arched that cover their Bottoms but instead of the three upright Leavs as the Flower-de-luce hath this hath only three short pieces standing in their places after which succeed thick and long three square Heads containing in each part somwhat big and Flat Seed like to those of the Flower-de-luces The Root is long and slender of a pale brownish colour on the outside and of a Hore flesh colour on the inner side with many hard fibres thereat and very harsh in tast Place It usually groweth in watery Ditches Ponds Lakes and More sides which are alwaies overflown with water Time It flowreth in July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use The Root of this Water-Flag is very astringent cooling and drying and therby helpeth all Lasks and Fluxes whether of Blood or Humors as bleeding at Mouth Nose or other parts bloody Fluxes and the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses The distilled water of the whol Herb Flowers and Roots is a Soveraign good Remedy for watering Eyes both to be dropped into them and to have Cloathes or Spunges werted therin and applied to the Forehead It also helpeth the Spots or Blemishes that happen in or about the Eyes or in any other parts The said water fomented on Swellings and hot Inflamations of Womens sore Breasts upon Cankers also and those spreading Ulcers called Noli me Tangere doth much good It helpeth also soul Ulcers in the privy parts of man or woman or elswhere An Oyntment made of the Flowers is better for these external applications Take notice that the Moon rules the Plant and then I have done Flaxweed or Toadflax Description OUr common Flaxweed hath divers Stalks full fraught with long and narrow blue or Ash-colour'd Leavs and from the middle of them almost
another sort called Dutch Scurvy-Grass which is most known and frequent in Gardens which hath diverse fresh green and almost round Leaves rising from the Root nothing so thick as the former yet in some rich ground very large even twice so big as others not dented about the edges nor hollow in the middle every one standing upon a long Footstalk from among these rise up divers long slender weak Stalks higher than the former and with more white Flowers at the tops of them which turn into smaller pods and smaller brownish Seed than the former The Root is white smal and threddy The tast of this is nothing Salt ar all but hath an hot Aromatical spicy tast Time They Flower in April or May and give their Seed ripe quickly after Vertues and Use. The English Scurvey-grass is more used for the Salt tast it beareth w th doth somwhat open and clense but the Dutch Scurvey-grass is of better effect and chiefly used if it may be had by those that have the Scurvey especially to purge and clense the Blood the Liver and the Spleen for all which Diseases it is of singular good effect by taking the Juyce in the Spring every morning fasting in a cup of Drink The Decoction is good for the same purpose and the Herb tunned up in new Drink either by it self or with other things for it openeth Obstructions evacuateth cold clammy and Flegmatick Humors both from the Liver and the Spleen wasting and consuming both the swelling and hardness thereof and thereby bringing to the Body a more lively colour The Juyce also helpeth all foul Ulcers and Sores in the Mouth if it be often gargled therewith and used outwardly clenseth the Skin from spots marks or Scars that happen therein Self-heal Description THe common Self-heal is a small low creeping Herb having many small roundish pointed Leavs somwhat like the Leaves of Wild Mints of a dark green colour without any dents on the edges from among which rise diverse square hairy Stalks scarce a foot high which spread somtime into Branches with diverse such smal Leaves set thereon up to the tops where stand brown spiked Heads of many smal brownish Leaves like scales and Flowers set together almost like the Head of Cassidony which Flowers are gaping and of a blewish purple or more pale blew in some places sweet but not so in others The Root consists of many strings or fibres downward and spreadeth strings also whereby it encreaseth The smal stalks with the Leaves creeping upon the ground shoot forth sibres taking hold of the ground wherby it is made a great ruft in short time Place It is found in Woods and Fields every where Time It Flowreth in May and somtimes in April Vertues and Use. As Self-heal is like Bugle in form so also in the Qualities and Vertues serving for al the purposes whereto Bugle is applied with good success either inwardly or outwardly for inward Wounds or Ulcers wheresoever within the Body for Bruises and Falls and such like hurts if it be accompanied with Bugle Sanicle and other the like Wound Herbs it will be the more effectual and to wash or inject into Ulcers in the parts outwardly where there is cause to repress the heat and sharpness of Humors flowing to any sore Ulcer Inflamation Swelling or the like or to stay the Flux of blood in any Wound or Part this is used with good success as also to clense the foulness of Sores and cause them more speedily to be healed It is an especial Remedy for all green Wounds to soder the lips of them and to keep the place from any further inconveniences The Juyce hereof used with Oyl of Roses to anoint the Temples and Forehead is very effectual to remove the Headach and the same mixed with Honey of Roses clenseth and healeth all Ulcers in the Mouth and Throat and those also in the secret parts And the Proverb of the Germans French and others is verified in this That he needeth neither Physitian nor Chyrurgion that hath Self-heal and Sanicle to help himself Here is another Herb of Venus Self-heal whereby when you hurt you may heal your self 't is indeed a special Herb for inward and outward Wounds take it inwardly in Syrups for inward Wounds outwardly in Unguents and Plaisters for outward The Service-tree THis is so well know in the places where it grows that it needeth no Description Time It Flowreth before the end of May and the Fruit is ripe in October Vertues and use Services when they are mellow are fit to be taken to stay Fluxes Scowring and Castings yet less than Medlars if they be dried before they be mellow and kept all the yeer they may be used in Decoctions for the said purpose either to drink or to bath the parts requiring it and is profitably used in that manner to stay the bleeding of Wounds and at the Mouth or Nose to be applied to the Forehead and Nape of the Neck Smallage THis also is very well known and therefore I shall not trouble the Reader with any Description thereof Place It groweth naturally in wet and Marsh grounds but if it be sown in Gardens it there prospereth very well Time It abideth green all the Winter and Seedeth in August Vertues and Use. Smallage is hotter dryer and much more Medicinable than Parsley for it much more openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen rarifieth thick Flegm and clenseth it and the Blood withal It provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and is singular good against the yellow Jaundice It is very effectual against Tertian and Quartan Agues if the Juyce thereof be taken but especially made into a Syrup The Juyce also put to Honey of Râ—â—es and Barley Water is very good to Gangle the Mouth and Throat of those that have Sores and Ulcers in them and will quickly heal them The same Lotion also clenseth and healeth all other foul Ulcers and Cankers elswhere if they be washed therewith The Seed is especially used to break and expel wind to kill Worms and to help a stinking Breath The Root is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid and is held to be stronger in operation than the Herb but especially to open Obstructions and to rid away an Ague if the Juyce thereof be taken in Wine or the Decoction thereof in Wine be used Sopewort or Bruisewort Description THe Root creepeth under ground far and neer with many Joynts therein of a brown colour on the outside and yellowish within shooting forth in diverse places many weak round Stalks full of Joynts set with two Leaves apiece at every one of them on the contrary side which are ribbed somwhat like unto Plantane and fashioned like the common field white Campion Leaves seldom having any Branches from the sides of the Stalks but set with diverse Flowers at the top standing in long Husks like the wild Campions made of five Leavs apiece round at the ends and a
that Nation whose Rulers mind Knowledg as Solomon saith on the contrary Wo to that Nation whose King is a Child and indeed in Ancient times people need little other Physick than such Herbs as grew neer them some Footsteps of which and but a few only are now in use with us to this day as people usually boyl Fennel with Fish and know not why they do it but only for custom when indeed the Original of it was founded upon Reason because Fennel consumes that Flegmatick quality of Fish which is obnoxious to the Body of man Fennel being an Herb of Mercury and he so great an Enemie to the Sign Pisces In this Art the Worthies of our own Nation Gerard Johnson and Parkinson are not to be forgotten who did much good in the Studie of this Art yet they and all others that wrote of the Nature of Herbs gave not a bit of a reason why such an Herb was apropriated to such a part of the Body nor why it cured such a Disease truly my own body being sickly brought me easily into a capacitie to know that Health was the greatest of all Earthly Blessings and truly he was never sick that doth not beleeve it then I considered that all Medicines were compounded of Herbs Roots Flowers Seeds c. and this first set me a work in studying the Nature of Simples most of which I knew by sight before and indeed all the Authors I could reade gave me but little satisfaction in this particular or none at all I cannot build my faith upon Authors words nor beleeve a thing because they say it and could wish everâ— bodie were of my mind in this to labor to be able to give a reason for every thing they say or do they say reason makes a man differ from a Beast if that be true pray what are they that instead of Reason for their judgment quote old Authors perhaps their Authors knew a reason for what they Wrote perhaps they did not what is that to us do we know it Truly in writing this Work first to satisfie my self I drew out all the Vertues of vulgar Herbs Plants and Trees c. out of the best and most approved Authors I had or could get and having done so I set my self to studie the Reason of them I knew well enough the whol world and every thing in it was formed of a Composition of contrary Elements and in such a harmony as must needs shew the wisdom and Power of a great God I knew as well this Creation though thus composed of contraries was one united Body and man an Epitome of it I knew those various affections in man in respect of Sickness and Health were caused Naturally though God may have other ends best known to himself by the various operations of the Macrocosm and I could not be ignorant that as the Cause is so must the Cure be and therefore he that would know the Reason of the operation of Herbs must look up as high as the Stars I alwaies found the Disease vary according to the various motion of the Stars and this is enough one would think to teach a man by the Effect where the Cause lay Then to find out the Reason of the Operation of Herbs Plants c. by the Stars went I and herein I could find but few Authors but those as full of nonsense and contradictions as an Egg is full of meat this being little pleasing and less profitable to me I consulted with my two Brothers Dr REASON and Dr EXPERIENCE and took a Voyage to visit my Mother NATURE by whose advice together with the help of Dr DILLIGENCE I at last obtained my desires and being warned by Mr Honesty a stranger in our daies to publish it to the World I have done it But you will say What need I have written of this Subject seing so many famous and learned men have written so much of it in the English Tongue nay much more than I have done To this I Answer 1. All that have written of Herbs either in the English or not in the English Tongue have no waies answered my intents in this Book for they have intermixed many nay very many outlandish Herbs and very many which are hard nay not at all to be gotten and what harm this may do I am very sensible of Once a Student in Physick in Sussex sent up to London to me to buy for him such and such Medicines and send them down which when I viewed they were Medicines quoted by Authors living in another Nation and not to be had in London for Love nor Money so the poor man had spent much pains and Brains in studying Medicines for a Disease that were not to be had so a man reading Gerards or Parkinsons Herbal for the Cure of a Diseas he may as like as not light on an Herb that is not here to be had or not without great difficulty if possible but in mine all grow neer him 2. My last though not the least of my Reasons is Neither Gerard nor Parkinson nor any that ever wrote in the like Nature ever gave one wise Reason for what they wrote and so did nothing els but train up yong Novices in Physick in the School of Tradition and teach them just as a Parrot is taught to speak an Author saith so therefore 't is true and if all that Authors say be true why do they contradict one another But in mine if you view it with the Eye of Reason you shall see a Reason for every thing that is written whereby you may find the very Ground and Foundation of Physick you may know what you do and wherefore you do it and this shall call me Father it being that I know of never done in the world before I have now but two things more to write and then I have done 1 What the profit and benefit of this Work is 2 Instructions in the Vse of it 1. The Profit and Benefits arising from it or that may acrue to a wise man from it are many so many that should I sum up all the particulars the Epistle would be as big as the Book I shall only quote some few general Heads First The admirable Harmony of the Creation is herein seen in the Influence of Stars upon Herbs and the Body of man how one part of the Creation is subservient to another and all for the use of man whereby the Infinite Power and Wisdom of God in the Creation appears and if I do not admire at the simplicity of the Ranters never trust me who but viewing the Creation can hold such a sottish Opinion as that it was from eternity when the Mysteries of it are so cleer to everie eye but that Scripture shall be verified to them Rom. I. 20. The invisible things of Him from the Creation of the world are cleerly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead so that they are without
doth the same Garden Bazil OR ♀ Sweet Bazil Description THe greater ordinary Bazil riseth up usually with one upright Stalk diversly branching forth on all sides with two Leaves at every Joynt which are somewhat broad and round yet pointed of a pale green colour but fresh a little snipt about the edges and of a strong heady scent the Flowers are smal and white standing at the rops of the Branches with two smal Leavs at the Joynt in som places green in others brown after which come black Seed The Root perisheth at the approach of Winter and therfore must be new sowen every year Place Iâ— only groweth in Gardens Time It must be sowed late and flowers in the heat of Summer being a very tender Plant. Vertues and use This is the Herb which all Authors are together by the Ears about and rail at one another like Lawyers Galen and Diascoride hold it not fitting to be taken inwardly and Chrysippus rails at it with downright Billingsgate-Rhetorick Fliny and the Arabian Physitians defend it For mine own part I presently found that Speech true Non nostrum inter nos tantas-componâ—re lites And away to Dr Reason went I who told me it was an Herb of Mars and under the Scorpion and perhaps therfore called Basilicon and then no mervail if it carry a kind of virulent quality with it Being applied to the place bitten by a venemous Beast or stung by a Wasp or Horner it speedily draws the Poyson to it Every like draws his like Myzalâ—us affirms That it being laid to rot in Horsdung it wil breed Venemous Beasts And Hollerius a French Physitian affirms upon his own knowledg That an acquaintance of his by common smelling to it had a Scorpion bred in his Brain Somthing is the matter this Herb and Rue wil not grow together no nor near one another And we know Rue is as great an enemy to Poyson as any grows To conclude It expelleth both Birth and After-birth and as it helps the deficiency of Venus in one kind so it spoils al her actions in another I date write no more of it ♃ The Bay-Tree THis is so wel known that it needs no Description I shal therfore only write the Vertues therof which are many Vertues and use Galen saith That the Leaves or Bark do dry and heal very much and the Berries more than the Leaves The Bark of the Root is less sharp and hot but more bitter and hath some astriction withal whereby it is effectual to break the Stone and good to open obstructions of the Liver Spleen and other inward parts which bring the Dropsie Jaundice c. The Berries are very effectual againft al Poyson of venemous Creatures and the Stings of Wasps and Bees as also against the Pestilence or other infectious Diseases and therfore is put into sundry Triacles for that purpose They likewise procure Womens Courses and seven of them given to a Woman in sore travel of Child-birth do cause a speedy delivery and expel the After-birth and therfore not to be taken by such as have not gon but theit time lest they procure Abortment or cause Labor too soon They wonderfully help al cold and rhumatick Distillations from the Brain to the Eyes Lungs or other parts And being made into an Electuary with Honey do help the Consumption old Coughs shortness of Breath and thin Rhewms as also the Meagrim they mightily expel wind and provoke Urin help the Mother and kil the Worms The Leaves also work the like effects A Bath of the Deccction of the Leavs and Berries is singular good for Women to sit in that are troubled with the Mother or the Diseases therof or the stoppings of their Courses or for the Diseases of the Bladder pains in the Bowels by wind and stoppnig of Urin A Decoction likewise of equal parts of Bay-berries Cummin-Seed Hysop Origanum and Euphorbium with some Honey and the Head bathed therwith doth wonderfully help Distillations and Rhewms and setleth the Pallat of the Mouth into its place The Oyl made of the Berries is very comfortable in all cold Griefs of the Joynts Nervs Arteries Stomach Belly or Womb and helpeth Palsies Convulsions Cramps Aches trembling and numness in any part weariness also and pains that come by sore travelling Al griefs and pains likewise proceeding from Wind either in the Head Stomach Back Belly or Womb by â—nointing the parts affected therwith And pains in the Ears are also cured by dropping in some of the Oyl or by receiving into the â—Ears the warm fume of the Decoction of the Berries through a Funnel The Oyl takes away marks of the Skin and Flesh by bruises fats c. and dissolveth the congealed Blood in them It helpeth also the Itch Scabs and Wheals in the Skin I shal but only ad a word or two to what my Friend hath written viz. That it is a Tree of the sun and under the Coâ—lostial sign Leo and resisteth Witchcraft very potently as also al the evil old Saturn can do to the Body of Man and they are not a few for it is the Speech of one and I am mistaken if it were not Myzaldus That neither Witch nor Devil Thunder nor Lightning wil hurt a Man in the place where a Bay-Tree is ♀ Beans BOth the Garden and Field Beans are so wel known that it saveth me labor of wriring any ' Description of them Their Vertues briefly are as followeth The distilled wather of the Flowers of Garden Beans is good to clens the Face and Skin from Spots and Wrinckles and the Meal or Flower of them or the smal doth the same The Water distilled from the green Husks is held to be very effectual against the Stone and to provoke Urine Bean Flower is used in Pultisses to asswage Inflamations rising upon Wounds and the swelling of Womens Breasts caused by the curding of their Milk and represseth their Milk The Flower of Beans and Fenugreek mixed with Honey and applied to Fellons Boyls Bruises or blue Marks by blows or the Imposthumes in the Kernels of the Ears helpeth them all And with Rose Leavs Frankinsens and the white of an Egg being applied to the Eyes helpeth them that are swoln or do water or have received any blow upon them is used with Wine If a Bean be parted in two the skin being taken away and laid on the place where a Leech hath been set that bleedeth too much it staieth the bleeding Bean Flower boyled to a Pultis with Wine and Vinegar and some Oyl put therto ceaseth both pain and swelling of the Cods The Husks boyled in Water to a consumption of a third part therof staieth a Lask and the Ashes of the Husks made up with old Hogs Greas helpeth the old pains contusions and Wounds of the Sinews the Sciatica and Gout The Field Beans have all the aforementioned Vertues as the Garden Beans Beans eaten are extream windy meat but if after the Dutch fashion
success for sore Mouths and Throats Tragus saith That a dram of the Seed taken in Wine with a little Saffron openeth Obstructions of the Liver and is good for the yellow Jaundice if the party after the taking therof be laid to sweat wel in his Bed The Seed also taken in Wine causeth a speedy Delivery of Women in Childbirth if one draught suffice not let her drink a second and it is effectual The Spaniards use to eat a piece of the Root hereof in a morning fasting many daies together to help them being troubled with the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys Coltsfoot or Foalsfoot ♀ Description THis shooteth up a fiender Stalk with small yellowish Flowers somwhat early which fall away quickly and after they are past come up somwhat round Leavs somtimes dented a little about the edges much lesser thicker and greener than those of Butterbur with a little down or Freez over the green Leaf on the upper side which may be rubbed away and whitish or mealy underneath The Root is smal and white spreading much under ground so that where it taketh it whil hardly be driven away again if any little piece be abiding therin and from thence springeth fresh Leavs Place It groweth as well in wet grounds as in drier places Time And Flowreth in the end of February the Leavs beginning to appear in March Vertues and use The fresh Leavs or Juyce or a Syrup made therof is good for a hot dry Cough for wheesings and shortness of breath The dry Leavs are best for those that have thin Rhewms and Distillations upon the Lungs causing a Cough for which also the dried Leavs taken as Tobacco or the Root is very good The distilled water herof simply or with Elder Flowers and Nightshade is a singular remedy against al hot Agues to drink two ounces at a time and apply Cloathes wet therein to the Head and Stomach which also doth much good being applied to any hot Swellings or Inflamations it helpeth St. Anthonies Fire and Burnings and is singular good to take away Wheals and smal Pushes that arise through heat As also the burning heat of the Piles or privy parts cloathes wet therin being therunto applied ♄ Comfry ♑ Description THe common great Comfry hath divers very large and hairy green Leavs lying on the ground so hairy or prickly that if they touch any tender part of the Hands Face or Body it will caus it to itch The Stalk that riseth up from among them being two or three Foot high hollow and cornered is very hairy also having many such like Leavs as grow below but lesser and lesser up to the top At the Joynts of the Stalks it is divided into many branches with some Leavs theron and at the ends stand many Flowers in order one above another which are somwhat long and hollow like the finger of a Glove of a pale whitish colour after which come smal black Seed The Roots are great and long spreading great thick Branches under ground black on the outside and whitish within short or easie to break and ful of a glutinous or clammy Juyce of little or no tast at al. There is another sort in al things like this save only it is somwhat less and beareth Flowers of a pale purple colour Place They grow by Ditches and Water Sides and in divers Fields that are moist for therin they chiefly delight to grow The first generally through al the Land and the other but in some several places By the leave of my Author the first grow often in dry places Time They Flower in June and July and give their Seed in August Vertues and use The great Comfry helpeth those that spit blood or make a Bloody Urin The Root boyled in Water or Wine and the Decoction drunk helpeth al inward Hurts Bruises and Wounds and the Ulcers of the Lungs causing the Flegm that oppresseth them to be easily spit forth It staieth the defluxions of Rhewm from the Head upon the Lungs the Fluxes of Blood or humors by the Belly Womens immoderate Courses as well the Reds as the Whites and the running of the Reins hapning by what caus soever A Syrup made therof is very effectual for all those inward Griefs and Hurts and the distilled Water for the same purpose also and for outward Wounds and Sores in the Fleshy or Sinewy part of the Body whersoever as also to take away the fits of Agues and to allay the sharpness of Humors A Decoction of the Leavs herof is available to all the purposes though not so effectual as of the Roots The Roots being outwardly applied helpeth fresh Wounds or Cuts immediatly being bruised and laid therunto and is especial good for Ruptures and broken Bones yea it is said to be so powerful to consolidate and Knit together that if they be boyled with dissevered pieces of Flesh in a pot it will joyn them together again It is good to be applied to Womens Breasts that grow sore by the abundance of Milk coming into them as also to repress the overmuch bleeding of the Hemorrhoids to cool the Inflamation of the parts therabouts and to give eas of pains The Roots of Comfry taken fresh beaten smal and spread upon Leather and laid upon any place troubled with the Gout do presently give eas of the pains and applied in the same manner giveth eas to pained Joynts and profiteth very much for running and moist Ulcers Gangrenes Mortifications and the like for which it hath by often experience been found helpful This is also an Herb of Saturn and I suppose under the Sign Capricorn cold dry and earthy in quality what was spoken of Clowns Woundwort may be said of this ♃ Costmary or Alecost THis is so frequently known to be an Inhabitant in almost every Garden that I suppose it needless to write a Descriptition therof Time It Flowreth in June and July Vertues and use The ordinary Costmary as well as Maudlin provoketh Urin abundantly and moistneth the hardness of the Mother It gently purgeth Choller and Flegm extenuating that which is gross and cutting that which is tough and gluttenous clenseth that which is foul and hindreth putrefaction and corruption it dissolveth without Attraction openeth Obstructions and healeth their evil effects and is a wonderful help to al sorts of day Agues It is astringent to the Stomach and strengtheneth the Liver and al the other inward parts and taken in Whey worketh the more effectually Taken fasting in the morning it is very profitable for the pains in the Head that are continual and to stay dry up and consume all thin Rhewms or distillations from the Head into the Stomach and helpeth much to digest raw humors that are gathered therein It is very profitable for those that are fallen into a continual evil disposition of the whol Body called Cachexia being taken especially in the beginning of the Diseas It is an
about the Sea Coasts in almost every Country of this Land which bordereth upon the Sea Time It Flowreth in the end of Summer and giveth ripe Seed within a Month after Vertues and use The Decoction of the Root herof in Wine is very effectual to open the Obstructions of the Spleen and Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundice the Dropsie the pains in the Loins and wind Chollick provoketh Urine and expelleth the Stone and procureth Womens Courses The continued use of the Decoction for 15. daies taken fasting and next to Bedward doth help the strangury the pissing by drops the stopping of Urine and Stone and all defects of the Reins or Kidneys and if the said drink be continued longer it is said that it perfectly cureth the Stone and that experience hath found it so It is found good against the French Pox. The Roots bruised and applied outwardly helpeth the Kernels of the Throat commonly called the Kings evil or taken inwardly and applied to the place stung or bitten by any Serpent healeth it speedily If the Roots be bruised and boyled in old Hogs greas or salted Lard and applied to broken Bones Thorns c. remaining in the Flesh doth not only draw them forth but healeth up the place again gathering new Flesh where it was consumed The Juyce of the Leavs dropped into the Ears helpeth Imposthumes therin The Distilled Water of the whol Herb when the Leavs and Stalks are yong is profitably drunk for all the purposes aforesaid and helpeth the Melancholly of the Heart and is available in Quartane and Quotidian Agues as also for them that have their Necks drawn awry and cannot turn them without turning their whol Body The Plant is Venerial and breedeth Seed exceedingly and strengthens the Spirit procreative it is hot and moist and under the Coelestial Ballance ☉ ♌ Eyebright Description THe common Eyebright is a small low Herb rising up usually but with one blackish green Stalk a span high or not much more spread from the bottom into sundry Branches wheron are set smal and and almost round yet pointed dark green Leavs finely snipped about the edges two alwaies set together and very thick At the Joynts with the Leavs from the middle upward come forth small white Flowers stryped with purple and yellow Spots or stripes after which follow small round Heads with very small Seed therin The Root is long small and threddy at the end Place It groweth in many Meadows and grassy places in this Land Vertues and Vse If this Herb were but as much used as it is neglected it would half spoil the Spectacle-makers Trade and a man would think that reason should teach people to prefer the prefervation of their Natural before Artificial Spectacles which that they may be instructed how to do take the Vertues of Eyebright as followeth The Juyce or distilled Water of Eyebright taken inwardly in white Wine or Broth or dropped into the Eyes for divers daies together helpeth all infirmities of the Eyes that caus dimness of Sight Some make a Conserv of the Flowers to the same effect Being used any of these waies it also helpeth a weak Brain or Memory This tunned up with strong Beer that it may work together and drunk Or the Pouder of the dried Herb mixed with Sugar a little Mace and Fennel Seeds and drunk or eaten in Broth Or the said Pouder made into an Electuary with Sugar and taken hath the same powerful effect to help and restore the Sight decaied through age And Arnoldus de villa nova saith It hath restored Sight to them that have been blind a long time before It is under the Sign of the Lyon and Sol claims Dominion over it ☿ Fern. Description OF this there are two kinds principally to be noted viz. The Male and Female The Female groweth higher than the Male but the Leavs therof are lesser more divided or dented of as strong a smel as the Male The Vertues of them are both alike and therfore I shall not trouble you with any further Description or distinction of them Place They both grow on Heaths and in shady places neer the Hedg sides in all Countries of this Land Time They flourish and give their Seed at Midsummer The Femal Fern is that plant which is In Sussex called Brakes the Seed of which some Authors hold to be so rare such a thing there is I know and may easily Be had upon Midsummer Eve and for ought yet I know two or three daies before or after if not more Vertues and Vse The Roots of both these sorts of Ferns being bruised and boyled in Mead or Honyed Water and drunk killeth both the broad and long Worms in the Body and abateth the Swelling and hardness of the Spleen The green Leavs eaten purgeth the Belly and Chollerick and waterish humors but it troubles the Stomach They are dangerous for Women with Child to meddle with by reason they caus abortment The Roots bruised and boyled in Oyl or Hogs greas maketh a very profitable Oyntment to heal Wounds or pricks gotten into the Flesh. The Pouder of them used in foul Ulcers drieth up their Malignant moisture and causeth their speedier healing Fern being burned the smoke therof driveth away Serpents Gnats and other noisom Creatures which in the Fenny Countries do in the night time trouble and molest people lying in their Beds with their Faces uncovered it causeth Barrenness Osmond Royal or Water Fern. ♄ Description THis shooteth forth in the Spring time for in the Winter the Leavs perish divers rough hard Stalks half round and hollowish or flat on the other side two Foot high having divers Branches of winged yellowish green Leavs on all sides set one against another longer narrower and not nicked on the edges as the former From the top of some of these Stalks grow forth a long Bush of smal and more yellowish green scaly aglets as it were set in the same manner on the Stalks as the Leavs are which are accounted the Flower and Seeds The Root is rough thick and Scaly with a white pith in the middle which is called the Heart therof Place It groweth on Moors Bogs and Watery places in many parts of this Land Time It is green all the Summer and the Root only abideth in Winter Vertues and Use. This hath all the Vertues mentioned in the former Ferns and is much more effectual than they both for inward and outward Griefs and is accounted singular good in Wounds Bruises or the like the Decoction to be drunk or boyled into an Oyntment or Oyl as a Balsom of Balm and so it is singular good against Bruises and Bones broken or out of joynt and giveth much eas to the Chollick and Splenetick Diseases as also for Ruptures or burstings The Decoction of the Root in white Wine provokes Urine exceedingly and clenseth the Bladder and passages of Urine ♀ Featherfew Description COmmon Featherfew
whence to the top it is stored with large and long hollow reddish Purple Flowers a little more long and eminent at the lower edg with some white Spots within them one above another with smal green Leavs at every one but all of them turning their Heads one way and hanging downwards having some threds also in the middle from whence rise round Heads pointed sharp at the ends wherein smal brown Seed lieth The Roots are many smal Huskie Fibres and some greater strings among them The Flower hath no scent but the Leavs have a bitter hot tast Place It groweth on the dry sandy Grounds for the most part and as well on the higher as lower places under Hedg-sides in almost every County of this Land Time It seldom Flowreth before July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use This Herb is familiarly and frequently used by the Italians to heal any fresh or green Wound the Leavs being but bruised and bound thereon and the Juyce therof is also used in old Sores to clens dry and heal them The Decoction hereof made up with some Sugar or Honey is available to clens and purge the Body both upwards and downwards somtimes of tough Flegm and clammy Humors and to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It hath been found by experience to be available for the Kings Evil the Herb bruised and applied or an Oyntment made with the Juyce thereof and so used And a Decoction of two handfuls therof with four Ounces of Polipody in Ale hath been found by late experience to cure divers of the Falling-sickness that have been troubled with it above twenty yeers My self am confident that an Oyntment of it is one of the best Remedies for a Scabby Head that is Fumitory Description OUr common Fumitory is a tender sappy Herb sending forth from one square slender weak Stalk and leaning downwards on all sides many Branches two or three foot long with finely cut and jagged Leavs of a whitish or rather Blewish Seagreen colour At the tops of the Branches stand many small Flowers as it were in a long spike one above another made like little Birds of a reddish Purple colour with whitish Bellies After which come small round Husks containing smal black Seed The Root is yellow smal and not very long ful of Juyce while it is green But quickly perishing with the ripe Seed In the Corn Fields in Cornwal this beareth white Flowers Place It groweth in the Corn Fields almost every where as well as in Gardens Time It Flowreth in May for the most part and the Seed ripeneth shortly after Vertues and Vse The Juyce or Syrup made thereof or the Decoction made in Whey by it self with some other purging or opening Herbs and Roots to caus it to work the better it self being but weak is very effectual for the Liver and Spleen opening the Obstructions thereof and clarifying the Blood from Saltish Chollerick and Adust Humors which caus Lepry Scabs Tetters and Itches and such like breakings out of the Skin and after the Purging doth strengthen all the inward parts it is good also against the yellow Jaundice and spendeth it by Urin which it procureth in abundance The Pouder of the dried Herb given for some time together cureth Melancholly but the Seed is strongest in operation for all the former Diseases The dististilled Water of the Herb is also of good effect in the former Diseases and conduceth much against the Plague and Pestilence being taken with good Treacle The Distilled Water also with a little Water and Honey of Roses helpeth all the Sores of the Mouth or Throat being gargled often therwith The Juyce dropped into the Eyes cleareth the Sight and taketh away redness and other defects in them although it procure some pain for the present and cause Tears Dioscorides saith it hindreth any fresh springing of hairs on the Eyelids also they be pulled away if the Eyelids be anointed with the Juyce hereof with Gum Arabick dissolved therin The Juyce of Fumitory aud Docks mingled with Vinegar and the places gently washed or wet therwith cureth all sorts of Scabs Pimples Itches Wheals or Pushes which arise on the Face or Hands or any other part of the Body Saturn owns the Herb and presents it to the World as a Cure for his own Diseases and a strengthner of the parts of the Body he rules If by my Astrological Judgment of Diseases from the Decombiture you find Saturn Author of the Diseas or if by Direction from a Nativity you fear a Saturnine Diseas approaching you may by this Herb prevent it in the one and cure it in the other and therfore 't is fit you keep a Syrup of it alwaies by you The Furs-Bush THis is so well known as well by this name as in some Countries by the name Gors that I shal not need to write any Description therof my intent being to teach my Country men what they know not rather than to tell them again of that which is generally known before Place They are known to grow on dry barren Heaths and other wast gravelly or sandy grounds in all Countries of this Land Time They also Flower in the Summer Months Vertues and use They are hot and dry good to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen A Decoction made with the Flowers therof hath been found effectual against the Jaundice as also to provoke Urine and clens the Kidneys from Gravel or Stones ingender'd in them It is a Plant of Mars and doth all this by Sympathy Garlick THe offensivenes of the breath of him that hath eaten Garlick will leade you by the Nose to the knowledg hereof and in stead of a description direct you to the place wher it groweth in Gardens which kinds are the best and most Phisical Vertues and use This was antiently accounted the Poormans Treacle it beeing a remedy for all diseases or hurts except those which it self breeds It provoketh Urine and womens Courses helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog and of other Venemous Creatures killeth Wormes in Childern cutteth and avoydeth tough flegm purgeth the head helpeth the Lethargie is a good preservative against a remedy for any Plague sore or soul Ulcer taketh away spots and blemishes in the Skin easeth pains of the eares ripeneth and breaketh Impestumes or other swelling And for all these diseases the Onyons are also effectual But the Garlick hath some more peculiar vertues besides the former Viâ— It hath a speciall quality to discuss the inconveniences coming by corn pt Agues or Mineral Vapours or by drinking corrupt and stinking waters As elso by taking of Wolf-bane Henbane Hemlock or other poysonfull and dangerous herbs It is also held good in Hydropick diseases the Jaundice falling-sickness Cramps Convulsiers the piles or Hemorrhoids or other cold diseases My Author quotes here many â—â—â—ases this is good for but conceals it services its heat is very vehement and al
made of five Leavs narrow and pointed at the ends with some yellow thredssn the middle which being past there stand in their places smal round Heads of Seed Place It groweth plentifully in almost all places of this Land commonly in moist grounds by Hedg sides and in the middle of grassy Fields Time They Flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and use Moneywort is singular good to stay all Fluxes in Men or Woman whether they be Lasks Bloody Fluxes the Flowing of Womens Courses Bleedings inwardly or outwardly and the weakness of the Stomach that is given to casting It is very good also for all Ulcers or Excoriations of the Lungs or other inward parts It is exceeding good for all Wounds either fresh or green to heal them speedily and for old Ulcers that are of a spreading nature For all which purposes The Juyce of the Herb or the Pouder drunk in Water wherein hot Steel hath been often quenched Or the Decoction of the green Herb in Wine or Water drunk Or the Seed Juyce or Decoction used to the outward places to wash or bath them or to have Tents dipped therein and put into them are effectual Moonwort Description This riseth up usually but with one dark green thick and fat Leaf standing upon a short footstalk not a bove two fingers breadth but when it will flower it may be said to beare a small slender stalk about four or five Inches high having but one leaf set in the middle therof which is much devided on both sides into somtimes five or seven parts on a sid somtimes more each of which parts is small next the middle rib but broad forwards and round pointed resembling therein an half Moon from whence it took the name the uppermost parts or divisions being less than the lowest The Stalk riseth above this Leaf two or three inches bearing many Branches of small long Tongues every one like the spiky Head of Adders-Tongue of a brownish colour which whether I shall call them Flowers or the Seed I well know notâ— which after they have continued a while resolve into a Mealy dust The Root is smal and Fibrous This hath somtimes divers such like Leavs as are before Described with so many branches or tops arising from one Stalk each devided from the other Place It groweth on Hills and Heaths yet where there is much Grass for therein it delighteth to grow Time It is to be found only in April and May for in June when any hot weather cometh for the most part it is withered and gone Vertues and use Moonwort is cold and drying more than Adders-tongue and is therefore held to be more available for all Wounds both inward and outward The Leavs boyled in red Wine and drunk stayeth the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses and the Whites It also staieth Bleeding Vomitings and other Fluxes It helpeth all Blows and Bruises and to consolidate all Fractures and Dislocations It is good for Ruptures But it is chiefly used by most with other Herbs to make Oyls or Balsoms to heal fresh or green Wounds as I said before either inward or outward for which it is excellent good Moonwort is an Herb which they say will open Locks and unshoo such Horses as tread upon it this some laugh to scorn and those no smal Fools neither but Country people that I know call it Unshoo the Horse besides I have heard Commanders say That on White Down in Devon neer Tiverton there was found thirty Hors shoos pulled off from the feet of the Earl of Essex his Horses being there drawn up in a Body many of them being but newly shod and no reason known which caused much admiration and the Herb described usually grows upon Heaths The Moon owns the Herb. Mosses I Shal not trouble the Reader with any Description of these sith my intent is to speak only of two kinds as the most principal Viz. Ground-Moss and Tree-Moss both which are very well know Place The Ground-Moss growing in our moist Woods and the bottoms of Hills in boggy grounds and in shadowy Ditches and many other such like places The Tree-Moss groweth only on Trees Vertues and use The Ground-Moss is held to be singular good to break the Stone and to expel and drive it forth by Urin being boyled in Wine and drunk The Herb bruised and boyled in Water and applied easeth all Inflamations and pains coming of an hot caus â— and is therfore used to eas the pains of the hot Gout The Tree-Mosses are cooling and binding and partake of a digesting and mollifying quality withal as Galon saith But each Moss doth partake of the Nature of the Tree from whence it is taken therefore that of the Oak is more Binding and is of good effect to stay Fluxes in man or Woman as also Vomitings or Bleedings the Pouder thereof being taken in Wine The Decoction thereof in Wine is very good for Women to be hathed with or to sit in that are troubled with the overflowing of their Courses The same being drunk stayeth the Stomach that is troubled with casting or the Hiccough and as Aâ—â—iâ—â—nna saith it comforteth the Heart The Pouder thereof taken in Drink for some time together is thought available for the Dropsie The Oyl of Roses that hath had fresh Moss steeped therin for a time and after boyled and applied to the Temples and Forehead doth Merveilously eas the Headach coming of a hot caus as also the Distillations of hot Rhewm or Humors to the Eyes or other parts The Antients much used it in their Oyntments and other Medicines against Lassitude and to strengthen and comfort the Sinews For which if it was good then I know no reason but it may be fonnd so still Motherwort Discription THis hath a hard square brownish rough strong Stalk rising three or four foot high at the least spreading into many Branches whereon grow Leavs ou each side with long Footstalks two at every Joynt which are somwhat broad and long as it were rough or crumpled with many great Veins therein of a sad green colour and deeply dented about the edges and almost devided From the middle of the Branches up to the tops of them which are very long and smal grow the Flowers round about them at distances in sharp pointed rough hard Husks of a more red or purple-colour than Balm or Horehound but in the same manner and form as the Horehounds after which come smal round blackish Seed in great plenty The Root sendeth forth a number of long Strings and smal Fibres taking strong hold in the Ground of a dark yellowish or brownish colour and abideth as the Horehound doth the smell of this being not much different from it Place It groweth only in Gardens with us in England Vertues and use Motherwort is held to be of much use for the trembling of the Heart and in faintings and swounings from whence it took
little dented in the middle of a pale Rose colour almost white somtimes deeper and somtimes paler of a reasonable good scent Place It groweth wild in many low and wet grounds of this Land by the Brooks and sides of running Waters Time It Flowreth usually in July and so continueth all August and part of September before they be quite spent Vertues and use The Country people in diverse places do use to bruise the Leaves of Sopewort and lay it to their Fingers Hands or Legs when they are cut to heal them up again Some make great boast there of that it is Diuretical to provoke Urine and thereby to expel Gravel and the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys and do also account it singular good to avoid Hydropical waters thereby to cure the disease of the Dropsie And they no less extol it to perform an absolute cure in the French Pox more than either Sarsaparilla Gujacum or China can do which how true it is I leave to others to judg Sorrel OUr ordinary Sorrel which groweth in Gardens and also wild in the Fields is so well known that it needeth no Description Vertues and Use. Sorrel is prevalent in all hot Diseases to cool any Inflamation and heat of Blood in Agues Pestilential or Chollerick or other sicknesses and sainting rising from heat and to refresh the overspent Spirits with the violence of furious or fiery fits of Agues to quench Thirst and procure an Appetite in fainting or decayd Stomachs for it resisteth the putrefaction of the Blood killeth Worms and is as a Cordial to the heart which the Seed doth more effectually being more drying and binding and thereby stayeth the hot Fluxes of Womens Courses or of Humors in the Bloody Flux or Flux of the Stomach The Roots also in a Decoction or in Pouder is effectual for all the said purposes Both Roots and Seed as well as the Herb is held powerful to resist the poyson of the Scorpion The Decoction of the Roots is taken to help the Jaundice and to expel Gravel and the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys The Decoction of the Flowers made with Wine and drunk helpeth the black Jaundice as also the inward Ulcers of the Body or Bowels A Syrup made with the Juyce of Sorrel and Fumitary is a Soveraign help to kill those sharp Humors that cause the Itch. The Juyce thereof with a little Vinegar serveth well to be used outwardly for the same cause and is also profitable for Tetters Ringworms c. It helpeth also to discuss the Kernels in the Throat and the Juyce gargled in the Mouth helpeth the Sores therein The Leaves wrapped up in a Colewoort Leaf and roasted under the Embers and applied to a hard Impostume Botch Boyl or Plague Sore both ripeneth and breaketh it The Distilled water of the Herb is of much good use for all the purposes aforesaid Venus owns it and she will never deny the Herb that follows Wood Sorrel Description THis groweth low upon the ground having a number of Leaves coming from the Root made of three Leaves like a Trefoyl but broad at the ends and cut in the middle of a faint yellowish green colour every one standing on a long Footstalk which at their first coming up are close folded together to the Stalk but opening themselves afterwards and are of a fine sowr rellish and yeelding a Juyce which will turn red when it is clarified and maketh a most dainty clear Syrup Among these Leavs riseth up diverse slender weak Footstalks with every one of them a Flower at the top consisting of five small pointed Leaves Star fashion of a white colour in most places and in some dash'd over with a small shew of blush on the back side only After the Flowers are past follow smal round heads with small yellowish Seed in them The Roots are nothing but smal strings fastned to the end of a smal long piece all of them being of a yellowish colour Place It groweth in many places of our Land in Woods and Wood sides where they be moist and shadowed and in other places not too much open to the Sun Time It Flowreth in April and May. Vertues and Use. Wood Sorrel serveth to all purposes that the other Sorrels do and is more effectual in hindring the putrefaction of Blood and Ulcers in the Mouth and Body and in cooling and tempering heats Inflamations to quench thirst to strengthen a weak Stomach to procure an appetite to stay Vomiting and very excellent in any contagious sickness or Pestilential Feavers The Syrup made of the Juyce is effectual in all the causes afore said and so is the Distilled Water of the Herb also Spunges or Linnen Cloathes wet in the Juyce and applied outwardly to any hot Swellings or Inflamations doth much cool and help them The same Juyce taken and gargled in the Mouth and after it is spit forth fresh taken doth wonderfully help a foul stinking Canker or Ulcer therein It is singular good in Wounds Thrusts and Stabs in the Body to stay bleeding and to clense â— and heal the Wounds speedily and helpeth to stay any hot Defluxions into the Throat or Lungs Sow-Thistles THese are generally so well known that they need no Description Place They grow in our Gardens and manured Grounds and somtimes by old Walls the path sides of Fields and High-waies Vertues and use Sow-thistles are cooling and somwhat binding and are very fit to cool an hot Stomach and to ease the gnawing pains thereof The Herb boyled in Wine is very helpful to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach And the Milk that is taken from the Stalks when they are broken given in drink is beneficial to those that are short Winded and have a wheesing withal Pliny saith that it hath caused the Gravel and Stone to be voided by Urine and that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath Three spoonfuls of the Juyce thereof taken in white Wine warmed and some Oyl put thereto causeth Women in Travel to have so easie and speedy delivery that they may be able to walk presently after The said Juyce taken in warm drink helpeth the Strangury and pains in making water The Decoction of the Leaves and Stalks causeth abundance of Milk in Nurses and their Children to be well coloured and is good for those whose Milk doth curdle in their Breasts The Juyce boiled or throughly heated with a little Oyl of Bitter Almonds in the Pill of a Pomegranate and dropped into the Ears is a sure Remedy for Deafness singings and all other Diseases in them The Herb bruised or the Juyce is profitably applied to all hot Inflamations in the Eyes or wheresoever else and for Wheals Blisters or other the like eruptions of heat in the Skin as also for the heat and itching of the Hemorrhoids and the heat and sharpness of Humors in the Secret parts of man or Woman The distilled water of the Herb is not only effectual for all the Diseases aforesaid
Stomach and in hot Bodies cause Choller to abound and the Headach and are an enemy to those that have the Cough But are less hurtful to those that have colder Stomachs and are said to kill the broad Worms in the Belly or Stomach If they be taken with Onions Salt and Honey they help the biting of a Mad Dog or the Venom or infectious poyson of any Beast c. Oneus Pompeius found in the Treasury of Methridates King of Pontus when he was overthrown a Scrowl of his own Hand-writing containing a Medicine against any Poyson and Infection which is this Take two dry Walnuts and as many good Figgs and twenty Leaves of Rue bruised and beaten together with two or three Corns of Salt and twenty Juniper Berries which taken every morning fasting preserveth from danger of Poyson or Infection that day it is taken The Juyce of the outer green Husks boyled up with Honey is an excellent gargle for sore Mouths the Heat and Inflamations in the Throat and Stomach The Kernels when they grow old are more Oyly and therfore not so fit to be eaten but are then used to heal the Wounds of the Sinews Gangrenes and Carbuncles The said Kernels being burned are then very astringent and will then stay Lasks and Womens Courses being taken in red Wine and stay the falling of the Hair and make it fair being anointed with Oyl and Wine The green Husks will do the like being used in the same manner The Kernels beaten with Rue and Wine being applied helpeth the Quinsie and bruised with some Honey and applied to the Ears easeth the pains and Inflamations of them A piece of the green Husk put unto a hollow Tooth easeth the pains The Catkins hereof taken before they fall off dried and given a dram thereof in Pouder with white Wine wonderfully helpeth those that are troubled with the rising of the Mother The Oyl that is pressed out of the Kernels is very profitably taken inward like Oyl of Almonds to help the Chollick and to expel wind very effectually an ounce or two thereof may be taken at a time The yong green Nuts taken before they be half ripe and preserved with Sugar are of good use for those that have weak Stomachs or Defluxions thereon The distilled water of the green Husk before they be half ripe is of excellent use to cool the heat of Agues being drunk an ounce or two at a time as also to resist the Infection of the Plague if some thereof be also applied to the Sores thereof The same also cooleth the heat of green Wounds and old Ulcers and healeth them being bathed therewith The distilled Water of the green Husks being ripe when they are shelled from the Nuts being drunk with a little Vinegar is also found by experience to be good for those that are infected with the Plague so as before the taking therof a Vein be opened The said Water is very good against the Quinsin being gargled and bathed therewith and wonderfully helpeth Deafness the Noise and other pains in the Ears The Distilled water of the yong green Leaves in the end of May performeth a singular cure on foul running Ulcers and Sores to be bathed with wet Cloathes or Spunges applied to them evening and morning VVold VVeld or Dyers VVeed Description THe common kind groweth bushing with many Leaves long narrow and flat upon the ground of a dark blewish green colour somwhat like unto Woad but nothing so large a little crumpled and as it were round pointed which do so abide the first yeer And the next Spring from among them rise diverse round Stalks two or three foot high beset with many such like Leaves thereon but smaller and shooting forth some smal Branches which with the Stalks carry many smal yellow Flowers in a long spiked Head at the tops of them where afterwards come the Seed which is small and black inclosed in Heads that are devided at the tops into four parts The Root is long white and thick abiding the Winter The whol Herb changeth to be yellow after it hath been in Flower a while Place It groweth every where by the way sides in moist grounds as well as dry in Corners of Fields and by Lanes and somtimes all over the Field in Sussex and Kent they call it Greenweed Time It is in Flower about June Vertues and Use. Mathiâ—lus saith That the Root hereof cutteth tough Flegm digesteth raw Flegm thinneth gross Humors dissolveth hard Tumors and openeth Obstructions Some do highly commend it against the bitings of Venemous Creatures to be taken inwardly and applyed outwardly to the hurt place as also for the Plague or Pestilence The People in some Countries of this Land do use to bruise the Herb and lay it to Cuts or Wounds in the Hands or Legs to heal them Wheat THe several kinds hereof are so well known unto almost all people that it is altogether needless to write any Description thereof Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith That to eat the Corns of green Wheat is hurtful to the Stomach and breedeth Worms Pliny saith That the Corns of Wheat toasted upon an Iron Pan and eaten is a pleasant Remedy for those that are chilled with cold The Oyl pressed from Wheat between two thick Plates of Iron or Copper heated healeth all Tetters and Ring-worms being used warm and hereby Galen saith he hath known many to be cured Mathiolus commendeth the same Oyl to be put into hollow Ulcers to heal them up and it is also good for Chops in the Hands or Feet and to make a rugged Skin smooth The green Corns of Wheat being chewed and applied to the place bitten by a mad Dog healeth it Slices of Wheat Bread soaked in Red Rose-water and applied to the Eyes that are hot red and inflamed or blood-shotten helpeth them Hot Bread applyed for an hour at a time three daies together perfectly healeth the Kernels in the Throat commonly called the Kings Evil. The Flower of Wheat mixed with the Juyce of Henbane stayeth the Flux of Hurhors to the Joynts being laid theron The said Meal boyled in Vinegar helpeth the shrinking of the Sinews saith Pliny and mixed with Vinegar and Honey boyled together healeth all Freckles Spots and Pimples on the Face Wheat Flower mixed with the Yolk of an Eg Honey and Turpentine doth draw clense and heal and Boyl Plague Sore or foul Ulcer The Bran of Wheat Meal steeped in sharp Vinegar and then bound in a Linnen Cloth and rubbed on those places that have the Scurf Morphew Scabs or Leprosie wil take them away the Body being first well purged and prepared The Decoction of the Bran of Wheat or Barley is of good use to bath those places that are Bursten by a Rupture and the said Bran boyled in good Vinegar and appled to swollen Breasts helpeth them and stayeth all Inflamations it helpeth also the bitings of Vipers which I
Plant and withal That Heat was the Mother of action and then judg if old Dr. Tradition who may well be honor'd for his Age but not for his Goodness have not so poysoned the World with his Errors before I was born that it was never well in its wits since and there is great fear it will die mad Wormwood Description THree Wormwoods are familiar with us One I shall not descsrabe another I shall describe and the Third be Critical at And I care not greatly if I begin with the last first Sea Wormwood hath gotten as many Names as Vertues and perhaps one more Scriphion Santonicon Belgicum Narbonense Xantomicum Misnense and a matter of twenry more which I will not blot Paper withal A Papist got the Toy by the end and he called it Holy Wormwood and in truth I am of Opinion Their giving so much holiness to Herbs is the Reason there remains so little in themselves The Seed of this Wormwood is that which usually Women give their Children for the Worms Of all Wormwoods that grow here this is the weakest I but Doctors commend it and Apothecaries sell it the one must keep his Credit and the other get Money and that 's the key of the work The Herb is good for somthing because God made nothing in vain Will you give me leave to weigh things in the Ballance of Reason Then thus The Seeds of the common Wormwood are far more prevalent than the Seed of this to expell Worms in Children or People of ripe age Of both some are weak some are strong The Seriphian Wormseed is the weakest happily may prove to be fittest for weakest Bodies for it is weak enough in all conscience Let such as are strong take the common Wormseed for the other will do but little good Again neer the Sea many people live and Seriphium grows neer them and therfore is more fitting for their Bodies because nourished by the same Air and this I had from Dr. Reason In whose Body Dr. Reason dwels not dwels Dr. Madness and he brings in his Brethren Dr. Ignorance Dr. Folly and Dr. Sickness and these together make way for Dr. Death and the latter end of that man is worse than the beginning Pride was the cause of Adam's Fall Pride begate a Daughter I do not know the Father of it unless the Divil but she christned it and call'd it Appetite and sent her Daughter to tast these Wormwoods who finding this the least bitter made the sqeamish Wench extol it to the Skies though the Vertues of it never reached to the middle Region of the Air. It s due praise is this It is weakest therefore fitter for weak Bodies and fitter for those Bodies that dwell neer it than those that live far from it my reason is The Sea as those that live far from it know when they comt neer it casteth not such a smel as the Land doth The tender Mercies of God being over all his Works hath by his eternal Providence planted Seriphium by the Sea side as a fit Medicine for the Bodies of those that live neer it Lastly It is known to all that know any thing in the Course of Nature That the Liver delights in sweet things if so it abhors bitter then if your Liver be weak it is none of the wisest courses to plague it with an Enemy if the Liver be weak a Consumption follows Would you know the Reason 't is this A mans Flesh is repaired by Blood by a third concoction which transmutes Blood into Flesh 't is well I said Conction for if I had said Boyling every Cook would have understood me The Liver makes Blood and if it be weakned that it makes not enough the Flesh wasteth and why must Flesh alwaies be renewed Because the eternal God when he made the Creation made one part of it in continual dependency upon another And why did he so Because Himself is only Permanent to teach us That we should not fix our affections upon what is transitory but upon what endures for ever The result of all is this If the Liver be weak and cannot make Blood enonough I would have said Sanguifie if I had written only to Schollers The Seriphian which is the weakest of Wormwoods is better than the best I have been Critical enonough if not too much Place It grows familiarly in England by the Sea side Description It starts up out of the earth with many round woody hoary Stalks from one Root its height is four foot high or three at the least The Leaves in Longitude are long in Latitude narrow in Colour white in Form hoary in Similitude like Southernwood only broader and longer in Tast rather salt than bitter because it grows so neer the Salt Water At the joynts with the Leaves toward the tops it bear little yellow Flowers The Root lies deep and is woody Common Wormwood I shall not describe for every Boy that can eat an Eg knows it Romane Wormwood And why Romane seeing it grows familiarly in England It may be it was so called because 't is special good for a stinking Brcarh which the Romans cannot be very free from maintaining so many Baudy Houses by Authority of his Holiness Description The Stalks are slenderer and shorter than the common Wormwood by one foot at least the Leaves are more finely cut and devided than they are but somthing smaller both Leaves and Stalks are hoary the Flowers of a pale yellow colour it is altogether like the common Wormwood save only in bigness â—or 't is smaller in tast for 't is not so bitter in smell for it is spicy Place It groweth upon the tops of the Mountains it seems 't is aspiring there 't is Natural but usually nursed up in Gardens for the use of the Apothecaries in London Time All Wormwoods usually Flower in August a little sooner or later Vertues and Use. Will you give me leave to be Critical a little I must take leave Wormnwood is an Herb of Mars and if Pontanus say otherwise he is beside the Bridg. I prove it thus What delights in Martial places is a Martial Herb But Wormwood delights in Martial places for about Forges and Iron Works you may gather a Cart load of it Ergo it is a Martial Herb. It is hot and dry in the first degree Viz Just as hot as your Blood and no hotter It remedies the evils Choller can inflict on the Body of man by Sympathy It helps the evils Venus and her wanton Girls produce by Antipathy and it doth somthing else besides It clenseth the Body of Choller and who dares say Mars doth no good It provokes Urine helps Surfets Swellings in the Belly it causeth an Appetite to meat because Mars rules the Attractive faculty in Man The Sun never shone upon a better Herb for the yellow Jaundice than this is Why should men cry out so much upon Mars for an Infortue or Saturn either Did God make Creatures to