fire and cools the heat of the Piles clothes being wet therein and applyed it likewise takes away hot Pushes and Wheals ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Comfrey Consolida THis herb I suppose needs no description being generally known Names It is called Consolidae of which there is major and minor the greater and lesser Consound Comfrey is the greater and is so called from consolidating or knitting together which faculty it hath and is therefore called also Knit-back or Backwort because it bindes and strengthens the Back Place and Time It grows in Meadows by rivers sides and ditches in fruitful grounds as near Debtford in Kent it grows in abundance it is also planted in Gardens they flower in May and June and seed in August Nature and Vertues It is of a cold drying binding Saturning quality it is very good for the Back and the running of the Reins being boiled and eaten with Butter and Vinegar it is a very good Sallet some boil it and eat it with Bacon which way it is also effectual for the aforesaid purpose it stops Fluxes inward or outward Bleeding and the Terms the decoction of the roots being drunk it heals inward Wounds and Vlcers of the Lungs it stops the Reds and Whites the syrrup is effectual for all the said purposes and the distilled water is good to wash Wounds and Sores The Roots bruised and applyed is good to close together the lips of green Wounds and stayeth the bleeding of the Piles and Hemorrhoides and cools the Inflammations thereof it likewise eases the pains of the Gout being so applyed Walter Caltrops Tribulus Aquaticus THey rise with long slender stalks from the bottom of the water Description and float above the water the root is long and greater towards the top of the water then the bottom having tassels full of small strings on the stem the leaves are large and round notched a little about the edges somewhat resembling Poplar or Elme leaves the fruit groweth in prickley heads which are hard sharp and trianguler wherein is contained a white kernel in taste like Chestnuts Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Tribulus Aquaticus Tribulus Lacustris and the Apothecaries Tribulus Marinus in English Caltrops Saligot and Water Nuts and the fruit is called Castania Aquatiles or Water Chesnuts Place and Time It groweth in lakes standing waters and Springs in Germany Brabant and the Low Countreys so that being an outlandish Plant I would not have troubled the Reader with a description but to acquaint him that it is thrust in by the writer of that Book called Culpeppers English Physician enlarged amongst the English Plants as a great many more are both Outlandish and useless yet there is a small kinde hereof called small Frogs Lettice which bears small whitish flowers consisting of four leaves apiece which groweth in the River by Droxford in Hampshire alwayes continuing under the water and is green both Winter and Summer they all flower in June and July Nature and Vertues Caltrops are of a cold and moist nature so that a pultis made thereof is good against inflammations and hot swellings and being boiled with honey and water it cures Cankers of the Mouth sore Gums and the almonds of the Throat knobs and swellings and the Kings Evil The green Nuts drunk with wine is good for the Stone and Grayel and a powder thereof bindes the Belly and is good for them that piss Blood The same drunk wich wine resists poison venome and bitings of venomous creatures and the herb applyed outwardly helps venomous bitings Campions Wilde Lychnis THere are divers kindes hereof both wilde and in Gardens Lychnis sylvestris purpurea called red Batchelors Buttons and Lychnis alba white Batchelors Buttons they are useless in Physick yet Culpeppers writer will ascribe them to Saturn and saith The decoction stayes inward bleedings and the herb outwardly applyed doth the like and that being drunk it provokes Vrine expells the Gravel and Stone in the Reins and Kidneys and two drams of the seed drunk in wine purgeth chollerick humours helps venomous bitings and may be effectual for the Plague and that the herb is useful in old sores Vlcers and the like to cleanse and heal them All this may be true for any thing either he or I know to the contrary Indeed most of the kindes hereof except the two first named are strangers in England and are onely planted in Gardens for the beauty of the flowers Carduus Benedictus Vide Holy Thistle Carawayes Carui CAraway hath fine cut leaves much like Carrot leaves Description but not so bushing lying on the ground in divers stalks of a quick taste among which riseth up a square stalk not so high as the Carrot having the like leaves at the joynts but smaller and finer having at the top small open umbels of white slowers which produce a small blackish seed less then Anniseed and hotter in taste the root is somewhat like a Parsnip but is much less and hath a more wrinckled bark and a little hottish taste Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Caros Carum and Caruum and in the Shops Carui in English Caraway and Carawayes Place and time It is sown in our English Gardens flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe soon after Nature and Vertues The seeds are most used in Physick and according to Gallen are hot and dry almost in the third degree of a moderate sharp quality the herb may be eaten raw with other herbs in Sallets or boiled and the roots may be boiled and eaten as Parsnips they break winde comfort the Stomach and help Digestion The herb or seed and herb bruised and applyed hot in a cloth or bag to the bottom of the Belly eases the winde Chollick and is good against hot swellings The seeds eaten alone or mixed with meat or medicine comfort the Stomach break Winde and help digestion for which purpose also they are used to be put into bread they also help cold griefs in the head windiness in the Bowels and Mother and used to be mixed with purgative medicines to correct their windiness it also provokes Vrine helps the Cough and is good against the Phrensey and venomous bitings being put into a poultis it takes away black and blue spots which come by blows or bruises and used with allom it helps Scabs Tetters and falling off the hair Earth Chest-nuts Nucula terrestris THis root is round and knobbed Description with some bunchings out brown without and white within tasting much like a Chesnut but sweeter from whence springeth up small cressed stalks about a foot high whereon grow leaves next the ground like Parsley leaves but finer and towards the top like dill The flowers are white and stand at the tops of the stalks in spoky rundels like the tops of dill The seeds not much unlike Fennel seed but much smaller growing together by couples having a good smell
others not till the beginning of October Nature and Vertues Hazel Nuts fresh gathered are hot and moist but afterwards they grow dry they are under the Planet Mercury the skin that covers the kernells is very astringent so are the Katkins a dram thereof in wine stayes Womens Courses The parched kernels made into an Electuary helps and old Cough On oyl may be pressed from the kernells in the same manner as is made oyl of sweet Almonds which is very effectual for Coughs Hoarseness and shortness of Breath so that Nut Kernels do not altogether deferve the blame which is usually laid upon them for causing shortness of Breath Hawkweed Hieracium HAwkweed hath many leaves lying on the ground Description cut on the sides much like Dandelion amongst which shooteth up a rough hollow stalk not above two foot high at most branched from the middle upwards with lesser leaves and not so much dented as the other growing at every joynt at the top grow pale yellow flowers having many small narrow leaves broad pointed and nicked at the ends set in a double row or more which turn into doun and with the small brownish seeds is carried away with the winde the root is long white and full of small fibres the whole plant full of bitter milk Names In Latine its called Hieracium and Accipitrina by some Lampuca Porcellia and Hypochaeris and Hyoseris in English onely Hawkweed Place and Time It grows in untilled places by the borders of Fields and Ditches sides in Meadows Woods and Mountains they flower for the most part all Summer Nature and Vertues Hawkweeds are all cold and dry and withal astringent supposed to be a Saturnine Plant appropriated to the Eyes for which purpose it is said Hawks eat it to clear their sight and thence it takes its name the juyce of it mixed with Womans milk dropped into the Eyes is very good for all defects thereof and so is the distilled water used in like manner it is also good against fretting and creeping Vlcers and against Pushes Inflammations St. Anthonies fire and erruptions of heat A plutis made of it with meal applyed to any place affected with the Cramp or Convulsions giveth it ease The juyce taken in Wine helps digestion discusseth Winde and crudities in the Stomach provokes Vrine helps venomous bitings the herb also outwardly applyed A scruple of the concreted juyce taken in Wine and Vinegar is profitable against the Dropsie The decoction of the Herb with Honey digesteth Phlegm being hoiled in Wine with wild Succory and taken it helps the Winde Chollick mollifies the Spleen procures Sleep abates Venery and Nocturnal pollutions cooleth heat purgeth the Stomach increaseth Blood and helps diseases of the Reins and Bladder The distilled water cleanseth the skin from Freckles Spots and Morphew Haw-thorne Spina THis Shrub is well known in every hedge there is reputed three kindes our common Haw-thorn another lower Shrub which grow in Germany and bears yellow fruit and a third which flowers twice a year of which kinde is that of Glassenbury and that in Whey-street in Rumney Marsh and near Nantwich in Cheshire Names and Time Spina is the Latine name in English Haw-thorn White-thorn and of some May and May Bush because it s in flower about May day and the fruit is ripe in October when the frost hath bitten them Nature and Vertues It is of an astringent drying quality both leaves flowers and fruit Culpepper ascribes it to Mars because he would not have him want Weapons he may make use of the prickles and let Saturn take the fruit The powder of the berries or of the seeds in the berries is reputed good against the Stone and the Dropsie being drunk in Wine The flowers steeped three dayes in Wine and then distilled in a Glass and the water thereof drunk is good against the Plurisie and inward tormenting pains The water of the flowers also stayeth the Flux or Lask and so doth the fruit being eaten Cloathes or Spunges wet in the said water and applyed to the place where Thorns or Splinters be in the flesh will draw them forth Hedge-mustard or Bank-cress Erysimum IT springeth up with one blackish green stalk Description flexible but tough and not easie to break branched into divers parts and sometimes with divers stalks full of branches with long rough hard leaves much cut in the edges into many parts some bigger and some lesser of a darkish green colour at the tops of the branches grow small yellow flowers in long spikes flowring by degrees the stalks have small round cods at the bottom growing upright close to the stalk while the top flowers as yet shew themselves wherein is a small yellow seed sharp and strong as is the Herb the root is slender and wooddy but abideth the Winter springing again every year Names Amongst other Erysimum serves for a Latine title and a Greek one too Gerhard calls it Bank-cress and Parkinson Wilde hedge-mustard Place and Time It is common by wayes and hedge sides walls and sometimes in open Fields and flowers about July Nature and Vertues It is a Mercurial Plant of a cleansing quality temperately hot singular in all diseases of the Lungs to help Hoarseness and recover a lost voice the juyce made into a syrrup or Lohoc with Honey or Sugar it is profitable also against the Jaundies Plurisie pains in the Back and Loins and the griping of the Guts being used in Giâ—sters The seed is held an Antidote against poison it is good for the Gout and Aches Fistula's and Vlcers and for swellings or hardness in Womens Breasts and the Testicles White Hellebore Helleborus THere are accounted eight kindes of this Hellebore Description some whereof grow in the Northern parts of our Land The ordinary white Hellebore riseth up with a round whitish head which opens it self into large green leaves plaited with ribs all along the leaves from the middle riseth a round stalk with divers leaves to the middle where it divides into branches having many small yellowish or whitish green star-star-like flowers upon them which turn into a three square whitish seed standing naked without any husk The root is thick great at the head and is fastened deep into the ground with many white strings Names Helleborus albus and Helleborum in Latine and also Veratrum album in English Hellebore and Neesewort Place and Time They grow in Germany Austria and Russia and some about Lancashire and Yorkshire they flower about May some earlier and some later Nature and Vertues The root is hot and dry in the third degree one of Mars his weapons to tame mud folks with to be taken unprepared it is dangerous and extreamly provokes Vomiting but there is an Oximel made with it which is useful against Madness and Melancholly swimming of the Head and Falling Sickness and the Quartain Ague it brings down the Courses and kills the Childe in the Womb being put into the nostrills it provokes sneezing purgeth the Head of superfluous Humours
against the heat of the Mouth and Stomach and quenches thirst being boiled in water with some Maidenhair and Figs it helps a dry Cough wheesing and shortness of Breath Hoarseness digests and expectorates Phlegm and is good for all griefs of the Chest and Lungs Ptisick and Consumptions it helps pain of the Reins Strangury and heat of Vrine The juyce of Liquorice dissolved in Rose-water with some Gum Trajacanth is a fine Lohoch for Hoarseness Wheesing roughness in the Mouth and Throat it expectorates tough Phlegm and condensates thin Rheumes which fall on the Lungs Lemon-Tree Malus Limonia LEmons seldom come to maturity in our cold Countrey therefore I shall not describe the Tree but proceed to the vertues of the fruit which is well known to us Nature and Vertues The rinde of Lemmons is hot in the first degree and dry in the second and the juyce cold in the second degree and dry in the first the Sun hath dominion over it the juyce of Lemons drunk two or three times a week in white or Rhenish Wine with some Sugar strengthens the heart stomach and head resists poison expells melancholly makes a sweet Breath and cleanses the Reins and bladder and helps to expel the Stone out of the Kidneys it kills and drives forth worms out of the belly An Angel of gold or the weight thereof in leaf Gold steeped four and twenty hours in four ounces of the juyce of Lemons and some of that juyce given in a Cup of Wine with some powder of Angelica root is very good to be given to such as are infected with the Plague The juyce is good in Fevers to quench thirst and so is the posset made of it A water distilled in a glass from the pulp of Lemons provokes Vrine being drunk and helps to break the Stone it likewise cleanses the skin kills lice in the Head helps running Scabs and Wheals in the Skin The seeds preserve the Heart and vital Spirits from poison and resists infection of contagious diseases ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Lilly Convally Lilium Convallium IT hath leaves somewhat like unto white Lillies Description or rather those of the smallest water Plantain it hath a slender small stalk at the top of which grow little small white flowers like little Bells with turned edges of a pleasant smell after which come small red berries much like the berries of Asparagus wherein the seed is contained the root is small creeping far abroad in the ground Names Lillium Convallium is the Latine name in English Lilly of the Valley Conval Lilly May Lilly Wood Lillies and Lilly Confancy Place and Time It groweth upon Hamsted Heath in Cobham Park in Kent and many other places of this Land it flowers in May and the fruit is ripe in September Nature and Vertues It is temperately hot and dry an herb of Mercury it cures the Apoplexy and the flowers distilled with Wine and a spoonful thereof given at a time restoreth lost speech to them that have the dumb Palsie it strengthens the Brain helps a weak Memory comforts the vital Spirits and is good against the Gout the distilled water helps Inflammations of the Eyes The flowers steeped in new Wine and drunk helps trembling of the Heart and other Members and stops the spreading of the Leprosie The flowers steeped in new Wine a moneth and then the Wine distilled five times over in a Limbeck is a precious water for the Apoplexy being taken with a little Lavender water and six grains of Pepper it eases the Chollick comforts the brain and is good against the Falling Sickness it likewise helps the Strangury pricking about the Heart and Inflammations of the Liver and stayes the overmuch flowing of the Terms ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Water-Lilly Nymphaea IT hath large round leaves Description thick and fat of a dark green colour which stand upon long round spongy foot stalks and alwayes float upon the water there rise also from the root other round stalks each of them bearing a white flower containing divers rowes of narrow white leaves with many yellow thrums in the middle standing about a little head which after the leaves are fallen off becomes like a Poppey head containing in it broad blackish oyley and glittering seed of a bitter taste the root is round long and tuberous with many knobs thereat loose and spongy in substance black without and white within fastned with many strings to the ground under the bottom of the water There is also another kinde which bears yellow flowers Names Both Latines and Greeks call it Nymphaea it is called also in Shops Nenuphar it is called in English Water Rose and Water Lilly Place and Time They grow alwayes in standing Waters and slow running Rivers and very plentifully in Holshot River in Hampshire my native soil all along the River by Danmore Mead They flower in May and June and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues The leaves and flowers are cold and moist the seed and roots cold and dry an herb of Venus The decoction of the seed cools and bindes restrains lust and nocturnal pollutions but the frequent use thereof extinguishes motions to Venery it is available for the Running of the Râ—ins and the Whites and to cool the heat of Vrine the leaves cool Inflammations and the decoction thereof helps the inward heats of Agues being drunk they also expell the After-birth the syrrup of the Flowers allayes the heat of Choller and distempers of the Head provokes sleep and heap hot distempers of the Heart Liver Reins and Matrix the conserve and distilled water worketh the same effects The distilled water takes away spots Sun-burning and Freckles of the Skin The oyl that is made of the flowers helps the Head-ache causeth sleep prevents Venereous dreams and takes down the standing of the Yard the head and privities being anointed therewith it also cures hot tumours and the Inflammations of Vlcers Liver-wort Lichen LIverwort groweth close upon the ground Description and upon stony places spreading much upon it with sad green leaves cleaving flat upon one another unevenly cut in the edges and crumpled amongst which arise small slender stalks an inch or two high at most bearing small star-star-like flowers at the top the roots are very fine and small Names It is called in Latine Lichen Jecoraria and of some Hepatica in English Liverwort Place and time Liverwort grows in moist and shadowy places by the heads of Springs and Ponds and sometimes on the stones in the insides of Wells it is green all the year and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues It is a plant of Jupiter and under the sign Cancer by temperature cold and dry and somewhat binding it is very good to help all distempers of the Liver and is effectually used in diet drinks for that purpose it cools and cleanses it and helps Inflammations of that part and the yellow Jaundies being bruised and boiled
Myosotis from the Greek word Myosota and of some Pilosella in Latine because of its hairiness and Auricula muris because the leaves resemble the ears of a Mouse which also gives it the English name of Mouseare Place and Time It groweth on Banks and Ditches sides which be dry and sandy and also in sandy grounds they flower in June and July and abide green all the Winter Nature and Vertues It is held to be subject to the Lunar Influence but is by temperature hot and dry cleansing binding and consolidating so that the juyce or decoction thereof taken stayes Womens Courses and the Whites and other Fluxes of Blood and inward bleedings and is likewise good for the Jaundies to drink thereof morning and evening and abstain from other drink two or three hours after it is good against the Stone and gripings of the Bowels and to abate the fit of a quartain Ague being taken before it come The decoction with Succory and Centory is good against the Dropsie and Spleen A Syrrup of the juyce of Mousear is good against the Cough and Ptisick and helps Ruptures a spoonful or two being taken at a time it is a singular Wound Herb either for outward or inward Wounds The juyce of the green Herb or being dryed in powder is good to stay fretting Vlcers or Cancers either in the Mouth or secret parts of Man or Woman or elsewhere The distilled water is available for the said purposes and to wash Wounds and Sores and to dip the Tents and Cloathes therein that are to be applyed thereto This herb is hurtful to sheep in making them costive and lean therefore Shepherds should keep them from it Mugwort Artemisia COmmon Mugwort groweth with divers jagged or dented leaves lying upon the ground Description much like to common Wormwood but larger darkish green on the upper side but white or hoary underneath the stalks rise up two or three foot high sometimes more having such leaves as below but smaller branching very much towards the top whereon grow small pale yellowish flowers like buttons after which cometh small seed inclosed in round hands The root is long and hard fastned in the ground with many fibres which spread so in the ground that it can hardly be weeded out The plant is of a reasonable good scent The stalks and leaves dye every Winter Names Artemisia is both the Greek and Latine name of it Place and Time It groweth by the High wayes and Ditches sides and too plentifully in light ground in Corn Fields where it will not be gotten out as in Wokingham a place I once lived in Nature and Vertues Mugwort is ascribed to the dominion of Venus yet is naturally hot and dry in the second degree and of thin parts but it helps Womens Diseases therefore it is reason a woman should be mistriss of it The decoction of the leaves in Wine or water being drunk drives down the Courses Birth and After-birth helps Inflammations and stoppings of the Mother and provokes Vrine causeth fruitfulness in Women helps pains of the Matrix coldness and Winde and helps to retain it in its due place it strengthens the Nerves opens the Pores and corrects the Blood helps stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and being boiled with Centory it is good for the Jaundies The juyce being taken helps the biting of a mad Dog The powder of the leaves drunk in Wine is good against the Sciatica A decoction made thereof for Women to sit over and receive the hot sume performeth the same effects as being taken inwardly so doth the juyce made up with Myrrhe or the root used for a Pessary An oyntment made of the Herb with some Field Daisies and Hogs Grease taketh away Wens Knots and Kernels in the Neck and Throat The fresh herb or the juyce thereof is a good remedy for the overmuch taking of opium A decoction of the Herb with Camomile Egrimony and Sage takes away pains of the Sinews and Cramp the place being bathed hot therewith and refresheth the feet of those which are surbated with travel they being bathed therein ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Mulberries Morus I Shall not need to describe this Plant it being very well known where it is an Inhabitant Names The Latines call it Morus and in Shops Morus Celsa the Bramble Berries being called Mora Bati Place and Time They are much nourished in the Levant and Eastern Countreys and also in Italy to breed up their Silkworms The fruit is ripe in August and September Nature and Vertues It is assigned to Mercury and of different parts like him the ripe Berries having a sweetness and slippery moisture do open the Belly the unripe do binde it especially being dryed and then are good to stop Fluxes Lasks and overflowing of Womens Courses the bark of the root hath a purging quality and a bitterness the leaves and tender tops are of a temperate nature The juyce of the Berries or the syrrup made of them helps Inflammations and Sores in the Mouth and Throat and the Pallat of the Mouth being down The juyce of the leaves is good for such as have eaten Wolf-bane and is a remedy against the biting of Serpents and being beaten with Vinegar it is good to apply to any place that is burnt with fire The mouth being washed with a decoction of the bark and leaves easeth the Touth-ache It is said that if the root be a little slit or cut in the harvest time and a small hole made in the ground next unto it there will issue forth a juyce which being hardened is good to help the Tooth-ache to dissolve knots and purge the Belly The leaves are said to stay bleeding at Mouth and Nose and of the Piles or of a wound being bound thereunto It is reported that if a branch of the Tree be taken when the Moon is at full and bound to the wrist of a woman whose Courses flow too much it will soon slay them The Bark of the root killeth the broad Worms in the bodies of Men or Children The powder of the berries is good to cure Tumors which grow upon the Cods and about the Fundament of some people Mulleyn Candelaria COmmon white Mulleyn hath many fair large woolly leaves lying next the ground Description somewhat longer then broad pointed at the ends and a little dented about the edges the stalk in rank ground riseth four or five foot high and is covered over with such leaves as below but lesser up to the flowers so thick as they hide the stalk the flowers come forth on all sides of the stalk without any branches for the most part and stand together in a long spike generally of a gold yellow colour but in some more pale consisting of five round pointed leaves turning afterwards into round heads wherein is contained small brownish seed the root is long white and woody but dyeth when the seed is fallen Names It hath been called Candela regia
reckoned amongst the kindes of Scordium Description but I shall describe it being different therefrom it groweth up with round broad leaves pointed at the ends and dented about the edges somewhat like Nettle leaves but of a fresher green colour and not rough nor prickling and are set singly one at a joynt the lower leaves being rounder then those that grow towards the top at the tops of the stalks grow very small white flowers one above another after which follow small long round pods wherein is contained small round and somewhat blackish seed the root is stringy and fibrous perishing when it hath given seed and riseth again of its own sowing This Plant being bruised smelleth strong like Garlick but more pleasant and tasteth hot and sharp almost like Rocket Names It is called in English Poor mans Treacle and English Treacle and so is Scordium Place and Time It grows in many places by Pathwayes and under Walls and hedges and flowers in the Summer Moneths Nature and Vertues Jack by the hedge warmeth the stomach and causeth digestion and therefore is a good sauce to salt Fish to digest the crudities and corrupt humors it ingenders the juyce thereof boiled with honey is good for the Cough and to cut and expectorate tough Phlegm The decoction of the seed in wine being drunk is good to help the winde Chollick and the Stone and for fits of the Mother to drink the decoction and apply the seeds warm in a cloath The green leaves are accounted good to heal Vlcers in the Legs and the leaves and seed boiled is good to be used in Glisters to ease pains of the Stone Sarsa-parilla Smilax-aspera IT is called Smilax-aspera also in Latine and in English Prickly Binde-weed it grows in the West-Indies as Peru and Virginia Nature and Vertues It is of thin parts and provokes sweat and of temperature hot and dry near the second degree Mars his herb surely whereby he cures himself when Venus hath clapt him The decoction being excellent for the French Pen and likewise is good in Rheumes Gouts and cold Diseases of the Read and Stomach and expelleth winde from the Stomach and Mother it helpeth aches in the Sinews and Goynts running sores in the Legs cold swellings tetters ringâ—â—â—â—â—s spâ—ts and foulness in the skin and helpeth Catharrs and salt distillations from the head is good in Tumors and the Kings Evil and a dram of the powder being taken in Ale or wine with the the like qnantity of Tamarisk is good for Tumors of the Spleen Sarsa doth purge the body of humors by its driness and diaphoretical quality and is a good antidote against poisons but is not proper to be given to such as have Agues or hot Livers Sassafras or Ague-Tree THis plant was first discovered by the French about Florida Place and Time where it groweth as also in most parts of the West Indies and is green all the year Nature and Vertues The wood is hot and dry in the second degree and the rinde hot and dry in the third it purgeth watry and phlegmatick humors and therefore is good in the Dropsie the decoction thereof being drunk morning and evening for certain dayes together which decoction is thus made take of Sassafras four ounces steep it four and twenty hours in a Gallon and a half of fair water then boil it to the consumption of half and strain it this decoction doth open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and is good in cold diseases and Rheumes which fall from the head upon the teeth eyes and Lungs and is available in Coughs and cold diseases of the Lungs Breast and Stomach and procures a good appetite and consumes windiness and makes a sweet breath it is likewise commended to provoke Vrine and Womens Courses and to expell Gravel and the Stone out of the Kidneys it dryes up overmuch moisture of the Womb and causeth women to Conceive it is good in Fevers and tertian and quotidian Agues and also for the French Disease and other diseases coming of corrupt humors to be used in dyet drinks it may be given in powder from a scruple to two scruples ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Satyrion or Orchis Testiculus Canis SAtyrion riseth up with many large Description long smooth green leaves lying on the ground somewhat spotted like Dragons amongst which riseth up a round stalk with some such leaves on it bur lesser towards the top grows a large head of many purple flowers and some are white spotted with a deeper purple colour each flower having a heel of the same colour behinde it They have all a double Root whereof some kindes are flat and broad like unto hands the other round like unto stones These roots alter every year by course when one waxeth full the other perisheth and groweth lank the full one will sink and the other swim if put into water Names As there are many kindes of this Plant so it hath many names It is called Satyrion and Orchis Testiculus Canis Testiculus Capri Priests Ballocks Fools stones Dogs stones Cullians Fox stones Standard-grass and many other names c. Place and Time They grow in Pastures Meadows and moist grounds as in Danmore Copse and Danmore Mead at Holshot in Hampshire and in Cobham Park in Kent it groweth so abundantly that it may serve to pleasure Seamens wives in Rochester for there they may be sure to finde it in great plenty from the beginning of April to the latter end of August Nature and Vertues They are hot and moist the full roots I mean the lank ones are hot and dry Venus claims all she can get of them The full roots do powerfully provoke to Venery but the lank ones are said to mortisie Lust being boiled in milk and eaten with white Pepper they nourish such as are in Consumptions or have an Hectick feaver The flowers are likewise effectual to merease and stir up nature The Roots boiled in wine and drunk stop the Flux and being applyed green they consume Tumours and cleanse rotten Sores and Vlcers and the powder thereof stayes the fretting and festring of devouring Vlcers being put therein The same Root being bruised and applyed is good against Inflammations and Swellings and being boiled in wine with a little honey it helps Vlcers and Sores in the Mouth Savory and the sorts Thymbra I shall not need to say more in the Description Description but onely that the common kindes are two Winter and Summer Savory which are both common in Gardens Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and it is also called Thymbra in Latine and by some Satureia Nature and Vertues Savory is hot and dry in the third degree and openeth and maketh thin being subject to the influence of Mercury It provokes Womens Courses and expells Winde being boiled in wine or water and drunk and it is commended for women with childe to take it inwardly and smell often to it
purple and the root doth not run deep into the ground as the first doth The common Field Scabious riseth up with many hairy soft whitish green leaves some whereof are not at all jagged or very little others are much rent in the sides and have films or small threads in them which may be seen in the breaking them among which rise up many round hairy green stalks two or three foot high with such like hairy green leaves on them but more deeply and finely divided and branched forth a little at the tops of the stalks stand round heads of flowers of a pale blewish colour many set together in a knop the outermost being largest with many threads in the middle and somewhat flat at the top and so is the head with seed The Root is great white and thick and grows deep into the ground abiding many years Names Scabiosa is the Latine Appellation hereof Place and Time The first groweth in Woods Meadows and Pastures plentifully almost every where the other in dry Fields Corn-fields and Fallow-Grounds they flower in June and July and so continue in some till the end of August the seed ripening in the mean time Nature and Vertues Scabious is hot and dry in the second degree a Mercurial plant and is of an opening cleansing and digesting quality it is effectual for all Coughs and diseases of the breast and lungs it ripens inward Vlcers Imposthumes and the Plurisie the decoction of the dry or green herb made in Wine and drunk often the clarified juyce taken in the morning fasting to the quantity of four ounces with a dram of Mithridate or Venice Turpentine defends the heart from infection of the Pestilence the party sweating two hours after it in his bed and after the first time taking it again if need require the same is good against the stinging of venomous Beasts Mathiolus saith that the decoction of the roots drunk forty dayes together or a dram of the powder thereof taken at a time in Whey helps such as are troubled with spreading Scabs Tetters or Ringworms though they be effects of the French Pox and the juyce or decoction helps Scabs or Itch and an oyntment made of the juyce doth the same The same juyce or decoction cleanseth and healeth inward Wounds The green herb bruised dissolves and breaks a Carbunckle or Plague sore being applyed thereto in three hours space and helps the stinging of any venomous beast being so applyed The decoction of the herb and roots applyed helps cold tumors or swellings in any part of the body and any sinew or vein that is shrunk The juyce made up with the powder of Borax and Camphire cleanseth the skin of Freckles Pimples Morphew and the Lepry The Tents which are dipped in the juyce or water thereof are good to heal green Wounds and old Sores and Vlcers and the bruised herb being applyed doth loosen any Splinter broken Bone Arrow head or such like thing lying in the flesh so that it may easily be drawn out The decoction used either alone or with juyce of Fennel helps redness and spots in the Eyes and the same decoction cleanseth the head from Dandriff Scurff Scabs and Itch the head being washed with it warm A syrrup made of the juyce and sugar is effectual for all the inward purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water of the herb and flowers Scordium or Water Germander IT shooteth forth divers weak square hairy branches from a small root full of white strings Description spreading and running about in the ground the branches take root in divers places as they lie and spread whereby it much increaseth the leaves grow two at a joynt not so large as garden Germander leaves of a darkish green colour having thereon a shew of hairiness and hoariness somewhat soft full of veins and dented about the edges The flowers are small red and gaping standing at the joynts with the leaves towards the tops of the branches It is thought not to perfect its seed but is propagated by the branches Names Scordium is the Latine name Place and Time It grows in wet grounds and by waters sides in many places of England and flowers in June July and August It is usually gathered to be kept dry before it flowers Nature and Vertues Scordium in hot and dry of a certain harsh sharp and bitter taste it is a Solar herb a great resister of Venome and Infection and is the basis of that medicine called Diascordium it is of excellent use to strengthen the heart and procure sleep in Feavers it provokes the Tearms hastens womens labour helps their usual sickness in lying in and strengthens the Stomach ten grains or a seruple at a time may safely be given to weak people and a dram or more to them that are stronger The decoction of the green or dry herb in wine is good against venomous bitings and other deadly poisons and griping pains of the stomach or sides that come of cold or obstructions and for the bloody Flux it is good against an old Cough and to expectorate phlegm out of the Chest and Lungs being made into an Electuary with Cresses Rozen and Honey and is good for such as are bursten or troubled with the Cramp it is a special Counter-poison in all pestilential Diseases and Infections and is often used with good success before the fits of Agues to hinder the access and drive them away a little of the juyce thereof or the powder in drink taken fasting kills worms in the stomach or belly The decoction of the dryed herb with two or three Tormentil roots is available against the bloody Flux The juyce or a syrrup made of the herb is profitable for many of the forenamed griefs The green herb bruised and applyed healeth any green Wound and the dryed herb used with Honey cleanseth foul Vlcers A pultis or cerate made of the dryed herb helpeth to discuss Wens and excrescences in the flesh it easeth also pains of the Gout being applyed with vinegar or water Scurvy-grass Cochlearia OF this I shall mention two kindes Description common or Sea Scurvy-grass and Dutch or Garden Scurvy-grass The Sea Scurvy-grass is well known the Dutch or Garden Scurvy-grass hath divers fresh green and almost round leaves not so thick as the common sort a little hollowed in the middle and round pointed of a sad green colour standing every one by it self upon a long foot talk among which rise up divers long slender weak stalks about a foot high thick beset on each side with small white flowers on the tops of them which turn into small pods with little brownish seeds the root is white small and fibrous the taste of it is somewhat bitterish Names The Latines call it Cochlearia the leaf being like a spoon in English Scurvy-grass and Spoon-wort Places and Time The Sea Scurvy-grass groweth about the Sea Coasts and both on the Essex and Kentish shores in the River of Thames so far as the salt water
made into a syrrup or the distilled water drunk with Sugar or the smoke taken fasting in a Pipe it easeth gripings in the Bowels pains in the Head and expells Worms and is profitable to provoke Vrine and expel the Stone and Gravel out of the Kidneys to expel windiness which causes strangling of the Mother the seed is good to ease the Tooth-ache and the ashes of the Herb cleanseth the Gums and Teeth and makes them white the bruised herb is profitably applyed to swellings of the Kings Evil four or five ounces of the juyce taken fasting purges the body upwards and downwards and is effectual for the Dropsie The distilled water taken with Sugar before the fit of an Ague lessens the fit The distilled faeces of the Herb having been bruised before the distillation and not distilled dry but set fourteen dayes in hot dung and then hung up in a bag in a Wine Cellar there will drop a liquor therefrom good for Cramps Aches the Gout and Sciatica and to heal Itches Scabs Cankers and foul Sores The juyce is good to kill lice in Childrens Heads The green herb bruised and applyed is good to cure any fresh wound and the juyce put into old Sores cleanseth and healeth them There is an excellent Salve made of Tobacco good for Imposthumes hard Tumors swellings by blows and falls old and new Sores and is to be had at the Apothecaries by the name of Unguentum Nicotianum or oynment of Tobacco Tamarinds Tamarindus THis Tree groweth in Arabia and the Indies and the fruit is brought hither for Medicine whose vertues follow Nature and Vertues Tamarinds are cold and dry in the second degree or in the beginning of the third a plant of Venus The pulp of Tamarinds open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and taken with Borrage water it quickens the spirits and mitigates the fits of Frenzy and madness it is good in acute Fevers it purgeth Choller and adust humors stayeth vomiting and cools inflammations of the Liver Stomach and Reins and helps the running of the Reins it is good against the Scab Itch and Leprosie and salt humors breaking out in the skin it is good in hot burning Agues it quencheth thirst and procures appetite an ounce thereof being dissolved in fair water and taken with a little Sugar it stayes bleedings at nose arising from Choller and womens Fluxes and is good against the yellow Jaundies Tamarisk Tamarix IT is well known in Gardens where it onely grows in England so that a description is needless Names Mytica Tamarix and Tamariscus are the Latine names the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. infinitus from its abundance of leaves Place and Time It groweth about Mompelier and Narbone in France and is planted in Gardens with us they flower about the end of May or in June and the seed is ripe and blown away in September Nature and Vertues Tamarisk is drying and astringent having also a cutting and cleansing quality a Saturnine Plant. The leaves or roots boiled in Wine drives forth Melancholly helps spitting of blood and stayes the overflowing of the Terms the bleeding of the Hemorrhoides and other Fluxes and is good against the Jaundies and other diseases which are caused by obstructions The roots sodden with Wine and drunk cleanseth the milt and thereby it helps the Lepry the decoction of the root or young branches in Wine or Vinegar drunk and outwardly applyed helps hardness of the Spleen The decoction of the bark and leaves in Wine helps the Tooth-ache the mouth and Teeth being gargled therewith it also helpeth redness and watring of the Eyes and easeth pains of the ears being dropped therein and is good to wash those that are subject to Lice and Nits and is good to stay gangrous and fretting Vlcers being mixed with honey it is good for spleenatick persons to drink out of Cups or Cans made of the Wood thereof A good quantity of the leaves boiled in water is a good bath for women to sit over whose Matrix is in danger of coming down it fastneth the same and the ashes of the Wood applyed to the place stops the excessive flowing thereof A Lye made of the Ashes is good for many of the said Diseases and to help blisters raised by burning or scalding The Egyptians use the Wood hereof to cure the French Disease Leprosie Scabs Pushes Vlcers and the like it is likewise good to help the Dropsie proceeding from hardness or stopping of the Spleen and is available against Melancholly and the black Jaundies the Bark with the Barks of Ash and Ivy being infused in Beer or Ale some use Ling or Heath where Tamarisk is not to be had instead thereof Garden Tansie Tanacetum THis needs no description Names It is called both in Greek and Latine Athanasia and also in Latine Tanacetum the French call it Tanaisie and our English Tansie Place and Time It is nourished in Gardens sendeth forth green leaves in March and April and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues It is said to be hot in the second degree and dry in the third attributed to the particular influence of Venus The decoction of Tansie or the juyce thereof drunk in Wine or Beer doth dissolve and expell Winde in the Stomach or Bowels The eating of it in Spring time purgeth the Body of moist and phlegmatick humors ingendred in the foregoing Winter and by eating Fish in Lent before it became superstition to our gluttonous Religion-pretenders whose lustful guts cannot forbear the Flesh-pots on Frydayes the decoction before mentioned provokes Vrine helps the Strangury expells Winde out of the Matrix and procures womens Courses and is good for those that have weak Reins and Kidneys it is profitable for such women as are apt to miscarry being bruised and often smelled unto and applyed to the lower part of the Belly it is used against the Stone in the Reins especially to men being boiled in Oyl it is good against the Cramp and shrinking of Sinews if applyed to the affected part it avoideth Phlegm dryeth the Sinews and therefore is good for the Palsie Wilde Tansie or Silver Weed Argentina IT is much like unto the ordinary Garden Tansie a little also resembling the leaves of Agrimony Description it creeps upon the ground taking root at the joynts so that it will quickly spread a great deal of ground the leaves are of a fair green colour on the upper side and a silver colour underneath it beareth no stalks but the flowers stand singly upon a short foot stalk which are yellow much like those of Cinque foâ—l Names It is called in Latine Argentina Agrimonia sylvestris and Tanacetum sylvestre in English Wilde Tansie and Silver weed Place and Time It groweth in moist grounds near High Wayes sides at the foot of Hills and such like places it flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues Wilde Tansie especially the root is dry near the third degree without much manifest heat having also an
astringent quality and said to be a Plant of Venus The decoction of the herb in Wine being drunk easeth pains of the Bowels and is good for the Sciatica and Joynt Aches The bruised herb applyed to the hand-wrists and soles of the feet cooleth the violent hot fits of Agues The distilled water dropped into the Eyes or a Cloth wet therein and applyed takes away heat and Inflammations thereof The said water or the leaves steeped in Wine Butter milk or strong white Wine Vinegar cleanseth the skin and face from Morphew Sun-burning Freckles Pimples and the like Wilde Tansie boiled in Vinegar with Honey and Allome and the mouth gargled therewith easeth the Tooth-ache fastneth loose Teeth helpeth sore Gums and reduceth the pallat of the Mouth to its place when it is fallen down it also cleanseth and healeth Vlcers in the mouth or secret parts and is good for inward Wounds and to close the lips of green Wounds and to heal old running corrupt sores in the Legs or elsewhere being boiled in Wine and drunk it stops the Lask bloody Flux and all other fluxes of Blood the green herb onely worn in the shooes stops the Terms and its possible the Whites but the powder of the herb will certainly do it being taken in some of the distilled water with a little Corral and Ivory in powder added to it it also stayes spitting or vomiting of Blood and is good for Children that are bursten or have a Rupture being boiled in water and salt and applyed Tarragon Draco Herba THe Sallet Herb called Tarragon Description shooteth forth long and narrow leaves of a deep green colour greater and longer then those of common Hysop having slender brittle round stalks about two foot high about the branches hang little round flowers which do never perfectly open they are of a blackish yellow colour like those of common Wormwood and yields no seed but a chaffy matter which is carried away with the winde but is propagated by the root which is long and fibrous creeping under the ground like unto Couch-grass shooting forth in divers places by which it increaseth Names The Latines call it Draco herba and Dracunculus Hortensis and in French Dragon in English Tarragon Place and Time It is cherished onely in Gardens with us and as I said is increased by the young shoots Nature and Vertues Tarragon is hot and dry in the third degree à good Sallet Herb to be eaten with Lettice Purslain and other cool herbs it is grateful and comfortable to the Stomach and tempers their coldness but to be eaten alone it is too hot The root held between the Teeth draweth down Rheume and easeth the Tooth-ache Thistles Carduus THough there be many kindes they are all well known Names The general Latine name of a Thistle is Carduus Place and Time They grow frequently almost every where and flower in July and August the seed ripening soon after Nature and Vertues Common Thistles are of Temperature hot and of a drying quality They are held good to provoke Vrine and remedy the stinking smell thereof and the rank smell of the Arme-pits and whole body being boiled in Wine and drunk and they are said to be good to help a stinking Breath and to strengthen the Stomach though I believe it hath been seldom proved The juyce restores lost hair the place being bathed therewith as Pliny reporteth Our Ladies Thistle Carduus Mariae LAdies Thistle hath divers large leaves lying on the ground Description cut in and crumpled somewhat hairy on the edges of a white green shining colour having many streaks of a milky colour and set with sharp prickles round about the stalk is strog round and prickly set full of like leaves at the top of every branch cometh forth a prickly head with brigh purple thrums in the middle after which comes flattish brown shining seed lying in the said heads in soft white Doun The root is great spreading in the ground with many fibres fastned thereunto the whole plant is biter in taste Names It is called in Latine Carduus Lacteus and Carduus Mariae in English Striped milky Thistle and Ladies Thistle Place and Time It is frequent upon Banks of be Fields about London about such places it delight to grow they flower and seed in June till August as other Thistles do Nature and Vertues Our Ladies Thistle is hot and dry in the second degree and somewhat binding especially the root an herb of Jupiter the decoction thereof or the herb taken in powder is good for Stitches and other diseases in the Sides for Agues and to prevent infection it opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and is good against the Jaundies The tender leaves having the prickles taken off are a good Sallet in Spring to cleanse the Blood the young stalks dressed are also good meat especially for Nurses to increase their Milk the root is good for the Lask and bloody Flux it stayeth Bleedings wasteth away cold swellings and easeth pain of the Teeth if they be washed with the decoction thereof The decoction of the herb is good to provoke Vrine and breaketh and expelleth the Stone and is good for the Dropsie The seed is as effectual if not better for the same purposes and also for the Cramp and so is the distilled water which is also used inwardly to drink and outwardly to cool distempers of the Liver Swoonings and passions of the Heart being applyed with Spungâ—s or wet cloathes to the region thereof Thorow-wax Perfoliata THorow-wax riseth up with one streight round stalk Description about half a yard high or more having leaves of a blueish green colour the lower leave being smaller and narrower then those that grow highr standing close thereto but not quite compassing it buts they grow higher they do more and more encompass the stalk until they close so together that it passeth almst through the middle of them branching towards the top into many parts where the leaves grow smaller again sanding every one singly The flowers are very small and yellow standing in tufts at the tops of the branches the seed is small and blackish many of them thrust together The Root is small long and woody perishing every year after it hath perfected its seed and the seed which it sheds riseth again the next year Names It is called in Latine Perfoliata in English Thorow-wax and Thorow-leaf Place and Time It groweth in Corn fields and Pastures in many places of this Land flowers about July and the seed is ripe in August or soon after Nature and Vertues Thorow-wax is hot and dry somewhat bitter and astringent and I judge rather Martial then Saturnine It is a good remedy against Ruptures and Burstings in Children especially before it grow too old the decoction of the Herb or the herb in powder taken inwardly and the green leaves bruised and outwardly applyed It is a good remedy for Children that have their Navels sticking out being applyed thereunto with a little Honey and
bruised together the distilled water cools and resists the Pestilence two or three ounces of it being drunk The water of the outer husks being distilled in September is good against the Plague to be used with a little Vinegar The juyce thereof boiled with Honey is good for sore Mouths Heat and Inflammations in the Mouth Throat and Stomach The old kernels mixed with Figs and Rue cures old Vlcers of the Breast and cold Imposthumes and are used to heal Wounds of the Sinews Gangreens and Carbuncles and mixed with Rue and Oyl they are good to be laid to the Quinzy A piece of the green husk put into a hollow tooth easeth the pain thereof The leaves or green husks used with Bores-grease stayeth the hair from falling The Oyl of walnuts made as Oyl of Almonds is maketh the hands and face smooth and takes away scales scurf and black and blue marks that come of blows and bruises and being inwardly taken it expells winde and helps the Chollick The young green nuts before they be half ripe preserved whole in Sugar do streng then weak stomachs and help defluxions thereon The bark of the root having the upper skin scraped off being made into powder and tempered with vinegar and then strained two or three times till it be thin and clear and drunk liberally cleanseth the body very much and cureth the Ague The kernels being burned and taken in red wine doth stop Lasks and womens Courses The Catkins taken before they fall and dryed and a dram thereof taken in powder in white wine helpeth those that are troubled with rising of the Mother Wold Weld or Dyers Weed Lutea IT groweth with many long narrow bushing leaves Description flat upon the ground of a dark blueish green colour somewhat like Woad but not so large a little crumpled and round-pointed abiding so the first year and the next Spring amongst them rise up divers round stalks two or three foot high having many such like leaves thereon but smaller and shouting forth some branches at the tops whereof and of the stalks stand small yellow flowers in spiked heads after which cometh small black seed inclosed in heads divided at the tops into four parts The Root is long white and thick abiding all the year The whole Plant becometh yellow after it hath been a while in flower Names It is called by Pliny Lutea and so by Virgil of Mathiolus Pseudostruthium and of Tragus Antirrhinum Place and Time It groweth commonly by wayes sides both in moist and dry grounds in corners of fields and by-lanes and sometimes all over the fields It flowers about June Nature and Vertues The temperature of it is hot and dry in the third degree some people use to bruise the Herb and lay it to Cuts and Wounds in the Hands and Legs to heal them It is commended against the bitings of venomous Creatures to be taken inwardly and outwardly applyed to the place The Root as saith Mathiolus cuiteth and digesteth tough and raw Phlegm rarifieth gross humours openeth obstructions and dissolveth hard tumours Wheat Triticum THere are many kindes hereof which are all well known for food I shall therefore set down the Medicinal Uses hereof Names It is called in Latine Triticum Nature and Vertues Wheat is hot in the first degree and drying as saith Pliny but Gallen saith it neither dryeth nor moisteneth evidently Venus hath particular Influence over it as saith Culpeper I rather believe it to be Solar Bread made of Wheat taken hot out of the oven and applyed to the throat helpeth kernels of the Kings Evil and applyed to the ear it is good to draw out an Imposthume of the head being stale and steeped in red Rosewater and applyed to hot red inflamed or blood-shot Eyes it helpeth them Wheat flower mixed with the white of an Egg Honey and Turpentine doth draw cleanse and heal any Byle Plague-sore or foul Vlcers The flower mixed with the juyce of Henbane and applyed to the Joynts stayeth the flux of humours thereto The Meal boiled in Vinegar helps shrinking of the Sinnews and being boiled with Vinegar and Honey it helps Spots and Pimples in the Face The Corns of green Wheat being eaten hurt the stomach and breed worms but cures the biting of a mad dog being chewed and applyed to it as saith Dioscorides The Bran of Wheat-meal being boiled in the decoction of a Sheepshead is good in Glisters to cleanse and open the body and ease griping pains of the Bowels The decoction of the Bran is good to bathe such places as are broken by a Rupture and being boiled in Vinegar and applyed it stayeth Inflammations in swollen Breasts It helpeth the bitings of venomous Creatures The said Bran steeped in Vinegar and bound in a linnen cloth and rubbed on the Morphew Scurf Scab or Leprosie will take them away the body being also well purged Starch which is made of one kinde of Wheat moistned in Rosewater and laid to the Cods takes away their itching Wafers made of the fine flower being put into wate and drunk stay the Lask and bloody Flux and is good for the Rupture in Children and boiled with Roses dry Figs and Jujubes it makes a good Lotion to wash sore mouths and throats The same boiled in water unto a thick Jelly stayes spitting of blood being taken and boiled with Mynts and butter it helps Hoarseness Wheat-corns parched upon an iron pan and eaten are good for those that are chilled with cold saith Pliny The Oyl pressed from Wheat between two hot plates of iron or copper and used warm heals Tetters and Ring-worms and Mathiolus commendeth the same Oyl to heal hollow Vlcers and Chops in the Hands and Feet and to make the skin smooth The leaven of Wheat-meal is very drawing it rarifieth hard skin in the hands or feet warts and hard knots in the flesh being applyed with some salt Whitlow-Grass or Nailwort Paronychia THis is a very little Plant Description having small leaves growing in little tufts somewhat like those of Chickweed amongst which riseth up a small stalk about eight or nine inches long at the top whereof come very little white flowers growing one above another after which come in their place small flat pouches consisting of three films which when they are ripe the two outsides fall away the middle part remaining a long time after which is like white Sattin wherein is the seed which is very small and of a sharp taste The Root is onely a few strings Names The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the same name it 's known in Latine and in English Nailwort and Whitlow-grass Place and Time It grows upon brick and stone walls and old tyled houses such as have good store of Moss upon them and upon shaddow and dry muddy walls flowers in January and February and vanisheth away at the approach of hot weather Nature and Vertues No other properties have been found hereof save onely it hath been accounted very good for those
are divided into several branches out of which come long foot stalks bearing three broad round and pointed green leaves and must be supported with sticks or poles growing much higher then garden Pease the flowers are like pease blossoms and vary in colour like the fruit which are some white some blackish some striped the Bean is small and much resembles a Kidney from whence they have attained the name of Kidney beans There is a kinde that bears a scarlet flower more planted for ornament then any thing else Names In Latine it is called Phaseolus in English French and Kidney Beans Place and Time They delight the grow in good ground and must be planted about the latter end of April or beginning of May for sooner the frost will destroy them their fruit is ripe about August and September sometimes in July Temperature and Vertues Kidney beans are accounted hot and moist in the first degree easie of digestion they nourish much increase sperm and are very venerial they excellently provoke Vrine and are great friends to the Kidneys they help shortness of breath by opening the Breast and strengthen the Liver and Stomach and a weak back the dryed beans in Winter may be boiled and eaten with butter as pease are and being beaten to powder and given in white wine they are good against the Stone and cleanse and strengthen the Kidneys taking the quantity of a dram at a time Bears-foot Vide Hellebore Ladies Bedstraw Gallium COmmon Ladies Bedstraw springeth up with small square brown stalks Description at the first standing upright but when it cometh to its usual height which is about a foot or half a yard the tops lean a little downward being usually branched out into divers parts full of joynts with divers very fine small leaves at every one set at equal distances like Woodroof but a great deal less and scarcely having any roughness at all at the branches tops from several joynts do spring forth many long tufts of yellow flowers standing very thick one above another having four leaves apiece smelling not unpleasant yet strong and resinous the seed is black and small like poppey seed and having two most usually joyned near together the root is somewhat red and hath many small threads fastned to it by which it taketh fast hold of the earth creeping a little way under it and the heaviness of the flowers weigh the branches to the ground that it taketh root again at the joynts thereof whereby it most increaseth There is another kinde called Common white-flowred Ladies Bedstraw There are four other kindes which are found in Italy Germany and Candy where I leave them Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 milk because formerly they used it instead of Runnet to turn the milk into a curd for to make Cheese for which it is said to serve very well and therefore it is called Cheese Runnet both here and beyond the Seas The Latines call it also Gallium and that with white flowers Mollugo in English Ladies Bedstraw and Maids-hair from the fineness of the leaves Place and Time The Common ladies Bedstraw grows in dry Pastures Closes and Meadows and sometimes in those that are wet the white flowred groweth in the Abbey Orchard at St. Albans and divers other places they flower in May and June and the seed is ripe in July and August Temperature and Vertues The name of this plant attributes it to the dominion of Venus but I judge Mercury is the chief ruler thereof it challenges the preheminence above Mugwort for preventing the sore weariness of Travellers The decoction of the herb and flowers used warm is excellent good to bathe the surbated Feet of Footmen and Lackies in hot weather and also to lissome and mollisie the stiffness and weariness of their joynts and sinews being bathed with the said decoction the same may be done with an oyntment or oyl made of the said Herb and flowers which you may alwayes keep in readiness which is available not onely for the same purpose but also sor Burnings and Scaldings and for the dry Scab and Itch in Children The way to make the oyl is by infusing the herb and flower in a sufficient quantity of sallet Oyl and setting it in the heat of the Sun for ten or twelve dayes as oyl of the flowers of Cammomile and other oyls by infusion are made The oyntment you may make by boiling the flowers and herb in Hogs Lard or Sallet Oyl adding to it some melted Bees wax after it is strained either of these may be used for prevention before a Journey is taken or afterwards for a cure first bathe the feet with the decoction and afterwards anoint them with either oyl or oyntment but you are not alwayes sure to have the herb and flowers in readiness for a decoction therefore you may be provided with the Oyl or Oyntment or both which will serve your turn without it The Germans praise that with white flowers to make an excellent bath to strengthen and comfort the weak and weary Sinews Arteries and Joynts Some Cheshire dairy women use the other as is reported in their Runnet for which cause it obtained the name of Cheese Runnet as is said before The decoction of the herb is likewise effectual being drunk to provoke Vrine it helps to break the Stone and to stay inward bleedings and to heal inward wounds The herb and flowers bruised and put up into the nostrils stayeth their bleeding and so it doth the bleeding of Wounds and being applyed to a place that is burned it draweth out the fire and healeth it Dioscorides reports that the Roots are good to stir up Lust which vertue some also attribute to the flowers Beets Sicula THere are of Beets both white and red Description the white is the most common which springeth up with many whitish green great leaves next the ground after cometh a strong ribbed stalk bearing leaves almost to the top the flowers growth in tufts which hang down their heads the seeds are cornered and prickly the root great and long and perisheth commonly the second year Names It is called in Latines Beta and Sicula by some in English Beets Place and Time They grow onely with us where they are planted in Gardens they continue green the first Winter and afterwards flower in July the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues The white Beet is temperate in heat and moisture they loosen the belly and provoke Vrine and are good against bitings of venomous beasts the juyce thereof mixed with honey and dropped into the ears easeth the pains and noise thereof and snuffed up into the nose it recovereth a lost smelling the decoction of the roots and leaves cleanseth the head of Scurf Scales and Nits helps the falling of the hair helpeth Freckles Spots and kibed heels if they be
Vertues Broom is hot and dry in the second degree cleanseth and openeth purgeth phlegmatick and watry Humors is very good for the Dropsie and Green Sickness and for the Gout Sciatica and other pains of the Joynts helps the swellings of the Spleen provokes Vrine and thereby cleanseth the Reins Kidneyes and Bladder and breaketh the Stone the powder of the leaves and seeds taken in Wine cures the black Jaundies and a Conserve of the flowers is good against the Kings Evil the distilled water is good for the same The flowers made into an Oyntment with Hogs Grease cures pains in the Knees the swellings of the Kings Evil Winde and Stitches in the sides being applyed thereto and the bitings of venomous Creatures The Oyl of the Roots cleanseth the body from Freckles the pickled buds stir up an appetite to meat opens the Spleen and provokes Vrine the Broom Rape infused in Oyl and set in the Sun for certain dayes makes an oyl to take away Wheals and pushes from the face or any other part of the Body Buckshorn Plantain Herbastella IT groweth up at first with small long narrow green leaves like Grass Description the leaves that follow are gashed on each side like the snags of a Bucks Horn and when they are thorow grown they lie upon the ground round the root like a Star from which rise up divers stalks with spiky heads like common Plantain the root is small with divers fibres hanging thereto Names It 's called in Latine Cornu Cervinum Herb stella and Sanguinaria Place and Time It delights to grow in dry sandy Grounds and flowers in the Summer moneths the leaves keep green all the Winter Quality and Vertues It is cooling drying and astringent the decoction in Wine strengthneth the Reins and Back and cooleth the heat of the Reins and Kidneys wherefore it is good for those that are troubled with the Stone it helps the Bloody Flux and Lasks of the Belly and other bleeding helps the Chollick breaks the fits of Agues stayeth bleedings at the Nose and the decoction either in ale or wine stayeth the distillations of hot and sharp Rheumes from the Head to the Eyes it is a Plant under the dominion of Saturn Of Bugle Consolida media BUgle hath larger leaves then Self-heal Description but not much different some green on the upper side others more brownish somewhat hairy and dented about the edges the stalk is square and hairy about a foot high the leaves stand by couples and from about the middle of the stalk to the top stand the flowers which are blueish and some of an ash colour like those of ground Ivy the seeds are small round and blackish the roots like those of penny-royal Names It is called in Latine Consolida media Buglum and Bugula Place and Time It groweth in wet Copses and moist Fields and flowers from May to July the root abides many years Quality and Vertues It is temperately hot and dry and somewhat binding an herb of Venus it wonderfully cures Vlcers and Sores whether new or old the leaves being bruised and applyed the juyce made into a Lotion with honey and allome cures sores of the Mouth and Gums and all sores and ulcers of the privy parts The decoction in wine dissolves congealed blood and helps inward Bruises and Wounds and is a special herb in wound Drinks and for those that are Liver grown Take Bugle Scabious and Sanicle boil them in hogs grease till the herbs be dry then strain it and keep it for a singular oyntment for all sorts of hurts in the body Bugloss Buglossum THis needs no description it 's Latine name is Buglossum and for it's Vertues I shall refer you to Borrage they are both excellent cordial herbs under the dominion of Jupiter strengthners of the heart and lungs and breast An Electuary may be made of Bugloss roots for the Cough and to condensate and expectorate thin Phlegm and Rheumatick distillations upon the Lungs Vipers Bugloss Echium THis springeth up with many rough leaves lying on the ground Description the stalks are rough hard and prickly spotted like a Vipers skin the leaves long rough and hairy of a sad green the middle rib for the most part white the flowers grow in spiky heads on the tops of the stalks of a purple violet colour the seeds are blackish cornered like a Vipers head the root is woody but perisheth every Winter Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some Latines Echium and Buglossum silvestre Viperinum Vipers Bugloss Place and Time It grows wilde in many places of this Land flowers and seeds about the middle of Summer Temperature and Vertues It is cold and dry yet the seeds and roots are good to expel Melancholly temper the Blood and allay hot fits of Agues procures milk in womens Breasts easeth pains of the Reins and Kidneys helps bitings of venomous creatures is effectual against poison and poisonous Herbs The distilled water being used inwardly or outwardly as occasion serves a syrrup may likewise be made thereof which is good to expel sadness and comfort the heart ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling by W. Coles Burnet Pimpinella THis small herb sendeth forth divers long winged leaves finely dented about the edges Description green on the upper side and grayish underneath set on each side with a middle rib the stalks rise about a foot high of a brown colour the flowers are small of a purplish colour the seed cornered the root small long and blackish with some fibres Names Some call it in Latine Pimpinella and Pampinula and Sanguisorba Place and Time It groweth wilde in most dry hilly grounds as all along the way almost between Gravesend and Rochester and is also nourished in Gardens it flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Burnet is hot and dry in the second degree a plant of the Sun a great friend to the heart and principal members quickens the spirits and expells melancholly defends the heart from infection the juyce being taken in some proper drink and the party sweating thereupon It stops fluxes of Blood Scourings and the overflowings of womens Courses and the whites helps chollerick belchings of the Stomach and is a singular good wound herb and in Summer a little of this herb being put in a glass of Claret gives it a pleasing relish Burdock and Butter-burre Bardana BUtter-burre sendeth forth his flowers before the leaves like Coltsfoot Form which grow upon a thick stalk of a deep red colour they quickly fall away then come the leaves which grow bigger then the Burdock of a pale green colour above and hoary underneath the root is blackish without and white in the inside of a bitter taste Names The Burdock is called in shops Bardana and Lappa major the Butter-burre Petasites Place and Time They grow plentifully by Brooks Ditches and High-way sides delighting in good ground the flowers and burrs come forth in July and
Lappa minor and Asperugo in English Cleavers Clivers and Goosegrass because young Goslings feed on it Place and Time It runs up by hedge sides and hangs to what grows next it it flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August which soweth it self Nature and Vertues Cleavers are of thin parts indifferently hot and dry an herb of Mars the young herb boiled in Water-Gruel in the Spring cleanses the Blood and strengthens the Liver An unguent made of the herb with Hogs Suet helps Wens the Kings Evil and Paps swollen with curdled milk The distilled water and the decoction helps the yellow Jaundies drunk twice a day and stops Fluxes The juyce dropped into the Ears takes away the pains of them the juyce or bruised leaves applyed to a green Wound stops the Bleeding and closes it up so doth the powder thereof and helpeth old Vlcers Cloves Caryophillus THis aromatical Indian Fruit doth much comfort the Head Heart and vital parts they strengthen Nature break Winde and stir up Venery helps Fluxes of the Belly is good against Infection and stayes Vomiting the chymical oyl is good in a Quartain Ague and weakness of the Stomach and for the Head-ache two or three drops given in Beer or Wine or other drink it easeth the Tooth-ache let old and phlegmatick persons use it young people and chollerick are to refrain it Clove Gilly-flowers Caryophylleus flos THis cordial flower is well known Nature and Vertues It is a temperate slower no way exceeding in heat or dryness cold or moisture a plant of Sol the Conserve and Syrrup of the slowers are gallant cordials comforting the Heart it resisteth the Plague or any Venome it strengthens Nature and is good against Consumptions the flowers pickled are an excellent sauce and stir up appetite being set in a glass in the Sun in vinegar they make a good vinegar to preserve from the Pestilence and revive one in a Swoon the Temples and Nostrils being washed therewith ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Clowns Woundwort Sideritis IT springs up with square rough green stalks near two foot high Description at every joynt grow two long narrow dark green leaves sharp at the point and bluntly dented about the edges the flowers compass the stalks towards the top and grow to a spiky head of a purplish colour having long gaping hoods with some white spots in them the seeds are round and blackish the root is fibrous with some tuberous knobs among them both herb and root have a strong smell much like stinking horehound Names Gerhard as I remember saith he gave it the name of Clowns-wort from a clownishianswer he had of a man that had cut his Leg with his Sithe and it is called Panax Coloni in Latine and Sideritis Places and Time It grows by Ditches sides in most places of this Land flowers in August and the seed is ripe in September Nature and Vertues It is dry in the first degree and reputed hot in the second of an earthy Saturnine quality it doth cure green Wounds and closes them up to admiration being stamped with Hogs Lard and applyed thereunto it stanches Blood and dryes up Fluxes of humours in old Vlcers a syrrup made thereof and taken inwardly heals inward Wounds Veins broken spitting pissing or vomiting blood and stayes the bloody Flux A Plaister or Vnguent of the Herb and some Comphrey with it helps swollen Veins and consolidates a cut muscle and is excellent for Ruptures of the Belly being applyed to the place Columbines Aquilina THere are Columbines of several colours Description as white flowers purple and carnation colour with divers others but they are so generally known I shall describe it no further Names No good Latine name can I finde for it yet it is termed Aquileia Aquilina and Aquilegia the onely English name Columbines Place and Time I have seen both the white and purple coloured grow wilde in our Meadows in Hampshire where the ground is somewhat dry as in a place called Gassen Mead in Holshot but they frequently grow in Gardens they flower about the beginning of May and are gone by the end of June Nature and Vertues They are temperately cold and dry moderately digestive a plant of Venus and sympathizingly cures sore Throats Canker and the Kings Evil the leaves boiled in milk and given to the party affected the seeds drunk in Ale is good for the Quinzy it also heals inflammations of the Mouth and Jaws a dram of the seed and half a penny weight of Saffron drunk in wine and the party covered to sweat opens the Liver and is good against the Janudies The decoction of the herb and root with some Ambergrease added helps Swoonings The seed drunk in wine causes speedy delivery and the juyce is good in the beginning of a Phrenzy the patient eating with it pottage of Sage Valerian and Rue Of Coloquintida or the bitter Gourd THis out-landish Indian Plant is hot and dry in the third degree very bitter of taste and strongly purging it may be taken to purge Phlegm by strong bodies being corrected with oyl of Roses Gum Tragacanth and Ginger which will help the griping pains it will cause if taken alone but being thus made up with Rose-water into pills or trochis it purges viscous humours tough Phlegm and Choller and water from the Brain Lungs and Breast and therefore is good against Fluxes of Rheume Apoplexy Falling Sickness and swimming of the Head the Jaundies old Coughs and rotten putrid Fevers the Chollick and Dropsie the decoction thereof in Vinegar easeth pains of the Teeth they being washed therewith being steeped in vinegar it helps the Morphew Scurf and Scabs in Glisters which is the safest way it may be given thus take the pulp hereof two drams Camomile flowers M. 1. Anniseed Comminseed of each ℥ ss make hereof a decoction fair water and in a pint thereof dissolve honey of Roses and oyl of Cammomile each ℥ iii. The dose otherwise is from five grains to ten Colts-foot Tussilago THis pectoral plant is well known onely hardly observed in this that it sendeth forth its flowers before the leaves Names Tussilago is the common Latine name Foals-foot and Colts-foot the English because the leaves resemble a Horses foot Place and Time It loves to grow in moist and low Grounds in good Ground it flowers in the end of March and beginning of April the flowers and stalks quickly fade away afterwards come the leaves which abide green all Summer Nature and Vertues It is cooling and drying being fresh but when the moisture is evaporated it inclines to heat and driness it is an herb of Venus very effectual for infirmities of the Lungs wheesing and shortness of Breath the leaves taken like Tobacco draws away thin Rheumes distilling upon the Lungs and helps the Cough the distilled water with Elder Flowers is good against hot Agues to drink about two ounces at a time it likewise helps hot Swellings inflammations as St. Anthonies
upon a brownish foot-stalk Description being doubled or folded downwards at their first rising out of the ground and then they open into five or seven leaves of a sad green colour each leaf being somewhat long dented about the edges and pointed standing on both sides of the middle rib one against another the stalk that bears the flowers riseth up with the leaves and is naked to the middle where it shots forth a leaf a little higher it shooteth forth one or two leaves more each consisting but of five leaves and sometimes but two or three at each whereof cometh forth a small round bulbe divided into some parts or cloves of a sad purplish gren colour about which at the top come the flowers which are like the flowers of stock-gilly-flowers of a purplish colour growing upon short foot stalks opening into four leaves after which come cods wherein the seed is contained the root is white smooth and creeps under ground both leaf and root is bitter and sharp and biting like Radish Names It is called in Latine Dentaria in English Corral-wort and Dog-toothed Violet Place and Time It hath been found growing in Sussex and about Croyden in Surrey and many other places they flower in April and May and are gone before July Nature and Vertues The roots are drying and binding and do also strengthen it provokes Vrine and cleanses the Bladder of gravel it should be a Saturnine herb yet Culpepper ascribes it to the Moon it helps gripings in the Belly and sides and inward hurts in the Breast Lungs and Bowels a dram of the root taken in powder in red Wine and used often it stayes Fluxes provided they proceed not from Choller and is good for the Dropsie and Ruptures the same dose being given in the distilled water of Horse-tail and the decoction of the herb helps Maladies of the Teeth the mouth being gargled therewith and so doth the dry root being held between the Teeth it consolidates green wounds and dryes up the moisture in Vlcers causing them thereby the sooner to heal the decoction of the herb being applyed unto them Doves-foot or Cranes-Bill Geranium Columbinum IT grows up with divers small round pale green leaves Description dented about somewhat more then Mallows lying round upon the ground upon reddish hairy stalks among which rise up two or three weak joynted reddish hairy stalks with small leaves on the tops grow many small red flowers of five leaves apiece the seed is like a Cranes Bill the root is slender and fibrous Names It is called Geranium Columbinum Gruinalis and Gruinum in English Doves-foot and Cranes-Bill Place and Time It grows frequently in pasture grounds in many places of this Land and flourishes most part of the Summer Nature and Vertues Doves-foot is cold and dry with a binding quality rather Saturnine then Martial It is good to expell Winde and the Stone and Gravel in the Kidneys the decoction being drunk which is also good for inward Wounds Vlcers and Bruises to dissolve congealed blood The powder of the herb and root taken in red Wine first and last many dayes together cures Ruptures young or old in aged persons mix with it the powder of nine red Snails dryed in an Oven and being made into a Salve it heals outward Sores Vlcers and Fistula's and being bruised and applyed to green Wounds it quickly heals them Ducks-meat Aquae Lenticula IT needs no description being well known Names Aquae Lenticula and Lens palustris the Latines term it in English Grains and Ducks meat Place and Time It grows on the tops of standing waters and ponds and will cover them quite over if the Ducks meet not with it Nature and Vertues It is cold and moist ascribed to the Moon and Cancer it is good in a pultis with Barley meal to ease the pains of the hot Gout and cool inflammations and St. Anthonies fire and the swelling of the Cods the distilled water helps inward inflammations redness of the Eyes and is good in Burning Fevers and it easeth pains of the head coming of heat the fresh herb being applyed to the forehead Dragons Serpentaria THese are very well known in Gardens and the stalks are speckled so like a Snake that he that knows one may soon know the other Names It is called in Latine Serpentaria Bisaria Colubrina and Dracunculus in English Dragons Place and Time They are onely planted in Gardens with us they flower in July and the Berries are ripe in September Nature and Vertues It is a Martial herb hot and dry astringent biting and bitter in taste it is somewhat of the nature of Cuckow-pintle both incite to Venery it is good against Coughs Catarrs Convulsions and Cramps it consumes gross humours and cleanseth the inward parts the distilled water helps Freckles Morphew and Sun-burning and clears the sight the juyce helps the pin and web in the Eye An oyntment thereof is good in Wounds Vlcers Cankers and Pollipus the green leaves are good for Vlcers green Wounds and venomous bitings the distilled water is good against the Plague Poison and pestilential Fevers being drunk with Treacle or Mithridate Women with childe are not to meddle with this herb Dropwort Filipendula IT shooteth forth long winged leaves Description dented somewhat like Burnet or wilde Tansie but harder in handling the stalk rises about two foot high at the top come white sweet flowers of five leaves apiece with some threds in the middle standing in an Umbell the seeds are small and black Names Filipendula is the Latine name and it is also called in English Filipendula and Dropwort Place and Time It grows in many places of this Land by hedges sides they flower in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is an herb of Venus saith Culpepper but it is contrary to her nature being hot and dry in the third degree opening cleansing and a little binding it is good to help the Strangury or pissing by drops to expell the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder being taken in a decoction with white Wine and a little Honey it provokes womens Courses and is good against the Dropsie Jaundies and Falling Sickness An Electuary of the roots breaks Winde helps diseases of the Lungs the Cough and brings away Phlegm the knots of the roots in powder is good for Fistula's and old Sores and allayes the swellings of the Piles or Hemorrhoides Elder Sambucus THis is very well known therefore I shall describe another kinde called Dwarf Elder Dwarf Elder rises in the Spring with a four square rough hairy stalk four foot high or more the leaves are narrower then those of the Elder Tree but very like them the flowers stand also in Umbels like the other being white mixed with purple but of a sweeter scent then Elder after which come blackish Berries full of juyce wherein is contained hard kernels or seeds the root dyes every year Names The common Elder Tree is called in Latine Sambucus the
and is good in the Lethargy and such sleepy diseases especially if some leaves of Marjoram in powder be mixed with it it cures Itch Scabs and Leprosie being mixed in Oyntments or with Hogs grease The dose of it inwardly is in decoction or infusion from a dram to two drams in substance from ten grains to a scruple ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Black Hellebore Helleborus niger BLack Hellebore hath many green leaves springing from the root Description each standing on a stiff round green stalk about a hand breadth high having divers cuts some more some less bluntly nicked from the middle of the leaf to the pointward on both sides from whence upon sundry stalks do arise one flower or at most but two consisting of five round white leaves much like a single white Rose yet sometimes dashed with purple having pale yellow thrums in the middle standing about a green head in which is contained round blackish seed the root consists of black strings which run deep into the ground and are fastned to a thick head about the bigness of ones finger Names Helleborus niger and Veratrum nigrum in Latine in English it is called Black Hellebore and Christmas flower because it flourisheth about that time Place and Time There is one kinde which groweth in some Woods in Northamptonshire and other places of this Land the other onely in Gardens where it is rare it groweth in Greece and Germany in the Island of Anticyra whence grew a proverb if any one was sad or melancholly Naviga ad Anticyram It flowers in December and January Nature and Vertues It s much of the same temperature as the other viz. hot and dry in the third degree it is effectual for Melancholly persons purging the Spleen and burnt Choller from the Blood and viscous Phlegm from the Head Entrails and other parts and therefore is useful in Giddiness of the Head Apoplexy Madness Falling Sickness and hypocondriall diseases it is good also in the Quartain Ague Leprosie and the Kings Evil it provokes Vrine and the Terms it cures such as seem to be possessed with the Devil and therefore is by some called Fuga-daemonum it is useful against the Cramp Convulsions and pains in the body and a decoction thereof helps the Tooth-ache and sores of the Mouth being gargled therewith and put into the ears it helps the noise thereof It may be taken in powder infusion or decoction the dose as the white yet be careful of it it is a churlish Plant. There is a bastard kinde called Bears-foot which killeth worms a little of it in powder if any one hurt themselves by taking Hellebore let them drink Goats Milk or red Cowes milk after it Hemlock Cicuta IT springeth up at first with broad winged leaves much like parsley Description in the middle arises a hollow green stalk two or three foot high sometimes spotted having at several joynts large winged leaves dented about the edges of a dark green colour towards the top grow several Umbels of white flowers after which follows the seed of a pale green colour and and flattish when it is ripe the root is long white and sometimes crooked and hollow within the whole plant unsavory and offensive to the senses Names It is called in Latine Cicuta and in English Hemlock Kex and by some Herb Bennet Places and Time It grows almost by every Ditches side and in stinking places and flowers and seeds in July or thereabouts Nature and Vertues Hemlock is one of Saturns nosegayes it is cold in the third and dry in the second degree it may safely be applied to Inflammations Tumors and Swellings and St. Anthonies sire Wheals and Pushes and for asswaging any violent pain which it doth by its cold benumming faculty the seeds beat small and moistned with Vinegar and the Groin and Cods being anointed therewith it abates the desire to Venery and helps the swelling and coming out of the Matrix and abates the excceding bigness of the Dugs being applyed to the soles of the feet it brings down the humours that causes the Falling Sickness if any one mistake it for Parsley or the root for a Parsnip and be troubled therewith let them drink liberally of the strongest Sack Hemp. Cannabis IT is well known Description and too well known to some yet not to so many as deserve it but hath been too often to those that deserve it not Names Both Greeks and Latines call it Cannabis in English Hemp some Jesters call it Neck-weed and Welch Parsley but let them have a care it doth not play in earnest with them Place and Time There be two kindes which grow together as it is sown both in Gardens and Fields Summer Hemp which is ripe in July and Winter Hemp which bears the seed and is ripe in September Nature and Vertues It is a Saturnine plant cold and dry the seed of it consumes and disperses windineses and dryes up the natural seed being boiled in milk and taken it helps a hot dry Cough An Emulsion is good against the Jaundies by opening obstructions of the Gall and digesting Choller A decoction of the seed stayeth Lasks and Fluxes and easeth pains of the Bowels the juyce is held good to kill Worms and being dropped into the Ears it kills Worms in them The decoction thereof allayeth Inflammations easeth pains of the Gout and shrinking of the Sinews The fresh juyce mixed with oyl and butter is good for to apply to any place burnt with fire nevertheless this herb indiscreetly used breedeth ill blood is hard of digestion and hurtful to the Head and Stomach Henbane Jusquiamus COmmon Henbane hath very large Description thick soft woolly leaves lying upon the ground much cut or torn on the edges of a dark grayish colour amongst which rise up divers thick soft stalks about two foot high spread into divers smaller branches with lesser leaves on them and many hollow flowers scarce appearing above the husks usually torn on one side ending in five round points which grow one above another of a deadish yellow colour somewhat paler towards the edges with many purplish veins therein with a small pointell in the middle standing in a hard close husk sharp at the top points wherein is contained much small seed like Poppey seed but of a duskish grayish colour the root is great white and thick the whole plant of an offensive smell Names It hath gotten many fancied names amongst the Latines in Shops it is called Jusquiamus and Hyoseyamus in English Hen-bane because the seed is hurtfull to Hens Place and Time It grows commonly on every dunghill and by stinking ditches sides and flowers about July Nature and Vertues It is cold almost in the fourth degree of a benumming Saturnine quality the seeds oyl and juyce of it is hold good to ease pains in the Teeth though I think a T would do it better the leaves of Hen-bane cool Inflammations of the Eyes or other parts and asswageth
against the stinging of Bees and Wasps the oyntment of Marsh Mallows doth mollifie heat and moisten and is good against the Plurisie and other pains of the Sides and Breast Maple Tree IT is a Tree well known to Turners who use the Timber of it it is said to be under the dominion of Jupiter and a strengthner of the Liver The decoction of the leaves or Bark being used strengthens the Liver and opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen but I believe it is not much experienced if at all Wilde and Sweet Marjoram Marjorana SWeet Marjoram is very well known Description and the Field Marjoram is very like it but we shall describe the wilde It hath a root which creepeth much under ground and continueth a long time sending up sundry brownish hard square stalks with small dark green leaves like sweet Marjoram but harder and broader at the tops of the stalks stand trufts of flowers of a deep purplish red colour the seed is small and somewhat blacker then that of sweet Marjoram Names In Latine it is called Amaracus and Marjorana in English Sweet Marjoram and Marjoram gentle and the wilde kinde Organy Origanum and bastard Marjoram Place and Time The sweet grows onely in Gardens the wilde kinde in borders of Corn Fields and Pastures in sundry places of this Land It flowers about July and August Nature and Vertues They are all Herbs of Mercury the common Sweet Marjoram is hot and dry in the second degree it is comfortable in cold Diseases of the Head Stomach Sinews and other parts taken inwardly and outwardly applyed it digesteth openeth and strengthneth comforts the Brain helps the Memory and is good against the Apoplexy the Head being washed with a Lye made of it eases grievous pains thereof it helps coldness of the Stomach and digestion being given in powder in wine The oyl of it is good to supple warm and stretch forth stiff Joynts and hard Sinews it helps cold griefs and windiness of the Womb and the dead Palsie the back Bone being anointed with it it helps Spasmus Cynicus which is a wrying of the mouth aside being snuffed up into the Nose it is a gallant Oyl to strengthen the Muscles and other parts of the Body it helps noise of the Ears being dropped into them The decoction of this Herb is good in the beginning of a Dropsie it heats the inward Members softens the Milt and asswageth the swelling of it it helps those that cannot make water and easeth pains of the Belly The powder of the leaves snuffed upon into the Nose stayes Rheume cleanses and warms the Head The flower and herb being put into a fine Bag and applyed to the Stomach easeth pains thereof Marigolds Calendula THis well known herb needs no description Names It is called in Latine Calendula and of some Caltha in English Marigolds and Ruds Place and Time I think there are few Gardens without them they flower all Summer and in Winter too if it be milde Nature and Vertues Marigold flowers are hot almost in the second degree especially being dryed it is a Solar Herb and under the sign Leo a great comforter of the Heart and though it be so plentiful and therefore less regarded it is not much inferiour to Saffron The Marigold Flowers resist poison and are good in contagious Fevers and the Jaundies and are very expulsive and therefore effectual in the Small Pox and Measles they provoke Sweat and Womens Courses and expell the After-birth The Conserve of the Flowers is very good against corrupted Air and in time of Pestilence to prevent Infection it helps the trembling of the Heart being taken morning and evening The flowers used in Possets or Broth either green or dry do comfort the Heart and Spirits and expell Pestilential qualities that might annoy them The Juyce taketh away Warts being washed therewith and helps the Tooth-ache and being mixed with vinegar and a hot swelling bathed therewith asswages it and gives ease and being dropped into the ears it kills worms therein The distilled water is good for sore Eyes and a Plaister made of the dry flowers in Powder Hogs Grease Turpentine and Rosin and applyed to the Breast comforts and strengthens the Heart in Feavers very much ☞ See further in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Masterwort Imperatoria IT hath divers great broad leaves divided into many parts Description standing three together for the most part upon a foot stalk being somewhat broad and cut in on the edges into three or more divisions all of them dented about the brims of a dark green colour much like Angelica amongst which rise up two or three short stalks about two foot high and slender with such leaves at the Joynts as grow below but lesser bearing Umbels of white Flowers and after them small thin flat blackish seed bigger then Dill seeds The root is somewhat great and groweth rather side-wayes then down right into the ground and is the hottest and sharpest part of the plant and the seed next unto it being somewhat on the out-side and smelling well Names It is called Imperatoria Masterwort and false Pellitory of Spain Places and Time It is usually kept in Gardens with us flowers and seeds about the end of August Nature and Vertues The root of Masterwort is hot in the third degree and of subtle parts an herb of Mars The dried root chewed in the mouth draweth Rheume from the head easing pains of the Head and Teeth and draweth away defluxions of Rheume upon the Lungs or Eyes it dissolves winde and is good in cold grief of the Stomach and Body it provokes Vrine helps to break the Stone and expells Gravel it is good against the suffocation of the Mother drives down the Courses and expells a dead Childe it is good against the Dropsie Cramp and falling Sickness it provokes Sweat and is good against all cold Poisons The juyce dropped or Tents wet therein and applyed to green Wounds or old fretting Vlcers doth soon cleanse and heal them it is likewise good for the cold Gout Mastick Tree Lentiscus THis Outlandish Tree I shall not describe but onely sum up the Vertues of its Gum called Mastick The Tree is called in Latine Lentiscus the Gum Resina Lentiscina Mastiche and Mastix Mastick is very good for the Tooth-ache being steeped in Rose water and the Mouth washed therewith it fastens loose Teeth and strengthens the Gums being held or chewed in the Mouth it draws away phlegm and causes a sweeet Breath it cleanses and dryes up Vlcers and Sores being used in plaisters and oyntments it strengthens and comforts the Stomach mollifies Tumors and eases pains of the Joynts and Sinews for all which purposes the chymical oyl is most effectual being taken inwardly it stayes Vomiting and brings good digestion it stops the Flux of the Belly and taken with syrrup of Colts-foot it helps Coughs it is a good corrigent in strong purging Medicines abating their acrimony or sharpness Sweet
infusing fresh flowers in the liquor six or seven times still straining it and then boil it to a syrrup with a convenient quantity of Sugar and take two spoonfuls thereof and it will purge waterish humours without trouble to the Stomach or lower parts of the body A conserve made of the said flowers provokes Vomiting and wasteth hydropick humors The liquor that droppeth from the Tree being wounded is given in the decoction of Colts-foot for the Cough and shortness of Breath by adding thereto some sweet Wine and Saffron and it is good for Hoarseness and all diseases of the Lungs and for them that vomit or spit blood two drams thereof taken in the juyce of Lemons or Radish is good for the Stone The Pear Tree Pyrus THere are divers sorts of them but all so well known they need no description Names The Latine name is Pyrus and the wilde Pear Pyraster the Warden Volema Nature and Vertues Culpepper ascribes all Pears and Apples to Venus but he might allow Jupiter some of them they are said to be cold and moist in the first degree having an earthy substance and binding quality but the sweet Pears do move the Belly the harsh and sowre binde as much the Warden is most commendable and may be given to those that are sick being first baked stewed or roasted Pears being boiled and taken with a little Honey helps the pains and oppression of the Stomach Pears outwardly applyed are good for hot Tumors and close and heal new Wounds and so do the leaves for which the wilde Pear is most effectual Perry is a cordial drink reviving the Spirits comforting the Heart and is a healthy drink Pease Pisum THey are very well known and are called in Latine Pisum in English Pease and Peason Nature and Vertues They are of a mean temperature less flatuous then Beans yet pass not so soon through the body they help the generative and procreative faculty very much they increase the seed and bodily lust and also milk in womens breasts The dryed pease sodden in water and a lye made therewith helps spreading sores of the head spots of the face and other discolourings of the skin The broth wherein they have been boiled is good to take purgations in to cleanse the Stomach of cold and moist humors The pottage is good for the Strangury and to take with Sena morning and evening for the Ague and Rhabarb for the Jaundies The powder of them stops bleeding at the Nose The red Ciches have a cleansing faculty they provoke Vrine and break the Stone Pellitory of Spain THis beareth long leaves Description finely cut upon the stalks lying upon the ground larger then the leaves of Camomill at the top it bears one large flower at a place white on the upper side and reddish underneath having a yellow thrum in the middle The root runs down right into the ground There is another kinde which riseth up with divers brittle stalks a yard high and more having narrow long leaves finely dented about the edges standing one above another to the top and hath many white flowers which stand in tufts like those of Yarrow with a small yellowish thrum in the middle which yields a small seed the root is of a sharp biting taste Places and Time The first groweth onely in Gardens the latter by hedges sides and paths in many places it flowers in the latter end of June and July Nature and Vertues It is hot and moist particularly ruled by Mercury so that it is a purger of the Brain the herb or the root chewed in the mouth draweth away phlegmatick humors and easeth pains of the Teeth and hinders distillations of the brain upon the Eyes and Lungs and by that means prevents Coughs Prisicks and Consumptions the Apoplexy and Falling Sickness and is good for the Lethargy The herb made into an Oyntment with Hogs Grease takes away black and blue spots caused by blows or falls It is said an ounce of the juyce taken in a draught of Muscadel an hour before the fit will drive away an Ague at the second or third time taking at furthest Pellitory of the Wall Herba muralis COmmon Pellitory of the Wall hath many brownish red tender stalks Description rising not above a foot high at most upon which grow at the several joynts two leaves of a dark green colour afterwards turning brownish smooth on the edges and rough or hairy like the stalks at the joynts with the leaves from the middle of the stalks upwards come many small pale purplish flowers in hairy heads or husks after which come small black rough seed which will stick to any Garment or cloth the root is somewhat long with many fibres of a dark reddish colour which abideth all Winter though the stalks and leaves perish springing fresh every year Names It is commonly called Parietaria and of some Herba muralis Place and Time It grows upon old stone Walls as upon the Walls of Rochester Castle in Kent and amongst rubbish and such like places flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe soon after Nature and Vertues Pellitory of the Wall is reputed to be cold and moist yet it is thought to be hot because it is effectual against Winde and the Stone it is also ascribed to Mercury The decoction of the herb taken with a little honey is a good Gargle for a sore Throat and being drunk without Honey it easeth pains of the Mother provokes the Terms and helps obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Reins three ounces of the juyce taken at a time helps stopping of Vrine and expells the Stone and Gravel out of the Reins and Kidneys and is good in Glisters to ease pains of the Sides and Back proceeding of Winde The juyce held in the mouth easeth the Tooth-ache The powder of the dryed herb made into an Electuary with Honey or the juyce or decoction taken with Sugar or Honey is good for an old dry Cough shortness of Breath and Wheesing The bruised herb being sprinkled with some Muscadine and warmed upon a Tyle or a Chasing-dish of Coals and applyed to the Belly works the same effect The leaves mixed with Oyl of sweet Almonds is good for the Stone Winde or gripings being laid to the pained parts the juyce dropped into the ears ceaseth the noise and easeth the pains thereof The juyce applyed with a little salt doth cleanse and heal Fistula's the bruised herb bound to a green wound healeth it in two or three dayes A Pultis made hereof with Mallows boiled in wine with wheat-bran bean-flower and some oyl and applyed warm to any bruised Sinew Tendon or Muscle it restores them to their strength in a short space and caseth pains of bruises and dissolves congealed blood of beatings or falls The juyce or the distilled Water is useful for many of the aforesaid purposes and also to cleanse the skin from spots and freckles wheales sun-burn and morphew and doth asswage hot Imposthumes burnings scaldings or
is good for sores of the Yard Mouth and Fundament and for looseness of the skin about the nails and swellings and knots in any part of the body a decoction of the seeds is good to strengthen and fasten the Teeth Poplar Vide Aspen Tree Poppy Papaver THere be divers kindes of Poppies Description as white Garden Poppy black Garden Poppy red wilde Poppy or Corn-rose the two first grow onely in Gardens where they are sown the other is so well known in almost every Corn field that it needs no description Names Papaver is the general Latine Name for Poppy yet to the wilde red Poppy is added the Adjectives erraticum rubrum or sylvestre and it is generally known by the English Names of Redweed Corn-rose and Cheesebouls There is another kinde called Papaver spumeum Spatling Poppy being usually found with a froth like spittle upon the stalks and leaves more then upon any other Plant It hath many weak tender stalks full of joynts about a foot or half a yard long usually lying on the ground whereon grow many pale whitish green leaves two alwayes set together at the joynts one against another having many times upon the leaves but more often upon the stalks at the joynts a white frothy substance like that which is called Cuckow-spittle or Wood-seer at the tops of the stalks upon many slender foot-stalks stand divers white slowers composed of five small leaves a piece with a deep notch in the middle of every one of them standing in a thin loose striped husk wherein afterwards is contained black seed The Root is white and spreadeth in the ground continuing many years but the roots of all the other Poppies dye every Winter Place and Time The two first as I told you grow onely in Gardens where they are sown the red weed almost in every Corn Field the spatling Poppey grows also in Corn Fields sometimes in Pastures and by high-way sides they begin flowring in May and continue till the end of July The seed is ripe presently after Nature and Vertues The Moon claims particular dominion over these Herbs and assigneth them these Vertues A syrrup made of the Garden Poppey heads with the seeds procures rest and sleep in sick persons and stayeth Catarrhs and defluxions of thin Rheumes from the Head upon the Stomach and Lungs which cause a continual Cough the sore-runner of a Consumption The seed of black Poppey drunk in Wine stops the Flux of the Belly and the overflowing of the Tearms A pultis made of the green knops with Barley Meal and Barrows Grease helps St. Anthonies sire and the green knops being stamped with Vinegar womans Milk and Saffron mightily easeth the Gout and cureth another kinde of St. Anthonies fire called Erysipelas and put into the Fundament as a Glister it causeth sleep The condensate juyce is called Meconium and is many times used in Narcotick Medicines instead of the true opium which is brought from Thebes but it is weaker it is an ingredient in Treacle and Mithridate and other Medicines made to procure rest and sleep and to ease pains of the Head and other parts and is used to cool Inflammations Agues and Phrenzies but it must be carefully used inwardly for too great a quantity causeth the Lethargy and sometimes death it giveth much ease in the Gout being outwardly applyed and easeth the pain of hollow Teeth being put therein The Syrrup made of the Redweed Flowers or wilde Poppey is good against Surfeits cools the Blood and may be safely given in Fevers Phrensies and hot Agues and other Inflammations The distilled water of the said flowers is good to drink morning and evening against Surfeits and is effectual in the Plurifie and all other griefs of the Breast and Head The dryed flowers boiled in water or the powder of them drunk in the distilled water or in some other drink worketh the same effect The Syrrup of Meconium or Diacodium which is made of the heads of white and black Poppeys may safely be given to those which are troubled with hot and sharp Rheumes According to Gallen the seeds of spatling Poppey purgeth Phlegm and Dioscorides saith it causeth Vomiting but being taken in Mead or Honeyed Water it is good for them that are troubled with the Falling Sickness Purslain Portulaca IT is a well known Garden Sallet Herb and needs no description Names It is called Portulaca in Latine Place and Time It may be sown in March or April and flourisheth from June till Michaelmas Nature and Vertues Purslain is cold in the third degree and moist in the second and is also a Lunar Herb it is a good Sallet eaten with Oyl and Vinegar to provoke Appetite and cool a hot Stomach it fastneth the Teeth asswageth the swelling of the Gums and cooleth the Mouth and easeth the pains of the Teeth it is good in hot Agues and to cool the Liver Blood and Reins so that it stops Chollerick Fluxes of the Belly Womens Courses and the Gonorrhea distillations from the Head and caseth pains proceeding from Heat want of sleep or the Phrenzy The seed cools the heat and sharpness of Vrine abates the heat of Lust and Venerious Dreams and the overmuch use thereof extinguisheth the natural seed the seed bruised and boiled in Wine and given to Children killeth Worms The juyce is singular good for all the said purposes and for Inflammations or Vlcers in the secret parts and helpeth excortations in the Bowels and the Hemorrhoides The said juyce used with Oyl of Roses is good for Blastings by Lightning burnings with Gun-powder to-allay the heat of sore Breasts or of any other Sores It is likewise effectual to stay Vomitings and taken with Sugar or Honey it quencheth immoderate thirst helps an old and dry Cough shortness of Breath and the Ptisick and the thickned juyce made into Pills with Gum Traganth and Arabick helps such as make bloody water The bruised herb being applyed to the Forehead and Temples allayeth excessive heat therein and applyed to the Eyes it helps redness and Inflammations in them and Pushes and Wheals and St. Anthonies fire in other parts especially having a little Vinegar put to it and being mixed with the like quantities of Galls and Linseed it helpeth the Crick in the Neck and taketh away pains therein being applyed thereunto Potatoes Battata THese came originally to us from the Indies and those which we call Jerusalem Artechokes from Canada The Spanish Potatoes are called Battata Amotes Camotes Pappus and many other names The Jerusalem Artichoke Heliotropium Indicum tuberosum c. Nature and Vertues The leaves are hot and dry the roots of a temperate quality under the influence of Venus Potatoes do much nourish and strengthen the Body and increase and stir up bodily lust being eaten which way soever they are dressed They are used in Pyes and are excellent good Preserved and Candied or roasted under the Embers and eaten with Sack and Sugar The Virginia Potatoes are not so pleasant as the other
procure appetite but they breed ill blood and cause belchings in the stomach Horse-Radish Raphanus Rusticanus HOrse Radish riseth with long leaves somewhat broad Description and much cut on the edges as if it were torn of a dark green colour with a great rib in the middle and after these have been up a while which are greater rougher broader and longer and not divided as the first but a little roundly dented about the edges it doth seldom bear flowers but when it doth there riseth up a great stalk three or four foot high with a few lesser leaves thereon spreading at the top into many small branches of whitish flowers consisting of four leaves a piece after which come small pods like those of Shepherds-purse but seldom any seed in them the root is long white and thick of a biting taste like Pepper Names Raphanus major some call it and also Raphanus Rusticanus and Vulgaris in English Mountain Radish and Horse Radish Place and Time It is usually planted in Gardens yet may be found naturally growing in divers moist and shadowy places of this Land the way of propagating it is by the root for it seldom bears flower or seed but when it doth it flowers in July or August and the seed is ripe in September Nature and Vertues Horse Radish is also under the dominion of Mars and is hot and dry in the third degree of a drying cleansing and digesting quality the juyce taken in drink is held to be effectual for the Scurvy the root being eaten for a sawce with Fish and other meats as Mustard is heateth the Stomach and causeth good digestion The root bruised helpeth the Sciatica Gout Joynt-ache or hard swelling of the Liver and Spleen being applyed to the grieved place The leaves boiled in Wine and made in manner of a pultis with a little oyl Olive doth also mollifie and take away hard swellings of the Liver and Spleen and being applyed to the botom of the Belly helpeth the Strangury and so do the roots sliced thin and eaten with Vinegar as a sauce and are also a remedy for the Chollick The juyce of the green root or the powder of the dry root given in Wine or other convenient liquor killeth and expelleth 〈◊〉 in Children and so doth an oyntment made thereof the Childes Belly being anointed therewith The root being boiled in honey and vinegar into an Electuary is a good remedy in strong bodies for the Cough Ptisick and other diseases of the Lungs and provokes womens Courses If any think it too strong for their bodies the distilled water may be taken with Sugar for all the aforesaid purposes Ragwort Jacobaea Senecio THere is the greater and the lesser the greater common Ragwort hath many long and large green leaves lying on the ground Description of a dark green colour rent and torn in the sides into many pieces from amongst which riseth up sometimes one and sometimes two or three square crested blackish or brownish stalks two or three foot high sometimes branched bearing divers such leaves upon them to the top where it shooteth forth into many branches bearing yellow flowers consisting of many leaves set as a pale or border which do abide a great while but when they are ripe are turned into doun and with the blackish gray small seed is carried away with the winde the root consists of many fibres some greater and others lesser whereby it is fastned firmly into the ground and abideth many years Names Lobel calleth it Jacobaea Senecio others Herba Sancti Jacobi and Jacobaea in English Ragwort Rag-weed and St. James-wort Place and Time They may be plentifully found in Pastures and untilled grounds they flower in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Ragwort is hot and dry in the second degree and of a bitter discussing and cleansing quality and if Mars love bitter herbs let him take this too The decoction thereof cleanseth and healeth Vlcers and Sores in the Mouth and Throat they being washed therewith and also swellings hardness and Imposthumations the Quinzy and Kings Evil and stayes Catarrhs and defluctions of thin Rheumes upon the Fyes Nose or Lungs the juyce healeth green Wounds and cleanseth and healeth old Vlcers in the â—rivities or other parts and inward Wounds or Vlcers and dayes the spreading of running Cankers and hollow Fistula's it helps also aches and pains in the fleshy parts Nerves or Sinews and the Sciatica the parts being bathed with the decoction of the herb or anointed with an oyntment made of the herb bruised and boiled in Hogs grease and after it is strained some Mastick and Olibanum added to it in powder It is also by some called Staggerwort being found effectual to cure the Staggers in Horses Rest-harrow Vide Camock Red Rattle Grass or Lousewort Pedicularis IT hath small brownish red jagged leaves and tender stalks Description whereof some lie along upon the ground in moorish Meadows they grow about half a yard high but in barren grounds exceed not an handful the flowers resemble those of the dead Nettle and grow round the stalk from the middle to the top after which come little flat pouches having in them a flat and blackish seed the root is small white and tender Names It s called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Pedicularis because it fills Cattle that feed where it grows full of Lice it s also called Pistularia and Cristi galla and in English Rattle Grass and Lousewort Place and Time It grows in morst Meadows to which it is an annoyance and also on wet Heaths flowers in May and June Nature and Vertues Red Rattle grass is of temperature cold dry and astringent and is accounted good for Fistula's and hollow Vlcers and being boiled in red Wine and drunk to stay the Tearms or any other Flux of Blood There is also another kinde of Rattle Grass that bears yellow flowers at the top of its stems after which come flat pouches covered over with little bladders open before like the mouth of a Fish in the pouches are contained flat yellowish seed which when they are dry will rattle when they are shook from whence it took the name of yellow Rattle it s called also Crista galli Cocks-comb and Penny-grass It is a great annoyer of dry Meadows and Pastures which is all the properties are yet known of it Rocket Eruca THere are many kindes hereof mentioned by Authours Description but I shall mention onely two viz. the Garden Rocket and the wilde Rocket the Garden Rocket is generally known the wilde Rocket hath long narrow and much divided leaves slenderly cut or jagged on both sides of the middle rib of a sad over-worn green colour amongst which rise up divers stiff stalks about a foot high having the like leaves but smaller branched from the middle into many lesser stalks bearing sundry yellow flowers on them consisting of our leaves apiece as the others are which afterwards yield small reddish seeds in
Blood in the Body occasioned by any fall or bruise Rubarb steeped in white Wine or any other convenient liquor and strayned is good to heal Vlcers in the Eyes and Eye-lids and to asswage swellings and inflammations and being applyed with Honey or boiled in Wine it takes away all black and blue spots that happen therein The seed of Bastard Rubarb helpeth gripings knawings and loathings of the Stomach The roots help ruggedness of the nails and being boiled in Wine it helps the Kings Evil and swellings of the Kernels of the Ears it also provokes Vrine helps such as are troubled with the Stone and dimness of sight it is effectually used with other things in opening and purging dyet drinks to open the Liver and cleanse and cool the blood The root of Monks Rubarb also purgeth but more weakly then either of the other but the root thereof bindeth the Belly and stayeth Lasks and the bloody Flux and so doth the root of the true Rubarb if it be toasted and taken in Plantain water red-Wine or in conserve of Roses or Marmalade of Quinces as I have often found to my great comfort the distilled water hereof is effectual to heal Scabs and foul Sores and to allay the inflammations of them for which purpose also the juyce of the leaves or roots or the decoction thereof in Vinegar is an effectual remedy some use Indian Spikenard with Rubarb to correct it yet it doth not much need any corrigent ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling by W. Coles Meadow Rue Ruta Aquatica THis Herb springeth up from a yellow stringy root Description spreading much in the ground and shooting forth new sprouts round about with many green stalks about two foot high crested all the length of them set with joynts here and there and many large leaves on them divided into smaller leaves nicked or dented in the fore-part of them of a sad green colour on the upper side and pale green underneath toward the top of the stalk there shooteth forth many short branches whereon stand three or four small round heads or buttons which open and appear like a tust of pale greenish yellow threads after which there come small three cornered Cods wherein is contained small long round seed the whole plant hath a strong unpleasant scent Names Ruta Aquatica or Ruta Palustris may be the Latine names thereof Places and Time It grows by Ditches sides and in the borders of moist Meadows in many places of this Land Nature and Vertues The Meadow Rue is doubtless under the influence of Mars and is something of his temperature hot and dry Camcrarius reports that it is used in Italy and in Saxony against the Plague And Dioscorides saith that the bruised herb being applyed healeth old Sores and the distilled water of the herb and flowers doth the same some use it amongst other Pot-herbs to make the body solluble The roots washed clean and boiled in Ale and drunk provoke to Stool gently and being boiled in water and the body bathed therewith warm it destroyeth Lice ☞ See more of this in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Garden Rue or Herb-Grace Ruta THis herb is familiarly known the Latine name is Ruta in English Rue Herb Grace and Serving-mens joy it is planted in Gardens and propagated by slips seldom flowring with us and therefore scarce ever bears any good seed Nature and Vertues Rue is hot and dry in the latter end of the third degree and of thin subtle parts a Solar Herb it preserves Chastity being eaten it quickneth the Sight stirs up the Spirits and sharpneth the Wit it provokes Vrine and Womens Courses being taken either in meat or drink it is an excellent antidote against poisons and infections the very smell thereof is a preservative against the Plague in the time of infection The seed thereof taken in Wine is a special Antidote against dangerous Medicines or deadly Poisons A decoction made thereof with some Dill-leaves and flowers easeth pains and torments being drunk inwardly and applyed outwardly to the grieved place The same decoction being drunk helps pains of the Chests and Sides Coughs difficulty of breathing and inflammations of the Lungs and easeth the Sciatica and pains of the Joynts being applyed thereto or the parts anointed with an oyntment made hereof it helps also the shakings of Agues a draught of the decoction being drunk before the coming of the sit an oyl made of Rue by infusion or decoction helps the winde Chollick hardness windiness and suffocation of the Mother the share and parts about it being anointed therewith A decoction thereof in Wine with a little Honey added to it killeth and driveth forth Worms out of the Body Mithridates used a Counter-poison to preserve himself against infection made thus take twenty leaves of Rue two Figs two Walnuts twenty Juniper berries and a little Salt which being beaten together into a Mass was his dese appointed for every morning There is another Electuary made of it which is a remedy for pains or griefs of the Chest and Stomach Spleen Belly and Sides Winde Stitches and Obstructions of the Liver Reins and Bladder by stopping of Urine and extenuates the grossness of fat corpulent Bodies and is thus made Take of Niter Pepper and Commin seed each equal parts leaves of Rue clean picked as much in weight as all the other beat them well together and adde as much Honey as will make thereof an Electuary but first correct the Commin seed by steeping it twenty four hours in Vinegar and then dry it in a hot Fireshovel or in an Oven The leaves of Rue boiled and kept in pickle are a good sauce to meat to warm a cold Stomach and quicken the Sight A decoction of Rue easeth the Gout being bathed therewith and being bruised and put into the Nostrils it stayes bleeding at Nose A decoction of Rue and Bay leaves helps swellings of the Cods it takes away Wheals and Pimples being bruised with Myrtle leaves and made up with wax and applyed being boiled in Wine with some Pepper and Nitre and the places rubbed therewith it taketh away Warts and cureth the Morphew and with Allome and Honey it helps the dry Scab or any Tetter or Ring-worm The juyce thereof warmed in a Pomegranate shell helpeth pain of the Ears being dropped therein An oyntment made of the juyce of Rue with Oyl of Roses Ceruss and Vinegar cures St. Anthonies fire foul running Sores in the Head and Vlcers in the Nose and other parts they being anointed therewith The distilled water is very effectual for many of the said purposes Rupture-wort Herniaria Description THis plant shooteth up with many threddy branches spread round upon the ground about a span long divided into many other smaller parts full of small joynts set thick together whereat come forth two small leaves of a fresh green colour as the branches are whereat grow forth abundance of small yellowish flowers but scarce discernable from the stalks and
it helps rising of the Mother provokes Vrine and expells Winde It takes away loathing of the Stomach and procures a good appetite it cuts tough Phlegm in the Chest and Lungs and is good to season stewed meat or broaths The juyce being snuffed up into the nostrils quickens the dull spirits in the Lethargy and being dropped into the eyes it clears the sight which is dulled by thin humours distilling from the brain The juyce heated with a little Oyl of Roses helps deafness and noise in the ears being dropped into them It helpeth to ease the Sciatica and members that have the Palsie being applyed pultisswise with Wheat-flower It is good against the stingings of Wasps and Bees and being laid in Chambers it killeth Fleas Savin Savina IT is nursed up in Gardens and abides green all the year being so well known it needs no further description Names It is called in Latine Sabina and Savina Nature and Vertues The leaves of Savin are hot and dry in the third degree and of subtle parts under the Influence of Mars The decoction of Savin is powerful to provoke Womens Courses and it also expells the Birth and After-birth and causeth Abortion It expelleth blood by Vrine and is good for the Kings Evil the powder thereof mixed with honey cleanseth filthy Vlcers and Fistula's but is unapt to heal them and being mixed with Cream and Childrens heads anointed therewith which have scabs or running sores it cleanseth and healeth them and also St. Anthonies fire a dram of Savine in powder mixed with three ounces of Nitre and two of Honey helps such as are short-winded as saith Mathiolus It kill Worms in Children being applyed to the Navel or the belly anointed with the Oyl thereof The powder of the leaves mixed with honey takes away spots and freckles in the face or body and helps blisters of the Yard gotten by a Lady of Pleasure they being first bathed with the decoction of the leaves and is good to heal Scabs and Itch Tetters and Ring-worms and to break Carbunckles and Plague-sores being spread upon a piece of leather and applyed to the place The distilled Water cleanseth the skin and helpeth such as have the Worms Saxifrage Saxifragia THere be accounted nine kindes of this Plant which grow in England Description I shall describe three of them as the most useful viz. English Saxifrage or Mead-Parsley White Saxifrage and Barnet Saxifrage English or Meadow Saxifrage called Mead-Parsley groweth with many green winged leaves like Fennel but thicker and broader amongst which rise up divers crested stalks of a Cubit high having thereupon divers smaller stalks of winged leaves also finely cut but harsh to the seeling bearing at the top Umbels of white Flowers tending a little to yellow after which come seed much like Fennel-seed but browner and of a small taste The Root is thick black without and white within and of a good savour White Saxifrage hath many round faint yellowish green leaves but grayish underneath spread upon the ground unevenly dented about the edges and somewhat hairy every one upon a little foot-foot-stalk from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy green stalk about a foot high with a few leaves like the former but smaller branched at the top whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five leaves apiece with some yellow threds in the middle standing in a long crested brownish green husk after which ariseth sometimes a round hard head biforked at the top wherein s contained blackish small seed The Root is composed of black strings or fibres whereunto are fastned many reddish grains about the bigness of Pepper-corns which are called by the Apothecaries white Saxifrage seed Burnet Saxifrage springeth up with divers stalks of winged leaves set one against another each being somewhat broad and a little dented about the edges of a sad green colour at the tops of the stalks come Umbels of white Flowers and after them small blackish seed The Root is long and whitish Names Saxifraga and Saxifragia are the Latine Names Place and Time The first groweth commonly in Meadows and Pastures and flowers from May till the end of August The second grows in Fields and corners of Meadows and in grassie sandy places and the third grows in moist Meadows and flowers about July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues They are all hot and dry in the third degree and said to be herbs of the Moon but I can finde no reason for it the decoction of the seeds or roots of Mead-Parsley made in white wine helps the Strangury provokes the Courses and expells the secondine or dead Childe and breaks the Stone in the Bladder and Kidneys half a dram or a dram of the root in powder taken with sugar warmeth and comsorteth the stomach and easeth griping pains of the belly and the Chollick and expelleth Winde and outwardly it is good in somentations and bathes to provoke Vrine and ease pains of the belly which proceed from Winde The decoction of the seed or root of white Saxifrage or the powder thereof drunk in wine is good against the Stone Strangury and stoppings of the Kidneys and Bladder The distilled water of the whole herb is good for the same purposes and to cleanse the Stomach and Lungs from tough and thick Phlegm The same water is given by Nurses to their Children for the frets and stopping of Vrine The Burnet Saxifrage hath the same properties as the other in expelling Vrine Winde and helping the Chollick and to ease pains of the Mother to procure Womens Courses to break the Stone in the Kidneys and to digest cold and tough Phlegm in the stomach and is a good remedy against venome The dryed roots are as hot as Pepper and may be used for it being more wholesome as saith Tragus The root and seeds in powder taken with Sugar purgeth the brain restoreth lost speech and is good for Convulsions Cramps Apoplexies and cold Feavers The distilled Water when in Castoreâ—â— hath been boiled is good for the same and also for the Palsie and other cold griefs The same drunk with wine and vinegar is good in the Plague and preserves from infection and corrupted air being chewed in the mouth The distilled water beautifieth the face and cleanseth it from spots and freckles and causeth a good colour and is good for all the purposes aforesaid being taken with sugar the juyce of the leaves doth the same and being dropped into wounds in the head or any other place it dryeth up the moisture and heals them quickly The seeds being made into Comfits like Carraway seeds are good for all the aforesaid purposes Scabious and the kindes Scabiosa THere are many kindes of this Plant mentioned by Authours Description I shall onely name three viz. Common Scabious small common Scabious Corn Scabious The onely difference between the two first is that the leaves of one are bigger then those of the other and the Corn Scabious is greater then the other the flowers more
in wine and drunk It aeseth the Strangury stayes the Hiccough and vomiting of Blood helps gripings in the belly Cramps the Lethargy and Inflammations of the Liver and is comfortable to the head stomach and Reins and helps to expell Winde being taken in decoction or in an Electuary with Honey Liquorice and Anniseeds Tormentil Tormentilla IT springeth up with many reddish Description slender weak branches from the root leaning or lying on the ground having many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks as Cinquefoil doth with the foot-stalks encompassing the branches in several places they which grow next the ground are set upon longer foot-foot-stalks much like Cinquefoil leaves but longer and lesser dented about the edges having five six or seven divisions and sometimes eight at the tops of the branches stand yellow flowers consisting of five leaves like Cinquefoil but smaller The Root is smaller then Bistort somewhat tuberous thick and knobby blackish without and reddish within sometimes a little crooked having many blackish fibres Names It is called in Latine Tormentilla because it easeth torments of the Guts and Heptaphyllum or Septifolium and Stellaria in English Tormentil Setfoil or Seven-leaves Place and time Tormentil groweth in Woods and shadowy places and also in Pastures and Closes as in Pray Wood near St. Albans in Cobham Park in Kent and in the Fields and Common near Horsham in Sussex and many other places Nature and Vertues Tormentil roots are dry in the third degree not very hot but of a binding quality under the Solar Influence It is effectual to stay all fluxes of blood or humors in man or woman either in wound or elsewhere it resists poison provokes sweat and is good to cure wounds It is good in the Pestilence Small Pox spotted Fevers and other contagious Diseases especially if the Patient have a flux of the belly withal It is a special Ingredient in Antidotes and Counterpoisons and excellent in Dyet-drinks against the French Disease and to dry up Rheums and Catarrhes The distilled Water taken fasting is good against Venome and Infection Two or three ounces thereof taken both morning and evening cures inward Vlcers and Fluxes of the belly especially the Disentery or bloody Flux The best way to distill it is to steep the herb all night in wine and then distilled it in Balneo Mariae which water taken with some Venice Treacle and the party sweating after it will expell any venomous poison the Plague and other contagious Diseases Cakes made with the powder of the dryed root and the white of an Egg and baked upon a hot tyle stayes Fluxes restrains Chollerick Belchings Vomiting and loathings in the Stomach The leaves and roots bruised and applyed dissolves knots and kernels of the Kings Evil and hardness about the Ears Throat and Jaws and easeth pains of the Sciatica The juyce of the leaves and roots used with vinegar is effectual for the Piles and Hemorrhoids Sores of the head or other parts Scabs or Itch being washed therewith or with the distilled Water of the herb or roots A little prepared Tutia or white Amber used with the distilled water hereof is helpful to dry up sharp Rheums that distill from the Head into the Eyes causing redness pain waterings or itchings therein Turnsole Heliotropium IT s natural Soil is in Italy Spain and France yet may be found in England in some curious Gardens but more plentifully at the Druggists shops Names It is called Heliotropium in Latine and herba Cancri because it flowers about the time when the Sun enters Cancer Nature and Vertues It is of temperature hot and dry and of a binding faculty a Solar Herb A handful thereof boiled in water and drunk purgeth Choller and Phlegm as saith Dioscorides and the decoction thereof with Commin breaks the Stone in the Reins Kidneys or Bladder provokes Vrine and the Tearms and causeth speedy delivery in Childe-bearing The seed and juyce of the leaves rubbed with salt upon Warts Wens and other hard kernels in the face eye-lids or other parts of the body will take them away by often using it The bruised leaves easeth pains of the Gout or places that have been out of joynt and are newly set and are full of pain being appled thereto Turpentine Terebinthina THere is a Turpentine which drops out of the Fire Tree Description and Names but this I speak of is a liquid substance issuing from the Larch Tree called in Latine Larix from whence also proceeds a tuberous excrescence called Agaricus or Agarick of which we have treated of The Turpentine in Latine is Terebinthina Place and Time It grows about Trent in Italy and the Turpentine is to be gathered in the hottest part of Summer Nature and Vertues Turpentine is moist and without sharpness of a cleansing quality an ounce thereof taken will gently open the Belly provoke Vrine and cleanseth the Reins Kidneys and Bladder being taken with Honey it expectorates tough Phlegm and is good for an old Cough the Ptisick and Consumption of the Lungs it is an excellent ingredient in Salves for Vlcers or green Wounds The chymical oyl of Turpentine is singular good in Wounds and to warm and ease cold pains in the Joynts and Sinews take Turpentine and wash it in Plantain Water and then make Pills thereof with the powder of white Amber red Corral Mastick and a little Camphire they will purge and cleanse the Reins and stay their running Turmerick Curcuma THis Plant groweth in the East Indies and is called by some Crocus Indicus but the common Latine Name is Curcuma Nature and Vertues Turmerick is hot and dry in the second or near the third degree it is excellent for the yellow Jaundies and obstructions of the Gall and for the Dropsie and Greeen Sickness to open stoppings of the Stomach Womb and Bladder and to bring down Womens Courses it is useful in old Diseases and the ill habit of the body it is good likewise in Medicines for the Itch and Scabs used with juyce of Oranges The Indians use it to colour meats and broths instead of Saffron and we to colour Wooden Dishes and Cups Turnips Rapum THese need no description they are called in Latine Rapum and Rapa Nature and Vertues Turnips are cold moist and windy but being boiled they are hardly perceived to cool The decoction of Turnips taken with Sugar is good to clear the Voice A syrrup made of the juyce when they are baked mixed with Honey or honey of Roses and a spoonful thereof taken at night helpeth a Cough and Hoarseness opens the Breast and is good for those that have a Vein broken Oyl of Roses boiled in a hollow Turnip under hot Embers cures kibed Heels The young Turnip tops boiled and eaten are a good Sallet to provoke Vrine The seed mixed with Treacle and drunk is good against poison Turnips being baked ingender less winde then when they are boiled but howsoever dressed they provoke Vrine increase seed and milk in Womens Breast ☞ See
Palsie Fevers and consumes the Liver and inward parts Violets Viola BOth the Garden kindes and wilde Violets are generally known Names Viola is the common Latine name for a Violet and Herba Violaria There is also a kinde called Viola tricolor having three colours in the flower which in English is called Hartsease Pansies and three faces under a hood They begin to flower in March and the beginning of April and are then in prime The Pansies flower till the end of July Nature and Vertues Both Garden and wilde kindes while they are fresh and green are cold and moist under the milde influence of Venus the flowers are accounted one of the chief cordial Flowers and are much used in cooling Cordials and so is the syrrup they are good to cool any heat or distemper of the body either inward or outward as inflammations of the Eyes falling down or pain of the Womb or Fundament Imposthumes and hot Swellings To drink the decoction of the leaves and flowers made in water and Wine or to apply them pultiswise to the grieved place it also easeth pains of the Head which are caused by want of sleep The powder of the flowers drunk with water is said to help the Quinzy and Falling Sickness in Children if taken in the beginning of the Disease A dram of the dryed flowers taken in Wine or other drink doth purge the Body of chollerick humors and asswageth heat The flowers of the white Violets ripen and dissolve swellings The seed resists poison of the Scorpion The green or dry herb and flowers are effectual to abate the heat and sharpness of Vrine and hot Rheumes to ease pains of the Back Reins and Bladder and to help the plurisie and other diseases of the Lungs and hoarseness of the Throat The syrrup is good for the Liver and Jaundies and in hot Agues to cool the heat and quench thirst being taken in some convenient liquor and a little juyce or syrrup of Lemons added to it or a few drops of oyl of Vitriol put therein it doth more powerfully cool the heat and quench thirst they are more cooling being made up with Sugar and with Honey more cleansing ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Vipers Bugloss Echium COmmon Vipers Bugloss hath many long rough leaves lying upon the Ground Description amongst which rise up divers round stalks very rough as if they were set with prickles or hairs having many black spots on them like a Vipers skin whereon are set such long rough hairy or prickly sad green leaves somewhat narrow the middle rib for the most part being white The flowers stand at the tops of the stalks branched forth into many spiked leaves of flowers bowing or turning like the Turnsole all of them opening for the most part on the one side which are long and hollow turning up the brims a little of a purplish violet colour in those that are full blown but more reddish while they are in the Bud but in some places of a paler purple colour with a long pointel in the middle feathered or pointed at the top after the flowers come blackish cornered and pointed seed somewhat like the head of a Viper inclosed in round heads the root is somewhat great blackish and woody and perisheth in Winter Names It is called by most Authours in Latine Echium and of some Buglossum sylvestre Viperinum Place and Time It groweth wilde on Hills and dry Grounds almost every where that with white flowers about the Castle Walls at Lewes in Sussex and the other about Rochester Castle and elsewhere they flower and seed in the Summer Moneths Nature and Vertues Vipers Bugloss is cold and dry in temperature a Solar Herb the roots and seeds are a good Cordial to comfort the Heart and to expell Sadness and Melancholly it tempers the Blood and mitigates hot sits of Agues The seed drunk in Wine procures Milk in Womens Breasts easeth pains in the Loins Back and Kidneys and is a special remedy against the bitings of Vipers and venomous Beasts and against poison and poisonous herbs Dioscorides saith that whosoever shall take of the herb or root before they be bitten shall not be hurt by the poison of any Serpent There is a syrrup made thereof after this manner Take of the clarified juyce of Vipers Bugloss four pound of the infusion of the flowers one pound fine Sugar three pound boil it to a syrrup which is effectual to comfort the Heart and expell sadness and Melancholly The distilled water made of the herb and flower when it is in its full strength is effectaul for all the griefs aforesaid inwardly or outwardly applyed Wall Flowers or Winter Gillow-Flowers Viola lutea BOth those which are planted in Gardens and those which grow wilde upon old Walls are very well known Names They are called in Latine Viola lutea in Spanish Violettas Amarillas and in French Violieres des murailles from their growing on Walls Place and Time They grow wilde as I said upon old stone Walls mighty plentiful upon the Castle Walls of Rochester and the double kindes are planted in Gardens they flower very early in the Spring Nature and Vertues They are Lunar and of temperature meanly hot of thin parts and of a cleansing faculty the yellow Wall Flowers according to Galen are of most use in Physick it cleanseth the Blood and opens obstructions of the Liver and Reins helps hardness and pains of the Mother and Spleen comforts and strengthens any part that is weak or out of joynt and stayeth Inflammations and Swellings it is a good remedy for the Gout and Aches and Pains in the Joynts it clears the Eyes from Films and Mistiness and cleanseth Vlcers in the Mouth or other parts and provokes the Tearms and expells the secondine or dead Childe and a Conserve of the Flowers is good for the Apoplexy and Palsie The Walnut Tree Juglans THis Tree is very well known the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jovis glans and the Latines Juglans they blossom early before the leaves shoot forth and the fruit is ripe in September Nature and Vertues It is a Solar Plant. Dodoneus saith the fresh Nuts are cold and moist but others say and that 's most likely that they are drying and heating the Bark doth dry and binde very much and the leaves are much of the same nature the old Nuts are hot and dry in the second degree and of harder digestion then the fresh The kernels of Walnuts do comfort the brain and resist poison or being bruised with the quintissence of Wine and applyed to the Crown of the Head they comfort the Head and Brain The peels being taken off they comfort the Stomach and are said to kill broad Worms in the Belly being old they offend the Stomach and increase Choller King Mithridates medicine against poison was to take in the morning two dry Walnuts as many Figs twenty leaves of Rue and two or three corns of Salt beaten and
very dangerous being mach haunted by Tygers Temperature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the second and according to the judgement of some in the third degree of subtle parts a little astringent and bitter This wood is used as a main Ingredient in those Powders and Electuries which are used to strengthen the heart and inward parts to resist saintings and cold diseases of the heart and corroborate the spirits for which it is very essectual It is also useful in the Apoplexy Palsie Lethargy and left Memory by strengthning and drying the brain and stopping rheumatick defluxions which cause those Diseases It helps faint Swetings Dysenteries Lasks and Pleurisies expells Winde dryeth up Crudities fortisies a weaks Stomach and resists Putrefaction for which it is used in drivers Cordials and Antidotes The Extract thereof it good for the forementioned Diseases It is used outwardly in sumigations to dry up Rheum and in Quilts for that purpose it helps also cold diseases of the Womb The fumigation thereof is said also to provoke the Tearms it helps told diseases of the Womb and killeth Worms by reason of its bitterness as much of the powder thereof as will lye upon a groat being taken three mornings together either in broth or wine is profitable in diseases of the Liver and Spleen openeth their obstructions and strengtheneth them Yarrow Millefolium IT hath many long leaves lying upon the ground Description which are divided or finely cut into many small parts finer then Tansie a little jagged about the edges amongst which rise up two stalks round and green with such leaves but smaller and finer the nearer the tops where stand many small white flowers upon a tuft or umbel each flower having five leaves with a yellowish thrum in the middle somewhat strong in scent but not unpleasant The Root is deep and spreading consisting of many white fibres Names It is called in Latine Millefolium and of some Supercilium Veneris in English Millefoil Yarrow Nose-bleed and thousand leaf Place and Time There are very few pasture-Pasture-grounds free from it they flower in July and August Nature and Vertues Yarrow is meanly cold and dry and somewhat astringent an Herb of Venus and is excellent good for Vlcers and Inflammations of the Privities and for inward Excoriations of the Yard the juyce being injected with a Seringe Mathiolus commends it against pissing of blood an ounce of the powder of the herb and flowers with a dram of fine Bole-Armonick being taken three dayes together fasting in a draught of milk The same powder taken in Comphrey or Plantain-water is excellent to staqy inward bleadings and stayeth the bleeding of fresh wounds being strewed thereon and being put into the nostrils stayeth bleeding at rose The juyce put into the Eyes cleareth them of blood and redness and the rox or green leaves chewed in the mouth easeth the Tooth-aches The juyce of the herb and flow 〈◊〉 taken in Goats milk or the distilled water stayeth the running of the Reins in men especially if taken with a little powder of Corral Amber and Ivory The decoction of Yarrow in white wine being drunk stoppeth womens Courses and the bloody Flux and a good quantity thereof boiled in water and made into a bathe and sate over performeth the same It is good to close up the stomachs of those in whom the Retentive Faculty is so weak that they disgorge or vomit up whatsoever they eat It is a good Medicine for an Ague a draught thereof being drunk before the fit come and used for two or three fits together An Oyntment made of the herb is good for green wounds and also for Vlcers and Fistula's especially such as abound with moisture The said Oyntment or Oyl is good to stay the shedding of hair the head bieng anointed therewith Yew Tree Taxus THis Tree is well known for hard timber and good to make strong Bowes the Latine name thereof is Taxas but it is not mentioned by me for any medicinal Vertue that is in it though the bark thereof is by some used instead of that of Tamarisk I say not how judiciously Nature and Vertues Yew is hot and dry in the third degree and hath such an attractive quality that if it be set in a place subject to poysonous vapours the very branches will draw and imbibe them Hence it is conceived that the judicious in former times planted it in Church-yards on the West side because those places being fuller of putrefaction and gross oleaginous Vapours exhaled out of the Graves by the setting Sun and sometimes drawn into those Meteors called Ignes fatui divers have been frighted supposing some dead bodies to walk others have been blasted c. not that it is able to drive away Devils as some superstitious Monks have imagined nor yet that it was ever used to sprinkle Holy-Water as some quarrel some Presbyters altogether as ignorant of natural Causes as the signification of Emblems and useful Ornaments have fondly conceived Wheresoever it grows it is dangerous and deadly both to man and beast according to most Authours how much more then if it be encompassed with Graves into which the lesser Roots will run and suck nourishment poisonous mans flesh being the rankest poison that can be yet a certain Vicar unwilling to own the effects thereof upon his Cows would fain deny it to be so Other Creatures as Rabbits have been poisoned with it and the very lying under the shadow hath been found hurtful Yet the growing of it in a Church-yard is useful and therefore it ought not to be cut down upon what pittiful pretence soever Zedoary Zedoaria IT is a Root growing in the East Indies Description called in Latine Zedoaria growing much like unto Ginger Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the second degree It stops Lasks and is good against venomous bitings stoppings and pains of the Stomach It stayes vomiting helps the Chollick amends a stinking Breath and is a very good Antidote against the Plague and other contagious Diseases FINIS An Alphabetical Table of all the Herbs and Plants contained in this Book with their several Latine Appellations directed to their several Pages A. ADders Tongue Ophioglossum Page 1 Adders-grass idem Page 1 Agrimony Eupatoria Page 2 Water-Agrimony Eupatorium Page 3 Agarick Agaricus Larix Page 172 Ague tree Sassafras Page 295 Agnus castus Chaste tree Page 4 Alecoast Costus hortorum Page 5 Alehoof Hedera terrestris Page 6 All-heal Panax Herculeum Page 7 Alexanders Hipposelinum Page 8 Black Alder-tree Alnus nigra Ibid. Alleluia Page 311 Almond-tree Amigdalum Page 9 Alkekengi Page 10 Angelica Page 11 Apple-tree Pomus Page 12 Apricock-tree Malus Armeniaca Page 13 Archangel Lamium Ibid. Aron Page 92 Arrach Atriplex Page 14 Arsmart Persicaria Page 15 Alkanet Fucus Herba Page 16 Amara dulcis Page 41 Amaranthus Page 346 Anemonies Herba venti Page 18 Artechokes Cinara Page 19 Assarabacca Asarum Page 20 Asparagus Corruda Ibid. Ash-tree Fraxinus Page 21 Asp or
of then do but cast your eye to the Names under the Description of the Plant you finde in that Page you are directed to and there you will finde the Plant here described called by the same name you look for I shall at present say no more but wish this Book and the Students therein happy success and their desires both in pleasure and profit subscribing my self Reader Your devoted Friend Robert Turner Christopher Alley in St. Martins le Grand London 23. March 1663 4. To his Esteemed Friend Mr. Robert Turner on this his Excellent and Vseful Treatise entituled BOTANOLOGIA OUr Age hath been with Books so fully Blest And Arts and Learning have advanc'd their Crest So high therein a Thousand Years before Hath not produc'd in English Equal Store And should we judge of th' Study Brain or Wit Fancy and whatsoe're appends to it Of Former Times and these our Present Dayes And to the best deserving give the Bayes Antiquity must strike it sail and say This Age Arts truest Honour doth enjoy The Muses Sons here purchase all anew Their Trebled-trials vouch their Studies true No Antick Crutches yields Support to them Their Grandsires Knowledge gives no Diadem As Poets so an Herbarist is Born Without Celestial Succour he 's a Scorn Not all the Acquisitions Schools can lend Will make True Science a poor Mortal's Friend Yet where both Art and Nature do unite In one Physician He 's the only Wight And thus 't is here Our Author hath for Friend Not onely Learning which doth aptly lend Wings to Industry But Nature too Hath give him Stars Great Things in Arts to do In 's Book he hath a Method plain devis'd All parts of it so curiously compriz'd That Vulgar men which have but skill to read May be their own Physicians at need The better sort are hereby taught how all Things springing from Earths Bowels safely shall By Love or †Sympathy Antipathy Hatred as the Stars dispose Each Sickness cure that in the Body grows Learned Physicians whose better hands And Brains are subject unto Fates Commands Who have the Fortune maugre all their skill As many Patients for to suffer ill As ever finde a Cure Let them but look With serious Aspect o're this Learned Book They 'l finde the Cause of their Vnhappiness And unto safer means themselves Address Let 's then the Author thank who thus imparts For publick good these secret useful Arts And when we Read him wish All Men as free As Learn'd and Able that shall write as He. John Gadbury 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ad Lectorem in laudem Operis Authoris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 COnsere nunc Hortum Lector tibi candide laetum Vnde aegrotantem tu medicare queas Turneroque tuo grates persolve quod Herbas Expertus quicquid prosuit arte canat Perge igitur Turnere tuum nomenque per Orbem Sparge Libris raras pande salutis opes Jo. B. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the Author upon his useful and excellent BOTANOLOGIA or The Brittish Physician FOr th' Sea-encompast Little World our Isle A flowery Wreath your fragrant Leaves compile Her secret and reserved worth you sing The precious Herbs o' th' odoriferous Spring Prove Antick dayes had reason good to stile Long since Britannia the Happy Isle I once admir'd yet wonder now no more Old Rome's ambitious Eagles storm'd our Shore That Picts from Mountains periwigg'd with Snow Infest a Region where such Simples grow That treacherous Saxons sack what Picts did spare And from Sea-Rovers turn our Land to share That the encroaching irreligious Dane Shov'd the usurping Saxon down again That the audacious Norman did lay down A meaner Ducall for a Regall Crown Let not tann'd Africk boast the Wealth doth hide Nor swelling Asia the first Nurse of Pride Nor the yet-barbarous New World Roots unfold Weeds and Diseases to confound the Old Our World our Isle but searcht affordeth store ' Gainst most of Natures foes If we need more You shew the Vertue you the worth commend Of Drugs soft Asia Drugs scorcht Africk send Drugs our politer Europe Drugs that home From that great Monarch remote Nations come From some of whom kinde Phoebus goes not down But 's never discontinued Rayes do crown March 10. 1663 William Smith late of Clare-Hall Cambr. To my truly Ingenious Friend Mr. Robert Turner upon his well accomplished Botanologia or The Brittish Physician THat rude seditious Quack who sought to raise A Monument to himself a lasting praise In that licentious Time by wronging those With his illiterate filthy Nonsense whose Substantial Solid and deserving worth His Dirt made with more splendor issue forth You scorn to Ape nor mention of him make But when reforming of some Grand Mistake How are we all engag'd th' Apothecary Surgeon Physician hath his short Library Included in this Book your worthy pains Miss not one Herb that Flora on the Plains When she her verdant Mantle spreads doth show What Star doth govern each is told by you Then le ts conclude in you and you alone Compriz'd are Gerrard and old Perkinson March 8th 1663 4 Barthol Goodrick M. Licent THE Brittish Physician OR The Vertues of English Plants Adders Tongue Ophioglossum THis Herb ariseth out of the ground with one leaf The Description much like a Water-plantain Leaf being of an oyley substance and a little more then half a finger long at the bottom of the leaf sprouts forth a tender stalk about three inches long and at the top thereof grows a little speer like a snakes tongue sometimes but very seldom there springeth forth two or three crooked stings or tongues like the rest but this latter sort is seldom found Place It groweth in moist low grounds and Meadows in many places of England as in the Meadows of Holshot in Hampshire and near Colbrooke and many other places Time It springeth in April flouriseth in May and is gone quite in June or July at the furthest Names It is called in Latine Ophyoglâ—ssum Lingua Serpentis Linquoce Lingualace Lancea Christi Enephillon Lingua vulneraria In English Adders ' tongue Serpents tongue and of some Adders grass in Dutch Natertonguen in high Dutch Nater-zungelin Temperature and Vertues Adders Tongue is hot and dry in the third degree a Herb of the Sun in Aries It is an excellent wound Herb and thereof may be made an excellent Balsome for green wounds after this manner take the leaves of the Herb and pound them in a stone Mortar till they are sufficiently bruised and macerated then boil them in a sufficient quantity of oyl Olive till the herbs be dry afterwards strain it and reserve it for the purpose aforesaid as a precious Medecine The green Herb bruised or the juyce thereof applyed to any green wound at the time of the year when it may be had worketh the same effects Agrimony Eupatoria OF this Plant there be two kindes Description the field or wood Agrimony and
bastard or water Agrimony called also water-hemp Wood Agrimony groweth up with a long and hairy stalk the leaves green above and grayish underneath parted into divers other small leaves and jagged about the edges the flowers are small and yellow growing one above another towards the top of the stalk the seeds are somewhat long and rough it hath a large blackish root Place and Time It grows frequently in Hedge-rowes of Corn Fields and by high-way sides and in Woods and Copses in the fields and Woods near Rochester and towards Dulwich in Surry you may gather loads of it about July it is in its prime the seed is ripe towards the latter end of Summer you may gather the herb any time of the year Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Eupatorium and Eupatoria in Italian and Spanish Agrimonia The Germans call it Odermeng Bruckwurtz The Low Dutch French and English call it Agrimony and Egrimony Nature and Vertues Agrimony is an Herb of Jupiter and is of temperature moderately hot and dry having a fine binding quality it removes obstructions of the Liver and strengthens the same and therefore is profitable in dyet drinks for naughty Livers and Consumptions the decoction thereof is good for infirmities of the Kidneys and for such as piss blood by any inward bruise as experience hath taught me The leaves made into an unguent with Hogs Lard healeth and closeth up Vlcers and the herb or seed boiled in Wine helps Fluxes which proceed from weakness of the Liver especially if you boil a little Scabious with it Water Agrimony Eupatorium IT hath stalks of a dark purple colour Description a foot and a half high sometimes higher the leaves jagged like the other it hath many branches upon a stalk the flowers grow at the top of a dark yellow colour Place and Time It grows almost in every Ditch it flowers about the middle of Summer the leaves and stalks wither in Winter The Latines call it Eupatorium Cannabium and Hepatorium because it 's good for the Liver It 's called in English Water-hemp Bastard and Water Agrimony Nature and Vertues This Plant is hot and dry in the second degree and of a bitter taste it hath a scouring opening quality it cleanses the blood and attenuates gross humors purging them by Vrine Agarick Vide Larch tree Ague-tree Vide Sassasras Agnus or the Chaste-tree THis Plant groweth up somewhat higher then a Shrub Description having many dark coloured branches being very flexible like Willow the leaves are long and narrow somewhat smaller then Willow leaves and jagged like those of hemp The flowers are of a white colour and grow in spikes on the tops of the Branches the seeds are round almost like pepper having also a biting taste Place and Time It grows in moist grounds and by waters sides in hot Countreys as in Spain and Italy and other hot Countreys the seeds are brought hither and sold by our Druggists and Apothecaries Temperature and Vertues It is reputed by Authours to he hot and dry in the third degree of a subtle essence and of a sharp astringent quality This Herb hath a great antipathy to Venus and by its nature must needs be judged to be under the dominion of Mars in Capricorn for the seeds of Agnus taken in any manner do dry up the natural seed and restrain all venerious motions and yet it is of the temperature of Pepper which incites thereunto A Pultis being made of the leaves of Agnus Castus and Vine leaves stamped together with Butter and applyed to the Cods dissolveth and asswageth the hard swelling thereof The seeds being parched or fryed and eaten dissolve winde and being taken with penny-royal in powder in wine it 's effectual against the Dropsie and Spleen and provokes Vrine and resists the poisons of venomous Beasts An Oyntment may be made therewith to heat and mollisie benummea Members Being used with honey it 's good for sores of the mouth and throat it takes away freckles being used with Niter and Vinegar The hot sumes of the decoction of the leaves and seeds is good for women to sit over who are subject to fits of the Mother or troubled with inflammations in their privy parts And a pultis made therewith easeth pains of the head and being mixed with oyl and vinegar it is effectual against the Frenzy and Lethargy Alecoast Maudlyn or Costmary Costus hortorum THere are found six sorts of this herb The kindes and Description three whereof are common to us viz. Ale-cost or Cost-mary common Maudlin and white Maudlyn Place and Time Alecost is a sweet herb having pale long green leaves jagged finely about the edges and flowers are yellow the seeds small flat and long it grows plentifully in our Gardens and I think is known to most housewifes it flowers about July Names The first is called in Latine Costus hortorum Balsamita major or Mas Mentha Graeca Sacracenica officinarum Salvia Romana Herba lassulata Herba Sanctae Mariae In English Costmary and Alecost And Maudlyn is called in Latine Costus hortorum minor and in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Temperature and Vertues Alecoast and Maudlyn are both of a nature hot and dry in the second degree and qualified by Jupiter to help cold and weak Livers for which purpose it 's a singular herb or to be used in Ale it will make it drink both pleasant to the taste and far exceeding Coffee and Chocolate for health It may also be used in an Electuary for the purposes aforesaid it opens obstructions of the Breast Liver Spleen Kidneyes and Bladder provokes Vrine womens courses expells Choller and Phlegm a Conserve made thereof helps Defluxions of Rheumes flowing from the brain The decoction of the flowers kills Lice in the head and cures Scabs therein they being washed therewith It helps also the Rickets and worms in Children strengthens the stomach and stayes vomiting and is good for them that have eaten Hemlock or the like Alehoof or Ground-Ivy Hedera terrestris THis Plant creeps along upon the ground Description having a round leaf dented about the edges of a dark green colour the flowers are hollow and long of a blueish purple colour the root small and fibrous Place and Time It grows almost under every hedge and also under-house sides it flowers betimes in the year the leaves are to be found usually all the Winter Names In the Countrey especially in Hampshire it 's generally known by the name of Hay-hoe and gill-go-by-Gill-go-by-ground it is also called Ale-hoof Ground-ivy and in Latine Hedera Terrestris Temperature and Vertues It hath an opening cleansing quality of temperature hot and dry in taste bitter Culpepper ascribes it to Venus I rather judge it to be Solar The Countrey people often make use of it to sweeten and cleanse musty Bottles by filling them with the decoction thereof it 's a singular herb for the Eyes The juyce therof with the juyces of Celandine and Daisies being
ease pains of the Sides and being boiled in oyl and applyed outwardly they work the same effect the Keyes are good to be used in dyet drinks for the purposes aforesaid The decoction of the leaves in white Wine do help the Jaundies and break the Stone the seeds also the husks being taken off are good against Winde and provoke Vrine Aspe or Poplar Tree Populus I Shall not need to describe this Tree Descri ∣ ption you may know it well enough by the shaking of the leaves which will quiver and tremble though there be no winde and from thence comes a proverb to say when one is affrighted that he trembles like an Aspen leaf There is two kindes the white and black Poplar the black is most useful in Physick Names It is called Poplar Asp and Aspen Tree in Latine Populus Place and Time It groweth plentifully in our Land but in low and watry grounds the clammy buds thereof are gathered about the beginning of April to make the Oyntment called Vnguentum Populeon Temperature and Vertues The clammy substance of the black Poplar is hot and dry the white is of a watery warm nature and of a cleansing quality the Moon rules them both in Aries the first The oyntment made of this plant before spoke of is a fine cooler of Inflammations in any part of the body it temperates the heat of Wounds and is good to dry up milk in womens Breasts The juyce of the leaves of white Poplar being extracted and dropped into the Ears easeth pains of them and cures Vlcers in the Ears The seed drunk in Vinegar is held good against the Falling Sickness and the water that drops from hollow places of the black Poplar takes away Wheals Pushes Warts and other such breakings out in the body Avens Garyophillata THe Avens rise up from the root with many dark green leaves Descri ∣ ption winged and jagged about the edges the stalks rise about a foot high and are long and hairy and shoot forth leaves at every joynt which are not so long as the lower leaves but cut in on the edges into three parts or more on the tops of the branches sprout forth the flowers which are yellow and have five leaves like the flowers of Cinquefoil but they are larger when the flower is fallen it leaveth a small green head which after groweth to be rough and round and consisteth of many long purple greenish seeds which will stick to your cloathes the root hath many brownish fibres smelling almost like Cloves Names It is called in Latine Garyophillata from the scent of the Roots in English Avens and Herb Bennet Place and Time Avens delight to grow most in shadowy places and is to be found in many places under hedge sides They flower in May and June and the seed is ripe in July Quality and Vertues Avens is hot and dry of a purging quality a Plant of the Sun and a great comforter of the heart it is a good preservative against the Plague or any other poison it helps digestion warms a cold Stomach and opens the Liver and Spleen the roots thereof in the Spring being steeped in Wine and drunk thereof every morning fasting it also helpeth the Winde Chollick Fluxes and is good for such as are troubled with Ruptures The Decoction of the herb takes away spots in the face it being washed therewith the root may be dryed and kept in powder having the same vertue as the Decoction It expells crude humours from the Breast Belly and Stomach it dissolves congealed Blood and helps the spitting of Blood and heals inward Wounds and outward Wounds if they be bathed with the decoction thereof Assafoetida Vide Laserwort Balme Melissa BAlme groweth up with divers square green stalks Descri ∣ ption the leaves are dark green pointed at the ends and a little dented round about the edges having a fragrant smell the flowers are small and gaping of a pale Carnation colour the leaves and stalks dye every year but the root abides in the ground sprouting out fresh every Spring Names It is called in Latine Melissa and in English Balme Place and Time It groweth almost in every Countrey Housewifes Garden and flowers about August Nature and Vertues This is another Solar herb hot and dry in the second degree of some thinness of parts and 4 purging quality an herb appropriated to the Heart against the passions whereof it is an Antidote It maketh the heart merry strengthens the Spirits and is good against Swoonings and Faintings it drives away passions arising from Melancholly and burnt Phlegm the water thereof or rather a Conserve of the flowers strengthens the Brain helps Digestion and comforts a cold Stomach and is good against the Plague it provokes the Terms is good to sweeten a stinking Breath it is good in an Electuary for such as are troubled with difficulty of Breathing The Sirrup of Balm is good in Feavers strengthning the Heart and Stomach the juyce thereof with a little honey is good to clarifie the sight it is good to be used in baths to comfort the Joynts and Sinews and easeth pains of the Gout it is good against bitings of mad Dogs and stinging of Venemous Creatures In Oyls or Salves it is a good ingredient to heal green Wounds The Barberry-Tree Oxyacantha IT ariseth up with many slender stalks from the root Descri ∣ ption which grow sometimes to a great height and of an ordinary bigness the Bark is whitish in the outside and yellow next the wood it is full of prickly sharp thorns the flowers are yellow the fruit hangs in clusters upon a stalk or string and are red when they be ripe of a sowre taste the root is yellow Names The Latines call it Oxyacantha a term not well befitting it in English Barberries Place and Time It groweth plentifully in Gardens Orchards and Closes near dwelling houses where it hath been planted it hath been also found wilde in hedge-rowes but I believe some Ditcher planted it there to mend his hedges instead of Thorns They blossom in May and the fruit is ripe in September about the latter end or beginning of October Quality and Vertues Venus owns this plant whatever Culpepper sayes it is cold and moist in the second degree and of the fruit are made gallant cooling medicines both Conserves and Preserves the leaves beat like to Green sauce while they be young cools hot Stomachs and hot burning Agues procures appetite cools the Liver and helps Belchings so likewise doth the Conserve or Preserve of the Fruit it represseth Choller helps them that loath their meat by procuring an appetite it cools Inflammations of the mouth and throat the mouth being gargled with some of the Conserve dissolved in a little water and vinegar it stayeth Rheumes and Distillations and fastens the Gums and loose Teeth it stayes the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses kills Worms being taken with a little Southernwood and Sugar the decoction of the inner Bark is effectual against the
first rubbed over with salt Peter it helps running Sores Wheals and Inflammations They are likewise good against obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and the juyce of them is good against the Head-ache and Swimmings of the Brain being snuffed up into the nostrills it purgeth the head by drawing forth Rheume and being applyed to the Temples it easeth pains and helps inflammations of the Eyes but if Beets be too frequently eaten they offend the Stomack and therefore are most effectual and best being seldom used The Beech-Tree I Shall not need to take up room to describe this tree he is very well known it is called in Latine Fagus and the fruit Nuces fagi in English Beech mast the fruit is ripe towards Michaelmas Temperature and Vertues The leaves are cooling and astringent the fruit hot and moist in the first degree very astringent a plant of Jupiter The leaves are good for Vlcers being boiled to a pultis or made into an oyntment when they are green they are good for to take away Blisters and Gauls of the skin and to discuss hot swellings There is a water found standing in the hollow of old Beeches which cureth the Itch * I have taken water out of an hollow Beech in Bramsil Park in Hampshire which hath cured the Itch R. Turner Anno 1644. as I have proved The leaves are good to chew against inflammations of the Gums and Lips The decoction of the Leaves Bark Buds or Husks in running water stoppeth the overflowing of womens Courses being sate over and causeth the Mattix and Fundament that are fallen down to go up to their right places the decoction thereof in red Wine with Cynamon and Sugar being drunk doth the like the mast or fruit being burned to ashes and mixed with honey is good for a scald Head Water-Betony Betonica Aquatica WAter-Betony springeth up with a square hard stalk Description of a darkish green colour shooting also forth broad dark green leaves dented about the edges commonly two at a joynt at the joynts and at the top come forth flowers of a dark red colour like a hood at top and the lowermost part hanging gaping down after which come small brownish round heads the root is fibrous and perisheth every winter Names It is called in Latine Betonica Aquatica in English Water-Betony and Brook-Betony Place and Time It groweth plentifully by Brooks and Rivers sides in moist Ditches in watery places as about the Rivers side between Hollshot-Bridge and the Mill in Hampshire The flower in July and August and the seed is ripe in September Temperature and Vertues Some write that Water-Betony is hot and dry but I rather judge it to be cold and dry a Plant of Saturn as its vertues and operations will demonstrate I am sure it is a good cooler in Burnings and Scaldings with it I cured ones Leg scalded all over making the Medecine thus Take fresh Hogs Lard new Sheeps Dung and the leaves of Water-Betony pound them in a Mortar and make them into an Oyntment It is likewise good to dissolve swellings and hard knobs being stamped with Vinegar and applyed three times a day The seed is good for the Sciatica being taken in Wine with Myrrhe and Pepper The decoction of the leaves in Spring Water is good for all unkinde heats and is excellent to cure the Itch Wheals and Pushes The distilled water taketh away Sun-burnings Spots and Redness of the Face ◠so do the leave being stamped and made into an Oyntment with Cream the juyce boiled with Honey and Tents dipped therein is effectual to cure old and new Sores The seed is effectual to expel Worms out of the Belly a dram thereof at a time being taken in Wine the Leaves stamped and applyed to old Spreading and corrupt Sores and Pocks healeth them and the juyce of the Herb being drunk helps bleeding at Nose and them that spit Blood and cures the botch in the Throat It is also commended for the Piles and Hemorrhoides either applyed outwardly or the powder thereof drunk or strewed upon the grieved place Wood-Betony Betonica WOod-Betony springeth up with many leaves from the root running up with a tender stalk of about an handful Description and sometimes more the leaf growing at the end thereof and is somewhat broad and round at the end of a darkish green colour finely dented about the edges the stalk runs up in the middle of these leaves a foot high or more upon which grow leaves by two and two at a joynt which are far smaller then the lower leaves the flowers grow with spiked heads on the top of the stalks of a purple colour the root is fibrous the stalk perisheth but the leaves growing from the root are to be found all Winter Names In Latine it's called Betonica Betony in English Place and Time It delights to grow in Woods and shady Hedge rowes in which places if it be dry ground you shall not miss of it and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues This herb is hot and dry almost to the second degree a plant of Jupiter in Aries and is appropriated to the Head and Eyes for the Infirmities whereof it is excellent as also for the Breast and Lungs being boiled in milk and drunk it takes away pains in the Head and Eyes Probatum It would seem a miracle to tell what experience I have bad of it Some write it will cure those that are possest with Devils or Frantick being stamped and applyed to the forehead being boiled in white Wine with Vervain Horehound and Hysop and applyed hot it cures the Megrim The powder of the leaves drunk in Wine or Beer or being eaten with slices of bread steeped in Wine doth restore the Brain helps noises and giddiness of the Head or being taken in pottage it comforts the Stomack and helps Digestion A conserve of the slowers or an Electuary thereof helps the Jaundies Palsie falling Sickness Convulsions Gout Dropsies and a continual Head-ache The leaves or flowers may also be boiled in broth for the same purposes An Electuary made of the powder with honey cures Colds Coughs and the droppings of Rheume upon the Lungs which causeth Consumptions The decoction of the Herb in Metheglin with a little Penny-royal is good against Quartan Agues and purgeth away superfluous humours falling into the Eyes it likewise kills Worms opens the Liver and Spleen cures Stitches and Gripings in the Bowels being boiled in Wine it likewise provokes the Terms and purges the Belly being mixed with Honey it helps fits of the Mother and causes speedy delivery and the quantity of a dram of it in powder taken in Syrrup of Vinegar doth refresh those that are wearied by Travel stayeth bleeding at the Nose and helps those that spit or piss Blood Many are the Vertues of Betony so that I shall conclude with the words I found in an old Manuscript under the Vertues of it More then all this hath been proved of Betony ☞ See more of this
in the Expert Doctors Dispensatory written by P. Morellus Bilberries or Whorts Vaccinia THis Shrub creepeth along upon the ground Description seldom exceeding above half a yard high having small dark green leaves a little dented about the edges at the foot of the leaves shoot forth the flowers which are small and of a pale blush colour the brims having five points with a small reddish thred in the middle after which come small round berries of a purple or blackish colour of a sharp sweetish taste the root spreads and creeps along in the ground sprouting up in several places Names They are called in Latine Vaccinia in English Biberries Whorts and Whortle-Berries Places and Time They grow plentifully in dry Woods and barren hilly places and abundantly in the Woods near Guilford in Surrey so that the Countrey people make Pyes and Tarts of them as we do with other Fruits and they taste almost like Damson Tarts They are ripe in June and July Quality and Vertues The Bilberies are cold in the second degree and do a little binde and dry the Berries are good for those that are troubled with an old Cough or Vlcer in the Lungs but offensive to those that have a cold or weak Stomach and therefore it is better for them to take it either in a Syrrup made of the Juyce or a Conserve made of the Pulp and thus they are effectual in hot Agues and cool the heat of the Stomach and Liver and do somewhat binde the Belly and stayeth Vomitings and Loathings and by it's binding quality stayeth Lasks and Fluxes of Blood Bifoil or Twayblade Bifolium THis Herb springeth up with a slender stem or stalk Description fat and full of juyce from many small threddy strings fastned unto a small knot or root about the middle whereof are orderly placed two broad leaves ribbed much like Plantain leaves at the top of the stalk groweth a slender greenish bush of many small flowers resembling Flyes or Knats like the third kinde of Serapio's or female Goatstones and indeed it is a kinde of Serapio Names In Latine its called Bifolium and Ophris the English names are above Place and Time It loves Meadow and Marsh grounds moist and shadowy places flowers in May and June and is soon gone like Orchis Nature and Vertues It inclines to cold and dryness and is good in Vnguents and Balsoms for green Wounds and Burstings or Ruptures Blue-Bottle or Corn Flower Cyanus THere may be reckoned up of these several kindes Description as Cyanus major Vulgaris Purpureus Albus Violaceus Variegata That is the great Blue Bottle or Corn flower the common the purple the white the violet colour and the variable These are all of kin to the Corne Scabious and useless in Physick there being better Medecines more known what defects soever these have the Scabious supplyes therefore I 'le say no more of it but onely that the Common Blue Bottle is reputed good against inflamed eyes being of a cold Temperature Brank Vrsine or Bears-breech Acanthus IT is a stranger in England onely the Garden kinde called Hortensis Acanthus may be found in Physick Gardens but is naturally a German plant and is reckoned amongst the kindes of Thistles The Garden kinde is called Hortensis Acanthus the wilde Acanthus Sativus the one is a German the other an Italian yet Culpeppers Romancer would make an English Physician of them Nature and Vertues The leaves hereof are of a mean Temperature between hot and cold of a mollifying and digesting faculty and may be used for Limbs burnt with fire or out of joynt saith Dioscorides and the decoction helps the Ptisick and such as spit blood or have bruised or overstrained themselves as Comphrey Roots doth and of the Roots are made a Plaister against the numness of the hands and feet it is also used in Glisters and the decoction of the Leaves provoke Vrine stop the Belly help the Rupture Cramp and such as spit Blood Bindeweed or Belflower Campanella THe great blew Bindeweed springeth up with many long and winding branches Description winding it self contrary to the course of the Sun upon any thing that is near it the leaves are round and pointed at the end like a Violet Leaf but larger of a deep green colour The flowers come forth on pretty long foot stalks two or three together at the joynts of the branches where the leaves are set at first long like a finger of a pale whitish blue colour but afterwards they grow broad like bells and become of a deep blue tending to purple which after they are fallen away the stalks whereon they stood bend downwards and send forth husks containing in them three or four seeds apiece which are black and about the bigness of a Tare the roots are stringy and dye every Winter Names The various kindes of this flower or weed as it is more generally called hath obtained several names as in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Smilax laevis and because it windeth about whatever is next to it it is called Funus Arborum and Campanella from the flowers resembling a little Bell. It is called also Convolvulus Orobanche with many other names which for brevities sake I omit and in English Bindeweed Withwinde and Devils Gut c. Place and Time They are taken into Gardens for the beauty of the flowers and may be also found in Corn Fields I mean the common Bindeweed and flower about the latter end of Summer seldom perfecting their seed in England Temperature and Vertues Bindeweeds are most of them hot and dry towards the second degree The decoction thereof in white Wine is a good remedy for the Chollick it purgeth Phlegmatick and Melancholly Humours and killeth worms yet it is apt to trouble the Stomack and cause Vomitings The juyce of the black Bindeweed being drunk doth loosen the Belly so doth the powder thereof drunk in Wine or any other liquor and Galen saith the bruised Leaves applyed to Tumors and Knots in the Flesh dissolveth them It is also said that if any place where hair groweth if it be anointed with the juyce hereof after the hair is plucked up by the roots it suffereth it not to grow there any more Bitter-sweet or Wooddy Nightshade Amara dulcis IT springeth up with many slender Description wooddy winding brittle stalks about a mans height sometimes higher folding it self about any thing it is next unto without any claspers at all having a whitish rough bark and a pith in the middle sending forth branches on every side green while they are young and so are the new shoots of those that are elder The leaves are somewhat like unto those of Nightshade but that they are pointed at the ends and grow disorderly upon the stalks having usually growing upon the footstalks between the leaf and the branch two small leaves or pieces of leaves like little wings of a pale green colour but some of them have but one and some none at the tops and sides
it abates the redness of the face and nose caused by drinking or otherwise being given with Raisins as Wormseed is to Children it cleanseth the Matrix and so it doth the fume being received mixed with Rozin Bistort or Snakeweed Bistorta Form THis Herb hath a thick short knobbed root blackish without and reddish within crooked or wreathed together of a harsh astringent taste with divers blackish fibres thereon from whence ariseth divers leaves upon long foot stalks much like a dock leaf a little pointed at the ends of a blueish green on the upper side and of an Ash colour gray and a little purplish underneath having many veins therein the stalks are small and slender about half a yard high growing without leaves which beareth a spiky head of pale flesh coloured flowers which produceth small seed like unto Sorrel seed but greater Names It is called Bistorta and Serpentaria in English Bistort and Snakeweed Places and Time It grows in shadowy places at the foot of Hills in moist Grounds and Meadows I have found it in the Meadows by Wickomb in Buckinghamshire It flowers in May and the seed is ripe in July Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree and astringent it is good against the bitings of Snakes and Serpents from whence it got its name and the poison of Toads Spiders and other venomous Creatures if the place be washed with the distilled water of the Roots and leaves It stayes all Fluxes cures inward Bleeding and Spitting of Blood and Vomiting the powder of the root being taken in Wine or the Decoction being drunk the juyce is good against the Polipus and other Sores of the Nose both the Leaves and Roots resist poison The root in powder taken in drink the quantity of a dram at a time expells the venome of the Plague small Pox Measels Purples and other Infectious Diseases driving it out by seating The Root in powder or the Decoction thereof being drunk helps Ruptures and Bruises dissolving congealed Blood The Decoction in Wine hindreth Abortion the leaves kill Worms in Children and helps them that cannot hold their Water if some juyce of Plantain be added thereto and outwardly applyed it helps the running of the Reins A dram of the root in powder taken in the water thereof wherein some Steel hath been quenched is essectual for the same the body being first purged The decoction of the whole plant is good for Wounds or Sores the decoction of the roots in water with some Pomegranate Pills and Flowers is a good injection to reduce the Matrix to its right place and stop the overflowing of the Courses the Roots will keep good a year or two The Dose in powder is from a Scruple to a Dram in decoction from one dram to two or three which may be made in posset drink bruising the root onely ☞ See more of this in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Blackthorn or Sloebush Spinus THe Black Thorn is very well known to every boy for its Sloes so that it needs no further description Names It is called in Latine Spinus in English Black Thorn and the Sloe Tree Place and Time They grow plentifully in Hedge-rowes in most places of this Land they flower usually in March if the Spring be forward yet the Sloes are not ripe till October Frosts bite them Nature and Vertues Both the Sloe Tree and Fruit is cooling drying and the Sloes howsoever used are effectual against Lasks Looseness and Fluxes of Blood either in men or women The decoction of the bark of the root performeth the like effects and caseth pains in the Sides Bowells and Guts that come by overmuch Scowring or Looseness the Conserve hath the same effect the distilled water of the Flowers steeped one night in Sack and drawn therefrom in a body of glass easeth gnawings in the Stomach Sides and Bowels to drink a small quantity when they are troubled therewith Sloes being stamped and tunned up in an earthen pot with new Ale and so drunk helps pains in the Breast and the decoction of the Bark is good against pissing in bed The distilled water of the green Sloes and Flowers as also the decoction of the green leaves is good to wash a sore Mouth or Throat and to stay distillations of Rheume into the eyes and to case hot pains of the Head the Forehead and Temples being bathed therewith ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Blites Blitue THere are two kindes of Blites white and red the white groweth up two or three foot the leaves are somewhat like Beets but smaller rounder and of a whitish green colour the Flowers grow on the tops in long tufts or clusters wherein is contained a small round seed the roots is fibrous Names It is called in Latine Blitus and Blitum in English Blite and Blites Place and Time Both sorts are found wilde in many places of this Land and are also nourished in some Gardens they slourish all Summer seeds about August or September and continues green all Winter Quality and Vertues Blites are cold and moist in the second degree under the dominion of Venus their Physical use is to restrain Fluxes of Blood other in man or woman the red stay the Reds and the white the Whites in women The white Blite is proved a delightful bait to Fishes as Anglers say Bloodwort Vide Docks Borrage Borrago THe Garden Borrage is so well known it needs no Description Borrago is the Latine name thereof Place and Time It grows plentifully in Gardens in most places of this Land and flowers in July and August Quality and Vertues Borrage is one of Jupiters Cordials hot and moist in the first degree all parts of it are cordial and do expel Sadness and Melancholly it cleanseth the Blood and is effectual in putrid and pestilential Feavers to defend the Heart The juyce made into a Syrrup is good for the same purpose and cleanseth the Blood and tempers the heat thereof the conserve of the Flowers is good for the same purposes and is a good Cordial for such as are in Consumptions it comforts the Heart and Spirits and is therefore good for those that are troubled with Swoonings and Passions of the heart The distilled water is effectual for the same purposes and helps Inflammations and redness of the Eyes they being washed therewith The Herb in Summer being boiled with some other Sallet Herbs is an excellent Sallet and grateful to the Stomach being eaten with Butter and Vinegar The Bramble Bush Rubus I Shall not need describe this Bush if you go by a Hedge it will be acquainted with you if it can lay hold of your cloathes Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Batus in Latine Rubus and Sentis of some Cynosbatus in English Bramble and Black-berry-bush the fruit Black-berries which are called in shops Mora Bati Place and Time It is a companion for every hedge almost most it flowers in July
the seed is ripe in September the Butter-burr flowers in March and the leaves spring up in April Nature and Vertues The Burdock leaves are moderately cold and dry the butter-burr hot and dry in the second degree the Burdock leaves reduce the matrix to its right place by drawing it up or down applying the leaves to the crown of the head or soles of the feet according as it is displaced they are good for sores and Vlcers to ease pains in the Sinews and Arteries and the Gout it helps kibed heels being bruised with the white of an Egge it takes the fire out of burnings the juyce or the roots drunk in wine helps the bitings of Serpents and being beaten with a little salt and applyed to the place it gives present ease it also provokes Vrine helps Stitches Consumptions and Vlcers of the Lungs the root drunk in Malmsey with a little Nutmeg stayes the running of the Reins the Whites and strengthens the Back the young stalks increase seed being eaten raw with salt and pepper or boiled The Butter-burr roots taken with Zeadory and Angelica helps fits of the Mother provokes the Courses Vrine and kills Worms in the Belly and are effectual against pestilential diseases by provoking sweat and the decoction in Wine helps those that are short winded Cabbage and Coleworts IT were labour more then needs to describe these or give them any other names their places are in well manured Gardens We proceed to their Nature and Vertues Cabbages are of a drying astringent quality salt or Nitrous yielding small nourishment and ingendring melancholly blood the decoction of them drunk with honey helps hoarseness allayeth the swellings and takes away the pains of gouty knees and legs it helps old sores pushes and wheals in the skin the leaves draw abundantly and therefore are good for filthy sores the decoction of the flowers provokes the terms The juyce boiled with honey and dropped into the eye clears the sight consumes Films and the Canker growing therein Gerhard commends a raw Cabbage leaf to be eaten fasting against an involuntary Gonorrhea Calamint Calamintha THis herb seldom grows above a foot high Description the stalk is square and wooddy with two small leaves at a joynt a little dented about the edges of a quick scent the flowers grow from the middle of the stalk to the top of a pale blush colour the seeds round and blackish the root abides in the ground many years Names In Latine Calamintha in English Calamint and Mountain mint Place and Time it groweth plentifully in hilly dry grounds flower and seed about July Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry near the third degree of a biting taste an herb of Mars it opens obstructions of the Liver and cures hardness of the Spleen helps overflowing of the Gall the tertian Ague and old Coughs it drives down womens courses helps the yellow Jaundies and stayes Vomiting being taken in Wine it provokes Vrine helps Ruptures Cramps shortness of breath and inward pains proceeding from Choller ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Calamus Aromaticus or sweet Flag THis groweth not with us in any great quantity no not in our Gardens but in Turky and Egypt and those Countries it is very plentiful it may be had at our Druggists wherefore I shall name its Vertues The roots are hot and dry in the second degree of thin parts they provoke Vrine helps diseases of the Reins and Bladder easeth pains of the Sides Liver Breast Chollick and Cramp the decoction being taken in wine the powder of the roots strengthen a cold weak Stomach and so they do preserved with Sugar or Honey Camphire Camphora THis is a tear or gum dropping out of a tree in India it is reputed to be cold and dry in the third degree yet there are different opinions about its temperature of a very strong scent it is available for the running of the Reins and the Whites in women it cools the heat of the Liver resisteth putrefaction and fortifies the heart in contagious Diseases taken in Electuary or otherwise in all Inflammations it is good cools the heat of Wounds and Ulcers The dose of it inwardly is five or six grains It hath been found effectual in Agues being sowed in a cloth and with a thread hung about the neck so that it might lie just upon the pit of the Stomach Camock or Rest-harrow Resta bovis Form CAmock groweth up with wooddy stalks and little roundish leaves of a dark green colour having prickly thorns when they grow old the flower grow at top like pease blossoms after which come small pods the seed is small and round the root blackish and tough growing deep in the ground Names It is called Resta bovis and Remora aratri Place and Time It groweth in many fields and good grounds and is not easily weeded out it flowers in July and the seed is ripe in August Quality and Vertues The root according to Gallen is hot in the third degree and though it be unprofitable to the Husbandman the decoction in Vinegar helps the Tooth-ache of Rheume the powder taken many dayes together in Wine consumes the fleshy Rupture the decoction opens the Liver and Spleen helps the Jaundies Hemorrhoides and Piles expells Gravel and the Stone the decoction in Oximel is good for the salling Sickness The fixed salt of the whole plant is excellent good for the Stone Cammomile Cammomilla THis grows so common upon every green and watry place it needs no description it is called in Latine Camomilla and Cotula it is also nourished in Gardens both to make pleasant banks and also for its Physical uses Quality and Vertues Camomile is hot and dry in the first degree as Gallen saith moderately healing and drying a Solar herb Camomile is profitable for Agues proceeding of Phlegm or Melancholly the decoction thereof helps the Chollick pains in the Sides drives down womens Courses provokes Vrine and Sweat and expells cold humours it comforts the Sinews and mollifies Swellings helps the Jaundies and Dropsie the oyl made of the Flowers is good against cold Aches and outward Pains Capers Caparis THese grow upon a prickly shrub in Arabia Italy and Spain they are called in Latine Caparis the bark of the roots is extream bitter it cleanseth and purgeth cutteth and digesteth the Capers are hot The Capers we have here pickled cause appetite open the Liver and Spleen consume cold Phlegm in the Stomach the oyl of Capers is good against the Rickets Hypocondryack melancholly and pains in the Sides and Spleen Cardamomes Cardamomum THey grow in the East Indies upon a small tree which beareth them in husks and are brought hither for their use in Physick They are hot and dry in the third degree astringent they are called Grana Paradisi and Cardamomum In English grains of Paradise and Cardamomes they are good against the Cardiack passion and distempers of the Stomach it draweth forth watery humours from the head and stomach being
is inclosed in a prickly husk which openeth when they grow ripe and the Nut appeareth covered with a brown husk Names Castanea and Castaneum are the usual Latine names thereof in English Chesnuts Place and Time They grow wilde in the Woods in Heat and in the hedges in the Road to Canterbury yet in other Counties of this Land are planted in Orchards and Gardens the fruit is ripe about Michaelmas time Nature and Vertues Chesnuts are dry and astringent in a mean between hot and cold a plant of Jupiter they are very windy yet nourish much and are said to stir up Venery the Nuts being powdered and made into an Electuary with honey is effectual for the Cough bloody Flux spitting of Blood or any Lask or looseness they are hard of digestion and immoderately eaten cause the Head-ache the same powder mixed with Barley Meal and Vinegar helps swellings of the Breasts and unnatural Blastings The best way to correct their windiness is to prick them with a needle and roast them Chickweed Alsine THis herb runneth along upon the ground with many tender branches full of joynts Description and at every joynt cometh forth two smooth green leaves from which sprout out other branches like the former the flowers are small and white after which comes the seed in little knops the root is all strings like hairs and if you break the stalks gently you shall perceive a little sinew in the middle thereof Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines the same namely Alsine anciently it hath been called Hippia Place and Time It delights to grow in shadowy and moist places it flowers in the Spring and the seed is ripe soon after Nature and Vertues Chickweed is cold moist and watry of the Moons temperature it is good to cool the heat of the Liver being bruised and outwardly applyed to the Region thereof or wet cloathes dipt in the juyce thereof and renewed as they dry the decoction cooleth the Blood in Agues Hectick Fevers Stomach and Liver and cools the heat of the Back and Vrine The juyce taken in white Wine or Ale five dayes together first and last is effectual for the Jaundies it is effectual to ripen Imposthumes and swellings being applyed pultiswise with mallow roots and the powder of Fenugreek and Linseed with Hogs Lard and asswages generally all pains in the body proceding of heat the juyce or distilled water is good for Pushes inflamed Eyes and the heat and sharpness of the Piles Sweet Cicely Myrrhis THe ordinary garden sweet Cicely hath leaves somewhat like Fern Description but not so high but they taste as sweet as Anniseeds the flowers grow in white umbels on the top of the stalks after which come small black seed which taste like the leaf of Anniseed the root tastes stronger then either herb or seed and is long growing deep and lasting many years Names The Greeks call it Myrrhis and Myrrha so do the Latines the English Sweet Cicely Sweet Chervil and Sweet Fern. Place and Time It is planted with us in Gardens flowers in May and the seed is ripe in July Nature and Vertues It is hot in the second degree having thinness of parts This plant of Sol is excellent good for the Ptisick and Consumptions and diseases of the Lungs being boiled in broth and eaten it expectorates Phlegm from the Breast warms a cold Stomach is a good sallet herb and the root boiled and eaten with oyl and vinegar produceth the like effects The candid root is excellent against the Plague and infections This herb procures appetite expells Winde provokes the Terms and expells a dead Childe and the After-birth provokes Vrine and the root sliced and steeped in white Wine all night gently purges being drunk in the morning with a little Sugar ☞ See more of this in Adam in Eden by Will Cinquefoil Pentaphyllum I Suppose this herb needs little description Description being well known it runs along upon the ground with small strings which shoot out small leaves growing five together sometimes seven The flowers are yellow the seeds small and brownish and the root little and fibrous Names The Latines call it Pentaphyllum and Quinque-folium in English five leaved grass and five fingred grass Place and Time It grows by Ditches and High-way sides and in low grounds and flowers from the beginning of May till the end of June and may be found green all Winter Nature and Vertues The herb and root is hot and dry but the root more then the herb a plant of Mars Culpepper affirms a scruple hereof given in white Wine or vinegar never misses cure of an Ague of what kinde soever in three sits but my experience proves the contrary It restrains Fluxes and bleeding at Nose the juyce drunk in Ale or red Wine and the root or herb applyed to the nose it is good against venoms and infections resisting putrefaction The roots boyled in milk stayes the whites reds and bloody Flux but you must drink the milk then the juyce with honey helps hoarseness is good against the Cough of the Lungs the Quinzy yellow Jaundies and Falling Sickness and the decoction of the root is good against the Tooth-ache being held in the mouth Cynamon Cynamomum THis outlandish Bark needs no description here the Latine name is Cynamomum it is hot and dry in the third degree and is aromatical The Chymical water hereof comforts all the vital parts helps passions of the heart easeth the winde Chollick provokes the Terms strengthens the Retentive faculty is good against a Looseness Dropsies and cold and moist Diseases it causes a good colour in the Face let old and cold folks use it though Cynamon is an excellent spice and the chymical oyl thereof comforts the Stomach helps pains of the Breast and causes good digestion but it must be carefully used if it be mixed with honey it takes away spots in the face Cives Vide Leeks Clarey Horminum I Need not describe it my Countreywomen so frequently planting it in their Gardens for theirs and their Husbands backs Names The Latines call it Horminum and Geminalis of some Place and Time Gardens is the place it flowers and seeds about the latter end of Summer Nature and Vertues Clary is hot and dry in the third degree a plant of Sol and is good for diseases of the Eyes the seed powdered and applyed being mixed with honey it s a great strengthner of the back and reins it brings down the Terms and Secondine the muscilage of the seed takes away Tumors and Swellings and draweth forth Splinters and Thorns it provokes venery but the overmuch eating of it hurts the head and brain the powder of the leaves snuffed into the nostrils purges the head and brain by sneezing the herb is good for cold and moist Stomachs and the purposes aforesaid being fryed in Tansies Cleavers or Goosegrass Aparine CLeavers is well known The Names It is called in Greek and Latine Aparine and by Pliny
heat and redness of the Eyes The Chymical gyl and tincture may be used for any of the aforesaid purposes Corral-wort Vide Dog-toothed Violet Crabs Claws or fresh Water Souldier Sedum Aquatile THis hath leaves much like Sempervivum Description or herb Aloe but shorter and lesser having stiff prickles about the edges amongst the leaves come forth divers husks like Crabs Claws which open into white flowers of three leaves apiece having in the middle divers hairy yellowish threds it hath no roots but long strings like worms which fall down from a short head whereout the leaves spring to the bottom of the water where they be seldom fastned but at the bottom there grows many other strings aslope from the same strings being smaller Names It s called Sedum Aquatile water Singreen wading pondweed fresh water Souldier Knights Pondwort water Housleek and the like Place and Time It grows in the Fenns in Lincolnshire and other muddy waters and flowers to August Nature and Vertues This plant is of a cooling nature and is good to keep green Wounds from Inflammations an oyntment thereof is good against hot Swellings St. Anthonies fire and other Inflammations This herb is good for bruises in the Reins and Kidneys stops any flux of blood issuing thence and likewise to stop the terms for which purposes a decoction of the herb or a dram of the dryed herb in powder may be taken every morning in any convenient Liquor or other â—chule Cucumbers Cucumer Cucumis THis Garden Plant needs no Description the names are above the place is well dunged Gardens and the time when the fruit is ripe the Journeymen Tailors in London are very sensible of Nature and Vertues They are cold and moist in the third degree some hold but in the second it must be the latter end of it then the fruit is good sauce for hot Stomachs and Livers but being much eaten ingender raw Humours the juyce of them is good to cleanse the skin and helps hot rheumes in the Eyes the seeds provoke Vrine cleanses the passages thereof and is good for such as have Vlcers in the bladder for which purpose they are used in Emulsions as also to cool the heat of the Vrine in virulent Gonorrhea's the distilled water of the whole fruit taketh away Sunburning Freckles and Morphew the face being washed therewith Wilde Cucumbers Cucumis agrestis Elaterium THis plant groweth not wilde in England Description but onely in Gardens where it is planted it groweth up with many fat hairy branches rough and full of juyce creeping upon the ground the leaves are hairy and rough of an overgrown grayish green colour and three pointed from the bosom of which come forth long tender foot stalks on whose tops come small pale yellow flowers having five small leaves apiece the fruit is about the bigness of a small Pullets Egge but longer rough and hairy coloured like the stalks wherein is contained much water and hard blackish seeds like Tares when it is come to maturity it squirteth forth its own water and seeds either of it self or with the gentlest touch of a hand and oftentimes flyeth on the face of them that touch it making it smart a great while after whereby it got the name of Noli me tangere The root is white thick and long lasting the whole plant and fruit bitter in taste Names In Greek its called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Agrestis and Erraticus cucumis in Shops Cucumer Asminus and the prepared juyce is called Elaterium Place and Time It springs up in May and the fruit is ripe in Autumne it grows amongst rubbish and in untilled places in hot Countreys and is here planted in Gardens Nature and Vertues The bitterness speaks them to be hot the plant is hot and cleansing the juyce hot in the second degree and of thin parts the prepared juyce called Elaterium which is to be had at the Apothecaries purgeth Choller Phlegm and watry humors both by seige and Vomit prevaileth against the Dropsie and shortness of breath and being snuffed up into the nostrils with a little milk it helps redness of the Eyes The juyce of the root purgeth Phlegm and watry humours and is good against the Dropsie but not so effectual as Elaterium The dose of the juyce may be from half a grain to three grains according to the strength or constitution of the Patient but Gerhard prescribes it to be given from five grains to half a scruple which I suppose is too much it being a churlish Medicine Saracens Consound Solidago THis plant groweth up with long narrow green leaves dented about Description somewhat like peach or willow leaves but of a darker green the stalk is hollow brownish and sometimes green growing near a mans height beset with leaves to the top where doth stand many pale yellow star-like flowers in green heads after whith comes a long small yellowish brown coloured seed inclosed in doun which is afterwards carried away with the winde the root consists of a head of fibres which lasteth all Winter The plant hath a strong unpleasant taste and smell Names It is called Consolida and Solidago as Comfrey is onely Saracenica to distinguish it some also call it Herba fortis because of its strong smell Place and Time They grow in moist wet grounds flower about July and the seed is ripe in August or September Nature and Vertues Saracens Consound is hot and dry near the third degree and astringent an herb of Mars and an excellent wound herb so that Mars can cure as well as wound The herb steeped in Wine and then distilled the water is good for Wounds and Vlcers whether inward or outward so is the juyce or decoction it cleanseth green Wounds and old sores from corruption and heals them it likewise heals the sores of the privy parts and Vlcers of the mouth and throat they being gargled therewith The decoction of the herb in wine opens obstructions of the Gall and Liver and is good for the yellow Jaundies and to prevent Dropsies It also heals Vlcers of the Reins and other inward wounds ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Coryander Coriandrum I Shall not take up room to describe this stinking Saturning Plant. Names The Latines call it Coriandrum Place and Time It is onely sown and kept in Gardens flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues The leaves and seeds being green are cold and dry and hurtful to the body if taken inwardly but the seeds being steeped in Vinegar and dryed are moderately hot and dry and then they are good for the Stomach and helps digestion the Comfits of the prepared seeds repress Vapours that ascend to the head help digestion and stay vomiting The seeds taken in Wine kills Worms and stops Fluxes helps the Winde Chollick and stopping of Vrine The powder of the seed drunk in sweet Wine provokes lust the green herb boiled with Barley meal
pale green colour Description having many square rough joynted stalks having a soft doun over them the leaves are small growing four together crosswise one against another towards the tops of the stalks amongst the leaves come forth small yellow flowers of a reasonable good savour also resembling a Cross the root consists onely of fibres Names The Latine Names are Cruciata and Cruciatis in English Crosswort and golden Mugweet Place and Time It grows in low Meadows and fertile Grounds and flowers almost all Summer Nature and Vertues It is dry and astringent a Saturnine herb it is excellent to heal and consolidate wounds and is good for inward Wounds or Bruises the herb being boiled in Wine and drunk it is also effectual for Ruptures or Burstness the herb being boiled tender and applyed to the place pultis-wise and the decoction thereof being drunk ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling by W. Coles Crowfoot Ranunculus THere be many kindes of these dangerous herbs couched under the name of Crowfoot Description whereof the common I shall describe the leaves are of a deep green colour cut in the edges and divided into three sometimes five parts on which stand divers white spots the stalks be round somewhat hairy on the tops whereof grow the flowers consisting of five leaves apiece of a yellow glittering colour which being gone the seeds follow in a rough ball the roots are white and threddy Names Ranunculus and Batrachion Latine Authours call it in English Gold cups Crowfoot and Butter-flowers Place and Time They grow almost every where in Meadows and Pastures flower in the beginning of May and continue many moneths after Nature and Vertues It is a fiery hot herb and Martial it will blister the tongue if it be tasted the herb being bruised and applyed is good in the beginning of a Plague sore arising being bound to the middle of the Thigh if it arise in the Groin and a little above the Elbow if the swelling arise under the Arm-pit it draws the Pestilential Venome unto it self it will draw a blister as well as Cantharides and may be applyed to the Nape of the Neck to draw Rheume from the Eyes an oyntment of the herb and flowers will work the same effects Cuckow-pintle or Wake Robin Arum I Shall bestow no time to describe this for Children know it using to gather the pestles or spits to play with Names It is called in Latine Arum and Aron when I was a Childe my self and my School-fellows well knew it by the name of Cuckow spits it is also called Cuckow Pintle Priests Pintle Wake Robin and Starchwort because white Starch hath been made of the root of it Places and Time They grow almost under every dry bank and hedge they shoot forth their leaves in the Spring and the spike appears about Cuckow-time Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree the leaves or juyce cleanseth filthy Vlcers and helps the Pollipus and stinking sores of the Nose the decoction of the roots clears the sight and takes away films and mists from the Eyes The powder of the berries mixed with oyl of Roses and dropped into the Ears easeth pains of them The roots or berries beaten together with hot Oxe dung easeth the pains of the Gout The green laves bruised and laid upon a Plague sore or boyl helps to draw out the infection An Electuary made of the dryed root helps shortness of breath and rids away phlegm from the Breast and Lungs being boiled in milk it works the like effects It also provokes the Terms and heals inward Vlcers The fume of the decoction is good to sit over for falling out of the Fundament both herb and root is very sharp and biting and is a venerious plant Commyn Cuminum THis seldom comes to maturity in our Countrey but groweth in hot Countries as Spain and Italy it is called in Latine Cuminum and Cyminum Nature and Vertues Commyn seed is hot and dry in the third degree according to Galen being boiled in Wine and drunk it breaks winde and easeth the Chollick being boiled with figs in Wine it helps shortness of Breathing old Coughs and Diseases of the Breast and is effectual for the Dropsie and giddiness of the head being boiled in Wine and made into a pultis with Barley meal it helps the swelling of the Cods caused by winde or waterish humours and other cold pains and swellings and gripings and torments of the Belly being applyed thereunto it also easeth the Plurisie and Stitches in the sides being quilted in a bag with some salt and heated hot and sprinkled with Wine Vinegar and applyed hot to the side The herb and root are of no use The Curran Tree Ribes THese grow onely in our Gardens but naturally in Savoy Austria and those places from whence they have been transplanted to us Names It is called Ribes and Ribesius frutex and Grossularia in English red and white Currans Temperature and Vertues Currans are cold and moist in the second degree a plant of Venus they provoke appetite allay the heat of the Stomach quench thirst and therefore are good in hot Agues they temper the heat of the Liver and Choller and resist putrefaction they close the mouth of the Stomach and strengthen it The dryed juyce or rob thereof is good against the Cough stops the Lask and Flux proceeding from Choller Contra Yerva Vide Root of Peru. The Cypress Tree Cupressus THese are now frequently planted to adorn Gardens but grow naturally in the Eastern Countries therefore I shall describe no more of them but the names nature and vertues Names In Latine its called Cupressus and the Nuts or Clogs Nuces Cupressi Nature and Vertues The fruit and leaves are dry in the third degree and astringent the decoction of the leaves in sweet Wine helps the Strangury and the powder of the leaves provokes Vrine The decoction helps the Cough short windedness Fluxes of the Belly spitting of Blood and the Rupture the leaves beaten with figs softens tumours and hardness of the Testicles and the Pollipus the decoction of the nuts in Wine causeth the hair to grow black it being washed therewith The filings of the Wood taken in Wine provokes the Courses helps Venomous bitings and causeth a good colour Daisies Consolida minor IT were in vain to describe there they need it not Names It is called in Latine Consolida minor and Herba Margarita Place and Time They grow almost on every common they flower in the Spring and last most part of Summer Nature and Vertues They are accounted cold and dry an herb of Venus the juyce of them or the distilled water dropped into the eyes clears the watring of them a decoction hereof made with Wall-wort and Egrimony giveth ease in the Palsie Sciatica and Gout the places being bathed therewith and is good against Ruptures and inward Burstings A Salve made of the leaves with Wax Oyl and Turpentine is singular good for Wounds
dwarf Elder Humilis Sambucus and Ebulus and in English is known by the names of Walwort Danewort and Dwarf Elder Place and Time There is scarce a Town or Village but the common Elder grows in its Hedges the Dwarf Elder grows wilde in many places of England particularly in the grounds of Mr. Hinde at Hedsor in Buckinghamshire The Elder Flowers in June the fruit is usually ripe in August the Dwarf Elder is somewhat later Nature and Vertues Elder is hot and dry in the second and third degree the Danewort something hotter both under Mars it is profitable for the Dropsie and to remove watry humours between the skin and the flesh the young buds boiled in broth purges Phlegm and Choller the inner bark is commended for the yellow Jaundies medicines prepared of the bark opens obstructions six drops of the spirit of Elder salt taken in broth is good in the Scurvy The decoction of the root in wine cures the bitings of venomous Beasts and mad Dogs mollifies hardness of the Mother opens the Veins and provokes the Terms the berries work the same effects the juyce of the green leaves helps inflammations of the Eyes there is hardly a disease from the head to the foot but Elder is effectual for it it is good for Melancholly Madness the Falling Sickness Palsie Apoplexy catharrs Tooth-ache Deafness diseases of the Lungs Mouth and Throat Hoarseness Ptisick sore Breasts swoonings and Faintings Gout Worms Stone Plague Pox Measles and diseases of the Stomach Cùm multis aliis c. The Dwarf Elder is stronger then the other for all the said purposes and hath besides particular vertues viz. the juyce of the root cures the Kings Evil and Quinzy being applyed to the Throat and being put into the Fundament stayes it from falling down The root being steeped in Wine all night helps Agues a dram of the seeds in powder with a little Cinamon taken in the decoction of ground Pine is good against the French Disease Gout Sciatica and joynt Aches by drawing away peccant humours An Oyntment made of the green leaves with May Butter mollifies starkness of the Nerves and Sinews and remedies outward Pains Aches Cramps and Lameness ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Elecampane Enula IT groweth up with a long hairy stalk Description bearing great large leaves pointed at the ends it gives a large yellow flower the root is white and increaseth much every year spreading under the ground 't is well known therefore I forbear any further description Names Enula Campana is the Latine Appellation Place and Time It delights in Meadows and fertile ground flowers in June and July and the leaves fall in Autumne Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree a Solar herb a great friend to the Breast and Lungs and a helper of shortness of Breath it opens the Liver and Spleen and is good against poisons and venomous bitings and helps Cramps Ruptures and inward bruises the decoction of the root being drunk the roots candied warm a cold Stomach helps the Cough and Wheesings An oyntment made of the roots with Hogs grease and a little flower of Brimstone is an excellent remedy for the Itch. The root chewed fastens loose Teeth and preserves them from rotting The distilled water of the green leaves makes the face fair cleanses the skin and helps the Morphew The decoction thereof provokes Vrine and the Terms and cleanses the Breast and Lungs Elme-Tree Ulmus THis Tree is so well known for its Timber it needs no description but we proceed to the Physical use of it Names Vlmus the Latines call it Nature and Vertues The Leaves and Bark are moderately hot having a cleansing and glewing quality and I believe Saturnine The water in the bladders upon the leaves are said to be good to help burstness cloathes being wet in the water and applyed and the parts bound up with a Truss it also cleanses the Skin The decoction of the Bark of the Root softens hard swellings the decoction of the middle bark is good to bathe places burnt or scalded and being boiled in wine and some syrrup of Mulberries added to it causes the pallat of the mouth to ascend being fallen the decoction in water helps the Dandriff Scurfs and Leprosie The leaves heal green Wounds and the water of the bladders that grow upon the leaves being put in a glass and set in Horse-dung for five and twenty dayes the mouth of the glass being stopt and a lay of salt underneath so that the feces may settle and the water become very clear is a sovereign Balsome for green wounds being applyed with sofe Tents it may be set in the ground if you be not provided of Dung An Vnguent being made of Elme Bark by boiling it to that consistence is a sovereign remedy to allay the pains of the Gout Endive Endivia MAster Coles comprehends the Succory Description Dandelion and Endive all together as not differing in Nature though in Form and one Greek name goes for them all namely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet Succory is called Cichoreum and Cichorea in Latine and the Endive Endivia which Endive bears a larger leaf then Succory and the root perishes every year it bears blue flowers and seed like Succory The names I have given you in the Description Place and Time It is an inhabitant onely in Gardens if it be sown in the Spring it quickly flowers and seeds Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry cleansing Jovial saith Mr. Culpepper but I judge rather under Venus it cools the sharpness of Vrine and cleanses the uretory parts The decoction of it or the distilled water is good in hot Agues and Inflammations to mittigate the heat it helps the great heat of the Stomach and Liver stoppings of the Gall and Vrine lack of sleep in hot burning Fevers being outwardly applyed it allayes Swellings Pushes and Pimples and is good to wash pestiferous sores and Vlcers ☞ See further in The expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Eringo or Sea-holly Eringium THe Sea-holly cometh up with tender leaves at the first Description but as they grow old they grow hard and prickly crumpled about the edges with here and there a sharp prickle they are of a blueish green colour and stand every one upon a long foot stalk after comes a long crested stalk having several joynts beset with leaves sharp and prickly it bears round prickly herds out of which shoot blue flowers with whitish threads in the middle the root grows very long and is about the bigness of a mans little finger having a pleasant taste brownish without but white within with some pith in the middle Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Eringium the Shop Eringus and Eringo in English we call in Sea-holly Place and Time It grows about the Sea sides in most Countreys of England as upon the Sea Sands by Yarmouth in Norfolk and about Shuberry in Essex it flowers about
flowers the seed is small and shining while it is fresh very like Fleas but turning black when it grows old the root is white hard and woody perishing every year The whole plant is whitish hairy and smelling somewhat like Rozin Names It s called in Latine Herba pulicaria and in Shops Psyllium in English Fleawort Place and time It grows with us no where but in Gardens but there is another kinde much like the former which grows in Fields near the Sea-coasts they flower in July or thereabouts with us but in thier natural Countreys all the Summer Nature and Vertues The seed of Fleawort which is chiefly used in Physick is cold in the second degree and temperate in moisture and driness according to Gallen and Serapio it is a Saturnine Plant. The muscilage made with Rose water and taken with syrrup of Violets or a little Sugar purges Choller and Phlegm is useful in burning Fevers to lenisie chirst and driness of the mouth and throat it helps also Hoarseness Inflammations of the Breast Lungs and Head and hot pains in the joynts the muscilage of the seed in an Electuary with Marmalade of Quinces and Sugarcandy hath the same effects and stayes the fluxions of hot Rheumes The seeds dryed and taken with Plantain water stayes fluxes of the Belly and helps the gripings thereof caused by Chollerick humours or the over-working of violent Medicines the seeds bruised or the herb mixed with juyce of Night-shade or Housleek oyl of Roses and Vinegar easeth the hot Gout and hot Imposthumes the water wherein the seeds have been steeped is good against St. Anthonies fire the juyce with Honey put into the Ears stayes the running thereof and is good for sore Breasts being often applyed thereunto being mixed with Hogs Grease and applyed to corrupt Sores and Vlcers it heals them The muscilage of the seed made in Plantain water and mixed with the yolk of an Egge or two and a little of the Vnguent Populeon easeth the pains of the Piles and Hemorrhoides being bound thereto It is not safe for cold and moist bodies Flixweed Thalictrum FLixweed springs up with a round upright hard stalk about two foot high Description spread into many branches whereon grow many grayish green leaves finely jagged like Roman Wormwood the flowers are small of a dark yellow colour and grows in a spiky fashion on the tops of the spriggy branches after which grow long pods with small yellowish seed in them The root is long weedy and perishes every year Names It is called in Latine Pseudonasturtium Sylvestre Thalictrum and Sophia Chirurgorum Places and Time It grows by Hedge sides High wayes upon old walls in many places of this Land and flowers from the beginning of June till the end of September Nature and Vertues It s a drying astringent Saturnine Herb the seed drunk in Wine or water wherein Steell hath been often quenched stops the Lask Bloody Flux and all other issues of Blood the Herb boiled performs the same effects and also it consolidates Bones broken or out of Joynt from which vertue it obtained the name of Sophia Chirurgorum a syrrup of it may be made to be taken inwardly for the former purposes The juyce drunk in Wine or the decoction of the Herb kills Worms in the Stomach and Belly and Worms which sometimes breed in Vlcers the juyce or bruised herb put into Oyntments or Salves quickly heals old Sores how foul or malignant soever they be They whose Stomachs cannot brooke any of the former Medicines may take the distilled water which worketh the same effects but not so effectually or powerfully Fluellin or Lluellin Veronica Mas. OF this plant there is a male and a female kinde Description called male and female Speedwell before the Welch-man gave it her Countrey name Lluellin The common Speedwell hath divers soft leaves about the breadth of a two pence of a hoary green colour a little dented about the edges set by couples at the joynts of the hairy brownish stalks which lean upon the ground never standing upright but shooting forth roots as they lie upon the ground at divers joynts the flowers grow one above another at the top and are of a blueish purple colour sometimes white the seed is small and blackish contained in small flat husks The root is fibrous Names In Latine it hath been called Veronica Mas and Veronica Femina and Betonica Pauli in English Male and Female Speedwel and Pauls Betony but the Shentleman of Wales hath given it the name of Lluellin because it saved her Nose which the French Pox had almost gotten from her Place and Time They grow upon dry Banks and Wood sides and in sandy grounds in many places of this Land They flower in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues The Male is temperately hot and dry the Female cooling and drying the Male is most common and of greatest use they are both good wound Herbs a Salve being made therewith with wax oyl and Turpentine it also hinders the fretting of old Vlcers stayes Bleeding of Wounds dissolves Swellings it strengthens the Heart and expells Poison and Venome from thence it strengthens the Memory eases swimmings and pains in the Head The decoction given in Wine it cleanses the Blood and helps the Leprosie as is said A dram of it in powder in its own distilled water helps the Cough and diseases of the Lungs and Breast It opens the Liver and Spleen cleanses Vlcers in the Reins and Bladder the distilled water is good to wash Wounds and Sores and helps Morphew Scabs and Freckles a little Coper as being dissolved therein and bathed therewith The Female Speedwel or Fluellin bruised and applyed with Barley Meal helps watring Eyes caused by hot Rheumes flowing from the Head it stops the overflowing of the Terms and all Fluxes of Blood it helps the inward parts which need consolidating and strengthning the leaves being sod in broth with a Hen or piece of Veal It is effectual to heal green Wounds and to cleanse and heal old soul Vlcers and fretting Cancers the juyce and decoction of the herb taken inwardly and the herb used outwardly ☞ See more of this in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Fox Gloves Digitalis IT is known so commonly almost to every Childe in my Countrey of Hampshire that I shall forbear to make any large description of it Names Authours call it by many strange Latine names as Digitalis Virga Regia Campanula silvestris and many other affected names We in English call it Fox-Gloves and in Hampshire it is very well known by the name of Poppers because if you hold the broad end of the flower close between your finger and thumb and blow at the small head as into a bladder till it be full of winde and then suddenly strike on it with your other hand it will give a great crack or pop Place and Time They grow generally in dry grounds and under Hedges sides in most Countreys
of England Nature and Vertues It is a Venerial Plant saith Culpepper but he forgets his Logick when he ascribed all bitter plants to Mars Fox-Gloves are bitter in taste hot and dry having a cleansing quality The Italians call this Herb Aralda and use this proverb concerning it Aralda tutte piaghe salda Aralda salveth all Sores they use it to heal green Wounds cutting the leaves and applying them they use also the juyce to cleanse and dry up old Sores it is found helpful for the Kings Evil the flowers stamped with fresh Butter and applyed or the juyce in an Oyntment the bruised leaves are also good being applyed but not so powerful being boiled in water or wine it consumes thick phlegm and viscous humours in the Chest and Stomach A syrrup may be made thereof with Sugar or honey for the same purpose and to cleanse the body of clammy humours and open the Liver and Spleen by later experience it hath been found to cure many of the falling Sickness taking the decoction of two handfuls thereof with four ounces of Pollipody of the Oak bruised Mr. Culpepper magnifies an Oyntment thereof for a Scabby Head Fumitory Fumaria IT is a tender sappy Plant Description sending forth from one square slender stalk leaning downwards many branches two or three foot long with fine jagged leaves of a pale blueish or Sea-green colour the flowers stand like a long spike one above another on the tops of the branches of a reddish purple colour with whitish bellies commonly yet in Cornwal it bears perfect white flowers it bears a small black seed contained in small round husks the root is yellow and small full of juyce while it is green but quickly perishes with the ripe seed Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Fumus terrae and Fumaria in English Fumitory Places and Time It grows in Corn Fields almost every where as well as in Gardens It flowers for the most part in May and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is a bitter herb which sheweth it to be hot and is hot in the first degree and dry in the second it gently purges melancholly and salt humours opens and cleanses the Entrails and strengthens those parts it purges chollerick humours by Vrine and helps soul diseases of the skin as the Itch c. arising from adust bumours and the French Pox it prevails in chollerick Fevers the Jaundies and Quartain Agues and chronical diseases arising from stoppings of the viscerous parts three or four ounces of the distilled water drunk morning and evening cures the yellow Jaundies and is good against the Itch and Leprosie A dram or two of London Treacle and a scruple of Bole-Armonick taken in two ounces of the water is good in the Pestilence it provokes the Terms and dissolves congealed blood The decoction helps the Gout the feet being bathed therewith The distilled Water with some honey of Roses helps Sores and Vlcers of the Mouth the juyce dropped into the Eyes clears the sight and the juyce having a little Gum-Arabick dissolved therein and applyed to the Eye-lids where the hair hath been pulled off will keep it from growing again the juyce mixed with the juyce of Docks Oximel and Vinegar cures the Morphew and a bath made of the same with Barley Bran Mallows Violets Nep and Dock Roots cures Scabs Itch and Leprosie Wheals and Pimples in the Face or elsewhere Fursbush or Furres THese are so well known they need no description Names In Norfolk they are called Whinns in some Countreys Goss and in Hampshire Furres Place and Time They plentifully grow in dry barren Heaths and sandy Grounds and flower in the middle of Summer and are seldom without flowers at any time of the year Nature and Vertues They are under the dominion of Mars hot and dry the flowers are effectual to open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and the decoction thereof is good against the yellow Jaundies provokes Vrine and cleanses the Kidneys and Bladder from the Gravel and Stone Galanga THis plant grows in the East Indies and China from whence it is brought to us Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry almost in the third degree it is profitable in all cold Diseases of the Stomach it helps concoction expells winde from it being boiled in Wine and taken morning and evening it helps a moist brain and the Vertigo trembling of the Heart and knawings of the Stomach it cleanses the passages of the Vrine provokes Venery helps conception and remedies cold and windy distempers of the Womb being drunk with the water or juyce of Plantain it stops the bloody Flux and strengthens nature helps the trembling of the Heart and comforts the brain half a dram of the powder thereof is the dose at one time to be taken in the morning or an hour before meat Garlick Allium IF you smell ones breath that hath eaten it you may know it by the scent Names Allium the Latines call it and Gallen Theriaca Rusticorum Countreymans Treacle in English Garlick It is planted in small cloves in Gardens which grow to great heads by the latter end of Summer Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the fourth degree a Martial Plant it heats the body being eaten digesting and consuming tough and clammy humours opens obstructions remedies cold poisons and the bitings of venomous Beasts it helps old Coughs provokes Vrine kills Worms breaks Winde helps the Chollick and Dropsie proceeding of cold it stirs up natural heat and helps a cold and moist Stomach it is good against the biting of mad Dogs for shortness of breath the cold Head-ache Consumption of the Lungs and pissing of Blood being tempered with Honey and the parts anointed with it cures scabbed Heads Scurff Morphew and Tetters the Ashes strewed in Vlcers heals them being applyed with Figs and Commyn it cures the biting of a Shrew-Mouse Vices Many are the Vertues of Garlick yet accompanied with some Vices it is hurtful for young men and chollerick persons for women with Childe and such as give suck and being eaten raw too liberally it dims the sight offends the Stomach and burns the Blood it is good for old cold and phlegmatick persons the best way of preparing it is to boil it well either in milk or otherwise and eat it with Oyl or Vinegar Gentian or Felwort Gentiana MAster Coles reckons six sorts hereof to grow within Great Brittain Description Master Culpepper but two which I shall onely describe The first hollow leaved Felwort or English Gentian hath small long roots deep in the ground and abiding all Winter having stalks of a brownish green colour with long narrow dark green leaves set by couples up to the top the flowers are long and hollow of a purple colour with five corners The other smaller sort hath many stalks not a foot high with several branches the leaves very like those of the lesser Centaury of a
and Lignum vitae in English it is called Pockwood because of its excellent faculty for that purpose Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the second degree and of a cleansing quality whereby it is an excellent remedy for the Pox resisting putrefaction cleansing the blood provoking sweat and strengthning the Liver and is properly taken in a decoction thus made ℞ of Guiacum lib. 1. of the Bark thereof two ounces infuse them four and twenty hours in fourteen pints of Spring Water then boil them till half be consumed adding thereto Liquorice two ounces Anniseeds one ounce this is also good against the Dropsie Falling Sickness shortness of Breath Catharrs Rheumes cold phlegmatick humours Gout Sciatica and joynt aches and is good against Scabs Itch and Leprosie and it makes the teeth white and fastens them if they be often washed with the decoction thereof The bark may be given in powder from half a dram to a dram for the forementioned diseases Stinking Gladwin Spatula Faetida IT hath long narrow leaves like Iris whereof if it is a kinde but smaller Description and being rubbed of a loathsome smell having many stalks which are round towards the top out of which come the flowers much like the Flower de Luce of an over-worn blue or rather purple colour with some yellow and red streaks in the midst after which come great husks or cods in which is contained a red berry of seed as big as a Pease the root is long and threddy underneath reddish without and white within and of a hot taste and evil smell Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Diosiorides and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Theophrastus it is also called Spatula saetida and Xyris in English stinking Gladwin and Spurgewort Place and Time It is planted in Gardens and groweth wilde in many moist and shadowy places and Woods near the Sea and likewise in upland grounds it flowers in July and August the seed is ripe in September Nature and Vertues Gladwin is hot and dry in the third degree having a heating and extenuating quality the roots pounded and snuffed up into the Nose provoke sneezing whereby they purge the head the root is also effectual against the Cough being used in an Electuary or Lohoch for that purpose it digests gross humours purges Choller and Phlegm procures sleep and helps gripings in the Belly Cramps and Convulsions the powder thereof being drunk in Wine also it easeth the Gout Sciatica and the Strangury a dram of the seed beaten to powder and drunk in Wine provokes Vrine A Pessary thereof hastens the Birth procures the Terms but causeth Abortion the roots used in a Plaister is good in Wounds especially of the Head and to cause the flesh to grow where the bones be bare and is good to asswage swellings of the Kings Evil and Buboes in the Groin it stayeth the Flux as Rhabarb and Asarum do by concocting and taking away the cause of the Lask though it first moveth to the stool for the decoction of the root or leaves or the infusion thereof in Ale purgeth Phlegm and Choller the root also hath great force to draw out Thorns Stubs Prickles Splinters or any other thing sticking in the flesh by reason of his attracting drying and digesting faculty it is also good against evil affections of the Breast and Lungs being taken in sweet Wine with some Spikenard or in Whey with a little Mastick the juyce of the leaves and roots healeth the Itch Scabs and Blemishes in the Skin and being snuffed up into the Nose provokes sneezing purging forth at the Nose filthy excrements keeping them from falling into other parts of the body to future prejudice of health Goutwort or Herb Gerrard Herba Gerrardi THis is the second kinde of Masterwort Description and is called wilde Masterwort being very like unto it in leaves flowers and roots saving onely that they be smaller growing on long stems the roots are not so thick and tuberous as Masterwort and more tender and whiter The whole plant is of a good savour but not so hot and strong as Masterwort Names In Latine it is called Podagraria Germanica from its faculty in easing the Gout and Herba Gerardi in English Goutwort Ashweed and wilde Masterwort Place and Time It groweth of it self in Gardens without any sowing where having once taken root it will so increase as hardly to be gotten out again destroying other herbs it grows likewise by Hedges sides and in the borders and corners of Fields it flowers from June till August Nature and Vertues Goutwort is hot and dry almost in the third degree being near the nature of Masterwort the roots stamped and laid upon any part troubled with the Gout asswageth the pain and takes away the swelling and inflammation thereof The Fundament being bathed with the decoction of the leaves and roots and the boiled leaves applyed very hot thereunto cureth the Hemorrhoides Glasswort or Saltwort Kali Geniculatum Sive Salicornia IT hath many thick round stalks a foot high Description full of fat thick sprigs with many joynts or knots without any leaves of a reddish green colour the whole plant is like a branch of Corral the root is very small and single There is another kinde mentioned by Lobel called by him Kali minus having many slender weak branches spread upon the ground set with many round long sharp pointed leaves of a whitish green colour the seed is small and shining somewhat like sorrel seed the root slender with many fibres the whole plant is of a saltish taste Dodoncus call this Kali album Names The Arabians call it Kali and Alkali the ashes hereof are by Mathiolus called Sylvaticus soda most usually 〈◊〉 and Mumen Calinum but Alumen Calinum is the most proper name of the Ashes it self and Sal Alkali the salt which is made of the Ashes the herb is also called Kali articulatum or joynted Glasswort and Salt-wort Crab-grass and Frog-grass in Enlish Place and Time Glass-wort is found in most salt Marshes about the Sea coast great store of it grows about the Sea Coast near Dover they flourish in the Summer moneths Nature and Vertues Glass-wort is hot and dry the Ashes hotter and dryer to the fourth degree having a caustick or burning quality The powder of Stones and the Ashes hereof mixed together and melted is the matter whereof Glass is made which when it is glowing hot in the Furnace casts up a sat matter on the top of it which when it is cold is hard and brittle and is called Axungia vitri in English Sandiver and in Italian Fior de Christallo that is Flower of Christall A small quantity of the herb taken inwardly mightily provokes Vrine drives forth the dead Childe draweth sorth by seige watry humours and purgeth away the Dropsie but it must be used with discretion for a great quantity thereof is dangerous hurtful and deadly The smoke of the Herb being burnt drives away Serpents and
Morphew and other discolourings The seeds also help the Hiccock and shortness of breathing but the leaves and flowers are more useful the much use thereof causes barrenness in men and women ☞ See more of this in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Hops Lupulus IT is a plant very well known Description and Names especially by the Brewers and by the Greeks is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lupulus Place and Time It groweth in England both wilde and manured Kent flourishes by them they spring up in April and are ripe about September Nature and Vertues Hops are hot and dry in the second degree of a cleansing quality whereby they are reputed good to cleanse the Reins from Gravel and provoke Vrine being used in the decoction they open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen cleanse the blood and are good for the yellow Jaundies and to help breakings out in the Body they do purge Choller from the Liver and Stomach The decoction of the flowers is good for those that have drunk poison and is likewise good in bathes for the hardness and swellings of the Mother and Strangury they are most used to preserve Beer whereby it is kept a long time but stale Beer is a cruel enemy to those who are afflicted with the Stone therefore let those that are subject to that distemper drink plain honest harmless old English Ale Horehound Prasium IT grows up with square hoary stalks half a yard high or more Description set at the joynts with two round crumpled rough leaves of a hoary green colour a reasonable good scent but bitter taste the flowers are white small and gaping set in prickly husks about the joynts with the leaves from the middle of the stalks upwards the seed is small round and blackish the root is blackish woody and fibrous and abides many years Names Prasium is the common Latine name and Horehound the English Place and time It grows commonly in waste dry grounds in many places of this Land flowers in July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is hot in the second degree and dry in the third as saith Gallen an herb of Mercury saith Mr. Culpepper it is a very good pectoral plant the decoction or syrrup helps short windedness and infirmities of the Lungs and brings away tough Phlegm it brings down womens Courses and expells the Afterbirth is also good against poison and venomous bitings it is offensive to the Reins and Bladder and to hot and dry bodies but more safe if used with Raisins and Liquorice the leaves with honey purge foul Vlcers and made into an Oyntment with old Hogs grease it helps bitings of Dogs and swellings of Womens Breasts and prickings of Thorns the decoction is good for women to sit over that have the Whites and likewise to heal Scabs the places being hathed therewith Horse-tail Cauda Equina IT springs up with heads somewhat like Sparagus Description and becomes a hard rough hollow stalk joynted at many places one within another so that you may easily pull them asunder at every joynt grows a bush of small rushy hard leaves resembling an Horse Tail at the tops of the stalks come forth small Catkins like those of Trees The root creeps under ground having joynts at several places Names It is called in Latine Cauda Equina and Hippuris and by divers Equisetum in English Horse Tail Place and Time They delight to grow in low wet grounds many Meadows and Pastures are much troubled with them they spring up in April and perish about September Nature and Vertues It doth dry and hath a binding faculty a Saturnine Herb the decoction or juyce thereof drunk or applyed outwardly stanches bleedings at Nose and stayes Fluxes and Lasks pissing of Blood and heals inward Vlcers and Excoriations of the Entrails and all other foul running Vlcers It is also good for Ruptures in Children The decoction in Wine provokes Vrine and helps the Stone The juyce or distilled water helps Pushes Wheals and Inflammations in the skin and easeth swellings heat and Inflammations of the privy parts and cures Tetters and Ringworms Hounds Tongue Cynoglossum THe leaves are long and somewhat narrow Description of a darkish green somewhat like Bugloss leaves but are very soft and smooth the stalk riseth about two foot high with smaller leaves and brancheth at the top into divers parts upon which grow many small purplish red flowers the seed is rough and flat sticking fast to a garment the root is black thick and long the leaves and whole plant hath a very strong smell much like Dogs piss and is by some called after that name Names It is called in Latine Cynoglossum and Lingua Canis in English Hounds Tongue and of some Dogs piss Place and time It is a companion to High-wayes and dry Ditches sides and flowers in May and June Nature and Vertues It is of a stinking scent and a great drawing cleansing quality a Saturnine Plant excellent to cleanse dry and cure old Sores and putrified Vlcers drawing all filth out of them and cures the biting of Dogs either mad or tame I lay fourteen weeks once under a Chyrurgions hand for a cure of a Dogs biting but at last I effected the cure my self onely by applying to the wound Hounds Tongue leaves changing them once in four and twenty hours an oyntment made thereof is also good against Burning and Scalding The powder of the root in Pills or a decoction thereof stayes fallings of Rheume out of the head upon the Stomach or Lungs or into the Eyes or Nose and helps Coughs and shortness of Breath A Suppository made of the root being baked in a wet paper under the Embers and put up into the Fundament helps pains of the Piles and Hemorrhoides The distilled water is useful for all the purposes aforesaid Housleek or Singreen Barba Jovis IT is well known Description and Names the Latines call it Barba Jovis and some other Latine words Authours have bestowed upon it as Semper vivum majus in English Housleek or Singreen There is a lesser sort called in Latine Sedum in English Prick-madam but beware you mistake not and take Stone-crop instead of it which is of a far contrary quality yet they are very like one another Place and Time It is planted and flourisheth much upon the tyles of houses and stone walls it flowers about June and July the leaves are green all the year Nature and Vertues It is cold in the third degree somewhat drying and having Jupiters badge it must needs be his Herb the juyce being clarified is excellent good for hot Rheumes in the Eyes and is commended for soreness in the Gums and the Scurvy in the Mouth as also for all Inflammations as St Anthonies fire and the like a Posset made with the juyce is good in hot Agues and to quench thirst it easeth Corns being applyed thereunto and easeth the Head-ache caused through heat
a joynt whereat come forth the flowers especially from the middle of the branches upward which are in some white and in others purple but so small that they can hardly be perceived which afterwards bring a square small seed much like Sorrel seed the root is reddish long and slender with many fibres it endures divers Winters but the leaves perish in Autumne and arise fresh in the Spring Names It is called both in Greek and Latine Polygonum and likewise Seminalis Sanguinalis and Sanguinaria in some places Corrigiola and Centinodia in English Knot-grass Place and Time It grows by high-wayes sides foot-paths in Fields and sides of old Walls and many other places Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry about the second degree Saturnine the powder thereof taken in Wine is good to provoke Vrine and cool the heat thereof and to expell gravel in the Reins and Bladder being eaten in a Tansie with Eggs it is good to help the running of the Reins and weakness of the Back the juyce or decoction is good to stay bleeding at the mouth to cool the Blood and Stomach to stop the bloody Flux Womens Courses and pissing of Blood the juyce is good to be given before the fit of a Tertian or Quartain Ague to moderate the violence thereof it is good against venomous bitings and defluxions of Rheumes upon the Stomach it cures also Inflammations hot Swellings St. Anthonies fire Cancers burning Sores and filthy Vlcers especially of the privy parts it helps fresh Wounds stayeth the Blood and closeth up the lips of them the juyce helps running matters of the Ears and Inflammations of the Eyes being dropped therein There is another kinde much like this in nature called Knawel ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Knapweed Jacea nigra IT hath long narrow leaves much like Devils Bit Description but longer set upon stalks two cubits high bluntly snipt about the edges the flowers grow at the top of the stalks being first scaly knops like corn flowers or blue bottle but greater out of the midst whereof groweth a purple thrummy or threddy flower the root is thick and short Names There are many more kindes hereof but its needless to name them being all reckoned amongst the sorts of Scabious This Knapweed is called Jacea nigra to distinguish it from Harts-ease or Pancies which is called Jacea also it is likewise called Materfillon and Matrefillen in English Matfellon Bull-weed and Knapweed Place and Time Knapweed grows commonly in Pastures as also Scabious doth and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues Knapweed is much of the temperature of Scabious whereof it is a kinde but not so proper in Physick as Scabious is to whose faculties I refer you for this It is said to be good against the swellings of the Vvula as is Devils-Bit but of less force and vertue wherefore you may use the most effectual it growing as plentiful as this I should not have mentioned this plant as accounting it not worth while had not the writer or publisher of that piece which goes by the name of Culpeppers English Physician Enlarged made a scribble to no purpose about it Indeed in that Book both Culpepper and the Readers are abused it being really none of his all the useless and frivolous additions being done since his death Those true Copies of his which have been printed since he dyed are his School of Physick and Last Legacy Ladies Mantle Alchimilla IT hath many leaves rising from the root standing on long hairy foot stalks Description almost round somewhat dented on the edges into eight or ten parts more or less seeming like a Star with so many corners and points more finely dented about of a light green colour and as if it were plated and folded at the first then crumpled in divers places and hairy as the stalk is which riseth up amongst them a foot high sometimes more with a few smaller leaves thereon and being weak bendeth down towards the ground divided at the top into two or three small branches with whitish green heads and yellowish green flowers breaking out of them which being past there comes a yellowish seed in the husks the root is long and black with many fibres thereat Names In Latine it is called Alchymilla Stellaria Pes leonis and Pata leonis and of some Sanicula major in English Ladies Mantle great Sanicle Lions foot and Lions paw Place and Time It grows in Pastures and Woods in Kent and divers other places of this Land it flowers in May and June and continues green all the Winter Nature and Vertues Ladies Mantle is hot and dry in the second degree at least very astringent and drying an herb of Mars the decoction thereof drunk and the green herb outwardly applyed helps the flagging and over-greatness of Maids and Womens Breasts bringing them to their due bigness it is effectual in Inflammations stops Bleedings Vomitings and Fluxes Bruises and Ruptures stayes the Whites the distilled water drunk many dayes together helps Conception and dryes up the too much humidity of the Matrix and reduceth the Body to a good estate It is a singular Wound herb and dryes up the humidity of Sores and Vlcers and abates Inflammations it quickly heals fresh Wounds consolidating up the lips thereof and leaving no corruption therein ☞ See further in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Larch-Tree and its Agarick Larix IT grows about Italy Description and Names and also in Asia it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Larix in Latine and also Agaricum and Agaricus the Agarick is an excrescense or kinde of a Mushroome that groweth on this Tree being within white soft and spongy like a Mushroom The Agarick is hot in the first degree and dry in the second it hath an attenuating cleansing quality and purges obstructions of the entrails by stool it purgeth Phlegm Choller and Melancholly and cleanseth the Breast Lungs Liver and Reins provokes Urine and the Terms kills Worms helps pains in the Joynts and causeth a good colour It is not good to be taken alone without Corrigents therefore the Syrrup of Roses solutive with Agarick is good to be taken it cures the yellow Jaundies and is excellent good for Agues coming of thick Humours for which take the Pills of Hyera with Agarick it may be given with Oximel for Agues of all sorts and gripings of the Belly it is good against shortness of Breath the Ptisick and Consumption and half a dram thereof in Wine is a good Antidote against poisons Lavender Lavendula THis needs no description there is a greater and a lesser kinde of it the Latine name of it is Lavendula some call it Spike because it giveth a smell somewhat like Spikenard Place and Time It grows plentifully in our Gardens and flowers about the beginning of July Nature and Vertues Lavender is hot and dry in the third degree of thin subtle parts it is an herb of Mercury the distilled
water is comfortable for the Brain and is good for the Palsie and cold diseases of the Head the Temples Nape of the Neck and place behinde the Ears being washed therewith it is good against the Megrim and falling Sickness and two or three spoonfuls being drunk recovers lost speech A decoction of the flowers of Lavender Horehound Fennel and Asparagus roots with a little Cynamon is good against the Falling Sickness and Giddiness of the Brain it is good also for Convulsions Apoplexies Cramps Lethargies and gripings of the Body coming of cold it helps the stoppings of the Milt heats the Belly provokes the Terms and being holden in the Mouth it helps Vlcers and pains in the Teeth the water helps blisters of the Mouth being washed therewith the smell thereof comforts the sight it is not to be used where the Body is full of Blood and humours The lesser Lavender is good against diseases of the Mother for Women to be bathed with and to help forward their Travel and is good against venomous bitings The chymical Oyl of Lavender called Oyl of Spike is good for the falling Sickness Palsie Gout and aches of the Joynts being taken inwardly and the parts anointed but a few drops of it amongst other things is sufficient to be taken inwardly or outwardly Lavender Cotten Chamaecyparissus IT is an Herb well known in Gardens it is called by some in Latine Chamaecyparissus and some take it to be the Abrotanum Faemina of Dioscorides it flowers about July or August Nature and Vertues Both herb and seed are hot and dry in the third degree the plant is also Mercurial the seeds or the herb stamped and strained with milk and given fasting kills Worms in the Belly both of elder persons as well as Children half a dram of Lavender Cotten taken in Fether-few water every morning ten dayes together is good to stay the Whites in Women and the running of the Reins in men the leaves drunk in Wine is good against the Jaundies and opens the Liver and Kidneys it is good against all venomous bitings and the smell thereof drives away vermine The decoction is good to help Scabs and Itch it is good in Bathes and Oyntments to help Burstness Cramps Convulsions shrinking of Sinews to provoke Vrine and womens Courses Spurge Laurel Laurcola IT riseth up with one Description and sometimes more stalks about three foot high with a whitish Bark and branching into many stalks which are tough and pliant the leaves are long and smooth of a shining dark green colour like bay-leaves but lesser softer and smoother at the joynts with the leaves toward the tops come forth the flowers set many together long and hollow of a whitish yellow green colour after which comes round and somewhat long black berries when they are ripe wherein lieth a black Kernel the root runs deep into the ground and spreadeth with tough white strings somewhat woody the whole plant is very hot in taste It continues green all the year Names In Latine it is called Laureola in English Spurge Laurel Place and Time There grows abundance of it in Cobham Park in Kent some set it in Gardens the berries be ripe about June Nature and Vertues It is of a very hot and biting temperature a churlish Martial plant fourteen or fifteen of the berries or five or six of the leaves taken purge slimy Phlegm and waterish humours and is good for the Dropsie but it purges very violently and therefore must carefully be used it provokes vomiting procures womens Courses and easeth pains of the Chollick It may be thus prepared steep the leaves four and twenty hours in good Vinegar then dry them and drink their powder in wine with Anniseeds and Mastick or else in sweet Whey or Capon Broth. The dose is ℈ ii or ʒi A Glister may be made of the flowers for the Dropsie in this manner ℞ the flowers of Laurel ʒii roots of Polipody and Agarick ana ʒi ss Dodder ʒiii boil them in Wine or Water to the consumption of a third part then take of the decoction lb. i. of Benedicta laxativa ʒss honey of Roses ℥ i. oyls of Rue Camomile and Flower de Luce ana ℥ i. sal gem ʒi ss mix them for a Glister Leeks and Cives Porrum I Shall not need to describe either of them the Latine name of a Leek is Porrum they grow plentifully in our Gardens the Cives abide the coldest Winter Nature and Vertues Leeks are hot and dry in the third degree of subtle parts one of Mars his plants which infuseth much valour into the Welshmen they are very unwholesome being eaten raw but the boiling abates their evil qualities whereby used in pottage they are good for phlegmatick Bodies and help the Chollick and Stone the distilled water drunk morning and evening a good draught or two opens a costive Belly helps pain of the Hips purges the Kidneys and Bladder provokes Vrine and helps to break the Stone The seeds are good to kill worms in Children they are also held good to expell rotten Phlegm from the Chest and Lungs The juyce drunk with honey is good against the bitings of venomous Beasts and the herb stamped and laid thereon being boiled and eaten often they make women fruitful and increase lust in men Lettice Lactuca IT is a common Sallet manured in our Gardens there is also a wilde kinde called Lambs Lettice or Corn Sallet Names Lactuca is the Latine name thereof the place I have told you already it is sown usually in the Spring and may be had all the year if it be sowne at several seasons Nature and Vertues Lettice is cold and moist almost in the third degree a Lunar herb it tempereth driness and heat in the body and increases milk in Nurses who have hot dry bodies it is good for a hot Stomach and yields good nourishment to the body it causeth sleep and rest it loosens the belly either raw or boiled it helps digestion quenches thirst and easeth pains of the Stomach and Liver that come of Choller it abates lust and cools the Vrine which likewise doth the seeds and distilled water the juyce of Lettice with Oyl of Roses applyed to the forehead and Temples easeth the Head-ache and procures rest and applyed with Camphire to the Cods it abates the heat of Lust The Lambs Lettice is a pleasant Sallet to be eaten with Oyl and Vinegar Liquorice Liqueritia THe root is very well known and it is needless to describe the branches Liqueritia and Glycyrrhyza are the Latine names thereof Place and Time It is planted in our Gardens which yield the best Liquorice that is it will flower in July and yield a seed in September if it be suffered to grow many years without removing Nature and Vertues It is temperate in heat and moisture an excellent pectoral Plant Mercury rules it the root is a great opener of the Pipes of the Lungs it ripens a Cough and brings forth Phlegm it is good
alone in beer and drunk it cools the heat of the Liver and Kidneys and helps the running of the Reins in men and the whites in Women it is good against Hectick Fevers and all other Fevers and Agues coming of Choker and all other heats of the Liver and takes away the cause of Scabs Blains and Blisters being stamped with Hogs Grease and applyed it heals Sores Tetters Ringworms and fretting Vlcers ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Loose-strife or Willow-herb Lysimachia THere are many kindes of it Description I shall describe onely the purple spike headed Loose-strife which groweth with many wooddy square stalks full of joynts about three foot high having two leaves at every joynt like Willow leaves but shorter and of a deeper green colour some of them being sometimes brownish the stalks branch forth into many long stems of spiky flowers half a foot long growing in rundles one above another out of small husks somewhat like the heads of Lavender but far bigger every flower consisting of five round pointed leaves of a purplish violet colour somewhat inclining to redness in the husks lies the seed after the flowers are fallen the root creeps under ground almost like Couch-grass but is greater Names The Latines call it Lysimachia in English Loose-strife and Willow-herb Place and Time It groweth by Rivers and Ditches sides and in wet grounds almost in every Countrey of this Land the yellow Willow herb is more rare They flower about June and July Nature and Vertues They are all hot dry and binding yet Culpepper saith they are cold and ascribes them to the Moon the distilled water of both the purple and the yellow is excellent good for green Wounds being thus applyed to every ounce of water adde two drams of May Butter unsalted as much Sugar and wax boil them gently to an Oyntment then dip tents in the Liquor that remains after it is cold and put them into the Wound covering it over with a linnen cloth doubled and anointed with the Oyntment it also cleanseth foul Vlcers The distilled water very much preserves the sight helps hurts and blowes in the Eyes and cleareth them of dust it is good to gargle the Mouth and Throat therewith against the Quinzy and Kings Evil it is also good to take away Warts and Scars of the Skin it quencheth thirst is good to stay Fluxes of the Belly the overflowing of Womens Courses and to bathe Sores and Vlcers of the privy parts Lovage Levisticum LOvage hath many long great stalks of large winged leaves Description divided like smallage but larger of a dark green colour smooth and shining every leaf cut about the edges and broader forward then toward the stalk the stalks are green and hollow towards the tops of them come forth other smaller branches bearing at their tops large Umbels of yellow flowers which turn into flat brownish seed like Angelica seed the root is large brownish without and white within the whole Plant is of a strong smell and in taste hot sharp and biting Names It is called Levisticum in Latine Places and Time It is an inhabitant of the Garden flowers in July and seeds in August Nature and Vertues Lovage is a Solar herb hot and dry in the third degree and of thin parts the dryed root in powder drunk in Wine is good for a cold Stomach consuming superfluouus moisture in the Stomach and Belly and expelling winde and helps digestion it likewise resists poison and infection The decoction of the root in Wine or Barley water cleanseth the Lungs provokes Vrine and Womens Courses and heals inward wounds The decoction of the herb is good for any sort of Ague and to help cold pains of the Bowels The seeds drunk in powder in white Wine fasting or boiled therein purges upwards and downwards and opens the stoppings of the Spleen take with the seeds the like quantity of Anniseeds and Fennil seeds to qualifie them The distilled water is good for the Quinzy and helps the plurisie being drunk three or four times it takes away the redness of the Eyes and helps the dimness of them being dropped therein and takes away spots and Freckles of the face The leaves bruised and fryed with Hogs Lard and applyed to a Botch or Boil will quickly break it Lungwort Pulmonaria IT is a kinde of Moss that grows on many Trees Description especially old Oaks and Beeches in dark shady old Woods and upon the old Oaks in Forrests grows abundance of it it hath broad grayish rough leaves diversly folded crumpled and gashed on the edges and sometimes spotted on the upper side it bears no stalk nor flower Names Pulmonaria Physicians call it in Latine and of some Lichen Arborum or wood Liverword and tree Lungwort Nature and Vertues It is of a cold and dry quality but I suppose that Jupiter rules it it is very effectual for all diseases of the Lungs for all obstructions Vlcers and inward inflammations of the same and also for Coughs Wheesing spitting and pissing of Blood it is good for Vlcers in the privy parts to stay Fluxes Looseness and Vomiting the bloody Flux and other Scowrings especially if they proceed of Choller Lupines Lupinus THey grow onely in Gardens here where they are planted Description therefore I shall not further describe them Lupinus is the Latine name and Lupines in English and of some they are called Fig beans being flat like a Fig that is pressed they flower in June and July and the beans are ripe quickly after Nature and Vertues Lupines are very bitter in taste by reason of their bitterness they open dissolve digest and cleanse I suppose they are under the dominion of Mars the decoction thereof is good for the Spleen being taken with Rue and Pepper it will be the pleasanter but if they be steeped two or three dayes in water they lose their bitterness The said decoction is good to kill worms and so is the meal taken with Honey or water and Vinegar or mixed with an Oxe gall and applyed to the Navel they also cleanse the Stomach help digestion and provoke appetite being first steeped in water and then dryed and powdered and taken with Vinegar The decoction also provokes Vrine and womens Courses and being taken with Myrrhe it expells a dead Childe it is also good to cleanse Scabs Vlcers Morphew and Tetters and cleanseth the Face and Skin from spots and other marks The meal boiled in Vinegar discusseth hard Swellings breaks Carbuncles and Imposthumes ☞ See more of this in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Ladies Smock Cuckow Flowers or wilde Water Cresses Cardamine THose kindes of these flowers which grow naturally with us in England are a kinde of Water-cresses for which cause they are called Nasturtium aquaticum minus and also Flos cuculi because they flower in April about the time the Cuckow uses to sing without hoarseness but for the Vertues if they have any they are of the nature of Water Cresses to
which I refer you White Lillies Lilium THe English white Lilly groweth in most Gardens of England and will increase much by the root where it is planted it is so vulgarly known as needs no further description They flower from May to the end of June Names The white Lilly is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lilium and Rosa Junonis or Juno's Rose it being reported that it sprung up of her milk which she spilt upon the ground after Hercules had sucked her in her sleep Nature and Vertues The white Lilly is hot partaking of a subtil substance the root dry in the first degree and hot in the second the leaves boiled in red Wine and applyed to old Wounds or Vlcers doth them much good in expediting the cure as saith Gallen The distilled water being drunk causeth easie deliverance and expelleth the After-birth saith Alexandrinus The flowers steeped in oyl Olive and set in the Sun in Summer in a glass and repeated two or three times is good to harden the softness of the Sinews and help the hardness the Matrix The root stamped and strained with Wine-and drunk two or three dayes together expelleth the Pestilence causing it to break out and the juyce thereof tempered with barley Meal and baked in Cakes and eaten ordinarily for a moneth or six weeks together forbearing all other bread in the mean time helps to the cure of the Dropsie the same root roasted in the Embers and stamped with some leaven of Rye Bread and Hogs grease breaketh Plagues Sores and Pestilential Botches and ripens Venerial Imposthumes and Buboes in the Flank or elsewhere The same root stamped with Honey and applyed gleweth together Sinews that be cut it consumeth and cleanseth away the Vlcers of the head called Achores and all scurviness of the Beard and Face and being stamped with Vinegar Henbane Leaves or Barley Meal it cures Humours and Imposthumes of the privy parts Laserwort and its Assa Faetida Laserpitium THis is an Outlandish Plant growing in Syria America and Libia There issueth a Gum or liquor out of the same called Laser but that which is gathered from those Plants in Media and Syria is that stinking Gum called in our Shops Assa Faetida which is good to be applyed unto the Navels of such Women as are troubled with the rising of the Mother and for them to smell unto for that purpose the reason whereof you may read in my Womens Counsellour The root of Laserpitium is hot and dry in the third degree and so is Laser The root well pounded with Oyl scattereth clotted Blood cureth the Kings Evil and takes away black and blue marks that come by stripes or bruises the places being anointed or plaistered therewith The same root chewed in the Mouth asswageth the Tooth-ache A plaister made thereof with the oyl of Ireos and Wax is good to help the Sciatica The Laser or Gum of Laserpitium dissolved in Water and drunken taketh away a sudden Hoarseness being supt up with a rear Egge it cures the Cough and taken in broth is good against an old Plurisie being taken with dryed Figs it cureth the Jaundies and Dropsie A scruple thereof taken with a little Pepper and Myrrhe is good against the shrinking of Sinews and taken with syrrup of Vinegar it is good against the Falling Sickness The same drunk in Wine with Pepper and Frankincense is good against the shaking's of Agues being applyed with Copperas and Verdigrease it takes away superfluous out-growings of the Flesh Polypus in the Nose and nianginess and applyed with vinegar pepper and wine it cures the Scurf of the Head and hinders the falling off the Hair Lignum Aloes Vide Xylo-Aloe White Maiden-hair or Wall Rue Ruta Muraria IT brings forth many small round slender leaves Description cut into two or three parts very hard in handling on the outside smooth and green and of an ill-favoured dead colour underneath set with little fine spots the root is black and full of strings Names It s called in Latine Ruta muraria and Salvia vitae in English Wall Rue Stone Rue or white Maiden-hair Place and Time It grows upon old Walls near unto Waters and Wells is green as well Winter as Summer and beareth neither flower nor seed Nature and Vertues Wall Rue is much like the other Maiden-hair both in temperature and vertue it is commended against Ruptures in young Children and affirmed to be good if the powder be taken continually for forty dayes together it is likewise good for the Cough shortness of breath pains and stitches in the sides the decoction of it being drunk digesteth raw humours which stick in the Lungs takes away the pain of the Kidneys and bladder gently provokes Vrine and expelleth the Stone ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Sweet Maudlin Vide Alecoast Dogs Mercury Cynocrambe IT is like the Garden Mercury Description but that the leaves hereof are greater the stalk not so tender but very brittle growing about half a yard high having no branches at all the flowers are small and yellow Names Dogs Mercury is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cynocrambe Canina Mercurialis Sylvestris in English Dogs Cole and Dogs Mercury Place and Time It grows about Green Hithe and Gravesend in Kent and about Hamsted near London and in many Woods Copses and Borders of Fields flourishes all the Summer Nature and Vertues Dogs Mercury comes near the other Mercury in Nature and quality though seldom used it is also reported to cure the biting of mad Dogs from whence it is thought to obtain the name of Dogs Mercury Naile-wort Vide Whitlow-grass Madder Rubia Tinctorum THere be six kindes Description whereof I shall describe the Garden Madder which shoots forth many stalks standing upright at first and so continue if they be kept cut but if they grow without cutting they become weak and trailing upon the ground unless they grow by some hedge and then they climb thereon being four square rough and full of joynts at every of which come forth long and somewhat narrow leaves standing about the stalks like the rowel of a Spur at the tops whereof come forth many small pale yellow flowers after which come small round heads green at the first and reddish afterward but black when they are ripe wherein is contained the seed the root is long growing deep and creeping far about the ground fat full of substance and of a very clear red colour Names In Latine it is called Rubia Tinctorum in English Madder Place and Time It is manured in Gardens and flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Madder roots are hot in the second degree and dry in the â—â—rd an Herb of Mars it hath an opening quality and also a binding The decoction in Wine provokes Vrine Womens Courses and also brings away the Birth and After-birth it cures the Jaundies purges melancholly and opens the Spleen and Gall
the Worms in Children Onions being sliced and dipped in the juyce of Sorrel and given to those that have the Tertian Ague helpeth them in once or twice taking The seed stirreth up lust and increaseth natural seed A great Onion made hollow and the place filled up with good Treacle and well roasted under the Embers and then the outermost skin pulled off and then beaten together and applyed to a Plague Sore or putrid Vlcer is a sovereign remedy the juyce snussed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and helps the Leprosie and is good for scalding or burning and being used with Vinegar it takes away spots and blemishes in the skin and dropped into the ears it easeth the pains and noise in them The juyce mixed with the decoction of Penniroyal and a cloth wet therein and applyed easeth the Gout The juyce mixed with Honey causeth Hair to grow a bald Head being anointed therewith They help kibed Heels being reasted and applyed with Butter or Hogs Grease being applyed with Figs it helps to ripen Imposihumes and stamped with Vinegar and applyed they provoke the Hemorrhoides and Piles they are hurtful to Chollerick bodies and immoderately eaten especially raw they breed ill humours in the Stomach offend the Blood increase thirst dull the Sight and Memory and cause the Head-ache Orange Tree Aurantia I Shall not describe this fragrant Tree it being Outlandish yet may be seen in some English Gardens though it seldom comes to any perfection here Names They have been called Aurea mala Hesperidum and by divers Aurantia by Dodonaeus Anarantium and by Lobel Malum Aureum The flowers are called Napha and the Oyntment made thereofVnguentum ex Naphâ Nature and Vertues Oranges are not wholly of one temperature the rinde is hot in the first degree and dry in the second and the juyce is cold in the second degree and dry in the first and the sweeter are more hot then the sowre ones The peel is very good to warm a cold Stomach to break Winde and avoid cold Phlegm from thence and being condited or preserved they mend a stinking Breath help digestion and strengthen the Heart and Spirits The juyce and inner substance is good against Corruptions of the Air the Plague and other hot Fevers and is grateful to the Heart and Mouth of the Stomach and Strengthens the same it helps also wambling of the Gâ—â—mach heaviness and trembling of the Heart restraws Vomiting and loathing of meat and quencheth Thirst the seeds resist poison and are good to kill and expell Worms the yntment made of the flowers is good for a Cough and to expectorate raw Phlegm the Stomach being anointed with it The distilled water of the same flowers is good for perfumes being very odoriferous it is good also to drink against contagious diseases and helpeth cold infirmities of the Mother Orpine Telephium COmmon Orpine springeth up with divers round brittle stalks Description thick set with fat and fleshly leaves without any order and little or nothing dented of a pale green colour the flowers are white or whitish growing in tufts after which come small chaffy husks with seed like dust in them the roots consist of divers thick round white tuberous clogs not growing so big in some places as in others where it likes the ground better Names The Latines call it Telephium and Sempervivum sylvestre it is called also by divers other names amongst Authours too tedious to rehearse and in English Orpine and Live long Place and Time It is generally cherished in Gardens but groweth almost in every County of this Land in shadowy sides of Fields and Woods they slower in July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Dioscorides and Galen say the true Telephium is hot and of a drying cleansing quality but that with us is cooling as Purslain and ascribed to the Moon by Culpepper The leaves of Orpine bruised and applyed to the Throat cureth the Quinzy which is an inflammation of the Throat and Gullet hindring breathing and swallowing it is seldom used inwardly with us yet Mr. Culpepper brags much of a sycrup of it for the Quinzy though not of experience But Tragus saith that in Germany the distilled water is used for excoriations and knawing of the Bowels and for Vlcers in the Lungs and Liver or other inward parts as also in the Matrix and stayeth sharpness of humours in the bloody Flux and other Fluxes of the Belly or in Wounds The root performeth the same effect It is used outwardly to cool Inflammations of Wounds and heal them and to heal scaldings and burnings the juyce beaten with Sallet Oyl and the place anointed therewith the leaf bruised and laid to a green Wound in the Hands or Legs healeth it The root helps Burstness and Ruptures ☞ See more of this in The Art of Simpling by W. Coles One Blade Unifolium THis plant springeth up with one leaf Description somewhat like the greatest leaf of Ivy but ribbed like the Plantain leaf this leaf doth alwayes spring singly out of the earth alone but when the stalk riseth up afterwards it hath two leaves upon his sides like the former at the top of the slender stalk cometh fine small white flowers after which succed many small red Berries The root is small and tender creeping far under the upper crust of the ground Names It s called Monophyllon which word is borrowed of the Greeks and in Latine Vnifolium in English One Blade or One Leaf Place and Time It groweth in Woods Pastures and shadowy places but is not very common to be found it flowers in May and the fruit is ripe in September Nature and Vertues One Blade is of a hot and dry temperature and is a singular Wound Herb especially in Wounds amongst the Nerves and Sinews half a dram of the root given in Wine and the Patient Sweating upon it is effectual against Poisons and Pestilential Diseases and the decoction of the Herb with Comphrey is good against Vlcers of the Kidneys and Entrails Orris or Flower de Luce. Iris alba ORris Description or the Common Flower de Luce hath long large flaggy leaves like a two-edged Sword amongst which spring up smooth and plain stalks half a yard long or longer bearing flowers towards the top composed of six leaves joyned together whereof three that stand upright are bent inward one towards another and in those leaves that hang downwards there are rough and hairy welts rising from the nether part of the leaf upward almost of a yellow colour The roots are long thick and knobby with many hairy threds thereat but being dry it is without them and white Names It is called in Latine Iris and Radix Marica in English Flower de Luce and Orris Place and Time They grow naturally in France Italy and those Countreys and are nourished in Gardens with us they flower about May and June and the seed is ripe in the end of August Nature and Vertues The green roots of Flower de
it perfects its seed in August the second year after it is sown Nature and Vertues It is a Mercurial herb and is hot and dry in the second degree the seed is hot in the second degree and dry almost in the third its root is temperately hot Parsley is excellent to provoke Vrine to break the Stone and ease the pains thereof it provokes the Terms and is comfortable to the stomach breaking winde both there and in the belly the roots open obstructions and provokes urine mightily and may be boiled and eaten like Parsnips for the purposes aforesaid for which the seed decocted in wine is very effectual it is profitable for the Yellow Jaundies Falling Sickness and Dropsie the root is one of the five opening roots and is used amongst other herbs and roots that move the belly downwards the seeds are effectual against venome and poison and for them that have taken Litharge it is also used amongst other things for the Cough and being boiled in white wine and drunk it brings away the Birth and After-birth The leaves of Parsley eaten after Onions or Garlick takes away their offensive smell and suppresseth the Vapours that offend the head or eyes the leaves laid to inflamed or swoln eyes with bread or meal doth much help them and it abates the hardness of womens breasts caused by the curdling of their milk it takes away black and blue spots and marks which come by blows bruises and falls if it be fryed with butter and applyed thereunto the juyce mixed with a little wine and dropped into the ears easeth pains thereof the distilled water is good to give Children for the frets winde or gripings in their bellies or stomacks Parsley-pert or Break-stone Calculum frangens THis rises up with many leaves spread upon the ground Description standing upon a small long foot-foot-stalk about the bigness of a mans nail much dented in the edges much like Parsley but of a dusky green colour the stalks are weak and slender two or three singers long set full of leaves to the top so that the stalk cannot be seen amongst which come forth greenish yellow flowers so small they can hardly be seen and the seed is very small the root is small and threddy yet abideth many years Names Lobel gave it the name of Percepier Anglorum and it is called Calculum frangens in Latine in English Break-stone Place and Time Parsley-pert delights in sandy and fallowed Ground and also amongst Corn it groweth commonly in most Countreys of this Nation it is found from April to the end of October Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry about the second degree I suppose under the influence of Venus it is singular to provoke Vrine and expel gravel and the Stone in the Reins and Kidneys washing it down by Vrine and expelling it out of the Bladder either to drink the decoction of the said herb in Wine or water or the juyce in white Wine taken morning and evening or a dram of the dryed herb in powder drunk in white Wine or other drink first and last divers dayes together it will make a good Sallet herb for the said purposes being pickled up like Sampire and eaten as a sauce in Winter when the green herb cannot be had Parsnip Pastinaca I Think this needs no description Pastinaca is their Latine appellation they are common amongst Gardners and is a good root to be eaten buttered by it self or amongst salt Fish their particular vertues you may read before in Carrots there being little difference but onely in colour Cow Parsnip Spondylium THis plant is known by the name of wilde Parsnip Description it answering thereunto both in his rank savour and in the likeness of the root the leaves hereof are long and large deeply notched or cut about the edges like the teeth of a Saw of an over-worn green colour having long hairy foot stalks the flowers grow in tufts like the wilde Parsnips in white and sometimes reddish Umbels the root is long and white like to the Henbane root The whole plant hath an ill-favoured smell Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Spondylium in English Cow Parsnip Meadow Parsnip and Madnep Place and Time Cow Parsnip grows commonly in moist fertil Meadows and Pastures and flowreth in June and July the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is manifestly hot of temperature and of a cutting faculty the leaves hereof being bruised and applyed doth consume and dissolve cold swellings the Oyl wherein the leaves and roots hereof have been botled is good to anoint the Heads of such as are troubled with the Lethargy Forgetfulness or the Head-ache and much helpeth phrenctick or Melancholly persons their Heads being anointed with it The seed of Cow-Parsnip being drunk in convenient liquor purgeth Phlegm out through the Guts helps short windedness the strangling of the Mother Jaundies and falling Sickness and the sume of the seed will revive such as are sallen into a swoon or deep sleep and helps womens passions of the Mother the smoke being received underneath The juyce of the flowers dropped into the ears cleanseth and healeth them of filthy matter and stayeth the running thereof The Peach Tree Nux Persica THis Tree is nourished onely in Gardens so that a description is needless Names It is called in Latine Nux Persica I suppose the reason because they came originally from Persia Nature and Vertuâ—s The fruit is cold in the first degree and most in the second the Kernels be hot and dry it is a tree ascribed to Venus Pouches moderately eaten as all fruit ought to be are good for hot constitutions to cool the Stomach and to sea the Belly according to Galen the best time of eating them is before meals for then they mollisie the Belly provoke appetite and qualifie choller in the Stomach The Kernels of the Stones are profitable amongst other ingredients to break the Stone and do ease pains and gripings of the Belly caused through windiness and sharp humours an oyl drawn from them and put into Glisters doth the like A milk or cream of the said Kernels being drawn forth with some Vervain water and applyed to the Forehead and Temples doth procure rest to sick persons and so doth the said oyl the places aforesaid being anointed with it the same Oyl or the juyce of the leaves dropped into the Ears easeth pains of them and being bruised and boiled in Vinegar till they be thick and applyed to a bald Head it causes hair to grow The leaves boiled in Ale or Milk and drunk loosens the Belly and killeth worms and so they do being bruised and laid on the Belly and being dryed they discuss humours The powder whereof strewed upon fresh bleeding Wounds stayeth the bleeding and closeth them up The flowers infused all night in Wine in a warm place and strained in the morning and drunk gently moves the Belly or you may make a syrrup of them by
inflammations as St. Anthonies fire being often bathed with wet cloathes dipped therein or the juyce made into an oyntment with Ceruse and Oyl of Roses and anointed therewith which also doth cleanse soul Vlcers and running Scabs in childrens heads and helpeth to stay the falling off of the hair from the head Pennyroyal Pulegium Regale THis is so well known to be a very wholesome herb that it needs no other report but onely of its Vertues Names It is called in Latine Pulegium Regale in English Pudding-grass because it is used in Hogs-puddings Pulial-Royal and of some Organy Place and Time It grows upon Commons and other moist watry places and is also cherished in Gardens and flowers about August or later Nature and Vertues Penniroyal is hot and dry in the third degree as Gallen saith of subtle parts making thin warming and digesting and governed by Venus A decoction of it in beer or wine provokes the Courses and being boiled in wine it will expel a dead Childe and the after-birth It stayeth vomiting and helps gnawing of the stomach being taken with water and vinegar the decoction is good in the Falling sickness Dropsie Jaundies stopping of Vrine and the Leprosie being mixed with honey and salt it clears the breast opens the Lungs helps Cramps and purges melancholly humours by stool and being drunk in wine it helps such as are stung by venomous beasts being beaten with mint and some vinegar added to it it is profitable against fainting and swooning being smelled to or held in the mouth and so it is good for the Lethargy and Falling-sickness The powder of the Herb or the ashes of it strengthens the gums and being boiled in wine with honey and salt helps the tooth-ache It also easeth the Gout and profits those that are spleenatick or liver-grown being applyed with some salt A bathe made of it for women to sit in helps hardness of the Mother and so it helpeth the Itch The green herb bruised with vinegar takes away black and blue marks about the eyes or other places and discolourings in the face and cleanseth and healeth foul Vlcers it helps cold griefs in the joynts being fast bound to the place after a bathing The distilled Water is effectual for many of the same purposes Piony Pionia OF this Plant there are generally accounted these two kindes the male and the female which are both so well known that they need not a particular description onely this the male is that which is called a single Piony bearing a single flower and the female the double Piony which hath a very thick flower Names Pionia is the common Latine name for it yet it 's called by some Lunaria because of its efficacy in curing the Falling-sickness and Lunacy Place and Time They grow onely in Gardens and flower in May and the seed is ripe in July Nature and Vertues It is temperately hot and dry the root doth gently binde it is a Solar Herb The heads roots and seeds but especially the roots are very effectual for the Falling-sickness being taken up and hung fresh about Childrens necks it cures them the root infused in Sack twenty four hours and strained and a good draught drunk first and last several dayes before and after the full of the Moon the body being first well prepared and Betony Posset being used it effectually helps the Falling-sickness both in children and elder people The powder of the male Piony root drunk in wine or posset drink will do the same and so doth an extraction made of the roots and the syrrup made of the flowers The root comforts and cherishes the body provokes urine purges the Liver and Kidneys and being boiled in wine and drunk it purges the blood the terms and secondine the quantity of an Almond being taken at a time it helps gripings of the belly and pain of the Kidneys and Bladder and the overflowing of the Gall the Chollick and cleanses the guts passions of the brain and the Strangury being boiled in wine and drunk The powder of the root with Saffron is good against the yellow Jaundies the black seed provokes the Terms and helps those that are troubled with the Night-mare being taken night and morning the same in powder drunk with wine comforteth the senses and restoreth lost speech Pepper Piper I Shall not describe this forreign Tree but onely tell you the Vertues of the fruit being all that part of it which is to be seen in England Nature and Vertues There is brought to us black Pepper white Pepper and long Pepper It is hot and dry in the third degree well near the fourth The black Pepper is most used and is good to consume crude and moist humours in the stomach to provoke appetite help digestion and warm a cold stomach it dissolves winde provokes urine helps the Cough and diseases of the Breast and is good against poisons and venomous bitings being drunk in Posset-drink before the fit of an Ague it abates the shaking thereof and being taken with honey it abates the swelling of a Quinzie The powder snuffed up purges the brain by sneazing it consumes the Pin and Web in the Eye and helps dimness of the sight It strengthens the Nerves and Muscles dissolves the Kings Evil and hard cold swelling being applyed with pitch it draws out thorns The powder of long Pepper and Cinquefoil drunk in Ale easeth the Chollick But such as are of hot constitutions must forbear the much use thereof ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Periwinckle Vinca Pervinca THere be divers sorts of Periwinckle Description some with white flowers some with blue and others with purple flowers the common sort of Periwinckles hath many branches running upon the ground shooting out small fibres at the joynts by which it taketh hold on the ground and rooteth at divers places At the joynts of the branches stand two small dark green shining leaves somewhat like Bay-leaves but smaller and with them come the flowers one at a joynt upon a tender foot-foot-stalk being somewhat long and hollow parted at the brims into four and sometimes five leaves of a pale blue colour the root is not much bigger then a Rush creeping with his branches far about in the ground Names It is most known by the names of Vinca Pervinea though it is also called Clematis Daphnoides both in Greek and Latine in English Pervinckle and Periwinckle Place and Time The common sort with the blue and that with the white flowers grow under hedges in many places of this Land the other onely in curious Gardens They flower in March April and May. Nature and Vertues It is hot almost in the second degree and somewhat dry and astringent it is appropriated to Venus and said to encrease milk in womens breastâ—â— and to cause mutual love between man and wife the leaves being eaten by them both and likewise the herb chewed stayes bleeding at mouth and nose and is used by the French to stop the Tearms It
is commended to be drunk in wine against Lasks and Fluxes of the belly the bruised herb applyed to the place is good against the biting of Adders and the infusion of the herb in vinegar drunk It is reported that the branches or strings bound about the legs defends from the Cramp but I never tryed it being never troubled with that disease St. Peters-wort THere is so little difference in form and much less in vertue between this Herb and St. Johns-wort that I need say no more of it here but refer you to St. Johns-wort Pimpernel Anagallis PImpernel hath divers weak square stalks lying on the ground Description with two small and almost round leaves at every joynt much like Chickweed but thicker and spotted on the backside with brownish spots without any foot-foot-stalks for the leaves almost compass the stalks the flowers stand singly each by themselves at the joynts between them and the stalks having five small round pointed leaves of a pale red colour tending to an Orange with so many threads in the middle after which come small round heads wherein is contained the seed being small It hath a small fibrous root perishing every Winter Names It is called Anagallis both in Greek and Latine and by many other useless names yet by some Corallion and the Composition thereof Diacorallion Place and Time It grows by High-wayes sides in Corn fields and in Gardens too of its own accord almost every where It flowers from May till August some of the seed ripening and falling in the mean time Nature and Vertues It is a Solar Herb somewhat hot and of a drying faculty and drawing it draweth thorns thistles and splinters out of any part of the body and cleanseth and healeth corrupt and fretting sores being bruised and applyed thereunto The decoction in wine is good against venomous bitings pain of the Kidneys and obstructions of the Liver and is good in contagious diseases the Patient sweating in bed two hours hours after the taking of it that the venomous matter may be expelled it helps also biting of mad dogs and other venomous creatures being inwardly and outwardly applyed The juyce mixed with honey and dropped into the eyes cleanseth them from mists and films it also easeth pains of the Hemorrhoides and Piles The distilled water is good for all the aforesaid purposes and beautifies the skin making it smooth neat and clear The juyce snuffed up into the nostrils purgeth the head and is said to help the Tooth-ache Pine Tree Pinus THis Forreign Plant I forbear to describe he being onely planted by the curious in our Countrey It is called Pinus in Latine and the fruit Coni. Nature and Vertues The Bark is drying and astringent the Kernels do moderately heat and concoct the leaves are cooling and belongs to Venus Garden The leaves boiled in Vinegar is a good gargle for the Tooth-ache The Kernels nourish much they stir up bodily lust and increase sperm being taken in an Electuary with powder of Penids and some sweet wine They are good to help shortness of Breath wheesings and Hoarseness Vlcers of the Lungs an old Cough and to expectorate tough Phlegm They lenifie the uritory passages ripen inward Imposthumes and hearten and make fat lean Bodies and help Palsie and Numness The scales of the Apple and bark of the Tree stop the Bloody Flux Plantain Plantago PLantago is its Latine appellation and by the name of Plantain it is well known every where in England it flourisheth in June and the seed ripens shortly after Nature and Vertues Plantain is cold and dry in the second degree the roots and seeds are of subtle parts It is by some ascribed to Mars by Culpepper to Venus yet I think the Sun hath most right to it It helpeth Wounds and Inflammations in the Tongue Mouth and Throat and also Cankers and eating Sores if it be mixed with Vinegar Honey and Allom and the mouth often gargled therewith The juyce or herb stayes bleeding at nose and bleeding of wounds the clarified juyce or water dropped into the eyes cooleth their heat takes away the pin and web and dropt into the ears it easeth their pains and helps deafness and mixed with juyce of Housleek it is good against inflammations and burning or scalding the temples and forehead being anointed with the juyce and oyl of Roses it easeth pains of the head which are caused by heat and helps lunatick persons and the bitings of mad dogs and serpents The clarified juyce drunk by it self or in other liquor heals a Vein broken inwardly and stayes bleeding at the mouth and spitting of blood and heals Vlcers in the Reins and Bladder and in the Lungs and hot Coughs whereby it is profitable against Consumptions it stops the Tearms and other Fluxes and helps torments and frettings in the guts the decoction or powder of the root or seeds is more binding then the herb and is said to help Agues a Cake made of the seed in powder with wheaten flower and the yolk of an egg and baked stayes vomiting The heâ—â— but more especially the seeds is good against the Falling-sickness the Dropsie yellow Jaundies and stopping of the Liver and Reins the powder of the leaves taken in drink killeth worms the green leaves will soon skin the seat when the skin is off with riding or any other place being applyed A Salve made thereof with Oyl Wax and Turpentine cureth deep wounds the juyce or herb bruised with vinegar helpeth surbated feet a decoction of the leaves kills worms in old foul Vlcers the juyce with oyl of Roses is good to be applyed to hot Gouts to cool the heat and repress the humours and is good to be applyed where a bone is out of joynt to hinder inflammations swellings and pains thereof one part of Plantain-water and two parts of the brine wherein Beaf hath been powdered boyled together and clarified heals spreading Scabs and Itch Tetters and Ring-worms the Shingles and all running and fretting Sores Plum-Tree Prunus THere are several kinds yet they need no description Names They are called Prunus and Prunum in Latine and Damsons are called Pruna Damascena or Damask Prunes from Damascus where they naturally grow They commonly blossom in April and yield their fruit in Summer some early and some later Nature and Vertues They are cold and moist in the second degree the sharp and sowre binde the belly the sweet moisten the stomach and move the belly Mr. Culpeper saith Venus shall eat them all but I think it reason that Jupiter should have some of them the Plums which are of a firm substance are the best for those that are very moist do fill the body with corrupt blood and waterish humours being preserved they are the wholesomest and most grateful to the stomach either of the sick or healthful The dryed Prunes sold at the Grocers being stewed and eaten do procure appetite a little open the belly allay choller and cool the stomach especially if a little Sena and
leaves which turn into leaves as small as dust the root is small and long growing deep into the ground the taste hereof is not perceivable at first but after a little while there may be perceived a somewhat astringent taste a little bitter and sharp withal but without any manifest heat Names This plant hath acquired several names according to the various opinions of Authours as Polygonum minus by Mathiolus and Castor durantes Herba Turca by Lobel but the most usual and known Latine name is Herniaria from Hernia a Rupture and in English Rupture-worb Place and Time It delights to grow in barren sandy and rocky grounds as upon the dry chalky and sandy grounds in Kent and elsewhere and flowers and flourishes in the four Summer Moneths which are spelled sine littera R. Nature and Vertues Rupture-wort is very drying binding closing and sasting Saturnine It s name speaks its Vertues that is to cure the disease called the Rupture or Burstness which is the falling down of the Guts into the Cods A dram of the herb in powder taken in wine for many dayes together or the decoction of the herb in Wine or the juyce or distilled water drunk in the same manner marvellously helps that Disease and being so taken it stayes Fluxes Vomiting and the Gonorrhea it helps the Strangury stopping of Vrine Stone or Gravel in the Reins or Bladder stitches in the Side griping pains in the Stomach or Belly and obstructions of the Liver and cures the yellow Jaundies and killeth Worins in Children it conglutinates Wound cheing outwardly applyed and helpeth to stay defluctions of Rheumes from the head to the eyes nose and teeth the temples and nape of the Neck being bathed with the decoction of the dryed herb or the green herb being bruised and bound thereto it dryes up the moisture of foul spreading and fistulous Vlcers and is good to be bruised and applyed to the place of a Rupture having a Truss bound thereunto Rice Oriza THis is an East-Indian grain and groweth up there much like the stalk of Wheat but in regard it groweth not with us I shall describe it no further but proceed to declare its vertues we having it plentifully brought hither by industrious Merchants Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines following them call it Oryza Nature and Vertues Rice is binding and drying temperate and not exceeding in heat or cold the pottage made thereof with milk and spiced with Sugar and Cynamon is pleasant and easie of digestion and is reputed to increase seed it is very useful to stay all Lasks or Fluxes being so eaten or beaten to powder and mixed with yolks of Eggs and fryed with fresh Butter and eat morning and evening and being so taken it helps the bloody Flux it is good to put in Cataplasms to repeli humors and being boiled in running Water and the face bathed therewith it takes away spots and pimples it is an excellent and wholesome food and in great estimation amongst the Indians though not so much in repute with us Perhaps because it is too cheap for the wanton rich and too dear for the pining poor c. Rye Secale THis Grain is well known in England more for food then Physick but the bread and leaven of it is good to ripen Imposthumes and Boils or other swellings Mathiolus saith that water wherein the Ashes of Rye straw hath been infused four and twenty hours heals chops of the hands and feet being washed therewith Meal of Rye put between a double cloth and moistned with Vinegar and heated in a pewter Dish over a Chafing dish of Coals ond applyed hot to the head easeth continual pains thereof Rye is more digesting then Wheat but it is windy and griping in the Bowels Saffron Crocus THe Chives of the Flower commonly called Saffron are generally well known so that a description is needless Names It s Latine names are Crocus and Crocum it is also termed Filius ante patrem because it putteth forth flowers before the leaves Place and Time It is plentifully manured in Fields in Essex and Cambridge-shire Saffron-Walden takes her name from its growing there it begins to flower in September and presently after the leaves shoot forth and abide green all the Winter dying again in April when it puts forth another Crop of Flowers which must be gathered as soon as it is blown or else it is lost so that Jack Presbyter for covetousness of the profit can reach his Sabbatarian Conscience to gather it on Sunday and so he can to do any thing else that redounds to his profit though it destroy his Brother Nature and Vertues Saffron is hot in the second degree and dry in the first of a little astringent quality it is an Herb of the Sun a great Cordial and comforter of the spirits it expells venome from the Heart strengthens the Stomach helps concoction preserves the Entrails and is very useful in the Plague Pestilence small Pox and such contagious diseases the Tincture thereof is profitable in fits of the Mother it strengthens the Memory Head Stomach Spleen Bladder animal vital and natural spirits and helps cold diseases of the Brain and Nerves it is profitable for the Lungs Consumption and shortness of Breath it is best for eld phlegmatick and melancholly persons it is good against melancholly and the Jaundies and stoppings of the Liver and Gall and is profitable for the Plurisie and provokes Vrine and Venus take ten grains of Saffron two ounces of Walnut Kernels Figs two ounces Mithridate one dram and a few Sage leaves stamp them into a mass with a sufficient quantity of Pimpernel water and keep it for use twelve grains thereof taken fasting is an excellent Antidote against the Plague and expelleth it from those that are infected Some write that two or three drams hereof taken brings death doubtless too great a quantity cannot do otherwise it is not safe to be given to women with childe Sage Salvia TO avoid prolixity we proceed to its vertues The Latine name of it is Salvia and so wholesome an Herb reputed by Schola salerni that they say Cur moritur homo dum Salvia crescit in horto Nature and Vertues Sage is hot and dry in the third degree an herb of Jupiter it restores natural heat and comforts the vital spirits and helps the Memory and quickens the sences it is very healthful to be eaten in May with Butter and also to be drunk in Ale it is good for women that are apt to miscarry or cannot conceive by reason of the over-much moisture-or slipperiness of their Wombs Sage Rosemary Honey-suckles and Plantain boiled in water or wine and some Honey and Allome added thereto is a good gargle for Cankers or Sores in the Mouth or Throat and for sores in the privy parts of Man or Woman and is good to be boiled with other comsortable and hot herbs to bathe the cold Sinews and to warm the Joynts and help
cometh the other groweth in the Marshes of Holland in Lincolnshire as well as in the Low Countreys and likewise prospereth in Gardens where it is sown they flower in April and give their seed about the latter end of May. Nature and Vertues Scurvy-grass is hot and dry much in quality like the Garden Cresses it is an herb of Jupiter It is an excellent remedy for that Disease called the Scurvy which often afflicts Sea-men and many persons by land besides I have had it this Summer after a Winters Ague but by drinking the juyce of this herb every morning in Ale or white Wine have by Cods blessing obtained a cure in a small time it may likewise be taken in decoction or in dyet drink being tunned up with new Ale or Beer and some long Pepper Grains Anniseeds and Liquorice added thereto and at three dayes old the drink will be fit for your use it opens obstructions and evacuates cold clammy and phlegmatick humors from the Liver seat of Blood and the Spleen wasting the swelling and hardness thereof and reduceth the body to a lively colour the juyce helps Vlcers and Sores in the mouth it being gargled with it and outwardly used it cleanseth the skin from spot and scars The conserve worketh the same effects as the juyce or herb and is a fine delicate medicine for weak stomachs Of Sebesten Myxa THis is a certain Plum Description brought hither out of Assyria and is called by them Sebestens in Latine Myxa and Myxaria from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is their name for the Tree Nature and Vertues Sebestens are temperately cold and moist of a thick clammy substance they cleanse the throat of hoarseness and roughness caused by sharp humors which descend from the head into the winde-pipe and cause difficulty of breathing they also cause phlegm to be avoided and help the Cough and Wheesings of the Lungs and distillations upon them they help the sharpness of Vrine proceeding from Choller or salt Phlegm and help such as are troubled with pains in thier sides they are good in hot Agues to cool the intemperate heat of the Stomach and Liver and to purge Choller Self-heal Prunella IT is a low creeping herb Description having many small and somewhat round leaves a little pointed of a sad green colour without any dents on the edges the stalks are square and hairy about half a foot high which sometimes are divided into branches with small leaves thereon to the top whereon stand brown spiked heads consisting of many scaly leaves and flowers mingled together gaping and commonly of a blueish purple colour but sometimes of a pale blue of a sweet smell in some but in a few places the root is small and threddy and by taking hold of the ground by the fibres which grow out from its branches it is much increased Names It is called generally in Latine Prunella and of some Solidago minor Consolida minor and Consolida minima in English Self-heal Hook-heal and Carpenters herb Place and Time It grows commonly in most Fields and flowers in May Nature and Vertues Self-heal is moderately hot and dry somewhat astringent an herb of Venus an excellent Wound Herb either for inward or outward hurts ot be taken inwardly in syrrup or decoction and outwardly to be applyed in Vnguent or Plaisters of it self alone it will heal any green wound being bruised and wrought with the point of a knife upon a trencher like unto a Salve and applyed and it good to heal the sore Nipples of Nurses it is good for those that have received hurt by bruises or falls a decoction being made thereof with Sanicle Bugle and such other Wound Herbs and is effectual to inject into outward Vlcers and the inward taking thereof will help the sharpness of humors which follow any Sore Vlcer Inflammation Swelling or the like the juyce hereof mixed with oyl of Roses is good to anoint the Temples and Forehead for the Head-ache and the same juyce mixed with a little honey of Roses cleanseth and healeth Vlcers and Sores of the Mouth and Throat and secret parts Sena Colutea THe true Sena is said to grow in Arabia and Syria Description and is transported from Alexandria to us there is a bastard Sena which is kept in many Gardens with us commonly called Colutea which is its Latine name Nature and Vertues The leaves of Sena which are onely used are hot near the first degree and dry in the third it is of a purging faculty and leaveth a binding quality after the purging it openeth obstructions and cleanseth and comforteth the Stomach being corrected with some Auniseed Carrawayseed or Ginger it purgeth Melancholly choller and Phlegm from the Head and Brain Lungs Heart Liver and Spleen cleansing those parts of evil humors a dram thereof taken in Wine Ale or Broth fasting it strengthens the sences and procureth mirth it is also good in cronical Agues whether Quartain or Quotidian it cleanseth and purifieth the blood and causeth a fresh and lively habit of the body and is a special ingredient in dyet drinks and to make purging Ale to be taken to clarifie and cleanse the blood The bastard Sena purgeth vehemently both upwards and downwards offending the Stomach and Bowels Shepherds purse Bursa Pastoris IT hath small long leaves Description of a pale green colour deeply cut in on both sides the stalk is small and round parted into many branches containing small leaves upon them up to the top the flowers are white and very small after which come flat pouches which hold the seed which are flat in form of a heart in each side whereof lyeth a small brownish yellow seed the root is small and white and perisheth every year Names The Latines call it Bursa pastoris and Pastoria Bursa in English Shepherds purse Poor mans Parmacity Toywort Pick-purse and Caseweed Place and Time It grows frequently almost in every Field and Hedges side and upon Banks about London they flower and seed all the Summer and some of them twice a year Nature and Vertues Shepherds purse is cold dry and binding a Saturnine Plant the decoction hereof stoppeth the Lask spitting of Blood pissing Blood the Terms and all other fluxes of Blood howsoever it be taken but especially with red Wine or Plantain Water the juyce helpeth mattering and running Fars being dropped therein A good Salve may be made hereof for Wounds especially in the head The bruised herb pultiswise applyed helpeth Inflammations St. Anthonies sire and cures running Sores Fistula's Swellings hardness new Wounds Shingles and rheumatick Sores The juyce being drunk helpeth straitness of the Breath the Strangury and stoppage of Vrine and stoppeth Phlegm and is very prevalent against venomous bitings being drunk with Wine and prevents the fits of Agues being taken an hour before the fit Skirret Sisarum THey grow not naturally in England but as they are planted in Gardens Names It is called in Latine Sisarum Siser Chervillum and Servilla they
are mistaken who take Siser to be a Parsnip Nature and Vertues The roots of Skirrets which are onely in use are moderately hot and moist the roots are but of indifferent nourishment yet they provoke Lust being windy and are easily concocted whereby they yield a reasonable good juyce they are dressed much after the manner of Potatoes either baked or boiled and stewed wiht Pepper Butter and Salt and so eaten they may be eaten also cold with Vinegar and Oyl being first boiled the juyce of the roots drunk with Goats milk stoppeth the Lask and being drunk in Wine it is said to help windiness in the Stomach gripings in the Belly and the Hiccough it doth somewhat provoke Vrine and is a little effectual to consume the Stone and Gravel in the Bladder and Kidneys Smallage Paludapium IT is so well known I need not describe it Names It is called in Latine Paludapium and Apium palustre and in Shops onely Apium in English Smallage and Marsh-parsley Places and Time It is found in Gardens and sometimes in wet and moorish Grounds whence it was first brought it flourisheth when the Garden Parsley doth the stalks coming up the second year and then the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Smallage is hot and dry in the end of the second degree of a bitter taste and opening quality being an herb of Mercury it opens obstructions of the Liver and Sleen rarifies thick phlegm and cleanseth the Blood being used in pottage amongst other herbs as Water-cresses c. It drives down the Courses and is good for the Green Sickness it provokes Vrine and is good against the yellow Jaundies if a syrrup be made of the juyce it is very useful in lasting Agues The juyce with honey of Roses and Barley Water cures Vlcers of the Mouth and the almonds of the Throat being bathed or gargled therewith and cleanseth other foul Vlcers and Wounds being mixed with honey and used it preserves exulcerated Cancers from stinking and putrefaction and helps to heal them the leaves boiled in Hogs grease like a pultis helps Felons and Whitloes on the fingers The seed is good to break Winde kill Worms and help a stinking breath The herb and root do warm the Stomach and expell Winde and help digestion The root is to be sliced and eaten with oyl and Vinegar The root is stronger in operation then the herb for all the said purposes but especially to open obstructions and rid away an Ague the juyce thereof being taken in wine or a decoction thereof made in Wine Sorrel Acetosa THis is very well known plentifully to grow both in the Gardens and Fields and needs no further describing Names It is called in Latine Acetosa and Acedula from its sowreness Nature and Vertues Sorrel is cooling and drying in the second degree and cutteth tough phlegm by reason of its sowreness it is ascribed to the dominion of Venus it is a pleasant sauce to many meats grateful to hot Stomachs it provokes appetite tempers the heat of the Liver and opens the stopping and prevents the wasting thereof it cools inflammations and heat in Agues and Fevers and faintings arising from heat it refresheth the spirits A Sorrel posset is excellent to quench the thirst the leaves taken fasting preserve from infection but much more the Conserve which is good for all the forementioned purposes The seeds bruised and drunk in wine or water are good against the fretting of the Guts and the Chollick and stops hot Fluxes of the Tearms and of humours in the Bloody Flux or flux of the Stomach the leaves wrapped in a Colewort leaf and roasted under the Embers and applyed discusseth kernels in the Throat and ripens and breaks any hard Imposthume Tumor Boyl or Plague Sore the juyce used with Vinegar is good for Tetters Ring-worms and the Itch. The distilled water kills worms resists poison and is good for all the said purposes The roots either in powder or decoction are good for many of the forementioned purposes and helpeth the Jaundies and Gravel and Stone in the Kidneys A decoction of the flowers made in Wine and drunk helpeth the black Jaundies and inward Vlcers Wood-Sorrel Alleluia IT groweth low upon the ground without any stalk Description with a great many leaves coming from the root made of three leaves like Treefoil every leaf somewhat resembling a heart being broad at the ends cut in the middle and sharp towards the stalk of a faint yellowish green colour every one standing on a long red foot stalk which at their first coming up are close folded together to the stalk but opening themselves afterwards they are of a fine sowre taste and yieldeth a juyce which turneth red when it is clarified amongst these leaves rise up weak slender foot stalks bearing every one of them a white flower at the top consisting of five small pointed leaves star fashion and in some desht over with a small shew of blush after the flowers succeed small round heads with yellowish seeds in them the root consists of small strings fastned to the end of a small long piece of a yellowish colour abiding with some leaves thereon all the Winter Names It is called in Latine Trifolium Acetosum and in Shops Alleluia and Lujula in English Wood-Sorrel and Scab-wort Place and Time It grows in moist Woods and shadowy places and upon the old stems of Withyes Alders and such Trees as delight to grow in wet and shadowy places it flowers in April and May. Nature and Vertues Wood Sorrel is of temperature as the other and under the Planetary Influence This herb is singular good to defend the heart in all pestilential Diseases and to cool the faintings thereof caused by heat in Agues Fevers and other diseases it preserves the Blood from putrefaction quencheth thirst stayeth Vomiting and procures a good stomach a dram of the Conserve being taken in a morning or oftner if need require it is good in any contagious Disease A syrrup made of the juyce is effectual for all the said distempers and so is the distiled water the juyce is good to gargle the mouth for any Canker or Vlcer it is good in Wounds and Scabs to stay the bleeding and to cleanse and heal the Wounds and to stay hot defluctions and Catharrs upon the Throat or Lungs Spunges or linnen cloathes wet in the juyce and applyed to hot tumors and inflammations doth cool and help them A composition made with Mithridate Sugar and Wood Sorrel hath been approved for those that are entring into a Fever ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Sow-Thistles Sonchus THey need no description Names The Latines call them Sonchus which is divided into Asperum and Levem and in English we call them prickly and smooth Sow-thistles and sometimes Hares Lettice they are called likewise Lactula Leporina Palatium Leporis and Leporum Cubile Place and Time They grow in Gardens and manured Grounds commonly against the owners will as also
further in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Tutsan or Park leaves Siciliana TUtsan groweth up with brownish Description shining round stalks crested hard and woody about two foot high branching out from the bottom having divers joynts and two fair large leaves at every joynt of a dark blueish green colour on the upper side and yellowish underneath turning reddish toward the Autumne and abiding on the branches all the Winter at the tops whereof stand large yellow flowers after which come heads of seed at first greenish then reddish and last of a darkish purple colour wherein are contained a small brownish seed and also a reddish juyce like unto blood of a reasonable scent and a harsh stiptick taste like as the leaves and flowers are though in a lower degree The root is brownish great hard and woody spreading in the ground and continueth a long time Names The Latines call it Androsaemum and some call it Dionysia and Siciliana in English it is called Park-leaves because it familiarly grows in Woods and Parks and Tutsan from the French word Toutsaine it being a good Wound Herb. Place and Time It delights to grow in Woods and woody Grounds Parks and Forrests flowers in July and August and the berries are ripe in September Nature and Vertues Tutsan is moderately hot and dry yet abstersive a Saturnine Plant The leaves and flowers of Tutsan abate lust and venerial motions being taken in drink or otherwise and the seeds more powerfully being toasted and then eat or drunk Castory boiled in the juyce of Tutsan and drunk helps the Gonorrhea The Green herb bruised and applyed helps burnings by fire and the same or the powder of the dry herb stayes bleeding of Wounds it is a sovereign Wound herb for any Wound either inwardly or outwardly it may be used in drinks lotions balms or oyntments for any green Wound or old Sores or Vlcers Two drams of the seed in powder taken in the morning or after supper in Mead Wine or fair water purgeth chollerick Humors and helpeth the Sciatica or Hip-Gout Throat-wort Trachelium THroat-wort groweth with many large hairy leaves Description somewhat rough a little dented about the edges and of an overworn green colour the stalk is also hairy about half a yard high whereon stand leaves from the bottom almost to the top after the fashion of Nettles towards the top on a short foot stalk come forth hollow flowers bell fashion of a blueish purple colour and hairy within the root is white thick and endureth long Names The Latines call it Trachelium Cervicaria and Vvularia some likewise call them Campanula the flowers being like Bells in English Throat-wort Canterbury-bells and Haskwort Place and Time It groweth in Stow Wood by Oxford and doubtless in many other places in England though Germany and Italy be their more natural places they flower in June and July scarce perfecting their seed but increase by the root Nature and Vertues This Plant is cold and dry and so are most Bell Flowers the roots are sweet and therefore eaten in Sallets as Rampions are they have an astringent quality and are effectual for all Vlcers in the Mouth and Throat and also for the Vvula or Pallat of the Mouth being swollen or fallen down and also for all Sores in the privy parts of man or woman or elsewhere to be used in a decoction with Honey Wine and Allome and likewise to close up the lips of Cuts and green Wounds Valerian Phu majus VAlerian hath a thick short grayish root Description lying for the most part above ground shooting out such like roots on all sides having long strings or fibres under them in the ground which nourish them from these roots spring up many green leaves which at first are somewhat broad and long without any dent or division in them but those that come after are more and more divided on each side some to the middle rib being winged as made of many leaves together on a stalk and those upon the stalk are more divided but smaller towards the top then below the stalk riseth to be two or three foot high sometimes branched at the top with many small whitish flowers sometimes dashed over at the edges with a pale purplish colour of a small scent after which followeth small brownish white seed which is carried away with the winde the root smelleth more strong then either leaf or flower and is of more use in Physick Names The ordinary sort is called Phu majus and Valeriana major hortensis and of some Herba Benedicta and Theriacaria it being an ingredient in Treacle Place and Time It is nourished and kept in our Gardens it flowers in June and July and so continueth till the Frosts destroy it Nature and Vertues Valerian hath little heat while it is green but the dryed roots are hot and dry near unto the second degree it is a Mercurial plant The Garden Valerian is used in Antidotes and being dryed and taken in drink it helps pains in the Sides provokes Vrine helps the Strangury procures womens Terms helps chokings or stranglings in any part caused by pains in the Chest or Sides and the decoction thereof doth the same the root taken in wine is good against venomous bitings the Plague and expelleth Winde The decoction of the root with Liquorice Raisins and Anniseeds helps such as are short winded and have the Cough opens the Breast and expectorates Phlegm The green Herb is excellent to heal any inward Sore or Wound and to draw any Thorn or Splinter out of the Flesh The green herb and root bruised taketh away pains and prickings of the Head being applyed thereunto and stayeth rheumes and distillations and being boiled in white Wine and a drop thereof put into the Eye takes away any Pin Haw or Web therein and helps dimness of the Sight The decoction thereof in Wine is profitable to asswage swelling of the Cods caused of cold or Winde The distilled water of the Herb and root made in May is singular good for all the aforesaid purposes and is good in time of the Plague it killeth Worms in the Belly and is good to wash green Wounds or old Vlcers The decoction of the leares is good to gargle a sore mouth or Gums Vervain Verbena COmmon Vervain hath divers leaves towards the bottom Description of a middle size deeply gashed at the bottom and the other part deeply dented about the edges and some onely dented and cut all alike somewhat like an Oak leaf and of a dark green colour on the upper side and grayish underneath The stalk is square and branched into divers parts and riseth abour half a yard high having a spike of flowers at the top set on all sides thereof one above another and sometimes two or three together being small and gaping of a whitish colour intermixt with some blue and purple The seed being small and round is contained in somewhat long heads The root is small and long and of no
correct the infirmities thereof and dissolve pains and swellings of the Belly and the juyce of the root maketh the hair of a black colour being used for that purpose Wall-fern or Osmond Royal. Osmunda IT hath a great triangle stalk about a yard high Description beset on each side with large winged leaves dented or cut like polipody resembling the large leaves of the Ash-tree towards the tops of the branches grow brown rough and round grains but they are not the seed the root is great and thick covered over with many scales and interlacing roots having in the middle of the great wooddy part thereof some whiteness Names It is called in Latine Osmunda filix Palustris and of some Filicastrum by Alchimists Lunaria major in English Water-fern Osmund Royal and Osmond the Water man Place and Time It grows in moist boggy Ditches as in the Ditch near the Well in Holshot Lane in Hampshire it flourisheth in Summer as the other Ferns do and the leaves decay in Winter but the root continueth long Nature and Vertues The roots are hot and dry but not so hot as the other Ferns the root especially the heart thereof boiled or stamped and taken with some convenient liquor is good for those that are bruised by falls dry beaten or wounded for which cause it is used in wound drinks it is reputed to dissolve clotted blood in any inward part of the body and that it can drive it out by the wound The young sprigs at their first coming forth are good for all the said purposes and to be put into Balsoms Oyls and Plaisters and Vnguents for wounds punches and the like Fig-wort Vide Throat-wort Filipendula Vide Dropwort Dill. Anethum IT groweth up with one stalk Description hardly so big or high as Fennel yet it is so like Fennel that it is often mistaken for it yet the leaves are harder and thicker then Fennel of a stronger and more unpleasant smell and hath smaller Umbels of yellow flowers and the seeds are flatter and thinner then Fennel seed and not of so pleasant a taste the root dyes every year Names It is called in Latine Anethum in English Dill. Place and Time It is sown in Gardens and being once sown if the seeds be suffered to shed it needs no more sowing it flowers in July and seeds in August Nature and Vertues Gerrard saith it is dry in the beginning of the second degree and hot in the end thereof Parkinson saith it is hot in the third degree and dry in the second an herb of Mercury some say that it increases milk in womens breasts though many Authours deny it it is good to expel Winde and provoke Vrine ease pains in the body and stay Vomiting it strengthens the Brain stayes Looseness and stirs up lust being boiled in Wine and drunk but taken in too much quantity it dulls the sight it digesteth raw and viscous humours and easeth pains of winde The oyl is good to dissolve Imposthumes to procure sleep and warm the Brain Stomach and Belly the parts being anointod therewith ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Dittander or Pepperwort Lepidium IT hath long broad sharp pointed leaves of a light blueish green colour dented about the edges Description a round and tough stalk a foot and a half high having divers branches and little white flowers after which comes small seed in little heads Names It is called in Latine Lepidium and Piperitis Place and Time It groweth naturally in many places of this land in low grounds as in the Marshes by Rochester in Kent it flowers about July Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree of a sharp taste it hath a cleansing quality and is a Martial plant The leaves being made into an oyntment with Hogs suet or bruised and applyed to the place helps the Sciatica Hip-Gout and pain in the Joynts the part being afterwards bathed with Wine and Oyl and wrapped in Wool or Lambs Skins some women give the juyce of Dittander a spoonful or two in Ale to women in Travail to procure easie delivery it helps to take away the scars of Burning Scabs and scars in the body and cleanseth discolourings of the Skin Docks Rumex THere are many kindes of Docks as the red Dock and Bloodwort but they are all so well known I shall forbear any further description Names It s called in Latine Lapathum and Rumex and Bloodwort Lapathum Sanguineum Their places and time of growth is very well known Nature and Vertues They are cold and dry generally yet herbs of Jove and therefore good to strengthen the Liver and cleanse the Blood especially Bloodwort they are good to cool hot Livers and the red Dock root is good against the yellow Jaundies The root doth also provoke Vrine and the Terms and expells Gravel out of the Bladder The decoction of the seed helps wamblings in the Stomach and stops Fluxes The distilled water cleanses the Skin from the Morphew and Freckles Dodder of Time or Epithymum DOdder shoots strings or threads out of the ground at first Description which are greater or less according to the nature of the plant whereon it grows or fastneth these strings have no leaves but winde themselves thick about the plant they lay hold on ready sometimes to strangle it after they have gotten good hold they break off at bottom and receive nourishment from the plant partaking of its nature it puts forth clusters of small husks or heads which send forth small whitish flowers and afterwards small pale coloured flat seed and twice as big as Poppey seed Names Dodder is called in Shops Cuscuta but that which groweth upon Time Epithymum it grows also upon Nettles Flax Ferne Savory Tares and other Plants that which grows upon Tares the Husbandmen call Hell-weed because they cannot destroy it Places and Time That of Time and Flax grow rarely in England but those of Nettles and Fern do It flowers in July and August Nature and Vertues Dodders do partake of the nature of the Plant on which they grow and therefore Dodder of Time is hot and dry in the third degree whose vertues follow It purges Choller and Phlegm and therefore is good against Melancholly hardness of the Spleen Madness Faintings and the Quartane Ague windiness stopping of the Kidneys Itch Leprosie Vlcers and the French Pox It opens the Gall cleanses the Blood and is good against the Jaundies and strengthens the Liver and Spleen and is good against all hypocondriack passions Dodder of Nettles and Broom provokes Vrine and the other Dodders participate of the nature of the Plant whereon they grow and therefore have the same Vertues so that Mr. Culpepper was besides the saddle in attributing them all to the dominion of Saturn ☞ See more of this in the Expert Doctors Dispensatory written by P. Morellus ☞ See more of this in Adam in Eden by Will. Coles Dog-toothed Violet or Corral-wort Dentaria IT shooteth forth one or two winged leaves