yellow Jaundies Barley IT is needless to say any thing more of this Grain here but onely of the Physical use it 's other vertues being sufficiently known to the Husbandman and to the Brewer and Alewife too but these latter gain more by the Vices attending it then by its Vertues Temperature and Vertues It is cooling and drying in the first degree of a cleansing quality Culpepper as I remember ascribes it to Venus he would lay all the fault of drunkenness upon women But c. Barley indeed the water made thereof and other things doth much nourish such as are troubled with Agues Feavers and hot Stomachs The French Barley is much used for diseases of the Breast and likewise in Feavers and other inward heats as heat of the Vrine in a Gonorrhea or otherwise it doth provoke Vrine The preparation of the Barley water is thus Take French Barley two ounces boil it in two several waters casting the water away then boil it the third time in a quart of water to a pint and a half adding Liquorish half an ounce Violet leaves and Strawberry leaves of each an handful sweeten it with Sugar or syrrup of Violets this is excellent in a Fever or Surfeit being timely used Barley meal and Fleawort being boiled in water and made into a pultis with honey and oyl of Lillies cures Tumors and Swellings being applyed warm A plaister made thereof with Tar Wax and Oyl helpeth the hard swelling of the Kings Evil in the throat it easeth pains of the sides and stomach and windiness of the Spleen being boiled with Melilot Cammomil flowers and some Linseed Fennigreek and Rue in powder and applyed warm to the sides Barley meal boiled in Vinegar with some honey and some dry Eigs added thereunto dissolveth hard Imposthumes and excrescences growing upon the eye-lids and asswageth inflammations being applyed thereunto Basil Basilicum BAsil springeth up with one stalk Description shooting forth branches on every side at the joynts grow the leaves two at every joynt which are of a pale green colour and of a strong smell they are somewhat round a little pointed and dented a little about the edges the flowers stand at the tops of the branches and are small and white the seed is black Names It is called in Latine Ocymum and Basilicum in English Basil Place and Time Basil is nourished onely in Gardens with us and flowers in the heat of Summer the seed is soon ripe the root perisheth at Winter it must be new sowen every year Nature and Vertues It is said to be hot in the second degree but having a superfluous moisture Culpepper rails at large against this herb that it ought not to be taken inwardly yet it may be corrected with oyl and vinegar and eaten by women to dry up their milk the same effect it hath being bruised and applyed outwardly to the breasts the much smelling thereunto causeth the Head ache to those who have a weak brain yet to those whose brains are stronger it comforts the brain and purges the head it procures speedy delivery and provokes Vrine and the Terms it is good against pains of the head and the Lethargy being applyed with oyl of Roses Mirtles and Vinegar the seeds are used to expel melancholly and comfort the heart and the juyce or seeds being bruised and put into the nostrils procureth sneezing The Herb used with honey takes away spots in the face The Bay-Tree Laurus THis is so well known it needs no description Names It is called in Latine Laurus and the berries Bacca Laurt Places and time It grows frequently in our Gardens and is planted against Walls delighting rather in the shade then the Sun it keeps green all the year the berries are ripe towards Winter Nature and Vertues Bayes both the leaves and berries are hot and dry a plant of Jupiter the berries taken in powder with honey is good against infirmities of the Breast as Consumptions and shortness of breach and likewise helps Winde and the Chollick and griping pains of the Belly they provoke Vrine and are good against the Stone and the windiness of the Mother they are good against poisons and the stinging of venomous beasts they open the Liver and Spleen procure an appetite provoke womens Terms cause speedy delivery and purge down the Aster-birth A bath made of the Decoction of the Leaves and Berries is good for women to fit in for diseases of the Womb and Mother and obstractions of the Courses the oyl of the berries is good to comfort the joynts against cold Aches Cramps Palsies and benummedness of any parts the oyl or juyce of the berries dropped into the ears helps deafness and pains in the ears Quicksilver killed in the oyl or juyce helps the Itch and Wheals or Scabs in the skin the powder of them taken in white wine is good against Cramps and contractions of the Sinews The leaves may also be used for many of the purposes aforesaid and are excellent good three or four leaves in broth to comfort the stomack Beans Faba I Shall not need describe these neither there being not scarce a boy or girle but well enough knows both the garden and field Beans that is able to eat a Bean. Names In Latine a bean is called Faba Places and Time The greater sort is planted in Gardens the other small Beans are sown in Fields and are meat for horses and hogs and good to make malt with too The Garden beans are ripe in June and July some earlier and some later according as they are planted serving for good strong food in harvest Temperature and Vertues They are more used with us for food then Physick and while they are green they are held to be cold and moist when dry cold and dry and the Physical uses are these the distilled water of the green shells is excellent good against the Stone to be drunk in the mornings and a little butter unsalted eaten therewith Bean meal helpeth Fellons Boils Bruises Imposthumes and Swellings of Kernels about the Ears being mixed with Fennugreek and Honey and applyed to the place grieved The distilled water of the flowers cleanseth and beautifieth the face and skin and takes away spots and wrinkles thereof A pultis made of bean flower oyl and vinegar and applyed to the breasts of women which are swelled by abundance of milk helpeth the swelling and represseth the milk dissolving the curdling thereof A pultis bieng made with bean flower wine oyl and vinegar helpeth the swelling of the Cods and being used with Rose leaves the white if an Egge and a little Frankincense it helps swellings stripes and watering eyes Beans are also a friend to Venus And thus I shall leave them hastning to proceed to their affinity viz. French Beans Phaseolus HAving now done with the English Bean Description the French or Kidney Bean in order follows which also scarce needs a description being now ordinary in Gardens they grow up at first with one stalk but afterwards
the latter end of Summer and seeds about a month after Nature and Vertues Sea-holly is temperate of a cleansing drying nature a Venerial plant the roots confected stir up the affection to Venery and are a restorative against the consuming of old age being decocted in Wine they open obstructions of the Spleen and Liver provoke Vrine expell the Stone and move the Terms helps the yellow Jaundies Dropsie pain in the Loins and winde Chollick The roots bruised and applyed to the Throat helps the Kernels there and heals bitings of Serpents being taken inwardly and applyed to the place and if the roots be boiled in Hogs Lard and applied to thorns in the flesh it draws them out and heals the place the juyce of the leaves helps Imposthumes in the Ears The distilled water of the whole herb being young drives away Melancholly and helps Quartane and Quotidian Agues the young tender shoots may be eaten fresh or pickled they are a good Venerial Sallet ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Eye-bright Ocularia IT is a small low herb rising seldom above a span high Description having a blackish green stalk which spreadeth from the bottom into sundry branches whereon grow small dark green leaves finely snipt about the edges growing two together very thick the flowers are small and white striped with purple and yellow spots and grow at the joynts with the leaves from the middle upwards the seeds are very small growing in small round heads which succeed the flowers The root is long small and threddy Names Euphrasia is both a Greek and Latine name for it it is also called in Latine Opthalmica and Ocularia in English Eye-bright Places and Time It grows plentifully in many places of this Land by Hedge rowes and on Hills sides it groweth in the High way between Gravesend and Rochester and in the Fields about Gravesend They flower in August which is the best time to gather it before it seeds Nature and Vertues It is a Solar herb hot and dry it is excellent to clarifie and preserve the sight from dimness either the powder of the dry herb being used or the juyce of the green plant the distilled water clears the dimness of the Eyes either being dropped into the Eyes or drunk in Wine or Broth a Conserve of the Flowers works the like effects being eaten It restoreth a decayed Memory and helps a weak Brain and Memory being used any of the aforesaid wayes if it were tunned up with Bear or Ale it will work the like effects Some Authours write that Birds make use of it to repair their sight and Arnoldus saith that it did restore their sight who had been blinde a long while Ferne. Filix IT s very well known there is accounted a Male and Female and Water Ferne or Osmond Royal. Names The Latine name for Ferne is Filix the Water Fern Osmunda Regalis and St. Christophers Herb. Place and Time Fern grows too plentiful in many places and can hardly be rooted out where it hath possession the seeds are small trebble pointed black and shining and may be gotten on Midsummer-eve at night at which time I have gathered it my self The Water Ferne grows by wet Ditiches sides bogs and watrish places Nature and Vertues Ferne is hot and dry bitter and somewhat astringent a Mercurial Plant the roots of Ferne boiled in Mead kills worms in the Belly and abates swelling and hardness of the Spleen and being bruised and boiled in Oyl or Hogs Grease they make a good Oyntment to heal Wounds and Bruises and cases the Chollick and Diseases of the Spleen especially those of the Water Fern A bath made of the leaves is good to strengthen the Sinews the powder of the root dryes up the watry humours of Vlcers A dyet Drink being made of it with other Capillary Herbs is good for the Rickets The water Fern is effectual for Ruptures an Oyntment being made thereof and the decoction of the root in white Wine provokes Vrine and opens the uretory passages Feathersew Parthenium IT grows up with many large green leaves Description very much torn or cut about the edges the stalks are hard and round beset with smaller leaves the flowers stand fingle upon several foot stalks at the cop consisting of finall white leaves standing round about a yellow thrum in the middle the root is tough hard and short having many fibres thereat the whole Plant of a strong scent and bitter taste Names Parthenium from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Matricaria and Febrisuga in Latine Place and Time It grows by divers Walls and Hedges and frequently in Gardens they continue in flower the gratest part of Summer Nature and Vertues Featherfew is hot and dry in the third degree having a quality of cleansing and opening its temperature scent and taste attributes it to Mars but its vertues are ascribed to Venus it is an excellent herb for womens Diseases for all Diseases of the Mother the decoction being drunk or the fume set over helps fits of the Mother it drives down the Courses expells the dead Childe and After-birth The juyce with the juyce of Motherwort taken in old Ale with a little gross Pepper is good to prevent fits of the Mother The decoction with Sugar or HOney helps the Cough and short Windedness and cleanses the Reins and Bladder so doth the powder of the herb and expells Melancholly helps the swimming of the Head and windiness in the Stomach and is good against the Dropsie it is good for cold and moist bodies to stir up the procreative vertue but it is naught for hot and dry bodies it s a good remedy for such as have taken too much opium being fryed with Oyl and Wine it eases the griping pains of winde being applyed to the Stomach and Belly The distilled water cleanseth the Skin Fellwort Vide Gentian Fennel Feniculus FEnnel is well known its Latine name Feniculus Gardens are his habitation he flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Most affirm Fennel to be hot in the third degree and dry in the first and according to Gerrard the seed is hot and dry in the third degree it is a Mercurial herb saith Culpepper but I suppose rather Solar it is used to be boiled with Fish and other viscous meats to digest their crude and phlegmatick qualities and the seed is used in bread to break Winde and strengthen the breath The distilled water cleanseth the Eyes being dropped therein and the condensate juyce cleanseth them from Mists and Films It is good to increase milk in Nurses it provokes Vrine and eases the pains of the Stone The leaves or rather the seeds boiled in water stay the Hiccock helps loathings of the Stomach of sick persons and allayeth the heat thereof and is a remedy for such as have eaten poisonous herbs and against bitings by Serpents The seed and root opens obstructions of the Liver Spleen and
against the heat of the Mouth and Stomach and quenches thirst being boiled in water with some Maidenhair and Figs it helps a dry Cough wheesing and shortness of Breath Hoarseness digests and expectorates Phlegm and is good for all griefs of the Chest and Lungs Ptisick and Consumptions it helps pain of the Reins Strangury and heat of Vrine The juyce of Liquorice dissolved in Rose-water with some Gum Trajacanth is a fine Lohoch for Hoarseness Wheesing roughness in the Mouth and Throat it expectorates tough Phlegm and condensates thin Rheumes which fall on the Lungs Lemon-Tree Malus Limonia LEmons seldom come to maturity in our cold Countrey therefore I shall not describe the Tree but proceed to the vertues of the fruit which is well known to us Nature and Vertues The rinde of Lemmons is hot in the first degree and dry in the second and the juyce cold in the second degree and dry in the first the Sun hath dominion over it the juyce of Lemons drunk two or three times a week in white or Rhenish Wine with some Sugar strengthens the heart stomach and head resists poison expells melancholly makes a sweet Breath and cleanses the Reins and bladder and helps to expel the Stone out of the Kidneys it kills and drives forth worms out of the belly An Angel of gold or the weight thereof in leaf Gold steeped four and twenty hours in four ounces of the juyce of Lemons and some of that juyce given in a Cup of Wine with some powder of Angelica root is very good to be given to such as are infected with the Plague The juyce is good in Fevers to quench thirst and so is the posset made of it A water distilled in a glass from the pulp of Lemons provokes Vrine being drunk and helps to break the Stone it likewise cleanses the skin kills lice in the Head helps running Scabs and Wheals in the Skin The seeds preserve the Heart and vital Spirits from poison and resists infection of contagious diseases ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Lilly Convally Lilium Convallium IT hath leaves somewhat like unto white Lillies Description or rather those of the smallest water Plantain it hath a slender small stalk at the top of which grow little small white flowers like little Bells with turned edges of a pleasant smell after which come small red berries much like the berries of Asparagus wherein the seed is contained the root is small creeping far abroad in the ground Names Lillium Convallium is the Latine name in English Lilly of the Valley Conval Lilly May Lilly Wood Lillies and Lilly Confancy Place and Time It groweth upon Hamsted Heath in Cobham Park in Kent and many other places of this Land it flowers in May and the fruit is ripe in September Nature and Vertues It is temperately hot and dry an herb of Mercury it cures the Apoplexy and the flowers distilled with Wine and a spoonful thereof given at a time restoreth lost speech to them that have the dumb Palsie it strengthens the Brain helps a weak Memory comforts the vital Spirits and is good against the Gout the distilled water helps Inflammations of the Eyes The flowers steeped in new Wine and drunk helps trembling of the Heart and other Members and stops the spreading of the Leprosie The flowers steeped in new Wine a moneth and then the Wine distilled five times over in a Limbeck is a precious water for the Apoplexy being taken with a little Lavender water and six grains of Pepper it eases the Chollick comforts the brain and is good against the Falling Sickness it likewise helps the Strangury pricking about the Heart and Inflammations of the Liver and stayes the overmuch flowing of the Terms ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Water-Lilly Nymphaea IT hath large round leaves Description thick and fat of a dark green colour which stand upon long round spongy foot stalks and alwayes float upon the water there rise also from the root other round stalks each of them bearing a white flower containing divers rowes of narrow white leaves with many yellow thrums in the middle standing about a little head which after the leaves are fallen off becomes like a Poppey head containing in it broad blackish oyley and glittering seed of a bitter taste the root is round long and tuberous with many knobs thereat loose and spongy in substance black without and white within fastned with many strings to the ground under the bottom of the water There is also another kinde which bears yellow flowers Names Both Latines and Greeks call it Nymphaea it is called also in Shops Nenuphar it is called in English Water Rose and Water Lilly Place and Time They grow alwayes in standing Waters and slow running Rivers and very plentifully in Holshot River in Hampshire my native soil all along the River by Danmore Mead They flower in May and June and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues The leaves and flowers are cold and moist the seed and roots cold and dry an herb of Venus The decoction of the seed cools and bindes restrains lust and nocturnal pollutions but the frequent use thereof extinguishes motions to Venery it is available for the Running of the Râ—ins and the Whites and to cool the heat of Vrine the leaves cool Inflammations and the decoction thereof helps the inward heats of Agues being drunk they also expell the After-birth the syrrup of the Flowers allayes the heat of Choller and distempers of the Head provokes sleep and heap hot distempers of the Heart Liver Reins and Matrix the conserve and distilled water worketh the same effects The distilled water takes away spots Sun-burning and Freckles of the Skin The oyl that is made of the flowers helps the Head-ache causeth sleep prevents Venereous dreams and takes down the standing of the Yard the head and privities being anointed therewith it also cures hot tumours and the Inflammations of Vlcers Liver-wort Lichen LIverwort groweth close upon the ground Description and upon stony places spreading much upon it with sad green leaves cleaving flat upon one another unevenly cut in the edges and crumpled amongst which arise small slender stalks an inch or two high at most bearing small star-like flowers at the top the roots are very fine and small Names It is called in Latine Lichen Jecoraria and of some Hepatica in English Liverwort Place and time Liverwort grows in moist and shadowy places by the heads of Springs and Ponds and sometimes on the stones in the insides of Wells it is green all the year and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues It is a plant of Jupiter and under the sign Cancer by temperature cold and dry and somewhat binding it is very good to help all distempers of the Liver and is effectually used in diet drinks for that purpose it cools and cleanses it and helps Inflammations of that part and the yellow Jaundies being bruised and boiled
driveth away Serpents Stone Crop or Wall Pepper Vermicularis THis Plant is much like unto the lesser Housleek Description called also Sedum and Prickmadam and is by Gerrard and others ranked amongst the number of the Sedums or Prickmadams but because of its far different and contrary temperature I have placed it alone it is a low and little herb the stalks whereof are slender and short about which the leaves stand very thick being small in growth full bodied sharp pointed and full of juyce The flowers stand at the top and are of a yellow colour and of a sharp biting taste the root is nothing but strings Names The Latine names are Vermicularis and Illecebra Minor Acris The tertium Semper vivum of Dioscorides which he saith the Grecians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Romans Illecebra Place and Time Stonecrop grows in stony and dry places in chinks and cranies of old Walls and on the tops of tiled Houses on the Church-house at Heckfield in Hampshire useth to grow abundance of it it flowers in the Summer moneths and is alwayes green as the Sengreens are Nature and Vertues Stonecrop is of a very hot temperature sharp and biting being outwardly applyed it raiseth Blisters as the Ranunculus or Crow-foot will do and at length exulcerateth therefore such as have any occasion to use the cooling Prickmadams ought to beware that they mistake not this for it Dioscorides saith that it wasteth away hard kernels of the Kings Evil if it be applyed unto them with Hogs Grease and boiled in Oyl of Roses and the sore Piles anointed therewith it easeth their pains The juyce as Gerrard saith being extracted and drawn forth and taken with Vinegar or some other liquor procures Vomit and brings up gross and phlegmatick humors and also chollerick and doth thereby oftentimes cure the quartain Ague and other Agues of long continuance and being given in this manner it is a remedy against poisons inwardly taken but it is dangerous to be used and there being many other safer medicines for the same purposes I conceive it is better to be forborn then experimented Strawberries Fragraria THey need no description The Plant is called in Latine Fragraria and the fruit Fraga They grow both in Gardens and wilde in Fields and Woods Nature and Vertues Let Venus have these sweet Berries lest she lose her longing The leaves of Strawberries are cooling in the first degree and the root more drying and binding the green berries are cold and dry but when they are ripe they are cold and moist the distilled water of the berries is good against faintings of the heart and overflowing of the gall The berries themselves refresh and comfort fainting spirits ocol the Liver Blood and Spleen and chollerick Stomachs and quench thirst they are good for other Inflammations but meddle not too much with them in Fevers lest they putrifie in the Stomach and increase the Fits A decoction of the leaves and roots in wine and water doth abate the heat and sharpness of Vrine cools the Liver and Blood and asswages Inflammations in the Reins and Bladder stayes the bloody Flux and the Tearms and helps the swellings of the Spleen The juyce or the decoction of the herb and root cleanseth soul Vlcers being washed therewith the leaves and roots hereof serve to make lotions and gargles for sores in the Mouth or privy Parts and are good to fasten loose Teeth and to heal foul Gums it also helps to stay Catharrs or defluctions of Rheume into the Mouth Throat Teeth or Eyes The juyce or water is good for red and inflamed Eyes and also to help pushes and wheals in the face or other parts and to make the skin clear and smooth The water of Strawberries distilled in a glass after they have stood twelve or fourteen dayes in Horse dung cureth the Leprosie and Morphew if it be drunk Succory Dandelion or Pissabeds Cicorea SUccory Endive and Dandelion differ not much in operation the Garden Succory and wilde Dandelion or Pissabeds are all very well known so that I shall not need to describe either Names Succory is called Cicorea in Latine and the Dandelion Dens Leonis from the jagged leaves resembling a Lions Tooth Nature and Vertues Succory and Endive are cold and dry in the second degree the wilde sorts are dryer then the Garden kindes and do cleanse and open most by reason of their bitterness it is an herb of Jupiter The leaves of the Garden kindes are used both for meat and medicine they do both cool the Liver and open the obstructions thereof strengthening the same and likewise helps burning Agues lack of sleep stopping of Vrine and the Gall the yellow Jaundies and great heat of the Stomach A draught of the decoction of the herb or root in wine drunk fasting helps the Dropsie and drives forth chollerick and phlegmatick Humors the like decoction in wine is good against lingering Agues and a dram of the seed in powder taken in Wine before the fit is available in Agues and for faintings and passions of the heart the herb outwardly applyed is good to allay sharp humors in Vlcers Tumors and pestilential Sores and helps inflammations of the Eyes and clears the sight and easeth pains of the Gout The distilled water is effectual for the same purposes and to drink morning and evening for 〈◊〉 in the Breast and is good for women with Childe and the Head-ache in Children coming of heat which water oo the juyce of the leaves is good for Nurses Breasts that abound with milk allayeth swellings Inflammations Pushes Pimples and St. Anthonies fire and is good to wash filthy Sores being used with Vinegar Sun-flowers i. e. Elecampane Tobacco English and Indian Nicotiana ENglish Tobacco riseth up with a thick round stalk Description about two foot high whereon grow thick fat green leaves not so large as the Indian round pointed and not dented about the edges at the tops stand divers flowers in green husks scarce standing above the brims of the husk round pointed also and of a greenish yellow colour its seed is not very bright but large contained in great heads The roots perish every Winter but rise generally of its own sowing Names It is called in Latine Petum and Nicotiana Place and Time English tobacco groweth much about Winscomb in Glocestershire as delighting in a fruitful soil the other which we smoke groweth best in Virginia and is thence carried to some parts of Spain and there made up and then brought to us and named Spanish Tobacco under which Title the Taverns and Ale drapers cheat the Smokers who buy it greedily at three Pipes for two pence as a great bargain when it doth not stand the seller in a half-penny Nature and Vertues Tobacco is hot and dry in the second degree it cleanseth and discusseth and hath also a stupifying quality and a power to resist poison English Tobacco is good to expectorate tough Phlegm the juyce
clarisied and some fine Sugar dissolved therein helps the Pin and Web Filmes watering and redness of the Eyes it 's likewise a good wound Herb helps Vlcers of the Lungs and expells windy and cholerick humours Venome and the Plague It opens obstructions of the Gall Liver and Spleen and therefore is good for the yellow Jaundies it provokes Vrine and womens tearms The decoction of the herb in wine being taken gives ease in the pains of the Gout and Sciatica and by adding thereto some honey and a little burnt allome it 's excellent for to gargle sore mouths and throats and also to wash soul Vlcers of the privy parts and the juyce thereof used with honey and verdigrease cleanseth Vlcers and stayeth their spreading and cureth the Itch and Scabs or other breakings out it is sometimes used as a partner with hops in drink and in dyet drinks I have found it effectual for the Lungs All-heal Panax Herculeum I Shall forbear much description hereof Description Names because it is not growing with us in England unless it be in Gardens it hath many large rough leaves growing upon one foot-stalk of a hot biting taste it yields a yellowish juyce called Opponax which is to be had at our shops it is called by some Hercules Woundwort and All-heale and in Latine Panax Herculeum Place and Time It grows in America and in some places of Italy it flowers and seeds in the latter part of Summer Temperature and Vertues The Gum called Opopanax is hot and dry hot in the third degree and dry in the second it is effectual being taken with Wine against the sores of the bladder and Strangury it purgeth tough flegm and is profitable against an old Cough and difficulty of breathing helps also windiness Convulsion Cramps and the Gout expells womens Courses is good against the Dropsie and the biting of venomous creatures it dissolves congealed Blood caused by falls and bruises it is good to stop hollow teeth and the decoction thereof in Vinegar easeth pains of the teeth the mouth being washed therewith it 's also effectual to be applyed in plaisters against the Kings Evil and hard swellings as also to Boils and other sores Alexanders Hipposelinum THis Herb is generally known in most Gardens Description and Names and Place the leaves are of a dark green and much jagged about the edges and of a hot bitter taste the flowers white the seeds black and streaked it is called in Latine Hypposelinum and olus Atrum in English Alexanders Time It flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Temperature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree of a cleansing quality and therefore is frequently used in broth in Spring time to cleanse and rarifie the blood the roots stewed in the Spring time cleanse the Stomach from slimy humors it opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and for that purpose and to help a weak stomack the roots are a good sauce being pickled the seeds given in white wine powerfully drives down the Courses and expells the after birth it likewise provokes Vrine breaks Winde and helps the Strangury The dose of it in powder is from one Scruple to two Scruples it is very good also for the Chollick Black Alder-Tree Alnus nigra THis groweth up like a small shrub Description and Names or bush and spreads into many branches the wood is white and red at the Core the bark blackish with white spots the inner bark yellow the leaves somewhat like the common Alder the flowers are white and come forth at the joynts with the leaves the berries are round first green then red and black when they be ripe The Latines call it Frangula and Alnus nigra baccifera in Hampshire we usually know it by the name of Dogwood Place and Time It grows commonly in moist Woods and boggy places as in a Wood called Dane-Moor in Hampshire it flowers in May the berries are ripe towards Michaelmas Temperature and Vertues It 's of a purging dry quality and the inner bark thereof being steeped in Wine and drunk is a strong vomit and cleanses the stomack it purges also hydropick humors and a decoction thereof made together with Agrimony Wormwood Dodder Hops and some of the five opening roots and drunk every morning cures the Dropsie and Jaundies The bark ought to be dryed before it be used and being boiled in Vinegar it 's a good remedy to kill lice and cure scabs and itch Some write that the leaves are good fodder for Cattle to cause them to give good store of milk but I could never see any Cow that would eat them Alleluiah Vide Wood-sorrel Almond-Tree Amigdalum OF this tree there be two kindes Description and Names the one bears fruit sweet the other bitter they grow bigger then any Peach tree I have seen a bitter Almond-tree in Hampshire as big as a great Plum-tree it hath leaves much like Peach-leaves it is called in Latine Amigdalum they grow plentifully in Turkey and Barbary Nature and Vertues The sweet Almonds are hot and moist in the first degree the bitter dry in the second it is a Plant of Jupiter the sweet Almonds nourish the body and increase seed they strengthen the Breath cleanse the Kidneyes and open the passages of Vrine There is a fine pleasant oyl drawn out of the sweet Almonds which being taken with Sugar-candy is excellent against dry Coughs and hoarseness it is good for those that have any inward sore and for such who are troubled with the Stone because it makes slippery the passages of the Vrine Bitter Almonds also opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen cleanseth the Lungs from Phlegm and provokes Vrine they expel Winde and provokes womens Courses the oyl of them kills worms and helps pains of the Womb. Some write that the bitter Almonds preserve from drunkenness five or six being eaten fasting the oyl of both cleanse the skin it easeth pains of the head the temples being anointed therewith and the oyl with honey powder of liquorish oyl of roses and white wax makes a good oynment to help dimness of sight Alkekengi or Winter-Cherries THis Plant groweth up with a stalk about two foot high Description the leaves are of a dark green at the joynts the stalks shoot forth whitish flowers and afterwards green berries which grow in a little thin skin much like a purse or bladder the berries when they are ripe are red much like a cherry the seeds are flat and yellowish and are contained in the Cherries Names Place and Time Some have taken this plant for a kinde of Nightshade and therefore call it Solanum it is generally called in shops Alkekengi and winter Cherries it grows onely in Gardens flowers in August and the fruit is ripe in October Temperature and Vertues It is an herb of Saturn cold and dry the leaves cool and the fruit openeth the distilled water of the fruit or leaves or both together is good to be drunk morning
and the berries are ripe towards Michaelmas Temperature and Vertues The Leaves Root and Berries of the Bramble are all of an astringent quality it s a plant of Mars and is good to stop Fluxes and Lasks and the decoction of the Flowers or unripe fruit helps spitting of Blood they also help Vlcers and Sores of the Mouth and Throat the Leaves likewise are good to make Lotions for the sores of the Mouth and privy parts and to heal a cut finger too the powder of the root expells the Stone and Gravel of the Reins and Kidneys the berries or flowers are good against the poison of venomous Serpents The decoction of them binde the Belly and stop the over-flowing of womens Courses the juyce of the ripe berries being drunk and the pumish of them out of which it is strained being outwardly applyed to swellings in the Neck and Throat is a speedy remedy for those Distempers The distilled water of the flowers and fruit is good in Feavers and heat of the Body A syrrup of the ripe berries may be kept all the year for the purposes aforesaid ☞ See further in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Bryony Brionia THere are two sorts of Bryony growing here in England Description the white Bryony or wilde Vine and the black Bryony the white Bryony springeth up with long tender stalks with many clasping tendrells by which it catcheth hold and clambreth on those things that are near it the leaves are like our Vine leaves but more hairy and whiter of colour the flowers be white and small consisting of five leaves apiece the berries grow in clusters and are green at first but red when they are ripe the root groweth very big and is bitter Names The Latine name is Bryonia in English Bryony and wilde Vine Some call the white root English Jollap and use it instead thereof Place and Time It growes in Hedge-rowes and Coppices in many of our Countreys and flowers in May and the berries be ripe in Autumne Quality and Vertues The white Bryony is chiefly used in Physick and is hot and dry in the third degree or more an herb of Mars it purgeth with great violence being taken alone but a scruple or two of the powder of the root with a third part of Cynamon and Ginger being drunk in white Wine draweth away water abundantly both by Vomit and Stool and therefore is good for the Dropsie The compound water of Bryony a spoonful being taken at a time easeth the fits of the Mother expells the After-birth and cleanseth the Womb so likewise doth a Pessary of the root and also draweth forth the dead Childe it provokes Vrine and purgeth the Reins and Bladder opens obstructions of the Spleen draweth away Phlegm and Rheumes from the Head and Brain and therefore is profitable in the falling Sickness and swimming of the head the juyce applyed cleanseth the skin from the Morphew and Leprosie the root is good against the bitings of venomous Creatures kills Worms and is good against the Kings Evil the juyce being taken with equal parts of Wine and Honey the Berries and distilled water are good to take away spots and freckles in the face ☞ See more of this in The Art of Smpling by W. C. Brookelime Becabunga BRookelime groweth up with thick stalks Description parted into divers branches the leaves are broad thick and smooth like Purslane leaves but of a darker green colour growing by couples upon the stalks the flowers are of a blue colour and grow upon tender foot stalks the root is white having five strings fastned thereto at every joynt Names It is usually called in Latine Becabunga in English Brookelime Place and Time It groweth in small Brooks Ditches and standing Waters it flowers in June and July Temperature and Vertues It is of a temperate moist quality some say dry Culpepper ascribes it to Mars but I am sure then his Logick is false for it groweth not in martial places I rather give Venus the rule of it It is good against Dropsies and Scurvies and is used in Spring time in water Gruel to purge the body from ill homours and to cleanse the Blood it is also used with Water-cresses and other Herbs for the same purpose it is helpful to break the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder provokes Vrine and womens Courses and expells the dead Birth it helps the Strangury and heals inward Scabs in the Bladder the juyce being drunk in Wine being fryed with butter and vinegar and applyed warm it helps Tumors and St. Anthonies fire being often renewed Butchers Broom Bruscus THis groweth up somewhat more then a foot high Description with a tough round stalk which spreadeth into divers green branches the leaves are of a dark green colour hard and prickly at the ends it giveth a whitish green flower consisting of four round pointed leaves after which comes a round berry which is red when it is ripe the root is thick white and great at the head from whence shooteth divers thick white tough strings Names In Latine it is called Ruscus and Bruscus in English it is called Knee-holme Knee-holly and Butchers broom because Butchers use it to cleanse their Stalls and keep Flyes away from the meat Places and Time It grows plentifully in dry waste grounds and near Holly Bushes you may often finde it in most places of this Land in dry light ground The berries are ripe about September and the leaves abide green all Winter Quality and Vertues The roots which are chiefly used in Physick are moderately hot and dry with a thin quality it is one of the five opening roots and doth open obstructions provokes Vrine expels Gravel and the Stone helpeth the Strangury drives down the Terms cleanseth the Breast of Phlegm and the Chest of clammy humours being taken with Honey the berries may be used in Electuaries for the same purpose The juyce being drunk and a pultis made of the berries and leaves being applyed is effectual in knitting broken Bones or parts out of joynt In diseases of the Reins and Bladder a Decoction of the sive opening roots is thus made Take of this root and the roots of Parsley Fennel Smallage and Grass of each a like quantity and boil them in White Wine and drink the decoction respect being had to the strength of the Pattent in making it stronger or weaker It may also be made in water for want of wine and sweetned with Sugar Broom and Broomrape Genista TDe Broom needs no description the Broomrape springeth up from the roots of the Broom in form like unto Bastard Orchis called Birds-nest having a root like a Turnip or Rape Names It is called in Latine Genista and the broom-rape Rapum Genistae Place and Time Broom delights to grow in dry grounds and quickly over runs whole Fields if they lie a little untilled My Fathers Grounds at Holshot in Hampshire are never free from it altogether it flowers about the latter end of Summer Quality and
Vertues Broom is hot and dry in the second degree cleanseth and openeth purgeth phlegmatick and watry Humors is very good for the Dropsie and Green Sickness and for the Gout Sciatica and other pains of the Joynts helps the swellings of the Spleen provokes Vrine and thereby cleanseth the Reins Kidneyes and Bladder and breaketh the Stone the powder of the leaves and seeds taken in Wine cures the black Jaundies and a Conserve of the flowers is good against the Kings Evil the distilled water is good for the same The flowers made into an Oyntment with Hogs Grease cures pains in the Knees the swellings of the Kings Evil Winde and Stitches in the sides being applyed thereto and the bitings of venomous Creatures The Oyl of the Roots cleanseth the body from Freckles the pickled buds stir up an appetite to meat opens the Spleen and provokes Vrine the Broom Rape infused in Oyl and set in the Sun for certain dayes makes an oyl to take away Wheals and pushes from the face or any other part of the Body Buckshorn Plantain Herbastella IT groweth up at first with small long narrow green leaves like Grass Description the leaves that follow are gashed on each side like the snags of a Bucks Horn and when they are thorow grown they lie upon the ground round the root like a Star from which rise up divers stalks with spiky heads like common Plantain the root is small with divers fibres hanging thereto Names It 's called in Latine Cornu Cervinum Herb stella and Sanguinaria Place and Time It delights to grow in dry sandy Grounds and flowers in the Summer moneths the leaves keep green all the Winter Quality and Vertues It is cooling drying and astringent the decoction in Wine strengthneth the Reins and Back and cooleth the heat of the Reins and Kidneys wherefore it is good for those that are troubled with the Stone it helps the Bloody Flux and Lasks of the Belly and other bleeding helps the Chollick breaks the fits of Agues stayeth bleedings at the Nose and the decoction either in ale or wine stayeth the distillations of hot and sharp Rheumes from the Head to the Eyes it is a Plant under the dominion of Saturn Of Bugle Consolida media BUgle hath larger leaves then Self-heal Description but not much different some green on the upper side others more brownish somewhat hairy and dented about the edges the stalk is square and hairy about a foot high the leaves stand by couples and from about the middle of the stalk to the top stand the flowers which are blueish and some of an ash colour like those of ground Ivy the seeds are small round and blackish the roots like those of penny-royal Names It is called in Latine Consolida media Buglum and Bugula Place and Time It groweth in wet Copses and moist Fields and flowers from May to July the root abides many years Quality and Vertues It is temperately hot and dry and somewhat binding an herb of Venus it wonderfully cures Vlcers and Sores whether new or old the leaves being bruised and applyed the juyce made into a Lotion with honey and allome cures sores of the Mouth and Gums and all sores and ulcers of the privy parts The decoction in wine dissolves congealed blood and helps inward Bruises and Wounds and is a special herb in wound Drinks and for those that are Liver grown Take Bugle Scabious and Sanicle boil them in hogs grease till the herbs be dry then strain it and keep it for a singular oyntment for all sorts of hurts in the body Bugloss Buglossum THis needs no description it 's Latine name is Buglossum and for it's Vertues I shall refer you to Borrage they are both excellent cordial herbs under the dominion of Jupiter strengthners of the heart and lungs and breast An Electuary may be made of Bugloss roots for the Cough and to condensate and expectorate thin Phlegm and Rheumatick distillations upon the Lungs Vipers Bugloss Echium THis springeth up with many rough leaves lying on the ground Description the stalks are rough hard and prickly spotted like a Vipers skin the leaves long rough and hairy of a sad green the middle rib for the most part white the flowers grow in spiky heads on the tops of the stalks of a purple violet colour the seeds are blackish cornered like a Vipers head the root is woody but perisheth every Winter Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some Latines Echium and Buglossum silvestre Viperinum Vipers Bugloss Place and Time It grows wilde in many places of this Land flowers and seeds about the middle of Summer Temperature and Vertues It is cold and dry yet the seeds and roots are good to expel Melancholly temper the Blood and allay hot fits of Agues procures milk in womens Breasts easeth pains of the Reins and Kidneys helps bitings of venomous creatures is effectual against poison and poisonous Herbs The distilled water being used inwardly or outwardly as occasion serves a syrrup may likewise be made thereof which is good to expel sadness and comfort the heart ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling by W. Coles Burnet Pimpinella THis small herb sendeth forth divers long winged leaves finely dented about the edges Description green on the upper side and grayish underneath set on each side with a middle rib the stalks rise about a foot high of a brown colour the flowers are small of a purplish colour the seed cornered the root small long and blackish with some fibres Names Some call it in Latine Pimpinella and Pampinula and Sanguisorba Place and Time It groweth wilde in most dry hilly grounds as all along the way almost between Gravesend and Rochester and is also nourished in Gardens it flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Burnet is hot and dry in the second degree a plant of the Sun a great friend to the heart and principal members quickens the spirits and expells melancholly defends the heart from infection the juyce being taken in some proper drink and the party sweating thereupon It stops fluxes of Blood Scourings and the overflowings of womens Courses and the whites helps chollerick belchings of the Stomach and is a singular good wound herb and in Summer a little of this herb being put in a glass of Claret gives it a pleasing relish Burdock and Butter-burre Bardana BUtter-burre sendeth forth his flowers before the leaves like Coltsfoot Form which grow upon a thick stalk of a deep red colour they quickly fall away then come the leaves which grow bigger then the Burdock of a pale green colour above and hoary underneath the root is blackish without and white in the inside of a bitter taste Names The Burdock is called in shops Bardana and Lappa major the Butter-burre Petasites Place and Time They grow plentifully by Brooks Ditches and High-way sides delighting in good ground the flowers and burrs come forth in July and
fire and cools the heat of the Piles clothes being wet therein and applyed it likewise takes away hot Pushes and Wheals ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Comfrey Consolida THis herb I suppose needs no description being generally known Names It is called Consolidae of which there is major and minor the greater and lesser Consound Comfrey is the greater and is so called from consolidating or knitting together which faculty it hath and is therefore called also Knit-back or Backwort because it bindes and strengthens the Back Place and Time It grows in Meadows by rivers sides and ditches in fruitful grounds as near Debtford in Kent it grows in abundance it is also planted in Gardens they flower in May and June and seed in August Nature and Vertues It is of a cold drying binding Saturning quality it is very good for the Back and the running of the Reins being boiled and eaten with Butter and Vinegar it is a very good Sallet some boil it and eat it with Bacon which way it is also effectual for the aforesaid purpose it stops Fluxes inward or outward Bleeding and the Terms the decoction of the roots being drunk it heals inward Wounds and Vlcers of the Lungs it stops the Reds and Whites the syrrup is effectual for all the said purposes and the distilled water is good to wash Wounds and Sores The Roots bruised and applyed is good to close together the lips of green Wounds and stayeth the bleeding of the Piles and Hemorrhoides and cools the Inflammations thereof it likewise eases the pains of the Gout being so applyed Walter Caltrops Tribulus Aquaticus THey rise with long slender stalks from the bottom of the water Description and float above the water the root is long and greater towards the top of the water then the bottom having tassels full of small strings on the stem the leaves are large and round notched a little about the edges somewhat resembling Poplar or Elme leaves the fruit groweth in prickley heads which are hard sharp and trianguler wherein is contained a white kernel in taste like Chestnuts Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Tribulus Aquaticus Tribulus Lacustris and the Apothecaries Tribulus Marinus in English Caltrops Saligot and Water Nuts and the fruit is called Castania Aquatiles or Water Chesnuts Place and Time It groweth in lakes standing waters and Springs in Germany Brabant and the Low Countreys so that being an outlandish Plant I would not have troubled the Reader with a description but to acquaint him that it is thrust in by the writer of that Book called Culpeppers English Physician enlarged amongst the English Plants as a great many more are both Outlandish and useless yet there is a small kinde hereof called small Frogs Lettice which bears small whitish flowers consisting of four leaves apiece which groweth in the River by Droxford in Hampshire alwayes continuing under the water and is green both Winter and Summer they all flower in June and July Nature and Vertues Caltrops are of a cold and moist nature so that a pultis made thereof is good against inflammations and hot swellings and being boiled with honey and water it cures Cankers of the Mouth sore Gums and the almonds of the Throat knobs and swellings and the Kings Evil The green Nuts drunk with wine is good for the Stone and Grayel and a powder thereof bindes the Belly and is good for them that piss Blood The same drunk wich wine resists poison venome and bitings of venomous creatures and the herb applyed outwardly helps venomous bitings Campions Wilde Lychnis THere are divers kindes hereof both wilde and in Gardens Lychnis sylvestris purpurea called red Batchelors Buttons and Lychnis alba white Batchelors Buttons they are useless in Physick yet Culpeppers writer will ascribe them to Saturn and saith The decoction stayes inward bleedings and the herb outwardly applyed doth the like and that being drunk it provokes Vrine expells the Gravel and Stone in the Reins and Kidneys and two drams of the seed drunk in wine purgeth chollerick humours helps venomous bitings and may be effectual for the Plague and that the herb is useful in old sores Vlcers and the like to cleanse and heal them All this may be true for any thing either he or I know to the contrary Indeed most of the kindes hereof except the two first named are strangers in England and are onely planted in Gardens for the beauty of the flowers Carduus Benedictus Vide Holy Thistle Carawayes Carui CAraway hath fine cut leaves much like Carrot leaves Description but not so bushing lying on the ground in divers stalks of a quick taste among which riseth up a square stalk not so high as the Carrot having the like leaves at the joynts but smaller and finer having at the top small open umbels of white slowers which produce a small blackish seed less then Anniseed and hotter in taste the root is somewhat like a Parsnip but is much less and hath a more wrinckled bark and a little hottish taste Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Caros Carum and Caruum and in the Shops Carui in English Caraway and Carawayes Place and time It is sown in our English Gardens flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe soon after Nature and Vertues The seeds are most used in Physick and according to Gallen are hot and dry almost in the third degree of a moderate sharp quality the herb may be eaten raw with other herbs in Sallets or boiled and the roots may be boiled and eaten as Parsnips they break winde comfort the Stomach and help Digestion The herb or seed and herb bruised and applyed hot in a cloth or bag to the bottom of the Belly eases the winde Chollick and is good against hot swellings The seeds eaten alone or mixed with meat or medicine comfort the Stomach break Winde and help digestion for which purpose also they are used to be put into bread they also help cold griefs in the head windiness in the Bowels and Mother and used to be mixed with purgative medicines to correct their windiness it also provokes Vrine helps the Cough and is good against the Phrensey and venomous bitings being put into a poultis it takes away black and blue spots which come by blows or bruises and used with allom it helps Scabs Tetters and falling off the hair Earth Chest-nuts Nucula terrestris THis root is round and knobbed Description with some bunchings out brown without and white within tasting much like a Chesnut but sweeter from whence springeth up small cressed stalks about a foot high whereon grow leaves next the ground like Parsley leaves but finer and towards the top like dill The flowers are white and stand at the tops of the stalks in spoky rundels like the tops of dill The seeds not much unlike Fennel seed but much smaller growing together by couples having a good smell
pale green colour Description having many square rough joynted stalks having a soft doun over them the leaves are small growing four together crosswise one against another towards the tops of the stalks amongst the leaves come forth small yellow flowers of a reasonable good savour also resembling a Cross the root consists onely of fibres Names The Latine Names are Cruciata and Cruciatis in English Crosswort and golden Mugweet Place and Time It grows in low Meadows and fertile Grounds and flowers almost all Summer Nature and Vertues It is dry and astringent a Saturnine herb it is excellent to heal and consolidate wounds and is good for inward Wounds or Bruises the herb being boiled in Wine and drunk it is also effectual for Ruptures or Burstness the herb being boiled tender and applyed to the place pultis-wise and the decoction thereof being drunk ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling by W. Coles Crowfoot Ranunculus THere be many kindes of these dangerous herbs couched under the name of Crowfoot Description whereof the common I shall describe the leaves are of a deep green colour cut in the edges and divided into three sometimes five parts on which stand divers white spots the stalks be round somewhat hairy on the tops whereof grow the flowers consisting of five leaves apiece of a yellow glittering colour which being gone the seeds follow in a rough ball the roots are white and threddy Names Ranunculus and Batrachion Latine Authours call it in English Gold cups Crowfoot and Butter-flowers Place and Time They grow almost every where in Meadows and Pastures flower in the beginning of May and continue many moneths after Nature and Vertues It is a fiery hot herb and Martial it will blister the tongue if it be tasted the herb being bruised and applyed is good in the beginning of a Plague sore arising being bound to the middle of the Thigh if it arise in the Groin and a little above the Elbow if the swelling arise under the Arm-pit it draws the Pestilential Venome unto it self it will draw a blister as well as Cantharides and may be applyed to the Nape of the Neck to draw Rheume from the Eyes an oyntment of the herb and flowers will work the same effects Cuckow-pintle or Wake Robin Arum I Shall bestow no time to describe this for Children know it using to gather the pestles or spits to play with Names It is called in Latine Arum and Aron when I was a Childe my self and my School-fellows well knew it by the name of Cuckow spits it is also called Cuckow Pintle Priests Pintle Wake Robin and Starchwort because white Starch hath been made of the root of it Places and Time They grow almost under every dry bank and hedge they shoot forth their leaves in the Spring and the spike appears about Cuckow-time Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree the leaves or juyce cleanseth filthy Vlcers and helps the Pollipus and stinking sores of the Nose the decoction of the roots clears the sight and takes away films and mists from the Eyes The powder of the berries mixed with oyl of Roses and dropped into the Ears easeth pains of them The roots or berries beaten together with hot Oxe dung easeth the pains of the Gout The green laves bruised and laid upon a Plague sore or boyl helps to draw out the infection An Electuary made of the dryed root helps shortness of breath and rids away phlegm from the Breast and Lungs being boiled in milk it works the like effects It also provokes the Terms and heals inward Vlcers The fume of the decoction is good to sit over for falling out of the Fundament both herb and root is very sharp and biting and is a venerious plant Commyn Cuminum THis seldom comes to maturity in our Countrey but groweth in hot Countries as Spain and Italy it is called in Latine Cuminum and Cyminum Nature and Vertues Commyn seed is hot and dry in the third degree according to Galen being boiled in Wine and drunk it breaks winde and easeth the Chollick being boiled with figs in Wine it helps shortness of Breathing old Coughs and Diseases of the Breast and is effectual for the Dropsie and giddiness of the head being boiled in Wine and made into a pultis with Barley meal it helps the swelling of the Cods caused by winde or waterish humours and other cold pains and swellings and gripings and torments of the Belly being applyed thereunto it also easeth the Plurisie and Stitches in the sides being quilted in a bag with some salt and heated hot and sprinkled with Wine Vinegar and applyed hot to the side The herb and root are of no use The Curran Tree Ribes THese grow onely in our Gardens but naturally in Savoy Austria and those places from whence they have been transplanted to us Names It is called Ribes and Ribesius frutex and Grossularia in English red and white Currans Temperature and Vertues Currans are cold and moist in the second degree a plant of Venus they provoke appetite allay the heat of the Stomach quench thirst and therefore are good in hot Agues they temper the heat of the Liver and Choller and resist putrefaction they close the mouth of the Stomach and strengthen it The dryed juyce or rob thereof is good against the Cough stops the Lask and Flux proceeding from Choller Contra Yerva Vide Root of Peru. The Cypress Tree Cupressus THese are now frequently planted to adorn Gardens but grow naturally in the Eastern Countries therefore I shall describe no more of them but the names nature and vertues Names In Latine its called Cupressus and the Nuts or Clogs Nuces Cupressi Nature and Vertues The fruit and leaves are dry in the third degree and astringent the decoction of the leaves in sweet Wine helps the Strangury and the powder of the leaves provokes Vrine The decoction helps the Cough short windedness Fluxes of the Belly spitting of Blood and the Rupture the leaves beaten with figs softens tumours and hardness of the Testicles and the Pollipus the decoction of the nuts in Wine causeth the hair to grow black it being washed therewith The filings of the Wood taken in Wine provokes the Courses helps Venomous bitings and causeth a good colour Daisies Consolida minor IT were in vain to describe there they need it not Names It is called in Latine Consolida minor and Herba Margarita Place and Time They grow almost on every common they flower in the Spring and last most part of Summer Nature and Vertues They are accounted cold and dry an herb of Venus the juyce of them or the distilled water dropped into the eyes clears the watring of them a decoction hereof made with Wall-wort and Egrimony giveth ease in the Palsie Sciatica and Gout the places being bathed therewith and is good against Ruptures and inward Burstings A Salve made of the leaves with Wax Oyl and Turpentine is singular good for Wounds
correct the infirmities thereof and dissolve pains and swellings of the Belly and the juyce of the root maketh the hair of a black colour being used for that purpose Wall-fern or Osmond Royal. Osmunda IT hath a great triangle stalk about a yard high Description beset on each side with large winged leaves dented or cut like polipody resembling the large leaves of the Ash-tree towards the tops of the branches grow brown rough and round grains but they are not the seed the root is great and thick covered over with many scales and interlacing roots having in the middle of the great wooddy part thereof some whiteness Names It is called in Latine Osmunda filix Palustris and of some Filicastrum by Alchimists Lunaria major in English Water-fern Osmund Royal and Osmond the Water man Place and Time It grows in moist boggy Ditches as in the Ditch near the Well in Holshot Lane in Hampshire it flourisheth in Summer as the other Ferns do and the leaves decay in Winter but the root continueth long Nature and Vertues The roots are hot and dry but not so hot as the other Ferns the root especially the heart thereof boiled or stamped and taken with some convenient liquor is good for those that are bruised by falls dry beaten or wounded for which cause it is used in wound drinks it is reputed to dissolve clotted blood in any inward part of the body and that it can drive it out by the wound The young sprigs at their first coming forth are good for all the said purposes and to be put into Balsoms Oyls and Plaisters and Vnguents for wounds punches and the like Fig-wort Vide Throat-wort Filipendula Vide Dropwort Dill. Anethum IT groweth up with one stalk Description hardly so big or high as Fennel yet it is so like Fennel that it is often mistaken for it yet the leaves are harder and thicker then Fennel of a stronger and more unpleasant smell and hath smaller Umbels of yellow flowers and the seeds are flatter and thinner then Fennel seed and not of so pleasant a taste the root dyes every year Names It is called in Latine Anethum in English Dill. Place and Time It is sown in Gardens and being once sown if the seeds be suffered to shed it needs no more sowing it flowers in July and seeds in August Nature and Vertues Gerrard saith it is dry in the beginning of the second degree and hot in the end thereof Parkinson saith it is hot in the third degree and dry in the second an herb of Mercury some say that it increases milk in womens breasts though many Authours deny it it is good to expel Winde and provoke Vrine ease pains in the body and stay Vomiting it strengthens the Brain stayes Looseness and stirs up lust being boiled in Wine and drunk but taken in too much quantity it dulls the sight it digesteth raw and viscous humours and easeth pains of winde The oyl is good to dissolve Imposthumes to procure sleep and warm the Brain Stomach and Belly the parts being anointod therewith ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Dittander or Pepperwort Lepidium IT hath long broad sharp pointed leaves of a light blueish green colour dented about the edges Description a round and tough stalk a foot and a half high having divers branches and little white flowers after which comes small seed in little heads Names It is called in Latine Lepidium and Piperitis Place and Time It groweth naturally in many places of this land in low grounds as in the Marshes by Rochester in Kent it flowers about July Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree of a sharp taste it hath a cleansing quality and is a Martial plant The leaves being made into an oyntment with Hogs suet or bruised and applyed to the place helps the Sciatica Hip-Gout and pain in the Joynts the part being afterwards bathed with Wine and Oyl and wrapped in Wool or Lambs Skins some women give the juyce of Dittander a spoonful or two in Ale to women in Travail to procure easie delivery it helps to take away the scars of Burning Scabs and scars in the body and cleanseth discolourings of the Skin Docks Rumex THere are many kindes of Docks as the red Dock and Bloodwort but they are all so well known I shall forbear any further description Names It s called in Latine Lapathum and Rumex and Bloodwort Lapathum Sanguineum Their places and time of growth is very well known Nature and Vertues They are cold and dry generally yet herbs of Jove and therefore good to strengthen the Liver and cleanse the Blood especially Bloodwort they are good to cool hot Livers and the red Dock root is good against the yellow Jaundies The root doth also provoke Vrine and the Terms and expells Gravel out of the Bladder The decoction of the seed helps wamblings in the Stomach and stops Fluxes The distilled water cleanses the Skin from the Morphew and Freckles Dodder of Time or Epithymum DOdder shoots strings or threads out of the ground at first Description which are greater or less according to the nature of the plant whereon it grows or fastneth these strings have no leaves but winde themselves thick about the plant they lay hold on ready sometimes to strangle it after they have gotten good hold they break off at bottom and receive nourishment from the plant partaking of its nature it puts forth clusters of small husks or heads which send forth small whitish flowers and afterwards small pale coloured flat seed and twice as big as Poppey seed Names Dodder is called in Shops Cuscuta but that which groweth upon Time Epithymum it grows also upon Nettles Flax Ferne Savory Tares and other Plants that which grows upon Tares the Husbandmen call Hell-weed because they cannot destroy it Places and Time That of Time and Flax grow rarely in England but those of Nettles and Fern do It flowers in July and August Nature and Vertues Dodders do partake of the nature of the Plant on which they grow and therefore Dodder of Time is hot and dry in the third degree whose vertues follow It purges Choller and Phlegm and therefore is good against Melancholly hardness of the Spleen Madness Faintings and the Quartane Ague windiness stopping of the Kidneys Itch Leprosie Vlcers and the French Pox It opens the Gall cleanses the Blood and is good against the Jaundies and strengthens the Liver and Spleen and is good against all hypocondriack passions Dodder of Nettles and Broom provokes Vrine and the other Dodders participate of the nature of the Plant whereon they grow and therefore have the same Vertues so that Mr. Culpepper was besides the saddle in attributing them all to the dominion of Saturn ☞ See more of this in the Expert Doctors Dispensatory written by P. Morellus ☞ See more of this in Adam in Eden by Will. Coles Dog-toothed Violet or Corral-wort Dentaria IT shooteth forth one or two winged leaves
upon a brownish foot-stalk Description being doubled or folded downwards at their first rising out of the ground and then they open into five or seven leaves of a sad green colour each leaf being somewhat long dented about the edges and pointed standing on both sides of the middle rib one against another the stalk that bears the flowers riseth up with the leaves and is naked to the middle where it shots forth a leaf a little higher it shooteth forth one or two leaves more each consisting but of five leaves and sometimes but two or three at each whereof cometh forth a small round bulbe divided into some parts or cloves of a sad purplish gren colour about which at the top come the flowers which are like the flowers of stock-gilly-flowers of a purplish colour growing upon short foot stalks opening into four leaves after which come cods wherein the seed is contained the root is white smooth and creeps under ground both leaf and root is bitter and sharp and biting like Radish Names It is called in Latine Dentaria in English Corral-wort and Dog-toothed Violet Place and Time It hath been found growing in Sussex and about Croyden in Surrey and many other places they flower in April and May and are gone before July Nature and Vertues The roots are drying and binding and do also strengthen it provokes Vrine and cleanses the Bladder of gravel it should be a Saturnine herb yet Culpepper ascribes it to the Moon it helps gripings in the Belly and sides and inward hurts in the Breast Lungs and Bowels a dram of the root taken in powder in red Wine and used often it stayes Fluxes provided they proceed not from Choller and is good for the Dropsie and Ruptures the same dose being given in the distilled water of Horse-tail and the decoction of the herb helps Maladies of the Teeth the mouth being gargled therewith and so doth the dry root being held between the Teeth it consolidates green wounds and dryes up the moisture in Vlcers causing them thereby the sooner to heal the decoction of the herb being applyed unto them Doves-foot or Cranes-Bill Geranium Columbinum IT grows up with divers small round pale green leaves Description dented about somewhat more then Mallows lying round upon the ground upon reddish hairy stalks among which rise up two or three weak joynted reddish hairy stalks with small leaves on the tops grow many small red flowers of five leaves apiece the seed is like a Cranes Bill the root is slender and fibrous Names It is called Geranium Columbinum Gruinalis and Gruinum in English Doves-foot and Cranes-Bill Place and Time It grows frequently in pasture grounds in many places of this Land and flourishes most part of the Summer Nature and Vertues Doves-foot is cold and dry with a binding quality rather Saturnine then Martial It is good to expell Winde and the Stone and Gravel in the Kidneys the decoction being drunk which is also good for inward Wounds Vlcers and Bruises to dissolve congealed blood The powder of the herb and root taken in red Wine first and last many dayes together cures Ruptures young or old in aged persons mix with it the powder of nine red Snails dryed in an Oven and being made into a Salve it heals outward Sores Vlcers and Fistula's and being bruised and applyed to green Wounds it quickly heals them Ducks-meat Aquae Lenticula IT needs no description being well known Names Aquae Lenticula and Lens palustris the Latines term it in English Grains and Ducks meat Place and Time It grows on the tops of standing waters and ponds and will cover them quite over if the Ducks meet not with it Nature and Vertues It is cold and moist ascribed to the Moon and Cancer it is good in a pultis with Barley meal to ease the pains of the hot Gout and cool inflammations and St. Anthonies fire and the swelling of the Cods the distilled water helps inward inflammations redness of the Eyes and is good in Burning Fevers and it easeth pains of the head coming of heat the fresh herb being applyed to the forehead Dragons Serpentaria THese are very well known in Gardens and the stalks are speckled so like a Snake that he that knows one may soon know the other Names It is called in Latine Serpentaria Bisaria Colubrina and Dracunculus in English Dragons Place and Time They are onely planted in Gardens with us they flower in July and the Berries are ripe in September Nature and Vertues It is a Martial herb hot and dry astringent biting and bitter in taste it is somewhat of the nature of Cuckow-pintle both incite to Venery it is good against Coughs Catarrs Convulsions and Cramps it consumes gross humours and cleanseth the inward parts the distilled water helps Freckles Morphew and Sun-burning and clears the sight the juyce helps the pin and web in the Eye An oyntment thereof is good in Wounds Vlcers Cankers and Pollipus the green leaves are good for Vlcers green Wounds and venomous bitings the distilled water is good against the Plague Poison and pestilential Fevers being drunk with Treacle or Mithridate Women with childe are not to meddle with this herb Dropwort Filipendula IT shooteth forth long winged leaves Description dented somewhat like Burnet or wilde Tansie but harder in handling the stalk rises about two foot high at the top come white sweet flowers of five leaves apiece with some threds in the middle standing in an Umbell the seeds are small and black Names Filipendula is the Latine name and it is also called in English Filipendula and Dropwort Place and Time It grows in many places of this Land by hedges sides they flower in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is an herb of Venus saith Culpepper but it is contrary to her nature being hot and dry in the third degree opening cleansing and a little binding it is good to help the Strangury or pissing by drops to expell the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder being taken in a decoction with white Wine and a little Honey it provokes womens Courses and is good against the Dropsie Jaundies and Falling Sickness An Electuary of the roots breaks Winde helps diseases of the Lungs the Cough and brings away Phlegm the knots of the roots in powder is good for Fistula's and old Sores and allayes the swellings of the Piles or Hemorrhoides Elder Sambucus THis is very well known therefore I shall describe another kinde called Dwarf Elder Dwarf Elder rises in the Spring with a four square rough hairy stalk four foot high or more the leaves are narrower then those of the Elder Tree but very like them the flowers stand also in Umbels like the other being white mixed with purple but of a sweeter scent then Elder after which come blackish Berries full of juyce wherein is contained hard kernels or seeds the root dyes every year Names The common Elder Tree is called in Latine Sambucus the
dwarf Elder Humilis Sambucus and Ebulus and in English is known by the names of Walwort Danewort and Dwarf Elder Place and Time There is scarce a Town or Village but the common Elder grows in its Hedges the Dwarf Elder grows wilde in many places of England particularly in the grounds of Mr. Hinde at Hedsor in Buckinghamshire The Elder Flowers in June the fruit is usually ripe in August the Dwarf Elder is somewhat later Nature and Vertues Elder is hot and dry in the second and third degree the Danewort something hotter both under Mars it is profitable for the Dropsie and to remove watry humours between the skin and the flesh the young buds boiled in broth purges Phlegm and Choller the inner bark is commended for the yellow Jaundies medicines prepared of the bark opens obstructions six drops of the spirit of Elder salt taken in broth is good in the Scurvy The decoction of the root in wine cures the bitings of venomous Beasts and mad Dogs mollifies hardness of the Mother opens the Veins and provokes the Terms the berries work the same effects the juyce of the green leaves helps inflammations of the Eyes there is hardly a disease from the head to the foot but Elder is effectual for it it is good for Melancholly Madness the Falling Sickness Palsie Apoplexy catharrs Tooth-ache Deafness diseases of the Lungs Mouth and Throat Hoarseness Ptisick sore Breasts swoonings and Faintings Gout Worms Stone Plague Pox Measles and diseases of the Stomach Cùm multis aliis c. The Dwarf Elder is stronger then the other for all the said purposes and hath besides particular vertues viz. the juyce of the root cures the Kings Evil and Quinzy being applyed to the Throat and being put into the Fundament stayes it from falling down The root being steeped in Wine all night helps Agues a dram of the seeds in powder with a little Cinamon taken in the decoction of ground Pine is good against the French Disease Gout Sciatica and joynt Aches by drawing away peccant humours An Oyntment made of the green leaves with May Butter mollifies starkness of the Nerves and Sinews and remedies outward Pains Aches Cramps and Lameness ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Elecampane Enula IT groweth up with a long hairy stalk Description bearing great large leaves pointed at the ends it gives a large yellow flower the root is white and increaseth much every year spreading under the ground 't is well known therefore I forbear any further description Names Enula Campana is the Latine Appellation Place and Time It delights in Meadows and fertile ground flowers in June and July and the leaves fall in Autumne Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree a Solar herb a great friend to the Breast and Lungs and a helper of shortness of Breath it opens the Liver and Spleen and is good against poisons and venomous bitings and helps Cramps Ruptures and inward bruises the decoction of the root being drunk the roots candied warm a cold Stomach helps the Cough and Wheesings An oyntment made of the roots with Hogs grease and a little flower of Brimstone is an excellent remedy for the Itch. The root chewed fastens loose Teeth and preserves them from rotting The distilled water of the green leaves makes the face fair cleanses the skin and helps the Morphew The decoction thereof provokes Vrine and the Terms and cleanses the Breast and Lungs Elme-Tree Ulmus THis Tree is so well known for its Timber it needs no description but we proceed to the Physical use of it Names Vlmus the Latines call it Nature and Vertues The Leaves and Bark are moderately hot having a cleansing and glewing quality and I believe Saturnine The water in the bladders upon the leaves are said to be good to help burstness cloathes being wet in the water and applyed and the parts bound up with a Truss it also cleanses the Skin The decoction of the Bark of the Root softens hard swellings the decoction of the middle bark is good to bathe places burnt or scalded and being boiled in wine and some syrrup of Mulberries added to it causes the pallat of the mouth to ascend being fallen the decoction in water helps the Dandriff Scurfs and Leprosie The leaves heal green Wounds and the water of the bladders that grow upon the leaves being put in a glass and set in Horse-dung for five and twenty dayes the mouth of the glass being stopt and a lay of salt underneath so that the feces may settle and the water become very clear is a sovereign Balsome for green wounds being applyed with sofe Tents it may be set in the ground if you be not provided of Dung An Vnguent being made of Elme Bark by boiling it to that consistence is a sovereign remedy to allay the pains of the Gout Endive Endivia MAster Coles comprehends the Succory Description Dandelion and Endive all together as not differing in Nature though in Form and one Greek name goes for them all namely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet Succory is called Cichoreum and Cichorea in Latine and the Endive Endivia which Endive bears a larger leaf then Succory and the root perishes every year it bears blue flowers and seed like Succory The names I have given you in the Description Place and Time It is an inhabitant onely in Gardens if it be sown in the Spring it quickly flowers and seeds Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry cleansing Jovial saith Mr. Culpepper but I judge rather under Venus it cools the sharpness of Vrine and cleanses the uretory parts The decoction of it or the distilled water is good in hot Agues and Inflammations to mittigate the heat it helps the great heat of the Stomach and Liver stoppings of the Gall and Vrine lack of sleep in hot burning Fevers being outwardly applyed it allayes Swellings Pushes and Pimples and is good to wash pestiferous sores and Vlcers ☞ See further in The expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Eringo or Sea-holly Eringium THe Sea-holly cometh up with tender leaves at the first Description but as they grow old they grow hard and prickly crumpled about the edges with here and there a sharp prickle they are of a blueish green colour and stand every one upon a long foot stalk after comes a long crested stalk having several joynts beset with leaves sharp and prickly it bears round prickly herds out of which shoot blue flowers with whitish threads in the middle the root grows very long and is about the bigness of a mans little finger having a pleasant taste brownish without but white within with some pith in the middle Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Eringium the Shop Eringus and Eringo in English we call in Sea-holly Place and Time It grows about the Sea sides in most Countreys of England as upon the Sea Sands by Yarmouth in Norfolk and about Shuberry in Essex it flowers about
Gall helps shortness of breath The roots in dyet drink or broth cleanseth the Blood opens the Liver provokes Vrine and helps the evil colour of the face after long Sickness and causeth a good habit throughout the body the juyce kills worms in the Ears being dropped therein The ordinary Fennel is stronger then the sweet Fennel and therefore better for the purposes aforesaid Fennel Giant Ferulago THis plant grows in Cyrene Description and place and brings forth the Gum called Ammoniacum which is hot and dry in the second degree which is good to dissolve Tumors and taken inwardly it purges Phlegm opens stoppings of the Liver helps Astma's and stoppings of breath it provokes Vrine and the Terms eases the Gout and Sciatica softens Corns and hard Swellings ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Celes Sow-Fennel or Hogs-Fennel Peucedanum IT hath divers branched stiff stalks Description full of knees of thick long leaves three for the most part joyned together at a place among which riseth a crested stalk less then Fennel somewhat joynted and leaves thereon and towards the top some branches on the tops whereof grow tufts of yellow flowers the seeds are thin flat and yellowish almost twice as big as Fennel seed the root is great and grows deep with many fibres smelling like hot brimstone and yielding a yellowish juyce like a Gum. Names Peucedanus and Peucedanum are the Latine names in English Hogs-Fennel Sow-Fennel Hore-strange and Hore-strong Sulpher-wort or Brimstone-wort Places and Time It grows in salt low Marshes as by Whitstable and Feaversham in Kent and many other places they flower and seed towards the end of Summer Nature and Vertues It is a Mercurial herb hot in the second degree and dry in the beginning of the third The juyce dissolved in Wine and dropped into the Ears helps such griefs thereof as proceed from a cold cause the same used with Vinegar and rose-Rose-water or the juyce with a little Euphorbium put to the Nose helps the Phrenzy Lethargy Giddiness falling Sickness long and inveterate Head-ache the Palsie Sciatica Cramp and generally all diseases of the Nerves and Sinews if it be used with Oyl and Vinegar as saith Dioscorides and Gallen the juyce dissolved in Wine or put in an Egge is good for the Cough shortness of Breath and winde in the body it gently purges the Belly dissolves winde and hardness of the Spleen gives ease to women that have hard Labour and easeth pains of the Reins Bladder and Womb the juyce put into a hollow tooth easeth the pain and so doth the root but more slowly The powder of the dried root cleanseth foul Vlcers and removes splinters or broken bones out of the flesh dryes up inveterate Sores and is of a great force in green Wounds Fig-wort Vide Throat-wort Flax. Linum THis needs no description good Housewifes know it well enough it is called in Latine Linum which is somewhat near our English word Linnen fine linnen cloth being made thereof it flowers from Midsummer till August it is sown in divers places of this Land Nature and Vertues The seed thereof which we call Linseed which is onely used in Physick is hot in the first degree and in a mean between moist and dry but Dodoneus saith it hath a superfluous moisture and causes winde and that the Inhabitants of Middleborough in Zealand for want of Corn eat thereof to the great prejudice of thier healths but the seed being boiled in water and some honey put to it is said to case the Chollick Stitches and Inflammations I fancy not that medicine but the seed is a good ingredient in pultisses with Fenugreek and Mallows to mollisie and discuss Tumors in any part of the body and being used with Myrrhe and Rozen it helps Ruptures and swellings of the cods the decoction thereof in wine is good to stay the spreading of silthy Sores being used thereto and being mixed with honey or suct and wax and applyed it helps hard swellings under the Ears and Throat and remedies spots and discolourings of the skin Fig-Tree Ficus THe Fig-tree seldom grows in England but as it is planted against a Wall yet at the house of Rowland Hinde Esquire at Hedsor in Buckinghamshire grows or lately did grow a Fig-Tree in his Court having a body as big as an ordinary Elme or Oak growing low and spreading much ground wiht great Boughs Names The Greeks call the Tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine both tree and fruit is called Ficus Place and Time They grow plentifully in Spain and Italy and bear fruit both in the Spring and in August and September Nature and Vertues Figs are hot and moist almost in the third degree and yield good nourishment but being immoderately eaten they ingender crude humours in the Stomach and hurt hot Livers and chollerick Stomachs they are therefore best for old phlegmatick persons being eaten with Almonds they cleanse the Breast and the Lungs A decoction of them with Hysop and Liquorish is good for the Cough of the Lungs and for the Reins and Bladder and to recover a good colur to them that have lost it by Sickness it also cleanses the Womb and is useful for the Dropsie Quinzy and the falling Sickness they are a good Antidote against the Plague Poison and infections Air being stamped together with Salt Rue and Nut Kernels and eaten fasting in the mornings a Fig sliced and toasted and applyed to an aking Tooth sometimes gives ease The decoction of the leaves is good to wash sore heads for the Leprosie Morphew and running Sores and a syrrup made thereof is good against Coughs shortness of Breath and all diseases of the Breast and Lungs Filberd Vide Hazel Nut. Fistick Nuts Pistacia THis tree grows in the East Indies Persia and Arabia and the hot parts of Italy Names It is called in Latine Pistacia and Pistacium in English the fruit is called Pistacies and Fistick Nuts Nature and Vertues They are under the dominion of Jupiter of temperature hot and moist they increase seed and stir up Venery being eaten condited or otherwise they recover strength in those bodies which are in Consumptions and are grateful to the Stomach they are good against bitings of venomous creatures they open obstructions of the Liver Chest and Lungs concocting and digesting raw humours that offend them they are a little astringent strengthening the Liver and Stomach used either in meats or medicines they remove Sand and Gravel out of the Reins and Kidneys asswage their pain and are good for Vlcers Fleawort Herba pulicaria ORdinary Fleawort groweth up with a stalk two foot high Description or more full of branches on every side up to the top and at every joynt grow two small long and narrow whitish green leaves at the tops of every joynt stand divers short small scaly or chaffy heads out of which come small whitish yellow threds like those of plantain which are the bloomings or
flowers the seed is small and shining while it is fresh very like Fleas but turning black when it grows old the root is white hard and woody perishing every year The whole plant is whitish hairy and smelling somewhat like Rozin Names It s called in Latine Herba pulicaria and in Shops Psyllium in English Fleawort Place and time It grows with us no where but in Gardens but there is another kinde much like the former which grows in Fields near the Sea-coasts they flower in July or thereabouts with us but in thier natural Countreys all the Summer Nature and Vertues The seed of Fleawort which is chiefly used in Physick is cold in the second degree and temperate in moisture and driness according to Gallen and Serapio it is a Saturnine Plant. The muscilage made with Rose water and taken with syrrup of Violets or a little Sugar purges Choller and Phlegm is useful in burning Fevers to lenisie chirst and driness of the mouth and throat it helps also Hoarseness Inflammations of the Breast Lungs and Head and hot pains in the joynts the muscilage of the seed in an Electuary with Marmalade of Quinces and Sugarcandy hath the same effects and stayes the fluxions of hot Rheumes The seeds dryed and taken with Plantain water stayes fluxes of the Belly and helps the gripings thereof caused by Chollerick humours or the over-working of violent Medicines the seeds bruised or the herb mixed with juyce of Night-shade or Housleek oyl of Roses and Vinegar easeth the hot Gout and hot Imposthumes the water wherein the seeds have been steeped is good against St. Anthonies fire the juyce with Honey put into the Ears stayes the running thereof and is good for sore Breasts being often applyed thereunto being mixed with Hogs Grease and applyed to corrupt Sores and Vlcers it heals them The muscilage of the seed made in Plantain water and mixed with the yolk of an Egge or two and a little of the Vnguent Populeon easeth the pains of the Piles and Hemorrhoides being bound thereto It is not safe for cold and moist bodies Flixweed Thalictrum FLixweed springs up with a round upright hard stalk about two foot high Description spread into many branches whereon grow many grayish green leaves finely jagged like Roman Wormwood the flowers are small of a dark yellow colour and grows in a spiky fashion on the tops of the spriggy branches after which grow long pods with small yellowish seed in them The root is long weedy and perishes every year Names It is called in Latine Pseudonasturtium Sylvestre Thalictrum and Sophia Chirurgorum Places and Time It grows by Hedge sides High wayes upon old walls in many places of this Land and flowers from the beginning of June till the end of September Nature and Vertues It s a drying astringent Saturnine Herb the seed drunk in Wine or water wherein Steell hath been often quenched stops the Lask Bloody Flux and all other issues of Blood the Herb boiled performs the same effects and also it consolidates Bones broken or out of Joynt from which vertue it obtained the name of Sophia Chirurgorum a syrrup of it may be made to be taken inwardly for the former purposes The juyce drunk in Wine or the decoction of the Herb kills Worms in the Stomach and Belly and Worms which sometimes breed in Vlcers the juyce or bruised herb put into Oyntments or Salves quickly heals old Sores how foul or malignant soever they be They whose Stomachs cannot brooke any of the former Medicines may take the distilled water which worketh the same effects but not so effectually or powerfully Fluellin or Lluellin Veronica Mas. OF this plant there is a male and a female kinde Description called male and female Speedwell before the Welch-man gave it her Countrey name Lluellin The common Speedwell hath divers soft leaves about the breadth of a two pence of a hoary green colour a little dented about the edges set by couples at the joynts of the hairy brownish stalks which lean upon the ground never standing upright but shooting forth roots as they lie upon the ground at divers joynts the flowers grow one above another at the top and are of a blueish purple colour sometimes white the seed is small and blackish contained in small flat husks The root is fibrous Names In Latine it hath been called Veronica Mas and Veronica Femina and Betonica Pauli in English Male and Female Speedwel and Pauls Betony but the Shentleman of Wales hath given it the name of Lluellin because it saved her Nose which the French Pox had almost gotten from her Place and Time They grow upon dry Banks and Wood sides and in sandy grounds in many places of this Land They flower in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues The Male is temperately hot and dry the Female cooling and drying the Male is most common and of greatest use they are both good wound Herbs a Salve being made therewith with wax oyl and Turpentine it also hinders the fretting of old Vlcers stayes Bleeding of Wounds dissolves Swellings it strengthens the Heart and expells Poison and Venome from thence it strengthens the Memory eases swimmings and pains in the Head The decoction given in Wine it cleanses the Blood and helps the Leprosie as is said A dram of it in powder in its own distilled water helps the Cough and diseases of the Lungs and Breast It opens the Liver and Spleen cleanses Vlcers in the Reins and Bladder the distilled water is good to wash Wounds and Sores and helps Morphew Scabs and Freckles a little Coper as being dissolved therein and bathed therewith The Female Speedwel or Fluellin bruised and applyed with Barley Meal helps watring Eyes caused by hot Rheumes flowing from the Head it stops the overflowing of the Terms and all Fluxes of Blood it helps the inward parts which need consolidating and strengthning the leaves being sod in broth with a Hen or piece of Veal It is effectual to heal green Wounds and to cleanse and heal old soul Vlcers and fretting Cancers the juyce and decoction of the herb taken inwardly and the herb used outwardly ☞ See more of this in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Fox Gloves Digitalis IT is known so commonly almost to every Childe in my Countrey of Hampshire that I shall forbear to make any large description of it Names Authours call it by many strange Latine names as Digitalis Virga Regia Campanula silvestris and many other affected names We in English call it Fox-Gloves and in Hampshire it is very well known by the name of Poppers because if you hold the broad end of the flower close between your finger and thumb and blow at the small head as into a bladder till it be full of winde and then suddenly strike on it with your other hand it will give a great crack or pop Place and Time They grow generally in dry grounds and under Hedges sides in most Countreys
whitish green colour the flowers are blue growing on the tops of the stalks the root is small and fibrous Names Gentiana in Latine and Gentianella the lesser sort in English Gentian Felwort Bitterwort and Baldmony Place and Time The first grows in divers places of Kent as about Southfleet and Long Field near Gravesend so likewise doth the other and upon Barton Hills in Bedfordshire and not far from St. Albans upon a piece of waste chalky ground as you go out of Dunstable way towards Gothambury They flower in August and the seed is ripe in September Nature and Vertues The root which is chiefly in use is hot and dry in the third degree a Martial plant it strengthens the Heart and Stomach resists poison putrefaction and the Pestilence and helps digestion the powder of the dry roots helps bitings of mad Dogs and Venomous Beasts opens the Liver and procures an Appetite Wine wherein the herb hath been steeped being drunk refreshes such as are overwearied by Travel or are lame in their Joynts by cold or bad Lodgings it is good for bruises and to help stitches and pains in the sides the decoction is good against Cramps and Convulsions provokes Vrine and the Terms so that it is not to be given to women with Childe it dissolves congealed Blood is good in the Dropsie strangling of the Mother drives down the dead Childe and After-birth helps falling Sickness Worms Cough and shortness of Breath it expells Winde and is profitable in all cold Diseases the juyce or powder of the root heals green Wounds and cleanses and heals up fretting rotten Vlcers Fistula's and Cancers The root is used by Chyrurgions to enlarge the orifice of a Sore The herb applyed helps swellings of the Kings Evil and the juyce clears the sight being dropped into the Eyes it helps the bots in Cattle and the swelling of a Cows Vdder being bitten by a Venomous Creature the place being stroaked and fomented with the decoction of this Herb. Germander Trissago COmmon Germander shooteth forth many branches leaning towards the Ground Description whereupon grow small leaves snipt about the edges like the teeth of a Saw the flowers are purple small and stand close to the leaves on the tops of the branches the root is slender and stringy which spreading round about causes it to be very plentiful where it is once set Names Chamaedrys is the Greek name and Latine name used in Shops yet it s called by some Trissago and Quercula minor because the leaves resemble an Oak leaf in English it is called Germander and English Treacle Place and Time It is planted in Gardens usually with us yet groweth also wilde It flowers about June and July Nature and Vertues Germander is hot and dry almost in the third degree of subtil parts and hath a cutting quality it is a Mercurial Herb the leaves of Germander and the seeds of Nigella quilted in a Cap helps Catharrs and distillations of cold Rheumes being worn on the heads of them that are troubled therewith The Herb used with Honey cleanseth foul Vlcers the juyce mixed with Honey helps dimness and moistness of the Eyes the Herb being bruised and applyed is good against venome and venomous bitings The decoction of the green Herb helps distempers of the Spleen pains of the side provokes Vrine the Course and used with Honey it is good for Coughs it quickens the spirits helps diseases of the Brain falling Sickness Lethargy Palsie and Gout a dram of the seed in powder is good for the yellow Jaundies purging it by Vrine and kills Worms Stinking Gladwin Vide Orris it is a kinde of Flower De luce which see in Orris Ginger Zinziber THis Indian Root is hot and dry in the third degree the Latine name is Zinziber it is good for a cold Stomach it warmeth it and expells Winde there and in the Bowels and helpeth Digestion it likewise corrects the rawness of the Stomach and clears the Breast Green Ginger provokes lust dryes up moisture of the Stomach phlegm of the Lungs opens obstructions and is good in all cold griefs of the Stomach Golden Rod. Auria virga GOlden Rod groweth up with brownish small stalks Description about half a yard high with dark green narrow leaves sometimes but very seldom so found dented about the edges and as seldom with strakes or white spots therein divided at the tops into many small branches with divers small yellow flowers on every one of them which are turned one way and being ripe become doun and are blown away with the winde The root consists of divers small fibres not running deep in the ground yet abiding all Winter sending forth new branches every year the old ones dying Names Auria virga it is called in Latine in English Golden Rod. Place and Time It grows both in moist and dry grounds in many places of this Land in Woods and Copses in Hamsted Wood and Kentish-Town near Gravesend in Swanscomb Wood and Southfleet It flowers about July Nature and Vertues Golden Rod is hot and dry in the second degree with a cleansing astringent quality a reputed Herb of Venus it is useful in lotions for sores in the Mouth and Throat and is a good Wound Herb for inward or outward Wounds Bleeding or Bruises and for Ruptures to be used inwardly and out wardly it stayes Fluxes and Courses it dryes up moist humours in old Sores and Vlcers which hinder their healing The decoction helps to fasten loose Teeth and it is commended and approved to be good against the Gravel and Stone in the Reins and Kidneys and to provoke Vrine Gooseberry Bush Grossularia I Think it needs no description it is called in LatineVva Crispa and Grossularia in some places Feaberry Dewbery and Wineberry Bush but most commonly Gooseberry Bush in English Nature and Vertues The Berries before they be ripe are cold and dry and something binding they are under the dominion of Venus they cool the vehement heat of the Stomach and Liver and provoke appetite being scalded and eaten with Rose Water and Sugar or made in Tarts or stewed with Mutton they also make good sauce for Green Geese and many other Dishes both Flesh and Fish they are good to boil in broth for such as have hot Agues they stay the longings of Women with Childe being ripe they are pleasant to the Stomach The decoction of the leaves cool Inflammations and St. Anthonies fire The tender leaves are good to break the Stone and expell Gravel but too much of the fruit breeds Crudities and Worms especially before it is ripe Gromel Milium solis THere be accounted nine sorts of this Herb Description whereof I shall mention three 1. Great upright Gromel 2. The greater creeping Gromel 3. Small wilde Gromel The great upright Gromel rises up with divers upright slender hairy wooddy brown crusted stalks very little branched with long hard rough sharp pointed narrow green leaves the flowers stand at the tops of the stalks are small and white the seed
alone in beer and drunk it cools the heat of the Liver and Kidneys and helps the running of the Reins in men and the whites in Women it is good against Hectick Fevers and all other Fevers and Agues coming of Choker and all other heats of the Liver and takes away the cause of Scabs Blains and Blisters being stamped with Hogs Grease and applyed it heals Sores Tetters Ringworms and fretting Vlcers ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Loose-strife or Willow-herb Lysimachia THere are many kindes of it Description I shall describe onely the purple spike headed Loose-strife which groweth with many wooddy square stalks full of joynts about three foot high having two leaves at every joynt like Willow leaves but shorter and of a deeper green colour some of them being sometimes brownish the stalks branch forth into many long stems of spiky flowers half a foot long growing in rundles one above another out of small husks somewhat like the heads of Lavender but far bigger every flower consisting of five round pointed leaves of a purplish violet colour somewhat inclining to redness in the husks lies the seed after the flowers are fallen the root creeps under ground almost like Couch-grass but is greater Names The Latines call it Lysimachia in English Loose-strife and Willow-herb Place and Time It groweth by Rivers and Ditches sides and in wet grounds almost in every Countrey of this Land the yellow Willow herb is more rare They flower about June and July Nature and Vertues They are all hot dry and binding yet Culpepper saith they are cold and ascribes them to the Moon the distilled water of both the purple and the yellow is excellent good for green Wounds being thus applyed to every ounce of water adde two drams of May Butter unsalted as much Sugar and wax boil them gently to an Oyntment then dip tents in the Liquor that remains after it is cold and put them into the Wound covering it over with a linnen cloth doubled and anointed with the Oyntment it also cleanseth foul Vlcers The distilled water very much preserves the sight helps hurts and blowes in the Eyes and cleareth them of dust it is good to gargle the Mouth and Throat therewith against the Quinzy and Kings Evil it is also good to take away Warts and Scars of the Skin it quencheth thirst is good to stay Fluxes of the Belly the overflowing of Womens Courses and to bathe Sores and Vlcers of the privy parts Lovage Levisticum LOvage hath many long great stalks of large winged leaves Description divided like smallage but larger of a dark green colour smooth and shining every leaf cut about the edges and broader forward then toward the stalk the stalks are green and hollow towards the tops of them come forth other smaller branches bearing at their tops large Umbels of yellow flowers which turn into flat brownish seed like Angelica seed the root is large brownish without and white within the whole Plant is of a strong smell and in taste hot sharp and biting Names It is called Levisticum in Latine Places and Time It is an inhabitant of the Garden flowers in July and seeds in August Nature and Vertues Lovage is a Solar herb hot and dry in the third degree and of thin parts the dryed root in powder drunk in Wine is good for a cold Stomach consuming superfluouus moisture in the Stomach and Belly and expelling winde and helps digestion it likewise resists poison and infection The decoction of the root in Wine or Barley water cleanseth the Lungs provokes Vrine and Womens Courses and heals inward wounds The decoction of the herb is good for any sort of Ague and to help cold pains of the Bowels The seeds drunk in powder in white Wine fasting or boiled therein purges upwards and downwards and opens the stoppings of the Spleen take with the seeds the like quantity of Anniseeds and Fennil seeds to qualifie them The distilled water is good for the Quinzy and helps the plurisie being drunk three or four times it takes away the redness of the Eyes and helps the dimness of them being dropped therein and takes away spots and Freckles of the face The leaves bruised and fryed with Hogs Lard and applyed to a Botch or Boil will quickly break it Lungwort Pulmonaria IT is a kinde of Moss that grows on many Trees Description especially old Oaks and Beeches in dark shady old Woods and upon the old Oaks in Forrests grows abundance of it it hath broad grayish rough leaves diversly folded crumpled and gashed on the edges and sometimes spotted on the upper side it bears no stalk nor flower Names Pulmonaria Physicians call it in Latine and of some Lichen Arborum or wood Liverword and tree Lungwort Nature and Vertues It is of a cold and dry quality but I suppose that Jupiter rules it it is very effectual for all diseases of the Lungs for all obstructions Vlcers and inward inflammations of the same and also for Coughs Wheesing spitting and pissing of Blood it is good for Vlcers in the privy parts to stay Fluxes Looseness and Vomiting the bloody Flux and other Scowrings especially if they proceed of Choller Lupines Lupinus THey grow onely in Gardens here where they are planted Description therefore I shall not further describe them Lupinus is the Latine name and Lupines in English and of some they are called Fig beans being flat like a Fig that is pressed they flower in June and July and the beans are ripe quickly after Nature and Vertues Lupines are very bitter in taste by reason of their bitterness they open dissolve digest and cleanse I suppose they are under the dominion of Mars the decoction thereof is good for the Spleen being taken with Rue and Pepper it will be the pleasanter but if they be steeped two or three dayes in water they lose their bitterness The said decoction is good to kill worms and so is the meal taken with Honey or water and Vinegar or mixed with an Oxe gall and applyed to the Navel they also cleanse the Stomach help digestion and provoke appetite being first steeped in water and then dryed and powdered and taken with Vinegar The decoction also provokes Vrine and womens Courses and being taken with Myrrhe it expells a dead Childe it is also good to cleanse Scabs Vlcers Morphew and Tetters and cleanseth the Face and Skin from spots and other marks The meal boiled in Vinegar discusseth hard Swellings breaks Carbuncles and Imposthumes ☞ See more of this in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Ladies Smock Cuckow Flowers or wilde Water Cresses Cardamine THose kindes of these flowers which grow naturally with us in England are a kinde of Water-cresses for which cause they are called Nasturtium aquaticum minus and also Flos cuculi because they flower in April about the time the Cuckow uses to sing without hoarseness but for the Vertues if they have any they are of the nature of Water Cresses to
drink it it will not curdle in the Stomach and some say a Cheese will not come if it be put into the milk or Runnet The distilled water is available for all the aforesaid purposes though more weakly but the Chymical Spirit drawn from the herb is most effectual Chollerick persons must abstain from Mint for much of it taken makes the Blood thin and turns it into choller The horse Mints are good to expell winde in the Stomach to help the Chollick and short windedness and is good to help nocturnal pollutions being applyed to the Cods Myrtles Myrtilli THis Outlandish plant cannot endure the Winter with us unless it be kept in pots within doors The Tree is called in Latine Myrtus and the berries Myrtilli Nature and Vertues The myrtle hath contrary qualities cold and earthy warm and thin powerfully binding and drying The dry leaves beaten and boiled in water and drunk is good against Cathars the Whites Vlcers and creeping Sores The berries and seed is good against passions of the Heart stingings of Serpents and venomous Creatures and the poison of Toadstools being drunk in Wine it helps a stinking Breath diseases of the Bladder and provokes Vrine The decoction is good for the falling down of the Fundament and the Piles being mixed with oyl of Roses and applyed it helps swelling of the Cods Imposthumes of the Fundament and St. Anthonies fire The decoction of the berries makes the Hair black and keeps it from falling cures sores of the Head and helps those that are Bursten The syrrup of Myrtles is good against the Cough and Vlcers of the Lungs And although I have not told you where this Tree grows because I doubt you will not go so far to fetch it you may have it near home at the Druggists and Apothecaries Myrobalanes MYrobalanes are an East Indian Fruit and are called in English by Mr. Parkinson purging Plums My Authour reckons up five kindes of them viz. Cytrina Chebula Bellerica Emblica Indica Nature and Vertues They are all cold in the first degree and dry in the second and do purge and also strengthen the Stomach The Citrine Myrobalanes purge Choller strengthen the Stomach Heart and Liver help such as have the Hemorrhoides and Piles they are good in Tertian Agues cause a good colour and hinder old Age the Chebule purge Phlegm quicken the brain and sight and strengthen the Stomach They are good in the Dropsie and for long continued Agues The Embellick and Bellerick purge Phlegm from the Stomach strengthens the Brain Joynts Heart and Liver helps passions of the Heart provokes Appetite allayes Thirst stayes Vomiting qualifies inward heat and allayes Choller and gives ease to those that have the Piles The Indies or Black Myrabolanes purge Melancholly and adust Choller and cause a good colour and are good against Quartain Agues the Leprosie and all Paralytical Diseases The Citrine are also often used in Cholleries with the juyce of Fennel or Rose water against Inflammations and flowing of humours to the Eyes and likewise in powder with Mastick or Rose water to dry and heal Vlcers Misleto Viscum I Think Misleto is so well known that its needless to describe it The Latines call it Viscus and Viscum and so is the Birdlime called that is made of the Berries The Misleto of the Oak is called Viscus Quercini and so of the rest Places and Time Misleto groweth plentifully upon Fruit Trees as Apples Pear Trees and Crab Trees in divers Counties of the Land sometimes on Ashes and Oaks but that of the Oak is most rare in England It flowers in the Spring and the Berries are ripe in October abiding on the branches all the Winter unless the Birds devour them Nature and Vertues Misleto is hot and dry in the third degree the leaves and berries do heat and dry and are of subtle parts and questionless participates of the nature of that Tree it grows upon as that which grows upon the Oak partakes of the nature of the Oak and therefore is ascribed to Jupiter and is the most effectual It is held to be very effectual for the curing of the Falling Sickness and is by some prescribed to be taken in Pills thus prepared ℞ Visci Quercini seeds and roots of Piony ana ʒi § Nutmeg Anniseeds ana ʒi § Sacchari Buglossati ʒvii make Pills thereof Mathiolus saith that the Misleto of the Chesnut Tree made into powder and given in drink cures the Falling Sickness Some attribute so great vertue unto it as they have called it Lignum sanctae Crucis and believe it to help the Falling Sickness Palsie and Apoplexy being onely hung about their Necks Tragus saith that the juyce of fresh Misleto dropped into the Ears of them that have Imposthumes in them easeth them and helps them in few dayes The Birdlime which is made of the Berries ripens and discusses Tumors and Imposthumes and mollifies hard knots and draweth forth both thick and thin Humors from the remote places of the Body digesting and separating them and being mixed with equal parts of Wax and Rozen it mollifieth the hardness of the Spleen being applyed thereunto Gerrard saith being taken inwardly it is mortal I never did prove any of it but onely the Birdlime upon Birds and I am sure that hath proved mortal to them Money-wort or Herb two pence Nummularia MOney-wort shooteth forth many long Description weak slender branches lying and running upon the ground with two leaves at each joynt equally opposite one to another almost as round as a Penny but that they are pointed a little at the ends smooth and of a yellowish green colour at the joynts with the leaves from the middle forward come forth sometimes one sometimes times two yellow flowers standing each upon a small foot stalk consisting of five narrow leaves pointed at the ends with some yellow threds in the middle after which come small round heads of seed the root is small and threddy Names It is called in Latine Nummularia and Serpentaria in English Two Penny Grass Herb Two-Pence and Money-wort Place and Time It grows by Ditches sides low Meadows and watry places flowers about June and July and the seed is ripe soon after Nature and Vertues Money-wort is an herb of Venus and cold drying and astringent The flowers and leaves are good to heal green Wounds speedily and for old spreading Vlclers especially if it be bruised and boiled in Sallet Oyl with some Rozen Wax and Turpentine added to it or Tents dipped in the juyce and put into the Wounds The juyce taken in Wine or the decoction thereof stayes the overflowing of Womens Courses and the Whites and also Lasks bloody Fluxes inward and outward Bleedings helps weakness of the Stomach that is subject to Vomiting being boiled in Wine and Honey and taken it cures inward Wounds and Vlcers of the Lungs and is a remedy against the Chin-Cough in Children Moonwort Lunaria IT riseth up with one dark Description green thick fat
it perfects its seed in August the second year after it is sown Nature and Vertues It is a Mercurial herb and is hot and dry in the second degree the seed is hot in the second degree and dry almost in the third its root is temperately hot Parsley is excellent to provoke Vrine to break the Stone and ease the pains thereof it provokes the Terms and is comfortable to the stomach breaking winde both there and in the belly the roots open obstructions and provokes urine mightily and may be boiled and eaten like Parsnips for the purposes aforesaid for which the seed decocted in wine is very effectual it is profitable for the Yellow Jaundies Falling Sickness and Dropsie the root is one of the five opening roots and is used amongst other herbs and roots that move the belly downwards the seeds are effectual against venome and poison and for them that have taken Litharge it is also used amongst other things for the Cough and being boiled in white wine and drunk it brings away the Birth and After-birth The leaves of Parsley eaten after Onions or Garlick takes away their offensive smell and suppresseth the Vapours that offend the head or eyes the leaves laid to inflamed or swoln eyes with bread or meal doth much help them and it abates the hardness of womens breasts caused by the curdling of their milk it takes away black and blue spots and marks which come by blows bruises and falls if it be fryed with butter and applyed thereunto the juyce mixed with a little wine and dropped into the ears easeth pains thereof the distilled water is good to give Children for the frets winde or gripings in their bellies or stomacks Parsley-pert or Break-stone Calculum frangens THis rises up with many leaves spread upon the ground Description standing upon a small long foot-stalk about the bigness of a mans nail much dented in the edges much like Parsley but of a dusky green colour the stalks are weak and slender two or three singers long set full of leaves to the top so that the stalk cannot be seen amongst which come forth greenish yellow flowers so small they can hardly be seen and the seed is very small the root is small and threddy yet abideth many years Names Lobel gave it the name of Percepier Anglorum and it is called Calculum frangens in Latine in English Break-stone Place and Time Parsley-pert delights in sandy and fallowed Ground and also amongst Corn it groweth commonly in most Countreys of this Nation it is found from April to the end of October Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry about the second degree I suppose under the influence of Venus it is singular to provoke Vrine and expel gravel and the Stone in the Reins and Kidneys washing it down by Vrine and expelling it out of the Bladder either to drink the decoction of the said herb in Wine or water or the juyce in white Wine taken morning and evening or a dram of the dryed herb in powder drunk in white Wine or other drink first and last divers dayes together it will make a good Sallet herb for the said purposes being pickled up like Sampire and eaten as a sauce in Winter when the green herb cannot be had Parsnip Pastinaca I Think this needs no description Pastinaca is their Latine appellation they are common amongst Gardners and is a good root to be eaten buttered by it self or amongst salt Fish their particular vertues you may read before in Carrots there being little difference but onely in colour Cow Parsnip Spondylium THis plant is known by the name of wilde Parsnip Description it answering thereunto both in his rank savour and in the likeness of the root the leaves hereof are long and large deeply notched or cut about the edges like the teeth of a Saw of an over-worn green colour having long hairy foot stalks the flowers grow in tufts like the wilde Parsnips in white and sometimes reddish Umbels the root is long and white like to the Henbane root The whole plant hath an ill-favoured smell Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Spondylium in English Cow Parsnip Meadow Parsnip and Madnep Place and Time Cow Parsnip grows commonly in moist fertil Meadows and Pastures and flowreth in June and July the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is manifestly hot of temperature and of a cutting faculty the leaves hereof being bruised and applyed doth consume and dissolve cold swellings the Oyl wherein the leaves and roots hereof have been botled is good to anoint the Heads of such as are troubled with the Lethargy Forgetfulness or the Head-ache and much helpeth phrenctick or Melancholly persons their Heads being anointed with it The seed of Cow-Parsnip being drunk in convenient liquor purgeth Phlegm out through the Guts helps short windedness the strangling of the Mother Jaundies and falling Sickness and the sume of the seed will revive such as are sallen into a swoon or deep sleep and helps womens passions of the Mother the smoke being received underneath The juyce of the flowers dropped into the ears cleanseth and healeth them of filthy matter and stayeth the running thereof The Peach Tree Nux Persica THis Tree is nourished onely in Gardens so that a description is needless Names It is called in Latine Nux Persica I suppose the reason because they came originally from Persia Nature and Vertuâ—s The fruit is cold in the first degree and most in the second the Kernels be hot and dry it is a tree ascribed to Venus Pouches moderately eaten as all fruit ought to be are good for hot constitutions to cool the Stomach and to sea the Belly according to Galen the best time of eating them is before meals for then they mollisie the Belly provoke appetite and qualifie choller in the Stomach The Kernels of the Stones are profitable amongst other ingredients to break the Stone and do ease pains and gripings of the Belly caused through windiness and sharp humours an oyl drawn from them and put into Glisters doth the like A milk or cream of the said Kernels being drawn forth with some Vervain water and applyed to the Forehead and Temples doth procure rest to sick persons and so doth the said oyl the places aforesaid being anointed with it the same Oyl or the juyce of the leaves dropped into the Ears easeth pains of them and being bruised and boiled in Vinegar till they be thick and applyed to a bald Head it causes hair to grow The leaves boiled in Ale or Milk and drunk loosens the Belly and killeth worms and so they do being bruised and laid on the Belly and being dryed they discuss humours The powder whereof strewed upon fresh bleeding Wounds stayeth the bleeding and closeth them up The flowers infused all night in Wine in a warm place and strained in the morning and drunk gently moves the Belly or you may make a syrrup of them by
but the Jerusalem Artichokes which you may have plentiful enough if you will let them once take root in your Gardens being boiled tender and then stewed with Butter and Wine or how you please taste much like the bottom of an Artichoke and are no less nourishing then they ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Primrose Primulae Veris THese are very well known to be the Ladies of the Spring being the first that flower wherefore they are called in Latine Primulae Veris They are somewhat dry and astringent of temperature The leaves are good to apply to Inflammations and to heal burnings and scaldings and an Oyntment made thereof is excellent to heal green Wound they are very near in nature unto Cowslips to whose particular Vertues I refer you Privet THis is seldom used in Physick therefore I shall onely read to you its Uses because they that have it near them may use it when they cannot get other helps It is usually planted in Hedges in Gardens to make walks and knots and groweth wilde in many Woods and Parks of this Land It flowers in June and July and beareth ripe berries in September Nature and Vertues Privet is a Lunar Herb of temperature cold and dry the decoction of it is a good Lotion to wash sores and sore mouths to cool inflammations and dry up Fluxes The distilled water of the flowers is good for the same purposes and to stay womens Courses and Fluxes of the belly bleeding at mouth and distillations of Rheums in the Eyes being used with Tutia An Oyl made by infusion of the Flowers is good for inflamed Wounds and the Head-ache proceeding of an hot cause as saith Mathiolus Queen of the Meadows or Meadsweet Regina Prati MEadsweet springeth up with divers broad winged leaves Description deeply dented about the edges set on each side of a middle rib and are somewhat rough hard and crumpled like Elm-leaves having lesser leaves with them like Agrimony of a sad colour on the upper side and grayish underneath of a pleasant scent and taste like unto Burnet the stalks are reddish and grow two or three foot high having on them such leaves as those below but somewhat lesser at the tops whereof and of the branches stand many tufts of small white flowers thick together smelling sweeter then the leaves after which come crooked and cornered seed The Root is somewhat wooddy blackish on the outside but reddish within and is nourished by fibres so that it continues many years and hath also a good smell Names It is called in Latine Vlmaria because of the likeness between its leaves and Elm-leaves and also Regina prati Place and Time It grows frequently in moist Meadows by watery ditches and rivers sides it flowers in some place or other all the Summer Quarter Nature and Vertues Meadsweet is cold and dry with an astringent quality and ascribed to Venus Two or three of the leaves put into a cup of Claret giveth it a fine rellish and also maketh the heart merry and chearful The decoction thereof in wine helpeth the Chollick and taken warm with a little honey it opens the belly but being boiled in red wine and drunk it stayes Looseness The decoction thereof is good to heal sores in the mouth or secret parts The distilled water helps Inflammations of the Eyes and clears the Sight The smell of the flowers make the heart chearful and therefore are excellent to adorn houses the root helps horses of the Bots and Worms and so it would do in men if they drink the decoction thereof and therefore the Germans call it Wormkrant the worm-plant The root likewise made into powder or boiled and drunk powerfully sâ—â—yes Womens Courses the Whites the Bloody Flux Lâ—â—k and all other Fluxes of Blood and is good against vomiting and it is said that if it be boiled in wine and drunk it first altereth and afterwards taketh away the fits of Agues Quince-Tree Malus Cydonia I Suppose the Tree but especially the fruit to be so well known they need no description Names It is called in Latine Malus Cydonia and Cotonea The Spaniards call it Membrillio and Marmello from whence comes the word Marmalade Place and Time They delight to grow near ponds and waters sides and are plentiful in this Land It flowers in April and May and the Fruit is ripe about Michaelmas Nature and Vertues They are cold in the first and dry in the second degree they are earthy and binding the Fruit is not durable and is harsh and unpleasant to eat raw but being scalded roasted baked or preserved they become very pleasant They are Saturnine The Syrrup of the Juyce of Quinces strengthens the heart and stomach relieves nature stayes looseness and vomiting for looseness take a spoonful of it before meat for vomiting after meat It corrects Choller and Phlegm and helps Digestion To make Quinces purging put honey to them instead of sugar and if you would have them more laxative then to purge Choller adde Rhabarb for Phlegm Turbith and for watry humours Scammony If you would have them binde forceably use the unripe Quinces with Roses Acacia or Hypocistis and some Rhabarb torrefied The juyce of raw Quinces is accounted an Antidote against deadly poyson and it hath been found certain that the smell of a Quince hath taken away the strength of white Hellebore outwardly to binde and cool hot fluxes the Oyl of Quinces or other medicines made thereof are available to anoint the belly or other parts therewith It also strengthens the stomach belly and sinews and restrains immoderate sweatings The muscilage of the seeds boiled in water is good to allay the heat and heal the sore breasts of women and with Sugar it is good to lenifie the hoarseness and harshness of the throat and roughness of the tongue The Marmalade is both toothsome and wholesome and a decoction of the doun that grows upon the Quinces is good to restore lost hair and being made up with Wax and applyed as a plaister it bringeth hair to them that are bald and keepeth it from falling if it be ready to shed Radish Rhaphanus THe Garden Radish needs no description it is called in Latine Rhaphanus Nature and Vertues Radishes are rather a sawce then a nourishment they are hot in the third degree and dry in the second and do open and make thin and is governed by Mars The roots do provoke urine and so doth the distilled water the root stamped with honey and the powder of a sheeps heart causeth hair to grow The seed causeth vomiting and provoketh urine and being drunk with Oximel or honied water it drives forth Worms The root boiled in broth is good against an old Cough it moveth womens Courses and increases milk and is good for the Dropsie the Chollick gripings in the belly and griefs of the Liver It is good for them which are sick with eating Toadstools or other poison they are much used as sawce with meat to
it helps rising of the Mother provokes Vrine and expells Winde It takes away loathing of the Stomach and procures a good appetite it cuts tough Phlegm in the Chest and Lungs and is good to season stewed meat or broaths The juyce being snuffed up into the nostrils quickens the dull spirits in the Lethargy and being dropped into the eyes it clears the sight which is dulled by thin humours distilling from the brain The juyce heated with a little Oyl of Roses helps deafness and noise in the ears being dropped into them It helpeth to ease the Sciatica and members that have the Palsie being applyed pultisswise with Wheat-flower It is good against the stingings of Wasps and Bees and being laid in Chambers it killeth Fleas Savin Savina IT is nursed up in Gardens and abides green all the year being so well known it needs no further description Names It is called in Latine Sabina and Savina Nature and Vertues The leaves of Savin are hot and dry in the third degree and of subtle parts under the Influence of Mars The decoction of Savin is powerful to provoke Womens Courses and it also expells the Birth and After-birth and causeth Abortion It expelleth blood by Vrine and is good for the Kings Evil the powder thereof mixed with honey cleanseth filthy Vlcers and Fistula's but is unapt to heal them and being mixed with Cream and Childrens heads anointed therewith which have scabs or running sores it cleanseth and healeth them and also St. Anthonies fire a dram of Savine in powder mixed with three ounces of Nitre and two of Honey helps such as are short-winded as saith Mathiolus It kill Worms in Children being applyed to the Navel or the belly anointed with the Oyl thereof The powder of the leaves mixed with honey takes away spots and freckles in the face or body and helps blisters of the Yard gotten by a Lady of Pleasure they being first bathed with the decoction of the leaves and is good to heal Scabs and Itch Tetters and Ring-worms and to break Carbunckles and Plague-sores being spread upon a piece of leather and applyed to the place The distilled Water cleanseth the skin and helpeth such as have the Worms Saxifrage Saxifragia THere be accounted nine kindes of this Plant which grow in England Description I shall describe three of them as the most useful viz. English Saxifrage or Mead-Parsley White Saxifrage and Barnet Saxifrage English or Meadow Saxifrage called Mead-Parsley groweth with many green winged leaves like Fennel but thicker and broader amongst which rise up divers crested stalks of a Cubit high having thereupon divers smaller stalks of winged leaves also finely cut but harsh to the seeling bearing at the top Umbels of white Flowers tending a little to yellow after which come seed much like Fennel-seed but browner and of a small taste The Root is thick black without and white within and of a good savour White Saxifrage hath many round faint yellowish green leaves but grayish underneath spread upon the ground unevenly dented about the edges and somewhat hairy every one upon a little foot-stalk from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy green stalk about a foot high with a few leaves like the former but smaller branched at the top whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five leaves apiece with some yellow threds in the middle standing in a long crested brownish green husk after which ariseth sometimes a round hard head biforked at the top wherein s contained blackish small seed The Root is composed of black strings or fibres whereunto are fastned many reddish grains about the bigness of Pepper-corns which are called by the Apothecaries white Saxifrage seed Burnet Saxifrage springeth up with divers stalks of winged leaves set one against another each being somewhat broad and a little dented about the edges of a sad green colour at the tops of the stalks come Umbels of white Flowers and after them small blackish seed The Root is long and whitish Names Saxifraga and Saxifragia are the Latine Names Place and Time The first groweth commonly in Meadows and Pastures and flowers from May till the end of August The second grows in Fields and corners of Meadows and in grassie sandy places and the third grows in moist Meadows and flowers about July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues They are all hot and dry in the third degree and said to be herbs of the Moon but I can finde no reason for it the decoction of the seeds or roots of Mead-Parsley made in white wine helps the Strangury provokes the Courses and expells the secondine or dead Childe and breaks the Stone in the Bladder and Kidneys half a dram or a dram of the root in powder taken with sugar warmeth and comsorteth the stomach and easeth griping pains of the belly and the Chollick and expelleth Winde and outwardly it is good in somentations and bathes to provoke Vrine and ease pains of the belly which proceed from Winde The decoction of the seed or root of white Saxifrage or the powder thereof drunk in wine is good against the Stone Strangury and stoppings of the Kidneys and Bladder The distilled water of the whole herb is good for the same purposes and to cleanse the Stomach and Lungs from tough and thick Phlegm The same water is given by Nurses to their Children for the frets and stopping of Vrine The Burnet Saxifrage hath the same properties as the other in expelling Vrine Winde and helping the Chollick and to ease pains of the Mother to procure Womens Courses to break the Stone in the Kidneys and to digest cold and tough Phlegm in the stomach and is a good remedy against venome The dryed roots are as hot as Pepper and may be used for it being more wholesome as saith Tragus The root and seeds in powder taken with Sugar purgeth the brain restoreth lost speech and is good for Convulsions Cramps Apoplexies and cold Feavers The distilled Water when in Castoreâ—â— hath been boiled is good for the same and also for the Palsie and other cold griefs The same drunk with wine and vinegar is good in the Plague and preserves from infection and corrupted air being chewed in the mouth The distilled water beautifieth the face and cleanseth it from spots and freckles and causeth a good colour and is good for all the purposes aforesaid being taken with sugar the juyce of the leaves doth the same and being dropped into wounds in the head or any other place it dryeth up the moisture and heals them quickly The seeds being made into Comfits like Carraway seeds are good for all the aforesaid purposes Scabious and the kindes Scabiosa THere are many kindes of this Plant mentioned by Authours Description I shall onely name three viz. Common Scabious small common Scabious Corn Scabious The onely difference between the two first is that the leaves of one are bigger then those of the other and the Corn Scabious is greater then the other the flowers more
cometh the other groweth in the Marshes of Holland in Lincolnshire as well as in the Low Countreys and likewise prospereth in Gardens where it is sown they flower in April and give their seed about the latter end of May. Nature and Vertues Scurvy-grass is hot and dry much in quality like the Garden Cresses it is an herb of Jupiter It is an excellent remedy for that Disease called the Scurvy which often afflicts Sea-men and many persons by land besides I have had it this Summer after a Winters Ague but by drinking the juyce of this herb every morning in Ale or white Wine have by Cods blessing obtained a cure in a small time it may likewise be taken in decoction or in dyet drink being tunned up with new Ale or Beer and some long Pepper Grains Anniseeds and Liquorice added thereto and at three dayes old the drink will be fit for your use it opens obstructions and evacuates cold clammy and phlegmatick humors from the Liver seat of Blood and the Spleen wasting the swelling and hardness thereof and reduceth the body to a lively colour the juyce helps Vlcers and Sores in the mouth it being gargled with it and outwardly used it cleanseth the skin from spot and scars The conserve worketh the same effects as the juyce or herb and is a fine delicate medicine for weak stomachs Of Sebesten Myxa THis is a certain Plum Description brought hither out of Assyria and is called by them Sebestens in Latine Myxa and Myxaria from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is their name for the Tree Nature and Vertues Sebestens are temperately cold and moist of a thick clammy substance they cleanse the throat of hoarseness and roughness caused by sharp humors which descend from the head into the winde-pipe and cause difficulty of breathing they also cause phlegm to be avoided and help the Cough and Wheesings of the Lungs and distillations upon them they help the sharpness of Vrine proceeding from Choller or salt Phlegm and help such as are troubled with pains in thier sides they are good in hot Agues to cool the intemperate heat of the Stomach and Liver and to purge Choller Self-heal Prunella IT is a low creeping herb Description having many small and somewhat round leaves a little pointed of a sad green colour without any dents on the edges the stalks are square and hairy about half a foot high which sometimes are divided into branches with small leaves thereon to the top whereon stand brown spiked heads consisting of many scaly leaves and flowers mingled together gaping and commonly of a blueish purple colour but sometimes of a pale blue of a sweet smell in some but in a few places the root is small and threddy and by taking hold of the ground by the fibres which grow out from its branches it is much increased Names It is called generally in Latine Prunella and of some Solidago minor Consolida minor and Consolida minima in English Self-heal Hook-heal and Carpenters herb Place and Time It grows commonly in most Fields and flowers in May Nature and Vertues Self-heal is moderately hot and dry somewhat astringent an herb of Venus an excellent Wound Herb either for inward or outward hurts ot be taken inwardly in syrrup or decoction and outwardly to be applyed in Vnguent or Plaisters of it self alone it will heal any green wound being bruised and wrought with the point of a knife upon a trencher like unto a Salve and applyed and it good to heal the sore Nipples of Nurses it is good for those that have received hurt by bruises or falls a decoction being made thereof with Sanicle Bugle and such other Wound Herbs and is effectual to inject into outward Vlcers and the inward taking thereof will help the sharpness of humors which follow any Sore Vlcer Inflammation Swelling or the like the juyce hereof mixed with oyl of Roses is good to anoint the Temples and Forehead for the Head-ache and the same juyce mixed with a little honey of Roses cleanseth and healeth Vlcers and Sores of the Mouth and Throat and secret parts Sena Colutea THe true Sena is said to grow in Arabia and Syria Description and is transported from Alexandria to us there is a bastard Sena which is kept in many Gardens with us commonly called Colutea which is its Latine name Nature and Vertues The leaves of Sena which are onely used are hot near the first degree and dry in the third it is of a purging faculty and leaveth a binding quality after the purging it openeth obstructions and cleanseth and comforteth the Stomach being corrected with some Auniseed Carrawayseed or Ginger it purgeth Melancholly choller and Phlegm from the Head and Brain Lungs Heart Liver and Spleen cleansing those parts of evil humors a dram thereof taken in Wine Ale or Broth fasting it strengthens the sences and procureth mirth it is also good in cronical Agues whether Quartain or Quotidian it cleanseth and purifieth the blood and causeth a fresh and lively habit of the body and is a special ingredient in dyet drinks and to make purging Ale to be taken to clarifie and cleanse the blood The bastard Sena purgeth vehemently both upwards and downwards offending the Stomach and Bowels Shepherds purse Bursa Pastoris IT hath small long leaves Description of a pale green colour deeply cut in on both sides the stalk is small and round parted into many branches containing small leaves upon them up to the top the flowers are white and very small after which come flat pouches which hold the seed which are flat in form of a heart in each side whereof lyeth a small brownish yellow seed the root is small and white and perisheth every year Names The Latines call it Bursa pastoris and Pastoria Bursa in English Shepherds purse Poor mans Parmacity Toywort Pick-purse and Caseweed Place and Time It grows frequently almost in every Field and Hedges side and upon Banks about London they flower and seed all the Summer and some of them twice a year Nature and Vertues Shepherds purse is cold dry and binding a Saturnine Plant the decoction hereof stoppeth the Lask spitting of Blood pissing Blood the Terms and all other fluxes of Blood howsoever it be taken but especially with red Wine or Plantain Water the juyce helpeth mattering and running Fars being dropped therein A good Salve may be made hereof for Wounds especially in the head The bruised herb pultiswise applyed helpeth Inflammations St. Anthonies sire and cures running Sores Fistula's Swellings hardness new Wounds Shingles and rheumatick Sores The juyce being drunk helpeth straitness of the Breath the Strangury and stoppage of Vrine and stoppeth Phlegm and is very prevalent against venomous bitings being drunk with Wine and prevents the fits of Agues being taken an hour before the fit Skirret Sisarum THey grow not naturally in England but as they are planted in Gardens Names It is called in Latine Sisarum Siser Chervillum and Servilla they
are hot in the third degree and dry in the second and said to be under the influence of Venus an Electuary made of the roots with honey consumes winde in the stomach and guts and easeth gripings in the belly and is good against Catharrs Rheumes and Aches of the Joynts and phlegmatick humours that fall upon the Lungs The decoction in wine or water being drunk opens stoppings in the Kidneys and Bladder helps the Strangury provokes Vrine and stirs up Lust It also provokes the Tearms and helps griefs of the Mother but too great a quantity thereof causeth the head-ache The Roots which are onely used in Physick are effectual against the stinging or biting of any venomous creature and is an Ingredient in those main Antidotes Venice Treacle and Mithridate Spikenard Nardus Indica IT is naturally an Indian Plant called Nardus Indica therefore I shall proceed to declare its Vertues not troubling you at all with its description Nature and Vertues Spikenard is of a heating drying faculty as saith Dioscorides it is good to provoke urine and easeth pains of the stone in the Reins and Kidneys being drunk in cold water it helps loathing swelling or knawing in the stomach the yellow Jaundies and such as are liver-grown It is a good Ingredient in Mithridate and other Antidotes against poison to women with childe it is sorbidden but a decoction thereof may be a good bathe for others to sit over that are troubled with Inflammations of the Mother The Oyl of Spikenard is good to warm cold places and to digest crude and raw humours It worketh powerfully on all cold griess of the Head and Brain Stomach Liver Spleen Reins Bladder and of the Mother It purgeth the brain of Rheum being snuffed up into the nostrils being infused certain dayes in wine and then distilled in a hot bathe the Water is good inwardly and outwardly to be used for any coldness of the members It comforts the brain and helps cold pains of the head and the shaking Palsie Two or three spoonfuls thereof being taken helps passions of the heart swoonings and the Chollick being drunk with wine it is good against venomous bitings and being made into Trochis with wine it may be reserved for an Eye-medicine which being aptly applyed represseth obnoxious humours thereof Spinage Spinachia I Shall say but little of this it being more used by the Cook then the Physician for it is seldom used in physick and I believe not very substantial food though some greedily eat it some Latine Authours call it Spinachia and some say that the broth thereof makes the belly solluble easeth pains of the back clears the breast and strengthens the stomack Spleenwort or Ceterach Asplenium SPleenwort beareth many leaves near a span long Description jagged on both sides almost to the middle rib set in several orders not one against the other but one besides another being slippery and green on the upper side and of a dark yellowish roughness underneath which is conceived to be the seeds at its first coming up it rowleth and foldeth it self as Fern doth with many hairs on the outside The Root is small black and rough much platted or interlaced having neither stalk nor flower Names Caterach is the usual name of it in shops yet it is called Asplenium and Splenium in English Spleenwort and Milt-waste Place and Time It groweth upon stone walls and rocks and in moist and shadowy places in the West Countrey on the Church of Beconsfield in Barkshire and at Strowd in Kent and other places It continues green all the year Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the first degree of thin subtle parts no way Saturnine but rather Mercurial It is profitable for all diseases and infirmities of the Spleen especially such as cause it to grow too big for it diminisheth it it is effectual for the yellow Jaundies stoppings of the Liver and the Hiccough It helps the Strangury and Stone in the Bladder it helps the Running of the Reins a dram of the dust scraped from the back side of the leaves and taken with half a dram of Amber in powder in the juyce of Plantain or Purslain The decoction helps Melancholly Diseases and such as arise from the French Pox but if it be boiled over long the strength will be lost The distilled water is good for the Stone and the lye made of the Ashes being drunk some time together helps spleenatick persons and so doth the herb being boiled a little and applyed to the region of the Spleen The use of this plant hinders Conception and therefore women that desires Children must forbear it Squinant Sweet Rush or Camels Hay Schaenanthos SChaenanthos or Juncus Odoratus are the Latine names hereof it is an Arabian Plant. Nature and Vertues The whole Plant hath an astringent saculty the roots do binde most and the flowers are more hot it gently cutteth humors and digesteth them The decoction of the flowers being drunk stayeth spitting of Blood and is conducible to diseases of the Scomach Lungs Liver and Reins The root is held effectual for the loathing of the Stomach a dram thereof in powder with the like quantity of Pepper being taken fasting certain mornings together and is a good remedy for the Dropsie Convulsions and Cramps being boiled in the broth of a chicken it is effectual for pains of the Womb and pains after Childe-bearing Dioscorides saith it provoketh Vrine and Womens Courses discusseth Swellings and Winde but troubles the head a little Starwort Bubonium THere be many kindes of this Herb Description yet that which grows most naturally in England is the Attick or yellow Starwort which groweth about a foot high with three or more hairy stalks with long rough hairy brownish dark green leaves on them divided into two or three branches at the tops whereof stand a flat scaly head compassed underneath with five or six long brown rough geeen leaves like a Star the flower standing in the middle consists of narrow long pale yellow leaves set with brownish yellow thrums which turning into doun are carried away with the Winde the root is fibrous and of a binding sharp taste Names This kinde is called Aster Atticus and Bubonium in Latine Place and Time It is said to grow upon Hampsted Heath One sort of Starwort or other is in flower from June to October Nature and Vertues Starwort is said to be cooling and drying and doth moderately waste and consume an herb of Venus the leaves and flowers boiled in water helps pains and sores in the Groin and so doth an oyl made by infusion thereof the dryed flowers being bound to the grieved place takes away Inflammations thereof it helps the Quinzy and Falling Sickness in Children An oyntment made of the green Herb and Hogs Grease is good to anoint a hot Stomach and inflamed Eyes to help falling down of the Fundament and such as are bitten by a mad Dog it consumes swellings of the Throat and the herb being burnt
made into a syrrup or the distilled water drunk with Sugar or the smoke taken fasting in a Pipe it easeth gripings in the Bowels pains in the Head and expells Worms and is profitable to provoke Vrine and expel the Stone and Gravel out of the Kidneys to expel windiness which causes strangling of the Mother the seed is good to ease the Tooth-ache and the ashes of the Herb cleanseth the Gums and Teeth and makes them white the bruised herb is profitably applyed to swellings of the Kings Evil four or five ounces of the juyce taken fasting purges the body upwards and downwards and is effectual for the Dropsie The distilled water taken with Sugar before the fit of an Ague lessens the fit The distilled faeces of the Herb having been bruised before the distillation and not distilled dry but set fourteen dayes in hot dung and then hung up in a bag in a Wine Cellar there will drop a liquor therefrom good for Cramps Aches the Gout and Sciatica and to heal Itches Scabs Cankers and foul Sores The juyce is good to kill lice in Childrens Heads The green herb bruised and applyed is good to cure any fresh wound and the juyce put into old Sores cleanseth and healeth them There is an excellent Salve made of Tobacco good for Imposthumes hard Tumors swellings by blows and falls old and new Sores and is to be had at the Apothecaries by the name of Unguentum Nicotianum or oynment of Tobacco Tamarinds Tamarindus THis Tree groweth in Arabia and the Indies and the fruit is brought hither for Medicine whose vertues follow Nature and Vertues Tamarinds are cold and dry in the second degree or in the beginning of the third a plant of Venus The pulp of Tamarinds open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and taken with Borrage water it quickens the spirits and mitigates the fits of Frenzy and madness it is good in acute Fevers it purgeth Choller and adust humors stayeth vomiting and cools inflammations of the Liver Stomach and Reins and helps the running of the Reins it is good against the Scab Itch and Leprosie and salt humors breaking out in the skin it is good in hot burning Agues it quencheth thirst and procures appetite an ounce thereof being dissolved in fair water and taken with a little Sugar it stayes bleedings at nose arising from Choller and womens Fluxes and is good against the yellow Jaundies Tamarisk Tamarix IT is well known in Gardens where it onely grows in England so that a description is needless Names Mytica Tamarix and Tamariscus are the Latine names the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. infinitus from its abundance of leaves Place and Time It groweth about Mompelier and Narbone in France and is planted in Gardens with us they flower about the end of May or in June and the seed is ripe and blown away in September Nature and Vertues Tamarisk is drying and astringent having also a cutting and cleansing quality a Saturnine Plant. The leaves or roots boiled in Wine drives forth Melancholly helps spitting of blood and stayes the overflowing of the Terms the bleeding of the Hemorrhoides and other Fluxes and is good against the Jaundies and other diseases which are caused by obstructions The roots sodden with Wine and drunk cleanseth the milt and thereby it helps the Lepry the decoction of the root or young branches in Wine or Vinegar drunk and outwardly applyed helps hardness of the Spleen The decoction of the bark and leaves in Wine helps the Tooth-ache the mouth and Teeth being gargled therewith it also helpeth redness and watring of the Eyes and easeth pains of the ears being dropped therein and is good to wash those that are subject to Lice and Nits and is good to stay gangrous and fretting Vlcers being mixed with honey it is good for spleenatick persons to drink out of Cups or Cans made of the Wood thereof A good quantity of the leaves boiled in water is a good bath for women to sit over whose Matrix is in danger of coming down it fastneth the same and the ashes of the Wood applyed to the place stops the excessive flowing thereof A Lye made of the Ashes is good for many of the said Diseases and to help blisters raised by burning or scalding The Egyptians use the Wood hereof to cure the French Disease Leprosie Scabs Pushes Vlcers and the like it is likewise good to help the Dropsie proceeding from hardness or stopping of the Spleen and is available against Melancholly and the black Jaundies the Bark with the Barks of Ash and Ivy being infused in Beer or Ale some use Ling or Heath where Tamarisk is not to be had instead thereof Garden Tansie Tanacetum THis needs no description Names It is called both in Greek and Latine Athanasia and also in Latine Tanacetum the French call it Tanaisie and our English Tansie Place and Time It is nourished in Gardens sendeth forth green leaves in March and April and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues It is said to be hot in the second degree and dry in the third attributed to the particular influence of Venus The decoction of Tansie or the juyce thereof drunk in Wine or Beer doth dissolve and expell Winde in the Stomach or Bowels The eating of it in Spring time purgeth the Body of moist and phlegmatick humors ingendred in the foregoing Winter and by eating Fish in Lent before it became superstition to our gluttonous Religion-pretenders whose lustful guts cannot forbear the Flesh-pots on Frydayes the decoction before mentioned provokes Vrine helps the Strangury expells Winde out of the Matrix and procures womens Courses and is good for those that have weak Reins and Kidneys it is profitable for such women as are apt to miscarry being bruised and often smelled unto and applyed to the lower part of the Belly it is used against the Stone in the Reins especially to men being boiled in Oyl it is good against the Cramp and shrinking of Sinews if applyed to the affected part it avoideth Phlegm dryeth the Sinews and therefore is good for the Palsie Wilde Tansie or Silver Weed Argentina IT is much like unto the ordinary Garden Tansie a little also resembling the leaves of Agrimony Description it creeps upon the ground taking root at the joynts so that it will quickly spread a great deal of ground the leaves are of a fair green colour on the upper side and a silver colour underneath it beareth no stalks but the flowers stand singly upon a short foot stalk which are yellow much like those of Cinque foâ—l Names It is called in Latine Argentina Agrimonia sylvestris and Tanacetum sylvestre in English Wilde Tansie and Silver weed Place and Time It groweth in moist grounds near High Wayes sides at the foot of Hills and such like places it flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues Wilde Tansie especially the root is dry near the third degree without much manifest heat having also an
use Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Herba Sacra because they used it about their Sacrifices to Jupiter The common Latine name is Verbena it is called in English by some Holy Herb Juno's Tears and Pigeons Grass because it is supposed Pigeons eat thereof to clear their sight Place and Time It groweth plentifully throughout the Land by hedges and wayes sides as in the way between Gravesend and Rochester It flowers in July and August Nature and Vertues Vervain is hot and dry bitter and astringent it opens obstructions cleanseth and healeth and is said to be an Herb of Venus because it strengthens the Womb and helps cold griefs thereof The distilled water cleanseth and cleareth the sight and strengtheneth the optick Nerves the herb stamped and applyed with the white of an Egge at night going to Bed will cure a blood-shotten Eye The decoction of the herb helps infirmities of the Reins and Lungs the yellow Jaundies Dropsie Gout and all inward pains of the body and is good against Tertian and Quartain Agues Worms in the Belly the Plague and biting of venomous Beasts it strengthens the Liver and Spleen and corrects Diseases thereof and also helps Diseases of the Stomach and Lungs as Cough and shortness of Breath and being drunk with some piony seeds bruised is good for the Dropsie it is effectual to cleanse the Reins and bladder of those humors that ingender the Stone it heals Wounds both inward and outward and stayeth Bleedings and being used with Honey it heals old Vlcers and Fistula's and Vlcers in the Mouth and used with Hogs Grease it helps swellings and pains in the secret parts being applyed to the Temples with oyl of Roses and Vinegar it easeth pains in the head and is good for those that are Frantick the bruised leaves mixed with Vinegar takes away Morphew Freckles Fistula's Inflammations and other deformities of the skin and so doth the distilled water which is powerful in inward and outward Discases green Wounds and corrdoing Sores It is said to be used by Witches to do mischief and so may all other herbs if by wicked Astrologers used to accomplish their wretched ends But do not hereby think I count all Astrologers wicked though too many are Velvet Flower or Flower Gentle Amaranthus sive Blitum majus FLower Gentle is a kinde of Blite Description yet Blites is not a kinde of flower Gentle this last being better known and of more efficacy and groweth up with a stalk about half a yard high sometimes higher straked along towards the top but towards the root very smooth and reddish being divided towards the top into many small branches about which stand the leaves which are long broad slippery soft and sharp pointed of a green colour tending to reddish the flowers are long spiky tufts of hairs growing many together steeple fashion beautiful to look upon but having no scent yet being bruised they yield a juyce almost of the same colour that the flower is of which is red The seed is small black and glittering and lyeth scattered in the aforesaid tufts The root is short and stringy and dyeth every Winter Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines the same because the red Flowers thereof will endure a long time after they are gathered without decaying it s also called Flos Amoris from its beautiful aspect Fleur Amor Flower Gentle flower Velure and Velvet flower from its softness Places and Time It is a Garden flower altogether in England having been extracted both from the Eastern and Western Countreys and flourisheth in August and September Nature and Vertues Flower Gentle is cold and dry of a binding faculty partaking of the friendly influence of Venus and stoppeth both the extraordinary Flux of the Tearms and also of the Whites in women the dryed flowers being beaten to powder and boiled in Wine and Honey and so drunk and being so used it is effectual in all Fluxes of Blood continual pain in the Belly Scouring spitting of Blood and bleeding at the Nose the same flower boiled in Wine and the decoction drunk is profitable against venomous bitings the Stiatica Ruptures and the distilling of Vrine the Fundament being somented with the same decoction easeth the pain of the Piles restrains their bleedings and stayeth the often going to Stool the herb being applyed to the place The herb being boiled and applyed helps any bruised place and being dryed and laid amongst clothes keeps them from Moths and Worms The root held in the Mouth easeth pains of the Teeth and being stamped and make into an Oyntment with May Butter it asswageth all Inflammations The white kinde called Blitum majus or white great Blites stoppeth the Whites in Women and the running of the Reins in Men which faculties it speaks in its signature The Vine Vitis OF Fines there are divers kindes which have also divers properties they are manured in England and well known both for their pleasant shade and for their fruit yet many kindes seldom bring their fruit to perfection here Names The Vine Tree is called in Latine Vitis the ripe Grapes dryed in the Sun Vvae passae and Passulae Solis in English Raisins The ripe juyce pressed out is called Vinum Wine Nature and Vertues The Vine hath differing properties as I said before which may be caused by the Clymate where they grow some are cold some hot some sweet some sowre some moist others dry the tender strings of the Vine and the leaves do cool and binde sowre Grapes be cold and moist and sweet Grapes hot and moist Raisins be hot in the first degree and moist in the second being beaten with the stones they binde but being stoned and eaten they open the Breast and Liver and loosen the Belly Vines especially the sweet ones are certainly under the Solar influence A decoction made of Raisins with Liquorice Maidenhair and Coltsfoot c. helps Coughs and hoarseness of the Throat opens the Liver Spleen and Bladder and taken by themselves they nourish much concoct raw humors and withstand putrefaction being mixed with Comminseed in powder and oyl of white Lillies it asswages swellings of the Cods White Wine being drunk before meat preserveth the body and quickly pierceth into the Bladder but being drunk upon a full Stomach it causeth stoppings and driveth down the meat undigested Claret Wine doth nourish and warm the body and is good for such as are phlegmatick Red Wine stoppeth the Belly and corrupteth the Blood and breeds the Stone it is useful onely in Lasks or the Bloody Flux The juyce of the green leaves and tendrels of the Vine or the tears called Vine Blood sweetned with Sugar and drunk is good for such as vomit and spit Blood for the bloody Flux and Women with Childe that vomit much and to stay their unnatural Longings Sack Muscadine and such sweet Wines do comfort a cold weak Stomach but all wines taken immoderately relaxeth the Sinews causeth the
the neck Aron Vide Cuckow pintle Arrach wilde and stinking Atriplex STinking Arrach groweth up with a little stalk Description having many branches the leaves are smaller then those of the Garden and pointed towards the top of a whitish green colour which we call an Ash colour it beareth yellow flowers which afterwards turn into small mealy seeds It may easily be known by the smell being very like stinking Fish Names Places and Time It is called in Latine Vulvaria and Atriplex in English stinking Arrach you may finde it upon most Dunghills under old walls about the mud walls in the fields about London it grows plentifully and also by ditches sides It flowers and seeds from June till after Bartholomewtide Temperature and Vertues This Plant Saturn rules it is cold moist and earthy an excellent plant for Womens diseases It cures fits of the Mother Dislocation or falling out of the Womb being taken inwardly It cools the over much heat of the womb and causes easie Delivery being rubbed and held to the nostrils it causeth the Womb to descend to its right place and cleanses and strengthens it It provokes the Terms if stopped and also stops the immoderate flowing of them and makes Barren women fruitful It is therefore good for such Women as are subject to be troubled with any of the aforementioned Distempers to prepare and keep alwayes by them a Syrup made of the juyce of this Herb and sugar or honey which is best to cleanse the Womb otherwise sugar is more proper Arsmart Persicaria THis Herb grows with a little joynted greenish stalk Description the leaves growing at the joynts of the stalks being not very long many times having blackish spots upon them the flowers grow in spiky heads of a blush colour after them come little blackish flat seeds the root is fibrous and perisheth every year There is dead or milde Arsmart and biting Arsmart which if you taste of it will bite your tongue very much The Names It is called in Latine Piper Aquaticum and Persicaria because the leaves do something resemble Peach leaves in English Water Pepper and Arsmart Place and time It is common in most ditches especially such as are muddy and grows also upon dunghils of mud which hath been cast out of ditches I have seen them covered with it in Hampshire and other places It is in flower in June and seeds about August Temperature and Vertues The milde is said to be cold and dry the biting hot and dry then sure there Mars and Saturn grow together The biting Arsmart being rubbed upon a tyred horses back will make him go again lively it is good to kill Fleas being strewed in Chambers The powder of the milde Arsmart being given to the quantity of two drams at a time in a little Vinegar opens obstructions of the Liver being bruised with rue and Wormwood and fryed with Butter or Suet and applyed to the belly or stomach destroyes the worms in them the distilled water thereof mixed with a little oyl of Spike and the gall of an Oxe is good to ease the pains of the Gout the grieved place being anointed therewith and a blue woollen cloath applyed upon it so likewise being mixed with Aqua vitae it takes away Aches The herb being stamped with Wine and applyed to the Matrix draweth down the Terms The leaves being stamped and applyed to green Wounds cools them and defends them from inflammations The root or seed applyed to an aking Tooth takes away the pain and the juyce of the Herb dropped into the ears kills worms in them and is good against Deafness Alkanet Fucus Herba THere are accounted four kindes of this Plant Descri ∣ ption but never a one of them common nor easily found in England though Culpepper saith there is one kinde grows commonly in this Nation which is as true as the story he tells of one of his Disciples whose horses shooes were pulled off by riding over Moonwort as he saith The red great Alkanet groweth up about a foot and a half high having usually one round stalk with many leaves prickly and hoary over like small Bugloss the flowers much like them of Echium or small Bugloss of a sky colour tending to purple yielding a small pale coloured seed somewhat long the root is about the thickness of ones finger having a woody pith within of a bloody colour dying whatsoever it toucheth The other kinde hath more plenty of leaves more hairy and woolly then the former the stalks grow higher having yellow flowers the root of a shining purple colour yielding more juyce then the first The third kinde hath a greater and more juycie root then the former but the plant smaller and the leaves narrower the flowers red like those of small Bugloss the seeds are ash-colour tasting like Bugloss and the fourth kinde is much like common Summer Savory the flowers blueish or sky colour Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Illinere succo vel Pigmentis to colour or paint because of its painting property it is also called Fucus herba and Onocleia Buglossa Hispanica or Spanish Bugloss and Orchanet and Alkanet in English and in Shops likewise Anchusa Place and Time They grow all naturally about Narbone and Montpelier in France and may be had especially the Roots at our Shops yet Gerhard saith he found them in the Isle of Thanet in Kent but that is contradicted by his Reviser They flourish in the Summer moneths and best yield their juyce in Harvest time Nature and Vertues The roots are cold and dry according to Gallen yet being endued with some bitterness argues them not very cold they cleanse chollerick humours the leaves binde and dry but not so powerfully as the roots Culpepper calls this herb one of the darlings of Venus I suppose because he had heard the Madams used it to paint their faces and likewise it is used by Gentlewomen to colour Syrrups Waters and Jellies as is also Turnsole and the root being used as a Pessary draweth forth the dead Birth the decoction inwardly drunk with Mead or honied water cures the yellow Jaundies diseases of the Kidneys and Spleen and is effectual in Agues a Searcloath made with the root and oyl is good for Vlcers and with parched Barley meal it helps the Leprosie Tetter and Ringworms as saith Dioscorides But Culpepper teacheth how to kill Serpents with it which he saith is done if any one hath newly eaten the root and spits in a Serpents mouth the Serpent instantly dyes but this is as ridiculous as Culpepper himself yet the decoction is said to drive out the Measels and small Pox if it be drunk in the beginning with hot beer the leaves boiled in wine and drunk is good against the Laske the root boiled in Wine and sweet butter without salt till it is red is good for bruises received by falls and for green wounds made with pricks or thrusts Make
chewed in the mouth it comforts the stomach and expells the shaking fits of Agues it provokes Urine resisteth poison and expells winde it is profitable against the falling Sickness and pains in the belly a dram thereof in powder drunk at a time in wine Of Carrots OF these there is the Garden manured Carrot fit for food and the wilde Carrot for Physick the garden kinde needs no description the wilde groweth much like the Garden kinde but the leaves are whiter and rougher so are the stalks which bear tufts of white flowers with a deep purple spot in the middle when the flowers begin to grow ripe the whole umbel looks like a Birds nest the root is small long and hard sharp and strong it groweth plentifully by hedge sides and untilled places flower and seed about the beginning of August Temperature and Vertues The roots are hot and moist temperately the seeds hot and dry The seed of Carrots expels Winde helps gripings of the belly and the Chollick provokes Vrine and womens Courses The seeds or powder of the root of the wilde Carrot drunk in wine helps hurts by venomous beasts resists poison and the Pestilence it provokes venery and helpeth Conception Cassia Fistula THis is the fruit of an Indian Tree and is to be had at our Druggists it is hot and moist in the first degree Cassia purgeth the Reins and Kidneys and cooleth and cleanseth them it likewise brings forth the Gravel and Stone it 's effectual against all chollerick and melancholly diseases being taken with Rubarb Anniseeds and Liquorish it cleanseth the Stomach Liver and misentery Veins from choller and phlegm clearing the Blood and cooling it and is profitable in all hot Agues and Fevers Celandine Chelidonia THis herb springeth up with divers round whitish green stalks Description with great joynts very brittle whence grow branches with tender long leaves gashed on the edges of a blueish green colour the stalks are full of a yellow sap at the tops of the branches grow the flowers of a yellow colour after which come small long pods with blackish seeds the root is thick and knobby yielding a gold coloured juyce Names It is called in Latine Chelidonia Place and Time It groweth under old walls by hedges sides and untilled places it flowers all Summer the seed ripening in the mean time Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry an herb of the Sun and excellent for the Eyes the herb gathered Sol in Leo and in trine to the Moon and made into an oyntment with Hogs suet is an excellent medicine for sore Eyes or any Filme or cloudiness thereof the yellow juyce or sap rubbed upon warts soon takes them away It likewise heals Tetters or Ringworms The decoction of the herb or roots in wine opens the Liver and Gall and helps the yellow Jaundies The juyce or distilled water with a little Sugar taken sasting is good against the Pestilence it easeth pains of the Teeth the mouth being gargled with the juyce or decoction thereof The juyce mixed with Brimstone cures the Itch Morphew and discolourings of the skin and Sun-burnings It is likewise good for the Tooth-ache Centory Centaurium THis plant is divided into two kindes the greater and lesser the last is most used in Physick whose description take as followeth The Form The lesser Centory groweth up with a round crested stalk about half a foot high at the top branching into many sprigs whence comes an umbel of pale red flowers which open in the day time and shut at night the seed grows in little husks the leaves are small and roundish the root small and hard Names There is Centaurium magnum and Centaurium minus which are the Latine Names of both Places and Time The lesser groweth almost every where in Fields Pastures and Woods in the high way going from Putney to Kingston They flower in July and seed in August Nature and Vertues The greater is hot and dry in the third degree the lesser in the second degree both bitter herbs of Mars The decoction of the lesser Centory in Wine or Ale helps gripings in the Belly the Chollick Costiveness and Worms it purges Phlegm and Choller and provokes Sweat helps Agues the Jaundies opens the Liver Gall and Spleen it helps the Dropsie green Sickness and provokes the Terms it is effectual in pains of the Joynts Cramps and Convulsions The decoction in water provokes appetite cleanseth the Stomach and Breast and purgeth the Back and Reins It is a good ingredient in wound drinks it helps the Strangury and is good against the bitings of venomous creatures a dram of the root taken in powder and the Wound washed with the decoction thereof Ceterach Vide Spleenwort Of the Cherry Tree Cerasus THough there be many sorts of Cherries as black red white and red hart-Cherries yet I think they are all so well known I shall not need make any description thereof Names The Latine name is Cerasus Place and Time Some of them grow wilde in hedges as I have seen them in Hampshire and Kent which Countrey is the most plentiful place for Cherry Gardens They are ripe in May June and July Nature and Vertues They are cold and moist in the first degree plants of Venus they cool and loosen the belly and slack thirst the black strengthen the Stomach and being dryed stop Lasks The distilled water of them with the stones bruised is good to be given to them that have the falling Sickness provokes Vrine and breaks Winde The Gum dissolved in wine and drunk helps the Gravel and Stone is good for the Cough and Hoarseness and excoriations of the Throat Lungs and Breast the preserved Cherries are good in severish hot and thirsty diseases Chervil Cerefolium CHervil groweth up at first like Parsley Description the leaves jagged like Hemlock of a whitish green colour the stalk riseth half a yard high and beareth white flowers the seeds are sharp pointed and blackish the root is small and long and perisheth every year after it hath born seed Names It s common name in Latine is Cerefolium or Cherifolium in English Chervil Place and Time It is planted in Gardens and is a good sallet herb at first while it is young and tender and groweth also wilde in many places the seed will be ripe about June and being sown again presently will spring again and be a good sallet in Autumne Nature and Vertues Chervil is moderately hot and dry it provokes Vrine and easeth the pricking pains of the Stone and openeth inward obstructions it warms the Stomach and the decoction thereof provokes sleep it provokes the Terms is effectual against the Plurisie and pricking pains in the sides and according to Pliny the root beaten with Mallows draweth sorth splinters out of the flesh it is an herb of Mars The Chesnut Tree Castanea THis groweth to be a tall Tree Description bearing great rough dented leaves and bloometh sorth long Catkins in the Spring of a greenish yellow colour the fruit
is inclosed in a prickly husk which openeth when they grow ripe and the Nut appeareth covered with a brown husk Names Castanea and Castaneum are the usual Latine names thereof in English Chesnuts Place and Time They grow wilde in the Woods in Heat and in the hedges in the Road to Canterbury yet in other Counties of this Land are planted in Orchards and Gardens the fruit is ripe about Michaelmas time Nature and Vertues Chesnuts are dry and astringent in a mean between hot and cold a plant of Jupiter they are very windy yet nourish much and are said to stir up Venery the Nuts being powdered and made into an Electuary with honey is effectual for the Cough bloody Flux spitting of Blood or any Lask or looseness they are hard of digestion and immoderately eaten cause the Head-ache the same powder mixed with Barley Meal and Vinegar helps swellings of the Breasts and unnatural Blastings The best way to correct their windiness is to prick them with a needle and roast them Chickweed Alsine THis herb runneth along upon the ground with many tender branches full of joynts Description and at every joynt cometh forth two smooth green leaves from which sprout out other branches like the former the flowers are small and white after which comes the seed in little knops the root is all strings like hairs and if you break the stalks gently you shall perceive a little sinew in the middle thereof Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines the same namely Alsine anciently it hath been called Hippia Place and Time It delights to grow in shadowy and moist places it flowers in the Spring and the seed is ripe soon after Nature and Vertues Chickweed is cold moist and watry of the Moons temperature it is good to cool the heat of the Liver being bruised and outwardly applyed to the Region thereof or wet cloathes dipt in the juyce thereof and renewed as they dry the decoction cooleth the Blood in Agues Hectick Fevers Stomach and Liver and cools the heat of the Back and Vrine The juyce taken in white Wine or Ale five dayes together first and last is effectual for the Jaundies it is effectual to ripen Imposthumes and swellings being applyed pultiswise with mallow roots and the powder of Fenugreek and Linseed with Hogs Lard and asswages generally all pains in the body proceding of heat the juyce or distilled water is good for Pushes inflamed Eyes and the heat and sharpness of the Piles Sweet Cicely Myrrhis THe ordinary garden sweet Cicely hath leaves somewhat like Fern Description but not so high but they taste as sweet as Anniseeds the flowers grow in white umbels on the top of the stalks after which come small black seed which taste like the leaf of Anniseed the root tastes stronger then either herb or seed and is long growing deep and lasting many years Names The Greeks call it Myrrhis and Myrrha so do the Latines the English Sweet Cicely Sweet Chervil and Sweet Fern. Place and Time It is planted with us in Gardens flowers in May and the seed is ripe in July Nature and Vertues It is hot in the second degree having thinness of parts This plant of Sol is excellent good for the Ptisick and Consumptions and diseases of the Lungs being boiled in broth and eaten it expectorates Phlegm from the Breast warms a cold Stomach is a good sallet herb and the root boiled and eaten with oyl and vinegar produceth the like effects The candid root is excellent against the Plague and infections This herb procures appetite expells Winde provokes the Terms and expells a dead Childe and the After-birth provokes Vrine and the root sliced and steeped in white Wine all night gently purges being drunk in the morning with a little Sugar ☞ See more of this in Adam in Eden by Will Cinquefoil Pentaphyllum I Suppose this herb needs little description Description being well known it runs along upon the ground with small strings which shoot out small leaves growing five together sometimes seven The flowers are yellow the seeds small and brownish and the root little and fibrous Names The Latines call it Pentaphyllum and Quinque-folium in English five leaved grass and five fingred grass Place and Time It grows by Ditches and High-way sides and in low grounds and flowers from the beginning of May till the end of June and may be found green all Winter Nature and Vertues The herb and root is hot and dry but the root more then the herb a plant of Mars Culpepper affirms a scruple hereof given in white Wine or vinegar never misses cure of an Ague of what kinde soever in three sits but my experience proves the contrary It restrains Fluxes and bleeding at Nose the juyce drunk in Ale or red Wine and the root or herb applyed to the nose it is good against venoms and infections resisting putrefaction The roots boyled in milk stayes the whites reds and bloody Flux but you must drink the milk then the juyce with honey helps hoarseness is good against the Cough of the Lungs the Quinzy yellow Jaundies and Falling Sickness and the decoction of the root is good against the Tooth-ache being held in the mouth Cynamon Cynamomum THis outlandish Bark needs no description here the Latine name is Cynamomum it is hot and dry in the third degree and is aromatical The Chymical water hereof comforts all the vital parts helps passions of the heart easeth the winde Chollick provokes the Terms strengthens the Retentive faculty is good against a Looseness Dropsies and cold and moist Diseases it causes a good colour in the Face let old and cold folks use it though Cynamon is an excellent spice and the chymical oyl thereof comforts the Stomach helps pains of the Breast and causes good digestion but it must be carefully used if it be mixed with honey it takes away spots in the face Cives Vide Leeks Clarey Horminum I Need not describe it my Countreywomen so frequently planting it in their Gardens for theirs and their Husbands backs Names The Latines call it Horminum and Geminalis of some Place and Time Gardens is the place it flowers and seeds about the latter end of Summer Nature and Vertues Clary is hot and dry in the third degree a plant of Sol and is good for diseases of the Eyes the seed powdered and applyed being mixed with honey it s a great strengthner of the back and reins it brings down the Terms and Secondine the muscilage of the seed takes away Tumors and Swellings and draweth forth Splinters and Thorns it provokes venery but the overmuch eating of it hurts the head and brain the powder of the leaves snuffed into the nostrils purges the head and brain by sneezing the herb is good for cold and moist Stomachs and the purposes aforesaid being fryed in Tansies Cleavers or Goosegrass Aparine CLeavers is well known The Names It is called in Greek and Latine Aparine and by Pliny
of England Nature and Vertues It is a Venerial Plant saith Culpepper but he forgets his Logick when he ascribed all bitter plants to Mars Fox-Gloves are bitter in taste hot and dry having a cleansing quality The Italians call this Herb Aralda and use this proverb concerning it Aralda tutte piaghe salda Aralda salveth all Sores they use it to heal green Wounds cutting the leaves and applying them they use also the juyce to cleanse and dry up old Sores it is found helpful for the Kings Evil the flowers stamped with fresh Butter and applyed or the juyce in an Oyntment the bruised leaves are also good being applyed but not so powerful being boiled in water or wine it consumes thick phlegm and viscous humours in the Chest and Stomach A syrrup may be made thereof with Sugar or honey for the same purpose and to cleanse the body of clammy humours and open the Liver and Spleen by later experience it hath been found to cure many of the falling Sickness taking the decoction of two handfuls thereof with four ounces of Pollipody of the Oak bruised Mr. Culpepper magnifies an Oyntment thereof for a Scabby Head Fumitory Fumaria IT is a tender sappy Plant Description sending forth from one square slender stalk leaning downwards many branches two or three foot long with fine jagged leaves of a pale blueish or Sea-green colour the flowers stand like a long spike one above another on the tops of the branches of a reddish purple colour with whitish bellies commonly yet in Cornwal it bears perfect white flowers it bears a small black seed contained in small round husks the root is yellow and small full of juyce while it is green but quickly perishes with the ripe seed Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Fumus terrae and Fumaria in English Fumitory Places and Time It grows in Corn Fields almost every where as well as in Gardens It flowers for the most part in May and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is a bitter herb which sheweth it to be hot and is hot in the first degree and dry in the second it gently purges melancholly and salt humours opens and cleanses the Entrails and strengthens those parts it purges chollerick humours by Vrine and helps soul diseases of the skin as the Itch c. arising from adust bumours and the French Pox it prevails in chollerick Fevers the Jaundies and Quartain Agues and chronical diseases arising from stoppings of the viscerous parts three or four ounces of the distilled water drunk morning and evening cures the yellow Jaundies and is good against the Itch and Leprosie A dram or two of London Treacle and a scruple of Bole-Armonick taken in two ounces of the water is good in the Pestilence it provokes the Terms and dissolves congealed blood The decoction helps the Gout the feet being bathed therewith The distilled Water with some honey of Roses helps Sores and Vlcers of the Mouth the juyce dropped into the Eyes clears the sight and the juyce having a little Gum-Arabick dissolved therein and applyed to the Eye-lids where the hair hath been pulled off will keep it from growing again the juyce mixed with the juyce of Docks Oximel and Vinegar cures the Morphew and a bath made of the same with Barley Bran Mallows Violets Nep and Dock Roots cures Scabs Itch and Leprosie Wheals and Pimples in the Face or elsewhere Fursbush or Furres THese are so well known they need no description Names In Norfolk they are called Whinns in some Countreys Goss and in Hampshire Furres Place and Time They plentifully grow in dry barren Heaths and sandy Grounds and flower in the middle of Summer and are seldom without flowers at any time of the year Nature and Vertues They are under the dominion of Mars hot and dry the flowers are effectual to open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and the decoction thereof is good against the yellow Jaundies provokes Vrine and cleanses the Kidneys and Bladder from the Gravel and Stone Galanga THis plant grows in the East Indies and China from whence it is brought to us Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry almost in the third degree it is profitable in all cold Diseases of the Stomach it helps concoction expells winde from it being boiled in Wine and taken morning and evening it helps a moist brain and the Vertigo trembling of the Heart and knawings of the Stomach it cleanses the passages of the Vrine provokes Venery helps conception and remedies cold and windy distempers of the Womb being drunk with the water or juyce of Plantain it stops the bloody Flux and strengthens nature helps the trembling of the Heart and comforts the brain half a dram of the powder thereof is the dose at one time to be taken in the morning or an hour before meat Garlick Allium IF you smell ones breath that hath eaten it you may know it by the scent Names Allium the Latines call it and Gallen Theriaca Rusticorum Countreymans Treacle in English Garlick It is planted in small cloves in Gardens which grow to great heads by the latter end of Summer Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the fourth degree a Martial Plant it heats the body being eaten digesting and consuming tough and clammy humours opens obstructions remedies cold poisons and the bitings of venomous Beasts it helps old Coughs provokes Vrine kills Worms breaks Winde helps the Chollick and Dropsie proceeding of cold it stirs up natural heat and helps a cold and moist Stomach it is good against the biting of mad Dogs for shortness of breath the cold Head-ache Consumption of the Lungs and pissing of Blood being tempered with Honey and the parts anointed with it cures scabbed Heads Scurff Morphew and Tetters the Ashes strewed in Vlcers heals them being applyed with Figs and Commyn it cures the biting of a Shrew-Mouse Vices Many are the Vertues of Garlick yet accompanied with some Vices it is hurtful for young men and chollerick persons for women with Childe and such as give suck and being eaten raw too liberally it dims the sight offends the Stomach and burns the Blood it is good for old cold and phlegmatick persons the best way of preparing it is to boil it well either in milk or otherwise and eat it with Oyl or Vinegar Gentian or Felwort Gentiana MAster Coles reckons six sorts hereof to grow within Great Brittain Description Master Culpepper but two which I shall onely describe The first hollow leaved Felwort or English Gentian hath small long roots deep in the ground and abiding all Winter having stalks of a brownish green colour with long narrow dark green leaves set by couples up to the top the flowers are long and hollow of a purple colour with five corners The other smaller sort hath many stalks not a foot high with several branches the leaves very like those of the lesser Centaury of a
is white round and shining the root is hard and wooddy with many fibres it abides all the year but the stalks dye Names It is called Milium solis and Granum solis in Shops and also Litho-spermum in English Gromel and Pearle Plant. Place and Time The first groweth in Gardens the second and third grow wilde in many places of this Land on barren grounds they flower from Midsummer till September the seed ripening in the mean time Nature and Vertues Gromel-seeds are hot and dry in the second degree under Venus saith Culpepper they are singular good to break the Stone to open and cleanse the Reins Kidneys and Bladder to drive forth the Gravel provoke Vrine and do expell Winde exceedingly two drams of the seed in powder given in Breast milk to a woman in Travel procures speedy delivery The Herb it self boiled in Wine and drunk worketh all the same effects but weaker then the seeds ☞ See further in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Winter Green Pyrola THis sendeth up round pointed leaves Description every one standing on a long foot stalk of a sad green colour almost like Pear-Tree leaves and so are the flowers the stalk is weak and slender yet standing upright bearing many small white flowers smelling sweet consisting of five round pointed leaves with many yellowish threads in the middle about a green head which groweth to be the seed vessel and is five square when it is ripe with a small point in it is the seed as small as dust it hath a brownish creeping root Names It is called in Latine Pyrola in English Winter green Place and Time It groweth in the Northern parts of England they flower about July or later Nature and Vertues Winter green is cold in the second degree and dry in the third having a Glutinous and very binding quality a Saturnine Herb it is a very good Wound Herb to close and consolidate green Wounds the green Herb or juyce applyed or a Salve made thereof with Hogs Lard or with Sallet Oyl Wax and Turpentine The decoction is good for inward hurts used by it self or with other Herbs as Comfrey c. and for Vlcers in the Kidneys or Bladder it stayes Fluxes and overslowing of the Courses it is good for foul Vlcers and Fistula's The distilled water performs the same The herb may also be kept dry to use in Decoctions and made into powder to be taken in drink Ground-pine Chamaepitie GRound-pine seldom groweth above the height of a hand breadth from the ground Description it hath many small branches which are set with slender long narrow gray whitish leaves hairy and sometimes divided into three parts many of them growing together at a joynt and having a scent like Rozen or pitch it yields a pale yellow small flower growing amongst the leaves at the joynts of the stalks after which follow small long and round husks the root is woody but small and dyeth every year Names In shops it is usually called Chamaepitys which name both Greeks and Latines use it is called also in Latine Abiga and by some Thus terrae and Iva Arthrytica in English Herb Ivy Forget me not Ground-pine and Field Cypress Place and Time It groweth plentifully in Kent about Gravesend Cobham Southfleet Dartford and other places flowers in June and july and yields its seed about August Nature and Vertues It is hot in the second degree and dry in the third the decoction of Ground pine being drunk procures Womens Courses helps diseases of the Mother expells a dead Childe and After-Birth and is very powerful in causing abortion wherefore let not Women with Childe meddle with it The same prevails against the Stranguary and inward pains of the Reins it opens the Liver and Spleen cleanseth gross Blood The decoction of the Herb in Wine taken inwardly or outwardly applyed helps diseases of the Joynts as the Gout Sciatica Cramps Palsie and Aches for which purpose there is also a Pill made with the powder of Ground pine Hermodactil and Venus Turpentine which Pills are also good for the Dropsie and Jaundies pains in the Belly and Joynts and helps cold diseases of the Brain and is good for the Falling Sickness it s a good remedy against poisonous Herbs as Aconites and the stinging of Venomous Beasts The green herb or the decoction applyed dissolves Tumours in any part of the Body and the hardness of Womens Breasts and the juyce or herb applyed with Honey cleanseth Vlcers and soders up the lips of green Wounds The herb tunned up in drink the Conserve of the Flowers and the distilled Water have the same effects for the forementioned diseases but more weakly ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Groundsel Senecio GRoundsel riseth up with a round Description green and somewhat brownish stalk spread toward the top into branches set with long narrow green leaves cut in the edges somewhat resembling an oaken leaf but lesser and round at the ends at the tops of the stalks and branches grow many green knaps or heads out of which grow small thrums of yellow flowers which continue brown a few dayes and after pass into doun which with the seed is blown about with the winde the root is small and threddy quickly perishing and the herb as soon springing again from the seed that it sheds so that it is green and in flower many moneths in the year springing and seeding twice a year at least in a Garden Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Senecio because it soon becomes hoary it is called in English Groundsel and Grunsel Place and Time It grows frequently in Gardens and will not easily be wedded out it grows also on tops of old Walls and at the bottom amongst any rubbish in untilled grounds and by ditches sides about London plentifully and is to be found almost all the year Nature and Vertues Groundsel is cold and moist and digesteth and is by Culpepper accounted to be the chiefest flower in Venus Nosegay the decoction thereof in Wine purgeth Choller by vomit and so easeth pains of the Stomach the juyce thereof in drink or the decoction thereof with a few Currans in water doth the like it provokes Vrine also and cleanseth Gravel it is good also against the Jaundies and Falling Sickness taken in wine or a dram thereof in Oxymel it also provokes the Terms and a pultis made of the herb easeth hot Inflammations and Swellings of the Breasts privy parts Arteries Joynts or Sinews of man or woman and helps to dissolve Knots or Kernels in any part of the body of man or woman the distilled water of the herb helps Inflammations and watring of the Eyes and so doth the clarified juyce Guaiacum THis Tree grows in the West Indies Description and the Wood and Bark is prentifully brought here into England so that I shall forbear any further description thereof Names The Latines call it Guaiacum Lignum Indicum Lignum sanctum
swelling of the Cods and womens Breasts and asswageth pains of the Gout Sciatica and other pains in the joynts which proceed from a hot cause being applyed with Vinegar to the Temples it helps the Head-ache and causeth sleep the oyl of the seed helps deafness and noise in the Ears being dropped therein the decoction of the herb or seed kills Lice in man or beast if any one be distempered by taking it inwardly unawares let them drink Goats milk or Fennel seed Mustard seed Nettles seed Onions or Garlick in Wine Hagtaper Vide Mullein Hysop Hysopus IT needs no description Description and Names and Hysopus is both the Greek and Latine name and Hysop with us Places and Time It is most frequent in Gardens but I have seen it grow upon Walls it flowers in June or July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is an herb of Jupiter of temperature hot and dry in the third degree and of a cleansing quality it is excellent good for shortness of breath and diseases of the Liver and Lungs helpeth wheesings and rheumatick distillations it helps the Dropsie and Spleen it is good against the falling Sickness provokes Vrine and womens Courses The distilled water decoction and syrrup is very good for all stoppings and infirmities of the Lungs it takes away spots and bruises in the skin being boiled and the place bathed therewith it is good for the Quinzy boiled with Figs and the throat gargled therewith and boiled with Vinegar it helps the Tooth-ache being bruised and mixed with Salt Honey and Commyn seed it helps stinging of Serpents the green herb bruised with Sugar or fresh Butter soon heals a green Wound The oyl kills Lice and helps the Falling Sickness expectorates tough Phlegm and is good in all cold Diseases of the Breast and Lungs being taken in syrrup or other Medicines Take two handfuls of the tops of unset Hysop as much of the tops of Rosemary a few Anniseeds and some Liquorish sâ—eed boil it in two quarts of running water till a third part be consumed then sweeten it with Sugarcandy and drink it for an ordinary drink This I have often proved effectual for the Ptisick Coughs Rheumes Astma's and Catarrhs Holly Aquifolium IT is well enough known Description and Names the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and it s called in Latine Aquifolium and Agrifolium we call it Holme or Holly Bush in English Place and Time Hedges Woods and Commons are well acquainted with it they flower about June the berries ripe about Christmas the leaves green all the year There is one kinde called the Free Holly because it hath a smooth leaf the other prickly Holly which most commonly beareth the most berries Nature and Vertues The berries are by temperature hot and dry saith Dodoneus the plant Saturnine saith Culpepper but I believe he forgot himself ten or twelve of the green berries taken inwardly purge clammy and phlegmatick humours and help the Chollick but being dryed and taken in powder in wine or other drink they binde the Belly and stop Fluxes the Bark doth the same more powerfully A decocoction of the Bark of the roots is good to mollifie hardness and tumours where bones have been out of Joynt and helps to consolidate broken bones An handful of the berries boiled in a pint of Ale till half be consumed and then strained and a little butter added to it and five or six spoonfuls taken at once is said to be good to provoke Vrine and remedy the stopping of the Stone The Birdlime which is made of the Bark of Holly is good to draw out Thorns and Splinters that are in the flesh ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Holy-Thistle or Carduus Benedictus IT needs no description Description and Names growing not wilde in England the names are in Latine Carduus Benedictus in English Holy and blessed Thistle Places and Time It s natural soil is Lemnos and many of the Grecian Isles and being brought hither it is diligently preserved in our Gardens and obtained its name from its singuler vertues it is in flower about July or August which is the best time to gather it to keep all the year If it be sowen or sowe it self in August as sometimes it doth it will make its flower in April Nature and Vertues Carduus Benedictus is hot and dry in the second degree having a cleansing opening quality it is a bitter Martial Plant yet Cordial a resister of Poison the decoction thereof in posset drink is good against Stitches in the Sides and the Plurisie it provokes Vrine and the Courses cleanses the Stomach strengthens the Memory helps Deafness and swimming in the Head it expells pestilential humours by sweat and sometimes doth good in the beginning of Agues in regard it resists putrefaction it may be one of the Sub-Committee in curing the French Pox but it can never cure it of it self neither by Sympathy nor Antipathy as Culpepper affirms but his Ballad-monger hath contradicted all by adding the coupling of the Song viz. for Cure of al Diseases read my Riverius and Riolanus in English when as he pretends in the title to cure all Diseases for three pence charge and in truth was never acquainted with those Authours which are reported to be his Translation But to avoid any further digressions the herb is indeed somewhat Antivenerial the green herb hath also notable effects bruised and outwardly applyed to Plague Sores Botches and venomous bitings the powder thereof stops bleeding at Nose and the juyce and distilled water clears the sight it is good also in Gangreens and Vlcers being mixed with Hogs grease and a little wheat-flower Honey Suckles or Woodbinde Peryclymenum IT is very well known Description and hath no other English Names but what are in the Title the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Periclymenum and Caprifolium by some Sylvae matter and Lilium inter Spinas Place and Time It plentifully grows almost in every hedge and is planted upon Arbours and house Walls where it will give a fragrant smell in at the Windows It begins flowring in April and so continues all the Summer till the latter end of October if the season be milde as the last October about the latter end the hedges were full of then all the way from Tilbury to Stanford in Essex Nature and Vertues It is an herb of Mercury and hath a cleansing and digesting quality and is a very good herb in Mouth Waters for sores in the Mouth let Culpepper say what he will experience proves it A Syrrup or Conserve of the flowers or a decoction made of the herbs and flowers a good against diseases of the Lungs and Spleen and to expectorate tough Phlegm it likewise doth provoke Vrine and cause speedy delivery in Women and helps Cramps Convulsions and Palsies the distilled water is good to dry up Vlcers and cleanse the face from Sun-burnings
being much taken inwardly its obnoxious to the Nerves and Sinews but outwardly applyed it is helpful unto them The juyce of the leaves and flowers mixed with a little oyl of bitter Almonds and dropped into the ears being warm it helps lost hearing and old running sores of the Ears The powder of the berries drunk in Wine help to break the Stone and provoke Vrine and Womens Terms A Pessary likewise of the Leaves and Flowers draweth down the Courses and dead Childe A decoction of the fresh leaves in Vinegar being applyed hot to the sides gives ease against Aches and Stitches being applyed with Rose water and Oyl of Roses to the Temples it eases pains in the Head The juyce of the berries or leaves purgeth the Head and Brain of thin Rheume being snuffed into the Nostrils and cures Vlcers and stench in the Nose To drink in an Ivy cup is good for the Spleen letting the drink stand a while in it There is a great Antipathy between Wine and Ivy as is said The powder of Ivy berries hath formerly been used as a good Medicine for the Plague for which purpose it hath been planted about Pest-houses it being given in Wine and the party sweating thereupon in the beginning of the Disease The Ivy Gum easeth the pain of hollow Teeth if it be put therein it is of a strong scent and good to smell to against infection and for such to carry about them as use to go amongst noisome smells ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Ground-Ivy Vide Ale-hoof Juniper Juniperus IN our Countrey it seldom or never ariseth higher then a Furze Bush Description though in other places it is a Tree it spreads its self near the ground the leaves are much like those of Furze but not so large nor so prickly and of a blueish green colour they continue all the year the flowers are very small yet may be perceived of a yellow colour by the dust that falleth from them after which come small green berries not being fully ripe till the second year and then they are somewhat like Pepper Names It is called in Latine Juniperus and the berries Baccae Juniperi and Grana Juniperi Place and Time It grows much upon the Hills and woody grounds in Barkshire Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and likewise in Hampshire and Kent It flowers in may and after two Summers and one Winter perfects its Seed Nature and Vertues Juniper is hot and dry in the third degree the berries are as hot but not so dry it is an Herb of Sol a good counter poison the berries taken in wine are good against venomous bitings the Plague Pestilence and other infections The decoction of the berries in Wine is good against the winde Chollick or four or five drops of the Chymical oyl taken in a morning in broth or Beer or about a dozen of the berries eaten in the morning fasting A lye made of the ashes of Juniper cures the Dropsie it provokes the Terms Vrine and is good against the Stone and Strangury helps fits of the Mother and strengthens the Stomach very much A Lye made of the Ashes of the Wood cures Itches Scabs Leprosie and erruptions in the skin the burning of the Wood drives away Flies and Wasps and such noisome creatures The berries are also good for the Cough shortness of Breath Ruptures Convulsions Cramps and Consumptions they procure to Women speedy delivery strengthens the Brain Memory and the Sight they comfort the heart and other senses being drunk in Wine or the decoction taken in wine they are good for all sorts of Agues and for the Gout and Sciatica and strengthen all the Members of the Body they are good likewise against the Palsie and falling Sickness it is effectual also to dry up the moisture of moist Vlcers Fistula's and weeping running Sores Jujubes Zizipha THis Tree groweth in Arabia Egypt and Syria it is called in Shops Jujube which is the Arabian name the Greeks and Latines Zizipha and Serica in English Jujabes Nature and Vertues They are temperately hot and moist a Tree of Jupiter they gently purge Choller cleanse the Blood and open the Body they are profitable for all diseases of the Chest and Lungs help shortness of Breath and hot distillations of Rheumes they cool the heat and sharpness of the Blood are good in hot Agues expectorate tough Phlegm and help a Cough they cleanse the Reins and Bladder and make the passages slippery and likewise stay Vomitings which are caused by sharp humours Kidney Beans Vide French Beans Kidney-Wort or Venus Navel-wort Cotyledon IT hath many thick fat round leaves Description every one having a short foot stalk about the middle thereof and a little unevenly waved sometimes about the edges of a pale green colour hollow on the upper side like a Spoon or Saucer amongst which arise one or more tender stalks smooth and hollow almost half a foot high with two or three small leaves not so round as the lower but somewhat long and divided at the edges the tops sometimes divide themselves into long branches and bears a great many flowers about a long spike one above another hollow like a Bell and of a whitish colour after which come small heads containing in them small brownish seed it hath a round root like an Olive usually smooth but sometimes rugged or knobbed grayish without and white within with many small fibres at it Names The Latines call it Cotyledon Vmbilicus Veneris and Acetabulum and also Scutellum and Terrae Vmbilicus in English Navel-wort and Venus Navel Wall-penny-wort and Kidney-wort Place and Time It groweth upon Stone and Mud Walls upon Rocks at the bottoms and upon the bodies of old rotten Trees it flowers about May then perishes till September and then springs up afresh and abides all Winter Nature and Vertues Kidney-wort is cold and moist and somewhat astringent having a little bitterness it cooleth repelleth cleanseth and discusseth it is a plant of Venus and is of good use to heal sore and exulcerated Kidneys The juyce being drunk in wine or the distilled water it is good for the Dropsie it provokes Vrine helps to break the Stone and and cools Inflammations of those parts and eases pains of the Bowels and Bloody Flux and the juyce or distilled water cools a hot and inflamed Stomach or Liver The bruised Herb outwardly applyed helps St. Anthonies fire pimples and other Inflammations it easeth pains of the Piles or Hemorrhoides and is called Herba Coxendicum or Hipwort because it is effectual to ease pains in the Hips and the hot Gout and Sciatica it is also good for swellings of the Cods Kings Evil Kibes and Chilblanes being used in an Oyntment it is likewise good to stanch the blood of green Wounds and heal them quickly Knotgrass Polygonum GReat common Knotgrass shooteth up many long and slender joynted branches Description lying upon the ground with many long narrow leaves thereon one for the most part at
water is comfortable for the Brain and is good for the Palsie and cold diseases of the Head the Temples Nape of the Neck and place behinde the Ears being washed therewith it is good against the Megrim and falling Sickness and two or three spoonfuls being drunk recovers lost speech A decoction of the flowers of Lavender Horehound Fennel and Asparagus roots with a little Cynamon is good against the Falling Sickness and Giddiness of the Brain it is good also for Convulsions Apoplexies Cramps Lethargies and gripings of the Body coming of cold it helps the stoppings of the Milt heats the Belly provokes the Terms and being holden in the Mouth it helps Vlcers and pains in the Teeth the water helps blisters of the Mouth being washed therewith the smell thereof comforts the sight it is not to be used where the Body is full of Blood and humours The lesser Lavender is good against diseases of the Mother for Women to be bathed with and to help forward their Travel and is good against venomous bitings The chymical Oyl of Lavender called Oyl of Spike is good for the falling Sickness Palsie Gout and aches of the Joynts being taken inwardly and the parts anointed but a few drops of it amongst other things is sufficient to be taken inwardly or outwardly Lavender Cotten Chamaecyparissus IT is an Herb well known in Gardens it is called by some in Latine Chamaecyparissus and some take it to be the Abrotanum Faemina of Dioscorides it flowers about July or August Nature and Vertues Both herb and seed are hot and dry in the third degree the plant is also Mercurial the seeds or the herb stamped and strained with milk and given fasting kills Worms in the Belly both of elder persons as well as Children half a dram of Lavender Cotten taken in Fether-few water every morning ten dayes together is good to stay the Whites in Women and the running of the Reins in men the leaves drunk in Wine is good against the Jaundies and opens the Liver and Kidneys it is good against all venomous bitings and the smell thereof drives away vermine The decoction is good to help Scabs and Itch it is good in Bathes and Oyntments to help Burstness Cramps Convulsions shrinking of Sinews to provoke Vrine and womens Courses Spurge Laurel Laurcola IT riseth up with one Description and sometimes more stalks about three foot high with a whitish Bark and branching into many stalks which are tough and pliant the leaves are long and smooth of a shining dark green colour like bay-leaves but lesser softer and smoother at the joynts with the leaves toward the tops come forth the flowers set many together long and hollow of a whitish yellow green colour after which comes round and somewhat long black berries when they are ripe wherein lieth a black Kernel the root runs deep into the ground and spreadeth with tough white strings somewhat woody the whole plant is very hot in taste It continues green all the year Names In Latine it is called Laureola in English Spurge Laurel Place and Time There grows abundance of it in Cobham Park in Kent some set it in Gardens the berries be ripe about June Nature and Vertues It is of a very hot and biting temperature a churlish Martial plant fourteen or fifteen of the berries or five or six of the leaves taken purge slimy Phlegm and waterish humours and is good for the Dropsie but it purges very violently and therefore must carefully be used it provokes vomiting procures womens Courses and easeth pains of the Chollick It may be thus prepared steep the leaves four and twenty hours in good Vinegar then dry them and drink their powder in wine with Anniseeds and Mastick or else in sweet Whey or Capon Broth. The dose is ℈ ii or ʒi A Glister may be made of the flowers for the Dropsie in this manner ℞ the flowers of Laurel ʒii roots of Polipody and Agarick ana ʒi ss Dodder ʒiii boil them in Wine or Water to the consumption of a third part then take of the decoction lb. i. of Benedicta laxativa ʒss honey of Roses ℥ i. oyls of Rue Camomile and Flower de Luce ana ℥ i. sal gem ʒi ss mix them for a Glister Leeks and Cives Porrum I Shall not need to describe either of them the Latine name of a Leek is Porrum they grow plentifully in our Gardens the Cives abide the coldest Winter Nature and Vertues Leeks are hot and dry in the third degree of subtle parts one of Mars his plants which infuseth much valour into the Welshmen they are very unwholesome being eaten raw but the boiling abates their evil qualities whereby used in pottage they are good for phlegmatick Bodies and help the Chollick and Stone the distilled water drunk morning and evening a good draught or two opens a costive Belly helps pain of the Hips purges the Kidneys and Bladder provokes Vrine and helps to break the Stone The seeds are good to kill worms in Children they are also held good to expell rotten Phlegm from the Chest and Lungs The juyce drunk with honey is good against the bitings of venomous Beasts and the herb stamped and laid thereon being boiled and eaten often they make women fruitful and increase lust in men Lettice Lactuca IT is a common Sallet manured in our Gardens there is also a wilde kinde called Lambs Lettice or Corn Sallet Names Lactuca is the Latine name thereof the place I have told you already it is sown usually in the Spring and may be had all the year if it be sowne at several seasons Nature and Vertues Lettice is cold and moist almost in the third degree a Lunar herb it tempereth driness and heat in the body and increases milk in Nurses who have hot dry bodies it is good for a hot Stomach and yields good nourishment to the body it causeth sleep and rest it loosens the belly either raw or boiled it helps digestion quenches thirst and easeth pains of the Stomach and Liver that come of Choller it abates lust and cools the Vrine which likewise doth the seeds and distilled water the juyce of Lettice with Oyl of Roses applyed to the forehead and Temples easeth the Head-ache and procures rest and applyed with Camphire to the Cods it abates the heat of Lust The Lambs Lettice is a pleasant Sallet to be eaten with Oyl and Vinegar Liquorice Liqueritia THe root is very well known and it is needless to describe the branches Liqueritia and Glycyrrhyza are the Latine names thereof Place and Time It is planted in our Gardens which yield the best Liquorice that is it will flower in July and yield a seed in September if it be suffered to grow many years without removing Nature and Vertues It is temperate in heat and moisture an excellent pectoral Plant Mercury rules it the root is a great opener of the Pipes of the Lungs it ripens a Cough and brings forth Phlegm it is good
and Candelaria because the stalks were wont to be used to burn being dipped in grease It is also called Thapsus Tapsus Barbatus and in English Hightaper and Hagtaper Jupiters Staff Hares-beard and Bullocks Lungwort Place and Time It grows by High wayes sides in Lanes and upon Dunghills in many places of this Land and flower about June and July Nature and Vertues Mulleyn is dry of temperature like Saturn The leaves digest and cleanse A decoction of the leaves is good for the Lungs and an old Cough either in man or beast A little quantity of the root taken in Wine is good against Lasks and Fluxes of the Belly and the decoction thereof easeth the Tooth-ache the mouth being washed therewith and being drunk it is good for Burstness and for Cramps and Convulsions The seed and flowers and the powder of dryed Venice Turpentine being cast upon a Chasing-dish of Coals and set in a Close-Stool for the Patient to sit over it that is troubled with the Piles or the falling down of the Fundament it giveth much ease also to such who are troubled with an often desire to go to Stool and can do nothing and helpeth the Bloody Flux An Oyl made of the often infusion of the flowers is also good for the Piles The decoction of the root in red Wine or water if there be an Ague wherein red hot Steel hath been often quenched stayeth the Bloody Flux and opens obstructions of the Bladder and Reins when one cannot make water A decoction made with the leaves and Sage Marjoram and Camomile Flowers easeth and comforteth Veins and Sinews that are stark or shrunk with cold or the Cramp the places being bathed therewith The distilled water of the flowers drunk morning and evening the quantity of three ounces at a time for some continuance is said to be a good remedy for the Gout The powder of the root or the juyce of the leaves and flowers rubbed on rough Warts takes them away but doth no good to such as are smooth The powder of the flowers is good for the Chollick and pains in the Belly The decoction of the root and leaves is effectual to dissolve Tumors and Inflammations of the Throat The seed and leaves boiled in Wine and applyed draws forth Thorns and Splinters out of the flesh easing the pains and healing the place The leaves bruised and wrapped in double papers and baked under the Embers and then taken out and applyed warm to any Botch in the Groin or Share doth dissolve and heal it The seed bruised and boiled in wine and applyed to any Member that is newly set after it hath been out of Joynt takes away the swellings and pains thereof The bruised leaves quickly heals a Horse Hoof that is pricked with a nail being applyed thereunto ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Mustard Sinapis IT is very well known so as needs no describing Names It is called in Latine Sinapis and Sinapi Place and Time It grows in Gardens where it is planted and is not easily gotten out having once took possession it grows also wilde about Tewksberry which place is famous for Mustard makers Nature and Vertues The seed is chiefly used and is of temperature hot and dry in the fourth degree and doth make thin it is under the influence of Mars The seed taken in an Electuary or otherwise stirs up bodily lust and provokes womens Courses it is also good for the Falling Sickness the Lethargy or drowsie evil to use it both inwardly and outwardly to rub the Nostrils Forehead and Temples therewith it being first beaten to powder and little balls made thereof with Honey and one or two of them swallowed fasting every morning maketh a clear voice draweth down Rheume and viscous humours which distill upon the Lungs and Chest it cleanseth the Breast strengthens the Heart resisteth Poison provokes Appetite warms the Stomach and helps digestion easeth the pain of the Spleen Sides and Belly and being used for some times wasteth the Quartain Ague The decoction of the seed in Wine is a good gargle to send up the Pallat of the Mouth being fallen down and a Plaister wherein store of the seed is mixed being applyed helpeth the Sciatica and aches of the Joynts and dissolveth Tumors and Swellings about the Throat being also applyed to the Shoulders Sides or Loins which have any ache or pain it helpeth them by drawing forth the cause by Blisters it helps the salling of the hair and being chewed in the mouth is good against the Tooth-ache The seed being bruised and mixed with Honey or Wax takes away Marks black and blue spots of Bruises Scabbedness the Leprosie and lowsie Evil and helps the Crick or drawing awry of the Neck The distilled water of the Herb when it is in flower is good to drink for the diseases aforesaid to wash the Mouth when the Pallat is down and also to gargle the Throat and likewise for Scabs and Itch and to cleanse the face from Morphew Spots and Freckles An Oyl made of Mustard by infusing four pounds of the seed being beaten in four pound of Oyl for ten dayes together and then straining it is good for griefs of the Reins Palsies Gouts Stitches and Swellings The seed ground with Vinegar is a good sauce both with Fish and Flesh it is good to clarifie the Blood and to stir up Appetite in weak Stomachs but it is hurtful for chollerick people And to make it the more pleasing to the Stomach take Mustard seed two ounces Cynamon half an ounce well beaten and make it up into Balls or Cakes with Honey and Vinegar and dry them in the Sun they will keep a long while and may presently be made into a sauce by being relented with a little Vinegar Nep or Cat-mint Nepeta COmmon Garden Nep riseth up with four square stalks Description a Cubit high or more having a little hoariness upon them being full of Branches and beareth at every joynt two broad leaves like unto Balm but longer pointed softer whiter and more hoary nicked about the edges and of a strong sweet scent The flowers grow in large tufts upon the tops of the Branches and underneath them on the stalks being many together and of a whitish purple colour The roots consist of many long strings or fibres whereby it is strongly fastned in the ground and the leaves abide green all the Winter Names It is called in Latine Mentha Cattaria but more commonly Nepeta by which name the Apothecaries call it Place and Time It is cherished in our Gardens flowers in July and August and the seed is ripe in September Nature and Vertues Nep is hot and dry in the third degree and is ascribed particularly to the influence of the Planet Venus It is effectual for the rising of the Mother Winde and pains thereof and warms and comforts the womb and dryeth up the overmuch moisture thereof and brings it to a right temper taking away the cold and moist cause
infusing fresh flowers in the liquor six or seven times still straining it and then boil it to a syrrup with a convenient quantity of Sugar and take two spoonfuls thereof and it will purge waterish humours without trouble to the Stomach or lower parts of the body A conserve made of the said flowers provokes Vomiting and wasteth hydropick humors The liquor that droppeth from the Tree being wounded is given in the decoction of Colts-foot for the Cough and shortness of Breath by adding thereto some sweet Wine and Saffron and it is good for Hoarseness and all diseases of the Lungs and for them that vomit or spit blood two drams thereof taken in the juyce of Lemons or Radish is good for the Stone The Pear Tree Pyrus THere are divers sorts of them but all so well known they need no description Names The Latine name is Pyrus and the wilde Pear Pyraster the Warden Volema Nature and Vertues Culpepper ascribes all Pears and Apples to Venus but he might allow Jupiter some of them they are said to be cold and moist in the first degree having an earthy substance and binding quality but the sweet Pears do move the Belly the harsh and sowre binde as much the Warden is most commendable and may be given to those that are sick being first baked stewed or roasted Pears being boiled and taken with a little Honey helps the pains and oppression of the Stomach Pears outwardly applyed are good for hot Tumors and close and heal new Wounds and so do the leaves for which the wilde Pear is most effectual Perry is a cordial drink reviving the Spirits comforting the Heart and is a healthy drink Pease Pisum THey are very well known and are called in Latine Pisum in English Pease and Peason Nature and Vertues They are of a mean temperature less flatuous then Beans yet pass not so soon through the body they help the generative and procreative faculty very much they increase the seed and bodily lust and also milk in womens breasts The dryed pease sodden in water and a lye made therewith helps spreading sores of the head spots of the face and other discolourings of the skin The broth wherein they have been boiled is good to take purgations in to cleanse the Stomach of cold and moist humors The pottage is good for the Strangury and to take with Sena morning and evening for the Ague and Rhabarb for the Jaundies The powder of them stops bleeding at the Nose The red Ciches have a cleansing faculty they provoke Vrine and break the Stone Pellitory of Spain THis beareth long leaves Description finely cut upon the stalks lying upon the ground larger then the leaves of Camomill at the top it bears one large flower at a place white on the upper side and reddish underneath having a yellow thrum in the middle The root runs down right into the ground There is another kinde which riseth up with divers brittle stalks a yard high and more having narrow long leaves finely dented about the edges standing one above another to the top and hath many white flowers which stand in tufts like those of Yarrow with a small yellowish thrum in the middle which yields a small seed the root is of a sharp biting taste Places and Time The first groweth onely in Gardens the latter by hedges sides and paths in many places it flowers in the latter end of June and July Nature and Vertues It is hot and moist particularly ruled by Mercury so that it is a purger of the Brain the herb or the root chewed in the mouth draweth away phlegmatick humors and easeth pains of the Teeth and hinders distillations of the brain upon the Eyes and Lungs and by that means prevents Coughs Prisicks and Consumptions the Apoplexy and Falling Sickness and is good for the Lethargy The herb made into an Oyntment with Hogs Grease takes away black and blue spots caused by blows or falls It is said an ounce of the juyce taken in a draught of Muscadel an hour before the fit will drive away an Ague at the second or third time taking at furthest Pellitory of the Wall Herba muralis COmmon Pellitory of the Wall hath many brownish red tender stalks Description rising not above a foot high at most upon which grow at the several joynts two leaves of a dark green colour afterwards turning brownish smooth on the edges and rough or hairy like the stalks at the joynts with the leaves from the middle of the stalks upwards come many small pale purplish flowers in hairy heads or husks after which come small black rough seed which will stick to any Garment or cloth the root is somewhat long with many fibres of a dark reddish colour which abideth all Winter though the stalks and leaves perish springing fresh every year Names It is commonly called Parietaria and of some Herba muralis Place and Time It grows upon old stone Walls as upon the Walls of Rochester Castle in Kent and amongst rubbish and such like places flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe soon after Nature and Vertues Pellitory of the Wall is reputed to be cold and moist yet it is thought to be hot because it is effectual against Winde and the Stone it is also ascribed to Mercury The decoction of the herb taken with a little honey is a good Gargle for a sore Throat and being drunk without Honey it easeth pains of the Mother provokes the Terms and helps obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Reins three ounces of the juyce taken at a time helps stopping of Vrine and expells the Stone and Gravel out of the Reins and Kidneys and is good in Glisters to ease pains of the Sides and Back proceeding of Winde The juyce held in the mouth easeth the Tooth-ache The powder of the dryed herb made into an Electuary with Honey or the juyce or decoction taken with Sugar or Honey is good for an old dry Cough shortness of Breath and Wheesing The bruised herb being sprinkled with some Muscadine and warmed upon a Tyle or a Chasing-dish of Coals and applyed to the Belly works the same effect The leaves mixed with Oyl of sweet Almonds is good for the Stone Winde or gripings being laid to the pained parts the juyce dropped into the ears ceaseth the noise and easeth the pains thereof The juyce applyed with a little salt doth cleanse and heal Fistula's the bruised herb bound to a green wound healeth it in two or three dayes A Pultis made hereof with Mallows boiled in wine with wheat-bran bean-flower and some oyl and applyed warm to any bruised Sinew Tendon or Muscle it restores them to their strength in a short space and caseth pains of bruises and dissolves congealed blood of beatings or falls The juyce or the distilled Water is useful for many of the aforesaid purposes and also to cleanse the skin from spots and freckles wheales sun-burn and morphew and doth asswage hot Imposthumes burnings scaldings or
inflammations as St. Anthonies fire being often bathed with wet cloathes dipped therein or the juyce made into an oyntment with Ceruse and Oyl of Roses and anointed therewith which also doth cleanse soul Vlcers and running Scabs in childrens heads and helpeth to stay the falling off of the hair from the head Pennyroyal Pulegium Regale THis is so well known to be a very wholesome herb that it needs no other report but onely of its Vertues Names It is called in Latine Pulegium Regale in English Pudding-grass because it is used in Hogs-puddings Pulial-Royal and of some Organy Place and Time It grows upon Commons and other moist watry places and is also cherished in Gardens and flowers about August or later Nature and Vertues Penniroyal is hot and dry in the third degree as Gallen saith of subtle parts making thin warming and digesting and governed by Venus A decoction of it in beer or wine provokes the Courses and being boiled in wine it will expel a dead Childe and the after-birth It stayeth vomiting and helps gnawing of the stomach being taken with water and vinegar the decoction is good in the Falling sickness Dropsie Jaundies stopping of Vrine and the Leprosie being mixed with honey and salt it clears the breast opens the Lungs helps Cramps and purges melancholly humours by stool and being drunk in wine it helps such as are stung by venomous beasts being beaten with mint and some vinegar added to it it is profitable against fainting and swooning being smelled to or held in the mouth and so it is good for the Lethargy and Falling-sickness The powder of the Herb or the ashes of it strengthens the gums and being boiled in wine with honey and salt helps the tooth-ache It also easeth the Gout and profits those that are spleenatick or liver-grown being applyed with some salt A bathe made of it for women to sit in helps hardness of the Mother and so it helpeth the Itch The green herb bruised with vinegar takes away black and blue marks about the eyes or other places and discolourings in the face and cleanseth and healeth foul Vlcers it helps cold griefs in the joynts being fast bound to the place after a bathing The distilled Water is effectual for many of the same purposes Piony Pionia OF this Plant there are generally accounted these two kindes the male and the female which are both so well known that they need not a particular description onely this the male is that which is called a single Piony bearing a single flower and the female the double Piony which hath a very thick flower Names Pionia is the common Latine name for it yet it 's called by some Lunaria because of its efficacy in curing the Falling-sickness and Lunacy Place and Time They grow onely in Gardens and flower in May and the seed is ripe in July Nature and Vertues It is temperately hot and dry the root doth gently binde it is a Solar Herb The heads roots and seeds but especially the roots are very effectual for the Falling-sickness being taken up and hung fresh about Childrens necks it cures them the root infused in Sack twenty four hours and strained and a good draught drunk first and last several dayes before and after the full of the Moon the body being first well prepared and Betony Posset being used it effectually helps the Falling-sickness both in children and elder people The powder of the male Piony root drunk in wine or posset drink will do the same and so doth an extraction made of the roots and the syrrup made of the flowers The root comforts and cherishes the body provokes urine purges the Liver and Kidneys and being boiled in wine and drunk it purges the blood the terms and secondine the quantity of an Almond being taken at a time it helps gripings of the belly and pain of the Kidneys and Bladder and the overflowing of the Gall the Chollick and cleanses the guts passions of the brain and the Strangury being boiled in wine and drunk The powder of the root with Saffron is good against the yellow Jaundies the black seed provokes the Terms and helps those that are troubled with the Night-mare being taken night and morning the same in powder drunk with wine comforteth the senses and restoreth lost speech Pepper Piper I Shall not describe this forreign Tree but onely tell you the Vertues of the fruit being all that part of it which is to be seen in England Nature and Vertues There is brought to us black Pepper white Pepper and long Pepper It is hot and dry in the third degree well near the fourth The black Pepper is most used and is good to consume crude and moist humours in the stomach to provoke appetite help digestion and warm a cold stomach it dissolves winde provokes urine helps the Cough and diseases of the Breast and is good against poisons and venomous bitings being drunk in Posset-drink before the fit of an Ague it abates the shaking thereof and being taken with honey it abates the swelling of a Quinzie The powder snuffed up purges the brain by sneazing it consumes the Pin and Web in the Eye and helps dimness of the sight It strengthens the Nerves and Muscles dissolves the Kings Evil and hard cold swelling being applyed with pitch it draws out thorns The powder of long Pepper and Cinquefoil drunk in Ale easeth the Chollick But such as are of hot constitutions must forbear the much use thereof ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Periwinckle Vinca Pervinca THere be divers sorts of Periwinckle Description some with white flowers some with blue and others with purple flowers the common sort of Periwinckles hath many branches running upon the ground shooting out small fibres at the joynts by which it taketh hold on the ground and rooteth at divers places At the joynts of the branches stand two small dark green shining leaves somewhat like Bay-leaves but smaller and with them come the flowers one at a joynt upon a tender foot-stalk being somewhat long and hollow parted at the brims into four and sometimes five leaves of a pale blue colour the root is not much bigger then a Rush creeping with his branches far about in the ground Names It is most known by the names of Vinca Pervinea though it is also called Clematis Daphnoides both in Greek and Latine in English Pervinckle and Periwinckle Place and Time The common sort with the blue and that with the white flowers grow under hedges in many places of this Land the other onely in curious Gardens They flower in March April and May. Nature and Vertues It is hot almost in the second degree and somewhat dry and astringent it is appropriated to Venus and said to encrease milk in womens breastâ—â— and to cause mutual love between man and wife the leaves being eaten by them both and likewise the herb chewed stayes bleeding at mouth and nose and is used by the French to stop the Tearms It
Rhabarb be stewed amongst them for then they become more purging and evacuate chollerick humours do help weak stomachs and are good in Feavers and other hot diseases The Gum that issues out of the trees being drunk in wine is good against the Stone the said gum or the leaves being boiled in vinegar and applyed kills Tetters Ring-worms and the Leprosie A decoction of the leaves in wine is good to gargle and wash the mouth and throat and to dry up the flux of Rheum that falleth down to the Pallat Gums or Almonds of the Throat Poley-Mountain Polium montanum THis Plant grows not naturally in England but may be had at the Apothecaries shop to which I refer you It is called in Latine Polium but more usually with the Epithet montanum Nature and Vertues Poley is dry in the third degree and hot in the end of the second of a loathsome bitter taste It is useful to open obstructions especially of the Liver and Spleen and the decoction thereof drunk helps swelling of the Spleen the Jaundies and Dropsie being boiled in Vinegar and Water It resists poison and is used in Antidotes for that purpose the fumigation thereof drives away Vermin it moves the belly and the tearms and being applyed green it soders up the lips of wounds and being dry it healeth foul sores or ulcers Polipody of the Oak Polipodium POlipody of the Oak is a small Herb Description consisting of nothing but roots and leaves bearing neither flower nor seed from the root groweth up three or four leaves singly by themselves winged and about a handful high having many small narrow leaves on each side the stalk large below and growing smaller and smaller towards the top cut into the middle rib but not dented on the edges as the male Fern is of a sad green colour smooth on the upper side but rough on the under side by reason of some yellowish spots thereon The Root is smaller then ones little finger but long and creeping asloap and hath a sweetish harshness in the taste Names It is called in Latine Polipodium in English Polipody of the Oak Places and Time That which grows upon Oaks is the best yet Polipody is also found upon old stumps of other trees as Beech Hazle and Willow and sometimes in the woods under them upon old walls and slated Churches and in many other places It is alwayes green and may be gathered at any time yet it shoots forth fresh leaves in the Spring Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the second degree and that which growes upon the Oak partakes of the nature of the Oak and is an herb of Jupiter whatever others say The herb taken in decoction broth or infusion purgeth burnt choller tough and thick Phlegm and dryeth up thin humours and is good for Melancholly and Quartain Agues for which it may also be taken in Whey Barley-water or honied water or the broth of a Chicken with Epithymum or Beets and Mallows added thereto The distilled water of the roots and leaves taken with Sugarcandy is good against wheazings Coughs and distillations of thin Rheum upon the Lungs which cause Ptisicks and Consumptions It is good to soften the Spleen and ease Stitches in the sides and the Chollick A dram or two of the Powder of the dryed Roots taken in honeyed water worketh gently for the purposes aforesaid the distilled water is likewise commended for Quartain Agues and against melancholly Dreams it cures the disease in the Nose called Polipus and helpeth clefts or chops that come between the fingers or toes being applyed thereunto The fresh roots beaten small or the powder of the dryed root mixed with honey and applyed to a member that hath been out of joynt and is newly set again doth much strengthen it some put Fennel seeds Anniseeds or Ginger to it to correct it which it needs not being a gentle medicine of it self and an Ounce of it may be taken at a time in a decoction if there be not Sena or some other stronger purger with it I have found it very effectual in decoctions with other Pectoral Herbs for opening and cleansing the Liver and Lungs Pome-Citron Tree Malus Citria THis Outlandish Tree is called in Latine Malus Persica and Malus Assyria and also Malus Citria Pomum Citrium and in English Citron Place and Time They grow in Spain and other hot Countreys and flower and bear fruit all the year Nature and Vertues Avicen saith the Seed is hot in the first degree and dry in the second the Bark hot in the first and dry in the end of the second the inner white substance hot and moist in the first degree and the Juyce cold and dry in the third degree It is a Solar Plant and a sovereign Cordial for the Heart an Antidote against Poison and Infections the outer rinde being dryed and taken it also warms and comforts a cold Stomach expells and disperses Winde and indigested humours therein and in the Bowels and helps digestion and melancholly it helps a stinking breath being chewed in the mouth The outward rindes preserved are a good Cordial and very effectual against melancholly and infection There is an Electuary made thereof which purgeth cold phlegmatick humours the Syrup of the Rindes strengtheneth the stomach and heart and helps faintings thereof and resists poison and strengthens nature and is good for such as are in Consumptions or Hectick Feavers The Syrup of the juyce is effectual for most of the same purposes the seeds preserve the heart from infection of the Plague Pox and venomous Bitings they kill Worms provoke the Tearms and cause Abortion They dry up and consume moist humours in the body or outwardly in moist Sores or Vlcers The sowre juyce is good in Pestilential Feavers suppressing the violence of Choller and hot distempers in the Blood corrects the Liver quenches thirst stirs up an appetite resists venome and infection and refreshes fainting spirits The Pomegranate-Tree Malus Granata THis Plant groweth also in hot Countreys as in Spain and Italy but chiefly in Granado yet it is useful in Medicine with us therefore I shall not omit its Vertues It is called in Latine Malum Granatum or Punicum and Granatum the Flower Balaustium the Rinde Sidium but more generally Cortex Granatorum Nature and Vertues Those that are sweet are helping to the stomach and are somewhat hot but the sowre ones and seeds of each are cold and astringent it is an Herb of Venus The flowers and shells in powder help to stay blood in Wounds and the Kernels dryed in the sun stop fluxes of the Belly and Matrix and helps spitting of blood being drunk in raw water and so do the flowers and rindes The Juyce and the Kernels or the Syrup is good to quench thirst in burning Fevers and hot diseases a Gargarisme or Lotion made of the Rindes is good to bring down the hot swellings of the Almonds in the Throat the juyce of the Kernels sodden with Honey
purple and the root doth not run deep into the ground as the first doth The common Field Scabious riseth up with many hairy soft whitish green leaves some whereof are not at all jagged or very little others are much rent in the sides and have films or small threads in them which may be seen in the breaking them among which rise up many round hairy green stalks two or three foot high with such like hairy green leaves on them but more deeply and finely divided and branched forth a little at the tops of the stalks stand round heads of flowers of a pale blewish colour many set together in a knop the outermost being largest with many threads in the middle and somewhat flat at the top and so is the head with seed The Root is great white and thick and grows deep into the ground abiding many years Names Scabiosa is the Latine Appellation hereof Place and Time The first groweth in Woods Meadows and Pastures plentifully almost every where the other in dry Fields Corn-fields and Fallow-Grounds they flower in June and July and so continue in some till the end of August the seed ripening in the mean time Nature and Vertues Scabious is hot and dry in the second degree a Mercurial plant and is of an opening cleansing and digesting quality it is effectual for all Coughs and diseases of the breast and lungs it ripens inward Vlcers Imposthumes and the Plurisie the decoction of the dry or green herb made in Wine and drunk often the clarified juyce taken in the morning fasting to the quantity of four ounces with a dram of Mithridate or Venice Turpentine defends the heart from infection of the Pestilence the party sweating two hours after it in his bed and after the first time taking it again if need require the same is good against the stinging of venomous Beasts Mathiolus saith that the decoction of the roots drunk forty dayes together or a dram of the powder thereof taken at a time in Whey helps such as are troubled with spreading Scabs Tetters or Ringworms though they be effects of the French Pox and the juyce or decoction helps Scabs or Itch and an oyntment made of the juyce doth the same The same juyce or decoction cleanseth and healeth inward Wounds The green herb bruised dissolves and breaks a Carbunckle or Plague sore being applyed thereto in three hours space and helps the stinging of any venomous beast being so applyed The decoction of the herb and roots applyed helps cold tumors or swellings in any part of the body and any sinew or vein that is shrunk The juyce made up with the powder of Borax and Camphire cleanseth the skin of Freckles Pimples Morphew and the Lepry The Tents which are dipped in the juyce or water thereof are good to heal green Wounds and old Sores and Vlcers and the bruised herb being applyed doth loosen any Splinter broken Bone Arrow head or such like thing lying in the flesh so that it may easily be drawn out The decoction used either alone or with juyce of Fennel helps redness and spots in the Eyes and the same decoction cleanseth the head from Dandriff Scurff Scabs and Itch the head being washed with it warm A syrrup made of the juyce and sugar is effectual for all the inward purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water of the herb and flowers Scordium or Water Germander IT shooteth forth divers weak square hairy branches from a small root full of white strings Description spreading and running about in the ground the branches take root in divers places as they lie and spread whereby it much increaseth the leaves grow two at a joynt not so large as garden Germander leaves of a darkish green colour having thereon a shew of hairiness and hoariness somewhat soft full of veins and dented about the edges The flowers are small red and gaping standing at the joynts with the leaves towards the tops of the branches It is thought not to perfect its seed but is propagated by the branches Names Scordium is the Latine name Place and Time It grows in wet grounds and by waters sides in many places of England and flowers in June July and August It is usually gathered to be kept dry before it flowers Nature and Vertues Scordium in hot and dry of a certain harsh sharp and bitter taste it is a Solar herb a great resister of Venome and Infection and is the basis of that medicine called Diascordium it is of excellent use to strengthen the heart and procure sleep in Feavers it provokes the Tearms hastens womens labour helps their usual sickness in lying in and strengthens the Stomach ten grains or a seruple at a time may safely be given to weak people and a dram or more to them that are stronger The decoction of the green or dry herb in wine is good against venomous bitings and other deadly poisons and griping pains of the stomach or sides that come of cold or obstructions and for the bloody Flux it is good against an old Cough and to expectorate phlegm out of the Chest and Lungs being made into an Electuary with Cresses Rozen and Honey and is good for such as are bursten or troubled with the Cramp it is a special Counter-poison in all pestilential Diseases and Infections and is often used with good success before the fits of Agues to hinder the access and drive them away a little of the juyce thereof or the powder in drink taken fasting kills worms in the stomach or belly The decoction of the dryed herb with two or three Tormentil roots is available against the bloody Flux The juyce or a syrrup made of the herb is profitable for many of the forenamed griefs The green herb bruised and applyed healeth any green Wound and the dryed herb used with Honey cleanseth foul Vlcers A pultis or cerate made of the dryed herb helpeth to discuss Wens and excrescences in the flesh it easeth also pains of the Gout being applyed with vinegar or water Scurvy-grass Cochlearia OF this I shall mention two kindes Description common or Sea Scurvy-grass and Dutch or Garden Scurvy-grass The Sea Scurvy-grass is well known the Dutch or Garden Scurvy-grass hath divers fresh green and almost round leaves not so thick as the common sort a little hollowed in the middle and round pointed of a sad green colour standing every one by it self upon a long foot talk among which rise up divers long slender weak stalks about a foot high thick beset on each side with small white flowers on the tops of them which turn into small pods with little brownish seeds the root is white small and fibrous the taste of it is somewhat bitterish Names The Latines call it Cochlearia the leaf being like a spoon in English Scurvy-grass and Spoon-wort Places and Time The Sea Scurvy-grass groweth about the Sea Coasts and both on the Essex and Kentish shores in the River of Thames so far as the salt water
in Fields upon old Walls by Paths sides and High wayes Nature and Vertues Sow-thistles are cold and binding and consisting of a watery and earthly substance being under the influence of Venus they are familiarly eaten beyond the Seas while they are young and tender especially the roots the juyce heated with a little Oyl of bitter Almonds in a Pomegranate Pill and dropped into the Ears helps noise therein and deafness and other diseases of the Ears the bruised herb or juyce is good to apply to Inflammations of the eyes or elsewhere and to help Wheals and Blisters in the skin and is good to help the heat and itchings of the Piles and the heat and sharpness of humors in the privy parts of man or woman the herb is eaten by some as a Sallet in the Spring to cool a hot stomach and ease the gnawing pains thereof The decoction in Wine helps to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach and the milk that comes from the stalk is good for such to drink as are short winded and are troubled with Wheesing Three spoonfuls of the juyce taken in some Wine warmed and a little Oyl with it causeth easie and speedy delivery it is said to avoid the Gravel and Stone by Vrine and the juyce taken in warm drink helps the Strangury The decoction of the leaves given to Nurses causeth abundance of Milk and suffereth it not to curdle in their Breasts The distilled water is effectual for all the diseases before named to be taken with Sugar inwardly and outwardly by applying cloathes or spunges wetted therein and is good for women to wash their faces to clear the skin The bruised herb or juyce applyed to Warts is said to take them away Sow-bread Panis Porcinus I Cannot finde that it is growing any where naturally in England but is brought to us from France and Italy so that I shall not describe it Names It is called in shops Cyclamen Panis porcinus and Artanita in English Sow or Swine-bread because the Swine love to feed on it in those Countreys where it grows Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the beginning of the third degree and cutteth cleanseth and digesteth it is an herb of Mars The distilled Water of the roots snuffed up into the Nostrils stayeth bleeding at nose saith Mathiolus and that six ounces of the water being drunk with one ounce of fine Sugar it stayeth the blood that cometh from the breast stomach or liver or a vein that is broken in them It purgeth violently and therefore is to be corrected with Mastick Nutmeg or a scruple of Rubarb and so it helps hardness and swelling of the Spleen and easeth the Chollick The juyce opens the Hemorrhoids and Piles and strongly moveth to stool The fresh root put into a cloth and applyed to the secret parts of a woman that is in long travel procures and easie and speedy delivery but if women with childe meddle with it before their due time it causeth Abortion The juyce of Plantain and the juyce of Sowbread of each a like quantity mixed together with Aloes Myrrhe and Olibanum stoppeth the bleeding of the Nose being applyed to the nostrils and forehead The juyce mingled with vinegar helpeth the falling down of the Fundament it being somented therewith ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Southernwood Abrotanum mas IT is generally known in Gardens so that it needs no description Names The Latines call it Abrotanum adding the Epithet mas to it to distinguish it from Abrotanum faemina which some hold to be Lavender Cotton Place and time The Gardens as I told you nourish it the time of its flowering is in June and July sometimes later Nature and Vertues It is a Plant of Mercury having a rarifying discussing quality and is hot and dry in the end of the third degree The tops of Southernwood stamped and drunk raw in water provoketh the Courses and is profitable for such as cannot breath without holding their necks straight up and for the Cramp shrinking of sinews and the Sciatica and for stopping of Vrine which effects the seeds and flowers do most powerfully perform if they can be had It destroyeth worms and is good against poison and venome being drunk in wine The seed if it can be had digests and consumes cold humours and tough Phlegm which stop the Spleen Kidneys and Bladder The tops boiled in wine or water and a little honey or sugar added to it helps difficulty of breathing being drunk three or four times a day and is good for the Cough Cardiack Passion and other inward griefs The ashes thereof mixed with Oyl of Palma Christi or old Oyl Olive restoreth lost hair and causth the beard to come forth speedily if it be anointed therewith twice a day against the sun or the fire The tops stamped with a roasted Quince and applyed to the eyes helps the inflammations thereof A Salve made of the leaves being boiled and stamped with Barley-meal and Barrows-grease dissolveth cold humours and swellings being applyed upon a piece of cloth or leather It helps also benummed or bruised Limbs being stamped with Oyl and applyed and takes away the shivering fits of Agues the back-bone being anointed with it before the fit come The bruised herb helps to draw forth splinters and thorns out of the flesh being applyed thereunto the ashes dryeth up old sores and ulcers The Oyl of Southernwood is good in those Oyntments that are used for the French Pox and kills lice in the head The distilled Water is said to help the Stone and diseases of the Spleen and Mother It is held more offensive to the stomach then Wormwood being taken inwardly but the dryed herb being put in a linnen bag and applyed to the stomach next the skin comforteth a cold stomach The herb boiled with Barley meal helps to take away pimples pushes and wheals in any part of the body Speedwell vide Fluellin Spignell Meum COmmon Spignell springeth up with sundry long stalks of leaves Description cut very finely like unto hairs smaller then Dill set thick on both sides of the stalk of a light or yellow green colour and of a good scent from amongst which rise up round stiff stalks with joynts having a few leaves at them at the tops whereof grow an Umbel of white flowers the edges whereof do sometimes give a shew of reddish or blush colour especially before they be full blown after which come little roundish seed of a brownish colour The Roots are thick and long in respect of the leaves growing out from one head which is hairy at the top of a blackish brown colour on the outside and white within Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Meum and in English it is called of some Mew Bald-money or Bearwort Place and Time It grows in Yorkshire Westmoreland and other Northern Countreys flowers in June and July and yields seed in August Nature and Vertues The roots of Spignel
in wine and drunk It aeseth the Strangury stayes the Hiccough and vomiting of Blood helps gripings in the belly Cramps the Lethargy and Inflammations of the Liver and is comfortable to the head stomach and Reins and helps to expell Winde being taken in decoction or in an Electuary with Honey Liquorice and Anniseeds Tormentil Tormentilla IT springeth up with many reddish Description slender weak branches from the root leaning or lying on the ground having many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks as Cinquefoil doth with the foot-stalks encompassing the branches in several places they which grow next the ground are set upon longer foot-stalks much like Cinquefoil leaves but longer and lesser dented about the edges having five six or seven divisions and sometimes eight at the tops of the branches stand yellow flowers consisting of five leaves like Cinquefoil but smaller The Root is smaller then Bistort somewhat tuberous thick and knobby blackish without and reddish within sometimes a little crooked having many blackish fibres Names It is called in Latine Tormentilla because it easeth torments of the Guts and Heptaphyllum or Septifolium and Stellaria in English Tormentil Setfoil or Seven-leaves Place and time Tormentil groweth in Woods and shadowy places and also in Pastures and Closes as in Pray Wood near St. Albans in Cobham Park in Kent and in the Fields and Common near Horsham in Sussex and many other places Nature and Vertues Tormentil roots are dry in the third degree not very hot but of a binding quality under the Solar Influence It is effectual to stay all fluxes of blood or humors in man or woman either in wound or elsewhere it resists poison provokes sweat and is good to cure wounds It is good in the Pestilence Small Pox spotted Fevers and other contagious Diseases especially if the Patient have a flux of the belly withal It is a special Ingredient in Antidotes and Counterpoisons and excellent in Dyet-drinks against the French Disease and to dry up Rheums and Catarrhes The distilled Water taken fasting is good against Venome and Infection Two or three ounces thereof taken both morning and evening cures inward Vlcers and Fluxes of the belly especially the Disentery or bloody Flux The best way to distill it is to steep the herb all night in wine and then distilled it in Balneo Mariae which water taken with some Venice Treacle and the party sweating after it will expell any venomous poison the Plague and other contagious Diseases Cakes made with the powder of the dryed root and the white of an Egg and baked upon a hot tyle stayes Fluxes restrains Chollerick Belchings Vomiting and loathings in the Stomach The leaves and roots bruised and applyed dissolves knots and kernels of the Kings Evil and hardness about the Ears Throat and Jaws and easeth pains of the Sciatica The juyce of the leaves and roots used with vinegar is effectual for the Piles and Hemorrhoids Sores of the head or other parts Scabs or Itch being washed therewith or with the distilled Water of the herb or roots A little prepared Tutia or white Amber used with the distilled water hereof is helpful to dry up sharp Rheums that distill from the Head into the Eyes causing redness pain waterings or itchings therein Turnsole Heliotropium IT s natural Soil is in Italy Spain and France yet may be found in England in some curious Gardens but more plentifully at the Druggists shops Names It is called Heliotropium in Latine and herba Cancri because it flowers about the time when the Sun enters Cancer Nature and Vertues It is of temperature hot and dry and of a binding faculty a Solar Herb A handful thereof boiled in water and drunk purgeth Choller and Phlegm as saith Dioscorides and the decoction thereof with Commin breaks the Stone in the Reins Kidneys or Bladder provokes Vrine and the Tearms and causeth speedy delivery in Childe-bearing The seed and juyce of the leaves rubbed with salt upon Warts Wens and other hard kernels in the face eye-lids or other parts of the body will take them away by often using it The bruised leaves easeth pains of the Gout or places that have been out of joynt and are newly set and are full of pain being appled thereto Turpentine Terebinthina THere is a Turpentine which drops out of the Fire Tree Description and Names but this I speak of is a liquid substance issuing from the Larch Tree called in Latine Larix from whence also proceeds a tuberous excrescence called Agaricus or Agarick of which we have treated of The Turpentine in Latine is Terebinthina Place and Time It grows about Trent in Italy and the Turpentine is to be gathered in the hottest part of Summer Nature and Vertues Turpentine is moist and without sharpness of a cleansing quality an ounce thereof taken will gently open the Belly provoke Vrine and cleanseth the Reins Kidneys and Bladder being taken with Honey it expectorates tough Phlegm and is good for an old Cough the Ptisick and Consumption of the Lungs it is an excellent ingredient in Salves for Vlcers or green Wounds The chymical oyl of Turpentine is singular good in Wounds and to warm and ease cold pains in the Joynts and Sinews take Turpentine and wash it in Plantain Water and then make Pills thereof with the powder of white Amber red Corral Mastick and a little Camphire they will purge and cleanse the Reins and stay their running Turmerick Curcuma THis Plant groweth in the East Indies and is called by some Crocus Indicus but the common Latine Name is Curcuma Nature and Vertues Turmerick is hot and dry in the second or near the third degree it is excellent for the yellow Jaundies and obstructions of the Gall and for the Dropsie and Greeen Sickness to open stoppings of the Stomach Womb and Bladder and to bring down Womens Courses it is useful in old Diseases and the ill habit of the body it is good likewise in Medicines for the Itch and Scabs used with juyce of Oranges The Indians use it to colour meats and broths instead of Saffron and we to colour Wooden Dishes and Cups Turnips Rapum THese need no description they are called in Latine Rapum and Rapa Nature and Vertues Turnips are cold moist and windy but being boiled they are hardly perceived to cool The decoction of Turnips taken with Sugar is good to clear the Voice A syrrup made of the juyce when they are baked mixed with Honey or honey of Roses and a spoonful thereof taken at night helpeth a Cough and Hoarseness opens the Breast and is good for those that have a Vein broken Oyl of Roses boiled in a hollow Turnip under hot Embers cures kibed Heels The young Turnip tops boiled and eaten are a good Sallet to provoke Vrine The seed mixed with Treacle and drunk is good against poison Turnips being baked ingender less winde then when they are boiled but howsoever dressed they provoke Vrine increase seed and milk in Womens Breast ☞ See
further in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Tutsan or Park leaves Siciliana TUtsan groweth up with brownish Description shining round stalks crested hard and woody about two foot high branching out from the bottom having divers joynts and two fair large leaves at every joynt of a dark blueish green colour on the upper side and yellowish underneath turning reddish toward the Autumne and abiding on the branches all the Winter at the tops whereof stand large yellow flowers after which come heads of seed at first greenish then reddish and last of a darkish purple colour wherein are contained a small brownish seed and also a reddish juyce like unto blood of a reasonable scent and a harsh stiptick taste like as the leaves and flowers are though in a lower degree The root is brownish great hard and woody spreading in the ground and continueth a long time Names The Latines call it Androsaemum and some call it Dionysia and Siciliana in English it is called Park-leaves because it familiarly grows in Woods and Parks and Tutsan from the French word Toutsaine it being a good Wound Herb. Place and Time It delights to grow in Woods and woody Grounds Parks and Forrests flowers in July and August and the berries are ripe in September Nature and Vertues Tutsan is moderately hot and dry yet abstersive a Saturnine Plant The leaves and flowers of Tutsan abate lust and venerial motions being taken in drink or otherwise and the seeds more powerfully being toasted and then eat or drunk Castory boiled in the juyce of Tutsan and drunk helps the Gonorrhea The Green herb bruised and applyed helps burnings by fire and the same or the powder of the dry herb stayes bleeding of Wounds it is a sovereign Wound herb for any Wound either inwardly or outwardly it may be used in drinks lotions balms or oyntments for any green Wound or old Sores or Vlcers Two drams of the seed in powder taken in the morning or after supper in Mead Wine or fair water purgeth chollerick Humors and helpeth the Sciatica or Hip-Gout Throat-wort Trachelium THroat-wort groweth with many large hairy leaves Description somewhat rough a little dented about the edges and of an overworn green colour the stalk is also hairy about half a yard high whereon stand leaves from the bottom almost to the top after the fashion of Nettles towards the top on a short foot stalk come forth hollow flowers bell fashion of a blueish purple colour and hairy within the root is white thick and endureth long Names The Latines call it Trachelium Cervicaria and Vvularia some likewise call them Campanula the flowers being like Bells in English Throat-wort Canterbury-bells and Haskwort Place and Time It groweth in Stow Wood by Oxford and doubtless in many other places in England though Germany and Italy be their more natural places they flower in June and July scarce perfecting their seed but increase by the root Nature and Vertues This Plant is cold and dry and so are most Bell Flowers the roots are sweet and therefore eaten in Sallets as Rampions are they have an astringent quality and are effectual for all Vlcers in the Mouth and Throat and also for the Vvula or Pallat of the Mouth being swollen or fallen down and also for all Sores in the privy parts of man or woman or elsewhere to be used in a decoction with Honey Wine and Allome and likewise to close up the lips of Cuts and green Wounds Valerian Phu majus VAlerian hath a thick short grayish root Description lying for the most part above ground shooting out such like roots on all sides having long strings or fibres under them in the ground which nourish them from these roots spring up many green leaves which at first are somewhat broad and long without any dent or division in them but those that come after are more and more divided on each side some to the middle rib being winged as made of many leaves together on a stalk and those upon the stalk are more divided but smaller towards the top then below the stalk riseth to be two or three foot high sometimes branched at the top with many small whitish flowers sometimes dashed over at the edges with a pale purplish colour of a small scent after which followeth small brownish white seed which is carried away with the winde the root smelleth more strong then either leaf or flower and is of more use in Physick Names The ordinary sort is called Phu majus and Valeriana major hortensis and of some Herba Benedicta and Theriacaria it being an ingredient in Treacle Place and Time It is nourished and kept in our Gardens it flowers in June and July and so continueth till the Frosts destroy it Nature and Vertues Valerian hath little heat while it is green but the dryed roots are hot and dry near unto the second degree it is a Mercurial plant The Garden Valerian is used in Antidotes and being dryed and taken in drink it helps pains in the Sides provokes Vrine helps the Strangury procures womens Terms helps chokings or stranglings in any part caused by pains in the Chest or Sides and the decoction thereof doth the same the root taken in wine is good against venomous bitings the Plague and expelleth Winde The decoction of the root with Liquorice Raisins and Anniseeds helps such as are short winded and have the Cough opens the Breast and expectorates Phlegm The green Herb is excellent to heal any inward Sore or Wound and to draw any Thorn or Splinter out of the Flesh The green herb and root bruised taketh away pains and prickings of the Head being applyed thereunto and stayeth rheumes and distillations and being boiled in white Wine and a drop thereof put into the Eye takes away any Pin Haw or Web therein and helps dimness of the Sight The decoction thereof in Wine is profitable to asswage swelling of the Cods caused of cold or Winde The distilled water of the Herb and root made in May is singular good for all the aforesaid purposes and is good in time of the Plague it killeth Worms in the Belly and is good to wash green Wounds or old Vlcers The decoction of the leares is good to gargle a sore mouth or Gums Vervain Verbena COmmon Vervain hath divers leaves towards the bottom Description of a middle size deeply gashed at the bottom and the other part deeply dented about the edges and some onely dented and cut all alike somewhat like an Oak leaf and of a dark green colour on the upper side and grayish underneath The stalk is square and branched into divers parts and riseth abour half a yard high having a spike of flowers at the top set on all sides thereof one above another and sometimes two or three together being small and gaping of a whitish colour intermixt with some blue and purple The seed being small and round is contained in somewhat long heads The root is small and long and of no
Imposthumes in the Nails and Joynts called Felons and Whitlows from the essectual curing of which it took its Name The Willow Tree Salix THe several kindes hereof are very well known save onely in their Physical Uses Names Salix is the Latine Name in English Sallow Willow Withy and Osier Nature and Vertues The Plant is Lunar of temperature cold and dry in the second degree and astringent both the leaves bark and catkins are used to stay bleeding of wounds and at the mouth and nose spitting of blood and other Fluxes and to stay vomiting and the desire thereunto if the decoction of them in wine be drunk It also helps to stay thin sharp hot and salt distillations from the head upon the Lungs which cause a Consumption The leaves bruised with Pepper and drunk in wine do help the Winde Chollick The leaves or catkins which we in Hampshire call Goss-chicken I suppose because they bud forth at such time when Geese have young bruised and boiled in wine and drunk often doth abate the heat of lust and by much usage doth extinguish it either in man or woman If you slit the bark of a Willow so that you may fit a vessel to it to receive a water that will flow or issue from it at the time when it flowereth the same water is good to clear the sight and take away redness of the Eyes and Films that begin to grow over them and to stay Rheums that fall into them to clear the face and skin from spots and to provoke Vrine The flowers boiled in white wine and drunk dry up humours and so doth the bark the ashes of the bark mixed with Vinegar takes away warts and corns and callous stesh in the hands and feet or other parts The decoction of the bark and leares in wine is good to bathe the sinnews and places pained with the Gout to cleanse the head of scurf and dandriff The juyce of the leaves and barks mingled with Rosewater and heated in a Pomegranate shell is good to drop into the ears to help Deafness a bathe made of the decoction of the leaves and bark doth strengthen restore and nourish withered and dead members Woad Glastum IT groweth up with many large long smooth Description greenish leaves amongst which riseth up a stalk two or three foot high having divers smaller leaves thereon it brancheth at the top whereon appear small yellow flowers after which come long and somewhat flat husks wherein the seed is contained black and hanging downwards The seed being a little chewed gives an Azure Colour The Root is white and long Names Mannured Woad is called Glastum sativum and wilde Woad Glastum silvestre and Isatis Glaslum Indicum Indico or Indian Woad Place and Time It is planted in Fields and Gardens for the benefit of it being used by Dsers it yields three Crops a year and a stinking scent after it is gathered before it is made up for use It flowers about June if it be suffered to run up to flower Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry an astringent Saturnine Plant so drying and binding that it is not fit to be used in any inward medicine but an Oyntment made thereof stancheth bleeding and a Plaister thereof takes away hardness and swelling of the Spleen being applyed to the Region thereof The said Oyntment is good to dry moist Vlcers to take away fretting and corroding humours to cool Inflammations St. Anthonies fire and stay defluxions of blood to any part of the body It is affirmed to be destructive to Bees to prevent which if it grow near any Bees the way is to set urine by them putting it in a vessel with slices of Cork therein that thereon they may save themselves from drowning Woodbynde vide Honey-suckles Wormwood Absynthium THere are three kindes usual with us Common Wormwood Sea Wormwood and Roman Wormwood Names Common Wormwood is called in Latine Absynthium and the Sea Wormwood Seryphium and Santonicum Place and Time They are all well enough known the Roman Wormwood is planted in Gardens the Sea Wormwood groweth by the Sea-Coasts and the common Wormwood groweth wilde in all Countreys in England and generally near Smiths Forges They all flower about August Nature and Vertues Common Wormwood is hot in the second degree and dry in the third of a cleansing binding and strengthening quality it is subjected to the Influence of Mars It strengthens the Stomach like Aloes drawing from the Stomach and Intestines Choller and Phlegm whether it be taken in powder or decoction or the juyce by it self or the infusion in wine or beer but it offends the head causing drowsiness and sleepiness and that drink called Purle offends the head of some causing it to ake It is not good for hot Stomachs nor for those that are subject to the Consumption of the Lungs Falling-Sickness Apoplexy Lethargy and continual Feavers I have known many receive much hurt by drinking Wormwood Beer and Ale therefore it ought to be used cautiously and moderately and given to bodies fitting for it and so being discreetly used it purgeth Choller from the Reins and Bladder by Vrine It is good in the Green Sickness Jaundies and Dropsie helps Obstructions in the Liver and Stomach the Chollick and gripings of the Belly it preserves the Blood from putrefaction resists Drunkenness helps vomiting at Sea and killeth Worms It cleanseth the Womb and Vterine parts drives away the Hiccough procures a good appetite expells Winde helps Crudities and prevails in intermitting Agues and Obstructions of the Entrails Vinegar wherein Wormwood hath been boiled helps a stinking breath proceeding from the teeth or stomach and provokes Womens Courses and helps such as have hurt themselves by eating Toad-stools being but steeped in vinegar and drunk Wormwood-wine is good for all the forementioned purposes except for such as have Fevers Being outwardly applyed it kills worms in the belly or stomach the juyce with honey helpeth dim Eyes and mixed with Nitre it helps the Quinzie being anointed therewith and likewise mingled with Honey and anointed it takes away black and blue spots in the skin The decoction thereof received by a Funnel helpeth sore and running Ears and the Tooth-ache and the Temples bathed therewith it helps the Head-ache proceeding from a cold cause being bruised and applyed with rose-Rosewater to the stomach it comforts such as have been long sick Being used with Figs Vinegar and Darnel-meal it helps hardness of the Spleen and a hot sharp water running between the flesh and the skin if the skin be rubbed with the juyce or oyl of Wormwood it keepeth away Fleas and Knats and the Herb laid in Presses or Chests amongst Clothes preserves them from Moaths and Worms Xylo Aloe THis Indian Tree is called by the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Xylo aloes and Lignum Aloes In English Wood of the Aloe-tree Lign Ales and Wood Aloes It groweth in Malana and Sumatra places in the East Indies