and to expel crude and raw humors from the Belly and Stomach by the sweet savor and warming quality it dissolveth the inward congealed Blood hapning by falls or bruises and the spitting of Blood if the Roots either green or dryed be boyled in Wine and drunk as also al manner of inward Wounds or outward if they be washed or bathed therwith The Decoction also being drunk comforteth the Heart and strengtheneth the Stomach and a cold Brain and therfore is good in the Spring time to open Obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the wind Chollick it also helpeth those that have Fluxes or are bursten or have a Rupture It taketh away spots or marks in the Face being washed therwith The Juyce of the fresh Root or Pouder of the dried Root hath the same effect with the Decoction The Root in the Spring time steeped in Wine doth give it a delicat savor and tast and being drunk fasting every morning comforteth the Heart and is a good Preservative against the Plague or any other Poyson it helpeth Digestion and warmeth a cold Stomach and openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It is very safe you need have no Dose prescribedâ— and is very fit to be kept in every good bodies house ♃ ♋ Balm THis Herb is so wel known to be an Inhabitant almost in every Garden that I shal not need to write any Description thereof although the Vertues thereof which are many may not be omitted Vertues and use The Arabian Physitians have extolled the Vertues hereof to the Skyes although the Greeks thought it not worth mentioning Seâ—apio saith It causeth the Mind and Heart to becom merry and reviveth the Heart fainting into soundings especially of such who are over taken in their sleep and driveth away al troublesom cares and thoughts out of the Mind arising from Melancholly or black Choller which Avicen also confirmeth It is very good to help Digestion and open Obstructions of the Brain and hath so much purging quality in it saith Avicen as to expel those Melancholly vapors from the Spirits Blood which are in the Heart and Arteries although it cannot do so in other parts of the Body Diascorides saith That the Leaves steeped in Wine and the Wine drunk and the Leavs externally applied is a remedy against the sting of Scorpions and the bitings of mad Dogs and commendeth the Decoction therof for Women to bath or sit in to procure their Courses it is good to wasâ—â—aching Teeth therwith and profitable for those that have the bloudy-Flux The Leaves also with a little Nitre taken in Drink are good against a Surfet of Mushromes helps the griping pains of the Belly and being made into an Electuary is good for them that cannot fetch their breath Used with Salt it takes away Wens Kernels or hard Swellings in the Flesh or Throat it clenseth foul Sores and caseth pains of the Gout It is good for the Liver and Spleen A Tansie or Cawdle made with Egs and the Juyce therof while it is yong putting to it some Sugar and Rosewater is good for Women in Childbed when the After-birth is not thronghly avoided and for their faintings upon or after their sore travel The Herb bruised and boyled in a little Wine and Oyl and laid warm on a Boil will ripen and break it It is an Herb of Jupiter and under Cancer and strengthens Nature much in al its actions let a Syrup made with the Juyce of it and Sugar as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book be kept in every Gentlewomans house to releeve the weak stomachs and sick Bodies of their poor sickly Neighbors as also the Herb kept dry in the Hous that so with other convenient Simples you may make it into an Electuary with Hony according as the Diseas is and as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book ♂ Barberry THe Shrub is so wel known to every Boy and Girl that hath but attained to the age of seven years that it needs no Description Vertues and use Mars owns the Shrub and presents it to the use of my Country-men to purge their Bodies of Choller The inner Rind of the Barberry Tree boyled in White-Wine and a quarter of a pint drunk each morning is an excellent remedy to clense the Body of Chollerick Humors and free it from such Diseases as Choller canseth such be Scabs Itch Tetters Ringworms yellow Jaundice Boils c. It is excellent for hot Agues Burnings Scaldings heat of Bloud heat of the Liver Bloudy-flux for the Berries are as good as the Bark and more pleasing they get a man a good stomach to his victuals by strengthning the attractive faculty which is under Mars as you see more at large in the latter end of my Ephemeris for the year 1651. The Hair washed with the Ly made of the Ashes of the Tree and Water 't wil make it turn yellow viz. of Mars his own colour The Fruit and Rind of the Shrub the Flowers of Broom and of Hâ—ath or Furz clens the Body of Choller by Sympathy as the Flowers Leaves and Bark of the Peach-Tree do by Antipathy because these are under Mars that under Venus ♄ Barly THe continual usefulness hereof hath made al in general so aquainted herewith that it is altogether needless to describe its several kinds hereof plentifully growing being yearly sown in this Land The Vertues whereof take as followeth Vertues and use Barly in al the parts and compositions therof except Malt is more cooling than Wheat and a little clensing and al the Preparations therof as Barly-water and other things made therof do give great nourishment to persons troubled with Feavers Agues and heats in the Stomach A Pultis made of Barly Meal or Flower boyled with Vinegar and Honey and a few dry Figs put into them dissolveth all hard Imposthums and aswageth Inflamations being therto applied And being boyled with Melilot and Chamomel Flowers and som Linseed Fenngreek and Rue in Pouder and applied warm it easeth the pains in the Sides and Stomach and windiness of the Spleen The Meal of Barly and Fleawort boyled in Water and made into a Pultis with Honey and Oyl of Lillies applied warm cureth swellings under the Ears Throat Neck and such like and a Plaister made therof with Tar Wax Oyl helpeth the Kings-Evil in the Throat Boyled with sharp Vinegar into a Pultis and laid on hot helpeth the Leprosie Being boyled in red-Wine with Pomgranat Rinds and Mirtles stayeth the Lask or other Flux of the Belly Boyled with Vinegar and a Quince it easeth the hot pains of the Gout Barly flower white Salt Honey and Vinegar mingled together taketh away the Itch speedily and certainly The Water distilled from the green Barly in the end of May is very good for thos that have Defluxions of humors fallen into their Eyes and easeth the pains being dropped into them or White-Bread steeped therein and bound on to the Eyes
Succory made with wine and taken helpeth the wind chollick and hardness of the spleen it procureth rest and sleep hindereth venery and venercous dreams cooleth heats purgeth the stomach encreaseth blood helpeth the diseases of the Reins and Bladder Outwardly applied it is singular good for all the defects and diseases of the eyes used with some womens Milke and is used w th good success in fretting or creeping ulcers elpecially in the beginning The green Herb bruised and with a little Salt applyed to any place burnt with fire before blisters do arise helpeth them as also inflamations St Anthonies fire and al Pushes and eruptions heat and salt Flegm The same applyed with Meal and fair water in manner of a Poultis to any place affected with convulsions and the Cramp or such as are out of Joynt doth give help and ease The distilled water clenseth the skin and taketh away freckles Spots the Morphew or Wrinkles in the face The Hawthorn It is not my intent to trouble you with a Description of this Tree which is so well known that it needeth none It is ordinarily but a Hedg Bush although being pruned and dressed it groweth to be a Tree of a reasonable height As for the Hawthorn tree at Glastenbury which is said to flower yearly on Christmas Dry it rather shews the superstition of those who observe it for the time of its Flowring than any great wonder sith the like may be found in diverse other places of this land as in Whey-street in Rumney Marsh and neer unto Nantwiche in Cheshire by a place called White-Green where if the Winter be milde they will be white blossomes all over before and about Christmas as in May if the weather be frosty it Flowreth not until January or that the hard weather be over Vertues and use The Berries or the seeds in the Berries beaten to pouder and drunk in wine are held singular good against the stone and are good for the dropsy The distilled water of the Flowers stayeth the lask The seeds cleared from the Down bruised and boyled in wine drunk is good for inward tormenting pains If cloathes and spunges be wet in the said distilled water and applyed to any place wherin thornes splinters or the like do abide in the Flesh it will notably draw them forth And thus you see the thorn gives a medicine for his own pricking and so doth almost every thing else Hemlock Description The Common great Hemlock groweth up with a green stalk four or five foot high or more ful of red spots somtimes and at the Joynts very large winged leavs set at them which are divided into many other winged leaves one set against another dented about the edges of a sad green colour branched towards the top where it is full of Umbles of white Flowers and afterwards with whitish flat Seed The Root is long white and somtimes crooked and hollow within the whol Plant and every part hath a strong heady and ill favor'd scent much offending the Senses Place It groweth in all Countries of this Land by Wals and Hedges sides in wast Grounds and untilled places Time It Flowreth and Seedeth in July or thereabouts Vertues and Vse Hemlock is exceeding cold and very dangerous especially to be taken unwardly It may safely be applied to Inflamations Tumors and Swelling in any part of the Body save the Privy parts as also to St. Anthonies fire Wheals Pushes and creeping Ulcers that rise of hot sharp Humors by cooling and repelling the heat The Leavs bruised and laid to the Brow or Forehead is good for their Eyes that are red and swollen as also to take away a Pin and Web growing in the Eye this is a tried Medicine Take a smal Handful of the Herb and half so much Bay Salt beaten together and applied to the contrary Wrest of the Hand for twenty four Hours doth remove it in thrice dressing If the Root hereof be roasted under the Embers wrapped in double wet Papers until it be soft and tender and then applied to the Gout in the Hands or Fingers it will quickly help this evil If any shall through mistake eat the Herb Hemlock instead of Parsly or the Root instead of a Parsnip both which it is very like whereby hapneth a kind of Phrensie or Perturbation of the senses as if they were stupified or drunk The Remedy is as Pliny saith to drink of the best and strongest pure Wine before it strike to the Heart or Gentian put into Wine or a draught of good Vinegar wherewith Tragus doth affirm that he cured a Woman that had eaten the Root Saturn claims Dominion over the Herb yet Iwonder why it may not be applied to the privities in a Priapismus or continual standing of the Yard it being very beneficial for that Diseas I suppose my Authors Judgment was first upon the opposit Disposition of Saturn to Venus in those Faculties and therfore he forbid the applying of it to those parts that it might not caus Barrenness or spoil the Spirit Procreative which if it do yet applied to the Privities it stops lustful thoughts Hemp. THis is so well known to every good Huswife in the Country that I shal not need to write any Description of it Time It is sown in the end of March or beginning of April and is ripe in August or September Vertues and use The Seed of Hemp consumeth Wind and by the much use there of disperseth it so much that it drieth up the natural Seed for Procreation yet being boyled in Milk and taken helpeth such as have a hot dry Cough The Dutch make an Emulsion out of the Seed and give it with good success to those that have the Jaundice especially in the beginning of the Diseas if there be no Ague accompanying it for openeth Obstructions of the Gall and causeth digestion of Choller The Emulsion or Decoction of the Seed staieth Lasks and continual Fluxes easeth the Chollick and allayeth the troublesom Humors in the Bowels and staieth bleeding at the Mouth Nose or other place some of the Leavs being fried with the Blood of that bleed and so given them to eat It is held very good to kill the Worms in man or Beast and the Juyce dropped into the Ears killeth Worms in them and draweth forth Earwigs or other living Creatures gotten into them The Decoction of the Root allayeth Inflamations in the Head or any other parts the Herb it self or the Distilled Water thereof doth the like The Decoction of the Roots easeth the pains of the Gout the hard Tumors or Knots in the Joynts the pains and shrinking of the Sinews and the pains of the Hips The fresh Juyce mixed with a little Oyl and Butter is good for any place that hath been burnt with fire being thereto applied It is a Plant of Saturn and good for something els you see than to make Halters only Henbane Description
toward the top into many parts where the Leaves grow smaller again every one standing singly and never two at any Joynt The Flowers are very smal and yellow standing in tufts at the heads of the Branches where afterwards grow the Seed smal and blackish many thick thust together The Root is smal long and woody perishing every yeer after Seed time and rising again plentifully of its own sowing Place It is found growing in many Corn Fields and Pasture grounds in this Land Time It Flowreth in July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. Thoroughwax is of a singular good use for all sorts of Bruises and Wounds either inward or outward and old Ulcers and Sores likewise if the Decoction of the Herb with water or Wine be drunk and the places washed therwith or the Juyce or green Herb bruised or boyled either by it self or with other Herbs in Oyl or Hogs Grease to be made into an Oyntment to serve all the yeer The Decoction of the Herb or the Pouder of the dried Herb taken inwardly and the same or the green Leaves bruised and applied outwardly is singular good to cure Ruptures and Burstings especially in Children before it be two old Being also applied with a little Flower and Wax to Childrens Navils that stick forth it helpeth them Tormentil Description THis hath many reddish slender weak Branches rising from the Root lying upon the ground or rather leaning than standing upright with many short Leaves that stand closer to the Stalks than Cinkfoyl doth which this is very like with the Footstalk encompassing the Branches in several places but those that grow next to the ground are set upon long Footstalks each whereof are like the Leaves of Cinkfoyl but somwhat longer and lesser and dented about the edges many of them devided but into five Leaves but most of them into sevens whence it is also called Setfoyl yet some may have six and some eight according to the fertility of the Soyl At the tops of the Branches stand diverse smal yellow Flowers consisting of five Leaves like those of Cinkfoyl but smaller The Root is smaller than Bistort somwhat thick but blacker without and not so red within yet somtimes a little crooked having many blackish fibres thereat Place It groweth as well in Woods and shadowy places as in the open Champion Country about the borders of Fields in many places of this Land and almost in every Broom Field in Essex Time It Flowreth all the Summer long Vertues and Use. Tormentil is most excellent to stay all kind of Fluxes of Blood or Humors in man or woman whether at Nose Mouth Belly or any Wound in the Veins or elswhere The Juyce of the Herb or Root taken in drink not only resisteth all Poyson and Venom of any Creature but of the Plague it self and Pestilential Feavers and contagious Diseases as the Pox Measels Purples c. expelling the Venom and Infection from the Heart by sweating if the green Root be not at hand to be had the Pouder of the dry Root is as effectual a dram thereof being taken every morning The Decoction likewise of the Herbs and Roots made in Wine and drunk worketh the same effect and so doth the distilled water of the Herb and Root being steeped in Wine for a night and then distilled in Balneo Mariae This Water thus distilled taken with some Venice Treacle and the party presently laid to sweat will certainly with Gods help expel any Venom or poyson or the Plague Feaver c. for it is an ingredient of especial respect in all Antidotes or Counterpoysons There is not found any Root more effectual to help any Flux of the Belly Stomach Spleen or Blood than this to be taken inwardly or applied outwardly The Juyce taken doth wonderfully open Obstructions of the Liver and Lungs and thereby in short space helpeth the yellow Jaundice Some use to make Cakes hereof as well to stay all Fluxes as to restrain all Chollerick Belchings and much Vomitings with Loathings in the Stomach The Pouder of the dâ—â—ed Root made up with the white of an Egg and baked upon a hot Tile will do it Andreus Valesius is of opinion That the Decoction of this Root is no less effectual to cure the French Pox than Guajacum or China and 't is not unlikely because it so mightily resisteth putrefaction Lobel saith That Rondelitius used it as Hermodactils for Joynt-aches The Pouder also or Decoction to be drunk or to sit therein as a Bath is an assured Remedy against abortion in Women if it proceed from the over Fluxibility or weakness of the inward retentive faculty as also a Plaister made therewith and Vinegar applyed to the Roins of the Back doth much help not only this but also those that cannot hold their Water the Pouder being taken in the Juyce of Plantane and it is also commended against the worms in Children It is very powerful in Ruptures and Burstings as also for Bruises and Falls to be used as well outward as inwardly The Root hereof made up with Pellitory of Spain and Allum and put into an hollow Tooth not only asswageth the pain but staieth the Flux of Humors which caused it Tormentil is no less effectual and powerful a Remedy for outward Wounds Sores and Hurts than for inward and is therefore a special Ingredient meet to be used in all Wound drinks Lotions and Injections for foul corrupt rotten Sores and Ulcers of the Mouth Secrets or other parts of the Body And to put either the Juyce or Pouder of the Root into such Oyntments Plaisters and such things that are to be applied to Wounds and Soe 's it also dissolveth all Knots Kernels and hardness gathered about the Ears the Throat and Jaws and the Kings Evil if the Leaves and Roots be bruised and applied thereto The same also easeth the pains of the Sciatica or Hip-gout by restraining the sharp Humors that flow thereto The Juyce of the Leaves and Roots used with a little Vinegar is also a special Remedy against the running Sores of the Head or other parts Scabs also and the Itch or any such eruptions in the Skin proceeding of Salt and sharp Humors The same also is effectual for the Piles or Hemorrhoids if they be washed and bathed therwith or with the Distilled water of the Herb and Roots It is found also helpful to dry up any sharp Rhewm that distilleth from the Head into the Eyes causing redness pain waterings Itchings or the like if a little prepared Tutia or white Amber be used with the Distilled water hereof Many Women use this Water as a secret to help themselves and others when they are troubled with the too much flowing of the Whites or Reds both to drink it and inject it with a Syringe And here 's enough only remember the Sun challengeth the Herb. Turnsole or Heliotropium Description THe greater Turnsole riseth
from the former saving that the Leavs and Stalks are alwaies green and never brown like the other and that the Flowers therof are very white Place They grow in Woods wet Copses and Fields generally throughout England but the White flowered Bugle is not so plentiful as the other Time They flower from May until July and in the mean time perfect their Seed The Roots and Leavs next therunto upon the ground abiding all Winter Vertues and Use. The Decoction of the Leavs and Flowers made in Wine and taken dissolveth the congeled Blood in those that are bruised inwardly by a fall or otherwise and is very effectual for any inward Wounds Thrusts or Stabs into the Body or Bowels and is an especial help in all Wound-drinks and for those that are Liver-grown as they cal it It is wonderful in curing all manner of Ulcers and Sores whether new and fresh or old and inveterate yea Gangrenes and Fistulaes also if the Leavs bruised be aplied or their Juyce used to wash and bath the places And the same made into a Lotion with some Honey and Allum cureth all sores of the Mouth or Gums be they never so foul or of long continuance and worketh no less powerfully and effectually for such Ulcers and Sores as happen in the secret parts of Men or Women Being also taken inwardly and outwardly applied it helpeth those that have broken any Bone or have any Member out of Joynt An Ointment made with the Leaves of Bugle Scabious and Sanicle bruised and boyled in Hogs-Greas until the Herbs be dry and then strained forth into a Pot for such occasions as shal require it is so singular good for al sorts of hurts in the Body that non that know its usefulness will be without it This Herb is belonging to Dame Venus and if the Vertues of it make you in love with it as they wil if you be wise keep a Syrup of it to take inwardly and an Ointment and Plaister of it to use outwardly alwaies by you The truth is I have known this Herb cure some Diseases of Saturn of which I thought good to quote one Many times such as give themselvs much to drinking are troubled with strange Fancies strange sights in the night-time and some with Voices as also with the Diseas Ephialtes or the Mare I take the reason of this to be according to Fernelius a Melancholly vapor made thin by excessive drinking strong Liquor and so flyes up and disturbs the Fancy and breeds imaginations like it self viz. fearful and troublesom These I have known cured by taking only two spoonfuls of the Syrup of this Herb after Supper two hours when you go to bed But whether this do it by Sympathy or Antipathy is som question all that know any thing in Astrologie know that there is a great Antipathy between Saturn and Venus in matter of Procreation yea such an one that the barreness of Saturn can be removed by none but Venus nor the lust of Venus be repelled by none but Saturn but I am not yet of opinion this is done this way and my reason is because these vapprs though in quality Melancholly yet by their flying upward seem to be somthing Aërial therefore I rather think it is done by Sympathy Saturn being exalted in Libra the house of Venus Selfheal which follows is of the same nature and I am of opinion the same Herb only differs a little in form according to the difference of place they grow in this I am sure they work the same effect ☉ Burnet THe common Garden Burnet is so well known that it needeth no Description There is another sort which is wild the Description wherof take as followeth Description The great wild Burnet hath winged Leavs rising from the Roots like the Garden Burnet but not so many yet each of these Leavs are at the least twice as large as the other aâ—d nicked in the same manner about the edges of a grayish colour on the underside The Stalks are greater and rise higher with many such like Leavs set theron and greater heads at the tops of a brownish green colour and out of them come smal dark purple Flowers like the former but greater The Root is black and long like the other but greater also It hath almost neither scent nor tast therin like the Garden kind Place The first grows frequently in Gardens The Wild kind groweth in divers Countries of this Land especially in Huntington Northampton shires in the Meadows there as also near London by Pancras-Church and by a Causey side in the middle of a Field by paddington Time They flower about the end of June and beginning of July and their Seed is ripe in August Vertues They are accounted to be both of one property but the lesser is more effectual because quicker and more Aromatical It is a friend to the Heart Liver and other the principal parts of a mans Body Two or three of the Stalks with Leavs put into a Cup of Wine especially Clarret are known to quicken the Spirits refresh and cheer the Heart and drive away Melancholly It is a special help to defend the Heart from noisom vapors and from Infection of the Pestilence the Juyce therof being taken in som Drink and the party laid to sweat thereupon They have also a drying and an astringent quality whereby they are available in all manner of Fluxes of Bloud or Humors to stanch bleedings inward or outward Lasks Scourings the Bloudy-flux Womens too abundant Courses the Whites and the Chollerick belchings and castings of the Stomach and is a singular good Wound-herb for all sorts of Wounds both of the Head and Body either inward or outward for all old Ulcers or running Cankers and moist sores to be used either by the Juyce or Decoction of the Herb or by the Pouder of the Herb or Root or the Water of the Distilled Herb or Ointment by it self or with other things to be kept The Seed is also no less effectual both to stop Fluxes and dry up moist Sores being taken in Pouder inwardly in Wine or steeled Water that is wherin hot Gads of Steel have been quenched Or the Pouder of the Seed mixed with the Ointments This is an Herb the Sun challengeth dominion over and is a most precious Herb little inferior to Betony The continual use of it preservs the Body in health and the Spirits in vigor for if the Sun be the preserver of life under God his Herbs are the best in the World to do it by ☉ The Butter-Bur Description THis riseth up in February with a thick Stalk about a foot high whereon are set a few smal Leavs or rather pieces and at the tops a long spiked head of Flowers of a blush or deep red colour according to the soil wherin it groweth and before the Stalk with the Flowers have abidden a month above ground wil be withered and gone blown away with the wind and the Leaves will begin to
about the Sea Coasts in almost every Country of this Land which bordereth upon the Sea Time It Flowreth in the end of Summer and giveth ripe Seed within a Month after Vertues and use The Decoction of the Root herof in Wine is very effectual to open the Obstructions of the Spleen and Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundice the Dropsie the pains in the Loins and wind Chollick provoketh Urine and expelleth the Stone and procureth Womens Courses The continued use of the Decoction for 15. daies taken fasting and next to Bedward doth help the strangury the pissing by drops the stopping of Urine and Stone and all defects of the Reins or Kidneys and if the said drink be continued longer it is said that it perfectly cureth the Stone and that experience hath found it so It is found good against the French Pox. The Roots bruised and applied outwardly helpeth the Kernels of the Throat commonly called the Kings evil or taken inwardly and applied to the place stung or bitten by any Serpent healeth it speedily If the Roots be bruised and boyled in old Hogs greas or salted Lard and applied to broken Bones Thorns c. remaining in the Flesh doth not only draw them forth but healeth up the place again gathering new Flesh where it was consumed The Juyce of the Leavs dropped into the Ears helpeth Imposthumes therin The Distilled Water of the whol Herb when the Leavs and Stalks are yong is profitably drunk for all the purposes aforesaid and helpeth the Melancholly of the Heart and is available in Quartane and Quotidian Agues as also for them that have their Necks drawn awry and cannot turn them without turning their whol Body The Plant is Venerial and breedeth Seed exceedingly and strengthens the Spirit procreative it is hot and moist and under the Coelestial Ballance ☉ ♌ Eyebright Description THe common Eyebright is a small low Herb rising up usually but with one blackish green Stalk a span high or not much more spread from the bottom into sundry Branches wheron are set smal and and almost round yet pointed dark green Leavs finely snipped about the edges two alwaies set together and very thick At the Joynts with the Leavs from the middle upward come forth small white Flowers stryped with purple and yellow Spots or stripes after which follow small round Heads with very small Seed therin The Root is long small and threddy at the end Place It groweth in many Meadows and grassy places in this Land Vertues and Vse If this Herb were but as much used as it is neglected it would half spoil the Spectacle-makers Trade and a man would think that reason should teach people to prefer the prefervation of their Natural before Artificial Spectacles which that they may be instructed how to do take the Vertues of Eyebright as followeth The Juyce or distilled Water of Eyebright taken inwardly in white Wine or Broth or dropped into the Eyes for divers daies together helpeth all infirmities of the Eyes that caus dimness of Sight Some make a Conserv of the Flowers to the same effect Being used any of these waies it also helpeth a weak Brain or Memory This tunned up with strong Beer that it may work together and drunk Or the Pouder of the dried Herb mixed with Sugar a little Mace and Fennel Seeds and drunk or eaten in Broth Or the said Pouder made into an Electuary with Sugar and taken hath the same powerful effect to help and restore the Sight decaied through age And Arnoldus de villa nova saith It hath restored Sight to them that have been blind a long time before It is under the Sign of the Lyon and Sol claims Dominion over it ☿ Fern. Description OF this there are two kinds principally to be noted viz. The Male and Female The Female groweth higher than the Male but the Leavs therof are lesser more divided or dented of as strong a smel as the Male The Vertues of them are both alike and therfore I shall not trouble you with any further Description or distinction of them Place They both grow on Heaths and in shady places neer the Hedg sides in all Countries of this Land Time They flourish and give their Seed at Midsummer The Femal Fern is that plant which is In Sussex called Brakes the Seed of which some Authors hold to be so rare such a thing there is I know and may easily Be had upon Midsummer Eve and for ought yet I know two or three daies before or after if not more Vertues and Vse The Roots of both these sorts of Ferns being bruised and boyled in Mead or Honyed Water and drunk killeth both the broad and long Worms in the Body and abateth the Swelling and hardness of the Spleen The green Leavs eaten purgeth the Belly and Chollerick and waterish humors but it troubles the Stomach They are dangerous for Women with Child to meddle with by reason they caus abortment The Roots bruised and boyled in Oyl or Hogs greas maketh a very profitable Oyntment to heal Wounds or pricks gotten into the Flesh. The Pouder of them used in foul Ulcers drieth up their Malignant moisture and causeth their speedier healing Fern being burned the smoke therof driveth away Serpents Gnats and other noisom Creatures which in the Fenny Countries do in the night time trouble and molest people lying in their Beds with their Faces uncovered it causeth Barrenness Osmond Royal or Water Fern. ♄ Description THis shooteth forth in the Spring time for in the Winter the Leavs perish divers rough hard Stalks half round and hollowish or flat on the other side two Foot high having divers Branches of winged yellowish green Leavs on all sides set one against another longer narrower and not nicked on the edges as the former From the top of some of these Stalks grow forth a long Bush of smal and more yellowish green scaly aglets as it were set in the same manner on the Stalks as the Leavs are which are accounted the Flower and Seeds The Root is rough thick and Scaly with a white pith in the middle which is called the Heart therof Place It groweth on Moors Bogs and Watery places in many parts of this Land Time It is green all the Summer and the Root only abideth in Winter Vertues and Use. This hath all the Vertues mentioned in the former Ferns and is much more effectual than they both for inward and outward Griefs and is accounted singular good in Wounds Bruises or the like the Decoction to be drunk or boyled into an Oyntment or Oyl as a Balsom of Balm and so it is singular good against Bruises and Bones broken or out of joynt and giveth much eas to the Chollick and Splenetick Diseases as also for Ruptures or burstings The Decoction of the Root in white Wine provokes Urine exceedingly and clenseth the Bladder and passages of Urine ♀ Featherfew Description COmmon Featherfew
Flux and Womens Courses and is no â—ess prevalent in all Ruptures or Burstings being drunk inwardly and outwardly applied It is a Severaign Wound Herb inferior to none both for inward and outward Hurts green Wounds and old Sores and Ulcers are quickly cured therewith It is also of especial use in all Lotions for Sores or Ulcers in the Mouth Throat or privy parts of Man or Woman The Decoction also helpeth to fasten the Teeth that are loos in the Gums Venus claims the Herb and therefore to be sure it restores Beauty lost Goutwort or Herb-Gerrard Description THis is a low Herb seldom rising half a yard high having sundry Leavs standing on brownish green Stalks by threes snipped about and of a strong unpleasant savour The Umbels of Flowers are white and the Seed blackish the Root runneth in the Ground quickly taking up a great deal of room Place It groweth by Hedg and Wall sides and often in the borders or Corners of Fields and in Gardens also Time It Flowreth and Seedeth about the end of July Vertues and use Goutwort had not his name for nothing but upon good experience to help the cold Gout and Sciatica as also Joynt aches and other cold Griefs The very bearing of it about one easeth the pains of the Gout and defends him that bears it from the Diseas Gromel OF this I shall briefly describe three kinds which are principally used in Physick the Vertues whereof are alike though somwhat different in their manner and form of growing Description The greater Gromel groweth up with slender hard and hairy Stalks trailing and taking Root in the ground as it lieth thereon and parted into many other smaller Branches with hairy dark green Leavs thereon At the Joynts with the Leavs come forth very smal blew Flowers and after them hard stony roundish Seed The Root is long and woody abiding the Winter and shooting forth fresh Stalks in the Spring The smal wild Gromel sendeth forth divers upright hard branched Stalks two or three foot high full of Joynts at every of which groweth smal long hard and rough Leavs like the former but lesser among which Leavs come forth small white Flowers and after them grayish round Seed like the former The Root is not very long but with many Strings thereat The Garden Gromel hath divers upright slender woody hairy Stalks brown and crested very little branched with Leavs like the former and white Flowers after which in rough brown Husks is contained a white hard round Seed shining like Pearls greater than either of the former The Root is like the first described with divers Branches and Strings thereat which continueth as the first doth all Winter Place The two first grow wild in barren or untilled places and by the way sides in many places of this Land The last is a Nursling in the Gardens of the curious Time They all Flower from Midsummer unto September somtimes and in the mean time the Seed ripeneth Vertues and use These are accounted to be of as singular force as any other Herb or Seed whatsoever to break the Stone and to avoid it and the Gravel either in the Reins or Bladder as also to provoke Urine being stopped and to help the Strangury The Seed is of greatest use being bruised and boiled in white Wine or in Broth or the like or the Pouder of the Seed taken therin Two drams of the Seed in Pouder taken with Womens Breast-Milk is very effectual to procure a speedy Delivery to such Women as have sore pains in their Travail and cannot be delivered The Herb it self when the Seed is not to be had either boyled or the Juyce therof drunk is effectual to all the purposes aforelaid but not so powerful or speedy in operation The Herbe belongs to Dame Venus and therfore if Mars caus the Chollick or Stone as usually he doth if in Virgo this is your cure Winter Green Description THis sendeth forth 7. 8. or 9. Leaves from a smal brownish creeping Root every one standing upon a long Footstalk which are almost as broad as long round pointed of a sad green colour and hard in handling and like the Leaf of a Pear-tree from whence ariseth a slender weak Stalk yet standing upright bearing at the top many smal white and sweet smelling Flowers laid open like a Star consisting of five round pointed Leavs with many yellowish threds standing in the middle about a green Head and a long stile with them which in time groweth to be the Seed Vessel which being ripe is found five square with a smal point at it weerin is contained Seed as small as dust Place It groweth seldom in the Fields but frequently in the Woods Northwards viz. In Yorkshire Lancashire and Scotland Time It Flowreth about June or July Vertues and Vse Winter-Green is a singular good Wound Herb and an especial Remedy for to heal green Wounds speedily the green Leavs being brused and applied or the Juyce of them A Salve made of the green Herbs stamped or the Juyce boyled with Hogs Lard or with Sâ—llet Oyl and Wax and some Turpentine added unto it is a Soveragn Salve and highly extolled by the Germans who much use it to heal all manner of Wounds and Sores The Herb boyled in Wine and Water and given to drink to them that have any inward Ulcers in their Kidneys or Neck of the Bladder doth wonderfully help them It staieth also all Fluxes whether of Blood or Humors as the Lask Bloody Flux Womens Courses and bleeding of Wounds and taketh away any Inflamation rising upon pains of the Heart It is no less helpful for foul Ulcers hard to be cured as also for Cankers or Fistulaes The distilled Water of the Herb doth effectually perfrom the same things Groundsel Description OUr common Groundsel hath a round green and somwhat brownish Stalk spread toward the top into Branches set with long and somwhat narrow green Leavs cut in on the edges somwhat like the Oak Leavs but lesser and round at the ends at the tops of the Branches stand many smal green Heads out of which grow small yellow threds or thrums which are the Flowers and continue many daies blown in that manner before it pass away into Down and with the Seed is carried away in the wind The Root is smal and threddy and soon perisheth and as soon riseth again of its own sowing so that it may be seen many Months in the Yeer both green and in Flower and Seed for it will Spring and Seed twice in a yeer at least if it be suffered in a Garden Place This groweth almost every where as wel on the tops of Walls as at the foot among Rubbish and untilled grounds but especially in Gardens Time It Flowreth as is said before almost in every Month through the yeer Vertues and use The Decoction of the Herb saith Dioscorides made with Wine and Drunk `helpeth the pains in the Stomach proceeding
wherunto a little Honey and Allum is put is an excellent Gargle to wash clens and heal any sore Mouth or Throat in a short space If the Feet be bathed or washed with the Decoction of the Leavs Roots and Flowers it helpeth much the Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head If the Head be washed therewith it staieth the falling and shedding of the Hair The green Leavs saith Pliny beaten with Nitre and applied draweth out Thorns or Pricks in the Flesh. The Marsh Mallows are more effectual in al the Diseases before mentioned The Leavs are likewise used to loosen the Belly gently and in Decections for Clysters to eas al pains of the Body opening the strait Passages and making them slippery whereby the Stone may descend the more easily and without pain out of the Reins Kidneys and Bladder and to eas the torturing pains thereof But the Roots are of more especial use for those purposes as well as for Coughs Hoarsness shortness of Breath and Wheesings being boyled in Wine or Honeyed Water and drunk The Roots and Seeds hereof boyled in Wine or Water is with good success used by them that have Excoriations in the Guts or the bloody Flux by qualifying the violence of the sharp fretting Humors easing the pains and healing the Soreness It is profitably taken of them that are troubled with Ruptures Cramps or Convulsions of the Sinews and boyled in white Wine for the Impostumes of the Throat commonly called the Kings Evil and of those Kernels that rise behind the Ears and inflamations or Swellings in Womens Breasts The dried Roots boyled in Milk and drunk is special good for the Chin-Cough Hippocrates used to give the Decoction of the Roots or the Juyce therof to drink to those that were wounded and ready to faint through loss of Blood and applied the same mixed with Honey and Rozin to the Wounds As also the Roots boyled in Wine to those that had received any Hurt by Bruises Falls or Blows or had any Bone or Member out of Joynt or any Swelling pain or ach in the Muscles Sinews or Arteries The Muccilage of the Roots and of Linseed and of Fennugreek put together is much used in Pultises Oyntments and Plaisters to mollifie and digest all hard Swellings and the Inflamation of them and to eas pains in any part of the Body The Seed either green or dry mixed with Vinegar clenseth the Skin of the Morphew and al other discolourings being bathed therewith in the Sun You may remember that not long since there was a raging Diseas called the Bloody Flux the Colledg of Physitians not knowing what to make of it called it the Plague in the Guts for their wits were at ne plus ultra about it My son was taken with the same Diseas and the excoriation of his Bowels was exceeding great my self being in the Country was sent for up the only thing I gave him was Mallows bruised and boyled both in his Milk and Drink in two daies the blessing of God being upon it it cured him and I here to shew my thankfulness to God in communicating it to his Creatures leav it to posterity ☿ ♈ Sweet Marjerom THis is so wel known being an Inhabitant in every Garden that it is needless to write any Description thereof neither of the Winter Sweet Marjerom nor Pot Marjerom Place They grow commonly in Gardens some sorts there are that grow wild in the Borders of Corn Fields and Pastures in sundry places of this Land but it is not my purpose to insist upon them The Garden kinds being most used and useful Time They Flower in the end of Summer Vertues and use Our common Sweet Marjerom is warming and comfertable in cold Diseases of the Head Stomach Sinews and other parts taken inwardly or outwardly applied The Decoction thereof being drunk helpeth al the Diseases of the Chest which hinder the freeness of breathing and is also profitable for the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It helpeth the cold Griefs of the Womb and the windiness thereof and the loss of Speech by resolution of the Tongue The Decoction thereof made with som Pellitory of Spain and long Pepper or with a little Acorus or Origanum being drunk is good for those that are beginning to fall into a Dropsie for those that cannot make Water and against pains and torments in the Belly it provoketh Womens Courses if it be put up as a Pessary Being made into Pouder and mixed with Honey it taketh away the black marks of Blows and Bruises being therto applied It is good for the Inflamations and watering of the Eyes being mixed with fine Flower and laid unto them The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the Pains and singing nois in them It is profitably put into those Oyntments and Salves that are made to warm and comfort the outward parts as the Joynts and Sinews for Swellings also and places out of Joynt The Pouder thereof snuffed up into the Nose provoketh neezing and thereby purgeth the Brain and chewed in the Mouth draweth forth much Flegm The Oyl made thereof is very warming and comfortable to the Joynts that are stiff and the Sinews that are hard to mollifie and supple them Marjerom is much used in all odoriferous Waters Pouders c. that are for Ornament or delight It is an Herb of Mercury and under Aries and is therfore an excellent Remedy for the Brain and other parts of the Body and Mind under the Dominion of the same Planet ☉ ♌ Marigolds THese being so pelentifull in every Garden are so well known that they need no Description Time They Flower al the Summer long and somtimes in the Winter if it be mild Vertues and Use The Flowers either green or dryed are used much in Possets broths and drinkes as a comforter of the Heart and spirits and to expell any malignant or pestilential quality which might annoy them It is an Herb of the Sun and under Leo they strengthen the heart exceedingly and are very expulsive and little less Effectual in the smal pox and measles than Saffron The Juyce of Marigold Leaves mixed with Vinegar and any hot swelling bathed with it instantly giveth ease and asswageth it A plaister made with the dry Flowers in pouder hogs greas Turpentine and Rozin and applyed to the breast strengthens and succours the heart infinitly in feavers whether pestilential or not pestileutiall ♂ Masterwort Description Common Masterwort hath divers stalks of winged Leaves devided into sundry parts three for the most part standing together at a small footstalk on both sides of the greater and three likewise at the end of the stalk somwhat broad and cut in on the edges into three or more devisions all of them dented about the brims of a dark green colour somwhat resembling the Leaves of Angelica but that these grow lower to the ground on lesser stalks among which
made of five Leavs narrow and pointed at the ends with some yellow thredssn the middle which being past there stand in their places smal round Heads of Seed Place It groweth plentifully in almost all places of this Land commonly in moist grounds by Hedg sides and in the middle of grassy Fields Time They Flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and use Moneywort is singular good to stay all Fluxes in Men or Woman whether they be Lasks Bloody Fluxes the Flowing of Womens Courses Bleedings inwardly or outwardly and the weakness of the Stomach that is given to casting It is very good also for all Ulcers or Excoriations of the Lungs or other inward parts It is exceeding good for all Wounds either fresh or green to heal them speedily and for old Ulcers that are of a spreading nature For all which purposes The Juyce of the Herb or the Pouder drunk in Water wherein hot Steel hath been often quenched Or the Decoction of the green Herb in Wine or Water drunk Or the Seed Juyce or Decoction used to the outward places to wash or bath them or to have Tents dipped therein and put into them are effectual Moonwort Description This riseth up usually but with one dark green thick and fat Leaf standing upon a short footstalk not a bove two fingers breadth but when it will flower it may be said to beare a small slender stalk about four or five Inches high having but one leaf set in the middle therof which is much devided on both sides into somtimes five or seven parts on a sid somtimes more each of which parts is small next the middle rib but broad forwards and round pointed resembling therein an half Moon from whence it took the name the uppermost parts or divisions being less than the lowest The Stalk riseth above this Leaf two or three inches bearing many Branches of small long Tongues every one like the spiky Head of Adders-Tongue of a brownish colour which whether I shall call them Flowers or the Seed I well know notâ— which after they have continued a while resolve into a Mealy dust The Root is smal and Fibrous This hath somtimes divers such like Leavs as are before Described with so many branches or tops arising from one Stalk each devided from the other Place It groweth on Hills and Heaths yet where there is much Grass for therein it delighteth to grow Time It is to be found only in April and May for in June when any hot weather cometh for the most part it is withered and gone Vertues and use Moonwort is cold and drying more than Adders-tongue and is therefore held to be more available for all Wounds both inward and outward The Leavs boyled in red Wine and drunk stayeth the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses and the Whites It also staieth Bleeding Vomitings and other Fluxes It helpeth all Blows and Bruises and to consolidate all Fractures and Dislocations It is good for Ruptures But it is chiefly used by most with other Herbs to make Oyls or Balsoms to heal fresh or green Wounds as I said before either inward or outward for which it is excellent good Moonwort is an Herb which they say will open Locks and unshoo such Horses as tread upon it this some laugh to scorn and those no smal Fools neither but Country people that I know call it Unshoo the Horse besides I have heard Commanders say That on White Down in Devon neer Tiverton there was found thirty Hors shoos pulled off from the feet of the Earl of Essex his Horses being there drawn up in a Body many of them being but newly shod and no reason known which caused much admiration and the Herb described usually grows upon Heaths The Moon owns the Herb. Mosses I Shal not trouble the Reader with any Description of these sith my intent is to speak only of two kinds as the most principal Viz. Ground-Moss and Tree-Moss both which are very well know Place The Ground-Moss growing in our moist Woods and the bottoms of Hills in boggy grounds and in shadowy Ditches and many other such like places The Tree-Moss groweth only on Trees Vertues and use The Ground-Moss is held to be singular good to break the Stone and to expel and drive it forth by Urin being boyled in Wine and drunk The Herb bruised and boyled in Water and applied easeth all Inflamations and pains coming of an hot caus â— and is therfore used to eas the pains of the hot Gout The Tree-Mosses are cooling and binding and partake of a digesting and mollifying quality withal as Galon saith But each Moss doth partake of the Nature of the Tree from whence it is taken therefore that of the Oak is more Binding and is of good effect to stay Fluxes in man or Woman as also Vomitings or Bleedings the Pouder thereof being taken in Wine The Decoction thereof in Wine is very good for Women to be hathed with or to sit in that are troubled with the overflowing of their Courses The same being drunk stayeth the Stomach that is troubled with casting or the Hiccough and as Aâ—â—iâ—â—nna saith it comforteth the Heart The Pouder thereof taken in Drink for some time together is thought available for the Dropsie The Oyl of Roses that hath had fresh Moss steeped therin for a time and after boyled and applied to the Temples and Forehead doth Merveilously eas the Headach coming of a hot caus as also the Distillations of hot Rhewm or Humors to the Eyes or other parts The Antients much used it in their Oyntments and other Medicines against Lassitude and to strengthen and comfort the Sinews For which if it was good then I know no reason but it may be fonnd so still Motherwort Discription THis hath a hard square brownish rough strong Stalk rising three or four foot high at the least spreading into many Branches whereon grow Leavs ou each side with long Footstalks two at every Joynt which are somwhat broad and long as it were rough or crumpled with many great Veins therein of a sad green colour and deeply dented about the edges and almost devided From the middle of the Branches up to the tops of them which are very long and smal grow the Flowers round about them at distances in sharp pointed rough hard Husks of a more red or purple-colour than Balm or Horehound but in the same manner and form as the Horehounds after which come smal round blackish Seed in great plenty The Root sendeth forth a number of long Strings and smal Fibres taking strong hold in the Ground of a dark yellowish or brownish colour and abideth as the Horehound doth the smell of this being not much different from it Place It groweth only in Gardens with us in England Vertues and use Motherwort is held to be of much use for the trembling of the Heart and in faintings and swounings from whence it took
that need cooling and drying and therefore helpeth all Fluxes of the Belly or Stomach Bloody Fluxes and Womens Courses being either drunk or applied as also for those that void Blood at their Mouth or at any other place and for Distillations of Rhewms into the Eyes especially if it be used with Tutiae Queen of the Meadows Meadow-sweet or Mead-sweet Description THe Stalks of this are reddish rising to be three foot high somtimes four or five foot having at the Joynts there of large winged Leavs standing one above another at distances consisting of many and somwhat broad Leavs set on each side of a middle rib being hard rough or rugged crumpled much like to Elm Leavs having also some smaller Leavs with them as Agrimony hath somewhat deepiy dented about the edges of a sad green colour on the upper side and graish underneath of a pretty sharp scent and tast somwhat like unto Burnet and a Leaf hereof put into a Cup of Claret Wine giveth also a fine rellish to it At the tops of the Stalks and Branches stand many tusts of small white Flowers thrust thick together which smel much sweeter than the Leavs and in their places being fallen come crooked and cornered Seed The Root is somwhat woody and blackish on the outside and brownish within with diverse greater strings and lesser Fibres set thercat of a strong scent but nothing so pleasant as the Flowers and Leavs and perisheth not but abideth many yeers shooting forth anew every Spring Place It groweth in moist Meadows that lie much wet or neer the Courses of Water Time It Flowreth in some place or other all the three Summer Months that is June July and August and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and Use. It is used to stay all manner of Bleedings Fluxes Vomitings and Womens Courses and also their Whites It is said to alter and take away the fits of Quartan Agues and to make a merry heart for which purpose some use the Flowers and some the Leavs It helpeth speedily those that are troubled with the Chollick being boyled in Wine and with a little Honey taken warm it openeth the Belly but boyled in red Wine and drunk it stayeth the Flux of the Belly Being outwardly applied it healeth old Ulcers that are Cankrous or eaten or hollow and Fistulous for which it is by many much commended as also for the Sores in the Mouth or secret parts The Leavs when they are full grown being laid upon the Skin will in a short time raise Blisters thereon as Tragus saith The water thereof helpeth the heat and Inflamation in the Eyes Venus claims dominion over the Herb. The Quince-Tree Description THe Ordinary Quince-tree groweth often to the height and bigness of a reasonable Apple-tree but more usually lower and crooked with a rough Bark spreading Arms and Branches far abroad The Leavs are somwhat like those of the Apple-tree but thicker harder and fuller of Veins and white on the under side not dented at all about the edges The Flowers are large and white somtimes dash'd over with a Blush The Fruit that followeth is yellow being neer ripe and covered with a white Freez or Cotton thick set on the yonger and growing less as they grow to be through ripe bunched out often times in some places some being liker an Apple and some a Pear of a strong heady scent and not durable to keep and is sowr harsh and of an unpleasant tast to eat fresh but being scalded roasted baked or preserved becometh more pleasant Place and Time It best likes to grow neer Ponds and Water-sides and is frequent through this Land and Flowreth not until the Leavs be come forth The Fruit is ripe in September or October Vertues and Use. Quinces when they are green helps all sorts of Fluxes in man or Woman and Chollerick Lasks Castings and whatsoever needeth Astriction more than any way prepared by fire Yet the Syrup of the Juyce or the Conserve are much conducible much of the binding quality being consumed by the fire If a little Vinegar be added it stirreth up the languishing Appetite and the Stomach given to casting Some Spices being added it comforteth and strengthneth the decayed and fainting Spirits and helpeth the Liver oppressed that it cannot perfect the digestion and correcteth Choller and Flegm If you would have them Purging put Honey to them instead of Sugar and if more Laxative for Choller Rubarb for Flegm Turbith for warery Humors Scammony but if more forcibly to bind use the unripe Quinces with Roses and Acacia or Hypocistis and some torrefied Rubarb To take of the crude Juyce of Quinces is held a Preservative against the force of deadly poyson for it hath been found most certain true that the very smel of a Quince hath taken away all the strength of the Poyson of White Hellebore If there be need of any outward binding and cooling of any hot Fluxes The Oyl of Quinces or other Medicines that may be made thereof are very available to anoint the Belly or other parts therewith It likewise strengtheneth the Stomach and Belly and the Sinews that are loosned by sharp Humors falling on them and restraineth immoderate sweatings The Muccilage taken from the Seeds of Quinces boyled a little in Water is very good to cool the Heat and heal the Sore Breasts of Women The same with a little Sugar is good to lenefie the harshness and hoarsness of the Throat and roughness of the Tongue The Cotton or Down of Quinces boyled and applied to Plague Sores healeth them up and said as a Playster made up with Wax it bringeth hair to them that are bald and keepeth it from falling if it be ready to shed Radish and Horse-Radish THe Garden Radish is so wel known that it needeth no Description Description The Hors-Radish hath his first Leavs that rise before Winter about a foot and a holf long very much cut in or torn on the edges into many parts of a dark green colour with a great Rib in the middle After these have been up a while others follow which are greater rougher broader and longer whol and not devided as the first but only somwhat roundly dented about the edges The Stalk when it beareth Flowers which is but seldom is great rising up with some few lesser Leavs thereon to three or four foot high spreading at the top many smal Branches of whitish Flowers made of four Leavs apiece after which come smal Pods like those of Shepheards-Purs but seldom with any Seed in them The Root is great long white and rugged shooting up divers Heads of Leavs which may be parted for encreas but it doth not creep within ground nor run above ground and is of a strong sharp and bitter tast almost like Mustard Place It is found wild in some places of this Land but is chiefly planted in Gardens where it joyeth in a moist and shadowy place Time It Flowreth but seldom but when it doth it is in July
Bark of the Root taken in Wine performeth effectually Mathiolus saith the same helpeth the Diseas called Hiernia Carnosa the Fleshy Rupture by taking the said Pouder for some Months together constantly and that it hath cuted some which seemed incurable by any other means than by cutting or burning The Decoction thereof made with some Vinegar and gargled in the Mouth easeth the Toothach especially when it comes of Rhewm and the said Decoction is very powerful to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and other parts A Distilled Water made in Balneo Mariae with four pound of the Roots hereof first sliced smal and afterwards steeped in a Gallon of Canary Wine is singular good for all the purposes aforesaid and to clens the passages of the Urine The Pouder of the said Root made into an Electuary or Lozenges with Sugar as also the Bark of the fresh Roots boyled tender and afterwards beaten Into a Consetve with Sugar worketh the like effect The Pouder of the Roots strewed upon the Brims of Ulcers or mixed with any other convenient thing and applied consumeth the hardness and canseth them to heal the better Rocket IN regard the garden Rocket is rather used as a Sallet Herb than to any Physical purposes I shall omit it and only speak of the common wild Rocket The Description whereof take as followeth Description The common wild Rocket hath longer and narrower Leavs much more devided into slender cuts and jags on both sides of the middle Rib than the Garden kinds have of a sad overworn green colour from among which riseth up divers stiff Stalks two or three foot high somtimes set with the like Leavs but smaller and smaller upwards branched from the middle into divers stiff Stalks bearing sundry yeilow Flowers on them made of four Leavs apiece as the others are which afterwards yield smal reddish Seed in smal long Pods of a more bitter and hot biting tast than the Garden kinds as the Leavs are also Place It is found wild in divers places of this Land Time It Flowreth about June and July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. The Wild Rocket is more strong and effectual to encreas Sperm and Venereous qualities whereunto also the Seed is more effectual than the Garden kinds It serveth also to help Digestion and provoketh Urine exceedingly The Seed is used to cure the bitings of Serpents the Scorpion and the Shrew-Mouse and other Poysons and expelleth Worms and other noisom Creatures that breed in the Body The Herb boyled or stewed and some Sugar put thereto helpeth the Cough in Children being taken often The Seed also taken in drink taketh away the ill scent of the Armpits encreaseth Milk in Nurses and wasteth the Spleen The Seed mixed with Honey and used on the face clenseth the Skin from Spots Morphew and other discolourings therein and used with Vinegar taketh away Freckles and redness in the Face or other parts and with the Gall of an Ox it amendeth foul Scars black and blew Spots and the marks of the smal Pox. The Wild Rockets are forbidden to be used alone in regard their sharpness fumeth into the Head causing ach and pain therein and are no less hurtful to hot and Chollerick persons for fear of inflaming their Blood and therefore for such we may say a little doth but a little harm For angry Mars rules them and he somtimes will be testy when he meets with Focls Winter Rocket or Cresses Description VVInter Rocket or winter Cresses hath diverse somwhat large sad green Leavs lying upon the ground torn or cut into divers parts somwhat like unto Rocket or Turnep Leavs with smaller pieces next the bottom and broad at the ends which so abide all Winter if it spring up in Autumn when it is used to be eaten from among which riseth up divers smal round Stalks full of branches bearing many smal yellow Flowers of four Leavs apiece after which come smal long Pods with reddish Seed in them The Root is somwhat stringy and perisheth every yeer after the Seed is ripe Place It groweth of its own accord in Gardens and Fields by the way sides in diverse places and particularly in the next Pasture to the Conduit-Head behind Grayes-Inne that brings Water to Mr. Lamb's Conduit in Holbourn Time It Flowreth in May and Seedeth in June and then perisheth Vertues and Use. This is profitable to provoke Urine and helpeth the Strangury and to expel Gravel and the Stone It is also of good effect in the Scurvey It is found by experience to be a singular good Wound Herb to clense inward Wounds the Juyce or Decoction being drunk or outwardly applied to wash foul Ulcers and Sores clensing them by sharpness and hindring or abating the dead Flesh from growing therein and healing them by the drying quality Roses I Hold it altogether needless to trouble the Reader with a Description of any of these sith both the Garden Roses and the Wild Roses of the Bryars are well enough known Take therefore the Vertues of them as followeth And first I shal begin with the Garden kinds Vertues and Use. The White and the Red Roses are cooling and drying yet the White is taken to exceed the Red in both those properties but is seldom used inwardly in any Medicine The bitterness in the Roses when they are fresh especially the Juyce purgeth Choller and watery Humors but being dried and that heat which caused the bitterness being consumed they have then a binding and astringent quality Those also that are not ful blown do both cool and bind more than those that are full blown and the White Roses more than the Red. The Decoction of Red Roses made with Wine and used is very good for the Headach and pains in the Eyes Ears Throat and Gums as also for the Fundament the lower Bowels and the Matrix being bathed or put into them The same Decoction with the Roses remaining in it is profitably applyed to the Region of the Heart to eas the Inflamation therin as also St. Anthonies fire and other Diseases of the Stomach Being dried and beaten to Pouder and taken in steeled Wine or Water it helpeth to stay Womens Courses The yellow threds in the middle of the red Roses which are erroniously called the Rose Seeds being poudered and drunk in the distilled water of Quinces stayeth the overflowing of Womens Courses and doth wonderfully stay the Defluxions of Rhewm upon the Gums and Teeth preserving them from corruption and fastning them if they be loose being washed and gargled therewith and some Vinegar of Squils added thereto The Heads with Seed being used in Pouder or in a decoction stayeth the Lask and spitting of Blood Red Roses do strengthen the Heart the Stomack and the Liver and the retentive Faculties they mitigate the pains that arise from Heat asswage Inflamations procure rest and sleep stay both Whites and Reds in Women the Gonorrhea running of the
stay Defluxions from the Head upon the Stomach drying up the moisture thereof and helpeth digestion The Pulp of the Heps dried unto a hard consistence like to the Juyce of Liquoris or so dried that it may be made into Pouder and taken in drink stayeth speedily the Whites in Women The Bryar Ball is often used being made into Pouder and drunk to break the Stone to provoke Urine when it is stopped and to eas and help the Chollick some appoint it to be burnt and then taken for the same purpose In the middle of these Balls are often found certain white Worms which being dried and made into Pouder and some of it drunk is found by experience of many to kill and drie forth the Worms of the Belly What a quarter have Authors made with Roses what a racket have they kept I shall ad Red Roses are under Jupiter Damask under Venus and White under the Moon and Province under the King of France RosaSolis or Sun-dew Description THis hath diverse sinal round hollow Leavs somwhat greenish but full of certain red hairs which makes them seem red every one standing upon its own Fooststalk reddish hairy likewise The Leavs are continualty moist in the hottest day yea the hotter the Sun shines on them the moister they are with a certain sliminess that will rope as we say the smal hairs alwaies holding this moisture among these Leavs rise up small slender stalks reddesh also three or four fingers high bearing diverse smal white Knobs one above another which are the flowers after which in the Heads are certain smal Seeds the Root is a few small hairs Place It groweth usually on Bogs and in wet places and somtimes in moist Woods Time It Flowreth in June and then Leavs are fittest to be gatrhered Vertues and Use. Rosa Solis is accounted good to help those Distillatithat have salt Rhewm distilling on their Lungs on s oâ—â— which breedeth a Consumption and therefore Rhewm the Distilled water thereof in Wine is held fit and profitable for such to drink which Water will be of a gold yellow colour The same Water is held to be good for all other Diseases of the Lungs as Phtisicks Wheesing shortness of Breath or the Cough as also to heal the Ulcers that happen in the Lungs and it comforteth the Heart and fainting Spirits The Leavs outwardly applied to the Skin will raise Blisters which hath caused some to think it dangerous to be taken inward but there are other things which will also draw Blisters yet nothing dangerous to be taken inwardly There is an usual Drink made hereof with Aqua vitae and Spices freuently and without any offence or danger but to good purpose used in qualms and passions of the Heart The Sun rules it and 't is under the Sign Cancer Rosemary OUr Garden Rosemary is so well â—â—own that I need not here describe it Time It Flowreth in April and May with us and somtimes again in August Vertues and Use. It is an Herb if as great use with us in these daies as any whatsoever not only for Physical but Civil purposes The Physical use of it being my present Task is very much both for inward and outward Diseases For by the warming and comforting heat thereof it helpeth all cold Diseases both of the Head Stomach Liver and Belly The Decoction thereof in Wine helpeth the cold Distillations of Rhewm into the Eyes and all other cold Diseases of the Head and Brain as the Giddiness or swimming therein Drowsiness or Dulness of the mind and senses like a stupidness the dumb Palsey or loss of speech the Lethargy and Falling-sickness to be both drunk and the Temples bathed therewith It helpeth the pains in Gums and Teeth by Rhewm falling into them or by putrefaction causing an evil smel from them or a stinking Breath It helpeth a weak Memory and quickneth the Senses It is very comfortable to the Stomach in all the cold Griefs thereof helping both retention of meat and digestion the Decoction or Pouder being taken in Wine it is a Remedy for the windiness in the Stomach or Bowels and expellerh it powerfully as also Wind in Spleen It helpeth those that are Livergrown by opening the Obstructions thereof It helpeth dim Eyes and procureth cleer sight the Flowers thereof being taken all the while it is Flowring every morning fasting with bread and Salt Both Dâ—oscorides and Galen say That if a Decoction be made thereof with Water and they that have the yellow Jaundice do exercise their Bodies presenty after the taking thereof it will certainly cure it The Flowers and the Conserve made of them is singular good to comfort the Heart and to expel the contagion of the Pestilence to burn the Herb in Houses and Chambers correcteth the Air in them Both the Flowers and the Leavs are very profitable for Women that are troubled with the Whites if they be daily taken The dried Leavs shred smal and taken in a Pipe like as Tobacco is taken helpeth those that have any Cough or Phtisick or Consumption by warming and drying the thin Distillations which caus those Diseases The Leavs are much used in Bathing and made into Oyntments or Oyls is singular good to help cold benummed Joynts Sinews or Members The Chimical Oyl drawn from the Leavs and Flowers is a Soveraign help for all the Diseases aforesaid to touch the Temples and Nostrils with two or three drops for all the Diseases of the Head and Brains spoken of before as also to take a drop two or three as the caus requireth for the inward griefs yet must it be done with Descretion for it is very quick and piercing and therefore but a very little must be taken at a time There is also another Oyl made by insolation in this manner Take what qunatity you will of the Flowers and put them into a strong Glass close stopped tie a fine linnen cloth over the Mouth and turn the Mouth down into another Strong Glass which being set in Sun an Oyl will distil down into he lower Glass to be preserved as precious for divers uses both inward and outward as a Sovereign Balm to heal the diseases before mentioned to clcer a dim sight and to take away spots marks and scars in the skin The Sun claims Priviledg in it and 't is under the Coelestial Ram. Rubarb or Rhapontick DO not start and say this grows you know not how far off and then ask me How it comes to pass that I bring it among our English Simples for though name may speak it Forreign yet it grows with us in England and that frequent enough in our Gardens and when you have throughly perused its Vertues you will conclude it nothing inferior to that which is brought us out of China by that time this hath been as much used as that hath been the name which the other hath gotten wil be eclipsed by the same of
same properties that the Parsleys have but in provoking Urine and easing the pains thereof or of the Wind and Chollick are much more effectual The Roots or Seed being used either in Pouder or in Decoction or any other way and likewise helpeth the Windy pains of the Mother and to procure their Courses to break and avoid the Stone in the Kidneys to digest cold viscuous and tough Flegm in the Stomach and is a most especial Remedy against all kind of Venom Caftoreum being boyled in the distilled water hereof is singular good to be given to those that are troubled with Cramps and Convulsions some do use to make the Seed into Comfits as they do Caraway Seed which is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid The Juyce of the Herb dropped into the most grievous Wounds of the Head drieth up their moisture and healeth them quickly Some Women use the distilled Water to take away Freckles or Spots in the Skin or Face and to drink the same sweetned with Sugar for all the purposes aforesaid Scabious three sorts Description THe common Field Scabious groweth up with many hairy soft whitish green Leaves some whereof are but very little if at all jagged on the edges others very much rent and torn on the sides and have threds in them which upon the breaking may be plainly seen from among which rise up divérse hairy green Stalks three or four foot high with such like hairy green Leavs on them but more deeply and finely devided branched forth a little At the tops hereof which are naked and bare of Leaves for a good space stand round Heads of Flowers of a pale blewish colour set together in a head the outermost wherof are larger than the inward w th many threds also in the middle somwhat flat at the top as the Head with Seed is likewise The Root is great white thick growing down deep into the ground and abideth many yeers There is another sort of Field Scabious different in nothing from the former but only it is smaller in all respects The Corn Scabious differeth little from the first but that it is greater in all respects and the Flowers more declining to Purple And the Root creepeth under the upper crust of the Earth and runneth not deep in the ground as the first doth Place The first groweth most usually in Meadows especially about London every where The second in some of the dry Fields about this City but not so plentiful as the former The third in the standing Corn or Fallow Fields and the borders of such like Fields Time They Flower in June and July and some abide Flowring until it be late in August and the Seed is ripe in the mean time There are many other sorts of Scabious but I take those which I have here described to be most familiar with us The vertues both of these and the rest being much alike take them as followeth Vertues and Use. Scabious is very effectual for all sorts of Coughs shortness of Breath and all other Diseases of the Breast and Lungs ripening and digesting cold Flegm and other tough humors voiding them forth by Coughing and spitting It ripeneth also all sorts of inward Ulcers and Impostimes the Plurisie also if the Decoction of the Herb dry or green be made with Wine and drunk for some time together four ounces of the clarified Juyce of Scabious taken in the morning fasting with a dram of Methridate or Venice Treacle freeth the heart from any infection of Pestilence if after the taking of it the party sweat two hours in their Beds and this Medicine be again and again repeated if need require The green Herb bruised and applied to any Carbuncle or Plague sore is found by certain experience to dissolve or break it in three hours space The same Decoction also drunk helpeth the pains and Stitches in the sides The Decoction of the Roots taken for fourty daies together or a dram of the Pouder of them taken at a time in Whey doth as Mathâ—olus saith wonderfully help those that are troubled with running or spreading Scabs Tetters or Ringwornis yea though they proceed of the French Pox which he saith he hath tryed by experience The Juyce or Decoction drunk helpeth also Scabs and breakings out in Itch and the like The Juyce also made up into an Oyntment and used is effectual for the same purpose The same also helpeth all inward Wounds by the drying clensing and healing quality therin A Syrup made of the Juyce and Sugar is very effectual to all the purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water of the Herb and Flowers made in due season especially to be used when the green Herb is not in force to be taken The Decoction of the Herb and Roots outwardly applied doth wonderfully help al sorts of hard or cold Swellings in any part of the Body and is as effectual for any shrunk Sinew or Vein The Juyce of Scabiaus made up with the Pouder of Borax and Camphlâ—e clenseth the Skin of the Face or other part of the Body not only from Freckles and Pimples but also from Morphew and Lepry The Head washed with the same Decoction clenseth it from Dandrif Scurf Sores Itches and the like being used warm Tents also dipped in the Juyce or Water thereof not only healeth all green Wounds but old Sores and Ulcers also The Herb also bruised and applied doth in short time loosen and cause to be drawn forth any Splinter broken bone Arrow head or other such like thing lying in the Flesh. Scurvy-grass Description OUr ordinary English Scurvygrass hath â—â—any thâ—â— fat Leavs more long than broad and somtimes longer and narrower somtimes also smooth on the edges and somtimes a little waved sometimes plain smooth and pointed somtimes a little hollow in the middle and round pointed of a sad green and somtimes brownish colour every one standing by it self upon a long Footstalk which is brownish or greenish also from among which rise smal slender Stalks bearing a few Leaves thereon like the other but longer and lesser for the most part At the tops whereof grow many whitish Flowers with yellow threds in the middle standing about a green head which becometh the Seed Vessel which will be somwhat flat when it is ripe wherein is contained reddish Seed tasting somwhat hot The Root is made of many white strings which stick deeply in the mud wherein it chiefly delightethâ— yet it will well abide in the more upland and dryer grounds and tasteth a little brackish or Salt even there but not so much as where at hath the Salt water to feed upon Place It groweth all along the Thames side both on the Esseae and Kentish Shoars from â—oolwich round about the Sea Coasts to Dover Portsmouth and even to Bristol where it is had in plenty The other with round Leavs groweth in the Marshes in Holland in Lincolnshire and other places of Lincolnshire by the Sea side Description There is also
forth The Root in Pouder and given in Wine and drunk is good against the Plague or Pestilence and drunk in the mornings fasting for some time together is very profitable for a Fistula in any part of the Body Baptista Sardus doth much commend the distilled Water hereof being drunk to help the French Disease to open Obstructions of the Liver and clense the Blood from corrupted Humors and is profitably given against Quotidian or Tertian Agues Strawberries THese are so well known through this Land that they need no Description Time They Flower in May ordinarily and the Fruit is ripe shortly after Vertues and use Strawberries when they are green are cold and dry but when they are ripe they are cold and moist The Berries are excellent good to cool the Liver the Blood and the Spleen or an hot Chollerick stomach to refresh comfort the fainting Spirits to quench Thirst They are good also for other Inflamations yet it is not arniss to refrain them in a Feaver lest by their putrefying in the Stomach they encrease the Fits The Leavs and Roots boyled in Wine and Water and drunk do likewise cool the Liver and Blood and asswage all Inflamations in the Reins and bladder provoketh Urine and allayeth the heat and sharpness thereof The same also being drunk stayeth the Bloody Flux and Womens Courses and helpeth the Swellings of the Spleen The Water of the Berries carefully distilled is a Soveraign Remedy and Cordial in the panting and beating of the Heart and is good for the yellow Jaundice The Juyce dropped into foul Ulcers or they washed therewith or the Decoction of the Herb and Root doth wonderfully clense and help to cure them Lotions and Gargles for sore Mouthes or Ulcers therin or in the privy Parts or elswhere are made with the Leaves and Roots hereof which is also good to fasten loose Teeth and to heal spungy soul Gums It helpeth also to stay Catarrhs or Desluxions of Rhewm into the Mouth Throat Teeth or Eyes The Juyce or Water is singular good for hot and red Inflamed Eyes if dropped into them or they bathed therewith it is also of excellent property for all Pushes Wheals and other breakings forth of hot sharp Humors in the Face and Hands or other parts of the Body to bath them therewith and to take away any redness in the Face or Spots or other Deformities in the Skin and to make it cleer and smooth Some use this Medicine Take so many Strawberries as you shall think fitting and put them into a Distillatory or body of Glass fit for them which being well closed set it in a bed of Horsdung for twelve or fourteen daies and afterwards distill it carefully and keep it for your use It is an excellent water for hot inflamed Eyes and to take away any film or Skin that beginneth to grow over them and for such other defects in them as may be helped by any outward Medicine Venus owns the Herb. Succory Description THe Garden Succory hath longer and narrower Leaves than Endive and more cut in or torn on the edges and the Root abideth many yeers It beareth also blew Flowers like Endive and the Seed is hardly distinguished from the Seed of the smooth or ordinary Endive The wild Succory hath diverse long Leaves lying on the ground very much cut in or torn on the edges on both sides even to the middle rib ending in point somtimes it hath a red Rib down the middle of the Leaves from among which riseth up a hard round woody stalk spreading into many Branches set with smaller and lesser devided Leaves on them up to the tops where stand the Flowers which are like the Garden kind as the Seed is also only take notice that the Flowers of the Garden kind are gone in one Sunny day they being so cold that they are not able to endure the Beams of the Sun and therfore most delight in the shadow The Root is white but more hard and woody than the Garden kind The whol Plant is exceeding bitter Place This groweth in many places of our Land in wast untilled and barren Fields The other only in Gardens Vertues and Use. Garden Succory as it is more dry and less cold than Endive so it openeth more An handful of the Leavs or Roots boyled in Wine or Water and a draught thereof drunk fasting driveth forth Chollerick and Flegmatick Humors openeth Obstructions of the Liver Gall and Spleen helpeth the yellow Jaundice the Heat of the Reins and of the Urine the Dropsie also and those that have an evil disposition in their Bodies by reason of long sickness evil Diet c. which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cachexia A Decoction thereof made with Wine and drunk is very effectual against long lingring Agues and a dram of the Seed in Pouder drunk in Wine before the Fit of an Ague helpeth to drive it away The Distilled Water of the Herb and Flowers if you can take them in time hath the properties and is especial good for hot Stomachs and in Agues either Pestilential or of long continuance for swounings and Passions of the Heart for the heat and Headach in Children and to the blood and Liver The said water or the Juyce or the bruised Leaves applied outwardly allayeth Swellings Inflamations St. Anthonies Fire Pushes Wheals and Pimples especially used with a little Vinegar as also to wash pestiferous Sores The said Water is very effectual for sore Eyes that are inflamed with redness and for Nurses Breasts that are pained by the abundance of Milk The wild Succory as it is more bitter so it is more strengthning to the Stomach and Liver English Tobacco Description THis riseth up with a thick round Stalk about two foot high whereon do grow thick fat green Leaves nothing so large as the other Indian kinds somwhat round pointed also and nothing dented about the edges The Stalk brancheth forth and beareth at the tops divers Flowers set in green Husks like the other but nothing so large scarce standing above the Brims of the Husks round pointed also and of a greenish yellow colour The Seed that followeth is not so bright but larger contained in the like great Heads The Roots are neither so great nor woody and perishing every yeer with the hard Frosts in Winter but riseth generally of its own sowing Place This came from some parts of Brassiile as is thought and is more familier to our Country than any of the other sorts early giving ripe Seed which the others seldom do Time It Flowreth from June somtimes to the end of August or later and the Seed ripeneth in the mean time Vertues and Use. It is found by good experience to be available to expectorate tough Flegm from the Stomach Chest and Lungs The Juyce thereof made into a Syrup or the distilled water of the Herb drunk with some Sugar or without if you will Or the smoke taken by a
Wild Tansie stayeth the Lask and all Fluxes of Blood in men or women which some say it will do if the green Herb be worn in the shoos so it be next the Skin and 't is true enough that 't wil stop the Terms if worn so and the Whites too for ought I know It stayeth also spitting or Vomiting of Blood The Pouder of the dried Herb taken in some of the distilled Water helpeth the Whites in women but more especially if a little Coral and Ivory in Pouder be put to it It is also much commended to help Children that are bursten and have a Rupture being boyled in Water and Salt Being boyled in Wine and drunk it easeth the griping pains of the Bowels and is good for the Sciatica and Joynt Aches The same boyled in Vinegar with Honey and Allum and gargled in the Mouth easeth the pains of the Toothach fastneth loose Teeth helpeth the Gums that are sore and setleth the pallat of the Mouth in its place when it is fallen down It clenseth and healeth the Ulcers in the Mouth or secret parts and is very good for Inward Wounds and to close the lips of green Wounds as also to heal old moist corrupt running Sores in the Legs or elswhere Being bruised and applied to the Soles of the Feet and the Hand-wrests it wonderfully cooleth the hot fits of Agues be they never so violent The distilled water clenseth the skin of all discolourings therein as Morphew Sun-burning c. as also Pimples Freckles and the like and dropped into the Eyes or cloaths wet therein and applied taketh away the heat and Inflamations in them Now Dame Venus hath fitted women with two Herbs of one name one to help Conception the other to maintain beauty and what more can be expected of her What now remains for you but to love your Husbands and not to be wanting to your poor Neighbors Thistles OF these there are many kinds growing here in England which are so well known that they need no Description Their difference is easily known by the places where they grow Viâ— Place Some grow in Fields some in Meadows and some among the Corn others on Heaths Greens and wast grounds in many places Time They all Flower in July and August and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and Use. All these Thistles are good to provoke Urine and to amend the stinking smell thereof as also the rank smel of the Armpits or of the whol Body being boyled in Wine and drunk and are said also to help a stinking breath and to strengthen the Stomach Pliny saith that the Juyce bathed on the place that wanteth hair it being fallen off will cause it to grow again speedily Sure Mars rules it it is such a prickly business The Melancholly Thistle Description THis riseth up with a tender single hoary green Stalk bearing thereon four or five long hoary green Leaves dented about the edges the points whereof are little or nothing prickly and at the top usually but one Head yet somtimes from the bosom of the uppermost Leaf there shooteth forth another smaller Head scaly and somwhat prickly with many reddish Purple Thrums or Threds in the middle which being gathered fresh will keep the colour a long time and fadeth not from the Stalk in a long time while it perfecteth the Seed which is of a mean bigness lying in the Down The Root hath many long Strings fastned to the Head or upper part which is blackish and perisheth not There is another sort little differing from the former but that the Leaves are more green above and more hoary underneath and the Stalk being about two foot high beareth but one large scaly Head with threds and Seeds as the former Place They grow in many moist Meadows of this Land as well in these Southern as in the Northern parts Time They Flower about July or August and their Seed ripeneth quickly after Vertues and Use. Their Vertues are but a few but those not to be despised for the Decoction of the Thistle in Wine being drunk expels superfluous Melancholly out of the Body and make a man as merry as a Cricket superfluous Melancholly causeth care fear sadness despair envy and many evils more besides but Religion teacheth to wait upon Gods Providence and cast our care upon Him who careth for us what a fine thing were it if men and women could live so and yet seven yeers care and fear makes a man never the wiser nor a farthing the richer Dioscorides saith the Root born about one doth the like and removes all diseases of Melancholly Modern Writers laugh at him let them laugh that wins my Opinion is that 't is the best Remedy against all Melancholly Diseases that grows they that please may use it 't is under Capricorn and therefore under both Saturn and Mars one rids Melancholly by Sympathy the other by Antipathy Our Ladies Thistle Description THis hath diverse very large and broad Leaves lying on the ground cut in and as it were crumpled but somwhat hairy on the edges 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 stift prickles all about Among which riseth 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 cometh 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 soft white Down which is somwhat flattish and shining large and brown The Root is great spreading in the ground with many strings and smal fibres fastned thereto All the whol Plant is bitter in tast Place It is frequent on the Bank of almost every Ditch Time It Flowreth and Seedeth in June July and August Vertues and Use. Our Ladies Thistle is thought to be as effectual as Carduus Benedictus for Agues and to prevent and cure infection of the Plague as also to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and thereby is good against the Jaundice It provoketh Urine breaketh and expelleth the Stone and is good for the Dropsie It is effectual also for the pains in the sides and many other inward pains and gripings The Seed and distilled water are held powerful to all the purposes aforesaid and besides it is often applied both inwardly to drink and outwardly with Cloathes 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 It clenseth the blood exccedingly and in Spring if you please to boyl the tender Plant but cut off the Prickles unless you have a mind to choak your self it will change your blood as the season changes and that 's the way to be safe as to change as
doth purge the Body of Chollerick Humors and asswageth the heat being taken in a draught of Wine or any other Drink The Pouder of the purple Leaves of the Flowers only pick'd and dried and drunk in Water is said to help the Quinsie and the Falling-sickness in Children especially in the beginning of the Disease The Flowers of the White Violets ripeneth and dissolveth Swellings The Herb or Flowers while they are fresh or the Flowers when they are dry are effectual in the Plurisie and all Diseases of Lungs to lenesie the sharpness of hot Rhewms and the Hoarsness of the Throat the heat also and sharpness of Urine and all pains of the Back or Reins and the Bladder It is good also for the Liver and the Jaundice and in al hot Agues to cool the Heat and quench the 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 Juyce or Syrup of Lemmons be put to it or a few drops of the Oyl of Vitriol it is made thereby the more powerful to cool the heat and to quench the Thirst and giveth to the drink a Clarret Wine colour and a fine tart â—ellish pleasing the tast Violets taken or made up with Honey doth more clense than cool and with Sugar contrary-wise The dryed Flowers of Violets are accounted among the Cordial Drinks Pouders and other Medicines especially where cooling Cordials are necessary The green Leaves are used with other Herbs to make Plaisters and Pultisces for Inflamations and Swellings and to ease pains wheresoever arising of heat and for the Piles also being fried with Yolks of Eggs and applied thereto Pansies or Heartsease are like unto Violets in all their operations but somwhat hotter and dryer yet very temperate and by viscuous Juyce therein doth somwhat mollifie yet less than Mallows It is conducing in like manner as Violets to the hot Diseases of the Chest and Lungs for Agues Convulsions and Falling-sickness in Children The Decoction helpeth Itch and Scabs being bathed therwith It is said also to soder green Wounds and to help old Sores the Juyce or distilled Water thereof being drunk Vipers Buglofs Description THis hath many long rough Leaves lying on the ground from among which rise up diverse hard round Stalks very rough as if they were thick set w th prickles or hairs wherin are set such like long rough hairy or prickly sad green Leavs somwhat narrow the middle Rib for the most part being white The Flowers stand at the tops of the Stalks branched forth into many long spiked Leaves of Flowers bowing or turning like the Turnsole all of them opening for the most part on the one side which are long and hollow turning up the Brims a little of a Purplish Violet colour in them that are fully blown but more reddish while they are in the Bud as also upon their decay and withering but in some places of a paler purple colour with a long pointel in the middle feathered or parted at the top After the Flowers are fallen the Seeds growing to be ripe are blackish cornered and pointed somwhat like unto the Head of a Viper The Root is somwhat great and blackish and woolly when it groweth toward Seed time and perisheth in the Winter There is another sort little differing from the former only in that it beareth white Flowers Place The first groweth wild almost every where That with white Flowers about the Castle Walls of Lewes in Sussex Time They Flower in Summer and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and Use. It is an especial Remedy against the biting of the Viper and of all other Venemous Beasts or Serpents as also against poyson and poysonful Heâ—â—s Dioscorides and others say That whosoever shall take of the Herb or Root before they be bitten shall not be hurt by the poyson of any Serpent The Roots or Seeds are thought to be most effectual to comfort the Heart and expel Sadness or cause less Melancholly it tempers the Blood and allayeth the hot Fits of Agues The Seed drunk in Wine procureth abundance of Milk in Womens Brests The same also being taken caseth the pains in the Loyns Back and Kidneys The distilled Water of the Herb when it is in Flower or his chiefest strength is excellent to be applied either inwardly or outwardly for all the Griefs aforesaid There is a Syrup made hereof very effectual for the comforting of the Heart and expelling Sadness and Melancholly VVall-Flowers or Winter Gilly-flowers THe Garden kinds are so wel known that they need no Description Description The common single Wall-Flowers which grow wild abroad hath sundry smal long narrow and dark green Leaves set without order upon smal round whitish wooddy Stalks which bear at the tops diverse single yellow Flowers one above another every one having four Leaves apiece and of a very sweet scent after which come long Pods containing reddish Seed The Root is white hard and threddy Place It groweth upon old Church Walls and old Walls of many Houses and on the other stone Walls in diverse places The other sorts in Gardens only Time All the single kinds do Flower many times in the end of Autumn and if the Winter be mild all the Winter long but especially in the Months of February March and April and until the heat of the Spring do spend them But the double kinds continue not Flowring in that manner all the yeer along although they Flower very early somtimes and in some places very late Vertues and Use. Galen in his seventh Book of Simple Medicines saith That the yellow Wall-flowers worketh more powerfully than any of the other kinds and is therefore of more use in Physick It clenseth the Blood and freeth the Liver and Reins from Obstructions provoketh Womens Courses expelleth the Secondine and dead Child helpeth the hardness and pains of the Mother and of the Spleen also stayeth Inflamations and Swellings comforteth and strengthneth any weak part or out of Joynt helpeth to clense the Eyes from mistiness and Films on them and to clense foul and filthy Ulcers in the Mouth or any other part and is a singular Remedy for the Gout and all Aches and Pains in the Joynts and Sinews A Conserve made of the Flowers is used for a Remedy both for the Apoplexie and Palsey The VValnut-Tree THis is so well known that it needeth no Description Time It Blossometh early before the Leaves come forth and the Fruit is ripe in September Vertues and Use. The Bark of the Tree doth bind and dry very much and the Leaves are much of the same temperature but the Leaves when they are older are heating and drying the Second Degree and harder of digestion than when they are fresh which by reason of their sweetness are more pleasing and better digesting in the Stomach and taken with sweet Wine they move the Belly downwards but being old they grieve the
the name Cardiaca The Pouder thereof to the quantity of a spoonful drunk in Wine is a wonderful help to Women in their Sore Travails as also for the suffocations or risings of the Mother and from these effects it is likely it took the name of Motherwort with us It also provoketh Urine and Womens Courses clenseth the Chest of cold Flegm oppressing it and killeth the Worms in the Belly It is of good use to warm and dry up the cold Humors to digest and dispers them that are setled in the Veins Joynts and Sinews of the Body and to help Cramps and Convulsions Venus owns the Herb and it is under Leo there is no better Herb to drive Melancholly Vapors from the Heart to strengthen it and make a merry cheerful blith soul than this Herb it may be kept in a Syrup or Conserve therfore the Latins called it Cardiaca Besides it makes Women joyful Mothers of Children and settles their Wombs as they should be therfore we call it Motherwort Mousear Description THis is a low Herb creeping upon the ground by small strings like the Strawberry Plant whereby it shooteth forth smal Roots whereat grow upon the Ground many small and somwhat short Leavs set in a round form together hollowish in the middle where they are broadest of an hoary colour all over and very hairy which being broken do give a white Milk From among these Leavs spring up two or three smal hoary Stalks about a span high with a few smaller Leavs thereon At the tops whereof standeth usually but one Flower consisting of many paler yellow Leavs broad at the points and a little dented in set in three or four rows the greater outermost very like a Dandelyon Flower and a little reddish underneath about the edges especially if it grow in a dry ground which after they have stood long in Flower do turn into Down which with the Seed is carryed away with the Wind. Place It groweth on Ditch Banks and somtimes in Ditches if they be dry and in sandy Grounds Time It Flowreth about June and July and abideth green all the Winter Vertues and Use. The Juyce hereof taken in Wine or the Decoction thereof drunk doth help the Jaundice although of long continuance to drink thereof morning and evening and abstain from other drink two or three hours after It is a special Remedy against the Stone and the tormenting pains thereof as also other Tortures and griping pains of the Bowels The Decoction thereof with Succory and Centaury is held very eflectual to help the Dropsie and them that are inclining thereunto and the Diseases of the Spleen It stayeth the Fluxes of Blood either at the Mouth or Nose and inward Bleedings also for it is a singular Wound Herb for Wounds both inward and outward It helpeth the Bloody Flux and stayeth the abundance of Womens Courses There is a Syrup made of the Juyce hereof and Sugar by the Apothecaries of Italy and other places which is of much account with them to be given to those that are troubled with the Cough or Phtisick The same also is singular good for Ruptures or Burstings The green Herb bruised and presently bound to any fresh cut or Wound doth quickly soder the lips thereof And the Juyce Decoction or Pouder of the dried Herb is most singular to stay the Malignity of spreading and fretting Cankers and Ulcers wheresoever yea in the Mouth or secret parts The distilled Water of the Plant is available in all the Diseases aforesaid and to wash outward Wounds and Sores and to apply Tents or Cloaths wet therein The Moon owns the Herb also and though Authors cry out upon Alchymists for attempting to fix Quick Silver by this Herb and Moonwort A Roman would not have judged a thing by the success if it be to be fixed at all 't is by Lunar Influence Mugwort Description THe common Mugwort have divers Leavs lying upon the ground very much devided or cut deeply in about the Brims somwhat like Wormwood but much larger of a dark green colour on the upper side and very hoary white underneath The stalks rise to be four or five foot high having on it such like Leavs as those below but somwhat smaller branching forth very much toward the top whereon are set very smal pale yellowish Flowers like Buttons which fall away and after them come small Seed inclosed in round Heads The Root is long and hard with many smal Fibres growing from it whereby it taketh strong hold in the ground but both Stalk and Leaf do die down every yeer and the Root shooteth anew in the Spring The whol Plant is of a reasonable good scent and is more easily propogated by the Slips than by the Seed Place It groweth plentifully in many places of this Land by the way sides as also by smal Water-Courses and in divers other places Time It Flowreth and Seedeth in the end of Summer Vertues and Use. Mugwort is with good success put among other Herbs that are boyled for Women to fit over the hot Decoction to draw down their Courses to help the Delivery of the Birth and expel the Afterbirth as also for the Obstructions and Inflamations of the Mother It breaketh the Stone and causeth one to make water where it is stopped The Juyce thereof made up with Mirrh and put under as a Pessary worketh the same effect and so doth the Root also being made up with Hogs Greas into an Oyntment it taketh away Wens and hard Knots and Kernels that grow about the Neck and Throat and easeth the pains about the Neck and more effectually if some Field Daisies be put with it The Herb it self being fresh or the Juyce thereof taken is a special Remedy upon the overmuch taking of Opium Three drams of the Pouder of the dried Leavs taken in Wine is a speedy and the best certain help for the Sciatica A Decoction thereof made with Chamomel and Agrimony and the place bathed therewith while it is warm taketh away the pains of the Sinews and the Cramp This is an Herb of Venus therefore maintaineth the parts of the Body she rules and Remedies the Diseases of the parts that are under her Signs Taurus and Libra The Mulberry-Tree THis is so well known in the places where it groweth that it needeth no Description Time It beareth Fruit in the Months of July and August Vertues and Use. The Mulberry is of different parts the ripe Berries by reason of their Sweetness and slippery moisture opening the Belly and the unripe binding it especially when they are dried and then they are good to stay Fluxes Lasks and the abundance of Womens Courses The Bark of the Root killeth the broad Worms in the Body The Juyce or the Syrup made of the Juyce of the Berries helpeth all Inflamations and Sores in the Mouth or Throat and the Pallet of the Mouth when it is fallen down The Juyce of the Leavs is a Remedy against the biting