helpeth to expectorate rotten phlegme from those which are troubled with a continual Cough and is profitable also for the Ptisick or Consumption of the Lungs This Turpentine as it is clearest for inward uses and serveth insteed of the true Turpentine so well that they are commonly used out for another so is it best also for outward salves and doth both draw cleanse and heal all sores or ulcers and green wounds and therefore there is scarce a salve for that purpose wherein Turpentine is not Oyl drawn Chymically from Turpentine is singular good to be used in wounds being more drying and consolidating then the Turpentine it self as also to warm and ease the paines of the Joynts and Sinews caused of Cold and being mixed with a little Oxe Gall it is good for the worms and deafness of the ears The water which is distilled with the Oyl is used for freckles and spots in the face and a scruple weight of it taken in white Wine purgeth phlegme by Vomit Some use to mingle Bay Salt and Turpentine together and therewith spread a leathern girdle which being worn about the wast of them that have the Itch cureth them So Parkinson it being an Excrescence is good for all manner of excrescences by Signature CHAP. VI. Of Wood Betony The names SOme of the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it joyeth most in cold places Ruellius in his translation of Dioscorides calls it Cestron â—sychótrophon the Latines call it Betonica and Vetonica from the Vetones a people of Spain that first found out the vertues of it as Pliny saith We in England call it Wood Betony and it hath been formerly called Betayne or Betaine Parkinson adâ—ertiâ—eth that Vetonica and Betonica are diversly taken in divers Authors for Vetonica although it be set down in some Authors for Betonica yet more properly and usually it is understood to be the Caryophylius or Gilliflower and then it is denominated Vetonica altilis The Kinds Of this Betony for of the Water Betony I shall not treat in this place because it is more appropriated to other parts there are four or five sorts differing one from another either in the leaf or flower 1. Common Wood Betonâ— which hath a purple flower 2. Wood Betony with white flowers 3 Betonica minima Alpina Helvetica Small Mountain Betony 4. Betonica Danica Broad-leaved Betony 5. Betonica Alopecuros montana dicta Foxtail Betony That which I shall describe is the Common Wood-Betony The Formâ— The ordinary or Common Betony which because it is most frequent in Woods is called Wood Betony it hath many leaves rising from the root the lowermost whereof are somewhat broad and round at the ends slightly indented about the edges the footstalks being pretty long but those that grow by two and two at the joynts upon the small slender foursquare and somewhat hairy stalks are a great deal lesser The stalk is commonly near a foot high whereon are set several spiked heads of flowers of a reddish or purple colour spotted with white spots all over the seeds are somewhat long and uneven and of a blackish colour The root consists of many white threddy strings like unto those of Plantain the stalk perisheth but the roots with some leaves theron abide all the Winter the whole plant is somewhat small and therefore Gerard was mistaken who sayes that it hath long and broad leaves The Place and Time The Common Betony loveth shadowie places as Woods hedg-rows Copses the borders of pastures Parks c. That with the white flower is more usually found in stiffe clay grounds then in any other mould as in the VVoods by Brumley in Kent in a wood near a Village called Hampsteed and in Broodsworth VVood in Yorkeshire The third groweth on the Alpes of Helvetia or Switzerland The broad leaved or Danish Betony groweth in the Physick Garden at Oxford The last as Lugdunensis saith groweth in the moist vallies that are shadowed with trees of the high hills They flower and flowrish for the most part in the moneths of June and July and the seed ripeneth quickly after The Temperature and Vertues Betony though it grow wilde yet it is set in many Gardens and is hot and dry almost if not quite in the second degree The vertues of it are innumerable as Antonius Musa one of the Physicians of Augustus Caesar who hath written a peculiar Book of this Herb doth testifie but especially it is good for the brain so that as Fernelius writeth Cerebrum vel odore solorecreat hinc Comitiâ—libus furiosisque medetur Paralysin torpentiaque membra persanat The hairy Roots of this Herb are some Signature that it is good for the head If it be stamped and applyed to the fore-head of them that are frantick or possest with Devils it cureth them Boyl it with Vervein and Worm-wood in water and wash the head therewith and grind the same Herbs with some of the water and Wheaten Bran and apply it hot to the mould of the head thrice and it will cause the Head-ach to depart Seeth it with Vervein Hore-hound and Hysop in White-wine and apply them as liot as may be suffered and it cureth the Megrim which is a pain that possesseth one side of the head If the Head-ach proceed of cold Flegm seeth Betony in Wine with a third part of water and apply it For noyses in the head pains and giddiness thereof drink powder of the leaves dryed in the shade or rather eat it with slices of bread steeped in Wine first and last to restore the brain which is done likewise by taking some of the powder of it in Pottage and thus or green it helpeth those that loath their meat for it procureth digestion and allayeth the soure belchings and risings in the stomack if it be used often The Leaves or Flowers boyled in broth and drunk or made into a Conserve Water Electuary or Powder as any one shall like best do help the Jaundies Falling-sickness the Palsie Conâ—ulsions or shrinking of the Sinews the Gout and those which are inclined unto Dropsies those that have continual pains in their head though it turn to Phrensie The Powder mixed with pure Honey is no lesse available for all sorts of Coughs or Colds wheesing or shortness of breath and those Distillations upon the Lungs which cause Consumptions A dram of it taken in the Syrup of Vinegar doth wonderfully refresh those which are wearied by travel it stayeth bleeding at the mouth and nose and helpeth those that pisse blood or spit it The Decoction of it being made with Mead and a little Penny-Royal is good for those that are troubled with Quartan Agues and to draw down and evacuate the blood and humours that by falling into the eyes do hinder sight Being boyled in Wine and taken it killeth the Worms openeth obstructions of Spleen and Liver cureth stitches and pains in the back or sides the torments and griping pains of the Bowels and the
Water because of the Strangury or the like Half a dram of the seed beaten to powder and taken in drink killeth the worms in the body and bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth Urine A Syrupe made of the juyce and Sugar cureth the yellow Jaundise easeth the Headach that comes of heat and tempereth the drought of the Liver and Stomack and therefore it is very profitable to be given in long and hot Agues that rise of Choler and Blood The juyce of the Leaves dropped into the Eares cleanseth the corrupt sores therein and helpeth the stench arising from the corruption of them The greatest use that is made of the heads of the Hops is to put them in Beer to alter the quality thereof and to preserve the body from the repletion of grosse humors which Ale being a thicker â—iquor doth ingender of which it was said Nil Spâ—ssius est dum bibitur nil clarius dum mingitur unde constat multas faces in ventre relinqui It is drunk thick it is pissed out thin whence it appeares that many dregs are left behind CHAP. CCXXI Of Knot-Grasse The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Polygonum quod multis genâ—bus crescit because of its many joynts which name most of our Latine writers follow yet there be some that call it Seminalis Sanguinalis Sanguinaria Proserpluaria from its stanching of blood and ceeping upon the ground It is called in the shops of Italy and other places Corrigiola and Centinodia of the severall properties to correct the heat of the Stomack and Body and from creeping upon the ground In English Knot-Grasse Swines grasse because Swine delight to feed thereon in the North Country of divers Birds-tongue of the form of the Leafe some also call it Pink-Weed and some Nine Joynts of its great number of Joynts The Kinds The sorts which may more properly be referred to this kind are fourteen 1. The greater Common Knot-Grasse 2. The Lesser Common Knot-Grasse 3. Smaâ—l short leafed Knot-Grasse 4. Stoney Knot-Grasse 5. The greater Sea Knot-Grasse 6. The Lesser Sea Knot-Grasse 7. White Mountaine Knot-Grasse 8. Mountaine Knot-Grasse with Stone crop Leaves 9. Spanish Knot-Grasse 10. Small Knot-Grasse of Mompelier 11. Candy Knot-Grasse 12. Lobels Knot-Grasse with Mother of Time Leaves 13. Germans Knot-Grasse or Knawell 14. Another German Knot-Grasse The Form The greater Common Knot-Grasse shooteth forth many long slender branches full of Joynts lying upon the ground with divers long narrow Leaves thereon one for the most part at a Joynt whereat especially from the middle of the branches upwards come forth the Flowers which are so small that they can very hardly be perceived in some of a white in others of a purple colour running afterwards into very small square seed somewhat like unto that of Sorrell The root is reddish long and slender with many strings thereat abiding divers Winters yet the Leaves perish in the Autume and are renewed in the Spring The Places and Time The two first sorts grow every where both by the foot-wayes in the fields especially at the ends of those Lands whereon Winter corn groweth and sometimes by the sides of those High-wayes and old walls The third groweth upon higher grounds and upon Hills and Mountaines The fourth in the same places also in the more stoney parts thereof The fifth and sixt by the Sea side in divers places The seventh in France and Spaine The eighth in Naples The Ninth about Mountaines in France that are neer the Sea The thirteenth about Chipnam in Wiltshire as also in Germany by the way sides where the last groweth also They are in flower and seed all the Summer long The Temperature Knot-Grasse is cold in the second degree or else in the beginning of the third yet it is of a binding quality which signifies that it is dry The Vertues A dram of the powder of Knot-Grasse taken in Wine for many dayes together is singular good to provoke Urine when it is stopped as also when it passeth away by drops and with paine and when it is hot and sharp also and withall to expell wonderfully the Gravell or Stone in the Reines or Bladder Being shred and made into a Tansy with Egges and eaten it greatly prevaileth against the Gonorrhea or runnâ—ng of the Reines also and the weaknesse of the Back coming by meanes thereof The juyce or decoction thereof is most effectuall to stay any bleeding at the mouth and to coole and temper the heat of the blood or of the Stomack and to stay any flux of the blood or Humors either of the belly or womb as the Bloody flux Womens courses both white and red pissing of blood c. The juyce given before the fit of the Tertian or Quartaine Ague comes not onely hindereth it for the present but driveth it quite away as it is said being boiled in wine and drunk it helpeth those that are stung or bitten with Venemous Creatures and the same is very effectuall to stay all defluxions of Rheumatick humors falling down upon the Stomack and killeth wormes in the belly or Stomack and easeth all inward paines that arise of heat sharpnesse and corruption of blood and Choler and is good for inward wounds The distilled water taken by it self or with the powder of the herb or seed is very effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid The juyce hereof stayeth the bleeding of the Nose being applyed to the forehead and Temples or to be snuffed up in the Nose the same cooleth all manner of inflammations as St. Anthonies fire or any other breaking forth of heat all hot swellings and Impostumations all eating fretting or burning sores and fistulous Cancers or foule filthy Ulcers being applyed or put into them but principally for all sorts of Ulcers and sores in the privy parts of Men or Women restraining the humors from following them and cooling and drying up the hot and moist inflammations that are apt to waite upon such sores in such places It helpeth all fresh and green wounds also by restraining the blood and quickly closeth up the Lips of them The juyce dropped into the Eares helpeth them wonderfully although they are foul and have running matter in them and helpeth the Inflammations of the Eyes being put therein The Sea Knot-Grasse is not effectuall as is thought for the griefes aforesaid because the saltnesse which it is supposed to acquire by its nearnesse to the Sea maketh it hotter yet where penetration and not cooling is required it is more forcible then any other The smaller sorts come nearer to the temperature of the Sea kind then of the Land yet they serve to provoke Urine and expell the stone and Gravell by Urine and so doth Knavell where the other is not to be had which is scarcely in any part of this Land CHAP. CCXXII Of Parsly Pert or Parsly Breakstone The Names IT may called be in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is in Latin Polygonum Selinoâ—des I say it may
Vulgar call Weedes and indeed there is a great deale of prettynesse in every one of them if they be narrowly observed yet divers of them are so pernicious to Corne and other things of greater use and value by their strangling qualities that the names above mentioned have not been given them without some reason CHAP. CCXLVIII Of Centory The Names IT is divided into two kinds a greater and a lesser which might be treated of in two distinct Chapters yet for their names sakes and somwhat for their qualities I shall joyne them in one though of different forms The greater is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Centaurium magnum which is generally affirmed to have received its name from Chiron the Centaure who healed himselfe herewith after that he had wounded his foot by the fall of one of Hercules's Arrowes out of his hand when he received Hercuâ—es as â—iâ—â—ueâ— and therefore of some was â—aâ—ed 〈◊〉 It hath formerly though falsely been called Rha Pont cum and uâ—â—â— insteed thereof that being a kind of Rubaâ—be The lesser is caâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek Centaurium parvum and minus in Latine and Centaurea as also â—â—râ—s for the extraordinary bitternesse thereof and Febrâ—fuga of cuâ—ing Feaâ—â—â—â—â—gh that name properly belong to another Plant calâ—ed Feaveâ—ew of â—â—â—e also Multiradâ—x but why I know not Dioscorides saith it was calâ—ed Limâ—â—n and Pliny Libadâ—oâ— because it â—oveth to grow in moiâ—â— places yet in our Country it loveth to grow in dry places also It is called in English Small Century and the lesser Centory The Kinds Of these two kinds above named there be Eleaven sorts foure of the greater and seaven oâ— the lesser 1. The Common Great Centory 2. The Pyrenean gâ—eat Centory 3. The great Centory of Portugall 4. The great yellow Centory 5. The red ordinary small Centory 6. White flowered Centory 7. Small spiked Centory 8. Small yellow Centory 9. Small yellow thorough leased branched Centory 10. Small yellow unbranched Centory 11. The least yellow Centory The Form Though I have set the greatest Centory foremost for his greatnesse sake yet the lesser being thaâ— at whose Vertues I cheifely aâ—â—e take the description thereof as followeth The red ordinary small Centory groweth most commonly but with â—â—â— round and somwhat creâ—â—ed stalke not above halfe a foot high at most that eâ—er I saw branching forth at the top into many sprigs and some also from the joynts of the stalkes below At the extremities of the branches there stand as it weâ—e in an Umbell or tuâ—t divers small flowers of a pale red colour tending to a Caâ—â—tion consisting of six but usually of five small Leaves somwhat like unto those of St. Johns-wort which in the day time when the Sun shineth open themselves and towards the evening shut themselves againe after which cometh the seed in little short Huskes in for â—e like unto Wheat Cornes but much lesser The Leaves are small and somwhat round like unto those of St. Johns-wort but lesser The root is small and hard The Places and Time The first and third grow upon the Alpes and Mount Baldus the name of the second will discover its place the fourth is a naturall of Mount Baldus also the â—â—ft is found almost every where in fields pastures and woods as in a field by Oxford highway from Baubury not farre from Beechen Tree and in a place called New-paâ—â—ure in the Common fields of Adderbury East not farre from the high way side and in some of Walton grounds which are on the other side the River Charwell and other places that I could name the sixth is not so frequent the seaventh about Momâ—eâ—â—er and neere unto Padoâ— upon the Euganean Hilles the eighth in a field next Sr. Francis Carew's house in Kent at Beddington neere Croydâ—â— and in many other places where the other sorts are somtimes found and removed into the Gardens of the curious where some of the greater sorts may be also seene They do all flower about July and give their seed in August only the Portugall kind is seldom brought to flower in our Country much lesse to seed The Temperature The great Centory is hot and dry in the third degree The lesser is hot and dry in the second degree and very bitter The Vertues and Signature Both the Centories are commended for gripings in the Belly yet because the lesser it most effectuall to that purpose I shall set down the Vertues thereof The decoction thereof being made in Wine Ale or posset drink is very available in severall diseases of the Belly as the Chollick Costivenes Wormes and the like purging Phlegme and Choler and provoking Sweat It is given with very good successe to those that are perplexed with Agues for it openeth the stoppings of the Liver Gall and Spleene helping the Jaundise which the yellow sort doth by Signature for that especially purgeth Choller as the white doth Phlegme and Water and the Red cleanseth the Blood maketh thin both it and the humors by the cleansing and bitter qualities It is usefull in the Sciatica helpeth those that have the Dropsy and the green sicknesse for it bringeth down the Courses of women It helpeth also to avoid the Dead Birth and helpeth the paines of the Mother and is very effectuall in all paines of the Joynts as the Gout Cramp or Convulsions Being boiled in White Wine or Ale with Liquorice and strained and drunk Morning and Evening it openeth the Obstructions of the Chest and Lungs and a little Sugar-Candy added it is a good Remedy against Hoarsnesse and the Ptisick The decoction of the tops of the Stalkes with the Leaves and flowers which are most in use being taken inwardly and the boyled Herb that is taken forth applyed ovtwardly helpeth both the paines of the sides and hardnesse of the Spleene A dram of the powder thereof taken in Wine is a wonderfull good help against the bitting and poyson of any Venemous Creatures Being boiled in Water and drunk it provoketh Appetite cleanseth the Stomack and Breast purgeth the Back and Reines and healeth whatsoever is amisse in them The juyce of the Herb mixed with a little Honey is good to cleare the Eâ—â—s 〈◊〉 Dimnesse mists or Clouds that hinder the sight and is singular good â—or green or fresh wounds and also for old Ulcers and Sores to close up the one and to cleanse the other and perfectly cure them both although they be fistulous and hollow the green Herb especially being bruised laid to The decoction thereof being dropped into the Eares cleanseth them from wormes cleanseth â—he foule Ulcers and spreading Scabs of the Head and taketh away Freckles Spots and Markes in the skin being washed therewith The greater Centory is appropriated especially to Wounds because it helpeth those that spit blood or bleed much at the Mouth two drams at the Root in powder taken in Wine or Water Neither is the Root but the whole Plant very available also in
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-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
a yard long or longer bearing flowers towards the top compact of six leaves joyned together whereof three that stand upright are bent inward one toward another and in those leaves that hang downwards there are certain rough and hairy Welts growing or rising from the nether part of the leaf upward almost of a yellow colour The Roots be long thick and knobby with many hairy threds hanged thereat but being dry it is without them and white The Places and Time These Fowerdeluces aforementioned and many more though they grow naturally in Africa Greece Italy and France and some in Germany yet they are nursed up in the Cardens of those who are lovers of such varieties Gladwin groweth wild in many places as in woods and shaddowy places near the Sea here in England and so doth the Water Flowerdeluce in moist meddows and in the borders and brinks of rivers ponds and standing Lakes but though it be natural to such places yet being planted in Gardens it prospereth weâ—â— The dwarâ—e kind of Flag Flowerdeluces flower in April the greater in May and the bulbous sorts not until June the Gladwin not till July The Seed is ripe in the end of August or beginning of September yet the husks after they are ripe will hold their seeds with them two or three moneths and not shed them The Temperature The Roots of the Flowerdeluce when they are green and full of Juyce are hot almost in the fourth degree but when it is dry it is hot only in the third yet then it burneth the throat and mouth of such as tast thereof It offendeth the stomach and causeth blood to be voided if given in too great a Dose and to weak persons It is not safe to be taken by Women with child because it bringeth down the courses yea a Pessary made of the Juyce with Honey and put up into the body bringeth away the birth therefore it is not safe to give it alone but with good Correctives In gripings of the bowels give it with Mastick in the Joynt gout with Castor in the Dropsie with Honey of Roses in diseases of the Liver with Rubarbe Juyce of Agrimony c. The Signature and Vertues The Juyce of the Root of the Common Fowerdeluce being first extracted afterwards set a while to clear and then put up into the Nostrills provoketh sneesing and thereby purgeth the head of flegme so that though some one may say this plant is not proper to the Nose yet as long as it may be appropriated to the head we are not quite out of our Sphear for it easeth the pain of the head and procureth Rest if it be applyed with Rose Cake and Vinegar it cleanseth spots in the Eyes and helpeth watry Eyes by cleansing them The Roots are effectual to warm and comfort all cold Joynts and Sinewes as also to ease the Gout and Sciatica and mollifieth dissolveth and consumeth all Scrophulous tumours and swellings by Signature especially made into an Oyl called Oleum Irinum which oyl also helpeth the Cramp and Convulsion the rheum that is cold and distilling from the head and being nointed on the breast it helpeth to extenuate or make thin tough and cold phlegm making it more easy to spit out it helpeth the stench of the Nostrils the pain and noise in the Ears and much easeth the painful Piles The root it self green or in powder doth cleanse heal and incarnate wounds and covers with flesh the naked bones which Ulcers have made bare and is also good to cleanse and heal up Fistulaes and Cancers that are hard to be cured It helpeth the pains and swellings of the Cods if it be thus used Take of the roots in powder half an ounce Cinamom and Dill of each two drachms Saffron a scruple mix them well together lay them on a Scarlet Cloth moistned in White wine and apply it warm to the Cods The green roots bruised and applyed to black and blew marks in the skin taketh them away and all other discolouring of the skin whether Morphew or the like but it is better to apply it with red Rose water and a little Lin-Seed Oyl ot oyl of Parmacity in manner of a Pultis Moreover a decoction of the roots gargled in the Mouth easeth the Tooth-ach and helpeth a strong or stinking breath Being mixed with a little Honey and drunk it purgeth and cleanseth the stomach of gross and tough phlegme and choler therein it likewise helpeth the Jaundice and the Dropsie by evacuating those humours both upward and downwards it easeth also the paines of the belly and sides the shaking of Agues the diseases of the Liver and Spleen the Worms in the belly the Stone in the Reins Convulsions or Cramps that come of cold humours and helpeth those whose seed passeth from them unawares It is a remedy against the bitings and stingings of venemous Creatures being boyled in water and Vinegar and drunk being boyled in Wine and drunk it provoketh Urine and the Cholick An Electuary made hereof called Dia-ireos Solomonis is very good for the Lungs and helps cold infirmities of them as Asthmaes Coughs difficulty of breathing c. You may take it with a Liquoris stick or on the point of a knife a little of it at a time and often CHAP. XXXIIII Of Hors-tail The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Hippuris in Latine also by divers Equâ—setum or Cauda Equina which is the same with Hippuris of the forme oâ— an Horsetail which the stalk of leaves being turned downwards doth resemble By other names it is likewise called as Equinalis and by Pliny Equâ—sclis and of some Salix Equina and Sangu nalis from the powerfull efficâ—cy it hath to stench blood and of others Asprella because of its ruggednesse which hath not formerly been unknown to Country Houâ—wives who with the rougher kind hereof called in English Shavegrass did as now with Elder Leaves but more effectually scowre their Pewter Brass and Woodâ—en Vessels and therefore it hath been by some of them called Pewterwort but I think that piece of thriftinesse with many other are laid aside which might profitably be revived if they knew it Of some it is called Ephedra Anabasis and Caucon Fletchers also and Combe makers polish their work therewith The Kindes There be hereof fourteen sorts mentioned by modern Writers 1. The greater Marsh Horsetail 2. Broad leafed Horsetail 3. Small Marsh Horsetail 4. Barren Marsh Horsetail 5. The smallest and finest leafed Horsetail 6. Many headed Horsetail 7. Rush or naked Horsetail 8. Branched Rush Horsetail 9. Small party coloured Horsetail 10. Stinking Horsetail 11. The great Meadow Horse-tail 12. Corn Horsetail 13. Wood Horsetail 14. Mountain Horsetail of Candy The Form The greater Horsetail that groweth in wet grounds at the first springing hath heads somewhat like to those of Asparagus and after grow to be hard rough hollow stalks joynted at sundry places up to the top a foot high so made as if the lower part
hath a thick short knobbed Root blackish without and somewhat reddish within a little crooked or writhed together of an harsh or astringent tast with divers blackish Fibres growing thereat from whence spring up every year divers Leaves standing upon long foot-stalks being somewhat long and broad very like unto a Dock-Leaf and a little pointed at the ends but that it is crumpled of a blewish green colour on the upper side and of an Ash colour gray and a little Purplish underneath having divers veins therein from among which arise divers small and slender stalks about half a yard high almost naked and without Leaves or with very few narrow ones bearing a spiky bush of pale flesh coloured Flowers which being past there abideth small Seed somewhat like unto Sorrel-Seed but greater The Places and Time The two first grow at the foot of Hills and in shadowy moyst Woods near unto them in many places of Germany and in our Country likewise in moyst and watery places particularly in a Meadow about a stones throw above the Abby Mill at St. Albans about an Acres breadth or somewhat more from the River side where the common Bistort groweth plentifully though it be chiefly nourished in Gardens The fourth groweth in VVestmerland about Crosby in Cumberland about Ravenswaith in York-shire Lancashire and divers other places The third groweth on the high Hills in Silesia and other places The two last are round on the Alps in divers places and the last also amongst the Switzers They all flower about the end of May and the Seed is ripe about the beginning of July The Temperature Bistort is cold and dry in the third Degree and very astringent The Signature and Vertues This Plant hath a double Signature both proceeding from the Roots the one from the colour of the inside of them the other from the writhed or twisted form The bloody colour of the Roots betokeneth that it is effectuall to stay the bleeding of the Nose and all manner of inward bleeding and spitting of blood as also any Fluxes of the body in man or woman and likewise vomiting the Powder of the Root in Wine or the decoction thereof being drunk The juyce hereof being put up into the Nose prevaileth much against the Diâ—ease called Polypus and all other Sores or Cancers that happen in the Nose or any other part but the surest way is first to wash them with the distilled water and afterwards to apply the Powder of the Root thereto It is good also to fasten the Gums and to take away the heat and Inflammation that happen as well in the Jawes Almonds of the Throat or Mouth if the decoction of the Roots Leaves or Seeds be used or the juyce of them The Root of Bistort Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allome of each a like quantity beaten small and made into a Past with Honey a little peece thereof put into an hollow Tooth or holden between the teeth if they be not hollow stayeth the defluxions of Rheum upon them when it is the cause of their pain and helpeth to cleanse the Head and void much offensive matter The wreathed form of the Root is a sign that is good against the bitings of Serpents or Snakes for which it is found to be very effectuall as also for the venoming of Toads Spiders Adders or the like venomous Creatures if the place be washed with the water that is distilled from the Root and Leaves A dram of the powdered Root taken in drink expelleth the Venom of the Plague the small Pox Measels Purples or any other infectious Disease driving it forth by sweating The Powder of the Root or the decoction thereof being drunk is very available against Ruptures or burstings or all bruises or falls whatsoever dissolving the congealed blood and easing the pains that happen thereupon The said decoction being made with Wine and drunk hindereth abortion that is when Women are apt to miscarry in Child-bearing the Leaves kill worms in Children and is a great help to them that cannot keep their water if some juyce of Plantain be put thereto which applyed outwardly doth give much help in the Gonorrhaea or running of the Reins A dram of the Powder of the Root taken in the water thereof wherein some red hot Iron or Steel hath been quenched is also an admirable help thereto so as the body be first prepared and purged from the offensive humours The Leaves Seeds or Roots are all very good in Decoctions Drinks or Lotions for invard or outward wounds or other sores and the Powder strewed upon any Cut or Wound in a vein stayeth the immoderate bleeding thereof The Decoction of the Roots in water whereupon some Pomegranate Pills and Flowers are added injected into the Matrix stayeth the access of humours to the Ulcers thereof and bringeth it to its right place being fallen down and stayeth the immoderate Flux of the Courses The Roots are most used in Physick and will keep good a year or two The Dose in Powder is from a scruple to a dram into Decoction from a drachm to two or three which is made by bruising a sufficient quantity of the root suppose two drachms and boyling it in half a pint of Posâ—et drink till about half be consumed then strain it and give the clearest to be drunk in a morning CHAP. XXXVIII Of Tormentil The Names THough none of the Greek writers have mentioned this herb yet it hath got a Greek name and is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septem et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 folium that is Seven-leaves but not properly it being only one leaf cut into seven divisions For there is a general rule in all Leaves whether of herbs or trees that that which falleth away with the stalk and not in parts and at several times is the leaf though it be winged as that of the Ash Elder Walnut tree c. the great Centory Agrimony Danewort Parsnep Valerian c. is or divided as Trefoil Cinquefoil or Tormentil c. is It is called in Latine Tormentilla quia valet adversus tormenta intestinorum from its vertue in easing the torments of the Guts and Heptaphyllum or Septifolium and of some Stellaria from the form of the leaves though that be a name applyed to other plants of the like form In English Tormentil Setfoil or Seven-leaves The Kinds Formerly there was but one sort of Tormentill known but now there are three 1. Common Tormentil 2. The greater Tormentil 3. Silver leafed Tormentil The Forme The common Tormentil hath many reddish slender weak branches rising from the root lying upon the ground or rather leaning then standing upright with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks as the Cinkfoil doth which this is otherwise somewhat like with the footstalks encompassing the Branches in several places but they that grow next the ground are set upon longer footstalks each whereof are like the leaves of Cinkfoil but somewhat longer and lesser
to the Lords Lievtenants of the several shires for the increasing of Mulberry trees and the breeding of Silk worms in his Kingdom had taken their wished effect which they did not because they had not the instructions to that purpose annexed to them But now the way then thought of is revived by that industrious Common wealths-man Samuel Hartlib Esquire of propagating them by seed to whose book called the Reformed Virginian Silkworm I refer you whereas formerly there was no way of propagating but either by slips grafting or inoculation which seldom â—ook effect The biggest of them that ever I saw groweth in New Colledge in Oxon in a place between the great Quadrangle and the Garden The third as the name importeth came from Virginia where it groweth hugely with great store of great leaves and small store of fruit but in the season with the other which in August and September The wild kind groweth along the Mountâ—â—ce in Merton Colledge Orchard half a dozen at least close by one another which never perfecteth its fruit as I said before The Temperature The Mulberry is of different parts the ripe berries by reason of their sweetnesse and slippery moisture opening the belly and the unripe binding it especially when they are dryed and are then good to stay fluxes and lasks and abundance of Womens courses but the bark of the root hath a stronger purging quality and a bitternesse withall the leaves and young tender tops have a middle or temperate faculty The Vertues and Signature The Juyce of Mulberries or syrrup made of them helpeth all inflammationâ— and sores in the mouth or throat and the Uvula or Palate of the mouth when â—t is fallen down The Juyce of the leaves is a remedy against the biting of Serpents and for those that have taken Aconite or Wolfsbane The leaves beaten with Vâ—negar is good to lay on any place that is burnt with fire A decoction made of the bark and leaves is good to wash the mouth and teeth when they ake It is reported that if the root be a little slit or cut and a small hole made in the ground next thereunto in the harvest time it will give out a certain Juyce which being hardned is the next day of good use to help the Toothach to dissolve knots and purge the belly the leaves are said to stay bleeding at mouth and nose or the bleeding of the Piles or of a wound being bound unto the places A branch of the tree taken when the Moon is at full and bound to the wrist of a Womans arme whose courses come down too much doth stay them in short space The bark of the root killeth the broad worms in the bodies of men or children The leaves of the vine of the early Fig and of the Mulberry boyled in Rain water is good to wash the hair and to make it have a clear and fair colour The ripe berries if they be taken before meat do make passage for what followeth but if after meat and passe not quickly away they corrupt in the stomach and draw the rest on to putrifaction with them otherwise they trouble little There be growing upon the Cods and about the Breech of some people certain tumors like unto Mulberries which the powder of those berries and leaves doth cure by Signature The leaves of this tree are the most natural food of Silk worms as you may gather by what hath gone before of which there might be great profit made here as well as in Italy Spain and France if we had been as industrious as they in nursing up these kinds of trees but it is not too late to learn any thing that may make for the attainment of nationall and private profit and riches When the Mulberry tree begins to put out its buds then the Silkworms Eggs begin to hatch as the nature of this wise creature is when heâ— food begins once to appear she comes forth of her shel so that if a Muâ—berry leaf be laid upon them they will come upon it instantly and after that they have been sed with fresh leaves about fourty five daies they will begin to spin their Silk bottom CHAP. LXIII Of Mints The Names IT was called by the old Greciaus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Pliny recordeth who followed the story of the Poets that saith it was so named from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one of Plutoes Minions whom he turned into this â—erb but of the later 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab odoris bonitate or jucunditate because it is so sweet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying sweet and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 smell The Latine name is Mentha which the Apothecaries Frenchand Italian keep in English Mint The Kindes Of the manured and wild Mints I find a dozen kinds 1. Hart Mint or Spare Mint 2. Crosse Mint 3. Red or brown Mints 4. Crisped or curled Mints 5. The great curled Mint of Germany 6. The manured wild Mint 7. Long leafed wild Mint 8. Hungarian wild Mint 9. Clusius his knobbed wild Mint 10. Wild Mints with joynted roots 11. Hairy wild Mints 12. Small round leafed mints To which we may add Water mint or Horse mint The Forme Mint is so well known that it needeth no description yet it deserving one no less then other plants I shall not be so injurious as to let it passe without one though it be the shorter Garden mints which is the third kind above mentioned cometh up with stalks four square of an obscure red colour somewhat hairy which are covered with round leaves nicked on the edges like a Saw of a deep green colour the flowers are little and red and grow about the stalks circlewise as those of Penny Royal the root creepeth aslope in the ground having some strings on it and now and then in sundry places it buddeth out afresh and will over-run the ground where it is set if it be let alone any long time The Places and Time The first four sorts are only found planted in Gardens and the fith found wild first both with us and elsewhere but for especiall respects brought into Gardens The other sorts are likewise wild by nature in their places but now are cherished by those that love such kind of plants in many places All the sorts of garden as well as wild mints flower not until the beginning of August so that the Garden mint seldom bringeth forth good seed neverthelesse the defect thereof is recompensed by the increase of the root The water-mint groweth in every ditch The Temperature Mint is hot and dry in the beginning of the third degree of thin parts bitter and binding The Vertues The decoction of mint gaâ—gled in the mouth cureth the â—ums and Mouth that is sore and mendeth an ill savoured breath to which if there be a little Rue and Corâ—ander added and gargled likewise and held in the mouth causeth the Palate of the mouth that is down to return to its place applyed with Mead or honyed Water
it easeth the pains of the Ears and taketh away the roughnesse of the tongue being rubbed thereupon and if it be laid to the forehead or Temples it easeth the pains of the head and the water wherein good store of it hath been boyled is good to wash the heads of young Children against all manner of breakingins out them whether sores or scabs and healeth the Chaps of the Fundament Two or three branches thereof taken with the Juyce of Pomgranats stayeth the Hiccough Vomiting and allayeth Choler it dissolveth Impostumes being laid to with Barly Meal It is good to represse the milk in Womens breasts and for such as have swollen â—â—agging or great breasts Simeon Sethâ— saith it helpeth a cold Liver strengthneth the Belly and Stomach causeth digestion is good against the gnawings of the Heart provoketh Appetite taketh away Obstructions of the Liver and stirreth up bodily Lust but thereof too much must not be taken because it maketh the blood thin and wheyish and turneth it into Choler and therefore Cholerick persons must abstain from it It is a safe medicine for the biting of a mad Dog being bruised with salt and laid thereon The powder of it being taken after meat helpeth digestion and those that are Splenetick taken in wine it helpeth women in their sore Travel in Child-bearing It is good also against the Gravel and Stone in the Kidnies and the Stangury It suffereth not milk to curdle in the Stomach if the leaves hereof be sâ—eeped or boyled in it before you drink it and some say that it will never be drawn to Curds though you put Rennet thereunto The distilled water of mints is available for all the purposes aforesaid yet more weakly But if a Spirit thereof be rightly and Chimically drawn it is much more powerful then the herb it self The Vertues of wild mint are especially to dissolve wind in the Stomach to help the Cholick and those that are short winded and are an especial remedy for those that have Venereous dreams and pollutions in the night being outwardly applyed to the Testicles or Cods The Juyce dropped in the Ears easeth the paines of them and destroyeth the Worms that breed in them they are good against the venemous bitings of Serpents and help the Kings Evill or kernels in the Throat if the Juyce be laid on warm The decoction or distilled water helpeth a stinking breath proceeding from the corruption and snuffed up into the Nose purgeth the head CHAP. XLVI Of Purslane The Names THis Herb is called by Dioscorides in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Andrachne and by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adrachne and so each of them call the Arbutus or Strawberry-Tree which some call Portulaca Arbor in Latine as also they call this Herb Portulaca Herba In English Purslane and Porcellain Sea-Purslane is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Portulaca marina The Kindes There be not many sorts of Purslane in all and therefore I will put them together 1. Garden Purslane 2. Wild Purslane 3. Camerarius his Purslane 4. Candy Purslane 5. Sea-Purslane The Form The Garden Purslane hath round thick somewhat red stalks full of juyce smooth glittering and parted into severall branches trailing upon the ground the Leaves be almost an inch long if it grow in ranck ground something broad thick fat glib and somewhat green whiter on the neather side the Flowers are little of a faint yellow colour and grow out at the bottom of the Leaves After them springeth up a little Husk of a green colour of the bigness almost of half a Barley-Corn in which is small black Seed the Root hath many strings The Places and Time The first is sowen in Gardens and delighteth to grow in a fruitful and fat soâ—l not dry The second groweth about Ramsey Meere in the foot-paths by the Rape-Mills The third was found about Lipswick by Camerarius who as he himself affirmeth was the first that made it known The other should come out of Candy by its Title Sea-Purslane groweth in the Salt Marshes near the Sea-side as you passe over the Kings Ferry into the Isle of Sheepey going to Sherland-House and in the Isle of Thanet as you go from Margate to Sandwich and in many other places along the Coast Garden-Purslane may be sowen in March or April it flourisheth and is green in June and afterwards till it be towards Michaelmas Sea-Purslane is a little shrub which beareth out the Winter with the losse of a few Leaves and Flowers in July The Temperature Purslane is cold and that in the third degree and moyst in the second but VVild Purslane is not so moyst Sea-Purslane is as Galen saith of unlike parts but the greater part thereof is hot in a mean with a moysture unconcocted and somewhat windy The Vertues and Signature Raw Purslane is much used in Sallets with Oil Salt and Vinegar it cooleth an hot stomach and provoketh appetite It cooleth the mouth also and taketh away the pain of the Teeth and asswageth the swellings of the Gums and fasteneth the teeth in them and is good for teeth that are set on edge with eating of sharp things It is likewise good to cool any heat in the Liver blood or Reins and in hot Agues there is nothing better It stayeth hot and cholerick Fluxes of the Belly Womens Courses and Gonorrhea or running of the Reins of which it hath the Signature the distillations from the head and pains therein proceeding of heat want of sleep or the Phrensie The seed is more effectual then the Herb and is of singular good use to cool the heat and sharpness of the Urine and the outragious lust of the body venereous Dreams and the like insomuch that the over-frequent use thereof extinguisheth the heat and vertue of natural procreation The Seed bruised and boyled in Wine and given to Children expelleth the Worms The juyce of the Herb is held as effectual to all the purposes aforesaid as also to stay vomitings and taken with some Sugar or Honey helpeth an old and dry Cough shortness of breath and the Ptisick and stayeth immoderate thirst It is also singular good in the Inflammations and Ulcers of the secret parts in Man or Woman as also of the Bowels and Hemorrhoides when they are ulcerous or excotiations in them The Herb bruised and applyed to the forehead and Temples allayeth excessive heat therein hindering rest and sleep and aâ—plyed to the Eyes taketh away the redness and inflammation in them and thosâ— other parts where Pushes Wheals Pimples St. Anthonies fire and the like bâ—eâ—k forth especially if a little Vinegar be put to it And being laid to the neck with as much of Galls and Linseea together taketh away the pains therein and the Crick in the Neck The juyce is used with Oyl of Roses for the said Causes or for blastings by lightening and burnings by Gunpowder or for Womens sore Breasts and to allay the heat in all other sores or hurts Applyed
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
the outward Forme thereof but also by the Sinewes and Veine that run thorough it And therefore it availeth very much in divers diseases of the Tongue whether they happen from wounds as biting cutting or the like or from inflammations of that or any other part adjacent as the Mouth Gums Throat c. as also from the Cankers or any other eating sore the decoction juyce or water thereof being often gargled in the mouth or especially a little Vinegar Honey and Allome being mixed therewith The juyce or Herb stayeth the bleeding of the Nose or the bleeding of wounds The clarified Juyce or Water thereof droppâ—d into the eye cooleth the heat thereof as also the Pin and Web thereof and dropt into the eares easeth the pains therein and helpeth deafnesse The same with the juyce of House-leeke is very profitably applyed against all inflammation and breakings out of the skin and against burnings or scalding by Fire or Water The juyce mixed with the Oyl of Roses and the Temples and Forehead annointed therewith easeth the pains of the head proceeding from heat and helpeth frantick and lunatick persons very much as also the biting of Serpents or a madde Dogge The clarified juyce drunk for divers dayes together by it selfe or with some other liquor is wonderfull good to stay spitting of blood and all other bleedings at the Mouth when a vein is broken at the mouth of the Stomack and is likewise effectuall to heal any Ulcer in the Reines or Bladder when bloody or foul water proceedeth therefrom It is held also an especiall remedy for those that have the Consumption of the Lungs or that are troubled with any Ulcer in that part or that have Coughs that come with Heat The same also is commended very much against all torments and frettings in the Guts stayeth the Courses and all other manner of Fluxes as well in Man as Woman The decoction or powder of the Root or Seed is much more binding then the Herbe whereby it helpeth Agues The seed made into powder and mixed with the yolk of an Egge and some wheaten flower and made into a Cake and baked doth stay vomiting or any other Flux or rising in the Stomack The herb but especially the Seed is likewise held to be profitable against the Dropsie Falling-Sicknesse Yellow Jaundise and the stoppings of the Liver or Reines The powder of the dryed Leavs taken in warm drink or Posset drink killeth worms in the Belly The juyce of the Leaves mixed with oyl of Roses is profitably applyed to all hot Gouts in the Hands or Feet especially in the beginning to cool the heat and represse the humors It is also good to be applyed where any bone is out of Joynt to hinder Inflammations Swellings and pains which will arise presently thereupon A decoction of the Leaves killeth Worms that breed in old and foul Ulcers One part of plantaine-Plantaine-Water and two parts of the brine of powdered beefe boyled together and clarified is a most sure remedy to heal all spreading Scabs and Itch in the Head or Body all manner of Tetters or Ringwormes the Shingles and all other running and fretting sores The Leaves laid upon any place where the skin is scratched of skinneth it again whether it be newly done or not and being made into a Salve with Oyl Wax and Turpentine it cureth deep wounds though the Sinews and Veins be cut asunder whereof it hath the Signature The juyce alone or stamped with Vinegar and applyed to the Feeet that surbated sore and swollen with travell bringeth them again to their right temper CHAP. LXXVII Of Columbines The Names THere is great contesting amongst Authors concerning this Plant whether it were known to the Ancients or not One will have it to be the Pothos of Theophrastus another his Diosanthos another would have it to be the Isopyrum of Dioscorides but Cornutus affirms point blanck that it was not knowne It is generally called by the Writers of a later date Aquileia Aquilina Aquilegia because the folds of the Leaves do somewhat resemble those Pipes called Aquileges which were made as Pliny mentions for the conveying of water which they also contain in them as Cornuâ—us seemeth to inferre especially from that sort of his which came from Canada That this Plant should have likenesse of properties with wild Oâ—tes called in Greek Aegilops seemeth to be altogether improbable It knows no other English name but Columbines The Kindes To set forth the varieties of Columbines according to their colours would be the Task of a Florish I shall only give you those which have different Termes and they are six 1 Single Columbines 2. Double Columbines 3 Double inverted Columbines 4 Rose Columbines 5 Degenerate Columbines 6 Columbines of Virginia The Forme The Columbine hath divers pretty large spread Leaves standing upon stalks about a foot long wheÌ„ they are at their full growth every one being divided into divers parts with large indentures upon the edges of a dark blewish green colour a little resembling Celandine from amongst which arise stalks sometimes two or three foot high divided usually into many branches bearing one long divided leaf at the lower joynt above which the flowers grow every one standing on a long stalk consisting of five hollow Leaves crooked or horned at the ends and turning backwards The flowers being past there arise small long Cods four or five together wherein are contained black shining seedes The Roots are thick and round for a little space within the ground they abide many years sending forth their Leaves in the beginning of the Spring I mentioned not the colour of the flowers because they are so variable The Places and Time The first sort hath been found to grow wild in the woody mountains of Germany but with us they are found only in Gardens as the rest are their place being otherwise unknowne only that of the last which was brought from Virginia by that industrious searcher after rarities Mr. Tredescant the elder They flower commonly about the end of April and the beginning of May perish before the end of June only the Virginian kind flowreth a Month sooner then ordinary The Temperature Columbines are said to be temperate in respect of coldnesse and drynesse and moderately digesting The Vertues Every good Housewife in the Country is hardly now to learne that Columbine Leaves have in them a faculty wherey they are found very effectuall if they be boyled in Milk and given to those that are troubled with sore Mouths oâ— Throats but there be other wayes of using them for the like purposes as for the Kanker Red gum Quinsie Kings-evill c. For the Water Canker in the Mouth drink the seed For the Quinsie drink the seeds often with good Ale or stamp the seeds and herbs with Honey and take it with milk or drink It is good for young Children to drink it against the Red gum To help the Struma or painfull swelling in the Throat called the Kings evill seeth
with Ale or Beer and given to one that is suspected to have lost her maidenhead if it remain with her she is a maid otherwise not If you give Hens some dry Nettles broken small with their meat in Winter it will make them lay eggs all the Winter more plentifully It is said also that if the herb be rubbed on the privities of female beasts that will not suffer the males to cover them it will cause them the more willingly to suffer them to do it The oyl of Roses or Sallet Oyl boyled with the juyce or the juyce of the Leaves themselves is a present Remedy to take away the stinging of Nettles To all the purposes aforesaid the Roman Nettle is held the most effectual yet where it cannot be had the others are in a degree next it as effectual Nettle tops are usually boyled in Pottage in the Spring time to consume the Phlegmatick superfluities in the body of Man that the coldnesse and moisture of the Winter hath left behind CHAP. LXXXVIII Of Turneps The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gongyle ob rotunditatem figuraeradicis because of the roundnesse of the root for the Greeks did call every thing that was made round after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is called in Latine Rapum and Rapa which is commonly used in shops and every where else The Lacedemonians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Beetians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Athaeneus reporteth We English Turnep and Rape The Kinds There be sundry sorts of Turneps some wild some of the Garden some with round roots globe fashion others ovall or Pear-fashion some great and some of a smaller sort I shall mention only these four following 1. The great round Turnep 2. The little round Turnep 3. The long Turnep 4. The Orenge coloured Turnep The Forme The Turnep hath long rough and green leaves cut or snipt about the edges with deep gashes The stall divideth it self into sundry branches or arms bearing at the top small flowers of a yellow colour and sometimes of a light purple which being past there do succeed long Cods full of small blackish seed like Rape seed The root is round like a bowle and sometimes a little stretched out in length growing very shallow in the ground and oftentimes shewing it self above the Surface of the Earth The Places and Time The Turnep prospereth well in a leight loose and fat earth and so loose as Petrus Crescentius sheweth that it may be turned almost into dust it groweth in divers fields and Gardens in most places of England The other sorts are not so common as the first yet those that are ever awhit delighted with rarities of this nature have them growing in their Gardens It is not convenient that the ground where they are to be sowen be digged so deep as for other things or if it be the Gardner would do well to tread the ground before he sow them for then will they head the better They may be sown in any Moneth from March to October but they are commonly sown in April and May as also in the end of August They flower and seed the second year after they are sown for those that flower the same year that they are sown are a degenerate kind causing frensy and giddinesse of the brain for a season wherefore are by some called Madneps The Temperature The bulbous or knobbed root which is properly called Rapum or Turnep hath given the name to the plant whilst it is raw for so it is sometimes eaten especially by the poor people in Wales is windy and ingendreth cold and grosse blood but being boyled it cooleth lesse yea so little as that it cannot be perceived to cool at all yet it is moist and windy The Vertues and Signature The Decoction of Turneps is good against the Cough and hoarsnesse of the voice being drunk in the evening with a little Sugar or a quantity of clarified honey The Syrup of Turneps being extracted by baking them mixed with life Hony hony of Roses or Sugar a Spoonful thereof taken at night about bedtime worketh the same effect and is good for those that have a vein Broken Dioscorides writeth that the Turnep it self being stamped is with good successe apaplyed to the Kibed heeles and also that Oyl of Roses boyled in an hollow Tuâ—nep under the hot Embers doth cure the same The young or tender shoots or springs of Turneps at their first coming forth of the ground boyled and eaten is a delicate Sallet which provoketh Urine The seed is mixed with counter poysons and Treacles and being drunk it is a remedy against poyson They of the low countries do give the oyl which is pressed out of the seed against the afterthrows of women newly brought a bed and also do administer it to young children against the worms which it both killeth and driveth forth The Oyl mixed with water doth allay the fervent heat and rugged nesse of the skin it availeth not a little how they be prepared for being boyled in water alone or with meat is most moist and sooner descendeth and maketh the body more soluble but being roasted or baked it ingendreth lesse wind and yet it is not altogether without wind but howsoever they be dressed they yeeld more norishment then the raw they provok Urine increase natural seed and milk in womens breasts by Signature there being a neer resemblance between a womans breast and a Turnep And now I think it will not be amisse to turn my stile from the in side of the breast to the out side and because the breasts of VVomen are more subject to indisposition then mens I shall set down some plants which may be serviceable upon that account CHAP. LXXXIX Of Ladies-Mantle The Names ALthough Branfelsius and others have thought this Plant to be Leontopodium or Lions foot being deceived by the name because divers Nations have so called it from the form or likenesse of the Leaf yet it cannot be gathered that it was known to Dioscorides or any of the ancient Greek Writers It is usually called in Latine Alchymella by most Writers because as some think the Alchymists gave mighty Commendations of it It is called also of Matthiolus Lugdunensis and others Stellaria from the form of the Leaf that with the corners resembles a Star but there are divers others Herbs called Stellaria by severall Authours and some also call this â—es Leonis and Pata Leonis others call it Sanicula major for the Vertues of it which are like unto Sanicle Cordus calleth it Drosera Drosium Psiadeion from the Germans name Sinnaw because the hollowish Leaf will contain the Drops of Dew We in English call it our Ladies Mantle from the prettynesse of the Leaf and great Sanicle and of some Lions Foot or Lions Paw The Kinds The Sorts are but two 1. Common Ladies Mantle 2. Cinquefoile Ladies Mantle The Forme Common Ladies Mantle hath many Leaves rising from the
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-water put thereto it helpeth the Inflammations of the Eys and Fundament but for the chaps thereof which need a stronger Medicine it is boyled with dryed Roses and Pomegranate Rindes adding a little Honey to it It likewise stayeth those creeping Cankers that are ready to turn to a Gangrene putting thereto some Sea-water and so it is good for Wheals and running and watering Sores St. Anthonies Fire Kibes c. being used with Vinegar The Decoction thereof is a good lotion for Ulcers either in the mouth privy parts or Fundament adding a few Rose Leaves and Quinces But to eat Lentills or the broth made of them too largely as Galen saith breedeth the Leprosie and Cankers for grosse thick Meat is fit to breed melancholy humours yet it is profitably given to those that are of a watery disposition and evill affected thereby but it is utterly forbidden to those that have dry Constitutions it is also hurtful to the sight dulling it by drying up the moysture and is not convenient for Women that want their Courses but is good for those that have them in too much abundance Dioscorides further addeth that it breedeth troublesome Dreams and is hurtful to the Head the Lungs and the Sinews CHAP. CIII Of Lillies The Names THe Lilly is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lilium also Rosa Junonis or Junoes Rose because it is reported that it came of her Milk that fell upon the ground For the Poets feign that Hercules whom Jupiter had by Alcumena was put to Junoes Breasts whilest she was asleep and after the sucking there fell away abundance of Milk and that one part was spilt in the Heavens and the other on the Earth and that of this sprang the Lilly and the Circle in Heaven called Lactens Circulus or the milky way or otherwise in English The way to Watling-street Thus much for the white Lilly As for the other Sorts which are many I shall only put down some of them The Kindes Though there be divers Sorts of Lillies yet I shall only set down these 1. The white Lilly 2. The white Lilly of Constantinople 3. The gold red Lilly 4. The red Lilly 5. The fiery red Lilly 6. The great Mountain Lilly 7. The small Mountain Lilly 8. The red Lilly of Constantinople 9. The Persian Lilly 10.
it hardly giveth any good Seed although the two former do plentifully The Temperature Baulm is hot and dry in the second degree having also a purging quality therein with some tenuity of parts The Signature and Vertues The Leaves of this Herb have also the Signature of the Heart and accordingly it is very much commended for the passions of the heart For Serapio saith it is the property of Baulm to cause the mind and the heart to become merry to revive the fainting heart falling into Swoonings to strengthen the weakness of the Spirits and Heart and to comfort them especially such who are troubled in their sleep to drive away all troublesome cares and thoughts out of the mind whether those passions arise from melancholy or burnt flegme which Avicen also confirmeth It is good for a cold stomach to help digestion and to open the obstruction of the Brain as also among other things for the Plague the water thereof but especially the Conserve of the Flowers being used It provoketh Womens Courses helpeth a stinking breath and is good for the rising of the Mother A Decoction of Baulm made in Wine and drunk is good against Venom and Poyson helpeth the griping pains of the Belly and is good for them that cannot take their breath unless they hold their necks upright being taken in a Lohock oâ— licking Electuary The Syrup of Baulm is likewise a good Cordiall and strengtheneth the heart and stomach resisteth Melancholy and is very profitable in burning and contagious Feavers A Cawdle made with the juyce hereof while it is young together with Eggs and some Rose-water and Sugar put thereto is often given to Women in Child-bed when the After-birth is not throughly avoided and for their faintings upon or after their sore Travels The Herb bruised and boyled in a little Wine and Oyl and laid warm on a Boyl will ripen and break it used with Salt it taketh away Wens Kernels or hard swellings in the flesh or Throat it cleanseth foul Sores and easeth the pains of the Gout The juyce thereof used with a little Honey is a good remedy for the dimness of the sight and to take away the mistiness of the Eyes It is used in Bathes amongst other warm Herbs to comfort the Joynts and Sinews It is a good remedy against the sting of Scorpions or other venomous Creatures and against the stinging of Bees as also against the bitings of Dogs The Decoction thereof is good for Women to bathe or sit in to procure their Courses and for those that have the bloody Flux as also to wash the Teeth therewith when they are full of pain It is very often put into Oyls or Salves to heal green Wounds It is very necessary for those that keep Bees to have this Herb planted near them both to have their Hives rubbed therewith which will not only keep them together but draw others for they love very much to suck and feed upon it as its name importeth CHAP. CXXV Of Marigolds The Names IT is not certainly known by what name the Greeks called this Plant. Some think it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but I think that name doth more properly belong to the Corn Marigold the Flower of that comming nearer to a golden colour then that of the Garden though there be some of the Garden that are near that colour also It is called in Latine Calendula because it hath been observed to flower most about the Calends of every moneth and it is so called of the Shops also Of some Caltha and Caltha Poetarum whereof Columella and Virgil do write It is thought to be Gromphena Plinii In English Marigolds and Ruds The Kinds There be near upon twenty sorts of Marigolds yet I shall trouble you with no more then ten at this time 1. The greatest double Marigold 2. The greater double Marigold 3. The smaller double Marigold 4. The double Globe-Marigold 5. The straw-coloured double Marigold 6. The single Marigold 7. The fruitful Marigold 8. Jack an Apes on Horse-back 9. Mountain Marigold 10. The wild Marigold The Form The greatest double Marigold hath many large fat broad Leaves springing immediately from a fibrous or threddy Root the upper side of the Leaves are of a deep green and the lower side of more light or shining green among which rise up stalks somewhat hairy and also somewhat joynted and full of a spongious pith The Flowers growing on the top are beautiful round very large and double something sweet with a certain strong smell of a light Saffron colour or like pure Gold from the which follow a number of long crooked Seeds especially the outmost or those that stand about the edges of the Flower which being sowen commonly bring forth single Flowers whereas contrariwise those Seeds in the middle are lesser and for the most part bring forth such Flowers as that was from whence it was taken The Places and Times All the Sorts afore-named are Inhabitants of the Garden except the two last whose naturall places of being may be discovered by their Titles They flower from April even unto Winter and in Winter also if it be warm and therefore some have called it Flos omnium mensium supposing it to flower throughout every moneth in the year The Temperature The Flower of the Marigold is of temperature hot almost in the second Degree especially when it is dryed The Vertues and Signature The Flowers of Marigolds comfort and strengthen the Heart exceedingly provoke sweat and Womens Courses and expell the After-birth withstand poyson and Venery are good in pestilent and contagious Feavers as also in the Jaundise and are very expuâ—sive and little lesse effectuall in the small Pox and Meazles then Saffron The Conserve made of the Flowers taken morning and evening helpeth the trembling of the heart and is very useful in the time of Pestilence when the Air is corrupted The Flowers either green or dryed are used much in Possets Broths and Drinks as a comforter of the Heart and Spirits and to expell any Malignant or Pestilentiall quality that might annoy them especially amongst the Dutch where they are sold by the penny The Juyce helpeth the Tooth-ach the pained Tooth being washed therewith and if Warts be rubbed therewith it taketh them away The said juyce mixed with Vinegar and any hot swelling bathed with it instantly giveth ease and asswageth it A Plaister made of the dry Flower in Powder Hogs-grease Turpentine and Rosin and applyed to the Breast strengthens and succours the Heart infinitely in Feavers whether Pestilentiall or not Pestilentiall A fume of the Decoction used hot helpeth to expell the Secondine or After-birth The juyce dropped into the Ears killeth Worms The diâ—iâ—led water is good for many of the purposes aforesaid and also helpeth red and watery Eyes being washed therewith which it doth by Signature as Crollius saith CHAP. CXXVI Of Swallow-wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab Aesculapio from Aesculapius that
the stomach resisteth poyson strengtheneth the heart and resisâ—eth the passions thereof palpitation faintings and swounings it strengthens the vitall spirits restoreth such as are in Consumptions and Hectick Feavers and strengthens nature much The Syrup of the juyce is also good for most of the aforesaid purposes CHAP. CXXX Of Gentian or Felt-wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so likewise Gentiana in Latine à Gentio Illyricorum rege primum inventore because Gentius King of Illyria was the first discoverer of them and their vertues as Dioscorides and Pliny set it down Scrapio saith it was called Basilica some have called it Centauria radix some Aloâ—s Gallica Narces Chironium and as Pliny saith some Romans called it Cnendia and some Cimiualis The Italians call it also Gentiana but that sort which the Latines call Gentiana cruciata they call Petimborsa quasi mettere in bursà put it into your Purse either because as Matthiolus saith it was to be gathered wheresoever it was found and deserved to be kept in ones purse that it might be ready upon all occasions or because by curing Diseases it got store of Crowns to be put in the Purses of the Physitians that make use of it so much they did esteem of it We in English call it Crossewort Gentian but the ordinary sort is called Felwort which is a mongrel word mixed of Latine and English together or Bitterwort and of some Baldmony The Latines call the lesser sort Gentianella The Kinds Though there be a great number of these Gentians reckoned up by Parkinson in both his Books yet I shall omit most of them and nominate only those six sorts that grow within the Conâ—ines of great Brittain 1. Hollow Gentian or Fellwort 2. Croswort Gentian 3. Alpes Felwort of the Spring-time 4. Gentianella with a white Flower 5. Bastard or Dwarf-Felwort 6. Autumn Gentian with small Centaury Leaves The Form Hollow-leafed Felwort or English Gentian hath many long tough Roots dispersed hither and thither within the upper crust of the Earth from which immediately riseth a fat thick staâ—k joynted or kneed at certain distances set at every knot with one leaf and sometimes more keeping no certain number which Leaves do at the first incloâ—e the stalks round about being one whole entire Leaf without any incisure at all as if it were a hollow Trunk which after it is grown to his fuâ—ness breaketh on one side or other and becommeth a flat ribbed Leaf like unto those of the great Gentian or Plantane The Flowers come forth of the bosom of the upper Leaves set upon tender foot-stalks in shape like those of the small Bind-weed or rather the Flowers of Sope-wort of a whitish colour washed about the brims with a little light Carnation Then followeth the Seed which hath not yet been observed The Places and Time The first was found by Gerard in a small Grove of Wood called the Spinny near unto a small Village in Northamptonshire called Lâ—chbarrow The second groweth in a Pasture at the West end of Little Rain in Essex on the North side of the way leading from Braintry to Dunmow and in the Horse-way by the same Close The third groweth abundantly on the Mountains between Gort and Galloway in Scotland The fourth near the Devizes and by Hachbury in Wiltshire The fifth in the Physick-Garden in Oxford The sixth in divers places of Kent as about South-fleet and Long-field upon Barton-hills in Bedfordshire also not far from St. Albans upon a peece of wast chaâ—ky ground as you go out of Dunstable way towards Gorehamberry The first springeth out of the ground in April and bringeth forth his Flowers in the end of August and the Seed is ripe in September and so do all the rest for ought I can â—eaâ—n The Temperature The Root of Gentian which is chiefly in use is hot and dry in the third Degree or hot in the third degree and dry in the second The Signature and Vertues There is a sort of Gentian that hath Leaves like an Heart and is therefore called Heart-like Gentian which I mentioned not amongst the rest because it groweth not in Brittain having in it the vertue of strengthening the Heart preserving it against fainting and sounding and resisting all putrifaction Poyson and the Pestilence for which there is not a more sure remedy then it it strengtheneth the stomach exceedingly and helps digestion Answerable unto this in the severall qualities and properties are our English Gentians nay some will have them more proper for English bodies then the forraign and may be as well uâ—ed for the purposes aforesaid The Powder of the dry Roots helps the bitings of mad Doggs and venomous Beasts opens the obstructions of the Liver and restoreth 〈◊〉 Appetite The Herb steeped in Wine and the Wine drunk refresheth such as are over-weary with Travel and are growen lame in their joynts either by cold or evill Lodgings It helps â—â—itches and griping pains in the sides and is an excellent Remedy for such as are bruised with falls It provokes Urine and the Terms exceedingly therefore let it not be given to Women with Child The same is very profitable for such as are troubled with Cramps and Convuâ—â—â—ons to drink the Decoction and being so taken it helpeth the Stone and stopping of â—â—ine It is likewise very available in the Dropsie and suffocation of the Mother and against the Falling-Sickness Ruptures Worms and dissolveth congealed blood It brings away the Birth After-birth and dead Child and is useful in the Cough and shortness of breath It repelleth wind very much in the body and is profitable in all cold Diseases and would people but like this and other bitter things it would effect very much in curing many desperate Diseases as well as Agues yellow Jaundise c. The Juyce or Powder of the Root healeth fresh wounds and is very effectuall for all sorts of foul putrid or rotten Ulcers wheresoever yea though hollow or fistulous cancrous fretting or running for it doth very much cleanse dry and heal up Also the same applyed to Knots or Kernels of the Neck or Throat which is called the Kings-Evill healeth them safely and speedily as also the painful swellings of the Hemorrhoidall vein called the Piles when they are fallen down and grow ulcerous and sore The juyce being put into the Eyes takes away Inflammations and redness therein and cleares them from Skins and Films growing upon them The Root is in use among Chyrurgions to inlarge the orifice of any Wound or Sore The same made into a Pessary and put into the matrix bringeth down the dead Child and After-birth It is given to Cattle for the Bots Worms and swellings upon sicking up any Tick or venomous worm When Kine are bitten on the Udder by any venomous Beast do but stroak the pâ—ace with the decoction of any of these and it will instantly help them The distilled water is useful in the like cases and also cleanseth the
and some tame As. 1. Garden Radish 2. Small garden Radish 3. Round Radish 4. Peare fashioned Radish 5. Wild Radish 6. Water Radish The Forme The Garden-Radish sendeth fotth great and large Leaves green rough cut on both sides with deepe gashes not unlike to the Garden Turnep but greater The Stalkes be round and parted into many branches out of which spring many small Flowers of a light purple colour made of foure little Leaves after which come sharp pointed cods puft or blown up towards the Stalk full of a spongious substance wherein is contained the seed of a light brown colour somwhat greater then the seed either of Turnep or Cabbage The roote is grosse long white and sometimes reddish without but white within alwaies and of a sharpe tast The Places and Time The foure first are Inhabitants of the Garden and require a loose ground whiâ—h hath been long manured â—nd is somwhat fat They prosper well in sandy ground which is naturally cold where they are not so subject to worms as in the other The fift groweth upon the borders of bankes and ditches cast up and in the borders of moist feildes â— The sixth groweth in ditches standing-standing-waters and Rivers The Garden kindâ— are sown in February and March and so long till you come to November but the best time for sowing them is June and July for then they yeeld most because then they will not flower nor seed till the next spring when as those that are sown sooner run up to seed presently yet they are more set by in April and May then afterwards The wild kinds flower in June and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Radish doth manifestly heat and dry open and make thin by reason of the biting quality that ruleth in it Galen maketh them hot in the third degree and dry in the second and sheweth that it is rather a sawce then a nourishment The Vertues The rindes of the Roots of Radish steeped in Vinegar and Honey mixed together and taken in a morning fasting and a little after a draught of warme water do drive our Phlegme and other maligne humors of the Stomack by Vomit as often as it is oppressed with them It likewise provoketh Vrine dissolveth clutteted gravell and driveth it forth from the Reines and Bladder if a good draught of the decoction thereof be drunk in the morning It is good against an old Cough to make thine thick and grosse Phlegme which sticketh in the Chest The distilled Water hereof is effectuall for the purposes aforesaid provoking Vrine mightily and driving out Stones from the Kidneys The root also sliced and laid over night in White or Rhenish-Wine and drunk in the morning worketh the same effect The root stamped with Honey and the Powder of a sheepes heart dryed causeth the Haire to grow in a short space The seed also causeth Vomit provoketh Vrine and being drunk with Oxymel or Honyed Vinegar it killeth and driveth forth Worms The Root stamped with Meal of Darnel and a little White-wine Vinegar taketh away all black and blew spots and bruised blemishes of the face The Root boyled in Broth and the decoction drunk is good against an old Cough it moveth VVomens sickness and causeth much milk It is good likewise for the Dropsie the griefs of the Liver and for the Cholick and griping pains of the Belly Being eaten with Mustard it is good against the Lethargy drousiness and forgetfulness It is good also for them that are sick with eating of Toad-stools or Mushromes or Henbane or any other venomous poyson Some eat them raw with Bread instead of other food but being so eaten they yield very little nourishment and that faulty and ill But for the most part they are used as a sawce with meats to procure appetite and so they ingender blood lesse faulty and serve to distribute and disperse the nourishment especially if they be taken after meat yet howsoever they be taken they cause belchings and will make the meat oftentimes to rejolt in the stomack as the Countrey-man said that had eaten Fish fryed with Lamp-Oyl CHAP. CLII. Of the Black Alder-Tree The Names IT is most probable that this Plant came not under the cognitance of any Greek Authour because it is not named by any of them that I can read of The Latines call it Fraugnla quia cito frangitur that is the Branches â—e brittle and easie to break and Aluns nigra baccifâ—ra that it might be known from the Alâ—â—s Vulgaris whose Bark is whitish and the Wood more red and beareth not Berries as this doth Tragus calleth it Faulbaum that is foul Tree of the evill scent and tast The Idea ficus nostra sive Frangula vulgâ— of Lâ—gduâ—ensis differeth not from this although he would have it so to do It is called in English the Black Aller or Alder-tree Of which there is but one kind whose description followeth The Form The Black Aller or Alder-tree riseth seldom to be of any great bigness but for the most part abideth like a Hedge Bush or Tree spreading into branches the wood of the Body being white and of a dark red at the core or heart the outward Bark being of a blackish colour whereon many white spots are noted to be seen but the inner Bark next to the Wood is yellow which being chewed will turn the spittle yellow as much or more then Rubarb near unto a Saffron colour the Leaves are somewhat like unto those of the ordinary Alder-tree or those of the Female Cornel or Dog-berry-tree but blacker and not so long but rather rounder the Flowers are white comming forth at the Joynts with the Leaves which turn into small round Berries green at the first and red afterwards but blackish when they are thorough ripe divided as it were into two parts wherein is contained two small round and star Seeds the Root runneth not deep into the ground but spreadeth rather under the upper crust of the Earth The Places and Time This Tree or Shrub groweth in Woods and Copses that are moyst Mr. Gerard saith that he found great plenty of it in a Wood called St. Johns Wood in the way between Isâ—â—gton and Hornsey on the left hand of the way and in the Woods at Hampstead and other places about London It flowreth in May and the Berries are ripe in September the Leaves appearing in the Spring The Temperature The inner Bark of the Alder-tree which is of the greatest use if not only used in Physick is of a purging and dry quality The Vertues and Signature The inner Bark aforesaid which is of a yellow colour being steeped in Wine or Beere and drunk causeth to vomit vehemently and cleanseth the stomack It doth also purge downward both Choler and Flegme and the watry humours of Hydropick persons and strengtheneth the inward parts again afterwards even as Rubarb doth If it be boyled with Agrimony Worm-wood Dodder Hops and some Fennel and Smallâ—ge Endive and Chicory Roots and a
because in those dayes they grew hardly any where else and were therefore guarded by a watchfull Dragon which Hercules slew and brought with him some of the said fruit which is by divers Latine Authors called Aurantia à corticis colore aureo and by others Arantia ab Arantiâ oppido Achaiae by some Pomum Narrantium by Dodonaeus Anarantium and by Lobel Malum aureum which name is most suitable to them being Golden apples indeed The flowers of the Orenge are called Napha and the Oyntment made of them Vnguentum ex Naphâ The Kinds There are five sorts of Orenge Trees 1. The ordinary Orenge-Tree 2. The Wild or Crab Orenge-Tree 3. The Apple Orenge 4. The Orenge without Seeds 5. The dwarfe Orenge-Tree The Form The grafted or ordinary mannured Orenge-Tree groweth to a great stature the lower part of which as also of the greater branches are covered with a rough bark but those which are lesser and younger have a smooth green barke whereon are set some few sharpe but short thorns The Leaves are very like in forme to those of the Laurell-Tree but may be easily distinguished if they be bruised betweene ones finger for then they sent forth a sweet smel like unto the peele of the Orenge and likwise by being full of small holes the Flowers are whitish and of a very strong sweet scent The fruit hereof is round with a thick bitter rind of a deepe yellowish red colour having under it a soft white loose substance and under that the juyce is contained in small skins which in some is lesse sower then others The seeds of it do somwhat resemble those of the Lemmon The Places and Times All the sorts above named do grow in the Coasts of Italy and the Islands thereabouts but especially in Spaine about Sivil where the best Orenges grow and are called by us Civil-Orenges under which name the Women in London that sell any comprehend the rest calling them all so be they what they will There be also Orenge-Trees that grow in England in the Gardens of the Earle of Northumberland at Sion-house neere Brainford and of the Lord Lambert at Wimbleton They hold their Leaves alwaies green and beare blossomes greene and ripe fruit all the yeare through but here in England the fruit will be two yeares before it come to perfection And to make it do so the Trees must be set in great Boxes full of earth so that they may be removed into the house in the Winter-time The Temperature Orenges are not wholly of one Temperature for the rind is hot in the first degree and dry in the second the juyce of them is cold in the second degree and dry in the first They are colder or hotter according to their sweetnesse or sowreness for the sowrer the juice is the colder it is and the sweeter the more hot The Vertues Orenge-Peele is as usefull in Physick as any part thereof though it be commonly cast away as if it were good for nothing yet it doth warme a cold Stomack very effectually helping to breake the Wind that molesteth it and causeth cold Phlegme to be voided from thence And being condited or preserved with Honey or Sugar it warmeth the Stomack mendeth a stinking breath and helpeth digestion and is used in Banquets with other sweetmeats being also very effectuall for the strengthing of the Heart and Spirits The juice and inner substance where the juice is is very good against all contagions and corruptions of the aire the Plague and other hot Feavours it comforteth the Heart and especially the Mouth of the Stomack and helpeth the weaknesse thereof It is also profitable against the trembling of the Heart pensive heavinesse and Wambling of the Stomack it restraineth Vomiting and taketh away loathing in Agues and such like diseases it quencheth thirst and so doth the Syrup thereof The seeds withstand all Venome and Poyson and are effectuall also to kill and expell Wormes The Oyntment that is made of the Flowers is often used to anoint the Stomacks of those which are troubled with a Cough making the cold raw Phlegme to expectorate and warming and comforting divers other places of the body The distilled Water of the same Flowers is very odoriferous and therefore fit for perfumes Besides it is good against contagious diseases to drink thereof at sundry times it helpeth also the cold and moist infirmities of the Mother Such simples as serve both for the correction of Meates and Medicaments being thus treated of I shall in the next place write of those that are more alimentall and therefore not improper to be mentioned here beginning with fruits and then proceeding to Roots and Herbes CHAP. CLXVIII Of the Apple-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Malus and Malum Pomus and Pomum which in English is an Apple The Kinds To reckon up the divers sorts of Apple-Trees and their fruits would take up more roome then we allot for a whole Chapter I shall therefore set down only some of the principall 1 The Summer Peare-maine 2 The Winter Peare-maine 3. The Summer Queening 4. The Winter Queening 5. The Jennetting 6. The Pome-water 7. The great Pippin 8. The small Pippin 9. The Harvy Apple 10. The Gillofloure 11. The Marigoâ—d 12 The John Apple 13. The Paradise Apple 14. The Wilding or Crab of which there is the Towne Crab the greater and lesser white Crab the small Hedge Crabbe The Forme For formality sake only I shall tell you that the Apple-Tree doth generaâ—ly spread his Armes and Branches more then the Peare-Tree but riseth not to that height the Leaves are somwhat round yet pointed at the end and dented about the edges being greene both above and below the Flowers are White with some Red many times mixed with it especially about the edges The Fruit is of divers sizes formes colours tasts c within which being ripe be divers black Kernells the Root goeth straight down with some branches running aslope The Places and Time All the sorts aforesaid and a great many more grow either in Orchards as being mannured or else Wild in Woods and Hedg-rowes especially in Kent Glâ—cester and Herefordshire where they make abundance of Cydar They commonly Flower about April and the fruit of the Summer kinds is ripe about the beginning of July and the rest in September or thereabouts The Temperature Apples are cold and moist in the first degree as Mr. Elliot an ancient English Author alleageth Howbeit there is great difference in Apples for some be sweet some be sowre some be bitter some harsh some be of a mixt temperature both sweet and sowre c The sweet and bitter Apples are inclining to heat the sowre and harsh are cooling and therefore good when the Stomack is weak by the distemperature of Heat The Vertues Though Apples eaten before they be ripe or afterwards immoderately and without preparation are very unwholesome yet being gathered
that proceed from such causes if either the Conserve of the depurate juyce or the Syrup thereof be taken with the Syrup of Violetts The said juyce also or the berries themselves either conserved or preserved is often used for those that loath their meat to procure an Appetite and represse the force of Choler rising from the Liver thereinto and that which passeth into the bowels procuring sharp laskes as the bloody flux c. It helpeth likewise to stay Womens Immoderate courses and if it be taken with a little Sowthernwood-water and Sugar it killeth the Wormes in the body It is good also for those that Spit blood to fasten loose teeth strengthen the gums and coole the inflammations of the palate and throat if the Conserve be dissolved in water mingled with a little Vinegar and a gargle made there of and stayeth Rheums and distillations upon those parts It helpeth likewise to dry up moist Vlcers and to soder up greene The said depurate juice called Wine of Barberies serveth to dissolve many thing Chimically The inner yellow bark of the branches or root hath the Signature of the yellow Jaundise and therefore is with good successe given unto them that have it being boyled and drunke The same laid in steep in white Wine for the space of three houres purgeth wonderfully as 't is said CHAP. CLXVI Of the Curran-Tree The Names IT is more then probable that this Plant was not known to the ancient Greek writers seeing there is no Greek name for it that we can learne It is called Ribes and Ribesius frutex from some Analogy it hath both in respect of the berries and also in the properties with the Ribes of Serapio and not that it is the same Gesner calleth it Ceanothus levis but it is accounted by divers to be a kind of Grossularia who therefore call it Grossularia Rubra Grossularia ultramarina Bauhinus calleth the white sort Grossularia hortensis margaritis similis The black sort is generally called Ribes fructu nigro in English Black Currans as other are Red and White but the White are called Gozell in some parts of Kent The Kinds Of these kind of Currans which are none of those which are sold at the Grocers there be foure sorts of Trees 1. The ordinary red Curran-Tree 2. The great red Curran-Tree 3. The white Curran-Tree 4. The black Curran-Tree The Forme The stemme or stock of the Curran-Tree hath a very thin outer bark which in the red black Curran-Tree is brownish but in the white it is whitish all of them being green underneath and are about the bignesse of a good great staffe wholly without thornes on any branch whereon grow large cornered blackish greene Leaves cut in on the edges into five parts somewhat like a Vine-leafe but a great deale lesse The Flowers come forth at the joynts of the Leaves many together on a long stalke hanging down about a fingers length of an herby colour after which follow round berries all greene at the first but afterwards as they grow ripe they tend to their severall colours and are then cleare and transparent the red are of a little pleasant and tart tast withall the White more Winy and acceptable but both the Leaves and Fruit of the black have a kind of strong evill sent but yet are wholesome although not so pleasant as any of the former and are eaten by many the root is wooddy and spreadeth diversly The Places and Time All these sorts have been found growing naturally wild some in Savoy and Switzerland as Gesner saith and some in Austria as Clusius whence they have been trasplanted into our English Gardens where they beare well They flower in the beginning of April and their fruit is ripe in June and July continuing on the bushes long after they are ripe before they fall or are withered The Temperature All these sorts of Currans are cold and moist and that in the first or second degree and somwhat astringent The Vertues The red and white Currans when they be ripe are very profitable to allay the heat and fainting of the Stomack and to quench thirst and to provoke an appetite and therefore are safely permitted in hot and sharpe Agues for the juice of them tempereth the heat of the Liver and blood and the sharpnesse of Choler and resisteth putrefaction It taketh away likewise the loathing of meat and the weaknesse of the Stomack by much Vomiting for it closeth the mouth thereof and represseth the distemper whereof it is caused It is said also to stop the laske that proceedeth of Choller and the bloody flâ—xe and that it is usefull for the Cough especially the dryed juyce or Rob thereof which is made after this manner Take of the juice of Currans clarified twelve pound boile it halfe away and adde to the remainder old White-Wine five pound consume the third part over a gentle fire taking away the scum as you ought let the rest settle and streine it and with three pound of Sugar boile according to Art till it be somthing thicker then new Honey And being thus made you may take a little on the point of a knife as often as you have occasion to use it for any of the purposes aforesaid The black Currans be used in sauces and so are the Leaves also by many who like the tast and sent of them though others do not I might proceed further in declaring at large how that the fruit of the Raspeberry bush the Service-Tree the Cornell-Tree the Filberd Hazel and Chest-nut-Tree is used for food rather then Physick but because few of them or any other that I have omitted have any eminent Quality profitable to the Stomack I shall only name them here and if occasion serve treat of them in the following part as I have done of some other in the foregoing Onely I shall not think it amisse to specify that most sorts of Graine as Wheat Rye Barly Beanes Pease Oates Rice Lentills c. are usefull for food and so are divers Rootes as Turneps Carrets Parsneps Potatoes Skirrets Onyons Leeks Garlick Radishes c to which may be added Melons Pepons Cucumbers Artichokes c as also divers herbs as Cabbage Coleflowers Beets Lettice Spinage Asparagus Chervaile Alexanders Buglosse Borage Tarragon Bawme Mint Sage Sorrell c some whereof are profitable to the Stomack whereas others by reason of their windinesse are obnoxions thereunto unlesse they be eaten with discretion after they be corrected by the fire and have some Pepper strewed upon them to expell the Wind It will be needlesse to mention them againe to tell you which of them stand most in need of correction for that every good Huswife can tell but if any one desires further to be resolved he shall find most of them handled dispersedly in this book I shall now descend to the Liver for thither is the Chyle conveyed through the Meseraick veines for sangufication and comes next to be rectifiod CHAP. CLXXVII Of Rubarb The
therefore saith Crollius that excellent Author in his book of Signatures the juice of Elder and the Distilled-Water of Jews-Ears which I have treated of in the seaventy eight Chap â— of this worke upon another occasion though they never grow but upon the Elder-Tree are profitable in the Dropsy which is a Disease for the most part Caused by Coldnesse of the Liver because the Blood-making Faculty being vitiated and corrupted many watery humours fall into the Abdomen or belly between the skin and the flesh for the removing of which Elder is of great Vertue For not only the juice and Water of Jews-Earsâ— but that of the Flowers as also the berries green or dry are often given with good successe to helpe the Dropsy by evacuating great plenty of waterish Humours the barke of the Root also boyled in Wine or the juice or distilled water thereof two Ounces being taken fasting and two houres before Supper worketh the same effect yea more readily then any of the former the juice of the root taken provoketh Vomit mightily and purgeth the Watery humours of the Dropsy but not without trouble to the Stomack The yellow middle or if you will the undermost barke is commended by its Signature for the Yellow Iaunndise by the said Crollius which must therefore be sleeped in Wine with one or two Jewes-Eares of which strained drink a good Draught morning and evening The distilled Water thereof or a Syrup made of its juice may be used to the same purpose For besides that they Open the Belly and Evacuate hurtfull humors the Medicines prepared of this Bark have great Vertue to open all Obstructions Six drops of the Spirit of Elder-salt taken in broth is commended in the Scurvy The decoction of the Root in Wine cureth the Biting of Venemous beasts as also of a mad Dogge and mollifyeth the hardnesse of the Mother if Women sit therein and openeth the Veines and bringeth down the Courses the berries boiled in Wine perform the same effects the Haire of the Head or of any other part washed therewith is made black The juice of the green Leaves applyed to the inflammation of the Eyes asswageth them and the Leaves boiled till they be tender then mixed and beaten with Barly meale asswageth inflammations â—n any other part helpeth places that are burnt with fire or scalded with Water cureth fistulous Ulcers being laid thereupon and easeth the paines of the Gout being beaten and boiled with the tallow of a Bull or Goat and â—â—id warme thereto The Powder of the seeds first prepared in Vinegar and then taken in Wine halfe a dramme at a time for certaine dayes together is a meane to abate and consume the flesh of a corpulent body and to keep it lean Should I give you all the Vertues of Elder at large I should much exceed the usuall Limits of a Chapter and therefore I shall only give you a Breviat of them and referre you to that learned peece of Dr. Martâ—n Blockwich called the Anatomy of Elder where you may satisfy your selfe perfectly of every particular There is hardly a Disease from the Head to the Foot but it cures for besides the Vertues I have allready mentioned it is profitable for the Head-ach for Ravings and Wakings Hypocondriack Mellancholy the Falling-sicknesse the Apoâ—â—exy and Palsy 〈…〉 rrius Toâ—â—h-ach Deafenesse want of smelling Blemishes of the 〈◊〉 and Head Diseases of the mouth and Throat the infirmities of the Lungs Hâ—â—sting and Hearsenesse the Pleurify and Ptisick Womens brests being sore swooning and P 〈…〉 esse in Feavours the Plague Pox Measles Diseases of the Stomack the VVormes and other Diseases of the Gutts the Hemorrhoides the Stone Diseases of the Matrix c Neither is there any part about this Tree without its use The Leaves Berries Seeds Root and Barkes I have allready spoken of Of the flowers are made conserves a Syrup and Hony Water and Spirits Vinegar and Oxy 〈…〉 a Wine Oyle c The young shoots boiled like Asparageâ— and the young Leaves and Stalkes boiled in fat broth draweth forth mightily Choler and tough Phlegme and so do the tender Leaves eaten with Oyle and Salt The VVood serveth to make Skewets for Butchers and divers other things The Pith in the middle of the Stalkes being dryed and put into the holes of hollow and fistulous Ulcers that are ready to close openeth and dilateth the Orifices whereby injections may be use and other remedies applyed for the cure of them and may be used to keep open Issues insteed of a Pease It is said that if a Horse that cannot stale be strucken gently with a Stick hereof and some of the Leaves be bound under his Belly it will make him stale quickly It is said also that if a branch hereof be put into the trench where a Mole is it will either drive him forth or kill him there The Mountaine or Red-berried 〈◊〉 hath the properties that the common Elder hath but much weaker The Marsh Elder is of the like purging quality with the common sort especially the beâ—â—ies or juice of them The Danewort is not only more powerfull then the Elder for all the forementioned purposes but hath particular Vertues that are not in the other or at least are nothing so prevalent The juice of the root of Danewort applyed to the Throat healeth the Quinsy or Kings-Evill the Fundament likewise is stayed from falling down if the juice thereof be put therein The Powder of the Seedes taken in the Decoction of Ground-Pine with a little Cinamon to the quantity of a dram at a time is an approved remedy both for the Gout Joynt-Aches and Sciatica and also for the French disease for it easeth the paines by withdrawing the humors from the places affected and by drawing forth those humors that are fluent peccant and offensive and so doth the Powder of the Root used as aforesaid Wine wherein the root hath been steeped a night seldome faileth to drive away an Ague at the second taking An Oyntment made in May with the Leaves hereof May-butter is highly esteemed by many as a soveraigne remedy for all outward paines Aches and Cramps in the Joynts Nerves or Sinewes for starcknesse and Lamenesse coming by cold or any other Casualty and generally to warme comfort and strengthen all the outward parts being ill affected as also to mollify the hardnesse and to open the obstructions of the Spleene the greived parts being annointed therewith CHAP. CLXXXX Of Soldanella The Names NOtwithstanding the dissimilitude that this Plant hath with any of the Cole-worts yet it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Dioscorides and others whom the Latines following have called Brassica marina not without great oversight in both Neither are some of our English Writers to be excused who follow their Authors to the very heeles and call it Sea Cole-wort But some Latine Authors considering the unreasonablenesse of the former name have called it Soldana Soldanella à consolidando and
upon Mountaines it hath somtimes the Epithite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 joyned to it in the Greek but more usually Montanum in Latine We in English call it Poley and Poley Mountaine The Kinds And of these Poleys there many be reckoned nine sorts 1. Our ordinary Poley Mountaine 2. Small Spanish upright Poley Mountaine 3. Small French Poley Mountaine 4. Creeping purple Poley Mountaine 5. The smallest creeping white flowred Poley Mountaine 6. Spike Leafed Poley Mountaine 7. Candy Poley with hoary broad Leaves 8. Upright narrow leased Candy Poley 9. The small African dwarfe Poley The Form The ordinary Poley Mountaine is a small low Plant having divers white or hoary round hard branches scarce a foot high whereon are set divers long and small hoary Leaves overlaid as it were with a yellowish white Down somewhat dented about the edges with two alwaies set together on the stalkes as they gâ—ow up at the tops whereof grow forth whitish or hoary yellowish heads thrusting out many small pale coloured flowers and in some places more yellow standing in hoary huskes the seed is small and blackish which it seldome perfecteth in our Land and therefore we slip the branches which being set will grow very well as often as we desire to increase it the whole plant smelleth sweet somwhat strong and quick withall The Places and Time These Plants grow not naturally in England and therefore I shall referre you to the Gardens for them as the Physick Garden at Oxford and that at Westminster where you may find divers of them They do most of them flower in July and August yet some later then others The Temperature Poley is dry in the third degree and hot in the end of the second of a loathsome bitter tast The Vertues Though this Simple be not commonly to be had in the feilds nor in every Garden yet at the Apothecaries shop it may be had at no great expence It is very effectuall to free all the inward parts from obstructions especially the Spleene and Liver which it doth through the bitternesse wherewith it is qualified it being the nature of all bitter things to open Obstructions Neither doth it only open the stopping of the Spleene but helpeth all other diseases thereof or proceeding from it as the swelling thereof the Jaundise and the Dropsy being boiled in Vinegar and Water and the Decoction thereof drunk It is also of wonderfull efficacy to resist Poyson and therefore it is alwaies put into Mithridate Treacle and all other Antidotes or Counterpoysons and to help those that are stung or bitten with Venemous Creatures the Decoction of the herb being drunk whilst it is warme nay it is so Antipatheticall to all Vermine that the fumigation or smoak thereof being burnt drives them away and so doth the herb being strewed or laid in those places that are subject thereunto It moveth the belly and bringeth down the feminine courses and doth consolidate or soder up close the Lips of cuts or wounds if it be applyed to them greene and being dry it healeth grievous sores or Ulcers and this the lesser kind doth best performe which is that also which is used in Mithridate Venice Treacle and the like Notwithstanding all these good qualities it troubleth the Stomack and causeth some paines in the head somtimes CHAP. CCXII. Of Lupines The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thermos in Latine Lupinus Plautus called Lupinus Aurum Comicum because in his time they were used instead of money in such Comedies as had any shew of payment in any Scene thereof But that they were not used for Currant money upon other occasions may be gathered from that Verse of Horace Nec tamen ignorent quid distant ara Lupinis Which sheweth that Counters and Counterfeit monies were easily to be distinguished from true and Currant Coyne In English they are usually called Lupines after the Latin Name yet some call them Fig-beanes after the Dutch name because they are flat and round as a Fig that is pressed and others Flat-beans for the same reason Some have called the yellow Lupine Spanish Violets and other foolish names have been given it as Virginia Roses and the like The Kinds There be Eleaven severall sorts of Lupines 1. The white-Garden Lupine 2. The greater blew Lupine 3. The lesser blew Lupine 4. The smallest blew Lupine 5. The blew Sea Lupine 6. The spotted white Lupine 7. The yellow Lupine 8. The Arabian Lupine 9. A middle sort of great blew Lupine 10. Blush flowered Lupine 11. Lupinus flore obsoleto The Form The white Garden Lupine riseth up with a great round stalk hollow and somewhat woolly with divers branches whereon grow upon long Foot-stalkes many broad Leaves divided into five seven or Nine parts or smaller Leaves equally standing round about as it were in a Circle of a whitish green colour on the upper side and more woolly underneath the Flowers stand many together at severall Joynts both of the greater stalk and the branches like unto Beanes and of a white colour in some places and in others of a very bleak blew tending to white after the flowers are past there come in their places long broad and flat rough Cods wherein are contained round and flat seed yellowish on the inside and covered with a rough white skin and very bitter in tast the roots are not very great but full of small fibres whereby it fasteneth it self strongly in the ground yet perisheth every year as all the rest of these kinds do which differ little from this but onely in the colour of their Flowers for which they are cheifely desired The Places and Time All the sorts above named do grow in the Gardens of those that are curious Lovers of these delights here in England but the first came from Greece where it was anciently cherished for food the Great blew Lupine from Caramania beyond Persia the lesser blew and the yellow sort from Spaine They flower in June and July and their seed is ripe quickly after The Temperature Lupines by reason of their bitternesse do open digest dissolve and cleanse but being steeped some dayes in water they lose their bitterneâ—â—e The Signature and Vertues The Lupine is said by Crollius to have the Signature of the Spleen and therefore the decoction therefore is profitable for those that are Splenetick to which may also be added Rue and Pepper that it may be the pleasanter and more effectuall The said Decoction helpeth to kill and expell all manner of Wormes if it be drunk in a Morning fasting and so doth the Meale hereof taken with Honey or with Water and Vinegar or tempered with an Oxe gall and laid to the navell whilst the party is fasting Though taken often and without preparation they breed grosse and rude humours being hard of digestion and slow in passing thorow the belly yet being steeped and afterwards dryed beaten and taken with some Vineâ— as they cleanse the Stomack help digestion and provoke Appetite
Bladder is the Bladder Nut-Tree which is therefore said to be effectuall to help those which are troubled with the Stone in the Bladder but because it is without any other Vertue unlesse it be to provoke Venery as some affirme having withall divers evill Qualities whereby they are loathsome and overturne the Stomacks of them that eate them I shall passe it by without any description at all only tell you that it is called Nux Vesicaria in Latine supposed to be the Staphylodendron of Pliny Some call it Pistacium Germanicum because they call it by the same name they do the Pistake whereof Scaliger taketh it to be a kind So much I thought good to say of it because it growes in Gardens and Fields in divers places of this land CHAP. CCXXVIII Of Dogs-grasse or Quich-grasse The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agrostis that is Gramen simply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is of most use In Latine Gramen Caninum and Gramen Caninum medicatum by Lobel following Pliny herein who first called it Canaria quasi à Caniâ—â—â—inventa because Dogges when they are sick at the Stomack do naturally eat hereof fall to their Vomit and are well and therefore others have called it Cynagrostis and Dens Canis from the forme wherein it first appeareth We call it in English Dogs-grasse because Dogs feed thereon Quich-grasse and Couch-grasse from the nature of the rootes which ly so close in the ground that they cannot be got out unlesse the ground be broken up with a Spade The Latine word Gramen is derived à Gradiendo from spreading it selfe for it will overâ—â—â—ne a place speedily The Kindes You may guesse by the severall sorts of Quich-grasse what a huge number of Grasses there be in all this being a subordinate kind and yet hath sixteene under it 1. Common Quich-grasse 2. Quich-grasse with a more spread Panickle 3. The lesser Quich-grasse with a sparsed tuft 4. Low bending Quich-grasse 5. Low bending Quich-grasse of Mompelier 6. A small sweet grasse like Quich-grasse 7. Common bulbed and knotted Quich-grasse 8. Knobbedgrasse with a small round spike 9. Double bulbed 10. The bulbed Grasse of Aleppo 11. The Sicilian Bulbed Grasse 12. Sea spiked Dogs-grasse or Quich-grasse 13. Sea Quich-grasse 14. Sea Dogs-grasse with long roots 15. Sea spiked Dogs-grasse of Mompelier 16. Rough Sea Dogs-grasse The Forme Common Quich-grasse is well known both by Gardiners and Husbandmen to creepe farre about under the ground with long white joynted Rootes and small fibres almost at every joynt very sweet in tast as the rest of the herb is and interlacing one another from whence shoote forth first one and afterwards many faire and long grassy Leaves small at the ends and cutting and sharpe at the edges the Stalkes are joynted like corne with the like Leaves on them and a long spiked Head with long husks on them and hard rough seed in them The Places and Times The first is too common both in Gardens and Ploughed feilds for the Gardeners and Husbandmens store though not for such Physitians as Mr. Culpepper who holds halfe an Acre of it worth five of Carrots or Corne the second and third are nothing so frequent and are more naturall to sandy and chalky grounds the three next are likewise found in feilds that have been Ploughed but ly fallow at present The seaventh is found in some Ploughed Feilds and Medowes of this Land the eighth neere Basil the ninth in Spaine the tenth neere Aleppo the eleaventh neere Verona the three next on our Sea-Coasts especially in Kent the fifteenth about Mompelier and Narbone the last about Venice They flourish most in the Summer but their Rootes endure the hardest Winters The Temperature Dogs-grasse is cold in the first degree and moderate in coldnesse and moisture but the seed is much more cold and dry of some tenuity of parts and somewhat harsh The Vertues and Signature All the sorts of Grasse especially those of Quich-grasse are very effctuall to open the passages of Urine being stopped as also to wast the gravel of the Stone in the Bladder and the Ulcers thereof but that sort which is knobbed is held to be most proper because it hath a kind of Signature And if I should say that some of the other sorts cure the Wormes by Signature I should not say amisse for the rootes of some of them are very like those beds of Wormes which we somtimes see voided from men the juice thereof mixed with Honey and the Powder of Southernwood and taken in drink for Children the juice mingled with an Oxe-Gall and a cloth dipped therein and laid to the Navell will be sufficient and for this purpose the Dogs also eat it who after the taking thereof have been observed to void many Being boiled in white wine and drunk it openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Gall and easeth the griping paines of the Belly and Inflammations The Roots bruised and applyed are very effectuall for Consolidating Wounds The seed doth more powerfully expell Urine and stayeth the Lask and Vomitings The distilled Water by it self or with a little wormseed killeth the Wormes in Children The way of using it for the diseases of the Reines and Bladder which I forgot to expresse after the Signature is onely to bruise the Roots and having well boiled them in white wine to drink the decoction yet after the benefit of making Water is obtained the decoction must be made in water CHAP. CCXXIX Of Butchers Broom The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oxymyrsine which is as much as Acuta Myrtus in Latine and Prickly Myrtle in English as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myrtus Sylvestris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myrtacantha Myrtus Spinosa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 murina Spina and of Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Centromyrrhine Pliny saith that it was called in his time Chamaemyrsine and Acaron or rather Aceron which is one of the Bastard Names by all which we may gather that it was taken for the wild Myrtle but falsly for that which was accounted so amongst the Ancients is like unto the manured kind with prickly Leaves and therefore Pliny misâ—ooke when he attributed the faculties of the one to the other It is called in Latine Ruscus and Ruscum and in Shops Bruscus and of some Ruscus Bruscus by Onomaâ—opaeia because of the Russeling noise it maketh when it is moved and of some as Marcellus saith Scopa Regia We call it in English Knee-holme Kneeâ—â—lver Kneeholly Pettigree and Ruscus Bruscus The Kinds Butchers Broom at its first coming up sendeth forth thick whitish short Shoots somewhat like unto those of Asparagus but greater which thing to be about a foot high are spread into divers green branches which are a little crested tough pâ—â—ant and flexible whereon are set somwhat broad and allmost hard Leaves sharp and prickly pointed at the ends of a dark green colour and somewhat like unto Myrtle Leaves
and quilted therein The Powder mixed with some Oyle of Roses and Myrtles healeth the Chaps of the Fundament Kibes also and Chilblaines on the hands and feet being mixed with the white of an Egge and applyed to the Forehead it stayeth bleeding at the Nose and the same being burned and the Fumes therof taken through a Funnel upon an aking Tooth taketh away the paine it is effectual also in moist Ulcers and Fistulaes and weeping running sores to dry up their moisture Though the Wood of our Juniper is not so substantiall as to make Rafters and Beames of Houses as that of some Countryes hath beene said to do the Rafters and Beames even of Diana's Temple being of it because of its durability and sweetnesse yet being burned it yeeldeth a very sweet scent which freeth from infection and driveth away all Norsome Serpents Flies VVaspes c The Gum of Juniper in Powder taken in Wine doth stay Vomitings inward bleedings and spitting of blood VVomens Courses also and all other Fluxes of the Belly it helpeth the Piles and killeth Wormes in Children The Ashes of the Wood or Barke made into a Lye with Water doth cure all Itches Scabs Pustules or other Eruptions in the skin yea and the Lepry also if the places be bathed therewith CHAP. CCXLV Of the Olive-Tree The Names IT being manuted is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Olea Sativa in Latine and somtimes Urbana The Berry is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also in Greek and Oliva in Latine but being pickled they are called Colymbades and before that Drupae and Drupetes The Oyle hath both the same Greek and Latine name with the Tree and though it be applyed to all Oyle in generall yet to this only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Foot whereof is called Amurca in Latine The wild Olive-Tree is named in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Oleaster Olea Silvestris Cotinus and Olea Aethiopica because it groweth very frequently in Aethiopia The Kinds Some have set down ten sorts of Olives and some againe have reduced them only to these two kinds 1. The manured Olive-Tree 2. The wild Olive-Tree The Forme The manured Olive-Tree groweth bigger or lesser according to the constitution of the Climate wherein it is having divers armes and branches full of thick fit and sharp pointed Leaves with short footstalkes under them greenish above and whitish underneath somwhat like unto those of the Willow but lesser and shorter yet never falling off the Tree of a bitter tast and somwhat sharp withall The Flowers be white and very small after which come round and somwhat long berries greene at first changing pale afterwards then purplish and lastly black yet some are white when they are full ripe wherein is an hard stone the Olives having been awhile gathered are ground in a Mill and then pressed for their Oyle The Places and Time The hottest Climates produce the fairest Olive-Trees for in Spaine Italy the Mediterranean Islands they grow tall and great and beare very plentifully in case they be within threescore Miles of the Sea and not otherwise as some write whereas in this and other cold Countryes they are so farre from bearing fruit that they will hardly withstand the Winter Frosts if they be any thing fierce yet I have seene them by the great diligence of the Gardiners preserved both at the Physick Garden at Oxford and at Wimbleton in the Lord Lamberts Garden They flower in their naturall places in June and July yet their fruit will not be ripe till November or December and somtimes and in some places not till January â—â— February The Temperature Ripe Olives be moderately hot and moist The unripe are dry and binding and consequently the Oyle that is made of them The greene Leaves do coole and bind The Vertues and Signatures Oyle Olive commonly called Sallet-Oyle is of all simple Oyles the most excellent as being of greatest use and commonly that which is pâ—escribed for Compositions and that Excellency consists as much in easing and defending Gutts as any thing whatsoever for whether it be used inwardly or outwardly it is of great advantage to them For those that are troubled with the Chollick or Iliack Passions it may be eaten with White bread in Sops instead of Butter and so it looseneth the Belly more than Butter but if that will nor prevaile take it with an equall quantity of Rhenish or White Wine and drink it or eâ—se if the tast of the Oyle cannot be endured as many times it cannot then male a Glister with Wine and Oyle which being put up is very eâ—â—ectuall to help the Passions aforesaid Raw yarn being boiâ—ed in Ashes and Oyle and appâ—yed to the Navell and Reines or an handfull of White Salt boyled in a pint of Oyle and two or three handfulls of black wooll dipped therein and bound hot to the Navell and bottome of the Belly worketh the same effects It is most effectuall against all poysons but especially against those that do exulcerate and eat holes in the Gutts interposing it self and defendâ—ng them by its stippernesse so that the poyson cannot work upon them but maketh it passe away without any prejudice and therefore it is a common Remedy for those that have eaten Ratsbane or any other deadly poyson to give them a draught of Oyle which not onely preserveth the Gutts but the Stomack also if it be got no lower causing it to be conveyed upwards or downwards but there is not altogether so much danger of the stomack as the Gutts because it meets with somewhat else to hinder its operation which by that time it hath overcome it descendeth from thence and because the tunicles of the small Guts are not so thick as those of the Stomack It is of much use in Sallets and other Sawces with Vinegar being very gratefull to the palates of some though others refuse it and for this purpose the sweetest is best yet for Medicines the older it is the better it is both to warm any part and to discusse any thing that needeth it and therefore it is a principall Ingredient in all Salves that are for curing of wounds and Scarres which Crallius saith it doth by Signature The Oyle of unripe Olives called Omphacinum whilest it is fresh is most wellcome also to the Stomack strengtheneth the Gums and fasteneth the teeth if it be applyed with Wooll or a White Cloath and being given to those that are much given to swering it helpeth them Pickled Olives are used as a sawce and so they do not onely 〈◊〉 up appetite but also strengthen the Stomack and being eaten with Vinegar they loose the Belly Being burned beaten and applyed unto Wheales they stay their further increase and hinder them from rising cleanse foule Ulcers help the Gums that are loose and Spongy and fasten loose teeth being dryed only and applyed to â—retting or corroding Urines doth stay them and taketh away the Scarres or
excellent expedient to kill and expell Wormes out of the Stomacks and Bellies both of children and elder persons also but the seed is accounted of greatest force notwithstanding when that cannot be had the herb may be used as aforesaid Matthiolus saith that half a dram of Lavender Cotten taken in a little of the distilled Water of Fetherfew every morning fasting for ten days together at the least is a very profitable Medicine for Women that are troubled with the Whites to stay them The Leaves drunk with Wine seven dayes helpeth the yellow Jaundise the obstructions of the Liver and Kidneys and is good against the Sciatica It is a good medicine against the poysons of all Serpents and venemous Beasts being taken in the manner aforesaid and being only strewed or burnt in such places as are frequented with Vermine it driveth them away with the smell thereof and therefore it is not altogether inconvenient to set it in Flower-pots amongst other things Clusius saith that in Spaine about Salamanca they use the decoction of the Spanish kindes to take away the Itch and Scabs in whomsoever have them and he adviseth that Caution be used in giving it yet I suppose it is rather to be bathed with then taken inwardly But it is used more frequently with us to be put amongst other hot Herbs either in Bathes Oyntments or other Medicines to help those that are bursten or troubled with Cramps or Convulsions of Sinews to provoke Urine and bring down womens courses and generally it worketh the same effects and may be applyed to all the diseases that Southernwood is appropriated and therefore I shall referre you to it to be further informed concerning its Vertues lest I justly seeme to be Tautologicall But there is an use wherein this exceeds that of Southernwood and that is to make Knots Trailes and other Compartiments in the Gardens of Noble Personages for besides its gentle aspect it abideth green all the Winter and will with cutting be kept in as even proportion as any other herb may be yet it must be removed every third year that is taken up and set again otherwise it will grow stubbed and dry CHAP. CCLI Of Carrots and Parsneps The Names IT will not be amisse to joyne these two sorts in one Chapter as I suppose because they are so agreeable in their Names Natures and Vertues The first is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so may the second for it is as probable that the derivation thereof commeth from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the stalk of Briony the Roots of each growing after the same manner as that it should come from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Grape to whose purplish colour when it is almost ripe one only sort hereof is resembled and therefore Dodonaeus and Fuscbius say that some in their time called them both Stapbylinus And so in Latine the word Pastinaca which cometh a Pascendâ— quia corpus alat doth agree with the one as well as the other for they are both nourishing yet differ in this because the Root of one is reddish and the other is white the one hath narrow Leaves and the other broad and therefore they are commonly divided into tenui folia latifolia Of that with narrow Leaves there is a wild sort called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Daucus Daucum Daucium in Latine and Dauke in English to distinguish it from another sort of wild Carrots which is properly so called of all which I shall say somewhat in this Chapter The Kindes Though there be many sorts of Carrots and more of Dauke yet I shall onely mention five sorts of the first one of the second and two of the Parsnep which are eight in all 1 Common yellow Carrots 2 Wild Carrots 3 Wild Carrots of Naples 4 Prickly wild Carrots of Naples 5 Wild Carrots with hairy Stalkes 6 The true Dauke of Candy 7 Garden Parsnep 8 Wild Parsnep The Forme The wild Carrot which is of more use in Physick though lesse knowne then the Common sort groweth in a manner like that of the Garden but that the Leaves are whiter and rougher as the Stalkes likewise are which beare large spoky tufts of white flowers with a deep purple spot in the middle which are contracted together when the seed beginneth to grow ripe so that the middle part being hollow and low and the outward stalks rising high maketh the whole Umbel to shew like a birds nest The Root is small long and hard being also somewhat sharp and strong and therefore unfit for Meat The Places and Time The first is that which is sowne by the Gardiners in every Country in Gardens or Fields chosen out for the purpose whose soile must be loose and well manured if not new broken up The second groweth in most places of this Land as well in Pastures as by sides of fields and untilled places The third and fourth in Naples The fifth in Germany The sixth in Candy The seventh is nursed up in Gardens The last groweth in the Marshes by Rochester The first are sowen in April or sooner and will be ready for the pot about Iuly or August never seeding the first year if they be good but the seconâ— All the rest do flower and seed about the end of Summer except the Garâ—â— Parsnep whose seed is ripe about the beginning of August the second year after its sowing for if they seed the first year they are good for nothing and are called Mad Neepes by the Countrey people The Temperature The Roots of Carrots and Parsneps are temperatly hot and somewhat moist but the seeds are hot and dry almost in the third degree The Vertues The seed of every one of the before mentioned sorts are very carminative that is powerfull to expell wind and therefore they are very effectuall to ease the torments and gripings of the Belly and to cure the Collick but especially that of the true Dauke of Candy next the wild Carrots and if neither of them can be gotten the seeds of either of the other Carden sorts may be used in steed thereof either in Powder or in Decoction The seed of the true Dâ—â—cus is likewise very usefull to help the Strangury to provoke Urine and Womens courses to expell the Dead birth and to help the strangling of the Mother and remove those stitches that afflict the sides Both it and the Roots powdered drunk in Wine are very profitable for those that have receiv'd any grief or hurt by any venemous Beast whatsoever as also to resist any other venome or poyson and the Pestilence The same also put into Pultises doth ease tumours and swellings in any part and being mixed with honey it helpeth old and inveterate Coughes The seed of the wild Carrot is commended for all the purposes aforesaid as also for helping to break and expell the Stone in the Kidneys to cure the Dropsey and those whose Bellies are swollen with Wind it provoketh venery and helpeth conception The
the year to be used for any of the aforesaid purposes as often as occasion shall serve The People of Norway use their Knotberry against the Scurvey and other crude putrid and melancholy diseases wherewith they of those parts are afflicted so that we may therein admire the wonderfull wisdome and providence of God who hath ordained to grow in every Climate Remedies for those diseases whereunto it is subject CHAP. CCLXII Of Teasel The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dipsacus from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sitio either by Antiphrasis because they are seldome or never dry or else because the Water that standeth in the Concavity of those Leaves that encompasse the Stalks being drunk causeth thirst It is also called from the concavous leaves that contain Water like a Basâ—n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lavacrum Veneris Venus Baâ—â—â— it being as I suppose a peece of Religion amo 〈…〉 the Antients to intitle those pretty things which bear any resemblâ—nc 〈…〉 any utensill for the adorning or cleansing of the body to Venus as Speculâ—m 〈…〉 ris Venus looking glasse Pecten Venerus Venus Combe as also those parts w 〈…〉 men much respect as Capillus Veneris Maidenhair and Vmbilicus Veneris V 〈…〉 Navelwort c. Yet some would have it to be Labrum Veneris because Whores are as ready to be kissed as the those hollow Leaves to receive the Raine and afterwards to card and teare the estates if not the bodies of their followers which the heads of this Teasel are apt to do and Carduus Veneris for the like reason It is also called Carduus Fullonum Fullers Thistle because Cloathworkers and Fullers use the manured kind hereof named Dâ—psacus sativus the others being called Dipsacus sylvestris and Virga Pastoris The Kindes Though Teasel have so many names yet it hath but four sorts 1 The Garden or manured Teasel 2 The wild Teasel 3 Wild Teasel with jagged Leaves 4 The Shepherds Staffe or Red. The Forme Garden Teasel sendeth forth very larg and long leaves somewhat like unto these of Lang de beef or Wild Buglesse but greater of a pale green colour somewhat rough and hard dented about the edges set on the backside of the middle rib with many short prickles from which rise up stalks of the height of three or four foot armed likewise with prickles with joynts at severall places which are encompassed with too lesser leaves so joyned together thereat that they hold the falling rain or dew in them like unto a Bason by which difference it may easily be distinguished from any other Plant as I have expressed in my Art of Simpling from between the Leaves and the Stalks of each side come forth prickly branches also every one of which beareth a long round head like a Brush that they cleanse bottles with having hooded and somewhat whitish flowers first about the middle and afterwards at the ends in the severall cels whereof being whitish when they come to perfection are contained somewhat long small and whitish round seed the middle many times is hollow and containeth severall little white Wormes like Maggots the Root is white long and somewhat great set with divers fibres thereat perishing annually but riseth plentifully from its fallen seed The Places and Time Fullers and Cloathworkers sow the first in their own Gardens and cause it to be sowne by others for their use the second groweth very frequently in most parts of this Land as well in the high-wayes where there be ditches and rilles of water as in dryer places the third in some places of Germany the last in divers places of England and particularly by Saint Albans in the Horse-way that goeth from the Abbey Parish to St. Stevens They all flower in June and July and the first will be fit to gather for the aforesaid use in the latter end of August when the seed of the other will be ripe also The Temperature Galen writeth that Teasel is drying in the second degree and hath withall some cleansing faculty The Signature and Vertues The hollowness that is in the midst of the Teasel head with the worms therein doth somewhat represent the fundament and the worms thereof and therefore the Roots being bruised and boyled in wine till they come to a consistence and then put into a brazen or copper box and afterwards spread as a salve and applyed to the fundament doth heal the chaps rifts Canckers Fistulaes thereof as Dioscorides saith who further affirmeth that it is profitable for the taking away of Wens and Warts as the water contained in the concavity of the Leaves is also said to do which is likewise commended for red eyes and spots of the Face especially under the eyes The Leavs applyed to the Fore-head Temples qualifieth the Frensy or Madnesse by the cold and dry quality which some suppose to be in them and the juyce of them put into the eares killeth the worms in them The distilled water of the Leaves is effectuall to cure the Scurvey which causeth rottennesse of the Mouth and Gums taketh away the rednesse of the eyes and such Mists as darken the sight being but dropped thereinto and helpeth creeping sores Shingles Pimples and hanging Worts in the Fundament or elsewhere The said distilled water is often used by Women to preserve their Beauty and to take away rednesse and inflammations and all other heats and discolorings The roots stamped with Danewort sodden in Wine and drunk helpeth the Dropsy and the Gout also if they be boyled in red Wine and drunk morning and evening for nine dayes together Being boyled with Plantain in Rain-water and some quantity thereof drunk with Sugar morning noon and night helpeth the spitting of blood Two drams of the powder drunk in a Porringer full of Pease broth stoppeth the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses and so it doth being stamped and boyled in vinegar and applyed under the Navel and being onely stamped and applyed it is good for those wounds that are moist and hard to heal and also for the Cancker of the Yard The said powder being drunk in good Wine stoppeth all manner of Fluxes and is a remedy for the Excoriations of the belly and other parts That the small Worms found in the heads of the Teasel worn about the neck or arm in a thin Lease do cure the Ague is certainly a Fable The first as I said is onely used by them that dresse Cloath to raise the Wool thereof with the crooked Prickles of the head making it fit that their Shearers may cut it smooth and yet a Nap may be left thereon but the other sorts are as usefull in Physick especially the second CHAP. CCLXIII Of Rice The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Theophrastus saith in Latin also Oryza that as well as other Nations following the Greek as neer as their Dialect will permit There being but one kind hereof I shall passe to
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
do flower in June and July but some of them later or not at all so that their seed is seldome seen Some of them if not all loose their Leaves in the Winter as many other Trees The Temperature Southernwood is hot and dry in the end of the third degree having the force both of rarifying and discussing The Vertues The tops of Southernwood for the flowers and seed are not so common stamped raw with water and drunk bringeth unto women their monthly purgations in case they come not at their usuall time but stay so long that expectation may seeme frustrated and so it is profitable for those who cannot take breath without holding their Necks straight up for those that are troubled with the Cramp or Shrinking of the Sinewes for the Sciatica also and for them that can hardly make water all which effects the flowers and seed do excellently performe if they can be had Being drunk in Wine it is good against all poyson and venome and destroyeth the Wormes both by killing and expelling them The seed of Southernwood doth both digest and consume all cold humors tough slime and phlegme which do usually stop the Spleen Kidneys and Bladder The tops boyled in Wine or Water with Honey or Sugar and drunk three or four times a day helpeth the shortnesse and straightnesse of the breath by cutting the slimy and tough phlegme that causeth it and so it is a good remedy for the Cough the Cardiack passion and for many other inward griefes The branches being burnt and the ashes mixed with the Oyl of Palma Christi or old Oyl Olive restoreth the hair where it is fallen off and causeth the Beard to come forth speedily if the bare places be annointed therewith twice a day against the Sun or Fire which it may be said to do by Signature the finenesse of the Leaves somewhat resembling the Hair The tops only being stamped with a roasted Quince and applyed to all inflammations of the eyes taketh them away The Leaves boyled tender and stamped with Barly Meale and Barrowes grease untill it become like a salve dissolveth and wasteth all cold humors and swellings being spread upon a peece of Cloath or Leather and applyed thereunto And being stamped with Oyl and those Limbes that are benummed with cold or bruised being annointed therewith it helpeth them and taketh away the shivering fits of the Ague by heating the body if it be annointed therewith before the fits do come but especially the Back bone If it be boyled with Barly Meale it taketh away Pimples Pushes or Wheales that rise in the Face or other parts of the Body The Herb bruised and laid to helpeth to draw forth Splinters and Thorns out of the flesh The ashes thereof dryeth up and healeth old sores and Ulcers that are without although by the sharpnesse thereof it biteth sore as also the sores that are in the privy parts of Men or Women The Oyl made of Southernwood being used as an ingredient in those Oyntments that are used against the French disease is very effectuall and likewise killeth Lice in the Head The distilled Water of the Herb is said to help them much that are troubled with the Stone as also for the Diseases of the Spleen and Mother The Germanes commend it for a singular Wound Herb and therefore call it Stabwort It is held to be more offensive to the Stomack then Wormwood if it be taken inwardly and therefore is never used in our ordinary Meat and Drink and besides it will make some mens Heads to ake yet the Herb somewhat dryed and put into a linnen bag and laid as a Stomacher next the skin comforteth a cold Stomack well so that though inwardly taken it is not so good for the Stomack as Wormwood yet outwardly applyed it is better It driveth away spiders and other vermine being laid for a strewing or burnt in such places as they be frequent It is said that if a branch of Southernwood be laid under ones Bed Pillow or Bolster it provoketh carnall copulation and resisteth all inchantments that hinder the same CHAP. CCLXXXIX Of Savoury The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thymbron and Thymbra perhaps from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suffio because of its odor or smell and Thymbra also in Latine besides which it hath none other Latine Name as some suppose though others make bold to call it Satureia either à saturando because it is used in broth and stewed meates to give thereunto a good rellish and by that meanes causeth them the better to satisfie hunger or from Satyrus A Satyre because they used it to provoke Venery which I cannot be so confident as to assert seeing that I find that it helpeth the disease called Satyriasis or Priapismus which is wrought by a contrary quality which derivation I suppose to be rather by Antiphrasis Some hold it also to be the same which was called Cunila by the Ancients The Kindes The sorts of Savoury as well those that are rare as those which are common are five 1 Winter Savoury 2 Summer Savoury 3 Rock Savoury 4 The true Savoury of Candy 5 Prickly Savoury of Candy The Forme Winter Savoury is a small low bushy herb somewhat like unto Hyssop but not so high with divers small hard branches compassed on every side with narrower sharper pointed Leaves then those of Hyssop with which they have some resemblance yet this doth sometimes grow with four Leaves set at a joynt so that it may be easily distinguished therefrom of a reasonable strong scent yet not so strong as that of the Summer kind amongst which grow the flowers of a pale purplish and sometimes whitish colour set at severall distances towards the tops of the Stalks The Root hath divers small strings thereat but the body of it is woody as the rest of the Plant is The Places and Time The first is so common that there be few Gardens without it The second is not so familiar though the naturall place of neither of them is remembred by any Author that hath written of this Subject yet it is very probable that there grew great plenty thereof in that field neer unto Troy which is said to be called Thymbra for that reason and from thence Apollo one of the Patrons of that City was called Thymbraeus The rest also grow wild in divers places of Europe as the third upon St. Julians Rock and the two last in Candy as their names declare and are cherished by those that delight in variety of Plants They are propagated both by seed and slipping in the Spring time especially yet those which abide all Winter are more usually increased by slipping then sowing They flowrish in the end of Summer and therefore seldome perfect their Seed The Temperature Savoury is hot and dry in the third degree it not only maketh thin but openeth the passages The Vertues To provoke the Termes not only the blood is to be
full of veines standing at distances without order every one upon the short foot-stalk At every joynt with the Leaves from the middle of these Stalks upwards cometh one long hollow Flower small at the bottom but broader at the top with a long piece or slippet as it were at one side of the top bending down both of them almost of a deadish yellow or somewhat brownish colour and somewhat blackish purple on the in-side the Flowers being past there come in their places small round and somewhat long fruit of divers sizes but commonly about the bignesse of a Walnut when the green shell is peeled off which being ripe openeth it self into three parts and sheweth the Seed which is somewhat flat and round lying in order within it being separated into Cells by certain skins the root is round and tuberous somewhat like to that of Sowbread both in form and operation The Places and Time I finde none of these growing naturally in England but that with the long Root which is said to grow beyond Reding yet divers others of the sorts are to be found either in the Physick Garden at Oxford or in Dr. Howe 's Garden at Westminster or in Mr. Tradescants Garden at Lambeth being brought thither either mediately or immediately from their naturall places the three first growing as well in France about Mompelier as in Spain and Italy the next three in Spaine as also in Candy the seaventh delights in the stony Olive yards of Provence and Spain and the last in Candy In the warmer Countreys they flower and seed betimes as in the months of May June and July but with us they flower not untill the middle or end of July and their fruit doth hardly ripen before the Winter The Temperature The Roots of Birth-wort are hot in the second degree and dry in the third according to some and hot in the third degree and dry in the second according to others the round hath lesse earthy Substance and more tenuity of partâ— and therefore more effectuall in most Diseases The Signature and Vertues The learned Crollius in his book of Signatures doth take notice of the 〈…〉 mblance that is between the root of round Birth-wort and the Womb and 〈…〉 â—t is not altogether strange if it be excellent for Women that have gone out 〈◊〉 full time especialâ—y when they are in Travel for it causeth an easie and speedy delivery whether the Chiâ—d be alive or dead expelleth the After-birth and all other impurity of the Womb and provoketh the Courses so that it must needs be an acceptable Herb to such Women as understand the Vertues of it It is also effectuall to purge Phlegm and then Choler and that without any trouble or commotion to the Body for it discusseth windynesse which all other purging Medicines do usually cause and therefore it availeth much in the diseases of the Brainâ— Nerves Breast Stomack Guts and Spleen It profiteth likewise in the Falling Sicknesse Cramp Convulsion Ruptures shortnesse of Breath pain of the Side Hicket gnawing of the Stomack Chollâ—ck swelling of the Spleen and especially if they come of Phlegm or Wind. It is used with good successe in the Joynt Gout against Venome and Poyson against cold Agues and against Stopping and Rebellious humours that are the cause of long Agues It killeth Wormes and resisteth putrifaction and is good against the conâ—usions of the Nerves and Muscles if it be given with Syrup of Vinegar Mede or Honyed water It is used also in old rotten and malignant Vlcers especially being mixed with the powder of the roots of Flower-de-luce and Honey for being thus used it cleanseth and healeth them It cures Vlcers of the secret parts if they be washed with the Decoction thereof The Powder hereof doth cleanse the Teeth and make them white being rubbed therewith It easeth the Gout being mingled with Honey and Salt and applyed It draweth out Thornes and Splâ—â—ters of Bones that are broken being applyed with Turpentine It helpeth the biting of venemous Beasts being boyled in Wine and laid on and so doth the powder thereof being mixed with the juyce of Rue and applyed to the Wound Being mingled with the powder of Aloes Lime or Chalk and Honey and made into an Oyntment by adding a little Wine it cureth the Cancer and Polyppus in the Nose if Tents dipped therein be put into the Nostrill The powder thereof tempered with Honey cures the Vlcers of the Mouth and Gummes The fume thereof or the powder in a quilted Cap stayeth all Fluxes and Distillations of thin Rheume from the Head It is held to be so excellent for Wounds in the Head and elsewhere that it is an usuall saying That without Birthwort no Chirurgion can performe any great cure A Pessary made hereof and with Myrrhe provokes the Termes in Women but let such aâ— are with Child and have not gone their full time by no means meddle with it lest it cause abortion The distilled Water hereof is usefull against creeping Vlcers and Pustules of the Genitalls both in men an women being therewith wash'd or linnen cloaths dipt in the same laid on the place all night The long Birth-wort is almost yet not altogether so effectual as the round for all the diseases aforesaid whether inward or outward and some hold the running kinde to be so also CHAP. CCCXIII. Of Mercury The Names I Mean not here to treat of that Herb that the Country people call Mercury in Latin Bonus Henricus which some take to be a kinde of Dock but of those sorts of Mercury which are more pâ—operly so called French Mercury is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Linozostis and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mercurii Herba and though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parthenium be the name which is usually given to Feaverfew yet because this is also good for Womens diseases it was formerly so called as divers other Herbs tending to the same purpose were The Latines following the Greek do call it Mercurialis because as Pliny saith it was found by Mercury Dogs mercury which is also a kinde hereof is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cynaea and Cynâ—crambe which signifieth as much as Brassica Canina that is Dogs-Cabbage but because it hath no agreement with any Cabbage therefore some have chose rather to call it in Latin by the name of Mercurialis Canina propter ignobilitatem and other Mercurialis Sylvestris The Childes or the Childing-Mercury which is another sort hereof is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phyllum and EleophylluÌ„ quasi Oleaefolium because the Leaves are like unto those of the Olive The Kindes The kindes are sufficiently declared in speaking of the names and therefore I shall say no more of them onely that every sort hath a Male and Female The Forme French Mercury for so it is called though it grow in other places besides France riseth up with square green Stalks full
of singular use for those that have any Bones broken The bloody Cranes-bill is found by the Signature thereof to be also effectual both in inward and outward Wounds either the decoction of the Herb or the powder of the Leaves and Roots being used as the cause shall require as also to stay all manner of Bleeding Vomiting or Fluxes either in Man or Woman Herb Robert is generally commended for the same qualities besides it is good against the Stone and is effectual in old Vlcers even in the Secret parts CHAP. CCCXXVI Of the Elme The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ptelea in Latine Vlâ—us in English the Elme and the Elme-tree The Kindes There were but two sorts of Elmes known to the Ancients for though Pliny seem to make foure Attinia Galâ—ica Nostras and Sylvestria yet they are reducible to two for Attinia and Gallica and so likewise Nostras and Sylvestris were the same as Collumella plainly setteth down one whereof he calleth Vlmus Gallica and the other Vernacula which is Italica Theophrastus also maketh but two sorts Montiulmus seâ— Montosa Vlmus and Campestris Vlmus yet the more Modern Writers make mention of four 1. The Common Elme 2. Broad-leafed Elme or Witch-Hasel 3. Smooth-leafed Elme or Witch-Elme 4. The lesser Elme The Forme The Common Elme groweth to be a very great Tree with a Body of a very large size covered with a thick rough barke chapt or crackt in many places but that on the branches is smoother as it happeneth in the Oake Willow Wallnut and divers other trees the blossomes that appeare before the Leaves come forth are like small tassells of red threds which falling away there come up in their stead broad flat whitish Skins which are the Seed and fall away by degrees some quickly and some again continue till the Leaves are fully come forth and after the Leaves are of a sad green colour somewhat round yet pointed at the ends rough and crumpled for the most part and dented about the edges one side of the Leaf next the Stalk being longer than the other on which doe grow certain small Bladders or Blisters containing small Worms in them The Wood or Timber of it is of a dark reddish yellow colour very tough and serviceable to make Pumps and Pipes to conveigh water under-ground as also to make Beams Rafters or Transomes and many other uses where it may be alwayes moist or alwayes dry but where it is subject to all Weathers it endureth not so long as the Oak The Places and Time The first groweth very frequently in every County of this Land as the second also doth in some Countreys as much or rather more than the first the third is to be seen in divers Woods growing in Essox the fourth groweth also in England according to Master Goodyer but the place is not particularly expressed They all blossome before the Leaves come forth and the Seede is ripe not long after the Leaves are come to their full bigness The Temperature Both the Leaves and Bark of the Elme be moderately hot with an evident clearsing faculty being also of a certain clammy and glewing quality The Signature and Vertues Those Bladders or Blisters that grow upon the Leaves of the Elme are said by Crollius to have the Signature of a Rupture the Guts coming through the Rim of the Belly maketh the Cods like unto it and therefore he saith that the water contained in those Bladders is of much force to close up Burstennesses Cloathes being often wet in the water that comes forth out of these and applyed thereunto but then it must be afterwards bound with a trusse and thus much Matthiolus also affirmeth The said Water while it is fresh is very effectually used to cleanse the Skin and make it fair whether of the face or any other part The same also being put into a glass and set in the ground or else in Horse dung for the space of twenty five dayes the mouth thereof being close stopped and then the bottome set upon a lay of ordinary salt that the Feces may settle and Water become very cleaâ— is so singular and soveraign a Balsom for green Wounds that there can hardly be a better being applyed to them with soft tents The decoction of the bark of the Root fomented molifieth hard Tumors and the shrinking of the Sinâ—wes The Roots of the Elme boyled for a long time in Water and the Fat rising on the top thereof being clean scommed off and anoynted upon any place where the haire is fallen away it will cause the same to come againe very quickly The said Bark being ground with Brine or Pickle untill it come to the form of a Pultis is an excellent Remedy for the Gout if it be applyed to the pained place The Decoction of the middle Bark of the Branches being thin sliced is very good to bathe those places which have been burnt with Fire or scalded with Water The â—aid Bark being boyled in Vinegar and some Syrup of Mulberries mixed therewith is so repercussive that it causeth the Vvula or Palat that is fallen down to go up again very speedily The same Bark being infused in Cream is good for the Shingles and other such like eruptions of the Skin especially if the juyce of House leek â—e added thereunto and being boyled onely in water and the Head washed therewith it cleanseth it from all manner of Scurf and Dandraff as it doth the Leprosie from that and other parts of the Body as the green Leaves stamped with Vinegar are said to do also The Leaves hereof bruised and applyed healeth green Wounds being bound thereto with its own Bark The decoction of the Leaves Bark or Root being bathed healeth broken bones It hath been observed that Bees prosper not well where many Elmes grow for if they feed upon the Bloomings or Seed as they are apt to do it will put them into such a loosness that unless they have speedy help they wil have much ado to keep their lives There be divers other things commended for Ruptures as the Roots of Aron the Roots of Orpine Avens Wood-Betony Bistort Comfrey Calamint Birdsfoot Daisies Gentian Golden-rod Horse-taile and divers others which I have formerly and shall hereafter treat of And now I passe on to the last head which concerns the lower Region and that is about the diseases of the Privy Members and because the French Pox is a Malady which for the most part comes by the immoderate use of Venery and is communicated to some by one Act onely with another that hath them by which botches do at first grow in the Groyne though afterwards the whole frame of the Body is infected and other evil Accidents are procured therefore I shall first proceed to declare what Simples are most used in that Disease and afterwards make mention of some others that are profitable for some other distempers happening about those parts CHAP. CCCXXVII Of Guajacum The Names IT
be eminent for healing green Wounds yet not for all other diseases as those names import The Forme Clownes Wound-wort groweth up with slender four square green rough Stalks to the height of halfe a yard or two foot surrowed in a little upon every square the joynts standing somewhat farre a sunder with two very long and somewhat narrow dark green Leaves bluntly dented about the Edges and sharp pointed at the end the flowers stand towards the top compassing the stalkes at the joynts as those of Horehound doe but it endeth in a spiked top which Horehound doth not having long and much open gaping hoods of a purplish red colour with whitish spots in them standing in somewhat rough huskes wherein afterwards stand blackish round seeds The root is composed of many long strings with some tuberous long knobs commonly growing amongst them of a pale yellowish or whitish colour the whole plant is of a strong smell somewhat like unto Stinking Horehound The Places and Time Clownes Allheale groweth frequently in most of the Countries of this Land by the sides of severall brooks and ditches and sometimes by the Path-sides and Borders of fields It floureth in August and bringeth its seed to perfection about the end of September The Temperature This kind of Sideritis is hot in the second degree and dry in the first and withal of an earthy quality The Vertues The Leaves of Clownes Wound-wort stamped with Swines grease and applyed unto green Woundes in manner of a Pultis doth heale them in a short time according to the first intention that is by closing up the lips of them without drawing or bringing them to Suppuration or Matter in such absolute manner that it is hard for any one that hath not had the experience thereof to believe It is also very availeable in stanching of bloud and to dry up the Fluxes of humors in old fretting Vlcers Cancers c. that hinder the healing of them Neither is it excellent onely for outward but also for inward Wounds Ruptures of veines bloudy flux spitting pissing or vomiting bloud a syrupe being made thereof and taken now and then a little and so Ruptures or burstings of the belly are speedily even to admiration cured if a Plaister of the Herb or an oyntment of the same be applyed to the place The said Plaister being applyed to any veine that is swollen or Muscle that is cut helpeth it and if there be a little Comfry added to it it will be so much the better CHAP. CCCXXXIV Of Arsmart The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hydropiper i. e. Piper aquaticum because one kind of it hath a burning taste like Pepper and Hydropiper in Latine sometimes but generally Perficaria quod folia â—jus Perfica foliis similia sunt because the leaves of it are like unto those of the Peach-tree yet some make this distinction calling the mild or gentle sort Perficaria simply and the other Hydropiper five Perficaria urens in English Water Pepper and Arsmart and in some Countries Red-knees and of some Culrage and Cyderach The Kindes There be foure Sorts of Arsmart growing in our owne Country 1. Dead or Spotted Arsmart 2. Small creeping Arsmart 3. Codded Arsmart or Touchme not 4. Biting Arsmart or Water Pepper The Forme The â—ild or Spotted Arsmart groweth up with Leaves of a middle size both for length and breadth set at the great red joynts of the Stalkes with blackish spots upon them many times almost like a halfe moone but not alwayes the flowers grow in long Spiky heades either of a blush or whitish colour which falling away blackish â—lat seed come in their places The root is long with many fibres thereat perishing yearly this hath no biting tast as the Water Pepper hath which is exceeding hot but is rather like sowre Sorrell or else a little drying or without tast the way of distinguishing one from an other is to breake a leafe of it crosse ones tongue for the biting sort will make the tongue to smart and so will not the other The Places and Time The first groweth very common almost every where in moist and watery Plashes and neer to the brims of Rivers Ditches and running Brooks and sometimes in those Corn-fields that are subject to moisture in the Winter time The second groweth also within the confines of our Countrey and so doth the third but the place thereof is not particularly expressed and therefore some Physick Garden is the surest place to finde them the last is found in like places with the first but not so frequently and is to be known from iâ— by the red spots which it sometimes hath as also by the Diagnostick I have already set down They flower in June and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature The â—ildâ— or dead Arsmart as it is called is cold and something dry but the Biting Arsmart is hot and dry yet not so hot as Pepper according to Galen The Vertues and Signature The Leaves and Stalkes of the Dead Arsmart being stamped and applyed to green or fresh Wounds doe cool and comfort them exceedingly and keep them from â—â—postumation and inflaâ—mation and so doth the juice of them being dropped thereinto Being applyed in like manner it consumeth all cold swellings and taketh away black and blew markes of the Skin by dissolving the congealed blood happening upon bruises strokes fallâ— c. which is signified by the black spots which are upon the Leaves and being laid to a Joynt that hath a Felon thereon it taketh it away by Signature also A piece of the Root or some of the Seed bruised and held to an aking tooth taketh away the pâ—ine The Juice of it being dropped into the Eares destroyeth the Wormes that are in them and so it is good against deafenesse Two dâ—amms of the powder of the herb taken with a little Vinegar openeth the obstructions of the Liver Being stamped with Wine and applyed to the Matrix it bringeth unto Women their monthly Courses If it be stamped with Rue and Wormwood and all of them fryed together with Butter or Suet and applyed to the Stomach or Bâ—lly it killeth the Wormes in them When a Womans Belly is great and she not with Childe let her boyl of Arsmart Rue and Hyssâ—p of each one handfull in a quart of Ale to the one halfe and drinke thereof first and last it will reduce it to its just measure The distilled Water of the herb mingled with an Oxe Gall and a little Oyle of Spike being annointed upon any place that is troubled with the Gout and a blew woollen cloth laid upon it taketh away the pain thereof Two spoonfulls of the said Water with one of Aqua Vitae being nointed on any place troubled with an Ach for five or sixe dayes taketh it quite away It is said that if a handfull of Arsmart wetted in Water be applyed to a Wound or Sore and afterwards buried in moist ground as the herb rotteth so
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
all sorts of wounds and Ulcers to dry sodder cleanse and heale them and should be a principall Ingredient in all Wound drinks and Injections Yet it is effectuall in many other Cases also for the Roots thereof being steeped in wine and drunk or the powder thereof given in wine is good for such as have the Dropsy or Jaundise or are troubled with the stoppings of the Liver It is also used for Ruptures Crampes and Pleurisies and for an old Cough shortnesse of breath and other diseases of the Lungs Gripings in the Belly and paines of the Mother Being scraped and put up as a Pessary it procureth womens Courses and causeth the Dead Birth to be avoided the juyce thereof used after the same manner worketh the like Effects It helpeth the Strangury and pissing by drops as also the Stone if the decoction or Powder thereof be taken and the juyce injected The decoction or juyce of the Root or a dram of the powder thereof drunk and the wound washed therewith taketh away the paine and danger of the bitings or Stingings of Venemous Creatures It helpeth to sharpen the Eye sight if it be steeped in Water and dropped into them CHAP. CCXLVIII Of Lovage The Names IT hath no Greek Name that I can meet with It is called in Latin Levisticum which is the proper and onely Latine Name thereof Ligusticum being a far different plant although some being deceived with the vicinity of the name have taken them to be both one The Kinds As the Names of Lovage are but few so the sorts are not many for of it I find but two 1. Ordinary Lovage 2. The Lovage of Germany The Forme Ordinary Lovage hath many long and great stalkes of large winged Leaves divided into many parts like Smallage but much larger of a sad green colour smooth and shining every Leafe being cut about the edges and broader forward then towards the Stalke The Stalkes that arise from thence are diverse and of different proportions according to the goodnesse or badness of the Soile wherein they grow as also to their time of continuance for though in a fat soile where it hath grown long they attaine unto the height of five or six foot yet if the ground be barren or the herb but newly set they seldome exceed three or four answerable whereunto is the bignesse of them being green and hollow set with lesser leaves then those that grow below towards the tops of these come forth other smaller branches bearing at their tops large Umbels of yellow Flowers which turne into flat brounish seed somewhat like the seed of Angelica The root groweth large both in length and thicknesse being of a brownish colour without side and white within The whole Plant smelleth strong and in tast is both hot sharp and biting The Places and Time Both the sorts are Inhabitants in the Gardens of those that love Physicall herbs especially and sometimes in the Garden of those that understand it not the first being common to divers Countryes the second proper to Germany yet neither of them are found wild in any part of Europe if they be any where else The root in continuance of time spreadeth much for it endureth long and sendeth forth every yeare new stalkes which hold the Flowers in the end of July and the seed in August The Temperature Lovage is hot and dry in the third degree and is of thin parts also The Vertues Halfe a dram of the dryed Root of Lovage in powder taken in Wine doth wonderfully warm a cold Stomach helping digestion and consuming all superfluous moisture and raw humours therein as also in the Guts and therefore it easeth all inward gripings and paines both of the Stomach and Belly as also by dissolving wind and expelling it effectually which is an utter enemy to them both and it is commended for resisting poyson and infection that may assault either of them or any other part The said Root boiled in Wine or Barly-water cleanseth the Lungs openeth the passages of the Vrine provoketh Womens Courses mightily and healeth inward Wounds Being bruised in a Mortar before it be dryed and steeped for twelve houres in faire Water then strained and two or three spoonfuls drunk first and last morning and evening asswageth any drought or great desire to drink when no ordinary liquor will do it and this it performeth by a specifick property for the Root is well known to be hot To drink the Decoction of the herbe for any sort of Ague and to help the cold paines and torments of the Body and Bowels comming of cold was not long since a known and much practised Remedy but the present Age which forgets every thing that should do it goood knowes none such as far as I can under-stand The seeds drunk in White-wine fasting either in powder or boyled therein and strained doth purge both upwards and downwards and being used in Glisters it easeth the Gout in the feet Being steeped a night in Wine or else boiled therein and drunk it provoketh the Termes and expelleth the Dead-child and likewise opens the stoppings of the Spleen but because the seeds be very strong the like weight of Annise and Fennel may be mixed with them to qualifie them And to be briefe the seeds are as effectuall to all purposes as any other part of it and worketh more powerfully in Womens diseases The distilled water of the herb helpeth the Quinsey in the Throat if the Mouth and Throat be gargled and washed therewith and helpeth the Pleurisy being drunk three or four times Being dropped into the Eyes it taketh away the rednesse and dimnesse of them It likewise taketh away the spots or freckles of the Face The Leaves bruised and fryed with a little Hogs-lard and laid to any botch or boyl will quickly break it and being boyled in water and bathed therein it provoketh Vrine expelleth the Stone and healeth the inward parts Being applyed three or four times with Rue and Honey to the Knees of those that are troubled with pain in them it is a good expedient for the removing thereof The people of Germany and of this and other Countreys also in former times used both the Root in Powder and the seed to season their Meats and Brothes and found them as effectuall to comfort and warm the Stomack but now a dayes whatsoever is not farre fetched will hardly please The green roots pickled with salt and vinegar are a good sawce for those that are troubled with wind but if they be preserved with sugar they are more acceptable to the Palate CHAP. CCXLIX Of Tansey The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Athanasia peradventure from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying sine morte or non moriens that is immortall because the yellow Flowers gathered in due time will continue very lively a long while It is also called Athanasia in Latine Tanacetum corruptly taken as Fuschius imagineth for Tagetes or Apuleius his Arthemisia Tragantes yet I