this to three Gallons more and let them work together and drink a draught of it every morning half a pint or there aocuts It is an excellent Purge for the Spring to consume that Flegmatick quality the Winter hath left behind it and withal keep your Body in health and consume those evil humors which the heat of Summer will readily stir up esteem it as a Jewel ♀ The Common Alder-Tree Description GRoweth to a reasonable heighth and spreads much if it like the place It is so generally wel known unto Country People that I conceive it needless to tel them that which is no news Place and Time It delighteth to grow in moist Woods and watry places Flowring in April or May and yeilding ripe Seed in September Vertues and Use. The Leaves and Bark of the Alder-Tree are cooling drying and binding The fresh Leaves laid upon swellings dissolveth them and staieth the Inflamations The Leaves put under the bare Feet gauled with travelling are a great refreshing to them The said Leaves gathered while the morning dew is on them and brought into a Chamber troubled with Fleas wil gather them therinto which being suddenly cast out wil rid the Chamber of those troublesom Bed-fellows It is a Tree under the Dominion of Venus and of some warry Sign or other I suppose Pisces and therfore the Decoction or distilled Water of the Leaves is excellent against Burnings and Inflamation either with Wounds or without to bath the place grieved with and especially for that inflamation in the Breast which the vulgar call an Ague If you cannot get the Leaves as in Winter â—tis impossible make use of the Bark in the same manner ☉ ♌ Angelica TO write a Description of that which is so well known to be growing in almost every Garden I suppose is altogether needless yet for its Vertues it is of admiaable use In times of Heathenism when men had found out any excellent Herb c. they dedicated it to their gods As the Bay-trce to Apello the Oak to Jupiter the vine to Bacchus the Poplar to Hercules These the Papists following as their Patriarchs they dedicate them to their Saints as our Ladies Thistle to the Blessed Virgin St. Johns Wort to St. John and another Wort to St. Peter c. Our Physitians must imitate like Apes though they cannot come off half so cleverly for they Blasphemously call Pansies or Hartseas an Herb of the Trinity becaus it is of three colours and a certain Oyntment an Oyntment of the Apostles becaus it consisteth of twelve Ingredients Alas poor Fools I am sorry for their folly and grieved at their Blasphemy God send them the rest of their Age for they have their share of Ignorance already O! why must ours be Blasphemous becaus the Heathens and Papists were Idolatrous certainly they have read so much in old rustie Authors that they have lost all their Deomity for unless it were amongst the Ranters I never read or heard of such Blasphemy The Heathens and Papists were bad and ours wors the Papists giving Idolatrous Names to Herbs for their Vertues sake not for their fair looks and therfore some called this an Herb of the Holy Ghost others more moderate called it Angelica becaus of its Angelical Vertues and that name it retains still and all Nations follow it so near as their Dialect will permit Vertues and use It resists Poyson by defending and comforting the Heart Blood and Spirits it doth the like against the Plague and all Epidemical Diseases if the Root be taken in pouder to the waight of half a dram at a time with some good Triacle in Cardâ—s Water and the party therupon laid to sweat in his Bed If Treacle be not at hand take it alone in Cardus or Angelica Water The Stalks or Roots candied and eaten fasting are good Preservatives in time of Infection and at other times to warm and comfort a cold Stomach The Root also steeped in Vineger and a little of that Vineger taken somtimes fasting and the Root smelled unto is good for the same purpose A water distilled from the Root simply or steeped in Wine and distilled in Glass is much more effectual than the Water of the Leaves and this Water drunk two or three spoonfuls at a time easeth all Pains and Torments coming of Cold and Wind so as the Body be not bound and taken with some of the Root in Pouder at the beginning helpeth the Pluresy as also all other Diseases of the Lungues and Breast as Coughs Phthisick and shortnefs of Breath and a Syrup of the Stalks doth the like It helps pains of the Collick the Strangury and stopping of the Urin procureth Womens Courses and expelleth the After-birth openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and briefly easeth and discusseth al windiness and inward swellings The Decoction drunk before the fit of an Ague that they may sweat if possible before the fit come wil in two or three times taking rid it quite away It helps digestion and is a remedy for a Surfet The Juyce or the Water being dropped into the Eyes or Ears helps dimness of sight and deafness The Juyce put into the hollow Teeth easeth their pains The Roots in Pouder made up into a Plaister with a little Pitch and laid on the biting of a mad-Dog or any other venemous creature doth wonderfully help The Juyce or the Water dropped or tents wet therin and put into old filthy deep Ulcers Or the Pouder of the Root in want of either doth clens and caus them to heal quickly by covering the naked Bones with Flesh. The distilled Water applied to places pained with the Gout or Sciatica doth give a great deal of ease The wild Angelica is not so effectual as the Garden although it may be safly used to al the purposes aforesaid It is an Herb of the Sun in Leo let it be gathered when he is there the Moon applying to his good Aspect let it be gathered either in his hour or in the hour of Jupiter let Sol be angular Oâ—serve the like in gathering the Herbs of other Plants and you may happen do wonders In al Epidemical Diseases caused by Saturn this is as good a Preservative as grows ♀ Apples A Word or two of the most usual kinds of Apples though the colledg of Physitians make use of none but such as Vulgò vulgati Pearmains vel Pippins Apples in general are cold and windy and being of sundry tasts Galen sheweth thereby how to distinguish them Som have a sharp tast and are good for fainting Stomachs and loos Bellies others sowr good to cool and quench thirst som sharp fit to cut gross flegm som sweet soon destributed in the Body and as soon passed away yet sooner corrupted is the Stomach if they be staid The best sorts before they be throughly ripe are to be avoided then to be roasted or scalded is the best way to take them and a little Spice or
to be taken inwardly with a little Sugar which Medicine the daintiest Stomach will not refuse but outwardly by applying Cloathes or Spunges wetted therein It is wonderful good for Women to wash their Faces therewith to cleer the Skin and give a lustre thereto Southernwood THis is so well known to be an Ordinary Inhabitant in our Gardens that I shall not need to trouble you with any Description thereof The Vertues are as followeth Time It Flowreth for the most part in July and August Vertues and use Dioscorides saith That the Seed bruised heated in warm Water drunk helpeth those that are Bursten or troubled with Cramps or Convulsions of the Sinews the Sciatica or difficulty in making water and bringeth down Womens Courses The same taken in Wine is an Antidote or Counter poyson against all deadly Poyson and driveth away Serpents and other Venemous Creatures as also the smel of the Herb being Burnt doth the same The Oyl thereof anointed on the Backbone before the Fits of Agues come taketh them away it taketh away Inflamations in the Eyes if it be put with some part of a roasted Quince and boyled with a few crums of bread and applied Boyled with Barely Meal it taketh away Pimples Pushes or Wheals that rise in the Face or other part of the Body The Seed as well as the dried Herb is often given to kill the Worms in Children The Herb bruised and laid to helpeth to draw forth Splinters and Thorns out of the Flesh. The Ashes thereof dryeth up and healeth old Ulcers that are without Inflamation although by the sharpness thereof it biteth sore and putteth them to sore pains as also the Sores in the privy Parts of man or woman The Ashes mingled with old Sallet Oyl helpeth those that have their hair fallen and are bald causing the hair to grow again either on the Head or Beard Diâ—rantes saith That the Oyl made of Southernwood and put among the Oyntments that are used against the French Diseas is very effectual and likewise killeth Lice in the Head The Distilled Water of the Herb is said to help them much that are troubled with the Stone as also for the Diseases of the Spleen and Mother The Germans commend it for a singular Wound Herb and therefore call it Stabwort It is held by all Writers Antient and Modern to be more offensive to the stomach than Wormwood Spignel Description THe Roots of common Spignel do spread much and deep in the ground many strings or branches growing from one Head which is hairy at the top of a blackish brown colour on the outside and white within smelling well and of an Aromatical tast from whence rise sundry long stalks of most fine cut Leaves like hairs smaller than Dill set thick on both sides of the Stalks and of a good scent Among these Leaves rise up round stif stalks with few Joynts and Leaves at them and at the tops an Umbel of fine pure white Flowers at the edges whereof somtimes will be seen a shew of reddish blush colour especially before they be full blown and are succeeded by smal somwhat round Seed bigger than the ordinary Fennel and of a browner colour devided into two parts and crested on the back as most of the Umbelliferous Seeds are Place It groweth wild in Lancashire Yorkshire and other Northern Countries and is also planted in Gardens Vertues and Use. Galen saith The Roots of Spignel are available to provoke Urine and Womans Courses but if too much thereof be taken it causeth Headach The Roots boyled in Wine or Water and drunk helpeth the Strangury and stoppings of the Urine the Wind swellings and pains in the Stomach pains of the Mother and all Joynt Aches If the Pouder of the Roots be mixed with Honey and the same taken as a licking Medicine it breaketh tough Flegm and drieth up the Rhewm that falleth on the Lungs The Roots are accounted very effectual against the stinging or biting of any Venemous Creature and is one of the Ingredients in Methâ—idate and other Antidotes for the same Spleenwort or Ceterach Description THe smooth Spleenwort from a black threddy and bushy Root sendeth forth many long single Leaves cut in on both sides into round dents almost to the middle which is not so hard as that of Pollipodie each devision being not alwaies set opposite unto the other but between each smooth and of a light green on the upper side and a dark yellowish roughness on the back folding or rolling it self inward at the first springing up Place It groweth as well upon stone walls as moist and shadowy places about Bristol and other the West parts plentifully as also on Framingham Castle on Beckonsfield Church in Bakshire at Strowde in Kent and elswhere and abideth green all the Winter Vertues and Use. It is generally used against infirmities of the Spleen it helpeth the strangury and wasteth the Stone in the Bladder and is good against the yellow Jaundice and the Hiccough but the use of it in Women hindreth Conception Mathiolus saith That if a dram of the dust that is on the back side of the Leaves be mixed with half a dram of Amber in Pouder and taken with the Juyce of Purslane or Plantane it will help the running of the Reins Speedily and that the Herb and Root being boyled and taken helpeth all Melanchollick Diseases and those especially that arise from the French Disease Camerarius saith That the Distilled water thereof being drunk is very effectual against the Stone in the Reins and Bladder and that the Ly that is made of the Ashes thereof being drunk for some time together helpeth Splenetick persons It is used in outward Remedies for the same purpose Star-thistle Description THe common Star-thistle hath diverse long and narrow Leaves lying next the ground cut or torn on the edges somwhat deeply into many almost even parts soft or a little woolley all over the green among which rise up diverse weak stalks parted into many Branches all lying or leaning down to the ground that it seemeth a pretty Bush set with diverse the like devided Leaves up to the tops where severally do stand long and small whitish green heads set with very sharp and long white pricks no part of the Plant being else prickly which are somwhat yellowish out of the middle whereof riseth the Flower composed of many small reddish purple threds and in the Heads after the Flowers are past come small whitish round Seed lying in down as others do The Root is small long and woody perishing every yeer and rising again of its own sowing Place It groweth wild in the Fields about London in many places as at Mile-end-Green in Finsbury Fields beyond the Wind-mils and many other places Time It Flowreth early and Seedeth in July and somtimes in August Vertues and use The Seed of this Star-thistle made into Pouder and drunk in Wine provoketh Urine and helpeth to break the Stone and drive it
upward stored with a number of pale yellow Flowers of a strong unpleasant scent with deeper yellow mouths and blackish flat Seeds in round Heads The Root is somwhat woody and white especially the main downright one with many fibres abiding many yeers shooting forth Roots every way round about and new Branches every yeer Place This groweth throughout this Land both by the way sides in Meadows as also by Hedg sides and upon the sides of Banks and Borders of Fields Time It Flowreth in Summer and the Seed is ripe usually before the end of August Vertues and use This is frequently used to provoke Urine being stopped and to spend the abundance of those watery Humors by Urine which caus the Dropsie The Decoction of the Herb both Leavs and Flowers in Wine taken and drunk doth somwhat move the Belly downwards openeth Obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundice expelleth Poyson provoketh Womens Courses driveth forth the dead Child and Afterbirth The Distilled water of the Herb and Flowers is effectual for all the same purposes especially being drunk with a dram of the Pouder of the Seeds or Bark of the Root of Walwort and a little Cinnamon for certain daies together is held a singular Remedy for the Dropsie The Juyce of the Herb or the distilled Water dropped into the Eyes is a certain Remedy for all heat Inflamations and redness in them The Juyce or water put into foul Ulcers whither they be Cancrous or Fistulous with tents rouled therin or the parts washed or injected therwith clenseth them throughly from the bottom and healeth them up safely The same Juyce or Water also clenseth the Skin wonderfully of all sorts of deformity thereof as Lepry Morphew Scurff Wheals Pimples or any other Spots or Marks in the Skin applied of it self or used with some Pouder of Lupines Mars owns the Herb in Sussex we call it Gall-wort and lay it in our Chickens water to cure them of the Gall I think I am sure it releevs them when they are drooping Fleawort Description THe ordinary Fleawort riseth up with a Stalk two Foot high or more full of Joynts and Branches on every side up to the top and at every Joynt two small long and narrow whitish green Leavs somwhat hairy At the tops of every Branch stand divers small short scaly or chaffy Heads out of which come forth small whitish yellow threds like to those of the Plantane Herbs which are the Bloomings or Flowers The Seed inclosed in those Heads is smal and shining while it is Fresh very like unto Fleas both for colour and bigness but turning black when it groweth old The Root is not long but white hard and woody perishing every yeer and rising again of its own Seed for divers yeers if it be suffred to shed The whol Plant is somwhat whitish and hairy smelling somwhat like Rozin There is another sort hereof differing not from the former in the manner of growing but only that his Stalk and Branches being somwhat greater do a little more bow down to the ground The Leavs are somwhat larger the Heads somwhat lesser the Seed alike and the Root and Leavs abide all the Winter and perish not as the former Place The first groweth only in Gardens the second plentifully in Fields that are neer the Sea Time They Flower in July or thereabouts Vertues and use The Seed fried and so taken staieth the Flux or Lask of the Belly and the corrosions that come by reason of hot Chollerick Sharp and malignant Humors or by the too much purging of any violent Medicine as Scammony or the like The Muccilage of the Seed made with Rose Water and a little Sugar Candy put therto is very good in all hot Agues and burning Feavers and other Inflamations to cool the thirst and lenify the dryness and roughness of the Tongue and Throat It helpeth also hoarsness of the voice and Diseases of the Breast and Lungs caused by heat or sharp salt humors and the Pluresie also The Muccilage of the Seed made in Plantane Water whereunto the Yolk of an Egg or two and a little Populeon is put is a most safe and sure Remedy to eas the sharpness prickings and pains of the Hemorrhoids or Piles if it be laid on a cloath and bound therto It helpeth also all Inflamations in any parts of the Body and the pains that come thereby as the Head-ach and Megrim and all hot Imposthumes or Swellings or breakings out of the Skin as Blains Wheals Pushes Purples and the likes as also the pains of the Joynts and of those that are out of joynt the pains of the Gout and Sciatica the Bursting of yong Children and the swelling of the Navel applied with Oyl of Roses and Vinegar It is also very good to heal the Nipples and Sore Breasts of Women being often applied thereunto The Juyce of the Herb with a little Honey put into the Ears helpeth the running of them and the Worms breeding in them The same also mixed with Hogs Greas and applied to corrupt and filthy Ulcers and Sores clenseth and healeth them The Herb is cold and dry Saturnine I suppose it obtained the name Fleawort becaus the Seeds are so like Fleas Flixweed Description THis riseth up with a round upright hard Stalk four or five Foot high spread into sundry Branches wheron grow many grayish green Leavs very finely cut and severed into a number of short and almost round parts The Flowers are very smal and yellow growing Spike fashion after which come very smal long Pods with very smal yellowish Seed in them The Root is long and woody perishing every yeer There is another sort differing in nothing save only it hath somwhat broader Leaves They have a strong evil savor being smelt unto and are of a drying tast Place They grow wild in the Fields by Hedg-sides and High-waies and among rubbish and in many other place Time They Flower and Seed quickly after namely in June and July Vertues and use Both the Herb and Seed of Flixweed is of excellent use to stay the Flux or Lask of the Besly being drunk in Water wherein gads of Steel heated have been often quenched and is no less effectual for the said purpose than Plantane or Comfry and to restrain any other Flux of Blood in man or Woman as also to consolidate Bones broken or out of Joynt The Juyce therof drunk in Wine or the Decoction of the Herb drunk doth kill the Worms in the Stomach or Belly or the Worms that grow in putrid and filthy Ulcers And made into a Salve doth quickly heal all old sores how foul or Malignant soever they be The distilled water of the Herb worketh the same effects although somwhat weaker yet is a fair Medicine and more acceptable to be taken It is called Flixweed becaus it cures the Flux and for its uniting broken Bones c. Paracelsus extols it to the Skies It is fitting Syrups
to gargle but outwardly also for Scabs Itch or other like Infirmities and clenseth the Face from Morphew Spots Freckles and other Deformities It is an excellent Sawce for such whose Blood wants clarifying and for weak Stomachs being an Herb of Mars but naught for Chollerick people though as good for such as are aged or troubled with cold Diseases Aries claims somthing to do with it therfore it strengthens the heart and resisteth poyson let such whose Stomachs are so weak they cannot digest their meat or appetite it take of Mustard Seed a dram Cinnamon as much and having beaten them to Pouder ad half as much Mastich in Pouder and with Gum Arabick dissolved in Rose Water make it up into Troches of which they may take one of about half a dram weight an hour or two before meals let old men and women make much of this medicine and they will either give me thanks or manifest ingratitude Hedg-Mustard Description THis groweth up usually but with one blackish green Stalk tongh easie to bend but not break branched into diverse parts and somtimes with divers Stalks set full of Branches whereon grow long rough or hard rugged Leavs very much torn and cut on the edges into many parts some bigger and some lesser of a dirty green colour The Flowers are smal and yellow that grow at the tops of the Branches in long Spikes flowring by degrees so that continuing long in Flower the stalks will have smal round Cods at the bottom growing upright and close to the Stalk while the top Flowers yet shew themselvs in which are contained smal yellow Seed sharp and strong as the Herb is also The Root groweth down slender and woody yet abiding and springing again every yeer Place This groweth frequently in this Land by the Waies and Hedg sides and somtimes in the open Fields Time It flowreth most usually about July Vertues and Use. It is singular good in all the Diseases of the Chest and Lungs hoarceness ef voice and by the use of the Decoction therof for a little space those have been recovered who had utterly lost their voice and almost their Spirits also The Juyce threof made into a Syrup or licking Medicine with Honey or Sugar is no less effectual for the same purpose and for all other Coughs Weesings and shortness of Breath The same is also profitable for those that have the Jaundice the Pluresie pains in the Back and Loyns and for torments in the Belly or the Chollick being also used in Clysters The Seed is held to be a special Remedy against Poyson and Venom It is singular good for the Sciatica the Gout and all Joynt-aches Sores and Cankers in the Mouth Throat or behind the Ears and no less for the hardness and Swelling of the Testicles or of Womens Breasts Mars owns this Herb also Nep or Catmint Description THe common garden Nep shooteth forth hard four square Stalks with a hoariness on them a yard high or more full of Branches bearing at every Joynt two broad Leavs somwhat like Balm but longer pointed softer whiter and more hoary nicked about the edges and of a strong sweet scent The Flowers grow in large tusts at the tops of the Branches and underneath them likewise on the Stalks many together of a whitish Purple colour The Roots are composed of many long strings or Fibres fastning themselves strongly in the ground and abide with green Leavs thereon all the Winter Place It is only nursed up in our Gardens Time And it flowreth in July or thereabouts Vertues and Use Nep is generally used for Women to procure their Courses being taken inwardly or outwardly either alone or with other convenient Herbs in a decoction to bath them or sit over the hot fumes therof and by the frequent use thereof it taketh away barrenness and the wind and pains of the Mother It is also used in pains of the Head coming of any cold caus as Catarrh's Rhewms and for swimming and giddiness thereof and is of especial use for the windiness of the Stomach and Belly It is effectual for any Cramps or cold aches to dissolve the cold and wind that afflicteth the place and is used for Colds Coughs and shortness of breath The Juyce thereof drunk in Wine is profitable for those that are bruised by any accident The green Herb bruised and applied to the Fundament and lying there two or three hours easeth the pains of the Piles The Juyce also being made up into an Oyntment is effectual for the same purpose The head washed with a Decoction thereof it taketh away Scabs and may be effectual for other parts of the Body also It is an Herb of Venus Nettles THese are so well known that they need no Description at all they may be found by the feeling in the darkest night Vertues and Use. The Roots or Leavs boyled or the Juyce of either of them or both made into an Electuary with Honey or Sugar is a safe and sure Medicine to open the Pipes and passages of the Lungs which is the caus of wheesing and shortness of breath and helpeth to expectorate tough Flegm as also to raise the impostumated Pleurefie and spend it by spitting The same helpeth the swelling of the Almonds of the Throat the Mouth and Throat being gargled therewith The Juyce is also effectual to settle the Pallate of the Mouth in its place and to heal and temper the Inflamations and soreness of the Mouth and Throat The Decoction of the Leavs in Wine being drunk is singular good to provoke Womens Courses and settle the suffocation or strangling of the Mother and all other Diseases thereof as also applied outwardly with a little Mirrh The same also or the Seed provoketh Urine and expelleth the Gravel and Stone in the Reins or Bladder often proved to be effectual in many that have taken it The same killeth the Worms in Children easeth pains in the sides and dissolveth the windiness in the Spleen as also in the Body although others think it only powerful to provoke Venery The Juyce of the Leavs taken two or three daies together staieth bleeding at the Mouth The Seed being drunk is a Remedy against the stinging of Venemous Creatures the biting of Mad Dogs The poysonful qualities of Hemlock Henbane Nightshade Mandrake or other such like Herbs that stupifie or dull the senses as also the Lethargy especially to use it outwardly to rub the Forehead and Temples in the Lethargy and the places bitten or stung with Beasts with a little Salt The distilled water of the Herb is also effectual although not so powerful for the Diseases aforesaid as for outward Wounds and Sores to wash them and to clens the Skin from Morphew Lepry and other discolourings thereof The Seed or Leaves bruised and put into the Nostrils staieth the bleeding of them and taketh away the Flesh growing in them called Polipus The Juyce of the Leavs or the Decoction of them or of the Roots is singular
female Peony for women and he desires to be judged by his brother Dr. Experience The Roots are held to be of most Vertue then the Seeds next the Flowers and last of all the Leavs Pepperwort or Dittander Description OUr common Pepper-wort sendeth forth somwhat long and broad Leavs of a light blewish green colour finely dented about the edges and pointed at the ends standing upon round hard Stalks three or four foot high spreading many Branches on all sides and having many smal white Flowers at the tops of them after which follow small Seed in small Heads The Root is slender running much under ground and shooting up again in many place and both Leavs and Root are very hot and sharp of tast like Pepper for which caus it took the name Place It groweth Naturally in many places of this Land as at Clare in Essex neer also unto Exceter in Devonshire upon Rochester common in Kent in Lancashire and divers other places but is usually kept in Gardens Time It Flowreth in the end of June and in July Vertues and Use Pliny and Paulus AEgineta say that Pepperwort is very effectual for the Sciatica or any other Gout or pain in the Joynts or any other inveterate grief the Leavs hereof to be bruised and mixed with old Hogs grease and applied to the place and to continue thereon four hours in Men and two hours in women the place being afterwards bathed with Wine and Oyl mixed together and then wrapped with Wool or Skins after they have sweat a little It also amendeth the Deformities or discolourings of the Skin and helpeth to take away Marks Scars and Scabs or the foul marks of burning with fire or iron The Juyce hereof is in some places used to be given in Ale to drink to women with child to procure them a speedy delivery in Travail Here 's another Martial Herb for you make much of it Perwinkle Description THe common sort hereof hath many Branches trayling or running upon the ground shooting out smal Fibres at the Joynts as it runneth taking thereby hold in the ground and Rooteth in divers places At the Joynts of these Branches stand two small dark green shining Leavs somwhat like Bay Leavs but smaller and with them come forth also the Flowers one at a Joynt standing upon a tender Footstalk being somwhat long and hollow parted at the brims somtimes into four somtimes five Leavs the most ordinary sort are of a pale blue colour some are pure white and some of a dark reddish Purple colour The Root is little bigger than a Rush bushing in the ground and creeping with his Branches far about whereby it quickly possesseth a great compass and is therfore most usually planted under Hedges where it may have room to run Place Those with the pale blue and those with the white Flowers grow in Woods and Orchards by the Hedg sides in diverse places of this Land But those with the Purple Flowers in Gardens only Time They Flower in March and April Vertues and Use. The Perwincle is a great binder staying bleeding both at Mouth and Nose if some of the Leavs be chewed The French use it to stay Womens Courses Dioscorides Galen and AEgineta commend it against the Lask and Fluxes of the Belly to be drunk in Wine Venus owns this Herb and saith that the Leavs eaten by man and wife together causeth love between them St. Peters-wort Name IF Superstition had not been the Father of Tradition as well as Ignorance the Mother of Devotion this Herb as well as St. Johns wort had found some other name to be known by but we may say of our Fore-fathers as St. Paul of the Athenians I perceive that in many things you are too Superstitious Yet seing it is come to that pass that Custom having gotten possession pleads Prescription for the name I shall let it pass and come to the Description of the Herb which take as followeth Description It riseth up with square upright Stalks for the most part somwhat greater and higher than St. Johns wort and good reason too St. Peter being the greater Apostle ask the Pope else for though God would have the Saints equal the Pope is of another Opinion but brown in the same mannor having two Leavs at every Joynt somwhat like but larger than St. Johns wort and a little rounder pointed with few or no Holes to be seen therein and having somtimes some smaller Leavs rising from the Bosom of the greater and somtimes a little hairy also At the tops of the Stalks stand many Starlike Flowers with yellow threds in the middle very like those of St. Johns wort insomuch that this is hardly discerned from it but only by the largeness of height the Seed being also alike in both The Root abideth long sending forth new shoots every yeer Place It groweth in many Groves and small low Woods in divers places of this Land as in Kent Huntington Cambridg and Nothampton shires as also neer water Courses in other places Time It Flowreth in June and July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. It is of the same property with St. Johns wort but somwhat weak and therefore more seldom used Two drams of the Seed taken at a time in Honeyed water purgeth Chollerick Humors as saith Dioscorides Pliny and Galen and thereby helpeth those that are troubled with the Sciatica The Leavs are used as St. Johns wort to help those places of the Body that have been burnt with Fire There is not a straw to chuse between this and St. Johns wort only St. Peter must have it lest he should lack Pot-herbs Pimpernel Discription COmmon Pimpernel hath diverse weak square Stalks lying on the ground beset all along with two smal and almost round Leavs at every Joynt one against another very like Chickweed but hath no Footstalks for the Leavs do as it were compass the Stalk The Flowers stand singly each by themselvs at them and the Stalks consisting of five round small pointed Leavs of a fine pale red colour tending to an Orange with so many threds in the middle in whose places succeed smooth round Heads wherein is contained smal Seed The Root is smal and fibrous perishing every yeer Place It groweth every where almost as well in the Meadows and Cornfields as by the Way-sides and in Gardens arising of it self Time It Flowreth from May unto August and the Seed ripeneth in the mean time and falleth Vertues and Use. This is of a clensing and attractive quality whereby it draweth forth Thorns or Splinters or other such like things gotten into the Flesh and put up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and Galen saith also they have a drying faculty whereby they are good to soder the lips of Wounds and to clens foul Ulcers The distilled Water or Juyce is much esteemed by French Dames to clense the Skin from any roughness deformity or discolouring thereof Being boyled in Wine and given to drink it
forth The Root in Pouder and given in Wine and drunk is good against the Plague or Pestilence and drunk in the mornings fasting for some time together is very profitable for a Fistula in any part of the Body Baptista Sardus doth much commend the distilled Water hereof being drunk to help the French Disease to open Obstructions of the Liver and clense the Blood from corrupted Humors and is profitably given against Quotidian or Tertian Agues Strawberries THese are so well known through this Land that they need no Description Time They Flower in May ordinarily and the Fruit is ripe shortly after Vertues and use Strawberries when they are green are cold and dry but when they are ripe they are cold and moist The Berries are excellent good to cool the Liver the Blood and the Spleen or an hot Chollerick stomach to refresh comfort the fainting Spirits to quench Thirst They are good also for other Inflamations yet it is not arniss to refrain them in a Feaver lest by their putrefying in the Stomach they encrease the Fits The Leavs and Roots boyled in Wine and Water and drunk do likewise cool the Liver and Blood and asswage all Inflamations in the Reins and bladder provoketh Urine and allayeth the heat and sharpness thereof The same also being drunk stayeth the Bloody Flux and Womens Courses and helpeth the Swellings of the Spleen The Water of the Berries carefully distilled is a Soveraign Remedy and Cordial in the panting and beating of the Heart and is good for the yellow Jaundice The Juyce dropped into foul Ulcers or they washed therewith or the Decoction of the Herb and Root doth wonderfully clense and help to cure them Lotions and Gargles for sore Mouthes or Ulcers therin or in the privy Parts or elswhere are made with the Leaves and Roots hereof which is also good to fasten loose Teeth and to heal spungy soul Gums It helpeth also to stay Catarrhs or Desluxions of Rhewm into the Mouth Throat Teeth or Eyes The Juyce or Water is singular good for hot and red Inflamed Eyes if dropped into them or they bathed therewith it is also of excellent property for all Pushes Wheals and other breakings forth of hot sharp Humors in the Face and Hands or other parts of the Body to bath them therewith and to take away any redness in the Face or Spots or other Deformities in the Skin and to make it cleer and smooth Some use this Medicine Take so many Strawberries as you shall think fitting and put them into a Distillatory or body of Glass fit for them which being well closed set it in a bed of Horsdung for twelve or fourteen daies and afterwards distill it carefully and keep it for your use It is an excellent water for hot inflamed Eyes and to take away any film or Skin that beginneth to grow over them and for such other defects in them as may be helped by any outward Medicine Venus owns the Herb. Succory Description THe Garden Succory hath longer and narrower Leaves than Endive and more cut in or torn on the edges and the Root abideth many yeers It beareth also blew Flowers like Endive and the Seed is hardly distinguished from the Seed of the smooth or ordinary Endive The wild Succory hath diverse long Leaves lying on the ground very much cut in or torn on the edges on both sides even to the middle rib ending in point somtimes it hath a red Rib down the middle of the Leaves from among which riseth up a hard round woody stalk spreading into many Branches set with smaller and lesser devided Leaves on them up to the tops where stand the Flowers which are like the Garden kind as the Seed is also only take notice that the Flowers of the Garden kind are gone in one Sunny day they being so cold that they are not able to endure the Beams of the Sun and therfore most delight in the shadow The Root is white but more hard and woody than the Garden kind The whol Plant is exceeding bitter Place This groweth in many places of our Land in wast untilled and barren Fields The other only in Gardens Vertues and Use. Garden Succory as it is more dry and less cold than Endive so it openeth more An handful of the Leavs or Roots boyled in Wine or Water and a draught thereof drunk fasting driveth forth Chollerick and Flegmatick Humors openeth Obstructions of the Liver Gall and Spleen helpeth the yellow Jaundice the Heat of the Reins and of the Urine the Dropsie also and those that have an evil disposition in their Bodies by reason of long sickness evil Diet c. which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cachexia A Decoction thereof made with Wine and drunk is very effectual against long lingring Agues and a dram of the Seed in Pouder drunk in Wine before the Fit of an Ague helpeth to drive it away The Distilled Water of the Herb and Flowers if you can take them in time hath the properties and is especial good for hot Stomachs and in Agues either Pestilential or of long continuance for swounings and Passions of the Heart for the heat and Headach in Children and to the blood and Liver The said water or the Juyce or the bruised Leaves applied outwardly allayeth Swellings Inflamations St. Anthonies Fire Pushes Wheals and Pimples especially used with a little Vinegar as also to wash pestiferous Sores The said Water is very effectual for sore Eyes that are inflamed with redness and for Nurses Breasts that are pained by the abundance of Milk The wild Succory as it is more bitter so it is more strengthning to the Stomach and Liver English Tobacco Description THis riseth up with a thick round Stalk about two foot high whereon do grow thick fat green Leaves nothing so large as the other Indian kinds somwhat round pointed also and nothing dented about the edges The Stalk brancheth forth and beareth at the tops divers Flowers set in green Husks like the other but nothing so large scarce standing above the Brims of the Husks round pointed also and of a greenish yellow colour The Seed that followeth is not so bright but larger contained in the like great Heads The Roots are neither so great nor woody and perishing every yeer with the hard Frosts in Winter but riseth generally of its own sowing Place This came from some parts of Brassiile as is thought and is more familier to our Country than any of the other sorts early giving ripe Seed which the others seldom do Time It Flowreth from June somtimes to the end of August or later and the Seed ripeneth in the mean time Vertues and Use. It is found by good experience to be available to expectorate tough Flegm from the Stomach Chest and Lungs The Juyce thereof made into a Syrup or the distilled water of the Herb drunk with some Sugar or without if you will Or the smoke taken by a
toward the top into many parts where the Leaves grow smaller again every one standing singly and never two at any Joynt The Flowers are very smal and yellow standing in tufts at the heads of the Branches where afterwards grow the Seed smal and blackish many thick thust together The Root is smal long and woody perishing every yeer after Seed time and rising again plentifully of its own sowing Place It is found growing in many Corn Fields and Pasture grounds in this Land Time It Flowreth in July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. Thoroughwax is of a singular good use for all sorts of Bruises and Wounds either inward or outward and old Ulcers and Sores likewise if the Decoction of the Herb with water or Wine be drunk and the places washed therwith or the Juyce or green Herb bruised or boyled either by it self or with other Herbs in Oyl or Hogs Grease to be made into an Oyntment to serve all the yeer The Decoction of the Herb or the Pouder of the dried Herb taken inwardly and the same or the green Leaves bruised and applied outwardly is singular good to cure Ruptures and Burstings especially in Children before it be two old Being also applied with a little Flower and Wax to Childrens Navils that stick forth it helpeth them Tormentil Description THis hath many reddish slender weak Branches rising from the Root lying upon the ground or rather leaning than standing upright with many short Leaves that stand closer to the Stalks than Cinkfoyl doth which this is very like with the Footstalk encompassing the Branches in several places but those that grow next to the ground are set upon long Footstalks each whereof are like the Leaves of Cinkfoyl but somwhat longer and lesser and dented about the edges many of them devided but into five Leaves but most of them into sevens whence it is also called Setfoyl yet some may have six and some eight according to the fertility of the Soyl At the tops of the Branches stand diverse smal yellow Flowers consisting of five Leaves like those of Cinkfoyl but smaller The Root is smaller than Bistort somwhat thick but blacker without and not so red within yet somtimes a little crooked having many blackish fibres thereat Place It groweth as well in Woods and shadowy places as in the open Champion Country about the borders of Fields in many places of this Land and almost in every Broom Field in Essex Time It Flowreth all the Summer long Vertues and Use. Tormentil is most excellent to stay all kind of Fluxes of Blood or Humors in man or woman whether at Nose Mouth Belly or any Wound in the Veins or elswhere The Juyce of the Herb or Root taken in drink not only resisteth all Poyson and Venom of any Creature but of the Plague it self and Pestilential Feavers and contagious Diseases as the Pox Measels Purples c. expelling the Venom and Infection from the Heart by sweating if the green Root be not at hand to be had the Pouder of the dry Root is as effectual a dram thereof being taken every morning The Decoction likewise of the Herbs and Roots made in Wine and drunk worketh the same effect and so doth the distilled water of the Herb and Root being steeped in Wine for a night and then distilled in Balneo Mariae This Water thus distilled taken with some Venice Treacle and the party presently laid to sweat will certainly with Gods help expel any Venom or poyson or the Plague Feaver c. for it is an ingredient of especial respect in all Antidotes or Counterpoysons There is not found any Root more effectual to help any Flux of the Belly Stomach Spleen or Blood than this to be taken inwardly or applied outwardly The Juyce taken doth wonderfully open Obstructions of the Liver and Lungs and thereby in short space helpeth the yellow Jaundice Some use to make Cakes hereof as well to stay all Fluxes as to restrain all Chollerick Belchings and much Vomitings with Loathings in the Stomach The Pouder of the dâ—â—ed Root made up with the white of an Egg and baked upon a hot Tile will do it Andreus Valesius is of opinion That the Decoction of this Root is no less effectual to cure the French Pox than Guajacum or China and 't is not unlikely because it so mightily resisteth putrefaction Lobel saith That Rondelitius used it as Hermodactils for Joynt-aches The Pouder also or Decoction to be drunk or to sit therein as a Bath is an assured Remedy against abortion in Women if it proceed from the over Fluxibility or weakness of the inward retentive faculty as also a Plaister made therewith and Vinegar applyed to the Roins of the Back doth much help not only this but also those that cannot hold their Water the Pouder being taken in the Juyce of Plantane and it is also commended against the worms in Children It is very powerful in Ruptures and Burstings as also for Bruises and Falls to be used as well outward as inwardly The Root hereof made up with Pellitory of Spain and Allum and put into an hollow Tooth not only asswageth the pain but staieth the Flux of Humors which caused it Tormentil is no less effectual and powerful a Remedy for outward Wounds Sores and Hurts than for inward and is therefore a special Ingredient meet to be used in all Wound drinks Lotions and Injections for foul corrupt rotten Sores and Ulcers of the Mouth Secrets or other parts of the Body And to put either the Juyce or Pouder of the Root into such Oyntments Plaisters and such things that are to be applied to Wounds and Soe 's it also dissolveth all Knots Kernels and hardness gathered about the Ears the Throat and Jaws and the Kings Evil if the Leaves and Roots be bruised and applied thereto The same also easeth the pains of the Sciatica or Hip-gout by restraining the sharp Humors that flow thereto The Juyce of the Leaves and Roots used with a little Vinegar is also a special Remedy against the running Sores of the Head or other parts Scabs also and the Itch or any such eruptions in the Skin proceeding of Salt and sharp Humors The same also is effectual for the Piles or Hemorrhoids if they be washed and bathed therwith or with the Distilled water of the Herb and Roots It is found also helpful to dry up any sharp Rhewm that distilleth from the Head into the Eyes causing redness pain waterings Itchings or the like if a little prepared Tutia or white Amber be used with the Distilled water hereof Many Women use this Water as a secret to help themselves and others when they are troubled with the too much flowing of the Whites or Reds both to drink it and inject it with a Syringe And here 's enough only remember the Sun challengeth the Herb. Turnsole or Heliotropium Description THe greater Turnsole riseth
usually little round flat Cakes or you may make them square it you will 2. Their first invention was that Pouders being so kept might resist the intromission of Air and so endure pure the longer 3. Besides they are the easier carried in the Pockets of such as travel many a man for example is forced to travel whose Stomach is too cold or at least not so hot as it should be which is most proper for the Stomach is never cold till a man be dead in such a case 't is better to carry Troches of Wormwood or of Galanga in a Paper in his Pocker and more convenient behalf than to lug a Gally-pot along with him 4. They are thus made At night when you go to bed take two drams of fine Gum Tragacanth put it into a Gally-pot and put half a quarter of a pint of any distilled Water fitting the purpose you would make your Troches for to it cover it and the next morning you shall find it in such a Jelly as Physitians call Mussilage with this you may with a little pains taking make any Pouder into Past and that Past into little Cakes called Troches 5. Having made them dry them well in the shadow and keep them in a Pot for your use Chap. 14. Of Pills 1. THey are called Pilule because they resemble little Balls the Greeks call them Catapotia 2. It is the Opinion of Modern Physitians that this way of making up Medicines was invented only to deceive the Pallat that so by swallowing them down whol the bitterness oâ— the Medicine might not be perceived or aâ— least it might not be unsufferable and indeed most of â—â—ills though not all are very bitter 3. I am of a clean contrary Opinion to this I rather think they were done up in this hard form that so they might be the longer in digesting and my Opinion is grounded upon Reason too not upon Fancy nor Hear-say The first invention of Pills was to purge the Head now as I told you before such Infirmities as lay neer the passages were best removed by Decoctions because they pass to the grieved part soonest so here if the insirmity lie in the Head or any other remote part the best way is to use Pills because they are longer in digestion and therefore the better able to call the offending Humor to them 4. If I should tell you here a long Tale of Medicines working by Sympathy and Antipathy you would not understand a word of it they that are fit to make Physitians may find it in the Treatise All Modern Physitians know not what belonged to a Sympatherical Cure no more than a Cookoo knows what belongs to Flats and Sharps in Musick but follow the vulgar road and call it a hidden quality because 't is hid from the Eyes of Dunces and indeed none but Astrologers can give a reason of it and Physick without Reason is like a Pudding without Fat. 5. The way to make Pills is very easie for with the help of a Pestle and Mortar and a little diligence you may make any Pouder into Pills either with Syrup or the Jelly I told you of before Chap. ult The way of mixing Medicines according to the Cause of the Disease and part of the Body afflicted THis being indeed the Key of the Work I shall be somthing the more dilligent in it I shall deliver my self thus 1. To the Vulgar 2. To Such as study Astrology or such as study Physick Astrologically First to the Vulgar Kind souls I am sorry it hath been your hard mishap to have been so long trained in such Egyptian darkness even darkness which to your sorrows may be felt the vulgar road of Physick is not my practice and I am therefore the more unfit to give you advice and I have now published a little Book which will fully instruct you not only â—â— the knowledg of your own Bodies but â—â— fit Medicines to remedy each part of it when afflicted mean season take these few Rules to stay your Stomachs 1. With the Disease regard the Cause and part of the Body afflicted for example suppose a Woman be subject to miscarry through wind thus do 1. Look Abortion in the Table of Diseases and you shall be directed by that how many Herbs prevent miscarriage 2. Look Wind in the same Table and you shall see how many of those Herbs expell wind These are the Herbs Medicinal for your Grief 2. In all Diseases strengthen the part of the Body afflicted 3. In mixed Diseases there lies some difficulty for somtimes two parts of the Body are afflicted with contrary Humors the one to the other somtimes one part is afflicted with two contrary Humors as somtimes the Liver is afflicted with Choller and Water as when a man hath both a Dropsie and the yellow Jaundice and this is usually mortal In the former suppose the Brain be too cold and moist and the Liver too hot and dry thus do 1. Keep your Head outwardly warm 2. Accustom your self to smell of hot Herbs 3. Take a Pill that beats the Head at night going to bed 4. In the morning take a Decoction that cools the Liver for that quickly passeth the Stomach and is at the Liver immediately You must not think Courteous People that I can spend time to give you examples of all Diseases these are enough to let you see so much light as you without Art are able to receive If I should set you to look upon the Sun I should dazle your eyes and make you blind Secondly To such as study Astrology who are the only men I know that are fit to study Physick Physick without Astrology being like a Lamp without Oyl you are men I exceedingly respect and such Documents as my Brain can give you at present being absent from my study I shall give you and an example to shew the proof of them 1. Fortifie the Body with Herbs of the Nature of the lord of the Ascendent 't is no matter whether he be a Fortune or an Infortune in this case 2. Let your Medicine be somthing Antipathetical to the lord of the sixth 3. Let your Medicine be somthing of the Nature of the Sign ascending 4. If the lord of the Tenth be strong make use of his Medicines 5. If this cannot well be make use of the Medicines of the light of time 6. Be sure alwaies fortifie the grieved part of the body by Sympathetical Remedies 7. Regard the Heart keep that upon the Wheels because the Sun is the Fountain of Life and therefore those Universal Remedies Aurum potabile and the Phylosophers Stone cure all Diseases by only fortifying the Heart But that this may appear unto you as cleer as the Sun when he is upon the Meridian I here quote you an Example which I performed when I was as far off from my study as I am now yet am I not ashamed the world should see how much or little of my Lesson I have learned
several Books of Mr. William Bridg Collected into one Volumn Viz. 1 The great Gospel-Mystery of the Saints Comfort and Holiness opened and applied from Christs Priestly Office 2 Satans Power to Tempt and Christs Love to and Care of His People under Temptation 3 Thankfulness required in every Condition 4 Grace for Grace or the Overflowings of Christs Fulness received by all Saints 5 The Spiritual Actings of Faith through Natural Impossibilities 6 Evangelical Repentance 7 The Spiritual-Life and In-Being of Christ in all Beleevers 8 The Woman of Canaan 9 The Saints Hiding-Place in time of Gods Anger 10 Christs Coming is at our Midnight 11 A Vindication of Ordinances 12 Grace and Love beyond Gifts Cum multis aliis THE English Physitian Adders Tongue ☽ Description THis small Herb hath but one Leaf which grows with the Stalk a fingers length above the ground being fat and of a fresh green colour broad like the Water Plantane but less without any middle Rib in it from the bottom of which Leaf on the inside riseth up ordinarily one somtimes two or three small slender stalks the upper half wherof is somwhat bigger and dented with smal round dents of a yellowish green colour like the Tongue of an Adder or Serpent only this is as useful as they are formidable The Root continues all the year Place It groweth in moist Meadows and such like places Time And is to be found in April and May for it quickly perisheth with a little heat Vertues and use It is temperate in respect of heat but dry in the Second Degree The Juyce of the Leaves drunk with the distilled Water of Horstail is a singular Remedy for all manner of wounds in the Breast Bowels or other parts of the Body and is given with good success unto those who are troubled with Casting Vomiting or bleeding at the Mouth or Nose or otherwise downwards The said Juyce given in the distilled Water of Oaken Buds is very good for Women who have their usual Courses or the Whites flowing down too abundantly It helps sore Eyes The Leaves infused or boyled in Oyl Omphacine or unripe Olives set in the Sun for certain daies or the green Leaves Sufficiently boyled in the said Oyl is made an excellent green Balsom not only for green and fresh Wounds but also for old and invererate Ulcers especially if a little fine clear Turpentine be dissolved therin It also stayeth and represseth all inflamations that arise upon pains by Hurts or Wounds It is an Herb under the Dominion of the Moon in Cancer and therfore if the weakness of the Rententive Faculty be caused by an evil influence of Saturn in any part of the Body governed by the Moon or under the Dominion of Cancer this Herb cures it by Sympathy It cures those Diseases before specified in any part of the Body under the influence of Saturn by Antypathy What parts of the Body are under each Planet and Sign and also what Diseases may be found in my Astrological Judgment of Diseases and for the internal Work of Nature in the Body of Man as Vital Animal Natural and Procreative Spirit of Man The Appreâ—â— Judgment Memory the external Sences viz. Seeing Hearing Smelling Tasting and Feeling the Vertues Attractive Retentive Digestive Expulsive c. under the Dominion of what Planets they are may be found in my Ephemerâ—s for the yeer 1651. in both which you shall find the Chaff of Authors blown away by the Fame of Dr. Reason and nothing but Rational Truths left for the Judgment of the Ingenious to feed upon Lastly To avoid blotting Paper with one thing many times and also to ease your Purses in the price of the Book and withal to make you Studious in Physick you have at the latter end of the Book the way of preserving all Herbs either in Juyce Conserve Oyl Oynâ—ment or Plaister Electuary Pill or Troches Agrimony ♃ Description THis hath divers long leaves some greates some smaller set upon a Stalk all of them dented about the edgesâ— green above and grayish underneath and a little hairy withal Among which ariseth up usually but one strong round hairy brown Stalk two or three Foot high with smaller Leaves set here and there upon it at the top wherof grow many smal yellow Flowers one above another in long Spikes after which come rough heads of Seeds hanging downwards which wil cleave to and stick upon Garments or any thing that shal rub against them The Root is black long and somwhat woody abiding many yeers and shooting afresh every Spring which Root though smal hath a reasonable good scent Place It ' groweth upon Banks near the sides of Hedges or Pales Time And it Flowreth in July and August the Seed being ripe shortly after Vertues and uses It is of a clensing and cutting faculty without any manifest heat moderately drying and binding It openeth and clenseth the Liver helpeth the Jaundice and is very beneficial to the Bowels healing all inward Wounds Bruises Hurts and other distempers The Decoction of the Herb made with Wine and drunk is good against the stinging and biting of Serpents and helps them that have foul troubled or bloody waters and makes them piss cleer spedily It also helpeth the Chollick clenseth the Breast and rids away the Cough A draught of the Decoction taken warm before the Fit first removes and in time rids away the Tertian or Quartan Agues The Leaves and Seed taken in Wine Stayeth the Bloody Fluâ— â—â— appâ—â—â— being stamped with old Swines grease it helpeth old sores Cancers and inveterate Ulcers and draweth forth Thorns Splinters of Wood Nails or any other such thing gotten into the Flesh it helpeth to strengthen the Members that be out of joynt and being bruised and applied or the Juyce dropped in it helpeth foul and imposthuâ—ned Ears The distilled Water of the Herb is good to all the said purposes either inward or outward but a great deal weaker It is an Herb under Jupiter and the Sign cancer and therfore strengthens those parts under that Planet and Sign and removes Diseases in them by Sympathy and those under Saturn Mars and Mercury by Antipâ—thy If they happen in any part of the Body governed by Jupiter or under the Signs Cancer Sagitary or Pisces and therfore must needs be good for the Gout either used â—outwardly in an Oyl or Oyntment or inwardly in an Electuary or Syrup or concreated Juyce for which see the latter end of the Book It is a most admirable remedy for such whole Livers are annoyed either by heat or cold The Liver is the former of Blood and Blood the Nourisher of the Body and Agrimony and Strengthner of the Liver I cannot stand to give you a Reason in every Herb why it cureth such Diseaess but if you please to peruse my Judgment in the Herb Wormwood you shall find them there and it will be well worth your while to consider it in every Herb you shall find them true
put into the Nostrils purgeth the Head helpeth the nois in the Ears and the Tooth-ach the Juyce snuffed up the Nose helps a stinking Breath if the caus lies in the Nose as many times it doth if any bruis have been there as also want of smel coming that way Water-Betony ♃ ♋ Description FIrst of the Water-Betony which riseth up with square hard greenish Stalks and somtimes brown set with broad dark green Leavs dented about the edges with notches somwhat resembling the Leavs of the Wood-Betony but much larger two for the most part set at a Joynt The Flowers are many set at the tops of the Stalks and Branches being round bellied and open at the Brims and divided into two parts the uppermost being like a Hood and the lowest like a Lip hanging down of a dark red colour which passing away there comes in their places smal round Heads with smal points in the ends wherin lie smal and brownish Seeds The Root is a thick Bush of strings and threds growing from an Head Place It groweth by Ditchsides Brooks and other Water-courses generally through this Land and is seldom found far from the Waters sides Time It Flowreth about July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. It is of a clensing quality the Leavs bruised and applied are effectual for all old and filthy Ulcers and especially if the Juyce of the Leavs be boyled with a little Honey and tents dipped therin and the Sores dressed therwith as also for Bruises or Hurts whether inward or outward The distilled water of the Leaves is used for the same purposes as also to bath the Face or Hands spotted or blemished or discolored by Sunburning I confess I do not much fancy distilled Waters I mean such Waters as are distilled cold some vertue of the Herb they may happliy have it were a strange thing else but this I am confident of that being distilled in a Pewter Stil as the vulgar and apish fashion is both Chymical Oyl and Salt is left behind unless you burn them and then all is spoiled Water and al which was good for as little as can be by such a Distillation You have the best way of Distillation in my Translation of the London Dispensatory The Colledg of Physitians having as much skil in Distillations as an Ass hath reading Hebrew Water-Betony is an Herb of Jupiter in cancer and is apropriated more to Wounds and Hurts in the Breast than Wood-Betony which follows ♃ ♈ Wood-Betony Description THe Common or Wood-Betony hath many Leavs rising from the Root which are somwhat broad and round at the ends roundly dented about the edges standing upon long Footstalks from among which rise up smal square slender but yet upright hairy Stalks with some Leaves thereon two apiece at the Joynts smaller than the lower whereon are set several spiked Heads of Flowers like Lavender but thicker and shorter for the most part and of a reddish or purple colour spotted with white spots both in the upper and lower part The Seeds being contained within the Husks that hold the Flowers are blackish somwhat long and uneven The Roots are many white threddy strings the Stalk perisheth but the Root with some Leavs theron abides al the Winter The whol Plant is somwhat smal Place It groweth frequently in Woods and delighteth in Shady-places Time And it flowreth in July after which the Seed is quickly ripe yet in its prime in May. Vertues and Vse Antonius Musa physitian to the Emperor Augustus caesar wrote a peculiar Book of the Vertues of this Herb and amongst other Vertues saith of it That it preserveth the Lives and Bodies of Men free from the danger of Epidemical Diseases and from Wicchcrafts also It is found by daily experience to be good for many Diseases It helpeth those that loath or cannot digest their Meat those that have weak Stomachs or sower belchings or continual rising in their Stomach using it familiarly either green or dry either the Herb the Root or the Flowers in Broth drunk or Meat or made into Conserve Syrup Water Electuary or Pouder as every one may best frame themselvs unto or as the time or season requireth taken any of the aforesaid waies It helpeth the Jaundice Falling-sickness the Palsie Convulsions or shrinking of the Sinews the Gout and those that are inclined to Dropsies those that have continual Pains in their Head although it turn to Phrensie The Pouder mixed with pure Honey is no less available for al sorts of Coughs or Colds Wheesing or shortness of Breath Distillations of thin Rhewm upon the Lungues which causeth Consumptions The Decoction made with Mead and a little Penyroyal is good for those that are troubled with putrid Agues whether Quotidian Tertian or Quartan and to draw down and evacuate the Blood and humors that by falling into the Eyes do hinder the Sight The Decoction therof made in Wine and taken killeth the Worms in the Belly openeth Obstructions both of the Spleen and Liver careth Stitches and Pains in the Back or Sides the Torments and griping pains of the Bowels and the wind Chollick and mixed with Honey purgeth the Belly helpeth to bring down Womens Courses and is of especial use for those that are troubled with the falling down of the Mother and pains therof and causeth an easie and speedy delivery of Women in Childbirth it helpeth also to break and expel the Stone either in the Bladder or Kidneys The Decoction with Wine gargled in the Mouth easeth the Toothach It is commended against the sting or biting or Venemous Serpents or Mad Dogs Being used inwardly and applied outwardly to the place A dram of the Pouder in Betony taken with a little Honey in some Vinegar doth wonderfully refresh those that are overwearied by travail it staieth bleedings at the Mouth or Nose and helpeth those that pise or spit Blood and those that are Bursten or have a Rupture and is good for such as are bruised by any fall or otherwise The green Herb bruised or the Juyce applied to any inward hurt or outward green Wound in the Head or Body wil quickly heal and close it up as also any Veins or Sinews that are cut and will draw forth any broken Bone or Splinter Thorn or other thing gotten into the Flesh It is no less profitable for old Sores or filthy Ulcers yea though they be Fistulaus and hollow but some do advise to put in a little Salt to this purpose Being applied with a little Hogs Lard it helpeth a Plague-Sore and other Boyls and Pushes The fumes of the Decoction while it is warm received by a Funnel into the Bars caseth the pains of them destroyeth the Worms and cureth the running Sores in them The Juyce dropped into them doth the same The Root of Betony is displeasing both to the tast and Stomach whereas the Leavs and Flowers by their sweet and spicy tast are comfortable both in Meat and Medicine There are some of the many
may be found in my Translation of the London Dispensatory and it may be I may give you again in plainer terms at the latter end of this Book ♀ Bishops-weed Description COmmon Bishops-weed riseth up with a round straight Stalk somtimes as high as a Man but usually three or four foot high beset with divers smal long and somwhat broad Leavs cut in som places and dented about the edges growing one against another of a dark green colour having sundry Branches on them and at the top smal umbels of white flowers which turn into smal round brown Seed little bigger than Parsly-seed of a quick hot scent and tast The Root is white and stringie perishing yearly after it hath seeded and usually riseth again of its own sowing Place It groweth wild in many places in England and Wales as between Greenheath and Gravsend Vertues It digesteth Humors provoketh Urin and Womens Courses dissolveth Wind and being taken in Wine easeth pains and griping in the Bowels and is good against the biting of Serpents It is used to good effect in those Medicins which are given to hinder the poysonful operation of Cantharides upon the passages of the Urin Being mixed with Honey and applied to black and blue marks coming of blows or bruises it takes them away and being drunk or outwardly applied it abateth an high colour and makes it pale and the Fumes therof taken with Rozin or Raisons clenseth the Mother It is hot and dry in the third degree of a bitter tast and somthing sharp withal it provokes Lust to purpose I suppose Venus owns it Bistort or Snakeweed ♄ Description THis hath a thick short knobbed Root blackish without and somwhat reddish within a little crooked or turned together of an harsh astringent tast with divers black threds hanging there from whence spring up every year divers Leaves standing upon long Footstalks being somwhat broad and long like a Dock-leaf and a little pointed at the ends but that it is of a blewish green colour on the upper side and of an Ash colour gray and a little purplish underneath with divers Veins therin from among which rise up divers smal and slender Stalks two foot high and almost naked and without Leavs or with very few and narrow bearing a spiky Bush of pale Flesh colour'd Flowers which being past there abideth smal Seed somwhat like unto Sorrel Seed but greater There are other sorts of Bistort growing in this Land but smaller both in height Root and Stalks and especially in the Leavs The Root blackish without and somwhat whitish within of an austere binding tast as the former Place They grow in shadowy moist Woods and at the foot of Hils but are chiefly nourished up in Gardens The narrow leaved Bistort groweth in the North in Lancashire yorkshire and Cumberland Time They Flower about the end of May and the Seed is ripe about the beginning of July Vertues and use Both the Leavs and Roots have have a powerful faculty to resist al Poyson The Root in Pouder taken in drink expelleth the Venem of the Plague the smal Pox Meazles Purples or any other infectious Diseas driving it out by sweating The Root in Pouder or the Decoction therof in Wine being drunk stayeth al manner of inward bleedings or spittings of Blood and any Fluxes in the Body of either Man or Woman or Vomitings it is also very available against Ruptures or Burstings or all bruises or fals dissolving the congealed Blood and easeth the pains that happen thereupon it also helpeth the Jaundice The Water distilled from both Leavs and Roots is a singular remedy to wash any place bitten or stung by any venemous creature as also for any of the purposes before spoken of And is very good to wash any running Sores or Ulcers The Decoction of the Root in Wine being drunk hindreth Abortion or Miscarriage in Child-bearing The Leavs also kil the Worms in Children and is a great help for them that cannot keep their Water if the Jayce of Plantane be added therto And outwardly applied much helpeth the Gonorrhea or running of the Reins A dram of the Pouder of the Root taken in the Water thereof wherein som red hot Iron or Steel hath been quenched is also an admirable help thereto so as the Body be first prepared and purged from the offensive humors The Leaves Seed or Roots are al very good in Decoctions Drinks or Lotians for inward or outward Wounds or other fores and the Pouder strewed upon any cut or wound in a Vein stayeth the immoderat bleeding thereof The Decoction of the Roots in Water whereunto som Pomgranate Pils and Flowers are added injected into the Matrix stayeth the access of humors to the Ulcers therof and bringeth it to its right place being fallen down and stayeth the immoderat flux of the Courses The Root hereof with Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allum of each a like quantity beaten smal and made into Past with some Honey and a little Picce thereof put into an hollow-Tooth or held between the Teeth if there be no hollowness in them stayeth the defluxion of Rhewm upon them which causeth pains and helps to clense the Head and avoid much offensive Water The Distilled Water is very effectual to wash Sores or Cankers in the Nose or any other part if the Pouder of the Root be aplied therunto afterwards It is good also to fasten the Gums and to take away the heat and inflamations that happen in the Jaws Almonds of the Throat or Mouth if the Decoction of the Leavs Roots or Seeds be used or the Juyce of them but the Roots are most effectual to all the purposes aforesaid ☉ One-Blade Description THis smal Plant never beareth more than one Leaf but only when it rises up with its Stalk which thereon beareth another and seldom more which are of a bluish green colour broad at the bottom and pointed with many Ribs or Veins like Plantane At the top of the Stalk grow many smal white Flowers Star-fashion smelling somthing sweet after which come smal reddish Berries when they are ripe The Root is smal of the bigness of a Rush lying and creeping under the upper crust of the Earth shooting forth in diverse places Place It groweth in moist shadowy grassie places of Woods in many places of this Realm Time It flowreth about May and the Berries be ripe in June and then quickly perisheth until the next year it springth from the same again The Vertues Half a dram or a dram at most of the Roots hereof in Pouder taken in Wine and Vineger of each a like quantity and the party presently laid to swear is held to be a sovereign remedy for those that are infected with the Plague and have a sore upon them by expelling the Poyson and defending the Heart and Spirits from danger it is also accounted a singular good Wound-Herb and therfore used with other
Herbs in making such Balms as are necessary for the curing of Wounds either green or old and especially if the Nervs of Sinews be hurt ♀ ♈ The Bramble OR Black-Berry-Bush THis is so wel known that it needeth no Descrption The Vertues therof are as followeth Vertues and use The Buds Leavs and Branches while they are green are of a good use in the Ulcers and putrid sores of the Mouth and Throat and for the Quinsie and likewise to heal other fresh Wounds and Sores but the Flowers Fruit unripe are very binding and so profitable for the Bloudy-flux Lasks and are a fit remedy for spitting of Bloud Either the Decoction or Pouder of the Root being taken is good to break or drive forth Gravel and the Stone in the Reins and Kidnies The Leavs and Brambles aswel green as dry are excellent good Lotions for sores in the Mouth or secret parts The Decoction of them of the dried Branches do much bind the Belly and are good for the too much flowing of Womens Courses The Berries or the Flowers are a powerful remady against the Poyson of the most venemous Serpents as wel drunk as outwardly applied helpeth the sores of the Fundament and the Piles The Juyce of the Berries mixed with Juyce of Mulberries do bind more effectually and help fretting and eating sores and Ulcers whersoever The Distilled Water of the Branches Leaves and Flowers or of the Fruit is very pleasant in tast and very effectual in Feavers and hot distempers of the Body Head Eyes and other parts and for al the purposes aforesaid The Leaves boyled in Ly and the Head washed therewith healeth the Itch and the running sores therof and maketh the Hair black The Pouder of the Leaves strewed on cankrous and running Ulcers doth wonderfully help to heal them Some use to condensate the Juyce of the Leaves and some the Juyce of the Berries to keep for their use all the year for the purposes aforesaid It is a Plant of Venus in Aries You shall have som Directions at the latter end of the Book for the gathering of al Herbs and Plants c. If any ask the Reason why Venus is so prickly Tel them 't is because she is in the house of Mars ♀ Blites Description OF these there are two sorts commonly known Viz. White and Red. The White hath Leavs somwhat like unto Beets but smaller rounder and of a whitish green colour every one standing upon a smal long Footstalk The Stalk riseth up two or three foot high with such like Leavs theron The Flowers grow at the top in long round tufts or clusters wherein are contained smal and round Seed The Root is very full of threeds or strings The red Blites is in all things like the white but that his Leavs and tufted heads are exceeding red at first and after turn more Purplish There are other kinds of Blites which grow wild differing from the two former sorts but little only the wild are smaler in every part Place They grow in Gardens and wild in many places of this Land Time They seed in August and September Vertues and use They are all of them cooling drying and binding serving to restrain the Fluxes of Bloud in either man or woman especially the Red which also stayeth the overflowing of women's Reds as the white Blite stayeth the Whites in Women It is an excellent secret you cannot wel fail in the use they are al under the Dominion of Venus There is one other sort of wild Blites like the other wild kinds but having long and spike heads of greenish Seed seeming by the thick setting together to be al Seed This sort the Fishes are delighted with and it is a good and usual Bait for Fishes will bite fast enough at them if you have but wit enough to catch them when they bite ♃ ♌ Borrage Bugloss THese are so wel known to be Inhabitants in every Garden that I â—old it needless to describe them Time They flower in June and July and the Seed is ripe shortly after Vertues and use They are very Cordial The Leaves or Roots are to very good purpose used in putrid and Pestilential Feavers to defend the Heart and hlp to resist and expel the Poyson or the Venom of other Creatures the Seed is of the like effect and the Seed and Leavs are good to encrease Milk in Womens Breasts The Leavs Flowers and Seed all or any of them are good to expel Pensiveness and Melancholly it helpeth to clarifie the Bloud and mitigate heat in Feavers The Juyce made into a Syrup prevaileth much to all the purposes aforesaid and is put with other cooling opening clensing Herbs to open obstructions and help the yellow-Jaundice and mixed with Fumitory to cool clens and temper the Blood therby it helpeth the Itch Ringworms and Tetters or other spreading Scabs or Sores The Flowers candied or made into a Conserve are helping in the former causes but are chiefly used as a Cordial and is good for those that are weak with long sickness and to comfort the Heart and Spirts of those that are in a consumption or troubled w th often swoonings or passions of the Heart The Distilled Water is no less effectual to all the purposes aforesaid and helpeth the redness and inflamation of the Eyes being washed therewith The dried Herb is never used but the green yet the Ashes therof boyled in Mead or Honyed Water is available against Inflamations and Ulcers in the Mouth or Throat to wash and gargle it therewith The Roots of Bugloss are effectual being made into a licking Electuarie for the Cough and to condensate thin flegm and Rhewmatick Distillations upon the Lungs They are both Herbs of Jupiter and under Leo both great Cordials great strengthners of Nature ♄ Bluebottles THese are so wel known generally unto my Country men to grow among their Corn that I suppose it needless to write any Description therof There are other kinds which I purposely omit both in this and others my intent being only to insist most principally upon the vulgarly known and commonly growing Flowers and Herbs Time They Flower and Seed in the Summer Months Vertues and use The Pouder or dried Leavs of the Bluel ottle or Cornflower is given with good success to those that are bruised by a sal or have broken a Vein inwardly and void much Blood at the Mouth being taken in the Water of Plantane Horstail or the greater Comfry It is a Remedy against the Poyson of the Scorpion and resisteth al other Venoms and Poysons The Seed or Leavs taken in Wine is very good against the Plague and al infectious Diseases and is very good in Pestilential Feavers The Juyce put into fresh or green Wounds doth quickly soder up the Lips of them together and is very effectual to heal al Ulcers and Sores in the Mouth The Juyce dropped into the Eyes taketh away the heat and inflamation in
the yellow Jaundice and the Head-ach and with some Honey or Sugar put therunto clenseth the Breast of Flegm and the Chest of much clammy Humors gathered therin The Decoction of the Roots drunk and a Pultis made of the Berries and Leavs being applied are effectual in knitting and consolidating broken Bones and Parts out of Joynt It is called Bruscus in some places and in Sussex Kneeholly and Knecholm The common way of using it is to boyl the Roots of it and Parsly and Fennel and Smallage in white Wine and drink the Decoction adding the like quantity of Grass Roots to them the more of the Roots you boyl the stronger will the Decoction be it works no ill effects yet I hope you have wit enough to give the strongest Decoction to the strongest Bodies Broom Broomrape ♂ TO spend time in writing a Description herof is altogether needless it being so generally used by all the good Huswifes almost through this Land to sweep their Houses with and therfore very wel known to all sorts of people The Broomrape springeth up in many places from the Roots of the Broom but more often in fields by Hedg sides and on Heaths The Stalk wherof is of the bignels of a Finger or Thumb above two Foot high having a show of Leavs on them and many Flowers at the top of a deadish yellow colour as also the Stalks and Leavs are Place They grow in many places of this Land commonly and as commonly spoyl all the Land they grow in Time And Flower in the Summer Months and give their Seed before Winter Vertues and Use. The Juyce or Decoction of the yong Branches or Seed or the Pouder of the Seed taken in Drink purgeth downwards and draweth Flegmatick and watery humors from the Joynts wherby it helpeth the Dropsie Gout Sciatica and the pains in the Hips and Joynts It also provoketh strong Vomits and helpeth the pains of the Sides and swellings of the Spleen clenfeth also the Reins or Kidnies and Bladder of the Stone provoketh Urin abundantly and hindreth the growing again of the Stone in the Body The continual use of the Pouder of the Leaves and Seed doth cure the Black Jaundice The distilled Water of the Flowers is profitable for al the same purposes it also helpeth Sursets and altereth the Fits of Agues if three or four ounces therof with as much of the Water of the lesser Centaury and a little Sugar put therin be taken a little before the fit cometh and the party be laid down to sweat in their Bed The Oyl or Water that is drawn from the ends of the green sticks heated in the fire helpeth the Toothach The Juyce of the yong Branches made into an Oyment of old Hogs Greas and anointed Or the yong Branches bruised and heated in Oyl or Hogs Greas and laid to the Sides pained by wind as in Stitches or the Spleen easeth them in once or twice using it The same boyled in Oyl is the safest and surest Medicine to kil Lice in the Head or Body of any and is an especial Remedy for Joynt aches and swoln Knees that come by the falling down of Humors The Broomrape also is not without his Vertues The Decoction therof in Wine is thought to be as effectual to avoid the Stone in the Kidnies and Bladder and to provoke Urin as the Broom it self The Juyce therof is a singular good help to cure as wel green Wounds as old and filthy Sores and malignant Ulcers The insolate Oyl wherin there hath been three or four Repetitions of Insusion of the top stalks with Flowers strained and cleered clenseth the Skin of al manner of Spots Marks and Freckles that arise either by the heat of the Sun or the Malignity of humors As for the Broom for as yet I know not what to say to Broomrape in the business but as for Broom Mars owns it and it is exceeding prejudicial to the Liver I suppose by Râ—sâ—n of the Antipathy between Jupiter and Mars therfore if the Liver be disaffected administer none of it Bucks-horn Plantane ♄ Description THis being sown of Seed riseth up at the first with smal long narrow hairy dark green Leavs like grass without any division or gash in them but those that follow are gashed in on both sides the Leavs into three or four gashes and pointed at the ends resembling the Knags of a Bucks Horn wherof it took the name and being well grown round about the Root upon the ground in order one by another therby resembling the form of a Star from among which rise up divers hairy Stalks about a hand breadth high bearing every one a smal long spiky Head like to those of the common Plantane having such like Bloomings and Seed after them The Root is single long and smal with divers strings at it Place They grow in dry Sandy grounds as in Tuttle-Fields by Westminster and divers other places of this Land Time They Flower and Seed in May June and July end their green Leavs do in a manner abide fresh al the Winter Vertues and Use. This boyled in Wine and drunk and some of the Leavs applied to the hurt place is an excellent remedy for the biting of the Viper or Adder which I take to be one and the same The same being also drunk helpeth those that are troubled with the Stone in the Veins or Kidnies by cooling the heat of the parts afflicted strengthning them as also weak Stomachs that cannot retain but cast up their Meat It stayeth al bleedings at Mouth and Nose bloody Urin or the Bloody Flux and stoppeth the Lask of the Belly and Bowels The Leavs herof bruised and laid to their sides that have an Ague suddenly easeth the Fit and the Leavs and Roots beaten with some Bay Salt and applied to the Wrists worketh the same effects The Herb boyled in Ale or Wine and given for some mornings and evenings together staieth the distillations of hot and sharp Rhowms falling into the Eyes from the Head and helpeth al sorts of sore Eyes Venus challengeth the Dominion of this Herb. ♀ ♎ Description THis hath larger Leavs than those of the selfheal but els of the same fashion or rather a little longer in some green on the upper side and in others more brownish dented about the edges somwhat hairy as the square Stalk is also which riseth up to be half a yard high somtimes with the Leavs set by couples from the middle almost whereof upwards stand the Flowers together with many smaler and browner Leaves than the rest on this stalk below set at distances and the stalk bare between them among which Flowers are also smal ones of a bluish and somtimes of an Ash colour fashioned like the Flowers of the Ground-Ivy after which come small round blackish Seed The Root is composed of many strings and spreadeth upon the ground in divers parts round about The White-flowered Bugle differeth not in form or greatness
Summer long and the Seed ripeneth in the mean time Vertues and use The herb or Roots boyled in white-Wine and drunk a few Aniseeds being boyled therwith openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Gall helpeth the yellow Jaundice and the often using it helps the Dropsie and the Itch and those that have old Sores in their Legs or other parts of the Body The Juyce thereof taken fasting is held to be of singular good use against the Pestilence The distilled Water with a little Sugar and a little good Triacle mixed therwith the party upon the taking being laid down to sweat a little hath the same effect The Juyce dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from Films and cloudiness which darken the sight but it is best to allay the sharpnes of the Juyce with a little Breast-milk It is good in old filthy corroding creeping Ulcers whersoever to stay their malignity of fretting and running and to cause them to heal the more speedily The Juyce often applied to Tetters Ring worms or other such like spreading Cancers will quickly heal them and rubbed often upon Warts will take them away The Herb with the Roots bruised and heated with Oyl of Camomel and applied to the Navel taketh away the griping pain in the Belly and Bowels and all the pains of the Mother and applied to Womens Breasts stayeth the overmuch flowing of their Courses The Juyce Decoction of the Herb gargled between the Teeth that ake easeth the pain and the Pouder of the dryed Root laid upon an aching hollow or loos Tooth wil caus it to fal out The Juyce mixed with som Pouder of Brimstone is not only good against the Itch but taketh away al discolourings of the Skin whatsoever And if it chance that in a tender Body it causeth any Itching or Inflamation by bathing the place with a little Vinegar it is helped This is an Herb of the Sum under the Coelestial Lyon and is one of the best cures for the Eyes that is Al that know any thing in Astrologie know as wel as I can tel them That the Eyes are subject to the Luminaries let it then be gathered when the Sun is in Leo and the Moon in Aries applying to his Trine let Leo arise then may you make it into an Oyl or Oyntment which you please to anoint your sore Eyes withal I can prove it both by my own experience and the experience of those to whom I have taught it That most desperat sore Eyes have been cured by this only Medicine Andthen I pray is not this farbetter than endangering the Eyes by the art of the Needle for if this do not absolutly take away the Film it will so facilitate the work that it may be don without danger Another il-favored trick have Physitians got to use to the Eye and that is worse than the Needle which is To eat away the Film by corroding or gnawing Medicines This I absolutly protest against 1 Because the Tunicles of the Eye are very thin and therfore soon eaten asunder 2 The Callus or Film that they would eat away is seldom of an equal thickness in every place and then the Tunicle may be eaten asunder in one place before the Film be consumed in another and so be a readier way to extinguish the sight than to restore it It is called Chelidonium from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a Swallow because they say That if you prick out the Eyes of yong Swallows when they are in the Nest the old ones will recover their Eyes again with this Herb. This I am confident for I have tried it That if you mar the very Apple of their Eyes with a Needle she wil recover them again but whether with this Herb or no I know not Also I have read and it seems to me somwhat probable That the Herb being gathered as I shewed before and the Elements drawn apart from it by the art of the Alchyraist and after they are drawn apart rectified the earthy quality still in rectifying them added to the Terra damnata as Alchymists call it or Terra sacratissima as som Phylosophers call it the Elements so rectified are sufficient for the Cure of al Diseases the humor offending being known and the contrary Element given It is an Experience wurth the trying and can do no harm The Iesser Celondine usually known by the Name of ♄ Pilewort I Wonder what ailed the Antients to give this the name of Celandine which resembles it neither in Nature nor form It acquired the Name of Pilewort from its Vertues and it being no great matter where I set it down so I do set it down at al I humor'd Dr. Tradition so much as to set it down here Description This Celandine then or Pilewort which you please doth spread many round pale green Leavs set on weak and trailing Branches which lie upon the ground and are fat smooth and somwhat shining and in some places though seldom marked with black spots each standing on a long Footstalk among which rise smal yellow Flowers consisting of nine or ten smal narrow Leavs upon slender Footstalks very like unto a Crowfoot wherunto the Seed also is not unlike being many smal ones set together upon a Head The Root is made of many smal Kernels like grain of Corn some twice as long as others of a whitish colour with some Fibres at the end of them Place It groweth for the most part in the moist corners of Fields and places that are neer water Sides yet wil abide in dryer grounds if they be but a little shadowed Time It Flowreth betimes about March or April is quite gone in May so as it cannot be found until it spring again Vertues and use It is certain by good experience that the Decoction of the Leavs and Roots doth wonderfully help the Piles and Hemorrhoids as also Kernels by the Ears and Throat called the Kings evil or any other hard Wens or Tumors Here 's another Secrot for my Country Men and Women a couple of them together Pilewort being made into an Oyl Oyntment or Plaister readily cures both the Piles or Hemorrhoids and the Kings Evil If I may Lawfully cal it the Kings Evil now there is no King the very Herb born about ones Body neâ—â— the Skin helps in such Diseases though it never touch the place grieved let good people make much of it for these uses with this I cured my own Daughter of the Kings Evil broke the Sore drew out a quarter of a pint of Corruption and cured it without any Scar at all and in one Weeks time The Ordinary small ☉ Centaury Description THis groweth up most usually but with one round and somwhat crested stalk about a foot high or better branching forth at the top into many sprigs and some also from the Joynts of the Stalks below The Flowers that stand at the tops as it were in an umbel or tuft are of a pale
though they had pissed in their shoos nay perhaps much wors As for that trick of curing the Eyes by it I can as yet say nothing to it for the rest it may be effectual We will grant that Clary strengthens the Back but this we deny That the cans of the running of the Reins in Men or the Whites in Women lies in the Back though the Back may somtimes be weakned by them and therfore the Medicine is as proper as for me when my Toe is sore to lay a Plaister to my Nose Cleavers or Goosgrass ♄ Description THe common Cleavers hath divers very rough square Stalks not so big as the Tag of a Point but rising up to be two or three yards high somtimes if it meet with any tall Bushes or Trees wheron it may climb yet without any Claspers or els much lower â—â— lying upon the Ground full of Joynts and at every of them shooteth forth a Branch besides the Leavs therat which are usually six set in a round compass like a Star or the Rowel of a Spur from between the Leavs at the Joynts towards the tops of the Branches come forth very smal white Flowers every one upon a smal threddy Footstalk which after they are fallen there do shew two smal round rough Seeds joyned together like two Testicles which when they are ripe grow hard and whitish having a little hole on the side somwhat like unro a Navil Both Stalks Leavs and Seeds are so rough that they wil cleav to any thing shal touch them The Root is small and very threddy spreading much in the Ground but dieth every yeer Place It groweth by the Hedg and Ditch Sides in many places of this Land and is so troublesom an Inhabitant in Gardens that it rampeth upon and is ready to choak what ever grows next it Time It. Flowreth in June and July and the Seed is tripe and falleth again in the end of July or August from whence it â—pringeth up again and not from the old Roots Vertues and use The Juyce of the Herb and Seed together taken in Wine helpeth those that are bitten with an Adder by preserving the Heart from the Venom It is familiarly taken in Broth to keep them lean and lank that are apt to grow fat The distilled Water drunk twice a day helpeth the yellow Jaundice and the Decoction of the Herb in experience found to do the same and stayeth Lasks and Bloody Fluxes The Juyce of the Leavs or they a little bruisep and applied to any bleeding wound stayeth the Bleeding The Juyce is also very good to close up the Lips of green Wounds and the Pouder of the dried Herb strewed therupon doth the same and likewise helpeth old Ulcers Being boyled with Hogs Greas it healeth al sorts of hard Swellings or Kernels in the Throat being anointed therwith The Juyce dropped into the Ears taketh away the pains of them It is a good remedy in the Spring eaten being first chopped smal and boyled well in Water-gruel to clens the Blood and strengthen the Liver thereby keeping the Body in health and fitting it for that change of Season that is coming Clowns Woundwort ♄ Description IT groweth up somtimes to three or four Foot high but usually about two Foot with square green rough Stalks but slender joynted somwhat far asunder and two very long and somwhat narrow dark green Leavs bluntly dented about the edges thereat ending in a long point The Flowers stand toward the tops compassing the Stalks at the Joynts with the Leavs and end likewise in a spiked â—op having long and much open gaping hoods of a Purplish red colour with whitish spots in them standing in somwhat rough Husks wherin afterwards stand blackish round Seeds The Root is composed of many long strings with some tuberous long Knobs growing among them of a pale yellowish or whitish colour yet at some times of the year these knobby Roots in many places are not seen in the Plant The whol Plant smelleth somwhat strongly Place It groweth in sundry Counties of this Land both North and West and frequently by Path sides in the Fields neer about London and within three or four miles distance about it yet it usually grows in or neer Ditches Time It Flowreth in June and July and the Seed is ripe soon after Vertues and use I is singularly effectual in all fresh and green Wounds and therfore beareth not this name for nought And is very available in stanching of Blood and to dry up the Fluxes of Humors in old fretting Ulcers Cancers c. that hinder the healing of them A Syrup made of the Juyce of it is inferior to none for inward Wounds Ruptures of Veins Bloody Flux Vessels broken spitting pissing or vomiting Blood Ruptures are excellently and speedily even to admiration cured by taking now and then a little of the Syrup and applying an Oyntment or Plaister of the Herb to the place Also if any Vein be swelled or Muscle cut apply a Plaister of this Herb to it and if you ad a little Comfry to it 't wil not do amiss I assure the Herb deservs Commendations though it have gotten but a Clownish name and whoever reades this if he try it as I have done will commend it as well as I. I have done only take notice that it is of a dry Earthy quality and under the Dominion of the Planet Saturn Cocks-Head ♀ Description THis hath divers weak but rough Stalks half a yard long leaning downwards beset with winged Leavs longer and more pointed than those of Lentils and whitish underneath from the tops of these Stalks arise up other slender Stalks naked without Leavs unto the tops where there grow many smal Flowers in manner of a Spike of a pale reddish â—olâ—â—r with some blueness among themâ— after which rise up in their places round rough and somwhat flat Heads The Root is tough and somwhat woody yet liveth and shooteth anew every yeer Place It groweth under Hedges and somtimes in the open Fields in divers places of this Land Time They Flower all the Months of July and August and the Seed ripeneth in the mean while Vertues and use It hath a power to rarifie and digest and therfore the green Leavs bruised and laid as a Plaister disperseth Knots Nodes or Kernels in the Flesh and if when it is dry it be taken in Wine it â—elpeth the Strangury and being anointed with Oyl it provoketh Sweat It is a singular Food for Cattel to caus them to give store of Milk and why then may it not do the like being boyled in the ordinary drink of Nurses ☽ Columbines THese are so wel known growing in almost every Garden that I think I may save the expence of time in writing a Description of them Time They Flower in May and abide not for the most part when June is past perfecting their Seed in the mean time Vertues and use The Leavs of Columbines are commonly used in Lotions with good
Plague The Juyce of the Herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful hath the same effect But if there be a little Vinegar added therunto as well as unto the Root aforesaid it somwhat all ayeth the sharp biting tast therof upon the Tongue The green Leavs bruised and laid upon any Boyl or Plague Sore doth wonderfully help to draw forth the Poyson A dram of the Pouder of the dried Root taken with twice so much Sugar in the form of a licking Electuary or the green Root doth wonderfully help those that are pursie and short winded as also those that have a Cough it breaketh digesteth and riddeth away Flegm from the Stomach Chest and Lungs The Milk wherin the Root hath been boyled is effectual also for the same purpose The said Pouder taken in Wine or other Drink or the Juyce of the Berries or the Pouder of them or the Wine wherein they have been boyled provoketh Urine and bringeth down Womens Courses and purgeth them effectually after Child-bearing to bring away the After-birth Taken with Sheeps Milk it healeth the inward Ulcers of the Bowels The distilled Water herof is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid A spoonful taken at a time healeth the Itch And an ounce or more taken at a time for some daies together doth help the Rupture The Leavs either green or dry or the Juyce of them doth clens all manner of rotten and filthy Ulcers in what part of the Body soever and healeth the stinking Sores in the Nose called Polipus The Water wherin the Root hath been boyled dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from any Film or Skin Clouds or Mists which begin to hinder the Sight and helpeth the watering or redness of them or when by some chance they become black and blue The Root mixed with Bean Flower and applied to the Throat or Jaws that are inflamed helpeth them The Juyce of the Berries boyled in Oyl of Roses or beaten into Pouder and mixed with the Oyl and dropped into the Ears and easeth pains in them The Berries or the Roots beaten with hot Ox Dung and applied easeth the pains of the Gout The Leavs and Roots boyled in Wine with a little Oyl and applied to the Piles or the falling down of the Fundament easeth them and so doth sitting over the hot fumes therof The fresh Roots bruised and distilled with a little Milk yieldeth a most Sovereign Water to clens the Skin from Scurff Freckles Spots or Blemishes whatsoever therin Authors have left large Commendation of this Herb you see but for my part I have neither spoken with Dr. Reason nor Dr. Experience about it ♀ ♋ Daisies THese are so well known to almost every Child that I suppose it is altogether needless to write any Description of them Take therfore the Vertues of them as followeth Vertues and Vse The greater wild Daisie is a Wound Herb of good respect often used in those Drink◠or Salvs that are for Wounds either inward or outwards The Juyce or distilled Water of these or the smal Daisies doth much temper the heat of Choller and refresheth the Liver and other inward parts A Decoction made of them and drunk helpeth to cure the Wounds made in the hollowness of the Breast The same also cureth al Ulcers and Pustles in the Mouth or Tongue or in the secret parts The Leavs bruised and applied to the Cods or to any other parts that are swollen and hot doth resolve it and temper the Heat A Decoction made hereof with Walwort and Agrimony and the places fomented or bathed therewith warm giveth great eas to them that are troubled with the Palsy Stiatica or the Gout The lame also disperseth and dissolveth the Knots or Kernels that grow in the Flesh or any part of the Body and the Bruises and Hurts that come of Fals and Blows They are also used for Ruptures and other inward Burnings with very good success An Oyntment made hereof doth wonderfully help al Wounds that have Inflamations about them or by reason of moist humors having access unto them are kept long from healing and such are those for the most part that happen in the Joynts of the Arms or Legs The Juyce of them dropped into the running Eyes of any doth much help them The Herb is under the Sign Cancer and under the Dominion of Venus and therfore excellent good for Wounds in the Breast and very fitting to be kept both in Oyls Oyntments and Plaisters as also in Syrup DANDELYON ♂ Vulgarly called Piss-a-beds Description THis is wel known to have many long and deeply gashed Leavs lying on the ground round about the Head of the Root the ends of each Gash or Jag on both sides looking downwards towards the Root the middle rib being white which broken yieldeth abundance of bitter Milk but the Root much more from among the Leavs which alwaies abide green arise many slender weak naked Footstalks every one of them bearing at the top one large yellow Flower consisting of many rows of yellow Leavs broad at the points and nicked in with a deep spot of yellow in the middle which growing ripe the green Husk wherin the Flower stood turneth it self down to the Stalk and the Head of down becometh as round as a Ball with long reddish Seed underneath bearing a part of the Down on the Head of every one which together is blown away with the Wind or may be at once blown away with ones Mouth The Root growth downwards exceeding deep which being broken off within the ground wil notwithstanding shoot forth again and wil hardly be destroyed where it hath once taken deep Root in the ground Place It groweth frequent in al Meadows and Pasture Grounds Time It Flowreth in one place or other almost all the yeer long Vertues and use It is of an opening and clensing quality and thefore very effectual for the Obstructions of the Liver Gall and Spleen and the Diseases that arise from them as the Jaundice Hypocondriacal Passion It wonderfully openeth the Passages of the Urin both in yong and old It powerfully clenseth Aposthumes and inward in the Uritory passages and by the drying and temperate quality doth afterwards heal them for which purpose the Decoction of the Roots or Leavs in white Wine or the Leavs chopped as Potherbs with a few Allisanders and boyled in their Broth is very effectual And whoso is drawing towards a Consumption or an il Disposition of the whol Body called Cachexia by the use herof for sometime together shal find a wonderful help It helpeth also to procure rest and sleep to Bodies distempered by the Heat of Ague Fits or otherwise The distilled Water is effectual to drink in Pestilential Feavers and to wash the Sores You see here what Vertues this common Herb hath and that 's the reason you French and Dutch so often eat them in the Spring and now if you look a little further
as Ponds Pools and Ditches that it is needless further to describe it Vertues and use It is effectual to help Inflamations and St. Anthonies fire as also the Gout either applied by it self or in a Pultis with Barley Meal The distilled Water herof is by some highly esteemed against all inward Inflamations and Pestilent Feavers as also to help the redness of the Eyes the Swellings of the Cods and of the Breasts before they be grown too much The fresh Herb applied to the Forehead easeth the Pains of the Head-ach coming of heat Cancer claims the Herb and the Moon wil be Lady of it a word is enough to a Wise man Down or Cotton-Thistle ♂ Description THis hath many large Leavs lying on the ground somwhat cut in and as it were crumpled on the edges of a green colour on the upper side but covered over with a long hairy Wool or Cottony Down set with most sharp and cruel pricks from the middle of whose Heads of Flowers thrust forth many Purplish Crimson Treds and sometimes although more seldom white ones The Seed that followeth in these Heads lying in a great deal of fine white Down is somwhat large long and round like the Seed of Ladies Thistle but somwhat paler The Root is great and thick spreading much yet it usually dieth after Seed time Place It groweth on divers Ditches Banks and in the Corn-fields and High-waies generally every where throughout the Land Time It Flowreth and beareth Seed about the end of Summer when other Thistles do Flower and Seed Vertues and use Pliny and Dioscorides write That the Leavs Roots hereof taken in Drink helpeth those that have a Crick in their Neck wherby they cannot turn their Neck but their whol Body must turn also Sure they do not mean those that have got a Crick in their Neck by being under the Hangmans Hands Galen saith that the Root and Leavs hereof are of an heating quality and good for such Persons as have their Bodies drawn together by some Spasme or Convulsion as it is with Children that have the Rickets or rather as the Colledg of Physitians will have it the Rachites for which name for the Diseas they have in a particular Treatise lately set forth by them Learnedly Disputed and put forth to the publick view that the World may see they took much pains to little purpose Mars owns the Plant and manifests to the World that though it may hurt your Fingers it will help your Body for I fancy it much for the Premises ♀ The Elder-Tree I Hold it needless to write any Description of this sith every Boy that plaies with a Potgun will not mistake another Tree instead of Elder I shall therfore in this place only describe the Dwarf Elder called also Danewort and Walewort ♀ The Dwarf Elder Description THis is but an Herb every yeer dying with his Stalks to the ground and rising again afresh every Spring and is like unto the Elders both in form and quality rising up with a four square rough hairy Stalk four foot high or more somtimes The winged Leavs are somwhat narrower than the Elder but els very like them The Flowers are white with a dash of Purple standing in Umbels very like the Elder also but more sweet in scent after which come smal blackish Berries full of Juyce while they are fresh wherein there lie smal hard Kernels or Seed The Root doth creep under the upper crust of the ground springing afresh in divers places being of the bigness of ones finger or Thumb somtimes Places The Elder-Tree groweth in Hedges being planted there to strengthen the Fences and Partitions of Grounds and to hold up the Banks by Ditches and Water-courses The Dwarf Elder groweth Wild in many places of England where being once gotten into a Ground it is not easily gotten forth again Times Most of the Elder-Trees Flower in June and their Fruit is ripe for the most part in August But the Dwarf Elder or Wallwort Flowreth somwhat later and his fruit is not ripe until September Vertues and Vse The first Shoots of the common Elder boyled like Asparagus the yong Leavs Stalks boyled in Fat Broth doth mightily carry forth Flegm and Choller The middle or inner Bark boyled in Water and given to drink worketh much more violently and the Berries either green or dry expel the same humors and is often given with good success to help the Dropsie The Bark of the Root boyled in Wine or the Juyce therof drunk worketh the same effects but more powerfully than either the Leavs or Fruit. The Juyce of the Root taken doth mightily provoke Vomit and purgeth the watery Humors of the Dropsie The Decoction of the Root taken cureth the biting of the Adder and biting of Mad Dogs It mollifieth the hardness of the Mother if Women sit therin â—nd openeth the Veins and bringeth down their Courses The Berries boyled in Wine performeth the same effect and the hair of the Head washed therwith is made black The Juyce of the green Leavs applied to the hot Inflamations of the Eyes asswageth them The Juyce of the Leavs snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Tunicles of the Brain The Juyce of the Berries boyled with a little Honey and dropped into the Ears helpeth the pains of them The Decoction of the Berries in Wine being drunk provoketh Urine The distilled Water of the Flowers is of much use to clear the Skin from Sunburning Freckles Morphew or the like and taketh away Headaches coming of a cold caus the Head being bathed therwith The Leavs or Flowers distilled in the Month of May and the Legs often washed with the said distilled Water it taketh away the Ulcers and Sores of them The Eyes washed therewith it taketh away the redness and Blood-shot And the Hands washed morning and evening therwith helpeth the Palsey and shaking of them The Dwarf Elder is more powerful than the Common Elder in opening and purging Choller Flegm and Water in helping the Gout the Piles and Womens Diseases coloreth the Hair black helpeth Inflamation in the Eyes and pains in the Ears the biting of Serpents or a Mad Dog Burnings and Scaldings the wind Chollick Chollick and Stone the difficulty of Urine the cure of old Sores and Fistulous Ulcers Either Leavs or Bark of Elder stripped upward as you gather it causeth Vomiting but stripped downward it purgeth downwards Also Dr. Butler in a Manuscript of his commends Dwarf Elder to the Sky for Dropsies viz. to drink it being boyled in white Wine to drink the Decoction I mean not the Elder ♄ The Elm-Tree THis Tree is so well known growing generally in all Countries of this Land that it is needless to describe it Vertues and Vse The Leavs herof bruised and applied healeth green Wounds being bound thereon with its own Bark The Leavs or the Bark used with Vinegar cureth Scurf and Lepry very effectually The
hath many large fresh green Leavs very much torn or cut on the edges The Stalks are hard and round set with many such like Leavs but somwhat smaller and at the tops stand many single Flowers upon several smal Footstalks consisting of many smal white Leavs standing round about a yellow thrum in the middle The Root is somwhat hard and short with many strong Fibres at it The scent of the whol Plant is very strong and stuffing and the tast very bitter Place This groweth wild in some places of this Land but it is for the most part nourished in Gardens Time It Flowreth in the Months of June and July Vertues and Vse It is chiefly used for the Diseases of the Mother whether it be the strangling or rising of the Mother or Hardness or Inflamations of the same applied outwardly thereunto or a Decoction of the Flowers in Wine with a little Nutmeg or Mace put therin and drunk often in a day is an approved Remedy to bring down Womens Courses speedily and helpeth to expel the dead Birth and Afterbirth For a Woman to sit over the hot fumes of the Decoction of the Herb made in Water or Wine is effectual also for the same and in some cases to apply the boyled Herb warm to the privy parts The Decoction therof made with some Sugar or Honey put therto is used by many with good success to help the Cough and stuffing of the Chest by cold as also to clens the Reins and Bladder and help to expel the stone in them The Pouder of the Herb taken in Wine with some Oximel purgeth both Choller and Flegm and is available for those that are short winded and are troubled with Melancholly and Heaviness or sadness of the Spirits It is very effectual for all pains in the Head coming of a cold caus the Herb being bruised and applied to the crown of the Head as also for a Vertigo that is a turning or swimming in the Head The Decoction therof drunk warm and the Herb bruised with a few Corns of Bay Salt and applied to the Wrists before the coming of the Ague Fits doth take them away The distilled Water taketh away Freckles other Spots and Deformities in the Face The Herb bruised and heated on a Tyle with some Wine to moisten it or fried with a little Wine and Oyl in a frying Pan and applied warm outwardly to the places helpeth the wind and Chollick in the lower part of the Belly It is an especial Remedy against Opium taken too liberally Venus commands the Herb and hath commanded it to succour her Sisters Women and to be a general strengthner of their Wombs and remedy such infirmities as a careless Midwife hath there caused if they will be but pleased to make use of her Herb boyled in white Wine and drink the Decoction it clenseth the Womb expelleth the Afterbirth doth the Woman all the good she can desire of an Herb. And if any grumble becaus they cannot get the Herb in Winter tell them if they pleas they may make a Syrup of it in Summer ☿ Fennel EVery Garden affordeth this so plentifully that it needeth no Description Vertues and Vse Fennel is good to break wind to provoke Urine and eas the pains of the Stone and help to break it The Leavs or Seed boiled in Barley Water and drunk is good for Nurses to encreas their Milk and make it more wholsom for the Child The Leavs or rather the Seed boyled in Water staieth the Hiccough and taketh away that loathing which oftentimes hapneth to the Stomachs of Sick and Feaverish Persons and allayeth the heat therof The Seed boyled in Wine and drunk is good for those that are bitten by Serpents or have eaten Poyson full Herbs or Mushroms The Seed and the Root much more helpeth to open Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Gall and thereby helpeth the painful and windy swellings of the Spleen and the yellow Jaundice as also the Gout and Cramps The Seed is of good use in Medicines to help shortness of breath and Wheesing by stopping of the Lungs It helpeth also to bring down the Courses and to clens the parts after delivery The Roots are of most use in Physick Drinks and Broths that are taken to clens the Blood to open Obstructions of the Liver to provoke Urine and amend the ill colour in the Face after Sickness and to caus a good habit through the Body Both Leavs Seeds and Roots hereof are much used in Drinks or Broths to make people more spare and lean that are too fat The distilled Water of the whol Herb or the condensate Juyce dissolved but especially the Natural Juyce that in hot Countries issueth out thereof of its own accord dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from mists and films that hinder the fight The sweet Fennel is much weaker in Physical uses than the common Fennel The wild Fennel is stronger and hotter than the tame and therfore most powerful against the Stone but not so effectual to encreas Milk becaus of its driness One good old fashion is not yet quite left off viz. To boil Fennel with Fish for it consumes that Flegmatick homot which Fish most plentifully afford and annoy the body by therfore it is a most fit Herb for that purpose though few that use it know why or wherfore they do it I supoose the Reason of its benefit this way is becaus it is an Herb of Mercury aâ—d under Virgo and therfore bears Antipathy to Pisces Dill is also an Herb of Mercury which I forgot to certifie you of before Sow-Fennel or Hogs-Fennel ☿ Description THe common Sow-Fennel hath divers branched Stalks of thick and somwhat long Leavs three for the most part joyned together at a place among which risethâ—â—rested strait Stalk less than Fennel with some Joynts theron and Leavs growing thereâ—â— and toward the top some Branches issuing from thence likewise on the tops of the Stâ—k and Branches stand divers tufts of yellow Flowers where after grow somwhat flat thin and yellowish Seed bigger than Fennel Seed The Root groweth great and deep with many other parts and Fibres about them of a strong scent like hot Brimstone and yielding â—orth a yellowish Milk or clammy Juyce almost like a Gum. Place It groweth plentifully in the Salt low Marshes neer by Feaversham in Kent Time It Flowreth and seedeth in July and August Vertues and Vse The Juyce of Sow-Fennel saith Dioscorides and Galen used with Vinegar and rose-Rose-water or the Juyce with alittle Euphorbium put to the Nose helpeth those that are troubled with the Lethargy the Frensie the turning or Giddiness of the Head the Falling-Sickness long and inveterate Headach the Palsie Sciatica and the Cramp and generally all the Diseases of the Sinews used with Oyl and vinegar The Juyce dissolved in Wine or put into an Eg is good for the Cough or shortness of Breath and for those that are
whence to the top it is stored with large and long hollow reddish Purple Flowers a little more long and eminent at the lower edg with some white Spots within them one above another with smal green Leavs at every one but all of them turning their Heads one way and hanging downwards having some threds also in the middle from whence rise round Heads pointed sharp at the ends wherein smal brown Seed lieth The Roots are many smal Huskie Fibres and some greater strings among them The Flower hath no scent but the Leavs have a bitter hot tast Place It groweth on the dry sandy Grounds for the most part and as well on the higher as lower places under Hedg-sides in almost every County of this Land Time It seldom Flowreth before July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use This Herb is familiarly and frequently used by the Italians to heal any fresh or green Wound the Leavs being but bruised and bound thereon and the Juyce therof is also used in old Sores to clens dry and heal them The Decoction hereof made up with some Sugar or Honey is available to clens and purge the Body both upwards and downwards somtimes of tough Flegm and clammy Humors and to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It hath been found by experience to be available for the Kings Evil the Herb bruised and applied or an Oyntment made with the Juyce thereof and so used And a Decoction of two handfuls therof with four Ounces of Polipody in Ale hath been found by late experience to cure divers of the Falling-sickness that have been troubled with it above twenty yeers My self am confident that an Oyntment of it is one of the best Remedies for a Scabby Head that is Fumitory Description OUr common Fumitory is a tender sappy Herb sending forth from one square slender weak Stalk and leaning downwards on all sides many Branches two or three foot long with finely cut and jagged Leavs of a whitish or rather Blewish Seagreen colour At the tops of the Branches stand many small Flowers as it were in a long spike one above another made like little Birds of a reddish Purple colour with whitish Bellies After which come small round Husks containing smal black Seed The Root is yellow smal and not very long ful of Juyce while it is green But quickly perishing with the ripe Seed In the Corn Fields in Cornwal this beareth white Flowers Place It groweth in the Corn Fields almost every where as well as in Gardens Time It Flowreth in May for the most part and the Seed ripeneth shortly after Vertues and Vse The Juyce or Syrup made thereof or the Decoction made in Whey by it self with some other purging or opening Herbs and Roots to caus it to work the better it self being but weak is very effectual for the Liver and Spleen opening the Obstructions thereof and clarifying the Blood from Saltish Chollerick and Adust Humors which caus Lepry Scabs Tetters and Itches and such like breakings out of the Skin and after the Purging doth strengthen all the inward parts it is good also against the yellow Jaundice and spendeth it by Urin which it procureth in abundance The Pouder of the dried Herb given for some time together cureth Melancholly but the Seed is strongest in operation for all the former Diseases The dististilled Water of the Herb is also of good effect in the former Diseases and conduceth much against the Plague and Pestilence being taken with good Treacle The Distilled Water also with a little Water and Honey of Roses helpeth all the Sores of the Mouth or Throat being gargled often therwith The Juyce dropped into the Eyes cleareth the Sight and taketh away redness and other defects in them although it procure some pain for the present and cause Tears Dioscorides saith it hindreth any fresh springing of hairs on the Eyelids also they be pulled away if the Eyelids be anointed with the Juyce hereof with Gum Arabick dissolved therin The Juyce of Fumitory aud Docks mingled with Vinegar and the places gently washed or wet therwith cureth all sorts of Scabs Pimples Itches Wheals or Pushes which arise on the Face or Hands or any other part of the Body Saturn owns the Herb and presents it to the World as a Cure for his own Diseases and a strengthner of the parts of the Body he rules If by my Astrological Judgment of Diseases from the Decombiture you find Saturn Author of the Diseas or if by Direction from a Nativity you fear a Saturnine Diseas approaching you may by this Herb prevent it in the one and cure it in the other and therfore 't is fit you keep a Syrup of it alwaies by you The Furs-Bush THis is so well known as well by this name as in some Countries by the name Gors that I shal not need to write any Description therof my intent being to teach my Country men what they know not rather than to tell them again of that which is generally known before Place They are known to grow on dry barren Heaths and other wast gravelly or sandy grounds in all Countries of this Land Time They also Flower in the Summer Months Vertues and use They are hot and dry good to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen A Decoction made with the Flowers therof hath been found effectual against the Jaundice as also to provoke Urine and clens the Kidneys from Gravel or Stones ingender'd in them It is a Plant of Mars and doth all this by Sympathy Garlick THe offensivenes of the breath of him that hath eaten Garlick will leade you by the Nose to the knowledg hereof and in stead of a description direct you to the place wher it groweth in Gardens which kinds are the best and most Phisical Vertues and use This was antiently accounted the Poormans Treacle it beeing a remedy for all diseases or hurts except those which it self breeds It provoketh Urine and womens Courses helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog and of other Venemous Creatures killeth Wormes in Childern cutteth and avoydeth tough flegm purgeth the head helpeth the Lethargie is a good preservative against a remedy for any Plague sore or soul Ulcer taketh away spots and blemishes in the Skin easeth pains of the eares ripeneth and breaketh Impestumes or other swelling And for all these diseases the Onyons are also effectual But the Garlick hath some more peculiar vertues besides the former Viâ— It hath a speciall quality to discuss the inconveniences coming by corn pt Agues or Mineral Vapours or by drinking corrupt and stinking waters As elso by taking of Wolf-bane Henbane Hemlock or other poysonfull and dangerous herbs It is also held good in Hydropick diseases the Jaundice falling-sickness Cramps Convulsiers the piles or Hemorrhoids or other cold diseases My Author quotes here many â—â—â—ases this is good for but conceals it services its heat is very vehement and al
of Choller which it may well do by a Vomit as daily experience sheweth the Juyce hereof taken in Drink or the Decoction of it in Ale gently performeth the same It is good against the Jaundice and Falling-sickness being taken in Wine as also against difficulty of making Water it provoketh Urin expelleth Gravel in the Reins or Kidneys a dram thereof given in Oximel after some walking or stirring the Body It helpeth also the Sciatica griping of the Belly and the Chollick helpeth the defects of the Liver and provoketh Womens Courses The fresh Herb boyled and made into a Pultis and appled to the Breasts of Women that are swollen with pain and heat as also to the privy parts of Man or Woman the Seat or Fundament or the Arteries Joynts and Sinews when they are inflamed and swoln doth much eas them and used with some Salt helpeth to dissolve Knots or Kernels in any part of the Body The Juyce of the Herb or as Dioscorides saith the Leavs and Flowers with some fine Frankincense in Pouder used in Wounds of the Body Nervs or Sinews doth singularly help to heal them The Distilled Water of the Herb performeth well all the aforesaid Cures but especially for Inflamations or watering of the Eyes by reason of the Defluxion of Rhewm into them This Herb is Venus her Mrs. piece and is as gallant an Universal Medicine for all Diseases coming of heat whatsoever they be or in what part of the Body soever they lie as the Sun shines upon 't is very safe and friendly to the Body of Man yet causeth Vomiting if the Stomach be afflicted if not it purging and it doth it with more gentleness than can be expected 'T is moist and somwhat cold withal thereby causing expulsion and repressing the Heat caused by the motion of the internal parts in Purges and Vomits Lay by your Learned Receipts Take so much Senna so much Scammony so much Colocynthis so much Infusion of Crocus Metallorum c. This Herb alone preserved in a Syrup in a distilled Water in an Oyntment shal do the deed for you in all hot Diseases and it shall do it 1. Safely 2. Speedily Harts-Tongue Description THis hath divers Leavs â—â—ing from the Root every one severally which fold themselvs in their first springing and spreading when they are full grown are about a foot long smooth and green above but hard and with little Sap in them and straked on the back athwart on both sides of the middle Rib with smal and somwhat long brownish marks the bottoms of the Leavs are a little bowed on each side of the middle Rib somwhat narrow with the length and somwhat smal at the end The Root is of many black threds folded or interlaced together Time It is green all the Winter but new Leavs spring every yeer Vertues and Vse Harts-Tongue is much commended against the hardness and stoppings of the Spleen and Liver and against the heat of the Liver and Stomach and against Lasks and the Bloody Flux The Distilled Water therof is also very good against the Passions of the Heart and to stay the Hiccough to help the falling of the Pallat and stay the bleeding of the Gums being gagled in the mouth Dioscorides faith it is good against the stinging or biting of Serpents Jupiter claims Dominion over this Herb therfore is a singular Remedy for the Liver both to strengthen it when weak and eas it when afflicted 't is no matter by what you should do well to keep it in a Syrup all the yeer for though my Author say 't is green all the yeer I scarce beleev it As for the use of it my Directions at latter end will be sufficient and enough for those that are studious in Physick to whet their Brains upon for one year or two The Hazel Nut. THese are so well known to every Boy that they need no Description Vertues and Vse The parched Kernels made into an Electuary or the Milk drawn from the Kernels with Mead or Honeyed Water is very good to help an old Cough and being parched and a little Pepper put to them and drunk digesteth the Distillations of Rhewm from the Head The dried Husks and Shels to the weight of two drams taken in red Wine staieth Lasks and Womens Courses and so doth the red Skin that covers the Kernels which is more effectual to stay Womens Courses And if this be true as it is then why should the Vulgar so familiarly affirm that eating Nuts causeth shortness of Breath than which nothing is falser for how can that which strengthens the Lungues cause shortness of breath I confess the Opinion is far older than I am I knew Tradition was a Friend to Ertors before but never that he was the Father of Slanders or are mens tongues so given to slandering one another that they must slander Nuts too to keep their tongues in â—re If any thing of the Hazel Nut be stopping ' t is the Husks and Shels and no body is so mad to eat them unless Physically and the red Skin which covers the Kernel which you may easily pull off And thus have I made an Apology for Nuts which cannot speak for themselves Hawkweed Description This hath many large hairy leaves lying on the ground much rent or torn on the sides into many gashes like Dandelion but with greater parts more like the smooth sow Thistle from among w th ariseth a hollow rough stalk two or three foot high branched from the middle upward wherin are set at every Joynt longer leaves little or nothing rent or cut in bearing at their top sundrypale yellow Flowers consisting of many small narrow leavs broad pointed and nicked in at the ends set in a double row or more the outermost beeing larger than the inner which form most of the Hawkweeds for there are many kinds of them do hold which turne into down and with the small brownish seeds is blown away with the wind The Roote is long and somwhat greater with many small fibres thereat The whole is full of bitter milke Place It groweth in divers places about Field sides and the path waies in dry grounds Time It flowreth flies away in the SuÌ„merMonths Vertues and use Howkweed saith Dioscorides is cooling somwhat drying and binding and therfore good for the heat of the stomach and gnawings therein for Inflamations and the hot fits of Agues The Juice therof in wine helpeth digestion discusseth wind hindreth crudities abiding in the stomack and helpeth the difficulty of making Water the biting of Venemous Serpents and sting of the Scorpion if the herb be also outwardly applyed to the place and is very good against all other Poysons A scruple of the dryed Juyce given in wine and vinegar is profitable for those that have the Dropsie The decoction of the Herb taken with Honey digeisteth thin flegm in the chest or lungs and with Hysop helpeth the cough The Decoction therof and of wild
Succory made with wine and taken helpeth the wind chollick and hardness of the spleen it procureth rest and sleep hindereth venery and venercous dreams cooleth heats purgeth the stomach encreaseth blood helpeth the diseases of the Reins and Bladder Outwardly applied it is singular good for all the defects and diseases of the eyes used with some womens Milke and is used w th good success in fretting or creeping ulcers elpecially in the beginning The green Herb bruised and with a little Salt applyed to any place burnt with fire before blisters do arise helpeth them as also inflamations St Anthonies fire and al Pushes and eruptions heat and salt Flegm The same applyed with Meal and fair water in manner of a Poultis to any place affected with convulsions and the Cramp or such as are out of Joynt doth give help and ease The distilled water clenseth the skin and taketh away freckles Spots the Morphew or Wrinkles in the face The Hawthorn It is not my intent to trouble you with a Description of this Tree which is so well known that it needeth none It is ordinarily but a Hedg Bush although being pruned and dressed it groweth to be a Tree of a reasonable height As for the Hawthorn tree at Glastenbury which is said to flower yearly on Christmas Dry it rather shews the superstition of those who observe it for the time of its Flowring than any great wonder sith the like may be found in diverse other places of this land as in Whey-street in Rumney Marsh and neer unto Nantwiche in Cheshire by a place called White-Green where if the Winter be milde they will be white blossomes all over before and about Christmas as in May if the weather be frosty it Flowreth not until January or that the hard weather be over Vertues and use The Berries or the seeds in the Berries beaten to pouder and drunk in wine are held singular good against the stone and are good for the dropsy The distilled water of the Flowers stayeth the lask The seeds cleared from the Down bruised and boyled in wine drunk is good for inward tormenting pains If cloathes and spunges be wet in the said distilled water and applyed to any place wherin thornes splinters or the like do abide in the Flesh it will notably draw them forth And thus you see the thorn gives a medicine for his own pricking and so doth almost every thing else Hemlock Description The Common great Hemlock groweth up with a green stalk four or five foot high or more ful of red spots somtimes and at the Joynts very large winged leavs set at them which are divided into many other winged leaves one set against another dented about the edges of a sad green colour branched towards the top where it is full of Umbles of white Flowers and afterwards with whitish flat Seed The Root is long white and somtimes crooked and hollow within the whol Plant and every part hath a strong heady and ill favor'd scent much offending the Senses Place It groweth in all Countries of this Land by Wals and Hedges sides in wast Grounds and untilled places Time It Flowreth and Seedeth in July or thereabouts Vertues and Vse Hemlock is exceeding cold and very dangerous especially to be taken unwardly It may safely be applied to Inflamations Tumors and Swelling in any part of the Body save the Privy parts as also to St. Anthonies fire Wheals Pushes and creeping Ulcers that rise of hot sharp Humors by cooling and repelling the heat The Leavs bruised and laid to the Brow or Forehead is good for their Eyes that are red and swollen as also to take away a Pin and Web growing in the Eye this is a tried Medicine Take a smal Handful of the Herb and half so much Bay Salt beaten together and applied to the contrary Wrest of the Hand for twenty four Hours doth remove it in thrice dressing If the Root hereof be roasted under the Embers wrapped in double wet Papers until it be soft and tender and then applied to the Gout in the Hands or Fingers it will quickly help this evil If any shall through mistake eat the Herb Hemlock instead of Parsly or the Root instead of a Parsnip both which it is very like whereby hapneth a kind of Phrensie or Perturbation of the senses as if they were stupified or drunk The Remedy is as Pliny saith to drink of the best and strongest pure Wine before it strike to the Heart or Gentian put into Wine or a draught of good Vinegar wherewith Tragus doth affirm that he cured a Woman that had eaten the Root Saturn claims Dominion over the Herb yet Iwonder why it may not be applied to the privities in a Priapismus or continual standing of the Yard it being very beneficial for that Diseas I suppose my Authors Judgment was first upon the opposit Disposition of Saturn to Venus in those Faculties and therfore he forbid the applying of it to those parts that it might not caus Barrenness or spoil the Spirit Procreative which if it do yet applied to the Privities it stops lustful thoughts Hemp. THis is so well known to every good Huswife in the Country that I shal not need to write any Description of it Time It is sown in the end of March or beginning of April and is ripe in August or September Vertues and use The Seed of Hemp consumeth Wind and by the much use there of disperseth it so much that it drieth up the natural Seed for Procreation yet being boyled in Milk and taken helpeth such as have a hot dry Cough The Dutch make an Emulsion out of the Seed and give it with good success to those that have the Jaundice especially in the beginning of the Diseas if there be no Ague accompanying it for openeth Obstructions of the Gall and causeth digestion of Choller The Emulsion or Decoction of the Seed staieth Lasks and continual Fluxes easeth the Chollick and allayeth the troublesom Humors in the Bowels and staieth bleeding at the Mouth Nose or other place some of the Leavs being fried with the Blood of that bleed and so given them to eat It is held very good to kill the Worms in man or Beast and the Juyce dropped into the Ears killeth Worms in them and draweth forth Earwigs or other living Creatures gotten into them The Decoction of the Root allayeth Inflamations in the Head or any other parts the Herb it self or the Distilled Water thereof doth the like The Decoction of the Roots easeth the pains of the Gout the hard Tumors or Knots in the Joynts the pains and shrinking of the Sinews and the pains of the Hips The fresh Juyce mixed with a little Oyl and Butter is good for any place that hath been burnt with fire being thereto applied It is a Plant of Saturn and good for something els you see than to make Halters only Henbane Description
bad Livers and for such as have Itches and running Tetters The Pouder hereof taken or the Decoction killeth Worms The green Leavs bruised and boyled in old Hogs Greas unto an Oyntment healeth the biting of Dogs abateth the Swellings of Womens Breasts and taketh away the Swelling and Pains that come by any pricking of Thorns or such like means and used with Vinegar it clenseth and healeth Tetters There is a Syrup made of Horehonnd to be had at the Apothecaries very good for old Coughs to rid the tough Flegm as also to avoid cold Rhewm from the Lungs of old Folks and for those that are Astmatick or short winded Horstail Description OF this there are many kinds but I shall not trouble you nor my self with any large Description of them which to do were but as the Proverb is to find a knot in a Rush All the kinds hereof being nothing else but knotted Rushes some with Leavs and some without Take the Description of the most eminent sort as followeth The greater Horstail at the first springing hath Heads somwhat like those of Asparagus and after grow to be hard rough hollow Stalks joynted at sundry places up to the top a foot high so made as if the lower part were put into the upper whereat grow on each side a Bush of smal long Rush-like hard Leavs each part resembling a Hors Tail from whence it was so called At the tops of the Stalks come forth smal Catkins like to those of Trees The Root creepeth under ground having Joynts at sundry places Place This as most of the other sorts hereof groweth in wet grounds Time They spring up in April and their blooming Catkins in July seeding for the most part in August and then perish down to the ground rising afresh in the Spring Vertues and use Horstail the smoother rather than the rough and the Leaved rather than the Bare are most Physical It is very powerful to stanch bleedings whersoever either inward or outward the Juyce or Decoction thereof being drunk or the Juyce Decoction or distilled Water applied outwardly It staieth also al sorts of Lasks and Fluxes in Man or Woman and the pissing of Blood and healeth also not only the inward Ulcers and excoriations of the Entrails Bladder c. but al bther sorts of foul moist and running Ulcers and soon sodereth together the tops of green Wounds It cureth also Ruptures in Children The Decoction hereof in Wine being drunk provoketh Urin and helpeth the Stone and the Strangury and the distilled Water thereof drunk two or three times in a day a smal quantity at a time as also easeth the Intrails or Guts and is effectual against a Cough that cometh by distillation from the Head The Juyce or distilled Water being warmed and hot Inflamations Pustules or red Wheals and other breakings out in the Skin being bathed therewith doth help them and doth no less eas the Swellings heat and Inflamations of the Fundament or Privy parts in Man or Woman The Herb is belonging to Saturn yet is very harmless and excellent good for the Premises Houfleeks or Sengreen ♃ THese are so wel known unto my Country Men that I shal not need to write any Description of them Place It groweth commonly on Walls and Houssides and flowreth in July Vertues and use Our ordinary Housleek is good for all inward heats as wel as outward and in the Eyes or other parts of the Body A Posset made with the Juyce of Housleek is singular good in al hot Agues for it cooleth and tempereth the Blood and Spirits and quench the thirst and is also good to stay al hot Defluxions of sharp and salt Rhewms in the Eyes the Juyce being dropped into them or into the Ears helpeth them It helpeth also other Fluxes of Humors into the Bowels and the immoderate Courses of Women It cooleth and restraineth also all other hot Inflamations St. Anthonies Fire Scaldings and Burnings the Shingles fretting Ulcers Cankers Tetters Ringworms and the like and much easeth the pain of the Gout proceeding from an hot caus The Juyce also taketh away Warts and Corns in the Hands or Feet being often bathed therwith and the Skin of the Leavs being laid on them afterwards It easeth also the Head-ach and distempered heat of the Brain in Phrensies or through want of sleep being applied to the Temples and Forehead The Leavs bruised and laid upon the Crown or Seam of the Head staieth bleeding at the Nose very quickly The distilled Water of the Herb is profitable for all the purposes aforesaid The Leavs being gently rubbed on any place stung with Nettles or Bees doth quickly take away the Pain It is an Herb of Jupiter and it is reported by Myzaldus to preserve it grows upon from Fire and Lightning ☿ Houndstongue Description THe great ordinary Houndstongue hath many long and somwhat narrow soft hairy darkish green Leavs lying on the ground somwhat like unto Bugloss Leavs from among which riseth up a rough hairy Stalk about two foot high with some smaller Leavs thereon and branched at the top into divers parts with a smal Leaf at the Foot of every Branch which is somwhat long with many Flowers set along the same which Branch is crooked or turned inwards before it Flowreth and openeth by degrees as the Flowers do blow which consist of four smal purplish red Leavs of a dead colour scarce rising out of the Husk wherein they stand with some threds in the middle It hath somtimes a white Flower After the Flowers are past there cometh rough flat Seed with a smal pointel in the middle easily cleaving to any Garment that it toucheth and not so easily pulled off again The root is black thick and long hard to break and ful of a clammy Juyce smelling somwhat strong of an evil scent as the Leavs also do Place It groweth in most places of this Land in wast grounds and untilled places by high way sides Lanes and Hedg sides Time It Flowreth about May and June and the Seed is ripe shortly after Vertues and Use. The Root is very effectually used in Pills as wel as in Decoctions or otherwise to stay al sharp and thin Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head into the Eyes or Nose or upon the Stomach or Lungs as also for Coughs or shortness of breath The Leaves boyled in Wine saith Dioscorides but others do rather appoint it to be made with Water and to ad thereto Oyl and Salt mollifieth or openeth the Belly downwards it also helpeth to cure the biting of a mad Dog some of the Leavs being also applied to the Wound The Leavs bruised or the Juyce of them boyled in Hogs Lard and applied helpeth the falling away of the Hair which cometh of hot and sharp humors as also for any place that is scalded or burnt The Leavs bruised and laid to any green Wound doth heal it up quickly The Root baked under the Embers wrapped in Past or wet
containing very smal brownish Seed which falling on the ground wil plentifully spring up before Winter if it have moisture The Root is round and most usually smooth grayish without and white within having smal fibres at the head of the Root and bottom of the Stalk Place It groweth very plentifully in many places of this Land but especially in all the West parts thereof upon stone and mud Wals upon Rocks also and in stony places upon the ground at the Bottom of old Trees and somtimes on the Bodies of them that are decayed and rotten Time It usually Flowreth in the begining of May and the Seed is ripening quickly after sheddeth it self so that about the end of May usually the Leavs and Stalks are withered dry and gone until September that the Leavs spring up again and so abide all Winter Vertues and Use. The Juyce or the distilled water being drunk is very effectual for al Inflamations and unnatural heats to cool a fainting hot Stomach or a hot Liver or the Bowels The bruised Herb or the place bathed with the Juyce or distilled Water thereof and outwardly applied healeth Pimples Redness St. Anthonies Fire and other outward heats and Inflamations The said Juyce or Water helpeth much also to heal sore Kidneys torn or fretted by the Stone or exulcerated within and easeth the pâ—ns It also provoketh Urine and is available for the Dropsie and helpeth to break the Stone cooling the Inflamed parts and other pains of the Bowels and the bloody Flux It is singular good to cool the painful Piles or Hemorrhoidal Veins the Juyce being used as a Bath unto them or made into an Oyntment It is no less effectual to give eas of pains to the hot Gout the Sciatica and the Inflamations and Swellings in the Cods It helpeth the Kernels or Knots in the Neck or Throat called the Kings Evil healeth Kibes and Chilblains if they be bathed with the Juyce or anointed with an Oyntment made thereof and some of the skin of the Leaf laid upon them It is also used in green Wounds to stay the Blood and to heal them quickly Venus challengeth the Herb under Libra ♄ Knapweed Description The common sort herof hath many long and somwhat broad darke green leaves rising from the Root deeply dented about the edges and somtimes a little rent or torne on both sides in two or three places and somwhat hairy withal among which riseth up a strong round stalk four or five foot high devided into many branches at the tops wherof stand great scalygreen heads from the middle of them thrust forth a number of dark purplish red thrumms or threds which after they are withered and past ther is found divers black Seeds lying in a great deal of down somwhat like unto a Thistle Seed but smaller The Root is white hard and woody with divers fibres annexed therunto which perisheth not but abideth with leavs theron all the winter shooting out fresh every Spring Place It groweth in most Feilds and Meadows and about their borders and Hedges and in many wast grounds also almost every where Time It usually flowreth in June and July and the seed is ripe shortly after Vertues and Use. This Knaproeed helpeth to stay Fluxes both of blood at the mouth or nose or other outward parts and those veins that are inwardly broken or inward wounds as also the Fluxes of the belly It stayeth the distillations of thin and sharp humors from the head upon the stomach and Lungs it is good for those that are bruised by any fall blowes or otherwise It is very profitable for those that are bursten and have a Rupture by drinking the decoction of the Hearbe and roots in wine and applying the same outwardly to the place It is singular good in al running sores cankrous and fistulous drying up the moysture and healing them up gently without sharpness it doth the like to running sores or scabs of the head or other parts It is of special use for the soreness of the Throat swelling of the Vvula and Jawa and excellent good to stay the bleeding and heale up all green wounds Saturn challengeth the herb for his own ♄ Knot-grass Description THis is generally so wel known that it needeth no Description Place It groweth in every County of this Land by the High-way sides and by foot paths in Fields as also by the sides of old Walls Time It springeth up late in the Spring and abideth until Winter when all the branches perish Vertues and Use. The Juyce of the common kind of Knot-grass is most effectuall to stay bleeding at the mouth being drunke in steeled or red Wine and the bleeding at the Nose to be applyed to the Forehead and Temples or to be squirted up into the Nostrils And no less effectuall to coole and temper that heat of the blood stomach and to stay any Flux of the blood or humers as Lask Bloodyflux Womens courses and Running of the Reins It is singular good to provoke Urine helpe the strangurie and allay the heate that cometh therby and it is powerful by Urin to expel the Gravell or stone in the kidneys or Bladder a dram of the pouder of the Herb being taken in wine for many dayes together Being boyled in wine and drunke it is profitable to those that are stung or bitten by venemous creatures and very effectual to stay al defluxions of rhewmatick humors upon the stomach killeth Worms in the belly or stomack quieteth inward paines that arise from the heat sharpness corruption of blood and Choller The distilled water herof taken by it self or w th the pouder of the Herb or seed is very effectual to al the purposes aforesaid and is accounted as one of the most Soveraign remedies to cool all manner of inflamations breakings out through heate hot Swellings and Impostumations Gangrenes and Fistulous Cankers or foule filthy Ulcers being applyed or put into them but especially for all sorts of Ulcers and sores happening in the privie parts of men or women It helpeth all fresh and green Wounds and speedily helpeth them The Juyce dropped into the Ears cleanseth them being soule and having running matter in them Saturn seems to me to own the Hearb and yet some hold the sun out of doubt 't is Saturn it is very prevalent for the premises as also for btoken Joynts and Ruptures ♀ Ladies-Mantle Description THis hath many leavs rising from the Root standing upon long hairy footstalkes being almost round but a little cut in on the edges into eight or ten parts more or less making it seem like a Star with so many corners and points and dented round about of a light green colour somwhat hard in handling and as if it were folded or plaited at first and then crumpled in divers places and a little hairy as the Stalk is also which riseth up among them to the height of two or three foot with such like Leavs thereon but smaller and being weak
rise up 2. or 3. short stalks about 2. foot high and slender with such like Leavs at the Joynts as grow below but with lesser fewer devisions bearing Umbels of white Flowers and after them small thinne flat blackish seed bigger than Dil seeds The Root is somwhat greater and groweth rather sideways than down deep into the ground shooting forth sundry heads which tast sharp biting on the Tongue and is the hottest and sharpest part of the Plant and the seed next unto it beiug somewhat blackish on the outside and smelling well Place It is usually kept in Gardens with us in England Time It Flowreth and seedeth about the end of August Vertues and Use. The Root of Masterwort is hotter than Pepper and very available in all cold Grelfes and Diseases both of Stomach and body dissolving very powerfully upward and downward It is also used in a decoction with wind against all cold rhewms or distillations upon the Lungs and shortnes of breath to be taken morning and evening it also provokerh Urin and helpeth to break the Stone and expel the Greavell from the Kidneys procuereth womens Courses and expelleth the dead birth is singular good for the strangling of the Mother and other such like Feminine Diseases It is effectuall also aganist the Dropsie Cramps and the Falling sicknes for the decection in wine being gargled in the Mouth draweth down much water and flegm from the brain purging easing it of what oppresseth it It is of a rare quality against al sorts of cold poyson to be taken as there is cause It provoketh sweat But left the tast herof or of the seed which worketh to the like effect though not so powerfully should be too offensive the best way is to take the water distilled both from the Herb and Root The Juyce herof dropped or Tents dipped therin and applyed either to green wounds or filthy rotten Ulcers and those that come by invenomed Weapons doth soon clens and heal them or isthey be bathed with the distilled water The same is also very good to help the Gout coming of a cold cause It is an Herb of Mars Sweet Maudlin Description COmmon Maudlin have somwhat long and narrow Leaves snip'd about the edges the stalks are two foot high bearing at the topps many yellow flowers Set round together and all of an equal height â—in umbles tufts like unto Tansy after which flowereth small whitish Seed almost as big as Wormseed The whol Herb is sweet and bitter Place and Time It groweth in Gardens and Flowreth in June and July Vertues and use The Vertues hereof being the same with Costmary or Alecost I shal not trouble you to make any repetition thereof left my Book grow too big but rather refer you unto Costmary for satisfaction The Medlar Description THis Tree groweth neer the bigness of the Quince Tree spreading Branches reasonable large with longer and narrower Leaves than either the Apple or Quince and not dented about the edges At the end of the Sprigs stand the Flowers made of Five white great broad pointed Leavs nicked in the middle with some white threds also after which cometh the Fruit of a brownish green colour being ripe bearing a Crown as it were on the top which were the five green Leaves and being rubbed off or fallen away the head of the Fruit is seen to be somwhat hollow The Fruit is very harsh before it be mellowed and hath usually five hard Kernels within it There is another kind hereof differing nothing from the former but that it hath some Thorns on it in several places which the other hath not and the Fruit is smal and not so pleasant Time They grow in this Land and Flower in May for the most part and bear ripe Fruit in September and October Vertues and use They are very powerful to stay and Fluxes of Blood or Humors in Man or Woman the Leavs have also the like quality The Fruit eaten by Women with Child stayeth their longings after unusual meats and is very effectual for them that are apt to miscarry and be delivered before their time to help that malady and make them joyful Mothers The Decoction of them is good to gargle and wash the Mouth Throat and Teeth when there is any defluxion of Blood to stay it or of Humors which causeth Pains and Swellings It is a good bath for Women to sit over that have their Courses flow too abundantly or for the Piles when they bleed too much If a Pultis or Plaister be made with dried Medlars beaten and mixed with the Juyce of red Roses whereunto a few Cloves and Nutmeg may be added and a little red Correl also and applied to the Stomach that is given to casting or loathing of meat it effectually helpeth The dried Leavs in Pouder strewed on fresh bleeding Wounds restraineth the Blood and healeth up the Wound quickly â—â— The Medlar stones made into Pouder and drunk in Wine wherein some Parsley Roots have lien infused all night or a little boyled do break the Stone in the Kidneys helping to expel it The Fruit is old Saturns and sure a better Medicine he hardly hath to strengthen the retentive faculty therfore it staies Womens Longings the good old Man cannot endure Womens minds should run a gadding Also a Plaister made of the Fruit dried before they be rotten and other convenient things and applied to the Reins of the Back stops Miscarriage in Women with Child Melilot or Kings Claver Description THis hath many green Stalks two or three foot high rising from a tough long white Root which dieth not every yeer set round about at the Joynts with smal and somwhat long wel smelling Leavs set three together unevenly dented about the edges The Flowers are yellow and well smelling also made like other Trefoyls but smal standing in long Spikes one above another for an hand breath long or better which afterwards turn into long crooked Cods wherein is contained flat Seed somwhat Brown Place It groweth plentifully in many places of this Land as in the edg of Susfolk and in Essex as also in Huntingtoushire and in other places but most usually in Corn Fields in corners of Meadows Time It Flowreth in June and July and is ripe quickly after Vertues and Use. Melilot boyled in Wine and applied mollifieth all hard Tumors and Inflamations that happen in the Eyes or other parts of the Body as the Fundament or privy parts of Man or Woman and somtimes the Yolk of a roasted Egg or fine Flower or Poppy Seed or Endive is added unto it It helpeth the spreading Ulcers in the Head it being washed with a Ly made thereof It helpeth the pains of the Stomach being applied fresh or boyled with any of the aforenamed things It helpeth also the pains of the Ears being dropped into them and steeped in Vinegar and Rose-Water it mitigateth the Headach The Flowers of Melilot and Chamomel are much used to
be put together in Clisters to expel Wind to eas pains also into Pultices for the same purpose and to asswage Swellings or Tumors in the Spleen or other parts helpeth Inflamations in any part of the Body The Juyce dropped into the Eyes is a singular good Medicine to take away any Film or Skin that cloudeth or dimmeth the Eyesight The Head often washed with the distilled Water of the Herb and Flowers or a Ly made therwith is effectual for those that have suddenly lost their senses as also to strengthen the Memory to comfort the Head and Brains and to preserve them from pains and the Apoplexie French and Dogs Mercury Description THis riseth up with a square green stalk full of Joynts two foot high or ther abouts with two Leaves at every Joynt and branches likewise from â—oth sides of the stalk set with fresh green Leaves somwhat broad and long about the bigness of the Leaves of Bassell finely dented about the edges towards the topps of the stalks and branches come forth at every Joynt in the Male Mercury two small round green heads standing together upon a short footstalk which growing ripe are the seeds not having any Flower In the female The stalk is longer spike fashion set round about with smal green husks which are the Flowers made like smal branches of Grapes which give no seed but abide long upon the stalks without shedding The Root is composed of many smal Fibres which perisheth every year at the first approach of winter and riseth again of its own sowing and where it once is suffered to sow it self the ground will never want it afterwards even both sorts of it Dogs Mercury Discription HAving described unto you that which is called French Mercury I come now to shew you in a Description this kind also This is likewise of two kinds Male and Female having many stalks slenderer lower than Mercury and without any branches at all upon them The Male is set with two Leavs at every Joynt somwhat greater than the Female but more pointed and full of Veins and somwhat harder in handling of a darker green colour and less dented or snip'd about the edges At the Joynts with the Leavs come forth longer Stalks than the former with two hairy round Seeds upon them twice as big as those of the former Mercury The tast hereof is Herby and the smel somwhat strong and Virulent The Female hath much harder Leavs standing upon longer Foot-stalks and the stalks are also longer From the Joynts come forth Spikes of Flowers like the French Female Mercury The Roots of them both are many and full of smal Fibres which run under ground and mat themselves very much not perishing as the former Mercuries do but abiding the Winter and shoot forth new Branches every yeer for the old die down to the ground Place The Male and Female French Mercury are found wild in divers places of this Land as by a Village called Brookland in Rumney Marsh in Kent The Dogs Mercury in sundry places of Kent also and elswhere but the Female more seldom than the Male. Time They flourish in the Summer months and therein give their Seed Vertues and Use. The Decoction of the Leavs of Mercury or the Juyce thereof in Broth or Drunk with a little Sugar put to it purgeth Chollerick and waterish Humors Hippocrates commendeth it wonderfully for Womens Diseases and applied it to the secret parts to eas the pains of the Mother and used the Decoction of it both to procure Womens Courses and to expel the Afterbirth And gave the Decoction thereof with Mirrh or Pepper or used to apply the Leavs outwardly against the Strangury and Diseases of the Reins and Bladder He used it also for sore and watering Eyes and for the Deafness and pain in the Ears by dropping the Juyce therof into them and bathing them afterwards in white Wine The Decoction thereof made with Water and a Cock Chicken is a most safe Medicine against the hot fits of Agues It also clenseth the Breast and Lungs of Flegm but a little offendeth the Stomach The Juyce or distilled Water snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and Eyes of Catarrhes and Rhewms Some use to drink two or three ounces of the distilled water with a little Sugar put to it in the morning fasting to open and purge the Body of gross viscuous and Melancholly Humors It is wonderful if it be not Fabulous that Dioscorides and Theophrastus do relate of it Viz. That if Women use these herbs either inwardly or outwardly for three daies together after Conception and their Courses be past they shal bring forth Male or Female Children according to that kind of Herb they use Mathiolus saith That the Seed of both the Male and Female Mercury boyled with Wormwood and drunk cureth the yellow Jaundice in a speedy manner The Leavs or the Juyce rubbed upon Warts taketh them away The Juyce mingled with some Vinegar helpeth all running Scabs Tetters Ringworms and the Itch. Galen saith that being applied in manner of a Pultis to any Swelling or Inflamation it digesteth the Swelling and allayeth the Inflamation and is therfore given in Clysters to evacuate the Belly from offensive Humors The Dogs Mercury although it be less used yet may serve in the same manner to the same purpose to purge waterish and Melanchollick Humors Mercury they say owns this Herb but I rather think ' t is Venus and am partly confident of it too for I never read that Mercury ever minded Womens businesses so much I beleev he minds his study more Mint Description OF all the kinds of Mints the Spear-Mint or Heart-Mint being most useful I shal only describe it as followeth Spear-Mint hath divers round Stalks and long but narrowish Leavs set thereon of a a dark green colour The Flowers stand in Spiked Heads at the tops of the Branches being of a pale blush colour The smel or scent hereof is somwhat neer unto Bassilâ— It encreaseth by the Root under ground as all the others do Place It is an usual Inhabitant in Gardens And becaus it seldom giveth any good Seed the defect is recompensed by the plentiful encreas of the Root which being once planted in a Garden will hardly beâ—rid out again Time It Flowreth not until the beginning of August for the most part Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith It hath an heating binding and drying quality and therefore the Juyce taken with Vinegar staieth Bleeding It stirreth up Venery or Bodily lust Two or three Branches thereof taken with the Juyce of sowr Pomegranates stayeth the Hiccough Vomiting and allayeth Choller It dissolveth Impostumes being laid too with Barley Meal It is good to repress the Milk in Womens Breasts and for such as have swollen flagging or great Breasts applied with Salt it helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog with Mead or Honeyed Water it easeth the pains of the Ears and taketh away the roughness of the Tongue
made of five Leavs narrow and pointed at the ends with some yellow thredssn the middle which being past there stand in their places smal round Heads of Seed Place It groweth plentifully in almost all places of this Land commonly in moist grounds by Hedg sides and in the middle of grassy Fields Time They Flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe quickly after Vertues and use Moneywort is singular good to stay all Fluxes in Men or Woman whether they be Lasks Bloody Fluxes the Flowing of Womens Courses Bleedings inwardly or outwardly and the weakness of the Stomach that is given to casting It is very good also for all Ulcers or Excoriations of the Lungs or other inward parts It is exceeding good for all Wounds either fresh or green to heal them speedily and for old Ulcers that are of a spreading nature For all which purposes The Juyce of the Herb or the Pouder drunk in Water wherein hot Steel hath been often quenched Or the Decoction of the green Herb in Wine or Water drunk Or the Seed Juyce or Decoction used to the outward places to wash or bath them or to have Tents dipped therein and put into them are effectual Moonwort Description This riseth up usually but with one dark green thick and fat Leaf standing upon a short footstalk not a bove two fingers breadth but when it will flower it may be said to beare a small slender stalk about four or five Inches high having but one leaf set in the middle therof which is much devided on both sides into somtimes five or seven parts on a sid somtimes more each of which parts is small next the middle rib but broad forwards and round pointed resembling therein an half Moon from whence it took the name the uppermost parts or divisions being less than the lowest The Stalk riseth above this Leaf two or three inches bearing many Branches of small long Tongues every one like the spiky Head of Adders-Tongue of a brownish colour which whether I shall call them Flowers or the Seed I well know notâ— which after they have continued a while resolve into a Mealy dust The Root is smal and Fibrous This hath somtimes divers such like Leavs as are before Described with so many branches or tops arising from one Stalk each devided from the other Place It groweth on Hills and Heaths yet where there is much Grass for therein it delighteth to grow Time It is to be found only in April and May for in June when any hot weather cometh for the most part it is withered and gone Vertues and use Moonwort is cold and drying more than Adders-tongue and is therefore held to be more available for all Wounds both inward and outward The Leavs boyled in red Wine and drunk stayeth the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses and the Whites It also staieth Bleeding Vomitings and other Fluxes It helpeth all Blows and Bruises and to consolidate all Fractures and Dislocations It is good for Ruptures But it is chiefly used by most with other Herbs to make Oyls or Balsoms to heal fresh or green Wounds as I said before either inward or outward for which it is excellent good Moonwort is an Herb which they say will open Locks and unshoo such Horses as tread upon it this some laugh to scorn and those no smal Fools neither but Country people that I know call it Unshoo the Horse besides I have heard Commanders say That on White Down in Devon neer Tiverton there was found thirty Hors shoos pulled off from the feet of the Earl of Essex his Horses being there drawn up in a Body many of them being but newly shod and no reason known which caused much admiration and the Herb described usually grows upon Heaths The Moon owns the Herb. Mosses I Shal not trouble the Reader with any Description of these sith my intent is to speak only of two kinds as the most principal Viz. Ground-Moss and Tree-Moss both which are very well know Place The Ground-Moss growing in our moist Woods and the bottoms of Hills in boggy grounds and in shadowy Ditches and many other such like places The Tree-Moss groweth only on Trees Vertues and use The Ground-Moss is held to be singular good to break the Stone and to expel and drive it forth by Urin being boyled in Wine and drunk The Herb bruised and boyled in Water and applied easeth all Inflamations and pains coming of an hot caus â— and is therfore used to eas the pains of the hot Gout The Tree-Mosses are cooling and binding and partake of a digesting and mollifying quality withal as Galon saith But each Moss doth partake of the Nature of the Tree from whence it is taken therefore that of the Oak is more Binding and is of good effect to stay Fluxes in man or Woman as also Vomitings or Bleedings the Pouder thereof being taken in Wine The Decoction thereof in Wine is very good for Women to be hathed with or to sit in that are troubled with the overflowing of their Courses The same being drunk stayeth the Stomach that is troubled with casting or the Hiccough and as Aâ—â—iâ—â—nna saith it comforteth the Heart The Pouder thereof taken in Drink for some time together is thought available for the Dropsie The Oyl of Roses that hath had fresh Moss steeped therin for a time and after boyled and applied to the Temples and Forehead doth Merveilously eas the Headach coming of a hot caus as also the Distillations of hot Rhewm or Humors to the Eyes or other parts The Antients much used it in their Oyntments and other Medicines against Lassitude and to strengthen and comfort the Sinews For which if it was good then I know no reason but it may be fonnd so still Motherwort Discription THis hath a hard square brownish rough strong Stalk rising three or four foot high at the least spreading into many Branches whereon grow Leavs ou each side with long Footstalks two at every Joynt which are somwhat broad and long as it were rough or crumpled with many great Veins therein of a sad green colour and deeply dented about the edges and almost devided From the middle of the Branches up to the tops of them which are very long and smal grow the Flowers round about them at distances in sharp pointed rough hard Husks of a more red or purple-colour than Balm or Horehound but in the same manner and form as the Horehounds after which come smal round blackish Seed in great plenty The Root sendeth forth a number of long Strings and smal Fibres taking strong hold in the Ground of a dark yellowish or brownish colour and abideth as the Horehound doth the smell of this being not much different from it Place It groweth only in Gardens with us in England Vertues and use Motherwort is held to be of much use for the trembling of the Heart and in faintings and swounings from whence it took
the name Cardiaca The Pouder thereof to the quantity of a spoonful drunk in Wine is a wonderful help to Women in their Sore Travails as also for the suffocations or risings of the Mother and from these effects it is likely it took the name of Motherwort with us It also provoketh Urine and Womens Courses clenseth the Chest of cold Flegm oppressing it and killeth the Worms in the Belly It is of good use to warm and dry up the cold Humors to digest and dispers them that are setled in the Veins Joynts and Sinews of the Body and to help Cramps and Convulsions Venus owns the Herb and it is under Leo there is no better Herb to drive Melancholly Vapors from the Heart to strengthen it and make a merry cheerful blith soul than this Herb it may be kept in a Syrup or Conserve therfore the Latins called it Cardiaca Besides it makes Women joyful Mothers of Children and settles their Wombs as they should be therfore we call it Motherwort Mousear Description THis is a low Herb creeping upon the ground by small strings like the Strawberry Plant whereby it shooteth forth smal Roots whereat grow upon the Ground many small and somwhat short Leavs set in a round form together hollowish in the middle where they are broadest of an hoary colour all over and very hairy which being broken do give a white Milk From among these Leavs spring up two or three smal hoary Stalks about a span high with a few smaller Leavs thereon At the tops whereof standeth usually but one Flower consisting of many paler yellow Leavs broad at the points and a little dented in set in three or four rows the greater outermost very like a Dandelyon Flower and a little reddish underneath about the edges especially if it grow in a dry ground which after they have stood long in Flower do turn into Down which with the Seed is carryed away with the Wind. Place It groweth on Ditch Banks and somtimes in Ditches if they be dry and in sandy Grounds Time It Flowreth about June and July and abideth green all the Winter Vertues and Use. The Juyce hereof taken in Wine or the Decoction thereof drunk doth help the Jaundice although of long continuance to drink thereof morning and evening and abstain from other drink two or three hours after It is a special Remedy against the Stone and the tormenting pains thereof as also other Tortures and griping pains of the Bowels The Decoction thereof with Succory and Centaury is held very eflectual to help the Dropsie and them that are inclining thereunto and the Diseases of the Spleen It stayeth the Fluxes of Blood either at the Mouth or Nose and inward Bleedings also for it is a singular Wound Herb for Wounds both inward and outward It helpeth the Bloody Flux and stayeth the abundance of Womens Courses There is a Syrup made of the Juyce hereof and Sugar by the Apothecaries of Italy and other places which is of much account with them to be given to those that are troubled with the Cough or Phtisick The same also is singular good for Ruptures or Burstings The green Herb bruised and presently bound to any fresh cut or Wound doth quickly soder the lips thereof And the Juyce Decoction or Pouder of the dried Herb is most singular to stay the Malignity of spreading and fretting Cankers and Ulcers wheresoever yea in the Mouth or secret parts The distilled Water of the Plant is available in all the Diseases aforesaid and to wash outward Wounds and Sores and to apply Tents or Cloaths wet therein The Moon owns the Herb also and though Authors cry out upon Alchymists for attempting to fix Quick Silver by this Herb and Moonwort A Roman would not have judged a thing by the success if it be to be fixed at all 't is by Lunar Influence Mugwort Description THe common Mugwort have divers Leavs lying upon the ground very much devided or cut deeply in about the Brims somwhat like Wormwood but much larger of a dark green colour on the upper side and very hoary white underneath The stalks rise to be four or five foot high having on it such like Leavs as those below but somwhat smaller branching forth very much toward the top whereon are set very smal pale yellowish Flowers like Buttons which fall away and after them come small Seed inclosed in round Heads The Root is long and hard with many smal Fibres growing from it whereby it taketh strong hold in the ground but both Stalk and Leaf do die down every yeer and the Root shooteth anew in the Spring The whol Plant is of a reasonable good scent and is more easily propogated by the Slips than by the Seed Place It groweth plentifully in many places of this Land by the way sides as also by smal Water-Courses and in divers other places Time It Flowreth and Seedeth in the end of Summer Vertues and Use. Mugwort is with good success put among other Herbs that are boyled for Women to fit over the hot Decoction to draw down their Courses to help the Delivery of the Birth and expel the Afterbirth as also for the Obstructions and Inflamations of the Mother It breaketh the Stone and causeth one to make water where it is stopped The Juyce thereof made up with Mirrh and put under as a Pessary worketh the same effect and so doth the Root also being made up with Hogs Greas into an Oyntment it taketh away Wens and hard Knots and Kernels that grow about the Neck and Throat and easeth the pains about the Neck and more effectually if some Field Daisies be put with it The Herb it self being fresh or the Juyce thereof taken is a special Remedy upon the overmuch taking of Opium Three drams of the Pouder of the dried Leavs taken in Wine is a speedy and the best certain help for the Sciatica A Decoction thereof made with Chamomel and Agrimony and the place bathed therewith while it is warm taketh away the pains of the Sinews and the Cramp This is an Herb of Venus therefore maintaineth the parts of the Body she rules and Remedies the Diseases of the parts that are under her Signs Taurus and Libra The Mulberry-Tree THis is so well known in the places where it groweth that it needeth no Description Time It beareth Fruit in the Months of July and August Vertues and Use. The Mulberry is of different parts the ripe Berries by reason of their Sweetness and slippery moisture opening the Belly and the unripe binding it especially when they are dried and then they are good to stay Fluxes Lasks and the abundance of Womens Courses The Bark of the Root killeth the broad Worms in the Body The Juyce or the Syrup made of the Juyce of the Berries helpeth all Inflamations and Sores in the Mouth or Throat and the Pallet of the Mouth when it is fallen down The Juyce of the Leavs is a Remedy against the biting
of Serpents and for those that have taken Aconite The Leavs beaten with Vinegar is good to lay on any place that is burnt with fire A Decoction made of the Bark and Leavs is good to wash the Mouth and Teeth when they ach If the Root be a little slit or cut and a smal hole made in the ground next thereunto in the Harvest time it will give out a certain Juyce which being hardned the next day is of good use to help the Toothach to dissolve Knots and purge the Belly The Leavs of Mulberries are said to stay bleeding at Mouth or Nose or the Bleeding of the Piles or of a Wound being bound unto the places A Branch of the Tree taken when the Moon is at the full and bound to the Wrist of a Womans Arm whose Courses come down too much doth stay them in a short space Mercury rules the Tree therefore are its effects variable as his are Mullein Description THe common white Mullein hath many fair large woolly white Leavs lying next the ground somwhat longer than broad pointed at the ends and as it were dented about the edges The Stalk riseth up to be four or five Foot high covered over with such like Leavs but lesser so that no Stalk can be seen for the multitude of Leavs thereon up to the Flowers which come forth on all sides of the Stalk without any Branches for the most part and are many set together in a long spike in some of a gold yellow colour in others more pale consisting of five round pointed Leavs which afterwards give smal round Heads wherein is smal brownish Seed contained The Root is long white and Woody perishing after it hath born Seed Place It groweth by the way sides and in Lanes in many places of this Land Time It Flowreth in July or thereabouts Vertues and use A smal quantity of the Root given in Wine is commended by Dioscorides against Lasks and Fluxes of the Belly The Decoction thereof drunk is profitable for those that are Bursten and for Cramps and Convulsions and for those that are troubled with an old Cough The Decoction thereof gargled caseth the pains of the Toothach An Oyl made by the often Infusion of the Flowers is of very good effect for the Piles The Decoction of the Root in Red Wine or in Water if there be an Ague wherein red hot Steel hath been often quenched doth stay the Bloody Flux The same also openeth Obstructions of the Bladder and Reins when one cannot make water A Decoction of the Leavs hereof and of Sage Marjetom and Camomil Flowers and the places bathed therewith that have Sinews stark with cold or Cramps doth bring them much eas and comfort Three ounces of the distilled water of the Flowers drunk morning and evening for some daies together is said to be the most excellent Remedy for the hot Gout The Juyce of the Leavs and Flowers being laid upon rough Warts as also the Pouder of the dried Roots rubbed on doth easily take them away but doth no good to smooth Warts The Pouder of the dried Flowers is an especial Remedy for those that are troubled with belly-aches or the pains of the Chollick The Decoction of the Root and so likewise of the Leavs is of great effect to dissolve the Tumors Swellings or Inflamation of the Throat The Seed and Leavs boyled in Wine and applied draweth forth speedily Thorns or Splinters gotten into the Flesh easeth the pains and healeth them also The Leavs bruised and wrapped in double papers and covered with hot Ashes and Embers to bake a while and then taken forth and laid warm on any Botch or Boyl hapning in the Groyn or share doth dissolve and heal them The Seed bruised and boyled in Wine and laid on any Member that hath been out of Joynt and is newly set again taketh away all Swellings and pains thereof Mustard Description THe common Mustard hath large and broad rough Leavs very much jagged with uneven and unorderly gashes somwhat like Turnip Leavs but lesser and rougher The Stalk riseth to be more than a foot high and somtimes two foot high being round rough and branched at the top bearing such like Leavs thereon as grow below but lesser and less devided and divers yellow Flowers one above another at the tops after which come smal rough pods with smal lank flat ends wherein is contained round yellowish Seed sharp hot and biting upon the Tongue The Root is smal long and woody when it beareth Stalks and perisheth every yeer Place This groweth with us in Gardens only and other manured places Time It is an annual Plant Flowring in July and their Seed is ripe in August Vertues and use Mustard Seed hath the Vertue of Heating discussing rarefying and drawing out Splinters of Bones and other things out of the Flesh. It is of good effect to bring down Womens Courses for the Falling sickness or Lethargy drousie forgetful evil to use it both inwardly and outwardly to rub the Nostrils Forehead and Temples to warm and quicken the Spirits for by the fierce sharpness it purgeth the Brain by sneezing and drawing down Rhewm and other Viscuous Humors which by their Distillations upon the Lungs and Chest procure coughing and therefore with some Honey added thereto doth much good therein The Decoction of the Seed made in Wine and drunk provoketh Urine resisteth the force of Poyson the Malignity of Mushroms and the Venom of Scorpions or other Venemous Creatures if it be taken in time and taketh before the cold fits of Agues altereth lesseneth and cureth them The Seed taken either by it self or with other things either in an Electuary or Drink doth mightily stir up Bodily lust and helpeth the Spleen and pains in the sides and gnawing in the Bowels And used as a Gargle draweth up the Pallat of the Mouth being fallen down and also it dissolveth the Swellings abouâ— the Throat if it be outwardly applied Being chewed in the Mouth it oftentimes helpeth the Toothach The outward application hereof upon the pained place of the Sciatica discusseth the Humors and easeth the pains as also of the Gout and other Joynt aches And is much and often used to eas pains in the sides or loyns the shoulders or other parts of the Body upon the applying thereof to rais Blisters and cureth the Diseas by drawing it to the outward part of the Body It is also used to help the falling of the Hair The Seed bruised mixed with Honey and applied or made up with Wax taketh away the Marks and black and blue spots of Bruises or the like the roughness or Scabbedness of the Skin as also the Leprosie and lowsie evil it helpeth also the crick in the Neck The distilled Water of the Herb when it is in Flower is much used to drink inwardly to help in any the Diseases aforesaid or to wash the Mouth when the Pallat is down and for the Diseases of the Throat
good to wash either old rotten and stinking sores or Fistulaes and Gangrenes and such as are fretting eating or corroding Scabs Mainginess and Itch in any part of the Body as also green Wounds by washing them therwith or applying the green Herb bruised thereunto yea although the Flesh were seperated from the Bones The same applied to our wearied Members refresheth them or to places that have been out of Joynt being first set again strengthneth drieth and comforteth them as also those places troubled with Aches and Gouts and the Defluxion of Humors upon the Joynts or Sinews it easeth the pains and drieth or dissolveth the Defluxions An Oyntment made of the Juyce Oyl and a little Wax is singular good to rub cold and benummed Members An handful of the Leavs of green Nettles and another of Wallwort or Danewort bruised and applied simply of themselves to the Gout Sciatica or Joyntaches in any part hath been found to be an admirable help thereunto This also is an Herb Mars claims Dominion over you know Mars is hot and dry and you know as well that Winter is cold and moist then you may know as well the reason why Nettle tops eaten in Spring consume the Flegmatick superfluities in the Body of man that the coldness and moisture of Winter hath left behind Nightshade Description COmmon Nightshade hath an upright round green hollow stalk about a Foot or half a yard high bushing forth into many Branches whereon grow many green Leavs somwhat broad and pointed at the ends soft and full of Juyce somwhat like unto Bazil but larger and a little unevenly dented about the edges at the tops of the Stalks and Branches come forth three or four or more white Flowers made of five smal pointed Leavs apiece standing on a Stalk together one above another with yellow pointels in the middle composed of four of five yellow threds set together which afterwards turn into so many pendulous green Berries of the bigness of smal Pease full of green Juyce and smal whitish round flat Seed lying within it The Root is white and a little woody when it hath given Flower and Fruit with many smal Fibres at it The whol Plant is of a waterish insipide tast but the Juyce within the Berries is somwhat viscuous and of a cooling and binding quality Place It groweth wild with us under old Walls and in Rubbish the common paths and sides of Hedges and Fields as also in our Gardens here in England without any planting Time It dieth down every yeer and ariseth again of its own sowing but springeth not until the latter end of April at the soonest Vertues and Use. This Common Nightshade is wholly used to cool all hot Inflamations either inwardly or outwardly being no way dangerous to any that shall use it as most of the rest of the Nightshades are yet it must be used modeâ—â—ly The distilled water only of the whol Herb is fittest and safest to be taken inwardly The Juyce also clarified and taken being mingled with a little Vinegar is good to wash the Mouth and Throat that is inflamed But outwardly the Juyce of the Herb or Berries with Oyl of Roses and a little Vinegar and Ceruss labored together in a leaden Morter is very good to anoint all hot Inflamations in the Eyes It doth also much good for the Shingles Ringworms and in all running fretting and corroding Ulcers and in moist Fistulaes if the Juyce be made up with some Hens dung and applied thereto A Pessary dipp'd in the Juyce and put up into the Matrix stayeth the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses A Cloth wet therein and applied to the Testicles or Cods upon any Swelling therein giveth much eas as also to the Gout that cometh of hot and sharp Humors The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth pains therin that arise of heat or Inflamation And Pliny saith it is good for hot Swellings under the Throat Have a care you mistake not the deadly Nightshade for this if you know it not you may let them both alone and take no harm having other Medicines sufficient in the Book The Oak THis is so well known the Timber thereof being the Glory and Safety of this Nation by sea that it needeth no Description Vertues and use The Leavs and Bark of the Oak and the Acorn Cups do bind and dry very much The inner Bark of the Tree and the thin Skin that covereth the Acorn are most used to stay the spitting of Blood and the Bloody Flux The Decoction of that Bark and the Pouder of the Cups to stay Vomitings spitting of blood bleeding at Mouth or other Flux of Blood in man or woman Lasks also and the involuntary Flux of Natural Seed The Acorns in Pouder taken in Wine pravoketh Urine and resisteth the Poyson of Venemous Creatures The Decoction of Acorns and the Bark made in Milk and taken resisteth the force of Poysonous Herbs and Medicines as also the Virulency of Cantharides when one by eating them hath his Bladder exulcerated and pisseth Blood Hippocrates saith he used the fumes of Oak Leavs to Woman that were troubled with the strangling of the Mother and Oalen applied them being bruised to cure green Wounds The Distilled water of the Oaken Buds before they break out into Leavs is good to be used either inward or outwardly to asswage Inflamations and stop all manner of Fluxes in man or woman The same is singular good in Pestilential and hot burning Feavers for it resisteth the force of the infection and allayeth the heat it cooleth the heat of the Liver breaketh the Stone in the Kidneys and staieth womens Courses The Decoction of the Leavs worketh the same effects The water that is found in the hollow places of old Oaks is very effectual against any foul or spreading Scab The Distilled Water or Decoction which is better of the Leavs is one of the best Remedies that I know for the Whites in Women Jupiter owns the Treo Oats THese are also so well known that they need no Description Vertues and Use. Oats fryed with Bay-Salt and applied to the sides takes away the pains of Stitches and Wind in the sides or Belly A Pultis made of the Meal of Oats and some Oyl of Bays put thereto helpeth the Itch and the Leprosie as also the Fistulaes of the Fundament and dissolveth hard Imposthumes The Meal of Oats boyled with Vinegar and applied taketh away Freckles and Spots in the Face or other parts of the Body One-blade Description THis smal Plant never beareth more than one Leaf but only when it riseth up with his Stalk which thereon beareth another and seldom more which are of a blewish green colour pointed with many Ribs or Veins therein like Plantane At the top of the Stalk grow many smal white Flowers Star-fashion smelling somwhat sweet after which come smal reddish Berries when they are ripe The Root is small of the bigness of a Rush lying and creeping under
the upper crust of the Earth shooting forth in diverse places Place It groweth in moist shadowy and grassy places of Woods in many places of this Land Time It â—â—â—wreth about May and the Berries be â—ipe in June and then quickly perisheth until the next yeer it springeth from the same Root again Vertues and use Half a Dram or a Dram at most in Pouder of the Roots hereof taken in Wine and Vinegar of each equal parts and the party laid presently to sweat thereupon is held to be a Soveraign Remedy for those that are infected with the Plague and have a Sore upon them by expelling the poyson and infection and defending the Heart and Spirits from danger It is a singular good Wound Herb and is therupon used w th other the like effects in making Compound Balms for the curing of Wounds be they fresh and green or old and Malignant and especially if the Sinews be hurt Onions THese are so well known that I need not spend time about writing a Description of them Vertues and Vices Onions are Flatulent or Windy yet they do somwhat provoke appetite encreas thirst eas the Belly and Bowels provoke Womens Courses help the biting of a mad Dog and of other Venemous Creatures to be used with Honey and Rue and encreaseth Sperm especially the Seed of them They also kill the Worms in Children if they drink the Water fasting wherein they have been steeped all night Being roasted under the Embers and eaten with Honey or Sugar and Oyl they much conduce to help an inveterate Cough and expectorate the tough Flegm The Juyce being snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and helpeth the Lethargy yet the often eating of them is said to procure pains in the Head It hath been held with divers Country people a good preservative against Infection to eat Onions fasting with Bread and Salt as also to make a great Onion hollow filling the place with good Triacle and after to roast it well under the Embers which after taking away of the outermost skin thereof being beaten together is a Soveraign Salve for either Plague-Sore or any other putrid Ulcer The Juyce of Onions is good for either scalding or burning by fire water or Gunpouder and used with Vinegar taketh away all Blemishes Spots and Marks in the Skin and dropped into the Ears easeth the pains and nois of them Applied also with Figs beaten together heâ—peth to ripen and break Impostumes and other Sores Leeks are as like them in quality as a Pomewater is like an Apple They are a Remedy against a Surfeit of Mushroms being baked under the Embers and taken and being boyled and applied warm helpeth the Piles In other things they have the same property as the Onions although not so effectual Mars owns them and they have gotten this quality to draw any corruption to them for if you pill one and lay him upon a Dunghil you shall find him rotten in half a day by drawing putrifaction to it then being bruised and applied to a Plague-Sore 't is very probable 't will do the like Orpine Description COmmon Orpine riseth up with diverse round brittle Stalks thick set with fat and fleshy Leavs without any order and little or nothing dented about the edges of a pale green colour The Flowers are white or whitish growing in tufts after which come small chaffy Husks with Seed like dust in them The Roots are diverse thick round white tuberous clogs and the Plant groweth not so big in some places as in others where it is found Place It is frequent almost in every Country of this Land and is cherished in Gardens with us where it groweth greater than that which is wild and groweth in the shadowy sides of Fields and Woods Time It Flowreth about July and the Seed is ripe in August Vertues and Use. Orpine is seldom used in inward Medicines with us although Tragus saith from experience in Germany that the distilled water thereof is profitable for gnawings or excoriations in the Stomach or Bowels and for Ulcers in the Lungs Liver or other inward parts as also in the Matrix and helpeth all those Diseases being drunk for certain daies together And that it stayeth the sharpness of Humors in the Bloody Flux and other Fluxes in the Body or in Wounds The Root thereof also performeth the same effect It is used outwardly to cool any heat or Inflamation upon any Hurt or Wound and easeth the pains of them as also to heal Scaldings or Burnings The Juyce thereof beaten with some green Sallet Oyl and anointed The Leaf also bruised and laid to any green Wound in the Hands or Legs doth heal them quickly and being bound to the Throat much helpeth the Quinsie It helpeth also Ruptures and Burstiness If you pleas to make the Juyce into a Syrup with Honey or Sugar you may safely take a spoonful or two at a time let my Author say what he will for a Quinsie and you shall find the Medicine more pleasant and the Cure more speedy than if you took a Dogs-turd which is the Learned Colledges vulgar Cure The Moon owns the Herb and he that knows but her Exaltation knows what I say is true Parsley THis is so well known to be an Inhabitant in every Garden that it is needless to write any Description of it The vertues of it being many are as followeth Vertues and use It is very comfortable to the Stomach and helpeth to provoke Urine and Womens Courses and to break wind both in the Stomach and Bowels and doth a little open the Body but the Root much more and openeth Obstructions both of the Liver and Spleen and is therfore accounted one of the five opening Roots Galen commendeth it against the Falling-sickness and to provoke Urine mightily especially if the Roots be boyled and eaten like Parsnips The Seed is effectual to provoke Urine and Womens Courses to expel wind to break the Stone and eas the pains and torments thereof or of any other part in the Body occasioned by Wind. It is also effectual against the Venom of any poysonfull Creature and the danger that cometh to them that have taken Litharge and is good against the Cough The distilled water of Parsley is a familiar Medicine with Nurses to give their Children when they are troubled with wind in the Stomach or Belly which they call the frets and is also much available to them that are of greater yeers The Leavs of Parsley laid to the Eyes that are inflamed with heat or swoln doth much help them if it be used with Bread or Meal and being fryed with Butter and applied to Womens Breasts that are hard through the curdling of their Milk it abateth the hardness quickly and also it taketh away black and blue marks coming of Bruises or Falls The Juyce thereof dropped into the Ears with a little Wine easeth the pains Tragus setteth down an excellent Medicine to help the Jaundice and Falling-sickness
Milk or Cream of these Kernels being drawn forth with some Vervain Water and applied to the Forehead and Temples doth much help to procure rest and sleep to sick persons wanting it The Oyl drawn from the Kernels the Temples being therewith anointed doth the like The said Oyl put into Clysters easeth the pains of the wind Chollick and anointed on the lower part of the Belly doth the like and dropped into the Ears caseth the pains of them The Juyce of the Leavs doth the like being also anointed on the Forhead and Temples it helpeth the Megrim and all other pains in the Head If the Kernels be bruised and boyled in Vinegar until they become thick and applied to the Head it merveilously procure the Hair to grow again upon bald places or where it is too thin Lady Venus owns this Tree and by it opposeth the ill effects of Mars and indeed for Children and yong people nothing is better to purge Choller and the Jaundice than the Leavs and Flowers of this Tree being made into a Syrup or Conserve let such as delight to please their lust regard the Fruit but such as love their health and their Childrens let them regard what I say they may safely give two spoonfuls of the Syrup at a time 't is as gentle as Venus her self The Pear-tree THese are so well known that they need no Description Vertues and Use. For their Physical use they are best discerned by their tasts All the sweet or lushious sorts whether manured or wild do help to move the Belly downward more or less Those that are harsh and sowr do on the contrary bind the Belly as much and the Leavs do so also Those that are moist do in some sort cool but harsh or wild sorts much more and are very good in repelling Medicines as if the wild sorts be boyled with Mushroms it maketh them the less dangerous The said Pears boyled with a little Honey helpeth much the oppressed Stomach as al sorts of them do some more some less but the harsher sorts do most cool and bind serving well to be bound to green wounds to cool and stay the Blood and heal up the wound without further trouble or Inflamation as Galen saith he hath found by experience And wild Pears do sooner close up the Lips of green Wounds than the others Schola Salerni adviseth to drink much Wine after Pears or els they say they are as bad as poyson nay and they curs the Tree for it too but if a poor man find his Stomach oppressed by eating Pears 't is but working hard and it will do as wel as drinking Wine The Trce belongs to Venus and so doth the Apple-tree Pellitory of the Wall Description THis riseth up with many brownish red tender and weak clear and almost transparent stalks about two foot high upon which grow at the several Joynts two Leavs somwhat broad and long of a dark green colour which afterwards turn brownish smooth on the edges but rough and hairy as the Stalks are also At the Joynts with the Leavs from the middle of the stalks upwards wher it spreadeth into some branches stand many smal pale purplish Flowers in hairy rough Heads or Husks after which come smal black and rough Seed which will stick to any cloth or Garment that shall touch it The Root is somwhat long with many smal Fibres thereat of a dark reddish colour which abideth the Winter although the Stalks and Leavs perish and spring afresh every yeer Place It groweth wild generally through this Land about the borders of Fields and by the sides of Walls and among Rubbish It will endure well being brought into Gardens and planted on the shady side where it will spring of its own sowing Time It flowreth in June and July and the Seed is ripe soon after Vertues and Use. The dried Herb Pellitory made up into an Electuary with Honey or the Juyce of the Herb or the Decoction thereof made up with Sagar or Honey is a singular Remedy for any old or dry Cough the shortness of breath and Wheesing in the Throat Three ounces of the Juyce thereof taken at a time doth wonderfully help stopping of the Urine and to expel the Stone or Gravel in the Kidneys or Bladderâ— and is therfore usually put among other Herbs used in Clisters to mitigate pains in the Back Sides or Bowels proceeding of wind stopping of Urine the Gravel or Stone as aforesaid If the bruised Herb sprinkled with some Muskadine be warmed upon a Tile or in a Dish upon a few quick coals in a Chasing-dish and applied to the Belly it worketh the same effect The Decoction of the Herb being drunk easeth pains of the Mother and bringeth down Womens Courses it also easeth those griefs that arise from Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Reins The same Decoction with a little Honey added thereto is good to gargle a sore Throat The Juyce held a while in the Mouth easeth pains in the Teeth The distilled water of the Herb drunk with some Sugar worketh the same effects and clenseth the Skin from Spots Freckles Purples Wheals Sunburn Morphew c. The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the noise in them and taketh away the pricking and shooting pains therein The same or the distilled Water asswageth hot and swelling Impostumes Burnings and Scaldings by fire or Water as also all other hot Tumors and Inflamations or breakings out of Heat being bathed often with wet Cloathes dipped therein The said Juyce made into a Liniment with Ceruss and Oyl of Roses and anointed therewith clenseth foul rotten Ulcers and stayeth spreading or creeping Ulcers and the running Scabs or Sores in Childrens Heads and helpeth to stay falling of the Hair from off the Head The said Oyntment or the Herb applied to the Fundament openeth the Piles and easeth their pains and being mixed with Goats Tallow helpeth the Gout The Juyce is very effectual to clens Fistulaes and to heal them up safely or the Herb it self bruised and applied with a little Salt It is likewise so effectual to heal any green Wound that if it be bruised and bound thereto for three daies you shall need no other Medicine to heal it further A Pultis made hereof with Mallows and boyled in Wine with Wheat Bran and Bean Flower and some Oyl put thereto and applied warm to any bruised Sinew Tendon or Muscle doth in a very short time restore them to their strength taking away the pains of the Bruises and dissolveth the congealed Blood coming of Blows or Falls from high places The Juyce of Pellitory of Wall clarified and boyled into a Syrup with Honey and a spoonful of it drunk every morning by such as are subject to the Dropsie if continuing that cours though but once a week if ever they have the Dropsie let them come but to me and I will cure them gratis Peny-royal Description THis is so well known unto all I
is a good Remedy against the Plague and other Pestilential Feavers if the Party after taking it warm lie in his bed and sweat for two hours after and use the same twice at least It helpeth also all stingings and bitings of Venemous Beasts or mad Dogs being used inwardly and applied outwardly The same also openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and is very available against the Infirmities of the Reins it provoketh Urine and helpeth to expel the Stone and Gravel out of the Kidneys and Bladder and helpeth much in all inward Wounds and Ulcers The Decoction or distilled Water is no less effectual to be applied to all Wounds that are fresh and green or old filthy fretting and running Ulcers which it very effectually cureth in short spaces A little Honey mixed with the Juyce and dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from cloudy mists or thick Films which grow over them and hinder the sight It helpeth the Toothach being dropped into the Ear on the contrary side of the pain It is also effectual to eas the pains of the Hemorrhoids or Piles Ground Pine or Chamepitys Description OUr common Ground Pine groweth low seldom rising above an handbreadth high shooting forth divers smal Branches set with slender smal long narrow grayish or whitish Leavs somwhat hairy and devided into three parts many times many bushing together at a Joynt and somtimes some growing scatteredly upon the Stalks smelling somwhat strong like unto Rozin the Flowers are somwhat smal and of a pale yellow colour growing from the Joynts of the Stalks all along among the Leavs after which come small long and round Husks The Root is smal woody perishing every yeer Place It groweth more plentifully in Kent than in any other Country of this Land as namely in many places from on this side Dartford along to Southfleet Cotham and Rochester and upon Chattam down hard by the Beacon and half a mile from Rochester in a Field nigh a Hous called Salsey Time It Flowreth and giveth Seed in the Summer Months Vertues and Use. The Decoction of Ground Pine drunk doth wonderfully prevail against the Strangury or any inward pains arising from the Diseases of the Reins and Urine and is especial good for all Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and gently openeth the Body for which purpose they were wont in former times to make Pills with the Pouder thereof and the Purple Figs. It marveilously helpeth all the Diseases of the Mother used inwardly or applied outwardly procuring Womens Courses and expelling the dead Child and afterbirth yea it is so powerful upon those Feminine parts that it is utterly forbidden to Women with Child in that it will caus abortment or delivery before the time It is as effectual also in all pains and Diseases of the Joynts as Gouts Cramps Palseys Sciatica and Aches either the Decoction of the Herb in ' Wine taken inwardly or applied outwardly or both for some time together for which purpose the Pills made with the Pouder of Ground Pine and of Hermodactils with Venice Turpentine are very effectual These Pills also are special good for those that have the Dropsie to be continued for some time The same is a special good help for the Jaundice and for griping pains in the Joynts Belly or inward parts It helpeth also all Diseases of the Brain proceeding of cold and Flegmatick Humors and Distillations as also for the Falling-sickness It is an espcial Remedy for the Poyson of the Aconites of all sorts and other poisonful Herbs as also against the stinking of any Venemous Creature It is a good Remedy for a cold Cough especially in the beginning For all this purposes aforesaid the Herb being tunned up in new Drink and drunk is almost as effectual but far more acceptable to weak and dainty Stomachs The Distilled Water of the Herb hath the same effects but more weakly The Conserve of the Flowers doth the like which Mathiolus much commendeth against the Palsey The green Herb or the Decoction thereof being applied dissolveth the hardness of Womens Breasts and all other hard Swellings in any other part of the Body The green Herb also applied or the Juyce thereof with some Honey not only clenseth putrid stinking foul and Malignant Ulcers and Sores of all sorts but healeth and sodereth up the lips of green Wounds in any part also Let Women forbear it if they be with Child for it works violently upon the Foeminine part and Mars owns it I tell them but so Plantane THis groweth so familiarly in Meadows and Fields and by Pathways and is so well known that it needeth no Description Time It is in its beauty about June and the Seed ripeneth shortly after Vertues and Use. The Juyce of Plantane clarified and drunk for divers daies together either of it self or in other drink prevaileth wonderfully against all torments or Excoriations in the Guts or Bowels helpeth the distillations of Rhewm from the Head ond staieth all manner of Fluxes even Womens Courses when they flow too abundantly It is good to stay spitting of Blood and all other Bleedings at the Mouth or the making of foul or bloody water by reason of any Ulcer in the Reins or Bladder and also staveth the too free bleeding of Wounds It is held an especial Remedy for those that are troubled with the Phtisick or Consumption of the Lungs or Ulcers in the Lungs or Coughs that come of heat The Decoction or Pouder of the Roots or Seed is much more binding for all the purposes aforesaid than the Leavs Dioscorides saith That three Roots boyled in Wine and taken helpeth the Tertian Ague and four the Quartan Ague But letting pass the number as Fabulous I conceive the Decoction of divers Roots may be effectual The Herb but especially the Seed is held to be profitable against the Dropsie the Falling-sickness the yellow Jaundice and stoppings of the Liver and Reins The Roots of Plantane and Pellitory of Spain beaten to Pouder and put into hollow Teeth taketh away the pains of them The clarified Juyce or distilled Water dropped into the Eyes cooleth the Inflamations in them and taketh away the Pin and Web and dropped into the Ears easeth pains in them and helpeth and restoreth the Hearing The same also with Juyce of Housleek is profitable against all Inflamations and breakings out in the skin and against Burnings or Scaldings by fire or Water The Juyce or Decoction made either of it self or other things of like nature is of much use and good effect for old and hollow Ulcers that are hard to be cured and for Cankers and Sores in the Mouth or privy parts of Man or Woman and helpeth also the pains of the Piles in the Fundament The Juyce mixed with Oyl of Roses and the Temples and Forhead anointed therewith easeth the pains of the Head proceeding from heat and helpeth Lunatick and Phrenetick persons very much as also the bitings of Serpents or a Mad Dog The same
and upon the Lungs causing a continual Cough the Fore-runner of a Consumption It helpeth also Hoarsness of the Throat and when one hath lost their voice which the Oyl of the Seed doth likewise The black Seed boyled in Wine and drunk is said also to stay the Flux of the Belly and Womens Courses The empty thels of the Poppy Heads are usually boyled in water and given to procure rest and sleep so do the Leavs in the same manner as also if the Head and Temples be bathed with the Decoction warm or with the Oyl of Poppies the green Leaves or Heads bruised and applied with a little Vinegar or made into a Pultis with Barley Meal or Hogs Greas it cooleth and tempereth al Inflamations as also the Diseas called St. Anthonies Fire It is generally used in Treacle and Methridate and in all other Medicines that are made to procure rest and sleep and to eas pains in the Head as well as in other parts It is also used to cool Inflamations Agues or Phrensies and to stay Defluxions which caus a Cough or Consumption and also other Fluxes of the Belly or Womens Courses It is also put into hollow Teeth to eas the pain and hath been found by experience to eas the pain of the Gout The Wild Poppy or Corn Rose as Mathiolus saith is good to prevent the Falling-sickness The Syrup made with the Flowers is with good effect given to those that have the Pluresie and the dried Flowers also either boyled in water or made into Pouder and drunk either in the Distilled Water of them or in some other Drink worketh the like effect The Distilled Water of the Flowers is held to be of much good use against Surfets being drunk evening and morning It is also more cooling than any of the other Poppies and therefore cannot but be as effectual in hot Agues Phrensies and other Inflamations either inward or outward the Syrup or Water to be used therein or the green Leavs used outwardly either in an Oyntment as it is in Populeon a cooling Oyntment or any other wales applied Galen saith the Seed is dangerous to be used inwardly The Herb is Lunar and of the Juyce of it is made Opium only for lucre of Money they cheat you and tell you 't is a kind of Tear or some such like thing that drops from Poppies when they weep and that is some where beyond the Sea I know not where beyond the Moon Purslane THe Garden Purslane being used as a Sallet Herb is so well known that it needeth no Description I shal therefore only speak of its Vertues as followeth Vertues and use It is good to cool any heat in the Liver Blood Reins and Stomach and in hot Agues nothing better It stayeth hot and Chollerick Fluxes of the Belly Womens Courses the Whites and Gonorrhea or running of the Reins the Distillations from the Head and pains therein proceeding of heat want of sleep or the Phrensie The Seed is more effectual than the Herb and is of singular good use to cool the heat and sharpness of Urine and the outragious Lust of the Body Venerious Dreams and the like insomuch that the overfrequent use hereof exinguisheth the Heat and Vertue of Natural Procreation The Seed bruised and boyled in Wine and given to Children expelleth the Worms The Juyce of the Herb is held as effectual to all the purposes aforesaid as also to stay Vomitings and taken with some Sugar or Honey helpeth an old and dry Cough shortness of Breath and the Phtisick and stayeth immoderate Thirst. The Distilled water of the Herb is used by many as the more pleasing with a little Sugar to work the same effects The Juyce also is singular good in the Inflamations and Ulcers of the secret parts in man or woman as â—â— of the Bowels and Hemorrhoids â—hen they are Ulcerous or Excoriations in them The Herb bruised and applied to the Forehead and Temples allayeth excessive heat therein hindring rest and sleep and applied to the Eyes taketh away the redness and Inflamation in them and those other parts where Pushes Wheals Pimples St. Anthonies Fire and the like break forth especially if a little Vinegar be put to it And being laid to the Neck with as much of Galls and Linseed together taketh away the pains therein and the Crick in the Neck The Juyce is used with Oyl of Roses for the said causes or for Blastings by Lightning and Burnings by Gun-Pouder or for Womens sore Breastss and to allay the heat in all other Sores or Hurts applied also to the Navels of Children that stick forth it helpeth them It is also good for sore Mouths and Gums that are swollen to fasten loos Teeth Camerarius saith That the distilled water used by some took away the pain of their Teeth when all other Remedies failed and that the thickned Juyce made in Pills with the Pouder of Gum Tragacanth and Arabick being taken prevaileth much to help those that make a bloody water Applied to the Gout it easeth pains thereof and helpeth the hardness of Sinews if it come not of the Cramp or a cold caus 'T is an Herb of the Moon See Lettice Primroses THese are so well known that they need no Description Of the Leavs of Primroses is made as fine a Salve to heal green Wounds as any is that I know you shall be taught to make Salves of any Herb at the latter end of the Book make this as you are taught there and do not you that have any Ingenuity in you see your poor Neighbors go with wounded Limbs when a Halfpenny cost will heal them Privet Description OUr common Privet is carried up with many slender Branches to a reasonable height and breadth to cover Arbours Bowrs and Banquetting Houses and brought wrought and cut into many forms of Men Horses Birds c. which though at first supported groweth afterwards strong of it self It beareth long and narrow green Leavs by couples and sweet smelling white Flowers in tufts at the ends of the Branches which turn into smal black Berries that have a Purplish Juyce within them and some Seeds that are flat on the one side with a hole or dent therein Place It groweth in this Land in divers Woods Time Our Privet Flowreth in June and July The Berries are ripe in August and September Vertues and Use. It is little used in Physick with us in these times more than in Lotions to wash Sores and Sore Mouths and to cool Inflamations and dry up Fluxes Yet Mathiolus saith it serveth to all the uses for which Ciprus or the East Privet is appointed by Dioscorides and Galen He further saith That the Oyl that is made of the Flowers of Privet infused therin and set in the Sun is singular good for the Inflamations of Wounds and for the Headach coming of an hot caus There is a sweet water also distilled from the Flowers that is good for all those Diseases
this Take therfore a Description at large of it as followeth Description At the first appearing out of the ground when the Winter is past is hath a great round brownish head rising from the middle or sides of the Root which openeth it self into sundry Leavs one after another very much crumpled or folded together at the first and brownish but afterward it spreadeth it self and becometh smooth very large and almost round every one standing on a brownish Stalk of the thickness of a mans Thumb when they are grown to their fulness and most of them two foot and more in length especially when they grow in any moist or good Ground and the Stalk of the Leaf also from the bottom thereof to the Leaf it self being also two Foot The breadth thereof from edg to edg in the broadest place being also two foot of a sad or dark green colour of a fine tart or sowrish tast much more pleasant than the Garden or Wood sorrel From among these riseth up some but not every yeer a strong thick Stalk not growing so high as the Patience or Garden Dock with such round Leavs as grow below but smaller at every Joynt up to the top and among the Flowers which are white spreading forth into many Branches and consisting of five or six small white Leavs apiece hardly to be discerned from the white threds in the middle and seeming to be all threds after which come brownish three square Seed like unto other Docks but larger whereby it may be plainly known to be a Dock The Root groweth in time to be very great with divers and sundry great spreading Branches from it of a dark brownish or reddish colour on the outside with a pale yellow skin under it which covereth the inner substance or Root which â—ind and Skin being pared away the Root appeareth of so fresh and lively a colour with fleshcolour'd Veins running through it that the choicest of that Rubarb that is brought us from beyond the Seas cannot excel it Which Root if it be dried carefully and as it ought which must be in our Countrey by the gentle heat of a fire in regard the Sun is not hot enough here to do it and every piece kept from touching one another will hold his colour almost as well as when it is fresh and hath been approved of and commended by those who have oftentimes used them Place It groweth in Gardens and Flowreth about the beginning or middle of June and the Seed is ripe in July Time The Roots that are to be dried and kept all the yeer following are not to be taken up before the Stalk and Leavs be quite withered and gone and that is not until the middle or end of October and if they be taken a little before the Leavs do spring or when they are sprung up the Roots will not have half so good a colour in them I have given the precedence unto this becaus in vertues also it hath the preheminence I come now to describe unto you that which is called Patience or Monks Rubarb and next unto at the great round Leav'd Dock or Bastard Rubarb for the one of these may happily supply in the absence of the other being not much unlike in their Vertues only one more powerful and efficacious than the other And lastly shall shâ—w you the Vertues of all the three Sorts Garden Patience or Monks Rubard Description THis is a Dock bearing the name of Rubarb for some purging quality therein and groweth up with large tall Stalks set with somwhat broad and long fair green Leavs not dented at all The tops of the Stalks being devided into many smal Branches bear reddish or purplish Flowers and three square Seed like unto other Docks The Root is long great and yellow like unto the wild Docks but a little redder and if it be a little dried sheweth less store of discoloured veins than the next doth when it is dry Great round leav'd Dock OR Bastard Rubarb Description THis hath divers large round thin yellowish with green Leavs rising from the Root a little waved about the edges every one standing on a reasonable thick and long brownish Footstalk from among which riseth up a pretty big Stalk about two foot high with some such like Leavs growing thereon but smaller At top whereof stand In a long spike many smal brownish Flowers which turn into hard three square shining brown Seed like the Garden Patience before described This Root groweth greater than that with many Branches or great Fibres thereat yellow on the outside and somwhat pale yellow within with some discoloured veins like to the Rubarb which is first described but much less than it especially when it is dry Place and Time These also grow in Gardens and Flower and Seed at or neer the same time that our true Rubarb doth Viz. they Flower in June and the Seed is ripe in July Vertues and use A dram of the dried Root of Monks Rubarb with a seruple of Ginger made into Pouder and taken fasting in a draught or mess of warm Broth purgeâ— Choller and Flegm downward very gently and safely without danger The Seed thereof contrarily doth bind the Belly and helpeth to stay any sort of Lask or Bloody Flux The distilled water thereof is very profitably used to heal Scabs as also foul Ulcerous Sores and to allay the Inflamations of them The Juyce of the Leavs or Roots or the Decoction of them in Vinegar is used as a most effectual Remedy to heal Scabs and running Sores The Bastard Rubarb hath all the properties of the Monks Rubarb but more effectual for both inward and outward Diseases The Decoction thereof with Vinegar dropped into the Ears taketh away the pains gargled in the Mouth taketh away Toothach and being drunk healeth the Jaundice The Seed thereof taken easeth the gnawing and griping pains of the Stomach and taketh away the loathing thereof unto Meat The Root thereof helpeth the ruggedness of the Nails and being boyled in Wine helpeth the Swellings of the Throat commonly called the Kings evil as also the Swellings of the Kernels of the Ears It helpeth them that are troubled with the Stone provoketh Urine and helpeth the dimness of the Sight The Roots of this Bastard Rubarb are used in opening and purging Diet Drinks with other things to open the Liver and to clens and cool the Blood The poperties of that which is called the English Rubarb are the same with the former but much more effectual and hath all the properties of the true Indian Rubarb except the force in purging wherein it is but of half the strength thereof and therfore a double quantity must be used it likewise hath not that bitterness and astriction in other things it worketh almost â—n an equal quality which are these It purgeth the Body of Choller and Flegm being either taken of it self made into Pouder and drunk in a draught of white Wine or steâ—ped therein all night and taken
extenuate fat corpulent Bodies What an Infamy is cast upon the Ashes of Methridates or Methradates as the Augustanes read his name by unworthy people they that deserve no good report themselves love to give nonâ— to others Viz. That that renowned King of Pontus fortified his Body by Poyson against Poyson He cast out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils what a sot is he that knows not if he had accustomed his Body to cold Poysons hot Poysons would have dispatch'd him or the contrary if not corrosions would have done it the whol world is at this very time beholding to him for his Studies in Physick and he that useth the quantity of but a Hazel Nut of that Recept every morning to which his name is adjoyned shall to admiration preserve his Body in health if he do but consider that Rue is an Herb of the Sun and under Leo and gather it and the rest accordingly Rupture wort Description THis spreadeth very many threddy Branches round about upon the ground about a span long devided into many other smaller parts full of small Joynts set very thick together whereat come forth two very small Leavs of a fresh yellowish green colour branches and all where groweth forth also a number of exceeding smal yellowish Flowers scarce to be discerned from the Stalks and Leavs which turn into Seed as smal as the very dust The Root is very long and smal thrusting down deep into the ground This hath neither smel nor tast at first but afterward hath a little astringent tast without any manifest heat yet a little bitter and sharp withal Place It groweth in dry sandy and Rockie places Time It is fresh and green all the Summer Vertues and use Rupture wort hath not his name in vain for it is found by experience to cure the Rupture not only in Children but also in Elder Persons if the Diseas be not too inveterate by taking a dram of the Pouder of the dried Herb every day in Wine for certain daies together Or the Decoction made in Wine and drunk Or the Juyce or distilled water of the green Herb taken in the same manner and helpeth all other Fluxes either in men or Women Vomitings also and the Gonorrhea or running of the Reins being taken any of the waies aforesaid It doth also most assuredly help those that have the Strangury or have their Urine stopped or are troubled with the Stone or Gravel in their Reins or Bladder The same also helpeth much all Stitches in the Side all griping pains in the Stomach or Belly the Obstructions of the Liver and cureth the yellow Jaundice likewise It killeth also the Worms in Children Being outwardly applied it conglutineth Wounds notably and helpeth much to stay Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head to the Eyes Nose and Teeth being bruised green and bound thereto Or the Decoction of the dried Herb to bath the Forehead and Temples or the Nape of Neck behind It also drieth up the moisture of Fistulous Ulcers or any others that are foul and spreading They say Saturn causeth Ruptures if he do he doth no more than he can cure if you want wit he will teach you though to your cost this Herb is Saturns own and is a notable Antivenerian Rushes ALthough there are many kinds of Rushes yet I shall only here insist upon those which are best known and most Medicinal as the Bulrushes and other of the soâ—t and smooth kinds which grow so commonly in almost every place of this Land and are so generally noted that I suppose it needless to trouble you with any Description of them Briefly then take the Vertues of them as followeth Vertues and Uices The Seeds of these soft Rushes saith Dioscorides and Galen toasted saith Pliny being drunk in Wine and Water stayeth the Lask and Womens Courses when they come down too abundantly but it causeth Headach It provoketh sleep likewife but must be given with caution lest the party that takes it wake not until the Resurrection Pliny saith The Root boyled in water to the consumption of one third helpeth the Cough Thus you see that Conveniences have their Inconveniences and Vertue is seldom unaccompanied with some Vices What I have written concerning Rushes is to satisfie my Country-mens Question Are our Rushes good for nothing Yes and as good let alone as taken There are Remedies enough without them for every Diseas and therforo as the Proverb is I care not a Rush for them or rather they will do you as much good as if one had given you a Rush. Rye THis is so well known in all the Countries of this Land and especially to the Country people who feed much thereon that if I should describe it they would presently say I might well have spared that Labor Its Vertues follow Vertues and use Rye is more digesting than Wheat The Bread and the Leaven thereof ripeneth and breaketh Impostumes Boyls and other Swellings The Meal of Rye put between a double cloth and moistned with a little Vinegar and heated in a Pewter dish set over a Chafing-dish of coals and bound fast to the Head while it is hot both much eas the continual pains of the Head Mathiolus saith That the ashes of Rye straw put into Water and suffered therein a day and a night and the Chops of the Hands or Feet washed therewith doth heal them Saffron THe Herb needs no Description it being known generally where it grows Place It grows frequently at Walden in Essex and in Cambridg-sbire Vertues and use It is an Herb of the Sun and under the Lion and therfore you need not demand a reason why it strengthens the heart so exceedingly Let not abov ten grains be given at one time for if the Sun which is the Fountain of Life may dazle the Eyes and make them blind a Cordial being taken in an immoderate quantity may hurt the Heart instead of helping it It quicken the Brain for the Sun is exalted in V as well as he hath his House in SL it help Consumption of the Lungs help difficulty of breathing it is an excellent thing in Epidemical Diseases as Pestilences smal Pox and Measles It is a notable expulsive Medicine and a notable Remedy for the yellow Jaundice My own Opinion is but I have no Author for it that Hermodactils is nothing else but the Roots of Saffron dried and my reason is that the Roots of all Crocus both white and yellow purge Flegm as Hermodactils do and if you please to dry the Roots of any Crocus neither your eye nor your tast shal distinguish it from Hermodactils Sage OUr ordinary Garden Sage needeth no Description Time It Flowreth in or about July Vertues and use A Decoction of the Leavs and Branches of Sage made and drunk saith Dioscorides provoketh Urine bringeth down Womens Courses helpeth to expel the dead Child and causeth the hairs to become black It staieth the bleeding of Wounds and clenseth foul Ulcers or Sores The seid
Decoction made in Wine taketh away the itching of the Cods if they be bathed therwith Agrippa saith That if Women that cannot conceive by reason of the moist slipperiness of their Wombs shall take a quantity of the Juyce of Sage with a little Salt for four daies before they company with their Husbands it will help them not only to Conceive but also to retain the Birth without miscarrying Orpheus saith Three spoonfuls of the Juyce of Sage taken fasting with a little Honey doth presently stay the spitting or casting up of Blood For them that are in a Consumption these Pills are much commended Take of Spicknard and Ginger of each two drams of the Seed of Sage toasted at the fire eight drams of long Pepper twelve drams all these being brought into fine Pouder put thereto so much Juyce of Sage as may make them into a Mass for Pills taking a dram of them every morning fasting and so likewise at night drinking a little pure Water after them Mathiolus saith it is very profitable for all manner of pains of the Head coming of cold and Rhewmatick Humors as also for all pains of the Joynts whether used inwardly or outwardly and therfore helpeth the Falling-sickness the Lethargy such as are dull and heavy of spirit the Palsey and is of much use in an Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head and for the Diseases of the Chest or Preast The Leavs of Sage and Nettles bruised together and laid upon the Impostume that riseth behind the Ears doth aslwage it much The juyce of Sage taken in warm water helpeth a Hoarsness and the Cough The Leavs sodden in Wine and laid upon the place affected with the Palsey helpeth much if the Decoction be drunk also Sage taken with Wormwood is used for the bloody Flux Pliny saith it procureth Womens Courses and stayeth them coming down too fast helpeth the stinging and biting of Serpents and killeth the Worms that breed in the Ears and in Sores Sage is of excellent use to help the Memory warming and quickning the senses and the Conserve made of the Flowers is used to the same purpose and also for all the former recited Diseases The Juyce of Sage drunk with Vinegar hath been of good use in the time of Plague at all times Gargles likewise are made with Sage Rosemary Honeysuckles and Plantane boyled in Wine or Water with some Honey and Allum put thereto to wash sore Mouthes and Throats Cankers or the secret parts of man or woman as need requireth And with other hot and comfortable Herbs Sage is boyled to bath the Body or Legs in the Summer time especially to warm cold Joynts or Sinews troubled with the Palsey or Cramp and to comfort and strengthen the parts It is much commended against the Stitch or pains in the side coming of Wind if the place be fomented warm with the Decoction thereof in Wine and the Herb after the boyling be laid warm also thereunto Jupiter claims this and bid me tell you it is good for the Liver and to breed good Blood VVood-Sage Description VVood-Sage riseth up with square hoary Stalks two foot high at the least with two Leavs set at every Joynt somwhat like other Sage Leavs but smaller softer whiter and rounder and a little dented about the edges and smelling somwhat strongly At the tops of the Stalks and Branches stand the Flowers on a slender long Spike turning themselves all one way when they blow and are of a pale and whitish colour smaller than Sage but hooded and gaping like unto them The Seed is blackish and round four usually set in a husk together The Root is long and stringy with diverse Fibres thereat and abideth many yeers Place It groweth in Woods and by Wood-sides as also in diverse Fields and by-Lanes in this Land Time It Flowreth in June July and August Vertues and Use. The Decoction of Wood-Sage provoketh Urine and Womens Courses it also provoketh Sweat digesteth Humors and discusseth Swellings and Nodes in the Flesh and is therefore thought to be good against the French Pox. The Decoction of the green Herb made with Wine is a safe and sure Remedy for those who by falls bruises or Blows doubt some Vein to be inwardly broken to disperse and avoid the congealed blood and to consolidate the Vein It is also good for such as are inwardly or outwardly bursten the drink used inwardly and the Herb applied outwardly The same used in the same manner is found to be a sure Remedy for the Palsey The Juyce of the Herb or the Pouder thereof dried is good for moist Ulcers and sores in the Legs or other parts to dry them and caus them to heal the more speedily It is no less effectual also in green Wounds to be used upon any occasion Solomons Seal Description THe common Solomons Seal riseth up with a round Stalk about half a yard high bowing or bending down to the top set with single Leavs one above another somwhat large and like the Leavs of the LillyConvalley or May Lilly with an eye of blewish upon the green with some ribs therein and more yellowish underneath At the foot of every Leaf almost from the bottom up to the top of the Stalk come forth small long white and hollow pendulous Flowers somwhat like the Flowers of May-Lilly but ending in five long points for the most part two together at the end of a long Footstalk and somtimes but one and sometimes also two Stalks with Flowers at the Foot of a Leaf which are without any scent at all and stand all on one side of the Stalk After they are past come in their places smal round Berries green at the first and blackish green tending to blewness when they are ripe wherein lie smal white hard and stony Seed The Root is of the thickness of ones finger or Thumb white and knobbed in some places with a flat round circle representing a Seal whereof it took the name lying along under the upper crust of the Earth and not growing downward but with many fibres underneath Place It is frequent in diverse places of this Land as namely in a Wood two miles from Canterbury by Fishpool-Hill as also in a bushy Close belonging to the Parsonage of Alderbury neer Clarindon two miles from Salisbury in Chesson Wood on Chesson Hill between Newington and Sittingborn in Kent and in diverse other places in Essex and other Counties Time It Flowreth about May The Root abideth and shooteth anew every yeer Vertues and Use. The Root of Solomons Seal is found by experience to be available in Wounds Hurts and outward Sores to heal and close up the lips of those that are green and to dry up and restrain the Flux of Humors to those that are old It is singular good to stay Vomitings and Bleedings wheresoever as also al Fluxes in man or woman whether the Whites or Reds in Women or the running of the Reins in men also to knit any Joynt
which by weakness useth to be often out of place or will not stay in long when it is set also to knit and joyn broken Bones in any part of the Body the Roots being bruised and applied to the place Yea it hath been found by late experience that the Decoction of the Root in Wine or the bruised Root put in Wine or other drink and after a nights infusion strained forth hard and drunk hath holpen both man and Beast whose Bones have been broken by any occasion which is the most assured refuge of help to people of diverse Countries of this Land that they can have It is no less effectual to help Rupture and Burstings the Decoction in Wine or the Pouder in Broth or Drink being inwardly taken and outwardly applyed to the place The same is also available for inward or outward Bruises Falls or Blows both to dispel the congealed blood and to take away both the pains and the black and blew Marks that abide after the hurt The same also or the distilled water of the whol Plant used to the Face or other part of the Skin clenseth it from Morphew Freckles Spots or Marks whatsoever leaving the place fresh fair and Lovely for which purpose it is much used by the Italian Dames Saturn owns this Plant for he loves his Bones well Sampire Description THe Rock Sampire groweth up with a tender green Stalk about half a yard or two foot high at the most branching forth almost from the very bottom and stored with sundry thick and almost round somwhat long Leavs of a deep green colour somtimes three together and somtimes more on a Stalk and are sappy and of a pleasant hot or spicy tast At the tops of the Stalk and Branches stand Umbels of white Flowers and after them come large Seed bigger than Fennel Seed yet somwhat alike The Root is great white and long continuing many yeers and is of a hot spicy tast likewise Place It groweth on the Rocks that are often moistened at the least if not overflown with the Sea water Time And it Flowreth and Seedeth in the end of July and August Vertues and Use. It is a safe Herb very pleasant both to the tast and Stomach helping digestion and in some sort opening the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen provoking Urine and helping thereby to wash away the Gravel and Stone ingendred in the Kidneys or Bladder Sanicle Description THe ordinary Sanicle sendeth forth many great round Leavs standing upon long brownish stalkes every one somewhat deeply cut or divided into five or six parts and some of those also cut in somwhat like the Leaf of a Crowfoot or Doves-foot and finely dented about the edges smooth and of a dark green shining colour and somtimes reddish about the Brims from among which riseth up smal round green Stalks without any Joynt or Leaf thereon saving at the top where it brancheth forth into Flowers having a Leaf devided into three or four parts at that Joynt with the Flowers which are smal and whit starting out of smal round greenish yellow heads many standing together in a tuft in which afterward are the Seeds contained which are smal round rough Burs somwhat like the Seeds of Cleavers and stick in the same manner upon any thing that they touch The Root is composed of many black strings or fibres set together at a little long head which abideth with the green Leavs all the Winter and perish not Place It is found in many shadowy Woods and other places of this Land Time It Flowreth in June and the Seed is ripe shortly after Vertues and Use. It is exceeding good to heal all green Wounds speedily or any Ulcers Impostumes or bleedings inwardly It doth wonderfully help those that have any Tumors in any part of their Bodies for it represseth and dissipateth the Humors if the Decoction or Juyce thereof be taken or the Pouder in drink and the Juyce used outwardly For there is not found any Herb that can give such present help either to Man or Beast when the Disease falleth upon the Lungs or Throat and to heal up all the putrid Malignant Ulcers in the Mouth Throat and Privities by gargling or washing with the Decoction of the Leavs and Root made in Water and a little Honey put thereto It helpeth to stay Womens Courses and all other Fluxes of Blood either by the Mouth Urine or Stool and Lasks of the Belly the Ulceration of the Kidneys also and the pains in the Bowels and the Gonorrhea or running of the Reins being boyled in Wine or Water and drunk The same also is no less powerful to help any Ruptures or Burstings used both inwardly and outwardly and briefly it is effectual in binding restraining consolidating heating drying and healing as Comfry Bugle Self-heal or any other of the Consounds or Vulnerary Herbs whatsoever This is one of Venus her Herbs to cure either Wounds or what other mischiefs Mars inflicteth upon the Body of Man Sarasens Consound Description THis groweth very high somtimes with brownish Stalks and other whiles with green and hollow to a mans height having many long and narrow green Leavs snip'd about the edges somwhat like those of the Peach-Tree Tree or Willow Leavs but not of such a white green colour The tops of the Stalks are furnished with many pale yellow Starlike Flowers standing in green heads which when they are fallen and the Seed ripe which is somwhat long smal and of a yellowish brown colour wrapped in down is therewith carried away with the wind The Root is composed of many strings or fibres set together at a head which perish not in Winter but abide although the Stalks dry away and no Leaf appeareth in Winter The tast hereof is strong and unpleasant and so is the smel also Place It groweth in moist and wet grounds by Wood sides and somtimes in the moist places of shady Groves as also by the water side Time It Flowreth in July and the Seed is soon ripe and carryed away with the wind Vertues and Use. Among the Germans this Wound Herb is preferred before all others of the same quality Being boiled in Wine and drunk it helpeth the indisposâ—ion of the Liver and freeth the Gall from Obstructions whereby it is good for the yellow Jaundice and for the Dropsie in the beginning of it for all inward Ulcers of the Reins or elswhere and inward Wounds and Bruises And being steeped in Wine and then distilled the Water thereof drunk is singular good to ease all gnawings in the Stomach or other pains of the Body as also the pains of the Mother And being boyled in Water it helpeth continual Agues And this said Water or the simple Water of the Herb distilled or the Juyce or Decoction are very effectual to heal any green Wound or old sore or Ulcer whatsoever clensing them from corruption and quickly healing them up It is no less effectual for the Ulcers in the mouth or Throat
same properties that the Parsleys have but in provoking Urine and easing the pains thereof or of the Wind and Chollick are much more effectual The Roots or Seed being used either in Pouder or in Decoction or any other way and likewise helpeth the Windy pains of the Mother and to procure their Courses to break and avoid the Stone in the Kidneys to digest cold viscuous and tough Flegm in the Stomach and is a most especial Remedy against all kind of Venom Caftoreum being boyled in the distilled water hereof is singular good to be given to those that are troubled with Cramps and Convulsions some do use to make the Seed into Comfits as they do Caraway Seed which is effectual to all the purposes aforesaid The Juyce of the Herb dropped into the most grievous Wounds of the Head drieth up their moisture and healeth them quickly Some Women use the distilled Water to take away Freckles or Spots in the Skin or Face and to drink the same sweetned with Sugar for all the purposes aforesaid Scabious three sorts Description THe common Field Scabious groweth up with many hairy soft whitish green Leaves some whereof are but very little if at all jagged on the edges others very much rent and torn on the sides and have threds in them which upon the breaking may be plainly seen from among which rise up divérse hairy green Stalks three or four foot high with such like hairy green Leavs on them but more deeply and finely devided branched forth a little At the tops hereof which are naked and bare of Leaves for a good space stand round Heads of Flowers of a pale blewish colour set together in a head the outermost wherof are larger than the inward w th many threds also in the middle somwhat flat at the top as the Head with Seed is likewise The Root is great white thick growing down deep into the ground and abideth many yeers There is another sort of Field Scabious different in nothing from the former but only it is smaller in all respects The Corn Scabious differeth little from the first but that it is greater in all respects and the Flowers more declining to Purple And the Root creepeth under the upper crust of the Earth and runneth not deep in the ground as the first doth Place The first groweth most usually in Meadows especially about London every where The second in some of the dry Fields about this City but not so plentiful as the former The third in the standing Corn or Fallow Fields and the borders of such like Fields Time They Flower in June and July and some abide Flowring until it be late in August and the Seed is ripe in the mean time There are many other sorts of Scabious but I take those which I have here described to be most familiar with us The vertues both of these and the rest being much alike take them as followeth Vertues and Use. Scabious is very effectual for all sorts of Coughs shortness of Breath and all other Diseases of the Breast and Lungs ripening and digesting cold Flegm and other tough humors voiding them forth by Coughing and spitting It ripeneth also all sorts of inward Ulcers and Impostimes the Plurisie also if the Decoction of the Herb dry or green be made with Wine and drunk for some time together four ounces of the clarified Juyce of Scabious taken in the morning fasting with a dram of Methridate or Venice Treacle freeth the heart from any infection of Pestilence if after the taking of it the party sweat two hours in their Beds and this Medicine be again and again repeated if need require The green Herb bruised and applied to any Carbuncle or Plague sore is found by certain experience to dissolve or break it in three hours space The same Decoction also drunk helpeth the pains and Stitches in the sides The Decoction of the Roots taken for fourty daies together or a dram of the Pouder of them taken at a time in Whey doth as Mathâ—olus saith wonderfully help those that are troubled with running or spreading Scabs Tetters or Ringwornis yea though they proceed of the French Pox which he saith he hath tryed by experience The Juyce or Decoction drunk helpeth also Scabs and breakings out in Itch and the like The Juyce also made up into an Oyntment and used is effectual for the same purpose The same also helpeth all inward Wounds by the drying clensing and healing quality therin A Syrup made of the Juyce and Sugar is very effectual to all the purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water of the Herb and Flowers made in due season especially to be used when the green Herb is not in force to be taken The Decoction of the Herb and Roots outwardly applied doth wonderfully help al sorts of hard or cold Swellings in any part of the Body and is as effectual for any shrunk Sinew or Vein The Juyce of Scabiaus made up with the Pouder of Borax and Camphlâ—e clenseth the Skin of the Face or other part of the Body not only from Freckles and Pimples but also from Morphew and Lepry The Head washed with the same Decoction clenseth it from Dandrif Scurf Sores Itches and the like being used warm Tents also dipped in the Juyce or Water thereof not only healeth all green Wounds but old Sores and Ulcers also The Herb also bruised and applied doth in short time loosen and cause to be drawn forth any Splinter broken bone Arrow head or other such like thing lying in the Flesh. Scurvy-grass Description OUr ordinary English Scurvygrass hath â—â—any thâ—â— fat Leavs more long than broad and somtimes longer and narrower somtimes also smooth on the edges and somtimes a little waved sometimes plain smooth and pointed somtimes a little hollow in the middle and round pointed of a sad green and somtimes brownish colour every one standing by it self upon a long Footstalk which is brownish or greenish also from among which rise smal slender Stalks bearing a few Leaves thereon like the other but longer and lesser for the most part At the tops whereof grow many whitish Flowers with yellow threds in the middle standing about a green head which becometh the Seed Vessel which will be somwhat flat when it is ripe wherein is contained reddish Seed tasting somwhat hot The Root is made of many white strings which stick deeply in the mud wherein it chiefly delightethâ— yet it will well abide in the more upland and dryer grounds and tasteth a little brackish or Salt even there but not so much as where at hath the Salt water to feed upon Place It groweth all along the Thames side both on the Esseae and Kentish Shoars from â—oolwich round about the Sea Coasts to Dover Portsmouth and even to Bristol where it is had in plenty The other with round Leavs groweth in the Marshes in Holland in Lincolnshire and other places of Lincolnshire by the Sea side Description There is also
little dented in the middle of a pale Rose colour almost white somtimes deeper and somtimes paler of a reasonable good scent Place It groweth wild in many low and wet grounds of this Land by the Brooks and sides of running Waters Time It Flowreth usually in July and so continueth all August and part of September before they be quite spent Vertues and use The Country people in diverse places do use to bruise the Leaves of Sopewort and lay it to their Fingers Hands or Legs when they are cut to heal them up again Some make great boast there of that it is Diuretical to provoke Urine and thereby to expel Gravel and the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys and do also account it singular good to avoid Hydropical waters thereby to cure the disease of the Dropsie And they no less extol it to perform an absolute cure in the French Pox more than either Sarsaparilla Gujacum or China can do which how true it is I leave to others to judg Sorrel OUr ordinary Sorrel which groweth in Gardens and also wild in the Fields is so well known that it needeth no Description Vertues and Use. Sorrel is prevalent in all hot Diseases to cool any Inflamation and heat of Blood in Agues Pestilential or Chollerick or other sicknesses and sainting rising from heat and to refresh the overspent Spirits with the violence of furious or fiery fits of Agues to quench Thirst and procure an Appetite in fainting or decayd Stomachs for it resisteth the putrefaction of the Blood killeth Worms and is as a Cordial to the heart which the Seed doth more effectually being more drying and binding and thereby stayeth the hot Fluxes of Womens Courses or of Humors in the Bloody Flux or Flux of the Stomach The Roots also in a Decoction or in Pouder is effectual for all the said purposes Both Roots and Seed as well as the Herb is held powerful to resist the poyson of the Scorpion The Decoction of the Roots is taken to help the Jaundice and to expel Gravel and the Stone in the Reins or Kidneys The Decoction of the Flowers made with Wine and drunk helpeth the black Jaundice as also the inward Ulcers of the Body or Bowels A Syrup made with the Juyce of Sorrel and Fumitary is a Soveraign help to kill those sharp Humors that cause the Itch. The Juyce thereof with a little Vinegar serveth well to be used outwardly for the same cause and is also profitable for Tetters Ringworms c. It helpeth also to discuss the Kernels in the Throat and the Juyce gargled in the Mouth helpeth the Sores therein The Leaves wrapped up in a Colewoort Leaf and roasted under the Embers and applied to a hard Impostume Botch Boyl or Plague Sore both ripeneth and breaketh it The Distilled water of the Herb is of much good use for all the purposes aforesaid Venus owns it and she will never deny the Herb that follows Wood Sorrel Description THis groweth low upon the ground having a number of Leaves coming from the Root made of three Leaves like a Trefoyl but broad at the ends and cut in the middle of a faint yellowish green colour every one standing on a long Footstalk which at their first coming up are close folded together to the Stalk but opening themselves afterwards and are of a fine sowr rellish and yeelding a Juyce which will turn red when it is clarified and maketh a most dainty clear Syrup Among these Leavs riseth up diverse slender weak Footstalks with every one of them a Flower at the top consisting of five small pointed Leaves Star fashion of a white colour in most places and in some dash'd over with a small shew of blush on the back side only After the Flowers are past follow smal round heads with small yellowish Seed in them The Roots are nothing but smal strings fastned to the end of a smal long piece all of them being of a yellowish colour Place It groweth in many places of our Land in Woods and Wood sides where they be moist and shadowed and in other places not too much open to the Sun Time It Flowreth in April and May. Vertues and Use. Wood Sorrel serveth to all purposes that the other Sorrels do and is more effectual in hindring the putrefaction of Blood and Ulcers in the Mouth and Body and in cooling and tempering heats Inflamations to quench thirst to strengthen a weak Stomach to procure an appetite to stay Vomiting and very excellent in any contagious sickness or Pestilential Feavers The Syrup made of the Juyce is effectual in all the causes afore said and so is the Distilled Water of the Herb also Spunges or Linnen Cloathes wet in the Juyce and applied outwardly to any hot Swellings or Inflamations doth much cool and help them The same Juyce taken and gargled in the Mouth and after it is spit forth fresh taken doth wonderfully help a foul stinking Canker or Ulcer therein It is singular good in Wounds Thrusts and Stabs in the Body to stay bleeding and to clense â— and heal the Wounds speedily and helpeth to stay any hot Defluxions into the Throat or Lungs Sow-Thistles THese are generally so well known that they need no Description Place They grow in our Gardens and manured Grounds and somtimes by old Walls the path sides of Fields and High-waies Vertues and use Sow-thistles are cooling and somwhat binding and are very fit to cool an hot Stomach and to ease the gnawing pains thereof The Herb boyled in Wine is very helpful to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach And the Milk that is taken from the Stalks when they are broken given in drink is beneficial to those that are short Winded and have a wheesing withal Pliny saith that it hath caused the Gravel and Stone to be voided by Urine and that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath Three spoonfuls of the Juyce thereof taken in white Wine warmed and some Oyl put thereto causeth Women in Travel to have so easie and speedy delivery that they may be able to walk presently after The said Juyce taken in warm drink helpeth the Strangury and pains in making water The Decoction of the Leaves and Stalks causeth abundance of Milk in Nurses and their Children to be well coloured and is good for those whose Milk doth curdle in their Breasts The Juyce boiled or throughly heated with a little Oyl of Bitter Almonds in the Pill of a Pomegranate and dropped into the Ears is a sure Remedy for Deafness singings and all other Diseases in them The Herb bruised or the Juyce is profitably applied to all hot Inflamations in the Eyes or wheresoever else and for Wheals Blisters or other the like eruptions of heat in the Skin as also for the heat and itching of the Hemorrhoids and the heat and sharpness of Humors in the Secret parts of man or Woman The distilled water of the Herb is not only effectual for all the Diseases aforesaid
the times change is the way to live secure and that Flatterers and Weather-cocks know wel enough The Woolley or Cotton Thistle Description THis hath many large Leaves lying on the ground somwhat cut in and as it were crumpled on the edges of a green colour on the upper side but covered over with long hairy Wool or Cottony Down set with most sharp and cruel pricks from the middle of whose heads of Flowers come forth many purplish crimson threds and somtimes white although but seldom The Seed that followeth in these white downy heads is somwhat large long and round resembling the Seed of Ladies Thistle but paler The Root is great and thick spreading much yet usually dieth after Seed time Place It groweth on diverse Ditch Banks and in the Cornfields and High-wayes generally throughout the Land and is often found growing in Gardens Time It Flowreth and beareth Seed about the end of Summer when other Thistles do Flower and Seed Vertues and Use. Dioscorides and Pliny write That the Leavs and Roots hereof taken in drink helpeth those that have a Crick in their Neck that they cannot turn it unless they turn their whol Body Galen saith That the Root and Leaves hereof are good for such persons that have their Bodies drawn together by some Spasm or Convulsion or other Infirmities as the Rickets ' or as the Colledg of Physitians would have it the Rachites about which name they have quarrel'd sufficiently in Children being a Disease that hindereth their growth by binding their Nerves Ligaments and whol structure of their Body The Fullers Thistle or Teasel THis is so well known that it needeth no Description being used by the Cloath-workers The wild Teasel is in all things like the former but that the prickles are smal soft and upright not hooked or stiff and the Flowers of this are of fine blush or pale Carnation colour but of the Manured kind whitish Place The first groweth being sown in Gardens or Fields for the use of Cloathworkers The other neer Ditches and Cills of water in many places of this Land Time They Flower in July and are ripe in the end of August Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith That the Root bruised and boyled in Wine until it be thick and kept in a brazen Vessel or Pot and after spread as a Salve and applied to the Fundament doth heal the clefts thereof as also Cankers and Fistulaes therein as also taketh away Warts and Wers The Juyce of the Leaves dropped into the Ears killeth Worms in them The distilled water of the Leaves dropped into the Eyes taketh away redness and mists in them that hinder the sight and is often used by women to preserve their beauty and to take away redness and Inflamations and all other heat or discolourings Treacle Mustard Description THis riseth up with a hard round stalke about a foot high parted into some branches having divers soft green leaves somewhat long and narrow set thereon waved but not cut in on the edges broadest towards the ends end somewhat round pointed The flowers are white that grow at the tops of the branches spike fashion one above another after which come large round pouches parted in the middle with a furrow having one blackish brown seed in either side somewhat sharp in tast and smelling of Garlick especially in the fields where it is naturall but not so much in gardens The roots are small and threddy perishing every yeare And here give me leave to adde Methridate Mustard although it may seem more properly by the name â—â— belong to the Alphabet M. Methridate Mustard THis groweth higher then the former spreading more and longer branches whose leaves are smaller and narrower sometimes unevenly dented about the edges the Flowers are smal and white growing on long branches with much smaller and rounder seed vessels after them and parted in the same manner having smaller browne seeds then the former and much sharper in taste The root perisheth after seed time but abideth the first winter after the springing Place They grow in sundry places of this Land as halfe a mile from Hatfield by the river side under a hedge as you go to Hatfield and in the street of Peckham on Surry side Time They flowre and seed from May to August Vertues and Use. These Mustards are said to purge the body both upwards and downwards and procureth Womens Courses so abundantly that it suffocateth the birth It breaketh inward Imposthumes being taken inwardly and used in Glisters helpeth the Sciatica the seed applied outwardly doth the same It is an especiall ingredient unto Methridate and Treacle being of it selfe an Antidote resisting poyson venome and putrefaction It is also availeable in many causes for which the common Mustard is used but somewhat weaker The Black-Thorne or Sloe-Bush THis is so well knowne that it needeth no description Place It groweth in every place and Countrey in the hedges and borders of fields Time It flowreth in Aprill and sometimes in March but ripeneth the fruit after all other plums whatsoever and is not fit to be eaten until the Autumne frost have mellowed it Vertues and Use. All the parts of the Sloe-Bush are binding cooling and drying and all effectuall to stay bleeding at the nose and mouth or any other place the Lask of the beily or stomach or the Bloody Flux the two much abounding of womens Courses and helpeth to ease the paines in the sides bowels and guts that come by over-much scowring to drink the decoction of the barke of the roots or more usually the decoction of the Berries either fresh or dried The Conserve is also of very much use and most familiarly taken for the purposes aforesaid But the distilled water of the Flowers first steeped in Sack for a night and drawne there-from by the heat of Balneum Angliceabaths is a most certaineremedy tried and approved to ease all manner of gnawings in the stomach the sides and bowels or any griping pains in any of them to drink a smal quantity when the extremety of pain is upon them The Leaves also are good to make Lotions to gargle and wash the Mouth and Throat wherein are Swellings Sores or Kernels and to stay the Defluxions of Rhewm to the Eyes or other parts as also to cool the heat and Inflamations in them and to ease hot pains of the Head to bath the Forehead and Temples therewith The simple distilled water of the Flowers is very effectual for the said purposes and is the condensate Juyce of the Sloes The distilled water of the green Berries is used also for the said effects Thoroughwax Description THe common Throughwax sendeth forth one straight round Stalk and somtimes more two foot high and better whose lower Leaves being of a blewish green colour are smaller and narrower than those up higher and stand close thereto not compassing it but as they grow higher they do more and more encompass the Stalk until it wholly as it were pass through them branching
Stomach and in hot Bodies cause Choller to abound and the Headach and are an enemy to those that have the Cough But are less hurtful to those that have colder Stomachs and are said to kill the broad Worms in the Belly or Stomach If they be taken with Onions Salt and Honey they help the biting of a Mad Dog or the Venom or infectious poyson of any Beast c. Oneus Pompeius found in the Treasury of Methridates King of Pontus when he was overthrown a Scrowl of his own Hand-writing containing a Medicine against any Poyson and Infection which is this Take two dry Walnuts and as many good Figgs and twenty Leaves of Rue bruised and beaten together with two or three Corns of Salt and twenty Juniper Berries which taken every morning fasting preserveth from danger of Poyson or Infection that day it is taken The Juyce of the outer green Husks boyled up with Honey is an excellent gargle for sore Mouths the Heat and Inflamations in the Throat and Stomach The Kernels when they grow old are more Oyly and therfore not so fit to be eaten but are then used to heal the Wounds of the Sinews Gangrenes and Carbuncles The said Kernels being burned are then very astringent and will then stay Lasks and Womens Courses being taken in red Wine and stay the falling of the Hair and make it fair being anointed with Oyl and Wine The green Husks will do the like being used in the same manner The Kernels beaten with Rue and Wine being applied helpeth the Quinsie and bruised with some Honey and applied to the Ears easeth the pains and Inflamations of them A piece of the green Husk put unto a hollow Tooth easeth the pains The Catkins hereof taken before they fall off dried and given a dram thereof in Pouder with white Wine wonderfully helpeth those that are troubled with the rising of the Mother The Oyl that is pressed out of the Kernels is very profitably taken inward like Oyl of Almonds to help the Chollick and to expel wind very effectually an ounce or two thereof may be taken at a time The yong green Nuts taken before they be half ripe and preserved with Sugar are of good use for those that have weak Stomachs or Defluxions thereon The distilled water of the green Husk before they be half ripe is of excellent use to cool the heat of Agues being drunk an ounce or two at a time as also to resist the Infection of the Plague if some thereof be also applied to the Sores thereof The same also cooleth the heat of green Wounds and old Ulcers and healeth them being bathed therewith The distilled Water of the green Husks being ripe when they are shelled from the Nuts being drunk with a little Vinegar is also found by experience to be good for those that are infected with the Plague so as before the taking therof a Vein be opened The said Water is very good against the Quinsin being gargled and bathed therewith and wonderfully helpeth Deafness the Noise and other pains in the Ears The Distilled water of the yong green Leaves in the end of May performeth a singular cure on foul running Ulcers and Sores to be bathed with wet Cloathes or Spunges applied to them evening and morning VVold VVeld or Dyers VVeed Description THe common kind groweth bushing with many Leaves long narrow and flat upon the ground of a dark blewish green colour somwhat like unto Woad but nothing so large a little crumpled and as it were round pointed which do so abide the first yeer And the next Spring from among them rise diverse round Stalks two or three foot high beset with many such like Leaves thereon but smaller and shooting forth some smal Branches which with the Stalks carry many smal yellow Flowers in a long spiked Head at the tops of them where afterwards come the Seed which is small and black inclosed in Heads that are devided at the tops into four parts The Root is long white and thick abiding the Winter The whol Herb changeth to be yellow after it hath been in Flower a while Place It groweth every where by the way sides in moist grounds as well as dry in Corners of Fields and by Lanes and somtimes all over the Field in Sussex and Kent they call it Greenweed Time It is in Flower about June Vertues and Use. Mathiâ—lus saith That the Root hereof cutteth tough Flegm digesteth raw Flegm thinneth gross Humors dissolveth hard Tumors and openeth Obstructions Some do highly commend it against the bitings of Venemous Creatures to be taken inwardly and applyed outwardly to the hurt place as also for the Plague or Pestilence The People in some Countries of this Land do use to bruise the Herb and lay it to Cuts or Wounds in the Hands or Legs to heal them Wheat THe several kinds hereof are so well known unto almost all people that it is altogether needless to write any Description thereof Vertues and Use. Dioscorides saith That to eat the Corns of green Wheat is hurtful to the Stomach and breedeth Worms Pliny saith That the Corns of Wheat toasted upon an Iron Pan and eaten is a pleasant Remedy for those that are chilled with cold The Oyl pressed from Wheat between two thick Plates of Iron or Copper heated healeth all Tetters and Ring-worms being used warm and hereby Galen saith he hath known many to be cured Mathiolus commendeth the same Oyl to be put into hollow Ulcers to heal them up and it is also good for Chops in the Hands or Feet and to make a rugged Skin smooth The green Corns of Wheat being chewed and applied to the place bitten by a mad Dog healeth it Slices of Wheat Bread soaked in Red rose-Rose-water and applied to the Eyes that are hot red and inflamed or blood-shotten helpeth them Hot Bread applyed for an hour at a time three daies together perfectly healeth the Kernels in the Throat commonly called the Kings Evil. The Flower of Wheat mixed with the Juyce of Henbane stayeth the Flux of Hurhors to the Joynts being laid theron The said Meal boyled in Vinegar helpeth the shrinking of the Sinews saith Pliny and mixed with Vinegar and Honey boyled together healeth all Freckles Spots and Pimples on the Face Wheat Flower mixed with the Yolk of an Eg Honey and Turpentine doth draw clense and heal and Boyl Plague Sore or foul Ulcer The Bran of Wheat Meal steeped in sharp Vinegar and then bound in a Linnen Cloth and rubbed on those places that have the Scurf Morphew Scabs or Leprosie wil take them away the Body being first well purged and prepared The Decoction of the Bran of Wheat or Barley is of good use to bath those places that are Bursten by a Rupture and the said Bran boyled in good Vinegar and appled to swollen Breasts helpeth them and stayeth all Inflamations it helpeth also the bitings of Vipers which I