when they are half boyled you husk them and then stew them I cannot tell you how for I never was Cook in al my life they are wholsomer Food ♃ French-Beans Description THe French or Kidney Bean ariseth up at first but with one ftalk which afterwards divideth its self into many Arms or Branches but also weak that if they be not sustained with sticks or poles they wil lie fruitless upon the ground at several places of these Branches grow forth long footstalks with every one of them three broad round and pointed green Leavs at the end of them towards the tops wherof come forth divers Flowers made like unto Pease Blossoms of the same colour for the most part that the fruit wil be of that is to say white yellow red blackish or of a deep purple but white is most usual after which come long and slender flat Pods some crooked some straight with a string as it were running down the Back therof wherein are contained flattish round fruit made to the fashion of a Kidney the Root is long and spreadeth with many strings annexed to it and perisheth every year There is also another sort of French Beans commonly growing with us in this Land which is called the Scarlet flowred Bean. This ariseth up with sundry Branches as the other but runs up higher to the length of Hop-poles about which they grow twining but turning contrary to the Sun having Foot-stalks with three Leaves on each as on the other The Flowers also are in fashion like the other but many more set together and of a most Orient Scalet Colour The Beans are larger than the ordinary kind of a deep Purple colour turning black when it is ripe and dry The Root perisheth also in Winter Vertues The ordinary French Beans are of an casie digestion they move the Belly provoke Urin enlarge the Breast that is straitned with shortness of Breath engender Sperme and incite Venery And the Scarlet-coloured Beans in regard of the glorious beauty of their colour being set near a Quickset Hedg wil bravely adorn the same by climing up theron so that they may be discerned a great way not without admiration of the beholder at a distance But they wil go near to kil the Quicksets by cloathing them in Scarlet ♀ Ladies-Bedstraw Description THis ariseth up with divers smal brown and square upright Stalks a yard high or more somtimes branched forth into divers parts ful of Joynts and with diverse very fine small Leaves at ever one of them little or nothing rough at al At the tops of the Branches grow many long tufts or branches of yellow Flowers very thick set together from the several Joynts which consist of four smal Leavs apiece which smel somwhat strong but not unpleasant The Seed is smal and black like Poppy seed two for the most part joyned together The Root is reddish with many smal thrids fastned unto it which take strong hold of the ground and creepeth a little And the Branches leaning a little down to the ground take Root at the Joynts therof wherby it is easily encreased Ther is also another sort of Ladies-Bedstraw growing frequently in England which beareth white Flowers as the other doth yellow but the Branches of this are so weak that unless it be sustained by the Hedges or other things near which it groweth it wil lie down on the ground the Leaves a little bigger than the former and the Flowers not so plentiful as those and the Root here of is also thridy and abiding Place They grow in Meadows and Pastures both wet and dry and by the Hedges Time They flower in May for the most part and the Seed is ripe in July and August Vertues and use The Decoction of the former of these being drunk is good to fret and break the Stone and provokes urin stayeth inward bleedings and healeth inward Wounds The Herb or Flower bruised and put up into the Nostrils stayeth their bleeding likewise The Flowers and the Herb made into an Oyl by being set in the Sn◠and changed after it hath stood ten or twelve daies or into an Ointment being boyled in Axungia or Sallet-Oyl with some Wax melted therein after it is strained either the Oyl made therof or the Ointment do help Burnings with Fire or Scalding with Water the same also or the Decoction of the Herb and Flower is good to bath the Feet of Travellers and Lacquies whose long running causeth weariness and stifness in their Sinews and Joynts If the Decoction be used warm and the Joynts afterwards anointed with the Ointment It helpeth the dry Scab and the Itch in Children And the Herb with the white Flower is also very good for the Sinews Arteries and Joynts to comfort and strengthen them after travel cold and pains They are both Herbs of Venus and therfore strengthen the patrs both internal and external which she rules Beets Description THere are two sorts of Beets which are best known generally and wherof I shal principally intreat at this time Viz. The White and the Red Beets and their Vertues The Common White Beet hath many great Leaves next the ground somwhat large and of a whitish green colour The Stalk is great strong and ribbed bearing great store of leaves upon it almost to the very top of it The flowers grow in very long tufts smal at the ends and turning down their Heads which are smal pale greenish vellow Burrs giving cornered prickled Seed The Root is great long and hard and when it hath given Seed of no use at all The Common Red Beet differeth not from the White but only it is lesser and the Leaves and the Roots are somwhat red The Leaves are differently red in som only with red strakes or veins som of a fresh red and others of a dark red The Rot here of is red spungy and not used to be eaten The White Beet doth much loosen the Belly and is of a clensing and digesting quality and provoketh Urin The Juyce of it openeth obstructions both of the Liver and Spleen and is good for the Headaches and swimmings therein and turnings of the Brain and is effectual also against al venemous creatures and applied upon the Temples stayeth Inflamations in the Eyes it helpeth Burnings being used without Oyl and with a little Allum put to it is good for St. Anthonies fire It is also good for al Wheals Pushes Blisters and Blains in the Skin The Herb boyled and laid upon Chilblains or Kibes helpeth them The Decoction therof in Water and some Vinegar healeth the Itch if bathed therwith and clenseth the Head of Dandraf Scurff and dry Scabs and doth much good for fretting and running Sores Ulcers Cankers in the Head Legs or other parts and is much commended against Baldness and shedding of Hair The red Beet is good to stay the Bloody Flux Womens Courses and the Whites and to help the yellow Jaundice The Juyce or the Root
Decoction of the Leavs Bark or Root being bathed healeth broken Bones The Water that is found in the Bladders on the Leavs while it is fresh is very effectual to clens the Skin and make it fair â—â—â— if clothes be often wet therin and applied to the Ruptures of Children it helpeth them if they be after wel bound up with a Truss The said Water put into a Glass and set in the Ground or els in Dung for twenty five daies the Mouth therof being close stopped and the bottom set upon a lay of ordinary Salt that the Feces may settle and the Water become very clear is a singular and Soveraign Balm for green Wounds being used with soft tents The Decoction of the Bark of the Root somented mollifieth hard tumors and the shrinking of the Sinews The Roots of the Elm boyled for a long time in Water and the fat rising on the top therof being clean scummed off and the place anointed therwith that is grown Bald and the Hair fallen away will quickly restore them again The said Bark ground with Brine and Pickle until it come to the form of a Pultis and laid on the place pained with the Gout giveth great eas The Decoction of the Bark in Water is excellent to bath such places as have burned with fire ♃ Endive Description THe common Garden Endive beareth a longer and a larger Leaf than Succory and abideth but one yeer quickly running up to Stalk and Seed and then perisheth It hath blue Flowers and the Seed of the ordinary Endive is so like Succory Seed that it is hard to distinguish them Vertues and Vse The Decoction of the Leavs or the Juyce or the distilled Water of Endive serveth well to cool the excessive Hear in the Liver and Stomach and in the hot Fits of Agues and all other Inflamations in any part of the Body it cooleth the heat and sharpness of the Urine and the Excoriations in the Uritory parts The Seed is of the same property or rather more powerful and besides is available for the faintings swounings and passions of the Heart Outwardly applied they serve to temper the sharp Humors of fretting Ulcers hot Tumors and Swellings and Pestilential Sores and wonderfully helpeth not only the redness and Inflamation in the Eyes but the dimness of the Sight also They are also used to allay the pains of the Gout You cannot use it amiss a Syrup of it is a fine cooling Medicine for Feavers ☿ Elecampane Description THis shooteth forth many large Leavs long and broad lying neer the ground smal at both ends somwhat soft in handling of a whitish green on the upper side and gray underneath each set upon a short Footstalk from among which rise up divers great and strong hairy Stalks three or four foot high with some Leavs thereon compassing them about at the lower ends and are branched toward the tops bearing divers great and large Flowers like those of the Corn Marigold both the Borden of Leavs and the middle thrum being yellow which turn into Down with long small brownish Seed among it and is carried away with the wind The Root is great and thick branched forth divers waies blackish on the outside and white within of a very bitter tast and strong but good sent especially when they are dryed no part els of the Plant having any smel Place It groweth in the moist Grounds and shadowy places oftner than in the dry and open Borders of Fields and Lanes and in other wast places almost in every County of this Land Time It Flowreth in the end of June and July and the Seed is ripe in August The Roots are gathered for use as well in the Spring before the Leaves come forth as in Autumn or Winter Vertues and use The fresh Roots of Elecampane preserved with Sugar or made into a Syrup or Conserve are very effectual to warm a cold and windy Stomach or the pricking therin and Stitches in the Sides caused by the Spleen and to help the Cough shortness of Breath and wheesing in the Lungs The dried Root made into Pouder and mixed with Sugar and taken serveth to the same purposes and is also profitable for those that have their Urine stopped or the stopping of Womens Courses the pains of the Mother and of the Stone in the Reins Kidneys or Bladder It resisteth Poyson and stayeth the spreading of the Venom of Serpents as also of putrid and pestilential Feavers and the Plague it self The Roots and Herb beaten and put into new Ale or Beer and dayly drunk cleareth strengthneth and quickneth the Sight of the Eyes wonderfully The Decoction of the Roots in Wine or the Juyce taken therin killeth and driveth forth all manner of Worms in the Belly Stomach and Maw and gargled in the mouth or the Root chewed fastneth loos Teeth and helpeth to keep them from Putrefaction And being drunk is good for those that spit Blood helpeth to remove Cramps or Convulsions and the pains of the Gout the Sciatica the loosness and pains in the Joynts or those Members that are out of Joynt by cold or moisture hapning to them applied outwardly as well as inwardly and is good for those that are bursten or have any inward bruis The Roots boyled well in Vinegar beaten afterwards and made into an Oyntment with Hogs Suet or Oyl of Trotters is an excellent remedy for Scabs or Itch in yong or old The places also bathed or washed with the Decoction doth the same it also helpeth all sorts of filthy old putrid Sores or Cankers wheresoever In the Roots of this Herb lieth the chief effect for all the Remedies aforesaid The distilled Water of the Leavs and Roots together is very profitable to clens the Skin of the Face or other parts from any Morphew Spots or Blemishes therein and maketh it cleer Eringo or Sea-Holly ♀ ♎ Description THe first Leavs of our ordinary Sea-Holly are nothing so hard and prickly as when they grow old being almost round and deeply dented about the edges hard and sharp pointed and a little crumpled of a bluish green colour every one upon a long Footstalk but those that grow up higher with the Stalk do as it were compass it about The stalk it self is round and strong yet somwhat crested with Joynts and Leavs set therat but more divided sharp and prickle and branches rising from thence which have likewise other smaller Branches each of them bearing several bluish round prickly Heads with many smal jagged prickly Leavs under them standing like a Star and are somtimes found greenish or whitish The Root groweth wonderful long even to eight or ten Foot in length set with Rings or Circles toward the upper part but smooth and without Joynts down lower brownish on the outside and very white within with a pith in the middle of a pleasant tast but much more being artificially preserved and candy'd with Sugar Place It is found
Flux and Womens Courses and is no â—ess prevalent in all Ruptures or Burstings being drunk inwardly and outwardly applied It is a Severaign Wound Herb inferior to none both for inward and outward Hurts green Wounds and old Sores and Ulcers are quickly cured therewith It is also of especial use in all Lotions for Sores or Ulcers in the Mouth Throat or privy parts of Man or Woman The Decoction also helpeth to fasten the Teeth that are loos in the Gums Venus claims the Herb and therefore to be sure it restores Beauty lost Goutwort or Herb-Gerrard Description THis is a low Herb seldom rising half a yard high having sundry Leavs standing on brownish green Stalks by threes snipped about and of a strong unpleasant savour The Umbels of Flowers are white and the Seed blackish the Root runneth in the Ground quickly taking up a great deal of room Place It groweth by Hedg and Wall sides and often in the borders or Corners of Fields and in Gardens also Time It Flowreth and Seedeth about the end of July Vertues and use Goutwort had not his name for nothing but upon good experience to help the cold Gout and Sciatica as also Joynt aches and other cold Griefs The very bearing of it about one easeth the pains of the Gout and defends him that bears it from the Diseas Gromel OF this I shall briefly describe three kinds which are principally used in Physick the Vertues whereof are alike though somwhat different in their manner and form of growing Description The greater Gromel groweth up with slender hard and hairy Stalks trailing and taking Root in the ground as it lieth thereon and parted into many other smaller Branches with hairy dark green Leavs thereon At the Joynts with the Leavs come forth very smal blew Flowers and after them hard stony roundish Seed The Root is long and woody abiding the Winter and shooting forth fresh Stalks in the Spring The smal wild Gromel sendeth forth divers upright hard branched Stalks two or three foot high full of Joynts at every of which groweth smal long hard and rough Leavs like the former but lesser among which Leavs come forth small white Flowers and after them grayish round Seed like the former The Root is not very long but with many Strings thereat The Garden Gromel hath divers upright slender woody hairy Stalks brown and crested very little branched with Leavs like the former and white Flowers after which in rough brown Husks is contained a white hard round Seed shining like Pearls greater than either of the former The Root is like the first described with divers Branches and Strings thereat which continueth as the first doth all Winter Place The two first grow wild in barren or untilled places and by the way sides in many places of this Land The last is a Nursling in the Gardens of the curious Time They all Flower from Midsummer unto September somtimes and in the mean time the Seed ripeneth Vertues and use These are accounted to be of as singular force as any other Herb or Seed whatsoever to break the Stone and to avoid it and the Gravel either in the Reins or Bladder as also to provoke Urine being stopped and to help the Strangury The Seed is of greatest use being bruised and boiled in white Wine or in Broth or the like or the Pouder of the Seed taken therin Two drams of the Seed in Pouder taken with Womens Breast-Milk is very effectual to procure a speedy Delivery to such Women as have sore pains in their Travail and cannot be delivered The Herb it self when the Seed is not to be had either boyled or the Juyce therof drunk is effectual to all the purposes aforelaid but not so powerful or speedy in operation The Herbe belongs to Dame Venus and therfore if Mars caus the Chollick or Stone as usually he doth if in Virgo this is your cure Winter Green Description THis sendeth forth 7. 8. or 9. Leaves from a smal brownish creeping Root every one standing upon a long Footstalk which are almost as broad as long round pointed of a sad green colour and hard in handling and like the Leaf of a Pear-tree from whence ariseth a slender weak Stalk yet standing upright bearing at the top many smal white and sweet smelling Flowers laid open like a Star consisting of five round pointed Leavs with many yellowish threds standing in the middle about a green Head and a long stile with them which in time groweth to be the Seed Vessel which being ripe is found five square with a smal point at it weerin is contained Seed as small as dust Place It groweth seldom in the Fields but frequently in the Woods Northwards viz. In Yorkshire Lancashire and Scotland Time It Flowreth about June or July Vertues and Vse Winter-Green is a singular good Wound Herb and an especial Remedy for to heal green Wounds speedily the green Leavs being brused and applied or the Juyce of them A Salve made of the green Herbs stamped or the Juyce boyled with Hogs Lard or with Sâ—llet Oyl and Wax and some Turpentine added unto it is a Soveragn Salve and highly extolled by the Germans who much use it to heal all manner of Wounds and Sores The Herb boyled in Wine and Water and given to drink to them that have any inward Ulcers in their Kidneys or Neck of the Bladder doth wonderfully help them It staieth also all Fluxes whether of Blood or Humors as the Lask Bloody Flux Womens Courses and bleeding of Wounds and taketh away any Inflamation rising upon pains of the Heart It is no less helpful for foul Ulcers hard to be cured as also for Cankers or Fistulaes The distilled Water of the Herb doth effectually perfrom the same things Groundsel Description OUr common Groundsel hath a round green and somwhat brownish Stalk spread toward the top into Branches set with long and somwhat narrow green Leavs cut in on the edges somwhat like the Oak Leavs but lesser and round at the ends at the tops of the Branches stand many smal green Heads out of which grow small yellow threds or thrums which are the Flowers and continue many daies blown in that manner before it pass away into Down and with the Seed is carried away in the wind The Root is smal and threddy and soon perisheth and as soon riseth again of its own sowing so that it may be seen many Months in the Yeer both green and in Flower and Seed for it will Spring and Seed twice in a yeer at least if it be suffered in a Garden Place This groweth almost every where as wel on the tops of Walls as at the foot among Rubbish and untilled grounds but especially in Gardens Time It Flowreth as is said before almost in every Month through the yeer Vertues and use The Decoction of the Herb saith Dioscorides made with Wine and Drunk `helpeth the pains in the Stomach proceeding
being rubbed thereupon It suffereth not Milk to curdle in the Stomach if the Leavs hereof be steeped or boyled in it before you drink it Briefly it is very profitable to the Stomach The often use hereof is a very powerful Medicine to stay Womens Courses and the Whites Applyed to the Forehead or Temples it easeth pains of the Head And is good to wash the Heads of yong Children therewith against all manner of breakings out Sores or Scabs therein and healeth the chops of the Fundament It is also profitable against the Poyson of Venemous Creatures The distilled Water of Mints is available to all the purposes aforesaid yet more weakly But if a Spirit thereof be rightly and Chimically drawn it is much more powerful than the Herb it self Simeon Sethi saith It helpeth a cold Liver strengthneth the Belly and Stomach causeth digestion staieth Vomit and the Hiccough is good against the Gnawings of the Heart provoketh Appetite taketh away Obstructions of the Liver and stirreth up Bodily Lust But thereof too much must not be taken becaus it maketh the Blood thin and wheyish and turneth it into Choller and therfore Chollerick persons must obstain from it It is is a safe Medicine for the biting of a Mad Dog being bruised with Salt and laid thereon The Pouder of it being dried and taken after Meat helpeth digestion and those that are Splenetick taken with Wine it helpeth Women in their Sore Travail in Child-hearing It is good against the Gravel and and Stone in the Kidneys and the Strangury Being smelled unto it is comfortable for the Head and Memory The Decoction thereof gargled in the Mouth cureth the Gums and Mouth that is sore and mendeth an ill savoured Breath as also with Rue and Coriander causeth the Pallat of the Mouth that is down to return to his place the Decoction being gargled and held in the Mouth The Vertues of the wild or Hors Mints such as grow in Ditches whose Description I purposely omitted in regard they are well enough known are especially to dissolve wind in the Stomach to help the Chollick and those that are short winded and are an especial Remedy for those that have Venerious Dreams and pollutions in the Night being outwardly applied to the Testicles or Cods The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the pains of them and destroyeth the Worms that breed therein They are good against the Venemous biting of Serpents The Juyce laid on warm helpeth the Kings Evil or Kernels in the Throat The Decoction or distilled Water helpeth a stinking Breath proceeding from the corruption of the Teeth and snuffed up into the Nose purgeth the Head Pliny saith That eating of the Leavs hath been found by experience to cure the Lepry and applying some of them to the Face and to help the Scurf or Dandrif of the Head used with Vinegar They are extream bad for wounded people and they say a wounded man that eats Mints his Wound will never be cured and that 's a long day Misselto Description THis riseth up from the Branch or Arm of the Tree whereon it groweth with a woody Stem parting it self into sundry Branches and they again devided into many other smaller Twigs interlacing themselves one within another very much covered with a grayish green Bark having two Leaves set at every Joynt and at the end likewise which are somwhat long and narrow smal at the bottom but broader toward the end At the Knots or Joynts of the Boughs and Branches grow smal yellowish Flowers which turn into smal round white transparant Berries three or four together full of glutinous moisture with a blackish Seed in every of them which was never yet known to spring being put into the ground or any where els to grow Place It groweth very rarely on Oaks with us but upon sundry other as well Timber as Fruit-Trees plentifully in Woods Groves and the like through all this Land Time It Flowreth in the Spring time but the Berries be not ripe until October and abide on the Branches all the Winter unless the Black-Birds and other Birds do devour them Vertues and Use. Both the Leavs and Berries of Misleto do heat and dry and are of subtil parts The Birdlime doth mollifie hard Knots Tumors and Impostumes ripeneth and discusseth them and draweth forth thick as well as thin Humors from the remote places of the Body digesting and separating them And being mixed with equal parts of Rozin and Wax doth mollifie the hardness of the Spleen and healeth old Ulcers and Sores Being mixed with Sandarack and Oâ—â—ment it helpeth to draw off-foul Nails and if quicklime and Wine Lees be added thereunto it worketh the stronger The Milleto it self of the Oak as the best made into Pouder and given in drink to those that have the Falling-sickness doth assuredly heal them as Mathiolus saith but it is fit to use it for forty daies together Some have so highly esteemed of the Vertues hereof that they have called it Lignam Sanctae Crucis Wood of the holy Cross beleeving it to help the Falling-sickness Apoplexie and Palsie very speedily not only to be inwardly taken but to be hung at their Necks Tragus saith That the fresh Wood of any Misleto bruised and the Juyce drawn forth and dropped into the Ears that have Impostumes in them doth help and eas them within a few daies That it is under the Dominion of the Sun I do not question and can also take for granted that that which grows upon Oaks participates somthing of the Nature of Jupiter becaus an Oak is one of his Trees as also that which grows upon Pear-trees and Apple-trees participates somthing of the Nature becaus he rules the Trees and it draws sap from the Trees it grows upon having no Root of its own but why that should have most vertues that grows upon Oaks I know not unless becaus 't is rarest and hardest to come by and our Colledges Opinion is in this contrary to the Scripture which saith Gods tender Mercies are over all his Works and so 't is Let the Colledg of Physitians walk as contrary to him as they pleas and that 's as contrary as the East is to the West Clusius affirms that which grows upon Pear-trees to be as prevalent and give order that it should not touch the ground after it is gathered and also saith That being hung about the Neck it remedies Witchcraft Money-wort or Herb Two-pence Description THe common Money-wort sendeth forth from a smal threddy Root divers long weak and slender Branches lying and running upon the ground two or three Foot long or more set with Leavs two at a Joynt one against another at equal distances which are almost round but pointed at the ends smooth and of a good green colour At the Joynts with the Leavs from the middle forward come forth at every Joynt somtimes one yellow Flower and somtimes two standing each on a smal Footstalk and
made of five Leavs narrow and pointed at the ends with some yellow thredssn the middle which being past there stand in their places smal round Heads of Seed Place It groweth plentifully in almost all places of this Land commonly in moist grounds by Hedg sides and in the middle of grassy Fields Time They Flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and use Moneywort is singular good to stay all Fluxes in Men or Woman whether they be Lasks Bloody Fluxes the Flowing of Womens Courses Bleedings inwardly or outwardly and the weakness of the Stomach that is given to casting It is very good also for all Ulcers or Excoriations of the Lungs or other inward parts It is exceeding good for all Wounds either fresh or green to heal them speedily and for old Ulcers that are of a spreading nature For all which purposes The Juyce of the Herb or the Pouder drunk in Water wherein hot Steel hath been often quenched Or the Decoction of the green Herb in Wine or Water drunk Or the Seed Juyce or Decoction used to the outward places to wash or bath them or to have Tents dipped therein and put into them are effectual Moonwort Description This riseth up usually but with one dark green thick and fat Leaf standing upon a short footstalk not a bove two fingers breadth but when it will flower it may be said to beare a small slender stalk about four or five Inches high having but one leaf set in the middle therof which is much devided on both sides into somtimes five or seven parts on a sid somtimes more each of which parts is small next the middle rib but broad forwards and round pointed resembling therein an half Moon from whence it took the name the uppermost parts or divisions being less than the lowest The Stalk riseth above this Leaf two or three inches bearing many Branches of small long Tongues every one like the spiky Head of Adders-Tongue of a brownish colour which whether I shall call them Flowers or the Seed I well know notâ— which after they have continued a while resolve into a Mealy dust The Root is smal and Fibrous This hath somtimes divers such like Leavs as are before Described with so many branches or tops arising from one Stalk each devided from the other Place It groweth on Hills and Heaths yet where there is much Grass for therein it delighteth to grow Time It is to be found only in April and May for in June when any hot weather cometh for the most part it is withered and gone Vertues and use Moonwort is cold and drying more than Adders-tongue and is therefore held to be more available for all Wounds both inward and outward The Leavs boyled in red Wine and drunk stayeth the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses and the Whites It also staieth Bleeding Vomitings and other Fluxes It helpeth all Blows and Bruises and to consolidate all Fractures and Dislocations It is good for Ruptures But it is chiefly used by most with other Herbs to make Oyls or Balsoms to heal fresh or green Wounds as I said before either inward or outward for which it is excellent good Moonwort is an Herb which they say will open Locks and unshoo such Horses as tread upon it this some laugh to scorn and those no smal Fools neither but Country people that I know call it Unshoo the Horse besides I have heard Commanders say That on White Down in Devon neer Tiverton there was found thirty Hors shoos pulled off from the feet of the Earl of Essex his Horses being there drawn up in a Body many of them being but newly shod and no reason known which caused much admiration and the Herb described usually grows upon Heaths The Moon owns the Herb. Mosses I Shal not trouble the Reader with any Description of these sith my intent is to speak only of two kinds as the most principal Viz. Ground-Moss and Tree-Moss both which are very well know Place The Ground-Moss growing in our moist Woods and the bottoms of Hills in boggy grounds and in shadowy Ditches and many other such like places The Tree-Moss groweth only on Trees Vertues and use The Ground-Moss is held to be singular good to break the Stone and to expel and drive it forth by Urin being boyled in Wine and drunk The Herb bruised and boyled in Water and applied easeth all Inflamations and pains coming of an hot caus â— and is therfore used to eas the pains of the hot Gout The Tree-Mosses are cooling and binding and partake of a digesting and mollifying quality withal as Galon saith But each Moss doth partake of the Nature of the Tree from whence it is taken therefore that of the Oak is more Binding and is of good effect to stay Fluxes in man or Woman as also Vomitings or Bleedings the Pouder thereof being taken in Wine The Decoction thereof in Wine is very good for Women to be hathed with or to sit in that are troubled with the overflowing of their Courses The same being drunk stayeth the Stomach that is troubled with casting or the Hiccough and as Aâ—â—iâ—â—nna saith it comforteth the Heart The Pouder thereof taken in Drink for some time together is thought available for the Dropsie The Oyl of Roses that hath had fresh Moss steeped therin for a time and after boyled and applied to the Temples and Forehead doth Merveilously eas the Headach coming of a hot caus as also the Distillations of hot Rhewm or Humors to the Eyes or other parts The Antients much used it in their Oyntments and other Medicines against Lassitude and to strengthen and comfort the Sinews For which if it was good then I know no reason but it may be fonnd so still Motherwort Discription THis hath a hard square brownish rough strong Stalk rising three or four foot high at the least spreading into many Branches whereon grow Leavs ou each side with long Footstalks two at every Joynt which are somwhat broad and long as it were rough or crumpled with many great Veins therein of a sad green colour and deeply dented about the edges and almost devided From the middle of the Branches up to the tops of them which are very long and smal grow the Flowers round about them at distances in sharp pointed rough hard Husks of a more red or purple-colour than Balm or Horehound but in the same manner and form as the Horehounds after which come smal round blackish Seed in great plenty The Root sendeth forth a number of long Strings and smal Fibres taking strong hold in the Ground of a dark yellowish or brownish colour and abideth as the Horehound doth the smell of this being not much different from it Place It groweth only in Gardens with us in England Vertues and use Motherwort is held to be of much use for the trembling of the Heart and in faintings and swounings from whence it took
good to wash either old rotten and stinking sores or Fistulaes and Gangrenes and such as are fretting eating or corroding Scabs Mainginess and Itch in any part of the Body as also green Wounds by washing them therwith or applying the green Herb bruised thereunto yea although the Flesh were seperated from the Bones The same applied to our wearied Members refresheth them or to places that have been out of Joynt being first set again strengthneth drieth and comforteth them as also those places troubled with Aches and Gouts and the Defluxion of Humors upon the Joynts or Sinews it easeth the pains and drieth or dissolveth the Defluxions An Oyntment made of the Juyce Oyl and a little Wax is singular good to rub cold and benummed Members An handful of the Leavs of green Nettles and another of Wallwort or Danewort bruised and applied simply of themselves to the Gout Sciatica or Joyntaches in any part hath been found to be an admirable help thereunto This also is an Herb Mars claims Dominion over you know Mars is hot and dry and you know as well that Winter is cold and moist then you may know as well the reason why Nettle tops eaten in Spring consume the Flegmatick superfluities in the Body of man that the coldness and moisture of Winter hath left behind Nightshade Description COmmon Nightshade hath an upright round green hollow stalk about a Foot or half a yard high bushing forth into many Branches whereon grow many green Leavs somwhat broad and pointed at the ends soft and full of Juyce somwhat like unto Bazil but larger and a little unevenly dented about the edges at the tops of the Stalks and Branches come forth three or four or more white Flowers made of five smal pointed Leavs apiece standing on a Stalk together one above another with yellow pointels in the middle composed of four of five yellow threds set together which afterwards turn into so many pendulous green Berries of the bigness of smal Pease full of green Juyce and smal whitish round flat Seed lying within it The Root is white and a little woody when it hath given Flower and Fruit with many smal Fibres at it The whol Plant is of a waterish insipide tast but the Juyce within the Berries is somwhat viscuous and of a cooling and binding quality Place It groweth wild with us under old Walls and in Rubbish the common paths and sides of Hedges and Fields as also in our Gardens here in England without any planting Time It dieth down every yeer and ariseth again of its own sowing but springeth not until the latter end of April at the soonest Vertues and Use. This Common Nightshade is wholly used to cool all hot Inflamations either inwardly or outwardly being no way dangerous to any that shall use it as most of the rest of the Nightshades are yet it must be used modeâ—â—ly The distilled water only of the whol Herb is fittest and safest to be taken inwardly The Juyce also clarified and taken being mingled with a little Vinegar is good to wash the Mouth and Throat that is inflamed But outwardly the Juyce of the Herb or Berries with Oyl of Roses and a little Vinegar and Ceruss labored together in a leaden Morter is very good to anoint all hot Inflamations in the Eyes 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 applied thereto A Pessary dipp'd in the Juyce and put up into the Matrix stayeth the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses A Cloth wet therein and applied to the Testicles or Cods upon any Swelling therein giveth much eas as also to the Gout that cometh of hot and sharp Humors The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth pains therin that arise of heat or Inflamation And Pliny saith it is good for hot Swellings under the Throat Have a care you mistake not the deadly Nightshade for this if you know it not you may let them both alone and take no harm having other Medicines sufficient in the Book The Oak THis is so well known the Timber thereof being the Glory and Safety of this Nation by sea that it needeth no Description Vertues and use The Leavs and Bark of the Oak and the Acorn Cups do bind and dry very much The inner Bark of the Tree and the thin Skin that covereth the Acorn are most used to stay the spitting of Blood and the Bloody Flux The Decoction of that Bark and the Pouder of the Cups to stay Vomitings spitting of blood bleeding at Mouth or other Flux of Blood in man or woman Lasks also and the involuntary Flux of Natural Seed The Acorns in Pouder taken in Wine pravoketh Urine and resisteth the Poyson of Venemous Creatures The Decoction of Acorns and the Bark made in Milk and taken resisteth the force of Poysonous Herbs and Medicines as also the Virulency of Cantharides when one by eating them hath his Bladder exulcerated and pisseth Blood Hippocrates saith he used the fumes of Oak Leavs to Woman that were troubled with the strangling of the Mother and Oalen applied them being bruised to cure green Wounds The Distilled water of the Oaken Buds before they break out into Leavs is good to be used either inward or outwardly to asswage Inflamations and stop all manner of Fluxes in man or woman The same is singular good in Pestilential and hot burning Feavers for it resisteth the force of the infection and allayeth the heat it cooleth the heat of the Liver breaketh the Stone in the Kidneys and staieth womens Courses The Decoction of the Leavs worketh the same effects The water that is found in the hollow places of old Oaks is very effectual against any foul or spreading Scab The Distilled Water or Decoction which is better of the Leavs is one of the best Remedies that I know for the Whites in Women Jupiter owns the Treo Oats THese are also so well known that they need no Description Vertues and Use. Oats fryed with Bay-Salt and applied to the sides takes away the pains of Stitches and Wind in the sides or Belly A Pultis made of the Meal of Oats and some Oyl of Bays put thereto helpeth the Itch and the Leprosie as also the Fistulaes of the Fundament and dissolveth hard Imposthumes The Meal of Oats boyled with Vinegar and applied taketh away Freckles and Spots in the Face or other parts of the Body One-blade Description THis smal Plant never beareth more than one Leaf but only when it riseth up with his Stalk which thereon beareth another and seldom more which are of a blewish green colour pointed with many Ribs or Veins therein like Plantane At the top of the Stalk grow many smal white Flowers Star-fashion smelling somwhat sweet after which come smal reddish Berries when they are ripe The Root is small of the bigness of a Rush lying and creeping under
Bark of the Root taken in Wine performeth effectually Mathiolus saith the same helpeth the Diseas called Hiernia Carnosa the Fleshy Rupture by taking the said Pouder for some Months together constantly and that it hath cuted some which seemed incurable by any other means than by cutting or burning The Decoction thereof made with some Vinegar and gargled in the Mouth easeth the Toothach especially when it comes of Rhewm and the said Decoction is very powerful to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and other parts A Distilled Water made in Balneo Mariae with four pound of the Roots hereof first sliced smal and afterwards steeped in a Gallon of Canary Wine is singular good for all the purposes aforesaid and to clens the passages of the Urine The Pouder of the said Root made into an Electuary or Lozenges with Sugar as also the Bark of the fresh Roots boyled tender and afterwards beaten Into a Consetve with Sugar worketh the like effect The Pouder of the Roots strewed upon the Brims of Ulcers or mixed with any other convenient thing and applied consumeth the hardness and canseth them to heal the better Rocket IN regard the garden Rocket is rather used as a Sallet Herb than to any Physical purposes I shall omit it and only speak of the common wild Rocket The Description whereof take as followeth Description The common wild Rocket hath longer and narrower Leavs much more devided into slender cuts and jags on both sides of the middle Rib than the Garden kinds have of a sad overworn green colour from among which riseth up divers stiff Stalks two or three foot high somtimes set with the like Leavs but smaller and smaller upwards branched from the middle into divers stiff Stalks bearing sundry yeilow Flowers on them made of four Leavs apiece as the others are which afterwards yield smal reddish Seed in smal long Pods of a more bitter and hot biting tast than the Garden kinds as the Leavs are also Place It is found wild in divers places of this Land Time It Flowreth about June and July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. The Wild Rocket is more strong and effectual to encreas Sperm and Venereous qualities whereunto also the Seed is more effectual than the Garden kinds It serveth also to help Digestion and provoketh Urine exceedingly The Seed is used to cure the bitings of Serpents the Scorpion and the Shrew-Mouse and other Poysons and expelleth Worms and other noisom Creatures that breed in the Body The Herb boyled or stewed and some Sugar put thereto helpeth the Cough in Children being taken often The Seed also taken in drink taketh away the ill scent of the Armpits encreaseth Milk in Nurses and wasteth the Spleen The Seed mixed with Honey and used on the face clenseth the Skin from Spots Morphew and other discolourings therein and used with Vinegar taketh away Freckles and redness in the Face or other parts and with the Gall of an Ox it amendeth foul Scars black and blew Spots and the marks of the smal Pox. The Wild Rockets are forbidden to be used alone in regard their sharpness fumeth into the Head causing ach and pain therein and are no less hurtful to hot and Chollerick persons for fear of inflaming their Blood and therefore for such we may say a little doth but a little harm For angry Mars rules them and he somtimes will be testy when he meets with Focls Winter Rocket or Cresses Description VVInter Rocket or winter Cresses hath diverse somwhat large sad green Leavs lying upon the ground torn or cut into divers parts somwhat like unto Rocket or Turnep Leavs with smaller pieces next the bottom and broad at the ends which so abide all Winter if it spring up in Autumn when it is used to be eaten from among which riseth up divers smal round Stalks full of branches bearing many smal yellow Flowers of four Leavs apiece after which come smal long Pods with reddish Seed in them The Root is somwhat stringy and perisheth every yeer after the Seed is ripe Place It groweth of its own accord in Gardens and Fields by the way sides in diverse places and particularly in the next Pasture to the Conduit-Head behind Grayes-Inne that brings Water to Mr. Lamb's Conduit in Holbourn Time It Flowreth in May and Seedeth in June and then perisheth Vertues and Use. This is profitable to provoke Urine and helpeth the Strangury and to expel Gravel and the Stone It is also of good effect in the Scurvey It is found by experience to be a singular good Wound Herb to clense inward Wounds the Juyce or Decoction being drunk or outwardly applied to wash foul Ulcers and Sores clensing them by sharpness and hindring or abating the dead Flesh from growing therein and healing them by the drying quality Roses I Hold it altogether needless to trouble the Reader with a Description of any of these sith both the Garden Roses and the Wild Roses of the Bryars are well enough known Take therefore the Vertues of them as followeth And first I shal begin with the Garden kinds Vertues and Use. The White and the Red Roses are cooling and drying yet the White is taken to exceed the Red in both those properties but is seldom used inwardly in any Medicine The bitterness in the Roses when they are fresh especially the Juyce purgeth Choller and watery Humors but being dried and that heat which caused the bitterness being consumed they have then a binding and astringent quality Those also that are not ful blown do both cool and bind more than those that are full blown and the White Roses more than the Red. The Decoction of Red Roses made with Wine and used is very good for the Headach and pains in the Eyes Ears Throat and Gums as also for the Fundament the lower Bowels and the Matrix being bathed or put into them The same Decoction with the Roses remaining in it is profitably applyed to the Region of the Heart to eas the Inflamation therin as also St. Anthonies fire and other Diseases of the Stomach Being dried and beaten to Pouder and taken in steeled Wine or Water it helpeth to stay Womens Courses The yellow threds in the middle of the red Roses which are erroniously called the Rose Seeds being poudered and drunk in the distilled water of Quinces stayeth the overflowing of Womens Courses and doth wonderfully stay the Defluxions of Rhewm upon the Gums and Teeth preserving them from corruption and fastning them if they be loose being washed and gargled therewith and some Vinegar of Squils added thereto The Heads with Seed being used in Pouder or in a decoction stayeth the Lask and spitting of Blood Red Roses do strengthen the Heart the Stomack and the Liver and the retentive Faculties they mitigate the pains that arise from Heat asswage Inflamations procure rest and sleep stay both Whites and Reds in Women the Gonorrhea running of the
Decoction made in Wine taketh away the itching of the Cods if they be bathed therwith Agrippa saith That if Women that cannot conceive by reason of the moist slipperiness of their Wombs shall take a quantity of the Juyce of Sage with a little Salt for four daies before they company with their Husbands it will help them not only to Conceive but also to retain the Birth without miscarrying Orpheus saith Three spoonfuls of the Juyce of Sage taken fasting with a little Honey doth presently stay the spitting or casting up of Blood For them that are in a Consumption these Pills are much commended Take of Spicknard and Ginger of each two drams of the Seed of Sage toasted at the fire eight drams of long Pepper twelve drams all these being brought into fine Pouder put thereto so much Juyce of Sage as may make them into a Mass for Pills taking a dram of them every morning fasting and so likewise at night drinking a little pure Water after them Mathiolus saith it is very profitable for all manner of pains of the Head coming of cold and Rhewmatick Humors as also for all pains of the Joynts whether used inwardly or outwardly and therfore helpeth the Falling-sickness the Lethargy such as are dull and heavy of spirit the Palsey and is of much use in an Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head and for the Diseases of the Chest or Preast The Leavs of Sage and Nettles bruised together and laid upon the Impostume that riseth behind the Ears doth aslwage it much The juyce of Sage taken in warm water helpeth a Hoarsness and the Cough The Leavs sodden in Wine and laid upon the place affected with the Palsey helpeth much if the Decoction be drunk also Sage taken with Wormwood is used for the bloody Flux Pliny saith it procureth Womens Courses and stayeth them coming down too fast helpeth the stinging and biting of Serpents and killeth the Worms that breed in the Ears and in Sores Sage is of excellent use to help the Memory warming and quickning the senses and the Conserve made of the Flowers is used to the same purpose and also for all the former recited Diseases The Juyce of Sage drunk with Vinegar hath been of good use in the time of Plague at all times Gargles likewise are made with Sage Rosemary Honeysuckles and Plantane boyled in Wine or Water with some Honey and Allum put thereto to wash sore Mouthes and Throats Cankers or the secret parts of man or woman as need requireth And with other hot and comfortable Herbs Sage is boyled to bath the Body or Legs in the Summer time especially to warm cold Joynts or Sinews troubled with the Palsey or Cramp and to comfort and strengthen the parts It is much commended against the Stitch or pains in the side coming of Wind if the place be fomented warm with the Decoction thereof in Wine and the Herb after the boyling be laid warm also thereunto Jupiter claims this and bid me tell you it is good for the Liver and to breed good Blood VVood-Sage Description VVood-Sage riseth up with square hoary Stalks two foot high at the least with two Leavs set at every Joynt somwhat like other Sage Leavs but smaller softer whiter and rounder and a little dented about the edges and smelling somwhat strongly At the tops of the Stalks and Branches stand the Flowers on a slender long Spike turning themselves all one way when they blow and are of a pale and whitish colour smaller than Sage but hooded and gaping like unto them The Seed is blackish and round four usually set in a husk together The Root is long and stringy with diverse Fibres thereat and abideth many yeers Place It groweth in Woods and by Wood-sides as also in diverse Fields and by-Lanes in this Land Time It Flowreth in June July and August Vertues and Use. The Decoction of Wood-Sage provoketh Urine and Womens Courses it also provoketh Sweat digesteth Humors and discusseth Swellings and Nodes in the Flesh and is therefore thought to be good against the French Pox. The Decoction of the green Herb made with Wine is a safe and sure Remedy for those who by falls bruises or Blows doubt some Vein to be inwardly broken to disperse and avoid the congealed blood and to consolidate the Vein It is also good for such as are inwardly or outwardly bursten the drink used inwardly and the Herb applied outwardly The same used in the same manner is found to be a sure Remedy for the Palsey The Juyce of the Herb or the Pouder thereof dried is good for moist Ulcers and sores in the Legs or other parts to dry them and caus them to heal the more speedily It is no less effectual also in green Wounds to be used upon any occasion Solomons Seal Description THe common Solomons Seal riseth up with a round Stalk about half a yard high bowing or bending down to the top set with single Leavs one above another somwhat large and like the Leavs of the LillyConvalley or May Lilly with an eye of blewish upon the green with some ribs therein and more yellowish underneath At the foot of every Leaf almost from the bottom up to the top of the Stalk come forth small long white and hollow pendulous Flowers somwhat like the Flowers of May-Lilly but ending in five long points for the most part two together at the end of a long Footstalk and somtimes but one and sometimes also two Stalks with Flowers at the Foot of a Leaf which are without any scent at all and stand all on one side of the Stalk After they are past come in their places smal round Berries green at the first and blackish green tending to blewness when they are ripe wherein lie smal white hard and stony Seed The Root is of the thickness of ones finger or Thumb white and knobbed in some places with a flat round circle representing a Seal whereof it took the name lying along under the upper crust of the Earth and not growing downward but with many fibres underneath Place It is frequent in diverse places of this Land as namely in a Wood two miles from Canterbury by Fishpool-Hill as also in a bushy Close belonging to the Parsonage of Alderbury neer Clarindon two miles from Salisbury in Chesson Wood on Chesson Hill between Newington and Sittingborn in Kent and in diverse other places in Essex and other Counties Time It Flowreth about May The Root abideth and shooteth anew every yeer Vertues and Use. The Root of Solomons Seal is found by experience to be available in Wounds Hurts and outward Sores to heal and close up the lips of those that are green and to dry up and restrain the Flux of Humors to those that are old It is singular good to stay Vomitings and Bleedings wheresoever as also al Fluxes in man or woman whether the Whites or Reds in Women or the running of the Reins in men also to knit any Joynt
and to expel crude and raw humors from the Belly and Stomach by the sweet savor and warming quality it dissolveth the inward congealed Blood hapning by falls or bruises and the spitting of Blood if the Roots either green or dryed be boyled in Wine and drunk as also al manner of inward Wounds or outward if they be washed or bathed therwith The Decoction also being drunk comforteth the Heart and strengtheneth the Stomach and a cold Brain and therfore is good in the Spring time to open Obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the wind Chollick it also helpeth those that have Fluxes or are bursten or have a Rupture It taketh away spots or marks in the Face being washed therwith The Juyce of the fresh Root or Pouder of the dried Root hath the same effect with the Decoction The Root in the Spring time steeped in Wine doth give it a delicat savor and tast and being drunk fasting every morning comforteth the Heart and is a good Preservative against the Plague or any other Poyson it helpeth Digestion and warmeth a cold Stomach and openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It is very safe you need have no Dose prescribedâ— and is very fit to be kept in every good bodies house ♃ ♋ Balm THis Herb is so wel known to be an Inhabitant almost in every Garden that I shal not need to write any Description thereof although the Vertues thereof which are many may not be omitted Vertues and use The Arabian Physitians have extolled the Vertues hereof to the Skyes although the Greeks thought it not worth mentioning Seâ—apio saith It causeth the Mind and Heart to becom merry and reviveth the Heart fainting into soundings especially of such who are over taken in their sleep and driveth away al troublesom cares and thoughts out of the Mind arising from Melancholly or black Choller which Avicen also confirmeth It is very good to help Digestion and open Obstructions of the Brain and hath so much purging quality in it saith Avicen as to expel those Melancholly vapors from the Spirits Blood which are in the Heart and Arteries although it cannot do so in other parts of the Body Diascorides saith That the Leaves steeped in Wine and the Wine drunk and the Leavs externally applied is a remedy against the sting of Scorpions and the bitings of mad Dogs and commendeth the Decoction therof for Women to bath or sit in to procure their Courses it is good to wasâ—â—aching Teeth therwith and profitable for those that have the bloudy-Flux The Leaves also with a little Nitre taken in Drink are good against a Surfet of Mushromes helps the griping pains of the Belly and being made into an Electuary is good for them that cannot fetch their breath Used with Salt it takes away Wens Kernels or hard Swellings in the Flesh or Throat it clenseth foul Sores and caseth pains of the Gout It is good for the Liver and Spleen A Tansie or Cawdle made with Egs and the Juyce therof while it is yong putting to it some Sugar and Rosewater is good for Women in Childbed when the After-birth is not thronghly avoided and for their faintings upon or after their sore travel The Herb bruised and boyled in a little Wine and Oyl and laid warm on a Boil will ripen and break it It is an Herb of Jupiter and under Cancer and strengthens Nature much in al its actions let a Syrup made with the Juyce of it and Sugar as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book be kept in every Gentlewomans house to releeve the weak stomachs and sick Bodies of their poor sickly Neighbors as also the Herb kept dry in the Hous that so with other convenient Simples you may make it into an Electuary with Hony according as the Diseas is and as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book ♂ Barberry THe Shrub is so wel known to every Boy and Girl that hath but attained to the age of seven years that it needs no Description Vertues and use Mars owns the Shrub and presents it to the use of my Country-men to purge their Bodies of Choller The inner Rind of the Barberry Tree boyled in White-Wine and a quarter of a pint drunk each morning is an excellent remedy to clense the Body of Chollerick Humors and free it from such Diseases as Choller canseth such be Scabs Itch Tetters Ringworms yellow Jaundice Boils c. It is excellent for hot Agues Burnings Scaldings heat of Bloud heat of the Liver Bloudy-flux for the Berries are as good as the Bark and more pleasing they get a man a good stomach to his victuals by strengthning the attractive faculty which is under Mars as you see more at large in the latter end of my Ephemeris for the year 1651. The Hair washed with the Ly made of the Ashes of the Tree and Water 't wil make it turn yellow viz. of Mars his own colour The Fruit and Rind of the Shrub the Flowers of Broom and of Hâ—ath or Furz clens the Body of Choller by Sympathy as the Flowers Leaves and Bark of the Peach-Tree do by Antipathy because these are under Mars that under Venus ♄ Barly THe continual usefulness hereof hath made al in general so aquainted herewith that it is altogether needless to describe its several kinds hereof plentifully growing being yearly sown in this Land The Vertues whereof take as followeth Vertues and use Barly in al the parts and compositions therof except Malt is more cooling than Wheat and a little clensing and al the Preparations therof as Barly-water and other things made therof do give great nourishment to persons troubled with Feavers Agues and heats in the Stomach A Pultis made of Barly Meal or Flower boyled with Vinegar and Honey and a few dry Figs put into them dissolveth all hard Imposthums and aswageth Inflamations being therto applied And being boyled with Melilot and Chamomel Flowers and som Linseed Fenngreek and Rue in Pouder and applied warm it easeth the pains in the Sides and Stomach and windiness of the Spleen The Meal of Barly and Fleawort boyled in Water and made into a Pultis with Honey and Oyl of Lillies applied warm cureth swellings under the Ears Throat Neck and such like and a Plaister made therof with Tar Wax Oyl helpeth the Kings-Evil in the Throat Boyled with sharp Vinegar into a Pultis and laid on hot helpeth the Leprosie Being boyled in red-Wine with Pomgranat Rinds and Mirtles stayeth the Lask or other Flux of the Belly Boyled with Vinegar and a Quince it easeth the hot pains of the Gout Barly flower white Salt Honey and Vinegar mingled together taketh away the Itch speedily and certainly The Water distilled from the green Barly in the end of May is very good for thos that have Defluxions of humors fallen into their Eyes and easeth the pains being dropped into them or White-Bread steeped therein and bound on to the Eyes
may be found in my Translation of the London Dispensatory and it may be I may give you again in plainer terms at the latter end of this Book ♀ Bishops-weed Description COmmon Bishops-weed riseth up with a round straight Stalk somtimes as high as a Man but usually three or four foot high beset with divers smal long and somwhat broad Leavs cut in som places and dented about the edges growing one against another of a dark green colour having sundry Branches on them and at the top smal umbels of white flowers which turn into smal round brown Seed little bigger than Parsly-seed of a quick hot scent and tast The Root is white and stringie perishing yearly after it hath seeded and usually riseth again of its own sowing Place It groweth wild in many places in England and Wales as between Greenheath and Gravsend Vertues It digesteth Humors provoketh Urin and Womens Courses dissolveth Wind and being taken in Wine easeth pains and griping in the Bowels and is good against the biting of Serpents It is used to good effect in those Medicins which are given to hinder the poysonful operation of Cantharides upon the passages of the Urin Being mixed with Honey and applied to black and blue marks coming of blows or bruises it takes them away and being drunk or outwardly applied it abateth an high colour and makes it pale and the Fumes therof taken with Rozin or Raisons clenseth the Mother It is hot and dry in the third degree of a bitter tast and somthing sharp withal it provokes Lust to purpose I suppose Venus owns it Bistort or Snakeweed ♄ Description THis hath a thick short knobbed Root blackish without and somwhat reddish within a little crooked or turned together of an harsh astringent tast with divers black threds hanging there from whence spring up every year divers Leaves standing upon long Footstalks being somwhat broad and long like a dock-Dock-leaf and a little pointed at the ends but that it is of a blewish green colour on the upper side and of an Ash colour gray and a little purplish underneath with divers Veins therin from among which rise up divers smal and slender Stalks two foot high and almost naked and without Leavs or with very few and narrow bearing a spiky Bush of pale Flesh colour'd Flowers which being past there abideth smal Seed somwhat like unto Sorrel Seed but greater There are other sorts of Bistort growing in this Land but smaller both in height Root and Stalks and especially in the Leavs The Root blackish without and somwhat whitish within of an austere binding tast as the former Place They grow in shadowy moist Woods and at the foot of Hils but are chiefly nourished up in Gardens The narrow leaved Bistort groweth in the North in Lancashire yorkshire and Cumberland Time They Flower about the end of May and the Seed is ripe about the beginning of July Vertues and use Both the Leavs and Roots have have a powerful faculty to resist al Poyson The Root in Pouder taken in drink expelleth the Venem of the Plague the smal Pox Meazles Purples or any other infectious Diseas driving it out by sweating The Root in Pouder or the Decoction therof in Wine being drunk stayeth al manner of inward bleedings or spittings of Blood and any Fluxes in the Body of either Man or Woman or Vomitings it is also very available against Ruptures or Burstings or all bruises or fals dissolving the congealed Blood and easeth the pains that happen thereupon it also helpeth the Jaundice The Water distilled from both Leavs and Roots is a singular remedy to wash any place bitten or stung by any venemous creature as also for any of the purposes before spoken of And is very good to wash any running Sores or Ulcers The Decoction of the Root in Wine being drunk hindreth Abortion or Miscarriage in Child-bearing The Leavs also kil the Worms in Children and is a great help for them that cannot keep their Water if the Jayce of Plantane be added therto And outwardly applied much helpeth the Gonorrhea or running of the Reins A dram of the Pouder of the Root taken in the Water thereof wherein som 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 humors The Leaves Seed or Roots are al very good in Decoctions Drinks or Lotians for inward or outward Wounds or other fores and the Pouder strewed upon any cut or wound in a Vein stayeth the immoderat bleeding thereof The Decoction of the Roots in Water whereunto som Pomgranate Pils and Flowers are added injected into the Matrix stayeth the access of humors to the Ulcers therof and bringeth it to its right place being fallen down and stayeth the immoderat flux of the Courses The Root hereof with Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allum of each a like quantity beaten smal and made into Past with some Honey and a little Picce thereof put into an hollow-Tooth or held between the Teeth if there be no hollowness in them stayeth the defluxion of Rhewm upon them which causeth pains and helps to clense the Head and avoid much offensive Water The Distilled Water is very effectual to wash Sores or Cankers in the Nose or any other part if the Pouder of the Root be aplied therunto afterwards It is good also to fasten the Gums and to take away the heat and inflamations that happen in the Jaws Almonds of the Throat or Mouth if the Decoction of the Leavs Roots or Seeds be used or the Juyce of them but the Roots are most effectual to all the purposes aforesaid ☉ One-Blade Description THis smal Plant never beareth more than one Leaf but only when it rises up with its Stalk which thereon beareth another and seldom more which are of a bluish green colour broad at the bottom and pointed with many Ribs or Veins like Plantane At the top of the Stalk grow many smal white Flowers Star-fashion smelling somthing sweet after which come smal reddish Berries when they are ripe The Root is smal of the bigness of a Rush lying and creeping under the upper crust of the Earth shooting forth in diverse places Place It groweth in moist shadowy grassie places of Woods in many places of this Realm Time It flowreth about May and the Berries be ripe in June and then quickly perisheth until the next year it springth from the same again The Vertues Half a dram or a dram at most of the Roots hereof in Pouder taken in Wine and Vineger of each a like quantity and the party presently laid to swear is held to be a sovereign remedy for those that are infected with the Plague and have a sore upon them by expelling the Poyson and defending the Heart and Spirits from danger it is also accounted a singular good Wound-Herb and therfore used with other
about the Sea Coasts in almost every Country of this Land which bordereth upon the Sea Time It Flowreth in the end of Summer and giveth ripe Seed within a Month after Vertues and use The Decoction of the Root herof in Wine is very effectual to open the Obstructions of the Spleen and Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundice the Dropsie the pains in the Loins and wind Chollick provoketh Urine and expelleth the Stone and procureth Womens Courses The continued use of the Decoction for 15. daies taken fasting and next to Bedward doth help the strangury the pissing by drops the stopping of Urine and Stone and all defects of the Reins or Kidneys and if the said drink be continued longer it is said that it perfectly cureth the Stone and that experience hath found it so It is found good against the French Pox. The Roots bruised and applied outwardly helpeth the Kernels of the Throat commonly called the Kings evil or taken inwardly and applied to the place stung or bitten by any Serpent healeth it speedily If the Roots be bruised and boyled in old Hogs greas or salted Lard and applied to broken Bones Thorns c. remaining in the Flesh doth not only draw them forth but healeth up the place again gathering new Flesh where it was consumed The Juyce of the Leavs dropped into the Ears helpeth Imposthumes therin The Distilled Water of the whol Herb when the Leavs and Stalks are yong is profitably drunk for all the purposes aforesaid and helpeth the Melancholly of the Heart and is available in Quartane and Quotidian Agues as also for them that have their Necks drawn awry and cannot turn them without turning their whol Body The Plant is Venerial and breedeth Seed exceedingly and strengthens the Spirit procreative it is hot and moist and under the Coelestial Ballance ☉ ♌ Eyebright Description THe common Eyebright is a small low Herb rising up usually but with one blackish green Stalk a span high or not much more spread from the bottom into sundry Branches wheron are set smal and and almost round yet pointed dark green Leavs finely snipped about the edges two alwaies set together and very thick At the Joynts with the Leavs from the middle upward come forth small white Flowers stryped with purple and yellow Spots or stripes after which follow small round Heads with very small Seed therin The Root is long small and threddy at the end Place It groweth in many Meadows and grassy places in this Land Vertues and Vse If this Herb were but as much used as it is neglected it would half spoil the Spectacle-makers Trade and a man would think that reason should teach people to prefer the prefervation of their Natural before Artificial Spectacles which that they may be instructed how to do take the Vertues of Eyebright as followeth The Juyce or distilled Water of Eyebright taken inwardly in white Wine or Broth or dropped into the Eyes for divers daies together helpeth all infirmities of the Eyes that caus dimness of Sight Some make a Conserv of the Flowers to the same effect Being used any of these waies it also helpeth a weak Brain or Memory This tunned up with strong Beer that it may work together and drunk Or the Pouder of the dried Herb mixed with Sugar a little Mace and Fennel Seeds and drunk or eaten in Broth Or the said Pouder made into an Electuary with Sugar and taken hath the same powerful effect to help and restore the Sight decaied through age And Arnoldus de villa nova saith It hath restored Sight to them that have been blind a long time before It is under the Sign of the Lyon and Sol claims Dominion over it ☿ Fern. Description OF this there are two kinds principally to be noted viz. The Male and Female The Female groweth higher than the Male but the Leavs therof are lesser more divided or dented of as strong a smel as the Male The Vertues of them are both alike and therfore I shall not trouble you with any further Description or distinction of them Place They both grow on Heaths and in shady places neer the Hedg sides in all Countries of this Land Time They flourish and give their Seed at Midsummer The Femal Fern is that plant which is In Sussex called Brakes the Seed of which some Authors hold to be so rare such a thing there is I know and may easily Be had upon Midsummer Eve and for ought yet I know two or three daies before or after if not more Vertues and Vse The Roots of both these sorts of Ferns being bruised and boyled in Mead or Honyed Water and drunk killeth both the broad and long Worms in the Body and abateth the Swelling and hardness of the Spleen The green Leavs eaten purgeth the Belly and Chollerick and waterish humors but it troubles the Stomach They are dangerous for Women with Child to meddle with by reason they caus abortment The Roots bruised and boyled in Oyl or Hogs greas maketh a very profitable Oyntment to heal Wounds or pricks gotten into the Flesh. The Pouder of them used in foul Ulcers drieth up their Malignant moisture and causeth their speedier healing Fern being burned the smoke therof driveth away Serpents Gnats and other noisom Creatures which in the Fenny Countries do in the night time trouble and molest people lying in their Beds with their Faces uncovered it causeth Barrenness Osmond Royal or Water Fern. ♄ Description THis shooteth forth in the Spring time for in the Winter the Leavs perish divers rough hard Stalks half round and hollowish or flat on the other side two Foot high having divers Branches of winged yellowish green Leavs on all sides set one against another longer narrower and not nicked on the edges as the former From the top of some of these Stalks grow forth a long Bush of smal and more yellowish green scaly aglets as it were set in the same manner on the Stalks as the Leavs are which are accounted the Flower and Seeds The Root is rough thick and Scaly with a white pith in the middle which is called the Heart therof Place It groweth on Moors Bogs and Watery places in many parts of this Land Time It is green all the Summer and the Root only abideth in Winter Vertues and Use. This hath all the Vertues mentioned in the former Ferns and is much more effectual than they both for inward and outward Griefs and is accounted singular good in Wounds Bruises or the like the Decoction to be drunk or boyled into an Oyntment or Oyl as a Balsom of Balm and so it is singular good against Bruises and Bones broken or out of joynt and giveth much eas to the Chollick and Splenetick Diseases as also for Ruptures or burstings The Decoction of the Root in white Wine provokes Urine exceedingly and clenseth the Bladder and passages of Urine ♀ Featherfew Description COmmon Featherfew
OUr common Henbane hath very large thick soft woolly Leavs lying upon the ground much cut in or torn on the edges of a dark ill grayish green colour among which rise up divers thick short Stalks two or three foot high spread into divers smaller Branches with lesser Leavs on them and many hollow Flowers scarce appearing above the Husks and usually torn on the one side ending in five round points growing one above another of a deadish yellow colour somwhat paler toward the edges with many purplish Veins therein and of a dark yellowish purple in the bottom of the Flower with a smal pointel of the same colour in the middle each of them standing in hard close Husk which after the Flower is past groweth very like the Husk of Asarabacca and somwhat sharp at he top Points wherein is contained much smal Seed very like Poppy Seed but of a dusky grayish colour The Root is great white and thick branching forth divers waies under ground so like a Parsnip Root but that it is not so white that it hath deceived divers The whol Plant more than the Root hath a heavy ill soporiferous smell somwhat offensive Place It commonly groweth by the way sides and under Hedg sides and Wals. Time It Flowreth in July and springeth again yeerly of its own Seed I doubt my Author mistook July for June if not for May. Vertues and Vse The Leavs of Henbane do cool all hot Inflamations in the Eyes or any other part of the Body and are good to asswage all manner of Swellings of the Cods or Womens Breasts or els where if they be boyled in Wine and either applied themselves or the Fomentation warm it also asswageth the pain of the Gout the Sciatica and all other pains in the Joynts which arise from an hot caus And applied with Vinegar to the Forehead and Temples helpeth the Headach and want of sleep in hot Feavers The Juyce of the Herb or Seed or the Oyl drawn from the Seed doth the like The Oyl of the Seed is helpful for the Deafness Nois and Worms in the Ears being dropped therein the Juyce of the Herb or Root doth also the same The Decoction of the Herb or Seed or both killeth Lice in Man and Beast The fume of the dried Herb Stalks and Seed burned quickly healeth Swellings Chilblains or Kibes in the Hands or Feet by holding them in the fume thereof The Remedy to help those that have taken Henbane is to drink Goats Milk Honyed Water or Pine Kernels with Sweet Wine or in the absence of these Fennel Seed Nettle Seed the Seed of Cresses Mustard or Radish as also Onions or Garlick taken in wine do all help to free them from danger and restore them to their due temper again Take notice that this Herb must never be taken inwardly outwardly an Oyl Oyntment or Plaister of it is most admirable for the Gout to cool the Venerial heat of the Reins in the French Pox to stop the Tooth-ach being applied to the aching side to allay all Inflamations and to help the Diseases before premised I wonder in my Heart how Astrologers could take on them to make this an Herb of Jupiter and yet Mizaldus a man of a penetrating Brain was also of this Opinion as wel as the rest the Herb is indeed under the Dominion of Saturn and I prove it by this Argument All the Herbs which delight most to grow in Saturnine places are Saturnine Herbs But Henbanc delights most to grow in Saturnine places and whol Cart loads of it may be found neer the places where they empty the common Jakes and scarce a stinking Ditch to be found without it growing by it Ergo 't is an Herb of Saturn Herb Robert Description THis riseth up with a reddish stalk two foot high having divers leaves thereon upon very long and reddish footstalkes divided at the ends into three or five divisions each of them cut in on the edges some deeper then others and all dented likewise about the edges which often tims turn reddish At the tops of the stalk come forth divers flowers made of five leavs much larger then the Doves foot and of a more reddeish colour after which come beak heads as in others The Roote is small and threddy and smelleth as the whole plant very strong almost stinking Place This groweth frequently every where by way sides upon ditch banks and wast grounds whersoever one goeth Time It flowreth in June and July chiefly and the seed is ripe shortly after Vertues and use Herb Robert is commended not only against the stone but to stay bloud where or howsoever flowing it speedily healeth all green wounds and is effectual in old ulcers in the peivy parts or else where You may perswade your self this is true and also conceive a good reason for it if you you doe but consider 't is an herb of Venus for al it hath gotten a mans name Herb True-love OR One-berry Description THe ordinary Herb True-love hath a small creeping Root running under the upper crust of the ground somwhat like a Coutchgrass Root but not so white shooting forth stalks with leavs some wherof carry no berries though others do every stalk smooth without Joynts and blackith green rising about half a foot high if it bear berries otherwise seldom so high bearing at the top four leaves set directly one against another in maner of a Cross or a Riband tied as it is called on a True-loues Knot which are each of them a part somwhat like unto a Nightshade Leaf but somwhat broader having somtimes but three Leavs somtimes five somtimes six and these somtimes greater than in others In the middle of the four Leavs fiseth up one smal slender Stalk about an inch high bearing at the top thereof one Flower spread open like a Star consisting of four small and narrow long pointed Leavs of a yellowish green colour and four other lying between them lesser than they in the middle wherof standeth a round dark purplish Bâ—tton or Head compassed about with eight smal yellow Mealy thâ— eds with three colours make it the more conspicuous and lovely to behold This Button or Head in the middle when the other Leavs are withered becometh a blackish Purple Berry full of Juyce of the bigness of a reasonable Grape having within it many white Seeds The whol Plant is without any manifest tast Place It groweth in Woods and Copseâ— and somtimes in the corners or borders of Fields and wast Grounds in very many places of this Land and abundantly in the Woods Gopses and other places about Chisselhurst and Maidstone in Kent Time They spring up in the middle of April or May and are in Flower soon after The Barries are ripe in the end of May and in some places in June Vertues and Vse The Leavs or Berries hereof are effectual to expel poyson of all sorts especially that of the Aconites as also the
blindness so as the Christaline humor be not perished or hurt and this hath been sufficiently proved true by the experience of a man of judgment who kept it long to himself as a great sccret It also cleareth the Eyes of dust or any other thing gotten into them and preserveth the Sight It is also very much available against Wounds and Thrusts being made into an Oyntment on this manner To every ounce of the Water ad two drams of May Butter without Salt and of Sugar and Wax of each as much also let them boyl gently all together Let Tents be dipped in the Liquor that remaineth after it is cold and put into the Wounds and the place covered with a Linnen cloth doubled and anointed with the Oyntment and this is also an approved Medicine It likewise clenseth and healeth all foul Ulcers and Sores wheresoever and staieth their Inflamations by washing them with the Water and laying on them a green Leaf or two in the Summer or dry Leaves in the Winter This Water gargled warm in the Mouth and somtimes drunk also doth cure the Quinsie or Kings Evil in the Throat The said Water applied warm taketh away all Spots Marks and Scars in the Skin And a little of it drunk quencheth thirst when it is extraordinary The Herb is an Herb of the Moon and under the Sign Cancer neither do I know a better Preserver of the Sight when 't is well nor a better Curer of sore Eyes than Eyebright taken inwardly and this used outwardly 't is cold in quality ☉ ☿ Lovage Description THis hath many long and great Stalks of large winged Leavs devided into many parts like Smallage but much larger and greater every Leaf being cut about the edges broadest forwards and smallest at the Stalk of a sad green colour smooth and shining from among which rise up sundry strong hollow green Stalks five or six foot yea somtimes seven or eight foot high full of Joynts but lesser Leavs set at them than grow below and with them toward the tops come forth long Branches hearing at their tops large Umbels of yellow Flowers and after them flat brownish Seed The Root groweth thick great and deep spreading much and enduring long of a brownish colour on the outside and whitish within The whol Plant and every part of it smelleth strong and Aromatically and is of an hot sharp biting tast Place It is usually planted in Gardens where if it be suffered it groweth huge and great Time It Flowreth in the end of July and seedeth in August Vertues and Use. It openeth cutteth and digesteth Humors and mightily provoketh Womens Courses and Urine Half a dram at a time of the dried Root in Pouder taken in Wine doth wonderfully warm a cold Stomach helping digestion and consuming all raw superfluous moisture therein easeth al inward gripings and pains dissolveth wind and resisteth Poyson and infection It is a known and much practised Remedy to drink the Decoction of the Herb for any sort of Ague and to help the pains and Torments of the Body and Bowels coming of cold The Seed is effectual to al the purposes aforesaid except the last and worketh more powerfully The distilled water of the Herb helpeth the Quinsie in the Throat if the Mouth and Throat be gargled and washed therewith and helpeth the Pluresie being drunk three or four times Being dropped into the Eyes it taketh away the redness or dimness of them it likewise taketh away Spots or Freckles in the Face The Leavs bruised and fried with a little Hogs Lard laid hot to any Botch or Boyl wil quickly break it It is an Herb of the Sun under the Sign Taurus if Saturn offend the Throat as he alwaies doth if he be occasioner of the Malady and in Taurus in the Genesis this is your cure Lungwort Description THis is a kind of Moss that groweth on sundry sorts of Trees especially Oaks and Beeches with broad grayish tough Leavs diversly folded crumpled and gashed in on the edges and somtimes spotted also with many smal spots on the upper side It was never seen to bear any Stalk or Flower at any time Vertues and Use. This is of great use with many Phystians to help the Diseases of the Lungs and for Coughs Wheesings and shortness of breath which it cureth both in Man and Beast It is very profitably put into Lotions that are taken to stay the moist Humors that flow to Ulcers and hinder their healing as also to wash all other Ulcers in the privy parts of Man or Woman It is an excellent Remedy boyled in Beer for broken-winded Horses Iuâ—â— seems to own the Herb. Madder Description THe Garden Madder shooteth forth many very long weak four square reddish Stalks trailing on the Ground a great way very rough or hairy and full of Joynts At every of those Joynts come forth divers long and somwhat narrow Leavs standing like a Star about the Stalks rough also and hairy toward the tops whereof come forth many smal pale yellow Flowers after which come smal round Heads green at first and reddish afterwards but black when they are ripe wherin is contained the Seed The Root is not very great but exceeding long running down half a mans length into the grouund red and very clear while it is fresh spreading divers waies Place It is only manured in Gardens or larger Fields for the profit that is made thereof Time It Flowreth towards the end of Summer and the Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and Use. It hath an opening quality and afterwards to bind and strengthen It is an assured Remedy for the yellow Jaundice by opening the Obstructions of the Liver and Gall and clensing those parts It openeth also the Obstructions of the Spleen and diminisheth the Melanchollick humor It is available for the Palsey and Sciatica and effectual for Bruises inward or outward and is therfore much used in Vulnerary Drinks The Root for all those aforesaid purposes is to be boyled in Wine or Water as the caus requireth and some Honey or Sugar put therunto afterwards The Seed herof taken with Vinegar and Honey helpeth the Swellings and Hardness of the Spleen The Decoction of the Leaves and Branches is a good Fomentation for Women to sit over thar have not their Courses The Leavs and Roots beaten and applied to any part that is discoloured with Freckles Morphew the white Scurf or any such deformity of the Skin clenseth them throughly and taketh them away Maidenhair Description OUr common Maidenhair doth from a number of hard black Fibres send forth a great many blackish shining brittle Stalks hardly a span long in many not half so long on each side set very thick with smal round dark green Leavs and spotted on the back of them like other Ferns Place It groweth much upon old Stone Wals in in the West parts and Wales in Kent and divers other places of this Land It joyeth
Vertues and Use. The Juyce of Hors-Radish given in drink is held to be very effectual for the Scurvy It killeth the Worms in Children being drunk and also laid upon the Belly The Root bruised and laid to the place grieved with the Sciatica Joynt-ach or the hard Swellings of the Liver and Spleen doth wonderfully help them all The Distilled water of the Herb and Roots is more familiar to be taken with a little Sugar for all the purposes aforesaid Garden Radishes are in wantonness by the Gentry eaten as Sallet but they breed but scurvy Humors in the Stomach and corrupt the Blood and then send for a Physitian as fast as you can this is one caus makes the owners of such nice Pallars so unhealthful yet for such as are troubled with the Gravel Stone or stoppage of Urine they are good Physick if the Body be strong that takes them you may make the Juyce of the Roots into a Syrup if you pleas for that use they purge by Urine exceedingly I Know not what Planet they are under I think none of all the Seven will own them Ragwort Description THe greater common Ragwort hath many large and long dark green Leavs lying on the ground very much rent and torn on the sides into many pieces from among which rise up somtimes but one and somtimes two or three square or crested blackish or brownish Stalks three or four foot high somtimes branched bearing diverse such like Leavs upon them at several distances unto the tops where it brancheth forth into many Stalks bearing yellow Flowers consisting of diverse Leaves set as a Pale or Border with a dark yellow thrum in the middle which do abide a great while but at last are turned into Down and with the smal blackish gray Seed are carried away with the wind The Root is made of many Fibres whereby it is firmly fastned into to the ground and abideth many yeers There is another sort hereof different from the former only in this That it riseth not so â—igh the Leavs are not so finely jagged nor of so dark a green colour but rather somwhat whitish soft and woolly and the Flowers usually paler Place They grow both of them wild in Pastures and untilled grounds in many places and oftentimes both of them in one Field Time They Flower in June and July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. Ragwort Clenseth Digesteth and Discusseth The Decoction of the Herb to wash the Mouth or Throat that have Ulcers or Sores therein and for Swellings hardness or Impostumations for it throughly clenseth and healeth them as also the Quinsie and the Kings Evil It helpeth to stay Catarrrhes thin Rhewms Defluxions from the Head into the Eyes Nose or Lungs The Juyce is found by experience to be singular good to heal green Wounds and to clense and heal all old and filthy Ulcers in the Privities and in other parts of the Body as also inward Wounds and Ulcers and stayeth the Malignity of fretting or running Cankers and hollow Fistulaes not suffering them to spread further It is also much commended to help Aches and pains either in the Fleshy parts or in the Nervs and Sinews as also the Sciatica or pain of the Hips or Huckle-Bone to bath 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 Mastich and Olibanum in Pouder added unto it after it is strained forth In Sussex we call it Ragweed Rattle-grass OF this there are two kinds which I shall speak of Viz. The Red and yellow Description The common red Rattle hath sundry reddish hollow Stalks and somtimes green risâ—ng from the Root lying for the most part on the ground yet some growing more upright with many smal reddish or greenish Leavs set on both sides of a middle Rib finely dented about the edges The Flowers stand at the tops of the Stalks and Branches of a fine purplish red colour like smal gaping hoods after which come flat blackish Seed in small Husks which lying loos therein will Rattle with shaking The Root consists of two or three small whitish strings with some fibres thereat The common Yellow Rattle hath seldom above one round green Stalk rising from the Root about half a yard or two foot high and but few Branches theron having two long and somwhat broad Leavs set at a Joynt deeply cut in on the edges resembling the Comb of e Cock broadest next to the Stalk and smaller to the end The Flowers grow at the tops of the Stalks with some shorter Leavs with them hooded after the same manner that the others are but of a fair yellow colour in most or in some paler and in some more white The Seed is contained in large Husks and being ripe will rattle or make a nois with lying loose in them The Root is small and slender perishing every yeer Place They grow in our Meadows and Woods generally through this Land Time They are in Flower from Midsummer until August be past somtimes Vertues and use The Red Rattle is accounted profitable to heal up Fistulaes and hollow Ulcers and to stay the Flux of Humors to them as also the abundance of Womens Courses or any other Flux of Blood being boyled in red Wine and drunk The Yellow Rattle or Cocks Comb is held to Be good for those that are troubled with a Cough or with Dimness of Sight if the Herb being boyled with Beans and some Honey put thereto be drunk or dropped into the Eyes The whol Seed being put into the Eyes draweth forth any skin Dimness or Film from the sight without trouble or pain Rest-Harrow or Cammoak Description THe common Rest-Harrow riseth up with divers rough woody twigs half a yard or a yard high set at the Joynes without order with little roundish Leavs somtimes more than two or three at a place of a dark green colour without thorns while they are yong but afterwards armed in sundry places with short and sharp Thorns The Flowers come forth at the tops of the twigs and Branches whereof it is ful fashioned like Peas or Broom Blossoms but lesser flatter and somwhat closer of a faint purplish colour after which come smal Pods containing smal flat and round Seed The Root is blackish on the outside and whitish within very tough and hard to break when it is fresh and green and as hard as an Horn when it is dried thrusting down deep into the ground and spreading likewise every piece being apt to grow again if it be left in the ground Place It groweth in many places of this Land as well in the Arable as wast ground Time It Flowreth about the beginning or middle of July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use It is singular good to provoke Urine when it is stopped and to break and drive forth the Stone which the Pouder of the
the times change is the way to live secure and that Flatterers and Weather-cocks know wel enough The Woolley or Cotton Thistle Description THis hath many large Leaves lying on the ground somwhat cut in and as it were crumpled on the edges of a green colour on the upper side but covered over with long hairy Wool or Cottony Down set with most sharp and cruel pricks from the middle of whose heads of Flowers come forth many purplish crimson threds and somtimes white although but seldom The Seed that followeth in these white downy heads is somwhat large long and round resembling the Seed of Ladies Thistle but paler The Root is great and thick spreading much yet usually dieth after Seed time Place It groweth on diverse Ditch Banks and in the Cornfields and High-wayes generally throughout the Land and is often found growing in Gardens Time It Flowreth and beareth Seed about the end of Summer when other Thistles do Flower and Seed Vertues and Use. Dioscorides and Pliny write That the Leavs and Roots hereof taken in drink helpeth those that have a Crick in their Neck that they cannot turn it unless they turn their whol Body Galen saith That the Root and Leaves hereof are good for such persons that have their Bodies drawn together by some Spasm or Convulsion or other Infirmities as the Rickets ' or as the Colledg of Physitians would have it the Rachites about which name they have quarrel'd sufficiently in Children being a Disease that hindereth their growth by binding their Nerves Ligaments and whol structure of their Body The Fullers Thistle or Teasel THis is so well known that it needeth no Description being used by the Cloath-workers The wild Teasel is in all things like the former but that the prickles are smal soft and upright not hooked or stiff and the Flowers of this are of fine blush or pale Carnation colour but of the Manured kind whitish Place The first groweth being sown in Gardens or Fields for the use of Cloathworkers The other neer Ditches and Cills of water in many places of this Land Time They Flower in July and are ripe in the end of August Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith That the Root bruised and boyled in Wine until it be thick and kept in a brazen Vessel or Pot and after spread as a Salve and applied to the Fundament doth heal the clefts thereof as also Cankers and Fistulaes therein as also taketh away Warts and Wers The Juyce of the Leaves dropped into the Ears killeth Worms in them The distilled water of the Leaves dropped into the Eyes taketh away redness and mists in them that hinder the sight and is often used by women to preserve their beauty and to take away redness and Inflamations and all other heat or discolourings Treacle Mustard Description THis riseth up with a hard round stalke about a foot high parted into some branches having divers soft green leaves somewhat long and narrow set thereon waved but not cut in on the edges broadest towards the ends end somewhat round pointed The flowers are white that grow at the tops of the branches spike fashion one above another after which come large round pouches parted in the middle with a furrow having one blackish brown seed in either side somewhat sharp in tast and smelling of Garlick especially in the fields where it is naturall but not so much in gardens The roots are small and threddy perishing every yeare And here give me leave to adde Methridate Mustard although it may seem more properly by the name â—â— belong to the Alphabet M. Methridate Mustard THis groweth higher then the former spreading more and longer branches whose leaves are smaller and narrower sometimes unevenly dented about the edges the Flowers are smal and white growing on long branches with much smaller and rounder seed vessels after them and parted in the same manner having smaller browne seeds then the former and much sharper in taste The root perisheth after seed time but abideth the first winter after the springing Place They grow in sundry places of this Land as halfe a mile from Hatfield by the river side under a hedge as you go to Hatfield and in the street of Peckham on Surry side Time They flowre and seed from May to August Vertues and Use. These Mustards are said to purge the body both upwards and downwards and procureth Womens Courses so abundantly that it suffocateth the birth It breaketh inward Imposthumes being taken inwardly and used in Glisters helpeth the Sciatica the seed applied outwardly doth the same It is an especiall ingredient unto Methridate and Treacle being of it selfe an Antidote resisting poyson venome and putrefaction It is also availeable in many causes for which the common Mustard is used but somewhat weaker The Black-Thorne or Sloe-Bush THis is so well knowne that it needeth no description Place It groweth in every place and Countrey in the hedges and borders of fields Time It flowreth in Aprill and sometimes in March but ripeneth the fruit after all other plums whatsoever and is not fit to be eaten until the Autumne frost have mellowed it Vertues and Use. All the parts of the Sloe-Bush are binding cooling and drying and all effectuall to stay bleeding at the nose and mouth or any other place the Lask of the beily or stomach or the Bloody Flux the two much abounding of womens Courses and helpeth to ease the paines in the sides bowels and guts that come by over-much scowring to drink the decoction of the barke of the roots or more usually the decoction of the Berries either fresh or dried The Conserve is also of very much use and most familiarly taken for the purposes aforesaid But the distilled water of the Flowers first steeped in Sack for a night and drawne there-from by the heat of Balneum Angliceabaths is a most certaineremedy tried and approved to ease all manner of gnawings in the stomach the sides and bowels or any griping pains in any of them to drink a smal quantity when the extremety of pain is upon them The Leaves also are good to make Lotions to gargle and wash the Mouth and Throat wherein are Swellings Sores or Kernels and to stay the Defluxions of Rhewm to the Eyes or other parts as also to cool the heat and Inflamations in them and to ease hot pains of the Head to bath the Forehead and Temples therewith The simple distilled water of the Flowers is very effectual for the said purposes and is the condensate Juyce of the Sloes The distilled water of the green Berries is used also for the said effects Thoroughwax Description THe common Throughwax sendeth forth one straight round Stalk and somtimes more two foot high and better whose lower Leaves being of a blewish green colour are smaller and narrower than those up higher and stand close thereto not compassing it but as they grow higher they do more and more encompass the Stalk until it wholly as it were pass through them branching
take to be no other but our English Adder and all other Venemous Creatures The Leaves of Wheat Meal applied with some Salt taketh away hardness of the Skin Wharts and hard Knots in the Flesh. Starch moistned with Rosewater and laid to the Cods taketh away their Itching Wafers put in Water and drunk stayeth the Lask and Bloody Flux and is profitably used both inward and outwardly for the Ruptures in Children Boyled in Water unto a thick Gelly and taken it stayeth spitting of Blood and boyled with Mints and Butter it helpeth the hoarsness of the Throat The VVillow-tree THese are so well known that they need no no Description I shall therefore only shew you the Vertues thereof Vertues and Use. Both the Leaves Bark and the Seed are used to stanch bleeding of Wounds and at Mouth and Nose spitting of Blood and all other Fluxes of Blood in man or woman and to stay Vomiting and provocation thereunto if the Decoction of them in Wine be drunk It helpeth also to stay thin hot sharp salt Distillations from the Head upon the Lungs causing a Consumption The Leaves bruised with some Peppâ—r and drunk in Wine much helpeth the wind Chollick The Leaves bruised and boyled in Wine and drunk staieth the heat of Lust in man or woman and quite extinguisheth it if it be long used The Seed is also of the same effect The Water that is gathered from the Willow when it Flowreth the Bark being slit and a fitting Vessel set to receive it is very good for redness and dimness of Sight for films that grow over the Eyes and stay the Rhewms that fall into them to provoke Urin being stopped if it be drunk and to cleer the Face and Skin from Spots and Discolourings Galenâ—aith â—aith The Flowers have an admirable faculty in drying up Humors beeing a Medicine without any sharpness or corrosion You may boyl them in white Wine and drink as much as you will so you drink not your self drunk The Bark work the same effects if used in the same manner and the Tree hath alwaies Bark upon it though not alwaies Flowers The Burnt ashes of the Bark being mixed with Vinegar taketh away Warts Corns and Superfluous Flesh being applied to the place The Decoction of the Leaves or Bark in Wine takes away Scurf or Dandrif by washing the place with it 'T is a fine cool Tree The Boughs of which are very convenient to be placed in the Chamber of one sick of a Feaver Woad Description IT hath diverse large Leaves long and somwhat broad withal like to those of the greater Plantaue but larger thicker of a greenish colour and somwhat blew withal From among which Leaves riseth up a lusty Stalk three or four foot high with diverse Leaves set thereon The higher the Stalk riseth the smaller are the Leaves at the top it spreadeth into diverse Branches at the ends of which appear pretty little yellow Flowers and after they pass away like other Flowers of the Field come Husks long and somwhat flat withal in form they resemble a Tongue in colour they are black and they hang bobbing downwards The Seed contained within these Husks if it be a little chewed gives an Azure colour The Root is white and long Place It is sowed in Fields for the benefit of it where those that sow it cut it three ' times a yeer Time It Flowreth in June but is long after before the Seed is ripe Vertues and Use. Some People affirm the Plant to be destructive to Bees which if it be I cannot help it They say it possesseth Bees with a Flux but that I can hardly beleeve unless Bees be contrary to all other Creatures I should rather think it possesseth them with the contrary Disease the Herb being exceeding drying and binding However if any Bees be diseased thereby the cure is to set Urine by them but set it in such a Vessel that they cannot drown themselves which may be remedied if you put pieces of Cork in it I told you before the Herb was drying and binding and so drying and binding that it is not fit to be given inwardly An Oyntment made thereof stancheth Bleeding A Plaister made thereof and applied to the Region of the Spleen and I pray you take notice that the Spleen lies on the left side takes away the hardness and pains thereof The Oyntment is excellent good in such Ulcers as abound with moisture and takes away the corroding and fretting Humors It cools Inflamations quencheth St. Anthonies fire and stayeth Defluxions of Blood to any part of the Body Woodbind or Honey-suckles THe Plant is so common that every one that hath Eyes knows them and he that hath none cannot reade a Description if I should write it Time They Flower in June and the Fruit is ripe in August Vertues and Use. Doctor Tradition that grand Introducer of Errors that Hater of Truth that Lover of Folly and that mortal Foe to Doctor Reason hath taught the common People to use the Leaves and Flowers of this Plant in Mouth Waters and by long continuance of time hath so grounded it in the Brains of the Vulgar that you cannot beat it out with a Beetle All Mouth Waters ought to be cooling and drying but Honeysuckles are clensing consuming and digesting and therefore no waies fit for Inflamations Thus Doctor Reason Again If you please we will leave Dr. Reason a while and come to Dr. Experience a learned Gentleman and his Brother Take a Leaf and chew it in your Mouth and you will quickly find it likelier to cause a sore Mouth or Throat than to cure it Well then if it be not good for this What is it good for 'T is good for somthing For God and Nature made nothing in vain It is an Herb of Jupiter and apropriated to the Lungs the Coelestial Crab claims Dominion over it neither is it a Foe to the Lyon If the Lungs be afflicted by Mercury this is your Cure It is fitting a Conserve made of the Flowers of it were kept in every Gentlewomans House I know no better cure for an Asthma than this Besides It takes away the evil of the Spleen provokes Urine procures speedy Delivery to Women in Travail helps Cramps Convulsions and Palseys and whatsoever griefs comes of cold or stopping If you please to make use of it in an Oyntment it will cleer your Skin of Morphew Freckles and Sun-burning or whatsoever else discolours it and then the Maids will love it I have done when I have told you what Authors say and cavelled a little with them They say the Flowers are of more effect than the Leaves and that 's true but they say The Seeds are of least effect of all But Dr. Reason told me That there was a Vital Spirit in every Seed to beget its like and Dr. Experiense told me That there was a greater heat in a Seed than there was in any other part of a