you shall seldom misâe the Cure of an Ague in three fits be it what it will even to admiration as Mr. Culpepper affirmeth The juyce hereof drunk about four Ounces at a time for certain dayes together cureth the Quinsie and the yellow Jaundice and taken for thirty dayes together cureth the Falling-Sickness The Roots boyled in milk and drunk is a most effectuall Remedy for all Fluxes either in Man or Woman whether the whites reds or Bloody Flux The Roots boyled in Vinegar and the decoction thereof held in the mouth easeth the pains of the Tooth-ach The juyce or decoction taken with a little Honey helpeth the hoarsness of the Throat and is good for the Cough of the Lungs The distilled water of the Roots and Leaves is also effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid and if the hands be often washed therein and suffered every time to dry of it self without wiping it will in short time help the Palsie or shaking of them CHAP. XL. Of Sow-bread The Names THis Plant is the last that I shall treat of in relation to the Nose The Greek Names of it are ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã It was called by the first Name ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a Circulo because both the Leaf and the Root are of a circular or round Figure by the later ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã because it was used to kill Fishes It is called in Latine Tuber terrae Terrae rapum because of its knobby Tur-nep-like Root and Umbilicus terrâ because as the Navill of a Mans Body strutteth out a little above the Belly so this sometimes above the Earth of some Orbicularis of others Palalia Rapum porcinum malum Terrae In Shops Cyclamen Panis Porcinus Artanita In English Sowbread or Swine-bread because the Swine love it and feed upon it in those Countries where it is plentiful The kinds Parkinson in former book hath reckoned up a dozen sorts or more hereof the want whereof will constrain me to content my self only with the mentioning of three which are 1. Common round Sow-bread 2. Ivy-Sow-bread 3. A strange Plant sent for a bastard Sow-bread of the Spring The Forme The common kind of Sow-bread hath many green and round leaves like unto Asarabacca saving that the upper part of the Leaves are mixed here and there confusedly with white spots and under the Leaves next the ground of a purple colour amongst which rise up little stems like the stalks of Violets beaâing at the top small purple or murrey coloured Flowers which turn themselves backwards of a small scent or savour or none at all which being past there succeed little round knops or heads that contain slender brown seeds these knops are wrapped after a few dayes in the small stalks as thred about a bottom where it remaineth so defended from the in jury of the winter close upon the ground covered also with the green Leaves aforesaid by which means it is kept from the frost even from the time of his seeding which is in September untill June at what time the leaves do faâe away the stalks and seed remaining bare and naked whereby it enjoyeth the Sun the sooner to bring them to maturity the Root is round like a Turnep black without and white within with many small strings annexed thereunto The Places and Time The first groweth plentifully about Artois and Vermandois in France and in the Forrest of Arden The second which is the best of all in many places of Italy The third on the Pyrenaean Hills Gerard saith that he hath heard that Sow-bread groweth on the Mountains in Wales on the Hills of Lincolnshire and Somersetshire which I never heard of from any but him who had it but from another and therefore I believe the relator was mistaken it being not so much as mentioned in the Catalogue of British Plants notwithstanding it is frequent in Gardens and is nursed up there more for its Flower then any thing else because it is in its prime when most others are decayed for it flowreth in September and afterwards when the Plant is without Leaf which do afterwards spring up continuing green all winter covering and keeping warm the Seed unto Midsummer next at what time the Seed is ripe The third flowreth in the Spring and therefore it is called Cyclamen vernum or Sow-bread of the Spring The Temperature Although Mesue doth determine the Degrees hereof to be hot and dry in the beginning of the third yet Galen doth not so but saith only 70. Simplicium that it cutteth cleanseth and openeth the mouthes of the Veins draweth and digesteth which is plainly seen by the particular operations thereof The Vertues and Signature Matthiolus saith that the distilled water from the Roots of Sow-bread snuffed up into the Nostrils stayeth their bleeding wonderfully and that if six Ounces of that water be drunk wich an Ounce of fine Sugar it will stay the blood that commeth from the breast stomach or Liver in a wonderful manner or if any Vein be broken in them It purgeth somewhat violently and therefore it is fit as he saith to mix therewith some Mastick or Nutmeg or a scruple of Rubarb by the use whereof many have been holpen of the hardness and swelling of the spleen which could not be holpen by other things It easeth also the pains and torments of the Bowels which we call the Cholick And if saith he the Root hereof be beaten with a few Peach-stone-Kernels and bitter Almonds and after laid in sleep in Aquâvitae for three dayes a drop or two of the expressed Cream thereof dropped into the Ears that are deaf or have much noyse helpeth them the juyce mixed with Honey or Plantain-water helpeth all sores in the mouth or throat being gargled therewith and the Tooth-ach also The juyce of it openeth the Hemorrhoides or Piles and strongly moveth to the Stool being put up in Wooll and saith Mesues it avoideth tough Flegme used in a Clister It is also used with such Medicines as discuss swellings Kernels and other hard knots in any part of the body It helpeth also the Pin and Web in the Eyes being infused with Honey as also avoideth it by the Nostrils and that by snuffing up the juyce the head and brain is purged from those humours that offend it the Ach also and daily pains of it and the Meagrim This Plant belongeth to the womb by Signature and therefore as Theophrastus affirmeth the fresh Root put into a Cloth and applyed for a little time to the secret parts of a Woman that is in sore and long Travail in Child-birth helpeth them to an easie and speedy delivery but it is dangerous till then to be medled with by Women with Child because it will make them miscarry It is profitable for those that have the yellow Jaundice to drive it forth by sweating if after the taking of three drams of the Powder in Mead or Honeyed water they be carefully ordered to sweat It
four Leaves riâng from a Root every one singly by themselves of about an hand breadth which are winged consisting of many small narrow Leaves cut into the middle Rib standing on each side of the stalk large below and smaller and smaller up to the top not dented or notched on the edges at all as the Male Fern is of a sad green colour and smooth on the upper side but on the under ââde somewhat rough by reason of some yellowish spots âet thereon The Root is smaller then ones little finger yet long and creeping aslope whereon are certain little knags and holes as are on the tayl of the Fish Polypus The Places and Time There hath been of late dayes such a slaughter of Oaks and other Trees all over this Land that should I nominate any particular place I might thereby seem to be a deâeiver I shall therefore tell you in generall that it groweth as well upon old rotten Trunâs or stumps of Trees be it Oak Beech Hazeâ Willow or any other as in the Woods under them and sometimes upon slated Houses and old Walls as upon a Wall and side of an House in Adderbury Church-yard and many other places That of the Oak is reckoned the best but any of the other may be used in ead thereof The Island Polypody groweth in the Island Ilua which is in the Mediteâraneân Sea the last in India It being alwayes green and bearing neither Fâowâe nor Seed may be gathered for use at any time yet it shooteth forth green Leaves only in the Spring The two last lose their leaves in Winter and spring up a fresh again about May. The Temperature It is hot and dry in the second Degree as may be gathered from the sweetish harshness that it hath in the tast The Signature and Vertues The rough spots that are on the under sides of the leaves of Polypody as also the Knags or Exârescences on each side the Roots is a sign that it is good for the Lungs and the exulcerations thereof The distilled water both of Roots and Leaves with some Sugar Candy dissolved therein is good against the Cough shortnesse of Breath and Wheeângs and thoâe distillations of thin Rheum upon the Lungs which cause Ptiâicks and oâtentiâes Consumptions The Herb it selfe taken in decoction broth or infuââon dryeth up thin humours digeâeth tough and thick and purgeth burnt Choâer and especially tough and thick flegme and thin flegme also even from the joynts and is therefore good for those that are troubled with melanchoây or Quartan Agues especially if it be taken in Whey or honyed water or in Barley water or in the Broth of a Chicken with Epythymum or with Beets and Mallowes It is alâo good for the ãâã of the Spleen and for prickings or Stitches in the sides as also the Cholick Some use to put to it Fennel-Seeds or Annise-Seeds to correct the âoâthing that it bringeth to the Stomach but it may be taken without by any person at any time and an Ounce of it may be given at a time in a Decoction if there be not Sena or some other strong purger put with it A Dram oâ two of the Powder of the dryed Roots taken fasting in a Cup of Honyed water worketh gently and for the purposes aforesaid The distilled Water both of Roots and Leaves is much commended for the Quartane Agues to be taken for many dayes together as also against Meâncholy or fearful or troublesome sleeps or dreams The fresh Roots beaâââ small or the Powder of the dryed Root mixed with Honey and applyed to any Member that hath been out of joynt and is newly set again doth much help to ââengthen it Applyed also to the Nose it cureth the Disease called Polypus which is a piece of flesh growing therein which in time sloppeth the passage of breath through that Nostril and it helpeth those clefts or chops that come between the Fingers or Toes Crollius saith that because it hath such rough spots on the backside of the Leaves it healeth all sorts of scabs whatsoever by Signature And here I might tell Mr. Culpepper that the Colledge of Physitians forbid not other Polypody but onely prescribe that of the Oak for the best because every Excrescence or Plant upon a Plant as Polypody commonly is doth participate of the nature of that Tree whereon it groweth And seeing that the Oak is of a more drying or purging quality then any of the other Trees it commonly growes upon therefore the Polypody of the Oaks is best but why do I answer for the learned Colledge who are more able to answer for themselves had they thought their âââing Antagonist worth the taking notice of Creeping Oak-Fern hath been by some Apothecaries beyond the Sea mistaken for Polypody to the endangering of those that took it for it hath not that purging quality proper to Polypody but a pernicious operation Yet it is a remedy to take away hairs as Dioscorides saith if the Roots and Leaves be bruised together and applyed after sweating Matthââlus saith that the Root in Powder with a little Salt and Bran is given to âorses for the Worms The last viz. White Oak-Fern is moderate in tast somewhat drying and may be safely used instead of the true Maidenhair CHAP. CXVI Of Whortle-Berries The Names THere be severall Sorts of Whortle-Berries whereof that with black-Berries is taken to be ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of Theophrastus that is Vitis ex parte Idae quam vocant Phalacras ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and Vitis being both taken in a large Sense as the word Vine must also be The Latine followeth the Greek in which it is called Vitis Idaea Theophrastl and because all the rest have a resemblance to this they are all called Vites Idaea The fruits are called Vaccinia and therefore some have thought this sort to be the Vaccinia Nigra of Virgil but he putteth his Vaccinia amongst Flowers and not among fruits saying Et nigrae violae sunt â vaccinia nigra Vitruvius Pliny indeed have a Vaccinium which was used to dye Garments which might very well be this for such a Purple Colour will the juyce hereof give if it be rightly ordered It is also called Myrtillus and by some Myrtillus Germanica because the Physitians and Apothecaries in Germany and thereabouts took them to be true Myrtle-Berries so used them till they were shewed their errour They are called Whorts and Whortle-Berries and Bill-Beries also in the parts about London The Kindes There be nine sorts of Whorts reckoned up by Authours 1. Black Whorts or Bill-Berries 2. The greater Bill-Berry 3. Hungarian black Whorts 4. Red Whorts with Box-Leaves 5. Red Whorts with longer Leaves 6. The Spanish Red Whort 7. The French Honey sweet Whorts 8. The talled red Whorts of Candy 9. The lower Candy red Whorts The Form The small Bush that beareth black Whorts or Bill-berries creepeth along upon the ground scarce rising half a yard high with divers small dark green Leaves
because I find not any Greek or Latin Author that treates of it being unknown to all the transmarine Doctors before Lobel came to us who called it Percepier Anglorum which first word Percepier is derived from Percepierre signifying in French as much as Lâthon-tribon in Greek Saxifraga Petrifindula an obsolete word and Câlculum frangens in Latine which is Pierce-stone or Break-stone in English and Anglorum is added because it is thought to be peculiar to our Country Some call it Parsley-Pert and deâive it from Pâtra but it is more properly Parsly Break-stone becauâe of its eminent âaculties to that purpose Though there be but one sort hereof which might have been placed amongst the other Knot-grasse whereof it is a kind yet because it is somwhat different and is peculiar to our Country I have given it a Chapter by it selfe The Form Break-stone Parsly groweth with many Leaves spread upon the ground each standing upon a small long foot-stalke and being as broad as the naiâe of a mans finger or thumb very much jagged on the edges which maketh it to seeme somewhat like unto a Parsly leafe whereof came the name but of an overworn or dusky greene colour from amongst which there rise up weake and slender stalkeâ about two or three fingers long set full of the like Leaves but smaller up to the tops that almost no part of the stalke can be seene amongst these Leaves come forth very small greenish yellow flowers scarce to be discerned where afterwards groweth the seed as small as that of the Knot-grasse The root is very small and threddy abiding divers yeares if it grow in a place that is liketh The Places and Time Parsly-pert groweth in those fields that are plowed up for Corne both at the same time with the Corne and also when they are fallow in most Countryes of this Land that ever I came into though Gerard and Parkinson make as if it were a Plant growing in few places It is to be found all the Spring Summer and Harvest even from April to the end of October yet it must be in severall places for that which groweth in the open and Sunny places will flourish first but that which is shadowed will continue longest The Temperature It is as I conceive of the same Temperature with Knot-grasse The Vertues Parsly Break-stone hath not its name for nothing for it is found to be a singular remedy to provoke Urine when it is stopped wholly or passeth away by drops with paine or unsensibly without pain expelleth store of Gravel in those that breed it and the stone also in the Reines or Kidneyes in washing it down by the abundant passage of the Urine and helpeth also to expell it out of the Bladder if it be not grown too great for the passages and if it be it is very probable that the abundance of Urine brought down into the Bladder by the Vertue of it even whilst it abideth there will work so much upon the stone therein confirmed and grown great that it will wast by degrees by causing it to be avoided in Gravell with the Urine And that it may performe these operations with the better successe you may take of the juice of the herb about three Ounces and mix it with so much White Wine as is fit to make a Posset the drink whereof taken in a pretty quantity morning and evening to which you may if you please adde Mother of time and some Camomile which is a good way Or you may boile the Herbs aforesaid in Wine or if that cannot be had in Water and drink it but I hope you will have the wit to streine it first The powder also of the dryed herb to the quantity of a dramme or lesse in White-Wine or in other drink where Wine is wanting taken first and last for divers dayes and the distilled Water drunk with a little Sugar in the same manner worketh the forementioned effects and so doth this Composition which came originally from a poore Country man who with good successe ministred it to divers sorts of people Take of the dryed herb of Parsly-pert and Mous-eare Bay-berries Turmarick and Cloves the seed of the Burdock the seed of Hep or the Bryar berries and the seeds of Fenugreek of each one Ounce of the Stone in an Oxes Gall twenty foure graines weight let all these be beaten into fine Powder and kept in a dry box or pot to use upon occasion whereof the quantity to be taken at a time is from halfe a dram to a dram as the age and necessity of the patient shall require There be divers who conceiving themselves inclined to the stone eat it familiarly as a Sallet Herb and pickle it up also like Sampire to eat in Winter when the greene herb cannot be gotten CHAP. CCXXIII. Of Saxifrage The Names IT is called in Latine Saxifraga or Saxifragia for to the Greek Writers it was altogether unknown as farre as we can gather they having left no name for it from its efficacy in breaking the Stone in England Saxifrage and Breakstone So much for the names in generall ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã there being ãâã that do it also though not so effectually I shall speak of them more particularly in the kindes The Kinds Because the best Saxifrage that is growes in England I shall trouble you with no forreine sorts we having nine or ten sorts of our own which for their Vertues not for their formes I shall put together 1. English Saxifrage so called because it groweth more plentifully in England then in any other Country 2. Mr. Goodrers Marsh-Saxifrage so called because he first discovered it in a marshy place 3. Lobels West-Country Saxifrage because Lâbâl found it in the Westerne parts of this Land 4. White Saxifrage so called from the colour of the flowers to distinguish it from the former 5. Golden Saxifrage from the Golden colour of the Leaves 6. The greater Burnet Saxifrage so called because it hath Leaves somwhat like Burner 7. The middle Burnet Saxifrage 8. The lesser Burnet Saxifrage 9. Saxâfrage with Chickweed Leaves The Forme English Saxifrage White Saxifrage Golden Saxifrage and burnet Saxifrage be of so different Formes that it will be necessary that I describe them one aâter another English or Medow Saxifrage which is known to divers by the name of Medow Parsly groweth with many very green winged Leaves somwhat like unto those of Fenneâ but thicker and broader so like unto Medow Hart-wort of Mompelier that it made Parkinson joyne it next thereunto from amongst the said Leaves riâe up divers creâed stalkes of a Cubit high having thereupon divers smaller stalkes of winged Leaves also finely cut but somwhat harsh to the feeling and bearing at the top spoky rundells or umbells beâet with white flowers tending a little to yellow which give place unto seeds like unto the Common Fennell âeed both for forme and greatnesse but of a browner colour and small tast The root is thick black without
some of them being sometimes brownish the stalkes are branched into many long stemmes of spiked Flowers half a foot long growing in âundles one above another out of small Huskes very like unto the spiked Heads of Lavender every of the flowers consisting of five round pointed Leaves of a Purple Violet colour tending to rednesse in which Huskes after the flowers are fallen the seed is contained the root creepeth under-ground almost like Couch-grasse but greater and shooteth up every Spring brownish heads which afterward growing up into Stalkes doe smell like Cââled Apples whilest they are young The Places and Time The first groweth usually by Rivers and Ditches sides and in wet grounds in every Countrey of this Land almost the others grow in the like places but not so frequently but that which is most rare is the Yellow Willow herbe with double flowers which groweth by Kings Langley in Hartford shire Any of these being brought into Gardens doe prosper well enough as the Câamaenerion of Rosebay Willow herbe also doth though it grow not naturally in England June and July are the ordinary months wherein they flower yet some of them stay till August The Temperature All the sorts of Lysimachia are hot and dry and of an exceding binding quality The Vertues The distilled Water of Willow herb whether it be the yellow sort or that which I have described which is more common is exceeding soveraign for green Wounds whether they happen in the Body or Limbs if to every ounce of Water there be taken two drams of May Butter without Salt and of Sugar and Wax each as much also gently boyled together til it become to be an Oyntment and then let Tents be dipped in the Liquor that remaineth after it is cold and put into the Wounds and the place covered with a linnen Cloath doubled and anointed with the Ointment It likewise cleanseth and healeth all foule Vlcers and Sores whatsoever or wheresoever and stayeth their inflammations by washing them with the Water and laying on them a green Leafe or two in Summer or dry ones in the Winter The distilled Water aforesaid is a present Remedy for hurts and blowes on the Eyes and for blindnesse if the Christalline humor or Sight it so if be not perished or spoiled as hath been often proved and it is also of as good use to cleer the Eyes of Dust or any other thing gotten into them and preserveth the Sight The said Water gargled warm in the Mouth and sometimes drunk also doth cure the Quinsey and Kings-Evill in the Throat The same being warmed and the Skin washed therewith taketh away all Spots Markes and Scarres thereof and a little of it drank quencheth the thirst extraordinarily And not onely this but the Yellow sorts also are good for all manner of Bleeding at the Mouth or Nose or of Wounds and stayeth all manner of Fluxes of the Belly or the Bloudy Fluxe given either to drink or taken in a Clister it stayeth also the abundance of Womens Courses If the herb he bruised and the juice onely applyed to green Wounds it stayeth the bleeding and quickly closeth together the Lips of them The decoction or the distilled Water thereof is often used in Gargles for sore Mouths as also to âath the secret parts withall as often as there is any Sore or Vlcer there arising The smoak of the Stalkes being burned driveth away Serpents or any other venemous Creature as Pliny saith and the people in the Fenny Countreyes can testifie that it driveth away the Flyes and Gnats that would otherwise molest them in the night season CHAP. CCCXXXIX Of the Daisy The Names IT is called in Latine for it is a question whether the Greeks ever knew it Bellis à bello as some think quasi Bellis praesidium because it is usefull in War to heal the Souldiers Wounds for which reason some have called it Consolida also other have thought that it was called Bellis from the Adjective Bellus signifying pretty for it hath indeed a pretty Flower if it be marked some of the sorts especially The greater sort is called by Bruâselsius Bupthalmus and Oculus Bovis and by Tabermontanus Bellium majus by others Consolida media Vulnerariorum yet most commonly it is called Bellis major the lesser sort being called Bellis minor Consolida minor and Herba Morgarita In English the greater and lesser Daisy the greater is also called Maudlin and Maudlin-wort The Kindes There be divers sorts of Daisyes as well in our Gardens as growing beyond the Seas yet because the time will not permit me to enquire after them I shall give you onely those that grow naturally with us they being of greatest use for our intended purpose and they are three 1. The Great Daisyes which some call Or-Eyes and White Moons 2. The middle sort of Daisyes 3. The little Daisy The Forme The Great Daisy hath very many narrow and round-pointed Leaves next the ground cut in on both sides making them to seem almost like unto those of the Oak from amongst which do grow up somewhat high Stalks with divers Leaves thereon but smaller and lesser divided than the lower at the tops whereof grow large Flowers each upon severall long foot stalks consisting of many white and narrow Leaves as the Pale or Border and the yellow Thrummes in the middle of little or no scent whose Seed which is somewhat long is blown away with the Wind The Root is bush of white Strings which abide many Winters shooting forth new Leaves in the Spring if the cold weather hath killed the old The Places and Time The first which is Great Daisy Oxe Eye or White-Moone groweth almost every where by the hedge sides in the borders of fields and other wast ground and many times in meadowes that lye any thing high the second groweth in the like places but not so frequently the place of the third can hardly be mistook for it groweth upon every Common and other place almost The two first flower in May and June and then must be gathered for they last not long but the last beginneth to flower in the Spring and holdeth on most part of the Summer The Temperature Daisyes are held by most to be cold and dry which are the qualities which are required in Wound herbs yet Dâdonam saith they be cold and moist which no body else doth allow of The Vertues The Leaves of the great Daisy or Mandlinwort made up into an Oyntment or Salve with Wax Oyl and Turpentine is most excellent for Wounds especially those wherin there is any inflammation and which are hardly brought to digestion or maturation as those weeping Wounds made in the Elboes Knees or other Joynts and it is often used in Decoction or Drinks as well as outwardly for the same or the like purposes as fractures in the Head and deep wounds in the Breast The said Decoction being drunk cureth all Vlcers and Pustles in the Mouth or Tongue or in the Secret parts
layd upon the belly near the Navel it killeth worms If it be dissolved in Wine and used it helpeth the falling or shedding of the hair Though taken inwardly it be hurtful to such as have the Hemorrhoides or Piles yet being made in Powder and applyed outwardly it stayeth the bleeding of them mixed with Honey and used it taketh away blackness and spots Aloes in Powder being mixed with Myrrhe and Dragons blood and cast into putrified wounds eateth out spongious flesh without pain It must not be taken inwardly either too often or in too great a quantity for then it doth freâ and excoriate the stomach and bowels and therefore those that are troubled with the Flux of the Womb Belly or any other bloody Flux Women with Child those that have the Hectick or burning Feaver all hot dry macerated or lean Bodies must avoid it as also those that have hot Livers and such Children as are of an hot and dry constitution especially when the season is extream hot or very cold Cinamon Mace Nutmeg Cloves Mastick and Gum Tragacanth are the best Correctors of Aloes and may be mixed with it If Aloes be taken a little before Supper it doth so much the lesse hurt and offend the stomach It is given in substance from a dram to two drams in infusion from a dram and a half to three drams Aloe Rosata which is a very safe and gentle Medicine is given from half a dram to a dram and a half to all sorts of persons before or after meat It purgeth the stomach of Choler and other offensive humours openeth stoppings is good in the Jaundice strengtheneth the stomach and is good against Surfets The same Dose may be given of washed Aloes which doth not purge so effectually as it did before but strengtheneth more Aloe is the Basiâ of most Pills for there are but few purgative Pills which have it not as one chief Ingredient CHAP. XLIX Of Fumitory The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Capnos and Capnion quasi Fumus eò quod succus oculis inditus lachrymationem movet sicut Fumus claritatâm eorum efficit saith Fuschius that is it is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which in that Language signifies smoak because the juyce of it put into the eyes doth make them water as smoak doth and clarifies or clears them which though it happily doth contrary to the nature of smoak yet I think the other Reason why it should be so called to be the better which is because being of a whitish blew Colour as smoak is it appeareth to those that behold it at a distance as if the ground were all of a smoak and hereunto agreeth Fumus Terrae and Fumaria which are the names the Latines put upon it and the English name Fumiterrâ Fumiterrie though it be now most commonly called Fumitory The kinds The sorts commonly treated of are eight 1. Common Fumitorie 2. Fine leased Fumitory 3. Candy Fumitory 4. Yellow Fumitory 5. Indian Fumitory 6. Climing Fumitory 7. Bulbous Fumitory with a green Flower 8. Knobbed Indian Fumitory The Forme 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 jagged leaves of a pale blewish or Sea-green colour somewhat like unto Coriander as to the form but of nothing so deep a 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 commonly though in the Fields in Cornwall it beareth perfect white Flowers After which come small round husks containing small black seed The Root is yellow small and not very long full of juyce whilst it is green but quickly perishing with the ripe Seed The Places and Time The first groweth as well in the Corn-fields almost every where as in Gardens also The second in Spain and in the Vineyards about Mompelier The third in Candy The fourth on the Hills in Apuliae and Calabria in Naples and in Illyria also The fifth in Virginia and the back parts thereof called Canada The sixth about the hedge sides and among the bushes of the Low Countries The seaventh in the Woods of Germany The last in the West Indies They flowre in May for the most part and the Seed is ripe in August The Temperature It is hot in the first Degree and dry in the second and not cold as the vulgar conceive for its bitterness sheweth it to be hot The Vertues Fumitory also may be appropriated to that Scurvy-Disease aforementioned for it gently purgeth melancholy and salt humours from whence it ariseth as also from the impurity of the blood the Obstructions and stoppings of the Liver and Spleen which are the usuall parts that are first affected it openeth and cleanseth the Entralls and doth corroborate those parts It purgeth cholerick humours by Urine and avails in the Itch Scab Leprosie Cancer Fistulaes and such kinde of soul Diseases of the skin arising from adust humours as also in the French-Disease It is profitable in Feavers arising from Choler both yellow and black in the Jaundise and the Quartane Agues it killeth the worms and prevaileth in Chronicall Diseases arising from the stoppings of the viscerous parts and in Affects of the Hypochonders Brasavola saith that the Powder of the dryed Herb given for some time together hath cured a melancholy person The disâilled water cures the yellow Jaundice if three or four Ounces be drunk morning and evening for certain dayes together and availeth against the Scab Itch and such like Diseases and being constantly taken it preserveth from the Leprosie Being taken in London-treacle and Bole-Armoniack it is good in the Pestilence as a dram or two of Treacle and a scruple of Bole-armoniack mixed in two Ounces of the water and so taken Also it dissolveth congealed blood and tumours and provoketh the Termes or Courses in Women The juyce dropped into the Eys doth clear the Eys and quicken the sight the juyce also mingled with Gum-Arabick and applyed to the Eye-lids will cause that the hair that hath once been pulled off shall not grow again A decoction thereof made and the feet bathed therewith cures the Gout or boyled in Wine and so applyed it doth the like the juyce mixed with the juyce of Docks and Oxymel or Vineger cureth the Morphew being annointed therewith Also a Bath made of the same with Mallows Violets and Dock-Roots with Barley bran and Nep cureth the Scab and Itch. The juyce mingled with Oyl of Nuts and Vinegar cure maligne Scabs and the Leprosie being nointed therewith The distilled water helpeth Sores and Ulcers of the mouth being therewith washed and gargled especially if you take four Ounces of the water adding thereto one Ounce of Honey of Roses and wash the mouth therewith CHAP. L. Of Cresses The Names
third is not very frequent in our Land but the last is more rare yet it hath been sowen in our Gardens in April and not before and was ripe in the beginning or middle of August The usuall time for the ordinary sort being in March as to the sowing and the latter end of August as to the mowing The Temperature Barly is cooling and drying in the first Degree It hath also a little abstersive or cleansing quality and doth dry somewhat more then Bean Meal The Vertues The Meal of Barley and Fleawort being boyled in water and made into a Pultis with Honey and Oyl of Lillies applyed warm cureth Tumours under the Ears Throat Neck and such like places A Plaister thereof with Tar Wax and Oyl helpeth the hard swellings of the Throat called the Kings Evill A Pultis made of Barley Meal or Flower boyled with Vinegar and Honey and a few dry Figs put unto them dissolveth all hard Impostumes and excrescences upon the Eye-lids growing in the form of a Barley Corn by Sâgnature and asswageth Inflammations also being applyed And being boyled with Melilote and Camomile Flowers and some Linseed Fennigreek and Rue in Powder and applyed warm it easeth the pains in the sides and stomack and the windinesse of the Spleen boyled with sharp Vinegar into a Pultis and layd on hot helpeth the Leprosie being boyled in red Wine with Pomegranat Rinds and Myrtills it stayeth the Lask or other Flux of the Belly boyled with Vinegar and a Quince it easeth the hot pains of the Gout Barley Flower white Salt Honey and Vinegar mingled together is used by divers to take away the Itch speedily and certainly The distilled water of green Barley stilled in the end of May is very good for those that have Defluxions in the Eyes to stay the humours and to ease the pains being dropped into them or white bread layd to steep therein and bound thereto doth the same All the preparations of it as Barley-water and other things made thereof do give great nourishment to persons troubled with Feavers Agues and Heats in the Stomach French Barley is much used in pectorall Diseases or Diseases of the Breast helpeth the sharpnesse of the Throat and increaseth Milk especially boyled with Fennel It provoketh Urine and is very profitable in Choletick Feavers if it be thus administred Take two Ounces of French-Barley boyl it in two fresh waters then boyl it again in a quart of water adding half an Ounce of Licorish and an handful of Violet Leaves and as many Strawberry Leaves to a pint or a pint and a half strain it and put thereto of Syrup of Violets two Ounces or for the poorer sort you may sweeten it with a little Sugar It is used outwardly to soften hard swellings and is good for Inflammations and sorenesse of the Throat being boyled alone or with other fitting Herbs and the Mouth and Throat washed therewith Take Mallowes Violet Beets black Hellebore Fumitory of each three handfuls of French Barley six handfulls boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water for a Bath and use it against the Scab Itch c. you shall find it very effectuall CHAP. LXXII Of Garlick The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Allium which last name the Apothecaries do commonly use Some say 't is called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã quasi ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã i. e. Rudis Rosa because of its strong scent offending the Nose Allium also seemeth to have its Originall from the Greek word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã i. e. exilire because of its growth which is so speedy that it 's said as it were to leap Galen and others have called it Theriaca Rusticorum the Country Mans Treacle We in English call it Garlick Some of this kind are called Scorodoprassum and Moly The Kinds There are 12 sorts of Garlick mentioned by Authours 1. Common Garlick 2. Crow-Garlick 3. Ramsons spotted or Snake-Garlick 4. Great Turky Garlick 5. Great Turky Garlick with a bulbed and twining head 6. Clusius his first leafed Hungarian Moly 7. Sweet smelling Hungarian Moly 8. Purple round headed Mountain Moly 9. Purplish headed Moly of Africa 10. The small Italian white Moly 11. Indian Moly 12. Ramsons The Forme Omitting the Description of Garden Garlick because it is so common I shall give you that of the wild or Crow Garlick which the Greeks call ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã that is Snakes Garlick It hath small tough long Leaves like Rushes but not so round smooth and hollow within Amongst which riseth up a naked stalk round slippery hard and sound on the top whereof after the Flowers be gone grow little Seeds made up in a round cluster like small Kernells having the smell and tast of Garlick Instead of a Root there is a bulbe or round head without any Cloves at all The Places and Time Garlick is seldom sowen of Seed but planted in Gardens of the small Cloves which are commonly set in March Some on St. Peters day knit the blades together in a knot that it may head the better and is gathered not long after The Crow-Garlick groweth in fertile Pastures in all parts of England particularly in a Field called the Mantels on the back side of Islington by London The rest are peculiar to divers Countries as Germany Hungary France Spain Italy Turkey and our Land also flowring in Summer and Seeding after The Temperature It is hot and dry in the fourth Degree and raiseth Blisters being applyed to the skin The Vertues Garlick being eaten heateth the Body maketh thin thick and grosse humours cutteth such as are tough and clammy digesteth and consumeth them it also openeth Obstructions or stoppings and is an enemy to cold poyson and to the biting of venomous Beasts It taketh away the roughnesse of the Throat also helpeth an old Cough provoketh Urine killeth Worms expelleth Wind helpeth the Cholick cures the Dropsie proceeding of a cold Cause provoketh the Courses in Women and stirreth up Venus and Lust but dryeth the Seed of Generation and is most excellent for a cold and moyst stomach and to stir up naturall heat An old Man by lying in the cold in the Winter season had almost lost the innate or naturall heat of his stomach and his appetite was even decayed after many hot Medicines used in vain at length was cured with Garlick and Honey It is a good preservative against the contagious and pestilent Air. A Decoction thereof made with Origanum and Wine being drunk killeth Worm-Lice and Nits It is profitable against the biting of a mad Dog and for such as are inclined to the Palsie for shortnesse of breath and to dry up Rheum and also for the cold Head-ach It is commended against the Consumption of the Lungs pissing of blood and for such as cannot hold their water The distilled water is good for the same Diseases and for the Quinsie The milk wherein Garlick hath been boyled is good for worms in Children or two
Saffron the kernells of Wallnuts two ounces Figs two ounces Mithâidate one dram and a few Sage Leaves stamped together with a sufficient quantity of Pimpernell water and made into a masse or lump and kept in a Pot for your use and thereof twelve graines given in the morning fasting preserveth from the Pestilence and expelleth it from those that are infected Infinite advantage hath been made of this commodity by those that Planted it there being no Saffron comparable to the English but now it is manured by so many that it is not so profitable as formerly CHAP. CXX Of Borage The Names IT is called by the Greeks ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Euphrosyne ab efficienda animi voluptaââ from causing mirth Apulââus said that Buglossum meaning our Borage was called by them of Luca Corragâ quod cordis affectibus medetur because it is very Cordiall which by the alteration of one letter is Borrage and from thence as is supposed came the name Borrage which is not found in any of the ancient Writers whom I can perceive to make little or no difference between it and Buglosse but rather that it is the same that was formerly so called yet we have them growing in distinct formes in our Gardens The Kinds And of Borage commonly so called I find five sorts 1. Garden Borage with blew Flowers 2. Garden Borage with white Flowers 3. Everlasting Borage 4. Small creeping Borage 5. Small wild Borage The Forme And because the first Garden Borrage is so well known I shall describe the Everlasting Borage which hath very many broad Leaves rough and hairy of a black darke green colour amongst which rise up stiffe hairy stalkes whereupon do grow faire blew Flowers ripe seed and buds for new Flowers all at once whereupon it is called Everlasting and that very properly because it lasteth both Summer and Winter and is seldom without Flowers buds ripe or unripe seed whereby it greatly increaseth The roote is very durable The Places and Time The first groweth in most Gardens and there increaseth very much after it is once sown the second and third are not so common yet found in divers Gardens of those that affect rarities the last in Germany as Lobel saith and in Naples as Columna saith and in Kent if Mr. Parkinson mistake not The fourth came to us out of the Low-Countrys and prospereth well in the Physick-Garden at Oxfora they do all Flour in the moneths of June and July except the Creeping Borage which Lobel saith flowâeth both in the Spring and in August and their seed doth ripen quickly after both ripe seed Flowers may at one time be gathered from many of them The Temperature The Garden kinds are temperate and accounted rather hot and moist in the first degree then cold and yet for their cordiall properties are often used amongst other cold herbs as conducing to the like effect The Vertues The Leaves Flowers and Seeds of Borage all or either of them are very Cordiall and helpe to expell sadnesse and melancholy arising without manifest cause whereof came the saying Ego Borrago gaud a semper ago I Bo rage bring allwaies Courage It helpeth also to clarify the blood is to very good purpose used in all putrid or Pestilentiall Feavers to de end the Heart and to help to reâst and expell the poyson or the venome of other Creatures The juice made into a Syrup prevaileth much to all the purposes aforesaid and is also put with other cooling opening and clensing herbs to open obstructions and to help the yellow Jaundise to coole and clense the blood and temper the heate and sharpnesse thereof especially with Fumitory and thereby to helpe the Itch Ring-wormes or Tetters or other spreading Scabs or Sores that arise from adust and sharp humors and for that purpose is put into the Syrupus Byzantinus which worketh to the same effect The Conserve made of the Flowers or the Flowers candyed are helping also in those causes but are chiefely used as a Cordiall and good for those that have been long sick or in a Consumption to comfort the Heart and Spirits and is thereby good for those that are troubled with often swouning or passions of the Heart The distilled Water is no lesse effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid and the eyes washed therewith helpeth the rednesse or inflamation of them The dryed Herb is almost uselesse yet the Ashes thereof boiled in Meade or Honyed water is available against Inflammations Ulcers in the mouth or Throat to wash and gargle it therewith The green Leaves and stalkes with the Flowers on them are frequently used in the summer-time to be put in Wine or Beere for the comforting the Heart and giving a better rellish thereunto Syrup made of the Juice of Borage and Sugar having some of the powder of the Heart-bone or a Hart put into it is good against swouning the Cardiack passion of the Heart against melancholly and the falling sicknesse The wild Borage is somwhat hotter and dryer and is very neere the property of Vipers Buglosse which differeth little from what hath been already said of Borage as you shall heare hereafter CHAP. CXXI Of Violets The Names THe Garden Violet is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Viola purpurea by Dioscorides and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Viola nigra and Melanion by Theophrastus Some would have the name to come from Io whom Jove transformed into a Cow because she fed on them cheifly Others from certain Nymphes of Jonia who first gave of the Flowers to Jupiter for a presenââ others think it to be derived ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã quasiâre aut primum prorumpere veris enim praevia est Viola because it is one of the first herbs that flowreth The Latines call it Viola Martia and Herba Violaria Heartsâease which is also a kind of Violet is called in English Pansyes as also Love in idlenesse Call me to you and Three faces under a hood in Latine Viola Tricolor c of the three colours therein The Kinds There are many sorts of Violets 1. Single purple Violets 2. Single white Violets 3. Double purple Violets 4. Double white Violets 5. Upright Violets 6. Smal narrow Leafed Violets 7. Mountaine Violets with jagged Leaves 8. Yellow Violets of Virginia 9. Yorkeshire striped red Violets 10. Wild Violets 11. Garden Pansyes 12. Wild Pansyes or Hearts-ease The Forme The description of the ordinary Garden Violets being needlesse I shall set down that of the upright Violet which groweth a foot-high or neere upon with hard upright stalkes which yet bend down againe their tops having two Leaves somwhat round set at each joynt but longer and more dented about the edges then the Garden kinds at which joynts with the Leaves on both sides of the stalkes commeth forth a larger Flower and more spread open then it being more like a Pansye but of a pale purplish colour almost as sweet as the Violet as Matthiolus but without scent as Lobel saith The Names
going away of the Sunne The flowers are somwhat large and white consisting of eight Leaves smelling very sweet having foure small white threds standing in the middle about a little knob which afterward groweth to be the fruit which is like a Kidney-Beane-cod when it is ripe but much larger wherein is contained a black substance or pulp amongst which the seed lyeth having divers strings running through it of a sharpe sweet tast very pleasing to the Palate and Stomack the seed is square and somwhat flat The Places and Time This Tree is by most supposed to grow in India yet others say it groweth in Arabia whence the fruit is brought into the Indies It continueth greene all the Winter but at what time it giveth its flowers and ripe fruit is not recorded The Temperature Tamarinds are cold and dry in the second degree or in the beginning of the third The Vertues The two former Simples being hot are to be used in cold affects of the Spleene and therefore I have set down this next which is cold which may be used in the hot distempers thereof for the Pulpe of Tamarinds openeth the Obstructions of the Spleene as well as Liver and taken with Borage Water it quickneth the Spirits dulled by Melancholy and somwhat mitigateth the fits of the Phrensy and Madnesse It purgeth Choler and adust humors and is therefore beneficiall in acute Feavers stayeth Vomiting cooleth Inflammations of the Liver and Stomack and also of the reines and back and helpes the running of the Reines It is profitable against all breakings out of the skin which arise from heat of the blood or from Salt or sharp Water running between the flesh and the skin Scab Itch Leprosy and such like It doth stay all Rheumes and distillations being taken with some Sugar and the Water of Maiden-haire It doth exceedingly quench thirst if an Ounce thereof be dissolved in faire Water and a little Sugar mixed therewith or taken of it selfe expelleth hot or burning Agues and procureth an appetite It is excellent in Erysipilas or Wild-fire bleeding of the Nose arising from Choler and Womens fluxes as also the Yellow Jaundise Both Leaves and Pulpe applyed outwardly do coole all hot Inflammations and Wheales Pimples and such like CHAP. CCIV. Of Spleene-Wort or Milt-Wast The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Asplenium and Splenium as also ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Scolopendrium and Scolopendra the two first Names being given unto it quia Splenem juvat because it helpes the Spleene the later from the likenesse it hath with that rough Creature called the beare Worme which Anglers somtimes use Theophrastus calleth it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã for the likenesse it hath with Ferne as also ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which Galen translateth Mula herba The Arabians call it Ceterach which is the name by which it is best known in shops but it is called also Spleene-wort Milt-wast and Scale-ferne The rough Spleene-wort is called Asplenium silvestre Asplenium magnum Scrutiopteris Lonchitis aspera Longina ât Calabrina In English Rough Spleene-wort or Milt-wast The Kinds I think I may without falshood reckon up Nine sorts of Spleene-wort the Mules Ferne being a kind thereof 1. Smooth Spleen-wort 2. The greater rough Spleen-wort 3. The smaller rough Spleen-wort 4. Bastard rough Spleen-wort 5. Island rough Spleen-wort 6. The greater Mules ferne 7. The lesser Mules ferne 8. Strong Mules-ferne 9. Mules-Ferne with divided Leaves The Form Spleen-wort hath many Leaves which after they attaine to their full growth want but little of a span long jagged of cut upon both sides even almost to the middle ribbe every Cut or jagge being as it were halfe round whereby it is known from the rough Spleen-wort which is slashed on the edges quite to the middle ribbe not one cut over against another but one besides the other set in severall orders being slippery and green on the upperside and of a darke yellowish roughnesse underneath which is conceived to be the seed at its first coming up it foldeth and rouleth it selfe inwards as Ferne commonly doth with many haires growing on the outside so that it lookes like unto the rough Beare Worme before remembred the root is small black and rough much platted or interlaced having neither stalke nor flower The Places and Time The first groweth as well upon Stone walles as Rockes and in moist and shadowy places of this land especially in the Westerne parts at Bristow Bath Welles and Salisbury on Framingham Castle-Walles on the Church of Beckensfield in Barkshire Strowd in Kent c The second groweth in the moist Moores of Italy the third and fourth in moist Groves both there and in Germany and with us upon Hampsteed-Heath the fift in Ilva an Island of the Tirrhene Sea The natural places of the foure last are shadowy Rocks and moist hollow places where little heat of the Sunne commeth They all continue greene both Winter and Summer The Temperature These plants are hot and dry in the first degree of very thin and subtile parts The Signature and Vertues The learned Crollius amongst the Signatures of parts doth set down Ceterach which is the first kind above mentioned to have the Signature of the Spleen and that therefore it is profitable for all the diseases and infirmities thereof especially those that cause it to grow big and there it is called Miltwast for it diminisheth it not onely in men but in beasts also for Vitruvius saith that the swine in Candy where there is store thereof by feeding thereon were found without Spleens and it is said also that when Asses are oppressed with Melancholy they eate thereof and so ease themselves of the Swelling of the Spleen It is effectuall also for the yellow Jaundise and consequently for the stoppings of the Liver and to stay the Hicket which is a distemper which happens not seldome to the mouth of the Stomack It helpeth the Srangury and Stone in the Bladder causing it to moulder and passe away without any great pain but the use of it in women hindereth Conception and is therefore to be avoided by them that desire Children If a dram of the dust scraped from the Backside of the Leaves be mixed with half a dram of Amber in powder and taken with the juyce of Purslane or Plantain it will help the running of the Reines speedily It helpeth Melancholy diseases also and those which rise from the French disease if the herb and root be boiled and taken but they must not be boyled very long for then the strength will evaporare especially of the Leaves The distilled water is good against the Stone both in the Reines and Bladder and the Lye made of the Ashes thereof being drunk for sometime together helpeth Spleenetick persons for which purpose the herb may be boiled a little and applied warm to the Region of the Spleen CHAP. CCV Of Harts-Tongue The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã
white within and of a good savour White Saxâfrage groweth with divers round faint or yellowish greene Leaves but grayish underneath spread upon the ground unevenly dented about the edges and somwhat hairy every one upon a little footstalke from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy greene stalke about a foot-high with a few such like round Leaves as grow below but smaller somwhat branched at the top whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five Leaves a peece with some yellow Threds in the middle standing in a long crested brownish greene husk which being past there ariseth somtimes a round hard head biforked at the top wherein is contained small blackish seed the Root is compact of a number of black strings whereunto are fastned many small reddish graines or round rootes about the bignesse of Pepper-cornes which are used in Medicine and called by the Apothecaries white Saxifrage seed and is that which is truly meant by though not so truly said of it Golden Saxifrage is most like unto the before described yet it differeth therefrom in that the Leaves are not hairy but somwhat thicker and of a darker greene colour amongst which rise up Stalkes in handfull high with such Leaves on them as grow below two at a Joynt but three at the top of all whereas also at the Joynts do come forth very small gold yellow flowers not easily observed and seldome seen with them because they fall away so quickly after which come small round heads wherein is contained small round reddish seed the Root is compââed of a number of small strings or Fibres Burnet Saxifrage groweth up with divers stalkes of winged Leaves set one against another each being somewhat broad and a little pointed and dented about the edges of a sad greene colour at the tops of the stalkes stand ãâ¦ã s of white flowers after which comes small and blackish seed The root is long and whitish The Places and Time The first groweth almost in every Medow and therefore it is called Medow Parsly yet it somtimes growes in up and ground the second was found by Mr. Goodyer on a boggy ground below the red Well of Welling borough in Norhamptonshire the third by Lobel between Chipnam and Marleborough in the High-way between London and Bristow on a Chalky Hill the fourth groweth very pâentifully in a feild immediately below the Abby Orchard at St. Albons anâ in many other places the silt in moist and marish places about Bath and Wâlles and in the Moores by Boston and Wisbich in Lincolneshire the sixth seventh and eâght grow in divers Meadows and Pastures-grounds of this Land the last groweth upon barren hills and sometimes upon Walls The first flowreth from the beginning of May to the end of August the second and third âomwhat later the fourth in April or May at the furthest when it is gathered for that which is called the seed as well as to distill for it perisheth soon after the fifth in March and April the rest about July and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature All the aforementioned sorts are hot and dry in the third degree except the Golden Saxifrage which is cold of temperature as the tast declareth The Vertues and Signature The seeds and rootes of Saxifrage or Medow Parsly boiled in White-Wine and the dââoction drunk breaketh the Stone in the Bladder and Kidnâes hel ãâ¦ã the strangury and cauâeth one to make Water freely which also bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth the Secondine and dead Child The root dryed and maâe into Powder and halfe a dram or a dram taken with Sugar comfoâteth and warmeth the Stomack cureth the gnawângs and griping paines oâ the belly caleth the Cholick also and expelleth Wind. The Cheshire Women put it amongst the Râmnes that they put into their Cheese as a Country-man of theirs reporteth The distilled Water is much in use with Nurses to give unto their Children against the stopping of their Urine and to ease the griping paines in their belly which they usually calâ the Frets It is used outwardly in Bathes and Fomentations to provoke Urine and to ease the paines of the Belly proceeding from Wind. The seed or rather the root of the white Saxifrage cureth the Stone by signature as the learned Crâllius hath observed and is singular good against the strangury and stoppings of the Kidneys and Bladder the Powder of them being drunk in Wine or the decoction made of them The distilled Water of the whole herb rootes and flowers which is as effectuall in a manner is familiarly taken by those that have need thereof for any of the purposes aforesaid as also to clense the Stomack and Lungs from tough and thick Phlegme that troubleth it and causeth it more easily to be avoided It is not probable that the Golden Saxifrage hath any operation upon the Stone because of its insipide tast unlesse it be by a specifick Vertue yet I mentioned it because it is esteemed as a rarity The Burnet Saxifrages have the same properties that the others have both in provoking Urine and easing the paines thereof as also in expelling Wind and helping the Cholick the roots or seed being used in Powder decoction or any other way which are likewise effectuall for the windy paines of the Mother to procure Womens Courses to break and avoid the stone in the Kidneys and to digest cold viscous and tough Phlegme in the Stomack and is an especiall remedy against all kind of Venom The rootes hereof dryed are as hot as Pepper and may be used for the same being much more wholesome as Tragus saith The same in Powder with the Powder of the Seeds and Sugar purgeth the braine helpeth the Tooth-ach restoreth lost speech and is good for Convulsions Cramps Apoplexies and cold feavers and so is the distilled water wherein Castoreum hath been boiled which is profitable also for the Palsy and many other cold griefes The same drunk with wine and Vinegar cureth the Plague and being holden or chewed in the mouth it preserveth from the Infection when the aire is corrupted The seed made into Comfits like unto those of Caraway are effectuall for all the purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water sweetned with Sugar though not in so powerfull a manner as the former which water also beautifieth the face by cleansing it from all Spots and Freckels and leaving a good colour The juyce of the Leaves doth the same and being dropped into the grievous wounds of the Head or any other place dryeth up the moisture and healeth them quickly The distilled water alone or with Vinegar being put into the eyes cleareth the sight exceedingly I conceive I have given to every sort its due properties notwithstanding I find all or most of them attributed to Saxifrage in general and no doubt when one sort is not to be had the other may serve as substitutes they being promiscuously used by divers CHAP. CCXIII. Of Dropwort The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã
Scabs if the places affected be often rubbed therewith Pure Oyle that is heated in an Apple of Coloquinda after the seeds are taken out being dropped into the Eares taketh away the paine and noise and killeth the Wormes in them And is said to make the hair black which was not so before and to keep it from falling as also from growing ray A Bath made of Coloquintida and the feet and other parts fomented bringeth down the Courses in Women The juyce boiled with hogs-grease and applyed to the Hip-Gout easeth the Sciatica The Dose in powder is from five graines to ten or fifteen but it is more safe to take it for all the purposes aforesaid in a Glister made after this manner Take of the Pulp of Coloquintida two drams Camomile flowers an handfull Anniseed Cumminseed of each halfe an Ounce make hereof a decoction in faire Water and in a pint of it being strained dissolve Honey of Roses and Oyle of Camomile of each three or foure Ounces Now if any one should aske how can a Glyster purge the whole Body I answer that the Glyster moistning the whole Colon doth by the twigs of the Arteries draw noisome humours from the whole Trunk The seeds will kill Ratts and Mice who delight to feed upon them and the decoction with Wormewood sprinkled in a House that is troubled with Fleaâ doth utterly destroy them CHAP. CLXVII Of Bind-weed The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to distinguish it from the Kidney-Beans which is called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Smilax hortensis In Latine also Smilax levis from a Maid of that name who pining away for the love of Crocus was turned into this flower according to that verse of Ovid and he into Saffron Et Crocum in parves versum cum Smilace flores It is called also Convâlvalâs and Volubilis quia crebrâ revolutione vicinos fructices et herbas impliceâ because it rouleth or windeth it selfe about whatsoever is next it and for the same reason it is called Funis arborum but Campanella is given to it because it hath a flower like a little Bell. There is one cheife sort hereof called of some Campana Laxâra or Campana caruleâ of others Convolvulus Caeruleus Major five Indicus and Flâs Noctis because its cheifest beauty is in the Evening Night and Morning of some Nil Avâeeunae another is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Helxine Cissampelos ab ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã trahere vel harere and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã quasi Vitâalis five Hedera Vitiâea because this Helxine should be known from Pellitory called also Helxine this most commonly growing in Vineyards creeping up upon the Vines with a Leafe like lvy it is called also Malacocissos quasi mollis hedera Orobanche Ervania Convolvulus niger c In English Bindweed With-wind and of some Divelsgut The Kinds To this smooth kind of Bindweed which is here to be understood for of the Prickly kind we shall treat elsewhere there may be referred these fifteene sorts 1. The greater blew Bind-weed or Bell-flower 2. The greater purple Bindweed with cornered Leaves 3. The American Bind-weed 4. The Arabian oâ Egyptian Bind-weed 5. The blew Bell flower of Virginia 6. Mallow leased Bind-weed 7. The common small Bind-weed 8. Lavander leafed Bind-weed 9. Small purple Bind-weed 10. The African Bind-weed 11. The least African Bind-weed 12. The blew Spanish Bindweed 13. Black Bindweed 14. Branched black Bind-weed of Candy 15. Small black Bindweed The Form The greater blew Bind-weed or Bell flower though but a Weed as the name imports is taken into Gardens for the goodlynesse thereof where it riseth with many long and winding branches climbing and winding it selfe contrary to the course of the Sun upon any thing of substance that is neer it It hath many great faire round Leaves pointed at the end somewhat like a Violet Leafe in shape but much greater of a sad greene colour the flowers which come forth at the joynts of the branches where the Leaves are âet on pretty long footstalkes two or three together are at first long somwhat like a finger and of a paâe whitish blew colour but afterwards they become broad like Bells of a deepe a âure tending to purple very gâorioâs to behold the flowers being past the stalkes whereon they stood bend downwards sending foâth husks with three or four black seeds a peece of the bignesse of a Tare or thereabouts the rootes are sââingy and perish every where at the first approach of Winter The Places and Times Though the two first came to us out of Italy yet they are conceived to be naturall only to the East Indies The name of the third teââifieth whence it came and so doth those of the fourth fift tenth eleaventh twelveth and fourteenth the sixth is found in many places of Spaine the seaventh and ninth in sundry Countryes of this Land as the eighth likewise is about Dunmow in Essex the thirteenth is that which is too common in every field and garden and the last groweth about Drayton neere Portsmouth They flower towards the latter end of Summer especially the greater sorts and therefore their seed is seldome perfected with us The Temperature The Bind-weeds are most of them hot and dry in the first or second degree The Signature and Vertues The most renowned Crollius in his Book of Signatures recordeth that Bind-weed or With-wind growing in the Corne by its turning and winding doth very much resemble the turnings and windings of the Guts and that therefore the dâcoction thereof made in White Wine is a very singular remedy for those that are afflicted with the Collick purging and voiding sorth raw thick Phlegmatick and Melancholick humours and killing and driving sorth both flat and long Wormes out of the Belly yet not without some trouble to the Stomack which somtimes causeth Vomitings The Mallow Leafed Bind-weed as Clusius saith is used in Portugal as an herb of singular effect to heale all sores or wounds The Leaves of the black Bind-weed called Helxine Cissampelos stamped and streined and the juice drunken doth also loosen and open the belly exceedingly and so do the Leaves and Herb in Powder if it be drunk in Wine or any other Liquor The Leaves being bruised and laid to hard tumors and Knots in the Flesh dissolveth and consumeth them as Galen saith It is said likewise that if those places which you would have to be void of Haire be anointed with the juice hereof presently after the Haire is plucked up by the Rootes it will not suffer it to grow there any more Some of the greater sorts as also that with Leaves like Lavander where they naturally grow are rather a Plague then a pleasure to whatsoever groweth with it in the feildes yet the beauty of their flowers hath caused them to be received into Gardens where they are very delightfull to the Eyes of those which love to feast themselves even with the varieties of those things which the
of joynts a cubit high or thereabouts with two Leaves at every joynt and branches likewise from both sides the Stalks with fresh green Leaves somewhat broad and long withall about the bignesse of the Leaves of Basil finely dented about the edges In the Male at the joynts towards the tops of the Stalks and Branches come forth two small round green Heads standing together upon a short foot-stalk which growing ripe are the Seeds not having any Flower In the Female the Stalk is longer spike-fashion set round about with small green Husks which are the Flowers made like small branches of Grapes which give no Seed but abide long upon the Stalks without shedding The Root is composed of many small Fibres perishing every Winter rising again the next year of its own sowing if the seed of the male be permitted to shed and so the ground will be for ever furnished with both sorts of it for they both rise from the Seed of the Male in the same manner as Hemp and could not be distinguished one from another but by their Seed and Flowers The Places and Time The French Mercury groweth as well wild in divers places of the English Dominions as by a Village called Brookland in Rumney Marsh in Kent and by the Sea-side in the Isle of Wight as in Gardens where it is sometimes sown The Dogs-Mercury groweth by the Hedge-sides in most places of this Land also the Female being not so frequent as the Male but the Childs or Childing-Mercury groweth wild about Mompelier in France and in Spain and Italy and is a Sojourner in some of our Gardens They all flourish and seed in the Summer save the Childes Mercury which flowreth so late with us that it hardly beareth ripe Seed The Temperature Mercury is hot and dry yet not above the second degree it hath a cleansing faculty and a digesting quality also as Galen saith The Vertues Hipocrates whose skill in Physick was incomparable as appears by his learned Aphorismes doth very much commend the use of the French Mercury for Womens diseases for if it be applyed to the Secret parts by way of fomentation it easeth the pains of the Mother and if the Decoction thereof be used it procureth the Terms and expelleth the After-birth as also for the Stangury and diseases of the Reines and Bladder the decoction thereof with Myrrhe or Pepper being taken inwardly or the Leaves applyed outwardly or both He used it also for sore and watring Eys and for Deafness and pains in the Ears by dropping the juyce thereof into them and bathing them afterwards in White Wine The decoction of the Leaves or the juyce of them taken in broth or drink with as much Sugar put to it as will sweeten it purgeth cholerick and watrish Humours The decoction thereof made with Water and a Cock chicken is a most safe Medicine for the hot fits of the Ague ât also cleanseth the Breast and Lungs of Phlegm but a little offendeth the Stomach The juyce or distilled water thereof snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and Eyes of Catarrhes and Rheums Two or three ounces of the distilled water with a litle Sugar put to it and drunk in the morning fasting is used by some as a good Medicine to open and purge the Body of grosse viscous mâlancholy humours Matthiolus saith that both the Seed of the Male and Flowers of Female Mercury boyled with Wormwood and drunk cureth the Yellow Jaundise in a speedy manner The Leaves or the Juyce rubbed upon Warts taketh them away The Juyce mingled with some Vinegar helpeth all running Scabs Tetters Ringworms and the Itch. Being applyed in manner of a Pultis to any Swelling or Inflammation it digesteth and spendeth the humours which were the cause thereof and so helpeth it It is frequently used with other things to evacuate the Belly from offensive humours being given in a Clister Though Dog-mercury he less used because it is more common yet it may serve to purge waterish and melancholy Humours in the same manner as the former and also for other the said uses It is said of Childing Mercury that if the Male thereof be taken by a Woman three dayes together after conception and that her Courses be past she shall bring forth a Male Child but if she take of the Female it shall be a Girle and the same is said of the French Mercury but my Wife never tryed either of them CHAP. CCCXIV Of Madder The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Etruthrodanum and Eruthedanum from the red colour of the root and Rubia Tinctorum in Latine because Dyers make use thereof to colour Wooll as Leather-dressers also do to colour their Leather which is the name that the Shops use also yet Nicander calleth it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Schyrium in Greek and others call it Rubâa in Latin without any addition The Kindes There be six kindes of Madder growing in our ownd Land 1. Red Madder commonly called Garden Madder 2. Wild Madder 3. Wild Madder with long Leaves 4. Sea Madder 5. Dwarf Madder 6. Little field Madder The Forme The manured or Garden Madder shooteth forth many Stalks which stand upright at their first coming up and so likewise if they be kept cut but if they be permitted to grow they become long weak and trailing upon the ground a great way unlesse they grow by some hedge and then they will climb thereon being four-square very rough and full of Joynts at every of which come forth divers long and somewhat narrow Leaves standing about the Stalks somewhat like the râwell of a Spuâ being very rough also neer unto the tops whereof do come forth many small pale yellow Flowers after which come small round heads green at the first and reddish afterward but black when they are ripe wherein are contained the Seed The Root is not so great as long creeping very far as well downwards as about the surface of the Earth fat full of substance and of a red and very clear colour whilst it is fresh The Places and Time The first though it be commonly manured for the great profit that is made thereof yet it groweth wild not onely upon S. Vincents Rock neer Bristoll and in the Hedges about Ruthland in Wales the second is natural also to some parts of this Land and so is the third which groweth in divers places of Dorset-shire the fourth groweth likewise in our own Country so do the two last They flower in June and July chiefly and the Seed of all of them is ripe in August or thereabout except the Sea kind which seldom perfecteth its Seed with us The Temperature Madder roots are hot in the second degree and dry in the third and have an opening quality and also an astringent property The Vertues and Signature The Decoction of Madder made in Wine and drunk doth not onely bring down the Courses in Women and provoke Vrine but bringeth away the
or Corn-rose 4. Wilde Poppy with a white flowre 5. Murry coloured Poppy like the commonest single of the Garden 6. Party coloured Poppy Some spatling as 1. Beheâ Album or white Battle 2. Elegant spatling Poppy with guilded leaves Others bastard called in Latine Argement As 1. Round headed bastard wilde Poppy 2. Long headed bastard wilde Poppy 3. Yellow wilde bastard Poppy of Waleâ To trouble you with the Descriptions of every one of these would be tedious I shall therefore describe only the spatling Poppy the others being better known The Forme Spatling Poppy which doth very little resemble any other Poppy but only the Seed and Cod or Bowle wherein the seed is contained hath divers weak tender stalks full of joynts about a foot or half a yard long usually lying on the ground whereon grow many pale whitish green leaves two alwayes let together at the joynts one against another having many times upon the leaves but more often about the joynts of the stalks a certain white frothy substance like unto that is called Cuckow-spittle or Wood-seer at the tops of the stalks upon many slender foot-stalks stand divers white flowers composed of five small leaves a peece with a deep notch in the middle of every one of them standing in a thin loose stripped husk wherein the black seed is afterward contained the root is white and spreadeth in the ground continuing sundry years The Place and Time Many of the Garden-Poppies are to be found in Country Gardens but the yellow horned Poppie groweth upon the sands and banks of the Sea neer unto Rie in Kent in the Isles of Sheppy and Thanet and in many other places along the English Coast with the other wilde Poppies every Corn-field is garnished as also with spatling Poppy which sometimes groweth in Pastures and high-way-sides the Elegant spatling Poppy with guilded Leaves groweth in Womersly field in Yorkshire Argemone groweth in Soâârsetshire and near South-fleet in Kent The white Corn-Rose groweth amongst the Wheat between Pontfract and Ferry-Bridge They begin flowring in May and continue till the end of July the seed of them is ripe presently after The Roots of all except the spatling Poppy perish every year and spring again either of their own or others sowing The Signature and Vertues The Heads of the Poppies with their Crowns do somewhat represent the Head and Brain and therefore the decoctions of them are used with good successe in several diseases of the Head The Garden Poppy Heads with the seeds made into a Syrup procureth rest and sleep in the sick and weak and stayeth Catarrhs and deâluxions of hot thin Rheumes from the head into the stomack and upon the Lungs causing a continual Cough which is the fore-runner of a Consumption The green Knops of Poppy stamped with Barley Meal and a little Barrows-grease and applyed in the form of a Pultis helpeth St. Authoâies fire called Ignis Sacer. The Leaves Knops and Seeds stamped with Vinegar Womans milk and Saffron cureth Erysipelas another kinde of St. Anthonies fire and easeth the Gouâ mightily and put into the Fundament as a Clyster causeth sleep The seed of black Poppy drunk in Wine stoppeth the Flux of the beâly and the over-much flowing of Womens sicknesse Mr. Culpepper saith that it is the juyce of white Poppy growing in England which they sell for Opium in the Shops though they pretend to have it out of the Eastern Countries where they gather it only from the heads of the great white Poppy but certainly his Pen run before his Wit when he said it grew beyond the Moon for there is no question but that it is so gathered in those parts and should be that which is used in Narcotick Medicines though perhaps for want of it our Meconium which is the juyce of Poppy thickned and is much weaker is sometimes used It is an ingredient of much respect in those great Compositions of Treacle and Mithridate and in other Medicines that are made to procure rest and sleep and to ease the pains of the head as well as other parts or rather to palliate them and make them insensible for the time present It is used also both to cool Inflammations Agues oâ Phrensies and generally for the same occasions as the seed or any part of the Plant is but if it be taken in too great a quantity it causeth the Lethargy and sometimes killeth and therefore it is to be used with caution inwardly divers have found that applyed to the Gout it hath given much ease and put into hollow teeth ceaseth their pain The Syrup of Meconium or Diacodium which is made of the heads of white and black Poppies a little after the heads are fallen off may safey be given to those which are troubled with hot and sharp Rheums but not to young Children which are froward for if Nurses would keep their own bodies temperate their Children would sleep well enough without it The Syrup made of the Flowers of the red wilde Poppy is with good effect given to those which have a Plurisie the dryed Flowers also either boyled in water or made into Powder and drunk either in the distilled water of tâem or in some other drink worketh the like effect the same also is available in all other Cephalicall or Pectorall griefs The distilled water of the said Flowers is held to be of much good use against surfeits to drink it evening and morning it is also more cooling in quality then any other Poppy and therefore cannot but be as effectual in hot Agues Phrensies and other Inflammations either inward or outward but the seed is dangerous to be used inwardly The Syrup aforesaid is thus made Take of the fresh Flowers or red Poppies two pound steep them in four pound of warm spring-Spring-water the next day strain it and boil it into a Syrup with its equall waight of Sugar It cools the blood helps Surfeits and may be safely given in Phrensies Feavers and hot Agues The Seed of Spatling Poppy purgeth Flegme said Galân and causeth vomitings saith Dioscorides being taken in Mead or honyed water and is especially good for those that are troubled with the Falling-Sicknesse It was the head of this Poppy about the time it was in flower which the Greeks called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã because it doth foreshew as they conceived the success of their love For these Flowers the tops being closed together with ones fingers seem like little Bladders which being broken against ones other hand make a noyse like unto the Bladders of little Fishes being broken If they gave a good report they concluded they should be succesful if not they presently let fall their suit so superstitious were those people as some in our dayes be The leaves of Argemâné or Bastard wilde Poppy stamped and the juyce dropped into the eyes easeth the Inflammation thereof and cureth the Disease in the Eye called Argema whereof it took his name by signature which Disease when it happeneth on the
Hair as Alopecia Ophiasis c. beginning with the Quince-Tree which is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and in Latine Malus Cydonia Cotonea It beareth the Name of Malus Cydonia à Cydone Cretae oppido unde primum advecta because it was brought first from Cydon a Town in Crete and Cotonea as some think from the down which groweth upon the Fruit which is called Cotton as Fuchsius writeth by which name Cato first called it and Pliny after him The Spaniards call it Membrillâo Marmello from whence come the word Marmalade The Kindes Columella setteth down three sorts of this fruit 1. Struthia Great ones 2. Chrysomela Gold Colour 3. Mustea Early ones but little but in our dayes there are four or five sorts of Trees which are known by the names following 1. Our ordinary Quince-Tree 2. The Portugall Quince 3. The Barbary Quince 4. The Lyons Quince 5. The Brunswick Quince The Forme The ordinary Quince-Tree groweth oftentimes to the height and bigness of a reasonable Apple-Tree but more usually lower and crooked with a rough Bark spreading Arms and Branches far abroad the Leaves are somewhat round and like those of the Apple-Tree but thicker harder fuller of Veins and white on the under side not dented at all about the Edges the Flowers are large and white sometimes dasht over with a blush the fruit that followeth is first green and then yellow when the white Freese or Cotton wherewith it is covered is rubbed off which groweth lesse as the fruit ripeneth bunched out oftentimes in some places some being liker an Apple some like a Pear of a strong heady sent and not durable to keep and is soure harsh and of an unpleasant taste to eat raw but being scalded roasted baked or preserved becommeth very pleasant The Place and Time The Place of every one save the first is expressed already which best likes to grow near Ponds and Water sides and is frequent through the Land but beareth not ãâã the place where it groweth be somewhat moyst It flowreth not till after the leaves put forth and that is about the end of March or the beginning of April the fruit is commonly ripe about the beginning of October The Temperature Quinces have a cold and earthy faculty in them and by reason of their ãâã binding they moysten the body lesse then other fruits for they are cold in ââe first and dry in the second degree When they are green they help all sortâ of Fluxes in Man or Woman and whatsoever needeth astriction The Signature and Vertues The Down of Quinces doth in some sort resemble the hair of the Head the Decoction whereof is very effectual for the restoring of Hair that is fallen off by the French Pox and being made up with Wax and laid on as a Plaster it bringeth Hair to them that are bald and keepeth it from falling if it be ready to shed It healeth Plague-sores if it be boyled in Wine and applyed to them The Syrup of the Juyce of Quinces strengthens the heart and stomach stayes loosness and vomiting relieves languishing Nature for loosness take a spoonfull of it before meat for vomiting after meat for others purposes it is to be taken in the morning and may be then taken for these also It helpeth the Liver also when it is so opprest that it cannot perfect digestion and correcteth Choler and Flegme If you would have Quinces purging put Honey to them instead of Sugar and if more laxative add for Choler Rubarb for Flegme Tuâbith for watry humors Scammony but if more forcibly to binde use the unripe Quinces with Roâes and Acacia or Hypocistis and some torrefied Rubarb The Juyce of raw Quinces is held as an Antidote against the force of deadly poyson not suffering it to have any force in the body for it hath been often found to be most certain true that the very smell of a Quince hath taken away all the strength of the poyson of white Hellebore which the Hunters of Spain and Navarre make to kill wilde Beasts by dipping their Arrow-Heads therein It is also certain that if Quinces be brought into an house where Grapes are hung up to be kept dry all the year they will assuredly rot If there be need of any outward binding and cooling of any hot Fluxes the Oyl of Quinces or other Medicines that may be made thereof are very available to anoint the Belly or other parts therewith It likewise strengtheneth the Stomach and Belly and the Sinews which are loosed by sharp humours falling on them and restraineth immoderate sweatings The Mucilage taken from the Seeds and Quinces boyled a little in water is very good to cool the heat and heal the sore breasts of Women the same with a little Sugar is good to lenifie the harshness and hoarsness of the throat and roughness of the Tongue The Marmalade of Quinces is toothsom as well as wholsom and therefore I cannot blame such Gentlewomen which are seldom without it in their Closets CHAP. XV. Of Mosses IT may seem strange to any one that considereth not our Method that we should so much deviate from the common Roads which other Herbarists use to trace as to treat of the Quince-Tree and Mosse next to one another there being in their Opinion so little Similitude between them Yet because it cures the Diseases of the Hair as the former doth and doth a little resemble the Down growing on Quinces I shall handle it next The Names Mosse in generall is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and in the Attick Tongue Sphagnum Hypnum and Pliny thereupon in one place calleth it in Latine Bryon Sphagnum and in another place Sphagnos sive Phacos sive Bryon but it is in Latine usually called Muscus and properly betokeneth any Herb that is composed of hairs or thred instead of Leaves the Arabians and Apothecaries call it Vsnea The Greeks which seldom gave any thing a name without a Reason called it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã because it giveth ease to the Entrails The Kindes The Sorts of these are very numerous Parkinson reckons up thirty and treats of them in severall Chapters It would be somewhat tedious and to little purpose to repeat them all I shall therefore for brevity sake set down those which I finde to be useful and let the rest alone and the first is Our common ground-Mosse 2. Cupp-Mosse 3. Club-Mosse 4. Oak-Mosse 5. Apple-Tree Mosse 6. Mosse of a Dead Mans Skull Neither of these want a Description so much as the Club-Mosse because it desires to be known in these times wherein there is so much dead Wine which it is said in short time to recover I shall therefore describe that The Forme Club-Mosse or Wolfs-Claw Mosse which is in Latine called Muscus clavatus sive Lycopodium groweth close upon the ground among Bushes and Brakes to the length of six or eight foot consisting as it were of many hairy Leaves set
sweeter relish and a shorter crisp tast in eating The Place and Time Some of these sorts of Fennel grow in hot Countries as Italy Spain Candy c. and some of them are sowen in Gardens amongst us though the Climate altereth even the best and sweetest The common sort flowreth in June and July and the Seed is ripe in the end of August but the strange sorts do not perfect their Seed unless the year be kindly It is to be sowen in the end of February and that in sunny places and somewhat stony The Temperature There be different opinions concerning the temperature of this Plant. One saith it is hot and dry in the second degree but most affirm it to be hot in the third and dry only in the first Gerard saith that the Seed is hot and dry in the third Degree The Vertues The distilled water of Fennel dropped into the Eyes clense them from all enormities rising therein but the condensate Juyce dissolved or as some take it the natural Juyce or Gum that issueth out thereof of its own accord in hot Countries doth cleanse the Eyes from mists and films that hinder the Eye-sight Some for this purpose take the green stalks of Fennel and holding them to the fire in Autumne while they are green cause a certain Juyce or Liquor to drop from them which they apply to the Eyes as holding it to be more effectuall then either the condensate Juyce or naturall Gum. And some yet more neatly make a water to clear the Eye-sight in this manner They powder some white Sugar Candy very finely and put that Powder into the hollow green stalk of Fennel while it groweth a foot above the ground so that it be between two joynts which having remained therein two or three dayes and the hole covered and bound close over that no rain get in they open it at the lower joynt having first placed a good peece of soft wax made a little hollow gutter-wise under the hole which may serve to carry the liquor from falling down the stalk into a Vessel or thing set of purpose thereto to receive it Neither is it only good for the Eys but for many other uses It is used to lay upon Fish and other viscous meats to digest the crude Phlegmatick quality thereof and to boil it with them and the seed is oftentimes put in bread to break wind and to make a long breath It provoketh Urine and easeth the pains of the Stone and helps to break it and being boyled in Barley water and drunk it is good for Nurses to increase their milk and to make it the wholsomer for their Nurse-Children The leaves boyled in water but much more the seed stayeth the Hickock and taketh away that loathing which often happeneth to the stomacks of sick or feavourish persons and allayeth the heat thereof The seed boyled in Wine is good for them that are bitten by Serpents or have eaten poysonous ââerbs or Mushromes the Seed and the Root much more helpeth to open the obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Gall and thereby much conduceth to all the Diseases arising from them as the painful and windy swellings of the Spleen and yellow Jaundies as also the Gout and Cramp The seed is of good use in pectorall Medicines and those which help the shortness of the breath and wheesings by obstructions of the Lungs it helpeth also to bring down the Courses and to cleanse the parts after delivery The Roots are of most use in Physick Drinks and Broths that are taken to cleanse the blood to open the obstructions of the Liver to provoke Urine to amend the evill colour or complexion in the face after long sickness and to cause a good colour and a good habit throughout the whole body Fennell both Leaves and Seeds or roots are much used in drinks and broths for those that are grown fat to abate their unweldinesse and make them more gaunt and lank The sweet Fennel by reason of its sweetnesse is much weaker then the ordinary which is better for all the Physicall purposes aforesaid And therefore they do but deceive themselves and others that use the sweet Fennel Seed in compositions as thinking it better when as it is much weaker by want of the bitternesse which is most operative The Juyce killeth the worms in the ears if it be dropped therein The wild Fennel is stronger and hotter then the tame and therefore more powerfull against the stone but not so effectual to increase milk because of its dryness Let them that live in those Countryes where there be any Serpents or Snakes have a care they wash their Fennel before they use it because they delight much to be amongst it it is thought that they make use of it to preserve their Eyesight Fennel roots are one of the five opening roots the other four being Smallage Asparagus Parsly Kneeholly or Butchersbroom called in Latine Ruscus Bruscus CHAP. XVIII Of Vervain The Names IT is Called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Hiera botané id est Herba sacra for so it was reputed amonst them as also amongst the Romans for with it they purged their houses and made clean the Table of Jupiter before the Sacricrificiall Banquets were set there on And ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Peristereon because Pidgeons love to be about it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã signifying a Pidgeon In Latine Verbena quasi Herbena or Herba bona Verbenaca Matricalis Columbaria Columbaris or Columbina Exupera Martialis Herculania and Ferraria and of others Vervena in English Vervain and in some Countries Holy herb Mercuries moist blood Juno's tears and in others Pidgeon-grasse because Pidgeons eat thereof as is supposed to clear their Eye sight For Epxlication of that place in Terence Ex ara verbenas hinc sume The later Herbarists and Writers do conceive that the Poet in that place speaking after his countrey Phrase for Menander hath Mirtles out of whom this was translated understandeth such herbs as lay there which were also called Sagmina and not Vervain only The Kindes 1. Common or upright Vervain 2. Bending or Female Vervain 3. Vervain of Peru. 4. Round headed creeping Vervain The Forme The Common Vervain that is familiar to our Country hath divers Leaves towards the bottom of middle fise deeply gashed at the bottom of them the other part being deeply dented about the edges and some only deeply dented and cut all alike something like unto an Oaken Leaf those that grow higher are lesser all of them being of a dark green Colour on the upper side and somewhat gray underneath the stalk is square and branched into divers parts rising to be about half a yard high with a Spike of Flowers on the top which are set on all sides thereof one above another and sometimes two or three together being small and gaping of a whitish colour and some Purple and blew intermixt after which come small round seed in small and somewhat long heads the Root is small
Celandine The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã from a supposition that the Antients had that with this Herb Swallows do restore sight to their young ones though their Eyes be put out which Opinion is condemned as vain and false by Aristotle and Celsus from him who shew that the young ones of Doves Partridges Swallows c. will recover of themselves without any thing done unto them Yet I find that many Authours question not the truth of the story for Crollius and divers others do report how that Doves make use of Vervein Swallows of Celandine Linnets of Eye-bright and Hawks of Hawk-weed for the recovery of their own and their young ones sight The Latine also followeth the Greek and in it it is called Chelidonium majus Hirundnaria major and we in English great Celandine and of some Swallow-wort and Tetterwort for its efficacy in curing Tetters The Kinds Parkinson treats of Pilewort in the same Chapter with Celandine which are no more alike then Chalk and Cheese neither in Leaf nor Flower only because it is called Chelidonium minus from an error of Dioscorides who saith that it springeth when Swallows come in and withereth at their going away when as it springeth before Swallows come and vanisheth long before their departure Therefore I shall not mention that any more here but shall set down the kinds of the greater Celandine which I find to be three 1. Common great Celandine 2. Jagged Celandine 3. Great Celandine of Canada The Form Common Celandine hath divers tender round whitish green stalks with greater Joynts then other Herbs ordinarily have like unto knees very brittle and easie to break from whence grow branches with large tender long Leaves divided into many parts each of them cut-in on the edges set at the joynts on both sides of the branches of a dark blewish green colour on the upper side like Columbines and of a more pale blewish green underneath full of a yellow sap when any part is broken of a bitter tast and strong scent at the tops of the branches which are much divided grow gold yellow Flowers of four Leaves a peece after which come small long pods with blackish seed therein the root is thick and knobby with some threds annexed thereto which being broken or bruised yieldeth a sap or juyce of the colour of Gold The Places and Times The common sort groweth in many places by old Walls by the hedges and way sides in untilled places and being once planted in a Garden especially in some shady place it will hardly be gotten out The second is not known to grow naturally but is received into Gardens for the variety The third in Canada as the Title sheweth The two first sorts flower all the Summer long and the seed ripeneth in the mean time but the last flowreth very late and bringeth not its seed to perfection in this Country The Temperature The ordinary great Celandine is manifestly hot and dry and that in the third Degree and withall scoureth and cleanseth effectually The Signature and Vertues Though Aristotlc will not admit that this Herb cureth the Eys of young Swallows yet it hath been proved by experience that it is one of the best cures for mens Eyes that is for the juyce dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from films and clowdiness which darken the sight but it is best to allay the sharpnesse of it with a little Breast-Milk Mr. Culpepper saith that the Oyl or Oyntment is most effectual if it be anointed upon sore Eyes and that it is far better then endangering the Eyes with a Needle The Herb or Roots boyled in White-wine and drunk a few Annlseeds being boyled therewith openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Gall helpeth the yellow Jaundice by Signature which is plainly signified by the yellow juyce and after 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 Plague or Pestilence and so is the distilled water also with a little Sugar but especially if a little good Treacle be mixed therewith and they upon the taking lie down to sweat a little It is good in old filthy corroding creeping Ulcers whatsoever to stay the stelalignity of fretting and running and to cause them to heal the more speedily The juyce often applyed to Tetters Ring-worms or other such like spreading Cancers will quickly heal them and rubbed oft on Warts will take them away The Herb with the Roots bruised and heated with the Oyl of Camomile and applyed to the Navel taketh away both the griping pain in the Belly and Bowels as all the pains of the Mother and applyed to Womens Breasts that have their Courses over much stayeth them The Juyce or Decoction of the Herb gargled between the teeth that ake taketh away the pain and the Powder of the dryed Root layd upon an aking hollow or loose Tooth will as some say cause it to drop out The Juyce mixed with Powder of Brimstone is not only good to anoint those places which are troubled with the Itch but taketh away all discolourings of the skin whatsoever be they spots of marks or bruises stripes or wounds the Morphew also Sun-burning or any the like and if by chance in a tender body it cause any Itching or Inflammation it is soon helped if the place be but bathed with a little Vineger Matthiolus saith that if the green Herb be worn in the shooes of them that have the yellow Jaundies so as their bare feet may tread thereon it helpeth them CHAP. XXI Of Rue or Herb Grace The Names ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã is the Name which the Greeks give unto this Herbe which is the last in the forementioned verse and is so called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Ã coagulando because it doth as it were condense the generative faculty by its heat and drynesse and is therefore said to abate carnal lust Yet Schola Salerni maketh a difference between men and women for they say Ruta viris coitum minuit mulieribus auget Because the nature of Women is waterish and cold and Rue heateth and dryeth therefore say they it stirreth them more to carnal lust but it diminisheth the nature of men which is of temperature like unto the air which is hot and moist Dioscorides saith that what we call Ruta montana was in his time called Moly montanum and the root of the Assyrian wild kind Moly for the likenesse thereunto being black without and white within And Ruta in Latine of Ruo for the violent fierce vapours it sendeth forth causing itching blisters c. In English Rue Herbe Grace and Herb of Grace for the many good uses it may be put to It is without doubt a most wholesome herb though bitter and strong and could dainty Palates brook the taste and use thereof it would work singular effects being skilfully and
or three foot high or more sometimes if it grow in good grounds and Gardens as uâually it doth set with many long and much torn leaves of a whitish green colour not having that roughnesse or those sharp prickles on them which some of them have branching forth towards the top into divers branches bearing pale yellow flowers which passe away into a down and with the seed into the wind The root groweth down right and hath many fibres thereat perishing likewise every year and raising its self of its own âowing and is plentifull in giving Milk which is somewhat pleasanter and not so bitter as that of the prickly ones The Places and Time All the Sow-Thistles above named grow in unmanured as well as in manured soyls some in Gardens and Orchards where the leaves are usually lesser and lesser divided than in the rough and unmanured grounds and sometimes by and upon old walls the pathsides of fields and highwaies but the first is seldom seen save in the Gardens of Herbarists and the fourth groweth only in Yorkeshire and Cheshire naturally They do flower and shed their seed from Midsummer or thereabout all the Summer long and sometimes till August be past The Temperature The Sow Thistles as Galen writeth are of a mixt temperature for they consist of a watery and earthy Substance cold and likewise binding The Signature and Vertues Least any one should think Nightshade too cool or Sow-Fennel too hot I have added Sow Thistle as being more moderate as long as they are young and tender and being so they are eaten familiarly by those beyond the Seas but the roots are much more esteemed by them being very tender and sweet The Juyce boyled or throughly heated with a little oyl of bitter Almonds in the Pill of a Pomgranate is a sure remedy for deafnesse and singings and all other diseases in the Ears and it is said that the herb bruised and bound upon Warts will quickly take them away The herb bruised or the Juice is profitably applyed to all hot inflammations in the Eyes or wheresoever else and Pustules Wheales Blisters or other the like Eruptions of heat in the Skin as also for the heat and itchings of the Hemorrhoïdes or Piles and the heat and sharpnesse of humours hapning in the secret parts of man or woman The distiâed water of the herb is not only effectual for all diseases aforesaid to be taken inwardly with a little Sugar which Medicine the dantiest Stomach that is will not refuse or outwardly by applying Cloathes or Spunges wetted therein it is likewise wonderfully good for women to wash their faces to clear the skin and give a lustre thereunto The herb it self is very fit to cool an hot Stomach and to ease the gnawing paines thereof and are therefore eaten by some as Sallet herbs in Winter and Spring being boyled in wine it is very helpfull 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 Erisistratus saith Pliny did therewith cause the gravel and stone to be voided by Urine and saith that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath The Juyce thereof to the quantity of three spoonfuls taken in Wine warmed and some Oyl put thereto causeth Women in Travel of Child to have so easie and speedy delivery that they may be easie to walk presently after the said juyce taken in warm drink helpeth the Strangury or pissing by drops and pains in making water The decoction of the Leaves and stalks given to Nurses causeth abundance of milk and maketh their Childrens faces to be well coloured and is good for those whose milk doth curdle in the Breasts and this it doth by signature When Sowes have Piggs they do most greedily desire it because they know by a certain natural inflinct wherewith most Brutes are indued that it doth very much increase their milk and for that Reason I conceive it is called by the name of Sow-Thistle CHAP. XXXII Of Wake-Robin or Cuckow-point THe two last parts to which I did endeavour to appropriate such Plants as were fittest for the remedying the distempers thereof were the Eyes and the Ears I come now to the Nose and shall begin with an Herb that not only helpeth it but the parts aforesaid which Janus like hath respect to what goes before and what comes after The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and in Latine Arum and of some Pes Vituli because the Leaf hath some resemblance with a Calves-foot Some also call it Dracontea minor and Serpentaria minor Others again from the Figure of the Pestle or Clapper in the middle of the Hose call it Sacerdotis Penis and Canis Priapus Others Aron and Barba-Aron In English Wake-Robin Cuckows-Pintle Priests-Pintle Ramp Buckrams and of some Starchwort because formerly Linnen was starched with it and pure white Starch is made of the Root of it but such as is hurtful to the hands of the Landresse that useth it for it choppeth blistereth and maketh the hands rough and rugged and withall smarting There is a kind of Arum which is called Arâsarum or Friars Cowle The Kindes Parkinson in his Chapter of Arum reckoneth up these eight sorts 1. Common-Wake-Robin without spots 2. Spotted Wake-Robin 3. Round leafed Wake-Robin 4. Wake-Robin of Constantinople 5. Broad leafed Friars Cowl 6. Long or narrow leafed Friars Cowl 7. The Egyptian Culcas or Wake-Robin with a rounder and longer Root 8. Dioscorides and Theophrastus their Egyptian Bean whose Root was called Colocasia which he sets down to confute the mistake of those who take Arum and Colocasia to be the same The Forme Common Wake Robin shooteth forth some few Leaves from the Root every one of which is somewhat large and long broad at the bottom next the stalk and forked but ending in a point without any dent or cut on the edges of a full green colour each standing upon a thick round stalk of a hands breadth long or more among which after two or three moneths that they begin to wither riseth up a bare round whitish green stalk spotted and straked with Purple somewhat higher then the Leaves at the top whereof standeth a long hollow âose or Husk close at the bottom but open from the middle upwards ending in a point in the middle standeth a long slender Pestle or Clapper smaller at the bottom then at the top of a dark Purple colour as the husk is on the inside though green without which after it hath so abidden for some time the husk with the Clapper decayeth and the foot or bottom thereof groweth to be a long slender bunch of Berries green at the first and of a yellowish red colour when they are ripe of the bigness of an Hazel Nut Kernel which abideth thereon almost till winter The Root is round and somewhat long for the most part lying
hath a thick short knobbed Root blackish without and somewhat reddish within a little crooked or writhed together of an harsh or astringent tast with divers blackish Fibres growing thereat from whence spring up every year divers Leaves standing upon long foot-stalks being somewhat long and broad very like unto a Dock-Leaf and a little pointed at the ends but that it is crumpled of a blewish green colour on the upper side and of an Ash colour gray and a little Purplish underneath having divers veins therein from among which arise divers small and slender stalks about half a yard high almost naked and without Leaves or with very few narrow ones bearing a spiky bush of pale flesh coloured Flowers which being past there abideth small Seed somewhat like unto Sorrel-Seed but greater The Places and Time The two first grow at the foot of Hills and in shadowy moyst Woods near unto them in many places of Germany and in our Country likewise in moyst and watery places particularly in a Meadow about a stones throw above the Abby Mill at St. Albans about an Acres breadth or somewhat more from the River side where the common Bistort groweth plentifully though it be chiefly nourished in Gardens The fourth groweth in VVestmerland about Crosby in Cumberland about Ravenswaith in York-shire Lancashire and divers other places The third groweth on the high Hills in Silesia and other places The two last are round on the Alps in divers places and the last also amongst the Switzers They all flower about the end of May and the Seed is ripe about the beginning of July The Temperature Bistort is cold and dry in the third Degree and very astringent The Signature and Vertues This Plant hath a double Signature both proceeding from the Roots the one from the colour of the inside of them the other from the writhed or twisted form The bloody colour of the Roots betokeneth that it is effectuall to stay the bleeding of the Nose and all manner of inward bleeding and spitting of blood as also any Fluxes of the body in man or woman and likewise vomiting the Powder of the Root in Wine or the decoction thereof being drunk The juyce hereof being put up into the Nose prevaileth much against the Diâease called Polypus and all other Sores or Cancers that happen in the Nose or any other part but the surest way is first to wash them with the distilled water and afterwards to apply the Powder of the Root thereto It is good also to fasten the Gums and to take away the heat and Inflammation that happen as well in the Jawes Almonds of the Throat or Mouth if the decoction of the Roots Leaves or Seeds be used or the juyce of them The Root of Bistort Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allome of each a like quantity beaten small and made into a Past with Honey a little peece thereof put into an hollow Tooth or holden between the teeth if they be not hollow stayeth the defluxions of Rheum upon them when it is the cause of their pain and helpeth to cleanse the Head and void much offensive matter The wreathed form of the Root is a sign that is good against the bitings of Serpents or Snakes for which it is found to be very effectuall as also for the venoming of Toads Spiders Adders or the like venomous Creatures if the place be washed with the water that is distilled from the Root and Leaves A dram of the powdered Root taken in drink expelleth the Venom of the Plague the small Pox Measels Purples or any other infectious Disease driving it forth by sweating The Powder of the Root or the decoction thereof being drunk is very available against Ruptures or burstings or all bruises or falls whatsoever dissolving the congealed blood and easing the pains that happen thereupon The said decoction being made with Wine and drunk hindereth abortion that is when Women are apt to miscarry in Child-bearing the Leaves kill worms in Children and is a great help to them that cannot keep their water if some juyce of Plantain be put thereto which applyed outwardly doth give much help in the Gonorrhaea or running of the Reins A dram of the Powder of the Root taken in the water thereof wherein some 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 humours The Leaves Seeds or Roots are all very good in Decoctions Drinks or Lotions for invard or outward wounds or other sores and the Powder strewed upon any Cut or Wound in a vein stayeth the immoderate bleeding thereof The Decoction of the Roots in water whereupon some Pomegranate Pills and Flowers are added injected into the Matrix stayeth the access of humours to the Ulcers thereof and bringeth it to its right place being fallen down and stayeth the immoderate Flux of the Courses The Roots are most used in Physick and will keep good a year or two The Dose in Powder is from a scruple to a dram into Decoction from a drachm to two or three which is made by bruising a sufficient quantity of the root suppose two drachms and boyling it in half a pint of Posâet drink till about half be consumed then strain it and give the clearest to be drunk in a morning CHAP. XXXVIII Of Tormentil The Names THough none of the Greek writers have mentioned this herb yet it hath got a Greek name and is called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ex ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Septem et ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã folium that is Seven-leaves but not properly it being only one leaf cut into seven divisions For there is a general rule in all Leaves whether of herbs or trees that that which falleth away with the stalk and not in parts and at several times is the leaf though it be winged as that of the Ash Elder Walnut tree c. the great Centory Agrimony Danewort Parsnep Valerian c. is or divided as Trefoil Cinquefoil or Tormentil c. is It is called in Latine Tormentilla quia valet adversus tormenta intestinorum from its vertue in easing the torments of the Guts and Heptaphyllum or Septifolium and of some Stellaria from the form of the leaves though that be a name applyed to other plants of the like form In English Tormentil Setfoil or Seven-leaves The Kinds Formerly there was but one sort of Tormentill known but now there are three 1. Common Tormentil 2. The greater Tormentil 3. Silver leafed Tormentil The Forme The common Tormentil hath many reddish slender weak branches rising from the root lying upon the ground or rather leaning then standing upright with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks as the Cinkfoil doth which this is otherwise somewhat like with the footstalks encompassing the Branches in several places but they that grow next the ground are set upon longer footstalks each whereof are like the leaves of Cinkfoil but somewhat longer and lesser
also to the Navels of Children that stick forth it helpeth them The distilled water of the Herb is used by many as the more pleasing with a little Sugar for many of the samâ effects Camerarius saith that it taketh away the pains of the teeth when âll other Remedies fail and that the thickened juyce made in Pills with the Powder of Gum-Tragacanth and Arabick being taken prevaileth much to help those that make a bloody water CHAP. XLV Of Golden-Rod The Names IT hath no Greek Name that I can learn In Latine it is called Aurea Virgâ because the branches are like a Golden Rod. Anguillara thought it might bâ the Leucographis of Pliny because it is said in the description thereof that ât is found sometimes with white strakes in the Leaves but why Tabermontanus should take it to be Symphitum Petreum is not known In English Golden Rod. The Kindes All the sorts hereof that I can find are but three 1. The ordinary Golden Rod. 2. Arnold of Villa Nova or the new Town his Golden Rod. 3. Golden Rod of America The Forme The Golden Rod that is most common to our Country riseth up with brownish small round stalks about half a yard high or higher if it grow in a fat soil or in a Garden having thereon many narrowish and long dark green Leaves very seldom with any nicks or dents about the edges and as seldom with any strakes or white spots therein and yet sometimes and in some places they are so to be found divided at the tops into many small branches with divers small yellow Flowers on every one of them which are turned one way and being ripe do turn into down and are carryed away with the wind the Root consisteth of many small Fibres which grow not deep into the ground but abideth all the winter therein shooting forth new branches every year the old ones dying down to the ground The Places and Time The first groweth in divers places of this Land in the open places of Woods and Copses both in moyst and dry grounds but especially in Hampsteed-VVood near unto the Gate that leadeth out of the Wood unto a Village called Kentish-Town not far from London in a Wood by Rayleigh in Essex in Southfleet also and in Swanscombe-Wood near Gravesend The second is not so frequent yet that is found also in some places of Hampsteed-VVood though sparingly The last came from America as the Title shews The first flowreth later then the second which is about July and the other in the beginning or middle of August the last also flowreth very late The Temperature Golden Rod is hot and dry in the second Degree it cleanseth with a certain astriction or binding quality The Vertues This Herb is of especiall use in all Lotions for Sores or Ulcers in the mouth and throat or in the privy parts of Man or Woman The decoction thereof likewise helpeth to fasten the teeth that are loose in the Gums It is much commended also against the stone in the Reins and Kidneys and to provoke Urine in abundance whereby the gravel or stone engendered in the uritory parts by raw and tough flegmatick humours may be washed down into the bâadder from growing into a stone in those parts and thence may be avoided with the Urine the decoction of the Herb green or dry or the distilled water thereof is very effectuall for inward bruises as also to be outwardly applyed the same also stayeth bleedings in any part of the body and of wounds also and the Fluxes of the menstruall Courses in Women and the Fluxes of the belly and humours as also the bloody Flux in Man or Woman it is no lesse prevalent in all Ruptures or burstings to be both drunk and outwardly applyed it is the most soveraign wound-Hearb of many and can do as much therein as any both inwardly for wounds and hurts in the body and for either green wounds quickly to cure them or old sores and Ulcers that are hardly to be cured which often come by the Flux of moyst humours thereunto and hinder them from healing Gerard saith that the dry Herb that came from beyond the Seas was formerly sold for half a Crown an Ounce but since it was found to be so plentiful on Hampsteed-Heath and other places in England no man will give half a Crown for an hundred weight of it And here I may take an occasion as Gerrard doth to specifie the inconstancy and sudden mutability of the people of this Age who esteem no longer of any thing how precious soever it be then whilst it is strange and rare verifying that common Proverb Far fetcht and deâr bought is good for Ladies Neither are many Physicians to be justified in this particular who though they have found an approved Medicine and perfect Remedy near home against any Disease yet not contented with that they will seek for new farther off and by that means many times hurt more then help And this is one Reason that Mr. Culpepper inveighs I will not say how justly against the Colledge of Physitians who chuse rather to make use of forraign Plants then those of our own growing CHAP. LXVI Of Scurvy-grasse The Names FRom the mouth in generall let us come somewhat more particularly to speak of such Plants as serve to cure the Disease thereof called the SCVRVY One of the chief whereof is Scurvy-Grasse which is thought to have been unknown to the ancient Greek Writers because they name it not And though some imagine it to be Plinies Britannica yet Gerard and Parkinson who were curious compares of Simples are both of Opinion that it cannot be it The more modern Latine Writers call it Cochlearia from the similitude the Leaf hath with a Spoon being round as well as hollow It is called in English Scurvy-grasse and Scruby-grasse and sometimes though but seldom Spoon-wort after the Latine name The Kindes The Sorts hereof are foure 1. Common Scurvy-Grasse 2. The great Dutch or Garden Scurvy-Grasse 3. Small Dutch Scurvy-Grasse 4. The least Scurvy-Grasse The Forme The great Dutch or Garden Scurvy-Grasse which is most known and frequent in Gardens hath divers fresh green and almost round Leaves rising from the Root nothing so thick as the common sort yet in some places as in a rich strong dunged ground very large even twice so big as in others nothing at all dented about the edges and sometimes a little hollowed in the middle and round pointed of a sad green colour every one standing by it self upon a long foot-stalk from among these rise up divers long slender weak stalks of about a foot in length thick beset on each side with small white Flowers at the tops of them which turn into small pods with little brownish Seeds the Root is white small and threddy the tast of it is somewhat bitterish The Places and Time The first groweth along by the Thâmes both on the Essex and Kentish shores so far as the brackish Sea-water commeth even
The greater Sea Pine Tree 7. The lesser or Dwarf Sea Pine Tree 8. The Dwarf mountain Pine Tree 9. The crooked mountain Pine with thin leaves 10. The crooked mountain Pine with broader Leaves The Forme The tame Pine groweth very great and high with a thick reddish coloured bark spreading large arms towards the top and they again divided into lesser whereon are set by couples together at a joynt or knot all along the branches close one unto another long narrow or almost round hard and sharp pointed pale green Leaves abiding continually on the young branches and not falling away but from the elder this beareth certain small yellow Catkins in the Winter which fall away in the Spring as the Cones increase the fruit or Cones that are somewhat long and found grow very high on the branches and are somewhat greater then in any of the other sorts composed of sundry hard brown woody Scales lying close one unto and upon another which when they open of themselves or are caused by the heat of the fire do shew within them certain hard shels which contain in each of them a long and white very sweet kernell covered with a very thin reddish skin that is easily rubbed off the wood hereof is firmer heavier and closer grained then of the Firre or Deal reddish also and not so short or brittle as that is and with a kind of moisture about the heart which slived out into shivers will burn like Torches and were so used by the Ancients who called them Tedâ The Place and Time The maââred kind is planted in sundry places both of this and divers other Countries for the beauty of the Tree with his ever green leaves yet are they found also wild about the sea side The other sorts grow both in Spain Italy and Germany and the parts near adjoyning and sea kinds near the sea in many places and upon the Land also as Clâsius hath observed the Catkins of many come forth in the Winter and fall away in the spring others spring not untill May the fruit of some of them being ripe in the end of Autumne and others not of a year after the springing The Temperature The Bark of the Pine Tree is binding and drying The kernells of the Nuts do concoct and moderately heat being in a mean between cold and hot The Leaves are cooling and asswage Inflammations The Signature and Vertues Croâiâs in his Book of Signatures saith that the woody scales whereof the Pine Apple is composed and wherein the kernels lie do very much resemble the formost teeth of a Man and therefore Pine leaves boyled in Vinegar make a good decoction to gargle the mouth for asswaging immoderate pains in the teeth and gums and so do the shivers of the Torch-pine boyled in Vinegar and gargled warm as the former must be The Kernels of the Apples are wholsom and much nourishing whilst they are fresh and although they be somewhat hard of digeââion yet they do not offend especially if they be steeped three or four hours in warm water before the taking to soak out their sharpnesse and oyliness those that are of hot constitutions may take them with sugar but those that are cold with Hony and so they do amend the putrifying humours in the stomach and bowels and stirr up bodily lust and increase sperme if they be made into an Electuary with the powder of Penids and some sweet Wine Also they much help an hoarse throat wheesings and shortness of breath recover the voice being lost expectorate phlegm are good for an old Cough and the Ulcers of the Lungs They also lenifie the Uritory passages being fretted with the stone and cause it to be easily voided they help also to ripen inward Impostumes and are singular good for macilent bodies to hearten them and make them grow fat and being often taken they help the Palsie numnesse and shaking of the members There is a Water distilled from the green Cones or Apples that is very effectuall to take away wrinckles in the face to abate the overswelling breasts of Maides by bathing them with Cloaths wetted therein and to restore such as are ravished into better terms The Scales of the Pine Apple with the bark of the Tree do stop the Lask and bloody fluxe CHAP. LII Of the Pomgranat Tree The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and by Hippocrates ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Malus Punica and Malus Granata and the fruit Malum Granatum or Punicum because it is thought they were brought from that part of Africk where old Carthage stood into that part of Spain which is now called Granado and from thence called Granatum The flowers of the tame kind are called Cytini which is notwithstanding properly the Cup of the flower and Balaustium is generally taken to be only the double flowers of the wild kind The rind of the fruit is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and so also Psidium and Sidium in Latine but generally Malicorium or Cortex Granatorum The greater doubled blossomed kind is called Balaustium Creticum and Cyprium because it groweth it both those places and there is another which is called Romanum The Kinds All the sorts of Pomgranats are but three 1. The Pomgranate Tree bearing fruit 2. The greater double blossomed Pomegranate Tree 3 The lesser double Pomegranate Tree The Form The Pomgranate Tree bearing fruit goweth up to the height of seven or eight Cubits in the warm Countries and where it is natural though in ours it riseth for the most part into severall brownish twigs which never attain neer unto that height spreading it self into many slender but tough branches set here and there with thorns and with many very fair green shining leaves like in form and bignesse unto large Myrtle leaves every one upon a small reddish Footstalk amongst the Leaves come forth here and there the flowers which are like bell flowers broad at the brims and smaller at the bottom being one whole leaf divided at the top into five parts of an orient red crimson colour naturally but much paler with us and many veins running through it with divers threds in the middle and standing in a brownish hollow Cup or long hard husk The fruit is great and round with a hard smooth brownish red rind not very thick but yellowish on the inside and a great crown at the top stored plentifully with a most clear liquor or Juyce like wine either sweet or sowre or between both according to the soil climate or Countrey where they grow The Places and Time They grow in the hot countries towards the South as in Spain Portugal Italy but chiefly in the kingdom of Granado they grow in many places without manuring yet being manured they prosper better for in Gardens Vineyards Orchards and other like husbanded grounds they come up more chearfully but in our cold Country much care is
white and shining colour are sufficient Signatures to manifest that it is an excellent remedy for all maladies of the Teeth whether the Decoction be gargled in the Mouth or the dry root held between the Teeth It is also exceeding good for the Dropsie by Signature also according to Oswald Crollius in his book of Signatures It helpeth likewise the griping pains of the sides and belly and cureth inward wounds that are made in the Breast Lungs and Bowells a dram of the powder of the root taken for many daies together in Red Wine the same also given to them that are bursten or have a rupture is very beneficial in the distilled Water of the herb called Horse-tail It stayeth also Lasks and Fluxes that do not proceed of hot and Choletick humours the decoction of the herb is good to be applyed both to green Wounds quickly to conâolidate them and for old âilthy Sores to dry up their moisture and thereby to cause them to heal the sooner CHAP. LVII Of Rest Harrow The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and likewise in Latine Anonis and Ononis some think it to be so called Anonis from its unprofitablenesse quasi non juvans because it is an enemy both to the Husbandmen ploughing up the ground and to the Corn as it grows Others will rather have it to be Ononis ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã quasi dicas Asini oblectaâentum because Asses love to roul themselves upon it and to shrub their backs with its prickles It is also called Resta Bovis and Aresta Bovis and Remoram Aratri because the Roots are both so âough that the Ploughshare cannot easily cut them and so deeply and strongly fastned in the ground that it causeth the Oxen to be at a stand for the first twitch not being able without moââ then ordinary strânââh to pull them fââth Cordus on Dioscorides callerth it Acutella because the thorns of it do prick those that unwarily go by it It is called in English Restharrow Cammock Petty Whin and Ground Furse The Kinds The Sorts hereof according to Parkinson are Eight 1. Common Rest Harrow with Purplish flowers 2. Rest Harrow with white Flowers 3. The great yellow prickly Rest Harrow 4. The lesser yellow prickly Rest Harrow 5. Purplish Rest Harrow without thorns 6. The greater yellow gentle Rest Harrow 7. Variable yellow gentle Rest Harrow 8. The lesser gentle Rest Harrow The Forme Common Rest Harrow riseth up with divers rough woody twigs about half a yard long set at the joynts without Order with little roundish Leaves sometimes more then two or three at a place of a dark green colour without thorns whilst they are young but afterwards armed in sundry places with short and sharp thorns The flowers come forth at the tops of the Twigs and branches whereof it is full fashioned like Pease or Broom Blossoms but lesser flatter and somewhat closer of a faint purplish colour after which come small Pods containing small flat and round seed the root is blackish on the outside and whitish within very tough and hard to break when it is fresh and green and as hard as a horn when it is dryed thrusting down deep into the ground and spreading likewise every piece being apt to grow again if it be left in the ground The Places and Time The first and the fift grow in many places of this Land as well in the Arable as wast ground The second with white flowers groweth near unto Darby Gesner saith the third groweth on the hill Gemma and Columna saith the fourth groweth in the kingdom of Naples and about Bristow in England as Lobel and others affirm The sixth seaventh and eight with their varieties grow as well in Narbone in France and about Mompelier as in Spain and Portugal they do all flower about the beginning or middle of July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Galen saith that the root of Rest Harrow is hot in the third degree having some cleansing and cutting faculty therein also The Vertues and Signature A Decoction of Rest Harrow made with Vinegar and gargled in the mouth easeth the Toothach especially when it cometh of Rheum The powder of the roots strewed upon the hard callous brims of Ulcers or the said powder mixed with any other convenient thing and applyed doth consume the hardnesse and cause them to heal the better The powder taken in Wine for many daies together cures the fleshy Rupture for it consumeth it by little and little The decoction thereof is effectual to open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and other parts and to help the Jaundise as also to cure the blind Hemorrhoides or Piles The âender Sprigs or stalks thereof before they become prickly are pickled up to be eaten by themselves or as sawce with meat and are commended against a stinking breath and to take away the swell of Wine in them that have drunk too much and are good for the gravel and stone boyled in Oxymel to the Consumption of the one half it is a singular drink for the falling Sicknesse The Bark that is the Root having the pith between taken out made into powder and taken in Wine provoketh Urine breaketh the Stone and driveth it forth and so do both the husks and seeds and that by Signature Croll Tract de Signat CHAP. LVIII Of Henbane The Names IT is called in the Grecians ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã quasi faba parcina sive suilla saith my Author because Swine having fed thereon are very muck disturbed thereby yea are in danger of their lives if they wallow not themselves in water presently thereupon neither do they go into the water to wash themselves but to seek after Crevises by the eating of which they recover But for my part I can scarce allow of the Name for this reason aforesaid because I never saw any Hogs feed upon it much lesse to go into the Rivers to catch Crevise for in the Mire where they commonly wallow there be none and besides why that should be called their Beane which is their Bane I know not I rather suppose it to be so called for that in such places as these Cattle do commonly dung abundance of this plant groweth as in Hog-yards Dunghills and such places as they frequent it being the Nature of their dung to breed it as I have heard it confirmed by some skilful Husbandmen The Latines call it Apollinaris either from Apollo the Inventer of Physick or because it makes men mad like unto Apollo's Creatures when they deliver his Oracles Is called also Altercum ab altercando because they that have eat it are apt to quarrel Camerarius saith it is also called Priapeia because the Italians do use the seed of it to allay the Enormity called Priapismus Pythagoras Zoroastes and others call it Insana Alterculum Symphoniaca and Calicularis the Phrygians Remenia the Tuscans Fabulonia and Faba Lupina Matthaeus Sylvaticus Dens Caballinus Milimandrum Cassilago
are most common Nature or rather the God of Nature having placed those things we most need even before our Eyes It flowreth in June and July The Temperature VVild Tansie especially the Root of it is dry almost in the third Degree hahaving in it very little heat apparent and withall a binding faculty And therefore Fuschius saith that some Writers have been much mistaken in affirming it to be moyst for no other Reason but because it grows in moyst places For then Water-Cresses which are dry in the third Degree must be moyst also which no one dares be so impudent as to affirm And certainly had they but considered its astringency which is a certain token of drynesse they could not have concluded otherwise For Galen in his fourth Book of the faculties of simple Medicines saith that astringents have in them some earthly quality and are consequently drying The Vertues and Signature Wild Tansie boyled in Vinegar with Honey and Allum and gargled in the mouth easeth the Tooth-ach fasteneth loose Teeth helpeth the Gums that are sore and setleth the Palat of the mouth in its place when it is fallen down It cleanseth and healeth the Ulcers in the mouth or secret parts and is very good for inward wounds and to close the lips of green wounds as also to heal old moyst corrupt running Sores in the Leggs or elsewhere Being boyled in Wine and drunk it stoppeth the Lask the Bloody Flux and all other Fluxes of blood either in Man or Woman which some say it will also do if the green Herb be worn in the shooes so it be next the skin and it is true enough that it will stop the Terms if worn so and it may be the Whites also which the Powder of the dryed Herb will assuredly do if it be taken in some of the distilled water but more especially if a little Corall and Ivory in Powder be put to it Moreover it stayeth spitting or vomiting of blood and is much commended to help Children that are bursten and have a Rupture being boyled in water and Salt Being boyled in Wine and drunk it easeth the griping pains of the Bowels and is good for the Sciatica and Joynt-Aches Being bruised and applyed to the Soles of the Feet and the Hand-wrists it wonderfully cooleth the hot fits of the Agues be they never so violent The distilled water dropped into the Eys or Cloaths wet therein and applyed taketh away the heat and Inflammations in them by Signature the Flower of it representing the Apple of the Eye The said water cleanseth the skin of all discolourings therein as Morphew Sun-burning c. as also Pimples Freckles and the like but the Leaves steeped in White-wine or Butter-milk is far better but the best way of all is to steep it in strong White-wine-Vineger the face being often bathed or washed therewith CHAP. LX. Of Flea-wort The Names I shall conclude this Subject concerning the mouth and the parts thereof with Fleawort which is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Pulicaria and Herba Pulicaria in Shops Psyllium in English Flea-wort All which Names were given to it for the same Reason ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Greek and Pulex in Latine signifying a Flea yet not because it driveth away Fleas if it be brought green into an House but because the Seed is like unto Fleas that were it not in respect of motion you could hardly distinguish them by sight It is of some called Fleabane but improperly there being another Pulicaria called Conyza which driveth away Fleas The Kindes The Ancients knew but one sort of Flea-wort but later times have discovered foure 1. The ordinary Flea-wort 2. The greater ever-green Flea-wort 3. Indian Flea-wort with dented Leaves 4. Small Flea-wort The Forme The ordinary Flea-wort riseth 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 Leaves somewhat 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 small and shining while it is fresh very like unto Fleas both for colour and bignesse but turning black when it groweth old The Root is not long but white hard and wooddy perishing every year and rising again of its own Seed for divers years if it be âuffered to shed The whole Plant is somewhat whitish and hairy smelling somewhat like Rozin The Places and Time The first groweth in the Fields and untilled places of Spain and Italy but with Us no where but in Gardens The second groweth in the Fields that are near the Sea The third is thought to come out of the Indies The last is naturally of Egypt or Arabia All these Flea-worts flowre in July or thereabouts with Us but in their natural places all the Summer long yet the last is the latest with Us. The Temperature Galen and Serapio do record that the Seed of Flea-wort which is chiefly used in Medicine is cold in the second Degree and temperate in moysture and drynesse The Vertues The Muscilage or infusion of the Seeds of Flea-wort being made with rose-Rose-water or Barley-water and taken with Syrup of Violets Syrup of Roses or Sugar purgeth Cholet and thick flegme and is useful in hot burning Feavers in great thirst and helps to lenifie the drynesse of the mouth and throat it helpeth also the hoarsnesse of the Voyce and Diseases of the Breast and Lungs caused by heat as the Plurisie and such like It helpeth all Inflammations of the Head and all hot pains of the Joynts The Muscilage of the Seed made into an Electâary with Marmalade of Quinces with Popyy-Seed and Sugar Pellets or Sugar Candy and so taken doth temper rhe heat and roughnesse of the Throat and Tongue and stayeth hot Fluxions or Rheums flowing down In hot burning Agues it quencheth thirst and abates heat being taken with Syrup of Violets or Barley-water and purgeth also Choler gently The Seeds torrifyed or dryed and taken with Plantane water stayeth the Flux of the Belly and helpeth the corrosions or gripings thereof that come by reason of hot Cholerick sharp and malignant humours or by the super purgation or over-working of any violent Medicine such as Scammony or the like The Seeds being kept on the Tongue easeth the Cough and helpeth the drynesse thereof proceeding from heat It doth so wonderfully cool saith Fernelius that being cast into hot boyling water it presently cooleth it The Seeds bruised or the Herb and mixed with the juyce of Housleek or Night-shade easeth the hot Gout and hot Apostumes being thereunto applyed mingled with Oyl of Roses and Vineger it cureth hot Swellings in the Joynts and Apostumes behinde the Eate with Vineger or Oyl of Violets it helpeth the pain of the head if it be applyed to the
the Plant it self was altogether unknown unto the Ancients it being not so much as once mentioned in their Medicines but that is no excuse to the Physicians of our times who notwithstanding the admirable properties thereof do in a manner neglect it The Italians with whom it is in greater esteem then with us call it Aralda and have an usuall Proverb with them concerning it which is Aralda tutte Piaghe salda Aralda salveth all Sores for they use it familiarly to heal any fresh or green wound or cut the Leaves being but bruised and bound to and sometimes also they use the juyce of it in old Sores to cleanse them dry up their moysture and heal them the more speedily which it performeth by the bitter quality therein But the Reason why I treat of it in this place is because it hath been by later experience found to be very available for the Kings Evill the Flowers being stamped together with fresh Butter and applyed to the place or if the Flowers cannot be had the Leaves bruised and applyed or the juyce made up into an Oyntment and used thereon worketh the same effect though not altogether so powerfully By the rarifying and extenuating Vertue that it hath it cutteth and consumeth thick tough Flegme and viscous humours troubling the Chest or Stomack if it be boyled in water or Wine and drunken The Decoction or Juyce hereof made up with some Sugar or Honey is available for the same purpose as also to cleanse and purge the Body both upwards and downwards sometimes of tough flegme and clammy humours and to open the obstructions of the Liver and Spleen It hath been also by later experience found to be available for the Falling Sicknesse and divers have been cured thereby for after the taking of the Decoction of two handfulls thereof with four Ounces of Polypody of the Oak bruised made in Ale they that have been troubled with that Disease six and twenty years have been cured thereof Mr. Culpepper saith that he is confident that an Oyntment of it is one of the best remedies for a scabby head that is CHAP. LXVIII Of Orpine The Names IT is called by the Grecians ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã by the Latines Telephium Sempervivum Sylvestre It took the name Telephium some have thought from Telephus the King of Mysia whose wounds received from Achilles and grown almost past cure were healed therewith and hence the Medicines appointed for such purposes were called Telephia yet I must tell you that it is more frequently said that Telephus was cured with the rust of Achilles his Sword which hurt him both haply being mixed together It is called also Scrophularia media vel tertia of Brunfel sius Fabaria Faba crassa and Faba inversa by divers and so also by Lobel à foliorum fabae similitudine and Crassula or Crassula major by divers also as well as Dioscorides a foliorum crassitie Cordus upon Dioscorides calleth it Acetabulum alterum Columna taketh it to be Cotiledon alterum of Dioscorides Gesner in hortis Germaniae taketh it to be Anacampseros and Matthiolus Dodonaeus Clusius and divers others call it Telephium and Vulgare because it is most common in all these parts In English it is called Orpine and of some Livelong because a Branch of the green Leaves hung up in any place will keep the verdure along time The Kindes The Sorts of Orpine are six in number 1. Common Orpine 2. Purple flowred Orpine 3. Small creeping Orpine 4. The great Spanish Orpine 5. Imperatus of Naples his true Orpine 6. Matthiolus his small Orpine The Form The common Orpine riseth with divers round brittle stalks thick set with fat and fleshly Leaves 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 divers thick round white tuberous Clogs which is not altogether so great in divers Fields and Wood-sides where it is found wild as it is in Gardens The Places and Time The first is frequent almost in every Country of this Land being generally cherished in Gardens and in many places growing wild as about Heddington Quarries in Oxford shire and about St. Albans in Hartfordshire The second is often found in many places of Germany as Tragus Camerarius Clusius and others set down The third was sent out of Italy by Alphonsus Pancius a worthy Herbarist and Physitian of Ferrara The fourth is found both in Spain and Hungary The fift came originally from Imperatus of Naples The last which was called Cepea by Matthiolus and all that have written since Cepea-Matthioli was first communicated from Padoa and is chiefly nursed up in the Gardens of those that are lovers of rare Plants They do all flower in July and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature The Qualities of Orpine are differing from the Telephium of Dioscorides in that they are cooling as Purslain is especially the leaves for the root is more enclining to heat and by reason of the Muscilaginesse therein it is somewhat astringent also whereas the true Telephium as Dioscorides and Galen say is somewhat hot and of a cleansing drying quality yet it is thought the plant is the same though the Temperature be altered by the difference of the Climate in this as also in other Plants The Vertues and Signature The Leaves of Opine bruised and applyed to the throat cureth the Quinsy which is an Inflammation of the Throat or of the highest parts of the Gullet hindering breathing and swallowing when as the fault is neither in the Breast nor Lungs Mr. Culpeper saith that if you please to make the Juyce thereof into a Syrup with Honey or Sugar you may take a spoonful or two at a time for a Quinsy and you shall find the medicine more pleasant and the Cure more speedy then if you took a Dogs Turd which is the Learned Colledges vulgar cure This may be a good remedy but if Mr. Culpeper had been so wise as to have known the goodnesse of a Dogs Turd for this purpose he would not have belched it forth so opprobriously in disparagement of the Colledge whom I know not for what cause he takes occasion many times to inveigh against where there is none But to return to Orpine It is seldom used notwithstanding Mr. Culpepers Syrup in inward medicines with us but Tragus saith and that from experience that in Germany the distilled water thereof is used 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 sharpnesse of the humours in the bloody flux and other fluxes in the belly or in wounds The Root thereof also performeth the same effect It is used outwardly to
Blood caused by bruises or falls and helps the bloody Flux An oyntment made of the Juyce of Hogs grease is as excellent a Remedy for the biting of a mad Dog or any venemous Creature as any is A Syrup made of the leaves or green fruit is excellent good for Coughs Hoarseness or shortnesse of Breath and all diseases of the Breast and Lungs Some say that the Fig Tree as well as the Bay tree is never hurt by Lightning as also that a Bull if he be never so mad being tyed to a Fig tree will become tame and gentle and that it prospereth the better if Rue be set neer unto it The blew Fig is no doubt of the same operation with the white to all purposes but the fruit commeth most to maturity with us and is eaten as a pretty Junket with Salt and Pepper for unlesse they be so eaten or some Wine drunk after them to digest them they passe not quickly out of the Stomach but putrifie therein and do sometimes put the party eating them in danger of a Feaver Dry Figs also immoderately eaten do engender Crude and windy humours in the Body and soon corrupt in the Stomach whereby they cause Itch Scab and breed Lice also They hurt such as have the Cholick and windy diseases and that have hot Livers and Cholerick Stomachs they are best for old Phlegmatick persons and in cold and moist seasons They are commonly eaten with Almonds and so they cleanse the Breast and Lungs the better by a special Vertue they have Two or three Figs slit and laid all night in Aqua Vitae are very good for those that are pursy and short winded if taken in the morning CHAP. LXXV Of Hyssop The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which as some think takes its name quasi ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã pro ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã quia super vultus affunditur because the face being washed with the Decoction or distilled water thereof is made fairer it being of a very abstersive quality And therefore David Prayes God to purge him with Hyssop and in Schola Salerni it is commended for the same purposes in these words Vultibus eximium fertur praestare colorem It is called in Latine Hyssopus and of Us Hyssop The Kinds I find fifteen sorts of Hyssop set down by Parkinson 1. Ordinary Garden Hyssop 2. White Hyssop 3. Golden or yellow Hyssop 4. Russet Hyssop 5. Double Hyssop 6. Broad leafed Hyssop 7. Jagged or dented Hyssop 8. Musked Hyssop 9. Red flowered Hyssop 10. Dwarf Spanish Hyssop 11. Tufted Hyssop 12. Curled Hyssop 13. Mountain wild Hyssop 14. Narrow leafed Hyssop 15. Round Leafed Hyssop The Forme The Common Garden Hyssop is a plant that riseth sometimes to be about a foot high with many woody branches but render at the tops whereof are set at certain distances sundry small long and narrow green Leaves at the tops of the stalks stand blewish purple gaping flowers in spiked heads one row above another after which follow the seed which is small and blackish the root is somewhat wooddy with many threddy strings The whole plant is of a strong sweet sent and is fit to be strewed in windows and such places The Places and Time Our common Hyssop groweth naturally upon the hills of Romania about Verona and neer unto mount Baldus The Dwarfe kind in Spain and the mountain wild kind on the hills in many places of Germany and as Matthiolus saith on the hill Salvatia in the Country of Goritia the rest are nursed up in the gardens of those that are Lovers of curious Simples They do all flower in June and July and their seed is ripe in the beginning or middle of August The Temperature Hyssop is hot and dry in the third degree and therefore must needs be of thin parts It cutteth and breaketh tough Phlegme it ratifieth or maketh thin that which is thick and gross it openeth that which is stopped and cleanseth that which is corrupt The Vertues A Decoction made of Rue and Honey being drunk doth help those that are troubled with Coughs shortnesse of Breath Wheesings and rheumatick Distillations upon the Lungs taken also with Oxymel or water and Hony it purgeth gross humours by the stool and with Honey killeth Worms in the Belly It amendeth the native colour of the Body spoiled by the yellow Jaundise helpeth the Dropsie and the Spleen if it be taken with Figs and Nitre It is good in the Falling Sickness provokes Urine expels Wind and brings down Womens Courses and easeth sharp fits of Agues The Distilled water is good for the same diseases especially those that proceed from a cold if the quantity of a quarter of a pint be warmed and drunk with Sugar at night when one goes to bed but the Decoction as also the Syrup is more effectuall It taketh away black and blew spots and marks that came by stroaks bruises or falls being boyled and the places bathed therewith It is an excellent medicine for the Quinsie to wash and gargle the Throat being boyled with Figs it helpeth the Tooth-ach being boyled in Vinegar and the mouth gargled therewith the hot Vapours of the Decoction taken by a Funnel in at the Ears easeth the Inflammations of them and as Mesue saith the singing noise of them also Being bruised and Salt Honey and Cummin-Seed put to it it helpeth those that are stung by Serpents The green Herb bruised and a little Sugar put to it doth quickly heal any green Wound or Cut in the Hand or else-where The Oyl thereof killeth Lice and taketh away the itching of the Head if it be anointed therewith It helpeth those that have the Falling Sicknesse which way soever it be applyed It helpeth to expectorate tough flegme and is effectuall in all cold griefs or Diseases of the Chest and Lungs being taken either in a Syrup or licking Medicine There is also a Wine made of Hyssop named Hyssop-Wine which is good for the purposes aforesaid and there may be Hyssop-Ale made after the manner of Sage-Ale by adding an Ounce or two of good Liquorice CHAP. LXXVI Of Ragwort The Names IT hath no Greek name being an Herb but of later knowledge for if it had been formerly known we should find it mentioned by some ancient Greek or Latine Authour or other which we cannot do unlesse you would as some do refer it to the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Erigerum of Dâoscorides which the Latines caâ Senecio and therefore Lobel calleth it Jacobaea Senecio Tragus Matthiolus and others call it Flos Sti Jacobi and Herba Sti Jacobi Dodonaeus and the latest Writers Jacobaea for what cause I know not unlesse it be because it flourishrisheth about St. Iames-tide Some have taken the Sea kind to be Arthemisia Marina or a species of it because the diviââon of the Leaves is somewhat like the Arthemisia vulgaris Others call it Cineraria Argentea from the whitenesse of the Leaves which shew like silver or as
burn but especially that which groweth by the Sea-side When the Hoggs were troubled with tuberous Baggs of corruption about their Necks the Country people were formerly wont to give them of the Herb Impious boyled in Milk or the like and they observed that which soever of them refused to take it would assuredly die CHAP. LXXVIII Of Jewes Eares The Names AMongst other Simples there is an Excressence of the Elder or Bore-tree which I shall treat of a part from the Tree it self and with it put a period to those things that are appropriated to the Throat it being of so great use for this part whereas the Elder it self is available to many others Notwithstanding I think that the Grecians took so little notice of it that they scarcely afforded it a Name It is called in Latine Fungus Sambucinus and Auricula Juda some having supposed the Elder-tree to be that whereon Judas hanged himself and that ever since these Mushromes like unto Eates have grown thereon which I will not perswade you to believe It is called in English Jewes Eares the Mushrome of the Elder by some the Gelly and by others the Sponge growing upon the Elder The Kinds My Lord Bacon in his naturall History saith that Jewes-Eâres grow upon other Trees besides the Elder as the Ash Fir c. but I suppose he was mistaken There are sometimes growing on those Trees certaân Mushromes but like to Jewes-Eares neither in form nor vertue and therefore not to be called by that Name The Forme This Excrescence called Jewes-Eares is a soft and limber Mushrome which while it is fresh is not very thick but transparent and of a blackish colour of differing forms and sizes for some will be swolne and puffed up in one place more then in another having some resemblance to a Mans Eare some thin on the edge and thick in the middle and some two or three growing together all of them being dryed become of a blackish gray colour and then may be kept a whole year or more safe without spoyling to be used as you need The Places and Times Jewes-Eares grow as I said upon the Elder-tree but not so frequently upon them in other places as upon those that are planted upon Cony-Boroughs for their shadow and shelter I understand not but they may be found there at any time of the Year The Temperature Gerard saith that the jelley of the Elder otherwise called Jewes-Eares hath a binding and drying quality The Vertues Dr. Martin Blochwich Physician-Ordinary of Oshatin in his ingenious Tract called the Anatomy of Elder saith that even common Country Women so soon as they suspect any Disease in the Throat of their young Children they steep the Sponge of Elder in their Drink and when it is swelled they therewith carefully wipe away all the filth of the Palat Gums and Tongue It is likewise used for the same purpose being boyled in Ale or Milk with Columbine Leaves and with a little Pepper and Pellitory of Spain in Powder it helpeth to put up the Uââla or Palat of the Mouth being fallen down Take of the water or Decoction of Elder-Flowers wherein a little Elder-Honey hath been mixed and add thereunto some Leaves of Self-heal and a Jewes Eare or two and you will find it a sure Experiment for the Quinsey And a Lohoch or licking of the Rhob of Elder inspislated with Sugar with some pulverised Jewes-Eares added thereunto is commodious The distilled water of Jewes-Eares is very profitable for the Dropsie according to Crâlliâs de signaturis rerââ and a drink made by sleeping three whole dryed Umbels of Elder Flowers and two Jewes-Eares very well dryed in two quarts of White-wine if it be used and no other drink the tumour will vanish away suddenly An handful of Jewes-Eares infused in a quart of the Spirit of Wine and a full draught thereof given to one that is troubled with the suffocation of the Matrix in the time of her fit cureth her The Powder of the Grains of Elder being mixed with an equall part of Jewes-Eares is commended in spitting blood CHAP. LXXIX Of Elecampane The Names HAving appropriated severall Simples to the inside and outside of the Throat the Breast comes next in Order to be provided for both internally and externally to which there is nothing more proper then Elecampane which is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Helenium also in Latine and of some Inula and Enula and Enula Campana some think it took the name from the tears of Helen from whence it sprung which is a Fable others say it was so called because Helen first found it available against biting and stingings of venemous Beasts and others think it took its name from the Island Helena where the best was found to grow We in English call it Elecampane generally yet in some Countries of this Land it is called Sabwort and Horse-heal The Kindes To this Plant which otherwise would be single do some refer the Flowers of the Sun as 1. The greater flower of the Sââ 2. The lesser flower of the Sun 3. The Male flower of the Sun 4. The Marigold Sun flower The Forme Elecampane shooteth forth many large leaves lying neer the ground which are long and broad but small at both ends somewhat soft in handling of a whitish green on the upper side and gray underneath each set upon a short footstalk From amongst which riâe âp divers great and strong hairy stalks two or three foot high with some leaves thereon compassing them about at the lower ends and are branched towards the tops bearing divers great and large flowers like unto those of the flower of the Sun of which it is said to be a kind as I said before both the border of the leaves and the middle Thrum being yellow which is not wholly converted into large seed as in the flower of the Sun but turneth into Down with some long small brownish seed among it and is carried away with the wind the Râât is great and thick branched forth divers waies blackish on the outside and white within of a very bitter taste but good sent especially when it is dryed no part else of the plant having any smell The Places and Time This is one of the Plants whereof England may boast as much as any for there growes none better in the world then in England let Apothecaries and Druggeists say what they will It groweth in Meadows that are fat and fruitful as in Parsons Meadow by Adderbury as I have been told and in divers other places about Oxfordshire It is found also upon the Mountains and shadowy places that be not altogether dry it groweth plentifully in the fields on the left hand as you go from Dunstable to Puddle hill Also in an Orchard as you go from Colârââ to Ditton Ferry which is in the way from London to Windsor and in divers places in Wales particularly in the Orchard of Mr. Peter Piers at Guieruigron neer St. Asaphs The
Vine which bears abundance of fruits to perfection The Fox Grape and the red and white Muscadine Grape set against the South and well ordered bear store of good fruit They are not ripe here till September but sooner in the hotter Countries The Raisin of the Sun-Vine groweth as I suppose in Spain and about Damascus and Smyrna for thence are they brought into these parts and therefore so called The Vine that beareth Currans groweth about Corinth and therefore they are called Uvae Corinthiacae and in the Isle of Lante The wild Vine of Europe groweth in many places of Italy France and Germany the other wild sorts are expressed in their Titles These wild sorts flowre later then the other and their fruit is ripe later The Temperature The Vine hath in it divers differing and contrary properties some cold some hot some sweet some sowre some mild and some sharp some moystening and some drying The tender and clasping Branches of the Vine and the Leaves do cool and mightily bind And as Grapes are divers in tast so they are in quality for soure Grapes are cold and moyst and sweet Grapes are hot and moyst Raisins be hot in the first Degree and moyst in the second being stoned they open the Breast and Liver and loosen the belly but eaten with stones they bind The Vertues Many things there are that proceed of Grapes besides what I have mentioned already as Must Lora Cute Argel Lees c. which have their severall uses at some of which I may chance to touch but my purpose is to shew you how proper dryed Grapes or Raisins are to help Coughs hoarsnesse of the Throat shortnesse of wind toughnesse of flegme causing it to be expectorated more easily and do lenifie sharp and nauseous humours that offend the mouth of the stomach a decoction being made of them and Liquorice Maiden-hair Colts-foot c. They serve likewise to open the stoppings of the Liver Spleen and Bladder and taken by themselves they nourish much by reason of their thick sweet and temperate substance whereby also they stay not long nor putrifie in the Stomach but withstand putrifaction and concoct raw humours as Galen writeth and for this purpose they may well be eaten fasting the stones being first taken out And âot crudity or rawnesse of the stomach Mr. Eliot by his own report never found any thing better then Rubarb chewed with Currans of small Raiâins yet by the judgment of Arnoldus they cause oppilations of the Spleen though they be good for the breast and Reins and so saith Schola Salerni Passula âon Spleni tussi valet bona reni and therefore some think that Rubarb may be better eaten with great Raisins These being bruised and applyed the stones taken out with Rue in manner of a Poultis it helpeth Warts Carbuncles Corns in the feet the Gangrene and the Gout They take away loose Nails being applyed Being mixed with a little Cumminseed in powder and Oyl of white Liââies it asswageth the swelling of the Cods They are hurtful to hot and Cholerick persons if they eat too largly of them If Grapes newly gathered be eaten they trouble the belly and fill the stomach with wind but if they be kept two or three daies after they be gathered till the husk be somewhat asswaged they nourish the better and are lesse laxative neither do they inflate so much as saith Arnoldus Ripe Grapes and sweet do nourish much and make one fat as Galen proveth by experience of some Vinedressers that fed thereon but the fat so gotten soon weareth away because it is not firm and fast but loose and overmoist White wine is good to be drunk before meat preserveth the body and pearceth quickly into the bladder but upon a full stomach it rather maketh oppilations or stoppings because it doth swiftly drive down meat before it be digested Claret Wine doth greatly nourish and warm the Body and is wholsome with meat especially unto Phlegmatick people but very unwholsom for young childâen as Galen saith because it heateth above nature and hurteth the head RedWine stoppeth the belly corrupteth the blood breedeth the Stone is hurtful to old people and good for few but such as are troubled with the lask bloody flix or any other loosenesse of the body Sack hath been used of a long time to be drunk after meat to cause meat the better to digest but common experience hath found it more beneficial to the stomach to be drunk before meat Likewise Malmesie Muscadine Tent and such sweet wines have been used before meat to comfort the cold and weak stomach especially being taken fasting but Sack is much better and warmeth more effectuall if it be taken moderately but all wine taken inordinately relaxeth the siâews bringeth with it the Palsey falling sicknesse to the aged it bringeth hot Feavers Phrensy and Lechery consumeth the Liver and other of the inward partâ Moreover excessive drinking wine dishonoureth Noblemen beggereth those which otherwise might have had sufficient and more have been destroyed with furfeiting therewith then with the cruell Sword The Juce of the green leaves branches and tendrels of the Vine drunken is good for those that vomit or spit blood for the bloody flix and women with child that vomit over much The kernel within the Grapes boiled in water and drunk hath the same effect CHAP. LXXXII Of Reeds but especially of the Sugar Cane or Reed The Names A Reed called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and in Latine Calamus and Harundo or Arundo as some write it whereof the Mas according to Theophrastus is the Nastos farcta the solid or stuffed Reed and the Faemina the hollow But I suppose the Sugar Reed was not known to the Greek Writers for we find no name that it hath in Greek the Latines have called it Arundo Saccharina with this additament Indica because it was first known or came from India Of some it is called Calamus Saccharatus in English Sugar-Cane The Sugar that is made of them is called Saccharum Sacchar Succharum Mel Arundiâaceum mel Cannae that is Hony of the Cane The white Juyce or Liquor dryed or hardned in the Sun was called by the ancient Latine Writers Sal Indum and Saccharum Indum which was used before Sugar was made out of the Canes by boyling The Kindes Pliny numbereth up five and twenty sorts of Reeds most of which are known to Us onây by the dry Canes therefore I shall mention those which are propet to these neer climates together with the Sugar Reed which for its sweetness deserves the first place 1. The Sugar Cane or Reed 2. Our common Reed 3. Finger Reed 4. The Spanish Reed or Cane 5. The stript or party coloured Reed 6. Low branched Reed 7. The small writing Reed 8. The Arrow or Dart Reed 9. The greater solid Reed 10. The lesser solid Reed 11. The Thorny Reed 12. The Flowring Reed The Forme The Sugar Cane is a pleasant and
profitable Reed having long stalks seaven or eight foot high joynted and knee'd like the common walking Canes but that the Leaves come forth of every joynt on every side of the stalk one like unto wings long narrow and sharp pointed The Cane it self or stalk is not hollow as the other Canes and Reeds are but full and stuffed with a spungious substance in taste exceeding sweet The root is great and long creeping along within the inner crust of the earth which is likewise sweet and pleasant but lesse hard or wooddy then other Canes or Reeds from which do shoot many young Cions which are cut away from the main or Mother plant because they should not draw away the nourishment from the old stock and so get unto themselves a little moisture or else some substance not much worth and cause the stock to be barren and themselves little the better which shoots do serve for plants to set abroad for increase The Places and Time The Sugar Cane groweth naturally in the East and West Indies the Barbadoes Madera and the Canary Islands and Barbary also It is planted likewise in many parts of Europe at this day as Spain Portugal Oliba and in Province Some shoots have been planted in England but the coldnesâe of the Climate quickly made an end of them The two next in England the fourth in Spain The fifth in Bengala The sixth was found in a Sack full of Costus and Ginger as it was brought from Arabia The seventh was found by Bellonius in a Valley on Mount Athos and in the River Jordan and of this they make their writing Pens in Turkey where the four next sorts are thought to grow The last groweth in Italy and divers other places but all of them delight in moist or watery overflown grounds The Sugar Cane is planted at any time of the year in those hot Countries where it doth naturally grow by reason they fear no frosts to hurt the young shoots at their first planting they are most of them ripe about the end of September The Temperature The Juyce of the Sugar Reed made into Sugar is hot and moist in the first degree or temperately hot and moist and is abstersive or cleansing The Vertues Sugar is good to make smooth the roughnesse of the breast and Lungs cleareth the voice and putteth away hoarsness and the Cough and so doth Sugar Candy It is convenient for the Stomach helpeth the roughnesse and drynesse of the mouth and throat also thirst and drought in Feaverse specially being mixed with water and so taken and it is very profitable for the Reins and Bladder It is used to put sowrenesse and bitternesse out of the mouth of sick persons and may be put into cooling as well as heating and warming Medicines Sugar or White Sugar Candy put into the Eye taketh away the dimnesse and the blood shotten therein It is good to be put into green wounds whilst they are yet bleeding and strewed into foul sores it cleanseth them This is the Physical use of Sugar which hath obtained now a daies so continuall and daily use that it is almost accounted not Physicall and is more commonly used in Confections Syrups and such like as also preserving and conserving sundry fruits as Cherries Damsons Mulberries c. and Flowers as Roses Violets Rosemary Flowers and such like which still retain with them the Name of Sugar as Sugar Roset Sugar Violet c. to write of all which is besides our Intentions Now for our ordinary Reeds The roots as Galen saith have a cleansing quality but not sharp and the Leaves also The fresh Leaves bruised or the roots applyed to those places that have Thorns Splinters or the like in the flesh do draw them forth in a short space the same also applyed with Vinegar helpeth Members out of joynt by Signature and easeth the pains in the Loins the fresh leaves also bruised and applyed unto hot Impostumes Inflammations or St. Anthonies sire easeth them the Ashes made of the outer rind of the stalk mingled with Vinegar helpeth the falling off the hair If the flower or woolly substance happen into the ears it sticketh therein so fast as that by no means it will be gotten forth again but will procure deafnesse withal Some have observed that the Fern and the Reed are at perpetuall enmity the one not abiding where the other is which may b e as my Lord Bacon saith not because of any Antipathy in the plants but because they draw a like nourishment and so starve one the other whereas there is such amity they say between Asparagus and the Reed that they both thrive wondrous well which is because they draw a different Juyce Reeds are alâo put to many necessary uses as to thatch houses to serve as walls and defence to Gardiners in the cherishing of their plants to Water-men to trim their boats to Weavers to wind their yarn on and for divers other purposes Nay those that grow in the Indies by reason of the heat of those Climates grow so great and tall that they serve instead of timber both to build their houses and to cover them CHAP. LXXXIII Of the Jujube-Tree The Names THe Tree it self is called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Greek Zizypha and Zinzâpha of Columella Zâz phus rutila of others Rubra and Punicea and of the Arabians from whom the Apothecaries took it Jujube and âo do Lobel and Pena The Fruit or Plums arenamed in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã anâ ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which are the same that Galen calls ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã In Latine likewise Zizipha and Serica in Shops Jujube in English Jujubes The Kindes Although in former times there were but one sort of Jujube known yet now we have three 1. The greater Jujube-Tree 2. The lesser Jujube-Tree 3. The wild Jujube-tree The Form The Jujube-tree groweth sometimes to be very high but more often to a reasonable height having his Stem or Body bowed or crooked and spreading rather in breadth the Wood whereof is whitish and hard covered with a rugged Bark from whence spread great Branches and from the lesser and slender whitish twigs about a foot long full of Leaves set on both sides not usually directly one against another but one a little above another with an odd one at the end each whereof is small somewhat broad and pointed at the end dented or finely nicked about the edges with long Veins in them smooth and somewhat hard in handling each standing on a short foot-stalk and very like unto the Leaves of Paliurus or Christs Thorn at the foot of every Leaf towards the tops of the Twigs come forth small yellowish Flowers of five Leaves a peece where afterwards stand the fruit which is somewhat like unto a small Plum or Olive but a little long green at the first and then ât is somewhat harsh and yellowish after but at last red and of a reasonable sweetnesse yet
sharp withall and somewhat clammy when they are ripe flat as it were at the lower end next the stalk whose skin is thicker and harder then a Plum and the stone within it is small firm and solid long round and solid like unto an Olive or Cornelian Cherry-stone both for form and hardnesse All the Branches both greater and smâller are armed with Thorns two alwayes at a joynt whereof the one is long sââong sharp pointed and straight and the other crooked both of them of a blackiââ red colour like unto the elder Branches The Roots are long and firm in the Ground The Places and Time The first groweth naturally in Africa Egypt Arabia and Syria and those more Easterly Countries from whence as Pliny saith it was brought into Italy and planted there in his time by Sextus Rampinius in the latter end of Caesar Augustus his Raign which now a dayes is very frequent not only in many Gardens and Orchards of Italy but of Provence in France also It is so tender that it cannot endure long in our Countrey by reason of the cold The other likewise was brought into Italy in these later times from Syria where it is only to be seen and but with a few that are lovers of rarities The last groweth wild in the Fields by the Hedges not far from Verona abundantly as Pena saith They all shoot forth in April at which time the Seeds or Stones are to be set and sowen for increase They flowre in May and their fruit is ripe in September the Leaves falling off shortly after The Temperature Jujubes are temperate in heat and moysture The Vertues They open the Body and gently purge Choler and cleanse the Blood according to Actuarius and Simeon Sethi especially when they are fresh yet Matthiolus following the Opinion of Avicen denyeth that they have any purging quality in them at all But all Authours do agree that they cool the heat and sharpnesse of the Blood and therefore hold them to be good in hot Agues and to help them that have a Cough by bringing away tough flegme and are very profitable also for other Diseases of the Chest and Lungs as shortnesse of breath hot Rheums and Distillations proceeding from hot humours They are also to good purpose used to cleanse the Reins and Bladder from Gravel in making the passages slippery they also stay Vomitings procured by sharp humours But they are hard of digestion nourish very little and do not easily passe through the stomach and are therefore used in decoctions with other Ingredients fitting for the foresaid griefs CHAP. LXXXIV Of the Sebesten or Assyrian Plum-Tree The Names THere are also to be had at the Apothecaries Shops a certain kind of Plums called by them Sebestens in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã à muccoso fructus lentore ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã enim muccum significat The Tree whereon this Fruit groweth is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Myxos for the Tree and Myxa and Myxaria for the Fruit. It is thought as Ruellius saith that the Syrians in honour of Augustus called them Sebastae from whence the Arabians called them Sebesten The Kindes The Sorts hereof are two 1. The Sebesten or Assyrian Plum-Tree 2. The wild Sebesten-Tree The Forme The Sebesten-tree groweth somewhat lower then the Plum-tree covered with a whitish Bark the Branches are green whereon grow rounder thicker and harder Leaves then those of the ordinary Plum-Tree the blossoms are white consisting of five Leaves a peece growing many together on a stalk which afterwards turn into small Berries rather then Plums of a blackish green colour when they are ripe every one standing in a little Cup of a sweet tast and glutinous and clammy substance and a very thick skin within which lyeth a three square hard stone with a thick Shell and a small Kernel these are gathered and layd in the Sun whereby they grow wrinckled and so they are kept and brought over unto us in Boxes The Places and Time The first groweth in Syria and is but planted in Egypt as Alpinus saith and from thence were brought into Italy in Pliny his time which were grafted on the Service Tree and do now grow in many places there in their Orchards it is so tender not enduring the cold with us that we can as hardly keep it as cause it to spring the Shell of the Stone being so thick and the Kernel so small The other as Alpinus seemeth to aver growth in Egypt naturally They flowre in May and their Fruit is gathered in September The Temperature Sebestens are temperately cold and moyst and have a thick clammy substance The Vertues They are very effectuall to lenifie or make smooth the hoarsnesse and roughnesse of the Throat which is caused by sharp humours which descend from the Head into the Wine-pipe galling it and fretting it so that unlesse there be means used to stop them and to prevent the Throat from corroding they will run down abundantly and with great force making the Patient to breath with great difficulty Neither are Sebestens good only for the Throat but also do very much help the Cough and wheesings of the Lungs and Distillations upon them by lenifying the passages and causing much flegme to be avoided They also give ease to them that are troubled with pains in their sides and marvellously helpeth those that are troubled with the sharpnesse of their Urine proceeding from Cho ãâ¦ã or salt flegme they also drive forth the long worms of the Belly By the judgement both of the Arabians and Greek Physitians they open the body in the fame manner or rather more by reason of the Muscilaginesse in them than Damask Primes yet more when they are green and lesse when they are dry yet the decoction of them or the infusion of them in broth although dryed worketh effectually They serve to cool any intemperate heat of the Stomach or Liver and therefore are good in hot Agues and to purge Choler whereof they come ãâã saith that he hath found often by his experience that ten drams or twelve at the most of the pulp of Sebestans taken from the Skins and Stones worketh as well and to as good purpose as the pulp of Cassia fistula There is a kind of Birdlime made of these fruits by boyling them a little in water to take away their Skins and Stones and after boyling them more to a consistence the which as M ãâ¦ã saith was used in V ãâ¦ã to catch Birds but Alpinus saith they use it in Egypt as a Plaister to dissolve hard tumours or swellings CHAP. LXXXV Of Scabious The Names IT hath no Greek Name unless it be as some think that Herb which Aetius calleth ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã but few dare venter to say it is the same because there is nothing but the bare Name without any Description extant in him yet the Greek word signifieth Scabies in Latine It took the name of Scabiâsa
may not want moisture for if either of these be wanting they thrive not but both of them concurring they will flourish in June and July and the fruit will be ripe in the end of August but they are gathered to eat before the rinds grow to be wooddy The Temperature All these sorts of Gourds however different in form yet are of one quality that is cold and moist in the second degree The Vertues If either the juyce of the leaves or young branches of any of those Gourds or the distilled water of them be applyed in cloaths and spunges wet therein to Womens breasts pained with the abundance of milk it easeth them by cooling and restraining the hot quality and quantity thereof Wine that is kept in a fresh Gourd all night before it hath been cleansed from the loose inward pulpe and seed and drunk in the morning will cause the body to be soluble They are conveniently given to hot and cholerick bodies to cool the heat and inflammation of the Liver and stomach but the distilled water of them before they are through ripe drunk with Sugar doth wonderfully help to asswage thirst and the hot fits of Agues For want of a Still to make the water you may take this course Cut off the upper head of the Gourd and having cleansed it from the seed put it into an Oven with a batch of bread in the middle thereof there will be gathered a fine clear water which being poured out may be kept to use as need requireth The leaves and young branches are also conueniently applyed to all hot Humours Imposthumes and Inflammations and to asswage the pains of the head the rednesse and heat in the eyes the pains in the ears and the paines of the Gout if either the juyce of them or the water be applyed in cloaths wet therein The said water or Juyce being drunk or applyed outwardly to the privy Members of Man or Woman restraineth the immoderate Lust of the Body The Ashes of burnt Gourds are used of many to cleanse and heal old ulcers and sores as well in the Genitories as other patts of the body and to help scaldings or burnings by fire or water they are accounted as good for macilent lean and weak bodies to feed on as they are hurtful to such as have the wind cholick to whom they are not to be given at any hand The feeds of Gourds are one of the four greater sorts of cold seeds used very much in Physick and are very available in Decoctions Juleps Emulsions or Almond milk to cool the heat of the Liver the Reins or back and urine and to give much ease to them that are troubled with the Stone or Gravel in the Kidneys and the ulcers or sores of the inward parts and bladder The whole Gourds are eaten in hot countries with much delight kept and preserved with great care art and pains to be spent almost all the year after and have there a far more sweet and pleasant rellish then in these colder Climates where being more waterish they are more insipid they are eaten boyled or stewed but much better being fryed whereby they give the better nourishment to the body for by their moisture being boyled or stewed they are the more Lubrick or slippery and make the body more soluble as they do being pickled up as oftentimes they are beyond the Seas yet with Us the fruit is seldom eaten any of these waies by reason of its very waterish tast unlesse it be that of the Simnel Gourd which being of a firmer Substance if it be well dressed is an acceptable meat and is no lesse effectual in medicine The Indian sorts are somewhat more waterish others more solid and accordingly are more or lesse fit for meat or medicine Citruls or Turkey Millions are of the same Temperature as the Gourd and the seeds are used as Gourds Millions and Cucumbers to cool the heat of the fits of Agues c. CHAP. C. Of Basil The Names SOme will have the Greek name of this plant to be ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã quia citò crescit from the speedy springing of the seed which is usually within three or four daies if it be an hot and dry time for much rain turneth it into a gelly as may be seen if observed as they say Others will have it derived from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which signifieth to smel or give a savour and to be writ ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Ozymum of the sweet smell thereof It is written by most Latine Authours Ocimum not Ocymum which some will have to be that kind of grain called Fagopyrum or Fragopyrum in English Buckwheat others be a medly kind or corn pulse sowen together It is called by later Greek Writers ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Basilicum because the smell thereof being so excellent is fit for a Kings house It is called in English Basil Garden Basil the great Basil Royal the lesser Basil Gentle and Bush Basil and of some Basilicum Gariophyllatum Clove Basil The Kindes There are nine sorts of Basil 1. The greater Garden Basil 2. The middle Garden Basil 3. The lesser garden Basil 4. The greatest Citron Basil 5. The great Clove Basil 6. Anniseed Basil 7. Indian Basil 8. Curled Basil 9. Smal dented Basil The Forme The greater ordinary Basil riseth up usually but with one upright stalk diversly branching forth on all sides whereon are set two Leaves at every Joynt which are somewhat broad and round yet a little pointed of a pale green colour but fresh a little snipt about the edges and of a strong heady scent somewhat like a Pomcitron as many have compared it and therefore call it Citratum the flowers are small and white standing at the tops of the branches with two small leaves at the joynt in some places green in others brown after which cometh the black seed the root perisheth at the first approach of Winter Weather and is to be new sowen every year by them that desire it The Places and Time These plants grow only in Gardens with Us as also in Italy other places where they are cherished the natural being not known only the Indian and curled Basil are said to come first from the West Indies into Spain and from thence into other places Most of them do flower in the heat of Summer and some of them afterwards The Temperature Basil as Galen saith is hot in the second Degree but it hath a superfluous moisture adjoyned with it so that he guesseth it not so fit to be taken inwardly but outwardly applyed he saith it is good to digest or distribute and to concoct The Vertues Notwithstanding the superfluous moisture of Basil the same Galen saith also that it being corrected with oyl and Vinegar it was eaten by many in his time and thus it may be eaten by Women to dry up their milk or if upon tryal they find any inconveniency of taking it this way it may be applyed to the
sometimes to the end of August or later and the seed ripeneth in the mean time The Temperature Tobacco is hot and dry in the second degree and is withall of power to discusse or resolve and to cleanse away filthy humours having also a certain small âstriction and a sâupifying or benumming quality and is endued with a certain power to resist poyson The Vertues Though our Tobacco which grows in England be not so strong or sweet as that which cometh from the Indies yet it is found by good experience almost to be as available to expectorate tough phlegm out of the Stomach Chest and Lungs the Juyce thereof being made into a Syrup or the distilled Water of the herb drunk with Sugar or else the smoak taken through a pipe as is usuall but fasting oâ the whole substance rolled into Pills and swallowed so that whether of the two can be more easily procured may be used The same also helpeth to expell worms in the Stomack and Belly being inwardly or a leaf applyed to the Belly and to ease the pains in the head or Megrim and the griping pains in the bowels It is profitable also for those that are troubled with the stone in the Kidneys both to ease pains and by provoking Urine to expel gravel and the stone ingendred therein and hath been found very effectual to expell windinesse and other humours which cause the strangling of the Muther The seed hereof is much more effectual to ease the pain of the Tooth-ach then any Henbane seed and the ashes of the burnt herb cleanseth the gums and the teeth and maketh them white The herb bruised and applyed to the Kings Evil helpeth it in nine or ten daies effectually It is said also to be effectual to cure the Dropsie by taking four and five ounces of the Juyce fasting which will strongly purge the body both upwards and downwards The distilled water is often given with some Sugar before the fit of an Ague to lessen them and take them away in three or four times using if the distilled Fâces of the herb having being bruised before the distillation and not distilled dry but set in warm dung fourteen dayes and afterwards hung up in a bag in a wine Cellar that liquor that distilleth therefrom is singular good to use for Cramps Aches the Gout and Sciatica and to heal Itches Scabs and running Ulcers Cankers and foul sores whatsoever The Juice is also good for all the said griefs and likewise to kill Lice in Childrens heads The green herb bruised and applyed to any green wound is known to divers to cure any fresh wound or cut wheresoever and the Juyce put into old Sores both cleanseth and healeth them but especially a Salve of it made thus Take of the green Herb three or four handfuls bruise it and put it into a quart of good Oyl of Olives boyl them on a gentle fire untill the Herb grow dry and the Oyl will bubble no longer then strain it forth hard and set it on the fire again adding thereto Wax Roâen and Sheeps Tallow or Deares Sewet which you will of each a quarter of a pound of Turpentine two Ounces which being melted put it up for your use This Salve will likewise help Impostumes hard tumours and other swellings by blows of falls CHAP. CVIII Of Sundew or Ros Solis The Names THere is no Greek Name found for this Plant It is called in Latine Ros Solis of divers Rorella and of Lobel Rorida and of some Salsirora and corruptly Rosa Solis as we in English likewise do now and then All which Names are put upon it from the Dew which is alwayes upon it but then especially when the Sun is at the hottest It is called in English Lustworth because Sheep and other Cattle if they do but only tast of it are provoked to Lust It is called also Youthwort and in the Northern parts of our Land they call it the Red Rot because as they think their Sheep feeding thereon run to rot Some call it also Mooregrasse The Kindes There be three Sorts of Sun-dew 1. The greater Sun-dew 2. The lesser sun-dew 3. Sun-dew with long Leaves The Forme It hath divers small round hollow Leaves somewhat greenish but full of certain red hairs which makes them seem red every one standing upon his own foot stalk which is likewise of a reddish colour and hairy The Leaves are continually moyst in the hottest day yea the hotter the Sun shines on them the moyster they are with a certain sliminesse that will rope as we say the small hairs alwayes holding this moysture Among those Leaves rise up small slender stalks reddish also three or four fingers high bearing divers small white knobs one above another which are the Flowers after which in the Heads are certain small Seeds the Root looketh as if it consisted of a few small hairs The Places and Time Thâse Plants do usually grow on Bogs and wet places and sometimes in moyst Woods One of the Sorts with round Leaves whether it be the greater or the lesser I cannot say groweth upon Shoââver-Hill on that side towards Heddington Quarries near Oxford and likewise upon a Bog in Bagley VVood betwixt Oxford and Abbângdon In Lancashire in their Mosse Grounds where they dig their turfs there is great store of it also That with Leaves of a span long groweth plentifully in a Bog by Edenderry in Ireland It was sound by Mr. Heaton who gave some of it to Zanchy Sylliard Apothecary in Dublin which he sent to Mr. Parkinson It groweth also in England by Ellesmeere in Shropshire It floweth in May or June and continueth flourishing till August within which time it may be gathered the weather being dry and calm and as near the middle of the day as you can for then it is fullest of Dew wherein the vertue most consisteth The Temperature Some say that it is a searing or caustick Herb and very much biting being hot and dry in the fourth Degree others only that it is sharp and quick yet a little acide drying and binding The Vertues and Signature There is some difference amongst Authours concerning this Herb. Dodonaeus holding it to be an extream biting Herb saith that the distilled water thereoââannot be taken with safety though the later Physicians have thought it to be ââ are and singular remedy against the Consumption of the Lungs and especially the distilled water which Parkinson recordeth without any Cavill The same water is held to be good for those also that have salt Rheums distilling on the Lungs which is the cause of a Consumption so that it is not only Therapeuticall or restorative but Prophylacticall or preventionall in this case The said water is available also for all other Diseases of the Lungs as Ptisicks Wheesings shortness of Breath or the Cough as also to heal Ulcers that happen in the Lungs and it comforteth the Heart and fainting Spirits The Leaves outwardly applyed to the Skin will raise Blisters
and pleasant in Sallets as there is no Herb comparable unto it and giveth a better rellish to those it is put with the Seeds while they are fresh and green sliced and put among other Herbs make them tast very pleasant the Root boyled and eaten with Oyl and Vinegar or without Oyl if any one mislike it doth much please and warm a cold or old stomack oppressed with flegm or wind and those that have the Ptisick and Consumption of the Lungs The Lungs and the particular Diseases thereof being thus spoken to I shall descend unto the Heart which is the first thing in a Man that lives and the last that dies upon the wel-fare whereof the wel-fare of all other parts depends and therefore especially to be provided for so that I shall muster up a little Regiment of Simples to defend it from those poysonous enemies which would otherwise assault it to the endangering of the whâle Microcosme And I shall begin with Angelica because it relates both to that which goes before and that which comes after CHAP. CXVIII Of Angelica The Names IT is not yet known whether any of the Ancients knew this Herb or by what name the Greeks did call it however it hath gained many worthy names of the Latine Writers for some have called it Sancti Spiritus radix and have been blamed for it already others Lacuna and Dodonaeus thinketh it to be some kind of Laserpitium some have taken it to be Smyrnium and some Panax Heracleum but generally it is called Angelica for the rare smell and Angel-like properties therein and that name it retains still all Nations following it so near as their Dialect will permit The Kinds Former times knew but two sorts hereof but now there are sound out two more 1. Garden Angelica 2. Wild Angelica 3. Mountaine Wild Angelica 4. The great Water Angelica The Forme The Garden Angelica hath divers large and fair spread and winged Leaves half a yard long or better sometimes made of many great and broad ones set usually one against another on a middle rib of a pale but fresh green Colour and dented about the edges from among which usually riseth but oâe round hollow stalk being very thick and four or five foot high with divers great joynts and Leaves set on them whose foot-stalks do compasse the main stalk at the bottom and from thence also towards the top come forth branches with the like but lesser Leaves at them and at their tops large round spread umbels of white flowers after which cometh the seed which is somewhat flat thick short and whitish two alwayes set together as is usuall in all these umbelliferous plants and a little crested on the round seed the root groweth great and wooddy when it flowreth with many great long branches to it but perisheth after seed which being suffered to fall of its own accord will more certainly grow then that which is gathered and sown by hand at any other time The Places and Time The first is very Common in our English Gardens and was brought hither as is conceived from beyond the Seas or from the Rocks not far from Barwick upon which it groweth It is found in great plenty in Norway and in an Island of the North call Iceland where it groweth very high and is eaten of those that come into that Country for want of other food the bark being pilled off It groweth likewise in divers mountains of Germany and especially of Bohemia The second Sort is wild both in many places of Essex Kent and neer Kentish-Town by London and in other places The third groweth on divers mountains of Germany and Hungary The last is not onely naturall to grow in watery ditches but in moist grounds also in most places of England They flower in Iuly and August whose roots for the most part do perish after the seed is ripe and therefore they which desire to preserve them must keep it from seeding by cutting off the Leaves to Still and so both the root and plant may be continued divers years together The Temperature Angelica especially that of the Garden is hot and dry some put it in the second and others in the third degree howsoever it openeth attenuateth or maketh thin digesteth and procureth sweat The whole plant both Leaf and Seed and Root is of an excellent pleasant scent and tast very comfortable being not fierce or sharp but rather sweet and giveth a most delicate relish when it is tasted or used the Leaves be the weakest and some hold the seed to be next and the root to be the strongest especially being not ready to grow up for stalk The Vertues If the Root of Angelica be taken in powder to the weight of half a dram at a time with some good Treacle in Carduus water or if treacle be not at hand take the root alone in Carduus or Angelica water and sweat thereupon it reâsteth poyson by defending the Heart the blood and spirits and giveth heat and Comfort to them and it doth the like against the Plague and Infection of the Pestilence and so do the stalks or roots candyed and eaten fasting at such times and also at other times to warme and Coââort a cold and old stomack The root also steeped in Vinegar and a little of that Vinegar taken sometimes fasting and the root smelled unto are both good Preservatives also for the same purpose A water distilled from the Root simply or steeped in Wine and distilled in glasse is much more effectuall then the water of the leaves and this water drunk two or three spoonfulls at a time eaâeth all paines and torments coming of Cold and Wind so as the body be not bound and some of the root taken in powder at the beginning helpeth the Plâurisie and all other diseases of the Lungs and Breast as Coughs Pthisick and Shortnesse of breath and a Syrup of the stalks doth the like It helpeth likewise the torments of the Colick the Strangury and stopping of the Urin procureth womens Courses expelleth the Afterbirth openeth the obstructions oâ the Liver and spleen and briefly easeth and discusseth all inward tumors and windinesse The decoction drunk before the fit oâ an Ague that they may sweat if possible before the fit come will in two or three times taking rid it quite away it helps digestion and is a remedy for a surfit The juyce or the water being dropped into the eyes or eares helps dimnesse of sight and deafnesse and the juyce put into an hollow Tooth easeth the paines The roots in powder 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 therein and put into old filthy deep Ulcers or the powder of the Root in want of either doth cleanse them and cause them to heale quickly by covering the naked Bones with flesh The distilled water applyed to places pained
The four first sorts are usuall in Gardens the fift was found upon Mount Baldus as also upon the Vaganean hills in Narbone the sixth was found in Spaine by Boel The Seaventh in Itady by Dr. Mera The Eight came from Virginia The Ninth from Yorkeshire The Tenth grows under Hedges and Bushes almost every where the last in the Corne fields and in such as ly Ley and in the borders of other fields The Violets Flower in February and March and after them the Pansies till the end of July The Temperature The Garden Violets and so likewise the Wild kinds are cold and moist whil'st they are fresh and green The Vertues The Flowers of Violets as well as those of Borage are reckoned to be cheife Cordiall Flowers and are much used in Cordiall drinks powders and other Medicines especially where cooling Cordialls as Roses and Saunders are used They are used to coole any heate or distemperature of the Body either inwardly or outwardly in the Inflammation of the Eyes in the Womb and Fundament when they are fallen down and are full of paine Imposthums also and hot Swellings to drinke the decoction of the Leaves of Flowers made with Water or Wine or to apply them pultis wise to the place that is grieved It likewise easeth paines in the Head which are caused through want of sleep A dram of the dryed Leaves of the Flowers of Violets doth purge the body of Cholericke humors and asswageth the heat being taken in a draught of Wine or other drink The pouder of the Leaves of the purple Flowers only pickt and dryed and drunk in powder with Water is said to help the Quinsie and the Falling sicknesse in Children especially in the beginning of the Disease The Flowers of the white Violets ripen and dissolve Swellings The seed being taken resisteth the poyson of the Scorpion The Herb or Flowers whil'st they are fresh or the Flowers when they are dry are effectuall in the Pleurisy and all other diseases of the Lungs to lenify the sharpnesse of hot Rheums and the hoarsenesse of the Throat the heat also of the Urine and the sharpnesse thereof and all paines of the back or reines or bladder They are good also for the Liver and the Jaundise and in all hot Agues helping to coole the heat and quench thirst But the Syrup of Violets is of most use and of better effect being taken in some convenient Liquor and if a little of the Juice or Syrup of Lemons be put to it or a few drops of the Oyle of Vitriall it is made thereby the more powerfull to coole the heat and to quench the thirst and besides the effect giveth to the drink both a Claret Wine colour and a pleasant tast Violets taken or made up with honey do more clense then coole and with Sugar contrarywise The Leaves of Violets are used in cooling Plaisters Oyls Cataplasms or Pultises and are of great efficacy among other Herbs as Mercury Mallowes c. to be put in Clysters CHAP. CXXII Of Straw-berries The Names THe whole Plant is called Fragraria and the Berries Fraga à fructus fragrantia odoris gustus for it hath no certain Greek name yet there are some which think it to be ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã that is Rubus Idaus because it hath no prickles which Opinion Fuchsius saith is not to be despised Others say that they called it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã because of the âikeness of the fruit with that of the Tree-Strawberry Servius calleth them Mora terrestria Ground Mulberries because they are somewhat like those that grow on Trees The Kindes I have not yet met with any more then six sorts of Straw-berries 1. Red Straw-berries 2. White Straw-berries 3. Small Straw-berries with hard Leaves 4. Flat Straw-berries 5. Dwarf Straw-berries 6. Barren or unprofitable Straw-berries The Form I know not whether the Dwarf-Straw-berry be brought over in England yet I shall venter to give you so much of its Description as Parkinson hath set down choosing rather to give you the Description of a strange Plant then of the others which are so commonly known It hath very small triparted Leaves next the ground closer set together upon short foot-stalks then any other and those that are set on both sides of the long branch not above four inches long which lyeth creeping on the ground grow lesse and without stalk the Flower standeth at the end of the Branch many times but one at a place which consisteth of five round Leaves like a Straw-berry but larger then agreeth with the proportion of the Plant and is of a yellowish colour what fruit it beareth is not set down The Places and Time The two first grow in Gardens though 't is probable they were brought out of the Woods where they do most delight yet being set in a rich soyl they become far greater The three next grow upon divers of the Alps and other places of Germany The last is to be found in our own Land in most Woods and the Field sides near unto them in Cornwall as Lobel saith and in other places also They flower in May or thereabouts most commonly and are ripe in June but I have seen ripe Straw-berries after Michaelmas also The Temperature The Leaves of them are cooling in the first Degree and yet some say they are hot and drying in the second the Root is more drying and binding the Berries whââe they are green are cold and dry but when they are ripe they are coâd and moyst The Vertues and Signature The water of the Berries carefully distilled is a soveraign remedy and Cordiall in the paâpitations of the heart that is the panting and beating of the heart and is good for the over-flowing of the Gall which causeth the yeââow Jaundise The Berries themselves are exâeâent good to cool the Liver tâe Bâood and Spleen or an hot choâeriâk sâomach to refresh and comfort the âainting Spirits and to quench thirst They are good also for other Inflammations yet it ãâ¦ã veth one to be caâtelous or rather to refrain them in a Feaver ãâã by theâ putriâying in the ââomaâh they increase the Fits and make them to be ãâ¦ã ore fierâe The Leaves and Roots boyled in Wine and Water as drunk do likewiâe cooâ the Liver and Blood and asswage al Inflammations in the Reins and Bladder provoketh Urine and allayeth the heat and sharpness thereof the same also beinâ drunk stayeth the Bloody Flux and Womens Coââes and helpeth the swelâings of the Spâeen The Juyce dropped into foul Ulcers or they washed therewith or with the decoction of the Herb and Root doth wonderfully cleanse them and heâp to cure them All Lotions and Gargles that are made for sore mouths or Ulcers therein or in the privy parts or else-where are made with the Leaves and Roots heâeof which is good also to fasten loose Teeth and to heal spungy foul âums The same also helpeth to stay Catarrhs or Defluxions of Rheum into the Mouth Throat Teeth
it hardly giveth any good Seed although the two former do plentifully The Temperature Baulm is hot and dry in the second degree having also a purging quality therein with some tenuity of parts The Signature and Vertues The Leaves of this Herb have also the Signature of the Heart and accordingly it is very much commended for the passions of the heart For Serapio saith it is the property of Baulm to cause the mind and the heart to become merry to revive the fainting heart falling into Swoonings to strengthen the weakness of the Spirits and Heart and to comfort them especially such who are troubled in their sleep to drive away all troublesome cares and thoughts out of the mind whether those passions arise from melancholy or burnt flegme which Avicen also confirmeth It is good for a cold stomach to help digestion and to open the obstruction of the Brain as also among other things for the Plague the water thereof but especially the Conserve of the Flowers being used It provoketh Womens Courses helpeth a stinking breath and is good for the rising of the Mother A Decoction of Baulm made in Wine and drunk is good against Venom and Poyson helpeth the griping pains of the Belly and is good for them that cannot take their breath unless they hold their necks upright being taken in a Lohock oâ licking Electuary The Syrup of Baulm is likewise a good Cordiall and strengtheneth the heart and stomach resisteth Melancholy and is very profitable in burning and contagious Feavers A Cawdle made with the juyce hereof while it is young together with Eggs and some rose-Rose-water and Sugar put thereto is often given to Women in Child-bed when the After-birth is not throughly avoided and for their faintings upon or after their sore Travels The Herb bruised and boyled in a little Wine and Oyl and laid warm on a Boyl will ripen and break it used with Salt it taketh away Wens Kernels or hard swellings in the flesh or Throat it cleanseth foul Sores and easeth the pains of the Gout The juyce thereof used with a little Honey is a good remedy for the dimness of the sight and to take away the mistiness of the Eyes It is used in Bathes amongst other warm Herbs to comfort the Joynts and Sinews It is a good remedy against the sting of Scorpions or other venomous Creatures and against the stinging of Bees as also against the bitings of Dogs The Decoction thereof is good for Women to bathe or sit in to procure their Courses and for those that have the bloody Flux as also to wash the Teeth therewith when they are full of pain It is very often put into Oyls or Salves to heal green Wounds It is very necessary for those that keep Bees to have this Herb planted near them both to have their Hives rubbed therewith which will not only keep them together but draw others for they love very much to suck and feed upon it as its name importeth CHAP. CXXV Of Marigolds The Names IT is not certainly known by what name the Greeks called this Plant. Some think it to be ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã but I think that name doth more properly belong to the Corn Marigold the Flower of that comming nearer to a golden colour then that of the Garden though there be some of the Garden that are near that colour also It is called in Latine Calendula because it hath been observed to flower most about the Calends of every moneth and it is so called of the Shops also Of some Caltha and Caltha Poetarum whereof Columella and Virgil do write It is thought to be Gromphena Plinii In English Marigolds and Ruds The Kinds There be near upon twenty sorts of Marigolds yet I shall trouble you with no more then ten at this time 1. The greatest double Marigold 2. The greater double Marigold 3. The smaller double Marigold 4. The double Globe-Marigold 5. The straw-coloured double Marigold 6. The single Marigold 7. The fruitful Marigold 8. Jack an Apes on Horse-back 9. Mountain Marigold 10. The wild Marigold The Form The greatest double Marigold hath many large fat broad Leaves springing immediately from a fibrous or threddy Root the upper side of the Leaves are of a deep green and the lower side of more light or shining green among which rise up stalks somewhat hairy and also somewhat joynted and full of a spongious pith The Flowers growing on the top are beautiful round very large and double something sweet with a certain strong smell of a light Saffron colour or like pure Gold from the which follow a number of long crooked Seeds especially the outmost or those that stand about the edges of the Flower which being sowen commonly bring forth single Flowers whereas contrariwise those Seeds in the middle are lesser and for the most part bring forth such Flowers as that was from whence it was taken The Places and Times All the Sorts afore-named are Inhabitants of the Garden except the two last whose naturall places of being may be discovered by their Titles They flower from April even unto Winter and in Winter also if it be warm and therefore some have called it Flos omnium mensium supposing it to flower throughout every moneth in the year The Temperature The Flower of the Marigold is of temperature hot almost in the second Degree especially when it is dryed The Vertues and Signature The Flowers of Marigolds comfort and strengthen the Heart exceedingly provoke sweat and Womens Courses and expell the After-birth withstand poyson and Venery are good in pestilent and contagious Feavers as also in the Jaundise and are very expuâsive and little lesse effectuall in the small Pox and Meazles then Saffron The Conserve made of the Flowers taken morning and evening helpeth the trembling of the heart and is very useful in the time of Pestilence when the Air is corrupted The Flowers either green or dryed are used much in Possets Broths and Drinks as a comforter of the Heart and Spirits and to expell any Malignant or Pestilentiall quality that might annoy them especially amongst the Dutch where they are sold by the penny The Juyce helpeth the Tooth-ach the pained Tooth being washed therewith and if Warts be rubbed therewith it taketh them away The said juyce mixed with Vinegar and any hot swelling bathed with it instantly giveth ease and asswageth it A Plaister made of the dry Flower in Powder Hogs-grease Turpentine and Rosin and applyed to the Breast strengthens and succours the Heart infinitely in Feavers whether Pestilentiall or not Pestilentiall A fume of the Decoction used hot helpeth to expell the Secondine or After-birth The juyce dropped into the Ears killeth Worms The diâiâled water is good for many of the purposes aforesaid and also helpeth red and watery Eyes being washed therewith which it doth by Signature as Crollius saith CHAP. CXXVI Of Swallow-wort The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ab Aesculapio from Aesculapius that
famous Doctor of Physick whom the Greeks called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Some Bastard Names it hath also as ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã quasi Hederula and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã quasi Hederula folium the form of the Leaves being like unto Ivy. Ruellius calleth it Hederalis in Latine but it is better known by the Names of Asclepias and Vincetâxicum which last is a generall word for any Counter-poyson and commeth from Vincâ to over-come and Toxicum Poyson It was anciently called Hirundinaria although both the kinds of Chelidonium majus and minus be called Hirundinaria that is Swallon-vvort ab Hirundine from a Swallow because the pointed Cods when they are open and the Silk appeareth out of them do somewhat resemble a Swallow flying Others say from the Seed which is feathered as it were with Down about it In English it is called Svvallovv-vvort and of some Silken Cicely The Kinds There be only three Sorts of Swallow-wort that I can find 1. Swallow-wort with white Flowers 2. Swallow-wort with black Flowers 3. Swallow-wort of Candy The Form The Swallow-wort with white-flowers riseth up with divers slender weake stalkes to be halfe a yard or two foot long not easy to break yet scarce able to stand upright and therefore for the most part leane or lye down upon the ground if they find not some thing to sustaine them and then somtimes they will twine themselves about it whereon are set two leaves at the joynts being somwhat broad and long pointed at the end of a darke green colour and smooth at the edges at the joynts with the Leaves towards the top of the stalkes and at the tops themselves come forth divers small white flowers consisting of five pointed leaves a piece of an heavy sweet sent after wich come small long pods thick above and growing lesse and lesse to the point wherein by small flat brown seed wrapped in a great deale of white silken down which when the pod is ripe openeth of it selfe and sheddeth both seed and cotton upon the ground if it be not carefully gathered the roots are a great bush of many white strings fastned together at the head smelling somewhat strong while they are fresh and green but more pleasant when they are dryed both leaves and stalkes dye down every yeare to the ground and rise a new in the Spring the stalkes at their first coming up being of a blackish brown colour The Places and Time One or two if not all of these sorts grow in the Physick Garden at Oxford but as for their naturall places the two first grow in rough untilled places and on Mountaines in divers places both in France about Narbone Marscilles and Mompelier and in Italy also and in other places The last grow in Candy whence the seed came which being sowne groweth with us They all flower in the moneths of June and July and somtimes not untill August if the yeare be backward and their Cods with seed are ripe about a Moneth after the empty huske abiding on the dry branches when the seed and silk is shed out and fallen on the ground or blown away with the wind The Temperature The rootes of Swallow-wort are hot and dry and have a soveraigne quality against all poysons but in particular against the Apocinum or Dogsbane The Vertues A Dram of the powder of the roots of Swallow-wort taken in Sorrell or Bnglosse water is very effectuall against all the passions of the heart and if a few Citron seeds be taken therewith in the same manner and measure it easeth all the griping paines of the belly It is likewise effectually given to any that are bitten by any venemous beast or stung by any Serpent or other Creature as also against the biting of a mad dog a dram and an halfe of the root being taken in Carduus water for divers dayes together It is taken also in Wine every day against the Plague or Pestilence The decoction of the rootes made with white-Wine taken for divers dayes together a good draught at a time and sweating presently thereupon cureth the Dropây the same also helpeth the Jaundise provoketh Urine and eaâeth the Cough and all defects of the Chest and Lungs The powder of the Rootes taken with Peony seed is good against the Falling sicknesse or what Basil seed or the rind of Pome Citrons is good against Melancholy Taken with the roots of White or Bastard Dâttany it killeth and expelleth the Wormes of the Maw and Belly The rootes are very effectually used with other things in Bathes made for women to ât over to ease all paines of the Mother and bring down their courses The Decoction likewise of the Roots hereof and of Comfrey made with wine is much commended to help those that are bursten or have a rupture and for them that have bin bruised with a fall or otherwise The powder of the root or leaves is no lesse effectuall to cleanse all putrid rotten and filthy Ulcers and soâes wheresoever then the Roots of Aristolochia or Birthwort and may safely be used in all Salves Unguents and Lotions made for such purposes instead thereof the one for the other The Leaves and Flowers boyled and made into a pultis applyed to the hard tumors or swellings of womens Breasts cureth them speedily as also such evil sores as happen in the Matrix although they be inveterate or hard to be cured The Down that is found in the Cods of these herbs doth make a softer stuffing for Cushions or Pillows or the like than thistle down which is much used in some places for the like purposes CHAP. CXXVII Of Goates-Rue The Names THis Hearb being unknown to the Antient Authors hath no Greek Name in Latin it is usually called Galega or Ruta Capraria For they that first found it and the vertues gave that Name of Rue thereunto as finding it no lesse effectuall then the Best Rue and Capraria because it is good for Goates Some call it Gralega and some Herba Gallica as Fracastorius and of some Capraria Some with us call it Italian-Vetch but most Commonly Goates Rue The Kinds The Sorts hereof are but two 1. Common Goates Rue 2. Mountain Goats Rue The Forme The Common or most usuall Goates Rue sendeth forth many round hard stalks three or four foot high whereon grow one above another at severall Joynts Long winged Leaves that is many Leaves set one each side of a middle rib which are small yet somewhat broad and long and pointed at the end smooth on the Edges without any dents somewhat like unto the Leaves of Vetches and of a faint green Colour at the topps of the stalks stand many small Leguminous flowers one above another of a pale blewish purple Colour and in some plants pure white after which come small round pods about ân inch and an half long a little bunched out in some places but nothing so much as the Orobus or Bitter Vetch wherein lie three or four or five small pale seed
singular Vertues that it hath in English Holy Thistle and Blessed Thistle but more commonly Carduus Benedictus according to the Latine name Some excellently seen in the knowledge of Simples have made it a kind of Wild Bastard Saffron called in Latine Attractilis and in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã because Women in old time were wont to use the stiffe stalk thereof pro fuso colo for a Spindle or a Distaffe It is named also Fucus agrestis and Colus rustica and the Women in Greece as Petrus Bellonius reporteth call Attractylis by a corrupt name Ardactyla even at this day Divers call it Carthamus Sylvestris Cnicus Sylvestris in English Wild Bastard Saffron The Kinds The Sorts hereof as you have already heard are two 1. Carduus Benedictus or the Blessed Thistle 2. Attractylis or Wild Bastard Saffron The Form Carduus Benedictus or Blessed Thistle hath round rough and plyable stalks which being parted into divers Branches do lie flat on the ground the leaves are jagged round about and full of harmless prickles on the edges the heads on the tops of the stalks are set with prickles and invironed with sharp pricking Leaves out of which standeth a yellow Flower the Seed is long and set with white hairs at the top like a Beard the Root is white and parted into strings the whole Herb Leaves and Stalks and also the Heads are covered with a soft and thin Down The Places and Time The first groweth naturally in Lemâos which is an Island of the Mediterraâean Sea in the Champion grounds thereof as Petrus Bellonius testifieth It is diligently cherished in Gardens in these Northern parts The second groweth in Candy and in divers Provinces and Islands of Greece and also in Languedock and is entertained in our English Gardens The first flowreth in July and August at which time it is especially to be gathered for Physicall uses for then it will remain good a year or longer Attractylis is very late before it flowreth and seedeth The Temperature As Carduus Benedictus is bitter so it is also hot and dry in the second Degree and withall cleansing and opening Attractylis doth dry and moderately digest as Galen teacheth The Signature and Vertues By the Prickles upon the Stalks and Leaves of Carduus are clearly signified that the herb it self is an excellent remedy for the Pleurisie and Stââches wherewith the sides are somtimes distempered if the Decoction in posset drink or the distilled water thereof be taken It helpeth also the swimming of the head strengtheneth the memory and is a good remedy against ceaânesse killeth wormes provoketh Urine and the Courses and driveth out gravel and cleanseth the Stomack It is most excellent in Pestilent Feavers and all contagious Diâeases for it expelleth out by sweat all noxious or ill humours It is very good in any kind of Ague either the decoction thereof being taken or half a dram of the Powder in Posset-drink before the fit commeth for divers fits if need require and sweat after it It is very available likewise against Venome and poyson Though the distilled water is useful for the aforesaid Diseases yet the decoction is much better The extract thereof is good against the French Pox and the Quartan Ague The green Herb bruised and applyed is good against hot swellings as Wild-fire Plague-Sores Botches and it is good also to be laid upon the bitings of mad Dogs Serpents Spiders Bees or Wasps or any other venomous Creature The Powder stoppeth blood at the Nose being applyed The juyce thereof cleareth the sight being put into the Eyes and taketh away the redness of them and so doth the water Being bruised with a little Hogs-grease and a little Wheat mixed therewith it cures stubborn and rebellious Ulcers if it be applyed thereto It is used against the Gangrene also For all which notable effects it hath been called Omnimorbia that is a Salve for every Sore CHAP. CLX Of our Ladies Thistle The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã if divers Authours be not mistaken being as is generally supposed that Plant that Dioscorides mentioneth under that name It is called in Latine Carduus Lacteus and Carduus Mariae in English Our Ladies Thistle or the Striped Milky Thistle Some think it to be Leucacantha or Spina Alba of the Antients others take it to be Leucographis Plinii Brunfelfius calleth it Carduus Albus and Camaeleon Matthiolus and Lobel Carduus Lacteus some Carduus Argentatus and Carduus Ramptarius others Carduus Leucographus and Silybum and Acanon Theophrasti The Kinds Although formerly there have been but one sort hereof known to the Herbarists yet of late by the diligent search and observation of some that have been curious there are found of them three in all 1. The common Ladies Thistle 2. Great milky Thistle of a year 3. The small Spanish milk-Thistle The Form The Common Ladies Thistle hath divers very large and broad leaves lying on the ground cut in and as it were crumpled but somewhat hairy on the edges and of a white green shining colour wherein are many lines and strakes of a milky white colour running all over and set with many sharp and stiffe prickles round about amongst which rise up one or more strong round and prickly stalks set full of the like leaves up to the top where at the end of every branch commeth forth a great prickly Thistle-like head strongly armed with pricks and with bright Purple Thrums rising out of the middle of them after they are past the Seed groweth in the said heads lying in a great deal of fine soft white Down which is somewhat flattish and shining large and brown the Root is great spreading in the ground with many strings and small Fibres fastened to them All the whole Plant is bitter in taste and therefore supposed not to be without good effects The Places and Time The first is frequent in many parts of this Realm and particularly in St. Georges Fields near London in great abundance The Seed whereof the second and likewise the last came were brought out of Spain by Guillaume Boel It is thought that the last is the same that Camerarius saith he picked out of Epithyâââ and that Ranwolsius gave him brought out of Syria because the Seed and Leaves are so very much alike They flower and seed in June July and August when other sorts of Thistles do The Temperature Our Ladies Thistle is hot and dry in the second Degree and bindeth moderately especially the Roots The Signature and Vertues There are upon this Plant also many prickles and therefore it is good for the Stitches of the side and other Diseases thereof by Signature if the Decoction or Powder thereof be taken It is also very effectuall for Agues and to prevent and cure the infection of the Plague as also to open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and thereby is good against the Jaundies It provoketh Urine breaketh and expelleth the Stone and is
Leaves new sprung out of the ground The Kinds Gârard reckoneth up fifteen Sorts of Daffodills as 1. Purple circlâd Daffodill 2. Timely Purple-ringed Daffodill 3. More timely Purple-ringed Daffiodil 4. The very hasty flowring Daffodill 5. The late flowring small Daffodill 6. Primrose Pearls or the common white Daffidill 7. French Daffodill 8. Italian Daffodill 9. The double white Daffodil of Constantinople 10. Milk-white Daffodill 11. Rush Daffodill 12. Late flowring Bush-Daffodill 13. The Persian Daffodill 14. The great Winter Daffodill 15. Small Winter-Daffodill The sixth sort of Daffodil is that which is most common in Country Gardens the description whereof followeth The Form The common Daffodill hath long fat and thick leaves full of a slimy juyce among which riseth up a bare thick stalk hollow within and full of juyce The Flower groweth at the top of a yellowish white colour with a yellow Crown or Circle in the middle The Root is white and of a Bulbus or Onyon fashion yet not without divers effects by which it is propagated The Places and Times The Daffodills with Purple Coronets do grow wild in sundry places of France but chiefly in the Meadows of Burgundy and Switzerland The Rush-Daffodill groweth wild in Spain among Grasse and other Herbs in some watery places But it mattereth not much to seek out their places of growing wild seeing they are most of them to be found in our English Gardens about London and elsewhere The common white Daffodill groweth wild in fields and sides of Woods in the West parts of England They flower for the most part in the spring that is from the beginning of February unto the end of April The Persian and Winter-Daffodills do flower in September and October The Temperature The Roots of Narcissus are said to be hot and dry in the second Degree The Vertues Besides the Ornamentall use of Daffodils for decking Garlands and Houses in the Spring-time it hath many Physicall properties amongst which there is none more eminent then that the Roots thereof do move Vomit whether they be eaten or drunken and being stamped and strained and given in drink they help the Cough and Cholick and those that be entred into a Ptisick If two drams of the Root newly gathered be boyled in Wine or Water with a littââ Anniseed or Fennel-seed and a little Ginger and drunk it driveth forth by stoâ tough and clammy Flegme and to help all Diseases that come thereof The same taken with Honey and the Seed of Nettles purgeth the Disease which causeth those spots in the Body called Ephelis and Alphus And their qualities in drying are so wonderful that they glew together very great wounds as also rifts gashes or cuts that happen about the veins sinews and tendons They have also a certain wiping cleansing and attracting faculty Being stamped with Honey and applyed Plaister-wise they help them that are burnt with fire and are effectuall for the great wrenches of the Ancles the Aches and pains of the joynts The same stamped with Barrows-grease and Leaven of Rye-bread hasteneth to suppuration hard Impostumes which are not otherwise easily brought to ripeness Being stamped with the Meal of Cocle and Honey it draweth forth Thorns and stubs out of any part of the Body and being mingled with Vinegar and Nettle-seed it taketh away Lentills and spots in the face There are besides the sorts aforementioned the double yellow Daffodill and the common yellow Daffodilly which purge by stool tough and flegmatick humours and also waterish and is good for them that are full of crudities especially if there be added thereto a little Anniseed and Ginger which will correct the churlish hardness of the working The distilled water of Daffodils doth cure the Palsie if the Patient be bathed and rubbed with the said liquor by the fire as hath been proved by that diligent searcher of nature Mr. Nicholas Belson CHAP. CLVI Of White Hellebore The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and sometimes ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã without the aspiration quòd cibum corporis cripiat because it deprives the Body of nourishment in Latine also Elleborus albus Elleborum and also Helleborus and Helleborum and Veratrum album Veratrum quòd mentem vertat or rather à verando because it cureth them that are counted mad which were formerly called Veratores and Veraculi and album to distinguish it from the black this being white in respect of that In English 't is called Hellebore and Neese-wort because it provoketh Neesing The Kinds And of this Hellebore there are eight varieties that present themselves 1. Ordinary white Hellebore or Neesing Root 2. The early white Hellebore with dark red Flowers 3. The great wild Hellebore or our Ladies Slipper 4. The small white Hellebore with a white Flower 5. The small white Hellebore with blush Flowers 6. Wild white Hellebore with whitish green Flowers 7. Wild white Hellebore with dark red Flowers 8. Variable wild white Hellebore The Forme The ordinary white Hellebore riseth at the first out of the ground with a great round whitish green head which growing up openeth it self into many goodly fair large greââ Leaves plaited as it were with eminent Ribs all along the Leaves compassing ãâã another at the bottom from the middle whereof riseth up a strong round stalk with divers such Leaves but smaller to the middle thereof from whence to the top it is divided into many branches having many small yellowish or whitish green Star-like Flowers all along upon them which after turn into small long three-square whitish Seed standing naked without any husk to contain them the Root is reasonable thick and great at the head having a great many white strings running down deep into the ground whereby it is strongly fastened The Places and Times The two first sorts grow in sundry places of Germany and Austria as Clusius saith as also in some Islands of Russia where as Tradescant the elder saith the ordinary sort groweth exceeding plentifully And if I mistake not of this sort was that Hellebore that grew in Anticyra so abundantly that if any one seemed to be troubled with melancholy it was presently proverbially said unto him Naviga Anticyram intimating that there was Hellebore enough to cure him the other sorts grow many of them in our own Land as well as beyond Sea namely the third fourth and sixth especially the third in a Wood called Helks in Lancashire near the Borders of York-shire The first flowreth before the second though it spring earlier out of the ground being not in Flower untill the end of July the rest flower about May some earlier and some later The Temperature The Root of white Hellebore is hot and dry in the third degree The Vertues The Root aforesaid taken without preparation of the Body worketh very strongly and churlishly provoking extream vomiting yet that being dieted by the advice of some learned Physician without whom the medling with it will prove dangerous it is good for
but is somwhat offensive to the head it gently cutteth or breaketh humors and digesteth them and looseneth the breathing places of the Veines It is good also against Poyson and the Venome of Serpents and therefore it is a good ingredient in Antidotes used for that purpose A dram thereof taken with a like quantity of Pepper every morning fasting for certaine dayes together is very effectuall for those that have a loathing in their Stomacks to meat and is a very good remedy for the Dropsy and for Convulsions or Crampes The same also is good against the Wind-Collick Phlegme and raw matter in the body or any member of the same the powder thereof being drunk with Wine The decoction thereof being sate in by women that are troubled with the Mother profiteth very much for as Galen saith it openeth obstructions digesteth crudities expelleth corrupt humors cutteth tough Phlegme and consumeth congealed matter in the body and therefore it is of excellent use for the stopping of Urine or Womens Courses as is said before taken either in drinke or by fomentation and being so applyed it also allayeth the inflammations of the Liver Stomack and other parts of the body The whole Plant is used to be boiled in the broth of a Chickin as very hellpfull to ease the paines of the VVombe that VVomen feele after childing and the Powder thereof is singular good for those that are troubled with sâââs in their ãâã or any ãâã Vlcer Being taken with VVine and Vinegâr it is effectuall for those that have an Ulcer in their Stomack if the Stomack or ãâ¦ã y be fomented with the decoction thereof for so it taketh away all Inflammation therein and âasâth the paines that proceed from thence CHAP. CLXI Of Ginger The Names IT is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and in Latine Zingibâris and Zingiber and Gingiberâs and Gingiber in English Ginger all which words no doubt come from an Indian Originall the plant coming from that coast and is followed by all other Nations as neeâe as their Language will permit as Tobacco ââd Hysââ are the one having in Indian the other ân Hebrew Originall The Kinds There be but two sorts of Ginger that I can meet with and the first is the East India Ginger with a white flower and Leaves like unto a flower de Luce having a white root The second is the ârasil Ginger with the Black roote The Form East-India Ginger groweth with Leaves like unto the Water Flagge or Come Flagge the flower is somwhat like unto that of the flower-de-luce the pods and seed also being not much unlike the pods and seeds of the same the roots do likewise spread very much under-ground in a fashion not much different from the rootes of the before-mentioned Plant. This is the best description I can present you with at present it being a difficult thing to describe in words the true proportion of those Plants whose formes we could never have the happinesse to see having received them only from the relations of travellers who very much differ The Places and Time The first groweth as Garcias saith in all the Countries of the East-Indies either planted by the root or sown of seed especially in China and Bengala where it is often preserved greene and sent into the European Countryes The black Ginger which hath Reed like Leaves groweth in Spaine Barbary in the Canary Islands and the Acores and likewise Hispaniâla neere Santo Domingo It flourisheth in the hot time of the Summer and looseth his Leaves in Winter The Temperature Ginger heateth and dryeth in the third degree The Signature and Vertues Oswaldus Crâllius a great Philosopher and Hermeticall Physitian in his booke of Signatures doth give the Signature of Ginger to the Stomack for which questionlesse there is nothing better then it whether it be taken simply of it selfe for expelling the VVind and Coldnesse thereof or whether it be used in Composition with such ingredients as are Windy and hurtfull to the Stomack For it warmeth a cold Stomack helpeth digestion and dissolveth VVind both there and in the Bo ãâ¦ã s. Being ground on a Whetstone into a faire Bâson and as much salt put thereto both which being well mixed and tempered with White-Wine and theâ suffered to settle for twenty foure houres and afterwards the clearest being put into a glasse and the Eyes annointed therewith cleereth the sight thereof and taketh away the pin and wâb therein Being boiled in Honey and Vinegar and put into a tooth that is hollow it easeth the paines thereof and so it doth likewise if it be boiled with Ground Ivy in Wine and the mouth held over the fume thereof and the teeth be rubbed with the Ginger or else burne Ginger black Pepper and salt of each a like quantity in a linnen clout and lay a little of the Powdeâ on a linnen cloath and apply it to the Tooth It is also very effectuall to stop the Courses of ãâã if it be laid hot on coals with Bay Leaves and Savine and the fume thereof be received through a tunnell in a close chaire Being boyled with as much Enulacampana in faire water to the one halfe and then stamped and strained and a third part of Honey boyled and scummed put thereunto and an Electuary made of it and a good quantity thereof taken morning and evening helpeth the Chine-Cough The Powder of Ginger Liquorice and Sugar mixed with the yolke of an egge and a little salt being warmed in the shell and eaten fasting is very good to cleare the Breast and consequently the Voice Being mixed with black Sope and anointed upon the place that is troubled with a Tetter or Ringworm it will kill either of them It is very good to be used in all manner of Sawces and Coâditures for so it withstandeth s ãâ¦ã ning and correcteth the rawnesse of the Stomack looseneth the belly and helpeth digestion Greene Ginger being preserved provoketh lust digesteth meat warmeth the Stomack and dryeth up the moisture that cometh by eating of fruit It is good for the Phlegme of the Lungs the old Cough shortnesse of breath and all cold griefes impeneth Obstructions helpeth digestion and appetite and expelleth grosse humors and Wind. Whil'st the blade is fresh it is used by the Indians in Sallets and likewise in their broths and meates and to these ends they cut it every sortnight CHAP. CLV Of Galanga The Names I Cannot find that this simple is so much as mentioned by Dioscorides or any other Greek Author no nor by few Latine Authors which makes me imagine that it was not in use in Europe till these later times nor so much as known so that the Greek name thereof may not be expected It is called in Latine Galanga and by the Chinois from whose Countrey it is brought to us Lavandon and by them of Java Laneâaz in English it is called Galanga but commonly Galingale The Kinds There be only two sorts of Galanga mentioned by Authors 1. The greater
Galanga 2. The lesser Galanga The Form The Greater groweth to be two cubits high having Leaves folding about the Stalke being somwhat long and narrow at the lower end and pointed at the end somwhat like a Speares head of a sad greene colour on the upper side and paler underneath The flower is white but without any scent the seed is small and neglected the root is somwhat great at the head like a reed and hath beene thought by some to be a kind of Iris being of a blackish colour on the outside and whitish within The lesser ariseth not above a foot high having Leaves like the Mirtle the root is small and bunched firme and somwhat tough red both within and without and smelleth a little sweet or aromaticall The Places and Times The first groweth in Java and Malaber being Countryes of the East-Indies The other in China concerning the time I find not any Author that maketh mention The Temperature Galanga is hot and dry in the second or third degree The Vertues and Signature This Galanga is also set down by the aforementioned Crollins to have the Signature of the Stomack and from thence it hath beene found to be exceeding profitable in all cold diseases of the Stomack by helping its concoction and expelling Wind and Crudities from it and strengthening it if it be boiled in Wine and taken Morning and Evening It doth also very much comfort and strengthen a moyst bram helps the Vertigo or swimming of the Head and avails against the palpitation or beating of the Heart and is very useful in the gnawing of the stomack and easeth the Cholick which proceedeth of Wind and in the Diseases of the Mother and stopping of the Urine and hath a speedy operation to cleanse the passages thereof from slimy flegm and stones gathered therein or in the passages at the neck of the Yard and also to wast and consume any fleshy excrescence in the neck of the Bladder or Yard Besides it not only provoketh to Venery but helpeth Conception so that there cannot be a better thing for those which desire to supply their want of Children for it is profitable for them that have cold Reins and excellent for them that have cold and windy distempers of the Womb. Being boyled in Wine and so taken it helpeth a stinking breath and dissolveth the hardness of the Spleen There be also to be had at the Apothecaries Shops both a Powder and Electuary whose chief Ingredient is Galingall both which prevail against Wind sower belchings and indigestion grosse humors and cold Diseases of the Stomach and Liver You may take half a dram of the powder at a time or two of the Electuary in the morning fasting or an houre before meat If Galingall be drunk with the water or Juyce of Plantane it stoppeth the Bloody-Flux and strengtheneth nature comforteth the Brain and helpeth the trembling of the Heart Both the sorts above-mentioned may be used to good purpose in Meats as well as Medicines but the lesser is both of more use and of greater effect and indeed is to be used only in all the Compositions wherein Galanga is appointed yet when the one is not to be had the other may be and is used The best is full of small holes CHAP. CLXIII Of Cardamomes The Names THey are called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Cardamomum in imitation of the Greeks who gave it that denomination from the likeness of it to Amomum and the vertues thereof it being very profitable for that Disease of the Stomack which is called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã for the affinity that the veins belonging to the mouth of the stomack have with the heart and because being slit in two it represents the form of the Heart In Shops Grana Paradisi In English Cardamomes after the Greeks but commonly Grains or Grains of Paradise The Kinds Whosoever shall observe the Cuts in Gerard may collect from thence that there are five sorts of Cardamomes 1. The greater Cardamomes of the Arabians 2. The greater Cardamomes of the Shops 3. The middle sort of Cardamomes 4. The lesser Cardamomes 5. The least Cardamomes The Form Cardamomes grow by the report of the learned upon an Herby Plant of the height of one Cubit not unlike in substance to the Herb that beareth Ginger whereupon doth grow a great Cod or Husk in shape like a Fig when it groweth upon the Tree but of a russet colour thrust full of small Seeds or Grains of a dark reddish colour as may be plainly seen when it is divided and of a very hot tast The Places and Time They grow in all the East-Indies from the Port of Calecute unto Cananor it groweth in Malavar in Joa and divers other places They spring up in May being sowen of Seed and bring their fruit to ripeness in September The Temperature Cardamomes are hot and dry in the third Degree having in them an astringent faculty The Vertues The Seeds called Cardamomes or Grains of Paradise are generally received to be of admirable efficacy for that distemper of the stomack called the Cardiack passion in which it is very prevalent and indeed the Cods wherein the Seed is contained have some similitude with the stomack It is also very useful when the stomack is not able to perform the Office of digestion or when the appetite hath any need of provocation and likewise for the suppressing of vomiting when either of them proceed of a cold cause if so be it be only chewed in the mouth and so it draweth forth watery and flegmatick humours both from the Head and Stomack It is in like manner profitable against the Falling-sickness the Sciatica the Cough resolutions of the Sinews Ruptures pains of the Belly killing of Worms and provoking Urine being drunk with Sack and so it not only comforteth and warmeth the weak cold and feeble stomack but helpeth the Ague and riddeth the shaking fits A dram of Cardamome-Seed drunk in Wine with as much Bark of Laurel breaketh the Stone and being mixed with Ale wherein Time and Parsley have been boyled and then strained it is a good remedy for the Chollick It is a good Spice for Women that are troubled with any grief particularly belonging to that Sex It provoketh Urine when it is stopped or passeth with pain resisteth poyson and the sting of Scorpions and other venomous Creatures It expelleth Wind powerfully from other entralls as well as the stomack easeth those that by falls or beatings are bruised and broken and those that are tormented with the Sciatica or Hip-Gout and being boyled in Vinegar or sleeped therein and used it is good against Scabs and Tetters The Powder of it put into the nose comforteth the feeble brain or if it be put with the Oyl of Musk in an Egge-shell till it boyl and then anointed therewith It is said by some to be the chief of all Seeds CHAP. CLXIV Of Pepper The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã
when they be ful ripe and eaten with discretion they are very commodious to such as have hot Stomacks to strengthen the same and to make good digestion and if they be offensive to any through windynesse they may be corrected with Ginger Caraway Comfits Fennell-seed or the like how ever the danger will be the lesse if they be rosted baked or stewed either of which waies they may be presented at the Table or elsewhere They are also profitable in hot diseases both of the Stomack and Heart qualifying the heat of each with their pleasant moisture Being roasted and eaten with rose-Rose-water and Sugar and those of the pleasanter kinds as Pippins and Pearemaines they are helpfull to dissolve Melancholly humours to expell heavinesse and procure Mirth and are good against the Pleurisy if three or foure graines of Olibanum be rosted in one of them and so eaten And if they be roasted and eaten with the Juice of Liquorice and Sugar morning and evening two houres before meat they wonderfully helpe those that are troubled with the Cough or any paine in their Breast They are also good for those that loath their meat or are given to Casting The Pulp of four or five roasted Pomewaters laboured in a Wine quart of faire water till it be like Lambs-Wooll and drunk last at night cureth those that pisse by drops and helpeth all other diseases proceeding of the difficulty of making Water at the second if not at the first taking The aforesaid Apples give the denomination to that Oyntment called Pomatum which is of much use to soften and supple the roughnesse of the skin and take away the chaps of the lips hands face or other parts The Juyce of Pippins and Pearemaines are used also in compositions to mend the qualities of Medicines that are dry as Sârapium ex pomis regii saporis Antidotum ex Granis Cocci Baphici id est Confectio Alkermes which last is a mighty strengthner of the Heart and Spirit Vitall The Pap of an Apple with Rose-water applyed to the Eyes doth quench the burning and taketh away the rednesse of them An Apple rosted in the Embers and mixed with butter and honey or the yolke of a boyled egge and applyed is good to ripen any Impostume whatsoever being fryed in Virgins Wax and eaten as hot as they can be suffered they stay the bloody Flux The Blossomes of Apples are not only the most convenient food for Bees as being of a very delicate smell but are also usefull for those which are troubled with a red Nose and face they being distilled in Balneo Mariae and the face washed morning and evening with the Water The Leaves boiled and given to drink in hot Agues and where the heate of the Liver and Stomack causeth the Lips to break forth and the Throat to grow dry harsh and surred it is very good to wash and Gargle it withall and to drink down some Cider which is the juice of many Apples pressed forth is of singular good use in the heat and faintings of the Stomack and against Casting or Vomiting a Posset being made therewith or some of it taken by it selfe It is of great use at Sea in long Voyages and is more desired then Perry by Vintners who since French Wine hath been so scarce mingle it with a little French Wine and sell it insteed thereof The juice of Crabs which we commonly call Verjuice applyed with wet cloathes to such places as are burned and scalded cooleth healeth and draweth the fire out of them A rotten Apple applyed to Eyes that are blood shotten or enflamed with heat or that are black and blew by any stroake or fall all day or all night helpeth them quickly The distilled water of good sound-Apples is of speciall good use to expell Melancholly and to procure Mirth and that of rorten ones cooleth the heate and inflammations of sores and is good to bath soule and creeping Vlcers and to wash the face to take away spots freacles or other discolourings of the face The inner yellow barke either of Apple-Tree or Crab-Tree boyled with Allom causeth those things that are put thereinto to be of an yellow colour CHAP. CLXIX Of the Peare-Tree The Names THat which is mannured is called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Greek and somtimes ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã with a double ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and in Latine Pirus and Pyrus because of the similitude of its forme with that of a Pyramis The Wild-Peare is called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Greek as being of no use having its derivation from a privativa and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Utor and indeed is of very little use yet Dioscorides saith that ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã is is a particular sort of Wild-Peare and that the generall name is ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Pirus Sylvestris and Pyraster or Piraster The Wardens are called Vâlema The Kinds There are saith a late Author 400 or 500 severall sorts of Peares and consequently of Peare-Trees so that to set them all down would be very tedious yet I shall not think it amisse to name a few 1. The Jennetting Peare 2. St. Jeames Peare 3. The Windsor-Peare 4. The Burgamet-Peare 5. The Quince-Peare 6. The Bishops-Peare 7. The Katharine-Peare 8. The Green-field-Peare 9. The Winter-Peare 10. The Warden 11. The Choake Peare 12. The Hedge-Peare 13. The Lowsy Hedge-Peare 14. The Crow Wild-Peare The Forme The Peare-Tree is for the most part higher then the Apple-Tree having boughes not spread abroad but goweth up in height the Body is many times great and the Wood of a yellow colour the leafe is somwhat broad finely nicked on the Edges green above but somewhat whiter underneath the Flowers are white the fruit is for the most part long and in forme like a Casting-Top but in greatnesse colour and tast very much differing among themselves having contained in them black kernells when they be ripe The Root groweth after the same manner as that of the Apple-Tree doth The Places and Time The mannured kinds are Planted in Orchards and Gardens both as Standards and Wall-Trees The biggest that ever I saw of them growing against a Wall was in the Garden of the Earle of Northumberland at Sion neere Brainford whose branches extended themselves after a very wonderfull manner The Wild sorts are found in Woods and Hedges in Kent Worcester and Herefordshire The Flowers do for the most part come forth in April the leaves afterwards Peares are not all ripe at one time some of them being ripe in June some in July others in August and divers in September and later The Temperature Peares are also said to be cold and moist in the first degree and have in them a binding quality and an earthy substance the Choak-Peares and thoâe that are harsh being more earthy and the sweet ones lesse The Vertues and Signature When Peares are unripe and raw they engender Wind and so cause the Collick but if they be rosted baked or stewed
they are not unwholesome And eaten after meat being ripe and well gathered they close up the mouth of the Stomack and fortiââe digestion Being boyled with a little Honey they helpe the Stomack very much that hath any paines or oppression therein The sweet and lushious sorts do helpe to move the belly downwards more or lesse and therefore may be eaten moderatly that by those are costive Those that are harsh and sowre do on the contrary part bind the belly as much and therefore are good to be eaten of those that are troubled with the Laske or bloody-Fluxe but with moderation also for all excesse is dangerous The Wardân is cheifely yea only admitted to be taken by thoâe that are sick and aguish being first baked stewed or rosted in that it hath no aââriction therein to breed obstructions which are the utter enemies to putrid Feavers and indeed it deserveth commendation above all the rest both because it may be preserved longer and is more amiâable to the nature of man Pears applyed outwardly are effectuall for hot tumors and greene wounds if they be laid to at the beginning and so are the Leaves for they close and heale new wounds but more especially Wild Peares and their Leaves The Perry that is made of these Peares is a speciall Cordiall chearing and reviving the Spirits making the Heart glad as Wine of Grâpes and this it may be said to do by that Signature which some Peares have It is also profitable for long life as well as health for it hath been observed that those that drink Perây and Sydâr daily or frequently as their common drink are generally healthy persons and long lived It is of speciall use at Sea in long Voyages to mingle with their fresh-water Peares being boyled in faire Water with rose-Rose-water and Honey and then drained through a Cloath or Colender and afterwards dryed in an Oven after a Batch of bread may be kept all the yeare being an excellent repast Some are preserved in Sugar as other fruits are and served in banquets amongst other sweet-meats or dryed up after they are preserved and so put amongst other dry candyed Junkets The Wood is smooth close and firme and serveth for many uses as to make Moulds and Prints to expresse the figure of a Plant or any such thing to make Rulers Pistoll ââocks c when no fitter wood can be gotten CHAP. CLXX Of the Peach-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Malus Persica and Rhodacina the Nectarin which hath much affinity with it is called by Matthiolus and Casalpiââs Nucipers ca because it resembleth the Wall-Nut in the round smooth outer rind and the Peach in Meat substance and stone Aâg ãâ¦ã vââ calleth it Pârsicâ Nux for the same Reason and Pliny Nuciprunum The Kinds Of Peaches there are divers kinds I shall mention only 1. The White Peach 2. The Red Peach 3. The D'avant Peach 4. The Yellow Peach 5. The Nut-mâg Peach 6. The Nâwington Peach Of Nectarius I find three sorts 1. The Roman red Nectarin 2. The Yellow Nectarin 3. The green Nectarin The Form The Peach-Tree never groweth to any great bignesse but is planted either by it selfe or against a Wall but yet spreadeth branches reasonable well from whence spring smaller reddish Twigges long and narrow Leaves nicked on the edges somwhat like unto those of the willow and of a bitter tast the flowers be of a light purple colour after which followeth the fruit which hath a chink ââ cleft on the one side being otherwise very round Some are much smaller then others as also differing in colour and tastes as russet red or yellow waterish or firme with a frize or cotten all over with a rugged fuârowed great stone within and a bitter kernell within that The Places and Time Some suppose that these Trees had their Originall from Persia but there is no Author I know that maketh positive mention thereof Most of them are nursed up familiarly in divers Gentlemens Gardens throughout the Land but especially by those Gârdiâers that live neere the Citty of London which they are ready ãâ¦ã ll to thoâe that want them They flower in April or thereabouts and their fruit iâ ripe in September The Temperature Peaches be cold in the first degree and moist in the second but the kernells be hot and dry The Vertues Peaches eaten moderately for so we are to use all fruits as I said before are by the approbation of the learned Physitian Dioscorides very profitable for the Stomack and also to coole and loosen the belly especially if those that eat them are of hot constitutions but then it will not be amisse according to the advice that is given in Schola Salerni to take a cup of Wine or strong drink with them for there it is said Persica cum musto vobis datur ordine justo and so no doubt they are lesse dangerous The best time of eating them is before meales as Galââ sheweth and not after meat as our manner is in England for being eaten after meat they swim uppermost and so both corrupt themselves and also other meates whereas being eat before they mollify the belly as is said already provoke appetite and qualify the distemperature of Choler in the Stomack Leonicerus saies they may be eaten in burning Feavers and Pliny commends them also for the sick The Kernells of the stones do wonderfully ease the paines and wringings of the belly through Wind or sharp humours and are with other ingredients very admirable for the Stone The Milk or Creame of the said Kernells being drawn forth with some Vervaine Water and applyed to the Fore-head and Temples doth much helpe to procure rest and sleepe to sick persons wanting it and so doth the Oyle that is drawn from them if the places afore mentioned be anointâd therewith Used in the same manner it helpeth the Megrim and all other paines in the Head The same Oyle put into Clysters easeth the paines of the Wind-Chollick and annointed on the lower part of the beâây it doth the like and dropped into the ears it easeth the paines of them and so doth the juice of the Leaves If the Kernells be bruised and boyled in Vinegar untill they become thick and applyed to the Head it marvelâously procures the Haire to grow againe upon bald places or where it is too thin which is signified by the down that groweth upon the fruit The Leaves of Peaches bruised and laid on the belly killeth Wormes and so do they also being boiâed in Ale and drunk and open the belly to boot and after they are dryed they discuss humors The powder of which being strewed upon fresh bleeding wounds stayeth their bleeding and closeth them up The Flowers steeped all night in a little wine set in a warme place and then strained forth in the morning and drunk fasting doth gently open the belly and moâe it downwards and if you would
colour and sharpen the Eyesight The distilled water of Black Cherrâes having the stones bruised with them is good to be powred into the mouthes of them that have the Falling-Sicknesse as often as the Course of the fit doth trouble them and is effectuall to provoke Urine to break the stone expell the gravel and break VVind CHAP. CLXXIV Of the Goosberrie-Bush The Names IT is not yet resolved whether this Shrub were known to the ancient writers or no some would have it to be the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of Theophrastus which is somewhat improbable because he maketh no mention of any prickles that grow thereon which so accurate an Author as he was could hardly omit The latter writters call it in Latin Grossularia because they are somewhat like Grossâs small green Figs. It is called also Uva crispa and Uva Crispina because the Leaves seem to be crisped or curled In some Countries of England it is called the Feaberry in others the Dewbery and in some the wine berry-bush but most commonly the Gooseberry and the fruit hath the same denomination The Kinds There are some sundry sorts of Goosberries some of which I shall mention 1. The Common Goosberrie 2. The Red Goosberry 3. The blew Goosberry 4. The hairy or prickly green Goosberry 5. The great Dutch Goosberry The Form The Goosberry-Bush is a Shrub of three or four Cubits high set thick with sharp prickles it is likewise full of branches slender wooddy and prickly but the lower part of the stalks are smooth The Leaves are cut with deep gashes into divers parts somewhat like those of the vine of a very green colour the Flowers are very small of a whitish green with some little purple dasht here and there the fruit is round growing Scatteringly upon the branches green at âhe first but waxing a little yellow when they come to maturity full of a winy suyce somewhat sweet in tast when they be ripe in which is contained hard âeed of a brownish colour which may be seen through the skin which though it be thick at first doth afterwards become transparent the Root is wooddy and not without many strings annexed thereunto The Places and Time The sorts above-named with divers others do grow in many Gardens about London in great abundance whence they are carried into Cheap-side and other places to be sold The Leaves commonly appear in March and the flowers not long alter the fruit is ripe in June and July The Temperature The Berries of this bush before they be quite ripe are cold and dry and that in the latter end of the second degree and also binding The Vertues Goosberries are used in the Month of May and June either to make sawce for green Geese to stew with Mutton and the like or else to make Tarts or to be eaten after they are scalded with rose-Rose-water and Sugar all which wayes they provoke appetite and coole the Vehement heat of the Stomack and Lââer They are sometimes boyled in broth and so they do not onely make it pleaâânt to the tast but render it very profitable to such as are troubled with an hot burning Ague They are very much desired by Women with Child and by young Maidens also whilst they be unripe but surely they profit not the former unlesse it be to stay their longing nor the latter unlesse it be to breed the Green-Sicknesse for they stop the Courses except they happen to be taken into a cold Stomack and then they do but trouble and clogg the same The Ripe Berries as they are Sweeter so they are lesse offensive to the stomack yet they are eaten more for pleasure then for any proper or speciall effect for any disease but by reason of their lubricity or sliperinesse they easily descend out of the Stomack without any trouble however the safest way of eating them is when they are preâerved with Sugar The Decoction of the Leaves cooleth hot Swellings and inflammations as also St. Anthonies fire The young and tender Leaves eaten raw in a Sallet break the Stone and expell Gravell both from the Kidneys and Bladder Too much of the fruit will breed Crudities and Consequently Wormes CHAP. CLXXV Of the Barbery-bush The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Ã spinarum acuminatis Cuspidibus from the sharp prickles wherewith nature hath armed it from whence the Latins call it Oxyacantha Galeni there being some difference between Dioscorides and Galen concering this plant which is the name used in the Shops at this day yet some call it Berberies of the corrupted name Amyrberis by which Avicen calls it and from thence is the English word Barberies derived The Kinds Though all Barbery Bushes have the same forme as to the stature Leaves and Prickles so that there may seeme to be but one sort yet because they beare three several sorts of fruits Authors make three sorts of them 1. The Ordinary Barbery-Bush 2. The Barbery-Bush whoâe berries are thrice as bâg as the former 3. The Barbery-Bush whose berries are for the most part without stones The Form The Barbery-Bush shooteth forth many Slender Stems or stalks from the root sometimes to a great heighth covered with a smooth whitish rinde or bark being yellow underneath next the wood which is white easy to break and pithy in the middle set full of sharp small white thornes three at every leafe almost which are somewhat small and long finely dented about the Edges and of a fresh green colour the Flowers come forth at the joynts with the Leaves many standing on a long cluster yellow while they are fresh which turn into small long and round berries hanging down in long bunches upon a small stalk white at the first but very Red when they are through-Ripe of a sharp sowre taste able to set their teeth on edge that eat them the Root is yellow and spreading The Places and Times It groweth not onely in many of the woods in Austria Hungary France but in England also in some hedges and borders of fields Especially at a Village called Iver two miles from Cole-brook where there be divers hedges conââââing of nothing else but Barberie-Bushes yet in most places they are not found but in Gardens Orchards and Closes adjoyning to some dwelling house or other The Leaves and Blossoms come forth in April and May and the fruit is ripe in September and October The Temperature The Leaves and fruit of the Barbery-bush are cold and moist in the second degree and as Galen also affirmeth they are of this parts and have a certain cuting quality The Vertues The green Leaves of the Barbery-bush stamped and made into sawce as that made of Sorrell called Green Sawce doth coole hot Stomacks and those that are vexed with hot burning Agues and procureth Appetite cooling the Liver and repressing sowre belchings of Choler The fruit is much more cooling and binding quenching thirst and restraining Chollerick and pestilentiall Vapors and is of very good use in Agnes
that proceed from such causes if either the Conserve of the depurate juyce or the Syrup thereof be taken with the Syrup of Violetts The said juyce also or the berries themselves either conserved or preserved is often used for those that loath their meat to procure an Appetite and represse the force of Choler rising from the Liver thereinto and that which passeth into the bowels procuring sharp laskes as the bloody flux c. It helpeth likewise to stay Womens Immoderate courses and if it be taken with a little sowthernwood-Sowthernwood-water and Sugar it killeth the Wormes in the body It is good also for those that Spit blood to fasten loose teeth strengthen the gums and coole the inflammations of the palate and throat if the Conserve be dissolved in water mingled with a little Vinegar and a gargle made there of and stayeth Rheums and distillations upon those parts It helpeth likewise to dry up moist Vlcers and to soder up greene The said depurate juice called Wine of Barberies serveth to dissolve many thing Chimically The inner yellow bark of the branches or root hath the Signature of the yellow Jaundise and therefore is with good successe given unto them that have it being boyled and drunke The same laid in steep in white Wine for the space of three houres purgeth wonderfully as 't is said CHAP. CLXVI Of the Curran-Tree The Names IT is more then probable that this Plant was not known to the ancient Greek writers seeing there is no Greek name for it that we can learne It is called Ribes and Ribesius frutex from some Analogy it hath both in respect of the berries and also in the properties with the Ribes of Serapio and not that it is the same Gesner calleth it Ceanothus levis but it is accounted by divers to be a kind of Grossularia who therefore call it Grossularia Rubra Grossularia ultramarina Bauhinus calleth the white sort Grossularia hortensis margaritis similis The black sort is generally called Ribes fructu nigro in English Black Currans as other are Red and White but the White are called Gozell in some parts of Kent The Kinds Of these kind of Currans which are none of those which are sold at the Grocers there be foure sorts of Trees 1. The ordinary red Curran-Tree 2. The great red Curran-Tree 3. The white Curran-Tree 4. The black Curran-Tree The Forme The stemme or stock of the Curran-Tree hath a very thin outer bark which in the red black Curran-Tree is brownish but in the white it is whitish all of them being green underneath and are about the bignesse of a good great staffe wholly without thornes on any branch whereon grow large cornered blackish greene Leaves cut in on the edges into five parts somewhat like a Vine-leafe but a great deale lesse The Flowers come forth at the joynts of the Leaves many together on a long stalke hanging down about a fingers length of an herby colour after which follow round berries all greene at the first but afterwards as they grow ripe they tend to their severall colours and are then cleare and transparent the red are of a little pleasant and tart tast withall the White more Winy and acceptable but both the Leaves and Fruit of the black have a kind of strong evill sent but yet are wholesome although not so pleasant as any of the former and are eaten by many the root is wooddy and spreadeth diversly The Places and Time All these sorts have been found growing naturally wild some in Savoy and Switzerland as Gesner saith and some in Austria as Clusius whence they have been trasplanted into our English Gardens where they beare well They flower in the beginning of April and their fruit is ripe in June and July continuing on the bushes long after they are ripe before they fall or are withered The Temperature All these sorts of Currans are cold and moist and that in the first or second degree and somwhat astringent The Vertues The red and white Currans when they be ripe are very profitable to allay the heat and fainting of the Stomack and to quench thirst and to provoke an appetite and therefore are safely permitted in hot and sharpe Agues for the juice of them tempereth the heat of the Liver and blood and the sharpnesse of Choler and resisteth putrefaction It taketh away likewise the loathing of meat and the weaknesse of the Stomack by much Vomiting for it closeth the mouth thereof and represseth the distemper whereof it is caused It is said also to stop the laske that proceedeth of Choller and the bloody flâxe and that it is usefull for the Cough especially the dryed juyce or Rob thereof which is made after this manner Take of the juice of Currans clarified twelve pound boile it halfe away and adde to the remainder old White-Wine five pound consume the third part over a gentle fire taking away the scum as you ought let the rest settle and streine it and with three pound of Sugar boile according to Art till it be somthing thicker then new Honey And being thus made you may take a little on the point of a knife as often as you have occasion to use it for any of the purposes aforesaid The black Currans be used in sauces and so are the Leaves also by many who like the tast and sent of them though others do not I might proceed further in declaring at large how that the fruit of the Raspeberry bush the Service-Tree the Cornell-Tree the Filberd Hazel and Chest-nut-Tree is used for food rather then Physick but because few of them or any other that I have omitted have any eminent Quality profitable to the Stomack I shall only name them here and if occasion serve treat of them in the following part as I have done of some other in the foregoing Onely I shall not think it amisse to specify that most sorts of Graine as Wheat Rye Barly Beanes Pease Oates Rice Lentills c. are usefull for food and so are divers Rootes as Turneps Carrets Parsneps Potatoes Skirrets Onyons Leeks Garlick Radishes c to which may be added Melons Pepons Cucumbers Artichokes c as also divers herbs as Cabbage Coleflowers Beets Lettice Spinage Asparagus Chervaile Alexanders Buglosse Borage Tarragon Bawme Mint Sage Sorrell c some whereof are profitable to the Stomack whereas others by reason of their windinesse are obnoxions thereunto unlesse they be eaten with discretion after they be corrected by the fire and have some Pepper strewed upon them to expell the Wind It will be needlesse to mention them againe to tell you which of them stand most in need of correction for that every good Huswife can tell but if any one desires further to be resolved he shall find most of them handled dispersedly in this book I shall now descend to the Liver for thither is the Chyle conveyed through the Meseraick veines for sangufication and comes next to be rectifiod CHAP. CLXXVII Of Rubarb The
Names I Find no Author that setteth down the Greek name of this Simple and I suppoâe the reason is because it is of later invention it being not that PaÌâ which Dioscorides mentioneth but brought out of China and called so from the River Rha on whose bankes it is said very plentifully to grow The Common Latine name is Rhabarbarum the reason whereof whosoever desires to know may read much thereof in Parkinsons Herball and be unresolved when he hath done The Kinds Of Rubarb there be six sorts 1. The True Rubarb 2. Bastard Rubarb 3. Monkes Rubarb 4. China Rubarb 5. The broader Elecampane leafed Rubarb 6. The narrower Elecampane leafed Rubarb The Form The True Rubarb riseth out of the ground in the Spring-time with a great round brownish head which openeth it selfe into sundry Leaves one after another very much crumpled together at the first and brownish but after they have spread themselves to a very large round compasse they become smooth being supported by a brownish stalk of the thicknesse of ones Thumb when they are at the biggest and about halfe a yard in length the Leafe also from edge to edge being neere the same breadth of a sad or darke greene colour of a fine sowre tast exceeding that of the Garden or Wood-sorrell amongst which there ariseth though not every yeare a strong thick stalk about a foot higher then the Leaves that grow below and like unto them but lesser at every joynt up to the top and among the Flowers which be white spreading forth into many branches and consisting of five or six small white Leaves a peice hardly to be discerned from the white threds in the middle after which come brownish three square seeds like unto those of other Dockes whereof it is a kind The root which will grow to be very great is of a darke brownish or reddish colour on the outside with a pale yellow skin under it covering the inner substance or root which being pared away the root appeareth of so fresh and lively a colour with fresh coloured Veins running through it that no Rubarb whatsoever can excell it which being dryed carefully by the gentle heat of a fire and every piece kept from touching one another it will hold its colour well and is commended by those that have made tryall of it The Places and Time The first as it is reported grew in Thracia whence it was brought to Venice and from thence to us the seed being sent by Dr. Lister to Mr. Parkinson who husbanded it so well that it grew and in two or three yeares brought forth much seed by which he furnished many of his friends Yet I find it growing very rarely and that in no great quantity not remembring that ever I saw it before the writing hereof but only in the Physick Garden at Oxon and in the Garden of one Cudymion Campion of Wansworth in the County of Surrey The second groweth naturally upon the hills not farre from Caria in Germany as also neere Friburg in Switzerland on the Mountaines in Austria groweth also plentifully in many of our Gardens where it is sowen The thârd groweth about Lausannâ in Savoy as Tragus saith but only in Gardens with us The fourth groweth in China as the name expresseth and is that as the Apothecaries pretend that is made use of in shops because they may have the greater price âor it although that of England is as effectuall for many purposes The fift is to be found on Mount Baldus neere Verona in Italy and on the hills in Switzerland and the last came out of Italy also These sorts flower in June and the seed is ripe in July The Rootes which are for use must not be taken up till the Stalk and Leaves be quit withered and gone which will be in October for should they be taken before or after the Leafe begins to put forth they would lose much of their colour The Temperature Rubarb is hot and dry in the second degree of a mixt substance partly airy thin and purging partly grosse and earthy whereby it is binding and drying The Monkes Rubarb which is also dry but cooling is not so frequently used as formerly since the Bastard Rubarb hath been so plentifull The Vertues Rubarb is so effectuall for the Liver that it is called the Life Soul Heart and Treacle of the Liver purging from thence Choler Phlegme and watery humours and is therefore usefull in Cholerick and long continued Feavours in the Jaundies Green sicknesse Dropsy Stoppings of the Liver as also against the hardnesse thereof and intemperate coldnesse being taken of it selfe made into Powder and drunk in a draught of White-Wine fasting after it hath been steeped therein all night or put among other purges as shall be thought convenient It is likewise good against the Windinesse Wambling and Weaknesse of the Stomack and all paine thereof the Crampe gnawing and griping of the Belly Kidneys and Bladder the Ach of the Breasts and Mother the Sciatica spitting of blood Sobbing Hicket the bloody Flux and Lasks and all Stingings and venomous bitings one dram thereof being taken in Hydromel or Honyed Water The Powder taken with Cassia dissolved and a little washed Venice Turpentine clenseth the Reines and strengtheneth them afterwards and is very effectuall to stay the running of the Reines or Gonorrhea It is also given for paines and swellings of the Head for those that are troubled with Melancholy and helpeth the Gout The Powder of Rubarb taken with a little Mummia and madder Rootes in some red-Wine dissolveth clotted blood in the body hapning by any fall or bruise and healeth burstings and broken parts as well inward as outward The Oyle likewise wherein it hath beene boyled worketh the like effects being anointed It is used to heale the Ulcers that happen in the Eyes and Eyelids being steeped in White-Wine or any other convenient Liquor and then strained as also to asswage swelling and inflammations and applyed with Honey or boyled in Wine it taketh away all black and blew spots or markes that happen therein Whey or White-Wine are the best Liquors to to steep it in and thereby it worketh more effectually in opening Obstructions and purging the Liver and Stomack many do use a little Indian Spiknard as the best Corrector thereof The Seed of Bastard Rubarbe easeth the gnawing and griping paines of the Stomack and taketh away the loathing thereof The Root of it helpeth the Ruggednesse of the Nailes and being boyled in Wine it helpeth the Kings-evil as also the Swellings of the Kernells of the Eares It helpeth them that are troubled with the stone provoketh Vrine and helpeth the dimnesse of the sight It is also used in opening and purging Diet Drinkes with other things to open the Liver and to cleanse and coole the blood The Root of Monkes Rubarbe purgeth likewise but not so forcibly as either of the former The Seed therof contrarily doth bind the belly and helpeth to stay Laskes and the
the year which do helpe to stirr up an appetite to meat to help Obstructions of the Spleen and to provoke Urine The Broom Rape is commended by some to be as good as Asparagus taken when they are young and eaten either raw or boyled but they are somewhat bitter The decoction thereof in wine is thought to be as effectuall to avoid the stone in the Kidnies and Bladder and to provoke Urine as the Broom it self The juyce thereof is Singular good to cure as well green wounds as old and filthy sores and malignant Ulcers Being put into oyle Olive and set in the Sun for certain dayes it taketh away all Spots Lentiles Freckles Pimples Wheales and Pushes from the face or any part of the body being anointed therewith All the lesser sorts have the same qualities and may be conducible to the same diseases but some stronger some weaker But the most effectuall of all the Brooms is the Spanish kind which hath not onely all the properties aforesaid very exactly but others also It purgeth both upwards and downwards especially the seed which being taken to the quantity of a dram in Meade or honyed water purgeth by vomit as Hellebore doth yea without trouble or danger An Oxymel or Syrupe made of the Flowers Seed and Vinegar often used breaketh healeth all Impostumes of the Spleen by causing the corrupt matter to void it self and draweth humors from the Joynts CHAP. CXCIV Of the Ash-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and of some ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latin Fraxinus quia facilè frangiâur because the boughs of it are easily broken The seed or rather the inner kernel therof is called Lingua Avis and Lingua Passerina from the form thereof being like unto a Birds Tongue in English Ash-Keyes and of some Kitkeyes and Peter keyes The Tree is called the Ash because its barke is of the colour of Ashes The wild Ash which I here add because of its name is very probable to be the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or Fraxinus montana of Theophrastus which Pliny calleth Ornus of some Orneoglossum Fraxinus sylvestris Fraxinea arbor Fraxinus aucuparia because Boyes and Fowlers use the Berries as Baites to catch Blackbirds Thrushes c. In the English the Wild Ash but more generally Traxinus bubula the Quicken-Tree The Kinds There be no more sorts then what I have already mentioned viz. 1. The Common great Ash 2. The wild Ash or Quicken-tree The Forme The Ash commonly riseth up with a straight body sometimes to a very great thickness but commonly of a middle sise and is covered with a smooth barke of a grayish colour spreading reasonable wel and bearing long winged Leavs consisting of others which stand by couples one over against another the uttermost onely being excepted which standeth alone all which are long narrow gentle of a pale green colour and dented about the Edges at sundry joynts with the Leaves cometh forth a bunch of flowers and after them a bunch of seeds commonly called keyes tasting somewhat strong and hot in the mouth there be sometimes small round Balls called Apples growing therein but not in every place The timber of it contrary to the branches is strong and tough and therefore is much used in Coaches Carts Ploughes and other instruments of Husbandry but especially to make Pikes for Souldiers The Places and Times The Ash for its usefulnesse both for Timber and Firewood is planted generally throughout the whole Land both in high and Low grounds yet experience tells us that it thriveth best in moist low grounds and by meddow sides The Quicken-Tree groweth in the Woods by High-Gate and in divers other parts And particularly amongst Trees in the walk between Shaford and Gorehambery The Balles or Apples of the Ash come forth in the end of Winter the leaves and flowers of both in the Spring and the seed and fruit is ripe in September The Temperature The Leaves and Bark of the Ash-Tree are dry and moderately hot the seed is hot and dry in the second degree The Vertues There is scarce any part about the Ash but is good for the Dropsy The Leaves and Bark with the tender Crops boiled in Wine and drunk are excellent for it for they purge Water and so doth the Water that is distilled from the Leaves Barke or Seed The young Rootes also boiled in Ale and a draught thereof drunk morning and evening is profitable for the same The said Leaves and Bark boiled in Wine and drunk do likewise open and comfort the Lâver and Spleene and ease the paines and Stitches of the sides and so will they do being boiled in Oyle and applyed to them outwardly and being used in the same manner it is singular good against the biting of the Viper Adder or any other venemous beast to which purpose the seed may also be drunk in Wine according to that Verse of Serenus Fraxineum semen cum Bacchi rore bâbendum est The Leaves and Barke are reported to stop the Belly and being boiled with Vinegar and Water do stay Vomiting if they be laid upon the Stomack Three or foure Leaves taken in Wine every morning constantly doth make those leane which are fat and keepeth them from grossnesse which begin to wax fat and so doth the distilled Water of the Keyes a small quantity taken every morning The Decoction of the Leaves in White Wine helpeth to break the Stone and expell it and cureth the Jaundise The seeds having their Huskes taken off prevaile against Stitcââs and paines in the sides proceeding of Wind and the Stone by provoking Urine They are commended also for the Rickets to increase naturall seed to stir up bodily lust especially being powdered with Nutmegs and drunk The Lye which is made of the ashes of the barke cureth those Heads which are Leprous Scabby or Scal'd being bathed therewith The Leaves of the Wild Ash boiled in Wine are good against the paines in the sides the stoppings of the Liver and asswageth the bellies of those which have the Tympany or Dropsy CHAP. CLXXXXV Of the Sassafras or Ague-Tree The Names THe use of this Ingredient is of late Invention therefore it were in vaine to seek for the Greek name It is called in Latine Sassafras which is also the French and Spanish name but why they called it so is unknown yet the French were the first that discovered the Vertues of it to the Christian world For at their being neere the Florida they got Agues and Swellings in their Legges which as I conceive was the Dropsy and other diseases by lying on the ground and intemperate dyet which they used for which they could get no cure untill they had learned the use of this Tree from the Natives who call it Pavame and Winanke All other Countryes call it Sassafras and amongst them the English who call it also the Ague-Tree from its Vertue in healing the Ague There is hereof but one kind and therefore
Leaves many set together whiâh are somewhat long and hollow ending or spreading into four small Leaves of whitish yellow green colour which give place to small round and somewhat long black-berries when they are ripe wherein lyeth a white kernel The Root groweth down deep into the ground and spreadeth likewise tough long white strings somewhat wooddy Both Leafe and Flower both Bark and Root are very hot and sharp in tast heating the mouth and throat of any that shall tast them It keepeth its green Leaves all the Winter as all other Bay-Trees do even in the coldest yeares The Places and Times The First groweth wild not onely by the Lake of Geneva as Gerard or rather Dâdonâns doth affirm and in other places beyond the Seas but in our own Country also in divers places and particularly between the Hedge and a foot-path that leadeth from St. Albans to Park-Street The other was sent out of Candy as the title testifies The first flowereth very earely in the year even in January or February and sometimes before if the winter be mild The berries are ripe about May or June when the other flowereth or beareth fruit is uncertain seeing it hath not put forth either in this Country The Temperature Spurge Laurell is of a very hot and biting Temperature The Vertues It is reported of this Plant that if the Leaves be gathered with ones hand tending upwards it causeth vomiting if downwards it causeth purging but how true it is I cannot affirm for I never knew it taken inwardly yet I find upon Record that the Leaves purge slymy phlegme and waterish superfluities and are therefore good for the Dropsy and that fourteen or fifteen of the Berries do the like Notwithstanding they are said to purge very violently inflaming and heating the Throat and wringing the Stomack of whosoever shall take thereof and driveth them into divers dangerous diseases howbeit this seemeth to be spoken of the inconsiderate use thereof for it is said that if it be taken advisedly it purgeth phlegme from the Stomack and oftentimes by vomit also it procureth Womens Courses easeth the paines of the Cholick and being chewed in the mouth it draweth down from the Head and Brain much corrupt matter that would offend it And if there be any that understand not what is meant by the word advisedly let them know that it is to be taken after one of these or the like waies The Leaves must be steeped twenty four hours in good strong Vinegar and then dryed and their powder drunk in wine with Anniseeds and Mastick or else boiled in Whey of Sweet milk of broth or a Capon and so taken the dose not exceeding two scruples or one dram The Oyl wherein the fresh Leaves and Berries have been boyled being strained and the belly annointed therewith loosneth it and helpeth the Collick and being annointed on the back and reines provoketh Urine and helpeth the Piles Besides the Berries may be put into a Cataplasme for the Dropsy with Barly and Bean meale Fenugreek root of Wallwort Woormwood and Origan all which are to be sodden in wine and laid over the whole body The Flowers also used in a Glister are much commended for the said disease which is to be made thus Take flowers of Laurell two drams roots of Polypody Agarick of each a dram and half Dodder three drams seeth them in wine or water till the Third part be consumed then take of the Liquor of that decoction one pound of Benedicta Laxativa half a dram of Electuarium nidum two drams and a half Honey of Roses one ounce Oyles of Rue Camomile and flowered Luce of each one ounce of Sal Gemmae a dram and a halfe Commixe them all and make a Gliââer CHAP. CXCIX Of Toad Flax. The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Osyris as Fuchsius saith in Latin Pseudolinum and Liâaria from the resemblance of its Leaves with the true Line or Flax and Urinalis and Urinaria from its effects in provoking Urine Some have called it Esula adulterina from the resemblance it hath with a small kind of Esula or Spurge yet they may easily be distinguished if the stalk or Leaves thereof be broken for one hath milke the other hath not according to that old verse Esula lactescit siâe lacte Liâaria ârescit Some have taken it to be the AntirrhiAntirrhinum of Pliny and indeed it seemeth to be a kind of Snapdragon by its flowers yet others will rather have it to be Osyris both of Pliny Dâoscorides and Galen whereunto it doth in many things agree There is a kind hereof which is called Scoparia and Herba Studiosorum because Scholers heretofore swept their Studdies with beesomes made thereof and Belvâdeâe of the Italians for the glorious shew that the flower of it makes Some call it Wild-Flax in English but that name doth more properly belong to another kind it is called also Toad-Flax because Toads will some times shelter themselves amongst the branches of it and Flax-weed in Sussex Gallwort The Kinds Though there be many sorts of Flax-weed I shall trouble you but with ten of them 1. Great Toad-flax 2. Sweet purple Toadflax 3. Variable Toad-flax 4. Toad-flax of Valentia 5. White Toad-flax 6. Purple Toad-flax 7. Bushy Toad-flax 8. Golden Toad-flax 9. Broom Toad-flax 10 Sparrowes Toad-flax The Vertues The common Toad-flax is well known to have divers stalkes full fraught with long and narrow bâew Aâh coloured Leaves without any footstalke at them like unto those of Flax but the stalkes are not so long from the middle of which up to the top come forth the Flowers which are many of a pale yellow colour of a strong unpleasant scent with deep yellow mouths like the flowers of Snapdragon the seeds which are blackish and flat are inclosed in round heads the Root is somwhat woody and White especially the maine down right one with many fibres thereat abiding many yeares shooting forth rootes every way round about and new branches every yeare The Places and Time Some of these sorts are wild some grow only in Gardens the expressing of their particular places would be to little purpose seeing none but the ordinary sort groweth naturally in our Land for as much as I can learne They flower from June till the end of Summer some of their seed being usually ripe towards the end of August The Temperature Toad flax is hot and dry as may be perceived from its bitternesse and also from the faculty it hath in provoking Urine The Vertues The Common sort of Toad-flax whose description I have set down is that which is most used in Physick It provoketh Urine both when it is stopt as also in those that are troubled with the Dropsy to spend the abundance of those watery humors by Urine which it draweth down wonderfully helping also to wash the Reines and Uritory parts from Gravell or Stones gathered therein and this it doth if the decoction of the Herb both Leaves and
flowers in Wine be taken and drunk And so it doth somwhat move the Belly downwards openeth the obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundise expelleth Poyson provoketh Womens Courses driveth forth the After-birth and Dead-Child The distilled Water of the Herb and Flowers is effectuall for all the same purposes and in especiall being drunk with a dramme of the powder of the seeds or bark of the root of Wall-wort and a little Cinamon for certaine dayes together is held to be a singular remedy for the Dropsy to spend the Water and humors the juice of the herb or distilled Water dropped into the eyes is a certaine remedy for all heate inflammations and rednesse in the Eyes The juice or distilled Water put into foule Ulcers whether they be cancrous or fistulous with tents rouled therein or the parts washed or clensed herewith by the spirting of it into them cleareth them throughly from the bottome and healeth them up safely The same juice or water doth likewise cleanse the skin of all manner of deformity as the Lepry Morphew Scurfe Wheales Pimples or any other spots or markes therein applyed of it selfe or with some powder of Lupines for which purpose Pliny saith that the Women of his time made a kind of sope of it Culpepper saith that being laid in the Water that Chickens drink it relieves them when they are drooping CHAP. CC. Of Organy or Bastard Majerom The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Origanus concerning the Etymology of which word there be divers opinions Some will have it so called from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã signifying a Mountaine and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Gaudium because it joyeth very much in Mountainous and craggy places others from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to see and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to cleare because it cleareth the Eyes others will have it to come from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to be cold from whence comes ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which by adding unto it becomes ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã but then it must be by Antiphrans too for it is not cold but hot It is called or rather sirnamed Heracleotâcum from Heraclea a Citty of Pontus where is groweth plentifully Oâitâs because Asses and Tragoriganum because Goats are mightily taken with it of divers Cunila in shops Origanum Hispanicum in English Organy and Bastard Marjerom from the likenesse it hath with the true The Kindes Authors make mention of divers sorts hereof but those that are best known in these dayes are foure 1. Organy or Bastard Marjerom 2. White Organy of Greece 3. The greater White Organy 4. Wild Organy The Forme Bastard Marjerom riseth up with divers hard round reddish greene stalkes spreading forth into branches whereon are set sundry Leaves by couples at the Joynts being somewhat round and of a whitish greene colour very like unto Marjerom but larger whiter and harder or rougher in handling at the tops of the branches stand such like scalie heads as Marjerom hath but longer from whence come small whitish purple flowers and afterwards small brownish seed The whole Plant is of a sweet smell and sharpe biting tast like unto Marjerom but that it is higher hotter and sharper The Places and Time It is very likely that not only Greece but Candy and Spaine do naturally bear these soâts of Bastard Marjerome but which of them is more proper to this or that place is uncertaine It is commonly about the end of August or beginning of September before they put forth their tops or heads in our Country so that their Flowers or at least their Seed âeldome come to maturity with us The Temperature All the Sorts of Organies do cut attenuate or make thin dry and heat and that in the third degree as Galen saith who affirmeth that the First is oâ more efficacy then the Third and the last which is sold in Shops then either of them The Vertues The Decoction of Organy in White Wine is given with very good successe to those which have the Dropsy the Vertue thereof lying not âo much in the purging as in the drying quality of it It is given also with Figs for the same purpose as also to them that are bursten or have a rupture and to thoâe which are troubled with Convulsions or Cramps The dryed Herb or juice taken in Honeyed Water purgeth downwards Melancholy and Cholerâck humours âithout danger It is used with Honey as a Lohoc or âicking Medicine against an old Cough and the Stuffing of the Lungs The Decoction thereof is very profitable to thoâe that have the Itch or are Scâbbed and Mangy and those that have Jaundâse are much holpen by it if they take it whiâest they be in a bath made thereof also the same with a few Cloves and Sugar heâpeth those which have the Hickets exceedingly openeth the Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Womb and an other stoppings provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and is good for such as have foure belchings or be troubled with a squeamish Stomack The same is good also for those that are bitten with Serpents or Venemous Beasâs and for such as have taken Hemlock or Opium With Syrup of Vinegar it is good for thoâe that have taken Poyson or the root of Cholchicum Ephemeron The juice of the greene Herb healeth the swellings of the almonds of the Eares the Ulcers oâ the Mouth it draweth forth Phlegme by the Nostrils if it be infused in the Oyle of Flowerdeluce and being used with Milk it easeth the paines of the Eares The Powder thereof mixed with a little Salt-Peter and Honey made into the manne of a thin electuary and the teeth rubbed often therewith will make theâ white and firme It is used in Spaine for the seasoning of Anchoves for it âiveth to them an excellent rellish being made up therewith Tyme may be used âor the same purposes when the other cannot be gotten Both which with Penniroyal Calamint and such other dry herbes being strewed both upon and under those which are afflicted with Hydropicall humors are very profitable for them for it is marvellous to see how much these dry them up whil'st the parties are asleep These are the Simples I have judged most proper for the Liver and in particular for the Dropsy to which I might adde these which follow Sagapenum which is the Gum of Ferula when it groweth in Media as I have said already in the Chapter of Feââell Giant the pills whereof are profitable in the said disease Turbith which is a root brought from beyond Sea and purgeth Water very violently Elaterium which is the juice of Wild-Cucumbers dryed doth the same Euphorbium Spurge Coloquintida Carthamuâ Thymaelea Mezereon c are violent purgers so that though they be appropriated to the Dropsy yet I shall not commend them unto ordinary people but desire them to leave them to those that are very skillfull and content themselves with those I have purposely spoken to at large Besides which there be
Water because of the Strangury or the like Half a dram of the seed beaten to powder and taken in drink killeth the worms in the body and bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth Urine A Syrupe made of the juyce and Sugar cureth the yellow Jaundise easeth the Headach that comes of heat and tempereth the drought of the Liver and Stomack and therefore it is very profitable to be given in long and hot Agues that rise of Choler and Blood The juyce of the Leaves dropped into the Eares cleanseth the corrupt sores therein and helpeth the stench arising from the corruption of them The greatest use that is made of the heads of the Hops is to put them in Beer to alter the quality thereof and to preserve the body from the repletion of grosse humors which Ale being a thicker âiquor doth ingender of which it was said Nil Spâssius est dum bibitur nil clarius dum mingitur unde constat multas faces in ventre relinqui It is drunk thick it is pissed out thin whence it appeares that many dregs are left behind CHAP. CCXXI Of Knot-Grasse The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Polygonum quod multis genâbus crescit because of its many joynts which name most of our Latine writers follow yet there be some that call it Seminalis Sanguinalis Sanguinaria Proserpluaria from its stanching of blood and ceeping upon the ground It is called in the shops of Italy and other places Corrigiola and Centinodia of the severall properties to correct the heat of the Stomack and Body and from creeping upon the ground In English Knot-Grasse Swines grasse because Swine delight to feed thereon in the North Country of divers Birds-tongue of the form of the Leafe some also call it Pink-Weed and some Nine Joynts of its great number of Joynts The Kinds The sorts which may more properly be referred to this kind are fourteen 1. The greater Common Knot-Grasse 2. The Lesser Common Knot-Grasse 3. Smaâl short leafed Knot-Grasse 4. Stoney Knot-Grasse 5. The greater Sea Knot-Grasse 6. The Lesser Sea Knot-Grasse 7. White Mountaine Knot-Grasse 8. Mountaine Knot-Grasse with Stone crop Leaves 9. Spanish Knot-Grasse 10. Small Knot-Grasse of Mompelier 11. Candy Knot-Grasse 12. Lobels Knot-Grasse with Mother of Time Leaves 13. Germans Knot-Grasse or Knawell 14. Another German Knot-Grasse The Form The greater Common Knot-Grasse shooteth forth many long slender branches full of Joynts lying upon the ground with divers long narrow Leaves thereon one for the most part at a Joynt whereat especially from the middle of the branches upwards come forth the Flowers which are so small that they can very hardly be perceived in some of a white in others of a purple colour running afterwards into very small square seed somewhat like unto that of Sorrell The root is reddish long and slender with many strings thereat abiding divers Winters yet the Leaves perish in the Autume and are renewed in the Spring The Places and Time The two first sorts grow every where both by the foot-wayes in the fields especially at the ends of those Lands whereon Winter corn groweth and sometimes by the sides of those High-wayes and old walls The third groweth upon higher grounds and upon Hills and Mountaines The fourth in the same places also in the more stoney parts thereof The fifth and sixt by the Sea side in divers places The seventh in France and Spaine The eighth in Naples The Ninth about Mountaines in France that are neer the Sea The thirteenth about Chipnam in Wiltshire as also in Germany by the way sides where the last groweth also They are in flower and seed all the Summer long The Temperature Knot-Grasse is cold in the second degree or else in the beginning of the third yet it is of a binding quality which signifies that it is dry The Vertues A dram of the powder of Knot-Grasse taken in Wine for many dayes together is singular good to provoke Urine when it is stopped as also when it passeth away by drops and with paine and when it is hot and sharp also and withall to expell wonderfully the Gravell or Stone in the Reines or Bladder Being shred and made into a Tansy with Egges and eaten it greatly prevaileth against the Gonorrhea or runnâng of the Reines also and the weaknesse of the Back coming by meanes thereof The juyce or decoction thereof is most effectuall to stay any bleeding at the mouth and to coole and temper the heat of the blood or of the Stomack and to stay any flux of the blood or Humors either of the belly or womb as the Bloody flux Womens courses both white and red pissing of blood c. The juyce given before the fit of the Tertian or Quartaine Ague comes not onely hindereth it for the present but driveth it quite away as it is said being boiled in wine and drunk it helpeth those that are stung or bitten with Venemous Creatures and the same is very effectuall to stay all defluxions of Rheumatick humors falling down upon the Stomack and killeth wormes in the belly or Stomack and easeth all inward paines that arise of heat sharpnesse and corruption of blood and Choler and is good for inward wounds The distilled water taken by it self or with the powder of the herb or seed is very effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid The juyce hereof stayeth the bleeding of the Nose being applyed to the forehead and Temples or to be snuffed up in the Nose the same cooleth all manner of inflammations as St. Anthonies fire or any other breaking forth of heat all hot swellings and Impostumations all eating fretting or burning sores and fistulous Cancers or foule filthy Ulcers being applyed or put into them but principally for all sorts of Ulcers and sores in the privy parts of Men or Women restraining the humors from following them and cooling and drying up the hot and moist inflammations that are apt to waite upon such sores in such places It helpeth all fresh and green wounds also by restraining the blood and quickly closeth up the Lips of them The juyce dropped into the Eares helpeth them wonderfully although they are foul and have running matter in them and helpeth the Inflammations of the Eyes being put therein The Sea Knot-Grasse is not effectuall as is thought for the griefes aforesaid because the saltnesse which it is supposed to acquire by its nearnesse to the Sea maketh it hotter yet where penetration and not cooling is required it is more forcible then any other The smaller sorts come nearer to the temperature of the Sea kind then of the Land yet they serve to provoke Urine and expell the stone and Gravell by Urine and so doth Knavell where the other is not to be had which is scarcely in any part of this Land CHAP. CCXXII Of Parsly Pert or Parsly Breakstone The Names IT may called be in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as it is in Latin Polygonum Selinoâdes I say it may
also to provoke Urine and Womens Courses They are used also to provoke Appetite ease the paines of the belly and to help the bitâng of a mad Dog or other venemous Creatures especially if it be mixed with a little Honey and Rue The water wherein sliced Onions have been steeped all night killeth the wormes in Children Being rosted under the Embers and eaten with Honey and Sugar and Oile they help an old Cough by cutting the tough Phlegme and causing it easily to be Spit forth It is counted by many a good preservatiue against infection to take Onions fasting with bread and Salt but I dare not subscribe to their Opinion because they do rather draw then expeâl Corruption and therefore their externall use seemeth to be better especially if a great Onyon being made hollow and the place filled up with good Treakle be roasted well under the Embers and after the taking away of the outermost skin be beaten together and applyed to any Plague sore or putrid Ulcer for so it is likely to be a Soveraigne Remedy Being sliced and dipped in the juyce of Sorrell and given to one that is sick of a Tertian Agne to eat it taketh away the fit in once or twice so taking them The continued use especially of the seed thereof increaseth the naturall seed and stirreth upbodily lust The juyce ânuffed up into the Nostrills purgeth the Head and helpeth the Lethargy and is good also for scalding or burning by fire Water or Gunpowder and being used with Vinegar it taketh away all blemishes Spots and marks in the skin and dropped into the Eares easeth the paines and noise in them Applyed also with Figs beaten together with them it helpeth to ripen and break Iâpostumes and other Sores especially being first rosted in Embers stamped with Salt Rue and Honey and so they are good for the biting of a Mad Dog being laid thereunto The luyce of Onions mixed with the decoction of Pennyroyall and a Cloath wet therein and applyed easeth the Gout The juyce mixed with Honey and a bald Head annoânted therewith causeth the haire to grow again They provoke the Hemorrhoâdes or Pils being laid unto them either by themselves or stamped with Vinegar They helpe Kibes being rosted and applyed with Butter or Hâgs-grease To tender and delicate Bodies young men and cholerick persons the too often or immoderate use is many times hurtful especially if they be raw for they breed ill humors in the Stomack in flame the blood increase thirst cause drousinesse and the headach hurt the sight and dull and disturbe the memory and understanding by their sharpnesse and windinesse yet unto the Bodies of labouring Men who receive some benefit by earning their bread with the sweat of their browes they are seldom offensive so true is that of the Poet Labor omnia vincit Improbus the humors that they breed in others being in them spent by their hard Labour CHAP. CCXXVII Of Winter Cherries The Names IT may be called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã for it is a kind of Solanum nay in Latine it is called Solanum Halicacabum and Vesicatorium by Pliny either of the Bladder wherein the Berry groweth or of the Vertues against the diseases of the Bladder and Stone The Arabians call it Alkakengi which name the Shops retaine Brunfelsius calleth it his Saxifraga quarta terming it Rubra for which Epithet there is more colour then for Filipendula that it should be so called It is called Winter Cherry in English because it flourisheth in the Winter and the fruit is like a Cherry The Forme I find but three sorts of Winter-Cherryes that which is called Halicacabum Petegrinum or the Black Winter-Cherry perishing at the very first approach of Winter and therefore and for other reasons ought not to be so called 1. The Ordinary Winter-Cherry 2. Virginian Winter Cherries 3. Upright Indian Winter-Cherries The Forme The Winter-Cherry sendeth forth a stalke which groweth to be a Cubit or two foot high whereupon are set many broad and long greene Leaves somwhat like unto the Leaves of Night-shade whereof it seemeth to be a kind as I said before but larger at the joynts whereof come forth whitish flowers made of five Leaves a peece which after turne into greene berries inclosed with thin skins or bladders which change to be reddish when they grow ripe the berry being likewise reddish and as large as a Cherry wherein are contained many flat and yellowish seeds lying within the Pulpe The root runneth or creepeth in the ground somtimes as big as ones little finger shooting forth at severall Joynts in severall places whereby it quickly overspreadeth a great compasse of ground The Places and Time Though the first be only to be found in Gardens or in other places whither it hath beene cast forth from thence here in England yet in some Countryes it groweth naturally by the hedg sides in moist and shadowy places the second came from Virginia the last groweth also in the West Indies They flower in August and are fittest to be gathered in October yet some of them continue longer and being strung up they may be kept all the yeare to be used upon occasion The Temperature VVinter Cherries are thought to be cold and dry and of subtill parts The fruit Openeth but the Leaves do only coole and therefore are good in inflammations The Vertues and Signature Having given you severall Plants that had the Signature of the Stone I come in the laât place to shew you one or two that have the Signature both of the stone and bladder which the VVinter Cherry doth very much reâemble and is therefore of great use by opening the Uritory parts and drawing down the Urine to provoâe it to be avoided plentifully when it is stopped and is good also to expell the Stone and Bladder out of the Reines Kidneys and Bladder helping to dissolve the Stone and avoiding it by greet or Gravell sent forth in the Urine it helpeth much also to clense inward Impostumes or Ulcers in the Reines or Bladder or in those that avoid a bloody or foule Urine two or three handfulls of the berries being bruised and put into two or three Gallons of new Wine or Ale assoone as it is tunned up there to continue till the Wine or Ale be sit to be drunk but the decoction of the Berries in Wine or Water is the most usuall way to be taken yet the powder of them taken in drink or broth is held to be more effectuall It helpeth the yellow Jaundise also by opening the passages of the Gall and Liver and expelling it by Urine The diuilled Water of the Fruit or the Leaves together with them or the berries greene or dry distilled with a little Milk is effectuall for all the purposes before specified if it be drunk morning and evening with a little Sugar and in speciall against the heat and sharpnesse of the Urine The other Plant whose fruit beareth the Signature of the Stone in the
Vulgar call Weedes and indeed there is a great deale of prettynesse in every one of them if they be narrowly observed yet divers of them are so pernicious to Corne and other things of greater use and value by their strangling qualities that the names above mentioned have not been given them without some reason CHAP. CCXLVIII Of Centory The Names IT is divided into two kinds a greater and a lesser which might be treated of in two distinct Chapters yet for their names sakes and somwhat for their qualities I shall joyne them in one though of different forms The greater is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Centaurium magnum which is generally affirmed to have received its name from Chiron the Centaure who healed himselfe herewith after that he had wounded his foot by the fall of one of Hercules's Arrowes out of his hand when he received Hercuâes as âiââueâ and therefore of some was âaâed ãâã It hath formerly though falsely been called Rha Pont cum and uâââ insteed thereof that being a kind of Rubaâbe The lesser is caââed ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Greek Centaurium parvum and minus in Latine and Centaurea as also âârâs for the extraordinary bitternesse thereof and Febrâfuga of cuâing Feaâââââgh that name properly belong to another Plant calâed Feaveâew of âââe also Multiradâx but why I know not Dioscorides saith it was calâed Limâân and Pliny Libadâoâ because it âoveth to grow in moiââ places yet in our Country it loveth to grow in dry places also It is called in English Small Century and the lesser Centory The Kinds Of these two kinds above named there be Eleaven sorts foure of the greater and seaven oâ the lesser 1. The Common Great Centory 2. The Pyrenean gâeat Centory 3. The great Centory of Portugall 4. The great yellow Centory 5. The red ordinary small Centory 6. White flowered Centory 7. Small spiked Centory 8. Small yellow Centory 9. Small yellow thorough leased branched Centory 10. Small yellow unbranched Centory 11. The least yellow Centory The Form Though I have set the greatest Centory foremost for his greatnesse sake yet the lesser being thaâ at whose Vertues I cheifely aââe take the description thereof as followeth The red ordinary small Centory groweth most commonly but with âââ round and somwhat creââed stalke not above halfe a foot high at most that eâer I saw branching forth at the top into many sprigs and some also from the joynts of the stalkes below At the extremities of the branches there stand as it weâe in an Umbell or tuât divers small flowers of a pale red colour tending to a Caââtion consisting of six but usually of five small Leaves somwhat like unto those of St. Johns-wort which in the day time when the Sun shineth open themselves and towards the evening shut themselves againe after which cometh the seed in little short Huskes in for âe like unto Wheat Cornes but much lesser The Leaves are small and somwhat round like unto those of St. Johns-wort but lesser The root is small and hard The Places and Time The first and third grow upon the Alpes and Mount Baldus the name of the second will discover its place the fourth is a naturall of Mount Baldus also the ââft is found almost every where in fields pastures and woods as in a field by Oxford highway from Baubury not farre from Beechen Tree and in a place called New-paââure in the Common fields of Adderbury East not farre from the high way side and in some of Walton grounds which are on the other side the River Charwell and other places that I could name the sixth is not so frequent the seaventh about Momâeââer and neere unto Padoâ upon the Euganean Hilles the eighth in a field next Sr. Francis Carew's house in Kent at Beddington neere Croydââ and in many other places where the other sorts are somtimes found and removed into the Gardens of the curious where some of the greater sorts may be also seene They do all flower about July and give their seed in August only the Portugall kind is seldom brought to flower in our Country much lesse to seed The Temperature The great Centory is hot and dry in the third degree The lesser is hot and dry in the second degree and very bitter The Vertues and Signature Both the Centories are commended for gripings in the Belly yet because the lesser it most effectuall to that purpose I shall set down the Vertues thereof The decoction thereof being made in Wine Ale or posset drink is very available in severall diseases of the Belly as the Chollick Costivenes Wormes and the like purging Phlegme and Choler and provoking Sweat It is given with very good successe to those that are perplexed with Agues for it openeth the stoppings of the Liver Gall and Spleene helping the Jaundise which the yellow sort doth by Signature for that especially purgeth Choller as the white doth Phlegme and Water and the Red cleanseth the Blood maketh thin both it and the humors by the cleansing and bitter qualities It is usefull in the Sciatica helpeth those that have the Dropsy and the green sicknesse for it bringeth down the Courses of women It helpeth also to avoid the Dead Birth and helpeth the paines of the Mother and is very effectuall in all paines of the Joynts as the Gout Cramp or Convulsions Being boiled in White Wine or Ale with Liquorice and strained and drunk Morning and Evening it openeth the Obstructions of the Chest and Lungs and a little Sugar-Candy added it is a good Remedy against Hoarsnesse and the Ptisick The decoction of the tops of the Stalkes with the Leaves and flowers which are most in use being taken inwardly and the boyled Herb that is taken forth applyed ovtwardly helpeth both the paines of the sides and hardnesse of the Spleene A dram of the powder thereof taken in Wine is a wonderfull good help against the bitting and poyson of any Venemous Creatures Being boiled in Water and drunk it provoketh Appetite cleanseth the Stomack and Breast purgeth the Back and Reines and healeth whatsoever is amisse in them The juyce of the Herb mixed with a little Honey is good to cleare the Eââs ãâã Dimnesse mists or Clouds that hinder the sight and is singular good âor green or fresh wounds and also for old Ulcers and Sores to close up the one and to cleanse the other and perfectly cure them both although they be fistulous and hollow the green Herb especially being bruised laid to The decoction thereof being dropped into the Eares cleanseth them from wormes cleanseth âhe foule Ulcers and spreading Scabs of the Head and taketh away Freckles Spots and Markes in the skin being washed therewith The greater Centory is appropriated especially to Wounds because it helpeth those that spit blood or bleed much at the Mouth two drams at the Root in powder taken in Wine or Water Neither is the Root but the whole Plant very available also in
all sorts of wounds and Ulcers to dry sodder cleanse and heale them and should be a principall Ingredient in all Wound drinks and Injections Yet it is effectuall in many other Cases also for the Roots thereof being steeped in wine and drunk or the powder thereof given in wine is good for such as have the Dropsy or Jaundise or are troubled with the stoppings of the Liver It is also used for Ruptures Crampes and Pleurisies and for an old Cough shortnesse of breath and other diseases of the Lungs Gripings in the Belly and paines of the Mother Being scraped and put up as a Pessary it procureth womens Courses and causeth the Dead Birth to be avoided the juyce thereof used after the same manner worketh the like Effects It helpeth the Strangury and pissing by drops as also the Stone if the decoction or Powder thereof be taken and the juyce injected The decoction or juyce of the Root or a dram of the powder thereof drunk and the wound washed therewith taketh away the paine and danger of the bitings or Stingings of Venemous Creatures It helpeth to sharpen the Eye sight if it be steeped in Water and dropped into them CHAP. CCXLVIII Of Lovage The Names IT hath no Greek Name that I can meet with It is called in Latin Levisticum which is the proper and onely Latine Name thereof Ligusticum being a far different plant although some being deceived with the vicinity of the name have taken them to be both one The Kinds As the Names of Lovage are but few so the sorts are not many for of it I find but two 1. Ordinary Lovage 2. The Lovage of Germany The Forme Ordinary Lovage hath many long and great stalkes of large winged Leaves divided into many parts like Smallage but much larger of a sad green colour smooth and shining every Leafe being cut about the edges and broader forward then towards the Stalke The Stalkes that arise from thence are diverse and of different proportions according to the goodnesse or badness of the Soile wherein they grow as also to their time of continuance for though in a fat soile where it hath grown long they attaine unto the height of five or six foot yet if the ground be barren or the herb but newly set they seldome exceed three or four answerable whereunto is the bignesse of them being green and hollow set with lesser leaves then those that grow below towards the tops of these come forth other smaller branches bearing at their tops large Umbels of yellow Flowers which turne into flat brounish seed somewhat like the seed of Angelica The root groweth large both in length and thicknesse being of a brownish colour without side and white within The whole Plant smelleth strong and in tast is both hot sharp and biting The Places and Time Both the sorts are Inhabitants in the Gardens of those that love Physicall herbs especially and sometimes in the Garden of those that understand it not the first being common to divers Countryes the second proper to Germany yet neither of them are found wild in any part of Europe if they be any where else The root in continuance of time spreadeth much for it endureth long and sendeth forth every yeare new stalkes which hold the Flowers in the end of July and the seed in August The Temperature Lovage is hot and dry in the third degree and is of thin parts also The Vertues Halfe a dram of the dryed Root of Lovage in powder taken in Wine doth wonderfully warm a cold Stomach helping digestion and consuming all superfluous moisture and raw humours therein as also in the Guts and therefore it easeth all inward gripings and paines both of the Stomach and Belly as also by dissolving wind and expelling it effectually which is an utter enemy to them both and it is commended for resisting poyson and infection that may assault either of them or any other part The said Root boiled in Wine or Barly-water cleanseth the Lungs openeth the passages of the Vrine provoketh Womens Courses mightily and healeth inward Wounds Being bruised in a Mortar before it be dryed and steeped for twelve houres in faire Water then strained and two or three spoonfuls drunk first and last morning and evening asswageth any drought or great desire to drink when no ordinary liquor will do it and this it performeth by a specifick property for the Root is well known to be hot To drink the Decoction of the herbe for any sort of Ague and to help the cold paines and torments of the Body and Bowels comming of cold was not long since a known and much practised Remedy but the present Age which forgets every thing that should do it goood knowes none such as far as I can under-stand The seeds drunk in White-wine fasting either in powder or boyled therein and strained doth purge both upwards and downwards and being used in Glisters it easeth the Gout in the feet Being steeped a night in Wine or else boiled therein and drunk it provoketh the Termes and expelleth the Dead-child and likewise opens the stoppings of the Spleen but because the seeds be very strong the like weight of Annise and Fennel may be mixed with them to qualifie them And to be briefe the seeds are as effectuall to all purposes as any other part of it and worketh more powerfully in Womens diseases The distilled water of the herb helpeth the Quinsey in the Throat if the Mouth and Throat be gargled and washed therewith and helpeth the Pleurisy being drunk three or four times Being dropped into the Eyes it taketh away the rednesse and dimnesse of them It likewise taketh away the spots or freckles of the Face The Leaves bruised and fryed with a little Hogs-lard and laid to any botch or boyl will quickly break it and being boyled in water and bathed therein it provoketh Vrine expelleth the Stone and healeth the inward parts Being applyed three or four times with Rue and Honey to the Knees of those that are troubled with pain in them it is a good expedient for the removing thereof The people of Germany and of this and other Countreys also in former times used both the Root in Powder and the seed to season their Meats and Brothes and found them as effectuall to comfort and warm the Stomack but now a dayes whatsoever is not farre fetched will hardly please The green roots pickled with salt and vinegar are a good sawce for those that are troubled with wind but if they be preserved with sugar they are more acceptable to the Palate CHAP. CCXLIX Of Tansey The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Athanasia peradventure from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã signifying sine morte or non moriens that is immortall because the yellow Flowers gathered in due time will continue very lively a long while It is also called Athanasia in Latine Tanacetum corruptly taken as Fuschius imagineth for Tagetes or Apuleius his Arthemisia Tragantes yet I
excellent expedient to kill and expell Wormes out of the Stomacks and Bellies both of children and elder persons also but the seed is accounted of greatest force notwithstanding when that cannot be had the herb may be used as aforesaid Matthiolus saith that half a dram of Lavender Cotten taken in a little of the distilled Water of Fetherfew every morning fasting for ten days together at the least is a very profitable Medicine for Women that are troubled with the Whites to stay them The Leaves drunk with Wine seven dayes helpeth the yellow Jaundise the obstructions of the Liver and Kidneys and is good against the Sciatica It is a good medicine against the poysons of all Serpents and venemous Beasts being taken in the manner aforesaid and being only strewed or burnt in such places as are frequented with Vermine it driveth them away with the smell thereof and therefore it is not altogether inconvenient to set it in Flower-pots amongst other things Clusius saith that in Spaine about Salamanca they use the decoction of the Spanish kindes to take away the Itch and Scabs in whomsoever have them and he adviseth that Caution be used in giving it yet I suppose it is rather to be bathed with then taken inwardly But it is used more frequently with us to be put amongst other hot Herbs either in Bathes Oyntments or other Medicines to help those that are bursten or troubled with Cramps or Convulsions of Sinews to provoke Urine and bring down womens courses and generally it worketh the same effects and may be applyed to all the diseases that Southernwood is appropriated and therefore I shall referre you to it to be further informed concerning its Vertues lest I justly seeme to be Tautologicall But there is an use wherein this exceeds that of Southernwood and that is to make Knots Trailes and other Compartiments in the Gardens of Noble Personages for besides its gentle aspect it abideth green all the Winter and will with cutting be kept in as even proportion as any other herb may be yet it must be removed every third year that is taken up and set again otherwise it will grow stubbed and dry CHAP. CCLI Of Carrots and Parsneps The Names IT will not be amisse to joyne these two sorts in one Chapter as I suppose because they are so agreeable in their Names Natures and Vertues The first is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and so may the second for it is as probable that the derivation thereof commeth from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the stalk of Briony the Roots of each growing after the same manner as that it should come from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Grape to whose purplish colour when it is almost ripe one only sort hereof is resembled and therefore Dodonaeus and Fuscbius say that some in their time called them both Stapbylinus And so in Latine the word Pastinaca which cometh a Pascendâ quia corpus alat doth agree with the one as well as the other for they are both nourishing yet differ in this because the Root of one is reddish and the other is white the one hath narrow Leaves and the other broad and therefore they are commonly divided into tenui folia latifolia Of that with narrow Leaves there is a wild sort called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Greek and Daucus Daucum Daucium in Latine and Dauke in English to distinguish it from another sort of wild Carrots which is properly so called of all which I shall say somewhat in this Chapter The Kindes Though there be many sorts of Carrots and more of Dauke yet I shall onely mention five sorts of the first one of the second and two of the Parsnep which are eight in all 1 Common yellow Carrots 2 Wild Carrots 3 Wild Carrots of Naples 4 Prickly wild Carrots of Naples 5 Wild Carrots with hairy Stalkes 6 The true Dauke of Candy 7 Garden Parsnep 8 Wild Parsnep The Forme The wild Carrot which is of more use in Physick though lesse knowne then the Common sort groweth in a manner like that of the Garden but that the Leaves are whiter and rougher as the Stalkes likewise are which beare large spoky tufts of white flowers with a deep purple spot in the middle which are contracted together when the seed beginneth to grow ripe so that the middle part being hollow and low and the outward stalks rising high maketh the whole Umbel to shew like a birds nest The Root is small long and hard being also somewhat sharp and strong and therefore unfit for Meat The Places and Time The first is that which is sowne by the Gardiners in every Country in Gardens or Fields chosen out for the purpose whose soile must be loose and well manured if not new broken up The second groweth in most places of this Land as well in Pastures as by sides of fields and untilled places The third and fourth in Naples The fifth in Germany The sixth in Candy The seventh is nursed up in Gardens The last groweth in the Marshes by Rochester The first are sowen in April or sooner and will be ready for the pot about Iuly or August never seeding the first year if they be good but the seconâ All the rest do flower and seed about the end of Summer except the Garââ Parsnep whose seed is ripe about the beginning of August the second year after its sowing for if they seed the first year they are good for nothing and are called Mad Neepes by the Countrey people The Temperature The Roots of Carrots and Parsneps are temperatly hot and somewhat moist but the seeds are hot and dry almost in the third degree The Vertues The seed of every one of the before mentioned sorts are very carminative that is powerfull to expell wind and therefore they are very effectuall to ease the torments and gripings of the Belly and to cure the Collick but especially that of the true Dauke of Candy next the wild Carrots and if neither of them can be gotten the seeds of either of the other Carden sorts may be used in steed thereof either in Powder or in Decoction The seed of the true Dââcus is likewise very usefull to help the Strangury to provoke Urine and Womens courses to expell the Dead birth and to help the strangling of the Mother and remove those stitches that afflict the sides Both it and the Roots powdered drunk in Wine are very profitable for those that have receiv'd any grief or hurt by any venemous Beast whatsoever as also to resist any other venome or poyson and the Pestilence The same also put into Pultises doth ease tumours and swellings in any part and being mixed with honey it helpeth old and inveterate Coughes The seed of the wild Carrot is commended for all the purposes aforesaid as also for helping to break and expell the Stone in the Kidneys to cure the Dropsey and those whose Bellies are swollen with Wind it provoketh venery and helpeth conception The
beareth flowers but when it doth the Stalk whereon they grow is great rising up with some few lesser Leaves thereon to the height of three or four foot spreading at the top many small branches of whitish flowers consisting of four Leaves a peece after which come small pods like unto those of the lesser Shepheards purse but seldome with any seed in them the root is long and thick white of colour in tast sharpe and biting the tongue somewhat like Pepper The Places and Time Mountaine Radish for so it is sometimes called is cheifly planted in Gardens where it joyeth most in a moist and shaddowy place yet it groweth naturally in divers parts of this Land as at Namp-âwich in Châshire in a place called the Milne-Eye and also at a small Village near London called Hâgââdon in the feild next unto the farme house by the way leading to Kings land Iâ so seldome beareth seed or flowereth that some have affirmed that it beareth neither yet sometimes it doth flower in July or August and the seed is ripe in September but the common way of propagating it is by the root for it shooteth up divers heads which may be parted for increase either in the Spring or Autumne The Temperature Horse Reddish is hot and dry in the third degree being of a drying clensing and somewhat digesting quality The Vertues Of all things that are given to Children for the Wormes Horse Reddish is not the least effectuall for it killeth and expelleth them whether the juice of the green root or powder of the dry root be given in Wine or other convenient liquor or an Oyntment be made thereof and the Belly of the Child be anointed therewith The Leaves boyled in Wine with a little Oyl Olive added thereunto and laid to the grieved parts in manner of a Pultis do mollify and take away the hard swellings of the Liver and Milt and being applyed to the bottom of the belly is a remedy for the Strangury and so are the Roots sliced thin and eaten with meat as a saââce having some vinegar put thereto as also for the chollick It is also a good remedy in strong Bodies for the Cough Tissick and other diseases of the Lungs as also to procure Womens courses that are stopped being boyled in honey and vinegar into an Electuary it also is often given before the fit of the Quartan Ague to alter the course which it doth by provoking vomiting and sweating the juyce given in drink is held to be very effectuall for the Scârvey The Root bruised and laid to the place grieved with the Sâiatica gout Joynt-ach or the hard swelling of the Liver and Spleen doth wonderfully help them all And if any think or find it too strong for their stomacks or that it hurteth their head or causeth sharp and sower belchings the distilled Water of the Leaves and Roots may be taken with a little Sugar for all the purposes aforesaid without any disturbance at all The Root is commonly used amongst the Germans and sometimes by Gentlemen with us also for sauce to eat Fish with and other Meats as Mustard is and so it heateth the Stomach more and causeth better digestion then Mustard notwithstanding whatsoever some have written as if it were too strong for ordinary Stomacks CHAP. CCLVII Of Sumack The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã from the red or Scarlet colour of the seed which is therefore called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã signifying no more but Red Pliny calleth it also Rhus in Latine saying that it hath not any pure Latine Name yet Gaza translateth it Fluida supposing it to come from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã fluo for no reason at all Some call it Rhus simply without any Epither as Matthiolus c. Others with one as Rhus Coriaria because the Coriers use it about their Leather and Rhus Obsoniorum because it is used about sauce the shops call it Sumack and so do We in English The Kindes To this kind may be referred these five sorts and not improperly 1 Coriare Sumack 2 Virginian Sumack 3 Mirtle leafed Sumack 4 Venice Sumack 5 Sweet Gall. The Forme Coriars Sumack groweth in our Gardens to be two or three yards high spreading sundry branches with larg winged Leaves that is having many set on both sides of a middle rib somewhat like unto Elder which are soft and hairy with a red sinew running through the middle of every of them at the ends of the branches come forth large spiked clusters of whitish Flowers which afterwards become reddish round and flat seed like unto Lentils with an outward skinny husk The Root is hard and woody not growing very deep nor much spreading the Wood is whitish but dyeth black The Places and Time The first groweth in Syria Pontus Italy and Spain where for its profit it is carefully manured the place of the second may be known by its name the third groweth about Mompelier and divers other places the fourth in Savoy and on the Apenine Hils the last by old Windsor Park-Corner in Sussâx Hartford-shire and Kent as well as beyond the Sea They flower for the most part in July and their seed is ripe in Autumne The Temperature Both the Leaves fruit and seed of Sumack are cold in the second and dry in the third degree being also of a very binding quality The Signature and Vertues The Reddish colour of the seeds of Sumack did teach those that found out the Vertues of Plants by their Signatures that it is good for the bloody flâx which is a distemper of the Belly with exulceration and excoriation so that blood is voided whereunto great paines with gripings are joyned and upon this account it is prescribed generally by all those that meddle with the cures of diseases as also for stopping all other Fluxes of the Belly the inordinate Courses of Women the Whites also and all other Immoderate Issues of blood whatsoever the Leaves being either boyled in Wine and drunk or the seed eaten in Sawces with Meat or the decoction set in some convenient place as the Case of a Close Stool whence the fume may powerfully ascend into the bodies of those that are thus diseased and the said decoction maketh the Hair black that is washed therewith The leaves and seeds may be used severall other ways for the said Fluxes as in Broths Baths Gilsters c. The said decoction of the Leaves and Seed in Wine doth also close up the Stomacks of those that are much given to vomiting and being mixed with vinegar and a little honey it is good against Gangrenes and Cankers The juyce that is gotten out of the dryed Leaves by boyling them in water being kept boyling till it have the consistence of Honey helpeth the roughnesse of the tongue and throat and performeth all those effects for which Lycium is commended The seed is likewise boyled in Water and the decoction thereof evapored to the thicknesse of honey
the year to be used for any of the aforesaid purposes as often as occasion shall serve The People of Norway use their Knotberry against the Scurvey and other crude putrid and melancholy diseases wherewith they of those parts are afflicted so that we may therein admire the wonderfull wisdome and providence of God who hath ordained to grow in every Climate Remedies for those diseases whereunto it is subject CHAP. CCLXII Of Teasel The Names IT is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Dipsacus from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã sitio either by Antiphrasis because they are seldome or never dry or else because the Water that standeth in the Concavity of those Leaves that encompasse the Stalks being drunk causeth thirst It is also called from the concavous leaves that contain Water like a Basân ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Lavacrum Veneris Venus Baâââ it being as I suppose a peece of Religion amo ãâ¦ã the Antients to intitle those pretty things which bear any resemblânc ãâ¦ã any utensill for the adorning or cleansing of the body to Venus as Speculâm ãâ¦ã ris Venus looking glasse Pecten Venerus Venus Combe as also those parts w ãâ¦ã men much respect as Capillus Veneris Maidenhair and Vmbilicus Veneris V ãâ¦ã Navelwort c. Yet some would have it to be Labrum Veneris because Whores are as ready to be kissed as the those hollow Leaves to receive the Raine and afterwards to card and teare the estates if not the bodies of their followers which the heads of this Teasel are apt to do and Carduus Veneris for the like reason It is also called Carduus Fullonum Fullers Thistle because Cloathworkers and Fullers use the manured kind hereof named Dâpsacus sativus the others being called Dipsacus sylvestris and Virga Pastoris The Kindes Though Teasel have so many names yet it hath but four sorts 1 The Garden or manured Teasel 2 The wild Teasel 3 Wild Teasel with jagged Leaves 4 The Shepherds Staffe or Red. The Forme Garden Teasel sendeth forth very larg and long leaves somewhat like unto these of Lang de beef or Wild Buglesse but greater of a pale green colour somewhat rough and hard dented about the edges set on the backside of the middle rib with many short prickles from which rise up stalks of the height of three or four foot armed likewise with prickles with joynts at severall places which are encompassed with too lesser leaves so joyned together thereat that they hold the falling rain or dew in them like unto a Bason by which difference it may easily be distinguished from any other Plant as I have expressed in my Art of Simpling from between the Leaves and the Stalks of each side come forth prickly branches also every one of which beareth a long round head like a Brush that they cleanse bottles with having hooded and somewhat whitish flowers first about the middle and afterwards at the ends in the severall cels whereof being whitish when they come to perfection are contained somewhat long small and whitish round seed the middle many times is hollow and containeth severall little white Wormes like Maggots the Root is white long and somewhat great set with divers fibres thereat perishing annually but riseth plentifully from its fallen seed The Places and Time Fullers and Cloathworkers sow the first in their own Gardens and cause it to be sowne by others for their use the second groweth very frequently in most parts of this Land as well in the high-wayes where there be ditches and rilles of water as in dryer places the third in some places of Germany the last in divers places of England and particularly by Saint Albans in the Horse-way that goeth from the Abbey Parish to St. Stevens They all flower in June and July and the first will be fit to gather for the aforesaid use in the latter end of August when the seed of the other will be ripe also The Temperature Galen writeth that Teasel is drying in the second degree and hath withall some cleansing faculty The Signature and Vertues The hollowness that is in the midst of the Teasel head with the worms therein doth somewhat represent the fundament and the worms thereof and therefore the Roots being bruised and boyled in wine till they come to a consistence and then put into a brazen or copper box and afterwards spread as a salve and applyed to the fundament doth heal the chaps rifts Canckers Fistulaes thereof as Dioscorides saith who further affirmeth that it is profitable for the taking away of Wens and Warts as the water contained in the concavity of the Leaves is also said to do which is likewise commended for red eyes and spots of the Face especially under the eyes The Leavs applyed to the Fore-head Temples qualifieth the Frensy or Madnesse by the cold and dry quality which some suppose to be in them and the juyce of them put into the eares killeth the worms in them The distilled water of the Leaves is effectuall to cure the Scurvey which causeth rottennesse of the Mouth and Gums taketh away the rednesse of the eyes and such Mists as darken the sight being but dropped thereinto and helpeth creeping sores Shingles Pimples and hanging Worts in the Fundament or elsewhere The said distilled water is often used by Women to preserve their Beauty and to take away rednesse and inflammations and all other heats and discolorings The roots stamped with Danewort sodden in Wine and drunk helpeth the Dropsy and the Gout also if they be boyled in red Wine and drunk morning and evening for nine dayes together Being boyled with Plantain in rain-Rain-water and some quantity thereof drunk with Sugar morning noon and night helpeth the spitting of blood Two drams of the powder drunk in a Porringer full of Pease broth stoppeth the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses and so it doth being stamped and boyled in vinegar and applyed under the Navel and being onely stamped and applyed it is good for those wounds that are moist and hard to heal and also for the Cancker of the Yard The said powder being drunk in good Wine stoppeth all manner of Fluxes and is a remedy for the Excoriations of the belly and other parts That the small Worms found in the heads of the Teasel worn about the neck or arm in a thin Lease do cure the Ague is certainly a Fable The first as I said is onely used by them that dresse Cloath to raise the Wool thereof with the crooked Prickles of the head making it fit that their Shearers may cut it smooth and yet a Nap may be left thereon but the other sorts are as usefull in Physick especially the second CHAP. CCLXIII Of Rice The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as Theophrastus saith in Latin also Oryza that as well as other Nations following the Greek as neer as their Dialect will permit There being but one kind hereof I shall passe to
this disease chanceth not only to Men but also to Women in whom it is hard to cure Two drams of the seed beaten small being taken in the morning or after Supper either in Meade Wine or fair Water purgeth cholerick humors and therefore it helpeth the Sciatica or Hip-Goat The herb healeth burnings by fire and stayeth the bleeding of wounds the green being bruised and applyed for the first or the green or powder of the dry for the second It hath formerly been accounted and certainly is a soveraign herb to heal any wound or sore either outwardly or inwardly and therefore may be used now as heretofore it hath been in Drinks Lotions Balms Oyles and Oyntments for any sort of green wound or old Ulcers and Sores in all which the people of former Ages found it very effectuall though those of this do ignorantly contemn all those that savour either of antiquity or cheapnesse To this Head and the purposes therein contained do belong Nightshade Purslane Henbane Housleek Lettice which are cold and Rue and Calamint which are so hot that they destroy the seed but having handled them already upon other occasion I passe now to the third Head wherein we are to speake of some Plants that procure Womens Courses CHAP. CCLXXXVI Of Mugwort The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and Artemisia in Latine because as Pliny hath said so many others have beleeved that Artemisia the Queen of Caria was both the Mother and Godmother hereunto by finding out the Vertues and giving it her name yet others are of opinion that it took its name from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Artemis that is Diana because it is chiefly applyed to Womens diseases over which Diana that is the Moon hath much influence It was commonly called Parthenis quasi Virginalis Maidenwort and Parthenium as Apuleius saith though now Feaverfew be better known by that name Some superstitious Monks and Nuns have called Zona divi Johannis St. Johns Girdle beleiving that St. John Baptist wore a Girdle hereof when he was in the Wildernesse It is also called Maâer Herbarum The Kinds Though Pliny and others reckon but two sorts of Mugwort there are five or six come to the knowledge of these later times 1 Common Mâgwort 2 Small Mugwort 3 Fine Mountain Mugwort 4 Fruitfull Mugwort 5 Virginiân Mugwort 6 Sea Mugwort The Formes The common Mugwort hath divers Leaves lying on the ground very much divided and deeply dented about the edges somewhat like unto the common Wormwood but much larger of a darkish green colour on the upper side but very white and hoary underneath from amongst which come up divers stalks which are sometimes of a purplish colour seldome exceeding two foot in height except it be in extraordinary rank ground whereon grow such Leaves as those below but lesser branching forth very much towards the top whereon are set so many small pale yellowish flowers like buttons that they beâd again which falling away there commeâh small seed inclosed in small round Heads The Root is long and hard with many fibres growing thereat whereby it taketh fast hold in the ground yet the stalks and leaves die in the Winter the whole Plant is of a reasonable good scent The Places and Time The first groweth plentifully as in other Lands so in our owne by the ways and ditch sides and in divers other places The second is found in such like places but not so frequently The three next are entertained as Stranâers in the Gardens of the curious The last groweth about Rye and W ãâ¦ã sey ãâã aâd in other parts of the Sea coast They do all flower and seed in July and August or thereabouts The Temperature Mugwort is hot and dry in the second degree being somewhat of thin parts The Vertues and Signature There is no Herb so generally received or more usually proved for the curing of Womens diseases as Mugwort whether it be inwardly or outwardly used The decoction of the Leaves which are most in use being made with Water or Wine and drunk provoketh the courses bringeth away the Birth and After birth and helpeth the inflammations and stoppings of the Mother as also the stopping of Urine and is a good help against barrennesse in Women that with the red stalks having the signature of Womens Flowers and therefore it is endued with very much vertue as to provoke so to stop and correct them in case they be superfluous which a spoonfull of the Syrup performeth very excellently which is also good to retain the Matrix in its place and to help other passions thereof as Coldnesse Wind Paine c. it strengthens the Nerve opens the Pores and corrects the blood The said decoction helpeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen proceeding from a cold cause and is profitable for the Jaundise being boyled with Centory and taken Two or three drams of the Leaves in Powder being drunk in Wine helpeth the Sciatica and the juyce being taken helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog A decoction thereof being âate over doth also performe those effects which that doth which is taken inwardly though not so vigorously and so doth the juyce thereof made up with Myrrhe or the Root put up as a Pessary Being made up with Hogs grease into an Oyntment it taketh away Wens and hard knots and kernels that grow about the Neck and Throat as also to ease the pains about the Neck especially if some field Daysies be put therein The juyce of the Herb or the Herb it selâe being taken is a good remedy for them that have taken too great a quantity of Opium A decoction thereof made with Camomile Agrimony and Sage and the place bathed therewith warm taketh away the paines of the Sinews and Cramp and the same cannot but be a great refreshment to those whose feet are suâbated through sore travell if they be bathed therein yet I have scarce so much faith as to believe that the Herb only carried about one should take away all sense of wearinesse as Pliny reporteth and therefore I have put it amongst other Traditions in my former Book to which I might have added that concerning the Coales that are found at the Roots hereof upon St. Joons Eve and divers others CHAP. CCLXXXVII Of Penny-royall The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Glecon and Blecon from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã balatus either because the heat thereof causeth Sheep and Goates to bleat when they are eating of it or rather as Pena saith from expelling thick phlegme from the Lunges It is called in Latine Pulegium and Pulejum also quod incensum pulices nâcat because it killeth Fleas being burned to which the Epithet Regâle is added to distinguish it from Pulegium montanum by which name wild Time is sometimes called It hath many English Names as Run by the ground and Lurke in Ditch because of its manner of growing Pudding-grasse because it is used in
do flower in June and July but some of them later or not at all so that their seed is seldome seen Some of them if not all loose their Leaves in the Winter as many other Trees The Temperature Southernwood is hot and dry in the end of the third degree having the force both of rarifying and discussing The Vertues The tops of Southernwood for the flowers and seed are not so common stamped raw with water and drunk bringeth unto women their monthly purgations in case they come not at their usuall time but stay so long that expectation may seeme frustrated and so it is profitable for those who cannot take breath without holding their Necks straight up for those that are troubled with the Cramp or Shrinking of the Sinewes for the Sciatica also and for them that can hardly make water all which effects the flowers and seed do excellently performe if they can be had Being drunk in Wine it is good against all poyson and venome and destroyeth the Wormes both by killing and expelling them The seed of Southernwood doth both digest and consume all cold humors tough slime and phlegme which do usually stop the Spleen Kidneys and Bladder The tops boyled in Wine or Water with Honey or Sugar and drunk three or four times a day helpeth the shortnesse and straightnesse of the breath by cutting the slimy and tough phlegme that causeth it and so it is a good remedy for the Cough the Cardiack passion and for many other inward griefes The branches being burnt and the ashes mixed with the Oyl of Palma Christi or old Oyl Olive restoreth the hair where it is fallen off and causeth the Beard to come forth speedily if the bare places be annointed therewith twice a day against the Sun or Fire which it may be said to do by Signature the finenesse of the Leaves somewhat resembling the Hair The tops only being stamped with a roasted Quince and applyed to all inflammations of the eyes taketh them away The Leaves boyled tender and stamped with Barly Meale and Barrowes grease untill it become like a salve dissolveth and wasteth all cold humors and swellings being spread upon a peece of Cloath or Leather and applyed thereunto And being stamped with Oyl and those Limbes that are benummed with cold or bruised being annointed therewith it helpeth them and taketh away the shivering fits of the Ague by heating the body if it be annointed therewith before the fits do come but especially the Back bone If it be boyled with Barly Meale it taketh away Pimples Pushes or Wheales that rise in the Face or other parts of the Body 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 sores and Ulcers that are without although by the sharpnesse thereof it biteth sore as also the sores that are in the privy parts of Men or Women The Oyl made of Southernwood being used as an ingredient in those Oyntments that are used against the French disease is very effectuall 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 Germanes commend it for a singular Wound Herb and therefore call it Stabwort It is held to be more offensive to the Stomack then Wormwood if it be taken inwardly and therefore is never used in our ordinary Meat and Drink and besides it will make some mens Heads to ake yet the Herb somewhat dryed and put into a linnen bag and laid as a Stomacher next the skin comforteth a cold Stomack well so that though inwardly taken it is not so good for the Stomack as Wormwood yet outwardly applyed it is better It driveth away spiders and other vermine being laid for a strewing or burnt in such places as they be frequent It is said that if a branch of Southernwood be laid under ones Bed Pillow or Bolster it provoketh carnall copulation and resisteth all inchantments that hinder the same CHAP. CCLXXXIX Of Savoury The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Thymbron and Thymbra perhaps from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã suffio because of its odor or smell and Thymbra also in Latine besides which it hath none other Latine Name as some suppose though others make bold to call it Satureia either à saturando because it is used in broth and stewed meates to give thereunto a good rellish and by that meanes causeth them the better to satisfie hunger or from Satyrus A Satyre because they used it to provoke Venery which I cannot be so confident as to assert seeing that I find that it helpeth the disease called Satyriasis or Priapismus which is wrought by a contrary quality which derivation I suppose to be rather by Antiphrasis Some hold it also to be the same which was called Cunila by the Ancients The Kindes The sorts of Savoury as well those that are rare as those which are common are five 1 Winter Savoury 2 Summer Savoury 3 Rock Savoury 4 The true Savoury of Candy 5 Prickly Savoury of Candy The Forme Winter Savoury is a small low bushy herb somewhat like unto Hyssop but not so high with divers small hard branches compassed on every side with narrower sharper pointed Leaves then those of Hyssop with which they have some resemblance yet this doth sometimes grow with four Leaves set at a joynt so that it may be easily distinguished therefrom of a reasonable strong scent yet not so strong as that of the Summer kind amongst which grow the flowers of a pale purplish and sometimes whitish colour set at severall distances towards the tops of the Stalks The Root hath divers small strings thereat but the body of it is woody as the rest of the Plant is The Places and Time The first is so common that there be few Gardens without it The second is not so familiar though the naturall place of neither of them is remembred by any Author that hath written of this Subject yet it is very probable that there grew great plenty thereof in that field neer unto Troy which is said to be called Thymbra for that reason and from thence Apollo one of the Patrons of that City was called Thymbraeus The rest also grow wild in divers places of Europe as the third upon St. Julians Rock and the two last in Candy as their names declare and are cherished by those that delight in variety of Plants They are propagated both by seed and slipping in the Spring time especially yet those which abide all Winter are more usually increased by slipping then sowing They flowrish in the end of Summer and therefore seldome perfect their Seed The Temperature Savoury is hot and dry in the third degree it not only maketh thin but openeth the passages The Vertues To provoke the Termes not only the blood is to be
of flowring and trutifying is not expressed The Temperature Sanguis Draconis or the Gum of the Dragon-tree is in all probability cold in the second degree and dry in the third and is very astringent The Signature and Vertues If all red things do stop Womens Courses by Signature according to the opinion of some then certainly this Gum may be said to do it thereby there being hardly another Tree in the world unless Mr. Hammonds Flesh-tree which some think is the same that yeildeth a red Juice Amaranthus indeed which is handled in the former Chap is red all over on the out-side and so is the wood of Brasil and Red âaunders but the juyce of neither of them is so whence it is likely that the Sap which in other plants concocteth only in the Fruit doth in this also concoct in the Body of the Tree which maketh it the more admirable It serveth also to restrain all other Fluxes of Blood or Humours as the Bloody Flux Lasks Whites in women and the Gonorrhea in men bleeding at Nose Mouth or any other part whether internall or external being either inwardly or outwardly used it is said also to help the Strangury and stoppings of the Vrine to fasten loose Teeth and is very avâileable for the Gums that are spungy or troubled with loose flesh It is good also to stay the watering of the Eyes and to help those places that are burnt with fire The Goldsmiths and Painters of Glass use it much in their works the one for an Enamel and to set a Feil under their precious Stones for their greater lustre and the other by Fire to strike a crimson colour into Glass for Windowes or the like Though the Gum only be commended yet no doubt in the natural places or where it groweth both bark and fruit might be applyed for such like Diseases as the Gum is put unto they being also very astringent CHAP. CCCIII. Of the Beech Tree The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Oxya and not ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as some would have it because it is Scissima as Gaza translates it that is in laminas scissilis apt to cleave into Trenchers or the like for though ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã was so long mistaken for the Beech Tree that Fagus became the common Latin name thereof and so continueth yet Dalaechampius hath plainly detected it to be a kind of Oake whose Acrons are fitter for food than the Mast of Beech the Etymology thereof being ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ab esca vel esu The Fruit is called in Latin Nuces Fagi Beech-Mast and Buck-Mast in English because Deere delight to feed thereon The Form The Beech Tree groweth to be of a great and tall stature spreading the boughs and brances on every side so that it maketh a very large and pleasant shadow if the said boughs be not lopped off to make it grow upwards covered with a very smooth white bark as the body also is so that any thing may easily be cut thereon whereon are placed many thin smooth broad Leaves almost round but that they are pointed at the end and somewhat finely dented about the edges of a sad green colour as long as they receive nourishment from the Sap but that ceasing they presently turn yellow and fall away The blowings or Catkins are small and yellow like those of the Birch Tree but lesser and of shorter continuance The Fruit is contained in a rough husk somewhat like the Chesnut but not altogetther so prickly and rough brisled which being ripe openeth it self into three parts and sheweth a small three-square Nut covered with a smooth and soft skin browner and lesser by much than the Chesnut under which lieth a sweet white Kernel but of a more astringent quality The Roots be few and short in respect of the bigness of the Tree both for breadth and depth The Places and Time The Beech Tree delighteth to grow in some places more than in other for as in the Chiltorne Country no wood is more familiar so in others not far from it a Beech Tree is a great rarity as in Oxfordshire where there is one growing between Oxford and Baubury which is so famous that it is noted over all that Country and called the Beechen Tree there being scarcely a Traveller that goes by that way but takes especial notice of it yea formerly many went to it though it be somewhat out of the way to cut their names upon its smooth bark so that now it is so full of letters that there is hardly any space left It bloometh in the end of April or the beginning of May for the most part and the Mast or Fruit is ripe in September The Temperature The Leaves of the Beech Tree are cooling and binding but the Nuts are said to be hot and moist in the first degree and yet very astringent The Vertues and Signature The Leaves Bark Buds or Husks of the Beech Tree sodden in Red Wine or Running Water and sitten over by Women whose Courses do flow too abundantly causeth them to cease and maketh the Matrix and Fundament that are fallen downe to return into their place and the Decoction thereof in clean Red Wine with Cinnamon and Sugar being drunk is good for the same purpose The Leaves take away Blisters and that by Signature there being many times divers small Bladders thereupon and being laid to hot Swellings at the beginning do discuss them and are good for Vlcers also being boyled into a Pultis or made into an Oyntment when they are fullest of Vertue The Nuts or fruit are sweet and were in ancient times used for food as the Poets say but now they are esteemed fitter for Deere and Swine to feed upon to fatten them which it doth wonderfully and therefore these Trees are many times planted in Parks Forrests and Chases yet they are not without some use in Physick for they are said to break the Stone and expell it which may be by the Signature of the Nuts themselves which being burned and the Ashes mixed with Hony and applyed is good for a Skald and Scurvy Head when the Haire goeth off which it may be said to do by the Signature of the Husks The Water that is found in the hollow places of decaying Beech-trees will cure both Man and Beast of any Scurf Scab or running Tetters if they be washed therewith The Leaves chewed are good for the diseases of the Gummes and Lips The Wood is smooth and white and therefore profitable for divers uses as to make Cups Dishes and the like and the Ashes thereof are very good to make Glasse as Crescentius writeth CHAP. CCCIV. Of the Hasell-Nut-tree The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Nux Pontica because it was said to be brought at first out of Pontus into Asia and Greece and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Nux tenuis sive parva the Small Nut to distinguish it from the Wall-nut It is
a singular Remedy for the Rupture or Bursting in Children and so it doth being drunk in Wine A Decoction of the Leaves in Wine or the powder thereof being drunk in the said Liquor is affirmed to ease the griping paines of the Bowels and the Cholick passion as also of the Mother if it be injected with a Syringe for the purpose The Oyle that is made of the Apples by infusing them in Oyle Olive is effectuall not onely for inward Wounds or hurts whatsoever being drunk but for all outward Wounds that are fresh and green to sodder the Lips of them and heale them as also to dry up the moisture of old and inveterate Vlcers which hinder them from healing and so cause them to heal quickly The said Oyle is also very profitable for all pricks or hurts in the Sinewes as also for Cramps and Convulsions if the places be therewith anoynted and to heal Vlcers in the Secret parts of Man or Woman or in Womens Breasts It gives much ease likewise to Women that are in great extremity of Child-birth in taking away the pain of the Wombe and causing easie deliverance if it be applyed to the place and being anoynted upon the Bellies of those Women that are barren by reason of any superfluous humidity it causeth them to become fruitful It cureth the Piles and other paines of the Fundament if it be applyed with Lint such as the Chirurgions use It is of great force to take away either burnings by Fire or scaldings by Water it taketh away those blemishes or scarres that remain of Wounds and Hurts being healed and taketh away the paines of the stingings of Bees and Wâspes The Female is thought to come somewhat neer unto the Male both in temperature and vertues though the Form be somwhat different CHAP. CCCXXV Of Doves-foot or Cranes-bill The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã GeraniuÌ which is a general name to all the Crantsbills whose small heads with long slender beaks pointing forth do very much resemble the Head and Bill of a Crane It is called Geranium also in Latine as also Gruinalis Rostrum Gruis or Gruinum and Rostrum Ciconia for the like reason But because there be many Plants belonging to this Family therefore there be divers Epithetes added to distinguish them as Geranium Columbinum Geranium Muscatum Geranium Arvense Geranium Batrachoides sive Gratia Dei Germanorum Geranium Rupertianum c. We call them in English Doves-foot Musked Cranes-bill unsavoury Cranes-bill Crowfoot Cranes-bill Herb Robert c. The Kindes Though there be divers Cranes-bills that grow no where in England unless they be fostered in Gardens yet I shall name onely those which are spontaneous and they are eleven 1. The Common Doves-foot or Cranes-bil 2. Doves-foot with Leaves like unto the Vervain Mallow 3. Unsavoury field Cranes-bill 4. Unsavoury field Cranes-bill with white flowers 5. Crowfoot Cranes-bill 6. Red or bloody Cranes-bill 7. Creeping Cranes-bill 8. Musked Cranes-bill 9. Herb Robert 10. Great Herb Robert 11. Rock Cranes-bill The Forme The Common Doves-foot or Cranes-bill groweth with divers small round pale green Leaves cut in about the edges more than those of the Common Mallow to which they are compared though they be much lesser standing upon long reddish hairy Stalks lying in a round compass upon the ground amongst which rise up two or three reddish joynted slender weak hairy Stalks with some such like Leaves as the former but smaller and more cut in up to the tops where grow many very small bright red Flowers of five Leaves a piece after which cometh the Seed which is like to a Cranes or Storks bill whereby all that pertain to this Family are known The Root is slender with some Fibres annexed thereunto The Places and Time The first groweth very frequently in most places of this Land both in Gardens and elsewhere the second is found in some Pastuâes also but not so frequenâly as the former the third is more commonly found in the âorn fields than in other places where the fourth is sometimes fâuâd the fifth in moist Meadows the sixth about St. Vincentâ Rock neer Bristâll the seventh by Walâorth the eighth groweth also naturally in some barren High wayes though it be taken into ãâ¦ã dens for its sweet smell the ninth groweth upon old Walls especially those which are capped with mudde and amongst rubbish and sometime upon Slated houses and so doth the tenth but not so commonly as the other the last groweth onely upon Stone walls and in some Quarries whence Stones are dâgged They do most of them flower flourish and continue the greatest part of Summer without any sensible decay The Temperature Doves foot which is the Plantâl most aâm at in this Chapter is cold and somewhat dry with some astriction or binding having some power to sodder or joyn together The Vertues and Signature It is very certaine that the Herbe and Root oâ Doves-foot dryed beaten into fine powder and then given to the quantity of halfe a spoonful fasting and as much at night upon going to bed in Red Wine or Oâd Claret for the space of twenty dayes or thereabouts without intermission of a day is of wonderful efficacy to cure Ruptures of Bârstings whether it be in young or old but if the Ruptures be in aged persons it will be somewhat necessary to adde thereunto the powder of ââne Red âaailes that are without Shells dryed in an Oven which fortifieth the powder of the Herb that it never faileth It hath also the reputation of being singular good for the Wind-collick and other pains of the Belly proceeding from Wind as also to expell the Sâone and Gravel in the Kidneys the decoction thereof being drunk or used as a Bath made thereof to sit in or to be fomented with The decoction thereof in Wine is an exceeding good Wound-drink for any to take that have either inward Wounds Hurts or Bruises both to stay the bleeding to dissolve and expel the congealed blood and to heal the parts Being made into a Salve with fit Ingredients and applyed to any outward Sores Vlcers or Fistulaes it perfectly cleanseth and healeth them and for green Wounds many do but bruise the Herb and apply it to the place wheresoever it be and it will quickly heal them the sâme decoâtion in Wine fomented to any place pained with the Gout giveth much ease it doth the same also to all Joynt-aches or paines of the Sinewes the unsavoury Field-Cranes-bill are of a neer temperature with Doves-foot and may perform all the properties found in them but it is approvedly good to expel all windynesse of the Mother and to settle it in its place when it is fallen down a dramme of the powder thereof being drunk in Wine It is also good for Wounds and Vlcers and the distilled Water thereof taketh away Bruises and black Spots The Crowfoot Cranes-bill hath the Signature of the Shank-bone and therefore the powder thereof taken in Wine is
which proceed from the heat of the Liver and therefore in such cases the Juyce or distilled Water of either sort doth much temper the heat of Choler and refresheth the Liver and other inward parts The Leaves bruised and applyed to the Cods or any other parts that are swoln and hot doth dissolve the swelling and temper the heat A Decoction made hereof with Walwort and Agrimony and the places fomented and bathed therewith warm giveth great ease to them that are troubled with the Palsy Sciatica or other Gout The same also disperseth dissolveth the Knots and Kernels that grow in the Flesh belonging to any part of the Body the bruises hurts that come of falls blows The Juyce Decoction or distilled Water is drunk to very good purpose against the Rupture or any inward Burstings The juyce of them or the distilled water dropped into the Eyes cleareth them and taketh away the watering of them The little Daisyes when the greater cannot so well be gotten may be used with good successe for all the purposes aforesaid as also to help Agues the decoction of them in Wine or Water being drunk It is said that the Roots hereof being boyled in Milk and given to little Puppies will not suffer them to grow great CHAP. CCCXL Of Speedwell The Names IT must be divided into two sorts viz. Male and Female before I can give you the names thereof The Greek name of the Male is unknown if ever it had any but in Latine it is called Veronica mas and Bâtonica Pauli in English Speedwell and Pauls Betony and of some Fluellen yet that name is thought to belong more properly to the Female kind which is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Elatine in Latine Veronica famina because a Shentleman of Wales whose Nose was so neer eating off by the French Pox that the Doctors gave order to cut it off being cured by the use of this Herb onely to honour the Herb for saving her Nose whole gave it one of her own Country names Lluellin or Fluellin it being before called Female Speedwell which name it retaineth also The Kindes Of the Male and Female Speedwel there be eight sorts 1. The Common Speedwell 2. Speedwel with white Flowers 3. Great Speedwel or Fluellin 4. Little Fluellin or smooth Fluellin 5. The smallest Fluellin 6. Female Fluellin or Speedwel 7. Cornered Fluellin with blew Flowers 8. Sharp-pointed Fluellin The Forme The Common Speedwell hath divers soft Leaves about the breadth of a two-pence extending themselves in length also but not very much of a hoary green colour a little dented about the edges and somewhat hoary also set by couples at the joynts of the hairy brownish Salks which lean down to the ground never standing upright but shooting forth roots as they lye upon the ground at divers joynts much after the same manner that Nummularia or Moneywort doth the Flowers grow one above another at the tops being of a blewish purple colour and sometimes though seldome white after which come small flat husks wherein the Seed which is small and blackish is contained the Root is composed of very many Fibres The Places and Time All these Plants which I have named are said to grow within the Dominions of England those which are Outlandish being omitted The first groweth in divers Countreys of this Land upon dry Banks and Wood-sides and other places where the ground is sandy and particularly in Prey-wood by St. Albans very plentifully where there be a great many good Simples besides the third was found upon St. Vincents Rock neer Bristoll by Mr. Goodyer the fifth in a Field neer unto Barâ Elmes in Surrey the other three grow in divers Corn-fields about Southfleet in Kent abundantly as also about Buckworth Hamerton and Richwersworth in Huntingdon-shire and in divers other places They flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe in August that of the Female kind withering presently after The Temperature The Male Speedwell is temperatly hot and dry the bitternesse thereof shewing so much The Female though it be bitter is held to be cooling yet no lesse drying than the former The Vertues Both the Male and the Female Speedwell are Wound-herbs of very good note The Male is singular to heale all fresh Wounds and Cuts in the Flesh speedily closing the Lips of them together and not suffering them to gather corruption and Salve being made therewith as also with Wax Oyl and Turpentine and applyed outwardly and the decoction of it in Wine taken inwardly and so it is no lesse effectual for spreading Tetters or for foul or old fretting or running Sores or Vlcers that have been of long continuance and therefore the harder to cure It stayeth the bleeding of Wounds or other Fluxes of Blood in any other part and dissolveth all tumors and swellings especially those of the Neck It is also held to be a special Remedy for the Plague and all pestilentiall Feavers and infectious Diseases for it expelleth the venome and poyson from the Heart and afterwards strengtheneth it and maketh it able to resist all noysome vapours if a Dramme or two of the herb in powder be given with a dramme of good Treacle in a small draught of Wine and the party be laid to sweat and so doth the decoction thereof in Wine or the distilled Water thereof given in some Wine It helpeth the Memory easeth all swimmings turnings and other paines of the Head and maketh Barren Women become fruitful as it is said It cleanseth the blood from corruption and therefore it helpeth the Leprosie as no worse than a French King making tryall thereof found to be true as it is reported The decoction of the Herb in water or the powder thereof being dry and given in its own distilled water is singular good in all manner of Coughs and diseases of the Breast and Lungs and it hath the same operation upon Sheep and therefore Sheepherds make use of it by adding a little Salt thereto It openeth the obstructions of the Liver and Spleen helpeth the yellow Jaundise cleanseth the exulcerations of the Reines and Bladder and also of the Mother and of inward and outward Wounds being inwardly and outwardly used for the Spleen and Wounds but inwardly onely for the rest It provoketh Vrine and helpeth thereby to break the Stone and is very profitable for the Back and Reins The distilled water of the Herb onely or after it hath been steeped in Wine twelve hours doth wonderfully help in the Plague Consumption Cough and all other the diseases before-mentioned as also to wash Wounds Sores therewith the same doth wonderfully help all Itches Scabs Scurf Tetters Morphew and all discolourings of the Skin as Freckles Spots and Scarrs a little Coperas being dissolved therein and bathed therewith the said Water defendeth Garments from Moths a little Allom being dissolved therein and sprinkled upon them The Leaves of the Female Speedwell or Fluellin being bruised and applyed with Barly Meale
with the Gout or Sciatica doth give a great deal of ease The green or dry Leaves boyled in Beer or put therein upon the Tunning up maketh it more wholsom and giveth thereunto a most excellent relish The decoction taken helpeth inward bruises congealed blood strengtheneth the stomack is effectuall for the Suffocation of the Muther The root taken dry or drunk in any Liquor will abate the rage of Lust in young persons The root being used green helpeth such as be Short-winded and those that are troubled with stuffings in their Stomach The Wild Angelica is not so effectuall as the Garden although it may be used for all the purposes aforesaid The root of the garden Angelica is a better substitute in Theriaca Andromachi or Venice Treacle and Mithridate then many others that have been used therein CHAP. CXIX Of Saffron The Names IT is called in Greek ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latin Crocus and Crocum which are the Names used in the shops of Apothecaries in English Saffron The Poets say it was called Crocus from a young man of that name who pining away for the love of Smilax was turned into this Flower Ovid testifying as much in the verse following Et Crocum in parvos versum cum Smilace flores It may not unfitly be called Filius ante patrem or the Father before the Son Because it first putteth forth the Flowers and then the Leaves The Kinds There being but one kind of the true manured Saffron I shall put down five of the more Common wild sorts 1. Wild Saffron flowring early with an Ash-coloured streaked flower 2. Wild yellow Spring Saffron 3. Broad leaved Wild-Spring Saffron with a Purple flower 4. Autumne Wild Saffron with white Flowers 5. Small Wild Saffron The Form The manured true Saffron hath its Flower first rising out of the ground nakedly without any Leaves shortly after which riseth up its long small grassy Leaves seldom bearing Flower and Leaves at once the root is small round and Bulbous The Flower consisteth of six small blew Leaves tending to Purple having in the middle many small yellow strings or threds amongst which are two or three or more thick fat Chives of a fiery colour somewhat reddish of a strong smell when they be dryed but being newly gathered and but rubbed upon ones hand they will make it very yellow The Places and Times Fuchsius saith that heretofore the best Saffron grew upon the Mountaine Corycus in Cicilia and the next to that upon Olympus a Mountaine in Lycia but since the profit that ariseth from this commodity hath been discovered it hath beene planted in Germany and likewise in England in divers places but especially in Cambrigeshire about Walden which is therefore called Saffron-VValden where there be divers feilds full of it It beginneth to Flower in September and presently after the Leaves Spring up and remaine green all the Winter-long dying againe in April when it commonly putteth forth another Crop of Flowers which must be gathered assoon as it is blown or else the Chives in the middle which are the Commodity will perish so that it is allowed to be gathered on the Sabbath day by that strict Sabbatarian Mr. Greenham in his Treatise on that subject because it is conceived that God who hath made the Saffron so to Flower would not that a thing so usefull for mans health should be lost for want of gathering This information I had from my learned friend Mr. Hudson Minister of Putney the place of my abode at the writing hereof The Wild Sorts were brought some out of Italy and some out of Spaine and are growing in divers of our London Gardens they Flower for the most part in Jannuary and February but that with Flowers groweth upon certaine craggy Rocks in Portugall not far from the Sea side which hath been brought over into England also and flowreth in September The Temperature Saffron is a little astringent or binding but his hot quality doth so over rule in it that in the whole essence it is in the number of those herbes which are hot in the second degree and dry in the first therefore it hath also a certain force to concoct which is furthered by the small astriction that is in it as Galen saith The Vertues There is not a better Cordial amongst herbs then Saffron is for it doth much comfort the Heart and recreateth the Spirits and makes them cheerfull that use it and therefore it is called Cor hominis the Heart of man and when we see a man over merry we have a Proverb Dormivit in sacco Croci He hath slept in a bagge of Saffron It expells Venemous Vapors from the Heart and therefore is very usefull in the Plague Pestilence and small Pox strengthneth the stomack preservs the Entralls helpeth Concoction and naturall heat It is called by some Anima Pulmonum because it is very profitable for the Lungs and the Consumption thereof as also for the shortnesse of breath It is likewise very profitable for the Head Stomach Spleen Bladder Womb Animal Vital and Naturall Spirits and is usefull in cold diseases of the Braine and nerves and quickens the memory and senses It is good in the Pleurity openeth the stoppings of the Liver and âall and therefore is usefull in the yellow Jaundise which it cureth by sigââ ãâ¦ã e and against Melancholly provoketh Urine and Venus hastneth Child-birth procures a good colour to them that use it It is profitable in sits of the ãâã especially the Tincture thereof It is best for old persons that are phlegmatick and Melancholick and that in the Winter Season It is outwardly used against the Gout to ease the paine thereof being mixed with the Yolke of an Egge and Oyle of Roses and applyed A Cataplasme of Pulâ is made of Saffron Milke and the crums of Bread being applyed mollifyeth Tumors and Aposthums it easeth sore Eyes and blood-shotten being used with red-Roses and the white of an Egge being mixed with red-Rose-water and Womans Milke it preserveth the Eyes from the small Pox and Measles and being made up in a stay and put under the Throat of one that hath the small-Pox keepeth them from the place which would otherwise be much more troublesome if the life not hazzarded It is used against Erysipelas or Wild-fire and Inflammations it helpeth deafenesse if it be mixed with Oyle of bitter-Almonds and put into the Eare warme or dip black wooll in some of it and put it into the Eares It killeth the Itch and is used in pultisses for the Matrix and Fundament to ease the paine thereof and also for old Swellings and Aches Too much of it causeth the Head-ach offendeth the Brain and Senses brings drowsinesse and hurts the sight it causeth a loathing of the stomack takes away the appetite and provokes laugh ãâ¦ã Some write that if two or three drams thereof be taken it brings death it is not safe to give to Women with Child The weight of ten graines of