third is not very frequent in our Land but the last is more rare yet it hath been sowen in our Gardens in April and not before and was ripe in the beginning or middle of August The usuall time for the ordinary sort being in March as to the sowing and the latter end of August as to the mowing The Temperature Barly is cooling and drying in the first Degree It hath also a little abstersive or cleansing quality and doth dry somewhat more then Bean Meal The Vertues The Meal of Barley and Fleawort being boyled in water and made into a Pultis with Honey and Oyl of Lillies applyed warm cureth Tumours under the Ears Throat Neck and such like places A Plaister thereof with Tar Wax and Oyl helpeth the hard swellings of the Throat called the Kings Evill A Pultis made of Barley Meal or Flower boyled with Vinegar and Honey and a few dry Figs put unto them dissolveth all hard Impostumes and excrescences upon the Eye-lids growing in the form of a Barley Corn by Sâ—gnature and asswageth Inflammations also being applyed And being boyled with Melilote and Camomile Flowers and some Linseed Fennigreek and Rue in Powder and applyed warm it easeth the pains in the sides and stomack and the windinesse of the Spleen boyled with sharp Vinegar into a Pultis and layd on hot helpeth the Leprosie being boyled in red Wine with Pomegranat Rinds and Myrtills it stayeth the Lask or other Flux of the Belly boyled with Vinegar and a Quince it easeth the hot pains of the Gout Barley Flower white Salt Honey and Vinegar mingled together is used by divers to take away the Itch speedily and certainly The distilled water of green Barley stilled in the end of May is very good for those that have Defluxions in the Eyes to stay the humours and to ease the pains being dropped into them or white bread layd to steep therein and bound thereto doth the same All the preparations of it as Barley-water and other things made thereof do give great nourishment to persons troubled with Feavers Agues and Heats in the Stomach French Barley is much used in pectorall Diseases or Diseases of the Breast helpeth the sharpnesse of the Throat and increaseth Milk especially boyled with Fennel It provoketh Urine and is very profitable in Choletick Feavers if it be thus administred Take two Ounces of French-Barley boyl it in two fresh waters then boyl it again in a quart of water adding half an Ounce of Licorish and an handful of Violet Leaves and as many Strawberry Leaves to a pint or a pint and a half strain it and put thereto of Syrup of Violets two Ounces or for the poorer sort you may sweeten it with a little Sugar It is used outwardly to soften hard swellings and is good for Inflammations and sorenesse of the Throat being boyled alone or with other fitting Herbs and the Mouth and Throat washed therewith Take Mallowes Violet Beets black Hellebore Fumitory of each three handfuls of French Barley six handfulls boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water for a Bath and use it against the Scab Itch c. you shall find it very effectuall CHAP. LXXII Of Garlick The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Allium which last name the Apothecaries do commonly use Some say 't is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Rudis Rosa because of its strong scent offending the Nose Allium also seemeth to have its Originall from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. exilire because of its growth which is so speedy that it 's said as it were to leap Galen and others have called it Theriaca Rusticorum the Country Mans Treacle We in English call it Garlick Some of this kind are called Scorodoprassum and Moly The Kinds There are 12 sorts of Garlick mentioned by Authours 1. Common Garlick 2. Crow-Garlick 3. Ramsons spotted or Snake-Garlick 4. Great Turky Garlick 5. Great Turky Garlick with a bulbed and twining head 6. Clusius his first leafed Hungarian Moly 7. Sweet smelling Hungarian Moly 8. Purple round headed Mountain Moly 9. Purplish headed Moly of Africa 10. The small Italian white Moly 11. Indian Moly 12. Ramsons The Forme Omitting the Description of Garden Garlick because it is so common I shall give you that of the wild or Crow Garlick which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Snakes Garlick It hath small tough long Leaves like Rushes but not so round smooth and hollow within Amongst which riseth up a naked stalk round slippery hard and sound on the top whereof after the Flowers be gone grow little Seeds made up in a round cluster like small Kernells having the smell and tast of Garlick Instead of a Root there is a bulbe or round head without any Cloves at all The Places and Time Garlick is seldom sowen of Seed but planted in Gardens of the small Cloves which are commonly set in March Some on St. Peters day knit the blades together in a knot that it may head the better and is gathered not long after The Crow-Garlick groweth in fertile Pastures in all parts of England particularly in a Field called the Mantels on the back side of Islington by London The rest are peculiar to divers Countries as Germany Hungary France Spain Italy Turkey and our Land also flowring in Summer and Seeding after The Temperature It is hot and dry in the fourth Degree and raiseth Blisters being applyed to the skin The Vertues Garlick being eaten heateth the Body maketh thin thick and grosse humours cutteth such as are tough and clammy digesteth and consumeth them it also openeth Obstructions or stoppings and is an enemy to cold poyson and to the biting of venomous Beasts It taketh away the roughnesse of the Throat also helpeth an old Cough provoketh Urine killeth Worms expelleth Wind helpeth the Cholick cures the Dropsie proceeding of a cold Cause provoketh the Courses in Women and stirreth up Venus and Lust but dryeth the Seed of Generation and is most excellent for a cold and moyst stomach and to stir up naturall heat An old Man by lying in the cold in the Winter season had almost lost the innate or naturall heat of his stomach and his appetite was even decayed after many hot Medicines used in vain at length was cured with Garlick and Honey It is a good preservative against the contagious and pestilent Air. A Decoction thereof made with Origanum and Wine being drunk killeth Worm-Lice and Nits It is profitable against the biting of a mad Dog and for such as are inclined to the Palsie for shortnesse of breath and to dry up Rheum and also for the cold Head-ach It is commended against the Consumption of the Lungs pissing of blood and for such as cannot hold their water The distilled water is good for the same Diseases and for the Quinsie The milk wherein Garlick hath been boyled is good for worms in Children or two
Blood caused by bruises or falls and helps the bloody Flux An oyntment made of the Juyce of Hogs grease is as excellent a Remedy for the biting of a mad Dog or any venemous Creature as any is A Syrup made of the leaves or green fruit is excellent good for Coughs Hoarseness or shortnesse of Breath and all diseases of the Breast and Lungs Some say that the Fig Tree as well as the Bay tree is never hurt by Lightning as also that a Bull if he be never so mad being tyed to a Fig tree will become tame and gentle and that it prospereth the better if Rue be set neer unto it The blew Fig is no doubt of the same operation with the white to all purposes but the fruit commeth most to maturity with us and is eaten as a pretty Junket with Salt and Pepper for unlesse they be so eaten or some Wine drunk after them to digest them they passe not quickly out of the Stomach but putrifie therein and do sometimes put the party eating them in danger of a Feaver Dry Figs also immoderately eaten do engender Crude and windy humours in the Body and soon corrupt in the Stomach whereby they cause Itch Scab and breed Lice also They hurt such as have the Cholick and windy diseases and that have hot Livers and Cholerick Stomachs they are best for old Phlegmatick persons and in cold and moist seasons They are commonly eaten with Almonds and so they cleanse the Breast and Lungs the better by a special Vertue they have Two or three Figs slit and laid all night in Aqua Vitae are very good for those that are pursy and short winded if taken in the morning CHAP. LXXV Of Hyssop The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which as some think takes its name quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia super vultus affunditur because the face being washed with the Decoction or distilled water thereof is made fairer it being of a very abstersive quality And therefore David Prayes God to purge him with Hyssop and in Schola Salerni it is commended for the same purposes in these words Vultibus eximium fertur praestare colorem It is called in Latine Hyssopus and of Us Hyssop The Kinds I find fifteen sorts of Hyssop set down by Parkinson 1. Ordinary Garden Hyssop 2. White Hyssop 3. Golden or yellow Hyssop 4. Russet Hyssop 5. Double Hyssop 6. Broad leafed Hyssop 7. Jagged or dented Hyssop 8. Musked Hyssop 9. Red flowered Hyssop 10. Dwarf Spanish Hyssop 11. Tufted Hyssop 12. Curled Hyssop 13. Mountain wild Hyssop 14. Narrow leafed Hyssop 15. Round Leafed Hyssop The Forme The Common Garden Hyssop is a plant that riseth sometimes to be about a foot high with many woody branches but render at the tops whereof are set at certain distances sundry small long and narrow green Leaves at the tops of the stalks stand blewish purple gaping flowers in spiked heads one row above another after which follow the seed which is small and blackish the root is somewhat wooddy with many threddy strings The whole plant is of a strong sweet sent and is fit to be strewed in windows and such places The Places and Time Our common Hyssop groweth naturally upon the hills of Romania about Verona and neer unto mount Baldus The Dwarfe kind in Spain and the mountain wild kind on the hills in many places of Germany and as Matthiolus saith on the hill Salvatia in the Country of Goritia the rest are nursed up in the gardens of those that are Lovers of curious Simples They do all flower in June and July and their seed is ripe in the beginning or middle of August The Temperature Hyssop is hot and dry in the third degree and therefore must needs be of thin parts It cutteth and breaketh tough Phlegme it ratifieth or maketh thin that which is thick and gross it openeth that which is stopped and cleanseth that which is corrupt The Vertues A Decoction made of Rue and Honey being drunk doth help those that are troubled with Coughs shortnesse of Breath Wheesings and rheumatick Distillations upon the Lungs taken also with Oxymel or water and Hony it purgeth gross humours by the stool and with Honey killeth Worms in the Belly It amendeth the native colour of the Body spoiled by the yellow Jaundise helpeth the Dropsie and the Spleen if it be taken with Figs and Nitre It is good in the Falling Sickness provokes Urine expels Wind and brings down Womens Courses and easeth sharp fits of Agues The Distilled water is good for the same diseases especially those that proceed from a cold if the quantity of a quarter of a pint be warmed and drunk with Sugar at night when one goes to bed but the Decoction as also the Syrup is more effectuall It taketh away black and blew spots and marks that came by stroaks bruises or falls being boyled and the places bathed therewith It is an excellent medicine for the Quinsie to wash and gargle the Throat being boyled with Figs it helpeth the Tooth-ach being boyled in Vinegar and the mouth gargled therewith the hot Vapours of the Decoction taken by a Funnel in at the Ears easeth the Inflammations of them and as Mesue saith the singing noise of them also Being bruised and Salt Honey and Cummin-Seed put to it it helpeth those that are stung by Serpents The green Herb bruised and a little Sugar put to it doth quickly heal any green Wound or Cut in the Hand or else-where The Oyl thereof killeth Lice and taketh away the itching of the Head if it be anointed therewith It helpeth those that have the Falling Sicknesse which way soever it be applyed It helpeth to expectorate tough flegme and is effectuall in all cold griefs or Diseases of the Chest and Lungs being taken either in a Syrup or licking Medicine There is also a Wine made of Hyssop named Hyssop-Wine which is good for the purposes aforesaid and there may be Hyssop-Ale made after the manner of Sage-Ale by adding an Ounce or two of good Liquorice CHAP. LXXVI Of Ragwort The Names IT hath no Greek name being an Herb but of later knowledge for if it had been formerly known we should find it mentioned by some ancient Greek or Latine Authour or other which we cannot do unlesse you would as some do refer it to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Erigerum of Dâ—oscorides which the Latines caâ— Senecio and therefore Lobel calleth it Jacobaea Senecio Tragus Matthiolus and others call it Flos Sti Jacobi and Herba Sti Jacobi Dodonaeus and the latest Writers Jacobaea for what cause I know not unlesse it be because it flourishrisheth about St. Iames-tide Some have taken the Sea kind to be Arthemisia Marina or a species of it because the diviâ—â—on of the Leaves is somewhat like the Arthemisia vulgaris Others call it Cineraria Argentea from the whitenesse of the Leaves which shew like silver or as
the Leaves and Stalkes perish but the Root endureth The Temperature Motherwort is hot and dry in the second degree being also of a cleansing or binding Faculty The Vertues There is hardly a more effectuall herb for the Wemb then Motherwort for it not onely helpeth the Suffocations or Stranglings of the Mother but is wonderfully usefull to Women in their sore Travell the powder thereof to the quantity of a Spoonfull being taken in Wine and therefore it hath not its name for nothing But because the Patient when the fit of the Mother is upon her is most commonly incapable of taking any thing inwardly or of being placed over or in any decoction though that also be prescribed as effectuall therefore the best way of using it will be by applying foments and little baggs thereof warmed to the bottome of the Belly and Share then which there is scarcely a more present remedy especially if Camomile Wormwood Penniroyall Lovage and other strong-sented herbes be used therewith The said powder taken as aforesaid provoketh Vrine and Womens Courses and is right good against the trembling of the Heart the Cramp Convulsion and Palsey for seeing it is a bitter herb and consequently hot and dry it doth thereby cut extenuate and discusse those grosse humors that are setled in the Veines Joynts and Sinewes of the Body And in case any squeamish palate should refuse it because of its bitternesse it may be made into a Syrupe and Conserve and so it driveth melancholly vapours from the Heart and maketh one merry cheerfull and blithe It is also availeable to clense the breast from Phlegme to open the obstructions and stoppings of the Entrailes and to kill all kinde of Wormes in the Belly Moreover it is commended for healing green wounds and serping them from impostumation and inflammation stopping the blood and curing them if it be bruised and applyed It is also a Remedy against certain diseases in Cattlâ— as the Cough Murren c. CHAP. CCCVI Of Feaverfew The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parâ—henium because it is effectual for distempers of the Wombe to which even Virgâ—ns are sometimes subject and in Latine Matricaria for the same reason but it is more commonly called Febrifuga quia Febres fugat from its vertue in expelling Feavers and Agues and thence comes the word Feaverfew yet some call it Featherfew and Fedderfew Galen saith that in his time Parthenium was called Anthemis Helxine Linozostis and Amaracus The Kindes There are said to be eight sorts of Feaverfew 1. Common Feaverfew 2. Naked Feverfew 3. Double Feverfew 4. Sweet Feverfew 5. Unsavoury Feverfew 6 Fine leafed Feverfew 7. Mountaine Feverfew of Clusius 8. Small Sea Feaverfew The Forme Common Feaverfew groweth with many large fresh green Leaves very much torne or cut in on the Edges from amongst which rise up two or three hard Stalkes beset round with many such like Leaves but somewhat smaller at the tops whereof stand many single flowers upon severall small footstalkes consisting of many small white Leaves standing round about a yellow thrum in the middle What Seed it beareth hath not been observed but that it hath Seed may appeare from hence that wheresoever the flowers are suffered to shed there it increaseth very plentifully yet it must needs be very small The Root is somewhat hard tough and short having divers strings thereat The whole Plant iâ— of a strong smell and bitter taste The Places and Time The first groweth wilde by divers Walls and Hedges yet it is more frequent in Gardens where it is little esteemed because it requires no great tendance The second was found in Essex and is now nursed in the Gardens of the curious as the third also is as in the Garden of Mr. Tradescant at Lambeth c. The rest are Strangers and therefore it will be to little purpose to expresse their places They are in flower the greatest part of Summer The Temperature Feaverfew is hot and dry in the third degree or hot in the third degree and dry in the second being withall of a purging cleansing and opening faculty The Vertues The Decoction of the flowers of Feaverfew or the Herb it self made in Wine is exceeding effectuall for the diseases of the Mother whether it be the rising of the Mother or the hardnesse or inflammations of the same especially if a little Nutmeg or Mace be put therein and drunk often in a day and so it bringeth down Womens Courses also with speed and warmeth those parts oppressed by stoppings or cold as also helpeth to expell the dead Childe and the Secondine or Alter-birth To sit over the hot fumes of the Decoctâ—on of the herb made in Water or Wine is likewise effectuall for the same purposes and sometimes when the Patient is in her fit of the Mother and cannot be made to sit orderly nor take any thing inwardly the boiled herbes may be applyed warme to the privy parts The Juice hereof with the Juice of Motherwort being dranke in old Ale with grosse Pepper is also a good Medicine to prevent the fits of the Mother A decoction thereof taken with some Sugar or Honey helpeth the Cough and stuffing of the Chest by Cold as also to clense the Râ—ines and Bladder by expelling the Stone from them The pouder of the Herb taken in Wine with some Syrupe of Vinegar purgeth both Choller and Phlegme and is availeable for those that are pursie or short winded as also for those that are troubled with Melancholâ— or Sadnesse It is very effectuall for all paines in the Head coming of a cold cause the herbe being bruised and applyed to the Crown of the Head and particularly for the Swimming of the Head It is also very good against the Winde in the Stomack being taken inwardly and so it is frequently given before the fits of Agues the herb being also bruised with a few Cornes of Bay-salt and applyed to the Wrists It iâ— likewise profitable in the Dropsie and helpeth such as are impotent as to the matter of precreation if it proceed of a cold or moist cause for it is hurtfull to very hot and dry bodies and if any one chance to take too great a Dose of Opium it is a good remedy to prevent the danger that may ensue Being bruised and heated on a Tile after it is moistned with a little Wine or fryed with a little Oyle and Wine in a Frying pan and applyed warme to the Stomack and Belly helpeth the griping paines of Winde and the â—holick The distilled Water is usefull to take away Spots Freckles and other deformities of the skin CHAP. CCCVII Of Catmint or Nep. The Names IT is thought that the Greeks had not the knowledge of this Herbe because we finde no Greek name for it upon Record but though they might not have the happinesse to enjoy the benefit of so usefull a Simple yet the Latines who have added much to what hath been derived unto them doe call it
the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses A Cloth wet therein and applyed to the Testicles or Cods upon any swelling therein giveth much ease as also to the Gout which commeth of hot and sharp humours The deadly Night-shade is very dangerous to be taken inwardly as might be shown by some lamentable instances yet if the Temples and forehead be a little bathed with the Juyce of Leaves and a little Vineger it procureth rest and sleep when it is hindered by hot fits of Agues or other distemperature and taketh away the pain of the head proceeding of a hot cause The Leaves bruised or their Juyce may be applyed to such hot Inflammations as St. Anthonies fire the Shingles and all other fiery or running Cankers to cool and stay the spreading CHAP. XXX Of Sow-Fennel or Hoggs-Fennel The Names THe Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Peucedanus and Peucedanum as some take it of the pitchy scent it carrieth from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth a Pitch Tree and others of the Pine Tree whose Leaves are like it call it Pinastellum as Apuleius It is also called Faeniculum Porcinum but by Tabermontanus Cauda porcina for the likeness that is between it and an Hoggstail We in English call it Hoggs-Fennel or Sow-Fennel from the Latine Hore-strange and Hore-strong Surphurwott or Brimst one-wort from the yellow Sap or Liquor which quickly waxeth hard or dry smelling not much unlike Brimstone called Sulphur The Kinds Of Sow-Fennel there be three sorts 1. Common Sow-Fennel 2. Small Sow-Fennel 3. Great Sow-Fennel of Italy The Forme The common Sow-fennel hath divers branched stiff stalks full of knees of somewhat thick and long leaves almost like the leaves of the wild Pine three for the most part joyned together at a place amongst which riseth a crested straight stalk lesse then Fennel with some joynts thereon and leaves growing thereat and toward the top some branches issuing from thence likewise on the tops of the stalks and branches stand divers tufts of yellow Flowers where after grow somewhat flat thin and yellowish Seeds almost twice as big as Fennel-Seed The Root groweth great and deep with many other parts and Fibres about them of a strong scent like melted Brimstone yielding forth a yellowish milk or clammy juyce somewhat like a Gum and having also at the top of it about the superficies of the Earth a certain bush of hair of a brown Colour amongst which the leaves and stalks do spring forth The Place and Time The first groweth in good plenty in the salt low Marshes a little by Feversham in Kent near unto the Haven upon the banks thereof and the Meadows adjoyning on the South side of a Wood belonging to Waltham at the Nase in Essex by the High-way-side also at Whitstable in Kent in a Medow near the Sea-side The second was found on St. Vincents Rock by Bristow by Label as he setteth it down in his Adversaria p. 331. and in Hungary and Austria by Clusius The last groweth naturally upon the Sea-Coast of Mount Pelier in France and in divers places in Italy They all flower and seed in the end of Summer that is in July and August The Temperature These Herbs especially the yellow Sap of the Roots is hot in the second and dry in the beginning of the third Degree The Vertues As Night-shade being a cold Plant was good for such distempers of the Ears as happen by reason of heat so this Hog-Fennel being of a hot temperature is very effectual for such griefs as happen to the Ears upon a cold cause if a little of the juyce be dissolved in Wine and dropped into the Ears The same according to Dioscorides and Galen used with Vineger and Rose-water or the juyce with a little Euphorbium put to the Nose helpeth those that are troubled with the Lethargy the Phrensie the turning of the brain or dissiness of the head the Falling-Sickness long and inveterate Head-ach the Palsie the Sciatica and the Cramp and generally all the Diseases of the Nerves and Sinews if it be used with Oyl and Vineger The juyce dissolved in Wine or put into an Egg is good for the Cough and shortness of breath and for those that are troubled with wind and tormenting pains in the body It purgeth the belly gently and dissolveth the wind and hardness of the spleen it giveth ease to those Women that have sore travel in Child-birth and easeth the pains both of Bladder and Reins and womb also A little of the concrete juyce put into an hollow Tooth ceaseth the pains thereof and the Root worketh to the like effect but more slowly and lesse The dryed Powder of the Root being put into foul Ulcers of hard curation clenseth them throughly removeth any splinters of broken bones or other things in the flesh and healeth them up perfectly and likewise bringeth-on old and inveterate sores to cicatrising it is also put into such salves as serve to heat or warm any place Pliny recordeth the vertue hereof in divers places the Root being drunk in Wine with the Seed of the Cypress-Tree in powder easeth the strangling of the Mother but some use to burn it and by the smell thereof giveth ease thereunto the juyce helpeth the burstings of Children and their Navels when they stick forth the Root is of so great force in green Wounds and Sores that it draweth out the Quitture from the very bones By the Signature of this Plant it should cause hair to grow apace where the places wanted it or were deprived for so doth Thapsia or scorching Fennel which hath lesse similitude then this CHAP. XXXI Of Sow-Thistles The Names NExt to Sow-Fennel I have placed Sow-Thistles which amongst others hath a vertue that it is very soveraign for the Ears with which I shall finish the Plants appropriated to them It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod salubrem fundat succum The Latines also call it Sonchus which is divided into Asperum and Laevem and into Asperiorem Laeviorem We in English call them Prickly and Smooth Sow-thistles and sometimes Haâ—es Lettice which because of their like Vertue I have Joyned together They are called of divers Cicerbita Lactucella and Lacterones of Apulelus Lactula Leporina of some Brassica Lepâ—rina or Hares-Coleworts Palatium Leporis and some have it Leporum Cubile The Kindes To reckon up all the sorts of these that are to be found in other Herbals would not be to much purpose and therefore I shall content my self to mention those only which I find in the Phytologia Britannica being in number Eight 1. Tree-Sow-Thistle 2. Wall or Ivy-leafed Sow-Thistle 3. Lesser Prickly Sow-Thistle 4. An Elegant Sow Thistle with a white flower having yellow in the middle 5. Narrow leafed Sow-Thistle 6. Broad leafed Sow-Thistle 7. Prickly Sow-Thistle 8. Common Sow-Thistle which last I shall only describe The Form The Common Sow-Thistle is well known to rise up with a round â—ollow stalk two
in Wine it draweth from the tunicles of the Stomach and Intestines first Choler then Phlegme and also doth strengthen the Stomack like Alees It purgeth Choler likewise from the Reines and Liver and that by Vrine It doth much prevaile in the Green-sicknesse Jaundise and Dropsy and helpeth such as have obstructed Stomacks and Livers the Cholick and gripings in the belly It cleanseth the Womb and uterine parts helpeth Crudities driveth away the Hicket stayeth Vomiting brings a good Appetite expelleth Wind and prevailes in intermittent Agues and Obstructions of the Entralls It preserveth the blood from Putrefaction and is usefull in the pestilence s also for preventing and resisting drunkennesse Vomiting at Sea and killing Wormes The Vinegar wherein Worm-wood is boyled helpeth a stinking Breath that cometh from the teeth or gums or from corruption in the Stomack and provokes the termes in Women and if it be but sleeped in the same and drunken it helpeth such as have made themselves sick with eating Mushromes or Toodstooles The Wine made hereof is good for all the forementioned purposes except in such as have Feavers Being outwardly applyed it killeth Wormes in the Belly or Stomack the juyce with honey helpeth dim eyes and mingled with Niter it helpeth the Quinsie being anointed therewith It taketh away black and blew spots in the skin that come after falls or bruises if it be mingled with honey and anointed It helpeth sore and running Eares and easeth the paine of them if the hot vapors of the decoction be taken-in thereat by a Funnell or otherwise It is likewise effectuall to ease the Tooth-ach Being bruised and applyed with Rose-water to the Stomack it gives much ease and comfort to such as have been long sick It availes against the hardnesse of the Spleene or where there is a hot sharpe-water running betweene the flesh and the skin if it be used with Figges Vinegar and meale of darnell A decoction thereof being made and the Temples bathed therewith helpeth the Paines of the Head that come of a cold cause Also being boiled in Vinegar and the mouth washed therewith it helpeth a Stinking breath Being put into Chests or Presses where cloathes are it preserveth them from Wormes and Moathes If the skin be rubbed with the juice or with the Oyle it driveth away Fleas and Gnats It is said that if Children before they be three Moneths old be bathed with a decoction thereof or their Temples feet and hands be nointed with the juyce thereof and well rubbed in they shall not be troubled nor molested with heat or cold all their life-time It is also commended being so used as before for preserving the body that it shall not be infected with Scah Leprosy French disease Lice or such like malady except some heinous crime be to be punished with one of these Notwithstanding the good qualities aforesaid the juyce offends the head by raising up Vapours which cause drowsynesse and sleepinesse Neither is it safe to use it in the Consumption of the Lungs falling sicknesse Arthritick paines Apoplexy Lethargy and continuall Feavers Where the Stomack is hot the use is also to be forborne especially being inflamed CHAP. CXLIX Of Myrabolanes The Names The Arabians were the first that made Mirabolanes known to the World and called them in general by the name of Delegi as by the Writings of Mesue Serapio do appeare which some of the moderne Greekes translating gave them the names of Myrabolanes because as it is likely they thought the fruit was like unto an Acorne but why they should give the other word Myrâ—s which signifieth an Oyntment cannot be understood by any seeing that they are never used in any Oyntment Yet they recaine the name Myrobalanes which signifieth as much as Balamus Myrepsica or Glans inguentaria the Acorne for Oyntments They are called in English by Mr. Parkinson Purging Plums The Kinds The Author just now mentioned doth set down five sorts of these fruits with the severall Trees whereon they grow As. 1. The yellow Mirabolane Indian Plum 2. The purple Mirabolane 3. The round Mirabolane 4. The bearded or six square Mirabolane 5. The black Mirabolane Their Latine Names are 1 Citrina 2. Chebula 3. Bellerica 4. Emblica 5. Indica The Form The Tree that beareth the yellow Myrabolanes is said to grow as great as a Plum-Tree having many branches and winged Leaves on them like unto the true Service Tree the Fruit is for the most part as big as a reasonable Plum some what long and fully round but having many faire ridges on the outside especially when it is dryed shewing it to be five square and not perfectly round though coming somthing neere round of a yellower colour on the outside then any of the rest the flesh or substance being of a reasonable thicknesse yet not so thick as the Chebula or Emblica nor so thin as the Bellerica The stone is white thick and very hard to break with eminencies and ridges also therein and a very small long kernel lying in the middle of an astringent taste as the dryed fruit is also but much more then it The Places and Time All these fruits grow in the East Indies Wild and not manured yea in divers Provinces as some in Goa and Batecula others in Malaver and Dabul Yet Garzias saith that foure sorts grow in the Kingdome of Cambaya and the Chebula in Bisnagar Decan Guzarate which we call at this time Surrate and Bengala Bellonius saith in his book of Observations that the yellow Mirabolanes grow in Arabia and Syria and also in the plaines of Jericho but it is thought he was mistaken The Temperature All the kinds of Myrabolanes are cold in the first degree and dry in the second not only purging but strengthening the stomack The Vertues The Citrine or yellow Myrabolanes do purge Choler strengthen the Stomack Heart and Liver profit such as have the Hemorrhoides or Piles are proper for such as are of a temperate heate They are good in Tertian Feavers or Agues cause a good colour and hinder old age being often taken The Chebulae do purge Phlegme quicken the Braine and sharpen the Sight strengthen the Stomack after purging They are profitable for such as have the Dropsy and are troubled with long continued Agues The Emblick and Bellerick purge the Stomack from rotten Phlegme lying therein and strengtheneth the Braine and Joynts Heart and Liver and bind all other loose or fluent humors in the parts of the body and are very effectuall for the Trembling of the Heart and to stir up Appetite stay Vomiting and restraineth the fury and belching of Choler qualifyeth the great heat of the inward parts and allayeth Thirst giveth ease to those that are troubled with the Piles by restraining the fiercenesse of Choler flowing into them and for this last effect the Citrine are most used as having the signature thereof The Indies or black Myrabolanes do purge Melancholy and black or adust Choler and therefore are available
in an open and sunny place it growes shorter and crisped It may be propagated also by slips They are sowen in May and bring forth their scaly or chaffy Husks or Ears in July and August Gerrard saith that although it be better for other Plants to be watered morning and evening yet it is best for Marjerome and Basil to be watered in the middle of the day when the Sun shineth hottest The Temperature and Vertues Our common sweet Marjerome is hot and dry in the second Degree and ought to be gathered in the Summer when it floureth which is commonly in August and after dryed in a shadowy place and so it will serve for a year It iâ— warm and comfortable in cold Diseases of the head stomack sinews and other parts taken inwardly or applyed outwardly Matthiolus saith that it digesteth attenuateth openeth and strengtheneth It comforteth the brain openeth the stopping of the Members taketh away the Apoplexy and the Head washed in Lie made of it doth cause the grievous pain of the Head to cease The powder of it given in meat or drunk in Wine doth help the coldness of the stomack and comforteth digestion And the dry leaves made into powder mixed with Honey and anointed upon any part doth take away black and blew spots of the skin The Oyl made thereof is very warming and comfortable to the joynts which are stiffe and the Sinews which are hard to mollifie supple and stretch them forth It helpeth the cold griefs of the womb and the windinesse thereof it comforteth the brain and Nerves and helpeth the weariness and diseases of them if they come of cold it helps the dead Palsie the back viz. the Region along the Back-bone being anointed with it being snuffed up in the nose it helps Spasmus Cynicus which is a wrying the mouth aside It helps noyse in the Ears being dropped in them it provokes the Terms and helpeth the bitings of venomous Beasts it is a most gallant Oyl to strengthen the Body the back being anointed it strengthens the Muscles they being chafed with it it helps the Head-ach the forehead being rubbed with it Also this Herb hath the property of heating all the inward Members it softneth the Milt and asswageth the swelling thereof The Decoction of it doth help those that are beginning to fall into a Dropsie those that cannot make water and the pains and torments in the belly The Flower and Herb put in a fine bagg and that applyed to the stomack doth take away the pain and grief thereof The powder of the Leaves snifted up into the nose doth both cleanse and heat the Head and stayeth Rheum especially if it be mixed with a little Ginger Lastly it is used in all odoriferous Waters Powders c. and is a chief Ingredient in most of those Powders that Barbers use in whose Shops I have seen great store of this Herb hanged up CHAP. XI Of Primroses Cowslips and Bears-Eares THere being so great affinity in these sorts of Plants both for form and quality I thought it not amiss to joyn them together in one Chapter lest our Volume should extend it self to too great a Bulk The Names Primroses are usually called in Latine Primulae Veris because they are the first that flourish in the Spring or at least flower with the first nay sometimes they flourish all winter if the weather be calm both these and Cowslips are named Arthriticae Herbae Paralysis because they are good against the pains of the Joynts and Sinews In English Petty Mullens or Palsie worts but most commonly Cowslips The greater sort called for the most part Ox-lips and Paigles are named of divers Herba S. Petri in English Oxlip and Paigle The Auricula Vrsi is entituled by divers names by sundry Authours as Lunaria Arthritica Paralytica Alphina by Gesner Primula Veris Pachyphyllo's by Lugdunensis Sanicula sive Auricula Vrsi first by Matthiolus and afterwards by Loâ—el and Sanicula Alpina by Gesner and Bauchinus but usually now a dayes Auricula Vrsi by all and therefore we in English call them Auricula's Bears-Ears from the similitude that the Leaves have with the Ears of a Bear and sometimes French Cowslips because they grow naturally upon the Alps and are much like unto Cowslips in flower and sometimes Mountain Cowslips Some of them are called Birds-eyes The Kinds And here I might muster up a whole Regiment of these three sorts but I shall mention no more at this time then those I find spoken of by Gerrard which are 1. The white single or field Primrose 2. The Purple Primrose which by the Turks is called Carchicheck 3. The white double Primrose 4. The green Primrose 5. Field Cowslips 6. Field Oxelipps 7. Double Paigles 8. Cowslipps two in a hese 9. White Birdeine 10. Red Birdeine 11. Yellow Bears ear 12. Purple Bears ear 13. Red Bears ear 14. Scarlet Bears ear 15. Blush coloured Bears ear 16. Bright red Bears ear 17. Stamel Bears ear 18. Little white Bears ear He that desires to be any better informed in these kinds of flowers let him consult the Masculine but especially the Feminine Work of Mr. Parkinson who hath treated more largely of them There have been many sorts also found out and brought from beyond the Seas of late daies but being no very skilful Florist I desire to be excused for not mentioning of them I should proceed to the Descriptions of the Ordinary sort of each but because they are so well known I shall describe only the Bears ear The Forme Bears-Ear is a beautiful and brave plant having green thick and fat leaves somewhat finely snipt about the edges not altogether unlike those of Cowslips but smoother greener and nothing rough or crumpled among which ariseth up a slender round stemme an handful high bearing a tuft of flowers at the top sometimes of a yellow sometimes of a purple or red and sometimes of a white colour not much unlike to the flowers of Oxlipps but more open and consisting of one onely Leaf like Cotiledon or Pennywort the root is very threddy and like unto the Oxelip The Place and Time Primroses and Cowslips joy most in shadowy places and therefore are most commonly found in Woods and borders of fields near to the bedge sides The purple Primrose the double Primrose the green Primrose the double Paigses and the Cowslips two in a hose are seldom seen but in Gardens The Red and white Birdeine do grow very plentifully in the Northern parts of this land as in Harwood near Blackburn in Lancashire at Crosby Ravenswaith and Cragge Close in Westmoreland and in some other places The Originall of the Auriculaes came first from the mountaines of Germany Hungary Italy as the Alpes and Pyrences c. But the greatest variety hath risen from the Seed many of them will flower twice in the year viz. in Aprill and May and then again in August and September if the Autumne prove temperate and moist The Temperature and Vertues All
the pains of the joynts and sinews it strengthneth also the Liver and heart but the Chimicall Oyl doth serve for that and the former purposes much more effectually Being taken inwardly it stayeth vomiting and nauseous subversions and helps the retaining vertue of the stomach and brings good concoction and digestion It stoppeth the Flux of the Belly and profits those that spit blood and that have Coughs being taken with Syrup of Colts-foot or the like it stayeth the acrimony or sharpness of strong purging Medicines and is a good Corrector of them CHAP. LIV. Of Masterwort The Names THis Plant was scarcely known to the Ancients and therefore I cannot tell you by what name they called it but by later Writers it is generally called Imperatoriae as some say from the excellent vertues it hath It is a good Herb indeed but there being many as excellent as it methinks that shouâ—d not be the Reason why it should bear away the Bell from the rest I suppose it rather to be so called because if it meet with a peece of ground it liketh it will so disperse it self on every side that it will prove it self the Generall or sole Commander of the place and so may others haply if they compare the name and the nature of the Plant together And so much also doth the word Magistrantia from whence the word being corrupted comes Astrantia import from the over-mastering of its neighbouring Plants The like might be said of its English name Masterwort It is by some called Pellitory of Spain but falsly that being a small low Plant bearing many finely cut long Leaves upon the stalks lying on the ground like Camomil but somewhat larger Gerard calls it English-Masterwort or false Pellitory of Spain The Kindes As a Lyon brings forth but one Whelp so this mighty Plant is not very numerous in its Progeny for of it there are but two sorts 1. Common Masterwort 2. Mountain Masterwort The Form Common Masterwort hath divers great broad leaves divided into sundry parts three for the most part standing together upon a small footstalk on both sides the greater and three likewise at the end of the stalk each of which leaves are somewhat broad and cut-in on the edges into three or more divisions and all of them besides dented about the brims of a dark green colour and do so much resemble Angelica Leaves that I have known them mistaken for the same yet if they be well regarded they may easily be known asunder for that they grow lower to the ground and upon lesser stalks amongst which rise up two or three short stalks in comparison of Angelica being about half a yard or two foot high and slender with such like leaves at the joynts as grow below but lesser and with fewer divisions bearing umbels of white Flowers and after them small thin flat blackish Seed bigger then Dill-Seed the Root is somewhat great and groweth rather side-wayes then down-right into the ground and is the hottest and sharpest part of any of the rest of the Plant and the Seed next unto it being somewhat blackish on the out-side and smelling well The Places and Time The first is found on sundry Hill in Italy as also in Germany yet it is usually kept in Gardens with them as well as Us The other was found on the Alps in Switzerland They flowre and seed late with us as not untill the end of August The Temperature The Root of Masterwort is hotter then Pepper even to the third Degree compleat and is of very subtle parts The Vertues The Roots of Pellitory of Spain being very rare in England the Roots of Masterwort are the best substitute and are commonly sold in Shops under that Notion The dryed Root being chewed in the mouth draweth down from the head much flegme and is thereby available to ease the pains in the Head and Teeth and to draw forth cold Rheum Catarrhes and Defluxions upon the Lungs or Distillations into the Eys It is available in all cold Diseases and Griefs both of the Stomack and Body dissolving wind very powerfully both upward and downward The same also provoketh Urine and helpeth to break the Stone and expel Gravel from the Kidneys it procureth Womens Courses and expelleth the dead Birth and is singular good for the strangling of the Mother and other the like Womens Diseases it is effectuall also against the Dropsie Cramp and Falling Sicknesse It is of a rare quality against all sorts of cold poysons to be taken as there is cause either more or lesse and provoketh sweat The juyce hereof dropped or Tents dipped therein and applyed either to the green wounds or rotten Ulcers yea although they fret and creep and be almost gangrenated and those also that come by envenomed Weapons doth soon cleanse and heal them or if they be bathed with the distilled water the same also is good to help the Gout comming of cold cause Tragus saith that the Decoction of the Root in Wine being drunk doth revive the ability of generation but surely he had not observed Galens Rule who saith that those things that are so hot to expell wind do not help but hinder nature The other sort is more effectual and especially for Quartane Agues to expel the dead Child to purge the brain and to expell wind and help the Cholick CHAP. LV. Of Corall The Names THough it may seem strange to some at first sight that I should treat of Corall amongst Plants which seemeth more like unto a Stone yet whosoever shall consider the manner of its growing will conclude with the Herbarists of all Ages that it is fitly reckoned amongst them It is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Corallium by all that have written of it and thereto rubrum or album c. is set for distinction-sake yet the white is not remembered but by modern Authours the black sorts are called Antipathes and Corallium Nigrum there is a second sort of Antipathes or rough bristly black Corall and is called by the Fishers of Sardinia Sambeggia The Kinds The Sorts of Corall mentioned by later Writers are ten 1. The great red Corall 2. The greater and siner white Corall 3. Loose white Corall 4. Hollow white Corall 5. Knotty and spotted white Corall 6. Starry white Corall 7. Joynted white Corall 8. Black Corall 9. Rough bristly black Corall 10. Yellow Corall The Forme The greater red Corall which I take to be of greatest use is found growing on the Rocks in the Sea like unto a shrub with Arms and Branches breaking forth some into greater and some into lesser sprigs set full of knaggy eminences of a pale or whitish red colour on the out-side for the most part as it is taken forth of the water but being scraped or filed and polished becommeth very fair as it is usually seen yet some will be much more red on the outside at the first taking up and much redder within also being also of a firmer or hard stony
Saffron the kernells of Wallnuts two ounces Figs two ounces Mithâ—idate one dram and a few Sage Leaves stamped together with a sufficient quantity of Pimpernell water and made into a masse or lump and kept in a Pot for your use and thereof twelve graines given in the morning fasting preserveth from the Pestilence and expelleth it from those that are infected Infinite advantage hath been made of this commodity by those that Planted it there being no Saffron comparable to the English but now it is manured by so many that it is not so profitable as formerly CHAP. CXX Of Borage The Names IT is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euphrosyne ab efficienda animi voluptaâ—â— from causing mirth Apulâ—â—us said that Buglossum meaning our Borage was called by them of Luca Corragâ— quod cordis affectibus medetur because it is very Cordiall which by the alteration of one letter is Borrage and from thence as is supposed came the name Borrage which is not found in any of the ancient Writers whom I can perceive to make little or no difference between it and Buglosse but rather that it is the same that was formerly so called yet we have them growing in distinct formes in our Gardens The Kinds And of Borage commonly so called I find five sorts 1. Garden Borage with blew Flowers 2. Garden Borage with white Flowers 3. Everlasting Borage 4. Small creeping Borage 5. Small wild Borage The Forme And because the first Garden Borrage is so well known I shall describe the Everlasting Borage which hath very many broad Leaves rough and hairy of a black darke green colour amongst which rise up stiffe hairy stalkes whereupon do grow faire blew Flowers ripe seed and buds for new Flowers all at once whereupon it is called Everlasting and that very properly because it lasteth both Summer and Winter and is seldom without Flowers buds ripe or unripe seed whereby it greatly increaseth The roote is very durable The Places and Time The first groweth in most Gardens and there increaseth very much after it is once sown the second and third are not so common yet found in divers Gardens of those that affect rarities the last in Germany as Lobel saith and in Naples as Columna saith and in Kent if Mr. Parkinson mistake not The fourth came to us out of the Low-Countrys and prospereth well in the Physick-Garden at Oxfora they do all Flour in the moneths of June and July except the Creeping Borage which Lobel saith flowâ—eth both in the Spring and in August and their seed doth ripen quickly after both ripe seed Flowers may at one time be gathered from many of them The Temperature The Garden kinds are temperate and accounted rather hot and moist in the first degree then cold and yet for their cordiall properties are often used amongst other cold herbs as conducing to the like effect The Vertues The Leaves Flowers and Seeds of Borage all or either of them are very Cordiall and helpe to expell sadnesse and melancholy arising without manifest cause whereof came the saying Ego Borrago gaud a semper ago I Bo rage bring allwaies Courage It helpeth also to clarify the blood is to very good purpose used in all putrid or Pestilentiall Feavers to de end the Heart and to help to reâ—st and expell the poyson or the venome of other Creatures The juice made into a Syrup prevaileth much to all the purposes aforesaid and is also put with other cooling opening and clensing herbs to open obstructions and to help the yellow Jaundise to coole and clense the blood and temper the heate and sharpnesse thereof especially with Fumitory and thereby to helpe the Itch Ring-wormes or Tetters or other spreading Scabs or Sores that arise from adust and sharp humors and for that purpose is put into the Syrupus Byzantinus which worketh to the same effect The Conserve made of the Flowers or the Flowers candyed are helping also in those causes but are chiefely used as a Cordiall and good for those that have been long sick or in a Consumption to comfort the Heart and Spirits and is thereby good for those that are troubled with often swouning or passions of the Heart The distilled Water is no lesse effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid and the eyes washed therewith helpeth the rednesse or inflamation of them The dryed Herb is almost uselesse yet the Ashes thereof boiled in Meade or Honyed water is available against Inflammations Ulcers in the mouth or Throat to wash and gargle it therewith The green Leaves and stalkes with the Flowers on them are frequently used in the summer-time to be put in Wine or Beere for the comforting the Heart and giving a better rellish thereunto Syrup made of the Juice of Borage and Sugar having some of the powder of the Heart-bone or a Hart put into it is good against swouning the Cardiack passion of the Heart against melancholly and the falling sicknesse The wild Borage is somwhat hotter and dryer and is very neere the property of Vipers Buglosse which differeth little from what hath been already said of Borage as you shall heare hereafter CHAP. CXXI Of Violets The Names THe Garden Violet is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Viola purpurea by Dioscorides and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Viola nigra and Melanion by Theophrastus Some would have the name to come from Io whom Jove transformed into a Cow because she fed on them cheifly Others from certain Nymphes of Jonia who first gave of the Flowers to Jupiter for a presenâ—â— others think it to be derived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasiâ—re aut primum prorumpere veris enim praevia est Viola because it is one of the first herbs that flowreth The Latines call it Viola Martia and Herba Violaria Heartsâ—ease which is also a kind of Violet is called in English Pansyes as also Love in idlenesse Call me to you and Three faces under a hood in Latine Viola Tricolor c of the three colours therein The Kinds There are many sorts of Violets 1. Single purple Violets 2. Single white Violets 3. Double purple Violets 4. Double white Violets 5. Upright Violets 6. Smal narrow Leafed Violets 7. Mountaine Violets with jagged Leaves 8. Yellow Violets of Virginia 9. Yorkeshire striped red Violets 10. Wild Violets 11. Garden Pansyes 12. Wild Pansyes or Hearts-ease The Forme The description of the ordinary Garden Violets being needlesse I shall set down that of the upright Violet which groweth a foot-high or neere upon with hard upright stalkes which yet bend down againe their tops having two Leaves somwhat round set at each joynt but longer and more dented about the edges then the Garden kinds at which joynts with the Leaves on both sides of the stalkes commeth forth a larger Flower and more spread open then it being more like a Pansye but of a pale purplish colour almost as sweet as the Violet as Matthiolus but without scent as Lobel saith The Names
the Mother whatsoever for in those feminine griefs it hath a very powerful effect as hath been often and certainly found true It is also very good against the swimming or turning of the brain and all other pains in the head and likewise very Cordiall both to strengthen the vitall â—pirits when they are much subject to faint or swoun as also against melancholy or sadness that ariseth without manifest cause If the clarified Juyce of the 〈…〉 b be set in the Sun for certain dayes and the pure liquor thereof mixed with a 〈…〉 e Honey be dropped into the Eyes it both cleareth and strengtheneth the sâ—ght and taketh away the spots and blemishes in them Monardus by whom the first knowledge hereof came to the World although it was found out and the use thereof thirty years before he wrote of it saith that the Roots of those in Spain are somewhat sweet like a Parsnip and may be eaten in the same manner He saith also that the Root hereof whether raw or dressed or condited as also the juyce of the Herb taken by themselves or with any other Cordiall or Counterpoyson doth not only help the biting of that venomous Serpent Escuersos or Scorzon which Crollius saith it doth by Signature there being some resemblance between the form of the Serpent and the Root but of the Viper and all other virulent Creatures whatsoever CHAP. CXXIX Of the Pome Citron-Tree The Names THe great Pome-Citron is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Malus Medica because as Theophrastus conceiveth it came from Media and Persis and therefore was also called Malus Persica Some call it also Malus Assyria but the most proper and generally received name is Malus Citria because Malus Medâ—ca doth comprehend Lemmons and Orenges also and Malus Assyria is put for that Tree which beareth Adams Apples yet the fruit hereof is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Malum Medicum Malum Citrium Malum Persicum Malum Assyrium as also Oedromelum Citromelum Citrangulum and of some Poncires quasi Pomum Citrium in English Citron The lesser sorts differ from the first both in the Tree and Fruit and therefore have a different name for the Tree is called Limonera and the Fruit Limones The Kinds Of Citron-Trees and Limones or Limerones there be six sorts 1. The greater Pome-Citron-Tree 2. The lesser Pome-Citron-Tree 3. Big-bellied or double Citrons 4. Sweet Limoones or Limerones 5. Sowre Limoones or Limerones 6. Changeable Limoones or Limerones The Forme The greater Citron-Tree groweth not very high in some places but with a crooked short body yet in others not much lower then the Lemmon-Tree spreading sundry great long Arms and Branches set with long and sharp thorns and fair large and broad fresh green Leaves a little dented about the edges very smooth and sweet of smell The Flowers grow at the Leaves all along the Branches being somewhat longer then those of the Orange made of fine thick whitish purple or blush Leaves with some threds in the middle after which all the year long followeth fruit for it is seldom seen without ripe fruit and half ripe and small young and green and blossoms all at once This kind beareth great and large fruit some as great as a Musk Melon yet others lesser but all of them with a rugged bunched out and uneven yellow bark thicker then in any of the other sorts and with small store of sowre juyce in the middle and somewhat great pale whitish or yellow Seeds with a bitter Kernel lying therein The smell of this Apple is very strong but very comfortable to the senses The Places and Time All these sorts of Citrons grow in Spain with those that are curious to nurse up rare fruits but gained from sundry places abroad and the last from the Fortunate Islands Their time is without time even all the year throughout flowring and bearing fruit The Temperature Galen maketh the Seed to be cold which Matthiolus would excuse by diverting his intent to the juyce but Avicen saith it is hot in the first Degree and dry in the second the Bark or Rind hot in the first and dry in the end of the second Degree the inner white substance being between the outer Bark and the inner juyce hot and moyst in the first Degree and the acide juyce cold and dry in the third Degree The Signature and Vertues The Fruit of the Pome-Citron-Tree being like to the heart in form is also a very soveraign Cordiall for the same and an excellent Antidote against Venome or Poyson against the Plague or any other infection if the outer yellow Rind which hath a very aromaticall smell but bitter tast be dryed and taken Besides it warmeth and comforteth a cold or windy stomach mightily dissolving the Wind and dispersing raw cold and undigested humours therein or in the Bowels Being chewed in the mouth it amendeth an evill breath and causeth a good one it also helpeth digestion and is good against Melancholy these outer Rinds being preserved with Sugar are used in a Junket more then in any Physicall manner yet are they often used in Cordiall Electuaries as preservatives against infection and melancholy and other the Diseases aforesaid It also helpeth to loosen the Body and therefore there is a solutive Electuary made thereof called Electuarium de Citro solutivum to evacuate the Bodies of those that are of a cold and flegmatick constitution and may also be safely uâ—ed where Choler is intermixed with Flegm The inward white Rind of the Fruit is almost unâ—avory and without tast and is not used in any manner of Physick but being preserved serveth to sort with other Suckets at Banquets The soure juyce in the middle surpasseth that of Lemmons in the effects although it be not so sharp in tast it is very good in all pestilentiall and burning Feavers to restrain the venome and infection to suppress the violence of Cholar and hot distempers of the blood extinguisheth thirst correcteth the ill disposition of the Liver stirreth up an Appetite refresheth the over-spent and fainting spirits resisteth drunkenness and helpeth the turnings of the Brain by the hot vapour arising thereinto and causing a phrensie or want of sleep The Seeds are very effectuall to preserve the heart and vitall spirits from the poyson of the Scorpion or other venomous Creatures as also against the infection of the Plague and Pox or any other contagious Disease they kill the Worms in the Stomack provoke Womens Courses cause abortment and have a digesting and drying quality fit to dry up and consume moyst humours both inwardly in the Body and outwardly in any moyst or running Vlcers and Sores and take away the pains that come after the biting of any venomous Creature The whole Fruit or Branches of the Trees laid in Presses Chests or Wardrobes keepeth Cloth or silk Garments from Moths and Worms and gives them a good scent also The Syrup of Citron Pills or Rhinds strengtheneth
it may from thence be gathered that it is not the dryed juyce of the Herb-Aloes but the odoriferous Wood of this Tree mentioned also in the four and twentieth of Numbers being the Parable of Balaam concerning the beauty of Jacob where he saith How goodly are thy tents O Jacob and thy Tabernacles O Israel As the Valleys are they spread forth as Gardens by the River side as the Trees of Lign-Aloes which the Lord hath planted c. The Kinds Serapio reckoneth up divers sorts of this wood and Ruellius speaketh of four yet Garcias saith that he knew but one sort of true Lignum Aloes that grew in India and that the other sorts which were so called were but Sweet-woods assimulating it or at most but a wild kind The Form I cannot be so exact in the description hereof as I would therefore I must intreat you to accept of what followes Garcias saith that the Tree is like unto an Olive-tree and sometimes greater now an Olive growing in some places is found to be as big as a great Wall-nut-Tree so that hence you may judge of the proportion of it but I cannot meet with any one that ever saw the Flower or fruit Garcias having only the Branches thereof brought unto him to see unless it were Serapio who saith that it beareth small Berries like unto Pepper but red yet Garcias maketh some doubt thereof The Wood is somewhat blackish on the out-side and more gray and somewhat discoloured with Veins within The best is that which is knobbed or in uneven peeces very brittle and breaking short of a bitter tast and small scent untill it be burned but then it yields a most fragrant odour or smell sweating forth an Oily moysture at its first putting into the fire and that with small bubbles which soon vanish away and being put into water it will swim though some affirm the contrary The Places and time The true Lign-Aloes groweth in Malacca and Summatra being both in the East-Indies in places that are very dangerous by reason of the Tigers that haunt those Coasts which is the Reason why the form hath been so little mentioned by the ancient Writers and the time not at all spoken of The Temperature It is hot and dry in the second or as some say in the third Degree astringent and a little bitter and of subtile parts The Vertues Those Powders and Electuaries wherein this Wood is a main Ingredient do strengthen all the inward parts but eâ—peâ—ially the heart which it doth wonâ—eâ—fully corroborate against fainting of the Spirits and cold Diâ—eases of the Heart and in the next place the Brain which it â—â—rengtheneth and dryeth and therefore is useful in the Apopâ—exieâ— Palâ—e Lethargy and loâ—eâ—o memory by stopping the defluxions of rheumatick humour that cause the same It he peth Dysenteries or Lasks and Pâ—euâ—isies and hinders sweâ—ting It doth strengthen a weak and languishing stomach taketh away putre action dryeth up humidity and expelleth Wind. By reason of its bitterness it killeth worms and is put into divers Cordialls and Antidotes It helps also the cold Diseases of the Womb. The extract thereof is good for the fore-mâ—ntioned Diseases It is used outwardly in Fumigations to dry up Rheum and in Quiâ—ts â—or the same purpose A Fumigation thereof some say provoketh the Flowers in Women It is very pâ—ofitabâ—e also to be used in the Diâ—eases of the Liver and Spleen opening the obstructions thereof and strengthening them if as much of the Powder of it as will lie on a Groat be taken fasting three mornings together either in Broth or Wine CHAP. CXXXVII Of Cinamon The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine likewise Cinnamomum and Cinamomum as also Canella and Cassia in English Cinamon Canel and Cassia Garcias saith that the name of Cinamomum was given by those oâ— Ormus that bought it of the Chineses as though it were Châ—na Amomum then which Scaliger in his notes on him saith Nothing could be more unfitâ—y or foolishly spoken for China is but the corrupt pronuntiation of the Portugalls for Sina and what affinity saith he hath Amomum with Cassia Cinamomum being so ancient a word that we find it in sundry â—laces of the Bibâ—e as Exod. 30. 23 Proverbs 7. 17. and Cantic 4. 14. Yet some are of Opinion that Scaliger is too quick and self-conceited and that Garcias his sayings may hold good The Kinds The great distance between Us and those places where the Cinamon groweth hath not suffered any of our rare observers of Simples to continue so long in those parts as to give Us perfect satisfaction concerning the Sorts of it so that there is a great Dispuâ—e whether Cinamon Canell and Cassia be distinct things â—r the same Gerard is of Opinion that Canel and Cinamon are the same and thâ—â— Cassia lignea is a Bastard kind thereof being very like in shew but in sweetness and other circumstances belonging to Cinamon fâ—r inferior The Forme The Tree which hath the Cinamon for his Bark hath a Body about the thiâ—knesse of a Mans Thigh but that which is taken from the smaller Branches is much better then that which is taken from the Body which Branches or Boughs are many and very straight whereon do grow beautiful leaves in shape like those of the Orange-Tree and of the colour of the Bay-leaf not as it hath been reported like unto the leaves of Flags or Flower 〈…〉 uce amongst these pleasant leaves and branches come forâ—h many fair white Flowers which turn into round or black fruit or Berries of the bigness of an Hazel-Nut or the Olive-Berry and of a black colour out of which is pressed an Oyl having no smell till it be chafed between the hands It is covered with a double Bark the innermost whereof is the true and pleasant Cinamon which is taken from the Tree and cast upon the ground in the heat of the Sun which maketh it turn and fold it self round together as may be perceived upon view thereof The Tree being thus peeled recovereth a new Bark in the space of three years and is then ready to be disbarqued as before That Cinamon which hath a pale colour hath not been well dryed in the Sun that of a fair brown colour is best and that which is blackish hath been too much dryed and also hath taken some wet in the time of drying The Places and Time The chiefest places where the Cinamon-tree groweth are Zoâ—lan and Malavar but those of Zeilan are the best they grow in other of the Moluccaes Islands as Java the greater and the lesse and also in Mindanoa for the most part upon Mountains It groweth green Winter and Summer as do all other Trees of the Moluccaes and East-Indies for the most part The Bark is taken off at seasonable times and not without express Licence from the King of the Country The Temperature Cinamon is hot and dry in the third Degree or hot in the third Degree and
dry in the second Cassia ligâ—ea is hot and dry in the third degree The first is of subtill parts and very Aromaticall The Vertues The distilled water of Cinamon comforteth the heart and vitall parts corroborateth and strengtheneth the Stomach Brain Nerves and other cold parts of the Body it easeth the pains of the Wind-Cholick provokes the Courses and Urine hasteneth the Birth it preventeth and correcteth putrefaction of humours resisteth poyson stayeth vomiting and helpeth nauseousness of the Stomach It is frequently used in Cardiack passions or passions of the heart fainting of the Spirits and in trembling of the heart It causeth sweetness of breath and brings a good colour in the face it strengtheneth the retentive faculty of all the parts by drying up and consuming the moysture thereof It is used in the Dropsie and Cough proceeding of moysture In brief it avails in all cold Diseases of the Head Stomack and Womb and is most convenient for cold and moyst Bodies and is much used in Lasks or loosness of the Body to ease the pains and frettings of the â—uts and Intralls The Oyl drawn Chymically prevaileth against the pains of the Breast comforteth the Stomack causeth good digestion and being mixed with some Honey taketh away spots from the face being anointed therewith Cassia Ligâ—ea comforteth the Stomack Liver and all the principall parts openeth Obstructions or stoppings diâ—peâ—seth grosse humours repelleth wind provokes Urine and VVomens Courses and doth much faciâ—itate or hasâ—en the Birth Being cast on Coals and the smoke taken at the Nose dryeth up Rheums and Catarrhs that proceed from coâ—d and moyst humours Also a sustumigation thereof helpeth the pain of the VVomb and the stoppings thereof Being mixed with Honey and applyed it dissolveth swellings and hard tumours A decoction hereof with VVhite-wine and Rose-water is commended against the â—â—inking of the Arm-holes if the plaâ—e be bathed therewith and the same is good to wash sore mouths and Gums Both this and Cinâ—mon are more useful in VVinter then in Summer CHAP. CXXXVIII Of Vipers Buglosse The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Echium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alcâ—biadion and Alcibion or Alcâ—bâ—acum of the first under thereof who being bitten by a Viper gathered this Herb and chewing it swallowing down the juyce and appâ—ying the rest of the Herb to the bitten place freed himâ—eâ—f from danger Apulcius saith it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theriorrâ—â—on Viperearadâ—x an◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the form of the Seed whiâ—h as Dioscorides saith is like the head of a Viper and thereof took the name Echium yet some others say from the efâ—ects in the Roots to cure the bitings of the Serpent or which is as likely because the stalks are speâ—kled like a Serpents Skin in Latine also Echium of most Authours yet of some Buglossum sylvestre Vâ—perinum The Kinds The Sorts of Vipers Buglosse are twelve 1. The common Vipers Buglosse 2. VVhite flowred Vipers Bugâ—osse 3. Red flowred Vipers Buglosse 4. Vipers Buglosse with darâ— reddish purpâ—e Flowers 5. Red flowred Vipers Bugâ—osse of Candy 6. Spotted Vipers Buglosse of Candy 7. Dwarf yellow Vipers Buglosse 8. The least yellow Bastard Vipers Buglosse 9. The small white Vipers Bugâ—osse 10. Small Spanish Vipers Bugâ—osse with Spurrs 11. Hoary white Vipers Buglosse of Candy 12. Bâ—ack Vipers Buglosse of Candy The Forme The Common Vipers Buglosse hath many long rough Leaves lying on the ground from among which rise up divers hard round stalks very rough as if they were thick set with prickles or hairs having many black spots on them also â—ike unto the Skin of a Viper whereon are set such like long rough hâ—irâ— or prickly sad green leaves somewhat narrow the middle Rib for the most part being white the Flowers stand at the tops of the stalks branched forth into many spiked leaves of Flowers bowing or turning like the Turne-sole all of them opening for the most part on the one side which are long and hollow turning up the brims a little of a Purplish Violet colour in them that are fully blown but more reddish while they are in the Bud and not blown open as also upon their decay and withering but in some places of a paler Purple colour with a long poinâ—el in the middle feathered or pointed at the top after the Flowers are fallen the Seeds growing to be ripe and enclosed in round heads are blackish cornered and pointed somewhat like unto the Head of a Viper the Root is somewhat great and blackish and wooddy when it groweth toward Seed-time and perisheth in the VVinter The Places and Time The first groweth wild almost every where The second about the Castle-walls of Lewes in Sussex The third and fourth in Hungary and Austria The fifth and sixth in Candy The seventh and tenth in Spain The eighth and ninth on the Hills in the Kingdom of Naples as Columna reporteth The eleventh and twelâ—th in Candy They all flowre in Summer and their Seed is ripe quickly after The Temperature These Herbs are cold and dry of Temperature The Vertues and Signature The Roots or Seeds of Vipers Buglosse are very effectuall to comfort the heart and to expel sadness and melancholy proceeding from no externall or apparent cause It tempers the Blood and allayeth hot fits of the Agues The Seed drunk in Wine procureth abundance of Milk in Womens Breasts easeth the pains in the Loins Back and Kidneys It is likewise as you have heard an especiall remedy against the bitings of Vipers and all other Serpents or venemous Creatures as also against Poyson and poysonful Herbs It is added by Dâ—oscorides and others that whosoever shall take of the Herb or Root before they be bitten shall not be hurt by the poyson of any Serpent the Signature both of the stalk and Seed holding out much to this purpose The distilled water of the Herb when it is in Flower or his chiefest strength is excellent to be applyed either inwardly or outwardly for all the griefs aforesaid There is a Syrup made hereof very effectuall for the comforting of the heart and expelling sadness and melancholy which is made in this manner Take of the clarified juyce of common Vipers Buglosse four pound of fine Sugâ—r three pound of the infusion of the Flowers thereof one pound boyl these gently to the consistence of a Syrup and keep them for use Having thus spoken to divers Simples appropriated to the Lungs and Heart which are the Principall Intralls of the middle Region I shall now set down some of those which are available for Stitches and other distempers of the sides before I descend into the Abdomen or lower Region and first CHAP. CXXXIX Of Carduus Benedictus The Names NEither Carduus Benedictus or the Blessed Thistle or the Vertues were known to the Physitians of old time and therefore you must not expect the Greek name It is called in Latine Carduus Benedictus and that worthily for the
Galanga 2. The lesser Galanga The Form The Greater groweth to be two cubits high having Leaves folding about the Stalke being somwhat long and narrow at the lower end and pointed at the end somwhat like a Speares head of a sad greene colour on the upper side and paler underneath The flower is white but without any scent the seed is small and neglected the root is somwhat great at the head like a reed and hath beene thought by some to be a kind of Iris being of a blackish colour on the outside and whitish within The lesser ariseth not above a foot high having Leaves like the Mirtle the root is small and bunched firme and somwhat tough red both within and without and smelleth a little sweet or aromaticall The Places and Times The first groweth in Java and Malaber being Countryes of the East-Indies The other in China concerning the time I find not any Author that maketh mention The Temperature Galanga is hot and dry in the second or third degree The Vertues and Signature This Galanga is also set down by the aforementioned Crollins to have the Signature of the Stomack and from thence it hath beene found to be exceeding profitable in all cold diseases of the Stomack by helping its concoction and expelling Wind and Crudities from it and strengthening it if it be boiled in Wine and taken Morning and Evening It doth also very much comfort and strengthen a moyst bram helps the Vertigo or swimming of the Head and avails against the palpitation or beating of the Heart and is very useful in the gnawing of the stomack and easeth the Cholick which proceedeth of Wind and in the Diseases of the Mother and stopping of the Urine and hath a speedy operation to cleanse the passages thereof from slimy flegm and stones gathered therein or in the passages at the neck of the Yard and also to wast and consume any fleshy excrescence in the neck of the Bladder or Yard Besides it not only provoketh to Venery but helpeth Conception so that there cannot be a better thing for those which desire to supply their want of Children for it is profitable for them that have cold Reins and excellent for them that have cold and windy distempers of the Womb. Being boyled in Wine and so taken it helpeth a stinking breath and dissolveth the hardness of the Spleen There be also to be had at the Apothecaries Shops both a Powder and Electuary whose chief Ingredient is Galingall both which prevail against Wind sower belchings and indigestion grosse humors and cold Diseases of the Stomach and Liver You may take half a dram of the powder at a time or two of the Electuary in the morning fasting or an houre before meat If Galingall be drunk with the water or Juyce of Plantane it stoppeth the Bloody-Flux and strengtheneth nature comforteth the Brain and helpeth the trembling of the Heart Both the sorts above-mentioned may be used to good purpose in Meats as well as Medicines but the lesser is both of more use and of greater effect and indeed is to be used only in all the Compositions wherein Galanga is appointed yet when the one is not to be had the other may be and is used The best is full of small holes CHAP. CLXIII Of Cardamomes The Names THey are called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cardamomum in imitation of the Greeks who gave it that denomination from the likeness of it to Amomum and the vertues thereof it being very profitable for that Disease of the Stomack which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the affinity that the veins belonging to the mouth of the stomack have with the heart and because being slit in two it represents the form of the Heart In Shops Grana Paradisi In English Cardamomes after the Greeks but commonly Grains or Grains of Paradise The Kinds Whosoever shall observe the Cuts in Gerard may collect from thence that there are five sorts of Cardamomes 1. The greater Cardamomes of the Arabians 2. The greater Cardamomes of the Shops 3. The middle sort of Cardamomes 4. The lesser Cardamomes 5. The least Cardamomes The Form Cardamomes grow by the report of the learned upon an Herby Plant of the height of one Cubit not unlike in substance to the Herb that beareth Ginger whereupon doth grow a great Cod or Husk in shape like a Fig when it groweth upon the Tree but of a russet colour thrust full of small Seeds or Grains of a dark reddish colour as may be plainly seen when it is divided and of a very hot tast The Places and Time They grow in all the East-Indies from the Port of Calecute unto Cananor it groweth in Malavar in Joa and divers other places They spring up in May being sowen of Seed and bring their fruit to ripeness in September The Temperature Cardamomes are hot and dry in the third Degree having in them an astringent faculty The Vertues The Seeds called Cardamomes or Grains of Paradise are generally received to be of admirable efficacy for that distemper of the stomack called the Cardiack passion in which it is very prevalent and indeed the Cods wherein the Seed is contained have some similitude with the stomack It is also very useful when the stomack is not able to perform the Office of digestion or when the appetite hath any need of provocation and likewise for the suppressing of vomiting when either of them proceed of a cold cause if so be it be only chewed in the mouth and so it draweth forth watery and flegmatick humours both from the Head and Stomack It is in like manner profitable against the Falling-sickness the Sciatica the Cough resolutions of the Sinews Ruptures pains of the Belly killing of Worms and provoking Urine being drunk with Sack and so it not only comforteth and warmeth the weak cold and feeble stomack but helpeth the Ague and riddeth the shaking fits A dram of Cardamome-Seed drunk in Wine with as much Bark of Laurel breaketh the Stone and being mixed with Ale wherein Time and Parsley have been boyled and then strained it is a good remedy for the Chollick It is a good Spice for Women that are troubled with any grief particularly belonging to that Sex It provoketh Urine when it is stopped or passeth with pain resisteth poyson and the sting of Scorpions and other venomous Creatures It expelleth Wind powerfully from other entralls as well as the stomack easeth those that by falls or beatings are bruised and broken and those that are tormented with the Sciatica or Hip-Gout and being boyled in Vinegar or sleeped therein and used it is good against Scabs and Tetters The Powder of it put into the nose comforteth the feeble brain or if it be put with the Oyl of Musk in an Egge-shell till it boyl and then anointed therewith It is said by some to be the chief of all Seeds CHAP. CLXIV Of Pepper The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
especially the mouth of the Stomack withstand Vomiting and take away the Hicket It is good likewise against the paine and windinesse of the belly and stoppings of the Liver and Milt and being patched or dryed at the fire it stoppeth the Laske especially being taken with red Wine It is also very profitable for the Mother Kidnyes and Bladder helpeth them that pisse by drops especially when the griefe cometh of a cold cause and is good for other secret griefes both in Men and Women The powder thereof mixt with the Oyle of Mints and the forehead and temples anointed therewith is good against the coldnesse of the head and dulnesse of the memory It is used in Cordialls and wholesome receits against coldnesse of the Liver stopping of the Mâ—lt the Dropsy Vomiting Head-ach Swellings Bloody Fluxes it comforteth the Veines and Muscles of cold and old people it maketh the breath sweet and helpeth the trembling of the Heart it breaketh and expelleth Gravell from the reines and bladder especially being first steeped in the Oyle of sweet Almonds Being taken last at night in a Cawdle of Almonds or Hempseed it procureth sleepe and is the best Spice of all other for students being taken in drink Nutmegs condited as they may be had at the Apothecaries are excellent also for Students being very comfortable both to the Head and Stomack The Oyle hereof doth likewise comfort the Stomack that is cold but the frequent use thereof is not good especially for those which are of a sanguine complexion Mace is in Vertue almost like to Nutmeg and doth stop the Laske the bloody Fluxe and womens Flowers It helpeth the trembling of the Heart and is much better for all cold griefes then Nutmegs the Oyle of Mace laid on the Stomack cureth the infirmity thereof and the wambling and disposition to Vomit The powder of a Pomegranate large Mace long Pepper and Sugar being drunk with Posset Ale or Malmsey or other broth sodden together is an approved remedy for the black Jaundies Being used in Meates it causeth such as are leane to grow fat and is good for cold Husbands that would have Children as Nutmegs also are and in broths or milke it is very good to be drunke against Spitting of Blood Fluxes Vomit and the Chollick Oyle of Mace is good for the Cough CHAP. CLXVI Of Coriander The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so in Latine also Corion and Corianon but usually Coriandrum being derived from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifyeth that kind of noisome Worme which breedeth in some Walls and rotten-Wood and is called a Wall-louse or puny in English whose stinking smell Coriander doth much imitate We in England call it Corionder and Coliander The Kinds Though former Ages would allow of but one sort of Coriander supposing there had been no more yet these aftertimes have testified that there are three sorts of it 1. Ordinary Coriander 2. The lesser sweet Coriander 3. The stinking Coriander The Form The ordinary Coriander is a very stinking herbe having a round stalk full of branches which are about two foot in length when they are at their full growth whose Leaves at the first coming up are somwhat broad very like unto Parsly which afterwards are smaller and finer every one then the other up to the top where stand small loose Vmbâ—lls of white Flowers turning into round striped hallow seed of a whitish yellow colour when it is ripe and of a pleasant scent or savour when it is dry but not before The root is hard and of a Woddy substance but dyeth when the seed is ripe which being suffered to fall will increase mightily The Places and Time The two first seeing their naturall places are not yet manifest are said no where to be found wild but are by us now as they were by the Ancients formerly sown in Gardens The last was sent from Barcinona to Lyons by Myconus to Molinaus who hath set it forth in Historia Lugdunensi They do all flower in Junâ— and July and their seed is ripe about the later end of August The Temperature The greene and stinking Leaves of Coriander are cold and dry very naught unwholesome and hurtfull to the whole body if they should be taken inwardly and so are the seeds as long as they are green but being steeped in Vinegar and dryed or only dryed they are moderately hot and dry and very convenient for severall purposes as you shall heare The Vertues Simeon Sethi with whom many other learned Authors do agree affirmeth that the Seed of Coriander is marvellous good for the Stomack not only retaining the food untill it be thoroughly digested but withall doth strengthen and inable it to do the same The prepared seeds being covered over with Sugar as comfits and taken after meat are of great efficacy to close up the mouth of the Stomack to stay Vomiting helpe digestion to represse Vapours that ascend from the Stomack to the Head and are likewise good for those that are troubled with Rheumes The same do very much prevaile against the Gout being taken in some small quantity before dinner upon a fasting Stomack and after dinner and after Supper the like without drinking within two or three houres after The seeds only being taken in Wine do bring forth Wormes stop the Laske and bloody Flux and all other extraordinary issues of blood It resisteth forcibly the paines of the Wind Chollick and the stopping of Vrine It is said that for so many seeds as are drunk thereof so many dayes shall the Courses of that â—oman that drinketh them cease as the following verses do also intimate Xenocrates inquit totidem cessare diebus Menstrua quot mulier Coriandri grana vorabit The powder of the seed cast upon Meates causeth them to digest the better and with sweet Wine it moveth lust and increaseth the naturall seed if it be taken moderately but too much use of it breedeth the Phrensy and raging and is hurtfull for such as have the head-ach falling sicknesse and swimming of the Head The said powder boyled with Rue in water of Mints and held in the mouth after it is cold helpeth the Vvula or Palate of the mouth being fallen down the juyce of the herb taken inwardly is deadly both to man and beast yea the smell only of the herb killeth Fleas if it be laid where they are The green herb boyled with Crums of Bread or Barly meale consumeth all hot swellings and inflammations with Beane meale dissolveth the Kings evill Wennes and hard Lumps The juyce of the Leaves mixed and laboured in a leaden Mortar with Ceruse Litharge of Silver Vinegar and Oyle of Roses cureth St. Anthonies fire and taketh away all inflammations whatsoever CHAP. CLXVII Of the Orenge-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fruits whereof as is thought were known unto the Ancients and by them called Aurea mala Hesperidum
the paines of the Mother by tempering the cold humour which is a cause thereof It is likewise effectuall in the Falling sicknesse Catarrh Rheume Diseases of the Breast in old Coughes shortnesse of breath Jaundise stoppings of the Liver and Spleene having as it is said all the Vertues that are either in Agarick or Rubarb It is commended also in the French Pox Kings evill Scurvy and Gout and helpeth inveterate Agues whether Quotidian or Tertian It doth much conâ—â—ce to the purging of tough undigested humors in the Stomack and Breasts of Children It may be administred divers wayes but the best is to give it in White Wiâ—e â—â—r â—o it workes most effectually It may be given to a Child the doâ—e of the powdeâ—ed Root not exceeding a scrúâ—le or a scruple and halfe but to persons of â—eares a dram or two wiâ—â— not be too much yet care must be taken that it be not used in hot diseases neither is it convenient for hot and dry bodyes or those that are subject to be bound for though it purgeth at the first it causeth the body to be more costive afterwards Jalap purgeth Phlegmatick Cholerick and Melancholick but cheifly watery humours and that more strongly then the former and therefore it is no lesse profitable in the dropsy and helpeth the Green-sicknesse a dram thereof being taken in Wine with a little Annâ—seeds and Ginger to correct the nauseousnesse whereby it troubleth the Stomack and inclineth it to Vomit CHAP. CLXXXXIII Of Broome The Names IT is uncertaine whether this Plant were known to the Grecians unlesse it were the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides which is much doubted by divers Authors It is called in Latine Genista and Genesta à genuum flexilitate from the flexiblenesse thereof or rather quia genibus medeatur dolentibus because it helpes the paine of the knees or quod facile generet speciemque propaget because it is easily encreased and not to be destroyed where it taketh a liking It is called in English Broom Some call the Spanish Broom Spartum The Kinds The sorts of ordinary Broom Candy and Spanish Broom c divers whereof we have in our Gardens and elsewhere are fourteene 1. Our ordinary Broom 2. Small or low Broom 3. Iland Broom 4. White Broom 5. Dwarfe Broom 6. Dwarfe Broom of Candy 7. Common Green-weed or Diers-weed 8. Spanish Green-weed 9. Base Broom of Germany 10. Spanish base Broom 11. Bastard Spanish Broom 12. Ordinary Spanish Broom 13. The small Spanish Broome with yellow Flowers 14. The greater white floured Spanish Broom The Form Broom is a Bush or shrubby Plant having stalkes or woody branches about the bignesse of a mans thumb from which do spring slender twigges cornered greene tough and easy to be bowed many times divided into smaller branches about which do grow little Leaves of an obscure green colour and brave yellow Flowers which falling off give place unto certaine Cods of a green colour at first but afterwards black like unto those of the Common Vetch in which do lye flat hard seeds being somwhat brownish and lesser then Lentills The root is hard and wooddy sending forth divers times another Plant of the colour of an Oaken Leafe in shape like unto Bastard Orchis called Birds-nest having a root like a Turnep or Rape whereupon it is called Rapum Genistae Broomrape or Orobanch The Places and Time It may be discovered by the Titles in what Countryes every one of these grow naturally and therefore I shall say no more then I have done concerning their places only that which is called Island Broome growes in an Iland of Tuscany called Ilua and the rest which speake not themselves outlandish are of our own Country All of them flower in the Summer moneths some earlyer some later yet they perfect their seeds before Winter the Spanish kinds being somewhat later then the other Th Temperature The Twigges Flowers and seeds of Broome are hot and dry in the second degree they are also of a thin essence and are of force to cleanse and open especially the seed which is dryer and not so full of superfluous Moisture The Vertues The juice or decoction of the young Branches or the Seed or Powder thereof taken in drink purgeth downwards Phlegmatick and watery humours and therefore it is profitable for those that have the Dropsy especially if it be used with Wine yet in other infirmities it is better with Water There is also made of the Ashes of the Stalkes a Lye with White or Rhenish-Wine which is highly commended by divers for the Dropsy and likewise for the Green-sicknesse but it must not be used too often for feare it fret and hurt the entralls It is effectuall likewise for those that are troubled with the Gout Sciatica and other paines of the Joynts and sides helpeth the swellings of the Spleene cleanseth the Reines Kidneys and Bladder of Gravell and the Stone engendered therein and hindereth it from ever coming againe sending forth the cause thereof by Urine which it provoketh abundantly The constant use of the Powder of the the Leaves and Seeds doth cure the Black Jaundise being taken in wine and the Seeds and Flowers being any wayes taken do much preserve from the Gout and Stone The Flowers being made into a Conserve or preserve with hony or Suggar and eaten often do much consume the Kings-Evil The distilled water of the Flowers is profitable for the foresaid purposes helpeth surfets and altereth the fits of Agues being taken with as much of the water of the lesser Centaury and the party laid to sweat It is most excellent to help the Kings-Evil if one ounce of the water be taken morning and evening for a months space or longer if need require The tops or flowers of Broom bruised and mixed with Hogs-grease cure the paines of the Knees the Gout and any bruise or swelling by reason of humors falling down thither The Flowers also bruised and mixed with Hony and Roses or the white of an Egge beaten together and applyed consume the hard Swellings of the Kings-Evil The juyce of the young branches or the young branches themselves bruised or the Flowers made into Ointment with Hogs-grease or boyled in the same or in oyle for a little space and laid to the sides that are pained either by the Wind as in Stitches and the like or in the Spleen easeth them in once or twice usiing it The same boyled in oyle is a safe and sure medicine to kill Lice and other Vermine breeding in the Head or Body and being applyed to the Sciatica or Hip-gout helpeth it The juyce alone or mixed with hony and applyed cures green wounds and putrified Ulcers The Flower and Tops being bruised applyed help the biting of Serpents and Venemous Creatures The oyle distilled from the roots and seeds is very usefull to take away spots freckles and deformities of the skin The young buds of the Flowers being pickled are a sallet of great delight serving all
I shall proceed to the description The Forme The Sassafras-Tree groweth up with a straight Trunk or body smooth and void of boughes till it be of a reasonable height covered with a thick barke of an Ashcolour which is of a very hot quick taste towards the top come forth many goodly branches spreading themselves into a round figure or compasse whereon do grow green Leaves somwhat like those of the Fig-Tree but much lesser of a sweet smell when they be greene but much more when they be dry somewhat resembâ—ing the smell of Fennell of a very sweet taste also The Flowers â—re small and yellow made of threds very like unto the Male Cornell-Tree from whence proceedeth the fruit which groweth clustering together yet set in small cups upon long footstalkes the Roots are not very large neither of any great depth but are covered with a Bark somwhat redder then that of the Tree and are of more force and efficacy then any other parts of it yet the rest are also of very great use The Places and Time This Tree groweth in most parts of the West Indies especially about the Cape of Florida which is not farre from Virginia It keepeth greene all the Winter and Summer long but at what time it flowreth and bringeth forth its ripe fruit I have not yet learned The Temperature The boughes and branches of Sassafras are hot and dry in the second degree the riâ—d is hotter for that it entreth into the third degree of heat and drynesse as may be manifestly perceived in the decoction The Vertues It is to be observed that not only those things that purge watery and Phlegmatick humours are profitable in the Dropsy but those also which have any eminent faculty in drying them up as Sassafras without dispute hath â— and therefore it is used with very good successe in the disease aforesaid foure Oâ—nces thereof being first sleeped foure and twenty houres in a gallon and halfe of Water and afterwards boiled to the one halfe and then strained may be given to the quantity of a good draught morning and evening for certaine dayes together for there is not any thing which will remove such an inveterate disease as the Dropsy at once taking The said Decoction is very effectuall also to open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and is profitable in all cold diâ—eases and particularly those cold Rheumes that fall from the Head upon the Tâ—â—th Eyes and Lungs warming and drying up the moisture and strengthning the parts afterwards and therefore is available in Coughs and other cold diseases of the Breast Stomack and Lungs stayeth Vomiting comforteth the weak and feeble Stomack câ—â—sing a good appetite therein by consuming windinesse which is the cheifest cause of crudity and indigestion and maketh sweet a stinking breath but especially the Decoction of the root The fame is commended likewise for its Vertue in expelling the Gravell and Stone wherewith the Kidneys are many times afflicted for provoking Urins and Womens Courses And as for those Women which are barren by reason of the moisture of their Wombs it so warmeth heateth and dryeth the same that it causeth them to conceive speedily It is of good use also in Fevers and tertain and quotidian Agues that are of long continuance as is already intimated It is generally used in all diseases that come of cold raw thin and corrupt humors as the French disease and the like for which distempers it is used in Diet-drinkes with other things and may be given in Powder from a scruple to two scruples The Smell of the Wood or Root expelleth the corrupt and evill Vapours of the Pestilence CHAP. CLXXXXVI Of Palma Christi The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cici and Croton because the seed of it resembles a living Creature which is wont to be in Sheepe and other Cattle called a Tyke It is called also Ricinus in Latine for the same reason yet it hath other names as Palma Christi from the Leaves and Root which do very much imitate a hand and Cataputia major of the Apothecaries because of its properties which are conformable to the Spurges the Oyle whereof is by them called Oleum de Cherva and Oleum Cicinum This is held by Expositors to be the Plant mentioned in Jonah under the name of a Gourd It is called in English Palma Christi or great Spurge in Hebrew Kik and Kikaijon The Kindes There are but three sorts of this Great Spurge left upon record by Authors 1. The more orâ—inary Palma Christi or great Spurge 2. Palma Christi of Syria 3. Palma Christi of America The Forme Palma Christi hath a great round hollow stalke rising to the height of seaven or eight â—oot of a blewish greene colour The Leaves are great and large fashioned like the Leaves of the Fig-Tree but greater resembling the hand of a man with the Fingers spread abroad of a dark greene coloâ—r on the upperside but whitish underneath the flowers are button-like standing on the tops of the branches whiâ—h fall away without bearing Seed but a little lower there break forth other Heads which are rough and three cornered and containe within them a seed like a Tyke of an hot fiery taste out of which in those Countryes where it is naturall is pressed out the aforementioned Oyle The Places and Times The first groweth in Spaine and other hot Countries to a very great bignesse and abideth many yeares but the coldnesse of our Climate will not admit of any large growth because it perisheth every yeare with us yet I have seen â—t in Mr. Balles Garden by Sioâ— house seaven or eight foot-high looking more like unto a Tree then an annuall Plant. The second groweth in Syria and Aegypt and the third in America in Gâ—liscâ— a Province of New Spain from whence the Oyle used in Shops is brought unto us Those that flower with us do it in August but their seed doth seldome come to perfect ripenesse in this Countrey The Temperature The seed of Palma Christi is hot and dry in the third degree The Vertues and Signature Though the seedes of Palma Christi are not to be taken rashly by reason of their violence in purging yet advice being first had they may with Anniseed or Fennelseed be given to strong and able bodies that are troubled with the Dropsy Joynt-aches Gout and Sciatica because they draw Water Phlegme very strongly from the remote parts the Powder of three of them being taken in Whey or New Milk The same may be boyled in the broth of an old Cock and taken for the same purposes The Oyle is used in Glisters to open obstructions to ease paines of the Cholick and windinesse of the Mother and so it doth if the places greived be anointed therewith and some few drops thereof taken in a little Chicken broth that is fat It wonderfully helpeth the cramp being gently rubbed on the places greived therewith for it causeth the Sinews that were shrunk to
and Children If an Angel of Gold of the same weight or pure leaf Gold be steeped four and twenty houres in three or four ounces of the â—aid juyce being very pure and some of it given in a Cup of Wine with a little powder of Angelica Root unto any infected with the plague though dangerously sick if there be any hope or likelyhood of recovery it will help him The said juyce is singular good to quench thirst in hot Feavers and so is the Posset drink made thereof It is of good use likewise at Sea in long Voyages to put into their Beverage to keep them from the Scurvy whereunto Seamen and passengers are subâ—ect if the Voyage be long and to quench their thirst when they come into hot Countries The water that is distilled in Glasse from the inward pulp or substance of the Lemons provoketh Urine breaketh and expelleth the Stone being drunk cleareth the Skin from all Freckles Spots and other marks in the face or in any part of body helpeth also the running Scab and killeth Lice in the bead the wormes in the Hands or Nose and pushes and wheales in the skin The rind or peele of the Lemmon being put into Tarts and Sawces giveth unto them an excellent relish and doth correct the Stench of the mouth whether it come by taking Tobacco or otherwise especially if it be dryed It may safely be used to all purposes which the rind of the Citron is coming somewhat near to it in properties though in a weaker degree The seeds of these are likewise almost as effectuall as those of Ciâ—rons to preserve the Heart and Vitall Spirits from poyson to resist the infection of the Plague or Poxes or any other contagious disease to kill the wormes in the Stomack provoke womens courses cause aâ—â—rtion having a digesting and drying quality fit to dry up and consume moist huâ—ors both inwardly in the body and outwardly in any moist or running Ulcers and Sores The juyce of the said fruit is very necessary for Dyers who spend much thereof in striking sundry dainty colours which will never be well done without it and is used also by Laundresses to get Iron mouldes and all manner of sâ—ainâ—s out of the purest Linnen for which they find it very effectuall Though some perhaps may covet after the sweetest Lemmons because they are more delicious and gratefull to the Palate yeâ— for any of the purposes aforementioned as also to make Lemmon Beer the sowre Lemmon is most proper being more â—ooling in Physick and operative for other businesses because it is more abstersive CHAP. CCXXIIII Of the Cypresse Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cyparittâ—s and Cyparissus either 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the branches of it grow so eaven that one would think it were formed by Art or from Cyparissus who as it is said was turned into the Cypresse tree or from the City Cyparissus near unto which a great multitude of these trees do grow Some imagine that the Gopher 〈◊〉 whereof the Arke of Noah is said to be made was the Wood of this Tree and indeed there is some probability for it there being no Wood whatsoever so durable or lesse subject to rottennesse though it continue in a wet or damp place as appeares by what Thevet reporteth who saw as he saith at Damiate in Egypt a Cypresse Chest that was digged tenfoot out of a moorish ground not having one jot of corruption about it though it is thought to have laine there many years It is called in Latine Cypressus either from Cyparissus or from the â—and Cyprâ—s where they grow plentifully Virgil maketh mention of Froâ—◠〈…〉 reâ— which the Commentator conceives was this Cypresse tree which was used in those dayes and is in these by the gentiler sort at funeralls to signifie that the remembrance of the present solemnity ought to endure a long while The fruit is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine Pilula Cupressi Nuces Cupressi and Galbuli in shops Nuces Cupressi In English Cyprâ—sse Nuts or Clogs This Tree was formerly dedicated to Pluto which might be a reason also why it was used at funeralls The Kinds The sorts of the Cypresse tree are said to be three 1. The Ordinary Cypresse Tree 2. The wild Cypresse Tree 3. The Cypresse Tree of America The Forme The Ordinary Cypresse Tree hath a long thick and straight body whereupon many slender branches do grow which do not spread abroad like the branches of other Trees but grow up with the body yet not equally so that it imitateth the fashion of a Spiâ—e Steeple being broad below and picked towards the top the body and armes are covered with a reddish bark the Leaves are ever green but lose much of their Verdure in winter which the next spring restoreth being somewhat long slender and flattish round parted very much and somewhat resembling Savinâ— of a resâ—nous sent and strong tast the flowers are small and yellow growing here and there amongst the boughes after which cometh the fruit which is close and hard at first of a russet brown colour but cloven and opening into many parts when it is ripe in which is conteined small brownish seed the root spreadeth much but not very deep The Places and Time The first groweth in Eastern Countries and in many of the Isles of the Mediterranean Sea as Rhodes Candy formerly called Creet where it groweth very plentifully of its own accord beaâ—ing ripe fruit from September almost all the Winter The second by Jupiter Ammons Temple and in other parts of Cyrâ—ne the last in the Northern parts of America I speake of the naturall places for there be but few that are Ignorant how familiar they are now in moâ—â— Garâ—ens about London The Temperature The fruit and Leaves of the Cypresse Tree are dry in the third degree having neither heat nor bitting sharpnesse yet by its adstringency it doth resolve and consume humidities in putrid Ulcers The Vertues The Leaves of Cypresse boiled in sweet wine or Meade doth help the Stangury and difficulty of making water and the powder of the Leaves with a little Myrrh and wine helpeth thoâ—e fluxes that fall on the Blaâ—der and provoketh Urine being stopped The said decoction helpeth the Covgh and shortnesse of breath if it be taken in a small draught divers mornings fasting and so it is good for the fluxes of the belly or stomack bleedâ—ngs and Spitting of blâ—od as also the Rupture if some of the fresh Leaves be well bound to the place which thing the fruit or Nuts do performe more effectually The Leaves bruised and â—aid unto fresh wounds doth not onely stanâ—h the extraordinary bleeding of them but consolidateth them also and used by themselves or with Barly meale it helpeth St. Anthonies fire creeping Ulcers and Carbunâ—les the sores and Ulcers of the privy parts in man or woman and the inflammations of the Eyes and applyed to
and naked and that by a peculiar Vertue It is applyed with good successe to the biting of any Venemous Creature Thus you see that Allheale hath not its name for nothing The Gum is to be had at any Apothecaries shop but if the Root can be got more easily that mâ—y serve By this time I suppose I have Sufficienly handled those plants that make for the benefit of those parts appointed for the making a separation between the Blood and the Urine which are the Reines and for the reception of the Urine thus seperated which is the Bladder with the pipes of conveyance from the former to the latter which are the Ureters so that you may find somewhat that will help the distempers of each of them as also for the Stone and Gravell afflicting every of them and likewise for the Strangury and Dysary though they be treated of in grosse To which purposes there be divers others that are very effectual as Golden Rod Sanicle Saracens Confound c. For the Ulcers in the Reines and Bladder the Cherry and Plum-Trees because the Stones of each are effectuall for the Stone in a mans body by Signature the Junipet and Bay-Trees whose Berries also are much commended for the same and other plants besides those whose Roots are Diureticall But as I have spoken to some of the former towards the beginning of this work so I have reserved some for those parts yet to be spoken to and therefore I shall say no more of them in this place but proceed to the Gutts which are ordained for the better concoction of the Chilus sent from the Stomack and the digestion thereof as also for the conveyance and expulsion of the Excrements and because there be divers diseases that breed in the Gutts as the Cholick Wormes c. Excoriations Dysenteries c. I shall speake of those Simples which make for their Welfare all in a Lumpe CHAP. CCXLII. Of the Bay-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Daphne quia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod â—sta valdè sonat for nothing doth more crackle or make a noise then it in Latin Laurus which some will have to come from Lavo id est purgo saying that it is excellent to purge the blood others á verbo Laudis because it was given onely to those that were praise worthy and therefore the Antients called it Laudea but since the d hath bin taken out and r hath bin put instead thereof so that now it is as well Lâ—â—rea as Laurus though the later be more common The Berries are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Bacca Lauri in Latine The Kinds There are to be reckoned up five or six kinds of Bay-Trees 1. The greater Bay-Tree 2. The lesser Bay-Tree 3. The strange Indian Bay or Cassia or Lignea of the West-Indies 4. The wild Bay-Tree 5. The Rose Bay 6. The Laurell which is the same with the Bay-Cherry The Form The Bay-Tree oftentimes shooteth up with many suckers from the Root shewing it self like unto a tall shrub or Hedge-bush yet sometimes it groweth to be a substantiall tree spreading its armes and branches reasonable well the tops whereof are somtimes reddish but most usually of a light or fresh green colour when the stemme and elder boughs are covered with a dark green bark the Leaves are somewhat broad and long pointed as it were at both the Ends hard full of veines and sometimes crumpled on the Edges of a dark green colour smelling somewhat sweet but of a bitter tast and alwayes abiding green the flowers grow many together which are sometimes of a whitish green colour and sometimes yellow and mossy and turne into Berries that are a little long as well as round whose shell or outermost peele is green at the first but black afterwards wherein is contained an hard bitter kernell parting into two parts the root spreadeth under the ground and groweth deep also The Places and Time None of these Bayes grow naturally in England but are either wholly planted with us or else raised of Suckers or by sowing the berries so that we have the first and second many times growing in gardens and Court yards the fourth and fifth are not so common yet they are to be seen in the Gardens of some that love rarities The last is very frequent in our London Gardens The naturall place of the first is in divers places of Narbone in France Spaine and Italy and in other warm Countryes where it groweth very great but especially near the Sea The Rose Bay groweth also in Italy Spaine Greece and many other places the last came from Constantinople at the first The first and second flower much about the same time which is in May yet hardly perfecting their fruit till October or November the time of the third is not expressed the fourth flourisheth most in Aprill March yet somtimes it flowreth in December January the fifth flowreth not till July the last may flower in May and have ripe seed fruit in August or September in the hot Countryes but in this it doth not very usually flower much lesse fructifie yet somtimes it doth The Temperature The Berries and Leaves of the Bay-Tree saith Galen are hot and dry the Berries somewhat exceeding the Leaves the bark of the Root is lesse sharp and hot but more dry being also endued with some astriction The Vertues The Powder of Bay Berries mixed with Honey and taken as other Lohocs or licking Medicines are or else taken in Raisins as Aloes and Wormseed sometimes are is an excellent Remedy for that disease called the Cholick which is a continuall passion of one of the great Guts called Colon after which followeth a a difficulty of voyding the Excrements and an exceeding torment in those parts proceeding from Wâ—nd The said Powder taken after the same manner is good against a Consumption Straitensse of breath and all other infirmites of the brest coming of Rhewme they likewise helpe the Meagrim and mightily expell wind both in young old yet it is more frequently given by Nurses to Children to cure them of that griping paine of the belly called the Frets which is nothing but wind causing them to be very unquiet they provoke Uine also are very effectuall for the Stone as also to help the Ventosity or windinesse of the Mother and to kill the wormes They are a good Antidote too against the bitings and stingings of any Venemous beasts and against all manner of Venoms and Poysons and therefore they are put into Mithridate Treackle and such like Compositions They warme a cold Stomack also cause concoction of raw humors stir up a decayed appetite take away loathing of meat open the stopping of the Liver and Spleene bring down womens Courses cause a speedy delivery and expell the After-birth so that they are dangerous to be taken by Women that have not gone their full time yet they are good against Cramps and the drawing
this disease chanceth not only to Men but also to Women in whom it is hard to cure Two drams of the seed beaten small being taken in the morning or after Supper either in Meade Wine or fair Water purgeth cholerick humors and therefore it helpeth the Sciatica or Hip-Goat The herb healeth burnings by fire and stayeth the bleeding of wounds the green being bruised and applyed for the first or the green or powder of the dry for the second It hath formerly been accounted and certainly is a soveraign herb to heal any wound or sore either outwardly or inwardly and therefore may be used now as heretofore it hath been in Drinks Lotions Balms Oyles and Oyntments for any sort of green wound or old Ulcers and Sores in all which the people of former Ages found it very effectuall though those of this do ignorantly contemn all those that savour either of antiquity or cheapnesse To this Head and the purposes therein contained do belong Nightshade Purslane Henbane Housleek Lettice which are cold and Rue and Calamint which are so hot that they destroy the seed but having handled them already upon other occasion I passe now to the third Head wherein we are to speake of some Plants that procure Womens Courses CHAP. CCLXXXVI Of Mugwort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Artemisia in Latine because as Pliny hath said so many others have beleeved that Artemisia the Queen of Caria was both the Mother and Godmother hereunto by finding out the Vertues and giving it her name yet others are of opinion that it took its name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Artemis that is Diana because it is chiefly applyed to Womens diseases over which Diana that is the Moon hath much influence It was commonly called Parthenis quasi Virginalis Maidenwort and Parthenium as Apuleius saith though now Feaverfew be better known by that name Some superstitious Monks and Nuns have called Zona divi Johannis St. Johns Girdle beleiving that St. John Baptist wore a Girdle hereof when he was in the Wildernesse It is also called Maâ—er Herbarum The Kinds Though Pliny and others reckon but two sorts of Mugwort there are five or six come to the knowledge of these later times 1 Common Mâ—gwort 2 Small Mugwort 3 Fine Mountain Mugwort 4 Fruitfull Mugwort 5 Virginiâ—n Mugwort 6 Sea Mugwort The Formes The common Mugwort hath divers Leaves lying on the ground very much divided and deeply dented about the edges somewhat like unto the common Wormwood but much larger of a darkish green colour on the upper side but very white and hoary underneath from amongst which come up divers stalks which are sometimes of a purplish colour seldome exceeding two foot in height except it be in extraordinary rank ground whereon grow such Leaves as those below but lesser branching forth very much towards the top whereon are set so many small pale yellowish flowers like buttons that they beâ—d again which falling away there commeâ—h small seed inclosed in small round Heads The Root is long and hard with many fibres growing thereat whereby it taketh fast hold in the ground yet the stalks and leaves die in the Winter the whole Plant is of a reasonable good scent The Places and Time The first groweth plentifully as in other Lands so in our owne by the ways and ditch sides and in divers other places The second is found in such like places but not so frequently The three next are entertained as Stranâ—ers in the Gardens of the curious The last groweth about Rye and W 〈…〉 sey 〈◊〉 aâ—d in other parts of the Sea coast They do all flower and seed in July and August or thereabouts The Temperature Mugwort is hot and dry in the second degree being somewhat of thin parts The Vertues and Signature There is no Herb so generally received or more usually proved for the curing of Womens diseases as Mugwort whether it be inwardly or outwardly used The decoction of the Leaves which are most in use being made with Water or Wine and drunk provoketh the courses bringeth away the Birth and After birth and helpeth the inflammations and stoppings of the Mother as also the stopping of Urine and is a good help against barrennesse in Women that with the red stalks having the signature of Womens Flowers and therefore it is endued with very much vertue as to provoke so to stop and correct them in case they be superfluous which a spoonfull of the Syrup performeth very excellently which is also good to retain the Matrix in its place and to help other passions thereof as Coldnesse Wind Paine c. it strengthens the Nerve opens the Pores and corrects the blood The said decoction helpeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen proceeding from a cold cause and is profitable for the Jaundise being boyled with Centory and taken Two or three drams of the Leaves in Powder being drunk in Wine helpeth the Sciatica and the juyce being taken helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog A decoction thereof being â—ate over doth also performe those effects which that doth which is taken inwardly though not so vigorously and so doth the juyce thereof made up with Myrrhe or the Root put up as a Pessary Being made up with Hogs grease into an Oyntment it taketh away Wens and hard knots and kernels that grow about the Neck and Throat as also to ease the pains about the Neck especially if some field Daysies be put therein The juyce of the Herb or the Herb it selâ—e being taken is a good remedy for them that have taken too great a quantity of Opium A decoction thereof made with Camomile Agrimony and Sage and the place bathed therewith warm taketh away the paines of the Sinews and Cramp and the same cannot but be a great refreshment to those whose feet are suâ—bated through sore travell if they be bathed therein yet I have scarce so much faith as to believe that the Herb only carried about one should take away all sense of wearinesse as Pliny reporteth and therefore I have put it amongst other Traditions in my former Book to which I might have added that concerning the Coales that are found at the Roots hereof upon St. Joons Eve and divers others CHAP. CCLXXXVII Of Penny-royall The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glecon and Blecon from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 balatus either because the heat thereof causeth Sheep and Goates to bleat when they are eating of it or rather as Pena saith from expelling thick phlegme from the Lunges It is called in Latine Pulegium and Pulejum also quod incensum pulices nâ—cat because it killeth Fleas being burned to which the Epithet Regâ—le is added to distinguish it from Pulegium montanum by which name wild Time is sometimes called It hath many English Names as Run by the ground and Lurke in Ditch because of its manner of growing Pudding-grasse because it is used in
Mentha Cattaria and Cataria or Cattaria simply Mentha felina and Herba Catti because Cats doe seed upon the Branches or Leaves thereof with a great deale of greedinesse and delight much to rub themselves against it and to wallow and tumble thereon yet it is said as I have formerly expressed in my Book called The Art of Simpling If you set it the Cats will eate it If you sow it the Cats can't know it The Apothecaries call it Nepeta and indeed that name is best known every where The Kindes Sâ—xe sorts of Vep are reckoned up amongst Authors 1. Common Garden Nep. 2 Middle sized Nep 3. Small Nep. 4. Small Mountain Nep or Catmint 5. Strong Nep with broad Leaves 6. Strong Nep with narrow Leaves The Forme Common Garden Nep riseth up with Stalks about a Cubit high being four square with a kinde of boarinesse upon them full of Branches bearing at every joynt two broad Leaves somewhat like unto Bawme but longer pointed softer whiter and more hoary nicked about the Edges and of a strong sweet scent The flowers grow in large tufts upon the tops of the Branches and underneath them also on the Stalkes many together of a whitish Purple colour The Roots are composed of many long Strings or Fibres by which it is strongly fastned in the ground the Leaves abiding all the Winter unlesse the Weather be too violent The Places and Time The first is sometimes found to grow upon the rough banks of Ditches by Hedge sides and common waies but more commonly in the Gardens of those that know the use of it as the second also doth though lesse frequently The rest are Spaniards by descent yet they refuse not the entertainment of our Gardens where they are used with much civility by those which love varieties of strange Simples They all flourish by and after the Spring flower in July and August and their Seed is ripe in September The Temperature Nep or Catmint is hot and dry in the third degree and of thin parts The Vertues The decoction of Catmint is not onely effectuall for the winde and paines of the Mother or the rising thereof but warmeth and comforteth the coldnesse of the wombe and dryeth up the over-much moisture thereof which is many times the cause of barrennesse so that the frequent use hereof brings it to a right temper and consequently makes divers Women to be joyfull Mothers of Children which otherwise might live under reproach upon that account It is also very available to provoke Womens Courses by which it is no small helpe to the breeding of Children for though at that time they come not down as they doe at others yet the Menstruous blood being stirred up is conveied with more activity and vigor for the nourishment of the Childe It is likewise exceeding usefull for the paines of the Head that come from any cold cause as Catarrhes and thin Rheumes and for the giddinesse thereof also and I think it may be observed without any errour that those things that are good for the Wombe are good for the Head likewise there being a kinde of Sympathy or fellow suffering between them It is likewise of especiall use for the windinesse of the Stomack and Belly and is effectuall for Cramps or cold Aches to dissolve the Cold and Winde that afflicteth the part and to bring warmth and comfort thereunto afterwards and is used for Cold Coughs and Shortnesse of breath It is a present remedy for them that are bursten inwardly by means of some Fall received from an high place or for any other bruises if the Juice be given with Wine or Meade A Bath made thereof onely or with some other convenient Herbes and sate in up to the Navel or the hot fumes thereof being sate over bringeth down Womens Courses helpeth Barrennesse and warmeth those parts The green herb bruised and applyed to the Fundament there abiding for two or three hours easeth the sharpe paines of the Piles and the Juice also is effectuall for the same purpose being made up into an Oyntment and applyed A Decoction thereof in Spring-Water is commended to wash the Head and to take away the Scabs thereof and may be as effectuall for other parts of the Body also The distilled Water may be used for divers of the aforesaid purposes CHAP. CCCVIII Of the Burdock and Butter-bur The Names IT will not be amisse to speak of both these together in one Chapter because they be both good for the Mother The Burdock is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arcium as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prosopium or Prosopis because the broad Leaves hereof were used in old time to cover the faces of those which would not be known when they acted any thing in the Theatres and for this reason it was also called Personata in Latine The Shops call it Bardana and Lappa major in English The great Burdock and Clot Bur. The Butter buâ—re is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Petasites from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 extendo because of the extraordinary breadth of the Leaves and so the Latines call it in English it is named Butter-burre perhaps because some Countrey Huswives wrap their Butter in the broad Leaves hereof when they carry it abroad in hot Weather The Kindes Both Burdock and Butterburre make but five sorts 1. The Common Burdock 2. The Rose Burre 3. The Woolly headed Burre 4. The small Burre called Xanthium 5. The Butterburre which hath most need to be described The Forme Butter-burre doth send forth its Flowers before the Leaves in the same manner that Coltsfoot doth of which some reckon it to be a kind which stand upon a thick Stalke about a foot high beset with a few small Leaves or rather piecâ—s spiked fashion and of a blush or deep red colour quickly falling away after which the Leaves will begin to spring which being full grown are larger and broader then those of the Clot burre being somewhat thin and almost round whose thick red Foot-stalkes being about a foot long stand very neer unto the middle of the Leaves which are divided on that side which is neerest to the Stalke of a pale green colour above and hoary underneath The root spreadeth much under ground yet in some places it is no bigger then ones finger though in some it be much greater blackish on the outside and white within of a bitter and unpleasant taste The Places and Time The first groweth by Ditches and High way sides in divers places of this Land nay I thinke I might have said in every place the second on the Banks side between the Horse Ferry and the Neat house neer London the fourth in the High-way leading from Draiton to Iver two miles from Colebrook as also between Tidenham and Chepstow in the Foot way The third is supposed to grow neer Lipswick in Germany The last delighteth in moist places neer unto River sides and upon the brinks and bankes of Lakes and Ponds almost every
full of veines standing at distances without order every one upon the short foot-stalk At every joynt with the Leaves from the middle of these Stalks upwards cometh one long hollow Flower small at the bottom but broader at the top with a long piece or slippet as it were at one side of the top bending down both of them almost of a deadish yellow or somewhat brownish colour and somewhat blackish purple on the in-side the Flowers being past there come in their places small round and somewhat long fruit of divers sizes but commonly about the bignesse of a Walnut when the green shell is peeled off which being ripe openeth it self into three parts and sheweth the Seed which is somewhat flat and round lying in order within it being separated into Cells by certain skins the root is round and tuberous somewhat like to that of Sowbread both in form and operation The Places and Time I finde none of these growing naturally in England but that with the long Root which is said to grow beyond Reding yet divers others of the sorts are to be found either in the Physick Garden at Oxford or in Dr. Howe 's Garden at Westminster or in Mr. Tradescants Garden at Lambeth being brought thither either mediately or immediately from their naturall places the three first growing as well in France about Mompelier as in Spain and Italy the next three in Spaine as also in Candy the seaventh delights in the stony Olive yards of Provence and Spain and the last in Candy In the warmer Countreys they flower and seed betimes as in the months of May June and July but with us they flower not untill the middle or end of July and their fruit doth hardly ripen before the Winter The Temperature The Roots of Birth-wort are hot in the second degree and dry in the third according to some and hot in the third degree and dry in the second according to others the round hath lesse earthy Substance and more tenuity of partâ— and therefore more effectuall in most Diseases The Signature and Vertues The learned Crollius in his book of Signatures doth take notice of the 〈…〉 mblance that is between the root of round Birth-wort and the Womb and 〈…〉 â—t is not altogether strange if it be excellent for Women that have gone out 〈◊〉 full time especialâ—y when they are in Travel for it causeth an easie and speedy delivery whether the Chiâ—d be alive or dead expelleth the After-birth and all other impurity of the Womb and provoketh the Courses so that it must needs be an acceptable Herb to such Women as understand the Vertues of it It is also effectuall to purge Phlegm and then Choler and that without any trouble or commotion to the Body for it discusseth windynesse which all other purging Medicines do usually cause and therefore it availeth much in the diseases of the Brainâ— Nerves Breast Stomack Guts and Spleen It profiteth likewise in the Falling Sicknesse Cramp Convulsion Ruptures shortnesse of Breath pain of the Side Hicket gnawing of the Stomack Chollâ—ck swelling of the Spleen and especially if they come of Phlegm or Wind. It is used with good successe in the Joynt Gout against Venome and Poyson against cold Agues and against Stopping and Rebellious humours that are the cause of long Agues It killeth Wormes and resisteth putrifaction and is good against the conâ—usions of the Nerves and Muscles if it be given with Syrup of Vinegar Mede or Honyed water It is used also in old rotten and malignant Vlcers especially being mixed with the powder of the roots of Flower-de-luce and Honey for being thus used it cleanseth and healeth them It cures Vlcers of the secret parts if they be washed with the Decoction thereof The Powder hereof doth cleanse the Teeth and make them white being rubbed therewith It easeth the Gout being mingled with Honey and Salt and applyed It draweth out Thornes and Splâ—â—ters of Bones that are broken being applyed with Turpentine It helpeth the biting of venemous Beasts being boyled in Wine and laid on and so doth the powder thereof being mixed with the juyce of Rue and applyed to the Wound Being mingled with the powder of Aloes Lime or Chalk and Honey and made into an Oyntment by adding a little Wine it cureth the Cancer and Polyppus in the Nose if Tents dipped therein be put into the Nostrill The powder thereof tempered with Honey cures the Vlcers of the Mouth and Gummes The fume thereof or the powder in a quilted Cap stayeth all Fluxes and Distillations of thin Rheume from the Head It is held to be so excellent for Wounds in the Head and elsewhere that it is an usuall saying That without Birthwort no Chirurgion can performe any great cure A Pessary made hereof and with Myrrhe provokes the Termes in Women but let such aâ— are with Child and have not gone their full time by no means meddle with it lest it cause abortion The distilled Water hereof is usefull against creeping Vlcers and Pustules of the Genitalls both in men an women being therewith wash'd or linnen cloaths dipt in the same laid on the place all night The long Birth-wort is almost yet not altogether so effectual as the round for all the diseases aforesaid whether inward or outward and some hold the running kinde to be so also CHAP. CCCXIII. Of Mercury The Names I Mean not here to treat of that Herb that the Country people call Mercury in Latin Bonus Henricus which some take to be a kinde of Dock but of those sorts of Mercury which are more pâ—operly so called French Mercury is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Linozostis and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mercurii Herba and though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parthenium be the name which is usually given to Feaverfew yet because this is also good for Womens diseases it was formerly so called as divers other Herbs tending to the same purpose were The Latines following the Greek do call it Mercurialis because as Pliny saith it was found by Mercury Dogs mercury which is also a kinde hereof is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cynaea and Cynâ—crambe which signifieth as much as Brassica Canina that is Dogs-Cabbage but because it hath no agreement with any Cabbage therefore some have chose rather to call it in Latin by the name of Mercurialis Canina propter ignobilitatem and other Mercurialis Sylvestris The Childes or the Childing-Mercury which is another sort hereof is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phyllum and EleophylluÌ„ quasi Oleaefolium because the Leaves are like unto those of the Olive The Kindes The kindes are sufficiently declared in speaking of the names and therefore I shall say no more of them onely that every sort hath a Male and Female The Forme French Mercury for so it is called though it grow in other places besides France riseth up with square green Stalks full
is not likely that this Commodity should have any Greek name the Ancients never having any knowledge of that part of the World The West Indians from whence it first came call it Guayacan and from thence it is called in Latine Guajacum by some Lignum Indicum Lignum Sanctum and Lignum Vitae In English Pockwood for its excellency in curing the French Pox and sometimes Indian Packwood because it is brought from the West Indies The Kindes I finde three sorts of Guajacum mentioned by some later Writers 1. The true Guajacum or Indian Pockwood 2. A West-Indian tree like Guajacum 3. A differing Indian Guajacum The Forme This Tree whereof Guajacum is the wood groweth to be of the bignesse of an Oake with a reasonable thick greenish gummy barke spread with sundry Armes and Branches both great and small and on them winged Leaves set by coupâ—es one against another which are but small thick hard and round almost with divers veines in them abiding alwaies green upon the branches at the joynts and ends of the branches come forth many flowers standing in a tuft together every one upon a long footstalke consisting of sixe whitish yellow Leaves not very great with some threds in the middle which afterwards turne into flat yellowish gristly fruit of the fashion of the seed Vessel of Thlaspi or else oâ— Shepheardâ— purse with two divisions likewise having in the one side a grâ—stly seed almost as hard as horne the other being for the most part empty hanging down together by their long foot-stalkes it yeeldeth also a Gumme or Rosiâ— of a darke colour which will easily burne The Places and Time All the three sorts of Guajacum grow in the West Indies and the first especially about Sâ—anto Doâ—ingo whence this disease was originally brought to the King of Spaines Campe which was at Naples in the yeare 1493. he being then treating of peace with the French King whose Army was thereabouts also and in a short time after infected with it The French-men thought that they got it by accompanying with the Spaniards as indeed they did and therefore they called it the Spanish Scab yet the â—paniards thought that the French had given it to them and they called it the French Poxe Others called it the Disease of Naples because it arose in those Coasts as they supposed when as truly it came from the West Indies and therefore some call it the Measells of the Indies Whence Monardâ—â— observes that God Almighty would so have it that as these Poxe came from those parts so should a Remedy be brought thence also Diseases and their Remedies commonly arising in the same Climate which is a wonderful Act of Providence The Temperature Guajacum or Pockwood is hot and dry in the second degree and hath a cleansing faculty The Vertues The principall Prerogative and Excellencie of Guajacum is that it is the best remedy in the world for those kind of Poâ—ks for it provoketh Sweate resisteth contagion and putrefaction and cleanseth the Blood and strengthneth the Liver which is a part many times affected in this disease the decoction of the Wood being made and used after this manner Take of Guajacum a pound of the bark thereof two ounces steep them in twelve or foureteen pints of Spring Water foure and twenty houres then boyl them to seaven or eight pints straine it and give thereof a good draught morning and evening and let the party sweat upon it and if you adde two ounces of Liquorish or more and some Anniseed it will be much more pleasant to take This decoction which was first discovered by an Indian to a Spaniard who had suffered great paines by the Poxe is good also in the Dropsie Falling-Sicknesse shortnesse of Breath in Catarrhs Rheumes and cold distiâ—ations of the Lungs or other parts Coughâ—s and Consumptions the Gout Sciâ—tica and all other Joynt-Aâ—hes and for cold Phlegmatick humors for the diseases of the Bladder and Reines and for all long and lingring diseases proceeding from cold and moist Causes for it openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene warms and comforts the stomach and entralls and is good in Scabbes Itch Shinglâ—s Leprosie and the like as also in Fevers horrible Apostumations and swellings of the Belly the Jaundise c. It maketh the teeth white and firme if they be often washed with the decoction thereof The Barke is also given in the aforesaid Diseases from halfe a dram to a dram in powder and the Gum also is sometimes used but the Wood is of greatest use The best kinde whereof is the blâ—cker or browner for the yellow is but the Sap as it were the former being in a manner all Heart yet it is all firm hard close and heavy so that it will sink in water more thâ—n Ebony It is not so good for hot and dry bodies as it is in cold and moist and therefore for hot diseases use the more Water and the lesse Wood and for cold griefs more Wood and less Water CHAP. CCCXXVIII Of China The Names IT is called in Latine for Greek name it never had any China because the Root thereof was first brought from China which is a Country of the Orientall Indies and therefore also it is that it is called China Radix or Chinaea Radix in English as in divers other Languages it is called China but the Chineses call it Laâ—patan the Arabians and Persians Chophchina The Kindes The sorts of China that I finde mentioned are two 1. The true China Root 2. Bastard China The Forme The China groweth up with many prickly Branches of a reasonable great bignesse liâ—e unto Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed winding it self about Trees and hath divers Leaves growing on them like unto broad Plantane Leaves what Flower or Seed it beareth I finde not mentioned by any The Root is like to the root of a great Reed sometimes flattish sometimes round not smooth but bunched and knotty reddish for the most part on the out-side and whitish or sometimes a little reddish on the in-side the best is solid and firm and somewhat weighty fresh and not worm-eaten and without any taste The Places and Time It groweth not onely in China Malabar Cochin Cranganor Tanor and other places of the East Indies but also in the West Indies as Monardus saith Though the time be not expressed by any Author that I have met with yet I conceive it continueth green all the year long as divers other Plants there growing do As for the duration of the Root it will keep good many years The Temperature It is immoderately hot and very drying The Vertues The Root called China is not onely commended but daily proved to be most effectual in the French Dâ—sease the decoction thereof being made and given in manner following Take of China Root cut thin in slices one ounce and an half put into it a Gallon of faire Water and let it stand covered a night and a day then boyle it