smal yellow knobs or bunches set at severall distances from whence arise many small leaves growing in clusters thick together like tassells which fall away at the approach of Winter and gain fresh every spring which is peculiar only to this Tree of all the Rosen bearing Trees The blossoms are very beautiful and delectable being of an excellent fine Crimson Colour and very sweet which afterwards turn into small soft Cones like unto Cypresse Nuts while they are close but longer then they being made up of a multitude of thin Scales like leaves under which ly small seeds having a thin filme growing on them very like to the wings of Bees or Wasps the substance of the wood is very hard of colour somewhat red especially that which is in the middle and very profitable for works of long continuance Yet that report that the wood of the Larch Tree cannâ—â— be set on fire is false it being preferred before all other wood for all 〈…〉 thes work and for Miners to melt the Ore of Mettal because it holdeth fire longest and strongest by reason of the Rosen that is in it The Agarick which groweth on this Tree is a kind of Mushrome or Excrescence not such as is upon other Trees but covered with a hard blackish bark which being cut and pared away that which is underneath is whiter softer more loose and pongy then any other of the Mushromes that is the best which may easily be broken and is light and in the first taste sweet hard and well compact that which is heavy blackish containing in it little threds like sinews is counted pernicious and deadly The liquid Rosen that proceedeth from this Tree is very like in colour and substance to the whiter honey as that of Athens or Spain which notwithstanding issueth not forth of it self but runneth out of the Stock of the Tree when it hath been bored to the very heart with a great and long Augur or Wimble It is commonly called Venice Turpentine though the true Turpentine issue from the tree Terebinthus The figure of this Larch Tree with the Agarick growing upon it you may see lively represented either in Gerrard or Parkinson The Place and Time The Larch Tree groweth in many woods about Trent and Brixia in Italy and neer the river Benacus and Padus and in Galatia a Province of Asia as Dioscorides and Galen do record and in Agaria a countrey of Sarmatia from whence the Agarick took the name in Silesia also Moravia Lusatia As the Agarick is gathered in most of these places so is the Turpentine but especially from the woods about Trent Of all the Cone trees this only is found with out leaves in the Winter in the Spring grow fresh Leaves out of the same knobs from which the former did fall The Cones are to be gathered before winter so soon as the leaves are gone for after the scales are loosed and opened and the seeds drop away The Rosen or Turpentine is to be gathered in the hottest part of the Summer and the Agarick towards the latter end of the year but in November and December especially The Temperature The leaves bark fruit and kernel are of a dry and binding temperature The Agarick is hot in the first degree and dry in the second It cutteth maketh thin cleanseth taketh away obstructions and stoppings of the Entrails and purgeth by stool The Rosen of this Tree is moister then any other Rosen and without either that sharpnesse or biting which some of the others have The Signature and Vertues Agarick whose copped form holds out the Signature of the Head being boyled in Lye with other Cephalical helps comforteth the brain and memory very much It is good for the giddinesse of the head if it be washed therewith as also to stay the rheums and catarrhs thereof and cleanseth it much from scurfe and Dandraffe being taken with the syrup of Vinegar it is good against the pains and swimmings of the head or the falling sickness It purgeth phlegme Choler and Melancholy from the Brain Nerves Muscles Marrow of the Back it cleanseth the Breast Lungs Liver Stomach Spleen Reins Womb Joynts it provokes Urine and the Terms kills Worms helps pains in the Joynts and causeth a good colour It is very seldom or never taken alone because it doth somewhat trouble the stomach and therefore I shall set down a receipt or two The first is the syrup of Roses solutire with Agarick Take of Agarick cut thin an ounce Ginger two drachâ—â—s Sal Gem. one drach Polypodium bruised 2. ounces sprinkle them with white Wine and steep them two daies over warm Ashes in a pound and a half of the infusion of Damask Roses and with two pound of Sugar boyl it into a Syrup It cureth the yellow I amdies proceeding of obstructions and is a sure remedy for Agnes and cold shakings which are caused of thick and cold humors It purgeth phlegme from the Head relieves the senses oppressed by it it provokes the Terms in Women it purgeth the stomach and Liver and provoketh Urine All the aforesaid vertues are attributed to the Pills of Hierâ— with Agarick which are made as followeth Take of Species Hiera Picâ—a Agarick of each half anounce Aloes one ounce Hony Roses so much as is sufficient to make into a Masse according to Art Of this you may safely take a scruple at night going to bed having eat a light supper three hours before and you may safely go about your businesse the next day for it will work very gently and therefore you may continue taking it a week together for it will not work much the first time and consequently affect little Some give it only with Oxymel which is a syrup made with Vinegar and Honey and so it cureth all sorts of Agues either Tertians or Quotidians easeth the griping pains of the stomach and belly or such as have had falls or bruises or are bursten bellyed all which actions it chiefly performeth by purging those gross and vitious humors that trouble the parts and Members of the Body and are causes of all these diseases It is good against shortnesse of breath the inveterate cough of the Lungs the Ptisick Consumption and those that spit blood Half a drach or two scruples being taken in Wine either by infusion or the powder is an Antidote against all Poysons and cureth the bitings of Serpents very quickly It is applyed also outwardly for the same purpose The Rosen or Turpentine of this Tree taken to the quantity of an ounce will gently open the belly and more to the stool provoke Urine cleanse the Reins Kidneys and Bladder and helpeth to break and avoid the gâ—avel and stone and easeth those which have the stone if it be first washed with Plantane or Rose Water then made in Pills with the powder of white Amber Red Coral Mastick and a little Camphir it doth wonderfully help to purge and cleanse the reins and stop the running of them Being taken with honey it
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
Scabs if the places affected be often rubbed therewith Pure Oyle that is heated in an Apple of Coloquinda after the seeds are taken out being dropped into the Eares taketh away the paine and noise and killeth the Wormes in them And is said to make the hair black which was not so before and to keep it from falling as also from growing ray A Bath made of Coloquintida and the feet and other parts fomented bringeth down the Courses in Women The juyce boiled with hogs-grease and applyed to the Hip-Gout easeth the Sciatica The Dose in powder is from five graines to ten or fifteen but it is more safe to take it for all the purposes aforesaid in a Glister made after this manner Take of the Pulp of Coloquintida two drams Camomile flowers an handfull Anniseed Cumminseed of each halfe an Ounce make hereof a decoction in faire Water and in a pint of it being strained dissolve Honey of Roses and Oyle of Camomile of each three or foure Ounces Now if any one should aske how can a Glyster purge the whole Body I answer that the Glyster moistning the whole Colon doth by the twigs of the Arteries draw noisome humours from the whole Trunk The seeds will kill Ratts and Mice who delight to feed upon them and the decoction with Wormewood sprinkled in a House that is troubled with Fleaâ— doth utterly destroy them CHAP. CLXVII Of Bind-weed The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to distinguish it from the Kidney-Beans which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Smilax hortensis In Latine also Smilax levis from a Maid of that name who pining away for the love of Crocus was turned into this flower according to that verse of Ovid and he into Saffron Et Crocum in parves versum cum Smilace flores It is called also Convâ—lvalâ—s and Volubilis quia crebrâ revolutione vicinos fructices et herbas impliceâ— because it rouleth or windeth it selfe about whatsoever is next it and for the same reason it is called Funis arborum but Campanella is given to it because it hath a flower like a little Bell. There is one cheife sort hereof called of some Campana Laxâ—ra or Campana caruleâ— of others Convolvulus Caeruleus Major five Indicus and Flâ—s Noctis because its cheifest beauty is in the Evening Night and Morning of some Nil Avâ—eeunae another is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Helxine Cissampelos ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 trahere vel harere and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Vitâ—alis five Hedera Vitiâ—ea because this Helxine should be known from Pellitory called also Helxine this most commonly growing in Vineyards creeping up upon the Vines with a Leafe like lvy it is called also Malacocissos quasi mollis hedera Orobanche Ervania Convolvulus niger c In English Bindweed With-wind and of some Divelsgut The Kinds To this smooth kind of Bindweed which is here to be understood for of the Prickly kind we shall treat elsewhere there may be referred these fifteene sorts 1. The greater blew Bind-weed or Bell-flower 2. The greater purple Bindweed with cornered Leaves 3. The American Bind-weed 4. The Arabian oâ— Egyptian Bind-weed 5. The blew Bell flower of Virginia 6. Mallow leased Bind-weed 7. The common small Bind-weed 8. Lavander leafed Bind-weed 9. Small purple Bind-weed 10. The African Bind-weed 11. The least African Bind-weed 12. The blew Spanish Bindweed 13. Black Bindweed 14. Branched black Bind-weed of Candy 15. Small black Bindweed The Form The greater blew Bind-weed or Bell flower though but a Weed as the name imports is taken into Gardens for the goodlynesse thereof where it riseth with many long and winding branches climbing and winding it selfe contrary to the course of the Sun upon any thing of substance that is neer it It hath many great faire round Leaves pointed at the end somewhat like a Violet Leafe in shape but much greater of a sad greene colour the flowers which come forth at the joynts of the branches where the Leaves are â—et on pretty long footstalkes two or three together are at first long somwhat like a finger and of a paâ—e whitish blew colour but afterwards they become broad like Bells of a deepe a â—ure tending to purple very gâ—orioâ—s to behold the flowers being past the stalkes whereon they stood bend downwards sending foâ—th husks with three or four black seeds a peece of the bignesse of a Tare or thereabouts the rootes are sâ—â—ingy and perish every where at the first approach of Winter The Places and Times Though the two first came to us out of Italy yet they are conceived to be naturall only to the East Indies The name of the third teâ—â—ifieth whence it came and so doth those of the fourth fift tenth eleaventh twelveth and fourteenth the sixth is found in many places of Spaine the seaventh and ninth in sundry Countryes of this Land as the eighth likewise is about Dunmow in Essex the thirteenth is that which is too common in every field and garden and the last groweth about Drayton neere Portsmouth They flower towards the latter end of Summer especially the greater sorts and therefore their seed is seldome perfected with us The Temperature The Bind-weeds are most of them hot and dry in the first or second degree The Signature and Vertues The most renowned Crollius in his Book of Signatures recordeth that Bind-weed or With-wind growing in the Corne by its turning and winding doth very much resemble the turnings and windings of the Guts and that therefore the dâ—coction thereof made in White Wine is a very singular remedy for those that are afflicted with the Collick purging and voiding sorth raw thick Phlegmatick and Melancholick humours and killing and driving sorth both flat and long Wormes out of the Belly yet not without some trouble to the Stomack which somtimes causeth Vomitings The Mallow Leafed Bind-weed as Clusius saith is used in Portugal as an herb of singular effect to heale all sores or wounds The Leaves of the black Bind-weed called Helxine Cissampelos stamped and streined and the juice drunken doth also loosen and open the belly exceedingly and so do the Leaves and Herb in Powder if it be drunk in Wine or any other Liquor The Leaves being bruised and laid to hard tumors and Knots in the Flesh dissolveth and consumeth them as Galen saith It is said likewise that if those places which you would have to be void of Haire be anointed with the juice hereof presently after the Haire is plucked up by the Rootes it will not suffer it to grow there any more Some of the greater sorts as also that with Leaves like Lavander where they naturally grow are rather a Plague then a pleasure to whatsoever groweth with it in the feildes yet the beauty of their flowers hath caused them to be received into Gardens where they are very delightfull to the Eyes of those which love to feast themselves even with the varieties of those things which the
Tree the more it is beaten the more Nuts it bears and therefore good Husbands after they have beaten down the Nuts do with long Poles beat the empty boughs of the Tree and I have observed that those Trees which have grown in the streets have been full when those which have growen in the back sides have had scarce any which I could impute to nothing else but that those in the street were beaten and throwen at more then the other they blossom early before the leaves come forth and the fruit is ripe in September except St. Johns Wall-nut which ripeneth not till October The Temperature Dodonaeus is of Opinion that the fresh Nuts are cold and moist but Euchsius saith they are drying in the first degree and heating in the second the bark of the Tree doth binde and dry very much and the leaves are near of the same temperature but when the Nuts are old they are hot and dry in the â—econd degree and of thin parts and of harder digestion then when they are fresh which by reason of their sweetnesse are more pleasant and better digesting in the stomack The Signatures and Vertues Wall-nuts have the perfect Signature of the Head The outer husk or green Covering represent the Pericranium or outward skin of the skull whereon the hair groweth and therefore salt made of those husks or barks are exceeding good for wounds in the head The inner wooddy shell hath the Signature of the Skull and the little yellow skin or Peel that covereth the Kernell of the hard Meninga Pia Mater which are the thin scarfes that envelope the brain The Kernel hath the very figure of the Brain and therefore it is very profitable for the Brain and resists poysons For if the Kernel be bruiâ—ed and moystned with the quintessence of Wine and laid upon the Crown of the Head it comforts the brain and head mightily If the Peels be taken off they are thought to be good for the stomack and somewhat loosing the belly and mixt with Sugar they do nourish temperately whilest they are new but when they begin to grow old they grieve the Stomack and cause in hot bodies choler to abound and the Head-ach and are an enemy to those which have a Cough but they aâ—e lesse hurtfull to those which have colder stomacks and are said to kill the broad Worms in the stomack or belly They are reckoned in Schâ—la Salerni for one of those 〈◊〉 things which are good against poyson Allia Ruta Pyra Raphanus â—um Theriâ—câ— Nuâ—s Hac sunt A 〈…〉 tum contra mortale ventuum And true it is that two dry Wall-nuts and as many Figs and twenty leaves of Rue bruised and beaten together with two or three Coâ—â—s of salt were King Mithridates Medicine against poyson which afteâ— he had long used daily at last he sought to poyson himself but could not And no marvel for the water of green Wall-nuts taken about Midsummer being drunk two or three ounces cooleth and resisteth the Pestilence And the water of the outer Husks of Wall-nuts being not rotten distilled in September is given to drink against the Plague with a little Vinegar as a certain experiment and the juyce of the same boyled up with Honey is an excellent gâ—â—gle for â—â—re mouths the heat and inflammations in the throat or stomack Though the old Kernels are not so fit to be eaten yet they are used to heal the wounds of the sinews Gangrens and Carbuncles and being mixed with Figs and Rue they cure old Ulcers of the Breasts and other cold Imposthumes with Rue and Oyl they are good to be laid to the Quinsie The leaves with Boars grease stayeth the hair from falling and maketh it fair the like also will the green husks do used in like manner A peece of the green husk put into an hollow Tooth easeth the pains thereof Some use the green husks and sometimes the young red leaves dryed and made into powder instead of Pepper to season their meat but if some dryed Sage in Pouder be put into it it will give a seasoning and relish not to be despised of poor folks The Oyl of Wall-nuts made in such manner as Oyl of Almonds maketh smooth the hands and face and taketh away scales and scurf black and blew marks that come of blowes and bruises and taken inwardly it helpeth the Collick and expelleth Wind very effectually Besides it is far better for the Painters use to illustrate a white colour than Linseed Oyl which deadeth it and is of singular good use to be laid on gilded works The young green Nuts before they be half ripe preserved whole in Sugar are not onely a dainty Junket among other of the like nature but are good for those that have weak stomacks and defluxions thereon It is averred by some that if a Wall-nut be put into the belly of a Chicken it will cause it to be roasted a great deal the sooner The Rind of the root having the upper part scraped of being made into powder and tempered with Vinegar if it be strained two or three times till it be somewhat thin and clear and drunk liberally cureth the Ague and cleanseth the body very much CHAP. II. Of the Piony The Names THe Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines also Peonia and Dulcisida in Shops Pionia in English Piony or Peony and of some Chessesâ— It hath also many Bastard names as Râ—sâ— Fatuina Herba Câ—sta Hasta Regia Rosa Asinarum of some Luxaria or Luxaria Peonia because it cureth those which have the Falling-sicknesse whom most men do call Lunatici or Lunatick It is called Paonia from Paon a famous Physician who doubtless found out some of the Vertues and admired them but Glycysidâ— or Dulcisidâ— from the red grains in the Pomgranat which in Greek are called Sida with which it hath some resemblance It is also called Dactyluâ— Idaâ—â— the 〈◊〉 roots thereof being like to Dactyli Idâ—i which are certain precious stones of the form of a mans finger growing in the Isle of Candy It is likewise called Aglaophôtis or brightly-shining taking its name from the shining rednesse of the red grains or seeds which are of the colour of Scarlet of which there are many fabulous traditions but I shall forbear to mention them The Kindâ— The Sorts of Pionyes which I have met with are in number 11. 1. The male Piony 2. The Female Piony 3. Double Red Piony 4. The double white Pyony 5. The Spanish Dwarf Piony 6. Columbine leafed Pyony 7. The party coloured Piony 8. The female white Piony 9. The female yellow Piony 10. The doubtful female Piony 11. Certain single and double female Pionies that sprang with Clusâ—â—â— of the seed of the double Red which is not 〈…〉 all All these forts except the female are Plants so scarce that they are possessed but by a few and those great Lovers of Rarities in this kinde and therefore I shall trouble you onely with the description of that
of them are in Temperature dry little or nothing hot but astringent and are accounted as profitable for the paines of the head as any plant that is except Betony They are excellent good against any Joynt-aches as the Palâ—y and paines of the Sinews as theit names do import The decoction of the roots are good for the stone in the Kidneys and Bladder the juyce of the leaves for members that are loose and out of joynt or inward parts that are hurt râ—nt or broken A drachm and a half of the dryed roots of field Primrose gathered in the Autumne purgeth by Vomit very forcibly but safely waterish humouâ—s choler and flegme in such manner as Asara bacca doth A conserve made with the flowers of Cowslips and Sugar prevaileth wonderfully against the Palsy Convulsions Cramps and all diseases of the Sinews if the quantity of a Nutrneg be taken every morning An oyntment made of the leaves and Hogs grease healeth wounds and taketh away Spots Wrinkles and Sunburning and so doth the distilled water of the flowers As divers Ladies Gentlewomen and she Cittizens whether wives or widdows know well enough The roots of Primrose stamped and strained and the juyce snifted into the Nose with a quill or such like purgeth the brain and qualifieth the pain of the Megrim An Oyntment made with the Juice of Cowslips and oyl of Linseed cureth all scaldings and burnings with fire water or otherwise The flowers of Primt 〈…〉 sodden in Vinegar and applyed do heal the Kings Evil healeth also the Almonds of the Ears and Palate if you Gargarize the party with the decoction thereof The leaves and flowers of Primroses boyled in Wine and drunk are good against all diseases of the Breast and Lungs and will draw any thorn splinter or bone out of the flesh The Bears eares according to their name Sanicle are no lesse powerful for healing then the former as also for the Palsy and Rupture called Enterocele if for some reasonable space it be put in drinks or boyled by it self The roots also of Bears-ears are in great request amongst those that use to hunt after Goats and Robucks upon the Alpes and high mountains and for the strengthening of the head then when they passe by fearful precipices and steep places in following their game that Giddinesse and swimming of the brain may not seise upon them CHAP. XII Of the Lilly of the Vally The Names THe Latines have named it Lilium Convallium Gesner doth think it to be Callionymum It is called in English Lilly of the Vally or the Convall Lilly May Lillies Wood Lillies and in some places Liriconfancy or Lilly Confancy Fuschius saith that Ephemerum non Lethale and Lilium Convallium are the same The Kinds Of this Lilly I find but two sorts 1. Lilly-Convally with white flowers 2. Lilly-Convally with red flowers The Forme The Lilly of the Valley hath leaves somewhat like unto other white Lillies or rather like unto the leaves of the smallest water Plantain among which doth a slender and small stalk spring up in the top of which grow forth little small white flowers like little bells with turned edges and of a pleasant smell which being past there come small red berries much like the berries of Asparagus wherein the seed is contained The root is small and slender creeping farre abroad in the ground The Place and Time It groweth plentifully upon Hamstead-heath four miles from London near to Lee in Essex and on Bushy heath thirteen miles from London in Bagly wood which is two or three miles from Oxford not far from the way to Abingdon and many other places in vallies and on the sides of hills For its great commodity and beauty it is brought and planted in Gardens where it prospereth best if it be set in a moist ground and shadowy place It floureth in May and the fruit is ripe in September The Temperature and Vertues The Lillies of the Valley are hot and dry of Temperature according to Gerrard and Sennertus yet Hill in his Art of Gardening saith that they are cold and moist I assent rather to the former opinion though there may be some reason given for the later also The flowers be more effectual then the Herb and the root passeth the flowers in vertue It cureth the Apoplexy by Signature for as that disease is caused by the dropping of humours into the principall Ventricles of the brain so the flowers of this Lilly hanging on the plants as if they were drops are of wonderful use herein if they be distilled with Wine and the quantity of a spoonfull thereof drunk and so it restoreth speech to them that have the dumb Palsy And is good against the Gout comforteth the heart and Vitall Spirits strengthens the brain recrutes a weak memory and makes it strong again The distilled water dropped into the Eyes helps inflammations there is also that infirmity which is called the Pin and Web. The flowers steeped in New Wine and drunk doth help those which are pained with a trembling of the heart or other members it stops the passages of the Leprosy beginning that the same spread no further abroad Also it doth take away the scabbe and ring-Worm anointed thereupon and the sooner if you wash them sundry times with the water The water also asswageth the swellings of the stingings of Bees and Wasps if it be applyed to the part Take the flowers and steep them in New Wine for the space of a moneth which being finished take them out again and distill the wine five times over in a Limbeck This wine is more precious then Gold for if any one that is troubled with the Apoplexy drink thereof with six grains of Pepper and a little Lavander water they shall not need to fear it that moneth It ceaseth the Cholick it comforteth the brain and helpeth the Impostume in the hinder part thereof Six ounces of the water of the flowers helpeth those that are poysoned or bit with a mad Dog and being drunk fourty daies it doth away the falling Scknesse The same water drunk helpeth the Strangury the pricking about the heart and inflammation of the Liver and stayeth excessive Menstrues Gerrard saith That a Glasse being filled with the flowers of May Lillies and set in an Ant-hill with the mouth close stopped for a months space and then taken out you shall find a Liquor in the Glasse which being outwardly applyed helps the Gout very much CHAP. XIII Of Misselto The Names THe last thing that I shall treat of as appropriated to tâ—e diseases of the Brain as the Falling Sicknesse Apoplexy â—alsy c. is Misselto which is called by Dioscorides and so is the Birdlime made thereof but Theophrastus calls it who saith also that in Eubaa it is called Stelis and in Arcadia Hyphear In Latine it is called Viscus and Viscum and so is also the Birdlime made of the Berries Ion the Poet call it Sâ—dor Quercus Because it groweth on Trees from their own superfluous
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-Rose-water together be smelled unto or if a peece of red-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
Stitch in their sides doth give them much ease the same applyed with rose-Rose-water and Oyl of Roses to the Forehead and Temples doth ease the inveterate pains of the head If the fresh Leaves be boyled in Wine and old filthy Sores and Ulcers that are hard to be cured be washed therewith it wonderfully helpeth to cleanse and heal them and so it doth green wounds quickly sodering up the lips of them the same also is effectual to heal scaldings of water and burnings by fire and the exulcerations that happen thereby or upon the sharpness of salt flegme and hot humours in other parts of the body The Juyce of the Berries or Leaves snuffed up into the nose purgeth the head and brain of thin Rheum which maketh defluctions into the Eyes and Nose and cureth the Ulcers and stench therein The fresh leaves are commonly used to lay upon Issues in what place soever as Arms Legs c. to keep them open and to draw forth the humours which come thither but a little peece of the Root made round like a pease and put into the Orifice keepeth it running without Leaf or Plaster if you lay upon it half a sheet of issue-Paper eight times double The Wood made into a Cup and used by those that are troubled with the Spleen shall find ease and be much holpen thereof if they let their drink stand some small time therein before they drink it Cato saith if you suspect your Wine to have any water in it put some of it into a Cup made of Ivy wood and the Wine will soak through and the water remain such is the Antipathy that is betwixt them If any one hath got a surfet by drinking of Wine his speediest cure is to drink a draught of the same wine wherein an handfull of Ivy leaves being first bruised have been boyled There is a Gum gathered from Ivy in hot Countries which is exceeding sharp and hot burning and exulcerating the skin yet being dissolved in Vinegar it taketh away superfluous hair in any place and killeth Lice and Nits and easeth the pain of hollow teeth if it be put therein CHAP. XXVIII Of the Poplar Tree The Names BEcause Ivy is a plant that seldom groweth but where Trees grow I have placed a tree next it and that is the Poplar Tree their leaves being also somewhat alike to which the Ancient Greeks having two sorts gave them two distinct Names they called the white Poplar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of the whitenesse in Latine Populus alba and Farfarus according to that of Plautus in his Penulus Viscum Legioni dedi Fundasque eos prosternebam ut folia Farfari which the learned suppose to be the leaves of Poplar They called the Black Poplar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Populus nigra the first or new sprung buds whereof the Apothecaries call Oculi Populi Popular Buds Others chuse rather to call it Gemma Populi some of the Grecians name it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To these is added a third called Populus tremula and by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod nimirum ista planta instar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stipite oblongo sit terete in acutum desinente because this Tree with its long and round body is somewhat like a Weavers Beam which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In English Aspe and Aspentree and may also be called Tremble after the French name because the leaves wag though there be no wind and therefore the Poets and others have feigned them to be the matter whereof Womens tongues were made which seldom cease wagging All that with glory conquered their enemies in fight were wont to wear a Garland of the branches of white Poplar from the Example of Hercules who having overcome Cerberus came crowned with the branches of it which he found by the River Acheron and from thence Homer in the fifth book of his Iliads calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Their Errour that Succinum yellow Amber was the Gum of the Black Poplar is sufficiently confuted by Matthiolus The Kindes Besides these three sorts above named I find two more 1. The smaller leafed white Poplar tree 2. The round leafed Indian Poplar tree I hold it best to describe the Black Popular because it is more usefull The Forme The black Poplar is a Tree very tall and straight with a grayish bark bearing broad and green leaves somewhat like to Ivy leaves not cut-in on the Edges but whole and dented ending in a point and not white underneath hanging by slender long footstalks which with the Air are almost continually shaken like as the Aspen Leaves are the Catkins hereof are great composed of many round green berries as it were set together on a long cluster wherein is much Downy matter contained which being ripe is blown away with the wind the eyes or clammy Buds hereof before they spread into leaves and not of the white as some have thought nor yet the Uvae or berries which each of them have under them are gathered about the beginning of Aprill to make the Vnguentum Populeon and are of a yellowish green colour and small but somewhat sweet and strong the wood is smooth tough and white and will quickly be cloven to make shingles pales or the like On this as also on the white Poplar Tree groweth a sweet kind of Musk which in former times was much used to be put into sweet Ointments and commended by Galen and others to be the best next unto that of the Cedar Tree The Place and Time The first kind of white Poplar groweth not very common in England yet in some place here and there it is found as in a low Meadow turning up a Lane at the further end of a Village called Black-wall and in Essex at a place called Ovenden and in some other places which are low and moist as in Meadows near unto Ditches standing warers and Rivers and in some moist woods where the other three sorts do also grow but the Indian Poplar groweth in most part of the Islands of America These trees bud forth in the end of March and the beginning of April but the Catkins appear sooner The Temperature The white Poplar hath a cleansing faculty saith Galen and a mixt tempeâ—rature consisting of a watery warm essence and also a thin earthly substance The Rosin or clammy Substance of the black Poplar buds is hot and dry and of thin parts and doth attenuate and mollifie the leaves have in a manner the like operation but weaker and not so effectuall VVhat temperature uhe Indian sort is of I have not found The Vertues I described the Black Poplar because that had most similitude with Ivy but it is the white Poplar whose form differeth not much from the other save that the leaves are almost like those of the Vine or rather Colts-foot which is appropriated to the Ears the juyce of whose leaves being extracted warmed and dropped into them easeth the pains
in them and healeth Ulcers there if there be any The young clammy buds or eyes before they break out into leaves bruised and a little Honey put to them is a good Medicine for a dull sight by Signature An ounce of the bark in Powder being drunk saith Dioscorides in wine 't is likely is a remedy for those that are troubled with the Sciatica or Srangury and Serenus is of the same Judgment The black Poplar is held by some to be more cooling then the white and therefore they have with much profit applyed the leaves bruised with Vinegar to places troubled with the Gout and so do the young leaves and buds made into an Ointment with May-butter the seed is held to be good against the falling sicknesse if it be drunk in Vinegar That water that droppeth from the hollow places of the black Poplars doth take away Warts Pushes Wheales and other the like breakings out in the body The young black Poplar Buds saith Matthiolus are used by women to beautifie their hair bruising them with fresh butter and straining them after they have been for some time kept in the Sun The Ointment called Populeon is singular good for any heat or inflammation in any part of the Body and to temper the heat of wounds It is used also to dry up the Miâ—k in Womens Breasts after their delivery and when they have weaned their Children The Aspen leaves are somewhat weaker then those of the black Poplar yet the quantity being augmented they are used for the same purposes CHAP. XXIX Of Nightshade The Names SOme of the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but others and that more usually 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine Solanum and Solatrum Uva Lupina and Uva Vulpâ—s Cuculus and Morella Pliny saith it was also called Strumam and Cucubalus but they are thought bastard names and not proper to this plant In English Nightshade Morrel Petty-Morrel and in some places Hounds berries There is a sort hereof which is called Dwale or deadly Nightshade by reason of its pernicious and excesse cold quality and is therefore not to be used but by a skilfull hand but the Common or Garden Nightshade is not dangerous being heretofore planted in Gardens as other herbs for food wherefore it was called Solanum hortense or Garden Nightshade but is now no where used but Physically and is cast out of Gardens The Kinds Dioscorides reckoneth up four sorts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hortense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vesicarium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Somniferum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Manicum which are by a later Writer distinguished into ten kinds 1. Common Nightshade 2. Red berried common Nightshade 3. Sleepy Nightshade 4. The true sleepy Nightshade of the Ancient Writers 5. Sleepy Nightshade of another sort 6. Dwale or Deadly Nightshade 7. Hoary Indian Nightshade 8. Red Nightshade or Redweed of Virginia 9. The great Marvel of Peru. 10. The small Mervail of Peru which is a kind of Nightshade besides which there are divers other sorts that I may have occasion to mention elsewhere The Forme The Common Nightshade hath a somewhat upright round green hollow stalk and about a foot high bushing forth into many Branches whereon grow many dark green leaves somewhat broad and pointed at the ends soft and full of juyce larger then the leaves of Basil else somewhat like and a little unevenly dented about the edges at the tops of the stalks and branches come four or five or more white flowers made of five small pointed leaves a piece standing on a stalk together one by or above another with yellow pointells in the middle composed of four or five yellow threds set together which afterwards turn into so many pendulous green berries of the bigness of a small pease full of green Juyce and small whitish round flat seed lying within it the root is white and a little woody when it hath given flower and fruit with many small fibres at it the whole plant is of a waterish insipid taste but the Juyce within the Berries is somewhat viscous like unto a thin mucilage and is of a coolng and binding quality The Place and Time Common Night-shade groweth without planting under old walls and in rubbish by the common Paths and sides of Hedges and Fields and sometimes in Gardens out of which it is cast as a weed Dwale or deadly Night-shade groweth not only in the Woods of Germany but in divers places in our own Land as in the Castle-yard of Framingham in Suffolk in Cambridge-shire Essex c. The rest are strangers and not to be found unless it be in the better sort of Gardens as the Physick Garden at Oxon that at Westminster c. The first and the second die every year and rise of their own sowing the rest dye down to the ground in Winter and shoot afresh in the spring They do not spring out of the ground untill it be late in the year as not untill the latter end of April at the soonest They flowre in Summer even till the beginning of Autumne and then the fruit ripeneth The Temperature Galen saith in his Book of the faculties of simple Medicines that Garden Night-shade is used for those infirmities that have need of cooling and binding for these two qualities it hath in the second degree which thing also he affirmeth in his Book of the faculties of nourishments where he saith that there is no Pot-herb which we use to eat that hath so great astriction or binding as Night-shade hath and therefore Physicians do worthily use it and that seldom as a nourishment but alwayes as a Medicine Dwale is cold even in the fourth Degree The Signature and Vertues The Berries of Night-shade having some similitude with a Bladder are of excellent use to provoke Urine and to expel the stone especially the Seeds contained in them being drunk with White-wine It is commonly used to cool hot Inflammations either inwardly or outwardly being no way dangerous to any that shall use it as the rest of the Night-shades are if it be used moderately for the often taking thereof in too great a quantity procureth the Frenzy the remedy whereof is to take good store of warm honyed water The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the pains thereof that arise of heat or Inflammation The distilled water only of the whole Herb is fittest and safest to be taken inwardly The Juyce also clarified and mingled with Vineger is a good Gargarisme for the mouth and throat that is inflamed But outwardly the Juyce of the Herb or Berries with Oyl of Roses and a little Vineger and Cerusse laboured together in a leaden Mortar is very good to anoint all hot Inflammations in the Eys It doth also much good for the Shingles Ringworms and in all running fretting and corroding Ulcers and in moist Fistulaes if the juyce be made up with some Hens-Dung and applyed thereto A Pessary dipped in the Juyce and put up into the Matrix stayeth
be drunk with Wine and it preventeth the fits of Agues if it be taken one home before the fit It cureth creeping and running sores Fistulaes spitting of blood and matter the holy fire swellings and hardness Shingles heat of the stomach new wounds hot Imposthumes and rheumatick sores and all other kind of Fluxes CHAP. XXXVI Of Willow The Names AFter so many Herbs it will not be amiss to bring in a Tree which though in form hath little yet in vertue hath some affinity The Willow is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod cito in altum excrescat and Salix a Saliendo in Latine because it groweth with that speed that it seemeâ—h to leap There is a greater sort which is called in English Sallow VVithy and VVillow and there is a lesser sort called Osier small VVithy and Twig Withy Petrus Crescentius calleth it Vincus a vinciendo because it is necessary to bind Faggots or any other Commodities that stand in need thereof The Kindes Many are the sorts of this Plant which Authours reckon up whereof I shall set down only those which I conceive to grow in our own Country and they are 1. The ordinary great white Willow-Tree 2. The ordinary black Willow 3. The Rose Willow 4. The hard black Willow 5. The black Withy 6. The round leafed Sallow 7. The longer leafed Sallow 8. The lesser broad Willow 9. The silver leafed Sallow 10. The upright low broad Willow 11. Creeping broad leafed Willow 12. The least red or stone Willow 13. The least Willow without fruit 14. The Osier 15. The straight dwarf Willow with narrow Leaves 16. Creeping low Willow with narrow Leaves 17. The black low Willow 18. Willow Bay I shall describe only the first that by it you may guesse at the rest The Forme The ordinary white Willow groweth quickly to be a great and tall Tree if it be not lopped as it is usuall in most places with a smooth white bark on the body and bigger branches the younger sprigs being somewhat green with the whitenesse the Leaves are long and narrow pale green on the upper side and of a shining silver white colour underneath without any dent on the edges the Flowers come out before the Leaves appeare and are small long and round yellow mossie heads smelling sweet for the most part divers standing one above another upon a long stalk which in time turn to down that is blown away by the winde and the Seed with it if it hath any The wood is soft and white and with the branches hereof are made stakes for hedges or to uphold Vines c. The Places and Time Most of these Willows are common and to be sound in low grounds near Water Courses and ditches the Rose Willow in sundry places of Essex and Cambridgeshire others on Hamsteed-Heath Rumney Marsh and the like The Osier is alwayes in the low grounds that are often overflowen where it will only thrive The Blossoms come forth before any Leaves appear and are in their most flourishing estate usually before Easter divers gathering them to deck up their houses on Palm Sunday and therefore the said Flowers are called Palme The Temperature The Leaves Flowers Seed and Bark of Willows are cold and dry in the second degree and astringent The Vertues and Signature The Leaves and Bark of Willow but especially the Catkins are used with good successe to stanch bleeding of wounds and at the mouth or nose and spitting of blood as also all other fluxes of blood in man or woman and likewise to stay casting and the desire thereunto if the decoction of them in Wine be drunk It helpeth also to stay thin hot and sharp salt distillations from the head upon the Lungs causing a Consumption The Leaves bruised with some Pepper and drunk in Wine do much help the Wind-Cholick The Leaves only bruised and boyled in Wine and drunk do much stay the heat of lust and wholly exstinguish it both in man and woman if it be much used the Catkins also are of the like effect The water that is gathered from the Willow whilest it flowreth the Bark being slit and a Vessel apt to receive it being fitted to it is very good for rednesse and dim eye-sight and Films that begin to grow over them and stay the Rheums that fall into them to provoke Urine being stopped if it be drunk and to clear the face and skin of any spots or discolourings if washed therewith The Flowers saith Galen have a stronger effect to dry up any Flux or humour being a Medicine without any sharpnesse and the Bark much more as all Barks do but if the Bark be burnt and used it doth yet dry more forcibly and being mixed with Vinegar it taketh away Warts and Corns and other the like callous flesh that groweth on the hands or feet or other parts The decoctions of the Leaves and Bark in Wine is good to bath the Sinews as also the places pained with the Gout and to cleanse the Head or other parts of scurf The Juyce of the Leaves and green Bark mingled with some Rose-water and heated in the Rhind of a Pomegranet is singular good to help deafness to be dropped into the Ears The Seed of the black Willow mixed with Litharge of Silver in equall quantity made into an Ointment and used on any place where the hair groweth that you would take away after it hath been bathed well before or else in the bain or Stove doth cause it to fall away This Plant is not propagated by Seed but any stick thereof though almost withered being fixed in the Earth groweth which Signature doth truly declare that a Bath made of the decoction of the Leaves and Bark of Willow restoreth again withered and dead Members to their former strength if they be nourished with the fomentation thereof CHAP. XXXVII Of Bistort The Names BY what Name the Grecians called this Plant is not known but amongst the Latines it hath divers It is called Bistorta quod radice in se serpentis modo contorta convoluta constet by Fragus Leonicerous and others and Colâ—brina of the similitude the Root hath with a Serpent rouling it self up together Parkinson saith that Fuschius calleth it Serpentaria quod venenosorum serpentium ictibus succurrit which though it happily performeth yet Fuschius giveth it no such Etymology as I can finde but very much blameth those Herbatists and Apothecaries which call it so Serpentaria being an Herb much differing from this both in form and vertue which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Dracunculus and Serpentaria which we in English call Dragons but Bistort is not called Dragons but Snakeweed The Kindes All the Bistorts that I can find are not above six 1. Common Bistort or Snakeweed 2. Bistort with more crooked Roots 3. Great Mountain Bistort 4. Small Bistort of our own Country 5. Small Bistort of the Alps. 6. Variable leafed small Bistort The Forme Common Bistort
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-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
are most common Nature or rather the God of Nature having placed those things we most need even before our Eyes It flowreth in June and July The Temperature VVild Tansie especially the Root of it is dry almost in the third Degree hahaving in it very little heat apparent and withall a binding faculty And therefore Fuschius saith that some Writers have been much mistaken in affirming it to be moyst for no other Reason but because it grows in moyst places For then Water-Cresses which are dry in the third Degree must be moyst also which no one dares be so impudent as to affirm And certainly had they but considered its astringency which is a certain token of drynesse they could not have concluded otherwise For Galen in his fourth Book of the faculties of simple Medicines saith that astringents have in them some earthly quality and are consequently drying The Vertues and Signature Wild Tansie boyled in Vinegar with Honey and Allum and gargled in the mouth easeth the Tooth-ach fasteneth loose Teeth helpeth the Gums that are sore and setleth the Palat of the mouth in its place when it is fallen down It cleanseth and healeth the Ulcers in the mouth or secret parts and is very good for inward wounds and to close the lips of green wounds as also to heal old moyst corrupt running Sores in the Leggs or elsewhere Being boyled in Wine and drunk it stoppeth the Lask the Bloody Flux and all other Fluxes of blood either in Man or Woman which some say it will also do if the green Herb be worn in the shooes so it be next the skin and it is true enough that it will stop the Terms if worn so and it may be the Whites also which the Powder of the dryed Herb will assuredly do if it be taken in some of the distilled water but more especially if a little Corall and Ivory in Powder be put to it Moreover it stayeth spitting or vomiting of blood and is much commended to help Children that are bursten and have a Rupture being boyled in water and Salt Being boyled in Wine and drunk it easeth the griping pains of the Bowels and is good for the Sciatica and Joynt-Aches Being bruised and applyed to the Soles of the Feet and the Hand-wrists it wonderfully cooleth the hot fits of the Agues be they never so violent The distilled water dropped into the Eys or Cloaths wet therein and applyed taketh away the heat and Inflammations in them by Signature the Flower of it representing the Apple of the Eye The said water cleanseth the skin of all discolourings therein as Morphew Sun-burning c. as also Pimples Freckles and the like but the Leaves steeped in White-wine or Butter-milk is far better but the best way of all is to steep it in strong White-wine-Vineger the face being often bathed or washed therewith CHAP. LX. Of Flea-wort The Names I shall conclude this Subject concerning the mouth and the parts thereof with Fleawort which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Pulicaria and Herba Pulicaria in Shops Psyllium in English Flea-wort All which Names were given to it for the same Reason 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Pulex in Latine signifying a Flea yet not because it driveth away Fleas if it be brought green into an House but because the Seed is like unto Fleas that were it not in respect of motion you could hardly distinguish them by sight It is of some called Fleabane but improperly there being another Pulicaria called Conyza which driveth away Fleas The Kindes The Ancients knew but one sort of Flea-wort but later times have discovered foure 1. The ordinary Flea-wort 2. The greater ever-green Flea-wort 3. Indian Flea-wort with dented Leaves 4. Small Flea-wort The Forme The ordinary Flea-wort riseth with a stalk two foot high or more full of Joynts and Branches on every side up to the top and at every joynt two small long and narrow whitish green Leaves somewhat hairy At the tops of every branch stand divers small short scaly or chaffy heads out of which come forth small whitish yellow threds like to those of the Plantane Herbs which are the bloomings or Flowers The Seed inclosed in those Heads is small and shining while it is fresh very like unto Fleas both for colour and bignesse but turning black when it groweth old The Root is not long but white hard and wooddy perishing every year and rising again of its own Seed for divers years if it be â—uffered to shed The whole Plant is somewhat whitish and hairy smelling somewhat like Rozin The Places and Time The first groweth in the Fields and untilled places of Spain and Italy but with Us no where but in Gardens The second groweth in the Fields that are near the Sea The third is thought to come out of the Indies The last is naturally of Egypt or Arabia All these Flea-worts flowre in July or thereabouts with Us but in their natural places all the Summer long yet the last is the latest with Us. The Temperature Galen and Serapio do record that the Seed of Flea-wort which is chiefly used in Medicine is cold in the second Degree and temperate in moysture and drynesse The Vertues The Muscilage or infusion of the Seeds of Flea-wort being made with rose-Rose-water or Barley-water and taken with Syrup of Violets Syrup of Roses or Sugar purgeth Cholet and thick flegme and is useful in hot burning Feavers in great thirst and helps to lenifie the drynesse of the mouth and throat it helpeth also the hoarsnesse of the Voyce and Diseases of the Breast and Lungs caused by heat as the Plurisie and such like It helpeth all Inflammations of the Head and all hot pains of the Joynts The Muscilage of the Seed made into an Electâ—ary with Marmalade of Quinces with Popyy-Seed and Sugar Pellets or Sugar Candy and so taken doth temper rhe heat and roughnesse of the Throat and Tongue and stayeth hot Fluxions or Rheums flowing down In hot burning Agues it quencheth thirst and abates heat being taken with Syrup of Violets or Barley-water and purgeth also Choler gently The Seeds torrifyed or dryed and taken with Plantane water stayeth the Flux of the Belly and helpeth the corrosions or gripings thereof that come by reason of hot Cholerick sharp and malignant humours or by the super purgation or over-working of any violent Medicine such as Scammony or the like The Seeds being kept on the Tongue easeth the Cough and helpeth the drynesse thereof proceeding from heat It doth so wonderfully cool saith Fernelius that being cast into hot boyling water it presently cooleth it The Seeds bruised or the Herb and mixed with the juyce of Housleek or Night-shade easeth the hot Gout and hot Apostumes being thereunto applyed mingled with Oyl of Roses and Vineger it cureth hot Swellings in the Joynts and Apostumes behinde the Eate with Vineger or Oyl of Violets it helpeth the pain of the head if it be applyed to the
cool any heat or Inflammation upon any hurt or wound and easeth the paines of them as also to heal Scaldings and Burnings the Juyce thereof beaten with some Sallet Oyl and anointed The leaf also bruised and laid to any green wound in the hands or Leggs doth heal them The root helpeth Ruptures and Burstnesse by Signature the tuberous and glandulous Cloggs being not much unlike those hard swellings or falling down of the Cuts into the Cods CHAP. LXIX Of Pellitory of the Wall The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Helxine quód foliorum seminâ—â—â— hirsutiae vestibus adhaereat and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod perdices eâ libenter vescantur in Latine also Helxine but not Cissampâ—llâ—s Perdicum Perdicaria of Partridges which sometimes feed hereof and Urceolaris Vitrigo or Vitriolaris herba because the roughnesse thereof serves to cleanse either pots or Glasses but it is commonly called Parietaria or by a corrupt word Pariraria because it groweth upon or neer Walls and for the same cause it is named of divers Muralium Herba Muralis in English Pellitory of the Wall not that it hath any correspondency with Pellitory of Spain but corruptly instead of Paritary which was so called from Parietaria the English as well as other Countries imitating the Latine but somebody forgetting the word Paritary called it Pellitory which name it doth still retain and of the Wall is added to distinguish it from the other howsoever The Kindes There be but two sorts of Pellitory of the Wall 1. Common Pellitory of the Wall 2. Small Pellitory of the Wall The Forme The Common Pellitory of the Wall riâ—eth up with many brownish red tender and weak clear and almost transparent stalks not above a foot high at most that ever I saw upon which grow at the several joynts two leaves like unto those of French Mercury or Amaranthus called flower gentle but not so big of a dark green which afterwards turn brownish not dented at all but smooth on the Edges rough and hairy as the Stalks are also at the joynts with the Leaves from the middle of the stalks upwards stand many small pale purplish flowers in hairy or somewhat rough heads or husks after which come small black and rough seed which will stick to any Garment or Cloath though not so easily as some report The root is somewhat long with many small Fibres annexed thereunto of a dark reddish colour which abideth the Winter although the stalks with the Leaves do commonly perish and spring afresh every year The Places and Time The first groweth wild generally throughout the Land neer or upon old walls in the moist corners of Churches and stone buildings amongst rubbish and such like places from whence those that have a mind may bring it into their Gardens where being planted in the shade it will grow and increase so much that after a while it will not easily be gotten out The other groweth naturally in few places but in Constance in Germany They flower in June and July and the seed is ripe soon after The Temperature Pellitory of the Wall is counted by most to be cold and moist but surely it is hot otherwise it could not be so effectuall against winde and the Stone unlesse it be by a Specifick Vertue The Vertues The dryed Herb in powder made up with Hony into an Electuary or the juyce of the herb or the Decoction thereof made up with Sugar or Honey is a singular remedy for an old or dry Cough the shortness of breath and wheesing in the Throat The Decoction of the herb with a little honey added thereto is good to gargle a fore throat and being drunk without honey it easeth the paines of the Muther and bringeth down Womens Courses it also easeth those griess that arise from obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Reins the juyce held in the mouth easeth the Tooth-ach and three ounces thereof taken at a time doth wonderfully help the stopping of the Urine and to expell the Stone or Grayel in the Kidneys or Bladder and is therefore put among herbs used in Clysters to mitigate pains in the Back Sides or Bowells proceeding of wind stopping of Urine the Gravel or Stone as aforesaid If the bruised herb sprinkled with some Muscadine be warmed upon a Tile or in a dish upon a few quick Coales in a Chasingdish and applyed to the Belly it worketh the same effect A pultis made hereof with Mallows being boyled in Wine with wheat Bran and Bean Flower and some Oyl put thereto and applyed warm to any bruised Sinew Tendon or Muscle doth in very short time restore them to their strength and taketh away the pains of bruises and dissolves the congealed blood of any beatings or falls from high places The juyce or the disâ—illed Water which is useful for many of the purposes aforesaid is excellent also to cleanse the skin from Spots and Freckles Purples Wheales Sun-burn Morphew c. and maketh it smooth and delicate The said water or juyce doth asswage hot Impostumes burnings or scaldings as also all other hot tumours or Inflammations be it St. Authonies fire or any other Eruptions of heat being bathed often in wet Cloathes dipped therein or the said juyce made into an Oyntment with Cerusse and Oyl of Roses and anointed therewith which doth also cleanse foul rotten Ulcers and stayeth creeping Ulcers and running Scabs in Childrens heads and helpeth also to stay the falling off the hair of the head c. The Leaves mixed with Oyl of sweet Almonds in manner of a Pâ—ltis and laid to the pained parts is a good help for them that are troubled with the Stone or with wind and gripings The juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the Noise and hummings in them and taketh away the pricking and shooting paines in them The juyce or the herb bruised and applyed with a little salt is very effectuall to cleanse Fistulaes and to heal them It is likewise very effectual for any green wound that is if it be bruised and bound thereto for three daies you need no other medicine or salve to heal it CHAP. LXX Of Wheat The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Triticum quod tritum ex spicis sit because it is threshed out of the Ears as Varro saith as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Frumenium à fruendo id est vescâ—ndo quod Culmus extulit because we do injoy this Noble Grain more the any it being the best to make bread which is the Staffe of Mans life There was a sort of it amongst the Ancients called Robus which though some have taken to be the same with bare or naked White Wheat yet it is more probable that red Wheat is meant thereby being so called à rubore grani The Kinds Me thinks Mr. Parkinson who was a Man so exquisitely experienced in the form of all sorts of Vegetables should not be so mistaken in so common
a thing as Wheat yet he seems to â—e so to be for in rekoning up seven sorts of Wheat he saith that there is 1. Bare or naked white Wheat 2. Bearded or Red Wheat 3. Bright eared Wheat 4. Double eared Wheat 5. The wild Wheat of Candy 6. Tripoly wheat 7. Summer wheat For my part I never saw a Land of Red Wheat with beards but many hundred Acres without and for White Wheat I have seen it both without and with Beards I have heard of sorts of wheat which Country People call Duckbill Wheat Cone Wheat c. Which whether they be by names to any of the former I am not certain but I think by Duckbill Wheat they mean the Red and by Cone Wheat they mean the White Wheat with beards which maketh not so white bread as the Red. The Summer-wheat is also called Triticum Amylâ—um Starch Corn whereof Starch is made Whose description I shall give you because it is not so well known as the other The Forme Starch Corn is very like unto wheat in Stalk and Seed but the Ears are narrower the beards longer and the grains smaller the Eare thereof is set round about and made up with two ranks with certain beards as I said before almost after the manner of Barley and the Seed is closed up in Chaffy Husâ—s and is sowen in the Spring The Places and Time I have observed the white Wheat to grow frequently in Hartfordshire and the Bright Eared Wheat also here and there The Red Wheat in Oxfordshire but without Beards The double Wheat groweth about Lyons in France The fift was brought from Tripoly The sixt from Candy The seventh groweth in Germany Poland and Denmark The double Wheat Summer Wheat and that of Candy are to be sown in the Spring because they will not indure the cold of the Winter but the rest are sown in Autumn are reaped in July or August The Temperature The kinds of Wheat according to their naturall qualities are hot in the first Degree but neither dryeth nor moistneth evidently as Galen saith yet Pliny saith it dryeth The Vertues The bread that is made of Wheat being applyed hot out of the Oven for an hour three daies together to the Throat that is troubled with Kernels or the Kings Evil healeth it perfectly and Slices of it after it is a little stale being soaked in Red Rose Water and applyed to the eyes that are hot red and inflamed or that are bloodshot helpeth them The flower of Wheat mixed with the juyce of Henbane doth stay the flux of humours to the joynts being laid thereon tâ—e said meal boyled in Vinegar helpeâ—h the shrinking of the Sinews saith Pliny aâ—d mixed with Vinegar and Hony boyled together healeth all â—reckles spots and Pimples on the face Wheat-flowre being mixed with the Yolk of an Egge Honey and Turpentine doth draw cleanse and heal any Bile or Plague-sore or any other foul Uâ—cer the Bran of Wheat Meal is often boyled in the Decoction of a Sheeps Head and it is given in Clysters to cleanse and open the Body and to ease the griping pains of the Intralls The said Bran steeped in sharp Vinegar and then bound in a Linnen Cloth and rubbed on those places that have the Morphew Scurf Scab or Leprosie will take them away so that the Body be well prepared and purged before the Decoction of the Bran of Wheat or Barley is found of good use to bathe those places which are bursten by a Rupture the said Bran boyled in good Vinegar and applyed to swollen Breasts doth help them and stayeth all Inflammations It helpeth also the biting of Vipers â—â— other venemous Creatures The Leaven of Wheat Meal hath a property to â—eal and to draw and in especiall it rarifieth the hard skins of the feet and hands as also Warts and hard knots in the flesh being applyed with some Salt Starch moystned with rose-Rose-water and layd to the Cods taketh away their itching The Waters that are made of the purest and finest volatile Flower being put in water and drunk doth stay the Lask and Bloody-Flux and is profitably used both inwardly and outwardly for the Rupture in Children and boyled with Roses dry Figs and some Jujubes maketh a fit Lotion to wash sore mouths or Throats and when the Kernels thereof are swollen and sore the same also boyled in water unto a thick gelley and taken stayeth the spitting of blood and boyled with Mints and Butter it helpeth the hoarsnesse of the Throat Pliny saith That the Corns of Wheat parched upon an Iron Pan and eaten is a present remedy for those that are chilled with cold The Oyl pressed from Wheat between two thick Plates of Iron or Copper heated healeth all Tetters and Ring-worms being used warm And hereby Galen saith he hath known many to be cured Matthiolus commendeth the same Oyl to be put into hollow Ulcers to heal them up and it is good for Chops in the hands or feet and to make a rugged skin smooth Dioscorides saith That to eat the Corns of green Wheat hutteth the stomach and breedeth Worms but chewed and applyed to the biting of a mad Dog it cureth it CHAP. LXXI Of Barley The Names THis Grain is generally in Greek called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Hordeum but two of the kindes are distinguished into Distichon and Polysticâ—n which last is most likely to be that which Galen calleth Gymnocrithâ—n that is Hordeum nudum not that the Ears are without rowes but because the Grain is Huskless and may be also the Cantherinum of Columella which he saith the Countrymen called Hexasticum We have a small kind of Grain brought from Germany to our Druggists in great quantity termed French Barley and is probable to be this Barley which Cordus saith was sent him out of Italy having six rowes in the Ears There is a kind also which by Tragus and Cordus is called Hordeum minus and by Columella Hordeum Galaticum because it is whiter from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Milk which is of a white colour The Kinds The Sorts of Barley are in number four 1. Bear Barley or common Barley 2. Big Barley 3. Winter Barly 4. Naked or bare Barly The Forme The ordinary Barly is so well known to all sorts of people that to describe it were to teach them that which they know already and therefore I shall describe that which is called naked or bare Barly It hath many rowes of Corns in the Eare which are inclosed in the Husks having not that skin on them that the other hath being lank small yellow and short almost like Wheat but lesse The stalks are like unto the common Barly saving that it hath not so many stalks rising from the Roots so that though the one have six rowes yet the other hath thirty or forty stalks to countervail them The Place and Time The first is Our usuall Barly in all the South parts of this Nation the other in the North parts only the
third is not very frequent in our Land but the last is more rare yet it hath been sowen in our Gardens in April and not before and was ripe in the beginning or middle of August The usuall time for the ordinary sort being in March as to the sowing and the latter end of August as to the mowing The Temperature Barly is cooling and drying in the first Degree It hath also a little abstersive or cleansing quality and doth dry somewhat more then Bean Meal The Vertues The Meal of Barley and Fleawort being boyled in water and made into a Pultis with Honey and Oyl of Lillies applyed warm cureth Tumours under the Ears Throat Neck and such like places A Plaister thereof with Tar Wax and Oyl helpeth the hard swellings of the Throat called the Kings Evill A Pultis made of Barley Meal or Flower boyled with Vinegar and Honey and a few dry Figs put unto them dissolveth all hard Impostumes and excrescences upon the Eye-lids growing in the form of a Barley Corn by Sâ—gnature and asswageth Inflammations also being applyed And being boyled with Melilote and Camomile Flowers and some Linseed Fennigreek and Rue in Powder and applyed warm it easeth the pains in the sides and stomack and the windinesse of the Spleen boyled with sharp Vinegar into a Pultis and layd on hot helpeth the Leprosie being boyled in red Wine with Pomegranat Rinds and Myrtills it stayeth the Lask or other Flux of the Belly boyled with Vinegar and a Quince it easeth the hot pains of the Gout Barley Flower white Salt Honey and Vinegar mingled together is used by divers to take away the Itch speedily and certainly The distilled water of green Barley stilled in the end of May is very good for those that have Defluxions in the Eyes to stay the humours and to ease the pains being dropped into them or white bread layd to steep therein and bound thereto doth the same All the preparations of it as Barley-water and other things made thereof do give great nourishment to persons troubled with Feavers Agues and Heats in the Stomach French Barley is much used in pectorall Diseases or Diseases of the Breast helpeth the sharpnesse of the Throat and increaseth Milk especially boyled with Fennel It provoketh Urine and is very profitable in Choletick Feavers if it be thus administred Take two Ounces of French-Barley boyl it in two fresh waters then boyl it again in a quart of water adding half an Ounce of Licorish and an handful of Violet Leaves and as many Strawberry Leaves to a pint or a pint and a half strain it and put thereto of Syrup of Violets two Ounces or for the poorer sort you may sweeten it with a little Sugar It is used outwardly to soften hard swellings and is good for Inflammations and sorenesse of the Throat being boyled alone or with other fitting Herbs and the Mouth and Throat washed therewith Take Mallowes Violet Beets black Hellebore Fumitory of each three handfuls of French Barley six handfulls boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water for a Bath and use it against the Scab Itch c. you shall find it very effectuall CHAP. LXXII Of Garlick The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Allium which last name the Apothecaries do commonly use Some say 't is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Rudis Rosa because of its strong scent offending the Nose Allium also seemeth to have its Originall from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. exilire because of its growth which is so speedy that it 's said as it were to leap Galen and others have called it Theriaca Rusticorum the Country Mans Treacle We in English call it Garlick Some of this kind are called Scorodoprassum and Moly The Kinds There are 12 sorts of Garlick mentioned by Authours 1. Common Garlick 2. Crow-Garlick 3. Ramsons spotted or Snake-Garlick 4. Great Turky Garlick 5. Great Turky Garlick with a bulbed and twining head 6. Clusius his first leafed Hungarian Moly 7. Sweet smelling Hungarian Moly 8. Purple round headed Mountain Moly 9. Purplish headed Moly of Africa 10. The small Italian white Moly 11. Indian Moly 12. Ramsons The Forme Omitting the Description of Garden Garlick because it is so common I shall give you that of the wild or Crow Garlick which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Snakes Garlick It hath small tough long Leaves like Rushes but not so round smooth and hollow within Amongst which riseth up a naked stalk round slippery hard and sound on the top whereof after the Flowers be gone grow little Seeds made up in a round cluster like small Kernells having the smell and tast of Garlick Instead of a Root there is a bulbe or round head without any Cloves at all The Places and Time Garlick is seldom sowen of Seed but planted in Gardens of the small Cloves which are commonly set in March Some on St. Peters day knit the blades together in a knot that it may head the better and is gathered not long after The Crow-Garlick groweth in fertile Pastures in all parts of England particularly in a Field called the Mantels on the back side of Islington by London The rest are peculiar to divers Countries as Germany Hungary France Spain Italy Turkey and our Land also flowring in Summer and Seeding after The Temperature It is hot and dry in the fourth Degree and raiseth Blisters being applyed to the skin The Vertues Garlick being eaten heateth the Body maketh thin thick and grosse humours cutteth such as are tough and clammy digesteth and consumeth them it also openeth Obstructions or stoppings and is an enemy to cold poyson and to the biting of venomous Beasts It taketh away the roughnesse of the Throat also helpeth an old Cough provoketh Urine killeth Worms expelleth Wind helpeth the Cholick cures the Dropsie proceeding of a cold Cause provoketh the Courses in Women and stirreth up Venus and Lust but dryeth the Seed of Generation and is most excellent for a cold and moyst stomach and to stir up naturall heat An old Man by lying in the cold in the Winter season had almost lost the innate or naturall heat of his stomach and his appetite was even decayed after many hot Medicines used in vain at length was cured with Garlick and Honey It is a good preservative against the contagious and pestilent Air. A Decoction thereof made with Origanum and Wine being drunk killeth Worm-Lice and Nits It is profitable against the biting of a mad Dog and for such as are inclined to the Palsie for shortnesse of breath and to dry up Rheum and also for the cold Head-ach It is commended against the Consumption of the Lungs pissing of blood and for such as cannot hold their water The distilled water is good for the same Diseases and for the Quinsie The milk wherein Garlick hath been boyled is good for worms in Children or two
Ounces of the water may be given morning and evening for a week together if need be The Decoction thereof used for a Bath or Fume to sit over brings down the Flowers and after-Birth It cureth the bitings of mad Dogs or the bitings of any other venomous Creature being bruised with Rue and applyed it taketh away the Morphew Tetters and cures scabbed Heads in Children Dandraffe and Scurf tempered with Honey and the parts anointed therewith The ashes of Garlick being strowed in Ulcers healeth them The smell of Garlick driveth away venomous Creatures and applyed with Figs and Cummin it cures the bitings of the Mouse called a Shrew A Clove of Garlick put into an hollow Tooth that aketh easeth the pain thereof or stamp it with Saffron or Pepper and hold it between the Teeth being bruised and applyed to the Throat it helpeth the Quinsey and swelling thereof The juyce mixed with Saffron and Goose-grease cures the noyse of the Ears being put therein Garlick burned and the ashes mingled with Honey and layd to black and blew marks after bruises taketh them away and helpeth wild-fire and Scabs being bruised and applyed They usually cure the Pip in Poultry with Garlick and being given to Cocks it maketh them to overcome in fighting Notwithstanding all these Vertues raw Garlick eaten too liberally maketh the Eyes dim offendeth and hurteth the stomack causeth thirst hurteth the Kidneys heateth and burneth the blood yieldeth no nourishment to the body and is hurtful to young men and to such as are hot and cholerick and in hot seasons It hurteth Women with Child and such as give suck The juyce of Garlick if it be taken in any great quantity is ranck poyson yet the flesh and all being eaten together moderately is good for such as are cold and moyst and abound with flegmatick grosse and tough humours for old persons and in cold seasons The best way of preparing it for food is to boyl it throughly and to eat it with Oyl Vinegar or such like CHAP. LXXIII Of Liquorice The Names THe Greeks called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Dulcis Radix the Apothecaries Liqueritia Both the Greek and Latine names are derived from the sweetnesse of the Root without dispute Theophrastus in his ninth Book of his History of Plants calleth it Radix Scythica because it groweth very plentifully in Scythia about the Lake Maeotis There be that call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it driveth away thirst if it be held in the mouth There is also a wild sort hereof called Glanx Leguminosa sive Glycyrhiza silvestris Liquorice vetch The Kindes To this kind four sorts may be referred 1. Common Liquorice 2. Dioscorides his Liquorice 3. The most common Liquorice Vetch 4. Another Liquorice Vetch The Forme Common Liquorice riseth up with divers wooddy stalks whereon are set at severall distances many narrow long green Leaves set together on both sides of the stalk and an old one at the end very well resembling a young Ash-Tree sprung up from the Seed This by many years continuance in a place without removing and not else will bring forth Flowers many standing together Spike-Fashion one above another upon the stalks of the forme of Pease Blossoms but of a very pale blew Colour which turn into long somewhat flat and smooth Cods wherein is contained small round hard seed the root runneth down a great way into the ground with divers other smaller roots and Fibres growing with them and shoot out succours from the main roots all about whereby it is much increased of a brownish colour on the outside and yellow within The Places and Time The first sort of liquorice groweth wild in many places of Germany and chiefly about Noremberg but it is not comparable to that which is planted with Us in Gardens here in England being the best in the world even by the confession of those who so much extol out-landish plants of which there is great profit to be made as diligent Gardners can tell you yet now it beginning to become common is not half so profitable as formerly many more places being stored therewith The second in France Spain Italy and in some few gardens here in Enland but flowreth late with Us and seedeth as late if at all The third groweth in many places of this Land as about Cambridge in Claringdon Park by Salisbury and in Butlers close at Adderbury Towns end as you go to Banbury The last groweth only in Germany that I can heareof They flower in July and the Seed is ripe in September The Temperature Liquorice is temperate in heat and moisture and therefore familiar to the Temperature of Mans body as also in that it is sweet and hath a little astriction joyned to it notwithstanding the bark thereof is somewhat bitter and hot but this must be scraped away when it is used the fresh root when it is full of Juyce doth moisten more then dry The Vertues The Root of Liquorice is good against the rough harshnesse of the Throat and Breast it openeth the Pipes of the Lungs when they be stuffed or stopped and ripeneth the Cough and bringeth forth Phlegm The Rob or juyce of Liquorice made according to Aâ—t and hardned into a Lump which is called Succus Liqueritiae serveth well for the purposes aforesaid being holden under the tongue and there suffered to melt and is profitable also against the heat of the Mouth and Stomach and quencheth thirst and is good for green wounds being laid thereupon Moreover with the Juyce of Liquorice Ginger and other Spices with some Wheaten flower Gingerbread is made which is also very good against a Cough and all infirmities of the Breast and Lungs The same is drunk with the Wine of Raisins against the distempers of the Liver and Chest Scabs or Sores of Bladder and diseases of the Kidneys Liquorice boyled in fair water with some Maidenâ—air and Figs maketh a good drink for those that have a dry Cough to digest Phlegme and to expectorate it or hoarsness Wheesing Shortnesse of Breath and for all griefs of the Breast and Lungs Ptisick or Consumptions caused by the distillation of Salt humours on them it is good also in all pains of the Reins the Strangury and heat of the Urine The Scythians are said by chewing this in their mouths to keep themselves from thirst in their long Journeys through the deserts for ten or twelve daies and stayeth hunger also Liquorice boyled in water with a little Cinnamon added to it serveth instead of drink in many places especially if it be set to work with Barm as Beer is and then tunned up and will grow clear strong and heady in time as Beer will do The fine powder of Liquorice blown through a quill into the Eyes that have a Pin and Web as they call it or Rheumatick distillations into them doth cleanse them and help them The Juyce of Liquorice dissolved in Rose Water with some Gum Tragacanth is a fine Lohoch or
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
Pliny nameth it Lactuca Laconica Columella Lactuca Baetica Petrus Crescentius Lactuca Romana In English Cabbage Lettuce and Loved Lettuce There is another Sort with Reddish Leaves called Latine Lactuca Cypria in English Red Lettuce The Kindes Of Lettuce there be seaven kinds 1. Garden Lettuce 2. Curled Lettice 3. Small Curled Lettuce 4. Savoy Lettice 5. Cabbage Lettuce 6. Lumbard Lettuce 7. Red Lettuce to which it will not be amisse to add Lambs Lettuce or Corn Sallet which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Album Olus Lactuca Agnina whose description I shall give you because the other Sorts are more generally known The Forme Lambs Lettuce hath many slender weak stalks trailing upon the ground growing to the height of a foot if the ground be very fertil but otherwise not above an hand or two high with sundry Joynts or Knees out of every one whereof grow a couple of Leaves narrow and long not unlike to Lettuce at the first coming up as well in tendernesse as tast in eating the form being somewhat like that of Valerian for a kind whereof it hath been set forth by some On the top of the stalks stand upon a broad tuft as it were certain white Flowers that be marvellous little which canscarcely be known to be Flowers saving that they grow many together like a Tuft or Umbel it hath instead of Roots a few slender threds like unto hairs The Places and Time All the Sorts of Lettuces are nursed up in Gardens but none so commonly as the first which is sowen in every Garden Most of the others are scarce known to the common Sort of people yet some that are curious have them They delight to grow in a manured fat moyst and well dunged Soil and will prosper the better if they be sowen very thin and in faire weather The best time of sowing them is in the Spring presently after the winter is spent yet they may be sowed all the Summer long The Lambs Lettice groweth naturally in many Corn Fields and hath thence been brought into the Gardens of thoâ—e that know it and its use It is found green almost Winter and Summer and is eaten in Sallets in February and March before the Garden Lettice can be had The Temperature Although these sorts of Lettice do differ in form one from another yet their temperature is the same which is cold and moyst in the second or third Degree The Signature and Vertues The Milky juyce which Issueth forth from the wounded stalkes and Leaves is a sufficient Signature that this Herb if it be eaten boyled or raw maketh plenty of milke in Nurses who through heat and drynesse are not stored with a competency thereof for it breedeth Milke by tempering the drynesse and heat but in Bodies naturally cold it doth not ingender milke at all but is rather an hinderance thereunto so that it will be necessary to examine the Constitution of the party before any thing can be prescribed If this defect happen in a dry body there is nothing better then Lettuce but if in a cold one then hot things as Nigell Fennell and Dill will be proper because diseases are cured by their Contraries It is also good for a hot Stomack and yeildeth good nourishment to the Body Antonius Musa did by Lettuce ease Augustus of the Violence of his Disease It procureth rest and sleep being taken raw or boyled it helpeth to loosen the belly and the boyled more then the raw which last eaten performeth it the better and was generally so used by the Ancients It helpeth digestion quencheth thirst easeth all griping paines of the Stomack or bowells that come of Choler it abateth bodily lust and tempereth the heat of Urine the seeds and distilled water are good for the virulent running of the Reines for the heat of the Urine as also for the foresaid purposes But for procuring rest and sleep and easing the headach if it proceeds from an hot cause it will be convenient that the juice of Lettuce be mixed or boyled with oyle of Roses and applyed to the Forehead and Temples with applyed Champhir to the Cods it abateth the heat of Lust or applyed to the same manner to the Region of the Heart Liver or the Reins or by bathing the said place with the juyce or distilled water wherein some white Sanders red Roses are put doth abate the heat Inflammations therein as also strengthen those parts The Lambs Lettice is with pleasure eaten with vinegar Salt and oyle as other Sallets be amongst which is none of the rest And let thus much suffice to be written concerning those plants which cause Milk for which purpose Sowthistle Rocket Anemonies and divers other plants are effectuall some whereof are already and the rest shall be hereafter handled In the next place it will be convenient to speake of those that dry up Milke in Womens Breast when they weane their Children or be overcharged with abundance of Milke and those also that keep it from Curdling and dissolve the tumors of the Breasts CHAP. XCVIII Of Fennell Gyant The Names THe Grecians called the greater sort 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the least 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Gaza in his Translation of Theophrastus calleth Ferula and Ferulago in Latine The Greek name Signifieth Thyrsum Virgultum Bacillum the ancients using the stalks of it which grow to be very strong and Substantiall for props to hold up the weaker Sort of Plants and for staves for old men to walk with The Latine name is derived à feriendo because the said stalks were used by School-masters for their Sceptra Paedagogica and with them did smite the hands or heads of their Idle and truant Schollers and therefore Martiall calleth them tristes ferulas This Herb growing in Cyrene of Africa nigh to the Oracle of Jupiter Ammon bringeth forth a Gum which is therefore called Ammoniacum as some think when it groweth in Media it bringeth forth Sagapenum and in Syria Galbanum Of the two last I shall treat elsewhere but of the first which groweth in Cyrene I shall principally take notice of because it dryeth up milk The Kindes There be three Sorts of Fennel Gyant 1. Fine leafed Fennel Gyant 2. The broader leased Fennel Gyant 3. Small Fennel Gyant The Form Fennel Gyant bringeth forth sundry large hollow Fungous thick branched stalks of very light fine thin for substance but thick set leaves placed out of order the bottom of the stalks being as thick as ones finger but compassing one another with broad thin hollowish Skins at the bottom from amongst which riseth up a strong stalk eight or ten foot in its naturall soil but with us it seldom riseth higher then a yard and a half or two yards high sometimes as big as a great Cudgel set with divers such fine Leaves thereon one above another compassing the stalk at the bottom out of the bosom whereof come forth severall small Branches towards the tops
breasts outwardly being first bruised a little Chrysippus with whom Mr. Culpeper seemeth to take part raileth down right against this Royal Plant yet it seemeth to me more reasonable to defend it as Pliny doth their frivolous objections against it being not worth the answering Perhaps it may be hurtful to a weak brain and cause the headach by reason of its strong savour yet by those whose brains are stronger it is as much esteemed as any other sweet smelling herb to sweeten or perform any thing and held as effectual to comfort the brain and likewise to open and purge the head It is good for those that are short winded provoketh Urine and the Terms in Women and brings a speedy deliverance to them in travail The seeds are used to help the trembling of the heart and to comfort the same as also to expel Melancholy or sadnesse A decoction of the herb made and taken is good against poyson and sting of Scorpions and helpful for those that are given to swoonings and it provokes Venery or Lust used with Oyl of Roses Myrtles and Vinegar is good against the paines of the head and it is profitably applyed to those that are troubled with the Lethargy the Jaundise and Dropsie It is good to be put into the ears of young children With a little Goosegrease to help them of the paines thereof the juyce or seed bruised put into the Nostrils procureth sneesing Mixed with honey and used it taketh a way spots in the face The Juyce put into the Eyes taketh away the dimnesse thereof and dryeth up humours that fall into them so that as it seemes this herb applyed outwardly cures that which it caused being taken inwardly for most Writers say that it dulleth the sight if it be eaten in any plentifull manner I conceive that Hollerus relating the story of the Italian who by often smelling to Basil had a Scorpion bred in his brain mistook the cause and that the Scorpion being there before he used to smell the Basil was then most quiet when he did so for it is observed that scorpions are pleased with its smell and so the Italian found it which made him use it so much but being grown too big for that narrow compasse he caused those vehemenr and long paines whereof he dyed CHAP. CI. Of Beanes The Names THis kind of pulse is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Faba in Latine a wild kind whereof is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Faba Sylvestris in Latine and is of some thought to be the true Physicall bean of the Antients whereupon they have named it Faba Veterum and also Faba Graecorum But because they are different both in form and colour the Greek-bean being no bigger then a pease and very black the wild bean being bigger and not so black I hold it to be a mistake The Kinds The severall sorts of Beans are very numerous but I shall set down but five of them in this place 1. The Garden Bean. 2. The Field bean 3. The wild bean 4. The old Greekish bean 5. The Greek bean with dented leaves The old Greekish bean being most Physicall I shall give you its description the two first being well known The Forme The Greekish bean shooteth forth two or three long flat stalks with two edges lying or running on the ground if it have nothing whereon it may ramp or rise which branch out on every side into stalks of leaves four usually set thereon by two and two with a distance between them like unto the Garden Bean and each branch bending in a long clasper the flowers are set singly at the joynts of the branches under the leaves and are of a dead and sullen purple colour with some palenesse at the bottom of them after which succeed long and somewhat flat Pods with two sharp edges and dented about a little hooked or bowing green at the first but black and hard when they are ripe wherein are contained four or five or more round seeds as big as pease and very black so that one may well say they are rather Pease than Beans the root groweth not deep nor farre with some strings or long Fibres thereat dying yearly The Places and Times The first are set in Gardens and fields by the major part of the Gardâ—ners and are by them carried to the Market and sold for mans meat The second are sown generally through the Land by Husbandmen and used by them to give their horses and Hoggs which Mr. Parkinson affirmeth also of the third kind but I doubt he was mistaken for in all the Countries that I have been I never saw any of the Beanes which they sow for Horsemeat to have Claspers the other grow generally in Spain whence the seeds which we sow in our English Gardens are transported They flower in June and July and sometimes sooner in Gardens and are commonly ripe within a moneth or thereabouts after their flowering The Temperature The Garden Beans are with us more used for food then for Physick and being boyled whilest they are green and young they are no contemptibâ—e food for even the better sort of people feed upon them yet they are accounted windy The Field Beans are in many Countries used with a little Wheat and Rye to make Bread and Beer also being mixed with Malt and may be eaten green but then they are more windy then when they are dry and being dry they are harder of digestion though they be boyled parched or fryed Being green it is cold and moyst being dry it is cold and dry They are of a spongy and light substance which hath a scouring or cleansing faculty for it is plainly seen that the Meal of Beans cleanseth away the filth of the Skin The Vertues and Signature When the Paps are so filled and swollen through abundance of Milk that they are scarce able to hold make a Pultis of Bean-flower and Oyl or Vinegar or both and apply unto them and it will not only represse the Milk but also discuss the swelling of the Paps caused by the curdling thereof The distilled water of the Flowers is used of many to cleanse the Face and Skin and to take away both spots and wrinckles and so doth the Meal or Flowre of it and the water disâ—iâ—led from the green husks is held to be very effectuall against the Stone and to provoke Urine Bean Meal mixed with Fenugreek and Honey and applyed to Feâ—ons Biles blew marks by-blowes or bruises and Impostumes or Kernells about the Ears it helpeth them all With Rose Leaves Frankinsence and the white of an Egg it helpeth the Eys that swell or grow out if it be applyed as also the watering of them or stripes upon them if it be used with Wine If a Bean be parted in two the skin being taken away and then laid on the place where a Horse-Leech hath been set that bleedeth too much it stayeth the bleeding Bean-flowre boyled to a Pultis with Wine
and Vinegar and some Oyl put thereto ceaseth both the pain and swelling of the Cods and being taken inwardly it stirreth up Lust in those which cannot use the act of Generation because of the sluggish impotency and weakness of their Members which it doth by Signature a Bean very much resembling the Nut of a Mans yard and that was the Reason that Pythagoras so much condemned them their windiness causing Lust which he endeavoured to suppress If fryed Beans be boyled with Garlick and daily taken as meat it helpeth inveterate Coughs almost past cure the hoarsneâ— of the voyce and the Impostumes in the Breast The Husks of them boyled good while in water that is to the thirds stayeth the Lask and the ashes of the said Husks made up with old Hogs-grease helpeth the old pains contusions anâ— wounds of the Sinews the Sciatica also and the Gout Though the Faba veterum be without doubt that true Bean which Dâ—oscorides Galen and other Greek Authours intended when they set down the aforesaid Remedies yet our ordinary Bean-flowre is as proper for all those purposes and may be used to as gooâ— effect CHAP. CII Of Lentills The Names THere is another Sort of Pulse which may be appropriated to the same purpose which the Grecians called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phacos and in Latine Lens Lenticula Pliny saith Lib. 18. Chap. 12. that the Etymon thereof seemeth to be taken quasi lenis dicta sit lenitatisque significationem habet aquanimitatem fieri vescentibus eâ It is seldom used for Mans meat here in England and therefore I cannot justifie any such operation it hath unless he meant it of Cattle who are much pleased with it and for their Food it is sowed in divers Countries In Hampshire they leave out the first syllable and call it Tills and in Oxfordshire Dills The Kinds Of these Lentills I find but three Sorts 1. The greater Lentills 2. Spotted Lentills 3. The lesser Lentill The Forme The greater Lentill hath sundry slender weak Branches somewhat hard two foot long from whence shoot forth at severall places long stalks of small winged Leaves that is many on each side of a middle Rib without any odd one at the end for the middle Rib of each stalk endeth in a small clasper the Flowers are small and rise from between the leaves and the stalks two for the most part at the end of a long foot-stalk of a sad reddish purple colour somewhat like to those of Vetches after which come small short and somewhat flat Cods within which are contained two or three flat round smooth Seeds of a pale yellowish ash colour the Root is fibrous and perisheth yearly The Places and Time The first even beyond the Seas is onely sowne in the Fields as other manured pulses are and so likewise in some places of our Land but doth seldom come to maturity with us if the season be not kindly and dry The second is wild in Portugall The last is most common in England and is sowne in severall Counties thereof being the most pleasant and acceptable The Temperature Galen saith that Lentills hold a mean between hot and cold yet do they dry in the second degree the outer Skin being binding and the inner meat also which is a little harsh and bindeth the Body yet the outer Skin much more it is saith he of contrary qualities for the first decoction thereof doth not bind but loosen the body and therefore they that would have it to bind cast away the first water and use the second which stayeth Lasks and strengtheneth the stomack and all the inward parts Lentils husked saith he lose with their shells the strength of binding and the other qualities that follow it and then nourish more then those that are not husked yet so give they a thick and evill nourishment and slowly passe away neither do they stay Fluxes and Dysenteries as those that are not husked The Vertues The Seeds of the Lentils boyled in Sea-water and applyed to Womens Breasts that are ready to burst through abundance of Milk or have it curdled within them by any cold distemper bringeth them again into good temper It is good also to bind and stay Lasks and Fluxes but with other binding Herbs as Purslane Red Beets Myrtles Dryed Roses Pomegranate Rindes Medlars Servises c. taken with Vinegar they are the more powerful The Decoction thereof with Wheat-flowre applyed easeth the Gout used with Honey it closeth up the lips of Wounds and cleanseth foul Sores being boyled in Vinegar it dissolveth Knots and Kernels and being boyled with Quinces Melilote and a little rose-Rose-water put thereto it helpeth the Inflammations of the Eys and Fundament but for the chaps thereof which need a stronger Medicine it is boyled with dryed Roses and Pomegranate Rindes adding a little Honey to it It likewise stayeth those creeping Cankers that are ready to turn to a Gangrene putting thereto some sea-Sea-water and so it is good for Wheals and running and watering Sores St. Anthonies Fire Kibes c. being used with Vinegar The Decoction thereof is a good lotion for Ulcers either in the mouth privy parts or Fundament adding a few Rose Leaves and Quinces But to eat Lentills or the broth made of them too largely as Galen saith breedeth the Leprosie and Cankers for grosse thick Meat is fit to breed melancholy humours yet it is profitably given to those that are of a watery disposition and evill affected thereby but it is utterly forbidden to those that have dry Constitutions it is also hurtful to the sight dulling it by drying up the moysture and is not convenient for Women that want their Courses but is good for those that have them in too much abundance Dioscorides further addeth that it breedeth troublesome Dreams and is hurtful to the Head the Lungs and the Sinews CHAP. CIII Of Lillies The Names THe Lilly is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lilium also Rosa Junonis or Junoes Rose because it is reported that it came of her Milk that fell upon the ground For the Poets feign that Hercules whom Jupiter had by Alcumena was put to Junoes Breasts whilest she was asleep and after the sucking there fell away abundance of Milk and that one part was spilt in the Heavens and the other on the Earth and that of this sprang the Lilly and the Circle in Heaven called Lactens Circulus or the milky way or otherwise in English The way to Watling-street Thus much for the white Lilly As for the other Sorts which are many I shall only put down some of them The Kindes Though there be divers Sorts of Lillies yet I shall only set down these 1. The white Lilly 2. The white Lilly of Constantinople 3. The gold red Lilly 4. The red Lilly 5. The fiery red Lilly 6. The great Mountain Lilly 7. The small Mountain Lilly 8. The red Lilly of Constantinople 9. The Persian Lilly 10.
sometimes to the end of August or later and the seed ripeneth in the mean time The Temperature Tobacco is hot and dry in the second degree and is withall of power to discusse or resolve and to cleanse away filthy humours having also a certain small â—striction and a sâ—upifying or benumming quality and is endued with a certain power to resist poyson The Vertues Though our Tobacco which grows in England be not so strong or sweet as that which cometh from the Indies yet it is found by good experience almost to be as available to expectorate tough phlegm out of the Stomach Chest and Lungs the Juyce thereof being made into a Syrup or the distilled Water of the herb drunk with Sugar or else the smoak taken through a pipe as is usuall but fasting oâ— the whole substance rolled into Pills and swallowed so that whether of the two can be more easily procured may be used The same also helpeth to expell worms in the Stomack and Belly being inwardly or a leaf applyed to the Belly and to ease the pains in the head or Megrim and the griping pains in the bowels It is profitable also for those that are troubled with the stone in the Kidneys both to ease pains and by provoking Urine to expel gravel and the stone ingendred therein and hath been found very effectual to expell windinesse and other humours which cause the strangling of the Muther The seed hereof is much more effectual to ease the pain of the Tooth-ach then any Henbane seed and the ashes of the burnt herb cleanseth the gums and the teeth and maketh them white The herb bruised and applyed to the Kings Evil helpeth it in nine or ten daies effectually It is said also to be effectual to cure the Dropsie by taking four and five ounces of the Juyce fasting which will strongly purge the body both upwards and downwards The distilled water is often given with some Sugar before the fit of an Ague to lessen them and take them away in three or four times using if the distilled Fâ—ces of the herb having being bruised before the distillation and not distilled dry but set in warm dung fourteen dayes and afterwards hung up in a bag in a wine Cellar that liquor that distilleth therefrom is singular good to use for Cramps Aches the Gout and Sciatica and to heal Itches Scabs and running Ulcers Cankers and foul sores whatsoever The Juice is also good for all the said griefs and likewise to kill Lice in Childrens heads The green herb bruised and applyed to any green wound is known to divers to cure any fresh wound or cut wheresoever and the Juyce put into old Sores both cleanseth and healeth them but especially a Salve of it made thus Take of the green Herb three or four handfuls bruise it and put it into a quart of good Oyl of Olives boyl them on a gentle fire untill the Herb grow dry and the Oyl will bubble no longer then strain it forth hard and set it on the fire again adding thereto Wax Roâ—en and Sheeps Tallow or Deares Sewet which you will of each a quarter of a pound of Turpentine two Ounces which being melted put it up for your use This Salve will likewise help Impostumes hard tumours and other swellings by blows of falls CHAP. CVIII Of Sundew or Ros Solis The Names THere is no Greek Name found for this Plant It is called in Latine Ros Solis of divers Rorella and of Lobel Rorida and of some Salsirora and corruptly Rosa Solis as we in English likewise do now and then All which Names are put upon it from the Dew which is alwayes upon it but then especially when the Sun is at the hottest It is called in English Lustworth because Sheep and other Cattle if they do but only tast of it are provoked to Lust It is called also Youthwort and in the Northern parts of our Land they call it the Red Rot because as they think their Sheep feeding thereon run to rot Some call it also Mooregrasse The Kindes There be three Sorts of Sun-dew 1. The greater Sun-dew 2. The lesser sun-dew 3. Sun-dew with long Leaves The Forme It hath divers small round hollow Leaves somewhat greenish but full of certain red hairs which makes them seem red every one standing upon his own foot stalk which is likewise of a reddish colour and hairy The Leaves are continually moyst in the hottest day yea the hotter the Sun shines on them the moyster they are with a certain sliminesse that will rope as we say the small hairs alwayes holding this moysture Among those Leaves rise up small slender stalks reddish also three or four fingers high bearing divers small white knobs one above another which are the Flowers after which in the Heads are certain small Seeds the Root looketh as if it consisted of a few small hairs The Places and Time Thâ—se Plants do usually grow on Bogs and wet places and sometimes in moyst Woods One of the Sorts with round Leaves whether it be the greater or the lesser I cannot say groweth upon Shoâ—â—ver-Hill on that side towards Heddington Quarries near Oxford and likewise upon a Bog in Bagley VVood betwixt Oxford and Abbâ—ngdon In Lancashire in their Mosse Grounds where they dig their turfs there is great store of it also That with Leaves of a span long groweth plentifully in a Bog by Edenderry in Ireland It was sound by Mr. Heaton who gave some of it to Zanchy Sylliard Apothecary in Dublin which he sent to Mr. Parkinson It groweth also in England by Ellesmeere in Shropshire It floweth in May or June and continueth flourishing till August within which time it may be gathered the weather being dry and calm and as near the middle of the day as you can for then it is fullest of Dew wherein the vertue most consisteth The Temperature Some say that it is a searing or caustick Herb and very much biting being hot and dry in the fourth Degree others only that it is sharp and quick yet a little acide drying and binding The Vertues and Signature There is some difference amongst Authours concerning this Herb. Dodonaeus holding it to be an extream biting Herb saith that the distilled water thereoâ—â—annot be taken with safety though the later Physicians have thought it to be â—â— are and singular remedy against the Consumption of the Lungs and especially the distilled water which Parkinson recordeth without any Cavill The same water is held to be good for those also that have salt Rheums distilling on the Lungs which is the cause of a Consumption so that it is not only Therapeuticall or restorative but Prophylacticall or preventionall in this case The said water is available also for all other Diseases of the Lungs as Ptisicks Wheesings shortness of Breath or the Cough as also to heal Ulcers that happen in the Lungs and it comforteth the Heart and fainting Spirits The Leaves outwardly applyed to the Skin will raise Blisters
the Seed and flowers hereof and the powder or dryed Venice Turpentine be cast upon a few quick coales in a Chaâ—ngâ—ish or some other thing let into a Câ—olestool the Pan being taken out and the party sitting bare over the fumes that is troubled with the Piles or falling down of the Fundament or any other pains of that place doth give much ease and help as also for those that have a great desire to go often to the stool and can do nothing especially to such as have the bloody flux An Oyl made by the often infusion of the flowers is of very good effect for the Piles also The decoction of the root in Red Wine or in water if there be an Ague wherein red hot steel hath been often quenched doth stay the bloody flux The same also openeth the Obstructions of the bladder and reins when one cannot make water A decoction of the leaves hereof and of Sage Marjerom and Camomil flowers and the places bathed therewith that have their Veins and Sinews stark with cold or with Cramps doth bring them much ease and comfort Three ounces of the distilled water of the flowers drunk morning and evening some daies together is said to be a most excellent remedy for the Gout The juyce of the leaves and flowers being laid upon rough warts as also the powder of the dryed â—oots rubbed on doth easily take them away but doth no good to them that are smooth The powder of the dryed flowers is an especial Remedy for those that are troubled with belly aches or the paines of the Cholick The decoction of the root and so alâ—o of the leaves is of great effect to dissolve the Tumours Sweâ—lings or Inflammations of the Throat The seed and leaves boyled in wine and applyed doth speedily draw forth Thorns or Splinters gotten into the flesh easeth the pains and healeth them The leaves bruised and wrapped in double papers and covered with hot Ashes and Embers to bake a while and then taken forth and laid warm on any botch happening in the Groin or share doth dissolve and heal them The seed bruised and boyled in Wine and laid on any member that hath been out of joynt and is newly set again taketh away all swellings and pains thereof CHAP. CXIII Of Cowslips of Jerusalem The Names I Cannot find that this herb is mentioned by any Greek Authour and therefore know not how to tell you what they called it if they knew it It is called in Latine by the Herbarists of later times Pulmonaria and Pulmonalis of Cordus Symphytum Sylvestre or wild Comfrey but seeing that Comfry or the great Consound is oftner found wild then this it may more aptly be called Symyhytum maculosum or maculatum In English spotted Comfry Sageof Jerusalem Cowslip of Jerusalem Cowslip of Bethlehem and of some Lung woâ—t from the spotted leaves although there be a kind of Mosse called Lungwoâ—t of which I have intreated already both that and this being appropriated to the Lungs I suppose they are called Cowslips because the flowers are of the form of Cowslips though not the colour and Comfrey because the leaves feel like it but there is no reaâ—on to be given why they are called Cowslips of Jerusalem unâ—esse a great quantity of them should grow thereabouts I should have supposed them to have been brought from thence but that I find they grow naturally here in England as you shall hear anon The Kinds I have not yet met with any more then four sorts of Cowslips of Jerusalem 1. 〈◊〉 Cowâ—â—ip of Jerusalem 2. Buglosse Cowslips 3. French or golden Lungâ—ort 4 The lesser French or Golden Lungwort The Forme Cowslip of Jerusalem which Gerard would have to be the true and right Lungwort hatâ—â—oâ—gh hairy and large leaves of a brown green colour confusedâ—y potted with divers spots or drops of white amongst which spring up certain staâ—ks about a Span long when they are longest but seldom above half so long bearing at the top many fine flowers growing together in bunches like the flowers of Cowslips saving that they be at first red or purple and sometimes bâ—ew and oftentimes of all these colours at once The flowers being fallen there come small buttons full of Seed The root is of a hard substance and black colour with many threds at the end of it The Places and Time They are all nourished up in Gardens because they do not commonly grow wild yet the first was found growing naturally neer Kingswood in Hampshire The second wâ—s found in the Newforrest being in the same county in a wood by Mr. Goodreer who as I am informed is the ablest Herbarist now living in England He is a man weâ—l stricken in years and his dwelling in some part of Sussex the name of the pâ—ace being yet unknown to me The third groweth about Godalmin in Surrey The place of the last I have not yet met with they flower for the most pâ—rt about the end of March and the beginning of April and their seed is ripe in May or thereabouts The Temperature The leaves of this herb are of the same temperature with Comfrey that is cold and dry in the first degree but the roots seeing they are hard and woody are of a more drying and binding quality The Vertues and Signature The divers spots or drops of white wherewith the leaves of Sage of Jerusalem are marked do perfectly represent the like spots upon the Lungs and therefore the decoction thereof is given with very good successe to those that are troubled with any diseases of the Lungs as Coughs shortnesse of breath exulcerations stoppage by reason of thick corrupt or rotten matter Spitting of blood c. if it be made in water and drunk It is commended also for all the wounds or hurts that happen to any other of the Intralls and inward parts and also for burstings or ruptures It is a very good Potherb and the leaves thereof would then especially be chopped as other Pot-herbs are to be boyled in broth when any one shall be afflicted with any of the aforesaid distemper The flowers thereof are likewise very wholsom and are pleasant to be put in Sallets in the Spring time It is used to heal old or new wounds being thereunto applyed especially if it be boyled in hogs-grease and afterwards being strained and set a cooling and then laid upon the wound CHAP. CXIV Of Sanicle The Names NEither is it found that Sanicle was known to any of the antient Greek oâ— Latine Authours but hath as many other vulnerary and other Herbs been found out and named by later Writers It is called in Latine Sanicula 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à pot ore sanandi munâ—re from its excellency in healing wounds by Ruellâ—us and by Brunfelsius Matthiolus and Lobel Diapensia and by Tabermontanus Consolida quinquefolia Theâ—e is another sort hereof called Pinguicula by Gesner and by some with us Pinguâ—cula Eboracensis because it groweth plentifully in Yorkshire We call it in
four Leaves riâ—ng from a Root every one singly by themselves of about an hand breadth which are winged consisting of many small narrow Leaves cut into the middle Rib standing on each side of the stalk large below and smaller and smaller up to the top not dented or notched on the edges at all as the Male Fern is of a sad green colour and smooth on the upper side but on the under â—â—de somewhat rough by reason of some yellowish spots â—et thereon The Root is smaller then ones little finger yet long and creeping aslope whereon are certain little knags and holes as are on the tayl of the Fish Polypus The Places and Time There hath been of late dayes such a slaughter of Oaks and other Trees all over this Land that should I nominate any particular place I might thereby seem to be a deâ—eiver I shall therefore tell you in generall that it groweth as well upon old rotten Trunâ—s or stumps of Trees be it Oak Beech Hazeâ— Willow or any other as in the Woods under them and sometimes upon slated Houses and old Walls as upon a Wall and side of an House in Adderbury Church-yard and many other places That of the Oak is reckoned the best but any of the other may be used in ead thereof The Island Polypody groweth in the Island Ilua which is in the Mediteâ—raneâ—n Sea the last in India It being alwayes green and bearing neither Fâ—owâ—e nor Seed may be gathered for use at any time yet it shooteth forth green Leaves only in the Spring The two last lose their leaves in Winter and spring up a fresh again about May. The Temperature It is hot and dry in the second Degree as may be gathered from the sweetish harshness that it hath in the tast The Signature and Vertues The rough spots that are on the under sides of the leaves of Polypody as also the Knags or Exâ—rescences on each side the Roots is a sign that it is good for the Lungs and the exulcerations thereof The distilled water both of Roots and Leaves with some Sugar Candy dissolved therein is good against the Cough shortnesse of Breath and Wheeâ—ngs and thoâ—e distillations of thin Rheum upon the Lungs which cause Ptiâ—icks and oâ—tentiâ—es Consumptions The Herb it selfe taken in decoction broth or infuâ—â—on dryeth up thin humours digeâ—eth tough and thick and purgeth burnt Choâ—er and especially tough and thick flegme and thin flegme also even from the joynts and is therefore good for those that are troubled with melanchoâ—y or Quartan Agues especially if it be taken in Whey or honyed water or in Barley water or in the Broth of a Chicken with Epythymum or with Beets and Mallowes It is alâ—o good for the 〈◊〉 of the Spleen and for prickings or Stitches in the sides as also the Cholick Some use to put to it Fennel-Seeds or Annise-Seeds to correct the â—oâ—thing that it bringeth to the Stomach but it may be taken without by any person at any time and an Ounce of it may be given at a time in a Decoction if there be not Sena or some other strong purger put with it A Dram oâ— two of the Powder of the dryed Roots taken fasting in a Cup of Honyed water worketh gently and for the purposes aforesaid The distilled Water both of Roots and Leaves is much commended for the Quartane Agues to be taken for many dayes together as also against Meâ—ncholy or fearful or troublesome sleeps or dreams The fresh Roots beaâ—â—â— small or the Powder of the dryed Root mixed with Honey and applyed to any Member that hath been out of joynt and is newly set again doth much help to â—â—engthen it Applyed also to the Nose it cureth the Disease called Polypus which is a piece of flesh growing therein which in time sloppeth the passage of breath through that Nostril and it helpeth those clefts or chops that come between the Fingers or Toes Crollius saith that because it hath such rough spots on the backside of the Leaves it healeth all sorts of scabs whatsoever by Signature And here I might tell Mr. Culpepper that the Colledge of Physitians forbid not other Polypody but onely prescribe that of the Oak for the best because every Excrescence or Plant upon a Plant as Polypody commonly is doth participate of the nature of that Tree whereon it groweth And seeing that the Oak is of a more drying or purging quality then any of the other Trees it commonly growes upon therefore the Polypody of the Oaks is best but why do I answer for the learned Colledge who are more able to answer for themselves had they thought their â—â—â—ing Antagonist worth the taking notice of Creeping Oak-Fern hath been by some Apothecaries beyond the Sea mistaken for Polypody to the endangering of those that took it for it hath not that purging quality proper to Polypody but a pernicious operation Yet it is a remedy to take away hairs as Dioscorides saith if the Roots and Leaves be bruised together and applyed after sweating Matthâ—â—lus saith that the Root in Powder with a little Salt and Bran is given to â—orses for the Worms The last viz. White Oak-Fern is moderate in tast somewhat drying and may be safely used instead of the true Maidenhair CHAP. CXVI Of Whortle-Berries The Names THere be severall Sorts of Whortle-Berries whereof that with black-Berries is taken to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus that is Vitis ex parte Idae quam vocant Phalacras 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Vitis being both taken in a large Sense as the word Vine must also be The Latine followeth the Greek in which it is called Vitis Idaea Theophrastl and because all the rest have a resemblance to this they are all called Vites Idaea The fruits are called Vaccinia and therefore some have thought this sort to be the Vaccinia Nigra of Virgil but he putteth his Vaccinia amongst Flowers and not among fruits saying Et nigrae violae sunt â— vaccinia nigra Vitruvius Pliny indeed have a Vaccinium which was used to dye Garments which might very well be this for such a Purple Colour will the juyce hereof give if it be rightly ordered It is also called Myrtillus and by some Myrtillus Germanica because the Physitians and Apothecaries in Germany and thereabouts took them to be true Myrtle-Berries so used them till they were shewed their errour They are called Whorts and Whortle-Berries and Bill-Beries also in the parts about London The Kindes There be nine sorts of Whorts reckoned up by Authours 1. Black Whorts or Bill-Berries 2. The greater Bill-Berry 3. Hungarian black Whorts 4. Red Whorts with Box-Leaves 5. Red Whorts with longer Leaves 6. The Spanish Red Whort 7. The French Honey sweet Whorts 8. The talled red Whorts of Candy 9. The lower Candy red Whorts The Form The small Bush that beareth black Whorts or Bill-berries creepeth along upon the ground scarce rising half a yard high with divers small dark green Leaves
Saffron the kernells of Wallnuts two ounces Figs two ounces Mithâ—idate one dram and a few Sage Leaves stamped together with a sufficient quantity of Pimpernell water and made into a masse or lump and kept in a Pot for your use and thereof twelve graines given in the morning fasting preserveth from the Pestilence and expelleth it from those that are infected Infinite advantage hath been made of this commodity by those that Planted it there being no Saffron comparable to the English but now it is manured by so many that it is not so profitable as formerly CHAP. CXX Of Borage The Names IT is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euphrosyne ab efficienda animi voluptaâ—â— from causing mirth Apulâ—â—us said that Buglossum meaning our Borage was called by them of Luca Corragâ— quod cordis affectibus medetur because it is very Cordiall which by the alteration of one letter is Borrage and from thence as is supposed came the name Borrage which is not found in any of the ancient Writers whom I can perceive to make little or no difference between it and Buglosse but rather that it is the same that was formerly so called yet we have them growing in distinct formes in our Gardens The Kinds And of Borage commonly so called I find five sorts 1. Garden Borage with blew Flowers 2. Garden Borage with white Flowers 3. Everlasting Borage 4. Small creeping Borage 5. Small wild Borage The Forme And because the first Garden Borrage is so well known I shall describe the Everlasting Borage which hath very many broad Leaves rough and hairy of a black darke green colour amongst which rise up stiffe hairy stalkes whereupon do grow faire blew Flowers ripe seed and buds for new Flowers all at once whereupon it is called Everlasting and that very properly because it lasteth both Summer and Winter and is seldom without Flowers buds ripe or unripe seed whereby it greatly increaseth The roote is very durable The Places and Time The first groweth in most Gardens and there increaseth very much after it is once sown the second and third are not so common yet found in divers Gardens of those that affect rarities the last in Germany as Lobel saith and in Naples as Columna saith and in Kent if Mr. Parkinson mistake not The fourth came to us out of the Low-Countrys and prospereth well in the Physick-Garden at Oxfora they do all Flour in the moneths of June and July except the Creeping Borage which Lobel saith flowâ—eth both in the Spring and in August and their seed doth ripen quickly after both ripe seed Flowers may at one time be gathered from many of them The Temperature The Garden kinds are temperate and accounted rather hot and moist in the first degree then cold and yet for their cordiall properties are often used amongst other cold herbs as conducing to the like effect The Vertues The Leaves Flowers and Seeds of Borage all or either of them are very Cordiall and helpe to expell sadnesse and melancholy arising without manifest cause whereof came the saying Ego Borrago gaud a semper ago I Bo rage bring allwaies Courage It helpeth also to clarify the blood is to very good purpose used in all putrid or Pestilentiall Feavers to de end the Heart and to help to reâ—st and expell the poyson or the venome of other Creatures The juice made into a Syrup prevaileth much to all the purposes aforesaid and is also put with other cooling opening and clensing herbs to open obstructions and to help the yellow Jaundise to coole and clense the blood and temper the heate and sharpnesse thereof especially with Fumitory and thereby to helpe the Itch Ring-wormes or Tetters or other spreading Scabs or Sores that arise from adust and sharp humors and for that purpose is put into the Syrupus Byzantinus which worketh to the same effect The Conserve made of the Flowers or the Flowers candyed are helping also in those causes but are chiefely used as a Cordiall and good for those that have been long sick or in a Consumption to comfort the Heart and Spirits and is thereby good for those that are troubled with often swouning or passions of the Heart The distilled Water is no lesse effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid and the eyes washed therewith helpeth the rednesse or inflamation of them The dryed Herb is almost uselesse yet the Ashes thereof boiled in Meade or Honyed water is available against Inflammations Ulcers in the mouth or Throat to wash and gargle it therewith The green Leaves and stalkes with the Flowers on them are frequently used in the summer-time to be put in Wine or Beere for the comforting the Heart and giving a better rellish thereunto Syrup made of the Juice of Borage and Sugar having some of the powder of the Heart-bone or a Hart put into it is good against swouning the Cardiack passion of the Heart against melancholly and the falling sicknesse The wild Borage is somwhat hotter and dryer and is very neere the property of Vipers Buglosse which differeth little from what hath been already said of Borage as you shall heare hereafter CHAP. CXXI Of Violets The Names THe Garden Violet is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Viola purpurea by Dioscorides and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Viola nigra and Melanion by Theophrastus Some would have the name to come from Io whom Jove transformed into a Cow because she fed on them cheifly Others from certain Nymphes of Jonia who first gave of the Flowers to Jupiter for a presenâ—â— others think it to be derived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasiâ—re aut primum prorumpere veris enim praevia est Viola because it is one of the first herbs that flowreth The Latines call it Viola Martia and Herba Violaria Heartsâ—ease which is also a kind of Violet is called in English Pansyes as also Love in idlenesse Call me to you and Three faces under a hood in Latine Viola Tricolor c of the three colours therein The Kinds There are many sorts of Violets 1. Single purple Violets 2. Single white Violets 3. Double purple Violets 4. Double white Violets 5. Upright Violets 6. Smal narrow Leafed Violets 7. Mountaine Violets with jagged Leaves 8. Yellow Violets of Virginia 9. Yorkeshire striped red Violets 10. Wild Violets 11. Garden Pansyes 12. Wild Pansyes or Hearts-ease The Forme The description of the ordinary Garden Violets being needlesse I shall set down that of the upright Violet which groweth a foot-high or neere upon with hard upright stalkes which yet bend down againe their tops having two Leaves somwhat round set at each joynt but longer and more dented about the edges then the Garden kinds at which joynts with the Leaves on both sides of the stalkes commeth forth a larger Flower and more spread open then it being more like a Pansye but of a pale purplish colour almost as sweet as the Violet as Matthiolus but without scent as Lobel saith The Names
the paines of the Mother by tempering the cold humour which is a cause thereof It is likewise effectuall in the Falling sicknesse Catarrh Rheume Diseases of the Breast in old Coughes shortnesse of breath Jaundise stoppings of the Liver and Spleene having as it is said all the Vertues that are either in Agarick or Rubarb It is commended also in the French Pox Kings evill Scurvy and Gout and helpeth inveterate Agues whether Quotidian or Tertian It doth much conâ—â—ce to the purging of tough undigested humors in the Stomack and Breasts of Children It may be administred divers wayes but the best is to give it in White Wiâ—e â—â—r â—o it workes most effectually It may be given to a Child the doâ—e of the powdeâ—ed Root not exceeding a scrúâ—le or a scruple and halfe but to persons of â—eares a dram or two wiâ—â— not be too much yet care must be taken that it be not used in hot diseases neither is it convenient for hot and dry bodyes or those that are subject to be bound for though it purgeth at the first it causeth the body to be more costive afterwards Jalap purgeth Phlegmatick Cholerick and Melancholick but cheifly watery humours and that more strongly then the former and therefore it is no lesse profitable in the dropsy and helpeth the Green-sicknesse a dram thereof being taken in Wine with a little Annâ—seeds and Ginger to correct the nauseousnesse whereby it troubleth the Stomack and inclineth it to Vomit CHAP. CLXXXXIII Of Broome The Names IT is uncertaine whether this Plant were known to the Grecians unlesse it were the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides which is much doubted by divers Authors It is called in Latine Genista and Genesta à genuum flexilitate from the flexiblenesse thereof or rather quia genibus medeatur dolentibus because it helpes the paine of the knees or quod facile generet speciemque propaget because it is easily encreased and not to be destroyed where it taketh a liking It is called in English Broom Some call the Spanish Broom Spartum The Kinds The sorts of ordinary Broom Candy and Spanish Broom c divers whereof we have in our Gardens and elsewhere are fourteene 1. Our ordinary Broom 2. Small or low Broom 3. Iland Broom 4. White Broom 5. Dwarfe Broom 6. Dwarfe Broom of Candy 7. Common Green-weed or Diers-weed 8. Spanish Green-weed 9. Base Broom of Germany 10. Spanish base Broom 11. Bastard Spanish Broom 12. Ordinary Spanish Broom 13. The small Spanish Broome with yellow Flowers 14. The greater white floured Spanish Broom The Form Broom is a Bush or shrubby Plant having stalkes or woody branches about the bignesse of a mans thumb from which do spring slender twigges cornered greene tough and easy to be bowed many times divided into smaller branches about which do grow little Leaves of an obscure green colour and brave yellow Flowers which falling off give place unto certaine Cods of a green colour at first but afterwards black like unto those of the Common Vetch in which do lye flat hard seeds being somwhat brownish and lesser then Lentills The root is hard and wooddy sending forth divers times another Plant of the colour of an Oaken Leafe in shape like unto Bastard Orchis called Birds-nest having a root like a Turnep or Rape whereupon it is called Rapum Genistae Broomrape or Orobanch The Places and Time It may be discovered by the Titles in what Countryes every one of these grow naturally and therefore I shall say no more then I have done concerning their places only that which is called Island Broome growes in an Iland of Tuscany called Ilua and the rest which speake not themselves outlandish are of our own Country All of them flower in the Summer moneths some earlyer some later yet they perfect their seeds before Winter the Spanish kinds being somewhat later then the other Th Temperature The Twigges Flowers and seeds of Broome are hot and dry in the second degree they are also of a thin essence and are of force to cleanse and open especially the seed which is dryer and not so full of superfluous Moisture The Vertues The juice or decoction of the young Branches or the Seed or Powder thereof taken in drink purgeth downwards Phlegmatick and watery humours and therefore it is profitable for those that have the Dropsy especially if it be used with Wine yet in other infirmities it is better with Water There is also made of the Ashes of the Stalkes a Lye with White or Rhenish-Wine which is highly commended by divers for the Dropsy and likewise for the Green-sicknesse but it must not be used too often for feare it fret and hurt the entralls It is effectuall likewise for those that are troubled with the Gout Sciatica and other paines of the Joynts and sides helpeth the swellings of the Spleene cleanseth the Reines Kidneys and Bladder of Gravell and the Stone engendered therein and hindereth it from ever coming againe sending forth the cause thereof by Urine which it provoketh abundantly The constant use of the Powder of the the Leaves and Seeds doth cure the Black Jaundise being taken in wine and the Seeds and Flowers being any wayes taken do much preserve from the Gout and Stone The Flowers being made into a Conserve or preserve with hony or Suggar and eaten often do much consume the Kings-Evil The distilled water of the Flowers is profitable for the foresaid purposes helpeth surfets and altereth the fits of Agues being taken with as much of the water of the lesser Centaury and the party laid to sweat It is most excellent to help the Kings-Evil if one ounce of the water be taken morning and evening for a months space or longer if need require The tops or flowers of Broom bruised and mixed with Hogs-grease cure the paines of the Knees the Gout and any bruise or swelling by reason of humors falling down thither The Flowers also bruised and mixed with Hony and Roses or the white of an Egge beaten together and applyed consume the hard Swellings of the Kings-Evil The juyce of the young branches or the young branches themselves bruised or the Flowers made into Ointment with Hogs-grease or boyled in the same or in oyle for a little space and laid to the sides that are pained either by the Wind as in Stitches and the like or in the Spleen easeth them in once or twice usiing it The same boyled in oyle is a safe and sure medicine to kill Lice and other Vermine breeding in the Head or Body and being applyed to the Sciatica or Hip-gout helpeth it The juyce alone or mixed with hony and applyed cures green wounds and putrified Ulcers The Flower and Tops being bruised applyed help the biting of Serpents and Venemous Creatures The oyle distilled from the roots and seeds is very usefull to take away spots freckles and deformities of the skin The young buds of the Flowers being pickled are a sallet of great delight serving all
I shall proceed to the description The Forme The Sassafras-Tree groweth up with a straight Trunk or body smooth and void of boughes till it be of a reasonable height covered with a thick barke of an Ashcolour which is of a very hot quick taste towards the top come forth many goodly branches spreading themselves into a round figure or compasse whereon do grow green Leaves somwhat like those of the Fig-Tree but much lesser of a sweet smell when they be greene but much more when they be dry somewhat resembâ—ing the smell of Fennell of a very sweet taste also The Flowers â—re small and yellow made of threds very like unto the Male Cornell-Tree from whence proceedeth the fruit which groweth clustering together yet set in small cups upon long footstalkes the Roots are not very large neither of any great depth but are covered with a Bark somwhat redder then that of the Tree and are of more force and efficacy then any other parts of it yet the rest are also of very great use The Places and Time This Tree groweth in most parts of the West Indies especially about the Cape of Florida which is not farre from Virginia It keepeth greene all the Winter and Summer long but at what time it flowreth and bringeth forth its ripe fruit I have not yet learned The Temperature The boughes and branches of Sassafras are hot and dry in the second degree the riâ—d is hotter for that it entreth into the third degree of heat and drynesse as may be manifestly perceived in the decoction The Vertues It is to be observed that not only those things that purge watery and Phlegmatick humours are profitable in the Dropsy but those also which have any eminent faculty in drying them up as Sassafras without dispute hath â— and therefore it is used with very good successe in the disease aforesaid foure Oâ—nces thereof being first sleeped foure and twenty houres in a gallon and halfe of Water and afterwards boiled to the one halfe and then strained may be given to the quantity of a good draught morning and evening for certaine dayes together for there is not any thing which will remove such an inveterate disease as the Dropsy at once taking The said Decoction is very effectuall also to open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and is profitable in all cold diâ—eases and particularly those cold Rheumes that fall from the Head upon the Tâ—â—th Eyes and Lungs warming and drying up the moisture and strengthning the parts afterwards and therefore is available in Coughs and other cold diseases of the Breast Stomack and Lungs stayeth Vomiting comforteth the weak and feeble Stomack câ—â—sing a good appetite therein by consuming windinesse which is the cheifest cause of crudity and indigestion and maketh sweet a stinking breath but especially the Decoction of the root The fame is commended likewise for its Vertue in expelling the Gravell and Stone wherewith the Kidneys are many times afflicted for provoking Urins and Womens Courses And as for those Women which are barren by reason of the moisture of their Wombs it so warmeth heateth and dryeth the same that it causeth them to conceive speedily It is of good use also in Fevers and tertain and quotidian Agues that are of long continuance as is already intimated It is generally used in all diseases that come of cold raw thin and corrupt humors as the French disease and the like for which distempers it is used in Diet-drinkes with other things and may be given in Powder from a scruple to two scruples The Smell of the Wood or Root expelleth the corrupt and evill Vapours of the Pestilence CHAP. CLXXXXVI Of Palma Christi The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cici and Croton because the seed of it resembles a living Creature which is wont to be in Sheepe and other Cattle called a Tyke It is called also Ricinus in Latine for the same reason yet it hath other names as Palma Christi from the Leaves and Root which do very much imitate a hand and Cataputia major of the Apothecaries because of its properties which are conformable to the Spurges the Oyle whereof is by them called Oleum de Cherva and Oleum Cicinum This is held by Expositors to be the Plant mentioned in Jonah under the name of a Gourd It is called in English Palma Christi or great Spurge in Hebrew Kik and Kikaijon The Kindes There are but three sorts of this Great Spurge left upon record by Authors 1. The more orâ—inary Palma Christi or great Spurge 2. Palma Christi of Syria 3. Palma Christi of America The Forme Palma Christi hath a great round hollow stalke rising to the height of seaven or eight â—oot of a blewish greene colour The Leaves are great and large fashioned like the Leaves of the Fig-Tree but greater resembling the hand of a man with the Fingers spread abroad of a dark greene coloâ—r on the upperside but whitish underneath the flowers are button-like standing on the tops of the branches whiâ—h fall away without bearing Seed but a little lower there break forth other Heads which are rough and three cornered and containe within them a seed like a Tyke of an hot fiery taste out of which in those Countryes where it is naturall is pressed out the aforementioned Oyle The Places and Times The first groweth in Spaine and other hot Countries to a very great bignesse and abideth many yeares but the coldnesse of our Climate will not admit of any large growth because it perisheth every yeare with us yet I have seen â—t in Mr. Balles Garden by Sioâ— house seaven or eight foot-high looking more like unto a Tree then an annuall Plant. The second groweth in Syria and Aegypt and the third in America in Gâ—liscâ— a Province of New Spain from whence the Oyle used in Shops is brought unto us Those that flower with us do it in August but their seed doth seldome come to perfect ripenesse in this Countrey The Temperature The seed of Palma Christi is hot and dry in the third degree The Vertues and Signature Though the seedes of Palma Christi are not to be taken rashly by reason of their violence in purging yet advice being first had they may with Anniseed or Fennelseed be given to strong and able bodies that are troubled with the Dropsy Joynt-aches Gout and Sciatica because they draw Water Phlegme very strongly from the remote parts the Powder of three of them being taken in Whey or New Milk The same may be boyled in the broth of an old Cock and taken for the same purposes The Oyle is used in Glisters to open obstructions to ease paines of the Cholick and windinesse of the Mother and so it doth if the places greived be anointed therewith and some few drops thereof taken in a little Chicken broth that is fat It wonderfully helpeth the cramp being gently rubbed on the places greived therewith for it causeth the Sinews that were shrunk to
Leaves many set together whiâ—h are somewhat long and hollow ending or spreading into four small Leaves of whitish yellow green colour which give place to small round and somewhat long black-berries when they are ripe wherein lyeth a white kernel The Root groweth down deep into the ground and spreadeth likewise tough long white strings somewhat wooddy Both Leafe and Flower both Bark and Root are very hot and sharp in tast heating the mouth and throat of any that shall tast them It keepeth its green Leaves all the Winter as all other Bay-Trees do even in the coldest yeares The Places and Times The First groweth wild not onely by the Lake of Geneva as Gerard or rather Dâ—donâ—ns doth affirm and in other places beyond the Seas but in our own Country also in divers places and particularly between the Hedge and a foot-path that leadeth from St. Albans to Park-Street The other was sent out of Candy as the title testifies The first flowereth very earely in the year even in January or February and sometimes before if the winter be mild The berries are ripe about May or June when the other flowereth or beareth fruit is uncertain seeing it hath not put forth either in this Country The Temperature Spurge Laurell is of a very hot and biting Temperature The Vertues It is reported of this Plant that if the Leaves be gathered with ones hand tending upwards it causeth vomiting if downwards it causeth purging but how true it is I cannot affirm for I never knew it taken inwardly yet I find upon Record that the Leaves purge slymy phlegme and waterish superfluities and are therefore good for the Dropsy and that fourteen or fifteen of the Berries do the like Notwithstanding they are said to purge very violently inflaming and heating the Throat and wringing the Stomack of whosoever shall take thereof and driveth them into divers dangerous diseases howbeit this seemeth to be spoken of the inconsiderate use thereof for it is said that if it be taken advisedly it purgeth phlegme from the Stomack and oftentimes by vomit also it procureth Womens Courses easeth the paines of the Cholick and being chewed in the mouth it draweth down from the Head and Brain much corrupt matter that would offend it And if there be any that understand not what is meant by the word advisedly let them know that it is to be taken after one of these or the like waies The Leaves must be steeped twenty four hours in good strong Vinegar and then dryed and their powder drunk in wine with Anniseeds and Mastick or else boiled in Whey of Sweet milk of broth or a Capon and so taken the dose not exceeding two scruples or one dram The Oyl wherein the fresh Leaves and Berries have been boyled being strained and the belly annointed therewith loosneth it and helpeth the Collick and being annointed on the back and reines provoketh Urine and helpeth the Piles Besides the Berries may be put into a Cataplasme for the Dropsy with Barly and Bean meale Fenugreek root of Wallwort Woormwood and Origan all which are to be sodden in wine and laid over the whole body The Flowers also used in a Glister are much commended for the said disease which is to be made thus Take flowers of Laurell two drams roots of Polypody Agarick of each a dram and half Dodder three drams seeth them in wine or water till the Third part be consumed then take of the Liquor of that decoction one pound of Benedicta Laxativa half a dram of Electuarium nidum two drams and a half Honey of Roses one ounce Oyles of Rue Camomile and flowered Luce of each one ounce of Sal Gemmae a dram and a halfe Commixe them all and make a Gliâ—â—er CHAP. CXCIX Of Toad Flax. The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Osyris as Fuchsius saith in Latin Pseudolinum and Liâ—aria from the resemblance of its Leaves with the true Line or Flax and Urinalis and Urinaria from its effects in provoking Urine Some have called it Esula adulterina from the resemblance it hath with a small kind of Esula or Spurge yet they may easily be distinguished if the stalk or Leaves thereof be broken for one hath milke the other hath not according to that old verse Esula lactescit siâ—e lacte Liâ—aria â—rescit Some have taken it to be the AntirrhiAntirrhinum of Pliny and indeed it seemeth to be a kind of Snapdragon by its flowers yet others will rather have it to be Osyris both of Pliny Dâ—oscorides and Galen whereunto it doth in many things agree There is a kind hereof which is called Scoparia and Herba Studiosorum because Scholers heretofore swept their Studdies with beesomes made thereof and Belvâ—deâ—e of the Italians for the glorious shew that the flower of it makes Some call it Wild-Flax in English but that name doth more properly belong to another kind it is called also Toad-Flax because Toads will some times shelter themselves amongst the branches of it and Flax-weed in Sussex Gallwort The Kinds Though there be many sorts of Flax-weed I shall trouble you but with ten of them 1. Great Toad-flax 2. Sweet purple Toadflax 3. Variable Toad-flax 4. Toad-flax of Valentia 5. White Toad-flax 6. Purple Toad-flax 7. Bushy Toad-flax 8. Golden Toad-flax 9. Broom Toad-flax 10 Sparrowes Toad-flax The Vertues The common Toad-flax is well known to have divers stalkes full fraught with long and narrow bâ—ew Aâ—h coloured Leaves without any footstalke at them like unto those of Flax but the stalkes are not so long from the middle of which up to the top come forth the Flowers which are many of a pale yellow colour of a strong unpleasant scent with deep yellow mouths like the flowers of Snapdragon the seeds which are blackish and flat are inclosed in round heads the Root is somwhat woody and White especially the maine down right one with many fibres thereat abiding many yeares shooting forth rootes every way round about and new branches every yeare The Places and Time Some of these sorts are wild some grow only in Gardens the expressing of their particular places would be to little purpose seeing none but the ordinary sort groweth naturally in our Land for as much as I can learne They flower from June till the end of Summer some of their seed being usually ripe towards the end of August The Temperature Toad flax is hot and dry as may be perceived from its bitternesse and also from the faculty it hath in provoking Urine The Vertues The Common sort of Toad-flax whose description I have set down is that which is most used in Physick It provoketh Urine both when it is stopt as also in those that are troubled with the Dropsy to spend the abundance of those watery humors by Urine which it draweth down wonderfully helping also to wash the Reines and Uritory parts from Gravell or Stones gathered therein and this it doth if the decoction of the Herb both Leaves and
others also profitable as Agrimony Betony Dancus Dodder Fumitory Rose-Mary Sage Dill Rue Camomile Bayes Juniper c Some of which I have treated of already and shall treat of the rest when I shall come to the parts to which they are most appropriate I passe now to the Spleen which is the seat of Melancholy and therefore must be purged as also opened and strengthned CHAP. CCI. Of Dodder The Names THat Dodder which groweth upon flax is that which I mean to treat of principally It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the latter Greeks for by the Ancients it was not taken notice of as far as I can understand because tanquam cassis vel r 〈…〉 illud implicat it tangleth about it like a net It is called in Latin also Cassuta and Cassyta and Pâ—dagra Lini and in Shops Cuscuta The Kinds Though there be but one sort of Dodder which groweth upon Flax yet there is a lesser sort also which groweth upon divers plants and taketh its denomination from them That which groweth upon Time is called Epithymum that upon Savory Epithymbrum that upon Nettâ—es Epiurtica that upon Marjerom Epimarjorana that upon the Bramble Epirubus and in English Laced Time Laced Savory c. The Form Dodder riseth out of the ground shooting forth threds or strings grosser or finer as the property of the Plants whereon it groweth and the Climate do suffer creeping and spreading on that Plant whereon it fasteneth be it high or low These strings have no Leaves at all upon them but wind and interlace themselves so thick sometimes that it is ready to strangle it which after they have got good hold break off at bottom receiving nourishment still insensibly from the Plant whereon it is twisted like unto Ivy and thereby partaketh of the nature of the same plants Wheresoever it groweth it puts forth clusters of small Heads or Husks out of which start forth whitish Flowers which afterwards give small pale coloured seed somewhat flat and twice as bigg as Poppy seed The Places and Time I have observed little Dodder to grow upon Flax or Time here in England which makes me suppose that the Dodder of Flax and so of Time which are most in use and sold in the Apothecaries Shops are brought from beyond the Seas for every climate doth not bring them forth alike Those which have been most observed in our Land are that of Nettles which groweth plentifully in Somersetshire and that of Tares or Pulse whereon it groweth so abundantly in some places that the Country people call it Hellweed because they know not how to destroy it It hath been found upon Ferne and other herbs upon Hampsted Heath and upon the Grasse likewise upon Black-Heath in Kent It flowrisheth cheifely in July and August The Temperature Every one of these Dodders do participate somewhat of the nature of the plant whereon it groweth and therefore Dodder of Flax is hot in the first degree and dry in the second Dodder of Time is hot and dry in the third degree c. The Virtues Though the Dodder of Flax is that which is most frequent in Shops yet because that of Time is more proper for the Spleen I shall speak to that first It purgeth Melancholy and adust choller from the Spleen and Hypochonders and therefore it avaiâ—es against Melancholy as also Phlegme from the Brain and Heart and is therefore very proâ—â—table in old and inveterate paines of the Head Swimming of the head Madnesse faintings and the Quartam Ague It is very effectuall also for Hypochondriack passions Schirrues or hardnesse of the Spleen and windinesse thereof stopping oâ— the Kidneys and is very usefull in the Scab and Itch Leprosiâ— Elephancy malignant Ulcers and Cancers as also the French Pox. It cleanâ—eth also the blood very much from Melancholy and adust humors it is profitable in the Jaundies in opening Stoppings of the Gall and Avicen commends it against the Cramp Neither is it of a purging quality onely but strengtheneth also both the Liver and Spleen and helpeth Childrens Agues if a little Worms-Seed be put to it If it be used in any decoction it must be put in last for it will not endure long boâ—â—ing Dodder of Flax is very profitable in Stoppings of the Liver Gall and Spleen cleanseth the blood from Melancholy and is usefull in the Jaundies provokes Urine and cleanseth the Veines of Cholerick and phlegmatick humors especially if it be taken with wormwood and Anniseeds If half a pint or lesse of the decoction be taken with halfe an ounce of Sugar it cures Children of the Agues The seeds drunk with Wine and Sage ease the Sciatica or Hipgowt The distilled water being taken helps the distempers of the Liver and Lungs by cleansing and strengthening them it also cures the Jaundies expells the Stone of the Bladder easeth grippings in the Belly bringeth down the Courses in Women helpeth swellings about the Navell and cures Agues in Children the quantity of two ounces being taken by them but more to those that are stronger Dodder of Nettles and Broom have an especiall quality in provoking Urine where it is stopped or hindered That which grows on Tares though it be most frequent about London is not good for Tares are hard of Digestion bind the Belly and breed thick and Melancholy blood and so doth their Dodder That which groweth upon Brambles and Hopps is speciall good for old Feavers and the Jaundies CHAP. CCII. Of Black Hellebore The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sometimes without the aspiration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because too much of it robs the body of its nourishment by its violent purgation It is called also in Latin Helleborus niger Veratrum quid â—eâ—â—em vertat because it maketh the senses of mad folkes to return unto them a it did the Daughters of Praetus whom Melampos a Shepheard or Southsayer whiâ—â— you will cured of their madnesse herewith and because he was thought to bring it into use it is called Melampodium In English it hath the name of black Hellebore and Christmas-flower because it flourisheth about that time if too much cold weather do not hinder it There is a bastard kind hereof is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pseudohelleborus and Veratrum nigrum adulterinum Bastard black Hellebore as also Consiligo Bearefoot Setterwort and Settergrasse because Husbandmen use to make a hole and put it into the Eare or Dewlap of their cattle which they call Pegging or Settering The Kinds To this kind Eight sorts may be referred 1. The true black Hellebore or Christmas Flower 2. Bastard black Hellebore or Bearesfoot 3. Tresoile Prickly leaved Bearesfoot 4. The greater bastard black Hellebore or Bearsfoot called also Setterwort 5. Fennel Leafed bastard black Hellebore 6. The greater purging Sanicle-like Hellebore 7. Small purging Sanicle-like Hellebore 8. Matthiolus his bastard black Hellebore The Forme The true black Hellebore hath
going away of the Sunne The flowers are somwhat large and white consisting of eight Leaves smelling very sweet having foure small white threds standing in the middle about a little knob which afterward groweth to be the fruit which is like a Kidney-Beane-cod when it is ripe but much larger wherein is contained a black substance or pulp amongst which the seed lyeth having divers strings running through it of a sharpe sweet tast very pleasing to the Palate and Stomack the seed is square and somwhat flat The Places and Time This Tree is by most supposed to grow in India yet others say it groweth in Arabia whence the fruit is brought into the Indies It continueth greene all the Winter but at what time it giveth its flowers and ripe fruit is not recorded The Temperature Tamarinds are cold and dry in the second degree or in the beginning of the third The Vertues The two former Simples being hot are to be used in cold affects of the Spleene and therefore I have set down this next which is cold which may be used in the hot distempers thereof for the Pulpe of Tamarinds openeth the Obstructions of the Spleene as well as Liver and taken with Borage Water it quickneth the Spirits dulled by Melancholy and somwhat mitigateth the fits of the Phrensy and Madnesse It purgeth Choler and adust humors and is therefore beneficiall in acute Feavers stayeth Vomiting cooleth Inflammations of the Liver and Stomack and also of the reines and back and helpes the running of the Reines It is profitable against all breakings out of the skin which arise from heat of the blood or from Salt or sharp Water running between the flesh and the skin Scab Itch Leprosy and such like It doth stay all Rheumes and distillations being taken with some Sugar and the Water of Maiden-haire It doth exceedingly quench thirst if an Ounce thereof be dissolved in faire Water and a little Sugar mixed therewith or taken of it selfe expelleth hot or burning Agues and procureth an appetite It is excellent in Erysipilas or Wild-fire bleeding of the Nose arising from Choler and Womens fluxes as also the Yellow Jaundise Both Leaves and Pulpe applyed outwardly do coole all hot Inflammations and Wheales Pimples and such like CHAP. CCIV. Of Spleene-Wort or Milt-Wast The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asplenium and Splenium as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scolopendrium and Scolopendra the two first Names being given unto it quia Splenem juvat because it helpes the Spleene the later from the likenesse it hath with that rough Creature called the beare Worme which Anglers somtimes use Theophrastus calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the likenesse it hath with Ferne as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Galen translateth Mula herba The Arabians call it Ceterach which is the name by which it is best known in shops but it is called also Spleene-wort Milt-wast and Scale-ferne The rough Spleene-wort is called Asplenium silvestre Asplenium magnum Scrutiopteris Lonchitis aspera Longina â—t Calabrina In English Rough Spleene-wort or Milt-wast The Kinds I think I may without falshood reckon up Nine sorts of Spleene-wort the Mules Ferne being a kind thereof 1. Smooth Spleen-wort 2. The greater rough Spleen-wort 3. The smaller rough Spleen-wort 4. Bastard rough Spleen-wort 5. Island rough Spleen-wort 6. The greater Mules ferne 7. The lesser Mules ferne 8. Strong Mules-ferne 9. Mules-Ferne with divided Leaves The Form Spleen-wort hath many Leaves which after they attaine to their full growth want but little of a span long jagged of cut upon both sides even almost to the middle ribbe every Cut or jagge being as it were halfe round whereby it is known from the rough Spleen-wort which is slashed on the edges quite to the middle ribbe not one cut over against another but one besides the other set in severall orders being slippery and green on the upperside and of a darke yellowish roughnesse underneath which is conceived to be the seed at its first coming up it foldeth and rouleth it selfe inwards as Ferne commonly doth with many haires growing on the outside so that it lookes like unto the rough Beare Worme before remembred the root is small black and rough much platted or interlaced having neither stalke nor flower The Places and Time The first groweth as well upon Stone walles as Rockes and in moist and shadowy places of this land especially in the Westerne parts at Bristow Bath Welles and Salisbury on Framingham Castle-Walles on the Church of Beckensfield in Barkshire Strowd in Kent c The second groweth in the moist Moores of Italy the third and fourth in moist Groves both there and in Germany and with us upon Hampsteed-Heath the fift in Ilva an Island of the Tirrhene Sea The natural places of the foure last are shadowy Rocks and moist hollow places where little heat of the Sunne commeth They all continue greene both Winter and Summer The Temperature These plants are hot and dry in the first degree of very thin and subtile parts The Signature and Vertues The learned Crollius amongst the Signatures of parts doth set down Ceterach which is the first kind above mentioned to have the Signature of the Spleen and that therefore it is profitable for all the diseases and infirmities thereof especially those that cause it to grow big and there it is called Miltwast for it diminisheth it not onely in men but in beasts also for Vitruvius saith that the swine in Candy where there is store thereof by feeding thereon were found without Spleens and it is said also that when Asses are oppressed with Melancholy they eate thereof and so ease themselves of the Swelling of the Spleen It is effectuall also for the yellow Jaundise and consequently for the stoppings of the Liver and to stay the Hicket which is a distemper which happens not seldome to the mouth of the Stomack It helpeth the Srangury and Stone in the Bladder causing it to moulder and passe away without any great pain but the use of it in women hindereth Conception and is therefore to be avoided by them that desire Children If a dram of the dust scraped from the Backside of the Leaves be mixed with half a dram of Amber in powder and taken with the juyce of Purslane or Plantain it will help the running of the Reines speedily It helpeth Melancholy diseases also and those which rise from the French disease if the herb and root be boiled and taken but they must not be boyled very long for then the strength will evaporare especially of the Leaves The distilled water is good against the Stone both in the Reines and Bladder and the Lye made of the Ashes thereof being drunk for sometime together helpeth Spleenetick persons for which purpose the herb may be boiled a little and applied warm to the Region of the Spleen CHAP. CCV Of Harts-Tongue The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
it is dissolved often mixed with pectorall Syrupes honey or juyce of Liquorish to help the Cough or Hoarnesse in the Throat salt and sharp distillations upon the Lungs being taken is an Electuary or put under the tongue gently to distill down and so it taketh away the roughnesse of the tongue which happeneth in many diseases The said Gum is also used in Medicines for the Eyes to allay the heat and sharpnesse of hot rheumes falling into them and being mingled with milk it taketh away white spots growing in the black of the Eyes the itching also of them and wheâ—â—es and scabs that grow upon the Eye-Lids Being somewhat torrefied or dryed â—â— the â—â—re and mixed with the juce or Wine of Quinces and used in a G 〈…〉 er it is good against the bloody Flix Being boyled in Wine with Stechads and drunk it warmeth and cleanseth the breast and Stomack bowels being afflicted with any cold the Cholick the stopping of the Milt and Urine It cleanseth the face and maketh it white if it be steeped a night in Rose water and in the morning a little Borace or Champhire be put thereto and the face be washed therewith It is very effectuall for the sores and chaps of the Mouth Lips and Hands and also for Ulcers in any part being dissolved in Rose water strained some white starch mixed therewith and the place annointed the Muccilage mixed with Honey doth the same and is good for the Leprosy The powder of it is profitable for those that have broken a veine or are troubled with the Craâ—p if it be taken in broth Besides these Physicall uses it serveth to make artificiall beads of which Bracletts are compoâ—ed and it is used many times as a kind of Starch or Glew to bind or stiffen things withall and to make Gentlewomens haire lye in order The roots of the Poterion boyled in Wine and drunk are profitable against the poyson of the red Toad and being made in a Pultis and applyed to any of the Nerves or Sinews that are wounded cut or hurt doth heale them and soâ—â—er them together are also all other kinds of Wounds and Cutts the said decoction of the Roots in Wine a also effectuall for the said purposes to be drunk and for inward Wounds or Veines that are broken Gum Arabick is effectuall for many of the purposes aforesaid but especially for defending the Reines and Bladder from those frettings that cause bloody Urine CHAP. CCXVII Of Spiknard The Names IT is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nardus in Greek from Naarda a City of Syria near unto Euphrares as Lobel doth conjecture and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Nardi Spica which is the generall Name of the Indian sort called also Nardus Indica to put a distinction between it and the Celtick and Mountain Spicknard The Celtick Spiknard is supposed by very good Authors to be the Saliunca that Virgil makes mention of in his Eclogues which is more likely because the Vallesians in whose Country it chiefely groweth call it Selliga The Kinds There be Eight sorts of Spiknard 1. Mountain French Spiknard 2. Mountainâ— French Spiknard with tufted Flowers 3. Knobbed mountain Spiknard 4. Long tuberous Mountain Spiknard 5. Bastard French Spiknard 7. Indian Spiknard 6. Italian Spiknard 8. Unsavoury Spiknard The Form Mountain French Spiknard creepeth upon the ground under the loose Leaves and mosse with small long and hard slender roots covered with many short small dry Leaves like Scales sending forth in divers places as it creepeth and spreadeth here and there small blackish fibres whereby it is nourished at the head whereof stand sundry small buttons or heads from which spring many small narrow and somewhat thick green Leaves not divided or dented at all smallest at the bottome and broadest towards the end which change yellow in the end of Summer amongst these Leaves rise up sometimes more and somtimes but one slender stalk without any Leaves thereon at the top whereof stand many small whitish flowers like unto the smallest sorts of Valerian every one upon a slender foot-stalk which afterwards bring small seed like unto them also the whole plant is sweet and more aromaticall then the Indian Spicknard hotter also and sharper in tast then any other sort The Places and Time It may be gathered by the names of most of them to what Country they are naturall and therefore I shall trouble you no farther with the places They all flower and flourish in the summer months of June July and August some earlyer and some latter then others The Temperature Dioscorides saith that the true Indian Spiknard is of an heating and drying faculty and there is no doubt but the other sorts are so likewise seeing they agree very much in their properties or vertues The Vertues All the sorts of Spiknard but especially the Celrick or French Spicknard are of very good use to provoke Urine and to ease the exceeding great paines of the Stone in the Reines or Kidnyes if they be drunk with cold water and so they are profitable to those that have a loathing of their meat swellings or gnawings in their stomacks as also for them that are Liver grown and for them that have the yellow Jaundise It dryeth up the Flux or humors both in the Head and breast and is a speciall Ingredient in Mithridate and other Antidotes against vemone and poyson The decoction used as a Bath for Women to sit in or over in a seat fit for the purpose taketh away the Inflammations of the Mother but to women with Child it is forbidden because it procureth much disquiet and may forceâ— their Courses beyond either their time or conveniency The Oyle made thereof doth both warme those places that are cold and maketh the humors more subtill that were thick and congealed before digesteth those that are crude and raw and also moderatly dryeth and bindeth those that were too loose or flexible and hereby worketh powerfully in all the cold griefes and windinesse of the Head and braine of the Stomack Liver Spleen Reines and Bladder and of the Mother Being â—nuâ—â—ed up into the Nostrills it purgeth the Brain of much Rheume gathered therein and causeth both a good colour and favour to the whole body Being steeped in Wine for certain dayes afterwards distilled in Balneo calâ—do the Water hereof is very usefull in all cold indiâ—poâ—itions of the Members taken inwardâ—y or applyed outwardâ—y for it coâ—nâ—oâ—ten the braine helpeth to stay thin distillations and the cold paines of the Head as also the shaking of the Palsey It helpeth also all passions of the Heart as faintings and 〈…〉 ning◠〈◊〉 the Coâ—lick likewise two or three spoonefulls being taken It is commonly laid up in a new earthen Vessell for Eye Medicines being first made into Powder and then into round Cakes or trochiskes with Wine which being conveniently applyed represse and stay the humors that offend them Being drunk with Wine it helpeth those that are stung or bitten
use in â—â—king Cordage We in English call it Hâ—mpâ— and sometimes Welsh Paâ—slâ—â— and Nâ—â—k weed but these are but Nick Nâ—mes The Kindes Though custome hath caused the barâ—en Hempâ— to be called the Female and that which beares Sâ—â—d to be the Male yet I see no reason for it they being from the same Seed and therefore must be of the same kind howsoever there be two sorts hereof 1 Common Hemp. 2 Virginian Hempe The Forme The common Hemp which is that which is manured both Male and Female riseth up out of the ground after the same manner neither can they be distinguished till they come to be well growne and then the Female as they call it which is ripe and must be pulled first is easily knowne from the other by the fewnesse of its Leaves which are smaller and of a lighter green colour then the other but the Male hath the stronger stalks with a more bushy head and greater Leaves of a dark green colour The Female beareth flowers and no feed followeth the Male beareth seed without any shew of flowers and endureth longer before it be ripe They both rise up to be five or six foot high if the ground wherein they grow be rank but not otherwise with many Leaves set thereon at distances which are subdivided into divers others yet standing upon one foot stalk somewhat like unto the Leaves of Bastard Hellebore or Bears foot but more dented about the edges The seed is contained in divers husked bunches coming from the bottom of the Leaves which being prepared and make fit to be threshed it cometh forth being almost round with a somewhat hard shell under which lieth a kernell of a white substance The Roots are made of many strong strings which take fast hold in the ground so that they are very troublesome to pull up unlesse the ground be mellow or presently afâ—er rain yet they die and perish every year The Places and Time The first is sowne in most Counties of this Land but not so frequently in some as in others yet wheresoever it â—is it delights in a well dunged and watery soyle which must be either plowed or digged deep or else it thriveth not It is sowne in March or April and riseth out of the ground within few dayes after it is committed thereunto making its way through Cloth Shooe Soales or any such thing that lies over it The Female Hemp is ripe in July and therefore called Summer Hemp the Male in September when the Winter approacheth and therefore it is called Winter Hemp. The Temperature There be some that speak Hemp to be cold and dry but the major part of Writers are of opinion that it is hot and dry The Vertues The Seed of Hemp used frequently is good for those which are troubled with a thorn in the flesh for besides that it consumeth windinesse it doth so much disperse it that it dryeth up the naturall Seed of procreation therewith Being boyled in Milk and taken it helpeth such as have a dry and hot Cough as Tragus saith An Emulsion made of the Seed is given with good successe to those that have the Jaundise especially in the beginning of the disease if there be no Ague accompanying it for it openeth the Obstruction of the Gall and causeth digestion of Choller therein A decoction of the said Seed stayeth Laskes and Fluxes that are continuall easeth the pains of the Chollick and allayeth the troublesome humours in the Bowels An Hempseed Posset with some Nutmeg procureth Sleep being taken bedward The Leaves fryed with some of the blood of those who bleed exceedingly and eaten stayeth the issuing out thereof whether it be at the Mouth Nose or any other place The juyce of the Leaves are held to be very effectuall to kill worms either in Man or Beast and being dropped into the eares it killeth the worms that are in them and draweth forth Eare-wigs or other living Creatures gotten into them The decoction of the Root allayeth Inflammations in the Head or any other parts and so doth the Herb it self or the distilled Water thereof The said decoction easeth the pains of the Gout the hard tumors or knots in the joynts the pains and shrinking of the Sinewes and the pains of the Hip The fresh juyce mixed with a little Oyl and Butter is good for any place that hath been burnt with fire being thereto applyed Notwithstanding these Vertues it is said to be hard of digestion hurtfull to the Head and Stomack and breedeth ill blood and juyce and in the body if it be taken without discretion Concerning the gathering shocking threshing watering peeling or stripping braking dressing and spinning of Hemp I dare not be too particular lest I should be contradicted by every Country Huswife every of which doth very well know that the Summer Hemp affordeth most Teere as they call it and maketh the siner Cloth for Shirts Smocks Aprons Table Cloths and such like necessary uses and that the Winter Hemp hath in it more Hards which being Spun serveth for Sheets Dresser-Cloths and the like The Cordage that is made of the rough Hemp is not altogether inconsiderable for by it Ships are guided Bels are rung Rogues are kept in awe Beds are corded c. Nay the Rags of the old Cloth that is made of Hemp serve to make Paper which is as usefull a commodity as any whatsoever And if there be any one that is not sufficiently satisfied with these uses of Hemp and Hempseed let them read the Works of John Taylor the Water Poet who hath written very much in the praise of Hempseed CHAP. CCLXXXII Of the Water Lillie The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Nymphaea because it loveth to grow no where but in the Water which the Greeks sometimes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though that word hath other significations also or rather from the Story though fabulous for many of purplants have received names upon such accounts of the Nymph which pind away for the love of Hercules and was changed hereinto It is called by the Apothecaries Nenuphar by Apuleius Mater Herculara Algapalustris Papaver palustre Clavus Veneris and Digitus by Maâ—cellus Clava Hâ—rculis Some have called it in English the Water Rose as well as the Water Lilly The Kindes Of the Water Lillies both white and yellow there be seven sorts 1 The great common white water Lilly 2 The lesser white water Lilly 3 Small white water Lilly commonly called Froybit 4 The great white water Lilly of Egypt 5 The great yellow water Lilly 6 The smaller yellow water Lilly 7 Small yellow water Lilly with lesser flowers The Forme The great common white water Lilly hath very large round Leaves in the shape of a buckler thick fat full of juyce and of a dark green colour which standing upon long round and smooth foot-stalks full of a sponglous substance alwayes flote upon the water seldome or never growing above it from
amongst which there rise up from the Root other thick and great stalks like unto the foot-stalks of the Leaves each of them sustaining one onely large white flower thereon green on the out side but exceeding white within confisting of divers rowe of long and somewhat thick and narrow Leaves smaller and thinner the more inward they be with many yellow threds or thrums in the middle standing about a small head which after the leaves are fallen of becometh like unto a Poppy Head containing in it broad blackish Oyly and glittering seed of a bitter tast The Roots be round long and tuberous with many knobs thereat like Eyes of substance loose and spongy of colour black without and white within out of which groweth a multitude of strings by which it is fastened in the ground under the bottom of the Water The Places and Time All the sorts of Water Lillies except the fourth whose name sheweth its place also do grow in most parts of England where there be any standing pooles great ditches or small slow running Rivers in every of which they are frequent and sometimes in large Rivers which run pretty quick They flower in the Months of May and June and their feed is ripe in August The Temperature The Leaves and Flowers of the Water Lillies are cold and moist but the Root and Seed are cold and dry The Vertues The Seed and Root of the Water Lilly whether white or yellow but principally the yellow being boyled in Water is of wonderfull efficacy to coole bind and restrain and therefore the said decoction cannot but be exceeding good for those who shall endeavour to preserve themselves from Lechery and uncleannesse for it not onely stoppeth the involuntary passage of Sperme in Sleep commonly called Nocturnall pollution but is so powerfull in this particular that the frequent use hereof extinguisheth even the very Motions to venery and so doth the Root and Seed used in meat or drink or the Root only bruised and applyed to the genitals or the green Leaves laid upon the Region of the back either of which wayes it is available also for the Gonorrhea or running in the Reines and the whites or any other flux in Man or Woman but especially if it be boyled in thick red wine and drunk The said Root is very good for those whose Urine is hot and sharp to be boyled in Wine or Water and the decoction thereof drunk The Leaves do cool all Inflammations and both the outward and inward heats of Agues the decoction thereof being drunk or bathed with They are also very effectuall to expell the secondine or After birth whereof they have the Signature as the learned Crolliâ—â— observeth Both the simple and compound Syrupes which are made of white water Lilly flowers and may be had at the Apothecaries are fine and cooling they allay the heat of Choller provoke Sleep settle the brains of Frantick persons by cooling the hot distemperature of the head as they do the distempers of other parts as the Heart Liver Reines and Matrix proceeding of Heat and so doth the Conserve made of the said flowers The distilled Water of the said flowers is very effectuall for all the diseases aforesaid both inwardly taken and outwardly applyed and is very much commended for the taking away of Freckles Spots Sunburn and Morphew from the skin in the Face or any other part of the Body and so doth the Root being stamped with Water and applyed often to the discoloured part which being applyed to Wounds stancheth the blood and being mixed with Tar it cureth the naughty scurfe of the Head The oyl made of the flowers as the Oyl of Roses is made cureth the Head-ach causeth sweet and quiet sleep and putteth away all Venerous dreams and taketh down the standing of the Yard the Head and privities being annointed therewith and is profitable also to coole hot tumors and the inflammations of Ulcers and Wounds neither doth it onely ease but also heal them CHAP. CCLXXXIII Of Hemlock The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Conion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à circumvertendâ— because it did so intoxicate the brain of those that took the juyce thereof that they presently fell a staggering or else every thing seemed to them to turn round but though that which grew in Greece would do so yet that which we have is not so powerfull howbeit I shall not wish any one to try It is called in Latinâ— Cicuta which some will have to be so denominated quod velut cutem circumcircâ— habeat because it is covered with a double Skin In English Hemlock Hemlock Kex and of some Herb Bennet though not truly The Kinds To this kind may be referred these seven sorts 1 The common great Hemlock 2 Foolish Hemlock or Counterfeit Parsley 3 The greatest Hemlock 4 White wild Hemlock 5 Red wild Hemlock 6 Marsh or water Hemlock 7 Bulbous rooted wild Hemlock The Forme The common great Hemlock groweth up with a hollow green stalk two or three foot high of a dark green colour and sometimes spotted whereupon at severall joynts are set very large winged Leaves which are subdivided in many others that are lesser dented about the edges of a dark green colour also branching out it selfe towards the top into several umbels or spoky tufts of white flowers after which followeth the seed of a pale green colour and flattish when it is ripe The Root is long white and sometimes crooked and hollow within the whole Plant is very unsavoury and therefore offensive to the Senses especially to that of smelling The Places and Time The first groweth in most Countrys by Walls and Hedge sides especially in stinking and corrupt places and therefore it is frequently found in such ditches which are made for the conveyance of any noysome excrements or wherein dead Dogs and Cats and other Carrion is used to be cast this poysonous Plant drawing unto it and feeding upon the maligne juyce and nourishment which those places plentifully afford The second is found in Gardens as well as other places where it is sometimes mistaken for Parsly by those that are ignorant of Herbs The third is said to be found onely in Gardens about these parts The fourth and fifth are frequent in the moist Grounds and Marshes of France and besides the Waters there The sixt is not altogether a stranger to our owne Rivers sides especially to the Thames The last is best known to be of Hungaria and Austria They differ not much in their time for all of them flower and seed in July or thereabouts The Temperature Hemlock is held to be cold in the fourth degree by Galen and others yet many are of opinion that the Hemlock that groweth in England is not so cold as that which the Ancients make mention of The Vertues Though the Hemlock that grew in Greece and thereabouts were pernicious to be applyed to the Privities for the restraining of Lust because they made those members to
of joynts a cubit high or thereabouts with two Leaves at every joynt and branches likewise from both sides the Stalks with fresh green Leaves somewhat broad and long withall about the bignesse of the Leaves of Basil finely dented about the edges In the Male at the joynts towards the tops of the Stalks and Branches come forth two small round green Heads standing together upon a short foot-stalk which growing ripe are the Seeds not having any Flower In the Female the Stalk is longer spike-fashion set round about with small green Husks which are the Flowers made like small branches of Grapes which give no Seed but abide long upon the Stalks without shedding The Root is composed of many small Fibres perishing every Winter rising again the next year of its own sowing if the seed of the male be permitted to shed and so the ground will be for ever furnished with both sorts of it for they both rise from the Seed of the Male in the same manner as Hemp and could not be distinguished one from another but by their Seed and Flowers The Places and Time The French Mercury groweth as well wild in divers places of the English Dominions as by a Village called Brookland in Rumney Marsh in Kent and by the Sea-side in the Isle of Wight as in Gardens where it is sometimes sown The Dogs-Mercury groweth by the Hedge-sides in most places of this Land also the Female being not so frequent as the Male but the Childs or Childing-Mercury groweth wild about Mompelier in France and in Spain and Italy and is a Sojourner in some of our Gardens They all flourish and seed in the Summer save the Childes Mercury which flowreth so late with us that it hardly beareth ripe Seed The Temperature Mercury is hot and dry yet not above the second degree it hath a cleansing faculty and a digesting quality also as Galen saith The Vertues Hipocrates whose skill in Physick was incomparable as appears by his learned Aphorismes doth very much commend the use of the French Mercury for Womens diseases for if it be applyed to the Secret parts by way of fomentation it easeth the pains of the Mother and if the Decoction thereof be used it procureth the Terms and expelleth the After-birth as also for the Stangury and diseases of the Reines and Bladder the decoction thereof with Myrrhe or Pepper being taken inwardly or the Leaves applyed outwardly or both He used it also for sore and watring Eys and for Deafness and pains in the Ears by dropping the juyce thereof into them and bathing them afterwards in White Wine The decoction of the Leaves or the juyce of them taken in broth or drink with as much Sugar put to it as will sweeten it purgeth cholerick and watrish Humours The decoction thereof made with Water and a Cock chicken is a most safe Medicine for the hot fits of the Ague â—t also cleanseth the Breast and Lungs of Phlegm but a little offendeth the Stomach The juyce or distilled water thereof snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and Eyes of Catarrhes and Rheums Two or three ounces of the distilled water with a litle Sugar put to it and drunk in the morning fasting is used by some as a good Medicine to open and purge the Body of grosse viscous mâ—lancholy humours Matthiolus saith that both the Seed of the Male and Flowers of Female Mercury boyled with Wormwood and drunk cureth the Yellow Jaundise in a speedy manner The Leaves or the Juyce rubbed upon Warts taketh them away The Juyce mingled with some Vinegar helpeth all running Scabs Tetters Ringworms and the Itch. Being applyed in manner of a Pultis to any Swelling or Inflammation it digesteth and spendeth the humours which were the cause thereof and so helpeth it It is frequently used with other things to evacuate the Belly from offensive humours being given in a Clister Though Dog-mercury he less used because it is more common yet it may serve to purge waterish and melancholy Humours in the same manner as the former and also for other the said uses It is said of Childing Mercury that if the Male thereof be taken by a Woman three dayes together after conception and that her Courses be past she shall bring forth a Male Child but if she take of the Female it shall be a Girle and the same is said of the French Mercury but my Wife never tryed either of them CHAP. CCCXIV Of Madder The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Etruthrodanum and Eruthedanum from the red colour of the root and Rubia Tinctorum in Latine because Dyers make use thereof to colour Wooll as Leather-dressers also do to colour their Leather which is the name that the Shops use also yet Nicander calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Schyrium in Greek and others call it Rubâ—a in Latin without any addition The Kindes There be six kindes of Madder growing in our ownd Land 1. Red Madder commonly called Garden Madder 2. Wild Madder 3. Wild Madder with long Leaves 4. Sea Madder 5. Dwarf Madder 6. Little field Madder The Forme The manured or Garden Madder shooteth forth many Stalks which stand upright at their first coming up and so likewise if they be kept cut but if they be permitted to grow they become long weak and trailing upon the ground a great way unlesse they grow by some hedge and then they will climb thereon being four-square very rough and full of Joynts at every of which come forth divers long and somewhat narrow Leaves standing about the Stalks somewhat like the râ—well of a Spuâ— being very rough also neer unto the tops whereof do come forth many small pale yellow Flowers after which come small round heads green at the first and reddish afterward but black when they are ripe wherein are contained the Seed The Root is not so great as long creeping very far as well downwards as about the surface of the Earth fat full of substance and of a red and very clear colour whilst it is fresh The Places and Time The first though it be commonly manured for the great profit that is made thereof yet it groweth wild not onely upon S. Vincents Rock neer Bristoll and in the Hedges about Ruthland in Wales the second is natural also to some parts of this Land and so is the third which groweth in divers places of Dorset-shire the fourth groweth likewise in our own Country so do the two last They flower in June and July chiefly and the Seed of all of them is ripe in August or thereabout except the Sea kind which seldom perfecteth its Seed with us The Temperature Madder roots are hot in the second degree and dry in the third and have an opening quality and also an astringent property The Vertues and Signature The Decoction of Madder made in Wine and drunk doth not onely bring down the Courses in Women and provoke Vrine but bringeth away the
is not likely that this Commodity should have any Greek name the Ancients never having any knowledge of that part of the World The West Indians from whence it first came call it Guayacan and from thence it is called in Latine Guajacum by some Lignum Indicum Lignum Sanctum and Lignum Vitae In English Pockwood for its excellency in curing the French Pox and sometimes Indian Packwood because it is brought from the West Indies The Kindes I finde three sorts of Guajacum mentioned by some later Writers 1. The true Guajacum or Indian Pockwood 2. A West-Indian tree like Guajacum 3. A differing Indian Guajacum The Forme This Tree whereof Guajacum is the wood groweth to be of the bignesse of an Oake with a reasonable thick greenish gummy barke spread with sundry Armes and Branches both great and small and on them winged Leaves set by coupâ—es one against another which are but small thick hard and round almost with divers veines in them abiding alwaies green upon the branches at the joynts and ends of the branches come forth many flowers standing in a tuft together every one upon a long footstalke consisting of sixe whitish yellow Leaves not very great with some threds in the middle which afterwards turne into flat yellowish gristly fruit of the fashion of the seed Vessel of Thlaspi or else oâ— Shepheardâ— purse with two divisions likewise having in the one side a grâ—stly seed almost as hard as horne the other being for the most part empty hanging down together by their long foot-stalkes it yeeldeth also a Gumme or Rosiâ— of a darke colour which will easily burne The Places and Time All the three sorts of Guajacum grow in the West Indies and the first especially about Sâ—anto Doâ—ingo whence this disease was originally brought to the King of Spaines Campe which was at Naples in the yeare 1493. he being then treating of peace with the French King whose Army was thereabouts also and in a short time after infected with it The French-men thought that they got it by accompanying with the Spaniards as indeed they did and therefore they called it the Spanish Scab yet the â—paniards thought that the French had given it to them and they called it the French Poxe Others called it the Disease of Naples because it arose in those Coasts as they supposed when as truly it came from the West Indies and therefore some call it the Measells of the Indies Whence Monardâ—â— observes that God Almighty would so have it that as these Poxe came from those parts so should a Remedy be brought thence also Diseases and their Remedies commonly arising in the same Climate which is a wonderful Act of Providence The Temperature Guajacum or Pockwood is hot and dry in the second degree and hath a cleansing faculty The Vertues The principall Prerogative and Excellencie of Guajacum is that it is the best remedy in the world for those kind of Poâ—ks for it provoketh Sweate resisteth contagion and putrefaction and cleanseth the Blood and strengthneth the Liver which is a part many times affected in this disease the decoction of the Wood being made and used after this manner Take of Guajacum a pound of the bark thereof two ounces steep them in twelve or foureteen pints of Spring Water foure and twenty houres then boyl them to seaven or eight pints straine it and give thereof a good draught morning and evening and let the party sweat upon it and if you adde two ounces of Liquorish or more and some Anniseed it will be much more pleasant to take This decoction which was first discovered by an Indian to a Spaniard who had suffered great paines by the Poxe is good also in the Dropsie Falling-Sicknesse shortnesse of Breath in Catarrhs Rheumes and cold distiâ—ations of the Lungs or other parts Coughâ—s and Consumptions the Gout Sciâ—tica and all other Joynt-Aâ—hes and for cold Phlegmatick humors for the diseases of the Bladder and Reines and for all long and lingring diseases proceeding from cold and moist Causes for it openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene warms and comforts the stomach and entralls and is good in Scabbes Itch Shinglâ—s Leprosie and the like as also in Fevers horrible Apostumations and swellings of the Belly the Jaundise c. It maketh the teeth white and firme if they be often washed with the decoction thereof The Barke is also given in the aforesaid Diseases from halfe a dram to a dram in powder and the Gum also is sometimes used but the Wood is of greatest use The best kinde whereof is the blâ—cker or browner for the yellow is but the Sap as it were the former being in a manner all Heart yet it is all firm hard close and heavy so that it will sink in water more thâ—n Ebony It is not so good for hot and dry bodies as it is in cold and moist and therefore for hot diseases use the more Water and the lesse Wood and for cold griefs more Wood and less Water CHAP. CCCXXVIII Of China The Names IT is called in Latine for Greek name it never had any China because the Root thereof was first brought from China which is a Country of the Orientall Indies and therefore also it is that it is called China Radix or Chinaea Radix in English as in divers other Languages it is called China but the Chineses call it Laâ—patan the Arabians and Persians Chophchina The Kindes The sorts of China that I finde mentioned are two 1. The true China Root 2. Bastard China The Forme The China groweth up with many prickly Branches of a reasonable great bignesse liâ—e unto Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed winding it self about Trees and hath divers Leaves growing on them like unto broad Plantane Leaves what Flower or Seed it beareth I finde not mentioned by any The Root is like to the root of a great Reed sometimes flattish sometimes round not smooth but bunched and knotty reddish for the most part on the out-side and whitish or sometimes a little reddish on the in-side the best is solid and firm and somewhat weighty fresh and not worm-eaten and without any taste The Places and Time It groweth not onely in China Malabar Cochin Cranganor Tanor and other places of the East Indies but also in the West Indies as Monardus saith Though the time be not expressed by any Author that I have met with yet I conceive it continueth green all the year long as divers other Plants there growing do As for the duration of the Root it will keep good many years The Temperature It is immoderately hot and very drying The Vertues The Root called China is not onely commended but daily proved to be most effectual in the French Dâ—sease the decoction thereof being made and given in manner following Take of China Root cut thin in slices one ounce and an half put into it a Gallon of faire Water and let it stand covered a night and a day then boyle it
gently till about half the Water be consumed strain it and give about four ounces thereof in bed for divers mornings together if need be The said Decoction is also profitable in Agues whether quotidian or intermittent or pestilential Feavers and also Hecticks and Consumptions to rectifie the evil disposition of the Liver the inveterate paines in the Head and Stomack which it also strengtheneth to dry up Rheumes to help the Jaundise and Ruptures in Children or others by drying up the humours which is the cause thereof The Palsie also may be cured by it and so may the diseases of the Joynts as the Gout Sciatica and the Nodes also or hard bunches that sometimes grow upon the Joynts It is useful also in the ulcers of the Yard Scabs Leprosie Scirrous and watry Tumors and is good in all cold and melancholy griefes but especially in the Dropsie and Greene Sicknesse Some say it provokes Lust which is very likely but it is not to be used in hot and dry bodyes for to such it is very hurtfull It is also sliced into thin pieces and boyled in broth being bound up together with a Chicken in a Linnen cloath The dose to be put therein is from two drammes to four drammes CHAP. CCCXXIX Of Prickly Bindweed and Sarsa parilla The Names Iâ—t is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Smilax aspera to distinguish it from the other sorts of Smilax of which there be four besides this viz. two Trees and two Herbs the first of the two Trees is Smilax Arcadum a soft Oake the other is Smilax simply and by that is meant the Yâ—w-tree the first of the two Herbs is Smilax lavis smooth Bindweed the other is Smilax hortensis the French or Kidney Beane Gaza in his translation of Theophrastus calleth it Hedera Cilicia because the Leaves thereof are somewhat like Ivy and the Hetruscians call it Hedera spinâ—sa because of its prickles the Spaniards call it Zarsa parilla or Sarsa parilla which signifieth a small or little Vine whereunto it is like and therefore when they saw the like in Peru they called it by the same name so that it is generally so termed at this day in most Languages yet some write it Sarca parillia The Kindes Three sorts of prickly Bindweed desire a room in this place 1. Prickly Bindweed with red Berries 2. Prickly Bindweed with black Berries 3. Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed of Peru which is the most useful and therefore I shall describe it as well as I can The Forme Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed of Peru springeth up with many branches winding themselves about the poles that are stuck in the ground about them for to climb on having some tender pricks like thorns growing on them especially at the joynts it hath divers very green Leaves like unto Bindweed but longer and cornered like Ivy leaves the Flowers are great and white every one as big as a middle sized dish which opening in the morning doth sade at night from whence the Spaniards are said to call it Buenas Noches that is good night Clusius saith that he had a small branch with three heads of seed thereon the largest that ever he saw of that kinde for it had five leaves a piece every one almost an inch broad and long which seemed to be the cup of the Flower and Fruit every head which was three-square and skinny had within three round Seeds as big as great Pease of a smoaky or brownish colour The Root like that of Smilax aspera is down right and full of joynts or knots from which shoot other roots or strings which in the Indies grow to be great and long The Places and Time The two first grow in Italy Spain and other the warmer Countreys throughout Europe and Asia but the third is found onely in the Western Indies as Peru Virginia and divers other places the goodness or badness whereof is caused from the fertility or barrennesse of the ground whereon it grows so that the Honduras being very fertile bringeth forth the best They flower and fructifie timely enough in the warmer Climats but in ours they soon perish if there be not a care to keep them from the Frost and cold in Winter but where a convenient place is provided to set them in they will continue as I have seen the true Sarsa parilla if I mistake not in the Garden house of the Lord Laâ—bert at Wimbleton growing in a poâ— The Temperature Sarsa parilla is hot and dry in the first or second degree of thin parts and provoketh sweat The Vertues The Decoction of Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed of Peru is of great force to cure those that are troubled with the French Pox being made and administred after the way which I shall here prescribe Take of Sarsa parilla four ounces cut it into small parts and afterwards infuse it into ten pints of hot water for the space of foure and twenty hours then boyl it being close covered till it be neere half consumed then being strained give a good draught thereof morning and evening It I mean the said Decoction is of very great use in Rheumes Gouts cold diseases of the Head and Stomacâ— and expelleth Wind both from the Stomach and Mother It helpeth all manner of Aches in the Sinews and Joynts all running Sorâ—s in the Legs all cold Swellings Tâ—â—ters or Ringwormes and all manner of Spots and foulnesse of the Skin It is also good in the Catarrhe or distillation from the head being sharp and salt in Cancers not ulcerate and in Tumors which are hard to be dissolved and it hath been found by experience to be very good for the Kings Evil a dram of the powder of Sarsa with the powder of Ruseus or Butchers-Broom being taken in White wine or Ale for forty dayes together The same powder having a just quantity of Tamariâ—k added thereto is a good remedy in the tumour of the Spleen The roots of the other rough Bindweeds are also used by divers of the learned and judicious instead of Sarsa parilla with good successe for Sarsa doth not purge the body of humours manifestly as other purgers do being generally held to spend them by its dryness and diâ—phorâ—tical quality rather than by heat or by going to stool It is given as an Antidâ—te against all sorts of poysonous or venemous things A dozen or sixteen of the Berries beaten to powder and given in Wine procureth Vrine when it is stopped The distilled water of the Flowers being drunk worketh the same effect cleanseth the Reynes and asswageth inward inflammations If the Eyes be washed therewith it taketh away all heat and rednesse in them and if the sorâ—s of the Legs be washed therewith it healeth them throughly Sarsa parilla iâ— not convenient to be given to those whose Livers are over-hot nor to such as have Agues CHAP. CCCXXX Of Star-wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in
some of them being sometimes brownish the stalkes are branched into many long stemmes of spiked Flowers half a foot long growing in â—undles one above another out of small Huskes very like unto the spiked Heads of Lavender every of the flowers consisting of five round pointed Leaves of a Purple Violet colour tending to rednesse in which Huskes after the flowers are fallen the seed is contained the root creepeth under-ground almost like Couch-grasse but greater and shooteth up every Spring brownish heads which afterward growing up into Stalkes doe smell like Câ—â—led Apples whilest they are young The Places and Time The first groweth usually by Rivers and Ditches sides and in wet grounds in every Countrey of this Land almost the others grow in the like places but not so frequently but that which is most rare is the Yellow Willow herbe with double flowers which groweth by Kings Langley in Hartford shire Any of these being brought into Gardens doe prosper well enough as the Câ—amaenerion of Rosebay Willow herbe also doth though it grow not naturally in England June and July are the ordinary months wherein they flower yet some of them stay till August The Temperature All the sorts of Lysimachia are hot and dry and of an exceding binding quality The Vertues The distilled Water of Willow herb whether it be the yellow sort or that which I have described which is more common is exceeding soveraign for green Wounds whether they happen in the Body or Limbs if to every ounce of Water there be taken two drams of May Butter without Salt and of Sugar and Wax each as much also gently boyled together til it become to be an Oyntment and then let Tents be dipped in the Liquor that remaineth after it is cold and put into the Wounds and the place covered with a linnen Cloath doubled and anointed with the Ointment It likewise cleanseth and healeth all foule Vlcers and Sores whatsoever or wheresoever and stayeth their inflammations by washing them with the Water and laying on them a green Leafe or two in Summer or dry ones in the Winter The distilled Water aforesaid is a present Remedy for hurts and blowes on the Eyes and for blindnesse if the Christalline humor or Sight it so if be not perished or spoiled as hath been often proved and it is also of as good use to cleer the Eyes of Dust or any other thing gotten into them and preserveth the Sight The said Water gargled warm in the Mouth and sometimes drunk also doth cure the Quinsey and Kings-Evill in the Throat The same being warmed and the Skin washed therewith taketh away all Spots Markes and Scarres thereof and a little of it drank quencheth the thirst extraordinarily And not onely this but the Yellow sorts also are good for all manner of Bleeding at the Mouth or Nose or of Wounds and stayeth all manner of Fluxes of the Belly or the Bloudy Fluxe given either to drink or taken in a Clister it stayeth also the abundance of Womens Courses If the herb he bruised and the juice onely applyed to green Wounds it stayeth the bleeding and quickly closeth together the Lips of them The decoction or the distilled Water thereof is often used in Gargles for sore Mouths as also to â—ath the secret parts withall as often as there is any Sore or Vlcer there arising The smoak of the Stalkes being burned driveth away Serpents or any other venemous Creature as Pliny saith and the people in the Fenny Countreyes can testifie that it driveth away the Flyes and Gnats that would otherwise molest them in the night season CHAP. CCCXXXIX Of the Daisy The Names IT is called in Latine for it is a question whether the Greeks ever knew it Bellis à bello as some think quasi Bellis praesidium because it is usefull in War to heal the Souldiers Wounds for which reason some have called it Consolida also other have thought that it was called Bellis from the Adjective Bellus signifying pretty for it hath indeed a pretty Flower if it be marked some of the sorts especially The greater sort is called by Bruâ—selsius Bupthalmus and Oculus Bovis and by Tabermontanus Bellium majus by others Consolida media Vulnerariorum yet most commonly it is called Bellis major the lesser sort being called Bellis minor Consolida minor and Herba Morgarita In English the greater and lesser Daisy the greater is also called Maudlin and Maudlin-wort The Kindes There be divers sorts of Daisyes as well in our Gardens as growing beyond the Seas yet because the time will not permit me to enquire after them I shall give you onely those that grow naturally with us they being of greatest use for our intended purpose and they are three 1. The Great Daisyes which some call Or-Eyes and White Moons 2. The middle sort of Daisyes 3. The little Daisy The Forme The Great Daisy hath very many narrow and round-pointed Leaves next the ground cut in on both sides making them to seem almost like unto those of the Oak from amongst which do grow up somewhat high Stalks with divers Leaves thereon but smaller and lesser divided than the lower at the tops whereof grow large Flowers each upon severall long foot stalks consisting of many white and narrow Leaves as the Pale or Border and the yellow Thrummes in the middle of little or no scent whose Seed which is somewhat long is blown away with the Wind The Root is bush of white Strings which abide many Winters shooting forth new Leaves in the Spring if the cold weather hath killed the old The Places and Time The first which is Great Daisy Oxe Eye or White-Moone groweth almost every where by the hedge sides in the borders of fields and other wast ground and many times in meadowes that lye any thing high the second groweth in the like places but not so frequently the place of the third can hardly be mistook for it groweth upon every Common and other place almost The two first flower in May and June and then must be gathered for they last not long but the last beginneth to flower in the Spring and holdeth on most part of the Summer The Temperature Daisyes are held by most to be cold and dry which are the qualities which are required in Wound herbs yet Dâ—donam saith they be cold and moist which no body else doth allow of The Vertues The Leaves of the great Daisy or Mandlinwort made up into an Oyntment or Salve with Wax Oyl and Turpentine is most excellent for Wounds especially those wherin there is any inflammation and which are hardly brought to digestion or maturation as those weeping Wounds made in the Elboes Knees or other Joynts and it is often used in Decoction or Drinks as well as outwardly for the same or the like purposes as fractures in the Head and deep wounds in the Breast The said Decoction being drunk cureth all Vlcers and Pustles in the Mouth or Tongue or in the Secret parts
225 Grasses of divers sorts 81 Grapes of divers sorts 228 Winter Green 63 Ground Iâ—y 26 Ground Pine 318 Groundsâ—ll 150 Guaâ—acum 327 Gum Tragacanth 216 Gum Arabick ibid. H. HAarts-ease 121 Harts-horn 238 Harts tongue 205 Harts Claver 143 Hart Trefoile 298 Hasel nut tree 304 Hather or Heath 208 Haver or Oats 144 Hawkweed 24 Haw-thorne 230 Haymaides 26 Hedge-mustard 109 White Hellebore 156 Black Hellebore 202 Bastard Hellebore ib. Hemlock 283 Hemp 281 Hemp-Tree or Agnus 280 Henbane 58 Henbane of Peru 107 Heâ—â—it 188 Hawes 232 Heps 19 Herb Robert 325 Herbe Trinity 121 Herb Bennet 133 Herbe Carpenter 338 Herbe of Grace 21 Herbe Ive 318 Herb Paris 331 Herb Twopence 299 Herbâ— William 253 Holy Hâ—rbe 18 Hercules Woundwort 241 Hightaper 112 Hipwort 235 Hyssope 75 Hollihockes 93 Hogges Fennell 30 Holme or Holly Bush 243 Holme or Holly Oak 317 Holy Thistle 139 Holy Seed 148 Holy Rose 259 Sea Holly 268 Honisuckles 111 Hops 220 Horehound 105 Horned Poppy 3 Horestrong 30 Hookheal 336 Horse mint 43 Horse tail 34 Horse tongue 64 Housleek 47 I JAck by the Hedge 131 St. James wort 76 St. Jâ—bas-wort 332 Indian Spikenard 217 Job's tears 225 Jone Silver pin 3 Juno's tears 18 Ivy. 27 Ground Ivy. 26 Juniper tree 244 Jujube tree 83 Juray or Darnell 300 K KAli or Glassewort 197 St. Katherines flower 92 Kexes or Hemlock 283 Keraelwort or Figwort 65 Kidney beans 236 Kidneywort 235 Knawell 221 Kneeholm 229 Knotgrass 221 Knotberry 261 L LAced Time Savory c. 201 Ladies Bedstraw 343 Ladies Combe 230 Ladies Mantle 89 Ladies Seal 191 Ladies Smocks 50 Ladder to Heaven 323 Lambs Lettice 97 Larch-Tree 5 Laserwort and the sorts 310 Lavender 9 Lavender Cotton 250 Lawrell or Bay-tree 241 Great Lawrell or the Cherry Bay-tree ibid. Spurge Lawrell 198 Lawrel of Alexandria 64 Laurus Tinus 241 Leeks 255 Lentils 102 Lentisk or Mastick tree 53 Lettice 97 Lambs Lettice ibid. Lichwale 225 Liquoris 73 Lignum Aloes 136 Lignum Vitae 327 Lemon tree 233 Lilly Convally 12 Water Lilly 282 Lingeor Heath 208 Liriconfancy 12 Liverwort 180 Loosestrife 338 Love in idleness 121 Lovage 248 Lungwort 106 Lupines 212 Lustwort 108 M MAdder 314 Maidenhair 16 Mayweed 141 Mallowes 93 Ladies Mantle 89 Marjerom 10 Marigolds 125 Marvel of Peru 29 Masterwort 54 Mastick tree 53 Mastick Time 290 Sweet Maudlin 182 Maybush 232 Meehoacan 192 Medick Fodder 298 Medow Saffron 119 Medow Trefoile 298 Medow Parsly 223 Medlars 41 Melilot 143 Meloâ—s 166 French Mercury 313 Dogs Mercury ibid. Meum 252 Miboile 294 Miltwast 204 Miats 43 Cat-Mint 307 Calamint 201 Mâ—riles 258 Mirabolanes 149 Misseltoe 13 Moneywort 299 Small Moonwort 297 Morrell 29 Mosse 15 Mother of Time 29 Motherwort 305 Mugwort 286 Mulberries 42 Mullein and the sorts 112 Monks Rubarb 177 Mustard 273 Hedge Mustard 109 N. NArdus or Spiknard 217 Venus Navell 235 The Nectarin tree 170 Nenuphar 282 Nep 307 Nettles 87 Dead Nettles 66 Nicotian 107 Nigella 92 Nightshade 29 Nipplewort 104 Nose bleed 294 The Bladder Nut 227 The Nutmeg tree 165 The Hasel Nut. 304 O. OAke and the Sorts 237 Oak Fern 115 Oak mosse 15 Oats 144 Oculus Christi 23 Oister green 106 Olive tree 245 One Berry 331 Onion 226 Opium 3 Orach 309 Orchis 278 Orenge tree 167 Organy 287 Orobus 212 Orpiâ—e 68 Orris 33 Osmund Ferâ—e 206 Oxe Eye 139 Oxe Tongue or Buglosse 166 Oxelips 11 P. PAigles or Cowslips 11 Palm tree 62 Palma Christi 196 278 Pansies 121 Parietary 69 Park Leaves 285 Poormans Parmacetty 35 Parsly 214 Parsly pert 222 Parsnep 251 Water Parsnep 231 Pasque Flower 291 Patience 177 Peach-tree and the sorts 170 Pear tree and the sorts 169 Pease and the sorts 271 Pellitory of the Wall 69 Penny Royall 287 Pennywort 235 Peony and the sorts 2 Pepper 164 Wall Pepper 47 Water Pepper 334 Pepperwâ—rt 316 Perwincle 96 Pestâ—lâ—â—ce-wort or Butter-bur 308 St. Peters-wort hath the same Vertues with St. Jâ—has-wort â—32 Pigeens-grasse 18 Great Pâ—lâ—-wort 65 Sâ—all Pâ—lâ—wort 255 Pimperâ—eil 341 Water Piâ—nperneil 231 Piâ—e-Tree 51 Ground Pine 318 Pistack Nuts 275 Pitch Tresoile 298 Plantain 76 Buck shorâ— Plantain 238 Plum-tree 172 Pâ—ckwood 327 Poets Râ—semary 8 Polymountain 211 Polipody 115 Pome Citron tree 129 Pomegranate tree 52 Poplar and the Sorts 28 Pâ—ppies 3 Horned Poppy ibid. Spaâ—ling Poppy ibid. Bastard wild Poppy 36 Porcelane 44 Potatees 269 Shepherds purse 35 Priests pintle 32 Prick madam 47 Primrose 11 Prunell 336 Pudding Pipe 157 Puliol Royal. 287 Purcelane and the sorts 44 Water Purslane 188 Purplewort 298 Q QUeen of the Meadowes 295 Q 〈…〉 n Tree 194 Quick grass 228 Quince Tree and the sorts 14 R. RAdish and the sorts 151 Hâ—se Râ—dish 256 Ragwort and the sorts 76 Raâ—pions and the sorts 95 Raâ—sons 72 Rape or Turnep 88 Broom Rape 193 Raspis 261 Redweed or wild Poppy 3 Reed and the sorts 82 The Sâ—gar Reed or Cane ibid. The Aromaticall Reed 218 Ray or Darnell 300 Rest harrow 57 Rhapontick 177 Ribwort 76 Wake Robbin 32 Rocket 272 Shepherds Rod 265 Roses and the sorts 19 Water Rose 282 Ros Solis 108 Rosemary 8 Poets Rosemary ibid. Red Rot 108 White Rot. 114 True Rubarb 177 Bastard Rubarb ibid. Medow Rubarb 77 Moâ—kes Rubarb 177 Ruddes 3 Medow-Rue 77 Garden Rue 21 Mountaine Rue ib. Wild Rue ib. Goates Rue 127 Wall Rue ib. Rupture-wort 321 Rice 263 Rye 166 S. SAffron 119 Sage 7 Wood Sage 131 Sage of Jerusalem 113 Solomons Sealâ— 323 Salt-wort 197 Sallow 36 Sampier 139 Saunders 90 Santliver 197 Sanicle 114 Sarza parilla 329 Saraceâ—s Consound 337 Saraceâ—s Birth-wort 312 Sassafras 193 Satyrion 278 Sawce-alone 131 Savoury and the sorts 289 Savine and the sorts 319 Saxifrage and the sorts 223 Scabious and the sorts 85 Scabwort 79 Scaleserne 204 Scarlet-Oake 217 The Scarlet graine ib. Scarwort 316 Scordiuâ— 131 Scurvygrasse and the sorts 46 Sea Colewort 190 Scottish Scurvy-grasse ib. Sea-foale-foot ib. Sea Holley 268 Sebesten 84 Selfe-heale 336 Sena 154 Bastard Sena ib. Sengreene 47 Senvy or Mustard 273 Garden Setwall 165 Mountain Setwall ib. Setter-wort 202 Share-wort 330 Shave grasse 34 Shepherds needle 230 Shepherds-purse 35 Shepherds-stasse 262 Silken Sicely 126 Sickle-wort 335 Silverneed 39 Sinkâ—cile 39 Skirrets 270 Sloe-bush 260 Smallage 186 Gardeâ— Smilax 236 Snaile Claver 298 Snakeweed 37 Snakes garlick 72 Soldanella 190 Sorrell â—nd the sorts 184 Wood Sorrell 123 Sowthiâ—â—les 31 Sowbread 40 Sowfennell 30 Southernwood 288 Spanish Potatoes 269 Sparrowes-tongue 194 Speedwell and the sorts 240 Spicknell or Spignell 252 Spicknard 217 Spinage 185 Rough Spleenwort 204 Smooth Spleenwort ib. Great Spurge or Palma Christi 196 Spurge Lawrell 198 Squtnant 160 Stabbewort 123 Staggerwort 50 Starchwort 32 Starrewort 330 Stonecrop 47 Strawberries 122 Succory 181 Sulphurwort 30 Sumack of divers sorts 257 Sundew 108 Sunflowers 79 Sweet Cicely 117 Swallowort 126 Sweet Gaule 257 Sweet Rush 219 Swines Cresses 238 Swines-grasse 221 T. English and Indian Tabacco 117 Tamarinds 203 Tamarisk and the sorts 208 Garden Tansey
the top in some places whole without any dents on the Edges and in others with a few uneven Cuts therein somewhat like a kind of Hawkweed the tops of the stalks have some small long branches which bear many smal star-like yellowish flowers on them which turn into smal seed the root is small and threddy and yeeldeth a bitter milk as the others do The Places and Time The first groweth in divers places as upon Walls under hedges upon the banck of ditches and the border of fields almost every where The other Clusius sayes he found in Hungary and in Saxonies Harcynia sylva and other places the last is found neer Woodsides and Hedg-rowes They flower in the Summer and the seed ripeneth soon after The Temperature If Gerard mistake not as Mr. Parkinson saith he doth fowly about this plant it is of nature hot and somewhat abstersive or scowring The Vertues I believe there are few Women that ever gave suck but know in some sort what a pain it is to be troubled with sore Nipples I am sure I have known those that have not only affirmed it but also by their lamentable outcries confirmed that there is scarce any pain like unto it and it may well be because the veines and arteries of the breast do concenter therein which makes it sensible of the least diâ—â—eâ—per that can be For a remedy hereunto it hath been by experience found that woodden or rather silver nipples or those made of chalk are very effectuall if there be laid under them upon the Nipple a Violet leaf a Rose Campion Leaf or which is most proper a leaf of Dockcresse which as I said before some call Nipplewort from the extraordinary vertues it hath to heal Womens breasts and their Nipples when they are sore and exulcerated as the Women in Prussia very well know and therefore they call it Papillaris which induceth us to think not with Gerard but rather with Parkinson that it hath an especial healing quâ—lity therein and that it is temperate in heat and drynesse with some tenuity of parts able to digest the virulency of those sharp humours that break out into thoâ—e parts I shall trouble you no further with any more plants though there be divers which might occasionally be spoken to upon this Subject hoping that the female Sex whose welfare I do exceedingly tender will vouchsafe to accept thâ—se my directions and I doubt not but they will find ease thereby upon this account I shall now return from whence I digressed and that is from the inside of the Breast and Lungs to which I shall now speak somewhat more particularly CHAP. CV Of Horehound The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Prasium and Marrubium which name is also attributed both to the â—â—nking kind which is properly called Ballete and to the sweet Pâ—iny hath confounded the words Prasium and Prasum id est Porrum a Leek together which he might easily do there being but a letter difference But I hope this Caveat will prevent the Reader from doing the like It is called Marrubium ab amaro succo Rob signifying Juyce and Marrubiastrum The Kindes Herbarists reckon up Eight sorts of Horehound 1. Common Horehound 2. White Spanish Horehound 3. Sweet Candy Horehound 4. Unsavory Candy Horehound 5. French Horehound 6. Curled White Horehound 7. Spanish black Horehound 8. Black French Horehound with long leaves The Forme Common Horehound groweth up with square hoary stalks about a foot and sometimes about half a yard high or more set at the joynts with two round crumpled or as it were rough leaves of a sullen hoary green colour of a reasonable good scent but of a very bitter taste The flowers are small white and gaping set in rough hard prickly husks round about the joynts with the leaves from the middle of the stalks upwards wherin afterwards is found small round blackish seed The Root is blackish hard and Wooddy with many strings thereat which dyeth not but abideth many years The Places and Time The first iâ— found in many places of our land in dry grounds and waste green places particularly under the Park Wall at Greenwiâ—h on that side next the â—eâ—â—s neer the way that goeth from thence to Colonel Blunts house The â—eâ—ond came from Spain and being sown of the seed abideth The third in â—ike manner was sown from seed that came from Candy as the fourth was also The â—â—th was found growing about Paris in France The sixth ni Germany The â—eventh in Spain and the last about Mompelier in fat grounds and sometimes in the Wheat â—eâ—ds The Temperature Horehound as Galen teacheth is hot in the second degree and dry in the third and of a bitter taste The Vertues A decoction of dryed Horehound with the seed or the juyce of the green heâ—b taken with hony iâ— a â—emedy for those that are purly and shoâ—t winâ—ed 〈◊〉 thoâ— that have a Cough and for such as by long sicknesse or thin diâ—â—iâ—ation o◠〈◊〉 upon the Lungs are waâ—ed and fallen into a Conâ—umption it helpeth to 〈◊〉 â—way tough Phâ—egm from the Chest being taken with the â—râ—ed â—ooâ— o◠〈…〉 is whiâ—h is flower de Luce. It is given to Women to bring down their Courâ—es and to expell the after-birth as also to those that have sore and â—ong traveâ—s it is also given to them that have taken poyson or are bitten oâ—â—â—ung by any Veremous Serpents or beasts but it hurteth the Bâ—adder and Reins and must noâ— be used in hot and dry bodies yet if Raiâ—ns and Liquorice be used therewith it is lesse hurtful to them and more proâ—â—tabâ—e to other parts The leaves being uâ—ed with hony do purge foul Ulcers stay running or creeping sores and the growing of the flesh over Nailes it helpeth the paines of the â—â—des openeth stopping both of Liver and Spleen kills Worms and is good for such as have the Itch Scab or any running Sore The Juyce thereof with Wine and Hony helpeth to clear the Eyesight snuffed up into the Nostrills helpeth to purge away the yellow Jaundiâ—e and either of it self or with a little Oyl of Roses being dropped into the Ears easeth the paines of them The green leaves bruiâ—ed and boyled with old Hogs Lard into an ointment healeth the bitings of Dogs abateth the swellings of Womens breasts and taketh away the swellings and paines that come by any pricking of thorns or any such like thing Used with Vinegar it cleanseth and healeth Tetters If saith Matthiolus you boyl two ounces of fresh Horehound in three pints of good White wine with the roots of Buglosse Elecampane and Agrimony of each one drachm and an half of Rubarb and Lignum Aâ—oes of each a drachm till half be consumed and strained hereby is made an excellent medicine to help the yellow Jaundise that cometh by the obstruction of the Vessells and overflowing of the Gall if two ounces thereof having a little Sugar put to it to sweeten it
be taken fasting for nine daies together but he counselleth that if they that take this medicine have an Ague the â—ecoction must be made with water and not with Wine The decoction thereof is a singular medicine for Women that are troubled with the Whites if they sit over it whiâ—est it is warm the same also healeth any scabs whether they be dry or moist if the places be bathed therewith Being stamped and put into new Milk and set in any place overpestered with flyes it will soon destroy them all The Syrup of it is most effectual for old Coughs to bring away tough â—eam as also for oâ—d men and others whose Lungs are oppressed with thin and cold Rheum to help to avoid it and for those that are asthmatick shortwinded CHAP. CVI. Of Lungwort The Names WHether this heâ—b was so far taken notice of by any of the ancient Greeks oâ— Latine Writers as to reâ—eive a name â—â—om them is not yet found The Phyâ—tiâ—ns and Herbariâ—s of later times have called it Pulmonaria of the likenesse of the â—orm which it hath with the Lungs or Lights calleâ—â—n Latine Pulmones of some Lichen and Lâ—chen arborum in Engâ—sh Lungwort Tree Lungwort and Wood Liver â—ort The Kindes To this kind I find but three sorts that may be properly referred and those are 1. Tree Lungwort 2. Sea Lungwort or Oiâ—ter Green 3. Sea Oake or Wrake The Form Lungwort is a kind of Mosse that groweth on sundry sorts of trees especially Oakes and Beeches with broad grayish tough leaves diversly folded crumpâ—ed and gashed in on the edges and sometimes spotted also with many small â—pots on the upper side it was never â—een to bear any stalk or flower at any time The Places and Time It groweth upon the Bodies of old Oaks Beeches and other wild Trees in thiâ—k and dark shady woods and is â—ometimes found growing upon rocks and other shadowy places and as I have been particularly informed not far from Croydon in Surry It flourisheth eâ—pecially in the Summer Moneths The Sea Lungwoâ—t or Oiâ—â—er green groweth upon rocks within the boweâ—s of the Sea but especially where Oiâ—â—ers breed The Sea Wrake is found upon the drowned rocks which are naked and bare of water at every tyde The Temperature Lungwort is thought to be of a cold and dry quality but as for the temperatures of the other two I have not met with any that have passed their censure upon them The Signature and Vertues The similitude that Lungwort hath with the lungs as also the speckels which are sometimes found thereon is a perfect Signature that this plant is to be appropriated to the lungs and therefore it hath been commended by Physitians of former times and hath been expeâ—imentally approved by the learned of this age to be veâ—y effectual against the â—iseaâ—es of the lungs especially for the ulcers and inflammations of the same being brought into powder and drunk in Water and also for Coughs Wheesings and shortnesse of breath and likewise for spitting of blood and pissing of blood It is likewise commended for bloody and green wounds and for Ulcers in the secret parts and also to stay the Reds in Women Moreover it stoppeth the bloody flix and other flixes and scowrings either upwards or downwards especially if they proceed of choler it sâ—ayeth Vomiting and stoppeth the loosenesse of the belly It is reported that shepherds and certain horse Doctors do with good successe give the powder hereof with salt unto their sheep Horses and other cattle which be troubled with the Cough and are broken winded Oyster-green fryed with egs and made into a Tansey and eaten is a singular remedy to strengthen the weaknesse of the back CHAP. CVII Of Tobacco The Names I Cannot understand that Tobacco was known before the discovery of the West-Indies and if so it cannot be expected that I should tell you by what name the Greek Writers called it they being deceased long before It is called in Latine Petum and Nicotiana from John Nicot a French man who being an Agent in Portugal for the French King sent some of it to the French Queen whereupon it was also called Herba Regina The Indians call it Picielt and Perebecenâ—e but in most other languages it is called Tobacco The Kinds To set down the several sorts of Tobacco that are brought into England is beyond my skill The sorts that I have read and heard of though perhaps the same plant planted in several Countries are 1. Spanish Tobacco which â—ome affirm to be brought into Spain from Virginia and other places and that it is there made up and transported into England and called Spanish Tobacco 2. Ordinary Virginia Tobacco which is a great deal lesse esteemed and sold for lesse then half the rate 3. English Tobacco which is so called not that it is natural of England but because it is more commonly with Us growing in every coâ—ntry Garden almost and endureth better here then the other I have heard of Trinidada Autego S. Christophers VVinscomb Tobacco which I suppose to be â—o called from the places where they grow It will be more to our purpoâ—e to give you the description of that which is called English Tobacco and therefore take it as followes The Form English Tobacco riseth up with a thick round stalk sometime two foot high whereon do grow thick fat green leaves nothing so large as the other Indian kinds somewhat round pointed also and nothing dented about the Edges The stalk brancheth forth and beareth at the tops divers flowers set in green Husks somewhat like the flowers of Henbane but nothing so large scarce standing above the brims of the Husks round pointed also and of a greenish yellow colour The seed that followeth is not very bright but large contained in great heads The roots are neither great nor woody perishing every year with the hard frosts in Winter but generally of its own sowing if it be let alone after it hath been once sowed The Places and Time Though that Tobacco which beareth away the Bell from the rest be as I said called Spanish Tobacco yet there is for ought I can learn but very little Tobacco growing in Spain if any at all but is brought thither out of the provinces of America one of which where it was first found is called Peru from whence it is named Hyoscyamus Peruvicanus but improperly though some would have it to be a sort of Henbane It groweth also in Brasil which is another Country of the West Indies whence the seed being brought into England and sown hath prospered very well in those soils that have been fruitful and especially about VVinscomb in Glocestershire where I think the planting of it is discontinued now because the store that came from thence was an hinderance to the publick revenue coming in for the Custome of that which is brought from beyond the Seas Howbeit it is continued in many Gardens though in no great quantity It flowreth from June