put into the Nostrils purgeth the Head helpeth the nois in the Ears and the Tooth-ach the Juyce snuffed up the Nose helps a stinking Breath if the caus lies in the Nose as many times it doth if any bruis have been there as also want of smel coming that way Water-Betony ♃ ♋ Description FIrst of the Water-Betony which riseth up with square hard greenish Stalks and somtimes brown set with broad dark green Leavs dented about the edges with notches somwhat resembling the Leavs of the Wood-Betony but much larger two for the most part set at a Joynt The Flowers are many set at the tops of the Stalks and Branches being round bellied and open at the Brims and divided into two parts the uppermost being like a Hood and the lowest like a Lip hanging down of a dark red colour which passing away there comes in their places smal round Heads with smal points in the ends wherin lie smal and brownish Seeds The Root is a thick Bush of strings and threds growing from an Head Place It groweth by Ditchsides Brooks and other Water-courses generally through this Land and is seldom found far from the Waters sides Time It Flowreth about July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. It is of a clensing quality the Leavs bruised and applied are effectual for all old and filthy Ulcers and especially if the Juyce of the Leavs be boyled with a little Honey and tents dipped therin and the Sores dressed therwith as also for Bruises or Hurts whether inward or outward The distilled water of the Leaves is used for the same purposes as also to bath the Face or Hands spotted or blemished or discolored by Sunburning I confess I do not much fancy distilled Waters I mean such Waters as are distilled cold some vertue of the Herb they may happliy have it were a strange thing else but this I am confident of that being distilled in a Pewter Stil as the vulgar and apish fashion is both Chymical Oyl and Salt is left behind unless you burn them and then all is spoiled Water and al which was good for as little as can be by such a Distillation You have the best way of Distillation in my Translation of the London Dispensatory The Colledg of Physitians having as much skil in Distillations as an Ass hath reading Hebrew Water-Betony is an Herb of Jupiter in cancer and is apropriated more to Wounds and Hurts in the Breast than Wood-Betony which follows ♃ ♈ Wood-Betony Description THe Common or Wood-Betony hath many Leavs rising from the Root which are somwhat broad and round at the ends roundly dented about the edges standing upon long Footstalks from among which rise up smal square slender but yet upright hairy Stalks with some Leaves thereon two apiece at the Joynts smaller than the lower whereon are set several spiked Heads of Flowers like Lavender but thicker and shorter for the most part and of a reddish or purple colour spotted with white spots both in the upper and lower part The Seeds being contained within the Husks that hold the Flowers are blackish somwhat long and uneven The Roots are many white threddy strings the Stalk perisheth but the Root with some Leavs theron abides al the Winter The whol Plant is somwhat smal Place It groweth frequently in Woods and delighteth in Shady-places Time And it flowreth in July after which the Seed is quickly ripe yet in its prime in May. Vertues and Vse Antonius Musa physitian to the Emperor Augustus caesar wrote a peculiar Book of the Vertues of this Herb and amongst other Vertues saith of it That it preserveth the Lives and Bodies of Men free from the danger of Epidemical Diseases and from Wicchcrafts also It is found by daily experience to be good for many Diseases It helpeth those that loath or cannot digest their Meat those that have weak Stomachs or sower belchings or continual rising in their Stomach using it familiarly either green or dry either the Herb the Root or the Flowers in Broth drunk or Meat or made into Conserve Syrup Water Electuary or Pouder as every one may best frame themselvs unto or as the time or season requireth taken any of the aforesaid waies It helpeth the Jaundice Falling-sickness the Palsie Convulsions or shrinking of the Sinews the Gout and those that are inclined to Dropsies those that have continual Pains in their Head although it turn to Phrensie The Pouder mixed with pure Honey is no less available for al sorts of Coughs or Colds Wheesing or shortness of Breath Distillations of thin Rhewm upon the Lungues which causeth Consumptions The Decoction made with Mead and a little Penyroyal is good for those that are troubled with putrid Agues whether Quotidian Tertian or Quartan and to draw down and evacuate the Blood and humors that by falling into the Eyes do hinder the Sight The Decoction therof made in Wine and taken killeth the Worms in the Belly openeth Obstructions both of the Spleen and Liver careth Stitches and Pains in the Back or Sides the Torments and griping pains of the Bowels and the wind Chollick and mixed with Honey purgeth the Belly helpeth to bring down Womens Courses and is of especial use for those that are troubled with the falling down of the Mother and pains therof and causeth an easie and speedy delivery of Women in Childbirth it helpeth also to break and expel the Stone either in the Bladder or Kidneys The Decoction with Wine gargled in the Mouth easeth the Toothach It is commended against the sting or biting or Venemous Serpents or Mad Dogs Being used inwardly and applied outwardly to the place A dram of the Pouder in Betony taken with a little Honey in some Vinegar doth wonderfully refresh those that are overwearied by travail it staieth bleedings at the Mouth or Nose and helpeth those that pise or spit Blood and those that are Bursten or have a Rupture and is good for such as are bruised by any fall or otherwise The green Herb bruised or the Juyce applied to any inward hurt or outward green Wound in the Head or Body wil quickly heal and close it up as also any Veins or Sinews that are cut and will draw forth any broken Bone or Splinter Thorn or other thing gotten into the Flesh It is no less profitable for old Sores or filthy Ulcers yea though they be Fistulaus and hollow but some do advise to put in a little Salt to this purpose Being applied with a little Hogs Lard it helpeth a Plague-Sore and other Boyls and Pushes The fumes of the Decoction while it is warm received by a Funnel into the Bars caseth the pains of them destroyeth the Worms and cureth the running Sores in them The Juyce dropped into them doth the same The Root of Betony is displeasing both to the tast and Stomach whereas the Leavs and Flowers by their sweet and spicy tast are comfortable both in Meat and Medicine There are some of the many
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
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
female Peony for women and he desires to be judged by his brother Dr. Experience The Roots are held to be of most Vertue then the Seeds next the Flowers and last of all the Leavs Pepperwort or Dittander Description OUr common Pepper-wort sendeth forth somwhat long and broad Leavs of a light blewish green colour finely dented about the edges and pointed at the ends standing upon round hard Stalks three or four foot high spreading many Branches on all sides and having many smal white Flowers at the tops of them after which follow small Seed in small Heads The Root is slender running much under ground and shooting up again in many place and both Leavs and Root are very hot and sharp of tast like Pepper for which caus it took the name Place It groweth Naturally in many places of this Land as at Clare in Essex neer also unto Exceter in Devonshire upon Rochester common in Kent in Lancashire and divers other places but is usually kept in Gardens Time It Flowreth in the end of June and in July Vertues and Use Pliny and Paulus AEgineta say that Pepperwort is very effectual for the Sciatica or any other Gout or pain in the Joynts or any other inveterate grief the Leavs hereof to be bruised and mixed with old Hogs grease and applied to the place and to continue thereon four hours in Men and two hours in women the place being afterwards bathed with Wine and Oyl mixed together and then wrapped with Wool or Skins after they have sweat a little It also amendeth the Deformities or discolourings of the Skin and helpeth to take away Marks Scars and Scabs or the foul marks of burning with fire or iron The Juyce hereof is in some places used to be given in Ale to drink to women with child to procure them a speedy delivery in Travail Here 's another Martial Herb for you make much of it Perwinkle Description THe common sort hereof hath many Branches trayling or running upon the ground shooting out smal Fibres at the Joynts as it runneth taking thereby hold in the ground and Rooteth in divers places At the Joynts of these Branches stand two small dark green shining Leavs somwhat like Bay Leavs but smaller and with them come forth also the Flowers one at a Joynt standing upon a tender Footstalk being somwhat long and hollow parted at the brims somtimes into four somtimes five Leavs the most ordinary sort are of a pale blue colour some are pure white and some of a dark reddish Purple colour The Root is little bigger than a Rush bushing in the ground and creeping with his Branches far about whereby it quickly possesseth a great compass and is therfore most usually planted under Hedges where it may have room to run Place Those with the pale blue and those with the white Flowers grow in Woods and Orchards by the Hedg sides in diverse places of this Land But those with the Purple Flowers in Gardens only Time They Flower in March and April Vertues and Use. The Perwincle is a great binder staying bleeding both at Mouth and Nose if some of the Leavs be chewed The French use it to stay Womens Courses Dioscorides Galen and AEgineta commend it against the Lask and Fluxes of the Belly to be drunk in Wine Venus owns this Herb and saith that the Leavs eaten by man and wife together causeth love between them St. Peters-wort Name IF Superstition had not been the Father of Tradition as well as Ignorance the Mother of Devotion this Herb as well as St. Johns wort had found some other name to be known by but we may say of our Fore-fathers as St. Paul of the Athenians I perceive that in many things you are too Superstitious Yet seing it is come to that pass that Custom having gotten possession pleads Prescription for the name I shall let it pass and come to the Description of the Herb which take as followeth Description It riseth up with square upright Stalks for the most part somwhat greater and higher than St. Johns wort and good reason too St. Peter being the greater Apostle ask the Pope else for though God would have the Saints equal the Pope is of another Opinion but brown in the same mannor having two Leavs at every Joynt somwhat like but larger than St. Johns wort and a little rounder pointed with few or no Holes to be seen therein and having somtimes some smaller Leavs rising from the Bosom of the greater and somtimes a little hairy also At the tops of the Stalks stand many Starlike Flowers with yellow threds in the middle very like those of St. Johns wort insomuch that this is hardly discerned from it but only by the largeness of height the Seed being also alike in both The Root abideth long sending forth new shoots every yeer Place It groweth in many Groves and small low Woods in divers places of this Land as in Kent Huntington Cambridg and Nothampton shires as also neer water Courses in other places Time It Flowreth in June and July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. It is of the same property with St. Johns wort but somwhat weak and therefore more seldom used Two drams of the Seed taken at a time in Honeyed water purgeth Chollerick Humors as saith Dioscorides Pliny and Galen and thereby helpeth those that are troubled with the Sciatica The Leavs are used as St. Johns wort to help those places of the Body that have been burnt with Fire There is not a straw to chuse between this and St. Johns wort only St. Peter must have it lest he should lack Pot-herbs Pimpernel Discription COmmon Pimpernel hath diverse weak square Stalks lying on the ground beset all along with two smal and almost round Leavs at every Joynt one against another very like Chickweed but hath no Footstalks for the Leavs do as it were compass the Stalk The Flowers stand singly each by themselvs at them and the Stalks consisting of five round small pointed Leavs of a fine pale red colour tending to an Orange with so many threds in the middle in whose places succeed smooth round Heads wherein is contained smal Seed The Root is smal and fibrous perishing every yeer Place It groweth every where almost as well in the Meadows and Cornfields as by the Way-sides and in Gardens arising of it self Time It Flowreth from May unto August and the Seed ripeneth in the mean time and falleth Vertues and Use. This is of a clensing and attractive quality whereby it draweth forth Thorns or Splinters or other such like things gotten into the Flesh and put up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and Galen saith also they have a drying faculty whereby they are good to soder the lips of Wounds and to clens foul Ulcers The distilled Water or Juyce is much esteemed by French Dames to clense the Skin from any roughness deformity or discolouring thereof Being boyled in Wine and given to drink it
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
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
of Choller which it may well do by a Vomit as daily experience sheweth the Juyce hereof taken in Drink or the Decoction of it in Ale gently performeth the same It is good against the Jaundice and Falling-sickness being taken in Wine as also against difficulty of making Water it provoketh Urin expelleth Gravel in the Reins or Kidneys a dram thereof given in Oximel after some walking or stirring the Body It helpeth also the Sciatica griping of the Belly and the Chollick helpeth the defects of the Liver and provoketh Womens Courses The fresh Herb boyled and made into a Pultis and appled to the Breasts of Women that are swollen with pain and heat as also to the privy parts of Man or Woman the Seat or Fundament or the Arteries Joynts and Sinews when they are inflamed and swoln doth much eas them and used with some Salt helpeth to dissolve Knots or Kernels in any part of the Body The Juyce of the Herb or as Dioscorides saith the Leavs and Flowers with some fine Frankincense in Pouder used in Wounds of the Body Nervs or Sinews doth singularly help to heal them The Distilled Water of the Herb performeth well all the aforesaid Cures but especially for Inflamations or watering of the Eyes by reason of the Defluxion of Rhewm into them This Herb is Venus her Mrs. piece and is as gallant an Universal Medicine for all Diseases coming of heat whatsoever they be or in what part of the Body soever they lie as the Sun shines upon 't is very safe and friendly to the Body of Man yet causeth Vomiting if the Stomach be afflicted if not it purging and it doth it with more gentleness than can be expected 'T is moist and somwhat cold withal thereby causing expulsion and repressing the Heat caused by the motion of the internal parts in Purges and Vomits Lay by your Learned Receipts Take so much Senna so much Scammony so much Colocynthis so much Infusion of Crocus Metallorum c. This Herb alone preserved in a Syrup in a distilled Water in an Oyntment shal do the deed for you in all hot Diseases and it shall do it 1. Safely 2. Speedily Harts-Tongue Description THis hath divers Leavs â—â—ing from the Root every one severally which fold themselvs in their first springing and spreading when they are full grown are about a foot long smooth and green above but hard and with little Sap in them and straked on the back athwart on both sides of the middle Rib with smal and somwhat long brownish marks the bottoms of the Leavs are a little bowed on each side of the middle Rib somwhat narrow with the length and somwhat smal at the end The Root is of many black threds folded or interlaced together Time It is green all the Winter but new Leavs spring every yeer Vertues and Vse Harts-Tongue is much commended against the hardness and stoppings of the Spleen and Liver and against the heat of the Liver and Stomach and against Lasks and the Bloody Flux The Distilled Water therof is also very good against the Passions of the Heart and to stay the Hiccough to help the falling of the Pallat and stay the bleeding of the Gums being gagled in the mouth Dioscorides faith it is good against the stinging or biting of Serpents Jupiter claims Dominion over this Herb therfore is a singular Remedy for the Liver both to strengthen it when weak and eas it when afflicted 't is no matter by what you should do well to keep it in a Syrup all the yeer for though my Author say 't is green all the yeer I scarce beleev it As for the use of it my Directions at latter end will be sufficient and enough for those that are studious in Physick to whet their Brains upon for one year or two The Hazel Nut. THese are so well known to every Boy that they need no Description Vertues and Vse The parched Kernels made into an Electuary or the Milk drawn from the Kernels with Mead or Honeyed Water is very good to help an old Cough and being parched and a little Pepper put to them and drunk digesteth the Distillations of Rhewm from the Head The dried Husks and Shels to the weight of two drams taken in red Wine staieth Lasks and Womens Courses and so doth the red Skin that covers the Kernels which is more effectual to stay Womens Courses And if this be true as it is then why should the Vulgar so familiarly affirm that eating Nuts causeth shortness of Breath than which nothing is falser for how can that which strengthens the Lungues cause shortness of breath I confess the Opinion is far older than I am I knew Tradition was a Friend to Ertors before but never that he was the Father of Slanders or are mens tongues so given to slandering one another that they must slander Nuts too to keep their tongues in â—re If any thing of the Hazel Nut be stopping ' t is the Husks and Shels and no body is so mad to eat them unless Physically and the red Skin which covers the Kernel which you may easily pull off And thus have I made an Apology for Nuts which cannot speak for themselves Hawkweed Description This hath many large hairy leaves lying on the ground much rent or torn on the sides into many gashes like Dandelion but with greater parts more like the smooth sow Thistle from among w th ariseth a hollow rough stalk two or three foot high branched from the middle upward wherin are set at every Joynt longer leaves little or nothing rent or cut in bearing at their top sundrypale yellow Flowers consisting of many small narrow leavs broad pointed and nicked in at the ends set in a double row or more the outermost beeing larger than the inner which form most of the Hawkweeds for there are many kinds of them do hold which turne into down and with the small brownish seeds is blown away with the wind The Roote is long and somwhat greater with many small fibres thereat The whole is full of bitter milke Place It groweth in divers places about Field sides and the path waies in dry grounds Time It flowreth flies away in the SuÌ„merMonths Vertues and use Howkweed saith Dioscorides is cooling somwhat drying and binding and therfore good for the heat of the stomach and gnawings therein for Inflamations and the hot fits of Agues The Juice therof in wine helpeth digestion discusseth wind hindreth crudities abiding in the stomack and helpeth the difficulty of making Water the biting of Venemous Serpents and sting of the Scorpion if the herb be also outwardly applyed to the place and is very good against all other Poysons A scruple of the dryed Juyce given in wine and vinegar is profitable for those that have the Dropsie The decoction of the Herb taken with Honey digeisteth thin flegm in the chest or lungs and with Hysop helpeth the cough The Decoction therof and of wild
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
wherunto a little Honey and Allum is put is an excellent Gargle to wash clens and heal any sore Mouth or Throat in a short space If the Feet be bathed or washed with the Decoction of the Leavs Roots and Flowers it helpeth much the Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head If the Head be washed therewith it staieth the falling and shedding of the Hair The green Leavs saith Pliny beaten with Nitre and applied draweth out Thorns or Pricks in the Flesh. The Marsh Mallows are more effectual in al the Diseases before mentioned The Leavs are likewise used to loosen the Belly gently and in Decections for Clysters to eas al pains of the Body opening the strait Passages and making them slippery whereby the Stone may descend the more easily and without pain out of the Reins Kidneys and Bladder and to eas the torturing pains thereof But the Roots are of more especial use for those purposes as well as for Coughs Hoarsness shortness of Breath and Wheesings being boyled in Wine or Honeyed Water and drunk The Roots and Seeds hereof boyled in Wine or Water is with good success used by them that have Excoriations in the Guts or the bloody Flux by qualifying the violence of the sharp fretting Humors easing the pains and healing the Soreness It is profitably taken of them that are troubled with Ruptures Cramps or Convulsions of the Sinews and boyled in white Wine for the Impostumes of the Throat commonly called the Kings Evil and of those Kernels that rise behind the Ears and inflamations or Swellings in Womens Breasts The dried Roots boyled in Milk and drunk is special good for the Chin-Cough Hippocrates used to give the Decoction of the Roots or the Juyce therof to drink to those that were wounded and ready to faint through loss of Blood and applied the same mixed with Honey and Rozin to the Wounds As also the Roots boyled in Wine to those that had received any Hurt by Bruises Falls or Blows or had any Bone or Member out of Joynt or any Swelling pain or ach in the Muscles Sinews or Arteries The Muccilage of the Roots and of Linseed and of Fennugreek put together is much used in Pultises Oyntments and Plaisters to mollifie and digest all hard Swellings and the Inflamation of them and to eas pains in any part of the Body The Seed either green or dry mixed with Vinegar clenseth the Skin of the Morphew and al other discolourings being bathed therewith in the Sun You may remember that not long since there was a raging Diseas called the Bloody Flux the Colledg of Physitians not knowing what to make of it called it the Plague in the Guts for their wits were at ne plus ultra about it My son was taken with the same Diseas and the excoriation of his Bowels was exceeding great my self being in the Country was sent for up the only thing I gave him was Mallows bruised and boyled both in his Milk and Drink in two daies the blessing of God being upon it it cured him and I here to shew my thankfulness to God in communicating it to his Creatures leav it to posterity ☿ ♈ Sweet Marjerom THis is so wel known being an Inhabitant in every Garden that it is needless to write any Description thereof neither of the Winter Sweet Marjerom nor Pot Marjerom Place They grow commonly in Gardens some sorts there are that grow wild in the Borders of Corn Fields and Pastures in sundry places of this Land but it is not my purpose to insist upon them The Garden kinds being most used and useful Time They Flower in the end of Summer Vertues and use Our common Sweet Marjerom is warming and comfertable in cold Diseases of the Head Stomach Sinews and other parts taken inwardly or outwardly applied The Decoction thereof being drunk helpeth al the Diseases of the Chest which hinder the freeness of breathing and is also profitable for the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It helpeth the cold Griefs of the Womb and the windiness thereof and the loss of Speech by resolution of the Tongue The Decoction thereof made with som Pellitory of Spain and long Pepper or with a little Acorus or Origanum being drunk is good for those that are beginning to fall into a Dropsie for those that cannot make Water and against pains and torments in the Belly it provoketh Womens Courses if it be put up as a Pessary Being made into Pouder and mixed with Honey it taketh away the black marks of Blows and Bruises being therto applied It is good for the Inflamations and watering of the Eyes being mixed with fine Flower and laid unto them The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the Pains and singing nois in them It is profitably put into those Oyntments and Salves that are made to warm and comfort the outward parts as the Joynts and Sinews for Swellings also and places out of Joynt The Pouder thereof snuffed up into the Nose provoketh neezing and thereby purgeth the Brain and chewed in the Mouth draweth forth much Flegm The Oyl made thereof is very warming and comfortable to the Joynts that are stiff and the Sinews that are hard to mollifie and supple them Marjerom is much used in all odoriferous Waters Pouders c. that are for Ornament or delight It is an Herb of Mercury and under Aries and is therfore an excellent Remedy for the Brain and other parts of the Body and Mind under the Dominion of the same Planet ☉ ♌ Marigolds THese being so pelentifull in every Garden are so well known that they need no Description Time They Flower al the Summer long and somtimes in the Winter if it be mild Vertues and Use The Flowers either green or dryed are used much in Possets broths and drinkes as a comforter of the Heart and spirits and to expell any malignant or pestilential quality which might annoy them It is an Herb of the Sun and under Leo they strengthen the heart exceedingly and are very expulsive and little less Effectual in the smal pox and measles than Saffron The Juyce of Marigold Leaves mixed with Vinegar and any hot swelling bathed with it instantly giveth ease and asswageth it A plaister made with the dry Flowers in pouder hogs greas Turpentine and Rozin and applyed to the breast strengthens and succours the heart infinitly in feavers whether pestilential or not pestileutiall ♂ Masterwort Description Common Masterwort hath divers stalks of winged Leaves devided into sundry parts three for the most part standing together at a small footstalk on both sides of the greater and three likewise at the end of the stalk somwhat broad and cut in on the edges into three or more devisions all of them dented about the brims of a dark green colour somwhat resembling the Leaves of Angelica but that these grow lower to the ground on lesser stalks among which
a Soldier hath I say when Mars was free from War he called a Councel of War in his own Brain to know how he should do poor sinful man good desiring to forget his in being called an Infortune He musters up his own Forces and places them in Bâ—ttalia â—h quoth he why do I hurt a poor silly Man or Woman His Angel Answers him 'T is because they have ofâ—ended their God Look back to Adam Well saies Mars though they speak evil of me I 'le do good to them Death's cold my Herbs shall heat them They are full of ill Humors else they would never have spoken ill of me my Herb shall clense them and dry them They are poor weak Creatures my Herb shall threngthen them they are dul witted my Herb shall fortifie their Apprehensions and yet amongst Astrologers all this doth not deserve a good word â—h the Patience of Mars Faelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas Inque domus superum scandere cura fiâ—t Oh happy he that can the Knowledg gain To know th' eternal God made nought in vain To this I add I know the reason causeth such a Dearth Of Knowledg 't is becaus men love the Earth The other day Mars told me he met with Venus and he asked her what the Reason was that she accused him for abusing Women he never gave them the Pox in the Dispute they fell out and in anger parted and Mars told me that his brother Saturn told him that an Antivenerial Medicine was the best against the Pox. Once a Month he meets with the Moon Mars is quick enough of speech and the Moon not much behind hand neither are most Women The Moon looks much after Children and Children are much troubled with the Worms she desued a Medicine of him he bad her take his own Herb Wormwood He had no sooner parted with the Moon but he met with Venus and she was as drunk as a Bitch Alâ—s poot Venus quoth heâ— What thou a Fortune and be drunk I 'le give thee an Antipathetical Cure take my Herb Wormwood thou shalt never get a Surfet by drinking A poor silly Country-man hath got an Ague and cannot go about his business he wishes he had it not and so do I but I 'le tell him a Remedy whereby he may prevent it Take the Herb of Mars Wormwood and if Infortunes will do good what will Fortunes do Some say the Lungs are under Jupiter and if the Lungs then the breath and yet a man somtimes gets a stinking breath and yet Jupiter is a Fortune forsooth up comes Mars to him Come Brother Jupiter thou knowest I sent thee a couple of Trines to thy Houses last night the one from Aries and the other from Scorpio give me thy leave by Sympathy to cure the poor man by drinking a draught of Wormwood Beer every morning The Moon was weak the other day and she gave a man two terrible mischiefs a dull Brain and a weak sight Mars lâ—ies by his Sword and comes to her Sister Moon saith he This man hath anger'd thee but I beseech thee take notice he is but a Fool prithee be patient I will with my Herb Wormwood cure him of both Infirmities by Antipathy for thou knowst thou and I cannot agree with that the Moon began to quarrel Mars not delighting much in Womens Tongues went away and did it whether she would or no. He that reades this and understands what he reades he hath a Jewel more worth then a Diamond He that understands it not is as little fit to give Physick There lies a Key in these words which will unlock if it be turned by a wise hand the Cabbinet of Physick I have delivered it so plainly as I durst 't is not upon Wormwood only that I wrote but upon all Plants Trees and Herbs He that understands it not is unfit in my Opinion to give Physick This shall live when I am dead and thus I leave it to the World not caring â— Halfpenny whether they like or dislike it The Grave equals all men and therefore shall equal me with the Princes until which time the Eternal Providence is over me then the ill tongue of a praâ—ling Priest or of one who hath more Tongue than Wit or more Pride than Honesty shall never trouble me Wisdom is justified of her Children and so much for Wormwood Yarrow Description IT hath many long Leaves spread upon the ground and fine cut and devided into many smal parts Its Flowers are white but not all of a whiteness and staied in Knots upon diverse green Stalks which rise from amongst the Leaves Place It is very frequent in all Pastures Time It Flowers late even in the latter end of August Vertues and Use. An Oyntment of them cures Wounds and is most fit for such as have Inflamations it being an Herb of Dame Venus It stops the Terms in Women being boyled in white Wine and the Decoction drunk as also the Bloody Flux the Oyntment of it is not only good for green Wounds but also for Ulcers and Fistulaes especially such as abound with moisture It staies the shedding off of Hair the Head being bathed with the Decoction of it inwardly taken it helps the retentive faculty of the Stomach it helps the running of the Reins in men and the whites in women and helps such as cannot hold their water and the Leaves chewed in the Mouth ease the Toothach and these Vertues being put together shew the Herb to be drying and binding Achilles is supposed to be the first that leâ—t the Vertues of this Herb to posterity having learned them of his Master Chyron the Centaure and certainly a very profitable Herb it is in the Camp and perhaps therfore called Militaris DIRECTIONS HAving in diverse places of this Treatise promised you the way of making Syrups Conserves Oyls Oyntments c. of Herbs Roots Flowers c. whereby you may have them ready for your use at such times when otherwise they cannot be had I come now to perform what I promised and you shall find me rather better than worse than my word That this may be done Methodically I shall devide my Directions into two grand Sections and each Sections into several Chapters and then you shall see it look with such a Countenance as this is Sect. 1. Of gathering drying and keeping Simples and their Juyces Chap. 1. Of Leaves of Herbs c. Chap. 2. Of Flowers Chap. 3. Of Seeds Chap. 4. Of Roots Chap. 5. Of Barks Chap. 6. Of Juyces Sect. 2. Of making and keeping Compounds Chap. 1. Of Distilled Waters Chap. 2. Of Syrups Chap. 3. Of Juleps Chap. 4. Of Decoctions Chap. 5. Of Oyls Chap. 6. Of Electuaries Chap. 7. Of Conserves Chap. 8. Of Preserves Chap. 9. Of Lohochs Chap. 10. Of Oyntments Chap. 11. Of Plaisters Chap. 12. Of Pultisses Chap. 13. Of Troches Chap. 14. Of Pills Chap. 15. The way of fitting Medicines to Compound Diseases Of all
excuse And a Poet could teach them a better Lesson Excideret ne tibi divini muner is author Presentem monstrat quaelibet Herba Deum Because out of thy thoughts God should not pass His Image stamped is on every Grass This indeed is true God hath stamped his Image upon every Creature and therefore the abuse of the Creature is a great sin but how much more doth the Wisdom and Excellencie of God appear if we consider the Harmony of the Creation in the Vertue and Operation of every Herb this is the first Secondly Hereby thou maist know what infinite Knowledg Adam had in his Innocencie that by looking upon a Creature he was able to give it a name according to his Nature and by knowing that thou maist know how great thy fall was and be humbled for it eveâ— in this respect because hereby thou art so ignorant Thirdly Here is the right way for thee to begin the study of Physick if thou art minded to begin at the right end for here thou hast the Reason of the whol Art I wrote before in certain Astrological Lectures which I read and printed intituled Semeiotica Vranica what Planet caused as a second Cause every Disease and how it might be found out what Planet caused it here thou hast what Planet cures it by Sympathy and Antipathy and this brings me to my last promise Viz. Instructions for the right use of the Book And herein let me premise a word or two Many Herbs Plants c are not in the Pook apropriated to their propper Planets the Reason was want of time or some other thing else which many that know me will easily guess at at last the Book hanging longer in the Press than I imagined it would I took the time and pains though I could ill have spared either to apropriate them all and have for thy benefit Courteous Reader inserted them in order after the Epistle now then for thy Instruction First Consider what Planet causeth the Disease that thou maist find in my Semeiotica Secondly Consider what part of the Body is afflicted by the Diseas and whether it lie in the Flesh or Blood or Bones or Ventricles Thirdly Consider by what Planet the afflicted part of the Bodie is governed that my Semeiotica will inform you in also Fourthly You have in this Book the Herbs for Cure a propriated to the several Diseases and the Diseases for your ease set down in the Margin whereby you may strengthen the part of the Bodie by its like as the â—rain by Herbs of Mercury the Breast and Liver by Herbs of Jupiter the Heart and Vitals by Herbs of the Sun c. Fifthly You may oppose Diseases by Herbs of the Planet opposite to the Planet that causeth them as Diseases of Jupiter by Herbs of Mercury and the contrary Diseases of the Lumâ—naries by Herbs of Saturn and the contrary Diseases of Mars by Herbs of Venus and the contrary Sixthly There is a way to cure Diseases somtimes by Sympathy and so every Planet cures his own Diseases as the Sun and Moon by their Herbs cure the Eyes Saturn the Spleen Jupiter the Liver Mars the Gall and Diseases of Choller and Venus Diseases in the Instruments of Generation Seventhly There was smal Treatise of mine of Humane Vertues printed at the latter end of my Ephemeris for the yeer 1651. I suppose it would do much good to yong Students to peruse that with this Book Eighthly Yong Students would do themselves much good and benefit themselâ—es exceedingly in the Study of Physick if they would tak the pains to view the Vertues of the Herbs c. in the Book and compare them to these Rules they shall to their exceeding great content find them all agreeable to them and shall thereby see the reason why such an Herb conduceth to the Cure of such a Disease Ninthly I gave you the Key of al in the Herb Wormwood which if because of the volubility of the Language any think it will not fit the Lock I will here give it you again in another Herb of the same Planet which in the Book either through my own forgetfulness or my Amanuensis was omitted and here I shal give it you plainly without any circumstances The Herb is Carduus Benedictus It is called Carduus Benedictus or blessed Thistle or holy Thistle I suppose the name was put uppon it by some that had little Holinessin themselves It is an Herb of Mars and under the Sign Aries now in handling this Herb I shall give you a rational Pattern of all the rest and if you please to view them throughout the Book you shall to your content find it true It helps Swimmings and giiddiness of the Head or the Disease called Vertigo because Ariesis the House of Mars It is an excellent Remedy against the yellow Jaundice and other Infirmities of the Gall because Marsgoverns Choller It strengthens the attractive faculty in man and clarifies the Blood because the one is ruled by Mars The continual drinking the Decoction of it helps red Faces Tetters and Ring-worms because Marscauseth them It helps Plague-sores Boils and Itch the Bitings of mad Dogs and venemous Beasts all which infirmities are under Mars Thus you see what it doth by Sympathy By Antypathy to other Planets It cures the French Pox by Antypathy to Venuswho governs it It strengthens the Memory and cures Deafness by Antipathy to Saturnwho hath his Fall in Aries which Rules the Head It cures Quartan Agues and other Diseases of Melancholly and adust Choller by sympathy to Marsbeing exalted in Capricorn Also it provokes Vrine the stopping of which is usually caused by Marsor the Moon If you please to make use of these Rules you shall find them true throughout the Book and by heeding them you may be able to give a Reason of your Judgment to him that asketh you I assure you it gave much content to me and for your goods did I pen it but I must conclude my Epistle having exceeded its Bounds alreadie hereby you see what Reason may be given for Medicines and what necessity there is for every Physitian to be an Astrologer you have heard it before I suppose but now you know it what remains but that you labor to glorifie God in your several places and do good to your selves first by encreasing your Knowledg and to your Neighbors afterwards by helping their Infirmities some such I hope this Nation is worthy of and to such shall I remain a Friend during life readie to my poor power to help Nich. Culpeper Spittle-fields next door to the red Lyon Novemb. 6. 1652. Authors made use of in this TREATISE A AEgineta AEtius Aristotle Avicenna Averrois Avenaris Andreas Caesalpinus Antonius Musa B Bauhine Bellus Bartholomeus Anglus Butler a Manuscript C Clusius Cameravius D Dodoneus Dioscorides E Dr. Experience F Fabius Columna Fuchsius G Gesner Galen Gerrhard I Isidore Johnson L Leonicerus Lobel Lug dunensis M Mathiolus Mesue Mizaldus O Otho
Vertues Antony Musa an expert Physitian for it was not the practice of Octavius Caesar to keep Fools about him apropriates to Betony It is a very precious Herb that 's certain and most fitting to be kept in a mans hous both in Syrup Conserve Oyl Oyntment and Plaister The Flowers are usually Conserved The Herb is apropriated to the Planet Jupiter and the Sign Aries ♄ The Beech-Tree IN treating of this Tree you must understand that I mean the great Mast Beech which is by way of distinction from that other smal rough sort called in Sussex the smal Beech but in Essex Hornbeam I suppose it needless to describe it being already so wel known to my Countrymen Place It groweth in Woods amongst Oaks and other Trees and in Parks Forrests and Chases to feed Deer and in other places to fatten Swine Time It bloometh in the end of April or begining of May for the most part and the Fruit is ripe in September Vertues and use The Leavs of the Beech-Tree are cooling and binding and therefore good to be applied to hot Swelling to discuss them The Nuts do much nourish such Beasts as feed thereon The Water that is found in the hollow places of decaying Beeches will cure both Man and Beast of any Scurf Scab or running Tetters if they be washed therwith You may boyl the Leavs into a Pultis or make an Ointment of them when time of year serves ♄ BILBERRIES called also by som Whorts and Whortleberries Descriptions OF these I shal only speak of two sorts which are commonly known in England Viz The Black and the Red Bilberries And first of the Black This smal Bush creepeth along upon the ground scarce rising half a yard high with divers smal dark green Leaves set on the green Branches not alwaies one against another and a little dented about the edges At the foot of the Leaves com forth smal hollow pale blush coloured Flowers the brims ending in five points with a reddish threed in the middle which pass into smal round Berries of the bigness and colour of Juniper Berries but of a Purple sweetish sharp tast the Juyce of them giveth a Purplish colour to their Hands and Lips that eat and handle them especially if they break them The Root groweth asloop under ground shooting forth in sundry places as it creepeth This loseth its Leaves in Winter The Red Bilberry or whortle-bush riseth up like the former having sundry harder Leaves like the Box-Tree Leaves green and round pointed standing on the several Branches at the tops whereof only and not from the sides as in the former com forth divers round flowers of a pale red color after which succeed round reddish sappy Berries when they are ripe of a sharp tast The Root runneth in the ground as the former but the Leaves of this abide al Winter Place The first groweth in Forrests on the Heaths and such like barren plaaces The Red grows in the North parts of this Land as Lancashire Yorkshire c. Time They slower in March and April and the Fruit of the Black is ripe in June and July Vertue and use The Black Bilberries are good in hot Agues and to cool the heat of the Liver and stomach they do somwhat bind the Belly and stay Vomitings and Loathings The Juyce of the Berries made into a Syrup or the Pulp made into a Conserve with Sugar is good for the purposes aforesaid as also for an old Cough or an Ulcer in the Lungs or other diseases therein The Red Whorts are more binding and stop Womens Courses spitting of Blood or any other Flux of Blood or Humors being used aswel outwardly as inwardly Bifoyl or Twayblade Description THis smal Herb from a Root somewhat sweet shooting downwards many long strings riseth up a round green Stalk bare or naked next the ground for an inch two or three to the middle therof as it is in age or growth as also from the middle upward to the Flowers having only two broad Plantan-like Leaves but whiter set at the middle of the Stalk one against another and compasseth it round at the bottom of them Place It is a usual Inhabitant in Woods Copses and in many other places in this Land There is another sort growes in wet grounds and Marshes which is somwhat differing from the former It is a smaler Plant and greener having somtimes three Leaves the Spike of Flowers is less than the former and the Roots of this do run or creep in the ground They are much and often used by many to good purpose for Wounds both green and old and to consolidate or knit Ruptures The Birch-Tree ♀ Description THis groweth a goodly tall straight Tree fraught with many Boughes and slender Branches bending downward the old ones being covered with a discoloured chapped Bark and the yonger being browner by much The Leaves at their first breaking out are crumpled and afterward like the Beech Leaves but smaler and greener and dented about the edges It beareth smal short Catkins somwhat like those of the Hazel-Nut-tree which abide on the Branches a long time until growing ripe they fall on the ground and their Seed with them Place It usually groweth in Woods Vertues The Juyce of the Leaves while they are yong or the distilled Water of them or the Water that coms out of the Tree being bored with an Augur and distilled afterwards any of these being drunk for som time together is available to break the Stone in the Kidnies or Bladder and is good also to wash sore Mouths ♄ Birds-Foot THis smal Herb groweth not above a span high with many Branches spread on the ground set with many wings of small Leaves The Flowers grow upon the Branches many smal ones of a pale yellow colour being set at a head together which afterwards turn into so many smal joynted Cods with Seeds in them the Cods well resembling the Claws of smal Birds whence it took its name There is another sort of Birds-Foot in all things like the former but a little larger the Flowers of a pale whitish red colour and the Cods distinct by Joynts like the other but a little more crooked and the Roots do carry many smal white Knots or Kernels amongst the Strings Place These grow on Heaths and many open untilled places of this Land Time They flower and seed in the end of Summer Vertues and use They are of a drying binding quality and therby very good to be used in Wound-drinks as also to apply outwardly for the same purpose But the latter Birds-foot is found by experience to break the Stones in the Back or Kidnies and drive them forth if the Decoction therof be taken and it wonderfully helpeth the Rupture being taken inwardly and outwardly applied to the place All Salts have best operation upon the Ston as Ointments Plaisters have upon Wounds and therfore if you may make a Salt of this for the Stone the way how to do so
the yellow Jaundice and the Head-ach and with some Honey or Sugar put therunto clenseth the Breast of Flegm and the Chest of much clammy Humors gathered therin The Decoction of the Roots drunk and a Pultis made of the Berries and Leavs being applied are effectual in knitting and consolidating broken Bones and Parts out of Joynt It is called Bruscus in some places and in Sussex Kneeholly and Knecholm The common way of using it is to boyl the Roots of it and Parsly and Fennel and Smallage in white Wine and drink the Decoction adding the like quantity of Grass Roots to them the more of the Roots you boyl the stronger will the Decoction be it works no ill effects yet I hope you have wit enough to give the strongest Decoction to the strongest Bodies Broom Broomrape ♂ TO spend time in writing a Description herof is altogether needless it being so generally used by all the good Huswifes almost through this Land to sweep their Houses with and therfore very wel known to all sorts of people The Broomrape springeth up in many places from the Roots of the Broom but more often in fields by Hedg sides and on Heaths The Stalk wherof is of the bignels of a Finger or Thumb above two Foot high having a show of Leavs on them and many Flowers at the top of a deadish yellow colour as also the Stalks and Leavs are Place They grow in many places of this Land commonly and as commonly spoyl all the Land they grow in Time And Flower in the Summer Months and give their Seed before Winter Vertues and Use. The Juyce or Decoction of the yong Branches or Seed or the Pouder of the Seed taken in Drink purgeth downwards and draweth Flegmatick and watery humors from the Joynts wherby it helpeth the Dropsie Gout Sciatica and the pains in the Hips and Joynts It also provoketh strong Vomits and helpeth the pains of the Sides and swellings of the Spleen clenfeth also the Reins or Kidnies and Bladder of the Stone provoketh Urin abundantly and hindreth the growing again of the Stone in the Body The continual use of the Pouder of the Leaves and Seed doth cure the Black Jaundice The distilled Water of the Flowers is profitable for al the same purposes it also helpeth Sursets and altereth the Fits of Agues if three or four ounces therof with as much of the Water of the lesser Centaury and a little Sugar put therin be taken a little before the fit cometh and the party be laid down to sweat in their Bed The Oyl or Water that is drawn from the ends of the green sticks heated in the fire helpeth the Toothach The Juyce of the yong Branches made into an Oyment of old Hogs Greas and anointed Or the yong Branches bruised and heated in Oyl or Hogs Greas and laid to the Sides pained by wind as in Stitches or the Spleen easeth them in once or twice using it The same boyled in Oyl is the safest and surest Medicine to kil Lice in the Head or Body of any and is an especial Remedy for Joynt aches and swoln Knees that come by the falling down of Humors The Broomrape also is not without his Vertues The Decoction therof in Wine is thought to be as effectual to avoid the Stone in the Kidnies and Bladder and to provoke Urin as the Broom it self The Juyce therof is a singular good help to cure as wel green Wounds as old and filthy Sores and malignant Ulcers The insolate Oyl wherin there hath been three or four Repetitions of Insusion of the top stalks with Flowers strained and cleered clenseth the Skin of al manner of Spots Marks and Freckles that arise either by the heat of the Sun or the Malignity of humors As for the Broom for as yet I know not what to say to Broomrape in the business but as for Broom Mars owns it and it is exceeding prejudicial to the Liver I suppose by Râ—sâ—n of the Antipathy between Jupiter and Mars therfore if the Liver be disaffected administer none of it Bucks-horn Plantane ♄ Description THis being sown of Seed riseth up at the first with smal long narrow hairy dark green Leavs like grass without any division or gash in them but those that follow are gashed in on both sides the Leavs into three or four gashes and pointed at the ends resembling the Knags of a Bucks Horn wherof it took the name and being well grown round about the Root upon the ground in order one by another therby resembling the form of a Star from among which rise up divers hairy Stalks about a hand breadth high bearing every one a smal long spiky Head like to those of the common Plantane having such like Bloomings and Seed after them The Root is single long and smal with divers strings at it Place They grow in dry Sandy grounds as in Tuttle-Fields by Westminster and divers other places of this Land Time They Flower and Seed in May June and July end their green Leavs do in a manner abide fresh al the Winter Vertues and Use. This boyled in Wine and drunk and some of the Leavs applied to the hurt place is an excellent remedy for the biting of the Viper or Adder which I take to be one and the same The same being also drunk helpeth those that are troubled with the Stone in the Veins or Kidnies by cooling the heat of the parts afflicted strengthning them as also weak Stomachs that cannot retain but cast up their Meat It stayeth al bleedings at Mouth and Nose bloody Urin or the Bloody Flux and stoppeth the Lask of the Belly and Bowels The Leavs herof bruised and laid to their sides that have an Ague suddenly easeth the Fit and the Leavs and Roots beaten with some Bay Salt and applied to the Wrists worketh the same effects The Herb boyled in Ale or Wine and given for some mornings and evenings together staieth the distillations of hot and sharp Rhowms falling into the Eyes from the Head and helpeth al sorts of sore Eyes Venus challengeth the Dominion of this Herb. ♀ ♎ Description THis hath larger Leavs than those of the selfheal but els of the same fashion or rather a little longer in some green on the upper side and in others more brownish dented about the edges somwhat hairy as the square Stalk is also which riseth up to be half a yard high somtimes with the Leavs set by couples from the middle almost whereof upwards stand the Flowers together with many smaler and browner Leaves than the rest on this stalk below set at distances and the stalk bare between them among which Flowers are also smal ones of a bluish and somtimes of an Ash colour fashioned like the Flowers of the Ground-Ivy after which come small round blackish Seed The Root is composed of many strings and spreadeth upon the ground in divers parts round about The White-flowered Bugle differeth not in form or greatness
four foot high and somtimes more with divers great white Joynts at several places theron and two such like Leavs therat up to the top sending forth Branches at the several Joynts also al which bear on several Footstalks white Flowers at the tops of them consisting of five broad pointed Leavs every one cut in on the end unto the middle making them seem to be two apiece smelling somwhat sweet and each of them standing in large green striped hairy Husks large and round below next to the Stalk The Seed is smal and grayish in the hard Heads that come up afterwards The Root is white and long spreading divers fangs in the ground The Red Wild Campion groweth in the same manner as the White but his Leavs are not so plainly ribbed somwhat shorter rounder and more woolly in handling The Flowers are of the same form and bigness but in som of a pale in others of a bright red colour cut in at ends more finely which maketh the Leavs seem more in number than the other The Seed and the Roots are alike The Roots of both sorts abiding many years Ther are forty five kinds of Campions more those of them which are of Physical uses having the like Vertues with these above described which I take to be the two chiefest kinds Place They grow commonly through this Land by Fields Hedg-fides and Ditches Time They flower in Summer som earlier than others and some abiding longer than others Vertues and use It is sound by experience that the Decoction of the Herb either the White or Red being drunk doth stay inward bleedings and applied outwardly it doth the like And being drunk helpeth to expel the Urin being stop'd and Gravel or the Stone in the Reins or Kidnies Two drams of the Seed drunk in Wine purgeth the Body of Chollerick humors and helpeth those that are ftung by Scorpions or other venemous Beasts and may be as effectual for the Plague It is of very good use in old Sores Ulcers Cankers Fistulaes and the like to clens and heal them by consuming the moist humors falling into them and correcting the putrifaction of Humors offending them ☿ Carrots THe Garden kind are so wel known that they need no Description but because they are of les◠Physical use than the Wild kind as indeed almost in all Herbs the Wild are most effectual in Physick as being more powerful in operation then the Garden kinds I shal therfore briefly describe the wild Carrot Description It groweth in a manner altogether like the Tame but that the Leavs and Stalks are somwhat whiter and rougher The Stalks bear large tufts of white Flowers with a deep Purple spot in the middle which are contracted together when the Seed begins to ripen that the◠middle part being hollow and low and the outer Stalks rising high maketh the whol Umbel to shew like a Birds-Nest The Root is small long and hard unfit for meat being somwhat sharp and strong Place The Wild kind groweth in divers parts of this Land plentifully by the Fields sides and in untilled places Time They flower and seed in the end of Summer The Vertues The Wild kind breaketh Wind and removeth Stitches in the Sides provoketh Urin and Womens Courses and helpeth to break and expel the Stone The Seed also of the same worketh the like effect and is good for the Dropsie and those whose Bellies are swollen with Wind helpeth the Chollick the Stone in the Kidnies and the rising of the Mother being taken in Wine or boyled in Wine and taken and helpeth Conception The Leavs being applied with Honey to running Sores or Ulcers doth clense them I suppose the Seeds of them perform this better than the Roots And though Galen commend Garden Carrots highly to break Wind yet experience teacheth that they breed it first and we may thank Nature for expelling it not they The Seeds of them expel Wind indeed and so mend what the Root marreth ☿ Caraway Description IT beareth divers Stalks of fine cut Leavs lying upon the ground somwhat like to the Leavs of Carrots but not bushing so thick of a little quick tast in them from among which riseth up a square Stalk not so high as the Carrot at whose Joynts are set the like Leavs but smaler and finer and at the top smal open tufts or Umbels of white Flowers which turn into smal blackish Seed smaler than the Anniseed and of a quicker and hotter tast The Root is whitish smal and long somwhat like unto a Parsnep but with more wrinckled Bark and much less of a little hot and quick tast and stronger than the Parsnep and abideth after Seed-time Place It is usually sown with us in Gardens Time They flower in June or July and seed quickly after Vertues and use Caraway Seed hath a moderat sharp quality wherby it breaketh Wind and provoketh Urin which also the Herb doth The Root is better food than the Parsnep and is pleasant comfortable to the Stomach helping digestion The Seed is conducing to all the cold griefs of Head and Stomach the Bowels or Mother as also the wind in them and helpeth to sharpen the Eye-sight The Pouder of the Seed put into a Pultis taketh away black and blue spots of Blows or Bruises The Herb it self or with some of the Seed bruised and fryed laid hot in a bag or double cloth to the lower part of the Belly easeth the pains of the wind Chollick The Roots of Caraways eaten as men eat Parsnips strengthen the Stomacks of ancient people exceedingly and they need not make a whol meal of them neither and are fit to be planted in every ones Garden Caraway Comfects once only dipped in Sugar and half a spoonful of them eaten in the morning fasting and as many after each meal is a most admirable Remedy for such as are troubled with Wind. ☉ Celandine Description THis hath divers tender round whitish green Stalks with greater Joynts than ordinary in other Herbs as it were Knees very brittle and easie to break from whence grow Branches with large tender long Leavs much divided into many parts each of them cut in on the edges set at the Joynts on both sides of the Branches of a dark bluish green colour on the upper side like Columbines and of a more pale bluish green underneath ful of a yellow sap when any part is broken of a bitter tast and strong scent At the tops of the Branches which are much divided grow gold yellow Flowers of four Leaves apiece after which come smal long pods with blackish seed therin The Root is somwhat great at the head shooting forth divers other long Roots and smal Strings reddish on the outside and yellow within ful of a yellow sap therein Place It groweth in many places by old Walls by the Hedges and way sides in untilled places and being once planted in a Garden especially in some shady place it wil remain there Time They flower all the
Summer long and the Seed ripeneth in the mean time Vertues and use The herb or Roots boyled in white-Wine and drunk a few Aniseeds being boyled therwith openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Gall helpeth the yellow Jaundice and the often using it helps the Dropsie and the Itch and those that have old Sores in their Legs or other parts of the Body The Juyce thereof taken fasting is held to be of singular good use against the Pestilence The distilled Water with a little Sugar and a little good Triacle mixed therwith the party upon the taking being laid down to sweat a little hath the same effect The Juyce dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from Films and cloudiness which darken the sight but it is best to allay the sharpnes of the Juyce with a little Breast-milk It is good in old filthy corroding creeping Ulcers whersoever to stay their malignity of fretting and running and to cause them to heal the more speedily The Juyce often applied to Tetters Ring worms or other such like spreading Cancers will quickly heal them and rubbed often upon Warts will take them away The Herb with the Roots bruised and heated with Oyl of Camomel and applied to the Navel taketh away the griping pain in the Belly and Bowels and all the pains of the Mother and applied to Womens Breasts stayeth the overmuch flowing of their Courses The Juyce Decoction of the Herb gargled between the Teeth that ake easeth the pain and the Pouder of the dryed Root laid upon an aching hollow or loos Tooth wil caus it to fal out The Juyce mixed with som Pouder of Brimstone is not only good against the Itch but taketh away al discolourings of the Skin whatsoever And if it chance that in a tender Body it causeth any Itching or Inflamation by bathing the place with a little Vinegar it is helped This is an Herb of the Sum under the Coelestial Lyon and is one of the best cures for the Eyes that is Al that know any thing in Astrologie know as wel as I can tel them That the Eyes are subject to the Luminaries let it then be gathered when the Sun is in Leo and the Moon in Aries applying to his Trine let Leo arise then may you make it into an Oyl or Oyntment which you please to anoint your sore Eyes withal I can prove it both by my own experience and the experience of those to whom I have taught it That most desperat sore Eyes have been cured by this only Medicine Andthen I pray is not this farbetter than endangering the Eyes by the art of the Needle for if this do not absolutly take away the Film it will so facilitate the work that it may be don without danger Another il-favored trick have Physitians got to use to the Eye and that is worse than the Needle which is To eat away the Film by corroding or gnawing Medicines This I absolutly protest against 1 Because the Tunicles of the Eye are very thin and therfore soon eaten asunder 2 The Callus or Film that they would eat away is seldom of an equal thickness in every place and then the Tunicle may be eaten asunder in one place before the Film be consumed in another and so be a readier way to extinguish the sight than to restore it It is called Chelidonium from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a Swallow because they say That if you prick out the Eyes of yong Swallows when they are in the Nest the old ones will recover their Eyes again with this Herb. This I am confident for I have tried it That if you mar the very Apple of their Eyes with a Needle she wil recover them again but whether with this Herb or no I know not Also I have read and it seems to me somwhat probable That the Herb being gathered as I shewed before and the Elements drawn apart from it by the art of the Alchyraist and after they are drawn apart rectified the earthy quality still in rectifying them added to the Terra damnata as Alchymists call it or Terra sacratissima as som Phylosophers call it the Elements so rectified are sufficient for the Cure of al Diseases the humor offending being known and the contrary Element given It is an Experience wurth the trying and can do no harm The Iesser Celondine usually known by the Name of ♄ Pilewort I Wonder what ailed the Antients to give this the name of Celandine which resembles it neither in Nature nor form It acquired the Name of Pilewort from its Vertues and it being no great matter where I set it down so I do set it down at al I humor'd Dr. Tradition so much as to set it down here Description This Celandine then or Pilewort which you please doth spread many round pale green Leavs set on weak and trailing Branches which lie upon the ground and are fat smooth and somwhat shining and in some places though seldom marked with black spots each standing on a long Footstalk among which rise smal yellow Flowers consisting of nine or ten smal narrow Leavs upon slender Footstalks very like unto a Crowfoot wherunto the Seed also is not unlike being many smal ones set together upon a Head The Root is made of many smal Kernels like grain of Corn some twice as long as others of a whitish colour with some Fibres at the end of them Place It groweth for the most part in the moist corners of Fields and places that are neer water Sides yet wil abide in dryer grounds if they be but a little shadowed Time It Flowreth betimes about March or April is quite gone in May so as it cannot be found until it spring again Vertues and use It is certain by good experience that the Decoction of the Leavs and Roots doth wonderfully help the Piles and Hemorrhoids as also Kernels by the Ears and Throat called the Kings evil or any other hard Wens or Tumors Here 's another Secrot for my Country Men and Women a couple of them together Pilewort being made into an Oyl Oyntment or Plaister readily cures both the Piles or Hemorrhoids and the Kings Evil If I may Lawfully cal it the Kings Evil now there is no King the very Herb born about ones Body neâ—â— the Skin helps in such Diseases though it never touch the place grieved let good people make much of it for these uses with this I cured my own Daughter of the Kings Evil broke the Sore drew out a quarter of a pint of Corruption and cured it without any Scar at all and in one Weeks time The Ordinary small ☉ Centaury Description THis groweth up most usually but with one round and somwhat crested stalk about a foot high or better branching forth at the top into many sprigs and some also from the Joynts of the Stalks below The Flowers that stand at the tops as it were in an umbel or tuft are of a pale
Stalks and Joynts set with broader and more hairy Leavs divided into sundry parts nicked about the edges and of a darker green colour which likewise grow reddish with the Stalks at the tops wherof stand smal white tufts of Flowers afterwards smaler and longer seed The Root is white hard and enduring long This hath little or no scent Place The first is sown in Gardens for a Sallet-Herb The second groweth wild in many of the Meadows of this Land and by the Hedg-sides and on Heaths Time They flower and seed early and thereupon are sown again in the end of Summer Vertues and use The Garden Chervil being eaten doth moderately warm the Stomach and is a certain remedy saith Tragus to dissolve congealed or clotted Bloud in the Body or that which is clotted by bruises fals c. The Juyce or distilled Water therof being drunk and the bruised Leavs laid to the place being taken either in meat or drink it is held good to provoke Urin to expel the Stone in the Kidnies to send down Womens Courses and to help the Plurisie and prickings of the Sides The wild Chervil bruised and applied dissolveth Swellings in any part of the Body and taketh away the Spots and Marks of congealed Blood by Bruises or Blows in a little space Sweet Chervil OR ♃ Sweet Cicely Description THis groweth very like the greater Hemlock having large spread Leavs cut into diverse parts but of a fresher green colour than the Hemlock tasting as sweet as the Anniseed The Stalk riseth up a yard high or better being crested or hollow having the like Leavs at the Joynts but lesser and at the tops of the branched Stalks Umbels or Tufts of white Flowers after which com large and long crested black shining Seed pointed at both ends tasting quick yet sweet and pleasant The Root is great and white growing deep in the ground and spreading sundry long Branches therein in tast and smel stronger than the Leavs or Seed and continuing many years Place This groweth in Gardens Vertues This whol Plant besides its pleasantness in Sallets hath also his Physical Vertues The Root boyled and eaten with Oyl and Vinegar or without Oyl doth much pleas and warm an old and cold Stomach oppressed with wind or flegm or those that have the Phtisick or Consumption of the Lungs The same drunk with Wine is a preservative from the Plague it provoketh Womens Courses and expelleth the After-birth procureth and appetit to meat and expelleth Wind. The Juyce is good to heal the Ulcers of the Head and Face The candied Roots hereof are held as effectual as Angelica to preserv from Infection in the time of a Plague and to warm and comfort a cold weak Stomach It is so harmless you cannot use it amâ—ss ♀ Chickweed Description THis is generally known to most People I shal therfore not trouble you with the Description therof nor my self with setting fourth the several kinds sith but only two or three are considerable for their usefulness Place These are usually found in moist and watry places by Wood sides and els-where Time They flower about June and their Seed is ripe in July Vertues and use It is found to be as effectual as Purslane to al the purposes whereunto it serveth except for meat only The Herb bruised or the Juyce applied with cloaths or spunges dipped therein to the Region of the Liver and as they dry to have fresh applied doth wonderfully temper the heat of the Liver and is effectual for all Imposthums and Swellings wheresoever for all redness in the Face Wheals Pushes Itch Scabs the Juyce either simply used or boyled with Hogs-Greas and applied the same helpeth Cramps Convulsions and Palsies The Juyce or distilled Water is of much good use for al heat and redness in the Eyes to drop som therof into them as also into the Ears to ease pains in them and is of good effect to ease the pains the heat and sharpness of Blood in the Piles and generally al pains in the Body that arise of heat it is used also in hot and virulent Ulcers and sores in the privy parts of Man or Woman or on the Legs or els-where The Leavs boyled with Marsh-Mallows and made into a Pultis with Fenugreek and Linseed applied to Swellings or Imposthumes ripeneth and breaketh them or swageth the swellings and easeth the pains It helpeth the Sinews when they are shrunk by Cramps or otherwise and to extend and make them pliable again by this Medicine Boyl an handful of Chickweed and a handful of Red-Rose Leavs dryed but not distilled in a Quart of Muscadine until a fourth part be consumed then put to them a pint of the Oyl of Trotters or Sheeps-feet let them boyl a good while still stirring them wel which being strained anoint the grieved place herewith warm against a fire rubbing it wel in with ones hand and bind also some of the Herb if you wil to the place and with Gods blessing it will help in three times dressing Cich-Peas or Cicers ♀ Description THe Garden sorts whether Red Black or White brings forth Stalks a yard long wheron do grow many smal and almost round Leavs dented about the edges set on both sides of a middle Rib at the Joynts come forth one or two Flowers upon short Footstalks Peas fashion either white or whitish or purplish red lighter or deeper according as the Peas that follow will be that are contained in smal thick and short Pods wherin lie one or two Peas more usually a little pointed at the lower end and almost round at the Head yet a little corner'd or sharp The Root is smal and perisheth yeerly Place and Time They are sown in Gardens or the Fields as Peas being sown later than Peas and gathered at the same time with them or presently after Vertues and use They are no less windy than Beans but nourish more they provoke Urine and are thought to encreas Sperm they have a clensing faculty wherby they break the Stones in the Kidneys To drink the cream of them being boyled in Water is the best way it moveth the Belly downwards provoketh Womens Courses and Urin and encreaseth both Milk and Seed One ounce of Cicers two ounces of French Barley and a smal handful of Marsh-Mallow Roots clean washed and cut being boyled in the broth of a Chicken and four ounces taken in the morning and fasting two hours after is a good Medicine for a pain in the Sides The white Cicers are used more for Meat than Medicine yet have they the same effects and are thought more powerful to encreas Milk and Seed The wild Cicers are so much more powerful than the Garden kinds by how much they exceed them in heat and driness whereby they do more open Obstructions break the Stone and have al the properties of cutting opening digesting and dissolving and this more speedily and certainly than the former Cinkfoyl or Five Leaved ♃
success for sore Mouths and Throats Tragus saith That a dram of the Seed taken in Wine with a little Saffron openeth Obstructions of the Liver and is good for the yellow Jaundice if the party after the taking therof be laid to sweat wel in his Bed The Seed also taken in Wine causeth a speedy Delivery of Women in Childbirth if one draught suffice not let her drink a second and it is effectual The Spaniards use to eat a piece of the Root hereof in a morning fasting many daies together to help them being troubled with the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys Coltsfoot or Foalsfoot ♀ Description THis shooteth up a fiender Stalk with small yellowish Flowers somwhat early which fall away quickly and after they are past come up somwhat round Leavs somtimes dented a little about the edges much lesser thicker and greener than those of Butterbur with a little down or Freez over the green Leaf on the upper side which may be rubbed away and whitish or mealy underneath The Root is smal and white spreading much under ground so that where it taketh it whil hardly be driven away again if any little piece be abiding therin and from thence springeth fresh Leavs Place It groweth as well in wet grounds as in drier places Time And Flowreth in the end of February the Leavs beginning to appear in March Vertues and use The fresh Leavs or Juyce or a Syrup made therof is good for a hot dry Cough for wheesings and shortness of breath The dry Leavs are best for those that have thin Rhewms and Distillations upon the Lungs causing a Cough for which also the dried Leavs taken as Tobacco or the Root is very good The distilled water herof simply or with Elder Flowers and Nightshade is a singular remedy against al hot Agues to drink two ounces at a time and apply Cloathes wet therein to the Head and Stomach which also doth much good being applied to any hot Swellings or Inflamations it helpeth St. Anthonies Fire and Burnings and is singular good to take away Wheals and smal Pushes that arise through heat As also the burning heat of the Piles or privy parts cloathes wet therin being therunto applied ♄ Comfry ♑ Description THe common great Comfry hath divers very large and hairy green Leavs lying on the ground so hairy or prickly that if they touch any tender part of the Hands Face or Body it will caus it to itch The Stalk that riseth up from among them being two or three Foot high hollow and cornered is very hairy also having many such like Leavs as grow below but lesser and lesser up to the top At the Joynts of the Stalks it is divided into many branches with some Leavs theron and at the ends stand many Flowers in order one above another which are somwhat long and hollow like the finger of a Glove of a pale whitish colour after which come smal black Seed The Roots are great and long spreading great thick Branches under ground black on the outside and whitish within short or easie to break and ful of a glutinous or clammy Juyce of little or no tast at al. There is another sort in al things like this save only it is somwhat less and beareth Flowers of a pale purple colour Place They grow by Ditches and Water Sides and in divers Fields that are moist for therin they chiefly delight to grow The first generally through al the Land and the other but in some several places By the leave of my Author the first grow often in dry places Time They Flower in June and July and give their Seed in August Vertues and use The great Comfry helpeth those that spit blood or make a Bloody Urin The Root boyled in Water or Wine and the Decoction drunk helpeth al inward Hurts Bruises and Wounds and the Ulcers of the Lungs causing the Flegm that oppresseth them to be easily spit forth It staieth the defluxions of Rhewm from the Head upon the Lungs the Fluxes of Blood or humors by the Belly Womens immoderate Courses as well the Reds as the Whites and the running of the Reins hapning by what caus soever A Syrup made therof is very effectual for all those inward Griefs and Hurts and the distilled Water for the same purpose also and for outward Wounds and Sores in the Fleshy or Sinewy part of the Body whersoever as also to take away the fits of Agues and to allay the sharpness of Humors A Decoction of the Leavs herof is available to all the purposes though not so effectual as of the Roots The Roots being outwardly applied helpeth fresh Wounds or Cuts immediatly being bruised and laid therunto and is especial good for Ruptures and broken Bones yea it is said to be so powerful to consolidate and Knit together that if they be boyled with dissevered pieces of Flesh in a pot it will joyn them together again It is good to be applied to Womens Breasts that grow sore by the abundance of Milk coming into them as also to repress the overmuch bleeding of the Hemorrhoids to cool the Inflamation of the parts therabouts and to give eas of pains The Roots of Comfry taken fresh beaten smal and spread upon Leather and laid upon any place troubled with the Gout do presently give eas of the pains and applied in the same manner giveth eas to pained Joynts and profiteth very much for running and moist Ulcers Gangrenes Mortifications and the like for which it hath by often experience been found helpful This is also an Herb of Saturn and I suppose under the Sign Capricorn cold dry and earthy in quality what was spoken of Clowns Woundwort may be said of this ♃ Costmary or Alecost THis is so frequently known to be an Inhabitant in almost every Garden that I suppose it needless to write a Descriptition therof Time It Flowreth in June and July Vertues and use The ordinary Costmary as well as Maudlin provoketh Urin abundantly and moistneth the hardness of the Mother It gently purgeth Choller and Flegm extenuating that which is gross and cutting that which is tough and gluttenous clenseth that which is foul and hindreth putrefaction and corruption it dissolveth without Attraction openeth Obstructions and healeth their evil effects and is a wonderful help to al sorts of day Agues It is astringent to the Stomach and strengtheneth the Liver and al the other inward parts and taken in Whey worketh the more effectually Taken fasting in the morning it is very profitable for the pains in the Head that are continual and to stay dry up and consume all thin Rhewms or distillations from the Head into the Stomach and helpeth much to digest raw humors that are gathered therein It is very profitable for those that are fallen into a continual evil disposition of the whol Body called Cachexia being taken especially in the beginning of the Diseas It is an
especial friend and help to evil weak and cold Livers The Seed is familiarly given to Children for the Worms and so is the infusion of the Flowers in white Wine given them to the Quantity of two ounces at a time It maketh an excellent Salve to clens and heal old Ulcers being boyled with Oyl Olive and Adders Tongue with it and after it is strained to put a little Wax Rozin and Turpentine to bring it into a convenient Body Cudweed or Cottonweed ♄ Description THe common Cudweed riseth up but with one Stalk somtime and somtimes with two or three thick set on all sides with small long and narrow whitish or wooly Leavs from the middle of the Stalk almost up to the top with every Leaf standeth a smal Flower of a dun or brownish yellow colour or not so yellow as others in which Heads after the Flowers are fallen come smal Seed wrapped up with the down therin and is crried away with the Wind. The Root is small and threddy There are other sorts hereof which are somwhat lesser than the former not much different save only that as the Stalk and Leavs are shorter so the Flowers are paler and more open Place They grow in dry barren sandy and gravelly Grounds in most places of this Land Time They Flower about July some earlier some later and their Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use The Plants are all astringent or binding and drying and therfore profitable for Deflnxions of Rhewm from the Head and to stay Fluxes of Blood whersoever The Decoction being made into red Wine and drunk or the Pouder taken therin it also helpeth the Bloody Flux and easeth the torments that come therby stayeth the immoderate Courses of Women and is also good for inward or outward Wounds Hurts and Bruises and helpeth Children both of Burstings and the Worms and the Diseas called Tenasmus which is an often provocation to the Stool and doing nothing being either drunk or injected The green Leavs bruised and laid to any green Wound staieth the bleeding and healeth it up quickly The Decoction or Juyce therof doth the same and helpeth all old and filthy Ulcers quickly The juyce of the Herb taken in Wine and Milk is as Pliny saith a Sovereign remedy against the Mumps and Quinsie and further saith That whosoever shal so take it shal never be troubled with that Diseas again Venus is Lady of it ♀ ♈ Cowslips BOth the Wild and Garden Cowslips are so wel known that I wil neither trouble my self nor the Reader with any description of them Time They Flower in April and May. Vertues and Vse The Flowers are held to be more effectual than the Leavs and the Roots of little use An Oyntment being made with them taketh away Spots and Wrinkles of the Skin Sun-burning and Freckles and ads Beauty exceedingly They remedy all infirmities of the Head coming of Heat and Wind as Vertigo Ephialtes fals apparitions Phrensies Falling-sickness Palsies Convulsions Cramps Pains in the Nerves The Roots eas pains in the Back and Bladder and open the passages of Urine The Leavs are good in Wounds and the Flowers take away trembling If the Flowers be not well dried and kept in a warm place they wil soon putrifie and look green have a special eye over them if you let them see the Sun once a Month it wil do neither the Sun nor them harm Becaus they strengthen the Brain and Nerves and remedy Palsies the Greeks gave them the name Prralisis The Flowers preserved or conserved and the quantity of a Nutmeg eaten every morning is a sufficient Dose for inward Diseases but for Wounds Spots Wrinkles and Sunburning an Oyntment is made of the Leavs and Hogs greas Venus laies claim to the Herb as her own and it is under the Sign Aries and our City Dames know wel enough the Oyntment or Distilled Water of it adds Beauty or at least restores it when it is lost ♄ Sciatica-Cresses Description THese are of two kinds The first riseth up with a round Stalk about two foot high spread into divers Branches whose lower Leavs are somwhat larger than the upper yet all of them cut or torn on the edges somwhat like unto Garden-Cresses but smaller The Flowers are smal and white growing at the tops of the Branches where afterwards grow Husks with smal brownish Seed therin very strong and sharp in tast more than the Cresses of the Garden The Root is long white and woody The other hath the lower leavs whol somwhat long and bread not torn at al but only somwhat deeply dented about the edges towards the ends but those that grow up higher are lesser The Flowers and Seed are like the former and so is the Root likewise and both Root and Seed as sharp as it Place These grow by the way sides in untilled places and by the sides of old Walls Time They Flower in the end of June and their Seed is ripe in July Vertues and use The Leavs but especially the Roots taken fresh in the SuÌ„mer time beaten made into a Pultis or Salve with old Hogs Greas and applied to the place pained with the Sciatica to continue theron four hours if it be on a Man and two hours on a Woman the place afterwards bathed with Wine and Oyl mixed together and then wrapped with Wool or Skins after they have swet a little wil assuredly cure not only the same Diseas in the Hips Hucklebone or other of the Joynts as the Gout in the Hands or Feet but all other old Griefs of the Head as invererate Rhewms and other part of the Body that is hard to be cured And if of the former Griefs any part remain the same Medicine after twenty daies is to be applied again The same is also effectual in the Diseases of the Spleenâ— and applied to the Skin it taketh away the blemishes therof whether they be Scars Leprosie Scabs or Scurf which although it exulcerate the part yet that is to be helped afterwards with a Salve made of Oyl and Wax Esteem of this as another Secret ☽ ♎ Water-Cresses ♄ Description OUr ordinary Water-Cresses spreadeth forth with many weak hollow sappy Stalks shooting out fibres at the Joynts and upwardâ— long winged Leavs made of sundry broad â—sappy and almost round Leavs of a brownish green colour The Flowers are many and white standing on long Footstalks after which come small yellow Seed contained in smal long pods like Horns The whol Plant abideth green in the Winter and tasteth somwhat hot and sharp Place They grow for the most part in the smal standing Waters yet somtimes in smal Rivulets of running Water Time They Flower and Seed in the beginning of Summer Vertues and use They are more powerful against the Scurvy and to clens the Blood and Humors than Brooklime is and serve in al the other uses in which Brooklime is available as to break the
Plague The Juyce of the Herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful hath the same effect But if there be a little Vinegar added therunto as well as unto the Root aforesaid it somwhat all ayeth the sharp biting tast therof upon the Tongue The green Leavs bruised and laid upon any Boyl or Plague Sore doth wonderfully help to draw forth the Poyson A dram of the Pouder of the dried Root taken with twice so much Sugar in the form of a licking Electuary or the green Root doth wonderfully help those that are pursie and short winded as also those that have a Cough it breaketh digesteth and riddeth away Flegm from the Stomach Chest and Lungs The Milk wherin the Root hath been boyled is effectual also for the same purpose The said Pouder taken in Wine or other Drink or the Juyce of the Berries or the Pouder of them or the Wine wherein they have been boyled provoketh Urine and bringeth down Womens Courses and purgeth them effectually after Child-bearing to bring away the After-birth Taken with Sheeps Milk it healeth the inward Ulcers of the Bowels The distilled Water herof is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid A spoonful taken at a time healeth the Itch And an ounce or more taken at a time for some daies together doth help the Rupture The Leavs either green or dry or the Juyce of them doth clens all manner of rotten and filthy Ulcers in what part of the Body soever and healeth the stinking Sores in the Nose called Polipus The Water wherin the Root hath been boyled dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from any Film or Skin Clouds or Mists which begin to hinder the Sight and helpeth the watering or redness of them or when by some chance they become black and blue The Root mixed with Bean Flower and applied to the Throat or Jaws that are inflamed helpeth them The Juyce of the Berries boyled in Oyl of Roses or beaten into Pouder and mixed with the Oyl and dropped into the Ears and easeth pains in them The Berries or the Roots beaten with hot Ox Dung and applied easeth the pains of the Gout The Leavs and Roots boyled in Wine with a little Oyl and applied to the Piles or the falling down of the Fundament easeth them and so doth sitting over the hot fumes therof The fresh Roots bruised and distilled with a little Milk yieldeth a most Sovereign Water to clens the Skin from Scurff Freckles Spots or Blemishes whatsoever therin Authors have left large Commendation of this Herb you see but for my part I have neither spoken with Dr. Reason nor Dr. Experience about it ♀ ♋ Daisies THese are so well known to almost every Child that I suppose it is altogether needless to write any Description of them Take therfore the Vertues of them as followeth Vertues and Vse The greater wild Daisie is a Wound Herb of good respect often used in those Drink◠or Salvs that are for Wounds either inward or outwards The Juyce or distilled Water of these or the smal Daisies doth much temper the heat of Choller and refresheth the Liver and other inward parts A Decoction made of them and drunk helpeth to cure the Wounds made in the hollowness of the Breast The same also cureth al Ulcers and Pustles in the Mouth or Tongue or in the secret parts The Leavs bruised and applied to the Cods or to any other parts that are swollen and hot doth resolve it and temper the Heat A Decoction made hereof with Walwort and Agrimony and the places fomented or bathed therewith warm giveth great eas to them that are troubled with the Palsy Stiatica or the Gout The lame also disperseth and dissolveth the Knots or Kernels that grow in the Flesh or any part of the Body and the Bruises and Hurts that come of Fals and Blows They are also used for Ruptures and other inward Burnings with very good success An Oyntment made hereof doth wonderfully help al Wounds that have Inflamations about them or by reason of moist humors having access unto them are kept long from healing and such are those for the most part that happen in the Joynts of the Arms or Legs The Juyce of them dropped into the running Eyes of any doth much help them The Herb is under the Sign Cancer and under the Dominion of Venus and therfore excellent good for Wounds in the Breast and very fitting to be kept both in Oyls Oyntments and Plaisters as also in Syrup DANDELYON ♂ Vulgarly called Piss-a-beds Description THis is wel known to have many long and deeply gashed Leavs lying on the ground round about the Head of the Root the ends of each Gash or Jag on both sides looking downwards towards the Root the middle rib being white which broken yieldeth abundance of bitter Milk but the Root much more from among the Leavs which alwaies abide green arise many slender weak naked Footstalks every one of them bearing at the top one large yellow Flower consisting of many rows of yellow Leavs broad at the points and nicked in with a deep spot of yellow in the middle which growing ripe the green Husk wherin the Flower stood turneth it self down to the Stalk and the Head of down becometh as round as a Ball with long reddish Seed underneath bearing a part of the Down on the Head of every one which together is blown away with the Wind or may be at once blown away with ones Mouth The Root growth downwards exceeding deep which being broken off within the ground wil notwithstanding shoot forth again and wil hardly be destroyed where it hath once taken deep Root in the ground Place It groweth frequent in al Meadows and Pasture Grounds Time It Flowreth in one place or other almost all the yeer long Vertues and use It is of an opening and clensing quality and thefore very effectual for the Obstructions of the Liver Gall and Spleen and the Diseases that arise from them as the Jaundice Hypocondriacal Passion It wonderfully openeth the Passages of the Urin both in yong and old It powerfully clenseth Aposthumes and inward in the Uritory passages and by the drying and temperate quality doth afterwards heal them for which purpose the Decoction of the Roots or Leavs in white Wine or the Leavs chopped as Potherbs with a few Allisanders and boyled in their Broth is very effectual And whoso is drawing towards a Consumption or an il Disposition of the whol Body called Cachexia by the use herof for sometime together shal find a wonderful help It helpeth also to procure rest and sleep to Bodies distempered by the Heat of Ague Fits or otherwise The distilled Water is effectual to drink in Pestilential Feavers and to wash the Sores You see here what Vertues this common Herb hath and that 's the reason you French and Dutch so often eat them in the Spring and now if you look a little further
you may see plainly without a pair of Spectakles that Forraign Physitians are not so selfish as ours are but more communicative of the Vertues of Plants to People ♄ Darnel Description THis hath all the Winter long sundry long fat and rough Leavs which when the Stalk riseth which is slender and joynted are narrower but rough stil on the top groweth a long spike composed of many Heads set one above another containing two or three Husks with sharp but short Beards or awns at the ends the Seed is easily shaked out of the Ear the Husk it self being somwhat tough Place The Country Husbandmen do know this too well to grow among their Cornâ— or in the Borders and Pathwaies of other Fields that are fallow Vertues and use As this is not without some Vices so hath it also many Vertues The Meal of Darnel is very good to stay Gangreans and other such like fretting and eating Cankers and putrid Sores It also clenseth the Skin of al Lepries Morphews Ringworms and the like if it be used with Salt and Rhadish Roots And being used with quick Brimstone and Vinegar it dissolveth Knots and Kernels and breaketh those that are hard to be dissolved being boyled in Wine with Pidgeons Dung and Linseed A Decoction therof made with Water and Honey and the place bathed therwith is profitable for the Sciatica Darnel Meal applied in a Pultis draweth forth Splinters and broken Bones in the Flesh The red Darnel boyled in red Wine and taken stayeth the â—ask and all other Fluxes and Womens bloody Issues and restraineth Urin that passeth away too snddenly ☿ Dill. Description THe common Dill groweth up with seldom more than one Stalk neither so high nor so great usually as Fennel being round and with fewer Joynts theron whose Leavs are sadder and somwhat long and so like Fennel that it deceiveth many but harder in handling and somwhat thicker and of a stronger unpleasanter set The tops of the Stalks have four Branches and smaller Umbels of yellow Flowers which turn into smal Seed somwhat flatter and thinner than Fennel Seed The Root is small and woody perishing every year after it hath born Seed and is also unprofitable being never put to any use Place It is most usually sown in Gardens and Grounds for the purpose is also found wild with us in some places Vertues and use The Dill being boyled and drunk is good to eas Swellings pains it also stayeth the Belly and Stomach from casting The Decoction there of helpeth Women that are troubled with the Pains and Windiness of the Mother if they sit therin It stayeth the Hiccough being boyled in Wine and but smelled unto being tied in a Cloth The Seed is of more use than the Leavs and more effectual to digest raw and viscuous humors and is used in Medicines that serve to expel Wind and the pains proceeding therfrom The Seed being toasted or fried and used in Oyls or Plaisters dissolveth the Imposthumes in the Fundament and drieth up all moist Ulcers especially in the secret parts The Oyl made of Dill is effectual to warm to resolve Humors and Imposthumes to eas pains and to procure rest The Decoction of Dill be it Herb or Seed only if you boyl the Seed you must bruis it in white Wine being drunk is a gallant expeller of Wind and provoker of the Terms ♀ Devils-bit Description THis riseth up with a round green smooth Stalk about two soot high set with divers long and somwhat narrow smooth dark green Leavs somwhat snip'd about the edges for the most part being els al whol and not divided at al or but very seldom even to the tops of the Branches which yet are smaller than chose below with one Rib only in the middle At the end of each Branch standeth a round Head of many Flowers set together in the same manner or more nearly than the Scabious and of a more blewish purple colour which being past there followeth Seed that falleth away The Root is somwhat thick but short and blackish with may Strings abiding after Seed time many yeers This Root was longer untillthe Devil as the Fryars say hit away the rest of it for spight envying its usefulness unto Man-kind Foe sure he was not troubled with any Diseas for which it is proper There are two other sorts hereof in nothing unlike the former save that the one beareth White and the other Blush colour'd Flowers Place The first groweth as well in dry Meadows and Fields as moist in many places of this Land But the other two are more rare and hard to meet with yet they are both found growing wild about Appledore neer Rye in Kent Time They Flower not usually untill August Vertues and use The Herb or Root all that the Devil hath left of it being boyled in Wine and drunk is very powerful against the Plague and all Pestilential Diseases or Feavers Poysons also and the bitings of Venemous Beasts It also helpeth those that are inwardly bruised by any casualty ar outwardly by Falls or Blows dissolving the clotted Blood and the Herb or Root beaten and outwardly applied taketh away the black and blue Marks that remain in the Skin The Decoction of the Herb with Honey of Roses put therin is very effectual to help the inveterate tumors and Swellings of the Almonds and Throat by often gargling the Mouth therwith It helpeth also to procure Womens Courses and easeth all pains of the Mother and to break and discuss Winds therein and in the Bowels The Pouder of the Root taken in Drink driveth forth the Worms in the Body The Juyce or distilled Water of the Herb is effectual for green Wounds or old Sores and clenseth the Body inwardly and the Seed outwardly from Sores Scurff Itches Pimples Freekles Morphew or other deformities therof but especially if a little Vitriol be dissolved therin ♃ Dock THese are so wel known many kinds of them that I shall not trouble you with a Description of them my Book grows big too fast Vertues and use All of them have a kind of cooling but not all alike drying quality the Sorrels being most cold and the Bloodworts most drying Of the Bur-Dock I have spoken already by himself The Seed of most of the other kinds whether of the Garden or Field do stay Lasks or Fluxes of all sorts the loathings of the Stomach through Choller and is helpful to those that spit Blood The Roots boyled in Vinegar helpeth the Itch Scabs and breakings out of the Skin if it be bathed therwith The Distilled Water of the Herb and Roots hath the same Vertue and clenseth the Skin of Freckles Morphews and all other Spots and Discolourings therin All Docks being boyled with Meat make it boyled the sooner Beside Bloodwort is exceeding strengthning to the Liver and procures good Blood being as wholsom a Pot Herb as any grows in a Garden yet such is the nicity of our times forsooth
that Women will not put it in the Pot becaus it makes the Pottage black Pride and Ignorance a couple of Monsters in the Creation preferring Nicity before Health Dodder of Time or Epithimum and other Dodders ♄ Description THis first from Seeds giveth Roots in the Ground which shooteth forth threads or Strings grosser or finer as the property of the Plant wherein it groweth and the Climate doth suffer creeping and spreading on that Plant wheron it fastneth be it high or low These Strings have no Leavs at all upon them but wind and interlace themselves so thick upon a smal Plant that it taketh away all comfort of the Sun from it and is ready to choke or strangle it After these Strings are risen up to that Height that they may draw Nourishment from the Plant they seem to be broken off from the ground either by the strength of ther rising or withered by the heat of the Sun Upon these Strings are found clusters of small Heads or Husks out of which star◠forth whitish Flowers which afterwads give smal pale colour'd Seed somwhat flat and twice as big as Poppy Seed It generally participates of the Nature of that Plant which it climbeth upon but the Dodder of Time is accounted the best and is the only true Epithimum Vertues and use This is accounted the most effectnal for Melanchollick Diseases and to purge black or burnt Choller which is the caus of many Diseases of the Head and Brains as also for the trembling of the Heart faintings and Swounings It is helpful in all Diseases and Griefs of the Spleen and of that Melancholly that ariseth from the windiness of the Hypochondria It purgeth also the Reins or Kidneys by Urin. It openeth Obstructions of the Gall wherby it profiteth them that have the Jaundice as also of the Liver and Spleen purging the Veins of Chollerick and Flegmatick Humors and helpeth Childrens Agues a little Wormseed being put therto The other Dodders do as I said before participate of the Nature of those Plants whereon they grow As that which hath been found growing upon Nettles in the West Country hath by experience been found very effectual to procure plenty of Urin where it hath been stopped or hindred And so of the rest All Dodders are under Saturn Tell not me of Physitians crying up Epithimum or that Dodder which grows upon Time most of which comes from Hymettus in Greece or Hybla in Sicilia becaus those Mountains abound with Time he is a Physitian indeed that hath wit enough to chuse his Dodder according to Nature of the Diseas and Humor peccant we confess Time is the hottest Herb it usually grows upon and therfore that which grows upon Time is hotter than that which grows upon colder Herbs for it draws Nourishment from what it grows upon as well as from the Earth where its Root is and thus you see old Saturn is wise enough to have two Strings to his Bow Sympathy and Antipathy are the two Hinges upon which the whol Moddel of Physick turns and that Physitian which minds them not is like a Door off from the Hooks more likely to do a man a mischief than to secure him then all the Diseases Saturn causeth this helps by Sympathy strengthens al the parts of the Body he rules such as caused by Sol it helps by Antipathy what those Diseases are see my Judgment of Diseases by Astrology and you be pleased to look the Herb Wormwood you shal find a Rational way for it ♃ Dogs-Grass OR Quich-Grass Description IT is well known that this Grass creepeth far about under ground with long white joynted Roots and smal fibres almost at every Joynt very sweet in tast as the rest of the Herb is and interlacing one another from whence shoot forth many fair long grassy Leavs small at the ends and cutting or sharp on the edges The Stalks are joynted like Corn with the like Leavs on them and a long spiked Head with long Husks on them and hard rough Seed in them Place It groweth commonly through this Land in divers plowed grounds to the no smal trouble of the Husbandman as also of the Gardiners in Gardens to weed it out if they can for it is a constant Customer to the place it gets footing in Vertues and use This is the most Medicinable of all the Quith-grasses Being boyled and drunk it openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Gall and the Stoppings of the Urin and easeth the griping pains of the Belly and Inflamations wasteth the matter of the Stone in the Bladder and the Ulcers thereof also The Roots brused and applied doth consolidate Wounds The Seed doth more powerfully expel Urin and stayeth the Lask and Vomitings The distilled Water alone or with a little Wormseed killeth the Worms in Children The way of use is to bruis the Roots and having well boyled them in white Wine drink the Decoction 't is opening but not purging very safe 't is a Remedy against all Diseases coming of Stopping and such are half those which are incident to the Body of man and although a Gardiner be of another opinion yet a Physitian holds half an Acre of them to be worth five Acres of Carrots twice told over Dovesfoot or Cranes-bill ♂ Description THis hath divers small round pale green Leavs out in about the edges much like Mallows standing upon long reddish hairy Stalks lying in a round compass upon the ground among which rise up two or three or more reddish Joynted slender weak and hairy Stalks with some such like Leavs thereon but smaller and more cut in up to the tops where grow many very smal bright red Flowers of five Leavs apiece after which follow smal Heads with smal short bea◠pointing forth as all other sorts of these Herbs do Place It groweth in Pasture Grounds and by the Path sides in many places and wil also be in Gardens Time It Flowreth in June July and August some earlier and some later and the Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and use It is found by experience to be singular good for the Wind Chollick and pains thereof as also to expel the Stone and Gravel in the Kidnies The Decoction there of in Wine is an exceeding good Wound Drink for those that have inward Wounds Hurts or Bruises both to stay the bleeding to dissolve and expel the congealed Blood and to heal the parts as also to clens and heal outward Sores Ulcers and Fistulaes and for green Wounds many do but bruise the Herb and apply it to the place and it healeth them quickly The same Decoction in Wine fomented to any place pained with the Gout or to Joynt-aches or pain of the Sinews giveth much eas The Pouder or Decoction of the Herb taken for some time together is found by experience to be singular good for Ruptures and Burstings in People either yong or old ☽ Ducksmeat THis is so well known to swim on the top of standing Waters
about the Sea Coasts in almost every Country of this Land which bordereth upon the Sea Time It Flowreth in the end of Summer and giveth ripe Seed within a Month after Vertues and use The Decoction of the Root herof in Wine is very effectual to open the Obstructions of the Spleen and Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundice the Dropsie the pains in the Loins and wind Chollick provoketh Urine and expelleth the Stone and procureth Womens Courses The continued use of the Decoction for 15. daies taken fasting and next to Bedward doth help the strangury the pissing by drops the stopping of Urine and Stone and all defects of the Reins or Kidneys and if the said drink be continued longer it is said that it perfectly cureth the Stone and that experience hath found it so It is found good against the French Pox. The Roots bruised and applied outwardly helpeth the Kernels of the Throat commonly called the Kings evil or taken inwardly and applied to the place stung or bitten by any Serpent healeth it speedily If the Roots be bruised and boyled in old Hogs greas or salted Lard and applied to broken Bones Thorns c. remaining in the Flesh doth not only draw them forth but healeth up the place again gathering new Flesh where it was consumed The Juyce of the Leavs dropped into the Ears helpeth Imposthumes therin The Distilled Water of the whol Herb when the Leavs and Stalks are yong is profitably drunk for all the purposes aforesaid and helpeth the Melancholly of the Heart and is available in Quartane and Quotidian Agues as also for them that have their Necks drawn awry and cannot turn them without turning their whol Body The Plant is Venerial and breedeth Seed exceedingly and strengthens the Spirit procreative it is hot and moist and under the Coelestial Ballance ☉ ♌ Eyebright Description THe common Eyebright is a small low Herb rising up usually but with one blackish green Stalk a span high or not much more spread from the bottom into sundry Branches wheron are set smal and and almost round yet pointed dark green Leavs finely snipped about the edges two alwaies set together and very thick At the Joynts with the Leavs from the middle upward come forth small white Flowers stryped with purple and yellow Spots or stripes after which follow small round Heads with very small Seed therin The Root is long small and threddy at the end Place It groweth in many Meadows and grassy places in this Land Vertues and Vse If this Herb were but as much used as it is neglected it would half spoil the Spectacle-makers Trade and a man would think that reason should teach people to prefer the prefervation of their Natural before Artificial Spectacles which that they may be instructed how to do take the Vertues of Eyebright as followeth The Juyce or distilled Water of Eyebright taken inwardly in white Wine or Broth or dropped into the Eyes for divers daies together helpeth all infirmities of the Eyes that caus dimness of Sight Some make a Conserv of the Flowers to the same effect Being used any of these waies it also helpeth a weak Brain or Memory This tunned up with strong Beer that it may work together and drunk Or the Pouder of the dried Herb mixed with Sugar a little Mace and Fennel Seeds and drunk or eaten in Broth Or the said Pouder made into an Electuary with Sugar and taken hath the same powerful effect to help and restore the Sight decaied through age And Arnoldus de villa nova saith It hath restored Sight to them that have been blind a long time before It is under the Sign of the Lyon and Sol claims Dominion over it ☿ Fern. Description OF this there are two kinds principally to be noted viz. The Male and Female The Female groweth higher than the Male but the Leavs therof are lesser more divided or dented of as strong a smel as the Male The Vertues of them are both alike and therfore I shall not trouble you with any further Description or distinction of them Place They both grow on Heaths and in shady places neer the Hedg sides in all Countries of this Land Time They flourish and give their Seed at Midsummer The Femal Fern is that plant which is In Sussex called Brakes the Seed of which some Authors hold to be so rare such a thing there is I know and may easily Be had upon Midsummer Eve and for ought yet I know two or three daies before or after if not more Vertues and Vse The Roots of both these sorts of Ferns being bruised and boyled in Mead or Honyed Water and drunk killeth both the broad and long Worms in the Body and abateth the Swelling and hardness of the Spleen The green Leavs eaten purgeth the Belly and Chollerick and waterish humors but it troubles the Stomach They are dangerous for Women with Child to meddle with by reason they caus abortment The Roots bruised and boyled in Oyl or Hogs greas maketh a very profitable Oyntment to heal Wounds or pricks gotten into the Flesh. The Pouder of them used in foul Ulcers drieth up their Malignant moisture and causeth their speedier healing Fern being burned the smoke therof driveth away Serpents Gnats and other noisom Creatures which in the Fenny Countries do in the night time trouble and molest people lying in their Beds with their Faces uncovered it causeth Barrenness Osmond Royal or Water Fern. ♄ Description THis shooteth forth in the Spring time for in the Winter the Leavs perish divers rough hard Stalks half round and hollowish or flat on the other side two Foot high having divers Branches of winged yellowish green Leavs on all sides set one against another longer narrower and not nicked on the edges as the former From the top of some of these Stalks grow forth a long Bush of smal and more yellowish green scaly aglets as it were set in the same manner on the Stalks as the Leavs are which are accounted the Flower and Seeds The Root is rough thick and Scaly with a white pith in the middle which is called the Heart therof Place It groweth on Moors Bogs and Watery places in many parts of this Land Time It is green all the Summer and the Root only abideth in Winter Vertues and Use. This hath all the Vertues mentioned in the former Ferns and is much more effectual than they both for inward and outward Griefs and is accounted singular good in Wounds Bruises or the like the Decoction to be drunk or boyled into an Oyntment or Oyl as a Balsom of Balm and so it is singular good against Bruises and Bones broken or out of joynt and giveth much eas to the Chollick and Splenetick Diseases as also for Ruptures or burstings The Decoction of the Root in white Wine provokes Urine exceedingly and clenseth the Bladder and passages of Urine ♀ Featherfew Description COmmon Featherfew
whence to the top it is stored with large and long hollow reddish Purple Flowers a little more long and eminent at the lower edg with some white Spots within them one above another with smal green Leavs at every one but all of them turning their Heads one way and hanging downwards having some threds also in the middle from whence rise round Heads pointed sharp at the ends wherein smal brown Seed lieth The Roots are many smal Huskie Fibres and some greater strings among them The Flower hath no scent but the Leavs have a bitter hot tast Place It groweth on the dry sandy Grounds for the most part and as well on the higher as lower places under Hedg-sides in almost every County of this Land Time It seldom Flowreth before July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use This Herb is familiarly and frequently used by the Italians to heal any fresh or green Wound the Leavs being but bruised and bound thereon and the Juyce therof is also used in old Sores to clens dry and heal them The Decoction hereof made up with some Sugar or Honey is available to clens and purge the Body both upwards and downwards somtimes of tough Flegm and clammy Humors and to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It hath been found by experience to be available for the Kings Evil the Herb bruised and applied or an Oyntment made with the Juyce thereof and so used And a Decoction of two handfuls therof with four Ounces of Polipody in Ale hath been found by late experience to cure divers of the Falling-sickness that have been troubled with it above twenty yeers My self am confident that an Oyntment of it is one of the best Remedies for a Scabby Head that is Fumitory Description OUr common Fumitory is a tender sappy Herb sending forth from one square slender weak Stalk and leaning downwards on all sides many Branches two or three foot long with finely cut and jagged Leavs of a whitish or rather Blewish Seagreen colour At the tops of the Branches stand many small Flowers as it were in a long spike one above another made like little Birds of a reddish Purple colour with whitish Bellies After which come small round Husks containing smal black Seed The Root is yellow smal and not very long ful of Juyce while it is green But quickly perishing with the ripe Seed In the Corn Fields in Cornwal this beareth white Flowers Place It groweth in the Corn Fields almost every where as well as in Gardens Time It Flowreth in May for the most part and the Seed ripeneth shortly after Vertues and Vse The Juyce or Syrup made thereof or the Decoction made in Whey by it self with some other purging or opening Herbs and Roots to caus it to work the better it self being but weak is very effectual for the Liver and Spleen opening the Obstructions thereof and clarifying the Blood from Saltish Chollerick and Adust Humors which caus Lepry Scabs Tetters and Itches and such like breakings out of the Skin and after the Purging doth strengthen all the inward parts it is good also against the yellow Jaundice and spendeth it by Urin which it procureth in abundance The Pouder of the dried Herb given for some time together cureth Melancholly but the Seed is strongest in operation for all the former Diseases The dististilled Water of the Herb is also of good effect in the former Diseases and conduceth much against the Plague and Pestilence being taken with good Treacle The Distilled Water also with a little Water and Honey of Roses helpeth all the Sores of the Mouth or Throat being gargled often therwith The Juyce dropped into the Eyes cleareth the Sight and taketh away redness and other defects in them although it procure some pain for the present and cause Tears Dioscorides saith it hindreth any fresh springing of hairs on the Eyelids also they be pulled away if the Eyelids be anointed with the Juyce hereof with Gum Arabick dissolved therin The Juyce of Fumitory aud Docks mingled with Vinegar and the places gently washed or wet therwith cureth all sorts of Scabs Pimples Itches Wheals or Pushes which arise on the Face or Hands or any other part of the Body Saturn owns the Herb and presents it to the World as a Cure for his own Diseases and a strengthner of the parts of the Body he rules If by my Astrological Judgment of Diseases from the Decombiture you find Saturn Author of the Diseas or if by Direction from a Nativity you fear a Saturnine Diseas approaching you may by this Herb prevent it in the one and cure it in the other and therfore 't is fit you keep a Syrup of it alwaies by you The Furs-Bush THis is so well known as well by this name as in some Countries by the name Gors that I shal not need to write any Description therof my intent being to teach my Country men what they know not rather than to tell them again of that which is generally known before Place They are known to grow on dry barren Heaths and other wast gravelly or sandy grounds in all Countries of this Land Time They also Flower in the Summer Months Vertues and use They are hot and dry good to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen A Decoction made with the Flowers therof hath been found effectual against the Jaundice as also to provoke Urine and clens the Kidneys from Gravel or Stones ingender'd in them It is a Plant of Mars and doth all this by Sympathy Garlick THe offensivenes of the breath of him that hath eaten Garlick will leade you by the Nose to the knowledg hereof and in stead of a description direct you to the place wher it groweth in Gardens which kinds are the best and most Phisical Vertues and use This was antiently accounted the Poormans Treacle it beeing a remedy for all diseases or hurts except those which it self breeds It provoketh Urine and womens Courses helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog and of other Venemous Creatures killeth Wormes in Childern cutteth and avoydeth tough flegm purgeth the head helpeth the Lethargie is a good preservative against a remedy for any Plague sore or soul Ulcer taketh away spots and blemishes in the Skin easeth pains of the eares ripeneth and breaketh Impestumes or other swelling And for all these diseases the Onyons are also effectual But the Garlick hath some more peculiar vertues besides the former Viâ— It hath a speciall quality to discuss the inconveniences coming by corn pt Agues or Mineral Vapours or by drinking corrupt and stinking waters As elso by taking of Wolf-bane Henbane Hemlock or other poysonfull and dangerous herbs It is also held good in Hydropick diseases the Jaundice falling-sickness Cramps Convulsiers the piles or Hemorrhoids or other cold diseases My Author quotes here many â—â—â—ases this is good for but conceals it services its heat is very vehement and al
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
Plague and other Pestilential Diseases Some have been holpen therby saith Mathiolus that have lien long in a lingring sickness and others that by Witchcraft as it was thought were become half foolish by taking a dram of the Seed or Berries hereof in Pouder every day for twenty daies together they were restored to their former health The Roots in Pouder taken in Wine easeth the pains of the Chollick speedily The Leavs are very effectual as well for green Wounds as to clens and heal up old filthy Sores and Ulcers and is very powerful to discuss all Tumors and Swellings in the Cods privy Parts or Groyn or in any part of the Body and speedily to ally all Inflamations The Leavs or their Juyce applied to Felons or those Nails of the Hands or Toes that have Imposthumes or Sotes gathered together at the Roots of them healeth them in short space The Herb is not to be described for the premises but is fit to be noutished in every good Womans Garden Venus owns it Hysop THis is so well known to be an Inhabitant in every Garden that it wil save me Labor in writing a Description thereof The Vertues are as followeth Vertues and use Dioscorides saith that Hysop boyled with Rue and Honey and drunk helpeth those that are troubled with Coughs shortness of breath wheesing and Rhewmatick Distillations upon the Lungs Taken also with Oximel it purgeth gross Humors by the Stool and with Honey killeth Worms in the Belly and with fresh or new Figs bruised helpeth to loosen the Belly and more forcibly if the Root of Flower-de-luce and Cresses be added therto It amendeth and cherisheth the Native colour of the Body spoiled by the yellow Jaundice and being taken with Figs and Nitre helpeth the Dropsie and the Spleen Being boyled with Wine it is good to wash Inflamations and taketh away black and blew Spots and Marks that come by Strokes Bruises or Fals being applied with warm Water It is an excellent Medicine for the Quinsie or Swelling in the Throat to wash and gargle it being boyled with Figs. It helpeth the Tooth-ach being boyled in Vinegar and gargled therwith The hot Vapors of the Decoction taken by a Funnel in at the Ears easeth the Inflamations and singing nois of them Being bruised and Salt Honey and Cummin Seed put to it it helpeth those that are stung by Serpents The Oyl thereof being anoynted killeth Liâ—e and taketh away Itching of the Head It helpeth those that have the Falling-sickness which way soever it be applied It helpeth to expectorate tough Flegm and is effectual in al cold Griefs or Diseases of the Chest and Lungs being taken either in a Syrup or licking Medicine The green Herb bruised and a little Sugar put thereto doth quickly heal any cut or green Wound being thereunto applied The Herb is Jupiters and the Sign Cancer It strengthens all the parts of the Body under cancer and Jupiter which what they be may be found amply discoursed of in my Astrological Judgment of Diseases Hops THese are so well known that they need no Description I mean the manured kind which every good Husband or Huswife is acquainted with The wild Hop groweth up as the other doth ramping upon Trees or Hedges that stand next unto them with rough branches and Leavs like the former but it giveth smaller Heads in far less plenty than it so that there is scarce a Head or two seen in a year on divers of this wild kind wherein consisteth the chief difference Place They delight to grow on low moist grounds and are found in all parts of this Land Time They spring not up until April and Flower not until the latter end of June the heads are not gathered until the middle or latter end of September Vertues and use This Physical operation is to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen to clens the Blood to loosen the Belly to clens the Reins from Gravel and provoke Urine The Decoction of the tops of Hops as well of the tame as the wild worketh the same effects In cleansing the Blood they help to cure the French Diseas and al manner of Scabs Itch and other breakings out in the Body as also al Tetters Ringworms and spreading Sores the Morphew and all discolourings of the Skin The Decoction of the Flowers and tops do help to expel poyson that any one hath drunk Half a dram of the Seed in Pouder taken in drink killeth Worms in the Body bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth Urin A Syrup made of the Juyce and Sugar cureth the yellow Jaundice easeth the Headach that comes of Heat and tempereth the heat of the Liver and Stomach and is profitably given in long and hot Agues that rise of Choller and Blood Both the wild and the manured are of one property and alike effectual in al the aforesaid Diseases By all these Testimonies Beer appears to be better than Ale Mars owns the Plant and then Dr. Reason will tell you how it performs these actions Horehound Description COmmon Horehound groweth up with square hoary Stalks half a yard or two foot high set at the Joynts with two round crumpled rough Leavs of a sullen hoary green colour of a reasonable good scent but a very bitter tast The Flowers are smal white and gaping set in rough hard prickly Husks round about the Joynts with the Leaves from the middle of the Stalk upwards wherein afterwards is found smal round blackish Seed The Root is blackish hard and woody with many strings ther eat and abideth many years Place It is found in many parts of this Land in dry grounds and wast green places Time It Flowreth in or about July and the Seed is ripe in Augst Vertues and Vse A Decoction of the dried Herb with the Seed or the Juyce of the green Herb taken with Honey is a Remedy for those that are pursie or short winded or have a Cough or are fallen into a Consumption either through long sickness or thin Distillations of Rhewm upon the Lungs It helpeth to expectorate tough Flegm from the Chest being taken with the Roots of Iris or Orris It is given to Women to bring down their Courses to expel the Afterbirth and to them that have sore and long Travails as also to those that have taken Poyson or are stung or bitten by Venemous Serpents The Leavs used with Honey purge foul Ulcers stay running or creeping sores and the growing of the Flesh over the Nails It also helpeth pains of the sides The Juyce thereof with Wine and Honey helpeth to cleer the Eyesight and snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth away the yellow Jaundice and with a little Oyl of Roses dropped into the Ears easeth the pains of them Galen saith it openeth Obstructions both of the Liver and Spleen purgeth the Breast and Lungues of Flegm and used outwardly it both clenseth and digesteth A Decoction of Horchound saith Mathiolus is available for those that have
rise up 2. or 3. short stalks about 2. foot high and slender with such like Leavs at the Joynts as grow below but with lesser fewer devisions bearing Umbels of white Flowers and after them small thinne flat blackish seed bigger than Dil seeds The Root is somwhat greater and groweth rather sideways than down deep into the ground shooting forth sundry heads which tast sharp biting on the Tongue and is the hottest and sharpest part of the Plant and the seed next unto it beiug somewhat blackish on the outside and smelling well Place It is usually kept in Gardens with us in England Time It Flowreth and seedeth about the end of August Vertues and Use. The Root of Masterwort is hotter than Pepper and very available in all cold Grelfes and Diseases both of Stomach and body dissolving very powerfully upward and downward It is also used in a decoction with wind against all cold rhewms or distillations upon the Lungs and shortnes of breath to be taken morning and evening it also provokerh Urin and helpeth to break the Stone and expel the Greavell from the Kidneys procuereth womens Courses and expelleth the dead birth is singular good for the strangling of the Mother and other such like Feminine Diseases It is effectuall also aganist the Dropsie Cramps and the Falling sicknes for the decection in wine being gargled in the Mouth draweth down much water and flegm from the brain purging easing it of what oppresseth it It is of a rare quality against al sorts of cold poyson to be taken as there is cause It provoketh sweat But left the tast herof or of the seed which worketh to the like effect though not so powerfully should be too offensive the best way is to take the water distilled both from the Herb and Root The Juyce herof dropped or Tents dipped therin and applyed either to green wounds or filthy rotten Ulcers and those that come by invenomed Weapons doth soon clens and heal them or isthey be bathed with the distilled water The same is also very good to help the Gout coming of a cold cause It is an Herb of Mars Sweet Maudlin Description COmmon Maudlin have somwhat long and narrow Leaves snip'd about the edges the stalks are two foot high bearing at the topps many yellow flowers Set round together and all of an equal height â—in umbles tufts like unto Tansy after which flowereth small whitish Seed almost as big as Wormseed The whol Herb is sweet and bitter Place and Time It groweth in Gardens and Flowreth in June and July Vertues and use The Vertues hereof being the same with Costmary or Alecost I shal not trouble you to make any repetition thereof left my Book grow too big but rather refer you unto Costmary for satisfaction The Medlar Description THis Tree groweth neer the bigness of the Quince Tree spreading Branches reasonable large with longer and narrower Leaves than either the Apple or Quince and not dented about the edges At the end of the Sprigs stand the Flowers made of Five white great broad pointed Leavs nicked in the middle with some white threds also after which cometh the Fruit of a brownish green colour being ripe bearing a Crown as it were on the top which were the five green Leaves and being rubbed off or fallen away the head of the Fruit is seen to be somwhat hollow The Fruit is very harsh before it be mellowed and hath usually five hard Kernels within it There is another kind hereof differing nothing from the former but that it hath some Thorns on it in several places which the other hath not and the Fruit is smal and not so pleasant Time They grow in this Land and Flower in May for the most part and bear ripe Fruit in September and October Vertues and use They are very powerful to stay and Fluxes of Blood or Humors in Man or Woman the Leavs have also the like quality The Fruit eaten by Women with Child stayeth their longings after unusual meats and is very effectual for them that are apt to miscarry and be delivered before their time to help that malady and make them joyful Mothers The Decoction of them is good to gargle and wash the Mouth Throat and Teeth when there is any defluxion of Blood to stay it or of Humors which causeth Pains and Swellings It is a good bath for Women to sit over that have their Courses flow too abundantly or for the Piles when they bleed too much If a Pultis or Plaister be made with dried Medlars beaten and mixed with the Juyce of red Roses whereunto a few Cloves and Nutmeg may be added and a little red Correl also and applied to the Stomach that is given to casting or loathing of meat it effectually helpeth The dried Leavs in Pouder strewed on fresh bleeding Wounds restraineth the Blood and healeth up the Wound quickly â—â— The Medlar stones made into Pouder and drunk in Wine wherein some Parsley Roots have lien infused all night or a little boyled do break the Stone in the Kidneys helping to expel it The Fruit is old Saturns and sure a better Medicine he hardly hath to strengthen the retentive faculty therfore it staies Womens Longings the good old Man cannot endure Womens minds should run a gadding Also a Plaister made of the Fruit dried before they be rotten and other convenient things and applied to the Reins of the Back stops Miscarriage in Women with Child Melilot or Kings Claver Description THis hath many green Stalks two or three foot high rising from a tough long white Root which dieth not every yeer set round about at the Joynts with smal and somwhat long wel smelling Leavs set three together unevenly dented about the edges The Flowers are yellow and well smelling also made like other Trefoyls but smal standing in long Spikes one above another for an hand breath long or better which afterwards turn into long crooked Cods wherein is contained flat Seed somwhat Brown Place It groweth plentifully in many places of this Land as in the edg of Susfolk and in Essex as also in Huntingtoushire and in other places but most usually in Corn Fields in corners of Meadows Time It Flowreth in June and July and is ripe quickly after Vertues and Use. Melilot boyled in Wine and applied mollifieth all hard Tumors and Inflamations that happen in the Eyes or other parts of the Body as the Fundament or privy parts of Man or Woman and somtimes the Yolk of a roasted Egg or fine Flower or Poppy Seed or Endive is added unto it It helpeth the spreading Ulcers in the Head it being washed with a Ly made thereof It helpeth the pains of the Stomach being applied fresh or boyled with any of the aforenamed things It helpeth also the pains of the Ears being dropped into them and steeped in Vinegar and Rose-Water it mitigateth the Headach The Flowers of Melilot and Chamomel are much used to
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
the name Cardiaca The Pouder thereof to the quantity of a spoonful drunk in Wine is a wonderful help to Women in their Sore Travails as also for the suffocations or risings of the Mother and from these effects it is likely it took the name of Motherwort with us It also provoketh Urine and Womens Courses clenseth the Chest of cold Flegm oppressing it and killeth the Worms in the Belly It is of good use to warm and dry up the cold Humors to digest and dispers them that are setled in the Veins Joynts and Sinews of the Body and to help Cramps and Convulsions Venus owns the Herb and it is under Leo there is no better Herb to drive Melancholly Vapors from the Heart to strengthen it and make a merry cheerful blith soul than this Herb it may be kept in a Syrup or Conserve therfore the Latins called it Cardiaca Besides it makes Women joyful Mothers of Children and settles their Wombs as they should be therfore we call it Motherwort Mousear Description THis is a low Herb creeping upon the ground by small strings like the Strawberry Plant whereby it shooteth forth smal Roots whereat grow upon the Ground many small and somwhat short Leavs set in a round form together hollowish in the middle where they are broadest of an hoary colour all over and very hairy which being broken do give a white Milk From among these Leavs spring up two or three smal hoary Stalks about a span high with a few smaller Leavs thereon At the tops whereof standeth usually but one Flower consisting of many paler yellow Leavs broad at the points and a little dented in set in three or four rows the greater outermost very like a Dandelyon Flower and a little reddish underneath about the edges especially if it grow in a dry ground which after they have stood long in Flower do turn into Down which with the Seed is carryed away with the Wind. Place It groweth on Ditch Banks and somtimes in Ditches if they be dry and in sandy Grounds Time It Flowreth about June and July and abideth green all the Winter Vertues and Use. The Juyce hereof taken in Wine or the Decoction thereof drunk doth help the Jaundice although of long continuance to drink thereof morning and evening and abstain from other drink two or three hours after It is a special Remedy against the Stone and the tormenting pains thereof as also other Tortures and griping pains of the Bowels The Decoction thereof with Succory and Centaury is held very eflectual to help the Dropsie and them that are inclining thereunto and the Diseases of the Spleen It stayeth the Fluxes of Blood either at the Mouth or Nose and inward Bleedings also for it is a singular Wound Herb for Wounds both inward and outward It helpeth the Bloody Flux and stayeth the abundance of Womens Courses There is a Syrup made of the Juyce hereof and Sugar by the Apothecaries of Italy and other places which is of much account with them to be given to those that are troubled with the Cough or Phtisick The same also is singular good for Ruptures or Burstings The green Herb bruised and presently bound to any fresh cut or Wound doth quickly soder the lips thereof And the Juyce Decoction or Pouder of the dried Herb is most singular to stay the Malignity of spreading and fretting Cankers and Ulcers wheresoever yea in the Mouth or secret parts The distilled Water of the Plant is available in all the Diseases aforesaid and to wash outward Wounds and Sores and to apply Tents or Cloaths wet therein The Moon owns the Herb also and though Authors cry out upon Alchymists for attempting to fix Quick Silver by this Herb and Moonwort A Roman would not have judged a thing by the success if it be to be fixed at all 't is by Lunar Influence Mugwort Description THe common Mugwort have divers Leavs lying upon the ground very much devided or cut deeply in about the Brims somwhat like Wormwood but much larger of a dark green colour on the upper side and very hoary white underneath The stalks rise to be four or five foot high having on it such like Leavs as those below but somwhat smaller branching forth very much toward the top whereon are set very smal pale yellowish Flowers like Buttons which fall away and after them come small Seed inclosed in round Heads The Root is long and hard with many smal Fibres growing from it whereby it taketh strong hold in the ground but both Stalk and Leaf do die down every yeer and the Root shooteth anew in the Spring The whol Plant is of a reasonable good scent and is more easily propogated by the Slips than by the Seed Place It groweth plentifully in many places of this Land by the way sides as also by smal Water-Courses and in divers other places Time It Flowreth and Seedeth in the end of Summer Vertues and Use. Mugwort is with good success put among other Herbs that are boyled for Women to fit over the hot Decoction to draw down their Courses to help the Delivery of the Birth and expel the Afterbirth as also for the Obstructions and Inflamations of the Mother It breaketh the Stone and causeth one to make water where it is stopped The Juyce thereof made up with Mirrh and put under as a Pessary worketh the same effect and so doth the Root also being made up with Hogs Greas into an Oyntment it taketh away Wens and hard Knots and Kernels that grow about the Neck and Throat and easeth the pains about the Neck and more effectually if some Field Daisies be put with it The Herb it self being fresh or the Juyce thereof taken is a special Remedy upon the overmuch taking of Opium Three drams of the Pouder of the dried Leavs taken in Wine is a speedy and the best certain help for the Sciatica A Decoction thereof made with Chamomel and Agrimony and the place bathed therewith while it is warm taketh away the pains of the Sinews and the Cramp This is an Herb of Venus therefore maintaineth the parts of the Body she rules and Remedies the Diseases of the parts that are under her Signs Taurus and Libra The Mulberry-Tree THis is so well known in the places where it groweth that it needeth no Description Time It beareth Fruit in the Months of July and August Vertues and Use. The Mulberry is of different parts the ripe Berries by reason of their Sweetness and slippery moisture opening the Belly and the unripe binding it especially when they are dried and then they are good to stay Fluxes Lasks and the abundance of Womens Courses The Bark of the Root killeth the broad Worms in the Body The Juyce or the Syrup made of the Juyce of the Berries helpeth all Inflamations and Sores in the Mouth or Throat and the Pallet of the Mouth when it is fallen down The Juyce of the Leavs is a Remedy against the biting
of Serpents and for those that have taken Aconite The Leavs beaten with Vinegar is good to lay on any place that is burnt with fire A Decoction made of the Bark and Leavs is good to wash the Mouth and Teeth when they ach If the Root be a little slit or cut and a smal hole made in the ground next thereunto in the Harvest time it will give out a certain Juyce which being hardned the next day is of good use to help the Toothach to dissolve Knots and purge the Belly The Leavs of Mulberries are said to stay bleeding at Mouth or Nose or the Bleeding of the Piles or of a Wound being bound unto the places A Branch of the Tree taken when the Moon is at the full and bound to the Wrist of a Womans Arm whose Courses come down too much doth stay them in a short space Mercury rules the Tree therefore are its effects variable as his are Mullein Description THe common white Mullein hath many fair large woolly white Leavs lying next the ground somwhat longer than broad pointed at the ends and as it were dented about the edges The Stalk riseth up to be four or five Foot high covered over with such like Leavs but lesser so that no Stalk can be seen for the multitude of Leavs thereon up to the Flowers which come forth on all sides of the Stalk without any Branches for the most part and are many set together in a long spike in some of a gold yellow colour in others more pale consisting of five round pointed Leavs which afterwards give smal round Heads wherein is smal brownish Seed contained The Root is long white and Woody perishing after it hath born Seed Place It groweth by the way sides and in Lanes in many places of this Land Time It Flowreth in July or thereabouts Vertues and use A smal quantity of the Root given in Wine is commended by Dioscorides against Lasks and Fluxes of the Belly The Decoction thereof drunk is profitable for those that are Bursten and for Cramps and Convulsions and for those that are troubled with an old Cough The Decoction thereof gargled caseth the pains of the Toothach An Oyl made by the often Infusion of the Flowers is of very good effect for the Piles The Decoction of the Root in Red Wine or in Water if there be an Ague wherein red hot Steel hath been often quenched doth stay the Bloody Flux The same also openeth Obstructions of the Bladder and Reins when one cannot make water A Decoction of the Leavs hereof and of Sage Marjetom and Camomil Flowers and the places bathed therewith that have Sinews stark with cold or Cramps doth bring them much eas and comfort Three ounces of the distilled water of the Flowers drunk morning and evening for some daies together is said to be the most excellent Remedy for the hot Gout The Juyce of the Leavs and Flowers being laid upon rough Warts as also the Pouder of the dried Roots rubbed on doth easily take them away but doth no good to smooth Warts The Pouder of the dried Flowers is an especial Remedy for those that are troubled with belly-aches or the pains of the Chollick The Decoction of the Root and so likewise of the Leavs is of great effect to dissolve the Tumors Swellings or Inflamation of the Throat The Seed and Leavs boyled in Wine and applied draweth forth speedily Thorns or Splinters gotten into the Flesh easeth the pains and healeth them also The Leavs bruised and wrapped in double papers and covered with hot Ashes and Embers to bake a while and then taken forth and laid warm on any Botch or Boyl hapning in the Groyn or share doth dissolve and heal them The Seed bruised and boyled in Wine and laid on any Member that hath been out of Joynt and is newly set again taketh away all Swellings and pains thereof Mustard Description THe common Mustard hath large and broad rough Leavs very much jagged with uneven and unorderly gashes somwhat like Turnip Leavs but lesser and rougher The Stalk riseth to be more than a foot high and somtimes two foot high being round rough and branched at the top bearing such like Leavs thereon as grow below but lesser and less devided and divers yellow Flowers one above another at the tops after which come smal rough pods with smal lank flat ends wherein is contained round yellowish Seed sharp hot and biting upon the Tongue The Root is smal long and woody when it beareth Stalks and perisheth every yeer Place This groweth with us in Gardens only and other manured places Time It is an annual Plant Flowring in July and their Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use Mustard Seed hath the Vertue of Heating discussing rarefying and drawing out Splinters of Bones and other things out of the Flesh. It is of good effect to bring down Womens Courses for the Falling sickness or Lethargy drousie forgetful evil to use it both inwardly and outwardly to rub the Nostrils Forehead and Temples to warm and quicken the Spirits for by the fierce sharpness it purgeth the Brain by sneezing and drawing down Rhewm and other Viscuous Humors which by their Distillations upon the Lungs and Chest procure coughing and therefore with some Honey added thereto doth much good therein The Decoction of the Seed made in Wine and drunk provoketh Urine resisteth the force of Poyson the Malignity of Mushroms and the Venom of Scorpions or other Venemous Creatures if it be taken in time and taketh before the cold fits of Agues altereth lesseneth and cureth them The Seed taken either by it self or with other things either in an Electuary or Drink doth mightily stir up Bodily lust and helpeth the Spleen and pains in the sides and gnawing in the Bowels And used as a Gargle draweth up the Pallat of the Mouth being fallen down and also it dissolveth the Swellings abouâ— the Throat if it be outwardly applied Being chewed in the Mouth it oftentimes helpeth the Toothach The outward application hereof upon the pained place of the Sciatica discusseth the Humors and easeth the pains as also of the Gout and other Joynt aches And is much and often used to eas pains in the sides or loyns the shoulders or other parts of the Body upon the applying thereof to rais Blisters and cureth the Diseas by drawing it to the outward part of the Body It is also used to help the falling of the Hair The Seed bruised mixed with Honey and applied or made up with Wax taketh away the Marks and black and blue spots of Bruises or the like the roughness or Scabbedness of the Skin as also the Leprosie and lowsie evil it helpeth also the crick in the Neck The distilled Water of the Herb when it is in Flower is much used to drink inwardly to help in any the Diseases aforesaid or to wash the Mouth when the Pallat is down and for the Diseases of the Throat
mean the common kind that it needeth no Description There is a greater kind than the ordinary sort found wild with us which so abideth being brought into Gardens and differeth not from it but only in the largeness of the Leavs and Stalks in rising higher and not creeping upon the ground so much The Flowers whereof are Purple growing in Rundles about the Stalk like the other Place The first which is common in Gardens groweth also in many moist and watery places of this Land The second is sound wild in Essex in divers places by the High-way from London â—to Colechester and thereabouts more abundantly than in other Countries and is also planted in their Gardens in Essex Time They Flower in the latter end of Summer about August Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith That Peny-royal maketh thin tough Flegm warmeth the coldness of any part whereto it is apylied and digesteth raw or corrupt matter Being boyled drunk it provoketh Womens Courses and expelleth the dead Child and afterbirth and staieth the disposition to Vomit being taken in Water and Vinegar mingled together And being mingled with Honey and Salt it avoideth Flegm out of the Lungs and purgeth Melancholly by the Stool Drunk with Wine it helpeth such as are bitten or stung with Venemous Beasts and applied to the Nostrils with Vinegar reviveth those that are fainting and swouning Being dried and burnt it strengtheneth the Gums It is helpful to those that are troubled with the Gout being applied of it self to the place until it wax red and applied in a Plaister it taketh away spots or marks in the Face Applied with Salt it profiteth those that are Splenetick or Liver-grown The Decoction doth help the Itch if washed therwith Being put into Baths for Women to sit therein it helpeth the Swelling and hardness of the Mother The green Herb bruised and put into Vinegar clenseth foul Ulcers and taketh away the marks and bruises of blows about the Eyes and all discolourings of the Face by fire yea and the Leprosie being drunk and outwardly applied Boyled in Wine with Honey and Salt it helpeth the Toothach It helpeth the cold Griefs of the Joynts taking away the pains and warming the cold parts being fast bound to the place after a bathing or sweating in an hot hous Pliny addeth that Penny-royal and Mints together help faintings or swounings being put into Vinegar and put to the Nostrils to be smelled unto or a little thereof put into the Mouth It easeth the Headach and the pains of the Breast and Belly stayeth the gnawing of the Stomach and inward pains of the Bowels being drunk in Wine it provoketh Womens Courfes and expelleth the dead child and afterbirth Being given in Wine it helpeth the Falling-sickness Put into unwholsom or stinking Water that men must drink as at Sea and where other cannot be had it maketh them the less hurtful It helpeth Cramps or Convulsions of the Sinews being applied with Honey Salt and Vinegar It is very effectual for the Cough being boyled in Milk and drunk and for Ulcers or Sores in the Mouth Mathiolus saith The Decoction thereof being drunk helpeth heâ—Jaundice and Dropsie and all pains of the Head and Sinews that come of a cold caus and that it helpeth to clearâ— and quicken the Eye-sight Applied to the Nostrils of those that have the Falling-sicknessâ— or the Lethargy or put into the Mouth it helpeth them much being bruised and with Vinegar applied And applied with Barley Meal it helpeth Burnings by fire and put into the Ears easeth the pains of them The Herb is under Venus Peony Mas. Femina Description THe Male Peony riseth up with many brownish Stalks whereon grow many fair green and somtimes reddish Leavs one set against another upon a Stalk without any particular devision in the Leaf at all The Flowers stand at the tops of the Stalks consisting of five or six broad Leavs of a fair purplish red colour with many yellow threds in the middle standing about the Head which after riseth to be the Seed Vessels devided into two three or four rough crooked Pods like Horns which being ful ripe open and turn themselves down one edge to another backward shewing within them divers round black shining Seed having also many red or Crimson grains intermixed with the black whereby it maketh a very pretty shew The Roots are great thick and long spreading and running down reasonable deep in the Ground The ordinary Female Peony hath many Stalks and more Leavs on them than the Male the Leavs not so large but nicked diversly on the edges some with great and deep others with smaller cuts and devisions of a dark or dead green colour The Flowers are of a strong heady scent most usually smaller and of a more purple colour than the Male with yellow thrums about the Head as the Male hath The Seed Vessels are like Horns as in the Male but smaller the Seed also is black but less shining The Roots consist of many thick and short tuberous clogs fastned at the ends of long strings and all from the Head of the Root which is thick and short and of the like scent with the Male. Place and Time They grow in Gardens and Flower usually about May. Vertues and Use. The Root of the Male Peony fresh gathered hath been found by experience to cure the Falling-sickness but the surest way is besides hanging it about the Neck by which Children have been cured to take the Root of the Male Peony washed clean and stamped somwhat smal and lay it to infuse in Sack for twenty four Hours at the least after strain it and take first and last morning and evening a good draught for sundry daies together before and after a full Moon and this will also cure older persons if the Disease be not grown too old and past cure especially if there be a due and orderly preparation of the Body with Posset drink made of Betony c. The Root is also effectual for Women that are not sufficiently clensed after Childbirth and such as are troubled with the Mother for which likewise the black Seed beaten to Pouder and given in Wine is also available The black Seed also taken before bed time and in the morning is very effectual for such as in their sleep are troubled with the Diseas called Ephialtes or Incubus but we do commonly cal it the Night-Mare a diseas which Melancholly persons are subject unto It is also good against Melanchollick Dreams The Distilled water or Syrup made of the Flowers worketh the same effects that the Root and the Seed do although more weakly The Female is often used for the purposes aforesaid by reason the Male is so scarce a Plant that it is possessed by few and those great Lovers of Rarities in this kind It is an Herb of the Sun and under the Lyon Physitians say Male Peony Roots are best but Dr. Reason told me male Peony was best for men and
Poplars which are most familiar with us Viz. The Black and the White both which I shall here describe unto you The white Poplar groweth great and reasonable high covered with a thick smooth white Bark especially the Branches having large Leavs cut into several devisions almost â— a Vine Leaf but not of so deep a green on the upper side and hoary white underneath of a reasonable good scent the whol form representing the Leaf of Coltsfoot The Catkins which it bringeth forth before the Leavs are long and of a faint reddish colour which fall away bearing seldom good Seed with them The Wood hereof is smooth soft and white very finely waved whereby it is much esteemed The Black Poplar groweth high â— straiter than the White with a grayish Bark bearing broad and green Leaves somwhat like Ivy Leavs not cut in on the edges like the White but whol and dented ending in a point and not white underneath hanging by slender long Footstalks which with the Air are continually shaken like as the Aspin Leavs are The Catkins hereof are greater than of the White composed of many round green Berries as it were set together in a long Cluster containing much downice matter which being ripe is blown away with the wind The clammy Buds hereof before they spread into Leavs are gathered to make the Unguentum Populeon and are of a yellowish green colour and smal somwhat sweet but strong The Wood is smooth tough â—and white and easie to be cloven On both these Trees groweth a sweet kind of Musk which in former times was used to be put into sweet Oyntments Place They grow in moist Woods and by water sides in sundry places of the Land yet the white is not so frequent as the other Time Their time is likewise expressed before The Catkins coming forth before the Leavs and ripen in the end of Summer Vertues and Use. The White Poplar saith Galen is of a clensing property The weight of one ounce in Pouder of the Bark thereof being drunk saith Dioscorides is a Remedy for those that are troubled with the Sciatica or the Strangury The Juyce of the Leavs dropped warm into the Ears easeth the pains in them The yong clammy Buds or Eyes before they break out into Leavs bruised and a little Honey put to them is a good Medicine for a dull Sight The Black Poplar is held to be more cooling than the White and therefore the Leavs bruised with Vinegar and applied helpeth the Gout The Seed drunk in Vinegar is held good against the Falling-sickness The Water that droppeth from the hollow places of this Tree taketh away Warts Pushes Wheals and other the like breakings out in the Body The yong black Poplar Buds saith Mathiolus are much used by Women to beautifie their hair bruising them with fresh Butter and straining them after they have been kept for some time in the Sun The Oyntment called Populeon which is made of this Poplar is singular good for all heat or Inflamation in any part of the â—â—â—â—â—y and tempereth the heat of Wounâ—â—his much used to dry up the Milk in Womens Breasts When they have weyned their Children Poppy OF this I shal describe three kinds Viz. The Whites and Black of the Garden and the Erratick wild Poppy or Corn Rose Discription The white Poppy hasth at first four or five whitish green Leavs lying upon the ground which rise with the Stalk compassing it at the bottom of them and are very large much cut or torn in on the edges and dented also besides The Stalk which is usually four or five foot high hath somtimes no Branches at the top usually but two or three at most bearing every one but one Head wrapped in a thin Skin which boweth down before it be ready to blow and then rising and being broken the Flower within it spreadeth it self open and consisteth of four very large White round Leavs with many whitish round threds in the middle set about a small round green Head having a Crown or Star-like cover at the Head thereof which growing ripe becometh as large as a great Apple wherein are contained a great number of smal round Seed in several partitions or devisions next unto the shell the middle thereof remaining hollow and empty All the whol Plant both Leavs Stalks and Heads while they are fresh yong and green yield a Milk when they are broken of an unpleasant bitter tast almost ready to provoke casting and of a strong heady smel which being condensate is called Opium The Root is white and woody perishing as soon as it hath given ripe Seed The Black Poppy little differeth from the former until it beareth his Flower which is somwhat less and of a black Purplish colour but without any purple spots in the bottom of the Leaf The Head of Seed is much less than the former and openeth it self a little round about the top under the Crown so that the Seed which is very black will fall out if one turn the Head thereof downwards The wild Poppy or Corn Rose hath long and narrow Leavs very much cut in on the edges into many devisions of a light green colour and somtimes hairy withal The Stalk is blackish and hairy also but not so tall as the Garden kinds having some such like Leavs thereon as grow below parted into three or four Branches somtimes whereon grow smal hairy Heads bowing down before the Skin break wherein the Flower is inclosed which when it is ful blown open is of a fair yellowish red or crimson colour and in some much paler without any spot in the bottom of the Leavs having many black soft threds in the middle compassing a smal green Head which when it is ripe is not bigger than ones little finger end wherin is contained much black Seed smaller by half than that of the Garden The Root perisheth every yeer and springeth again of its own sowing Of this kind there is one lesser in all the parts thereof and differeth in nothing els Places The Garden kinds do not naturally grow wild in any place but are all sown in Gardens where they grow The Wild Poppy or Corn Rose is plentiful enough and many times too much in the Corn Fields of all Countries through this Land and also upon Ditch Banks and by Hedg sides The smaller wild kind is also found in Corn Fields and also in some other place but not so plentiful as the former Time The Garden kinds are usually sown in the Spring which then Flower about the end of May and somwhat earlier if they spring of their own sowing The Wild Kinds Flower usually from May until July and the Seed of them is ripe soon after the Flowring Vertues and use The Garden Poppy Heads with Seeds made into a Syrup is frequently and to good effect used to procure rest and sleep in the sick and weak and to stay Catarrh's and Defluxions of hot thin Rhewms from the Head into the Stomach
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
be they never so foul or stinking by washing and gargling them therewith and likewise for such Sores as happen in the privy parts of man or Woman Briefly whatsoever hath been said of Bugle or Sanicle may be found herein Saturn owns this Herb and 't is of sober condition like him Sawce alone or Jack by the Hedg Description THe lower Leavs of this are rounder than those that grow towards the tops of the Stalks and are set singly one at a Joynt being somwhat round and broad and pointed at the ends dented also about the edges somwhat resembling Nettle Leavs for the form but of a fresher green colour and not rough or pricking The Flowers are very smal and white growing at the tops of the Stalks one above another which being past there follow smal and long round pods wherein are cantained smal round Seed somwhat blackish The Root is stringy and threddy perishing every yeer after it hath given Seed and raiseth it self again of its own sowing The Plant or any part thereof being bruised smelleth of Garlick but more pleasantly and tasteth somwhat hot and sharp almost like unto Rocket Place It groweth under Walls and by Hedg sides and Pathwaies in Fields in many places Time It Flowreth in June July and August Vertues and Use. This is eaten by many Country people as Sawce to their Salt-fish and helpeth well to digest the crudities and other corrupt Humors ingendred thereby it warmeth also the Stomach and causeth digestion The Juyce thereof boyled with Honey is accounted to be as good as Hedg-Muster for the Cough to cut and expectorate the tough Flegm The Seed bruised and boyled in Wine is a singular good Remedy for the Wind Chollick or the the Stone being drunk warm It is also given to Women troubled with the Mother both to drink and the Seed put into a Cloth and applied while it is warm is of singular good use The Leavs also or Seed boyled is good to be used in Clysters to ease the pains of the Stone The green Leavs are held to be good to heal the Ulcers in the Legs VVinter and Summer Savory BOth these are so well known being entertained as constant Inhabitants in our Gardens that they need no Description Vertues and Use. They are both of them hot and dry especially the Summer kind which is both sharp and quick in tast expelling Wind in the Stomach and Bowels and is a present help for the rising of the Mother procured by Wind provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and is much commended for Women with Child to take inwardly and to smell often unto It cutteth tough Flegm in the Chest and Lungs and helpeth to expectorate in the more easily It quencheth the dull spirits in the Lethargy the Juyce thereof being snuffed or cast up into the Nostrils The Juyce dropped into the Eyes cleareth a dull sight if it proceed of â—â—â— cold humors distilling from the Brain The Juyce heated with a little Oyl of Roses and dropped into the Ears easeth them of the noise and singing in them and of deafness also Outwardly applied w th white flower in manner of a Pultis it giveth ease to the Sciatica and Palsey'd Members heating and warming them and taketh away their pains It also taketh away the pain that comes of stinging by Bees Wasps c. Mercury claims the Dominion over this Herb neither is there a better Remedy against the Chollick and Illiack passions than this Herb keep it dry by you all the yeer if you love your selves and your ease as 't is an hundred pound to a penny if you do not keep it dry make Conserves and Syrups of it for your use and withal take notice that the Summer kind is the best The common white Saxifrage Description THis hath a few smal reddish Kernels or Roots covered with some Skins lying among diverse smal blackish Fibres which send forth diverse round faint or yellowish green Leavs and grayish underneath lying above the ground unevenly dented about the edges somwhat hairy every one upon a little footstalk from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy green stalk two or three foot high with a few such like round Leaves as grow below but smaller and somwhat branched at the top whereon stand pretty large white Flowers of five Leaves apiece with some yellow threds in the middle standing in long crested brownish green Husks After the Flowers are past there ariseth somtimes a round hard head by forked at the top wherein is contained small blackish Seed but usually they fall away without any Seed and it is the Kernels or grains of the Root which are usually called the white Saxifrage Seed and so used Place It groweth in many places of our Land as well in the lower moist as in the upper dry corners of Meadows and graffy sandy places It used to grow neer Lambs Conduit on the back side of Grayes-Inn Time It Flowreth in May and is then gathered as well for that which is called the Seed as to distil for it quickly perisheth down to the ground when any hot weather comes Vertues and use It is very effectual to clense the Reins and Bâ—dder and to dissolve the Stone ingendred in them and to expel it and the Gravel by Urine to provoke Urine also being stopped and to help the Strangury for which purposes the Decoction of the Herb or Roots in white Wine or the Pouder of the smal Kernelly Roots which is called the Seed taken in white Wine or in the same Decoction made with white Wine is most usual The Distilled water of the whol Herb Roots and Flowers is most familiar to be taken It provoketh also Womens Courses and freeth and clenseth the Stomach and Lungs from thick and tough Flegm that troubles them There is not many better Medicines to break the Stone than this Burnet Saxifrage Description YHe greater sort of our English Burnet Saxifrage groweth up with diverse long Stalks of winged Leavs set directly opposite one to another on both sides each being somwhat broad a little pointed and dented about the edges of a sad green colour At the tops of the Stalks stand Umbels of white Flowers after which comes small and blackish Seed The Root is long and whitish abiding long Our lesser Burnet Saxifrage hath much finer Leaves than the former and very smal and set one against another deeply jagged about the edges and of the same colour as the former The Umbels of Flowers are white and the Seed very small and so is the Root being also somwhat hot and quick in tast Place These grow in most Meadows of this Land and are easie to be found being well sought for among the Grass wherein many times they lie hid scarcely to be discern'd Time They Flower about July and their Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use These Saxifrages are as hot as Pepper and Tragus saith by his experience they are more wholsom They have the
little dented in the middle of a pale Rose colour almost white somtimes deeper and somtimes paler of a reasonable good scent Place It groweth wild in many low and wet grounds of this Land by the Brooks and sides of running Waters Time It Flowreth usually in July and so continueth all August and part of September before they be quite spent Vertues and use The Country people in diverse places do use to bruise the Leaves of Sopewort and lay it to their Fingers Hands or Legs when they are cut to heal them up again Some make great boast there of that it is Diuretical to provoke Urine and thereby to expel Gravel and the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys and do also account it singular good to avoid Hydropical waters thereby to cure the disease of the Dropsie And they no less extol it to perform an absolute cure in the French Pox more than either Sarsaparilla Gujacum or China can do which how true it is I leave to others to judg Sorrel OUr ordinary Sorrel which groweth in Gardens and also wild in the Fields is so well known that it needeth no Description Vertues and Use. Sorrel is prevalent in all hot Diseases to cool any Inflamation and heat of Blood in Agues Pestilential or Chollerick or other sicknesses and sainting rising from heat and to refresh the overspent Spirits with the violence of furious or fiery fits of Agues to quench Thirst and procure an Appetite in fainting or decayd Stomachs for it resisteth the putrefaction of the Blood killeth Worms and is as a Cordial to the heart which the Seed doth more effectually being more drying and binding and thereby stayeth the hot Fluxes of Womens Courses or of Humors in the Bloody Flux or Flux of the Stomach The Roots also in a Decoction or in Pouder is effectual for all the said purposes Both Roots and Seed as well as the Herb is held powerful to resist the poyson of the Scorpion The Decoction of the Roots is taken to help the Jaundice and to expel Gravel and the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys The Decoction of the Flowers made with Wine and drunk helpeth the black Jaundice as also the inward Ulcers of the Body or Bowels A Syrup made with the Juyce of Sorrel and Fumitary is a Soveraign help to kill those sharp Humors that cause the Itch. The Juyce thereof with a little Vinegar serveth well to be used outwardly for the same cause and is also profitable for Tetters Ringworms c. It helpeth also to discuss the Kernels in the Throat and the Juyce gargled in the Mouth helpeth the Sores therein The Leaves wrapped up in a Colewoort Leaf and roasted under the Embers and applied to a hard Impostume Botch Boyl or Plague Sore both ripeneth and breaketh it The Distilled water of the Herb is of much good use for all the purposes aforesaid Venus owns it and she will never deny the Herb that follows Wood Sorrel Description THis groweth low upon the ground having a number of Leaves coming from the Root made of three Leaves like a Trefoyl but broad at the ends and cut in the middle of a faint yellowish green colour every one standing on a long Footstalk which at their first coming up are close folded together to the Stalk but opening themselves afterwards and are of a fine sowr rellish and yeelding a Juyce which will turn red when it is clarified and maketh a most dainty clear Syrup Among these Leavs riseth up diverse slender weak Footstalks with every one of them a Flower at the top consisting of five small pointed Leaves Star fashion of a white colour in most places and in some dash'd over with a small shew of blush on the back side only After the Flowers are past follow smal round heads with small yellowish Seed in them The Roots are nothing but smal strings fastned to the end of a smal long piece all of them being of a yellowish colour Place It groweth in many places of our Land in Woods and Wood sides where they be moist and shadowed and in other places not too much open to the Sun Time It Flowreth in April and May. Vertues and Use. Wood Sorrel serveth to all purposes that the other Sorrels do and is more effectual in hindring the putrefaction of Blood and Ulcers in the Mouth and Body and in cooling and tempering heats Inflamations to quench thirst to strengthen a weak Stomach to procure an appetite to stay Vomiting and very excellent in any contagious sickness or Pestilential Feavers The Syrup made of the Juyce is effectual in all the causes afore said and so is the Distilled Water of the Herb also Spunges or Linnen Cloathes wet in the Juyce and applied outwardly to any hot Swellings or Inflamations doth much cool and help them The same Juyce taken and gargled in the Mouth and after it is spit forth fresh taken doth wonderfully help a foul stinking Canker or Ulcer therein It is singular good in Wounds Thrusts and Stabs in the Body to stay bleeding and to clense â— and heal the Wounds speedily and helpeth to stay any hot Defluxions into the Throat or Lungs Sow-Thistles THese are generally so well known that they need no Description Place They grow in our Gardens and manured Grounds and somtimes by old Walls the path sides of Fields and High-waies Vertues and use Sow-thistles are cooling and somwhat binding and are very fit to cool an hot Stomach and to ease the gnawing pains thereof The Herb boyled in Wine is very helpful to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach And the Milk that is taken from the Stalks when they are broken given in drink is beneficial to those that are short Winded and have a wheesing withal Pliny saith that it hath caused the Gravel and Stone to be voided by Urine and that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath Three spoonfuls of the Juyce thereof taken in white Wine warmed and some Oyl put thereto causeth Women in Travel to have so easie and speedy delivery that they may be able to walk presently after The said Juyce taken in warm drink helpeth the Strangury and pains in making water The Decoction of the Leaves and Stalks causeth abundance of Milk in Nurses and their Children to be well coloured and is good for those whose Milk doth curdle in their Breasts The Juyce boiled or throughly heated with a little Oyl of Bitter Almonds in the Pill of a Pomegranate and dropped into the Ears is a sure Remedy for Deafness singings and all other Diseases in them The Herb bruised or the Juyce is profitably applied to all hot Inflamations in the Eyes or wheresoever else and for Wheals Blisters or other the like eruptions of heat in the Skin as also for the heat and itching of the Hemorrhoids and the heat and sharpness of Humors in the Secret parts of man or Woman The distilled water of the Herb is not only effectual for all the Diseases aforesaid
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
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