layd upon the belly near the Navel it killeth worms If it be dissolved in Wine and used it helpeth the falling or shedding of the hair Though taken inwardly it be hurtful to such as have the Hemorrhoides or Piles yet being made in Powder and applyed outwardly it stayeth the bleeding of them mixed with Honey and used it taketh away blackness and spots Aloes in Powder being mixed with Myrrhe and Dragons blood and cast into putrified wounds eateth out spongious flesh without pain It must not be taken inwardly either too often or in too great a quantity for then it doth freâ— and excoriate the stomach and bowels and therefore those that are troubled with the Flux of the Womb Belly or any other bloody Flux Women with Child those that have the Hectick or burning Feaver all hot dry macerated or lean Bodies must avoid it as also those that have hot Livers and such Children as are of an hot and dry constitution especially when the season is extream hot or very cold Cinamon Mace Nutmeg Cloves Mastick and Gum Tragacanth are the best Correctors of Aloes and may be mixed with it If Aloes be taken a little before Supper it doth so much the lesse hurt and offend the stomach It is given in substance from a dram to two drams in infusion from a dram and a half to three drams Aloe Rosata which is a very safe and gentle Medicine is given from half a dram to a dram and a half to all sorts of persons before or after meat It purgeth the stomach of Choler and other offensive humours openeth stoppings is good in the Jaundice strengtheneth the stomach and is good against Surfets The same Dose may be given of washed Aloes which doth not purge so effectually as it did before but strengtheneth more Aloe is the Basiâ— of most Pills for there are but few purgative Pills which have it not as one chief Ingredient CHAP. XLIX Of Fumitory The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Capnos and Capnion quasi Fumus eò quod succus oculis inditus lachrymationem movet sicut Fumus claritatâ—m eorum efficit saith Fuschius that is it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in that Language signifies smoak because the juyce of it put into the eyes doth make them water as smoak doth and clarifies or clears them which though it happily doth contrary to the nature of smoak yet I think the other Reason why it should be so called to be the better which is because being of a whitish blew Colour as smoak is it appeareth to those that behold it at a distance as if the ground were all of a smoak and hereunto agreeth Fumus Terrae and Fumaria which are the names the Latines put upon it and the English name Fumiterrâ— Fumiterrie though it be now most commonly called Fumitory The kinds The sorts commonly treated of are eight 1. Common Fumitorie 2. Fine leased Fumitory 3. Candy Fumitory 4. Yellow Fumitory 5. Indian Fumitory 6. Climing Fumitory 7. Bulbous Fumitory with a green Flower 8. Knobbed Indian Fumitory The Forme Common Fumitory is a tender sappy Herb sending forth from one square slender weak stalk and leaning downwards on all sides many branches two or three foot long with finely cut jagged leaves of a pale blewish or Sea-green colour somewhat like unto Coriander as to the form but of nothing so deep a colour At the tops of the branches stand many small Flowers as it were in a long spike one above another made like little Birds of a reddish purple Colour with whitish bellies commonly though in the Fields in Cornwall it beareth perfect white Flowers After which come small round husks containing small black seed The Root is yellow small and not very long full of juyce whilst it is green but quickly perishing with the ripe Seed The Places and Time The first groweth as well in the Corn-fields almost every where as in Gardens also The second in Spain and in the Vineyards about Mompelier The third in Candy The fourth on the Hills in Apuliae and Calabria in Naples and in Illyria also The fifth in Virginia and the back parts thereof called Canada The sixth about the hedge sides and among the bushes of the Low Countries The seaventh in the Woods of Germany The last in the West Indies They flowre in May for the most part and the Seed is ripe in August The Temperature It is hot in the first Degree and dry in the second and not cold as the vulgar conceive for its bitterness sheweth it to be hot The Vertues Fumitory also may be appropriated to that Scurvy-Disease aforementioned for it gently purgeth melancholy and salt humours from whence it ariseth as also from the impurity of the blood the Obstructions and stoppings of the Liver and Spleen which are the usuall parts that are first affected it openeth and cleanseth the Entralls and doth corroborate those parts It purgeth cholerick humours by Urine and avails in the Itch Scab Leprosie Cancer Fistulaes and such kinde of soul Diseases of the skin arising from adust humours as also in the French-Disease It is profitable in Feavers arising from Choler both yellow and black in the Jaundise and the Quartane Agues it killeth the worms and prevaileth in Chronicall Diseases arising from the stoppings of the viscerous parts and in Affects of the Hypochonders Brasavola saith that the Powder of the dryed Herb given for some time together hath cured a melancholy person The disâ—illed water cures the yellow Jaundice if three or four Ounces be drunk morning and evening for certain dayes together and availeth against the Scab Itch and such like Diseases and being constantly taken it preserveth from the Leprosie Being taken in London-treacle and Bole-Armoniack it is good in the Pestilence as a dram or two of Treacle and a scruple of Bole-armoniack mixed in two Ounces of the water and so taken Also it dissolveth congealed blood and tumours and provoketh the Termes or Courses in Women The juyce dropped into the Eys doth clear the Eys and quicken the sight the juyce also mingled with Gum-Arabick and applyed to the Eye-lids will cause that the hair that hath once been pulled off shall not grow again A decoction thereof made and the feet bathed therewith cures the Gout or boyled in Wine and so applyed it doth the like the juyce mixed with the juyce of Docks and Oxymel or Vineger cureth the Morphew being annointed therewith Also a Bath made of the same with Mallows Violets and Dock-Roots with Barley bran and Nep cureth the Scab and Itch. The juyce mingled with Oyl of Nuts and Vinegar cure maligne Scabs and the Leprosie being nointed therewith The distilled water helpeth Sores and Ulcers of the mouth being therewith washed and gargled especially if you take four Ounces of the water adding thereto one Ounce of Honey of Roses and wash the mouth therewith CHAP. L. Of Cresses The Names
like unto a Vetch The root is white and wooddy spreading well in the ground and abiding divers yeares The Places and Time The first groweth in divers Gardens of this Land as in the Physick Gardens so often mentioned and very plentifully in a Garden at St. Albans not farr from the Prison sometimes in the possession of Dr. Arris who was a great admiâ—er of the same for its Cordia vertues It groweth Naturally by the way sides of moist fields and Meadows both in Italy Savoy and other places and hath also bin found some years since in the Meadows by Linton in Cambridgeshire The other is said onely to grow upon the tops of mountaines They flower in the end of Iune and Iuly and the seed is ripe in August The Temperature Goates Rue is said to be of a mean Temperature between hot and cold The Vertues There is not any Plant more effectuall to preserve the heart from Palpitations tremblings and sownings and against Melanchosicke Vapours oppressing it then Goates Rue which is a great Preservative also against the bitings or stings of any venemous Creatures yea those Italians as Pena and Lobel say and others that use to gather Vipers will use it rather then the Beast-Treacle to defend themselves from being bitten or stung by them or to preserve them from any other infection and therefore eat it continually as other Hearbs in Sallets or otherwise in their meates and broths It is likewise very powerfull against any poyson taken inwardly the Pestilence or any infectious or pestilentious Feavers or diseases that break forth into spots or marks as the Measells Purples and the Small-Pox in all which it is admirable both to preserve from infection and cure those that are infected to take every morning some of the juyce thereof as also to eat the Hearb it self every morning fasting but it will be the more effectuall if the juyce be taken with a little good Treacle and some Tormentill Roots in powder mixed with Carduus Benedictus water or with some Vinegar and fine Bolearmonick and Treakle in the said Water and presently to sweat two houres thereupon which it causeth in some sort it self A spoonfull of the juyce given in a morning fasting is very effectuaâ—l to kill the wormes in Children or the Hearb it self fryed with a little Oyl of bitter Almonds and laid hot unto the Navill as also to help the Falling-Sicknesse before it grow strong and old upon them It is very profitably applyed to the belly pained with the griping of the wind and Collick being fryed and laid-to warme In the same manner laid unto plague Sores before they be broken it either disperseth them yet defending the heart not striking it inwardly or draweth them forth and healeth them It is also effectually applyed with Vinegar to Gangrenes running Ulcers and Sores to stay the malignity in their fretting and spreading and to defend the vitall Spirits from danger Some use a Syrupe made of the juyce and some of the distilled water as a more familiar Medicine to take upon all occasions inwardly for all the purposes aforesaids And some use to make an Oyle of the Flowers digested in the Sun by often repetitions of infusion to annoint the wrests of the hands where the pulse is felt as also the region of the heart to defend it from the diseases aforesaid and danger of infection It is no lesse effectuall for Sheep Goates and other Cattell by the experiments that Goat-heards have made herewith The Mountain Goates-Rue is held almost as effectuall against poyson and the pestilence as the former CHAP. CXXVIII Of Vipers-Grasse The Names IT was found and the Vertues thereof discovered but of late dayes by a Mauritanian bondslave who holpe divers that were bitten of that Venemous Beast or Viper as it is called by others which they of Catalonia where they breed in abundance call in their Language Escuersos from whence Scorzonera is derived with the juyce of this Herb and the root given them to eate which both took away the poyson and healed the bitten place very quickly when Treacle and other things would do no good which ever since hath grown in estimation both against Venome and other diseases also It is called in Lattin Viperaria Viperina or Serpentaria but most Commonly Scorzonera which name is generally given it by all Nations We in English call it Scorzonera and Vipers-grasse The Kinds I find Ten Sorts of Vipers-grasse rekonned up by Authors 1. Common Vipers grasse 2. Dwarfe Vipers grasse 3. Spanish Vipers grasse 4. Dwarfe Spanish Vipers grasse 5. The greater Hungarian broad leafed Vipers grasse 6. The Dwarfe Hungarian Vipers grasse 7. The small Hungarian Vipers grasse 8. Purple Vipers grasse 9. Tall Narrow Leaved purple Vipers grasse 10. Vipers grasse of Sclavony The Forme The first of the Vipers grasses hath long broad leaves fat or full bodyed uneven about the edges sharp pointed with an high swoln rib down the middle and of an overworn green colour tending to that of Woad amongst which riseth up a stiffe stalk smooth and plaine of two cubits high whereon do grow such leaves as those next the ground The flowers stand on the top of the Stalks consisting of many small yellow leaves thick thrust together very double like unto those of Tragopogon or Goates-beard whereof most think it to be a kind The Root is long thick very brittle continueth many yeares yeelding great increase of roots black without white within and yeeldeth a milky juyce as do the leaves also like unto the Goates-beards The Places and time Many of the Sorts aforesaid are to be found in the Gardens of some Physitians and Apothecaries who know the worth of them as also in the Physick Gardens at Oxford and Westminster but especially the two first The Third and Fourth in Spain as their titles do declare The fifth in many places of Germany Bohemia and Hungary The Sixth on the hills by Baden in Germany The Seventh in many of the same places with the Fifth The Eighth and Ninth on a small hill nigh unto Stampfen which is two Duch miles from Posonium a chief Citty in Hungary The last in Illyria or Sclavony as Alpinus saith They do all flower in May and their seed is ripe before the end of June The Temperature Vâ—pers-Grasse is thought not to exceed the first Degree of heat and moysture which are the predominant qualities The Vertues and Signature The water of this Herb distilled in Glasses or the Root it self taken is good against the passions and tremblings of the heart and also against swounings sadness and melancholy the same also is a present remedy against all contagious Feavers for by causing sweat the infection is evaporated and the sick person restored The Root preserved and taken fasting â—or the said water drunk for some dayes together doth open the obstructions of the Liver Spleen and other inward parts as also helpeth to bring down Womens Courses and to ease the suffocation or other Diseases of
all sorts of wounds and Ulcers to dry sodder cleanse and heale them and should be a principall Ingredient in all Wound drinks and Injections Yet it is effectuall in many other Cases also for the Roots thereof being steeped in wine and drunk or the powder thereof given in wine is good for such as have the Dropsy or Jaundise or are troubled with the stoppings of the Liver It is also used for Ruptures Crampes and Pleurisies and for an old Cough shortnesse of breath and other diseases of the Lungs Gripings in the Belly and paines of the Mother Being scraped and put up as a Pessary it procureth womens Courses and causeth the Dead Birth to be avoided the juyce thereof used after the same manner worketh the like Effects It helpeth the Strangury and pissing by drops as also the Stone if the decoction or Powder thereof be taken and the juyce injected The decoction or juyce of the Root or a dram of the powder thereof drunk and the wound washed therewith taketh away the paine and danger of the bitings or Stingings of Venemous Creatures It helpeth to sharpen the Eye sight if it be steeped in Water and dropped into them CHAP. CCXLVIII Of Lovage The Names IT hath no Greek Name that I can meet with It is called in Latin Levisticum which is the proper and onely Latine Name thereof Ligusticum being a far different plant although some being deceived with the vicinity of the name have taken them to be both one The Kinds As the Names of Lovage are but few so the sorts are not many for of it I find but two 1. Ordinary Lovage 2. The Lovage of Germany The Forme Ordinary Lovage hath many long and great stalkes of large winged Leaves divided into many parts like Smallage but much larger of a sad green colour smooth and shining every Leafe being cut about the edges and broader forward then towards the Stalke The Stalkes that arise from thence are diverse and of different proportions according to the goodnesse or badness of the Soile wherein they grow as also to their time of continuance for though in a fat soile where it hath grown long they attaine unto the height of five or six foot yet if the ground be barren or the herb but newly set they seldome exceed three or four answerable whereunto is the bignesse of them being green and hollow set with lesser leaves then those that grow below towards the tops of these come forth other smaller branches bearing at their tops large Umbels of yellow Flowers which turne into flat brounish seed somewhat like the seed of Angelica The root groweth large both in length and thicknesse being of a brownish colour without side and white within The whole Plant smelleth strong and in tast is both hot sharp and biting The Places and Time Both the sorts are Inhabitants in the Gardens of those that love Physicall herbs especially and sometimes in the Garden of those that understand it not the first being common to divers Countryes the second proper to Germany yet neither of them are found wild in any part of Europe if they be any where else The root in continuance of time spreadeth much for it endureth long and sendeth forth every yeare new stalkes which hold the Flowers in the end of July and the seed in August The Temperature Lovage is hot and dry in the third degree and is of thin parts also The Vertues Halfe a dram of the dryed Root of Lovage in powder taken in Wine doth wonderfully warm a cold Stomach helping digestion and consuming all superfluous moisture and raw humours therein as also in the Guts and therefore it easeth all inward gripings and paines both of the Stomach and Belly as also by dissolving wind and expelling it effectually which is an utter enemy to them both and it is commended for resisting poyson and infection that may assault either of them or any other part The said Root boiled in Wine or Barly-water cleanseth the Lungs openeth the passages of the Vrine provoketh Womens Courses mightily and healeth inward Wounds Being bruised in a Mortar before it be dryed and steeped for twelve houres in faire Water then strained and two or three spoonfuls drunk first and last morning and evening asswageth any drought or great desire to drink when no ordinary liquor will do it and this it performeth by a specifick property for the Root is well known to be hot To drink the Decoction of the herbe for any sort of Ague and to help the cold paines and torments of the Body and Bowels comming of cold was not long since a known and much practised Remedy but the present Age which forgets every thing that should do it goood knowes none such as far as I can under-stand The seeds drunk in White-wine fasting either in powder or boyled therein and strained doth purge both upwards and downwards and being used in Glisters it easeth the Gout in the feet Being steeped a night in Wine or else boiled therein and drunk it provoketh the Termes and expelleth the Dead-child and likewise opens the stoppings of the Spleen but because the seeds be very strong the like weight of Annise and Fennel may be mixed with them to qualifie them And to be briefe the seeds are as effectuall to all purposes as any other part of it and worketh more powerfully in Womens diseases The distilled water of the herb helpeth the Quinsey in the Throat if the Mouth and Throat be gargled and washed therewith and helpeth the Pleurisy being drunk three or four times Being dropped into the Eyes it taketh away the rednesse and dimnesse of them It likewise taketh away the spots or freckles of the Face The Leaves bruised and fryed with a little Hogs-lard and laid to any botch or boyl will quickly break it and being boyled in water and bathed therein it provoketh Vrine expelleth the Stone and healeth the inward parts Being applyed three or four times with Rue and Honey to the Knees of those that are troubled with pain in them it is a good expedient for the removing thereof The people of Germany and of this and other Countreys also in former times used both the Root in Powder and the seed to season their Meats and Brothes and found them as effectuall to comfort and warm the Stomack but now a dayes whatsoever is not farre fetched will hardly please The green roots pickled with salt and vinegar are a good sawce for those that are troubled with wind but if they be preserved with sugar they are more acceptable to the Palate CHAP. CCXLIX Of Tansey The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Athanasia peradventure from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying sine morte or non moriens that is immortall because the yellow Flowers gathered in due time will continue very lively a long while It is also called Athanasia in Latine Tanacetum corruptly taken as Fuschius imagineth for Tagetes or Apuleius his Arthemisia Tragantes yet I
helpeth to expectorate rotten phlegme from those which are troubled with a continual Cough and is profitable also for the Ptisick or Consumption of the Lungs This Turpentine as it is clearest for inward uses and serveth insteed of the true Turpentine so well that they are commonly used out for another so is it best also for outward salves and doth both draw cleanse and heal all sores or ulcers and green wounds and therefore there is scarce a salve for that purpose wherein Turpentine is not Oyl drawn Chymically from Turpentine is singular good to be used in wounds being more drying and consolidating then the Turpentine it self as also to warm and ease the paines of the Joynts and Sinews caused of Cold and being mixed with a little Oxe Gall it is good for the worms and deafness of the ears The water which is distilled with the Oyl is used for freckles and spots in the face and a scruple weight of it taken in white Wine purgeth phlegme by Vomit Some use to mingle Bay Salt and Turpentine together and therewith spread a leathern girdle which being worn about the wast of them that have the Itch cureth them So Parkinson it being an Excrescence is good for all manner of excrescences by Signature CHAP. VI. Of Wood Betony The names SOme of the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it joyeth most in cold places Ruellius in his translation of Dioscorides calls it Cestron â—sychótrophon the Latines call it Betonica and Vetonica from the Vetones a people of Spain that first found out the vertues of it as Pliny saith We in England call it Wood Betony and it hath been formerly called Betayne or Betaine Parkinson adâ—ertiâ—eth that Vetonica and Betonica are diversly taken in divers Authors for Vetonica although it be set down in some Authors for Betonica yet more properly and usually it is understood to be the Caryophylius or Gilliflower and then it is denominated Vetonica altilis The Kinds Of this Betony for of the Water Betony I shall not treat in this place because it is more appropriated to other parts there are four or five sorts differing one from another either in the leaf or flower 1. Common Wood Betonâ— which hath a purple flower 2. Wood Betony with white flowers 3 Betonica minima Alpina Helvetica Small Mountain Betony 4. Betonica Danica Broad-leaved Betony 5. Betonica Alopecuros montana dicta Foxtail Betony That which I shall describe is the Common Wood-Betony The Formâ— The ordinary or Common Betony which because it is most frequent in Woods is called Wood Betony it hath many leaves rising from the root the lowermost whereof are somewhat broad and round at the ends slightly indented about the edges the footstalks being pretty long but those that grow by two and two at the joynts upon the small slender foursquare and somewhat hairy stalks are a great deal lesser The stalk is commonly near a foot high whereon are set several spiked heads of flowers of a reddish or purple colour spotted with white spots all over the seeds are somewhat long and uneven and of a blackish colour The root consists of many white threddy strings like unto those of Plantain the stalk perisheth but the roots with some leaves theron abide all the Winter the whole plant is somewhat small and therefore Gerard was mistaken who sayes that it hath long and broad leaves The Place and Time The Common Betony loveth shadowie places as Woods hedg-rows Copses the borders of pastures Parks c. That with the white flower is more usually found in stiffe clay grounds then in any other mould as in the VVoods by Brumley in Kent in a wood near a Village called Hampsteed and in Broodsworth VVood in Yorkeshire The third groweth on the Alpes of Helvetia or Switzerland The broad leaved or Danish Betony groweth in the Physick Garden at Oxford The last as Lugdunensis saith groweth in the moist vallies that are shadowed with trees of the high hills They flower and flowrish for the most part in the moneths of June and July and the seed ripeneth quickly after The Temperature and Vertues Betony though it grow wilde yet it is set in many Gardens and is hot and dry almost if not quite in the second degree The vertues of it are innumerable as Antonius Musa one of the Physicians of Augustus Caesar who hath written a peculiar Book of this Herb doth testifie but especially it is good for the brain so that as Fernelius writeth Cerebrum vel odore solorecreat hinc Comitiâ—libus furiosisque medetur Paralysin torpentiaque membra persanat The hairy Roots of this Herb are some Signature that it is good for the head If it be stamped and applyed to the fore-head of them that are frantick or possest with Devils it cureth them Boyl it with Vervein and Worm-wood in water and wash the head therewith and grind the same Herbs with some of the water and Wheaten Bran and apply it hot to the mould of the head thrice and it will cause the Head-ach to depart Seeth it with Vervein Hore-hound and Hysop in White-wine and apply them as liot as may be suffered and it cureth the Megrim which is a pain that possesseth one side of the head If the Head-ach proceed of cold Flegm seeth Betony in Wine with a third part of water and apply it For noyses in the head pains and giddiness thereof drink powder of the leaves dryed in the shade or rather eat it with slices of bread steeped in Wine first and last to restore the brain which is done likewise by taking some of the powder of it in Pottage and thus or green it helpeth those that loath their meat for it procureth digestion and allayeth the soure belchings and risings in the stomack if it be used often The Leaves or Flowers boyled in broth and drunk or made into a Conserve Water Electuary or Powder as any one shall like best do help the Jaundies Falling-sickness the Palsie Conâ—ulsions or shrinking of the Sinews the Gout and those which are inclined unto Dropsies those that have continual pains in their head though it turn to Phrensie The Powder mixed with pure Honey is no lesse available for all sorts of Coughs or Colds wheesing or shortness of breath and those Distillations upon the Lungs which cause Consumptions A dram of it taken in the Syrup of Vinegar doth wonderfully refresh those which are wearied by travel it stayeth bleeding at the mouth and nose and helpeth those that pisse blood or spit it The Decoction of it being made with Mead and a little Penny-Royal is good for those that are troubled with Quartan Agues and to draw down and evacuate the blood and humours that by falling into the eyes do hinder sight Being boyled in Wine and taken it killeth the Worms openeth obstructions of Spleen and Liver cureth stitches and pains in the back or sides the torments and griping pains of the Bowels and the
in an open and sunny place it growes shorter and crisped It may be propagated also by slips They are sowen in May and bring forth their scaly or chaffy Husks or Ears in July and August Gerrard saith that although it be better for other Plants to be watered morning and evening yet it is best for Marjerome and Basil to be watered in the middle of the day when the Sun shineth hottest The Temperature and Vertues Our common sweet Marjerome is hot and dry in the second Degree and ought to be gathered in the Summer when it floureth which is commonly in August and after dryed in a shadowy place and so it will serve for a year It iâ— warm and comfortable in cold Diseases of the head stomack sinews and other parts taken inwardly or applyed outwardly Matthiolus saith that it digesteth attenuateth openeth and strengtheneth It comforteth the brain openeth the stopping of the Members taketh away the Apoplexy and the Head washed in Lie made of it doth cause the grievous pain of the Head to cease The powder of it given in meat or drunk in Wine doth help the coldness of the stomack and comforteth digestion And the dry leaves made into powder mixed with Honey and anointed upon any part doth take away black and blew spots of the skin The Oyl made thereof is very warming and comfortable to the joynts which are stiffe and the Sinews which are hard to mollifie supple and stretch them forth It helpeth the cold griefs of the womb and the windinesse thereof it comforteth the brain and Nerves and helpeth the weariness and diseases of them if they come of cold it helps the dead Palsie the back viz. the Region along the Back-bone being anointed with it being snuffed up in the nose it helps Spasmus Cynicus which is a wrying the mouth aside It helps noyse in the Ears being dropped in them it provokes the Terms and helpeth the bitings of venomous Beasts it is a most gallant Oyl to strengthen the Body the back being anointed it strengthens the Muscles they being chafed with it it helps the Head-ach the forehead being rubbed with it Also this Herb hath the property of heating all the inward Members it softneth the Milt and asswageth the swelling thereof The Decoction of it doth help those that are beginning to fall into a Dropsie those that cannot make water and the pains and torments in the belly The Flower and Herb put in a fine bagg and that applyed to the stomack doth take away the pain and grief thereof The powder of the Leaves snifted up into the nose doth both cleanse and heat the Head and stayeth Rheum especially if it be mixed with a little Ginger Lastly it is used in all odoriferous Waters Powders c. and is a chief Ingredient in most of those Powders that Barbers use in whose Shops I have seen great store of this Herb hanged up CHAP. XI Of Primroses Cowslips and Bears-Eares THere being so great affinity in these sorts of Plants both for form and quality I thought it not amiss to joyn them together in one Chapter lest our Volume should extend it self to too great a Bulk The Names Primroses are usually called in Latine Primulae Veris because they are the first that flourish in the Spring or at least flower with the first nay sometimes they flourish all winter if the weather be calm both these and Cowslips are named Arthriticae Herbae Paralysis because they are good against the pains of the Joynts and Sinews In English Petty Mullens or Palsie worts but most commonly Cowslips The greater sort called for the most part Ox-lips and Paigles are named of divers Herba S. Petri in English Oxlip and Paigle The Auricula Vrsi is entituled by divers names by sundry Authours as Lunaria Arthritica Paralytica Alphina by Gesner Primula Veris Pachyphyllo's by Lugdunensis Sanicula sive Auricula Vrsi first by Matthiolus and afterwards by Loâ—el and Sanicula Alpina by Gesner and Bauchinus but usually now a dayes Auricula Vrsi by all and therefore we in English call them Auricula's Bears-Ears from the similitude that the Leaves have with the Ears of a Bear and sometimes French Cowslips because they grow naturally upon the Alps and are much like unto Cowslips in flower and sometimes Mountain Cowslips Some of them are called Birds-eyes The Kinds And here I might muster up a whole Regiment of these three sorts but I shall mention no more at this time then those I find spoken of by Gerrard which are 1. The white single or field Primrose 2. The Purple Primrose which by the Turks is called Carchicheck 3. The white double Primrose 4. The green Primrose 5. Field Cowslips 6. Field Oxelipps 7. Double Paigles 8. Cowslipps two in a hese 9. White Birdeine 10. Red Birdeine 11. Yellow Bears ear 12. Purple Bears ear 13. Red Bears ear 14. Scarlet Bears ear 15. Blush coloured Bears ear 16. Bright red Bears ear 17. Stamel Bears ear 18. Little white Bears ear He that desires to be any better informed in these kinds of flowers let him consult the Masculine but especially the Feminine Work of Mr. Parkinson who hath treated more largely of them There have been many sorts also found out and brought from beyond the Seas of late daies but being no very skilful Florist I desire to be excused for not mentioning of them I should proceed to the Descriptions of the Ordinary sort of each but because they are so well known I shall describe only the Bears ear The Forme Bears-Ear is a beautiful and brave plant having green thick and fat leaves somewhat finely snipt about the edges not altogether unlike those of Cowslips but smoother greener and nothing rough or crumpled among which ariseth up a slender round stemme an handful high bearing a tuft of flowers at the top sometimes of a yellow sometimes of a purple or red and sometimes of a white colour not much unlike to the flowers of Oxlipps but more open and consisting of one onely Leaf like Cotiledon or Pennywort the root is very threddy and like unto the Oxelip The Place and Time Primroses and Cowslips joy most in shadowy places and therefore are most commonly found in Woods and borders of fields near to the bedge sides The purple Primrose the double Primrose the green Primrose the double Paigses and the Cowslips two in a hose are seldom seen but in Gardens The Red and white Birdeine do grow very plentifully in the Northern parts of this land as in Harwood near Blackburn in Lancashire at Crosby Ravenswaith and Cragge Close in Westmoreland and in some other places The Originall of the Auriculaes came first from the mountaines of Germany Hungary Italy as the Alpes and Pyrences c. But the greatest variety hath risen from the Seed many of them will flower twice in the year viz. in Aprill and May and then again in August and September if the Autumne prove temperate and moist The Temperature and Vertues All
and long but of no use The Places and Time The first groweth generally throughout the Land in divers places by the Hedges and way sides especially in and neer unto Towns and Villages The second is not found to grow naturally in our Land though Gerrard saith so for it will not endure so much Winter as to seed with us the third is a naturall of the West-Indies and the last of Naples yet to be found no doubt in the Summer in the Gardens of some of our exactest Herbarists The first flowreth in July and the Seed is ripe soon after and so doth the last sometimes but the other not flowring till towards Winter cannot in these cold Countries bring its seed to perfection for in the naturall places it flowreth not untill the end of July and in August The Temperature Vervein is hot and dry bitter and binding and is an opener of obstructions cleanseth and healeth The Signature and Vertues The Flowers of Vervein in some sort representing the Eye are no small Argument that it is thereunto to be appropriated The distilled water of the Herb when it is in full strength cleanseth them from Films Clouds or Mists that darken the sight and wonderfully strengtheneth the Optick Nerves If the Herb it self be stamped with the white of an Egg and laid to the Eye that is swollen or blood-shot when you go to bed it will cure it It is also an excellent Herb for the Womb to strengthen it and to cure all the cold griefs of it as Plantain doth the hot It helpeth the yellow Jaundice the Dropsie and the Gout the defects of the Reigns and Longs and generally all inward pains and torments of the body the Leaves being boyled and drunk The same is held to be good against the biting of Serpents and other venomous Beasts the Plague both Tertian and Quartan Agues and the Worms in the Belly It causeth a good Colour in the Face and Body strengtheneth the Liver and Spleen as well as correcteth the Diseases of them is very effectuall in all Diseases of the Stomack and Lungs as Coughs shortness of breath and wheesings and is singular good against the Dropsie to be drunk with some Piony Seeds bruised and put thereto And is no lesse prevalent for the defects of the Reins and Bladder to cleanse those humours that engender the Stone and helpeth to break the Stone and to expel Gravel It consolidateth and healeth all wounds both inward and outward and stayeth bleedings and used with some Honey healeth all old Ulcers and Fistulaes in the Legs or other parts of the Body as also those Ulcers that happen in the mouth or used with old Hogs-grease it helpeth the swellings and pains of the secret parts in Man or Woman as also those Ulcers that happen in the mouth applyed with some Oyl of Roses and Vinegar unto the Forehead and Temples it easeth the inveterate pains and ach of the head and is good for those which are frantick the Leaves bruised or mixed with some Vinegar doth wonderfully cleanse the skin and taketh away Morphew Freckles Fistulaes and such other like Inflammations and Deformities of the skin in any part of the Body and so doth the distilled water which is also very powerful in inward Diseases and likewise in outward whether they be old corroding Sores or green wounds The Female Vervein is held to be more powerful then the common but that of Peru exceedeth them both Monardus reported that a Noble Woman having used the help of divers Physicians in vain an Indian Physician very skilful in Herbs gave her the juyce of that Vervein to drink with a little Sugar by whose use she avoided in few dayes a long Worm being hairy of a foot in length and double forked at the tail after which she grew well This Medicine was given to many others that complained of Worms and it helped them It is held also to be no lesse effectuall against all poyson and the venome of dangerous Beasts and Serpents as also against bewitched Drinkâ— and the like so that it is not used in but also against Witch-craft That this Herb is used by Witches may appear from the story of Anne Bodenham the late Witch of Salisbury who sent her Ruffian-like spirits to gather Vervein and Dill which was to be given to one whom she was desired to bewitch as you may read at large in the Book that is set forth concerning the said Witch CHAP. XIX Of Roses The Names WE are led by the Order of the forecited Verse to the Rose which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rhodon quod largum odoris effluvium emittit from the great sweetness therein as Plutarch saith in Latine both Flower and Plant is called Rosa though in Greek the Plant be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And because there be six parts in a Rose every one of which hath a particular name it will not be amisse to set them down in this place as 1. The Leaves 2. The Nails 3. The yellow Chives or Threds in the middle 4. The Husk or Cup. 5. The five Brethren 6. The Seeds The Leaves are so much as is left when the Nails are cut off The white part of the Leaves of the Flower it self by which they are fastened to the Cups are named Vngues or Nails The yellow Chives or Threds in the middle properly called Capillamenta Rosarum are by some erroneously taken for the Rose-Seed and called Anthera Rosarum from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Flores Rosarum whereas indeed Anthera is the name of a compounded Medicine appointed for divers parts as Antherae Stomachicae c. which either in form of Powders or made up with Honey still hold the same name not taken from Flowers of Roses whereof in many of them none was put in but from the lively Colour of the Ingredients whereof the Compound Medicine was made That is called Calix or the Cup which contained and holdeth in together those yellow Threds and Leaves of the Flower The five Brethren called in Latine Alabastri are those parts of the Cup which are deeply cut and that compass the Flower about before it be opened two have beards and two have none and the fifth hath but half a one Some do call them with the Cup Cortices Rosarum the husks some the stalks of Roses The Seeds are contained within the Cup which you shall finde by breaking of it yet I believe this Seed is not fit for propagation which is commonly made by Roots and slips wherewith these kinde of shrubs abound The Kinds I shall not be very curious in searching after the severall sorts of Roses but shall content my self in giving you the Titles of those mentioned by Gerrard which are 1. The white Rose 2. The Red Rose 3. The great Damask Rose 4. The lesser Damask Rose 5. The Roâ—e without prickâ—es 6. The Proâ—ince-Rose 7. The single Musk-Rose 8. The double Musk-Rose 9. The Veâ—â—et-Rose 10. The yellow
Rose 11. The double Cinamon Roâ—e 12. The â—g antine or sweet Bryer 13. The Bryer Roâ—e or Hep-Tree 14. The Burner Rose All which I shall as near as I can wrap up into one generall Description by which the whole Family may be distinguished The Forme The Rose hath long stalks of a wooddy substance set or armed for the most part with divers sharp prickles the branches whereof are likewise full of prickles whereon do commonly grow leaves consisting of five parts set upon a middle Rib by couples tâ—e odd one standing at the point of the same every one of them somewhat snipt about the edges â—omewhat rough and of an over-worn green colour from the bosom whereof shoot out pretty big foot-stalks whereon do grow very fair flowers some single some double â—ome white some red some damask some yellow c. for the most part of a very sweet smell having in the middle a few yellow threds or chives which being past there succeedeth a long fruit green at the first red when it is ripe and stuffed with a downy choaking matter wherein is contained Seed as hard as stones The Root is long tough and of a wooddy substance The Places and Time All these sorts of Roses or most of them and perhaps some besides are in the Physick Garden at Oxford and in several Gardens about London The double white Rose doth grow wiâ—d in many hedges of Lancashire in great abundance They flower one or other of them from the end of May till the end of August If the superfluous branches and tops be cut away at the end of their flowring they will sometimes if the Winter be calm flower again in October and after The Temperature Both the white and red Roses are cooling and drying yet the white is taken to exceed the red in both those properties but is â—eldom used inwardly in any Medicine The Red as Galen saith hath a watery substance in it and a warm joyned with two other qualities that is an astringent and a bitter The yellow Chives or threds in the middle as also the nails which when any Syrup or Conserve is to be made are to be cut away do binde more then the Rose it self and are more drying also Mesue sheweth that the Rose is cold in the first Degree and dry in the second compounded of divers parts or substances which yet may be separated namely a watery mean substance and an earthly drying an airy substance likewise sweet and aromatical and an hot also whereof cometh the bitterness the redness perfection and form The bitterness in the Roses when they are fresh especially the juyce purgeth Choler and watry humours but being dryed aâ—d that heat that caused the bitterness being consumed they have a stopping and astringent power Those also that are not full blown do both cool and bind more then those that are full blown and the white Roses more then the red The Vertues The Decoction of Red Roses made with Wine and used is very good for the Head-ach and pains in the Eyes Ears Throat and Gums the fundament also the lower Bowels and the Matrix being bathed or put unto them The same Decoction with the Roses remaining in them is profitably applyed to the Region of the heart to ease the Inflammation therein as also St. Anthonies fire and other Diseases of the stomack Being dryed and beaten to Powder and taken in steeled Wine or water it doth help to stay Womens Courses they serve also for the Eyes being mixed with such other Medicines that serve for that purpose and are sometimes put into those Compositions that are called Anthera The yellow Threds in the middest of the Red Roses especially being powdered and drunk in the distilled water of Quinces stayeth the abundance of Womens Courses and doth wonderfully stay and help Defluxions of Rheum upon the Gums and Teeth and preserveth them from corruption and fasteneth them being loose if they be washed and gargled therewith and some Vineger of Squills added thereunto The heads with Seed being used in Powder or in a Decoction stayeth the Lask and the spitting of blood Red Rose-water being cooling and cordial refreshing and quickning the weak and faint spirits is used either in meats or broths as also to wash the Temples to smell to at the Note or to smell the sweet vapour thereof out of a perfuming Pot or cast on a hot Fireshovel It is also of much good use against the redness and Inflammation of the Eyes to bath them therewith and the Temples of the Head against pain and ach for which purpose Vineger of Roses also is of very good use and to procure rest and sleep if some of it and Rose-water together be smelled unto or if a peece of Red-Rose Cake moistened therewith be cut fit for the Head and heated between a double folded Cloth with a little beaten Nutmeg and Poppy-Seed strewed on the side that must lie next to the Forehead and Temples and bound so thereto for all night The Syrup of Damask-Roses is both simple and compound and made with Agarick The simple solutive Syrup is a familiar safe gentle and easie Medicine purging Choler taken from one ounce to three or four The Syrup with Agarick is more strong and effectual for one ounce thereof will open the Body more then three of the other and worketh as much on Flegm as Choler The Compound Syrup with Hellebore is more forcible in working upon melancholick humours and available against the Itch Tetters c. and the French Disease Also Honey of Roses solutive is made of the same infusion that the Syrup is and worketh the same effect both in opening and purging but is oftner given to Phlegmatick then cholerick persons and is more used in Clysters then in Potions as the Syrup made with Sugar is The Conserve and preserved leaves of these Roses are also operative in gently opening the Belly The simple water of the Damask Roses is much used for fumes to sweeten things as also to put into Pyes and Broths c. as the dryed Leaves thereof to make sweet Powders and fill sweet Bags but are seldom used in Physick although they have some purging quality The wild Roses are few or none of them used in Physick yet are generally held to come near the nature of the manured Roses The fruit of the wild Bryar which are called Heps being throughly ripe and made into a Conserve with Sugar besides the pleasantness of the taste doth gently bind the belly and stay the defluxions from the head upon the stomach drying up the moysture thereof and helping digestion The Pulp of the Heps dryed into a hard consistence like to the juyce of Liquorice or so dryed that it may be made into Powder and taken in drink stayeth speedily whites in Women The Bryar-Ball is often used being made into Powder and drunk to break the stone to provoke Urine when it is stopped and to ease and help the Cholick CHAP. XX. Of
cut-in on the edges and of a strong sweet scent growing some near the ground and some by couples upon stalks The Flowers grow at certain distances with two small Leaves at the Joynts under them somewhat like unto the Flowers of Sage but smaller and of a very whitish or black blew Colour the Seed is brownish and somewhat flat or not so round as the wild the Roots are blackish and spread not far and perish after the Seed-time it is most usuall to save it for the Seed seldom riseth of its own shedding The Place and Time The first is planted only in Gardens and so is the second in the Western parts of Europe both on this side and beyond the Alps by the judgement of the best Authours The third was brought by Paludanus into these parts out of Syria The fourth is wilde in many places of Germany The fifth is wilde in our Country upon dry banks almost every where and by the way sides The sixth Clusius first found in the Meadows near Sopronium in Hungary The seventh was sent out of Italy and it is likely is originally of that Country The eighth grew with Clusius of the Seed he received out of Spain but yet as he saith he found it likewise near the riding place at Greenwich The ninth groweth in Hungary almost every where in their Vineyards and by the way sides The tenth grew of the Seed which was sent out of Candy The eleventh both at Mompelâ—er and in Candy The twelfth throughout Hungary in great plenty and in Austria and in many other places The last as Dioscorides saith on Mount Ida in Phrygia and Messenia but of late dayes gathered from some of the Hills of Greece and Illyria that are near the Sea I have seen Colus Jovis c. Jupiters distaffe and the Aethiopian Clary grow both in the Physick Garden at Oxford and that at Westminster The Temperature and Vertues Clary is hot and dry in the third Degree The Seed thereof but especially the wilde sort called Oculus Christ of its effects from helping the Diseases of the Eys is used to be put into the Eys to clear them from any Moats or other such like things as are gotten within the Lids to offend them as also to cleanse them of all filthy and putrified matters wherewith the Eys are wont to be infested and to take away white and red spots out of them If the Seed be finely powdered searsed and mixed with Honey and applyed to the Eys it taketh away the dimness of them The mucilage of the Seed of either sort made with water and applyed to Tumours or Swellings disperseth and taketh them away and also draweth forth Splinters Thorns or other things gotten into the flesh The Leaves used with Vineger either by it self or with a little Honey doth help hot Inflammations as also Biles Felons and hot Inflammations gathered by their pains if it be applyed before they are grown too great The Powder of the dryed Leaves put into the Nose provoketh sneesing and thereby purgeth the Head and Brains of much Rheum and corruption It provoketh to Venery either the Seed or Leaves taken in Wine It is in much use to help to strengthen the Reins either used by it self or with other Herbs that conduce to the same effect and in Tansies often or the fresh Leaves fryed in Butter being first dipped in a Batter of Flower Eggs and a little Milk served as a dish to the Table is not unpleasant to any but especially profitable to those Men or Women that have weak backs It is used in Italy to be given for Women that are batten through a cold and moyst disposition to heat and dry up that moysture and to help them to be fruitful it helpeth the Stomack oppressed with cold flegme and purgeth the Head of Rheum and much corruption but the over-much use hereof offendeth the Head and is hurtful for the Brain and memory It bringeth down Womens desired sickness and expelleth the Secondine or after-birth Yellow Clary or Jupiters Distaffe is hot and drying and the juyce of it is of speciall good use to cleanse and heal foul Ulcers The Aethiopian Clary is commended for the roughness of the Throat and to help to expectorate the rotten and purulent matter in the Plurisie or in other Coughs either the Decoction of the Root drunk or made into an Electuary with Honey Dioscorides saith also that it is good for those which are troubled with the Sciatica The Leaves of wild Clary are good to be put into Pottage and Broth amongst other Herbs for they scatter congealed blood warm the stomack and help the dimness of the Eyes CHAP. XXIV Of Hawk-weed The Names THis is the last Plant that I shall treat of as appropriated to the Eyes and it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Accipiter an Hawk because Hawks are said to sharpen their Eyes with the Juyce of this Herb and for the same Reason it is called Hawk-weed in English In Latine it is called Hieracium and Accipitrina Gaza calleth it Porcellia It is called also Lampuca and by some Hypochaeris and Hyoseris The Kinds Parkinson who thinketh that such a multitude of Varieties in form pertaining to one Herb is not to be found again in Rerum natura divideth the Hawk-weeds into nine Ranks which with the particulars comprehended under every one of them would if only named make this Chapter extend its limits I shall content my self only with those I find mentioned in the Phytologia Britannica which I conceive to be the usuallest sorts growing within these Dominions and they are 1. Rough Hawk-weed or yellow Succory for all of them are numbered amongst the Succories by some 2. Dandelyon Hawk-weed 3. Succory Hawk-weed 4. Endive Hawk-weed 5. Rough Mountain Hawk-weed 6. Long rooted Hawk-weed 7. Great Hawk-weed 8. Hares Lettice or little Hawk-weed yellow Devills bit 9. Little Mountain Hawk-weed 10. Black Hawk-weed with more cut Leaves The Forme Hawk-weed hath divers Leaves of no great size lying on the ground much rent or torn on the sides into many gashes somewhat like unto Dandelyon from among which ariseth a hollow rough stalk of about half a yard or two foot high at the most that ever I saw oranched from the middle upward wherein are set at every Joynt â—esser Leaves but not so much indented as the former bearing at their top sundry pale yellow Flowers consisting of many small narrow Leaves broad pointed and nicked in at the ends set in a double Roe or more the â—â—er most being larger then the inner which form most of the Hawk-weeds do hold which turn into Down and with the small brownish Seeds is blown away with the winde The Root is long and white with many small fibres thereat The whole Plant is full of bitter milk The Places and Time The kind of Herbs do grow in untilled places near unto the borders of Corn-fields in Meadows High-wayes Woods Mountains and
you shall seldom misâ—e the Cure of an Ague in three fits be it what it will even to admiration as Mr. Culpepper affirmeth The juyce hereof drunk about four Ounces at a time for certain dayes together cureth the Quinsie and the yellow Jaundice and taken for thirty dayes together cureth the Falling-Sickness The Roots boyled in milk and drunk is a most effectuall Remedy for all Fluxes either in Man or Woman whether the whites reds or Bloody Flux The Roots boyled in Vinegar and the decoction thereof held in the mouth easeth the pains of the Tooth-ach The juyce or decoction taken with a little Honey helpeth the hoarsness of the Throat and is good for the Cough of the Lungs The distilled water of the Roots and Leaves is also effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid and if the hands be often washed therein and suffered every time to dry of it self without wiping it will in short time help the Palsie or shaking of them CHAP. XL. Of Sow-bread The Names THis Plant is the last that I shall treat of in relation to the Nose The Greek Names of it are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It was called by the first Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Circulo because both the Leaf and the Root are of a circular or round Figure by the later 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it was used to kill Fishes It is called in Latine Tuber terrae Terrae rapum because of its knobby Tur-nep-like Root and Umbilicus terrâ— because as the Navill of a Mans Body strutteth out a little above the Belly so this sometimes above the Earth of some Orbicularis of others Palalia Rapum porcinum malum Terrae In Shops Cyclamen Panis Porcinus Artanita In English Sowbread or Swine-bread because the Swine love it and feed upon it in those Countries where it is plentiful The kinds Parkinson in former book hath reckoned up a dozen sorts or more hereof the want whereof will constrain me to content my self only with the mentioning of three which are 1. Common round Sow-bread 2. Ivy-Sow-bread 3. A strange Plant sent for a bastard Sow-bread of the Spring The Forme The common kind of Sow-bread hath many green and round leaves like unto Asarabacca saving that the upper part of the Leaves are mixed here and there confusedly with white spots and under the Leaves next the ground of a purple colour amongst which rise up little stems like the stalks of Violets beaâ—ing at the top small purple or murrey coloured Flowers which turn themselves backwards of a small scent or savour or none at all which being past there succeed little round knops or heads that contain slender brown seeds these knops are wrapped after a few dayes in the small stalks as thred about a bottom where it remaineth so defended from the in jury of the winter close upon the ground covered also with the green Leaves aforesaid by which means it is kept from the frost even from the time of his seeding which is in September untill June at what time the leaves do faâ—e away the stalks and seed remaining bare and naked whereby it enjoyeth the Sun the sooner to bring them to maturity the Root is round like a Turnep black without and white within with many small strings annexed thereunto The Places and Time The first groweth plentifully about Artois and Vermandois in France and in the Forrest of Arden The second which is the best of all in many places of Italy The third on the Pyrenaean Hills Gerard saith that he hath heard that Sow-bread groweth on the Mountains in Wales on the Hills of Lincolnshire and Somersetshire which I never heard of from any but him who had it but from another and therefore I believe the relator was mistaken it being not so much as mentioned in the Catalogue of British Plants notwithstanding it is frequent in Gardens and is nursed up there more for its Flower then any thing else because it is in its prime when most others are decayed for it flowreth in September and afterwards when the Plant is without Leaf which do afterwards spring up continuing green all winter covering and keeping warm the Seed unto Midsummer next at what time the Seed is ripe The third flowreth in the Spring and therefore it is called Cyclamen vernum or Sow-bread of the Spring The Temperature Although Mesue doth determine the Degrees hereof to be hot and dry in the beginning of the third yet Galen doth not so but saith only 70. Simplicium that it cutteth cleanseth and openeth the mouthes of the Veins draweth and digesteth which is plainly seen by the particular operations thereof The Vertues and Signature Matthiolus saith that the distilled water from the Roots of Sow-bread snuffed up into the Nostrils stayeth their bleeding wonderfully and that if six Ounces of that water be drunk wich an Ounce of fine Sugar it will stay the blood that commeth from the breast stomach or Liver in a wonderful manner or if any Vein be broken in them It purgeth somewhat violently and therefore it is fit as he saith to mix therewith some Mastick or Nutmeg or a scruple of Rubarb by the use whereof many have been holpen of the hardness and swelling of the spleen which could not be holpen by other things It easeth also the pains and torments of the Bowels which we call the Cholick And if saith he the Root hereof be beaten with a few Peach-stone-Kernels and bitter Almonds and after laid in sleep in Aquâ—vitae for three dayes a drop or two of the expressed Cream thereof dropped into the Ears that are deaf or have much noyse helpeth them the juyce mixed with Honey or plantain-Plantain-water helpeth all sores in the mouth or throat being gargled therewith and the Tooth-ach also The juyce of it openeth the Hemorrhoides or Piles and strongly moveth to the Stool being put up in Wooll and saith Mesues it avoideth tough Flegme used in a Clister It is also used with such Medicines as discuss swellings Kernels and other hard knots in any part of the body It helpeth also the Pin and Web in the Eyes being infused with Honey as also avoideth it by the Nostrils and that by snuffing up the juyce the head and brain is purged from those humours that offend it the Ach also and daily pains of it and the Meagrim This Plant belongeth to the womb by Signature and therefore as Theophrastus affirmeth the fresh Root put into a Cloth and applyed for a little time to the secret parts of a Woman that is in sore and long Travail in Child-birth helpeth them to an easie and speedy delivery but it is dangerous till then to be medled with by Women with Child because it will make them miscarry It is profitable for those that have the yellow Jaundice to drive it forth by sweating if after the taking of three drams of the Powder in Mead or Honeyed water they be carefully ordered to sweat It
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
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-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
burn but especially that which groweth by the Sea-side When the Hoggs were troubled with tuberous Baggs of corruption about their Necks the Country people were formerly wont to give them of the Herb Impious boyled in Milk or the like and they observed that which soever of them refused to take it would assuredly die CHAP. LXXVIII Of Jewes Eares The Names AMongst other Simples there is an Excressence of the Elder or Bore-tree which I shall treat of a part from the Tree it self and with it put a period to those things that are appropriated to the Throat it being of so great use for this part whereas the Elder it self is available to many others Notwithstanding I think that the Grecians took so little notice of it that they scarcely afforded it a Name It is called in Latine Fungus Sambucinus and Auricula Juda some having supposed the Elder-tree to be that whereon Judas hanged himself and that ever since these Mushromes like unto Eates have grown thereon which I will not perswade you to believe It is called in English Jewes Eares the Mushrome of the Elder by some the Gelly and by others the Sponge growing upon the Elder The Kinds My Lord Bacon in his naturall History saith that Jewes-Eâ—res grow upon other Trees besides the Elder as the Ash Fir c. but I suppose he was mistaken There are sometimes growing on those Trees certaâ—n Mushromes but like to Jewes-Eares neither in form nor vertue and therefore not to be called by that Name The Forme This Excrescence called Jewes-Eares is a soft and limber Mushrome which while it is fresh is not very thick but transparent and of a blackish colour of differing forms and sizes for some will be swolne and puffed up in one place more then in another having some resemblance to a Mans Eare some thin on the edge and thick in the middle and some two or three growing together all of them being dryed become of a blackish gray colour and then may be kept a whole year or more safe without spoyling to be used as you need The Places and Times Jewes-Eares grow as I said upon the Elder-tree but not so frequently upon them in other places as upon those that are planted upon Cony-Boroughs for their shadow and shelter I understand not but they may be found there at any time of the Year The Temperature Gerard saith that the jelley of the Elder otherwise called Jewes-Eares hath a binding and drying quality The Vertues Dr. Martin Blochwich Physician-Ordinary of Oshatin in his ingenious Tract called the Anatomy of Elder saith that even common Country Women so soon as they suspect any Disease in the Throat of their young Children they steep the Sponge of Elder in their Drink and when it is swelled they therewith carefully wipe away all the filth of the Palat Gums and Tongue It is likewise used for the same purpose being boyled in Ale or Milk with Columbine Leaves and with a little Pepper and Pellitory of Spain in Powder it helpeth to put up the Uâ—â—la or Palat of the Mouth being fallen down Take of the water or Decoction of Elder-Flowers wherein a little Elder-Honey hath been mixed and add thereunto some Leaves of Self-heal and a Jewes Eare or two and you will find it a sure Experiment for the Quinsey And a Lohoch or licking of the Rhob of Elder inspislated with Sugar with some pulverised Jewes-Eares added thereunto is commodious The distilled water of Jewes-Eares is very profitable for the Dropsie according to Crâ—lliâ—s de signaturis rerâ—â— and a drink made by sleeping three whole dryed Umbels of Elder Flowers and two Jewes-Eares very well dryed in two quarts of White-wine if it be used and no other drink the tumour will vanish away suddenly An handful of Jewes-Eares infused in a quart of the Spirit of Wine and a full draught thereof given to one that is troubled with the suffocation of the Matrix in the time of her fit cureth her The Powder of the Grains of Elder being mixed with an equall part of Jewes-Eares is commended in spitting blood CHAP. LXXIX Of Elecampane The Names HAving appropriated severall Simples to the inside and outside of the Throat the Breast comes next in Order to be provided for both internally and externally to which there is nothing more proper then Elecampane which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Helenium also in Latine and of some Inula and Enula and Enula Campana some think it took the name from the tears of Helen from whence it sprung which is a Fable others say it was so called because Helen first found it available against biting and stingings of venemous Beasts and others think it took its name from the Island Helena where the best was found to grow We in English call it Elecampane generally yet in some Countries of this Land it is called Sabwort and Horse-heal The Kindes To this Plant which otherwise would be single do some refer the Flowers of the Sun as 1. The greater flower of the Sâ—â— 2. The lesser flower of the Sun 3. The Male flower of the Sun 4. The Marigold Sun flower The Forme Elecampane shooteth forth many large leaves lying neer the ground which are long and broad but small at both ends somewhat soft in handling of a whitish green on the upper side and gray underneath each set upon a short footstalk From amongst which riâ—e â—p divers great and strong hairy stalks two or three foot high with some leaves thereon compassing them about at the lower ends and are branched towards the tops bearing divers great and large flowers like unto those of the flower of the Sun of which it is said to be a kind as I said before both the border of the leaves and the middle Thrum being yellow which is not wholly converted into large seed as in the flower of the Sun but turneth into Down with some long small brownish seed among it and is carried away with the wind the Râ—â—t is great and thick branched forth divers waies blackish on the outside and white within of a very bitter taste but good sent especially when it is dryed no part else of the plant having any smell The Places and Time This is one of the Plants whereof England may boast as much as any for there growes none better in the world then in England let Apothecaries and Druggeists say what they will It groweth in Meadows that are fat and fruitful as in Parsons Meadow by Adderbury as I have been told and in divers other places about Oxfordshire It is found also upon the Mountains and shadowy places that be not altogether dry it groweth plentifully in the fields on the left hand as you go from Dunstable to Puddle hill Also in an Orchard as you go from Colâ—râ—â— to Ditton Ferry which is in the way from London to Windsor and in divers places in Wales particularly in the Orchard of Mr. Peter Piers at Guieruigron neer St. Asaphs The
profitable Reed having long stalks seaven or eight foot high joynted and knee'd like the common walking Canes but that the Leaves come forth of every joynt on every side of the stalk one like unto wings long narrow and sharp pointed The Cane it self or stalk is not hollow as the other Canes and Reeds are but full and stuffed with a spungious substance in taste exceeding sweet The root is great and long creeping along within the inner crust of the earth which is likewise sweet and pleasant but lesse hard or wooddy then other Canes or Reeds from which do shoot many young Cions which are cut away from the main or Mother plant because they should not draw away the nourishment from the old stock and so get unto themselves a little moisture or else some substance not much worth and cause the stock to be barren and themselves little the better which shoots do serve for plants to set abroad for increase The Places and Time The Sugar Cane groweth naturally in the East and West Indies the Barbadoes Madera and the Canary Islands and Barbary also It is planted likewise in many parts of Europe at this day as Spain Portugal Oliba and in Province Some shoots have been planted in England but the coldnesâ—e of the Climate quickly made an end of them The two next in England the fourth in Spain The fifth in Bengala The sixth was found in a Sack full of Costus and Ginger as it was brought from Arabia The seventh was found by Bellonius in a Valley on Mount Athos and in the River Jordan and of this they make their writing Pens in Turkey where the four next sorts are thought to grow The last groweth in Italy and divers other places but all of them delight in moist or watery overflown grounds The Sugar Cane is planted at any time of the year in those hot Countries where it doth naturally grow by reason they fear no frosts to hurt the young shoots at their first planting they are most of them ripe about the end of September The Temperature The Juyce of the Sugar Reed made into Sugar is hot and moist in the first degree or temperately hot and moist and is abstersive or cleansing The Vertues Sugar is good to make smooth the roughnesse of the breast and Lungs cleareth the voice and putteth away hoarsness and the Cough and so doth Sugar Candy It is convenient for the Stomach helpeth the roughnesse and drynesse of the mouth and throat also thirst and drought in Feaverse specially being mixed with water and so taken and it is very profitable for the Reins and Bladder It is used to put sowrenesse and bitternesse out of the mouth of sick persons and may be put into cooling as well as heating and warming Medicines Sugar or White Sugar Candy put into the Eye taketh away the dimnesse and the blood shotten therein It is good to be put into green wounds whilst they are yet bleeding and strewed into foul sores it cleanseth them This is the Physical use of Sugar which hath obtained now a daies so continuall and daily use that it is almost accounted not Physicall and is more commonly used in Confections Syrups and such like as also preserving and conserving sundry fruits as Cherries Damsons Mulberries c. and Flowers as Roses Violets Rosemary Flowers and such like which still retain with them the Name of Sugar as Sugar Roset Sugar Violet c. to write of all which is besides our Intentions Now for our ordinary Reeds The roots as Galen saith have a cleansing quality but not sharp and the Leaves also The fresh Leaves bruised or the roots applyed to those places that have Thorns Splinters or the like in the flesh do draw them forth in a short space the same also applyed with Vinegar helpeth Members out of joynt by Signature and easeth the pains in the Loins the fresh leaves also bruised and applyed unto hot Impostumes Inflammations or St. Anthonies sire easeth them the Ashes made of the outer rind of the stalk mingled with Vinegar helpeth the falling off the hair If the flower or woolly substance happen into the ears it sticketh therein so fast as that by no means it will be gotten forth again but will procure deafnesse withal Some have observed that the Fern and the Reed are at perpetuall enmity the one not abiding where the other is which may b e as my Lord Bacon saith not because of any Antipathy in the plants but because they draw a like nourishment and so starve one the other whereas there is such amity they say between Asparagus and the Reed that they both thrive wondrous well which is because they draw a different Juyce Reeds are alâ—o put to many necessary uses as to thatch houses to serve as walls and defence to Gardiners in the cherishing of their plants to Water-men to trim their boats to Weavers to wind their yarn on and for divers other purposes Nay those that grow in the Indies by reason of the heat of those Climates grow so great and tall that they serve instead of timber both to build their houses and to cover them CHAP. LXXXIII Of the Jujube-Tree The Names THe Tree it self is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek Zizypha and Zinzâ—pha of Columella Zâ—z phus rutila of others Rubra and Punicea and of the Arabians from whom the Apothecaries took it Jujube and â—o do Lobel and Pena The Fruit or Plums arenamed in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are the same that Galen calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine likewise Zizipha and Serica in Shops Jujube in English Jujubes The Kindes Although in former times there were but one sort of Jujube known yet now we have three 1. The greater Jujube-Tree 2. The lesser Jujube-Tree 3. The wild Jujube-tree The Form The Jujube-tree groweth sometimes to be very high but more often to a reasonable height having his Stem or Body bowed or crooked and spreading rather in breadth the Wood whereof is whitish and hard covered with a rugged Bark from whence spread great Branches and from the lesser and slender whitish twigs about a foot long full of Leaves set on both sides not usually directly one against another but one a little above another with an odd one at the end each whereof is small somewhat broad and pointed at the end dented or finely nicked about the edges with long Veins in them smooth and somewhat hard in handling each standing on a short foot-stalk and very like unto the Leaves of Paliurus or Christs Thorn at the foot of every Leaf towards the tops of the Twigs come forth small yellowish Flowers of five Leaves a peece where afterwards stand the fruit which is somewhat like unto a small Plum or Olive but a little long green at the first and then â—t is somewhat harsh and yellowish after but at last red and of a reasonable sweetnesse yet
with Ale or Beer and given to one that is suspected to have lost her maidenhead if it remain with her she is a maid otherwise not If you give Hens some dry Nettles broken small with their meat in Winter it will make them lay eggs all the Winter more plentifully It is said also that if the herb be rubbed on the privities of female beasts that will not suffer the males to cover them it will cause them the more willingly to suffer them to do it The oyl of Roses or Sallet Oyl boyled with the juyce or the juyce of the Leaves themselves is a present Remedy to take away the stinging of Nettles To all the purposes aforesaid the Roman Nettle is held the most effectual yet where it cannot be had the others are in a degree next it as effectual Nettle tops are usually boyled in Pottage in the Spring time to consume the Phlegmatick superfluities in the body of Man that the coldnesse and moisture of the Winter hath left behind CHAP. LXXXVIII Of Turneps The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gongyle ob rotunditatem figuraeradicis because of the roundnesse of the root for the Greeks did call every thing that was made round after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is called in Latine Rapum and Rapa which is commonly used in shops and every where else The Lacedemonians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Beetians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Athaeneus reporteth We English Turnep and Rape The Kinds There be sundry sorts of Turneps some wild some of the Garden some with round roots globe fashion others ovall or Pear-fashion some great and some of a smaller sort I shall mention only these four following 1. The great round Turnep 2. The little round Turnep 3. The long Turnep 4. The Orenge coloured Turnep The Forme The Turnep hath long rough and green leaves cut or snipt about the edges with deep gashes The stall divideth it self into sundry branches or arms bearing at the top small flowers of a yellow colour and sometimes of a light purple which being past there do succeed long Cods full of small blackish seed like Rape seed The root is round like a bowle and sometimes a little stretched out in length growing very shallow in the ground and oftentimes shewing it self above the Surface of the Earth The Places and Time The Turnep prospereth well in a leight loose and fat earth and so loose as Petrus Crescentius sheweth that it may be turned almost into dust it groweth in divers fields and Gardens in most places of England The other sorts are not so common as the first yet those that are ever awhit delighted with rarities of this nature have them growing in their Gardens It is not convenient that the ground where they are to be sowen be digged so deep as for other things or if it be the Gardner would do well to tread the ground before he sow them for then will they head the better They may be sown in any Moneth from March to October but they are commonly sown in April and May as also in the end of August They flower and seed the second year after they are sown for those that flower the same year that they are sown are a degenerate kind causing frensy and giddinesse of the brain for a season wherefore are by some called Madneps The Temperature The bulbous or knobbed root which is properly called Rapum or Turnep hath given the name to the plant whilst it is raw for so it is sometimes eaten especially by the poor people in Wales is windy and ingendreth cold and grosse blood but being boyled it cooleth lesse yea so little as that it cannot be perceived to cool at all yet it is moist and windy The Vertues and Signature The Decoction of Turneps is good against the Cough and hoarsnesse of the voice being drunk in the evening with a little Sugar or a quantity of clarified honey The Syrup of Turneps being extracted by baking them mixed with life Hony hony of Roses or Sugar a Spoonful thereof taken at night about bedtime worketh the same effect and is good for those that have a vein Broken Dioscorides writeth that the Turnep it self being stamped is with good successe apaplyed to the Kibed heeles and also that Oyl of Roses boyled in an hollow Tuâ—nep under the hot Embers doth cure the same The young or tender shoots or springs of Turneps at their first coming forth of the ground boyled and eaten is a delicate Sallet which provoketh Urine The seed is mixed with counter poysons and Treacles and being drunk it is a remedy against poyson They of the low countries do give the oyl which is pressed out of the seed against the afterthrows of women newly brought a bed and also do administer it to young children against the worms which it both killeth and driveth forth The Oyl mixed with water doth allay the fervent heat and rugged nesse of the skin it availeth not a little how they be prepared for being boyled in water alone or with meat is most moist and sooner descendeth and maketh the body more soluble but being roasted or baked it ingendreth lesse wind and yet it is not altogether without wind but howsoever they be dressed they yeeld more norishment then the raw they provok Urine increase natural seed and milk in womens breasts by Signature there being a neer resemblance between a womans breast and a Turnep And now I think it will not be amisse to turn my stile from the in side of the breast to the out side and because the breasts of VVomen are more subject to indisposition then mens I shall set down some plants which may be serviceable upon that account CHAP. LXXXIX Of Ladies-Mantle The Names ALthough Branfelsius and others have thought this Plant to be Leontopodium or Lions foot being deceived by the name because divers Nations have so called it from the form or likenesse of the Leaf yet it cannot be gathered that it was known to Dioscorides or any of the ancient Greek Writers It is usually called in Latine Alchymella by most Writers because as some think the Alchymists gave mighty Commendations of it It is called also of Matthiolus Lugdunensis and others Stellaria from the form of the Leaf that with the corners resembles a Star but there are divers others Herbs called Stellaria by severall Authours and some also call this â—es Leonis and Pata Leonis others call it Sanicula major for the Vertues of it which are like unto Sanicle Cordus calleth it Drosera Drosium Psiadeion from the Germans name Sinnaw because the hollowish Leaf will contain the Drops of Dew We in English call it our Ladies Mantle from the prettynesse of the Leaf and great Sanicle and of some Lions Foot or Lions Paw The Kinds The Sorts are but two 1. Common Ladies Mantle 2. Cinquefoile Ladies Mantle The Forme Common Ladies Mantle hath many Leaves rising from the
shall therefore mention those that follow reserving the Marsh Mallowes and its kinds for another Chapter upon another occasion 1. The common Mallow with purplish Flowers 2. The Purplish Mallow with white Flowers 3. Small wild Mallow 4. Single Garden Hollihocks 5. Double Hollihocks 6. French curled Mallowes 7. Fine cut or Vervain Mallowes 8. A strange Mallow called Malva Rosa by Mr. Brown The Forme The common Mallow is so well known as also the Hollihocks that the description of either of them is not so necessary as that of the Vervain Mallow being lesse taken notice of The lower Leaves of it are soft and green somewhat like unto the wild common Mallow Leaves but lesser and more cut in on the edges besides the denting but those that grow up higher upon the stalk whose bark may be broken in the threds like Hemp and is sometimes near as high as the ordinary wild kind is are more cut in and divided somewhat like unto Vervain the Flowers hereof are of a paler purple colour then the common Mallow but in most not so much divided into several Leaves and laid so open but abiding more close or lesse spread and without those stripes oftentimes being smooth and somewhat shining the Seed and Seed Vessels are like the common Mallow the Root also is long tough and white but somewhat more wooddy The Places and Time The first is known to grow every where but the second with white Flowers is more rate growing but in few places as about Ashford and other places in Kent and at Thrapstone in North 〈…〉 c. The third is found under Walls and Hedges in many places The fourth fifth and sixth are Inhabitants of Gardens and so is the seaventh which is found in the Fields also about St. Albans c. The last was shewed me by Mr. Ball in his Garden near Sion House which came with some other Seeds from beyond the Seas They flower about June and July The Temperature The wild Mallows have a certain moderate heat and moystnesse withall The Juyce thereof is slimy clammy or giuing the which are to be preferred before the Garden Mallow or Hollihock but the French Mallow is generally holden to be the wholsomest and as Gerard thinks is that which Hesiod commends It easily descendeth not only because it is moyst but also by reason it is slimy The Vertues Although Mallowes are commonly said to mollifie the belly and make it soluble yet there are other things more effectuall to that purpose I shall therefore appropriate it to the Breasts or Paps of women for it not onely procureth great store of Milk in the Breasts of those Nurses that eare it being boyled and buttered as other herbes commonly are or shred into their pottage but also asswageth the hardnesse of them being boyled and applyed unto them warme as also all other hard Tumors Inflammations of Impostums and swelling of Cods and other parts and easeth the paines of them and likewise the hardnesse of the Liver and Spleen being applyed to the places especially if a Pultis be made by adding some Bean or Barly flower or Oyle of Roses to them The Leaves and Roots also boyled in wine or water or in broth with parsley or Fennell Roots doth help to open the Body and is very convenient in hot Agues or other distempers of the body for by its mollilying quality it not onely voideth hot cholerick or other offensive humors but easeth the paines and torments that come by the stoppings of the belly and to that end the boyled leaves are applyed warm to the Belly and it is used in Clisters for the same purpose The Decoction of the seed of any of the Common Mallowes made in milk or wine doth marvellously help Excoriations of the Bowells Ptisick Pleuresie and other diseases of the Chest and Lungs that proceed of hot causes if it be continued taking for some time together The Leaves and Roots work the same effects The juice drunk in wine or the Decoction made in wine doth help women to an easy speedy delivery The Leaves bruised and laid to the Eys with a little Hony taketh away the Impostumation of them The Leaves rubbed upon any place stung with Bees Waspes or the like taketh away the pains rednesse swelling thereof The juice of Mallows boyled in old Oyl applyed taketh away all roughnesse of the skin as also the falling of the haire the Scurse Dandraffe or Dry-Scabs in the head or other parts if they be anointed therewith or washed with the Decoction the same also is effectuall against Scaldings or Burnings and to help wild-fire and all other hot red and painfull swellings in any part of the body The Flowers boyled in water and a little Honey added is a good Gargle for any sore mouth or throat If the feet be bathed with the Decoction of the Leaves Roots and Flowers it helpeth the flowing down of Rhume from the head which rose out of the Stomack the green leaves beaten with Nitre and applyed draweth out thornes or pricks out of the flesh The roots being made clean from the earth and washed and at the end a little â—cotched with a knife and then rubbed hard upon the teeth taketh a way sliminesse of them and maketh them very white The Vervain-Mallow is thought to be most effectuall for burstings or ruptures and the bâ—oody sâ—ix and also for the shrinking of the Sinewes and Cramp The diuilled water hereof being made when it is in flower worketh the same effects but more weakely yet it is much commended in hot Agues and Feavers Plâ—ny saith that whosoever shall take a spoonefull of the juyce of any of the Mallowes shall for that day be free from all diseases and it is especiall good for the Falling-Sicknesse The Syrup also and Conserve made of the flowers are very effectuall to the same diseases and for Costivenesse The young leaves may be eaten as a Sallet with Salt and Vineger and so the Nurses may eat them CHAP. XCIV Of Dill. The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quód citó crescat from its speedy growing for though it be late before it come up a month or two after Fennell to which it is very like yet it perfecteth its feed as much before it and then fades away And this in my opinion is the likeliest Etymology yet others thinke it to be so called quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est invictum quia câ—bi appetentiam excitâ—â— because it provokes appetite or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is Congressus â—â—â—tio Venerea for which the Antients held it very eâ—â—ectuall It is called in Latin Anethum Anetum In English Dill Aâ—et The Kindes Though there were but one sort of Dill known formerly yet in these latter times two other sorts have been found out as 1. Common Garden Dill. 2. Great Wild Dill 3. Small Wild Dill. The Forme The Common Dill groweth up with seldom more then one stalk
shooting two or three branches almost of an equall bignesse which is sweet in tast and therefore much used to be eaten The Places and Time The first groweth in the Physick Garden in Oxford and divers other Gardens The second seaventh eleventh and twelfth grow also in England but I find not the particular place expressed The Peach-leafed Bell-flowre which is the last save one groweth in the Garden of my most honoured Friend John Cartwright Esquire at his Mannour of Aino on the Hill in Northamptonshire The last groweth plentifully between Selbury Hill and Beacon Hill in the way to Bathe The rest are strangers some of them growing in Candy others in Italy and some in Germany c. They flowre all the Summer long some abiding long and lasting untill in Autumn cold dewes do take them away others being sooner spent The Temperature The Roots of these are of a cold Temperature and somewhat binding yet scarce exceed the first Degree The Signature and Vertues The Roots and Leaves of Rampions being broken as I said before do send forth a very white milky Juyce which is an apparant Signature that they being so temperate are available for the engendring of store of Milk in Nurses Breasts which without controversie they do effectually procure The Roots of all the Sorts of Rampions and so likewise some of Bell-flowers especially if they have any greater Roots then the ordinary stringy ones are used for Sallets either â—old with Vinegar Oyl and Pepper or boyled and strewed with Butter or Oyl and some black or long Pepper cast on them either way or any way else they are familiar to the stomach stirring up the appetite and by reason of their temperate quality cause a good digestion The Roots beaten small and mixed with some Meal of Lupines cleanseth the skin from spots marks or other discolourings The distilled water of the whole Plants Roots and all performeth the same and maketh the place very splendent and clear Sure these useful Plants were not known to Mr. Culpepper to grow in England but he fearing them to be outlandish to which he was a professed Enemy very ignorantly omitted them when as he hath busied himself about those that are lesse useful This I wrote the rather because I would have you take notice of Rampions and endeavour to propagate them CHAP. XCVI Of Periwinckle The Names IT is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek because it bringeth forth stalks which creep like those of the Vine called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Daphnoidas because the Leaves are somewhat like though lesser then those of the Bay-Tree It is called also Clematis Daphnoides in Latine but it is most commonly known by the name of Vinca Pervinca both in Shops and else-where Pliny calleth it also Camaedaphne and Centunculus though there be other Plants to whom those names do more properly belong In English Pervinkle Peruinkle and Periwinckle The Kinds There be divers Sorts or Kinds of Periwinckle whereof some be greater others lesser some with white Flowers others Purple and double and some of a fair blew Sky Colour The Forme The common Sort of Periwinckle hath many Branches trailing or running upon the ground shooting out small Fibres at the Joynts as it runneth taking thereby hold in the ground and rooteth in divers places At the Joynts of these branches stand two small dark green shining Leaves somewhat like Bay-leaves but smaller as I said before and with them come also the Flowers one at a joynt standing upon a tender Foot-stalk being somewhat long and hollow parted at the brims sometimes into four sometimes into five leaves of a pale blew coâ—our The Root is not much bigger then a Rush bushing in the ground and creeping with his Branches far about whereby it quickly possesseth a great compasse and is therefore most usually planted under hedges where it may have room to run up upon the sticks which it doth encompasse and bind over and over and is perhaps from thence called Vinca Per winca The Places and Time The first groweth on the north west side of St. Albans under an hedge encompassing a field sometimes in the occupation of Mr. Pollard and in Kingsland neer Paradise The other sorts are found only in the Gardens of those that are delighted with such pretty sorts of Varieties The flowers of them do flourish in March Aprill and May and oftentimes later The Temperature Periwinckle is somewhat hot but within the second Degree and likewise something dry and astringent The Vertues Perhaps it may seem very strange to many that I should appropriate this Plant to the Breasts for the breeding of Milk when as the greater part of Herbarists ascribe no such Vertue to it But to me it is sufficient that I have for my President that famous Herbarist Spigelius who in his second Book and fourth Chapter treating of those things that generate Milk saith There are also some Herbs as well hot as cold which although they breed little blood and are of small nourishment yet they cause great plenty of milk as Lettice Cabbage and Periwinckle which being boyled in water or the Broth of Meat doth recall the defect of Milk into the Breasts though they nourish little or nothing at all which actions they perform rather by an occult specifick vertue then any manifest quality The other properties that it hath are that it stayeth bleeding both at Mouth and Nose if some of the Leaves be chewed and the French do use it to stay their menstruall Courses Dioscorides Galen and Aegineta commend it against the Lasks and Fluxes of the Belly to be drunk with Wine and being chewed it easeth the pains of the Teeth It is likewise good against the biting of Adders being bruised and applyed to the place especially if the infusion thereof in Vinegar be taken inwardly Parkinson saith it is a tradition with many that a wreath made hereof and worn about the Legs defendeth them from the Cramp by which words he seemeth in my judgement to doubt of the truth thereof but indeed he needed not so to do for I knew a friend of mine who was very vehemently tormented with the Cramp for a long while which could be by no means eased till he had wrapped some of the Branches hereof about his Legs and other parts that we afflicted Mr. Culpepper writeth that Venus owns this Herb and saith That the Leaves eaten by Man and Wife together cause love which is a rare quality indeed if it be true CHAP. XCVII Of Lettuce The Names THe Garden Lettuce is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of the Pythagoreans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine Lactuea sativa à lactei succi copia from the plenty of Milk that it hath and causeth When the Leaves of this kind are curled or crompled it is called of Pliny Lactuca crispa and of Columella Lactuca Ceciliana in English curled or crumpled Lettuce The Cabbage Lettuce is commonly called Lactuca capitata and Lactuca sessilis
The Crown Imperiall 11. The double Crown Imperiall The Forme The white Lilly hath long smooth and full bodies Leaves of a grassie or light green colour The stalks are two Cubits high and sometimes more set or garnished with the like Leaves but growing smaller and smaller towards the top and upon them do grow fair white Flowers strong of smell narrow towards the foot of the stalk whereon they do grow wide or open in the mouth like a Beâ—l In the middle part of them do grow small tender Poyntels tipped with a dusty yellow colour ribbed or chamfered on the back side consisting or six small leaves which are thick and fat The Root is a bulb made of Scaly Cloves full of rough and clammy juyce wherewith the whole Plant doth greatly abound The Places and Time The first groweth in many Gardens in England The second at Constantinople and the parts adjacent from whence it was translated into our Engâ—ish Gardens where all the rest that follow are planted also the red Liâ—â—ies being brought thither out of the plowed Fields of Italy and Langue-dock in the Moâ—ntains and Vallies of Hetruria and those places adjacent where they grow wiâ—d The Mountain Lillies as Dioscorides writeth do grow wild in Laodicâ—a and Antioch a City of Syria and hath likewise been found upon the Mountains in Italy and such hot Countries as do border upon Morea or Greece many dayes journies beyond Constantinople whereabouts the red Lilly of Constantinople also groweth The Persian Lilly groweth naturally in Persia and those places adjacent whereof it took its name as the former did from Constantinople whence the Crowns Imperiall have been also brought They all flowre in May and June except the Crown Imperiall which flowreth in April and sometimes in March when as the weather is warm and pleasant The Temperature The white Lilly Leaves and Flowers are hot and moyst and partly of a subtle substance the Root is dry in the first degree and hot in the second The Flowre of the red Lilly as Galen saith is of a mixt temperature partly of a thin and partly of an earthly Essence The Root and Leaves do dry and cleanse and moderately digest or wast and consume away All Authours are silent concerning the temperature of the rest The Signature and Vertues The Snowy whitenesse of the white Lilly being altogether of the same colour with Milk as some sign that this Plant is to be appropriated to the Paps especially if we regard their Originall which though it be altogether fabulous yet certainly hath some mystery to this purpose included therein For if a Womans Breast be so grievously swollen that there is no other way but to break it the Roots of the white Lilly boyled in Milk with Leaven till they be tender and applyed hot morning and evening will do it effectually after which an handful of Parsley stamped with a peece of fat Bacon and the yolk of an Egg and applyed will heal it Besides if the Paps which are afflicted with curdâ—ed Milk in them be annointed with the Oyl of Lillies it dissolveth it but there must be a care that it touch not the Nipple The Root roasted and well mixed with the Oyl of Roses doth soften the hardness of the Matrix and provoketh the Courses in Women being layd thereupon The same stamped with Honey gleweth together Sinews that be cut in sunder consumeth and scoureth away the Ulcers of the Head called Achores and likewise all scursinesse of the Head and face and is good to be laid to all dislocations or places out of Joynt The same stamped with Vinegar the Leaves of Henbaâ—e or the Meal of Barley cureth the tumors and Apostumes of the privy Members it bringeth the hair again upon places that have been burned or scalded if it be mingled with Oyl or Grease and the place anointed therewith The same roasted in Embers and stamped with Leaven of Rye-bread and Hogs-grease breaketh pestilentiall Botches and ripeneth Apostumes in the Flanks coming of Venery and such like the same mixed with Oyl of Roses cureth Wild-fire and burnings and closeth wounds and Ulcers and is good also to be laid upon the bitings of Serpents The same boyled in Vinegar and applyed cureth Coâ—ns The Roots boyled in honyed water and drunk driveth forth by the Seige all corruption of blood as Pliny saith The Seeds are good to be taken against the biting of Serpents and expelleth the poyson of the Pestilence causing it to break forth in blisters in the outward part of the skin being taken in Wine or the Roots stamped and strained with Wine and given to drink for two or three dayes together The Juyce tempered with Barley-Meal and baked in Cakes and so eâ—ten ordinarily for a moneth or six weeks together with Meat and no other Bread for that time cureth the Dropsie as it is said The distilled water being taken is said to cause easie and speedy deliverance and to expell the Aâ—â—er-birth The same water is used in Diseases of the Lungs shortness of breath the Cough c. Being mixed with Camphir and Oyl of Tartar ti is used to beautifie the Face The Oyl made of the Flowers is good to supple mollifie and digest excellent to soften the Sinews and to cure the hardnesse of the Matrix Take of Sorrel and Marsh Marigold of each an handful white Lilly Root a dram bruise them and roast them in Embers in a Dock-Leaf and bind it hot to the place affected with a Felon and it will cure it The red Lilly Roots when the other are not to be had may be applyed outwardly for any of the purposes before mentioned but for their inward use I find them not commended The Mountain Lillies the red Lilly of Constantinople the Persian Lilly and the Crowns-imperiall are nourished in Gardens more for their beautiful shape than for any Physical use that I read of CHAP. CIV Of Dock Cresse The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lampsana Soâ—chus Sylvaticus and Papâ—llaris in English Dock-Cresses Tetterwort and Nipplewort by Mr. Parkâ—â—son and the reason why he calleth it so he saith is because it is good to heal the Ulcers of the Nipples of Womens Breasts as Camerarius also testifieth The Kinds All former Writers have made but one sort thereof which some of them would have to be a Sallet or Potherb whereon the poorer sort of people did â—eed as being the meanest and cheapest of all others whereas indeed there is no probability thereof it being never received by any as food to seed upon but Bauhinus hath added thereunto another that cometh very neer it and Mr. Parkinson hath added a third The first is called Ordinary Dock-cresse or Nipplewort The second Nipplewort of Austria The third wild or wood Bastard Nipplewort The Forme The Ordinary Dockcresse or Nipplewort sendeth forth sundry hard upright stalks whereon grow dark green leaves from the bottom to the tops but lesser still as they are higher towards
and pleasant in Sallets as there is no Herb comparable unto it and giveth a better rellish to those it is put with the Seeds while they are fresh and green sliced and put among other Herbs make them tast very pleasant the Root boyled and eaten with Oyl and Vinegar or without Oyl if any one mislike it doth much please and warm a cold or old stomack oppressed with flegm or wind and those that have the Ptisick and Consumption of the Lungs The Lungs and the particular Diseases thereof being thus spoken to I shall descend unto the Heart which is the first thing in a Man that lives and the last that dies upon the wel-fare whereof the wel-fare of all other parts depends and therefore especially to be provided for so that I shall muster up a little Regiment of Simples to defend it from those poysonous enemies which would otherwise assault it to the endangering of the whâ—le Microcosme And I shall begin with Angelica because it relates both to that which goes before and that which comes after CHAP. CXVIII Of Angelica The Names IT is not yet known whether any of the Ancients knew this Herb or by what name the Greeks did call it however it hath gained many worthy names of the Latine Writers for some have called it Sancti Spiritus radix and have been blamed for it already others Lacuna and Dodonaeus thinketh it to be some kind of Laserpitium some have taken it to be Smyrnium and some Panax Heracleum but generally it is called Angelica for the rare smell and Angel-like properties therein and that name it retains still all Nations following it so near as their Dialect will permit The Kinds Former times knew but two sorts hereof but now there are sound out two more 1. Garden Angelica 2. Wild Angelica 3. Mountaine Wild Angelica 4. The great Water Angelica The Forme The Garden Angelica hath divers large and fair spread and winged Leaves half a yard long or better sometimes made of many great and broad ones set usually one against another on a middle rib of a pale but fresh green Colour and dented about the edges from among which usually riseth but oâ—e round hollow stalk being very thick and four or five foot high with divers great joynts and Leaves set on them whose foot-stalks do compasse the main stalk at the bottom and from thence also towards the top come forth branches with the like but lesser Leaves at them and at their tops large round spread umbels of white flowers after which cometh the seed which is somewhat flat thick short and whitish two alwayes set together as is usuall in all these umbelliferous plants and a little crested on the round seed the root groweth great and wooddy when it flowreth with many great long branches to it but perisheth after seed which being suffered to fall of its own accord will more certainly grow then that which is gathered and sown by hand at any other time The Places and Time The first is very Common in our English Gardens and was brought hither as is conceived from beyond the Seas or from the Rocks not far from Barwick upon which it groweth It is found in great plenty in Norway and in an Island of the North call Iceland where it groweth very high and is eaten of those that come into that Country for want of other food the bark being pilled off It groweth likewise in divers mountains of Germany and especially of Bohemia The second Sort is wild both in many places of Essex Kent and neer Kentish-Town by London and in other places The third groweth on divers mountains of Germany and Hungary The last is not onely naturall to grow in watery ditches but in moist grounds also in most places of England They flower in Iuly and August whose roots for the most part do perish after the seed is ripe and therefore they which desire to preserve them must keep it from seeding by cutting off the Leaves to Still and so both the root and plant may be continued divers years together The Temperature Angelica especially that of the Garden is hot and dry some put it in the second and others in the third degree howsoever it openeth attenuateth or maketh thin digesteth and procureth sweat The whole plant both Leaf and Seed and Root is of an excellent pleasant scent and tast very comfortable being not fierce or sharp but rather sweet and giveth a most delicate relish when it is tasted or used the Leaves be the weakest and some hold the seed to be next and the root to be the strongest especially being not ready to grow up for stalk The Vertues If the Root of Angelica be taken in powder to the weight of half a dram at a time with some good Treacle in Carduus water or if treacle be not at hand take the root alone in Carduus or Angelica water and sweat thereupon it reâ—steth poyson by defending the Heart the blood and spirits and giveth heat and Comfort to them and it doth the like against the Plague and Infection of the Pestilence and so do the stalks or roots candyed and eaten fasting at such times and also at other times to warme and Coâ—â—ort a cold and old stomack The root also steeped in Vinegar and a little of that Vinegar taken sometimes fasting and the root smelled unto are both good Preservatives also for the same purpose A water distilled from the Root simply or steeped in Wine and distilled in glasse is much more effectuall then the water of the leaves and this water drunk two or three spoonfulls at a time eaâ—eth all paines and torments coming of Cold and Wind so as the body be not bound and some of the root taken in powder at the beginning helpeth the Plâ—urisie and all other diseases of the Lungs and Breast as Coughs Pthisick and Shortnesse of breath and a Syrup of the stalks doth the like It helpeth likewise the torments of the Colick the Strangury and stopping of the Urin procureth womens Courses expelleth the Afterbirth openeth the obstructions oâ— the Liver and spleen and briefly easeth and discusseth all inward tumors and windinesse The decoction drunk before the fit oâ— an Ague that they may sweat if possible before the fit come will in two or three times taking rid it quite away it helps digestion and is a remedy for a surfit The juyce or the water being dropped into the eyes or eares helps dimnesse of sight and deafnesse and the juyce put into an hollow Tooth easeth the paines The roots in powder made up into a Plaister with a little pitch and laid on the biting of a mad dog or any other Venemous Creature doth wonderfully help The juyce or the water dropped or Tents wet therein and put into old filthy deep Ulcers or the powder of the Root in want of either doth cleanse them and cause them to heale quickly by covering the naked Bones with flesh The distilled water applyed to places pained
with the Gout or Sciatica doth give a great deal of ease The green or dry Leaves boyled in Beer or put therein upon the Tunning up maketh it more wholsom and giveth thereunto a most excellent relish The decoction taken helpeth inward bruises congealed blood strengtheneth the stomack is effectuall for the Suffocation of the Muther The root taken dry or drunk in any Liquor will abate the rage of Lust in young persons The root being used green helpeth such as be Short-winded and those that are troubled with stuffings in their Stomach The Wild Angelica is not so effectuall as the Garden although it may be used for all the purposes aforesaid The root of the garden Angelica is a better substitute in Theriaca Andromachi or Venice Treacle and Mithridate then many others that have been used therein CHAP. CXIX Of Saffron The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin Crocus and Crocum which are the Names used in the shops of Apothecaries in English Saffron The Poets say it was called Crocus from a young man of that name who pining away for the love of Smilax was turned into this Flower Ovid testifying as much in the verse following Et Crocum in parvos versum cum Smilace flores It may not unfitly be called Filius ante patrem or the Father before the Son Because it first putteth forth the Flowers and then the Leaves The Kinds There being but one kind of the true manured Saffron I shall put down five of the more Common wild sorts 1. Wild Saffron flowring early with an Ash-coloured streaked flower 2. Wild yellow Spring Saffron 3. Broad leaved Wild-Spring Saffron with a Purple flower 4. Autumne Wild Saffron with white Flowers 5. Small Wild Saffron The Form The manured true Saffron hath its Flower first rising out of the ground nakedly without any Leaves shortly after which riseth up its long small grassy Leaves seldom bearing Flower and Leaves at once the root is small round and Bulbous The Flower consisteth of six small blew Leaves tending to Purple having in the middle many small yellow strings or threds amongst which are two or three or more thick fat Chives of a fiery colour somewhat reddish of a strong smell when they be dryed but being newly gathered and but rubbed upon ones hand they will make it very yellow The Places and Times Fuchsius saith that heretofore the best Saffron grew upon the Mountaine Corycus in Cicilia and the next to that upon Olympus a Mountaine in Lycia but since the profit that ariseth from this commodity hath been discovered it hath beene planted in Germany and likewise in England in divers places but especially in Cambrigeshire about Walden which is therefore called Saffron-VValden where there be divers feilds full of it It beginneth to Flower in September and presently after the Leaves Spring up and remaine green all the Winter-long dying againe in April when it commonly putteth forth another Crop of Flowers which must be gathered assoon as it is blown or else the Chives in the middle which are the Commodity will perish so that it is allowed to be gathered on the Sabbath day by that strict Sabbatarian Mr. Greenham in his Treatise on that subject because it is conceived that God who hath made the Saffron so to Flower would not that a thing so usefull for mans health should be lost for want of gathering This information I had from my learned friend Mr. Hudson Minister of Putney the place of my abode at the writing hereof The Wild Sorts were brought some out of Italy and some out of Spaine and are growing in divers of our London Gardens they Flower for the most part in Jannuary and February but that with Flowers groweth upon certaine craggy Rocks in Portugall not far from the Sea side which hath been brought over into England also and flowreth in September The Temperature Saffron is a little astringent or binding but his hot quality doth so over rule in it that in the whole essence it is in the number of those herbes which are hot in the second degree and dry in the first therefore it hath also a certain force to concoct which is furthered by the small astriction that is in it as Galen saith The Vertues There is not a better Cordial amongst herbs then Saffron is for it doth much comfort the Heart and recreateth the Spirits and makes them cheerfull that use it and therefore it is called Cor hominis the Heart of man and when we see a man over merry we have a Proverb Dormivit in sacco Croci He hath slept in a bagge of Saffron It expells Venemous Vapors from the Heart and therefore is very usefull in the Plague Pestilence and small Pox strengthneth the stomack preservs the Entralls helpeth Concoction and naturall heat It is called by some Anima Pulmonum because it is very profitable for the Lungs and the Consumption thereof as also for the shortnesse of breath It is likewise very profitable for the Head Stomach Spleen Bladder Womb Animal Vital and Naturall Spirits and is usefull in cold diseases of the Braine and nerves and quickens the memory and senses It is good in the Pleurity openeth the stoppings of the Liver and â—all and therefore is usefull in the yellow Jaundise which it cureth by sigâ—◠〈…〉 e and against Melancholly provoketh Urine and Venus hastneth Child-birth procures a good colour to them that use it It is profitable in sits of the 〈◊〉 especially the Tincture thereof It is best for old persons that are phlegmatick and Melancholick and that in the Winter Season It is outwardly used against the Gout to ease the paine thereof being mixed with the Yolke of an Egge and Oyle of Roses and applyed A Cataplasme of Pulâ— is made of Saffron Milke and the crums of Bread being applyed mollifyeth Tumors and Aposthums it easeth sore Eyes and blood-shotten being used with red-Roses and the white of an Egge being mixed with red-rose-red-Rose-water and Womans Milke it preserveth the Eyes from the small Pox and Measles and being made up in a stay and put under the Throat of one that hath the small-Pox keepeth them from the place which would otherwise be much more troublesome if the life not hazzarded It is used against Erysipelas or Wild-fire and Inflammations it helpeth deafenesse if it be mixed with Oyle of bitter-Almonds and put into the Eare warme or dip black wooll in some of it and put it into the Eares It killeth the Itch and is used in pultisses for the Matrix and Fundament to ease the paine thereof and also for old Swellings and Aches Too much of it causeth the Head-ach offendeth the Brain and Senses brings drowsinesse and hurts the sight it causeth a loathing of the stomack takes away the appetite and provokes laugh 〈…〉 Some write that if two or three drams thereof be taken it brings death it is not safe to give to Women with Child The weight of ten graines of
dry in the second Cassia ligâ—ea is hot and dry in the third degree The first is of subtill parts and very Aromaticall The Vertues The distilled water of Cinamon comforteth the heart and vitall parts corroborateth and strengtheneth the Stomach Brain Nerves and other cold parts of the Body it easeth the pains of the Wind-Cholick provokes the Courses and Urine hasteneth the Birth it preventeth and correcteth putrefaction of humours resisteth poyson stayeth vomiting and helpeth nauseousness of the Stomach It is frequently used in Cardiack passions or passions of the heart fainting of the Spirits and in trembling of the heart It causeth sweetness of breath and brings a good colour in the face it strengtheneth the retentive faculty of all the parts by drying up and consuming the moysture thereof It is used in the Dropsie and Cough proceeding of moysture In brief it avails in all cold Diseases of the Head Stomack and Womb and is most convenient for cold and moyst Bodies and is much used in Lasks or loosness of the Body to ease the pains and frettings of the â—uts and Intralls The Oyl drawn Chymically prevaileth against the pains of the Breast comforteth the Stomack causeth good digestion and being mixed with some Honey taketh away spots from the face being anointed therewith Cassia Ligâ—ea comforteth the Stomack Liver and all the principall parts openeth Obstructions or stoppings diâ—peâ—seth grosse humours repelleth wind provokes Urine and VVomens Courses and doth much faciâ—itate or hasâ—en the Birth Being cast on Coals and the smoke taken at the Nose dryeth up Rheums and Catarrhs that proceed from coâ—d and moyst humours Also a sustumigation thereof helpeth the pain of the VVomb and the stoppings thereof Being mixed with Honey and applyed it dissolveth swellings and hard tumours A decoction hereof with VVhite-wine and rose-Rose-water is commended against the â—â—inking of the Arm-holes if the plaâ—e be bathed therewith and the same is good to wash sore mouths and Gums Both this and Cinâ—mon are more useful in VVinter then in Summer CHAP. CXXXVIII Of Vipers Buglosse The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Echium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alcâ—biadion and Alcibion or Alcâ—bâ—acum of the first under thereof who being bitten by a Viper gathered this Herb and chewing it swallowing down the juyce and appâ—ying the rest of the Herb to the bitten place freed himâ—eâ—f from danger Apulcius saith it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theriorrâ—â—on Viperearadâ—x an◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the form of the Seed whiâ—h as Dioscorides saith is like the head of a Viper and thereof took the name Echium yet some others say from the efâ—ects in the Roots to cure the bitings of the Serpent or which is as likely because the stalks are speâ—kled like a Serpents Skin in Latine also Echium of most Authours yet of some Buglossum sylvestre Vâ—perinum The Kinds The Sorts of Vipers Buglosse are twelve 1. The common Vipers Buglosse 2. VVhite flowred Vipers Bugâ—osse 3. Red flowred Vipers Buglosse 4. Vipers Buglosse with darâ— reddish purpâ—e Flowers 5. Red flowred Vipers Bugâ—osse of Candy 6. Spotted Vipers Buglosse of Candy 7. Dwarf yellow Vipers Buglosse 8. The least yellow Bastard Vipers Buglosse 9. The small white Vipers Bugâ—osse 10. Small Spanish Vipers Bugâ—osse with Spurrs 11. Hoary white Vipers Buglosse of Candy 12. Bâ—ack Vipers Buglosse of Candy The Forme The Common Vipers Buglosse hath many long rough Leaves lying on the ground from among which rise up divers hard round stalks very rough as if they were thick set with prickles or hairs having many black spots on them also â—ike unto the Skin of a Viper whereon are set such like long rough hâ—irâ— or prickly sad green leaves somewhat narrow the middle Rib for the most part being white the Flowers stand at the tops of the stalks branched forth into many spiked leaves of Flowers bowing or turning like the Turne-sole all of them opening for the most part on the one side which are long and hollow turning up the brims a little of a Purplish Violet colour in them that are fully blown but more reddish while they are in the Bud and not blown open as also upon their decay and withering but in some places of a paler Purple colour with a long poinâ—el in the middle feathered or pointed at the top after the Flowers are fallen the Seeds growing to be ripe and enclosed in round heads are blackish cornered and pointed somewhat like unto the Head of a Viper the Root is somewhat great and blackish and wooddy when it groweth toward Seed-time and perisheth in the VVinter The Places and Time The first groweth wild almost every where The second about the Castle-walls of Lewes in Sussex The third and fourth in Hungary and Austria The fifth and sixth in Candy The seventh and tenth in Spain The eighth and ninth on the Hills in the Kingdom of Naples as Columna reporteth The eleventh and twelâ—th in Candy They all flowre in Summer and their Seed is ripe quickly after The Temperature These Herbs are cold and dry of Temperature The Vertues and Signature The Roots or Seeds of Vipers Buglosse are very effectuall to comfort the heart and to expel sadness and melancholy proceeding from no externall or apparent cause It tempers the Blood and allayeth hot fits of the Agues The Seed drunk in Wine procureth abundance of Milk in Womens Breasts easeth the pains in the Loins Back and Kidneys It is likewise as you have heard an especiall remedy against the bitings of Vipers and all other Serpents or venemous Creatures as also against Poyson and poysonful Herbs It is added by Dâ—oscorides and others that whosoever shall take of the Herb or Root before they be bitten shall not be hurt by the poyson of any Serpent the Signature both of the stalk and Seed holding out much to this purpose The distilled water of the Herb when it is in Flower or his chiefest strength is excellent to be applyed either inwardly or outwardly for all the griefs aforesaid There is a Syrup made hereof very effectuall for the comforting of the heart and expelling sadness and melancholy which is made in this manner Take of the clarified juyce of common Vipers Buglosse four pound of fine Sugâ—r three pound of the infusion of the Flowers thereof one pound boyl these gently to the consistence of a Syrup and keep them for use Having thus spoken to divers Simples appropriated to the Lungs and Heart which are the Principall Intralls of the middle Region I shall now set down some of those which are available for Stitches and other distempers of the sides before I descend into the Abdomen or lower Region and first CHAP. CXXXIX Of Carduus Benedictus The Names NEither Carduus Benedictus or the Blessed Thistle or the Vertues were known to the Physitians of old time and therefore you must not expect the Greek name It is called in Latine Carduus Benedictus and that worthily for 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
will be late with us though in the aforesaid Countryes it be not so before it be ripe The last groweth plentifully in Narbone about A 〈…〉 Sextias and other places of France and is somtimes fowne in our Gardens but seldome comes to maturity The Temperature Galen saith that Cumin-seed is in the third degree of heat and in the same degree almost of drynesse and as Dioscorides saith it heateth bindeth and dryeth but Dod 〈…〉 us insisteth there against shewing that it doth discusse humors by attenuating and digesting them and doth not represse them by binding or astriction The Vertues Cumin-seed is also another of the soure great Carminative-seeds and therefore it disâ—olveth Wind in any part of the body and easeth the paines of the Chollick being boyled in Wine and drunk and is used as a Corrector of any Windymeat or Medicine For one that hath a Stinking breath if it proceed of corrupt â—umes risâ—ng from the Stomack it may be useâ— thus Take two handfulls oâ— Cuminseed and boyle it in a pottle of good White-Wine till halfe be wasâ—ed then streine it â—â—â— drink it 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ning for fifteene dayes together and last at night also halfe a pint at â—ime hot or cold â—â—â— helpeth 〈◊〉 that are bitten by Serpents taken in the same manner The same taken in Beete or Posset drink is good for those thâ—â— are short-winded or are otherwise troubled with an old Cough or the disease of the breast to boyle the same with Figs in Wine It is also very usefull in the Dropsy called Tympany and in Giddinessâ— of the head If it be used often it is said to make the party looke â—â—lâ— and therefore it was in great request in the time of the Monkes and Frâ—â—rs that thereby their bodies might seeme the more mortâ—fied It is said also that it any one that â—â—th eaten Cuminseeds do breathe on a painted face the fictitious colour will vanish away straight being used in bread or meat it giveth a reâ—lish to them and therefore it both was and yet is in sundry places amongst the poorer sort substituted insteed of Pepper being pleasing as well to the Stomack as the â—ast Boyled in Water and they are washed therewith it causeth the face to be cleaner and faires so 〈◊〉 it be used now and then for by 〈◊〉 often using it causeth Pâ—leâ—â—sso and therefore may be of request with those that are high coloured Being boyleâ— in Wine and so made into a Pultis it quickly taketh away the swelling of the Codds caused by any Wind or Waterish humor if it be applyed thereto with Bâ—â—ty Meale and so it doth all other cold paines or swellings It stoppeth also bleeding at the Nose being mixed with Vinegar and smelt to and being used in the same manner is rest â—aineth Vâ—miting and if it be boyled in Water and the lower partâ— bâ—thed therewith it stayeth the abounding Courses of Women Bruised and fryed with an hard Egge and laid to the 〈◊〉 of the Neck it easeth an old head-ach and stayeth the â—â—eâ—me that falleth into the Eyes or are bloud-shorten or else the Powder mixed with Waxe into the some of a Plaister and applyed to thâ— Eyes will soone help it and take it away Being applyed to the belly with Wine and Barly meale boyled together in the forme of a Poultis it easeth the gripings and torments of the belly Being quilted in a little bagge with a small quantity of Bay-salt and made hot upon a Bedâ—â—n with fire or such like and sprinkled with good Wine Vinegar and then applyed to the side very hot it taketh away the Stitch and paines thereof and easeth the Plurisy The herb and likewise the root are of little or no use The seed of the Wild Cumin is also effectuall against either the Windinesse of the Stomach or of the Belly and Bâ—wells which bringeth Tormenting paines and swellings with it being taken in Wine and expelleth the Poyson of any Venâ—â—â—us Beasts It is good for moist Stomacks that are troubled with raw crâ—de humours taken with Vinegar it flayeth the Hickcok and if it be applyed with Honey and raisins to the face or other place that is black or blew by strokes it will take them away CHAP. CL. Of Camels Hay The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à loris et fanibus dicitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 odoratus and of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unguentarius because it is romtimes used in Oyntments in Latine Juncus a jungendo Some do call it Schaenanthes quasi Schaenianthos flos junci and corruptly in Shops Squin aâ—thum Some also call it Juncus Odoratus Retundus to difference it from the sweet Cyperus which is called Juncus odoratus angulosus vel triangularis It is also called Palea de Mecha and Pastus Camelorum in English the sweet smelling Rush or Camels Hay The Kinds Of this sweet Rush there be two sorts a finer and a coâ—â—ser or thetrâ—â— â—nd a bastard kind although the antients have mentioned but one sort which is the finest and truest The Forme The finer sort of Camels Hay growing in these parts hath many tufts or heads of long rush-like Leaves thick set together one compassing another at the bottome and shooting forth upwards the outermost whereof are bigger or grosser then those that grow within which are a foot long and better small round and stiffe or hard and much smaller from a little above the bottome of them then any rush with us of a quick and spicy tast somewhat pleasant and of a fine sweet gentle scent It flowreth not with us yet in some places which are the most naturall to it it beareth strong round hard joynted Stalkes having divers short brownish or purplish huskes on the top containing within them mossy whitish short threads or haires wherein lyeth a chaffy seed the root is stringy or full of long fibres which are very hard as they are brought to us which have the smallest scent of any other part The Places and Time They grow naturally in Arabia Syria and Mesopotamia and all that Tract of the Easterne Countryes as also in some places of Africa whence they â—e brought by the Merchants and sold to our Druggists who furnish the Apoâ—â—â—â—â—iâ—s with them at whose shops they may be had It commeth not to flowrâ—â—g in these â—older Countryes and therefore Clusius and others have thought it an annuall Plant but assuredly it dyeth not every yeare in those hotter parts it flowreth in the Summer-time The Temperature Câ—â—â—lâ— Hay is hot and dry in the second degree having in all the parts thereof some kind of astriction but especially in the rootes The Vertues The Decoction of the Flowers of Camels Hay being drunk as Dioscorides writeth is very effectuall for the diseases and greifes of the Stomack Lungs Liver and Reines as also for the curing of those that spit blood The same Author likewise affirmeth that it provoketh Vrine and Womens 〈…〉 ses discusseth all Swellings and Wind
therefore saith Crollius that excellent Author in his book of Signatures the juice of Elder and the Distilled-Water of Jews-Ears which I have treated of in the seaventy eight Chap â— of this worke upon another occasion though they never grow but upon the Elder-Tree are profitable in the Dropsy which is a Disease for the most part Caused by Coldnesse of the Liver because the Blood-making Faculty being vitiated and corrupted many watery humours fall into the Abdomen or belly between the skin and the flesh for the removing of which Elder is of great Vertue For not only the juice and Water of Jews-Earsâ— but that of the Flowers as also the berries green or dry are often given with good successe to helpe the Dropsy by evacuating great plenty of waterish Humours the barke of the Root also boyled in Wine or the juice or distilled water thereof two Ounces being taken fasting and two houres before Supper worketh the same effect yea more readily then any of the former the juice of the root taken provoketh Vomit mightily and purgeth the Watery humours of the Dropsy but not without trouble to the Stomack The yellow middle or if you will the undermost barke is commended by its Signature for the Yellow Iaunndise by the said Crollius which must therefore be sleeped in Wine with one or two Jewes-Eares of which strained drink a good Draught morning and evening The distilled Water thereof or a Syrup made of its juice may be used to the same purpose For besides that they Open the Belly and Evacuate hurtfull humors the Medicines prepared of this Bark have great Vertue to open all Obstructions Six drops of the Spirit of Elder-salt taken in broth is commended in the Scurvy The decoction of the Root in Wine cureth the Biting of Venemous beasts as also of a mad Dogge and mollifyeth the hardnesse of the Mother if Women sit therein and openeth the Veines and bringeth down the Courses the berries boiled in Wine perform the same effects the Haire of the Head or of any other part washed therewith is made black The juice of the green Leaves applyed to the inflammation of the Eyes asswageth them and the Leaves boiled till they be tender then mixed and beaten with Barly meale asswageth inflammations â—n any other part helpeth places that are burnt with fire or scalded with Water cureth fistulous Ulcers being laid thereupon and easeth the paines of the Gout being beaten and boiled with the tallow of a Bull or Goat and â—â—id warme thereto The Powder of the seeds first prepared in Vinegar and then taken in Wine halfe a dramme at a time for certaine dayes together is a meane to abate and consume the flesh of a corpulent body and to keep it lean Should I give you all the Vertues of Elder at large I should much exceed the usuall Limits of a Chapter and therefore I shall only give you a Breviat of them and referre you to that learned peece of Dr. Martâ—n Blockwich called the Anatomy of Elder where you may satisfy your selfe perfectly of every particular There is hardly a Disease from the Head to the Foot but it cures for besides the Vertues I have allready mentioned it is profitable for the Head-ach for Ravings and Wakings Hypocondriack Mellancholy the Falling-sicknesse the Apoâ—â—exy and Palsy 〈…〉 rrius Toâ—â—h-ach Deafenesse want of smelling Blemishes of the 〈◊〉 and Head Diseases of the mouth and Throat the infirmities of the Lungs Hâ—â—sting and Hearsenesse the Pleurify and Ptisick Womens brests being sore swooning and P 〈…〉 esse in Feavours the Plague Pox Measles Diseases of the Stomack the VVormes and other Diseases of the Gutts the Hemorrhoides the Stone Diseases of the Matrix c Neither is there any part about this Tree without its use The Leaves Berries Seeds Root and Barkes I have allready spoken of Of the flowers are made conserves a Syrup and Hony Water and Spirits Vinegar and Oxy 〈…〉 a Wine Oyle c The young shoots boiled like Asparageâ— and the young Leaves and Stalkes boiled in fat broth draweth forth mightily Choler and tough Phlegme and so do the tender Leaves eaten with Oyle and Salt The VVood serveth to make Skewets for Butchers and divers other things The Pith in the middle of the Stalkes being dryed and put into the holes of hollow and fistulous Ulcers that are ready to close openeth and dilateth the Orifices whereby injections may be use and other remedies applyed for the cure of them and may be used to keep open Issues insteed of a Pease It is said that if a Horse that cannot stale be strucken gently with a Stick hereof and some of the Leaves be bound under his Belly it will make him stale quickly It is said also that if a branch hereof be put into the trench where a Mole is it will either drive him forth or kill him there The Mountaine or Red-berried 〈◊〉 hath the properties that the common Elder hath but much weaker The Marsh Elder is of the like purging quality with the common sort especially the beâ—â—ies or juice of them The Danewort is not only more powerfull then the Elder for all the forementioned purposes but hath particular Vertues that are not in the other or at least are nothing so prevalent The juice of the root of Danewort applyed to the Throat healeth the Quinsy or Kings-Evill the Fundament likewise is stayed from falling down if the juice thereof be put therein The Powder of the Seedes taken in the Decoction of Ground-Pine with a little Cinamon to the quantity of a dram at a time is an approved remedy both for the Gout Joynt-Aches and Sciatica and also for the French disease for it easeth the paines by withdrawing the humors from the places affected and by drawing forth those humors that are fluent peccant and offensive and so doth the Powder of the Root used as aforesaid Wine wherein the root hath been steeped a night seldome faileth to drive away an Ague at the second taking An Oyntment made in May with the Leaves hereof May-butter is highly esteemed by many as a soveraigne remedy for all outward paines Aches and Cramps in the Joynts Nerves or Sinewes for starcknesse and Lamenesse coming by cold or any other Casualty and generally to warme comfort and strengthen all the outward parts being ill affected as also to mollify the hardnesse and to open the obstructions of the Spleene the greived parts being annointed therewith CHAP. CLXXXX Of Soldanella The Names NOtwithstanding the dissimilitude that this Plant hath with any of the Cole-worts yet it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Dioscorides and others whom the Latines following have called Brassica marina not without great oversight in both Neither are some of our English Writers to be excused who follow their Authors to the very heeles and call it Sea Cole-wort But some Latine Authors considering the unreasonablenesse of the former name have called it Soldana Soldanella à consolidando and
in all his parts hot and dry exceeding the third degree especially of heat of great force in cleansing and scouring by reason whereof it purgeth and draweth forth not only Cholerick and Phlegmatick humors but watery also The Signature and Vertues Because Bryony is said by Crollius to have the Signature of the Dropsy therefore I have appropriated it thereunto And indeed though being taken alone it purgeth the belly with great violence troubling the Stomack and burning the Liver yet being corrected by adding unto it Ginger Cinamon Quince or such like it is very profitable therein for it draweth away Water abundantly both by Vomit and stoole a scruple or two of the Powder of the dryed root with a third part of Cinamon and Ginger being drunk in a little White-Wine The juice decoction Syrupe and Electuary may be used for the same purpose Now because every one knoweth not the way of gathering the juice I shall here set it down In April make a deep overthwart cut or gash into a Briony root taking away the Earth first from it put in a Goose-quill a little under the slit sloping the quill at the end which you must thrust into the root but first make a hole with your knife to get in the quill and so you may gather great store of the Water of Briony placing a receiver under the quill for the making of the compound Water of Briony a spoonfull whereof taken by those that are troubled with fits of the Mother easeth them it potently expells the After-birth and cleanseth the Womb exceedingly It is likewise profitable in the Falling-sicknesse Palsy Apoplexy Swimming of the Head other diseases of the Braine by a specifick Vertue that it hath in drawing away Phlegme and Rheumatick humours that oppresse thoâ—e parts It provoketh Urine and cleanseth the Reines and Kidneys from Gravell and Stone openeth the obstructions of the Spleen and consumeth the hardnesse and sweâ—ing thereof A scruple of the Root in Powder being taken in White-Wine bringeth down Womens Courses but is not to be used by Women with Child for feare of abortion An Eâ—ectuary made oâ— the Rootes with Honey oâ— Sugar is â—ingulaâ— good for them that are short-Winded troubled with an old Cough paine in the fides and for such as are hurt or bruiâ—ed inwardly by any fall for it â—issolveth and expelleth the cloâ—ted or congealed blood The Root is good against the biting of any Vâ—â—tmous Creature and killeth Wormes in the body It is good in the Kâ—ngs-Evill the juice being taken with equall parts of Wine and Honey The Faecula or Dregs thereof are uâ—ed for the aforesaid Diseases five or ten graines being taken at a time It also scowreth the Skin and taketh away Wrinkles Freckles Sun-burning black-markes Spots and Scarres of the Face if it be boiled in Oyle till it be consumed and so it taketh away black and blew spots which come of Stripes or Falls and dissolveth new swellings The Root bruised and applyed of it selfe to any place where the bones are broken helpeth to draw them forth Being stamped with Wine and applyed it breaketh Boiles and helpeth Whit-loavs that grow about the Rootes of the Nailes It cleanseth the skin from the Morphew Leprosy all running Scabs and Manginesse if a bath be made thereof or the juice applyed thereunto The berries may be used for the same purpose and the distilled Water though not so strong as the former is used for Freckles and Spots in the Face A Pessary made of the Root bringeth down the Courses in VVomen and bringeth forth the After-birth and Dead-Child and a Bathe made hereof cleanseth the VVomb the party sitting therein CHAP. CLXXXXII Of Mechoacan and Jalap The Names MEchoacan is of later Invention and therefore hath no Greek name It is called in Latine Mechoacanna Mechoacana Mechoaca Mechoaca Peruviana Mechoacanum Indicum because it is brought from a place in the Province of New Spaine called Mechoacan neere the Ciâ—ty Mexâ—co as also Rhabarbarum album and Rhabarbarum Mechoacanum to distinguish it from Rubarb to which it is like in effects which caused the name in English it is called Mechoacan Mechoaca and Indian Briony because the Root of it hath some likenesse with that or White Briony Jalap also came from the Indies and hath its name from a place there called Chelapa or Calapa It hath gotten many other names besides most of which are derived from the former as Gelapum Gelapo Jalapium Jalapa Jalappa Jalappium Gialapa Mechoacanna nigra Salapa Xalapa Zaqualtipan Rhabarbarum nigrum and Brionia Mechoacan nigricans It is called in English Jalap or blaâ—k Mechoacan The Kinds Of these Mechoacans there are three sorts mentioned by Authors 1. The Mechoacan of Peru. 2. The Wild Mechoacan 3. Black Mechoacan or Jaâ—ap The Form The Mechoacan of Peru as it groweth in these parts sendeth forth long branches of a dark grayish colour winding about whatsoever is next them and therefore Poles are set for them to run upon The Leaves are somewhat broad-pointed at the ends like unto those of black Briony saving that they are thinner and harder in handling seeming so dry as if they had no juice in them The flowers which are many and stand in long clusâ—ers are of a sullen yellow colour in the Indies of the bignesse of an Orenge flower in the warmer Countries of Europe of a dark whitish colour but with us it was never known to flower by reason of the coldnesse of the Climate the Root groweth to be as great as any Briony root almost without either tast or smell having Circles in it when it is cut as may be perceived by the dry root which is brought over to us and may easily be brought into powder The Places and Time Concerning the Place and Time I need adde no more than what I have said in the names and description The Temperature Both white and black Mechoacan are hot in the first degree and dry in the second consisting of an airy substance and subtiâ—e parts as also of an earthly quality The Signature and Vertues Mechoacan as well as Briony hath the Signature of the Dropsy and is found to be very usefull therein for it draweth away wateâ— and phâ—egâ—e and also â—â—rengtheneth the Liver and inward parts working without any hurtâ—ull quaâ—ity moâ—estation or griping contrary to Briony and moâ—â— other purgative Medicines so that it may be given to old men Children Women with Chiâ—d and weake persons without any offence Notwithstanding it is not of that eâ—â—eeme it was at its first coming amongst us though the Vertues are the same so much do people regard the novelty more than the goodnesse of a thing It is also profitable in a long continued Head-ach clensing the braine and Nerves and purging those Rheumatick distillations and humors that are in them It helpeth all paines whatsoever in the Joynts and those of the Bladder and Reines by provoking Urine and by that faculty which it hath in expelling Wind it easeth thâ— Cholick and
the afflicted part being bathed therewith by a good fire The three last sorts are of very little or no use amongst us CHAP. CCVIII Of the Tamariske-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying infinitus from the abundance of little Leaves wherewith it is adorned In Latine also Myrica and Tamarix but of divers Tamarisus which cometh from the Hebrew word Tamarik signifieth Abstersio quia magnam abstergendvim habet of its great force in clensing The Kinds Heretofore there were only two sorts of Tamariske known one great and bearing Galles the other small and bearing none but now there are five sorts found out which belong to this kind 1. The French or finer leafed Tamarisk 2. The Germaine or broader Leafed Tamarisk 3. White Tamarisk 4. Aegyptian Tamarisk which beareth Galles 5. Sea Tamarisk The Forme The French or finer Leafed Tamarisk which I take to be that which groweth most ordinarily in England attaineth not to any great bignesse in this Country though in others it is said to have the bignesse of a great thick and tall-Tree with many spreading slender branches whose Bark is somewhat thick and rugged of a dark reddish colour the younger shootes being reddish at the first green afterwards and blackish when they are dry but the Leaves as long as they be growing are of a whitish green colour crisped as it were somwhat like unto Heath but finer and smaller The flowers grow spike fashion being purplish at the first but white when they are blown open consisting of five Leaves a peece which turn into down with the small seed in them and falleth away as that of the Willow and Poplar doth The Places and Time The first groweth by the Rivers sides and in other moist and gravelly places not only in Narbone and about Mompelier in France but in divers parts of Spain also The second groweth in Germany as well neere unto the River of Rhene as about that of Danubius yet not without some difference The third did grow in the Garden of one Mr. Ward at his house at Boram in Essex The fourth in Arabia Aegypt and the places thereabouts The last groweth upon the Sea Coasts in Flanders They flower about the end of May or in June and the seed is ripe and blown away in the beginning of September The Temperature Tamarisk as Galen saith hath a cleansing and cutting quality and manifestly drying it is also somewhat astringent or binding especially the fruit and Bark The Vertues The Root or Leaves or young branches of Tamarisk being boyled in Wine or Vinegar drunk and applyed outwardly also is a very powerfull remedy against the hardnesse of the Spleene The Leaves boiled in Wine and drunk driveth forth Melancholly helpeth Spitting of Blood and the excessive flowing of the termes the bleeding of the Hemorrhodiall Veines and other Fluxes the Jaundâ—se and all other griefes that come of Obstructions The Root sodden with Raisins and drunk helpeth the Lepry because it cleanseth and healeth the Milt whereof the Lepry commeth The Bark and Leaves boyled in Wine and the Mouth and Teeth gargled therewith helpeth the Tooth-ach and being dropped into the Eares it helpeth the paines thereof and is good for the rednesse and watering of the Eyes The said Decoction is also good to wash those that are subject to Nits and Lice and being mixed with a little honey it is effectuall to stay Gangrens and fretting Ulcers A Bath made by boyling a good quantity of the Leaves in store of Water being sat in by those Women whose Matrix is in danger of falling down through loosenesse fasteneth it and the ashes of the Wood applyed to the place stoppeth the excessive flowing thereof The Wood is said to be so powerfull to consume the Spleene that those Hogs which have beene served in Troughes made thereof have beene found without Spleens and therefore it is more then probable that if those which are Splenetick should constantly drink out of Cannes Piggins or Cups made thereof they would find it effectuall for their Disease The Ashes of the Wood made into a Lye with Water is of good use for many of the purposes aforesaid as also to help those blisters which are raised by burning or scalding of fire or water The Aegyptians use the Wood hereof to cure the French disease Leprosy Scabs pushes Ulcers and the like It is available also to help the Dropsy arising from the Hardnesse and Obstructions of the Spleene as also for Melancholy and the black Jaundise that ariseth thereof especially the Bark with the Barks of Ash and Ivy infused in Beere or Ale and drunk Some in cases of necessity use Heath or Ling insteed of Tamarisk CHAP. CCIX. Of Germander The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chamaedrys which in English is as much as a dwarfe Oak the Leaves of it being somwhat like to those of the great Oake In Latine Trissago and Trixago and of some Querculaminor yet Chamaedrys is more frequent then either of them in shops or elsewhere in English Germander or English Treacle Tree Germander is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Teucrium in Latine à Teucro inventore from one Teucer which first found out the vertues of it in English Tree Germander and upright Germander The Kindes Of both these kinds we may reckon Eighteen sorts 1. The common Germander 2. Great Germander 3. Germander of Naples 4. Jagged Germander or with fine cut Leaves 5. Thorny Germander of Candy 6. Mountaine Germander 7. Rock Germander 8. The greater Bastard Germander 9. The smaller Bastard Germander 10. The least Bastard Germander 11. Common Wild Germander 12. Narrow Leased wild Germander 13. Jagged base Germander of Austria 14. Wild Spanish Germander with fine â—ut Leaves 15. The more common Tree Germander 16. Tree Germander of Candy 17. Tree Germander of Spaine 18. Unsavory-Tree Germander of the Alpes The Form Common Germander shooteth forth very many branches lying on the ground which are tough hard and wooddy spreading themselves here and there whereupon are placed small Leaves sniâ—â— about the edges like the teeth of a Saw and therefore of some called Serratula though improperly resembling the shape of an Oaken Leafe as I said before The flowers are of a purple colour very small standing close to the Leaves towards the top of the branches The seed is little and black the root slender and full of strings which by spreading themselves a great way round about cause it to be very plentifull in a short space where it is once set The Places and Time To set down the places of all the sorts abovenamed would be to little purpose seeing that none of them grow naturally in England save the Eleaventh sort which groweth almost every where I shall therefore referre you to the Gardens of those that delight in Varieties of this Nature where it is probable you may find many of them Some of them flower
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
Carbundles and plague sâ—res The Leaves stamped or the juite of them applyed with Vinegar are of good effect to coole all hot Impostumes and Cholorick Inflammations and sirollings 〈◊〉 Arthonies fire fretting and creeping Ulcers Cancers in the flesh or mouth The same applyed with honey doth cleanse Ulcers and asswage all other tumors and swellings they are good against all Ucers Inflammations and Impostumes of the mouth and Gums of Children especially being washed with the decoction thereof The juyce of them stoppeth the Termes and all other fluxes of blood taken inwardly or applyed outwardly it is good also for the Rednesse Inflammations and Ulcers of the Eyes to be put into Collyries and Medicines for the same and to cleanse the Eares from corruption and so do the Leaves and juyce of the Wild Olive which are effectuall for all the purposes aforesaid The Water that issueth from the green Wood when it is laid upon the fire helpeth to heale the scurfe and foul Scabs in the Head or elsewhere The Olive Stones being burned are used for the said purposes as also to stay foule preading Ulcers and being mixed with fat and meale they take away the ruggednesse of the naiâ—es There be divers Virtues that are referred to the foot or dregs of Oile but because they are not commonly to be had I shall omit them as also those of the Gum because neither of them are brought us now adayes as being grown out of use I shall onely add concerning the Oyle aforesaid that a littâ—e of it drunk in warm Water or a feather dipped therein and put into the throat will proâ—â—re an ease Vomit and without danger and some commend four â—poonfulâ—s of Olâ—e and as many of Sack for the like purpose And for burning and scalding there iâ— not the â—ike Remedy a peece of Lawn being first sowed about the part and Oyâ—e and Snow-water said thereon CHAP. CCXLVI Of Coloquintida or the Bitter Gourd The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it moveth the Belly as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—cua picra and of Hippocrate◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sicuones and Sicues In Latine Colocynthis and Cucurb ta Sylvestris a Cucumere ut alâ—qui volunt yet others make a diâ—â—erenâ—e betwixt them It is called also Fel Terrae and Mors Plantarum becauâ—e it imbitters all herbs that grow near it or killeth them In the Apothecaries Shops Coloquintida in English Apple of Coloquintida and the Bitter Gourd The Kinds The sorts hereof that are upon Record are four 1. Coloquitida or the bitter Gourd 2. The greater Coloquintida or the bitter Gourd 3. The long bitter Gourd 4. Peare fashioned Coloquintida or Bitter Gourd The Form The Bâ—tter Gourd groweth much after the manner of a Cucumber or Melon having divers rough hairy Leaves thereon lesser and somewhat longer then those of Cucumber but more divided and cut in on the Edges every division being notched round about At the joynts with the Leaves which grow but one together come forth Flowers of a yellow colour like unto those of the Melon but somewhat smaller with tendrells also or twining stalkes whereby it taketh hold of whatsoever it toucheth to the endangering of the life thereof if it be a vegetable the fruit that followeth is small and round not much differing from a reasonable Apple in proportion of a green colour at the first but of a brownish yellow when it is ripe the shell being as hard as any Pompion or Gourd which is usually parted from the white pulp before it be quite ripe being very light spongy or loose and of an Extraordinary loathsome bitter tast wherein is conteined six rows of very white hard seed not exceeding that of the Cucumber for bignesse nor coming neer the pulp either in the bitternesse or forciblenesse in working The root is not very great but stringy seldome withstanding the first onset of Winter Weather The Places and Time The first is said to grow naturally in Barbary in those parts which are near unto the Mediterranean Sea as also without the mouth of the Straights near Sancta Crux and other places thereabouts but that which we have in Shops is a Merchandise bâ—rought out of Syria Egypt and Arabia where it is planted as it is with us by those that are curious The other sorts have bin sound in Spain and Italy and so may they be in England if any one will take the paines to get the seed and sow it but then they Flower late and hardly bring their fruit to perâ—ection The Temperature Coloquintida is hot and dry in the third degree of a very bitter tast and of a purgative quality The Signature and Vertues The Celles or rows wherein the seeds of Coloquintida are contained do somewhat resemble the Celles of the Colon which is the Gutt that detaineth the Excrements and therefore it is of wonderfull operation to purge that Gut which is the seat of the Chollick and is commended for the same whether it proceed from phlegme or wind And though it be dangerous for Women with Child Children and old persons yet it may be taken by those that have strong and rustick bodies without any danger of excoriation or other evil accident being corrected with Oyle of Roses Gum Tragacanth and Ginger for the Oyle with its slippernesse will make it the sooner to passe away the Gum will â—eniâ—â—e the sharpnesse and the Ginger will help the griping and tearing paines which it causeth being taken alone so that a due proportion of each of these made up into Trâ—ches or Pills with Rose Water work better then if Bdellium or Massick or such astringent things were added as there be in those Troches called Trochisci Alhandall Handall being the Arabick name for Coloquintida Which being so ordered as I have prescribed purgeth also thick phlegme and viscous humors the Choller both green and yellow as also water from the most remote parts as from the Braine and the Membranes thereof from the Nerves Muscles Joynts Lungs and Breast and therefore it is profitable for any kind of Heaâ—-â—ch Falling-Sicknesse Apoplexy Swimming of the Head and in Fluxes of Rhewâ—e flowing to the Eyes the cold Gout Scâ—atica or Hip-Gout and other paines of the Joyâ—â—s and Sinews It helpeth also the Jaundise and is good for putrid and rotten Fâ—â—vers for an Old Cough the straitnesse of the Chest shortnesse of the breath and above all these the Chollick and the Dropsy being taken either in Glâ—sters or Suppositories The decoction of Coloquintida made with Vinegar easeth the paâ—ue oâ— the Feeth if they be washed therewith The powder mixed with the Gall of an Ox and Hony and said to the belly of one that hath the Worms not onely killeth the Worms and maketh them to avoid but oftentimes purgeth the Belly also Being steeped in Vinegar it taketh away all discolourings of the skin as the Morphew and Lepry dry scurse and
beareth flowers but when it doth the Stalk whereon they grow is great rising up with some few lesser Leaves thereon to the height of three or four foot spreading at the top many small branches of whitish flowers consisting of four Leaves a peece after which come small pods like unto those of the lesser Shepheards purse but seldome with any seed in them the root is long and thick white of colour in tast sharpe and biting the tongue somewhat like Pepper The Places and Time Mountaine Radish for so it is sometimes called is cheifly planted in Gardens where it joyeth most in a moist and shaddowy place yet it groweth naturally in divers parts of this Land as at Namp-â—wich in Châ—shire in a place called the Milne-Eye and also at a small Village near London called Hâ—gâ—â—don in the feild next unto the farme house by the way leading to Kings land Iâ— so seldome beareth seed or flowereth that some have affirmed that it beareth neither yet sometimes it doth flower in July or August and the seed is ripe in September but the common way of propagating it is by the root for it shooteth up divers heads which may be parted for increase either in the Spring or Autumne The Temperature Horse Reddish is hot and dry in the third degree being of a drying clensing and somewhat digesting quality The Vertues Of all things that are given to Children for the Wormes Horse Reddish is not the least effectuall for it killeth and expelleth them whether the juice of the green root or powder of the dry root be given in Wine or other convenient liquor or an Oyntment be made thereof and the Belly of the Child be anointed therewith The Leaves boyled in Wine with a little Oyl Olive added thereunto and laid to the grieved parts in manner of a Pultis do mollify and take away the hard swellings of the Liver and Milt and being applyed to the bottom of the belly is a remedy for the Strangury and so are the Roots sliced thin and eaten with meat as a saâ—â—ce having some vinegar put thereto as also for the chollick It is also a good remedy in strong Bodies for the Cough Tissick and other diseases of the Lungs as also to procure Womens courses that are stopped being boyled in honey and vinegar into an Electuary it also is often given before the fit of the Quartan Ague to alter the course which it doth by provoking vomiting and sweating the juyce given in drink is held to be very effectuall for the Scâ—rvey The Root bruised and laid to the place grieved with the Sâ—iatica gout Joynt-ach or the hard swelling of the Liver and Spleen doth wonderfully help them all And if any think or find it too strong for their stomacks or that it hurteth their head or causeth sharp and sower belchings the distilled Water of the Leaves and Roots may be taken with a little Sugar for all the purposes aforesaid without any disturbance at all The Root is commonly used amongst the Germans and sometimes by Gentlemen with us also for sauce to eat Fish with and other Meats as Mustard is and so it heateth the Stomach more and causeth better digestion then Mustard notwithstanding whatsoever some have written as if it were too strong for ordinary Stomacks CHAP. CCLVII Of Sumack The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the red or Scarlet colour of the seed which is therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying no more but Red Pliny calleth it also Rhus in Latine saying that it hath not any pure Latine Name yet Gaza translateth it Fluida supposing it to come from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fluo for no reason at all Some call it Rhus simply without any Epither as Matthiolus c. Others with one as Rhus Coriaria because the Coriers use it about their Leather and Rhus Obsoniorum because it is used about sauce the shops call it Sumack and so do We in English The Kindes To this kind may be referred these five sorts and not improperly 1 Coriare Sumack 2 Virginian Sumack 3 Mirtle leafed Sumack 4 Venice Sumack 5 Sweet Gall. The Forme Coriars Sumack groweth in our Gardens to be two or three yards high spreading sundry branches with larg winged Leaves that is having many set on both sides of a middle rib somewhat like unto Elder which are soft and hairy with a red sinew running through the middle of every of them at the ends of the branches come forth large spiked clusters of whitish Flowers which afterwards become reddish round and flat seed like unto Lentils with an outward skinny husk The Root is hard and woody not growing very deep nor much spreading the Wood is whitish but dyeth black The Places and Time The first groweth in Syria Pontus Italy and Spain where for its profit it is carefully manured the place of the second may be known by its name the third groweth about Mompelier and divers other places the fourth in Savoy and on the Apenine Hils the last by old Windsor Park-Corner in Sussâ—x Hartford-shire and Kent as well as beyond the Sea They flower for the most part in July and their seed is ripe in Autumne The Temperature Both the Leaves fruit and seed of Sumack are cold in the second and dry in the third degree being also of a very binding quality The Signature and Vertues The Reddish colour of the seeds of Sumack did teach those that found out the Vertues of Plants by their Signatures that it is good for the bloody flâ—x which is a distemper of the Belly with exulceration and excoriation so that blood is voided whereunto great paines with gripings are joyned and upon this account it is prescribed generally by all those that meddle with the cures of diseases as also for stopping all other Fluxes of the Belly the inordinate Courses of Women the Whites also and all other Immoderate Issues of blood whatsoever the Leaves being either boyled in Wine and drunk or the seed eaten in Sawces with Meat or the decoction set in some convenient place as the Case of a Close Stool whence the fume may powerfully ascend into the bodies of those that are thus diseased and the said decoction maketh the Hair black that is washed therewith The leaves and seeds may be used severall other ways for the said Fluxes as in Broths Baths Gilsters c. The said decoction of the Leaves and Seed in Wine doth also close up the Stomacks of those that are much given to vomiting and being mixed with vinegar and a little honey it is good against Gangrenes and Cankers The juyce that is gotten out of the dryed Leaves by boyling them in water being kept boyling till it have the consistence of Honey helpeth the roughnesse of the tongue and throat and performeth all those effects for which Lycium is commended The seed is likewise boyled in Water and the decoction thereof evapored to the thicknesse of honey
the pain of the breast and the decoction of the Bark in water being drunk is good against pissing in Bed The Bark boyled in water till it be black and thick with Rye meal and Honey added thereunto is available to consume the dead flesh which keepeth wounds oftentimes from healing and cureth the Cankers being applyed The Leaves are good to make Lotions to gargle and wash the mouth and throat as often as they are troubled with swellings sores or Kernels and to stay the distillations of Rhewme into the eyes or other parts as also to coole the heat and inflammation of them and to ease hot pains of the Head the Forehead and Temples being bathed therewith The distilled water of the green Berries is also used for the same effects and so is the water that is distilled from the Flowers only The Mosse that groweth on the Black Thorn draweth Prickles and Thorns out of the Flesh and this it may be said to performe by the Signature which is represented by the Thornes growing on the Bush CHAP. CCLXI Of the Bramble The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Batus in Latine Rubus and Sentis and also Veâ—res whereof Ovid maketh mention speaking how the Hare hides himselfe from the Dogs therein after this manner Aut lepori qui vepre latens â—â—stilia cernit Ora canum Of divers it is called Cynosbatus but not properly saith one for Cynosbatus is generally taken for the wild Rose though there be divers that would have the wild Rose to be Cynâ—rrhodos and this Cynosbatus and this is most consonant to Reason It is called by us in English the Bramble or the Black-Berri-bush and the fruit Black-Berries which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some have made Vatina in Latine id est Mora Rubi they are called in Shops Mora bali and of some Mora bassi The Kindes All the sorts that are referred hereunto are nine 1. the common Bramble oâ— Black-berry-Bush 2. the small lower ground Bramble 3. sweet mountaine Bramble or Raspis 4. the Dew-berry or Winberry 5. the stony Bramble or rock Raspis 6. our English Knot-berry 7. the Welsh Knot-berry or Lancashire Cloud-berry 8. the Knot-berry of Norway 9. another Knot-berry of Norway The Formes The common Bramble shooteth forth many ribbed branches of a very great length yea so long sometimes that they by reason of their weakness also bend to the ground and sometimes take root againe all thick set with sharp and crooked thorns with leaves likewise growing upon long and prickly Foot-stalks by three and three together which are hard as it were crumpled having smal pricks under the midle ribb of a dark green colour above and grayish underneath which seldome fall away till the extremity of the Winter be past as the Country-Men do observe and the new be ready to succeed them the flowers come forth very plentifully at the end of the branches consisting of five whitish leaves dasht with a little carnation with small threds in the midle which giveth place to the fruit standing every one at some little distance and is made up of severall small graines set together somewhat like unto the Raspis or Mul-berry of a perfect black color and sweet tast when they be ripe but till then they are first green and then reddish harsh and very unpleasant the root groweth to be very great and full of knots The Places and Time The first groweth in every hedge almost the second by hedges and wood-sides and sometimes amongst the ploughed lands in divers parts of this Land the third groweth on hills and in high grounds the fourth is frequent in Cheshire Yorkâ—shire and Lancashire the fift in the rocky and stony places of Huntingdon and Nottinghamshire and in divers parts of Kent and the Islle of Thanet the sixth upon Ingleborough Hill which is one of the highest Hills in England vea so high that it seemeth at least to touch the clouds and therefore some call the fruit thereof Cloudberryes as they do the next whose places may be discovered by their names as the two last may also be They all flower about July and their berries are ripe in September or thereabouts The Temperature The Buds Leaves flowers fruit and root of the Bramble are all of a great binding quality especially the unripe fruit and that more when they have been kept a while then when they are fresh The Vertues and Signature The flowers and unripe fruit of the Bramble are of very great use and prosâ— also for those that are vexed with the bloody-flux Lask and weaknessâ— of the parts coming by either of them which is signified both by the colour of the berries when they are red and also by the crooked thorns which will cause the blood to follow no otherwise then the Exulceration of the Gâ—â—s which accompanieth the bloâ—dy flâ—x and by the same signature it helpeth the spitting of bloâ—d if the decoction thereof be drunk The Bâ—ds Leaves and Branches whilst they are green are of good use in the Ulcers and pâ—â—rid sores of the Mouth and Throat and for the Qâ—insy and likewise to heal other fresh wounds and sores The decoction or powder of the Root being â—â—ken is good to break or drive forth Gravell and the Stone in the Reines and Kidneys The Leaves as well dry as green are good to make Lotions both for sores of the Moâ—th and also of the secret parts The decoction of them and of the dryed branches do much bind the Belly and are good for the too much flowing of Womens Courses The Berries or the Flowers are a powerfull remedy against the poysâ—n of the most venemous Serpents and to help the sores of the Fundament and the Piles whereof they may be said to have the Signature The juyce of them boyled with honey is very good against all hot Ulcers and swellings of the mouth Gâ—â—s Uvula or Palate and Almonds of the â—hroat The said juyce mixed with the juyce of Mulberries do bind more effectually and help fretting and eating sorâ—s and Ulcers wheresoever The same being taken alone or mixed with Hypecistis and Honey is a remedy for Heart burning as some call it which is a gnawing of the Stomack through Choller as also for the Passions of the heart and faintings The distilled Water of the Branches Leaves and Flowers or of the fruit is very pleasant both to the smell and tast and may be given to those that are in hâ—t Feavers and other distemperature of heat in the Body as in the Head Eyes Liver Hands c. and also for the purposes aforesaid The Leaves boyled in Lye and the head washed therewith doth not only allay the itching thereof but the mattering and running sores also and maketh the hair to become black The powder of the Leaves strewed upon Cancrous or running Ulcers are very effectuall for the healing of them The condensate juyce of the Leaves as also of the Berries may be kept all
to dry without any manifest sharpnesse or heat The Vertues And whosoever shall drink the seed of Flix weed in Wine or the Water of a Smiths Forge wherein Iron and Steel have been often quenched shall find by experience that it hath not its name for nothing for it is of excellent use to stop the bloody Flix the Lask and all other Issues of blood The Herb it self boyled in either of the said liquors and drunk performeth the like effects no lesse powerfully then Plantain or Comfry as also to consolidate Bones that are either broken or out of joynt The jâ—yce thereof drunk in Wine or the Decoction of the Herb drunk doth kill the Wormes in the Stomack or Belly and the Worms which sometimes breed in putrid and filthy Ulcers The said Herb being bruised or the juyce thereof being put into Oyntments and Salves doth quickly heal all sores how soul or malignant soever they be and therefore it would be taken into especiall notice by those good people who delight in curing the Wounds and Maladies of their Neighbours There may be also a Syrupe made hereof which is admirable good to be used inwardly when any of the former occasions shall require The distilled Water of the Herb is not altogether so effectuall for the purposes aforesaid yet for those whose Pallates will not brook any of the former Medicines this may be taken it being a little clearer and therefore more acceptable CHAP. CCLXV. Of the Pilewort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Chelidonium minus in Latine for what reason I know not it being like unto the Chelidonium majus or greater Celandine neither in nature or forme It is called also Hirundinaria minor as some have supposed because it springeth when Swallows come in and withereth at their going away but this is true in neither for it flowrisheth long before their comming and departeth presently after But the names of Ficaria and Scrophularia minor are more propper unto it because the Roots not only re-resemble those kernels of the Fundament called the Piles and those hard swellings that sometimes sease upon the neck and other parts but is very powerfull to cure them In English it is usually known by the name of Pilewort as it ought to be yet it hath been also called the lesser Celandine and Figwort from the Latine names The Forme Pilewort or Celandine the lesse groweth with many pale round green leaves spread as it were upon the ground by reason of their weak and trailing branches whereon they are set of a fat smooth and somewhat shining aspect marked in some places though not often with black spots from amongst which rise up divers small yellow flowers consisting of nine or ten very narrow Leaves upon their slender foot-stalks somewhat like unto those of Crow-foot as the seed also is it being set upon a head after the same manner The Root is composed of divers small kernels of the bignesse of wheat Corne or bigger hanging to the body by a smal string or fiber and having another such a string at the end also all which are of a whitish colour The Places and Time It groweth in most parts of this Land that are not ploughed up if they be any thing addicted to moisture or overshaddowed either with Walls or Trees as in Meadowes and Pastures by Highway sideâ— by Ditches Wall sides Hedges Trenches c. It commeth forth about the beginning of March and flowreth not long after it beginneth to fade in April and is so far gone in May that the Roots thereof can scarcely be found therefore be sure you look for it in its due season The Temperature Though Pilewort have not that acrimony and sharpnesse which Dioscorides and Galen affirm to be in theirs yet those that have succeeded them do agree that howsoever it hath the properties thereof The Vertues and Signature The most profound Crollius in his Book of Signatures hath observed that Pilewort hath the perfect Signature of the Hemorrhoides or Piles or such like excrescences that appear in or about the Fundament and therefore he saith that not only the decoction being drunk is a profitable remedy for the said evill accidents but being hung about the neck so that it may lye against the Mouth of the Stomack it performeth the same and so it doth being made up into an oyl Oyntment or Salve as also helpeth the kernels about the eares and throat called the Kings Evill or any other hard Wens or Tumors as Mr. Culpeper saith he proved upon his owne Daughter which had the Kings Evill and delivereth it for an extraordinary secret The juyce taken from the Roots and put into the Nose purgeth the head and the decoction thereof with a little Honâ—y put into it and gargled in the Mouth doth the same effectually and doth purge and cleanse the breast of phlegme or any other tough humours that do offend It also helpeth a running Itch and those Nailes of the Fingers and Toes that grow deformed and scabbed The Piles themselves being bathed with the juyce mixed with the Patients Urine or with Wine draweth them together and dryeth them up and taketh the pain quite away The distilled water of the Leaves and Flowers that have the spots and marks upon them is an admirable remedy to cleanse the Faces of those are tanned freckled or otherwise accidentally spotted and this it doth by Signature as the aforesaid Crollius hath also recorded CHAP. CCLXVI. Of Water-Betony The Names IT is called in Latine for the Greek name is no where expressed Betonica Aquatica and Aquatilis most commonly yet there be that call it Ocymastâ—um majus Clymenon and Scrophularia the likenesse of the Plants causing the interposition of Names as being mistaken one for another And so likewise in English some have called it Brownwort which is the same with Scrophularia or Figgewort but usually it is called Water-Betony and of some Bishops-Leaves and Brook-Betony The Kindes The sorts hereof are quickly reckoned up for they are but two 1 The greater Water-Betony 2 The lesser Water-Betony The Forme The greater Water-Betony which is most common riseth up somewhat like Figwort but many times higher with square hard greenish stalks and sometimes brown set with such like dark broad green Leaves so very like unto those of Figwort that they have been often mistaken one for another being also dented about the edges but with rounder notches by the diligent observance whereof they may be distinguished in that respect somewhat resembling the Wood-Betony Leaves yet of a larger Sise and two for the most part set at a joynt At the tops of the branches and likewise at the joynts where the Leaves coâ—e out from the middle of the Stalke upwards come forth many round bellyed Flowers which being fully blown are open at the brims yet divided into two parts so the uppermost is like a hood and the lowermost like a lip hanging down of a darke red colour which passing
then they will not hinder one another the Onyons being to be drawn betimes and then the Skiâ—rets may have the full use of the ground in Winter which by the February following will be fit for use some of them being broken off to be used for food and some to be planted again for increase which bring forth plentifully every year if the ground be good They flower and seed the second year like as the Pasnep doth but somewhat later but they must not be removed at all The Temperature The Roots of the Skirret which are onely in use are moderate in heat and moisture The Vertues Though the Roots of Skirrets be but of indifferent nourishment yet because they be easily concocted yeeld a reasonable good juyce and are somewhat windy they have been judged effectuall to provoke lust and experimentally proved so to doe being either baked in Pyes as Potatoes after they have beene boyled peeled and pithed or else stewed with Pepper Butter and Salt and so eaten or as others use them to rowle them in Flower and fry them in Butter after they have been boyled peeled and pithed either of which wayes they are more pleasant and more provocative then Parsnep as all agree that eat them They may be also eaten cold with Vinegar and Oyle being first boyled and dressed in manner aforesaid The juyce of the Roots drunke with Goats milke stoppeth the Laske the same drunke with Wine is effectuall for windinesse in the Stomacke and the gripings of the belly and Hicket as some say It doth somewhat respect the Kidneys and Bladder by moving Vrine and a little to consume the Stone and Gravell in them The Egyptian sort is eaten by those of that Country as familiarly as any other root whatsoever CHAP. CCLXXI. Of Pease The Names THis sort of Pulse is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pisum from Pisa being the name of a place where they grew very plentifully and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with an â— which last way of writing seemeth to agree most with the Etymology for it is thought to be derived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is covered with a Coat or Hull which is more eminent in this then in any other seeds It is called in Latin Pisum and in English Pease and Peason The Kindes There be diverse sorts of Pease nine whereof I shall reckon up and adde unto them two sorts of Ciches 1. The Rouncivall 2. The greene Hasting The Sugar Pease 4. The spotted Pease 5. The gray Pease 6. The white Hasting 7. The Pease without skin 8. The Rose Pease 9. Fulham Pease 10. White Chiches 11. Red Chiches The Forme Pease doe alwayes come up with long weake hollow and brittle whitish green stalks branched into divers parts putting forth at every joynt where it parteth one broad round leafe compassing the stalke so that it cometh almost through in some sort like unto Thoroughwax the Leaves are winged that is they consist of divers small Leaves set together at a middle rib of a whitish green colour with claspers at the end of the Leaves whereby it catcheth hold of whatsoever standeth next it the Flowers come forth from betweene the Leaves and the stalkes two or three together yet so divided that they stand every one upon a severall footstalke which are either wholly white or purple or mixed white and purple or purple and blew the fruit cometh forth in long and somewhat round Cods whereof some are longer some are shorter some thicker and some slenderer the fruit it selfe also differing some being round some cornered some small some great some white others gray and some spotted the Root is small and quickly perisheth after it hath done bearing The Places and Time Some of these Pease grow onely in Gardens and are supported with stakes and bushes some of them are sown in the Fields by Gardners and are gathered to sell green in the Markets the gray Pease are sowed by Husbandmen to feed their Cattle with the Fulham Pease which came first out of France is so called because the grounds about Fulham neere London doe bring them forward soonest the Rose Pease which is sometimes called the Scottish Pease should be brought out of Scotland by its name The Chiches are very frequent in Spaine but I know not whether they grow there naturally They Flower and seed all the Summer long sooner or later according to the time of their sowing The Temperature Pease especially when they are young are of a mean temperature as most other things are which are used for food they are lesse windy then Beans but passe not through the Body so soon as they The Vertues A dish of young Pease are very pleasant to all sorts of people but especially to young Women who either are or would be with Child for they helpe both the generative and procreative faculty very much and therefore they doe not only eat of them themselves but commend them to their Hasbands notwithstanding they are eaten but not with so much desire by all other sorts of people They are also used to make Pottage wherein many do put in Mints Parsley or some other such hot herbs to give it the better rellish and they be used to the same purpose when they be ripe and dryed especially in the Lent season The said dryed Pease are much used in long Vâ—yages at Sea both for change and also because they are not so salt as those things that lye in powder and are no inconsiderable food in bestedged Cities and Garisons nor in poor Folkes houses being first steeped in running Water Being sodden in Water and a Lye made therewith helpeth spreading sores of the Head the spots of the Face and other discolouring of the skin the same decoction mixt with Honey and Barly meale helpeth spreading sores that are hard to cure being boyled in water with Orâ—bus and applyed to any swellings or aches it helpeth them the broth wherein they have been boyled is good take Purgations withall to cleanse the Stomacke that is raw through cold and moist humors whether of the white or gray but especially the gray the Pottage made of them is good for the Strangury and to take Sena withall morning and evening for the Ague and Rubarbe for the Jaundise the powder of them being made very fine stoppeth bleeding at the Nose The Cloth that is spotted or stained being laid a soak in the Broth wherein Pease have been boyled and then washed in River Water and dryed becometh cleane and spotlesse The white Ciches also boyled and stewed are a dainty dish of a very good rellish and nourishment they increase bodily Lust as much or more then any other sort of Pulse and as it is thought helpe to increase the Seed and also Milke in Womens Breasts The red Ciches have a cleansing faculty whereby they provoke Vrine and breake the Stones in the Kidneys the Cream of them boyled in Water being drunke which olso moveth the
As it hath the form tast and temperature of Cuckowpint so it hath not only the Signature which will sufficiently declare it selfe but the Vertues also according to the Signature for they are both notable for stirring up of inclinations to copulation being either well rosted under the embers or boyled Being prepared either of the said wayes and mixed with honey it doth the same and is also good for the straitnesse of the Breath dangerous Coughes and Caâ—arrhes Convulsions and Crampâ— by consuming tough and grosse humours and scowring and cleansing the inward parts The same dryed and mixed with Honey scowreth malignant and fretting Sores that are hard to cure especially mixed with the Root of Briony and taketh away all white spots and scurfe being rubbed therewith The juyce of the Root putteth away all Webs and Spots of the Eyes and is good in Eye Medicines and being dropped into the Eares with Oyl taketh away the pain of them The fresh Leaves are good for Ulcers green Wounds and venemons bitings drawing out the venome or whatsoever else hindreth the healing of them and with honey they take away the spots of the Face both which iâ— may be said to do by Signature With the Roots and Leaves are made Oyles Oyntments and Plasters excellent good to heal Ulcers Biâ—es Fistulaes Pocks Cankers fretting and consuming Sores and all such like annoyances The Fruit also cureth malignant Ulcers and consumeth the Polipus or proud flesh that sometimes groweth in the Nose The distilled water of the Leaves hath vertue against the Pâ—stilence or any pâ—stilentiall Feaver or poyson being drunk blood warm with the best Treacle or Mithridate The smell of the herb driveth away Serpents and is hurtfull for Women with Child for it will cause abortion So much for Plants that provoke Lust I shall now speak of some that abate it and first CHAP. CCLXXX Of Agnus or the Chast Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agnus which signifieth Castus Chast from the effects for both the Seeds and Leaves do preserve Chastity very much and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lugos quasi Vimen for its wonderfull flexibility The Latines call it Vitex and the Physitians and Apothecaries call it Agnus Castus but not without errour for Agnus and Castus signify the same the one being the Greek the other the Latine Name so that whosoever useth them both is guilty of a great Tautology we in English the Chast Tree The Kindes The Chast Tree is of two sorts 1 Narrow Leafed Chast Tree 2 The broader Leafed Chast Tree The Forme The Chast Tree riseth up higher then a Shrub yet seldome attaineth to any great height having divers branches covered with a dark colour very pleasant and easy to be bent without breaking like unto the Willow with sundâ—y large Leaves cut or divided like unto those of Hemp either into five or seven parts or Leaves each of them being long and narrow like unto Willow Leaves but smaller The Flowers do grow at the uppermost part of the branches in long spikes somewhat like unto those of Lavander growing at severall spaces up to the tops of a blush white colour after which come small round seeds of the bignesse and likenesse almost of Pepper being of a blackish gray colour and tasting somewhat hot and strong and therefore some have called it Piper agrâ—ste The Places and Time They both grow by the Water-sides and in the moister grounds of Italy and Spain and in the furthest part of France and other hot Countreys where they flower in July and their seed is ripe in August but with us where they are planted for their rarity as in Mr. John Danvers his Garden at Chelsey c. they will hardly flower The Temperature The Leaves and Seed of the Chast-Tree as Galen saith are hot and dry in the third degree and of a very thin essence or substance sharp also and binding The Vertues Not only the Seeds of Agnus used and taken in what manner soever do restrain the instigations to Venery which it must needs do by a Specifick property seeing it is of the same Temperature with Pepper which worketh contrary effects but the Leaves also are effectuall to the same purpose and therefore the Athenian Matrons in their Thesmophoria did use these Leaves as Sheeâ—s to lie upon thereby to preserve their thoughts if it were possible from impurity The said Seed only being drunk in Wine to the quantity of a dram powdred or with Penniroyall resisteth the bitings of venemous Beasts Spiders or the like and helpeth the Dropsy and those that are troubled with the Spleen it also procureth Milk in Womens Breasts provoketh their Courses and expelleth Urine The decoction of the Leaves and Seeds is very good for Women troubled with the pain of the Mother and the Inflammation of those parts and the hot fumes thereof sate over are no lesse effectuall Being applyed to the head in the manner of a Pultis it easeth the paines thereof and being mixed with Oyl and Vinegar it helpeth those that are troubled either with the Lethargy or Frensy The Leaves of Agnus and of the Vine being stamped with Butter and applyed to the swellings of the Cods and Genitories that are hard dissolveth and asswageth them and being pâ—t into Plaisters and applyed to the Reines it helpeth the Satyriasis or continâ—all standing of the Yard and so doth the seed being eaten which also dryeth up the naturall seed of Generation and therefore it must needs be an excâ—llenâ— Remedy for all such as would live chast or desire to extinguish those carnall moâ—ions to which there be few but are subject and this it is said to do it the seâ—ds be but carried about one Some mix it with Oyl and Oyntments that are made to heat mollify and heal the hardnesse or stifnesse of any meâ—bâ—r that is waxen deadish sleepy benummed or wearied it cureth also the clefts and chops of the Fundament being laid to with Water Being used with Barly meal it helpeth Imposthumes and with Niter and Vinegar it taketh away the Freckles of the Face and used with Hony it helpeth the sores in the Mouth and Throat It is of singular good use for the purposes aforesaid especially to withstand uncleannesse but the too often use thereof causeth the Head-ach yet if the Seeds be parched or fryed before they be eaten they will the lesse trouble the Head and being so prepared they dissolve the wind in the Stomack or Belly as they do when they are fresh but not so effectually CHAP. CCLXXXI Of Hempe The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cannabiâ— which very word the Latines also use as having nâ—ne oâ— their own to exâ—resse it from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Lobel because it delights very much to grow neer watery places whether Springs â—r Breekes for so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sign fieth Some have also called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of its great
divers Physitians that Camphire is cold and dry in the third degree but others esteem it to be hot because of its bitternesse and strong scent The Vertues Though the faculty which Camphire hath in extinguishing Venery be denyed by Scaliger who writes thus We have certain experience that Camphire doth not extinguish Venery for saith he a young Man did the feat lustily although he had a peece thereof in his hand He saith also that he tryed it upon a Bitch that went too proud to whom he gave and applyed it all the wayes he could devise but all in vain for Coivit concepit peperit Yet this experience is not sufficient for when it is said Camphire extinguisheth Lust it is not so to be understood as if by one act or by using it outwardly once or twice it should prevaile but it is to be often used both inwardly and outwardly and then it will be found wonderfull effectuall to that purpose It is also very available for the running of the Reines and likewise against the Whites in Women and also for the rising of the Mother being dissolved in Balme water by the help of a blanched Almond without which or some other Oyly or viscous thing as a Syrupe or the like it will not cold water having little or no power to make it relent It resisteth Putrifaction and Venome and is therefore frequently used in the time of the Pestilence both to defend those that are not infected from it and to expell it from those that are and to fortify the Heart in that as well as in Feavers and all other contagious diseases being taken either in Electuary Powder or Potion c. It cooles the heat of the Liver and Back and is good for all manner of inflammations which it is said to do by accident in drawing hot vapours and humours away and so discussing them in the same manner as Linseed-Oyle Vernix and such like doth cure burning for of its proper nature it is held to be altogether hot It helpeth the paines of the Head and the heat thereof if it be mixed with yellow Saunders and Red-Rose Water and the Temples and Forehead bathed therewith It stoppeth blood that floweth out of the Nosthrils if it be smelled to and refresheth the braine It is used with good successe against St. Anthonies fire and so it is against heat and inflammations of the eyes It is good in Wounds and Ulcers to abate the heat in them and is of much use among Women to beautify their face and is usefull also for Men that are troubled with heat and Pimples in their Faces Being applyed to the Reines or Testicles with the juyce of Nightshade it correcteth the Lust of the Flesh when it is inordinate and is good for single Persons to preserve their chastity It easeth the pains of the Teeth that are hollow being put thereinto and for this purpose the Oyl is very excellent Being put into a peice of fine Linnen or Tafâ—ecy and hanged about the Neck it cures Agues especially in Children and that by a specifick Vertue It is also good to recover the sense of smelling to those that have lost it and to preserve from infection in times of contagion When it is set on fire it will not suddenly quench though it be cast into Water and therefore it is used with other things to make Wildfire as they call it Notwithstanding the Vertues aforesaid it is not safely given to such as have weak Heads or Stomacks or to such as abhor the smell thereof for it causeth the Head-ach and taketh away Sleep neither is it to be given in Cholerick diseases And when neither of these affects do hinder 't is not safe to give above five or six grains of it at the most except it be in the Pestilence or such like disease CHAP. CCLXXXV Of Tutsan The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and also Androsaemum in Latine from the colour of the juyce which is in the Flowers resembling Mans blood for so the Greek word signifies Some have called it also Dionysia and others Siciliana and Herba Siciliana because it was thought to grow no where naturally but in Sicily It is called in English Tutsan from the French who call it Toutsaine and that properly because it is an excellent Wound herb Some call it also Parke Leaves because it is familiar to Woodes and Parkes The Kinds There be four sorts of Tutsan mentioned by Authors 1 Common Tutsan or Parke Leaves 2. Matthiolus his Tutsan 3 Tutsan of Naples 4 Stinking Tutsan The Forme Common Tutsan groweth up with brownish shining round stalkes chamsered or crested hard and woody being for the most part two foot high branching forth even from the bottom and having divers joynts at each of which stand two fair large Leaves of a dark blewish green colour on the upper side but somewhat yellowish underneath turning reddish toward the Autumne yet abiding on the branches all the Winter at the tops whereof stand larg yellow flowers which give place to Heads of Seed being at the first greenish then reddish and at last of darkish purple colour when they are full ripe wherein are contained not only small brownish seed but a reddish juyce or liquor like unto blood of a reasonable scent but of an harsh or stiptick tast as the Leaves also and Flowers be though in a lower degree The Root is brownish somewhat great hard and woody spreading well in the ground and of long continuance The Places and Time There are very few Woods Groves or woody Grounds as Parkes and Forrests where the first doth not grow whence it is brought by divers into their Gardens both because it is a gentile and an usefull plant The second is found about Bristow Bath and other parts of the West Country The third groweth Southward of Naples upon the Hills Cirinola The last groweth by the Waters side in Candy and upon Mount Baldus as Pona saith They flower in July and August and the Berries with the seeds are ripe in September The Temperature Tutsan moderately heateth and dryeth yet the seed is endued with an abstersive quality The Vertues The Leaves and Flowers of Tutsan are said to restrain those fleshly Motions wherewith divers are infested not onely when they are eaten but also when they are taken in drink or strewed under one but the seed much more being tosted and rubbed and then eat or drunk and Mr. Culpeper saith also they are Antivenereâ—ll and I think therein he speakes truth Castory being boyled in the juyce of Tutsan and drunk helpeth also that passion of the privy members called Gonorrhea which is an excretion or shedding of the Seed or Sperme against the Patients will caused either by some violent disease as the Falling Sicknesse Convulsion or Cramp or else by some overstraining of the body with lifting of extraordinary heavy burdens by which a flux or weaknesse of the retentive Vertue in the spermatick Vessels is sometimes procured and
of flowring and trutifying is not expressed The Temperature Sanguis Draconis or the Gum of the Dragon-tree is in all probability cold in the second degree and dry in the third and is very astringent The Signature and Vertues If all red things do stop Womens Courses by Signature according to the opinion of some then certainly this Gum may be said to do it thereby there being hardly another Tree in the world unless Mr. Hammonds Flesh-tree which some think is the same that yeildeth a red Juice Amaranthus indeed which is handled in the former Chap is red all over on the out-side and so is the wood of Brasil and Red â—aunders but the juyce of neither of them is so whence it is likely that the Sap which in other plants concocteth only in the Fruit doth in this also concoct in the Body of the Tree which maketh it the more admirable It serveth also to restrain all other Fluxes of Blood or Humours as the Bloody Flux Lasks Whites in women and the Gonorrhea in men bleeding at Nose Mouth or any other part whether internall or external being either inwardly or outwardly used it is said also to help the Strangury and stoppings of the Vrine to fasten loose Teeth and is very avâ—ileable for the Gums that are spungy or troubled with loose flesh It is good also to stay the watering of the Eyes and to help those places that are burnt with fire The Goldsmiths and Painters of Glass use it much in their works the one for an Enamel and to set a Feil under their precious Stones for their greater lustre and the other by Fire to strike a crimson colour into Glass for Windowes or the like Though the Gum only be commended yet no doubt in the natural places or where it groweth both bark and fruit might be applyed for such like Diseases as the Gum is put unto they being also very astringent CHAP. CCCIII. Of the Beech Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oxya and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as some would have it because it is Scissima as Gaza translates it that is in laminas scissilis apt to cleave into Trenchers or the like for though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was so long mistaken for the Beech Tree that Fagus became the common Latin name thereof and so continueth yet Dalaechampius hath plainly detected it to be a kind of Oake whose Acrons are fitter for food than the Mast of Beech the Etymology thereof being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab esca vel esu The Fruit is called in Latin Nuces Fagi Beech-Mast and Buck-Mast in English because Deere delight to feed thereon The Form The Beech Tree groweth to be of a great and tall stature spreading the boughs and brances on every side so that it maketh a very large and pleasant shadow if the said boughs be not lopped off to make it grow upwards covered with a very smooth white bark as the body also is so that any thing may easily be cut thereon whereon are placed many thin smooth broad Leaves almost round but that they are pointed at the end and somewhat finely dented about the edges of a sad green colour as long as they receive nourishment from the Sap but that ceasing they presently turn yellow and fall away The blowings or Catkins are small and yellow like those of the Birch Tree but lesser and of shorter continuance The Fruit is contained in a rough husk somewhat like the Chesnut but not altogetther so prickly and rough brisled which being ripe openeth it self into three parts and sheweth a small three-square Nut covered with a smooth and soft skin browner and lesser by much than the Chesnut under which lieth a sweet white Kernel but of a more astringent quality The Roots be few and short in respect of the bigness of the Tree both for breadth and depth The Places and Time The Beech Tree delighteth to grow in some places more than in other for as in the Chiltorne Country no wood is more familiar so in others not far from it a Beech Tree is a great rarity as in Oxfordshire where there is one growing between Oxford and Baubury which is so famous that it is noted over all that Country and called the Beechen Tree there being scarcely a Traveller that goes by that way but takes especial notice of it yea formerly many went to it though it be somewhat out of the way to cut their names upon its smooth bark so that now it is so full of letters that there is hardly any space left It bloometh in the end of April or the beginning of May for the most part and the Mast or Fruit is ripe in September The Temperature The Leaves of the Beech Tree are cooling and binding but the Nuts are said to be hot and moist in the first degree and yet very astringent The Vertues and Signature The Leaves Bark Buds or Husks of the Beech Tree sodden in Red Wine or Running Water and sitten over by Women whose Courses do flow too abundantly causeth them to cease and maketh the Matrix and Fundament that are fallen downe to return into their place and the Decoction thereof in clean Red Wine with Cinnamon and Sugar being drunk is good for the same purpose The Leaves take away Blisters and that by Signature there being many times divers small Bladders thereupon and being laid to hot Swellings at the beginning do discuss them and are good for Vlcers also being boyled into a Pultis or made into an Oyntment when they are fullest of Vertue The Nuts or fruit are sweet and were in ancient times used for food as the Poets say but now they are esteemed fitter for Deere and Swine to feed upon to fatten them which it doth wonderfully and therefore these Trees are many times planted in Parks Forrests and Chases yet they are not without some use in Physick for they are said to break the Stone and expell it which may be by the Signature of the Nuts themselves which being burned and the Ashes mixed with Hony and applyed is good for a Skald and Scurvy Head when the Haire goeth off which it may be said to do by the Signature of the Husks The Water that is found in the hollow places of decaying Beech-trees will cure both Man and Beast of any Scurf Scab or running Tetters if they be washed therewith The Leaves chewed are good for the diseases of the Gummes and Lips The Wood is smooth and white and therefore profitable for divers uses as to make Cups Dishes and the like and the Ashes thereof are very good to make Glasse as Crescentius writeth CHAP. CCCIV. Of the Hasell-Nut-tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nux Pontica because it was said to be brought at first out of Pontus into Asia and Greece and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nux tenuis sive parva the Small Nut to distinguish it from the Wall-nut It is
be eminent for healing green Wounds yet not for all other diseases as those names import The Forme Clownes Wound-wort groweth up with slender four square green rough Stalks to the height of halfe a yard or two foot surrowed in a little upon every square the joynts standing somewhat farre a sunder with two very long and somewhat narrow dark green Leaves bluntly dented about the Edges and sharp pointed at the end the flowers stand towards the top compassing the stalkes at the joynts as those of Horehound doe but it endeth in a spiked top which Horehound doth not having long and much open gaping hoods of a purplish red colour with whitish spots in them standing in somewhat rough huskes wherein afterwards stand blackish round seeds The root is composed of many long strings with some tuberous long knobs commonly growing amongst them of a pale yellowish or whitish colour the whole plant is of a strong smell somewhat like unto Stinking Horehound The Places and Time Clownes Allheale groweth frequently in most of the Countries of this Land by the sides of severall brooks and ditches and sometimes by the Path-sides and Borders of fields It floureth in August and bringeth its seed to perfection about the end of September The Temperature This kind of Sideritis is hot in the second degree and dry in the first and withal of an earthy quality The Vertues The Leaves of Clownes Wound-wort stamped with Swines grease and applyed unto green Woundes in manner of a Pultis doth heale them in a short time according to the first intention that is by closing up the lips of them without drawing or bringing them to Suppuration or Matter in such absolute manner that it is hard for any one that hath not had the experience thereof to believe It is also very availeable in stanching of bloud and to dry up the Fluxes of humors in old fretting Vlcers Cancers c. that hinder the healing of them Neither is it excellent onely for outward but also for inward Wounds Ruptures of veines bloudy flux spitting pissing or vomiting bloud a syrupe being made thereof and taken now and then a little and so Ruptures or burstings of the belly are speedily even to admiration cured if a Plaister of the Herb or an oyntment of the same be applyed to the place The said Plaister being applyed to any veine that is swollen or Muscle that is cut helpeth it and if there be a little Comfry added to it it will be so much the better CHAP. CCCXXXIV Of Arsmart The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hydropiper i. e. Piper aquaticum because one kind of it hath a burning taste like Pepper and Hydropiper in Latine sometimes but generally Perficaria quod folia â—jus Perfica foliis similia sunt because the leaves of it are like unto those of the Peach-tree yet some make this distinction calling the mild or gentle sort Perficaria simply and the other Hydropiper five Perficaria urens in English Water Pepper and Arsmart and in some Countries Red-knees and of some Culrage and Cyderach The Kindes There be foure Sorts of Arsmart growing in our owne Country 1. Dead or Spotted Arsmart 2. Small creeping Arsmart 3. Codded Arsmart or Touchme not 4. Biting Arsmart or Water Pepper The Forme The â—ild or Spotted Arsmart groweth up with Leaves of a middle size both for length and breadth set at the great red joynts of the Stalkes with blackish spots upon them many times almost like a halfe moone but not alwayes the flowers grow in long Spiky heades either of a blush or whitish colour which falling away blackish â—lat seed come in their places The root is long with many fibres thereat perishing yearly this hath no biting tast as the Water Pepper hath which is exceeding hot but is rather like sowre Sorrell or else a little drying or without tast the way of distinguishing one from an other is to breake a leafe of it crosse ones tongue for the biting sort will make the tongue to smart and so will not the other The Places and Time The first groweth very common almost every where in moist and watery Plashes and neer to the brims of Rivers Ditches and running Brooks and sometimes in those Corn-fields that are subject to moisture in the Winter time The second groweth also within the confines of our Countrey and so doth the third but the place thereof is not particularly expressed and therefore some Physick Garden is the surest place to finde them the last is found in like places with the first but not so frequently and is to be known from iâ— by the red spots which it sometimes hath as also by the Diagnostick I have already set down They flower in June and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature The â—ildâ— or dead Arsmart as it is called is cold and something dry but the Biting Arsmart is hot and dry yet not so hot as Pepper according to Galen The Vertues and Signature The Leaves and Stalkes of the Dead Arsmart being stamped and applyed to green or fresh Wounds doe cool and comfort them exceedingly and keep them from â—â—postumation and inflaâ—mation and so doth the juice of them being dropped thereinto Being applyed in like manner it consumeth all cold swellings and taketh away black and blew markes of the Skin by dissolving the congealed blood happening upon bruises strokes fallâ— c. which is signified by the black spots which are upon the Leaves and being laid to a Joynt that hath a Felon thereon it taketh it away by Signature also A piece of the Root or some of the Seed bruised and held to an aking tooth taketh away the pâ—ine The Juice of it being dropped into the Eares destroyeth the Wormes that are in them and so it is good against deafenesse Two dâ—amms of the powder of the herb taken with a little Vinegar openeth the obstructions of the Liver Being stamped with Wine and applyed to the Matrix it bringeth unto Women their monthly Courses If it be stamped with Rue and Wormwood and all of them fryed together with Butter or Suet and applyed to the Stomach or Bâ—lly it killeth the Wormes in them When a Womans Belly is great and she not with Childe let her boyl of Arsmart Rue and Hyssâ—p of each one handfull in a quart of Ale to the one halfe and drinke thereof first and last it will reduce it to its just measure The distilled Water of the herb mingled with an Oxe Gall and a little Oyle of Spike being annointed upon any place that is troubled with the Gout and a blew woollen cloth laid upon it taketh away the pain thereof Two spoonfulls of the said Water with one of Aqua Vitae being nointed on any place troubled with an Ach for five or sixe dayes taketh it quite away It is said that if a handfull of Arsmart wetted in Water be applyed to a Wound or Sore and afterwards buried in moist ground as the herb rotteth so
to watering eyes that are hot and inflamed by defluxions from the Head doth very much help them It stoppeth also the Fluxes of Blood or Humours as the Lask Bloody Flix and Womens too abundant Courses and stayeth bleeding whether it be at nose mouth or other place whether it come by bruise hurt or bursting of a Vein and wonderfully helpeth the inward parts which need consolidating and strengthening the Leaves being sodden in Broth made of a Hen or a piece of Veal It is effectuall also both to heale and close up green Wounds as also to cleanse and heal all foul and old Vlcers spreading and fretting Cancers in the Nose or any other place the juyce and decoction of the Herb taken inwardly and the Herb used outwardly as Pena instanceth in one whose Nose was so eaten with a Cancer that it was to be cut off left his whole Body should fall into a Leprosie yet a Barber who knew nothing but by tradition being unwilling that the man should lose his Nose desired that he might first make tryal of this Herb which perfectly cured his Nose and him And here it would not be amisse to take my leave of Mr. Culpeper who blames the Colledge of Physitians for those things whereof he himself was far more guilty than they for if he he were so skilful in the knowledge of Herbs as he makes himself to be why did he leave the Male Speedwel out of his English Phisitian enlarged it being more common and of greater use than the Female but it seems he chanced to read of the one and not of the other being in all probability ignorant of both for all his railing CHAP. CCCXLI Of Pimpernell The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anagallis either 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adducere five ejicere quia adactos corpori aculeâ—s extrahit because it drawes forth thâ—rns and splinters out of the Body or ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 idque ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fluvio ubi â—ritur because it was first found by the River Gallus It is called also in Latine Anagallis besides which it hath had many other names put upon it put falsely as Morsus Gallina and Morgelina which is that sort of Chickweed called Henbit Auricula Muris Macia Helicacabus Corchâ—rus which is the Jeâ—â—es Mallow Some call it Coralliâ—n and the Composition made thereof Diateralliâ—n others think that it should be called Collarion and the Composition Diacollarion because Piâ—pernel is of a glutinous quality The Kindes There be four sorts of Piâ—pernell growing in England 1. Male Red Pimpernel 2. Female Pimpernel 3. Yellow Pimpernel 4. Pimpernel with a white Flower The Forme The Male Red Pimpernel hath divers weak square Stalks lying on the ground with two small â—nd almost round Leaves at every joynt one against another somewhat like unto those of Chickweed but that they are thicker spotted on the backside with brownish spots without any foot-stalk for they do as it were encompass the Stalk wherein it differeth also from Chickweed the Flowers stand singly or each by themseves at the joynts between them and the Stalks consisting of five small round pointed Leaves of a fine pale red colour tending to an Orenge with so many threds in the middle in whose places succeed smooth round heads wherein the Seed which iâ— small is contained The Root is small and fibrous perishing at or before Winter The Places and Time The first groweth in Corne-fields by Way-sides and in Gardens also of its own accord almost every where and so doth the second but less frequently and hath been found not far from Oxford in Rumney Marsh at Beaconsfield in Buckingham-shire and divers other places the third groweth in Stâ—w Wood about two miles from Oxford and also in Charletown Wood two miles beyond Greenwich the last groweth in a Wood on the South-side of Chisâ—ehirst Heath over against Scadbury Park They flower from May unto August some of the Seed ripening and falling in the mean time and the rest quickly after The Temperature Pimpernel is of a drying faculty without bitiâ—g and somwhat hot with a certain drawing quality The Vertues and Signatures It is agreed upon by all hands that Pimpernell being bruised and applyed to corrupt festered and fretting Sores cleanseth and healeth them and draweth out thâ—râ—s thistles and spâ—inters out of the Hands or Feet or any other part of the Body Being boyled in Wine and drunk it is singular good against all venemous bitings obstruction of the Liver and pain of the Kidneys It is a good Remedy against the Plague and other pestilentiaâ— Feavers and contagious Sicknesses being boyled in Wine and given to drink but then after the taking thereof warm they must lye a bed and sweat two houres thereupon for hereby the venome of the Disease is expelled but it must be used twice at the least the same helpeth the biting of â—ad Dogs and the stingings and bitings of the Viper Adder or Scorpion the Spots on the back-side of the Leaves intimating so much The Juyce hereof mixed with a little Honey and dropped into the Eyes cleanseth them from cloudy mists or filmes growing over them which hinder and take away the sight It is effectual also to ease the pains of the Hemorrhoides or Piles The distilled Water is effectual for all the purposes aforesaid especially for cleansing corrupt and stinking wounds and is accounted mervailous good to cleanse the Skin from any roughnesse deformity or discolouring thereof and to make it smooth neat and clear which it doth by Signature all spotted Plants being available for the doing away Spots in the Skin as Crollius saith who writeth also that it is reported that the Male Pimpernel being held in the hand till it be hot stoppeth the bleeding of any veine that is cut the Flower of it being of a bloody colour signifying the same The Juyce sniffed up into the Nose purgeth the Head and so it is said to do the Toothach if it be put into the contrary Nostrill The Male Pimpernell is said to drive forth the Fundament and the Female to repel it and drive it into its place again Some Country-people do judge of the Weather by beholding the Flowers of this Herb the day before if the Leaves of them be contracted and closed up it betokeneth Raine but if they be spread abroad faire Weather The Germans have a superstitious conceit that if it be hung over the Threshold or Porch of the doore of any house it will defend it from Witchcraft CHAP. CCCXLII Of VVoody Night-shade or Bitter-sweet The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glycypicron that is Bitter-sweet in English because the Bark of it being the wed in the mouth tastes bitter at the first but sweet afterwards and for the same reason it is called Dulcamara and Amaradulciâ— in Latine Some referring it to the Night-shades do call it Solanum lignosum oâ— fruticosum or rubrum