and evening with a little milk against the heat of the Vrine and therefore is effectual in virulent Gonorrhea's it cleanseth foul Vlcers in the reins and bladder dissolves the stone in the reins kidneyes and bladder opens the uritory passages and provokes Vrine and helps those that make foul or bloudy Vrine the decoction of the fruit being taken in wine or water it likewise opens the liver and gall and therefore is good for the yellow Jaundies Angelica THere is both garden Angelica Description and wilde Angelica some also reckon up a water kinde it groweth up with great hollow stalks four or five foot high having broad divided leaves of a pale green colour at the top cometh forth large umbells of white flowers after which succeedeth flat round seeds somewhat whitish the root perisheth every year if it be suffered to seed not else Names Place and Time It 's common name with us both for Latine and English is Angelica it grows common in our Gardens and wilde likewise in many places flowers about July and the seed is ripe soon after Temperature and Vertues It is an herb of the Sun hot and dry almost to the third degree it opens and digesteth it is a great cordial for the heart in defending it from poison a dram thereof in powder being taken in the distilled water of the same plant and sweat upon it it heats and comforts the Blood and Spirits and is good against the Plague Pestilence and other infections the root being taken green helps such as are troubled with stuffings in their Stomack it also abates lust the water thereof and some of the root in powder helps cold and winde the Collick and Strangury Coughs Ptisick and other diseases of the Lungs and Breast it provokes womens Courses and helps to expell the after-birth it likewise provokes Vrine and helps the Chollick and Strangury The decoction helps inward bruises discusseth congealed blood it helps digestion is an excellent remedy for a Surfeit The decoction helps an Ague at two or three times taking if it be drunk and sweat upon before the fit comes The roots being taken in powder and made into a plaister with a little pitch helps the bitings of venomous creatures and mad dogs the water or juyce being dropped into the eyes and ears helps dimness of sight and 〈◊〉 The Apple-Tree Pomus IT is needless to describe the Apple trees nor reckon up their several kindes many sorts of them being generally known to almost every boy and is out of my purpose here many of them are early ripe in Summer others more late towards Winter which are most durable to keep some of them are sweet fragrant and odoriferous others more sharp The Names The tree is called in Latine Pomus and malus the fruit Pomum and malum The English name you have already Places and Time They grow wilde in the hedge rows and Woods in many places of this Land but the best are manured in Orchards they flower in April the fruit of the latest is ripe in October which is the John Apple Temperature and Vertues There is a great difference in Apples in regard there are both sweet sowre and bitter they are generally held to be cold and moist but the sweet and bitter do somewhat incline to heat but to omit the general use which is made of Apples both in City and Countrey they are effectual in hot diseases cooling the stomack and heart The Apple called a Pomewater being roasted and the pulp laboured in fair water till it be like that we call Lambs-wool and drunk going to bed helpeth such as are troubled with an involuntary passage of the seed either in dreams or otherwise and is also effectual for such as piss by drops Rotten apples are good to be applyed to the eyes which are blood-shotten or bruised by any stripe or stroke Apples expel melancholly humours and stir up mirth being roasted and eaten with rose water and sugar Cider and also Verjuyce do both singularly cool the stomack and is effectual in hot Agues and is good against casting and vomiting and the verjuyce being applyed to burnings or scaldings draweth out the fire and cools and heals the same Apricock-Tree Malus Armeniaca THis plant needs no description being very well known yet it is a tender plant in our cold Countreys for if a frost meet with the flowers or young fruit they are quickly gone Names It is called in Latine Malus Armeniaca the fruit Malum Armeniacum In English Apricocks Place and Time They are planted against walls in most Gentlemens Gardens and against the walls of houses too in many places They flower in March and the fruit is ripe about the latter end of July Temperature and Vertues This is one of Venus plums and is cold in the first degree and moist in the second the fruit is better to be eaten before meals then after because of their quick descension into the belly they cause other meats to descend the sooner There may an oyl be pressed out of the kernells of the stones which being taken in wine helpeth the Chollick and driveth forth the stone out of the reins and bladder helps pains in the ears hoarseness of the voice inflammations of the Piles Vlcers and the roughness of the tongue and throat The leaves I have proved effectual to dry up the corrupt matter of hot running scabs Archangel or Dead nettles Lamium THis herb is generally known Description it needs no description Names It 's called in Latine Lamium andVrtica mortua In English dead or blinde Nettle or Archangel Herbarists reckon up eight sorts hereof but I shall here mention onely three which are common and those are that with the white flower the red and the yellow Places and Time And these may be found under hedges old walls amongst rubbish by high wayes sides and in corners of Gardens which are not digged nor planted they flower about the Spring of the year and so continue all Summer Temperature and Vertues Archangel is hot and dry in the first degree bitter in taste under the dominion of Mars and it is good against Quartain Agues the flowers of the Archangel or the distilled waters stayeth the whites in women and the flowers of the red Archangel stayeth the reds The herb is effectual for Tumors or swellings of the Kings Evil in the throat to dissolve them being bruised with some Hogs Lard and applyed thereunto It also allayes the pains of the Gout or Sciatica and aches of the joynts being used in like manner it openeth obstructions and dissolveth the hardnesse of the Spleen by drinking the decoction of the herb in wine and applying the herb hot pultiswise to the Region of the Spleen it is a good repercussive in inflammations and stayeth the corroding of old Vlcers it cureth the rising up of the skin about the roots of the nails being applyed thereunto and is said to stanch bleeding at the nose the bruised herb being applyed to the nape of
the neck Aron Vide Cuckow pintle Arrach wilde and stinking Atriplex STinking Arrach groweth up with a little stalk Description having many branches the leaves are smaller then those of the Garden and pointed towards the top of a whitish green colour which we call an Ash colour it beareth yellow flowers which afterwards turn into small mealy seeds It may easily be known by the smell being very like stinking Fish Names Places and Time It is called in Latine Vulvaria and Atriplex in English stinking Arrach you may finde it upon most Dunghills under old walls about the mud walls in the fields about London it grows plentifully and also by ditches sides It flowers and seeds from June till after Bartholomewtide Temperature and Vertues This Plant Saturn rules it is cold moist and earthy an excellent plant for Womens diseases It cures fits of the Mother Dislocation or falling out of the Womb being taken inwardly It cools the over much heat of the womb and causes easie Delivery being rubbed and held to the nostrils it causeth the Womb to descend to its right place and cleanses and strengthens it It provokes the Terms if stopped and also stops the immoderate flowing of them and makes Barren women fruitful It is therefore good for such Women as are subject to be troubled with any of the aforementioned Distempers to prepare and keep alwayes by them a Syrup made of the juyce of this Herb and sugar or honey which is best to cleanse the Womb otherwise sugar is more proper Arsmart Persicaria THis Herb grows with a little joynted greenish stalk Description the leaves growing at the joynts of the stalks being not very long many times having blackish spots upon them the flowers grow in spiky heads of a blush colour after them come little blackish flat seeds the root is fibrous and perisheth every year There is dead or milde Arsmart and biting Arsmart which if you taste of it will bite your tongue very much The Names It is called in Latine Piper Aquaticum and Persicaria because the leaves do something resemble Peach leaves in English Water Pepper and Arsmart Place and time It is common in most ditches especially such as are muddy and grows also upon dunghils of mud which hath been cast out of ditches I have seen them covered with it in Hampshire and other places It is in flower in June and seeds about August Temperature and Vertues The milde is said to be cold and dry the biting hot and dry then sure there Mars and Saturn grow together The biting Arsmart being rubbed upon a tyred horses back will make him go again lively it is good to kill Fleas being strewed in Chambers The powder of the milde Arsmart being given to the quantity of two drams at a time in a little Vinegar opens obstructions of the Liver being bruised with rue and Wormwood and fryed with Butter or Suet and applyed to the belly or stomach destroyes the worms in them the distilled water thereof mixed with a little oyl of Spike and the gall of an Oxe is good to ease the pains of the Gout the grieved place being anointed therewith and a blue woollen cloath applyed upon it so likewise being mixed with Aqua vitae it takes away Aches The herb being stamped with Wine and applyed to the Matrix draweth down the Terms The leaves being stamped and applyed to green Wounds cools them and defends them from inflammations The root or seed applyed to an aking Tooth takes away the pain and the juyce of the Herb dropped into the ears kills worms in them and is good against Deafness Alkanet Fucus Herba THere are accounted four kindes of this Plant Descri ∣ ption but never a one of them common nor easily found in England though Culpepper saith there is one kinde grows commonly in this Nation which is as true as the story he tells of one of his Disciples whose horses shooes were pulled off by riding over Moonwort as he saith The red great Alkanet groweth up about a foot and a half high having usually one round stalk with many leaves prickly and hoary over like small Bugloss the flowers much like them of Echium or small Bugloss of a sky colour tending to purple yielding a small pale coloured seed somewhat long the root is about the thickness of ones finger having a woody pith within of a bloody colour dying whatsoever it toucheth The other kinde hath more plenty of leaves more hairy and woolly then the former the stalks grow higher having yellow flowers the root of a shining purple colour yielding more juyce then the first The third kinde hath a greater and more juycie root then the former but the plant smaller and the leaves narrower the flowers red like those of small Bugloss the seeds are ash-colour tasting like Bugloss and the fourth kinde is much like common Summer Savory the flowers blueish or sky colour Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Illinere succo vel Pigmentis to colour or paint because of its painting property it is also called Fucus herba and Onocleia Buglossa Hispanica or Spanish Bugloss and Orchanet and Alkanet in English and in Shops likewise Anchusa Place and Time They grow all naturally about Narbone and Montpelier in France and may be had especially the Roots at our Shops yet Gerhard saith he found them in the Isle of Thanet in Kent but that is contradicted by his Reviser They flourish in the Summer moneths and best yield their juyce in Harvest time Nature and Vertues The roots are cold and dry according to Gallen yet being endued with some bitterness argues them not very cold they cleanse chollerick humours the leaves binde and dry but not so powerfully as the roots Culpepper calls this herb one of the darlings of Venus I suppose because he had heard the Madams used it to paint their faces and likewise it is used by Gentlewomen to colour Syrrups Waters and Jellies as is also Turnsole and the root being used as a Pessary draweth forth the dead Birth the decoction inwardly drunk with Mead or honied water cures the yellow Jaundies diseases of the Kidneys and Spleen and is effectual in Agues a Searcloath made with the root and oyl is good for Vlcers and with parched Barley meal it helps the Leprosie Tetter and Ringworms as saith Dioscorides But Culpepper teacheth how to kill Serpents with it which he saith is done if any one hath newly eaten the root and spits in a Serpents mouth the Serpent instantly dyes but this is as ridiculous as Culpepper himself yet the decoction is said to drive out the Measels and small Pox if it be drunk in the beginning with hot beer the leaves boiled in wine and drunk is good against the Laske the root boiled in Wine and sweet butter without salt till it is red is good for bruises received by falls and for green wounds made with pricks or thrusts Make
the latter end of Summer and seeds about a month after Nature and Vertues Sea-holly is temperate of a cleansing drying nature a Venerial plant the roots confected stir up the affection to Venery and are a restorative against the consuming of old age being decocted in Wine they open obstructions of the Spleen and Liver provoke Vrine expell the Stone and move the Terms helps the yellow Jaundies Dropsie pain in the Loins and winde Chollick The roots bruised and applyed to the Throat helps the Kernels there and heals bitings of Serpents being taken inwardly and applyed to the place and if the roots be boiled in Hogs Lard and applied to thorns in the flesh it draws them out and heals the place the juyce of the leaves helps Imposthumes in the Ears The distilled water of the whole herb being young drives away Melancholly and helps Quartane and Quotidian Agues the young tender shoots may be eaten fresh or pickled they are a good Venerial Sallet ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Eye-bright Ocularia IT is a small low herb rising seldom above a span high Description having a blackish green stalk which spreadeth from the bottom into sundry branches whereon grow small dark green leaves finely snipt about the edges growing two together very thick the flowers are small and white striped with purple and yellow spots and grow at the joynts with the leaves from the middle upwards the seeds are very small growing in small round heads which succeed the flowers The root is long small and threddy Names Euphrasia is both a Greek and Latine name for it it is also called in Latine Opthalmica and Ocularia in English Eye-bright Places and Time It grows plentifully in many places of this Land by Hedge rowes and on Hills sides it groweth in the High way between Gravesend and Rochester and in the Fields about Gravesend They flower in August which is the best time to gather it before it seeds Nature and Vertues It is a Solar herb hot and dry it is excellent to clarifie and preserve the sight from dimness either the powder of the dry herb being used or the juyce of the green plant the distilled water clears the dimness of the Eyes either being dropped into the Eyes or drunk in Wine or Broth a Conserve of the Flowers works the like effects being eaten It restoreth a decayed Memory and helps a weak Brain and Memory being used any of the aforesaid wayes if it were tunned up with Bear or Ale it will work the like effects Some Authours write that Birds make use of it to repair their sight and Arnoldus saith that it did restore their sight who had been blinde a long while Ferne. Filix IT s very well known there is accounted a Male and Female and Water Ferne or Osmond Royal. Names The Latine name for Ferne is Filix the Water Fern Osmunda Regalis and St. Christophers Herb. Place and Time Fern grows too plentiful in many places and can hardly be rooted out where it hath possession the seeds are small trebble pointed black and shining and may be gotten on Midsummer-eve at night at which time I have gathered it my self The Water Ferne grows by wet Ditiches sides bogs and watrish places Nature and Vertues Ferne is hot and dry bitter and somewhat astringent a Mercurial Plant the roots of Ferne boiled in Mead kills worms in the Belly and abates swelling and hardness of the Spleen and being bruised and boiled in Oyl or Hogs Grease they make a good Oyntment to heal Wounds and Bruises and cases the Chollick and Diseases of the Spleen especially those of the Water Fern A bath made of the leaves is good to strengthen the Sinews the powder of the root dryes up the watry humours of Vlcers A dyet Drink being made of it with other Capillary Herbs is good for the Rickets The water Fern is effectual for Ruptures an Oyntment being made thereof and the decoction of the root in white Wine provokes Vrine and opens the uretory passages Feathersew Parthenium IT grows up with many large green leaves Description very much torn or cut about the edges the stalks are hard and round beset with smaller leaves the flowers stand fingle upon several foot stalks at the cop consisting of finall white leaves standing round about a yellow thrum in the middle the root is tough hard and short having many fibres thereat the whole Plant of a strong scent and bitter taste Names Parthenium from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Matricaria and Febrisuga in Latine Place and Time It grows by divers Walls and Hedges and frequently in Gardens they continue in flower the gratest part of Summer Nature and Vertues Featherfew is hot and dry in the third degree having a quality of cleansing and opening its temperature scent and taste attributes it to Mars but its vertues are ascribed to Venus it is an excellent herb for womens Diseases for all Diseases of the Mother the decoction being drunk or the fume set over helps fits of the Mother it drives down the Courses expells the dead Childe and After-birth The juyce with the juyce of Motherwort taken in old Ale with a little gross Pepper is good to prevent fits of the Mother The decoction with Sugar or HOney helps the Cough and short Windedness and cleanses the Reins and Bladder so doth the powder of the herb and expells Melancholly helps the swimming of the Head and windiness in the Stomach and is good against the Dropsie it is good for cold and moist bodies to stir up the procreative vertue but it is naught for hot and dry bodies it s a good remedy for such as have taken too much opium being fryed with Oyl and Wine it eases the griping pains of winde being applyed to the Stomach and Belly The distilled water cleanseth the Skin Fellwort Vide Gentian Fennel Feniculus FEnnel is well known its Latine name Feniculus Gardens are his habitation he flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Most affirm Fennel to be hot in the third degree and dry in the first and according to Gerrard the seed is hot and dry in the third degree it is a Mercurial herb saith Culpepper but I suppose rather Solar it is used to be boiled with Fish and other viscous meats to digest their crude and phlegmatick qualities and the seed is used in bread to break Winde and strengthen the breath The distilled water cleanseth the Eyes being dropped therein and the condensate juyce cleanseth them from Mists and Films It is good to increase milk in Nurses it provokes Vrine and eases the pains of the Stone The leaves or rather the seeds boiled in water stay the Hiccock helps loathings of the Stomach of sick persons and allayeth the heat thereof and is a remedy for such as have eaten poisonous herbs and against bitings by Serpents The seed and root opens obstructions of the Liver Spleen and
Gall helps shortness of breath The roots in dyet drink or broth cleanseth the Blood opens the Liver provokes Vrine and helps the evil colour of the face after long Sickness and causeth a good habit throughout the body the juyce kills worms in the Ears being dropped therein The ordinary Fennel is stronger then the sweet Fennel and therefore better for the purposes aforesaid Fennel Giant Ferulago THis plant grows in Cyrene Description and place and brings forth the Gum called Ammoniacum which is hot and dry in the second degree which is good to dissolve Tumors and taken inwardly it purges Phlegm opens stoppings of the Liver helps Astma's and stoppings of breath it provokes Vrine and the Terms eases the Gout and Sciatica softens Corns and hard Swellings ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Celes Sow-Fennel or Hogs-Fennel Peucedanum IT hath divers branched stiff stalks Description full of knees of thick long leaves three for the most part joyned together at a place among which riseth a crested stalk less then Fennel somewhat joynted and leaves thereon and towards the top some branches on the tops whereof grow tufts of yellow flowers the seeds are thin flat and yellowish almost twice as big as Fennel seed the root is great and grows deep with many fibres smelling like hot brimstone and yielding a yellowish juyce like a Gum. Names Peucedanus and Peucedanum are the Latine names in English Hogs-Fennel Sow-Fennel Hore-strange and Hore-strong Sulpher-wort or Brimstone-wort Places and Time It grows in salt low Marshes as by Whitstable and Feaversham in Kent and many other places they flower and seed towards the end of Summer Nature and Vertues It is a Mercurial herb hot in the second degree and dry in the beginning of the third The juyce dissolved in Wine and dropped into the Ears helps such griefs thereof as proceed from a cold cause the same used with Vinegar and Rose-water or the juyce with a little Euphorbium put to the Nose helps the Phrenzy Lethargy Giddiness falling Sickness long and inveterate Head-ache the Palsie Sciatica Cramp and generally all diseases of the Nerves and Sinews if it be used with Oyl and Vinegar as saith Dioscorides and Gallen the juyce dissolved in Wine or put in an Egge is good for the Cough shortness of Breath and winde in the body it gently purges the Belly dissolves winde and hardness of the Spleen gives ease to women that have hard Labour and easeth pains of the Reins Bladder and Womb the juyce put into a hollow tooth easeth the pain and so doth the root but more slowly The powder of the dried root cleanseth foul Vlcers and removes splinters or broken bones out of the flesh dryes up inveterate Sores and is of a great force in green Wounds Fig-wort Vide Throat-wort Flax. Linum THis needs no description good Housewifes know it well enough it is called in Latine Linum which is somewhat near our English word Linnen fine linnen cloth being made thereof it flowers from Midsummer till August it is sown in divers places of this Land Nature and Vertues The seed thereof which we call Linseed which is onely used in Physick is hot in the first degree and in a mean between moist and dry but Dodoneus saith it hath a superfluous moisture and causes winde and that the Inhabitants of Middleborough in Zealand for want of Corn eat thereof to the great prejudice of thier healths but the seed being boiled in water and some honey put to it is said to case the Chollick Stitches and Inflammations I fancy not that medicine but the seed is a good ingredient in pultisses with Fenugreek and Mallows to mollisie and discuss Tumors in any part of the body and being used with Myrrhe and Rozen it helps Ruptures and swellings of the cods the decoction thereof in wine is good to stay the spreading of silthy Sores being used thereto and being mixed with honey or suct and wax and applyed it helps hard swellings under the Ears and Throat and remedies spots and discolourings of the skin Fig-Tree Ficus THe Fig-tree seldom grows in England but as it is planted against a Wall yet at the house of Rowland Hinde Esquire at Hedsor in Buckinghamshire grows or lately did grow a Fig-Tree in his Court having a body as big as an ordinary Elme or Oak growing low and spreading much ground wiht great Boughs Names The Greeks call the Tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine both tree and fruit is called Ficus Place and Time They grow plentifully in Spain and Italy and bear fruit both in the Spring and in August and September Nature and Vertues Figs are hot and moist almost in the third degree and yield good nourishment but being immoderately eaten they ingender crude humours in the Stomach and hurt hot Livers and chollerick Stomachs they are therefore best for old phlegmatick persons being eaten with Almonds they cleanse the Breast and the Lungs A decoction of them with Hysop and Liquorish is good for the Cough of the Lungs and for the Reins and Bladder and to recover a good colur to them that have lost it by Sickness it also cleanses the Womb and is useful for the Dropsie Quinzy and the falling Sickness they are a good Antidote against the Plague Poison and infections Air being stamped together with Salt Rue and Nut Kernels and eaten fasting in the mornings a Fig sliced and toasted and applyed to an aking Tooth sometimes gives ease The decoction of the leaves is good to wash sore heads for the Leprosie Morphew and running Sores and a syrrup made thereof is good against Coughs shortness of Breath and all diseases of the Breast and Lungs Filberd Vide Hazel Nut. Fistick Nuts Pistacia THis tree grows in the East Indies Persia and Arabia and the hot parts of Italy Names It is called in Latine Pistacia and Pistacium in English the fruit is called Pistacies and Fistick Nuts Nature and Vertues They are under the dominion of Jupiter of temperature hot and moist they increase seed and stir up Venery being eaten condited or otherwise they recover strength in those bodies which are in Consumptions and are grateful to the Stomach they are good against bitings of venomous creatures they open obstructions of the Liver Chest and Lungs concocting and digesting raw humours that offend them they are a little astringent strengthening the Liver and Stomach used either in meats or medicines they remove Sand and Gravel out of the Reins and Kidneys asswage their pain and are good for Vlcers Fleawort Herba pulicaria ORdinary Fleawort groweth up with a stalk two foot high Description or more full of branches on every side up to the top and at every joynt grow two small long and narrow whitish green leaves at the tops of every joynt stand divers short small scaly or chaffy heads out of which come small whitish yellow threds like those of plantain which are the bloomings or
against the heat of the Mouth and Stomach and quenches thirst being boiled in water with some Maidenhair and Figs it helps a dry Cough wheesing and shortness of Breath Hoarseness digests and expectorates Phlegm and is good for all griefs of the Chest and Lungs Ptisick and Consumptions it helps pain of the Reins Strangury and heat of Vrine The juyce of Liquorice dissolved in Rose-water with some Gum Trajacanth is a fine Lohoch for Hoarseness Wheesing roughness in the Mouth and Throat it expectorates tough Phlegm and condensates thin Rheumes which fall on the Lungs Lemon-Tree Malus Limonia LEmons seldom come to maturity in our cold Countrey therefore I shall not describe the Tree but proceed to the vertues of the fruit which is well known to us Nature and Vertues The rinde of Lemmons is hot in the first degree and dry in the second and the juyce cold in the second degree and dry in the first the Sun hath dominion over it the juyce of Lemons drunk two or three times a week in white or Rhenish Wine with some Sugar strengthens the heart stomach and head resists poison expells melancholly makes a sweet Breath and cleanses the Reins and bladder and helps to expel the Stone out of the Kidneys it kills and drives forth worms out of the belly An Angel of gold or the weight thereof in leaf Gold steeped four and twenty hours in four ounces of the juyce of Lemons and some of that juyce given in a Cup of Wine with some powder of Angelica root is very good to be given to such as are infected with the Plague The juyce is good in Fevers to quench thirst and so is the posset made of it A water distilled in a glass from the pulp of Lemons provokes Vrine being drunk and helps to break the Stone it likewise cleanses the skin kills lice in the Head helps running Scabs and Wheals in the Skin The seeds preserve the Heart and vital Spirits from poison and resists infection of contagious diseases ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Lilly Convally Lilium Convallium IT hath leaves somewhat like unto white Lillies Description or rather those of the smallest water Plantain it hath a slender small stalk at the top of which grow little small white flowers like little Bells with turned edges of a pleasant smell after which come small red berries much like the berries of Asparagus wherein the seed is contained the root is small creeping far abroad in the ground Names Lillium Convallium is the Latine name in English Lilly of the Valley Conval Lilly May Lilly Wood Lillies and Lilly Confancy Place and Time It groweth upon Hamsted Heath in Cobham Park in Kent and many other places of this Land it flowers in May and the fruit is ripe in September Nature and Vertues It is temperately hot and dry an herb of Mercury it cures the Apoplexy and the flowers distilled with Wine and a spoonful thereof given at a time restoreth lost speech to them that have the dumb Palsie it strengthens the Brain helps a weak Memory comforts the vital Spirits and is good against the Gout the distilled water helps Inflammations of the Eyes The flowers steeped in new Wine and drunk helps trembling of the Heart and other Members and stops the spreading of the Leprosie The flowers steeped in new Wine a moneth and then the Wine distilled five times over in a Limbeck is a precious water for the Apoplexy being taken with a little Lavender water and six grains of Pepper it eases the Chollick comforts the brain and is good against the Falling Sickness it likewise helps the Strangury pricking about the Heart and Inflammations of the Liver and stayes the overmuch flowing of the Terms ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Water-Lilly Nymphaea IT hath large round leaves Description thick and fat of a dark green colour which stand upon long round spongy foot stalks and alwayes float upon the water there rise also from the root other round stalks each of them bearing a white flower containing divers rowes of narrow white leaves with many yellow thrums in the middle standing about a little head which after the leaves are fallen off becomes like a Poppey head containing in it broad blackish oyley and glittering seed of a bitter taste the root is round long and tuberous with many knobs thereat loose and spongy in substance black without and white within fastned with many strings to the ground under the bottom of the water There is also another kinde which bears yellow flowers Names Both Latines and Greeks call it Nymphaea it is called also in Shops Nenuphar it is called in English Water Rose and Water Lilly Place and Time They grow alwayes in standing Waters and slow running Rivers and very plentifully in Holshot River in Hampshire my native soil all along the River by Danmore Mead They flower in May and June and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues The leaves and flowers are cold and moist the seed and roots cold and dry an herb of Venus The decoction of the seed cools and bindes restrains lust and nocturnal pollutions but the frequent use thereof extinguishes motions to Venery it is available for the Running of the Râ—ins and the Whites and to cool the heat of Vrine the leaves cool Inflammations and the decoction thereof helps the inward heats of Agues being drunk they also expell the After-birth the syrrup of the Flowers allayes the heat of Choller and distempers of the Head provokes sleep and heap hot distempers of the Heart Liver Reins and Matrix the conserve and distilled water worketh the same effects The distilled water takes away spots Sun-burning and Freckles of the Skin The oyl that is made of the flowers helps the Head-ache causeth sleep prevents Venereous dreams and takes down the standing of the Yard the head and privities being anointed therewith it also cures hot tumours and the Inflammations of Vlcers Liver-wort Lichen LIverwort groweth close upon the ground Description and upon stony places spreading much upon it with sad green leaves cleaving flat upon one another unevenly cut in the edges and crumpled amongst which arise small slender stalks an inch or two high at most bearing small star-like flowers at the top the roots are very fine and small Names It is called in Latine Lichen Jecoraria and of some Hepatica in English Liverwort Place and time Liverwort grows in moist and shadowy places by the heads of Springs and Ponds and sometimes on the stones in the insides of Wells it is green all the year and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues It is a plant of Jupiter and under the sign Cancer by temperature cold and dry and somewhat binding it is very good to help all distempers of the Liver and is effectually used in diet drinks for that purpose it cools and cleanses it and helps Inflammations of that part and the yellow Jaundies being bruised and boiled
alone in beer and drunk it cools the heat of the Liver and Kidneys and helps the running of the Reins in men and the whites in Women it is good against Hectick Fevers and all other Fevers and Agues coming of Choker and all other heats of the Liver and takes away the cause of Scabs Blains and Blisters being stamped with Hogs Grease and applyed it heals Sores Tetters Ringworms and fretting Vlcers ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Loose-strife or Willow-herb Lysimachia THere are many kindes of it Description I shall describe onely the purple spike headed Loose-strife which groweth with many wooddy square stalks full of joynts about three foot high having two leaves at every joynt like Willow leaves but shorter and of a deeper green colour some of them being sometimes brownish the stalks branch forth into many long stems of spiky flowers half a foot long growing in rundles one above another out of small husks somewhat like the heads of Lavender but far bigger every flower consisting of five round pointed leaves of a purplish violet colour somewhat inclining to redness in the husks lies the seed after the flowers are fallen the root creeps under ground almost like Couch-grass but is greater Names The Latines call it Lysimachia in English Loose-strife and Willow-herb Place and Time It groweth by Rivers and Ditches sides and in wet grounds almost in every Countrey of this Land the yellow Willow herb is more rare They flower about June and July Nature and Vertues They are all hot dry and binding yet Culpepper saith they are cold and ascribes them to the Moon the distilled water of both the purple and the yellow is excellent good for green Wounds being thus applyed to every ounce of water adde two drams of May Butter unsalted as much Sugar and wax boil them gently to an Oyntment then dip tents in the Liquor that remains after it is cold and put them into the Wound covering it over with a linnen cloth doubled and anointed with the Oyntment it also cleanseth foul Vlcers The distilled water very much preserves the sight helps hurts and blowes in the Eyes and cleareth them of dust it is good to gargle the Mouth and Throat therewith against the Quinzy and Kings Evil it is also good to take away Warts and Scars of the Skin it quencheth thirst is good to stay Fluxes of the Belly the overflowing of Womens Courses and to bathe Sores and Vlcers of the privy parts Lovage Levisticum LOvage hath many long great stalks of large winged leaves Description divided like smallage but larger of a dark green colour smooth and shining every leaf cut about the edges and broader forward then toward the stalk the stalks are green and hollow towards the tops of them come forth other smaller branches bearing at their tops large Umbels of yellow flowers which turn into flat brownish seed like Angelica seed the root is large brownish without and white within the whole Plant is of a strong smell and in taste hot sharp and biting Names It is called Levisticum in Latine Places and Time It is an inhabitant of the Garden flowers in July and seeds in August Nature and Vertues Lovage is a Solar herb hot and dry in the third degree and of thin parts the dryed root in powder drunk in Wine is good for a cold Stomach consuming superfluouus moisture in the Stomach and Belly and expelling winde and helps digestion it likewise resists poison and infection The decoction of the root in Wine or Barley water cleanseth the Lungs provokes Vrine and Womens Courses and heals inward wounds The decoction of the herb is good for any sort of Ague and to help cold pains of the Bowels The seeds drunk in powder in white Wine fasting or boiled therein purges upwards and downwards and opens the stoppings of the Spleen take with the seeds the like quantity of Anniseeds and Fennil seeds to qualifie them The distilled water is good for the Quinzy and helps the plurisie being drunk three or four times it takes away the redness of the Eyes and helps the dimness of them being dropped therein and takes away spots and Freckles of the face The leaves bruised and fryed with Hogs Lard and applyed to a Botch or Boil will quickly break it Lungwort Pulmonaria IT is a kinde of Moss that grows on many Trees Description especially old Oaks and Beeches in dark shady old Woods and upon the old Oaks in Forrests grows abundance of it it hath broad grayish rough leaves diversly folded crumpled and gashed on the edges and sometimes spotted on the upper side it bears no stalk nor flower Names Pulmonaria Physicians call it in Latine and of some Lichen Arborum or wood Liverword and tree Lungwort Nature and Vertues It is of a cold and dry quality but I suppose that Jupiter rules it it is very effectual for all diseases of the Lungs for all obstructions Vlcers and inward inflammations of the same and also for Coughs Wheesing spitting and pissing of Blood it is good for Vlcers in the privy parts to stay Fluxes Looseness and Vomiting the bloody Flux and other Scowrings especially if they proceed of Choller Lupines Lupinus THey grow onely in Gardens here where they are planted Description therefore I shall not further describe them Lupinus is the Latine name and Lupines in English and of some they are called Fig beans being flat like a Fig that is pressed they flower in June and July and the beans are ripe quickly after Nature and Vertues Lupines are very bitter in taste by reason of their bitterness they open dissolve digest and cleanse I suppose they are under the dominion of Mars the decoction thereof is good for the Spleen being taken with Rue and Pepper it will be the pleasanter but if they be steeped two or three dayes in water they lose their bitterness The said decoction is good to kill worms and so is the meal taken with Honey or water and Vinegar or mixed with an Oxe gall and applyed to the Navel they also cleanse the Stomach help digestion and provoke appetite being first steeped in water and then dryed and powdered and taken with Vinegar The decoction also provokes Vrine and womens Courses and being taken with Myrrhe it expells a dead Childe it is also good to cleanse Scabs Vlcers Morphew and Tetters and cleanseth the Face and Skin from spots and other marks The meal boiled in Vinegar discusseth hard Swellings breaks Carbuncles and Imposthumes ☞ See more of this in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Ladies Smock Cuckow Flowers or wilde Water Cresses Cardamine THose kindes of these flowers which grow naturally with us in England are a kinde of Water-cresses for which cause they are called Nasturtium aquaticum minus and also Flos cuculi because they flower in April about the time the Cuckow uses to sing without hoarseness but for the Vertues if they have any they are of the nature of Water Cresses to
Rhabarb be stewed amongst them for then they become more purging and evacuate chollerick humours do help weak stomachs and are good in Feavers and other hot diseases The Gum that issues out of the trees being drunk in wine is good against the Stone the said gum or the leaves being boiled in vinegar and applyed kills Tetters Ring-worms and the Leprosie A decoction of the leaves in wine is good to gargle and wash the mouth and throat and to dry up the flux of Rheum that falleth down to the Pallat Gums or Almonds of the Throat Poley-Mountain Polium montanum THis Plant grows not naturally in England but may be had at the Apothecaries shop to which I refer you It is called in Latine Polium but more usually with the Epithet montanum Nature and Vertues Poley is dry in the third degree and hot in the end of the second of a loathsome bitter taste It is useful to open obstructions especially of the Liver and Spleen and the decoction thereof drunk helps swelling of the Spleen the Jaundies and Dropsie being boiled in Vinegar and Water It resists poison and is used in Antidotes for that purpose the fumigation thereof drives away Vermin it moves the belly and the tearms and being applyed green it soders up the lips of wounds and being dry it healeth foul sores or ulcers Polipody of the Oak Polipodium POlipody of the Oak is a small Herb Description consisting of nothing but roots and leaves bearing neither flower nor seed from the root groweth up three or four leaves singly by themselves winged and about a handful high having many small narrow leaves on each side the stalk large below and growing smaller and smaller towards the top cut into the middle rib but not dented on the edges as the male Fern is of a sad green colour smooth on the upper side but rough on the under side by reason of some yellowish spots thereon The Root is smaller then ones little finger but long and creeping asloap and hath a sweetish harshness in the taste Names It is called in Latine Polipodium in English Polipody of the Oak Places and Time That which grows upon Oaks is the best yet Polipody is also found upon old stumps of other trees as Beech Hazle and Willow and sometimes in the woods under them upon old walls and slated Churches and in many other places It is alwayes green and may be gathered at any time yet it shoots forth fresh leaves in the Spring Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the second degree and that which growes upon the Oak partakes of the nature of the Oak and is an herb of Jupiter whatever others say The herb taken in decoction broth or infusion purgeth burnt choller tough and thick Phlegm and dryeth up thin humours and is good for Melancholly and Quartain Agues for which it may also be taken in Whey Barley-water or honied water or the broth of a Chicken with Epithymum or Beets and Mallows added thereto The distilled water of the roots and leaves taken with Sugarcandy is good against wheazings Coughs and distillations of thin Rheum upon the Lungs which cause Ptisicks and Consumptions It is good to soften the Spleen and ease Stitches in the sides and the Chollick A dram or two of the Powder of the dryed Roots taken in honeyed water worketh gently for the purposes aforesaid the distilled water is likewise commended for Quartain Agues and against melancholly Dreams it cures the disease in the Nose called Polipus and helpeth clefts or chops that come between the fingers or toes being applyed thereunto The fresh roots beaten small or the powder of the dryed root mixed with honey and applyed to a member that hath been out of joynt and is newly set again doth much strengthen it some put Fennel seeds Anniseeds or Ginger to it to correct it which it needs not being a gentle medicine of it self and an Ounce of it may be taken at a time in a decoction if there be not Sena or some other stronger purger with it I have found it very effectual in decoctions with other Pectoral Herbs for opening and cleansing the Liver and Lungs Pome-Citron Tree Malus Citria THis Outlandish Tree is called in Latine Malus Persica and Malus Assyria and also Malus Citria Pomum Citrium and in English Citron Place and Time They grow in Spain and other hot Countreys and flower and bear fruit all the year Nature and Vertues Avicen saith the Seed is hot in the first degree and dry in the second the Bark hot in the first and dry in the end of the second the inner white substance hot and moist in the first degree and the Juyce cold and dry in the third degree It is a Solar Plant and a sovereign Cordial for the Heart an Antidote against Poison and Infections the outer rinde being dryed and taken it also warms and comforts a cold Stomach expells and disperses Winde and indigested humours therein and in the Bowels and helps digestion and melancholly it helps a stinking breath being chewed in the mouth The outward rindes preserved are a good Cordial and very effectual against melancholly and infection There is an Electuary made thereof which purgeth cold phlegmatick humours the Syrup of the Rindes strengtheneth the stomach and heart and helps faintings thereof and resists poison and strengthens nature and is good for such as are in Consumptions or Hectick Feavers The Syrup of the juyce is effectual for most of the same purposes the seeds preserve the heart from infection of the Plague Pox and venomous Bitings they kill Worms provoke the Tearms and cause Abortion They dry up and consume moist humours in the body or outwardly in moist Sores or Vlcers The sowre juyce is good in Pestilential Feavers suppressing the violence of Choller and hot distempers in the Blood corrects the Liver quenches thirst stirs up an appetite resists venome and infection and refreshes fainting spirits The Pomegranate-Tree Malus Granata THis Plant groweth also in hot Countreys as in Spain and Italy but chiefly in Granado yet it is useful in Medicine with us therefore I shall not omit its Vertues It is called in Latine Malum Granatum or Punicum and Granatum the Flower Balaustium the Rinde Sidium but more generally Cortex Granatorum Nature and Vertues Those that are sweet are helping to the stomach and are somewhat hot but the sowre ones and seeds of each are cold and astringent it is an Herb of Venus The flowers and shells in powder help to stay blood in Wounds and the Kernels dryed in the sun stop fluxes of the Belly and Matrix and helps spitting of blood being drunk in raw water and so do the flowers and rindes The Juyce and the Kernels or the Syrup is good to quench thirst in burning Fevers and hot diseases a Gargarisme or Lotion made of the Rindes is good to bring down the hot swellings of the Almonds in the Throat the juyce of the Kernels sodden with Honey
but the Jerusalem Artichokes which you may have plentiful enough if you will let them once take root in your Gardens being boiled tender and then stewed with Butter and Wine or how you please taste much like the bottom of an Artichoke and are no less nourishing then they ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Primrose Primulae Veris THese are very well known to be the Ladies of the Spring being the first that flower wherefore they are called in Latine Primulae Veris They are somewhat dry and astringent of temperature The leaves are good to apply to Inflammations and to heal burnings and scaldings and an Oyntment made thereof is excellent to heal green Wound they are very near in nature unto Cowslips to whose particular Vertues I refer you Privet THis is seldom used in Physick therefore I shall onely read to you its Uses because they that have it near them may use it when they cannot get other helps It is usually planted in Hedges in Gardens to make walks and knots and groweth wilde in many Woods and Parks of this Land It flowers in June and July and beareth ripe berries in September Nature and Vertues Privet is a Lunar Herb of temperature cold and dry the decoction of it is a good Lotion to wash sores and sore mouths to cool inflammations and dry up Fluxes The distilled water of the flowers is good for the same purposes and to stay womens Courses and Fluxes of the belly bleeding at mouth and distillations of Rheums in the Eyes being used with Tutia An Oyl made by infusion of the Flowers is good for inflamed Wounds and the Head-ache proceeding of an hot cause as saith Mathiolus Queen of the Meadows or Meadsweet Regina Prati MEadsweet springeth up with divers broad winged leaves Description deeply dented about the edges set on each side of a middle rib and are somewhat rough hard and crumpled like Elm-leaves having lesser leaves with them like Agrimony of a sad colour on the upper side and grayish underneath of a pleasant scent and taste like unto Burnet the stalks are reddish and grow two or three foot high having on them such leaves as those below but somewhat lesser at the tops whereof and of the branches stand many tufts of small white flowers thick together smelling sweeter then the leaves after which come crooked and cornered seed The Root is somewhat wooddy blackish on the outside but reddish within and is nourished by fibres so that it continues many years and hath also a good smell Names It is called in Latine Vlmaria because of the likeness between its leaves and Elm-leaves and also Regina prati Place and Time It grows frequently in moist Meadows by watery ditches and rivers sides it flowers in some place or other all the Summer Quarter Nature and Vertues Meadsweet is cold and dry with an astringent quality and ascribed to Venus Two or three of the leaves put into a cup of Claret giveth it a fine rellish and also maketh the heart merry and chearful The decoction thereof in wine helpeth the Chollick and taken warm with a little honey it opens the belly but being boiled in red wine and drunk it stayes Looseness The decoction thereof is good to heal sores in the mouth or secret parts The distilled water helps Inflammations of the Eyes and clears the Sight The smell of the flowers make the heart chearful and therefore are excellent to adorn houses the root helps horses of the Bots and Worms and so it would do in men if they drink the decoction thereof and therefore the Germans call it Wormkrant the worm-plant The root likewise made into powder or boiled and drunk powerfully sâ—â—yes Womens Courses the Whites the Bloody Flux Lâ—â—k and all other Fluxes of Blood and is good against vomiting and it is said that if it be boiled in wine and drunk it first altereth and afterwards taketh away the fits of Agues Quince-Tree Malus Cydonia I Suppose the Tree but especially the fruit to be so well known they need no description Names It is called in Latine Malus Cydonia and Cotonea The Spaniards call it Membrillio and Marmello from whence comes the word Marmalade Place and Time They delight to grow near ponds and waters sides and are plentiful in this Land It flowers in April and May and the Fruit is ripe about Michaelmas Nature and Vertues They are cold in the first and dry in the second degree they are earthy and binding the Fruit is not durable and is harsh and unpleasant to eat raw but being scalded roasted baked or preserved they become very pleasant They are Saturnine The Syrrup of the Juyce of Quinces strengthens the heart and stomach relieves nature stayes looseness and vomiting for looseness take a spoonful of it before meat for vomiting after meat It corrects Choller and Phlegm and helps Digestion To make Quinces purging put honey to them instead of sugar and if you would have them more laxative then to purge Choller adde Rhabarb for Phlegm Turbith and for watry humours Scammony If you would have them binde forceably use the unripe Quinces with Roses Acacia or Hypocistis and some Rhabarb torrefied The juyce of raw Quinces is accounted an Antidote against deadly poyson and it hath been found certain that the smell of a Quince hath taken away the strength of white Hellebore outwardly to binde and cool hot fluxes the Oyl of Quinces or other medicines made thereof are available to anoint the belly or other parts therewith It also strengthens the stomach belly and sinews and restrains immoderate sweatings The muscilage of the seeds boiled in water is good to allay the heat and heal the sore breasts of women and with Sugar it is good to lenifie the hoarseness and harshness of the throat and roughness of the tongue The Marmalade is both toothsome and wholesome and a decoction of the doun that grows upon the Quinces is good to restore lost hair and being made up with Wax and applyed as a plaister it bringeth hair to them that are bald and keepeth it from falling if it be ready to shed Radish Rhaphanus THe Garden Radish needs no description it is called in Latine Rhaphanus Nature and Vertues Radishes are rather a sawce then a nourishment they are hot in the third degree and dry in the second and do open and make thin and is governed by Mars The roots do provoke urine and so doth the distilled water the root stamped with honey and the powder of a sheeps heart causeth hair to grow The seed causeth vomiting and provoketh urine and being drunk with Oximel or honied water it drives forth Worms The root boiled in broth is good against an old Cough it moveth womens Courses and increases milk and is good for the Dropsie the Chollick gripings in the belly and griefs of the Liver It is good for them which are sick with eating Toadstools or other poison they are much used as sawce with meat to
Blood in the Body occasioned by any fall or bruise Rubarb steeped in white Wine or any other convenient liquor and strayned is good to heal Vlcers in the Eyes and Eye-lids and to asswage swellings and inflammations and being applyed with Honey or boiled in Wine it takes away all black and blue spots that happen therein The seed of Bastard Rubarb helpeth gripings knawings and loathings of the Stomach The roots help ruggedness of the nails and being boiled in Wine it helps the Kings Evil and swellings of the Kernels of the Ears it also provokes Vrine helps such as are troubled with the Stone and dimness of sight it is effectually used with other things in opening and purging dyet drinks to open the Liver and cleanse and cool the blood The root of Monks Rubarb also purgeth but more weakly then either of the other but the root thereof bindeth the Belly and stayeth Lasks and the bloody Flux and so doth the root of the true Rubarb if it be toasted and taken in Plantain water red-Wine or in conserve of Roses or Marmalade of Quinces as I have often found to my great comfort the distilled water hereof is effectual to heal Scabs and foul Sores and to allay the inflammations of them for which purpose also the juyce of the leaves or roots or the decoction thereof in Vinegar is an effectual remedy some use Indian Spikenard with Rubarb to correct it yet it doth not much need any corrigent ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling by W. Coles Meadow Rue Ruta Aquatica THis Herb springeth up from a yellow stringy root Description spreading much in the ground and shooting forth new sprouts round about with many green stalks about two foot high crested all the length of them set with joynts here and there and many large leaves on them divided into smaller leaves nicked or dented in the fore-part of them of a sad green colour on the upper side and pale green underneath toward the top of the stalk there shooteth forth many short branches whereon stand three or four small round heads or buttons which open and appear like a tust of pale greenish yellow threads after which there come small three cornered Cods wherein is contained small long round seed the whole plant hath a strong unpleasant scent Names Ruta Aquatica or Ruta Palustris may be the Latine names thereof Places and Time It grows by Ditches sides and in the borders of moist Meadows in many places of this Land Nature and Vertues The Meadow Rue is doubtless under the influence of Mars and is something of his temperature hot and dry Camcrarius reports that it is used in Italy and in Saxony against the Plague And Dioscorides saith that the bruised herb being applyed healeth old Sores and the distilled water of the herb and flowers doth the same some use it amongst other Pot-herbs to make the body solluble The roots washed clean and boiled in Ale and drunk provoke to Stool gently and being boiled in water and the body bathed therewith warm it destroyeth Lice ☞ See more of this in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Garden Rue or Herb-Grace Ruta THis herb is familiarly known the Latine name is Ruta in English Rue Herb Grace and Serving-mens joy it is planted in Gardens and propagated by slips seldom flowring with us and therefore scarce ever bears any good seed Nature and Vertues Rue is hot and dry in the latter end of the third degree and of thin subtle parts a Solar Herb it preserves Chastity being eaten it quickneth the Sight stirs up the Spirits and sharpneth the Wit it provokes Vrine and Womens Courses being taken either in meat or drink it is an excellent antidote against poisons and infections the very smell thereof is a preservative against the Plague in the time of infection The seed thereof taken in Wine is a special Antidote against dangerous Medicines or deadly Poisons A decoction made thereof with some Dill-leaves and flowers easeth pains and torments being drunk inwardly and applyed outwardly to the grieved place The same decoction being drunk helps pains of the Chests and Sides Coughs difficulty of breathing and inflammations of the Lungs and easeth the Sciatica and pains of the Joynts being applyed thereto or the parts anointed with an oyntment made hereof it helps also the shakings of Agues a draught of the decoction being drunk before the coming of the sit an oyl made of Rue by infusion or decoction helps the winde Chollick hardness windiness and suffocation of the Mother the share and parts about it being anointed therewith A decoction thereof in Wine with a little Honey added to it killeth and driveth forth Worms out of the Body Mithridates used a Counter-poison to preserve himself against infection made thus take twenty leaves of Rue two Figs two Walnuts twenty Juniper berries and a little Salt which being beaten together into a Mass was his dese appointed for every morning There is another Electuary made of it which is a remedy for pains or griefs of the Chest and Stomach Spleen Belly and Sides Winde Stitches and Obstructions of the Liver Reins and Bladder by stopping of Urine and extenuates the grossness of fat corpulent Bodies and is thus made Take of Niter Pepper and Commin seed each equal parts leaves of Rue clean picked as much in weight as all the other beat them well together and adde as much Honey as will make thereof an Electuary but first correct the Commin seed by steeping it twenty four hours in Vinegar and then dry it in a hot Fireshovel or in an Oven The leaves of Rue boiled and kept in pickle are a good sauce to meat to warm a cold Stomach and quicken the Sight A decoction of Rue easeth the Gout being bathed therewith and being bruised and put into the Nostrils it stayes bleeding at Nose A decoction of Rue and Bay leaves helps swellings of the Cods it takes away Wheals and Pimples being bruised with Myrtle leaves and made up with wax and applyed being boiled in Wine with some Pepper and Nitre and the places rubbed therewith it taketh away Warts and cureth the Morphew and with Allome and Honey it helps the dry Scab or any Tetter or Ring-worm The juyce thereof warmed in a Pomegranate shell helpeth pain of the Ears being dropped therein An oyntment made of the juyce of Rue with Oyl of Roses Ceruss and Vinegar cures St. Anthonies fire foul running Sores in the Head and Vlcers in the Nose and other parts they being anointed therewith The distilled water is very effectual for many of the said purposes Rupture-wort Herniaria Description THis plant shooteth up with many threddy branches spread round upon the ground about a span long divided into many other smaller parts full of small joynts set thick together whereat come forth two small leaves of a fresh green colour as the branches are whereat grow forth abundance of small yellowish flowers but scarce discernable from the stalks and
Palsies and Cramps and to strengthen and comfort the parts it is good against the Stitch and pains of the Side coming of Winde the Place being fomented with the decoction thereof in Wine and the boiled Sage afterwards applyed hot thereunto and the decoction thereof according to Dioscorides provokes Vrine and womens Courses The juyce of Sage taken in warm water helps a hoarseness and the Cough Rue is good to be planted amongst Sage to prevent the poison which may be in it by Toads frequenting amongst it to relieve themselves of their poison as is supposed but Rue being amongst it they will not come near it Wood Sage Salvia sylvestris WOod Sage springeth up with square hoary stalks Description sometimes two foot high having two leaves at every joynt much like other Sage but smaller softer whiter and rounder and a little dented about the edges smelling somewhat stronger the flowers stand on a slender long spike on the tops of the stalks and branches turning all one way when they blow and are of a pale whitish colour smaller then Sage but hooded and gaping like unto them the seed is blackish and round four usually in an husk together the root is long stringy and fibrous and abideth many years Names It is called in Latine Salvia sylvestris Place and Time It grows in Woods and by Hedge sides and High wayes and flowers about July Nature and Vertues Wood Sage is hot and dry in the second degree and attributed to Venus the decoction thereof provokes the Tearms and Vrine and provokes Sweat digests humors and dissolves swellings and nodes in the flesh and is therefore thought to be good against the French Pox. The decoction of the green Herb in Wine is good for those that have any Vein inwardly broken by a fall bruise or beating to disperse the congealed blood and consolidate the Vein and it is also good for such as are bursten the drink taken inwardly and the herb applyed outwardly and in the same manner used it is also good for the Palsie The juyce thereof or the herb in powder is goods to dry moist Vlcers and sores in the Legs or other parts thereby causing them to heal the more speedily and is also effectual in green Wounds Burnet Saxifrage Pimpinella Saxifraga IT hath great long roots like a Parsnip Description of a biting hot taste like Ginger the stalk is hollow and riseth up about three foot high with joynts and knees beset with large leaves much like those of Smallage or the Garden Parsnip The Plant consisteth of many leaves growing upon one stem cut about the edges like a Saw the flowers grow in white round tufts at the top of the stalks The seed is like Parsley seed but hotter and biting upon the Tongue There is a lesser kinde little differing from the greater but that the stalks and veins of the leaves of the lesser are of a purplish colour and the root hotter Names It is called Pimpinella major Saxifragia major and the lesser kinde Saxifragia minor in English great and small Saxifrage and Burnet Saxifrage Place and Time They grow plentifully in dry Pastures and Meadows and flower from June to the end of August Nature and Vertues The leaves seeds and roots of both kindes are hot and dry in the third degree and of thin and subtle parts The juyce of the leaves cleanseth the face of Spots and Freckles and causeth a good colour The distilled water thereof mingled with some Vinegar in the distillation dears the Sight and helps the dimness thereof The seed and root in powder drunk in wine or the decoction thereof made in Wine provokes Vrine breaks the Stone and is good against the Strangury and stoppings in the Kidneys and Bladder The Service Tree Sorbus THis grows to be a great Tree delighting in Woods and Groves and are also planted in Orchards there doth grow of them in the Woods of Mr. Hinde at Hedsor and in Woods and by High way sides I have found them in Surrey and Kent the Tree and fruit are both so well known that a further description is needless Names The Greeks call this Tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Sorbus and in English Service and Sorb-Tree Place and Time They flower in March and the fruit is ripe in September or the beginning of October Nature and Vertues The Service berries are of temperature cold and binding and more being hard then when they are rotten yet then people usually eat them but they yield no nourishment but what is gross and cold therefore they are better for medicine then meat and being gathered while they be hard and cut and dryed in the Sun they may be kept all the year to stay bleedings of Wounds Mouth or Nose Fluxes and Vomiting the decoction drunk or outwardly applyed Solomons Seal Sagillum Solomonis COmmon Solomons Seal groweth with a round stalk about half a yard high Description with the top bending down set with single leaves one above another somewhat large like the leaves of May Lilly of a blueish green colour with some Ribs therein and a little yellowish underneath at the foot of every leaf almost from the bottom it hath small long and white pendulous flowers like those of May Lilly but ending in five longer points for the most part two together at the end of a small foot stalk standing all on one side the stalk under the leaves after which come round berries green at first but afterwards of blackish green tending to blue wherein is contained small white hard stony seed The root is white and thick full of knobs or joynts in some places resembling the mark of a Seal the taste thereof is sweet at first but afterwards somewhat bitter and sharp Names It s common Latine name is Sigillum Solomonis and in English Solomons Seal and sometimes white Wort or white Root Jacobs Ladder and Scala Caeli in Latine Place and Time It grows in divers places of this Land as about Odiham in Hampshire in a Wood within two miles of Canterbury by Fish-pool Hill and between Newington and Sittingbourn in Kent and divers other places it flowers about May and the seed is ripe in September Nature and Vertues The roots of Solomons Seal are hot and dry and astringent a Saturnine Plant the roots have great vertue in sealing or closing up the rim of the Belly when it is bursten the decoction thereof taken in Wine or the powder in broth or drink and being outwardly applyed to the place it is likewise good for other hurts wounds or outward sores to heal and close up green wounds and to dry up and restrain the flux of humors into old sores it also slayes bleedings vomitings fluxes the running of the reins in men and the whites and reds in women it mightily conglutinates and soders broken bones in man or beast the bruised root applyed to the place and the decoction thereof or infusion in wine being strained out hard and drunk it is likewise
it helps rising of the Mother provokes Vrine and expells Winde It takes away loathing of the Stomach and procures a good appetite it cuts tough Phlegm in the Chest and Lungs and is good to season stewed meat or broaths The juyce being snuffed up into the nostrils quickens the dull spirits in the Lethargy and being dropped into the eyes it clears the sight which is dulled by thin humours distilling from the brain The juyce heated with a little Oyl of Roses helps deafness and noise in the ears being dropped into them It helpeth to ease the Sciatica and members that have the Palsie being applyed pultisswise with Wheat-flower It is good against the stingings of Wasps and Bees and being laid in Chambers it killeth Fleas Savin Savina IT is nursed up in Gardens and abides green all the year being so well known it needs no further description Names It is called in Latine Sabina and Savina Nature and Vertues The leaves of Savin are hot and dry in the third degree and of subtle parts under the Influence of Mars The decoction of Savin is powerful to provoke Womens Courses and it also expells the Birth and After-birth and causeth Abortion It expelleth blood by Vrine and is good for the Kings Evil the powder thereof mixed with honey cleanseth filthy Vlcers and Fistula's but is unapt to heal them and being mixed with Cream and Childrens heads anointed therewith which have scabs or running sores it cleanseth and healeth them and also St. Anthonies fire a dram of Savine in powder mixed with three ounces of Nitre and two of Honey helps such as are short-winded as saith Mathiolus It kill Worms in Children being applyed to the Navel or the belly anointed with the Oyl thereof The powder of the leaves mixed with honey takes away spots and freckles in the face or body and helps blisters of the Yard gotten by a Lady of Pleasure they being first bathed with the decoction of the leaves and is good to heal Scabs and Itch Tetters and Ring-worms and to break Carbunckles and Plague-sores being spread upon a piece of leather and applyed to the place The distilled Water cleanseth the skin and helpeth such as have the Worms Saxifrage Saxifragia THere be accounted nine kindes of this Plant which grow in England Description I shall describe three of them as the most useful viz. English Saxifrage or Mead-Parsley White Saxifrage and Barnet Saxifrage English or Meadow Saxifrage called Mead-Parsley groweth with many green winged leaves like Fennel but thicker and broader amongst which rise up divers crested stalks of a Cubit high having thereupon divers smaller stalks of winged leaves also finely cut but harsh to the seeling bearing at the top Umbels of white Flowers tending a little to yellow after which come seed much like Fennel-seed but browner and of a small taste The Root is thick black without and white within and of a good savour White Saxifrage hath many round faint yellowish green leaves but grayish underneath spread upon the ground unevenly dented about the edges and somewhat hairy every one upon a little foot-stalk from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy green stalk about a foot high with a few leaves like the former but smaller branched at the top whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five leaves apiece with some yellow threds in the middle standing in a long crested brownish green husk after which ariseth sometimes a round hard head biforked at the top wherein s contained blackish small seed The Root is composed of black strings or fibres whereunto are fastned many reddish grains about the bigness of Pepper-corns which are called by the Apothecaries white Saxifrage seed Burnet Saxifrage springeth up with divers stalks of winged leaves set one against another each being somewhat broad and a little dented about the edges of a sad green colour at the tops of the stalks come Umbels of white Flowers and after them small blackish seed The Root is long and whitish Names Saxifraga and Saxifragia are the Latine Names Place and Time The first groweth commonly in Meadows and Pastures and flowers from May till the end of August The second grows in Fields and corners of Meadows and in grassie sandy places and the third grows in moist Meadows and flowers about July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues They are all hot and dry in the third degree and said to be herbs of the Moon but I can finde no reason for it the decoction of the seeds or roots of Mead-Parsley made in white wine helps the Strangury provokes the Courses and expells the secondine or dead Childe and breaks the Stone in the Bladder and Kidneys half a dram or a dram of the root in powder taken with sugar warmeth and comsorteth the stomach and easeth griping pains of the belly and the Chollick and expelleth Winde and outwardly it is good in somentations and bathes to provoke Vrine and ease pains of the belly which proceed from Winde The decoction of the seed or root of white Saxifrage or the powder thereof drunk in wine is good against the Stone Strangury and stoppings of the Kidneys and Bladder The distilled water of the whole herb is good for the same purposes and to cleanse the Stomach and Lungs from tough and thick Phlegm The same water is given by Nurses to their Children for the frets and stopping of Vrine The Burnet Saxifrage hath the same properties as the other in expelling Vrine Winde and helping the Chollick and to ease pains of the Mother to procure Womens Courses to break the Stone in the Kidneys and to digest cold and tough Phlegm in the stomach and is a good remedy against venome The dryed roots are as hot as Pepper and may be used for it being more wholesome as saith Tragus The root and seeds in powder taken with Sugar purgeth the brain restoreth lost speech and is good for Convulsions Cramps Apoplexies and cold Feavers The distilled Water when in Castoreâ—â— hath been boiled is good for the same and also for the Palsie and other cold griefs The same drunk with wine and vinegar is good in the Plague and preserves from infection and corrupted air being chewed in the mouth The distilled water beautifieth the face and cleanseth it from spots and freckles and causeth a good colour and is good for all the purposes aforesaid being taken with sugar the juyce of the leaves doth the same and being dropped into wounds in the head or any other place it dryeth up the moisture and heals them quickly The seeds being made into Comfits like Carraway seeds are good for all the aforesaid purposes Scabious and the kindes Scabiosa THere are many kindes of this Plant mentioned by Authours Description I shall onely name three viz. Common Scabious small common Scabious Corn Scabious The onely difference between the two first is that the leaves of one are bigger then those of the other and the Corn Scabious is greater then the other the flowers more
it abates the redness of the face and nose caused by drinking or otherwise being given with Raisins as Wormseed is to Children it cleanseth the Matrix and so it doth the fume being received mixed with Rozin Bistort or Snakeweed Bistorta Form THis Herb hath a thick short knobbed root blackish without and reddish within crooked or wreathed together of a harsh astringent taste with divers blackish fibres thereon from whence ariseth divers leaves upon long foot stalks much like a dock leaf a little pointed at the ends of a blueish green on the upper side and of an Ash colour gray and a little purplish underneath having many veins therein the stalks are small and slender about half a yard high growing without leaves which beareth a spiky head of pale flesh coloured flowers which produceth small seed like unto Sorrel seed but greater Names It is called Bistorta and Serpentaria in English Bistort and Snakeweed Places and Time It grows in shadowy places at the foot of Hills in moist Grounds and Meadows I have found it in the Meadows by Wickomb in Buckinghamshire It flowers in May and the seed is ripe in July Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree and astringent it is good against the bitings of Snakes and Serpents from whence it got its name and the poison of Toads Spiders and other venomous Creatures if the place be washed with the distilled water of the Roots and leaves It stayes all Fluxes cures inward Bleeding and Spitting of Blood and Vomiting the powder of the root being taken in Wine or the Decoction being drunk the juyce is good against the Polipus and other Sores of the Nose both the Leaves and Roots resist poison The root in powder taken in drink the quantity of a dram at a time expells the venome of the Plague small Pox Measels Purples and other Infectious Diseases driving it out by seating The Root in powder or the Decoction thereof being drunk helps Ruptures and Bruises dissolving congealed Blood The Decoction in Wine hindreth Abortion the leaves kill Worms in Children and helps them that cannot hold their Water if some juyce of Plantain be added thereto and outwardly applyed it helps the running of the Reins A dram of the root in powder taken in the water thereof wherein some Steel hath been quenched is essectual for the same the body being first purged The decoction of the whole plant is good for Wounds or Sores the decoction of the roots in water with some Pomegranate Pills and Flowers is a good injection to reduce the Matrix to its right place and stop the overflowing of the Courses the Roots will keep good a year or two The Dose in powder is from a Scruple to a Dram in decoction from one dram to two or three which may be made in posset drink bruising the root onely ☞ See more of this in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Blackthorn or Sloebush Spinus THe Black Thorn is very well known to every boy for its Sloes so that it needs no further description Names It is called in Latine Spinus in English Black Thorn and the Sloe Tree Place and Time They grow plentifully in Hedge-rowes in most places of this Land they flower usually in March if the Spring be forward yet the Sloes are not ripe till October Frosts bite them Nature and Vertues Both the Sloe Tree and Fruit is cooling drying and the Sloes howsoever used are effectual against Lasks Looseness and Fluxes of Blood either in men or women The decoction of the bark of the root performeth the like effects and caseth pains in the Sides Bowells and Guts that come by overmuch Scowring or Looseness the Conserve hath the same effect the distilled water of the Flowers steeped one night in Sack and drawn therefrom in a body of glass easeth gnawings in the Stomach Sides and Bowels to drink a small quantity when they are troubled therewith Sloes being stamped and tunned up in an earthen pot with new Ale and so drunk helps pains in the Breast and the decoction of the Bark is good against pissing in bed The distilled water of the green Sloes and Flowers as also the decoction of the green leaves is good to wash a sore Mouth or Throat and to stay distillations of Rheume into the eyes and to case hot pains of the Head the Forehead and Temples being bathed therewith ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Blites Blitue THere are two kindes of Blites white and red the white groweth up two or three foot the leaves are somewhat like Beets but smaller rounder and of a whitish green colour the Flowers grow on the tops in long tufts or clusters wherein is contained a small round seed the roots is fibrous Names It is called in Latine Blitus and Blitum in English Blite and Blites Place and Time Both sorts are found wilde in many places of this Land and are also nourished in some Gardens they slourish all Summer seeds about August or September and continues green all Winter Quality and Vertues Blites are cold and moist in the second degree under the dominion of Venus their Physical use is to restrain Fluxes of Blood other in man or woman the red stay the Reds and the white the Whites in women The white Blite is proved a delightful bait to Fishes as Anglers say Bloodwort Vide Docks Borrage Borrago THe Garden Borrage is so well known it needs no Description Borrago is the Latine name thereof Place and Time It grows plentifully in Gardens in most places of this Land and flowers in July and August Quality and Vertues Borrage is one of Jupiters Cordials hot and moist in the first degree all parts of it are cordial and do expel Sadness and Melancholly it cleanseth the Blood and is effectual in putrid and pestilential Feavers to defend the Heart The juyce made into a Syrrup is good for the same purpose and cleanseth the Blood and tempers the heat thereof the conserve of the Flowers is good for the same purposes and is a good Cordial for such as are in Consumptions it comforts the Heart and Spirits and is therefore good for those that are troubled with Swoonings and Passions of the heart The distilled water is effectual for the same purposes and helps Inflammations and redness of the Eyes they being washed therewith The Herb in Summer being boiled with some other Sallet Herbs is an excellent Sallet and grateful to the Stomach being eaten with Butter and Vinegar The Bramble Bush Rubus I Shall not need describe this Bush if you go by a Hedge it will be acquainted with you if it can lay hold of your cloathes Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Batus in Latine Rubus and Sentis of some Cynosbatus in English Bramble and Black-berry-bush the fruit Black-berries which are called in shops Mora Bati Place and Time It is a companion for every hedge almost most it flowers in July
and the berries are ripe towards Michaelmas Temperature and Vertues The Leaves Root and Berries of the Bramble are all of an astringent quality it s a plant of Mars and is good to stop Fluxes and Lasks and the decoction of the Flowers or unripe fruit helps spitting of Blood they also help Vlcers and Sores of the Mouth and Throat the Leaves likewise are good to make Lotions for the sores of the Mouth and privy parts and to heal a cut finger too the powder of the root expells the Stone and Gravel of the Reins and Kidneys the berries or flowers are good against the poison of venomous Serpents The decoction of them binde the Belly and stop the over-flowing of womens Courses the juyce of the ripe berries being drunk and the pumish of them out of which it is strained being outwardly applyed to swellings in the Neck and Throat is a speedy remedy for those Distempers The distilled water of the flowers and fruit is good in Feavers and heat of the Body A syrrup of the ripe berries may be kept all the year for the purposes aforesaid ☞ See further in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Bryony Brionia THere are two sorts of Bryony growing here in England Description the white Bryony or wilde Vine and the black Bryony the white Bryony springeth up with long tender stalks with many clasping tendrells by which it catcheth hold and clambreth on those things that are near it the leaves are like our Vine leaves but more hairy and whiter of colour the flowers be white and small consisting of five leaves apiece the berries grow in clusters and are green at first but red when they are ripe the root groweth very big and is bitter Names The Latine name is Bryonia in English Bryony and wilde Vine Some call the white root English Jollap and use it instead thereof Place and Time It growes in Hedge-rowes and Coppices in many of our Countreys and flowers in May and the berries be ripe in Autumne Quality and Vertues The white Bryony is chiefly used in Physick and is hot and dry in the third degree or more an herb of Mars it purgeth with great violence being taken alone but a scruple or two of the powder of the root with a third part of Cynamon and Ginger being drunk in white Wine draweth away water abundantly both by Vomit and Stool and therefore is good for the Dropsie The compound water of Bryony a spoonful being taken at a time easeth the fits of the Mother expells the After-birth and cleanseth the Womb so likewise doth a Pessary of the root and also draweth forth the dead Childe it provokes Vrine and purgeth the Reins and Bladder opens obstructions of the Spleen draweth away Phlegm and Rheumes from the Head and Brain and therefore is profitable in the falling Sickness and swimming of the head the juyce applyed cleanseth the skin from the Morphew and Leprosie the root is good against the bitings of venomous Creatures kills Worms and is good against the Kings Evil the juyce being taken with equal parts of Wine and Honey the Berries and distilled water are good to take away spots and freckles in the face ☞ See more of this in The Art of Smpling by W. C. Brookelime Becabunga BRookelime groweth up with thick stalks Description parted into divers branches the leaves are broad thick and smooth like Purslane leaves but of a darker green colour growing by couples upon the stalks the flowers are of a blue colour and grow upon tender foot stalks the root is white having five strings fastned thereto at every joynt Names It is usually called in Latine Becabunga in English Brookelime Place and Time It groweth in small Brooks Ditches and standing Waters it flowers in June and July Temperature and Vertues It is of a temperate moist quality some say dry Culpepper ascribes it to Mars but I am sure then his Logick is false for it groweth not in martial places I rather give Venus the rule of it It is good against Dropsies and Scurvies and is used in Spring time in water Gruel to purge the body from ill homours and to cleanse the Blood it is also used with Water-cresses and other Herbs for the same purpose it is helpful to break the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder provokes Vrine and womens Courses and expells the dead Birth it helps the Strangury and heals inward Scabs in the Bladder the juyce being drunk in Wine being fryed with butter and vinegar and applyed warm it helps Tumors and St. Anthonies fire being often renewed Butchers Broom Bruscus THis groweth up somewhat more then a foot high Description with a tough round stalk which spreadeth into divers green branches the leaves are of a dark green colour hard and prickly at the ends it giveth a whitish green flower consisting of four round pointed leaves after which comes a round berry which is red when it is ripe the root is thick white and great at the head from whence shooteth divers thick white tough strings Names In Latine it is called Ruscus and Bruscus in English it is called Knee-holme Knee-holly and Butchers broom because Butchers use it to cleanse their Stalls and keep Flyes away from the meat Places and Time It grows plentifully in dry waste grounds and near Holly Bushes you may often finde it in most places of this Land in dry light ground The berries are ripe about September and the leaves abide green all Winter Quality and Vertues The roots which are chiefly used in Physick are moderately hot and dry with a thin quality it is one of the five opening roots and doth open obstructions provokes Vrine expels Gravel and the Stone helpeth the Strangury drives down the Terms cleanseth the Breast of Phlegm and the Chest of clammy humours being taken with Honey the berries may be used in Electuaries for the same purpose The juyce being drunk and a pultis made of the berries and leaves being applyed is effectual in knitting broken Bones or parts out of joynt In diseases of the Reins and Bladder a Decoction of the sive opening roots is thus made Take of this root and the roots of Parsley Fennel Smallage and Grass of each a like quantity and boil them in White Wine and drink the decoction respect being had to the strength of the Pattent in making it stronger or weaker It may also be made in water for want of wine and sweetned with Sugar Broom and Broomrape Genista TDe Broom needs no description the Broomrape springeth up from the roots of the Broom in form like unto Bastard Orchis called Birds-nest having a root like a Turnip or Rape Names It is called in Latine Genista and the broom-rape Rapum Genistae Place and Time Broom delights to grow in dry grounds and quickly over runs whole Fields if they lie a little untilled My Fathers Grounds at Holshot in Hampshire are never free from it altogether it flowers about the latter end of Summer Quality and
fire and cools the heat of the Piles clothes being wet therein and applyed it likewise takes away hot Pushes and Wheals ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Comfrey Consolida THis herb I suppose needs no description being generally known Names It is called Consolidae of which there is major and minor the greater and lesser Consound Comfrey is the greater and is so called from consolidating or knitting together which faculty it hath and is therefore called also Knit-back or Backwort because it bindes and strengthens the Back Place and Time It grows in Meadows by rivers sides and ditches in fruitful grounds as near Debtford in Kent it grows in abundance it is also planted in Gardens they flower in May and June and seed in August Nature and Vertues It is of a cold drying binding Saturning quality it is very good for the Back and the running of the Reins being boiled and eaten with Butter and Vinegar it is a very good Sallet some boil it and eat it with Bacon which way it is also effectual for the aforesaid purpose it stops Fluxes inward or outward Bleeding and the Terms the decoction of the roots being drunk it heals inward Wounds and Vlcers of the Lungs it stops the Reds and Whites the syrrup is effectual for all the said purposes and the distilled water is good to wash Wounds and Sores The Roots bruised and applyed is good to close together the lips of green Wounds and stayeth the bleeding of the Piles and Hemorrhoides and cools the Inflammations thereof it likewise eases the pains of the Gout being so applyed Walter Caltrops Tribulus Aquaticus THey rise with long slender stalks from the bottom of the water Description and float above the water the root is long and greater towards the top of the water then the bottom having tassels full of small strings on the stem the leaves are large and round notched a little about the edges somewhat resembling Poplar or Elme leaves the fruit groweth in prickley heads which are hard sharp and trianguler wherein is contained a white kernel in taste like Chestnuts Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Tribulus Aquaticus Tribulus Lacustris and the Apothecaries Tribulus Marinus in English Caltrops Saligot and Water Nuts and the fruit is called Castania Aquatiles or Water Chesnuts Place and Time It groweth in lakes standing waters and Springs in Germany Brabant and the Low Countreys so that being an outlandish Plant I would not have troubled the Reader with a description but to acquaint him that it is thrust in by the writer of that Book called Culpeppers English Physician enlarged amongst the English Plants as a great many more are both Outlandish and useless yet there is a small kinde hereof called small Frogs Lettice which bears small whitish flowers consisting of four leaves apiece which groweth in the River by Droxford in Hampshire alwayes continuing under the water and is green both Winter and Summer they all flower in June and July Nature and Vertues Caltrops are of a cold and moist nature so that a pultis made thereof is good against inflammations and hot swellings and being boiled with honey and water it cures Cankers of the Mouth sore Gums and the almonds of the Throat knobs and swellings and the Kings Evil The green Nuts drunk with wine is good for the Stone and Grayel and a powder thereof bindes the Belly and is good for them that piss Blood The same drunk wich wine resists poison venome and bitings of venomous creatures and the herb applyed outwardly helps venomous bitings Campions Wilde Lychnis THere are divers kindes hereof both wilde and in Gardens Lychnis sylvestris purpurea called red Batchelors Buttons and Lychnis alba white Batchelors Buttons they are useless in Physick yet Culpeppers writer will ascribe them to Saturn and saith The decoction stayes inward bleedings and the herb outwardly applyed doth the like and that being drunk it provokes Vrine expells the Gravel and Stone in the Reins and Kidneys and two drams of the seed drunk in wine purgeth chollerick humours helps venomous bitings and may be effectual for the Plague and that the herb is useful in old sores Vlcers and the like to cleanse and heal them All this may be true for any thing either he or I know to the contrary Indeed most of the kindes hereof except the two first named are strangers in England and are onely planted in Gardens for the beauty of the flowers Carduus Benedictus Vide Holy Thistle Carawayes Carui CAraway hath fine cut leaves much like Carrot leaves Description but not so bushing lying on the ground in divers stalks of a quick taste among which riseth up a square stalk not so high as the Carrot having the like leaves at the joynts but smaller and finer having at the top small open umbels of white slowers which produce a small blackish seed less then Anniseed and hotter in taste the root is somewhat like a Parsnip but is much less and hath a more wrinckled bark and a little hottish taste Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Caros Carum and Caruum and in the Shops Carui in English Caraway and Carawayes Place and time It is sown in our English Gardens flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe soon after Nature and Vertues The seeds are most used in Physick and according to Gallen are hot and dry almost in the third degree of a moderate sharp quality the herb may be eaten raw with other herbs in Sallets or boiled and the roots may be boiled and eaten as Parsnips they break winde comfort the Stomach and help Digestion The herb or seed and herb bruised and applyed hot in a cloth or bag to the bottom of the Belly eases the winde Chollick and is good against hot swellings The seeds eaten alone or mixed with meat or medicine comfort the Stomach break Winde and help digestion for which purpose also they are used to be put into bread they also help cold griefs in the head windiness in the Bowels and Mother and used to be mixed with purgative medicines to correct their windiness it also provokes Vrine helps the Cough and is good against the Phrensey and venomous bitings being put into a poultis it takes away black and blue spots which come by blows or bruises and used with allom it helps Scabs Tetters and falling off the hair Earth Chest-nuts Nucula terrestris THis root is round and knobbed Description with some bunchings out brown without and white within tasting much like a Chesnut but sweeter from whence springeth up small cressed stalks about a foot high whereon grow leaves next the ground like Parsley leaves but finer and towards the top like dill The flowers are white and stand at the tops of the stalks in spoky rundels like the tops of dill The seeds not much unlike Fennel seed but much smaller growing together by couples having a good smell
heat and redness of the Eyes The Chymical gyl and tincture may be used for any of the aforesaid purposes Corral-wort Vide Dog-toothed Violet Crabs Claws or fresh Water Souldier Sedum Aquatile THis hath leaves much like Sempervivum Description or herb Aloe but shorter and lesser having stiff prickles about the edges amongst the leaves come forth divers husks like Crabs Claws which open into white flowers of three leaves apiece having in the middle divers hairy yellowish threds it hath no roots but long strings like worms which fall down from a short head whereout the leaves spring to the bottom of the water where they be seldom fastned but at the bottom there grows many other strings aslope from the same strings being smaller Names It s called Sedum Aquatile water Singreen wading pondweed fresh water Souldier Knights Pondwort water Housleek and the like Place and Time It grows in the Fenns in Lincolnshire and other muddy waters and flowers to August Nature and Vertues This plant is of a cooling nature and is good to keep green Wounds from Inflammations an oyntment thereof is good against hot Swellings St. Anthonies fire and other Inflammations This herb is good for bruises in the Reins and Kidneys stops any flux of blood issuing thence and likewise to stop the terms for which purposes a decoction of the herb or a dram of the dryed herb in powder may be taken every morning in any convenient Liquor or other â—chule Cucumbers Cucumer Cucumis THis Garden Plant needs no Description the names are above the place is well dunged Gardens and the time when the fruit is ripe the Journeymen Tailors in London are very sensible of Nature and Vertues They are cold and moist in the third degree some hold but in the second it must be the latter end of it then the fruit is good sauce for hot Stomachs and Livers but being much eaten ingender raw Humours the juyce of them is good to cleanse the skin and helps hot rheumes in the Eyes the seeds provoke Vrine cleanses the passages thereof and is good for such as have Vlcers in the bladder for which purpose they are used in Emulsions as also to cool the heat of the Vrine in virulent Gonorrhea's the distilled water of the whole fruit taketh away Sunburning Freckles and Morphew the face being washed therewith Wilde Cucumbers Cucumis agrestis Elaterium THis plant groweth not wilde in England Description but onely in Gardens where it is planted it groweth up with many fat hairy branches rough and full of juyce creeping upon the ground the leaves are hairy and rough of an overgrown grayish green colour and three pointed from the bosom of which come forth long tender foot stalks on whose tops come small pale yellow flowers having five small leaves apiece the fruit is about the bigness of a small Pullets Egge but longer rough and hairy coloured like the stalks wherein is contained much water and hard blackish seeds like Tares when it is come to maturity it squirteth forth its own water and seeds either of it self or with the gentlest touch of a hand and oftentimes flyeth on the face of them that touch it making it smart a great while after whereby it got the name of Noli me tangere The root is white thick and long lasting the whole plant and fruit bitter in taste Names In Greek its called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Agrestis and Erraticus cucumis in Shops Cucumer Asminus and the prepared juyce is called Elaterium Place and Time It springs up in May and the fruit is ripe in Autumne it grows amongst rubbish and in untilled places in hot Countreys and is here planted in Gardens Nature and Vertues The bitterness speaks them to be hot the plant is hot and cleansing the juyce hot in the second degree and of thin parts the prepared juyce called Elaterium which is to be had at the Apothecaries purgeth Choller Phlegm and watry humors both by seige and Vomit prevaileth against the Dropsie and shortness of breath and being snuffed up into the nostrils with a little milk it helps redness of the Eyes The juyce of the root purgeth Phlegm and watry humours and is good against the Dropsie but not so effectual as Elaterium The dose of the juyce may be from half a grain to three grains according to the strength or constitution of the Patient but Gerhard prescribes it to be given from five grains to half a scruple which I suppose is too much it being a churlish Medicine Saracens Consound Solidago THis plant groweth up with long narrow green leaves dented about Description somewhat like peach or willow leaves but of a darker green the stalk is hollow brownish and sometimes green growing near a mans height beset with leaves to the top where doth stand many pale yellow star-like flowers in green heads after whith comes a long small yellowish brown coloured seed inclosed in doun which is afterwards carried away with the winde the root consists of a head of fibres which lasteth all Winter The plant hath a strong unpleasant taste and smell Names It is called Consolida and Solidago as Comfrey is onely Saracenica to distinguish it some also call it Herba fortis because of its strong smell Place and Time They grow in moist wet grounds flower about July and the seed is ripe in August or September Nature and Vertues Saracens Consound is hot and dry near the third degree and astringent an herb of Mars and an excellent wound herb so that Mars can cure as well as wound The herb steeped in Wine and then distilled the water is good for Wounds and Vlcers whether inward or outward so is the juyce or decoction it cleanseth green Wounds and old sores from corruption and heals them it likewise heals the sores of the privy parts and Vlcers of the mouth and throat they being gargled therewith The decoction of the herb in wine opens obstructions of the Gall and Liver and is good for the yellow Jaundies and to prevent Dropsies It also heals Vlcers of the Reins and other inward wounds ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Coryander Coriandrum I Shall not take up room to describe this stinking Saturning Plant. Names The Latines call it Coriandrum Place and Time It is onely sown and kept in Gardens flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues The leaves and seeds being green are cold and dry and hurtful to the body if taken inwardly but the seeds being steeped in Vinegar and dryed are moderately hot and dry and then they are good for the Stomach and helps digestion the Comfits of the prepared seeds repress Vapours that ascend to the head help digestion and stay vomiting The seeds taken in Wine kills Worms and stops Fluxes helps the Winde Chollick and stopping of Vrine The powder of the seed drunk in sweet Wine provokes lust the green herb boiled with Barley meal
especially where there is any Inflammation The leaves bruised and applyed helps the swellings of the Cods and the decoction cures inward Vlcers of the secret parts cools the Liver and abates the heat of Choller ☞ See further in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Dandelion THis is counted amongst the kindes of Succory and therefore I shall refer it to that place Darnel Lolium IT groweth up with rough long leaves Description with a slender joynted stalk at the top whereof groweth a long spike with many heads one above another containing divers husks on each side the stalk wherein are contained the seeds which easily fall out whereby it increases much to the prejudice of the Corn where it usually grows Names It is called in Latine Lolium in English Darnel and Ray. Place and time It is too well known amongst Corn and is ripe when the Corn is Nature and Vertues Darnel is hot and dry according to Galen of a cleansing quality it restrains Fluxes overflowing of the Terms and the involuntary passing away of Vrine therefore it is good for such as piss their beds the meal thereof it good to stay the spreading of fretting sores and Gangreens the decoction thereof in water and honey is good against the Sciatica and it cleanseth the skin helps the Leprosie and Morphew being applyed with sait and rhadish roots it also draws out splinters and thorns being applyed pultis-wise with hogs grease but it is very nought for the eyes and head causing giddiness if the seeds get into bread amongst Corn as often it doth if not carefully prevented Danewort Vide Dwarf Elder Dates Dactyli THis Tree groweth in the Eastern Countries from whence the fruit is brought to us They are called in Latine Dactyli The ripe dates are said to be hot and moist in the second degree they yield a fat gross nourishment they are good against Consumptions Coughs and hoarseness they stir up Venery strengthen the Back Liver and Spleen The decoction of them cools hot Agues and helps spitting of Blood they stay Vomiting Looseness and Womens Courses and the falling of the Fundament Devils Bit. Morsus Diaboli THis is a kinde of Scabious Description and so like Scabious that they are hardly known asunder but by the bitten root or flower it hath small upright round stalks about half a yard high whereon are set somewhat broad long leaves somewhat hairy and uneven little or nothing snipt about the edges the flowers are of a dark purple colour fashioned like Scabious flowers the seeds are small and douny being carried away with the winde when they are ripe the root is black thick hard and short with many threddy strings fastned to it and about the middle a piece seemeth to be bitten out of it and the root almost bitten in two which if old Sawes be true the Devil did for envy because the herb is so beneficial for the health of mankinde Names It s called in Latine Morsus Diaboli because as is said the root seems to be bitten almost in two and in English for the same reason Devils Bit and of some Forebit Place and Time It delights in dry Meadows Woods and wayes fides grows plentifully in Danemoor Wood in Hampshire in Cobham Park in Kent and sundry other places It flowreth in August Nature and Vertues Devils Bit is hot and dry in the latter end of the second degree somewhat bitter in taste the decoction thereof drunk drives forth Winde and easeth pains of the Matrix or Mother It is an excellent remedy against old swellings of the Almonds and upper part of the Throat the mouth being gargled with a decoction thereof and a little honey of Roses cleanseth the Jaws of slimy Phlegm digesting and consuming it and takes away swellings in those parts Devils Bit serveth for all those infirmities which Scabious doth being as effectual against the stingings of poisonous Beasts poisons and pestilent diseases and to consume and waste away Plague sores being bruised and laid upon them Dogs-grass Vide Couch-grass Doun or Cotton Thistle Acanthium THis common Thistle is so well known by his sharp prickles and douny heads that its needless to describe him further Names It s called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Acanthium in English Doun Thistle because the doun may be gathered to stuff Pillows and Cushions it s also called Cotton Thistle Argentine or silver Thistle Place and Time They grow by ditches sides and high-wayes almost every where they flower from June till August the second year after sowing and when the seed is ripe the herb perisheth Nature and Vertues Gallen saith these are hot of temperature and a Decoction of the leaves and roots being drunk is good for those that have their necks turned awry or backwards or their bodies drawn together by a Spasm or Convulsion Dwarf Elder or Dane Wort. Ebulus DWarf elder is as it were Description both a herby plant and a shrub having leaves very like unto Elder and green stalks not wooddy which perish in Winter being edged and full of joynts like the young branches of Elder the leaves are wider and greater then those of the common Elder long and broad and cut in the edge like a Saw and consist of many leaves standing by couples upon a thick ribbed stalk the flowers are white tipt with red and grow at the top of the stalks in tuffs having in them five little chives pointed with black after which come black berries like common Elder having in them little long seed The root is rough and somewhat long Names In Greek its called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est humilis Sambucus in Latine Ebulus and Ebulum in English Dwarf Elder Danewort and Walwort Place and Time Dwarf Elder grows by common High wayes and in untilled Fields it grows plentifully in the road between Sittingburn and Canterbury and in the Lane near Hyedsor Wharf in Buckinghamshire and in the grounds of Mr. Hinde there Nature and Vertues Dwarf Elder is hot and dry in the third degree having a wasting and consuming quality according to Gallen it hath a purging faculty by the stool a scruple of the seed bruised and taken once a week in syrrup of Roses and a glass of Sack purgeth down watry humours whereby it is available in the Dropsie and to ease the Gout for which purpose the feed may be given to the quantity of a dram The leaves have the chiefest faculty to digest and consume therefore being applyed in a pultis bathe or fomentation they waste away hard swellings The young leaves applyed with Barley Meal cooleth hot inflammations and is good for burnings scaldings and bitings of mad Dogs An unguent made thereof with Bulls tallow or Goats suet easeth the Gout The roots of Danewort are accounted of greatest force a decoction of them in Wine purgeth down watry humours and is good against the Dropsie if they be boiled in a bath to sit in they soften and open the Matrix and
dwarf Elder Humilis Sambucus and Ebulus and in English is known by the names of Walwort Danewort and Dwarf Elder Place and Time There is scarce a Town or Village but the common Elder grows in its Hedges the Dwarf Elder grows wilde in many places of England particularly in the grounds of Mr. Hinde at Hedsor in Buckinghamshire The Elder Flowers in June the fruit is usually ripe in August the Dwarf Elder is somewhat later Nature and Vertues Elder is hot and dry in the second and third degree the Danewort something hotter both under Mars it is profitable for the Dropsie and to remove watry humours between the skin and the flesh the young buds boiled in broth purges Phlegm and Choller the inner bark is commended for the yellow Jaundies medicines prepared of the bark opens obstructions six drops of the spirit of Elder salt taken in broth is good in the Scurvy The decoction of the root in wine cures the bitings of venomous Beasts and mad Dogs mollifies hardness of the Mother opens the Veins and provokes the Terms the berries work the same effects the juyce of the green leaves helps inflammations of the Eyes there is hardly a disease from the head to the foot but Elder is effectual for it it is good for Melancholly Madness the Falling Sickness Palsie Apoplexy catharrs Tooth-ache Deafness diseases of the Lungs Mouth and Throat Hoarseness Ptisick sore Breasts swoonings and Faintings Gout Worms Stone Plague Pox Measles and diseases of the Stomach Cùm multis aliis c. The Dwarf Elder is stronger then the other for all the said purposes and hath besides particular vertues viz. the juyce of the root cures the Kings Evil and Quinzy being applyed to the Throat and being put into the Fundament stayes it from falling down The root being steeped in Wine all night helps Agues a dram of the seeds in powder with a little Cinamon taken in the decoction of ground Pine is good against the French Disease Gout Sciatica and joynt Aches by drawing away peccant humours An Oyntment made of the green leaves with May Butter mollifies starkness of the Nerves and Sinews and remedies outward Pains Aches Cramps and Lameness ☞ See further in Adam in Eden by W. Coles Elecampane Enula IT groweth up with a long hairy stalk Description bearing great large leaves pointed at the ends it gives a large yellow flower the root is white and increaseth much every year spreading under the ground 't is well known therefore I forbear any further description Names Enula Campana is the Latine Appellation Place and Time It delights in Meadows and fertile ground flowers in June and July and the leaves fall in Autumne Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the third degree a Solar herb a great friend to the Breast and Lungs and a helper of shortness of Breath it opens the Liver and Spleen and is good against poisons and venomous bitings and helps Cramps Ruptures and inward bruises the decoction of the root being drunk the roots candied warm a cold Stomach helps the Cough and Wheesings An oyntment made of the roots with Hogs grease and a little flower of Brimstone is an excellent remedy for the Itch. The root chewed fastens loose Teeth and preserves them from rotting The distilled water of the green leaves makes the face fair cleanses the skin and helps the Morphew The decoction thereof provokes Vrine and the Terms and cleanses the Breast and Lungs Elme-Tree Ulmus THis Tree is so well known for its Timber it needs no description but we proceed to the Physical use of it Names Vlmus the Latines call it Nature and Vertues The Leaves and Bark are moderately hot having a cleansing and glewing quality and I believe Saturnine The water in the bladders upon the leaves are said to be good to help burstness cloathes being wet in the water and applyed and the parts bound up with a Truss it also cleanses the Skin The decoction of the Bark of the Root softens hard swellings the decoction of the middle bark is good to bathe places burnt or scalded and being boiled in wine and some syrrup of Mulberries added to it causes the pallat of the mouth to ascend being fallen the decoction in water helps the Dandriff Scurfs and Leprosie The leaves heal green Wounds and the water of the bladders that grow upon the leaves being put in a glass and set in Horse-dung for five and twenty dayes the mouth of the glass being stopt and a lay of salt underneath so that the feces may settle and the water become very clear is a sovereign Balsome for green wounds being applyed with sofe Tents it may be set in the ground if you be not provided of Dung An Vnguent being made of Elme Bark by boiling it to that consistence is a sovereign remedy to allay the pains of the Gout Endive Endivia MAster Coles comprehends the Succory Description Dandelion and Endive all together as not differing in Nature though in Form and one Greek name goes for them all namely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet Succory is called Cichoreum and Cichorea in Latine and the Endive Endivia which Endive bears a larger leaf then Succory and the root perishes every year it bears blue flowers and seed like Succory The names I have given you in the Description Place and Time It is an inhabitant onely in Gardens if it be sown in the Spring it quickly flowers and seeds Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry cleansing Jovial saith Mr. Culpepper but I judge rather under Venus it cools the sharpness of Vrine and cleanses the uretory parts The decoction of it or the distilled water is good in hot Agues and Inflammations to mittigate the heat it helps the great heat of the Stomach and Liver stoppings of the Gall and Vrine lack of sleep in hot burning Fevers being outwardly applyed it allayes Swellings Pushes and Pimples and is good to wash pestiferous sores and Vlcers ☞ See further in The expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Eringo or Sea-holly Eringium THe Sea-holly cometh up with tender leaves at the first Description but as they grow old they grow hard and prickly crumpled about the edges with here and there a sharp prickle they are of a blueish green colour and stand every one upon a long foot stalk after comes a long crested stalk having several joynts beset with leaves sharp and prickly it bears round prickly herds out of which shoot blue flowers with whitish threads in the middle the root grows very long and is about the bigness of a mans little finger having a pleasant taste brownish without but white within with some pith in the middle Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Eringium the Shop Eringus and Eringo in English we call in Sea-holly Place and Time It grows about the Sea sides in most Countreys of England as upon the Sea Sands by Yarmouth in Norfolk and about Shuberry in Essex it flowers about
flowers the seed is small and shining while it is fresh very like Fleas but turning black when it grows old the root is white hard and woody perishing every year The whole plant is whitish hairy and smelling somewhat like Rozin Names It s called in Latine Herba pulicaria and in Shops Psyllium in English Fleawort Place and time It grows with us no where but in Gardens but there is another kinde much like the former which grows in Fields near the Sea-coasts they flower in July or thereabouts with us but in thier natural Countreys all the Summer Nature and Vertues The seed of Fleawort which is chiefly used in Physick is cold in the second degree and temperate in moisture and driness according to Gallen and Serapio it is a Saturnine Plant. The muscilage made with Rose water and taken with syrrup of Violets or a little Sugar purges Choller and Phlegm is useful in burning Fevers to lenisie chirst and driness of the mouth and throat it helps also Hoarseness Inflammations of the Breast Lungs and Head and hot pains in the joynts the muscilage of the seed in an Electuary with Marmalade of Quinces and Sugarcandy hath the same effects and stayes the fluxions of hot Rheumes The seeds dryed and taken with Plantain water stayes fluxes of the Belly and helps the gripings thereof caused by Chollerick humours or the over-working of violent Medicines the seeds bruised or the herb mixed with juyce of Night-shade or Housleek oyl of Roses and Vinegar easeth the hot Gout and hot Imposthumes the water wherein the seeds have been steeped is good against St. Anthonies fire the juyce with Honey put into the Ears stayes the running thereof and is good for sore Breasts being often applyed thereunto being mixed with Hogs Grease and applyed to corrupt Sores and Vlcers it heals them The muscilage of the seed made in Plantain water and mixed with the yolk of an Egge or two and a little of the Vnguent Populeon easeth the pains of the Piles and Hemorrhoides being bound thereto It is not safe for cold and moist bodies Flixweed Thalictrum FLixweed springs up with a round upright hard stalk about two foot high Description spread into many branches whereon grow many grayish green leaves finely jagged like Roman Wormwood the flowers are small of a dark yellow colour and grows in a spiky fashion on the tops of the spriggy branches after which grow long pods with small yellowish seed in them The root is long weedy and perishes every year Names It is called in Latine Pseudonasturtium Sylvestre Thalictrum and Sophia Chirurgorum Places and Time It grows by Hedge sides High wayes upon old walls in many places of this Land and flowers from the beginning of June till the end of September Nature and Vertues It s a drying astringent Saturnine Herb the seed drunk in Wine or water wherein Steell hath been often quenched stops the Lask Bloody Flux and all other issues of Blood the Herb boiled performs the same effects and also it consolidates Bones broken or out of Joynt from which vertue it obtained the name of Sophia Chirurgorum a syrrup of it may be made to be taken inwardly for the former purposes The juyce drunk in Wine or the decoction of the Herb kills Worms in the Stomach and Belly and Worms which sometimes breed in Vlcers the juyce or bruised herb put into Oyntments or Salves quickly heals old Sores how foul or malignant soever they be They whose Stomachs cannot brooke any of the former Medicines may take the distilled water which worketh the same effects but not so effectually or powerfully Fluellin or Lluellin Veronica Mas. OF this plant there is a male and a female kinde Description called male and female Speedwell before the Welch-man gave it her Countrey name Lluellin The common Speedwell hath divers soft leaves about the breadth of a two pence of a hoary green colour a little dented about the edges set by couples at the joynts of the hairy brownish stalks which lean upon the ground never standing upright but shooting forth roots as they lie upon the ground at divers joynts the flowers grow one above another at the top and are of a blueish purple colour sometimes white the seed is small and blackish contained in small flat husks The root is fibrous Names In Latine it hath been called Veronica Mas and Veronica Femina and Betonica Pauli in English Male and Female Speedwel and Pauls Betony but the Shentleman of Wales hath given it the name of Lluellin because it saved her Nose which the French Pox had almost gotten from her Place and Time They grow upon dry Banks and Wood sides and in sandy grounds in many places of this Land They flower in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues The Male is temperately hot and dry the Female cooling and drying the Male is most common and of greatest use they are both good wound Herbs a Salve being made therewith with wax oyl and Turpentine it also hinders the fretting of old Vlcers stayes Bleeding of Wounds dissolves Swellings it strengthens the Heart and expells Poison and Venome from thence it strengthens the Memory eases swimmings and pains in the Head The decoction given in Wine it cleanses the Blood and helps the Leprosie as is said A dram of it in powder in its own distilled water helps the Cough and diseases of the Lungs and Breast It opens the Liver and Spleen cleanses Vlcers in the Reins and Bladder the distilled water is good to wash Wounds and Sores and helps Morphew Scabs and Freckles a little Coper as being dissolved therein and bathed therewith The Female Speedwel or Fluellin bruised and applyed with Barley Meal helps watring Eyes caused by hot Rheumes flowing from the Head it stops the overflowing of the Terms and all Fluxes of Blood it helps the inward parts which need consolidating and strengthning the leaves being sod in broth with a Hen or piece of Veal It is effectual to heal green Wounds and to cleanse and heal old soul Vlcers and fretting Cancers the juyce and decoction of the herb taken inwardly and the herb used outwardly ☞ See more of this in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Fox Gloves Digitalis IT is known so commonly almost to every Childe in my Countrey of Hampshire that I shall forbear to make any large description of it Names Authours call it by many strange Latine names as Digitalis Virga Regia Campanula silvestris and many other affected names We in English call it Fox-Gloves and in Hampshire it is very well known by the name of Poppers because if you hold the broad end of the flower close between your finger and thumb and blow at the small head as into a bladder till it be full of winde and then suddenly strike on it with your other hand it will give a great crack or pop Place and Time They grow generally in dry grounds and under Hedges sides in most Countreys
venomous worms The Ashes may be mixed with medicines to take away Scabs Leprosie and to cleanse the skin and likewise it consumes proud and superfluous flesh in poisonous and filthy Vlcers as say Avicen and Serapio Sandiver doth dry and takes away Scabs and Manginess the foul parts being washed and bathed with the water wherein it hath been boiled ☞ See more of this in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Goats Thorn or Gum Dragon Tragacantha IT is a bushy plant Description having thorns which represent a Goats beard having a great root which being wounded with some instrument yieldeth a liquor which by the heat of the Sun is soon condensed into a shining white Gum shrivelling its self into little crooked pieces sweet in taste Names Place and Time It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and is known in Latine by the name of Tragacantha Gummi Tragacanthae and Gum Trajant in English and is brought to us from Candy and Syria where it yields his Gum in Autumne Nature and Vertues Gum Dragant is somewhat dry having a quality to dull and allay the sharpness of humours a dram of it dissolved in sweet wine and a little burnt Harts-born washed and a little Allome mixed with it and drunk is good against the sharpness of the Vrine and helps pains of the Guts and Bowels being dissolved and mixed with other pectorals it helps the Cough and hoarseness of the Throat salt and sharp distillations upon the Lungs being taken as an Electuary or put under the tongue letting it distill gently down and so it taken away the roughness of the Tongue The said Gum being torrefied or dryed at the fire and mixed with the juyce or wine of Quinces and used in a Glister is good against the bloody Flux being boiled in wine with Stoechas and drunk it warmeth and cleanseth the Breast Stomach and Bowels being afflicted with any cold helps the Chollick and stopping of the Spleen and Vrine it is also used in Medicines for the Eyes to allay the heat and sharpness of hot Rheumes and being dissolved in milk and used it takes away white spots growing in the Eyes the itching of them and Wheals and Scabs that grow upon the Eye-lids it cleanseth the face and maketh it white if it be steeped a night in Rose-water and in the morning a little Borace or Camphire be put thereto and the face washed therewith being dissolved in Rose-water and strained and some white starch mixed with it it is effectual to help sores and Chaps of the Mouth Lips and Hands the place being anointed therewith the Muscilage mixed with Honey doth the same and is good for the Leprosie The powder of it taken in broth is available for those that have broken a Vein or have the Cramp There is another kinde hereof called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Poterion because it delights in watry places which grows in Candy and about Marselles and Montpelier in France the root whereof being boiled in Wine and drunk is profitable against the poison of the Red Toad and being made into a pultis and applied to any Nerve or Sinew that is cut wounded or hurt doth heal them and soder them together and all other kindes of wounds and cuts The said decoction of the roots in Wine is effectual to be drunk for the said purposes and for inward Wounds or Veins that are broken There is another Gum brought into England and to be had at our Druggists called Gum Arabick which is effectual for many of the aforesaid purposes but especially for helping those frettings of the Reins and Bladder which cause bloody Urine being used in the same manner as Gum Tragant Harts-ease or wilde Pansies Herba Trinitatis Description and Names THis is a kinde of Violets growing 〈◊〉 well in Gardens as 〈…〉 rally known by the name of Hartsease 〈…〉 is called Viola 〈◊〉 Herba Trinitatis 〈…〉 Trinity and by some Love in idleness Call me to you and Three Faces under a hood Place and Time They grow as I said before as well in Fields as Gardens they flower all the Spring and Summer Nature and Vertues They are cold and moist and much of the nature of Violets though nor so effectal it is reputed to be Saturnine and an excellent anti-Venerial Medicine for the French Pox a decoction used of the herbs and flowers or a syrrup made therewith the spirit of it is good for the Falling Sickness Convulsions Plurisie and Inflammations of the Lungs and Breast Harts Tongue Scolopendria HArt Tongue riseth up with divers leaves springing severally from the root Description at first crumpled like Ferne but at their full growth almost a foot long smooth and green above but straked underneath overthwart with small and somewhat long brownish marks the bottom of the leaves are a little bowed on each side of the middle rib somewhat narrow and small at the end the root consists of many black threds interlaced together Names It is known in Shops by the Latine name of Scolopendria and Scolopendrium and is called also Lingua Cervina in English Harts tongue Place and Time It delights to grow in shadowy moist places in the insides of Wells and by Walberton towards the Sea-side near Arundel in Sussex it grows so plentifully by the High-way sides on the banks of the Ditches you may gather loads of it it bears no flower but is green all the year and bringeth forth new leaves in the Spring and Summer Nature and Vertues Authours disagree whether it be hot or cold but I judge it to be moderately hot of the nature of Jupiter it hath a binding drying faculty it is an excel-cellent herb for all diseases of the Milt by reducing it to its right temper whether it be too much opened or swollen hard or stopped The decoction thereof taken in Wine and the herb boiled and laid to the grieved place it likewise mollifies opens and strengthens the Liver and Stomach and stops the Terms spitting of blood and other Fluxes A decoction made of Harts Tongue Knot-grass and Comfrey roots a draught thereof being drunk every morning and the boiled herbs applyed to the grieved place is a good remedy against Burstness it is also profitable in the Jaundies Kings Evil and bitings of venomous Beasts The herb or juyce applyed cleanseth Wounds and Vlcers and the distilled water is commended against the passion of the Heart Hiccop and bleeding of the Gums ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Hazel Nut Tree Nux tenuis IT is so well known it needs no Description Names Nux tenuis or Parva some call it to distinguish it from Walnuts others Corylus and Nux Avellana Those in Gardens are called in English Filberds and the wilde kinde Hazel and Small Nuts Place and Time They are commoners in most Woods and Hedges the fruit of some of them is ripe in August and of
drink it it will not curdle in the Stomach and some say a Cheese will not come if it be put into the milk or Runnet The distilled water is available for all the aforesaid purposes though more weakly but the Chymical Spirit drawn from the herb is most effectual Chollerick persons must abstain from Mint for much of it taken makes the Blood thin and turns it into choller The horse Mints are good to expell winde in the Stomach to help the Chollick and short windedness and is good to help nocturnal pollutions being applyed to the Cods Myrtles Myrtilli THis Outlandish plant cannot endure the Winter with us unless it be kept in pots within doors The Tree is called in Latine Myrtus and the berries Myrtilli Nature and Vertues The myrtle hath contrary qualities cold and earthy warm and thin powerfully binding and drying The dry leaves beaten and boiled in water and drunk is good against Cathars the Whites Vlcers and creeping Sores The berries and seed is good against passions of the Heart stingings of Serpents and venomous Creatures and the poison of Toadstools being drunk in Wine it helps a stinking Breath diseases of the Bladder and provokes Vrine The decoction is good for the falling down of the Fundament and the Piles being mixed with oyl of Roses and applyed it helps swelling of the Cods Imposthumes of the Fundament and St. Anthonies fire The decoction of the berries makes the Hair black and keeps it from falling cures sores of the Head and helps those that are Bursten The syrrup of Myrtles is good against the Cough and Vlcers of the Lungs And although I have not told you where this Tree grows because I doubt you will not go so far to fetch it you may have it near home at the Druggists and Apothecaries Myrobalanes MYrobalanes are an East Indian Fruit and are called in English by Mr. Parkinson purging Plums My Authour reckons up five kindes of them viz. Cytrina Chebula Bellerica Emblica Indica Nature and Vertues They are all cold in the first degree and dry in the second and do purge and also strengthen the Stomach The Citrine Myrobalanes purge Choller strengthen the Stomach Heart and Liver help such as have the Hemorrhoides and Piles they are good in Tertian Agues cause a good colour and hinder old Age the Chebule purge Phlegm quicken the brain and sight and strengthen the Stomach They are good in the Dropsie and for long continued Agues The Embellick and Bellerick purge Phlegm from the Stomach strengthens the Brain Joynts Heart and Liver helps passions of the Heart provokes Appetite allayes Thirst stayes Vomiting qualifies inward heat and allayes Choller and gives ease to those that have the Piles The Indies or Black Myrabolanes purge Melancholly and adust Choller and cause a good colour and are good against Quartain Agues the Leprosie and all Paralytical Diseases The Citrine are also often used in Cholleries with the juyce of Fennel or Rose water against Inflammations and flowing of humours to the Eyes and likewise in powder with Mastick or Rose water to dry and heal Vlcers Misleto Viscum I Think Misleto is so well known that its needless to describe it The Latines call it Viscus and Viscum and so is the Birdlime called that is made of the Berries The Misleto of the Oak is called Viscus Quercini and so of the rest Places and Time Misleto groweth plentifully upon Fruit Trees as Apples Pear Trees and Crab Trees in divers Counties of the Land sometimes on Ashes and Oaks but that of the Oak is most rare in England It flowers in the Spring and the Berries are ripe in October abiding on the branches all the Winter unless the Birds devour them Nature and Vertues Misleto is hot and dry in the third degree the leaves and berries do heat and dry and are of subtle parts and questionless participates of the nature of that Tree it grows upon as that which grows upon the Oak partakes of the nature of the Oak and therefore is ascribed to Jupiter and is the most effectual It is held to be very effectual for the curing of the Falling Sickness and is by some prescribed to be taken in Pills thus prepared ℞ Visci Quercini seeds and roots of Piony ana ʒi § Nutmeg Anniseeds ana ʒi § Sacchari Buglossati ʒvii make Pills thereof Mathiolus saith that the Misleto of the Chesnut Tree made into powder and given in drink cures the Falling Sickness Some attribute so great vertue unto it as they have called it Lignum sanctae Crucis and believe it to help the Falling Sickness Palsie and Apoplexy being onely hung about their Necks Tragus saith that the juyce of fresh Misleto dropped into the Ears of them that have Imposthumes in them easeth them and helps them in few dayes The Birdlime which is made of the Berries ripens and discusses Tumors and Imposthumes and mollifies hard knots and draweth forth both thick and thin Humors from the remote places of the Body digesting and separating them and being mixed with equal parts of Wax and Rozen it mollifieth the hardness of the Spleen being applyed thereunto Gerrard saith being taken inwardly it is mortal I never did prove any of it but onely the Birdlime upon Birds and I am sure that hath proved mortal to them Money-wort or Herb two pence Nummularia MOney-wort shooteth forth many long Description weak slender branches lying and running upon the ground with two leaves at each joynt equally opposite one to another almost as round as a Penny but that they are pointed a little at the ends smooth and of a yellowish green colour at the joynts with the leaves from the middle forward come forth sometimes one sometimes times two yellow flowers standing each upon a small foot stalk consisting of five narrow leaves pointed at the ends with some yellow threds in the middle after which come small round heads of seed the root is small and threddy Names It is called in Latine Nummularia and Serpentaria in English Two Penny Grass Herb Two-Pence and Money-wort Place and Time It grows by Ditches sides low Meadows and watry places flowers about June and July and the seed is ripe soon after Nature and Vertues Money-wort is an herb of Venus and cold drying and astringent The flowers and leaves are good to heal green Wounds speedily and for old spreading Vlclers especially if it be bruised and boiled in Sallet Oyl with some Rozen Wax and Turpentine added to it or Tents dipped in the juyce and put into the Wounds The juyce taken in Wine or the decoction thereof stayes the overflowing of Womens Courses and the Whites and also Lasks bloody Fluxes inward and outward Bleedings helps weakness of the Stomach that is subject to Vomiting being boiled in Wine and Honey and taken it cures inward Wounds and Vlcers of the Lungs and is a remedy against the Chin-Cough in Children Moonwort Lunaria IT riseth up with one dark Description green thick fat
is good for sores of the Yard Mouth and Fundament and for looseness of the skin about the nails and swellings and knots in any part of the body a decoction of the seeds is good to strengthen and fasten the Teeth Poplar Vide Aspen Tree Poppy Papaver THere be divers kindes of Poppies Description as white Garden Poppy black Garden Poppy red wilde Poppy or Corn-rose the two first grow onely in Gardens where they are sown the other is so well known in almost every Corn field that it needs no description Names Papaver is the general Latine Name for Poppy yet to the wilde red Poppy is added the Adjectives erraticum rubrum or sylvestre and it is generally known by the English Names of Redweed Corn-rose and Cheesebouls There is another kinde called Papaver spumeum Spatling Poppy being usually found with a froth like spittle upon the stalks and leaves more then upon any other Plant It hath many 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 set together at the joynts one against another having many times upon the leaves but more often upon the stalks at the joynts a white frothy substance like that which is called Cuckow-spittle or Wood-seer at the tops of the stalks upon many slender foot-stalks stand divers white slowers composed of five small leaves a piece with a deep notch in the middle of every one of them standing in a thin loose striped husk wherein afterwards is contained black seed The Root is white and spreadeth in the ground continuing many years but the roots of all the other Poppies dye every Winter Place and Time The two first as I told you grow onely in Gardens where they are sown the red weed almost in every Corn Field the spatling Poppey grows also in Corn Fields sometimes in Pastures and by high-way sides they begin flowring in May and continue till the end of July The seed is ripe presently after Nature and Vertues The Moon claims particular dominion over these Herbs and assigneth them these Vertues A syrrup made of the Garden Poppey heads with the seeds procures rest and sleep in sick persons and stayeth Catarrhs and defluxions of thin Rheumes from the Head upon the Stomach and Lungs which cause a continual Cough the sore-runner of a Consumption The seed of black Poppey drunk in Wine stops the Flux of the Belly and the overflowing of the Tearms A pultis made of the green knops with Barley Meal and Barrows Grease helps St. Anthonies sire and the green knops being stamped with Vinegar womans Milk and Saffron mightily easeth the Gout and cureth another kinde of St. Anthonies fire called Erysipelas and put into the Fundament as a Glister it causeth sleep The condensate juyce is called Meconium and is many times used in Narcotick Medicines instead of the true opium which is brought from Thebes but it is weaker it is an ingredient in Treacle and Mithridate and other Medicines made to procure rest and sleep and to ease pains of the Head and other parts and is used to cool Inflammations Agues and Phrenzies but it must be carefully used inwardly for too great a quantity causeth the Lethargy and sometimes death it giveth much ease in the Gout being outwardly applyed and easeth the pain of hollow Teeth being put therein The Syrrup made of the Redweed Flowers or wilde Poppey is good against Surfeits cools the Blood and may be safely given in Fevers Phrensies and hot Agues and other Inflammations The distilled water of the said flowers is good to drink morning and evening against Surfeits and is effectual in the Plurifie and all other griefs of the Breast and Head The dryed flowers boiled in water or the powder of them drunk in the distilled water or in some other drink worketh the same effect The Syrrup of Meconium or Diacodium which is made of the heads of white and black Poppeys may safely be given to those which are troubled with hot and sharp Rheumes According to Gallen the seeds of spatling Poppey purgeth Phlegm and Dioscorides saith it causeth Vomiting but being taken in Mead or Honeyed Water it is good for them that are troubled with the Falling Sickness Purslain Portulaca IT is a well known Garden Sallet Herb and needs no description Names It is called Portulaca in Latine Place and Time It may be sown in March or April and flourisheth from June till Michaelmas Nature and Vertues Purslain is cold in the third degree and moist in the second and is also a Lunar Herb it is a good Sallet eaten with Oyl and Vinegar to provoke Appetite and cool a hot Stomach it fastneth the Teeth asswageth the swelling of the Gums and cooleth the Mouth and easeth the pains of the Teeth it is good in hot Agues and to cool the Liver Blood and Reins so that it stops Chollerick Fluxes of the Belly Womens Courses and the Gonorrhea distillations from the Head and caseth pains proceeding from Heat want of sleep or the Phrenzy The seed cools the heat and sharpness of Vrine abates the heat of Lust and Venerious Dreams and the overmuch use thereof extinguisheth the natural seed the seed bruised and boiled in Wine and given to Children killeth Worms The juyce is singular good for all the said purposes and for Inflammations or Vlcers in the secret parts and helpeth excortations in the Bowels and the Hemorrhoides The said juyce used with Oyl of Roses is good for Blastings by Lightning burnings with Gun-powder to-allay the heat of sore Breasts or of any other Sores It is likewise effectual to stay Vomitings and taken with Sugar or Honey it quencheth immoderate thirst helps an old and dry Cough shortness of Breath and the Ptisick and the thickned juyce made into Pills with Gum Traganth and Arabick helps such as make bloody water The bruised herb being applyed to the Forehead and Temples allayeth excessive heat therein and applyed to the Eyes it helps redness and Inflammations in them and Pushes and Wheals and St. Anthonies fire in other parts especially having a little Vinegar put to it and being mixed with the like quantities of Galls and Linseed it helpeth the Crick in the Neck and taketh away pains therein being applyed thereunto Potatoes Battata THese came originally to us from the Indies and those which we call Jerusalem Artechokes from Canada The Spanish Potatoes are called Battata Amotes Camotes Pappus and many other names The Jerusalem Artichoke Heliotropium Indicum tuberosum c. Nature and Vertues The leaves are hot and dry the roots of a temperate quality under the influence of Venus Potatoes do much nourish and strengthen the Body and increase and stir up bodily lust being eaten which way soever they are dressed They are used in Pyes and are excellent good Preserved and Candied or roasted under the Embers and eaten with Sack and Sugar The Virginia Potatoes are not so pleasant as the other
in Fields upon old Walls by Paths sides and High wayes Nature and Vertues Sow-thistles are cold and binding and consisting of a watery and earthly substance being under the influence of Venus they are familiarly eaten beyond the Seas while they are young and tender especially the roots the juyce heated with a little Oyl of bitter Almonds in a Pomegranate Pill and dropped into the Ears helps noise therein and deafness and other diseases of the Ears the bruised herb or juyce is good to apply to Inflammations of the eyes or elsewhere and to help Wheals and Blisters in the skin and is good to help the heat and itchings of the Piles and the heat and sharpness of humors in the privy parts of man or woman the herb is eaten by some as a Sallet in the Spring to cool a hot stomach and ease the gnawing pains thereof The decoction in Wine helps to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach and the milk that comes from the stalk is good for such to drink as are short winded and are troubled with Wheesing Three spoonfuls of the juyce taken in some Wine warmed and a little Oyl with it causeth easie and speedy delivery it is said to avoid the Gravel and Stone by Vrine and the juyce taken in warm drink helps the Strangury The decoction of the leaves given to Nurses causeth abundance of Milk and suffereth it not to curdle in their Breasts The distilled water is effectual for all the diseases before named to be taken with Sugar inwardly and outwardly by applying cloathes or spunges wetted therein and is good for women to wash their faces to clear the skin The bruised herb or juyce applyed to Warts is said to take them away Sow-bread Panis Porcinus I Cannot finde that it is growing any where naturally in England but is brought to us from France and Italy so that I shall not describe it Names It is called in shops Cyclamen Panis porcinus and Artanita in English Sow or Swine-bread because the Swine love to feed on it in those Countreys where it grows Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the beginning of the third degree and cutteth cleanseth and digesteth it is an herb of Mars The distilled Water of the roots snuffed up into the Nostrils stayeth bleeding at nose saith Mathiolus and that six ounces of the water being drunk with one ounce of fine Sugar it stayeth the blood that cometh from the breast stomach or liver or a vein that is broken in them It purgeth violently and therefore is to be corrected with Mastick Nutmeg or a scruple of Rubarb and so it helps hardness and swelling of the Spleen and easeth the Chollick The juyce opens the Hemorrhoids and Piles and strongly moveth to stool The fresh root put into a cloth and applyed to the secret parts of a woman that is in long travel procures and easie and speedy delivery but if women with childe meddle with it before their due time it causeth Abortion The juyce of Plantain and the juyce of Sowbread of each a like quantity mixed together with Aloes Myrrhe and Olibanum stoppeth the bleeding of the Nose being applyed to the nostrils and forehead The juyce mingled with vinegar helpeth the falling down of the Fundament it being somented therewith ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Southernwood Abrotanum mas IT is generally known in Gardens so that it needs no description Names The Latines call it Abrotanum adding the Epithet mas to it to distinguish it from Abrotanum faemina which some hold to be Lavender Cotton Place and time The Gardens as I told you nourish it the time of its flowering is in June and July sometimes later Nature and Vertues It is a Plant of Mercury having a rarifying discussing quality and is hot and dry in the end of the third degree The tops of Southernwood stamped and drunk raw in water provoketh the Courses and is profitable for such as cannot breath without holding their necks straight up and for the Cramp shrinking of sinews and the Sciatica and for stopping of Vrine which effects the seeds and flowers do most powerfully perform if they can be had It destroyeth worms and is good against poison and venome being drunk in wine The seed if it can be had digests and consumes cold humours and tough Phlegm which stop the Spleen Kidneys and Bladder The tops boiled in wine or water and a little honey or sugar added to it helps difficulty of breathing being drunk three or four times a day and is good for the Cough Cardiack Passion and other inward griefs The ashes thereof mixed with Oyl of Palma Christi or old Oyl Olive restoreth lost hair and causth the beard to come forth speedily if it be anointed therewith twice a day against the sun or the fire The tops stamped with a roasted Quince and applyed to the eyes helps the inflammations thereof A Salve made of the leaves being boiled and stamped with Barley-meal and Barrows-grease dissolveth cold humours and swellings being applyed upon a piece of cloth or leather It helps also benummed or bruised Limbs being stamped with Oyl and applyed and takes away the shivering fits of Agues the back-bone being anointed with it before the fit come The bruised herb helps to draw forth splinters and thorns out of the flesh being applyed thereunto the ashes dryeth up old sores and ulcers The Oyl of Southernwood is good in those Oyntments that are used for the French Pox and kills lice in the head The distilled Water is said to help the Stone and diseases of the Spleen and Mother It is held more offensive to the stomach then Wormwood being taken inwardly but the dryed herb being put in a linnen bag and applyed to the stomach next the skin comforteth a cold stomach The herb boiled with Barley meal helps to take away pimples pushes and wheals in any part of the body Speedwell vide Fluellin Spignell Meum COmmon Spignell springeth up with sundry long stalks of leaves Description cut very finely like unto hairs smaller then Dill set thick on both sides of the stalk of a light or yellow green colour and of a good scent from amongst which rise up round stiff stalks with joynts having a few leaves at them at the tops whereof grow an Umbel of white flowers the edges whereof do sometimes give a shew of reddish or blush colour especially before they be full blown after which come little roundish seed of a brownish colour The Roots are thick and long in respect of the leaves growing out from one head which is hairy at the top of a blackish brown colour on the outside and white within Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Meum and in English it is called of some Mew Bald-money or Bearwort Place and Time It grows in Yorkshire Westmoreland and other Northern Countreys flowers in June and July and yields seed in August Nature and Vertues The roots of Spignel
made into a syrrup or the distilled water drunk with Sugar or the smoke taken fasting in a Pipe it easeth gripings in the Bowels pains in the Head and expells Worms and is profitable to provoke Vrine and expel the Stone and Gravel out of the Kidneys to expel windiness which causes strangling of the Mother the seed is good to ease the Tooth-ache and the ashes of the Herb cleanseth the Gums and Teeth and makes them white the bruised herb is profitably applyed to swellings of the Kings Evil four or five ounces of the juyce taken fasting purges the body upwards and downwards and is effectual for the Dropsie The distilled water taken with Sugar before the fit of an Ague lessens the fit The distilled faeces of the Herb having been bruised before the distillation and not distilled dry but set fourteen dayes in hot dung and then hung up in a bag in a Wine Cellar there will drop a liquor therefrom good for Cramps Aches the Gout and Sciatica and to heal Itches Scabs Cankers and foul Sores The juyce is good to kill lice in Childrens Heads The green herb bruised and applyed is good to cure any fresh wound and the juyce put into old Sores cleanseth and healeth them There is an excellent Salve made of Tobacco good for Imposthumes hard Tumors swellings by blows and falls old and new Sores and is to be had at the Apothecaries by the name of Unguentum Nicotianum or oynment of Tobacco Tamarinds Tamarindus THis Tree groweth in Arabia and the Indies and the fruit is brought hither for Medicine whose vertues follow Nature and Vertues Tamarinds are cold and dry in the second degree or in the beginning of the third a plant of Venus The pulp of Tamarinds open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and taken with Borrage water it quickens the spirits and mitigates the fits of Frenzy and madness it is good in acute Fevers it purgeth Choller and adust humors stayeth vomiting and cools inflammations of the Liver Stomach and Reins and helps the running of the Reins it is good against the Scab Itch and Leprosie and salt humors breaking out in the skin it is good in hot burning Agues it quencheth thirst and procures appetite an ounce thereof being dissolved in fair water and taken with a little Sugar it stayes bleedings at nose arising from Choller and womens Fluxes and is good against the yellow Jaundies Tamarisk Tamarix IT is well known in Gardens where it onely grows in England so that a description is needless Names Mytica Tamarix and Tamariscus are the Latine names the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. infinitus from its abundance of leaves Place and Time It groweth about Mompelier and Narbone in France and is planted in Gardens with us they flower about the end of May or in June and the seed is ripe and blown away in September Nature and Vertues Tamarisk is drying and astringent having also a cutting and cleansing quality a Saturnine Plant. The leaves or roots boiled in Wine drives forth Melancholly helps spitting of blood and stayes the overflowing of the Terms the bleeding of the Hemorrhoides and other Fluxes and is good against the Jaundies and other diseases which are caused by obstructions The roots sodden with Wine and drunk cleanseth the milt and thereby it helps the Lepry the decoction of the root or young branches in Wine or Vinegar drunk and outwardly applyed helps hardness of the Spleen The decoction of the bark and leaves in Wine helps the Tooth-ache the mouth and Teeth being gargled therewith it also helpeth redness and watring of the Eyes and easeth pains of the ears being dropped therein and is good to wash those that are subject to Lice and Nits and is good to stay gangrous and fretting Vlcers being mixed with honey it is good for spleenatick persons to drink out of Cups or Cans made of the Wood thereof A good quantity of the leaves boiled in water is a good bath for women to sit over whose Matrix is in danger of coming down it fastneth the same and the ashes of the Wood applyed to the place stops the excessive flowing thereof A Lye made of the Ashes is good for many of the said Diseases and to help blisters raised by burning or scalding The Egyptians use the Wood hereof to cure the French Disease Leprosie Scabs Pushes Vlcers and the like it is likewise good to help the Dropsie proceeding from hardness or stopping of the Spleen and is available against Melancholly and the black Jaundies the Bark with the Barks of Ash and Ivy being infused in Beer or Ale some use Ling or Heath where Tamarisk is not to be had instead thereof Garden Tansie Tanacetum THis needs no description Names It is called both in Greek and Latine Athanasia and also in Latine Tanacetum the French call it Tanaisie and our English Tansie Place and Time It is nourished in Gardens sendeth forth green leaves in March and April and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues It is said to be hot in the second degree and dry in the third attributed to the particular influence of Venus The decoction of Tansie or the juyce thereof drunk in Wine or Beer doth dissolve and expell Winde in the Stomach or Bowels The eating of it in Spring time purgeth the Body of moist and phlegmatick humors ingendred in the foregoing Winter and by eating Fish in Lent before it became superstition to our gluttonous Religion-pretenders whose lustful guts cannot forbear the Flesh-pots on Frydayes the decoction before mentioned provokes Vrine helps the Strangury expells Winde out of the Matrix and procures womens Courses and is good for those that have weak Reins and Kidneys it is profitable for such women as are apt to miscarry being bruised and often smelled unto and applyed to the lower part of the Belly it is used against the Stone in the Reins especially to men being boiled in Oyl it is good against the Cramp and shrinking of Sinews if applyed to the affected part it avoideth Phlegm dryeth the Sinews and therefore is good for the Palsie Wilde Tansie or Silver Weed Argentina IT is much like unto the ordinary Garden Tansie a little also resembling the leaves of Agrimony Description it creeps upon the ground taking root at the joynts so that it will quickly spread a great deal of ground the leaves are of a fair green colour on the upper side and a silver colour underneath it beareth no stalks but the flowers stand singly upon a short foot stalk which are yellow much like those of Cinque foâ—l Names It is called in Latine Argentina Agrimonia sylvestris and Tanacetum sylvestre in English Wilde Tansie and Silver weed Place and Time It groweth in moist grounds near High Wayes sides at the foot of Hills and such like places it flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues Wilde Tansie especially the root is dry near the third degree without much manifest heat having also an
Wax it draweth up the Bowels and keepeth them in their natural place and helpeth them when they are too much windy or swoln It is good for Bruises and Wounds old Sores and Vlcers either inward or outward The decoction of the Herb in Wine or Water being drunk and the places washed therewith or an Oyntment may be made of the Herb with Oyl or Hogs-grease to keep all the year for the same purposes But an excellent Salve may be made of the green Herb with Wax Oyl Rozen and Turpentine to incarnate and bring up flesh in deep Wounds and to heal old Sores The Herb and the distilled Water thereof is good against St. Anthonies fire and the Shingles Teasel or Fullers Thistle Carduus Fullonum THe Garden or mannured Teasel being planted by Cloath-workers for their use and the wilde Teasel are both so common they need no description Names It is called in Latine Carduus Fullonum Fullers Thistle and Pecten Veneris Dipsacus Silvestris and Virga Pastoris Shepherds Rod is a Species thereof Place and Time The Cloathworkers as I said before mannure one kinde for their use the other is to be found by most High-wayes Banks and Ditches sides They flower in June and July and the seed is ripe in August It perisheth annually and riseth again of its own sowing Nature and Vertues Teasel is drying in the second degree according to Gallen having also a cleansing faculty and reputed to be subject to the influence of Venus The roots being bruised in wine till they come to the Consistence of a Salve and then kept in a brazen or copper box and afterwards applyed plaisterwise to the Fundament heals Chops Cankers and Fistula's thereof saith Dioscorides and takes away Warts and Wens so also is the Water said to do which is contained in the hollowness of the leaves and is also commended against redness of the eyes and spots of the face The juyce dropped into the ears killeth worms in them the leaves applyed to the Forehead and Temples qualifieth frenzie fits The distilled water takes away redness of the eyes and such mists as darken the sight and helps creeping Sores Shingles and Pimples preserves Beauty taking away redness inflammations and other discolourings and is also said to be effectual to cure the Scurvy The roots stamped with Danewort and boiled in wine and drunk helpeth the Dropsie and being boiled in red wine and drunk morning and evening for nine dayes together it helpeth the Gout The powder thereof drunk in wine stops fluxes and helps excoriations of the belly and other parts The same powder the quantity of two drams at a time drunk in Pease broth stops the overflowing of Womens Courses and so doth the Herb being bruised and boiled in Vinegar and applyed under the Navel and helps moist Wounds that are hard to heal and Cankers of the Yard ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Three-leaved Grass or Trefoil Trifolium THere is near twenty kindes of this Plant Description as Meadow Trefoil Heart Trefoil Pearle Trefoil white and red Honey-suckles or three-leaved grass cum multis aliis c. Meadow Trefoil shooteth up stalks a handful long or more round and somewhat hairy and for the most part leaning towards the ground having thereon three leaves joyned together one standing a little from another having for the most part in the midst a white spot like a half moon amongst which rise up stalks of flowers somewhat longer then the leaves bearing a tuft of many deep purple crimson flowers which turneth into little cods with small seed in them The Root spreadeth much and endureth long Names Trifolium it is called in Latine and of some Menyanthe and Asphaltion in English Trefoil three-leaved Grass and Honey-suckles Place and Time They are common in most Meadows and Pastures they flower and flourish from May till August Nature and Vertues Both Leaves and Flowers of Meadow Trefoil are cooling and binding of which temperature the other kindes do in some sort partake they are under the influence of Venus The decoction of the whole Plant of Meadow Trefoil is good to stay the Whites and overflowing of Womens Courses and having some Honey added thereto and used for a Glister it helps gripings and frettings of the Guts A Pultiss made of the leaves with Barrows-grease helps hot Swellings and Inflammations The juyce especially of the Pearl Trefoil mixed with a little Honey and applyed is good to take away the pin and web of the eyes and to ease pains and inflammations of them An Oyntment made of the herb with Hogs-grease is good for the biting of an Adder and the decoction of the Herb to wash the place and the juyce to drink The Herb bruised and heated between two tyles and applyed to the share helps stopping of water and is likewise good for wounds and scars The seed is good to cleanse the Liver and for Coughs and pains of the Breast The Heart Trefoil is a great strengthner of the heart and vital spirits helps swoundings and resists the Pestilence and defends the heart against the noisome vapours of the Spleen The leaves of it do perfectly resemble the heart of a man and are of a flesh colour like the heart Garden Tyme and wilde Tyme or Mother of Tyme Thymus THese Plants both mannured and wilde are commonly known being like one another Names Thymus and Thymum is both Greek and Latine Names for both yet the Mother of Tyme is called in Latine Serpillum à serpendo because of its creeping upon the ground Place and Time One is nourished in Gardens the other found in dry Pastures almost on every Hillock they flower about July Nature and Vertues Tyme is hot and dry in the third degree working the same effects as Savory in womens diseases and therefore is particularly ascribed to Venus which in part it may The decoction thereof in water and honey provokes the Tearms helps hard labour and expells the Secondine and dead Childe it strengtheneth the Lungs helps the Cough and shortness of Breath provokes Vrine dissolves congealed Blood and killeth Worms An Electuary made thereof with honey expectorates tough phlegm quickens the sight warms and comforts the stomach and so doth the herb used in broths It is good against the Chollick Illiack Passion Melancholly and stoppings of the Matrix four drams of Tyme in powder taken fasting in syrrup of Vinegar purgeth Choller and sharp humours and easeth the Gout And one dram taken fasting in Mead dissolves hard swellings of the Belly and is profitable for pains in the Loins and Hips and swellings in the Sides The decoction dissolves Tumours and Swellings they being bathed therewith The juyce used with vinegar takes away Warts and being applyed with wine and meal it helps the Sciatica and swollen Cods Bathes made thereof are good to expell Winde and help the Joynt-Gout the wilde Tyme is more powerful then the other for most of the said purposes especially to provoke the Tearms being decocted
bastard or water Agrimony called also water-hemp Wood Agrimony groweth up with a long and hairy stalk the leaves green above and grayish underneath parted into divers other small leaves and jagged about the edges the flowers are small and yellow growing one above another towards the top of the stalk the seeds are somewhat long and rough it hath a large blackish root Place and Time It grows frequently in Hedge-rowes of Corn Fields and by high-way sides and in Woods and Copses in the fields and Woods near Rochester and towards Dulwich in Surry you may gather loads of it about July it is in its prime the seed is ripe towards the latter end of Summer you may gather the herb any time of the year Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Eupatorium and Eupatoria in Italian and Spanish Agrimonia The Germans call it Odermeng Bruckwurtz The Low Dutch French and English call it Agrimony and Egrimony Nature and Vertues Agrimony is an Herb of Jupiter and is of temperature moderately hot and dry having a fine binding quality it removes obstructions of the Liver and strengthens the same and therefore is profitable in dyet drinks for naughty Livers and Consumptions the decoction thereof is good for infirmities of the Kidneys and for such as piss blood by any inward bruise as experience hath taught me The leaves made into an unguent with Hogs Lard healeth and closeth up Vlcers and the herb or seed boiled in Wine helps Fluxes which proceed from weakness of the Liver especially if you boil a little Scabious with it Water Agrimony Eupatorium IT hath stalks of a dark purple colour Description a foot and a half high sometimes higher the leaves jagged like the other it hath many branches upon a stalk the flowers grow at the top of a dark yellow colour Place and Time It grows almost in every Ditch it flowers about the middle of Summer the leaves and stalks wither in Winter The Latines call it Eupatorium Cannabium and Hepatorium because it 's good for the Liver It 's called in English Water-hemp Bastard and Water Agrimony Nature and Vertues This Plant is hot and dry in the second degree and of a bitter taste it hath a scouring opening quality it cleanses the blood and attenuates gross humors purging them by Vrine Agarick Vide Larch tree Ague-tree Vide Sassasras Agnus or the Chaste-tree THis Plant groweth up somewhat higher then a Shrub Description having many dark coloured branches being very flexible like Willow the leaves are long and narrow somewhat smaller then Willow leaves and jagged like those of hemp The flowers are of a white colour and grow in spikes on the tops of the Branches the seeds are round almost like pepper having also a biting taste Place and Time It grows in moist grounds and by waters sides in hot Countreys as in Spain and Italy and other hot Countreys the seeds are brought hither and sold by our Druggists and Apothecaries Temperature and Vertues It is reputed by Authours to he hot and dry in the third degree of a subtle essence and of a sharp astringent quality This Herb hath a great antipathy to Venus and by its nature must needs be judged to be under the dominion of Mars in Capricorn for the seeds of Agnus taken in any manner do dry up the natural seed and restrain all venerious motions and yet it is of the temperature of Pepper which incites thereunto A Pultis being made of the leaves of Agnus Castus and Vine leaves stamped together with Butter and applyed to the Cods dissolveth and asswageth the hard swelling thereof The seeds being parched or fryed and eaten dissolve winde and being taken with penny-royal in powder in wine it 's effectual against the Dropsie and Spleen and provokes Vrine and resists the poisons of venomous Beasts An Oyntment may be made therewith to heat and mollisie benummea Members Being used with honey it 's good for sores of the mouth and throat it takes away freckles being used with Niter and Vinegar The hot sumes of the decoction of the leaves and seeds is good for women to sit over who are subject to fits of the Mother or troubled with inflammations in their privy parts And a pultis made therewith easeth pains of the head and being mixed with oyl and vinegar it is effectual against the Frenzy and Lethargy Alecoast Maudlyn or Costmary Costus hortorum THere are found six sorts of this herb The kindes and Description three whereof are common to us viz. Ale-cost or Cost-mary common Maudlin and white Maudlyn Place and Time Alecost is a sweet herb having pale long green leaves jagged finely about the edges and flowers are yellow the seeds small flat and long it grows plentifully in our Gardens and I think is known to most housewifes it flowers about July Names The first is called in Latine Costus hortorum Balsamita major or Mas Mentha Graeca Sacracenica officinarum Salvia Romana Herba lassulata Herba Sanctae Mariae In English Costmary and Alecost And Maudlyn is called in Latine Costus hortorum minor and in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Temperature and Vertues Alecoast and Maudlyn are both of a nature hot and dry in the second degree and qualified by Jupiter to help cold and weak Livers for which purpose it 's a singular herb or to be used in Ale it will make it drink both pleasant to the taste and far exceeding Coffee and Chocolate for health It may also be used in an Electuary for the purposes aforesaid it opens obstructions of the Breast Liver Spleen Kidneyes and Bladder provokes Vrine womens courses expells Choller and Phlegm a Conserve made thereof helps Defluxions of Rheumes flowing from the brain The decoction of the flowers kills Lice in the head and cures Scabs therein they being washed therewith It helps also the Rickets and worms in Children strengthens the stomach and stayes vomiting and is good for them that have eaten Hemlock or the like Alehoof or Ground-Ivy Hedera terrestris THis Plant creeps along upon the ground Description having a round leaf dented about the edges of a dark green colour the flowers are hollow and long of a blueish purple colour the root small and fibrous Place and Time It grows almost under every hedge and also under-house sides it flowers betimes in the year the leaves are to be found usually all the Winter Names In the Countrey especially in Hampshire it 's generally known by the name of Hay-hoe and Gill-go-by-ground it is also called Ale-hoof Ground-ivy and in Latine Hedera Terrestris Temperature and Vertues It hath an opening cleansing quality of temperature hot and dry in taste bitter Culpepper ascribes it to Venus I rather judge it to be Solar The Countrey people often make use of it to sweeten and cleanse musty Bottles by filling them with the decoction thereof it 's a singular herb for the Eyes The juyce therof with the juyces of Celandine and Daisies being
ease pains of the Sides and being boiled in oyl and applyed outwardly they work the same effect the Keyes are good to be used in dyet drinks for the purposes aforesaid The decoction of the leaves in white Wine do help the Jaundies and break the Stone the seeds also the husks being taken off are good against Winde and provoke Vrine Aspe or Poplar Tree Populus I Shall not need to describe this Tree Descri ∣ ption you may know it well enough by the shaking of the leaves which will quiver and tremble though there be no winde and from thence comes a proverb to say when one is affrighted that he trembles like an Aspen leaf There is two kindes the white and black Poplar the black is most useful in Physick Names It is called Poplar Asp and Aspen Tree in Latine Populus Place and Time It groweth plentifully in our Land but in low and watry grounds the clammy buds thereof are gathered about the beginning of April to make the Oyntment called Vnguentum Populeon Temperature and Vertues The clammy substance of the black Poplar is hot and dry the white is of a watery warm nature and of a cleansing quality the Moon rules them both in Aries the first The oyntment made of this plant before spoke of is a fine cooler of Inflammations in any part of the body it temperates the heat of Wounds and is good to dry up milk in womens Breasts The juyce of the leaves of white Poplar being extracted and dropped into the Ears easeth pains of them and cures Vlcers in the Ears The seed drunk in Vinegar is held good against the Falling Sickness and the water that drops from hollow places of the black Poplar takes away Wheals Pushes Warts and other such breakings out in the body Avens Garyophillata THe Avens rise up from the root with many dark green leaves Descri ∣ ption winged and jagged about the edges the stalks rise about a foot high and are long and hairy and shoot forth leaves at every joynt which are not so long as the lower leaves but cut in on the edges into three parts or more on the tops of the branches sprout forth the flowers which are yellow and have five leaves like the flowers of Cinquefoil but they are larger when the flower is fallen it leaveth a small green head which after groweth to be rough and round and consisteth of many long purple greenish seeds which will stick to your cloathes the root hath many brownish fibres smelling almost like Cloves Names It is called in Latine Garyophillata from the scent of the Roots in English Avens and Herb Bennet Place and Time Avens delight to grow most in shadowy places and is to be found in many places under hedge sides They flower in May and June and the seed is ripe in July Quality and Vertues Avens is hot and dry of a purging quality a Plant of the Sun and a great comforter of the heart it is a good preservative against the Plague or any other poison it helps digestion warms a cold Stomach and opens the Liver and Spleen the roots thereof in the Spring being steeped in Wine and drunk thereof every morning fasting it also helpeth the Winde Chollick Fluxes and is good for such as are troubled with Ruptures The Decoction of the herb takes away spots in the face it being washed therewith the root may be dryed and kept in powder having the same vertue as the Decoction It expells crude humours from the Breast Belly and Stomach it dissolves congealed Blood and helps the spitting of Blood and heals inward Wounds and outward Wounds if they be bathed with the decoction thereof Assafoetida Vide Laserwort Balme Melissa BAlme groweth up with divers square green stalks Descri ∣ ption the leaves are dark green pointed at the ends and a little dented round about the edges having a fragrant smell the flowers are small and gaping of a pale Carnation colour the leaves and stalks dye every year but the root abides in the ground sprouting out fresh every Spring Names It is called in Latine Melissa and in English Balme Place and Time It groweth almost in every Countrey Housewifes Garden and flowers about August Nature and Vertues This is another Solar herb hot and dry in the second degree of some thinness of parts and 4 purging quality an herb appropriated to the Heart against the passions whereof it is an Antidote It maketh the heart merry strengthens the Spirits and is good against Swoonings and Faintings it drives away passions arising from Melancholly and burnt Phlegm the water thereof or rather a Conserve of the flowers strengthens the Brain helps Digestion and comforts a cold Stomach and is good against the Plague it provokes the Terms is good to sweeten a stinking Breath it is good in an Electuary for such as are troubled with difficulty of Breathing The Sirrup of Balm is good in Feavers strengthning the Heart and Stomach the juyce thereof with a little honey is good to clarifie the sight it is good to be used in baths to comfort the Joynts and Sinews and easeth pains of the Gout it is good against bitings of mad Dogs and stinging of Venemous Creatures In Oyls or Salves it is a good ingredient to heal green Wounds The Barberry-Tree Oxyacantha IT ariseth up with many slender stalks from the root Descri ∣ ption which grow sometimes to a great height and of an ordinary bigness the Bark is whitish in the outside and yellow next the wood it is full of prickly sharp thorns the flowers are yellow the fruit hangs in clusters upon a stalk or string and are red when they be ripe of a sowre taste the root is yellow Names The Latines call it Oxyacantha a term not well befitting it in English Barberries Place and Time It groweth plentifully in Gardens Orchards and Closes near dwelling houses where it hath been planted it hath been also found wilde in hedge-rowes but I believe some Ditcher planted it there to mend his hedges instead of Thorns They blossom in May and the fruit is ripe in September about the latter end or beginning of October Quality and Vertues Venus owns this plant whatever Culpepper sayes it is cold and moist in the second degree and of the fruit are made gallant cooling medicines both Conserves and Preserves the leaves beat like to Green sauce while they be young cools hot Stomachs and hot burning Agues procures appetite cools the Liver and helps Belchings so likewise doth the Conserve or Preserve of the Fruit it represseth Choller helps them that loath their meat by procuring an appetite it cools Inflammations of the mouth and throat the mouth being gargled with some of the Conserve dissolved in a little water and vinegar it stayeth Rheumes and Distillations and fastens the Gums and loose Teeth it stayes the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses kills Worms being taken with a little Southernwood and Sugar the decoction of the inner Bark is effectual against the
yellow Jaundies Barley IT is needless to say any thing more of this Grain here but onely of the Physical use it 's other vertues being sufficiently known to the Husbandman and to the Brewer and Alewife too but these latter gain more by the Vices attending it then by its Vertues Temperature and Vertues It is cooling and drying in the first degree of a cleansing quality Culpepper as I remember ascribes it to Venus he would lay all the fault of drunkenness upon women But c. Barley indeed the water made thereof and other things doth much nourish such as are troubled with Agues Feavers and hot Stomachs The French Barley is much used for diseases of the Breast and likewise in Feavers and other inward heats as heat of the Vrine in a Gonorrhea or otherwise it doth provoke Vrine The preparation of the Barley water is thus Take French Barley two ounces boil it in two several waters casting the water away then boil it the third time in a quart of water to a pint and a half adding Liquorish half an ounce Violet leaves and Strawberry leaves of each an handful sweeten it with Sugar or syrrup of Violets this is excellent in a Fever or Surfeit being timely used Barley meal and Fleawort being boiled in water and made into a pultis with honey and oyl of Lillies cures Tumors and Swellings being applyed warm A plaister made thereof with Tar Wax and Oyl helpeth the hard swelling of the Kings Evil in the throat it easeth pains of the sides and stomach and windiness of the Spleen being boiled with Melilot Cammomil flowers and some Linseed Fennigreek and Rue in powder and applyed warm to the sides Barley meal boiled in Vinegar with some honey and some dry Eigs added thereunto dissolveth hard Imposthumes and excrescences growing upon the eye-lids and asswageth inflammations being applyed thereunto Basil Basilicum BAsil springeth up with one stalk Description shooting forth branches on every side at the joynts grow the leaves two at every joynt which are of a pale green colour and of a strong smell they are somewhat round a little pointed and dented a little about the edges the flowers stand at the tops of the branches and are small and white the seed is black Names It is called in Latine Ocymum and Basilicum in English Basil Place and Time Basil is nourished onely in Gardens with us and flowers in the heat of Summer the seed is soon ripe the root perisheth at Winter it must be new sowen every year Nature and Vertues It is said to be hot in the second degree but having a superfluous moisture Culpepper rails at large against this herb that it ought not to be taken inwardly yet it may be corrected with oyl and vinegar and eaten by women to dry up their milk the same effect it hath being bruised and applyed outwardly to the breasts the much smelling thereunto causeth the Head ache to those who have a weak brain yet to those whose brains are stronger it comforts the brain and purges the head it procures speedy delivery and provokes Vrine and the Terms it is good against pains of the head and the Lethargy being applyed with oyl of Roses Mirtles and Vinegar the seeds are used to expel melancholly and comfort the heart and the juyce or seeds being bruised and put into the nostrils procureth sneezing The Herb used with honey takes away spots in the face The Bay-Tree Laurus THis is so well known it needs no description Names It is called in Latine Laurus and the berries Bacca Laurt Places and time It grows frequently in our Gardens and is planted against Walls delighting rather in the shade then the Sun it keeps green all the year the berries are ripe towards Winter Nature and Vertues Bayes both the leaves and berries are hot and dry a plant of Jupiter the berries taken in powder with honey is good against infirmities of the Breast as Consumptions and shortness of breach and likewise helps Winde and the Chollick and griping pains of the Belly they provoke Vrine and are good against the Stone and the windiness of the Mother they are good against poisons and the stinging of venomous beasts they open the Liver and Spleen procure an appetite provoke womens Terms cause speedy delivery and purge down the Aster-birth A bath made of the Decoction of the Leaves and Berries is good for women to fit in for diseases of the Womb and Mother and obstractions of the Courses the oyl of the berries is good to comfort the joynts against cold Aches Cramps Palsies and benummedness of any parts the oyl or juyce of the berries dropped into the ears helps deafness and pains in the ears Quicksilver killed in the oyl or juyce helps the Itch and Wheals or Scabs in the skin the powder of them taken in white wine is good against Cramps and contractions of the Sinews The leaves may also be used for many of the purposes aforesaid and are excellent good three or four leaves in broth to comfort the stomack Beans Faba I Shall not need describe these neither there being not scarce a boy or girle but well enough knows both the garden and field Beans that is able to eat a Bean. Names In Latine a bean is called Faba Places and Time The greater sort is planted in Gardens the other small Beans are sown in Fields and are meat for horses and hogs and good to make malt with too The Garden beans are ripe in June and July some earlier and some later according as they are planted serving for good strong food in harvest Temperature and Vertues They are more used with us for food then Physick and while they are green they are held to be cold and moist when dry cold and dry and the Physical uses are these the distilled water of the green shells is excellent good against the Stone to be drunk in the mornings and a little butter unsalted eaten therewith Bean meal helpeth Fellons Boils Bruises Imposthumes and Swellings of Kernels about the Ears being mixed with Fennugreek and Honey and applyed to the place grieved The distilled water of the flowers cleanseth and beautifieth the face and skin and takes away spots and wrinkles thereof A pultis made of bean flower oyl and vinegar and applyed to the breasts of women which are swelled by abundance of milk helpeth the swelling and represseth the milk dissolving the curdling thereof A pultis bieng made with bean flower wine oyl and vinegar helpeth the swelling of the Cods and being used with Rose leaves the white if an Egge and a little Frankincense it helps swellings stripes and watering eyes Beans are also a friend to Venus And thus I shall leave them hastning to proceed to their affinity viz. French Beans Phaseolus HAving now done with the English Bean Description the French or Kidney Bean in order follows which also scarce needs a description being now ordinary in Gardens they grow up at first with one stalk but afterwards
first rubbed over with salt Peter it helps running Sores Wheals and Inflammations They are likewise good against obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and the juyce of them is good against the Head-ache and Swimmings of the Brain being snuffed up into the nostrills it purgeth the head by drawing forth Rheume and being applyed to the Temples it easeth pains and helps inflammations of the Eyes but if Beets be too frequently eaten they offend the Stomack and therefore are most effectual and best being seldom used The Beech-Tree I Shall not need to take up room to describe this tree he is very well known it is called in Latine Fagus and the fruit Nuces fagi in English Beech mast the fruit is ripe towards Michaelmas Temperature and Vertues The leaves are cooling and astringent the fruit hot and moist in the first degree very astringent a plant of Jupiter The leaves are good for Vlcers being boiled to a pultis or made into an oyntment when they are green they are good for to take away Blisters and Gauls of the skin and to discuss hot swellings There is a water found standing in the hollow of old Beeches which cureth the Itch * I have taken water out of an hollow Beech in Bramsil Park in Hampshire which hath cured the Itch R. Turner Anno 1644. as I have proved The leaves are good to chew against inflammations of the Gums and Lips The decoction of the Leaves Bark Buds or Husks in running water stoppeth the overflowing of womens Courses being sate over and causeth the Mattix and Fundament that are fallen down to go up to their right places the decoction thereof in red Wine with Cynamon and Sugar being drunk doth the like the mast or fruit being burned to ashes and mixed with honey is good for a scald Head Water-Betony Betonica Aquatica WAter-Betony springeth up with a square hard stalk Description of a darkish green colour shooting also forth broad dark green leaves dented about the edges commonly two at a joynt at the joynts and at the top come forth flowers of a dark red colour like a hood at top and the lowermost part hanging gaping down after which come small brownish round heads the root is fibrous and perisheth every winter Names It is called in Latine Betonica Aquatica in English Water-Betony and Brook-Betony Place and Time It groweth plentifully by Brooks and Rivers sides in moist Ditches in watery places as about the Rivers side between Hollshot-Bridge and the Mill in Hampshire The flower in July and August and the seed is ripe in September Temperature and Vertues Some write that Water-Betony is hot and dry but I rather judge it to be cold and dry a Plant of Saturn as its vertues and operations will demonstrate I am sure it is a good cooler in Burnings and Scaldings with it I cured ones Leg scalded all over making the Medecine thus Take fresh Hogs Lard new Sheeps Dung and the leaves of Water-Betony pound them in a Mortar and make them into an Oyntment It is likewise good to dissolve swellings and hard knobs being stamped with Vinegar and applyed three times a day The seed is good for the Sciatica being taken in Wine with Myrrhe and Pepper The decoction of the leaves in Spring Water is good for all unkinde heats and is excellent to cure the Itch Wheals and Pushes The distilled water taketh away Sun-burnings Spots and Redness of the Face ◠so do the leave being stamped and made into an Oyntment with Cream the juyce boiled with Honey and Tents dipped therein is effectual to cure old and new Sores The seed is effectual to expel Worms out of the Belly a dram thereof at a time being taken in Wine the Leaves stamped and applyed to old Spreading and corrupt Sores and Pocks healeth them and the juyce of the Herb being drunk helps bleeding at Nose and them that spit Blood and cures the botch in the Throat It is also commended for the Piles and Hemorrhoides either applyed outwardly or the powder thereof drunk or strewed upon the grieved place Wood-Betony Betonica WOod-Betony springeth up with many leaves from the root running up with a tender stalk of about an handful Description and sometimes more the leaf growing at the end thereof and is somewhat broad and round at the end of a darkish green colour finely dented about the edges the stalk runs up in the middle of these leaves a foot high or more upon which grow leaves by two and two at a joynt which are far smaller then the lower leaves the flowers grow with spiked heads on the top of the stalks of a purple colour the root is fibrous the stalk perisheth but the leaves growing from the root are to be found all Winter Names In Latine it's called Betonica Betony in English Place and Time It delights to grow in Woods and shady Hedge rowes in which places if it be dry ground you shall not miss of it and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues This herb is hot and dry almost to the second degree a plant of Jupiter in Aries and is appropriated to the Head and Eyes for the Infirmities whereof it is excellent as also for the Breast and Lungs being boiled in milk and drunk it takes away pains in the Head and Eyes Probatum It would seem a miracle to tell what experience I have bad of it Some write it will cure those that are possest with Devils or Frantick being stamped and applyed to the forehead being boiled in white Wine with Vervain Horehound and Hysop and applyed hot it cures the Megrim The powder of the leaves drunk in Wine or Beer or being eaten with slices of bread steeped in Wine doth restore the Brain helps noises and giddiness of the Head or being taken in pottage it comforts the Stomack and helps Digestion A conserve of the slowers or an Electuary thereof helps the Jaundies Palsie falling Sickness Convulsions Gout Dropsies and a continual Head-ache The leaves or flowers may also be boiled in broth for the same purposes An Electuary made of the powder with honey cures Colds Coughs and the droppings of Rheume upon the Lungs which causeth Consumptions The decoction of the Herb in Metheglin with a little Penny-royal is good against Quartan Agues and purgeth away superfluous humours falling into the Eyes it likewise kills Worms opens the Liver and Spleen cures Stitches and Gripings in the Bowels being boiled in Wine it likewise provokes the Terms and purges the Belly being mixed with Honey it helps fits of the Mother and causes speedy delivery and the quantity of a dram of it in powder taken in Syrrup of Vinegar doth refresh those that are wearied by Travel stayeth bleeding at the Nose and helps those that spit or piss Blood Many are the Vertues of Betony so that I shall conclude with the words I found in an old Manuscript under the Vertues of it More then all this hath been proved of Betony ☞ See more of this
of England Nature and Vertues It is a Venerial Plant saith Culpepper but he forgets his Logick when he ascribed all bitter plants to Mars Fox-Gloves are bitter in taste hot and dry having a cleansing quality The Italians call this Herb Aralda and use this proverb concerning it Aralda tutte piaghe salda Aralda salveth all Sores they use it to heal green Wounds cutting the leaves and applying them they use also the juyce to cleanse and dry up old Sores it is found helpful for the Kings Evil the flowers stamped with fresh Butter and applyed or the juyce in an Oyntment the bruised leaves are also good being applyed but not so powerful being boiled in water or wine it consumes thick phlegm and viscous humours in the Chest and Stomach A syrrup may be made thereof with Sugar or honey for the same purpose and to cleanse the body of clammy humours and open the Liver and Spleen by later experience it hath been found to cure many of the falling Sickness taking the decoction of two handfuls thereof with four ounces of Pollipody of the Oak bruised Mr. Culpepper magnifies an Oyntment thereof for a Scabby Head Fumitory Fumaria IT is a tender sappy Plant Description sending forth from one square slender stalk leaning downwards many branches two or three foot long with fine jagged leaves of a pale blueish or Sea-green colour the flowers stand like a long spike one above another on the tops of the branches of a reddish purple colour with whitish bellies commonly yet in Cornwal it bears perfect white flowers it bears a small black seed contained in small round husks the root is yellow and small full of juyce while it is green but quickly perishes with the ripe seed Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Fumus terrae and Fumaria in English Fumitory Places and Time It grows in Corn Fields almost every where as well as in Gardens It flowers for the most part in May and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is a bitter herb which sheweth it to be hot and is hot in the first degree and dry in the second it gently purges melancholly and salt humours opens and cleanses the Entrails and strengthens those parts it purges chollerick humours by Vrine and helps soul diseases of the skin as the Itch c. arising from adust bumours and the French Pox it prevails in chollerick Fevers the Jaundies and Quartain Agues and chronical diseases arising from stoppings of the viscerous parts three or four ounces of the distilled water drunk morning and evening cures the yellow Jaundies and is good against the Itch and Leprosie A dram or two of London Treacle and a scruple of Bole-Armonick taken in two ounces of the water is good in the Pestilence it provokes the Terms and dissolves congealed blood The decoction helps the Gout the feet being bathed therewith The distilled Water with some honey of Roses helps Sores and Vlcers of the Mouth the juyce dropped into the Eyes clears the sight and the juyce having a little Gum-Arabick dissolved therein and applyed to the Eye-lids where the hair hath been pulled off will keep it from growing again the juyce mixed with the juyce of Docks Oximel and Vinegar cures the Morphew and a bath made of the same with Barley Bran Mallows Violets Nep and Dock Roots cures Scabs Itch and Leprosie Wheals and Pimples in the Face or elsewhere Fursbush or Furres THese are so well known they need no description Names In Norfolk they are called Whinns in some Countreys Goss and in Hampshire Furres Place and Time They plentifully grow in dry barren Heaths and sandy Grounds and flower in the middle of Summer and are seldom without flowers at any time of the year Nature and Vertues They are under the dominion of Mars hot and dry the flowers are effectual to open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and the decoction thereof is good against the yellow Jaundies provokes Vrine and cleanses the Kidneys and Bladder from the Gravel and Stone Galanga THis plant grows in the East Indies and China from whence it is brought to us Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry almost in the third degree it is profitable in all cold Diseases of the Stomach it helps concoction expells winde from it being boiled in Wine and taken morning and evening it helps a moist brain and the Vertigo trembling of the Heart and knawings of the Stomach it cleanses the passages of the Vrine provokes Venery helps conception and remedies cold and windy distempers of the Womb being drunk with the water or juyce of Plantain it stops the bloody Flux and strengthens nature helps the trembling of the Heart and comforts the brain half a dram of the powder thereof is the dose at one time to be taken in the morning or an hour before meat Garlick Allium IF you smell ones breath that hath eaten it you may know it by the scent Names Allium the Latines call it and Gallen Theriaca Rusticorum Countreymans Treacle in English Garlick It is planted in small cloves in Gardens which grow to great heads by the latter end of Summer Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the fourth degree a Martial Plant it heats the body being eaten digesting and consuming tough and clammy humours opens obstructions remedies cold poisons and the bitings of venomous Beasts it helps old Coughs provokes Vrine kills Worms breaks Winde helps the Chollick and Dropsie proceeding of cold it stirs up natural heat and helps a cold and moist Stomach it is good against the biting of mad Dogs for shortness of breath the cold Head-ache Consumption of the Lungs and pissing of Blood being tempered with Honey and the parts anointed with it cures scabbed Heads Scurff Morphew and Tetters the Ashes strewed in Vlcers heals them being applyed with Figs and Commyn it cures the biting of a Shrew-Mouse Vices Many are the Vertues of Garlick yet accompanied with some Vices it is hurtful for young men and chollerick persons for women with Childe and such as give suck and being eaten raw too liberally it dims the sight offends the Stomach and burns the Blood it is good for old cold and phlegmatick persons the best way of preparing it is to boil it well either in milk or otherwise and eat it with Oyl or Vinegar Gentian or Felwort Gentiana MAster Coles reckons six sorts hereof to grow within Great Brittain Description Master Culpepper but two which I shall onely describe The first hollow leaved Felwort or English Gentian hath small long roots deep in the ground and abiding all Winter having stalks of a brownish green colour with long narrow dark green leaves set by couples up to the top the flowers are long and hollow of a purple colour with five corners The other smaller sort hath many stalks not a foot high with several branches the leaves very like those of the lesser Centaury of a
others not till the beginning of October Nature and Vertues Hazel Nuts fresh gathered are hot and moist but afterwards they grow dry they are under the Planet Mercury the skin that covers the kernells is very astringent so are the Katkins a dram thereof in wine stayes Womens Courses The parched kernels made into an Electuary helps and old Cough On oyl may be pressed from the kernells in the same manner as is made oyl of sweet Almonds which is very effectual for Coughs Hoarseness and shortness of Breath so that Nut Kernels do not altogether deferve the blame which is usually laid upon them for causing shortness of Breath Hawkweed Hieracium HAwkweed hath many leaves lying on the ground Description cut on the sides much like Dandelion amongst which shooteth up a rough hollow stalk not above two foot high at most branched from the middle upwards with lesser leaves and not so much dented as the other growing at every joynt at the top grow pale yellow flowers having many small narrow leaves broad pointed and nicked at the ends set in a double row or more which turn into doun and with the small brownish seeds is carried away with the winde the root is long white and full of small fibres the whole plant full of bitter milk Names In Latine its called Hieracium and Accipitrina by some Lampuca Porcellia and Hypochaeris and Hyoseris in English onely Hawkweed Place and Time It grows in untilled places by the borders of Fields and Ditches sides in Meadows Woods and Mountains they flower for the most part all Summer Nature and Vertues Hawkweeds are all cold and dry and withal astringent supposed to be a Saturnine Plant appropriated to the Eyes for which purpose it is said Hawks eat it to clear their sight and thence it takes its name the juyce of it mixed with Womans milk dropped into the Eyes is very good for all defects thereof and so is the distilled water used in like manner it is also good against fretting and creeping Vlcers and against Pushes Inflammations St. Anthonies fire and erruptions of heat A plutis made of it with meal applyed to any place affected with the Cramp or Convulsions giveth it ease The juyce taken in Wine helps digestion discusseth Winde and crudities in the Stomach provokes Vrine helps venomous bitings the herb also outwardly applyed A scruple of the concreted juyce taken in Wine and Vinegar is profitable against the Dropsie The decoction of the Herb with Honey digesteth Phlegm being hoiled in Wine with wild Succory and taken it helps the Winde Chollick mollifies the Spleen procures Sleep abates Venery and Nocturnal pollutions cooleth heat purgeth the Stomach increaseth Blood and helps diseases of the Reins and Bladder The distilled water cleanseth the skin from Freckles Spots and Morphew Haw-thorne Spina THis Shrub is well known in every hedge there is reputed three kindes our common Haw-thorn another lower Shrub which grow in Germany and bears yellow fruit and a third which flowers twice a year of which kinde is that of Glassenbury and that in Whey-street in Rumney Marsh and near Nantwich in Cheshire Names and Time Spina is the Latine name in English Haw-thorn White-thorn and of some May and May Bush because it s in flower about May day and the fruit is ripe in October when the frost hath bitten them Nature and Vertues It is of an astringent drying quality both leaves flowers and fruit Culpepper ascribes it to Mars because he would not have him want Weapons he may make use of the prickles and let Saturn take the fruit The powder of the berries or of the seeds in the berries is reputed good against the Stone and the Dropsie being drunk in Wine The flowers steeped three dayes in Wine and then distilled in a Glass and the water thereof drunk is good against the Plurisie and inward tormenting pains The water of the flowers also stayeth the Flux or Lask and so doth the fruit being eaten Cloathes or Spunges wet in the said water and applyed to the place where Thorns or Splinters be in the flesh will draw them forth Hedge-mustard or Bank-cress Erysimum IT springeth up with one blackish green stalk Description flexible but tough and not easie to break branched into divers parts and sometimes with divers stalks full of branches with long rough hard leaves much cut in the edges into many parts some bigger and some lesser of a darkish green colour at the tops of the branches grow small yellow flowers in long spikes flowring by degrees the stalks have small round cods at the bottom growing upright close to the stalk while the top flowers as yet shew themselves wherein is a small yellow seed sharp and strong as is the Herb the root is slender and wooddy but abideth the Winter springing again every year Names Amongst other Erysimum serves for a Latine title and a Greek one too Gerhard calls it Bank-cress and Parkinson Wilde hedge-mustard Place and Time It is common by wayes and hedge sides walls and sometimes in open Fields and flowers about July Nature and Vertues It is a Mercurial Plant of a cleansing quality temperately hot singular in all diseases of the Lungs to help Hoarseness and recover a lost voice the juyce made into a syrrup or Lohoc with Honey or Sugar it is profitable also against the Jaundies Plurisie pains in the Back and Loins and the griping of the Guts being used in Giâ—sters The seed is held an Antidote against poison it is good for the Gout and Aches Fistula's and Vlcers and for swellings or hardness in Womens Breasts and the Testicles White Hellebore Helleborus THere are accounted eight kindes of this Hellebore Description some whereof grow in the Northern parts of our Land The ordinary white Hellebore riseth up with a round whitish head which opens it self into large green leaves plaited with ribs all along the leaves from the middle riseth a round stalk with divers leaves to the middle where it divides into branches having many small yellowish or whitish green star-like flowers upon them which turn into a three square whitish seed standing naked without any husk The root is thick great at the head and is fastened deep into the ground with many white strings Names Helleborus albus and Helleborum in Latine and also Veratrum album in English Hellebore and Neesewort Place and Time They grow in Germany Austria and Russia and some about Lancashire and Yorkshire they flower about May some earlier and some later Nature and Vertues The root is hot and dry in the third degree one of Mars his weapons to tame mud folks with to be taken unprepared it is dangerous and extreamly provokes Vomiting but there is an Oximel made with it which is useful against Madness and Melancholly swimming of the Head and Falling Sickness and the Quartain Ague it brings down the Courses and kills the Childe in the Womb being put into the nostrills it provokes sneezing purgeth the Head of superfluous Humours
being much taken inwardly its obnoxious to the Nerves and Sinews but outwardly applyed it is helpful unto them The juyce of the leaves and flowers mixed with a little oyl of bitter Almonds and dropped into the ears being warm it helps lost hearing and old running sores of the Ears The powder of the berries drunk in Wine help to break the Stone and provoke Vrine and Womens Terms A Pessary likewise of the Leaves and Flowers draweth down the Courses and dead Childe A decoction of the fresh leaves in Vinegar being applyed hot to the sides gives ease against Aches and Stitches being applyed with Rose water and Oyl of Roses to the Temples it eases pains in the Head The juyce of the berries or leaves purgeth the Head and Brain of thin Rheume being snuffed into the Nostrils and cures Vlcers and stench in the Nose To drink in an Ivy cup is good for the Spleen letting the drink stand a while in it There is a great Antipathy between Wine and Ivy as is said The powder of Ivy berries hath formerly been used as a good Medicine for the Plague for which purpose it hath been planted about Pest-houses it being given in Wine and the party sweating thereupon in the beginning of the Disease The Ivy Gum easeth the pain of hollow Teeth if it be put therein it is of a strong scent and good to smell to against infection and for such to carry about them as use to go amongst noisome smells ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Ground-Ivy Vide Ale-hoof Juniper Juniperus IN our Countrey it seldom or never ariseth higher then a Furze Bush Description though in other places it is a Tree it spreads its self near the ground the leaves are much like those of Furze but not so large nor so prickly and of a blueish green colour they continue all the year the flowers are very small yet may be perceived of a yellow colour by the dust that falleth from them after which come small green berries not being fully ripe till the second year and then they are somewhat like Pepper Names It is called in Latine Juniperus and the berries Baccae Juniperi and Grana Juniperi Place and Time It grows much upon the Hills and woody grounds in Barkshire Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and likewise in Hampshire and Kent It flowers in may and after two Summers and one Winter perfects its Seed Nature and Vertues Juniper is hot and dry in the third degree the berries are as hot but not so dry it is an Herb of Sol a good counter poison the berries taken in wine are good against venomous bitings the Plague Pestilence and other infections The decoction of the berries in Wine is good against the winde Chollick or four or five drops of the Chymical oyl taken in a morning in broth or Beer or about a dozen of the berries eaten in the morning fasting A lye made of the ashes of Juniper cures the Dropsie it provokes the Terms Vrine and is good against the Stone and Strangury helps fits of the Mother and strengthens the Stomach very much A Lye made of the Ashes of the Wood cures Itches Scabs Leprosie and erruptions in the skin the burning of the Wood drives away Flies and Wasps and such noisome creatures The berries are also good for the Cough shortness of Breath Ruptures Convulsions Cramps and Consumptions they procure to Women speedy delivery strengthens the Brain Memory and the Sight they comfort the heart and other senses being drunk in Wine or the decoction taken in wine they are good for all sorts of Agues and for the Gout and Sciatica and strengthen all the Members of the Body they are good likewise against the Palsie and falling Sickness it is effectual also to dry up the moisture of moist Vlcers Fistula's and weeping running Sores Jujubes Zizipha THis Tree groweth in Arabia Egypt and Syria it is called in Shops Jujube which is the Arabian name the Greeks and Latines Zizipha and Serica in English Jujabes Nature and Vertues They are temperately hot and moist a Tree of Jupiter they gently purge Choller cleanse the Blood and open the Body they are profitable for all diseases of the Chest and Lungs help shortness of Breath and hot distillations of Rheumes they cool the heat and sharpness of the Blood are good in hot Agues expectorate tough Phlegm and help a Cough they cleanse the Reins and Bladder and make the passages slippery and likewise stay Vomitings which are caused by sharp humours Kidney Beans Vide French Beans Kidney-Wort or Venus Navel-wort Cotyledon IT hath many thick fat round leaves Description every one having a short foot stalk about the middle thereof and a little unevenly waved sometimes about the edges of a pale green colour hollow on the upper side like a Spoon or Saucer amongst which arise one or more tender stalks smooth and hollow almost half a foot high with two or three small leaves not so round as the lower but somewhat long and divided at the edges the tops sometimes divide themselves into long branches and bears a great many flowers about a long spike one above another hollow like a Bell and of a whitish colour after which come small heads containing in them small brownish seed it hath a round root like an Olive usually smooth but sometimes rugged or knobbed grayish without and white within with many small fibres at it Names The Latines call it Cotyledon Vmbilicus Veneris and Acetabulum and also Scutellum and Terrae Vmbilicus in English Navel-wort and Venus Navel Wall-penny-wort and Kidney-wort Place and Time It groweth upon Stone and Mud Walls upon Rocks at the bottoms and upon the bodies of old rotten Trees it flowers about May then perishes till September and then springs up afresh and abides all Winter Nature and Vertues Kidney-wort is cold and moist and somewhat astringent having a little bitterness it cooleth repelleth cleanseth and discusseth it is a plant of Venus and is of good use to heal sore and exulcerated Kidneys The juyce being drunk in wine or the distilled water it is good for the Dropsie it provokes Vrine helps to break the Stone and and cools Inflammations of those parts and eases pains of the Bowels and Bloody Flux and the juyce or distilled water cools a hot and inflamed Stomach or Liver The bruised Herb outwardly applyed helps St. Anthonies fire pimples and other Inflammations it easeth pains of the Piles or Hemorrhoides and is called Herba Coxendicum or Hipwort because it is effectual to ease pains in the Hips and the hot Gout and Sciatica it is also good for swellings of the Cods Kings Evil Kibes and Chilblanes being used in an Oyntment it is likewise good to stanch the blood of green Wounds and heal them quickly Knotgrass Polygonum GReat common Knotgrass shooteth up many long and slender joynted branches Description lying upon the ground with many long narrow leaves thereon one for the most part at
a joynt whereat come forth the flowers especially from the middle of the branches upward which are in some white and in others purple but so small that they can hardly be perceived which afterwards bring a square small seed much like Sorrel seed the root is reddish long and slender with many fibres it endures divers Winters but the leaves perish in Autumne and arise fresh in the Spring Names It is called both in Greek and Latine Polygonum and likewise Seminalis Sanguinalis and Sanguinaria in some places Corrigiola and Centinodia in English Knot-grass Place and Time It grows by high-wayes sides foot-paths in Fields and sides of old Walls and many other places Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry about the second degree Saturnine the powder thereof taken in Wine is good to provoke Vrine and cool the heat thereof and to expell gravel in the Reins and Bladder being eaten in a Tansie with Eggs it is good to help the running of the Reins and weakness of the Back the juyce or decoction is good to stay bleeding at the mouth to cool the Blood and Stomach to stop the bloody Flux Womens Courses and pissing of Blood the juyce is good to be given before the fit of a Tertian or Quartain Ague to moderate the violence thereof it is good against venomous bitings and defluxions of Rheumes upon the Stomach it cures also Inflammations hot Swellings St. Anthonies fire Cancers burning Sores and filthy Vlcers especially of the privy parts it helps fresh Wounds stayeth the Blood and closeth up the lips of them the juyce helps running matters of the Ears and Inflammations of the Eyes being dropped therein There is another kinde much like this in nature called Knawel ☞ See more of this in the Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Knapweed Jacea nigra IT hath long narrow leaves much like Devils Bit Description but longer set upon stalks two cubits high bluntly snipt about the edges the flowers grow at the top of the stalks being first scaly knops like corn flowers or blue bottle but greater out of the midst whereof groweth a purple thrummy or threddy flower the root is thick and short Names There are many more kindes hereof but its needless to name them being all reckoned amongst the sorts of Scabious This Knapweed is called Jacea nigra to distinguish it from Harts-ease or Pancies which is called Jacea also it is likewise called Materfillon and Matrefillen in English Matfellon Bull-weed and Knapweed Place and Time Knapweed grows commonly in Pastures as also Scabious doth and flowers in June and July Nature and Vertues Knapweed is much of the temperature of Scabious whereof it is a kinde but not so proper in Physick as Scabious is to whose faculties I refer you for this It is said to be good against the swellings of the Vvula as is Devils-Bit but of less force and vertue wherefore you may use the most effectual it growing as plentiful as this I should not have mentioned this plant as accounting it not worth while had not the writer or publisher of that piece which goes by the name of Culpeppers English Physician Enlarged made a scribble to no purpose about it Indeed in that Book both Culpepper and the Readers are abused it being really none of his all the useless and frivolous additions being done since his death Those true Copies of his which have been printed since he dyed are his School of Physick and Last Legacy Ladies Mantle Alchimilla IT hath many leaves rising from the root standing on long hairy foot stalks Description almost round somewhat dented on the edges into eight or ten parts more or less seeming like a Star with so many corners and points more finely dented about of a light green colour and as if it were plated and folded at the first then crumpled in divers places and hairy as the stalk is which riseth up amongst them a foot high sometimes more with a few smaller leaves thereon and being weak bendeth down towards the ground divided at the top into two or three small branches with whitish green heads and yellowish green flowers breaking out of them which being past there comes a yellowish seed in the husks the root is long and black with many fibres thereat Names In Latine it is called Alchymilla Stellaria Pes leonis and Pata leonis and of some Sanicula major in English Ladies Mantle great Sanicle Lions foot and Lions paw Place and Time It grows in Pastures and Woods in Kent and divers other places of this Land it flowers in May and June and continues green all the Winter Nature and Vertues Ladies Mantle is hot and dry in the second degree at least very astringent and drying an herb of Mars the decoction thereof drunk and the green herb outwardly applyed helps the flagging and over-greatness of Maids and Womens Breasts bringing them to their due bigness it is effectual in Inflammations stops Bleedings Vomitings and Fluxes Bruises and Ruptures stayes the Whites the distilled water drunk many dayes together helps Conception and dryes up the too much humidity of the Matrix and reduceth the Body to a good estate It is a singular Wound herb and dryes up the humidity of Sores and Vlcers and abates Inflammations it quickly heals fresh Wounds consolidating up the lips thereof and leaving no corruption therein ☞ See further in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by P. Morellus Larch-Tree and its Agarick Larix IT grows about Italy Description and Names and also in Asia it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Larix in Latine and also Agaricum and Agaricus the Agarick is an excrescense or kinde of a Mushroome that groweth on this Tree being within white soft and spongy like a Mushroom The Agarick is hot in the first degree and dry in the second it hath an attenuating cleansing quality and purges obstructions of the entrails by stool it purgeth Phlegm Choller and Melancholly and cleanseth the Breast Lungs Liver and Reins provokes Urine and the Terms kills Worms helps pains in the Joynts and causeth a good colour It is not good to be taken alone without Corrigents therefore the Syrrup of Roses solutive with Agarick is good to be taken it cures the yellow Jaundies and is excellent good for Agues coming of thick Humours for which take the Pills of Hyera with Agarick it may be given with Oximel for Agues of all sorts and gripings of the Belly it is good against shortness of Breath the Ptisick and Consumption and half a dram thereof in Wine is a good Antidote against poisons Lavender Lavendula THis needs no description there is a greater and a lesser kinde of it the Latine name of it is Lavendula some call it Spike because it giveth a smell somewhat like Spikenard Place and Time It grows plentifully in our Gardens and flowers about the beginning of July Nature and Vertues Lavender is hot and dry in the third degree of thin subtle parts it is an herb of Mercury the distilled
water is comfortable for the Brain and is good for the Palsie and cold diseases of the Head the Temples Nape of the Neck and place behinde the Ears being washed therewith it is good against the Megrim and falling Sickness and two or three spoonfuls being drunk recovers lost speech A decoction of the flowers of Lavender Horehound Fennel and Asparagus roots with a little Cynamon is good against the Falling Sickness and Giddiness of the Brain it is good also for Convulsions Apoplexies Cramps Lethargies and gripings of the Body coming of cold it helps the stoppings of the Milt heats the Belly provokes the Terms and being holden in the Mouth it helps Vlcers and pains in the Teeth the water helps blisters of the Mouth being washed therewith the smell thereof comforts the sight it is not to be used where the Body is full of Blood and humours The lesser Lavender is good against diseases of the Mother for Women to be bathed with and to help forward their Travel and is good against venomous bitings The chymical Oyl of Lavender called Oyl of Spike is good for the falling Sickness Palsie Gout and aches of the Joynts being taken inwardly and the parts anointed but a few drops of it amongst other things is sufficient to be taken inwardly or outwardly Lavender Cotten Chamaecyparissus IT is an Herb well known in Gardens it is called by some in Latine Chamaecyparissus and some take it to be the Abrotanum Faemina of Dioscorides it flowers about July or August Nature and Vertues Both herb and seed are hot and dry in the third degree the plant is also Mercurial the seeds or the herb stamped and strained with milk and given fasting kills Worms in the Belly both of elder persons as well as Children half a dram of Lavender Cotten taken in Fether-few water every morning ten dayes together is good to stay the Whites in Women and the running of the Reins in men the leaves drunk in Wine is good against the Jaundies and opens the Liver and Kidneys it is good against all venomous bitings and the smell thereof drives away vermine The decoction is good to help Scabs and Itch it is good in Bathes and Oyntments to help Burstness Cramps Convulsions shrinking of Sinews to provoke Vrine and womens Courses Spurge Laurel Laurcola IT riseth up with one Description and sometimes more stalks about three foot high with a whitish Bark and branching into many stalks which are tough and pliant the leaves are long and smooth of a shining dark green colour like bay-leaves but lesser softer and smoother at the joynts with the leaves toward the tops come forth the flowers set many together long and hollow of a whitish yellow green colour after which comes round and somewhat long black berries when they are ripe wherein lieth a black Kernel the root runs deep into the ground and spreadeth with tough white strings somewhat woody the whole plant is very hot in taste It continues green all the year Names In Latine it is called Laureola in English Spurge Laurel Place and Time There grows abundance of it in Cobham Park in Kent some set it in Gardens the berries be ripe about June Nature and Vertues It is of a very hot and biting temperature a churlish Martial plant fourteen or fifteen of the berries or five or six of the leaves taken purge slimy Phlegm and waterish humours and is good for the Dropsie but it purges very violently and therefore must carefully be used it provokes vomiting procures womens Courses and easeth pains of the Chollick It may be thus prepared steep the leaves four and twenty hours in good Vinegar then dry them and drink their powder in wine with Anniseeds and Mastick or else in sweet Whey or Capon Broth. The dose is ℈ ii or ʒi A Glister may be made of the flowers for the Dropsie in this manner ℞ the flowers of Laurel ʒii roots of Polipody and Agarick ana ʒi ss Dodder ʒiii boil them in Wine or Water to the consumption of a third part then take of the decoction lb. i. of Benedicta laxativa ʒss honey of Roses ℥ i. oyls of Rue Camomile and Flower de Luce ana ℥ i. sal gem ʒi ss mix them for a Glister Leeks and Cives Porrum I Shall not need to describe either of them the Latine name of a Leek is Porrum they grow plentifully in our Gardens the Cives abide the coldest Winter Nature and Vertues Leeks are hot and dry in the third degree of subtle parts one of Mars his plants which infuseth much valour into the Welshmen they are very unwholesome being eaten raw but the boiling abates their evil qualities whereby used in pottage they are good for phlegmatick Bodies and help the Chollick and Stone the distilled water drunk morning and evening a good draught or two opens a costive Belly helps pain of the Hips purges the Kidneys and Bladder provokes Vrine and helps to break the Stone The seeds are good to kill worms in Children they are also held good to expell rotten Phlegm from the Chest and Lungs The juyce drunk with honey is good against the bitings of venomous Beasts and the herb stamped and laid thereon being boiled and eaten often they make women fruitful and increase lust in men Lettice Lactuca IT is a common Sallet manured in our Gardens there is also a wilde kinde called Lambs Lettice or Corn Sallet Names Lactuca is the Latine name thereof the place I have told you already it is sown usually in the Spring and may be had all the year if it be sowne at several seasons Nature and Vertues Lettice is cold and moist almost in the third degree a Lunar herb it tempereth driness and heat in the body and increases milk in Nurses who have hot dry bodies it is good for a hot Stomach and yields good nourishment to the body it causeth sleep and rest it loosens the belly either raw or boiled it helps digestion quenches thirst and easeth pains of the Stomach and Liver that come of Choller it abates lust and cools the Vrine which likewise doth the seeds and distilled water the juyce of Lettice with Oyl of Roses applyed to the forehead and Temples easeth the Head-ache and procures rest and applyed with Camphire to the Cods it abates the heat of Lust The Lambs Lettice is a pleasant Sallet to be eaten with Oyl and Vinegar Liquorice Liqueritia THe root is very well known and it is needless to describe the branches Liqueritia and Glycyrrhyza are the Latine names thereof Place and Time It is planted in our Gardens which yield the best Liquorice that is it will flower in July and yield a seed in September if it be suffered to grow many years without removing Nature and Vertues It is temperate in heat and moisture an excellent pectoral Plant Mercury rules it the root is a great opener of the Pipes of the Lungs it ripens a Cough and brings forth Phlegm it is good
which I refer you White Lillies Lilium THe English white Lilly groweth in most Gardens of England and will increase much by the root where it is planted it is so vulgarly known as needs no further description They flower from May to the end of June Names The white Lilly is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lilium and Rosa Junonis or Juno's Rose it being reported that it sprung up of her milk which she spilt upon the ground after Hercules had sucked her in her sleep Nature and Vertues The white Lilly is hot partaking of a subtil substance the root dry in the first degree and hot in the second the leaves boiled in red Wine and applyed to old Wounds or Vlcers doth them much good in expediting the cure as saith Gallen The distilled water being drunk causeth easie deliverance and expelleth the After-birth saith Alexandrinus The flowers steeped in oyl Olive and set in the Sun in Summer in a glass and repeated two or three times is good to harden the softness of the Sinews and help the hardness the Matrix The root stamped and strained with Wine-and drunk two or three dayes together expelleth the Pestilence causing it to break out and the juyce thereof tempered with barley Meal and baked in Cakes and eaten ordinarily for a moneth or six weeks together forbearing all other bread in the mean time helps to the cure of the Dropsie the same root roasted in the Embers and stamped with some leaven of Rye Bread and Hogs grease breaketh Plagues Sores and Pestilential Botches and ripens Venerial Imposthumes and Buboes in the Flank or elsewhere The same root stamped with Honey and applyed gleweth together Sinews that be cut it consumeth and cleanseth away the Vlcers of the head called Achores and all scurviness of the Beard and Face and being stamped with Vinegar Henbane Leaves or Barley Meal it cures Humours and Imposthumes of the privy parts Laserwort and its Assa Faetida Laserpitium THis is an Outlandish Plant growing in Syria America and Libia There issueth a Gum or liquor out of the same called Laser but that which is gathered from those Plants in Media and Syria is that stinking Gum called in our Shops Assa Faetida which is good to be applyed unto the Navels of such Women as are troubled with the rising of the Mother and for them to smell unto for that purpose the reason whereof you may read in my Womens Counsellour The root of Laserpitium is hot and dry in the third degree and so is Laser The root well pounded with Oyl scattereth clotted Blood cureth the Kings Evil and takes away black and blue marks that come by stripes or bruises the places being anointed or plaistered therewith The same root chewed in the Mouth asswageth the Tooth-ache A plaister made thereof with the oyl of Ireos and Wax is good to help the Sciatica The Laser or Gum of Laserpitium dissolved in Water and drunken taketh away a sudden Hoarseness being supt up with a rear Egge it cures the Cough and taken in broth is good against an old Plurisie being taken with dryed Figs it cureth the Jaundies and Dropsie A scruple thereof taken with a little Pepper and Myrrhe is good against the shrinking of Sinews and taken with syrrup of Vinegar it is good against the Falling Sickness The same drunk in Wine with Pepper and Frankincense is good against the shaking's of Agues being applyed with Copperas and Verdigrease it takes away superfluous out-growings of the Flesh Polypus in the Nose and nianginess and applyed with vinegar pepper and wine it cures the Scurf of the Head and hinders the falling off the Hair Lignum Aloes Vide Xylo-Aloe White Maiden-hair or Wall Rue Ruta Muraria IT brings forth many small round slender leaves Description cut into two or three parts very hard in handling on the outside smooth and green and of an ill-favoured dead colour underneath set with little fine spots the root is black and full of strings Names It s called in Latine Ruta muraria and Salvia vitae in English Wall Rue Stone Rue or white Maiden-hair Place and Time It grows upon old Walls near unto Waters and Wells is green as well Winter as Summer and beareth neither flower nor seed Nature and Vertues Wall Rue is much like the other Maiden-hair both in temperature and vertue it is commended against Ruptures in young Children and affirmed to be good if the powder be taken continually for forty dayes together it is likewise good for the Cough shortness of breath pains and stitches in the sides the decoction of it being drunk digesteth raw humours which stick in the Lungs takes away the pain of the Kidneys and bladder gently provokes Vrine and expelleth the Stone ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Sweet Maudlin Vide Alecoast Dogs Mercury Cynocrambe IT is like the Garden Mercury Description but that the leaves hereof are greater the stalk not so tender but very brittle growing about half a yard high having no branches at all the flowers are small and yellow Names Dogs Mercury is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cynocrambe Canina Mercurialis Sylvestris in English Dogs Cole and Dogs Mercury Place and Time It grows about Green Hithe and Gravesend in Kent and about Hamsted near London and in many Woods Copses and Borders of Fields flourishes all the Summer Nature and Vertues Dogs Mercury comes near the other Mercury in Nature and quality though seldom used it is also reported to cure the biting of mad Dogs from whence it is thought to obtain the name of Dogs Mercury Naile-wort Vide Whitlow-grass Madder Rubia Tinctorum THere be six kindes Description whereof I shall describe the Garden Madder which shoots forth many stalks standing upright at first and so continue if they be kept cut but if they grow without cutting they become weak and trailing upon the ground unless they grow by some hedge and then they climb thereon being four square rough and full of joynts at every of which come forth long and somewhat narrow leaves standing about the stalks like the rowel of a Spur at the tops whereof 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 is contained the seed the root is long growing deep and creeping far about the ground fat full of substance and of a very clear red colour Names In Latine it is called Rubia Tinctorum in English Madder Place and Time It is manured in Gardens and flowers in June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Madder roots are hot in the second degree and dry in the â—â—rd an Herb of Mars it hath an opening quality and also a binding The decoction in Wine provokes Vrine Womens Courses and also brings away the Birth and After-birth it cures the Jaundies purges melancholly and opens the Spleen and Gall
it is good for inward bruises and to dissolve congealed Blood wherefore it is much used in Wound drinks and is good for the Dropsie Palsie Sciatica and Hip-Gout the seeds taken with Vinegar and Honey helps hardness and swelling of the Spleen The decoction with Allome and Honey helps Vlcers of the Mouth The juyce or decoction helps venomous bitings and preserves the body from putrefaction The fresh roots bruised and applyed helps discolouring of the Skin as the Morphew and Freckles The juyce of the root eases pains of the Ears being dropped therein it is said also to stay the Reds in Women and the Bloody Flux Give it not to women with Childe nor often to hot and dry bodies and then the dose is about ℈ ii in powder and half an ounce in decoction Maidenhair Capillus Veneris THere is several kindes hereof reckoned up amongst Herbarists here we shall mention onely three English Maidenhair Wall Rue or white Maidenhair and golden Maidenhair Description Common Maidenhair doth from many hard black fibres shoot forth many blackish shining brittle stalks scarce a span long at the most set on each side with small round dark green leaves spotted on the back of them Names Capillus Veneris is the usual Latine name the Wall Rue is called Ruta muraria and the Golden Maiden-hair Adiantum Aureum Place and Time Maiden hair groweth much upon old Stone Walls by Springs and in rocky shadowy places it is green all the Winter but never yields any flower Nature and Vertues It is in a mean between heat and coldness it doth dry make thin and waste away as Gallen saith All the kindes are under Mercury and alike in Temperature and faculty A Lye made of Maidenhair is good in cleanse the head from Scurf and keep the hair from falling it is good against all diseases of the Breast and Lungs Liver and Reins the decoction of the herb being drunk it helps the Cough and shortness of Breath yellow Jaundies diseases of the Spleen provokes Vrine and the Courses and yet being dry it stayes Bleeding and Fluxes of the Stomach and Belly but being green it looseneth and drives Choller and Phlegm from the Stomach and Liver and cleanseth the Lungs and the Blood they are said to be good against venomous bitings the Kings Evil and other hard swellings and the powder drunk constantly forty dayes together is good for Ruptures in Children ☞ See more of this in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Mallows Malva MAllows and Hollihocks too which are a kinde of them are so commonly known they need no description Names Mallows are called in Latine Malva which name most think it obtained because it softens the Belly and hard tomours Place and Time They grow plentifully in every County they slower about June and July Nature and Vertues To Venus they are all ascribed The common mallows are moderately hot and moist they are to be preferred before the Hollyhock Mallows are generally held to make the Belly solluble they increase milk in Nurses being used in pottage or boiled and buttered as other Sallets being applyed pluâ—â—s-wayes they asswage hardness of the Breasts and other Tumours Inflammations Imposthumes and Swellings of the Cods and hardness of the Liver and Spleen a Pultis being made with some Bean or Barley Flower and oyl of Roses added to them The decoction of the leaves and roots with Parsley and Fennel Roots in Wine Water or Broth do open the Body and are good in hot Agues and Chollerick Distempers The decoction of the same and of the seeds in milk or Wine help exceriations of the Bowels Ptisick Plurisie and other diseases of the Chest and Lungs coming of hot causes it likewise procures speedy delivery to women the leaves bruised with a little honey and applyed to the Eyes helps impostumations of them The head washed with the decoction takes away Scurf Dandriff helps dry Scabs and the falling off the hair it is also good against Scaldings Burnings hot and painful swellings in any part of the Body The decoction of the flowers in Water having a little honey added to it is good to gargle a sore mouth Pliny saith that whosoever shall take a spoonful of the juyce of any of the Mallows in a morning shall that day be free from all diseases and it is especial good for the falling Sickness The Syrrup and Conserve of the flowers in effectual for the same diseases Marsh-Mallows Althaea MArsh-Mallows riseth three or four foot high with divers soft hairy white stalks Description spreading forth many branches the leaves are soft hoary or wooly lesser then Mallow leaves but longer pointed cut for the most part into some few divisions not very deep the flowers are much like the common Mallows but not so big nor so red but commonly white or tending to a blush colour after which come cases and seed like the other The roots are many and long shooting from one head of the bigness of ones finger very plyant rough and bending like Liquorice whitish on the outside but whiter within Names The Latines from the Greeks have gotten in the name of Althaea it is also called Bismalva being twice as good in effects as any other in English Marsh-Mallow from the places where it grows Place and Time It groweth in Marshes and Moors as in the salt Marshes from Woolwich to the Sea both on the Essex and Kentish Shores they flourish in July and August continuing flowring till the Frost kills the stalks springing fresh every spring at which time the roots are fittest to be gathered for physical uses Nature and Vertues Marsh Mallows are moderately hot but dry in the first and second degree of a softning quality the roots and seeds are more dry and of thinner parts it is likewise an herb of Venus They abound with a slimy viscous juyce whereby they are excellent good against excoriations of the Guts Reins Bladder and Yard it openeth the stait Passages and makes them slippery easing thereby the pains of the Stone it also helps diseases of the Breast and Lungs as Coughs Hoarseness and Plurisie it is good for those that are troubled with Ruptures Convulsions or Cramps the decoction or syrrup being drunk is good for all the said diseases The dryed Roots boiled in milk and drunk are good for the Chin Cough The decoction of the roots in Wine are good for inward Bruises Pains and Aches in the Muscles The leaves and roots are of excellent use in decoctions for Glisters to ease gripings in the Belly and pains in the Reins and Bladder being boiled in wine and applyed they help swellings in Womens Breasts in the Throat and other Inflammations The muscilage of the Roots and of Linseed and Fenugreek together is good in Pultisses and Oyntments to mollifie hard Tumours and digest inflammations The root boiled in Vinegar and holden in the Mouth easieth the Tooth-ache The leaves applyed with oyl helps Burnings Scaldings and bitings of Men or Dogs all sorts of Currs and
Maudlin Vide Alecoast or Costmary Mechoacan and Jalap Mechoacana THis plant groweth in the West Indies there are two kindes white and black they are both not in the first degree and dry in the second of an airy substance and also an earthly quality Mechoacan is effectual for the Dropsie purging water and phlegm and strengthens the Liver it purgeth the Brain and Nerves and is good for a long continued Head-ache it helpeth pains in the Joynts and also in the Bladder and Reins by provoking Vrine it expells Winde easeth the Chollick and pains of the Mother it is said to have all the Vertues that are either in Agarick or Rhabarb and therefore is commended in the French Pox Kings Evil Scurvy and Gout and in inveterate Agues and also in the Falling Sickness Catharre old Cough shortness of Breath Jaundies and stoppings of the Liver and Spleen it may be given to Children a scruple or a scruple and a half of the powder in white Wine to strong bodies a dram or two Jalap purgeth Phlegm Choller and Melancholly and watry humors The dose thereof may be a dram in white Wine with a little Anniseeds and Ginger to correct it otherwise it troubles the Stomach making it subject to Vomit Meadsweet Vide Queen of the Meadows The Medlar Tree Mespilus THis Tree is generally well known being a companion in Orchards and Gardens amongst other fruit Trees it is called Mespilus and the fruit Mespilum in Latine the Tree in English is called the Medlar or Open-arse Tree and the fruit Mediars and Open-arses They flower in May and the fruit is ripe about Michaelmas and then when they are gathered they must lye till they are rotten before they be fit to eat Nature and Vertues Both leaves and fruit of the Medlar Tree are cold dry and astringent a plant of Saturn The decoction of Medlars is good to gargle the Mouth and Throat it stayes defluxions of humors which might cause pains and swellings there it is also good to drink and to bathe the Stomach warm that is subject to loathing or vomiting for it fortifies digestion and strengthens the retentive faculty A pultis or a plaister may be made for the same purpose with dryed Medlars mixed and beaten together with the juyce of red Roses a few Cloves Nutmegs and a little red Corral The said decoction is a good bath for women to sit in whose courses flow overmuch and to stay the bleeding of the Piles The powder of the leaves is good to stay the bleeding of fresh Wounds The stones bruised to powder and drunk in liquor wherein some Parsley roots have been steeped all night or a little boiled doth expel stones and gravel from the Kidneys The fruit is good to stay womens longings and is good for those that are apt to miscarry Melilot Corona Regia COmmon Melilot springeth up with many green stalks about half a yard high Description or more from a tough long white root which dyeth not every year set round about at the Joynts with small and somewhat long strong and well smelling leaves standing three together dented about the edges unevenly the flowers are yellow and well scented standing in long spikes one above another a hand breadth long or better after the flowers come long crooked Cods wherein are contained brownish flat seeds Names The Latines call it Corona Regia because the flowers crown the tops of the stalks but it is generally called Melilota from the Greek and in English Melilot Kings Claver and Harts Claver because Deer delight to feed upon it Place and Time It is found plentifully in many places of this Land in Corn Fields the Corners of Meadows and by Ditches sides Nature and Vertues It is a Plant of Mercury and hath mixt qualities like him binding and yet digesting and the hot faculty abounding more therein then the cold The seed thereof applyed with Linseed Fenugreek and Camomile flowers asswages Tumors and hard swellings provokes the Courses opens obstructions of the Veins and strengthens the parts The compound Plaister of Melilot is effectual to dissolve Tumors windiness and swellings of the Spleen Liver and Belly it eases the Hypocondria or any other pain and is good for the Rickets The other Plaister of Melilot is good to draw such sores and wounds as need cleansing The juyce dropped into the ears easeth pains of them and being dropped into the eyes it clears them of pearls and spots and takes away the Web and clears the sight being steeped in Rose water and vinegar and applyed it easeth the Head-ache it mollifieth all Tumors and Inflammations either in the privy parts or other places of the body being boiled in wine and applyed and sometimes the yolk of a roasted Egge or the powder of Linseed Fenugreek Poppy seed Endive or fine flower is added to it The flowers of Melilot and Camomile are much used in Glisters to ease pains and expel winde and likewise in pultisses to asswage Swellings and Tumors being boiled in water it helps Wens and running Vlcers of the Head being applyed with Chalk Wine and Galls it is effectual for those who have suddenly lost their senses by any fit and to strengthen the Memory and comfort the Head and Brain to preserve them from pains and the Apoplexy the head being often washed with the distilled water of the Herb and Flowers or with a Lye made thereof French and Dogs Mercury Mercurialis BOth these kindes of Mercury have a male and a female Description The French Mercury riseth up with square green stalks full of Joynts about two foot high with two leaves at every joynt and branches on both sides the stalks with fresh green leaves somewhat broad and long 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 without yielding any flower The stalk of the female is longer and of a spike fashion set round about with small green husks which are the flowers made like small branches of Grapes which yield no seed but continue long upon the stalks the root consists of many fibres which dyeth every Winter and springs again of its own sowing The Dogs Mercury hath many stalks smaller and lower then the other and without branches the male hath two leaves at every joynt somewhat greater then the female more pointed and harder at the joynts with the leaves come forth longer stalks then the former with two round hairy seeds on them twice as big as those of the other Mercury from the joynts of the female come forth spikes of flowers like the female French Mercury The root is fibrous yet abideth the Winter the stalks dying down to the ground and springing every year Names It is known in Latine by the name of Mercurialis and the dogs Mercury Mercurialis Canina and Cynocrambe Place and Time The French Mercury grows in Kent and divers other places
of this Land The Dogs Mercury grows by hedges sides in many places they flower and seed in the Summer moneths Nature and Vertues Mercury is hot and dry about the second degree having a cleansing and digesting faculty Mercury claims it for his names sake Mercury is much commended for Womens Diseases the secret parts being fomented therewith it easeth the pains of the Mother the decoction thereof being taken procures the Terms expells the After-birth it is also good for the Strangury and diseases of the Reins and Bladder Hypocrates commendeth it for sore and watry Eyes deafness and pains in the Ears by dropping the juyce thereof into them and bathing them afterwards in white Wine the juyce taken in Broth or drink or the decoction of the leaves with a little Sugar purgeth chollerick and waterish humors Broth made thereof with a Cock Chicken is good against hot fits of an Ague and cleanseth the Breast and Lungs of phlegm but is a little offensive to the Stomach The juyce or water thereof snuffed up into the nostrils purgeth the Head and Eyes of Rheume and Cathars Two or three ounces of the distilled water with a little Sugar taken fasting opens and purgeth the body of gross viscous and melancholly humors Mathiolus saith That the seed of the male and the flowers of the female Mercury boiled with Wormwood and drunk speedily cures the yellow Jaundies The leaves or juyce rubbed upon Warts takes them away The juyce mixed with vinegar helps the Itch running Scabs Tetters and Ring-worms being applyed pultis-wise to Swellings and Inflammations it digesteth the humors which cause the same It is commonly used amongst other things in Glisters to evacuate the Belly from offensive humors Dogs Mercury may be likewise used to purge waterish and melancholly humours in the same manner as the former There are some fables reported of this Plant which I shall forbear to relate Mill-Mountain Linum sylvestre I Am induced to publish this plant Description by the commendation I have had of it from some special friends who have found singular use of it and commend it to do all things which Sena doth The description Gerrard reports to have had from a friend of his called Mr. Goodyer which is as followeth It riseth up from a small white threddy crooked root sometimes with one but most commonly with five or six or more round stalks about a foot or nine inches high of a brown on reddish colour every stalk dividing it self near the top from the middle upward into many branches or parts of a greener colour then the lower part of the stalk the leaves are small smooth of colour green of the bigness of Lentil leaves and have in the middle one rib or sinew and no more that may be perceived and grow along the stalk in good order by couples one opposite against the other at the tops of the small branches grow the flowers of a white colour consisting of five small leaves apiece the nails whereof are yellow in the inside are placed small short chieves also of a yellow colour after which come up small little knobs or buttons the top whereof when the seed is ripe divides it self into five parts wherein is contained small smooth flat slippery yellow seed when the seed is ripe the herb perisheth the whole herb is of a bitter taste and herby smell Names Gerrard saith when he first found this plant he inserted it in his Catalogue amongst the kindes of Lines or Flaxes and called it Linum sylvestre pusillum candidis floribus until he had a further relation thereof from Mr. Goodyer who called it Linum sylvae Catharticum because it was used to purge and in English it had acquired the name of Mill-Mountain Place and Time It groweth plentifully in the unmanured Inclosures of Hampshire on chalkly Downs and on Purfleet Hills in Essex and many other places I have been told it grows near Wickomb in Buckinghamshire and in July about four years since Mr. Dixon and I met a Chyrurgeon with some of it in his hand in Kingston which he said he had gathered by the way as he came from London It riseth forth of the ground at the beginning of the Spring and flowreth all the Summer Nature and Vertues It s bitter taste argues the temperature thereof to incline to heat The use of it as the same Mr. Goodyer reports is as follows Take a handful of Mill Mountain the whole plant leaves seeds flowers and all bruise it and put it in a small Pipkin with a pint of white Wine and set it on the Embers to infuse all night and drink that wine in the morning fasting This he saith he was told by a servant of one Dr. Lake who lived at St. Cross near Winchester would give eight or ten stools This Dr. Lake was afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells and alwayes used this herb for his purge as his man affirmed Thus saith Gerrard by the relation of Goodyer but lately I have heard it commended by some Physicians to be equalent in vertue to Sena Therefore I have put it down for the benefit of the studions to make further tryal and use of it accordingly Mynts Mentha BOth the Garden and wilde Mint are well enough known Description and Names wherefore I shall pass by their description to their names and vertues Mentha is the Latine common name and Mint or Spearmint for the Garden kinde in English Place and Time The wilde Mints grow in warry Ditches the other onely in Gardens they all flower in August the plant increaseth much by the root the seed being seldom good Nature and Vertues Mynt is hot and dry in the beginning of the third degree bitter binding and of thin parts and is said to be an herb of Venus The decoction cureth a sore Mouth and Gums the mouth being gargled therewith and helps a stinking breath being applyed with honied water it eases pains in the Ears and the roughness of the Tongue it being rubbed therewith The decoction thereof is good to wash Childrens Heads against Scabs and breakings out and heals chaps of the Fundament Two or three branches thereof taken with the juyce of Pomgranates stayes the Hiccough Vomiting and allayes Choller being applyed with Barley meal it dissolves Imposthumes it is good to repress the milk in Womens Breasts and helps swollen or flagging Breasts it causes digestion helps a cold Liver strengthens the Belly and Stomach helps gnawings of the heart procures appetite opens the Liver and provokes to Venery being bruised with salt it is good for the biting of a mad Dog The mouth being gargled with a decoction thereof and Rue and Coriander bringeth the pallat of the mouth that is down to its right place the powder of it taken after meat helps digestion and those that are spleenatick and taken in wine it helps women in their sore Travel in Childe bearing it is good against the Strangury and Gravel and Stone in the Kidneys being boiled in milk before you
leaf standing upon a small foot stalk about an inch high unless when it is in flower and then it hath a small slender stalk about three inches high the upper part whereof groweth out of the bosom as it were of the said leaf which is divided on each side into five sometimes seven or more parts on a side each whereof is small next the middle rib but broad forwards and round pointed much resembling an half Moon The stalk riseth above this leaf about two inches bearing many branches of small long tongues much like the spiky head of Adders Tongue of a brownish colour which afterwards resolve into a mealy dust so that you may call them flowers or seed which you please the root is small and threddy Names It is called in Latine Lunaria in English by some Unshooe the Horse but rightly Moon-wort Place and Time It delights to grow upon Hills and Heaths amongst grass and dry mossy places and in divers places of Kent as near Maidstone It may be found about April and May the heat of June banisheth it away Nature and Vertues Many idle Fables have been told of this Herb by lying Cachochymists such as Culpeppers Commanders were that he prates on for I believe they never saw the Herb in their lives and I am confident though it be the Moons herb yet it is neither Smith Farrier nor Picklock but is of Temperature cold and dry somewhat more then Adders Tongue and is a good Wound Herb either for inward or outward Wounds Blowes or Bruises it likewise helps to consolidate Fractures and is good for Ruptures and Cancers of the Breast It may excellently be used with other wound herbs to make Oyls and Balsoms for fresh and green Wounds and being boiled in red wine and drunk it is excellent to stay the overflowing of womens Courses and the Whites Bleeding Vomiting and other Fluxes The learned Grollius saith that it is good for the Cancers in Womens Breasts its Signature speaking so much Moss Muscus THere is Moss of Trees Description and Names and Ground Moss but neither of them want a description The Apothecaries call itVsnea it is likewise called in Latine Muscus Places and Time I have told you before where they grow Nature and Vertues The ground Moss is cold dry and astringent that of the Trees is cool and binding yet it partakes somewhat of the nature of the Tree whereon it grows yet all Saturns pot-herbs as saith Culpepper The ground Moss is held good to break the Stone being boiled in Wine and the decoction drunk it is likewise good being boiled in water to allay Inflammations and hot pains The Oak Moss is good to stay Fluxes and Lasks in man or woman Vomitings Bleedings spitting and pissing of Blood and the Terms the powder thereof being boiled in Wine and drunk The same being drunk stayes the Hiccough as saith Avicen And it procures deep sleep saith Serapio and some say the powder thereof for some time together taken in drink is good against the Dropsie Fresh Moss steeped a while in Oyl of Roses and then boiled therein and applyed to the Temples and Forehead helps the Head-ache that cometh of a hot cause and distillations of hot Rheumes to the Eyes or other parts It was anciently used in Oyntments against Weariness and to strengthen the Sinews There is a Moss that grows upon dead Mens Sculls which is a principal ingredient in the Weapon Salve but the receipt is it should be taken from the Skull of one who dyed a violent death I lately saw one which was brought out of Ireland all grown over with Moss Cup Moss if it be powdered and given in sweet Wine for certain dayes together is a remedy against the Falling Sickness and the Chin cough in Children Motherwort Cardiaca THis herb riseth up with hard Description square rough strong stalks of a brownish colour shooting two or three foot high and sometimes more spreading into many branches whereon grow the leaves on each side with long foot stalks two at every joynt broad and long rough and crumpled with great veins of a dark green colour deeply jagged about the edges almost torn or divided the flowers grow in sharp pointed rough husks from the middle of the branches to the top round about them at distances somewhat like Balme or Horehound but of a more red or purple colour after which comes plenty of small round blackish seed which shedding fills the place about it with their young growth The root is fibrous the plant of a rank smell and bitter taste Names It is called Cardiaca in the Latine though Matricaria which is used for Fetherfew might be more proper for it for it is effectual to help the Mother as well as the Heart and therefore with good reason is called in English Motherwort Place and Time It groweth rarely with us but onely in Gardens yet delighteth to grow by Walls sides and amongst rubbish it flowers and seeds from the Spring till Winter and then perisheth but the root abideth all the Year Nature and Vertues Motherwort is of temperature hot and dry in the second degree of a cleansing and astringent faculty and is by Astrologers reputed to be subject to the influences of Venus and the Sign Leo so that it is excellent for the fits of the Mother and diseases of the Womb and also for the trembling of the Heart the Cramp Convulsion and Palse it helps the hard labour of Women a spoonful thereof in powder being taken in Wine For the fits of the Mother let little Bags of Motherwort Camomile Wormwood Penntroyal and Lovage be applyed warm to the bottom of the Belly of the Patient The said powder used as aforesaid provokes Vrine and Womens Courses it may also be made into a Syrrup and Conserve and being so used it chears the Heart expelling Melancholly from thence Expectorates Phlegm opens obstructions of the Entrails and kills Worms in the Belly it is likewise good being bruised and applyed to green Wounds to stop the Blood cleanse and cure them and is a remedy against the Cough Murrain and other Diseases in Cattle ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Monsear Pilosella COmmon Mousear creeps upon the ground by strings or wires much like the Strawberry Description the strings taking root as they run and shooteth forth small short leaves set in a round form together hollowish in the middle where they are broadest of a hoary colour all over and very hairy out of which issues a white milk being broken from amongst these leaves spring up divers small hairy stalks about a handful high with a few smaller leaves thereon standing one at a place as the flowers do usually one at the top which consists of many pale yellow leaves much like a Dandelion flower but smaller and a little reddish underneath near the edges turning into Doun which with the seed is blown away by the Winde The root is small and fibrous Names It is called
of Barrenness it also provokes the Terms and is useful for pains of the head proceeding from a cold cause as Rheume and Cathars and giddiness of the Head it is good also for windiness of the Stomach and Belly and is effectual to dissolve winde in cold Aches and Cramps it is effectual for Coughs Colds and shortness of Breath The juyce thereof given in Mead or Wine is a good remedy for inward Burstings and Bruises by means of Falls or otherwise A bathe made thereof for Women to sit in or receive the Fumes bringeth down their Courses warmeth those parts and helps Barrenness The herb bruised and applyed to the Fundament easeth the pains of the Piles in two or three hours space and an oyntment made up with the juyce and applyed doth the same The decoction in spring Water is good to wash the Head to take away the Scabs thereof and may be effectual for other parts of the Body the distilled water is useful for many of the aforesaid purposes Nettles Urtica STinging Nettles are very well known Description and Names or may be by feeling as well as sight so that a description may be forborn It is called in LatineVrtica ab urendo because it raises Blisters like burning with sire Place and Time They are common associates to most hedges under walls amongst cubbish and in untilled places you may finde them plentifully they flower and seed in the end of Summer Nature and Vertues This plant is armed by Mars and is by temperature hot and dry in the third degree A decoction of the roots and leaves of Nettles or the juyce thereof taken in an Electuary with Honey or Sugar is a good medicine to open the obstructions of the Lungs and a remedy against Wheesing and shortness of Breath it expectorates tough Phlegm and evacuates an impostumated Plurisie by spittle it is a good gargle to help swellings of the Throat and the Almonds of the Throat and swellings in the Mouth The leaves boiled in Wine and drunk provokes Womens Courses helps suffocations and other diseases of the Mother and so it doth being outwardly applyed with a little Myrrhe The same also or the seed taken provokes Vrine and expells the Gravel or Stone out of the Reins and Bladder it killeth worms in Children easeth pains in the sides and dissolves windiness of the Spleen and in the Body yet some do suppose it onely effectual to provoke Venery The juyce of the leaves taken two or three dayes together stayeth bleeding at Mouth The seed taken in drink is a remedy against venomous bitings and the biting of a mad Dog and resists the poison of Hemlock Henbane and Night-shade Mandrakes and other stupifying Herbs as also for the Lethargy to rub it upon the Forehead and Temples and upon the places bitten or stung by venomous Beasts with a little Salt The distilled water is effectual for the said purposes yet more weak and likewise to wash Sores and Wounds to cleanse the skin from the Morphew Leprosie and other deformities thereof The seed or leaves bruised and put into the Nestrils stayeth Bleeding thereof and takes away the excrescense growing there called Pollipus The juyce of the leaves or the decoction of them or the roots is good to wash old rotten Sores Fistula's or Gangreens and corroding Scabs Manginess or Itch in any part of the Body and is good also to wash green Wounds or to apply the fresh bruised herb thereunto though the flesh were separated from the bones The same is good to refresh wearied members and to comfort dry and strengthen such parts as have been out of joynt and are set again and also for Aches and Gouts and to easethe pains and to dry and dissolve the defluxions of humours upon the Joynts and Sinews An oyntment made of the juyce oyl and wax is good to rub benummed members to reduce them to their proper activity A handful of green Nettle leaves and another of Danewort or Wallwort bruised and applyed to the Gout Sciatica or joynt Aches is a good help thereunto The young tops of Nettles being used in pottage in the Spring are good to consume phlegmatick superfluities in the Body and clarifie and warm the Blood give Hens dry Nettles cut small amongst their meat in Winter and it will make them lay Eggs the more plentifully Nigella GArden Nigella riseth about a foot high with weak and brittle stalks Description full of branches with many leaves upon them finely cut and divided something like Larks-heel but of a more grassy green colour it beareth flowers of a whitish blue colour which grow on the tops of the branches each flower being star-like divided into five parts and each part consisting of many fine small leaves after the flowers there come knops or heads having at the end five or six little horns or points and every head is divided into several cells or partitions wherein is contained the seed which is blackish somewhat like Onion seed but larger of a sharp taste and sweet strong favour the root is small fibrous and yellow perishing every year Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Latine Authours Melanthium and Nigella We in England call it Gith and Nigella Romana it is also called by some Fennel flower Bishops-wort St. Katherines flower and of some Kiss me twice before I rise and the Old Mans Beard Place and Time That which is most common with us is sown in Gardens and being sown in April it will flower in July and the seed be ripe in September Nature and Vertues The seeds of Nigella are hot and dry in the third degree and of thin parts I suppose under the influence of Jupiter The seed drunk in Wine helps shortness of Breath expells winde provokes Vrine and the Courses kills worms is good against Poisons and the bitings of venomous Beasts it likewise increases Milk in Womens Breasts if moderately taken but otherwise it is hurtful to Nurses and to all others that take it too often or in two great quantity The Common dose of the seed therefore is from half a dram to a dram A dram thereof taken in wine or Posset drink before the sit is effectual in Tertian and Quartain Agues It is an excellent remedy in other distempers that need cleansing heating and drying and opens obstructions being boiled in Vinegar and so taken being applyed to the Navel with juyce of Wormwood it kills Worms being dryed and quilted in Linnen or Sarcenet and applyed to the Head it cures Cathars and Rheumes dryeth the Brain and restores lost smelling being mixed with Vinegar and applyed it takes away Scurf Freckles and hard swellings the smoke of it drives away venomous creatures and kills Flyes Wasps and Bees The seed mixed with Oyl of Flower de Luce and applyed to the forehead helps a cold Head-ache Nightshade Solanum COmmon Nightshade hath an upright green hollow stalk Description about a foot high and sometimes more bushing forth into many branches whereon grow
many dark green leaves somewhat broad and pointed at the ends soft and full of juyce somewhat like the leaves of Bazil but larger and a little unevenly dented about the edges at the tops of the stalks and branches come forth four or five and sometimes more white flowers consisting of five small pointed leaves apiece standing on a stalk together one by or above another with yellow pointels in the middle composed of four or five yellow threds set together which afterwards turn into so many pendulous green berries of the bigness of a small pease full of green juyce and small round whitish flat seeds lying within it the root is white and a little woody when it hath given flower and fruit with many small fibres at it the whole plant is of a watrish insipid taste The juyce in the berries is somewhat viscous like a thin muscilage and of a cooling astringent quality Names In Latine it is called Solanum and Solatrum Vva Lupina and Vva Vulpis Cuculus and Morella in English Morrel Petty Morrel Nightshade and in some places Houndsberries there is another sort called Dwall or deadly Nightshade being of a poisonous and excessive cold quality which beareth a berry black and shining like jet and about the bigness of a black Cherry Place and Time Common Nightshade groweth upon Dunghills and amongst rubbish under old Walls and by the sides of Hedges and Fields I have seen the Dwall or Deadly Nightshade growing in a Ditch by the High wayes side near Alton in Hampshire and near Croyden in Surrey where it was about six foot high They slower in Summer till the beginning of Autumne and the fruit is ripe in August and September Nature and Vertuer They are all cold and Saturnine Plants but the Dwall as coal in the fourth degree The berries of common Nightshade are good to provoke Vrine and expell the Stone being moderately taken in white Wine and cooleth hot Inslammations being inwardly or outwardly taken so not in too great a quantity for then it procures the Phrenzy but a remedy against it is to drink good store of warm honied water The juyce easeth pains and Inflammations of the Ears being dropped therein and the juyce clarified and mingled with Vinegar is a good gargarisme for the Mouth and Throat being inflamed The juyce of the herb or Berries incorporated in a leaden Mortar with Oyl of Roses Vinegar and Ceruss is good to anoint the Eyes for all hot Inflammations The juyce made up with Hen-dung and applyed is good for the Shingles Ring-worms Corroding Vlcers and moist Fistula's A Pessary dipped in the Juyce and put up into the Matrix stayeth the immoderate flowing of the Courses A cloth wet therein and applyed to the Testicles or Cods giveth much ease in any hot swelling there and easeth the Gout coming of hot and sharp humours The Dwall or deadly Nightshade is by no means to be taken inwardly yet if the Temples and Forehead be a little bathed with the juyce of the leaves and a little Vinegar it procures sleep which is hindred by hot causes and eases pains of the Head proceeding of heat The bruised leaves or juyce may be applyed to St. Anthonies fire the Shingles and such hot Inflammations and fiery Cankers to cool them and stay the spreading thereof The distilled water of the common Night-shade is safest to be given inwardly but they are both dangerous and the Dwall deadly The Nutmeg Tree Nux Moschata THis odoriferous tree groweth in the East-Indies the fruit is called in Latine Nux Moschata and the Mace that grows also upon this Tree is called in Latine Macis Nature and Vertues Nutmegs are hot and dry in the second degree and somewhat binding Mace is hot in the second degree and dry in the third Nutmegs do heat and strengthen a cold and weak Stomach resist Vomiting and takes away the Hiccough it helps pain and Winde in the Belly and stoppings of the Liver and Milt and stopeth the Lask being taken in red Wine it is profitable for the Mother Kidneys and Bladder helps pissing by drops and other cold griefs in men and Women the powder thereof with oyl of Mints is good against the coldness of the Head and dulness of Memory the Forehead and Temples being anointed therewith it is good in Cordials and Receipts to help coldness of the Liver stopping of the Milt the Dropsie Vomiting Head-ache Swellings bloody Fluxes it helps trembling of the Heart and comforts the Veins and Muscles in cold people and helps to expell Gravel from the Reins and Bladder being first steeped in Oyl of Sweet Almonds The Oyl of Nutmegs doth likewise comfort a cold Stomach Mace is somewhat of the same nature with the Nutmeg it stops the Lask bloody Flux and Womens Courses and helps trembling of the Heart The oyl of Mace cures wamblings of the Stomach and a desire to Vomit the Stomach being anointed therewith The powder of a Pomgranate large Mace long Pepper and Sugar being drunk with Posset Ale Malmsey or Broth sodden together is a good remedy for the Black jaundies Mace being used in Meats causeth lean people to grow fat warmeth those that are cold in their Venereous acts and so do Nutmegs and are good to be taken in Broths or Milk it is good also against Fluxes spitting of Blood Vomit and the Chollick ☞ See more of this in The Expert Doctors Dispensatory by by P. Morelius ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling written by W. Celes Of the Oak Quercus THis stately Tree is very well known it is called in Latine Quercus and Robur the Acorn Glans the Cup Calix and Cupula Glandis Place and Time Our Land did once so flourish with these lusty Trees that it was called Druina by some but of late many of them are destroyed The Catkins come forth about April the Acorns are not ripe till October Nature and Vertues The leaves and bark of the Oak and Acorn Cups do binde and dry very much and are somewhat cold but the Acorns are not so cold nor binding The Acorns provoke Vrine and help to break the Stone in the Bladder the decoction of them and the Bark taken in milk helps exulcerations of the Bladder and pissing of Blood cansed by poisonous Herbs corroding Medicines and Cantharides The powder of Acorns drunk in wine is good to help Stitches and pains in the Sides especially if it be mixed with the powder of Bay-berries The inner Bark of the Tree and the thin skin that covereth the Acorn do stay the spitting of Blood and the Bloody Flux The decoction of the Bark and powder of the Cups stayeth Vomitings spitting of Blood bleeding at Mouth Lasks the involuntary Flux of natural seed and all other Fluxes in man or woman The fume of the leaves helps strangling of the Mother and the bruised leaves soder up Wounds and keeps them from inflammations The distilled water of the Buds is likewise good to stay all Fluxes to cool the body in
it perfects its seed in August the second year after it is sown Nature and Vertues It is a Mercurial herb and is hot and dry in the second degree the seed is hot in the second degree and dry almost in the third its root is temperately hot Parsley is excellent to provoke Vrine to break the Stone and ease the pains thereof it provokes the Terms and is comfortable to the stomach breaking winde both there and in the belly the roots open obstructions and provokes urine mightily and may be boiled and eaten like Parsnips for the purposes aforesaid for which the seed decocted in wine is very effectual it is profitable for the Yellow Jaundies Falling Sickness and Dropsie the root is one of the five opening roots and is used amongst other herbs and roots that move the belly downwards the seeds are effectual against venome and poison and for them that have taken Litharge it is also used amongst other things for the Cough and being boiled in white wine and drunk it brings away the Birth and After-birth The leaves of Parsley eaten after Onions or Garlick takes away their offensive smell and suppresseth the Vapours that offend the head or eyes the leaves laid to inflamed or swoln eyes with bread or meal doth much help them and it abates the hardness of womens breasts caused by the curdling of their milk it takes away black and blue spots and marks which come by blows bruises and falls if it be fryed with butter and applyed thereunto the juyce mixed with a little wine and dropped into the ears easeth pains thereof the distilled water is good to give Children for the frets winde or gripings in their bellies or stomacks Parsley-pert or Break-stone Calculum frangens THis rises up with many leaves spread upon the ground Description standing upon a small long foot-stalk about the bigness of a mans nail much dented in the edges much like Parsley but of a dusky green colour the stalks are weak and slender two or three singers long set full of leaves to the top so that the stalk cannot be seen amongst which come forth greenish yellow flowers so small they can hardly be seen and the seed is very small the root is small and threddy yet abideth many years Names Lobel gave it the name of Percepier Anglorum and it is called Calculum frangens in Latine in English Break-stone Place and Time Parsley-pert delights in sandy and fallowed Ground and also amongst Corn it groweth commonly in most Countreys of this Nation it is found from April to the end of October Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry about the second degree I suppose under the influence of Venus it is singular to provoke Vrine and expel gravel and the Stone in the Reins and Kidneys washing it down by Vrine and expelling it out of the Bladder either to drink the decoction of the said herb in Wine or water or the juyce in white Wine taken morning and evening or a dram of the dryed herb in powder drunk in white Wine or other drink first and last divers dayes together it will make a good Sallet herb for the said purposes being pickled up like Sampire and eaten as a sauce in Winter when the green herb cannot be had Parsnip Pastinaca I Think this needs no description Pastinaca is their Latine appellation they are common amongst Gardners and is a good root to be eaten buttered by it self or amongst salt Fish their particular vertues you may read before in Carrots there being little difference but onely in colour Cow Parsnip Spondylium THis plant is known by the name of wilde Parsnip Description it answering thereunto both in his rank savour and in the likeness of the root the leaves hereof are long and large deeply notched or cut about the edges like the teeth of a Saw of an over-worn green colour having long hairy foot stalks the flowers grow in tufts like the wilde Parsnips in white and sometimes reddish Umbels the root is long and white like to the Henbane root The whole plant hath an ill-favoured smell Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Spondylium in English Cow Parsnip Meadow Parsnip and Madnep Place and Time Cow Parsnip grows commonly in moist fertil Meadows and Pastures and flowreth in June and July the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is manifestly hot of temperature and of a cutting faculty the leaves hereof being bruised and applyed doth consume and dissolve cold swellings the Oyl wherein the leaves and roots hereof have been botled is good to anoint the Heads of such as are troubled with the Lethargy Forgetfulness or the Head-ache and much helpeth phrenctick or Melancholly persons their Heads being anointed with it The seed of Cow-Parsnip being drunk in convenient liquor purgeth Phlegm out through the Guts helps short windedness the strangling of the Mother Jaundies and falling Sickness and the sume of the seed will revive such as are sallen into a swoon or deep sleep and helps womens passions of the Mother the smoke being received underneath The juyce of the flowers dropped into the ears cleanseth and healeth them of filthy matter and stayeth the running thereof The Peach Tree Nux Persica THis Tree is nourished onely in Gardens so that a description is needless Names It is called in Latine Nux Persica I suppose the reason because they came originally from Persia Nature and Vertuâ—s The fruit is cold in the first degree and most in the second the Kernels be hot and dry it is a tree ascribed to Venus Pouches moderately eaten as all fruit ought to be are good for hot constitutions to cool the Stomach and to sea the Belly according to Galen the best time of eating them is before meals for then they mollisie the Belly provoke appetite and qualifie choller in the Stomach The Kernels of the Stones are profitable amongst other ingredients to break the Stone and do ease pains and gripings of the Belly caused through windiness and sharp humours an oyl drawn from them and put into Glisters doth the like A milk or cream of the said Kernels being drawn forth with some Vervain water and applyed to the Forehead and Temples doth procure rest to sick persons and so doth the said oyl the places aforesaid being anointed with it the same Oyl or the juyce of the leaves dropped into the Ears easeth pains of them and being bruised and boiled in Vinegar till they be thick and applyed to a bald Head it causes hair to grow The leaves boiled in Ale or Milk and drunk loosens the Belly and killeth worms and so they do being bruised and laid on the Belly and being dryed they discuss humours The powder whereof strewed upon fresh bleeding Wounds stayeth the bleeding and closeth them up The flowers infused all night in Wine in a warm place and strained in the morning and drunk gently moves the Belly or you may make a syrrup of them by
little long pods of a bitter and hot biting taste and so are the leaves the root is small and wooddy Names It is called Eruca in Latine Place and Time The first is an inhabitant in Gardens this which I have described is found in many places of this Land They flower about June and July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is an herb of Mars hot and dry in the third degree and is seldom eaten alone but all sorts of Rocket quicken Nature and provoke Lust the wilde kinde it more strong then the Garden kinde it helps digestion and provokes Vrine much the seed excites to Venery as much or more then the herb and is good against the bitings of the Shrew Mouse and other venomous Beasts it puts away the ill scent of the Arm-pits increaseth milk in Nurses and â—asteth the Spleen being mixed with Honey and applyed it cleanseth the skin from the Morphew and other spots with Vinegar it takes away Freckles and redness in the face it amendeth Scars black and blue spots and marks of the small Pox being used with an Oxe gall The herb boiled or stewed and some Sugar put to it helps the Cough in Children being taken often the leaves may be eaten with Lettice and Purslain and such cooling Herbs to correct the heat of it for eaten alone their overmuch heat causeth the Head-ache Roses Rosa THere is by Gerard mentioned fourteen kindes of Roses but it were useless to repeat them all here I shall onely treat of the red Rose the white the damask Rose and the Bryar Canker and the wilde Rose and these are so very well known they need no further description but onely of their vertues Nature and Vertues Roses have different qualities as well as colours the Damask purge the white and red cool and binde the white are held to binde most yet they are scarce used in Physick the red Rose according to Galen hath also a watry substance and a warm quality astringent and bitter The yellow threds in the middle do binde and dry more then the Rose it self The buds do cool and binde more then the full blown flowers according to Mesue the Rose is cold in the first degree and dry in the second and consisteth of divers substances as watry earthly airy aromatical and hot which causeth the bitterness and colour the fresh juyce purgeth Choller and watry humours but being dryed the heat is consumed and then they are astringent Of the Roses are made many simple and compound Medicines whereof it is too large here to treat of A decoction of the red Roses in wine is a good Lotion for pains in the lower Bowels Fundament and Matrix the parts being bathed or put into them It is also good for the Head-ache and pains in the Eyes Ears Throat and Gums The same decoction with the Roses easeth Inflammations of the Heart being applyed to the Region thereof and also helps St. Anthonies fire and Inflammations of the stomach The dryed Roses taken in powder in some steeled Wine or Water stayes Womens Courses and so do the yellow threds being powdered and drunk in the distilled water of Quinces and likewise stayes defluxions of Rheum upon the Gums and Teeth fastens the loose Teeth and preserves them from corruption if they be gargled therewith and some Vinegar of Squills The red Roses do strengthen the heart liver and stomach and the retentive faculty and mitigate hot pains and inflammations The Conserve is binding and cordial and is profitable to stay Lasks and Fluxes of the Belly and is good for the Running of the Reins being mixed with powder of Mastick it likewise strengthens the stomach and helps digestion and resists vomiting and helps faintings and tremblings of the heart being mixed with Aromaticum Rosarum Sugar of Roses is also a very good Cordial to strengthen the heart and stay desluxions The Syrrup of dryed red Roses cools the over-heated Liver and Blood comforts the heart and resists putrefaction and stayes Fluxes There are Cordial Powders likewise made of them as Diarhodon Abbatis and Aromaticom Rosarum which help digestion and strengthen the heart and stomach The heads with seed in powder or in decoction stayeth the Lask and spitting of blood Red Rose-water is cooling and cordial refreshing weak and faint spirits and is for that purpose used either in meats or broths to wash the Temples and smell to or to receive the sweet vapour thereof out of a perfuming-pot or hot fireshovel it is good against redness and inflammations of the Eyes and to bathe the Temples against the Head-ache for which purpose vinegar of Roses it also good and to procure rest and sleep take a piece of red rose cake cut fit for the head moisten it in Rosewater and Vinegar of Roses and heat it between a double-folded cloath on a Chafing-dish of coals with some beaten Nutmeg and Poppy-seed strewed on the side which must lye next the Forehead and Temples and binde it on for all night Of the Damask Roses are made Syrrups both simple and compound the simple solutive Syrrup is a safe easie medicine gently purging Choller being taken from one ounce to four The Syrrup with Agarick worketh on Phlegm as well as Choller and one ounce thereof worketh more strongly then three of the simple The compound Syrrup with Hellebore worketh forceably upon melanchollick humours and is available against the French Disease Tetters Itch. c. Honey of Roses solutive is also opening and purging and is often given in Glisters and so is the Syrrup made with sugar The Conserve of Damask Roses do likewise gently open the belly The distilled water is much used for fumes and to sweeten things and the dried leaves for Sweet-bags Honey of red Roses is good to wash sores in the mouth throat or elsewhere The fruit of the wilde Bryer which some call Heps though in Hampshire we call them Canker-berries being made into a Conserve when they are fully ripe do binde the belly and stayeth defluxions from the head upon the stomach drying up the moisture thereof and helping digestion and are of a pleasant taste The pulp of them dryed to a hard consistence and made into powder and taken in drink stayeth the Whites the powder of the Briar-ball easeth the Chollick provokes Vrine kills Worms and is good to break the Stone being taken in drink Ros Solis or Sun-dew IT hath many hollow Description round small leaves greenish but full of red hairs which makes them seem red every one standing upon a hairy redish foot-stalk the leaves keep a dew upon them in the hottestday having a certain slimeness the small hairs always holding this moisture amongst the leaves rise up small slender stalks reddish also bearing divers small white knobs one above another which are the flowers after which in the heads come certain small seeds The Root consisteth of a few small hairs Names It is called in Latine Ros solis in English Sun-dew Lustwort Moor-grass
leaves which turn into leaves as small as dust the root is small and long growing deep into the ground the taste hereof is not perceivable at first but after a little while there may be perceived a somewhat astringent taste a little bitter and sharp withal but without any manifest heat Names This plant hath acquired several names according to the various opinions of Authours as Polygonum minus by Mathiolus and Castor durantes Herba Turca by Lobel but the most usual and known Latine name is Herniaria from Hernia a Rupture and in English Rupture-worb Place and Time It delights to grow in barren sandy and rocky grounds as upon the dry chalky and sandy grounds in Kent and elsewhere and flowers and flourishes in the four Summer Moneths which are spelled sine littera R. Nature and Vertues Rupture-wort is very drying binding closing and sasting Saturnine It s name speaks its Vertues that is to cure the disease called the Rupture or Burstness which is the falling down of the Guts into the Cods A dram of the herb in powder taken in wine for many dayes together or the decoction of the herb in Wine or the juyce or distilled water drunk in the same manner marvellously helps that Disease and being so taken it stayes Fluxes Vomiting and the Gonorrhea it helps the Strangury stopping of Vrine Stone or Gravel in the Reins or Bladder stitches in the Side griping pains in the Stomach or Belly and obstructions of the Liver and cures the yellow Jaundies and killeth Worins in Children it conglutinates Wound cheing outwardly applyed and helpeth to stay defluctions of Rheumes from the head to the eyes nose and teeth the temples and nape of the Neck being bathed with the decoction of the dryed herb or the green herb being bruised and bound thereto it dryes up the moisture of foul spreading and fistulous Vlcers and is good to be bruised and applyed to the place of a Rupture having a Truss bound thereunto Rice Oriza THis is an East-Indian grain and groweth up there much like the stalk of Wheat but in regard it groweth not with us I shall describe it no further but proceed to declare its vertues we having it plentifully brought hither by industrious Merchants Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines following them call it Oryza Nature and Vertues Rice is binding and drying temperate and not exceeding in heat or cold the pottage made thereof with milk and spiced with Sugar and Cynamon is pleasant and easie of digestion and is reputed to increase seed it is very useful to stay all Lasks or Fluxes being so eaten or beaten to powder and mixed with yolks of Eggs and fryed with fresh Butter and eat morning and evening and being so taken it helps the bloody Flux it is good to put in Cataplasms to repeli humors and being boiled in running Water and the face bathed therewith it takes away spots and pimples it is an excellent and wholesome food and in great estimation amongst the Indians though not so much in repute with us Perhaps because it is too cheap for the wanton rich and too dear for the pining poor c. Rye Secale THis Grain is well known in England more for food then Physick but the bread and leaven of it is good to ripen Imposthumes and Boils or other swellings Mathiolus saith that water wherein the Ashes of Rye straw hath been infused four and twenty hours heals chops of the hands and feet being washed therewith Meal of Rye put between a double cloth and moistned with Vinegar and heated in a pewter Dish over a Chafing dish of Coals ond applyed hot to the head easeth continual pains thereof Rye is more digesting then Wheat but it is windy and griping in the Bowels Saffron Crocus THe Chives of the Flower commonly called Saffron are generally well known so that a description is needless Names It s Latine names are Crocus and Crocum it is also termed Filius ante patrem because it putteth forth flowers before the leaves Place and Time It is plentifully manured in Fields in Essex and Cambridge-shire Saffron-Walden takes her name from its growing there it begins to flower in September and presently after the leaves shoot forth and abide green all the Winter dying again in April when it puts forth another Crop of Flowers which must be gathered as soon as it is blown or else it is lost so that Jack Presbyter for covetousness of the profit can reach his Sabbatarian Conscience to gather it on Sunday and so he can to do any thing else that redounds to his profit though it destroy his Brother Nature and Vertues Saffron is hot in the second degree and dry in the first of a little astringent quality it is an Herb of the Sun a great Cordial and comforter of the spirits it expells venome from the Heart strengthens the Stomach helps concoction preserves the Entrails and is very useful in the Plague Pestilence small Pox and such contagious diseases the Tincture thereof is profitable in fits of the Mother it strengthens the Memory Head Stomach Spleen Bladder animal vital and natural spirits and helps cold diseases of the Brain and Nerves it is profitable for the Lungs Consumption and shortness of Breath it is best for eld phlegmatick and melancholly persons it is good against melancholly and the Jaundies and stoppings of the Liver and Gall and is profitable for the Plurisie and provokes Vrine and Venus take ten grains of Saffron two ounces of Walnut Kernels Figs two ounces Mithridate one dram and a few Sage leaves stamp them into a mass with a sufficient quantity of Pimpernel water and keep it for use twelve grains thereof taken fasting is an excellent Antidote against the Plague and expelleth it from those that are infected Some write that two or three drams hereof taken brings death doubtless too great a quantity cannot do otherwise it is not safe to be given to women with childe Sage Salvia TO avoid prolixity we proceed to its vertues The Latine name of it is Salvia and so wholesome an Herb reputed by Schola salerni that they say Cur moritur homo dum Salvia crescit in horto Nature and Vertues Sage is hot and dry in the third degree an herb of Jupiter it restores natural heat and comforts the vital spirits and helps the Memory and quickens the sences it is very healthful to be eaten in May with Butter and also to be drunk in Ale it is good for women that are apt to miscarry or cannot conceive by reason of the over-much moisture-or slipperiness of their Wombs Sage Rosemary Honey-suckles and Plantain boiled in water or wine and some Honey and Allome added thereto is a good gargle for Cankers or Sores in the Mouth or Throat and for sores in the privy parts of Man or Woman and is good to be boiled with other comsortable and hot herbs to bathe the cold Sinews and to warm the Joynts and help
effectual for inward and outward bruises falls and blows to disperse the congealed blood and take away the pains and black and blue marks that abide after the hurt and the distilled water of the whole herb cleanseth the skin from Morphew Freckles and Spats making it fair and smooth Sampire Feniculum marinum ROck Sampire springeth up with a tender green stalk Description about half a yard high or two foot at the most branching forth almost from the bottom set with many thick almost round and somewhat long leaves of deep green colour three together and sometimes more on a stalk full of sap and of a pleasant hot or spicy taste at the tops of the stalks and branches stand Umbels of white flowers after which come large seed somewhat like Fennel seed but bigger The root is great white and long of a pleasant smell and taste and abideth many years Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Feniculum Marinum and in Shops Creta marina in English Sampire and Sea Fennel Place and Time The Cliffts in the Isle of Wight abound with it where it is incredibly dangerous to gather yet many adventure it though they buy their sauce with the price of their lives It groweth also about the Rocky Cliffts upon the Sea coast in most parts of England It flourisheth in May and June and is fittest to be gathered in the beginning of August It flowers and seeds in August Nature and Vertues Sampire is of a cleansing faculty and is hot and dry about the second degree and herb attributed to the influence of Jupiter Pickled Sampire is an excellent sauce for digestion of meats it breaks the Stone and expells Gravel out of the Reins and Bladder and provokes Vrine and womens Courses The decoction of the leaves seeds and roots in wine being drunk helps ill digestion and opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and of the Entrails which are the causes of most diseases it is grateful both to the taste and stoâ—◠〈◊〉 and helps to whet a dull appetite by the saltness and spiciness that is in it The way to preserve it in pickle is to boil it in water till it be tender and then pickle it up in a Barrel with a liquor made of Vinegar Water and Salt Saunders Santalum THere are three sorts of this plant brought unto us Kindes and Names viz. Santalum Rubrum Red Saunders Santalum Album or white Saunders and Santalum Citrinum or Flavum yellow Saunders they are all brought unto us from the East Indies where they naturally grow about the River Ganges and in the Isle of Timor and provinces adjacent Nature and Vertues Of all these three kindes of Saunders the yellow is the best the next is the white the red is least in use they are Solar Plants yet by temperature cold and dry in the second degree the red is more cooling and binding they open and cool the Liver and ease pain of the Head and are good to strengthen and revive the Spirits for which purpose they are used in Jellies Sauces and Broths c. they are likewise good in hot burning diseases as Fevers and such like The red Saunders applyed to Maids or Womens great Breasts mixed with the juyce of Purslain abateth their greatness and represseth their growing too big it is likewise effectual to stanch Blood at the Nose or other place being taken in red Wine and is used to slay defluctions of thin Rheume from the head and to cool and temper the heat in hot Agues hot Gouts and Insflammations In cordial medicines the white and yellow Saunders are most effectual by reason of their sweetness they help faintings of the Heart and weak Stomachs caused by heat they divert Melancholly and procure Mirth they stay the spermatical flux in man or woman The powder taken in a rear Egge or mixed with other things for that purpose or being infused in red Wine all night in Balneo or hot Embers and the Wing strained and drunk morning and evening for all inflammations it is very effectual being mixed with the juyce of Housleek Nightshade or Purslain outwardly they are good in Fomentations and Epithems against the intemperate heat of the Liver and being applyed with Rose water to the Temples they ease pains of the Head and stay the flowing of humours into the Eyes Sanile Sanicula SAnicle springeth up with many leaves of a middle size Description deeply cut or divided into five or six parts and some of them cut also sometimes standing upon brownish foot stalks about a handful high somewhat like the leaves of Crow-foot or the broadest sort of Anemonies finely dented about the edges smooth and of a dark green shining colour and sometimes reddish about the brims amongst which rise up small round green stalks without any joynt or leaf but at the top where it brancheth into flowers having a leaf divided into three or four parts at that joynt with the flowers which are small and white growing out of small round greenish yellow heads standing on a tuft together which afterwards contains small round burry seeds sticking unto any thing like the seeds of Cleavers The root consists of many black strings set together at a little long head which abideth with the green leaves all the winter Names It is called in Latine Sanicula from its efficacy in healing Wounds and by Lobel Diapensia in English Sanicle There is a sort called Pinguicula Eboracensis Butter-wort and Butter-root because of the oyliness of the leaf Place and Time It grows in woody shadowy places and under hedges in many places of this Land it flowers in July and the seed is ripe soon after nature and Vertues Sanicle is hot and dry in the second degree bitter in taste and somewhat astringent Culpepper ascribes it to Venus but I judge Mercury hath the greater influence upon it but the Sun most of all It is an excellent herb for any infirmity of the Lungs and is a singular good wound herb speedily healing all green Wounds and also Vlcers Imposthumes and bleeding inwardly and it dissipateth and represseth Tumors in any part of the Body if the decoction or juyce be taken or the powder in drink and apply the juyce outwardly The decoction of the leaves and root with a little honey added to it heals putrid and malignant Vlcers in the Mouth Throat and Privities by gargling and washing them therewith it helps to stay womens Courses and and all other Fluxes of blood and Lasks of the Belly ulcerations of the Kidneys pains in the Bowels and the running of the Reins being boiled in wine or water and drunk it is effectual to heal Burstings or Ruptures either inwardly or outwardly as well as any of the Consounds or other vulnerary herb whatsoever Of it also may be made an oyntment good for obstructions of the Liver and a syrrup or conserve for the Lungs Sauce alone or Jack by the Hedge THis herb as well as Wood-Sage is by some
reckoned amongst the kindes of Scordium Description but I shall describe it being different therefrom it groweth up with round broad leaves pointed at the ends and dented about the edges somewhat like Nettle leaves but of a fresher green colour and not rough nor prickling and are set singly one at a joynt the lower leaves being rounder then those that grow towards the top at the tops of the stalks grow very small white flowers one above another after which follow small long round pods wherein is contained small round and somewhat blackish seed the root is stringy and fibrous perishing when it hath given seed and riseth again of its own sowing This Plant being bruised smelleth strong like Garlick but more pleasant and tasteth hot and sharp almost like Rocket Names It is called in English Poor mans Treacle and English Treacle and so is Scordium Place and Time It grows in many places by Pathwayes and under Walls and hedges and flowers in the Summer Moneths Nature and Vertues Jack by the hedge warmeth the stomach and causeth digestion and therefore is a good sauce to salt Fish to digest the crudities and corrupt humors it ingenders the juyce thereof boiled with honey is good for the Cough and to cut and expectorate tough Phlegm The decoction of the seed in wine being drunk is good to help the winde Chollick and the Stone and for fits of the Mother to drink the decoction and apply the seeds warm in a cloath The green leaves are accounted good to heal Vlcers in the Legs and the leaves and seed boiled is good to be used in Glisters to ease pains of the Stone Sarsa-parilla Smilax-aspera IT is called Smilax-aspera also in Latine and in English Prickly Binde-weed it grows in the West-Indies as Peru and Virginia Nature and Vertues It is of thin parts and provokes sweat and of temperature hot and dry near the second degree Mars his herb surely whereby he cures himself when Venus hath clapt him The decoction being excellent for the French Pen and likewise is good in Rheumes Gouts and cold Diseases of the Read and Stomach and expelleth winde from the Stomach and Mother it helpeth aches in the Sinews and Goynts running sores in the Legs cold swellings tetters ringâ—â—â—â—â—s spâ—ts and foulness in the skin and helpeth Catharrs and salt distillations from the head is good in Tumors and the Kings Evil and a dram of the powder being taken in Ale or wine with the the like qnantity of Tamarisk is good for Tumors of the Spleen Sarsa doth purge the body of humors by its driness and diaphoretical quality and is a good antidote against poisons but is not proper to be given to such as have Agues or hot Livers Sassafras or Ague-Tree THis plant was first discovered by the French about Florida Place and Time where it groweth as also in most parts of the West Indies and is green all the year Nature and Vertues The wood is hot and dry in the second degree and the rinde hot and dry in the third it purgeth watry and phlegmatick humors and therefore is good in the Dropsie the decoction thereof being drunk morning and evening for certain dayes together which decoction is thus made take of Sassafras four ounces steep it four and twenty hours in a Gallon and a half of fair water then boil it to the consumption of half and strain it this decoction doth open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and is good in cold diseases and Rheumes which fall from the head upon the teeth eyes and Lungs and is available in Coughs and cold diseases of the Lungs Breast and Stomach and procures a good appetite and consumes windiness and makes a sweet breath it is likewise commended to provoke Vrine and Womens Courses and to expell Gravel and the Stone out of the Kidneys it dryes up overmuch moisture of the Womb and causeth women to Conceive it is good in Fevers and tertian and quotidian Agues and also for the French Disease and other diseases coming of corrupt humors to be used in dyet drinks it may be given in powder from a scruple to two scruples ☞ See further of this in Culpeppers School of Physick Satyrion or Orchis Testiculus Canis SAtyrion riseth up with many large Description long smooth green leaves lying on the ground somewhat spotted like Dragons amongst which riseth up a round stalk with some such leaves on it bur lesser towards the top grows a large head of many purple flowers and some are white spotted with a deeper purple colour each flower having a heel of the same colour behinde it They have all a double Root whereof some kindes are flat and broad like unto hands the other round like unto stones These roots alter every year by course when one waxeth full the other perisheth and groweth lank the full one will sink and the other swim if put into water Names As there are many kindes of this Plant so it hath many names It is called Satyrion and Orchis Testiculus Canis Testiculus Capri Priests Ballocks Fools stones Dogs stones Cullians Fox stones Standard-grass and many other names c. Place and Time They grow in Pastures Meadows and moist grounds as in Danmore Copse and Danmore Mead at Holshot in Hampshire and in Cobham Park in Kent it groweth so abundantly that it may serve to pleasure Seamens wives in Rochester for there they may be sure to finde it in great plenty from the beginning of April to the latter end of August Nature and Vertues They are hot and moist the full roots I mean the lank ones are hot and dry Venus claims all she can get of them The full roots do powerfully provoke to Venery but the lank ones are said to mortisie Lust being boiled in milk and eaten with white Pepper they nourish such as are in Consumptions or have an Hectick feaver The flowers are likewise effectual to merease and stir up nature The Roots boiled in wine and drunk stop the Flux and being applyed green they consume Tumours and cleanse rotten Sores and Vlcers and the powder thereof stayes the fretting and festring of devouring Vlcers being put therein The same Root being bruised and applyed is good against Inflammations and Swellings and being boiled in wine with a little honey it helps Vlcers and Sores in the Mouth Savory and the sorts Thymbra I shall not need to say more in the Description Description but onely that the common kindes are two Winter and Summer Savory which are both common in Gardens Names The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and it is also called Thymbra in Latine and by some Satureia Nature and Vertues Savory is hot and dry in the third degree and openeth and maketh thin being subject to the influence of Mercury It provokes Womens Courses and expells Winde being boiled in wine or water and drunk and it is commended for women with childe to take it inwardly and smell often to it
are mistaken who take Siser to be a Parsnip Nature and Vertues The roots of Skirrets which are onely in use are moderately hot and moist the roots are but of indifferent nourishment yet they provoke Lust being windy and are easily concocted whereby they yield a reasonable good juyce they are dressed much after the manner of Potatoes either baked or boiled and stewed wiht Pepper Butter and Salt and so eaten they may be eaten also cold with Vinegar and Oyl being first boiled the juyce of the roots drunk with Goats milk stoppeth the Lask and being drunk in Wine it is said to help windiness in the Stomach gripings in the Belly and the Hiccough it doth somewhat provoke Vrine and is a little effectual to consume the Stone and Gravel in the Bladder and Kidneys Smallage Paludapium IT is so well known I need not describe it Names It is called in Latine Paludapium and Apium palustre and in Shops onely Apium in English Smallage and Marsh-parsley Places and Time It is found in Gardens and sometimes in wet and moorish Grounds whence it was first brought it flourisheth when the Garden Parsley doth the stalks coming up the second year and then the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Smallage is hot and dry in the end of the second degree of a bitter taste and opening quality being an herb of Mercury it opens obstructions of the Liver and Sleen rarifies thick phlegm and cleanseth the Blood being used in pottage amongst other herbs as Water-cresses c. It drives down the Courses and is good for the Green Sickness it provokes Vrine and is good against the yellow Jaundies if a syrrup be made of the juyce it is very useful in lasting Agues The juyce with honey of Roses and Barley Water cures Vlcers of the Mouth and the almonds of the Throat being bathed or gargled therewith and cleanseth other foul Vlcers and Wounds being mixed with honey and used it preserves exulcerated Cancers from stinking and putrefaction and helps to heal them the leaves boiled in Hogs grease like a pultis helps Felons and Whitloes on the fingers The seed is good to break Winde kill Worms and help a stinking breath The herb and root do warm the Stomach and expell Winde and help digestion The root is to be sliced and eaten with oyl and Vinegar The root is stronger in operation then the herb for all the said purposes but especially to open obstructions and rid away an Ague the juyce thereof being taken in wine or a decoction thereof made in Wine Sorrel Acetosa THis is very well known plentifully to grow both in the Gardens and Fields and needs no further describing Names It is called in Latine Acetosa and Acedula from its sowreness Nature and Vertues Sorrel is cooling and drying in the second degree and cutteth tough phlegm by reason of its sowreness it is ascribed to the dominion of Venus it is a pleasant sauce to many meats grateful to hot Stomachs it provokes appetite tempers the heat of the Liver and opens the stopping and prevents the wasting thereof it cools inflammations and heat in Agues and Fevers and faintings arising from heat it refresheth the spirits A Sorrel posset is excellent to quench the thirst the leaves taken fasting preserve from infection but much more the Conserve which is good for all the forementioned purposes The seeds bruised and drunk in wine or water are good against the fretting of the Guts and the Chollick and stops hot Fluxes of the Tearms and of humours in the Bloody Flux or flux of the Stomach the leaves wrapped in a Colewort leaf and roasted under the Embers and applyed discusseth kernels in the Throat and ripens and breaks any hard Imposthume Tumor Boyl or Plague Sore the juyce used with Vinegar is good for Tetters Ring-worms and the Itch. The distilled water kills worms resists poison and is good for all the said purposes The roots either in powder or decoction are good for many of the forementioned purposes and helpeth the Jaundies and Gravel and Stone in the Kidneys A decoction of the flowers made in Wine and drunk helpeth the black Jaundies and inward Vlcers Wood-Sorrel Alleluia IT groweth low upon the ground without any stalk Description with a great many leaves coming from the root made of three leaves like Treefoil every leaf somewhat resembling a heart being broad at the ends cut in the middle and sharp towards the stalk of a faint yellowish green colour every one standing on a long red foot stalk which at their first coming up are close folded together to the stalk but opening themselves afterwards they are of a fine sowre taste and yieldeth a juyce which turneth red when it is clarified amongst these leaves rise up weak slender foot stalks bearing every one of them a white flower at the top consisting of five small pointed leaves star fashion and in some desht over with a small shew of blush after the flowers succeed small round heads with yellowish seeds in them the root consists of small strings fastned to the end of a small long piece of a yellowish colour abiding with some leaves thereon all the Winter Names It is called in Latine Trifolium Acetosum and in Shops Alleluia and Lujula in English Wood-Sorrel and Scab-wort Place and Time It grows in moist Woods and shadowy places and upon the old stems of Withyes Alders and such Trees as delight to grow in wet and shadowy places it flowers in April and May. Nature and Vertues Wood Sorrel is of temperature as the other and under the Planetary Influence This herb is singular good to defend the heart in all pestilential Diseases and to cool the faintings thereof caused by heat in Agues Fevers and other diseases it preserves the Blood from putrefaction quencheth thirst stayeth Vomiting and procures a good stomach a dram of the Conserve being taken in a morning or oftner if need require it is good in any contagious Disease A syrrup made of the juyce is effectual for all the said distempers and so is the distiled water the juyce is good to gargle the mouth for any Canker or Vlcer it is good in Wounds and Scabs to stay the bleeding and to cleanse and heal the Wounds and to stay hot defluctions and Catharrs upon the Throat or Lungs Spunges or linnen cloathes wet in the juyce and applyed to hot tumors and inflammations doth cool and help them A composition made with Mithridate Sugar and Wood Sorrel hath been approved for those that are entring into a Fever ☞ See further in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Sow-Thistles Sonchus THey need no description Names The Latines call them Sonchus which is divided into Asperum and Levem and in English we call them prickly and smooth Sow-thistles and sometimes Hares Lettice they are called likewise Lactula Leporina Palatium Leporis and Leporum Cubile Place and Time They grow in Gardens and manured Grounds commonly against the owners will as also
are hot in the third degree and dry in the second and said to be under the influence of Venus an Electuary made of the roots with honey consumes winde in the stomach and guts and easeth gripings in the belly and is good against Catharrs Rheumes and Aches of the Joynts and phlegmatick humours that fall upon the Lungs The decoction in wine or water being drunk opens stoppings in the Kidneys and Bladder helps the Strangury provokes Vrine and stirs up Lust It also provokes the Tearms and helps griefs of the Mother but too great a quantity thereof causeth the head-ache The Roots which are onely used in Physick are effectual against the stinging or biting of any venomous creature and is an Ingredient in those main Antidotes Venice Treacle and Mithridate Spikenard Nardus Indica IT is naturally an Indian Plant called Nardus Indica therefore I shall proceed to declare its Vertues not troubling you at all with its description Nature and Vertues Spikenard is of a heating drying faculty as saith Dioscorides it is good to provoke urine and easeth pains of the stone in the Reins and Kidneys being drunk in cold water it helps loathing swelling or knawing in the stomach the yellow Jaundies and such as are liver-grown It is a good Ingredient in Mithridate and other Antidotes against poison to women with childe it is sorbidden but a decoction thereof may be a good bathe for others to sit over that are troubled with Inflammations of the Mother The Oyl of Spikenard is good to warm cold places and to digest crude and raw humours It worketh powerfully on all cold griess of the Head and Brain Stomach Liver Spleen Reins Bladder and of the Mother It purgeth the brain of Rheum being snuffed up into the nostrils being infused certain dayes in wine and then distilled in a hot bathe the Water is good inwardly and outwardly to be used for any coldness of the members It comforts the brain and helps cold pains of the head and the shaking Palsie Two or three spoonfuls thereof being taken helps passions of the heart swoonings and the Chollick being drunk with wine it is good against venomous bitings and being made into Trochis with wine it may be reserved for an Eye-medicine which being aptly applyed represseth obnoxious humours thereof Spinage Spinachia I Shall say but little of this it being more used by the Cook then the Physician for it is seldom used in physick and I believe not very substantial food though some greedily eat it some Latine Authours call it Spinachia and some say that the broth thereof makes the belly solluble easeth pains of the back clears the breast and strengthens the stomack Spleenwort or Ceterach Asplenium SPleenwort beareth many leaves near a span long Description jagged on both sides almost to the middle rib set in several orders not one against the other but one besides another being slippery and green on the upper side and of a dark yellowish roughness underneath which is conceived to be the seeds at its first coming up it rowleth and foldeth it self as Fern doth with many hairs on the outside The Root is small black and rough much platted or interlaced having neither stalk nor flower Names Caterach is the usual name of it in shops yet it is called Asplenium and Splenium in English Spleenwort and Milt-waste Place and Time It groweth upon stone walls and rocks and in moist and shadowy places in the West Countrey on the Church of Beconsfield in Barkshire and at Strowd in Kent and other places It continues green all the year Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the first degree of thin subtle parts no way Saturnine but rather Mercurial It is profitable for all diseases and infirmities of the Spleen especially such as cause it to grow too big for it diminisheth it it is effectual for the yellow Jaundies stoppings of the Liver and the Hiccough It helps the Strangury and Stone in the Bladder it helps the Running of the Reins a dram of the dust scraped from the back side of the leaves and taken with half a dram of Amber in powder in the juyce of Plantain or Purslain The decoction helps Melancholly Diseases and such as arise from the French Pox but if it be boiled over long the strength will be lost The distilled water is good for the Stone and the lye made of the Ashes being drunk some time together helps spleenatick persons and so doth the herb being boiled a little and applyed to the region of the Spleen The use of this plant hinders Conception and therefore women that desires Children must forbear it Squinant Sweet Rush or Camels Hay Schaenanthos SChaenanthos or Juncus Odoratus are the Latine names hereof it is an Arabian Plant. Nature and Vertues The whole Plant hath an astringent saculty the roots do binde most and the flowers are more hot it gently cutteth humors and digesteth them The decoction of the flowers being drunk stayeth spitting of Blood and is conducible to diseases of the Scomach Lungs Liver and Reins The root is held effectual for the loathing of the Stomach a dram thereof in powder with the like quantity of Pepper being taken fasting certain mornings together and is a good remedy for the Dropsie Convulsions and Cramps being boiled in the broth of a chicken it is effectual for pains of the Womb and pains after Childe-bearing Dioscorides saith it provoketh Vrine and Womens Courses discusseth Swellings and Winde but troubles the head a little Starwort Bubonium THere be many kindes of this Herb Description yet that which grows most naturally in England is the Attick or yellow Starwort which groweth about a foot high with three or more hairy stalks with long rough hairy brownish dark green leaves on them divided into two or three branches at the tops whereof stand a flat scaly head compassed underneath with five or six long brown rough geeen leaves like a Star the flower standing in the middle consists of narrow long pale yellow leaves set with brownish yellow thrums which turning into doun are carried away with the Winde the root is fibrous and of a binding sharp taste Names This kinde is called Aster Atticus and Bubonium in Latine Place and Time It is said to grow upon Hampsted Heath One sort of Starwort or other is in flower from June to October Nature and Vertues Starwort is said to be cooling and drying and doth moderately waste and consume an herb of Venus the leaves and flowers boiled in water helps pains and sores in the Groin and so doth an oyl made by infusion thereof the dryed flowers being bound to the grieved place takes away Inflammations thereof it helps the Quinzy and Falling Sickness in Children An oyntment made of the green Herb and Hogs Grease is good to anoint a hot Stomach and inflamed Eyes to help falling down of the Fundament and such as are bitten by a mad Dog it consumes swellings of the Throat and the herb being burnt
driveth away Serpents Stone Crop or Wall Pepper Vermicularis THis Plant is much like unto the lesser Housleek Description called also Sedum and Prickmadam and is by Gerrard and others ranked amongst the number of the Sedums or Prickmadams but because of its far different and contrary temperature I have placed it alone it is a low and little herb the stalks whereof are slender and short about which the leaves stand very thick being small in growth full bodied sharp pointed and full of juyce The flowers stand at the top and are of a yellow colour and of a sharp biting taste the root is nothing but strings Names The Latine names are Vermicularis and Illecebra Minor Acris The tertium Semper vivum of Dioscorides which he saith the Grecians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Romans Illecebra Place and Time Stonecrop grows in stony and dry places in chinks and cranies of old Walls and on the tops of tiled Houses on the Church-house at Heckfield in Hampshire useth to grow abundance of it it flowers in the Summer moneths and is alwayes green as the Sengreens are Nature and Vertues Stonecrop is of a very hot temperature sharp and biting being outwardly applyed it raiseth Blisters as the Ranunculus or Crow-foot will do and at length exulcerateth therefore such as have any occasion to use the cooling Prickmadams ought to beware that they mistake not this for it Dioscorides saith that it wasteth away hard kernels of the Kings Evil if it be applyed unto them with Hogs Grease and boiled in Oyl of Roses and the sore Piles anointed therewith it easeth their pains The juyce as Gerrard saith being extracted and drawn forth and taken with Vinegar or some other liquor procures Vomit and brings up gross and phlegmatick humors and also chollerick and doth thereby oftentimes cure the quartain Ague and other Agues of long continuance and being given in this manner it is a remedy against poisons inwardly taken but it is dangerous to be used and there being many other safer medicines for the same purposes I conceive it is better to be forborn then experimented Strawberries Fragraria THey need no description The Plant is called in Latine Fragraria and the fruit Fraga They grow both in Gardens and wilde in Fields and Woods Nature and Vertues Let Venus have these sweet Berries lest she lose her longing The leaves of Strawberries are cooling in the first degree and the root more drying and binding the green berries are cold and dry but when they are ripe they are cold and moist the distilled water of the berries is good against faintings of the heart and overflowing of the gall The berries themselves refresh and comfort fainting spirits ocol the Liver Blood and Spleen and chollerick Stomachs and quench thirst they are good for other Inflammations but meddle not too much with them in Fevers lest they putrifie in the Stomach and increase the Fits A decoction of the leaves and roots in wine and water doth abate the heat and sharpness of Vrine cools the Liver and Blood and asswages Inflammations in the Reins and Bladder stayes the bloody Flux and the Tearms and helps the swellings of the Spleen The juyce or the decoction of the herb and root cleanseth soul Vlcers being washed therewith the leaves and roots hereof serve to make lotions and gargles for sores in the Mouth or privy Parts and are good to fasten loose Teeth and to heal foul Gums it also helps to stay Catharrs or defluctions of Rheume into the Mouth Throat Teeth or Eyes The juyce or water is good for red and inflamed Eyes and also to help pushes and wheals in the face or other parts and to make the skin clear and smooth The water of Strawberries distilled in a glass after they have stood twelve or fourteen dayes in Horse dung cureth the Leprosie and Morphew if it be drunk Succory Dandelion or Pissabeds Cicorea SUccory Endive and Dandelion differ not much in operation the Garden Succory and wilde Dandelion or Pissabeds are all very well known so that I shall not need to describe either Names Succory is called Cicorea in Latine and the Dandelion Dens Leonis from the jagged leaves resembling a Lions Tooth Nature and Vertues Succory and Endive are cold and dry in the second degree the wilde sorts are dryer then the Garden kindes and do cleanse and open most by reason of their bitterness it is an herb of Jupiter The leaves of the Garden kindes are used both for meat and medicine they do both cool the Liver and open the obstructions thereof strengthening the same and likewise helps burning Agues lack of sleep stopping of Vrine and the Gall the yellow Jaundies and great heat of the Stomach A draught of the decoction of the herb or root in wine drunk fasting helps the Dropsie and drives forth chollerick and phlegmatick Humors the like decoction in wine is good against lingering Agues and a dram of the seed in powder taken in Wine before the fit is available in Agues and for faintings and passions of the heart the herb outwardly applyed is good to allay sharp humors in Vlcers Tumors and pestilential Sores and helps inflammations of the Eyes and clears the sight and easeth pains of the Gout The distilled water is effectual for the same purposes and to drink morning and evening for 〈◊〉 in the Breast and is good for women with Childe and the Head-ache in Children coming of heat which water oo the juyce of the leaves is good for Nurses Breasts that abound with milk allayeth swellings Inflammations Pushes Pimples and St. Anthonies fire and is good to wash filthy Sores being used with Vinegar Sun-flowers i. e. Elecampane Tobacco English and Indian Nicotiana ENglish Tobacco riseth up with a thick round stalk Description about two foot high whereon grow thick fat green leaves not so large as the Indian round pointed and not dented about the edges at the tops stand divers flowers in green husks scarce standing above the brims of the husk round pointed also and of a greenish yellow colour its seed is not very bright but large contained in great heads The roots perish every Winter but rise generally of its own sowing Names It is called in Latine Petum and Nicotiana Place and Time English tobacco groweth much about Winscomb in Glocestershire as delighting in a fruitful soil the other which we smoke groweth best in Virginia and is thence carried to some parts of Spain and there made up and then brought to us and named Spanish Tobacco under which Title the Taverns and Ale drapers cheat the Smokers who buy it greedily at three Pipes for two pence as a great bargain when it doth not stand the seller in a half-penny Nature and Vertues Tobacco is hot and dry in the second degree it cleanseth and discusseth and hath also a stupifying quality and a power to resist poison English Tobacco is good to expectorate tough Phlegm the juyce
astringent quality and said to be a Plant of Venus The decoction of the herb in Wine being drunk easeth pains of the Bowels and is good for the Sciatica and Joynt Aches The bruised herb applyed to the hand-wrists and soles of the feet cooleth the violent hot fits of Agues The distilled water dropped into the Eyes or a Cloth wet therein and applyed takes away heat and Inflammations thereof The said water or the leaves steeped in Wine Butter milk or strong white Wine Vinegar cleanseth the skin and face from Morphew Sun-burning Freckles Pimples and the like Wilde Tansie boiled in Vinegar with Honey and Allome and the mouth gargled therewith easeth the Tooth-ache fastneth loose Teeth helpeth sore Gums and reduceth the pallat of the Mouth to its place when it is fallen down it also cleanseth and healeth Vlcers in the mouth or secret parts and is good for inward Wounds and to close the lips of green Wounds and to heal old running corrupt sores in the Legs or elsewhere being boiled in Wine and drunk it stops the Lask bloody Flux and all other fluxes of Blood the green herb onely worn in the shooes stops the Terms and its possible the Whites but the powder of the herb will certainly do it being taken in some of the distilled water with a little Corral and Ivory in powder added to it it also stayes spitting or vomiting of Blood and is good for Children that are bursten or have a Rupture being boiled in water and salt and applyed Tarragon Draco Herba THe Sallet Herb called Tarragon Description shooteth forth long and narrow leaves of a deep green colour greater and longer then those of common Hysop having slender brittle round stalks about two foot high about the branches hang little round flowers which do never perfectly open they are of a blackish yellow colour like those of common Wormwood and yields no seed but a chaffy matter which is carried away with the winde but is propagated by the root which is long and fibrous creeping under the ground like unto Couch-grass shooting forth in divers places by which it increaseth Names The Latines call it Draco herba and Dracunculus Hortensis and in French Dragon in English Tarragon Place and Time It is cherished onely in Gardens with us and as I said is increased by the young shoots Nature and Vertues Tarragon is hot and dry in the third degree à good Sallet Herb to be eaten with Lettice Purslain and other cool herbs it is grateful and comfortable to the Stomach and tempers their coldness but to be eaten alone it is too hot The root held between the Teeth draweth down Rheume and easeth the Tooth-ache Thistles Carduus THough there be many kindes they are all well known Names The general Latine name of a Thistle is Carduus Place and Time They grow frequently almost every where and flower in July and August the seed ripening soon after Nature and Vertues Common Thistles are of Temperature hot and of a drying quality They are held good to provoke Vrine and remedy the stinking smell thereof and the rank smell of the Arme-pits and whole body being boiled in Wine and drunk and they are said to be good to help a stinking Breath and to strengthen the Stomach though I believe it hath been seldom proved The juyce restores lost hair the place being bathed therewith as Pliny reporteth Our Ladies Thistle Carduus Mariae LAdies Thistle hath divers large leaves lying on the ground Description cut in and crumpled somewhat hairy on the edges of a white green shining colour having many streaks of a milky colour and set with sharp prickles round about the stalk is strog round and prickly set full of like leaves at the top of every branch cometh forth a prickly head with brigh purple thrums in the middle after which comes flattish brown shining seed lying in the said heads in soft white Doun The root is great spreading in the ground with many fibres fastned thereunto the whole plant is biter in taste Names It is called in Latine Carduus Lacteus and Carduus Mariae in English Striped milky Thistle and Ladies Thistle Place and Time It is frequent upon Banks of be Fields about London about such places it delight to grow they flower and seed in June till August as other Thistles do Nature and Vertues Our Ladies Thistle is hot and dry in the second degree and somewhat binding especially the root an herb of Jupiter the decoction thereof or the herb taken in powder is good for Stitches and other diseases in the Sides for Agues and to prevent infection it opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and is good against the Jaundies The tender leaves having the prickles taken off are a good Sallet in Spring to cleanse the Blood the young stalks dressed are also good meat especially for Nurses to increase their Milk the root is good for the Lask and bloody Flux it stayeth Bleedings wasteth away cold swellings and easeth pain of the Teeth if they be washed with the decoction thereof The decoction of the herb is good to provoke Vrine and breaketh and expelleth the Stone and is good for the Dropsie The seed is as effectual if not better for the same purposes and also for the Cramp and so is the distilled water which is also used inwardly to drink and outwardly to cool distempers of the Liver Swoonings and passions of the Heart being applyed with Spungâ—s or wet cloathes to the region thereof Thorow-wax Perfoliata THorow-wax riseth up with one streight round stalk Description about half a yard high or more having leaves of a blueish green colour the lower leave being smaller and narrower then those that grow highr standing close thereto but not quite compassing it buts they grow higher they do more and more encompass the stalk until they close so together that it passeth almst through the middle of them branching towards the top into many parts where the leaves grow smaller again sanding every one singly The flowers are very small and yellow standing in tufts at the tops of the branches the seed is small and blackish many of them thrust together The Root is small long and woody perishing every year after it hath perfected its seed and the seed which it sheds riseth again the next year Names It is called in Latine Perfoliata in English Thorow-wax and Thorow-leaf Place and Time It groweth in Corn fields and Pastures in many places of this Land flowers about July and the seed is ripe in August or soon after Nature and Vertues Thorow-wax is hot and dry somewhat bitter and astringent and I judge rather Martial then Saturnine It is a good remedy against Ruptures and Burstings in Children especially before it grow too old the decoction of the Herb or the herb in powder taken inwardly and the green leaves bruised and outwardly applyed It is a good remedy for Children that have their Navels sticking out being applyed thereunto with a little Honey and
in wine and drunk It aeseth the Strangury stayes the Hiccough and vomiting of Blood helps gripings in the belly Cramps the Lethargy and Inflammations of the Liver and is comfortable to the head stomach and Reins and helps to expell Winde being taken in decoction or in an Electuary with Honey Liquorice and Anniseeds Tormentil Tormentilla IT springeth up with many reddish Description slender weak branches from the root leaning or lying on the ground having many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks as Cinquefoil doth with the foot-stalks encompassing the branches in several places they which grow next the ground are set upon longer foot-stalks much like Cinquefoil leaves but longer and lesser dented about the edges having five six or seven divisions and sometimes eight at the tops of the branches stand yellow flowers consisting of five leaves like Cinquefoil but smaller The Root is smaller then Bistort somewhat tuberous thick and knobby blackish without and reddish within sometimes a little crooked having many blackish fibres Names It is called in Latine Tormentilla because it easeth torments of the Guts and Heptaphyllum or Septifolium and Stellaria in English Tormentil Setfoil or Seven-leaves Place and time Tormentil groweth in Woods and shadowy places and also in Pastures and Closes as in Pray Wood near St. Albans in Cobham Park in Kent and in the Fields and Common near Horsham in Sussex and many other places Nature and Vertues Tormentil roots are dry in the third degree not very hot but of a binding quality under the Solar Influence It is effectual to stay all fluxes of blood or humors in man or woman either in wound or elsewhere it resists poison provokes sweat and is good to cure wounds It is good in the Pestilence Small Pox spotted Fevers and other contagious Diseases especially if the Patient have a flux of the belly withal It is a special Ingredient in Antidotes and Counterpoisons and excellent in Dyet-drinks against the French Disease and to dry up Rheums and Catarrhes The distilled Water taken fasting is good against Venome and Infection Two or three ounces thereof taken both morning and evening cures inward Vlcers and Fluxes of the belly especially the Disentery or bloody Flux The best way to distill it is to steep the herb all night in wine and then distilled it in Balneo Mariae which water taken with some Venice Treacle and the party sweating after it will expell any venomous poison the Plague and other contagious Diseases Cakes made with the powder of the dryed root and the white of an Egg and baked upon a hot tyle stayes Fluxes restrains Chollerick Belchings Vomiting and loathings in the Stomach The leaves and roots bruised and applyed dissolves knots and kernels of the Kings Evil and hardness about the Ears Throat and Jaws and easeth pains of the Sciatica The juyce of the leaves and roots used with vinegar is effectual for the Piles and Hemorrhoids Sores of the head or other parts Scabs or Itch being washed therewith or with the distilled Water of the herb or roots A little prepared Tutia or white Amber used with the distilled water hereof is helpful to dry up sharp Rheums that distill from the Head into the Eyes causing redness pain waterings or itchings therein Turnsole Heliotropium IT s natural Soil is in Italy Spain and France yet may be found in England in some curious Gardens but more plentifully at the Druggists shops Names It is called Heliotropium in Latine and herba Cancri because it flowers about the time when the Sun enters Cancer Nature and Vertues It is of temperature hot and dry and of a binding faculty a Solar Herb A handful thereof boiled in water and drunk purgeth Choller and Phlegm as saith Dioscorides and the decoction thereof with Commin breaks the Stone in the Reins Kidneys or Bladder provokes Vrine and the Tearms and causeth speedy delivery in Childe-bearing The seed and juyce of the leaves rubbed with salt upon Warts Wens and other hard kernels in the face eye-lids or other parts of the body will take them away by often using it The bruised leaves easeth pains of the Gout or places that have been out of joynt and are newly set and are full of pain being appled thereto Turpentine Terebinthina THere is a Turpentine which drops out of the Fire Tree Description and Names but this I speak of is a liquid substance issuing from the Larch Tree called in Latine Larix from whence also proceeds a tuberous excrescence called Agaricus or Agarick of which we have treated of The Turpentine in Latine is Terebinthina Place and Time It grows about Trent in Italy and the Turpentine is to be gathered in the hottest part of Summer Nature and Vertues Turpentine is moist and without sharpness of a cleansing quality an ounce thereof taken will gently open the Belly provoke Vrine and cleanseth the Reins Kidneys and Bladder being taken with Honey it expectorates tough Phlegm and is good for an old Cough the Ptisick and Consumption of the Lungs it is an excellent ingredient in Salves for Vlcers or green Wounds The chymical oyl of Turpentine is singular good in Wounds and to warm and ease cold pains in the Joynts and Sinews take Turpentine and wash it in Plantain Water and then make Pills thereof with the powder of white Amber red Corral Mastick and a little Camphire they will purge and cleanse the Reins and stay their running Turmerick Curcuma THis Plant groweth in the East Indies and is called by some Crocus Indicus but the common Latine Name is Curcuma Nature and Vertues Turmerick is hot and dry in the second or near the third degree it is excellent for the yellow Jaundies and obstructions of the Gall and for the Dropsie and Greeen Sickness to open stoppings of the Stomach Womb and Bladder and to bring down Womens Courses it is useful in old Diseases and the ill habit of the body it is good likewise in Medicines for the Itch and Scabs used with juyce of Oranges The Indians use it to colour meats and broths instead of Saffron and we to colour Wooden Dishes and Cups Turnips Rapum THese need no description they are called in Latine Rapum and Rapa Nature and Vertues Turnips are cold moist and windy but being boiled they are hardly perceived to cool The decoction of Turnips taken with Sugar is good to clear the Voice A syrrup made of the juyce when they are baked mixed with Honey or honey of Roses and a spoonful thereof taken at night helpeth a Cough and Hoarseness opens the Breast and is good for those that have a Vein broken Oyl of Roses boiled in a hollow Turnip under hot Embers cures kibed Heels The young Turnip tops boiled and eaten are a good Sallet to provoke Vrine The seed mixed with Treacle and drunk is good against poison Turnips being baked ingender less winde then when they are boiled but howsoever dressed they provoke Vrine increase seed and milk in Womens Breast ☞ See
Palsie Fevers and consumes the Liver and inward parts Violets Viola BOth the Garden kindes and wilde Violets are generally known Names Viola is the common Latine name for a Violet and Herba Violaria There is also a kinde called Viola tricolor having three colours in the flower which in English is called Hartsease Pansies and three faces under a hood They begin to flower in March and the beginning of April and are then in prime The Pansies flower till the end of July Nature and Vertues Both Garden and wilde kindes while they are fresh and green are cold and moist under the milde influence of Venus the flowers are accounted one of the chief cordial Flowers and are much used in cooling Cordials and so is the syrrup they are good to cool any heat or distemper of the body either inward or outward as inflammations of the Eyes falling down or pain of the Womb or Fundament Imposthumes and hot Swellings To drink the decoction of the leaves and flowers made in water and Wine or to apply them pultiswise to the grieved place it also easeth pains of the Head which are caused by want of sleep The powder of the flowers drunk with water is said to help the Quinzy and Falling Sickness in Children if taken in the beginning of the Disease A dram of the dryed flowers taken in Wine or other drink doth purge the Body of chollerick humors and asswageth heat The flowers of the white Violets ripen and dissolve swellings The seed resists poison of the Scorpion The green or dry herb and flowers are effectual to abate the heat and sharpness of Vrine and hot Rheumes to ease pains of the Back Reins and Bladder and to help the plurisie and other diseases of the Lungs and hoarseness of the Throat The syrrup is good for the Liver and Jaundies and in hot Agues to cool the heat and quench thirst being taken in some convenient liquor and a little juyce or syrrup of Lemons added to it or a few drops of oyl of Vitriol put therein it doth more powerfully cool the heat and quench thirst they are more cooling being made up with Sugar and with Honey more cleansing ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Vipers Bugloss Echium COmmon Vipers Bugloss hath many long rough leaves lying upon the Ground Description amongst which rise up divers round stalks very rough as if they were set with prickles or hairs having many black spots on them like a Vipers skin whereon are set such long rough hairy or prickly sad green leaves somewhat narrow the middle rib for the most part being white The flowers stand at the tops of the stalks branched forth into many spiked leaves of flowers bowing or turning like the Turnsole all of them opening for the most part on the one side which are long and hollow turning up the brims a little of a purplish violet colour in those that are full blown but more reddish while they are in the Bud but in some places of a paler purple colour with a long pointel in the middle feathered or pointed at the top after the flowers come blackish cornered and pointed seed somewhat like the head of a Viper inclosed in round heads the root is somewhat great blackish and woody and perisheth in Winter Names It is called by most Authours in Latine Echium and of some Buglossum sylvestre Viperinum Place and Time It groweth wilde on Hills and dry Grounds almost every where that with white flowers about the Castle Walls at Lewes in Sussex and the other about Rochester Castle and elsewhere they flower and seed in the Summer Moneths Nature and Vertues Vipers Bugloss is cold and dry in temperature a Solar Herb the roots and seeds are a good Cordial to comfort the Heart and to expell Sadness and Melancholly it tempers the Blood and mitigates hot sits of Agues The seed drunk in Wine procures Milk in Womens Breasts easeth pains in the Loins Back and Kidneys and is a special remedy against the bitings of Vipers and venomous Beasts and against poison and poisonous herbs Dioscorides saith that whosoever shall take of the herb or root before they be bitten shall not be hurt by the poison of any Serpent There is a syrrup made thereof after this manner Take of the clarified juyce of Vipers Bugloss four pound of the infusion of the flowers one pound fine Sugar three pound boil it to a syrrup which is effectual to comfort the Heart and expell sadness and Melancholly The distilled water made of the herb and flower when it is in its full strength is effectaul for all the griefs aforesaid inwardly or outwardly applyed Wall Flowers or Winter Gillow-Flowers Viola lutea BOth those which are planted in Gardens and those which grow wilde upon old Walls are very well known Names They are called in Latine Viola lutea in Spanish Violettas Amarillas and in French Violieres des murailles from their growing on Walls Place and Time They grow wilde as I said upon old stone Walls mighty plentiful upon the Castle Walls of Rochester and the double kindes are planted in Gardens they flower very early in the Spring Nature and Vertues They are Lunar and of temperature meanly hot of thin parts and of a cleansing faculty the yellow Wall Flowers according to Galen are of most use in Physick it cleanseth the Blood and opens obstructions of the Liver and Reins helps hardness and pains of the Mother and Spleen comforts and strengthens any part that is weak or out of joynt and stayeth Inflammations and Swellings it is a good remedy for the Gout and Aches and Pains in the Joynts it clears the Eyes from Films and Mistiness and cleanseth Vlcers in the Mouth or other parts and provokes the Tearms and expells the secondine or dead Childe and a Conserve of the Flowers is good for the Apoplexy and Palsie The Walnut Tree Juglans THis Tree is very well known the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jovis glans and the Latines Juglans they blossom early before the leaves shoot forth and the fruit is ripe in September Nature and Vertues It is a Solar Plant. Dodoneus saith the fresh Nuts are cold and moist but others say and that 's most likely that they are drying and heating the Bark doth dry and binde very much and the leaves are much of the same nature the old Nuts are hot and dry in the second degree and of harder digestion then the fresh The kernels of Walnuts do comfort the brain and resist poison or being bruised with the quintissence of Wine and applyed to the Crown of the Head they comfort the Head and Brain The peels being taken off they comfort the Stomach and are said to kill broad Worms in the Belly being old they offend the Stomach and increase Choller King Mithridates medicine against poison was to take in the morning two dry Walnuts as many Figs twenty leaves of Rue and two or three corns of Salt beaten and
bruised together the distilled water cools and resists the Pestilence two or three ounces of it being drunk The water of the outer husks being distilled in September is good against the Plague to be used with a little Vinegar The juyce thereof boiled with Honey is good for sore Mouths Heat and Inflammations in the Mouth Throat and Stomach The old kernels mixed with Figs and Rue cures old Vlcers of the Breast and cold Imposthumes and are used to heal Wounds of the Sinews Gangreens and Carbuncles and mixed with Rue and Oyl they are good to be laid to the Quinzy A piece of the green husk put into a hollow tooth easeth the pain thereof The leaves or green husks used with Bores-grease stayeth the hair from falling The Oyl of walnuts made as Oyl of Almonds is maketh the hands and face smooth and takes away scales scurf and black and blue marks that come of blows and bruises and being inwardly taken it expells winde and helps the Chollick The young green nuts before they be half ripe preserved whole in Sugar do streng then weak stomachs and help defluxions thereon The bark of the root having the upper skin scraped off being made into powder and tempered with vinegar and then strained two or three times till it be thin and clear and drunk liberally cleanseth the body very much and cureth the Ague The kernels being burned and taken in red wine doth stop Lasks and womens Courses The Catkins taken before they fall and dryed and a dram thereof taken in powder in white wine helpeth those that are troubled with rising of the Mother Wold Weld or Dyers Weed Lutea IT groweth with many long narrow bushing leaves Description flat upon the ground of a dark blueish green colour somewhat like Woad but not so large a little crumpled and round-pointed abiding so the first year and the next Spring amongst them rise up divers round stalks two or three foot high having many such like leaves thereon but smaller and shouting forth some branches at the tops whereof and of the stalks stand small yellow flowers in spiked heads after which cometh small black seed inclosed in heads divided at the tops into four parts The Root is long white and thick abiding all the year The whole Plant becometh yellow after it hath been a while in flower Names It is called by Pliny Lutea and so by Virgil of Mathiolus Pseudostruthium and of Tragus Antirrhinum Place and Time It groweth commonly by wayes sides both in moist and dry grounds in corners of fields and by-lanes and sometimes all over the fields It flowers about June Nature and Vertues The temperature of it is hot and dry in the third degree some people use to bruise the Herb and lay it to Cuts and Wounds in the Hands and Legs to heal them It is commended against the bitings of venomous Creatures to be taken inwardly and outwardly applyed to the place The Root as saith Mathiolus cuiteth and digesteth tough and raw Phlegm rarifieth gross humours openeth obstructions and dissolveth hard tumours Wheat Triticum THere are many kindes hereof which are all well known for food I shall therefore set down the Medicinal Uses hereof Names It is called in Latine Triticum Nature and Vertues Wheat is hot in the first degree and drying as saith Pliny but Gallen saith it neither dryeth nor moisteneth evidently Venus hath particular Influence over it as saith Culpeper I rather believe it to be Solar Bread made of Wheat taken hot out of the oven and applyed to the throat helpeth kernels of the Kings Evil and applyed to the ear it is good to draw out an Imposthume of the head being stale and steeped in red Rosewater and applyed to hot red inflamed or blood-shot Eyes it helpeth them Wheat flower mixed with the white of an Egg Honey and Turpentine doth draw cleanse and heal any Byle Plague-sore or foul Vlcers The flower mixed with the juyce of Henbane and applyed to the Joynts stayeth the flux of humours thereto The Meal boiled in Vinegar helps shrinking of the Sinnews and being boiled with Vinegar and Honey it helps Spots and Pimples in the Face The Corns of green Wheat being eaten hurt the stomach and breed worms but cures the biting of a mad dog being chewed and applyed to it as saith Dioscorides The Bran of Wheat-meal being boiled in the decoction of a Sheepshead is good in Glisters to cleanse and open the body and ease griping pains of the Bowels The decoction of the Bran is good to bathe such places as are broken by a Rupture and being boiled in Vinegar and applyed it stayeth Inflammations in swollen Breasts It helpeth the bitings of venomous Creatures The said Bran steeped in Vinegar and bound in a linnen cloth and rubbed on the Morphew Scurf Scab or Leprosie will take them away the body being also well purged Starch which is made of one kinde of Wheat moistned in Rosewater and laid to the Cods takes away their itching Wafers made of the fine flower being put into wate and drunk stay the Lask and bloody Flux and is good for the Rupture in Children and boiled with Roses dry Figs and Jujubes it makes a good Lotion to wash sore mouths and throats The same boiled in water unto a thick Jelly stayes spitting of blood being taken and boiled with Mynts and butter it helps Hoarseness Wheat-corns parched upon an iron pan and eaten are good for those that are chilled with cold saith Pliny The Oyl pressed from Wheat between two hot plates of iron or copper and used warm heals Tetters and Ring-worms and Mathiolus commendeth the same Oyl to heal hollow Vlcers and Chops in the Hands and Feet and to make the skin smooth The leaven of Wheat-meal is very drawing it rarifieth hard skin in the hands or feet warts and hard knots in the flesh being applyed with some salt Whitlow-Grass or Nailwort Paronychia THis is a very little Plant Description having small leaves growing in little tufts somewhat like those of Chickweed amongst which riseth up a small stalk about eight or nine inches long at the top whereof come very little white flowers growing one above another after which come in their place small flat pouches consisting of three films which when they are ripe the two outsides fall away the middle part remaining a long time after which is like white Sattin wherein is the seed which is very small and of a sharp taste The Root is onely a few strings Names The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the same name it 's known in Latine and in English Nailwort and Whitlow-grass Place and Time It grows upon brick and stone walls and old tyled houses such as have good store of Moss upon them and upon shaddow and dry muddy walls flowers in January and February and vanisheth away at the approach of hot weather Nature and Vertues No other properties have been found hereof save onely it hath been accounted very good for those
Imposthumes in the Nails and Joynts called Felons and Whitlows from the essectual curing of which it took its Name The Willow Tree Salix THe several kindes hereof are very well known save onely in their Physical Uses Names Salix is the Latine Name in English Sallow Willow Withy and Osier Nature and Vertues The Plant is Lunar of temperature cold and dry in the second degree and astringent both the leaves bark and catkins are used to stay bleeding of wounds and at the mouth and nose spitting of blood and other Fluxes and to stay vomiting and the desire thereunto if the decoction of them in wine be drunk It also helps to stay thin sharp hot and salt distillations from the head upon the Lungs which cause a Consumption The leaves bruised with Pepper and drunk in wine do help the Winde Chollick The leaves or catkins which we in Hampshire call Goss-chicken I suppose because they bud forth at such time when Geese have young bruised and boiled in wine and drunk often doth abate the heat of lust and by much usage doth extinguish it either in man or woman If you slit the bark of a Willow so that you may fit a vessel to it to receive a water that will flow or issue from it at the time when it flowereth the same water is good to clear the sight and take away redness of the Eyes and Films that begin to grow over them and to stay Rheums that fall into them to clear the face and skin from spots and to provoke Vrine The flowers boiled in white wine and drunk dry up humours and so doth the bark the ashes of the bark mixed with Vinegar takes away warts and corns and callous stesh in the hands and feet or other parts The decoction of the bark and leares in wine is good to bathe the sinnews and places pained with the Gout to cleanse the head of scurf and dandriff The juyce of the leaves and barks mingled with Rosewater and heated in a Pomegranate shell is good to drop into the ears to help Deafness a bathe made of the decoction of the leaves and bark doth strengthen restore and nourish withered and dead members Woad Glastum IT groweth up with many large long smooth Description greenish leaves amongst which riseth up a stalk two or three foot high having divers smaller leaves thereon it brancheth at the top whereon appear small yellow flowers after which come long and somewhat flat husks wherein the seed is contained black and hanging downwards The seed being a little chewed gives an Azure Colour The Root is white and long Names Mannured Woad is called Glastum sativum and wilde Woad Glastum silvestre and Isatis Glaslum Indicum Indico or Indian Woad Place and Time It is planted in Fields and Gardens for the benefit of it being used by Dsers it yields three Crops a year and a stinking scent after it is gathered before it is made up for use It flowers about June if it be suffered to run up to flower Nature and Vertues It is cold and dry an astringent Saturnine Plant so drying and binding that it is not fit to be used in any inward medicine but an Oyntment made thereof stancheth bleeding and a Plaister thereof takes away hardness and swelling of the Spleen being applyed to the Region thereof The said Oyntment is good to dry moist Vlcers to take away fretting and corroding humours to cool Inflammations St. Anthonies fire and stay defluxions of blood to any part of the body It is affirmed to be destructive to Bees to prevent which if it grow near any Bees the way is to set urine by them putting it in a vessel with slices of Cork therein that thereon they may save themselves from drowning Woodbynde vide Honey-suckles Wormwood Absynthium THere are three kindes usual with us Common Wormwood Sea Wormwood and Roman Wormwood Names Common Wormwood is called in Latine Absynthium and the Sea Wormwood Seryphium and Santonicum Place and Time They are all well enough known the Roman Wormwood is planted in Gardens the Sea Wormwood groweth by the Sea-Coasts and the common Wormwood groweth wilde in all Countreys in England and generally near Smiths Forges They all flower about August Nature and Vertues Common Wormwood is hot in the second degree and dry in the third of a cleansing binding and strengthening quality it is subjected to the Influence of Mars It strengthens the Stomach like Aloes drawing from the Stomach and Intestines Choller and Phlegm whether it be taken in powder or decoction or the juyce by it self or the infusion in wine or beer but it offends the head causing drowsiness and sleepiness and that drink called Purle offends the head of some causing it to ake It is not good for hot Stomachs nor for those that are subject to the Consumption of the Lungs Falling-Sickness Apoplexy Lethargy and continual Feavers I have known many receive much hurt by drinking Wormwood Beer and Ale therefore it ought to be used cautiously and moderately and given to bodies fitting for it and so being discreetly used it purgeth Choller from the Reins and Bladder by Vrine It is good in the Green Sickness Jaundies and Dropsie helps Obstructions in the Liver and Stomach the Chollick and gripings of the Belly it preserves the Blood from putrefaction resists Drunkenness helps vomiting at Sea and killeth Worms It cleanseth the Womb and Vterine parts drives away the Hiccough procures a good appetite expells Winde helps Crudities and prevails in intermitting Agues and Obstructions of the Entrails Vinegar wherein Wormwood hath been boiled helps a stinking breath proceeding from the teeth or stomach and provokes Womens Courses and helps such as have hurt themselves by eating Toad-stools being but steeped in vinegar and drunk Wormwood-wine is good for all the forementioned purposes except for such as have Fevers Being outwardly applyed it kills worms in the belly or stomach the juyce with honey helpeth dim Eyes and mixed with Nitre it helps the Quinzie being anointed therewith and likewise mingled with Honey and anointed it takes away black and blue spots in the skin The decoction thereof received by a Funnel helpeth sore and running Ears and the Tooth-ache and the Temples bathed therewith it helps the Head-ache proceeding from a cold cause being bruised and applyed with Rosewater to the stomach it comforts such as have been long sick Being used with Figs Vinegar and Darnel-meal it helps hardness of the Spleen and a hot sharp water running between the flesh and the skin if the skin be rubbed with the juyce or oyl of Wormwood it keepeth away Fleas and Knats and the Herb laid in Presses or Chests amongst Clothes preserves them from Moaths and Worms Xylo Aloe THis Indian Tree is called by the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Xylo aloes and Lignum Aloes In English Wood of the Aloe-tree Lign Ales and Wood Aloes It groweth in Malana and Sumatra places in the East Indies
very dangerous being mach haunted by Tygers Temperature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the second and according to the judgement of some in the third degree of subtle parts a little astringent and bitter This wood is used as a main Ingredient in those Powders and Electuries which are used to strengthen the heart and inward parts to resist saintings and cold diseases of the heart and corroborate the spirits for which it is very essectual It is also useful in the Apoplexy Palsie Lethargy and left Memory by strengthning and drying the brain and stopping rheumatick defluxions which cause those Diseases It helps faint Swetings Dysenteries Lasks and Pleurisies expells Winde dryeth up Crudities fortisies a weaks Stomach and resists Putrefaction for which it is used in drivers Cordials and Antidotes The Extract thereof it good for the forementioned Diseases It is used outwardly in sumigations to dry up Rheum and in Quilts for that purpose it helps also cold diseases of the Womb The fumigation thereof is said also to provoke the Tearms it helps told diseases of the Womb and killeth Worms by reason of its bitterness as much of the powder thereof as will lye upon a groat being taken three mornings together either in broth or wine is profitable in diseases of the Liver and Spleen openeth their obstructions and strengtheneth them Yarrow Millefolium IT hath many long leaves lying upon the ground Description which are divided or finely cut into many small parts finer then Tansie a little jagged about the edges amongst which rise up two stalks round and green with such leaves but smaller and finer the nearer the tops where stand many small white flowers upon a tuft or umbel each flower having five leaves with a yellowish thrum in the middle somewhat strong in scent but not unpleasant The Root is deep and spreading consisting of many white fibres Names It is called in Latine Millefolium and of some Supercilium Veneris in English Millefoil Yarrow Nose-bleed and thousand leaf Place and Time There are very few Pasture-grounds free from it they flower in July and August Nature and Vertues Yarrow is meanly cold and dry and somewhat astringent an Herb of Venus and is excellent good for Vlcers and Inflammations of the Privities and for inward Excoriations of the Yard the juyce being injected with a Seringe Mathiolus commends it against pissing of blood an ounce of the powder of the herb and flowers with a dram of fine Bole-Armonick being taken three dayes together fasting in a draught of milk The same powder taken in Comphrey or Plantain-water is excellent to staqy inward bleadings and stayeth the bleeding of fresh wounds being strewed thereon and being put into the nostrils stayeth bleeding at rose The juyce put into the Eyes cleareth them of blood and redness and the rox or green leaves chewed in the mouth easeth the Tooth-aches The juyce of the herb and flow 〈◊〉 taken in Goats milk or the distilled water stayeth the running of the Reins in men especially if taken with a little powder of Corral Amber and Ivory The decoction of Yarrow in white wine being drunk stoppeth womens Courses and the bloody Flux and a good quantity thereof boiled in water and made into a bathe and sate over performeth the same It is good to close up the stomachs of those in whom the Retentive Faculty is so weak that they disgorge or vomit up whatsoever they eat It is a good Medicine for an Ague a draught thereof being drunk before the fit come and used for two or three fits together An Oyntment made of the herb is good for green wounds and also for Vlcers and Fistula's especially such as abound with moisture The said Oyntment or Oyl is good to stay the shedding of hair the head bieng anointed therewith Yew Tree Taxus THis Tree is well known for hard timber and good to make strong Bowes the Latine name thereof is Taxas but it is not mentioned by me for any medicinal Vertue that is in it though the bark thereof is by some used instead of that of Tamarisk I say not how judiciously Nature and Vertues Yew is hot and dry in the third degree and hath such an attractive quality that if it be set in a place subject to poysonous vapours the very branches will draw and imbibe them Hence it is conceived that the judicious in former times planted it in Church-yards on the West side because those places being fuller of putrefaction and gross oleaginous Vapours exhaled out of the Graves by the setting Sun and sometimes drawn into those Meteors called Ignes fatui divers have been frighted supposing some dead bodies to walk others have been blasted c. not that it is able to drive away Devils as some superstitious Monks have imagined nor yet that it was ever used to sprinkle Holy-Water as some quarrel some Presbyters altogether as ignorant of natural Causes as the signification of Emblems and useful Ornaments have fondly conceived Wheresoever it grows it is dangerous and deadly both to man and beast according to most Authours how much more then if it be encompassed with Graves into which the lesser Roots will run and suck nourishment poisonous mans flesh being the rankest poison that can be yet a certain Vicar unwilling to own the effects thereof upon his Cows would fain deny it to be so Other Creatures as Rabbits have been poisoned with it and the very lying under the shadow hath been found hurtful Yet the growing of it in a Church-yard is useful and therefore it ought not to be cut down upon what pittiful pretence soever Zedoary Zedoaria IT is a Root growing in the East Indies Description called in Latine Zedoaria growing much like unto Ginger Nature and Vertues It is hot and dry in the second degree It stops Lasks and is good against venomous bitings stoppings and pains of the Stomach It stayes vomiting helps the Chollick amends a stinking Breath and is a very good Antidote against the Plague and other contagious Diseases FINIS An Alphabetical Table of all the Herbs and Plants contained in this Book with their several Latine Appellations directed to their several Pages A. ADders Tongue Ophioglossum Page 1 Adders-grass idem Page 1 Agrimony Eupatoria Page 2 Water-Agrimony Eupatorium Page 3 Agarick Agaricus Larix Page 172 Ague tree Sassafras Page 295 Agnus castus Chaste tree Page 4 Alecoast Costus hortorum Page 5 Alehoof Hedera terrestris Page 6 All-heal Panax Herculeum Page 7 Alexanders Hipposelinum Page 8 Black Alder-tree Alnus nigra Ibid. Alleluia Page 311 Almond-tree Amigdalum Page 9 Alkekengi Page 10 Angelica Page 11 Apple-tree Pomus Page 12 Apricock-tree Malus Armeniaca Page 13 Archangel Lamium Ibid. Aron Page 92 Arrach Atriplex Page 14 Arsmart Persicaria Page 15 Alkanet Fucus Herba Page 16 Amara dulcis Page 41 Amaranthus Page 346 Anemonies Herba venti Page 18 Artechokes Cinara Page 19 Assarabacca Asarum Page 20 Asparagus Corruda Ibid. Ash-tree Fraxinus Page 21 Asp or
Balm 25. Bayberries 28. Vipers Bugloss 56 62 63. 98. 119. 166. 172. 196. 229. 234. 255. 257. 280. 284. 325. 351. Pissing blood Agrimony 3. Betony 37. 77. 79 Pissing a bed Bistort 47 48. 96 Plague Alehoof 6. Avens 24. Balm 25. 47. 58 71. 92. 98. 107. 109 119 120. 129. 155. 165 177 223. 252. 279. 285. 298. 323. 334 337 343. 344 345. 352. 363 Pox small Alkanet 18. Bistort 47. 109. 194 271 337 Privy parts inflamed helpt Agnus Castus 4. Yarrow 361. vide Cods swelled Ulcerated privities Alehoof 7. Bramble 50 Bugle 55. 95. 185. 293. 307. 223. 342. 361 Polipus Birthwort 45. 93. 95. 107 186. 221 Piles Water Betony 36 Rest-harrow 61. 68. 75 108. 121 160. 206. 215. 217. 220. 238. 347. Prisick Bears breech 40. 68. 109 154. 172. 176 213 245. 256 276 Pushes Poplar 23. 34 35. Broom 54 59. 68. 111. 316. 324. 334. 354 Purples Snakewood 47 Pleurisie Chervil 66. Cummin 94. 186. 193. 221 260 349 360 Priapisme Water Lilly 180 Q. QUinzy Columbins 73. cinquefoile 69. Figs 119. Hysop 153 Loose-strife 182. Lovage 183 Violets 349. 352. 359 Qualms vide Heart and stomach R. RUnning of the Reins Bistort 47. 55 58. Camphire 60. 169. 173 177. 179. 272. 277. 282. 291 293 319. 326. 339. 341. 362. Reins pained to help Asparagus 21. 50. 54 56 Cassia 63 65. 77. 83. 90. 115. 119 120 134. 176 177. 192. 219. 246. 317. 319. 328. 336. 347. 349. 351 Rickets Alecoast 6. Capers 62. Fern 114. Melilot 199 Reds to stop Red Blites 48. 189. Ringworms Alkanet 18. Celandine 64. Horse-tail 159. 181. 201. 255. 281. 298 302. 311 355 Rheums Briony 51 Bucks-born 55 Camock 6â— 74 82 87 121 130 137 154 160 167 194 196 210 223 261 263 269 272 275 282 291 295 309 317 338 Ruptures Avens 24 Bifoil 39 Bears breech 40 43. 44 59 61 73 89 91 95 105 106 110 118 159 166 171 187 192 213 282 329 333 355 S. SCabs Alehoof 7 Ashe 22 74 Caraway 78 102 123 125 126 137 138 158 166 177 184 193 201 219 227 278 302 Scaldings Danewort 99 Elme 110 Hounds-tongue 159 229 232 Sciatica Alehoof 6 Water Betony 35. Broom 54 91 95 96 100 109 117 137 138 168 186 189 235 267 269 277 280 297 342 347 Secondine vide After birth Seed to encrease Artechokes 19 Burdocks 58 79 112 Scowring vide Flux and Lask Spleen Agnus Castus 4 Alecost 5 Alehoof 6 Alkanet 18 Assarabacca 20 Ashe 22 Bayberries 28 34 44 45 51 61 62 64 82 90 97 103 110 112 114 116 117 123 125 126 146 149 156 183 199 207 238 247 248 255 256 267 276 290 294 310 314 315 317 323 325 331 335 351 358 Sides pained Ashe 22 Sloes 47 Calamus Aromaticus 60 61 62 66 Marsh Mallows 193 218 221 227 236 280 336 339 343 Spasme 98 218 Scurvy Brooklime 52 53 Elder 109 Mechoacan 197 Horse-radish 267 334 Splinters to draw out vide Thorns Shrew Mouse biting 127 271 Shingles Shepherds parse 309 333 334. Sinews Balme 25. 58. Camomil 61 88 114 164 174 185 194 214 222 265 269 276 285 328 352 354 Smelling lost to restore Beets 33. Nigella 223 Sneezing to procure Bazil 28. Clary 70 Sleep to cause Chervil 66. Dill 101 Endive 111 146 Water Lilly 179 260 261 Snakes stinging Vide Venomous bitings Scurffs Elme 110 125 126 127 186 192 193 355 Stomach to heat Cynomon 70. Marjoram 194. Masterwort 196 218. Mace 226. 232 257. 267. 319. 330. 336. 345. 348 Stomach to cool Barley 26. Bilberries 38. Cassia 63. Golden rod 131 144. 146. 168 169. 176. 306. 322. 326 Stomach to strengthen Alecoast 6. Artechokes 19 Avens 24 Balm 25. Betony 37 60. Cardamomes 62. 66. 82. 102 109 111. 115. 116. 120. 122. 125. 127. 130. 144. 184 204. 205. 208. 244. 265. 272 291. 303. 317. 363 Stitches Betony 37. Burdock 58. Commyn 94 118 227 228. 256. 286 330 Strangury Asparagus 21 Brooklime 52 Butchers broom 53 65. 82 95 107 134 178 204 244 267 282 288 300 309 313 319 336 343 Stone to expel Asparagus 21 Ash 22 29 30 32 44 50 55 61 65 66 77 82 88 90 109 112 116 131 132 146 187 196 198 221 243 247 274 290 294 309 311 317 330 339 Sunburning Water Betony 35 Celandine 64 84 88 107 156 329 Stones swelled Cypress tree 95 148 Surfeits Barley 27 Poppy 260 261 Speech lost to restore Lavender 173 Piony 249 276 300 Sores Water Betony 35 36. Bugle 55 59 105 107 111 119 123 129 131 169 171 196 214 221 254 255 278 281 333 338 345 Staggers Ragwort 269 Swoonings to help Balm 25. Borrage 49. Clove Gilliflowers 72 73 109 331 Sweat to procure Camomile 61. Centory 64 275 Sweating immoderate to restrain Quinces 265 266 Swellings Camomile 61. Clary 70 75 83 110 111 184 201 230 254 286 297 315 320 335 336 349 T. TEeth Aristolochia 44 61 64 69 82 105 109 110 119 131 150 164 173 186 195 216 217 228 230 245 252 259 260 272 326 329 330 331 347 359 361 Teeth loose to fasten Barberries 26 Tearms to provoke Alecoast 5. Alehoof 6. Anemonies 19. Balm 25. Bafil 28 37 43 45 52 53 57 58 59 62 63 65 66 70 90 93 95 102 107 108 110 126 129 136 Tearms to stop Barberries 26 Beech leaves 34. Bistort 47 50 75 83 88 96 97 123 133 144 Tetters Alkanet 18. Celandine 64. Caraway 76 Testicles swelled Hedge mustard 148. Vide Stones and Cods swelled Sore Throats Alehoof 7. Sloes 48 Bramble 50. 65. 97 112. 118. 131 Thorns to draw out Chervil 66 Clary 112. 118 147. 158 Tumors Barley 27. Clary 70. 95 118. 150. 199. 216 244 311. 312. V. VErtigo Coloquintida 74 Galanga 127 Venome Alehoof 6 Clovegilflowers 72 338 Venomous bitings 318 342 351 Venomous Beasts Agnus Castus 4 Balm 25 Bayberries 28 Beets 33 45 46 50 51 54 56 58 63 77 78 80 95 98 107 108 112 Venery to provoke Artechokes 119 Clary 70 90 96 106 127 Venery to abate Vide Lust Ulcers Agrimony 3. Alehoof 7. Alkanet 18. Anemonies 19 34 44 45. Bugle 55. 60. 61 72 75. 80 84. 86. 88. 93 105 106 111. 114 118 120 123 129 130 131 133 140 Vomiting to stay Alecoast 6. Ash 22. Bilberries 38. Snakeweed 46. 90. 97. 161 171 183. 196. 204. 206. Vomiting to cause Assarabacca 20 Bindeweed 41. White Hellebore 148. 174. 261. 322 Urine to provoke Agnus Castus 4. Alecoast 5. Alehoof 6. Sparagus 21. Ash 22. Basil 28. Bay-berries 28. 30. 33 40. 45. 51 52. 53. 54. 58. 59. 63. 66 77 78 79 80. 82. 84 87 90. 102. 103. 110. 112. 114. Urine to cool Barley 27 Lettice 176. Liquorice 177. 179. 306 322 W. WAtry humors anemonies 19 Wasps Vide Noisome Creatures and venomous Beasts Warts Poplar 23. Mercury 201 217. 314 333 339 Weariness Ladies Bedstraw 32. 37. Gentian 210. 229 Wheesing Liquorice 177. Lungwort 183. 176. 177. 221. 247. 275 Whitlows Nailwort 356 Winde Ash 22. Bayberries 28 44 45. Cardamomes 62 63 101 103 107 112 116 132 146 151 197 214 220 221 223 226 228 230 232 236 240 246 276 280 286 295 310 320 327 336 337 342 356 359 360 Wheals Poplar 23 Beets 34 35 59 fumitory 126 142 177 313 317 Green Wounds Adders tongue 2 Alkanet 18 Avens 24 43 71 72 88 106 114 118 123 129 133 134 163 168 171 181 208 209 227 234 236 282 287 288 293 304 308 312 332 337 339 341 344 345 354 362 Wounds inward Avens 24 Bugle 55 75 86 100 142 144. 208 213 302 332 341 Wounds outward Avens 24 Bugle 55 144 213 see green wounds Womb birch tree 43. galanga 127 Worms to kill Alecoast 6 Barberries 26 Betony 37 41 51 64 87 90 109 122 129 130 151 175 177 216 258 261 267 274. 276 282 298 310 360 Whites Blitum alba 48 Burnet 57 Burdock 58 Camphire 60 69 75 158 171 173 179 208 209 213 264 272 276 289 291 326 335 Wens Cleavers 71. Melilot 199 333 339 Y. YArd Water Lilly 180 Althea 192 199 258 334 361 FINIS
swelling of the Cods and womens Breasts and asswageth pains of the Gout Sciatica and other pains in the joynts which proceed from a hot cause being applyed with Vinegar to the Temples it helps the Head-ache and causeth sleep the oyl of the seed helps deafness and noise in the Ears being dropped therein the decoction of the herb or seed kills Lice in man or beast if any one be distempered by taking it inwardly unawares let them drink Goats milk or Fennel seed Mustard seed Nettles seed Onions or Garlick in Wine Hagtaper Vide Mullein Hysop Hysopus IT needs no description Description and Names and Hysopus is both the Greek and Latine name and Hysop with us Places and Time It is most frequent in Gardens but I have seen it grow upon Walls it flowers in June or July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is an herb of Jupiter of temperature hot and dry in the third degree and of a cleansing quality it is excellent good for shortness of breath and diseases of the Liver and Lungs helpeth wheesings and rheumatick distillations it helps the Dropsie and Spleen it is good against the falling Sickness provokes Vrine and womens Courses The distilled water decoction and syrrup is very good for all stoppings and infirmities of the Lungs it takes away spots and bruises in the skin being boiled and the place bathed therewith it is good for the Quinzy boiled with Figs and the throat gargled therewith and boiled with Vinegar it helps the Tooth-ache being bruised and mixed with Salt Honey and Commyn seed it helps stinging of Serpents the green herb bruised with Sugar or fresh Butter soon heals a green Wound The oyl kills Lice and helps the Falling Sickness expectorates tough Phlegm and is good in all cold Diseases of the Breast and Lungs being taken in syrrup or other Medicines Take two handfuls of the tops of unset Hysop as much of the tops of Rosemary a few Anniseeds and some Liquorish sâ—eed boil it in two quarts of running water till a third part be consumed then sweeten it with Sugarcandy and drink it for an ordinary drink This I have often proved effectual for the Ptisick Coughs Rheumes Astma's and Catarrhs Holly Aquifolium IT is well enough known Description and Names the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and it s called in Latine Aquifolium and Agrifolium we call it Holme or Holly Bush in English Place and Time Hedges Woods and Commons are well acquainted with it they flower about June the berries ripe about Christmas the leaves green all the year There is one kinde called the Free Holly because it hath a smooth leaf the other prickly Holly which most commonly beareth the most berries Nature and Vertues The berries are by temperature hot and dry saith Dodoneus the plant Saturnine saith Culpepper but I believe he forgot himself ten or twelve of the green berries taken inwardly purge clammy and phlegmatick humours and help the Chollick but being dryed and taken in powder in wine or other drink they binde the Belly and stop Fluxes the Bark doth the same more powerfully A decocoction of the Bark of the roots is good to mollifie hardness and tumours where bones have been out of Joynt and helps to consolidate broken bones An handful of the berries boiled in a pint of Ale till half be consumed and then strained and a little butter added to it and five or six spoonfuls taken at once is said to be good to provoke Vrine and remedy the stopping of the Stone The Birdlime which is made of the Bark of Holly is good to draw out Thorns and Splinters that are in the flesh ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Holy-Thistle or Carduus Benedictus IT needs no description Description and Names growing not wilde in England the names are in Latine Carduus Benedictus in English Holy and blessed Thistle Places and Time It s natural soil is Lemnos and many of the Grecian Isles and being brought hither it is diligently preserved in our Gardens and obtained its name from its singuler vertues it is in flower about July or August which is the best time to gather it to keep all the year If it be sowen or sowe it self in August as sometimes it doth it will make its flower in April Nature and Vertues Carduus Benedictus is hot and dry in the second degree having a cleansing opening quality it is a bitter Martial Plant yet Cordial a resister of Poison the decoction thereof in posset drink is good against Stitches in the Sides and the Plurisie it provokes Vrine and the Courses cleanses the Stomach strengthens the Memory helps Deafness and swimming in the Head it expells pestilential humours by sweat and sometimes doth good in the beginning of Agues in regard it resists putrefaction it may be one of the Sub-Committee in curing the French Pox but it can never cure it of it self neither by Sympathy nor Antipathy as Culpepper affirms but his Ballad-monger hath contradicted all by adding the coupling of the Song viz. for Cure of al Diseases read my Riverius and Riolanus in English when as he pretends in the title to cure all Diseases for three pence charge and in truth was never acquainted with those Authours which are reported to be his Translation But to avoid any further digressions the herb is indeed somewhat Antivenerial the green herb hath also notable effects bruised and outwardly applyed to Plague Sores Botches and venomous bitings the powder thereof stops bleeding at Nose and the juyce and distilled water clears the sight it is good also in Gangreens and Vlcers being mixed with Hogs grease and a little wheat-flower Honey Suckles or Woodbinde Peryclymenum IT is very well known Description and hath no other English Names but what are in the Title the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Periclymenum and Caprifolium by some Sylvae matter and Lilium inter Spinas Place and Time It plentifully grows almost in every hedge and is planted upon Arbours and house Walls where it will give a fragrant smell in at the Windows It begins flowring in April and so continues all the Summer till the latter end of October if the season be milde as the last October about the latter end the hedges were full of then all the way from Tilbury to Stanford in Essex Nature and Vertues It is an herb of Mercury and hath a cleansing and digesting quality and is a very good herb in Mouth Waters for sores in the Mouth let Culpepper say what he will experience proves it A Syrrup or Conserve of the flowers or a decoction made of the herbs and flowers a good against diseases of the Lungs and Spleen and to expectorate tough Phlegm it likewise doth provoke Vrine and cause speedy delivery in Women and helps Cramps Convulsions and Palsies the distilled water is good to dry up Vlcers and cleanse the face from Sun-burnings
Morphew and other discolourings The seeds also help the Hiccock and shortness of breathing but the leaves and flowers are more useful the much use thereof causes barrenness in men and women ☞ See more of this in The Art of Simpling written by W. Coles Hops Lupulus IT is a plant very well known Description and Names especially by the Brewers and by the Greeks is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lupulus Place and Time It groweth in England both wilde and manured Kent flourishes by them they spring up in April and are ripe about September Nature and Vertues Hops are hot and dry in the second degree of a cleansing quality whereby they are reputed good to cleanse the Reins from Gravel and provoke Vrine being used in the decoction they open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen cleanse the blood and are good for the yellow Jaundies and to help breakings out in the Body they do purge Choller from the Liver and Stomach The decoction of the flowers is good for those that have drunk poison and is likewise good in bathes for the hardness and swellings of the Mother and Strangury they are most used to preserve Beer whereby it is kept a long time but stale Beer is a cruel enemy to those who are afflicted with the Stone therefore let those that are subject to that distemper drink plain honest harmless old English Ale Horehound Prasium IT grows up with square hoary stalks half a yard high or more Description set at the joynts with two round crumpled rough leaves of a hoary green colour a reasonable good scent but bitter taste the flowers are white small and gaping set in prickly husks about the joynts with the leaves from the middle of the stalks upwards the seed is small round and blackish the root is blackish woody and fibrous and abides many years Names Prasium is the common Latine name and Horehound the English Place and time It grows commonly in waste dry grounds in many places of this Land flowers in July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues It is hot in the second degree and dry in the third as saith Gallen an herb of Mercury saith Mr. Culpepper it is a very good pectoral plant the decoction or syrrup helps short windedness and infirmities of the Lungs and brings away tough Phlegm it brings down womens Courses and expells the Afterbirth is also good against poison and venomous bitings it is offensive to the Reins and Bladder and to hot and dry bodies but more safe if used with Raisins and Liquorice the leaves with honey purge foul Vlcers and made into an Oyntment with old Hogs grease it helps bitings of Dogs and swellings of Womens Breasts and prickings of Thorns the decoction is good for women to sit over that have the Whites and likewise to heal Scabs the places being hathed therewith Horse-tail Cauda Equina IT springs up with heads somewhat like Sparagus Description and becomes a hard rough hollow stalk joynted at many places one within another so that you may easily pull them asunder at every joynt grows a bush of small rushy hard leaves resembling an Horse Tail at the tops of the stalks come forth small Catkins like those of Trees The root creeps under ground having joynts at several places Names It is called in Latine Cauda Equina and Hippuris and by divers Equisetum in English Horse Tail Place and Time They delight to grow in low wet grounds many Meadows and Pastures are much troubled with them they spring up in April and perish about September Nature and Vertues It doth dry and hath a binding faculty a Saturnine Herb the decoction or juyce thereof drunk or applyed outwardly stanches bleedings at Nose and stayes Fluxes and Lasks pissing of Blood and heals inward Vlcers and Excoriations of the Entrails and all other foul running Vlcers It is also good for Ruptures in Children The decoction in Wine provokes Vrine and helps the Stone The juyce or distilled water helps Pushes Wheals and Inflammations in the skin and easeth swellings heat and Inflammations of the privy parts and cures Tetters and Ringworms Hounds Tongue Cynoglossum THe leaves are long and somewhat narrow Description of a darkish green somewhat like Bugloss leaves but are very soft and smooth the stalk riseth about two foot high with smaller leaves and brancheth at the top into divers parts upon which grow many small purplish red flowers the seed is rough and flat sticking fast to a garment the root is black thick and long the leaves and whole plant hath a very strong smell much like Dogs piss and is by some called after that name Names It is called in Latine Cynoglossum and Lingua Canis in English Hounds Tongue and of some Dogs piss Place and time It is a companion to High-wayes and dry Ditches sides and flowers in May and June Nature and Vertues It is of a stinking scent and a great drawing cleansing quality a Saturnine Plant excellent to cleanse dry and cure old Sores and putrified Vlcers drawing all filth out of them and cures the biting of Dogs either mad or tame I lay fourteen weeks once under a Chyrurgions hand for a cure of a Dogs biting but at last I effected the cure my self onely by applying to the wound Hounds Tongue leaves changing them once in four and twenty hours an oyntment made thereof is also good against Burning and Scalding The powder of the root in Pills or a decoction thereof stayes fallings of Rheume out of the head upon the Stomach or Lungs or into the Eyes or Nose and helps Coughs and shortness of Breath A Suppository made of the root being baked in a wet paper under the Embers and put up into the Fundament helps pains of the Piles and Hemorrhoides The distilled water is useful for all the purposes aforesaid Housleek or Singreen Barba Jovis IT is well known Description and Names the Latines call it Barba Jovis and some other Latine words Authours have bestowed upon it as Semper vivum majus in English Housleek or Singreen There is a lesser sort called in Latine Sedum in English Prick-madam but beware you mistake not and take Stone-crop instead of it which is of a far contrary quality yet they are very like one another Place and Time It is planted and flourisheth much upon the tyles of houses and stone walls it flowers about June and July the leaves are green all the year Nature and Vertues It is cold in the third degree somewhat drying and having Jupiters badge it must needs be his Herb the juyce being clarified is excellent good for hot Rheumes in the Eyes and is commended for soreness in the Gums and the Scurvy in the Mouth as also for all Inflammations as St Anthonies fire and the like a Posset made with the juyce is good in hot Agues and to quench thirst it easeth Corns being applyed thereunto and easeth the Head-ache caused through heat
pestilential and burning Fevers and to resist the infection and also to cool the Kidneys and heat of the Liver and asswage all inflammations both inwardly and outwardly The water in old hollow Oaks is good against the Itch and spreading Scabs ☞ See further in Adam in Eden written by Will. Coles Oats Avena THis Grain is well known Avena is the Latine name they are plentiful in most places of England they are sowne in the Spring and mown in Autumne or before Nature and Vertues They are somewhat cold and drying and are more used for food both for Man and Beast then for Physick yet being quilted in a Bag with Bay-salt and made hot in a frying pan and applyed hot as it can be endured easeth pains and stitches in the sides and the Chollick in the Belly A pultis made of the meal of Oats and Oyl of Bayes helpeth the Itch and Leprosie Fistula's of the Fundament and dissolveth hard Imposthumes The meal of Oats boiled in Vinegar and applyed takes away Spots and Freckles in the Face or other parts of the Body Oatmeal is good in Broth or Milk to binde those that have a Lask or other Flux and with Sugar it is good for them that have a Cough or Cold. Raw Oat meal is unwholesome dyet especially for young Maids yet they are most apt to eat it for want of something else which were better for them Olive Tree Olea Sativa THis Outlandish Tree I intend not to describe but onely the Vertues of the fruit the manured Olive Tree is called in Latine Olea Sativa and the wilde Olive Tree Oleaster and the fruit Oliva Nature and Verturs Ripe Olives be temperately hot and moist the unripe me dry and binding and so is their Oyl the green leaves are cooling and binding The oyl of the ripe Olive usually called Sallet Oyl is the most excellent of all simple Oyls it is very good to ease the Guts of the Chollick and Illiack pashms which way soever used either caten with bread like butter drunk in while Wine or for those that love not to eat it give it in a Glister with Wine it is effectual against all poisons and therefore a remedy for them that have eaten Ratsbane or other poison preserving the Stomach and Guts from the violence of it it is excellent good in Sallets and other Sauces with Vinegar it is a principal ingredient in Salves for curing Wounds and Scars The Oyl of unripe Olives called Omphacinum being fresh is grateful to the Stomach strengthens the Gums and fastens the Teeth and is good for those that are much troubled with sweating Picked Olives are a good sauce to strengthen the Stomach and stir up appetite and being eaten with Vinegar they loosen the Belly being burned and beaten to powder they fasten loose Teeth help loose Gums and cleanseth foul Vlcers The oyl is an excellent remedy for any burning or scalding a piece of Lawn being first sowed about the part and Oyl and Snow water laid thereon One Berry Herb Paris or True Love Herba Paris ONe Berry Description or Herb Paris shooteth forth stalks with leaves some whereof carry no Berries and others do every stalk being smooth without Joynts of a blackish green colour about half a foot high bearing at the top four leaves set directly one against another like a True Lovers Knot and are somewhat like a Nightshade leaf but broader in the middle thereof riseth a small slender stalk about an inch long bearing at the top one flower like a Star consisting of four small and narrow long pointed leaves of a yellowish green colour and having four other lesser leaves lying between them in the middle whereof standeth a round dark purplish button compassed about with eight small yellow mealy heads when the leaves are withered the berry in the middle becometh of a black purplish colour and full of juyce of the bigness of a Grape of no hot nor evil nor yet any sweetish taste having within it many white seeds the root is small and creepeth under the upper crust of the earth somewhat like a Couch-grass root but not so white and is of an unpleasant loathsome taste Names It is by some called in Latine Herbae Paris and Aconitum Pardalianches andVva Versa Vva Lupina and Solanum Tetraphyllum Places and Time It groweth in Woods and Copses in Kent and divers other places it springs up in April and May and flowers soon after the berries be ripe by the beginning of June Nature and Vertues Herb One Berry is an exceeding cold Saturnine Plant wherefore the leaves by their mighty cooling quality do discuss Tumors and Swellings of the privy Parts Cods and Groin which proceed from heat and allay all other Inflammations and are good to cure green Wounds and cleanse and heal up old filthy Sores and Vlcers the leaves or the juyce applyed to Felons or white flawes on the nails of the Hands or Toes healeth them in a short space The leaves and Berries are good to expell Poisons especially that of Aconites as also the Plague and other Pestilential Diseases Mathiolus and others say that a dram of the seeds or berries hereof taken every day in powder for twenty dayes together hath holpen those that have lain long in a lingring Sickness and others that by Witch-craft have been half foolish wanting their wits and senses the leaves in powder have the like operation but weaker The berries are thought to procure sleep being taken at night in drink The roots made into powder and taken in Wine easeth the pains of the Chollick in a short space The Chymical oyl of the black berries is said to be effectual for all diseases of the eyes so that it is called by some Anima oculorum it hath been supposed to be poisonous but Pena and Lobel making experiment upon two dogs found it was not dangerous but effectual to expell the deadly operation of Sublimatum and Arsenick Orchis vide Satyrion Onions Cepa THey need no description Names Cepa and Cepe are the Latine names for an Onion Place and Time They are inhabitants in our Gardens and prosper best in that ground that is well dunged they are sown about February They which are for seed must be set about that time yet the seed seldom comes to any great perfection in our Countrey Nature and Vertues Onions are hot and dry in the fourth degree and are particularly ascribed to the dominion of Mars an onion being sticed and steeped all night in white Wine and the Wine drunk in the morning and the party walking an hour after it is good for the Stone and to provoke Vrine and Womens Courses being mixed with a little Honey and Rue they are good to help the biting of a mad Dog and other venomous Creatures and are used to provoke Appetite and ease pains of the Belly being roasted under the Embers and eaten with Honey Sugar and Oyl they help an old Cough Water wherein sliced Onions have been steeped all night kills
the Worms in Children Onions being sliced and dipped in the juyce of Sorrel and given to those that have the Tertian Ague helpeth them in once or twice taking The seed stirreth up lust and increaseth natural seed A great Onion made hollow and the place filled up with good Treacle and well roasted under the Embers and then the outermost skin pulled off and then beaten together and applyed to a Plague Sore or putrid Vlcer is a sovereign remedy the juyce snussed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and helps the Leprosie and is good for scalding or burning and being used with Vinegar it takes away spots and blemishes in the skin and dropped into the ears it easeth the pains and noise in them The juyce mixed with the decoction of Penniroyal and a cloth wet therein and applyed easeth the Gout The juyce mixed with Honey causeth Hair to grow a bald Head being anointed therewith They help kibed Heels being reasted and applyed with Butter or Hogs Grease being applyed with Figs it helps to ripen Imposihumes and stamped with Vinegar and applyed they provoke the Hemorrhoides and Piles they are hurtful to Chollerick bodies and immoderately eaten especially raw they breed ill humours in the Stomach offend the Blood increase thirst dull the Sight and Memory and cause the Head-ache Orange Tree Aurantia I Shall not describe this fragrant Tree it being Outlandish yet may be seen in some English Gardens though it seldom comes to any perfection here Names They have been called Aurea mala Hesperidum and by divers Aurantia by Dodonaeus Anarantium and by Lobel Malum Aureum The flowers are called Napha and the Oyntment made thereofVnguentum ex Naphâ Nature and Vertues Oranges are not wholly of one temperature the rinde is hot in the first degree and dry in the second and the juyce is cold in the second degree and dry in the first and the sweeter are more hot then the sowre ones The peel is very good to warm a cold Stomach to break Winde and avoid cold Phlegm from thence and being condited or preserved they mend a stinking Breath help digestion and strengthen the Heart and Spirits The juyce and inner substance is good against Corruptions of the Air the Plague and other hot Fevers and is grateful to the Heart and Mouth of the Stomach and Strengthens the same it helps also wambling of the Gâ—â—mach heaviness and trembling of the Heart restraws Vomiting and loathing of meat and quencheth Thirst the seeds resist poison and are good to kill and expell Worms the yntment made of the flowers is good for a Cough and to expectorate raw Phlegm the Stomach being anointed with it The distilled water of the same flowers is good for perfumes being very odoriferous it is good also to drink against contagious diseases and helpeth cold infirmities of the Mother Orpine Telephium COmmon Orpine springeth up with divers round brittle stalks Description thick set with fat and fleshly leaves without any order and little or nothing dented 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 consist of divers thick round white tuberous clogs not growing so big in some places as in others where it likes the ground better Names The Latines call it Telephium and Sempervivum sylvestre it is called also by divers other names amongst Authours too tedious to rehearse and in English Orpine and Live long Place and Time It is generally cherished in Gardens but groweth almost in every County of this Land in shadowy sides of Fields and Woods they slower in July and the seed is ripe in August Nature and Vertues Dioscorides and Galen say the true Telephium is hot and of a drying cleansing quality but that with us is cooling as Purslain and ascribed to the Moon by Culpepper The leaves of Orpine bruised and applyed to the Throat cureth the Quinzy which is an inflammation of the Throat and Gullet hindring breathing and swallowing it is seldom used inwardly with us yet Mr. Culpepper brags much of a sycrup of it for the Quinzy though not of experience But Tragus saith that in Germany the distilled water is used for excoriations and knawing of the Bowels and for Vlcers in the Lungs and Liver or other inward parts as also in the Matrix and stayeth sharpness of humours in the bloody Flux and other Fluxes of the Belly or in Wounds The root performeth the same effect It is used outwardly to cool Inflammations of Wounds and heal them and to heal scaldings and burnings the juyce beaten with Sallet Oyl and the place anointed therewith the leaf bruised and laid to a green Wound in the Hands or Legs healeth it The root helps Burstness and Ruptures ☞ See more of this in The Art of Simpling by W. Coles One Blade Unifolium THis plant springeth up with one leaf Description somewhat like the greatest leaf of Ivy but ribbed like the Plantain leaf this leaf doth alwayes spring singly out of the earth alone but when the stalk riseth up afterwards it hath two leaves upon his sides like the former at the top of the slender stalk cometh fine small white flowers after which succed many small red Berries The root is small and tender creeping far under the upper crust of the ground Names It s called Monophyllon which word is borrowed of the Greeks and in Latine Vnifolium in English One Blade or One Leaf Place and Time It groweth in Woods Pastures and shadowy places but is not very common to be found it flowers in May and the fruit is ripe in September Nature and Vertues One Blade is of a hot and dry temperature and is a singular Wound Herb especially in Wounds amongst the Nerves and Sinews half a dram of the root given in Wine and the Patient Sweating upon it is effectual against Poisons and Pestilential Diseases and the decoction of the Herb with Comphrey is good against Vlcers of the Kidneys and Entrails Orris or Flower de Luce. Iris alba ORris Description or the Common Flower de Luce hath long large flaggy leaves like a two-edged Sword amongst which spring up smooth and plain stalks half a yard long or longer bearing flowers towards the top composed of six leaves joyned together whereof three that stand upright are bent inward one towards another and in those leaves that hang downwards there are rough and hairy welts rising from the nether part of the leaf upward almost of a yellow colour The roots are long thick and knobby with many hairy threds thereat but being dry it is without them and white Names It is called in Latine Iris and Radix Marica in English Flower de Luce and Orris Place and Time They grow naturally in France Italy and those Countreys and are nourished in Gardens with us they flower about May and June and the seed is ripe in the end of August Nature and Vertues The green roots of Flower de
purple and the root doth not run deep into the ground as the first doth The common Field Scabious riseth up with many hairy soft whitish green leaves some whereof are not at all jagged or very little others are much rent in the sides and have films or small threads in them which may be seen in the breaking them among which rise up many round hairy green stalks two or three foot high with such like hairy green leaves on them but more deeply and finely divided and branched forth a little at the tops of the stalks stand round heads of flowers of a pale blewish colour many set together in a knop the outermost being largest with many threads in the middle and somewhat flat at the top and so is the head with seed The Root is great white and thick and grows deep into the ground abiding many years Names Scabiosa is the Latine Appellation hereof Place and Time The first groweth in Woods Meadows and Pastures plentifully almost every where the other in dry Fields Corn-fields and Fallow-Grounds they flower in June and July and so continue in some till the end of August the seed ripening in the mean time Nature and Vertues Scabious is hot and dry in the second degree a Mercurial plant and is of an opening cleansing and digesting quality it is effectual for all Coughs and diseases of the breast and lungs it ripens inward Vlcers Imposthumes and the Plurisie the decoction of the dry or green herb made in Wine and drunk often the clarified juyce taken in the morning fasting to the quantity of four ounces with a dram of Mithridate or Venice Turpentine defends the heart from infection of the Pestilence the party sweating two hours after it in his bed and after the first time taking it again if need require the same is good against the stinging of venomous Beasts Mathiolus saith that the decoction of the roots drunk forty dayes together or a dram of the powder thereof taken at a time in Whey helps such as are troubled with spreading Scabs Tetters or Ringworms though they be effects of the French Pox and the juyce or decoction helps Scabs or Itch and an oyntment made of the juyce doth the same The same juyce or decoction cleanseth and healeth inward Wounds The green herb bruised dissolves and breaks a Carbunckle or Plague sore being applyed thereto in three hours space and helps the stinging of any venomous beast being so applyed The decoction of the herb and roots applyed helps cold tumors or swellings in any part of the body and any sinew or vein that is shrunk The juyce made up with the powder of Borax and Camphire cleanseth the skin of Freckles Pimples Morphew and the Lepry The Tents which are dipped in the juyce or water thereof are good to heal green Wounds and old Sores and Vlcers and the bruised herb being applyed doth loosen any Splinter broken Bone Arrow head or such like thing lying in the flesh so that it may easily be drawn out The decoction used either alone or with juyce of Fennel helps redness and spots in the Eyes and the same decoction cleanseth the head from Dandriff Scurff Scabs and Itch the head being washed with it warm A syrrup made of the juyce and sugar is effectual for all the inward purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water of the herb and flowers Scordium or Water Germander IT shooteth forth divers weak square hairy branches from a small root full of white strings Description spreading and running about in the ground the branches take root in divers places as they lie and spread whereby it much increaseth the leaves grow two at a joynt not so large as garden Germander leaves of a darkish green colour having thereon a shew of hairiness and hoariness somewhat soft full of veins and dented about the edges The flowers are small red and gaping standing at the joynts with the leaves towards the tops of the branches It is thought not to perfect its seed but is propagated by the branches Names Scordium is the Latine name Place and Time It grows in wet grounds and by waters sides in many places of England and flowers in June July and August It is usually gathered to be kept dry before it flowers Nature and Vertues Scordium in hot and dry of a certain harsh sharp and bitter taste it is a Solar herb a great resister of Venome and Infection and is the basis of that medicine called Diascordium it is of excellent use to strengthen the heart and procure sleep in Feavers it provokes the Tearms hastens womens labour helps their usual sickness in lying in and strengthens the Stomach ten grains or a seruple at a time may safely be given to weak people and a dram or more to them that are stronger The decoction of the green or dry herb in wine is good against venomous bitings and other deadly poisons and griping pains of the stomach or sides that come of cold or obstructions and for the bloody Flux it is good against an old Cough and to expectorate phlegm out of the Chest and Lungs being made into an Electuary with Cresses Rozen and Honey and is good for such as are bursten or troubled with the Cramp it is a special Counter-poison in all pestilential Diseases and Infections and is often used with good success before the fits of Agues to hinder the access and drive them away a little of the juyce thereof or the powder in drink taken fasting kills worms in the stomach or belly The decoction of the dryed herb with two or three Tormentil roots is available against the bloody Flux The juyce or a syrrup made of the herb is profitable for many of the forenamed griefs The green herb bruised and applyed healeth any green Wound and the dryed herb used with Honey cleanseth foul Vlcers A pultis or cerate made of the dryed herb helpeth to discuss Wens and excrescences in the flesh it easeth also pains of the Gout being applyed with vinegar or water Scurvy-grass Cochlearia OF this I shall mention two kindes Description common or Sea Scurvy-grass and Dutch or Garden Scurvy-grass The Sea Scurvy-grass is well known the Dutch or Garden Scurvy-grass hath divers fresh green and almost round leaves not so thick as the common sort a little hollowed in the middle and round pointed of a sad green colour standing every one by it self upon a long foot talk among which rise up divers long slender weak stalks about a foot high thick beset on each side with small white flowers on the tops of them which turn into small pods with little brownish seeds the root is white small and fibrous the taste of it is somewhat bitterish Names The Latines call it Cochlearia the leaf being like a spoon in English Scurvy-grass and Spoon-wort Places and Time The Sea Scurvy-grass groweth about the Sea Coasts and both on the Essex and Kentish shores in the River of Thames so far as the salt water
cometh the other groweth in the Marshes of Holland in Lincolnshire as well as in the Low Countreys and likewise prospereth in Gardens where it is sown they flower in April and give their seed about the latter end of May. Nature and Vertues Scurvy-grass is hot and dry much in quality like the Garden Cresses it is an herb of Jupiter It is an excellent remedy for that Disease called the Scurvy which often afflicts Sea-men and many persons by land besides I have had it this Summer after a Winters Ague but by drinking the juyce of this herb every morning in Ale or white Wine have by Cods blessing obtained a cure in a small time it may likewise be taken in decoction or in dyet drink being tunned up with new Ale or Beer and some long Pepper Grains Anniseeds and Liquorice added thereto and at three dayes old the drink will be fit for your use it opens obstructions and evacuates cold clammy and phlegmatick humors from the Liver seat of Blood and the Spleen wasting the swelling and hardness thereof and reduceth the body to a lively colour the juyce helps Vlcers and Sores in the mouth it being gargled with it and outwardly used it cleanseth the skin from spot and scars The conserve worketh the same effects as the juyce or herb and is a fine delicate medicine for weak stomachs Of Sebesten Myxa THis is a certain Plum Description brought hither out of Assyria and is called by them Sebestens in Latine Myxa and Myxaria from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is their name for the Tree Nature and Vertues Sebestens are temperately cold and moist of a thick clammy substance they cleanse the throat of hoarseness and roughness caused by sharp humors which descend from the head into the winde-pipe and cause difficulty of breathing they also cause phlegm to be avoided and help the Cough and Wheesings of the Lungs and distillations upon them they help the sharpness of Vrine proceeding from Choller or salt Phlegm and help such as are troubled with pains in thier sides they are good in hot Agues to cool the intemperate heat of the Stomach and Liver and to purge Choller Self-heal Prunella IT is a low creeping herb Description having many small and somewhat round leaves a little pointed of a sad green colour without any dents on the edges the stalks are square and hairy about half a foot high which sometimes are divided into branches with small leaves thereon to the top whereon stand brown spiked heads consisting of many scaly leaves and flowers mingled together gaping and commonly of a blueish purple colour but sometimes of a pale blue of a sweet smell in some but in a few places the root is small and threddy and by taking hold of the ground by the fibres which grow out from its branches it is much increased Names It is called generally in Latine Prunella and of some Solidago minor Consolida minor and Consolida minima in English Self-heal Hook-heal and Carpenters herb Place and Time It grows commonly in most Fields and flowers in May Nature and Vertues Self-heal is moderately hot and dry somewhat astringent an herb of Venus an excellent Wound Herb either for inward or outward hurts ot be taken inwardly in syrrup or decoction and outwardly to be applyed in Vnguent or Plaisters of it self alone it will heal any green wound being bruised and wrought with the point of a knife upon a trencher like unto a Salve and applyed and it good to heal the sore Nipples of Nurses it is good for those that have received hurt by bruises or falls a decoction being made thereof with Sanicle Bugle and such other Wound Herbs and is effectual to inject into outward Vlcers and the inward taking thereof will help the sharpness of humors which follow any Sore Vlcer Inflammation Swelling or the like the juyce hereof mixed with oyl of Roses is good to anoint the Temples and Forehead for the Head-ache and the same juyce mixed with a little honey of Roses cleanseth and healeth Vlcers and Sores of the Mouth and Throat and secret parts Sena Colutea THe true Sena is said to grow in Arabia and Syria Description and is transported from Alexandria to us there is a bastard Sena which is kept in many Gardens with us commonly called Colutea which is its Latine name Nature and Vertues The leaves of Sena which are onely used are hot near the first degree and dry in the third it is of a purging faculty and leaveth a binding quality after the purging it openeth obstructions and cleanseth and comforteth the Stomach being corrected with some Auniseed Carrawayseed or Ginger it purgeth Melancholly choller and Phlegm from the Head and Brain Lungs Heart Liver and Spleen cleansing those parts of evil humors a dram thereof taken in Wine Ale or Broth fasting it strengthens the sences and procureth mirth it is also good in cronical Agues whether Quartain or Quotidian it cleanseth and purifieth the blood and causeth a fresh and lively habit of the body and is a special ingredient in dyet drinks and to make purging Ale to be taken to clarifie and cleanse the blood The bastard Sena purgeth vehemently both upwards and downwards offending the Stomach and Bowels Shepherds purse Bursa Pastoris IT hath small long leaves Description of a pale green colour deeply cut in on both sides the stalk is small and round parted into many branches containing small leaves upon them up to the top the flowers are white and very small after which come flat pouches which hold the seed which are flat in form of a heart in each side whereof lyeth a small brownish yellow seed the root is small and white and perisheth every year Names The Latines call it Bursa pastoris and Pastoria Bursa in English Shepherds purse Poor mans Parmacity Toywort Pick-purse and Caseweed Place and Time It grows frequently almost in every Field and Hedges side and upon Banks about London they flower and seed all the Summer and some of them twice a year Nature and Vertues Shepherds purse is cold dry and binding a Saturnine Plant the decoction hereof stoppeth the Lask spitting of Blood pissing Blood the Terms and all other fluxes of Blood howsoever it be taken but especially with red Wine or Plantain Water the juyce helpeth mattering and running Fars being dropped therein A good Salve may be made hereof for Wounds especially in the head The bruised herb pultiswise applyed helpeth Inflammations St. Anthonies sire and cures running Sores Fistula's Swellings hardness new Wounds Shingles and rheumatick Sores The juyce being drunk helpeth straitness of the Breath the Strangury and stoppage of Vrine and stoppeth Phlegm and is very prevalent against venomous bitings being drunk with Wine and prevents the fits of Agues being taken an hour before the fit Skirret Sisarum THey grow not naturally in England but as they are planted in Gardens Names It is called in Latine Sisarum Siser Chervillum and Servilla they