and Vinegar and some Oyl put thereto ceaseth both the pain and swelling of the Cods and being taken inwardly it stirreth up Lust in those which cannot use the act of Generation because of the sluggish impotency and weakness of their Members which it doth by Signature a Bean very much resembling the Nut of a Mans yard and that was the Reason that Pythagoras so much condemned them their windiness causing Lust which he endeavoured to suppress If fryed Beans be boyled with Garlick and daily taken as meat it helpeth inveterate Coughs almost past cure the hoarsneâ— of the voyce and the Impostumes in the Breast The Husks of them boyled good while in water that is to the thirds stayeth the Lask and the ashes of the said Husks made up with old Hogs-grease helpeth the old pains contusions anâ— wounds of the Sinews the Sciatica also and the Gout Though the Faba veterum be without doubt that true Bean which Dâ—oscorides Galen and other Greek Authours intended when they set down the aforesaid Remedies yet our ordinary Bean-flowre is as proper for all those purposes and may be used to as gooâ— effect CHAP. CII Of Lentills The Names THere is another Sort of Pulse which may be appropriated to the same purpose which the Grecians called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phacos and in Latine Lens Lenticula Pliny saith Lib. 18. Chap. 12. that the Etymon thereof seemeth to be taken quasi lenis dicta sit lenitatisque significationem habet aquanimitatem fieri vescentibus eâ It is seldom used for Mans meat here in England and therefore I cannot justifie any such operation it hath unless he meant it of Cattle who are much pleased with it and for their Food it is sowed in divers Countries In Hampshire they leave out the first syllable and call it Tills and in Oxfordshire Dills The Kinds Of these Lentills I find but three Sorts 1. The greater Lentills 2. Spotted Lentills 3. The lesser Lentill The Forme The greater Lentill hath sundry slender weak Branches somewhat hard two foot long from whence shoot forth at severall places long stalks of small winged Leaves that is many on each side of a middle Rib without any odd one at the end for the middle Rib of each stalk endeth in a small clasper the Flowers are small and rise from between the leaves and the stalks two for the most part at the end of a long foot-stalk of a sad reddish purple colour somewhat like to those of Vetches after which come small short and somewhat flat Cods within which are contained two or three flat round smooth Seeds of a pale yellowish ash colour the Root is fibrous and perisheth yearly The Places and Time The first even beyond the Seas is onely sowne in the Fields as other manured pulses are and so likewise in some places of our Land but doth seldom come to maturity with us if the season be not kindly and dry The second is wild in Portugall The last is most common in England and is sowne in severall Counties thereof being the most pleasant and acceptable The Temperature Galen saith that Lentills hold a mean between hot and cold yet do they dry in the second degree the outer Skin being binding and the inner meat also which is a little harsh and bindeth the Body yet the outer Skin much more it is saith he of contrary qualities for the first decoction thereof doth not bind but loosen the body and therefore they that would have it to bind cast away the first water and use the second which stayeth Lasks and strengtheneth the stomack and all the inward parts Lentils husked saith he lose with their shells the strength of binding and the other qualities that follow it and then nourish more then those that are not husked yet so give they a thick and evill nourishment and slowly passe away neither do they stay Fluxes and Dysenteries as those that are not husked The Vertues The Seeds of the Lentils boyled in Sea-water and applyed to Womens Breasts that are ready to burst through abundance of Milk or have it curdled within them by any cold distemper bringeth them again into good temper It is good also to bind and stay Lasks and Fluxes but with other binding Herbs as Purslane Red Beets Myrtles Dryed Roses Pomegranate Rindes Medlars Servises c. taken with Vinegar they are the more powerful The Decoction thereof with Wheat-flowre applyed easeth the Gout used with Honey it closeth up the lips of Wounds and cleanseth foul Sores being boyled in Vinegar it dissolveth Knots and Kernels and being boyled with Quinces Melilote and a little rose-Rose-water put thereto it helpeth the Inflammations of the Eys and Fundament but for the chaps thereof which need a stronger Medicine it is boyled with dryed Roses and Pomegranate Rindes adding a little Honey to it It likewise stayeth those creeping Cankers that are ready to turn to a Gangrene putting thereto some Sea-water and so it is good for Wheals and running and watering Sores St. Anthonies Fire Kibes c. being used with Vinegar The Decoction thereof is a good lotion for Ulcers either in the mouth privy parts or Fundament adding a few Rose Leaves and Quinces But to eat Lentills or the broth made of them too largely as Galen saith breedeth the Leprosie and Cankers for grosse thick Meat is fit to breed melancholy humours yet it is profitably given to those that are of a watery disposition and evill affected thereby but it is utterly forbidden to those that have dry Constitutions it is also hurtful to the sight dulling it by drying up the moysture and is not convenient for Women that want their Courses but is good for those that have them in too much abundance Dioscorides further addeth that it breedeth troublesome Dreams and is hurtful to the Head the Lungs and the Sinews CHAP. CIII Of Lillies The Names THe Lilly is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lilium also Rosa Junonis or Junoes Rose because it is reported that it came of her Milk that fell upon the ground For the Poets feign that Hercules whom Jupiter had by Alcumena was put to Junoes Breasts whilest she was asleep and after the sucking there fell away abundance of Milk and that one part was spilt in the Heavens and the other on the Earth and that of this sprang the Lilly and the Circle in Heaven called Lactens Circulus or the milky way or otherwise in English The way to Watling-street Thus much for the white Lilly As for the other Sorts which are many I shall only put down some of them The Kindes Though there be divers Sorts of Lillies yet I shall only set down these 1. The white Lilly 2. The white Lilly of Constantinople 3. The gold red Lilly 4. The red Lilly 5. The fiery red Lilly 6. The great Mountain Lilly 7. The small Mountain Lilly 8. The red Lilly of Constantinople 9. The Persian Lilly 10.
also to provoke Urine and Womens Courses They are used also to provoke Appetite ease the paines of the belly and to help the bitâ—ng of a mad Dog or other venemous Creatures especially if it be mixed with a little Honey and Rue The water wherein sliced Onions have been steeped all night killeth the wormes in Children Being rosted under the Embers and eaten with Honey and Sugar and Oile they help an old Cough by cutting the tough Phlegme and causing it easily to be Spit forth It is counted by many a good preservatiue against infection to take Onions fasting with bread and Salt but I dare not subscribe to their Opinion because they do rather draw then expeâ—l Corruption and therefore their externall use seemeth to be better especially if a great Onyon being made hollow and the place filled up with good Treakle be roasted well under the Embers and after the taking away of the outermost skin be beaten together and applyed to any Plague sore or putrid Ulcer for so it is likely to be a Soveraigne Remedy Being sliced and dipped in the juyce of Sorrell and given to one that is sick of a Tertian Agne to eat it taketh away the fit in once or twice so taking them The continued use especially of the seed thereof increaseth the naturall seed and stirreth upbodily lust The juyce â—nuffed up into the Nostrills purgeth the Head and helpeth the Lethargy and is good also for scalding or burning by fire Water or Gunpowder and being used with Vinegar it taketh away all blemishes Spots and marks in the skin and dropped into the Eares easeth the paines and noise in them Applyed also with Figs beaten together with them it helpeth to ripen and break Iâ—postumes and other Sores especially being first rosted in Embers stamped with Salt Rue and Honey and so they are good for the biting of a Mad Dog being laid thereunto The luyce of Onions mixed with the decoction of Pennyroyall and a Cloath wet therein and applyed easeth the Gout The juyce mixed with Honey and a bald Head annoâ—nted therewith causeth the haire to grow again They provoke the Hemorrhoâ—des or Pils being laid unto them either by themselves or stamped with Vinegar They helpe Kibes being rosted and applyed with Butter or Hâ—gs-grease To tender and delicate Bodies young men and cholerick persons the too often or immoderate use is many times hurtful especially if they be raw for they breed ill humors in the Stomack in flame the blood increase thirst cause drousinesse and the headach hurt the sight and dull and disturbe the memory and understanding by their sharpnesse and windinesse yet unto the Bodies of labouring Men who receive some benefit by earning their bread with the sweat of their browes they are seldom offensive so true is that of the Poet Labor omnia vincit Improbus the humors that they breed in others being in them spent by their hard Labour CHAP. CCXXVII Of Winter Cherries The Names IT may be called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for it is a kind of Solanum nay in Latine it is called Solanum Halicacabum and Vesicatorium by Pliny either of the Bladder wherein the Berry groweth or of the Vertues against the diseases of the Bladder and Stone The Arabians call it Alkakengi which name the Shops retaine Brunfelsius calleth it his Saxifraga quarta terming it Rubra for which Epithet there is more colour then for Filipendula that it should be so called It is called Winter Cherry in English because it flourisheth in the Winter and the fruit is like a Cherry The Forme I find but three sorts of Winter-Cherryes that which is called Halicacabum Petegrinum or the Black Winter-Cherry perishing at the very first approach of Winter and therefore and for other reasons ought not to be so called 1. The Ordinary Winter-Cherry 2. Virginian Winter Cherries 3. Upright Indian Winter-Cherries The Forme The Winter-Cherry sendeth forth a stalke which groweth to be a Cubit or two foot high whereupon are set many broad and long greene Leaves somwhat like unto the Leaves of Night-shade whereof it seemeth to be a kind as I said before but larger at the joynts whereof come forth whitish flowers made of five Leaves a peece which after turne into greene berries inclosed with thin skins or bladders which change to be reddish when they grow ripe the berry being likewise reddish and as large as a Cherry wherein are contained many flat and yellowish seeds lying within the Pulpe The root runneth or creepeth in the ground somtimes as big as ones little finger shooting forth at severall Joynts in severall places whereby it quickly overspreadeth a great compasse of ground The Places and Time Though the first be only to be found in Gardens or in other places whither it hath beene cast forth from thence here in England yet in some Countryes it groweth naturally by the hedg sides in moist and shadowy places the second came from Virginia the last groweth also in the West Indies They flower in August and are fittest to be gathered in October yet some of them continue longer and being strung up they may be kept all the yeare to be used upon occasion The Temperature VVinter Cherries are thought to be cold and dry and of subtill parts The fruit Openeth but the Leaves do only coole and therefore are good in inflammations The Vertues and Signature Having given you severall Plants that had the Signature of the Stone I come in the laâ—t place to shew you one or two that have the Signature both of the stone and bladder which the VVinter Cherry doth very much reâ—emble and is therefore of great use by opening the Uritory parts and drawing down the Urine to provoâ—e it to be avoided plentifully when it is stopped and is good also to expell the Stone and Bladder out of the Reines Kidneys and Bladder helping to dissolve the Stone and avoiding it by greet or Gravell sent forth in the Urine it helpeth much also to clense inward Impostumes or Ulcers in the Reines or Bladder or in those that avoid a bloody or foule Urine two or three handfulls of the berries being bruised and put into two or three Gallons of new Wine or Ale assoone as it is tunned up there to continue till the Wine or Ale be sit to be drunk but the decoction of the Berries in Wine or Water is the most usuall way to be taken yet the powder of them taken in drink or broth is held to be more effectuall It helpeth the yellow Jaundise also by opening the passages of the Gall and Liver and expelling it by Urine The diuilled Water of the Fruit or the Leaves together with them or the berries greene or dry distilled with a little Milk is effectuall for all the purposes before specified if it be drunk morning and evening with a little Sugar and in speciall against the heat and sharpnesse of the Urine The other Plant whose fruit beareth the Signature of the Stone in the
and dented about the edges many of them having five divisions some six most seaven and sometimes though seldom eight according to the fertility of the soil At the tops of the branches stand divers small yellow flowers consisting of five leaves like those of Cinkfoil but smaller The root is smaller then Bistort somewhat thick tuberous or knobby blackish without and reddish within as the former sometimes a little crooked having many blackish fibres The Places and Times The common sort groweth not only in Woods and shadowy places but also in pastures and Closes lying open to the Sun Great plenty of it is to be found in Pray Wood near St. Albans and in a Close that lyeth between the Week and Stafford Lane near Heddington in Oxfordshire where the biggest roots that ever I saw grow The second groweth amongst the Helvetians or Switzers as also in the county of Tirol The last groweth upon the Alps in divers rocky or stony places as also upon the Pyrenaean mountains and among the Savoyards likewise The Temperature The root of Tormentil doth mightily dry and that in the third degre and is of thin parts it hath in it but little heat and is of a binding quality and therefore it must not be given to dry bodies nor to such as are very costive The Signature and Vertues The rednesse of the inside of the root of Tormentil is an eminent token that it is most excellent to stay all kinds of fluxes of blood or humours in Man or Woman whether at Nose Mouth Belly or any wound in the Veins or elsewhere It provokes sweat expells poison and is good to cure wounds the herb root and water are in use It is much used in the Pestilence and other malignant diseases as small Pox Measels Purples and spotted Feavers driving forth by sweat any contagion especially if the Flux of the belly be joyned with these diseases It is uâ—e 〈…〉 in Catarrhes to dry up the rheums and in the French diseases and generally for all other things that Bistort is good for and may be used for the same The distilled Water of Tormentil taken in a morning fasting is excellent against Venom or any contagion and is a good preservative in time of infection The Dose is two or three Ounces the same taken morning and evening cures all inward Ulcers in the Body stayeth the Fluxes of the Belly especially in the Dysentery or bloody Flux It doth comfort the brain heart and stomach liver and spleen as also the whole body and cureth most agues The best way to still the water is to steep the herb all night in Wine and then distill it Balneo Mariae The water thus distilled taken with some Venice Treacle and the party laid presently to sweat will certainly by Gods help expel any Venom or Poison the Plague Feaver c. For it is an ingredient of speciall respect in all Antidotes or Counterpoisons The powder of the dryed root made up with the white of an Egg in the form of a little cake and baked upon an hot Tile will stay all fluxes restrain all cholerick belchings and much vomiting with loathings in the stomach The Leaves and Roots being bruised and applyed dissolve all Knots Kernels and Hardnesse gathered about the Ears throat and Jawes and the Kings Evil. The same also easeth the pains of the Sciatica or Hipgout by straining the sharp humours that flow thereto the Juyce of the Leaves and roots used with a little Vinegar is a special remedy against running sores of the head or other parts scabs also and the itch or any such eruptions in the skin proceeding of salt and sharp humours The same also is effectual for the Piles or Hemorrhoids if they be washed and bathed therewith or with the distilled Water of the Herb or Roots It is found also helpful to dry up any sharp Rheum that distilleth from the head into the Eyes causing rednesse pain waterings Itchings or the like if a little prepared Tutia or white Amber be used with the distilled water hereof CHAP. XXXIX Of Cinckfoile The Names COme we next to Cinckfoile not only for the likeness of properties that is between it and Tormentill but of the outward face and form of the Plant as you shall hear hereafter It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Pentaphyllum Quinque-folium à numero foliorum in English Cinckfoil and Cinckfield and Five finger grasse or Five leaved Grasse The Kindes The sorts of Cinckfoile are very numerous an exact account whereof we shall not labour for those nine reckoned up by Gerard being sufficient for our present purpose 1. Great Cinckfoil 2. Common Cinckfoil 3. Purple Cinckfoil 4. Marish Cinckfoil 5. Stone Cinckfoil 6. Upright Cinckfoil 7. Wall Cinckfoil 8. Hoary Cinckfoil 9. Wood Cinckfoil The Form Common Cinckfoil spreadeth and creepeth far upon the ground with long slender strings like Strawberries which take Root again and shoot forth many Leaves made of five parts and sometimes of seaven dented about the edges and somewhat hard The stalks are slender leaning downwards and bear many small yellow Flowers thereon with some yellow threds in the middle standing about a smooth green head which when it is ripe is a little rough and containeth small brownish seeds The Root is of a blackish brown colour seldom so big as ones little finger but growing long with some threds thereat and by the small strings quickly spreading it self abroad The Places and Time The first groweth in Switzerland naturally and is nursed up in some of our â—ardens The second groweth by high-way-sides and in low and moyst Meadows The third groweth in the Woods of Clavena and Narbon The fourth in a Marish Ground adjoyning to the Land called Bourn Pondes half a mile from Colchester The fifth groweth upon Beestone Castle in Cheshire The sixth upon Brick and Stone-walls about London The seaventh on the Alps of Rhetia near Clavena The eighth in the hollowness of Peakish Mountains and dry gravelly Valleys The last groweth in Woods The Plants do flowre from the beginning of May to the end of June The Temperature The Roots of Cinckfoil especially the two last do vehemently dry and that in the third Degree but without biting for they have very little apparent heat of sharpness The Vertues Common Cinckfoil is held to be effectuall for all the purposes whereunto Bistort and Tormentill is applyed as well for preserving against venomous and infectious Creatures and Diseases in each respect as in keeping from putreâ—action for binding and restraining Fluxes either of blood or humours which are excessive especially bleeding at the Nose which it performeth if the juyce be drunk in Ale or red Wine or the Roots or Leaves applyed to the Nose Some hold that one Leaf cures a Quotidian three a Tertian and four a Quartan which is a meer whimsey but the truth is if you give a scruple of it which is twenty grains at a time either in White-wine or White-wine-Vinegar
fore-head and Temples The same layd-to with Vineger is good against the going out of the Navel and burstings of young Children The water wherein the Seeds have been steeped is good against St. Anthonies fire or Wild-fire The juyce with Honey put into the Ears killeth Worms and stayeth the running thereof It helpeth hot swellings or eruptions of the skin as Blains Wheals and such like as also pains of the Joynts and places out of joynt and the Hip-Gout The same is applyed to Womens Nipples and sore Breasts and that with good successe laying it often thereon Being mixed with Hogs-grease and applyed to foul corrupt and filthy Ulcers and Sores cleanseth and healeth them by cooling the heat and repressing the sharpnesse of the humours flowing unto them The Muscitage of the Seed made in plancane-Plancane-water whereunto the Yelk of an Egg or two and a little of the Oyntment called Populeon is put is a most safe and sure Remedy to ease the sharpnesse prickings and pains of the Hemorrhoides or Piles if it be layd on a Cloth and bound thereunto It stayeth the bleeding of the Nose applyed with the juyce of Shepheards-purse and Bole-Armoniack The Herb boyled or the Seeds with the Root and the Fundament bathed therewith or to sit over the hot Liquor easeth the Fenasmus a Disease when one is often provoked to stool without voyding any excrement It taketh away the burning and acrimony of Lime Euphorbium and Cantharides It taketh away the roughnesse of the hair being bathed with the Muscilage thereof Fleawort-Seed keepeth Camphor very well and that by its coldnesse and moysture There is no danger in it if it be wisely and conveniently applyed yet 't is not amisse to give with Cinamon or Mace However in cold and moyst Bodies which have but narrow Entrals it is not safe CHAP. LXI Of Throat-wort The Names PAssing from the Plants appropriated to the Mouth we come to those that do more immediately relate to the Throat amongst which Throatwort by its Name should be none of the meanest The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Trachelium from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the Neck or Throat It is called also in Latine Cervicaria for that it helpeth the Sores of the Neck and Throat either inward or outward It is also called Uvularia because it helpeth the Uvula or Palate of the Mouth which hath the diminitive from Uva for the likenesse unto a Grape when it is swollen and fallen down Others call them Campanula of the likenesse of Flowers unto Bells and therefore called Bell-Flowers Some also call them Rapi sylvestris genus but improperly and Rapunculus or Rapuntium Rampions because they are like unto Rampions and many of them edible as they are We in English call it Throat-wort Canterbury-Bells and sometimes Haskewort The Kindes There are fifteen Sorts of Throat-wort reckoned up by Parkinson 1. Great Throat-wort 2. The great Globe-Rock Throat-wort 3. The lesser Globe-like Rock Throat-wort 4. The greater Mountain Throat-wort 5. Narrow leafed Throat-wort 6. The Rock spiked Throat-wort 7. Thin leafed Throat-wort with spiked Heads 8. Vmbelliferous blew Throat-wort 9. Small Mountain Throat-wort 10. Wild Buglosse leafed Throat-wort 11. The late flowring Throat-wort 12. Gyant Throat-wort or Bell-flowers 13. Bell-flowers with small dented Leaves 14. The Syrian Coventry Bells 15. Round-leafed Throat-wort The Forme Great Throat-wort hath large hairy Leaves of an over-worn green colour somewhat rough and slightly indented about the edges The stalk is also hairy about half a yard high or somewhat better whereon those Leaves are set from the bottom to the top almost after the fashion of Nettles Towards the top upon a short foot-stalk come forth hollow Flowers of a Bell-fashion not unlike to the Coventry-Bells of a purplish blew colour and somewhat hairy within The Root is white thick and long lasting The Places and Time The first groweth in Stow-wood by Oxford on that side next unto Barton in the Ditch on the right hand as you go in and divers other places about that Wood. The Globe-like Throat-worts and those with spiked Heads grow naturally in divers places beyond the Seas as some in Candy some upon Mount Baldus the Alps as also in Germany Italy and Naples A lesser sort of wild Buglosse leaved Throat-wort was found by Bauchinus on the Hills amongst the Switzers The Syrian Coventry Bells were found by Ranwolfius at the foot of Mount Libanus in Syria in the shadowy Woods Gyant Throat-wort groweth in severall places in York-shire And there is a little Throat-wort which groweth near unto the Lanes end that leadeth from Dedington to Oxford about the place where the way turneth from Dedington to Dunstew Many of these sorts and peradventure some others grow in the Physick-Garden at Oxford and Mr. Morgans Garden at Westminster They all flowre in the Moneths of June and July but yet some of them flowre not till all the rest are past and scarce perfect their Seed but are increased by their Root The Temperature These Plants are cold and dry as are most of the Bell-flowers The Vertues The Roots of some of these be sweet in tast and therefore eaten in Sallets either raw or strewed as both the greater and smaller ordinary sorts of Rampions are yet some of them are not so pleasant but more astringent by which quality they are found to be effectuall not only in all Ulcers of the mouth and Throat to gargle and wash them or for the Uvula or Palate of the mouth when it is swollen and fallen down but for all other Sores whether in the secret parts of Man or Woman to be used in a decoction with Honey Wine and Allome or in any other part of the Body for by the faculty of drying and binding they are very profitable for old Sores to restrain the moyst and sharp humours which fret the place and keep them from healing and for green Wounds and Cuts to close up the Lips of them speedily These are all the Vertues that I find as yet attributed to the Throat-worts which though not many yet are pertinent to our present purpose which is sufficient CHAP. LXII Of the Date-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Palma the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Palmulae Dactyli the sheath or skin which encloseth the Flowers is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elat◠and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spatha and some think one kind of Date is called Caryotae and Phaenicobalanis which were also called Regiae because they were fittest for the dyet of Kings Thebanes were the lean dry Dates that had little substance in them The wild or low Palm is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Theophrastus and Chamaeriphes in Latine by Lobel Lugdunensis and Palma humilis also by Matthiolus and Palmitee or Palmito by the vulgar in Italy Spain c. The Greeks also call that head that is used to be eaten 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines
English Winter-green The Kinds Though formerly but one now six sorts are known 1. Ordinary Winter Green 2. The least Winter Green 3. Slender Winter Green 4. The Winter Green of Europ with Chickweed Flowers 5. Winter Green of America with Chickweed flowers 6. Shrubby Winter Green The Forme The first sort groweth sending forth seven or eight or nine Leaves from a small brownish creeping root every one standing on a long Footstalk and being almost as broad as long round pointed of a sad green colour hard in handling and like unto the Leaf of the Peartree but others compare them to be like unto the small leaves of Beets from whence ariseth a slender weak stalk yet standing upright bearing at the top many small white flowers smelling as sweet as those of Lilly Convally laid open like a star consisting of five round pointed leaves with many yellowish threds standing in the middle about a green head and a long stile with them which in time groweth to be the Seed-Vessel which when it is ripe is formed five square with a small point at it wherein is contained as small seed as the dust it self The Places and Time The Sort I have now described groweth in Lansdale and Craven in the North part of England especially in a Close called Crag Close and also in a Bog by Rosecre in the Kings County The second groweth at the foot of the high hills in Austria and Stiria as Clusius saith The third in Germany as also near Savoy The fourth groweth on the Woods of Germany in divers places as also in the Beechwood in Scotland as is recorded by Bauhinus and on the Mountains in in Wales likewise The fifth groweth in Brasil towards the West Indies The last groweth in most of the Provinces of Hungary Germany and Bohemia they do all flower except the American Sorts about June and July but the other more late with Us. The Temperature Winter green is cold in the second degree and dry in the third and exceeding astringent and glutinous withall The Vertues Grollius in his Book of Signatures puts down Pyrola to be a principall Herb for the Throat and therefore saith he we use it in Gargarisms but how to make out the Signature is beyond my poor skill It is a singular Remedy for green Wounds to consolidate their lips speedily together either the green Leaves bruised and applyed of themselves or the juyce of them or a Salve made of the green Herbs stamped or the juyce boyled with Hogs-lard or with Sallet-Oyl and Wax and some Turpentine added unto it which is so soveraign a Salve for all manner of wounds and Sores that the Germans use it exceeding much and extoll it beyond all other Salves made of a simple Herb They likewise use it for inward wounds or hurts being boyled either by it self or with other Wound-Herbs as Comfry Burnet Mos-eare c. wherewith they use to heal whomsoever is wounded either in the Body or Bowels or any other part by giving them to drink of such a decoction The Herb boyled in Wine or water and thereof given to drink to them that have any inward Ulcers in the Kidneys or neck of the Bladder doth wonderfully help them It stayeth also all Fluxes whether of blood or of humours as the Lask Bloody Fluxes or Womens too abundant Courses as also the bleeding of wounds and both taketh away Inflammation rising upon the pains of the heart and hindereth any to arise being presently applyed after the hurt received It is no lesse helpful for foul Ulcers hard to be cured as also for Cancers and Fistulaes The distilled water of the Herb doth effectually perform the same things and some keep the dryed Herb to use in Decoctions or made into powder to drink as often as they shall have occasion CHAP. LXIV Of Horse-Tongue or Double-Tongue The Names THe Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hippoglossum either because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a word oftentimes prefixed before great Plants as Hipposelinum Hippolapathum Hippomarathrum c. or because it somewhat resembles an Horses Tongue but others think it should be more truly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hypoglossum because of the small Leaves like small Tongues growing upon the greater The Latines keep the name and call it Hippoglossum or Hypoglossum and some to expresse it more fully Bislingua two Tongues or double Tongue some Lingua Pagana and of Apuleius Victoriola It is also called Bonifacia by Angularia and Uvularia by Bruâ—felsius Leonicerus Tabermontanus and others This is not Laurus Alexandrina as some have supposed The Kindes Besides the ordinary sort Fabius Columna maketh mention of another with larger Tongues upon the Leaves which as he saith is much more rare to find The Forme Horse-Tongue shooteth forth divers hard stalks with Leaves on them which are somewhat broad yet pointed at the end somewhat hard with Ribs running through them upon which from the middle Rib groweth a smaller Leaf or Tongue about the middle of the Leaf on the upper side which maketh it to differ from all other Plants that grow upon the ground Under the smaller Leaf at the bottom where it joyneth to the greater commeth forth one small whitish green Flower and sometimes two standing upon short foot-stalks where afterward stand the Berries which when they are ripe are very red very like unto the Berries of the Yew-Tree wherein is a white hard Seed the Root consisteth of many long hard whitish strings growing from a head The Places and Time It groweth upon Hills and in Woods in divers places both of Italy and Germany but is only cherished in Gardens with Us particularly in the Physick Garden in Oxford It flowreth in Iune and the Berries are ripe at the end of September in the naturall places as in the warmer Countries but it seldom commeth to perfection in our Land The Temperature Horse-Tongue is evidently hot in the second Degree and dry in the first The Signature and Vertues The little Leaf like a Tongue growing upon the greater is no light Argument that this Plant is effectuall for Sores in the Mouth and Throat and to settle the Palate of the Mouth in its place that is subject to fall down by reason of too much moysture which may likewise be signified thereby It is likewise of singular good use in old and filthy Ulcers in any part of the Body to dry up the moysture and to bring them on more speedily to be healed either the Powder of the Leaves or Roots to be used alone or with other things put into them or the decoction to wash them or inject into them It is held to be most powerful also of any Herb that is to help the suffocations and other Diseases of the Muther to take the Powder of the dryed Leaves or Roots in Wine Broth or other drink for it will speedily give ease Three or four drams of the said Powder taken in sweet Wine procureth a speedy delivery and
Blood caused by bruises or falls and helps the bloody Flux An oyntment made of the Juyce of Hogs grease is as excellent a Remedy for the biting of a mad Dog or any venemous Creature as any is A Syrup made of the leaves or green fruit is excellent good for Coughs Hoarseness or shortnesse of Breath and all diseases of the Breast and Lungs Some say that the Fig Tree as well as the Bay tree is never hurt by Lightning as also that a Bull if he be never so mad being tyed to a Fig tree will become tame and gentle and that it prospereth the better if Rue be set neer unto it The blew Fig is no doubt of the same operation with the white to all purposes but the fruit commeth most to maturity with us and is eaten as a pretty Junket with Salt and Pepper for unlesse they be so eaten or some Wine drunk after them to digest them they passe not quickly out of the Stomach but putrifie therein and do sometimes put the party eating them in danger of a Feaver Dry Figs also immoderately eaten do engender Crude and windy humours in the Body and soon corrupt in the Stomach whereby they cause Itch Scab and breed Lice also They hurt such as have the Cholick and windy diseases and that have hot Livers and Cholerick Stomachs they are best for old Phlegmatick persons and in cold and moist seasons They are commonly eaten with Almonds and so they cleanse the Breast and Lungs the better by a special Vertue they have Two or three Figs slit and laid all night in Aqua Vitae are very good for those that are pursy and short winded if taken in the morning CHAP. LXXV Of Hyssop The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which as some think takes its name quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia super vultus affunditur because the face being washed with the Decoction or distilled water thereof is made fairer it being of a very abstersive quality And therefore David Prayes God to purge him with Hyssop and in Schola Salerni it is commended for the same purposes in these words Vultibus eximium fertur praestare colorem It is called in Latine Hyssopus and of Us Hyssop The Kinds I find fifteen sorts of Hyssop set down by Parkinson 1. Ordinary Garden Hyssop 2. White Hyssop 3. Golden or yellow Hyssop 4. Russet Hyssop 5. Double Hyssop 6. Broad leafed Hyssop 7. Jagged or dented Hyssop 8. Musked Hyssop 9. Red flowered Hyssop 10. Dwarf Spanish Hyssop 11. Tufted Hyssop 12. Curled Hyssop 13. Mountain wild Hyssop 14. Narrow leafed Hyssop 15. Round Leafed Hyssop The Forme The Common Garden Hyssop is a plant that riseth sometimes to be about a foot high with many woody branches but render at the tops whereof are set at certain distances sundry small long and narrow green Leaves at the tops of the stalks stand blewish purple gaping flowers in spiked heads one row above another after which follow the seed which is small and blackish the root is somewhat wooddy with many threddy strings The whole plant is of a strong sweet sent and is fit to be strewed in windows and such places The Places and Time Our common Hyssop groweth naturally upon the hills of Romania about Verona and neer unto mount Baldus The Dwarfe kind in Spain and the mountain wild kind on the hills in many places of Germany and as Matthiolus saith on the hill Salvatia in the Country of Goritia the rest are nursed up in the gardens of those that are Lovers of curious Simples They do all flower in June and July and their seed is ripe in the beginning or middle of August The Temperature Hyssop is hot and dry in the third degree and therefore must needs be of thin parts It cutteth and breaketh tough Phlegme it ratifieth or maketh thin that which is thick and gross it openeth that which is stopped and cleanseth that which is corrupt The Vertues A Decoction made of Rue and Honey being drunk doth help those that are troubled with Coughs shortnesse of Breath Wheesings and rheumatick Distillations upon the Lungs taken also with Oxymel or water and Hony it purgeth gross humours by the stool and with Honey killeth Worms in the Belly It amendeth the native colour of the Body spoiled by the yellow Jaundise helpeth the Dropsie and the Spleen if it be taken with Figs and Nitre It is good in the Falling Sickness provokes Urine expels Wind and brings down Womens Courses and easeth sharp fits of Agues The Distilled water is good for the same diseases especially those that proceed from a cold if the quantity of a quarter of a pint be warmed and drunk with Sugar at night when one goes to bed but the Decoction as also the Syrup is more effectuall It taketh away black and blew spots and marks that came by stroaks bruises or falls being boyled and the places bathed therewith It is an excellent medicine for the Quinsie to wash and gargle the Throat being boyled with Figs it helpeth the Tooth-ach being boyled in Vinegar and the mouth gargled therewith the hot Vapours of the Decoction taken by a Funnel in at the Ears easeth the Inflammations of them and as Mesue saith the singing noise of them also Being bruised and Salt Honey and Cummin-Seed put to it it helpeth those that are stung by Serpents The green Herb bruised and a little Sugar put to it doth quickly heal any green Wound or Cut in the Hand or else-where The Oyl thereof killeth Lice and taketh away the itching of the Head if it be anointed therewith It helpeth those that have the Falling Sicknesse which way soever it be applyed It helpeth to expectorate tough flegme and is effectuall in all cold griefs or Diseases of the Chest and Lungs being taken either in a Syrup or licking Medicine There is also a Wine made of Hyssop named Hyssop-Wine which is good for the purposes aforesaid and there may be Hyssop-Ale made after the manner of Sage-Ale by adding an Ounce or two of good Liquorice CHAP. LXXVI Of Ragwort The Names IT hath no Greek name being an Herb but of later knowledge for if it had been formerly known we should find it mentioned by some ancient Greek or Latine Authour or other which we cannot do unlesse you would as some do refer it to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Erigerum of Dâ—oscorides which the Latines caâ— Senecio and therefore Lobel calleth it Jacobaea Senecio Tragus Matthiolus and others call it Flos Sti Jacobi and Herba Sti Jacobi Dodonaeus and the latest Writers Jacobaea for what cause I know not unlesse it be because it flourishrisheth about St. Iames-tide Some have taken the Sea kind to be Arthemisia Marina or a species of it because the diviâ—â—on of the Leaves is somewhat like the Arthemisia vulgaris Others call it Cineraria Argentea from the whitenesse of the Leaves which shew like silver or as
the outward Forme thereof but also by the Sinewes and Veine that run thorough it And therefore it availeth very much in divers diseases of the Tongue whether they happen from wounds as biting cutting or the like or from inflammations of that or any other part adjacent as the Mouth Gums Throat c. as also from the Cankers or any other eating sore the decoction juyce or water thereof being often gargled in the mouth or especially a little Vinegar Honey and Allome being mixed therewith The juyce or Herb stayeth the bleeding of the Nose or the bleeding of wounds The clarified Juyce or Water thereof droppâ—d into the eye cooleth the heat thereof as also the Pin and Web thereof and dropt into the eares easeth the pains therein and helpeth deafnesse The same with the juyce of House-leeke is very profitably applyed against all inflammation and breakings out of the skin and against burnings or scalding by Fire or Water The juyce mixed with the Oyl of Roses and the Temples and Forehead annointed therewith easeth the pains of the head proceeding from heat and helpeth frantick and lunatick persons very much as also the biting of Serpents or a madde Dogge The clarified juyce drunk for divers dayes together by it selfe or with some other liquor is wonderfull good to stay spitting of blood and all other bleedings at the Mouth when a vein is broken at the mouth of the Stomack and is likewise effectuall to heal any Ulcer in the Reines or Bladder when bloody or foul water proceedeth therefrom It is held also an especiall remedy for those that have the Consumption of the Lungs or that are troubled with any Ulcer in that part or that have Coughs that come with Heat The same also is commended very much against all torments and frettings in the Guts stayeth the Courses and all other manner of Fluxes as well in Man as Woman The decoction or powder of the Root or Seed is much more binding then the Herbe whereby it helpeth Agues The seed made into powder and mixed with the yolk of an Egge and some wheaten flower and made into a Cake and baked doth stay vomiting or any other Flux or rising in the Stomack The herb but especially the Seed is likewise held to be profitable against the Dropsie Falling-Sicknesse Yellow Jaundise and the stoppings of the Liver or Reines The powder of the dryed Leavs taken in warm drink or Posset drink killeth worms in the Belly The juyce of the Leaves mixed with oyl of Roses is profitably applyed to all hot Gouts in the Hands or Feet especially in the beginning to cool the heat and represse the humors It is also good to be applyed where any bone is out of Joynt to hinder Inflammations Swellings and pains which will arise presently thereupon A decoction of the Leaves killeth Worms that breed in old and foul Ulcers One part of plantaine-Plantaine-Water and two parts of the brine of powdered beefe boyled together and clarified is a most sure remedy to heal all spreading Scabs and Itch in the Head or Body all manner of Tetters or Ringwormes the Shingles and all other running and fretting sores The Leaves laid upon any place where the skin is scratched of skinneth it again whether it be newly done or not and being made into a Salve with Oyl Wax and Turpentine it cureth deep wounds though the Sinews and Veins be cut asunder whereof it hath the Signature The juyce alone or stamped with Vinegar and applyed to the Feeet that surbated sore and swollen with travell bringeth them again to their right temper CHAP. LXXVII Of Columbines The Names THere is great contesting amongst Authors concerning this Plant whether it were known to the Ancients or not One will have it to be the Pothos of Theophrastus another his Diosanthos another would have it to be the Isopyrum of Dioscorides but Cornutus affirms point blanck that it was not knowne It is generally called by the Writers of a later date Aquileia Aquilina Aquilegia because the folds of the Leaves do somewhat resemble those Pipes called Aquileges which were made as Pliny mentions for the conveying of water which they also contain in them as Cornuâ—us seemeth to inferre especially from that sort of his which came from Canada That this Plant should have likenesse of properties with wild Oâ—tes called in Greek Aegilops seemeth to be altogether improbable It knows no other English name but Columbines The Kindes To set forth the varieties of Columbines according to their colours would be the Task of a Florish I shall only give you those which have different Termes and they are six 1 Single Columbines 2. Double Columbines 3 Double inverted Columbines 4 Rose Columbines 5 Degenerate Columbines 6 Columbines of Virginia The Forme The Columbine hath divers pretty large spread Leaves standing upon stalks about a foot long wheÌ„ they are at their full growth every one being divided into divers parts with large indentures upon the edges of a dark blewish green colour a little resembling Celandine from amongst which arise stalks sometimes two or three foot high divided usually into many branches bearing one long divided leaf at the lower joynt above which the flowers grow every one standing on a long stalk consisting of five hollow Leaves crooked or horned at the ends and turning backwards The flowers being past there arise small long Cods four or five together wherein are contained black shining seedes The Roots are thick and round for a little space within the ground they abide many years sending forth their Leaves in the beginning of the Spring I mentioned not the colour of the flowers because they are so variable The Places and Time The first sort hath been found to grow wild in the woody mountains of Germany but with us they are found only in Gardens as the rest are their place being otherwise unknowne only that of the last which was brought from Virginia by that industrious searcher after rarities Mr. Tredescant the elder They flower commonly about the end of April and the beginning of May perish before the end of June only the Virginian kind flowreth a Month sooner then ordinary The Temperature Columbines are said to be temperate in respect of coldnesse and drynesse and moderately digesting The Vertues Every good Housewife in the Country is hardly now to learne that Columbine Leaves have in them a faculty wherey they are found very effectuall if they be boyled in Milk and given to those that are troubled with sore Mouths oâ— Throats but there be other wayes of using them for the like purposes as for the Kanker Red gum Quinsie Kings-evill c. For the Water Canker in the Mouth drink the seed For the Quinsie drink the seeds often with good Ale or stamp the seeds and herbs with Honey and take it with milk or drink It is good for young Children to drink it against the Red gum To help the Struma or painfull swelling in the Throat called the Kings evill seeth
may not want moisture for if either of these be wanting they thrive not but both of them concurring they will flourish in June and July and the fruit will be ripe in the end of August but they are gathered to eat before the rinds grow to be wooddy The Temperature All these sorts of Gourds however different in form yet are of one quality that is cold and moist in the second degree The Vertues If either the juyce of the leaves or young branches of any of those Gourds or the distilled water of them be applyed in cloaths and spunges wet therein to Womens breasts pained with the abundance of milk it easeth them by cooling and restraining the hot quality and quantity thereof Wine that is kept in a fresh Gourd all night before it hath been cleansed from the loose inward pulpe and seed and drunk in the morning will cause the body to be soluble They are conveniently given to hot and cholerick bodies to cool the heat and inflammation of the Liver and stomach but the distilled water of them before they are through ripe drunk with Sugar doth wonderfully help to asswage thirst and the hot fits of Agues For want of a Still to make the water you may take this course Cut off the upper head of the Gourd and having cleansed it from the seed put it into an Oven with a batch of bread in the middle thereof there will be gathered a fine clear water which being poured out may be kept to use as need requireth The leaves and young branches are also conueniently applyed to all hot Humours Imposthumes and Inflammations and to asswage the pains of the head the rednesse and heat in the eyes the pains in the ears and the paines of the Gout if either the juyce of them or the water be applyed in cloaths wet therein The said water or Juyce being drunk or applyed outwardly to the privy Members of Man or Woman restraineth the immoderate Lust of the Body The Ashes of burnt Gourds are used of many to cleanse and heal old ulcers and sores as well in the Genitories as other patts of the body and to help scaldings or burnings by fire or water they are accounted as good for macilent lean and weak bodies to feed on as they are hurtful to such as have the wind cholick to whom they are not to be given at any hand The feeds of Gourds are one of the four greater sorts of cold seeds used very much in Physick and are very available in Decoctions Juleps Emulsions or Almond milk to cool the heat of the Liver the Reins or back and urine and to give much ease to them that are troubled with the Stone or Gravel in the Kidneys and the ulcers or sores of the inward parts and bladder The whole Gourds are eaten in hot countries with much delight kept and preserved with great care art and pains to be spent almost all the year after and have there a far more sweet and pleasant rellish then in these colder Climates where being more waterish they are more insipid they are eaten boyled or stewed but much better being fryed whereby they give the better nourishment to the body for by their moisture being boyled or stewed they are the more Lubrick or slippery and make the body more soluble as they do being pickled up as oftentimes they are beyond the Seas yet with Us the fruit is seldom eaten any of these waies by reason of its very waterish tast unlesse it be that of the Simnel Gourd which being of a firmer Substance if it be well dressed is an acceptable meat and is no lesse effectual in medicine The Indian sorts are somewhat more waterish others more solid and accordingly are more or lesse fit for meat or medicine Citruls or Turkey Millions are of the same Temperature as the Gourd and the seeds are used as Gourds Millions and Cucumbers to cool the heat of the fits of Agues c. CHAP. C. Of Basil The Names SOme will have the Greek name of this plant to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia citò crescit from the speedy springing of the seed which is usually within three or four daies if it be an hot and dry time for much rain turneth it into a gelly as may be seen if observed as they say Others will have it derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth to smel or give a savour and to be writ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ozymum of the sweet smell thereof It is written by most Latine Authours Ocimum not Ocymum which some will have to be that kind of grain called Fagopyrum or Fragopyrum in English Buckwheat others be a medly kind or corn pulse sowen together It is called by later Greek Writers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basilicum because the smell thereof being so excellent is fit for a Kings house It is called in English Basil Garden Basil the great Basil Royal the lesser Basil Gentle and Bush Basil and of some Basilicum Gariophyllatum Clove Basil The Kindes There are nine sorts of Basil 1. The greater Garden Basil 2. The middle Garden Basil 3. The lesser garden Basil 4. The greatest Citron Basil 5. The great Clove Basil 6. Anniseed Basil 7. Indian Basil 8. Curled Basil 9. Smal dented Basil The Forme The greater ordinary Basil riseth up usually but with one upright stalk diversly branching forth on all sides whereon are set two Leaves at every Joynt which are somewhat broad and round yet a little pointed of a pale green colour but fresh a little snipt about the edges and of a strong heady scent somewhat like a Pomcitron as many have compared it and therefore call it Citratum the flowers are small and white standing at the tops of the branches with two small leaves at the joynt in some places green in others brown after which cometh the black seed the root perisheth at the first approach of Winter Weather and is to be new sowen every year by them that desire it The Places and Time These plants grow only in Gardens with Us as also in Italy other places where they are cherished the natural being not known only the Indian and curled Basil are said to come first from the West Indies into Spain and from thence into other places Most of them do flower in the heat of Summer and some of them afterwards The Temperature Basil as Galen saith is hot in the second Degree but it hath a superfluous moisture adjoyned with it so that he guesseth it not so fit to be taken inwardly but outwardly applyed he saith it is good to digest or distribute and to concoct The Vertues Notwithstanding the superfluous moisture of Basil the same Galen saith also that it being corrected with oyl and Vinegar it was eaten by many in his time and thus it may be eaten by Women to dry up their milk or if upon tryal they find any inconveniency of taking it this way it may be applyed to the
and some tame As. 1. Garden Radish 2. Small garden Radish 3. Round Radish 4. Peare fashioned Radish 5. Wild Radish 6. Water Radish The Forme The Garden-Radish sendeth fotth great and large Leaves green rough cut on both sides with deepe gashes not unlike to the Garden Turnep but greater The Stalkes be round and parted into many branches out of which spring many small Flowers of a light purple colour made of foure little Leaves after which come sharp pointed cods puft or blown up towards the Stalk full of a spongious substance wherein is contained the seed of a light brown colour somwhat greater then the seed either of Turnep or Cabbage The roote is grosse long white and sometimes reddish without but white within alwaies and of a sharpe tast The Places and Time The foure first are Inhabitants of the Garden and require a loose ground whiâ—h hath been long manured â—nd is somwhat fat They prosper well in sandy ground which is naturally cold where they are not so subject to worms as in the other The fift groweth upon the borders of bankes and ditches cast up and in the borders of moist feildes â— The sixth groweth in ditches standing-waters and Rivers The Garden kindâ— are sown in February and March and so long till you come to November but the best time for sowing them is June and July for then they yeeld most because then they will not flower nor seed till the next spring when as those that are sown sooner run up to seed presently yet they are more set by in April and May then afterwards The wild kinds flower in June and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Radish doth manifestly heat and dry open and make thin by reason of the biting quality that ruleth in it Galen maketh them hot in the third degree and dry in the second and sheweth that it is rather a sawce then a nourishment The Vertues The rindes of the Roots of Radish steeped in Vinegar and Honey mixed together and taken in a morning fasting and a little after a draught of warme water do drive our Phlegme and other maligne humors of the Stomack by Vomit as often as it is oppressed with them It likewise provoketh Vrine dissolveth clutteted gravell and driveth it forth from the Reines and Bladder if a good draught of the decoction thereof be drunk in the morning It is good against an old Cough to make thine thick and grosse Phlegme which sticketh in the Chest The distilled Water hereof is effectuall for the purposes aforesaid provoking Vrine mightily and driving out Stones from the Kidneys The root also sliced and laid over night in White or Rhenish-Wine and drunk in the morning worketh the same effect The root stamped with Honey and the Powder of a sheepes heart dryed causeth the Haire to grow in a short space The seed also causeth Vomit provoketh Vrine and being drunk with Oxymel or Honyed Vinegar it killeth and driveth forth Worms The Root stamped with Meal of Darnel and a little White-wine Vinegar taketh away all black and blew spots and bruised blemishes of the face The Root boyled in Broth and the decoction drunk is good against an old Cough it moveth VVomens sickness and causeth much milk It is good likewise for the Dropsie the griefs of the Liver and for the Cholick and griping pains of the Belly Being eaten with Mustard it is good against the Lethargy drousiness and forgetfulness It is good also for them that are sick with eating of Toad-stools or Mushromes or Henbane or any other venomous poyson Some eat them raw with Bread instead of other food but being so eaten they yield very little nourishment and that faulty and ill But for the most part they are used as a sawce with meats to procure appetite and so they ingender blood lesse faulty and serve to distribute and disperse the nourishment especially if they be taken after meat yet howsoever they be taken they cause belchings and will make the meat oftentimes to rejolt in the stomack as the Countrey-man said that had eaten Fish fryed with Lamp-Oyl CHAP. CLII. Of the Black Alder-Tree The Names IT is most probable that this Plant came not under the cognitance of any Greek Authour because it is not named by any of them that I can read of The Latines call it Fraugnla quia cito frangitur that is the Branches â—e brittle and easie to break and Aluns nigra baccifâ—ra that it might be known from the Alâ—â—s Vulgaris whose Bark is whitish and the Wood more red and beareth not Berries as this doth Tragus calleth it Faulbaum that is foul Tree of the evill scent and tast The Idea ficus nostra sive Frangula vulgâ— of Lâ—gduâ—ensis differeth not from this although he would have it so to do It is called in English the Black Aller or Alder-tree Of which there is but one kind whose description followeth The Form The Black Aller or Alder-tree riseth seldom to be of any great bigness but for the most part abideth like a Hedge Bush or Tree spreading into branches the wood of the Body being white and of a dark red at the core or heart the outward Bark being of a blackish colour whereon many white spots are noted to be seen but the inner Bark next to the Wood is yellow which being chewed will turn the spittle yellow as much or more then Rubarb near unto a Saffron colour the Leaves are somewhat like unto those of the ordinary Alder-tree or those of the Female Cornel or Dog-berry-tree but blacker and not so long but rather rounder the Flowers are white comming forth at the Joynts with the Leaves which turn into small round Berries green at the first and red afterwards but blackish when they are thorough ripe divided as it were into two parts wherein is contained two small round and star Seeds the Root runneth not deep into the ground but spreadeth rather under the upper crust of the Earth The Places and Time This Tree or Shrub groweth in Woods and Copses that are moyst Mr. Gerard saith that he found great plenty of it in a Wood called St. Johns Wood in the way between Isâ—â—gton and Hornsey on the left hand of the way and in the Woods at Hampstead and other places about London It flowreth in May and the Berries are ripe in September the Leaves appearing in the Spring The Temperature The inner Bark of the Alder-tree which is of the greatest use if not only used in Physick is of a purging and dry quality The Vertues and Signature The inner Bark aforesaid which is of a yellow colour being steeped in Wine or Beere and drunk causeth to vomit vehemently and cleanseth the stomack It doth also purge downward both Choler and Flegme and the watry humours of Hydropick persons and strengtheneth the inward parts again afterwards even as Rubarb doth If it be boyled with Agrimony Worm-wood Dodder Hops and some Fennel and Smallâ—ge Endive and Chicory Roots and a
when they be ful ripe and eaten with discretion they are very commodious to such as have hot Stomacks to strengthen the same and to make good digestion and if they be offensive to any through windynesse they may be corrected with Ginger Caraway Comfits Fennell-seed or the like how ever the danger will be the lesse if they be rosted baked or stewed either of which waies they may be presented at the Table or elsewhere They are also profitable in hot diseases both of the Stomack and Heart qualifying the heat of each with their pleasant moisture Being roasted and eaten with Rose-water and Sugar and those of the pleasanter kinds as Pippins and Pearemaines they are helpfull to dissolve Melancholly humours to expell heavinesse and procure Mirth and are good against the Pleurisy if three or foure graines of Olibanum be rosted in one of them and so eaten And if they be roasted and eaten with the Juice of Liquorice and Sugar morning and evening two houres before meat they wonderfully helpe those that are troubled with the Cough or any paine in their Breast They are also good for those that loath their meat or are given to Casting The Pulp of four or five roasted Pomewaters laboured in a Wine quart of faire water till it be like Lambs-Wooll and drunk last at night cureth those that pisse by drops and helpeth all other diseases proceeding of the difficulty of making Water at the second if not at the first taking The aforesaid Apples give the denomination to that Oyntment called Pomatum which is of much use to soften and supple the roughnesse of the skin and take away the chaps of the lips hands face or other parts The Juyce of Pippins and Pearemaines are used also in compositions to mend the qualities of Medicines that are dry as Sâ—rapium ex pomis regii saporis Antidotum ex Granis Cocci Baphici id est Confectio Alkermes which last is a mighty strengthner of the Heart and Spirit Vitall The Pap of an Apple with Rose-water applyed to the Eyes doth quench the burning and taketh away the rednesse of them An Apple rosted in the Embers and mixed with butter and honey or the yolke of a boyled egge and applyed is good to ripen any Impostume whatsoever being fryed in Virgins Wax and eaten as hot as they can be suffered they stay the bloody Flux The Blossomes of Apples are not only the most convenient food for Bees as being of a very delicate smell but are also usefull for those which are troubled with a red Nose and face they being distilled in Balneo Mariae and the face washed morning and evening with the Water The Leaves boiled and given to drink in hot Agues and where the heate of the Liver and Stomack causeth the Lips to break forth and the Throat to grow dry harsh and surred it is very good to wash and Gargle it withall and to drink down some Cider which is the juice of many Apples pressed forth is of singular good use in the heat and faintings of the Stomack and against Casting or Vomiting a Posset being made therewith or some of it taken by it selfe It is of great use at Sea in long Voyages and is more desired then Perry by Vintners who since French Wine hath been so scarce mingle it with a little French Wine and sell it insteed thereof The juice of Crabs which we commonly call Verjuice applyed with wet cloathes to such places as are burned and scalded cooleth healeth and draweth the fire out of them A rotten Apple applyed to Eyes that are blood shotten or enflamed with heat or that are black and blew by any stroake or fall all day or all night helpeth them quickly The distilled water of good sound-Apples is of speciall good use to expell Melancholly and to procure Mirth and that of rorten ones cooleth the heate and inflammations of sores and is good to bath soule and creeping Vlcers and to wash the face to take away spots freacles or other discolourings of the face The inner yellow barke either of Apple-Tree or Crab-Tree boyled with Allom causeth those things that are put thereinto to be of an yellow colour CHAP. CLXIX Of the Peare-Tree The Names THat which is mannured is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and somtimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a double 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Pirus and Pyrus because of the similitude of its forme with that of a Pyramis The Wild-Peare is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek as being of no use having its derivation from a privativa and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Utor and indeed is of very little use yet Dioscorides saith that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is is a particular sort of Wild-Peare and that the generall name is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Pirus Sylvestris and Pyraster or Piraster The Wardens are called Vâ—lema The Kinds There are saith a late Author 400 or 500 severall sorts of Peares and consequently of Peare-Trees so that to set them all down would be very tedious yet I shall not think it amisse to name a few 1. The Jennetting Peare 2. St. Jeames Peare 3. The Windsor-Peare 4. The Burgamet-Peare 5. The Quince-Peare 6. The Bishops-Peare 7. The Katharine-Peare 8. The Green-field-Peare 9. The Winter-Peare 10. The Warden 11. The Choake Peare 12. The Hedge-Peare 13. The Lowsy Hedge-Peare 14. The Crow Wild-Peare The Forme The Peare-Tree is for the most part higher then the Apple-Tree having boughes not spread abroad but goweth up in height the Body is many times great and the Wood of a yellow colour the leafe is somwhat broad finely nicked on the Edges green above but somewhat whiter underneath the Flowers are white the fruit is for the most part long and in forme like a Casting-Top but in greatnesse colour and tast very much differing among themselves having contained in them black kernells when they be ripe The Root groweth after the same manner as that of the Apple-Tree doth The Places and Time The mannured kinds are Planted in Orchards and Gardens both as Standards and Wall-Trees The biggest that ever I saw of them growing against a Wall was in the Garden of the Earle of Northumberland at Sion neere Brainford whose branches extended themselves after a very wonderfull manner The Wild sorts are found in Woods and Hedges in Kent Worcester and Herefordshire The Flowers do for the most part come forth in April the leaves afterwards Peares are not all ripe at one time some of them being ripe in June some in July others in August and divers in September and later The Temperature Peares are also said to be cold and moist in the first degree and have in them a binding quality and an earthy substance the Choak-Peares and thoâ—e that are harsh being more earthy and the sweet ones lesse The Vertues and Signature When Peares are unripe and raw they engender Wind and so cause the Collick but if they be rosted baked or stewed
be stretched forth The Stomack belly or leftside where the Spleene lyeth being annointed therewith are eased of their paines and obstructions thereby It killeth the Wormes in Children a drop or two thereof being given in Milk or fat broth or the lower part of the belly being anointed therewith and so it taketh away the hardnesse of their Bellys It helpeth also all Scabs and running sores of the Head and being dropped into the Eares it cureth deafnesse and the paines and noise therein It mightily cleanseth the skin from all manner of spots and blemishes as also the deformities of scarres and of the Pox. The greene Leaves bruised and applyed of themselves or else with Barly-Meale assawage the Inflammations as well as the swelling of the Eyes and the swellings also of Womens Brests after Childing and in case they want Milk they are good to procure it being applyed thereunto The juice of the Leaves applyed to any Wound that is caused by any splinter Iron or Arrow-head draweth them out if any such be in it The said Leaves have the Signature of the Hands and therefore are available for the paines of their or any other Joynts according to Crollius CHAP. CLXXXXVII Of Glasse-wort The Names IT is supposed that this Herb was not known to any of the Greek writers for we find it not so much as mentioned in any of their workes The Arabians who probably were the first that took notice of it called it Kali which name is taken up by the Latine Authors The ashes whereof Chrystall Glasses are made is called Soda Alumen Catinum or Calinum The Salt which is extracted out of the Ashes is called Sal Kali Sal Alkali which being mixed with a certaine kind of Sand and boiled in a furnace there ariseth a Scum called Axungia Vitri in Latine and in English Sandiver The English name of the herb is Glasse-wort Saltwort but the Inhabitants of the Sea-coasts call it Crab-Grasse and Frog-Grasse The Kinds Of this Glasseworth therefore be four sorts 1. Great Glassewort with Snaile-like seed 2. Small white Glassewort 3. Glassewort of Egypt 4. Joynted Glassewort The Form The great Glassewort riseth up with a big round fleshy stalk like unto Purslane two foot high or there abouts divided into many branches whereon do grow many thick long fleshy Leaves pointed at the ends growing without Order sometimes but one or two and sometimes more standing at a place and indeed most comonly here and there also dispersed upon the branches come forth small brownish heads turned round like snailes wherein lye small round seed the Root is somewhat long with many fibres thereat and perisheth commonly after it hath given its seed The Places and Time The first groweth in divers places of Syria Africa Italy and Spaine by the Sea sides of its own accord and very large fields thereof are sown in Provence and Gascoine for the abundant profit that is made of it The second groweth in the same Countries and in those which are colder also not onely by the Sea but by the salt pits that are remote both in Saxoniâ— and also in the Western parts of our own Land The third is known to grow no where but in Egypt unlesse it be upon the Western Shores of Naples The last groweth as well upon our own Coasts in many places as in other Countries by the Sea side and by the lakes of salt water in Saxonie and other places of Germany They all flourish in the Summer those that perish give their seed in August and sometimes later but the last continueth all the Winter The Temperature Glassewort is hot and dry the Ashes are both dryer and hâ—tter and that eveâ— to the fourth degree having in them a caustick or burning quality The Vertues The Powder of any of the afore mentioned sorts or the juyce which is much better taken in drink doth purge downwards by that cleansing quality which it hath Flegmatick waterish and adust or melancholick humors and therefore it is often used for a speciaill remedy for the Dropsy It is also effectuall to provoke Urinâ— to expell the dead birth as also to open the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and so consume the hardnesse thereof but there must be a care that it be not taken in too great a quantity for then it is very dangerous It is many times mixed with those things which are used as corrosives to consume proud Spongy Superfluous flesh that groweth in foule and virulent Uleers The Ashes of it being burnt are very sharpe and biting like a Caustick and the Lye that is made thereof is so strong that it will fetch off the skin from the hands or other parts of them that use it unadvisedly But if it be used discreetly that is applyed very sparingly or mixt with somewhat that mamy correct it sharpnesse it may do good in cleansing the skin from spots freckles Morphewes or the like Of the same Ashes also made into lye being boyled with Oyle was used to be made our ordinary Sope which being spread upon a peice of thick coorse brown paper cut into the form of a Shoo-sole and bound to the bottoms of their feet which have casually lost their Speech will bring it again within a little time after the applying thereof if they be recoverable as hath been proâ—ed but the Sope which we now use is made with cheaper Ingredients It was used to be put into Castle or rather Castile Sope for it came first out of Spaine the Castilians being the inventers thereof Sandiver worketh much to the same effect with Kali and is often used I mean the powder thereof to be blown in Horses eyes or being dissolved squirted into them to take away the skin that beginneth to grow there and dimm the sight It serveth also to dry up running sores and scabs Tetters Ring-worms and the like and to help the Itch if the foule parts be washed with the Water wherein it is boyled CHAP. CXCVIII. Of Spurge Laurell The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Daphnoides à Lauri Foliorum Similitudine from the likenesse it hath with the Bay-Tree It is called in Latin Laureâ—la quasi pu filla Laurus because of the smallnesse of it In English Spurge Laurell both because it purgeth and to distinguish it from the Bay Tree or rather from the Cherry-Bay-Tree which is of divers called the Laurell Tree The Kinds There be but two sorts which may properly be referred to this kind 1. Spurge Laurell 2. Candy Spurge Laurell The Form Spurge Laurell riseth sometimes but with one but Commonly with more Stemmes of a cubit high or more very tough and pliant and covered with a thick whitish bark whereon are set many long smooth thick somewhat broad and shining dark green Leaves somewhat like unto Bay-Leaves but lesser smoother softer and not with hard veins therein as Bay-Leaves have The Flowers come out towards the tops of the Stalks and at the Joynts with the
flowers in Wine be taken and drunk And so it doth somwhat move the Belly downwards openeth the obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundise expelleth Poyson provoketh Womens Courses driveth forth the After-birth and Dead-Child The distilled Water of the Herb and Flowers is effectuall for all the same purposes and in especiall being drunk with a dramme of the powder of the seeds or bark of the root of Wall-wort and a little Cinamon for certaine dayes together is held to be a singular remedy for the Dropsy to spend the Water and humors the juice of the herb or distilled Water dropped into the eyes is a certaine remedy for all heate inflammations and rednesse in the Eyes The juice or distilled Water put into foule Ulcers whether they be cancrous or fistulous with tents rouled therein or the parts washed or clensed herewith by the spirting of it into them cleareth them throughly from the bottome and healeth them up safely The same juice or water doth likewise cleanse the skin of all manner of deformity as the Lepry Morphew Scurfe Wheales Pimples or any other spots or markes therein applyed of it selfe or with some powder of Lupines for which purpose Pliny saith that the Women of his time made a kind of sope of it Culpepper saith that being laid in the Water that Chickens drink it relieves them when they are drooping CHAP. CC. Of Organy or Bastard Majerom The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Origanus concerning the Etymology of which word there be divers opinions Some will have it so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying a Mountaine and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gaudium because it joyeth very much in Mountainous and craggy places others from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to see and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cleare because it cleareth the Eyes others will have it to come from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be cold from whence comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which by adding unto it becomes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but then it must be by Antiphrans too for it is not cold but hot It is called or rather sirnamed Heracleotâ—cum from Heraclea a Citty of Pontus where is groweth plentifully Oâ—itâ—s because Asses and Tragoriganum because Goats are mightily taken with it of divers Cunila in shops Origanum Hispanicum in English Organy and Bastard Marjerom from the likenesse it hath with the true The Kindes Authors make mention of divers sorts hereof but those that are best known in these dayes are foure 1. Organy or Bastard Marjerom 2. White Organy of Greece 3. The greater White Organy 4. Wild Organy The Forme Bastard Marjerom riseth up with divers hard round reddish greene stalkes spreading forth into branches whereon are set sundry Leaves by couples at the Joynts being somewhat round and of a whitish greene colour very like unto Marjerom but larger whiter and harder or rougher in handling at the tops of the branches stand such like scalie heads as Marjerom hath but longer from whence come small whitish purple flowers and afterwards small brownish seed The whole Plant is of a sweet smell and sharpe biting tast like unto Marjerom but that it is higher hotter and sharper The Places and Time It is very likely that not only Greece but Candy and Spaine do naturally bear these soâ—ts of Bastard Marjerome but which of them is more proper to this or that place is uncertaine It is commonly about the end of August or beginning of September before they put forth their tops or heads in our Country so that their Flowers or at least their Seed â—eldome come to maturity with us The Temperature All the Sorts of Organies do cut attenuate or make thin dry and heat and that in the third degree as Galen saith who affirmeth that the First is oâ— more efficacy then the Third and the last which is sold in Shops then either of them The Vertues The Decoction of Organy in White Wine is given with very good successe to those which have the Dropsy the Vertue thereof lying not â—o much in the purging as in the drying quality of it It is given also with Figs for the same purpose as also to them that are bursten or have a rupture and to thoâ—e which are troubled with Convulsions or Cramps The dryed Herb or juice taken in Honeyed Water purgeth downwards Melancholy and Cholerâ—ck humours â—ithout danger It is used with Honey as a Lohoc or â—icking Medicine against an old Cough and the Stuffing of the Lungs The Decoction thereof is very profitable to thoâ—e that have the Itch or are Scâ—bbed and Mangy and those that have Jaundâ—se are much holpen by it if they take it whiâ—est they be in a bath made thereof also the same with a few Cloves and Sugar heâ—peth those which have the Hickets exceedingly openeth the Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Womb and an other stoppings provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and is good for such as have foure belchings or be troubled with a squeamish Stomack The same is good also for those that are bitten with Serpents or Venemous Beasâ—s and for such as have taken Hemlock or Opium With Syrup of Vinegar it is good for thoâ—e that have taken Poyson or the root of Cholchicum Ephemeron The juice of the greene Herb healeth the swellings of the almonds of the Eares the Ulcers oâ— the Mouth it draweth forth Phlegme by the Nostrils if it be infused in the Oyle of Flowerdeluce and being used with Milk it easeth the paines of the Eares The Powder thereof mixed with a little Salt-Peter and Honey made into the manne of a thin electuary and the teeth rubbed often therewith will make theâ— white and firme It is used in Spaine for the seasoning of Anchoves for it â—iveth to them an excellent rellish being made up therewith Tyme may be used â—or the same purposes when the other cannot be gotten Both which with Penniroyal Calamint and such other dry herbes being strewed both upon and under those which are afflicted with Hydropicall humors are very profitable for them for it is marvellous to see how much these dry them up whil'st the parties are asleep These are the Simples I have judged most proper for the Liver and in particular for the Dropsy to which I might adde these which follow Sagapenum which is the Gum of Ferula when it groweth in Media as I have said already in the Chapter of Feâ—â—ell Giant the pills whereof are profitable in the said disease Turbith which is a root brought from beyond Sea and purgeth Water very violently Elaterium which is the juice of Wild-Cucumbers dryed doth the same Euphorbium Spurge Coloquintida Carthamuâ— Thymaelea Mezereon c are violent purgers so that though they be appropriated to the Dropsy yet I shall not commend them unto ordinary people but desire them to leave them to those that are very skillfull and content themselves with those I have purposely spoken to at large Besides which there be
long hard rough sharp pointed narrow greene Leaves at the tops of the stalkes stand divers small white flowers in rough brown huskes wherein after they are past is contained a white hard stony round shining seed like unto Pearles the root is long and hard or somwhat wooddy with divers branches and fibres thereat which perisheth not every yeare as the stalkes do The Places and Time The first groweth in Gardens as I said before whither it was brought out of Italy or the parts of France next unto it where it groweth wild The second and third grow wild in many places of our Land in barren grounds whether tilled or untilled and somtimes in those which are fruitfull also The fourth groweth as Lobel saith in the descent of the Valley of Ostia in Piedmont The sixt as the same Author affirmeth groweth in Corne-grounds by the way from Bristol to Bath The seaventh in the Corne-feilds of Germany The eight about Mompelier in France The last groweth naturally in Candy Rhodes Syria and other Easterne Countryes being brought thence into our Gardens where it groweth well The Gromels do all flower from Midsummer to September the seed ripening in the meane time but the seed of Jobs Teares seldome come to perfection with us unlesse it be sown betimes and the Summer prove very hot The Temperature The seeds of Gromel are hot and dry in the second degree and so are those of Jobs Teares The Signature and Vertues The seeds of Gromel by their stony hardnesse have given our fore-Fathers to understand that they are of singular force to break the Stone and to avoid it and also the Gravel either in the Reines or Bladder and if it be made use of in these dayes it will be found as effectuall as any other Seed or Herb whatsoever for the said purposes as also to provoke Urine being stopt and to help the Strangury being bruised and boiled in white Wine or Broth or the powder of it drunk in raw White-Wine or in broth or the like but the most pleasant safe and effectuall way is to make a Barly creame with the Kernells of the four greater cold seeds and the seeds of Gromel by boyling them in Barly water and to take thereof in the morning fasting for three dayes together when you are troubled with any of the aforesaid griefes The said seeds being bruised and laid to steepe all night in White-Wine with some Fennell Parsly and Sena and then boyled in a stone Vessell strained and sweetned with Sugar and drunk the next morning is a good medicine to purge Phlegme and Choler to open and cleanse the Reines and Bladder and to expell wind exceedingly Two drammes of the seed in Powder taken with the Milk of a Woman is very effectuall to procure a speedy delivery to such Women as have sore paines in their Travel and cannot be delivered as have been found true by divers as Matthiolus saith Being mixed with other ingredients it helpeth the Running of the Reines The Herb it selfe when the seed is not to be had being boyled in White-Wine and the decoction thereof or else the juice of it being drunk worketh the same effects but not so powerfully nor speedily and a Bath wherein some of it hath been boyled being sate in is much commended for an outward remedy Of Jobs Teares the most exquisite Crollius who taketh notice of the former also saith thus Lacrhyma Jobbaa ad deturbandâ—s calculos nunquam satis landata that is Jobs-Teares can never be sufficiently commended for expelling the Stone then doubtlesse it performeth the other effects usually annexed if the Powder or decoction of the seeds be taken as aforesaid The said seeds are used by Papists beyond Sea to number their Prayers and by others for beads Bracelets c. CHAP. CCXXVI Of Onions The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Poets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the Antients were wont to shut their Eyes as often as they eat them lesf they should make them Water It is called in Latine Cepa and Cepe from Caput as some think because of the greatnesse of their head and Unio because the root is single not giving off-setts for increase as other bulbous roots do The old writers have given it Sirnames from the place where it grew as Cypria Sardia Cretica Samothracia and Ascalonia from whence comes our English word Scallions which are set Onyons the lesser sort whereof are by some called Chibouls from the French name Sâ—boula The Kinds There be divers sorts of Onyons half a dozen whereof I shall here present you with 1. The Ordinary flat white Onyon 2. The long white Onion 3. The flat red Onion 4 The long red Onyon 5. The Strasborough Onion whose outside onely is red 6. St. Omers Onion called by some but corruptly St. Thomas Onion The Form The Onion for the description is generall hath divers long green hollow Leaves seeming half flat amongst which riseth up a great round hollow stalk bigger in the middle then any where else at the top whereof standeth a close round head covered at the first with a thin skin which breaketh when the head is grown and sheweth forth a great Umbell of white Flowers which turne into black seed but then the head is so heavy that the stalk cannot sustain it and therefore it must be upheld from falling to the ground lest it rot and perish the root of every one is round in some greater in some lesser in some flatter in others longer in some sharp and strong in others milder and more pleasant some being so pleasant that they may be eaten as an Apple The Places and Time All the sorts of Onions are Inhabitants of the Garden and prosper best in that ground which is well digged and dunged I know not whether they grew naturally or in Gardens about Ascalon a City of Judea but that they were formerly very plentifull in those parts I am verily perswaded Those that are sown for store should be sown in February or before the latter end of March at the furthest in the increase of the Moon and are to be gathered about August when the blades begin to be flagged towards the roots Those which are for seed must be set at the same time when the former are sown yet it seldome comes to perfection in our own Country most of the seed we use coming from beyond the Seas The Temperature Onions are hot and dry in the fourth degree as Galen affirmeth The juyce is of a thin watery substance and if it be taken in any great quantity it is rank poyson but the rest is of thick parts and may be eaten with little or no danger The Signature and Vertues White wine wherein a sliced onyon hath been steeped all night being drunk in the morning and the party walke an hour after it is a good Remedy for the Stone which its Signature doth demonstrate as Crollius noteth as
being used with some oyl of Roses Being dissolved in Wine and those places washed therewith that have any scar or deformity thereon it doth wonderfully alter the colour and evill sight thereof and maketh them to be well coloured again Either the Gum or the Leaves and branches boyled in Lye and the head washed therewith doth cleanse it from Scabs Scurfe or Dâ—ndraff growing thereon and cureth also all running and watering sores and Ulcers in the Legs or other parts of the Body The Oyl made thereof worketh the like effects and is also good for any hardnesse or ach to anoint the breasts of those that are much troubled with a cough A Tent dipped therein and put up into the Nose is a good remedy for the Pose or Polypus as also for the falling sicknesse the back-bone being anointed therewith The Pomanders Chaines and Bracelets that are made of Ladanum Cubâ—bs Mace and Greek-pitch are effectuall to warm the brain and to dry up all cold Rhewmes and defluxions thereof being worn about one Both the Male and the Female Cistus are also effectuall to strengthen the Belly and Stomack both against scowrings and vomitings whether with blood or without of what sort soever they be and also to stop Womens Courses flowing inordinately the Leaves and young shoots or buds but especially the flowers being steeped or gently boyled in red Wine and drunk The same that is the Flowers do quickly heal any burning or scalding being applyed in a Searecloth and being bruised and laid to any green wound iâ— closeth the lips thereof and restraineth the bleeding thereof Old and filthy Ulcers being washed with the decoction of the Leaves and young Shootes boyled in Wine are dryed up and healed thereby for though they be cankâ—ous eating or spreading it will wonderfully and quickly stay those fretting moist humours which follow them The distilled Water of the Leavs and Flowers is of the like efficacy and may be applyed to any part as often as there is any need of drying binding and strengthening The Dwarfe Cistus is likewise commended for all manner of Fluxes the decoction of the Herb and Root being taken which is also very effectuall to wash sore mouths and the Ulcers that happen in or about the privy parts of Men or Women It is no lesse profitable in other Ulcers of the Bâ—dy or Legges which are long kept from healing by the falling down of moist and sharp humours then the other Cistus and so likewise for green wounds It is also effectuall for any burstings as Câ—mfrâ—y and likewise for the strengthening of weak joynts or any binding property whereunto any Comfrâ—y may be applyed Besides it quickly healeth the biting or stinging of any venemous Creature being bruised and applyed thereunto especially if the party bitten or stung take also of the juvce or the decoction thereof in Wine the distilled water of the Herb is held to beautify the skin of the Face by taking away Freckles Sâ—nburn Morphew c. from thence and cleanseth the hands or other part of the body being discoloured CHAP. CCLX Of the Black-Thorn or Sloe-Bush The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coccymelea agria and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agriococymelea and the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agriococcymelon because â—â— is a kind of a wild Plum as the Bullets also is They of Asia call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 piumnum as Galen saith whence happily the word Prunum may be derived and therefore the Tree or Bâ—sh may be called Prunus sylvestris in Latine and Prunellus yet Virgil in the fourth book of his Georgicks calleth it Spinus in these words Et spinus jam pruna serentes We call it commonly the Sloe-Tree in English and the fruit Sloes The Kindes Though there be but one sort of Sloes yet there be four sorts of Bâ—lleis which it will not be amisse to set downe here because they do not much differ 1 The Shepway Bulleis 2 The ordinary black Bulleis 3 The ordinary white Bulleis 4 The flushing Bâ—lleis to which I shall also adde another wild Plum which some call Skegges The Forme The Black-Thorn never groweth to the greatnesse of a Tree but alwayes abideth as a hedge bush yet in some places higher then other rising up usually with divers stems from the Roots branched forth into many boughes armed with good store of strong short and sharp thorns set with and besides the smal daâ—k green leaves finely dented about the edges whereon do grow at the time of the year many very white Flowers composed of five leaves after the same manner as they do on other Plum-Trees with divers white threds tipt with yellow in the middle after which follows the round fruit which continueth green a long while yet at length becometh black but never very bigge of an exceeding harsh tast before they are ripe yet afterwards the harshnesse is somewhat abated The Root is great and woody spreading under ground and shooting forth again in divers places The Places and Time The Sloes and Skegges grow in Hedges and Copses of most parts of this Land being oftentimes planted to make the divisions and fences of enclosed places onely the Bulleis are commonly found nearer home in Orchards or Closes They all flower early as in March or April be the weather never so hard yet ripen not their fruit till the Autumne frosts have bitten them The Temperature All the parts of the Sloe Bush are binding cooling and drying The Vertues The juyce of the fruit of Sloes being also a Substitute of Acacia and more often used then any other in most of our Apothecaries Shops must be likewise effectuall for all kinds of Lasks and Fluxes of blood both in Men and Women or else it would not be used insted thereof yet divers conceive that the condensate juyce of Sumack or Myrtles is more answerable to the qualities of Acacia then that of Sloes which hath only the binding quality thereof and therefore better but indeed it were to be wished that Substitutes were not so much affected for certainly they cannot but be deficient or excessive in some quality or other and that the things themselves which we want onely through our owne negligence might be more diligently sought after The decoction of the Bark of the Root or more usually the decoction either fresh or dryed performeth the like effects and helpeth to ease the pains in the sides bowels and guts that come by overmuch scowring or loosnesse The conserve is also of very much use and most familiarly taken for the purposes aforesaid The distilled water of the flowers steeped one night in Sack and drawne therefrom in a body of glasse is a most certain and approved Remedy to ease all manner of gnawings in the Stomack the sides and bowels or any griping pains in either of them to drink a small quantity when they are troubled therewith Good store of Sloes stamped and put into an earthen pot with new Ale and so drunk helpeth
the year to be used for any of the aforesaid purposes as often as occasion shall serve The People of Norway use their Knotberry against the Scurvey and other crude putrid and melancholy diseases wherewith they of those parts are afflicted so that we may therein admire the wonderfull wisdome and providence of God who hath ordained to grow in every Climate Remedies for those diseases whereunto it is subject CHAP. CCLXII Of Teasel The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dipsacus from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sitio either by Antiphrasis because they are seldome or never dry or else because the Water that standeth in the Concavity of those Leaves that encompasse the Stalks being drunk causeth thirst It is also called from the concavous leaves that contain Water like a Basâ—n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lavacrum Veneris Venus Baâ—â—â— it being as I suppose a peece of Religion amo 〈…〉 the Antients to intitle those pretty things which bear any resemblâ—nc 〈…〉 any utensill for the adorning or cleansing of the body to Venus as Speculâ—m 〈…〉 ris Venus looking glasse Pecten Venerus Venus Combe as also those parts w 〈…〉 men much respect as Capillus Veneris Maidenhair and Vmbilicus Veneris V 〈…〉 Navelwort c. Yet some would have it to be Labrum Veneris because Whores are as ready to be kissed as the those hollow Leaves to receive the Raine and afterwards to card and teare the estates if not the bodies of their followers which the heads of this Teasel are apt to do and Carduus Veneris for the like reason It is also called Carduus Fullonum Fullers Thistle because Cloathworkers and Fullers use the manured kind hereof named Dâ—psacus sativus the others being called Dipsacus sylvestris and Virga Pastoris The Kindes Though Teasel have so many names yet it hath but four sorts 1 The Garden or manured Teasel 2 The wild Teasel 3 Wild Teasel with jagged Leaves 4 The Shepherds Staffe or Red. The Forme Garden Teasel sendeth forth very larg and long leaves somewhat like unto these of Lang de beef or Wild Buglesse but greater of a pale green colour somewhat rough and hard dented about the edges set on the backside of the middle rib with many short prickles from which rise up stalks of the height of three or four foot armed likewise with prickles with joynts at severall places which are encompassed with too lesser leaves so joyned together thereat that they hold the falling rain or dew in them like unto a Bason by which difference it may easily be distinguished from any other Plant as I have expressed in my Art of Simpling from between the Leaves and the Stalks of each side come forth prickly branches also every one of which beareth a long round head like a Brush that they cleanse bottles with having hooded and somewhat whitish flowers first about the middle and afterwards at the ends in the severall cels whereof being whitish when they come to perfection are contained somewhat long small and whitish round seed the middle many times is hollow and containeth severall little white Wormes like Maggots the Root is white long and somewhat great set with divers fibres thereat perishing annually but riseth plentifully from its fallen seed The Places and Time Fullers and Cloathworkers sow the first in their own Gardens and cause it to be sowne by others for their use the second groweth very frequently in most parts of this Land as well in the high-wayes where there be ditches and rilles of water as in dryer places the third in some places of Germany the last in divers places of England and particularly by Saint Albans in the Horse-way that goeth from the Abbey Parish to St. Stevens They all flower in June and July and the first will be fit to gather for the aforesaid use in the latter end of August when the seed of the other will be ripe also The Temperature Galen writeth that Teasel is drying in the second degree and hath withall some cleansing faculty The Signature and Vertues The hollowness that is in the midst of the Teasel head with the worms therein doth somewhat represent the fundament and the worms thereof and therefore the Roots being bruised and boyled in wine till they come to a consistence and then put into a brazen or copper box and afterwards spread as a salve and applyed to the fundament doth heal the chaps rifts Canckers Fistulaes thereof as Dioscorides saith who further affirmeth that it is profitable for the taking away of Wens and Warts as the water contained in the concavity of the Leaves is also said to do which is likewise commended for red eyes and spots of the Face especially under the eyes The Leavs applyed to the Fore-head Temples qualifieth the Frensy or Madnesse by the cold and dry quality which some suppose to be in them and the juyce of them put into the eares killeth the worms in them The distilled water of the Leaves is effectuall to cure the Scurvey which causeth rottennesse of the Mouth and Gums taketh away the rednesse of the eyes and such Mists as darken the sight being but dropped thereinto and helpeth creeping sores Shingles Pimples and hanging Worts in the Fundament or elsewhere The said distilled water is often used by Women to preserve their Beauty and to take away rednesse and inflammations and all other heats and discolorings The roots stamped with Danewort sodden in Wine and drunk helpeth the Dropsy and the Gout also if they be boyled in red Wine and drunk morning and evening for nine dayes together Being boyled with Plantain in rain-Rain-water and some quantity thereof drunk with Sugar morning noon and night helpeth the spitting of blood Two drams of the powder drunk in a Porringer full of Pease broth stoppeth the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses and so it doth being stamped and boyled in vinegar and applyed under the Navel and being onely stamped and applyed it is good for those wounds that are moist and hard to heal and also for the Cancker of the Yard The said powder being drunk in good Wine stoppeth all manner of Fluxes and is a remedy for the Excoriations of the belly and other parts That the small Worms found in the heads of the Teasel worn about the neck or arm in a thin Lease do cure the Ague is certainly a Fable The first as I said is onely used by them that dresse Cloath to raise the Wool thereof with the crooked Prickles of the head making it fit that their Shearers may cut it smooth and yet a Nap may be left thereon but the other sorts are as usefull in Physick especially the second CHAP. CCLXIII Of Rice The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Theophrastus saith in Latin also Oryza that as well as other Nations following the Greek as neer as their Dialect will permit There being but one kind hereof I shall passe to
Belly downwards provoketh Womens Courses as well as Vrine and encreaseth both Milke and Seed one Ounce of Cicers two Ounces of French Barly and an handfull of Marsh mallow Roots washed clean and sliced being boyled in the broth of a Chicken and foure Ounces taken in a morning without eating any thing within two hours after is a good remedy for a pain in the Sides CHAP. CCLXXII Of Rocket The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euzomon ob gratiam non ob suavitatem in jure obsoniis condiendis for its savory not for its sweet tast in seasoning Meat and Broth and Eruca in Latin quia velicando Linguam quasi erodat because if it be eaten alone raw it is so corrosive that it will make the tongue barne which is no token of sweetnesse which commonly accompanyes temperate things but of much heat and strength The Kinds There are thirteen severall sorts of Rocket mentioned by Authors 1 Roman Garden Rocket with white seed 2 Great Garden Rocket 3 Great Rocket of America 4 The more Common wild Rocket 5 Small ill smelling wild Rocket 6 Small wild Rocket of Mompelier 7 Small hoary wild Rocket 8 Blew flowred Rocket 9 Narrow leafed wild Rocket 10 English Sea Rocket 11 Candy Sea Rocket 12 Square Codded Rocket 13 Italian Sea Rocket The Formes The more common Wild Rocket is most effectuall for the present purpose and therefore omitting the Description of those that be before it I shall only describe that it hath long narrow and very much divided Leavs with slender cuts and gashes or jags on both sides of the middle rib of a sad overworne green colour when it groweth on the ground but when it groweth upon high wals as I have often seen it they are of a fresh though somewhat dark green colour from amongst which rise up divers stiffe Stalks about a foot high sometimes set with the like Leaves but smaller and smaller as they grow neerer to the top branched from the middle into divers lesser stalks bearing sundry yellow Flowers on them made of foure Leavs a peece as the others are which afterward yeeld small reddish seed in little long pods of a bitter and hot biting tast somewhat like unto that Milke which is burnt too as they call it and so are the Leaves The Root is small but somewhat woody enduring divers years if I mistake not The Places and Time The two first have been Inhabitants of the Garden so long that their naturall places are forgotten the third came from that part of America called Canada the fourth groweth very plentifully about the Abbey of St Albans on every side upon the Wals thereof and divers other Wals thereabouts that are of any standing it being either the nature of the Mortar thereabouts to produce it or else the seeds are carried upon them by the wind or rather by Birds some of the other grow with us also but divers of them belong to others Countreys so that we have them not unlesse it be in the Gardens of some that are curious they flower about June and July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Rocket is hot and dry in the third degree and therefore it is seldome eaten alone unlesse it be in some cases The Vertues All the sorts of Rocket but especially the wild kind which I have described are very effectuall to quicken and stir up Nature where it is dull or not sufficiently active for generatiâ—n upon which account it was very famous in Virgils time who in his Poem called Moretum maketh mention of it in these Words Et Venerem revccans Eruca morantem and is so likewise amongst the modern Italians who call it Rocket gentle by which Epithite some understand any thing that maketh one quick and ready to jest lasciviously as this herb doth yet some will have it to be so called because it is more pleasant and gentle in tast then the wild kind which is more strong and efficacious it serveth also to helpe digestion and provoketh Vrine exceedingly the herb boyled or stewed and some Sugar put thereto helpeth the Cough in Children being often taken the Seed moveth to Venus as much or more then the Herb and is also good against the biting of the Shrew Mouse and other venemous Creatures and it expelleth the Worms out of the Body being taken in drinke it doth away the ill scent of the Armâ—pts encreaseth Milke in Nurses and wasteth the Spleene being mixed with Honey and applyed it cleanseth the skin from Spots Morphew and other discolourings thereof and used with Vinegar it taketh away Freckles and rednesse in the Face and other parts and with the gall of an Oxe it amendeth foul Scars blacke and blew Spots and the marks of the small Pocks The roots boyled in Water and then stamped and applyed helpeth any griefe that cometh of Ruptures Splinters Fractures or unplacing of joynts The Leaves are fittest to be eaten with Lettice Purslaine and such like Sallet herbes to take away the coldnesse of them for being eaten alone they heat too much and cause the Headach CHAP. CCLXXIII Of Mustard The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Napy by Aristophanes and others that use the Attick Dialect but more commonly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sinapi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is offensive to Eyes making them water if any one be too busie with it It is also called in Latin Sinapi and Sinapis in imitation of the Greek in English Senvie but most commonly Mustard The Kinds To this Kind six sorts may properly be referred 1 Ordinary Mustard 2 Broad leafed Mustard 2 Small wild Mustard 4 Small Mustard of Mompelâ—r 5 Wild Mustard of Naples 6 Sea Mustard of Egypt The Forme The ordinary Mustard groweth up with many long rough Leaves jagged with uneven and unorderly gashes somewhat like a Turnep but a great deale lesser of an overworn greene colour and sharpe taste from whence ariseth up a stalk two or three foot high which divideth it selfe into severall branches whereon doe grow divers pale yellow Flowers in a great length together which turne into small and long Pods wherein is contained blackish seed inclining to rednesse of a fiery sharpe tast much exceeding that of the Leaves the Root is tough and white running deepe into the ground with many small Fibres thereat perishing yearly yet if it be suffered to shed the seed from thence it will sow it selfe without any more adoe The Places and Time The first though it be sowne by divers for their private uses in their Gardens and Oâ—chards yet the same is found wild also abroad in many places especially in Gâ—ocisteâ—shire about Tâ—wxbury where they grind it and make it up into ballâ— which are brought to London and other remote places as being the best that the world affords The second groweth in Gardens only But the third is found in the borders of fields and also in the low rills
full of veines standing at distances without order every one upon the short foot-stalk At every joynt with the Leaves from the middle of these Stalks upwards cometh one long hollow Flower small at the bottom but broader at the top with a long piece or slippet as it were at one side of the top bending down both of them almost of a deadish yellow or somewhat brownish colour and somewhat blackish purple on the in-side the Flowers being past there come in their places small round and somewhat long fruit of divers sizes but commonly about the bignesse of a Walnut when the green shell is peeled off which being ripe openeth it self into three parts and sheweth the Seed which is somewhat flat and round lying in order within it being separated into Cells by certain skins the root is round and tuberous somewhat like to that of Sowbread both in form and operation The Places and Time I finde none of these growing naturally in England but that with the long Root which is said to grow beyond Reding yet divers others of the sorts are to be found either in the Physick Garden at Oxford or in Dr. Howe 's Garden at Westminster or in Mr. Tradescants Garden at Lambeth being brought thither either mediately or immediately from their naturall places the three first growing as well in France about Mompelier as in Spain and Italy the next three in Spaine as also in Candy the seaventh delights in the stony Olive yards of Provence and Spain and the last in Candy In the warmer Countreys they flower and seed betimes as in the months of May June and July but with us they flower not untill the middle or end of July and their fruit doth hardly ripen before the Winter The Temperature The Roots of Birth-wort are hot in the second degree and dry in the third according to some and hot in the third degree and dry in the second according to others the round hath lesse earthy Substance and more tenuity of partâ— and therefore more effectuall in most Diseases The Signature and Vertues The learned Crollius in his book of Signatures doth take notice of the 〈…〉 mblance that is between the root of round Birth-wort and the Womb and 〈…〉 â—t is not altogether strange if it be excellent for Women that have gone out 〈◊〉 full time especialâ—y when they are in Travel for it causeth an easie and speedy delivery whether the Chiâ—d be alive or dead expelleth the After-birth and all other impurity of the Womb and provoketh the Courses so that it must needs be an acceptable Herb to such Women as understand the Vertues of it It is also effectuall to purge Phlegm and then Choler and that without any trouble or commotion to the Body for it discusseth windynesse which all other purging Medicines do usually cause and therefore it availeth much in the diseases of the Brainâ— Nerves Breast Stomack Guts and Spleen It profiteth likewise in the Falling Sicknesse Cramp Convulsion Ruptures shortnesse of Breath pain of the Side Hicket gnawing of the Stomack Chollâ—ck swelling of the Spleen and especially if they come of Phlegm or Wind. It is used with good successe in the Joynt Gout against Venome and Poyson against cold Agues and against Stopping and Rebellious humours that are the cause of long Agues It killeth Wormes and resisteth putrifaction and is good against the conâ—usions of the Nerves and Muscles if it be given with Syrup of Vinegar Mede or Honyed water It is used also in old rotten and malignant Vlcers especially being mixed with the powder of the roots of Flower-de-luce and Honey for being thus used it cleanseth and healeth them It cures Vlcers of the secret parts if they be washed with the Decoction thereof The Powder hereof doth cleanse the Teeth and make them white being rubbed therewith It easeth the Gout being mingled with Honey and Salt and applyed It draweth out Thornes and Splâ—â—ters of Bones that are broken being applyed with Turpentine It helpeth the biting of venemous Beasts being boyled in Wine and laid on and so doth the powder thereof being mixed with the juyce of Rue and applyed to the Wound Being mingled with the powder of Aloes Lime or Chalk and Honey and made into an Oyntment by adding a little Wine it cureth the Cancer and Polyppus in the Nose if Tents dipped therein be put into the Nostrill The powder thereof tempered with Honey cures the Vlcers of the Mouth and Gummes The fume thereof or the powder in a quilted Cap stayeth all Fluxes and Distillations of thin Rheume from the Head It is held to be so excellent for Wounds in the Head and elsewhere that it is an usuall saying That without Birthwort no Chirurgion can performe any great cure A Pessary made hereof and with Myrrhe provokes the Termes in Women but let such aâ— are with Child and have not gone their full time by no means meddle with it lest it cause abortion The distilled Water hereof is usefull against creeping Vlcers and Pustules of the Genitalls both in men an women being therewith wash'd or linnen cloaths dipt in the same laid on the place all night The long Birth-wort is almost yet not altogether so effectual as the round for all the diseases aforesaid whether inward or outward and some hold the running kinde to be so also CHAP. CCCXIII. Of Mercury The Names I Mean not here to treat of that Herb that the Country people call Mercury in Latin Bonus Henricus which some take to be a kinde of Dock but of those sorts of Mercury which are more pâ—operly so called French Mercury is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Linozostis and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mercurii Herba and though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parthenium be the name which is usually given to Feaverfew yet because this is also good for Womens diseases it was formerly so called as divers other Herbs tending to the same purpose were The Latines following the Greek do call it Mercurialis because as Pliny saith it was found by Mercury Dogs mercury which is also a kinde hereof is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cynaea and Cynâ—crambe which signifieth as much as Brassica Canina that is Dogs-Cabbage but because it hath no agreement with any Cabbage therefore some have chose rather to call it in Latin by the name of Mercurialis Canina propter ignobilitatem and other Mercurialis Sylvestris The Childes or the Childing-Mercury which is another sort hereof is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phyllum and EleophylluÌ„ quasi Oleaefolium because the Leaves are like unto those of the Olive The Kindes The kindes are sufficiently declared in speaking of the names and therefore I shall say no more of them onely that every sort hath a Male and Female The Forme French Mercury for so it is called though it grow in other places besides France riseth up with square green Stalks full
is not likely that this Commodity should have any Greek name the Ancients never having any knowledge of that part of the World The West Indians from whence it first came call it Guayacan and from thence it is called in Latine Guajacum by some Lignum Indicum Lignum Sanctum and Lignum Vitae In English Pockwood for its excellency in curing the French Pox and sometimes Indian Packwood because it is brought from the West Indies The Kindes I finde three sorts of Guajacum mentioned by some later Writers 1. The true Guajacum or Indian Pockwood 2. A West-Indian tree like Guajacum 3. A differing Indian Guajacum The Forme This Tree whereof Guajacum is the wood groweth to be of the bignesse of an Oake with a reasonable thick greenish gummy barke spread with sundry Armes and Branches both great and small and on them winged Leaves set by coupâ—es one against another which are but small thick hard and round almost with divers veines in them abiding alwaies green upon the branches at the joynts and ends of the branches come forth many flowers standing in a tuft together every one upon a long footstalke consisting of sixe whitish yellow Leaves not very great with some threds in the middle which afterwards turne into flat yellowish gristly fruit of the fashion of the seed Vessel of Thlaspi or else oâ— Shepheardâ— purse with two divisions likewise having in the one side a grâ—stly seed almost as hard as horne the other being for the most part empty hanging down together by their long foot-stalkes it yeeldeth also a Gumme or Rosiâ— of a darke colour which will easily burne The Places and Time All the three sorts of Guajacum grow in the West Indies and the first especially about Sâ—anto Doâ—ingo whence this disease was originally brought to the King of Spaines Campe which was at Naples in the yeare 1493. he being then treating of peace with the French King whose Army was thereabouts also and in a short time after infected with it The French-men thought that they got it by accompanying with the Spaniards as indeed they did and therefore they called it the Spanish Scab yet the â—paniards thought that the French had given it to them and they called it the French Poxe Others called it the Disease of Naples because it arose in those Coasts as they supposed when as truly it came from the West Indies and therefore some call it the Measells of the Indies Whence Monardâ—â— observes that God Almighty would so have it that as these Poxe came from those parts so should a Remedy be brought thence also Diseases and their Remedies commonly arising in the same Climate which is a wonderful Act of Providence The Temperature Guajacum or Pockwood is hot and dry in the second degree and hath a cleansing faculty The Vertues The principall Prerogative and Excellencie of Guajacum is that it is the best remedy in the world for those kind of Poâ—ks for it provoketh Sweate resisteth contagion and putrefaction and cleanseth the Blood and strengthneth the Liver which is a part many times affected in this disease the decoction of the Wood being made and used after this manner Take of Guajacum a pound of the bark thereof two ounces steep them in twelve or foureteen pints of Spring Water foure and twenty houres then boyl them to seaven or eight pints straine it and give thereof a good draught morning and evening and let the party sweat upon it and if you adde two ounces of Liquorish or more and some Anniseed it will be much more pleasant to take This decoction which was first discovered by an Indian to a Spaniard who had suffered great paines by the Poxe is good also in the Dropsie Falling-Sicknesse shortnesse of Breath in Catarrhs Rheumes and cold distiâ—ations of the Lungs or other parts Coughâ—s and Consumptions the Gout Sciâ—tica and all other Joynt-Aâ—hes and for cold Phlegmatick humors for the diseases of the Bladder and Reines and for all long and lingring diseases proceeding from cold and moist Causes for it openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene warms and comforts the stomach and entralls and is good in Scabbes Itch Shinglâ—s Leprosie and the like as also in Fevers horrible Apostumations and swellings of the Belly the Jaundise c. It maketh the teeth white and firme if they be often washed with the decoction thereof The Barke is also given in the aforesaid Diseases from halfe a dram to a dram in powder and the Gum also is sometimes used but the Wood is of greatest use The best kinde whereof is the blâ—cker or browner for the yellow is but the Sap as it were the former being in a manner all Heart yet it is all firm hard close and heavy so that it will sink in water more thâ—n Ebony It is not so good for hot and dry bodies as it is in cold and moist and therefore for hot diseases use the more Water and the lesse Wood and for cold griefs more Wood and less Water CHAP. CCCXXVIII Of China The Names IT is called in Latine for Greek name it never had any China because the Root thereof was first brought from China which is a Country of the Orientall Indies and therefore also it is that it is called China Radix or Chinaea Radix in English as in divers other Languages it is called China but the Chineses call it Laâ—patan the Arabians and Persians Chophchina The Kindes The sorts of China that I finde mentioned are two 1. The true China Root 2. Bastard China The Forme The China groweth up with many prickly Branches of a reasonable great bignesse liâ—e unto Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed winding it self about Trees and hath divers Leaves growing on them like unto broad Plantane Leaves what Flower or Seed it beareth I finde not mentioned by any The Root is like to the root of a great Reed sometimes flattish sometimes round not smooth but bunched and knotty reddish for the most part on the out-side and whitish or sometimes a little reddish on the in-side the best is solid and firm and somewhat weighty fresh and not worm-eaten and without any taste The Places and Time It groweth not onely in China Malabar Cochin Cranganor Tanor and other places of the East Indies but also in the West Indies as Monardus saith Though the time be not expressed by any Author that I have met with yet I conceive it continueth green all the year long as divers other Plants there growing do As for the duration of the Root it will keep good many years The Temperature It is immoderately hot and very drying The Vertues The Root called China is not onely commended but daily proved to be most effectual in the French Dâ—sease the decoction thereof being made and given in manner following Take of China Root cut thin in slices one ounce and an half put into it a Gallon of faire Water and let it stand covered a night and a day then boyle it
some of them being sometimes brownish the stalkes are branched into many long stemmes of spiked Flowers half a foot long growing in â—undles one above another out of small Huskes very like unto the spiked Heads of Lavender every of the flowers consisting of five round pointed Leaves of a Purple Violet colour tending to rednesse in which Huskes after the flowers are fallen the seed is contained the root creepeth under-ground almost like Couch-grasse but greater and shooteth up every Spring brownish heads which afterward growing up into Stalkes doe smell like Câ—â—led Apples whilest they are young The Places and Time The first groweth usually by Rivers and Ditches sides and in wet grounds in every Countrey of this Land almost the others grow in the like places but not so frequently but that which is most rare is the Yellow Willow herbe with double flowers which groweth by Kings Langley in Hartford shire Any of these being brought into Gardens doe prosper well enough as the Câ—amaenerion of Rosebay Willow herbe also doth though it grow not naturally in England June and July are the ordinary months wherein they flower yet some of them stay till August The Temperature All the sorts of Lysimachia are hot and dry and of an exceding binding quality The Vertues The distilled Water of Willow herb whether it be the yellow sort or that which I have described which is more common is exceeding soveraign for green Wounds whether they happen in the Body or Limbs if to every ounce of Water there be taken two drams of May Butter without Salt and of Sugar and Wax each as much also gently boyled together til it become to be an Oyntment and then let Tents be dipped in the Liquor that remaineth after it is cold and put into the Wounds and the place covered with a linnen Cloath doubled and anointed with the Ointment It likewise cleanseth and healeth all foule Vlcers and Sores whatsoever or wheresoever and stayeth their inflammations by washing them with the Water and laying on them a green Leafe or two in Summer or dry ones in the Winter The distilled Water aforesaid is a present Remedy for hurts and blowes on the Eyes and for blindnesse if the Christalline humor or Sight it so if be not perished or spoiled as hath been often proved and it is also of as good use to cleer the Eyes of Dust or any other thing gotten into them and preserveth the Sight The said Water gargled warm in the Mouth and sometimes drunk also doth cure the Quinsey and Kings-Evill in the Throat The same being warmed and the Skin washed therewith taketh away all Spots Markes and Scarres thereof and a little of it drank quencheth the thirst extraordinarily And not onely this but the Yellow sorts also are good for all manner of Bleeding at the Mouth or Nose or of Wounds and stayeth all manner of Fluxes of the Belly or the Bloudy Fluxe given either to drink or taken in a Clister it stayeth also the abundance of Womens Courses If the herb he bruised and the juice onely applyed to green Wounds it stayeth the bleeding and quickly closeth together the Lips of them The decoction or the distilled Water thereof is often used in Gargles for sore Mouths as also to â—ath the secret parts withall as often as there is any Sore or Vlcer there arising The smoak of the Stalkes being burned driveth away Serpents or any other venemous Creature as Pliny saith and the people in the Fenny Countreyes can testifie that it driveth away the Flyes and Gnats that would otherwise molest them in the night season CHAP. CCCXXXIX Of the Daisy The Names IT is called in Latine for it is a question whether the Greeks ever knew it Bellis à bello as some think quasi Bellis praesidium because it is usefull in War to heal the Souldiers Wounds for which reason some have called it Consolida also other have thought that it was called Bellis from the Adjective Bellus signifying pretty for it hath indeed a pretty Flower if it be marked some of the sorts especially The greater sort is called by Bruâ—selsius Bupthalmus and Oculus Bovis and by Tabermontanus Bellium majus by others Consolida media Vulnerariorum yet most commonly it is called Bellis major the lesser sort being called Bellis minor Consolida minor and Herba Morgarita In English the greater and lesser Daisy the greater is also called Maudlin and Maudlin-wort The Kindes There be divers sorts of Daisyes as well in our Gardens as growing beyond the Seas yet because the time will not permit me to enquire after them I shall give you onely those that grow naturally with us they being of greatest use for our intended purpose and they are three 1. The Great Daisyes which some call Or-Eyes and White Moons 2. The middle sort of Daisyes 3. The little Daisy The Forme The Great Daisy hath very many narrow and round-pointed Leaves next the ground cut in on both sides making them to seem almost like unto those of the Oak from amongst which do grow up somewhat high Stalks with divers Leaves thereon but smaller and lesser divided than the lower at the tops whereof grow large Flowers each upon severall long foot stalks consisting of many white and narrow Leaves as the Pale or Border and the yellow Thrummes in the middle of little or no scent whose Seed which is somewhat long is blown away with the Wind The Root is bush of white Strings which abide many Winters shooting forth new Leaves in the Spring if the cold weather hath killed the old The Places and Time The first which is Great Daisy Oxe Eye or White-Moone groweth almost every where by the hedge sides in the borders of fields and other wast ground and many times in meadowes that lye any thing high the second groweth in the like places but not so frequently the place of the third can hardly be mistook for it groweth upon every Common and other place almost The two first flower in May and June and then must be gathered for they last not long but the last beginneth to flower in the Spring and holdeth on most part of the Summer The Temperature Daisyes are held by most to be cold and dry which are the qualities which are required in Wound herbs yet Dâ—donam saith they be cold and moist which no body else doth allow of The Vertues The Leaves of the great Daisy or Mandlinwort made up into an Oyntment or Salve with Wax Oyl and Turpentine is most excellent for Wounds especially those wherin there is any inflammation and which are hardly brought to digestion or maturation as those weeping Wounds made in the Elboes Knees or other Joynts and it is often used in Decoction or Drinks as well as outwardly for the same or the like purposes as fractures in the Head and deep wounds in the Breast The said Decoction being drunk cureth all Vlcers and Pustles in the Mouth or Tongue or in the Secret parts
The four first sorts are usuall in Gardens the fift was found upon Mount Baldus as also upon the Vaganean hills in Narbone the sixth was found in Spaine by Boel The Seaventh in Itady by Dr. Mera The Eight came from Virginia The Ninth from Yorkeshire The Tenth grows under Hedges and Bushes almost every where the last in the Corne fields and in such as ly Ley and in the borders of other fields The Violets Flower in February and March and after them the Pansies till the end of July The Temperature The Garden Violets and so likewise the Wild kinds are cold and moist whil'st they are fresh and green The Vertues The Flowers of Violets as well as those of Borage are reckoned to be cheife Cordiall Flowers and are much used in Cordiall drinks powders and other Medicines especially where cooling Cordialls as Roses and Saunders are used They are used to coole any heate or distemperature of the Body either inwardly or outwardly in the Inflammation of the Eyes in the Womb and Fundament when they are fallen down and are full of paine Imposthums also and hot Swellings to drinke the decoction of the Leaves of Flowers made with Water or Wine or to apply them pultis wise to the place that is grieved It likewise easeth paines in the Head which are caused through want of sleep A dram of the dryed Leaves of the Flowers of Violets doth purge the body of Cholericke humors and asswageth the heat being taken in a draught of Wine or other drink The pouder of the Leaves of the purple Flowers only pickt and dryed and drunk in powder with Water is said to help the Quinsie and the Falling sicknesse in Children especially in the beginning of the Disease The Flowers of the white Violets ripen and dissolve Swellings The seed being taken resisteth the poyson of the Scorpion The Herb or Flowers whil'st they are fresh or the Flowers when they are dry are effectuall in the Pleurisy and all other diseases of the Lungs to lenify the sharpnesse of hot Rheums and the hoarsenesse of the Throat the heat also of the Urine and the sharpnesse thereof and all paines of the back or reines or bladder They are good also for the Liver and the Jaundise and in all hot Agues helping to coole the heat and quench thirst But the Syrup of Violets is of most use and of better effect being taken in some convenient Liquor and if a little of the Juice or Syrup of Lemons be put to it or a few drops of the Oyle of Vitriall it is made thereby the more powerfull to coole the heat and to quench the thirst and besides the effect giveth to the drink both a Claret Wine colour and a pleasant tast Violets taken or made up with honey do more clense then coole and with Sugar contrarywise The Leaves of Violets are used in cooling Plaisters Oyls Cataplasms or Pultises and are of great efficacy among other Herbs as Mercury Mallowes c. to be put in Clysters CHAP. CXXII Of Straw-berries The Names THe whole Plant is called Fragraria and the Berries Fraga à fructus fragrantia odoris gustus for it hath no certain Greek name yet there are some which think it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Rubus Idaus because it hath no prickles which Opinion Fuchsius saith is not to be despised Others say that they called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of the â—ikeness of the fruit with that of the Tree-Strawberry Servius calleth them Mora terrestria Ground Mulberries because they are somewhat like those that grow on Trees The Kindes I have not yet met with any more then six sorts of Straw-berries 1. Red Straw-berries 2. White Straw-berries 3. Small Straw-berries with hard Leaves 4. Flat Straw-berries 5. Dwarf Straw-berries 6. Barren or unprofitable Straw-berries The Form I know not whether the Dwarf-Straw-berry be brought over in England yet I shall venter to give you so much of its Description as Parkinson hath set down choosing rather to give you the Description of a strange Plant then of the others which are so commonly known It hath very small triparted Leaves next the ground closer set together upon short foot-stalks then any other and those that are set on both sides of the long branch not above four inches long which lyeth creeping on the ground grow lesse and without stalk the Flower standeth at the end of the Branch many times but one at a place which consisteth of five round Leaves like a Straw-berry but larger then agreeth with the proportion of the Plant and is of a yellowish colour what fruit it beareth is not set down The Places and Time The two first grow in Gardens though 't is probable they were brought out of the Woods where they do most delight yet being set in a rich soyl they become far greater The three next grow upon divers of the Alps and other places of Germany The last is to be found in our own Land in most Woods and the Field sides near unto them in Cornwall as Lobel saith and in other places also They flower in May or thereabouts most commonly and are ripe in June but I have seen ripe Straw-berries after Michaelmas also The Temperature The Leaves of them are cooling in the first Degree and yet some say they are hot and drying in the second the Root is more drying and binding the Berries whâ—â—e they are green are cold and dry but when they are ripe they are coâ—d and moyst The Vertues and Signature The water of the Berries carefully distilled is a soveraign remedy and Cordiall in the paâ—pitations of the heart that is the panting and beating of the heart and is good for the over-flowing of the Gall which causeth the yeâ—â—ow Jaundise The Berries themselves are exâ—eâ—ent good to cool the Liver tâ—e Bâ—ood and Spleen or an hot choâ—eriâ—k sâ—omach to refresh and comfort the â—ainting Spirits and to quench thirst They are good also for other Inflammations yet it 〈…〉 veth one to be caâ—telous or rather to refrain them in a Feaver 〈◊〉 by theâ— putriâ—ying in the â—â—omaâ—h they increase the Fits and make them to be 〈…〉 ore fierâ—e The Leaves and Roots boyled in Wine and Water as drunk do likewiâ—e cooâ— the Liver and Blood and asswage al Inflammations in the Reins and Bladder provoketh Urine and allayeth the heat and sharpness thereof the same also beinâ— drunk stayeth the Bloody Flux and Womens Coâ—â—es and helpeth the swelâ—ings of the Spâ—een The Juyce dropped into foul Ulcers or they washed therewith or with the decoction of the Herb and Root doth wonderfully cleanse them and heâ—p to cure them All Lotions and Gargles that are made for sore mouths or Ulcers therein or in the privy parts or else-where are made with the Leaves and Roots heâ—eof which is good also to fasten loose Teeth and to heal spungy foul â—ums The same also helpeth to stay Catarrhs or Defluxions of Rheum into the Mouth Throat Teeth
or Eyes The juyce or water is singular good for hot and red inflamed Eyes if some thereof be dropped into them or they bathed theâ—ewith the â—aid juyce or water is also of excellent property for all Pushes Wheals and other eruptions of hot and sharp humours into the face or hands or other parts of the Body to bathe them therewith and helpeth to take away any redness in the face and spots or other deformities of the Skin and to make the Skin clear and smooth The water of Straw-berries distilled in a body of Classe after they have stood in a bed of hot Horse-dung twelve or fourteen dayes cureth the Lepry by Signature if it be drunk and the Spots be bathed therewith And upon this account they are commended by Râ—imundus Lullâ—us being macerated in the spiâ—it of Wine â—nd used The same is very profitable for most of the purposes aforesaid and also for the Morphew CHAP. CXXIII Of Wood-Sorrel The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the sharp tast that it hath in Latine Trifolâ—um Acetosum and of some Panis Cuculâ— Cuckow-bread either because the Cuckowes deâ—ight to seed thereon or that it beginneth to bâ—ossom when the Cuckow beginneth to â—tter her voyce It is caâ—ed by the Apothecarie in their Shops Alleluja and 〈…〉 jula the one as some think because it was found in Procession whiâ—est the Processioners were singing Alleluja or else because it â—owreth about that time which is used to be between Easter Whâ—tsâ—utide the other came corruptly â—rom Juliola as they of Calabria in Nâ—ples do call it In English Wood-Sorrel Wood-sower Stabwort and Sorrel du bois The Kinds There are two sorts of Wood-Sorrel the one famiâ—iar enough and that is Common Wood-Sorrel the other a stranger as far as I can earn and onâ—y â—herished in the Gardens of those that are curious and that is Wood-Sorrel with yeâ—low Flowers The Form The common Wood-Sorrel groweth low upon the ground without any stalk rising from it hath a number oâ— Leaves comming from the Root made of three Leaves like a Trefoâ—le or three-leafed Grasse every leaf somewhat resembâ—ing an 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 comming up are close foâ—ded together to the stalk but opening themselves afterwards and are of a fine sowre rellish more pâ—easing them many of the other Sorrels and yielding a juyce which wiâ—l turn red when it is clariâ—ed amongst these leaves rise up divers slender weak foot-stalks not growing above them with every one of them a flower at the top consisting of five small and pointed Leaves Star-fashion of a white colour in most places or in some dasht over with a small shew of blush and in some but on the back side only after the Flowers are past follow small round heads with small yellowish Seeds in them the Roots are nothing but threds or small strings fastened to the end of a small long peece all of them being of a yellowish colour not perishing every year but abiding with some Leaves thereon in the Winter The Places and Time The Common Wood-Sorrel groweth plentifully in many places of this Land in Woods and Wood-sides where it may be moyst and shadowed and in other places that are not too much open to the Sun yet it is known by few except it be by those Herb-women that gather it and sell it to the Apothecaries The other groweth in divers shadowy places about Sevill in Spain and in Gardens at Mompeliar The first flowreth early in April and May the other after Midsummer and so continueth in flowre untill the Autumn colds make it to perish but some Seed is ripe in the mean time The Temperature Wood-Sorrel is as the other Sorrels are cold and dry in the second Degree The Signature and Vertues The Leaves of this Herb representing the Heart are according to their Signature found to be very effectuall for the said part by defending it from the Plague or any other pestilentiall Disease that may ceaze thereon and also by cooling it in Feavers Agues or other sicknesses or faintings that rise from heat a dram of the Conserve thereof being taken every morning or oftner if occasion require It hindereth putrefaction of the blood and Ulcers of the â—â—uth Body quencheth thirst strengtheneth a weak stomach procureth an Appetite stayeth vomiting and is of most singular use in any contagious Disease or Pestilentiall Feaver Of the juyce which will turn red when it is clarified is made a dainty fine Syrup very effectuall also in any of the distempers aforesaid and so is the distilled water of the Herb also Spunges or linnen Cloaths wetted in the juyce and applyed outwardly to any hot tumours and Inflammations doth exceedingly cool and help them the same juyce taken into the mouth and there gargled for some time and after spit forth and fresh taken will wonderfully help a stinking foul Canker or Ulcer therein It is also singular good in wounds Punctures thrusts and stabs into the Body to stay the bleeding and to cleanse and heal the wounds speedily and helpeth well also to stay any hot defluxions or Catarrhs upon the Throat and Lungs CHAP. CXXIV Of Baulm The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Melissophyllum or Meliphyllum id est Apum folium that is Bees-Leaf because the Bees are very much delighted therewith In Latine Melissa and Citragâ— ab odore Citri because it smelleth like a Citron Apiastrum from the pleasure that Bees take in it and Melissophyllum of the effect it being good for Bees We in English call it Bawm from the singular effects therein in imitation of the true naturall Balm The Kinds Besides the Ordinary Baulm which usually groweth in our Gardens there are five other sorts 1. Turky Baulm with a blew Flower 2. Turky Baulm with a white Flower 3. Unpleasant Baulm 4. Great Assyrian Baulm 5. Prickly Assyrian Baulm The Form The Common Garden Baulm hath divers square green stalks with round hard dark green Leaves pointed at the ends like an Heart and a little dented round about the edges set by couples at the joynts of a sweet smell comming nearest to a Citron or a Lemmon the Flowers are small and gaping growing at the tops of the stalks of a pale Carnation colour almost white the Roots fasten themselves strongly in the ground and endure long the leaves and stalks dying down yearly The Places and Time The first groweth no where but in Gardens the two next grow naturally in Moldavia which is under the Turkish Dominion The third at the foot of divers Hills both in Germany and Narbone in France The fourth and fifth in Syria as their Titles do declare The three first flower somewhat earlier in the Summer then the two Assyrian kinds which flower very seldom before the middle of August so that