or Corn-rose 4. Wilde Poppy with a white flowre 5. Murry coloured Poppy like the commonest single of the Garden 6. Party coloured Poppy Some spatling as 1. Beheâ— Album or white Battle 2. Elegant spatling Poppy with guilded leaves Others bastard called in Latine Argement As 1. Round headed bastard wilde Poppy 2. Long headed bastard wilde Poppy 3. Yellow wilde bastard Poppy of Waleâ— To trouble you with the Descriptions of every one of these would be tedious I shall therefore describe only the spatling Poppy the others being better known The Forme Spatling Poppy which doth very little resemble any other Poppy but only the Seed and Cod or Bowle wherein the seed is contained hath divers 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 let together at the joynts one against another having many times upon the leaves but more often about the joynts of the stalks a certain white frothy substance like unto that is called Cuckow-spittle or Wood-seer at the tops of the stalks upon many slender foot-stalks stand divers white flowers composed of five small leaves a peece with a deep notch in the middle of every one of them standing in a thin loose stripped husk wherein the black seed is afterward contained the root is white and spreadeth in the ground continuing sundry years The Place and Time Many of the Garden-Poppies are to be found in Country Gardens but the yellow horned Poppie groweth upon the sands and banks of the Sea neer unto Rie in Kent in the Isles of Sheppy and Thanet and in many other places along the English Coast with the other wilde Poppies every Corn-field is garnished as also with spatling Poppy which sometimes groweth in Pastures and high-way-sides the Elegant spatling Poppy with guilded Leaves groweth in Womersly field in Yorkshire Argemone groweth in Soâ—â—rsetshire and near South-fleet in Kent The white Corn-Rose groweth amongst the Wheat between Pontfract and Ferry-Bridge They begin flowring in May and continue till the end of July the seed of them is ripe presently after The Roots of all except the spatling Poppy perish every year and spring again either of their own or others sowing The Signature and Vertues The Heads of the Poppies with their Crowns do somewhat represent the Head and Brain and therefore the decoctions of them are used with good successe in several diseases of the Head The Garden Poppy Heads with the seeds made into a Syrup procureth rest and sleep in the sick and weak and stayeth Catarrhs and deâ—luxions of hot thin Rheumes from the head into the stomack and upon the Lungs causing a continual Cough which is the fore-runner of a Consumption The green Knops of Poppy stamped with Barley Meal and a little Barrows-grease and applyed in the form of a Pultis helpeth St. Authoâ—ies fire called Ignis Sacer. The Leaves Knops and Seeds stamped with Vinegar Womans milk and Saffron cureth Erysipelas another kinde of St. Anthonies fire and easeth the Gouâ— mightily and put into the Fundament as a Clyster causeth sleep The seed of black Poppy drunk in Wine stoppeth the Flux of the beâ—ly and the over-much flowing of Womens sicknesse Mr. Culpepper saith that it is the juyce of white Poppy growing in England which they sell for Opium in the Shops though they pretend to have it out of the Eastern Countries where they gather it only from the heads of the great white Poppy but certainly his Pen run before his Wit when he said it grew beyond the Moon for there is no question but that it is so gathered in those parts and should be that which is used in Narcotick Medicines though perhaps for want of it our Meconium which is the juyce of Poppy thickned and is much weaker is sometimes used It is an ingredient of much respect in those great Compositions of Treacle and Mithridate and in other Medicines that are made to procure rest and sleep and to ease the pains of the head as well as other parts or rather to palliate them and make them insensible for the time present It is used also both to cool Inflammations Agues oâ— Phrensies and generally for the same occasions as the seed or any part of the Plant is but if it be taken in too great a quantity it causeth the Lethargy and sometimes killeth and therefore it is to be used with caution inwardly divers have found that applyed to the Gout it hath given much ease and put into hollow teeth ceaseth their pain The Syrup of Meconium or Diacodium which is made of the heads of white and black Poppies a little after the heads are fallen off may safey be given to those which are troubled with hot and sharp Rheums but not to young Children which are froward for if Nurses would keep their own bodies temperate their Children would sleep well enough without it The Syrup made of the Flowers of the red wilde Poppy is with good effect given to those which have a Plurisie the dryed Flowers also either boyled in water or made into Powder and drunk either in the distilled water of tâ—em or in some other drink worketh the like effect the same also is available in all other Cephalicall or Pectorall griefs The distilled water of the said Flowers is held to be of much good use against surfeits to drink it evening and morning it is also more cooling in quality then any other Poppy and therefore cannot but be as effectual in hot Agues Phrensies and other Inflammations either inward or outward but the seed is dangerous to be used inwardly The Syrup aforesaid is thus made Take of the fresh Flowers or red Poppies two pound steep them in four pound of warm Spring-water the next day strain it and boil it into a Syrup with its equall waight of Sugar It cools the blood helps Surfeits and may be safely given in Phrensies Feavers and hot Agues The Seed of Spatling Poppy purgeth Flegme said Galâ—n and causeth vomitings saith Dioscorides being taken in Mead or honyed water and is especially good for those that are troubled with the Falling-Sicknesse It was the head of this Poppy about the time it was in flower which the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it doth foreshew as they conceived the success of their love For these Flowers the tops being closed together with ones fingers seem like little Bladders which being broken against ones other hand make a noyse like unto the Bladders of little Fishes being broken If they gave a good report they concluded they should be succesful if not they presently let fall their suit so superstitious were those people as some in our dayes be The leaves of Argemâ—né or Bastard wilde Poppy stamped and the juyce dropped into the eyes easeth the Inflammation thereof and cureth the Disease in the Eye called Argema whereof it took his name by signature which Disease when it happeneth on the
helpeth to expectorate rotten phlegme from those which are troubled with a continual Cough and is profitable also for the Ptisick or Consumption of the Lungs This Turpentine as it is clearest for inward uses and serveth insteed of the true Turpentine so well that they are commonly used out for another so is it best also for outward salves and doth both draw cleanse and heal all sores or ulcers and green wounds and therefore there is scarce a salve for that purpose wherein Turpentine is not Oyl drawn Chymically from Turpentine is singular good to be used in wounds being more drying and consolidating then the Turpentine it self as also to warm and ease the paines of the Joynts and Sinews caused of Cold and being mixed with a little Oxe Gall it is good for the worms and deafness of the ears The water which is distilled with the Oyl is used for freckles and spots in the face and a scruple weight of it taken in white Wine purgeth phlegme by Vomit Some use to mingle Bay Salt and Turpentine together and therewith spread a leathern girdle which being worn about the wast of them that have the Itch cureth them So Parkinson it being an Excrescence is good for all manner of excrescences by Signature CHAP. VI. Of Wood Betony The names SOme of the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it joyeth most in cold places Ruellius in his translation of Dioscorides calls it Cestron â—sychótrophon the Latines call it Betonica and Vetonica from the Vetones a people of Spain that first found out the vertues of it as Pliny saith We in England call it Wood Betony and it hath been formerly called Betayne or Betaine Parkinson adâ—ertiâ—eth that Vetonica and Betonica are diversly taken in divers Authors for Vetonica although it be set down in some Authors for Betonica yet more properly and usually it is understood to be the Caryophylius or Gilliflower and then it is denominated Vetonica altilis The Kinds Of this Betony for of the Water Betony I shall not treat in this place because it is more appropriated to other parts there are four or five sorts differing one from another either in the leaf or flower 1. Common Wood Betonâ— which hath a purple flower 2. Wood Betony with white flowers 3 Betonica minima Alpina Helvetica Small Mountain Betony 4. Betonica Danica Broad-leaved Betony 5. Betonica Alopecuros montana dicta Foxtail Betony That which I shall describe is the Common Wood-Betony The Formâ— The ordinary or Common Betony which because it is most frequent in Woods is called Wood Betony it hath many leaves rising from the root the lowermost whereof are somewhat broad and round at the ends slightly indented about the edges the footstalks being pretty long but those that grow by two and two at the joynts upon the small slender foursquare and somewhat hairy stalks are a great deal lesser The stalk is commonly near a foot high whereon are set several spiked heads of flowers of a reddish or purple colour spotted with white spots all over the seeds are somewhat long and uneven and of a blackish colour The root consists of many white threddy strings like unto those of Plantain the stalk perisheth but the roots with some leaves theron abide all the Winter the whole plant is somewhat small and therefore Gerard was mistaken who sayes that it hath long and broad leaves The Place and Time The Common Betony loveth shadowie places as Woods hedg-rows Copses the borders of pastures Parks c. That with the white flower is more usually found in stiffe clay grounds then in any other mould as in the VVoods by Brumley in Kent in a wood near a Village called Hampsteed and in Broodsworth VVood in Yorkeshire The third groweth on the Alpes of Helvetia or Switzerland The broad leaved or Danish Betony groweth in the Physick Garden at Oxford The last as Lugdunensis saith groweth in the moist vallies that are shadowed with trees of the high hills They flower and flowrish for the most part in the moneths of June and July and the seed ripeneth quickly after The Temperature and Vertues Betony though it grow wilde yet it is set in many Gardens and is hot and dry almost if not quite in the second degree The vertues of it are innumerable as Antonius Musa one of the Physicians of Augustus Caesar who hath written a peculiar Book of this Herb doth testifie but especially it is good for the brain so that as Fernelius writeth Cerebrum vel odore solorecreat hinc Comitiâ—libus furiosisque medetur Paralysin torpentiaque membra persanat The hairy Roots of this Herb are some Signature that it is good for the head If it be stamped and applyed to the fore-head of them that are frantick or possest with Devils it cureth them Boyl it with Vervein and Worm-wood in water and wash the head therewith and grind the same Herbs with some of the water and Wheaten Bran and apply it hot to the mould of the head thrice and it will cause the Head-ach to depart Seeth it with Vervein Hore-hound and Hysop in White-wine and apply them as liot as may be suffered and it cureth the Megrim which is a pain that possesseth one side of the head If the Head-ach proceed of cold Flegm seeth Betony in Wine with a third part of water and apply it For noyses in the head pains and giddiness thereof drink powder of the leaves dryed in the shade or rather eat it with slices of bread steeped in Wine first and last to restore the brain which is done likewise by taking some of the powder of it in Pottage and thus or green it helpeth those that loath their meat for it procureth digestion and allayeth the soure belchings and risings in the stomack if it be used often The Leaves or Flowers boyled in broth and drunk or made into a Conserve Water Electuary or Powder as any one shall like best do help the Jaundies Falling-sickness the Palsie Conâ—ulsions or shrinking of the Sinews the Gout and those which are inclined unto Dropsies those that have continual pains in their head though it turn to Phrensie The Powder mixed with pure Honey is no lesse available for all sorts of Coughs or Colds wheesing or shortness of breath and those Distillations upon the Lungs which cause Consumptions A dram of it taken in the Syrup of Vinegar doth wonderfully refresh those which are wearied by travel it stayeth bleeding at the mouth and nose and helpeth those that pisse blood or spit it The Decoction of it being made with Mead and a little Penny-Royal is good for those that are troubled with Quartan Agues and to draw down and evacuate the blood and humours that by falling into the eyes do hinder sight Being boyled in Wine and taken it killeth the Worms openeth obstructions of Spleen and Liver cureth stitches and pains in the back or sides the torments and griping pains of the Bowels and the
were put into the upper whereat grow on each side a bush of small long Rush like hard leaves each part resembling an Horsetail at the tops of the stalks come forth small Catkins like unto those of Trees the root creepeth under ground having Joynts at sundry places The Places and Time Many of the foresaid sorts grow generally up and down this Land but some of them are not so frequent as others as the smallest and finest Leased Horsetail which groweth in the lower wet grounds in the woods about Highgate not â—ar from London Small party coloured Horsetail or Horsetail Coralline whose leaves being bitten seeme to be composed of Sand from their grating between the teeth groweth on a bog by Smochal a wood nigh Bathe The Stinking Horsetail was found by Mr. William Brown of Magdalen Colledge myself and others in a bog about half a mile from Stockers house in Stow Wood by Oxford by the Road that goeth to Islip You may guesse where the rest grow by their titles they do all spring up with their blackish heads in Aprill and put forth their blooming Catkins in July seeding for the most part in August and then perish down to the ground rising afresh in the Spring The Temperature Horsetail as Galen saith hath a binding faculty with some bitternesse and therefore it doth mightily dry and that without biting The Vertues I know nor where more properly to bestow this plant then in this place it being so effectual to stanch bleedings which most commonly burst forth at the Nose if the Juyce or Decoction thereof be drunk or the Juice Decoction oâ— distilled water applyed outwardly It stayeth also all sorts of Lasks and Fluxes in Man or Woman and pissing of blood it healeth also not only the inward Ulcers and Excoriations of the intralls bladder c. But all other sorts of soul moist and running Ulcers and soon sodereth together the tops of green wounds not suffering them to grow to maturation It cureth also Ruptures in Children quickly but in those that are elder more time is required according to the disposition of the party and the continuance The Decoction hereof in wine being drunk is said to provoke Urine to help the Strangury and the Stone and so doth the distilled water thereof drunk two or three times a day a small quantity at a time as also to ease the paines in the Entralls or Guts and to be effectual against a Cough that cometh by distillation of rheume from the head The Juyce or distilled Water being warmed and hot Inflamma ions Pustules or Red wheales and other such Eruptions in the skin being bathed therewith doth help them and doth no lesse ease the swellings heat and Inflammations of the Fundament and privie parts in Man or Woman and cureth Tetters and Ringworms The fume of it is good to cause children guts to go back into their Body when as through Flux or cold they hang forth and so it stoppeth the immoderate Terms of Women The young buds are dressed by some like Asparagus or being boyled are often bestrewed with flower and fryed to be eaten The smother rather then the Rough and the leafed then the bare is both more used and of better effect in physick CHAP. XXXV Of Shepheards purse The Names THis Plant hath not gotten any name in Greek that I can learn from any Author All Latine Writers that make mention of it call it Bursa or Pera Pastoris and Pastoria Bursa except Gesner who calleth it Thlaspi Fatuum and Castor Durantes Herba Cancri In English it is called Shepheards purse or Scrip from the likenesse the Seed hath with that kind of leatherne bag wherein Shepherds carry their Victualls into the field of some Shepherds pouch and poor mans Parmacety it being in some sort effectual for the same things that Parmacety is and in the North part of England Toywort Pickpurse and Caseweed and of some Clappedepouch The Kinds These were formerly but two sorts of Shepherds purse known but Bauhinus maketh paticular relation of two more which are the second and last so that there are four kinds in all 1. The greater common Shepherds purse 2. Great Shepherds purse with whole leaves 3. Small Shepherds purse 4. Hairy Mountain Shepherds purse The Forme The Common Shepherds purse hath divers small and long leaves somewhat deeply cut-in on both sides like Rocket of a pale green colour most commonly spread upon the Ground amongst which riseth up a small round stalk parted into sererall branches some of which are sometimes about two handfulls high have smaller and lesse divided leaves on them to the tops where grow many white flowers one above another after which follow flat whitish pouches or Seâ—d Vessels small at the bottoms broad at the heads and parted like the Thlasâ— aâ—â—ost in form of an heart in each side whereof lyeth a small brownish yellow sâ—â—d the root is small and white and perisheth after seed-time but ariseth of the scattered seed the same or the next year The Places and Time The greater and lesser sorts that have cut leaves are frequent in every place with us in England but the other two whose leaves are whole do not grow wild here yet in Germany Mompelier and Italy they do as Bauhinus and Thalius affirm They flower and seed all Summer long yea so quick some of them are that they flower and seed twice in every year The Temperature Shepherds purse is cold and dry and very much binding after the Opinion of Ruellius Matthiolus and Dodonaeus but Label and Pena finding a little heat upon the sharp taste of the flowers and seeds do judge it not to be cold at all but drying and astringent The Vertues This Plant also being a stopper of blood doth in a manner require this place because the nose is the Organ through which the blood doth commonly make its way and sometimes continueth so long that unless it be timely prevented it endangereth the life For remedying of which distemper it may be used by holding the hands full of it or by binding it about the neck by using it in meats or by applying it with Vineger and water to the secret parts The decoâ—â—ion thereof drunk stoppeth the Lask the Bloody Flux spitting blood pissing blood the Flowers and all other issues of blood most excellently well howsoever it be taken but especially with red Wine or Plantain water Some do hold that the green Herb bruised and bound to the wrests of the hands and soles of the feet will help the yellow Jaundice the Herb bruised and laid Pultis-wise upon Inflammations St. Anthonies fire or the like represseth them The juyce dropped into mattering or running eares helpeth them it closeth the lips of green wounds and is of great effect being made into a Salve for wounds in the Head The juyce thereof being drunk helpeth the straitness of the breath and the Strangury it stoppeth Rheum and provoketh Urine It is very prevalent against venomous bitings if it
the pains of the joynts and sinews it strengthneth also the Liver and heart but the Chimicall Oyl doth serve for that and the former purposes much more effectually Being taken inwardly it stayeth vomiting and nauseous subversions and helps the retaining vertue of the stomach and brings good concoction and digestion It stoppeth the Flux of the Belly and profits those that spit blood and that have Coughs being taken with Syrup of Colts-foot or the like it stayeth the acrimony or sharpness of strong purging Medicines and is a good Corrector of them CHAP. LIV. Of Masterwort The Names THis Plant was scarcely known to the Ancients and therefore I cannot tell you by what name they called it but by later Writers it is generally called Imperatoriae as some say from the excellent vertues it hath It is a good Herb indeed but there being many as excellent as it methinks that shouâ—d not be the Reason why it should bear away the Bell from the rest I suppose it rather to be so called because if it meet with a peece of ground it liketh it will so disperse it self on every side that it will prove it self the Generall or sole Commander of the place and so may others haply if they compare the name and the nature of the Plant together And so much also doth the word Magistrantia from whence the word being corrupted comes Astrantia import from the over-mastering of its neighbouring Plants The like might be said of its English name Masterwort It is by some called Pellitory of Spain but falsly that being a small low Plant bearing many finely cut long Leaves upon the stalks lying on the ground like Camomil but somewhat larger Gerard calls it English-Masterwort or false Pellitory of Spain The Kindes As a Lyon brings forth but one Whelp so this mighty Plant is not very numerous in its Progeny for of it there are but two sorts 1. Common Masterwort 2. Mountain Masterwort The Form Common Masterwort hath divers great broad leaves divided into sundry parts three for the most part standing together upon a small footstalk on both sides the greater and three likewise at the end of the stalk each of which leaves are somewhat broad and cut-in on the edges into three or more divisions and all of them besides dented about the brims of a dark green colour and do so much resemble Angelica Leaves that I have known them mistaken for the same yet if they be well regarded they may easily be known asunder for that they grow lower to the ground and upon lesser stalks amongst which rise up two or three short stalks in comparison of Angelica being about half a yard or two foot high and slender with such like leaves at the joynts as grow below but lesser and with fewer divisions bearing umbels of white Flowers and after them small thin flat blackish Seed bigger then Dill-Seed the Root is somewhat great and groweth rather side-wayes then down-right into the ground and is the hottest and sharpest part of any of the rest of the Plant and the Seed next unto it being somewhat blackish on the out-side and smelling well The Places and Time The first is found on sundry Hill in Italy as also in Germany yet it is usually kept in Gardens with them as well as Us The other was found on the Alps in Switzerland They flowre and seed late with us as not untill the end of August The Temperature The Root of Masterwort is hotter then Pepper even to the third Degree compleat and is of very subtle parts The Vertues The Roots of Pellitory of Spain being very rare in England the Roots of Masterwort are the best substitute and are commonly sold in Shops under that Notion The dryed Root being chewed in the mouth draweth down from the head much flegme and is thereby available to ease the pains in the Head and Teeth and to draw forth cold Rheum Catarrhes and Defluxions upon the Lungs or Distillations into the Eys It is available in all cold Diseases and Griefs both of the Stomack and Body dissolving wind very powerfully both upward and downward The same also provoketh Urine and helpeth to break the Stone and expel Gravel from the Kidneys it procureth Womens Courses and expelleth the dead Birth and is singular good for the strangling of the Mother and other the like Womens Diseases it is effectuall also against the Dropsie Cramp and Falling Sicknesse It is of a rare quality against all sorts of cold poysons to be taken as there is cause either more or lesse and provoketh sweat The juyce hereof dropped or Tents dipped therein and applyed either to the green wounds or rotten Ulcers yea although they fret and creep and be almost gangrenated and those also that come by envenomed Weapons doth soon cleanse and heal them or if they be bathed with the distilled water the same also is good to help the Gout comming of cold cause Tragus saith that the Decoction of the Root in Wine being drunk doth revive the ability of generation but surely he had not observed Galens Rule who saith that those things that are so hot to expell wind do not help but hinder nature The other sort is more effectual and especially for Quartane Agues to expel the dead Child to purge the brain and to expell wind and help the Cholick CHAP. LV. Of Corall The Names THough it may seem strange to some at first sight that I should treat of Corall amongst Plants which seemeth more like unto a Stone yet whosoever shall consider the manner of its growing will conclude with the Herbarists of all Ages that it is fitly reckoned amongst them It is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Corallium by all that have written of it and thereto rubrum or album c. is set for distinction-sake yet the white is not remembered but by modern Authours the black sorts are called Antipathes and Corallium Nigrum there is a second sort of Antipathes or rough bristly black Corall and is called by the Fishers of Sardinia Sambeggia The Kinds The Sorts of Corall mentioned by later Writers are ten 1. The great red Corall 2. The greater and siner white Corall 3. Loose white Corall 4. Hollow white Corall 5. Knotty and spotted white Corall 6. Starry white Corall 7. Joynted white Corall 8. Black Corall 9. Rough bristly black Corall 10. Yellow Corall The Forme The greater red Corall which I take to be of greatest use is found growing on the Rocks in the Sea like unto a shrub with Arms and Branches breaking forth some into greater and some into lesser sprigs set full of knaggy eminences of a pale or whitish red colour on the out-side for the most part as it is taken forth of the water but being scraped or filed and polished becommeth very fair as it is usually seen yet some will be much more red on the outside at the first taking up and much redder within also being also of a firmer or hard stony
English Winter-green The Kinds Though formerly but one now six sorts are known 1. Ordinary Winter Green 2. The least Winter Green 3. Slender Winter Green 4. The Winter Green of Europ with Chickweed Flowers 5. Winter Green of America with Chickweed flowers 6. Shrubby Winter Green The Forme The first sort groweth sending forth seven or eight or nine Leaves from a small brownish creeping root every one standing on a long Footstalk and being almost as broad as long round pointed of a sad green colour hard in handling and like unto the Leaf of the Peartree but others compare them to be like unto the small leaves of Beets from whence ariseth a slender weak stalk yet standing upright bearing at the top many small white flowers smelling as sweet as those of Lilly Convally laid open like a star consisting of five round pointed leaves with many yellowish threds standing in the middle about a green head and a long stile with them which in time groweth to be the Seed-Vessel which when it is ripe is formed five square with a small point at it wherein is contained as small seed as the dust it self The Places and Time The Sort I have now described groweth in Lansdale and Craven in the North part of England especially in a Close called Crag Close and also in a Bog by Rosecre in the Kings County The second groweth at the foot of the high hills in Austria and Stiria as Clusius saith The third in Germany as also near Savoy The fourth groweth on the Woods of Germany in divers places as also in the Beechwood in Scotland as is recorded by Bauhinus and on the Mountains in in Wales likewise The fifth groweth in Brasil towards the West Indies The last groweth in most of the Provinces of Hungary Germany and Bohemia they do all flower except the American Sorts about June and July but the other more late with Us. The Temperature Winter green is cold in the second degree and dry in the third and exceeding astringent and glutinous withall The Vertues Grollius in his Book of Signatures puts down Pyrola to be a principall Herb for the Throat and therefore saith he we use it in Gargarisms but how to make out the Signature is beyond my poor skill It is a singular Remedy for green Wounds to consolidate their lips speedily together either the green Leaves bruised and applyed of themselves or the juyce of them or a Salve made of the green Herbs stamped or the juyce boyled with Hogs-lard or with Sallet-Oyl and Wax and some Turpentine added unto it which is so soveraign a Salve for all manner of wounds and Sores that the Germans use it exceeding much and extoll it beyond all other Salves made of a simple Herb They likewise use it for inward wounds or hurts being boyled either by it self or with other Wound-Herbs as Comfry Burnet Mos-eare c. wherewith they use to heal whomsoever is wounded either in the Body or Bowels or any other part by giving them to drink of such a decoction The Herb boyled in Wine or water and thereof given to drink to them that have any inward Ulcers in the Kidneys or neck of the Bladder doth wonderfully help them It stayeth also all Fluxes whether of blood or of humours as the Lask Bloody Fluxes or Womens too abundant Courses as also the bleeding of wounds and both taketh away Inflammation rising upon the pains of the heart and hindereth any to arise being presently applyed after the hurt received It is no lesse helpful for foul Ulcers hard to be cured as also for Cancers and Fistulaes The distilled water of the Herb doth effectually perform the same things and some keep the dryed Herb to use in Decoctions or made into powder to drink as often as they shall have occasion CHAP. LXIV Of Horse-Tongue or Double-Tongue The Names THe Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hippoglossum either because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a word oftentimes prefixed before great Plants as Hipposelinum Hippolapathum Hippomarathrum c. or because it somewhat resembles an Horses Tongue but others think it should be more truly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hypoglossum because of the small Leaves like small Tongues growing upon the greater The Latines keep the name and call it Hippoglossum or Hypoglossum and some to expresse it more fully Bislingua two Tongues or double Tongue some Lingua Pagana and of Apuleius Victoriola It is also called Bonifacia by Angularia and Uvularia by Bruâ—felsius Leonicerus Tabermontanus and others This is not Laurus Alexandrina as some have supposed The Kindes Besides the ordinary sort Fabius Columna maketh mention of another with larger Tongues upon the Leaves which as he saith is much more rare to find The Forme Horse-Tongue shooteth forth divers hard stalks with Leaves on them which are somewhat broad yet pointed at the end somewhat hard with Ribs running through them upon which from the middle Rib groweth a smaller Leaf or Tongue about the middle of the Leaf on the upper side which maketh it to differ from all other Plants that grow upon the ground Under the smaller Leaf at the bottom where it joyneth to the greater commeth forth one small whitish green Flower and sometimes two standing upon short foot-stalks where afterward stand the Berries which when they are ripe are very red very like unto the Berries of the Yew-Tree wherein is a white hard Seed the Root consisteth of many long hard whitish strings growing from a head The Places and Time It groweth upon Hills and in Woods in divers places both of Italy and Germany but is only cherished in Gardens with Us particularly in the Physick Garden in Oxford It flowreth in Iune and the Berries are ripe at the end of September in the naturall places as in the warmer Countries but it seldom commeth to perfection in our Land The Temperature Horse-Tongue is evidently hot in the second Degree and dry in the first The Signature and Vertues The little Leaf like a Tongue growing upon the greater is no light Argument that this Plant is effectuall for Sores in the Mouth and Throat and to settle the Palate of the Mouth in its place that is subject to fall down by reason of too much moysture which may likewise be signified thereby It is likewise of singular good use in old and filthy Ulcers in any part of the Body to dry up the moysture and to bring them on more speedily to be healed either the Powder of the Leaves or Roots to be used alone or with other things put into them or the decoction to wash them or inject into them It is held to be most powerful also of any Herb that is to help the suffocations and other Diseases of the Muther to take the Powder of the dryed Leaves or Roots in Wine Broth or other drink for it will speedily give ease Three or four drams of the said Powder taken in sweet Wine procureth a speedy delivery and
qualities to cure Coughs and other Diseases of the Lungs The Apothecaries call it Farfara and Vngula Caballina and of some Populago from the likenesse of its Leaves to those of the white Poplar which was named of the Ancients Farfarus Many suppose that this may be Tiphyum of Theophrastus as well as the Petasites in that both of them bring their Flowers before the Leaves and therefore are by some called Filii ante patres it being somewhat preposterous and very rare amongst Plants and this was the cause why some Herbarists thought that Colts-foot put â—orth no Flowers supposing that this Plant as others commonly do would have put forth Flowers after the Leaves if any at all Pliny calleth it Farranum Farrugium It is called alâ—o in English Foale-foot and Horse-foot There is a sort hereof called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cacalia in English Great and strange Colts-foot The Kindes The Colts-foot and the Cacalia make but four kinds 1. Colts-foot 2. Hoary Strange Colts-foot 3. Smooth strange Colts-foot 4. Strange Colts-foot of America The Foorme Colts-foot shooteth up a slender stalk with small yellowish Flowers somewhat early which fall away quickly and after they are past come somewhat round Leaves yet sometimes dented a little about the edges much lesser thicker and greener then those of the Butter-burr with a little Down or Freese over the green Leaf on the upper side which may be rubbed away and whitish or meaâ—y underneath The Root is small and white spreading very much in the ground so that where it taketh it will very hardly be cleansed from it again it any little peece be abiding therein and from thence springing fresh Leaves The Places and Time The first groweth of it self near unto Springs and on the brinks of Brooks and Rivers in wet furrowes by Ditches sides and in other moyst and watery places almost every where and if it be brought into a Garden it will take such possession on a sudden that it will not be quickly outed The second and third grow in sundry Vallies beyond the Seas and by the Bathes where they want not moysture The last in America Virginia and Canada The Leaves and Flowers of the first are seldom or never to be â—ound together the Flowers being past before the Leaves appear It flowers in the end of March and beginning of April the stems and Flowers also quickly fading away After them grow forth the Leaves which remain green all the Summer long The strange Sorts put out their Leaves first and from thence arise the Flowers which bear Seed also in the Summer-time The Temperature Colts-foot whilst it is fresh is cooling and drying but when it is dry the cooling quality which remained in the moysture being evaporate it is then somewhat hot and dry The Vertues This is an Herb generally known to be very available for those that have thin Rheums and Distillations upon the Lungs causing the Cough thereby tâ—â—hiâ—â—en and dry it and then the dryed Leaves are best as the fresh Leaves or Juyce oâ— Syrup made thereof is fittest for an hot dry Cough and for Wheesings and shortnesse of Breath The dryed Leaves taken in a Pipe as Tobacco is hath been found in like manner good for the thin Rheums Distillations and Coughs as also the Root taken in like Sort as some Authours affirm The distilled water hereof simply or with Elder-flowers and Night-shade is a singular Remedy against all hot Agues to drink two Ounces at a time and to have some Cloaths wet therein and applyed to the Head and Stomack The same also applyed to any hot Swellings or other Inflammations doth much good yea it helpeth that Disease called St. Anthonies fire and burnings also and is singular good to take away Wheals and small Pushes that rise through heat as also against the burning heat of the Piles or of the privy parts to apply Cloaths wet therein to the places Matthiolus sheweth that in the Root of this Colts-foot there groweth a certain Cotton or VVhite-wool which being cleansed from the Roots and bound up in Linnen Cloaths and boyled in Lye for a while and afterwards some salt Nitre added unto it and dryed up again in the Sun is the best tinder to take fire being stroke from a Flint that can be The Root of Cacalia steeped in Wine and eaten is also good for the Cough and hoarsnesse which Galen affirmeth of his Cacanum which is thought to be the same for it is without sharpness and good for hoarsness Dioscorides addeth that the Peare-like Grains which are found in his Cacalia beaten and mixed with a Cerot or Oyntment doth make the Skin smooth and will stay the falling of the hair as Pliny saith CHAP. CXI Of Wood-bind or Hony-suckle The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the Greeks in these dayes call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Periclymenum also and Caprifolium but Pliny mistaking the word Periclymenum setteth down the properties of Clymenum which is Tutsan for it with some it is called Sylvae mater and Matris Sylva Volucrum majus and Lilium inter Spinas and Vinciboscum by Caesalpinus according as his Italians called it In English it hath no other name but VVood-bind and Honey-suckle The Kindes There are divers Sorts of Wood-binds some that are winding about whatsoever standeth next them and for the most part known throughout the Land others are strangers or not so well known there are divers that wind not but stand upright all which being summoned together are in number eight 1. Our ordinary Wood-bind 2. The German red Honisuckle 3. Double Wood-bind or Hony-suckles 4. Dwarf Honisuckle 5. Upright Wood-bind or Hony-suckle 6. Black berried upright Hony-suckle 7. Blew berried upright Hony-suckle 8. The greater upright Hony-suckle I shall not trouble you with the description of the ordinary Hony-suckle but of the upright red berried Hony-suckle as being lesse known The Forme The divers stalks of the Red Berried upright Hony-suckle are somewhat straight and upright about three or four foot high at the least divided and spread into divers Branches covered with a very thin whitish Bark the Leaves stand by couples on the Branches and two likewise at every joynt which are of a whitish green colour smooth and lesser then those of the windy Wood-binds the Flowers also stand by couples at the end of short stalks that come from the joynts with the Leaves and are much smaller then the other never opening or spreading much of a pale whitish colour after which come two red Berries long with the roundnesse both of a bigness in the naturall places and in some open places but seldom so with us for one is usually withered and never commeth to perfection The Places and Time The first groweth abundantly in this Land almost in every Hedge The second came out of Germany The third out of Italy both which are set against our house-sides to run about the Windows where
they keep the Rooms cool and make a goodly shew without The last was found by Dr. Penny as Clusius saith by Dantswick The four last were found by Clusius in Germany Austria and Syria and some on the Pyrenean hills and in Savoy and are most of them kept in our â—ardens The first is in flowre in June and the Fruit is ripe in August The second and third flowre about the latter end of April and the beginning of May and so do the rest their fruit being ripe in July or August except the second which hath not been seen to bear any The Temperature The Flowers and Leaves of Hony-suckles are of a cleansing consuming and digesting quality The Vertues A Decoction made of the Leaves or the Flowers and Leaves of Honey-suckles with some Figs and Liquorice added thereunto is very effectuall for the expectorating of flegme from the Chest and Lungs whensoever they shall be overcharged therewith A Syrup made of the Flowers is good likewise to be drunk against the Diseases of the Lungs and Spleen that is stopped being drunk with a little Wine Mr. Culpepper saith that it is fitting that a Conserve of the Flowers of it should be kept in every Gentlewomans House for that he knew no better cure for an Asthma then this Besides it takes away the evill of the Spleen provokes Urine procures speedy delivery to Women in Travel helps Cramps Convulsions and Palsies and whatsoever Griefs come of cold or stoppings The Leaves or Flowers in Powder or the distilled water of them are commended to dry up soul and moyst Ulcers and to cleanse the face and skin from Morphew Sun-burn Freckles and other discolourings of the skin Notwithstanding Parkinson following Galen and Culpepper backing him as usually he doth be the matter right or wrong conceiveth that it is an errour to use the decoction of the Leaves of Hony-suckles or the distilled water of the Flowers in Mouth-waters yet it is certainly found by experience that the said water is good against the soareness of the Throat or Uvula and with the same Leaves boyled or the Leaves and Flowers distilled are made divers good Medicines against Cankers and sore mouths as well in Children as elder people and likewise for Ulcerations and Scaldings in the privy parts of Man or Woman if there be added to the decoction hereof some Honey and Allome or Verdigrease if the Sores require greater cleansing outwardly Provided alwayes that there be no Verdigrease put into the water that must be injected into the secret parts As for the provoking of Urine care must be had that the taking of the decoction be not continued too long for though at first it will but provoke Urine only yet being drunk six dayes together it will make the Urine like blood It causeth also barrennesse in Women and maketh men unable for generation The flowers and leaves are of more use then the seed yet they also help the shortnesse and difficulty of breathing and cure the Hicket CHAP. CXII Of Mullein The Names ITt is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uro for that it served as a Weeke to put into Lamps to burn in former times and of the Latines Candela Regia and Candelaria because the elder age used the stalks dipped in Suet to burn whether at Funeralls or for private Uses and so likewise the English name Higtaper for Hightaper the h being left out is used in the same manner as a Taper or Torch It hath also some other names in Latine as Thapsus Thlapsus and Tapsus Barbatus and Lanaria In English also some call it Torches some Bullocks Lungwort some Haires beard and some Jupiters Staffe The Kindes There are of this kind besides the Moth Mullein nine sorts 1. Common Mullein 2. Dwarf Mullein of Denmark 3. White Mullein with long leaves 4. Sweet white Mullein 5. Ordinary black Mullein 6. Sweet black Mullein 7. Jagged Mullein 8. Sage leafed Mullein 9. Small Sage leafed Mullein of Syria The Forme The Common white Mullein hath many fair large woolly leaves lying next the ground somewhat longer than broad pointed at the ends and as it were dented about the Edges the stalk riseth up to be four or five foot high if it grow in very rank ground covered over with such woolly leaves as the lowest but lesser so that the stalk can be hardly seen for the multitude of leaves thereon up to the flowers which come forth on all sides of the stalks without any branches for the most part and are many set together in a long spike in some of a gold yellow colour in others more pale consisting of five round pointed leaves which afterwards give small round heads wherein small brownish seed is contained the root is long white and wooddy perishing ever after it hath born seed The Places and Time The first groweth by the side waies and Lanes in many places and for its usefulnesse is taken into some Gardens and so is the second but it groweth naturally only in Denmark in the fields between Cronemberg and Hafnia neer Elsemore The third and fourth grow but in some places of our own Country so that one shall hardly find a plant in a great way The fifth in many places of Kent Surrey Essex and elsewhere The sixth is also sometimes to be found wild abroad but yet scarcely to be met with and indeed unlesse one well exercised in the knowledge of plants do light upon it and know it it will be scarce regarded by a great many others The seventh was found by Lobel neer the ruines of an old Church at Bathe in England The eighth groweth at Padoa or thereabouts and the last in Syria as by its title doth appear They all flower in June and July and bring forth their seed the second year after the sowing except the two last of whose time we cannot resolve you The Temperature Mullein is of a dry temperature the leaves have also a digesting and cleansing quality as Galen affirmeth The Vertues A Decoction of the leaves of Mullein is likewise very good for the Lungs and for those also that are troubled with an old Cough And this our aâ—eâ—tion is confirmed in that the Country people especially the Husbandmen in Kent do give it their Cattle against the Cough of the lungs it being an approved medicine for the same whereupon they call it Bullocks â—ungwort and I theâ—eâ—ore mention it because Cattle are also in some sort to be provided for â—n their â—iâ—eases The said leaves being a little bruised and laid oâ— bound to an Hoâ—es foot that is grievously pricked with shooing â—oth wonderfully heal it in a shoâ—t â—pace-Neither is it useful for Cattle but for men also A small quantity of the root taken in Wine is commended against Lasks and fluxes of the Belly the Decoction thereof gargled in the mouth easeth the paines of the Toothachâ— and bâ—ing drunk it is profitable for those that are bursten and for those that have Cramps and Convulsions If
famous Doctor of Physick whom the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some Bastard Names it hath also as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Hederula and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Hederula folium the form of the Leaves being like unto Ivy. Ruellius calleth it Hederalis in Latine but it is better known by the Names of Asclepias and Vincetâ—xicum which last is a generall word for any Counter-poyson and commeth from Vincâ— to over-come and Toxicum Poyson It was anciently called Hirundinaria although both the kinds of Chelidonium majus and minus be called Hirundinaria that is Swallon-vvort ab Hirundine from a Swallow because the pointed Cods when they are open and the Silk appeareth out of them do somewhat resemble a Swallow flying Others say from the Seed which is feathered as it were with Down about it In English it is called Svvallovv-vvort and of some Silken Cicely The Kinds There be only three Sorts of Swallow-wort that I can find 1. Swallow-wort with white Flowers 2. Swallow-wort with black Flowers 3. Swallow-wort of Candy The Form The Swallow-wort with white-flowers riseth up with divers slender weake stalkes to be halfe a yard or two foot long not easy to break yet scarce able to stand upright and therefore for the most part leane or lye down upon the ground if they find not some thing to sustaine them and then somtimes they will twine themselves about it whereon are set two leaves at the joynts being somwhat broad and long pointed at the end of a darke green colour and smooth at the edges at the joynts with the Leaves towards the top of the stalkes and at the tops themselves come forth divers small white flowers consisting of five pointed leaves a piece of an heavy sweet sent after wich come small long pods thick above and growing lesse and lesse to the point wherein by small flat brown seed wrapped in a great deale of white silken down which when the pod is ripe openeth of it selfe and sheddeth both seed and cotton upon the ground if it be not carefully gathered the roots are a great bush of many white strings fastned together at the head smelling somewhat strong while they are fresh and green but more pleasant when they are dryed both leaves and stalkes dye down every yeare to the ground and rise a new in the Spring the stalkes at their first coming up being of a blackish brown colour The Places and Time One or two if not all of these sorts grow in the Physick Garden at Oxford but as for their naturall places the two first grow in rough untilled places and on Mountaines in divers places both in France about Narbone Marscilles and Mompelier and in Italy also and in other places The last grow in Candy whence the seed came which being sowne groweth with us They all flower in the moneths of June and July and somtimes not untill August if the yeare be backward and their Cods with seed are ripe about a Moneth after the empty huske abiding on the dry branches when the seed and silk is shed out and fallen on the ground or blown away with the wind The Temperature The rootes of Swallow-wort are hot and dry and have a soveraigne quality against all poysons but in particular against the Apocinum or Dogsbane The Vertues A Dram of the powder of the roots of Swallow-wort taken in Sorrell or Bnglosse water is very effectuall against all the passions of the heart and if a few Citron seeds be taken therewith in the same manner and measure it easeth all the griping paines of the belly It is likewise effectually given to any that are bitten by any venemous beast or stung by any Serpent or other Creature as also against the biting of a mad dog a dram and an halfe of the root being taken in Carduus water for divers dayes together It is taken also in Wine every day against the Plague or Pestilence The decoction of the rootes made with white-Wine taken for divers dayes together a good draught at a time and sweating presently thereupon cureth the Dropâ—y the same also helpeth the Jaundise provoketh Urine and eaâ—eth the Cough and all defects of the Chest and Lungs The powder of the Rootes taken with Peony seed is good against the Falling sicknesse or what Basil seed or the rind of Pome Citrons is good against Melancholy Taken with the roots of White or Bastard Dâ—ttany it killeth and expelleth the Wormes of the Maw and Belly The rootes are very effectually used with other things in Bathes made for women to â—t over to ease all paines of the Mother and bring down their courses The Decoction likewise of the Roots hereof and of Comfrey made with wine is much commended to help those that are bursten or have a rupture and for them that have bin bruised with a fall or otherwise The powder of the root or leaves is no lesse effectuall to cleanse all putrid rotten and filthy Ulcers and soâ—es wheresoever then the Roots of Aristolochia or Birthwort and may safely be used in all Salves Unguents and Lotions made for such purposes instead thereof the one for the other The Leaves and Flowers boyled and made into a pultis applyed to the hard tumors or swellings of womens Breasts cureth them speedily as also such evil sores as happen in the Matrix although they be inveterate or hard to be cured The Down that is found in the Cods of these herbs doth make a softer stuffing for Cushions or Pillows or the like than thistle down which is much used in some places for the like purposes CHAP. CXXVII Of Goates-Rue The Names THis Hearb being unknown to the Antient Authors hath no Greek Name in Latin it is usually called Galega or Ruta Capraria For they that first found it and the vertues gave that Name of Rue thereunto as finding it no lesse effectuall then the Best Rue and Capraria because it is good for Goates Some call it Gralega and some Herba Gallica as Fracastorius and of some Capraria Some with us call it Italian-Vetch but most Commonly Goates Rue The Kinds The Sorts hereof are but two 1. Common Goates Rue 2. Mountain Goats Rue The Forme The Common or most usuall Goates Rue sendeth forth many round hard stalks three or four foot high whereon grow one above another at severall Joynts Long winged Leaves that is many Leaves set one each side of a middle rib which are small yet somewhat broad and long and pointed at the end smooth on the Edges without any dents somewhat like unto the Leaves of Vetches and of a faint green Colour at the topps of the stalks stand many small Leguminous flowers one above another of a pale blewish purple Colour and in some plants pure white after which come small round pods about â—n inch and an half long a little bunched out in some places but nothing so much as the Orobus or Bitter Vetch wherein lie three or four or five small pale seed
singular Vertues that it hath in English Holy Thistle and Blessed Thistle but more commonly Carduus Benedictus according to the Latine name Some excellently seen in the knowledge of Simples have made it a kind of Wild Bastard Saffron called in Latine Attractilis and in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because Women in old time were wont to use the stiffe stalk thereof pro fuso colo for a Spindle or a Distaffe It is named also Fucus agrestis and Colus rustica and the Women in Greece as Petrus Bellonius reporteth call Attractylis by a corrupt name Ardactyla even at this day Divers call it Carthamus Sylvestris Cnicus Sylvestris in English Wild Bastard Saffron The Kinds The Sorts hereof as you have already heard are two 1. Carduus Benedictus or the Blessed Thistle 2. Attractylis or Wild Bastard Saffron The Form Carduus Benedictus or Blessed Thistle hath round rough and plyable stalks which being parted into divers Branches do lie flat on the ground the leaves are jagged round about and full of harmless prickles on the edges the heads on the tops of the stalks are set with prickles and invironed with sharp pricking Leaves out of which standeth a yellow Flower the Seed is long and set with white hairs at the top like a Beard the Root is white and parted into strings the whole Herb Leaves and Stalks and also the Heads are covered with a soft and thin Down The Places and Time The first groweth naturally in Lemâ—os which is an Island of the Mediterraâ—ean Sea in the Champion grounds thereof as Petrus Bellonius testifieth It is diligently cherished in Gardens in these Northern parts The second groweth in Candy and in divers Provinces and Islands of Greece and also in Languedock and is entertained in our English Gardens The first flowreth in July and August at which time it is especially to be gathered for Physicall uses for then it will remain good a year or longer Attractylis is very late before it flowreth and seedeth The Temperature As Carduus Benedictus is bitter so it is also hot and dry in the second Degree and withall cleansing and opening Attractylis doth dry and moderately digest as Galen teacheth The Signature and Vertues By the Prickles upon the Stalks and Leaves of Carduus are clearly signified that the herb it self is an excellent remedy for the Pleurisie and Stâ—â—ches wherewith the sides are somtimes distempered if the Decoction in posset drink or the distilled water thereof be taken It helpeth also the swimming of the head strengtheneth the memory and is a good remedy against ceaâ—nesse killeth wormes provoketh Urine and the Courses and driveth out gravel and cleanseth the Stomack It is most excellent in Pestilent Feavers and all contagious Diâ—eases for it expelleth out by sweat all noxious or ill humours It is very good in any kind of Ague either the decoction thereof being taken or half a dram of the Powder in Posset-drink before the fit commeth for divers fits if need require and sweat after it It is very available likewise against Venome and poyson Though the distilled water is useful for the aforesaid Diseases yet the decoction is much better The extract thereof is good against the French Pox and the Quartan Ague The green Herb bruised and applyed is good against hot swellings as Wild-fire Plague-Sores Botches and it is good also to be laid upon the bitings of mad Dogs Serpents Spiders Bees or Wasps or any other venomous Creature The Powder stoppeth blood at the Nose being applyed The juyce thereof cleareth the sight being put into the Eyes and taketh away the redness of them and so doth the water Being bruised with a little Hogs-grease and a little Wheat mixed therewith it cures stubborn and rebellious Ulcers if it be applyed thereto It is used against the Gangrene also For all which notable effects it hath been called Omnimorbia that is a Salve for every Sore CHAP. CLX Of our Ladies Thistle The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if divers Authours be not mistaken being as is generally supposed that Plant that Dioscorides mentioneth under that name It is called in Latine Carduus Lacteus and Carduus Mariae in English Our Ladies Thistle or the Striped Milky Thistle Some think it to be Leucacantha or Spina Alba of the Antients others take it to be Leucographis Plinii Brunfelfius calleth it Carduus Albus and Camaeleon Matthiolus and Lobel Carduus Lacteus some Carduus Argentatus and Carduus Ramptarius others Carduus Leucographus and Silybum and Acanon Theophrasti The Kinds Although formerly there have been but one sort hereof known to the Herbarists yet of late by the diligent search and observation of some that have been curious there are found of them three in all 1. The common Ladies Thistle 2. Great milky Thistle of a year 3. The small Spanish milk-Thistle The Form The Common Ladies Thistle hath divers very large and broad leaves lying on the ground cut in and as it were crumpled but somewhat hairy on the edges and of a white green shining colour wherein are many lines and strakes of a milky white colour running all over and set with many sharp and stiffe prickles round about amongst which rise up one or more strong round and prickly stalks set full of the like leaves up to the top where at the end of every branch commeth forth a great prickly Thistle-like head strongly armed with pricks and with bright Purple Thrums rising out of the middle of them after they are past the Seed groweth in the said heads lying in a great deal of fine soft white Down which is somewhat flattish and shining large and brown the Root is great spreading in the ground with many strings and small Fibres fastened to them All the whole Plant is bitter in taste and therefore supposed not to be without good effects The Places and Time The first is frequent in many parts of this Realm and particularly in St. Georges Fields near London in great abundance The Seed whereof the second and likewise the last came were brought out of Spain by Guillaume Boel It is thought that the last is the same that Camerarius saith he picked out of Epithyâ—â—â— and that Ranwolsius gave him brought out of Syria because the Seed and Leaves are so very much alike They flower and seed in June July and August when other sorts of Thistles do The Temperature Our Ladies Thistle is hot and dry in the second Degree and bindeth moderately especially the Roots The Signature and Vertues There are upon this Plant also many prickles and therefore it is good for the Stitches of the side and other Diseases thereof by Signature if the Decoction or Powder thereof be taken It is also very effectuall for Agues and to prevent and cure the infection of the Plague as also to open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and thereby is good against the Jaundies It provoketh Urine breaketh and expelleth the Stone and is
either a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 coquo quia calor ejus concoctricem facultatem adjuvat because it helpeth concoction or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignis because of the eminent heat that is therein In Latine Piper In English Pepper Some call the Pepper of Aethiopiae Piper Aethiopia Piper Aethiopicum Amomum Vita longa and Cardamomum whereof they hold it to be a kind The Kinds Of Pepper there be these five sorts mentioned by Authours 1. Black Pepper 2. White Pepper 3. Long Pepper 4. Pepper of Aethiopia 5. Matthiolus his Pepper The Forme The Plant that beareth the Black-Pepper as also the white groweth up like a Vine among bushes and brambles where it naturally groweth but where it is mannured it is sowen at the bottome of the tree Gausel and the Date Trees whereon it taketh hold and climeth even to the top as doth the Vine ramping and taking hold but not with tendrells as the Vine doth of any other thing it meeteth withall It is full of Joynts and shooteth forth faire and somwhat large Leaves one at a Joynt being almost round but ending in a point greener above and paler underneath with a great middle ribbe and foure other ribbs somwhat lesser spreading from it two on each side smaller veines therein also unto the edges which are not dented but smooth and plaine not thick but somwhat thin and set on a pretty long footstalke The Fruit or Pepper it selfe groweth at the same Joynt but opposite to the Leafe and not betweene the Stalk and the Leafe as some have falsely set it down round about a long Stalk somwhat thinly set along thereon The root hath sundry Joynts creeping in the ground with fibres at the Joynts The Places and Time Black and White Pepper grow in the Kingdome of Malavar and that very good in Malaca also but not so good and also in the Island Sunde and Cude there is great store growing in the Kingdome of China and some in Cananer but not much Pepper of Ethiopia groweth in America in all the tract of the Country where Nata and Carthago are scituated These Plants rise up in the beginning of the Spring and the fruit is gathered in August The Temperature It is hot and dry in the third degree or neere the fourth of an heating or dissolveing quality The Vertues The Black-Pepper is most in use and is good in sawces to give a good tast to meat to provoke appetite and helpe digestion but they are all used to warme cold Stomacks and to consume crude and moist humors therein or distilling from the Head They also help to break and dissolve Wind in the Stomack or Bowells to provoke Vrine to heâ—p the Cough and other diseases of the breast and are effectuall againâ—â— Poyâ—on and venemous bitings either of Serpents or other Vermine and are therefore put into Antidotes â—reacles and other preâ—ervative The same drunk before the â—t of a Feaver or Ague in Posset-drink or laid to or anointed outwardly with Oyâ—e abareth the rigour and shaking thereof and wasteth the swelling of Quinsy if it be taken with Honey That Pepper which is taken inwardly must not be beaten very small for feare of inflaming the blood and other profitable humors of the body but in outward applications there is no danger The Powder thereof snifted up into the nose provoketh sneezing and purgeth the braine of all superfluous moisture and so it doth likewise if it be eaten with Raisins It he peth also the dimnesse of the sight by consuming the Pin and Web or any other excrescence that shall molest it It doth very much strengthen the Nerves and Muscles consuming the watery moisture that causeth shaking in them by its heat and therefore it is that Macer saith thus of it For an Ague Quodque movere solet frigus periodica febris Compescit febris si sumiturante tremorem It doth asswage the fits that Agues make If that you use thereof before you shake It dissolveth the Kings-evill Kernells Wens Hard cold swellings and draweth forth Thornes Shards and Splinters if it be applyed with pitch A Cawdle made with Vine-Leaves hard Egges and Pepper stayeth the bloody Flix and the Powder of long Pepper and the rootes of Cinckfoile drunk in Ale easeth the Chollick It easeth the Tooth-ach being tied in a Clout and chewed on It is best for moist and coâ—d Constitutions but in dry bodyes it consumeth the seed and burneth the blood if it be immoderately used CHAP. CLXV Of the Nutmeg-Tree The Names IT was not known to the ancient Greek Writers Dioscorides or Theophrastus no nor to Galen or Pliny for although some have thought it might be Galen his Chrysobalanos yet they are farre away therein The latter have called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek from the sweet scent that it yeeldeth and in Latine Nux Aromatites and Nux Myristica for the same reason and Nux Moschata as if it were a Moscho which we call Muske in English The Mace that groweth also upon this Tree is called in Latine Macis but in Banda where they grow the Nutmeg is called Palla and the Mace Bunapalla The Kinds The Nutmeg-Tree and so likewise the fruit are of two sorts as hath been exactly observed by Clusius and by him called Mas and famina the Male and the Female which last is that which is most in use with us and therefore take its description as followes The Forme This Tree is said to be very great and as tall almost as our Peare-Trees spreading many branches which are greene whil'st they are young having faire broad Leaves â—et thereon somwhat like unto the Orenge-Tree-Leaves set on a short stalke unequally on the branches and abide alwayes green thereon The fruit for the Flowers have not been observed groweth at the end of the young branches which are as big as Peaches standing singly for the most part on a thick fat stalk having an outward thick huske furrowed in the middle which divideth it selfe into two parts and growing ripe openeth it selfe shewing the Nut within covered with the Mace cut into severall peices as it were of an orient crimson colour at the first opening but is afterwards changed by the aire to be more dead and yellowish as it is when it is brought to us besides which it is covered also with a black thin hard shell which being broken the Nutmeg it selfe appeareth The Places and Time They both grow in the East-Indies but especially in an Island called Banda whence some have called the Nut Nux Bandensis and in the Islands of Molucca also though not so good as the first as neither be they that do grow in Zeilan The time of flouring is not specified but the fruit is ripe in September The Temperature Nutmegs are hot and dry in the second degree and somwhat astringent Mace is hot in the second degree and dry in the third The Vertues Nutmegs do not only heat but strengthen the Stomack that is cold and weake
accustomed to make Crowns and Garlands thereof The flowers are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the composition made of them Dianthos The Kinds There was formerly but one sort of Rosemary known but now we have more diversity As 1. Ordinary Rosemary 2. Gilded Rosemary 3. Broadleafed Rosemary 4. Double flowered Rosemary 5. Wild sweet Sâ—lesia Rosemary 6. Unsavory Wild Rosemary 7. Our wild Rosemary 8. The Poets Rosemary or Garde robe so called because the people of Granado Montpelier and the Kingdom of Valentia do use it in their Presses and Wardrobes and call it Guardâ—lobo The Form Though ordinary Garden Rosemary be so well known that I shall scarce need to describe it yet it being a plant of so great use I shall not so much sleight it as to let it go without a description It is a woody shrub growing oftentimes to the height of three or four Cubits especially when it is set by a wall and hath stood there a long time the Stemme is of a close firm substance and whitish branching forth into sundry arms and from them again in to many slender brittle branches at the Joynts whereof are set at several distances many long and very narrow Leaves green above and grayish underneath somewhat hard and of a quick spicy taste with a pleasant sweet strong smell and with them all along the stalks towards the tops divers small gaping flowers of a pale bleak blewish Colour standing in whitish husks the Seed is small and of a colour between black and red but seldom doth any that is sowed in England endure the first Winter without extraordinary Care and therefore is usually increased by setting the slips thereof The Place and Time The Ordinary Rosemary as also that with the gilded Leaves are no Strangers here in England for they are to be found in most Gardens though their natural soil be in France Spain and other hot Countries In that part of France which is called Provence it groweth of it self without setting and is used for a common fuel There is so great plenty of it likewise in Spain that the Odour of it is many times smelt by those in the Ships that passe by many leagues off from the Land The third and fourth is found only in the Gardens of Herbarists The fifth and sixth in Silesia Bohemia and the parts thereabouts The seventh groweth in Yorkshire but especially in Lanâ—â—shâ—re in a field called little Reede amongst the Hurtle berries near unto a small Village called Maudsley The last groweth in great abundance in Narbone â—pain and Italy The first flowreth in April and May and sometime in August again the others not untill August except our wild Roâ—emary wâ—ich flowereth in June and July The Temperature Rosemary is hot and dry in the second degree and also of an astringent or binding quality as being compounded of diverse parts and taking more of the mixture of the earthly substance The Vertues It is given against all fluxes of blood it is also good especially the flowers thereof for all infirmities of the head and brain proceeding of a moist cause for they dry the brain quicken the sences and memory and strengthen the sinew part It helpeth all cold diseases of the Head Stomach Liver and Belly with its warming and comforting heat To cleanse and comfort the Stomach and to make a sweet breath use it in this manner Take Rosemary with the flowers or without a handfull or more seeth it in white Wine a good space and put thereto if you please a little Cinamon then drink it and wash your mouth therewith the same without Cinamon maketh the skin very clear and therefore is good to wash the hands and face with It helpeth also cold Rheumes falling down into the Eyes the giddinesse or swimming of the head the dumb palsie or losse of speech the Lethargy and falling Sicknesse if it be drunk and the temples bathed therewith It is a remedy for the windinesse in the Stomach or bowells and expelleth it powerfully as also the Hypochondriack passion wind in the Spleen it helpeth all those that are Livergrown by opening the obstructions thereof by warming the coldnesse extenuating the grosseness and afterwards binding and strengthening the weaknesse thereof The Flowers and the Conserve made of them are singular good to comfort the heart and to expell the Contagion of the Pestilence and it is good to burn the branches of it in infectious times Both flowers and leaves are very profitable for Women that are troubled with the Whites if they be daily taken The dried Leaves being cut and taken in a Tobacco Pipe helpeth them that have any Cough Tissick or Consumption by warming and drying the thin Distillations which cause those Diseases The Chymicall Oyl drawn from the Leaves and flowers is a Soveraign help for all the diseases aforesaid if the Temples and Nostrills be but touched with a drop or two it helpeth the head and brain and so it doth any cold benummed-Joynt Sinew or member if it be anointed with two or three drops thereof Great care is to be taken in applying it to inward griefs for it is very quick and piercing and therefore but a very little is to be taken at once CHAP. IX Of Lavander The Names I Doubt very much whether this Plant were at all known unto the Grecians because I cannot finde it in Dioscorides or any ancient or modern Greek Authour to be so much as mentioned though I have sought diligently for it It is called in Latine Lavandula Lavendula and of some Lavanda quia lavacris expetitur because it is used in Baths and in washing of the hands for the sweetnesse of the smell The ordinary great Lavender is called by Matthiolus Nardus-Italica Pseudonardus Tragus calleth it Spica Nardus Germanica but most Authours call the greater Lavendula major mas as they do the lesser minor faemina It is by some called Spikenard because it giveth a favour somewhat like to the true Spikenard and by others the female of this here is held to be Lavender and Spike-the-male The Kindes There are two sorts of Lavender as I said before that is a greater and a lesser Of the lesser there be three sorts 1. Small Lavender or Spike with purplish blew Flowers 2. Small white Lavender or Spike with a white Flower 3. Jagged Lavender The Forme Ordinary Garden Lavender hath a hard wooddy stem parted into many small branches whereon are set whitish long and narrow leaves by couples one against another from among which rise up naked square stalks with two leaves at a joynt and at the tops divers small husks standing round about them formed in long round heads or spikes with blewish gaping Flowers springing out of each of them the root is wooddy and spreadeth in the ground the whole Plant is of a strong sweet smell but especially the heads of Flowers which are much used to be put into linnen and apparel as also into Nosegayes or Posies
to the Lords Lievtenants of the several shires for the increasing of Mulberry trees and the breeding of Silk worms in his Kingdom had taken their wished effect which they did not because they had not the instructions to that purpose annexed to them But now the way then thought of is revived by that industrious Common wealths-man Samuel Hartlib Esquire of propagating them by seed to whose book called the Reformed Virginian Silkworm I refer you whereas formerly there was no way of propagating but either by slips grafting or inoculation which seldom â—ook effect The biggest of them that ever I saw groweth in New Colledge in Oxon in a place between the great Quadrangle and the Garden The third as the name importeth came from Virginia where it groweth hugely with great store of great leaves and small store of fruit but in the season with the other which in August and September The wild kind groweth along the Mountâ—â—ce in Merton Colledge Orchard half a dozen at least close by one another which never perfecteth its fruit as I said before The Temperature The Mulberry is of different parts the ripe berries by reason of their sweetnesse and slippery moisture opening the belly and the unripe binding it especially when they are dryed and are then good to stay fluxes and lasks and abundance of Womens courses but the bark of the root hath a stronger purging quality and a bitternesse withall the leaves and young tender tops have a middle or temperate faculty The Vertues and Signature The Juyce of Mulberries or syrrup made of them helpeth all inflammationâ— and sores in the mouth or throat and the Uvula or Palate of the mouth when â—t is fallen down The Juyce of the leaves is a remedy against the biting of Serpents and for those that have taken Aconite or Wolfsbane The leaves beaten with Vâ—negar is good to lay on any place that is burnt with fire A decoction made of the bark and leaves is good to wash the mouth and teeth when they ake It is reported that if the root be a little slit or cut and a small hole made in the ground next thereunto in the harvest time it will give out a certain Juyce which being hardned is the next day of good use to help the Toothach to dissolve knots and purge the belly the leaves are said to stay bleeding at mouth and nose or the bleeding of the Piles or of a wound being bound unto the places A branch of the tree taken when the Moon is at full and bound to the wrist of a Womans arme whose courses come down too much doth stay them in short space The bark of the root killeth the broad worms in the bodies of men or children The leaves of the vine of the early Fig and of the Mulberry boyled in Rain water is good to wash the hair and to make it have a clear and fair colour The ripe berries if they be taken before meat do make passage for what followeth but if after meat and passe not quickly away they corrupt in the stomach and draw the rest on to putrifaction with them otherwise they trouble little There be growing upon the Cods and about the Breech of some people certain tumors like unto Mulberries which the powder of those berries and leaves doth cure by Signature The leaves of this tree are the most natural food of Silk worms as you may gather by what hath gone before of which there might be great profit made here as well as in Italy Spain and France if we had been as industrious as they in nursing up these kinds of trees but it is not too late to learn any thing that may make for the attainment of nationall and private profit and riches When the Mulberry tree begins to put out its buds then the Silkworms Eggs begin to hatch as the nature of this wise creature is when heâ— food begins once to appear she comes forth of her shel so that if a Muâ—berry leaf be laid upon them they will come upon it instantly and after that they have been sed with fresh leaves about fourty five daies they will begin to spin their Silk bottom CHAP. LXIII Of Mints The Names IT was called by the old Greciaus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Pliny recordeth who followed the story of the Poets that saith it was so named from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one of Plutoes Minions whom he turned into this â—erb but of the later 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab odoris bonitate or jucunditate because it is so sweet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying sweet and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 smell The Latine name is Mentha which the Apothecaries Frenchand Italian keep in English Mint The Kindes Of the manured and wild Mints I find a dozen kinds 1. Hart Mint or Spare Mint 2. Crosse Mint 3. Red or brown Mints 4. Crisped or curled Mints 5. The great curled Mint of Germany 6. The manured wild Mint 7. Long leafed wild Mint 8. Hungarian wild Mint 9. Clusius his knobbed wild Mint 10. Wild Mints with joynted roots 11. Hairy wild Mints 12. Small round leafed mints To which we may add Water mint or Horse mint The Forme Mint is so well known that it needeth no description yet it deserving one no less then other plants I shall not be so injurious as to let it passe without one though it be the shorter Garden mints which is the third kind above mentioned cometh up with stalks four square of an obscure red colour somewhat hairy which are covered with round leaves nicked on the edges like a Saw of a deep green colour the flowers are little and red and grow about the stalks circlewise as those of Penny Royal the root creepeth aslope in the ground having some strings on it and now and then in sundry places it buddeth out afresh and will over-run the ground where it is set if it be let alone any long time The Places and Time The first four sorts are only found planted in Gardens and the fith found wild first both with us and elsewhere but for especiall respects brought into Gardens The other sorts are likewise wild by nature in their places but now are cherished by those that love such kind of plants in many places All the sorts of garden as well as wild mints flower not until the beginning of August so that the Garden mint seldom bringeth forth good seed neverthelesse the defect thereof is recompensed by the increase of the root The water-mint groweth in every ditch The Temperature Mint is hot and dry in the beginning of the third degree of thin parts bitter and binding The Vertues The decoction of mint gaâ—gled in the mouth cureth the â—ums and Mouth that is sore and mendeth an ill savoured breath to which if there be a little Rue and Corâ—ander added and gargled likewise and held in the mouth causeth the Palate of the mouth that is down to return to its place applyed with Mead or honyed Water
substance after it is kept a while out of the water but plyable whilst it is there The Place and Time Most of these Coralls are found about Marcelles and the Isle of Sardinia and other places of the Mediterranean Sea but seldom on this side unlesse it be upon the Rocks on the west side of England about St. Michaels Mount where Gerard saith that white and yellow Corall do grow They are to be found growing at all times of the year The Temperature All the Sorts of Corall do cool and bind yet the white is thought to be of a colder operation then the red or black The Signature and Vertues The substance both of red and white Corall commeth very near to that of the Teeth but the white being nearest in colour may more properly be said to have their Signature yet we find that the red also is very useful in all the accidents that belong to them As first it helpeth Children to breed their Teeth their Gums being rubbed therewith and to that purpose they have it fastened at the ends of their Whistles it fastneth the Teeth also that are loose and maketh them white it helpeth sore Gums and Ulcers in the mouth and healeth up foul hollow Ulcers in other parts and filleth them with flesh and is used in Medicines for the Eys to stay the Flux of Rheum and takes away the heat and redness thereof by cooling and drying up the moysture and some hang it about the neck of such as have the Falling-Sicknesse The colour of red Corall holds forth by its Signature that it stoppeth bleeding which it doth if it be but held in the hands of those that bleed either at the Nose or Mouth it is commended also to be very effectuall for those that spit blood or be troubled with any other Flux of blood either in Man or Woman and being often taken in Wine or other drink doth diminish the Spleen it helpeth also the Gonorrhea in Men and the Whites in Women It likewise helpeth them much that are troubled with the stopping of their water or that make it by drops and also those that have the tormenting pains of the Stone in the Bladder if the Powder when it is burnt be taken in drink It strengtheneth the Heart Stomack and Liver and is therefore very usefull in the Pestilence against venome and all pestilent Feavers and malignant Diseases it chears the heart and is good against melancholy The Powder taken in Wine or distilled water brings rest to such as have Agues and is good for them that are troubled with the Cramp As it is commended in the Falling Sicknesse so likewise it is said to prevent it if a Child so soon as it is born take ten grains thereof in Black-Cherry-water or in the Mothers Milk Some affirm that it causeth an easie delivery of the birth which it do it must be by some specifick Vertue for experience doth manifest it to be of a binding nature The Chymicall Oyl of Corall is also commended for most of the purposes aforesaid CHAP. LVI Of Corall-wort The Names SEverall Names have been given to this Plant by later Writers for it is conceived that none of the Ancients as Dioscorides or Pliny c. took any cognizance of it Some have called it from the form and colour of the Roots Dentaria Dentillaria Coralloides and Alablastrites as Lobel and Dentaria Coralloide radice All which Names do agree both with the Plant and place it here stands in for the Root of it being white smooth and shining as Teeth ought to be it was fitly named Dentaria Dentillaria and Alablastrites and as fitly Coralloides Dentaria Coralloide Radice the divers small round knobs set together whereof the Root is composed resembling the knaggy Eminences of the Corall especially the white with which it agrees in colour too Others both from the Root and Flowers that are like unto Stock-Gillow-Flowers which were antiently comprehended under the name of Viola called it Viola Dentaria as Dadonaus We in English call it Toothed Violet or Corallwort The Kindes Parkinson presents you with seven sorts of Coralwort 1. Bulbe-bearing tootheâ— Violets 2. Cinquefoile Corallwort 3. Another Cinquefoile Corallwort 4. Trefoile Corallwort 5. Setfoile Corallwort 6. Bulbed narrow leaâ—ed Corallwort 7. The least Corallwort The Forme The bulbe bearing Toothed Violet shooteth forth one or two winged Leaves upon long brownish foot-stalks which in their rising up out of the ground are as it were doubled or folded downwards and then open themselves in seaven leaves most usually and sometimes but five each whereof is somewhat long denied about the edges and Poynted of a sad green colour and set on both sides of the middle Rib one against another the stalk that beareth Flowers riseth up in the same manner with the Leaves and is bare or naked of Leaves unto the middle thereof where it shooteth forth a Leaf and so one of two more up higher each consisting but of five Leaves and sometimes but of three having also the uppermost single at each whereof commeth forth a small round bulbe cloven or as it were divided into some parts of cloves of a sad purplish green colour which being ripe and put into the ground will grow to be a Root and bear Leaves â—â—â—e as the bulbes of a red bulbed Lilly about which at the top stand four or five Flowers in long hâ—â—sks upon short foot-stalks opening into four leaves of a Purplish colour very like unto the Flowers of Stock-Gillow-Flowers or Dames Violets after which come small long Horns or Cods poynted at the ends wherein lye such like Seed as are in the Cods of Dames Violets which will as soon as it is ripe break the Pod and fall out the Root is very smooth white and shining It doth not grow downwards but creepeth along under the upper crust of the ground and consisteth of diveÌ„rs small round knobs set together the tast both of the leaf and Root is somewhat bitter hot and sharp like Radish The Places and Time The first and last have been found in our Land as Parkinson saith the first at Mayfield in Sussex in a Wood called Highreed another Wood therein called Foxholes but for the place of the last he doth not expresse it yet I find that it groweth very plentifully about Croydon in Surrey as also a greater sort of Corallwort not mentioned by him The rest in the shadowy woods of Germany Switzerland and Savoy Naples Italy and divers other places They flower about the end of April and the beginning or middle of May and are withered and gone before July for the most part the roots abiding safe under ground The Temperature The Root of Coralwort is drying binding and strâ—ngthening yet it helpeth to provoke Urine and to expell gravell and the stone as some affirm by a speciall Vertue The Signature and Vertues Both the form of the root of Corallwort which is made as it were of many Teeth set together and the smoothnesse and
Jacobus à Manlijs Herba Pinnula in shops it is called Jusquiamus and Hyoscyamus in English Henbane because the Seeds are hurtful to Hens The Kindes The Sorts of Henbane are four 1 Common Henbane 2. White Henbane 3. Henbane of Candy 4. Henbane of Egypt .. The Forme Common Henbane hath very large thick soft woolly leaves lying upon the Ground much cut in or torn on the edges of a dark or evill grayish colour among which rise up divers thick and soft stalks about half a yard or two foot high spred into divers smaller branches with some lesser leaves on them and many hollow flowers scarce appearing above the Husks and usually torn on the one side ending in five round points growing one above another of a deadish yellow colour somewhat paler towards the Edges with many purplish veins therein and of a dark yellowish purple in the bottom of the flower with a small pointell of the same Colour in the middle each of them standing in a hard close husk which after the flower is past groweth like the a husk of Asarae Bacca and somewhat sharp at the top points wherein is contained much small seed very like Poppy seed but of a duskie grayish colour The root is great white and thick branching forth divers waies under ground so like a Parsnip Root but that it is not so white that it hath deceived divers The whole plant more then the root hath an heavy ill soporiferous smel somewhat oftensive The Places and Time The first is commonly growing by the way sides hedges and wall sides where Hogs frequent for out of theirs and such like Ordure it doth grow The second groweth by the Sea sides in Narbone in France near where the River Rhodanus runneth into the Sea The third groweth in Candy and in Spain also from whence the seed being sent groweth in our Gardens and so doth the last though their naturall place be both in Egypt and Syria They do all flower in July yet the strange kinds some what later and from their seed growing ripe and suffered to shed it springeth up again every year but the two last do scarce perfect their seed with Us. The Temperature White Henbane is cold in the third degree and the others in the fourth procuring drowsinesse and senselesseness of spirit by its stupifying and benumming quality The Signature and Vertues The Husk wherein the seed of Henbane is contained is in figure like to a Jaw Tooth and therefore the Oyl of it or the Juyce by it self or the Decoction of the root with Arsmart in vinegar being gargled warm in the mouth is very effectuall in easing the pains of the Teeth The leaves of Henbane do cool all hot Inflammations in the Eyes or any other part of the body and are to asswage all manner of Swellings of the Cods or Womens Breasts or elsewhere if they be boyled in Wine and applyed either themselvs or the Fomentation warm it also asswageth the pain of the Gout Sciatica and all other pains in the Joynts which arise from an hot cause And applyed with vinegar to the forehead and Temples helpeth the Headach and want of sleep in hot Feavers The Oyl of the Seed is helpful for the Deafnesse Noise and Worms in the Ears being dropped therein and the Juyce of the Herb or Root doth the same The Decoction of the Herb or Seed or both killeth Lice in Man and Beast the sume of the dryed Herb Stalks and Seed burned quickly healeth Swellings Chilblains or Kibes in the hands or feet by holding them in the smoak thereof being burnt which will also make Hens to fall down from their roosting place as though they were dead The white only is fit to be taken inwardly which is most available to many good purposes if it be wisely and conveniently applyed but the other sort are accounted dangerous and therefore not to be used inwardly unlesse in case of necessity when the white cannot be had But if at any time any one should wittingly or unwittingly take Henbane and be distempered thereby the Remedy is to drink Goats Milk Honyed Water or Pine kernels with sweet Wine or in the absence of these Fennel Seed Nettle Seed the Seed of Cresses Mustard or Radish as also Onyons or Garlick taken in Wine do all help to free them from danger and restore them to their right temper again Though the plant used as aforesaid be effectual for the Toothach yet I cannot commend the way of receiving the fume of the Seed into the mouth by holding it over a Chafingdish of Coales it being but a meer Cheat besides it may produce dangerous effects intoxicating the head and troubling the sight The root being eaten causeth great drought stoppage of Urine and many other Symptomes as you gather from the story Mr. Parkinson relates concerning a friend of his who eat the roots of Henbane instead of Parsneps to whose book I refer you CHAP. LIX Of Wild Tansey The Names BY what Name the ancient Botanists did call this Plant is altogether unknown but the later call it Argentina à foliorum argenteo splendore from the bright silver colour of the Leaves or rather as Gerard saith of the silver drops that are to be seen in the distilled water thereof when it is put into a Glasse which you shall easily see rouling and tumbling up and down in the bottom It is likewise called Potentilla ab eximiis viribus quibus pollet from its powerful operations of divers Agrimonia silvestris there being some likenesse between it and Agrimony Anserina because Geese love to feed upon it And Tanacetum sylvestre it differing little from the Garden Tansie but in colour In English it is called Wild Tansie and Silverweed whereof there is but one kind The Forme VVild Tansie creepeth upon the ground taking root at the joynts every where round about the place where it groweth that it will quickly take up a great compasse shooting forth sundry winged Leaves made of many set on both sides of a middle Rib some smaller being set amongst the greater somewhat like to Agrimony or Medesweet and likewise unto the ordinary Tansie of the Garden for it partaketh in form with them all and dented about the edges but of a fair green colour on the upper side and of a silver shining white colour underneath it beareth no stalk but the Flowers every one by it self stand upon a small short footstalk rising from the joynts with the Leaves which consist of five other small yellow round joynted Leaves very like unto those of Cinquefoile or five-leaved grasse the prime Root shooteth downwards like a Cinquefoile The Places and Time This Herb groweth most commonly in moyst places near the High-way-sides and sometimes in other places also so that it will be wanting to none that will use it And here I think good to observe that many other Plants also as Mugwort Vervein Mercury Knotgrasse Hounds-Tongue Pellitory of the wall c. which are most useful
the top in some places whole without any dents on the Edges and in others with a few uneven Cuts therein somewhat like a kind of Hawkweed the tops of the stalks have some small long branches which bear many smal star-like yellowish flowers on them which turn into smal seed the root is small and threddy and yeeldeth a bitter milk as the others do The Places and Time The first groweth in divers places as upon Walls under hedges upon the banck of ditches and the border of fields almost every where The other Clusius sayes he found in Hungary and in Saxonies Harcynia sylva and other places the last is found neer Woodsides and Hedg-rowes They flower in the Summer and the seed ripeneth soon after The Temperature If Gerard mistake not as Mr. Parkinson saith he doth fowly about this plant it is of nature hot and somewhat abstersive or scowring The Vertues I believe there are few Women that ever gave suck but know in some sort what a pain it is to be troubled with sore Nipples I am sure I have known those that have not only affirmed it but also by their lamentable outcries confirmed that there is scarce any pain like unto it and it may well be because the veines and arteries of the breast do concenter therein which makes it sensible of the least diâ—â—eâ—per that can be For a remedy hereunto it hath been by experience found that woodden or rather silver nipples or those made of chalk are very effectuall if there be laid under them upon the Nipple a Violet leaf a Rose Campion Leaf or which is most proper a leaf of Dockcresse which as I said before some call Nipplewort from the extraordinary vertues it hath to heal Womens breasts and their Nipples when they are sore and exulcerated as the Women in Prussia very well know and therefore they call it Papillaris which induceth us to think not with Gerard but rather with Parkinson that it hath an especial healing quâ—lity therein and that it is temperate in heat and drynesse with some tenuity of parts able to digest the virulency of those sharp humours that break out into thoâ—e parts I shall trouble you no further with any more plants though there be divers which might occasionally be spoken to upon this Subject hoping that the female Sex whose welfare I do exceedingly tender will vouchsafe to accept thâ—se my directions and I doubt not but they will find ease thereby upon this account I shall now return from whence I digressed and that is from the inside of the Breast and Lungs to which I shall now speak somewhat more particularly CHAP. CV Of Horehound The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Prasium and Marrubium which name is also attributed both to the â—â—nking kind which is properly called Ballete and to the sweet Pâ—iny hath confounded the words Prasium and Prasum id est Porrum a Leek together which he might easily do there being but a letter difference But I hope this Caveat will prevent the Reader from doing the like It is called Marrubium ab amaro succo Rob signifying Juyce and Marrubiastrum The Kindes Herbarists reckon up Eight sorts of Horehound 1. Common Horehound 2. White Spanish Horehound 3. Sweet Candy Horehound 4. Unsavory Candy Horehound 5. French Horehound 6. Curled White Horehound 7. Spanish black Horehound 8. Black French Horehound with long leaves The Forme Common Horehound groweth up with square hoary stalks about a foot and sometimes about half a yard high or more set at the joynts with two round crumpled or as it were rough leaves of a sullen hoary green colour of a reasonable good scent but of a very bitter taste The flowers are small white and gaping set in rough hard prickly husks round about the joynts with the leaves from the middle of the stalks upwards wherin afterwards is found small round blackish seed The Root is blackish hard and Wooddy with many strings thereat which dyeth not but abideth many years The Places and Time The first iâ— found in many places of our land in dry grounds and waste green places particularly under the Park Wall at Greenwiâ—h on that side next the â—eâ—â—s neer the way that goeth from thence to Colonel Blunts house The â—eâ—ond came from Spain and being sown of the seed abideth The third in â—ike manner was sown from seed that came from Candy as the fourth was also The â—â—th was found growing about Paris in France The sixth ni Germany The â—eventh in Spain and the last about Mompelier in fat grounds and sometimes in the Wheat â—eâ—ds The Temperature Horehound as Galen teacheth is hot in the second degree and dry in the third and of a bitter taste The Vertues A decoction of dryed Horehound with the seed or the juyce of the green heâ—b taken with hony iâ— a â—emedy for those that are purly and shoâ—t winâ—ed 〈◊〉 thoâ— that have a Cough and for such as by long sicknesse or thin diâ—â—iâ—ation o◠〈◊〉 upon the Lungs are waâ—ed and fallen into a Conâ—umption it helpeth to 〈◊〉 â—way tough Phâ—egm from the Chest being taken with the â—râ—ed â—ooâ— o◠〈…〉 is whiâ—h is flower de Luce. It is given to Women to bring down their Courâ—es and to expell the after-birth as also to those that have sore and â—ong traveâ—s it is also given to them that have taken poyson or are bitten oâ—â—â—ung by any Veremous Serpents or beasts but it hurteth the Bâ—adder and Reins and must noâ— be used in hot and dry bodies yet if Raiâ—ns and Liquorice be used therewith it is lesse hurtful to them and more proâ—â—tabâ—e to other parts The leaves being uâ—ed with hony do purge foul Ulcers stay running or creeping sores and the growing of the flesh over Nailes it helpeth the paines of the â—â—des openeth stopping both of Liver and Spleen kills Worms and is good for such as have the Itch Scab or any running Sore The Juyce thereof with Wine and Hony helpeth to clear the Eyesight snuffed up into the Nostrills helpeth to purge away the yellow Jaundiâ—e and either of it self or with a little Oyl of Roses being dropped into the Ears easeth the paines of them The green leaves bruiâ—ed and boyled with old Hogs Lard into an ointment healeth the bitings of Dogs abateth the swellings of Womens breasts and taketh away the swellings and paines that come by any pricking of thorns or any such like thing Used with Vinegar it cleanseth and healeth Tetters If saith Matthiolus you boyl two ounces of fresh Horehound in three pints of good White wine with the roots of Buglosse Elecampane and Agrimony of each one drachm and an half of Rubarb and Lignum Aâ—oes of each a drachm till half be consumed and strained hereby is made an excellent medicine to help the yellow Jaundise that cometh by the obstruction of the Vessells and overflowing of the Gall if two ounces thereof having a little Sugar put to it to sweeten it
The four first sorts are usuall in Gardens the fift was found upon Mount Baldus as also upon the Vaganean hills in Narbone the sixth was found in Spaine by Boel The Seaventh in Itady by Dr. Mera The Eight came from Virginia The Ninth from Yorkeshire The Tenth grows under Hedges and Bushes almost every where the last in the Corne fields and in such as ly Ley and in the borders of other fields The Violets Flower in February and March and after them the Pansies till the end of July The Temperature The Garden Violets and so likewise the Wild kinds are cold and moist whil'st they are fresh and green The Vertues The Flowers of Violets as well as those of Borage are reckoned to be cheife Cordiall Flowers and are much used in Cordiall drinks powders and other Medicines especially where cooling Cordialls as Roses and Saunders are used They are used to coole any heate or distemperature of the Body either inwardly or outwardly in the Inflammation of the Eyes in the Womb and Fundament when they are fallen down and are full of paine Imposthums also and hot Swellings to drinke the decoction of the Leaves of Flowers made with Water or Wine or to apply them pultis wise to the place that is grieved It likewise easeth paines in the Head which are caused through want of sleep A dram of the dryed Leaves of the Flowers of Violets doth purge the body of Cholericke humors and asswageth the heat being taken in a draught of Wine or other drink The pouder of the Leaves of the purple Flowers only pickt and dryed and drunk in powder with Water is said to help the Quinsie and the Falling sicknesse in Children especially in the beginning of the Disease The Flowers of the white Violets ripen and dissolve Swellings The seed being taken resisteth the poyson of the Scorpion The Herb or Flowers whil'st they are fresh or the Flowers when they are dry are effectuall in the Pleurisy and all other diseases of the Lungs to lenify the sharpnesse of hot Rheums and the hoarsenesse of the Throat the heat also of the Urine and the sharpnesse thereof and all paines of the back or reines or bladder They are good also for the Liver and the Jaundise and in all hot Agues helping to coole the heat and quench thirst But the Syrup of Violets is of most use and of better effect being taken in some convenient Liquor and if a little of the Juice or Syrup of Lemons be put to it or a few drops of the Oyle of Vitriall it is made thereby the more powerfull to coole the heat and to quench the thirst and besides the effect giveth to the drink both a Claret Wine colour and a pleasant tast Violets taken or made up with honey do more clense then coole and with Sugar contrarywise The Leaves of Violets are used in cooling Plaisters Oyls Cataplasms or Pultises and are of great efficacy among other Herbs as Mercury Mallowes c. to be put in Clysters CHAP. CXXII Of Straw-berries The Names THe whole Plant is called Fragraria and the Berries Fraga à fructus fragrantia odoris gustus for it hath no certain Greek name yet there are some which think it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Rubus Idaus because it hath no prickles which Opinion Fuchsius saith is not to be despised Others say that they called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of the â—ikeness of the fruit with that of the Tree-Strawberry Servius calleth them Mora terrestria Ground Mulberries because they are somewhat like those that grow on Trees The Kindes I have not yet met with any more then six sorts of Straw-berries 1. Red Straw-berries 2. White Straw-berries 3. Small Straw-berries with hard Leaves 4. Flat Straw-berries 5. Dwarf Straw-berries 6. Barren or unprofitable Straw-berries The Form I know not whether the Dwarf-Straw-berry be brought over in England yet I shall venter to give you so much of its Description as Parkinson hath set down choosing rather to give you the Description of a strange Plant then of the others which are so commonly known It hath very small triparted Leaves next the ground closer set together upon short foot-stalks then any other and those that are set on both sides of the long branch not above four inches long which lyeth creeping on the ground grow lesse and without stalk the Flower standeth at the end of the Branch many times but one at a place which consisteth of five round Leaves like a Straw-berry but larger then agreeth with the proportion of the Plant and is of a yellowish colour what fruit it beareth is not set down The Places and Time The two first grow in Gardens though 't is probable they were brought out of the Woods where they do most delight yet being set in a rich soyl they become far greater The three next grow upon divers of the Alps and other places of Germany The last is to be found in our own Land in most Woods and the Field sides near unto them in Cornwall as Lobel saith and in other places also They flower in May or thereabouts most commonly and are ripe in June but I have seen ripe Straw-berries after Michaelmas also The Temperature The Leaves of them are cooling in the first Degree and yet some say they are hot and drying in the second the Root is more drying and binding the Berries whâ—â—e they are green are cold and dry but when they are ripe they are coâ—d and moyst The Vertues and Signature The water of the Berries carefully distilled is a soveraign remedy and Cordiall in the paâ—pitations of the heart that is the panting and beating of the heart and is good for the over-flowing of the Gall which causeth the yeâ—â—ow Jaundise The Berries themselves are exâ—eâ—ent good to cool the Liver tâ—e Bâ—ood and Spleen or an hot choâ—eriâ—k sâ—omach to refresh and comfort the â—ainting Spirits and to quench thirst They are good also for other Inflammations yet it 〈…〉 veth one to be caâ—telous or rather to refrain them in a Feaver 〈◊〉 by theâ— putriâ—ying in the â—â—omaâ—h they increase the Fits and make them to be 〈…〉 ore fierâ—e The Leaves and Roots boyled in Wine and Water as drunk do likewiâ—e cooâ— the Liver and Blood and asswage al Inflammations in the Reins and Bladder provoketh Urine and allayeth the heat and sharpness thereof the same also beinâ— drunk stayeth the Bloody Flux and Womens Coâ—â—es and helpeth the swelâ—ings of the Spâ—een The Juyce dropped into foul Ulcers or they washed therewith or with the decoction of the Herb and Root doth wonderfully cleanse them and heâ—p to cure them All Lotions and Gargles that are made for sore mouths or Ulcers therein or in the privy parts or else-where are made with the Leaves and Roots heâ—eof which is good also to fasten loose Teeth and to heal spungy foul â—ums The same also helpeth to stay Catarrhs or Defluxions of Rheum into the Mouth Throat Teeth
good for the Dropsie The Root is good for those that are troubled with the Lask and the Bloody Flix it stayeth bleedings wasteth away cold swellings easeth the pain of the Teeth if they be washed with the decoction thereof The Seed is held to be as effectuall if not more for the purposes aforesaid as also for the Cramp and so is the distilled water which besides is often applyed both inwardly to drink and outwardly with Cloaths or Spunges to the Region of the Liver to cool the distemperature thereof and to the Region of the Heart against swounings and passions of it The tender leaves having the prickles taken off and eaten with other Herbs are exceeding good to cleanse the blood in the Spring-time and the young stalks peeled and dressed as the stalks of the other Chardons and wild Artichokes are good meat especially for Nurses to increase their milk which it doth by Signature also CHAP. CXLI Of Camomile The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus and of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the whitenesse of the flowers an◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod Maliod 〈…〉 〈◊〉 of the scâ—â—t of an Apple or Quince It is called by some also in Latin Lauco 〈…〉 and Ambomis but most generally Chamâ—â—lum and of some Ch 〈…〉 illa as it it in the Apothecaries shops Some call the Garden C 〈…〉 be both single and double C 〈…〉 lum Ronanum adoratius nobile thinking them to be sweeter then the wild kind which last by manuring will have a good scent as the former Mayweed which is a kind hereof is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cynanthemis and Cynobotane that is Camomilla Canina and Canina herba in Latin Cotula Cotula Fatida and Cotulanâ—n Fatida in English Mayweed with a strong and no scent and of Country people Mathern The Kinds Of Camomile and May-weed there be ten sorts 1. Ordinary Camomile 2. Naked Camomile 3. Double flowred Camomile 4. Small Camomile of Africa 5. Great Spanish Camomile 6. Sweet Spanish Camomile 7. Small hoary Spanish Camomile 8. Unsavoury Mountaine Camomile 9. Stinking May-weed 10. May-weed without any scent The Form Our Ordinary Camomile is well known to all to have many small trailing branches set with very fine Leaves bushing and spreading thick over the ground taking root still as it spreadeth the tops of the Branches have white flowers with yellow thrums in the middle very like unto Feather-few but more soft and gentle in handling which give a small white seed not observed by many and being cast into the ground will grow as other seed doth the whole Herb is of a very sweet scent The Places and Time Ordinary Camomile groweth wild familiarly in many places of this Land as on Putney Heath neer the Wind-Mill and upon Barnes Common in Surry and else where The May-weed that stinketh not groweth many times amongst the Corn as the stinking sort very Commonly doth The Naked and Double sort grow onely in Gardens The fourth was found by Boel in Africa by Tunis The fifth sixth and seventh in divers places of Spain The Eighth in sundry places of Spain also They all flower in Summer but some earlier then others The Temperature Camomile saith Galen is hot and dry in the first degree and of thin parts it is of force to digest slacken and rarify it healeth moderately and dryeth little The Vertues The decoction of Camomile made and drunk helpeth all panes and stitches in the side the Chollick Stone and wind in the Belly or Stomach and expelleth tough and clammy Phlegme as also cold Humors provoketh sweat brings down the Courses in Women and provokes Vrine It is very profitable for Agues that come of Phlegme or Melancholy or from an Inflammation of the Bowels and for the Hypocâ—ondres that is the sides and that part where the Liver and Spleen lyâ— there can be nothing more acceptable then it The bathing of a decoction of Camomile taketh away wearinesse and easeth paines to what part soever of the body it be applyed besides it comforteth the Sinewes that are overstreined and mollifieth all swellings It moderately comforteth all parts that have need of warmth and digesteth and dissolveth whatsoever hath need thereof by a wonderfull speedy property The flowers boyled in Posset drink provoketh sweat and helpeth to expell colds aches and paines wheresoever the 〈◊〉 iâ—â—n excellent help to bring down womens courses A Syrup made of the juyce of double Camomile saith Baubiâ—â—s but Garden Camomile say Pena and Lobel with the flowers and white wine is a remedy against the Jaundise and dropsie that cometh by the evill disposition of the Spleen The Lye where in the flowers have been boyled is very good to wash the head and to comfort both it and the brain It is said that a Stone which hath been taken out of the body of a man being wrapped in Camomile will in a short time dissolve whence it may be gathered that it is excellent for the Stone if the Syrup or decoction thereof betaken or else a dram of the Salt of it in a little white or Rhenish wine in a morning The Egyptians were wont to use the Oyle made of the Flowers against all Agues by annointing the patient from Head to Foot therewith which is also very available for the externall uses aforesaid May-weed is often used with good successe for the same purposes that Camomile is especially the ordinary sort They are both put into Glysters but especially Camomile CHAP. CXLII Of Sweet Trefoile or Balsam The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but whether it be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is some diversity of opinions amongst Authors Most of the best sort take it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Discorides in Latin Lotus satius or Vrbana yet Matthiolus taketh it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lotus silvestris and so do Anguillara and Castor Durantes but Fuschius saith that the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latins Frifolium Odoratum which is the name by which it is best known both in Latin and English For if it be gathered and kept dry in the house it doth in some sort retain the scent it had growing but against rainy weather it smelleth so strong that some have desired to lay it in their Chamber to be as it were their Almanack to shew them the weather It is called of many women now a dayes Balsam for the Singular healing properties it hath The Kindâ—s Unto this kind are referred thâ—se Four sorts 1. Sweet Trefoile or Balsam â— Strong Smelling Claver 3. Strong smelling Claver of America 4. Claver â— America The Forme The Sweet Trefoile riseth up with one strong round whiâ—ish stalk about halfe a yard or two foot high spreading forth many branches on all sides where about are set many Leaves with long foot
the Itch and the Leprosie as also the Fistulaes of the Fundament and dissolveth hard Impostumes the Meal of Oats boyled with Vinegar and applyed taketh away freckles and spots in the face or other parts of the Body Oat-meal is usually given in Broth to bind those that have a Lask or other Flux and with Sugar is to good effect given to those that have a Cough or Cold. Oat-meal-Cawdle is a food for those that are newly brought to bed and for others to whom a very spare dyet is commended I forgot to tell you in the names that they are called Avena vesca à vescendo becauâ—e it is used as I said in many Countries to make sundry sorts of bread as in Lancashire where it is their chiefest Bread-corn for Jannocks Haver-Cakes Tharffe-Cakes and those which are generally called Oaten-Cakes and for the most part they call the Grain Haver whereof they also make Malt and thereof make their drink and are thereby sustained and live in as good health and strength of body as those that live on Wheat only whereby we may well perceive that it hath a warming quality rather then a cold in nourishment howsoever it may be cooling in Medicament Oat-meal is not good to be eaten raw especially by young Maids for it will make them look like a Cake of Tallow especially if she eat it in a morning and drink a draught of strong Vinegar after it which they are too apt to do Naked Oats are so called because they are fit for use as soon as they be threshed without the help of Mill. In Norfolk and Suffolk where they are most plentiful the good Houswives that delight not to have store of any thing but from hand to mouth do when they want Oat-meal for their present use go into the Barn and rub forth with their hands so much as will serve their turn not willing to provide for to morrow but to let the morrow provide for it self as the Scripture saith CHAP. CLXV Of Valerian The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nardus agrestis or Sylvestris because it is in smell and faculty like unto Nardus and in Latine Valeriana a multis quibus valet facultatibus Some also call it Thericaria because it is a speciall Ingredient in Treacle and Herba Benedicta of Paracelsus it is called Terdina The ordinary sort is generally called both in Shops and of all other Phu majus and Valeriana major hortensis in English the great Garden Valerian and of some Capons-Tail and Set-wall yet Setwall properly is that Zedoaria or Zerumbeth that groweth in Malaver Calecut and Cananor being places of the East-Indies and not in any of these Christian Countries The Kinds Of Valerians there may be found these fifteen Sorts 1. The great Valerian 2. A Mountain kind of great Valerian 3. Knobbed Valerian of Candy 4. Broad-leafed wild Valerian of the Alps. 5. Small wild Valerian of the Alps. 6. Summer Valerian 7. Indian Valerian 8. Narrow-leafed red Valerian 9. Rocky Valerian 10. Small Valerian of a year 11. Red Valerian 12. Greek Valerian 13. Small Valerian 14. Greater wild Valerian 15. Lesser wild Valerian The Form The great Valerian hath a thick short grayish Root lying for the most part above ground shooting forth on all sides other such like small peeces or Roots which have all of them many long and great strings or Fibres under them in the ground whereby it draweth nourishment from the Heads of these Roots spring up many green leaves which at the first are somewhat broad and long without any division at all in them or denting on the edges but those that rise up 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 in like manner are more divided but smaller toward 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 which passing away there followeth small brownish white Seed that is easily carried away with the wind The Root smelleth more strong then either Leaf or Flower and is likewise of more use in Medicine The Places and Time The first is said by Dioscorides to grow in Pontus in the wet ground of Mountaines and other moist places and is generally kept in our Gardens The second is found in Savoy as Camerarius saith The third grew in Candy The fourth upon the mountaines of Austria and Stiria and so doth the fift also The seaventh is said to come from mexico The Eighth was gathered on mount Baldus The ninth Fabius Columna found on the mountains in Naples The tenth groweth onely in the Gardens of the Curious the naturall place being unknown The Eleventh groweth about Monpelier in France The Twelfth Thirteenth are known to grow no where but in Gardens The two last grow commonly in Marshes and wet medows by rivers and water sides in our own Country They do all flower in the Summer-months of June and July and the Indian kind sooner if it be saved betime and continue flowring till the Frosts come and so doth the Summer or Annuall kind also The Temperature Valerian being green hath very little heat but the roots when they are dryed are hot and dry in the first or second degree The Vertues The Garden Valerian being dryed and given in drink doth take away the pains of the sides provoketh Vrine and helpeth the Strangury and the Decoction thereof taken doth the like also and procureth Womens Courses and is used in Antidotes The same helpeth all Stranglings and Choakings arising in any part whether be they because of the Pains in the Chest or Sides and taketh them away The root boyled with Liquorice Raisins and Annise-Seed is Singular for those which are short-Winded and have the Cough and helpeth to open the passages and to cause Phlegme to be easiely Spit out It is given to those that are bitten or stung by any venemous Creature being taken in wine and is of speciall vertue against the Plague and expelleth Wind in the Belly The green Herb and root being bruised and applyed to the head taketh away the paines and prickings therein stayeth Pheumes and thin Distillations and being boyled in white wine and a drop thereof put into the eye taketh away the dimnesse of the sight or any Pin Haw or Web therein It is of excellent property to heale any inward sores or wounds and draweth any Splintor or Thorn out of the flesh The decoction of the Root of the Lesser Valerian is stronger to resist Poyson and infections then the greater as Matthiolus Saith It is very profitably applyed to asswage the swelling of the Cods caused of cold or wind if the fumes or vapours of the decoction thereof made with wine be applyed warm unto them
Leaves new sprung out of the ground The Kinds Gâ—rard reckoneth up fifteen Sorts of Daffodills as 1. Purple circlâ—d Daffodill 2. Timely Purple-ringed Daffodill 3. More timely Purple-ringed Daffiodil 4. The very hasty flowring Daffodill 5. The late flowring small Daffodill 6. Primrose Pearls or the common white Daffidill 7. French Daffodill 8. Italian Daffodill 9. The double white Daffodil of Constantinople 10. Milk-white Daffodill 11. Rush Daffodill 12. Late flowring Bush-Daffodill 13. The Persian Daffodill 14. The great Winter Daffodill 15. Small Winter-Daffodill The sixth sort of Daffodil is that which is most common in Country Gardens the description whereof followeth The Form The common Daffodill hath long fat and thick leaves full of a slimy juyce among which riseth up a bare thick stalk hollow within and full of juyce The Flower groweth at the top of a yellowish white colour with a yellow Crown or Circle in the middle The Root is white and of a Bulbus or Onyon fashion yet not without divers effects by which it is propagated The Places and Times The Daffodills with Purple Coronets do grow wild in sundry places of France but chiefly in the Meadows of Burgundy and Switzerland The Rush-Daffodill groweth wild in Spain among Grasse and other Herbs in some watery places But it mattereth not much to seek out their places of growing wild seeing they are most of them to be found in our English Gardens about London and elsewhere The common white Daffodill groweth wild in fields and sides of Woods in the West parts of England They flower for the most part in the spring that is from the beginning of February unto the end of April The Persian and Winter-Daffodills do flower in September and October The Temperature The Roots of Narcissus are said to be hot and dry in the second Degree The Vertues Besides the Ornamentall use of Daffodils for decking Garlands and Houses in the Spring-time it hath many Physicall properties amongst which there is none more eminent then that the Roots thereof do move Vomit whether they be eaten or drunken and being stamped and strained and given in drink they help the Cough and Cholick and those that be entred into a Ptisick If two drams of the Root newly gathered be boyled in Wine or Water with a littâ—â— Anniseed or Fennel-seed and a little Ginger and drunk it driveth forth by stoâ— tough and clammy Flegme and to help all Diseases that come thereof The same taken with Honey and the Seed of Nettles purgeth the Disease which causeth those spots in the Body called Ephelis and Alphus And their qualities in drying are so wonderful that they glew together very great wounds as also rifts gashes or cuts that happen about the veins sinews and tendons They have also a certain wiping cleansing and attracting faculty Being stamped with Honey and applyed Plaister-wise they help them that are burnt with fire and are effectuall for the great wrenches of the Ancles the Aches and pains of the joynts The same stamped with Barrows-grease and Leaven of Rye-bread hasteneth to suppuration hard Impostumes which are not otherwise easily brought to ripeness Being stamped with the Meal of Cocle and Honey it draweth forth Thorns and stubs out of any part of the Body and being mingled with Vinegar and Nettle-seed it taketh away Lentills and spots in the face There are besides the sorts aforementioned the double yellow Daffodill and the common yellow Daffodilly which purge by stool tough and flegmatick humours and also waterish and is good for them that are full of crudities especially if there be added thereto a little Anniseed and Ginger which will correct the churlish hardness of the working The distilled water of Daffodils doth cure the Palsie if the Patient be bathed and rubbed with the said liquor by the fire as hath been proved by that diligent searcher of nature Mr. Nicholas Belson CHAP. CLVI Of White Hellebore The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without the aspiration quòd cibum corporis cripiat because it deprives the Body of nourishment in Latine also Elleborus albus Elleborum and also Helleborus and Helleborum and Veratrum album Veratrum quòd mentem vertat or rather à verando because it cureth them that are counted mad which were formerly called Veratores and Veraculi and album to distinguish it from the black this being white in respect of that In English 't is called Hellebore and Neese-wort because it provoketh Neesing The Kinds And of this Hellebore there are eight varieties that present themselves 1. Ordinary white Hellebore or Neesing Root 2. The early white Hellebore with dark red Flowers 3. The great wild Hellebore or our Ladies Slipper 4. The small white Hellebore with a white Flower 5. The small white Hellebore with blush Flowers 6. Wild white Hellebore with whitish green Flowers 7. Wild white Hellebore with dark red Flowers 8. Variable wild white Hellebore The Forme The ordinary white Hellebore riseth at the first out of the ground with a great round whitish green head which growing up openeth it self into many goodly fair large greâ—â— Leaves plaited as it were with eminent Ribs all along the Leaves compassing 〈◊〉 another at the bottom from the middle whereof riseth up a strong round stalk with divers such Leaves but smaller to the middle thereof from whence to the top it is divided into many branches having many small yellowish or whitish green Star-like Flowers all along upon them which after turn into small long three-square whitish Seed standing naked without any husk to contain them the Root is reasonable thick and great at the head having a great many white strings running down deep into the ground whereby it is strongly fastened The Places and Times The two first sorts grow in sundry places of Germany and Austria as Clusius saith as also in some Islands of Russia where as Tradescant the elder saith the ordinary sort groweth exceeding plentifully And if I mistake not of this sort was that Hellebore that grew in Anticyra so abundantly that if any one seemed to be troubled with melancholy it was presently proverbially said unto him Naviga Anticyram intimating that there was Hellebore enough to cure him the other sorts grow many of them in our own Land as well as beyond Sea namely the third fourth and sixth especially the third in a Wood called Helks in Lancashire near the Borders of York-shire The first flowreth before the second though it spring earlier out of the ground being not in Flower untill the end of July the rest flower about May some earlier and some later The Temperature The Root of white Hellebore is hot and dry in the third degree The Vertues The Root aforesaid taken without preparation of the Body worketh very strongly and churlishly provoking extream vomiting yet that being dieted by the advice of some learned Physician without whom the medling with it will prove dangerous it is good for
the third in Africa the fift in many places of Italy in wet grounds it is uncertaine whether the sixt came from the Indies or Italy the seaventh is to be found neere Anguilara in Italy the eight groweth in divers places both of Spaine and France the ninth in Province of France the last in Candy whence divers have beene brought to us and planted in the Gardens of the curious as the eight sort is in the Garden of Mr. Ball by Sion house They flourish in July and August and continue flouring till the frost kills the stalkes but the root continuing sendeth forth new ones the next spring at which time the Rootes are fittest to be taken up for use The Temperature Marsh-Mallows are moderately hot but dry in the first or second degree being endued also with a moâ—lifying or softening Nature the roots and seeds are more dry anâ— of thinner parts The Virtues For fear that either Asparagus or Parsly or the parts of them should through often use by too much câ—eansing or heat cause any Excoriation or other distemper in any of the parts as they passe along as possibly they may and so likewise divers that follow I would desire those that shall be afflicted with any of these diseases to take notice that Marsh Mallowes by the slimy viscous juyce wherewith they abound are of excellent use to remedy the Excoriations or frettings in those or any other parts as the Gutts Reines Bladder Yard c. Neither is this the onely excellency that it hath in this case but it is effectuall as any whatsoever for the Stone for it openeth the straight passages and maketh them slippery whereby it may descend easily out of the Reines and Bladder and to ease the torturing pain coming thereby the Decoction or the Syrupe thereof being taken which is good also for the gripings of the belly the Diseases of the Breast and Lungs as Coughes Hoarsenesse of the Throat and Voice Pleurâ—sy and the like It is likewise very beneficiall to those that are troubled with Ruptures the Sciatica the Cramp or Convulsion of the Sinews The dryed roots boiled in Milk and drunk are good for the Chine-Cough The roots boiled in Wine are good for such as have fallen and bruised themselves and for those that have any bone or member out of Joynt and for such as have any swelling pain or ache in the Muscles Sinews or Arteries of the Body and cures such as are stung with Bees or the like and the distilled water is good for the foresaid purposes The Leaves and Roots are effectuall in decoctions for Glisters to ease the griping of the Belly and the paines of the Kidnyes and Bladder Being boyled in Wine and applyed they help Impostumes of the Throat the Kings-Evil and those Kernells behind the Eâ—râ—s as also Inflammations and swellings in Womens breasts The Muccilage of the Roots and of Lin-seed and Fenygreek put together is much used in Pultisâ—â— Oyntments and Plaisters that serve to mollifie and digest all hard tumors and inflammations and to ease paines in any part of the Body The seed green or dry mixed with Vinegar cleanseth the Skin of the Morphew and all other discolourings thereof The Root boiled in Vinegar and holden in the mouth easeth the Tooth-ach The Leaves laid to with Oyle help burnings and Scaldings and are good against the bitings of Men and Dogs and against the stinging of Bees and Wasps The Oyntment of Marsh Mallows either simple or Compound doth mollifie heat and moisten and is very usefull in the Pleurisy and other paines of the sides and breast The Dose of the Syrupe is a spoonfull or two in Milke Posset drink or Wine which being taken in a Morning fasting is most effectuall for all the griefs aforementioned CHAP. CCXVI Of Goates Thorne The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tragacantha from the sharp form of the bush whose thornes as it groweth do represent a Goates beard It may be called in Latin Spina Hirci but it is known better by the name of Tragacantha which name also is given to the Gum which is gathered from the roots being cut or broken in the heat of Summer The Apothecaries call it Gummi Tragacanthae in Latin and Gum Dragant in English There is a kind hereof called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek because it joyes in places where water is and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is profitable to the Nerves or Sinews The Kinds Bauhinus hath made five sorts of Goates Throne adding Pimpinella Spinosa or Thorny Burnet for one which doth not properly belong to this kind and therefore I shall set down but four 1. The true Goates-thorn 2. Poterion or the small Goats-Thorne 3. The yellow Syrian Goats-Thorne 4. Purple Syrian Goats-Thorne The Forme The true Goates thorne is a small bushy plant rising up with many tough woody stemmes not much above a cubit or two-foot high divided into many slender branches covered with hoarinesse set with divers long white thornes in a double row amongst which rise up divers Leaves which being small long and round like unto a little wing are set over against one another on each side of a middle rib abiding all the Winter yet falling off at such times as the Spring doth bring fresh ones At the tops of the branches amongst the Leaves come forth the Flowers which are of a whitish yellow colour fashioned somewhat like unto the Flowers of a Trefoile after which come small short upright white Cods wherein are contained small whitish cornered seed The root is very great and long spreading much and farr in the ground which being broken or wounded with some Iron toole yeildeth a certain liquor which by the heat of the sun is presently turned into a tough pure shinning white gum shrivelling up it self into small crooked peices tasting somewhat sweet The Places and Time Though the two first grow in Candy and about Marselles and Mompelier in France and the two latter in Syria yet the Gum that we are to make use of is to be had at every Apothecaries shop In their naturall places they flower and seed in the beginning of Autumne but with us they do neither being very choise and tender to keep The Temperature Gum Dragant which is that part of the plant which is easiest to be come by in England hath an Emplastick or daubing quality by reason whereof it dulleth or allayeth the sharpnesse of the humors and doth also somewhat dry The Vertues Besides March Mallows the Gumme of the Goates thorne called Tragacantha or Gum Dragagant is also good against the fretting of the Urine either in Reines or Bladder or any other of those cleansing Medicines which are given to provoke it a dram thereof being dissolved in sweet wine and drunk especially if some Harts-horne burnt and washed and a little of the best Allom be mixed therewith and so it is available for the growing paines in the Guts and bowels also It is likewise when
Water because of the Strangury or the like Half a dram of the seed beaten to powder and taken in drink killeth the worms in the body and bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth Urine A Syrupe made of the juyce and Sugar cureth the yellow Jaundise easeth the Headach that comes of heat and tempereth the drought of the Liver and Stomack and therefore it is very profitable to be given in long and hot Agues that rise of Choler and Blood The juyce of the Leaves dropped into the Eares cleanseth the corrupt sores therein and helpeth the stench arising from the corruption of them The greatest use that is made of the heads of the Hops is to put them in Beer to alter the quality thereof and to preserve the body from the repletion of grosse humors which Ale being a thicker â—iquor doth ingender of which it was said Nil Spâ—ssius est dum bibitur nil clarius dum mingitur unde constat multas faces in ventre relinqui It is drunk thick it is pissed out thin whence it appeares that many dregs are left behind CHAP. CCXXI Of Knot-Grasse The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Polygonum quod multis genâ—bus crescit because of its many joynts which name most of our Latine writers follow yet there be some that call it Seminalis Sanguinalis Sanguinaria Proserpluaria from its stanching of blood and ceeping upon the ground It is called in the shops of Italy and other places Corrigiola and Centinodia of the severall properties to correct the heat of the Stomack and Body and from creeping upon the ground In English Knot-Grasse Swines grasse because Swine delight to feed thereon in the North Country of divers Birds-tongue of the form of the Leafe some also call it Pink-Weed and some Nine Joynts of its great number of Joynts The Kinds The sorts which may more properly be referred to this kind are fourteen 1. The greater Common Knot-Grasse 2. The Lesser Common Knot-Grasse 3. Smaâ—l short leafed Knot-Grasse 4. Stoney Knot-Grasse 5. The greater Sea Knot-Grasse 6. The Lesser Sea Knot-Grasse 7. White Mountaine Knot-Grasse 8. Mountaine Knot-Grasse with Stone crop Leaves 9. Spanish Knot-Grasse 10. Small Knot-Grasse of Mompelier 11. Candy Knot-Grasse 12. Lobels Knot-Grasse with Mother of Time Leaves 13. Germans Knot-Grasse or Knawell 14. Another German Knot-Grasse The Form The greater Common Knot-Grasse shooteth forth many long slender branches full of Joynts lying upon the ground with divers long narrow Leaves thereon one for the most part at a Joynt whereat especially from the middle of the branches upwards come forth the Flowers which are so small that they can very hardly be perceived in some of a white in others of a purple colour running afterwards into very small square seed somewhat like unto that of Sorrell The root is reddish long and slender with many strings thereat abiding divers Winters yet the Leaves perish in the Autume and are renewed in the Spring The Places and Time The two first sorts grow every where both by the foot-wayes in the fields especially at the ends of those Lands whereon Winter corn groweth and sometimes by the sides of those High-wayes and old walls The third groweth upon higher grounds and upon Hills and Mountaines The fourth in the same places also in the more stoney parts thereof The fifth and sixt by the Sea side in divers places The seventh in France and Spaine The eighth in Naples The Ninth about Mountaines in France that are neer the Sea The thirteenth about Chipnam in Wiltshire as also in Germany by the way sides where the last groweth also They are in flower and seed all the Summer long The Temperature Knot-Grasse is cold in the second degree or else in the beginning of the third yet it is of a binding quality which signifies that it is dry The Vertues A dram of the powder of Knot-Grasse taken in Wine for many dayes together is singular good to provoke Urine when it is stopped as also when it passeth away by drops and with paine and when it is hot and sharp also and withall to expell wonderfully the Gravell or Stone in the Reines or Bladder Being shred and made into a Tansy with Egges and eaten it greatly prevaileth against the Gonorrhea or runnâ—ng of the Reines also and the weaknesse of the Back coming by meanes thereof The juyce or decoction thereof is most effectuall to stay any bleeding at the mouth and to coole and temper the heat of the blood or of the Stomack and to stay any flux of the blood or Humors either of the belly or womb as the Bloody flux Womens courses both white and red pissing of blood c. The juyce given before the fit of the Tertian or Quartaine Ague comes not onely hindereth it for the present but driveth it quite away as it is said being boiled in wine and drunk it helpeth those that are stung or bitten with Venemous Creatures and the same is very effectuall to stay all defluxions of Rheumatick humors falling down upon the Stomack and killeth wormes in the belly or Stomack and easeth all inward paines that arise of heat sharpnesse and corruption of blood and Choler and is good for inward wounds The distilled water taken by it self or with the powder of the herb or seed is very effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid The juyce hereof stayeth the bleeding of the Nose being applyed to the forehead and Temples or to be snuffed up in the Nose the same cooleth all manner of inflammations as St. Anthonies fire or any other breaking forth of heat all hot swellings and Impostumations all eating fretting or burning sores and fistulous Cancers or foule filthy Ulcers being applyed or put into them but principally for all sorts of Ulcers and sores in the privy parts of Men or Women restraining the humors from following them and cooling and drying up the hot and moist inflammations that are apt to waite upon such sores in such places It helpeth all fresh and green wounds also by restraining the blood and quickly closeth up the Lips of them The juyce dropped into the Eares helpeth them wonderfully although they are foul and have running matter in them and helpeth the Inflammations of the Eyes being put therein The Sea Knot-Grasse is not effectuall as is thought for the griefes aforesaid because the saltnesse which it is supposed to acquire by its nearnesse to the Sea maketh it hotter yet where penetration and not cooling is required it is more forcible then any other The smaller sorts come nearer to the temperature of the Sea kind then of the Land yet they serve to provoke Urine and expell the stone and Gravell by Urine and so doth Knavell where the other is not to be had which is scarcely in any part of this Land CHAP. CCXXII Of Parsly Pert or Parsly Breakstone The Names IT may called be in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is in Latin Polygonum Selinoâ—des I say it may
white within and of a good savour White Saxâ—frage groweth with divers round faint or yellowish greene Leaves but grayish underneath spread upon the ground unevenly dented about the edges and somwhat hairy every one upon a little footstalke from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy greene stalke about a foot-high with a few such like round Leaves as grow below but smaller somwhat branched at the top whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five Leaves a peece with some yellow Threds in the middle standing in a long crested brownish greene husk which being past there ariseth somtimes a round hard head biforked at the top wherein is contained small blackish seed the Root is compact of a number of black strings whereunto are fastned many small reddish graines or round rootes about the bignesse of Pepper-cornes which are used in Medicine and called by the Apothecaries white Saxifrage seed and is that which is truly meant by though not so truly said of it Golden Saxifrage is most like unto the before described yet it differeth therefrom in that the Leaves are not hairy but somwhat thicker and of a darker greene colour amongst which rise up Stalkes in handfull high with such Leaves on them as grow below two at a Joynt but three at the top of all whereas also at the Joynts do come forth very small gold yellow flowers not easily observed and seldome seen with them because they fall away so quickly after which come small round heads wherein is contained small round reddish seed the Root is compâ—â—ed of a number of small strings or Fibres Burnet Saxifrage groweth up with divers stalkes of winged Leaves set one against another each being somewhat broad and a little pointed and dented about the edges of a sad greene colour at the tops of the stalkes stand 〈…〉 s of white flowers after which comes small and blackish seed The root is long and whitish The Places and Time The first groweth almost in every Medow and therefore it is called Medow Parsly yet it somtimes growes in up and ground the second was found by Mr. Goodyer on a boggy ground below the red Well of Welling borough in Norhamptonshire the third by Lobel between Chipnam and Marleborough in the High-way between London and Bristow on a Chalky Hill the fourth groweth very pâ—entifully in a feild immediately below the Abby Orchard at St. Albons anâ— in many other places the silt in moist and marish places about Bath and Wâ—lles and in the Moores by Boston and Wisbich in Lincolneshire the sixth seventh and eâ—ght grow in divers Meadows and Pastures-grounds of this Land the last groweth upon barren hills and sometimes upon Walls The first flowreth from the beginning of May to the end of August the second and third â—omwhat later the fourth in April or May at the furthest when it is gathered for that which is called the seed as well as to distill for it perisheth soon after the fifth in March and April the rest about July and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature All the aforementioned sorts are hot and dry in the third degree except the Golden Saxifrage which is cold of temperature as the tast declareth The Vertues and Signature The seeds and rootes of Saxifrage or Medow Parsly boiled in White-Wine and the dâ—â—oction drunk breaketh the Stone in the Bladder and Kidnâ—es hel 〈…〉 the strangury and cauâ—eth one to make Water freely which also bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth the Secondine and dead Child The root dryed and maâ—e into Powder and halfe a dram or a dram taken with Sugar comfoâ—teth and warmeth the Stomack cureth the gnawâ—ngs and griping paines oâ— the belly caleth the Cholick also and expelleth Wind. The Cheshire Women put it amongst the Râ—mnes that they put into their Cheese as a Country-man of theirs reporteth The distilled Water is much in use with Nurses to give unto their Children against the stopping of their Urine and to ease the griping paines in their belly which they usually calâ— the Frets It is used outwardly in Bathes and Fomentations to provoke Urine and to ease the paines of the Belly proceeding from Wind. The seed or rather the root of the white Saxifrage cureth the Stone by signature as the learned Crâ—llius hath observed and is singular good against the strangury and stoppings of the Kidneys and Bladder the Powder of them being drunk in Wine or the decoction made of them The distilled Water of the whole herb rootes and flowers which is as effectuall in a manner is familiarly taken by those that have need thereof for any of the purposes aforesaid as also to clense the Stomack and Lungs from tough and thick Phlegme that troubleth it and causeth it more easily to be avoided It is not probable that the Golden Saxifrage hath any operation upon the Stone because of its insipide tast unlesse it be by a specifick Vertue yet I mentioned it because it is esteemed as a rarity The Burnet Saxifrages have the same properties that the others have both in provoking Urine and easing the paines thereof as also in expelling Wind and helping the Cholick the roots or seed being used in Powder decoction or any other way which are likewise effectuall for the windy paines of the Mother to procure Womens Courses to break and avoid the stone in the Kidneys and to digest cold viscous and tough Phlegme in the Stomack and is an especiall remedy against all kind of Venom The rootes hereof dryed are as hot as Pepper and may be used for the same being much more wholesome as Tragus saith The same in Powder with the Powder of the Seeds and Sugar purgeth the braine helpeth the Tooth-ach restoreth lost speech and is good for Convulsions Cramps Apoplexies and cold feavers and so is the distilled water wherein Castoreum hath been boiled which is profitable also for the Palsy and many other cold griefes The same drunk with wine and Vinegar cureth the Plague and being holden or chewed in the mouth it preserveth from the Infection when the aire is corrupted The seed made into Comfits like unto those of Caraway are effectuall for all the purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water sweetned with Sugar though not in so powerfull a manner as the former which water also beautifieth the face by cleansing it from all Spots and Freckels and leaving a good colour The juyce of the Leaves doth the same and being dropped into the grievous wounds of the Head or any other place dryeth up the moisture and healeth them quickly The distilled water alone or with Vinegar being put into the eyes cleareth the sight exceedingly I conceive I have given to every sort its due properties notwithstanding I find all or most of them attributed to Saxifrage in general and no doubt when one sort is not to be had the other may serve as substitutes they being promiscuously used by divers CHAP. CCXIII. Of Dropwort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
Bladder is the Bladder Nut-Tree which is therefore said to be effectuall to help those which are troubled with the Stone in the Bladder but because it is without any other Vertue unlesse it be to provoke Venery as some affirme having withall divers evill Qualities whereby they are loathsome and overturne the Stomacks of them that eate them I shall passe it by without any description at all only tell you that it is called Nux Vesicaria in Latine supposed to be the Staphylodendron of Pliny Some call it Pistacium Germanicum because they call it by the same name they do the Pistake whereof Scaliger taketh it to be a kind So much I thought good to say of it because it growes in Gardens and Fields in divers places of this land CHAP. CCXXVIII Of Dogs-grasse or Quich-grasse The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agrostis that is Gramen simply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is of most use In Latine Gramen Caninum and Gramen Caninum medicatum by Lobel following Pliny herein who first called it Canaria quasi à Caniâ—â—â—inventa because Dogges when they are sick at the Stomack do naturally eat hereof fall to their Vomit and are well and therefore others have called it Cynagrostis and Dens Canis from the forme wherein it first appeareth We call it in English Dogs-grasse because Dogs feed thereon Quich-grasse and Couch-grasse from the nature of the rootes which ly so close in the ground that they cannot be got out unlesse the ground be broken up with a Spade The Latine word Gramen is derived à Gradiendo from spreading it selfe for it will overâ—â—â—ne a place speedily The Kindes You may guesse by the severall sorts of Quich-grasse what a huge number of Grasses there be in all this being a subordinate kind and yet hath sixteene under it 1. Common Quich-grasse 2. Quich-grasse with a more spread Panickle 3. The lesser Quich-grasse with a sparsed tuft 4. Low bending Quich-grasse 5. Low bending Quich-grasse of Mompelier 6. A small sweet grasse like Quich-grasse 7. Common bulbed and knotted Quich-grasse 8. Knobbedgrasse with a small round spike 9. Double bulbed 10. The bulbed Grasse of Aleppo 11. The Sicilian Bulbed Grasse 12. Sea spiked Dogs-grasse or Quich-grasse 13. Sea Quich-grasse 14. Sea Dogs-grasse with long roots 15. Sea spiked Dogs-grasse of Mompelier 16. Rough Sea Dogs-grasse The Forme Common Quich-grasse is well known both by Gardiners and Husbandmen to creepe farre about under the ground with long white joynted Rootes and small fibres almost at every joynt very sweet in tast as the rest of the herb is and interlacing one another from whence shoote forth first one and afterwards many faire and long grassy Leaves small at the ends and cutting and sharpe at the edges the Stalkes are joynted like corne with the like Leaves on them and a long spiked Head with long husks on them and hard rough seed in them The Places and Times The first is too common both in Gardens and Ploughed feilds for the Gardeners and Husbandmens store though not for such Physitians as Mr. Culpepper who holds halfe an Acre of it worth five of Carrots or Corne the second and third are nothing so frequent and are more naturall to sandy and chalky grounds the three next are likewise found in feilds that have been Ploughed but ly fallow at present The seaventh is found in some Ploughed Feilds and Medowes of this Land the eighth neere Basil the ninth in Spaine the tenth neere Aleppo the eleaventh neere Verona the three next on our Sea-Coasts especially in Kent the fifteenth about Mompelier and Narbone the last about Venice They flourish most in the Summer but their Rootes endure the hardest Winters The Temperature Dogs-grasse is cold in the first degree and moderate in coldnesse and moisture but the seed is much more cold and dry of some tenuity of parts and somewhat harsh The Vertues and Signature All the sorts of Grasse especially those of Quich-grasse are very effctuall to open the passages of Urine being stopped as also to wast the gravel of the Stone in the Bladder and the Ulcers thereof but that sort which is knobbed is held to be most proper because it hath a kind of Signature And if I should say that some of the other sorts cure the Wormes by Signature I should not say amisse for the rootes of some of them are very like those beds of Wormes which we somtimes see voided from men the juice thereof mixed with Honey and the Powder of Southernwood and taken in drink for Children the juice mingled with an Oxe-Gall and a cloth dipped therein and laid to the Navell will be sufficient and for this purpose the Dogs also eat it who after the taking thereof have been observed to void many Being boiled in white wine and drunk it openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Gall and easeth the griping paines of the Belly and Inflammations The Roots bruised and applyed are very effectuall for Consolidating Wounds The seed doth more powerfully expell Urine and stayeth the Lask and Vomitings The distilled Water by it self or with a little wormseed killeth the Wormes in Children The way of using it for the diseases of the Reines and Bladder which I forgot to expresse after the Signature is onely to bruise the Roots and having well boiled them in white wine to drink the decoction yet after the benefit of making Water is obtained the decoction must be made in water CHAP. CCXXIX Of Butchers Broom The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oxymyrsine which is as much as Acuta Myrtus in Latine and Prickly Myrtle in English as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myrtus Sylvestris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myrtacantha Myrtus Spinosa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 murina Spina and of Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Centromyrrhine Pliny saith that it was called in his time Chamaemyrsine and Acaron or rather Aceron which is one of the Bastard Names by all which we may gather that it was taken for the wild Myrtle but falsly for that which was accounted so amongst the Ancients is like unto the manured kind with prickly Leaves and therefore Pliny misâ—ooke when he attributed the faculties of the one to the other It is called in Latine Ruscus and Ruscum and in Shops Bruscus and of some Ruscus Bruscus by Onomaâ—opaeia because of the Russeling noise it maketh when it is moved and of some as Marcellus saith Scopa Regia We call it in English Knee-holme Kneeâ—â—lver Kneeholly Pettigree and Ruscus Bruscus The Kinds Butchers Broom at its first coming up sendeth forth thick whitish short Shoots somewhat like unto those of Asparagus but greater which thing to be about a foot high are spread into divers green branches which are a little crested tough pâ—â—ant and flexible whereon are set somwhat broad and allmost hard Leaves sharp and prickly pointed at the ends of a dark green colour and somewhat like unto Myrtle Leaves
following sorts 1. Common Medow Trefoile with Purple Flowers 2. White flowred Medow Trefoile 3. Heart Trefoile or spotted Snaile Trefoile 4. Smooth upright narrow leafed Birds foot Trefoile 5. Great codded Trefoile 6. Small codded Trefoile 7. Roundheaded Trefoile 8. Green flowred Trefoile 9. Strawberry or Bladder Trefoile 10. Hop Trefoile 11. Little yellow Trefoile 12. The great Purple Trefoile 13 Knotted Trefoile 14. White Dwarfe Trefoile 15. Burgundy Trefoile or Medick Fodder 16. Yellow-horn Trefoile 17. Smooth Starry Trefoile 18. Marish Trefoile or Buckes Beans 19. Purplewort or Purplegrasse called in Latine Quadrifolium fuscum being as it seems rather a four leafed then a three leafed grasse The Forme Medow Trefoile shooteth up stalks about an handful long and sometimes longer round and somewhat hairy yet for the most part leaning towards the ground whereon grow Leaves consisting of three joined together one standing a little from another of which those that are next the ground and roots are rounder and those which grow higher are longer having for the most part in the midst a white spot like an half Moon from amongst which rise up stalkes of Flowers somewhat longer then the Leaves bearing many deep Purple Crimson flowers together in a tuft rising smaller up to the top which turn into little cods with small seed in them the root spreadeth much and endureth long The Places and Time The two first grow more frequently in Medowes then any of the rest yet there be others that grow there also some in one Countrey and some in another The third groweth in a Field between Longford and Bow as also beyond Southwarke in the right way from London to Croyden and the parts adjacent The eighth in Mr. Stonehouse his Orchard at Darfield The seventeenth groweth in divers Fenny and Moorish places The last groweth in divers Countrey Gardens as well as in the Gardens of the curious who also entertain divers of the other sorts They flower and flourish from May to August The Temperature Medow Trefoile both Leaves and Flowers are thought by some to be câ—oling and binding but others thinke them to be of a digesting and sâ—ppurating quality and there is no doubt but the rest do in some sort follow the Temperature of this The Vertues and Signature The Decoâ—tion of Medow Trefoile with its Flowers Seeds and Roots taken for some time helpeth Women that are troubled with the Whites and consequently the extraordinary over-flowing of their ordinary courses it being more then probable that what is availeable for the fiâ—st is profitable for the second because the first is harder to be cured The Decoction of the Leaves and Fâ—owers having some Honey put thereto and used in a Clyster easeth the fretting paines of the Guts and bringeth forth tough and slimy humors that cleave to the Guts The said Leaves boyled with a little Barrowes grease and used as a Pultis taketh away hot swellings and Inflammations The juice especially of that which is spotted upon the Leaves being strained and dropped into the Eyes or mixed with a little Honey and applyed is a familiar Medicine with divers to take away the Pin and Web as they call it in the Eyes by Signature and so it ceaseth the pain and Inflammation of them when they are bloud-shotten The said Juice is also held to be very available against the biting of an Adder being drank the herbe also being boiled in Water and the place washed with the decoction and then some of the herbe laid to the hurt place also and so is the herbe boiled in Swines grease and made into an oyntment The herbe also bruised and heated between two Tiles and applyed hot to the Share causeth them to make Water who had it stopped before It is held likewise to be good for wounds and to take away Scarres The Burgundy Trefoile called also Foenum Burgundiacum Burgundy Hay and Meddick Fodder is conceived by divers to be that which Dioscorides commends for its cooling property as also that whose Oyle as Aâ—icen saith is very effectuall against the trembling of the Heart An Oyle drawn out from the Seed as it is done from Almonds is said to be good for the Stone In those Countreys where it groweth plentifully it is found so powerfull to fatten Cattle that they are faine to be stinted lest they should grow so fat that suffocation shâ—uld ensue If the March Trefoile be the Isopyrum of Dioscorides as some suppose it to be then the Seed thereof is good against the Cough and other griefes of the Breast or Chest for as Galen saith it cleanseth and cutteth tough and grosse humors and maketh them the easier to be expectorate or spit forth it is also good to purge and cleanse the Liver and to help those that spit blood The Leaves of Purplewort stamped and the Juice given in drinke is very confidently administred and that with good successe not onely to Children but to others also that have the disease called in English the Purples which it doth by Signature And if the Heart Trefolle were used it would be found to be a great strengthner of the Heart and cherisher of the Vitall Spirits relieving the body against Faintings and Swoonings fortifying it against Poysons Pestilence and defending the Heart against the noisome vapors of the Spleen for it resembleth the heart both in forme and colour and surely it hath no so eminent Signatures for nothing CHAP. CCXCIX Of Moneywort The Names IT is called in Latine for Greek name it hath none that I can meet with in any Author Nummularia of the round forme of the Leafe somewhat like unto Money and Serpentaria because it is reported that if Serpents be hurt or wounded they doe recover themselves with this herbe Fuschsius calleth it Centummorbia from its wonderfull efficacy in healing Vlcers and green wounds and Tabermontanus would have it named Hirundinaria because as Swallowes doe usually fly close to the ground so this Plant cleaveth close to the Earth It is called in English Herb two pence Two-penny grasse but usually Money-wort The Kindes Though Moneywort seemeth to be of different sorts because it groweth to be of severall sizes yet that is to be impated to the fertility or â—â—â—rility of the soile they enjoy howsoever there be two sorts thereof 1. Common Moneywort 2. Small Moneywort with purplish Flowers The Forme The Common Moneywort sendeth forth divers long weak and slender branches lying and running upon the ground set with two Leaves at each joynt opposite one to another at equall distances which are almost as round as a penny but that they are a little pointed at the ends smooth and of yellowish green colour at the joynts with the Leaves from the middle forward come forth at the joynts sometimes one and sometimes two yellow flowers standing each upon a small footstalâ—e being composed of five narrow leaves pointed at the ends with some yellow threds in the middle which being past there stand in their places small round heads
where The flowers and Burres come forth in July and August and the seed is ripe in September The Butter-burre flowreth in February or March but the flowers with the Stalke will be withered and blown away within the space of a Month before the Leaves appear which is commonly in Aprill The Temperature The Leaves of the Burdock doe coole and dry very moderately but the root is something hot The Butter-burre is hot and dry in the second degree and of thin parts The Vertues The Leaves of the greater Burdock are said to be of great efficacy for bringing the Matrix into its right place whensoever it shall be out of it for if it be fallen down the Leaves laid upon the Crown of the head will draw it up and if it should rise higher then is meet as oftentimes it doth if it be laid to the Soles of the Feet it fetcheth it down and being applyed to the Navel it suffereth it to stir neither way so that it must needs be an excellent remedy for suffocations c. The said Leaves are good to be laid upon old Sores and Vlcers and being applyed on places troubled with the shrinking of the Sinewes or Arteries they give much ease as also to the Gout Being bruised with the White of an Egge and applyed to any place burnt with fire it taketh out the Fire gives sodaine Ease and heales it up afterwards and so it doth Kibed heels The Decoction of them fomented on any fretting sore or Cancer stayeth the corroding quality but then it must be afterwards annointed with an Oyntment made of the same Liquor Hogsgrease Nitre and Vinegar boiled together The Juice of them or rather the roots themselves given to drinke with old Wine doth wonderfully helpe the bitings of Serpents and the Root beaten with a little Salt and laid on the place suddainly easeth the paine thereof and helpeth those that are bitten by a mad Dog The Juice of the said Leaves taken with Honey provoketh Vrine and remedieth the pain of the Bladder and the seed is much commended to break the Stone and to cause it to be expelled by Vrine and is often used with other Seeds and things to that purpose as also for Stiches in the side and the Sciatica being drank many dayes together The roots may be preserved with Sugar and taken fasting or at other times for the said purposes and for Consumptions the Stone and the Lask A dram of the Roots taken with Pine Kernells helpeth them that spit foul mattery and bloudy flegme by reason of an Vlcer of the Lungs or the like The root clean picked and washed stamped and streined with Malmsey helpeth the running of the Reines in Men and the Whites in Women and strengthneth the back if there be added thereto the yolkes of Eggs the powder of Acornes and Nutmegs brewed and mixed together and drunk first and last The young Stalks being peeled and eaten raw with Salt and Pepper or boiled in the broth of fat Meat is not only pleasant to be eaten but increaseth seed and stirreth up bodily Lust The roots of the Butterburre taken with Zedoary and Angelica or without them are of great force against the Suffocation of the Mother provoke Womens Courses expell Vrine and kill the flat and broad Wormes in the Belly The said Roots are by long experience found to be very available against the Plague and Pestilentiall Feavers by provoking Sweat and if the powder thereof be taken in Wine it also resisteth the force of any other poyson The Decoction of the Root in Wine being taken is singular good for those that wheese much and are short-winded The powder of the Root doth effectually heal all naughty Vlcers or fretting Sores and running or moist wounds the powder being cast into or on them An Oyle made of the said Root is good against all shaking and cold Feavers being applyed before the Fit it scoureth away all the filthinesse of the Skin and is good for the extreame coldnesse of the joynts and Sinewes It is said to cure the Farcion in Horses being given inwardly or applyed outwardly CHAP. CCCIX Of Arach or Orach The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because is cometh up and groweth great very speedily it is called also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysolachanum from the yellow flowers which it beareth for which reason it is called Aureum Olus in Latine but the Latine name by which it is best known is Atriplex yet that which we principally aime at in this place is that stinking sort which Cordus calls Garosmus because it smelleth like the stinking Fish called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some call it Vulvaria for a like reason but most Atriplex olida or foetida in English Stinking Arach and Notchweed Dogs Arach Geats Arach and Stinking Motherwort The Kindes There be severall sorts of Arach of which we shall reckon up about a dozen 1. The white Garden Arach 2. The Purple Garden Arach 3. The red berried Arach 4. Wilde Arach with small Berries 5. Wilde Arach with flat Rose-like Berries 6. Stinking Arach 7. Creeping Sea Arach 8. Narrow leafed Sea Arach 9. The greater common wilde Arach 10. Narrow-leafed wilde Arach 11. Goose-foot or Sowbane 12. Wilde Arach with so much Seed that it is called All-seed The Forme The white Garden Arach hath divers Leaves standing upon their severall Foot-stalkes broad at the bottome ending in two points like an Arrow with two feathers at the head and small pointed at the end of the Leafe of a whitish yellow green colour and as it were strewed over with Flowre or Meale especially while they are young the Stalke likewise is Mealy or rather Sandy bearing many branches with small yellow flowers on them which turne into small leafy Seeds the rest groweth somewhat deep into the ground with many small Fibres fastened thereto yet it fadeth away as soon as it hath born seed The Places and Time The two first are known to grow in no other place but in Gardens the third came out of Spain as it hath been supposed the fourth from a hill of Narbone in France the fifth groweth under the Walls of Mompelier the seventh and eighth upon the Sea coasts of our own Land almost every where the seaventh was found about Rochel the sixth groweth usually upon the Dunghills yet it is taken into some Gardens of note the rest are found by Walls Hedges and Ditches in divers places of this Land They flower and seed from June till the end of August The Temperature Garden Arach 〈…〉 old in the first degree and moist in the second participating of â— watry quality aâ—â—ost wholly with little earthy parts therein and lesse astr 〈…〉 The Vertues The Garden but especially the stinking sort of Arach is recorded to be of great operation in the distempers of the Mother the Juice of the first being 〈…〉 rted into the prâ—â—y parts of Women
English Solomons-seale from the ordinary Latine name and sometime White-wort or White 〈…〉 The Kindes The sorts of Solomons-seale that I finde mentioned by Authors are twelve 1. Common Solomons-seal 2. Great Solomons-seal 3. The great-flowred Solomons-seal 4. The greatest leased Solomons seal 5. Small Solomons-seale 6. Broad-leafed branched Solomons-seal 7. Solomons-seal of Virginia 8. Clâ—â—ter-like Solomons-seal of America 9. Solomons-seal of Brasil 10. The greater and lesser thorough-leafed yellow Solomons-Seal of America 11. Narrow-leafed Solomons-seal 12. Branched small Solomons-seal The Forme The Common Solomons-seale groweth with a round Stalk about half a yard high bowing or bending down the top set with single Leaves one above another which are somewhat large and like unto the Leaves of the May Lilly of a blewish green colour with some ribs therein and a little yellowish underneath it hath at the foot of every Leaf almost from the bottom small long white and yellow pendulous flowers like unto those of the May Lilly also but ending in five longer points for the most part two together at the end of a small foot-stalk standing all on one side the Stalk under the Leaves which being past there appâ—ar round berries green at first but afterwards of a blackish green tending to blewness wherein lyeth small white hard stony Seed The Root is white and thick full of knobs or joynts which in some places resemble the mark of a Seal the taste thereof is at first sweet but afterwards bitter and somewhat sharp The Places and Time The first groweth in divers places of this Land as in a Wood two miles from Canterbury by Fish-poole Hill as also between Newington and Sittingburne in Kent in Surrey about Horsely in Wiltshire about Alderbury in Hamâ—shire about Odiam c. The rest are not found in England unlesse it be in the Gardens of the most ingenuous Herbalists The Flowers of the common sort are ripe in May and they seed in September The Temperature The roots of Solomons-seale which are most in use are hot and dry containing in them a certain kind of astriction or binding and biting withall The Signature and Vertues The Roots of Solomons-seale doe by the Impresse that is set upon them signifie the wonderful vertue they have in sealing or closing up the Rim of the Belly when it is so bursten that the great Guts fall down into the Cods if the Decoction in Wine or the Powder in Broth or Drink be taken inwardly and outwardly applyed to the place It is also very available in all other Hurts Wounds or outward Sores to heal and close up the lips of those that are green and to dry up and restrain the Flux of Humours into those that are old It is singular good to stay Vomitings and also Bleedings wheresoever as also all Fluxes in Man or Woman whether they be the Running of the Reins in Men or the Whites or Reds in Women The people of divers Countreys of this Land have found by late experience that it is incomparably good to knit and joyn broken bones in any part of the Body even in those which by any weaknesse use to be often out of place or will not stay in long when they are set the Roots being bruised and applyed to the place but the Decoction of the Root in Wine or the bruised Root put in Wine or other Drink and after a nights infusion strained forth hard and drunk soddereth and gleweth together broken Bones very speedily and strangely though the Bones be but slenderly and unhandsomely placed and wrapped up and this it doth not onely in Man but in beasts also the Roots being stamped and outwardly applyed in manner of a Pultis The same also is available for inward or outward Bruises Falls or Blowes both to dispel the congealed Blood and to take away both the paines and the black and blew markes that abide after the hurt Some Authors doe affirme that the powder of the Herb or of the Seed purgeth Phlegme and viscous humours very notably both upward and downward and it is said also that the Root chewed in the Mouth draweth down much Phlegm out of the Head and put up into the Nostrils causeth sneezing but the distilled Water of the whole Herb doth without question cleanse the skin from Morphew Freckles Spots or other marks whatsoever leaving the place fresh fair and lovely after it hath been a few times washed therewith CHAP. CCCXXIV Of the Balsame Apple The Names IT is not conceived that the Greek Writers had any knowledge of this Plant because the name thereof is not so much as found amongst their Writings and therefore it is that the Latine Appellations do so much differ there being no Antiquity to build upon Cordus calleth it Cucumis puniceus Gesner Balsamina pomisera Lobel Balsamina Cucumerina punâ—cea but the most usuall name is Balsamine from the healing property that is in it the Oyle wherein the Apples of it have been steeped being in many things as effectual as the liquor of the Plant Balsa 〈…〉 It is called in English the Balsame Apple or Apple of Jerusalem The Kindes The Kindes hereof are not very numerous being distinguished into two onely 1. The Male Balsame Apple 2. The Female Balsame Apple The Forme The Male Balsame Apple springeth up with divers slender reddish Stalks and Branches shooting forth many clasping Tendrels like a Vine whereby it taketh hold of any Pole or other thing that standeth neer it or else no such thing being neer it lyeth upon the ground not being able to support it self having the Leaves thereon cut in on the edges into sundry divisions like unto those of the White Briony but much smaller tenderer and more divided The Flowers are yellowish white like unto those of the Cucumber coming out at the joynts with the Leaves as they do after which cometh the Fruit which is somewhat long and round poynted at both ends and bunched on the out side with rowes the Skin it self being smooth and very red the Pulp being reddish also within which is the Seed which is rough hard flat and reddish when it is first taken out but after it is dryed it is of a grayish black colour somewhat like unto the Citrul seeds for form and bignesse The Roots are small and stringy yet creeping a good way within the earth The Places and Times These Plants do at present acknowledge no natural place of abode but they are entertained as Sojourners in many of the Gardens of Italy where they come to perfection and their seed is sent over unto us which with labour and industry is made to grow with us but our cold nights being over-early the whole Herb withereth before the Fruit be ripe it being also late before it flowreth The Temperature The Male Balsame-Apple is of a notable drying quality having withall a certain moderate coldnesse The Vertues The powder of the Leaves taken in the distilled Water of Horse-taile or Plantane which are both good for this distemper is
which proceed from the heat of the Liver and therefore in such cases the Juyce or distilled Water of either sort doth much temper the heat of Choler and refresheth the Liver and other inward parts The Leaves bruised and applyed to the Cods or any other parts that are swoln and hot doth dissolve the swelling and temper the heat A Decoction made hereof with Walwort and Agrimony and the places fomented and bathed therewith warm giveth great ease to them that are troubled with the Palsy Sciatica or other Gout The same also disperseth dissolveth the Knots and Kernels that grow in the Flesh belonging to any part of the Body the bruises hurts that come of falls blows The Juyce Decoction or distilled Water is drunk to very good purpose against the Rupture or any inward Burstings The juyce of them or the distilled water dropped into the Eyes cleareth them and taketh away the watering of them The little Daisyes when the greater cannot so well be gotten may be used with good successe for all the purposes aforesaid as also to help Agues the decoction of them in Wine or Water being drunk It is said that the Roots hereof being boyled in Milk and given to little Puppies will not suffer them to grow great CHAP. CCCXL Of Speedwell The Names IT must be divided into two sorts viz. Male and Female before I can give you the names thereof The Greek name of the Male is unknown if ever it had any but in Latine it is called Veronica mas and Bâ—tonica Pauli in English Speedwell and Pauls Betony and of some Fluellen yet that name is thought to belong more properly to the Female kind which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elatine in Latine Veronica famina because a Shentleman of Wales whose Nose was so neer eating off by the French Pox that the Doctors gave order to cut it off being cured by the use of this Herb onely to honour the Herb for saving her Nose whole gave it one of her own Country names Lluellin or Fluellin it being before called Female Speedwell which name it retaineth also The Kindes Of the Male and Female Speedwel there be eight sorts 1. The Common Speedwell 2. Speedwel with white Flowers 3. Great Speedwel or Fluellin 4. Little Fluellin or smooth Fluellin 5. The smallest Fluellin 6. Female Fluellin or Speedwel 7. Cornered Fluellin with blew Flowers 8. Sharp-pointed Fluellin The Forme The Common Speedwell hath divers soft Leaves about the breadth of a two-pence extending themselves in length also but not very much of a hoary green colour a little dented about the edges and somewhat hoary also set by couples at the joynts of the hairy brownish Salks which lean down to the ground never standing upright but shooting forth roots as they lye upon the ground at divers joynts much after the same manner that Nummularia or Moneywort doth the Flowers grow one above another at the tops being of a blewish purple colour and sometimes though seldome white after which come small flat husks wherein the Seed which is small and blackish is contained the Root is composed of very many Fibres The Places and Time All these Plants which I have named are said to grow within the Dominions of England those which are Outlandish being omitted The first groweth in divers Countreys of this Land upon dry Banks and Wood-sides and other places where the ground is sandy and particularly in Prey-wood by St. Albans very plentifully where there be a great many good Simples besides the third was found upon St. Vincents Rock neer Bristoll by Mr. Goodyer the fifth in a Field neer unto Barâ— Elmes in Surrey the other three grow in divers Corn-fields about Southfleet in Kent abundantly as also about Buckworth Hamerton and Richwersworth in Huntingdon-shire and in divers other places They flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe in August that of the Female kind withering presently after The Temperature The Male Speedwell is temperatly hot and dry the bitternesse thereof shewing so much The Female though it be bitter is held to be cooling yet no lesse drying than the former The Vertues Both the Male and the Female Speedwell are Wound-herbs of very good note The Male is singular to heale all fresh Wounds and Cuts in the Flesh speedily closing the Lips of them together and not suffering them to gather corruption and Salve being made therewith as also with Wax Oyl and Turpentine and applyed outwardly and the decoction of it in Wine taken inwardly and so it is no lesse effectual for spreading Tetters or for foul or old fretting or running Sores or Vlcers that have been of long continuance and therefore the harder to cure It stayeth the bleeding of Wounds or other Fluxes of Blood in any other part and dissolveth all tumors and swellings especially those of the Neck It is also held to be a special Remedy for the Plague and all pestilentiall Feavers and infectious Diseases for it expelleth the venome and poyson from the Heart and afterwards strengtheneth it and maketh it able to resist all noysome vapours if a Dramme or two of the herb in powder be given with a dramme of good Treacle in a small draught of Wine and the party be laid to sweat and so doth the decoction thereof in Wine or the distilled Water thereof given in some Wine It helpeth the Memory easeth all swimmings turnings and other paines of the Head and maketh Barren Women become fruitful as it is said It cleanseth the blood from corruption and therefore it helpeth the Leprosie as no worse than a French King making tryall thereof found to be true as it is reported The decoction of the Herb in water or the powder thereof being dry and given in its own distilled water is singular good in all manner of Coughs and diseases of the Breast and Lungs and it hath the same operation upon Sheep and therefore Sheepherds make use of it by adding a little Salt thereto It openeth the obstructions of the Liver and Spleen helpeth the yellow Jaundise cleanseth the exulcerations of the Reines and Bladder and also of the Mother and of inward and outward Wounds being inwardly and outwardly used for the Spleen and Wounds but inwardly onely for the rest It provoketh Vrine and helpeth thereby to break the Stone and is very profitable for the Back and Reins The distilled water of the Herb onely or after it hath been steeped in Wine twelve hours doth wonderfully help in the Plague Consumption Cough and all other the diseases before-mentioned as also to wash Wounds Sores therewith the same doth wonderfully help all Itches Scabs Scurf Tetters Morphew and all discolourings of the Skin as Freckles Spots and Scarrs a little Coperas being dissolved therein and bathed therewith the said Water defendeth Garments from Moths a little Allom being dissolved therein and sprinkled upon them The Leaves of the Female Speedwell or Fluellin being bruised and applyed with Barly Meale
205 Scopa Regia 229 Scoparia 199 Scordium 131 Scorodonia ib. Scorpoides 293 Scorzonera 128 Scrophularia major 65 Scrophularia minor 265 Secule 266 Sedum minus 47 Sentinalis 221 Sempervivum sylvestre 68 Sena 154 Senecio 150 Sentis 261 Septifolium 38 Septinervia 76 Serapias 278 Seriphium 148 Serpentaria 37 279 Serpentina 296 Serpillum 290 Servillum ib. Sigillum Solomonis 303 Sinapi 273 Sâ—farum 270 Siser ib. Sisymbrium 75 Sium 231 Sâ—â—ilax five Taxus de qua vide Isagoge meum cap. 19 Smilax laevis 236 Smilax aspera 329 Smyrnium 290 Solâ—anella 190 Solidago Saracenica 337 Solanum hortense 29 Solanun lethale ib. Solanum lignosum 342 Solanum Vesicarium 227 Sonchus 31 Sophia Chirurgorum 264 Spatula faetida 33 Spina alba 232 Spinachia 185 Spina acida 175 Spondylium 311 Squilla 4 Squinanthum 150 Staphylinus 251 Staphylodendron 227 Strobilus 51 Sylvae Mater 111 Symphitum 292 T. TAbacco 107 Tamarisâ—â—â— 208 Tamarindus 203 Tamus 191 Tanacetum 249 Tapsus barbatus 112 Taraxacon 181 Telephium 68 Terebinthina 5 Testiculorum varietaâ—es 278 Teucriâ—â—â— 209 Thalictrum 77 Thalierum ib. Thapsia 16 Thalaspi 256 Thymbra 289 Thymum 290 Tâ—baccâ— 107 Tormentillâ— 38 Tota bona 23 Trachelium 61 Tragacantha 216 Tragorchis 278 Tragoriganum 200 Trafi 219 Trichomanes 15 Trifolium 298 Trifolium acetosum 123 Trifolium adoratum 142 Trissagâ— 209 Triticum 70 Triticum trimâ—stre ib. Triticum temulentum 300 Tussilaâ—â— 110 V. Vaccinia 116 Valeriana 145 Vegres 261 Veratrum 20â— Verbascum 11â— Verbenâ— 18 Veronica 340 Vesicaria 227 Vetonica 6 Vinca pervinca 96 Vincetoxicum 126 Viola 121 Viola tricolor ib. Viperaria 128 Virga aurea 45 Virga Pastoris 262 Viscum 1â— Vitex 280 Vitis 81 Vitis alba 191 Vitis nigra ib. Vitis Idaea 96 Ulmaria 295 Ulmus 326 Umbilicus Veneris 235 Umbilicus Terrae 40 Unio 226 Volubilis 246 Urinalis 199 Urtica 89 Usuea 15 Uva 8â— Uvae passae ib. Uvae Corinthiâ—â—â— ib. Uva Crispa 174 Vulgage 25 Vulvaria 309 Uvularia 61 64 X. XAnthium 308 Xylum 274 Xyris 33 Z. Zingiber 161 Finis Indicis Latini A Table of the English Names in which the Numbers are to be referred to the Chapters A. ABrecock Tree 171 Acacia 260 Acorns 237 Adders-tongue 296 Agrimony 179 Agnus 280 Ague-Tree 195 Aâ—green is Houseleek 47 Alecoast 182 Alehoofe 26 Allheale 241 Alexanders 290 Aller or Alder-Tree 152 Alleluja 123 Almond-Tree 80 Aloes 48 Aloe Tree and Wood 136 Alk akengi 227 Amaranthus 301 Ameos or Bishopsweed 253 Anemone 291 Anise 91 Angelica 118 Balsome Apples 324 Apples and the Kinds 168 Aprecock-Tree 171 Archall 180 Archangell 66 Aron 32 Arrach 309 Arsmnart 334 Artechockes 267 Asara bacca 25 Asparagus 213 Ash-Tree and keyes 194 Asp or Aspen-Tree 28 Assa faetida 310 Avens 133 B. Baldmony 130 Balme 124 Balsome Apples 324 Barberies 175 Barley 71 Basil 100 Bayes and its Berries 242 Beanes 101 Beane Capers 207 Flat Beanes 212 French Beanes 236 Sower Beanes 203 Beares-Eares 11 Beares-foot 202 Beares Garlick 72 Ladies Bedstraw 143 Beggerlice is Cleavers 178 Bell-flowers 95 Beetes 185 Beech-Tree 303 Paules Betony 340 Water Betony 266 Wood Betony 6 Bilberries or Whorts 116 Prickly Bindweed 329 Sea Bindweed 190 Birch-Tree 320 Birds-foot 326 Birds-tongue 221 Bishops-Leaves 266 Birth-wort 312 Bishops-weed 253 Bistort or Snakeweed 37 Bitter-sweet 342 Bitterwort is Gentian 130 Blackberryes 261 Black-thorne 260 Bladdernut 227 Blites 301 Bloud-wort 183 Bombast or Cotten-Tree 274 Borage 120 Bramble Bush 261 Brake 206 The Wild Bryar-Bush 19 Sweet Bryar or Eglantine ib. Brimstone wort 30 White Briony 191 Black Briony ib. Brookelime 231 Butchers Broome 229 Brook betony 266 Broome 193 Broome rape ib. Browne-wort 65 Bucks-horne 238 Buck-mast 303 Bugle 335 Buglosse 166 Vipers Buglosse 138 Bulls-foot 110 Bullocks Lungwort 112 Bulleis-Tree 260 Bullwort 253 Burnet 182 Butterburre 308 Clote burre ib. Butter-wort 114 Butchers Broome 229 C. CAbbage 86 Calâ—mint â—01 Calamus Aromaticus 218 Camphire 284 Camells Hay 150 Camock 57 Camomile 141 Canes or Reeds 82 Canel or Cinaâ—â—on 137 Capers 207 Beane Capers ib. Capons-taile is Valerian 145 Cardamomes 163 Carotts 251 Caraâ—ayes 158 Cassâ—â—a fistula 157 Purging Cassia ib. Ca 〈…〉 t 307 Celandine 20 Centory 248 Ceterach or Miltwast 204 The Chast Tree 280 Cherry-Trees 173 Winter-Cherries 227 Chervill 230 Cheeseboules 3 Cheeserunning 343 Chesnut-Tree 276 Chick-weed 188 China 309 Chocolate 277 St. Christophers Herâ—e 206 Sweet Cicely 117 Silâ—en Cicely 126 Câ—â—ers 271 Cinck foile 39 Cinamon-Tree 137 Cistus and its sorts 259 Cives 255 Clary 23 Garden Claver is sweet Trefoile 142 Kings Cleaver 143 Cleavers or Goosegrasse 187 Cloudberry 261 Clove-Tree 134 Clove Gillow-flowers 135 Clownes woundwort 333 Cole flowers 166 Cole-worts 86 Columbines 77 Coloquintidâ— 246 Colts-foot 110 Comfrey 292 Great Consound ib. Middle Consound 335 Small Consound or Daisy 339 Saracens Consound 337 Convall Lilly 12 Corall 55 Corall-wort 56 Coralline or Sea Mosse 15 Cork or Archall 180 Coriander 166 Corne Rose 3 Corne Sallet 97 Costmany 182 Coâ—ten 274 Cottonweed or Cudweed 77 Cowslips 11 French Cowslips ib. Cowslips of Jerusalem 113 Couch-grasse 228 Coventry Bells 95 Crabbe-grasse 197 Crabbe-Tree 168 Cranes-bills 325 Garden Cresses 50 Water-Crâ—sses ib. Winter-Cresses ib. Sâ—ines-Cresses 238 Wart-Cresses ib. Cron-Garlick 72 Cuckow-flowers 50 Cuckowes Meat 123 Cuckow-pintle 32 Cudweed 77 Cullions 278 Culrage or Arsmart 334 Cumin 159 Currans 166 Cypresse-Tree 234 Garden-Cypresse or Lavendar Cotten 250 Feild Cypresse or Ground pine 318 D. DAisies great and small 339 Dandelyon 181 Dane-wort 189 Darnell 300 Date-Tree 62 Dauke 251 Dill 94 Dittander 316 Dittany of Candy 3â—5 Bastard Dittany ib. False white Dittany 240 Devills-bitt vide Scabious Devills-durt 310 Garden Dock or Patience 177 Water-dock 183 Wild-Dock ib. Dodder of Time and other 201 Dogges-grasse 228 Dogges-Rose 19 Doggs-Stones 278 Dogges-Tooth Violet 56 Doves-foot 325 Double-Tongue 64 Dragons 279 Dragon Tree and blood 302 Dropwort 224 Dwale 19 E. EGrimony 179 Elder and the sorts 189 Elecampaâ—e 79 Elme 326 White Ellebore 156 Black Ellebore 202 Endive 181 Eringus or Sea Holly 268 Eyebright 22 F. FEarn 206 Feaberries 174 Finger fern 204 Mules Fern. ib. Featherfew 306 Feild Cypresse 318 Felwort 130 Feloâ—wort 342 Fennel 17 Fennel Gyant 98 Sow Fennel 30 Fennel Flower 92 Sea Fennell 239 Figtree 74 Filbeard tree 304 Filipendula 224 Fistick Nuts 275 Fleawort 60 Flixweed 264 Flower amor 301 Flower of the Sun 79 Fluellen 340 Folefoot 110 Foolstones 278 Forget me not 318 Fourleafed grasse 298 Fox Gloves 67 Fox Stones 278 Frambâ—is or Raspes 261 French Beans 236 French Lavender 9 French or Vine Leeks 255 French Mercury 313 French Mallows 93 Fumitory 49 Fusses or Fusts 134 G. GAlanga 162 English Galangale 219 Gallow grasse 281 Sweet Gall 257 Garlick 72 Gentâ—aâ— 130 Germander 209 Water Germander 131 Gill go by the Ground 26 Ginger 161 Glassewort 197 Goats Organy 200 Goats Rue 127 Golden Rod. 45 Golden Saxifrage 223 Gold of Pleasure 254 Gooseberries 174 Goosefoot 309 Goosegrasse 178 Gourds 99 Bitter Gourd 246 Grains of Paradise 163 Gromell
upon a tough string very close couched and compact together from which is also sent forth certain other Branches like the first in sundry places there be sent down divers fine little strings which serve instead of Roots wherewith it is fastned to the upper parts of the Earth and taketh hold likewise of such things as grow next it There spring also from the Branches bare or naked stalks on which grow certain Ears as it were like the Catkines or blowings of the Hazel-Tree in shape like a little Club of a yellowish white colour or rather resembling the Claw of a Wolf whereof it took its name which knobby Catkines are altogether barren and bring forth neither Seed nor Flower but come to nothing as they do in all other Mosses The Places and Time The common Mosse groweth more or lesse every where but especially in shadowy places and is used in slating of houses in some Countries The Cup or Callice Mosse which Lobel calls Muscus Pixidatus creepeth upon the ground like unto Liverwort but of a yellowish white colour from whoâ—e Leaves start up things like unto little Cups and groweth in the most barren dry and gravelly Ditch Banks particularly in a Ditch neer a house formerly called Stockers house in Stow-Wood about three miles from Oxford by the way side as you go thence to Islip and sometimes upon old Pales as upon the School-house Pales at Adderbury in Oxfordâ—hire The Club-Mosse groweth upon Hamsteed Heath among the Bushes and Brakes neer a little Cottage there Oak-mosse is found in many Forrests and Woods in this Land but the last which is the Mosse of a dead Mans Skull is oftner brought out of Ireland then found with Us. They are most usually growing and in their perfection in the Summer-time The Temperature The Mosses of the Earth are dry and astringent of a binding quality without any heat or cold Those of the Trees cool and binde and do much partake of the nature of the Tree from whence it is taken as that of the Oak to be more binding then those of the Cedar Larch-Ivy c. and Fir to be more digesting and mâ—lâ—â—â—ying The Signature and Vertues A Decoction of the long Mosse that hangs upon Trees in a manner like hair is very profitable to be used in the falling off of the hair and this it doth by Signature The common ground Mosse is held to be singular good to break the Stone and to expell and drive it forth by Urine being boyled in Wine and drunk The Herb bruised and boyled in water and then applyed to any Inflammations or pains rising from a hot cause doth allay and ease them and therefore they do apply it to the hot Gout to allay the pains thereof The Cup Mosse is thought to be a singular Remedy against the Falling-Sickness and the Chin-Cough in Children if it be powdered and then given in sweet Wine for certain dayes together The Club-Mosse hung in a Vessel of Wine that hath lost the vigour and vertue that floateth and is become slimy restoreth it to its former goodness if the quantity thereof be answerable to the bigness of the Vessel whereupon Brunfelsius hath called it Wein Kraut the Wine-Herb The Mosse of Trees especially of the Oak is of good use and effect to stay Fluxes and Lasks in Man or Woman as also vomiting and bleedings spitting of blood pissing of blood the Tearms and the Bloody Flux if the powder thereof be boyled in Wine and drunk The Decoction thereof in Wine is very good for Women to be bathed with or to sit in that are troubled with abundance of their Courses the same also drunk doth stay the troubled Stomack perplexed with casting or the Hickok and doth also comfort the heart as Avicen saith and as Serapio saith procureth deep sleep some have thought it available for the Dropsie if the Powder thereof be taken in drink for some time together The Oyl of Roses that hath fresh Mosse steeped therein for a time and after boyled and applyed to the Temples and forehead doth marvellously ease the Head-ach that commeth of a hot cause as also the distillations of hot Rheum or Humours to the Eyes or other parts The Ancients much used it in their Oyntments c. against weariness and to strengthen and comfort the Sinews My Lord Bacon saith that there is a sweet Mosse growing upon Apple-Trees which is of excellent use for Perfumers who if they knew it would greedily catch after it The Mosse that groweth upon dead Mens Skulls hath not only been in former times much accounted of because it is rare and hardly gotten but in our times much more set by to make the Unguentum Sympatheticum or Weapon-Salve which cureth wounds without locall application in the composition whereof this is put as a principal Ingredient but as Crollius hath it it should be taken from the Skulls of those which have perished by a violent death CHAP. XVI Of Maidenhair THough the Learned Herbarists make a distinction between Adiantum Ruta Muraria Trichomanes and Polytrichon Apuleii and therefore have treated of them in divers Chapters yet desiring to be as brief as conveniently I may and because they are all Capillary herbs and may be comprehended under the title of Maidenhair I shal make but one Chapter of them The Names Maidenhair is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Adiantum Polytrichum Callitrichum Cincinnalis Terrae Capillus and Supercilium Terrae of Apuleius Capillus Veneris Capillaris Crinita and of divers Coriandrum Putei The Italians keep the name of Capillus Veneris and â—o do the Shops In English Black Maidenhair and Venus hair and by some our Ladies hair Some think it to be called Adiantum because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is never wet but falsly for if it be dipped in Water it will be wet Others think that Rain which falls down in Drops upon the leaves of it slide off immediately leaving no sign of moisture But the most likely opinion is that it is so called because it loveth to grow on the sides of Wells above where the water never comes but where the water comes it never growes and in this sense it may be said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is called Callitrichon and Polytrichon of the effect it hath in dying hair and making it to grow thick Neither is it called Capillus Veneris for any other reason but because she is painted with curious hair Ruta Muraria was first so called by Matthiolus who afterwards took it to be Paronychia Dioscoridis Cordus calleth it Adiantum album Dodonaeus Ruta Muraria and Lobel and Lugdunsis Salvia vitae and many call it Adiantum album White Maidenhair Trichomanes is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod rarâ cute fluentem Capillum explet for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is rarus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Capillus Gaza translated it Filicula and some have it Fidicula The Apothecaries beyond the sea did use
or three foot high or more sometimes if it grow in good grounds and Gardens as uâ—ually it doth set with many long and much torn leaves of a whitish green colour not having that roughnesse or those sharp prickles on them which some of them have branching forth towards the top into divers branches bearing pale yellow flowers which passe away into a down and with the seed into the wind The root groweth down right and hath many fibres thereat perishing likewise every year and raising its self of its own â—owing and is plentifull in giving Milk which is somewhat pleasanter and not so bitter as that of the prickly ones The Places and Time All the Sow-Thistles above named grow in unmanured as well as in manured soyls some in Gardens and Orchards where the leaves are usually lesser and lesser divided than in the rough and unmanured grounds and sometimes by and upon old walls the pathsides of fields and highwaies but the first is seldom seen save in the Gardens of Herbarists and the fourth groweth only in Yorkeshire and Cheshire naturally They do flower and shed their seed from Midsummer or thereabout all the Summer long and sometimes till August be past The Temperature The Sow Thistles as Galen writeth are of a mixt temperature for they consist of a watery and earthy Substance cold and likewise binding The Signature and Vertues Least any one should think Nightshade too cool or Sow-Fennel too hot I have added Sow Thistle as being more moderate as long as they are young and tender and being so they are eaten familiarly by those beyond the Seas but the roots are much more esteemed by them being very tender and sweet The Juyce boyled or throughly heated with a little oyl of bitter Almonds in the Pill of a Pomgranate is a sure remedy for deafnesse and singings and all other diseases in the Ears and it is said that the herb bruised and bound upon Warts will quickly take them away The herb bruised or the Juice is profitably applyed to all hot inflammations in the Eyes or wheresoever else and Pustules Wheales Blisters or other the like Eruptions of heat in the Skin as also for the heat and itchings of the Hemorrhoïdes or Piles and the heat and sharpnesse of humours hapning in the secret parts of man or woman The distiâ—ed water of the herb is not only effectual for all diseases aforesaid to be taken inwardly with a little Sugar which Medicine the dantiest Stomach that is will not refuse or outwardly by applying Cloathes or Spunges wetted therein it is likewise wonderfully good for women to wash their faces to clear the skin and give a lustre thereunto The herb it self is very fit to cool an hot Stomach and to ease the gnawing paines thereof and are therefore eaten by some as Sallet herbs in Winter and Spring being boyled in wine it is very helpfull to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach and the milk that is taken from the stalks when they are broken given in drink is beneficial to those that are short winded and have a wheesing withal Erisistratus saith Pliny did therewith cause the gravel and stone to be voided by Urine and saith that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath The Juyce thereof to the quantity of three spoonfuls taken in Wine warmed and some Oyl put thereto causeth Women in Travel of Child to have so easie and speedy delivery that they may be easie to walk presently after the said juyce taken in warm drink helpeth the Strangury or pissing by drops and pains in making water The decoction of the Leaves and stalks given to Nurses causeth abundance of milk and maketh their Childrens faces to be well coloured and is good for those whose milk doth curdle in the Breasts and this it doth by signature When Sowes have Piggs they do most greedily desire it because they know by a certain natural inflinct wherewith most Brutes are indued that it doth very much increase their milk and for that Reason I conceive it is called by the name of Sow-Thistle CHAP. XXXII Of Wake-Robin or Cuckow-point THe two last parts to which I did endeavour to appropriate such Plants as were fittest for the remedying the distempers thereof were the Eyes and the Ears I come now to the Nose and shall begin with an Herb that not only helpeth it but the parts aforesaid which Janus like hath respect to what goes before and what comes after The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Arum and of some Pes Vituli because the Leaf hath some resemblance with a Calves-foot Some also call it Dracontea minor and Serpentaria minor Others again from the Figure of the Pestle or Clapper in the middle of the Hose call it Sacerdotis Penis and Canis Priapus Others Aron and Barba-Aron In English Wake-Robin Cuckows-Pintle Priests-Pintle Ramp Buckrams and of some Starchwort because formerly Linnen was starched with it and pure white Starch is made of the Root of it but such as is hurtful to the hands of the Landresse that useth it for it choppeth blistereth and maketh the hands rough and rugged and withall smarting There is a kind of Arum which is called Arâ—sarum or Friars Cowle The Kindes Parkinson in his Chapter of Arum reckoneth up these eight sorts 1. Common-Wake-Robin without spots 2. Spotted Wake-Robin 3. Round leafed Wake-Robin 4. Wake-Robin of Constantinople 5. Broad leafed Friars Cowl 6. Long or narrow leafed Friars Cowl 7. The Egyptian Culcas or Wake-Robin with a rounder and longer Root 8. Dioscorides and Theophrastus their Egyptian Bean whose Root was called Colocasia which he sets down to confute the mistake of those who take Arum and Colocasia to be the same The Forme Common Wake Robin shooteth forth some few Leaves from the Root every one of which is somewhat large and long broad at the bottom next the stalk and forked but ending in a point without any dent or cut on the edges of a full green colour each standing upon a thick round stalk of a hands breadth long or more among which after two or three moneths that they begin to wither riseth up a bare round whitish green stalk spotted and straked with Purple somewhat higher then the Leaves at the top whereof standeth a long hollow â—ose or Husk close at the bottom but open from the middle upwards ending in a point in the middle standeth a long slender Pestle or Clapper smaller at the bottom then at the top of a dark Purple colour as the husk is on the inside though green without which after it hath so abidden for some time the husk with the Clapper decayeth and the foot or bottom thereof groweth to be a long slender bunch of Berries green at the first and of a yellowish red colour when they are ripe of the bigness of an Hazel Nut Kernel which abideth thereon almost till winter The Root is round and somewhat long for the most part lying
hath a thick short knobbed Root blackish without and somewhat reddish within a little crooked or writhed together of an harsh or astringent tast with divers blackish Fibres growing thereat from whence spring up every year divers Leaves standing upon long foot-stalks being somewhat long and broad very like unto a Dock-Leaf and a little pointed at the ends but that it is crumpled of a blewish green colour on the upper side and of an Ash colour gray and a little Purplish underneath having divers veins therein from among which arise divers small and slender stalks about half a yard high almost naked and without Leaves or with very few narrow ones bearing a spiky bush of pale flesh coloured Flowers which being past there abideth small Seed somewhat like unto Sorrel-Seed but greater The Places and Time The two first grow at the foot of Hills and in shadowy moyst Woods near unto them in many places of Germany and in our Country likewise in moyst and watery places particularly in a Meadow about a stones throw above the Abby Mill at St. Albans about an Acres breadth or somewhat more from the River side where the common Bistort groweth plentifully though it be chiefly nourished in Gardens The fourth groweth in VVestmerland about Crosby in Cumberland about Ravenswaith in York-shire Lancashire and divers other places The third groweth on the high Hills in Silesia and other places The two last are round on the Alps in divers places and the last also amongst the Switzers They all flower about the end of May and the Seed is ripe about the beginning of July The Temperature Bistort is cold and dry in the third Degree and very astringent The Signature and Vertues This Plant hath a double Signature both proceeding from the Roots the one from the colour of the inside of them the other from the writhed or twisted form The bloody colour of the Roots betokeneth that it is effectuall to stay the bleeding of the Nose and all manner of inward bleeding and spitting of blood as also any Fluxes of the body in man or woman and likewise vomiting the Powder of the Root in Wine or the decoction thereof being drunk The juyce hereof being put up into the Nose prevaileth much against the Diâ—ease called Polypus and all other Sores or Cancers that happen in the Nose or any other part but the surest way is first to wash them with the distilled water and afterwards to apply the Powder of the Root thereto It is good also to fasten the Gums and to take away the heat and Inflammation that happen as well in the Jawes Almonds of the Throat or Mouth if the decoction of the Roots Leaves or Seeds be used or the juyce of them The Root of Bistort Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allome of each a like quantity beaten small and made into a Past with Honey a little peece thereof put into an hollow Tooth or holden between the teeth if they be not hollow stayeth the defluxions of Rheum upon them when it is the cause of their pain and helpeth to cleanse the Head and void much offensive matter The wreathed form of the Root is a sign that is good against the bitings of Serpents or Snakes for which it is found to be very effectuall as also for the venoming of Toads Spiders Adders or the like venomous Creatures if the place be washed with the water that is distilled from the Root and Leaves A dram of the powdered Root taken in drink expelleth the Venom of the Plague the small Pox Measels Purples or any other infectious Disease driving it forth by sweating The Powder of the Root or the decoction thereof being drunk is very available against Ruptures or burstings or all bruises or falls whatsoever dissolving the congealed blood and easing the pains that happen thereupon The said decoction being made with Wine and drunk hindereth abortion that is when Women are apt to miscarry in Child-bearing the Leaves kill worms in Children and is a great help to them that cannot keep their water if some juyce of Plantain be put thereto which applyed outwardly doth give much help in the Gonorrhaea or running of the Reins A dram of the Powder of the Root taken in the water thereof wherein some red hot Iron or Steel hath been quenched is also an admirable help thereto so as the body be first prepared and purged from the offensive humours The Leaves Seeds or Roots are all very good in Decoctions Drinks or Lotions for invard or outward wounds or other sores and the Powder strewed upon any Cut or Wound in a vein stayeth the immoderate bleeding thereof The Decoction of the Roots in water whereupon some Pomegranate Pills and Flowers are added injected into the Matrix stayeth the access of humours to the Ulcers thereof and bringeth it to its right place being fallen down and stayeth the immoderate Flux of the Courses The Roots are most used in Physick and will keep good a year or two The Dose in Powder is from a scruple to a dram into Decoction from a drachm to two or three which is made by bruising a sufficient quantity of the root suppose two drachms and boyling it in half a pint of Posâ—et drink till about half be consumed then strain it and give the clearest to be drunk in a morning CHAP. XXXVIII Of Tormentil The Names THough none of the Greek writers have mentioned this herb yet it hath got a Greek name and is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septem et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 folium that is Seven-leaves but not properly it being only one leaf cut into seven divisions For there is a general rule in all Leaves whether of herbs or trees that that which falleth away with the stalk and not in parts and at several times is the leaf though it be winged as that of the Ash Elder Walnut tree c. the great Centory Agrimony Danewort Parsnep Valerian c. is or divided as Trefoil Cinquefoil or Tormentil c. is It is called in Latine Tormentilla quia valet adversus tormenta intestinorum from its vertue in easing the torments of the Guts and Heptaphyllum or Septifolium and of some Stellaria from the form of the leaves though that be a name applyed to other plants of the like form In English Tormentil Setfoil or Seven-leaves The Kinds Formerly there was but one sort of Tormentill known but now there are three 1. Common Tormentil 2. The greater Tormentil 3. Silver leafed Tormentil The Forme The common Tormentil hath many reddish slender weak branches rising from the root lying upon the ground or rather leaning then standing upright with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks as the Cinkfoil doth which this is otherwise somewhat like with the footstalks encompassing the Branches in several places but they that grow next the ground are set upon longer footstalks each whereof are like the leaves of Cinkfoil but somewhat longer and lesser
you shall seldom misâ—e the Cure of an Ague in three fits be it what it will even to admiration as Mr. Culpepper affirmeth The juyce hereof drunk about four Ounces at a time for certain dayes together cureth the Quinsie and the yellow Jaundice and taken for thirty dayes together cureth the Falling-Sickness The Roots boyled in milk and drunk is a most effectuall Remedy for all Fluxes either in Man or Woman whether the whites reds or Bloody Flux The Roots boyled in Vinegar and the decoction thereof held in the mouth easeth the pains of the Tooth-ach The juyce or decoction taken with a little Honey helpeth the hoarsness of the Throat and is good for the Cough of the Lungs The distilled water of the Roots and Leaves is also effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid and if the hands be often washed therein and suffered every time to dry of it self without wiping it will in short time help the Palsie or shaking of them CHAP. XL. Of Sow-bread The Names THis Plant is the last that I shall treat of in relation to the Nose The Greek Names of it are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It was called by the first Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Circulo because both the Leaf and the Root are of a circular or round Figure by the later 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it was used to kill Fishes It is called in Latine Tuber terrae Terrae rapum because of its knobby Tur-nep-like Root and Umbilicus terrâ— because as the Navill of a Mans Body strutteth out a little above the Belly so this sometimes above the Earth of some Orbicularis of others Palalia Rapum porcinum malum Terrae In Shops Cyclamen Panis Porcinus Artanita In English Sowbread or Swine-bread because the Swine love it and feed upon it in those Countries where it is plentiful The kinds Parkinson in former book hath reckoned up a dozen sorts or more hereof the want whereof will constrain me to content my self only with the mentioning of three which are 1. Common round Sow-bread 2. Ivy-Sow-bread 3. A strange Plant sent for a bastard Sow-bread of the Spring The Forme The common kind of Sow-bread hath many green and round leaves like unto Asarabacca saving that the upper part of the Leaves are mixed here and there confusedly with white spots and under the Leaves next the ground of a purple colour amongst which rise up little stems like the stalks of Violets beaâ—ing at the top small purple or murrey coloured Flowers which turn themselves backwards of a small scent or savour or none at all which being past there succeed little round knops or heads that contain slender brown seeds these knops are wrapped after a few dayes in the small stalks as thred about a bottom where it remaineth so defended from the in jury of the winter close upon the ground covered also with the green Leaves aforesaid by which means it is kept from the frost even from the time of his seeding which is in September untill June at what time the leaves do faâ—e away the stalks and seed remaining bare and naked whereby it enjoyeth the Sun the sooner to bring them to maturity the Root is round like a Turnep black without and white within with many small strings annexed thereunto The Places and Time The first groweth plentifully about Artois and Vermandois in France and in the Forrest of Arden The second which is the best of all in many places of Italy The third on the Pyrenaean Hills Gerard saith that he hath heard that Sow-bread groweth on the Mountains in Wales on the Hills of Lincolnshire and Somersetshire which I never heard of from any but him who had it but from another and therefore I believe the relator was mistaken it being not so much as mentioned in the Catalogue of British Plants notwithstanding it is frequent in Gardens and is nursed up there more for its Flower then any thing else because it is in its prime when most others are decayed for it flowreth in September and afterwards when the Plant is without Leaf which do afterwards spring up continuing green all winter covering and keeping warm the Seed unto Midsummer next at what time the Seed is ripe The third flowreth in the Spring and therefore it is called Cyclamen vernum or Sow-bread of the Spring The Temperature Although Mesue doth determine the Degrees hereof to be hot and dry in the beginning of the third yet Galen doth not so but saith only 70. Simplicium that it cutteth cleanseth and openeth the mouthes of the Veins draweth and digesteth which is plainly seen by the particular operations thereof The Vertues and Signature Matthiolus saith that the distilled water from the Roots of Sow-bread snuffed up into the Nostrils stayeth their bleeding wonderfully and that if six Ounces of that water be drunk wich an Ounce of fine Sugar it will stay the blood that commeth from the breast stomach or Liver in a wonderful manner or if any Vein be broken in them It purgeth somewhat violently and therefore it is fit as he saith to mix therewith some Mastick or Nutmeg or a scruple of Rubarb by the use whereof many have been holpen of the hardness and swelling of the spleen which could not be holpen by other things It easeth also the pains and torments of the Bowels which we call the Cholick And if saith he the Root hereof be beaten with a few Peach-stone-Kernels and bitter Almonds and after laid in sleep in Aquâ—vitae for three dayes a drop or two of the expressed Cream thereof dropped into the Ears that are deaf or have much noyse helpeth them the juyce mixed with Honey or Plantain-water helpeth all sores in the mouth or throat being gargled therewith and the Tooth-ach also The juyce of it openeth the Hemorrhoides or Piles and strongly moveth to the Stool being put up in Wooll and saith Mesues it avoideth tough Flegme used in a Clister It is also used with such Medicines as discuss swellings Kernels and other hard knots in any part of the body It helpeth also the Pin and Web in the Eyes being infused with Honey as also avoideth it by the Nostrils and that by snuffing up the juyce the head and brain is purged from those humours that offend it the Ach also and daily pains of it and the Meagrim This Plant belongeth to the womb by Signature and therefore as Theophrastus affirmeth the fresh Root put into a Cloth and applyed for a little time to the secret parts of a Woman that is in sore and long Travail in Child-birth helpeth them to an easie and speedy delivery but it is dangerous till then to be medled with by Women with Child because it will make them miscarry It is profitable for those that have the yellow Jaundice to drive it forth by sweating if after the taking of three drams of the Powder in Mead or Honeyed water they be carefully ordered to sweat It
it easeth the pains of the Ears and taketh away the roughnesse of the tongue being rubbed thereupon and if it be laid to the forehead or Temples it easeth the pains of the head and the water wherein good store of it hath been boyled is good to wash the heads of young Children against all manner of breakingins out them whether sores or scabs and healeth the Chaps of the Fundament Two or three branches thereof taken with the Juyce of Pomgranats stayeth the Hiccough Vomiting and allayeth Choler it dissolveth Impostumes being laid to with Barly Meal It is good to represse the milk in Womens breasts and for such as have swollen â—â—agging or great breasts Simeon Sethâ— saith it helpeth a cold Liver strengthneth the Belly and Stomach causeth digestion is good against the gnawings of the Heart provoketh Appetite taketh away Obstructions of the Liver and stirreth up bodily Lust but thereof too much must not be taken because it maketh the blood thin and wheyish and turneth it into Choler and therefore Cholerick persons must abstain from it It is a safe medicine for the biting of a mad Dog being bruised with salt and laid thereon The powder of it being taken after meat helpeth digestion and those that are Splenetick taken in wine it helpeth women in their sore Travel in Child-bearing It is good also against the Gravel and Stone in the Kidnies and the Stangury It suffereth not milk to curdle in the Stomach if the leaves hereof be sâ—eeped or boyled in it before you drink it and some say that it will never be drawn to Curds though you put Rennet thereunto The distilled water of mints is available for all the purposes aforesaid yet more weakly But if a Spirit thereof be rightly and Chimically drawn it is much more powerful then the herb it self The Vertues of wild mint are especially to dissolve wind in the Stomach to help the Cholick and those that are short winded and are an especial remedy for those that have Venereous dreams and pollutions in the night being outwardly applyed to the Testicles or Cods The Juyce dropped in the Ears easeth the paines of them and destroyeth the Worms that breed in them they are good against the venemous bitings of Serpents and help the Kings Evill or kernels in the Throat if the Juyce be laid on warm The decoction or distilled water helpeth a stinking breath proceeding from the corruption and snuffed up into the Nose purgeth the head CHAP. XLVI Of Purslane The Names THis Herb is called by Dioscorides in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Andrachne and by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adrachne and so each of them call the Arbutus or Strawberry-Tree which some call Portulaca Arbor in Latine as also they call this Herb Portulaca Herba In English Purslane and Porcellain Sea-Purslane is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Portulaca marina The Kindes There be not many sorts of Purslane in all and therefore I will put them together 1. Garden Purslane 2. Wild Purslane 3. Camerarius his Purslane 4. Candy Purslane 5. Sea-Purslane The Form The Garden Purslane hath round thick somewhat red stalks full of juyce smooth glittering and parted into severall branches trailing upon the ground the Leaves be almost an inch long if it grow in ranck ground something broad thick fat glib and somewhat green whiter on the neather side the Flowers are little of a faint yellow colour and grow out at the bottom of the Leaves After them springeth up a little Husk of a green colour of the bigness almost of half a Barley-Corn in which is small black Seed the Root hath many strings The Places and Time The first is sowen in Gardens and delighteth to grow in a fruitful and fat soâ—l not dry The second groweth about Ramsey Meere in the foot-paths by the Rape-Mills The third was found about Lipswick by Camerarius who as he himself affirmeth was the first that made it known The other should come out of Candy by its Title Sea-Purslane groweth in the Salt Marshes near the Sea-side as you passe over the Kings Ferry into the Isle of Sheepey going to Sherland-House and in the Isle of Thanet as you go from Margate to Sandwich and in many other places along the Coast Garden-Purslane may be sowen in March or April it flourisheth and is green in June and afterwards till it be towards Michaelmas Sea-Purslane is a little shrub which beareth out the Winter with the losse of a few Leaves and Flowers in July The Temperature Purslane is cold and that in the third degree and moyst in the second but VVild Purslane is not so moyst Sea-Purslane is as Galen saith of unlike parts but the greater part thereof is hot in a mean with a moysture unconcocted and somewhat windy The Vertues and Signature Raw Purslane is much used in Sallets with Oil Salt and Vinegar it cooleth an hot stomach and provoketh appetite It cooleth the mouth also and taketh away the pain of the Teeth and asswageth the swellings of the Gums and fasteneth the teeth in them and is good for teeth that are set on edge with eating of sharp things It is likewise good to cool any heat in the Liver blood or Reins and in hot Agues there is nothing better It stayeth hot and cholerick Fluxes of the Belly Womens Courses and Gonorrhea or running of the Reins of which it hath the Signature the distillations from the head and pains therein proceeding of heat want of sleep or the Phrensie The seed is more effectual then the Herb and is of singular good use to cool the heat and sharpness of the Urine and the outragious lust of the body venereous Dreams and the like insomuch that the over-frequent use thereof extinguisheth the heat and vertue of natural procreation The Seed bruised and boyled in Wine and given to Children expelleth the Worms The juyce of the Herb is held as effectual to all the purposes aforesaid as also to stay vomitings and taken with some Sugar or Honey helpeth an old and dry Cough shortness of breath and the Ptisick and stayeth immoderate thirst It is also singular good in the Inflammations and Ulcers of the secret parts in Man or Woman as also of the Bowels and Hemorrhoides when they are ulcerous or excotiations in them The Herb bruised and applyed to the forehead and Temples allayeth excessive heat therein hindering rest and sleep and aâ—plyed to the Eyes taketh away the redness and inflammation in them and thosâ— other parts where Pushes Wheals Pimples St. Anthonies fire and the like bâ—eâ—k forth especially if a little Vinegar be put to it And being laid to the neck with as much of Galls and Linseea together taketh away the pains therein and the Crick in the Neck The juyce is used with Oyl of Roses for the said Causes or for blastings by lightening and burnings by Gunpowder or for Womens sore Breasts and to allay the heat in all other sores or hurts Applyed
white and shining colour are sufficient Signatures to manifest that it is an excellent remedy for all maladies of the Teeth whether the Decoction be gargled in the Mouth or the dry root held between the Teeth It is also exceeding good for the Dropsie by Signature also according to Oswald Crollius in his book of Signatures It helpeth likewise the griping pains of the sides and belly and cureth inward wounds that are made in the Breast Lungs and Bowells a dram of the powder of the root taken for many daies together in Red Wine the same also given to them that are bursten or have a rupture is very beneficial in the distilled Water of the herb called Horse-tail It stayeth also Lasks and Fluxes that do not proceed of hot and Choletick humours the decoction of the herb is good to be applyed both to green Wounds quickly to conâ—olidate them and for old â—ilthy Sores to dry up their moisture and thereby to cause them to heal the sooner CHAP. LVII Of Rest Harrow The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and likewise in Latine Anonis and Ononis some think it to be so called Anonis from its unprofitablenesse quasi non juvans because it is an enemy both to the Husbandmen ploughing up the ground and to the Corn as it grows Others will rather have it to be Ononis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi dicas Asini oblectaâ—entum because Asses love to roul themselves upon it and to shrub their backs with its prickles It is also called Resta Bovis and Aresta Bovis and Remoram Aratri because the Roots are both so â—ough that the Ploughshare cannot easily cut them and so deeply and strongly fastned in the ground that it causeth the Oxen to be at a stand for the first twitch not being able without moâ—â— then ordinary strâ—nâ—â—h to pull them fâ—â—th Cordus on Dioscorides callerth it Acutella because the thorns of it do prick those that unwarily go by it It is called in English Restharrow Cammock Petty Whin and Ground Furse The Kinds The Sorts hereof according to Parkinson are Eight 1. Common Rest Harrow with Purplish flowers 2. Rest Harrow with white Flowers 3. The great yellow prickly Rest Harrow 4. The lesser yellow prickly Rest Harrow 5. Purplish Rest Harrow without thorns 6. The greater yellow gentle Rest Harrow 7. Variable yellow gentle Rest Harrow 8. The lesser gentle Rest Harrow The Forme Common Rest Harrow riseth up with divers rough woody twigs about half a yard long set at the joynts without Order with little roundish Leaves sometimes more then two or three at a place of a dark green colour without thorns whilst they are young but afterwards armed in sundry places with short and sharp thorns The flowers come forth at the tops of the Twigs and branches whereof it is full fashioned like Pease or Broom Blossoms but lesser flatter and somewhat closer of a faint purplish colour after which come small Pods containing small flat and round seed the root is blackish on the outside and whitish within very tough and hard to break when it is fresh and green and as hard as a horn when it is dryed thrusting down deep into the ground and spreading likewise every piece being apt to grow again if it be left in the ground The Places and Time The first and the fift grow in many places of this Land as well in the Arable as wast ground The second with white flowers groweth near unto Darby Gesner saith the third groweth on the hill Gemma and Columna saith the fourth groweth in the kingdom of Naples and about Bristow in England as Lobel and others affirm The sixth seaventh and eight with their varieties grow as well in Narbone in France and about Mompelier as in Spain and Portugal they do all flower about the beginning or middle of July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Galen saith that the root of Rest Harrow is hot in the third degree having some cleansing and cutting faculty therein also The Vertues and Signature A Decoction of Rest Harrow made with Vinegar and gargled in the mouth easeth the Toothach especially when it cometh of Rheum The powder of the roots strewed upon the hard callous brims of Ulcers or the said powder mixed with any other convenient thing and applyed doth consume the hardnesse and cause them to heal the better The powder taken in Wine for many daies together cures the fleshy Rupture for it consumeth it by little and little The decoction thereof is effectual to open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and other parts and to help the Jaundise as also to cure the blind Hemorrhoides or Piles The â—ender Sprigs or stalks thereof before they become prickly are pickled up to be eaten by themselves or as sawce with meat and are commended against a stinking breath and to take away the swell of Wine in them that have drunk too much and are good for the gravel and stone boyled in Oxymel to the Consumption of the one half it is a singular drink for the falling Sicknesse The Bark that is the Root having the pith between taken out made into powder and taken in Wine provoketh Urine breaketh the Stone and driveth it forth and so do both the husks and seeds and that by Signature Croll Tract de Signat CHAP. LVIII Of Henbane The Names IT is called in the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi faba parcina sive suilla saith my Author because Swine having fed thereon are very muck disturbed thereby yea are in danger of their lives if they wallow not themselves in water presently thereupon neither do they go into the water to wash themselves but to seek after Crevises by the eating of which they recover But for my part I can scarce allow of the Name for this reason aforesaid because I never saw any Hogs feed upon it much lesse to go into the Rivers to catch Crevise for in the Mire where they commonly wallow there be none and besides why that should be called their Beane which is their Bane I know not I rather suppose it to be so called for that in such places as these Cattle do commonly dung abundance of this plant groweth as in Hog-yards Dunghills and such places as they frequent it being the Nature of their dung to breed it as I have heard it confirmed by some skilful Husbandmen The Latines call it Apollinaris either from Apollo the Inventer of Physick or because it makes men mad like unto Apollo's Creatures when they deliver his Oracles Is called also Altercum ab altercando because they that have eat it are apt to quarrel Camerarius saith it is also called Priapeia because the Italians do use the seed of it to allay the Enormity called Priapismus Pythagoras Zoroastes and others call it Insana Alterculum Symphoniaca and Calicularis the Phrygians Remenia the Tuscans Fabulonia and Faba Lupina Matthaeus Sylvaticus Dens Caballinus Milimandrum Cassilago
Archangel The Forme The white Archangel which is most pertiment for the present occasion hath divers square stalks about a foot high not standing straight upright but leaning downwards towards the ground by reason of the great weight of its ponderous Leaves as some conceive though I do not which are in shape like those of the stinging Nettles nicked about the edges yet not stinging at all but soft and as it were downy At the joynts with the Leaves stand large and open-gaping white Flowers in husks round about the stalks fashioned like to little gaping Hoods or Helmets in which there is many times a sweet honyish moysture as may be perceived if you suck them as many times you shall see Children and Bees do in the Husks after the Flowers are fallen stand small roundish black Seeds The Root is white with many Fibres thereat not growing downwards but lying under the upper crust of the Earth spreading and increasing like unto Couch-grasse which abideth many years still increasing The Places and Time The first sorts are found under Hedges old Walls common wayes among rubbish in the Borders of Fields in arable and in Gardens that are ill husbanded except the Spanish kind which groweth not but in Gardens here in England as in the Physick Garden at Oxon c. The fifth groweth in Germany as Thalius saith and in Italy as Matthiolus and Columna say very plentifully Those with white spots and lines are rare to meet with The seaventh groweth in some places of England yet not very commonly as in Bagley-Wood by Oxford and under an hedge on the further side of a Meadow by St. Albans near the Causey that leadeth from thencâ—â— to Mr. Cottons House on the left hand a little before you come to the turning of the way up to Windridge where I shewed to my worthâ— Friends Dr. Arris a Doctor of Physick and Mr. Dichfield School-master of St. Albans the last groweth in Candy as Pona saith and in Naples as Columna saith They flowre from the beginning of the Spring all the Summer long The Temperature Archangel is hot and dry in the first Degree or thereabouts It is of thin and subtle parts and therefore it dryeth consumeth and discusseth as the bitterness of the tast doth clearly demonstrate The Vertues and Signature Archangel bruised and with some Salt and Vinegar or with Hogs-Laâ—â—â—ayd upon any hard tumour or swelling and that in the Neck or Throat which is called the Kings Evill doth help to dissolve or discusse them in like manner applyed to the Gout Sciatica or other Joynt-aches or of the Sinews doth very much allay the pains and give ease It is also effectuall in all Inflammations as a repercussive and to heal all green wounds by drying and closing up the lips of them and for old Ulcers also to stay their malignity of fretting and corâ—oding or spredding thereby causing them to heal the more speedily It draweth forth splinters or other such like things gotten into the flesh It is used also for the obstructions and hardnesse of the Spleen both inwardly by drinking the Decoction of the Herb in Wine and afterwards applying the Herb hot or the Decoction to the Region of the Spleen as a Cataplasme or somentation with Sponges The Flowers of the white Archangel are preserved or conserved daily to be used or the distilled water of them stayeth the Whites and those of the Red stayeth the Reds in Women by Signature and is thought good to make the heart merry to drive away melancholy and to quicken the spirits and is commended also against Quartan Agues Likewise it stancheth bleeding at the Nose if the Herb be stamped and applyed to the nape of the Neck and if it be so applyed to the loosnesse and clefts of the skin about the Roots of the Nails of the Fingers it immediately cureth them by Signature as Crollius affirmeth Pliny highly commendeth it for many other things as for bruises and burnings but the Archangel with yellow Flowers is most commended for old filthy and corrupt sores or corrupt Ulcers yea although they grow to be Fistulous or hollow and to dissolve tumours CHAP. LXVII Of Foxglove The Names SOme call it in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and make it to be a kind of Mullein but certainly it is not neither was it known to any of the ancient Greek oâ— Latine Writers Fuschius makes as if he were the first that called it Digitalis being induced thereunto by the hollow form of the Flowers which are like Finger-stalls Casalpinus calleth it Virga Regia major flore purpureo Alcima also and Damasonium Tragus calleth it Campanula sylvestris flore purpureo flore luteo Columna taketh it to be the Ephemerum Dioscoridis and Dâ—lechampius upon Pliny taketh it to be Viola Calathiana Plinii So different is the Opinion of Authours concerning this Plant. It hath no other name in English that I know but Foxgloves unlesse some call it Foxfinger The Kinds The Sorts of Foxgloves are eight in all 1. Common Purple Foxglove 2. Dun coloured Foxgloves 3. Blush coloured Foxgloves 4. Orenge Tawny Foxgloves 5. The greater white Foxgloves 6. The lesser white Foxgloves 7. The greater yellow Foxglove 8. The small pale yellow Foxglove The Forme The common Foxglove hath many long and broad Leaves lying upon the ground dented about the edges a little soft or woolly and of a kind of hoary green colour among which rise up sundry stalks sometimes and but one very often bearing such Leaves thereon from the bottom to the middle from whence to the top it is stored with large and long hollow reddish Purple Flowers a little more long and eminent at the lower edge with some white spots within them one above another with small green Leaves at every one but all of them turning their heads one way and hanging downwards having some threds also in the middle from whence rise round heads pointed sharp at the ends wherein small brown Seed lyeth the Roots are many small husky Fibres and some greater strings among them the Flower hath no scent but the Leaves have a bitter hot tast The Places and Time Two of these Sorts namely the Purple and the Greater white grow naturally in England in such grounds for the most part as are sandy and dry as well on the higher as lower places under hedge sides in divers Counties The red groweth between Stoken-Church and Little Wickham and likewise about St. Albans The white groweth by VVulwich and also in Landesdale Craven and in a Field called Cragclose in the North of England by Colchester in Essex and by Exeter in the West The rest are strangers in England unlesse it be in the Gardens of them that delight in such pretty Ornaments They seldom flowre before July and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature The Foxgloves in that they are bitter are hot and dry with a certain kind of cleansing quality joyned to them The Vertues The use of this Plant if not
it in milk sweet wine or Oxymel and drink it or gargle therewith It is good also for the inflammations and sores of the jawes and Windpipe and likewise against the Jaundise and sounding besides it openeth the Liver Against the Jaundise and stopping of the Liver and the severall diseases that may come thereof drink a dram of the seed and a half penny weight of Saffron with Wine and be laid well covered to sweat The juyce of Columbines being drunk in the beginning of a Phrensie and the party use Pottage of Sage Valerian or Rue it helpeth him The decoction both of the Herb and Root being made in white Wine and some Ambergrise put thereto is with good successe used by those that are given to swoâ—â—ings Camerarius saith that the Root eaten for many dayes together in the morning fasting helpeth those that are troubled with the Stone in the Reines or Kidneys The seed taken in Wine causeth a speedy delivery to Women in Child-birth and if the first draught do not take effect take a second and thâ—â— will The seeds drunk with Featherfew in stale Ale causeth those Joynts that are broken to knit again with the greater speed and the juyce with wheat-Meal applyed warm dryeth up moist humors in Boyles and Sores Seeing there is another Plant somewhat like in Forme to Columbines I have thought fit to set it downe here at the foot of this Chapter after them as not meeting with a fiâ—â—er place IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thalictrum Thalietrum from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vireo from the livelinesse of the green colour of the young Leaves and so it is called in Latine as also Pseudorhabarbarum Bastard Rubarbe both because the Roots of it are yellow and from its purging and binding quality both joyned together as in the true Rubarbe Others call it Ruta pratensis because the Leaves are a little like Rue But in English it is most commonly called Meadow Rubarbe of which there be two sorts 1 Meadow Rubarbe 2 Spanish Meadow Rubarbe The ordinary Meadow Rubarbe or Meadow Rue as some will have it is of a middle size between Columbines and Rue that I need not say any more thereof It growes in divers Meadowes and particularly in that between Oxford and Isley The Spanish Meadow Rubarbe though it be most frequent in Spaine yet it growes in England also about Marget They flower about July They are a little hot and drying withall and therefore as Dioscorides saith being bruised and applyed to old Sores it bringeth them to a perfect cure and the distilled Water of the Herbs and Flowers doth the like some use to put this herb amongst other Pot-herbs to help to move or open the belly or make it soluble but the Roots washed clean and boyled in Ale and drunk doth provoke to the Stool more then the Leaves but yet very gently The decoction of the Roots is very much commended for the destroying of Lice and Vermine if the body of the party so affected be well washed therewith CHAP. LXXVII Of Cudweed The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gnaphalium and so likewise the Latine because the Ancients used it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is instead of flocks which come from Cloth by the dressing of the Fuller to stuff their Beds with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek signifying to dresse Cloth as Fullers do or sheare or toase wooll It hath also divers other Latine Names as Centunculus and Centuncularis from Cento which in Latine signifies a covering made with course Wooll or Flocks whereunto this Plant hath so much likenesse Tomentum Tomentaria Tomentitia Cottonaria sive Bombax humilis especially the Sea-kind Filago and Herba impia Herb Impious because no Beast will tast thereof as Pliny saith as also that it was called Camaezelon as some Copies have it or rahter Camaexylon the low Bombast or Cotton-Plant and Albinum from the whiteness In English it is called Cudweed or Cottonweed The Kindes The Sorts of Cudweed which I meet with are ten 1. Our great common Cudweed 2. The lesser Cudweed or Herb Impious 3. Another lesser Cudweed 4. The lesser broad leafed Cudweed 5. Small leaning Cudweed 6. The great Cudweed of America commonly called Livelong or life everlasting 7. Mountain Cudweed or Cats-foot 8. Sweet smelling white flowred Cudweed 9. The greater German Cudweed 10. Sea Cudweed or Cotton-weed The Forme The common Cudweed riseth up but with one stalk sometimes and sometimes two or three thick set on all sides with small long and narrow whitish or woolly Leaves from the middle of the stalk almost to the top from amongst which do grow small Flowers of a dun or brownish yellow colour like those of the small Conyza or Fleabane in the Heads of which after the Flowers are fallen commeth small Seed wrapped up with the Down therein and is carried away with the wind the Root is small and threddy The Places and Time The three first grow every where almost in this Land especially in barren dry sandy and gravelly Grounds The Mountain Cudweed hath been found in Scosby Leas near Donkester and in Sherewood Forrest near Bescot Park path and no where else The sweet smelling white flowred Cudweed groweth on a goodly Heath by Barneck the rest are found in the like places beyond the Seas onely the last is found upon the West Sea-Coasts of our Land in divers places as well as in others although smaller which maketh it to seem another sort They do all flowre about July and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature These Herbs are all of them astringent or of a binding or drying quality The Vertues Pliny saith that the Juyce of the Herb Impious or lesser Cudweed taken in Wine or Milk is a Soveraign against the Mumps and Quinsey and further saith that it is marvellous what is reported of it that whosoever shall take it shall never be troubled with that Disease again Cudweed is also profitable for Defluxions of Rheum from the Head into any other part and to stay Fluxes of blood wheresoever either at the Nose or mouth or by siege which is the Bloody Flux and easeth the torments that come thereby the decoction being made into red Wine and drunk or the Powder taken therein It stayeth also the immoderate Courses of Women and is also good for inward or outward Wounds hurts and bruises as the Western Country people do daily find by experience and helpeth Children of burstings and the Worms and the Disease called Tenasmus which is an often supposed provocation to the stool and doing nothing to be either drunk or injected or otherwise The green Leaves bruised and layd or bound to any green wound stayeth the bleeding and healeth it up quickly the Decoction or Juyce thereof doth the same and doth help all old and filthy Ulcers quickly Most of them also may be used for a week in Lamps c. to
burn but especially that which groweth by the Sea-side When the Hoggs were troubled with tuberous Baggs of corruption about their Necks the Country people were formerly wont to give them of the Herb Impious boyled in Milk or the like and they observed that which soever of them refused to take it would assuredly die CHAP. LXXVIII Of Jewes Eares The Names AMongst other Simples there is an Excressence of the Elder or Bore-tree which I shall treat of a part from the Tree it self and with it put a period to those things that are appropriated to the Throat it being of so great use for this part whereas the Elder it self is available to many others Notwithstanding I think that the Grecians took so little notice of it that they scarcely afforded it a Name It is called in Latine Fungus Sambucinus and Auricula Juda some having supposed the Elder-tree to be that whereon Judas hanged himself and that ever since these Mushromes like unto Eates have grown thereon which I will not perswade you to believe It is called in English Jewes Eares the Mushrome of the Elder by some the Gelly and by others the Sponge growing upon the Elder The Kinds My Lord Bacon in his naturall History saith that Jewes-Eâ—res grow upon other Trees besides the Elder as the Ash Fir c. but I suppose he was mistaken There are sometimes growing on those Trees certaâ—n Mushromes but like to Jewes-Eares neither in form nor vertue and therefore not to be called by that Name The Forme This Excrescence called Jewes-Eares is a soft and limber Mushrome which while it is fresh is not very thick but transparent and of a blackish colour of differing forms and sizes for some will be swolne and puffed up in one place more then in another having some resemblance to a Mans Eare some thin on the edge and thick in the middle and some two or three growing together all of them being dryed become of a blackish gray colour and then may be kept a whole year or more safe without spoyling to be used as you need The Places and Times Jewes-Eares grow as I said upon the Elder-tree but not so frequently upon them in other places as upon those that are planted upon Cony-Boroughs for their shadow and shelter I understand not but they may be found there at any time of the Year The Temperature Gerard saith that the jelley of the Elder otherwise called Jewes-Eares hath a binding and drying quality The Vertues Dr. Martin Blochwich Physician-Ordinary of Oshatin in his ingenious Tract called the Anatomy of Elder saith that even common Country Women so soon as they suspect any Disease in the Throat of their young Children they steep the Sponge of Elder in their Drink and when it is swelled they therewith carefully wipe away all the filth of the Palat Gums and Tongue It is likewise used for the same purpose being boyled in Ale or Milk with Columbine Leaves and with a little Pepper and Pellitory of Spain in Powder it helpeth to put up the Uâ—â—la or Palat of the Mouth being fallen down Take of the water or Decoction of Elder-Flowers wherein a little Elder-Honey hath been mixed and add thereunto some Leaves of Self-heal and a Jewes Eare or two and you will find it a sure Experiment for the Quinsey And a Lohoch or licking of the Rhob of Elder inspislated with Sugar with some pulverised Jewes-Eares added thereunto is commodious The distilled water of Jewes-Eares is very profitable for the Dropsie according to Crâ—lliâ—s de signaturis rerâ—â— and a drink made by sleeping three whole dryed Umbels of Elder Flowers and two Jewes-Eares very well dryed in two quarts of White-wine if it be used and no other drink the tumour will vanish away suddenly An handful of Jewes-Eares infused in a quart of the Spirit of Wine and a full draught thereof given to one that is troubled with the suffocation of the Matrix in the time of her fit cureth her The Powder of the Grains of Elder being mixed with an equall part of Jewes-Eares is commended in spitting blood CHAP. LXXIX Of Elecampane The Names HAving appropriated severall Simples to the inside and outside of the Throat the Breast comes next in Order to be provided for both internally and externally to which there is nothing more proper then Elecampane which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Helenium also in Latine and of some Inula and Enula and Enula Campana some think it took the name from the tears of Helen from whence it sprung which is a Fable others say it was so called because Helen first found it available against biting and stingings of venemous Beasts and others think it took its name from the Island Helena where the best was found to grow We in English call it Elecampane generally yet in some Countries of this Land it is called Sabwort and Horse-heal The Kindes To this Plant which otherwise would be single do some refer the Flowers of the Sun as 1. The greater flower of the Sâ—â— 2. The lesser flower of the Sun 3. The Male flower of the Sun 4. The Marigold Sun flower The Forme Elecampane shooteth forth many large leaves lying neer the ground which are long and broad but small at both ends somewhat soft in handling of a whitish green on the upper side and gray underneath each set upon a short footstalk From amongst which riâ—e â—p divers great and strong hairy stalks two or three foot high with some leaves thereon compassing them about at the lower ends and are branched towards the tops bearing divers great and large flowers like unto those of the flower of the Sun of which it is said to be a kind as I said before both the border of the leaves and the middle Thrum being yellow which is not wholly converted into large seed as in the flower of the Sun but turneth into Down with some long small brownish seed among it and is carried away with the wind the Râ—â—t is great and thick branched forth divers waies blackish on the outside and white within of a very bitter taste but good sent especially when it is dryed no part else of the plant having any smell The Places and Time This is one of the Plants whereof England may boast as much as any for there growes none better in the world then in England let Apothecaries and Druggeists say what they will It groweth in Meadows that are fat and fruitful as in Parsons Meadow by Adderbury as I have been told and in divers other places about Oxfordshire It is found also upon the Mountains and shadowy places that be not altogether dry it groweth plentifully in the fields on the left hand as you go from Dunstable to Puddle hill Also in an Orchard as you go from Colâ—râ—â— to Ditton Ferry which is in the way from London to Windsor and in divers places in Wales particularly in the Orchard of Mr. Peter Piers at Guieruigron neer St. Asaphs The
shooting two or three branches almost of an equall bignesse which is sweet in tast and therefore much used to be eaten The Places and Time The first groweth in the Physick Garden in Oxford and divers other Gardens The second seaventh eleventh and twelfth grow also in England but I find not the particular place expressed The Peach-leafed Bell-flowre which is the last save one groweth in the Garden of my most honoured Friend John Cartwright Esquire at his Mannour of Aino on the Hill in Northamptonshire The last groweth plentifully between Selbury Hill and Beacon Hill in the way to Bathe The rest are strangers some of them growing in Candy others in Italy and some in Germany c. They flowre all the Summer long some abiding long and lasting untill in Autumn cold dewes do take them away others being sooner spent The Temperature The Roots of these are of a cold Temperature and somewhat binding yet scarce exceed the first Degree The Signature and Vertues The Roots and Leaves of Rampions being broken as I said before do send forth a very white milky Juyce which is an apparant Signature that they being so temperate are available for the engendring of store of Milk in Nurses Breasts which without controversie they do effectually procure The Roots of all the Sorts of Rampions and so likewise some of Bell-flowers especially if they have any greater Roots then the ordinary stringy ones are used for Sallets either â—old with Vinegar Oyl and Pepper or boyled and strewed with Butter or Oyl and some black or long Pepper cast on them either way or any way else they are familiar to the stomach stirring up the appetite and by reason of their temperate quality cause a good digestion The Roots beaten small and mixed with some Meal of Lupines cleanseth the skin from spots marks or other discolourings The distilled water of the whole Plants Roots and all performeth the same and maketh the place very splendent and clear Sure these useful Plants were not known to Mr. Culpepper to grow in England but he fearing them to be outlandish to which he was a professed Enemy very ignorantly omitted them when as he hath busied himself about those that are lesse useful This I wrote the rather because I would have you take notice of Rampions and endeavour to propagate them CHAP. XCVI Of Periwinckle The Names IT is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek because it bringeth forth stalks which creep like those of the Vine called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Daphnoidas because the Leaves are somewhat like though lesser then those of the Bay-Tree It is called also Clematis Daphnoides in Latine but it is most commonly known by the name of Vinca Pervinca both in Shops and else-where Pliny calleth it also Camaedaphne and Centunculus though there be other Plants to whom those names do more properly belong In English Pervinkle Peruinkle and Periwinckle The Kinds There be divers Sorts or Kinds of Periwinckle whereof some be greater others lesser some with white Flowers others Purple and double and some of a fair blew Sky Colour The Forme The common Sort of Periwinckle hath many Branches trailing or running upon the ground shooting out small Fibres at the Joynts as it runneth taking thereby hold in the ground and rooteth in divers places At the Joynts of these branches stand two small dark green shining Leaves somewhat like Bay-leaves but smaller as I said before and with them come also the Flowers one at a joynt standing upon a tender Foot-stalk being somewhat long and hollow parted at the brims sometimes into four sometimes into five leaves of a pale blew coâ—our The Root is not much bigger then a Rush bushing in the ground and creeping with his Branches far about whereby it quickly possesseth a great compasse and is therefore most usually planted under hedges where it may have room to run up upon the sticks which it doth encompasse and bind over and over and is perhaps from thence called Vinca Per winca The Places and Time The first groweth on the north west side of St. Albans under an hedge encompassing a field sometimes in the occupation of Mr. Pollard and in Kingsland neer Paradise The other sorts are found only in the Gardens of those that are delighted with such pretty sorts of Varieties The flowers of them do flourish in March Aprill and May and oftentimes later The Temperature Periwinckle is somewhat hot but within the second Degree and likewise something dry and astringent The Vertues Perhaps it may seem very strange to many that I should appropriate this Plant to the Breasts for the breeding of Milk when as the greater part of Herbarists ascribe no such Vertue to it But to me it is sufficient that I have for my President that famous Herbarist Spigelius who in his second Book and fourth Chapter treating of those things that generate Milk saith There are also some Herbs as well hot as cold which although they breed little blood and are of small nourishment yet they cause great plenty of milk as Lettice Cabbage and Periwinckle which being boyled in water or the Broth of Meat doth recall the defect of Milk into the Breasts though they nourish little or nothing at all which actions they perform rather by an occult specifick vertue then any manifest quality The other properties that it hath are that it stayeth bleeding both at Mouth and Nose if some of the Leaves be chewed and the French do use it to stay their menstruall Courses Dioscorides Galen and Aegineta commend it against the Lasks and Fluxes of the Belly to be drunk with Wine and being chewed it easeth the pains of the Teeth It is likewise good against the biting of Adders being bruised and applyed to the place especially if the infusion thereof in Vinegar be taken inwardly Parkinson saith it is a tradition with many that a wreath made hereof and worn about the Legs defendeth them from the Cramp by which words he seemeth in my judgement to doubt of the truth thereof but indeed he needed not so to do for I knew a friend of mine who was very vehemently tormented with the Cramp for a long while which could be by no means eased till he had wrapped some of the Branches hereof about his Legs and other parts that we afflicted Mr. Culpepper writeth that Venus owns this Herb and saith That the Leaves eaten by Man and Wife together cause love which is a rare quality indeed if it be true CHAP. XCVII Of Lettuce The Names THe Garden Lettuce is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of the Pythagoreans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine Lactuea sativa à lactei succi copia from the plenty of Milk that it hath and causeth When the Leaves of this kind are curled or crompled it is called of Pliny Lactuca crispa and of Columella Lactuca Ceciliana in English curled or crumpled Lettuce The Cabbage Lettuce is commonly called Lactuca capitata and Lactuca sessilis
breasts outwardly being first bruised a little Chrysippus with whom Mr. Culpeper seemeth to take part raileth down right against this Royal Plant yet it seemeth to me more reasonable to defend it as Pliny doth their frivolous objections against it being not worth the answering Perhaps it may be hurtful to a weak brain and cause the headach by reason of its strong savour yet by those whose brains are stronger it is as much esteemed as any other sweet smelling herb to sweeten or perform any thing and held as effectual to comfort the brain and likewise to open and purge the head It is good for those that are short winded provoketh Urine and the Terms in Women and brings a speedy deliverance to them in travail The seeds are used to help the trembling of the heart and to comfort the same as also to expel Melancholy or sadnesse A decoction of the herb made and taken is good against poyson and sting of Scorpions and helpful for those that are given to swoonings and it provokes Venery or Lust used with Oyl of Roses Myrtles and Vinegar is good against the paines of the head and it is profitably applyed to those that are troubled with the Lethargy the Jaundise and Dropsie It is good to be put into the ears of young children With a little Goosegrease to help them of the paines thereof the juyce or seed bruised put into the Nostrils procureth sneesing Mixed with honey and used it taketh a way spots in the face The Juyce put into the Eyes taketh away the dimnesse thereof and dryeth up humours that fall into them so that as it seemes this herb applyed outwardly cures that which it caused being taken inwardly for most Writers say that it dulleth the sight if it be eaten in any plentifull manner I conceive that Hollerus relating the story of the Italian who by often smelling to Basil had a Scorpion bred in his brain mistook the cause and that the Scorpion being there before he used to smell the Basil was then most quiet when he did so for it is observed that scorpions are pleased with its smell and so the Italian found it which made him use it so much but being grown too big for that narrow compasse he caused those vehemenr and long paines whereof he dyed CHAP. CI. Of Beanes The Names THis kind of pulse is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Faba in Latine a wild kind whereof is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Faba Sylvestris in Latine and is of some thought to be the true Physicall bean of the Antients whereupon they have named it Faba Veterum and also Faba Graecorum But because they are different both in form and colour the Greek-bean being no bigger then a pease and very black the wild bean being bigger and not so black I hold it to be a mistake The Kinds The severall sorts of Beans are very numerous but I shall set down but five of them in this place 1. The Garden Bean. 2. The Field bean 3. The wild bean 4. The old Greekish bean 5. The Greek bean with dented leaves The old Greekish bean being most Physicall I shall give you its description the two first being well known The Forme The Greekish bean shooteth forth two or three long flat stalks with two edges lying or running on the ground if it have nothing whereon it may ramp or rise which branch out on every side into stalks of leaves four usually set thereon by two and two with a distance between them like unto the Garden Bean and each branch bending in a long clasper the flowers are set singly at the joynts of the branches under the leaves and are of a dead and sullen purple colour with some palenesse at the bottom of them after which succeed long and somewhat flat Pods with two sharp edges and dented about a little hooked or bowing green at the first but black and hard when they are ripe wherein are contained four or five or more round seeds as big as pease and very black so that one may well say they are rather Pease than Beans the root groweth not deep nor farre with some strings or long Fibres thereat dying yearly The Places and Times The first are set in Gardens and fields by the major part of the Gardâ—ners and are by them carried to the Market and sold for mans meat The second are sown generally through the Land by Husbandmen and used by them to give their horses and Hoggs which Mr. Parkinson affirmeth also of the third kind but I doubt he was mistaken for in all the Countries that I have been I never saw any of the Beanes which they sow for Horsemeat to have Claspers the other grow generally in Spain whence the seeds which we sow in our English Gardens are transported They flower in June and July and sometimes sooner in Gardens and are commonly ripe within a moneth or thereabouts after their flowering The Temperature The Garden Beans are with us more used for food then for Physick and being boyled whilest they are green and young they are no contemptibâ—e food for even the better sort of people feed upon them yet they are accounted windy The Field Beans are in many Countries used with a little Wheat and Rye to make Bread and Beer also being mixed with Malt and may be eaten green but then they are more windy then when they are dry and being dry they are harder of digestion though they be boyled parched or fryed Being green it is cold and moyst being dry it is cold and dry They are of a spongy and light substance which hath a scouring or cleansing faculty for it is plainly seen that the Meal of Beans cleanseth away the filth of the Skin The Vertues and Signature When the Paps are so filled and swollen through abundance of Milk that they are scarce able to hold make a Pultis of Bean-flower and Oyl or Vinegar or both and apply unto them and it will not only represse the Milk but also discuss the swelling of the Paps caused by the curdling thereof The distilled water of the Flowers is used of many to cleanse the Face and Skin and to take away both spots and wrinckles and so doth the Meal or Flowre of it and the water disâ—iâ—led from the green husks is held to be very effectuall against the Stone and to provoke Urine Bean Meal mixed with Fenugreek and Honey and applyed to Feâ—ons Biles blew marks by-blowes or bruises and Impostumes or Kernells about the Ears it helpeth them all With Rose Leaves Frankinsence and the white of an Egg it helpeth the Eys that swell or grow out if it be applyed as also the watering of them or stripes upon them if it be used with Wine If a Bean be parted in two the skin being taken away and then laid on the place where a Horse-Leech hath been set that bleedeth too much it stayeth the bleeding Bean-flowre boyled to a Pultis with Wine
set on the green branches not alwayes one against another and a little dented about the edges At the foot of the Leaves come forth small hollow pale blush coloured Flowers the brims ending in five points with a reddish thred in the middle which passe into small round Berries of the bigness and colour of Juniper-Berries but of a Purple sweetish sharp tast the juyce of them giveth a Purplish colour to the hands and lips of them that handle and eat them especially if they break them containing within them divers small Seeds The Root groweth aslope under the surface of the ground shooting forth in sundry places as it creepeth This loseth its Leaves in the Winter but the red kind retaineth them The Places and Time The first groweth in many Heaths Woods and barren hilly places in this Land as Hampstead-Heath Finchley and St. Johns Wood not far from London and in sundry other places The first red sort in the Northern parts as Northumberland Lancashire and York-shire on the Hills c. The rest grow in Hungaria Bavaria and Germany and in other Countries also The sixth Clusins found in Spain The seaventh groweth as Lâ—â—el saith on every of the Hills in Provence of France The two last in Candy They all flower in March and April and the fruit of the black is ripe in June and July the other later The Temperature The Bill-berries do cool in the second Degree and do a little bind and dry withall The Vertues The Berries aforesaid are an excellent Medicine for those that are troubled with an old Cough or with an Vlcer in the Lungs or other Disease thereof but if they be eaten by those that have a cold or weak stomack they will much offend and trouble it and therefore the Juyce of the Berries made into a Syrup or the pulp of them made into a Conserve with Sugar will be more familiar to such and help those pains the cold fruit procured and being thus prepared they will be the more effectuall in hot Agues and to cool the heat of the Stomach and Liver and do somewhat bind the Belly and stay castings and loathings with the juyce of the Berries Painters to colour Paper and Cards do make a kind of Purple blew colour putting thereto some Allome and Galls whereby they can make it lighter and sadder as they please And some poor folks as Tragus sheweth do take a Pot full of the juyce strained whereunto an Ounce of Allome four spoonfulls of good Wine-Vinegar and a quarter of an Ounce of the wast of the Copper forgings being put together and boyled all together into this liquor whilest it is reasonable but not too hot they put their Cloth Wool Thred or Yarn therein letting it lie for a good while which being taken out and hung up to dry and afterwards washed with cold water will have the like Turky blew colour and if they would have it sadder they will put thereto in the boyling an Ounce of broken Gauls Gerard saith that he hath made of the juyce of the red Berries an excellent Crimson colour by putting a little Allom thereto The red Whorts are taken to be more binding and therefore to be used in stopping Lasks and Womens Courses spitting of blood and any other Flux of blood or humours as well outwardly as inwardly CHAP. CXVII Of Sweet Cicely The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as well as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Myrrhis and Myrrha likewise in Latine in imitation of the Greek and also because of its pleasant savour being somewhat like unto Myrrhe Pliny saith that some called Myrrhis by the name of Smirnisusa and others Myrrha yet some have it Smyrrhiza from the likeness unto S 〈…〉 ium Some also call iâ— Caerefolium magnum and some Cicutaria from the likeness of the Leaves and of some Conilaus We in England also call it Myrrhis Sweet Chervill great Chervill sweet Cicely and sweet Fern. The Kindes There be five Sorts of Sweet Chervill 1. The ordinary Garden sweet Chervil 2. The lesser sweet Chervill 3. Wild sweet Chervill 4. Wild sweet Chervill of England 5. Wild sweet Chervill of Naples The Form The ordinary Garden Sweet Chervill which is so like Hemlock that many have mistaken it for the same yet it groweth not so high but hath large spread Leaves cut into divers parts tasting as sweet as the Anniseed that riseth to be two foot high or better being crested or hollow having the like Leaves at the Joynts but lesser and at the tops of the branched stalks umbels or tufts of whiâ—e Flowers after which come large long-crested black-shining Seed pointed at both ends tasting quick yet sweet and pleasant like the Leaf or Anniseed the Root is great and white growing deep in the ground and spreading sundry long Branches therein in tast and smell stronger then the Leaves or Seed and continuing many years The Places and Time The first is planted in divers Gardens here in England in Germany also though it be thought by some to grow wild in the fields of that Country which the 3d sort may haply do with them as well as with us in England near unto the ditch sides and other water courses The second is a naturall of Geneva and the parts thereabouts as Lobel saith but was sent also by Aicholzius from Vienna to Norunberg to Camerarius as he saith and is likely to be naturall of those parts also The fourth was found by Columna upon some of the Hills in Naples The last hath been seen growing in some wast places of this Land These Herbs do flower in May and their Seed is ripe in July The Temperature Galen saith that Myrrhis that is Sweet Cicely is hot in the second degree with some tenuity of parts The Vertues The Root of the ordinary Garden sweet Chervill boyled in the broth wherein flesh hath been sodden doth cleanse the breast from flegm and all corruption and is very good for such as be lean and weak or falling into a consumption of the Lungs to make them strong and â—usty It is likewise good to help the Pâ—isick if it be boyled but in Beer Being drunk with Wine it provoketh Womens Courses it expelleth the dead Child and After-birth and purgeth Women after their deliverance it provoketh Urine and is good against all venomous bitings If the Root be sliced and â—aid to sâ—eep in White-wine all night and drunk in the morning with Sugar it wiâ—l give the party that taketh it three or four stools It procureth an appetite to meat and helpeth to expell wind The juyce with Powder of burnt Allom healeth the Ulcers of the Head and Face and killeth the Canker in the Mouth or Throat being annointed therewith The Candid Roots of this Chervill are held as effectuall as Angelica to preserve the spirits from infection in the time of a Plague as also to warm and comfort a cold weak stomach Both Leaves Seeds and Roots are so fine
like unto a Vetch The root is white and wooddy spreading well in the ground and abiding divers yeares The Places and Time The first groweth in divers Gardens of this Land as in the Physick Gardens so often mentioned and very plentifully in a Garden at St. Albans not farr from the Prison sometimes in the possession of Dr. Arris who was a great admiâ—er of the same for its Cordia vertues It groweth Naturally by the way sides of moist fields and Meadows both in Italy Savoy and other places and hath also bin found some years since in the Meadows by Linton in Cambridgeshire The other is said onely to grow upon the tops of mountaines They flower in the end of Iune and Iuly and the seed is ripe in August The Temperature Goates Rue is said to be of a mean Temperature between hot and cold The Vertues There is not any Plant more effectuall to preserve the heart from Palpitations tremblings and sownings and against Melanchosicke Vapours oppressing it then Goates Rue which is a great Preservative also against the bitings or stings of any venemous Creatures yea those Italians as Pena and Lobel say and others that use to gather Vipers will use it rather then the Beast-Treacle to defend themselves from being bitten or stung by them or to preserve them from any other infection and therefore eat it continually as other Hearbs in Sallets or otherwise in their meates and broths It is likewise very powerfull against any poyson taken inwardly the Pestilence or any infectious or pestilentious Feavers or diseases that break forth into spots or marks as the Measells Purples and the Small-Pox in all which it is admirable both to preserve from infection and cure those that are infected to take every morning some of the juyce thereof as also to eat the Hearb it self every morning fasting but it will be the more effectuall if the juyce be taken with a little good Treacle and some Tormentill Roots in powder mixed with Carduus Benedictus water or with some Vinegar and fine Bolearmonick and Treakle in the said Water and presently to sweat two houres thereupon which it causeth in some sort it self A spoonfull of the juyce given in a morning fasting is very effectuaâ—l to kill the wormes in Children or the Hearb it self fryed with a little Oyl of bitter Almonds and laid hot unto the Navill as also to help the Falling-Sicknesse before it grow strong and old upon them It is very profitably applyed to the belly pained with the griping of the wind and Collick being fryed and laid-to warme In the same manner laid unto plague Sores before they be broken it either disperseth them yet defending the heart not striking it inwardly or draweth them forth and healeth them It is also effectually applyed with Vinegar to Gangrenes running Ulcers and Sores to stay the malignity in their fretting and spreading and to defend the vitall Spirits from danger Some use a Syrupe made of the juyce and some of the distilled water as a more familiar Medicine to take upon all occasions inwardly for all the purposes aforesaids And some use to make an Oyle of the Flowers digested in the Sun by often repetitions of infusion to annoint the wrests of the hands where the pulse is felt as also the region of the heart to defend it from the diseases aforesaid and danger of infection It is no lesse effectuall for Sheep Goates and other Cattell by the experiments that Goat-heards have made herewith The Mountain Goates-Rue is held almost as effectuall against poyson and the pestilence as the former CHAP. CXXVIII Of Vipers-Grasse The Names IT was found and the Vertues thereof discovered but of late dayes by a Mauritanian bondslave who holpe divers that were bitten of that Venemous Beast or Viper as it is called by others which they of Catalonia where they breed in abundance call in their Language Escuersos from whence Scorzonera is derived with the juyce of this Herb and the root given them to eate which both took away the poyson and healed the bitten place very quickly when Treacle and other things would do no good which ever since hath grown in estimation both against Venome and other diseases also It is called in Lattin Viperaria Viperina or Serpentaria but most Commonly Scorzonera which name is generally given it by all Nations We in English call it Scorzonera and Vipers-grasse The Kinds I find Ten Sorts of Vipers-grasse rekonned up by Authors 1. Common Vipers grasse 2. Dwarfe Vipers grasse 3. Spanish Vipers grasse 4. Dwarfe Spanish Vipers grasse 5. The greater Hungarian broad leafed Vipers grasse 6. The Dwarfe Hungarian Vipers grasse 7. The small Hungarian Vipers grasse 8. Purple Vipers grasse 9. Tall Narrow Leaved purple Vipers grasse 10. Vipers grasse of Sclavony The Forme The first of the Vipers grasses hath long broad leaves fat or full bodyed uneven about the edges sharp pointed with an high swoln rib down the middle and of an overworn green colour tending to that of Woad amongst which riseth up a stiffe stalk smooth and plaine of two cubits high whereon do grow such leaves as those next the ground The flowers stand on the top of the Stalks consisting of many small yellow leaves thick thrust together very double like unto those of Tragopogon or Goates-beard whereof most think it to be a kind The Root is long thick very brittle continueth many yeares yeelding great increase of roots black without white within and yeeldeth a milky juyce as do the leaves also like unto the Goates-beards The Places and time Many of the Sorts aforesaid are to be found in the Gardens of some Physitians and Apothecaries who know the worth of them as also in the Physick Gardens at Oxford and Westminster but especially the two first The Third and Fourth in Spain as their titles do declare The fifth in many places of Germany Bohemia and Hungary The Sixth on the hills by Baden in Germany The Seventh in many of the same places with the Fifth The Eighth and Ninth on a small hill nigh unto Stampfen which is two Duch miles from Posonium a chief Citty in Hungary The last in Illyria or Sclavony as Alpinus saith They do all flower in May and their seed is ripe before the end of June The Temperature Vâ—pers-Grasse is thought not to exceed the first Degree of heat and moysture which are the predominant qualities The Vertues and Signature The water of this Herb distilled in Glasses or the Root it self taken is good against the passions and tremblings of the heart and also against swounings sadness and melancholy the same also is a present remedy against all contagious Feavers for by causing sweat the infection is evaporated and the sick person restored The Root preserved and taken fasting â—or the said water drunk for some dayes together doth open the obstructions of the Liver Spleen and other inward parts as also helpeth to bring down Womens Courses and to ease the suffocation or other Diseases of
Leaves many set together whiâ—h are somewhat long and hollow ending or spreading into four small Leaves of whitish yellow green colour which give place to small round and somewhat long black-berries when they are ripe wherein lyeth a white kernel The Root groweth down deep into the ground and spreadeth likewise tough long white strings somewhat wooddy Both Leafe and Flower both Bark and Root are very hot and sharp in tast heating the mouth and throat of any that shall tast them It keepeth its green Leaves all the Winter as all other Bay-Trees do even in the coldest yeares The Places and Times The First groweth wild not onely by the Lake of Geneva as Gerard or rather Dâ—donâ—ns doth affirm and in other places beyond the Seas but in our own Country also in divers places and particularly between the Hedge and a foot-path that leadeth from St. Albans to Park-Street The other was sent out of Candy as the title testifies The first flowereth very earely in the year even in January or February and sometimes before if the winter be mild The berries are ripe about May or June when the other flowereth or beareth fruit is uncertain seeing it hath not put forth either in this Country The Temperature Spurge Laurell is of a very hot and biting Temperature The Vertues It is reported of this Plant that if the Leaves be gathered with ones hand tending upwards it causeth vomiting if downwards it causeth purging but how true it is I cannot affirm for I never knew it taken inwardly yet I find upon Record that the Leaves purge slymy phlegme and waterish superfluities and are therefore good for the Dropsy and that fourteen or fifteen of the Berries do the like Notwithstanding they are said to purge very violently inflaming and heating the Throat and wringing the Stomack of whosoever shall take thereof and driveth them into divers dangerous diseases howbeit this seemeth to be spoken of the inconsiderate use thereof for it is said that if it be taken advisedly it purgeth phlegme from the Stomack and oftentimes by vomit also it procureth Womens Courses easeth the paines of the Cholick and being chewed in the mouth it draweth down from the Head and Brain much corrupt matter that would offend it And if there be any that understand not what is meant by the word advisedly let them know that it is to be taken after one of these or the like waies The Leaves must be steeped twenty four hours in good strong Vinegar and then dryed and their powder drunk in wine with Anniseeds and Mastick or else boiled in Whey of Sweet milk of broth or a Capon and so taken the dose not exceeding two scruples or one dram The Oyl wherein the fresh Leaves and Berries have been boyled being strained and the belly annointed therewith loosneth it and helpeth the Collick and being annointed on the back and reines provoketh Urine and helpeth the Piles Besides the Berries may be put into a Cataplasme for the Dropsy with Barly and Bean meale Fenugreek root of Wallwort Woormwood and Origan all which are to be sodden in wine and laid over the whole body The Flowers also used in a Glister are much commended for the said disease which is to be made thus Take flowers of Laurell two drams roots of Polypody Agarick of each a dram and half Dodder three drams seeth them in wine or water till the Third part be consumed then take of the Liquor of that decoction one pound of Benedicta Laxativa half a dram of Electuarium nidum two drams and a half Honey of Roses one ounce Oyles of Rue Camomile and flowered Luce of each one ounce of Sal Gemmae a dram and a halfe Commixe them all and make a Gliâ—â—er CHAP. CXCIX Of Toad Flax. The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Osyris as Fuchsius saith in Latin Pseudolinum and Liâ—aria from the resemblance of its Leaves with the true Line or Flax and Urinalis and Urinaria from its effects in provoking Urine Some have called it Esula adulterina from the resemblance it hath with a small kind of Esula or Spurge yet they may easily be distinguished if the stalk or Leaves thereof be broken for one hath milke the other hath not according to that old verse Esula lactescit siâ—e lacte Liâ—aria â—rescit Some have taken it to be the AntirrhiAntirrhinum of Pliny and indeed it seemeth to be a kind of Snapdragon by its flowers yet others will rather have it to be Osyris both of Pliny Dâ—oscorides and Galen whereunto it doth in many things agree There is a kind hereof which is called Scoparia and Herba Studiosorum because Scholers heretofore swept their Studdies with beesomes made thereof and Belvâ—deâ—e of the Italians for the glorious shew that the flower of it makes Some call it Wild-Flax in English but that name doth more properly belong to another kind it is called also Toad-Flax because Toads will some times shelter themselves amongst the branches of it and Flax-weed in Sussex Gallwort The Kinds Though there be many sorts of Flax-weed I shall trouble you but with ten of them 1. Great Toad-flax 2. Sweet purple Toadflax 3. Variable Toad-flax 4. Toad-flax of Valentia 5. White Toad-flax 6. Purple Toad-flax 7. Bushy Toad-flax 8. Golden Toad-flax 9. Broom Toad-flax 10 Sparrowes Toad-flax The Vertues The common Toad-flax is well known to have divers stalkes full fraught with long and narrow bâ—ew Aâ—h coloured Leaves without any footstalke at them like unto those of Flax but the stalkes are not so long from the middle of which up to the top come forth the Flowers which are many of a pale yellow colour of a strong unpleasant scent with deep yellow mouths like the flowers of Snapdragon the seeds which are blackish and flat are inclosed in round heads the Root is somwhat woody and White especially the maine down right one with many fibres thereat abiding many yeares shooting forth rootes every way round about and new branches every yeare The Places and Time Some of these sorts are wild some grow only in Gardens the expressing of their particular places would be to little purpose seeing none but the ordinary sort groweth naturally in our Land for as much as I can learne They flower from June till the end of Summer some of their seed being usually ripe towards the end of August The Temperature Toad flax is hot and dry as may be perceived from its bitternesse and also from the faculty it hath in provoking Urine The Vertues The Common sort of Toad-flax whose description I have set down is that which is most used in Physick It provoketh Urine both when it is stopt as also in those that are troubled with the Dropsy to spend the abundance of those watery humors by Urine which it draweth down wonderfully helping also to wash the Reines and Uritory parts from Gravell or Stones gathered therein and this it doth if the decoction of the Herb both Leaves and
and spreading many waies under ground if it stand long the whole Plant is more pleasant to the sight then to the smell The Places and Time The naturall places of the sorts aforementioned are in divers parts both of Germany and Italy and that with the white flower about Frank-ford yet they grow with us in our Gardens as in the Physick Gardens at Oxford and that at Westminster and in the Gardens of divers others that are delighted with rarities of this Nature They flower in June and July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature The Root of Fraxinella or the false white Dittany is hot and dry in the second degree it is of a wasting attennating and opening faculty The Vertues A dram or two of the powder of the roots of Fraxinella taken in wine or broth is very much commended against the Strangury provoketh Urine breaketh the Stone in the Bladder and driveth it forth and so doth the seed taken in the quantity of a dram The same are very effectuall to open obstructions to bring down Womens Courses and to clense that which is soule and contagious It is also a very great preservative both against Poyson and the Venome of Serpents and other Poysonfull Creatures and against the Pestilence and other contagious diseases and is good to kill the Wormes of the belly It warmeth and cleanseth the matrix expelleth the dead Child and After-birth if the part be fumigated with it and Penniroyall or taken in Wine it easeth the paines or torments in the inward parts or bowells and healeth inward hurts and wounds it is much commended against the Epilepsy or falling sicknesse and other cold griefes of the head and braines and is held to be of great use against the French disease to use it with the decoction of Guaiâ—â—m or Pock-wood The Leaves and the juice thereof taken after the same sort worketh the same effects though not so powerfully and being applyed outvvardly it dravveth Thornes and Splinters out of the flesh CHAP. CCXLI. Of Allheale The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Panaces or Panax because it is a Panacaea or remedy for many diseases which names are in use also amongst the Latins Some call it Panax Herculeum supposing Hercules to be the first founder of it but others would rather have it Panax Heracleum from Heraclea a Citty in Candy and though the name Panaxris referred to many pâ—ants as Origanum Sylvestre Centaurium magnum c. yet to this onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is called in English Hercules Allheale and Hercules Wound wort and Allheale simply The Kindes To this Kind may be referred these seaven sorts 1. Ordinary Allheale of Hercules 2. The true Allheale of Hercules 3. American Allheale of Hercules supposed to be the true Laserwort with shining Leaves 4. Costus-like All-heale 5. The Hungarian Allheale of Hercules 6. The Cluster berry Allheale of America 7. Sweet sented Allheale of America The Forme Hercules Wound-wort spreadeth many large winged Leaves round about upon the ground most of them two foot long consisting of four five or six couples of rough winged Leaves set one against another on a round great foot-stalk furrowed on the upper side each of them likewise consisting of three or four couple of rough but large faire fresh yellowish green Leaves and one at the end all of them finely dented about the Edges tasting a little hot and biting and yeilding forth a yellowish juyce in the Summer called Opopanax much more gummy hot and bitter then the Leaves from which riseth a strong great round green stalk four or five foot high or more with some joynts and Leaves thereat and a few branches towards the top breaking forth into small yellow umbells of flowers which afterward give whitish yellow flat short seed The root is somewhat great and groweth deep into the ground The Places and Time The first is thought to grow in some Places of Italy but I am sure it did grow in the Physick Garden at Oxford and doth still if I be not mistaken as also at the Physick Garden at Westminister and in some other Gardens The second groweth in Naples as Matthiolus saith on the Apennine-hills also and the Sea Coasts by Siena The third came from America is the name of it importeth The fourth as Matthiolus saith groweth on Mount Garganus in Apulia The fifth in Tartaria and Hungaria The two last in America They all flower and seed in the end of Summer The Temperature The juyce or Gum which is of greatest use is hot in the third degree and dry in the second being of a heating mollifying and digesting quality the bark of the root is heating and drying likewise but in a meaner degree having withall a little cleansing property The Vertues The juyce or Gum of Allheale which it is called in shops and of many writters also Opopanax being drunk in honeyed Water or Wine helpeth tâ—e Itchings and sores in the Bladder and is good for the Strangury also and difficuâ—ty in making water It is endued with a speciall property also to purge thick and clammy Phlegme from the more remote parts as the Braine Nerves sensitive parts joynts and breasts and therefore it is profitable for any cold dâ—sease incident to any of those parts as in the Palsy weaknesse of sight old Cough shortnesse of breath Sciaticâ— and in other kinds of Gout It is good for Convulsions and Cramps as also against Windinesse in the Sides Belly Womb or in any other places and therefore it helpeth Stitches the hardnesse of the Spleene the strangling of the Mother bringeth down VVomens Courses and brings away also the Mola or Lumpe of flesh bred in the Womb. It expelleth wormes helpeth the biting of a â—ad Dâ—gge and is good against the poyson of other venemous Creatures Dissolved in Wine and given it helps the Dropsy and taken in Vinegar one hour before the Fit cometh it takes away the cold Fit of an Ague eâ—pecially if some of it be dissolved with the juyce of Smallage and Oyle of Dill and the ridge of the back annointed therewith It is good after falls and bruises to dissolve any congealed blood eâ—pecially in Cold bodies and where no Feaver is Being dissolved wiâ—h Vinegar the juyce of Smallage applyed to the Region of the Spleen softeneth the hardness of it a plaisterg made thereof dissolveth the Kings-Evâ—ll and hard Nodes of the Joynts as also any Plague sore botch or Bile especially being dissolved in Vinegar applyed with the pulp of Raisins in the Sun it eaâ—eth any kind of Gout If the mouth be washed with a decoction of Vinegar made with it it easeth the paine in the Teeth or if it be a hollow tooth let it be stopped with a peece Some commend it against the dimnesse of sight being mixed with other things It is very availeable to cure old Ulcers and Fistulaes and to breed good flesh especially where the bones are bare
to dry without any manifest sharpnesse or heat The Vertues And whosoever shall drink the seed of Flix weed in Wine or the Water of a Smiths Forge wherein Iron and Steel have been often quenched shall find by experience that it hath not its name for nothing for it is of excellent use to stop the bloody Flix the Lask and all other Issues of blood The Herb it self boyled in either of the said liquors and drunk performeth the like effects no lesse powerfully then Plantain or Comfry as also to consolidate Bones that are either broken or out of joynt The jâ—yce thereof drunk in Wine or the Decoction of the Herb drunk doth kill the Wormes in the Stomack or Belly and the Worms which sometimes breed in putrid and filthy Ulcers The said Herb being bruised or the juyce thereof being put into Oyntments and Salves doth quickly heal all sores how soul or malignant soever they be and therefore it would be taken into especiall notice by those good people who delight in curing the Wounds and Maladies of their Neighbours There may be also a Syrupe made hereof which is admirable good to be used inwardly when any of the former occasions shall require The distilled Water of the Herb is not altogether so effectuall for the purposes aforesaid yet for those whose Pallates will not brook any of the former Medicines this may be taken it being a little clearer and therefore more acceptable CHAP. CCLXV. Of the Pilewort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Chelidonium minus in Latine for what reason I know not it being like unto the Chelidonium majus or greater Celandine neither in nature or forme It is called also Hirundinaria minor as some have supposed because it springeth when Swallows come in and withereth at their going away but this is true in neither for it flowrisheth long before their comming and departeth presently after But the names of Ficaria and Scrophularia minor are more propper unto it because the Roots not only re-resemble those kernels of the Fundament called the Piles and those hard swellings that sometimes sease upon the neck and other parts but is very powerfull to cure them In English it is usually known by the name of Pilewort as it ought to be yet it hath been also called the lesser Celandine and Figwort from the Latine names The Forme Pilewort or Celandine the lesse groweth with many pale round green leaves spread as it were upon the ground by reason of their weak and trailing branches whereon they are set of a fat smooth and somewhat shining aspect marked in some places though not often with black spots from amongst which rise up divers small yellow flowers consisting of nine or ten very narrow Leaves upon their slender foot-stalks somewhat like unto those of Crow-foot as the seed also is it being set upon a head after the same manner The Root is composed of divers small kernels of the bignesse of wheat Corne or bigger hanging to the body by a smal string or fiber and having another such a string at the end also all which are of a whitish colour The Places and Time It groweth in most parts of this Land that are not ploughed up if they be any thing addicted to moisture or overshaddowed either with Walls or Trees as in Meadowes and Pastures by Highway sideâ— by Ditches Wall sides Hedges Trenches c. It commeth forth about the beginning of March and flowreth not long after it beginneth to fade in April and is so far gone in May that the Roots thereof can scarcely be found therefore be sure you look for it in its due season The Temperature Though Pilewort have not that acrimony and sharpnesse which Dioscorides and Galen affirm to be in theirs yet those that have succeeded them do agree that howsoever it hath the properties thereof The Vertues and Signature The most profound Crollius in his Book of Signatures hath observed that Pilewort hath the perfect Signature of the Hemorrhoides or Piles or such like excrescences that appear in or about the Fundament and therefore he saith that not only the decoction being drunk is a profitable remedy for the said evill accidents but being hung about the neck so that it may lye against the Mouth of the Stomack it performeth the same and so it doth being made up into an oyl Oyntment or Salve as also helpeth the kernels about the eares and throat called the Kings Evill or any other hard Wens or Tumors as Mr. Culpeper saith he proved upon his owne Daughter which had the Kings Evill and delivereth it for an extraordinary secret The juyce taken from the Roots and put into the Nose purgeth the head and the decoction thereof with a little Honâ—y put into it and gargled in the Mouth doth the same effectually and doth purge and cleanse the breast of phlegme or any other tough humours that do offend It also helpeth a running Itch and those Nailes of the Fingers and Toes that grow deformed and scabbed The Piles themselves being bathed with the juyce mixed with the Patients Urine or with Wine draweth them together and dryeth them up and taketh the pain quite away The distilled water of the Leaves and Flowers that have the spots and marks upon them is an admirable remedy to cleanse the Faces of those are tanned freckled or otherwise accidentally spotted and this it doth by Signature as the aforesaid Crollius hath also recorded CHAP. CCLXVI. Of Water-Betony The Names IT is called in Latine for the Greek name is no where expressed Betonica Aquatica and Aquatilis most commonly yet there be that call it Ocymastâ—um majus Clymenon and Scrophularia the likenesse of the Plants causing the interposition of Names as being mistaken one for another And so likewise in English some have called it Brownwort which is the same with Scrophularia or Figgewort but usually it is called Water-Betony and of some Bishops-Leaves and Brook-Betony The Kindes The sorts hereof are quickly reckoned up for they are but two 1 The greater Water-Betony 2 The lesser Water-Betony The Forme The greater Water-Betony which is most common riseth up somewhat like Figwort but many times higher with square hard greenish stalks and sometimes brown set with such like dark broad green Leaves so very like unto those of Figwort that they have been often mistaken one for another being also dented about the edges but with rounder notches by the diligent observance whereof they may be distinguished in that respect somewhat resembling the Wood-Betony Leaves yet of a larger Sise and two for the most part set at a joynt At the tops of the branches and likewise at the joynts where the Leaves coâ—e out from the middle of the Stalke upwards come forth many round bellyed Flowers which being fully blown are open at the brims yet divided into two parts so the uppermost is like a hood and the lowermost like a lip hanging down of a darke red colour which passing
this disease chanceth not only to Men but also to Women in whom it is hard to cure Two drams of the seed beaten small being taken in the morning or after Supper either in Meade Wine or fair Water purgeth cholerick humors and therefore it helpeth the Sciatica or Hip-Goat The herb healeth burnings by fire and stayeth the bleeding of wounds the green being bruised and applyed for the first or the green or powder of the dry for the second It hath formerly been accounted and certainly is a soveraign herb to heal any wound or sore either outwardly or inwardly and therefore may be used now as heretofore it hath been in Drinks Lotions Balms Oyles and Oyntments for any sort of green wound or old Ulcers and Sores in all which the people of former Ages found it very effectuall though those of this do ignorantly contemn all those that savour either of antiquity or cheapnesse To this Head and the purposes therein contained do belong Nightshade Purslane Henbane Housleek Lettice which are cold and Rue and Calamint which are so hot that they destroy the seed but having handled them already upon other occasion I passe now to the third Head wherein we are to speake of some Plants that procure Womens Courses CHAP. CCLXXXVI Of Mugwort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Artemisia in Latine because as Pliny hath said so many others have beleeved that Artemisia the Queen of Caria was both the Mother and Godmother hereunto by finding out the Vertues and giving it her name yet others are of opinion that it took its name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Artemis that is Diana because it is chiefly applyed to Womens diseases over which Diana that is the Moon hath much influence It was commonly called Parthenis quasi Virginalis Maidenwort and Parthenium as Apuleius saith though now Feaverfew be better known by that name Some superstitious Monks and Nuns have called Zona divi Johannis St. Johns Girdle beleiving that St. John Baptist wore a Girdle hereof when he was in the Wildernesse It is also called Maâ—er Herbarum The Kinds Though Pliny and others reckon but two sorts of Mugwort there are five or six come to the knowledge of these later times 1 Common Mâ—gwort 2 Small Mugwort 3 Fine Mountain Mugwort 4 Fruitfull Mugwort 5 Virginiâ—n Mugwort 6 Sea Mugwort The Formes The common Mugwort hath divers Leaves lying on the ground very much divided and deeply dented about the edges somewhat like unto the common Wormwood but much larger of a darkish green colour on the upper side but very white and hoary underneath from amongst which come up divers stalks which are sometimes of a purplish colour seldome exceeding two foot in height except it be in extraordinary rank ground whereon grow such Leaves as those below but lesser branching forth very much towards the top whereon are set so many small pale yellowish flowers like buttons that they beâ—d again which falling away there commeâ—h small seed inclosed in small round Heads The Root is long and hard with many fibres growing thereat whereby it taketh fast hold in the ground yet the stalks and leaves die in the Winter the whole Plant is of a reasonable good scent The Places and Time The first groweth plentifully as in other Lands so in our owne by the ways and ditch sides and in divers other places The second is found in such like places but not so frequently The three next are entertained as Stranâ—ers in the Gardens of the curious The last groweth about Rye and W 〈…〉 sey 〈◊〉 aâ—d in other parts of the Sea coast They do all flower and seed in July and August or thereabouts The Temperature Mugwort is hot and dry in the second degree being somewhat of thin parts The Vertues and Signature There is no Herb so generally received or more usually proved for the curing of Womens diseases as Mugwort whether it be inwardly or outwardly used The decoction of the Leaves which are most in use being made with Water or Wine and drunk provoketh the courses bringeth away the Birth and After birth and helpeth the inflammations and stoppings of the Mother as also the stopping of Urine and is a good help against barrennesse in Women that with the red stalks having the signature of Womens Flowers and therefore it is endued with very much vertue as to provoke so to stop and correct them in case they be superfluous which a spoonfull of the Syrup performeth very excellently which is also good to retain the Matrix in its place and to help other passions thereof as Coldnesse Wind Paine c. it strengthens the Nerve opens the Pores and corrects the blood The said decoction helpeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen proceeding from a cold cause and is profitable for the Jaundise being boyled with Centory and taken Two or three drams of the Leaves in Powder being drunk in Wine helpeth the Sciatica and the juyce being taken helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog A decoction thereof being â—ate over doth also performe those effects which that doth which is taken inwardly though not so vigorously and so doth the juyce thereof made up with Myrrhe or the Root put up as a Pessary Being made up with Hogs grease into an Oyntment it taketh away Wens and hard knots and kernels that grow about the Neck and Throat as also to ease the pains about the Neck especially if some field Daysies be put therein The juyce of the Herb or the Herb it selâ—e being taken is a good remedy for them that have taken too great a quantity of Opium A decoction thereof made with Camomile Agrimony and Sage and the place bathed therewith warm taketh away the paines of the Sinews and Cramp and the same cannot but be a great refreshment to those whose feet are suâ—bated through sore travell if they be bathed therein yet I have scarce so much faith as to believe that the Herb only carried about one should take away all sense of wearinesse as Pliny reporteth and therefore I have put it amongst other Traditions in my former Book to which I might have added that concerning the Coales that are found at the Roots hereof upon St. Joons Eve and divers others CHAP. CCLXXXVII Of Penny-royall The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glecon and Blecon from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 balatus either because the heat thereof causeth Sheep and Goates to bleat when they are eating of it or rather as Pena saith from expelling thick phlegme from the Lunges It is called in Latine Pulegium and Pulejum also quod incensum pulices nâ—cat because it killeth Fleas being burned to which the Epithet Regâ—le is added to distinguish it from Pulegium montanum by which name wild Time is sometimes called It hath many English Names as Run by the ground and Lurke in Ditch because of its manner of growing Pudding-grasse because it is used in
helpeth the Ague easeth the Strangury breaketh the Stone in the Bladder stayeth the Hicket and is available for those that spit or vomit blood Being taken inwardly or applyed outwardly after it hath been boyled in Rosewater it helpeth the Headech and Frenâ—y and if you make a Vinegar of the Herb as the Vinegar of Roses is made it is excellent good to be used in the Lethargy inwardly or outwardly or both and to stay Vemiting Being taken with Honey Liquoris and Anniseeds in Wine it helpeth a dry Cough and is comfortable both to the Head Stomack and Reines and helpeth to expell wind It is a remedy against venemous brings either taken in drink or outwardly applyed CHAP. CCXC. Of Alexanders The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is a kind of Parsly that exceedeth all others in bignesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being a word which in composition doth augment the signification of that whereunto it is joyned as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also doth It is also named Hipposelinum by the Latines and Olus atrum either because of its dark green colour or because it maketh the pottage wherein it is boyled to look blackish Galen and others have taken it to be the Smyrnium of the Ancieâ—ts but Dioscorides saith the true Smyrnium is another herb of which the present age seemes to be ignorant It is called in English Alexanders Alizanders and Allisanders The Kindes There be two sorts of Alexanders 1 Garden Alexanders 2 Alexanders of Candy The Forme Garden Alexanders groweth with divers large Leaves which are winged or cut into many parts somewhat resembling Smallage but greater broader rounder and more cut in about the edges of a dark green colour and somewhat an hot and spicy tast and a little bitter withall from amongst which riseth up one or more round and great stalks sometimes a yard high and better whereon grow divers branches with Leaves like unto the lowermost but lesser at the extremities whereof do grow large tufts or umbels of white flowers after which cometh the seed being of a blackish colour not full round but straked on the back and of an hot and bitterish tast as the root also is which being great thick long and blackish on the outside but white underneath it spreadeth it self under the ground into many parts The Places and Time The first is said to be commonly sowne in most Gardens of Europe where they have it yet it hath been found wild also in some Isles about our owne Land by Mr. WILLIAM QUICK the seed whereof being supposed to a different kind from that of the Garden when it was sowed proved to be the same The other came from Candy as its name doth testifie They both flower in June and July and the seed is ripe in August The Temperature The Seed and Roots of Alexanders are hot and dry in the third degree of a cleansing and attenuating faculty The Vertues It is agreed on by all Authors that the seed of Alexanders made into powder and taken in a small Cup of White-Wine either raw or boyled is very powerfull not only in moving the Courses but expelling the after-Birth The same is very profitable also to provoke Urine and to help the Strangury and availeth against the bitings of Serpents and breaketh wind and is therefore good for the Collick The upper part of the Root and the Leaves are very usefull to be boyled together in Broth for the purgation of the blood in the Spring time to which may be also added Nettle tops Elder buds Cleavers Watercresses c. Some eat the Roots hereof raw with Vinegar some stew them and so eat them and that cheifly in the time of Lent to help to digest the crudities and viscous humours that are gathered in the Stomach by the much use of Fish at that time It doth also warm any other cold Stomach and by the bitternesse helpeth to open Stoppings of the Liver and Spleen The Leaves bruised and applyed to any bleeding wound stoppeth the blood and dryeth up the sore without any griefe and maketh such tumors as are hard and scrophulous to come to maturity and ripenesse The Roots preserved in a pickle of Vinegar and Salt are a very wholesome sawce with Meats for it stirreth up the Appetite cleanseth and comforteth the Stomach and removeth stoppings of the breast and shortnesse of breath They are convenient for every Age and Constitution especially the Phlegmatick and such as are subject to be stuffed up upon any distemper The seed hath besides what hath been expressed all the Vertues wherewith the ordinary Parsly seed is endued being altogether void of those evill and hurtfull qualities which are said to be in Parsly seed and is therefore convenient and better then the Garden sort if it can be had It is given in Powder from a Scruple to two Scruples in Decoction from a Dram to two Drams CHAP. CCXCI. Of Anemonies The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anemone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the Wind because it was anciently believed that these kinds of Flowers did never open themselves but when the wind did blow In Latin also Anemone and Herba Venti We call them in English Anemonies after the Greek name Wind-flowers after the Latin but the common people call them Emones the wild kinds whereof are called Pulsatillâ—es which because they flower about Easter are called Pasque-Flowers Pasque in French signifying Easter and Pass-Flowers The Kindes To reckon up every particular Member of this exceeding numerous Family were almost an Herculean Labour and is thought would gravell the most experienced Florist in Europe and therefore I shall not undertake it but mention a few of those which are common beginning first with the Pulsatillaes not because they are fittest to provoke the Termes but because they grow in our own Land more frequently I mean naturally than the other and yet are taken notice of by few 1. â—he purple Pasque-flower 2 The red Pass flower 3. The double Pass-flower 4. The Pass flower of Denmark 5. The Wood Anemone or Wind-flower 6. Anemone or Wind flower with a tuberous Root 7. The Flesh colour'd Anemone 8. The blew Anemone The Form The purple Pasque-flower hath many leaves lying on the ground somewhat rough or haâ—ry hard in feeling and finely cut into many small Leaves of a dark green colour almost like the leaves of Carrets but finer and smaller from among which rise up naked stalks rough or haâ—ry also for about the middle thereof with some small divided Leaves compassing them above which they rise almost a span each of them bearing one pendulous Flower made of six Leaves and of a fine Violet Purple colour but somewhat deep withall in the middle whereof stand many yellow threds set about a purple pointel after the Flower is past there cometh up instead thereof a bushy head of long seedes which are small and hoary having at the end of every one a small
hair which is grey likewise the root is small and long growing downwards into the ground with a tuft of hair at the head thereof and not lying or running under the upper crust thereof as the other wild Anemonies do which is the greatest difference betwixt them The Plant is of no sharpness untill it be bruised between ones fingers and then the Leaves held to the Nose will twinge the nostrills very much The Places and Time The first grows in a close belonging to the Parsonage of Hildersham 6 miles from Cambridgâ— the second in great abundance on a Heach towards Barneck 3 miles from Stamford the third growes also in England but I have not understood the determinate place the fourth should be a D 〈…〉 by his name the fifth grows in Stow Wood two miles from Oxford the sixth upon Cotteswald Hills neer Black Burton very plentifully the two lift are cherished up in Gardens with many others which are best known to them that delight therein The ordinary time to plant Anemonies is most commonly in August some of which perhaps will flower before Winter but most usually in February March or April few or none of them abiding untill May but if you will keep some Roots out of the ground unplanted untill February March or April and plant some at one time and some at another and then those that were planted in February will flower about the middle or end of May and so the rest accordingly after that manner you may have the pleasure of these Plants all the Summer long provided that you keep the Roots neither too dry nor too moist and that they be planted where they may be somewhat shadowed The Temperature Both these sorts as well Pulsatillaes as Anemonies are sharp biting the tongue and of a binding quality but the Pulsatillaes exceed the other in that they exulcerate and eat into the skin in case they be stamped and applyed to any part of the body whereupon they have been taken by some to be of the kinde of Crâ—wfoot which many vagabond Villains apply to their Arms and Legs and pretend that they are burnt or some other misfortune hath happened to them The Vertues There is some other use for Anemonies besides the setting forth of a garden for the Leaves being boyled in White wine and the Decoction drunk provoke the Termes mightily The Leaves and Stalks boyled with clean husked Barly causeth abundance of Milk if Nurses eat thereof The body being bathed with the decoction of them cures the Leprosie The Leaves being stamped and the Juyce snuffed up the nose purgeth the head mightily and so doth the Root being chewed in the mouth for it procureth much spitting and bringeth away many watry and phlegmatick humours yea more than any Pills that are cryed up for that purpose and is therefore excellent for the Lethargy Being made into an Oyntment and the Eye-lids anoynted with it it helps the inflammations of the Eyes whereby it is apparent that the heat of the one draweth out the heat of the other as fire will setch out the fire when any one happens to be burnt if they burn the same place the second time and besides it cleareth the sight by removing any Web or other Spots therein The same Oyntment is excellent good to cleanse malignant and corroding Vlcers Both Anemonies and Pulsatillaes are gathered to put into Flower-pots and to dresse Garlands and to strâ—w windowes withall I might have treated of divers other Plants under this Head but because there be few of them but are good for the Mother and other infirmities of the Womb I shall say no more of them here but reserve them till I come to speak thereof which will be as soon as I have set down some of those that stop the Termes both which were necessary to be mentioned severally for the more methodicall prosecution of what we promised CHAP. CCXCII Of Comfrey The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Symphyâ—um and Symphitum magnum from the wonderfull faculty that it hath in binding and glewing together insomuch that the Latinâ— are not content with the word Symphytum which they sometimes use but call it also Consolida à Consolidaâ—dâ— Consolidare being an obsolete word signifying to sodder or glew together It is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pectos or Pecton but Pliny saith it was called Alus or Alum it hath other names as Solidago Inula rustica Ostâ—â—câ—llon but the most usuall is Symphytum or Consolida major which is in English the greater Consound commonly called Comfrey and of some Knit-back and Black-wort The Kindes Some refer 4 sorts to this kind 1. Common great Comfrey 2. Great Comfry with purple Flowers 3. Comfrey with knobbed Roots 4. Narrow Comfrey of Naples The Forme The common great Comfrey hath divers very large and hairy green leaves lying on the ground so hairy and prickly that it will cause an itching in any tender part of the body which it doth but touch the Stalk that riseth from amongst them being about half a yard or two foot high hollow and cornered or squarish is very hairy also having many such like Leaves as grow below but lesser and lesser toward the top At the joynts of the Stalks it is divided into many Branches with some Leaves thereon at the ends whereof stand many Flowers in order one above another which are somwhat long and hollow like the finger of a glove but much smaller of a pale whitish colour after which cometh small black seed the root is great and long black without but white within short or easie to break and full of a glutinous or clammy juyce of little or no taste at all but of very great vertue The Places and Time The first groweth generally throughout all the Land both by Ditches and Water-sides and in fat fruitful Meadows whence for its usefulnesse it is often-times brought into Gardens by those that understand the least profit that it afforded and so is the â—ecâ—nd which is not so often found as the first to grow naturally though many times it be in severall places the third groweth in Gardens onely with us but is naturall to the Woods of Germany Austria and Hungary the name of the last sheweth whence it is they flower in May and June and give their Seed in July and August or thereabouts The Temperature Comfrey hath a cold quality but not immoderate it dryeth and bindeth in great measure The Vertues It may be observed that those Plants that are effectuall to stop any Flux or inward or outward bleeding are no lesse profitable for stopping of the Termes when they have exceeded their usual time of flowing so that whatsoever is good for the one is good for the other and as I shall speak to some of them here to which purpose I reserved them so I shall refer the Reader back to them which I have spoken to already
Caprinâ— but not properly these names belonging rather to Tragopogon or Goats-â—eard The Kindes There are but two sorts hereof as yet made known that I read of 1. The common Mede or Medowsweet 2. The greater Medesweet which is so far from being common that it is a great rarity or at least esteemed so to be by those are curious The Form The common Medesweet groweth up with divers winged leaves being made of severall others which are broad set on each side of a middle Rib being somewhat rough hard and crumpled not much unlike to Elme Leaves somewhat deeply dented about the edges having also some lesser Leaves as Agrimony hath of a sad colour on the upper side and greyish underneath of a pretty pleasant scent and taâ—â—e somewhat like unto Bâ—rnet At the tops of the Stalks and Branches which grow to be two or three foot high having on them divers such Leaves as those below but somewhat lesser stand many tufts of small white Flowers thrust thick together which smell much sweeter than the Leaves and in their places being fallen cometh crooked and cornered Seed The Root also is well scented though somewhat wooddy blackish on the out-side but reddish within putting forth divers fibres which draw unto it such nourishment as maketh it to continue many years The Places and Time The first groweth very frequently in Meadows that lye towards the Water-side and as often also upon the brinks of watry Ditches and River-sides The second delighteth in the shadowy Woods and is brought from thence into the Gardens of those that love such strangers as these They are found in Flower in some place or other all the Summer quarter the Seed ripening in a short space The Temperature Medesweet is cold and dry with an evident binding quality adjoyned The Vertues and signature The Root of Medesweet boyled or maed into Powder and drunk is of great efficacy to stay the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses and the Whites also and after the same manner it helpeth the Bloody Flux stayeth the Laske and all other Fluxes of Blood and is a good remedy against vomiting It is reported that it first altereth and afterwards taketh away the Fits of Agues if it be boyled in Wine and drunk and if two or three little Leaves thereof be but put into a Cup of Clarret Wine it doth not onely give thereunto a fine relish somwhat like unto that of Burnet but maketh the Heart to be merry and cheerfull for which purpose some use the Flowers also Being boyled in Wine it helpeth speedily those that are troubled with the Collick and with a little Honey taken warm it openeth the belly but boyled in Red Wine and drunk it stayeth the Flux thereof The Herb stamped with Mede and applyed healeth old Vlcers that are cancerous or eaten hollow or fistulous for which it is very much commended as also to asswage Swellings and to draw forth Pricks and Splinters it is also profitable to heale Sores in the mouth or in the Secret parts the mouth being gargled and the other parts bathed with the decoction thereof The distilled water hereof helpeth the heat and inflammation of the Eyes being dropped into the Eyes and so it cleareth the Sight also The Powers and Leaves though not so often used unless it be by a few excell all other herbs wherewith houses were formerly decked up especially the Chimneys in the Summer time for the smell thereof maketh the heart merry and delighteth the Senses neither doth it cause the head-ach or loathsomness to meat as some other sweet-smelling Herbs do and therfore it was in more request with Queen Elizabeth than any other for the purpose aforesaid The Germans call it Wormkraut or the Worm-plant because the root often-times seemeth as if it were eaten by Wormes which is certainly the Signature thereof for it helpeth Horses of the Botâ—â— and Wormes and would no doubt do the 〈◊〉 in Men if the decoction thereof were drunk CHAP. CCXCVI. Of Adders-Tongue The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ophâ—â—glâ—ssâ—â— of the â—ater Writers but unto the Ancients it is conceived to have been altogether unknown from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Serpent or A 〈…〉 r and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— Tonguâ— because 〈◊〉 of every Leaf it sendeth forth a kind of Pestel like unto an Adders â—ongue The Latines for the same reason call it Lingua Serpentis or Serpentiâ—â— usually yet some have called it Lingua Vul 〈…〉 ria and L 〈…〉 ea Christ 〈◊〉 thereby the great efficacy that it 〈◊〉 to cuâ—â— wounds We in English Adders-tongue and Adders-grasse The Forme Adders-tongue riseth up but with one Leaf which with the Stalk riseth up not above a fingers length from the ground being â—â— and somewhat thick of a fresh green colour formed like unto the head of a broad Jâ—velin or P 〈…〉 or as some will have unto the Leaves of Water-plâ—ntaâ—â— but lesser 〈◊〉 the bosom or bottom whereof on the in-side riseth up a small 〈◊〉 about two inâ—hes long which hath sometimes but very seldome two heaâ—â— and thâ—â— it falleth out by chance the upper halfe whereof is somewhat bigger being dented with small round dents of a yellowish green colour resembling the tongue of an Adder or Serpent which never sheweth any other Flower yet vanisheth away without any seed that ever hath been perceived the root is small and fibrous abiding under ground all Winter though the Leaves are but of small continuance The Places and Time Adders-tongue groweth in moist Meadows throughout most parts of England as â—â— a Close or Meadow neer to a small Village called Barton besides the foot-way from Oxford to Stow Wood and in a Close between Botley and Mrs. Batemans house on the West side of Oxford It groweth also in a Meadow neer unto the Preaching Spiâ—â—le adjoyning to London and in divers other places The time of looking for it if you mean to finde it must be in April or May for though it be somewhat long ere it come up yet it falleth quite away quickly after the Tongue appeareth especially if the weather be any thing hot The Temperature Adders-tongue is dry in the second or third degree but temperate in respect of Heat The Vertues and Signature The Juice of the Leaves of Adders-tongue taken in the distilled water of Oaken Buds is very effectuall for those women who have their monthly Courses flowing down too abundantly yea and for the Wâ—ites also though they be otherwise very hard to be cured Being boyled in Wine and drunk or the powder thereof taken in Wine is of sinâ—ular operation to cure both inward and outward Wounds as also to help those that are troubled with any Rupture or Burstennesse It is very avaâ—â—eable against all hot Feavers inflammations of the Liver and all inward and outward heats The Juyce of the Leaves given to drink with the distilled Water of Horse-tail is a singular remedy for those that void blood at the Mouth or Nose
Mentha Cattaria and Cataria or Cattaria simply Mentha felina and Herba Catti because Cats doe seed upon the Branches or Leaves thereof with a great deale of greedinesse and delight much to rub themselves against it and to wallow and tumble thereon yet it is said as I have formerly expressed in my Book called The Art of Simpling If you set it the Cats will eate it If you sow it the Cats can't know it The Apothecaries call it Nepeta and indeed that name is best known every where The Kindes Sâ—xe sorts of Vep are reckoned up amongst Authors 1. Common Garden Nep. 2 Middle sized Nep 3. Small Nep. 4. Small Mountain Nep or Catmint 5. Strong Nep with broad Leaves 6. Strong Nep with narrow Leaves The Forme Common Garden Nep riseth up with Stalks about a Cubit high being four square with a kinde of boarinesse upon them full of Branches bearing at every joynt two broad Leaves somewhat like unto Bawme but longer pointed softer whiter and more hoary nicked about the Edges and of a strong sweet scent The flowers grow in large tufts upon the tops of the Branches and underneath them also on the Stalkes many together of a whitish Purple colour The Roots are composed of many long Strings or Fibres by which it is strongly fastned in the ground the Leaves abiding all the Winter unlesse the Weather be too violent The Places and Time The first is sometimes found to grow upon the rough banks of Ditches by Hedge sides and common waies but more commonly in the Gardens of those that know the use of it as the second also doth though lesse frequently The rest are Spaniards by descent yet they refuse not the entertainment of our Gardens where they are used with much civility by those which love varieties of strange Simples They all flourish by and after the Spring flower in July and August and their Seed is ripe in September The Temperature Nep or Catmint is hot and dry in the third degree and of thin parts The Vertues The decoction of Catmint is not onely effectuall for the winde and paines of the Mother or the rising thereof but warmeth and comforteth the coldnesse of the wombe and dryeth up the over-much moisture thereof which is many times the cause of barrennesse so that the frequent use hereof brings it to a right temper and consequently makes divers Women to be joyfull Mothers of Children which otherwise might live under reproach upon that account It is also very available to provoke Womens Courses by which it is no small helpe to the breeding of Children for though at that time they come not down as they doe at others yet the Menstruous blood being stirred up is conveied with more activity and vigor for the nourishment of the Childe It is likewise exceeding usefull for the paines of the Head that come from any cold cause as Catarrhes and thin Rheumes and for the giddinesse thereof also and I think it may be observed without any errour that those things that are good for the Wombe are good for the Head likewise there being a kinde of Sympathy or fellow suffering between them It is likewise of especiall use for the windinesse of the Stomack and Belly and is effectuall for Cramps or cold Aches to dissolve the Cold and Winde that afflicteth the part and to bring warmth and comfort thereunto afterwards and is used for Cold Coughs and Shortnesse of breath It is a present remedy for them that are bursten inwardly by means of some Fall received from an high place or for any other bruises if the Juice be given with Wine or Meade A Bath made thereof onely or with some other convenient Herbes and sate in up to the Navel or the hot fumes thereof being sate over bringeth down Womens Courses helpeth Barrennesse and warmeth those parts The green herb bruised and applyed to the Fundament there abiding for two or three hours easeth the sharpe paines of the Piles and the Juice also is effectuall for the same purpose being made up into an Oyntment and applyed A Decoction thereof in Spring-Water is commended to wash the Head and to take away the Scabs thereof and may be as effectuall for other parts of the Body also The distilled Water may be used for divers of the aforesaid purposes CHAP. CCCVIII Of the Burdock and Butter-bur The Names IT will not be amisse to speak of both these together in one Chapter because they be both good for the Mother The Burdock is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arcium as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prosopium or Prosopis because the broad Leaves hereof were used in old time to cover the faces of those which would not be known when they acted any thing in the Theatres and for this reason it was also called Personata in Latine The Shops call it Bardana and Lappa major in English The great Burdock and Clot Bur. The Butter buâ—re is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Petasites from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 extendo because of the extraordinary breadth of the Leaves and so the Latines call it in English it is named Butter-burre perhaps because some Countrey Huswives wrap their Butter in the broad Leaves hereof when they carry it abroad in hot Weather The Kindes Both Burdock and Butterburre make but five sorts 1. The Common Burdock 2. The Rose Burre 3. The Woolly headed Burre 4. The small Burre called Xanthium 5. The Butterburre which hath most need to be described The Forme Butter-burre doth send forth its Flowers before the Leaves in the same manner that Coltsfoot doth of which some reckon it to be a kind which stand upon a thick Stalke about a foot high beset with a few small Leaves or rather piecâ—s spiked fashion and of a blush or deep red colour quickly falling away after which the Leaves will begin to spring which being full grown are larger and broader then those of the Clot burre being somewhat thin and almost round whose thick red Foot-stalkes being about a foot long stand very neer unto the middle of the Leaves which are divided on that side which is neerest to the Stalke of a pale green colour above and hoary underneath The root spreadeth much under ground yet in some places it is no bigger then ones finger though in some it be much greater blackish on the outside and white within of a bitter and unpleasant taste The Places and Time The first groweth by Ditches and High way sides in divers places of this Land nay I thinke I might have said in every place the second on the Banks side between the Horse Ferry and the Neat house neer London the fourth in the High-way leading from Draiton to Iver two miles from Colebrook as also between Tidenham and Chepstow in the Foot way The third is supposed to grow neer Lipswick in Germany The last delighteth in moist places neer unto River sides and upon the brinks and bankes of Lakes and Ponds almost every
gently till about half the Water be consumed strain it and give about four ounces thereof in bed for divers mornings together if need be The said Decoction is also profitable in Agues whether quotidian or intermittent or pestilential Feavers and also Hecticks and Consumptions to rectifie the evil disposition of the Liver the inveterate paines in the Head and Stomack which it also strengtheneth to dry up Rheumes to help the Jaundise and Ruptures in Children or others by drying up the humours which is the cause thereof The Palsie also may be cured by it and so may the diseases of the Joynts as the Gout Sciatica and the Nodes also or hard bunches that sometimes grow upon the Joynts It is useful also in the ulcers of the Yard Scabs Leprosie Scirrous and watry Tumors and is good in all cold and melancholy griefes but especially in the Dropsie and Greene Sicknesse Some say it provokes Lust which is very likely but it is not to be used in hot and dry bodyes for to such it is very hurtfull It is also sliced into thin pieces and boyled in broth being bound up together with a Chicken in a Linnen cloath The dose to be put therein is from two drammes to four drammes CHAP. CCCXXIX Of Prickly Bindweed and Sarsa parilla The Names Iâ—t is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Smilax aspera to distinguish it from the other sorts of Smilax of which there be four besides this viz. two Trees and two Herbs the first of the two Trees is Smilax Arcadum a soft Oake the other is Smilax simply and by that is meant the Yâ—w-tree the first of the two Herbs is Smilax lavis smooth Bindweed the other is Smilax hortensis the French or Kidney Beane Gaza in his translation of Theophrastus calleth it Hedera Cilicia because the Leaves thereof are somewhat like Ivy and the Hetruscians call it Hedera spinâ—sa because of its prickles the Spaniards call it Zarsa parilla or Sarsa parilla which signifieth a small or little Vine whereunto it is like and therefore when they saw the like in Peru they called it by the same name so that it is generally so termed at this day in most Languages yet some write it Sarca parillia The Kindes Three sorts of prickly Bindweed desire a room in this place 1. Prickly Bindweed with red Berries 2. Prickly Bindweed with black Berries 3. Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed of Peru which is the most useful and therefore I shall describe it as well as I can The Forme Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed of Peru springeth up with many branches winding themselves about the poles that are stuck in the ground about them for to climb on having some tender pricks like thorns growing on them especially at the joynts it hath divers very green Leaves like unto Bindweed but longer and cornered like Ivy leaves the Flowers are great and white every one as big as a middle sized dish which opening in the morning doth sade at night from whence the Spaniards are said to call it Buenas Noches that is good night Clusius saith that he had a small branch with three heads of seed thereon the largest that ever he saw of that kinde for it had five leaves a piece every one almost an inch broad and long which seemed to be the cup of the Flower and Fruit every head which was three-square and skinny had within three round Seeds as big as great Pease of a smoaky or brownish colour The Root like that of Smilax aspera is down right and full of joynts or knots from which shoot other roots or strings which in the Indies grow to be great and long The Places and Time The two first grow in Italy Spain and other the warmer Countreys throughout Europe and Asia but the third is found onely in the Western Indies as Peru Virginia and divers other places the goodness or badness whereof is caused from the fertility or barrennesse of the ground whereon it grows so that the Honduras being very fertile bringeth forth the best They flower and fructifie timely enough in the warmer Climats but in ours they soon perish if there be not a care to keep them from the Frost and cold in Winter but where a convenient place is provided to set them in they will continue as I have seen the true Sarsa parilla if I mistake not in the Garden house of the Lord Laâ—bert at Wimbleton growing in a poâ— The Temperature Sarsa parilla is hot and dry in the first or second degree of thin parts and provoketh sweat The Vertues The Decoction of Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed of Peru is of great force to cure those that are troubled with the French Pox being made and administred after the way which I shall here prescribe Take of Sarsa parilla four ounces cut it into small parts and afterwards infuse it into ten pints of hot water for the space of foure and twenty hours then boyl it being close covered till it be neere half consumed then being strained give a good draught thereof morning and evening It I mean the said Decoction is of very great use in Rheumes Gouts cold diseases of the Head and Stomacâ— and expelleth Wind both from the Stomach and Mother It helpeth all manner of Aches in the Sinews and Joynts all running Sorâ—s in the Legs all cold Swellings Tâ—â—ters or Ringwormes and all manner of Spots and foulnesse of the Skin It is also good in the Catarrhe or distillation from the head being sharp and salt in Cancers not ulcerate and in Tumors which are hard to be dissolved and it hath been found by experience to be very good for the Kings Evil a dram of the powder of Sarsa with the powder of Ruseus or Butchers-Broom being taken in White wine or Ale for forty dayes together The same powder having a just quantity of Tamariâ—k added thereto is a good remedy in the tumour of the Spleen The roots of the other rough Bindweeds are also used by divers of the learned and judicious instead of Sarsa parilla with good successe for Sarsa doth not purge the body of humours manifestly as other purgers do being generally held to spend them by its dryness and diâ—phorâ—tical quality rather than by heat or by going to stool It is given as an Antidâ—te against all sorts of poysonous or venemous things A dozen or sixteen of the Berries beaten to powder and given in Wine procureth Vrine when it is stopped The distilled water of the Flowers being drunk worketh the same effect cleanseth the Reynes and asswageth inward inflammations If the Eyes be washed therewith it taketh away all heat and rednesse in them and if the sorâ—s of the Legs be washed therewith it healeth them throughly Sarsa parilla iâ— not convenient to be given to those whose Livers are over-hot nor to such as have Agues CHAP. CCCXXX Of Star-wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in
Apothecaries that were unskifull in the Greek tongue whereas heretofore it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it doth rejoyce those whose Eyes are troubled with dimnesse But why he would have it called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I know not unlesse he should have alluded to some plant of this kind formerly so called by the Ancients which he seemeth to deny when he sayes that though this herb hath gotten an elegant Greek name yet nothing that I know is found concerning it in any of the more ancient Greek or Latine Authors He saith further that Buglosse is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that Eyebright borrowed its Greek name from thence because as the one drunk in Wine doth cause joy of mind so the other delighteth and cleareth the Eyes So that I conceive the mistake to be on his part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as well as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying joy or gladnesse for why should we call two things by one name rejecting that which in all probability seemeth to be the right If Buglosse were first called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it seemeth more likely that Eyebright should be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seeing they both signifie alike it being strange to me that there being no want of a word two plants should have the same appellation and therefore in my judgment it is more rightly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is called also Opthalmica and Ocularia for its effect and we in English call it Eyebright because it makes the Eyes that are dim to become bright The Kinds Parkinson reckoneth up seaven sorts hereof which I have here set down 1. Common Eyebright 2. Small Eyebright 3. Great red Wooddy Eyebright 4. Small red Woody Eyebright 5. Broad leased purple Eyebright 6. Great yellow Eyebright 7. The lesser yellow Eyebright The Forme Common Eyebright is a small low herb rising up usually but with one blackish green stalk a span high or not much more when it is highed but seldom so high spread from the bottom into sundry branches whereon are set small and almost round yet pointed dark green leaves finely snipt about the edges two alwaies set together and very thick At the Joynts with the leaves from the middle upward come forth small white flowers striped with purple and yellow spots or stripes after which follow small round heads with very small seed therein The root is long small and threddy at the end On sâ—me Hills the colour of the flower is sometimes found to vary from those that grow in other places as being more whitish yellow or more purple The Places and Time The first and third are only frequent in this Island the former groweth in dry meddowes by green and grassy waies and in pastures usually on hills sides that stand towards the Sun and the other in many places of Kent in the barren fields and wast grounds about Gravesend and many other places the rest grow some in Italy and at Naples some in Spain and Austria They seldom flower before the beginning of August and continue till September and must be gathered whilest they flower for all physical uses for when they are run to seed as they will be within a while after they are nothing so effectual The Temperature These herbs are by the consent of all Authors hot and dry but in what degree they expresse not I conceive they may be hot in the second and dry in the third for Gerrard saith they are more dry then hot The Signature and Vertues The Purple and yellow spots and stripes which are upon the flowers of Eyebright doth very much resemble the diseases of the Eyes as blood-shot c. By which signature it hath been found out that this herb is very effectual for the curing of the same and for removing dimnesse of sight either the Powder of the dry herb or the Juice of the green The distilled water is very effectuall for the said purpose to be taken either inwardly in Wine or in Broth or to be dropped into the Eyes and used for divers daies together Some also make a Conserve of the flower to the same effect Being used any of these waies it also helpeth a weak Brain or memory and restoreth them being decayed in a short time Arnoldus de Villa Nova in his book of VVines much commendeth the Wine made of Eyebright put into it when it is new made and before it work and certainly if it were tunned up with strong Beer as Worm-wood Scurvy-grasse and the like use to be it would work the like effects as the Wine doth which he saith not only helpeth the dimness of the sight but that the use thereof maketh old men to read small Letters without Spectacles that could hardly read great ones with their spectacles before so that as Mr. Culpepper saith If this Herb were as much used as neglected it would half spoil the Spectacle-makers Trade Arnoldus saith also that it did restore their sight who were blind for a long while before If a sufficient quantity hereof cannot be had to tun up as aforesaid the Powder of the dryed Herb either mixed with Sugar or a little Mace and Fennel-seeds and drunk or eaten in Broth or the said Powders made into an Electuary with Honey do either-way tend to the same effect Divers Authours write that Gold-finches Linnets and some other Birds make use of this Herb for the repairing of their own and their young ones sight CHAP. XXIII Of Clarey The Names ANother Plant whose name doth demonstrate that it is good for the Eyes is Clary quasi Clear Eye because the Seed put into the Eyes doth clear them The Greek name of it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Dioscorides saith for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth impetu quodam ferri quemadmodum in Venerem proni because it provoketh to Venery which is another property it hath And Gaza that translated Theophrastus into Latine translateth it Geminalis for the fruitfulness it causeth most likely in bearing Twins in Latine also Horminum The wild sort is known by the name of Oculus Christi in Latine and Wild Clary in English Clary is also called Gallitricum Orvala and of some Tota bona but not properly Scatlea Sclarea Centrum Galli The Kindes There are divers sorts of Clary some manured only called Garden Clary others growing wild as 1. Ordinary Garden Clary 2. The true Garden Clary of Dioscorides 3. Assyrian Clary 4. Low German Clary 5. Our ordinary wild Clary or Oculus Christi 6. Hoary wild Clary with a white Flower 7. Italian wild Clary 8. Wild Clary with Spike Flowers 9. Sage leafed wild Clary 10. Low Candy Clary 11. Torn and narrow leafed Clary 12. Yellow wild Clary or Jupiters Distaff 13. Aethiopian Clary The Formes Ordinary Garden Clary hath four-square stalks with broad rough wrinkled whitish and hairy green leaves somewhat evenly
cut-in on the edges and of a strong sweet scent growing some near the ground and some by couples upon stalks The Flowers grow at certain distances with two small Leaves at the Joynts under them somewhat like unto the Flowers of Sage but smaller and of a very whitish or black blew Colour the Seed is brownish and somewhat flat or not so round as the wild the Roots are blackish and spread not far and perish after the Seed-time it is most usuall to save it for the Seed seldom riseth of its own shedding The Place and Time The first is planted only in Gardens and so is the second in the Western parts of Europe both on this side and beyond the Alps by the judgement of the best Authours The third was brought by Paludanus into these parts out of Syria The fourth is wilde in many places of Germany The fifth is wilde in our Country upon dry banks almost every where and by the way sides The sixth Clusius first found in the Meadows near Sopronium in Hungary The seventh was sent out of Italy and it is likely is originally of that Country The eighth grew with Clusius of the Seed he received out of Spain but yet as he saith he found it likewise near the riding place at Greenwich The ninth groweth in Hungary almost every where in their Vineyards and by the way sides The tenth grew of the Seed which was sent out of Candy The eleventh both at Mompelâ—er and in Candy The twelfth throughout Hungary in great plenty and in Austria and in many other places The last as Dioscorides saith on Mount Ida in Phrygia and Messenia but of late dayes gathered from some of the Hills of Greece and Illyria that are near the Sea I have seen Colus Jovis c. Jupiters distaffe and the Aethiopian Clary grow both in the Physick Garden at Oxford and that at Westminster The Temperature and Vertues Clary is hot and dry in the third Degree The Seed thereof but especially the wilde sort called Oculus Christ of its effects from helping the Diseases of the Eys is used to be put into the Eys to clear them from any Moats or other such like things as are gotten within the Lids to offend them as also to cleanse them of all filthy and putrified matters wherewith the Eys are wont to be infested and to take away white and red spots out of them If the Seed be finely powdered searsed and mixed with Honey and applyed to the Eys it taketh away the dimness of them The mucilage of the Seed of either sort made with water and applyed to Tumours or Swellings disperseth and taketh them away and also draweth forth Splinters Thorns or other things gotten into the flesh The Leaves used with Vineger either by it self or with a little Honey doth help hot Inflammations as also Biles Felons and hot Inflammations gathered by their pains if it be applyed before they are grown too great The Powder of the dryed Leaves put into the Nose provoketh sneesing and thereby purgeth the Head and Brains of much Rheum and corruption It provoketh to Venery either the Seed or Leaves taken in Wine It is in much use to help to strengthen the Reins either used by it self or with other Herbs that conduce to the same effect and in Tansies often or the fresh Leaves fryed in Butter being first dipped in a Batter of Flower Eggs and a little Milk served as a dish to the Table is not unpleasant to any but especially profitable to those Men or Women that have weak backs It is used in Italy to be given for Women that are batten through a cold and moyst disposition to heat and dry up that moysture and to help them to be fruitful it helpeth the Stomack oppressed with cold flegme and purgeth the Head of Rheum and much corruption but the over-much use hereof offendeth the Head and is hurtful for the Brain and memory It bringeth down Womens desired sickness and expelleth the Secondine or after-birth Yellow Clary or Jupiters Distaffe is hot and drying and the juyce of it is of speciall good use to cleanse and heal foul Ulcers The Aethiopian Clary is commended for the roughness of the Throat and to help to expectorate the rotten and purulent matter in the Plurisie or in other Coughs either the Decoction of the Root drunk or made into an Electuary with Honey Dioscorides saith also that it is good for those which are troubled with the Sciatica The Leaves of wild Clary are good to be put into Pottage and Broth amongst other Herbs for they scatter congealed blood warm the stomack and help the dimness of the Eyes CHAP. XXIV Of Hawk-weed The Names THis is the last Plant that I shall treat of as appropriated to the Eyes and it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Accipiter an Hawk because Hawks are said to sharpen their Eyes with the Juyce of this Herb and for the same Reason it is called Hawk-weed in English In Latine it is called Hieracium and Accipitrina Gaza calleth it Porcellia It is called also Lampuca and by some Hypochaeris and Hyoseris The Kinds Parkinson who thinketh that such a multitude of Varieties in form pertaining to one Herb is not to be found again in Rerum natura divideth the Hawk-weeds into nine Ranks which with the particulars comprehended under every one of them would if only named make this Chapter extend its limits I shall content my self only with those I find mentioned in the Phytologia Britannica which I conceive to be the usuallest sorts growing within these Dominions and they are 1. Rough Hawk-weed or yellow Succory for all of them are numbered amongst the Succories by some 2. Dandelyon Hawk-weed 3. Succory Hawk-weed 4. Endive Hawk-weed 5. Rough Mountain Hawk-weed 6. Long rooted Hawk-weed 7. Great Hawk-weed 8. Hares Lettice or little Hawk-weed yellow Devills bit 9. Little Mountain Hawk-weed 10. Black Hawk-weed with more cut Leaves The Forme Hawk-weed hath divers Leaves of no great size lying on the ground much rent or torn on the sides into many gashes somewhat like unto Dandelyon from among which ariseth a hollow rough stalk of about half a yard or two foot high at the most that ever I saw oranched from the middle upward wherein are set at every Joynt â—esser Leaves but not so much indented as the former bearing at their top sundry pale yellow Flowers consisting of many small narrow Leaves broad pointed and nicked in at the ends set in a double Roe or more the â—â—er most being larger then the inner which form most of the Hawk-weeds do hold which turn into Down and with the small brownish Seeds is blown away with the winde The Root is long and white with many small fibres thereat The whole Plant is full of bitter milk The Places and Time The kind of Herbs do grow in untilled places near unto the borders of Corn-fields in Meadows High-wayes Woods Mountains and