this to three Gallons more and let them work together and drink a draught of it every morning half a pint or there aocuts It is an excellent Purge for the Spring to consume that Flegmatick quality the Winter hath left behind it and withal keep your Body in health and consume those evil humors which the heat of Summer will readily stir up esteem it as a Jewel â The Common Alder-Tree Description GRoweth to a reasonable heighth and spreads much if it like the place It is so generally wel known unto Country People that I conceive it needless to tel them that which is no news Place and Time It delighteth to grow in moist Woods and watry places Flowring in April or May and yeilding ripe Seed in September Vertues and Use. The Leaves and Bark of the Alder-Tree are cooling drying and binding The fresh Leaves laid upon swellings dissolveth them and staieth the Inflamations The Leaves put under the bare Feet gauled with travelling are a great refreshing to them The said Leaves gathered while the morning dew is on them and brought into a Chamber troubled with Fleas wil gather them therinto which being suddenly cast out wil rid the Chamber of those troublesom Bed-fellows It is a Tree under the Dominion of Venus and of some warry Sign or other I suppose Pisces and therfore the Decoction or distilled Water of the Leaves is excellent against Burnings and Inflamation either with Wounds or without to bath the place grieved with and especially for that inflamation in the Breast which the vulgar call an Ague If you cannot get the Leaves as in Winter âtis impossible make use of the Bark in the same manner â â Angelica TO write a Description of that which is so well known to be growing in almost every Garden I suppose is altogether needless yet for its Vertues it is of admiaable use In times of Heathenism when men had found out any excellent Herb c. they dedicated it to their gods As the Bay-trce to Apello the Oak to Jupiter the vine to Bacchus the Poplar to Hercules These the Papists following as their Patriarchs they dedicate them to their Saints as our Ladies Thistle to the Blessed Virgin St. Johns Wort to St. John and another Wort to St. Peter c. Our Physitians must imitate like Apes though they cannot come off half so cleverly for they Blasphemously call Pansies or Hartseas an Herb of the Trinity becaus it is of three colours and a certain Oyntment an Oyntment of the Apostles becaus it consisteth of twelve Ingredients Alas poor Fools I am sorry for their folly and grieved at their Blasphemy God send them the rest of their Age for they have their share of Ignorance already O! why must ours be Blasphemous becaus the Heathens and Papists were Idolatrous certainly they have read so much in old rustie Authors that they have lost all their Deomity for unless it were amongst the Ranters I never read or heard of such Blasphemy The Heathens and Papists were bad and ours wors the Papists giving Idolatrous Names to Herbs for their Vertues sake not for their fair looks and therfore some called this an Herb of the Holy Ghost others more moderate called it Angelica becaus of its Angelical Vertues and that name it retains still and all Nations follow it so near as their Dialect will permit Vertues and use It resists Poyson by defending and comforting the Heart Blood and Spirits it doth the like against the Plague and all Epidemical Diseases if the Root be taken in pouder to the waight of half a dram at a time with some good Triacle in Cardâs Water and the party therupon laid to sweat in his Bed If Treacle be not at hand take it alone in Cardus or Angelica Water The Stalks or Roots candied and eaten fasting are good Preservatives in time of Infection and at other times to warm and comfort a cold Stomach The Root also steeped in Vineger and a little of that Vineger taken somtimes fasting and the Root smelled unto is good for the same purpose A water distilled from the Root simply or steeped in Wine and distilled in Glass is much more effectual than the Water of the Leaves and this Water drunk two or three spoonfuls at a time easeth all Pains and Torments coming of Cold and Wind so as the Body be not bound and taken with some of the Root in Pouder at the beginning helpeth the Pluresy as also all other Diseases of the Lungues and Breast as Coughs Phthisick and shortnefs of Breath and a Syrup of the Stalks doth the like It helps pains of the Collick the Strangury and stopping of the Urin procureth Womens Courses and expelleth the After-birth openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and briefly easeth and discusseth al windiness and inward swellings The Decoction drunk before the fit of an Ague that they may sweat if possible before the fit come wil in two or three times taking rid it quite away It helps digestion and is a remedy for a Surfet The Juyce or the Water being dropped into the Eyes or Ears helps dimness of sight and deafness The Juyce put into the hollow Teeth easeth their pains The Roots in Pouder made up into a Plaister with a little Pitch and laid on the biting of a mad-Dog or any other venemous creature doth wonderfully help The Juyce or the Water dropped or tents wet therin and put into old filthy deep Ulcers Or the Pouder of the Root in want of either doth clens and caus them to heal quickly by covering the naked Bones with Flesh. The distilled Water applied to places pained with the Gout or Sciatica doth give a great deal of ease The wild Angelica is not so effectual as the Garden although it may be safly used to al the purposes aforesaid It is an Herb of the Sun in Leo let it be gathered when he is there the Moon applying to his good Aspect let it be gathered either in his hour or in the hour of Jupiter let Sol be angular Oâserve the like in gathering the Herbs of other Plants and you may happen do wonders In al Epidemical Diseases caused by Saturn this is as good a Preservative as grows â Apples A Word or two of the most usual kinds of Apples though the colledg of Physitians make use of none but such as Vulgò vulgati Pearmains vel Pippins Apples in general are cold and windy and being of sundry tasts Galen sheweth thereby how to distinguish them Som have a sharp tast and are good for fainting Stomachs and loos Bellies others sowr good to cool and quench thirst som sharp fit to cut gross flegm som sweet soon destributed in the Body and as soon passed away yet sooner corrupted is the Stomach if they be staid The best sorts before they be throughly ripe are to be avoided then to be roasted or scalded is the best way to take them and a little Spice or
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 â â 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 â¿ 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. â 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 â Featherfew Description COmmon Featherfew
be they never so foul or stinking by washing and gargling them therewith and likewise for such Sores as happen in the privy parts of man or Woman Briefly whatsoever hath been said of Bugle or Sanicle may be found herein Saturn owns this Herb and 't is of sober condition like him Sawce alone or Jack by the Hedg Description THe lower Leavs of this are rounder than those that grow towards the tops of the Stalks and are set singly one at a Joynt being somwhat round and broad and pointed at the ends dented also about the edges somwhat resembling Nettle Leavs for the form but of a fresher green colour and not rough or pricking The Flowers are very smal and white growing at the tops of the Stalks one above another which being past there follow smal and long round pods wherein are cantained smal round Seed somwhat blackish The Root is stringy and threddy perishing every yeer after it hath given Seed and raiseth it self again of its own sowing The Plant or any part thereof being bruised smelleth of Garlick but more pleasantly and tasteth somwhat hot and sharp almost like unto Rocket Place It groweth under Walls and by Hedg sides and Pathwaies in Fields in many places Time It Flowreth in June July and August Vertues and Use. This is eaten by many Country people as Sawce to their Salt-fish and helpeth well to digest the crudities and other corrupt Humors ingendred thereby it warmeth also the Stomach and causeth digestion The Juyce thereof boyled with Honey is accounted to be as good as Hedg-Muster for the Cough to cut and expectorate the tough Flegm The Seed bruised and boyled in Wine is a singular good Remedy for the Wind Chollick or the the Stone being drunk warm It is also given to Women troubled with the Mother both to drink and the Seed put into a Cloth and applied while it is warm is of singular good use The Leavs also or Seed boyled is good to be used in Clysters to ease the pains of the Stone The green Leavs are held to be good to heal the Ulcers in the Legs VVinter and Summer Savory BOth these are so well known being entertained as constant Inhabitants in our Gardens that they need no Description Vertues and Use. They are both of them hot and dry especially the Summer kind which is both sharp and quick in tast expelling Wind in the Stomach and Bowels and is a present help for the rising of the Mother procured by Wind provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and is much commended for Women with Child to take inwardly and to smell often unto It cutteth tough Flegm in the Chest and Lungs and helpeth to expectorate in the more easily It quencheth the dull spirits in the Lethargy the Juyce thereof being snuffed or cast up into the Nostrils The Juyce dropped into the Eyes cleareth a dull sight if it proceed of âââ cold humors distilling from the Brain The Juyce heated with a little Oyl of Roses and dropped into the Ears easeth them of the noise and singing in them and of deafness also Outwardly applied w th white flower in manner of a Pultis it giveth ease to the Sciatica and Palsey'd Members heating and warming them and taketh away their pains It also taketh away the pain that comes of stinging by Bees Wasps c. Mercury claims the Dominion over this Herb neither is there a better Remedy against the Chollick and Illiack passions than this Herb keep it dry by you all the yeer if you love your selves and your ease as 't is an hundred pound to a penny if you do not keep it dry make Conserves and Syrups of it for your use and withal take notice that the Summer kind is the best The common white Saxifrage Description THis hath a few smal reddish Kernels or Roots covered with some Skins lying among diverse smal blackish Fibres which send forth diverse round faint or yellowish green Leavs and grayish underneath lying above the ground unevenly dented about the edges somwhat hairy every one upon a little footstalk from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy green stalk two or three foot high with a few such like round Leaves as grow below but smaller and somwhat branched at the top whereon stand pretty large white Flowers of five Leaves apiece with some yellow threds in the middle standing in long crested brownish green Husks After the Flowers are past there ariseth somtimes a round hard head by forked at the top wherein is contained small blackish Seed but usually they fall away without any Seed and it is the Kernels or grains of the Root which are usually called the white Saxifrage Seed and so used Place It groweth in many places of our Land as well in the lower moist as in the upper dry corners of Meadows and graffy sandy places It used to grow neer Lambs Conduit on the back side of Grayes-Inn Time It Flowreth in May and is then gathered as well for that which is called the Seed as to distil for it quickly perisheth down to the ground when any hot weather comes Vertues and use It is very effectual to clense the Reins and Bâdder and to dissolve the Stone ingendred in them and to expel it and the Gravel by Urine to provoke Urine also being stopped and to help the Strangury for which purposes the Decoction of the Herb or Roots in white Wine or the Pouder of the smal Kernelly Roots which is called the Seed taken in white Wine or in the same Decoction made with white Wine is most usual The Distilled water of the whol Herb Roots and Flowers is most familiar to be taken It provoketh also Womens Courses and freeth and clenseth the Stomach and Lungs from thick and tough Flegm that troubles them There is not many better Medicines to break the Stone than this Burnet Saxifrage Description YHe greater sort of our English Burnet Saxifrage groweth up with diverse long Stalks of winged Leavs set directly opposite one to another on both sides each being somwhat broad a little pointed and dented about the edges of a sad green colour At the tops of the Stalks stand Umbels of white Flowers after which comes small and blackish Seed The Root is long and whitish abiding long Our lesser Burnet Saxifrage hath much finer Leaves than the former and very smal and set one against another deeply jagged about the edges and of the same colour as the former The Umbels of Flowers are white and the Seed very small and so is the Root being also somwhat hot and quick in tast Place These grow in most Meadows of this Land and are easie to be found being well sought for among the Grass wherein many times they lie hid scarcely to be discern'd Time They Flower about July and their Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use These Saxifrages are as hot as Pepper and Tragus saith by his experience they are more wholsom They have the
that Nation whose Rulers mind Knowledg as Solomon saith on the contrary Wo to that Nation whose King is a Child and indeed in Ancient times people need little other Physick than such Herbs as grew neer them some Footsteps of which and but a few only are now in use with us to this day as people usually boyl Fennel with Fish and know not why they do it but only for custom when indeed the Original of it was founded upon Reason because Fennel consumes that Flegmatick quality of Fish which is obnoxious to the Body of man Fennel being an Herb of Mercury and he so great an Enemie to the Sign Pisces In this Art the Worthies of our own Nation Gerard Johnson and Parkinson are not to be forgotten who did much good in the Studie of this Art yet they and all others that wrote of the Nature of Herbs gave not a bit of a reason why such an Herb was apropriated to such a part of the Body nor why it cured such a Disease truly my own body being sickly brought me easily into a capacitie to know that Health was the greatest of all Earthly Blessings and truly he was never sick that doth not beleeve it then I considered that all Medicines were compounded of Herbs Roots Flowers Seeds c. and this first set me a work in studying the Nature of Simples most of which I knew by sight before and indeed all the Authors I could reade gave me but little satisfaction in this particular or none at all I cannot build my faith upon Authors words nor beleeve a thing because they say it and could wish everâ bodie were of my mind in this to labor to be able to give a reason for every thing they say or do they say reason makes a man differ from a Beast if that be true pray what are they that instead of Reason for their judgment quote old Authors perhaps their Authors knew a reason for what they Wrote perhaps they did not what is that to us do we know it Truly in writing this Work first to satisfie my self I drew out all the Vertues of vulgar Herbs Plants and Trees c. out of the best and most approved Authors I had or could get and having done so I set my self to studie the Reason of them I knew well enough the whol world and every thing in it was formed of a Composition of contrary Elements and in such a harmony as must needs shew the wisdom and Power of a great God I knew as well this Creation though thus composed of contraries was one united Body and man an Epitome of it I knew those various affections in man in respect of Sickness and Health were caused Naturally though God may have other ends best known to himself by the various operations of the Macrocosm and I could not be ignorant that as the Cause is so must the Cure be and therefore he that would know the Reason of the operation of Herbs must look up as high as the Stars I alwaies found the Disease vary according to the various motion of the Stars and this is enough one would think to teach a man by the Effect where the Cause lay Then to find out the Reason of the Operation of Herbs Plants c. by the Stars went I and herein I could find but few Authors but those as full of nonsense and contradictions as an Egg is full of meat this being little pleasing and less profitable to me I consulted with my two Brothers Dr REASON and Dr EXPERIENCE and took a Voyage to visit my Mother NATURE by whose advice together with the help of Dr DILLIGENCE I at last obtained my desires and being warned by Mr Honesty a stranger in our daies to publish it to the World I have done it But you will say What need I have written of this Subject seing so many famous and learned men have written so much of it in the English Tongue nay much more than I have done To this I Answer 1. All that have written of Herbs either in the English or not in the English Tongue have no waies answered my intents in this Book for they have intermixed many nay very many outlandish Herbs and very many which are hard nay not at all to be gotten and what harm this may do I am very sensible of Once a Student in Physick in Sussex sent up to London to me to buy for him such and such Medicines and send them down which when I viewed they were Medicines quoted by Authors living in another Nation and not to be had in London for Love nor Money so the poor man had spent much pains and Brains in studying Medicines for a Disease that were not to be had so a man reading Gerards or Parkinsons Herbal for the Cure of a Diseas he may as like as not light on an Herb that is not here to be had or not without great difficulty if possible but in mine all grow neer him 2. My last though not the least of my Reasons is Neither Gerard nor Parkinson nor any that ever wrote in the like Nature ever gave one wise Reason for what they wrote and so did nothing els but train up yong Novices in Physick in the School of Tradition and teach them just as a Parrot is taught to speak an Author saith so therefore 't is true and if all that Authors say be true why do they contradict one another But in mine if you view it with the Eye of Reason you shall see a Reason for every thing that is written whereby you may find the very Ground and Foundation of Physick you may know what you do and wherefore you do it and this shall call me Father it being that I know of never done in the world before I have now but two things more to write and then I have done 1 What the profit and benefit of this Work is 2 Instructions in the Vse of it 1. The Profit and Benefits arising from it or that may acrue to a wise man from it are many so many that should I sum up all the particulars the Epistle would be as big as the Book I shall only quote some few general Heads First The admirable Harmony of the Creation is herein seen in the Influence of Stars upon Herbs and the Body of man how one part of the Creation is subservient to another and all for the use of man whereby the Infinite Power and Wisdom of God in the Creation appears and if I do not admire at the simplicity of the Ranters never trust me who but viewing the Creation can hold such a sottish Opinion as that it was from eternity when the Mysteries of it are so cleer to everie eye but that Scripture shall be verified to them Rom. I. 20. The invisible things of Him from the Creation of the world are cleerly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead so that they are without
throughout the Book Alehoof or Ground-Ivy â Description THis well known Herb lieth spreadeth and crcepeth upon the ground shooting forth Roots at the corners of the tender joynted Stalks set all along with two round Leavs at every Joynt somwhat hairy crumpled and unevenly dented about the edges with round dents at the Joynts likewise with the Leaves towards the end of the Branches come forth hollow long Flowers of a blewish Purple colour with small white spots upon the lips that hang down The Root is smal with strings Place It is commonly found under Hedges and on the sides of Ditches under Houses or in shadowed Lanes and other wast grounds in almost every part of the Land Time They Flower somwhat early and abide so a great while the Leaves continue green untill Winter and somtimes abide except the Winter be very sharp and cold Vertues and use It is quick sharp and bitter in tast and is therby found to be hot and dry a singular Herb for all inward Wounds exulcerated Lungs or other parts either by it self or boyled with other the like Herbs And being drunk it in short time easeth all griping Pains Windy and Chollerick Humors in the Stomach Spleen or Belly helps the yellow Jaundice by opening the stoppings of the Gaul and Liver and Melancholly by opening the stoppings of the Spleen expelleth Venom or Poyson and also the Plague it provoketh Urin and Womens Courses The Decoction of it in Wine drunk for some time together procureth case unto them that are troubled with the Sciatica or Hip Gout as also the Gout in the Hands Knees or Feet and if you put to the Decoction some Honey and a little Burnt Allum it is excellent good to gargle any sore mouth or Throat and to wash the Sores and Ulcers in the privy parts of man or woman It speedily healeth green Wounds being bruised and bound therunto The Juyce of it boyled with a little Hony Vardigrees doth wonderfully clens Fistula's Ulcers and stayeth the spreading or eating of Cancers and Ulcers It helpeth the Itch Scabs Wheals and other breakings out in any part of the Body The Juyce of Celondine Field Daysies and Ground-Ivy clarified and a little fine Sugar dissolved therin and dropped into the Eyes is Sovereign Remedy for all the Pains Redness and Watering of them as also for the Pin and Web Skins and Films growing over the Sight It helpeth Beasts as well as Men The Juyce dropped into the Ears doth wonderfully help the noise and singing of them and helpeth the Hearing which is decayed It is good to Tun up with new Drink for it will so clarifie it in a night that it will be the fitter to be drunk the next morning or if any Drink be thick with removing or any other accident it will do the like in a few hours It is an Herb of Venus and therfore cures her Diseases by Sympathy and those of Mars by Antipathy how to preserve it all the yeer you shall find at the latter end of the Book Alexander â Description IT is usually sown in all the Gardens in Europe and so well known that it needs no further Description Time They Flower in June and July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use It warmethâ a cold Stomach and openeth stoppings of the Liver and Spleen it is good to move Womens Courses to expel the After-birth to break Wind to provoke Urine and help the Strangury and these things the Seeds wil do likewise if either of them be boyled in Wine or being bruised and taken in Wine it is also effectual against the biting of Serpents And now you know what Alexander Porredg which is so familiar in this City is good for that you may no longer cat it out of ignorance but out of knowledg The Black Alder-Tree â Description THis Tree seldom groweth to any great bigness but for the most part abideth like a Hedg Bush or Tree spreading into Branches the Wood of the Body being white and of a dark red Core or Heart the outward Bark is of a blackish colour with many white spots theron but the inner Bark next unto the Wood is yellow which being chewed will turn the Spittle neer unto a Saffron colour The Leaves are somwhat like those of the ordiuary Alder-Tree or the Foemale Cornel or Dogberry-Tree called in Sussex Dog-wood but blacker and not so long The Flowers are white coming forth with the Leaves at the Joynts which turn into smal round Berries first green afterwards red but blackish when they are through ripe divided as it were into two parts wherin is contained two smal round and flat Seeds The Root runneth not deep into the Ground but spreadeth rather under the upper crust of the Earth Place This Tree or Shrub may be found plentifully in St. Johns Wood by Hornsey and in the Woods upon Hamsted Heath as also at a Wood called the old Park in Barcomb in Sussex neer the Brooks side Time It Flowreth in May and the Berries are ripe in September Vertues and use The inner yellow Bark herof purgeth downwards both Choller Flegm the watry humors of such as have the Dropsie and strengtheneth the inward parts again by binding If the Bark hereof be boyled with Agrimony Wormwood Dodder Hops and some Fââââ with Smalledg Endive and Succory Roots and a reasonable draught taken every morning for some time together it is very effectual against the Jaundice Dropsie and the evil disposition of the Body especially if some suitable purging medicine have been when before to avoid the grosser excrements It purgeth and strengtheneth the Liver and Spleen clensing them from such evilhumors and hardness as they are afflicted with It is to be understood that these things are performed by the dryed Bark for the fresh green Bark taken inwardly provoketh strong Vomitings pains in the Stomach and gripings in the Belly Yet if the Decoction may stand and settle two or three daies until the yellow colour be changed black it will not work so strongly as before but will strengthen the Stomach and procure an Appetite to Meat The outer Bark contrarywise doth bind the Body and is helpful for all Lasks and Pluxes therof but this must also be dried first wherby it wil work the better The inner Bark herof boyled in Vineger is an approved remedy to kill Lice to cure the Itch and take away ââ by drying them up in a short time It is singular good to wash the Teeth to take away the Pains to fasten those that are loos to clens them and keep them sound The Leaves are good Fodder for Kine to make them give more Milk If in the Spring time you use the Herbs before mentioned and will but take a handful of each of them and to them ad a handful of Elder Buds and having bruised them all boyl them in a Gallon of ordinary Beer when 't is new and having boyled them half an hour ad
Woods and somtimes in the dryer in divers Countries of this Nation Time They flower from the begining of the spring all the summer long Vertues and use The Archangels are somwhat hot and dryer than the stinking Nettles and used with better success for the stopping and hardness of the Spleen than they by using the Decoction of the Herb in Wine and afterwards applying the Herb hot unto the Region of the Spleen as a Plaister or the Decoction with Spunges The Flowers of the White Archangel are preserâed or conserved to be used to stay the Whitâs and the Flowers of the Red to stay thâ Reds in Women It makes the Heart merry drives away Melancholly quickens the Spirits is good against Quartan Agues stancheth bleedings at Mouth or Nose if it be sâamped and applied to the nape of the Neck The Herb also brused and with some Salt and Vinegar and Hogs Greas laid upon any hard tumor or swelling or that which is vulgarly called the Kings Evil doth help to dissolve or discuss them and being in like manner applied doth much allay the pains and give eas to the Gout Sciatica and other aches of the Joynts and Sinews It is also very effectual to heal all green Wounds and old Ulcers also to stay their fretting gnawing and spreading It draweth forth Splinters and such like things gotten into the flesh and is very good against bruises and burnings But the yellow Archangel is most commended for old filthy corrupt Sores and Ulcers yea although they grow to be hollow and to dissolve tumors The chief use of them is for Women it being an Herb of Venus and may be found in my Guide for Women â Arsmart Description of the Mild. THis hath broad Leaves set at the great red Joynts of the Stalks with semicircular blackish marks on them usually yet somtimes without The Flowers grow in long Spikes usually either blush or whitish with such like Seed following The Root is long with many strings thereat perishing yeerly this hath no sharp tast as another sort hath which is quick and biting but rather sowr like Sorrel or els a little drying or without tast Place It grows in watery Plashes Ditches and the like which for the most part are dry in Summer Time It Flowreth in June and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use It is of a cooling and drying quality and very effectual for purrified Ulcers in Man or Beast to kill the Worms and clens the putrified Places The Juyce therof dropped in or otherwise applied consumeth all cold Swellings and dissolveth the congealed Blood of bruises by strokes falls c. A piece of the Root or some of the Seed bruised and held to an aching Tooth taketh away the pain The Leaves bruised and laid to the Joynt that hath a Fellon theron taketh it away The Juyce deâroyeth Worms in the Ears being dropped into them if the hot Arsmart be strewed in a Chamber it will soon kill all the Fleas and the Herb or Juyce of the cold Arsmart put to Horses or other Cattels sores will drive away the Flie in the âottest time of Summer A good handful of the hot biting Arsmart put under a Horses Saddle will make him travel the better although he were half tired before The mild Arsmart is good against hót Imposthumes and Inflamations at the beginning and to heal green Wounds All Authors chop the Vertues of both sorts of Arsmart together as men chop Herbs for the Pot when both of them are of clean contrary qualities The hot Arsmart groweth not so high or tall as the mild doth but hath many leaves of the colour of Beach leaves very seldom or never spotted in other particulars it is like the former but may easily be known from it if you will be but pleased to break a Leaf of it cross your Tongue for the hot will make your Tongue to smart so will not the cold if you see them both together you may easily distinguish them becaus the mild hath far broader Leaves And out Colledg of Physitians out of their learned care for the publick good Anglice their own gain mistake the one for the other in their New-Master-Piece wherby they discover 1. Their Ignorance 2. Their Carelesness and he that hath but half an eye may see their pride without a pair of Spectacles I have done what I could to distinguish them in their Vertues and when you find not the contrary named use the cold The truth is I have not yet spoken with Dr. Reason nor his Brother Dr. Experience concerning either of them both â Asarabacca Description A Sarabacca hath many Heads rising from the Roots from whence come many smooth Leaves every one upon his own Footstalk which are rounder and bigger than Violet Leaves thicker also and of a darker green shining colour on the upper side and of a paler yellow green underneath little or nothing dented about the edges from among which rise smal round hollow brown green husks upon short stalks about an inch long divided at the brims into five divisions very like the Cups or Heads of the Henbane Seed but that they are smaller and these be all the Flowers it carrieth which are somwhat sweer being smelled unto and wherein when they are ripe is contained smal cornered rough Seeds very like the Kernels or Stones of Grapes or Raisons The Roots are small and whitish spreading divers waies in the ground and encreasing into divers Heads but not running or creeping under ground as some other creeping Herbs do They are somwhat sweet in smell resembling Nardus but more when they are dry than green and of a sharp but not unpleasant tast Place It groweth frequently in Gardens Time They keep their Leaves green all Winter but shoot forth new in the Spring and with them come forth those Heads or Flowers which give ripe Seed about Midsummer or somwhat after Vertues and use This Herb being drunk not only provoketh vomiting but purgeth downward and by Urin also purging both Choller and Flegm if you ad to it some Spicknard with the Whey of Goats Milk or Honeyed Water it is made more strong but it purgeth Flegm more manifestly than Choller and therfore doth much help pains in the Hips and other parts it being boyled in Whey it wonderfully helpeth the Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen and therfore profitable for the Dropsie and Jaundice being steeped in Wine and drunk It helps those continual Agues that come by the plenty of stubborn humors An Oyl made therof by setting it in the Sun with some Laudanum added to it provoketh sweating the rige of the Back being anointed therwith and therby driveth away the shaking Fits of Agues It will not abide any long boyling for it loseth its chiefest strength therby nor much beating for the finer Pouder doth provoke Vomits and Urin and the courser purgeth downwards The common Use herof is to take the Juyce of five or seven
though they had pissed in their shoos nay perhaps much wors As for that trick of curing the Eyes by it I can as yet say nothing to it for the rest it may be effectual We will grant that Clary strengthens the Back but this we deny That the cans of the running of the Reins in Men or the Whites in Women lies in the Back though the Back may somtimes be weakned by them and therfore the Medicine is as proper as for me when my Toe is sore to lay a Plaister to my Nose Cleavers or Goosgrass â Description THe common Cleavers hath divers very rough square Stalks not so big as the Tag of a Point but rising up to be two or three yards high somtimes if it meet with any tall Bushes or Trees wheron it may climb yet without any Claspers or els much lower ââ lying upon the Ground full of Joynts and at every of them shooteth forth a Branch besides the Leavs therat which are usually six set in a round compass like a Star or the Rowel of a Spur from between the Leavs at the Joynts towards the tops of the Branches come forth very smal white Flowers every one upon a smal threddy Footstalk which after they are fallen there do shew two smal round rough Seeds joyned together like two Testicles which when they are ripe grow hard and whitish having a little hole on the side somwhat like unro a Navil Both Stalks Leavs and Seeds are so rough that they wil cleav to any thing shal touch them The Root is small and very threddy spreading much in the Ground but dieth every yeer Place It groweth by the Hedg and Ditch Sides in many places of this Land and is so troublesom an Inhabitant in Gardens that it rampeth upon and is ready to choak what ever grows next it Time It. Flowreth in June and July and the Seed is tripe and falleth again in the end of July or August from whence it âpringeth up again and not from the old Roots Vertues and use The Juyce of the Herb and Seed together taken in Wine helpeth those that are bitten with an Adder by preserving the Heart from the Venom It is familiarly taken in Broth to keep them lean and lank that are apt to grow fat The distilled Water drunk twice a day helpeth the yellow Jaundice and the Decoction of the Herb in experience found to do the same and stayeth Lasks and Bloody Fluxes The Juyce of the Leavs or they a little bruisep and applied to any bleeding wound stayeth the Bleeding The Juyce is also very good to close up the Lips of green Wounds and the Pouder of the dried Herb strewed therupon doth the same and likewise helpeth old Ulcers Being boyled with Hogs Greas it healeth al sorts of hard Swellings or Kernels in the Throat being anointed therwith The Juyce dropped into the Ears taketh away the pains of them It is a good remedy in the Spring eaten being first chopped smal and boyled well in Water-gruel to clens the Blood and strengthen the Liver thereby keeping the Body in health and fitting it for that change of Season that is coming Clowns Woundwort â Description IT groweth up somtimes to three or four Foot high but usually about two Foot with square green rough Stalks but slender joynted somwhat far asunder and two very long and somwhat narrow dark green Leavs bluntly dented about the edges thereat ending in a long point The Flowers stand toward the tops compassing the Stalks at the Joynts with the Leavs and end likewise in a spiked âop having long and much open gaping hoods of a Purplish red colour with whitish spots in them standing in somwhat rough Husks wherin afterwards stand blackish round Seeds The Root is composed of many long strings with some tuberous long Knobs growing among them of a pale yellowish or whitish colour yet at some times of the year these knobby Roots in many places are not seen in the Plant The whol Plant smelleth somwhat strongly Place It groweth in sundry Counties of this Land both North and West and frequently by Path sides in the Fields neer about London and within three or four miles distance about it yet it usually grows in or neer Ditches Time It Flowreth in June and July and the Seed is ripe soon after Vertues and use I is singularly effectual in all fresh and green Wounds and therfore beareth not this name for nought And is very available in stanching of Blood and to dry up the Fluxes of Humors in old fretting Ulcers Cancers c. that hinder the healing of them A Syrup made of the Juyce of it is inferior to none for inward Wounds Ruptures of Veins Bloody Flux Vessels broken spitting pissing or vomiting Blood Ruptures are excellently and speedily even to admiration cured by taking now and then a little of the Syrup and applying an Oyntment or Plaister of the Herb to the place Also if any Vein be swelled or Muscle cut apply a Plaister of this Herb to it and if you ad a little Comfry to it 't wil not do amiss I assure the Herb deservs Commendations though it have gotten but a Clownish name and whoever reades this if he try it as I have done will commend it as well as I. I have done only take notice that it is of a dry Earthy quality and under the Dominion of the Planet Saturn Cocks-Head â Description THis hath divers weak but rough Stalks half a yard long leaning downwards beset with winged Leavs longer and more pointed than those of Lentils and whitish underneath from the tops of these Stalks arise up other slender Stalks naked without Leavs unto the tops where there grow many smal Flowers in manner of a Spike of a pale reddish âolââr with some blueness among themâ after which rise up in their places round rough and somwhat flat Heads The Root is tough and somwhat woody yet liveth and shooteth anew every yeer Place It groweth under Hedges and somtimes in the open Fields in divers places of this Land Time They Flower all the Months of July and August and the Seed ripeneth in the mean while Vertues and use It hath a power to rarifie and digest and therfore the green Leavs bruised and laid as a Plaister disperseth Knots Nodes or Kernels in the Flesh and if when it is dry it be taken in Wine it âelpeth the Strangury and being anointed with Oyl it provoketh Sweat It is a singular Food for Cattel to caus them to give store of Milk and why then may it not do the like being boyled in the ordinary drink of Nurses â½ Columbines THese are so wel known growing in almost every Garden that I think I may save the expence of time in writing a Description of them Time They Flower in May and abide not for the most part when June is past perfecting their Seed in the mean time Vertues and use The Leavs of Columbines are commonly used in Lotions with good
Stone and provoke Urin and Womens Courses The Decoction therof clenseth Ulcers by washing them therwith The Leavs brused or the Juyce is good to be applied to the Face or other parts troubled with Freckles Pimples Spots or the like at night and washed away in the morning The Juyce mixed with Vineger and the forepart of the Head bathed therwith is very good for those that are dull and drowsie or have the Lethargy Water-cress Pottage is a good Remedy to clens the Blood in the Spring and help Head-aches and consume the gross Humors Winter hath left behind those that would live in health may use it if they pleas if they will not I cannot help it If any fancy not Pottage they may eat the Herb as a Sallet â Crosswort Description THe Common Crosswort groweth up with square hairy brown Stalks little above a Foot High having four smal broad and pointed hairy yet smooth green Leavs growing at every Joynt each against other Cross waies which hath caused the name Toward the tops of the Stalks ââ the Joynts with the Leavs in three or four rows upwards stand smal pale yellow Flowers after which come smal blackish round Seed âfour for the most part set in every Husk The Root is very smal and full of Fibres or Threads taking good hold of the ground and spreading with the Branches a great deal of ground which perisheth not in Winter although the Leavs die every year and spring again anew Place It groweth in many moist grounds as well Meadows as untilled places about London In Hamsted Church-yard at âye in Kent and sundry other places Time It Flowreth from May al the Summer long in one place or other as they are more open to the Sun and the Seed ripeneth soon after Vertues and use This is a singular good Wound Herb and is used inwardly not only to stay bleeding of Wounds but to consolidate them as it doth outwardly any green Wounds which it quickly sodereth up and healeth The Decoction of the Herb in Wine helpeth to expectorate Flegmout of the Chest and is good for Obstructions in the Breast Stomach or Bowels and helpeth a decayed Appetite It is also good to wash any Wound or Sore with to clens and heal it The Herb bruised and then boyled and applied outwardly for certain daies together renewing it often and in the mean time the Decoction of the Herb in Wine taken inwardly every day doth certainly cure the Rupture in any so as it be not too inveterate but very speedily if it be fresh and lately taken â Crowfoot ABundance are the sorts of this Herb that to describe them all would the the Patience even of Socrates himself but becaus I have not yet attained to the Spirit of Socrates I shall but describe the most usual Description The most common Crowfoot hath many dark green Leavs cut into divers parts in tast biting sharp biting blistering the Tongue it bears many Flowers and those of a bright resplendent yellow colour I do not remember that ever I saw any thing yellower Virgins in Ancient time used to make Pouder of them to strew Bride Beds after which Flowers come smal heads of Seeds round but tugged like a Pine Apple Place They grow very common every where unless you run your Head into a Hedg you cannot chuse but see some of them wherever you walk Time They Flower in May and June even till September Names Many are the Names this furious biting Herb hath obtained almost enough to make up a Welch-mans Pedegree if he fetch it no further than John of Gaunt of William the Conqueror for it is called Frogs-foot from the Greek name ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Crowfoot Gold Knobs Gold Cups King Kob Bassinets Troll Flower Polts Locker Goulons and ButtierFlowers Vertues and use This fiery and hot spirited Herb of Mars is no way fit to bagiven inwardly but an Oyntment of the Leavs or Flowers wil draw a Blister and may so be fitting applied to the nape of the Neck to draw back Rhewm from the Eyes the Herb being bruised and mixed with a little Mustard draws a Blister as well and as perfectly as Cantharides and with far less danger to the Vessels of Urin which Cantharides Naturally delight to wrong I knew the Herb once applied to a Pestilential rising that was falling down and it saved life even beyond hope it were good keeping an Oyntment and Plaister of it if it were but for that Cuckowpint or VVake-Robin â Description THis shooteth forth three four or five Leavs at the most from one Root every one wherof is somwhat large and long broad at the bottom next the Stalk and forked but ending in a point without cut on the edges of a ful green colour each standing upon a thick round Stalk of a hands breadth long or more among which after two or three Months that they begin to wither riseth up a bare round whitish green Stalk spotted and straked with purple somwhat higher than the Leavs at the top wherof standeth a long hollow Hose or Husk close at the bottom but open from the middle upwards ending in a point in the middle wherof standeth a smal long Pestle or Clapper smaller at the bottom than at the top of a dark purple colour as the Husk is on the inside though green without which after it hath so abidden for some time the Husk with the Clapper decayeth and the foot or bottom therof groweth to be a smal long Bunch of Berries green at the first and of a yellowish red colour when they are ripe of the bigness of an Hazel Nut Kernel which abide theron almost until Winter The Root is round and somwhat long for the most part lying along the Leavs shooting forth at the bigger end which when it beareth his Berries is somwhat wrinkled and loos another being growing under it which is solid and firm with many smal threads hanging therat The whol Plant is of a very sharp biting tast pricking the Tongue as Nettles do the Hands and so abideth for a great while without alteration The Root hereof was anciently used instead of Starch to starch Linnen withal There is another sort of Cuckowpint with lesser Leavs than the former and somwhat harder having blackish spots upon them which for the most part abide longer green in Summer than the former and both Leavs and Roots are more sharp and fierce than it In al things els it is like the former Place These two sorts grow frequently almost under every Hedg side in many places of this Land Time They shoot forth Leavs in the Spring and continue but until the middle of Summer or somwhat later their Husks appearing before they fall away and their Fruit shewing in August Vertues and Vse Tragus reporteth that a dram weight or more if need be of the spotted Wake-Robin either fresh and green or dried being beaten and taken is a most present and sure Remedy for Poyson and the
you may see plainly without a pair of Spectakles that Forraign Physitians are not so selfish as ours are but more communicative of the Vertues of Plants to People â Darnel Description THis hath all the Winter long sundry long fat and rough Leavs which when the Stalk riseth which is slender and joynted are narrower but rough stil on the top groweth a long spike composed of many Heads set one above another containing two or three Husks with sharp but short Beards or awns at the ends the Seed is easily shaked out of the Ear the Husk it self being somwhat tough Place The Country Husbandmen do know this too well to grow among their Cornâ or in the Borders and Pathwaies of other Fields that are fallow Vertues and use As this is not without some Vices so hath it also many Vertues The Meal of Darnel is very good to stay Gangreans and other such like fretting and eating Cankers and putrid Sores It also clenseth the Skin of al Lepries Morphews Ringworms and the like if it be used with Salt and Rhadish Roots And being used with quick Brimstone and Vinegar it dissolveth Knots and Kernels and breaketh those that are hard to be dissolved being boyled in Wine with Pidgeons Dung and Linseed A Decoction therof made with Water and Honey and the place bathed therwith is profitable for the Sciatica Darnel Meal applied in a Pultis draweth forth Splinters and broken Bones in the Flesh The red Darnel boyled in red Wine and taken stayeth the âask and all other Fluxes and Womens bloody Issues and restraineth Urin that passeth away too snddenly â¿ Dill. Description THe common Dill groweth up with seldom more than one Stalk neither so high nor so great usually as Fennel being round and with fewer Joynts theron whose Leavs are sadder and somwhat long and so like Fennel that it deceiveth many but harder in handling and somwhat thicker and of a stronger unpleasanter set The tops of the Stalks have four Branches and smaller Umbels of yellow Flowers which turn into smal Seed somwhat flatter and thinner than Fennel Seed The Root is small and woody perishing every year after it hath born Seed and is also unprofitable being never put to any use Place It is most usually sown in Gardens and Grounds for the purpose is also found wild with us in some places Vertues and use The Dill being boyled and drunk is good to eas Swellings pains it also stayeth the Belly and Stomach from casting The Decoction there of helpeth Women that are troubled with the Pains and Windiness of the Mother if they sit therin It stayeth the Hiccough being boyled in Wine and but smelled unto being tied in a Cloth The Seed is of more use than the Leavs and more effectual to digest raw and viscuous humors and is used in Medicines that serve to expel Wind and the pains proceeding therfrom The Seed being toasted or fried and used in Oyls or Plaisters dissolveth the Imposthumes in the Fundament and drieth up all moist Ulcers especially in the secret parts The Oyl made of Dill is effectual to warm to resolve Humors and Imposthumes to eas pains and to procure rest The Decoction of Dill be it Herb or Seed only if you boyl the Seed you must bruis it in white Wine being drunk is a gallant expeller of Wind and provoker of the Terms â Devils-bit Description THis riseth up with a round green smooth Stalk about two soot high set with divers long and somwhat narrow smooth dark green Leavs somwhat snip'd about the edges for the most part being els al whol and not divided at al or but very seldom even to the tops of the Branches which yet are smaller than chose below with one Rib only in the middle At the end of each Branch standeth a round Head of many Flowers set together in the same manner or more nearly than the Scabious and of a more blewish purple colour which being past there followeth Seed that falleth away The Root is somwhat thick but short and blackish with may Strings abiding after Seed time many yeers This Root was longer untillthe Devil as the Fryars say hit away the rest of it for spight envying its usefulness unto Man-kind Foe sure he was not troubled with any Diseas for which it is proper There are two other sorts hereof in nothing unlike the former save that the one beareth White and the other Blush colour'd Flowers Place The first groweth as well in dry Meadows and Fields as moist in many places of this Land But the other two are more rare and hard to meet with yet they are both found growing wild about Appledore neer Rye in Kent Time They Flower not usually untill August Vertues and use The Herb or Root all that the Devil hath left of it being boyled in Wine and drunk is very powerful against the Plague and all Pestilential Diseases or Feavers Poysons also and the bitings of Venemous Beasts It also helpeth those that are inwardly bruised by any casualty ar outwardly by Falls or Blows dissolving the clotted Blood and the Herb or Root beaten and outwardly applied taketh away the black and blue Marks that remain in the Skin The Decoction of the Herb with Honey of Roses put therin is very effectual to help the inveterate tumors and Swellings of the Almonds and Throat by often gargling the Mouth therwith It helpeth also to procure Womens Courses and easeth all pains of the Mother and to break and discuss Winds therein and in the Bowels The Pouder of the Root taken in Drink driveth forth the Worms in the Body The Juyce or distilled Water of the Herb is effectual for green Wounds or old Sores and clenseth the Body inwardly and the Seed outwardly from Sores Scurff Itches Pimples Freekles Morphew or other deformities therof but especially if a little Vitriol be dissolved therin â Dock THese are so wel known many kinds of them that I shall not trouble you with a Description of them my Book grows big too fast Vertues and use All of them have a kind of cooling but not all alike drying quality the Sorrels being most cold and the Bloodworts most drying Of the Bur-Dock I have spoken already by himself The Seed of most of the other kinds whether of the Garden or Field do stay Lasks or Fluxes of all sorts the loathings of the Stomach through Choller and is helpful to those that spit Blood The Roots boyled in Vinegar helpeth the Itch Scabs and breakings out of the Skin if it be bathed therwith The Distilled Water of the Herb and Roots hath the same Vertue and clenseth the Skin of Freckles Morphews and all other Spots and Discolourings therin All Docks being boyled with Meat make it boyled the sooner Beside Bloodwort is exceeding strengthning to the Liver and procures good Blood being as wholsom a Pot Herb as any grows in a Garden yet such is the nicity of our times forsooth
troubled with the Wind in the Bodyâ It purgeth the Belly gently helpeth the hardness of the Spleen giveth eas to Women that have sore travall in Childbirth and easeth the pains of the Reins and Bladder and also of the Womb. A little of the Juyce dissolved in Wine and dropped into the Ears easeth much of the pains in them and put into an hollow Tooth easeth the pain therof The Root is less effectual in all the aforesaid Diseases yet the Pouder of the Root clenseth foul Ulcers being put into them and taketh out Splinters of broken Bones or other things in the Flesh and healeth them up perfectly as also it dryeth up old and inveterate running Sores and is of admirable Vertue in all green Wounds Figwort or Throatwort â Description THe common great Figwort sendeth forth divers great strong hard square brown Stalks three or four Foot high wherin grow large hard and dark green Leavs two at a Joynt which are larger and harder than Nettle Leavs but not stinging At the tops of the Stalks stand many purple Elowers set in Husks which are somwhat gaping and open somwhat like those of Water-Betony after which come hard round Heads with a small point in the middle wherin lie small brownish Seed The Root is great white and thick with many branches at it growing aslope under the upper crust of the Ground which abideth many yeers but keepeth not his green Leavs in Winter Place It groweth frequently in moist and shadowy Woods and in the lower parts of Fields and Meadows Time It Flowreth about July and the Seed will be ripe about a Month after the Flowers are fallen Vertues and use The Decoction us the Herb taken inwardly and the bruised Herb applied outwardly dissolveth clotted or congealed Blood within the Body coming by any Wound Bruis or Fall and is no less effectual for the Kings Evil or any other Knots Kernels Bunches or Wens growing in the Flesh whersoever and for the Hemorrhoids or Piles or other Knobs or Kernels which somtimes grow about the Fundament An Oyntment made hereof may be used at all times when the fresh Herb is not to be had The distilled Water of the whol Plant Roots and all is used for the same purposes and drieth up the superfluous virulent moisture of hollow and corroding Ulcers It taketh away all redness Spots and Freckles in the Face as also the Scurff or any foul Deformity therin and the Leprosie likewise Some Latin Authors call it Cervicria be caus 't is apropriated to the Neck and we Throatwort becaus 't is apropriated to the Throat Venus owns the Herb and the Coelestial Bull will not deny it therefore a better Remedy cannot be for the Kings Evil becaus the Moon that rules the Diseas is exalted there nor for any Diseas in the Neck the rest of the Diseases specified you may if you look see a very good reason for their cure by this Herb. Filipendula or Dropwort â Description THis sendeth forth many Leavs some bigger some lesser set on each side of a middle Rib and each of them dented about the edges somwhat resembling wild Tansie or rather Agrimony but harder in handling among which riseth up one or more Stalks two or three Foot high with like Leavs growing theron and somtimes also divided into other Branches spreading at the top into many white sweet smelling Flowers consisting of five Leavs apiece with some threds in the middle of them standing together in a tuft or Umbel each upon a smal Footstalk which after they have been open and blown a good while do fall away and in their places appear final round chaffy heads like Buttons wherein are the chaffy Seed set and placed The Root consists of many smal black tuberous pieces fastned together by many smal long blackish Strings which run from one to another Place It groweth in many places of this Land in the Corners of dry Fields and Meadows and their Hedg Sides Time They Flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Vse It is very effectual to open the passages of the Urine and help the Strangury and all other pains of the Bladder and Reins helping mightily to expel the Stone in the Kidnies or Bladder and the Gravel also and these are done by taking the Roots in Pouder or a Decoction of them in white Wine whereunto a little Honey is added The same also helpeth to expel the Afterbirth The Roots made into Pouder and mixed with Honey into the form of an Electuary doth much help them whose Stomachs are swollen dissolving and breaking the Wind which was the cause therof and is also very effectual for all diseases of the Lungs as shortness of breath wheesings hoarsness of the Throat and the Cough and to expectorate cold Flegm or any other parts thereabouts It is called Dropâort becaus it helps such as piss by drops The Yellow VVater-Flag OR Flower-de-luce Description THis groweth like the Flower-de-luces but it hath much longer and narrower sad green Leavs joyned together in that fashion the Stalk also groweth oftentimes as high bearing smal yellow Flowers shaped like the Flower-de-luce with three falling Leavs and other three arched that cover their Bottoms but instead of the three upright Leavs as the Flower-de-luce hath this hath only three short pieces standing in their places after which succeed thick and long three square Heads containing in each part somwhat big and Flat Seed like to those of the Flower-de-luces The Root is long and slender of a pale brownish colour on the outside and of a Hore flesh colour on the inner side with many hard fibres thereat and very harsh in tast Place It usually groweth in watery Ditches Ponds Lakes and More sides which are alwaies overflown with water Time It flowreth in July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use The Root of this Water-Flag is very astringent cooling and drying and therby helpeth all Lasks and Fluxes whether of Blood or Humors as bleeding at Mouth Nose or other parts bloody Fluxes and the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses The distilled water of the whol Herb Flowers and Roots is a Soveraign good Remedy for watering Eyes both to be dropped into them and to have Cloathes or Spunges werted therin and applied to the Forehead It also helpeth the Spots or Blemishes that happen in or about the Eyes or in any other parts The said water fomented on Swellings and hot Inflamations of Womens sore Breasts upon Cankers also and those spreading Ulcers called Noli me Tangere doth much good It helpeth also soul Ulcers in the privy parts of man or woman or elswhere An Oyntment made of the Flowers is better for these external applications Take notice that the Moon rules the Plant and then I have done Flaxweed or Toadflax Description OUr common Flaxweed hath divers Stalks full fraught with long and narrow blue or Ash-colour'd Leavs and from the middle of them almost
is not able to stand upright but bendeth down to the Ground devided at the top into two or three smal Branches with smal yellowish green Heads and Flowers of a whitish colour breaking out of them which being past there cometh smal yellow Seed like Poppy Seed The Root is somwhat long and black with many strings or fibres thereat Place It groweth naturally in many Pastures and Wood sides in Harfordshire wiltshire and Kent and other places of this Land Time It Flowreth in May and June and abideth after Seed time green al the Winter Vertues and Use. Ladies-Mantle is very proper for those Wounds that have Inflamations and is very effectual to stay Bleedings Vomitings Fluxes of al sorts in man or woman and Bruises by Fals or otherwise and helpeth Ruptures and such Women or Maids as have over great Flagging Breasts causing them to grow less and hard being both drunk and outwardly applied The distilled water drunk for twenty daies together helpeth Conception and to retain the Birth if the Woman do somtimes also sit in a Bath made of the Decoction of the Herb. It is one of the most singular Wound Herbs that is and therfore highly prized and praised by the Germans who use in al Wounds inward and outward to drink the Decoction thereof and wash the Wounds therewith or dip Tents therein and put them into the Wounds which wonderfully drieth up al humidity of the Sores and abateth Inflamations therein It quickly healeth al green Wounds not suffering any corruption to remain behind and cureth old Sores though Fistulous and hollow Venus claims the Herb as her own â¿ Lavender THis is so wel known being an Inhabitant in almost every Garden that it needeth no Description Time It flowreth about the end of June and beginning of July Vertues and Use. Lavender is of special good use for all the Griefs and pains of the Head and Brains that proceed of a cold caus as the Apoplexy Falling-sickness the drowsie or sluggish Malady Cramps Convulsions Palseys and often Faintings It strengtheneth the Stomach and freeth the Liver and Spleen from Obstructions provoketh Womens Courses and expelleth the dead Child and Afterbirth The Flowers of Lavender steeped in Wine helpeth them to make water that are stopped or are troubled with the Wind or Chollick if the places be bathed therewith A Decoction made with the Flowers of Lavender Horehound Fennel and Asparagus Roots and a little Cinnamon is very profitably used to help the Falling-sickness and the giddiness or turning of the Brain To gargle the Mouth with the Decoction thereof is good against the Toothach Two spoonfuls of the distilled Water of the Flowers taken helpeth them that have lost their voice as also the tremblings and passions of the Heart and faintings and swounings not only being drunk but applied to the Temples or Nostrils to be smelt unto but it is not safe to use it where the Body repleat with Blood and Humors becaus of the hot and subtil spirits wherewith it is possessed The Chimical Oyl drawn from Lavender usually called Oyl of Spike is of so fierce and piercing Spirits that it is cautiously to be used some few drops being sufficient to be given with other things either for inward or outward Griefs Mercury owns the Herb and it carries his effects very potently Lavender Cotten hath the same Vertues with Southernwood which shal be shewed you when I come to speak of it â½ â Lettice THis is so wel known being generally used as a Sallet Herb that it is altogether needless to write any Description thereof Vertues and Use. The Juyce of Lettice mixed or boyled with Oyl of Roses and applied to the Forehead and Temples procureth Sleep and easeth the Headach proceeding of an hot caus being eaten boyled it helpeth to loosen the Belly It helpeth digestion quencheth thirst encreaseth Milk in Nurses easeth griping pains of the Stomach or Bowels that come of Choller It abateth Bodily lust represseth Venereous Dreams being outwardly applied to the Cods with a little Camphire Applied in the same manner to the Region of the Heart Liver or Reins or by bathing the said place with the Juyce or distilled Water wherein some white Sanders and red Roses are put also it not only represseth the heat and Inflamation therein but comforts and strengthens those parts and also tempereth the heat of Urine Galen adviseth old men to use it with Spices and where Spices are wanting to ad Mints Rocket and such like hot Herbs or els Citron Lemmon or Orange Seeds to abate the cold of one and heat of the other The Seed and distilled Water of the Lettice work the like effects in al things but the use of Lettice is chiefly forbidden to those that are short winded or have any imperfection in their Lungs or spit Blood The Moon owns them and that 's the reason they cool and moisten what heat and driness Mars causeth because Mars hath his fall in Cancer and they cool the Heart becaus the Sun rules it between whom and the Moon is a Reccption in the Generation of Man as you may soe in my Guide for women The VVater-Lilly â½ Description OF these there are two principally noted kinds Viz. Thewhite and the Yellow The white Lilly hath very large round and thick dark green Leavs lying on the Water sustained by long and thick Footstalks that rise from a great thick round and long tuberous black Root spungy or loos with many Knobs thereon like Eyes and whitish within from amidst the which rise other the like thick and great Stalks sustaining one large white Flower thereon green on the outside but as white as Snow within consisting of divers rows of long and somwhat thick and narrow Leavs smaller and thinner the more inward they be encompassing a head within w th many yellow threds or thrums in the middle where after they are past stand round Poppylike Heads ful of broad Oyly and bitter Seed The yellow kind is little different from the former save only it hath fewer Leavs on the Flowers greater and more shining Seed and a whitish Root both within and without The Roots of both being somwhat sweet in tast Place They are sound growing in great Pools and standing Waters and somtimes in slow running Rivers and lesser Ditches of Water in sundry places of this Land Time They Flower most commonly about the end of May and their Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use The Leavs and Flowers of the Water-Lillies are cold and moist but the Root and Seed is cold and dry The Leavs do cool al Inflamations and both outward and inward heats of Agues and so doth the Flowers also either by the Syrup or Conserve The Syrup helpeth much to procure rest and to settle the Brains of Frantick persons by cooling the hot distemperature of the Head The Seed as wel as the Root is effectual to stay Fluxes of Blood or Humors either of Wounds
likewise to grow by Springs Wels and rockie moist and shadowy places and is alwaies green Wall-Rue Or ordinary White Maidenhair Description THis hath very fine pale green Stalks almost as fine as hairs set confusedly with divers pale green Leavs on very short Foot-stalks somwhat neer unto the colour of Garden Rue and not much differing in form but more diversly cut in on the edges and thicker smooth on the upper part and spotted finely underneath Place It groweth in many places of this Land as at Dartford and the Bridg at Ashford in Kent at Beconsfield in Buckinghamshire at Wolley in Huntingtonshire on Frammingham Castle in Suffolk on the Church wals at Mayfield in Sussex in Summerset Shire and divers other places of this Land and is green in Winter as well as in Summer Vertues and use The Vertues of both these are so neer alike that although I have described them and their places of growing severally yet I shall in writing the Vertues of them joyn them both together as followeth The Decoction of the Herb Maidenhair being drunk helpeth those that are troubled with the Cough shortness of breath the yellow Jaundice diseases of the Spleen stopping of Urin and helpeth exceedingly to break the Stone in the Kidneys in all which Diseases the Wall Rue is also very effectual It provoketh Womens Courses and staieth both Bleedings and Fluxes of the Stomach and Belly especially when the Herb is dry for being green it loosneth the Belly and avoideth Choller and Flegm from the Stomach and Liver it clenseth the Lungs and by rectifying the Blood causeth a good colour to the whol Body The Herb boyled in Oyl of Chamomel dissolveth Knots allayeth Swellings and drieth up moist Ulcers The Ly made there of is singular good to clens the head from Scurf and from dry and running Sores stayeth the falling or shedding of the Hair and causeth it to grow thick fair and wel coloured for which purpose some boyl it in Wine putting some Smallage Seed thereto and afterwards some Oyl The Wall Rue is as effectual as Maidenhair in all Diseases of the Head and falling or the recovering of Hair again and generally for all the aforementioned Diseases and besides The Pouder of it taken in drink for fourty daies together helpteh the burstings in Children Golden Maidenhair Description TO the two former give me leave to ad this and I shall do no more but only describe it unto you and for the Vertues refer you unto the former sith whatsoever is said of them may be also said of this It hath many small brownish red hayres to make up the form of Leavs growing about the ground from the Root and in the middle of them in Summer rise smal Stalks of the same colour set with very fine yellowish green hairs on them and bearing a smal gold yellow head lesser than a Wheat Corn standing in a great Husk The Root is very smal and threddy Place It groweth on Bogs and Moorish places and also on dry shadow places at Hampstead Heath and elswhere Mallows and Marsh-Mallows THe Common Mallowes are generally so well known that they need no Description Our common Marsh-mallows have diverâ soft hoary white stalkes rising to be three or four foot high spreading forth many Branches the Leavs wherof are soft and hairy somwhat lesser then the other Mallow Leaves but longer pointed cut for the most part into some few deivisions but deep The Flowers are many but smaller also then the other Mallows white or tending to a blush colour After which come such like round cases and Seed as in the other Mallows The Roots are many and long shooting from one Head of the bigness of a Thumb or Finger very pliant tough and bending like Liquoris of a whitish yellow colour on the outside and more white within full of a slimy juyce which being layd in water will thicken it as if it were gelly Place The Common Mallows grow in every countrey of this Land The Common Marsh Mallowes in most of the Salt Mashes from Woolwich downe to the Sea both on the Kentish and Essex Shoares and in diverse other places of this Land Time They Flower all the Summer Months even until the Winter do pull them down Vertues and Use. The Leavs of either of the sorts above named and the Roots also boyled in Wine or Water or in Broth with Parsley or âennel Roots doth help to open the Body and is very convenient in hot Agues or other distempers of the Body to apply the Leavs so boyled warm to the Belly It not only voideth hot Chollerick and other offensive Humors but easeth the pains and torments of the Belly coming thereby and are therefore used in all Clysters conducing to those purposes The same used by Nurses procureth them store of Milk The Decoction of the Seed of any of the common Mallows made in Milk or Wine doth Merveilously help excoriations the Phtisick Plurisie and other Diseases of the Chest and Lungues that proceed of hot causes if it be continued taking for some time together The Leavs and Roots work the same effects They help much also in the excoriations of the Guts and Bowels and hardness of the Mother and in all hot and sharp diseases thereof The Juyce drunk in Wine or the Decoction of them therein doth help Women to a speedy and easie Delivery Pliny saith That whosoever shal that take a spoonful of any of the Mallows shal that day be free from all Diseases that may come unto him and that it is special good for the Falling-sickness The Syrup also and Conserve made of the Flowers are very effectual for the the same Diseases and to open the Body being costive The Leavs bruised and laid to the Eyes with a little Honey taketh away the Impostumations of them The Leavs bruised or rubbed upon any place stung with Bees Wasps or the like presently taketh away the pains redness and Swellings that rise thereupon and Dioscorides saith The Decoction of the Leavs and Roots helpeth all sorts of Poyson so as the Poyson be presently voided by Vomit A Pultis made of the Leavs boyled and bruised whereunto some Bean or Batley Flower and Oyl of Roses is an especial Remedy against all hard Tumors and Inflamations of Impostums and Swellings of the Cods and other parts and easeth the pains of them as also against the hardness of the Liver or Spleen being applied to the places The Juyce of the Mallows boyled in old Oyl and applied taketh away al roughness of the Skin as also the Scurf Dandrif or dry Scabs in the Head or other parts if they be anointed therewith or washed with the Decoction and preserveth the Hair from falling off It is also effectual against Scaldings and Burnings St. Anthonies fire and all other hot red and painful Swellings in any part of the Body The Flowers boyled in Oyl or Water as every one is disposed
the Dropsie and Stone in the Kidneys in this manner Take of the Seeds of Parsley Fennel Annis and Caraways of each an ounce of the Roots of Parsley Burnet Saxifrage and Carawaies of each one ounce and an half let the Seeds be bruised and the Roots washed and cut smal Let them lie all night in sleep in a pottle of white Wine and in the morning be boyled in a close earthen Vessel until a third part or more be wasted which being strained and cleared take four ounces thereof morning and evening first and last abstaining from drink after it for three hours This openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and expelleth the Dropsie and Jaundice by Urine Parsnip THe Garden kind hereof is so well known the Root being commonly eaten that I shal not trouble you w th any Description of it But the wild kind being of more Physical use I shall in this place describe unto you Discription The wild Parsnip differeth little from the Garden kind but groweth not so fair and large nor hath so many Leavs and the Root is shorter more woody and not so fit to be eaten and therefore the more Medicinable Place The name of the first sheweth the place of its growth Viz. In Gardens The other groweth wild in divers places as in the Marshes by Rochester and elswhere and flowreth in July the Seed being ripe about the beginning of August the second yeer after the sowing for if they do flower the first yeer the Country people call them Madneps Vertues and use The Garden Parsnep nourisheth much and is good and wholsom Nourishment but a little windy whereby it is thought to procure bodily lust but it fatneth the Body much if much used It is conducible to the Stomach and Reins and provoketh Urine But the wild Parsnep hath a cutting attenuating clensing and opening quality therein It resisteth and helpeth the bitings of Serpents easeth pains and Stitches in the sides and dissolveth wind both in the Stomach and Bowels which is the Chollick and provoketh Urine The Root is often used but the Seed much more The wild being better than the tame shews Dame Nature is the best Physitian Cow-Parsnep Description THis groweth with three or four large spread winged rough Leavs lying often on the Ground or else raised a little from it with long round hairy footstalks under them parted usually into five devisions the two couples standing each against other and one at the end and each Leaf being almost round yet somwhat deeply cut in on the edges in some Leavs and not so deep in others of a whitish green colour smelling somwhat strongly among which ariseth up a round crested hairy Stalk two or three foot high with a few Joynts and Leavs thereon and branched at the top where stand large Umbels of white and somtimes reddish Flowers and after them flat whitish thin winged Seed two alwaies joyned together The Root is long and white with two or three long strings growing down into the ground smelling likewise strongly and unpleasant Place It groweth in moist Meadows and the borders and corners of Fields and neet Ditches generally through this Land Time It Flowreth in July and Seedeth in August Vertues and Use. The Seed hereof as Galen saith is of a sharp and cutting quality and is therefore a fit Medicine for the Cough and shortness of Breath the Falling-sickness and the Jaundice The Root is available to all the purposes aforesaid and is also of great use to take away the hard skin that groweth on a Fistula if it be but scraped upon it The Seed hereof being drunk clenseth the belly from tough Flegmatick matter therein easeth them that are Liver-grown and Womens passions of the Mother as well being drunk as the smoke thereof received underneath and likewise raiseth such as are fallen into a deep sleep or have the Lethargy by burning it under their Nose The Seed and Root boyled in Oyl and the Head rubbed therewith helpeth not only those that are fallen into a Frenzy but also the Lethargy or Drowsie evil and those that have been long troubled with the Headach if it be likewise used with Rue It helpeth also the running Scab and the Shingles The Juyce of the Flowers dropped into the Ears that run and are ful of matter it clenseth and healeth them The Peach-tree Description THe Peach-tree groweth not so great as the Apricock-tree yet spreadeth Branches reasonable well from whence spring smaller reddish twigs whereon are set long and narrow green Leavs dented about the edges The Blosloms are greater than the Plum and of a light Purple colour The Fruit round and somtimes as big as a reasonable Pippin others are smaller as also differing in colours and tasts as russer red or yellow waterish or firm with a frieze or Cotton all over with a cleft therein like an Apricock and a rugged surrowed great Stone within it and a bitter Kernel within the Stone It sooner waxeth old and decayeth than the Apricock by much Place They are nursed up in Gardens and Orchards through this Land Time They Flower in the Spring and Fructifie in Autumn Vertues and use The Leavs of Peaches bruised and laid on the Belly killeth Worms and so they do also being boyled in Ale and drunk and open the Belly likewise and being dried is a safe Medicine to discuss Humors The Pouder of them strewed upon fresh bleeding Wounds stayeth their bleeding and closeth them up The Flowers steeped all night in a little Wine standing warm strained forth in the morning and drunk fasting doth gently open the Belly and move it downwards A Syrup made of them as the Syrup of Roses is made worketh more forcibly than that of Roses for it provoketh Vomiting and spendeth waterish and Hydropick Humors by the continuance thereof The Flowers made into a Conserve worketh the same effect The Liquor that droppeth from the Tree being wounded is given in the Decoction of Coltsfoot to those that are troubled with the Cough or shortness of breath by adding thereto some sweet Wine and putting some Saffron also therein it is good for those that are hoarce or have lost their voice helpeth all defects of the Lungs and those that vomit or spit blood Two drams thereof given in the Juyce of Lemmons or of Radish is good for those that are troubled with the Stone The Kernels of the Stones do wonderfully eas the pains and wringings of the Belly through wind or sharp Humors and help to make an excellent Medicine for the Stone upon all occasions on this manner Take fifty Kernels of Peach Stones and one hundred of the Kernels of Cherry Stones a handful of Eldor Flowers fresh or dried and three pints of Muscadine set them in a closed pot into a bed of Horse dung for ten daies which after distill in Glass with a gentle fire and keep it for your use you may drink upon occasion three or four ounces at a time The
Stomach and in hot Bodies cause Choller to abound and the Headach and are an enemy to those that have the Cough But are less hurtful to those that have colder Stomachs and are said to kill the broad Worms in the Belly or Stomach If they be taken with Onions Salt and Honey they help the biting of a Mad Dog or the Venom or infectious poyson of any Beast c. Oneus Pompeius found in the Treasury of Methridates King of Pontus when he was overthrown a Scrowl of his own Hand-writing containing a Medicine against any Poyson and Infection which is this Take two dry Walnuts and as many good Figgs and twenty Leaves of Rue bruised and beaten together with two or three Corns of Salt and twenty Juniper Berries which taken every morning fasting preserveth from danger of Poyson or Infection that day it is taken The Juyce of the outer green Husks boyled up with Honey is an excellent gargle for sore Mouths the Heat and Inflamations in the Throat and Stomach The Kernels when they grow old are more Oyly and therfore not so fit to be eaten but are then used to heal the Wounds of the Sinews Gangrenes and Carbuncles The said Kernels being burned are then very astringent and will then stay Lasks and Womens Courses being taken in red Wine and stay the falling of the Hair and make it fair being anointed with Oyl and Wine The green Husks will do the like being used in the same manner The Kernels beaten with Rue and Wine being applied helpeth the Quinsie and bruised with some Honey and applied to the Ears easeth the pains and Inflamations of them A piece of the green Husk put unto a hollow Tooth easeth the pains The Catkins hereof taken before they fall off dried and given a dram thereof in Pouder with white Wine wonderfully helpeth those that are troubled with the rising of the Mother The Oyl that is pressed out of the Kernels is very profitably taken inward like Oyl of Almonds to help the Chollick and to expel wind very effectually an ounce or two thereof may be taken at a time The yong green Nuts taken before they be half ripe and preserved with Sugar are of good use for those that have weak Stomachs or Defluxions thereon The distilled water of the green Husk before they be half ripe is of excellent use to cool the heat of Agues being drunk an ounce or two at a time as also to resist the Infection of the Plague if some thereof be also applied to the Sores thereof The same also cooleth the heat of green Wounds and old Ulcers and healeth them being bathed therewith The distilled Water of the green Husks being ripe when they are shelled from the Nuts being drunk with a little Vinegar is also found by experience to be good for those that are infected with the Plague so as before the taking therof a Vein be opened The said Water is very good against the Quinsin being gargled and bathed therewith and wonderfully helpeth Deafness the Noise and other pains in the Ears The Distilled water of the yong green Leaves in the end of May performeth a singular cure on foul running Ulcers and Sores to be bathed with wet Cloathes or Spunges applied to them evening and morning VVold VVeld or Dyers VVeed Description THe common kind groweth bushing with many Leaves long narrow and flat upon the ground of a dark blewish green colour somwhat like unto Woad but nothing so large a little crumpled and as it were round pointed which do so abide the first yeer And the next Spring from among them rise diverse round Stalks two or three foot high beset with many such like Leaves thereon but smaller and shooting forth some smal Branches which with the Stalks carry many smal yellow Flowers in a long spiked Head at the tops of them where afterwards come the Seed which is small and black inclosed in Heads that are devided at the tops into four parts The Root is long white and thick abiding the Winter The whol Herb changeth to be yellow after it hath been in Flower a while Place It groweth every where by the way sides in moist grounds as well as dry in Corners of Fields and by Lanes and somtimes all over the Field in Sussex and Kent they call it Greenweed Time It is in Flower about June Vertues and Use. Mathiâlus saith That the Root hereof cutteth tough Flegm digesteth raw Flegm thinneth gross Humors dissolveth hard Tumors and openeth Obstructions Some do highly commend it against the bitings of Venemous Creatures to be taken inwardly and applyed outwardly to the hurt place as also for the Plague or Pestilence The People in some Countries of this Land do use to bruise the Herb and lay it to Cuts or Wounds in the Hands or Legs to heal them Wheat THe several kinds hereof are so well known unto almost all people that it is altogether needless to write any Description thereof Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith That to eat the Corns of green Wheat is hurtful to the Stomach and breedeth Worms Pliny saith That the Corns of Wheat toasted upon an Iron Pan and eaten is a pleasant Remedy for those that are chilled with cold The Oyl pressed from Wheat between two thick Plates of Iron or Copper heated healeth all Tetters and Ring-worms being used warm and hereby Galen saith he hath known many to be cured Mathiolus commendeth the same Oyl to be put into hollow Ulcers to heal them up and it is also good for Chops in the Hands or Feet and to make a rugged Skin smooth The green Corns of Wheat being chewed and applied to the place bitten by a mad Dog healeth it Slices of Wheat Bread soaked in Red Rose-water and applied to the Eyes that are hot red and inflamed or blood-shotten helpeth them Hot Bread applyed for an hour at a time three daies together perfectly healeth the Kernels in the Throat commonly called the Kings Evil. The Flower of Wheat mixed with the Juyce of Henbane stayeth the Flux of Hurhors to the Joynts being laid theron The said Meal boyled in Vinegar helpeth the shrinking of the Sinews saith Pliny and mixed with Vinegar and Honey boyled together healeth all Freckles Spots and Pimples on the Face Wheat Flower mixed with the Yolk of an Eg Honey and Turpentine doth draw clense and heal and Boyl Plague Sore or foul Ulcer The Bran of Wheat Meal steeped in sharp Vinegar and then bound in a Linnen Cloth and rubbed on those places that have the Scurf Morphew Scabs or Leprosie wil take them away the Body being first well purged and prepared The Decoction of the Bran of Wheat or Barley is of good use to bath those places that are Bursten by a Rupture and the said Bran boyled in good Vinegar and appled to swollen Breasts helpeth them and stayeth all Inflamations it helpeth also the bitings of Vipers which I
Plant and withal That Heat was the Mother of action and then judg if old Dr. Tradition who may well be honor'd for his Age but not for his Goodness have not so poysoned the World with his Errors before I was born that it was never well in its wits since and there is great fear it will die mad Wormwood Description THree Wormwoods are familiar with us One I shall not descsrabe another I shall describe and the Third be Critical at And I care not greatly if I begin with the last first Sea Wormwood hath gotten as many Names as Vertues and perhaps one more Scriphion Santonicon Belgicum Narbonense Xantomicum Misnense and a matter of twenry more which I will not blot Paper withal A Papist got the Toy by the end and he called it Holy Wormwood and in truth I am of Opinion Their giving so much holiness to Herbs is the Reason there remains so little in themselves The Seed of this Wormwood is that which usually Women give their Children for the Worms Of all Wormwoods that grow here this is the weakest I but Doctors commend it and Apothecaries sell it the one must keep his Credit and the other get Money and that 's the key of the work The Herb is good for somthing because God made nothing in vain Will you give me leave to weigh things in the Ballance of Reason Then thus The Seeds of the common Wormwood are far more prevalent than the Seed of this to expell Worms in Children or People of ripe age Of both some are weak some are strong The Seriphian Wormseed is the weakest happily may prove to be fittest for weakest Bodies for it is weak enough in all conscience Let such as are strong take the common Wormseed for the other will do but little good Again neer the Sea many people live and Seriphium grows neer them and therfore is more fitting for their Bodies because nourished by the same Air and this I had from Dr. Reason In whose Body Dr. Reason dwels not dwels Dr. Madness and he brings in his Brethren Dr. Ignorance Dr. Folly and Dr. Sickness and these together make way for Dr. Death and the latter end of that man is worse than the beginning Pride was the cause of Adam's Fall Pride begate a Daughter I do not know the Father of it unless the Divil but she christned it and call'd it Appetite and sent her Daughter to tast these Wormwoods who finding this the least bitter made the sqeamish Wench extol it to the Skies though the Vertues of it never reached to the middle Region of the Air. It s due praise is this It is weakest therefore fitter for weak Bodies and fitter for those Bodies that dwell neer it than those that live far from it my reason is The Sea as those that live far from it know when they comt neer it casteth not such a smel as the Land doth The tender Mercies of God being over all his Works hath by his eternal Providence planted Seriphium by the Sea side as a fit Medicine for the Bodies of those that live neer it Lastly It is known to all that know any thing in the Course of Nature That the Liver delights in sweet things if so it abhors bitter then if your Liver be weak it is none of the wisest courses to plague it with an Enemy if the Liver be weak a Consumption follows Would you know the Reason 't is this A mans Flesh is repaired by Blood by a third concoction which transmutes Blood into Flesh 't is well I said Conction for if I had said Boyling every Cook would have understood me The Liver makes Blood and if it be weakned that it makes not enough the Flesh wasteth and why must Flesh alwaies be renewed Because the eternal God when he made the Creation made one part of it in continual dependency upon another And why did he so Because Himself is only Permanent to teach us That we should not fix our affections upon what is transitory but upon what endures for ever The result of all is this If the Liver be weak and cannot make Blood enonough I would have said Sanguifie if I had written only to Schollers The Seriphian which is the weakest of Wormwoods is better than the best I have been Critical enonough if not too much Place It grows familiarly in England by the Sea side Description It starts up out of the earth with many round woody hoary Stalks from one Root its height is four foot high or three at the least The Leaves in Longitude are long in Latitude narrow in Colour white in Form hoary in Similitude like Southernwood only broader and longer in Tast rather salt than bitter because it grows so neer the Salt Water At the joynts with the Leaves toward the tops it bear little yellow Flowers The Root lies deep and is woody Common Wormwood I shall not describe for every Boy that can eat an Eg knows it Romane Wormwood And why Romane seeing it grows familiarly in England It may be it was so called because 't is special good for a stinking Brcarh which the Romans cannot be very free from maintaining so many Baudy Houses by Authority of his Holiness Description The Stalks are slenderer and shorter than the common Wormwood by one foot at least the Leaves are more finely cut and devided than they are but somthing smaller both Leaves and Stalks are hoary the Flowers of a pale yellow colour it is altogether like the common Wormwood save only in bigness âor 't is smaller in tast for 't is not so bitter in smell for it is spicy Place It groweth upon the tops of the Mountains it seems 't is aspiring there 't is Natural but usually nursed up in Gardens for the use of the Apothecaries in London Time All Wormwoods usually Flower in August a little sooner or later Vertues and Use. Will you give me leave to be Critical a little I must take leave Wormnwood is an Herb of Mars and if Pontanus say otherwise he is beside the Bridg. I prove it thus What delights in Martial places is a Martial Herb But Wormwood delights in Martial places for about Forges and Iron Works you may gather a Cart load of it Ergo it is a Martial Herb. It is hot and dry in the first degree Viz Just as hot as your Blood and no hotter It remedies the evils Choller can inflict on the Body of man by Sympathy It helps the evils Venus and her wanton Girls produce by Antipathy and it doth somthing else besides It clenseth the Body of Choller and who dares say Mars doth no good It provokes Urine helps Surfets Swellings in the Belly it causeth an Appetite to meat because Mars rules the Attractive faculty in Man The Sun never shone upon a better Herb for the yellow Jaundice than this is Why should men cry out so much upon Mars for an Infortue or Saturn either Did God make Creatures to
In Effigiem Nicholai Culpeper Equitis The shaddow of that Body heer you find Which serves but as a case to hold his mind His Intellectuall part be pleas'd to looke In lively lines described in the Booke Crofs sculpsit THE English Physitian OR An Astrologo-Physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs of this Nation Being a Compleat Method of Physick whereby a man may preserve his Body in Health or cure himself being sick for three pence charge with such things only as grow in England they being most fit for English Bodies Herein is also shewed 1. The way of making Plaisters Oyntments Oyls Pultisses Syrups Decoctions Julips or Waters of all sorts of Physical Herbs That you may have them readie for your use at all times of the yeer 2. What Planet governeth every Herb or Tree used in Physick that groweth in England 3. The Time of gathering all Herbs both Vulgarly and Astrologically 4. The Way of drying and keeping the Herbs all the yeer 5. The Way of keeping their Juyces ready for use at all times 6. The Way of making and keeping all kind of useful Compounds made of Herbs 7. The way of mixing Medicines according to Cause and and Mixture of the Disease and Part of the Body Afflicted By Nich. Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrologie LONDON Printed by Peter Cole at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil near the Royal Exchange 1652. TO THE READDR Courteous Reader ARISTOTLE in his Metaphysicks writing of the Nature of Man hit the Nail on the Head when he said That Man is naturally enclined to and desirous of Knowledg and indeed it is palpable and apparent that as Pride is the first visible sin in a child whereby we may gather that it was the first sin of Adam so Knowledg being the first Vertue a Child minds as is apparent to them that do but with the eye of Reason heed their actions even whilst they are very yong even before they are a yeer old even by natural instinct whereby a man may more than guess that Knowledg was the greatest loss or at least one of the greatest we lost by the fall of Adam Knowledg saith Aristotle is in Prosperity an Ornament in Adversity a Refuge and truly there is almost no greater enemy to Knowledg in the world than Pride and Covetousness Excellently said Juvenal Sat. 7. Scire volunt omnes mercedem solvere nemo Alhtough all men in Knowledg take delight Yet they love money better that 's the spight And again some men are so damnable proud and envious withal that they would have no body know any thing but themselves the one I hope will shortly learn better manners and the other be a burden too heavy for the Earth long to bear The Subject which I here fixed my thoughts upon is not only the Description and Nature of Herbs which had it been all I had authority sufficient to bear me out in it for Solomon employed part of that wisdom he asked and received of God in searching after them which he wrote in Books even of all Herbs Plants and Trees some say those Writings were carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar being kept in the Temple at Jerusalem for the publick view of the People but being transported to Babylon in the Captivity Alexander the GREAT TYRANT at the taking of Babylon gave them to his Master Aristotle who committed them to the mercy of the fire But since the daies of Solomon many have those famous men been that have written of this Subject and great Encouragements have been given them by Princes of which I shall quote an example or two Mathiolus his greediness was such to finish his Comment upon Dioscorides which Book is yet in use in the famous Universities in Leyden in Holland Mountpilier in France that he forgot to count what the charges of it might amount to although I rather coÌmend him for his dilligence in Studie and Care of the Worlds good than harbor the leastill thought of him for not counting the middle and both ends before he began the Work I say when he came to count the charges of Printing and cutting the Cuts it far surmounted his Estate in this he was abundantly furnished by Ferdinand the Emperor and diverse other Princes of Germany as himself confessed furnished him with great sums of money for perfecting that so great so good a Work the Prince Elector of Saxonysent him much money towards his charge as also Joachim Marquess of Brandenburg who as he was neighbor to Saxony in Place so was he in Affection to so good a Work Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhine the Cardinal Prince of Trent the Arch Bishop of Saltzberg the Dukes of Bavaria and Cleveland and the Free State of Norimberg together with many others so that he had the help of the Emperor of Arch Dukes Dukes Electors Cardinals Princes Happie is that Nation whose Magistrates countenance such as mind and study their Good I might instance in many more and thereby give you a glimps how Magistrates formerly favored this Art and which is more how studious they were in it Bellonius a man that soared high in the Nature of Herbs also professed he had the helping hand of Kings and Cardinals to maintain him in his Studies and more than this Kings themselves were Studious in it amongst which Solomon excepted Mithridates that renowned King of Pontus seems to bear away the Bell his Writings after his death were found in his Country Mannor by Pompey the great but never a Roman of them all had the honesty to print them with his name in the Frontispiece so that we have nothing of them but what is quoted by some honest Authors especially by Plutarch Ad nos vix tenuis fame dilabitur aura Men mind our good but such cross times do fall We only hear they did and that is all Mesue King of Damascus Avicenna and Evax King of Arabia labored much in this Study and I could well have afforded â have mentioned Dioclesian the Roman Emperor had he not washed out his Vertues and defiled them with a Purple stain in a most bloody persecution of Christians It is quoted in Virgil that when a famous Prince was proffered by Apollo to be taught his Arts viz. Physick Musick Augury and the Art of shooting in the Bow he made choice of Physick and to know the Nature of Herbs Ipse suas artes sua munera laetus Appollo Augurium Citheramque dedit celeresque sagittas Ille ut depositi preferret fata Parentis Scire potestates Herbarum usumque Medendi Maluit mutas agitare inglorias Artes. His Arts to him when great Appollo gave He did nor Augury nor Arrows crave Nor the Melodious Lute but to prevent His Fathers death who now with age was spent To be an Herbarist and Medicine To learn he rather did his thoughts incline So precious hath the knowledg of the Vertues of Herbs been in former times to men of quality and indeed happy is
excuse And a Poet could teach them a better Lesson Excideret ne tibi divini muner is author Presentem monstrat quaelibet Herba Deum Because out of thy thoughts God should not pass His Image stamped is on every Grass This indeed is true God hath stamped his Image upon every Creature and therefore the abuse of the Creature is a great sin but how much more doth the Wisdom and Excellencie of God appear if we consider the Harmony of the Creation in the Vertue and Operation of every Herb this is the first Secondly Hereby thou maist know what infinite Knowledg Adam had in his Innocencie that by looking upon a Creature he was able to give it a name according to his Nature and by knowing that thou maist know how great thy fall was and be humbled for it eveâ in this respect because hereby thou art so ignorant Thirdly Here is the right way for thee to begin the study of Physick if thou art minded to begin at the right end for here thou hast the Reason of the whol Art I wrote before in certain Astrological Lectures which I read and printed intituled Semeiotica Vranica what Planet caused as a second Cause every Disease and how it might be found out what Planet caused it here thou hast what Planet cures it by Sympathy and Antipathy and this brings me to my last promise Viz. Instructions for the right use of the Book And herein let me premise a word or two Many Herbs Plants c are not in the Pook apropriated to their propper Planets the Reason was want of time or some other thing else which many that know me will easily guess at at last the Book hanging longer in the Press than I imagined it would I took the time and pains though I could ill have spared either to apropriate them all and have for thy benefit Courteous Reader inserted them in order after the Epistle now then for thy Instruction First Consider what Planet causeth the Disease that thou maist find in my Semeiotica Secondly Consider what part of the Body is afflicted by the Diseas and whether it lie in the Flesh or Blood or Bones or Ventricles Thirdly Consider by what Planet the afflicted part of the Bodie is governed that my Semeiotica will inform you in also Fourthly You have in this Book the Herbs for Cure a propriated to the several Diseases and the Diseases for your ease set down in the Margin whereby you may strengthen the part of the Bodie by its like as the ârain by Herbs of Mercury the Breast and Liver by Herbs of Jupiter the Heart and Vitals by Herbs of the Sun c. Fifthly You may oppose Diseases by Herbs of the Planet opposite to the Planet that causeth them as Diseases of Jupiter by Herbs of Mercury and the contrary Diseases of the Lumânaries by Herbs of Saturn and the contrary Diseases of Mars by Herbs of Venus and the contrary Sixthly There is a way to cure Diseases somtimes by Sympathy and so every Planet cures his own Diseases as the Sun and Moon by their Herbs cure the Eyes Saturn the Spleen Jupiter the Liver Mars the Gall and Diseases of Choller and Venus Diseases in the Instruments of Generation Seventhly There was smal Treatise of mine of Humane Vertues printed at the latter end of my Ephemeris for the yeer 1651. I suppose it would do much good to yong Students to peruse that with this Book Eighthly Yong Students would do themselves much good and benefit themselâes exceedingly in the Study of Physick if they would tak the pains to view the Vertues of the Herbs c. in the Book and compare them to these Rules they shall to their exceeding great content find them all agreeable to them and shall thereby see the reason why such an Herb conduceth to the Cure of such a Disease Ninthly I gave you the Key of al in the Herb Wormwood which if because of the volubility of the Language any think it will not fit the Lock I will here give it you again in another Herb of the same Planet which in the Book either through my own forgetfulness or my Amanuensis was omitted and here I shal give it you plainly without any circumstances The Herb is Carduus Benedictus It is called Carduus Benedictus or blessed Thistle or holy Thistle I suppose the name was put uppon it by some that had little Holinessin themselves It is an Herb of Mars and under the Sign Aries now in handling this Herb I shall give you a rational Pattern of all the rest and if you please to view them throughout the Book you shall to your content find it true It helps Swimmings and giiddiness of the Head or the Disease called Vertigo because Ariesis the House of Mars It is an excellent Remedy against the yellow Jaundice and other Infirmities of the Gall because Marsgoverns Choller It strengthens the attractive faculty in man and clarifies the Blood because the one is ruled by Mars The continual drinking the Decoction of it helps red Faces Tetters and Ring-worms because Marscauseth them It helps Plague-sores Boils and Itch the Bitings of mad Dogs and venemous Beasts all which infirmities are under Mars Thus you see what it doth by Sympathy By Antypathy to other Planets It cures the French Pox by Antypathy to Venuswho governs it It strengthens the Memory and cures Deafness by Antipathy to Saturnwho hath his Fall in Aries which Rules the Head It cures Quartan Agues and other Diseases of Melancholly and adust Choller by sympathy to Marsbeing exalted in Capricorn Also it provokes Vrine the stopping of which is usually caused by Marsor the Moon If you please to make use of these Rules you shall find them true throughout the Book and by heeding them you may be able to give a Reason of your Judgment to him that asketh you I assure you it gave much content to me and for your goods did I pen it but I must conclude my Epistle having exceeded its Bounds alreadie hereby you see what Reason may be given for Medicines and what necessity there is for every Physitian to be an Astrologer you have heard it before I suppose but now you know it what remains but that you labor to glorifie God in your several places and do good to your selves first by encreasing your Knowledg and to your Neighbors afterwards by helping their Infirmities some such I hope this Nation is worthy of and to such shall I remain a Friend during life readie to my poor power to help Nich. Culpeper Spittle-fields next door to the red Lyon Novemb. 6. 1652. Authors made use of in this TREATISE A AEgineta AEtius Aristotle Avicenna Averrois Avenaris Andreas Caesalpinus Antonius Musa B Bauhine Bellus Bartholomeus Anglus Butler a Manuscript C Clusius Cameravius D Dodoneus Dioscorides E Dr. Experience F Fabius Columna Fuchsius G Gesner Galen Gerrhard I Isidore Johnson L Leonicerus Lobel Lug dunensis M Mathiolus Mesue Mizaldus O Otho
several Books of Mr. William Bridg Collected into one Volumn Viz. 1 The great Gospel-Mystery of the Saints Comfort and Holiness opened and applied from Christs Priestly Office 2 Satans Power to Tempt and Christs Love to and Care of His People under Temptation 3 Thankfulness required in every Condition 4 Grace for Grace or the Overflowings of Christs Fulness received by all Saints 5 The Spiritual Actings of Faith through Natural Impossibilities 6 Evangelical Repentance 7 The Spiritual-Life and In-Being of Christ in all Beleevers 8 The Woman of Canaan 9 The Saints Hiding-Place in time of Gods Anger 10 Christs Coming is at our Midnight 11 A Vindication of Ordinances 12 Grace and Love beyond Gifts Cum multis aliis THE English Physitian Adders Tongue â½ Description THis small Herb hath but one Leaf which grows with the Stalk a fingers length above the ground being fat and of a fresh green colour broad like the Water Plantane but less without any middle Rib in it from the bottom of which Leaf on the inside riseth up ordinarily one somtimes two or three small slender stalks the upper half wherof is somwhat bigger and dented with smal round dents of a yellowish green colour like the Tongue of an Adder or Serpent only this is as useful as they are formidable The Root continues all the year Place It groweth in moist Meadows and such like places Time And is to be found in April and May for it quickly perisheth with a little heat Vertues and use It is temperate in respect of heat but dry in the Second Degree The Juyce of the Leaves drunk with the distilled Water of Horstail is a singular Remedy for all manner of wounds in the Breast Bowels or other parts of the Body and is given with good success unto those who are troubled with Casting Vomiting or bleeding at the Mouth or Nose or otherwise downwards The said Juyce given in the distilled Water of Oaken Buds is very good for Women who have their usual Courses or the Whites flowing down too abundantly It helps sore Eyes The Leaves infused or boyled in Oyl Omphacine or unripe Olives set in the Sun for certain daies or the green Leaves Sufficiently boyled in the said Oyl is made an excellent green Balsom not only for green and fresh Wounds but also for old and invererate Ulcers especially if a little fine clear Turpentine be dissolved therin It also stayeth and represseth all inflamations that arise upon pains by Hurts or Wounds It is an Herb under the Dominion of the Moon in Cancer and therfore if the weakness of the Rententive Faculty be caused by an evil influence of Saturn in any part of the Body governed by the Moon or under the Dominion of Cancer this Herb cures it by Sympathy It cures those Diseases before specified in any part of the Body under the influence of Saturn by Antypathy What parts of the Body are under each Planet and Sign and also what Diseases may be found in my Astrological Judgment of Diseases and for the internal Work of Nature in the Body of Man as Vital Animal Natural and Procreative Spirit of Man The Appreââ Judgment Memory the external Sences viz. Seeing Hearing Smelling Tasting and Feeling the Vertues Attractive Retentive Digestive Expulsive c. under the Dominion of what Planets they are may be found in my Ephemerâs for the yeer 1651. in both which you shall find the Chaff of Authors blown away by the Fame of Dr. Reason and nothing but Rational Truths left for the Judgment of the Ingenious to feed upon Lastly To avoid blotting Paper with one thing many times and also to ease your Purses in the price of the Book and withal to make you Studious in Physick you have at the latter end of the Book the way of preserving all Herbs either in Juyce Conserve Oyl Oynâment or Plaister Electuary Pill or Troches Agrimony â Description THis hath divers long leaves some greates some smaller set upon a Stalk all of them dented about the edgesâ green above and grayish underneath and a little hairy withal Among which ariseth up usually but one strong round hairy brown Stalk two or three Foot high with smaller Leaves set here and there upon it at the top wherof grow many smal yellow Flowers one above another in long Spikes after which come rough heads of Seeds hanging downwards which wil cleave to and stick upon Garments or any thing that shal rub against them The Root is black long and somwhat woody abiding many yeers and shooting afresh every Spring which Root though smal hath a reasonable good scent Place It ' groweth upon Banks near the sides of Hedges or Pales Time And it Flowreth in July and August the Seed being ripe shortly after Vertues and uses It is of a clensing and cutting faculty without any manifest heat moderately drying and binding It openeth and clenseth the Liver helpeth the Jaundice and is very beneficial to the Bowels healing all inward Wounds Bruises Hurts and other distempers The Decoction of the Herb made with Wine and drunk is good against the stinging and biting of Serpents and helps them that have foul troubled or bloody waters and makes them piss cleer spedily It also helpeth the Chollick clenseth the Breast and rids away the Cough A draught of the Decoction taken warm before the Fit first removes and in time rids away the Tertian or Quartan Agues The Leaves and Seed taken in Wine Stayeth the Bloody Fluâ ââ appâââ being stamped with old Swines grease it helpeth old sores Cancers and inveterate Ulcers and draweth forth Thorns Splinters of Wood Nails or any other such thing gotten into the Flesh it helpeth to strengthen the Members that be out of joynt and being bruised and applied or the Juyce dropped in it helpeth foul and imposthuâned Ears The distilled Water of the Herb is good to all the said purposes either inward or outward but a great deal weaker It is an Herb under Jupiter and the Sign cancer and therfore strengthens those parts under that Planet and Sign and removes Diseases in them by Sympathy and those under Saturn Mars and Mercury by Antipâthy If they happen in any part of the Body governed by Jupiter or under the Signs Cancer Sagitary or Pisces and therfore must needs be good for the Gout either used âoutwardly in an Oyl or Oyntment or inwardly in an Electuary or Syrup or concreated Juyce for which see the latter end of the Book It is a most admirable remedy for such whole Livers are annoyed either by heat or cold The Liver is the former of Blood and Blood the Nourisher of the Body and Agrimony and Strengthner of the Liver I cannot stand to give you a Reason in every Herb why it cureth such Diseaess but if you please to peruse my Judgment in the Herb Wormwood you shall find them there and it will be well worth your while to consider it in every Herb you shall find them true
Seeds cast upon them and taken after meat do strenthen both Stomach and Bowels especially in those that loath or hardly digest their meat or are given to casting or have a Flux or Lask Those that are a little sowr and harsh used in that manner are fittest Sweet Apples loosen the Belly and drive forth Worms Sowr Apples stop the Belly and provoke Urin 3 and Crabs for this purpose are fittest The sweet Apples as the Pippin and Pearmain help to dissolve Melancholly humors and to procure Mirth and therfore are fittest for Confectio Alkerimes and Syrupus de Pomis The Leavs boyled and given to drink in hot Agues where the heat of the Liver and Stomach causeth the Lips to break out and the Throat to grow dry harsh and furred is very good to wash and gargle it withal and to drink down som. This may to good purpose be used when better things are not at hand or cannot be had The Juyce of Crabs either Verjuyce or Cider is of singular good use in the Heat and faintings of the Stomach and against Casting to make a Posset with or taken som of it alone by it self The Juyce of Crabs or Cider applied with wet cloaths therein to scalded or burnt places cooleth healeth and draweth sorih the Fire A rotten Apple applied to Eyes blood-shotten or enflamed with heat or that are black and blue about them by any stroke or fall and bound too all day or night helpeth them quickly The distilled Water of rotten Apples doth cool the heat and inflamations of Sores and is good to bath foul creeping Ulcers and to wash the Face to take away Spots Freckles or other discolorings The distilled Water of good and sound Apples is of special good use to procure Mirth and expel Melancholly The Ointment called Pomatum if sweet and well made helpeth the Chops in the Lips or Hands and maketh smooth and supple the rough Skin of the Hands or Face parched with wind or other accidents Thus my Authors All that I can say of Apples is this 1 That they are extream windy 2 That they provoke Urin being roasted especially Pomwaters and mixed with fair Water and drunk up at night going to bed half a dozen great ones mixed with a quart of Water excellently provokes Urin if there be no material stone in the Body This I had of Gerhard and have often known it proved and alwaies with good success All Apples loosen theâ Belly and pleasure the Stomach by their coolness Arrach wild stinking â Description THis hath small and almost round Leaves yet a little pointed and without dent or cut of a dusky mealy colour growing on the slender Stalks and Branches that spread on the the Leaves and smal Seeds succeding like the rest perishing yearly and rising again with its own sowing It smels like old rotten Fish or somthing worse Place It grows usually upon Dunghils Time They flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and use Stinking Arrach is used as a remedy to help Women painèd and almost strangled with the Mother by smelling to it But inwardly taken there is not a better Remedy under the Moon for that Disease I would be large in commendation of this Herb were I but Eloquent It is an Herb under the dominion of Venus and under the sign Scorpio It is common almost upon every Dunghil The Works of God are given freely to Man his Medicins are common and cheap and easie to be found t is the Medicines of the Colledg of Physitians that are so dear and scarce to find I commend it for an Universal Medicine for the Womb and such a Medicine as will easily safly and speedily cure any Diseas therof as the fits of the Mother Dislocation or falling our therof it cools the Womb being over-heared And let me tel you this and I wil tel you but the truth Heat of the womb is one of the greatest causes of hard labor in Childbirth It makes barren women fruitful it clenseth the Womb if it be foul and strengthens it exceedingly it provokes the Terms if they be stopped and stops them if they flow immoderatly You can desire no good to your Womb but this Herb will effect it therfore if you love Children if you love Health if you love Ease keep a Syrup alwaies by you made of the Juyce of this Herb and Sugar or Honey if it be to clens the Womb and let such as be rich keep it for their poor neighbors and bestow it as freely as I bestow my studies upon them or els let them look to answer it another day when the Lord shall come to make inquisition for Bloud â Archangel To put a gloss upon their practice the Physitians call an Herb which Country people âulgarly know by the name of Dead-Nettles Archangèl wherein whether they savor of more Superstition or Folly I leave to the judicious Reader There is more curiosity than courtesie to my Countrymen used by others in the explaination aswel of the Names as Description of this so wel-known an Herb which that I may not also be guilty of Take this short Description first of the Red-Archangel Descriptions This hath divers square stalks somwhat hairy at the joynts whereof grow two sad green Leaves dented about the edges opposit to one another the lowermost upon long footstalks but without any toward the tops which are somwhat round yet pointed and a little crumpled and hairy Round about the upper Joynts where the Leaves grow thick are sundry gaping Flowers of a pale reddish colour after which com the Seeds three or four in a Husk The Root is smal and thriddy perishing every year the whol Plant hath a strong scent but not stinking White-Archangel hath diverse square stalks not standing streight upright but bending downward wheron stand two Leavs at a Joynt larger and more pointed than the other dented about the edges and greener also more like unto Nettle-Leavs but not stinking yet hairy At the Joynts with the Leavs stand larger and more open gaping white Flowers in Husks round about the Stalks but not with such a bush of Leavs as Flowers set in the top as is on the other wherin stand smal roundish black Seeds The Root is white with many strings at it not growing downward but lying under the upper crust of the Earth and abideth many years encreasing This hath not so strong a scent as the former Tellow-Archangel is like the White in the Stalks and Leavs but that the Stalks are more streight and upright and the Joynts with Leaves are further asunder having longer Leavs than the former and the Flowers a little larger and more gaping of a fair yellow colour in most in som paler The Roots are like the White only they creep not so much under the ground Place They grow almost every where unless it be in the middle of the street the Yellow most usually in the wet grounds of
doth the same Garden Bazil OR â Sweet Bazil Description THe greater ordinary Bazil riseth up usually with one upright Stalk diversly branching forth on all sides with two Leaves at every Joynt which are somewhat broad and round yet pointed of a pale green colour but fresh a little snipt about the edges and of a strong heady scent the Flowers are smal and white standing at the rops of the Branches with two smal Leavs at the Joynt in som places green in others brown after which come black Seed The Root perisheth at the approach of Winter and therfore must be new sowen every year Place Iâ only groweth in Gardens Time It must be sowed late and flowers in the heat of Summer being a very tender Plant. Vertues and use This is the Herb which all Authors are together by the Ears about and rail at one another like Lawyers Galen and Diascoride hold it not fitting to be taken inwardly and Chrysippus rails at it with downright Billingsgate-Rhetorick Fliny and the Arabian Physitians defend it For mine own part I presently found that Speech true Non nostrum inter nos tantas-componâre lites And away to Dr Reason went I who told me it was an Herb of Mars and under the Scorpion and perhaps therfore called Basilicon and then no mervail if it carry a kind of virulent quality with it Being applied to the place bitten by a venemous Beast or stung by a Wasp or Horner it speedily draws the Poyson to it Every like draws his like Myzalâus affirms That it being laid to rot in Horsdung it wil breed Venemous Beasts And Hollerius a French Physitian affirms upon his own knowledg That an acquaintance of his by common smelling to it had a Scorpion bred in his Brain Somthing is the matter this Herb and Rue wil not grow together no nor near one another And we know Rue is as great an enemy to Poyson as any grows To conclude It expelleth both Birth and After-birth and as it helps the deficiency of Venus in one kind so it spoils al her actions in another I date write no more of it â The Bay-Tree THis is so wel known that it needs no Description I shal therfore only write the Vertues therof which are many Vertues and use Galen saith That the Leaves or Bark do dry and heal very much and the Berries more than the Leaves The Bark of the Root is less sharp and hot but more bitter and hath some astriction withal whereby it is effectual to break the Stone and good to open obstructions of the Liver Spleen and other inward parts which bring the Dropsie Jaundice c. The Berries are very effectual againft al Poyson of venemous Creatures and the Stings of Wasps and Bees as also against the Pestilence or other infectious Diseases and therfore is put into sundry Triacles for that purpose They likewise procure Womens Courses and seven of them given to a Woman in sore travel of Child-birth do cause a speedy delivery and expel the After-birth and therfore not to be taken by such as have not gon but theit time lest they procure Abortment or cause Labor too soon They wonderfully help al cold and rhumatick Distillations from the Brain to the Eyes Lungs or other parts And being made into an Electuary with Honey do help the Consumption old Coughs shortness of Breath and thin Rhewms as also the Meagrim they mightily expel wind and provoke Urin help the Mother and kil the Worms The Leaves also work the like effects A Bath of the Deccction of the Leavs and Berries is singular good for Women to sit in that are troubled with the Mother or the Diseases therof or the stoppings of their Courses or for the Diseases of the Bladder pains in the Bowels by wind and stoppnig of Urin A Decoction likewise of equal parts of Bay-berries Cummin-Seed Hysop Origanum and Euphorbium with some Honey and the Head bathed therwith doth wonderfully help Distillations and Rhewms and setleth the Pallat of the Mouth into its place The Oyl made of the Berries is very comfortable in all cold Griefs of the Joynts Nervs Arteries Stomach Belly or Womb and helpeth Palsies Convulsions Cramps Aches trembling and numness in any part weariness also and pains that come by sore travelling Al griefs and pains likewise proceeding from Wind either in the Head Stomach Back Belly or Womb by ânointing the parts affected therwith And pains in the Ears are also cured by dropping in some of the Oyl or by receiving into the âEars the warm fume of the Decoction of the Berries through a Funnel The Oyl takes away marks of the Skin and Flesh by bruises fats c. and dissolveth the congealed Blood in them It helpeth also the Itch Scabs and Wheals in the Skin I shal but only ad a word or two to what my Friend hath written viz. That it is a Tree of the sun and under the Coâlostial sign Leo and resisteth Witchcraft very potently as also al the evil old Saturn can do to the Body of Man and they are not a few for it is the Speech of one and I am mistaken if it were not Myzaldus That neither Witch nor Devil Thunder nor Lightning wil hurt a Man in the place where a Bay-Tree is â Beans BOth the Garden and Field Beans are so wel known that it saveth me labor of wriring any ' Description of them Their Vertues briefly are as followeth The distilled wather of the Flowers of Garden Beans is good to clens the Face and Skin from Spots and Wrinckles and the Meal or Flower of them or the smal doth the same The Water distilled from the green Husks is held to be very effectual against the Stone and to provoke Urine Bean Flower is used in Pultisses to asswage Inflamations rising upon Wounds and the swelling of Womens Breasts caused by the curding of their Milk and represseth their Milk The Flower of Beans and Fenugreek mixed with Honey and applied to Fellons Boyls Bruises or blue Marks by blows or the Imposthumes in the Kernels of the Ears helpeth them all And with Rose Leavs Frankinsens and the white of an Egg being applied to the Eyes helpeth them that are swoln or do water or have received any blow upon them is used with Wine If a Bean be parted in two the skin being taken away and laid on the place where a Leech hath been set that bleedeth too much it staieth the bleeding Bean Flower boyled to a Pultis with Wine and Vinegar and some Oyl put therto ceaseth both pain and swelling of the Cods The Husks boyled in Water to a consumption of a third part therof staieth a Lask and the Ashes of the Husks made up with old Hogs Greas helpeth the old pains contusions and Wounds of the Sinews the Sciatica and Gout The Field Beans have all the aforementioned Vertues as the Garden Beans Beans eaten are extream windy meat but if after the Dutch fashion
when they are half boyled you husk them and then stew them I cannot tell you how for I never was Cook in al my life they are wholsomer Food â French-Beans Description THe French or Kidney Bean ariseth up at first but with one ftalk which afterwards divideth its self into many Arms or Branches but also weak that if they be not sustained with sticks or poles they wil lie fruitless upon the ground at several places of these Branches grow forth long footstalks with every one of them three broad round and pointed green Leavs at the end of them towards the tops wherof come forth divers Flowers made like unto Pease Blossoms of the same colour for the most part that the fruit wil be of that is to say white yellow red blackish or of a deep purple but white is most usual after which come long and slender flat Pods some crooked some straight with a string as it were running down the Back therof wherein are contained flattish round fruit made to the fashion of a Kidney the Root is long and spreadeth with many strings annexed to it and perisheth every year There is also another sort of French Beans commonly growing with us in this Land which is called the Scarlet flowred Bean. This ariseth up with sundry Branches as the other but runs up higher to the length of Hop-poles about which they grow twining but turning contrary to the Sun having Foot-stalks with three Leaves on each as on the other The Flowers also are in fashion like the other but many more set together and of a most Orient Scalet Colour The Beans are larger than the ordinary kind of a deep Purple colour turning black when it is ripe and dry The Root perisheth also in Winter Vertues The ordinary French Beans are of an casie digestion they move the Belly provoke Urin enlarge the Breast that is straitned with shortness of Breath engender Sperme and incite Venery And the Scarlet-coloured Beans in regard of the glorious beauty of their colour being set near a Quickset Hedg wil bravely adorn the same by climing up theron so that they may be discerned a great way not without admiration of the beholder at a distance But they wil go near to kil the Quicksets by cloathing them in Scarlet â Ladies-Bedstraw Description THis ariseth up with divers smal brown and square upright Stalks a yard high or more somtimes branched forth into divers parts ful of Joynts and with diverse very fine small Leaves at ever one of them little or nothing rough at al At the tops of the Branches grow many long tufts or branches of yellow Flowers very thick set together from the several Joynts which consist of four smal Leavs apiece which smel somwhat strong but not unpleasant The Seed is smal and black like Poppy seed two for the most part joyned together The Root is reddish with many smal thrids fastned unto it which take strong hold of the ground and creepeth a little And the Branches leaning a little down to the ground take Root at the Joynts therof wherby it is easily encreased Ther is also another sort of Ladies-Bedstraw growing frequently in England which beareth white Flowers as the other doth yellow but the Branches of this are so weak that unless it be sustained by the Hedges or other things near which it groweth it wil lie down on the ground the Leaves a little bigger than the former and the Flowers not so plentiful as those and the Root here of is also thridy and abiding Place They grow in Meadows and Pastures both wet and dry and by the Hedges Time They flower in May for the most part and the Seed is ripe in July and August Vertues and use The Decoction of the former of these being drunk is good to fret and break the Stone and provokes urin stayeth inward bleedings and healeth inward Wounds The Herb or Flower bruised and put up into the Nostrils stayeth their bleeding likewise The Flowers and the Herb made into an Oyl by being set in the Snâ and changed after it hath stood ten or twelve daies or into an Ointment being boyled in Axungia or Sallet-Oyl with some Wax melted therein after it is strained either the Oyl made therof or the Ointment do help Burnings with Fire or Scalding with Water the same also or the Decoction of the Herb and Flower is good to bath the Feet of Travellers and Lacquies whose long running causeth weariness and stifness in their Sinews and Joynts If the Decoction be used warm and the Joynts afterwards anointed with the Ointment It helpeth the dry Scab and the Itch in Children And the Herb with the white Flower is also very good for the Sinews Arteries and Joynts to comfort and strengthen them after travel cold and pains They are both Herbs of Venus and therfore strengthen the patrs both internal and external which she rules Beets Description THere are two sorts of Beets which are best known generally and wherof I shal principally intreat at this time Viz. The White and the Red Beets and their Vertues The Common White Beet hath many great Leaves next the ground somwhat large and of a whitish green colour The Stalk is great strong and ribbed bearing great store of leaves upon it almost to the very top of it The flowers grow in very long tufts smal at the ends and turning down their Heads which are smal pale greenish vellow Burrs giving cornered prickled Seed The Root is great long and hard and when it hath given Seed of no use at all The Common Red Beet differeth not from the White but only it is lesser and the Leaves and the Roots are somwhat red The Leaves are differently red in som only with red strakes or veins som of a fresh red and others of a dark red The Rot here of is red spungy and not used to be eaten The White Beet doth much loosen the Belly and is of a clensing and digesting quality and provoketh Urin The Juyce of it openeth obstructions both of the Liver and Spleen and is good for the Headaches and swimmings therein and turnings of the Brain and is effectual also against al venemous creatures and applied upon the Temples stayeth Inflamations in the Eyes it helpeth Burnings being used without Oyl and with a little Allum put to it is good for St. Anthonies fire It is also good for al Wheals Pushes Blisters and Blains in the Skin The Herb boyled and laid upon Chilblains or Kibes helpeth them The Decoction therof in Water and some Vinegar healeth the Itch if bathed therwith and clenseth the Head of Dandraf Scurff and dry Scabs and doth much good for fretting and running Sores Ulcers Cankers in the Head Legs or other parts and is much commended against Baldness and shedding of Hair The red Beet is good to stay the Bloody Flux Womens Courses and the Whites and to help the yellow Jaundice The Juyce or the Root
put into the Nostrils purgeth the Head helpeth the nois in the Ears and the Tooth-ach the Juyce snuffed up the Nose helps a stinking Breath if the caus lies in the Nose as many times it doth if any bruis have been there as also want of smel coming that way Water-Betony â â Description FIrst of the Water-Betony which riseth up with square hard greenish Stalks and somtimes brown set with broad dark green Leavs dented about the edges with notches somwhat resembling the Leavs of the Wood-Betony but much larger two for the most part set at a Joynt The Flowers are many set at the tops of the Stalks and Branches being round bellied and open at the Brims and divided into two parts the uppermost being like a Hood and the lowest like a Lip hanging down of a dark red colour which passing away there comes in their places smal round Heads with smal points in the ends wherin lie smal and brownish Seeds The Root is a thick Bush of strings and threds growing from an Head Place It groweth by Ditchsides Brooks and other Water-courses generally through this Land and is seldom found far from the Waters sides Time It Flowreth about July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. It is of a clensing quality the Leavs bruised and applied are effectual for all old and filthy Ulcers and especially if the Juyce of the Leavs be boyled with a little Honey and tents dipped therin and the Sores dressed therwith as also for Bruises or Hurts whether inward or outward The distilled water of the Leaves is used for the same purposes as also to bath the Face or Hands spotted or blemished or discolored by Sunburning I confess I do not much fancy distilled Waters I mean such Waters as are distilled cold some vertue of the Herb they may happliy have it were a strange thing else but this I am confident of that being distilled in a Pewter Stil as the vulgar and apish fashion is both Chymical Oyl and Salt is left behind unless you burn them and then all is spoiled Water and al which was good for as little as can be by such a Distillation You have the best way of Distillation in my Translation of the London Dispensatory The Colledg of Physitians having as much skil in Distillations as an Ass hath reading Hebrew Water-Betony is an Herb of Jupiter in cancer and is apropriated more to Wounds and Hurts in the Breast than Wood-Betony which follows â â Wood-Betony Description THe Common or Wood-Betony hath many Leavs rising from the Root which are somwhat broad and round at the ends roundly dented about the edges standing upon long Footstalks from among which rise up smal square slender but yet upright hairy Stalks with some Leaves thereon two apiece at the Joynts smaller than the lower whereon are set several spiked Heads of Flowers like Lavender but thicker and shorter for the most part and of a reddish or purple colour spotted with white spots both in the upper and lower part The Seeds being contained within the Husks that hold the Flowers are blackish somwhat long and uneven The Roots are many white threddy strings the Stalk perisheth but the Root with some Leavs theron abides al the Winter The whol Plant is somwhat smal Place It groweth frequently in Woods and delighteth in Shady-places Time And it flowreth in July after which the Seed is quickly ripe yet in its prime in May. Vertues and Vse Antonius Musa physitian to the Emperor Augustus caesar wrote a peculiar Book of the Vertues of this Herb and amongst other Vertues saith of it That it preserveth the Lives and Bodies of Men free from the danger of Epidemical Diseases and from Wicchcrafts also It is found by daily experience to be good for many Diseases It helpeth those that loath or cannot digest their Meat those that have weak Stomachs or sower belchings or continual rising in their Stomach using it familiarly either green or dry either the Herb the Root or the Flowers in Broth drunk or Meat or made into Conserve Syrup Water Electuary or Pouder as every one may best frame themselvs unto or as the time or season requireth taken any of the aforesaid waies It helpeth the Jaundice Falling-sickness the Palsie Convulsions or shrinking of the Sinews the Gout and those that are inclined to Dropsies those that have continual Pains in their Head although it turn to Phrensie The Pouder mixed with pure Honey is no less available for al sorts of Coughs or Colds Wheesing or shortness of Breath Distillations of thin Rhewm upon the Lungues which causeth Consumptions The Decoction made with Mead and a little Penyroyal is good for those that are troubled with putrid Agues whether Quotidian Tertian or Quartan and to draw down and evacuate the Blood and humors that by falling into the Eyes do hinder the Sight The Decoction therof made in Wine and taken killeth the Worms in the Belly openeth Obstructions both of the Spleen and Liver careth Stitches and Pains in the Back or Sides the Torments and griping pains of the Bowels and the wind Chollick and mixed with Honey purgeth the Belly helpeth to bring down Womens Courses and is of especial use for those that are troubled with the falling down of the Mother and pains therof and causeth an easie and speedy delivery of Women in Childbirth it helpeth also to break and expel the Stone either in the Bladder or Kidneys The Decoction with Wine gargled in the Mouth easeth the Toothach It is commended against the sting or biting or Venemous Serpents or Mad Dogs Being used inwardly and applied outwardly to the place A dram of the Pouder in Betony taken with a little Honey in some Vinegar doth wonderfully refresh those that are overwearied by travail it staieth bleedings at the Mouth or Nose and helpeth those that pise or spit Blood and those that are Bursten or have a Rupture and is good for such as are bruised by any fall or otherwise The green Herb bruised or the Juyce applied to any inward hurt or outward green Wound in the Head or Body wil quickly heal and close it up as also any Veins or Sinews that are cut and will draw forth any broken Bone or Splinter Thorn or other thing gotten into the Flesh It is no less profitable for old Sores or filthy Ulcers yea though they be Fistulaus and hollow but some do advise to put in a little Salt to this purpose Being applied with a little Hogs Lard it helpeth a Plague-Sore and other Boyls and Pushes The fumes of the Decoction while it is warm received by a Funnel into the Bars caseth the pains of them destroyeth the Worms and cureth the running Sores in them The Juyce dropped into them doth the same The Root of Betony is displeasing both to the tast and Stomach whereas the Leavs and Flowers by their sweet and spicy tast are comfortable both in Meat and Medicine There are some of the many
Vertues Antony Musa an expert Physitian for it was not the practice of Octavius Caesar to keep Fools about him apropriates to Betony It is a very precious Herb that 's certain and most fitting to be kept in a mans hous both in Syrup Conserve Oyl Oyntment and Plaister The Flowers are usually Conserved The Herb is apropriated to the Planet Jupiter and the Sign Aries â The Beech-Tree IN treating of this Tree you must understand that I mean the great Mast Beech which is by way of distinction from that other smal rough sort called in Sussex the smal Beech but in Essex Hornbeam I suppose it needless to describe it being already so wel known to my Countrymen Place It groweth in Woods amongst Oaks and other Trees and in Parks Forrests and Chases to feed Deer and in other places to fatten Swine Time It bloometh in the end of April or begining of May for the most part and the Fruit is ripe in September Vertues and use The Leavs of the Beech-Tree are cooling and binding and therefore good to be applied to hot Swelling to discuss them The Nuts do much nourish such Beasts as feed thereon The Water that is found in the hollow places of decaying Beeches will cure both Man and Beast of any Scurf Scab or running Tetters if they be washed therwith You may boyl the Leavs into a Pultis or make an Ointment of them when time of year serves â BILBERRIES called also by som Whorts and Whortleberries Descriptions OF these I shal only speak of two sorts which are commonly known in England Viz The Black and the Red Bilberries And first of the Black This smal Bush creepeth along upon the ground scarce rising half a yard high with divers smal dark green Leaves set on the green Branches not alwaies one against another and a little dented about the edges At the foot of the Leaves com forth smal hollow pale blush coloured Flowers the brims ending in five points with a reddish threed in the middle which pass into smal round Berries of the bigness and colour of Juniper Berries but of a Purple sweetish sharp tast the Juyce of them giveth a Purplish colour to their Hands and Lips that eat and handle them especially if they break them The Root groweth asloop under ground shooting forth in sundry places as it creepeth This loseth its Leaves in Winter The Red Bilberry or whortle-bush riseth up like the former having sundry harder Leaves like the Box-Tree Leaves green and round pointed standing on the several Branches at the tops whereof only and not from the sides as in the former com forth divers round flowers of a pale red color after which succeed round reddish sappy Berries when they are ripe of a sharp tast The Root runneth in the ground as the former but the Leaves of this abide al Winter Place The first groweth in Forrests on the Heaths and such like barren plaaces The Red grows in the North parts of this Land as Lancashire Yorkshire c. Time They slower in March and April and the Fruit of the Black is ripe in June and July Vertue and use The Black Bilberries are good in hot Agues and to cool the heat of the Liver and stomach they do somwhat bind the Belly and stay Vomitings and Loathings The Juyce of the Berries made into a Syrup or the Pulp made into a Conserve with Sugar is good for the purposes aforesaid as also for an old Cough or an Ulcer in the Lungs or other diseases therein The Red Whorts are more binding and stop Womens Courses spitting of Blood or any other Flux of Blood or Humors being used aswel outwardly as inwardly Bifoyl or Twayblade Description THis smal Herb from a Root somewhat sweet shooting downwards many long strings riseth up a round green Stalk bare or naked next the ground for an inch two or three to the middle therof as it is in age or growth as also from the middle upward to the Flowers having only two broad Plantan-like Leaves but whiter set at the middle of the Stalk one against another and compasseth it round at the bottom of them Place It is a usual Inhabitant in Woods Copses and in many other places in this Land There is another sort growes in wet grounds and Marshes which is somwhat differing from the former It is a smaler Plant and greener having somtimes three Leaves the Spike of Flowers is less than the former and the Roots of this do run or creep in the ground They are much and often used by many to good purpose for Wounds both green and old and to consolidate or knit Ruptures The Birch-Tree â Description THis groweth a goodly tall straight Tree fraught with many Boughes and slender Branches bending downward the old ones being covered with a discoloured chapped Bark and the yonger being browner by much The Leaves at their first breaking out are crumpled and afterward like the Beech Leaves but smaler and greener and dented about the edges It beareth smal short Catkins somwhat like those of the Hazel-Nut-tree which abide on the Branches a long time until growing ripe they fall on the ground and their Seed with them Place It usually groweth in Woods Vertues The Juyce of the Leaves while they are yong or the distilled Water of them or the Water that coms out of the Tree being bored with an Augur and distilled afterwards any of these being drunk for som time together is available to break the Stone in the Kidnies or Bladder and is good also to wash sore Mouths â Birds-Foot THis smal Herb groweth not above a span high with many Branches spread on the ground set with many wings of small Leaves The Flowers grow upon the Branches many smal ones of a pale yellow colour being set at a head together which afterwards turn into so many smal joynted Cods with Seeds in them the Cods well resembling the Claws of smal Birds whence it took its name There is another sort of Birds-Foot in all things like the former but a little larger the Flowers of a pale whitish red colour and the Cods distinct by Joynts like the other but a little more crooked and the Roots do carry many smal white Knots or Kernels amongst the Strings Place These grow on Heaths and many open untilled places of this Land Time They flower and seed in the end of Summer Vertues and use They are of a drying binding quality and therby very good to be used in Wound-drinks as also to apply outwardly for the same purpose But the latter Birds-foot is found by experience to break the Stones in the Back or Kidnies and drive them forth if the Decoction therof be taken and it wonderfully helpeth the Rupture being taken inwardly and outwardly applied to the place All Salts have best operation upon the Ston as Ointments Plaisters have upon Wounds and therfore if you may make a Salt of this for the Stone the way how to do so
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 â 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 aâd 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 â 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
upon a several thick Footstalk very brittle of a grayish green colour From among which riseth up a strong thick stalk two Foot high and better with some Leavs theron to the top where it brancheth forth much and on every Branch standeth a large Bush of pale whitish Flowers consisting of four Leavs apiece The Root is somwhat great and shooteth forth many Branches under ground keeping the green Leavs al the Winter Place They grow in many places upon the Sea Coasts as wel on the Kentish as Essex Shores as at Lidd in Kent Colechester in Essex and divers other places and in other Countries of this Land Time They Flower and Seed about the time that other kinds do Vertues The Broth or first Decoction of the Sea Colewort doth by the sharp nitrous and bitter qualities therin open the Belly and purge the Body it clenseth and digesteth more powerfully than the other kind The Seed herof bruised and drunk killeth Worms The Leavs or the Juyce of them applied to Sores or Ulcers clenseth and healeth them and dissolveth Swellings and taketh away Inflamations Calamint or Mountain â¿ â½ Mint Description THis is a smal Herb seldom rising above a a Foot high with square hoary and woody Stalks and two smal hoary Leavs set at a Joynt about the bigness of Marjoram or not much cigger a little dented about the edges and of a very fierce or quick scent as the whol Herb is The Flowers stand at several spaces of the Stalks from the middle almost upwards which are smal and gaping like to those Mints and of a pale Blush colour after which follow smal reund blackish Seeds The Root is smal and Woody with divers smal sptigs spreading within the ground and dieth not but abideth many yeers Place It groweth on Heaths and Upland dry grounds in many places of this Land Time They Flower in July and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and vse The Decoction of the Herb being drunk bringeth down Womens Courses and provoketh Urin It is profitable for those that are Bursten or troubled with Convulsions or Cramps with shortness of Breath or Chollerick torments and pains in their Bellies or Stomachs it also helpeth the yellow Jaundice and staieth Vomiting being taken in Wine taken with Salt and Honey it killeth al manner of Worms in the Body It helpeth such as have the Leprosie either taken inwardly drinking Whey after it or the green Herb outwardly applied It hindreth Conception in Women being either burned or strewed in the Chamber it driveth away Venemous Serpents It takes away black and blue marks in the Face and maketh black Scars become wel colored if the green Herb not the dry be boyled in Wine and laid to the place or the place washed therwith Being applied to the Hucklebone by continuance of time it spendeth the humors which caused the pain of the Sciatica The Juyce dropped into the Ears killeth the Worms in them The Leavs boyled in Wine and drunk provoketh sweat and openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen it helpeth them that have a Tertian Ague the Body being first purged by taking away the cold Fits The Decoction herof with some Sugar put therto afterwards is very profitable for those that be troubled with the overflowing of the Gal and that have an old Cough and that are scarce able to breath by the shortness of their wind That have any cold distemper in their Bowels and are troubled with the hardness of the Spleen for al which purposes both the Pouder called Diacalaminthes and the Compound Syrup of Calamint which are to be had at the Apothecaries are most effectual Let not Women be too busy with it for it works very violently upon the Foeminin parts â Chamomel THis is so wel known every where that it is but lost time and labor to describe it The Vertues wherof are as followeth A Decoction made of Chamomel and drunk taketh away al pains and Stitches in the Sides The Flowers of Chamomel beaten and made up into Bals with Oyl driveth away al sorts of Agues if the party grieved be anointed with that Oyl taken from the Flowers from the Crown of the Head to the Soal of the Foot and afterwards laid to sweat in his Bed and that he sweat wel This is Nichessor an Egyptian's Medicine It is profitable for all sorts of Agues that come either from Flegm or Melancholly or from an Inflamation of the Bowels being applied when the Humors causing them shal be concocted and there is nothing more profitable to the sides and Region of the Liver and Spleen than it The bathing with a Deeoction of Chamomel taketh away weariness easeth pains to what part of the Body soever they be applied it comforteth the Sinews that are overstrained mollifieth al Swellings It moderately comforteth al parts that have need of warmth digesteth and dissolveth whatsoever hath need therof by a wonderful speedy property It easeth al the pains of the Chollick and Stone and al pains and torments of the Belly and gently provoketh Urin. The Flowers boyled in Poster Drink provoketh Sweat and helpeth to expel Colds Aches and Pains whersoever and is an excellent help to bring down Womens Courses A Syrup made of the Juyce of Chamomel with the Flowers and white Wine is a Remedy against the Jaundice and Dropsie The Flowers boyled in a Ly are good to wash the Head and comfort both it and the Brain The Oyl made of the Flowers of Chamomel is much used against al hard swellings pains or aches shrinking of the Sinews or Cramps or pains in the Joynts or any other part of the Body being used in Clisters it helpeth to dissolve wind and pains in the Belly anointed also it helpeth Stitches and pains in the Sides Nichessor saith the Egyptians dedicated it to the Sun becaus it cured Agues and they were like enough to do it for they were the arrantest Apes in their Religion that ever I red of Bacchinus Pena and Lobel commend the Syrup made of the Juyce of it and Sugar taken inwardly to be excellent for the Spleen Also this is certain that it most wonderfully breaks the Stone some take it in Syrup or Decoction others inject the Juyce of it into the Bladder with a Syring my Opinion is That the Salt of it taken half a dram in a morning in a little White or Rhehish Wine is better than either that it is excellent for the Stone appears by this which I have seen tried viz. That a Stone that hath been taken out of the Body of a man being wrapped in Chamomel will in time dissolve and in a little time too â Campions wild Descriptions THe white wild Campion hath many long and somwhat broad dark green Leavs lying upon the ground with divers Ribs therin somwhat like Plantane but somwhat hairy broader and not so long The hairy Stalks rise up in the middle of them three or
four foot high and somtimes more with divers great white Joynts at several places theron and two such like Leavs therat up to the top sending forth Branches at the several Joynts also al which bear on several Footstalks white Flowers at the tops of them consisting of five broad pointed Leavs every one cut in on the end unto the middle making them seem to be two apiece smelling somwhat sweet and each of them standing in large green striped hairy Husks large and round below next to the Stalk The Seed is smal and grayish in the hard Heads that come up afterwards The Root is white and long spreading divers fangs in the ground The Red Wild Campion groweth in the same manner as the White but his Leavs are not so plainly ribbed somwhat shorter rounder and more woolly in handling The Flowers are of the same form and bigness but in som of a pale in others of a bright red colour cut in at ends more finely which maketh the Leavs seem more in number than the other The Seed and the Roots are alike The Roots of both sorts abiding many years Ther are forty five kinds of Campions more those of them which are of Physical uses having the like Vertues with these above described which I take to be the two chiefest kinds Place They grow commonly through this Land by Fields Hedg-fides and Ditches Time They flower in Summer som earlier than others and some abiding longer than others Vertues and use It is sound by experience that the Decoction of the Herb either the White or Red being drunk doth stay inward bleedings and applied outwardly it doth the like And being drunk helpeth to expel the Urin being stop'd and Gravel or the Stone in the Reins or Kidnies Two drams of the Seed drunk in Wine purgeth the Body of Chollerick humors and helpeth those that are ftung by Scorpions or other venemous Beasts and may be as effectual for the Plague It is of very good use in old Sores Ulcers Cankers Fistulaes and the like to clens and heal them by consuming the moist humors falling into them and correcting the putrifaction of Humors offending them â¿ Carrots THe Garden kind are so wel known that they need no Description but because they are of lesâ Physical use than the Wild kind as indeed almost in all Herbs the Wild are most effectual in Physick as being more powerful in operation then the Garden kinds I shal therfore briefly describe the wild Carrot Description It groweth in a manner altogether like the Tame but that the Leavs and Stalks are somwhat whiter and rougher The Stalks bear large tufts of white Flowers with a deep Purple spot in the middle which are contracted together when the Seed begins to ripen that theâ middle part being hollow and low and the outer Stalks rising high maketh the whol Umbel to shew like a Birds-Nest The Root is small long and hard unfit for meat being somwhat sharp and strong Place The Wild kind groweth in divers parts of this Land plentifully by the Fields sides and in untilled places Time They flower and seed in the end of Summer The Vertues The Wild kind breaketh Wind and removeth Stitches in the Sides provoketh Urin and Womens Courses and helpeth to break and expel the Stone The Seed also of the same worketh the like effect and is good for the Dropsie and those whose Bellies are swollen with Wind helpeth the Chollick the Stone in the Kidnies and the rising of the Mother being taken in Wine or boyled in Wine and taken and helpeth Conception The Leavs being applied with Honey to running Sores or Ulcers doth clense them I suppose the Seeds of them perform this better than the Roots And though Galen commend Garden Carrots highly to break Wind yet experience teacheth that they breed it first and we may thank Nature for expelling it not they The Seeds of them expel Wind indeed and so mend what the Root marreth â¿ Caraway Description IT beareth divers Stalks of fine cut Leavs lying upon the ground somwhat like to the Leavs of Carrots but not bushing so thick of a little quick tast in them from among which riseth up a square Stalk not so high as the Carrot at whose Joynts are set the like Leavs but smaler and finer and at the top smal open tufts or Umbels of white Flowers which turn into smal blackish Seed smaler than the Anniseed and of a quicker and hotter tast The Root is whitish smal and long somwhat like unto a Parsnep but with more wrinckled Bark and much less of a little hot and quick tast and stronger than the Parsnep and abideth after Seed-time Place It is usually sown with us in Gardens Time They flower in June or July and seed quickly after Vertues and use Caraway Seed hath a moderat sharp quality wherby it breaketh Wind and provoketh Urin which also the Herb doth The Root is better food than the Parsnep and is pleasant comfortable to the Stomach helping digestion The Seed is conducing to all the cold griefs of Head and Stomach the Bowels or Mother as also the wind in them and helpeth to sharpen the Eye-sight The Pouder of the Seed put into a Pultis taketh away black and blue spots of Blows or Bruises The Herb it self or with some of the Seed bruised and fryed laid hot in a bag or double cloth to the lower part of the Belly easeth the pains of the wind Chollick The Roots of Caraways eaten as men eat Parsnips strengthen the Stomacks of ancient people exceedingly and they need not make a whol meal of them neither and are fit to be planted in every ones Garden Caraway Comfects once only dipped in Sugar and half a spoonful of them eaten in the morning fasting and as many after each meal is a most admirable Remedy for such as are troubled with Wind. â Celandine Description THis hath divers tender round whitish green Stalks with greater Joynts than ordinary in other Herbs as it were Knees very brittle and easie to break from whence grow Branches with large tender long Leavs much divided into many parts each of them cut in on the edges set at the Joynts on both sides of the Branches of a dark bluish green colour on the upper side like Columbines and of a more pale bluish green underneath ful of a yellow sap when any part is broken of a bitter tast and strong scent At the tops of the Branches which are much divided grow gold yellow Flowers of four Leaves apiece after which come smal long pods with blackish seed therin The Root is somwhat great at the head shooting forth divers other long Roots and smal Strings reddish on the outside and yellow within ful of a yellow sap therein Place It groweth in many places by old Walls by the Hedges and way sides in untilled places and being once planted in a Garden especially in some shady place it wil remain there Time They flower all the
Summer long and the Seed ripeneth in the mean time Vertues and use The herb or Roots boyled in white-Wine and drunk a few Aniseeds being boyled therwith openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Gall helpeth the yellow Jaundice and the often using it helps the Dropsie and the Itch and those that have old Sores in their Legs or other parts of the Body The Juyce thereof taken fasting is held to be of singular good use against the Pestilence The distilled Water with a little Sugar and a little good Triacle mixed therwith the party upon the taking being laid down to sweat a little hath the same effect The Juyce dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from Films and cloudiness which darken the sight but it is best to allay the sharpnes of the Juyce with a little Breast-milk It is good in old filthy corroding creeping Ulcers whersoever to stay their malignity of fretting and running and to cause them to heal the more speedily The Juyce often applied to Tetters Ring worms or other such like spreading Cancers will quickly heal them and rubbed often upon Warts will take them away The Herb with the Roots bruised and heated with Oyl of Camomel and applied to the Navel taketh away the griping pain in the Belly and Bowels and all the pains of the Mother and applied to Womens Breasts stayeth the overmuch flowing of their Courses The Juyce Decoction of the Herb gargled between the Teeth that ake easeth the pain and the Pouder of the dryed Root laid upon an aching hollow or loos Tooth wil caus it to fal out The Juyce mixed with som Pouder of Brimstone is not only good against the Itch but taketh away al discolourings of the Skin whatsoever And if it chance that in a tender Body it causeth any Itching or Inflamation by bathing the place with a little Vinegar it is helped This is an Herb of the Sum under the Coelestial Lyon and is one of the best cures for the Eyes that is Al that know any thing in Astrologie know as wel as I can tel them That the Eyes are subject to the Luminaries let it then be gathered when the Sun is in Leo and the Moon in Aries applying to his Trine let Leo arise then may you make it into an Oyl or Oyntment which you please to anoint your sore Eyes withal I can prove it both by my own experience and the experience of those to whom I have taught it That most desperat sore Eyes have been cured by this only Medicine Andthen I pray is not this farbetter than endangering the Eyes by the art of the Needle for if this do not absolutly take away the Film it will so facilitate the work that it may be don without danger Another il-favored trick have Physitians got to use to the Eye and that is worse than the Needle which is To eat away the Film by corroding or gnawing Medicines This I absolutly protest against 1 Because the Tunicles of the Eye are very thin and therfore soon eaten asunder 2 The Callus or Film that they would eat away is seldom of an equal thickness in every place and then the Tunicle may be eaten asunder in one place before the Film be consumed in another and so be a readier way to extinguish the sight than to restore it It is called Chelidonium from the Greek word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which signifies a Swallow because they say That if you prick out the Eyes of yong Swallows when they are in the Nest the old ones will recover their Eyes again with this Herb. This I am confident for I have tried it That if you mar the very Apple of their Eyes with a Needle she wil recover them again but whether with this Herb or no I know not Also I have read and it seems to me somwhat probable That the Herb being gathered as I shewed before and the Elements drawn apart from it by the art of the Alchyraist and after they are drawn apart rectified the earthy quality still in rectifying them added to the Terra damnata as Alchymists call it or Terra sacratissima as som Phylosophers call it the Elements so rectified are sufficient for the Cure of al Diseases the humor offending being known and the contrary Element given It is an Experience wurth the trying and can do no harm The Iesser Celondine usually known by the Name of â Pilewort I Wonder what ailed the Antients to give this the name of Celandine which resembles it neither in Nature nor form It acquired the Name of Pilewort from its Vertues and it being no great matter where I set it down so I do set it down at al I humor'd Dr. Tradition so much as to set it down here Description This Celandine then or Pilewort which you please doth spread many round pale green Leavs set on weak and trailing Branches which lie upon the ground and are fat smooth and somwhat shining and in some places though seldom marked with black spots each standing on a long Footstalk among which rise smal yellow Flowers consisting of nine or ten smal narrow Leavs upon slender Footstalks very like unto a Crowfoot wherunto the Seed also is not unlike being many smal ones set together upon a Head The Root is made of many smal Kernels like grain of Corn some twice as long as others of a whitish colour with some Fibres at the end of them Place It groweth for the most part in the moist corners of Fields and places that are neer water Sides yet wil abide in dryer grounds if they be but a little shadowed Time It Flowreth betimes about March or April is quite gone in May so as it cannot be found until it spring again Vertues and use It is certain by good experience that the Decoction of the Leavs and Roots doth wonderfully help the Piles and Hemorrhoids as also Kernels by the Ears and Throat called the Kings evil or any other hard Wens or Tumors Here 's another Secrot for my Country Men and Women a couple of them together Pilewort being made into an Oyl Oyntment or Plaister readily cures both the Piles or Hemorrhoids and the Kings Evil If I may Lawfully cal it the Kings Evil now there is no King the very Herb born about ones Body neââ the Skin helps in such Diseases though it never touch the place grieved let good people make much of it for these uses with this I cured my own Daughter of the Kings Evil broke the Sore drew out a quarter of a pint of Corruption and cured it without any Scar at all and in one Weeks time The Ordinary small â Centaury Description THis groweth up most usually but with one round and somwhat crested stalk about a foot high or better branching forth at the top into many sprigs and some also from the Joynts of the Stalks below The Flowers that stand at the tops as it were in an umbel or tuft are of a pale
red tending to a Carnation colour consisting of five somtimes six small Leavs very like those of St. Johns Wort opening themselvs in the day time and closing at night after which come Seed in little short Husks in form like unto Wheat Corns The Leavs are smal and somwhat round The Root smal and hard perishing every year The whol Plant is of an exceeding bitter tast There is another sort in al things like the former save only it beareth white Flowers Place They grow ordinarily in Fields Pastures and Woods but that with the white Flowers not so frequent as the other Time They Flower in July or there abouts and Seed within a Month after Vertues and use This Herb boyled and drunk purgeth Chollerick and gross humors and helpeth the Sciatica It openeth Obstructions of the Liver Gall and Spleen helping the Jaundice and easing pains in the Sides and hardness of the Spleen used outwardly and is given with very good effect in Agues It helpeth those that have the Dropsie or the green Sickness being much used by the Italians in pouder for that purpose It killeth the Worms in the Belly as is found by experience The Decoction therof viz. the tops of the Stalks with the Leavs and Flowers is good against the Chollick and to bring down Womens Courses helpeth to avoid the dead birth and easeth pains of the Mother and is very effectual in al old pains of the Joynts as the Gout Cramps or Convulsions A dram of the Pouder therof taken in Wine is a wonderful good help against the biting and poyson of the Adder The Juyce of the Herb with a little Honey put to it is good to cleer the Eyes from dimness mists and clouds that offend or hinder the Sight It is singular good both for green and fresh Wounds as also for old Ulcers and Sores to close up the one and clens the other and perfectly to cure them both although they be hollow or Fistulous the green Herb especially being bruised and laid therto The Decoction therof dropped into the Ears clenseth them from Worms clenseth the foul Ulcers and spreading Scabs of the Head and taketh away al Freckles Spots and Marks in the Skin being washed therwith The Herb is so safe you cannot fail in the using of it only give inwardly for inward Diseases use it outwardly for outward Diseases 'T is very wholsom but not very toothsom Dr. Reason and Dr. Experience could not agree the last time I spake with them whether the Herb were under the Dominion of the Sun or Mars â The Cherry-Tree I Suppose there are sew but know this Tree for his Fruits sake and therfore shal spare the writing a Description therof Place For the place of its growth it is afforded room in every Orchard Vertues and Vse Cherries as they are of different tasts so they are of divers qualities The sweet pass through the Stomach and Belly more speedily but are of little Nourishment The tart or sowr are more pleasing to an hot Stomach procuring appetite to meat and help to cut tough Flegm and gross humors but when these are dryed they are more binding the belly than when they are fresh being cooling in hot Diseases and welcom to the Stomach and provoke Urin. The Gum of the Cherry-Tree dissolved in Wine is good for a cold Cough and boarsness of the Throat mendeth the colour in the Face sharpneth the Eye-sight provoketh appetite and helpeth to break and expel the Stone The Black Cherries bruised with the Stones and distilled the Water therof is much used to break the Stone expel gravel and break the Wind. â Winter Cherries Description THe Winter Cherry hath a running or creeping Root in the ground of the bigness many times of ones little Finger shooting forth at several Joynts in several places wherby it quickly spreadeth a great compass of gronnd The Stalk riseth not above a yard high wheron are set many broad and long green Leavs somwhat like Night shade but larger at the Joynts wherof come forth whitish Flowers made of five Leavs apiece which after turn into green Berries inclosed with thin Skins which change to be reddish when they grow ripe the Berry likewise being reddish and as large as a Cherry wherin are contained many flat and yellowish Seeds lying within the pulp which being gathered and strung up are kept all the yeer to be used upon occasion Place They grow not naturally in this Land but are cherished in Gardens for their Vertues Time They Flower not until the middle or latter end of July and the Fruit is ripe about the end of August or beginning of September Vertues and use They are of great use in Physick The Leavs being cooling may be used in Inflamations but not opening as the Berries and Fruit are which by drawing down the Urine provoke it to be avoided plentifully when it is stopped or grown hot sharp and painful in the passage it is good also to expel the Stone and Gravel out of the Reins Kidnies and Bladder helping to dissolve the Stone and avoiding it by greet or gravel sent forth in the Urin It also helpeth much to clens inward Impostumes or Ulcers in the Reins or Bladder or in those that avoid a Bloody or foul Urin. The distilled Water of the Fruit or the Leavs together with them or the Berries green or dry distilled with a little Milk and drunk morning and evening with a little Sugar is effectual to al the purposes afore specified and especially against the heat and sharpness of the Urin. I shal only mention one way amongst many others which might be used for ordering the Berries to be helpful for the Urin and the Stone which is thus Take three or four good handfuls of the Berries either green and fresh or dried and having bruised them put them into so many Gallons of Beer or Ale when it is new tunned up This Drink taken daily hath been found to do much good to many both to eas the pains and expel Urin and the Stone and to caus the Stone not to ingender The Decoction of the Berries in Wine or Water is the most usual way but the Pouder of them taken in drink is more effectual â Chervil Description THe Garden Chervil doth at first somwhat resemble Parsly but after it is better grown the Leavs are much cur in and jagged resembling Hemlocks being a little hairy and of a whitish green colour somtimes turning reddish in the Summer with the Stalks also It riseth little above half a Foot high bearing white Flowers in spoked tufts which turn into long and round Seed pointed at the ends and blackish when they are ripe of a sweet tast but no smel though the Herb it self smelleth reasonable wel The Root is smal and long and perisheth every yeer and must be sowen anew in the Spring for Seed and after July for Autumn Sallet The wild Chervil groweth two or three foot high with yellow
Stalks and Joynts set with broader and more hairy Leavs divided into sundry parts nicked about the edges and of a darker green colour which likewise grow reddish with the Stalks at the tops wherof stand smal white tufts of Flowers afterwards smaler and longer seed The Root is white hard and enduring long This hath little or no scent Place The first is sown in Gardens for a Sallet-Herb The second groweth wild in many of the Meadows of this Land and by the Hedg-sides and on Heaths Time They flower and seed early and thereupon are sown again in the end of Summer Vertues and use The Garden Chervil being eaten doth moderately warm the Stomach and is a certain remedy saith Tragus to dissolve congealed or clotted Bloud in the Body or that which is clotted by bruises fals c. The Juyce or distilled Water therof being drunk and the bruised Leavs laid to the place being taken either in meat or drink it is held good to provoke Urin to expel the Stone in the Kidnies to send down Womens Courses and to help the Plurisie and prickings of the Sides The wild Chervil bruised and applied dissolveth Swellings in any part of the Body and taketh away the Spots and Marks of congealed Blood by Bruises or Blows in a little space Sweet Chervil OR â Sweet Cicely Description THis groweth very like the greater Hemlock having large spread Leavs cut into diverse parts but of a fresher green colour than the Hemlock tasting as sweet as the Anniseed The Stalk riseth up a yard high or better being crested or hollow having the like Leavs at the Joynts but lesser and at the tops of the branched Stalks Umbels or Tufts of white Flowers after which com large and long crested black shining Seed pointed at both ends tasting quick yet sweet and pleasant The Root is great and white growing deep in the ground and spreading sundry long Branches therein in tast and smel stronger than the Leavs or Seed and continuing many years Place This groweth in Gardens Vertues This whol Plant besides its pleasantness in Sallets hath also his Physical Vertues The Root boyled and eaten with Oyl and Vinegar or without Oyl doth much pleas and warm an old and cold Stomach oppressed with wind or flegm or those that have the Phtisick or Consumption of the Lungs The same drunk with Wine is a preservative from the Plague it provoketh Womens Courses and expelleth the After-birth procureth and appetit to meat and expelleth Wind. The Juyce is good to heal the Ulcers of the Head and Face The candied Roots hereof are held as effectual as Angelica to preserv from Infection in the time of a Plague and to warm and comfort a cold weak Stomach It is so harmless you cannot use it amâss â Chickweed Description THis is generally known to most People I shal therfore not trouble you with the Description therof nor my self with setting fourth the several kinds sith but only two or three are considerable for their usefulness Place These are usually found in moist and watry places by Wood sides and els-where Time They flower about June and their Seed is ripe in July Vertues and use It is found to be as effectual as Purslane to al the purposes whereunto it serveth except for meat only The Herb bruised or the Juyce applied with cloaths or spunges dipped therein to the Region of the Liver and as they dry to have fresh applied doth wonderfully temper the heat of the Liver and is effectual for all Imposthums and Swellings wheresoever for all redness in the Face Wheals Pushes Itch Scabs the Juyce either simply used or boyled with Hogs-Greas and applied the same helpeth Cramps Convulsions and Palsies The Juyce or distilled Water is of much good use for al heat and redness in the Eyes to drop som therof into them as also into the Ears to ease pains in them and is of good effect to ease the pains the heat and sharpness of Blood in the Piles and generally al pains in the Body that arise of heat it is used also in hot and virulent Ulcers and sores in the privy parts of Man or Woman or on the Legs or els-where The Leavs boyled with Marsh-Mallows and made into a Pultis with Fenugreek and Linseed applied to Swellings or Imposthumes ripeneth and breaketh them or swageth the swellings and easeth the pains It helpeth the Sinews when they are shrunk by Cramps or otherwise and to extend and make them pliable again by this Medicine Boyl an handful of Chickweed and a handful of Red-Rose Leavs dryed but not distilled in a Quart of Muscadine until a fourth part be consumed then put to them a pint of the Oyl of Trotters or Sheeps-feet let them boyl a good while still stirring them wel which being strained anoint the grieved place herewith warm against a fire rubbing it wel in with ones hand and bind also some of the Herb if you wil to the place and with Gods blessing it will help in three times dressing Cich-Peas or Cicers â Description THe Garden sorts whether Red Black or White brings forth Stalks a yard long wheron do grow many smal and almost round Leavs dented about the edges set on both sides of a middle Rib at the Joynts come forth one or two Flowers upon short Footstalks Peas fashion either white or whitish or purplish red lighter or deeper according as the Peas that follow will be that are contained in smal thick and short Pods wherin lie one or two Peas more usually a little pointed at the lower end and almost round at the Head yet a little corner'd or sharp The Root is smal and perisheth yeerly Place and Time They are sown in Gardens or the Fields as Peas being sown later than Peas and gathered at the same time with them or presently after Vertues and use They are no less windy than Beans but nourish more they provoke Urine and are thought to encreas Sperm they have a clensing faculty wherby they break the Stones in the Kidneys To drink the cream of them being boyled in Water is the best way it moveth the Belly downwards provoketh Womens Courses and Urin and encreaseth both Milk and Seed One ounce of Cicers two ounces of French Barley and a smal handful of Marsh-Mallow Roots clean washed and cut being boyled in the broth of a Chicken and four ounces taken in the morning and fasting two hours after is a good Medicine for a pain in the Sides The white Cicers are used more for Meat than Medicine yet have they the same effects and are thought more powerful to encreas Milk and Seed The wild Cicers are so much more powerful than the Garden kinds by how much they exceed them in heat and driness whereby they do more open Obstructions break the Stone and have al the properties of cutting opening digesting and dissolving and this more speedily and certainly than the former Cinkfoyl or Five Leaved â
Grass Called in some Countries Five finger'd Grass Description THis spreadeth and creepeth far upon the ground with long slender strings like Strawberries which take Root again and shooteth forth many Leavs made of five parts and somtimes of seven dented about the edges and somwhat hard The Stalks are slender leaning downwards and bear many smal yellow Flowers theron with some yellow threds in the middle standing about a smooth green head which when it is ripe is a little rough and containeth smal brownish Seeds The Root is of a blackish brown colour seldom so big as ones little finger but growing long with some threds therat and by the smal strings it quickly spreadeth over the ground Place It groweth by Wood sides Hedg sides the Pathwaies in Fields and in the Borders and Corners of them almost through all this Land Time It Flowreth in Summer some sooner some later Vertues and use It is an especial Herb used in all Inflamations and Feavers whether Infectious or Pestilential or among other Herbs to cool and temper the Blood and humors in the Body As also for all Lotions Gargles Injections and the like for sore Mouths Ulcers Cankers Fistulaes and other corrupt Foul or running Sores The Juyce herof drunk about four ounces at a time for certain daies together cureth the Quinsie and the yellow Jaundice and taken for thirty daies together cureth the Falling-sickness The Roots boyled in Milk and drunk is a most effectual remedy for all Fluxes in Man or Woman whether the Whites or Reds as also the Bloody Flux The Roots boyled in Vinegar and the Decoction therof held in the Mouth easeth the pains of the Toothach The Juyce or Decoction taken with a little Honey helpeth the hoarsness of the Throat and is good for the Cough of the Lungs The distilled Water of both Roots and Leavs is also effectual to all the purposes aforesaid and if the Hands be often washed therin and suffered at every time to dry in of it self without wiping it wil in short time help the Palsy or shaking in them The Root boyled in Vinegar helpeth all Knots Kernels hard swellings and lumps growing in any part of the Flesh being therto applied as also al Inflamations and St. Anthonies Fire all Imposthumes and painful Sores with heat and putrefaction the shingles also and all other sorts of running and soul Scabs Sores and Itch. The same also boyled in Wine and applied to any Joynts full of pain and achâor the Gout in the Hands or Feet or the Hip-gout called the Sciatica and the Decoction therof drunk the while doth cure them and easeth much pains in the Bowels The Roots are likewise effectual to help Ruptures or Burstings being used with other things available to that purpose taken either inwardly or outwaâdly or both as also for Bruises or Hurts by Blows Falls or the like and to stay the bleeding of Wounds in any part inward or outward This is an Herb of Jupiter and therfore strengthens the parts of the Body that he rules let Jupiter be angular and strong when it is gathered and if you give but a scruple which is but twenty grains of it at a time either in white Wine or white Wine Vinegar you shal very seldom miss the cure of an Ague be it what Ague soever in three Fits as I have often proved to the admiration both of my self and others let no Man despise it becaus it is plain and easie the waies of God are all such 't is the ungodliness and impudency of Man that made things hard and hath by so doing made sport for al the Devils in Hell and grieved the good Angels and when you reade this your own Genius if you be any thing at al acquainted with it may dictate to you many as good Conculsions both of this and other Herbs Some hold that one Leaf cures a Quotidian three a Tertian and four a Quartan Ague and a hundred to one if it be not Dioscorides for he is ful of such Whimseys The truth is I never stood so much upon the number of the Leavs nor whether I gave it in Pouder or Decoction If Jupiter were strong and the Moon applying to him or his good aspect at the gathering of it I never knew it miss the desired effects â Clary Description OUr ordinary Garden Clary hath four square Stalks with broad âough wrinkled whitish or hairy green Leavs somwhat evenly cut in on the edges and of a strong sweet sent growing some neer the ground and some by couples upon the Stalks The Flowers grow at certain distances with two smal Leavs at the Joynts under them somwhat like unto the Flowers of Sage but smaller and of a whitish blue colour The Seed is brownish and somwhat Flat or not so âound as the wild the Roots are blackish and spread not far and perish after the Seed time It is usually sown for it seldom riseth of its own sowing Place This groweth in Gardens Time It Flowreth in June and July some a little later than others and their Seed is ripe in August or therabouts Vertues and use The Seed is used to be put into the Eyes to cleer them from Moats or other such like things gotten within the Lids to offend them as also to clear them from white or red spots in them The Muccilage of the Seed made with Water and applied to Tumors and swellings disperseth and taketh them away as also draweth forth Splinters Thorns or other things gotten into the Flesh. The Leavs used with Vinegar either by it self or with a little Honey doth help hot Inflamations as also Boyls Felons and the hot Inflamations that are gathered by their pains if it be applied before they be grown too great The Pouder of the dried Leavs put into the Nose provoketh neesing and therby purgeth the Head and Brain of much Rhewm and Corruption The Seed or Leavs taken in Wine provoketh to Venery It is of much use both for Men and Women that have weak Backs to help to strengthen the Reins used either by it self or with other Herbs conducing to the same effect and in Tansies often The fresh Leavs dipped in a Batter of Flower Egs and a little Milk and fried in Butter and served to the Table is not unpleasant to any but exceeding profitable for those that are troubled with weak Backs and the effects therof The Juyce of the Herb put into Ale or Beer and drunk bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth the After-birth It is an usual cours with Men when they have gotten the running of the Reins or Women the Whites then run to the bush of Clary Maid bring hither the Frying Pan fetch me some Butter quickly then to eating fryed Clary just as Hogs eat Acorns and this they think wil cure their Diseas forsooth wheras when they have devoured as much Clary as wil grow upon an Acre of ground their Backs are as much the better as
Plague The Juyce of the Herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful hath the same effect But if there be a little Vinegar added therunto as well as unto the Root aforesaid it somwhat all ayeth the sharp biting tast therof upon the Tongue The green Leavs bruised and laid upon any Boyl or Plague Sore doth wonderfully help to draw forth the Poyson A dram of the Pouder of the dried Root taken with twice so much Sugar in the form of a licking Electuary or the green Root doth wonderfully help those that are pursie and short winded as also those that have a Cough it breaketh digesteth and riddeth away Flegm from the Stomach Chest and Lungs The Milk wherin the Root hath been boyled is effectual also for the same purpose The said Pouder taken in Wine or other Drink or the Juyce of the Berries or the Pouder of them or the Wine wherein they have been boyled provoketh Urine and bringeth down Womens Courses and purgeth them effectually after Child-bearing to bring away the After-birth Taken with Sheeps Milk it healeth the inward Ulcers of the Bowels The distilled Water herof is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid A spoonful taken at a time healeth the Itch And an ounce or more taken at a time for some daies together doth help the Rupture The Leavs either green or dry or the Juyce of them doth clens all manner of rotten and filthy Ulcers in what part of the Body soever and healeth the stinking Sores in the Nose called Polipus The Water wherin the Root hath been boyled dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from any Film or Skin Clouds or Mists which begin to hinder the Sight and helpeth the watering or redness of them or when by some chance they become black and blue The Root mixed with Bean Flower and applied to the Throat or Jaws that are inflamed helpeth them The Juyce of the Berries boyled in Oyl of Roses or beaten into Pouder and mixed with the Oyl and dropped into the Ears and easeth pains in them The Berries or the Roots beaten with hot Ox Dung and applied easeth the pains of the Gout The Leavs and Roots boyled in Wine with a little Oyl and applied to the Piles or the falling down of the Fundament easeth them and so doth sitting over the hot fumes therof The fresh Roots bruised and distilled with a little Milk yieldeth a most Sovereign Water to clens the Skin from Scurff Freckles Spots or Blemishes whatsoever therin Authors have left large Commendation of this Herb you see but for my part I have neither spoken with Dr. Reason nor Dr. Experience about it â â Daisies THese are so well known to almost every Child that I suppose it is altogether needless to write any Description of them Take therfore the Vertues of them as followeth Vertues and Vse The greater wild Daisie is a Wound Herb of good respect often used in those Drinkâ or Salvs that are for Wounds either inward or outwards The Juyce or distilled Water of these or the smal Daisies doth much temper the heat of Choller and refresheth the Liver and other inward parts A Decoction made of them and drunk helpeth to cure the Wounds made in the hollowness of the Breast The same also cureth al Ulcers and Pustles in the Mouth or Tongue or in the secret parts The Leavs bruised and applied to the Cods or to any other parts that are swollen and hot doth resolve it and temper the Heat A Decoction made hereof with Walwort and Agrimony and the places fomented or bathed therewith warm giveth great eas to them that are troubled with the Palsy Stiatica or the Gout The lame also disperseth and dissolveth the Knots or Kernels that grow in the Flesh or any part of the Body and the Bruises and Hurts that come of Fals and Blows They are also used for Ruptures and other inward Burnings with very good success An Oyntment made hereof doth wonderfully help al Wounds that have Inflamations about them or by reason of moist humors having access unto them are kept long from healing and such are those for the most part that happen in the Joynts of the Arms or Legs The Juyce of them dropped into the running Eyes of any doth much help them The Herb is under the Sign Cancer and under the Dominion of Venus and therfore excellent good for Wounds in the Breast and very fitting to be kept both in Oyls Oyntments and Plaisters as also in Syrup DANDELYON â Vulgarly called Piss-a-beds Description THis is wel known to have many long and deeply gashed Leavs lying on the ground round about the Head of the Root the ends of each Gash or Jag on both sides looking downwards towards the Root the middle rib being white which broken yieldeth abundance of bitter Milk but the Root much more from among the Leavs which alwaies abide green arise many slender weak naked Footstalks every one of them bearing at the top one large yellow Flower consisting of many rows of yellow Leavs broad at the points and nicked in with a deep spot of yellow in the middle which growing ripe the green Husk wherin the Flower stood turneth it self down to the Stalk and the Head of down becometh as round as a Ball with long reddish Seed underneath bearing a part of the Down on the Head of every one which together is blown away with the Wind or may be at once blown away with ones Mouth The Root growth downwards exceeding deep which being broken off within the ground wil notwithstanding shoot forth again and wil hardly be destroyed where it hath once taken deep Root in the ground Place It groweth frequent in al Meadows and Pasture Grounds Time It Flowreth in one place or other almost all the yeer long Vertues and use It is of an opening and clensing quality and thefore very effectual for the Obstructions of the Liver Gall and Spleen and the Diseases that arise from them as the Jaundice Hypocondriacal Passion It wonderfully openeth the Passages of the Urin both in yong and old It powerfully clenseth Aposthumes and inward in the Uritory passages and by the drying and temperate quality doth afterwards heal them for which purpose the Decoction of the Roots or Leavs in white Wine or the Leavs chopped as Potherbs with a few Allisanders and boyled in their Broth is very effectual And whoso is drawing towards a Consumption or an il Disposition of the whol Body called Cachexia by the use herof for sometime together shal find a wonderful help It helpeth also to procure rest and sleep to Bodies distempered by the Heat of Ague Fits or otherwise The distilled Water is effectual to drink in Pestilential Feavers and to wash the Sores You see here what Vertues this common Herb hath and that 's the reason you French and Dutch so often eat them in the Spring and now if you look a little further
upward stored with a number of pale yellow Flowers of a strong unpleasant scent with deeper yellow mouths and blackish flat Seeds in round Heads The Root is somwhat woody and white especially the main downright one with many fibres abiding many yeers shooting forth Roots every way round about and new Branches every yeer Place This groweth throughout this Land both by the way sides in Meadows as also by Hedg sides and upon the sides of Banks and Borders of Fields Time It Flowreth in Summer and the Seed is ripe usually before the end of August Vertues and use This is frequently used to provoke Urine being stopped and to spend the abundance of those watery Humors by Urine which caus the Dropsie The Decoction of the Herb both Leavs and Flowers in Wine taken and drunk doth somwhat move the Belly downwards openeth Obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundice expelleth Poyson provoketh Womens Courses driveth forth the dead Child and Afterbirth The Distilled water of the Herb and Flowers is effectual for all the same purposes especially being drunk with a dram of the Pouder of the Seeds or Bark of the Root of Walwort and a little Cinnamon for certain daies together is held a singular Remedy for the Dropsie The Juyce of the Herb or the distilled Water dropped into the Eyes is a certain Remedy for all heat Inflamations and redness in them The Juyce or water put into foul Ulcers whither they be Cancrous or Fistulous with tents rouled therin or the parts washed or injected therwith clenseth them throughly from the bottom and healeth them up safely The same Juyce or Water also clenseth the Skin wonderfully of all sorts of deformity thereof as Lepry Morphew Scurff Wheals Pimples or any other Spots or Marks in the Skin applied of it self or used with some Pouder of Lupines Mars owns the Herb in Sussex we call it Gall-wort and lay it in our Chickens water to cure them of the Gall I think I am sure it releevs them when they are drooping Fleawort Description THe ordinary Fleawort riseth up with a Stalk two Foot high or more full of Joynts and Branches on every side up to the top and at every Joynt two small long and narrow whitish green Leavs somwhat hairy At the tops of every Branch stand divers small short scaly or chaffy Heads out of which come forth small whitish yellow threds like to those of the Plantane Herbs which are the Bloomings or Flowers The Seed inclosed in those Heads is smal and shining while it is Fresh very like unto Fleas both for colour and bigness but turning black when it groweth old The Root is not long but white hard and woody perishing every yeer and rising again of its own Seed for divers yeers if it be suffred to shed The whol Plant is somwhat whitish and hairy smelling somwhat like Rozin There is another sort hereof differing not from the former in the manner of growing but only that his Stalk and Branches being somwhat greater do a little more bow down to the ground The Leavs are somwhat larger the Heads somwhat lesser the Seed alike and the Root and Leavs abide all the Winter and perish not as the former Place The first groweth only in Gardens the second plentifully in Fields that are neer the Sea Time They Flower in July or thereabouts Vertues and use The Seed fried and so taken staieth the Flux or Lask of the Belly and the corrosions that come by reason of hot Chollerick Sharp and malignant Humors or by the too much purging of any violent Medicine as Scammony or the like The Muccilage of the Seed made with Rose Water and a little Sugar Candy put therto is very good in all hot Agues and burning Feavers and other Inflamations to cool the thirst and lenify the dryness and roughness of the Tongue and Throat It helpeth also hoarsness of the voice and Diseases of the Breast and Lungs caused by heat or sharp salt humors and the Pluresie also The Muccilage of the Seed made in Plantane Water whereunto the Yolk of an Egg or two and a little Populeon is put is a most safe and sure Remedy to eas the sharpness prickings and pains of the Hemorrhoids or Piles if it be laid on a cloath and bound therto It helpeth also all Inflamations in any parts of the Body and the pains that come thereby as the Head-ach and Megrim and all hot Imposthumes or Swellings or breakings out of the Skin as Blains Wheals Pushes Purples and the likes as also the pains of the Joynts and of those that are out of joynt the pains of the Gout and Sciatica the Bursting of yong Children and the swelling of the Navel applied with Oyl of Roses and Vinegar It is also very good to heal the Nipples and Sore Breasts of Women being often applied thereunto The Juyce of the Herb with a little Honey put into the Ears helpeth the running of them and the Worms breeding in them The same also mixed with Hogs Greas and applied to corrupt and filthy Ulcers and Sores clenseth and healeth them The Herb is cold and dry Saturnine I suppose it obtained the name Fleawort becaus the Seeds are so like Fleas Flixweed Description THis riseth up with a round upright hard Stalk four or five Foot high spread into sundry Branches wheron grow many grayish green Leavs very finely cut and severed into a number of short and almost round parts The Flowers are very smal and yellow growing Spike fashion after which come very smal long Pods with very smal yellowish Seed in them The Root is long and woody perishing every yeer There is another sort differing in nothing save only it hath somwhat broader Leaves They have a strong evil savor being smelt unto and are of a drying tast Place They grow wild in the Fields by Hedg-sides and High-waies and among rubbish and in many other place Time They Flower and Seed quickly after namely in June and July Vertues and use Both the Herb and Seed of Flixweed is of excellent use to stay the Flux or Lask of the Besly being drunk in Water wherein gads of Steel heated have been often quenched and is no less effectual for the said purpose than Plantane or Comfry and to restrain any other Flux of Blood in man or Woman as also to consolidate Bones broken or out of Joynt The Juyce therof drunk in Wine or the Decoction of the Herb drunk doth kill the Worms in the Stomach or Belly or the Worms that grow in putrid and filthy Ulcers And made into a Salve doth quickly heal all old sores how foul or Malignant soever they be The distilled water of the Herb worketh the same effects although somwhat weaker yet is a fair Medicine and more acceptable to be taken It is called Flixweed becaus it cures the Flux and for its uniting broken Bones c. Paracelsus extols it to the Skies It is fitting Syrups
whence to the top it is stored with large and long hollow reddish Purple Flowers a little more long and eminent at the lower edg with some white Spots within them one above another with smal green Leavs at every one but all of them turning their Heads one way and hanging downwards having some threds also in the middle from whence rise round Heads pointed sharp at the ends wherein smal brown Seed lieth The Roots are many smal Huskie Fibres and some greater strings among them The Flower hath no scent but the Leavs have a bitter hot tast Place It groweth on the dry sandy Grounds for the most part and as well on the higher as lower places under Hedg-sides in almost every County of this Land Time It seldom Flowreth before July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use This Herb is familiarly and frequently used by the Italians to heal any fresh or green Wound the Leavs being but bruised and bound thereon and the Juyce therof is also used in old Sores to clens dry and heal them The Decoction hereof made up with some Sugar or Honey is available to clens and purge the Body both upwards and downwards somtimes of tough Flegm and clammy Humors and to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It hath been found by experience to be available for the Kings Evil the Herb bruised and applied or an Oyntment made with the Juyce thereof and so used And a Decoction of two handfuls therof with four Ounces of Polipody in Ale hath been found by late experience to cure divers of the Falling-sickness that have been troubled with it above twenty yeers My self am confident that an Oyntment of it is one of the best Remedies for a Scabby Head that is Fumitory Description OUr common Fumitory is a tender sappy Herb sending forth from one square slender weak Stalk and leaning downwards on all sides many Branches two or three foot long with finely cut and jagged Leavs of a whitish or rather Blewish Seagreen colour At the tops of the Branches stand many small Flowers as it were in a long spike one above another made like little Birds of a reddish Purple colour with whitish Bellies After which come small round Husks containing smal black Seed The Root is yellow smal and not very long ful of Juyce while it is green But quickly perishing with the ripe Seed In the Corn Fields in Cornwal this beareth white Flowers Place It groweth in the Corn Fields almost every where as well as in Gardens Time It Flowreth in May for the most part and the Seed ripeneth shortly after Vertues and Vse The Juyce or Syrup made thereof or the Decoction made in Whey by it self with some other purging or opening Herbs and Roots to caus it to work the better it self being but weak is very effectual for the Liver and Spleen opening the Obstructions thereof and clarifying the Blood from Saltish Chollerick and Adust Humors which caus Lepry Scabs Tetters and Itches and such like breakings out of the Skin and after the Purging doth strengthen all the inward parts it is good also against the yellow Jaundice and spendeth it by Urin which it procureth in abundance The Pouder of the dried Herb given for some time together cureth Melancholly but the Seed is strongest in operation for all the former Diseases The dististilled Water of the Herb is also of good effect in the former Diseases and conduceth much against the Plague and Pestilence being taken with good Treacle The Distilled Water also with a little Water and Honey of Roses helpeth all the Sores of the Mouth or Throat being gargled often therwith The Juyce dropped into the Eyes cleareth the Sight and taketh away redness and other defects in them although it procure some pain for the present and cause Tears Dioscorides saith it hindreth any fresh springing of hairs on the Eyelids also they be pulled away if the Eyelids be anointed with the Juyce hereof with Gum Arabick dissolved therin The Juyce of Fumitory aud Docks mingled with Vinegar and the places gently washed or wet therwith cureth all sorts of Scabs Pimples Itches Wheals or Pushes which arise on the Face or Hands or any other part of the Body Saturn owns the Herb and presents it to the World as a Cure for his own Diseases and a strengthner of the parts of the Body he rules If by my Astrological Judgment of Diseases from the Decombiture you find Saturn Author of the Diseas or if by Direction from a Nativity you fear a Saturnine Diseas approaching you may by this Herb prevent it in the one and cure it in the other and therfore 't is fit you keep a Syrup of it alwaies by you The Furs-Bush THis is so well known as well by this name as in some Countries by the name Gors that I shal not need to write any Description therof my intent being to teach my Country men what they know not rather than to tell them again of that which is generally known before Place They are known to grow on dry barren Heaths and other wast gravelly or sandy grounds in all Countries of this Land Time They also Flower in the Summer Months Vertues and use They are hot and dry good to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen A Decoction made with the Flowers therof hath been found effectual against the Jaundice as also to provoke Urine and clens the Kidneys from Gravel or Stones ingender'd in them It is a Plant of Mars and doth all this by Sympathy Garlick THe offensivenes of the breath of him that hath eaten Garlick will leade you by the Nose to the knowledg hereof and in stead of a description direct you to the place wher it groweth in Gardens which kinds are the best and most Phisical Vertues and use This was antiently accounted the Poormans Treacle it beeing a remedy for all diseases or hurts except those which it self breeds It provoketh Urine and womens Courses helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog and of other Venemous Creatures killeth Wormes in Childern cutteth and avoydeth tough flegm purgeth the head helpeth the Lethargie is a good preservative against a remedy for any Plague sore or soul Ulcer taketh away spots and blemishes in the Skin easeth pains of the eares ripeneth and breaketh Impestumes or other swelling And for all these diseases the Onyons are also effectual But the Garlick hath some more peculiar vertues besides the former Viâ It hath a speciall quality to discuss the inconveniences coming by corn pt Agues or Mineral Vapours or by drinking corrupt and stinking waters As elso by taking of Wolf-bane Henbane Hemlock or other poysonfull and dangerous herbs It is also held good in Hydropick diseases the Jaundice falling-sickness Cramps Convulsiers the piles or Hemorrhoids or other cold diseases My Author quotes here many âââases this is good for but conceals it services its heat is very vehement and al
vehement hot things send up but ill favor'd vapors to the brain in chollerick men 't wil ad fuel to the fire in men oppressed by melancholly t'wll attenuate the humor and send up strange sancies and as strange visions to the head therfore let it be taken in wardly with great moderation outwardly you may maken âââ bold with it Mars owns the herb Germander Discription COmmon Germander shooteth forth sundry stalks with small and somwhat round leavs dented about the edges The Flowers stand at the tops of a deep purple colour The Root is composed of divers sprigs which shoot forth a great way round about quickly overspreading a ground Place It groweth usually with us in Gardens Time And flowreth in June or July Vertues and use This taken with Honey saith Dioscorides is a remedy for Coughs for hardnes of the Spleen and difficulty of Urine helpeth those that are fallen into a Dropsie especially at the beginning of the diseas a Decction being made therof when it is green drunk It also bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth the dead child It is most effectual against the poyson of al Serpents being drunk in Wine and the bruised herb outwardly applyed used with Honey it denseth old and soul Ulcers and made into an Oyl and the Eyes anoynted therwith taketh away their dimness and moystness It is like wise good for the paines in the sides and Cramps The Decetion thereof taken for some daies together driveth away and cureth both Tertian and Quartan Agues It is also good against all diseases of the brain as continual Headach Falling Sicknes Melancholly Drowsines and Dulnes of spirit Convulsions and Palseys A dââm of the seed taken in Pouder purgeth by Urine and is good against the yellow Jaundice The Juyce of the leaves dropped into the eares killeth the worms in them The tops therof when they are in flower steeped twenty four hours in a draught of white Wine and drunk killeth wormes in the belly It is a most prevalent Herb of Mercury and strengthens the brain and apprehention exceedingly you may see what humane vertues are under Mercury in the latter end of my Ephemeris for 1651. strengthen them when weak relieve them when drooping by this Herb. Stinking Gladwin Description THis is one of the kinds of Flower-de-luces having divers Leavs rising from the Roots very like a Flower-de-luce but that they are sharp edged on both sides and thicker in the middle of a deeper green colour narrower and sharper pointed and of a strong ill scent if they be bruised between the fingers In the midle riseth up a reasonable strong Stalk a yard high at least beareth 3 or 4 Flowers at the top made somwhat like the Flowers of the Flower-de-luce with three upright Leaves of a dead Purplish Ash-colour with some Veins discoloured in them the other three do not fall down nor the three other smal ones are so arched nor cover the lower leaves as the Flower-de-luce doth but stand loose or asunder from them After they are past there come up three square hard Husks opening wide into three parts when they are ripe wherin lie reddish seed târning black when it hath abidden long The Root is like that of the Flower-de-luce but reddish on the outside and whitish within very sharp and hot in tast of as evil a scent as the leavs Place This groweth as well on the upland grounds as also in moist places in woods and shadowy places by the Sea side in many places of this Land and is usually nursed up in Gardens Time It flowreth not until July and the seed is ripe in August or September yet the Huskes after they are ripe opening themselves will hold their seeds within them for 2 or 3. Months and not shedd them Vertues and Vse It is used by many countrey people to purge corrupt tough Flegm and Choller which they do by drinking the decoction of the Roots and some to make it work more gently do but infuse the sliced roots in Ale and some take the leavs which seryeth wel for the weaker stomachs The Juyce herof put up or snuffed up the nose causeth neezing draweth from the head much corruption the pouder therof doth the same The Pouder therof drunke in wine helpeth those that are troubled with Cramps and Convulsion or W th the Gout or Sciatica and giveth eas to those that have any griping pains in their body or belly and helpeth those that have the Strangury It is given W th much profit to those that have had long Fluxes by the sharp evil quality of humors which it stayeth having first clensed purged them by the drying and binding property therin The Root boyled in wine and drunk doth effectually procure womens courses and used as a Pessary worketh the same effects but causeth Abortion in women with child Half a dram of the seed beaten to pouder and taken in wine doth speedily caus one to pis which otherwis cannot The same taken with vinegar dessolveth the hardnes swellings of the spleen The Root is very effectual in all Wounds and specially of the head as also to draw forth any splinters Thornes Broken bones or any other thing sticking in the flesh without causing pain being used with a little Verdigreese and Honey and the great Centaury Root The same boyled in Vinegar and laid upon any Tumor or Swelling doth very effectually dissolve and consume them yea even the swellings of the Throat called the Kings evil The Juyce of the Leavs and Roots healeth the Itch and all running or spreading Scabs or Sores and Blemishes or Scars in the Skin wheresoever they be Golden Rod. Description THis riseth up with brownish smal round Stalks two foot high and somtimes more having thereon many narrow and long dark greene leaves very seldom with any dents about the edges or any strakes or white spots therin yet they are somtimes so found divided at the tops into many small branches with divers small yellow flowers on every one of them all which are turned one way and being ripe do turn into down are caried away with the wind The Root consisteth of many small fibres which grow not deep in the ground but abideth all the winter therin shooting forth new branches every yeer the old ones dying downe to the ground Place It groweth in the open places of woods and Copses both moyst and dry grounds in many places of this Land Time It Flowreth about the Month of July Vertues and use Arnoldus de villa nova commendeth it much against the Stone in the Reins and Kidneys and to provoke Urine in abundance whereby also the Gravel or Stone may be avoided The Decoction of the Herb green or dry or the distilled Water therof is very effectual for inward Bruises as also to be outwardly applied it stayeth bleedings in any part of the Body and of Wounds also the Fluxes of Humors the Bloody
Flux and Womens Courses and is no âess 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 Sâllet 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
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
OUr common Henbane hath very large thick soft woolly Leavs lying upon the ground much cut in or torn on the edges of a dark ill grayish green colour among which rise up divers thick short Stalks two or three foot high spread into divers smaller Branches with lesser Leavs on them and many hollow Flowers scarce appearing above the Husks and usually torn on the one side ending in five round points growing one above another of a deadish yellow colour somwhat paler toward the edges with many purplish Veins therein and of a dark yellowish purple in the bottom of the Flower with a smal pointel of the same colour in the middle each of them standing in hard close Husk which after the Flower is past groweth very like the Husk of Asarabacca and somwhat sharp at he top Points wherein is contained much smal Seed very like Poppy Seed but of a dusky grayish colour The Root is great white and thick branching forth divers waies under ground so like a Parsnip Root but that it is not so white that it hath deceived divers The whol Plant more than the Root hath a heavy ill soporiferous smell somwhat offensive Place It commonly groweth by the way sides and under Hedg sides and Wals. Time It Flowreth in July and springeth again yeerly of its own Seed I doubt my Author mistook July for June if not for May. Vertues and Vse The Leavs of Henbane do cool all hot Inflamations in the Eyes or any other part of the Body and are good to asswage all manner of Swellings of the Cods or Womens Breasts or els where if they be boyled in Wine and either applied themselves or the Fomentation warm it also asswageth the pain of the Gout the Sciatica and all other pains in the Joynts which arise from an hot caus And applied with Vinegar to the Forehead and Temples helpeth the Headach and want of sleep in hot Feavers The Juyce of the Herb or Seed or the Oyl drawn from the Seed doth the like The Oyl of the Seed is helpful for the Deafness Nois and Worms in the Ears being dropped therein the Juyce of the Herb or Root doth also the same The Decoction of the Herb or Seed or both killeth Lice in Man and Beast The fume of the dried Herb Stalks and Seed burned quickly healeth Swellings Chilblains or Kibes in the Hands or Feet by holding them in the fume thereof The Remedy to help those that have taken Henbane is to drink Goats Milk Honyed Water or Pine Kernels with Sweet Wine or in the absence of these Fennel Seed Nettle Seed the Seed of Cresses Mustard or Radish as also Onions or Garlick taken in wine do all help to free them from danger and restore them to their due temper again Take notice that this Herb must never be taken inwardly outwardly an Oyl Oyntment or Plaister of it is most admirable for the Gout to cool the Venerial heat of the Reins in the French Pox to stop the Tooth-ach being applied to the aching side to allay all Inflamations and to help the Diseases before premised I wonder in my Heart how Astrologers could take on them to make this an Herb of Jupiter and yet Mizaldus a man of a penetrating Brain was also of this Opinion as wel as the rest the Herb is indeed under the Dominion of Saturn and I prove it by this Argument All the Herbs which delight most to grow in Saturnine places are Saturnine Herbs But Henbanc delights most to grow in Saturnine places and whol Cart loads of it may be found neer the places where they empty the common Jakes and scarce a stinking Ditch to be found without it growing by it Ergo 't is an Herb of Saturn Herb Robert Description THis riseth up with a reddish stalk two foot high having divers leaves thereon upon very long and reddish footstalkes divided at the ends into three or five divisions each of them cut in on the edges some deeper then others and all dented likewise about the edges which often tims turn reddish At the tops of the stalk come forth divers flowers made of five leavs much larger then the Doves foot and of a more reddeish colour after which come beak heads as in others The Roote is small and threddy and smelleth as the whole plant very strong almost stinking Place This groweth frequently every where by way sides upon ditch banks and wast grounds whersoever one goeth Time It flowreth in June and July chiefly and the seed is ripe shortly after Vertues and use Herb Robert is commended not only against the stone but to stay bloud where or howsoever flowing it speedily healeth all green wounds and is effectual in old ulcers in the peivy parts or else where You may perswade your self this is true and also conceive a good reason for it if you you doe but consider 't is an herb of Venus for al it hath gotten a mans name Herb True-love OR One-berry Description THe ordinary Herb True-love hath a small creeping Root running under the upper crust of the ground somwhat like a Coutchgrass Root but not so white shooting forth stalks with leavs some wherof carry no berries though others do every stalk smooth without Joynts and blackith green rising about half a foot high if it bear berries otherwise seldom so high bearing at the top four leaves set directly one against another in maner of a Cross or a Riband tied as it is called on a True-loues Knot which are each of them a part somwhat like unto a Nightshade Leaf but somwhat broader having somtimes but three Leavs somtimes five somtimes six and these somtimes greater than in others In the middle of the four Leavs fiseth up one smal slender Stalk about an inch high bearing at the top thereof one Flower spread open like a Star consisting of four small and narrow long pointed Leavs of a yellowish green colour and four other lying between them lesser than they in the middle wherof standeth a round dark purplish Bâtton or Head compassed about with eight smal yellow Mealy thâ eds with three colours make it the more conspicuous and lovely to behold This Button or Head in the middle when the other Leavs are withered becometh a blackish Purple Berry full of Juyce of the bigness of a reasonable Grape having within it many white Seeds The whol Plant is without any manifest tast Place It groweth in Woods and Copseâ and somtimes in the corners or borders of Fields and wast Grounds in very many places of this Land and abundantly in the Woods Gopses and other places about Chisselhurst and Maidstone in Kent Time They spring up in the middle of April or May and are in Flower soon after The Barries are ripe in the end of May and in some places in June Vertues and Vse The Leavs or Berries hereof are effectual to expel poyson of all sorts especially that of the Aconites as also the
Plague and other Pestilential Diseases Some have been holpen therby saith Mathiolus that have lien long in a lingring sickness and others that by Witchcraft as it was thought were become half foolish by taking a dram of the Seed or Berries hereof in Pouder every day for twenty daies together they were restored to their former health The Roots in Pouder taken in Wine easeth the pains of the Chollick speedily The Leavs are very effectual as well for green Wounds as to clens and heal up old filthy Sores and Ulcers and is very powerful to discuss all Tumors and Swellings in the Cods privy Parts or Groyn or in any part of the Body and speedily to ally all Inflamations The Leavs or their Juyce applied to Felons or those Nails of the Hands or Toes that have Imposthumes or Sotes gathered together at the Roots of them healeth them in short space The Herb is not to be described for the premises but is fit to be noutished in every good Womans Garden Venus owns it Hysop THis is so well known to be an Inhabitant in every Garden that it wil save me Labor in writing a Description thereof The Vertues are as followeth Vertues and use Dioscorides saith that Hysop boyled with Rue and Honey and drunk helpeth those that are troubled with Coughs shortness of breath wheesing and Rhewmatick Distillations upon the Lungs Taken also with Oximel it purgeth gross Humors by the Stool and with Honey killeth Worms in the Belly and with fresh or new Figs bruised helpeth to loosen the Belly and more forcibly if the Root of Flower-de-luce and Cresses be added therto It amendeth and cherisheth the Native colour of the Body spoiled by the yellow Jaundice and being taken with Figs and Nitre helpeth the Dropsie and the Spleen Being boyled with Wine it is good to wash Inflamations and taketh away black and blew Spots and Marks that come by Strokes Bruises or Fals being applied with warm Water It is an excellent Medicine for the Quinsie or Swelling in the Throat to wash and gargle it being boyled with Figs. It helpeth the Tooth-ach being boyled in Vinegar and gargled therwith The hot Vapors of the Decoction taken by a Funnel in at the Ears easeth the Inflamations and singing nois of them Being bruised and Salt Honey and Cummin Seed put to it it helpeth those that are stung by Serpents The Oyl thereof being anoynted killeth Liâe and taketh away Itching of the Head It helpeth those that have the Falling-sickness which way soever it be applied It helpeth to expectorate tough Flegm and is effectual in al cold Griefs or Diseases of the Chest and Lungs being taken either in a Syrup or licking Medicine The green Herb bruised and a little Sugar put thereto doth quickly heal any cut or green Wound being thereunto applied The Herb is Jupiters and the Sign Cancer It strengthens all the parts of the Body under cancer and Jupiter which what they be may be found amply discoursed of in my Astrological Judgment of Diseases Hops THese are so well known that they need no Description I mean the manured kind which every good Husband or Huswife is acquainted with The wild Hop groweth up as the other doth ramping upon Trees or Hedges that stand next unto them with rough branches and Leavs like the former but it giveth smaller Heads in far less plenty than it so that there is scarce a Head or two seen in a year on divers of this wild kind wherein consisteth the chief difference Place They delight to grow on low moist grounds and are found in all parts of this Land Time They spring not up until April and Flower not until the latter end of June the heads are not gathered until the middle or latter end of September Vertues and use This Physical operation is to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen to clens the Blood to loosen the Belly to clens the Reins from Gravel and provoke Urine The Decoction of the tops of Hops as well of the tame as the wild worketh the same effects In cleansing the Blood they help to cure the French Diseas and al manner of Scabs Itch and other breakings out in the Body as also al Tetters Ringworms and spreading Sores the Morphew and all discolourings of the Skin The Decoction of the Flowers and tops do help to expel poyson that any one hath drunk Half a dram of the Seed in Pouder taken in drink killeth Worms in the Body bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth Urin A Syrup made of the Juyce and Sugar cureth the yellow Jaundice easeth the Headach that comes of Heat and tempereth the heat of the Liver and Stomach and is profitably given in long and hot Agues that rise of Choller and Blood Both the wild and the manured are of one property and alike effectual in al the aforesaid Diseases By all these Testimonies Beer appears to be better than Ale Mars owns the Plant and then Dr. Reason will tell you how it performs these actions Horehound Description COmmon Horehound groweth up with square hoary Stalks half a yard or two foot high set at the Joynts with two round crumpled rough Leavs of a sullen hoary green colour of a reasonable good scent but a very bitter tast The Flowers are smal white and gaping set in rough hard prickly Husks round about the Joynts with the Leaves from the middle of the Stalk upwards wherein afterwards is found smal round blackish Seed The Root is blackish hard and woody with many strings ther eat and abideth many years Place It is found in many parts of this Land in dry grounds and wast green places Time It Flowreth in or about July and the Seed is ripe in Augst Vertues and Vse A Decoction of the dried Herb with the Seed or the Juyce of the green Herb taken with Honey is a Remedy for those that are pursie or short winded or have a Cough or are fallen into a Consumption either through long sickness or thin Distillations of Rhewm upon the Lungs It helpeth to expectorate tough Flegm from the Chest being taken with the Roots of Iris or Orris It is given to Women to bring down their Courses to expel the Afterbirth and to them that have sore and long Travails as also to those that have taken Poyson or are stung or bitten by Venemous Serpents The Leavs used with Honey purge foul Ulcers stay running or creeping sores and the growing of the Flesh over the Nails It also helpeth pains of the sides The Juyce thereof with Wine and Honey helpeth to cleer the Eyesight and snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth away the yellow Jaundice and with a little Oyl of Roses dropped into the Ears easeth the pains of them Galen saith it openeth Obstructions both of the Liver and Spleen purgeth the Breast and Lungues of Flegm and used outwardly it both clenseth and digesteth A Decoction of Horchound saith Mathiolus is available for those that have
Papers or in a wet double Cloth and thereof a Suppository made and put up into or applied to the Fundament doth very effectually help the painful Piles or Hemorrhoids The distilled Water of the Herb and Roots is very good to al the purposes aforesaid to be used as wel inwardly to drink as outwardly to wash any sore places for it healeth al manner of Wounds and Punctures and those foul Ulcers that arise by the French Pox. Mizaldus ads to this that the Leavs laid under the Feet wil keep the Dogs from barking at you Houdstongue becaus it ties the Tongue of Hounds whether it be true or not I never tried yet I have cured the biting of a mad Dog with this only Medicine St. Johns-wort Description THe common St. Johns-wort shooteth forth brownish upright hard round Stalks two foot high spreading many Branches from the sides up to the tops of them with two smal Leavs set one against another at every place which are of a deep green colour somwhat like the Leavs of the lesser Centaury but narrower and ful of smal holes in every Leaf which cannot be so wel perceived as when they are held up to the light At the tops of the Stalks and Branches stand yellow Flowers made of five Leavs apiece with many yellow threds in the middle which being bruised do yeild a reddish Juyce like blood after which come smal round Heads wherein is contained smal blackish Seed smelling like Rozin The Root is hard and woody with divers strings and fibres at it and of a brownish colour which abideth in the ground many yeers shooting anew every Spring Place This groweth in Woods and Copses as wel those that are shady as open to the Sun Time They Flower about Midsummer and in July and their Seed is ripe in the latter end of July or in August Vertues and use St. Johns-wort is as singular a Wound Herb as any other whatsoever either for inward Wounds Hurts or Bruises to be boyled in Wine and drunk or prepared into Oyl or Oyntment Bath or Lotion outwardly It hath power to open Obstructions to dissolve Swellings to close up the Lips of Wounds and to strengthen the parts that are weak feeble The Decoction of the Herb and Flowers but of the Seed especially in Wine being drunk or the Seed made into Pouder and drunk with the Juyce of Knotgrass helpeth al manner of spitting and Vomiting of Blood be it by any Vein broken inwardly by Bruises Falls or howsoever The same helpeth those that are bitten or stung by any Venemous Creature And is good for those that are troubled with the Stone in their Kidneys or that cannot make water and being applied provoketh Womens Courses Two drams of the Seed of St. Johns-wort made into Pouder and drunk in a little Broth doth gently expel Choller or congealed Blood in the Stomach The Decoction of the Leavs and Seeds being drunk somwhat warm before the Fits of Agues whether they be Tertians or Quartanes doth alter the fits and by often using doth take them quite away The Seed is much commended being drunk for forty daies together to help the Sciatica the Falling sickness and the Palsey It is under the Coelestial Sign Leo and under the Dominion of the Sun it may be if you meet with a Papist that is an Astrologer he will tel you St. John made it over to him by a Letter of Attourney especially if withal he be a Lawyer also Ivy. Description THis is so well known to every Child also to grow in Woods upon the Trees and upon the stone Walls of Churches Houses c. and somtimes to grow alone of it self though but seldom Time It Flowreth not until July and the Berries are not ripe til Christide that they have felt the Winter Frosts Vertues and use A pugil of the Flowers which may be about a dram saith Dioscorides drunk twice a day in red Wine helpeth the Lask and Bloody Flux It is an enemy to the Nerves and Sinews being much taken inwardly but very helpful unto them being outwardly applied Plâây saith that the yellow Berries are good against the Jaundice and taken before one be set to drink hard preserveth from drunkenness and helpeth those that spit Blood and that the white Berries being taken inwardly or applied outwardly killeth the Worms in the Belly The Berries are a singular Remedy to prevent the Plague as also to free them from it that have got it by drinking the Berries therof made in Pouder for two or three daies together They being taken in Wine do certainly help to break the Stone provoke Urine and Womens Courses The fresh Leavs of Ivy boyled in Vinegar and applied warm to the sides of those that are troubled with the Spleen Ach or Stitch in the sides doth give them much eas The same applied with some Rosewater and Oyl of Roses to the Temples and Forehead easeth the Headach though it be of long continuace The fresh Leavs boyled in Wine and old filthy Ulcers that are hard to be cured washed therewith doth wonderfully help to clens and heal them it also quickly healeth green Wounds as also it is effectual to heal al Burnings and Scaldings and all kind of ezuicerations coming thereby or by Salt Flegm or hot Humors in other parts of the Body The Juyce of the Berries or Leavs snuffed up into the Nose purgeth the Head and Brain of thin Rhewm that maketh Defluxions into the Eyes and Nose and cureth the Ulcers and Stench therin The same dropped into the Ears helpeth the old and running Sores of them Those that are troubled with the Spleen shal find much eas by continual drinking out of a Cup made of Ivy so as the drink may stand some smal time therin before it be drunk Cato saith that Wine put into such a Cup wil soak through it by reason of the Antipathy that is between them There seems to be a very Antipathy between Wine and Ivy for if any have got a surfet by drinking Wine his speediest cure is to drink a draught of the same Wine wherein a handful of Ivy Leavs being first bruised have been boyled Kidneywort or WallPenyroyal â â Description THis hath many thick flat and round Leavs growing from the Root every one having a long Footstalk fastned underneth about the middle of it and a little unevenly waved somtimes about the edges of a pale green colour and somwhat hollow on the upper side like a Sawcer from among which rise one or more tender smooth hollow Stalks half a foot high with two or three smal Leavs thereon usually not round as those below but somwhat long and devided at the edges The tops are somtimes devided into long Branches bearing a number of Flowers set round about a long spike one above another which are hollow and like a little Bell of a whitish green colour after which come smal Heads
containing very smal brownish Seed which falling on the ground wil plentifully spring up before Winter if it have moisture The Root is round and most usually smooth grayish without and white within having smal fibres at the head of the Root and bottom of the Stalk Place It groweth very plentifully in many places of this Land but especially in all the West parts thereof upon stone and mud Wals upon Rocks also and in stony places upon the ground at the Bottom of old Trees and somtimes on the Bodies of them that are decayed and rotten Time It usually Flowreth in the begining of May and the Seed is ripening quickly after sheddeth it self so that about the end of May usually the Leavs and Stalks are withered dry and gone until September that the Leavs spring up again and so abide all Winter Vertues and Use. The Juyce or the distilled water being drunk is very effectual for al Inflamations and unnatural heats to cool a fainting hot Stomach or a hot Liver or the Bowels The bruised Herb or the place bathed with the Juyce or distilled Water thereof and outwardly applied healeth Pimples Redness St. Anthonies Fire and other outward heats and Inflamations The said Juyce or Water helpeth much also to heal sore Kidneys torn or fretted by the Stone or exulcerated within and easeth the pâns It also provoketh Urine and is available for the Dropsie and helpeth to break the Stone cooling the Inflamed parts and other pains of the Bowels and the bloody Flux It is singular good to cool the painful Piles or Hemorrhoidal Veins the Juyce being used as a Bath unto them or made into an Oyntment It is no less effectual to give eas of pains to the hot Gout the Sciatica and the Inflamations and Swellings in the Cods It helpeth the Kernels or Knots in the Neck or Throat called the Kings Evil healeth Kibes and Chilblains if they be bathed with the Juyce or anointed with an Oyntment made thereof and some of the skin of the Leaf laid upon them It is also used in green Wounds to stay the Blood and to heal them quickly Venus challengeth the Herb under Libra â Knapweed Description The common sort herof hath many long and somwhat broad darke green leaves rising from the Root deeply dented about the edges and somtimes a little rent or torne on both sides in two or three places and somwhat hairy withal among which riseth up a strong round stalk four or five foot high devided into many branches at the tops wherof stand great scalygreen heads from the middle of them thrust forth a number of dark purplish red thrumms or threds which after they are withered and past ther is found divers black Seeds lying in a great deal of down somwhat like unto a Thistle Seed but smaller The Root is white hard and woody with divers fibres annexed therunto which perisheth not but abideth with leavs theron all the winter shooting out fresh every Spring Place It groweth in most Feilds and Meadows and about their borders and Hedges and in many wast grounds also almost every where Time It usually flowreth in June and July and the seed is ripe shortly after Vertues and Use. This Knaproeed helpeth to stay Fluxes both of blood at the mouth or nose or other outward parts and those veins that are inwardly broken or inward wounds as also the Fluxes of the belly It stayeth the distillations of thin and sharp humors from the head upon the stomach and Lungs it is good for those that are bruised by any fall blowes or otherwise It is very profitable for those that are bursten and have a Rupture by drinking the decoction of the Hearbe and roots in wine and applying the same outwardly to the place It is singular good in al running sores cankrous and fistulous drying up the moysture and healing them up gently without sharpness it doth the like to running sores or scabs of the head or other parts It is of special use for the soreness of the Throat swelling of the Vvula and Jawa and excellent good to stay the bleeding and heale up all green wounds Saturn challengeth the herb for his own â Knot-grass Description THis is generally so wel known that it needeth no Description Place It groweth in every County of this Land by the High-way sides and by foot paths in Fields as also by the sides of old Walls Time It springeth up late in the Spring and abideth until Winter when all the branches perish Vertues and Use. The Juyce of the common kind of Knot-grass is most effectuall to stay bleeding at the mouth being drunke in steeled or red Wine and the bleeding at the Nose to be applyed to the Forehead and Temples or to be squirted up into the Nostrils And no less effectuall to coole and temper that heat of the blood stomach and to stay any Flux of the blood or humers as Lask Bloodyflux Womens courses and Running of the Reins It is singular good to provoke Urine helpe the strangurie and allay the heate that cometh therby and it is powerful by Urin to expel the Gravell or stone in the kidneys or Bladder a dram of the pouder of the Herb being taken in wine for many dayes together Being boyled in wine and drunke it is profitable to those that are stung or bitten by venemous creatures and very effectual to stay al defluxions of rhewmatick humors upon the stomach killeth Worms in the belly or stomack quieteth inward paines that arise from the heat sharpness corruption of blood and Choller The distilled water herof taken by it self or w th the pouder of the Herb or seed is very effectual to al the purposes aforesaid and is accounted as one of the most Soveraign remedies to cool all manner of inflamations breakings out through heate hot Swellings and Impostumations Gangrenes and Fistulous Cankers or foule filthy Ulcers being applyed or put into them but especially for all sorts of Ulcers and sores happening in the privie parts of men or women It helpeth all fresh and green Wounds and speedily helpeth them The Juyce dropped into the Ears cleanseth them being soule and having running matter in them Saturn seems to me to own the Hearb and yet some hold the sun out of doubt 't is Saturn it is very prevalent for the premises as also for btoken Joynts and Ruptures â Ladies-Mantle Description THis hath many leavs rising from the Root standing upon long hairy footstalkes being almost round but a little cut in on the edges into eight or ten parts more or less making it seem like a Star with so many corners and points and dented round about of a light green colour somwhat hard in handling and as if it were folded or plaited at first and then crumpled in divers places and a little hairy as the Stalk is also which riseth up among them to the height of two or three foot with such like Leavs thereon but smaller and being weak
or of the Belley but the Roots are most used some chusing the one and some the other to be more effectual to cool bind and restrain all Fluxes in Man or Woman as also the running of the Reins and the passage away of the Seed when one is asleep but the frequent use hereof extinguisheth Venereous actions The Root is likewise very good for those whose Urine is hot and sharp to be boyled in Wine or Water and the Decoction drunk The Distilled water of the Flowers is very effectual for al the Diseases aforesaid both inwardly taken and outwardly applied and is much commended to take away Freckles Spots Sun-burn and Morphew from the Face or other parts of the Body The Oyl made of the Flowers as Oyl of Roses is made is profitably used to cool hot Tumors and the Inflamations of Ulcers and Wounds and to eaâ the pains and help the Sores The Herb is under the Dominion of the Moon and therefore cools and moistens like the former Liquoris Description OUr English Liquoris riseth up with divers woody Stalks whereon are set at several distances many narrow long green Leavs set together on both sides of the Stalk and an od one at the end very wel resembling a yong Ash-tree sprung up from the Seed This by many yeers continuance in a place without removing and not else will bring forth Flowers many standing together Spike fashion one above another upon the Stalks of the form of Pease Blossoms but of a very pale blue colour which turn into long somwhat flat and smooth Rods wherein is contained smal round hard Seed The Root runneth down exceeding deep into the ground with divers other smaller Roots and Fibres growing with them and shoot out Suckers from the main Roots al about wherby it is much encreased of a brownish colour on the outside and yellow within Place It is planted in Fields and Gardens in divers places of this Land and thereof good profit is made Vertues and use Liquoris boyled in fair Water with some Maidenhair and Figs maketh a good Drink for those that have a dry Cough or Hoarceness Wheesing shortness of breath and for al the Griefs of the Breast and Lungs Phtisick or Consumptions caused by the Distillation of Salt humors on them It is also good in all pains of the Reins the Strangury and heat of Urine The fine Pouder of Liquoris blown through a Quil into the Eyes that have a Pin and Web as they cal it or Rhewmatick Distillations into them doth clens and help them The Juyce of Liquoris is as effectual in al the Diseases of the Breast Lungs the Reins and Bladder as the Decoction The Juyce dissolved in Rose Water with some Guâ-Tragacanth is a fine licking Medicine for Hoarceness Wheesings c. â â Liverwort Description THe Common Liverwort groweth close and spreadeth much upon the ground in moyst and shadowy places with many sad green leaves or rather as it were sticking flat one to another very unevenly cut in on the edges and crumpled from among which arise smal slender stalks an Inch or two high at most bearing smal Starlike Flowers at the tops The Roots are very fine and smal Vertues and use It is a singular good Herb for all the diseases of the Liver both to cool and clense it and helpeth the Inflamations in any part and the yellow Jaundice likewise Being bruised and boyled in small Beer and drunke it cooleth the heat of the Liver and Kidneys and helpeth the runing of the Reins in men the Whites in Women It is a singular remedy to stay the spreading of Tetters Ringworms and other fretting and running Sores Scabs and is an excellent remedy for such whose Livers are corrupted by sursets which causeth their bodies to break out for it fortifies the Liver exceedingly and make it impregnable It being under the command of Jupiter and under the sign Cancer Loos-strife or WillowHearb Discription THe Common yellow Loos-strife groweth to be four or five foot high or more with great round stalks a little crested diversly branched from the middle of them to the tops into great long Branches on al which at the Joynts ther grow long and narrow Leavs but broader below and usually two at a Joynt yet somtimes three or four somwhat like Willow Leaves smooth on the edges and of a faint green colour from the upper Joynts of the branches and at the tops of them also stand many yellow Flowers of five Leaves a piece with diverse yellow threeds in the middle which turn into small round heads containing small cornered Seeds The Roote creepeth under ground almost like Couchgrass but greater and shooteth up every Spring brownish heads which afterwards grow up into stalks It hath no scent nor tast but only astringent Place It groweth in many places of this Land in moyst Meadowes and by water sides Time It Flowreth from June to August Vertues and use This Hearb is good to stay all manner of Bleeding at Mouth or Nose or Wounds and all Fluxes of the Belly and the bloody Flux given either to drinke or taken by Clyster it stayeth also the abundance of Womens Courses It is a singular good wound Hearb for green wounds to stay the bleeding and quickly to close together the lips of the Wound if the herb be bruised and the Juyce only applyed It is often used in Gargles for sore mouthes as also for the secret parts the smoke herof being burned driveth away Flyes and Gnats which use in the night-time to molest people inhabiting neere Marshes and in the Fenney Countryes Loos-Strife with Spiked Heads of Flowers â½ â Description THis groweth with many woody square stalkes full of Joynts about three foot high at least at everyone wherof stand two long Leaves shorter narrower and of a deeper green colour than the former and some brownish The stalkes are branched into many long stemmes of spiked Flowers half a foot long growing in Rundles one above another out of smal husks very like the Spiked heads of Lavender each of which Flowers have five round pointed Leaves of a Purple Violet Colour or somwhat inclining to redness in which husks stand small round heads after the Flowers are fallen wherein is contained small seed The Root creepeth under ground like unto the yellow but is greater than it and so is the heads of the Leaves when they first appear out of the ground and more brown than the other Place It groweth usually by Rivers and Ditches sides in wet grounds as about the Ditches at and neer Lambeth and in many other places of this Land Time It Flowreth in the months of June and July Vertues and Use. This Herb is no whit inferior unto the former it having not only all the vertues which the former hath but some particular vertues of its own found out by experience as namely The distilled water is a present remedy for hurts and blows on the eyes and for
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 â¿ â 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 â â 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 â 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
be put together in Clisters to expel Wind to eas pains also into Pultices for the same purpose and to asswage Swellings or Tumors in the Spleen or other parts helpeth Inflamations in any part of the Body The Juyce dropped into the Eyes is a singular good Medicine to take away any Film or Skin that cloudeth or dimmeth the Eyesight The Head often washed with the distilled Water of the Herb and Flowers or a Ly made therwith is effectual for those that have suddenly lost their senses as also to strengthen the Memory to comfort the Head and Brains and to preserve them from pains and the Apoplexie French and Dogs Mercury Description THis riseth up with a square green stalk full of Joynts two foot high or ther abouts with two Leaves at every Joynt and branches likewise from âoth sides of the stalk set with fresh green Leaves somwhat broad and long about the bigness of the Leaves of Bassell finely dented about the edges towards the topps of the stalks and branches come forth at every Joynt in the Male Mercury two small round green heads standing together upon a short footstalk which growing ripe are the seeds not having any Flower In the female The stalk is longer spike fashion set round about with smal green husks which are the Flowers made like smal branches of Grapes which give no seed but abide long upon the stalks without shedding The Root is composed of many smal Fibres which perisheth every year at the first approach of winter and riseth again of its own sowing and where it once is suffered to sow it self the ground will never want it afterwards even both sorts of it Dogs Mercury Discription HAving described unto you that which is called French Mercury I come now to shew you in a Description this kind also This is likewise of two kinds Male and Female having many stalks slenderer lower than Mercury and without any branches at all upon them The Male is set with two Leavs at every Joynt somwhat greater than the Female but more pointed and full of Veins and somwhat harder in handling of a darker green colour and less dented or snip'd about the edges At the Joynts with the Leavs come forth longer Stalks than the former with two hairy round Seeds upon them twice as big as those of the former Mercury The tast hereof is Herby and the smel somwhat strong and Virulent The Female hath much harder Leavs standing upon longer Foot-stalks and the stalks are also longer From the Joynts come forth Spikes of Flowers like the French Female Mercury The Roots of them both are many and full of smal Fibres which run under ground and mat themselves very much not perishing as the former Mercuries do but abiding the Winter and shoot forth new Branches every yeer for the old die down to the ground Place The Male and Female French Mercury are found wild in divers places of this Land as by a Village called Brookland in Rumney Marsh in Kent The Dogs Mercury in sundry places of Kent also and elswhere but the Female more seldom than the Male. Time They flourish in the Summer months and therein give their Seed Vertues and Use. The Decoction of the Leavs of Mercury or the Juyce thereof in Broth or Drunk with a little Sugar put to it purgeth Chollerick and waterish Humors Hippocrates commendeth it wonderfully for Womens Diseases and applied it to the secret parts to eas the pains of the Mother and used the Decoction of it both to procure Womens Courses and to expel the Afterbirth And gave the Decoction thereof with Mirrh or Pepper or used to apply the Leavs outwardly against the Strangury and Diseases of the Reins and Bladder He used it also for sore and watering Eyes and for the Deafness and pain in the Ears by dropping the Juyce therof into them and bathing them afterwards in white Wine The Decoction thereof made with Water and a Cock Chicken is a most safe Medicine against the hot fits of Agues It also clenseth the Breast and Lungs of Flegm but a little offendeth the Stomach The Juyce or distilled Water snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and Eyes of Catarrhes and Rhewms Some use to drink two or three ounces of the distilled water with a little Sugar put to it in the morning fasting to open and purge the Body of gross viscuous and Melancholly Humors It is wonderful if it be not Fabulous that Dioscorides and Theophrastus do relate of it Viz. That if Women use these herbs either inwardly or outwardly for three daies together after Conception and their Courses be past they shal bring forth Male or Female Children according to that kind of Herb they use Mathiolus saith That the Seed of both the Male and Female Mercury boyled with Wormwood and drunk cureth the yellow Jaundice in a speedy manner The Leavs or the Juyce rubbed upon Warts taketh them away The Juyce mingled with some Vinegar helpeth all running Scabs Tetters Ringworms and the Itch. Galen saith that being applied in manner of a Pultis to any Swelling or Inflamation it digesteth the Swelling and allayeth the Inflamation and is therfore given in Clysters to evacuate the Belly from offensive Humors The Dogs Mercury although it be less used yet may serve in the same manner to the same purpose to purge waterish and Melanchollick Humors Mercury they say owns this Herb but I rather think ' t is Venus and am partly confident of it too for I never read that Mercury ever minded Womens businesses so much I beleev he minds his study more Mint Description OF all the kinds of Mints the Spear-Mint or Heart-Mint being most useful I shal only describe it as followeth Spear-Mint hath divers round Stalks and long but narrowish Leavs set thereon of a a dark green colour The Flowers stand in Spiked Heads at the tops of the Branches being of a pale blush colour The smel or scent hereof is somwhat neer unto Bassilâ It encreaseth by the Root under ground as all the others do Place It is an usual Inhabitant in Gardens And becaus it seldom giveth any good Seed the defect is recompensed by the plentiful encreas of the Root which being once planted in a Garden will hardly beârid out again Time It Flowreth not until the beginning of August for the most part Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith It hath an heating binding and drying quality and therefore the Juyce taken with Vinegar staieth Bleeding It stirreth up Venery or Bodily lust Two or three Branches thereof taken with the Juyce of sowr Pomegranates stayeth the Hiccough Vomiting and allayeth Choller It dissolveth Impostumes being laid too with Barley Meal It is good to repress the Milk in Womens Breasts and for such as have swollen flagging or great Breasts applied with Salt it helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog with Mead or Honeyed Water it easeth the pains of the Ears and taketh away the roughness of the Tongue
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 Aââiâânna 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
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
to gargle but outwardly also for Scabs Itch or other like Infirmities and clenseth the Face from Morphew Spots Freckles and other Deformities It is an excellent Sawce for such whose Blood wants clarifying and for weak Stomachs being an Herb of Mars but naught for Chollerick people though as good for such as are aged or troubled with cold Diseases Aries claims somthing to do with it therfore it strengthens the heart and resisteth poyson let such whose Stomachs are so weak they cannot digest their meat or appetite it take of Mustard Seed a dram Cinnamon as much and having beaten them to Pouder ad half as much Mastich in Pouder and with Gum Arabick dissolved in Rose Water make it up into Troches of which they may take one of about half a dram weight an hour or two before meals let old men and women make much of this medicine and they will either give me thanks or manifest ingratitude Hedg-Mustard Description THis groweth up usually but with one blackish green Stalk tongh easie to bend but not break branched into diverse parts and somtimes with divers Stalks set full of Branches whereon grow long rough or hard rugged Leavs very much torn and cut on the edges into many parts some bigger and some lesser of a dirty green colour The Flowers are smal and yellow that grow at the tops of the Branches in long Spikes flowring by degrees so that continuing long in Flower the stalks will have smal round Cods at the bottom growing upright and close to the Stalk while the top Flowers yet shew themselvs in which are contained smal yellow Seed sharp and strong as the Herb is also The Root groweth down slender and woody yet abiding and springing again every yeer Place This groweth frequently in this Land by the Waies and Hedg sides and somtimes in the open Fields Time It flowreth most usually about July Vertues and Use. It is singular good in all the Diseases of the Chest and Lungs hoarceness ef voice and by the use of the Decoction therof for a little space those have been recovered who had utterly lost their voice and almost their Spirits also The Juyce threof made into a Syrup or licking Medicine with Honey or Sugar is no less effectual for the same purpose and for all other Coughs Weesings and shortness of Breath The same is also profitable for those that have the Jaundice the Pluresie pains in the Back and Loyns and for torments in the Belly or the Chollick being also used in Clysters The Seed is held to be a special Remedy against Poyson and Venom It is singular good for the Sciatica the Gout and all Joynt-aches Sores and Cankers in the Mouth Throat or behind the Ears and no less for the hardness and Swelling of the Testicles or of Womens Breasts Mars owns this Herb also Nep or Catmint Description THe common garden Nep shooteth forth hard four square Stalks with a hoariness on them a yard high or more full of Branches bearing at every Joynt two broad Leavs somwhat like Balm but longer pointed softer whiter and more hoary nicked about the edges and of a strong sweet scent The Flowers grow in large tusts at the tops of the Branches and underneath them likewise on the Stalks many together of a whitish Purple colour The Roots are composed of many long strings or Fibres fastning themselves strongly in the ground and abide with green Leavs thereon all the Winter Place It is only nursed up in our Gardens Time And it flowreth in July or thereabouts Vertues and Use Nep is generally used for Women to procure their Courses being taken inwardly or outwardly either alone or with other convenient Herbs in a decoction to bath them or sit over the hot fumes therof and by the frequent use thereof it taketh away barrenness and the wind and pains of the Mother It is also used in pains of the Head coming of any cold caus as Catarrh's Rhewms and for swimming and giddiness thereof and is of especial use for the windiness of the Stomach and Belly It is effectual for any Cramps or cold aches to dissolve the cold and wind that afflicteth the place and is used for Colds Coughs and shortness of breath The Juyce thereof drunk in Wine is profitable for those that are bruised by any accident The green Herb bruised and applied to the Fundament and lying there two or three hours easeth the pains of the Piles The Juyce also being made up into an Oyntment is effectual for the same purpose The head washed with a Decoction thereof it taketh away Scabs and may be effectual for other parts of the Body also It is an Herb of Venus Nettles THese are so well known that they need no Description at all they may be found by the feeling in the darkest night Vertues and Use. The Roots or Leavs boyled or the Juyce of either of them or both made into an Electuary with Honey or Sugar is a safe and sure Medicine to open the Pipes and passages of the Lungs which is the caus of wheesing and shortness of breath and helpeth to expectorate tough Flegm as also to raise the impostumated Pleurefie and spend it by spitting The same helpeth the swelling of the Almonds of the Throat the Mouth and Throat being gargled therewith The Juyce is also effectual to settle the Pallate of the Mouth in its place and to heal and temper the Inflamations and soreness of the Mouth and Throat The Decoction of the Leavs in Wine being drunk is singular good to provoke Womens Courses and settle the suffocation or strangling of the Mother and all other Diseases thereof as also applied outwardly with a little Mirrh The same also or the Seed provoketh Urine and expelleth the Gravel and Stone in the Reins or Bladder often proved to be effectual in many that have taken it The same killeth the Worms in Children easeth pains in the sides and dissolveth the windiness in the Spleen as also in the Body although others think it only powerful to provoke Venery The Juyce of the Leavs taken two or three daies together staieth bleeding at the Mouth The Seed being drunk is a Remedy against the stinging of Venemous Creatures the biting of Mad Dogs The poysonful qualities of Hemlock Henbane Nightshade Mandrake or other such like Herbs that stupifie or dull the senses as also the Lethargy especially to use it outwardly to rub the Forehead and Temples in the Lethargy and the places bitten or stung with Beasts with a little Salt The distilled water of the Herb is also effectual although not so powerful for the Diseases aforesaid as for outward Wounds and Sores to wash them and to clens the Skin from Morphew Lepry and other discolourings thereof The Seed or Leaves bruised and put into the Nostrils staieth the bleeding of them and taketh away the Flesh growing in them called Polipus The Juyce of the Leavs or the Decoction of them or of the Roots is singular
Milk or Cream of these Kernels being drawn forth with some Vervain Water and applied to the Forehead and Temples doth much help to procure rest and sleep to sick persons wanting it The Oyl drawn from the Kernels the Temples being therewith anointed doth the like The said Oyl put into Clysters easeth the pains of the wind Chollick and anointed on the lower part of the Belly doth the like and dropped into the Ears caseth the pains of them The Juyce of the Leavs doth the like being also anointed on the Forhead and Temples it helpeth the Megrim and all other pains in the Head If the Kernels be bruised and boyled in Vinegar until they become thick and applied to the Head it merveilously procure the Hair to grow again upon bald places or where it is too thin Lady Venus owns this Tree and by it opposeth the ill effects of Mars and indeed for Children and yong people nothing is better to purge Choller and the Jaundice than the Leavs and Flowers of this Tree being made into a Syrup or Conserve let such as delight to please their lust regard the Fruit but such as love their health and their Childrens let them regard what I say they may safely give two spoonfuls of the Syrup at a time 't is as gentle as Venus her self The Pear-tree THese are so well known that they need no Description Vertues and Use. For their Physical use they are best discerned by their tasts All the sweet or lushious sorts whether manured or wild do help to move the Belly downward more or less Those that are harsh and sowr do on the contrary bind the Belly as much and the Leavs do so also Those that are moist do in some sort cool but harsh or wild sorts much more and are very good in repelling Medicines as if the wild sorts be boyled with Mushroms it maketh them the less dangerous The said Pears boyled with a little Honey helpeth much the oppressed Stomach as al sorts of them do some more some less but the harsher sorts do most cool and bind serving well to be bound to green wounds to cool and stay the Blood and heal up the wound without further trouble or Inflamation as Galen saith he hath found by experience And wild Pears do sooner close up the Lips of green Wounds than the others Schola Salerni adviseth to drink much Wine after Pears or els they say they are as bad as poyson nay and they curs the Tree for it too but if a poor man find his Stomach oppressed by eating Pears 't is but working hard and it will do as wel as drinking Wine The Trce belongs to Venus and so doth the Apple-tree Pellitory of the Wall Description THis riseth up with many brownish red tender and weak clear and almost transparent stalks about two foot high upon which grow at the several Joynts two Leavs somwhat broad and long of a dark green colour which afterwards turn brownish smooth on the edges but rough and hairy as the Stalks are also At the Joynts with the Leavs from the middle of the stalks upwards wher it spreadeth into some branches stand many smal pale purplish Flowers in hairy rough Heads or Husks after which come smal black and rough Seed which will stick to any cloth or Garment that shall touch it The Root is somwhat long with many smal Fibres thereat of a dark reddish colour which abideth the Winter although the Stalks and Leavs perish and spring afresh every yeer Place It groweth wild generally through this Land about the borders of Fields and by the sides of Walls and among Rubbish It will endure well being brought into Gardens and planted on the shady side where it will spring of its own sowing Time It flowreth in June and July and the Seed is ripe soon after Vertues and Use. The dried Herb Pellitory made up into an Electuary with Honey or the Juyce of the Herb or the Decoction thereof made up with Sagar or Honey is a singular Remedy for any old or dry Cough the shortness of breath and Wheesing in the Throat Three ounces of the Juyce thereof taken at a time doth wonderfully help stopping of the Urine and to expel the Stone or Gravel in the Kidneys or Bladderâ and is therfore usually put among other Herbs used in Clisters to mitigate pains in the Back Sides or Bowels proceeding of wind stopping of Urine the Gravel or Stone as aforesaid If the bruised Herb sprinkled with some Muskadine be warmed upon a Tile or in a Dish upon a few quick coals in a Chasing-dish and applied to the Belly it worketh the same effect The Decoction of the Herb being drunk easeth pains of the Mother and bringeth down Womens Courses it also easeth those griefs that arise from Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Reins The same Decoction with a little Honey added thereto is good to gargle a sore Throat The Juyce held a while in the Mouth easeth pains in the Teeth The distilled water of the Herb drunk with some Sugar worketh the same effects and clenseth the Skin from Spots Freckles Purples Wheals Sunburn Morphew c. The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the noise in them and taketh away the pricking and shooting pains therein The same or the distilled Water asswageth hot and swelling Impostumes Burnings and Scaldings by fire or Water as also all other hot Tumors and Inflamations or breakings out of Heat being bathed often with wet Cloathes dipped therein The said Juyce made into a Liniment with Ceruss and Oyl of Roses and anointed therewith clenseth foul rotten Ulcers and stayeth spreading or creeping Ulcers and the running Scabs or Sores in Childrens Heads and helpeth to stay falling of the Hair from off the Head The said Oyntment or the Herb applied to the Fundament openeth the Piles and easeth their pains and being mixed with Goats Tallow helpeth the Gout The Juyce is very effectual to clens Fistulaes and to heal them up safely or the Herb it self bruised and applied with a little Salt It is likewise so effectual to heal any green Wound that if it be bruised and bound thereto for three daies you shall need no other Medicine to heal it further A Pultis made hereof with Mallows and boyled in Wine with Wheat Bran and Bean Flower and some Oyl put thereto and applied warm to any bruised Sinew Tendon or Muscle doth in a very short time restore them to their strength taking away the pains of the Bruises and dissolveth the congealed Blood coming of Blows or Falls from high places The Juyce of Pellitory of Wall clarified and boyled into a Syrup with Honey and a spoonful of it drunk every morning by such as are subject to the Dropsie if continuing that cours though but once a week if ever they have the Dropsie let them come but to me and I will cure them gratis Peny-royal Description THis is so well known unto all I
is a good Remedy against the Plague and other Pestilential Feavers if the Party after taking it warm lie in his bed and sweat for two hours after and use the same twice at least It helpeth also all stingings and bitings of Venemous Beasts or mad Dogs being used inwardly and applied outwardly The same also openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and is very available against the Infirmities of the Reins it provoketh Urine and helpeth to expel the Stone and Gravel out of the Kidneys and Bladder and helpeth much in all inward Wounds and Ulcers The Decoction or distilled Water is no less effectual to be applied to all Wounds that are fresh and green or old filthy fretting and running Ulcers which it very effectually cureth in short spaces A little Honey mixed with the Juyce and dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from cloudy mists or thick Films which grow over them and hinder the sight It helpeth the Toothach being dropped into the Ear on the contrary side of the pain It is also effectual to eas the pains of the Hemorrhoids or Piles Ground Pine or Chamepitys Description OUr common Ground Pine groweth low seldom rising above an handbreadth high shooting forth divers smal Branches set with slender smal long narrow grayish or whitish Leavs somwhat hairy and devided into three parts many times many bushing together at a Joynt and somtimes some growing scatteredly upon the Stalks smelling somwhat strong like unto Rozin the Flowers are somwhat smal and of a pale yellow colour growing from the Joynts of the Stalks all along among the Leavs after which come small long and round Husks The Root is smal woody perishing every yeer Place It groweth more plentifully in Kent than in any other Country of this Land as namely in many places from on this side Dartford along to Southfleet Cotham and Rochester and upon Chattam down hard by the Beacon and half a mile from Rochester in a Field nigh a Hous called Salsey Time It Flowreth and giveth Seed in the Summer Months Vertues and Use. The Decoction of Ground Pine drunk doth wonderfully prevail against the Strangury or any inward pains arising from the Diseases of the Reins and Urine and is especial good for all Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and gently openeth the Body for which purpose they were wont in former times to make Pills with the Pouder thereof and the Purple Figs. It marveilously helpeth all the Diseases of the Mother used inwardly or applied outwardly procuring Womens Courses and expelling the dead Child and afterbirth yea it is so powerful upon those Feminine parts that it is utterly forbidden to Women with Child in that it will caus abortment or delivery before the time It is as effectual also in all pains and Diseases of the Joynts as Gouts Cramps Palseys Sciatica and Aches either the Decoction of the Herb in ' Wine taken inwardly or applied outwardly or both for some time together for which purpose the Pills made with the Pouder of Ground Pine and of Hermodactils with Venice Turpentine are very effectual These Pills also are special good for those that have the Dropsie to be continued for some time The same is a special good help for the Jaundice and for griping pains in the Joynts Belly or inward parts It helpeth also all Diseases of the Brain proceeding of cold and Flegmatick Humors and Distillations as also for the Falling-sickness It is an espcial Remedy for the Poyson of the Aconites of all sorts and other poisonful Herbs as also against the stinking of any Venemous Creature It is a good Remedy for a cold Cough especially in the beginning For all this purposes aforesaid the Herb being tunned up in new Drink and drunk is almost as effectual but far more acceptable to weak and dainty Stomachs The Distilled Water of the Herb hath the same effects but more weakly The Conserve of the Flowers doth the like which Mathiolus much commendeth against the Palsey The green Herb or the Decoction thereof being applied dissolveth the hardness of Womens Breasts and all other hard Swellings in any other part of the Body The green Herb also applied or the Juyce thereof with some Honey not only clenseth putrid stinking foul and Malignant Ulcers and Sores of all sorts but healeth and sodereth up the lips of green Wounds in any part also Let Women forbear it if they be with Child for it works violently upon the Foeminine part and Mars owns it I tell them but so Plantane THis groweth so familiarly in Meadows and Fields and by Pathways and is so well known that it needeth no Description Time It is in its beauty about June and the Seed ripeneth shortly after Vertues and Use. The Juyce of Plantane clarified and drunk for divers daies together either of it self or in other drink prevaileth wonderfully against all torments or Excoriations in the Guts or Bowels helpeth the distillations of Rhewm from the Head ond staieth all manner of Fluxes even Womens Courses when they flow too abundantly It is good to stay spitting of Blood and all other Bleedings at the Mouth or the making of foul or bloody water by reason of any Ulcer in the Reins or Bladder and also staveth the too free bleeding of Wounds It is held an especial Remedy for those that are troubled with the Phtisick or Consumption of the Lungs or Ulcers in the Lungs or Coughs that come of heat The Decoction or Pouder of the Roots or Seed is much more binding for all the purposes aforesaid than the Leavs Dioscorides saith That three Roots boyled in Wine and taken helpeth the Tertian Ague and four the Quartan Ague But letting pass the number as Fabulous I conceive the Decoction of divers Roots may be effectual The Herb but especially the Seed is held to be profitable against the Dropsie the Falling-sickness the yellow Jaundice and stoppings of the Liver and Reins The Roots of Plantane and Pellitory of Spain beaten to Pouder and put into hollow Teeth taketh away the pains of them The clarified Juyce or distilled Water dropped into the Eyes cooleth the Inflamations in them and taketh away the Pin and Web and dropped into the Ears easeth pains in them and helpeth and restoreth the Hearing The same also with Juyce of Housleek is profitable against all Inflamations and breakings out in the skin and against Burnings or Scaldings by fire or Water The Juyce or Decoction made either of it self or other things of like nature is of much use and good effect for old and hollow Ulcers that are hard to be cured and for Cankers and Sores in the Mouth or privy parts of Man or Woman and helpeth also the pains of the Piles in the Fundament The Juyce mixed with Oyl of Roses and the Temples and Forhead anointed therewith easeth the pains of the Head proceeding from heat and helpeth Lunatick and Phrenetick persons very much as also the bitings of Serpents or a Mad Dog The same
and upon the Lungs causing a continual Cough the Fore-runner of a Consumption It helpeth also Hoarsness of the Throat and when one hath lost their voice which the Oyl of the Seed doth likewise The black Seed boyled in Wine and drunk is said also to stay the Flux of the Belly and Womens Courses The empty thels of the Poppy Heads are usually boyled in water and given to procure rest and sleep so do the Leavs in the same manner as also if the Head and Temples be bathed with the Decoction warm or with the Oyl of Poppies the green Leaves or Heads bruised and applied with a little Vinegar or made into a Pultis with Barley Meal or Hogs Greas it cooleth and tempereth al Inflamations as also the Diseas called St. Anthonies Fire It is generally used in Treacle and Methridate and in all other Medicines that are made to procure rest and sleep and to eas pains in the Head as well as in other parts It is also used to cool Inflamations Agues or Phrensies and to stay Defluxions which caus a Cough or Consumption and also other Fluxes of the Belly or Womens Courses It is also put into hollow Teeth to eas the pain and hath been found by experience to eas the pain of the Gout The Wild Poppy or Corn Rose as Mathiolus saith is good to prevent the Falling-sickness The Syrup made with the Flowers is with good effect given to those that have the Pluresie and the dried Flowers also either boyled in water or made into Pouder and drunk either in the Distilled Water of them or in some other Drink worketh the like effect The Distilled Water of the Flowers is held to be of much good use against Surfets being drunk evening and morning It is also more cooling than any of the other Poppies and therefore cannot but be as effectual in hot Agues Phrensies and other Inflamations either inward or outward the Syrup or Water to be used therein or the green Leavs used outwardly either in an Oyntment as it is in Populeon a cooling Oyntment or any other wales applied Galen saith the Seed is dangerous to be used inwardly The Herb is Lunar and of the Juyce of it is made Opium only for lucre of Money they cheat you and tell you 't is a kind of Tear or some such like thing that drops from Poppies when they weep and that is some where beyond the Sea I know not where beyond the Moon Purslane THe Garden Purslane being used as a Sallet Herb is so well known that it needeth no Description I shal therefore only speak of its Vertues as followeth Vertues and use It is good to cool any heat in the Liver Blood Reins and Stomach and in hot Agues nothing better It stayeth hot and Chollerick Fluxes of the Belly Womens Courses the Whites and Gonorrhea or running of the Reins the Distillations from the Head and pains therein proceeding of heat want of sleep or the Phrensie The Seed is more effectual than the Herb and is of singular good use to cool the heat and sharpness of Urine and the outragious Lust of the Body Venerious Dreams and the like insomuch that the overfrequent use hereof exinguisheth the Heat and Vertue of Natural Procreation The Seed bruised and boyled in Wine and given to Children expelleth the Worms The Juyce of the Herb is held as effectual to all the purposes aforesaid as also to stay Vomitings and taken with some Sugar or Honey helpeth an old and dry Cough shortness of Breath and the Phtisick and stayeth immoderate Thirst. The Distilled water of the Herb is used by many as the more pleasing with a little Sugar to work the same effects The Juyce also is singular good in the Inflamations and Ulcers of the secret parts in man or woman as ââ of the Bowels and Hemorrhoids âhen they are Ulcerous or Excoriations in them The Herb bruised and applied to the Forehead and Temples allayeth excessive heat therein hindring rest and sleep and applied to the Eyes taketh away the redness and Inflamation in them and those other parts where Pushes Wheals Pimples St. Anthonies Fire and the like break forth especially if a little Vinegar be put to it And being laid to the Neck with as much of Galls and Linseed together taketh away the pains therein and the Crick in the Neck The Juyce is used with Oyl of Roses for the said causes or for Blastings by Lightning and Burnings by Gun-Pouder or for Womens sore Breastss and to allay the heat in all other Sores or Hurts applied also to the Navels of Children that stick forth it helpeth them It is also good for sore Mouths and Gums that are swollen to fasten loos Teeth Camerarius saith That the distilled water used by some took away the pain of their Teeth when all other Remedies failed and that the thickned Juyce made in Pills with the Pouder of Gum Tragacanth and Arabick being taken prevaileth much to help those that make a bloody water Applied to the Gout it easeth pains thereof and helpeth the hardness of Sinews if it come not of the Cramp or a cold caus 'T is an Herb of the Moon See Lettice Primroses THese are so well known that they need no Description Of the Leavs of Primroses is made as fine a Salve to heal green Wounds as any is that I know you shall be taught to make Salves of any Herb at the latter end of the Book make this as you are taught there and do not you that have any Ingenuity in you see your poor Neighbors go with wounded Limbs when a Halfpenny cost will heal them Privet Description OUr common Privet is carried up with many slender Branches to a reasonable height and breadth to cover Arbours Bowrs and Banquetting Houses and brought wrought and cut into many forms of Men Horses Birds c. which though at first supported groweth afterwards strong of it self It beareth long and narrow green Leavs by couples and sweet smelling white Flowers in tufts at the ends of the Branches which turn into smal black Berries that have a Purplish Juyce within them and some Seeds that are flat on the one side with a hole or dent therein Place It groweth in this Land in divers Woods Time Our Privet Flowreth in June and July The Berries are ripe in August and September Vertues and Use. It is little used in Physick with us in these times more than in Lotions to wash Sores and Sore Mouths and to cool Inflamations and dry up Fluxes Yet Mathiolus saith it serveth to all the uses for which Ciprus or the East Privet is appointed by Dioscorides and Galen He further saith That the Oyl that is made of the Flowers of Privet infused therin and set in the Sun is singular good for the Inflamations of Wounds and for the Headach coming of an hot caus There is a sweet water also distilled from the Flowers that is good for all those Diseases
Vertues and Use. The Juyce of Hors-Radish given in drink is held to be very effectual for the Scurvy It killeth the Worms in Children being drunk and also laid upon the Belly The Root bruised and laid to the place grieved with the Sciatica Joynt-ach or the hard Swellings of the Liver and Spleen doth wonderfully help them all The Distilled water of the Herb and Roots is more familiar to be taken with a little Sugar for all the purposes aforesaid Garden Radishes are in wantonness by the Gentry eaten as Sallet but they breed but scurvy Humors in the Stomach and corrupt the Blood and then send for a Physitian as fast as you can this is one caus makes the owners of such nice Pallars so unhealthful yet for such as are troubled with the Gravel Stone or stoppage of Urine they are good Physick if the Body be strong that takes them you may make the Juyce of the Roots into a Syrup if you pleas for that use they purge by Urine exceedingly I Know not what Planet they are under I think none of all the Seven will own them Ragwort Description THe greater common Ragwort hath many large and long dark green Leavs lying on the ground very much rent and torn on the sides into many pieces from among which rise up somtimes but one and somtimes two or three square or crested blackish or brownish Stalks three or four foot high somtimes branched bearing diverse such like Leavs upon them at several distances unto the tops where it brancheth forth into many Stalks bearing yellow Flowers consisting of diverse Leaves set as a Pale or Border with a dark yellow thrum in the middle which do abide a great while but at last are turned into Down and with the smal blackish gray Seed are carried away with the wind The Root is made of many Fibres whereby it is firmly fastned into to the ground and abideth many yeers There is another sort hereof different from the former only in this That it riseth not so âigh the Leavs are not so finely jagged nor of so dark a green colour but rather somwhat whitish soft and woolly and the Flowers usually paler Place They grow both of them wild in Pastures and untilled grounds in many places and oftentimes both of them in one Field Time They Flower in June and July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. Ragwort Clenseth Digesteth and Discusseth The Decoction of the Herb to wash the Mouth or Throat that have Ulcers or Sores therein and for Swellings hardness or Impostumations for it throughly clenseth and healeth them as also the Quinsie and the Kings Evil It helpeth to stay Catarrrhes thin Rhewms Defluxions from the Head into the Eyes Nose or Lungs The Juyce is found by experience to be singular good to heal green Wounds and to clense and heal all old and filthy Ulcers in the Privities and in other parts of the Body as also inward Wounds and Ulcers and stayeth the Malignity of fretting or running Cankers and hollow Fistulaes not suffering them to spread further It is also much commended to help Aches and pains either in the Fleshy parts or in the Nervs and Sinews as also the Sciatica or pain of the Hips or Huckle-Bone to bath the places with the Decoction of the Herb or to anoint them with an Oyntment made of the Herb bruised and boyled in old Hogs Suet with some Mastich and Olibanum in Pouder added unto it after it is strained forth In Sussex we call it Ragweed Rattle-grass OF this there are two kinds which I shall speak of Viz. The Red and yellow Description The common red Rattle hath sundry reddish hollow Stalks and somtimes green risâng from the Root lying for the most part on the ground yet some growing more upright with many smal reddish or greenish Leavs set on both sides of a middle Rib finely dented about the edges The Flowers stand at the tops of the Stalks and Branches of a fine purplish red colour like smal gaping hoods after which come flat blackish Seed in small Husks which lying loos therein will Rattle with shaking The Root consists of two or three small whitish strings with some fibres thereat The common Yellow Rattle hath seldom above one round green Stalk rising from the Root about half a yard or two foot high and but few Branches theron having two long and somwhat broad Leavs set at a Joynt deeply cut in on the edges resembling the Comb of e Cock broadest next to the Stalk and smaller to the end The Flowers grow at the tops of the Stalks with some shorter Leavs with them hooded after the same manner that the others are but of a fair yellow colour in most or in some paler and in some more white The Seed is contained in large Husks and being ripe will rattle or make a nois with lying loose in them The Root is small and slender perishing every yeer Place They grow in our Meadows and Woods generally through this Land Time They are in Flower from Midsummer until August be past somtimes Vertues and use The Red Rattle is accounted profitable to heal up Fistulaes and hollow Ulcers and to stay the Flux of Humors to them as also the abundance of Womens Courses or any other Flux of Blood being boyled in red Wine and drunk The Yellow Rattle or Cocks Comb is held to Be good for those that are troubled with a Cough or with Dimness of Sight if the Herb being boyled with Beans and some Honey put thereto be drunk or dropped into the Eyes The whol Seed being put into the Eyes draweth forth any skin Dimness or Film from the sight without trouble or pain Rest-Harrow or Cammoak Description THe common Rest-Harrow riseth up with divers rough woody twigs half a yard or a yard high set at the Joynes without order with little roundish Leavs somtimes more than two or three at a place of a dark green colour without thorns while they are yong but afterwards armed in sundry places with short and sharp Thorns The Flowers come forth at the tops of the twigs and Branches whereof it is ful fashioned like Peas or Broom Blossoms but lesser flatter and somwhat closer of a faint purplish colour after which come smal Pods containing smal flat and round Seed The Root is blackish on the outside and whitish within very tough and hard to break when it is fresh and green and as hard as an Horn when it is dried thrusting down deep into the ground and spreading likewise every piece being apt to grow again if it be left in the ground Place It groweth in many places of this Land as well in the Arable as wast ground Time It Flowreth about the beginning or middle of July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use It is singular good to provoke Urine when it is stopped and to break and drive forth the Stone which the Pouder of the
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 oââ 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 ââown 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 Dâoscorides 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
this Take therfore a Description at large of it as followeth Description At the first appearing out of the ground when the Winter is past is hath a great round brownish head rising from the middle or sides of the Root which openeth it self into sundry Leavs one after another very much crumpled or folded together at the first and brownish but afterward it spreadeth it self and becometh smooth very large and almost round every one standing on a brownish Stalk of the thickness of a mans Thumb when they are grown to their fulness and most of them two foot and more in length especially when they grow in any moist or good Ground and the Stalk of the Leaf also from the bottom thereof to the Leaf it self being also two Foot The breadth thereof from edg to edg in the broadest place being also two foot of a sad or dark green colour of a fine tart or sowrish tast much more pleasant than the Garden or Wood sorrel From among these riseth up some but not every yeer a strong thick Stalk not growing so high as the Patience or Garden Dock with such round Leavs as grow below but smaller at every Joynt up to the top and among the Flowers which are white spreading forth into many Branches and consisting of five or six small white Leavs apiece hardly to be discerned from the white threds in the middle and seeming to be all threds after which come brownish three square Seed like unto other Docks but larger whereby it may be plainly known to be a Dock The Root groweth in time to be very great with divers and sundry great spreading Branches from it of a dark brownish or reddish colour on the outside with a pale yellow skin under it which covereth the inner substance or Root which âind and Skin being pared away the Root appeareth of so fresh and lively a colour with fleshcolour'd Veins running through it that the choicest of that Rubarb that is brought us from beyond the Seas cannot excel it Which Root if it be dried carefully and as it ought which must be in our Countrey by the gentle heat of a fire in regard the Sun is not hot enough here to do it and every piece kept from touching one another will hold his colour almost as well as when it is fresh and hath been approved of and commended by those who have oftentimes used them Place It groweth in Gardens and Flowreth about the beginning or middle of June and the Seed is ripe in July Time The Roots that are to be dried and kept all the yeer following are not to be taken up before the Stalk and Leavs be quite withered and gone and that is not until the middle or end of October and if they be taken a little before the Leavs do spring or when they are sprung up the Roots will not have half so good a colour in them I have given the precedence unto this becaus in vertues also it hath the preheminence I come now to describe unto you that which is called Patience or Monks Rubarb and next unto at the great round Leav'd Dock or Bastard Rubarb for the one of these may happily supply in the absence of the other being not much unlike in their Vertues only one more powerful and efficacious than the other And lastly shall shâw you the Vertues of all the three Sorts Garden Patience or Monks Rubard Description THis is a Dock bearing the name of Rubarb for some purging quality therein and groweth up with large tall Stalks set with somwhat broad and long fair green Leavs not dented at all The tops of the Stalks being devided into many smal Branches bear reddish or purplish Flowers and three square Seed like unto other Docks The Root is long great and yellow like unto the wild Docks but a little redder and if it be a little dried sheweth less store of discoloured veins than the next doth when it is dry Great round leav'd Dock OR Bastard Rubarb Description THis hath divers large round thin yellowish with green Leavs rising from the Root a little waved about the edges every one standing on a reasonable thick and long brownish Footstalk from among which riseth up a pretty big Stalk about two foot high with some such like Leavs growing thereon but smaller At top whereof stand In a long spike many smal brownish Flowers which turn into hard three square shining brown Seed like the Garden Patience before described This Root groweth greater than that with many Branches or great Fibres thereat yellow on the outside and somwhat pale yellow within with some discoloured veins like to the Rubarb which is first described but much less than it especially when it is dry Place and Time These also grow in Gardens and Flower and Seed at or neer the same time that our true Rubarb doth Viz. they Flower in June and the Seed is ripe in July Vertues and use A dram of the dried Root of Monks Rubarb with a seruple of Ginger made into Pouder and taken fasting in a draught or mess of warm Broth purgeâ Choller and Flegm downward very gently and safely without danger The Seed thereof contrarily doth bind the Belly and helpeth to stay any sort of Lask or Bloody Flux The distilled water thereof is very profitably used to heal Scabs as also foul Ulcerous Sores and to allay the Inflamations of them The Juyce of the Leavs or Roots or the Decoction of them in Vinegar is used as a most effectual Remedy to heal Scabs and running Sores The Bastard Rubarb hath all the properties of the Monks Rubarb but more effectual for both inward and outward Diseases The Decoction thereof with Vinegar dropped into the Ears taketh away the pains gargled in the Mouth taketh away Toothach and being drunk healeth the Jaundice The Seed thereof taken easeth the gnawing and griping pains of the Stomach and taketh away the loathing thereof unto Meat The Root thereof helpeth the ruggedness of the Nails and being boyled in Wine helpeth the Swellings of the Throat commonly called the Kings evil as also the Swellings of the Kernels of the Ears It helpeth them that are troubled with the Stone provoketh Urine and helpeth the dimness of the Sight The Roots of this Bastard Rubarb are used in opening and purging Diet Drinks with other things to open the Liver and to clens and cool the Blood The poperties of that which is called the English Rubarb are the same with the former but much more effectual and hath all the properties of the true Indian Rubarb except the force in purging wherein it is but of half the strength thereof and therfore a double quantity must be used it likewise hath not that bitterness and astriction in other things it worketh almost ân an equal quality which are these It purgeth the Body of Choller and Flegm being either taken of it self made into Pouder and drunk in a draught of white Wine or steâped therein all night and taken
fasting or put among other Purgers as shall be thought convenient clensing the Stomach Liver and Blood opening Obstructions and helping those griefs that come thereof as the Jaundice Dropsie swelling of the Spleen Tertian and day Agues and the pricking pain of the sides and also it stayerh spitting of Blood The Pouder taken with Cassia dissolved and a little wash'd Venice Turpentine clenseth the Reins and strengthneth them afterwards and is very effectual to stay the running of the Reins or Gonorrea It is also given for the pains and swellings in the Head for those that are troubled with Melancholly and helpeth the Sciatica the Gout and the Cramp The Pouder of Rubarb taken with a little Mummia and Madder Roots in some red Wine dissolveth clotted Blood in the Body hapning by any fall or bruise and healeth burstings and broken parts as well inward as outward The Oyl likewise wherein it hath been boyled worketh the like effects being anointed It is used to heal those Ulcers that happen in the Eyes and Eyelids being steeped and strained as also to asswage the Swellings and Inflamations and applied with Honey or boyled Wine it taketh away all black and blue Spots or Marks that happen therein Whey or white Wine are the best Liquors to steep it in and thereby it worketh more effectually in opening Obstructions and purging the Stomach and Liver Many do use a little Indian Spicknard as the best Correcter thereof Mars claims Predominancy over all these wholsom Herbs you cry out upon him for an infortune when God created him for your good only he is angry with Fools what dishonor is this not to Mars but to God Himself Meadow Rue Description THis riseth up with a yellow stringy Root much spreading in the ground and shooting forth new sprouts round about with many Herby green Stalks two foot high crested all the length of them set with Joynts here and there and many large Leavs on them as well as below being devided into smaller Leavs nicked or dented in the forepart of them of a sad green colour on the upperside and pale green underneath Toward the top of the Stalk there shooteth forth divers short Branches on every one thereof there stand two three or four smal round Heads or Buttons which breaking the skin that incloseth them shew forth a tuft of pale greenish yellow threds which falling away there comes in their places small three cornre'd Cods wherein is contained smal long and round Seed The whol Plant hath a strong unpleasant scent Place It groweth in many places of this Land in the Borders of moist Meadows and by Ditch sides Time It Flowreth about July or the beginning of August Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith that this Herb bruised and applied perfectly healeth old Sores and the distilled water of the Herb and Flowers doth the like It is used by some among other Pot-herbs to open the Body and make it soluble but the Roots washed clean and boyled in Ale and drunk provoketh to the Stool more than the Leavs but yet very gently The Root boyled in Water and the places of the Body most troubled with Vermine or Lice washed therewith while it is warm destroyeth them utterly In Italy it is used against the Plague and in Saxony against the Jaundice as Camerarious saith Garden Rue THis is so well known both by this name and the Name Herb of Grace that I shal not need to write you any further Description of it But shall only shew you the Vertues of it as followeth Vertues and Use. It provoketh Urine and Womens Courses being taken either in Meat or Drink The Seed thereof taken in Wine is an Antidote against all dangerous Medicines or deadly Poysons The Leavs taken either by themselves or with Figs and Walnuts is called Metbridates his Counter poyson against the Plague and causeth all Venemous things to become harmless Being often taken in Meat or Drink it abateth Venery and destroyeth the ability to beger Children A Decoction made thereof with some dried Dill Leavs and Flowers easeth all pains and torments inwardly to be drunk and outwardly to be applied warm to the place grieved The same being drunk helpeth the pains both of the Chest and Sides as also Coughs hardness of breathing the Inflmations of the Lungs and the tormenting pains of the Sciatica and the Joynts being anointed or laid to the places as also the shaking Fits of Agues to take a draught before the Fit come Being boyled or infused in Oyl it is good to help the wind Chollick the hardness or windiness of the Mother and freeth women from the strangling or suffocation thereof if the Share and the Parts thereabouts be anointed therewith It killeth and driveth forth the Worms of the Belly if it be drunk after it is boyled in Wine to the half with a little Honey It helpeth the Gout or pains in the Joynts of Hands Feet or Knees applied thereunto and with Figs it helpeth the Dropsie being bathed therewith being bruised and put into the Nostrils it staieth the Bleeding thereof It helpeth the swelling of the Cods it they be bathed with a Decoction of Rue and Bay Leaves It taketh away Wheals and Pimples if being bruised with a few Mirtle Leavs if it be made up with Wax and applied It cureth the Morphew and taketh away all sorts of Warts if boyled in Wine with some Pepper and Nitre and the places rubbed therewith and with Allum and Honey helpeth the dry Scab or any Tetter or Ringworm The Juyce thereof warmed in a Pemegranate Shel or Rind and dropped into the Ears helpeth the pains of them The Juyce of it and Fennel with a little Honey and the Gall of a Cock put thereto helpeth the dimness of the Eyelight An Oyntment made of the Juyce therof with Oyl of Roses Ceruss and a little Vinegar and anointed cureth St. Anthonies Fire and all foul running Sores in the Head and the stinking Ulcers of the Nose or other parts The Antidote used by Methridateâ every morning fasting to secure himself from any Poyson or Infection was this Take twenty Leavs of Rue a little Salt a couple of Walnuts and a couple of Figs beaten together into a Mass with twenty Juniper Berries which is the quantity appointed for every day Another Electuary is made thus Take of Nitre Pepper and Cummin Seed of each equal Parts of the Leaves of Rue clean picked as much in weight as all the other three weighed beat them well together and put to as much Honey as will make it up into an Electuary but you must first steep your Cummin seed in Vinegar twenty four hours and then dry it or rather toast it in a hot Fire-shovel or in an Oven and it is a Remedy for the pains or griefs of the Chest or Stomach of the Spleen Belly or Sides by Wind or Stitches of the Liver by Obstructions of the Reins and Bladder by the stopping of Urine and helpeth also to
extenuate fat corpulent Bodies What an Infamy is cast upon the Ashes of Methridates or Methradates as the Augustanes read his name by unworthy people they that deserve no good report themselves love to give nonâ to others Viz. That that renowned King of Pontus fortified his Body by Poyson against Poyson He cast out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils what a sot is he that knows not if he had accustomed his Body to cold Poysons hot Poysons would have dispatch'd him or the contrary if not corrosions would have done it the whol world is at this very time beholding to him for his Studies in Physick and he that useth the quantity of but a Hazel Nut of that Recept every morning to which his name is adjoyned shall to admiration preserve his Body in health if he do but consider that Rue is an Herb of the Sun and under Leo and gather it and the rest accordingly Rupture wort Description THis spreadeth very many threddy Branches round about upon the ground about a span long devided into many other smaller parts full of small Joynts set very thick together whereat come forth two very small Leavs of a fresh yellowish green colour branches and all where groweth forth also a number of exceeding smal yellowish Flowers scarce to be discerned from the Stalks and Leavs which turn into Seed as smal as the very dust The Root is very long and smal thrusting down deep into the ground This hath neither smel nor tast at first but afterward hath a little astringent tast without any manifest heat yet a little bitter and sharp withal Place It groweth in dry sandy and Rockie places Time It is fresh and green all the Summer Vertues and use Rupture wort hath not his name in vain for it is found by experience to cure the Rupture not only in Children but also in Elder Persons if the Diseas be not too inveterate by taking a dram of the Pouder of the dried Herb every day in Wine for certain daies together Or the Decoction made in Wine and drunk Or the Juyce or distilled water of the green Herb taken in the same manner and helpeth all other Fluxes either in men or Women Vomitings also and the Gonorrhea or running of the Reins being taken any of the waies aforesaid It doth also most assuredly help those that have the Strangury or have their Urine stopped or are troubled with the Stone or Gravel in their Reins or Bladder The same also helpeth much all Stitches in the Side all griping pains in the Stomach or Belly the Obstructions of the Liver and cureth the yellow Jaundice likewise It killeth also the Worms in Children Being outwardly applied it conglutineth Wounds notably and helpeth much to stay Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head to the Eyes Nose and Teeth being bruised green and bound thereto Or the Decoction of the dried Herb to bath the Forehead and Temples or the Nape of Neck behind It also drieth up the moisture of Fistulous Ulcers or any others that are foul and spreading They say Saturn causeth Ruptures if he do he doth no more than he can cure if you want wit he will teach you though to your cost this Herb is Saturns own and is a notable Antivenerian Rushes ALthough there are many kinds of Rushes yet I shall only here insist upon those which are best known and most Medicinal as the Bulrushes and other of the soât and smooth kinds which grow so commonly in almost every place of this Land and are so generally noted that I suppose it needless to trouble you with any Description of them Briefly then take the Vertues of them as followeth Vertues and Uices The Seeds of these soft Rushes saith Dioscorides and Galen toasted saith Pliny being drunk in Wine and Water stayeth the Lask and Womens Courses when they come down too abundantly but it causeth Headach It provoketh sleep likewife but must be given with caution lest the party that takes it wake not until the Resurrection Pliny saith The Root boyled in water to the consumption of one third helpeth the Cough Thus you see that Conveniences have their Inconveniences and Vertue is seldom unaccompanied with some Vices What I have written concerning Rushes is to satisfie my Country-mens Question Are our Rushes good for nothing Yes and as good let alone as taken There are Remedies enough without them for every Diseas and therforo as the Proverb is I care not a Rush for them or rather they will do you as much good as if one had given you a Rush. Rye THis is so well known in all the Countries of this Land and especially to the Country people who feed much thereon that if I should describe it they would presently say I might well have spared that Labor Its Vertues follow Vertues and use Rye is more digesting than Wheat The Bread and the Leaven thereof ripeneth and breaketh Impostumes Boyls and other Swellings The Meal of Rye put between a double cloth and moistned with a little Vinegar and heated in a Pewter dish set over a Chafing-dish of coals and bound fast to the Head while it is hot both much eas the continual pains of the Head Mathiolus saith That the ashes of Rye straw put into Water and suffered therein a day and a night and the Chops of the Hands or Feet washed therewith doth heal them Saffron THe Herb needs no Description it being known generally where it grows Place It grows frequently at Walden in Essex and in Cambridg-sbire Vertues and use It is an Herb of the Sun and under the Lion and therfore you need not demand a reason why it strengthens the heart so exceedingly Let not abov ten grains be given at one time for if the Sun which is the Fountain of Life may dazle the Eyes and make them blind a Cordial being taken in an immoderate quantity may hurt the Heart instead of helping it It quicken the Brain for the Sun is exalted in V as well as he hath his House in SL it help Consumption of the Lungs help difficulty of breathing it is an excellent thing in Epidemical Diseases as Pestilences smal Pox and Measles It is a notable expulsive Medicine and a notable Remedy for the yellow Jaundice My own Opinion is but I have no Author for it that Hermodactils is nothing else but the Roots of Saffron dried and my reason is that the Roots of all Crocus both white and yellow purge Flegm as Hermodactils do and if you please to dry the Roots of any Crocus neither your eye nor your tast shal distinguish it from Hermodactils Sage OUr ordinary Garden Sage needeth no Description Time It Flowreth in or about July Vertues and use A Decoction of the Leavs and Branches of Sage made and drunk saith Dioscorides provoketh Urine bringeth down Womens Courses helpeth to expel the dead Child and causeth the hairs to become black It staieth the bleeding of Wounds and clenseth foul Ulcers or Sores The seid
Decoction made in Wine taketh away the itching of the Cods if they be bathed therwith Agrippa saith That if Women that cannot conceive by reason of the moist slipperiness of their Wombs shall take a quantity of the Juyce of Sage with a little Salt for four daies before they company with their Husbands it will help them not only to Conceive but also to retain the Birth without miscarrying Orpheus saith Three spoonfuls of the Juyce of Sage taken fasting with a little Honey doth presently stay the spitting or casting up of Blood For them that are in a Consumption these Pills are much commended Take of Spicknard and Ginger of each two drams of the Seed of Sage toasted at the fire eight drams of long Pepper twelve drams all these being brought into fine Pouder put thereto so much Juyce of Sage as may make them into a Mass for Pills taking a dram of them every morning fasting and so likewise at night drinking a little pure Water after them Mathiolus saith it is very profitable for all manner of pains of the Head coming of cold and Rhewmatick Humors as also for all pains of the Joynts whether used inwardly or outwardly and therfore helpeth the Falling-sickness the Lethargy such as are dull and heavy of spirit the Palsey and is of much use in an Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head and for the Diseases of the Chest or Preast The Leavs of Sage and Nettles bruised together and laid upon the Impostume that riseth behind the Ears doth aslwage it much The juyce of Sage taken in warm water helpeth a Hoarsness and the Cough The Leavs sodden in Wine and laid upon the place affected with the Palsey helpeth much if the Decoction be drunk also Sage taken with Wormwood is used for the bloody Flux Pliny saith it procureth Womens Courses and stayeth them coming down too fast helpeth the stinging and biting of Serpents and killeth the Worms that breed in the Ears and in Sores Sage is of excellent use to help the Memory warming and quickning the senses and the Conserve made of the Flowers is used to the same purpose and also for all the former recited Diseases The Juyce of Sage drunk with Vinegar hath been of good use in the time of Plague at all times Gargles likewise are made with Sage Rosemary Honeysuckles and Plantane boyled in Wine or Water with some Honey and Allum put thereto to wash sore Mouthes and Throats Cankers or the secret parts of man or woman as need requireth And with other hot and comfortable Herbs Sage is boyled to bath the Body or Legs in the Summer time especially to warm cold Joynts or Sinews troubled with the Palsey or Cramp and to comfort and strengthen the parts It is much commended against the Stitch or pains in the side coming of Wind if the place be fomented warm with the Decoction thereof in Wine and the Herb after the boyling be laid warm also thereunto Jupiter claims this and bid me tell you it is good for the Liver and to breed good Blood VVood-Sage Description VVood-Sage riseth up with square hoary Stalks two foot high at the least with two Leavs set at every Joynt somwhat like other Sage Leavs but smaller softer whiter and rounder and a little dented about the edges and smelling somwhat strongly At the tops of the Stalks and Branches stand the Flowers on a slender long Spike turning themselves all one way when they blow and are of a pale and whitish colour smaller than Sage but hooded and gaping like unto them The Seed is blackish and round four usually set in a husk together The Root is long and stringy with diverse Fibres thereat and abideth many yeers Place It groweth in Woods and by Wood-sides as also in diverse Fields and by-Lanes in this Land Time It Flowreth in June July and August Vertues and Use. The Decoction of Wood-Sage provoketh Urine and Womens Courses it also provoketh Sweat digesteth Humors and discusseth Swellings and Nodes in the Flesh and is therefore thought to be good against the French Pox. The Decoction of the green Herb made with Wine is a safe and sure Remedy for those who by falls bruises or Blows doubt some Vein to be inwardly broken to disperse and avoid the congealed blood and to consolidate the Vein It is also good for such as are inwardly or outwardly bursten the drink used inwardly and the Herb applied outwardly The same used in the same manner is found to be a sure Remedy for the Palsey The Juyce of the Herb or the Pouder thereof dried is good for moist Ulcers and sores in the Legs or other parts to dry them and caus them to heal the more speedily It is no less effectual also in green Wounds to be used upon any occasion Solomons Seal Description THe common Solomons Seal riseth up with a round Stalk about half a yard high bowing or bending down to the top set with single Leavs one above another somwhat large and like the Leavs of the LillyConvalley or May Lilly with an eye of blewish upon the green with some ribs therein and more yellowish underneath At the foot of every Leaf almost from the bottom up to the top of the Stalk come forth small long white and hollow pendulous Flowers somwhat like the Flowers of May-Lilly but ending in five long points for the most part two together at the end of a long Footstalk and somtimes but one and sometimes also two Stalks with Flowers at the Foot of a Leaf which are without any scent at all and stand all on one side of the Stalk After they are past come in their places smal round Berries green at the first and blackish green tending to blewness when they are ripe wherein lie smal white hard and stony Seed The Root is of the thickness of ones finger or Thumb white and knobbed in some places with a flat round circle representing a Seal whereof it took the name lying along under the upper crust of the Earth and not growing downward but with many fibres underneath Place It is frequent in diverse places of this Land as namely in a Wood two miles from Canterbury by Fishpool-Hill as also in a bushy Close belonging to the Parsonage of Alderbury neer Clarindon two miles from Salisbury in Chesson Wood on Chesson Hill between Newington and Sittingborn in Kent and in diverse other places in Essex and other Counties Time It Flowreth about May The Root abideth and shooteth anew every yeer Vertues and Use. The Root of Solomons Seal is found by experience to be available in Wounds Hurts and outward Sores to heal and close up the lips of those that are green and to dry up and restrain the Flux of Humors to those that are old It is singular good to stay Vomitings and Bleedings wheresoever as also al Fluxes in man or woman whether the Whites or Reds in Women or the running of the Reins in men also to knit any Joynt
which by weakness useth to be often out of place or will not stay in long when it is set also to knit and joyn broken Bones in any part of the Body the Roots being bruised and applied to the place Yea it hath been found by late experience that the Decoction of the Root in Wine or the bruised Root put in Wine or other drink and after a nights infusion strained forth hard and drunk hath holpen both man and Beast whose Bones have been broken by any occasion which is the most assured refuge of help to people of diverse Countries of this Land that they can have It is no less effectual to help Rupture and Burstings the Decoction in Wine or the Pouder in Broth or Drink being inwardly taken and outwardly applyed to the place The same is also available for inward or outward Bruises Falls or Blows both to dispel the congealed blood and to take away both the pains and the black and blew Marks that abide after the hurt The same also or the distilled water of the whol Plant used to the Face or other part of the Skin clenseth it from Morphew Freckles Spots or Marks whatsoever leaving the place fresh fair and Lovely for which purpose it is much used by the Italian Dames Saturn owns this Plant for he loves his Bones well Sampire Description THe Rock Sampire groweth up with a tender green Stalk about half a yard or two foot high at the most branching forth almost from the very bottom and stored with sundry thick and almost round somwhat long Leavs of a deep green colour somtimes three together and somtimes more on a Stalk and are sappy and of a pleasant hot or spicy tast At the tops of the Stalk and Branches stand Umbels of white Flowers and after them come large Seed bigger than Fennel Seed yet somwhat alike The Root is great white and long continuing many yeers and is of a hot spicy tast likewise Place It groweth on the Rocks that are often moistened at the least if not overflown with the Sea water Time And it Flowreth and Seedeth in the end of July and August Vertues and Use. It is a safe Herb very pleasant both to the tast and Stomach helping digestion and in some sort opening the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen provoking Urine and helping thereby to wash away the Gravel and Stone ingendred in the Kidneys or Bladder Sanicle Description THe ordinary Sanicle sendeth forth many great round Leavs standing upon long brownish stalkes every one somewhat deeply cut or divided into five or six parts and some of those also cut in somwhat like the Leaf of a Crowfoot or Doves-foot and finely dented about the edges smooth and of a dark green shining colour and somtimes reddish about the Brims from among which riseth up smal round green Stalks without any Joynt or Leaf thereon saving at the top where it brancheth forth into Flowers having a Leaf devided into three or four parts at that Joynt with the Flowers which are smal and whit starting out of smal round greenish yellow heads many standing together in a tuft in which afterward are the Seeds contained which are smal round rough Burs somwhat like the Seeds of Cleavers and stick in the same manner upon any thing that they touch The Root is composed of many black strings or fibres set together at a little long head which abideth with the green Leavs all the Winter and perish not Place It is found in many shadowy Woods and other places of this Land Time It Flowreth in June and the Seed is ripe shortly after Vertues and Use. It is exceeding good to heal all green Wounds speedily or any Ulcers Impostumes or bleedings inwardly It doth wonderfully help those that have any Tumors in any part of their Bodies for it represseth and dissipateth the Humors if the Decoction or Juyce thereof be taken or the Pouder in drink and the Juyce used outwardly For there is not found any Herb that can give such present help either to Man or Beast when the Disease falleth upon the Lungs or Throat and to heal up all the putrid Malignant Ulcers in the Mouth Throat and Privities by gargling or washing with the Decoction of the Leavs and Root made in Water and a little Honey put thereto It helpeth to stay Womens Courses and all other Fluxes of Blood either by the Mouth Urine or Stool and Lasks of the Belly the Ulceration of the Kidneys also and the pains in the Bowels and the Gonorrhea or running of the Reins being boyled in Wine or Water and drunk The same also is no less powerful to help any Ruptures or Burstings used both inwardly and outwardly and briefly it is effectual in binding restraining consolidating heating drying and healing as Comfry Bugle Self-heal or any other of the Consounds or Vulnerary Herbs whatsoever This is one of Venus her Herbs to cure either Wounds or what other mischiefs Mars inflicteth upon the Body of Man Sarasens Consound Description THis groweth very high somtimes with brownish Stalks and other whiles with green and hollow to a mans height having many long and narrow green Leavs snip'd about the edges somwhat like those of the Peach-Tree Tree or Willow Leavs but not of such a white green colour The tops of the Stalks are furnished with many pale yellow Starlike Flowers standing in green heads which when they are fallen and the Seed ripe which is somwhat long smal and of a yellowish brown colour wrapped in down is therewith carried away with the wind The Root is composed of many strings or fibres set together at a head which perish not in Winter but abide although the Stalks dry away and no Leaf appeareth in Winter The tast hereof is strong and unpleasant and so is the smel also Place It groweth in moist and wet grounds by Wood sides and somtimes in the moist places of shady Groves as also by the water side Time It Flowreth in July and the Seed is soon ripe and carryed away with the wind Vertues and Use. Among the Germans this Wound Herb is preferred before all others of the same quality Being boiled in Wine and drunk it helpeth the indisposâion of the Liver and freeth the Gall from Obstructions whereby it is good for the yellow Jaundice and for the Dropsie in the beginning of it for all inward Ulcers of the Reins or elswhere and inward Wounds and Bruises And being steeped in Wine and then distilled the Water thereof drunk is singular good to ease all gnawings in the Stomach or other pains of the Body as also the pains of the Mother And being boyled in Water it helpeth continual Agues And this said Water or the simple Water of the Herb distilled or the Juyce or Decoction are very effectual to heal any green Wound or old sore or Ulcer whatsoever clensing them from corruption and quickly healing them up It is no less effectual for the Ulcers in the mouth or Throat
another sort called Dutch Scurvy-Grass which is most known and frequent in Gardens which hath diverse fresh green and almost round Leaves rising from the Root nothing so thick as the former yet in some rich ground very large even twice so big as others not dented about the edges nor hollow in the middle every one standing upon a long Footstalk from among these rise up divers long slender weak Stalks higher than the former and with more white Flowers at the tops of them which turn into smaller pods and smaller brownish Seed than the former The Root is white smal and threddy The tast of this is nothing Salt ar all but hath an hot Aromatical spicy tast Time They Flower in April or May and give their Seed ripe quickly after Vertues and Use. The English Scurvey-grass is more used for the Salt tast it beareth w th doth somwhat open and clense but the Dutch Scurvey-grass is of better effect and chiefly used if it may be had by those that have the Scurvey especially to purge and clense the Blood the Liver and the Spleen for all which Diseases it is of singular good effect by taking the Juyce in the Spring every morning fasting in a cup of Drink The Decoction is good for the same purpose and the Herb tunned up in new Drink either by it self or with other things for it openeth Obstructions evacuateth cold clammy and Flegmatick Humors both from the Liver and the Spleen wasting and consuming both the swelling and hardness thereof and thereby bringing to the Body a more lively colour The Juyce also helpeth all foul Ulcers and Sores in the Mouth if it be often gargled therewith and used outwardly clenseth the Skin from spots marks or Scars that happen therein Self-heal Description THe common Self-heal is a small low creeping Herb having many small roundish pointed Leavs somwhat like the Leaves of Wild Mints of a dark green colour without any dents on the edges from among which rise diverse square hairy Stalks scarce a foot high which spread somtime into Branches with diverse such smal Leaves set thereon up to the tops where stand brown spiked Heads of many smal brownish Leaves like scales and Flowers set together almost like the Head of Cassidony which Flowers are gaping and of a blewish purple or more pale blew in some places sweet but not so in others The Root consists of many strings or fibres downward and spreadeth strings also whereby it encreaseth The smal stalks with the Leaves creeping upon the ground shoot forth sibres taking hold of the ground wherby it is made a great ruft in short time Place It is found in Woods and Fields every where Time It Flowreth in May and somtimes in April Vertues and Use. As Self-heal is like Bugle in form so also in the Qualities and Vertues serving for al the purposes whereto Bugle is applied with good success either inwardly or outwardly for inward Wounds or Ulcers wheresoever within the Body for Bruises and Falls and such like hurts if it be accompanied with Bugle Sanicle and other the like Wound Herbs it will be the more effectual and to wash or inject into Ulcers in the parts outwardly where there is cause to repress the heat and sharpness of Humors flowing to any sore Ulcer Inflamation Swelling or the like or to stay the Flux of blood in any Wound or Part this is used with good success as also to clense the foulness of Sores and cause them more speedily to be healed It is an especial Remedy for all green Wounds to soder the lips of them and to keep the place from any further inconveniences The Juyce hereof used with Oyl of Roses to anoint the Temples and Forehead is very effectual to remove the Headach and the same mixed with Honey of Roses clenseth and healeth all Ulcers in the Mouth and Throat and those also in the secret parts And the Proverb of the Germans French and others is verified in this That he needeth neither Physitian nor Chyrurgion that hath Self-heal and Sanicle to help himself Here is another Herb of Venus Self-heal whereby when you hurt you may heal your self 't is indeed a special Herb for inward and outward Wounds take it inwardly in Syrups for inward Wounds outwardly in Unguents and Plaisters for outward The Service-tree THis is so well know in the places where it grows that it needeth no Description Time It Flowreth before the end of May and the Fruit is ripe in October Vertues and use Services when they are mellow are fit to be taken to stay Fluxes Scowring and Castings yet less than Medlars if they be dried before they be mellow and kept all the yeer they may be used in Decoctions for the said purpose either to drink or to bath the parts requiring it and is profitably used in that manner to stay the bleeding of Wounds and at the Mouth or Nose to be applied to the Forehead and Nape of the Neck Smallage THis also is very well known and therefore I shall not trouble the Reader with any Description thereof Place It groweth naturally in wet and Marsh grounds but if it be sown in Gardens it there prospereth very well Time It abideth green all the Winter and Seedeth in August Vertues and Use. Smallage is hotter dryer and much more Medicinable than Parsley for it much more openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen rarifieth thick Flegm and clenseth it and the Blood withal It provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and is singular good against the yellow Jaundice It is very effectual against Tertian and Quartan Agues if the Juyce thereof be taken but especially made into a Syrup The Juyce also put to Honey of Rââes and Barley Water is very good to Gangle the Mouth and Throat of those that have Sores and Ulcers in them and will quickly heal them The same Lotion also clenseth and healeth all other foul Ulcers and Cankers elswhere if they be washed therewith The Seed is especially used to break and expel wind to kill Worms and to help a stinking Breath The Root is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid and is held to be stronger in operation than the Herb but especially to open Obstructions and to rid away an Ague if the Juyce thereof be taken in Wine or the Decoction thereof in Wine be used Sopewort or Bruisewort Description THe Root creepeth under ground far and neer with many Joynts therein of a brown colour on the outside and yellowish within shooting forth in diverse places many weak round Stalks full of Joynts set with two Leaves apiece at every one of them on the contrary side which are ribbed somwhat like unto Plantane and fashioned like the common field white Campion Leaves seldom having any Branches from the sides of the Stalks but set with diverse Flowers at the top standing in long Husks like the wild Campions made of five Leavs apiece round at the ends and a
little dented in the middle of a pale Rose colour almost white somtimes deeper and somtimes paler of a reasonable good scent Place It groweth wild in many low and wet grounds of this Land by the Brooks and sides of running Waters Time It Flowreth usually in July and so continueth all August and part of September before they be quite spent Vertues and use The Country people in diverse places do use to bruise the Leaves of Sopewort and lay it to their Fingers Hands or Legs when they are cut to heal them up again Some make great boast there of that it is Diuretical to provoke Urine and thereby to expel Gravel and the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys and do also account it singular good to avoid Hydropical waters thereby to cure the disease of the Dropsie And they no less extol it to perform an absolute cure in the French Pox more than either Sarsaparilla Gujacum or China can do which how true it is I leave to others to judg Sorrel OUr ordinary Sorrel which groweth in Gardens and also wild in the Fields is so well known that it needeth no Description Vertues and Use. Sorrel is prevalent in all hot Diseases to cool any Inflamation and heat of Blood in Agues Pestilential or Chollerick or other sicknesses and sainting rising from heat and to refresh the overspent Spirits with the violence of furious or fiery fits of Agues to quench Thirst and procure an Appetite in fainting or decayd Stomachs for it resisteth the putrefaction of the Blood killeth Worms and is as a Cordial to the heart which the Seed doth more effectually being more drying and binding and thereby stayeth the hot Fluxes of Womens Courses or of Humors in the Bloody Flux or Flux of the Stomach The Roots also in a Decoction or in Pouder is effectual for all the said purposes Both Roots and Seed as well as the Herb is held powerful to resist the poyson of the Scorpion The Decoction of the Roots is taken to help the Jaundice and to expel Gravel and the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys The Decoction of the Flowers made with Wine and drunk helpeth the black Jaundice as also the inward Ulcers of the Body or Bowels A Syrup made with the Juyce of Sorrel and Fumitary is a Soveraign help to kill those sharp Humors that cause the Itch. The Juyce thereof with a little Vinegar serveth well to be used outwardly for the same cause and is also profitable for Tetters Ringworms c. It helpeth also to discuss the Kernels in the Throat and the Juyce gargled in the Mouth helpeth the Sores therein The Leaves wrapped up in a Colewoort Leaf and roasted under the Embers and applied to a hard Impostume Botch Boyl or Plague Sore both ripeneth and breaketh it The Distilled water of the Herb is of much good use for all the purposes aforesaid Venus owns it and she will never deny the Herb that follows Wood Sorrel Description THis groweth low upon the ground having a number of Leaves coming from the Root made of three Leaves like a Trefoyl but broad at the ends and cut in the middle of a faint yellowish green colour every one standing on a long Footstalk which at their first coming up are close folded together to the Stalk but opening themselves afterwards and are of a fine sowr rellish and yeelding a Juyce which will turn red when it is clarified and maketh a most dainty clear Syrup Among these Leavs riseth up diverse slender weak Footstalks with every one of them a Flower at the top consisting of five small pointed Leaves Star fashion of a white colour in most places and in some dash'd over with a small shew of blush on the back side only After the Flowers are past follow smal round heads with small yellowish Seed in them The Roots are nothing but smal strings fastned to the end of a smal long piece all of them being of a yellowish colour Place It groweth in many places of our Land in Woods and Wood sides where they be moist and shadowed and in other places not too much open to the Sun Time It Flowreth in April and May. Vertues and Use. Wood Sorrel serveth to all purposes that the other Sorrels do and is more effectual in hindring the putrefaction of Blood and Ulcers in the Mouth and Body and in cooling and tempering heats Inflamations to quench thirst to strengthen a weak Stomach to procure an appetite to stay Vomiting and very excellent in any contagious sickness or Pestilential Feavers The Syrup made of the Juyce is effectual in all the causes afore said and so is the Distilled Water of the Herb also Spunges or Linnen Cloathes wet in the Juyce and applied outwardly to any hot Swellings or Inflamations doth much cool and help them The same Juyce taken and gargled in the Mouth and after it is spit forth fresh taken doth wonderfully help a foul stinking Canker or Ulcer therein It is singular good in Wounds Thrusts and Stabs in the Body to stay bleeding and to clense â and heal the Wounds speedily and helpeth to stay any hot Defluxions into the Throat or Lungs Sow-Thistles THese are generally so well known that they need no Description Place They grow in our Gardens and manured Grounds and somtimes by old Walls the path sides of Fields and High-waies Vertues and use Sow-thistles are cooling and somwhat binding and are very fit to cool an hot Stomach and to ease the gnawing pains thereof The Herb boyled in Wine is very helpful to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach And the Milk that is taken from the Stalks when they are broken given in drink is beneficial to those that are short Winded and have a wheesing withal Pliny saith that it hath caused the Gravel and Stone to be voided by Urine and that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath Three spoonfuls of the Juyce thereof taken in white Wine warmed and some Oyl put thereto causeth Women in Travel to have so easie and speedy delivery that they may be able to walk presently after The said Juyce taken in warm drink helpeth the Strangury and pains in making water The Decoction of the Leaves and Stalks causeth abundance of Milk in Nurses and their Children to be well coloured and is good for those whose Milk doth curdle in their Breasts The Juyce boiled or throughly heated with a little Oyl of Bitter Almonds in the Pill of a Pomegranate and dropped into the Ears is a sure Remedy for Deafness singings and all other Diseases in them The Herb bruised or the Juyce is profitably applied to all hot Inflamations in the Eyes or wheresoever else and for Wheals Blisters or other the like eruptions of heat in the Skin as also for the heat and itching of the Hemorrhoids and the heat and sharpness of Humors in the Secret parts of man or Woman The distilled water of the Herb is not only effectual for all the Diseases aforesaid
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 ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã 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
Pipe as is usual but fasting The same helpeth to expel Worms in the Stomach and Belly and to case the pains in the Head or Meagrim and the griping pains in the Bowels It is profitable for those that are troubled with the Stone in the Kidneys both to ease pains and by provoking Urine to expel Gravel and the Stone ingendred therein and hath been found very effectual to expel windiness and other Humors which cause the strangling of the Mother The Seed hereof is very effectual to help the Toothach and the Ashes of the burnt Herb to clense the Gums and make the Teeth white The Herb bruised and applied to the place grieved with the Kings Evil as they call it helpeth it in nine or ten daies effectually Monardus saith it is a Counter-poyson for the biting of any Venemous Creature the Herb also being outwardly applied to the hurt place The distilled water is often given with some Sugar before the Fit of an Ague to lessen them and take them away in three or four times using If the Distilled fieces of the Herb having been bruised before the Distillation and not distilled dry be set in warm dung for fourteen daies and afterwards hung up in a Bag in a Wine Celler that liquor that distilleth therefrom is singular good to use for Cramps Aches the Gout and Sciatica and to heal Itches Scabs and running Ulcers Cankers and foul Sores whatsoever The Juyce is also good for all the said griefs and likewise to kill Lice in Childrens Heads The green Herb bruised and applied to any green Wound cureth any fresh Wound or cut whersoever and the Juyce put into old Sores both clenseth and healeth them There is also made hereof a singular good Salve to help Impostumes hard Tumors and other swellings by blows or falls The Tamarisk-Tree THis is so well known in the places where it grows that it needeth no Description Time It Flowreth about the end of May or in June and the Seed is ripe and blown away in the beginning of September Vertues and Use. If the Root Leaves or yong Branches be boyled in Wine or Vinegar and drunk and applied outwardly it is very powerful against the hardness of the spleen The Leaves boyled in Wine and drunk is good to stay the bleeding of the Hemorrhoidal Veins the spitting of Blood and Womens too abounding Courses and helpeth the Jaundice the Chollick and the bitings of all Venemous Serpents except the ââp The Bark is as effectual if not more to all the purposes aforesaid and both it and the Leaves boyled in Wine and the Mouth and Teeth washed therewith helpeth the Toothach being dropped into the Ears easeth the pains and is good for the redness and watering of the Eyes The said Decoction with some Honey put thereto is good to stay Gangrenes and sretting Ulcers and to wash those that are subject to Nits and Lice The Wood is very effectual to consume the Spleen and therefore to drink out of Cups and Cans made thereof is good for Splenetick persons The Ashes of the Wood are used for all the purposes aforesaid and besides doth quickly help the Blisters raised by Burnings or Scaldings by fire or water Alpinus and Veslingius do affirm That the AEgyptians do with as good success use the Wood hereof to cure the French Disease as others do Lignum Vitae or Gujacum and give it also to such as are possessed with Lepry Scabs Pushes Ulcers or the like and is available also to help the Dropsie arising from the hardness and Obstruction of the Spleen as also for Melancholly and the black Jaundice that ariseth thereof Garden Tansie THis also is so well known that it needeth no Description Time It Flowreth in June and July Vertues and Use. Thee Decoction of the common Tansie or the Juyce drunk in Wine is a singular Remedy for all the griefs that come by stopping of the Urine helpeth the Strangury and those that have weak Reins and Kidneys It is also very profitable to dissolve and expel Wind in the Stomach Belly or Bowels to procure Womens Courses and expel windiness in the Matrix If it be bruised and often smelled unto as also applied to the lower part of the Belly it is very profitable for such Women as are given to miscarry in Childbearing to caus them to go out their full time It is used also against the Stone in the Reins especially to men The Herb fried with Eggs as is accustomed in the Spring time which is called a Tansie helpeth to digest and carry downward those bad Humors that trouble the Stomach The Seed is very profitably given to Children for the Worms and the Juyce in Drink is as effectual Being boyled in Oyl it is good for the sinews shrunk by Cramps or pained with cold if thereto applied Dame Venus was minded to pleasure Women with Child by this Herb for there grows not an Herb fitter for their uses than this is it is just as though it were cut out for the purpose the Herb bruised and applied to the Navil staies miscarriage I know no Herb like it for that use boyled in ordinary Beer and the Decoction drunk doth the like and if her Womb be not as she would have this Decoction will make it as she would have it or at least as she should have it let those Women that desire Children love this Herb 't is their best Companion their Husband excepted ãâ¦ã Also it consumes the Flegmatick Humors the cold and moist coustitution of Winter most usually infects the Body of Man with and that was the first reason of eating Tansies in the Spring at last the world being over run with Popery a Monster called Superstition perks up his head and as a just Judgment of God obscures the bright beams of Knowledge by his dismal looks Pysitians seeing the Pope and his Imps selfish they began to be so too and now forsooth Tansies must be eaten only on Palm and Easter Sundaies and their neighbor daies as last Superstion being too hot to hold and the selfishness of Physitians walking in the clouds after the Fryars and Monks had made the people ignorant the Superstion of the time was found out but the Vertue of the Herb hidden and now 't is almost if not altogether left off Surely our Physitians are beholding to none so much as they are to Monks and Fryars for want of eating this Herb in Spring make people sickly in Summer and that makes work for the Physitian If it be against any man or womans Conscience to eat a Tansie in the Spring I am as unwilling to burden their consciences as I am that they should burden mine they may boyl it in Wine and drink the Decoction it will work the same effect VVild Tansie or Silver-weed THis also is so well known that it needeth no Description Place It groweth almost in every place Time It Flowreth in June and July Vertues and Use.
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 dââed 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
up with one upright Stalk about a foot high or more deviding it self almost from the bottom into diverse smaller Branches of a hoary colour at each Joynt of the Stalk and Branches grow two smal broad Leaves somwhat white or hoary also At the tops of the Stalks and Branches stand many small white Flowers consisting of four and somtimes five very small Leaves set in order one above another upon a smal câooked spike which turneth inwards like a bowed finger opening by degrees as the Flowers blow open after which in their places come smal corner'd Seed four for the most part standing together The Root is smal and threddy perishing every yeer and the Seed shedding every yeer raiseth it again the next Spring Place It groweth in Gardens and Flowreth and Seedeth with us in England notwithstanding it is not natural to this Land but to Italy Spain and France where it groweth plentifully Vertues and Use. Dioseorides saith That a good Handful of this which is called the greater Turnsole boyled in Water and drunk pnrgeth both Choller and Flegm And boyled with Cummin and drunk helpeth the Stone in the Reins Kidneys or Bladder provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and causeth an easie and syeedy delivery in Childbirth The Leaves bruised and applied to places pained with the Gout or that have been out of joynt and newly set are full of pain do give much case The Seed and the Juyce of the Leaves also being rubbed with a little Salt upon Warts Wens and other hard Kernels in the Face Eyelids or any other part of the Body will by often using take them away 'T is an Herb of the Sun and a good one too Meadow Trefoyl or Honeysuckles THese are so well known especially by the name of Honeysuckles White and Red that I need not describe them Place They grow almost every where in this Land Vertues and Use. Dodoneus saith The Leaves and Flowers are good to ease the griping pains of the Guts the Herb being boyled and used in a Clyster If the Herb be made into a Pultis and applied to Inflamations it will ease them The Juyce dropped into the Eyes is a familier Medicine with many Country people to take away the Pin and Web as they call it in the Eyes it also allayeth the Heat and bloodshooting of them Country people do also in many places drink the Juyce hereof against the biting of an Adder and having boyled the Herb in water they first wash the place with the Decoction and then lay some of the Herb also to the hurt place The Herb also boyled in Swines Grease and so made into an Oyntment is good to apply to the biting of any Venemous Creature The Herb also bruised and heated between two Tiles and applied hot to the share causeth them to make water who had it stop'd before It is held likewise to be good for Wounds and to take away Scars The Decoction of the Herb and Flowers with the Seed and Root taken for some time helpeth Women that are troubled with the Whites The Seed and Flowers boyled in Water and after made into a Pultis with some Oyl and applied helpeth hard Swellings and Impostumes Of Tefoyl or three leaved Grass there are very many sorts described by Authors but one I have found out which I never red of the Leaf is but small and it beareth a small yellow Flower in the midst of each Leaf of the Herb is a perfect picture of a Heart in red colour it grows plentifully in a Field between Longford and Bow also I found one Root in the High-way between Chadwel and Rumford in Essex as also another in the High-way between Horn-Church and Upminster in the same County the tast is somthing more hot and spicy than the tast of the rest is Tutsan or Park Leaves Description THis hath many brownish shining round Stalks crested all the length thereof rising to be two and somtimes three foot high branching forth even from the bottom having diverse Joynts and at each of them two fair large Leaves standing of a dark blewish green colour on the upper side and of a yellowish green underneath turning reddish towards Autumn but abiding on the Branches all the Winter At the tops of the Stalks and Branches stand large yellow Flowers and Heads with Seed which being greenish at the first and afterwards reddish turn to be of a blackish purple colour when they are through ripe with smal brownish Seed within them and then yield a reddish Juyce or Liquor of a reasonable good scent somwhat resinous and of an harsh or stiptich tast as the Leaves also and the Flowers be although much less but do not yield such a cleer Claret Wine Liquor as some say it doth The Root is brownish somwhat great hard and woody spreading well in the ground Place It groweth in many Woods Groves and Wooddy Grounds as Parks and Forrests and by Hedg sides in many places of this Land as in Hampsted Wood by Railey in Essex in the Wild of Kent and in many other places needless to recite Time It Flowreth later than St. Johns or St. Peters wort Vertues and Use. Tutsan purgeth Chollerick Humors as St. Peters wort is said to do for therein it worketh the same effects both to help the Sciatica and Gout and to heal burnings by fire It stayeth also the bleeding of Wounds if either the green Herb be bruised or the pouder of the dry be applied thereto It hath been accounted and certainly is a soveraign Herb to heal any Wound or Sore either outwardly or inwardly and therfore alwaies used in Drinks Lotions Balms Oyls Oyntments for any sort of green Wound or old Ulcers and Sores in all which the continual experience of former Ages hath confirmed the use thereof to be admirable good though it be not so much in use now as when Physitians and Chirurgeons were so wise as to use Herbs more than now they do It is an Herb of Saturn and a most noble Antivenerian Garden Valerian Description THis hath a thick short grayish Root lying for the most part above ground shooting forth on all sides other such like small pieces or Roots which have all of them many long and great strings or fibres under them in the ground whereby it draweth nourishment From the Heads of these Roots spring up many green Leaves which at first are somewhat broad and long without any devision at all in them or denting on the edges but those that rise up after are more and more devided on each side some to the middle Rib being winged as made of many Leaves together on a Stalk those upon the Stalk in like manner are more devided but smaller towards the top than below The Stalk riseth to be a yard high or more somtimes branched at the top w th many smal whitish Flowers somtimes dash'd over at the edges with a pale purplish colour of a little scent which paffing
away there followeth small brownish white Seed that is easily carried away with the wind The Root smalleth more strong than either Leaf or Flower and is of more use in Medicine Place It is generally kept with us in our Gardens Time It Flowreth in June and July and continueth Flowring until the Frosts pull it down Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith That the Garden Valcrian hath a warming Faculty and that being dryed and given to drink it provoketh Urine and helpeth the Strangury The Decoction therof taken doth the like also and taketh away pains of the sides provoketh Womens Courses and is used in Antidotes Pliny saith That the Pouder of the Root given in drink or the Decoction thereof taken helpeth all stoppings and stranglings in any part of the Body whether they proceed of pains in the Chest or sides and taketh them away The Root of Valerianboyled with Liquoris Raisons and Annis Seed is singular good for those that are short winded and for those that are troubled with the Cough and helpeth to open the passages and to expectorate Flegm easily It is given to those that are bitten or stung by any Venemous Creature being boyled in Wine It is of especial Vertue against the Plague the Decoction thereof being drunk and the Root being used to smell unto It helpeth also to expel the wind in the Belly The green Herb with the Root taken fresh being bruised and applied to the Head taketh away the pains and prickings therein staieth Rhewms and thin Distillations and being boyled in white Wine and the drop thereof put into the eye taketh away the dimness of the sight or any Pin or Web therein It is of excellent property to heal any inward Sores or Wounds as also for outward Hurts or Wounds and draweth any Splinter or Thorn out of the Flesh. Vervain Description THe common Vervain hath somwhat long and broad Leaves next the ground deeply gash'd about the edges and some only deeply dented or cut all alike of a blackish green colour on the upper side and somwhat gray underneath The Stalk is square branched into several parts rising about two foot high especially if you reckon the long spike of Flowers at the tops of them which are set on all sides one above another and somtimes two or three together being small and gaping of a Purplish blew colour and white intermixt after which come small round Seed in small and somwhat long Heads The Root is small and long but of no use Place It groweth generally throughout this Land in diverse places by the Hedges and way sides and other wast grounds Time It Flowreth about July and the Seed is ripe soon after Vertues and Use. Vervain is hot and dry bitter opening Obstructions clensing and healing It helpeth the yellow Jaundice the Dropsie and the Gout the defects of the Reins and Lungs and generally all inward pains and torments of the Body the Leaves being boyled and drunk The same is held to be good against the bitings of Serpents and other Venemous Beasts and against the Plague and both Tertian and Quartane Agues killeth and expelleth Worms in the Belly and causeth a good colour in the Face and Body strengthneth as well as correcteth the Diseases of the Liver and Spleen is very effectual in all Diseases of the Stomach and Lungs as Coughs shortness of Breath and Wheesings and is singular good against the Dropsie to be drunk with some Peony Seeds bruised and put thereto and is no less prevalent for the defects of the Reins and Bladder to clense them of those Humors that ingender the Stone and helpeth to break the Stone and to expel Gravel It consolidateth and healeth also all Wounds both inward and outward and stayeth bleedings and used with some Honey healeth all old Ulcers and Fistulaes in the Legs or other parts of the Body as also those Ulcers that happen in the Mouth or used with old Hogs grease it helpeth the Swellings and pains of the secret parts in man or Woman as also for the Piles and Hemorrhoidsâ Applied with some Oyl of Roses and Vinegar unto the Forehead and Temples it easeth the inveterate pains and ach of the Head and is good for those that are Frenetick The Leaves bruised or the Juyce of them mixed with some Vinegar doth wonderfully clense the Skin and taketh away Morphew Freckles Pustulaes and other such like Inflamations and deformities of the Skin in any part of the Body The distilled water of the Herb when it is in his full strength dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from Films Clouds or mists that darken the sight and wonderfully strengtheneth the Optick Nerves The said Water is very powerful in all the Diseases aforesaid either inward or outward whether they be old corroding Sores or green Wounds This also is an Herb of Venus and an excellent Herb for the Womb to strengthen it and remedy all the cold griefs of it as Plantane doth the hot the Herb bruised and hung about the Neck helps the Headach The Vine THe Leaves of the English Vine I do not intend to send you to the Canaries for a Medicine being boyled make a good Lotion for sore Mouths being boyled with Barley Meal into a Pultis it cools Inflamations of Wounds the droppings of the Vine when 't is cut in the Spring which Country people call Tears being boyled into a Syrup with Sugar and taken inwardly is excellent to stay Womens longings after every thing they see which is a Disease many Women with Child are subject too the Decoction of Vine Leaves in white Wine doth the like also the Tears of of the Vine drunk two or three spoonfuls at a time breaks the Stone in the Bladder This is a very good Remedy and it is discreetly done to kill a Vine to cure a Man but the Salt of the Leaves is held to be better The Ashes of the burnt Branches will make Teeth that are as black as a coal to be as white as snow if you do but every morning rub them with it Violets THese both Tame and Wild are so well known that they need no Description Time They Flower until the end of July but are best in March and the beginning of April Vertues and Use. All the Violets are cold and moist while they are fresh and green and are used to cool any heat or distemperature of the Body either inwardly or outwardly as Inflamations in the Eyes in the Matrix or Fundament in Impostumes also and hot Swellings to drink the Decoction of the Leaves or Flowers made with Water or Wine or to apply them Pultiâ wise to the grieved place it likewise easeth pains in the Head caused through want of sleep or in any other place arising of heat being applied in the same manner or with Oyl of Roses A dram weight of the dried Leaves of the Flowers of Violets but the Leaves more strongly
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 âellish 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 Heââs 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
do the Creation a mischief This Herb testifies that Mars is willing to cure all the Diseases he causes the truth is Mars loves no Cowards nor Saturn Fools nor I either Take of the Flowers of Wormwood Rosemary and black Thorn of each a like quantity half that quantity of saffron boyl this in Renish Wine but put not in the Saffron till it is almost boyled This is the way to keep a Mans Body in health appointed by Camerarius in his Book intituled Hortus Medicus and 't is a good one too Besides all this Wormwood provokes the Terms I would willingly teach Astrologers and make them Physitians if I knew how for they are most fitting for the Calling if you will not beleeve me ask Dr. Hippocrates and Dr. Galen a couple of Gentlemen that our Colledg of Physitians keep to vapor with not to follow In this one Herb I shall give the Pattern of a Rule to the Sons of Art rough caft yet as neer the Truth as the men of Benjamin could throw a stone whereby my Brethren of the Society of Astrologers may know by a penny how a shilling is coyned as for the Colledg of Physitians they are too staâely to learn and too proud to continue They say a Mouse is under the Dominion of the Moon and that 's the reason they feed in the night The House of the Moon is Cancer Rats are of the same nature with Mice but that they are a little bigger Mars receives his fall in Cancer Ergaâ Wormwood being an Herb of Mars is a present Remedy for the biting of Rats and Mice Mushroms I cannot give them the title of Herba Frutex or Arbor are under the Dominion of Saturn and take them one time with another they do as much harm as good if any have poyson'd himself by eating them Wormwood an Herb of Mars cures him because Mars is exalted in Capricorn the Hous of Saturn this it doth by Sympathy as it did the other by Antipathy Wheals Pushes black blew Spots coming eitheir by bruises or beatings Wormwood an Herb of Mars helps becaus Mars as bad as you love him as ill as you hate him will not break your Head but he 'l give you a Plaister If he do but teach you to know your selves his Courtesie is greater than his Discourtesie The greatest Antipathy between the Planets is between Mars and Venus one is hot the other cold one Diurnal the other Nocturnal one dry the other moist their Houses are opposite one Masculine the other Feminine one publick the other private one is valiant the other effeminate one loves the light the other hates it one loves the Field the other the Sheets then the Throat is under Venus the Quinsie lies in the Throat and is an Inflamation there Venus rules the Throat it being under Taurus her Sign Mars eradicates all Diseases in the Throat by his Herbs of which Wormwood is one and send them to AEgypt on an errand never to return more this by Antipathy The Eyes are under the Luminaries the right Eye of a Man and the left Eye of a Woman the Sun claims Dominion over The left Eye of a Man and the right Eye of a Woman are the priviledg of the Moon Wormwood an Herb of Mars cures both What belongs to the Sun by Sympathy becaus he is exalted in his House but what belongs to the Moon by Antipathy because he hath his Fall in hers Suppose a man be bitten or sâung by a martial Creature imagine a Wasp a Hornet or Scorpion Wormwood an Hââb of Mars gives you a present cure Then Mars as Chollerick as he is hath learned that Patiences to pass by yenr evil speeches of him and tells you by my Pen That he gives you no Affliction but he gives you a Cure You need not run to Apollo nor AEsculapius and if he were so Chollerick as you make him to be he would have drawn his Sword for Anger âo see the ill conditions of those people that can spy his Vices and not his Vertues The eternal God when he made Mars made him for a publick good and the Sons of Men shall know it in the latter end of the world Et caelum Mars solus habet You say Mars is a Destroyer mix a little Wormwood an Herb of Mars with your Ink and neither Rats nor Mice will touch the Paper is written with it and then Mars is a Preserver Astrologers say Mars causeth Scabs and Itch and the Virgins are angry with him because wanton Vânus told them he desorms their Skin But quoth Mars my only desire is they should know themselves my Herb Wormwood will restore them to the beauty they formerly had and in that I will not come an inch behind my opposite Venus for which doth the greatest evil he that takes away an innate beauty and when he hath done knows how to restore it again or she that teaches a company of wanton Lasses to paint their Faces If Mars be in the Virgin in a Nativity they say he usually causeth the Chollick 't is well God hath set some body to pul down the pride of Man He in the Virgin troubles none w th the Chollick but them that know not themselves for who knows himself may easily know all the world Wormwood an Herb of Mars is a present cure for it and whether it be most like a Christian to love him for his good or hate him for his evil judg ye I had almost forgotten that Charity thinks no evil I was once in the Tower and viewed the Wardrobe and there was a great many fine Cloathes I can give them no other title for I was never neither Linnen or Woollen Draper yet as brave as they looked my opinion was the Moaths might consume them yea Henry the eighth his Codpiece Moaths are under the Dominion of Mars his Herb Wormwood being laid amongst Cloathes will make a Moath scorn to meddle with the Cloath as much as a Lyon scorns to meddle with a Moule or an Eagle a Fly You say Mars is angry and 't is true enough he is angry with my Country-men for being such Fools to be led by the Noses by a Colledg of Physitians as they lead Bears to Paris-Garden Melancholly men cannot endure to be wrong'd in point of good name and that hath âorely troubled old Saturn because they called him the greatest Infortune In the Body of Man he rules the Spleen and that makes Covetous men so Splenetick The poor old man lies crying cut of his left side Father Sarwn's angry Mars comes to him come Bicââer I confess thou an evil spoken of and so am I thâ knowest I have my exaltation in thy House I 'le give him an Herb of mine Wormwood to cure tââ poor man Saturn consented but spoke but little and so Mars cured him by Sympathy When Mars was free from War for he loves to be fighting and is the best friend
a Soldier hath I say when Mars was free from War he called a Councel of War in his own Brain to know how he should do poor sinful man good desiring to forget his in being called an Infortune He musters up his own Forces and places them in Bâttalia âh quoth he why do I hurt a poor silly Man or Woman His Angel Answers him 'T is because they have ofâended their God Look back to Adam Well saies Mars though they speak evil of me I 'le do good to them Death's cold my Herbs shall heat them They are full of ill Humors else they would never have spoken ill of me my Herb shall clense them and dry them They are poor weak Creatures my Herb shall threngthen them they are dul witted my Herb shall fortifie their Apprehensions and yet amongst Astrologers all this doth not deserve a good word âh the Patience of Mars Faelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas Inque domus superum scandere cura fiât Oh happy he that can the Knowledg gain To know th' eternal God made nought in vain To this I add I know the reason causeth such a Dearth Of Knowledg 't is becaus men love the Earth The other day Mars told me he met with Venus and he asked her what the Reason was that she accused him for abusing Women he never gave them the Pox in the Dispute they fell out and in anger parted and Mars told me that his brother Saturn told him that an Antivenerial Medicine was the best against the Pox. Once a Month he meets with the Moon Mars is quick enough of speech and the Moon not much behind hand neither are most Women The Moon looks much after Children and Children are much troubled with the Worms she desued a Medicine of him he bad her take his own Herb Wormwood He had no sooner parted with the Moon but he met with Venus and she was as drunk as a Bitch Alâs poot Venus quoth heâ What thou a Fortune and be drunk I 'le give thee an Antipathetical Cure take my Herb Wormwood thou shalt never get a Surfet by drinking A poor silly Country-man hath got an Ague and cannot go about his business he wishes he had it not and so do I but I 'le tell him a Remedy whereby he may prevent it Take the Herb of Mars Wormwood and if Infortunes will do good what will Fortunes do Some say the Lungs are under Jupiter and if the Lungs then the breath and yet a man somtimes gets a stinking breath and yet Jupiter is a Fortune forsooth up comes Mars to him Come Brother Jupiter thou knowest I sent thee a couple of Trines to thy Houses last night the one from Aries and the other from Scorpio give me thy leave by Sympathy to cure the poor man by drinking a draught of Wormwood Beer every morning The Moon was weak the other day and she gave a man two terrible mischiefs a dull Brain and a weak sight Mars lâies by his Sword and comes to her Sister Moon saith he This man hath anger'd thee but I beseech thee take notice he is but a Fool prithee be patient I will with my Herb Wormwood cure him of both Infirmities by Antipathy for thou knowst thou and I cannot agree with that the Moon began to quarrel Mars not delighting much in Womens Tongues went away and did it whether she would or no. He that reades this and understands what he reades he hath a Jewel more worth then a Diamond He that understands it not is as little fit to give Physick There lies a Key in these words which will unlock if it be turned by a wise hand the Cabbinet of Physick I have delivered it so plainly as I durst 't is not upon Wormwood only that I wrote but upon all Plants Trees and Herbs He that understands it not is unfit in my Opinion to give Physick This shall live when I am dead and thus I leave it to the World not caring â Halfpenny whether they like or dislike it The Grave equals all men and therefore shall equal me with the Princes until which time the Eternal Providence is over me then the ill tongue of a praâling Priest or of one who hath more Tongue than Wit or more Pride than Honesty shall never trouble me Wisdom is justified of her Children and so much for Wormwood Yarrow Description IT hath many long Leaves spread upon the ground and fine cut and devided into many smal parts Its Flowers are white but not all of a whiteness and staied in Knots upon diverse green Stalks which rise from amongst the Leaves Place It is very frequent in all Pastures Time It Flowers late even in the latter end of August Vertues and Use. An Oyntment of them cures Wounds and is most fit for such as have Inflamations it being an Herb of Dame Venus It stops the Terms in Women being boyled in white Wine and the Decoction drunk as also the Bloody Flux the Oyntment of it is not only good for green Wounds but also for Ulcers and Fistulaes especially such as abound with moisture It staies the shedding off of Hair the Head being bathed with the Decoction of it inwardly taken it helps the retentive faculty of the Stomach it helps the running of the Reins in men and the whites in women and helps such as cannot hold their water and the Leaves chewed in the Mouth ease the Toothach and these Vertues being put together shew the Herb to be drying and binding Achilles is supposed to be the first that leât the Vertues of this Herb to posterity having learned them of his Master Chyron the Centaure and certainly a very profitable Herb it is in the Camp and perhaps therfore called Militaris DIRECTIONS HAving in diverse places of this Treatise promised you the way of making Syrups Conserves Oyls Oyntments c. of Herbs Roots Flowers c. whereby you may have them ready for your use at such times when otherwise they cannot be had I come now to perform what I promised and you shall find me rather better than worse than my word That this may be done Methodically I shall devide my Directions into two grand Sections and each Sections into several Chapters and then you shall see it look with such a Countenance as this is Sect. 1. Of gathering drying and keeping Simples and their Juyces Chap. 1. Of Leaves of Herbs c. Chap. 2. Of Flowers Chap. 3. Of Seeds Chap. 4. Of Roots Chap. 5. Of Barks Chap. 6. Of Juyces Sect. 2. Of making and keeping Compounds Chap. 1. Of Distilled Waters Chap. 2. Of Syrups Chap. 3. Of Juleps Chap. 4. Of Decoctions Chap. 5. Of Oyls Chap. 6. Of Electuaries Chap. 7. Of Conserves Chap. 8. Of Preserves Chap. 9. Of Lohochs Chap. 10. Of Oyntments Chap. 11. Of Plaisters Chap. 12. Of Pultisses Chap. 13. Of Troches Chap. 14. Of Pills Chap. 15. The way of fitting Medicines to Compound Diseases Of all
these in order SECT 1. The way of gathering drying and preserving Simples and their Juyces Chap. 1. Of Leaves of Herbs or Trees 1. OF Leaves chuse only such as are green and full of Juyce pick âhem carefully and cast away such as are any way declining for they will putrifie the rest so shall one handful be worth ten of those you buy in Cheap side 2. Note in what place they most delight to grow in and gather them there for Bettony that grows in the shadow is far better than that which grows in the Sun because it delights in the shadow so also such Herbs as delight to grow neer the Water let such be gathered as grow neer the Water though happily you may find some of them upon dry ground the Treatise will inform you where every Herb delights to grow 3. The Leaves of such Herbs as run up to Seed are not so good when they are in flower as before some few excepted the Leaves of which are seldom or never used in such cases if through ignorance they were not known or through negligence forgotten you had better take the top and the Flowerâ than the Leaf 4. Dry them well in the Sun and not in the shadow as the swinge of Physitians is for if the Sun draw away the Vertues of Herbs it must needs do the like by Hayâ by the same Rule which the experience of every Country Farmer will explode for a notable piece of non-sense 5. Such as are Artists in Astrology and indeed none else are fit to make Physitians such I adviâe let the Planet that governs the Herb be Angular and âhe stronger the better if they can in Herbs of Saturn let Saturn be in the Ascendent in the Herbs of Mars let Mars be in the Mid-heaven for in those Houses they delight let the Moon apply to them by good Aâpectâ and let her not be in the Houses of their Enemies If you cannot well stay till she apply to them let her apply to a Planet of the same Triplicity if you cannot wait that time neither let her be with a fixed Star of their Nature 6. Having well dryed them put them up in brown Papers sewing the Paper up like a Sack and press them not too hard together and keep them in a dry place neer the fire 7. As for the duration of dryed Herbs a just time cannot âe given let Authors pâate their pleasures For First Such as grow upon dry grounds will keep better than such as grow on moist Secondly Such Herbs as are full of Juyce will not keep so long as such as are dryer Thirdly Such Herbs as are well dryed will keep longer than such as are ill dried Yet this I say by this you may know when they are corrupted viz. By their loss of colour or smell or both and it they be corrupted reason will tell you that they must needs corrupt the Bodies of those people that take them 8. Gather all Leaves in the hour of that Planet that governs them Chap. 2. Of Flowers 1. THe Flower which is the beauty of the Plant and of none of the least use in Physick groweth yeerly and is to be gathered when it is in its prime 2. As for the time of gathering them let the Planetary hour and the Planet that rules the Plant they come of be observed as we shewed you in the foregoing Chapter as for the time of the day let it be when the Sun shines upon them that so they may be dry for if you gather either Herbs or Flowers when they are wet or dewy they will not keep and this I forgot before 3. Dry them well in the Sun and keep them in Papers neer the fire as I shewed you in the foregoing Chapter 4. So long as they retain their colour and smel they are good either of them being gone so is the Vertue also Chap. 3. Of Seeds 1. THe Seed is that part of the Plant which is endewed with a vitall faculty to bring forth its like and it contains potentially the whol Plant in it 2. As for place let them be gathered from the plants where they delight to grow 3. Let them be full ripe when they are gathered and forget not the Coelestial Harmony before mentioned for I have found by experience that their Vertues are twice as great at such times than at others There is an appointed time for every thing under the Sun 4. When you have gathered them dry them a little and but a little in the Sun before you lay them up 5. You need not be so careful of keeping them so neer the fire as the other before mentioned because they are fuller of Spirit and therefore not so subject to corrupt 6. As for the time of their duration 't is palpable they will keep good many yeers yet this I say they are best the first yeer and this I make appear by a good argument They will grow soonest the first yeer they be set therefore then are they in their prime and 't is an easie matter to renew them yeerly Chap. 4. Of Roots 1. OF Roots chuse such as are neither rotten nor wormeaten but proper in their rast colour and smell such as exceed neither in softness nor hardness 2. Give me leave to be a little critical against the Vulgar received Opinion which is That the Sap falls down into the Root in Autumn and rises again in Spring as men go to Bed at night and rise in the morning and this idle tale of untruth is so grounded in the Heads not only of the Vulgar but also of the Learned that a man cannot drive it out by Reason I pray let such Sap-mongers answer me to this Argument If the Sap fall into the Root in the fall of the Leaf and lie there all the Winter then must the Root grow only in the Winter as experience witnesseth but the Root grows not at all in the Winter as the saâc experience teacheth but only in the Summer Ergo If you set an Apple Kernel in the Spring you shall find the Root to grow to a pretty bigness in that Summer and be not a whit bigger next Spring What doth the Sap do in the Root all that while pick straws For God's sake build not your faith upon Tradition 't is as rotten as a rotten Post. The truth is when the Sun declines from the Tropick of Cancer the Sap begins to congeal both in Root and Branch when he toucheth the Tropick of Capricorn and ascends to us ward it begins to wax thin again and by degrees as it congealed But to proceed 3. The dryer time you gather your Roots in the better they areâ for they have the less excrementitious moisture in then 4. Such Roots as are soft your best way is to dry in the Sun or else hang them up in the Chimney corner upon a string as for such as are hard you may dry them any where 5. Such Roots as are great will keep longer
it stand by the fire to keep hot twelve hours then strain it out in such Syrups as pââge as Daâask Roses Peach-Flowers c. the usual and indeed the best way is to repeat this Infusion adding fresh Flowers to the same Liquor diverse rimes that so it may be the stronger having strained it out put the Infusion into a Peuter Bason or an Eartlien one well glassed and to every pint of it ad two pound of fine Sugar which being only melted over the fire without boyling and scummed will produce you the Syrup you desire Secondly Syrups made by Decoction are usually used of Compounds yet may any Simple Herb be thus converted into Syrup Take the Herb Root or Flower you would make into Syrup and bruise it a little then boyl it in a convenient quantity of Spring Water the more water you boyl it in the weaker will it be a handful of the Herb Root c. is a convenient quantity for a pint of Water boyl it till half the water be consumed then let it stand till it be almost cold and strain it being almost cold through a woollen cloth letting it run out at leisure without pressing to every pint of this Decoction ad one pound of Sugar and boyl it over the fire till it come to a Syrup which you may know if you now and then cool a little of it in a spoon scum it all the while it boyls and when it is sufficiently boyled whilst it is hot strain it again through a woollen cloth but press it not thus have you the Syrup perfected Thirdly Syrups made of Juyces are usually made of such Herbs as are full of Juyce and indeed they are better made into a Syrup this way than any other the Operation is thus having beaten the Herb in a stone Mortar with a wooden Pestle press out the Juyce and clarifie it as you were taught before in the Juyces then let the Juyce boyl away till a quarter of it or neer upon be consumed to a pint of this ad a pound of Sugar and boyl it to a Syrup alwaies scumming it and when it is boyled enough strain it through woollen cloth as we taught you before and keep it for your use 3. If you make Syrups of Roots that are any thing hard as Parsley Fennel and grass Roots c. when you have bruised them lay them in steep some time in that Water which you intend to boyl them in hot so will the Vertue the better come out 4. Keep your Syrups either in Glasses or stone Pots and stop them not with Cork nor Bladder unless you would have the Glass break and the Syrup lost â and as many Opinions as there are in this Nation I suppose there are but few or none of this only bind a Paper about the Mouth 5. All Syrups if well made will continue a yeer with some advantage yet of all such as are made by Infusion keep the least while Chap. 3. Of Juleps 1. Juleps were first invented as I suppose in Arabia and my reason is because that word Juleb is an Arabick word 2. It signifies only a pleasant Potion and was vulgarly used by such as were sick and wanted help or such as were in health and wanted no money to quench thirst 3. Now a daies 't is commonly used 1. To prepare the Body for Piâgation 2. To open Obstructions and the Pores 3. To digest tough Humors 4. To qualifie hot distempers c. 4. It is thus made I mean Simple Juleps for I have nothing to say to Compounds here all Compounds have as many several Idea's as men have crotchets in their Brain I say Simple Juleps are thus made Take a pint of such distilled Water as conduceth to the cure of your distemper which this Treatise will plentifully furnish you withal to which add two ounces of Syrup conducing to the same effect I shall give you Rules for it in the last Chapter mix them together and drink a draught of it at your pleasure If you love tart things ad ten drops of Oyl of Vitriol to your pint and shake it together and it will have a fine grateful tast 5. All Juleps are made for present use and therefore it is in vain to speak of their duration Chap. 4. Of Decoctions 1. ALL the difference between Decoctions and Syrups made by Decoction is this Syrups are made to keep Decoctions only for present use for you can hardly keep a Decoction a week at any time if the weather be hot not half so long 2. Decoctions are made of Leaves Roots Flowers Seeds Fruits or Barks conducing to the cure of the Disease you make them for in the same manner are they made as we shewed you in Syrups 3. Decoctions made with Wine last longer than such as are made with Water and if you take your Decoction to clense the passages of Urine or open Obstructions your best way is to make it with white Wine instead of Water because that is most penetrating 4. Decoctions are of most use in such Diseases as lie in the Passages of the Body as the Stomach Bowels Kidneys Passages of Urine and Bladder because Decoctions pass quicker to those places than any other form of Medicines 5. If you will sweeten your Decoction with Sugar or any Syrup fit for the occasion you take it for which is better you may and no harm done 6. If in a Decoction you boyl both Roots Herbs Flowers and Seeds together let the Roots boyl a good while first because they retain their Vertue longest then the next in order by the same Rule viz. 1. The Barks 2. the Herbs 3. the Seeds 4. the Flowers 5. the Spices if you put any in because their vertue comes soonest our 7. Such things as by boyling cause sliminess to a Decoction as Figs Quince Seeds Linseed c. your best way is after you have bruised them to tie them up in a linnen rag as you tie up a Calves Brains and so boyl them 8. Keep all Decoctions in a Glass close stopped and in the cooler place you keep them the longer will they last ere they be sowr Lastly The usual Dose to be given at one time is usually two three four or five ounces according to the age and strength of the Patient the season of the yeer the strength of the Medicine and the quality of the Discase Chap. 5. Of Oyles 1. OYL Olive which is commonly known by the name of Sallet Oyl I suppose because it is usually eaten with Sallets by them that love it If it be pressed out of ripe Olives according to Galen is temperate and exceeds in no one quality 2. Of Oyls some are Simple and some are Compound 3. Simple Oyls are such as are made of Fruits or Seeds by expression as Oyl of sweet and bitter Almonds Linseed and Rapeseed Oyl c. of which see my Dispensatory 4. Compound Oyls are made of Oyl of Olives and other Simples imagine Herbs Flowers Roots
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