than such as are small yet most of them will keep a yeer 6. Such Roots as are soft it is your best way to keep them alwaies neer the fire and take this general Rule If in Winter time you find any of your Roots Herbs or Flowers begin to grow moist as many times you shall especially in the Winter time for 't is your best way to look to them once a month dry them by a very gentle fire or if you can with convenience keep them neer the fire you may save your self the labor 7. It is in vain to dry such Roots as may commonly be had as Parsly Fennel Plantane c. but gather them only for present need Chap. 5. Of Barks 1. BArks which Physitians use in Medif cines are these sorts of Fruits o Roots of Boughs 2. The Barks of Fruits is to be taken when the Fruit is full ripe as Orrenges Lemmons c. but because I have nothing to do with Exoticks here I shall pass them without any more words 3. The Barks of Trees are best gathered in the Spring if it be of great Trees as Oaks or the like because then they come easiest off and so you may dry them if you please but indeed your best way is to gather all Barks only for present use 4. As for the Bark of Roots 't is this and thus to be gotten Take the Roots of such Herbs as have a pith in them as Parsly Fennel c. slit them in the middle and when you have taken out the pith which you may easily and quickly do that which remains is called though somthing improperly the Bark and indeed is only to be used Chap. 6. Of Juyces 1. Juyces are to be pressed out of Herbs when they are yong and tender and also out of some Stalks and tender tops of Herbs and Plants and also out of some Flowers 2. Having gathered your Herb you would preserve the Juyce of when it is very dry for otherwise your Juyce will not be worth a Button bruise it very well in a stone Mortar with a wooden Pestle then having put it into a Canvas Bag the Herb I mean not the Mortar for that will yield but little Juyce press it hard in a press then take the Juyce and clarifie it 3. The manner of clarifying of it is this put it into a Pipkin or Skillet or some such thing and set it over the fire and when the Scum riseth take it off let it stand over the fire till no more Scum rise then have you your Juyce clarified cast away the Scum as a thing of no use 4. When you have thus clarified it you have two waies to preserve it all the yeer First When it is cold put it into a Glass and put so much Oyl on it as will cover it the thickness of two fingers the Oyl will swim at top and so keep the Air from coming to it to purrifie it when you inâ—end to use it do no more but so powr out into a Porrenger a little more than you intend to use and if any Oyl come out with it as if the Glass be not full 't is a hundred to one it there do you may easily scum it off with a Spoon and put the Juyce you use not into the Glass again it will quickly sink under the Oyl This is the first way Secondly The second way is a little more difficult and the Juyce of Fruits is usually preserved this way when you have clarified the Juyce as before boyl it over the fire till being cold it be of the thickness of Honey this is most commonly used for Diseases of the mouth and is called Râ—b and Sapa And thus much for the first Section the Second follows SECT 2. The way of making and keeping all Necessary Compounds Chap. 1. Of Distilled Waters HItherto we have spoken of Medicines which consist in their own Nature which Authors vulgarly call Simples though somthing improperly for indeed and in truth nothing is Simple but the pure Elements all things else are compounded of them We come now to treat of the Artificial Medicines in the front of which because we must begin somewhere we place distilled Waters In which consider 1. Waters are distilled out of Herbs Flowers Fruits and Roots 2. We treat not here of strong Waters but of cold as being to act Galen's Part and not Paracelsus 3. The Herbs ought to be distilled when they are in their greatest vigor and so ought the Flowers also 4. The vulgar way of Distillation which people use because they know no better is in a Peuter Still and although Distilled Waters are the weakest of all Artificial Medicines and good for little unless for mixtures of other Medicines yet this way distilled they are weaker by many degrees than they would be were they distilled in Sand If I thought it not impossible to teach you the way of distilling in Sand by writing I would attempt it 5. When you have distilled your Water put it into a Glass and having bound the top of it over with a Paper pricked full of holes that so the excrementitious and fiery vapors may exhale which indeed are they that cause that setling in distilled Waters called the Mother which corrupts the Waters and might this way be prevented cover it close and keep it for your use 6. Stopping distilled Waters with a Cork makes them musty and so will a Paper also if it do but touch the Water your best way then is to stop them with a Bladder being first wet in Water and bound over the top of the Glass Such cold Waters as are distilled in a Peuter Still if well kept will endure a yeer such as are distilled in Sand as they are twice as strong so will they endure twice as long Chap. 2. Of Syrups 1. A Syrup is a Medicine of a Liquid form composed of Infusion Decoction and Juyce and 1. for the more grateful tast 2. for the better keeping of it with a certain quantity of Honey or Sugar hereafter mentioned boiled to the thickness of new Honey 2. You see at the first view then that this Aphorism devides it self into three Branches which deserve severally to be treated of viz. 1. Syrups made by Infusion 2. Syrups made by Decoction 3. Syrups made by Juyce Of each of these for your Instruction sake kind Country men and women I speak a word or two or three apart First Syrups made by Infusion are usually made of Flowers and of such Flowers as soon lose both colour and strength by boyling as Roses Violets Peach-Flowers c. my Translation of the London Dispensatory will instruct you in the rest They are thus made having picked your Flowers clean to every pound of them ad three pound of three pints which you will for it is all one of Spring Water made boyling hot by the fire first put your Flowers in a Peuter Pot with a cover then powr the Water to them then shutting the Pot let
it stand by the fire to keep hot twelve hours then strain it out in such Syrups as pâ—â—ge as Daâ—ask 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 Piâ—gation 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
c. 5. The way of making them is this Having bruised the Herbs or Flowers you would make your Oyl of put them in an Earthen pot and to two or three handfuls of them powr a pint of Oyl cover the pot with a paper and set it in the Sun about a Fortnight or less according as the Sun is in hotness then having warmed it very well by the fire press out the Herbs c. very hard in a press and ad as many more Herbs to the same Oyl bruised the Herbs I mean not the Oyl in like manner set them in the Sun as before the ostner you repeat this the stronger will your Oyl be at last when you conceive it strong enough boyl both Herbs and Oyl together till the Juyce be consumed which you may know by its leaving its bubling and the Herbs will be crisp then strain it whilst it is hot and keep it in a stone or Glass Vessel for your use 6. As for Chymical Oyls I have nothing to say in this Treatise 7. The General use of these Oyls is for pain in the Limbs roughness of the Skin the Itch c. as also for Oyntments and Plaisters 8. If you have occasion to use it for Wounds or Ulcers in two ounces of Oyl dissolve half an ounce of Turpentine the heat of the fire will quickly do it for Oyl it self is offensive to Wounds and the Turpentine qualifies it Chap. 6. Of Electuaries PHysitians make more a quoil than needs behalf about Electuaries I shall prescribe but one general way of making them up as for the Ingredients you may vary them as you please and according as you find occasion by the last Chapter 1. That you may make Electuaries when you need them it is requisite that you keep alwaies Herbs Roots Seeds Flowers c. ready dried in your House that so you may be in readiness to beat them into pouder when you need them 2. Your better way is to keep them whol than beaten for being beaten they are the more subject to lose their strength because the Air soon penetrates them 3. If they be not dry enough to beat into pouder when you need them dry them by a gentle fire till they are so 4. Having beaten them sift them through a fine Tiffany Searce that so there may be no great picces found in your Electuary 5. To on ounce of your Pouder ad three ounces of clarified Honey this quantity I hold to be sufficient I confess Authors differ about it If you would make more or less Electuary vary your proportions accordingly 6. Mix them well together in a Mortar and take this for a truth you cannot mix them too much 7. The way to clarifie Honey is to set it over the fire in a convenient vessel till the scum arise and when the scum is taken off it is clarified 8. The usual Dose of Cordial Electuaries is from half a dram to two drams of purging Electuaries from half an ounce to an ounce 9. The manner of keeping them is in a pot 10. The time of taking them is either in the morning fasting and fasting an hour after them or at night going to bed three or four hours after supper Chap. 7. Of Conserves 1. THe way of making Conserves is twofold one of Herbs and Flowers and the other of Fruits 2. Conserves of Herbs and Flowers are thus made If you make your Conserves of Herbs as of Scurvy-grass Wormwood Rue or the like take only the Leaves and tender tops for you may beat your heart out before you can beat the Stalks small and having beaten them waigh them and to â—â— pound of them ad three pound of Sugar beat them verie well together in a Mortar you cannot beat them too much 3. Conserves of Fruits as of Barberries Sloes and the like is thus made First scald the Fruit then rub the pulp through a thick hair Sieve made for the purpose called a pulping Sieve you may do it for a need with the back of a Spoon then take this Pulp thus drawn and ad to it its waight of Sugar and no more put it in a Peuter Vessel and over a Charcoal fire stir it up and down till the Sugar be melted and your Conserve is made 4. Thus have you the way of making Conserves the way of keeping of them is in Earthen pots 5. The Dose is usually the quantity of a Nutmeg at a time morning and evening or unless they be purging when you please 6. Of Conserves some keep many yeers as Conserves of Roses others but a yeer as Conserves of Borrage Bugloss Cowslips and the like 7. Have a care of the working of some Conserves presently after they are made look to them once a day and stir them about Conserves of Borrage Bugloss and Wormwood have gotten an excellent faculty at that sport 8. You may know when your Conserves are almost spoiled by this you shall find a hard crust at top with little holes in it as though Worms had been eating there Chap. 8. Of Preserves OF Preserves are sundry sorts and the Operations of all being somthing different we will handle them all apart There are preserved with Sugar 1. Flowers 2. Fruits 3. Roots 4. Barks 1. Flowers are but very seldom preserved I never saw any that I remember save only Cowslip Flowers and that was a great fashion in Sussex when I was a boy It is thus done first take a flat Glass we call them jarr Glasses strew in a lain of fine Sugar on that a lain of Flowers on that another lain of Sugar on that another lain of Flowers do so til your Glass be full then tie it over with a paper and in a little time you shall have very excellent and pleasant Preserves There is another way of Preserving Flowers namely with Vinegar and Salt as they pickle Capers and Broom Buds but because I have little skill in it my self I cannot teach you 2. Fruits as Quinces and the like are preserved two waies First Boyl them well in Water and then pulp them through a Sieve as we shewed you before then with the like quantity of Sugar boyl the Water they were boyled in to a Syrup viz. a pound of Sugar to a pint of Liquor to every pound of this Syrup ad four ounces of the Pulp then boyl it with a very gentle fire to the right consilience which you may easily know if you diâ—p a drâ—p of it upon a Trencher if it be enough it will not stick to your fingers when it is cold Secondly Another way to preserve Fruits is this First pare off the â—ind then out them in halves and take cut the Core then boyl them in Water till they are soft It you know when Beef is boyled enough you may easily know when they are theâ—â— boyl the Water with its like waight of Sugar into a Syrup put the Syrup into a Pot and put the boyled Fruit as whol as you left it when you
cut it into it and let it so remain till you have occasion to use it 3. Roots are thus preserved First scrape them very clean and clense them from the Pith if they have any for some Roots have not as Eringo and the like boyl them in Water till they be soft as we sâ—ew you before in the Fruits then boyl the Water you boyled the Roots into a Syrup as we shewed you before then keep the Roots whol in the Syrup till you use them 4. As for Barks we have but few come to our hands to be done and those of those few that I can remember are Orrenges Lemmons Citrons and the outer Bark of Walnuts which grows without the Shell for the Shels themselves would make but scurvy Preserves there be they I can remember if there be any more put them into the number Thâ—â— of Preserving these is nor all one is Authors for some are bitter some are not such as are bitter say Authors must be soaked in warm Water often times changed till their bitter tast be fled but I like not this way and my reason is because I doubt when their bitterness is gone so is their Vertue also I shall then prescribe one common way namely the same with the former viz. First boyl them whol till they be soft then make a Syrup with Sugar and the Liquor you boyled them in and keep the Barks in the Syrup 5. They are kept in Glasses or glassed Pots 6. The preserved Flowers will keep a yeer if you can forbear eating of them the Roots and Barke much longer 7. This Art was plainly and clâ—erly as first invented for delicacy yet came afterwards to be of excellent use in Physiak For 1. First Hereby Medicines are made pleasant for sick and queazy Stomiâ—â—s which else would â—â— them 2. Hereby they are preserved from dccaying a long time Chap. 9. Of Lohochs 1. THat which the Arabians call Lohoch and the Greeks Eclegma the Latins call Linctus and in plain English signifies nothing else but a thing to be licked up 2. Their first invention was to prevent and remedy afflictions of the Breast and Lungs to clense the Lungs of Flegm and make it fit to be cast out 3. They are in Body thicker than a Syrup and not so thick as an Electuary 4. The manner of taking them is often to take a little with a Liquoris stick and let it go down at leisure 5. They are easily thus made make a Decoction of any pectoral Herbs the Treatise will furnish you with enough and when you have strained it with twise its waight of Honey or Sugar boyl it to a Lohoch If you are molested with tough Flegm Honey is better than Sugar and if you ad a little Vineger to it you will do well if not I hold Sugar to be better than Honey 6. It is kept in Pots and will a yeer and longer 7. It s use is excellent for roughness of the Windpipe Inflamations of the Lungs Ulcers in the Lungs difficultie of Breath Asthmaes Coughs and distillation of Humors Chap. 10. Of Oyntments 1. VArious are the waies of making Oyntments which Authors have left to posteritie which I shall omit and quote one which is easiest to be made and therefore most beneficial to people that are ignorant in Physick for whose sakes I write this It is thus done Bruise those Herbs Flowers or Roots you would make an Oyntment of and to two handfuls of your bruised Herbs ad a pound of Hogs Grease tryed or clensed from the skins beat them very well together in a stone Mortar with a wooden Pestle then put it in a stone Pot the Herbs and Grease I mean not the Mortar cover it with a paper and set it either in the Sun or some other warm place three four or fivs daies that it may melt then take it out and boyl it a little then whilst it is hot strain it out pressing it out very hard in a Press to this Grease ad as many more Herbs bruised as before let them stand in like manner as long then boyl them as you did the former if you think your Oyntment be not strong enough you may do it the third and fourth time yet this I tell you the fuller of Juyce your Herbs are the sooner will your Oyntment be strong the last time you boyl it boyl it so long till your Herbs be crisp and the Juyce consumed then strain it pressing it hard in a press and to every pound of Oyntment ad two ounces of Turpentine and as much Wax because Grease is offensive to Wounds as well as Oyl 2. Oyntments are vulgarly known to be kept in Pots and will last above a yeer above two yeer Chap. 11. Of Plaisters 1. THe Greeks made their Plaisters of diverse Simples and put Mettals in most of them if not in all for having reduced their Mettals into Pouder they mixed them with that fatty substance whereof the rest of the Plaister consisted whilst it was yet hot continually stirring it up and down lest it should sink to the bottom so they continually stirred it till it was stiff then they made it up in rolls which when they need for use they could melt by the fire again 2. The Arabians made up theirs with Meals Oyl and Fat which needed not so long boyling 3. The Greeks Emplasters consisted of these Ingredients Mettals Stones diverse sorts of Earths Feces Juyces Liquoris Seeds Roots Herbs Excrements of Creatures Wax Rozin Gums Chap. 12. Of Pultisses 1. PUltisses are those kind of things which the Latins call Cataplasmata and our learned Fellows that if they can read English that 's all call them Cataplasms because 't is a â—rabbed word few understand it is indeed a very fine kind of Medicine to ripen Sores 2. They are made of Herbs and Roots fitted to the Disease and Member afflicted being chopped smal and boyled in Water almost to a Jelly then by adding a little Barley Meal or Meal of Lupines and a little Oyl or rough Sheep Suer which I hold to be better spread upon a cloath and applied to the grieved place 3. Their use is to case pains to break Sores to cool Inflamations to dissolve hardness to ease the Spleen to concoct Humors to dissipate Swellings 4. I beseech you take this Caution along with you Use no Pultisses if â—â—an help it that are of a heating Nature â—â—re you have first clensed the Body beâ—â—ey are subject to draw the Humors to them from every part of the Body Chap. 13. Of Troches 1. THe Latins call them Placentulae or little Cakes and you might have seen what the Greeks call them too had not the last Edition of my London Dispensatory been so hellishly printed that 's all the Commonwealth gets by one Stationer's printing anothers Coppies viz. To plague the Country with false Prints and disgrace the Author the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are
and to expel crude and raw humors from the Belly and Stomach by the sweet savor and warming quality it dissolveth the inward congealed Blood hapning by falls or bruises and the spitting of Blood if the Roots either green or dryed be boyled in Wine and drunk as also al manner of inward Wounds or outward if they be washed or bathed therwith The Decoction also being drunk comforteth the Heart and strengtheneth the Stomach and a cold Brain and therfore is good in the Spring time to open Obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the wind Chollick it also helpeth those that have Fluxes or are bursten or have a Rupture It taketh away spots or marks in the Face being washed therwith The Juyce of the fresh Root or Pouder of the dried Root hath the same effect with the Decoction The Root in the Spring time steeped in Wine doth give it a delicat savor and tast and being drunk fasting every morning comforteth the Heart and is a good Preservative against the Plague or any other Poyson it helpeth Digestion and warmeth a cold Stomach and openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It is very safe you need have no Dose prescribedâ— and is very fit to be kept in every good bodies house ♃ ♋ Balm THis Herb is so wel known to be an Inhabitant almost in every Garden that I shal not need to write any Description thereof although the Vertues thereof which are many may not be omitted Vertues and use The Arabian Physitians have extolled the Vertues hereof to the Skyes although the Greeks thought it not worth mentioning Seâ—apio saith It causeth the Mind and Heart to becom merry and reviveth the Heart fainting into soundings especially of such who are over taken in their sleep and driveth away al troublesom cares and thoughts out of the Mind arising from Melancholly or black Choller which Avicen also confirmeth It is very good to help Digestion and open Obstructions of the Brain and hath so much purging quality in it saith Avicen as to expel those Melancholly vapors from the Spirits Blood which are in the Heart and Arteries although it cannot do so in other parts of the Body Diascorides saith That the Leaves steeped in Wine and the Wine drunk and the Leavs externally applied is a remedy against the sting of Scorpions and the bitings of mad Dogs and commendeth the Decoction therof for Women to bath or sit in to procure their Courses it is good to wasâ—â—aching Teeth therwith and profitable for those that have the bloudy-Flux The Leaves also with a little Nitre taken in Drink are good against a Surfet of Mushromes helps the griping pains of the Belly and being made into an Electuary is good for them that cannot fetch their breath Used with Salt it takes away Wens Kernels or hard Swellings in the Flesh or Throat it clenseth foul Sores and caseth pains of the Gout It is good for the Liver and Spleen A Tansie or Cawdle made with Egs and the Juyce therof while it is yong putting to it some Sugar and Rosewater is good for Women in Childbed when the After-birth is not thronghly avoided and for their faintings upon or after their sore travel The Herb bruised and boyled in a little Wine and Oyl and laid warm on a Boil will ripen and break it It is an Herb of Jupiter and under Cancer and strengthens Nature much in al its actions let a Syrup made with the Juyce of it and Sugar as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book be kept in every Gentlewomans house to releeve the weak stomachs and sick Bodies of their poor sickly Neighbors as also the Herb kept dry in the Hous that so with other convenient Simples you may make it into an Electuary with Hony according as the Diseas is and as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book ♂ Barberry THe Shrub is so wel known to every Boy and Girl that hath but attained to the age of seven years that it needs no Description Vertues and use Mars owns the Shrub and presents it to the use of my Country-men to purge their Bodies of Choller The inner Rind of the Barberry Tree boyled in White-Wine and a quarter of a pint drunk each morning is an excellent remedy to clense the Body of Chollerick Humors and free it from such Diseases as Choller canseth such be Scabs Itch Tetters Ringworms yellow Jaundice Boils c. It is excellent for hot Agues Burnings Scaldings heat of Bloud heat of the Liver Bloudy-flux for the Berries are as good as the Bark and more pleasing they get a man a good stomach to his victuals by strengthning the attractive faculty which is under Mars as you see more at large in the latter end of my Ephemeris for the year 1651. The Hair washed with the Ly made of the Ashes of the Tree and Water 't wil make it turn yellow viz. of Mars his own colour The Fruit and Rind of the Shrub the Flowers of Broom and of Hâ—ath or Furz clens the Body of Choller by Sympathy as the Flowers Leaves and Bark of the Peach-Tree do by Antipathy because these are under Mars that under Venus ♄ Barly THe continual usefulness hereof hath made al in general so aquainted herewith that it is altogether needless to describe its several kinds hereof plentifully growing being yearly sown in this Land The Vertues whereof take as followeth Vertues and use Barly in al the parts and compositions therof except Malt is more cooling than Wheat and a little clensing and al the Preparations therof as Barly-water and other things made therof do give great nourishment to persons troubled with Feavers Agues and heats in the Stomach A Pultis made of Barly Meal or Flower boyled with Vinegar and Honey and a few dry Figs put into them dissolveth all hard Imposthums and aswageth Inflamations being therto applied And being boyled with Melilot and Chamomel Flowers and som Linseed Fenngreek and Rue in Pouder and applied warm it easeth the pains in the Sides and Stomach and windiness of the Spleen The Meal of Barly and Fleawort boyled in Water and made into a Pultis with Honey and Oyl of Lillies applied warm cureth swellings under the Ears Throat Neck and such like and a Plaister made therof with Tar Wax Oyl helpeth the Kings-Evil in the Throat Boyled with sharp Vinegar into a Pultis and laid on hot helpeth the Leprosie Being boyled in red-Wine with Pomgranat Rinds and Mirtles stayeth the Lask or other Flux of the Belly Boyled with Vinegar and a Quince it easeth the hot pains of the Gout Barly flower white Salt Honey and Vinegar mingled together taketh away the Itch speedily and certainly The Water distilled from the green Barly in the end of May is very good for thos that have Defluxions of humors fallen into their Eyes and easeth the pains being dropped into them or White-Bread steeped therein and bound on to the Eyes
hath many large fresh green Leavs very much torn or cut on the edges The Stalks are hard and round set with many such like Leavs but somwhat smaller and at the tops stand many single Flowers upon several smal Footstalks consisting of many smal white Leavs standing round about a yellow thrum in the middle The Root is somwhat hard and short with many strong Fibres at it The scent of the whol Plant is very strong and stuffing and the tast very bitter Place This groweth wild in some places of this Land but it is for the most part nourished in Gardens Time It Flowreth in the Months of June and July Vertues and Vse It is chiefly used for the Diseases of the Mother whether it be the strangling or rising of the Mother or Hardness or Inflamations of the same applied outwardly thereunto or a Decoction of the Flowers in Wine with a little Nutmeg or Mace put therin and drunk often in a day is an approved Remedy to bring down Womens Courses speedily and helpeth to expel the dead Birth and Afterbirth For a Woman to sit over the hot fumes of the Decoction of the Herb made in Water or Wine is effectual also for the same and in some cases to apply the boyled Herb warm to the privy parts The Decoction therof made with some Sugar or Honey put therto is used by many with good success to help the Cough and stuffing of the Chest by cold as also to clens the Reins and Bladder and help to expel the stone in them The Pouder of the Herb taken in Wine with some Oximel purgeth both Choller and Flegm and is available for those that are short winded and are troubled with Melancholly and Heaviness or sadness of the Spirits It is very effectual for all pains in the Head coming of a cold caus the Herb being bruised and applied to the crown of the Head as also for a Vertigo that is a turning or swimming in the Head The Decoction therof drunk warm and the Herb bruised with a few Corns of Bay Salt and applied to the Wrists before the coming of the Ague Fits doth take them away The distilled Water taketh away Freckles other Spots and Deformities in the Face The Herb bruised and heated on a Tyle with some Wine to moisten it or fried with a little Wine and Oyl in a frying Pan and applied warm outwardly to the places helpeth the wind and Chollick in the lower part of the Belly It is an especial Remedy against Opium taken too liberally Venus commands the Herb and hath commanded it to succour her Sisters Women and to be a general strengthner of their Wombs and remedy such infirmities as a careless Midwife hath there caused if they will be but pleased to make use of her Herb boyled in white Wine and drink the Decoction it clenseth the Womb expelleth the Afterbirth doth the Woman all the good she can desire of an Herb. And if any grumble becaus they cannot get the Herb in Winter tell them if they pleas they may make a Syrup of it in Summer ☿ Fennel EVery Garden affordeth this so plentifully that it needeth no Description Vertues and Vse Fennel is good to break wind to provoke Urine and eas the pains of the Stone and help to break it The Leavs or Seed boiled in Barley Water and drunk is good for Nurses to encreas their Milk and make it more wholsom for the Child The Leavs or rather the Seed boyled in Water staieth the Hiccough and taketh away that loathing which oftentimes hapneth to the Stomachs of Sick and Feaverish Persons and allayeth the heat therof The Seed boyled in Wine and drunk is good for those that are bitten by Serpents or have eaten Poyson full Herbs or Mushroms The Seed and the Root much more helpeth to open Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Gall and thereby helpeth the painful and windy swellings of the Spleen and the yellow Jaundice as also the Gout and Cramps The Seed is of good use in Medicines to help shortness of breath and Wheesing by stopping of the Lungs It helpeth also to bring down the Courses and to clens the parts after delivery The Roots are of most use in Physick Drinks and Broths that are taken to clens the Blood to open Obstructions of the Liver to provoke Urine and amend the ill colour in the Face after Sickness and to caus a good habit through the Body Both Leavs Seeds and Roots hereof are much used in Drinks or Broths to make people more spare and lean that are too fat The distilled Water of the whol Herb or the condensate Juyce dissolved but especially the Natural Juyce that in hot Countries issueth out thereof of its own accord dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from mists and films that hinder the fight The sweet Fennel is much weaker in Physical uses than the common Fennel The wild Fennel is stronger and hotter than the tame and therfore most powerful against the Stone but not so effectual to encreas Milk becaus of its driness One good old fashion is not yet quite left off viz. To boil Fennel with Fish for it consumes that Flegmatick homot which Fish most plentifully afford and annoy the body by therfore it is a most fit Herb for that purpose though few that use it know why or wherfore they do it I supoose the Reason of its benefit this way is becaus it is an Herb of Mercury aâ—d under Virgo and therfore bears Antipathy to Pisces Dill is also an Herb of Mercury which I forgot to certifie you of before Sow-Fennel or Hogs-Fennel ☿ Description THe common Sow-Fennel hath divers branched Stalks of thick and somwhat long Leavs three for the most part joyned together at a place among which risethâ—â—rested strait Stalk less than Fennel with some Joynts theron and Leavs growing thereâ—â— and toward the top some Branches issuing from thence likewise on the tops of the Stâ—k and Branches stand divers tufts of yellow Flowers where after grow somwhat flat thin and yellowish Seed bigger than Fennel Seed The Root groweth great and deep with many other parts and Fibres about them of a strong scent like hot Brimstone and yielding â—orth a yellowish Milk or clammy Juyce almost like a Gum. Place It groweth plentifully in the Salt low Marshes neer by Feaversham in Kent Time It Flowreth and seedeth in July and August Vertues and Vse The Juyce of Sow-Fennel saith Dioscorides and Galen used with Vinegar and Rose-water or the Juyce with alittle Euphorbium put to the Nose helpeth those that are troubled with the Lethargy the Frensie the turning or Giddiness of the Head the Falling-Sickness long and inveterate Headach the Palsie Sciatica and the Cramp and generally all the Diseases of the Sinews used with Oyl and vinegar The Juyce dissolved in Wine or put into an Eg is good for the Cough or shortness of Breath and for those that are
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
mean the common kind that it needeth no Description There is a greater kind than the ordinary sort found wild with us which so abideth being brought into Gardens and differeth not from it but only in the largeness of the Leavs and Stalks in rising higher and not creeping upon the ground so much The Flowers whereof are Purple growing in Rundles about the Stalk like the other Place The first which is common in Gardens groweth also in many moist and watery places of this Land The second is sound wild in Essex in divers places by the High-way from London â—to Colechester and thereabouts more abundantly than in other Countries and is also planted in their Gardens in Essex Time They Flower in the latter end of Summer about August Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith That Peny-royal maketh thin tough Flegm warmeth the coldness of any part whereto it is apylied and digesteth raw or corrupt matter Being boyled drunk it provoketh Womens Courses and expelleth the dead Child and afterbirth and staieth the disposition to Vomit being taken in Water and Vinegar mingled together And being mingled with Honey and Salt it avoideth Flegm out of the Lungs and purgeth Melancholly by the Stool Drunk with Wine it helpeth such as are bitten or stung with Venemous Beasts and applied to the Nostrils with Vinegar reviveth those that are fainting and swouning Being dried and burnt it strengtheneth the Gums It is helpful to those that are troubled with the Gout being applied of it self to the place until it wax red and applied in a Plaister it taketh away spots or marks in the Face Applied with Salt it profiteth those that are Splenetick or Liver-grown The Decoction doth help the Itch if washed therwith Being put into Baths for Women to sit therein it helpeth the Swelling and hardness of the Mother The green Herb bruised and put into Vinegar clenseth foul Ulcers and taketh away the marks and bruises of blows about the Eyes and all discolourings of the Face by fire yea and the Leprosie being drunk and outwardly applied Boyled in Wine with Honey and Salt it helpeth the Toothach It helpeth the cold Griefs of the Joynts taking away the pains and warming the cold parts being fast bound to the place after a bathing or sweating in an hot hous Pliny addeth that Penny-royal and Mints together help faintings or swounings being put into Vinegar and put to the Nostrils to be smelled unto or a little thereof put into the Mouth It easeth the Headach and the pains of the Breast and Belly stayeth the gnawing of the Stomach and inward pains of the Bowels being drunk in Wine it provoketh Womens Courfes and expelleth the dead child and afterbirth Being given in Wine it helpeth the Falling-sickness Put into unwholsom or stinking Water that men must drink as at Sea and where other cannot be had it maketh them the less hurtful It helpeth Cramps or Convulsions of the Sinews being applied with Honey Salt and Vinegar It is very effectual for the Cough being boyled in Milk and drunk and for Ulcers or Sores in the Mouth Mathiolus saith The Decoction thereof being drunk helpeth heâ—Jaundice and Dropsie and all pains of the Head and Sinews that come of a cold caus and that it helpeth to clearâ— and quicken the Eye-sight Applied to the Nostrils of those that have the Falling-sicknessâ— or the Lethargy or put into the Mouth it helpeth them much being bruised and with Vinegar applied And applied with Barley Meal it helpeth Burnings by fire and put into the Ears easeth the pains of them The Herb is under Venus Peony Mas. Femina Description THe Male Peony riseth up with many brownish Stalks whereon grow many fair green and somtimes reddish Leavs one set against another upon a Stalk without any particular devision in the Leaf at all The Flowers stand at the tops of the Stalks consisting of five or six broad Leavs of a fair purplish red colour with many yellow threds in the middle standing about the Head which after riseth to be the Seed Vessels devided into two three or four rough crooked Pods like Horns which being ful ripe open and turn themselves down one edge to another backward shewing within them divers round black shining Seed having also many red or Crimson grains intermixed with the black whereby it maketh a very pretty shew The Roots are great thick and long spreading and running down reasonable deep in the Ground The ordinary Female Peony hath many Stalks and more Leavs on them than the Male the Leavs not so large but nicked diversly on the edges some with great and deep others with smaller cuts and devisions of a dark or dead green colour The Flowers are of a strong heady scent most usually smaller and of a more purple colour than the Male with yellow thrums about the Head as the Male hath The Seed Vessels are like Horns as in the Male but smaller the Seed also is black but less shining The Roots consist of many thick and short tuberous clogs fastned at the ends of long strings and all from the Head of the Root which is thick and short and of the like scent with the Male. Place and Time They grow in Gardens and Flower usually about May. Vertues and Use. The Root of the Male Peony fresh gathered hath been found by experience to cure the Falling-sickness but the surest way is besides hanging it about the Neck by which Children have been cured to take the Root of the Male Peony washed clean and stamped somwhat smal and lay it to infuse in Sack for twenty four Hours at the least after strain it and take first and last morning and evening a good draught for sundry daies together before and after a full Moon and this will also cure older persons if the Disease be not grown too old and past cure especially if there be a due and orderly preparation of the Body with Posset drink made of Betony c. The Root is also effectual for Women that are not sufficiently clensed after Childbirth and such as are troubled with the Mother for which likewise the black Seed beaten to Pouder and given in Wine is also available The black Seed also taken before bed time and in the morning is very effectual for such as in their sleep are troubled with the Diseas called Ephialtes or Incubus but we do commonly cal it the Night-Mare a diseas which Melancholly persons are subject unto It is also good against Melanchollick Dreams The Distilled water or Syrup made of the Flowers worketh the same effects that the Root and the Seed do although more weakly The Female is often used for the purposes aforesaid by reason the Male is so scarce a Plant that it is possessed by few and those great Lovers of Rarities in this kind It is an Herb of the Sun and under the Lyon Physitians say Male Peony Roots are best but Dr. Reason told me male Peony was best for men and
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 â—â— of the Bowels and Hemorrhoids â—hen 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
Reins and the Fluxes of the Belly The Juyce of them doth purge and clens the Body from Choller and Flegm The Husks of the Roses with the Beards and Nails of the Roses are binding and cooling and the Distilled Water of either of them is good for the Heat and redness in the Eyes and to stay and dry up the Rhewms and watering of them Of the Red Roses are usually made many Compositions all serving to sundry good uses Viz. Electuary of Roses Conserve both moist and dry which is more usually called Sugar of Roses Syrup of dryed Roses and Honey of Roses The Cordial Pouder called Diarhodon Abhatis ' and Aromatica Rosarum The Distilled Water of Roses Vinegar of Roses Oyntment and Oyl of Roses and the Rose Leavs dried which although no Composition yet of very great use and effect To write at large of every one of these would make my Book swel too big it being sufficient for a Volum by it self to speak fully of them But briefly The Electuary is purging whereof two or three Drams taken by it self in some convenient Liquor is a Purge sufficient for a weak Constitution but may be encreased to six drams according to the strength of the Patient It purgeth Choller without trouble and is good in hot Feavers and pains of the Head arising from hot Chollerick Humors and heat in the Eyes the Jaundice also and Joynt Aches proceeding of hot Humors The moist Conserve is of much use both binding and Cordial for until it be about two years old it is more binding than Cordial and after that more Cordial than Binding Some of the yonger Conserve taken with Methridatum mixed together is good for those that are troubled with Distillations of Rhewm from the Brain to the Nose and Defluxions of Rhewm into the Eyes as also for Fluxes end Lasks of the Belly and being mixed with the Pouder of Mastick is very good for the Running of the Reins and for other loosness of Humors in the Body The old Conserve mixed with Aromaticum Rosarum is a very good Cordial against Faintings Swounings Weakness and Tremblings of the Heart strengthning both it and a weak Stomach helpeth digestion stayeth casting and is a very good Preservative in the time of Infection The dry Conserve which is called Sugar of Roses is a very good Cordial to strenthen the Heart and Spirits as also to stay Defluxions The Syrup of dried Red Roses strengthneth a Stomack given to casting cooleth an overheated Liver and the Blood in Agues comforreth the Heart and resisteth putresaction and infection and helpeth to stay Lasks and Fluxes Honey of Roses is much used in Gargles and Lotions to wash Sores either in the Mouth Throat or other parts both to clens and heal them and to stay the Fluxes of Humors falling upon them it is also used in Clisters both to cool and clens The Cordial Pouders called Diarhodon Abbatis and Aromaticum Rosarum do comfort and strengthen the Heart and Stomach procure an Appetite help Digestion stayeth Vomiting and is very good for those that have slippery Bowels to strengthen them and to dry up their moisture Red Rose Water is of well known and familiar use in all occasions and better than Damask Rose Water being cooling and Cordial refreshing and quickning the weak and faint Spirits used either in meats or broths to wash the Temples or to smel to at the Nose or to smel the sweet vapors therof out of a perfuming Pot or cast on a hot Fire-shovel It is also of much good use against the redness and Inflamations in the eyes to bath them therwith and the Temples of the Head also against pain and ach for which purpose also Vinegar of Roses is of much good use and to procure rest and sleep if some thereof and Rosewater together be used to smel unto or the Nose and Temples moistned therewith but more usually to moisten a piece of Red Rose Cake cut fit for the purpose and heated between a double folded Cloth with a little beaten Nutmeg and Poppy Seed strewed on the side that must lie next to the Forehead Temples so bound therto for al night The Oyntment of Roses is much used against heat Inflamations in the Head to anoint the forhead temples being mixed with Vnguenium Populeon to procure rest as also it is used for the heat of the Liver of the Back and Reins and to cool and heal Pushes Wheals and other red Pimples rising in the Face or other parts Oyl of Roses is not only used by it self to coole any hot Swellings or Inflamations and to bind and stay Fluxes of Humors unto Sores but is also put into Oyntments and Plaisters that are cooling and binding and restraining the Flux of Humors The dried Leavs of the Red. Roses are used both inward and outwardly both cooling binding and Cordial for with them are made both Aromaticum Rosarum Diarhodon Abbatis and Saccharum Rosarum each of whose Properties are before declared Rose Leavs and Mints heated and applied outwardly to the Stomach stayeth castings and very much strengthneth a weak Stomach and applyed as a Fomentation to the Region of the Liver and Heart doth much cool and temper them and also serveth instead of a Rose Cake as is said before to quiet the over hot spirits and cause rest and sleep The Syrup of Damask Roses is both Simple and Compound and made with Agrick The Simple Solutive Syrup is a familiar safe gentle and easie Medicine purging Choller taken from one ounce to three or four yet this is remarkable herein That the distilled Water of this Syrup should notably bind the Belly The Syrup with Agrick is more strong and effectual for one ounce thereof by it self will open the Body more than the other and worketh as much on Flegm as Choller The Compound Syrup is more forcible in working on Melanchollick Humors and available against the Lepry Itch Tetters c. and the French Diseas Also Honey of Roses Solutive is made of the same infusion that the Syrup is made of and therefore worketh the same effect both in opening and purging but is ostener given to Flegmatick than Chollerick persons and is more used in Clysters than in Potions as the Syrup made with Sugar is The Conserve and Preserved Leavs of these Roses are also operative in gently opening the Belly The Simple Water of the Damask Roses is chiefly used for fumes to sweeten things as the dried Leavs thereof to make sweet Pouders and fill sweet Bags and little use they are put to in Physick although they have some purging quality The wild Roses also are few or none of them used in Physick but yet are generally held to come neer the Nature of the Manured Roses The Fruit of the wild Bryar which are called Heps being throughly ripe and made into a Conserve with Sugar besides the pleasantness of the tast doth gently bind the Belly and
doth purge the Body of Chollerick Humors and asswageth the heat being taken in a draught of Wine or any other Drink The Pouder of the purple Leaves of the Flowers only pick'd and dried and drunk in Water is said to help the Quinsie and the Falling-sickness in Children especially in the beginning of the Disease The Flowers of the White Violets ripeneth and dissolveth Swellings The Herb or Flowers while they are fresh or the Flowers when they are dry are effectual in the Plurisie and all Diseases of Lungs to lenesie the sharpness of hot Rhewms and the Hoarsness of the Throat the heat also and sharpness of Urine and all pains of the Back or Reins and the Bladder It is good also for the Liver and the Jaundice and in al hot Agues to cool the Heat and quench the Thirst But the Syrup of Violets is of most use and of better effect being taken in some convenient Liquor and if a little of the Juyce or Syrup of Lemmons be put to it or a few drops of the Oyl of Vitriol it is made thereby the more powerful to cool the heat and to quench the Thirst and giveth to the drink a Clarret Wine colour and a fine tart â—ellish pleasing the tast Violets taken or made up with Honey doth more clense than cool and with Sugar contrary-wise The dryed Flowers of Violets are accounted among the Cordial Drinks Pouders and other Medicines especially where cooling Cordials are necessary The green Leaves are used with other Herbs to make Plaisters and Pultisces for Inflamations and Swellings and to ease pains wheresoever arising of heat and for the Piles also being fried with Yolks of Eggs and applied thereto Pansies or Heartsease are like unto Violets in all their operations but somwhat hotter and dryer yet very temperate and by viscuous Juyce therein doth somwhat mollifie yet less than Mallows It is conducing in like manner as Violets to the hot Diseases of the Chest and Lungs for Agues Convulsions and Falling-sickness in Children The Decoction helpeth Itch and Scabs being bathed therwith It is said also to soder green Wounds and to help old Sores the Juyce or distilled Water thereof being drunk Vipers Buglofs Description THis hath many long rough Leaves lying on the ground from among which rise up diverse hard round Stalks very rough as if they were thick set w th prickles or hairs wherin are set such like long rough hairy or prickly sad green Leavs somwhat narrow the middle Rib for the most part being white The Flowers stand at the tops of the Stalks branched forth into many long spiked Leaves of Flowers bowing or turning like the Turnsole all of them opening for the most part on the one side which are long and hollow turning up the Brims a little of a Purplish Violet colour in them that are fully blown but more reddish while they are in the Bud as also upon their decay and withering but in some places of a paler purple colour with a long pointel in the middle feathered or parted at the top After the Flowers are fallen the Seeds growing to be ripe are blackish cornered and pointed somwhat like unto the Head of a Viper The Root is somwhat great and blackish and woolly when it groweth toward Seed time and perisheth in the Winter There is another sort little differing from the former only in that it beareth white Flowers Place The first groweth wild almost every where That with white Flowers about the Castle Walls of Lewes in Sussex Time They Flower in Summer and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and Use. It is an especial Remedy against the biting of the Viper and of all other Venemous Beasts or Serpents as also against poyson and poysonful Heâ—â—s Dioscorides and others say That whosoever shall take of the Herb or Root before they be bitten shall not be hurt by the poyson of any Serpent The Roots or Seeds are thought to be most effectual to comfort the Heart and expel Sadness or cause less Melancholly it tempers the Blood and allayeth the hot Fits of Agues The Seed drunk in Wine procureth abundance of Milk in Womens Brests The same also being taken caseth the pains in the Loyns Back and Kidneys The distilled Water of the Herb when it is in Flower or his chiefest strength is excellent to be applied either inwardly or outwardly for all the Griefs aforesaid There is a Syrup made hereof very effectual for the comforting of the Heart and expelling Sadness and Melancholly VVall-Flowers or Winter Gilly-flowers THe Garden kinds are so wel known that they need no Description Description The common single Wall-Flowers which grow wild abroad hath sundry smal long narrow and dark green Leaves set without order upon smal round whitish wooddy Stalks which bear at the tops diverse single yellow Flowers one above another every one having four Leaves apiece and of a very sweet scent after which come long Pods containing reddish Seed The Root is white hard and threddy Place It groweth upon old Church Walls and old Walls of many Houses and on the other stone Walls in diverse places The other sorts in Gardens only Time All the single kinds do Flower many times in the end of Autumn and if the Winter be mild all the Winter long but especially in the Months of February March and April and until the heat of the Spring do spend them But the double kinds continue not Flowring in that manner all the yeer along although they Flower very early somtimes and in some places very late Vertues and Use. Galen in his seventh Book of Simple Medicines saith That the yellow Wall-flowers worketh more powerfully than any of the other kinds and is therefore of more use in Physick It clenseth the Blood and freeth the Liver and Reins from Obstructions provoketh Womens Courses expelleth the Secondine and dead Child helpeth the hardness and pains of the Mother and of the Spleen also stayeth Inflamations and Swellings comforteth and strengthneth any weak part or out of Joynt helpeth to clense the Eyes from mistiness and Films on them and to clense foul and filthy Ulcers in the Mouth or any other part and is a singular Remedy for the Gout and all Aches and Pains in the Joynts and Sinews A Conserve made of the Flowers is used for a Remedy both for the Apoplexie and Palsey The VValnut-Tree THis is so well known that it needeth no Description Time It Blossometh early before the Leaves come forth and the Fruit is ripe in September Vertues and Use. The Bark of the Tree doth bind and dry very much and the Leaves are much of the same temperature but the Leaves when they are older are heating and drying the Second Degree and harder of digestion than when they are fresh which by reason of their sweetness are more pleasing and better digesting in the Stomach and taken with sweet Wine they move the Belly downwards but being old they grieve the
take to be no other but our English Adder and all other Venemous Creatures The Leaves of Wheat Meal applied with some Salt taketh away hardness of the Skin Wharts and hard Knots in the Flesh. Starch moistned with Rosewater and laid to the Cods taketh away their Itching Wafers put in Water and drunk stayeth the Lask and Bloody Flux and is profitably used both inward and outwardly for the Ruptures in Children Boyled in Water unto a thick Gelly and taken it stayeth spitting of Blood and boyled with Mints and Butter it helpeth the hoarsness of the Throat The VVillow-tree THese are so well known that they need no no Description I shall therefore only shew you the Vertues thereof Vertues and Use. Both the Leaves Bark and the Seed are used to stanch bleeding of Wounds and at Mouth and Nose spitting of Blood and all other Fluxes of Blood in man or woman and to stay Vomiting and provocation thereunto if the Decoction of them in Wine be drunk It helpeth also to stay thin hot sharp salt Distillations from the Head upon the Lungs causing a Consumption The Leaves bruised with some Peppâ—r and drunk in Wine much helpeth the wind Chollick The Leaves bruised and boyled in Wine and drunk staieth the heat of Lust in man or woman and quite extinguisheth it if it be long used The Seed is also of the same effect The Water that is gathered from the Willow when it Flowreth the Bark being slit and a fitting Vessel set to receive it is very good for redness and dimness of Sight for films that grow over the Eyes and stay the Rhewms that fall into them to provoke Urin being stopped if it be drunk and to cleer the Face and Skin from Spots and Discolourings Galenâ—aith â—aith The Flowers have an admirable faculty in drying up Humors beeing a Medicine without any sharpness or corrosion You may boyl them in white Wine and drink as much as you will so you drink not your self drunk The Bark work the same effects if used in the same manner and the Tree hath alwaies Bark upon it though not alwaies Flowers The Burnt ashes of the Bark being mixed with Vinegar taketh away Warts Corns and Superfluous Flesh being applied to the place The Decoction of the Leaves or Bark in Wine takes away Scurf or Dandrif by washing the place with it 'T is a fine cool Tree The Boughs of which are very convenient to be placed in the Chamber of one sick of a Feaver Woad Description IT hath diverse large Leaves long and somwhat broad withal like to those of the greater Plantaue but larger thicker of a greenish colour and somwhat blew withal From among which Leaves riseth up a lusty Stalk three or four foot high with diverse Leaves set thereon The higher the Stalk riseth the smaller are the Leaves at the top it spreadeth into diverse Branches at the ends of which appear pretty little yellow Flowers and after they pass away like other Flowers of the Field come Husks long and somwhat flat withal in form they resemble a Tongue in colour they are black and they hang bobbing downwards The Seed contained within these Husks if it be a little chewed gives an Azure colour The Root is white and long Place It is sowed in Fields for the benefit of it where those that sow it cut it three ' times a yeer Time It Flowreth in June but is long after before the Seed is ripe Vertues and Use. Some People affirm the Plant to be destructive to Bees which if it be I cannot help it They say it possesseth Bees with a Flux but that I can hardly beleeve unless Bees be contrary to all other Creatures I should rather think it possesseth them with the contrary Disease the Herb being exceeding drying and binding However if any Bees be diseased thereby the cure is to set Urine by them but set it in such a Vessel that they cannot drown themselves which may be remedied if you put pieces of Cork in it I told you before the Herb was drying and binding and so drying and binding that it is not fit to be given inwardly An Oyntment made thereof stancheth Bleeding A Plaister made thereof and applied to the Region of the Spleen and I pray you take notice that the Spleen lies on the left side takes away the hardness and pains thereof The Oyntment is excellent good in such Ulcers as abound with moisture and takes away the corroding and fretting Humors It cools Inflamations quencheth St. Anthonies fire and stayeth Defluxions of Blood to any part of the Body Woodbind or Honey-suckles THe Plant is so common that every one that hath Eyes knows them and he that hath none cannot reade a Description if I should write it Time They Flower in June and the Fruit is ripe in August Vertues and Use. Doctor Tradition that grand Introducer of Errors that Hater of Truth that Lover of Folly and that mortal Foe to Doctor Reason hath taught the common People to use the Leaves and Flowers of this Plant in Mouth Waters and by long continuance of time hath so grounded it in the Brains of the Vulgar that you cannot beat it out with a Beetle All Mouth Waters ought to be cooling and drying but Honeysuckles are clensing consuming and digesting and therefore no waies fit for Inflamations Thus Doctor Reason Again If you please we will leave Dr. Reason a while and come to Dr. Experience a learned Gentleman and his Brother Take a Leaf and chew it in your Mouth and you will quickly find it likelier to cause a sore Mouth or Throat than to cure it Well then if it be not good for this What is it good for 'T is good for somthing For God and Nature made nothing in vain It is an Herb of Jupiter and apropriated to the Lungs the Coelestial Crab claims Dominion over it neither is it a Foe to the Lyon If the Lungs be afflicted by Mercury this is your Cure It is fitting a Conserve made of the Flowers of it were kept in every Gentlewomans House I know no better cure for an Asthma than this Besides It takes away the evil of the Spleen provokes Urine procures speedy Delivery to Women in Travail helps Cramps Convulsions and Palseys and whatsoever griefs comes of cold or stopping If you please to make use of it in an Oyntment it will cleer your Skin of Morphew Freckles and Sun-burning or whatsoever else discolours it and then the Maids will love it I have done when I have told you what Authors say and cavelled a little with them They say the Flowers are of more effect than the Leaves and that 's true but they say The Seeds are of least effect of all But Dr. Reason told me That there was a Vital Spirit in every Seed to beget its like and Dr. Experiense told me That there was a greater heat in a Seed than there was in any other part of a
a Soldier hath I say when Mars was free from War he called a Councel of War in his own Brain to know how he should do poor sinful man good desiring to forget his in being called an Infortune He musters up his own Forces and places them in Bâ—ttalia â—h quoth he why do I hurt a poor silly Man or Woman His Angel Answers him 'T is because they have ofâ—ended their God Look back to Adam Well saies Mars though they speak evil of me I 'le do good to them Death's cold my Herbs shall heat them They are full of ill Humors else they would never have spoken ill of me my Herb shall clense them and dry them They are poor weak Creatures my Herb shall threngthen them they are dul witted my Herb shall fortifie their Apprehensions and yet amongst Astrologers all this doth not deserve a good word â—h the Patience of Mars Faelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas Inque domus superum scandere cura fiâ—t Oh happy he that can the Knowledg gain To know th' eternal God made nought in vain To this I add I know the reason causeth such a Dearth Of Knowledg 't is becaus men love the Earth The other day Mars told me he met with Venus and he asked her what the Reason was that she accused him for abusing Women he never gave them the Pox in the Dispute they fell out and in anger parted and Mars told me that his brother Saturn told him that an Antivenerial Medicine was the best against the Pox. Once a Month he meets with the Moon Mars is quick enough of speech and the Moon not much behind hand neither are most Women The Moon looks much after Children and Children are much troubled with the Worms she desued a Medicine of him he bad her take his own Herb Wormwood He had no sooner parted with the Moon but he met with Venus and she was as drunk as a Bitch Alâ—s poot Venus quoth heâ— What thou a Fortune and be drunk I 'le give thee an Antipathetical Cure take my Herb Wormwood thou shalt never get a Surfet by drinking A poor silly Country-man hath got an Ague and cannot go about his business he wishes he had it not and so do I but I 'le tell him a Remedy whereby he may prevent it Take the Herb of Mars Wormwood and if Infortunes will do good what will Fortunes do Some say the Lungs are under Jupiter and if the Lungs then the breath and yet a man somtimes gets a stinking breath and yet Jupiter is a Fortune forsooth up comes Mars to him Come Brother Jupiter thou knowest I sent thee a couple of Trines to thy Houses last night the one from Aries and the other from Scorpio give me thy leave by Sympathy to cure the poor man by drinking a draught of Wormwood Beer every morning The Moon was weak the other day and she gave a man two terrible mischiefs a dull Brain and a weak sight Mars lâ—ies by his Sword and comes to her Sister Moon saith he This man hath anger'd thee but I beseech thee take notice he is but a Fool prithee be patient I will with my Herb Wormwood cure him of both Infirmities by Antipathy for thou knowst thou and I cannot agree with that the Moon began to quarrel Mars not delighting much in Womens Tongues went away and did it whether she would or no. He that reades this and understands what he reades he hath a Jewel more worth then a Diamond He that understands it not is as little fit to give Physick There lies a Key in these words which will unlock if it be turned by a wise hand the Cabbinet of Physick I have delivered it so plainly as I durst 't is not upon Wormwood only that I wrote but upon all Plants Trees and Herbs He that understands it not is unfit in my Opinion to give Physick This shall live when I am dead and thus I leave it to the World not caring â— Halfpenny whether they like or dislike it The Grave equals all men and therefore shall equal me with the Princes until which time the Eternal Providence is over me then the ill tongue of a praâ—ling Priest or of one who hath more Tongue than Wit or more Pride than Honesty shall never trouble me Wisdom is justified of her Children and so much for Wormwood Yarrow Description IT hath many long Leaves spread upon the ground and fine cut and devided into many smal parts Its Flowers are white but not all of a whiteness and staied in Knots upon diverse green Stalks which rise from amongst the Leaves Place It is very frequent in all Pastures Time It Flowers late even in the latter end of August Vertues and Use. An Oyntment of them cures Wounds and is most fit for such as have Inflamations it being an Herb of Dame Venus It stops the Terms in Women being boyled in white Wine and the Decoction drunk as also the Bloody Flux the Oyntment of it is not only good for green Wounds but also for Ulcers and Fistulaes especially such as abound with moisture It staies the shedding off of Hair the Head being bathed with the Decoction of it inwardly taken it helps the retentive faculty of the Stomach it helps the running of the Reins in men and the whites in women and helps such as cannot hold their water and the Leaves chewed in the Mouth ease the Toothach and these Vertues being put together shew the Herb to be drying and binding Achilles is supposed to be the first that leâ—t the Vertues of this Herb to posterity having learned them of his Master Chyron the Centaure and certainly a very profitable Herb it is in the Camp and perhaps therfore called Militaris DIRECTIONS HAving in diverse places of this Treatise promised you the way of making Syrups Conserves Oyls Oyntments c. of Herbs Roots Flowers c. whereby you may have them ready for your use at such times when otherwise they cannot be had I come now to perform what I promised and you shall find me rather better than worse than my word That this may be done Methodically I shall devide my Directions into two grand Sections and each Sections into several Chapters and then you shall see it look with such a Countenance as this is Sect. 1. Of gathering drying and keeping Simples and their Juyces Chap. 1. Of Leaves of Herbs c. Chap. 2. Of Flowers Chap. 3. Of Seeds Chap. 4. Of Roots Chap. 5. Of Barks Chap. 6. Of Juyces Sect. 2. Of making and keeping Compounds Chap. 1. Of Distilled Waters Chap. 2. Of Syrups Chap. 3. Of Juleps Chap. 4. Of Decoctions Chap. 5. Of Oyls Chap. 6. Of Electuaries Chap. 7. Of Conserves Chap. 8. Of Preserves Chap. 9. Of Lohochs Chap. 10. Of Oyntments Chap. 11. Of Plaisters Chap. 12. Of Pultisses Chap. 13. Of Troches Chap. 14. Of Pills Chap. 15. The way of fitting Medicines to Compound Diseases Of all