in them and healeth Ulcers there if there be any The young clammy buds or eyes before they break out into leaves bruised and a little Honey put to them is a good Medicine for a dull sight by Signature An ounce of the bark in Powder being drunk saith Dioscorides in wine 't is likely is a remedy for those that are troubled with the Sciatica or Srangury and Serenus is of the same Judgment The black Poplar is held by some to be more cooling then the white and therefore they have with much profit applyed the leaves bruised with Vinegar to places troubled with the Gout and so do the young leaves and buds made into an Ointment with May-butter the seed is held to be good against the falling sicknesse if it be drunk in Vinegar That water that droppeth from the hollow places of the black Poplars doth take away Warts Pushes Wheales and other the like breakings out in the body The young black Poplar Buds saith Matthiolus are used by women to beautifie their hair bruising them with fresh butter and straining them after they have been for some time kept in the Sun The Ointment called Populeon is singular good for any heat or inflammation in any part of the Body and to temper the heat of wounds It is used also to dry up the Miâ—k in Womens Breasts after their delivery and when they have weaned their Children The Aspen leaves are somewhat weaker then those of the black Poplar yet the quantity being augmented they are used for the same purposes CHAP. XXIX Of Nightshade The Names SOme of the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but others and that more usually 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine Solanum and Solatrum Uva Lupina and Uva Vulpâ—s Cuculus and Morella Pliny saith it was also called Strumam and Cucubalus but they are thought bastard names and not proper to this plant In English Nightshade Morrel Petty-Morrel and in some places Hounds berries There is a sort hereof which is called Dwale or deadly Nightshade by reason of its pernicious and excesse cold quality and is therefore not to be used but by a skilfull hand but the Common or Garden Nightshade is not dangerous being heretofore planted in Gardens as other herbs for food wherefore it was called Solanum hortense or Garden Nightshade but is now no where used but Physically and is cast out of Gardens The Kinds Dioscorides reckoneth up four sorts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hortense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vesicarium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Somniferum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Manicum which are by a later Writer distinguished into ten kinds 1. Common Nightshade 2. Red berried common Nightshade 3. Sleepy Nightshade 4. The true sleepy Nightshade of the Ancient Writers 5. Sleepy Nightshade of another sort 6. Dwale or Deadly Nightshade 7. Hoary Indian Nightshade 8. Red Nightshade or Redweed of Virginia 9. The great Marvel of Peru. 10. The small Mervail of Peru which is a kind of Nightshade besides which there are divers other sorts that I may have occasion to mention elsewhere The Forme The Common Nightshade hath a somewhat upright round green hollow stalk and about a foot high bushing forth into many Branches whereon grow many dark green leaves somewhat broad and pointed at the ends soft and full of juyce larger then the leaves of Basil else somewhat like and a little unevenly dented about the edges at the tops of the stalks and branches come four or five or more white flowers made of five small pointed leaves a piece standing on a stalk together one by or above another with yellow pointells in the middle composed of four or five yellow threds set together which afterwards turn into so many pendulous green berries of the bigness of a small pease full of green Juyce and small whitish round flat seed lying within it the root is white and a little woody when it hath given flower and fruit with many small fibres at it the whole plant is of a waterish insipid taste but the Juyce within the Berries is somewhat viscous like unto a thin mucilage and is of a coolng and binding quality The Place and Time Common Night-shade groweth without planting under old walls and in rubbish by the common Paths and sides of Hedges and Fields and sometimes in Gardens out of which it is cast as a weed Dwale or deadly Night-shade groweth not only in the Woods of Germany but in divers places in our own Land as in the Castle-yard of Framingham in Suffolk in Cambridge-shire Essex c. The rest are strangers and not to be found unless it be in the better sort of Gardens as the Physick Garden at Oxon that at Westminster c. The first and the second die every year and rise of their own sowing the rest dye down to the ground in Winter and shoot afresh in the spring They do not spring out of the ground untill it be late in the year as not untill the latter end of April at the soonest They flowre in Summer even till the beginning of Autumne and then the fruit ripeneth The Temperature Galen saith in his Book of the faculties of simple Medicines that Garden Night-shade is used for those infirmities that have need of cooling and binding for these two qualities it hath in the second degree which thing also he affirmeth in his Book of the faculties of nourishments where he saith that there is no Pot-herb which we use to eat that hath so great astriction or binding as Night-shade hath and therefore Physicians do worthily use it and that seldom as a nourishment but alwayes as a Medicine Dwale is cold even in the fourth Degree The Signature and Vertues The Berries of Night-shade having some similitude with a Bladder are of excellent use to provoke Urine and to expel the stone especially the Seeds contained in them being drunk with White-wine It is commonly used to cool hot Inflammations either inwardly or outwardly being no way dangerous to any that shall use it as the rest of the Night-shades are if it be used moderately for the often taking thereof in too great a quantity procureth the Frenzy the remedy whereof is to take good store of warm honyed water The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the pains thereof that arise of heat or Inflammation The distilled water only of the whole Herb is fittest and safest to be taken inwardly The Juyce also clarified and mingled with Vineger is a good Gargarisme for the mouth and throat that is inflamed But outwardly the Juyce of the Herb or Berries with Oyl of Roses and a little Vineger and Cerusse laboured together in a leaden Mortar is very good to anoint all hot Inflammations in the Eys It doth also much good for the Shingles Ringworms and in all running fretting and corroding Ulcers and in moist Fistulaes if the juyce be made up with some Hens-Dung and applyed thereto A Pessary dipped in the Juyce and put up into the Matrix stayeth
substance after it is kept a while out of the water but plyable whilst it is there The Place and Time Most of these Coralls are found about Marcelles and the Isle of Sardinia and other places of the Mediterranean Sea but seldom on this side unlesse it be upon the Rocks on the west side of England about St. Michaels Mount where Gerard saith that white and yellow Corall do grow They are to be found growing at all times of the year The Temperature All the Sorts of Corall do cool and bind yet the white is thought to be of a colder operation then the red or black The Signature and Vertues The substance both of red and white Corall commeth very near to that of the Teeth but the white being nearest in colour may more properly be said to have their Signature yet we find that the red also is very useful in all the accidents that belong to them As first it helpeth Children to breed their Teeth their Gums being rubbed therewith and to that purpose they have it fastened at the ends of their Whistles it fastneth the Teeth also that are loose and maketh them white it helpeth sore Gums and Ulcers in the mouth and healeth up foul hollow Ulcers in other parts and filleth them with flesh and is used in Medicines for the Eys to stay the Flux of Rheum and takes away the heat and redness thereof by cooling and drying up the moysture and some hang it about the neck of such as have the Falling-Sicknesse The colour of red Corall holds forth by its Signature that it stoppeth bleeding which it doth if it be but held in the hands of those that bleed either at the Nose or Mouth it is commended also to be very effectuall for those that spit blood or be troubled with any other Flux of blood either in Man or Woman and being often taken in Wine or other drink doth diminish the Spleen it helpeth also the Gonorrhea in Men and the Whites in Women It likewise helpeth them much that are troubled with the stopping of their water or that make it by drops and also those that have the tormenting pains of the Stone in the Bladder if the Powder when it is burnt be taken in drink It strengtheneth the Heart Stomack and Liver and is therefore very usefull in the Pestilence against venome and all pestilent Feavers and malignant Diseases it chears the heart and is good against melancholy The Powder taken in Wine or distilled water brings rest to such as have Agues and is good for them that are troubled with the Cramp As it is commended in the Falling Sicknesse so likewise it is said to prevent it if a Child so soon as it is born take ten grains thereof in Black-Cherry-water or in the Mothers Milk Some affirm that it causeth an easie delivery of the birth which it do it must be by some specifick Vertue for experience doth manifest it to be of a binding nature The Chymicall Oyl of Corall is also commended for most of the purposes aforesaid CHAP. LVI Of Corall-wort The Names SEverall Names have been given to this Plant by later Writers for it is conceived that none of the Ancients as Dioscorides or Pliny c. took any cognizance of it Some have called it from the form and colour of the Roots Dentaria Dentillaria Coralloides and Alablastrites as Lobel and Dentaria Coralloide radice All which Names do agree both with the Plant and place it here stands in for the Root of it being white smooth and shining as Teeth ought to be it was fitly named Dentaria Dentillaria and Alablastrites and as fitly Coralloides Dentaria Coralloide Radice the divers small round knobs set together whereof the Root is composed resembling the knaggy Eminences of the Corall especially the white with which it agrees in colour too Others both from the Root and Flowers that are like unto Stock-Gillow-Flowers which were antiently comprehended under the name of Viola called it Viola Dentaria as Dadonaus We in English call it Toothed Violet or Corallwort The Kindes Parkinson presents you with seven sorts of Coralwort 1. Bulbe-bearing tootheâ— Violets 2. Cinquefoile Corallwort 3. Another Cinquefoile Corallwort 4. Trefoile Corallwort 5. Setfoile Corallwort 6. Bulbed narrow leaâ—ed Corallwort 7. The least Corallwort The Forme The bulbe bearing Toothed Violet shooteth forth one or two winged Leaves upon long brownish foot-stalks which in their rising up out of the ground are as it were doubled or folded downwards and then open themselves in seaven leaves most usually and sometimes but five each whereof is somewhat long denied about the edges and Poynted of a sad green colour and set on both sides of the middle Rib one against another the stalk that beareth Flowers riseth up in the same manner with the Leaves and is bare or naked of Leaves unto the middle thereof where it shooteth forth a Leaf and so one of two more up higher each consisting but of five Leaves and sometimes but of three having also the uppermost single at each whereof commeth forth a small round bulbe cloven or as it were divided into some parts of cloves of a sad purplish green colour which being ripe and put into the ground will grow to be a Root and bear Leaves â—â—â—e as the bulbes of a red bulbed Lilly about which at the top stand four or five Flowers in long hâ—â—sks upon short foot-stalks opening into four leaves of a Purplish colour very like unto the Flowers of Stock-Gillow-Flowers or Dames Violets after which come small long Horns or Cods poynted at the ends wherein lye such like Seed as are in the Cods of Dames Violets which will as soon as it is ripe break the Pod and fall out the Root is very smooth white and shining It doth not grow downwards but creepeth along under the upper crust of the ground and consisteth of diveÌ„rs small round knobs set together the tast both of the leaf and Root is somewhat bitter hot and sharp like Radish The Places and Time The first and last have been found in our Land as Parkinson saith the first at Mayfield in Sussex in a Wood called Highreed another Wood therein called Foxholes but for the place of the last he doth not expresse it yet I find that it groweth very plentifully about Croydon in Surrey as also a greater sort of Corallwort not mentioned by him The rest in the shadowy woods of Germany Switzerland and Savoy Naples Italy and divers other places They flower about the end of April and the beginning or middle of May and are withered and gone before July for the most part the roots abiding safe under ground The Temperature The Root of Coralwort is drying binding and strâ—ngthening yet it helpeth to provoke Urine and to expell gravell and the stone as some affirm by a speciall Vertue The Signature and Vertues Both the form of the root of Corallwort which is made as it were of many Teeth set together and the smoothnesse and
though they were covered with Ashes and is usually with Us called Jacobaea marina maritima Sea-Ragwort in English and Rag-weed by some Country people from the raggednesse of the Leaf The Kindes Of Ragwort there be nine sorts 1. The Greater common Ragwort 2. The lesser common Ragwort 3. The first Hungarian broad leafed Ragwort 4. The other broad-leafed Hungarian Ragwort 5. Smooth leafed Ragwort 6. Round leafed hoary Ragwort 7. The common Sea-Ragwort 8. The lesser Sea-Ragwort 9. Broad leafed Sea-Ragwort The Form The greater common Rag-wort hath many large and long dark green Leaves lying on the ground very much rent and torn on the sides into many peeces from among which riseth up sometimes but one and sometimes two or three square or crested blackish or brownish stalks two or three foot high sometimes branched bearing divers such like leaves upon them at severall distances unto the tops where it brancheth forth into many stalks bearing yellow Flowers consisting of divers Leaves set as a pale or border with a dark yellow thrum in the middle which do abide a great while but in the end growing full ripe are turned into down which with the small blackish gray Seed is carryed away with the wind the Root is made of many Fibres some greater and others lesser whereby it is firmly fastned into the ground and abideth many years The Place and Time The two first Sorts grow wild in pastures and untilled Grounds in many places and both together in one Field often times the three next grow in Hungary and Austria the sixth grew in some parts of France but it is not expressed where the seaventh groweth on our own Coasts not far from the Sea in the Isles of Sheppey and Thanet and along the Kentish shore in many places the eighth groweth on the Mediterranean Sea-shore of Italy and other places as by the Sea side in Zeland the last is mentioned by Bauhinus but he expresseth not the place where it groweth Divers of them are nursed up by divers Herbarists and are to be seen in the Physick-Gardens at Oxford and Westminster They flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature Ragwort is hot and dry in the second Degree as some think with some bitternesse joyned therewith and therefore cleanseth digesteth and discusseth The Vertues The Decoction of Ragwort is very much commended to wash the Mouth or Throat that have Ulcers and Sores therein and for swellings hardnesse or impostumations for it throughly cleanseth and healeth them as also the Quinsey and the Kings Evill It doth help to stay Catarrhes thin Rheums and Defluxions from the Head into the Eyes Nose or Lungs The Juyce is found by continuall experience to be singular good both to heal green wounds and to cleanse and heal all old and filthy Ulcers as well in the Privities as in other parts of the Body and inward Wounds and Ulcers also and stayeth the malignity of fretting or running Cankers and hollow Fistulaes not suffering them to spread further It is much commended also to help Aches and pains either in the fleshy parts or in the Nerve and Sinews as also the Sciatica or pain of the Hips or Huckle-bone to bathe the places with the decoction of the Herb or to anoint them with an Oyntment made of the Herb bruised and boyled in old Hogs-Suet with some Mastick and Olibanum in Powder added unto it after it is strained forth and not before for otherwise it would be to little or no purpose It is held also to be a certain remedy to help the Staggers in Horses and upon that account some call it Stagger-wort and indeed it is not without a Signature thereof the unevennesse of the edges of the Leaves being like unto those uneven motions which Horses make in that Disease CHAP. LXXVI Of Plantaine The Names THE generall appellation that the Greeks have bestowed upon this excellent Simple is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arnoglossum which they were enduced to do from the form which it doth somewhat represent to wit of a Lambs Tongue It is called in Latine Plantage â—uâ—to à Plantâ vocabulo as if this were the Plant of Plants as indeed it is It is divided also by the Greeks into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Latines call Septinervia and Quinquenervia the first having seven Ribbes Nerves or Veines the other five The generall English name is Plantaine but that which the Greeks call Eptaneuron we call Way-bred because it commonly breeds by the way sides and that which they call Pentaneuron we call Ribbewort and Ribbewâ—rt Plantaine the Latines calling it Plantago angustifolia from the narrownesse of the Lease as they do the other Latif 〈…〉 because it is broader The Kindes The sorts of Plantaine which are most remarkable are ten 1 Common Wayâ—â—ed or Plantaine 2 The greatest Plantaine 3 Hoary Plantaine 4 Rose Plantain 5 Besome Plantaine or Plantaine with spoky tufts 6 The greater Ribwort or Ribwort Plantaine 7 The lesser Ribwort 8 Rose Ribwort 9 Great Water Plantaine 10 Dwarfe Water Plantaine The Forme The common Waybred beareth many fair broad and almost round Leaves saving that they are a little pointed at the end with seven ribs or sinews in most of them running from the one end of the Leafe to the other of a saddish green colour on the upperside but more inclining to yellow underneath from amongst which do rise up divers small slender stalks of about a foot high naked and bare of Leaves up to the top whereon groweth a blackish green spike or scaly head with blossomes like unto those of Corne after which cometh the seed which being small is enclosed in those little husks The Root is made of many white little strings whereby it taketh fast hold in the ground The Places and Time The first groweth by those wayes and paths that are made through Pastures and Meadowes in most places of this Land The second about Mompelier The third is of our owne Land but not so frequently as the first The fourth groweth in St. John Danvers his Garden at Chelsey The sixth and seventh grow very plentifully in Meadowes Fieldes and sometimes in Gardens without invitation or welcome though they be as usefull as any there The eight is found also in this Land but so rarely that it is taken into the best Gardens The two last grow in silent Rivers and standing Waters They flower in the Summer Months of May June and July The Temperature All the sorts of Plantaine are cold and dry in the second degree The Roots and Seed which is of subtile parts are not altogether so cold as the Leaves The Signatures and Vertues Although Plantaine be beneficiall to all the parts of the Body both inward and outward yet because the Mouth is the first part whereinto it is commonly received I have appropriated thereunto and the rather because it hath the Signature of the Tongue which is not only expressed by
burn but especially that which groweth by the Sea-side When the Hoggs were troubled with tuberous Baggs of corruption about their Necks the Country people were formerly wont to give them of the Herb Impious boyled in Milk or the like and they observed that which soever of them refused to take it would assuredly die CHAP. LXXVIII Of Jewes Eares The Names AMongst other Simples there is an Excressence of the Elder or Bore-tree which I shall treat of a part from the Tree it self and with it put a period to those things that are appropriated to the Throat it being of so great use for this part whereas the Elder it self is available to many others Notwithstanding I think that the Grecians took so little notice of it that they scarcely afforded it a Name It is called in Latine Fungus Sambucinus and Auricula Juda some having supposed the Elder-tree to be that whereon Judas hanged himself and that ever since these Mushromes like unto Eates have grown thereon which I will not perswade you to believe It is called in English Jewes Eares the Mushrome of the Elder by some the Gelly and by others the Sponge growing upon the Elder The Kinds My Lord Bacon in his naturall History saith that Jewes-Eâ—res grow upon other Trees besides the Elder as the Ash Fir c. but I suppose he was mistaken There are sometimes growing on those Trees certaâ—n Mushromes but like to Jewes-Eares neither in form nor vertue and therefore not to be called by that Name The Forme This Excrescence called Jewes-Eares is a soft and limber Mushrome which while it is fresh is not very thick but transparent and of a blackish colour of differing forms and sizes for some will be swolne and puffed up in one place more then in another having some resemblance to a Mans Eare some thin on the edge and thick in the middle and some two or three growing together all of them being dryed become of a blackish gray colour and then may be kept a whole year or more safe without spoyling to be used as you need The Places and Times Jewes-Eares grow as I said upon the Elder-tree but not so frequently upon them in other places as upon those that are planted upon Cony-Boroughs for their shadow and shelter I understand not but they may be found there at any time of the Year The Temperature Gerard saith that the jelley of the Elder otherwise called Jewes-Eares hath a binding and drying quality The Vertues Dr. Martin Blochwich Physician-Ordinary of Oshatin in his ingenious Tract called the Anatomy of Elder saith that even common Country Women so soon as they suspect any Disease in the Throat of their young Children they steep the Sponge of Elder in their Drink and when it is swelled they therewith carefully wipe away all the filth of the Palat Gums and Tongue It is likewise used for the same purpose being boyled in Ale or Milk with Columbine Leaves and with a little Pepper and Pellitory of Spain in Powder it helpeth to put up the Uâ—â—la or Palat of the Mouth being fallen down Take of the water or Decoction of Elder-Flowers wherein a little Elder-Honey hath been mixed and add thereunto some Leaves of Self-heal and a Jewes Eare or two and you will find it a sure Experiment for the Quinsey And a Lohoch or licking of the Rhob of Elder inspislated with Sugar with some pulverised Jewes-Eares added thereunto is commodious The distilled water of Jewes-Eares is very profitable for the Dropsie according to Crâ—lliâ—s de signaturis rerâ—â— and a drink made by sleeping three whole dryed Umbels of Elder Flowers and two Jewes-Eares very well dryed in two quarts of White-wine if it be used and no other drink the tumour will vanish away suddenly An handful of Jewes-Eares infused in a quart of the Spirit of Wine and a full draught thereof given to one that is troubled with the suffocation of the Matrix in the time of her fit cureth her The Powder of the Grains of Elder being mixed with an equall part of Jewes-Eares is commended in spitting blood CHAP. LXXIX Of Elecampane The Names HAving appropriated severall Simples to the inside and outside of the Throat the Breast comes next in Order to be provided for both internally and externally to which there is nothing more proper then Elecampane which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Helenium also in Latine and of some Inula and Enula and Enula Campana some think it took the name from the tears of Helen from whence it sprung which is a Fable others say it was so called because Helen first found it available against biting and stingings of venemous Beasts and others think it took its name from the Island Helena where the best was found to grow We in English call it Elecampane generally yet in some Countries of this Land it is called Sabwort and Horse-heal The Kindes To this Plant which otherwise would be single do some refer the Flowers of the Sun as 1. The greater flower of the Sâ—â— 2. The lesser flower of the Sun 3. The Male flower of the Sun 4. The Marigold Sun flower The Forme Elecampane shooteth forth many large leaves lying neer the ground which are long and broad but small at both ends somewhat soft in handling of a whitish green on the upper side and gray underneath each set upon a short footstalk From amongst which riâ—e â—p divers great and strong hairy stalks two or three foot high with some leaves thereon compassing them about at the lower ends and are branched towards the tops bearing divers great and large flowers like unto those of the flower of the Sun of which it is said to be a kind as I said before both the border of the leaves and the middle Thrum being yellow which is not wholly converted into large seed as in the flower of the Sun but turneth into Down with some long small brownish seed among it and is carried away with the wind the Râ—â—t is great and thick branched forth divers waies blackish on the outside and white within of a very bitter taste but good sent especially when it is dryed no part else of the plant having any smell The Places and Time This is one of the Plants whereof England may boast as much as any for there growes none better in the world then in England let Apothecaries and Druggeists say what they will It groweth in Meadows that are fat and fruitful as in Parsons Meadow by Adderbury as I have been told and in divers other places about Oxfordshire It is found also upon the Mountains and shadowy places that be not altogether dry it groweth plentifully in the fields on the left hand as you go from Dunstable to Puddle hill Also in an Orchard as you go from Colâ—râ—â— to Ditton Ferry which is in the way from London to Windsor and in divers places in Wales particularly in the Orchard of Mr. Peter Piers at Guieruigron neer St. Asaphs The
profitable Reed having long stalks seaven or eight foot high joynted and knee'd like the common walking Canes but that the Leaves come forth of every joynt on every side of the stalk one like unto wings long narrow and sharp pointed The Cane it self or stalk is not hollow as the other Canes and Reeds are but full and stuffed with a spungious substance in taste exceeding sweet The root is great and long creeping along within the inner crust of the earth which is likewise sweet and pleasant but lesse hard or wooddy then other Canes or Reeds from which do shoot many young Cions which are cut away from the main or Mother plant because they should not draw away the nourishment from the old stock and so get unto themselves a little moisture or else some substance not much worth and cause the stock to be barren and themselves little the better which shoots do serve for plants to set abroad for increase The Places and Time The Sugar Cane groweth naturally in the East and West Indies the Barbadoes Madera and the Canary Islands and Barbary also It is planted likewise in many parts of Europe at this day as Spain Portugal Oliba and in Province Some shoots have been planted in England but the coldnesâ—e of the Climate quickly made an end of them The two next in England the fourth in Spain The fifth in Bengala The sixth was found in a Sack full of Costus and Ginger as it was brought from Arabia The seventh was found by Bellonius in a Valley on Mount Athos and in the River Jordan and of this they make their writing Pens in Turkey where the four next sorts are thought to grow The last groweth in Italy and divers other places but all of them delight in moist or watery overflown grounds The Sugar Cane is planted at any time of the year in those hot Countries where it doth naturally grow by reason they fear no frosts to hurt the young shoots at their first planting they are most of them ripe about the end of September The Temperature The Juyce of the Sugar Reed made into Sugar is hot and moist in the first degree or temperately hot and moist and is abstersive or cleansing The Vertues Sugar is good to make smooth the roughnesse of the breast and Lungs cleareth the voice and putteth away hoarsness and the Cough and so doth Sugar Candy It is convenient for the Stomach helpeth the roughnesse and drynesse of the mouth and throat also thirst and drought in Feaverse specially being mixed with water and so taken and it is very profitable for the Reins and Bladder It is used to put sowrenesse and bitternesse out of the mouth of sick persons and may be put into cooling as well as heating and warming Medicines Sugar or White Sugar Candy put into the Eye taketh away the dimnesse and the blood shotten therein It is good to be put into green wounds whilst they are yet bleeding and strewed into foul sores it cleanseth them This is the Physical use of Sugar which hath obtained now a daies so continuall and daily use that it is almost accounted not Physicall and is more commonly used in Confections Syrups and such like as also preserving and conserving sundry fruits as Cherries Damsons Mulberries c. and Flowers as Roses Violets Rosemary Flowers and such like which still retain with them the Name of Sugar as Sugar Roset Sugar Violet c. to write of all which is besides our Intentions Now for our ordinary Reeds The roots as Galen saith have a cleansing quality but not sharp and the Leaves also The fresh Leaves bruised or the roots applyed to those places that have Thorns Splinters or the like in the flesh do draw them forth in a short space the same also applyed with Vinegar helpeth Members out of joynt by Signature and easeth the pains in the Loins the fresh leaves also bruised and applyed unto hot Impostumes Inflammations or St. Anthonies sire easeth them the Ashes made of the outer rind of the stalk mingled with Vinegar helpeth the falling off the hair If the flower or woolly substance happen into the ears it sticketh therein so fast as that by no means it will be gotten forth again but will procure deafnesse withal Some have observed that the Fern and the Reed are at perpetuall enmity the one not abiding where the other is which may b e as my Lord Bacon saith not because of any Antipathy in the plants but because they draw a like nourishment and so starve one the other whereas there is such amity they say between Asparagus and the Reed that they both thrive wondrous well which is because they draw a different Juyce Reeds are alâ—o put to many necessary uses as to thatch houses to serve as walls and defence to Gardiners in the cherishing of their plants to Water-men to trim their boats to Weavers to wind their yarn on and for divers other purposes Nay those that grow in the Indies by reason of the heat of those Climates grow so great and tall that they serve instead of timber both to build their houses and to cover them CHAP. LXXXIII Of the Jujube-Tree The Names THe Tree it self is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek Zizypha and Zinzâ—pha of Columella Zâ—z phus rutila of others Rubra and Punicea and of the Arabians from whom the Apothecaries took it Jujube and â—o do Lobel and Pena The Fruit or Plums arenamed in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are the same that Galen calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine likewise Zizipha and Serica in Shops Jujube in English Jujubes The Kindes Although in former times there were but one sort of Jujube known yet now we have three 1. The greater Jujube-Tree 2. The lesser Jujube-Tree 3. The wild Jujube-tree The Form The Jujube-tree groweth sometimes to be very high but more often to a reasonable height having his Stem or Body bowed or crooked and spreading rather in breadth the Wood whereof is whitish and hard covered with a rugged Bark from whence spread great Branches and from the lesser and slender whitish twigs about a foot long full of Leaves set on both sides not usually directly one against another but one a little above another with an odd one at the end each whereof is small somewhat broad and pointed at the end dented or finely nicked about the edges with long Veins in them smooth and somewhat hard in handling each standing on a short foot-stalk and very like unto the Leaves of Paliurus or Christs Thorn at the foot of every Leaf towards the tops of the Twigs come forth small yellowish Flowers of five Leaves a peece where afterwards stand the fruit which is somewhat like unto a small Plum or Olive but a little long green at the first and then â—t is somewhat harsh and yellowish after but at last red and of a reasonable sweetnesse yet
or Eyes The juyce or water is singular good for hot and red inflamed Eyes if some thereof be dropped into them or they bathed theâ—ewith the â—aid juyce or water is also of excellent property for all Pushes Wheals and other eruptions of hot and sharp humours into the face or hands or other parts of the Body to bathe them therewith and helpeth to take away any redness in the face and spots or other deformities of the Skin and to make the Skin clear and smooth The water of Straw-berries distilled in a body of Classe after they have stood in a bed of hot Horse-dung twelve or fourteen dayes cureth the Lepry by Signature if it be drunk and the Spots be bathed therewith And upon this account they are commended by Râ—imundus Lullâ—us being macerated in the spiâ—it of Wine â—nd used The same is very profitable for most of the purposes aforesaid and also for the Morphew CHAP. CXXIII Of Wood-Sorrel The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the sharp tast that it hath in Latine Trifolâ—um Acetosum and of some Panis Cuculâ— Cuckow-bread either because the Cuckowes deâ—ight to seed thereon or that it beginneth to bâ—ossom when the Cuckow beginneth to â—tter her voyce It is caâ—ed by the Apothecarie in their Shops Alleluja and 〈…〉 jula the one as some think because it was found in Procession whiâ—est the Processioners were singing Alleluja or else because it â—owreth about that time which is used to be between Easter Whâ—tsâ—utide the other came corruptly â—rom Juliola as they of Calabria in Nâ—ples do call it In English Wood-Sorrel Wood-sower Stabwort and Sorrel du bois The Kinds There are two sorts of Wood-Sorrel the one famiâ—iar enough and that is Common Wood-Sorrel the other a stranger as far as I can earn and onâ—y â—herished in the Gardens of those that are curious and that is Wood-Sorrel with yeâ—low Flowers The Form The common Wood-Sorrel groweth low upon the ground without any stalk rising from it hath a number oâ— Leaves comming from the Root made of three Leaves like a Trefoâ—le or three-leafed Grasse every leaf somewhat resembâ—ing an Heart being broad at the ends cut in the middle and sharp towards the stalk of a faint yellowish green colour every one standing on a long red foot-stalk which at their first comming up are close foâ—ded together to the stalk but opening themselves afterwards and are of a fine sowre rellish more pâ—easing them many of the other Sorrels and yielding a juyce which wiâ—l turn red when it is clariâ—ed amongst these leaves rise up divers slender weak foot-stalks not growing above them with every one of them a flower at the top consisting of five small and pointed Leaves Star-fashion of a white colour in most places or in some dasht over with a small shew of blush and in some but on the back side only after the Flowers are past follow small round heads with small yellowish Seeds in them the Roots are nothing but threds or small strings fastened to the end of a small long peece all of them being of a yellowish colour not perishing every year but abiding with some Leaves thereon in the Winter The Places and Time The Common Wood-Sorrel groweth plentifully in many places of this Land in Woods and Wood-sides where it may be moyst and shadowed and in other places that are not too much open to the Sun yet it is known by few except it be by those Herb-women that gather it and sell it to the Apothecaries The other groweth in divers shadowy places about Sevill in Spain and in Gardens at Mompeliar The first flowreth early in April and May the other after Midsummer and so continueth in flowre untill the Autumn colds make it to perish but some Seed is ripe in the mean time The Temperature Wood-Sorrel is as the other Sorrels are cold and dry in the second Degree The Signature and Vertues The Leaves of this Herb representing the Heart are according to their Signature found to be very effectuall for the said part by defending it from the Plague or any other pestilentiall Disease that may ceaze thereon and also by cooling it in Feavers Agues or other sicknesses or faintings that rise from heat a dram of the Conserve thereof being taken every morning or oftner if occasion require It hindereth putrefaction of the blood and Ulcers of the â—â—uth Body quencheth thirst strengtheneth a weak stomach procureth an Appetite stayeth vomiting and is of most singular use in any contagious Disease or Pestilentiall Feaver Of the juyce which will turn red when it is clarified is made a dainty fine Syrup very effectuall also in any of the distempers aforesaid and so is the distilled water of the Herb also Spunges or linnen Cloaths wetted in the juyce and applyed outwardly to any hot tumours and Inflammations doth exceedingly cool and help them the same juyce taken into the mouth and there gargled for some time and after spit forth and fresh taken will wonderfully help a stinking foul Canker or Ulcer therein It is also singular good in wounds Punctures thrusts and stabs into the Body to stay the bleeding and to cleanse and heal the wounds speedily and helpeth well also to stay any hot defluxions or Catarrhs upon the Throat and Lungs CHAP. CXXIV Of Baulm The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Melissophyllum or Meliphyllum id est Apum folium that is Bees-Leaf because the Bees are very much delighted therewith In Latine Melissa and Citragâ— ab odore Citri because it smelleth like a Citron Apiastrum from the pleasure that Bees take in it and Melissophyllum of the effect it being good for Bees We in English call it Bawm from the singular effects therein in imitation of the true naturall Balm The Kinds Besides the Ordinary Baulm which usually groweth in our Gardens there are five other sorts 1. Turky Baulm with a blew Flower 2. Turky Baulm with a white Flower 3. Unpleasant Baulm 4. Great Assyrian Baulm 5. Prickly Assyrian Baulm The Form The Common Garden Baulm hath divers square green stalks with round hard dark green Leaves pointed at the ends like an Heart and a little dented round about the edges set by couples at the joynts of a sweet smell comming nearest to a Citron or a Lemmon the Flowers are small and gaping growing at the tops of the stalks of a pale Carnation colour almost white the Roots fasten themselves strongly in the ground and endure long the leaves and stalks dying down yearly The Places and Time The first groweth no where but in Gardens the two next grow naturally in Moldavia which is under the Turkish Dominion The third at the foot of divers Hills both in Germany and Narbone in France The fourth and fifth in Syria as their Titles do declare The three first flower somewhat earlier in the Summer then the two Assyrian kinds which flower very seldom before the middle of August so that
famous Doctor of Physick whom the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some Bastard Names it hath also as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Hederula and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Hederula folium the form of the Leaves being like unto Ivy. Ruellius calleth it Hederalis in Latine but it is better known by the Names of Asclepias and Vincetâ—xicum which last is a generall word for any Counter-poyson and commeth from Vincâ— to over-come and Toxicum Poyson It was anciently called Hirundinaria although both the kinds of Chelidonium majus and minus be called Hirundinaria that is Swallon-vvort ab Hirundine from a Swallow because the pointed Cods when they are open and the Silk appeareth out of them do somewhat resemble a Swallow flying Others say from the Seed which is feathered as it were with Down about it In English it is called Svvallovv-vvort and of some Silken Cicely The Kinds There be only three Sorts of Swallow-wort that I can find 1. Swallow-wort with white Flowers 2. Swallow-wort with black Flowers 3. Swallow-wort of Candy The Form The Swallow-wort with white-flowers riseth up with divers slender weake stalkes to be halfe a yard or two foot long not easy to break yet scarce able to stand upright and therefore for the most part leane or lye down upon the ground if they find not some thing to sustaine them and then somtimes they will twine themselves about it whereon are set two leaves at the joynts being somwhat broad and long pointed at the end of a darke green colour and smooth at the edges at the joynts with the Leaves towards the top of the stalkes and at the tops themselves come forth divers small white flowers consisting of five pointed leaves a piece of an heavy sweet sent after wich come small long pods thick above and growing lesse and lesse to the point wherein by small flat brown seed wrapped in a great deale of white silken down which when the pod is ripe openeth of it selfe and sheddeth both seed and cotton upon the ground if it be not carefully gathered the roots are a great bush of many white strings fastned together at the head smelling somewhat strong while they are fresh and green but more pleasant when they are dryed both leaves and stalkes dye down every yeare to the ground and rise a new in the Spring the stalkes at their first coming up being of a blackish brown colour The Places and Time One or two if not all of these sorts grow in the Physick Garden at Oxford but as for their naturall places the two first grow in rough untilled places and on Mountaines in divers places both in France about Narbone Marscilles and Mompelier and in Italy also and in other places The last grow in Candy whence the seed came which being sowne groweth with us They all flower in the moneths of June and July and somtimes not untill August if the yeare be backward and their Cods with seed are ripe about a Moneth after the empty huske abiding on the dry branches when the seed and silk is shed out and fallen on the ground or blown away with the wind The Temperature The rootes of Swallow-wort are hot and dry and have a soveraigne quality against all poysons but in particular against the Apocinum or Dogsbane The Vertues A Dram of the powder of the roots of Swallow-wort taken in Sorrell or Bnglosse water is very effectuall against all the passions of the heart and if a few Citron seeds be taken therewith in the same manner and measure it easeth all the griping paines of the belly It is likewise effectually given to any that are bitten by any venemous beast or stung by any Serpent or other Creature as also against the biting of a mad dog a dram and an halfe of the root being taken in Carduus water for divers dayes together It is taken also in Wine every day against the Plague or Pestilence The decoction of the rootes made with white-Wine taken for divers dayes together a good draught at a time and sweating presently thereupon cureth the Dropâ—y the same also helpeth the Jaundise provoketh Urine and eaâ—eth the Cough and all defects of the Chest and Lungs The powder of the Rootes taken with Peony seed is good against the Falling sicknesse or what Basil seed or the rind of Pome Citrons is good against Melancholy Taken with the roots of White or Bastard Dâ—ttany it killeth and expelleth the Wormes of the Maw and Belly The rootes are very effectually used with other things in Bathes made for women to â—t over to ease all paines of the Mother and bring down their courses The Decoction likewise of the Roots hereof and of Comfrey made with wine is much commended to help those that are bursten or have a rupture and for them that have bin bruised with a fall or otherwise The powder of the root or leaves is no lesse effectuall to cleanse all putrid rotten and filthy Ulcers and soâ—es wheresoever then the Roots of Aristolochia or Birthwort and may safely be used in all Salves Unguents and Lotions made for such purposes instead thereof the one for the other The Leaves and Flowers boyled and made into a pultis applyed to the hard tumors or swellings of womens Breasts cureth them speedily as also such evil sores as happen in the Matrix although they be inveterate or hard to be cured The Down that is found in the Cods of these herbs doth make a softer stuffing for Cushions or Pillows or the like than thistle down which is much used in some places for the like purposes CHAP. CXXVII Of Goates-Rue The Names THis Hearb being unknown to the Antient Authors hath no Greek Name in Latin it is usually called Galega or Ruta Capraria For they that first found it and the vertues gave that Name of Rue thereunto as finding it no lesse effectuall then the Best Rue and Capraria because it is good for Goates Some call it Gralega and some Herba Gallica as Fracastorius and of some Capraria Some with us call it Italian-Vetch but most Commonly Goates Rue The Kinds The Sorts hereof are but two 1. Common Goates Rue 2. Mountain Goats Rue The Forme The Common or most usuall Goates Rue sendeth forth many round hard stalks three or four foot high whereon grow one above another at severall Joynts Long winged Leaves that is many Leaves set one each side of a middle rib which are small yet somewhat broad and long and pointed at the end smooth on the Edges without any dents somewhat like unto the Leaves of Vetches and of a faint green Colour at the topps of the stalks stand many small Leguminous flowers one above another of a pale blewish purple Colour and in some plants pure white after which come small round pods about â—n inch and an half long a little bunched out in some places but nothing so much as the Orobus or Bitter Vetch wherein lie three or four or five small pale seed
for the Quartane Ague the Lepry and all Paralyticall diseases and they cause a good colour of the face As for their outward use the Citrine are used in Collyries or Medicine for the Eyes with the juyce of Fennell or Rose-water and against the inflammations and flowing of humors to the Eyes The powder thereof with Mastick or Rose-water is used in Vlcers to heale them and dry them The powder of the Kernells is used against dimnesse of the Eyes or to take away the Web therein or the powder thereof infused in Rose-water and dryed and then infused two or three times more and dry them then make it in powder and use it The Bellerick stay the flowing of the Hemorrhoides and helpe the falling of the haire the affected place being bathed with the decoction thereof and the powder strawed on afterwards and it makes the haire become blacker The Chebules and the Emblicks are often brought over unto us preserved whereof the Chebules are more used Physically for such purposes as are before set down then the Emblicks are which being not so harsh in taste as the Chebules are more used as a very pleasant and delicate preserved Plum amongst other junkets then for any Physicall respect CHAP. CL. Of Groundsell The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ergerum quia verè senescit the Latines call it Senecio quia citó senescit because it becomes ihoary so soone Tragus takes it to be the Aphaca of Theophrastus especially the Cottonâ— kind called Petrella by Monardus Ferrariensis but it appeares that Traâ—â— was mistaken in that Senecio as well as Aphaca are treated of severally by Theophanstus for two distinct herbes It is called in English Groundsell and Grunsell The Kinds The Ancients have made mention but of one sort of Groundsell but this latter Age hath found out Six 1. Common Groundsell 2. Mountaine Groundsell 3. Myconus Spanish Groundsell 4. Cottony Groundsell 5. Stinking Groundsell 6. Sweet swelling Grunsell The Form Common Groundsell hath a round greene and somwhat brownish Stalk spread toward the top into some branches set with long and somwhat narrow greene Leâ—ves cut in on the edges somwhat like unto Rocket or rather an Oaken Leafe but lesser and round at the ends At the tops of the stalkes and branches stand many smal green knaps or heads out of which grow smal yellow threds or thrums which are the flowers which continue many dayes blown in that manner before it passe away in to down and with the seed is carryed away in the wind the Root is small and threddy and soone perisheth but from the seed that is shed it soone riseth up againe so that it may be seene many moneths in the yeare both green and in flower and seed for it will spring and seed twice in a yeare at the least if it be suffered in a Garden The Places and Time The first is found every where almost as well on the tops of Walles as at the foot if there be any rubbish and in untilled grounds also but especially in Gardens the second is found upon Hills and Mountaines the third was found by Myconus in Spaine and sent to Lyons the fourth groweth by Wood sides the borders of feilds and upon old Walles in many places the fiift groweth in lopped Woods of Hungaria and Austria as Clusius saith and in barren and untilled places the last was sent to Camerarius out of Italy The first flowreth almost every Moneth as I said before the second and fourth do both come somewhat neere unto the other but are not so quick in their decaying the fifth and sixth do flower only in Summer The Temperature Groundsell hath mixt faculties it cooleth and moisteneth and withall digesteth as Paulus Aegineta writeth The Vertues The decoction of Groundsell as Diosecrides saith being made in Wine and dâ—unelpeth the paines in the Stomack proceeding of Choler by causing the disaffected party to Vomit which the juice hereof taken in drink or the decoction of the herbe in ale with some currants gently performeth It is said to be good likewise against the Jaundise and Falling sicknesse being taken in Wine as also against the difficulty of making Water it provoketh Vrine and expelleth Gravell from the Reins a dram thereof given in Oxymel after some walking or stirring the body It helpeth the Sciatica also and the griping paines of the belly called the Chollick Some â—â—re it with Vinegar as a â—allet accounting it good for the sadnesse of the Heart and to helpe the defects of the Liver It is given also by Nurses to their young Children when they are troubled with the Frets as they call it which is a distemper coming cheifely from the Nurses milke being either too Windy or too Sharp if a few Currans and Anniseeds be stewed therewith It is said also to provoke Womens Courses some say also that it stayeth the Whites which Matthiolus saith cannot be in that the one quality is contrary to the other The fresh herb boiled and made into a Pultis and applyed to the Breasts of Women that are swollen with heat and paine as also to the privy parts of Man or Woman the Seat or Fundament or the Arteries Joynts and Sinewes when they are inflamed or swollen doth much ease them and â—sed with some salt helpeth to disolve the Knots or Kernels that happen in any part of the body The juyce of the Herbe or as Dioscorides saith the Leaves and Flowers with some fine Frankincense in powder used in Wounds whether of the body or of the Nerves and Sinewes doth singularly helpe to heale them and so doth the down of the Heads used with Vinegar as the same Author saith but if it be taken in drinke it will choake any one The distilled Water of the Herbe performeth well all the aforesaid properties but especially for the inflammations of the Eyes and watering of them by reason of the defluxion of the Rheâ—â—e into them It is much used to be given to tame Rabbets when they are pot-bellyed through costivenesse to make them gaunt and healthfull CHAP. CI. Of Radish The Names IT is called Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rhaphanos and Rhaphanis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quòd facilè apparet from its speedy growing for it sheweth it selfe speedily some say within three dayes after it is sown It is called in Rhaphanus Radicula and Radix which last name is given unto it quia quam pancissimis magnitudine cedit because it is one of the biggest rootes that is which though it may seeme somwhat strange here in England yet in some places beyond the Seas they grow to be of a wonderfull hignesse as Fuchsius reporteth Some have called the seed hereof Bacanon and Bacanum and others Cacanon The Kinds There be sundry sorts of Radish whereof some be long and white others long and reddish some round and white others round or of the forme of a peare and of a blackish colour some wild
and therefore we in English call it Woody Night-shads Bitter-sweet and of some Felon-wort because it cureth the Felons which happen upon the joynts of the Fingers The Kindes Of this kind of Night-shade there bee onely these two sorts 1. Common woody Night-shade 2. Woody Night-shade with white Flowers The Forme The Common woody Night-shade groweth up with many slender winding brittle woody Stalks as high as a man and sometimes higher folding it self about the Hedges or any thing else that standeth next thereunto yet without any claspers at all covered with a whitish rough Bark having a pith in the middle shooting ouâ— Branches on every side which are green while they are young and so are the new shoots of those that are elder whereon grow many Leaves without order somewhat like unto those of Night-shade but that they are pointed at the ends with two smal Leaves or pieces of Leaves usually growing upon the Foot-stalks between the Leaf and the Branch like little wings of a pale green colour but some of them have but one and some none the Flowers come forth at the tops and sides of the Branches standing many together in fashion of a long Umbell upon short foot-stalks one above another which consist of five narrow and long violet purple coloured Leaves with a long gold-yellow pointel in the middle sticking forth which afterwards turn into round and somewhat long Berries green at the first but red soft and full of juyce when they come to ripenesse of an unpleasant bitter tast though sweet at first wherein many flat white Seeds are contained the Root spreadeth it self into many strings under ground not growing to any great bignesse The Places and Time The first groweth in every Country by the sides of Ditches and Hedges whereon it many times runneth the second is seldome met with but by S. Margarets Church in Rumney Marsh The Leaves come forth in the Spring the Flowers in July and the Berries are ripe in August The Temperature The Leaves and Berries of Bitter-sweet are hot and dry cleansing and wasting away The Vertues The Leaves or Berries of Bitter-sweet stamped with rusty Bacâ—â— applyed to that Joynt of the Fiâ—ger that is troubled with a Felon hath been found by divers Countrey people who are most suâ—jâ—ct thereunto to be very successâ—ful for the â—uring of the same The decoction of the Leaves and tender branches being infused and set over the fire in three pâ—nts of White Wine the Pot wherein it is done being close covered for twelve houres together which being then stâ—ained is a most excellent Drinke to opâ—n the Oâ—structiâ—ns of the Liver Gall and Spleen and is used with good successe not onely in the yellow but black Jaundise and to cleanse Womâ—n hat are newly brought abâ—d a quarter of a Pint thereof being drank for many Mornings together and if you will in the Evenings also The said Infusion is also availeable for difficulty of breathing Bruises Falls and congealed blood in any part of the body and it is good against the Dropsie for it purgeth away waterish and other humors very gently both by Urine and Stool It is also used against putrid Feavers or Agues and when any bone is broken or out of joynt as likewise for Ruptures and Wounds The Sheepherds in Germany as Tragus reporteth doe use to hang it about their Cattles neck when they are troubled with a swimming in the Head causing them to turne round as if they were bewitched and therefore they say it removeth Witchcrafts both in Men and Beasts bâ—t that swimming in the head is no effect of Witchcraft but proceeds from a naturall cause for which this Plant is a specifick remedy as it is for all such like sodaine distempers whatsoever being hung about the the Neck and that is not farre from the head CHAP. CCCXLIII Of Ladies Bedstraw The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gallium or as others have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Galiunâ— and of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Galerion and Galarion from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Milke into which the Women of former times did put this Herb as those of ours doe Runnet to cause the milke to turne into a Curd for the making of Cheese for which purpose it is said to serve very well and therefore divers doe call it â—heese Runnet both here and beyond the Seas It is called in Latine Galium after the Greeâ— and that with white Flowers Mâ—llugo in English Ladies Bedstraw and sometimes Maids haire from the finenesse of the Leaves The Kindes There be but sixe sorts of Ladies Bedstraw in all that I meet with and therefore I shall put them down 1. The Common Ladies Bedstraw 2. Red flowred Ladies Bedstraw 3. Mountain white flowred Ladies Bedstraw 4. The common white flowred Ladies Bedstraw 5. Mountain Ladies Bedstraw of Candy 6. Another Ladies Bedstraw of Candy The Forme The common Ladies Bedstraw riseth up with divers small brown square stalks standing upright at first but after it cometh to be about a foot or half a yard high which is its usuall dimension the tops thereof leane a little downwards being most commonly branched forth into divers parts full of joynts and with divers very fine small Leaves at every one set at equall distances like Wood-roof but much lesse and hardly rough at all at the tops of the branches doe grow forth from several joynts many long tufts or branches of yellow flowers set one above another very thick together consisting of four Leaves a piece of a strong and resinous yet not unpleasant smell The Seed is small and black like Poppy seed two for the most part being joyned neer together The root is somewhat red which having many small threds fastned unto it taketh fast hold of the earth and creepeth a little way also but that which maketh it most to increase is that after the branches are weighed downe to the ground by the heavinesse of the Flowers it taketh root againe at the joynts thereof The Places and Time The first is frequently to be found in many places of this Land in dry Pastures Closes and Medowes and sometimes in those that are wet though I think unknown to most but the place that I particularly remember to abound therewith is Butlers Close at Adlerbury Towns end the second was found in Italy and the third in Germany on divers hills there the fourth is a spontaneal of our own Land and groweth in the Abbey Orchard at Saint Albans and in divers other places the name of the fifth and sixth speaketh their Extraction They flower in May and June and the Seed is ripe in July and August The Temperature Ladies Bedstraw especially that with yellow flowers which is most common is dry and something binding as Galen saith The Vertues Though Mugwort be an Herbe noted amongst the Vulgar for preventing wearinesse upon sore Travell and for doing it away after it is contracted
moisture and not as some falsely suppose from the dunging of those Blackbirds or rather Thrushes which have eaten the Berries hereof so the seeds have been made fitter to grow For it is since found by Experience that there is no shew of seed in that dung they void upon the Trees or elsewhere it being wholly altered in their bellies before the voiding And further the Misselto doth not aâ—waies grow upon the boughs but sometimes from beneath them where it is impossible that either any bird can dung or any of the seed come thither by any other means And therefore he mistook that said Turdus tibi cacat malum The Kinds The sorts of Misselto that I find upon record are three 1. The ordinary Misselto with few and many berries 2. The Misselto of India 3. Misselto of Peru. The Forme Misselto is an Excrescence arising from the branch or arm of the Tree whereon it groweth with a woody stemme parting it self into sundry branches and they spreading again into many other smaller twigs over thwart one another do wrap and interlace one within an other the bark of it is of a light or Popinjay green colour but the leaves are of a brownish green colour which being set by two and two at every Joynt or Knot and at the end likewise are somewhat long and narrow small at the bottom but broader towards the end At the Knots and Joynts of the boughs of the branches grow small yellowish flowers which turn into small white round berries which are so clear that a man may see through them and are full of clammy or Viscous moisture whereof the best Birdlime is made farre exceeding that which is made of Holly Bark Within the berry is contained a small black kernell or seed which hath been put into the ground and other places but was never yet known to grow it being indeed without any root The Place and Time This Excrescence groweth upon Apple-Trees Pear-Trees Crab-Trees and Hasles very plentifully in divers places especially in Essex but that which groweth on the Oak is very rare in England That with many Berries groweth in Germany c. and the other two in the West-Indies Theophrastus saith that the Misselto loseth the leaves in Winter if it grow on those Trees that shed their leaves as Apple-Trees c. do but in every green Tree as Box c. it loseth them not the Reason whereof saith he is the tenacious humidity in the one which the other wanteth but Experience sheweth that it keep th the Leaves fresh and green in the Winter when the Trees whereon they grow have not any of their own left on them in these parts of Europe generally Oâ—dinary Misselto flowreth in the Spring but the Berries are not ripe until Oâ—â—ber and abide on the Branches all the Winter unless the Thrushes and other Birds devour them It is one of those things wherewith Countrey people adorn their houses at Christmas and is celebrated in this old Caroll Holly and Ivy Misselto Give me a red Apple and let me go c. The Temperature Misselto is hot and dry in the third Degree the Leaves and Berries do heat and dry and are of subtle parts for some acrimony is in them which overcommeth the bitterness the Bird-lime doth mollifie hard knots c. which is not of that property as to heat suddenly but after some time as Thapsia doth The Signature and Vertues Crollius saith that Misselto of the Oak and the Bird-lime that is maâ—e therâ—of is very effectual for the curing of the Falling-Sickness and that it doth it by Signature the viscosity and tenacious quality of the Bird-lime repreâ—enting those melancholy and phlegmatick humours consisting of tough and clammy slime by which it is caused or else as Bird-lime doth detain whatsoever it fastens to so this Disease ceasing upon the Body as the Remora doth upon a Ship will suffer it to go no further but maketh it to fall down But some question may arise concerning the Application of the Bird-lime whether it is to be taken inwardly or used outwardly because Gerrard saith if it be inwardly taken it is mortall and bringeth most grievous accidents as that it should make the tongue to be inflamed and swolne the minde to be distracted and the strength of the heart and wits to fail quoting Nicander as I suppose for his Authour If there be any such malicious quality in it it is when it is taken alone for I not only conceive that Crollius meant it should be taken inwardly but I finde it prescribed by that famous and worthy Physitian Mr. Bruel to be taken in Pills after this manner Recâ—pe Visci quercini Seeds and Roots of Piony ana 1. ounce Nutmeg 1. ounce of Aniseeds 1. oun Sacchari buglossati 7. ounces in every Pill 1. ounce And therefore if it be corrected with other Ingredients there is no such great danger as Gerrard repotteth The next Question will be whether the Misselto of other Trees be not as good as that of the Oak Mr. Culpepper rails against the Colledge of Physicians for saying that that which growes upon Oaks hath most vertues Clusius affirms that which growes upon Pear-Trees to be as prevalent and gives order that it shouâ—d not touch the Ground after it is gathered and also saith That being hung about the neck it remedies Witch-craft It is wonder the carping Astrologer had not had a sling at Clusius also for superstition but I conceive he scaped because he was of an Opinion different from the Colledge Matthiolus saith that that of the Cheâ—nut-Tree is as good but most hold that of the Oak to be the best which being made into Powder and given in Drink unto those which have the Falling-â—ickness doth heal them as the same Author speaketh upon his own experience Some have so highly esteemed of the Vertues hereof that they have called it Lignum St. Crucis believing it to help the Falling-Sicknesse Apoplexy and Palsie very speedily not only to be inwardly taken but hung about their necks and some Women have worn it about their necks or on their arms thinking it will help them to conceive Tragus saith that the fresh Wood of any Misselto bruised and the juyce drawn forth and dropped into the Ears that have Imposthumes in them doth help and ease them within a few dayes The Bird-lime mollifieth hard knots tumors and Imposthumes ripeneth and discusseth them and draweth forth thick as well as â—â—in humours â—om the remote places of the Body digesting them and separating them and being mixed with equall parts of Rosin and Wax it mollifieth the hardness of the Spleen and healeth old Ulcers and Sores with Sandatack and Orpment it draweth off foul nails especially if quick Lime and the Lees of Wine be added thereunto CHAP. XIV Of the Quince-Tree The Names HAving handled severall Plants that are approptiated to the Head some by Signature and some without I shall now write of a few which cure the Diseases of the
Apothecaries that were unskifull in the Greek tongue whereas heretofore it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it doth rejoyce those whose Eyes are troubled with dimnesse But why he would have it called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I know not unlesse he should have alluded to some plant of this kind formerly so called by the Ancients which he seemeth to deny when he sayes that though this herb hath gotten an elegant Greek name yet nothing that I know is found concerning it in any of the more ancient Greek or Latine Authors He saith further that Buglosse is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that Eyebright borrowed its Greek name from thence because as the one drunk in Wine doth cause joy of mind so the other delighteth and cleareth the Eyes So that I conceive the mistake to be on his part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as well as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying joy or gladnesse for why should we call two things by one name rejecting that which in all probability seemeth to be the right If Buglosse were first called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it seemeth more likely that Eyebright should be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seeing they both signifie alike it being strange to me that there being no want of a word two plants should have the same appellation and therefore in my judgment it is more rightly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is called also Opthalmica and Ocularia for its effect and we in English call it Eyebright because it makes the Eyes that are dim to become bright The Kinds Parkinson reckoneth up seaven sorts hereof which I have here set down 1. Common Eyebright 2. Small Eyebright 3. Great red Wooddy Eyebright 4. Small red Woody Eyebright 5. Broad leased purple Eyebright 6. Great yellow Eyebright 7. The lesser yellow Eyebright The Forme Common Eyebright is a small low herb rising up usually but with one blackish green stalk a span high or not much more when it is highed but seldom so high spread from the bottom into sundry branches whereon are set small and almost round yet pointed dark green leaves finely snipt about the edges two alwaies set together and very thick At the Joynts with the leaves from the middle upward come forth small white flowers striped with purple and yellow spots or stripes after which follow small round heads with very small seed therein The root is long small and threddy at the end On sâ—me Hills the colour of the flower is sometimes found to vary from those that grow in other places as being more whitish yellow or more purple The Places and Time The first and third are only frequent in this Island the former groweth in dry meddowes by green and grassy waies and in pastures usually on hills sides that stand towards the Sun and the other in many places of Kent in the barren fields and wast grounds about Gravesend and many other places the rest grow some in Italy and at Naples some in Spain and Austria They seldom flower before the beginning of August and continue till September and must be gathered whilest they flower for all physical uses for when they are run to seed as they will be within a while after they are nothing so effectual The Temperature These herbs are by the consent of all Authors hot and dry but in what degree they expresse not I conceive they may be hot in the second and dry in the third for Gerrard saith they are more dry then hot The Signature and Vertues The Purple and yellow spots and stripes which are upon the flowers of Eyebright doth very much resemble the diseases of the Eyes as blood-shot c. By which signature it hath been found out that this herb is very effectual for the curing of the same and for removing dimnesse of sight either the Powder of the dry herb or the Juice of the green The distilled water is very effectuall for the said purpose to be taken either inwardly in Wine or in Broth or to be dropped into the Eyes and used for divers daies together Some also make a Conserve of the flower to the same effect Being used any of these waies it also helpeth a weak Brain or memory and restoreth them being decayed in a short time Arnoldus de Villa Nova in his book of VVines much commendeth the Wine made of Eyebright put into it when it is new made and before it work and certainly if it were tunned up with strong Beer as Worm-wood Scurvy-grasse and the like use to be it would work the like effects as the Wine doth which he saith not only helpeth the dimness of the sight but that the use thereof maketh old men to read small Letters without Spectacles that could hardly read great ones with their spectacles before so that as Mr. Culpepper saith If this Herb were as much used as neglected it would half spoil the Spectacle-makers Trade Arnoldus saith also that it did restore their sight who were blind for a long while before If a sufficient quantity hereof cannot be had to tun up as aforesaid the Powder of the dryed Herb either mixed with Sugar or a little Mace and Fennel-seeds and drunk or eaten in Broth or the said Powders made into an Electuary with Honey do either-way tend to the same effect Divers Authours write that Gold-finches Linnets and some other Birds make use of this Herb for the repairing of their own and their young ones sight CHAP. XXIII Of Clarey The Names ANother Plant whose name doth demonstrate that it is good for the Eyes is Clary quasi Clear Eye because the Seed put into the Eyes doth clear them The Greek name of it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Dioscorides saith for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth impetu quodam ferri quemadmodum in Venerem proni because it provoketh to Venery which is another property it hath And Gaza that translated Theophrastus into Latine translateth it Geminalis for the fruitfulness it causeth most likely in bearing Twins in Latine also Horminum The wild sort is known by the name of Oculus Christi in Latine and Wild Clary in English Clary is also called Gallitricum Orvala and of some Tota bona but not properly Scatlea Sclarea Centrum Galli The Kindes There are divers sorts of Clary some manured only called Garden Clary others growing wild as 1. Ordinary Garden Clary 2. The true Garden Clary of Dioscorides 3. Assyrian Clary 4. Low German Clary 5. Our ordinary wild Clary or Oculus Christi 6. Hoary wild Clary with a white Flower 7. Italian wild Clary 8. Wild Clary with Spike Flowers 9. Sage leafed wild Clary 10. Low Candy Clary 11. Torn and narrow leafed Clary 12. Yellow wild Clary or Jupiters Distaff 13. Aethiopian Clary The Formes Ordinary Garden Clary hath four-square stalks with broad rough wrinkled whitish and hairy green leaves somewhat evenly
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
and Vinegar and some Oyl put thereto ceaseth both the pain and swelling of the Cods and being taken inwardly it stirreth up Lust in those which cannot use the act of Generation because of the sluggish impotency and weakness of their Members which it doth by Signature a Bean very much resembling the Nut of a Mans yard and that was the Reason that Pythagoras so much condemned them their windiness causing Lust which he endeavoured to suppress If fryed Beans be boyled with Garlick and daily taken as meat it helpeth inveterate Coughs almost past cure the hoarsneâ— of the voyce and the Impostumes in the Breast The Husks of them boyled good while in water that is to the thirds stayeth the Lask and the ashes of the said Husks made up with old Hogs-grease helpeth the old pains contusions anâ— wounds of the Sinews the Sciatica also and the Gout Though the Faba veterum be without doubt that true Bean which Dâ—oscorides Galen and other Greek Authours intended when they set down the aforesaid Remedies yet our ordinary Bean-flowre is as proper for all those purposes and may be used to as gooâ— effect CHAP. CII Of Lentills The Names THere is another Sort of Pulse which may be appropriated to the same purpose which the Grecians called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phacos and in Latine Lens Lenticula Pliny saith Lib. 18. Chap. 12. that the Etymon thereof seemeth to be taken quasi lenis dicta sit lenitatisque significationem habet aquanimitatem fieri vescentibus eâ It is seldom used for Mans meat here in England and therefore I cannot justifie any such operation it hath unless he meant it of Cattle who are much pleased with it and for their Food it is sowed in divers Countries In Hampshire they leave out the first syllable and call it Tills and in Oxfordshire Dills The Kinds Of these Lentills I find but three Sorts 1. The greater Lentills 2. Spotted Lentills 3. The lesser Lentill The Forme The greater Lentill hath sundry slender weak Branches somewhat hard two foot long from whence shoot forth at severall places long stalks of small winged Leaves that is many on each side of a middle Rib without any odd one at the end for the middle Rib of each stalk endeth in a small clasper the Flowers are small and rise from between the leaves and the stalks two for the most part at the end of a long foot-stalk of a sad reddish purple colour somewhat like to those of Vetches after which come small short and somewhat flat Cods within which are contained two or three flat round smooth Seeds of a pale yellowish ash colour the Root is fibrous and perisheth yearly The Places and Time The first even beyond the Seas is onely sowne in the Fields as other manured pulses are and so likewise in some places of our Land but doth seldom come to maturity with us if the season be not kindly and dry The second is wild in Portugall The last is most common in England and is sowne in severall Counties thereof being the most pleasant and acceptable The Temperature Galen saith that Lentills hold a mean between hot and cold yet do they dry in the second degree the outer Skin being binding and the inner meat also which is a little harsh and bindeth the Body yet the outer Skin much more it is saith he of contrary qualities for the first decoction thereof doth not bind but loosen the body and therefore they that would have it to bind cast away the first water and use the second which stayeth Lasks and strengtheneth the stomack and all the inward parts Lentils husked saith he lose with their shells the strength of binding and the other qualities that follow it and then nourish more then those that are not husked yet so give they a thick and evill nourishment and slowly passe away neither do they stay Fluxes and Dysenteries as those that are not husked The Vertues The Seeds of the Lentils boyled in Sea-water and applyed to Womens Breasts that are ready to burst through abundance of Milk or have it curdled within them by any cold distemper bringeth them again into good temper It is good also to bind and stay Lasks and Fluxes but with other binding Herbs as Purslane Red Beets Myrtles Dryed Roses Pomegranate Rindes Medlars Servises c. taken with Vinegar they are the more powerful The Decoction thereof with Wheat-flowre applyed easeth the Gout used with Honey it closeth up the lips of Wounds and cleanseth foul Sores being boyled in Vinegar it dissolveth Knots and Kernels and being boyled with Quinces Melilote and a little Rose-water put thereto it helpeth the Inflammations of the Eys and Fundament but for the chaps thereof which need a stronger Medicine it is boyled with dryed Roses and Pomegranate Rindes adding a little Honey to it It likewise stayeth those creeping Cankers that are ready to turn to a Gangrene putting thereto some Sea-water and so it is good for Wheals and running and watering Sores St. Anthonies Fire Kibes c. being used with Vinegar The Decoction thereof is a good lotion for Ulcers either in the mouth privy parts or Fundament adding a few Rose Leaves and Quinces But to eat Lentills or the broth made of them too largely as Galen saith breedeth the Leprosie and Cankers for grosse thick Meat is fit to breed melancholy humours yet it is profitably given to those that are of a watery disposition and evill affected thereby but it is utterly forbidden to those that have dry Constitutions it is also hurtful to the sight dulling it by drying up the moysture and is not convenient for Women that want their Courses but is good for those that have them in too much abundance Dioscorides further addeth that it breedeth troublesome Dreams and is hurtful to the Head the Lungs and the Sinews CHAP. CIII Of Lillies The Names THe Lilly is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lilium also Rosa Junonis or Junoes Rose because it is reported that it came of her Milk that fell upon the ground For the Poets feign that Hercules whom Jupiter had by Alcumena was put to Junoes Breasts whilest she was asleep and after the sucking there fell away abundance of Milk and that one part was spilt in the Heavens and the other on the Earth and that of this sprang the Lilly and the Circle in Heaven called Lactens Circulus or the milky way or otherwise in English The way to Watling-street Thus much for the white Lilly As for the other Sorts which are many I shall only put down some of them The Kindes Though there be divers Sorts of Lillies yet I shall only set down these 1. The white Lilly 2. The white Lilly of Constantinople 3. The gold red Lilly 4. The red Lilly 5. The fiery red Lilly 6. The great Mountain Lilly 7. The small Mountain Lilly 8. The red Lilly of Constantinople 9. The Persian Lilly 10.
they keep the Rooms cool and make a goodly shew without The last was found by Dr. Penny as Clusius saith by Dantswick The four last were found by Clusius in Germany Austria and Syria and some on the Pyrenean hills and in Savoy and are most of them kept in our â—ardens The first is in flowre in June and the Fruit is ripe in August The second and third flowre about the latter end of April and the beginning of May and so do the rest their fruit being ripe in July or August except the second which hath not been seen to bear any The Temperature The Flowers and Leaves of Hony-suckles are of a cleansing consuming and digesting quality The Vertues A Decoction made of the Leaves or the Flowers and Leaves of Honey-suckles with some Figs and Liquorice added thereunto is very effectuall for the expectorating of flegme from the Chest and Lungs whensoever they shall be overcharged therewith A Syrup made of the Flowers is good likewise to be drunk against the Diseases of the Lungs and Spleen that is stopped being drunk with a little Wine Mr. Culpepper saith that it is fitting that a Conserve of the Flowers of it should be kept in every Gentlewomans House for that he knew no better cure for an Asthma then this Besides it takes away the evill of the Spleen provokes Urine procures speedy delivery to Women in Travel helps Cramps Convulsions and Palsies and whatsoever Griefs come of cold or stoppings The Leaves or Flowers in Powder or the distilled water of them are commended to dry up soul and moyst Ulcers and to cleanse the face and skin from Morphew Sun-burn Freckles and other discolourings of the skin Notwithstanding Parkinson following Galen and Culpepper backing him as usually he doth be the matter right or wrong conceiveth that it is an errour to use the decoction of the Leaves of Hony-suckles or the distilled water of the Flowers in Mouth-waters yet it is certainly found by experience that the said water is good against the soareness of the Throat or Uvula and with the same Leaves boyled or the Leaves and Flowers distilled are made divers good Medicines against Cankers and sore mouths as well in Children as elder people and likewise for Ulcerations and Scaldings in the privy parts of Man or Woman if there be added to the decoction hereof some Honey and Allome or Verdigrease if the Sores require greater cleansing outwardly Provided alwayes that there be no Verdigrease put into the water that must be injected into the secret parts As for the provoking of Urine care must be had that the taking of the decoction be not continued too long for though at first it will but provoke Urine only yet being drunk six dayes together it will make the Urine like blood It causeth also barrennesse in Women and maketh men unable for generation The flowers and leaves are of more use then the seed yet they also help the shortnesse and difficulty of breathing and cure the Hicket CHAP. CXII Of Mullein The Names ITt is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uro for that it served as a Weeke to put into Lamps to burn in former times and of the Latines Candela Regia and Candelaria because the elder age used the stalks dipped in Suet to burn whether at Funeralls or for private Uses and so likewise the English name Higtaper for Hightaper the h being left out is used in the same manner as a Taper or Torch It hath also some other names in Latine as Thapsus Thlapsus and Tapsus Barbatus and Lanaria In English also some call it Torches some Bullocks Lungwort some Haires beard and some Jupiters Staffe The Kindes There are of this kind besides the Moth Mullein nine sorts 1. Common Mullein 2. Dwarf Mullein of Denmark 3. White Mullein with long leaves 4. Sweet white Mullein 5. Ordinary black Mullein 6. Sweet black Mullein 7. Jagged Mullein 8. Sage leafed Mullein 9. Small Sage leafed Mullein of Syria The Forme The Common white Mullein hath many fair large woolly leaves lying next the ground somewhat longer than broad pointed at the ends and as it were dented about the Edges the stalk riseth up to be four or five foot high if it grow in very rank ground covered over with such woolly leaves as the lowest but lesser so that the stalk can be hardly seen for the multitude of leaves thereon up to the flowers which come forth on all sides of the stalks without any branches for the most part and are many set together in a long spike in some of a gold yellow colour in others more pale consisting of five round pointed leaves which afterwards give small round heads wherein small brownish seed is contained the root is long white and wooddy perishing ever after it hath born seed The Places and Time The first groweth by the side waies and Lanes in many places and for its usefulnesse is taken into some Gardens and so is the second but it groweth naturally only in Denmark in the fields between Cronemberg and Hafnia neer Elsemore The third and fourth grow but in some places of our own Country so that one shall hardly find a plant in a great way The fifth in many places of Kent Surrey Essex and elsewhere The sixth is also sometimes to be found wild abroad but yet scarcely to be met with and indeed unlesse one well exercised in the knowledge of plants do light upon it and know it it will be scarce regarded by a great many others The seventh was found by Lobel neer the ruines of an old Church at Bathe in England The eighth groweth at Padoa or thereabouts and the last in Syria as by its title doth appear They all flower in June and July and bring forth their seed the second year after the sowing except the two last of whose time we cannot resolve you The Temperature Mullein is of a dry temperature the leaves have also a digesting and cleansing quality as Galen affirmeth The Vertues A Decoction of the leaves of Mullein is likewise very good for the Lungs and for those also that are troubled with an old Cough And this our aâ—eâ—tion is confirmed in that the Country people especially the Husbandmen in Kent do give it their Cattle against the Cough of the lungs it being an approved medicine for the same whereupon they call it Bullocks â—ungwort and I theâ—eâ—ore mention it because Cattle are also in some sort to be provided for â—n their â—iâ—eases The said leaves being a little bruised and laid oâ— bound to an Hoâ—es foot that is grievously pricked with shooing â—oth wonderfully heal it in a shoâ—t â—pace-Neither is it useful for Cattle but for men also A small quantity of the root taken in Wine is commended against Lasks and fluxes of the Belly the Decoction thereof gargled in the mouth easeth the paines of the Toothachâ— and bâ—ing drunk it is profitable for those that are bursten and for those that have Cramps and Convulsions If
at the ends and snipt or dented round about the edges the other being small pieces sometimes two and sometimes four standing on each side of the middle Rib underneath theâ— amongst which do rise up divers rough or hairy stalks about a foot high branching forth with leaves at every joynt not so long as thoâ—e below but almost as much cut in on the edges some into three parts and some into more on the tops of the branches stand small pale yellow Flowers consisting of five leaves like the Flowers of Cinquefoile but larger in the middle whereof standeth a small green head which when the Flower is fallen groweth to be rough and round being made of many long greenish Purple-Seeds like grains which will stick on your loaths the Roots consist of many brownish strings or Fibres smelling somewhat like â—nto Cloves especially those which grow in the higher hotter and dryer grounds and in the freer and cleare aire but nothing so much or not at all in many other places The Places and Time The first is found wild in many places of this Realm under the hedge sides and by the paths in some fields and delighteth rather to grow in shadowy then Sunny places The second is found upon divers Mountains as Coronos in Bohemia by the Springs of the River Albis as Matthâ—olus saith The third and fourth and likewise the second upon Mount Baldus as Pena relateth The fifth and sixth grow by water sides and in the moyst and wet or marish grounds on the Mountains The last was found by Pena hard by Clatena on the Rhetian Alps in Switzerland They flower in the Moneths of May and June for the most part and their Seed is ripe in July at the farthest The Temperature The Roots and Leaves of Avens are manifestly dry and something hot with a kind of scouring quality The Vertues The Roots of Avens in the Spring steeped in Wine for some continuance of time do give it a delicate savour and tast which being drunk faâ—â—ing every morning comforteth the heart and is a good preservative against the Plague or any other poyson it he peth digeâ—ion warmeth a cold stomaâ—h and openeth the obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It is good also for the Diâ—eases of the Chest or Breast foâ— pains and stitches in the lides and to expel crude and raw humours from the Belly and Stomach by its sweet savour and warming quality it dissolveth congealed Blood happening by falls or bruises and the spitting of blood if the Root either green or dryed be boyâ—ed in Wine and drunk as alâ—o all manner of inward wounds or outward if they be washed or bathed therewith The Decoction also being drunk comforteth the heart and strengtheneth the stomâ—â—h and a cold brain and therefore is good in the Spring to open obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the Wind-Cholick It helpeth also thoâ—e that have Fluxes or are bursten or have a Rupture it taketh away spots or marks in the faâ—e being washed therewith The juyce of the fresh Root or Powder of the dryed Root hath the same effect with the decoction and in callous Ulcers with the juyce of the Roots if a little Verdigrease be added it will avail very much Some do use to lay the Roots dryed amongst Garments to perfume them with the smell thereof and to keep away moaths c. from them CHAP. CXXXIV Of Cloves The Names HAving spoken of Avens which are called Caryophyllata because the Roots smell like Croves I shall now treat concerning Cloves themselves which are called of the later Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for to the Ancients they were unknown and of the Latines also Caryophillus and Clavus because this small slender fruit is almost like a small Snail and from thence also it is likely the word Cloves came The Tree whereon they grow is called the Clove-tree the description whereof is as followeth The Kindes This Tree groweth to be of a great and tall stature covered with an Ash-coloured Bark the younger Branches being more white having Leaves growing by â—upes one against another somewhat long and narrow like unto the Bay-Tree that beareth narrow Leaves with a middâ—eâ—ib and sundry veines running therethrough each of them stancing on a long footstalk the ends of the branches are divided into many small brown sprigs where on groweth the flower even on the tops of the Cloves themselves which are white at first with their Spâ—igs green afterward lastly reddish before they be beaten off from the tree and being dryed before they be put up grow blackish as we see them having four small tops at the heads of them and a small round head in the middle of them the flower it self standing between those consisteth of four small Leaves like unto a Cherry b ossoâ—n but of an excellent bâ—ew colour as it is confidently reported with three white veines in every leaf divers purpâ—ish threds in the middle of a more dainty â—ne scent then the Clove it self which is a small slender fruit almost like a small naile as I said before being of a hot quick and sharp tast when they are fit to be gathered which is before they be quite ripe but those that do abice longer on the trees do grow some what thicker and greater and are not of half the others goodness being called by most Fusses yet some call the â—â—aâ—ks of the Cloves Fusles they grow of their own sowing and are not grafted Hereout likewise cometh a certain dark red Gum and both it and the Fusses are usually found one amongst another The Places and Time The Clove Tree groweth in divers places of the Malucco Islands It groweth also in Amboyna very well and be reth plentifully being there planted by the Dutch and in others places of the Indies but more scarcely and lesse fruitfull than there Eight yeares after it is is risen out of the ground it beareth fruit and so continueth bearing for an hundred years together as the inhabitants of that Country do affirm who beat the fruit of the Trees with long Poles as we do Walnuts and suffer them to ly there upon the ground until they be throughly dryed there being neither grasse weeds nor any other Herbs to hinder the same by reason that the tree draweth for its nourishment all the moisture for a great circuit round about so that the Cloves are the more conveniently dryed It yeeldeth two Crops in a year that is in June and December thoâ—e Countries affording a double Harvest The Temperature The properties of Cloves are many and excellent being hot and dry in the third degree yet some say the second and of much uâ—e in meat and Medicine The Vertues The Portugall women that dwell in the East-Indies draw from the Cloves when they be it green a certain Liquor by distillation of a most fragrant smell which comforteth the heart and is of all Cordialls the most effectuall There is also extricted from Cloves a certain Oyâ—e or rather a thick
nor the true Eupatorium The Kinds The sorts of both put together are in all six 1. Ale Coast or Costmary 2. Common Maudlin 3. White Maudlin 4. Small Maudlin 5. Purple sweet Maudlin 6. Fennell leafed Maudlin The Forme Alecoast is a sweet herbe bearing many broad and long pale greene Leaves snipped about the edgsevery one upon a long foostalk among which rise up many long greene round stalkes with such like leaves on them but lesser up to the top where it spreadeth it selfe into three or four branches every one bearing an umbel or tâ—ft of gold yellow flowers somwhat like unto Tansy flowers but lesser which turne into small heads containing small flat long seed The root is somwhat hard and stringy and being divided may be thereby propagated The Places and Time The three first are found only in Gardens with us yet they have been found natural in divers rough untilled places of Tuscany in Italy and Narbone in France the three last grow in dry rocky and barren grounds They do all commonly flower about the moneths of June and July The Temperature Alecoast and Mandlin are both of them hot and dry in the second degree The Vertues â—oâ—th these Herbes are very effectually used by those that are troubled with evill cold and weake Livers for to them it is very freindly and therefore it is very profitable for those that are fallen into a continuall evil disposition of the whole body called Cachexia as hath been formerly said proceeding from the coldnesse of the Liver especially if a dram of the juice being first clarified and afterwards boiled to its due thicknesse which is something thicker then Honey be taken every morning It helpeth the Rickets and VVormes in Children provokes Urine and gently without purging disburdens the body of Choler and Phlegme it is good for the coldnesse of the Mother strengtheneth the Stomack and stayeth Vomiting and so doth the juice being drunk in Wine The Conserve of the Leaves made with Sugar is of very good use to warm and dry the braine and open the stopping thereof and to helpe Rheumes and distillations taken in the quantity of a beane Either of the herbes alone or with Parsnip-seeds boiled in Wine and drunk cureth the griping and torments of the belly or guts as also the flix It is profitable for the greifes of the breast and Lunges it breaketh Imposthumes and draweth evill humours from the eyes and other parts Being boiled either in Wine or Whey and drunk it is good for them which have taken any thing which is too Narcoticall as Opium Hemlock or the like and for biting of Serpents especially if one dram of the Powder of the root thereof be taken in Wine with the like weight of the seed of Wild Parsnips The decoction thereof is good for Women to sit in to provoke sweat to bring down the termes and to ease the paine that cometh by the retention of them The decoction of the flowers is good for many of the purposes aforesaid as also to open the obstructions of the Milt Kidneys and Bladder to take away the skurfe and scab wherewith the head is infested if it be washed therewith and so it killeth the Lice thereof Being put into Ale it giveth thereunto a very pleasant tast as it doth to all Sallets and Sawces wherein it is used and therefore as I conceive is was called Alecoast CHAP. CLXXXIII Of Dockes The Names IT is celled in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod valet exinanire vel ventrem levare because the decoction thereof looseneth the belly It is also called in Latine Lapathum and Ramex Some of the kinds hereof are called in Latine Oxylapathum Hippolapathum and Hydrolapathum from the forme bignesse and place where they grow Bloodwort which is also a kind of Dock is called Lapathum Nigrum of some and Rubrum or Rubens by others Sanguis Draconis herba also and Lapathum sangineum from the bloody colour wherewith the whole Plant is possessed The Kinds The sorts which I shall put under this little are nine though there be divers others that might be referred unto the same 1. The red Dock 2. Sharp-pointed Dock 3. The smaller pointed Dock 4. The Common Wild Dock 5. The round Leafed Dock of Africa 6. The great water Dock 7. The lesser Water-Dock 8. The strong sented Sea-Dock 9. Blood-wort The Forme The red Dock sendeth forth many tough narrowish greene Leaves very much pointed at the ends among which riseth up a suffe hard stalke two or three foot-high set with the like Leaves but smaller still up to the top something like unto sorrell but that it is neither so tender nor sower being rather of a bitterish tast and hath the stalke branched forth towards the top into sundry large sprigges bearing small reddish flowers and brown triangular seed after them The root is great long and many times forked being blackish on the outside and somewhat reddish and yellowish within abiding many yeares but somtime spoiled with extremity of Winter The Places and Time The foure first are most commonly found in moist Meadows and somtimes in upland grounds also The fifth in Africa neere Sophia The sixth and seaventh by sides of running streames in divers places of this land The eighth groweth by the Sea side not farre from Mompelier The last is found wild in some places but not so commonly as in Gardens Most of them rise up at the spring of the yeare flower in June and July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature All Docks are generally cold some more and some lesse they do all of them dry but not after the same manner yet some think them to be dry in the third degree The Signature and Vertues The reddish and yellowish colour of the inside of the roots of divers Docks do signify that they are good for hot Livers and the Jaundise the red that is in them representing the Liver and the yellow the Janâ—dise and therefore blood-wort is most effectuall for the first and the Dock which hath the yellowest root for the second and for both these purposes they are used with other things to be put into Ale or Beere especially the rootes which have an opening quality in them fit to loosen and make the belly soluble to open obstructions and to coole and clense the blood The decoction of the seed made in Wine or Water and drunk helpeth the wambling paines of the Stomack venemous bitings and the bloody flix The root boiled in Wine and drunk is also good for the Jaundise provoketh Urine and the termes and breaketh and expelleth the Stone and Gravell The same boiled in Vinegar or bruised raw healeth all Scurfs Itch Manginesse and other festering and corroding Scabbs the place being annointed or bathed therewith and the substance of them being stamped and applyed boyled or raw difâ—usseth kernells and swellings behind the Eares helpeth the hardnesse of the Milt the Kings-Evill and stoppeth the too much flowing of
it is dissolved often mixed with pectorall Syrupes honey or juyce of Liquorish to help the Cough or Hoarnesse in the Throat salt and sharp distillations upon the Lungs being taken is an Electuary or put under the tongue gently to distill down and so it taketh away the roughnesse of the tongue which happeneth in many diseases The said Gum is also used in Medicines for the Eyes to allay the heat and sharpnesse of hot rheumes falling into them and being mingled with milk it taketh away white spots growing in the black of the Eyes the itching also of them and wheâ—â—es and scabs that grow upon the Eye-Lids Being somewhat torrefied or dryed â—â— the â—â—re and mixed with the juce or Wine of Quinces and used in a G 〈…〉 er it is good against the bloody Flix Being boyled in Wine with Stechads and drunk it warmeth and cleanseth the breast and Stomack bowels being afflicted with any cold the Cholick the stopping of the Milt and Urine It cleanseth the face and maketh it white if it be steeped a night in Rose water and in the morning a little Borace or Champhire be put thereto and the face be washed therewith It is very effectuall for the sores and chaps of the Mouth Lips and Hands and also for Ulcers in any part being dissolved in Rose water strained some white starch mixed therewith and the place annointed the Muccilage mixed with Honey doth the same and is good for the Leprosy The powder of it is profitable for those that have broken a veine or are troubled with the Craâ—p if it be taken in broth Besides these Physicall uses it serveth to make artificiall beads of which Bracletts are compoâ—ed and it is used many times as a kind of Starch or Glew to bind or stiffen things withall and to make Gentlewomens haire lye in order The roots of the Poterion boyled in Wine and drunk are profitable against the poyson of the red Toad and being made in a Pultis and applyed to any of the Nerves or Sinews that are wounded cut or hurt doth heale them and soâ—â—er them together are also all other kinds of Wounds and Cutts the said decoction of the Roots in Wine a also effectuall for the said purposes to be drunk and for inward Wounds or Veines that are broken Gum Arabick is effectuall for many of the purposes aforesaid but especially for defending the Reines and Bladder from those frettings that cause bloody Urine CHAP. CCXVII Of Spiknard The Names IT is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nardus in Greek from Naarda a City of Syria near unto Euphrares as Lobel doth conjecture and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Nardi Spica which is the generall Name of the Indian sort called also Nardus Indica to put a distinction between it and the Celtick and Mountain Spicknard The Celtick Spiknard is supposed by very good Authors to be the Saliunca that Virgil makes mention of in his Eclogues which is more likely because the Vallesians in whose Country it chiefely groweth call it Selliga The Kinds There be Eight sorts of Spiknard 1. Mountain French Spiknard 2. Mountainâ— French Spiknard with tufted Flowers 3. Knobbed mountain Spiknard 4. Long tuberous Mountain Spiknard 5. Bastard French Spiknard 7. Indian Spiknard 6. Italian Spiknard 8. Unsavoury Spiknard The Form Mountain French Spiknard creepeth upon the ground under the loose Leaves and mosse with small long and hard slender roots covered with many short small dry Leaves like Scales sending forth in divers places as it creepeth and spreadeth here and there small blackish fibres whereby it is nourished at the head whereof stand sundry small buttons or heads from which spring many small narrow and somewhat thick green Leaves not divided or dented at all smallest at the bottome and broadest towards the end which change yellow in the end of Summer amongst these Leaves rise up sometimes more and somtimes but one slender stalk without any Leaves thereon at the top whereof stand many small whitish flowers like unto the smallest sorts of Valerian every one upon a slender foot-stalk which afterwards bring small seed like unto them also the whole plant is sweet and more aromaticall then the Indian Spicknard hotter also and sharper in tast then any other sort The Places and Time It may be gathered by the names of most of them to what Country they are naturall and therefore I shall trouble you no farther with the places They all flower and flourish in the summer months of June July and August some earlyer and some latter then others The Temperature Dioscorides saith that the true Indian Spiknard is of an heating and drying faculty and there is no doubt but the other sorts are so likewise seeing they agree very much in their properties or vertues The Vertues All the sorts of Spiknard but especially the Celrick or French Spicknard are of very good use to provoke Urine and to ease the exceeding great paines of the Stone in the Reines or Kidnyes if they be drunk with cold water and so they are profitable to those that have a loathing of their meat swellings or gnawings in their stomacks as also for them that are Liver grown and for them that have the yellow Jaundise It dryeth up the Flux or humors both in the Head and breast and is a speciall Ingredient in Mithridate and other Antidotes against vemone and poyson The decoction used as a Bath for Women to sit in or over in a seat fit for the purpose taketh away the Inflammations of the Mother but to women with Child it is forbidden because it procureth much disquiet and may forceâ— their Courses beyond either their time or conveniency The Oyle made thereof doth both warme those places that are cold and maketh the humors more subtill that were thick and congealed before digesteth those that are crude and raw and also moderatly dryeth and bindeth those that were too loose or flexible and hereby worketh powerfully in all the cold griefes and windinesse of the Head and braine of the Stomack Liver Spleen Reines and Bladder and of the Mother Being â—nuâ—â—ed up into the Nostrills it purgeth the Brain of much Rheume gathered therein and causeth both a good colour and favour to the whole body Being steeped in Wine for certain dayes afterwards distilled in Balneo calâ—do the Water hereof is very usefull in all cold indiâ—poâ—itions of the Members taken inwardâ—y or applyed outwardâ—y for it coâ—nâ—oâ—ten the braine helpeth to stay thin distillations and the cold paines of the Head as also the shaking of the Palsey It helpeth also all passions of the Heart as faintings and 〈…〉 ning◠〈◊〉 the Coâ—lick likewise two or three spoonefulls being taken It is commonly laid up in a new earthen Vessell for Eye Medicines being first made into Powder and then into round Cakes or trochiskes with Wine which being conveniently applyed represse and stay the humors that offend them Being drunk with Wine it helpeth those that are stung or bitten
the pain of the breast and the decoction of the Bark in water being drunk is good against pissing in Bed The Bark boyled in water till it be black and thick with Rye meal and Honey added thereunto is available to consume the dead flesh which keepeth wounds oftentimes from healing and cureth the Cankers being applyed The Leaves are good to make Lotions to gargle and wash the mouth and throat as often as they are troubled with swellings sores or Kernels and to stay the distillations of Rhewme into the eyes or other parts as also to coole the heat and inflammation of them and to ease hot pains of the Head the Forehead and Temples being bathed therewith The distilled water of the green Berries is also used for the same effects and so is the water that is distilled from the Flowers only The Mosse that groweth on the Black Thorn draweth Prickles and Thorns out of the Flesh and this it may be said to performe by the Signature which is represented by the Thornes growing on the Bush CHAP. CCLXI Of the Bramble The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Batus in Latine Rubus and Sentis and also Veâ—res whereof Ovid maketh mention speaking how the Hare hides himselfe from the Dogs therein after this manner Aut lepori qui vepre latens â—â—stilia cernit Ora canum Of divers it is called Cynosbatus but not properly saith one for Cynosbatus is generally taken for the wild Rose though there be divers that would have the wild Rose to be Cynâ—rrhodos and this Cynosbatus and this is most consonant to Reason It is called by us in English the Bramble or the Black-Berri-bush and the fruit Black-Berries which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some have made Vatina in Latine id est Mora Rubi they are called in Shops Mora bali and of some Mora bassi The Kindes All the sorts that are referred hereunto are nine 1. the common Bramble oâ— Black-berry-Bush 2. the small lower ground Bramble 3. sweet mountaine Bramble or Raspis 4. the Dew-berry or Winberry 5. the stony Bramble or rock Raspis 6. our English Knot-berry 7. the Welsh Knot-berry or Lancashire Cloud-berry 8. the Knot-berry of Norway 9. another Knot-berry of Norway The Formes The common Bramble shooteth forth many ribbed branches of a very great length yea so long sometimes that they by reason of their weakness also bend to the ground and sometimes take root againe all thick set with sharp and crooked thorns with leaves likewise growing upon long and prickly Foot-stalks by three and three together which are hard as it were crumpled having smal pricks under the midle ribb of a dark green colour above and grayish underneath which seldome fall away till the extremity of the Winter be past as the Country-Men do observe and the new be ready to succeed them the flowers come forth very plentifully at the end of the branches consisting of five whitish leaves dasht with a little carnation with small threds in the midle which giveth place to the fruit standing every one at some little distance and is made up of severall small graines set together somewhat like unto the Raspis or Mul-berry of a perfect black color and sweet tast when they be ripe but till then they are first green and then reddish harsh and very unpleasant the root groweth to be very great and full of knots The Places and Time The first groweth in every hedge almost the second by hedges and wood-sides and sometimes amongst the ploughed lands in divers parts of this Land the third groweth on hills and in high grounds the fourth is frequent in Cheshire Yorkâ—shire and Lancashire the fift in the rocky and stony places of Huntingdon and Nottinghamshire and in divers parts of Kent and the Islle of Thanet the sixth upon Ingleborough Hill which is one of the highest Hills in England vea so high that it seemeth at least to touch the clouds and therefore some call the fruit thereof Cloudberryes as they do the next whose places may be discovered by their names as the two last may also be They all flower about July and their berries are ripe in September or thereabouts The Temperature The Buds Leaves flowers fruit and root of the Bramble are all of a great binding quality especially the unripe fruit and that more when they have been kept a while then when they are fresh The Vertues and Signature The flowers and unripe fruit of the Bramble are of very great use and prosâ— also for those that are vexed with the bloody-flux Lask and weaknessâ— of the parts coming by either of them which is signified both by the colour of the berries when they are red and also by the crooked thorns which will cause the blood to follow no otherwise then the Exulceration of the Gâ—â—s which accompanieth the bloâ—dy flâ—x and by the same signature it helpeth the spitting of bloâ—d if the decoction thereof be drunk The Bâ—ds Leaves and Branches whilst they are green are of good use in the Ulcers and pâ—â—rid sores of the Mouth and Throat and for the Qâ—insy and likewise to heal other fresh wounds and sores The decoction or powder of the Root being â—â—ken is good to break or drive forth Gravell and the Stone in the Reines and Kidneys The Leaves as well dry as green are good to make Lotions both for sores of the Moâ—th and also of the secret parts The decoction of them and of the dryed branches do much bind the Belly and are good for the too much flowing of Womens Courses The Berries or the Flowers are a powerfull remedy against the poysâ—n of the most venemous Serpents and to help the sores of the Fundament and the Piles whereof they may be said to have the Signature The juyce of them boyled with honey is very good against all hot Ulcers and swellings of the mouth Gâ—â—s Uvula or Palate and Almonds of the â—hroat The said juyce mixed with the juyce of Mulberries do bind more effectually and help fretting and eating sorâ—s and Ulcers wheresoever The same being taken alone or mixed with Hypecistis and Honey is a remedy for Heart burning as some call it which is a gnawing of the Stomack through Choller as also for the Passions of the heart and faintings The distilled Water of the Branches Leaves and Flowers or of the fruit is very pleasant both to the smell and tast and may be given to those that are in hâ—t Feavers and other distemperature of heat in the Body as in the Head Eyes Liver Hands c. and also for the purposes aforesaid The Leaves boyled in Lye and the head washed therewith doth not only allay the itching thereof but the mattering and running sores also and maketh the hair to become black The powder of the Leaves strewed upon Cancrous or running Ulcers are very effectuall for the healing of them The condensate juyce of the Leaves as also of the Berries may be kept all
then they will not hinder one another the Onyons being to be drawn betimes and then the Skiâ—rets may have the full use of the ground in Winter which by the February following will be fit for use some of them being broken off to be used for food and some to be planted again for increase which bring forth plentifully every year if the ground be good They flower and seed the second year like as the Pasnep doth but somewhat later but they must not be removed at all The Temperature The Roots of the Skirret which are onely in use are moderate in heat and moisture The Vertues Though the Roots of Skirrets be but of indifferent nourishment yet because they be easily concocted yeeld a reasonable good juyce and are somewhat windy they have been judged effectuall to provoke lust and experimentally proved so to doe being either baked in Pyes as Potatoes after they have beene boyled peeled and pithed or else stewed with Pepper Butter and Salt and so eaten or as others use them to rowle them in Flower and fry them in Butter after they have been boyled peeled and pithed either of which wayes they are more pleasant and more provocative then Parsnep as all agree that eat them They may be also eaten cold with Vinegar and Oyle being first boyled and dressed in manner aforesaid The juyce of the Roots drunke with Goats milke stoppeth the Laske the same drunke with Wine is effectuall for windinesse in the Stomacke and the gripings of the belly and Hicket as some say It doth somewhat respect the Kidneys and Bladder by moving Vrine and a little to consume the Stone and Gravell in them The Egyptian sort is eaten by those of that Country as familiarly as any other root whatsoever CHAP. CCLXXI. Of Pease The Names THis sort of Pulse is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pisum from Pisa being the name of a place where they grew very plentifully and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with an â— which last way of writing seemeth to agree most with the Etymology for it is thought to be derived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is covered with a Coat or Hull which is more eminent in this then in any other seeds It is called in Latin Pisum and in English Pease and Peason The Kindes There be diverse sorts of Pease nine whereof I shall reckon up and adde unto them two sorts of Ciches 1. The Rouncivall 2. The greene Hasting The Sugar Pease 4. The spotted Pease 5. The gray Pease 6. The white Hasting 7. The Pease without skin 8. The Rose Pease 9. Fulham Pease 10. White Chiches 11. Red Chiches The Forme Pease doe alwayes come up with long weake hollow and brittle whitish green stalks branched into divers parts putting forth at every joynt where it parteth one broad round leafe compassing the stalke so that it cometh almost through in some sort like unto Thoroughwax the Leaves are winged that is they consist of divers small Leaves set together at a middle rib of a whitish green colour with claspers at the end of the Leaves whereby it catcheth hold of whatsoever standeth next it the Flowers come forth from betweene the Leaves and the stalkes two or three together yet so divided that they stand every one upon a severall footstalke which are either wholly white or purple or mixed white and purple or purple and blew the fruit cometh forth in long and somewhat round Cods whereof some are longer some are shorter some thicker and some slenderer the fruit it selfe also differing some being round some cornered some small some great some white others gray and some spotted the Root is small and quickly perisheth after it hath done bearing The Places and Time Some of these Pease grow onely in Gardens and are supported with stakes and bushes some of them are sown in the Fields by Gardners and are gathered to sell green in the Markets the gray Pease are sowed by Husbandmen to feed their Cattle with the Fulham Pease which came first out of France is so called because the grounds about Fulham neere London doe bring them forward soonest the Rose Pease which is sometimes called the Scottish Pease should be brought out of Scotland by its name The Chiches are very frequent in Spaine but I know not whether they grow there naturally They Flower and seed all the Summer long sooner or later according to the time of their sowing The Temperature Pease especially when they are young are of a mean temperature as most other things are which are used for food they are lesse windy then Beans but passe not through the Body so soon as they The Vertues A dish of young Pease are very pleasant to all sorts of people but especially to young Women who either are or would be with Child for they helpe both the generative and procreative faculty very much and therefore they doe not only eat of them themselves but commend them to their Hasbands notwithstanding they are eaten but not with so much desire by all other sorts of people They are also used to make Pottage wherein many do put in Mints Parsley or some other such hot herbs to give it the better rellish and they be used to the same purpose when they be ripe and dryed especially in the Lent season The said dryed Pease are much used in long Vâ—yages at Sea both for change and also because they are not so salt as those things that lye in powder and are no inconsiderable food in bestedged Cities and Garisons nor in poor Folkes houses being first steeped in running Water Being sodden in Water and a Lye made therewith helpeth spreading sores of the Head the spots of the Face and other discolouring of the skin the same decoction mixt with Honey and Barly meale helpeth spreading sores that are hard to cure being boyled in water with Orâ—bus and applyed to any swellings or aches it helpeth them the broth wherein they have been boyled is good take Purgations withall to cleanse the Stomacke that is raw through cold and moist humors whether of the white or gray but especially the gray the Pottage made of them is good for the Strangury and to take Sena withall morning and evening for the Ague and Rubarbe for the Jaundise the powder of them being made very fine stoppeth bleeding at the Nose The Cloth that is spotted or stained being laid a soak in the Broth wherein Pease have been boyled and then washed in River Water and dryed becometh cleane and spotlesse The white Ciches also boyled and stewed are a dainty dish of a very good rellish and nourishment they increase bodily Lust as much or more then any other sort of Pulse and as it is thought helpe to increase the Seed and also Milke in Womens Breasts The red Ciches have a cleansing faculty whereby they provoke Vrine and breake the Stones in the Kidneys the Cream of them boyled in Water being drunke which olso moveth the
helpeth the Ague easeth the Strangury breaketh the Stone in the Bladder stayeth the Hicket and is available for those that spit or vomit blood Being taken inwardly or applyed outwardly after it hath been boyled in Rosewater it helpeth the Headech and Frenâ—y and if you make a Vinegar of the Herb as the Vinegar of Roses is made it is excellent good to be used in the Lethargy inwardly or outwardly or both and to stay Vemiting Being taken with Honey Liquoris and Anniseeds in Wine it helpeth a dry Cough and is comfortable both to the Head Stomack and Reines and helpeth to expell wind It is a remedy against venemous brings either taken in drink or outwardly applyed CHAP. CCXC. Of Alexanders The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is a kind of Parsly that exceedeth all others in bignesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being a word which in composition doth augment the signification of that whereunto it is joyned as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also doth It is also named Hipposelinum by the Latines and Olus atrum either because of its dark green colour or because it maketh the pottage wherein it is boyled to look blackish Galen and others have taken it to be the Smyrnium of the Ancieâ—ts but Dioscorides saith the true Smyrnium is another herb of which the present age seemes to be ignorant It is called in English Alexanders Alizanders and Allisanders The Kindes There be two sorts of Alexanders 1 Garden Alexanders 2 Alexanders of Candy The Forme Garden Alexanders groweth with divers large Leaves which are winged or cut into many parts somewhat resembling Smallage but greater broader rounder and more cut in about the edges of a dark green colour and somewhat an hot and spicy tast and a little bitter withall from amongst which riseth up one or more round and great stalks sometimes a yard high and better whereon grow divers branches with Leaves like unto the lowermost but lesser at the extremities whereof do grow large tufts or umbels of white flowers after which cometh the seed being of a blackish colour not full round but straked on the back and of an hot and bitterish tast as the root also is which being great thick long and blackish on the outside but white underneath it spreadeth it self under the ground into many parts The Places and Time The first is said to be commonly sowne in most Gardens of Europe where they have it yet it hath been found wild also in some Isles about our owne Land by Mr. WILLIAM QUICK the seed whereof being supposed to a different kind from that of the Garden when it was sowed proved to be the same The other came from Candy as its name doth testifie They both flower in June and July and the seed is ripe in August The Temperature The Seed and Roots of Alexanders are hot and dry in the third degree of a cleansing and attenuating faculty The Vertues It is agreed on by all Authors that the seed of Alexanders made into powder and taken in a small Cup of White-Wine either raw or boyled is very powerfull not only in moving the Courses but expelling the after-Birth The same is very profitable also to provoke Urine and to help the Strangury and availeth against the bitings of Serpents and breaketh wind and is therefore good for the Collick The upper part of the Root and the Leaves are very usefull to be boyled together in Broth for the purgation of the blood in the Spring time to which may be also added Nettle tops Elder buds Cleavers Watercresses c. Some eat the Roots hereof raw with Vinegar some stew them and so eat them and that cheifly in the time of Lent to help to digest the crudities and viscous humours that are gathered in the Stomach by the much use of Fish at that time It doth also warm any other cold Stomach and by the bitternesse helpeth to open Stoppings of the Liver and Spleen The Leaves bruised and applyed to any bleeding wound stoppeth the blood and dryeth up the sore without any griefe and maketh such tumors as are hard and scrophulous to come to maturity and ripenesse The Roots preserved in a pickle of Vinegar and Salt are a very wholesome sawce with Meats for it stirreth up the Appetite cleanseth and comforteth the Stomach and removeth stoppings of the breast and shortnesse of breath They are convenient for every Age and Constitution especially the Phlegmatick and such as are subject to be stuffed up upon any distemper The seed hath besides what hath been expressed all the Vertues wherewith the ordinary Parsly seed is endued being altogether void of those evill and hurtfull qualities which are said to be in Parsly seed and is therefore convenient and better then the Garden sort if it can be had It is given in Powder from a Scruple to two Scruples in Decoction from a Dram to two Drams CHAP. CCXCI. Of Anemonies The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anemone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the Wind because it was anciently believed that these kinds of Flowers did never open themselves but when the wind did blow In Latin also Anemone and Herba Venti We call them in English Anemonies after the Greek name Wind-flowers after the Latin but the common people call them Emones the wild kinds whereof are called Pulsatillâ—es which because they flower about Easter are called Pasque-Flowers Pasque in French signifying Easter and Pass-Flowers The Kindes To reckon up every particular Member of this exceeding numerous Family were almost an Herculean Labour and is thought would gravell the most experienced Florist in Europe and therefore I shall not undertake it but mention a few of those which are common beginning first with the Pulsatillaes not because they are fittest to provoke the Termes but because they grow in our own Land more frequently I mean naturally than the other and yet are taken notice of by few 1. â—he purple Pasque-flower 2 The red Pass flower 3. The double Pass-flower 4. The Pass flower of Denmark 5. The Wood Anemone or Wind-flower 6. Anemone or Wind flower with a tuberous Root 7. The Flesh colour'd Anemone 8. The blew Anemone The Form The purple Pasque-flower hath many leaves lying on the ground somewhat rough or haâ—ry hard in feeling and finely cut into many small Leaves of a dark green colour almost like the leaves of Carrets but finer and smaller from among which rise up naked stalks rough or haâ—ry also for about the middle thereof with some small divided Leaves compassing them above which they rise almost a span each of them bearing one pendulous Flower made of six Leaves and of a fine Violet Purple colour but somewhat deep withall in the middle whereof stand many yellow threds set about a purple pointel after the Flower is past there cometh up instead thereof a bushy head of long seedes which are small and hoary having at the end of every one a small
following sorts 1. Common Medow Trefoile with Purple Flowers 2. White flowred Medow Trefoile 3. Heart Trefoile or spotted Snaile Trefoile 4. Smooth upright narrow leafed Birds foot Trefoile 5. Great codded Trefoile 6. Small codded Trefoile 7. Roundheaded Trefoile 8. Green flowred Trefoile 9. Strawberry or Bladder Trefoile 10. Hop Trefoile 11. Little yellow Trefoile 12. The great Purple Trefoile 13 Knotted Trefoile 14. White Dwarfe Trefoile 15. Burgundy Trefoile or Medick Fodder 16. Yellow-horn Trefoile 17. Smooth Starry Trefoile 18. Marish Trefoile or Buckes Beans 19. Purplewort or Purplegrasse called in Latine Quadrifolium fuscum being as it seems rather a four leafed then a three leafed grasse The Forme Medow Trefoile shooteth up stalks about an handful long and sometimes longer round and somewhat hairy yet for the most part leaning towards the ground whereon grow Leaves consisting of three joined together one standing a little from another of which those that are next the ground and roots are rounder and those which grow higher are longer having for the most part in the midst a white spot like an half Moon from amongst which rise up stalkes of Flowers somewhat longer then the Leaves bearing many deep Purple Crimson flowers together in a tuft rising smaller up to the top which turn into little cods with small seed in them the root spreadeth much and endureth long The Places and Time The two first grow more frequently in Medowes then any of the rest yet there be others that grow there also some in one Countrey and some in another The third groweth in a Field between Longford and Bow as also beyond Southwarke in the right way from London to Croyden and the parts adjacent The eighth in Mr. Stonehouse his Orchard at Darfield The seventeenth groweth in divers Fenny and Moorish places The last groweth in divers Countrey Gardens as well as in the Gardens of the curious who also entertain divers of the other sorts They flower and flourish from May to August The Temperature Medow Trefoile both Leaves and Flowers are thought by some to be câ—oling and binding but others thinke them to be of a digesting and sâ—ppurating quality and there is no doubt but the rest do in some sort follow the Temperature of this The Vertues and Signature The Decoâ—tion of Medow Trefoile with its Flowers Seeds and Roots taken for some time helpeth Women that are troubled with the Whites and consequently the extraordinary over-flowing of their ordinary courses it being more then probable that what is availeable for the fiâ—st is profitable for the second because the first is harder to be cured The Decoction of the Leaves and Fâ—owers having some Honey put thereto and used in a Clyster easeth the fretting paines of the Guts and bringeth forth tough and slimy humors that cleave to the Guts The said Leaves boyled with a little Barrowes grease and used as a Pultis taketh away hot swellings and Inflammations The juice especially of that which is spotted upon the Leaves being strained and dropped into the Eyes or mixed with a little Honey and applyed is a familiar Medicine with divers to take away the Pin and Web as they call it in the Eyes by Signature and so it ceaseth the pain and Inflammation of them when they are bloud-shotten The said Juice is also held to be very available against the biting of an Adder being drank the herbe also being boiled in Water and the place washed with the decoction and then some of the herbe laid to the hurt place also and so is the herbe boiled in Swines grease and made into an oyntment The herbe also bruised and heated between two Tiles and applyed hot to the Share causeth them to make Water who had it stopped before It is held likewise to be good for wounds and to take away Scarres The Burgundy Trefoile called also Foenum Burgundiacum Burgundy Hay and Meddick Fodder is conceived by divers to be that which Dioscorides commends for its cooling property as also that whose Oyle as Aâ—icen saith is very effectuall against the trembling of the Heart An Oyle drawn out from the Seed as it is done from Almonds is said to be good for the Stone In those Countreys where it groweth plentifully it is found so powerfull to fatten Cattle that they are faine to be stinted lest they should grow so fat that suffocation shâ—uld ensue If the March Trefoile be the Isopyrum of Dioscorides as some suppose it to be then the Seed thereof is good against the Cough and other griefes of the Breast or Chest for as Galen saith it cleanseth and cutteth tough and grosse humors and maketh them the easier to be expectorate or spit forth it is also good to purge and cleanse the Liver and to help those that spit blood The Leaves of Purplewort stamped and the Juice given in drinke is very confidently administred and that with good successe not onely to Children but to others also that have the disease called in English the Purples which it doth by Signature And if the Heart Trefolle were used it would be found to be a great strengthner of the Heart and cherisher of the Vitall Spirits relieving the body against Faintings and Swoonings fortifying it against Poysons Pestilence and defending the Heart against the noisome vapors of the Spleen for it resembleth the heart both in forme and colour and surely it hath no so eminent Signatures for nothing CHAP. CCXCIX Of Moneywort The Names IT is called in Latine for Greek name it hath none that I can meet with in any Author Nummularia of the round forme of the Leafe somewhat like unto Money and Serpentaria because it is reported that if Serpents be hurt or wounded they doe recover themselves with this herbe Fuschsius calleth it Centummorbia from its wonderfull efficacy in healing Vlcers and green wounds and Tabermontanus would have it named Hirundinaria because as Swallowes doe usually fly close to the ground so this Plant cleaveth close to the Earth It is called in English Herb two pence Two-penny grasse but usually Money-wort The Kindes Though Moneywort seemeth to be of different sorts because it groweth to be of severall sizes yet that is to be impated to the fertility or â—â—â—rility of the soile they enjoy howsoever there be two sorts thereof 1. Common Moneywort 2. Small Moneywort with purplish Flowers The Forme The Common Moneywort sendeth forth divers long weak and slender branches lying and running upon the ground set with two Leaves at each joynt opposite one to another at equall distances which are almost as round as a penny but that they are a little pointed at the ends smooth and of yellowish green colour at the joynts with the Leaves from the middle forward come forth at the joynts sometimes one and sometimes two yellow flowers standing each upon a small footstalâ—e being composed of five narrow leaves pointed at the ends with some yellow threds in the middle which being past there stand in their places small round heads
English Solomons-seale from the ordinary Latine name and sometime White-wort or White 〈…〉 The Kindes The sorts of Solomons-seale that I finde mentioned by Authors are twelve 1. Common Solomons-seal 2. Great Solomons-seal 3. The great-flowred Solomons-seal 4. The greatest leased Solomons seal 5. Small Solomons-seale 6. Broad-leafed branched Solomons-seal 7. Solomons-seal of Virginia 8. Clâ—â—ter-like Solomons-seal of America 9. Solomons-seal of Brasil 10. The greater and lesser thorough-leafed yellow Solomons-Seal of America 11. Narrow-leafed Solomons-seal 12. Branched small Solomons-seal The Forme The Common Solomons-seale groweth with a round Stalk about half a yard high bowing or bending down the top set with single Leaves one above another which are somewhat large and like unto the Leaves of the May Lilly of a blewish green colour with some ribs therein and a little yellowish underneath it hath at the foot of every Leaf almost from the bottom small long white and yellow pendulous flowers like unto those of the May Lilly also but ending in five longer points for the most part two together at the end of a small foot-stalk standing all on one side the Stalk under the Leaves which being past there appâ—ar round berries green at first but afterwards of a blackish green tending to blewness wherein lyeth small white hard stony Seed The Root is white and thick full of knobs or joynts which in some places resemble the mark of a Seal the taste thereof is at first sweet but afterwards bitter and somewhat sharp The Places and Time The first groweth in divers places of this Land as in a Wood two miles from Canterbury by Fish-poole Hill as also between Newington and Sittingburne in Kent in Surrey about Horsely in Wiltshire about Alderbury in Hamâ—shire about Odiam c. The rest are not found in England unlesse it be in the Gardens of the most ingenuous Herbalists The Flowers of the common sort are ripe in May and they seed in September The Temperature The roots of Solomons-seale which are most in use are hot and dry containing in them a certain kind of astriction or binding and biting withall The Signature and Vertues The Roots of Solomons-seale doe by the Impresse that is set upon them signifie the wonderful vertue they have in sealing or closing up the Rim of the Belly when it is so bursten that the great Guts fall down into the Cods if the Decoction in Wine or the Powder in Broth or Drink be taken inwardly and outwardly applyed to the place It is also very available in all other Hurts Wounds or outward Sores to heal and close up the lips of those that are green and to dry up and restrain the Flux of Humours into those that are old It is singular good to stay Vomitings and also Bleedings wheresoever as also all Fluxes in Man or Woman whether they be the Running of the Reins in Men or the Whites or Reds in Women The people of divers Countreys of this Land have found by late experience that it is incomparably good to knit and joyn broken bones in any part of the Body even in those which by any weaknesse use to be often out of place or will not stay in long when they are set the Roots being bruised and applyed to the place but the Decoction of the Root in Wine or the bruised Root put in Wine or other Drink and after a nights infusion strained forth hard and drunk soddereth and gleweth together broken Bones very speedily and strangely though the Bones be but slenderly and unhandsomely placed and wrapped up and this it doth not onely in Man but in beasts also the Roots being stamped and outwardly applyed in manner of a Pultis The same also is available for inward or outward Bruises Falls or Blowes both to dispel the congealed Blood and to take away both the paines and the black and blew markes that abide after the hurt Some Authors doe affirme that the powder of the Herb or of the Seed purgeth Phlegme and viscous humours very notably both upward and downward and it is said also that the Root chewed in the Mouth draweth down much Phlegm out of the Head and put up into the Nostrils causeth sneezing but the distilled Water of the whole Herb doth without question cleanse the skin from Morphew Freckles Spots or other marks whatsoever leaving the place fresh fair and lovely after it hath been a few times washed therewith CHAP. CCCXXIV Of the Balsame Apple The Names IT is not conceived that the Greek Writers had any knowledge of this Plant because the name thereof is not so much as found amongst their Writings and therefore it is that the Latine Appellations do so much differ there being no Antiquity to build upon Cordus calleth it Cucumis puniceus Gesner Balsamina pomisera Lobel Balsamina Cucumerina punâ—cea but the most usuall name is Balsamine from the healing property that is in it the Oyle wherein the Apples of it have been steeped being in many things as effectual as the liquor of the Plant Balsa 〈…〉 It is called in English the Balsame Apple or Apple of Jerusalem The Kindes The Kindes hereof are not very numerous being distinguished into two onely 1. The Male Balsame Apple 2. The Female Balsame Apple The Forme The Male Balsame Apple springeth up with divers slender reddish Stalks and Branches shooting forth many clasping Tendrels like a Vine whereby it taketh hold of any Pole or other thing that standeth neer it or else no such thing being neer it lyeth upon the ground not being able to support it self having the Leaves thereon cut in on the edges into sundry divisions like unto those of the White Briony but much smaller tenderer and more divided The Flowers are yellowish white like unto those of the Cucumber coming out at the joynts with the Leaves as they do after which cometh the Fruit which is somewhat long and round poynted at both ends and bunched on the out side with rowes the Skin it self being smooth and very red the Pulp being reddish also within which is the Seed which is rough hard flat and reddish when it is first taken out but after it is dryed it is of a grayish black colour somewhat like unto the Citrul seeds for form and bignesse The Roots are small and stringy yet creeping a good way within the earth The Places and Times These Plants do at present acknowledge no natural place of abode but they are entertained as Sojourners in many of the Gardens of Italy where they come to perfection and their seed is sent over unto us which with labour and industry is made to grow with us but our cold nights being over-early the whole Herb withereth before the Fruit be ripe it being also late before it flowreth The Temperature The Male Balsame-Apple is of a notable drying quality having withall a certain moderate coldnesse The Vertues The powder of the Leaves taken in the distilled Water of Horse-taile or Plantane which are both good for this distemper is
smal yellow knobs or bunches set at severall distances from whence arise many small leaves growing in clusters thick together like tassells which fall away at the approach of Winter and gain fresh every spring which is peculiar only to this Tree of all the Rosen bearing Trees The blossoms are very beautiful and delectable being of an excellent fine Crimson Colour and very sweet which afterwards turn into small soft Cones like unto Cypresse Nuts while they are close but longer then they being made up of a multitude of thin Scales like leaves under which ly small seeds having a thin filme growing on them very like to the wings of Bees or Wasps the substance of the wood is very hard of colour somewhat red especially that which is in the middle and very profitable for works of long continuance Yet that report that the wood of the Larch Tree cannâ—â— be set on fire is false it being preferred before all other wood for all 〈…〉 thes work and for Miners to melt the Ore of Mettal because it holdeth fire longest and strongest by reason of the Rosen that is in it The Agarick which groweth on this Tree is a kind of Mushrome or Excrescence not such as is upon other Trees but covered with a hard blackish bark which being cut and pared away that which is underneath is whiter softer more loose and pongy then any other of the Mushromes that is the best which may easily be broken and is light and in the first taste sweet hard and well compact that which is heavy blackish containing in it little threds like sinews is counted pernicious and deadly The liquid Rosen that proceedeth from this Tree is very like in colour and substance to the whiter honey as that of Athens or Spain which notwithstanding issueth not forth of it self but runneth out of the Stock of the Tree when it hath been bored to the very heart with a great and long Augur or Wimble It is commonly called Venice Turpentine though the true Turpentine issue from the tree Terebinthus The figure of this Larch Tree with the Agarick growing upon it you may see lively represented either in Gerrard or Parkinson The Place and Time The Larch Tree groweth in many woods about Trent and Brixia in Italy and neer the river Benacus and Padus and in Galatia a Province of Asia as Dioscorides and Galen do record and in Agaria a countrey of Sarmatia from whence the Agarick took the name in Silesia also Moravia Lusatia As the Agarick is gathered in most of these places so is the Turpentine but especially from the woods about Trent Of all the Cone trees this only is found with out leaves in the Winter in the Spring grow fresh Leaves out of the same knobs from which the former did fall The Cones are to be gathered before winter so soon as the leaves are gone for after the scales are loosed and opened and the seeds drop away The Rosen or Turpentine is to be gathered in the hottest part of the Summer and the Agarick towards the latter end of the year but in November and December especially The Temperature The leaves bark fruit and kernel are of a dry and binding temperature The Agarick is hot in the first degree and dry in the second It cutteth maketh thin cleanseth taketh away obstructions and stoppings of the Entrails and purgeth by stool The Rosen of this Tree is moister then any other Rosen and without either that sharpnesse or biting which some of the others have The Signature and Vertues Agarick whose copped form holds out the Signature of the Head being boyled in Lye with other Cephalical helps comforteth the brain and memory very much It is good for the giddinesse of the head if it be washed therewith as also to stay the rheums and catarrhs thereof and cleanseth it much from scurfe and Dandraffe being taken with the syrup of Vinegar it is good against the pains and swimmings of the head or the falling sickness It purgeth phlegme Choler and Melancholy from the Brain Nerves Muscles Marrow of the Back it cleanseth the Breast Lungs Liver Stomach Spleen Reins Womb Joynts it provokes Urine and the Terms kills Worms helps pains in the Joynts and causeth a good colour It is very seldom or never taken alone because it doth somewhat trouble the stomach and therefore I shall set down a receipt or two The first is the syrup of Roses solutire with Agarick Take of Agarick cut thin an ounce Ginger two drachâ—â—s Sal Gem. one drach Polypodium bruised 2. ounces sprinkle them with white Wine and steep them two daies over warm Ashes in a pound and a half of the infusion of Damask Roses and with two pound of Sugar boyl it into a Syrup It cureth the yellow I amdies proceeding of obstructions and is a sure remedy for Agnes and cold shakings which are caused of thick and cold humors It purgeth phlegme from the Head relieves the senses oppressed by it it provokes the Terms in Women it purgeth the stomach and Liver and provoketh Urine All the aforesaid vertues are attributed to the Pills of Hierâ— with Agarick which are made as followeth Take of Species Hiera Picâ—a Agarick of each half anounce Aloes one ounce Hony Roses so much as is sufficient to make into a Masse according to Art Of this you may safely take a scruple at night going to bed having eat a light supper three hours before and you may safely go about your businesse the next day for it will work very gently and therefore you may continue taking it a week together for it will not work much the first time and consequently affect little Some give it only with Oxymel which is a syrup made with Vinegar and Honey and so it cureth all sorts of Agues either Tertians or Quotidians easeth the griping pains of the stomach and belly or such as have had falls or bruises or are bursten bellyed all which actions it chiefly performeth by purging those gross and vitious humors that trouble the parts and Members of the Body and are causes of all these diseases It is good against shortnesse of breath the inveterate cough of the Lungs the Ptisick Consumption and those that spit blood Half a drach or two scruples being taken in Wine either by infusion or the powder is an Antidote against all Poysons and cureth the bitings of Serpents very quickly It is applyed also outwardly for the same purpose The Rosen or Turpentine of this Tree taken to the quantity of an ounce will gently open the belly and more to the stool provoke Urine cleanse the Reins Kidneys and Bladder and helpeth to break and avoid the gâ—avel and stone and easeth those which have the stone if it be first washed with Plantane or Rose Water then made in Pills with the powder of white Amber Red Coral Mastick and a little Camphir it doth wonderfully help to purge and cleanse the reins and stop the running of them Being taken with honey it
helpeth to expectorate rotten phlegme from those which are troubled with a continual Cough and is profitable also for the Ptisick or Consumption of the Lungs This Turpentine as it is clearest for inward uses and serveth insteed of the true Turpentine so well that they are commonly used out for another so is it best also for outward salves and doth both draw cleanse and heal all sores or ulcers and green wounds and therefore there is scarce a salve for that purpose wherein Turpentine is not Oyl drawn Chymically from Turpentine is singular good to be used in wounds being more drying and consolidating then the Turpentine it self as also to warm and ease the paines of the Joynts and Sinews caused of Cold and being mixed with a little Oxe Gall it is good for the worms and deafness of the ears The water which is distilled with the Oyl is used for freckles and spots in the face and a scruple weight of it taken in white Wine purgeth phlegme by Vomit Some use to mingle Bay Salt and Turpentine together and therewith spread a leathern girdle which being worn about the wast of them that have the Itch cureth them So Parkinson it being an Excrescence is good for all manner of excrescences by Signature CHAP. VI. Of Wood Betony The names SOme of the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it joyeth most in cold places Ruellius in his translation of Dioscorides calls it Cestron â—sychótrophon the Latines call it Betonica and Vetonica from the Vetones a people of Spain that first found out the vertues of it as Pliny saith We in England call it Wood Betony and it hath been formerly called Betayne or Betaine Parkinson adâ—ertiâ—eth that Vetonica and Betonica are diversly taken in divers Authors for Vetonica although it be set down in some Authors for Betonica yet more properly and usually it is understood to be the Caryophylius or Gilliflower and then it is denominated Vetonica altilis The Kinds Of this Betony for of the Water Betony I shall not treat in this place because it is more appropriated to other parts there are four or five sorts differing one from another either in the leaf or flower 1. Common Wood Betonâ— which hath a purple flower 2. Wood Betony with white flowers 3 Betonica minima Alpina Helvetica Small Mountain Betony 4. Betonica Danica Broad-leaved Betony 5. Betonica Alopecuros montana dicta Foxtail Betony That which I shall describe is the Common Wood-Betony The Formâ— The ordinary or Common Betony which because it is most frequent in Woods is called Wood Betony it hath many leaves rising from the root the lowermost whereof are somewhat broad and round at the ends slightly indented about the edges the footstalks being pretty long but those that grow by two and two at the joynts upon the small slender foursquare and somewhat hairy stalks are a great deal lesser The stalk is commonly near a foot high whereon are set several spiked heads of flowers of a reddish or purple colour spotted with white spots all over the seeds are somewhat long and uneven and of a blackish colour The root consists of many white threddy strings like unto those of Plantain the stalk perisheth but the roots with some leaves theron abide all the Winter the whole plant is somewhat small and therefore Gerard was mistaken who sayes that it hath long and broad leaves The Place and Time The Common Betony loveth shadowie places as Woods hedg-rows Copses the borders of pastures Parks c. That with the white flower is more usually found in stiffe clay grounds then in any other mould as in the VVoods by Brumley in Kent in a wood near a Village called Hampsteed and in Broodsworth VVood in Yorkeshire The third groweth on the Alpes of Helvetia or Switzerland The broad leaved or Danish Betony groweth in the Physick Garden at Oxford The last as Lugdunensis saith groweth in the moist vallies that are shadowed with trees of the high hills They flower and flowrish for the most part in the moneths of June and July and the seed ripeneth quickly after The Temperature and Vertues Betony though it grow wilde yet it is set in many Gardens and is hot and dry almost if not quite in the second degree The vertues of it are innumerable as Antonius Musa one of the Physicians of Augustus Caesar who hath written a peculiar Book of this Herb doth testifie but especially it is good for the brain so that as Fernelius writeth Cerebrum vel odore solorecreat hinc Comitiâ—libus furiosisque medetur Paralysin torpentiaque membra persanat The hairy Roots of this Herb are some Signature that it is good for the head If it be stamped and applyed to the fore-head of them that are frantick or possest with Devils it cureth them Boyl it with Vervein and Worm-wood in water and wash the head therewith and grind the same Herbs with some of the water and Wheaten Bran and apply it hot to the mould of the head thrice and it will cause the Head-ach to depart Seeth it with Vervein Hore-hound and Hysop in White-wine and apply them as liot as may be suffered and it cureth the Megrim which is a pain that possesseth one side of the head If the Head-ach proceed of cold Flegm seeth Betony in Wine with a third part of water and apply it For noyses in the head pains and giddiness thereof drink powder of the leaves dryed in the shade or rather eat it with slices of bread steeped in Wine first and last to restore the brain which is done likewise by taking some of the powder of it in Pottage and thus or green it helpeth those that loath their meat for it procureth digestion and allayeth the soure belchings and risings in the stomack if it be used often The Leaves or Flowers boyled in broth and drunk or made into a Conserve Water Electuary or Powder as any one shall like best do help the Jaundies Falling-sickness the Palsie Conâ—ulsions or shrinking of the Sinews the Gout and those which are inclined unto Dropsies those that have continual pains in their head though it turn to Phrensie The Powder mixed with pure Honey is no lesse available for all sorts of Coughs or Colds wheesing or shortness of breath and those Distillations upon the Lungs which cause Consumptions A dram of it taken in the Syrup of Vinegar doth wonderfully refresh those which are wearied by travel it stayeth bleeding at the mouth and nose and helpeth those that pisse blood or spit it The Decoction of it being made with Mead and a little Penny-Royal is good for those that are troubled with Quartan Agues and to draw down and evacuate the blood and humours that by falling into the eyes do hinder sight Being boyled in Wine and taken it killeth the Worms openeth obstructions of Spleen and Liver cureth stitches and pains in the back or sides the torments and griping pains of the Bowels and the
Rose 11. The double Cinamon Roâ—e 12. The â—g antine or sweet Bryer 13. The Bryer Roâ—e or Hep-Tree 14. The Burner Rose All which I shall as near as I can wrap up into one generall Description by which the whole Family may be distinguished The Forme The Rose hath long stalks of a wooddy substance set or armed for the most part with divers sharp prickles the branches whereof are likewise full of prickles whereon do commonly grow leaves consisting of five parts set upon a middle Rib by couples tâ—e odd one standing at the point of the same every one of them somewhat snipt about the edges â—omewhat rough and of an over-worn green colour from the bosom whereof shoot out pretty big foot-stalks whereon do grow very fair flowers some single some double â—ome white some red some damask some yellow c. for the most part of a very sweet smell having in the middle a few yellow threds or chives which being past there succeedeth a long fruit green at the first red when it is ripe and stuffed with a downy choaking matter wherein is contained Seed as hard as stones The Root is long tough and of a wooddy substance The Places and Time All these sorts of Roses or most of them and perhaps some besides are in the Physick Garden at Oxford and in several Gardens about London The double white Rose doth grow wiâ—d in many hedges of Lancashire in great abundance They flower one or other of them from the end of May till the end of August If the superfluous branches and tops be cut away at the end of their flowring they will sometimes if the Winter be calm flower again in October and after The Temperature Both the white and red Roses are cooling and drying yet the white is taken to exceed the red in both those properties but is â—eldom used inwardly in any Medicine The Red as Galen saith hath a watery substance in it and a warm joyned with two other qualities that is an astringent and a bitter The yellow Chives or threds in the middle as also the nails which when any Syrup or Conserve is to be made are to be cut away do binde more then the Rose it self and are more drying also Mesue sheweth that the Rose is cold in the first Degree and dry in the second compounded of divers parts or substances which yet may be separated namely a watery mean substance and an earthly drying an airy substance likewise sweet and aromatical and an hot also whereof cometh the bitterness the redness perfection and form The bitterness in the Roses when they are fresh especially the juyce purgeth Choler and watry humours but being dryed aâ—d that heat that caused the bitterness being consumed they have a stopping and astringent power Those also that are not full blown do both cool and bind more then those that are full blown and the white Roses more then the red The Vertues The Decoction of Red Roses made with Wine and used is very good for the Head-ach and pains in the Eyes Ears Throat and Gums the fundament also the lower Bowels and the Matrix being bathed or put unto them The same Decoction with the Roses remaining in them is profitably applyed to the Region of the heart to ease the Inflammation therein as also St. Anthonies fire and other Diseases of the stomack Being dryed and beaten to Powder and taken in steeled Wine or water it doth help to stay Womens Courses they serve also for the Eyes being mixed with such other Medicines that serve for that purpose and are sometimes put into those Compositions that are called Anthera The yellow Threds in the middest of the Red Roses especially being powdered and drunk in the distilled water of Quinces stayeth the abundance of Womens Courses and doth wonderfully stay and help Defluxions of Rheum upon the Gums and Teeth and preserveth them from corruption and fasteneth them being loose if they be washed and gargled therewith and some Vineger of Squills added thereunto The heads with Seed being used in Powder or in a Decoction stayeth the Lask and the spitting of blood Red Rose-water being cooling and cordial refreshing and quickning the weak and faint spirits is used either in meats or broths as also to wash the Temples to smell to at the Note or to smell the sweet vapour thereof out of a perfuming Pot or cast on a hot Fireshovel It is also of much good use against the redness and Inflammation of the Eyes to bath them therewith and the Temples of the Head against pain and ach for which purpose Vineger of Roses also is of very good use and to procure rest and sleep if some of it and Rose-water together be smelled unto or if a peece of Red-Rose Cake moistened therewith be cut fit for the Head and heated between a double folded Cloth with a little beaten Nutmeg and Poppy-Seed strewed on the side that must lie next to the Forehead and Temples and bound so thereto for all night The Syrup of Damask-Roses is both simple and compound and made with Agarick The simple solutive Syrup is a familiar safe gentle and easie Medicine purging Choler taken from one ounce to three or four The Syrup with Agarick is more strong and effectual for one ounce thereof will open the Body more then three of the other and worketh as much on Flegm as Choler The Compound Syrup with Hellebore is more forcible in working upon melancholick humours and available against the Itch Tetters c. and the French Disease Also Honey of Roses solutive is made of the same infusion that the Syrup is and worketh the same effect both in opening and purging but is oftner given to Phlegmatick then cholerick persons and is more used in Clysters then in Potions as the Syrup made with Sugar is The Conserve and preserved leaves of these Roses are also operative in gently opening the Belly The simple water of the Damask Roses is much used for fumes to sweeten things as also to put into Pyes and Broths c. as the dryed Leaves thereof to make sweet Powders and fill sweet Bags but are seldom used in Physick although they have some purging quality The wild Roses are few or none of them used in Physick yet are generally held to come near the nature of the manured Roses The fruit of the wild Bryar which are called Heps being throughly ripe and made into a Conserve with Sugar besides the pleasantness of the taste doth gently bind the belly and stay the defluxions from the head upon the stomach drying up the moysture thereof and helping digestion The Pulp of the Heps dryed into a hard consistence like to the juyce of Liquorice or so dryed that it may be made into Powder and taken in drink stayeth speedily whites in Women The Bryar-Ball is often used being made into Powder and drunk to break the stone to provoke Urine when it is stopped and to ease and help the Cholick CHAP. XX. Of
along the leaves shooting forth at the bigger end which when it beareth its Berries are somewhat wrinkled and loose another growing under it which is solid and firm with many small threds hanging thereat The Place and Time The two first sorts grow frequently under Trees and almost under every hedge side throughout the Land The third is found in some places of Germany Clusius saith the fourth came among divers other Roots from Constantinople the fifth is found in Spain and Portugall the sixth in Italy the seventh in Candy The last in Java and Surrat The four first sorts shoot forth Leaves in the Spring and continue but till the middle of Summer or somewhat later their Hoses or Husks appearing before they fall away and their fruit shewing in August The fifth and sixth do shoot forth their green Leaves in Autumne presently after the first frosts have pulled down the stalks with fruits and abide green all the Winter withering in Summer before which their Husks appear The seventh flowreth with his Hose and Clappers very late even in the warm Countries seldom before October or November and the fruit doth there seldom come to perfection the last flowreth and beareth fruit in the Summer as other Herbs do The Temperature Wake-Robin is hot and dry in the third Degree yet Galen affirmeth that it is more sharp and biting in some Countries then in others The Signature and Vertues The Leaves of Wake-Robin either green or dry or the Juyce of them doth cleanse all manner of rotten and filthy Ulcers in what part of the body soever and helpeth the stinking sores in the Nose called Polypus The water wherein the Roots hath been boyled dropped into the Eyes cleanseth them from any film or skin Clouds or Mists which begin to hinder the sight and helpeth the rednesse or watering of them or when by some chance they become black and blevv The Juyce of the Berries boyled in Oyl of Roses or beaten into Powder and mixed with the Oyl and dropped into the Ears easeth pains in them The Root mixed with Bean-flower and applyed to the Throat or Jawes that are inflamed helpeth them and the Roots or Berries beaten with hot Oxe-Dung and applyed easeth the pains of the Gout Tragus reporteth that a dram or more if need be of the spotted VVake-Robin either green or dryed being beaten and taken is a most present and sure Remedy for Poyson and the Plague The Juyce of the Herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful hath the same effect to which if there be a little Vineger added as also to the Root aforesaid it somewhat allayeth the sharp biting tast thereof upon the Tongue The green Leaves bruised and layd upon any Boyl or Plague-sore doth wonderfully help to draw forth the poyson A dram of the Powder of the dryed Root taken with twice so much Sugar in the form of a licking Electuary or the green Root doth wonderfully help those that are pursie and short winded as also those that have the Cough it breaketh digesteth and riddeth away Flegm from the Stomack Chest and Lungs The milk wherein the Root hath been boyled is effectuall also for the same purpose The said Powder taken in Wine or other drink or the Juyce of the Berries or the Powder of them or the Wine wherein they have been boyled provoketh Urine and bringeth down Womens Courses and purgeth them effectually after Child-bearing to bring away the after-birth and being taken with Sheeps milk it healeth the inward Ulcers of the Bowels The Leaves and Roots also boyled in Wine with a little Oyl and applyed to the Piles or falling down of the Fundament easeth them and so doth the sitting over the hot fâ—mes thereof The fresh Roots bruised and distilled with a little milk yieldeth a most soveraign water to cleanse the skin from skurf freckles spots or blemishes whatsoever therein The fresh Roots cut small and mixed with a Sallet will make excellent sport with a sawcy sharking guest and drive him from his over-much boldness and so will the Powder of the dry Root strewed upon any dainty bit that is given him to eat For either way within a while after the taking it it will so burn and prick his mouth and throat that he shall not be able â—o eat any more or scarce to speak for pain The green leaf biteth the Tongue also To take away the stinging of either give the party so served new milk or fresh butter This Plant should be Venereous by its Signature CHAP. XXXIII Of the Flower de Luce. The Names THe Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Sacra whereupon some have translated it Consecratrix all great and huge things being counted by the Ancients to be Holy but it was called Iris a caelestis Arâ—us similitudine quam flores eâ—us representant from the Rainbow whose various colours the flower thereof doth imitate There have been some heretofore that made a difference between Iris and Ireos according to the Latine verse extant thereof which is this Iris purpureum florem gâ—rit Ireos album but this is an errour proceeding as some suppose from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a white Lilly and by casting away the first letter becomes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by changing the last syllable as if the Lilly and the Iris were all one of which most Authors make a distinction It is called Radâ—x Marica because it is excellent for the Piles and some have called it Radix Naronica of the River Naron by which great store doth grow The knobbed Iris is called of Matthiolus Hermodactylus Verus because the roots are like unto fingers and from him divers did so call it but most erroneously it being a wild kind of flower de luce as Dodonaeus truly affirmeth Gladwin which is a kind hereof also is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Xyris ob Folii similitudinem quasi Rasorium cultrum aut novaculum dixeris because of it Swordlike or sharpedged Leaf and in Latine Spatula or Spathula faetida for Spatha is taken for a sword as Gladium is and I have heard it called Rost Beef for that the leaves being bruised smell somewhat like it The Flowerdeluce is called in English Iris but most commonly Orris The kinds So many of the sorts as I find set down in Parkinsons Theater of Plants I here set down which are eight 1. The greater Broad leafed Flowerdeluce 2. The greater Narrow leafed Flowerdeluce 3. Portingall Flowerdeluce 4. Broad leafed dwarf Fowerdeluce 5. Stinking Gladwine 6. The first broad leafed bulbed Flowerdeluce of Clusius 7. The greater bulbed Flowerdeluce 8. The lesser bulbed Flowerdeluce to which I adde 1. Iris tuberosa the knobbed Flowerdeluce 2. The common Flowerdelucer 3. Water flags or wild Flowerdeluce The Form The Common Flowerdeluce hath long and large flaggy leaves like the blade of a sword with two edges amongst which spring up smooth and plain stalks half
hath a thick short knobbed Root blackish without and somewhat reddish within a little crooked or writhed together of an harsh or astringent tast with divers blackish Fibres growing thereat from whence spring up every year divers Leaves standing upon long foot-stalks being somewhat long and broad very like unto a dock-Dock-Leaf and a little pointed at the ends but that it is crumpled of a blewish green colour on the upper side and of an Ash colour gray and a little Purplish underneath having divers veins therein from among which arise divers small and slender stalks about half a yard high almost naked and without Leaves or with very few narrow ones bearing a spiky bush of pale flesh coloured Flowers which being past there abideth small Seed somewhat like unto Sorrel-Seed but greater The Places and Time The two first grow at the foot of Hills and in shadowy moyst Woods near unto them in many places of Germany and in our Country likewise in moyst and watery places particularly in a Meadow about a stones throw above the Abby Mill at St. Albans about an Acres breadth or somewhat more from the River side where the common Bistort groweth plentifully though it be chiefly nourished in Gardens The fourth groweth in VVestmerland about Crosby in Cumberland about Ravenswaith in York-shire Lancashire and divers other places The third groweth on the high Hills in Silesia and other places The two last are round on the Alps in divers places and the last also amongst the Switzers They all flower about the end of May and the Seed is ripe about the beginning of July The Temperature Bistort is cold and dry in the third Degree and very astringent The Signature and Vertues This Plant hath a double Signature both proceeding from the Roots the one from the colour of the inside of them the other from the writhed or twisted form The bloody colour of the Roots betokeneth that it is effectuall to stay the bleeding of the Nose and all manner of inward bleeding and spitting of blood as also any Fluxes of the body in man or woman and likewise vomiting the Powder of the Root in Wine or the decoction thereof being drunk The juyce hereof being put up into the Nose prevaileth much against the Diâ—ease called Polypus and all other Sores or Cancers that happen in the Nose or any other part but the surest way is first to wash them with the distilled water and afterwards to apply the Powder of the Root thereto It is good also to fasten the Gums and to take away the heat and Inflammation that happen as well in the Jawes Almonds of the Throat or Mouth if the decoction of the Roots Leaves or Seeds be used or the juyce of them The Root of Bistort Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allome of each a like quantity beaten small and made into a Past with Honey a little peece thereof put into an hollow Tooth or holden between the teeth if they be not hollow stayeth the defluxions of Rheum upon them when it is the cause of their pain and helpeth to cleanse the Head and void much offensive matter The wreathed form of the Root is a sign that is good against the bitings of Serpents or Snakes for which it is found to be very effectuall as also for the venoming of Toads Spiders Adders or the like venomous Creatures if the place be washed with the water that is distilled from the Root and Leaves A dram of the powdered Root taken in drink expelleth the Venom of the Plague the small Pox Measels Purples or any other infectious Disease driving it forth by sweating The Powder of the Root or the decoction thereof being drunk is very available against Ruptures or burstings or all bruises or falls whatsoever dissolving the congealed blood and easing the pains that happen thereupon The said decoction being made with Wine and drunk hindereth abortion that is when Women are apt to miscarry in Child-bearing the Leaves kill worms in Children and is a great help to them that cannot keep their water if some juyce of Plantain be put thereto which applyed outwardly doth give much help in the Gonorrhaea or running of the Reins A dram of the Powder of the Root taken in the water thereof wherein some red hot Iron or Steel hath been quenched is also an admirable help thereto so as the body be first prepared and purged from the offensive humours The Leaves Seeds or Roots are all very good in Decoctions Drinks or Lotions for invard or outward wounds or other sores and the Powder strewed upon any Cut or Wound in a vein stayeth the immoderate bleeding thereof The Decoction of the Roots in water whereupon some Pomegranate Pills and Flowers are added injected into the Matrix stayeth the access of humours to the Ulcers thereof and bringeth it to its right place being fallen down and stayeth the immoderate Flux of the Courses The Roots are most used in Physick and will keep good a year or two The Dose in Powder is from a scruple to a dram into Decoction from a drachm to two or three which is made by bruising a sufficient quantity of the root suppose two drachms and boyling it in half a pint of Posâ—et drink till about half be consumed then strain it and give the clearest to be drunk in a morning CHAP. XXXVIII Of Tormentil The Names THough none of the Greek writers have mentioned this herb yet it hath got a Greek name and is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septem et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 folium that is Seven-leaves but not properly it being only one leaf cut into seven divisions For there is a general rule in all Leaves whether of herbs or trees that that which falleth away with the stalk and not in parts and at several times is the leaf though it be winged as that of the Ash Elder Walnut tree c. the great Centory Agrimony Danewort Parsnep Valerian c. is or divided as Trefoil Cinquefoil or Tormentil c. is It is called in Latine Tormentilla quia valet adversus tormenta intestinorum from its vertue in easing the torments of the Guts and Heptaphyllum or Septifolium and of some Stellaria from the form of the leaves though that be a name applyed to other plants of the like form In English Tormentil Setfoil or Seven-leaves The Kinds Formerly there was but one sort of Tormentill known but now there are three 1. Common Tormentil 2. The greater Tormentil 3. Silver leafed Tormentil The Forme The common Tormentil hath many reddish slender weak branches rising from the root lying upon the ground or rather leaning then standing upright with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks as the Cinkfoil doth which this is otherwise somewhat like with the footstalks encompassing the Branches in several places but they that grow next the ground are set upon longer footstalks each whereof are like the leaves of Cinkfoil but somewhat longer and lesser
helpeth also to cleanse all the deformities or discolourings of the skin and the Freckles and spots thereof as well fresh as dry The Juyce mingled with Vinegar helpeth the falling down of the Fundament if it be anointed therewith The Juyce of Sow-bread and the Juyce of Plantane of each a like quantity mixed together and Aloes Myrth and Olibanum added thereto stoppeth the bleeding of the Nose if it be applyed to the Nostrils and fore-head And thus I have done with Plants that are appropriated to the Nose for the Polypus and the stopping of blood CHAP. XLI Of Medlars The Names THe Mouth challengeth the next place and it is fit that that part should especially be regarded without which others could not subsist And because Medlars are found to be helpful to many distempers thereof I begin with that It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Mespilus and the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mespilum Dioscorides affirmeth that this Medlar-Tree is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so doth Galen and of divers Sicanion The fruit of the Neapolitan kind is called Tricoccos of the three grains or stones that it hath The Tree is called in English the Medlar or Openarse-Tree and the fruit Medlars and Open-arses The Kinds Five sorts hereof are reckoned up 1. The great manured Medlar 2. The ordinary or small Medlar 3. The common Italian Medlar 4. The great white Medlar 5. The Medlar of Naples The Forme The great Medlar-tree groweth near to the bigness of the Quince-tree spreading forth branches of a reasonable size with longer and narrower Leaves then either the Apple or Quince and not dented about the edges At the end of the sprigs stand the Flowers made of fair white great broad pointed Leaves nicked in the middle with some white threds also after which commeth the fruit of a brownish green colour being ripe being a Crown as it were on the top which were the five green Leaves which being rubbed of or fallen away the head of the fruit is seen to be somewhat hollow The fruit is very harsh before it be mellowed and hath usually five hard Kernells within it The Places and Time Three of these sorts grow with us here in England the two first do grow in Orchards and sometimes in hedges amongst Bryars and Brambles and the last with some few lovers of rarities The other two have scarcely been seen in this Countrey They flower in May for the most part but the fruit is not ripe till September or October after which they must lie till they be as it were rotten before they be fit to be eaten The Temperature The Medlars are cold dry and astringent the Leaves are of the same nature The Signature and Vertues Suppose that place to be a mouth which some call by another name as it well may be and then we may appropriate it to the mouth by Signature However the mouth is not only gratified by its pleasant tast being mellow and ordered with Honey or Sugar but the decoction of them is good to gargle and wash the mouth throat and teeth when there is any defluxion of blood or humours to stay them which otherwise might cause pains and swellings to bind those distillations and to ease the pains The same also serveth well both to drink and to bath the stomach warm that is given to loathing casting or vomiting by sortifying digestion and preserving the humours from putrefaction but if a Pultis or Plaster be made with dryed Medlars beaten and mixed with the juyce of Red Roses whereunto a few Cloves and Nutmegs may be added and a little red Corall also and applyed to the stomach it will work more effectually The decoction aforesaid serveth also for a good bath for Women to sit in or oveâ— that have their Courses come down too abundantly or for the Piles when they bleed too much The dâ—yed Leaves in Powder strewed on bleeding or fresh wounds restraineth the blood and healeth up the wound quickly both leaves and fruit are of singular good use to bind and to strengthen whatsoever hath need of those qualities The stones or Kernels bruised to Powder and drunk in Liquor especially wherein some Parsley Roots have been steeped all night or a little boyled do mightily drive out stones and gravel from the Kidneys and that by Signature Besides these effects the mellowed fruit is often served amongst other sorts of fruit to the Table and eaten with pleasure by those who have no need of Physick but worketh in Women with Child both to please the tast as in others and to stay their longings after unusuall meats c. as also very effectuall for them that are apt to miscarry and make them joyful Mothers That of Naples is the more delicate and is also accounted more effectual for the purposes aforesaid CHAP. XLII Of the Mulberry Tree The Names THe tree is named in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Morea and Sycaminus in Latine Morus à Morâ from its slownesse to put forth its Leaves for of all trees it buddeth last which it seldom doth before May the cold weather being past and therefore the old Writers were wont to call it the wisest tree It is called in shops Morus celsa quasi excelsa as a distinction between it and the Bramble Cubus whose Berries are also called Mora but bâ—â—i is added to know them by The Kinds Parkinson hath but three sorts hereof 1. The common black Mulberry tree 2. The white Mulberry tree 3. The Virginian Mulberry tree Besides which as I have been informed there is a wild kind which putteth out leaves somewhat like the former and about the same time and hath fruit not much unlike but it never bringeth it to perfection The Form The Common black Mulberry tree groweth very great and tall the body and the greater arms being covered with a thick rugged bark the younger boughs and branches being smoother whereon are broad roundish leaves set pointed at the end and dented about the edges like Mint leaves but that they are far bigger and smoother The bloomings or flowers are downy like Catkins after which immediately followeth the fruit made of many grains set together of a pale green colour at first then red when they are harsh and sowre but afterwards black when they are full ripe being full of a sweetish Juyce which will die the fingers and mouths of them that gather and eat them wherein ly divers small seeds the root groweth not deep but spreadeth far being of a yellowish colour The Places and Time The two former sorts are nourished up in woods or great Orchards in the Levant or Eastern countries to nourish their silk Worms where they keep them in abundance and may peradventure be natural in some of these places they are plentiful nursed up in Italy for the same purpose and might have been very numerous here in England if the Letters of King James
Palmae cerebrum the brain of the Date-Tree The Kindes Besides the manured Date-Tree there is the wild or low Date-Tree called the Palmito-Tree as I said before and the thorny Palmito The Form The Date-Tree usually groweth very great and tall yet in some places nothing so tall as in others bare of Branches unto the top the Bark whereof is not so well to be said scaly or rugged as knaggy having short knaggs which are the ends of the middle Ribs of the Leaves sticking out round about the Body which give an easie footing like steps to climbe or get up into the tops of the Trees to gather the fruit the Leaves that grow at the top are very long and large made as it were of divers parts and folded together double the middle Rib being thick and almost wooddy but spongy within which do alwayes abide green and hang down-wards with their ends the Flowers are enclosed with a long skinny sheath hanging down from the lower Branches of Leaves and sometimes higher which opening it self at the end into two parts shew forth abundance of white Saffron-like small Flowers hanging by small threds in great bunches together after which come the fruit upon the said threddy foot-stalks green at the first and reddish when they are ripe with a hard firm small long and round whitish stone with a furrow in the middle some Sorts are small and some great some of a lost substance some firmer and harder some whitish some yellowish or reddish or blackish some round like an Apple others long with the roundness some having the top soft some none at all some so sweet and lushious that they will nor abide long unlesse they be pressed into Cakes to be kept others will abide whole for a long time and fit to be sent also into any farr Country yet all of them have a small round hard Crown or Cap at the head which with rubbing one against another falleth off The stones within the fruit notwithstanding that they are so solid and firm as a very stone and can hardly be broken with an Hammer yet having a small hollow place in the middle of them with so â—mall a Kernel therein that it would not be thought to spring thereby yet being put whole into the ground hath shot forth even in this Country long narrow hard Leaves which have abiden in a convenient warm place divers years without any great progresse so little it liketh a cold Climate The Places and Time The manured Date groweth in all the Eastern Countries generally and those have been most commended by some that grow in Judaea and in the valley of â—ericho but Bellonius saith they deserved not Commendations neither were they ripe about Jerusalem above a moneth after they had been gathered in Egypt they grow also in Italy where they are planted but bear no fruit and in Spain by the Sea-side but the fruit is nothing so good as in Cyprus and the Levant The other two sorts the first in Sicilia Candy c. the other in Spain they flowre in April and are ripe in November or later The Temperature Dates are hot and dry almost in the second Degree and astringent or binding especially when they are not through ripe being through ripe they are hot and moyst in the second Degree some say hot and moyst in the first Degree The Vertues Dates yield a grosse and clammy and fatty or impinguating nourishment therefore they heâ—p the hoarsness and roughness of the Throat the sharp Cough by reaâ—on oâ— sharp Rheum falling on the Breast and Lungs and are used also against Consumptions and wasting of the Body The Decoction of them taken allayeth the force of hot Agues and stayeth spitting of blood the pain in the Stomach and Bowels by reason of a Flux and boyled in Water and Honey and taken doth refresh the spirits they somewhat provoke to Venery the Decoction helpeth the weakneâ—â—e and pains in the Back and Bladder they strengthen the weakness of the Liver and Spleen being mixed with other convenient Medicines They are used in Broths against Consumptions and pining Diseases and are counted restorative eâ—pecially the sweet ones Dry Dates being eaten do stop the Belly and stay vomiting of Women with Child and help against miscarrying they stay Womens Courses and the bleeding and falling down of the Fundament and Piles being taken in Red Wine If they be made into a Poultis alone or with other things and applyed to the Stomack and Belly they stay the vomiting of Women with Child The Decoction of Dates or the Leaves of the Date-Tree maketh the hair black being often used and stayeth fretting Ulcers Being mixed with Wax and Saffron they help the black and blew marks remaining after stripes or bâ—owes and reduceth the skin to its naturall colour Date Stones being burnt and washed serve instead of Spodium to binde and restrain the fluent humours into the Eys and to consume the Pin and Web in them and to dry up Pushes being uâ—ed with Spikenâ—rd it stayeth the falling of the hair from the Eye-browes and being mingled with Wine and used it helpeth any Excrescences of the flesh as Wens and such like and bringeth foul Ulcers to Cicatrising and stayeth the spreading of them A Poultis made of them and applyed helpeth any luxation or joynts out of place and they are used in astringent Cataplasms or Pultises They are not to be used by such as are troubled with the Head-ach Collick or hot Livers Diaphaenicon which is the Electuary made of Dates purgeth Choler and Flegme very effectually so it be taken with good caution and advice and that from two drams unto six in White-Wine or a Decoction of Sena as shall be thought fit and is conveniently given in compound and long Agues and in those Diâ—eases which are bred of raw humours as in the Cholick the pains of the back and Mother The Head of the Date or Date brains is very pleasant and savoury to the tast and is much used where they grow to be eaten with Pepper and Salt Of the Leaves of the Palmito they use to make Brooms to sweep the House which will last a long time of them likewise they make Mats and Baskets CHAP. LXIII Of Winter Green The Names IT is called Pyrola in Latine for it hath not found any Greek name à foliorum Pyri arloris similitudine florum etiam similitudine of the likenesse of the Leaves I may say of the flowers also unto Peartree Leaves flowers Divers have taken it to be Limonium but the true Limonium is now so well known that it putteth all out of doubt Some have called it Beta sylvestris as Pliny and Fuschius because it appeareth in the Spring about the time that Garden Beets do but Galen saith there is no wild sort of the Beet Others have called it Tintinnabulum Terrae from the likenesse of the flower to a bell saith Fuschius but is generally of all now a daies called Pyrola in
the outward Forme thereof but also by the Sinewes and Veine that run thorough it And therefore it availeth very much in divers diseases of the Tongue whether they happen from wounds as biting cutting or the like or from inflammations of that or any other part adjacent as the Mouth Gums Throat c. as also from the Cankers or any other eating sore the decoction juyce or water thereof being often gargled in the mouth or especially a little Vinegar Honey and Allome being mixed therewith The juyce or Herb stayeth the bleeding of the Nose or the bleeding of wounds The clarified Juyce or Water thereof droppâ—d into the eye cooleth the heat thereof as also the Pin and Web thereof and dropt into the eares easeth the pains therein and helpeth deafnesse The same with the juyce of House-leeke is very profitably applyed against all inflammation and breakings out of the skin and against burnings or scalding by Fire or Water The juyce mixed with the Oyl of Roses and the Temples and Forehead annointed therewith easeth the pains of the head proceeding from heat and helpeth frantick and lunatick persons very much as also the biting of Serpents or a madde Dogge The clarified juyce drunk for divers dayes together by it selfe or with some other liquor is wonderfull good to stay spitting of blood and all other bleedings at the Mouth when a vein is broken at the mouth of the Stomack and is likewise effectuall to heal any Ulcer in the Reines or Bladder when bloody or foul water proceedeth therefrom It is held also an especiall remedy for those that have the Consumption of the Lungs or that are troubled with any Ulcer in that part or that have Coughs that come with Heat The same also is commended very much against all torments and frettings in the Guts stayeth the Courses and all other manner of Fluxes as well in Man as Woman The decoction or powder of the Root or Seed is much more binding then the Herbe whereby it helpeth Agues The seed made into powder and mixed with the yolk of an Egge and some wheaten flower and made into a Cake and baked doth stay vomiting or any other Flux or rising in the Stomack The herb but especially the Seed is likewise held to be profitable against the Dropsie Falling-Sicknesse Yellow Jaundise and the stoppings of the Liver or Reines The powder of the dryed Leavs taken in warm drink or Posset drink killeth worms in the Belly The juyce of the Leaves mixed with oyl of Roses is profitably applyed to all hot Gouts in the Hands or Feet especially in the beginning to cool the heat and represse the humors It is also good to be applyed where any bone is out of Joynt to hinder Inflammations Swellings and pains which will arise presently thereupon A decoction of the Leaves killeth Worms that breed in old and foul Ulcers One part of Plantaine-Water and two parts of the brine of powdered beefe boyled together and clarified is a most sure remedy to heal all spreading Scabs and Itch in the Head or Body all manner of Tetters or Ringwormes the Shingles and all other running and fretting sores The Leaves laid upon any place where the skin is scratched of skinneth it again whether it be newly done or not and being made into a Salve with Oyl Wax and Turpentine it cureth deep wounds though the Sinews and Veins be cut asunder whereof it hath the Signature The juyce alone or stamped with Vinegar and applyed to the Feeet that surbated sore and swollen with travell bringeth them again to their right temper CHAP. LXXVII Of Columbines The Names THere is great contesting amongst Authors concerning this Plant whether it were known to the Ancients or not One will have it to be the Pothos of Theophrastus another his Diosanthos another would have it to be the Isopyrum of Dioscorides but Cornutus affirms point blanck that it was not knowne It is generally called by the Writers of a later date Aquileia Aquilina Aquilegia because the folds of the Leaves do somewhat resemble those Pipes called Aquileges which were made as Pliny mentions for the conveying of water which they also contain in them as Cornuâ—us seemeth to inferre especially from that sort of his which came from Canada That this Plant should have likenesse of properties with wild Oâ—tes called in Greek Aegilops seemeth to be altogether improbable It knows no other English name but Columbines The Kindes To set forth the varieties of Columbines according to their colours would be the Task of a Florish I shall only give you those which have different Termes and they are six 1 Single Columbines 2. Double Columbines 3 Double inverted Columbines 4 Rose Columbines 5 Degenerate Columbines 6 Columbines of Virginia The Forme The Columbine hath divers pretty large spread Leaves standing upon stalks about a foot long wheÌ„ they are at their full growth every one being divided into divers parts with large indentures upon the edges of a dark blewish green colour a little resembling Celandine from amongst which arise stalks sometimes two or three foot high divided usually into many branches bearing one long divided leaf at the lower joynt above which the flowers grow every one standing on a long stalk consisting of five hollow Leaves crooked or horned at the ends and turning backwards The flowers being past there arise small long Cods four or five together wherein are contained black shining seedes The Roots are thick and round for a little space within the ground they abide many years sending forth their Leaves in the beginning of the Spring I mentioned not the colour of the flowers because they are so variable The Places and Time The first sort hath been found to grow wild in the woody mountains of Germany but with us they are found only in Gardens as the rest are their place being otherwise unknowne only that of the last which was brought from Virginia by that industrious searcher after rarities Mr. Tredescant the elder They flower commonly about the end of April and the beginning of May perish before the end of June only the Virginian kind flowreth a Month sooner then ordinary The Temperature Columbines are said to be temperate in respect of coldnesse and drynesse and moderately digesting The Vertues Every good Housewife in the Country is hardly now to learne that Columbine Leaves have in them a faculty wherey they are found very effectuall if they be boyled in Milk and given to those that are troubled with sore Mouths oâ— Throats but there be other wayes of using them for the like purposes as for the Kanker Red gum Quinsie Kings-evill c. For the Water Canker in the Mouth drink the seed For the Quinsie drink the seeds often with good Ale or stamp the seeds and herbs with Honey and take it with milk or drink It is good for young Children to drink it against the Red gum To help the Struma or painfull swelling in the Throat called the Kings evill seeth
sharp withall and somewhat clammy when they are ripe flat as it were at the lower end next the stalk whose skin is thicker and harder then a Plum and the stone within it is small firm and solid long round and solid like unto an Olive or Cornelian Cherry-stone both for form and hardnesse All the Branches both greater and smâ—ller are armed with Thorns two alwayes at a joynt whereof the one is long sâ—â—ong sharp pointed and straight and the other crooked both of them of a blackiâ—â— red colour like unto the elder Branches The Roots are long and firm in the Ground The Places and Time The first groweth naturally in Africa Egypt Arabia and Syria and those more Easterly Countries from whence as Pliny saith it was brought into Italy and planted there in his time by Sextus Rampinius in the latter end of Caesar Augustus his Raign which now a dayes is very frequent not only in many Gardens and Orchards of Italy but of Provence in France also It is so tender that it cannot endure long in our Countrey by reason of the cold The other likewise was brought into Italy in these later times from Syria where it is only to be seen and but with a few that are lovers of rarities The last groweth wild in the Fields by the Hedges not far from Verona abundantly as Pena saith They all shoot forth in April at which time the Seeds or Stones are to be set and sowen for increase They flowre in May and their fruit is ripe in September the Leaves falling off shortly after The Temperature Jujubes are temperate in heat and moysture The Vertues They open the Body and gently purge Choler and cleanse the Blood according to Actuarius and Simeon Sethi especially when they are fresh yet Matthiolus following the Opinion of Avicen denyeth that they have any purging quality in them at all But all Authours do agree that they cool the heat and sharpnesse of the Blood and therefore hold them to be good in hot Agues and to help them that have a Cough by bringing away tough flegme and are very profitable also for other Diseases of the Chest and Lungs as shortnesse of breath hot Rheums and Distillations proceeding from hot humours They are also to good purpose used to cleanse the Reins and Bladder from Gravel in making the passages slippery they also stay Vomitings procured by sharp humours But they are hard of digestion nourish very little and do not easily passe through the stomach and are therefore used in decoctions with other Ingredients fitting for the foresaid griefs CHAP. LXXXIV Of the Sebesten or Assyrian Plum-Tree The Names THere are also to be had at the Apothecaries Shops a certain kind of Plums called by them Sebestens in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à muccoso fructus lentore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enim muccum significat The Tree whereon this Fruit groweth is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Myxos for the Tree and Myxa and Myxaria for the Fruit. It is thought as Ruellius saith that the Syrians in honour of Augustus called them Sebastae from whence the Arabians called them Sebesten The Kindes The Sorts hereof are two 1. The Sebesten or Assyrian Plum-Tree 2. The wild Sebesten-Tree The Forme The Sebesten-tree groweth somewhat lower then the Plum-tree covered with a whitish Bark the Branches are green whereon grow rounder thicker and harder Leaves then those of the ordinary Plum-Tree the blossoms are white consisting of five Leaves a peece growing many together on a stalk which afterwards turn into small Berries rather then Plums of a blackish green colour when they are ripe every one standing in a little Cup of a sweet tast and glutinous and clammy substance and a very thick skin within which lyeth a three square hard stone with a thick Shell and a small Kernel these are gathered and layd in the Sun whereby they grow wrinckled and so they are kept and brought over unto us in Boxes The Places and Time The first groweth in Syria and is but planted in Egypt as Alpinus saith and from thence were brought into Italy in Pliny his time which were grafted on the Service Tree and do now grow in many places there in their Orchards it is so tender not enduring the cold with us that we can as hardly keep it as cause it to spring the Shell of the Stone being so thick and the Kernel so small The other as Alpinus seemeth to aver growth in Egypt naturally They flowre in May and their Fruit is gathered in September The Temperature Sebestens are temperately cold and moyst and have a thick clammy substance The Vertues They are very effectuall to lenifie or make smooth the hoarsnesse and roughnesse of the Throat which is caused by sharp humours which descend from the Head into the Wine-pipe galling it and fretting it so that unlesse there be means used to stop them and to prevent the Throat from corroding they will run down abundantly and with great force making the Patient to breath with great difficulty Neither are Sebestens good only for the Throat but also do very much help the Cough and wheesings of the Lungs and Distillations upon them by lenifying the passages and causing much flegme to be avoided They also give ease to them that are troubled with pains in their sides and marvellously helpeth those that are troubled with the sharpnesse of their Urine proceeding from Cho 〈…〉 or salt flegme they also drive forth the long worms of the Belly By the judgement both of the Arabians and Greek Physitians they open the body in the fame manner or rather more by reason of the Muscilaginesse in them than Damask Primes yet more when they are green and lesse when they are dry yet the decoction of them or the infusion of them in broth although dryed worketh effectually They serve to cool any intemperate heat of the Stomach or Liver and therefore are good in hot Agues and to purge Choler whereof they come 〈◊〉 saith that he hath found often by his experience that ten drams or twelve at the most of the pulp of Sebestans taken from the Skins and Stones worketh as well and to as good purpose as the pulp of Cassia fistula There is a kind of Birdlime made of these fruits by boyling them a little in water to take away their Skins and Stones and after boyling them more to a consistence the which as M 〈…〉 saith was used in V 〈…〉 to catch Birds but Alpinus saith they use it in Egypt as a Plaister to dissolve hard tumours or swellings CHAP. LXXXV Of Scabious The Names IT hath no Greek Name unless it be as some think that Herb which Aetius calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but few dare venter to say it is the same because there is nothing but the bare Name without any Description extant in him yet the Greek word signifieth Scabies in Latine It took the name of Scabiâ—sa
shall therefore mention those that follow reserving the Marsh Mallowes and its kinds for another Chapter upon another occasion 1. The common Mallow with purplish Flowers 2. The Purplish Mallow with white Flowers 3. Small wild Mallow 4. Single Garden Hollihocks 5. Double Hollihocks 6. French curled Mallowes 7. Fine cut or Vervain Mallowes 8. A strange Mallow called Malva Rosa by Mr. Brown The Forme The common Mallow is so well known as also the Hollihocks that the description of either of them is not so necessary as that of the Vervain Mallow being lesse taken notice of The lower Leaves of it are soft and green somewhat like unto the wild common Mallow Leaves but lesser and more cut in on the edges besides the denting but those that grow up higher upon the stalk whose bark may be broken in the threds like Hemp and is sometimes near as high as the ordinary wild kind is are more cut in and divided somewhat like unto Vervain the Flowers hereof are of a paler purple colour then the common Mallow but in most not so much divided into several Leaves and laid so open but abiding more close or lesse spread and without those stripes oftentimes being smooth and somewhat shining the Seed and Seed Vessels are like the common Mallow the Root also is long tough and white but somewhat more wooddy The Places and Time The first is known to grow every where but the second with white Flowers is more rate growing but in few places as about Ashford and other places in Kent and at Thrapstone in North 〈…〉 c. The third is found under Walls and Hedges in many places The fourth fifth and sixth are Inhabitants of Gardens and so is the seaventh which is found in the Fields also about St. Albans c. The last was shewed me by Mr. Ball in his Garden near Sion House which came with some other Seeds from beyond the Seas They flower about June and July The Temperature The wild Mallows have a certain moderate heat and moystnesse withall The Juyce thereof is slimy clammy or giuing the which are to be preferred before the Garden Mallow or Hollihock but the French Mallow is generally holden to be the wholsomest and as Gerard thinks is that which Hesiod commends It easily descendeth not only because it is moyst but also by reason it is slimy The Vertues Although Mallowes are commonly said to mollifie the belly and make it soluble yet there are other things more effectuall to that purpose I shall therefore appropriate it to the Breasts or Paps of women for it not onely procureth great store of Milk in the Breasts of those Nurses that eare it being boyled and buttered as other herbes commonly are or shred into their pottage but also asswageth the hardnesse of them being boyled and applyed unto them warme as also all other hard Tumors Inflammations of Impostums and swelling of Cods and other parts and easeth the paines of them and likewise the hardnesse of the Liver and Spleen being applyed to the places especially if a Pultis be made by adding some Bean or Barly flower or Oyle of Roses to them The Leaves and Roots also boyled in wine or water or in broth with parsley or Fennell Roots doth help to open the Body and is very convenient in hot Agues or other distempers of the body for by its mollilying quality it not onely voideth hot cholerick or other offensive humors but easeth the paines and torments that come by the stoppings of the belly and to that end the boyled leaves are applyed warm to the Belly and it is used in Clisters for the same purpose The Decoction of the seed of any of the Common Mallowes made in milk or wine doth marvellously help Excoriations of the Bowells Ptisick Pleuresie and other diseases of the Chest and Lungs that proceed of hot causes if it be continued taking for some time together The Leaves and Roots work the same effects The juice drunk in wine or the Decoction made in wine doth help women to an easy speedy delivery The Leaves bruised and laid to the Eys with a little Hony taketh away the Impostumation of them The Leaves rubbed upon any place stung with Bees Waspes or the like taketh away the pains rednesse swelling thereof The juice of Mallows boyled in old Oyl applyed taketh away all roughnesse of the skin as also the falling of the haire the Scurse Dandraffe or Dry-Scabs in the head or other parts if they be anointed therewith or washed with the Decoction the same also is effectuall against Scaldings or Burnings and to help wild-fire and all other hot red and painfull swellings in any part of the body The Flowers boyled in water and a little Honey added is a good Gargle for any sore mouth or throat If the feet be bathed with the Decoction of the Leaves Roots and Flowers it helpeth the flowing down of Rhume from the head which rose out of the Stomack the green leaves beaten with Nitre and applyed draweth out thornes or pricks out of the flesh The roots being made clean from the earth and washed and at the end a little â—cotched with a knife and then rubbed hard upon the teeth taketh a way sliminesse of them and maketh them very white The Vervain-Mallow is thought to be most effectuall for burstings or ruptures and the bâ—oody sâ—ix and also for the shrinking of the Sinewes and Cramp The diuilled water hereof being made when it is in flower worketh the same effects but more weakely yet it is much commended in hot Agues and Feavers Plâ—ny saith that whosoever shall take a spoonefull of the juyce of any of the Mallowes shall for that day be free from all diseases and it is especiall good for the Falling-Sicknesse The Syrup also and Conserve made of the flowers are very effectuall to the same diseases and for Costivenesse The young leaves may be eaten as a Sallet with Salt and Vineger and so the Nurses may eat them CHAP. XCIV Of Dill. The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quód citó crescat from its speedy growing for though it be late before it come up a month or two after Fennell to which it is very like yet it perfecteth its feed as much before it and then fades away And this in my opinion is the likeliest Etymology yet others thinke it to be so called quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est invictum quia câ—bi appetentiam excitâ—â— because it provokes appetite or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is Congressus â—â—â—tio Venerea for which the Antients held it very eâ—â—ectuall It is called in Latin Anethum Anetum In English Dill Aâ—et The Kindes Though there were but one sort of Dill known formerly yet in these latter times two other sorts have been found out as 1. Common Garden Dill. 2. Great Wild Dill 3. Small Wild Dill. The Forme The Common Dill groweth up with seldom more then one stalk
the top also being divided into sundry parts forming a large Umbel of small yellow Flowers which turn into blackish flat Seeds two alwayes joyned together by the little foot-stalk whereon they stand as is usuall in all umbelliferous Plants the two inner sides being somewhat hollow and the outsides round with the longnesse the Root groweth very great and never decayeth branching forth many wayes of a blackish brown on the out-side and somewhat white within yielding a thick juyce being broken in any part which doth quickly condensate and grow into a yellowish gummy substance not smelling any thing strong in our Country as it doth in the hotter Climates The Places and Time The most naturall places of these Plants are as I said before Cyrene in Africa Media and Syria yet they are all found growing as well in Narbone in France among the Rocks that are torrified with the Sun all day as in divers places of Italy Apulia and Florence and divers other places but yieldeth little Gum in Europe They are likewise growing in our English Gardens as in the Physick Garden at Oxford and that at VVestminster They flowre in June and July and the Seed is ripe in the beginning or end of August The Temperature Ammoniacum is hot in the second Degree and dry in the beginning of the same or as some say hot in the third Degree and dry in the second When it is applyed outwardly it is of a dissolving nature The Vertues It being generally supposed that Ammoniacum proceedeth from the Root 〈◊〉 this Fennel Gyant and because it is held good to dissolve the tumours with which sometimes Womens Breasts are affected or brings them to maturity and ripens being applyed thereunto and to decrease the Milk and keep it from curdling being mixed with Vinegar and applyed likewise and therefore I have thus disposed of it Being taken inwardly it purgeth thick flegme from the Head Nerves Stomach Mesentery and also from the Joynts It much prevails in Asthmaes that is in the shortnesse of the breath and in Diseases comming of flegme It is good in old pains of the Head and against stoppings of the Liver it provokes the terms in Women and Urine and is good in any kind of Gout whether Sciatica or Joynt Gout as also in the Falling-Sicknesse It killeth Worms called Ascarides and is excellent against the hardnesse of the Liver or Spleen It bringeth away the dead Child Being outwardly applyed it consumes spongious or proud flesh it softneth Corns and the hard swellings of the Joynts which come by reason of the Gout and draweth forth Corns Splinters and the like if it be dissolved with Vinegar but it is more effectuall if it be mixed with Honey Birthwort and Saffron It consumes Strumaes or Swellings called the Kings Evill and ripeneth all kinds of Impostumes being applyed on Wooll that is not greasie Being mixed with Honey and applyed to the Throat it helpeth the Quinsâ—e and Swelling in the Neck or Throat It taketh away Spots of the Eyes being mixed with Womens Milk and it cleanseth the sight being mixed in Medicines for the Eys Being dissolved with Frankinsence in Vinegar and applyed helpeth Ring-worms It is dangerous to be taken by Women with Child lest it make them miscarry and though it provoke Urine yet too much of it will make one pisse blood Galen setteth down the properties of the Ferula it self in this manner The Seed saith he doth heat and rarifie the pith of the stalk is of a binding quality whereby it helpeth the spitting of blood and those which are troubled with the Collick It is a most acceptable food to Asses but a present poyson to other Creatures especially the Lamprey It doth help the Falling Sicknesse being taken at severall times of the Moon and the fresh Juyce of the Root dropped into the Eys cleareth the dimnesse of the sight CHAP. LXCIX Of Gourds The Names THe Gourd is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Colocyntha Edulis to distinguish it from the wild or bitter Gourd called Colocynthi or Coloquintida In Latine Cucurbitat à concurvatus as it is thought quod faeilè si quid obstiterit quò minùs extendatur incurvescat because it will grow crooked if there be any thing in its way The Kinds Of this kind of Gourds Parkinson reckoneth up seven sorts 1. The greater bottle Gourd 2. The lesser bottle Gourd 3. The Long Gourd 4. The Buckler or Simnell Gourd 5. Rugged Gourds 6. Winter Gourds or Millions 7. Round Indian Gourds or Millions The Foorme The greater bottle Gourd groweth as all other of these kind of herbs do spreading many great rough and hairy arms and branches with several great and broad leaves soft and almost round yet pointed at the ends and sometimes dented about the edges set upon long footstalks and long clasping tendrels like a Vine set at other joynts whereby it climeth taking hold and winding it self about whatsoever poles arbours trees or other things that stand next unto it or else not having whereon to climb or raise it self it lieth on the ground spreading a great compass as the Pompion doth at the several joynts likewise with the leaves come forth several flowers in the same manner as Pompions Cucumbers or Melons but are very large and hollow like Bells ending in five points or corners with a round green head under each of them that will bear fruit for many flowers wither and bear no fruit not having that round green head under the flowers which should grow to be the fruit and will be full and ready to come forwards with the short stiffe stalk under it the colour of the flowers are either white or pale-white or pale-yellow the fruit when it is ripe hath an hard outward rind or shell yellowish large and round bellied flat at the bottom like nâ—ou a gâ—asse bottâ—e smaller up to the neck above which is a smal round formed head whereunto the stalk is fastned and sometimes without any small head being pendulous or hanging down not standing forth or upright within which fruit lie dispersedly many seeds having smooth hard wooddy shells flat and broad at the upper end or head and somewhat pointed below wherein lyeth a sweet white kernel the root consisteth of many long strings spreading much within the ground but perisheth usually with the first frosts The Places and Time The Gourds are cherished in the Gardens of these cold Regions yet the fruit seldom cometh to perfect maturity for want of heat to ripen them In the hot Countries where they come to ripnesse the rinds of them are sometimes of that bignesse that they are used to put in Turpentine Oyl Honey and also serve them for pailes to fetch water in and many other the like uses as in Egypt Syria c. Many of the lesser of them are used to put Tobacco in even here amongst Us in England The best way is to plant them in April in a bed of Horsedung yet so ordered that that they
singular Vertues that it hath in English Holy Thistle and Blessed Thistle but more commonly Carduus Benedictus according to the Latine name Some excellently seen in the knowledge of Simples have made it a kind of Wild Bastard Saffron called in Latine Attractilis and in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because Women in old time were wont to use the stiffe stalk thereof pro fuso colo for a Spindle or a Distaffe It is named also Fucus agrestis and Colus rustica and the Women in Greece as Petrus Bellonius reporteth call Attractylis by a corrupt name Ardactyla even at this day Divers call it Carthamus Sylvestris Cnicus Sylvestris in English Wild Bastard Saffron The Kinds The Sorts hereof as you have already heard are two 1. Carduus Benedictus or the Blessed Thistle 2. Attractylis or Wild Bastard Saffron The Form Carduus Benedictus or Blessed Thistle hath round rough and plyable stalks which being parted into divers Branches do lie flat on the ground the leaves are jagged round about and full of harmless prickles on the edges the heads on the tops of the stalks are set with prickles and invironed with sharp pricking Leaves out of which standeth a yellow Flower the Seed is long and set with white hairs at the top like a Beard the Root is white and parted into strings the whole Herb Leaves and Stalks and also the Heads are covered with a soft and thin Down The Places and Time The first groweth naturally in Lemâ—os which is an Island of the Mediterraâ—ean Sea in the Champion grounds thereof as Petrus Bellonius testifieth It is diligently cherished in Gardens in these Northern parts The second groweth in Candy and in divers Provinces and Islands of Greece and also in Languedock and is entertained in our English Gardens The first flowreth in July and August at which time it is especially to be gathered for Physicall uses for then it will remain good a year or longer Attractylis is very late before it flowreth and seedeth The Temperature As Carduus Benedictus is bitter so it is also hot and dry in the second Degree and withall cleansing and opening Attractylis doth dry and moderately digest as Galen teacheth The Signature and Vertues By the Prickles upon the Stalks and Leaves of Carduus are clearly signified that the herb it self is an excellent remedy for the Pleurisie and Stâ—â—ches wherewith the sides are somtimes distempered if the Decoction in posset drink or the distilled water thereof be taken It helpeth also the swimming of the head strengtheneth the memory and is a good remedy against ceaâ—nesse killeth wormes provoketh Urine and the Courses and driveth out gravel and cleanseth the Stomack It is most excellent in Pestilent Feavers and all contagious Diâ—eases for it expelleth out by sweat all noxious or ill humours It is very good in any kind of Ague either the decoction thereof being taken or half a dram of the Powder in Posset-drink before the fit commeth for divers fits if need require and sweat after it It is very available likewise against Venome and poyson Though the distilled water is useful for the aforesaid Diseases yet the decoction is much better The extract thereof is good against the French Pox and the Quartan Ague The green Herb bruised and applyed is good against hot swellings as Wild-fire Plague-Sores Botches and it is good also to be laid upon the bitings of mad Dogs Serpents Spiders Bees or Wasps or any other venomous Creature The Powder stoppeth blood at the Nose being applyed The juyce thereof cleareth the sight being put into the Eyes and taketh away the redness of them and so doth the water Being bruised with a little Hogs-grease and a little Wheat mixed therewith it cures stubborn and rebellious Ulcers if it be applyed thereto It is used against the Gangrene also For all which notable effects it hath been called Omnimorbia that is a Salve for every Sore CHAP. CLX Of our Ladies Thistle The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if divers Authours be not mistaken being as is generally supposed that Plant that Dioscorides mentioneth under that name It is called in Latine Carduus Lacteus and Carduus Mariae in English Our Ladies Thistle or the Striped Milky Thistle Some think it to be Leucacantha or Spina Alba of the Antients others take it to be Leucographis Plinii Brunfelfius calleth it Carduus Albus and Camaeleon Matthiolus and Lobel Carduus Lacteus some Carduus Argentatus and Carduus Ramptarius others Carduus Leucographus and Silybum and Acanon Theophrasti The Kinds Although formerly there have been but one sort hereof known to the Herbarists yet of late by the diligent search and observation of some that have been curious there are found of them three in all 1. The common Ladies Thistle 2. Great milky Thistle of a year 3. The small Spanish milk-Thistle The Form The Common Ladies Thistle hath divers very large and broad leaves lying on the ground cut in and as it were crumpled but somewhat hairy on the edges and of a white green shining colour wherein are many lines and strakes of a milky white colour running all over and set with many sharp and stiffe prickles round about amongst which rise up one or more strong round and prickly stalks set full of the like leaves up to the top where at the end of every branch commeth forth a great prickly Thistle-like head strongly armed with pricks and with bright Purple Thrums rising out of the middle of them after they are past the Seed groweth in the said heads lying in a great deal of fine soft white Down which is somewhat flattish and shining large and brown the Root is great spreading in the ground with many strings and small Fibres fastened to them All the whole Plant is bitter in taste and therefore supposed not to be without good effects The Places and Time The first is frequent in many parts of this Realm and particularly in St. Georges Fields near London in great abundance The Seed whereof the second and likewise the last came were brought out of Spain by Guillaume Boel It is thought that the last is the same that Camerarius saith he picked out of Epithyâ—â—â— and that Ranwolsius gave him brought out of Syria because the Seed and Leaves are so very much alike They flower and seed in June July and August when other sorts of Thistles do The Temperature Our Ladies Thistle is hot and dry in the second Degree and bindeth moderately especially the Roots The Signature and Vertues There are upon this Plant also many prickles and therefore it is good for the Stitches of the side and other Diseases thereof by Signature if the Decoction or Powder thereof be taken It is also very effectuall for Agues and to prevent and cure the infection of the Plague as also to open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and thereby is good against the Jaundies It provoketh Urine breaketh and expelleth the Stone and is
flowers in Wine be taken and drunk And so it doth somwhat move the Belly downwards openeth the obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundise expelleth Poyson provoketh Womens Courses driveth forth the After-birth and Dead-Child The distilled Water of the Herb and Flowers is effectuall for all the same purposes and in especiall being drunk with a dramme of the powder of the seeds or bark of the root of Wall-wort and a little Cinamon for certaine dayes together is held to be a singular remedy for the Dropsy to spend the Water and humors the juice of the herb or distilled Water dropped into the eyes is a certaine remedy for all heate inflammations and rednesse in the Eyes The juice or distilled Water put into foule Ulcers whether they be cancrous or fistulous with tents rouled therein or the parts washed or clensed herewith by the spirting of it into them cleareth them throughly from the bottome and healeth them up safely The same juice or water doth likewise cleanse the skin of all manner of deformity as the Lepry Morphew Scurfe Wheales Pimples or any other spots or markes therein applyed of it selfe or with some powder of Lupines for which purpose Pliny saith that the Women of his time made a kind of sope of it Culpepper saith that being laid in the Water that Chickens drink it relieves them when they are drooping CHAP. CC. Of Organy or Bastard Majerom The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Origanus concerning the Etymology of which word there be divers opinions Some will have it so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying a Mountaine and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gaudium because it joyeth very much in Mountainous and craggy places others from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to see and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cleare because it cleareth the Eyes others will have it to come from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be cold from whence comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which by adding unto it becomes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but then it must be by Antiphrans too for it is not cold but hot It is called or rather sirnamed Heracleotâ—cum from Heraclea a Citty of Pontus where is groweth plentifully Oâ—itâ—s because Asses and Tragoriganum because Goats are mightily taken with it of divers Cunila in shops Origanum Hispanicum in English Organy and Bastard Marjerom from the likenesse it hath with the true The Kindes Authors make mention of divers sorts hereof but those that are best known in these dayes are foure 1. Organy or Bastard Marjerom 2. White Organy of Greece 3. The greater White Organy 4. Wild Organy The Forme Bastard Marjerom riseth up with divers hard round reddish greene stalkes spreading forth into branches whereon are set sundry Leaves by couples at the Joynts being somewhat round and of a whitish greene colour very like unto Marjerom but larger whiter and harder or rougher in handling at the tops of the branches stand such like scalie heads as Marjerom hath but longer from whence come small whitish purple flowers and afterwards small brownish seed The whole Plant is of a sweet smell and sharpe biting tast like unto Marjerom but that it is higher hotter and sharper The Places and Time It is very likely that not only Greece but Candy and Spaine do naturally bear these soâ—ts of Bastard Marjerome but which of them is more proper to this or that place is uncertaine It is commonly about the end of August or beginning of September before they put forth their tops or heads in our Country so that their Flowers or at least their Seed â—eldome come to maturity with us The Temperature All the Sorts of Organies do cut attenuate or make thin dry and heat and that in the third degree as Galen saith who affirmeth that the First is oâ— more efficacy then the Third and the last which is sold in Shops then either of them The Vertues The Decoction of Organy in White Wine is given with very good successe to those which have the Dropsy the Vertue thereof lying not â—o much in the purging as in the drying quality of it It is given also with Figs for the same purpose as also to them that are bursten or have a rupture and to thoâ—e which are troubled with Convulsions or Cramps The dryed Herb or juice taken in Honeyed Water purgeth downwards Melancholy and Cholerâ—ck humours â—ithout danger It is used with Honey as a Lohoc or â—icking Medicine against an old Cough and the Stuffing of the Lungs The Decoction thereof is very profitable to thoâ—e that have the Itch or are Scâ—bbed and Mangy and those that have Jaundâ—se are much holpen by it if they take it whiâ—est they be in a bath made thereof also the same with a few Cloves and Sugar heâ—peth those which have the Hickets exceedingly openeth the Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Womb and an other stoppings provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and is good for such as have foure belchings or be troubled with a squeamish Stomack The same is good also for those that are bitten with Serpents or Venemous Beasâ—s and for such as have taken Hemlock or Opium With Syrup of Vinegar it is good for thoâ—e that have taken Poyson or the root of Cholchicum Ephemeron The juice of the greene Herb healeth the swellings of the almonds of the Eares the Ulcers oâ— the Mouth it draweth forth Phlegme by the Nostrils if it be infused in the Oyle of Flowerdeluce and being used with Milk it easeth the paines of the Eares The Powder thereof mixed with a little Salt-Peter and Honey made into the manne of a thin electuary and the teeth rubbed often therewith will make theâ— white and firme It is used in Spaine for the seasoning of Anchoves for it â—iveth to them an excellent rellish being made up therewith Tyme may be used â—or the same purposes when the other cannot be gotten Both which with Penniroyal Calamint and such other dry herbes being strewed both upon and under those which are afflicted with Hydropicall humors are very profitable for them for it is marvellous to see how much these dry them up whil'st the parties are asleep These are the Simples I have judged most proper for the Liver and in particular for the Dropsy to which I might adde these which follow Sagapenum which is the Gum of Ferula when it groweth in Media as I have said already in the Chapter of Feâ—â—ell Giant the pills whereof are profitable in the said disease Turbith which is a root brought from beyond Sea and purgeth Water very violently Elaterium which is the juice of Wild-Cucumbers dryed doth the same Euphorbium Spurge Coloquintida Carthamuâ— Thymaelea Mezereon c are violent purgers so that though they be appropriated to the Dropsy yet I shall not commend them unto ordinary people but desire them to leave them to those that are very skillfull and content themselves with those I have purposely spoken to at large Besides which there be
if you need there is no doubt but the druggist can furnish you with them They flower or carry their bushy tops in August with us except the fourth sort which giveth his tusted head in the end of July most commonly The Temperature The Roots of Cyperus are hot and dry in the second degree The Vertues The Rootes of Cyperus boiled in Wine and drunk for they are much more effectuall then the Leaves are very profitable for the Reines and Bladder for it provoketh Urine helpeth to break the Stone in the Bladder by the cutting quality that it hath yet without sharpnesse and bringeth down Womens Courses also The Rootes of Cyperus and Bay berries of each a like quantity beaten to Powder and made up with the Urine of a Boy under yeares and laid upon the belly or those that have the Droply doth help them very much and both of them boiled in Wine and drunk often while the other is used outwardly doth work more effectually It is good for the fretting paines and stranglâ—ngs of the Mother iâ— the parts be bathed with the decoction thereof or if the party sit over the sumes or in the decoction thereof The Powder thereof is an especiall Remedy for all Ulcers yea spreading and devouring Cancers that by their overmuch moisture hardly admit of any cure and by the astringent quality it hath it helpeth all sore Mouthes whatsoever Alpinus saith the Aegyptians do much use the powder of the Roots and ashes of them to cure the Ulcers both of the mouth and secret parts and to drink the decoction of them to comfort and warm the Stomack braine Lungs Sinews arteries and the womb of those that are distempered though cold or moisture or both being taken sometime together for it warmeth and strengtheneth the naturall vigor of the Spirits and is therefore comfortable to those that by long sicknesse are much spent in the health of their bodies It helpeth and strengtheneth digestion pocureth warmth to the blood and a good colour to the face it helpeth those that have strong or stinking breaths the said decoction being made in Wine and drunk The long sweet â—perus is not altogether so effectuall as the former yet may be used for it the quantity being increased when the other cannot be gotten but the chief use of it is to make sweet powders and perfumes for Garments Gloves c. to perfume Chambers also being burnt with Cloves and Bayleaves The Rush Nuts called Trasi which are cryed up and down the Streets in Spain as Orenges and Lemmons are in England are for the most part spent in Junkets rather then used Physically yet they are found to be good both for the paines of the breast and sides if a Cream be made thereof and drunk and therefore are very profitable for those that have a Cough to help to expectorate the Phlegme the same also drunk mitigateth the heat of Urine and allayeth the sharpnesse thereof and being taken with the broth of fat flesh it furthereth Venereous astions The decoction thereof hot steel being also quenched in it helps the Dysentery or flux CHAP. CCXX Of Hops The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bryon and Bryonia by the modern writers because the Leaves and running branches are somewhat like Briony for by Antients it is not remembred which is somewhat strange seeing it is a plant so usefull It is called in Latin Lupulus and Lupulus Salictarius and reptitius quia salit reptat per arbores vel quia scandit salices because it climbs upon Sallows and other trees which name is used by all our modern writers except Lobel who calls it Vitis Septentrionalium the vine of the Northern Regions because they put Hops in their drink The Kinds The Sorts of Hops may quickly be reckoned up for they be but two 1. The manured Hop 2. The wild Hop The Form The manured Hop riseth up at the first with divers great brown heads like unto Asparagus but larger which afterwards spread into rough Branches and climb upon great high poles that are set for them to run on having many hard and rough dark green Leaves on them cut into three or five divisions somewhat like unto â—ramble Leaves and dented likewise about the Edges At the tops of the Branches which hang down again for the most part come forth many scaly heads being as it were a small number of yellowish green Leaves growing tâ—ick together from among which come forth the Flowers of a whitish yellow colour which being past and the heads changing their colour to be somewhat whitish yellow they are then fit to be gathered to keep and then there is a small round seed found there in the root is great at the head shooting forth many blackish strings which take fast hold of the ground The Scaly heads which are put in beer are of strong smell by which the goodnesse of them may be discerned The Places and Times The first groweth in Flanders and divers other places besides whence the beads are brought into England and sold but they are no wayes comparable to those which grow with us in great plenty also in divers places but especially in Kent and Essex where there be men of good worth whose estates consist in Hop-grounds They delight in low moist grounds where they may have moisture enough yet they will not endure overmuch and therefore they are planted upon hillocks to preserve them from drowning The second groweth amongst bryâ—rs and thornes in hedge-rowes and other places in most Countries of this Land of its own accord and it is supposed to be the same with the former but onely that the ordering and manuring of that makes it larger They Spring not up untill Aprill and flower not untill the latter end of June yet the heads are fit to be gathered about the end of September The Temperature The Heads which are most commonly called Hops are hot and dry in the second degree and so are the Leaves also both of them being of an opening and cleansing faculty The Vertues The decoction of the tops of Hops as well of the wild as the manured is very powerfull to cleanse the Reines from Gravell and to provoke Urine which likewise openeth the obstructions of the Liver and Spleene cleanseth the Blood and looseneth the belly The roots also work the same effect but they are hotter and not so moist as the former As they cleanse the blood so consequently they help to cure all manner of Scabs Itch and other breakings out in the body as also all other Tetters Ring-worms or spreading sores the Morphew and all other dis 〈…〉 urings of the Skin The decoction of the Flowers and Tops are given with good successe to those that have drunk any deadly poyson the same being put in baths for women to sit in taketh away the swellings and hardnesse of the Mother and is good for those that can very hardly make their
in things belonging to Love I need say no more of the other sorts than what is expressed in the Temperature CHAP. CCXXXVI Of Kidney-Beanes The Names IT is called by Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the same with Smilax hâ—rtensis in Latine quod Smilacu modo conscendit because it climbes like a Bind-weed by Theophrastus and others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or as some write 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dolichus or Dolâ—câ—s which many Latine Authors also follow of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of their length It is thought also to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides or as Galen writeth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whence it is that it is called Phasiolus and Phaseolus in Latine It is called the Kidney-Beane in English because it representeth a Kidney and the French-Beane being as it is very probable brought over to us out of France The Kinds Of the many sorts hereof I shall trouble you but with foure 1. The white Kidney Beane 2. The scarlet Kidney-Beane 3. The upright Kidney-Beane 4. The Indian Kidney-Beane The Form The French or Kidney-Beane riseth up at the first but with one Stâ—lke which afterwards divideth it selfe into divers branches which are so weake that they will lye upon the ground unlesse they are sustained with sticks or poles whereon with their winding and Claspers they take hold upon these branches grow forth at severall places long fooâ—stalkes with every of them three broad round and pointed greene Leaves at the end of them towards the tops whereof come forth divers flowers made like unto Pease Blossomes of the same colour for the most part that the fruit will be of that is to say either white or yellow or red or blackish or of a deepe purple but white is the most usuall after which come long and slender flat pods some crooked and some streight with a string as it were running down the back thereof wherein are contained flattish round seed made to the fashion of a Kidney the root is long and spreadeth with many Fibres annexed to it perishing either before or with the first frosts The Places and Time Authors make no mention whether these Kidney-Beames be naturall to any place or not yet I conceive by their name that they come out of France to us though happily that may not be the natural place the last came from the East Indies whereof there be severall sorts as likewise in the West Indies all which it were endlesse to recite They may be set about the later end of April or the beginning of May and their fruit will be ready to eat about the later end of July or the beginning of August The Temperature The Kidney-Beane is hot and moist in the first degree easy of digestion and free from that Windinesse that is in other Pulse The Vertues and Signature Though there be no other Vertues tending to our present purpoâ—e expressed by any Author then that this Beane eaten with its shells as the common manner is do provoke Urine yet having so perfect a Signature of the Kianeys as it hath it is conâ—eived that it hath more in it then so And therefore it is desired of those that are Practitioners in Physick and others that have ocâ—asion to take it into consideration and to try whether it hath not some excellent faculty to cure the diseases of the Kidneys It also moveth the Belly enlargeth the breast which is streightned with shortnesse of breath engendreth Spâ—rme and inciteth to Venery especially if Sugar Ginger and Galâ—nga be added thereunto yet the usuall way oâ— eating them is to take them while mey are young and boile them shells and all only the ends cut off and the strings taken from them and then putting a little Butter and Vinegar to them they make a dainty dish farre exceeding the ordinary Beanes in savour or if this way be not so pleasing to some mens Palates they may be stewed or fryed Matthiolus saith that if the greene pods be chewed in ones mouth and applyed to any place that is bitten by an Horse it is a present Remedy he saith further that the Italian Dames make a Water of the pods and seeds of these Beanes with a fresh Gourd crummes of Bread and Goates Millâ—pistilled together which they used to make themselves look faire and 〈…〉 able It is said that the fish called Scarus which is somwhat like a Barbell is so much delighted with the Leaves of Kidney Beanes that though they are very difficult to be taken with a hooke and line yet if their Weeles or Bow-nets be baited therewith they will eagerly rush into them and it is probable that other fish would do so likewise if tryall were made thereof Since the writing of the prâ—mises I find in Mr. Culpeppers English Physitian enlarged that these Beanes being dryed and beat to Powder are as great strengthners of the Kidneys as any simple whatsoever neither is there saith he a better remedy then it to â—revent the Stone or to clense the Kidneys of Gravell or Stoppage a drachme at a time taken in White-Wine The Scarlet coloured Beanes in regard of the glorious beauty of their colour being set neere a Quick-hedge will bravely adorne the same by oliming up thereon to the admiration of the beholder CHAP. CCXXXVII Of the Oake The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is a generall word for all Trees that beaâ—e Acornes as the Latine Word Querâ—us also is yet they are both particularly attributed to this tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is that the Greeks commonly call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est latifolius from the breadth of the Leaves to distinguish it from some other sorts of this kind Dodonaeus calleth it Hemeris Quercus quasi sativa and urbana and we may English it the Tamer Oake the other sorts being accounted more wild then this The Acorne is in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Cup 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Glans and the Calix Cup glandis and Cupula Glandis of the Apothecaries The Kinds Though there be no great difference of Oakes in England yet in other Countrye they vaâ—y so much as to make five distinct sorts which I shall only name unto you 1. The broad Leafed Oake 2. The strong or Gall Oake 3. The sweet Oake 4. The male bitter Oake 5. The female bitter Oake The Forme The Oake is a mighty Tree covered with a thick rough Bark full of chops and clifts sending forth armes and boughes of a huge bignesse which disperse themselves farre abroad the Leaves are bluntly indented about the edges or rather cut in or gashed smooth and of a shining greene colour whereon is often found a most sweet dew somwhat câ—ammy and upon divers of them are found growing certaine excâ—eâ—â—ences called Oake Apples It beateth small yellowish mossy flowers standing close together upon â—ong stalks which wholly fall away in
The Herb boiled in Ale or wine and given for some Mornings and Evenings together stayeth the Distillations of hot and sharp Rheums falling into the Eyes from the Head and helpeth all manner of accidents that happen to the Eyes Wart Cresses which are called in Latine Coronopus Râ—ellii and Nasturtium Verrucarium because the seed of it beareth the perfect Signature of the Warts upon a mans hand will consume and take away Warts in a short time the herb being bruised and applyed and so it stoppeth blâ—â—ding most effectually having all the Virtues which are attributed to the former CHAP. CXXXIX Of Sampire The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crithmum which is the usuall Latin name also yet Petrus Crescentius calleth it Crethmum and Rincum marinum It is also called Feniculum marinum which name the Italians and French follow as neer as their Dialect will permit in shops Creta marina especially beyond Sea In English Sampier and Sampire because it grows upon rocks and Sea Fennell because it somewhat resembles our ordinary Fennell The Kinds To this kind may be referred these four sorts 1. Ordinary Rock Sampire 2. The greater Rock Sampire 3. Thorny Sampire or Sea Parsnep 4. Golden Flowered Sampire The Forme Ordinary Rock Sampire groweth up with a tender green stalk not above halfe a yard or two foot high at the most branching forth almost from the very bottome and stored with sundry thick almost round and somewhat long Leaves of a deep green colour sometimes three together and sometimes more on a stalk being full of sap and of a pleasant hot or spicy tast at the topps of the stalkes and branches stand Umbells of white flowers after them come large seed bigger then Fennell yet somewhat alike the root is great white and long continuing many yeares and is both of a delightfull and pleasant smell and tast The Places and Time The first groweth on the Rocky Cliffes at Dover Winchelsey by Rye and about Southampton and the West and North West of England but especially in the Isle of Wight where there is so great plenty that it is gathered yet not without danger for some have ventured so farr upon the craggy precipices that they have fallen down and broken their nets ' so that it might be said they paid For their sawce and afterwards being pickled up is sent to London and other places The second groweth likewise upon Rocks that are moistened if not somtimes overflown with the Sea water The third near the Sea upon the sands between Whitstable and the Isle of Thanet by Sandwich and by the Sea near VVestchester The last in the miry Marsh in th Isle of Shepey by the way from the Kings Ferry to Sherland house Rock Sampire flourisheth in May and June and must be gathered to be kept in pickle in the beignning of August They all flower and seed in the end of July and August The Temperature Sampire is conceived to be hot and dry in the second degree and of a cleansing or scouring faculty The Vertues Of all the Sawces which are very many there is none so pleasant none so familiar and agreeable to mans body as Sampire both for digestion of Meates breaking of the Stone and voiding of Gravell in the Reines and Bladder It provoketh Urine also and Womens Courses and prevailes against the Jaundâ—se the Leaves seeds and Roots being boiled in Wine and drunk and so it openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleene and all other stoppings of the intralls whatsoever from whence and from ill digestion moâ—â— of the diseases whereunto the fraile Nature of man is subject are caused so that it is great pitty that it is no more in use It is very pleasant both to the Taste and Stomack not only by the Saltnesse but by the Spicynesse in it likewise whereby it is very available to whet a dull Stomack It is eaten raw as well as boyled by those which live where it growes but the best way is to boile it in water till it be tender and then pickled up in a Barrell with a convenient Liquor made of Vinegar Water and Salt it will be fit for ones own occasions at any time or to present to a freind as usually it is or to sell CHAP. CCXL Of Fraxinella or False white Dittany The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chamaemelium which signifies as much as Fraxina humilis or the low or dwarfe Ash because of the resemblance of its winged Leaves to those of the young Ash and therefore it is called in Latine Fraxinella being a diminutive of Fraxinus Yet some do call it Dictamus albus or Dictamnus albus and Diptamus albus to distinguish it from the Dictamnus Creticus which is a farre differing Plant. Some would have it to be Tragium of Dioscorides but besides other differences it yeeldeth no juicy Milke as Tragium is said to doe We in English do either call it Fraxinella and Bastard Dittany from the Latine Dictamus being also a corrupted word but it is more properly to be called False white Dittany then Bastard Dittany because there is another Plant to which the name of Pseudo dictamnus doth more properly belong and therefore a distinct Epithet is necessary to avoid confusion The Kindes But if this Fraxinella be called False white Dittany it must not take its denomination from the flowers for of the four sorts there is but one that hath a white Flower 1. Fraxinella with a reddish Flower 2. Fraxinella with a red Flower 3. Fraxinella with a white Flower 4. Fraxinella with an Ash coloured Flower The Form Fraxinella is a very goodly Plant rising up with divers round hard brownish stalks neere two foot high the lower parts whereof are furnished with many winged Leaves somwhat like unto Liquorice or a small young Ash-Tree consisting of seaven nine or eleaven Leaves set together which are somwhat large and long hard and rough in handling the two first of a darke but the two later of a fresher greene colour and of an unpleasant strong or resinous sent the upper parts of the stalkes are furnished with many flowers growing spike fashion at certaine distances one above another consisting of five long Leaves a peece whereof foure that stand on the two sides are somwhat bending upwards and the fift hanging down but turning up the end of the leafe a little againe having in the middle a tassell of five or six long threds that bow down with the lower Lease and turne up also the ends againe with a little freese or thrum at the end of every one after the flowers are past arise hard stiffe rough clammy husks horned or pointed at the end foure or five standing together somwhat like the seed Vessels of Columbines but greater thicker and harder wherein is contained round shining black seed greater then any Columbine seed by much the root is white large
as the former is more effectuall then the seed it selfe The juyce of the green Leaves dropped into the eares dryeth up the moisture and running of them The seed beaten and boyled into a Pultis and applyed to any inflammation or hot Imposthume cooleth them much and doth also take away the pain and black and blew marks that come of bruises and blowes as also the frettings and gallings of the skin the same also applyed with the fine powder of Oaken â—oales helpeth the Hemeroids or Piles when they bleed too much It is singular good also to be applyed to Ruptures both inwardly and outwardly and to stay defluxions of hot and sharp Rhewmes into the eyes and against other destillations of the head and want of sleep The decoction of the seed is good to wash the mouth both to fasten loose teeth and to heal putrid and rotten Gums and the Gum that sometimes issueth out of the tree is good for the ach of hollow teeth being put thereinto The said Leaves are so astringent that they may be substituted instead of Acacia Though the Virginian Sumack be kept only as a rarity or ornament to a Garden or Orchard yet it is conceived that if tryall were made it might work some of the foresaid effects The leaves of Coggygria or Venice Sumack are sold in the Markets of Spain and Italy for great sums of Money unto those that dresse Spanish Leather for which purpose they are very excellent as those of the Coriars Sumack also are the Woods especially of the Roots of every of them are a Commodity that Dyers make much use some of them dying black some yellow and some red The Gall is by the bitternesse and harshnesse found to be both drying and discussing and is very effectuall to kill Wormes in the Belly or Stomack but it worketh much upon the brain causing evill accidents thereunto It keepeth Mothes from Garments and woollen Cloathes giving unto them a good sceâ—t and therefore it is much used to be laid in Wardrobes Chests Presses and the like The Myrtle leafed Sumack and the Venice are almost as effectuall as the first and may be used for the purposes aforesaid but then the quantity must be augmented for they are weaker CHAP. CCLVIII. Of the Myrtle The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from Myrsine an Athâ—nian Maid whom Pallas loved yet because she overcame her in running she killed her for envy and from her dead body sprung up this tree which Pallas loves equally with the Olive as the story saith but Pena thinketh it to be so named because the fresh berries thereof do contend with Myrrhe in their sweet savour It is called in Latine Myrtus and in English Myrtle from the Latine which other Nations imitate also The Apothecaries and Druggist call the Berries Myrtilli The Kindes There be ten sorts of Myrtles at the least 1 The greater leafed Myrtle 2 The smaller leafed Myrtle 3 The greatest open Lawrell Myrtle 4 The strange broad leafed close Myrtle 5 The usuall broad leafed Myrtle 6 The strange narrow leafed Myrtle 7 The Spanish wild Myrtle 8 The small white Myrtle 9 Box leafed Myrtle 10 Double flowred Myrtle The Forme The greater leafed Myrtle riseth up to be three or four foot high though seldome more with us growing after the manner of a small bush with many branches the eldest whereof as also the Stemme are incompassed with a bark of a dark colour that of the younger is green and sometimes red especially at the first shooting forth whereon are set many fresh green Leaves of a sweet smel and pleasant aspect so very like unto the leaves of the Pomegranate tree that groweth with us that they are often taken one for another being somewhat broad and long pointed at the ends and abiding alwayes green At the joynts of the branches where the leaves stand come forth the flowers upon small foot-stalks each of them being made of five small white leaves with threds in the middle of the same colour of a very sweet smell also in the hot Countries where they are naturall but not in ours certain berries which are black when they be ripe succeed the flowers wherein many white crooked seeds are contained The Root disperseth it self into many branches The Places and Time All the sorts of Myrtles grow in Spain Portugall Italy and other hot Countrys in great abundance yet in ours unlesse they be kept in pots and be removed from the extremity of heat and cold they will not live for they abide not the excesse of either as we may gather from those Hemisticks of Virgil and Ovid Amantes frigora Myrtos Metuentem frigora Myrtum as loving shadow to defend them from the heat and shelter to cover them from the cold so that in the Winter we commonly keep them within doors They flower very late with us not untill August at the soonest so that they want time to perfect the fruit but in their naturall places they flower in May their fruit is ripe in September The Temperature Galen saith that the myrtle is endued with contrary qualities that is with a cold and earthy and a warm and thin and therefore it powerfully bindeth and drieth The Vertues Because the Physicians do commonly joyn sumak and myrtle in their Compositions therefore I have set them next to one another in this Book of simples and indeed they are alike effectuall for all effusions of blood at what part soever both in Men and Women the dry rather then the dryed Leaves being beaten and boyled with water and drunk and so it is good against Catarrhes falling to any part of the body the Whites in Women moist Ulcers and fretting or creeping sores The fruit with the seed is good for the tremblings and passions of the heart resisteth the danger that might happen by the sting of Serpents the bitings of venemous Creatures or by poysonfull Mushromes Being drunk in Wine it helpeth a stinking breath cureth the diseases of the bladder provoketh Urine the same heated with wine healeth all Ulcers that are hard to cure and so it is good for blancs wheales and other breakings out of the skin The decoction is good for Women to sit in or over that are troubled with the falling downe of the Mother and is good also for the falling downe of the fundament and the piles Being mixed with Sallet-Oyle or Oyle of Roses and Wine and applyed it helpeth the swelling of the Cods the Impostumes of the fundament and Saint Anthonies fire The decoction of the Leaves is good for the resolution of the Arteries and Joynts and other weaknesses incident thereunto to sit in the same as in a Bath or else to bath that part only which is most amisse and so it helpeth to consolidate those bones that are broken or out of joynt which will otherwise hardly be cured It helpeth the sorenesse of the Nailes and the rising of the skin about
away there succeed round heads which is smal and of a brownish colour The Root consisteth of a great number of fibres or stringes which being fastened to the bottome of the stalk feedeth it with sufficient nutriment in the Summer but not in the Winter for then the stalk perisheth The Places and Time The first groweth in our Land as frequently as any Plant whatsoever by Brooks and other Water-courses but is seldome found for from the Water side unlesse it hath been purposely removed into a Garden or so The second groweth in the like places of Germany about Basil and will abide in Gardens if it be brought thither for rarity sake They flower in July and August and their seed is ripe shâ—rtly after The Temperature It is said that Water-Betony is hot and dry but the operations that proceed therefrom do speak it rather to be of a cold quality The Vertues Mr. Langbam a well experienced and industrious Practitioner of Physick in his Garden of Health doth in divers places of that Chapter which he writes concerning Water-Betony commend it for the Piles or Hemorrhoides whether the Root be eaten or stamped and applyed thereunto or the Leaves and Seed-cases bruised and applyed outwardly likewise or the Powder of it drunk or strewed thereon The Leaves Stalkes Seed Root or Juyce are likewise good to wast and dissolve any other swelling or hardnesses in any part whatsoever being stamped with Vinegar and applyed Morning Noon and Night The leavs only stamped and applyed to old rotten corrupt spreading and fretting sores and Pocks healâ—th them and Canckers also being applyed with Salt The juyce being pressed forth of the whole herb and drunk helpeth those that spit blood or are troubled with any Flux or excesse of Flowers or bleeding at the Nose and driveth out the botch in the Throat A dram of the seed drunk in Wine is effectuall to expell all sorts of Wormes out of the Belly or parts adjacent and so it is a remedy against venemous bitings The said seed taken in Wine with Myrrhe and Pepper is very good for the Sciatica The Leaves or Seed-cases bruised and applyed unto fresh sores healeth and skinneth them and so it doth rotten sores swellings and Lepry and so doth the juyce of the whole Herb and Root taken in May and kept in a close glasse for your use which must be ordered in this manner as often as need is Take thereof with Wax and Oyl of each a like quantity which boyled till it be an Oyntment will be fit for the purpose The juyce boyled with a little Honey and tents dipped therein are very effectual to cure such sores as are dressed therewith whether they be old or fresh and is good for bruises and hurts whether inward or outward The herb alone sodden in Spring Water quencheth all unkind heats without danger and exceedeth all other Medicines for the Lepry Scab Itch Boyles Wheales Pushes c. and the stamped Leaves and Creame are used for the same purposes The distilled Water of the Leaves is available for many of the like uses as also to bath the face and hands that are discoloured by the sun or have any spots or blemishes thereon as also for any rednesse or high colour of the face The said Water or the juyce of the Leaves mixed with a little Brimstone and Salt-Peter taketh away the ach of the eyes and the seed mixed with honey and applyed to the forehead stoppeth the running of them and the juyce of it and Comfrey removeth the dulnesse of them Those parts which serve for Nutrition being thus spoken to as also those that are subservient to them I shall now without saying any thing more of such Plants as might be referred to the last Transition passe unto those parts which are ordained for Generation and first I shall speak of such Simples as provoke Lust Secondly of such as abate Lust Thirdly of such as provoke Womens Courses Fourthly of such as stop Womens Courses Fifthly of such as help the Disease called the Mother and other effects of the Wombe Sixthly of such as are profitable for Ruptures And Seventhly of such as help the Diseases of the Privy Members to every of which Heads I shall appropriate divers Plants and speak to them in order And first to those which provoke Lust of which there may be some occasion to persons that are married and destitute of Children single persons having more need to observe the next head then this CHAP. CCLXVII Of the Artichocke Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scolymus of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cactos of Theophrastus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cynara and Cinara of divers others which last name is by the Poets derived either from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Canis because when King Locrus enquired of the Oracle where he should build a Citty the Oracle answered in that place where he should be bit by the Leg with a Wooden Dog who hurting his Leg with a wild Articoock as he passed by understood that that was the Woodden Dog which the Oracle meant and so he built the City there where it grew Or from Cinara who being a fair Maid was turned into an Artichock It is called also in Latine Cinara and so one would have it to be originally so deriving it a Cinerâ— either because it delighteth to be danged with Ashes or because the Leaves are of an Ash colour The Kindes There be severall sorts of Artichocks 1 The red Artichock 2 The white Artichock 3 The French Artichock 4 The Thistle Artichock 5 The Chardon 6 The wild Artichock of Candy The Formes The Artichock hath divers great large and long hollowed Leaves much cut in or as it were torn on both the edges of a whitish green colour from whence riseth up a strong thick and round stalk covered many times with a thin skin like unto down bearing at the top one scaly head somewhat like unto a Pine Apple at first but afterwards the scales become more separated yet in the best kinds they stare not much being either of a reddish brown whitish or greenish colour in some broad at the ends in others sharp or prickly after the said head hath been suffered to stand a long while in some there will break forth at the top thereof many blewish purple thrums or threads under which groweth the seed amongst the choaky or downy substance in the middle of the head and under that the edible substance which is most commended The Root spreadeth it selfe in the ground reasonable well yeelding divers heads of Leaves or suckers whereby it is increased if so be the head be cut of before it flower otherwise it will hardly abide the next Winter The Places and Time The two first have been so long planted in Gardens that their naturall place is no where expressed by any Author The third seemeth by its name to have been brought out of France to us but whether
The Temperature The seeds of Cotton are said to be hot and moist and the Wool or Cotton it self to be hot and dry The Vertues Of all the seeds I have yet mentioned there is none more absolutely effectuall not only to increase the seed of generation and naturall strength but also to stir up bodily lust then this of Cotton which may be had at any Apothecaries shops It is also used to lenify the harshnesse of the Throat to help those that are short winded by opening the Passages whose obstruction was the cause thereof and those also that have sharp distillations upon the Lungs so that it is also a good remedy for the Cough for it not only dryeth up the Rhewme but causeth tough phlegme to be easily expectorated or avoided It is used likewise in gripings and gnawings of the Stomack and Guts yea though they come by poyson and are good also in all hot or I should rather think in cold Agues The juyce of the Leaves is good for the Lask of young Children and for the gnawing and grinding in the belly The Ashes of the Cotton Wool being being burned is very admirable to stanch the bleeding of Wounds and is used in restâ—ictive Medicines as Bole Armoniack is for which it is more effectuall The oyl pressed out of the seed doth make the skin to become exceeding smooth taking away Spots Freckles and other blemishes thereof Some do think and that not without good reason that the Byssus of the Ancients is the Wool of the Tree of fine Cotton of which the Byssina â—ela or fine white Callicoe Cloth that cometh out of the East Indies is made Common experience telleth us also how profitable Cotton Wool is to make Fustian Cloth Stockings Gloves and divers other necessaries and it is the best Wool that can be to put in an Inkehorn CHAP. CCLXXV Of the Fistick Nut. The Names IT hath gotten divers Greek Names or rather the same Name diversly altered for though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pistacia be the ordinary Name yet Nicander in one place cals it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phistacia and in another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Possidonius writeth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is called in Latine Pistacia Pistacium and of some Nux Pistacia and the Tree is thought to be the Terebintbus Indica of Theophrastus We call the fruit in English Pistackes and Fistick Nuts and the Tree the Fistick Tree The Forme The Tree which beareth the Fistick Nuts groweth to be of a reasonable large sise in the hot Countryes though but very slender in ours dispersed into sundry branches whose bark is of a dark russet colour the leaves are winged five or seven growing commonly on a stalk the odde one standing alwayes at the end each whereof is broader and larger then those of the Ash but not so sharp pointed smooth almost shining with divers veins therein and of a pale yellowish green colour from amongst which do come forth many white flowers set together on a long cluster and consequently the fruit which are somewhat long and round Nuts bigger then Filberds pointed at the ends with a rough outer shell somewhat like unto the outer shell of an Almond but tough and hard to break yet cleaving into two parts and smooth and white on the inside thereof having a full green Nâ—t or kernell within filling the whole shell the rind and peeling whereof is thick and red the kernell being sweet to smell unto pleasant in â—ast and altogether inoffensive The Plâ—ces and Time The Fistick Tree groweth naturally in Bactria and other parts neer unto the East-Indies being brought from thence into Persia Arabia Syria and Egypt as also into the warmer coasts of Italy and Naples where they thrive and prospeâ— bringing forth their flowers in May and their ripe fruit in September or thereabouts The Temperature Fistick Nuts are of temperature hot and moist The Signature and Vertues The Kernels of the Fistick Nuts may be sade to have the Signature of the Testicles or rather the Nut of the Yard as Crâ—llius saith and therefore the â—ating of them being condited or made into Comfits or otherwise is as condâ—cible for the increasing of seed and stirring up of Vâ—nery as the Kernels of the Pine Apples are being very little inferior in goodnesse to them Whether they be eaten or drunk they be friendly to the Stomack and yeeld to the body no small nourishment for they make even those bodyes which are in a Consumption to recover strength They are good against the stingings and bitings of Serpents and other venemous Creatures by reason of the thin Essence and little bitter substance that is mingled with the sweet in them and for the same caâ—se they â—pen the Obstructions of the Liver and are good also for the Chest and Lunges concocting ripening and expelling the raw humours â—hat many times offend them There is also a little astringent quality in them whereby they strengthen both the Liver and Stomack to be put either in Meates or Medicines They also remove sand and gravell out of the Reines or Kidneys and asswage their pain and are also good for Ulcers CHAP. CCLXXVI Of the Chesnut Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Castana and Castanâ—a but mâ—st usually Castanea in Latine and so is the fruit which is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Sardianae glandes and â—opima Souâ—e have called it Euboida or Euboica and Heracleâ—tâ—ca because as it should seem they grew plentifully in those parts and Gaza translating Theophrastus cals it Avellana Nux but improperly and Agelocâ—us as Athenaeus saith called it Moâ—a and Amoâ—a Though Pliny seemeth to make the Tarentina Salariana Meterano Corâ—liana Balanitis c. to be divers sorts hereof yet indeed they are only the diversity of places which cause this difference of Names The Kinds There are four especiall sorts of Cheâ—nuts 1 The ordinary Chesnut 2 The Horse Chesnut 3 The Dwarfe Chesnut 4. The Chesnut of Peru. 5 Purging Chesnuts of America The Forme The ordinary Chesnut Tree groweth very tall and high bearing great long rough and wrinkled Leaves dented about the edges putting forth at the time of the year divers long Catkins or bloomings somewhat like the Oak but of a more greenish yellow colour the Fruit groweth between the leaves and the branches towards the end of them enclosed in three severall Huskes the outermost whereof is whiâ—ish and prickly like an Urchin which openeth it selfe when it is ripe and sheweth the Nut being flat on the one side and round but flat on the other whose shell or huske is smooth browne and shining a little on the outside but hairy within tough also and not easie to breake under which lyeth the kernell covered with a thin reddish bitter skin or peeling which is of a firme substance and white sweet and pleasant in â—aste formed somewhat like a
do flower in June and July but some of them later or not at all so that their seed is seldome seen Some of them if not all loose their Leaves in the Winter as many other Trees The Temperature Southernwood is hot and dry in the end of the third degree having the force both of rarifying and discussing The Vertues The tops of Southernwood for the flowers and seed are not so common stamped raw with water and drunk bringeth unto women their monthly purgations in case they come not at their usuall time but stay so long that expectation may seeme frustrated and so it is profitable for those who cannot take breath without holding their Necks straight up for those that are troubled with the Cramp or Shrinking of the Sinewes for the Sciatica also and for them that can hardly make water all which effects the flowers and seed do excellently performe if they can be had Being drunk in Wine it is good against all poyson and venome and destroyeth the Wormes both by killing and expelling them The seed of Southernwood doth both digest and consume all cold humors tough slime and phlegme which do usually stop the Spleen Kidneys and Bladder The tops boyled in Wine or Water with Honey or Sugar and drunk three or four times a day helpeth the shortnesse and straightnesse of the breath by cutting the slimy and tough phlegme that causeth it and so it is a good remedy for the Cough the Cardiack passion and for many other inward griefes The branches being burnt and the ashes mixed with the Oyl of Palma Christi or old Oyl Olive restoreth the hair where it is fallen off and causeth the Beard to come forth speedily if the bare places be annointed therewith twice a day against the Sun or Fire which it may be said to do by Signature the finenesse of the Leaves somewhat resembling the Hair The tops only being stamped with a roasted Quince and applyed to all inflammations of the eyes taketh them away The Leaves boyled tender and stamped with Barly Meale and Barrowes grease untill it become like a salve dissolveth and wasteth all cold humors and swellings being spread upon a peece of Cloath or Leather and applyed thereunto And being stamped with Oyl and those Limbes that are benummed with cold or bruised being annointed therewith it helpeth them and taketh away the shivering fits of the Ague by heating the body if it be annointed therewith before the fits do come but especially the Back bone If it be boyled with Barly Meale it taketh away Pimples Pushes or Wheales that rise in the Face or other parts of the Body The Herb bruised and laid to helpeth to draw forth Splinters and Thorns out of the flesh The ashes thereof dryeth up and healeth old sores and Ulcers that are without although by the sharpnesse thereof it biteth sore as also the sores that are in the privy parts of Men or Women The Oyl made of Southernwood being used as an ingredient in those Oyntments that are used against the French disease is very effectuall and likewise killeth Lice in the Head The distilled Water of the Herb is said to help them much that are troubled with the Stone as also for the Diseases of the Spleen and Mother The Germanes commend it for a singular Wound Herb and therefore call it Stabwort It is held to be more offensive to the Stomack then Wormwood if it be taken inwardly and therefore is never used in our ordinary Meat and Drink and besides it will make some mens Heads to ake yet the Herb somewhat dryed and put into a linnen bag and laid as a Stomacher next the skin comforteth a cold Stomack well so that though inwardly taken it is not so good for the Stomack as Wormwood yet outwardly applyed it is better It driveth away spiders and other vermine being laid for a strewing or burnt in such places as they be frequent It is said that if a branch of Southernwood be laid under ones Bed Pillow or Bolster it provoketh carnall copulation and resisteth all inchantments that hinder the same CHAP. CCLXXXIX Of Savoury The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thymbron and Thymbra perhaps from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suffio because of its odor or smell and Thymbra also in Latine besides which it hath none other Latine Name as some suppose though others make bold to call it Satureia either à saturando because it is used in broth and stewed meates to give thereunto a good rellish and by that meanes causeth them the better to satisfie hunger or from Satyrus A Satyre because they used it to provoke Venery which I cannot be so confident as to assert seeing that I find that it helpeth the disease called Satyriasis or Priapismus which is wrought by a contrary quality which derivation I suppose to be rather by Antiphrasis Some hold it also to be the same which was called Cunila by the Ancients The Kindes The sorts of Savoury as well those that are rare as those which are common are five 1 Winter Savoury 2 Summer Savoury 3 Rock Savoury 4 The true Savoury of Candy 5 Prickly Savoury of Candy The Forme Winter Savoury is a small low bushy herb somewhat like unto Hyssop but not so high with divers small hard branches compassed on every side with narrower sharper pointed Leaves then those of Hyssop with which they have some resemblance yet this doth sometimes grow with four Leaves set at a joynt so that it may be easily distinguished therefrom of a reasonable strong scent yet not so strong as that of the Summer kind amongst which grow the flowers of a pale purplish and sometimes whitish colour set at severall distances towards the tops of the Stalks The Root hath divers small strings thereat but the body of it is woody as the rest of the Plant is The Places and Time The first is so common that there be few Gardens without it The second is not so familiar though the naturall place of neither of them is remembred by any Author that hath written of this Subject yet it is very probable that there grew great plenty thereof in that field neer unto Troy which is said to be called Thymbra for that reason and from thence Apollo one of the Patrons of that City was called Thymbraeus The rest also grow wild in divers places of Europe as the third upon St. Julians Rock and the two last in Candy as their names declare and are cherished by those that delight in variety of Plants They are propagated both by seed and slipping in the Spring time especially yet those which abide all Winter are more usually increased by slipping then sowing They flowrish in the end of Summer and therefore seldome perfect their Seed The Temperature Savoury is hot and dry in the third degree it not only maketh thin but openeth the passages The Vertues To provoke the Termes not only the blood is to be
be eminent for healing green Wounds yet not for all other diseases as those names import The Forme Clownes Wound-wort groweth up with slender four square green rough Stalks to the height of halfe a yard or two foot surrowed in a little upon every square the joynts standing somewhat farre a sunder with two very long and somewhat narrow dark green Leaves bluntly dented about the Edges and sharp pointed at the end the flowers stand towards the top compassing the stalkes at the joynts as those of Horehound doe but it endeth in a spiked top which Horehound doth not having long and much open gaping hoods of a purplish red colour with whitish spots in them standing in somewhat rough huskes wherein afterwards stand blackish round seeds The root is composed of many long strings with some tuberous long knobs commonly growing amongst them of a pale yellowish or whitish colour the whole plant is of a strong smell somewhat like unto Stinking Horehound The Places and Time Clownes Allheale groweth frequently in most of the Countries of this Land by the sides of severall brooks and ditches and sometimes by the Path-sides and Borders of fields It floureth in August and bringeth its seed to perfection about the end of September The Temperature This kind of Sideritis is hot in the second degree and dry in the first and withal of an earthy quality The Vertues The Leaves of Clownes Wound-wort stamped with Swines grease and applyed unto green Woundes in manner of a Pultis doth heale them in a short time according to the first intention that is by closing up the lips of them without drawing or bringing them to Suppuration or Matter in such absolute manner that it is hard for any one that hath not had the experience thereof to believe It is also very availeable in stanching of bloud and to dry up the Fluxes of humors in old fretting Vlcers Cancers c. that hinder the healing of them Neither is it excellent onely for outward but also for inward Wounds Ruptures of veines bloudy flux spitting pissing or vomiting bloud a syrupe being made thereof and taken now and then a little and so Ruptures or burstings of the belly are speedily even to admiration cured if a Plaister of the Herb or an oyntment of the same be applyed to the place The said Plaister being applyed to any veine that is swollen or Muscle that is cut helpeth it and if there be a little Comfry added to it it will be so much the better CHAP. CCCXXXIV Of Arsmart The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hydropiper i. e. Piper aquaticum because one kind of it hath a burning taste like Pepper and Hydropiper in Latine sometimes but generally Perficaria quod folia â—jus Perfica foliis similia sunt because the leaves of it are like unto those of the Peach-tree yet some make this distinction calling the mild or gentle sort Perficaria simply and the other Hydropiper five Perficaria urens in English Water Pepper and Arsmart and in some Countries Red-knees and of some Culrage and Cyderach The Kindes There be foure Sorts of Arsmart growing in our owne Country 1. Dead or Spotted Arsmart 2. Small creeping Arsmart 3. Codded Arsmart or Touchme not 4. Biting Arsmart or Water Pepper The Forme The â—ild or Spotted Arsmart groweth up with Leaves of a middle size both for length and breadth set at the great red joynts of the Stalkes with blackish spots upon them many times almost like a halfe moone but not alwayes the flowers grow in long Spiky heades either of a blush or whitish colour which falling away blackish â—lat seed come in their places The root is long with many fibres thereat perishing yearly this hath no biting tast as the Water Pepper hath which is exceeding hot but is rather like sowre Sorrell or else a little drying or without tast the way of distinguishing one from an other is to breake a leafe of it crosse ones tongue for the biting sort will make the tongue to smart and so will not the other The Places and Time The first groweth very common almost every where in moist and watery Plashes and neer to the brims of Rivers Ditches and running Brooks and sometimes in those Corn-fields that are subject to moisture in the Winter time The second groweth also within the confines of our Countrey and so doth the third but the place thereof is not particularly expressed and therefore some Physick Garden is the surest place to finde them the last is found in like places with the first but not so frequently and is to be known from iâ— by the red spots which it sometimes hath as also by the Diagnostick I have already set down They flower in June and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature The â—ildâ— or dead Arsmart as it is called is cold and something dry but the Biting Arsmart is hot and dry yet not so hot as Pepper according to Galen The Vertues and Signature The Leaves and Stalkes of the Dead Arsmart being stamped and applyed to green or fresh Wounds doe cool and comfort them exceedingly and keep them from â—â—postumation and inflaâ—mation and so doth the juice of them being dropped thereinto Being applyed in like manner it consumeth all cold swellings and taketh away black and blew markes of the Skin by dissolving the congealed blood happening upon bruises strokes fallâ— c. which is signified by the black spots which are upon the Leaves and being laid to a Joynt that hath a Felon thereon it taketh it away by Signature also A piece of the Root or some of the Seed bruised and held to an aking tooth taketh away the pâ—ine The Juice of it being dropped into the Eares destroyeth the Wormes that are in them and so it is good against deafenesse Two dâ—amms of the powder of the herb taken with a little Vinegar openeth the obstructions of the Liver Being stamped with Wine and applyed to the Matrix it bringeth unto Women their monthly Courses If it be stamped with Rue and Wormwood and all of them fryed together with Butter or Suet and applyed to the Stomach or Bâ—lly it killeth the Wormes in them When a Womans Belly is great and she not with Childe let her boyl of Arsmart Rue and Hyssâ—p of each one handfull in a quart of Ale to the one halfe and drinke thereof first and last it will reduce it to its just measure The distilled Water of the herb mingled with an Oxe Gall and a little Oyle of Spike being annointed upon any place that is troubled with the Gout and a blew woollen cloth laid upon it taketh away the pain thereof Two spoonfulls of the said Water with one of Aqua Vitae being nointed on any place troubled with an Ach for five or sixe dayes taketh it quite away It is said that if a handfull of Arsmart wetted in Water be applyed to a Wound or Sore and afterwards buried in moist ground as the herb rotteth so