Wind-Cholick mixed with Honey it purgeth the Belly helpeth to bring down Womens Courses and is of special use for them that are troubled with the falling down of the Mother and pains thereof and causeth an easie and speedy delivery of Women in Child-birth it helpeth also to break and expel the Stone either in the Bladder or Kidneys Cum multis aliis qua nunc perscribere longum est CHAP. VII Of Sage The Names SAge is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The pale ash-coloured dry and withered deformity of the Leaves of Sage especially on the dry and burnt Hills in the hot Countries where it naturally groweth was the Reason why it was so called it signifying scorched or consumed by blasting for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth signifie interquere contrahi to be drawn together or wound with it self and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rather 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth signifie that Disease in Plants which the Latines call Sideratia a blasting that is when the Sun in the Dog-dayes through its extream heat or otherwise pierceth into it and drying up the moysture that nourisheth it seemeth to grow faint and dry or as it were scorched The Latines call it Salvia quia salvos homines incolumes efficit because it maketh them safe and sound in health And hence it commeth that in Schola Salerni it is demanded Cur moriatur homo cui Salvia crescit in borto As who should say such is the vertue of Sage that if it were possible it would make a man immortall And Sage in English from the property in comforting and strengthening the Head and memory to make men sage or wise of the French word Sauge The Kindes Of Sage I finde no lesse then a dozen sorâ—â— 1. Our ordinary Garden Sage which is sub-divided into two sorts of party coloured Sage the one white and green the other whitish red and green in most of the leaves 2. Great white Sage 3. Great Sage of Candy with broad and narrow leaves and bearing Ears and Apples and that bea◠〈◊〉 4. Small Sage Sage of vertue or Pig-Sage 5. The sweetest small Spanish Sage with Ears 6. Small Candy Sage without Ears 7. Small red flowred Sage 8. Small Woolly Sage 9. Round leaf 10. The greater narrow white Sage with yellow leaves 11. French or yellow wilde Sage with broad leaves 12. Small yellow Sage of Candy The three last sorts have been by some recorded to be Mullein but they were mistaken for as much as the Flowers of Mullein never gape as these do The Forme Our ordinary Sage beareth foursquare Woody stalks in some whiter green in others redder as the Leaves are also standing by couples at the joynts being somewhat long and broad rough and wrinckled of a strong sweetish scent At the tops of the stalks come forth the flowers set at certain Spaces one above another which are long and gaping like unto the flowers of Pary or Deadnettle but of a blewish purple colour after which come small round Seed in the husk that bore the flower the root is woody with divers strings at it it is more usually propagated by Slips then of the Seeds The Place and Time Many of the foresaid sorts grow in the Physick Gardens at Westminster and Oxford but the third will not abide with us nor ever bear those Apples their naturall soyle being in the hot Countryes of Egypt Candy c. They do for the most part flower in July yet some of them flower not until August All of them also do bear seed except Pigge Sage or Sage of Vertue which seldom or never bears any The Temperature Sage is hot and dry in the third Degree and is commonly used in Sawces as to stuffe Veal Pork rosting Pigges and that for good cause for it dryeth up the superfluous moisture wherewith they abound and stirreth up appetite and is somewhat of a binding qualitie The Signature and Vertues The leaves of Sage which look as if they were scorched by blasting do by Signature give help to those parts of a mans body that seem to be as it were dead by some blasting in restoring the natural heat and vigour to the part in which quality it excelleth giving a friendly and beneficial Comfort to the Vital Spirits This herb hath many rare properties but three especially which are contained in these following Verses Salvia confortat Nervos manuumque tremorem Tollit et ejus ope febris acuta fugit Sage helpes the Nerves and by its powerfull might Palsies and Feavers sharp it puts to flight Sage is of excellent good use also to help the memory by warming and quickning the Sences and the Conserve made of the flowers is used to the same purpose The eating of Sage in the moneth of May with Butter Parsly and some salt is very commendable for the continuation of health to the Body as also Sage-Ale made with it Rosemary and other good Herbs is good for â—eeming women such as are subject to miscarry through the â—oo much moisture â—r slipperinesse of their Wombs Gaâ—gles likewise are made with Sage Rosemary Honysuckles and Plantain boyled in water or wine with some Hony or Allome put thereto to wash Cankers sore Mouths and Throats or the secret parts of Man or Woman as need requireth And with other hot and comfortable herbs to be boiled to serve for the bathing of the Body or Legges in the summer time especially to warm the cold Joynts or Sinewes of young and old troubled with the Palsy or Cramp and to comfort and strengthen the parts The red Sage is much commended against the Stich or pains in the side coming of wind if the grieved place be fomented warm with the decoction thereof in wine and the herb after the boyling be laid warme also thereâ—o At all times be sure you wash your Sage for fear that the Toades who as I conceive come to it to relieve themselves being overcharged with poyson should leave some of their veâ—om upon the Leaves the danger whereof is upon record and therefore it is good to plant Rue amongst your Sage and then they will not come near it Being steeped in drink close covered all night it is good against infection especially if Rue be added thereunto as witnesseth Schola Salerni Sivia cum Ruta faciunt tibi pocula tuta CHAP. VIII Of Rosemary The names THe Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it hath a smell somewhat like unto Frankincense which they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and usually the Epithite of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is added thereunto which signifies Coronaria in Latine to distinguish it from the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are umbelliferous plants grow only in the Gardens of Herbarists as in Mr. Morgans Garden at Westminster c. The Latines Rosmarinus and Rosmarinum Quasi Rosa marina according to some and so do the shops The Garden Rosemary is called Rosmarinum Coronarium the rather because Women have been
the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses A Cloth wet therein and applyed to the Testicles or Cods upon any swelling therein giveth much ease as also to the Gout which commeth of hot and sharp humours The deadly Night-shade is very dangerous to be taken inwardly as might be shown by some lamentable instances yet if the Temples and forehead be a little bathed with the Juyce of Leaves and a little Vineger it procureth rest and sleep when it is hindered by hot fits of Agues or other distemperature and taketh away the pain of the head proceeding of a hot cause The Leaves bruised or their Juyce may be applyed to such hot Inflammations as St. Anthonies fire the Shingles and all other fiery or running Cankers to cool and stay the spreading CHAP. XXX Of Sow-Fennel or Hoggs-Fennel The Names THe Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Peucedanus and Peucedanum as some take it of the pitchy scent it carrieth from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth a Pitch Tree and others of the Pine Tree whose Leaves are like it call it Pinastellum as Apuleius It is also called Faeniculum Porcinum but by Tabermontanus Cauda porcina for the likeness that is between it and an Hoggstail We in English call it Hoggs-Fennel or Sow-Fennel from the Latine Hore-strange and Hore-strong Surphurwott or Brimst one-wort from the yellow Sap or Liquor which quickly waxeth hard or dry smelling not much unlike Brimstone called Sulphur The Kinds Of Sow-Fennel there be three sorts 1. Common Sow-Fennel 2. Small Sow-Fennel 3. Great Sow-Fennel of Italy The Forme The common Sow-fennel hath divers branched stiff stalks full of knees of somewhat thick and long leaves almost like the leaves of the wild Pine three for the most part joyned together at a place amongst which riseth a crested straight stalk lesse then Fennel with some joynts thereon and leaves growing thereat and toward the top some branches issuing from thence likewise on the tops of the stalks and branches stand divers tufts of yellow Flowers where after grow somewhat flat thin and yellowish Seeds almost twice as big as Fennel-Seed The Root groweth great and deep with many other parts and Fibres about them of a strong scent like melted Brimstone yielding forth a yellowish milk or clammy juyce somewhat like a Gum and having also at the top of it about the superficies of the Earth a certain bush of hair of a brown Colour amongst which the leaves and stalks do spring forth The Place and Time The first groweth in good plenty in the salt low Marshes a little by Feversham in Kent near unto the Haven upon the banks thereof and the Meadows adjoyning on the South side of a Wood belonging to Waltham at the Nase in Essex by the High-way-side also at Whitstable in Kent in a Medow near the Sea-side The second was found on St. Vincents Rock by Bristow by Label as he setteth it down in his Adversaria p. 331. and in Hungary and Austria by Clusius The last groweth naturally upon the Sea-Coast of Mount Pelier in France and in divers places in Italy They all flower and seed in the end of Summer that is in July and August The Temperature These Herbs especially the yellow Sap of the Roots is hot in the second and dry in the beginning of the third Degree The Vertues As Night-shade being a cold Plant was good for such distempers of the Ears as happen by reason of heat so this Hog-Fennel being of a hot temperature is very effectual for such griefs as happen to the Ears upon a cold cause if a little of the juyce be dissolved in Wine and dropped into the Ears The same according to Dioscorides and Galen used with Vineger and Rose-water or the juyce with a little Euphorbium put to the Nose helpeth those that are troubled with the Lethargy the Phrensie the turning of the brain or dissiness of the head the Falling-Sickness long and inveterate Head-ach the Palsie the Sciatica and the Cramp and generally all the Diseases of the Nerves and Sinews if it be used with Oyl and Vineger The juyce dissolved in Wine or put into an Egg is good for the Cough and shortness of breath and for those that are troubled with wind and tormenting pains in the body It purgeth the belly gently and dissolveth the wind and hardness of the spleen it giveth ease to those Women that have sore travel in Child-birth and easeth the pains both of Bladder and Reins and womb also A little of the concrete juyce put into an hollow Tooth ceaseth the pains thereof and the Root worketh to the like effect but more slowly and lesse The dryed Powder of the Root being put into foul Ulcers of hard curation clenseth them throughly removeth any splinters of broken bones or other things in the flesh and healeth them up perfectly and likewise bringeth-on old and inveterate sores to cicatrising it is also put into such salves as serve to heat or warm any place Pliny recordeth the vertue hereof in divers places the Root being drunk in Wine with the Seed of the Cypress-Tree in powder easeth the strangling of the Mother but some use to burn it and by the smell thereof giveth ease thereunto the juyce helpeth the burstings of Children and their Navels when they stick forth the Root is of so great force in green Wounds and Sores that it draweth out the Quitture from the very bones By the Signature of this Plant it should cause hair to grow apace where the places wanted it or were deprived for so doth Thapsia or scorching Fennel which hath lesse similitude then this CHAP. XXXI Of Sow-Thistles The Names NExt to Sow-Fennel I have placed Sow-Thistles which amongst others hath a vertue that it is very soveraign for the Ears with which I shall finish the Plants appropriated to them It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod salubrem fundat succum The Latines also call it Sonchus which is divided into Asperum and Laevem and into Asperiorem Laeviorem We in English call them Prickly and Smooth Sow-thistles and sometimes Haâ—es Lettice which because of their like Vertue I have Joyned together They are called of divers Cicerbita Lactucella and Lacterones of Apulelus Lactula Leporina of some Brassica Lepâ—rina or Hares-Coleworts Palatium Leporis and some have it Leporum Cubile The Kindes To reckon up all the sorts of these that are to be found in other Herbals would not be to much purpose and therefore I shall content my self to mention those only which I find in the Phytologia Britannica being in number Eight 1. Tree-Sow-Thistle 2. Wall or Ivy-leafed Sow-Thistle 3. Lesser Prickly Sow-Thistle 4. An Elegant Sow Thistle with a white flower having yellow in the middle 5. Narrow leafed Sow-Thistle 6. Broad leafed Sow-Thistle 7. Prickly Sow-Thistle 8. Common Sow-Thistle which last I shall only describe The Form The Common Sow-Thistle is well known to rise up with a round â—ollow stalk two
Palmae cerebrum the brain of the Date-Tree The Kindes Besides the manured Date-Tree there is the wild or low Date-Tree called the Palmito-Tree as I said before and the thorny Palmito The Form The Date-Tree usually groweth very great and tall yet in some places nothing so tall as in others bare of Branches unto the top the Bark whereof is not so well to be said scaly or rugged as knaggy having short knaggs which are the ends of the middle Ribs of the Leaves sticking out round about the Body which give an easie footing like steps to climbe or get up into the tops of the Trees to gather the fruit the Leaves that grow at the top are very long and large made as it were of divers parts and folded together double the middle Rib being thick and almost wooddy but spongy within which do alwayes abide green and hang down-wards with their ends the Flowers are enclosed with a long skinny sheath hanging down from the lower Branches of Leaves and sometimes higher which opening it self at the end into two parts shew forth abundance of white Saffron-like small Flowers hanging by small threds in great bunches together after which come the fruit upon the said threddy foot-stalks green at the first and reddish when they are ripe with a hard firm small long and round whitish stone with a furrow in the middle some Sorts are small and some great some of a lost substance some firmer and harder some whitish some yellowish or reddish or blackish some round like an Apple others long with the roundness some having the top soft some none at all some so sweet and lushious that they will nor abide long unlesse they be pressed into Cakes to be kept others will abide whole for a long time and fit to be sent also into any farr Country yet all of them have a small round hard Crown or Cap at the head which with rubbing one against another falleth off The stones within the fruit notwithstanding that they are so solid and firm as a very stone and can hardly be broken with an Hammer yet having a small hollow place in the middle of them with so â—mall a Kernel therein that it would not be thought to spring thereby yet being put whole into the ground hath shot forth even in this Country long narrow hard Leaves which have abiden in a convenient warm place divers years without any great progresse so little it liketh a cold Climate The Places and Time The manured Date groweth in all the Eastern Countries generally and those have been most commended by some that grow in Judaea and in the valley of â—ericho but Bellonius saith they deserved not Commendations neither were they ripe about Jerusalem above a moneth after they had been gathered in Egypt they grow also in Italy where they are planted but bear no fruit and in Spain by the Sea-side but the fruit is nothing so good as in Cyprus and the Levant The other two sorts the first in Sicilia Candy c. the other in Spain they flowre in April and are ripe in November or later The Temperature Dates are hot and dry almost in the second Degree and astringent or binding especially when they are not through ripe being through ripe they are hot and moyst in the second Degree some say hot and moyst in the first Degree The Vertues Dates yield a grosse and clammy and fatty or impinguating nourishment therefore they heâ—p the hoarsness and roughness of the Throat the sharp Cough by reaâ—on oâ— sharp Rheum falling on the Breast and Lungs and are used also against Consumptions and wasting of the Body The Decoction of them taken allayeth the force of hot Agues and stayeth spitting of blood the pain in the Stomach and Bowels by reason of a Flux and boyled in Water and Honey and taken doth refresh the spirits they somewhat provoke to Venery the Decoction helpeth the weakneâ—â—e and pains in the Back and Bladder they strengthen the weakness of the Liver and Spleen being mixed with other convenient Medicines They are used in Broths against Consumptions and pining Diseases and are counted restorative eâ—pecially the sweet ones Dry Dates being eaten do stop the Belly and stay vomiting of Women with Child and help against miscarrying they stay Womens Courses and the bleeding and falling down of the Fundament and Piles being taken in Red Wine If they be made into a Poultis alone or with other things and applyed to the Stomack and Belly they stay the vomiting of Women with Child The Decoction of Dates or the Leaves of the Date-Tree maketh the hair black being often used and stayeth fretting Ulcers Being mixed with Wax and Saffron they help the black and blew marks remaining after stripes or bâ—owes and reduceth the skin to its naturall colour Date Stones being burnt and washed serve instead of Spodium to binde and restrain the fluent humours into the Eys and to consume the Pin and Web in them and to dry up Pushes being uâ—ed with Spikenâ—rd it stayeth the falling of the hair from the Eye-browes and being mingled with Wine and used it helpeth any Excrescences of the flesh as Wens and such like and bringeth foul Ulcers to Cicatrising and stayeth the spreading of them A Poultis made of them and applyed helpeth any luxation or joynts out of place and they are used in astringent Cataplasms or Pultises They are not to be used by such as are troubled with the Head-ach Collick or hot Livers Diaphaenicon which is the Electuary made of Dates purgeth Choler and Flegme very effectually so it be taken with good caution and advice and that from two drams unto six in White-Wine or a Decoction of Sena as shall be thought fit and is conveniently given in compound and long Agues and in those Diâ—eases which are bred of raw humours as in the Cholick the pains of the back and Mother The Head of the Date or Date brains is very pleasant and savoury to the tast and is much used where they grow to be eaten with Pepper and Salt Of the Leaves of the Palmito they use to make Brooms to sweep the House which will last a long time of them likewise they make Mats and Baskets CHAP. LXIII Of Winter Green The Names IT is called Pyrola in Latine for it hath not found any Greek name à foliorum Pyri arloris similitudine florum etiam similitudine of the likenesse of the Leaves I may say of the flowers also unto Peartree Leaves flowers Divers have taken it to be Limonium but the true Limonium is now so well known that it putteth all out of doubt Some have called it Beta sylvestris as Pliny and Fuschius because it appeareth in the Spring about the time that Garden Beets do but Galen saith there is no wild sort of the Beet Others have called it Tintinnabulum Terrae from the likenesse of the flower to a bell saith Fuschius but is generally of all now a daies called Pyrola in
in all his parts hot and dry exceeding the third degree especially of heat of great force in cleansing and scouring by reason whereof it purgeth and draweth forth not only Cholerick and Phlegmatick humors but watery also The Signature and Vertues Because Bryony is said by Crollius to have the Signature of the Dropsy therefore I have appropriated it thereunto And indeed though being taken alone it purgeth the belly with great violence troubling the Stomack and burning the Liver yet being corrected by adding unto it Ginger Cinamon Quince or such like it is very profitable therein for it draweth away Water abundantly both by Vomit and stoole a scruple or two of the Powder of the dryed root with a third part of Cinamon and Ginger being drunk in a little White-Wine The juice decoction Syrupe and Electuary may be used for the same purpose Now because every one knoweth not the way of gathering the juice I shall here set it down In April make a deep overthwart cut or gash into a Briony root taking away the Earth first from it put in a Goose-quill a little under the slit sloping the quill at the end which you must thrust into the root but first make a hole with your knife to get in the quill and so you may gather great store of the Water of Briony placing a receiver under the quill for the making of the compound Water of Briony a spoonfull whereof taken by those that are troubled with fits of the Mother easeth them it potently expells the After-birth and cleanseth the Womb exceedingly It is likewise profitable in the Falling-sicknesse Palsy Apoplexy Swimming of the Head other diseases of the Braine by a specifick Vertue that it hath in drawing away Phlegme and Rheumatick humours that oppresse thoâ—e parts It provoketh Urine and cleanseth the Reines and Kidneys from Gravell and Stone openeth the obstructions of the Spleen and consumeth the hardnesse and sweâ—ing thereof A scruple of the Root in Powder being taken in White-Wine bringeth down Womens Courses but is not to be used by Women with Child for feare of abortion An Eâ—ectuary made oâ— the Rootes with Honey oâ— Sugar is â—ingulaâ— good for them that are short-Winded troubled with an old Cough paine in the fides and for such as are hurt or bruiâ—ed inwardly by any fall for it â—issolveth and expelleth the cloâ—ted or congealed blood The Root is good against the biting of any Vâ—â—tmous Creature and killeth Wormes in the body It is good in the Kâ—ngs-Evill the juice being taken with equall parts of Wine and Honey The Faecula or Dregs thereof are uâ—ed for the aforesaid Diseases five or ten graines being taken at a time It also scowreth the Skin and taketh away Wrinkles Freckles Sun-burning black-markes Spots and Scarres of the Face if it be boiled in Oyle till it be consumed and so it taketh away black and blew spots which come of Stripes or Falls and dissolveth new swellings The Root bruised and applyed of it selfe to any place where the bones are broken helpeth to draw them forth Being stamped with Wine and applyed it breaketh Boiles and helpeth Whit-loavs that grow about the Rootes of the Nailes It cleanseth the skin from the Morphew Leprosy all running Scabs and Manginesse if a bath be made thereof or the juice applyed thereunto The berries may be used for the same purpose and the distilled Water though not so strong as the former is used for Freckles and Spots in the Face A Pessary made of the Root bringeth down the Courses in VVomen and bringeth forth the After-birth and dead-Dead-Child and a Bathe made hereof cleanseth the VVomb the party sitting therein CHAP. CLXXXXII Of Mechoacan and Jalap The Names MEchoacan is of later Invention and therefore hath no Greek name It is called in Latine Mechoacanna Mechoacana Mechoaca Mechoaca Peruviana Mechoacanum Indicum because it is brought from a place in the Province of New Spaine called Mechoacan neere the Ciâ—ty Mexâ—co as also Rhabarbarum album and Rhabarbarum Mechoacanum to distinguish it from Rubarb to which it is like in effects which caused the name in English it is called Mechoacan Mechoaca and Indian Briony because the Root of it hath some likenesse with that or White Briony Jalap also came from the Indies and hath its name from a place there called Chelapa or Calapa It hath gotten many other names besides most of which are derived from the former as Gelapum Gelapo Jalapium Jalapa Jalappa Jalappium Gialapa Mechoacanna nigra Salapa Xalapa Zaqualtipan Rhabarbarum nigrum and Brionia Mechoacan nigricans It is called in English Jalap or blaâ—k Mechoacan The Kinds Of these Mechoacans there are three sorts mentioned by Authors 1. The Mechoacan of Peru. 2. The Wild Mechoacan 3. Black Mechoacan or Jaâ—ap The Form The Mechoacan of Peru as it groweth in these parts sendeth forth long branches of a dark grayish colour winding about whatsoever is next them and therefore Poles are set for them to run upon The Leaves are somewhat broad-pointed at the ends like unto those of black Briony saving that they are thinner and harder in handling seeming so dry as if they had no juice in them The flowers which are many and stand in long clusâ—ers are of a sullen yellow colour in the Indies of the bignesse of an Orenge flower in the warmer Countries of Europe of a dark whitish colour but with us it was never known to flower by reason of the coldnesse of the Climate the Root groweth to be as great as any Briony root almost without either tast or smell having Circles in it when it is cut as may be perceived by the dry root which is brought over to us and may easily be brought into powder The Places and Time Concerning the Place and Time I need adde no more than what I have said in the names and description The Temperature Both white and black Mechoacan are hot in the first degree and dry in the second consisting of an airy substance and subtiâ—e parts as also of an earthly quality The Signature and Vertues Mechoacan as well as Briony hath the Signature of the Dropsy and is found to be very usefull therein for it draweth away wateâ— and phâ—egâ—e and also â—â—rengtheneth the Liver and inward parts working without any hurtâ—ull quaâ—ity moâ—estation or griping contrary to Briony and moâ—â— other purgative Medicines so that it may be given to old men Children Women with Chiâ—d and weake persons without any offence Notwithstanding it is not of that eâ—â—eeme it was at its first coming amongst us though the Vertues are the same so much do people regard the novelty more than the goodnesse of a thing It is also profitable in a long continued Head-ach clensing the braine and Nerves and purging those Rheumatick distillations and humors that are in them It helpeth all paines whatsoever in the Joynts and those of the Bladder and Reines by provoking Urine and by that faculty which it hath in expelling Wind it easeth thâ— Cholick and
white within and of a good savour White Saxâ—frage groweth with divers round faint or yellowish greene Leaves but grayish underneath spread upon the ground unevenly dented about the edges and somwhat hairy every one upon a little footstalke from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy greene stalke about a foot-high with a few such like round Leaves as grow below but smaller somwhat branched at the top whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five Leaves a peece with some yellow Threds in the middle standing in a long crested brownish greene husk which being past there ariseth somtimes a round hard head biforked at the top wherein is contained small blackish seed the Root is compact of a number of black strings whereunto are fastned many small reddish graines or round rootes about the bignesse of Pepper-cornes which are used in Medicine and called by the Apothecaries white Saxifrage seed and is that which is truly meant by though not so truly said of it Golden Saxifrage is most like unto the before described yet it differeth therefrom in that the Leaves are not hairy but somwhat thicker and of a darker greene colour amongst which rise up Stalkes in handfull high with such Leaves on them as grow below two at a Joynt but three at the top of all whereas also at the Joynts do come forth very small gold yellow flowers not easily observed and seldome seen with them because they fall away so quickly after which come small round heads wherein is contained small round reddish seed the Root is compâ—â—ed of a number of small strings or Fibres Burnet Saxifrage groweth up with divers stalkes of winged Leaves set one against another each being somewhat broad and a little pointed and dented about the edges of a sad greene colour at the tops of the stalkes stand 〈…〉 s of white flowers after which comes small and blackish seed The root is long and whitish The Places and Time The first groweth almost in every Medow and therefore it is called Medow Parsly yet it somtimes growes in up and ground the second was found by Mr. Goodyer on a boggy ground below the red Well of Welling borough in Norhamptonshire the third by Lobel between Chipnam and Marleborough in the High-way between London and Bristow on a Chalky Hill the fourth groweth very pâ—entifully in a feild immediately below the Abby Orchard at St. Albons anâ— in many other places the silt in moist and marish places about Bath and Wâ—lles and in the Moores by Boston and Wisbich in Lincolneshire the sixth seventh and eâ—ght grow in divers Meadows and Pastures-grounds of this Land the last groweth upon barren hills and sometimes upon Walls The first flowreth from the beginning of May to the end of August the second and third â—omwhat later the fourth in April or May at the furthest when it is gathered for that which is called the seed as well as to distill for it perisheth soon after the fifth in March and April the rest about July and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature All the aforementioned sorts are hot and dry in the third degree except the Golden Saxifrage which is cold of temperature as the tast declareth The Vertues and Signature The seeds and rootes of Saxifrage or Medow Parsly boiled in White-Wine and the dâ—â—oction drunk breaketh the Stone in the Bladder and Kidnâ—es hel 〈…〉 the strangury and cauâ—eth one to make Water freely which also bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth the Secondine and dead Child The root dryed and maâ—e into Powder and halfe a dram or a dram taken with Sugar comfoâ—teth and warmeth the Stomack cureth the gnawâ—ngs and griping paines oâ— the belly caleth the Cholick also and expelleth Wind. The Cheshire Women put it amongst the Râ—mnes that they put into their Cheese as a Country-man of theirs reporteth The distilled Water is much in use with Nurses to give unto their Children against the stopping of their Urine and to ease the griping paines in their belly which they usually calâ— the Frets It is used outwardly in Bathes and Fomentations to provoke Urine and to ease the paines of the Belly proceeding from Wind. The seed or rather the root of the white Saxifrage cureth the Stone by signature as the learned Crâ—llius hath observed and is singular good against the strangury and stoppings of the Kidneys and Bladder the Powder of them being drunk in Wine or the decoction made of them The distilled Water of the whole herb rootes and flowers which is as effectuall in a manner is familiarly taken by those that have need thereof for any of the purposes aforesaid as also to clense the Stomack and Lungs from tough and thick Phlegme that troubleth it and causeth it more easily to be avoided It is not probable that the Golden Saxifrage hath any operation upon the Stone because of its insipide tast unlesse it be by a specifick Vertue yet I mentioned it because it is esteemed as a rarity The Burnet Saxifrages have the same properties that the others have both in provoking Urine and easing the paines thereof as also in expelling Wind and helping the Cholick the roots or seed being used in Powder decoction or any other way which are likewise effectuall for the windy paines of the Mother to procure Womens Courses to break and avoid the stone in the Kidneys and to digest cold viscous and tough Phlegme in the Stomack and is an especiall remedy against all kind of Venom The rootes hereof dryed are as hot as Pepper and may be used for the same being much more wholesome as Tragus saith The same in Powder with the Powder of the Seeds and Sugar purgeth the braine helpeth the Tooth-ach restoreth lost speech and is good for Convulsions Cramps Apoplexies and cold feavers and so is the distilled water wherein Castoreum hath been boiled which is profitable also for the Palsy and many other cold griefes The same drunk with wine and Vinegar cureth the Plague and being holden or chewed in the mouth it preserveth from the Infection when the aire is corrupted The seed made into Comfits like unto those of Caraway are effectuall for all the purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water sweetned with Sugar though not in so powerfull a manner as the former which water also beautifieth the face by cleansing it from all Spots and Freckels and leaving a good colour The juyce of the Leaves doth the same and being dropped into the grievous wounds of the Head or any other place dryeth up the moisture and healeth them quickly The distilled water alone or with Vinegar being put into the eyes cleareth the sight exceedingly I conceive I have given to every sort its due properties notwithstanding I find all or most of them attributed to Saxifrage in general and no doubt when one sort is not to be had the other may serve as substitutes they being promiscuously used by divers CHAP. CCXIII. Of Dropwort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
Roots of the manured Parsneps and Carrots are of a sweet pleasant tast by which they stir up the appetite and therefore the Carrots are usually eaten with Beefe as well without as with butter all the time of the Autumne but the Parsneps being dryer are more commonly buttered and serve as a dish by themselves upon Wednesdayes and Fridayes when hot meat is not so familiarly provided and so they are good for a Consumption and provoke Venery yet if there be no other provocation thereunto no body shall need to fear the eating of them if so be they do it with moderation for by the immoderate and too often use of them their nourishment will become vitious because they are somewhat windy whence you may observe that the Roots and Seeds of many things are not endued with the same qualities CHAP CCLII Of Spignell The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perhaps from the smallnesse of the Leaves in Latine also Meum Meum Athamanticum either from Athamantes the son of Aeolus supposed to be the first discoverer or from the Hill Athamantes in Thessaly where the best was formerly thought to grow for it was sometimes usuall with the ancient Writers to name the places of Plants not because they grew in no other or were a distinct sort by themselves but because they were better then the common sort and for this reason and for no other Pliâ—y cals it also Meum Macedonicum and Hispanicum It is called in English Spignell or Spicknell of some Mewe or Baldmony or Bearewort The Kindes To this kind these five sorts may not unfiâ—ly be referred 1 Ordinary Spignell 2 Small Spignell 3 The Preservative Spignell of Candy 4 Italian Bastard Spignell 5 Mountaine Spignell of Germany The Forme The ordinary Spignell riseth up with sundry long stalkes of Leaves exceeding finely cut like unto haires smaller then those of Dill set thick on both sides the stalk of a light or yellow green colour and of a good sent from amongst which rise up round stiffe Stalkes with joynts having a few Leaves at them at the tops whereof groweth an Umbell of pure white flowers at the edges whereof sometimes will be seene a shew of reddish or blush colour especially before they be full blown which give place unto little roundish seed which are of a brownish colour the Roots are thick and long in respect of the Leaves growing out from one head which is hairy at the top of a blackish brown colour on the outside and white within The Places and Time The first groweth naturally in Westmerland Yorkeshire and other Northern Counties and hath been brought from thence into our Southern Physick Gardens the second in Savoy the third in Candy the fourth in Italy the last in Austria and as some have affirmed at the bottom of St. Vincents rock by Bristoll over against the hot Well where it cannot be seen but when the Tide is downe They flower in June and July and yeeld their seed in August The Temperature The Roots of Spignell are hot in the third degree and dry in the second The Vertues The dry Roots of Spignell being made into powder mixed with Honey and taken after the manner of an Electuary or licking Medicine not onely consumeth all windinesse in the Stomack but descendeth into the Guts and easeth the griping paines of the Bâ—lly It is excellent also against all Catarrhes Rhewms and Aches of the Joynts as also any phlegmatick or watery humour falling upon the Luâ—ges Being boyled in wine or water and drunk it mightily openeth the stoppings of the Kidneys and Bladder provoketh Urine and bodily lust easeth and helpeth the Strangury and consumeth all windynesse and belchings of the Stomack yea it is so effectuall for the Strangury that being laid Plaisterwise up the Bellyes of those Children that have it by inheritance it causeth them to make water very freely Iâ— is also very available to bring down Womens Courses and to help the griefes of the Mother but should too great a quantity thereof be taken it would cause the head to ake by the Vapors that it sendeth thereunto and therefore the safest way for the last purposes would be to sit over the decoction thereof The said Roots which are the only parts of the Plant in use though the seed be very aromaticall are accounted very effectuall against the sting or biting of any venemous Creature and therefore it is a maine Ingredient in Mithridate and Venice Treacle which are especiall Antidotes both for that and many other of the purposes before mentioned CHAP. CCLIII Of Bishops-weed The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as is supposed from the smalnesse of the seed which in some sort imitateth Sand and in Latine Ammi Ammium yet the Shops call it Ammios or Ameos in the Genitive case divers call it Cuminum Aethiâ—picum because the seed is somewhat like to that of Cummin and in that it groweth frequently in Aethiopia It is called also Cumiâ—um Regium or Cummin Royall for its excellent properties in English Ameos or Ammi of some Herb William Bull-wort and Bishops-weed The Kindes Though the true Ammi or Bishops-weed is not extant in any part of Europe yet therebe three sorts that learned men have referred to the same kind for some affinity betwixt them 1 Common Bishops-weed 2 Bishops-weed of Candy 3 Small Bishops-weed The Forme Common Bishops-weed riseth up with a round straight stalk three or four foot high beset with divers small long and somewhat broad Leaves cut in divers places and dented about the edges growing on both sides of a long foot stalk one against another of a fresh green colour somwhat like unto Skirret Leaves having sundry branches on them at the tops whereof come forth small Umbels of white flowers which turn into small round and brown seed a little bigger then Parsley-seed and not so big as Anni-seed of a quick hot scent and tall the Root is white and fibrous perishing every year after it hath given its seed from whence it riseth up again the next year if it be suffered to fall to the ground The Places and Time The first groweth naturally in the next field beyond Green Hithe in the way as you go to Gravesend by the hedg fide and in divers other places both of England and Wales the second was sent from Candy yet it groweth also upon the Mountain Garganus in Italy according to Matthiolus the last was brought from Alexandria in Egyt but was first brought thither out of Arabia All which being nursed up in some of our Physick Gardens do flower and seed reasonable well if the year prove kindly and not otherwise Their time of flowring is in June and July and that of seeding is about the latter end of August The Temperature The seedes of Bishops-weed which are chiefly in use are hot and dry in the later end of the
Hog-puddings and might be in Bag-puddings also Pulial Royall and of some Organy The Kinds There be six sorts of Penny-royall 1 Common Penny-royall 2 Great Penny-royall 3 Thick or double Penny-royall 4 White flowred Penny-royall 5 French or Harts Penny-royall which I take to be the same with Upright Penny-royall 6 Round leafed Penny-royall The Forme Common Penny-royall hath many weak round stalks divided into sundry branches rather leaning or lying on the ground then standing upright whereon are set at severall joynts small roundish dark green Leaves close by which towards the tops of the branches do come forth divers rundles of small flowers of a purple and sometimes of a whitish colour I he branches being broken and thrust in the earth which is the usuall way of propagating it for I never observed nor heard whether it bear any seed or no shoot for small fibres or Roots at the joynts as it lyeth upon the ground fastening it self therein so that it quickly overspreadeth the place where it hath once taken footing especially if it be moist and shady It is of somewhat a strong but very wholesome smell The Places and Time The first groweth upon Putney Heath as also upon Barnes Common and in divers other moist and watery places of this Land but for its usefulnesse it is brought up and cherished in Gardens The second is not so frequent as the former yet it is said to grow very plentifully in Essex in divers places of the high-way betwixt London and Cholcâ—ester and in other parts thereof The third is said to be a spontaneall of our owne Land but taken notice of only by the curious The fourth groweth in Piedmont and the fift about Mompelier in France very plentifully The last grew in the Garden at Padoa but whence it came is not recorded They flower about August and sometimes later The Temperature Galen saith that Penny-royall is hot and dry in the third degree and of subtile parts rarifying or making thin warming and digesting The Vertues There is hardly a Country Lasse of sixteen years old but knows that Penny-royall boyled in Beer and drunk provoketh the courses and therefore they have recourse to it as often as occasion requires and if it be boyled in Wine it will not hurt them Neither is it only usefull for Women so long as they continue Maides but when they are married also for if so be a Child should die in the Mothers Womb as sometimes it doth and therefore is not able to make its way forth The said decoction made in Wine will not only expell it but also the after-birth Taken with Water and Vinegar mingled together it stayeth the disposition to vomit and allayeth the gnawing of the Stomack Being mixed with honey and salt it cleareth the Breast of all grosse and thick humors and openeth the passages of the Lunges helpeth Cramps purgeth melancholy humors by Stoole and being drunk with Wine it helpeth such as are stung by venemous Beasts The decoction thereof is good in the Falling Sicknesse Dropsy Jaundise Stopping of the Urine and in the Leprosy Being stamped with a like quantity of Mints and some Vinegar to it it is profitable against fainting and swooning if it be either smelled thereto or a little thereof put into the Mouth and so it helpeth the Lethargy and Falling Sicknesse And if it be carried to Sea and used with the unwholesome and stinking Water which Men are sometimes compelled to drink in their long Voyages it helpeth it much and causeth it to be the lesse hurtfull The powder of the dryed Herb or the Ashes of it being burnt strengtheneth the Gums being rubbed therewith and being boyled in Wine with Honey and Salt it helpeth the Tooth-ach Being applyed to the place that is troubled with the Gout untill it wax red it profiteth very much and so it doth those that are Splenetick or Livergrown if some salt be added thereunto It helpeth the swelling and hardnesse of the Mother if it be put in Baths for Women to sit in and so it helpeth the Itch especially if it be boyled in Water The green Herb being bruised and some Vinegar put thereto doth not only take away black and blew marks neer the eyes or in any other place but healeth foul Ulcers by causing the matter to digest and by cleansing them and so it doth any discolourings that happen to the face by fire or otherwise It helpeth the cold griefes of the joynts taking away the paines by its heat being fast bound to the place after a bathing or having been in an hot house The distilled Water is very effectuall for many of the purposes aforesaid especially for Womens diseases and to ease pains in the Bowels CHAP. CCLXXXVIII Of Southernwood The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abrotonum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quòd conspectu tenerum appareat for its pretty aspect to the eye The Latines following the Greek call it also Abrotonum but more commonly Abrotanum to which they adde the Epithet Mas to distinguish it from the Abrotanum faemina which the most judicious hold to be Lavander Cotton which I have already spoken to The Kindes There be divers kinds of Southernwood here to be remembred 1 Common Southernwood 2 Great Southernwood 3 Tree Southernwood 4 Unsavoury Southernwood 5 Small sweet Southernwood 6 Field Southernwood 7 Hoary Field Southernwood The Forme Common Southernwood riseth up with divers small woody branches the tops whereof are so weak that they bend downwards again especially for some space after they be shot forth but towards the end of the year they become as woody almost as the elder Stemmes which are commonly about two foot high and in time rise to be almost as high as a man from whence do proceed many small fine and short Leaves somewhat like unto those of Fennell but not so long of a grayish or rosset green colour somewhat strong but not unpleasant to the smell and of a strong and somewhat bitter tast from the middle almost to the tops of the upper sprigges do sometimes stand small round yellow flowers hanging like little buttons which opâ—n very little and after them cometh the seed which is smaller then that of Wormwood The Root is woody having divers strings annexed thereto but growet hnot very deep The Places and Time The first hath been so long a free Denizâ—n of the Gardens that whence it had its originall Extraction is altogether forgotten The second groweth wild in some parts of Germany yet they usually vouchsafe unto it a station in their Gardens The third came originally from the Lâ—vant and is now distributed into divers places as into England Italy Germany the Low Countryes c. The fourth as is said was found in Austria Hungary and the Coasts neer adjoyning The â—ift is found only with them that are curious The sixt is an Inhabitant of the Harcynian Wood in Germany and the last hath its naturall dwelling neer Lintz in Austria Many of them
a singular Remedy for the Rupture or Bursting in Children and so it doth being drunk in Wine A Decoction of the Leaves in Wine or the powder thereof being drunk in the said Liquor is affirmed to ease the griping paines of the Bowels and the Cholick passion as also of the Mother if it be injected with a Syringe for the purpose The Oyle that is made of the Apples by infusing them in Oyle Olive is effectuall not onely for inward Wounds or hurts whatsoever being drunk but for all outward Wounds that are fresh and green to sodder the Lips of them and heale them as also to dry up the moisture of old and inveterate Vlcers which hinder them from healing and so cause them to heal quickly The said Oyle is also very profitable for all pricks or hurts in the Sinewes as also for Cramps and Convulsions if the places be therewith anoynted and to heal Vlcers in the Secret parts of Man or Woman or in Womens Breasts It gives much ease likewise to Women that are in great extremity of Child-birth in taking away the pain of the Wombe and causing easie deliverance if it be applyed to the place and being anoynted upon the Bellies of those Women that are barren by reason of any superfluous humidity it causeth them to become fruitful It cureth the Piles and other paines of the Fundament if it be applyed with Lint such as the Chirurgions use It is of great force to take away either burnings by Fire or scaldings by Water it taketh away those blemishes or scarres that remain of Wounds and Hurts being healed and taketh away the paines of the stingings of Bees and Wâ—spes The Female is thought to come somewhat neer unto the Male both in temperature and vertues though the Form be somwhat different CHAP. CCCXXV Of Doves-foot or Cranes-bill The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 GeraniuÌ„ which is a general name to all the Crantsbills whose small heads with long slender beaks pointing forth do very much resemble the Head and Bill of a Crane It is called Geranium also in Latine as also Gruinalis Rostrum Gruis or Gruinum and Rostrum Ciconia for the like reason But because there be many Plants belonging to this Family therefore there be divers Epithetes added to distinguish them as Geranium Columbinum Geranium Muscatum Geranium Arvense Geranium Batrachoides sive Gratia Dei Germanorum Geranium Rupertianum c. We call them in English Doves-foot Musked Cranes-bill unsavoury Cranes-bill Crowfoot Cranes-bill Herb Robert c. The Kindes Though there be divers Cranes-bills that grow no where in England unless they be fostered in Gardens yet I shall name onely those which are spontaneous and they are eleven 1. The Common Doves-foot or Cranes-bil 2. Doves-foot with Leaves like unto the Vervain Mallow 3. Unsavoury field Cranes-bill 4. Unsavoury field Cranes-bill with white flowers 5. Crowfoot Cranes-bill 6. Red or bloody Cranes-bill 7. Creeping Cranes-bill 8. Musked Cranes-bill 9. Herb Robert 10. Great Herb Robert 11. Rock Cranes-bill The Forme The Common Doves-foot or Cranes-bill groweth with divers small round pale green Leaves cut in about the edges more than those of the Common Mallow to which they are compared though they be much lesser standing upon long reddish hairy Stalks lying in a round compass upon the ground amongst which rise up two or three reddish joynted slender weak hairy Stalks with some such like Leaves as the former but smaller and more cut in up to the tops where grow many very small bright red Flowers of five Leaves a piece after which cometh the Seed which is like to a Cranes or Storks bill whereby all that pertain to this Family are known The Root is slender with some Fibres annexed thereunto The Places and Time The first groweth very frequently in most places of this Land both in Gardens and elsewhere the second is found in some Pastuâ—es also but not so frequenâ—ly as the former the third is more commonly found in the â—orn fields than in other places where the fourth is sometimes fâ—uâ—d the fifth in moist Meadows the sixth about St. Vincentâ— Rock neer Bristâ—ll the seventh by Walâ—orth the eighth groweth also naturally in some barren High wayes though it be taken into 〈…〉 dens for its sweet smell the ninth groweth upon old Walls especially those which are capped with mudde and amongst rubbish and sometime upon Slated houses and so doth the tenth but not so commonly as the other the last groweth onely upon Stone walls and in some Quarries whence Stones are dâ—gged They do most of them flower flourish and continue the greatest part of Summer without any sensible decay The Temperature Doves foot which is the Plantâ—l most aâ—m at in this Chapter is cold and somewhat dry with some astriction or binding having some power to sodder or joyn together The Vertues and Signature It is very certaine that the Herbe and Root oâ— Doves-foot dryed beaten into fine powder and then given to the quantity of halfe a spoonful fasting and as much at night upon going to bed in Red Wine or Oâ—d Claret for the space of twenty dayes or thereabouts without intermission of a day is of wonderful efficacy to cure Ruptures of Bâ—rstings whether it be in young or old but if the Ruptures be in aged persons it will be somewhat necessary to adde thereunto the powder of â—â—ne Red â—aailes that are without Shells dryed in an Oven which fortifieth the powder of the Herb that it never faileth It hath also the reputation of being singular good for the Wind-collick and other pains of the Belly proceeding from Wind as also to expell the Sâ—one and Gravel in the Kidneys the decoction thereof being drunk or used as a Bath made thereof to sit in or to be fomented with The decoction thereof in Wine is an exceeding good Wound-drink for any to take that have either inward Wounds Hurts or Bruises both to stay the bleeding to dissolve and expel the congealed blood and to heal the parts Being made into a Salve with fit Ingredients and applyed to any outward Sores Vlcers or Fistulaes it perfectly cleanseth and healeth them and for green Wounds many do but bruise the Herb and apply it to the place wheresoever it be and it will quickly heal them the sâ—me decoâ—tion in Wine fomented to any place pained with the Gout giveth much ease it doth the same also to all Joynt-aches or paines of the Sinewes the unsavoury Field-Cranes-bill are of a neer temperature with Doves-foot and may perform all the properties found in them but it is approvedly good to expel all windynesse of the Mother and to settle it in its place when it is fallen down a dramme of the powder thereof being drunk in Wine It is also good for Wounds and Vlcers and the distilled Water thereof taketh away Bruises and black Spots The Crowfoot Cranes-bill hath the Signature of the Shank-bone and therefore the powder thereof taken in Wine is
Woods Feilds and Hills With my Prayers for the prosperity of the Nations together with my best desires for the good successe of mine Endeavours I take Leave and rest Thine W. Coles A further Account or short Explication of the Method used in the ensuing Work THis Herball further then hath been expressed in the Epistle to the Reader doth as neere as is possible acquaint all sorts of people with the very Pith and Marrow of Herbarism contrived and set forth in an easy and exact Method wherein I have made an Anatomicall application throughout the Series of the whole work by appropriating to every part of the Body from the Crown of the Head with which I begin and proceed till I come to the Soal of the Foot such Herbs and Plants whose grand uses and vertues do most specificalâ—y and by Signature thereunto belong not only for strengthening the same but also for curing the evill Affects whereunto they are subjected In which industry I have not been alone but have found such loving freinds both Physitians Chirurgions and other Coadjutors and Travellers with me in this Science also that I suppose I may modestly affirme that I have done that which no English man hath preceded mee in And besides this generall Method of the whole Book you will find that of every particular Chapter to treat of the Names Kinds Formes Places and Time Temperatures and Vertues if not the Signature of every Plant. For not doubting but it will come into the Hands of some Learned Persons whose longing desire it is to be expert in this most satisfactory imployment I have omitted nothing that might render it incompleat beginning with the Names which are most commonly given them either for their most eminent vertues or for some notable affection or else for difference sake that the diversity of Names that the best Writers attribute Conveniunt rebus nomina saepè suis to the same thing might partly be made known For to set down those improper bastard and insignificant names which are used in divers Counties of this Land and amongst some Writers also would require much pains to little Purpose And then that that great Variety wherein Nature hath been pleased to discover her Beauty and Liberality might not be concealed I have set down most of the Species of every Genus As for the Forms I have usually described that which is most ordinary because Providence hath prudently ordered that those things which are most common should be likewise most usefull though there be some phantasticall ones that esteeme lightly of every thing which is not rare The Places Omne charum rarum are also many times particularly expressed that the Reader may know to obtaine those Plants he standeth indeed of And that he may not look for them at a season that they are not to be had the Time is expressed likewise and sometimes the particular time of gathering But for the time of gathering Plants in generall and the ordering of them afterwards I shall referre him to that Book of mine called The Art of Simpling wherein is set down the several waies of distinguishing Herbes as by the differences of their Leaves Stalks FloFlowers Seeds Roots Juices c The Temperature and Qualities are also set down that seeing hot diseases are usually cured with cooling Medicines and cold diseasâ—s with hot Medicines it might be known when a Plant is proper or not The Signatures likenesse are taken notice of they being as it were the Boâ—ks outof which the Ancients first learned the Vertues of Herbes Nature or rather the * Deus cuique Plantae indidit proditorem suum Crossius in Praefatione de Signaturis God of nature having stamped on divers of them legible Characters to discover their uses though he hath left others also without any that after he had shewed them the way they by their * Scivit Deus labore acquisita gratiora hominibus esse quà m sine labore obvia quae plerumque fastidire solent Id. labour and industry which renders every thing more acceptable might find out the rest which they did not neglect but prosequuted with extraâ—rdinary diligence yet have they left sufficient Inquiries for succeeding Ages And the Vertues and other Properties whether noceâ—t or innocent of every particular Plant which were found scattered in divers Authors I have collected and put together and added divers excellent Observations never yet taken notice of by any other Writer that I have met with not omitting the way of Use and Application whether it be internall or externall setting down whether the Bark Leaves Sâ—alks Seeâ—s Roots Juices or distilled water be of greatest Effect So that not only Men but Women also who do frequently bend their Endeavours this ingenious way when they shall be pleased to peruse these my Labours shall find both Pleasure and Profit in the reading of the same For as there be divers Diseases which happen to them only as those of their Breasts and Wombe so there be many Plants that have more specificall Vertues for the service of those parts then any other divers of which I have marshalled together when I come to speak to the said Distempers Lastly that nothing might be wanting that can be thought necessary for the Complement of this my well meaning designe besides the Table of Appropriations which is to be prefixed there is suffixed or set after it a threefold Index or Table one of the Latine and another of the English Names with a Table of the Vertues and Properties whereby divers Inquiries whether Medicinall or other may be fully satisfied And now let me tell the ingenious Reader and by him others that if those of these times would but be by a joynt Concurrence as industrious to search into the secrets of the Nature of Herbs as some of the former and make tryall of them as they did they should no doubt find the force of Simples many times no lesse effectuall then that of Compounds to which this present Age is too too much addicted as hath been very well observed by those learned Brethren of that noble Order of the Râ—secrucians Thus have I broken the Nut of Herbarisme do thou take out the Kernel and eate it and much good may it do thee TO His Esteemed William Coles upon his New Methodized History of PLANTS SOme may condemn your forwardnesse that you Venture thus soon into the publick view But by the wisest sort 't is understood No man can be too hasty to do good And may all those that enviously do brouze Upon your Leaves fare like the Vicars * See the Art of Simpling Chap. 19. Cowes The fault will be their own yet still 't is true In Yew there 's poyson though there 's none in You For you have scrutiniz'd Dame-Natures store To find out Remedies that may restore Expiring Health when the cold Hand of Death Is ready to extort our vitall breath And as Diseases subtilly do part Themselves in Squadrons
Hair as Alopecia Ophiasis c. beginning with the Quince-Tree which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Malus Cydonia Cotonea It beareth the Name of Malus Cydonia à Cydone Cretae oppido unde primum advecta because it was brought first from Cydon a Town in Crete and Cotonea as some think from the down which groweth upon the Fruit which is called Cotton as Fuchsius writeth by which name Cato first called it and Pliny after him The Spaniards call it Membrillâ—o Marmello from whence come the word Marmalade The Kindes Columella setteth down three sorts of this fruit 1. Struthia Great ones 2. Chrysomela Gold Colour 3. Mustea Early ones but little but in our dayes there are four or five sorts of Trees which are known by the names following 1. Our ordinary Quince-Tree 2. The Portugall Quince 3. The Barbary Quince 4. The Lyons Quince 5. The Brunswick Quince The Forme The ordinary Quince-Tree groweth oftentimes to the height and bigness of a reasonable Apple-Tree but more usually lower and crooked with a rough Bark spreading Arms and Branches far abroad the Leaves are somewhat round and like those of the Apple-Tree but thicker harder fuller of Veins and white on the under side not dented at all about the Edges the Flowers are large and white sometimes dasht over with a blush the fruit that followeth is first green and then yellow when the white Freese or Cotton wherewith it is covered is rubbed off which groweth lesse as the fruit ripeneth bunched out oftentimes in some places some being liker an Apple some like a Pear of a strong heady sent and not durable to keep and is soure harsh and of an unpleasant taste to eat raw but being scalded roasted baked or preserved becommeth very pleasant The Place and Time The Place of every one save the first is expressed already which best likes to grow near Ponds and Water sides and is frequent through the Land but beareth not 〈◊〉 the place where it groweth be somewhat moyst It flowreth not till after the leaves put forth and that is about the end of March or the beginning of April the fruit is commonly ripe about the beginning of October The Temperature Quinces have a cold and earthy faculty in them and by reason of their 〈◊〉 binding they moysten the body lesse then other fruits for they are cold in â—â—e first and dry in the second degree When they are green they help all sortâ— of Fluxes in Man or Woman and whatsoever needeth astriction The Signature and Vertues The Down of Quinces doth in some sort resemble the hair of the Head the Decoction whereof is very effectual for the restoring of Hair that is fallen off by the French Pox and being made up with Wax and laid on as a Plaster it bringeth Hair to them that are bald and keepeth it from falling if it be ready to shed It healeth Plague-sores if it be boyled in Wine and applyed to them The Syrup of the Juyce of Quinces strengthens the heart and stomach stayes loosness and vomiting relieves languishing Nature for loosness take a spoonfull of it before meat for vomiting after meat for others purposes it is to be taken in the morning and may be then taken for these also It helpeth the Liver also when it is so opprest that it cannot perfect digestion and correcteth Choler and Flegme If you would have Quinces purging put Honey to them instead of Sugar and if more laxative add for Choler Rubarb for Flegme Tuâ—bith for watry humors Scammony but if more forcibly to binde use the unripe Quinces with Roâ—es and Acacia or Hypocistis and some torrefied Rubarb The Juyce of raw Quinces is held as an Antidote against the force of deadly poyson not suffering it to have any force in the body for it hath been often found to be most certain true that the very smell of a Quince hath taken away all the strength of the poyson of white Hellebore which the Hunters of Spain and Navarre make to kill wilde Beasts by dipping their Arrow-Heads therein It is also certain that if Quinces be brought into an house where Grapes are hung up to be kept dry all the year they will assuredly rot If there be need of any outward binding and cooling of any hot Fluxes the Oyl of Quinces or other Medicines that may be made thereof are very available to anoint the Belly or other parts therewith It likewise strengtheneth the Stomach and Belly and the Sinews which are loosed by sharp humours falling on them and restraineth immoderate sweatings The Mucilage taken from the Seeds and Quinces boyled a little in water is very good to cool the heat and heal the sore breasts of Women the same with a little Sugar is good to lenifie the harshness and hoarsness of the throat and roughness of the Tongue The Marmalade of Quinces is toothsom as well as wholsom and therefore I cannot blame such Gentlewomen which are seldom without it in their Closets CHAP. XV. Of Mosses IT may seem strange to any one that considereth not our Method that we should so much deviate from the common Roads which other Herbarists use to trace as to treat of the Quince-Tree and Mosse next to one another there being in their Opinion so little Similitude between them Yet because it cures the Diseases of the Hair as the former doth and doth a little resemble the Down growing on Quinces I shall handle it next The Names Mosse in generall is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in the Attick Tongue Sphagnum Hypnum and Pliny thereupon in one place calleth it in Latine Bryon Sphagnum and in another place Sphagnos sive Phacos sive Bryon but it is in Latine usually called Muscus and properly betokeneth any Herb that is composed of hairs or thred instead of Leaves the Arabians and Apothecaries call it Vsnea The Greeks which seldom gave any thing a name without a Reason called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it giveth ease to the Entrails The Kindes The Sorts of these are very numerous Parkinson reckons up thirty and treats of them in severall Chapters It would be somewhat tedious and to little purpose to repeat them all I shall therefore for brevity sake set down those which I finde to be useful and let the rest alone and the first is Our common ground-Mosse 2. Cupp-Mosse 3. Club-Mosse 4. Oak-Mosse 5. Apple-Tree Mosse 6. Mosse of a Dead Mans Skull Neither of these want a Description so much as the Club-Mosse because it desires to be known in these times wherein there is so much dead Wine which it is said in short time to recover I shall therefore describe that The Forme Club-Mosse or Wolfs-Claw Mosse which is in Latine called Muscus clavatus sive Lycopodium groweth close upon the ground among Bushes and Brakes to the length of six or eight foot consisting as it were of many hairy Leaves set
Celandine The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from a supposition that the Antients had that with this Herb Swallows do restore sight to their young ones though their Eyes be put out which Opinion is condemned as vain and false by Aristotle and Celsus from him who shew that the young ones of Doves Partridges Swallows c. will recover of themselves without any thing done unto them Yet I find that many Authours question not the truth of the story for Crollius and divers others do report how that Doves make use of Vervein Swallows of Celandine Linnets of Eye-bright and Hawks of Hawk-weed for the recovery of their own and their young ones sight The Latine also followeth the Greek and in it it is called Chelidonium majus Hirundnaria major and we in English great Celandine and of some Swallow-wort and Tetterwort for its efficacy in curing Tetters The Kinds Parkinson treats of Pilewort in the same Chapter with Celandine which are no more alike then Chalk and Cheese neither in Leaf nor Flower only because it is called Chelidonium minus from an error of Dioscorides who saith that it springeth when Swallows come in and withereth at their going away when as it springeth before Swallows come and vanisheth long before their departure Therefore I shall not mention that any more here but shall set down the kinds of the greater Celandine which I find to be three 1. Common great Celandine 2. Jagged Celandine 3. Great Celandine of Canada The Form Common Celandine hath divers tender round whitish green stalks with greater Joynts then other Herbs ordinarily have like unto knees very brittle and easie to break from whence grow branches with large tender long Leaves divided into many parts each of them cut-in on the edges set at the joynts on both sides of the branches of a dark blewish green colour on the upper side like Columbines and of a more pale blewish green underneath full of a yellow sap when any part is broken of a bitter tast and strong scent at the tops of the branches which are much divided grow gold yellow Flowers of four Leaves a peece after which come small long pods with blackish seed therein the root is thick and knobby with some threds annexed thereto which being broken or bruised yieldeth a sap or juyce of the colour of Gold The Places and Times The common sort groweth in many places by old Walls by the hedges and way sides in untilled places and being once planted in a Garden especially in some shady place it will hardly be gotten out The second is not known to grow naturally but is received into Gardens for the variety The third in Canada as the Title sheweth The two first sorts flower all the Summer long and the seed ripeneth in the mean time but the last flowreth very late and bringeth not its seed to perfection in this Country The Temperature The ordinary great Celandine is manifestly hot and dry and that in the third Degree and withall scoureth and cleanseth effectually The Signature and Vertues Though Aristotlc will not admit that this Herb cureth the Eys of young Swallows yet it hath been proved by experience that it is one of the best cures for mens Eyes that is for the juyce dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from films and clowdiness which darken the sight but it is best to allay the sharpnesse of it with a little Breast-Milk Mr. Culpepper saith that the Oyl or Oyntment is most effectual if it be anointed upon sore Eyes and that it is far better then endangering the Eyes with a Needle The Herb or Roots boyled in White-wine and drunk a few Annlseeds being boyled therewith openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Gall helpeth the yellow Jaundice by Signature which is plainly signified by the yellow juyce and after often using it helps the Dropsie and the Itch and those that have old sores in their Legs or other parts of the Body The juyce thereof taken fasting is held to be of singular good use against the Plague or Pestilence and so is the distilled water also with a little Sugar but especially if a little good Treacle be mixed therewith and they upon the taking lie down to sweat a little It is good in old filthy corroding creeping Ulcers whatsoever to stay the stelalignity of fretting and running and to cause them to heal the more speedily The juyce often applyed to Tetters Ring-worms or other such like spreading Cancers will quickly heal them and rubbed oft on Warts will take them away The Herb with the Roots bruised and heated with the Oyl of Camomile and applyed to the Navel taketh away both the griping pain in the Belly and Bowels as all the pains of the Mother and applyed to Womens Breasts that have their Courses over much stayeth them The Juyce or Decoction of the Herb gargled between the teeth that ake taketh away the pain and the Powder of the dryed Root layd upon an aking hollow or loose Tooth will as some say cause it to drop out The Juyce mixed with Powder of Brimstone is not only good to anoint those places which are troubled with the Itch but taketh away all discolourings of the skin whatsoever be they spots of marks or bruises stripes or wounds the Morphew also Sun-burning or any the like and if by chance in a tender body it cause any Itching or Inflammation it is soon helped if the place be but bathed with a little Vineger Matthiolus saith that if the green Herb be worn in the shooes of them that have the yellow Jaundies so as their bare feet may tread thereon it helpeth them CHAP. XXI Of Rue or Herb Grace The Names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Name which the Greeks give unto this Herbe which is the last in the forementioned verse and is so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à coagulando because it doth as it were condense the generative faculty by its heat and drynesse and is therefore said to abate carnal lust Yet Schola Salerni maketh a difference between men and women for they say Ruta viris coitum minuit mulieribus auget Because the nature of Women is waterish and cold and Rue heateth and dryeth therefore say they it stirreth them more to carnal lust but it diminisheth the nature of men which is of temperature like unto the air which is hot and moist Dioscorides saith that what we call Ruta montana was in his time called Moly montanum and the root of the Assyrian wild kind Moly for the likenesse thereunto being black without and white within And Ruta in Latine of Ruo for the violent fierce vapours it sendeth forth causing itching blisters c. In English Rue Herbe Grace and Herb of Grace for the many good uses it may be put to It is without doubt a most wholesome herb though bitter and strong and could dainty Palates brook the taste and use thereof it would work singular effects being skilfully and
but it purgeth Phlegme more manifestly then Choler and therefore doth much help pains in the Hips and other parts Being boyled in Whey it wonderfully helpeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and is profitable for the Dropsie and Jaundies being steeped in Wine and drunk It helps those continuall Agues that come by the plenty of stubborn humours An Oyl made thereof by setting it in the Sun with some Laudanum added to it provoketh sweating the ridge of the back being anointed therewith and thereby driveth away the shaking fits of the Agues It will not abide long boyling for it looseth its strength thereby nor much beating for the finer powder doth provoke Vomits and Urine and the coorler purgeth downward The Roots also work in the same manner but not so forcibly but an Extract made thereof according to Art with Wine might be more safe and effectual and may be kept all the year to be ready at hand to be given when there is occasion the quantity only is to be proportioned according to the constitution of the Patient as the learned Physitians can best appoint It is also effectuall against the biting of Serpents the root especially and therefore it is put amongst other simples both into Mithridate and Venice Treacle A drachm of the root in powder given in Whitewine a little before the fit of an Ague taketh away the shaking fit and thereby causeth the hot fit to be more remisse and in twice taking expelleth it quite It is said that the leaves being a little bruised and applyed to the forehead and temples do ease the pains of the head and procureth sleep and applyed to the Eyes taketh away the inflammation of them The Juice with a little Tutia prepared put to it and dropped into the corner of the Eyes sharpeneth the Eyesight and taketh away the dimnesse and mistinesse that is often in them The Bastard Asarum as Matthiolus saith hath a little cleansing quality but a greater property to attenuate or make thin that which is thick to cut or break that which is tough and to open that which is obstructed A drachm of the powder hereof taken in sweet Wine or honyed Water doth loosen the Belly and purgeth from thence tough and thick phlegme and black or burnt Humours It is for very good purpose and profit given to those which have the yellow Jaundies to those that have the falling Sicknesse and to those that have the Palsy the herbe either taken of it self and eaten as in Sallets or the decoction thereof made and drunk It killeth also the wormes of the Belly CHAP. XXVI Of Ground-Ivy or Alehoofe The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it alwayes creeps upon the ground and hath Leaves somewhat like unto the true Ivy yet they are lesser thinner hairy and crumpled as it were It is called also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it spreadeth and is a Garland upon the Ground It is called in Latine Hedera humâ—lis Hedera terrestris and Corona terrae Cordus calleth it Chamadema and Brunfelsius mistaking it made it his fourth Elâ—tine Lugdunensis calleth it Malacocissos id est Mollis Hedera Plumiatica The Shops call it Hedera terrestris and we in English according to the several Countries appellations Gilrumbith-ground that is Gill run by the ground Tâ—â—dâ—oore Gill creep by the ground Catsfoot Hay Maids and Alehoof most generally or Tunhoof because Countrey people formerly did use it much in their Aâ—le and Beer and so they would now if they were so wise and Ground Ivy as frequently although Lobel judgeth the Hedera helix or barren Ivy to deserve that name more properly and some Country people that would have the barren Ivy to be the true Ground-Ivy call the other Maiden-hair but it is only their Opinion without good advice for all that have experience in Herbarisme judge otherwise The Kindes There be of this four sorts 1. Common Ground-Ivy or Ale-hoof 2. The lesser Ale-hoof 3. Mountain Ale-hoof 4. Stone-Ale-hoof The Form Ground-Ivy is a low Plant seldom exceeding a Span in height but it lyeth spreadeth and creepeth upon the Ground all about shooting forth Roots at the Joynts of the cornered tender stalks set all along with two round Leaves at every Joynt somewhat hairy and crumpled as it were and unevenly dented about the edges with round dents at the Joynts likewise with the Leaves towards the end of the Branches come forth hollow long Flowers gaping at the ends of a blewish purple colour with small white spots upon the Label or lips that hang down as also in the mouth or Jawes the Root is small but very fibrous The Place and Time The common sort is found under the Hedges and sides of fields and Ditches under house sides and in shadowed Lanes and other wast Grounds in every place almost the second is found at the bottom of old Trees in some Countries of Gâ—rmany the third is found to grow on Hills and Mountains the last in Narbone and Province in France and in some places of Somersetshire They flower somewhat early and abide so a great while the Leaves keeping their Verdure unto the Winter and sometimes abiding if it be not too vehement and sharp The Temperature Ground Ivy is quick sharp and bitter in tast and thereby is found to be hee and dry it openeth also cleanseth and rarifyeth The Vertues The Juyce of this Herb dropped into the Ears doth wonderfully help the noise and singing of them and helpeth their hearing that is decayed especially iâ— burnt white Coperas be dissolved therein and three drops thereof be put into the Ears morning and evening The Juyces of Celandine Daysies of the field and Ground-Ivy clarified and a little fine Sugar dissolved therein dropped into the Eys is a soveraign Medicine for all pains redness and watering of the Eys the Pin and Web Skins or Films growing over the sight or whatsoever might offend them the same helpeth Beasts as well as Men. It is also a singular good Wound-Herb for all inward Wounds and likewise for exulcerated Lungs and other parts either by it self or with other the like Herbs boyled together and besides being drunk by them that have any griping pains of windy or cholerick humours in the stomack spleen or belly doth ease them in a short space it likewise helpeth the yellow Jaundies by opening the obstruction of the Gall Liver and Spleen it expelleth venome and poyson and the Plague also It provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and stayeth them not as some have thought but the Decoction of the Herb in Wine being drunk for some time together by those that have the Sciatica or Hip-Gout as also the Gout in the hands knees or feet helpeth to dissolve and disperse the peccant humours and to procure ease the same decoction is excellent good to gargle any sore throat or mouth putting thereto some Honey and a little burnt Allome as also to wash the Sores and Ulcers of the privy
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
also to the Navels of Children that stick forth it helpeth them The distilled water of the Herb is used by many as the more pleasing with a little Sugar for many of the samâ— effects Camerarius saith that it taketh away the pains of the teeth when â—ll other Remedies fail and that the thickened juyce made in Pills with the Powder of Gum-Tragacanth and Arabick being taken prevaileth much to help those that make a bloody water CHAP. XLV Of Golden-Rod The Names IT hath no Greek Name that I can learn In Latine it is called Aurea Virgâ— because the branches are like a Golden Rod. Anguillara thought it might bâ— the Leucographis of Pliny because it is said in the description thereof that â—t is found sometimes with white strakes in the Leaves but why Tabermontanus should take it to be Symphitum Petreum is not known In English Golden Rod. The Kindes All the sorts hereof that I can find are but three 1. The ordinary Golden Rod. 2. Arnold of Villa Nova or the new Town his Golden Rod. 3. Golden Rod of America The Forme The Golden Rod that is most common to our Country riseth up with brownish small round stalks about half a yard high or higher if it grow in a fat soil or in a Garden having thereon many narrowish and long dark green Leaves very seldom with any nicks or dents about the edges and as seldom with any strakes or white spots therein and yet sometimes and in some places they are so to be found divided at the tops into many small branches with divers small yellow Flowers on every one of them which are turned one way and being ripe do turn into down and are carryed away with the wind the Root consisteth of many small Fibres which grow not deep into the ground but abideth all the winter therein shooting forth new branches every year the old ones dying down to the ground The Places and Time The first groweth in divers places of this Land in the open places of Woods and Copses both in moyst and dry grounds but especially in Hampsteed-VVood near unto the Gate that leadeth out of the Wood unto a Village called Kentish-Town not far from London in a Wood by Rayleigh in Essex in Southfleet also and in Swanscombe-Wood near Gravesend The second is not so frequent yet that is found also in some places of Hampsteed-VVood though sparingly The last came from America as the Title shews The first flowreth later then the second which is about July and the other in the beginning or middle of August the last also flowreth very late The Temperature Golden Rod is hot and dry in the second Degree it cleanseth with a certain astriction or binding quality The Vertues This Herb is of especiall use in all Lotions for Sores or Ulcers in the mouth and throat or in the privy parts of Man or Woman The decoction thereof likewise helpeth to fasten the teeth that are loose in the Gums It is much commended also against the stone in the Reins and Kidneys and to provoke Urine in abundance whereby the gravel or stone engendered in the uritory parts by raw and tough flegmatick humours may be washed down into the bâ—adder from growing into a stone in those parts and thence may be avoided with the Urine the decoction of the Herb green or dry or the distilled water thereof is very effectuall for inward bruises as also to be outwardly applyed the same also stayeth bleedings in any part of the body and of wounds also and the Fluxes of the menstruall Courses in Women and the Fluxes of the belly and humours as also the bloody Flux in Man or Woman it is no lesse prevalent in all Ruptures or burstings to be both drunk and outwardly applyed it is the most soveraign wound-Hearb of many and can do as much therein as any both inwardly for wounds and hurts in the body and for either green wounds quickly to cure them or old sores and Ulcers that are hardly to be cured which often come by the Flux of moyst humours thereunto and hinder them from healing Gerard saith that the dry Herb that came from beyond the Seas was formerly sold for half a Crown an Ounce but since it was found to be so plentiful on Hampsteed-Heath and other places in England no man will give half a Crown for an hundred weight of it And here I may take an occasion as Gerrard doth to specifie the inconstancy and sudden mutability of the people of this Age who esteem no longer of any thing how precious soever it be then whilst it is strange and rare verifying that common Proverb Far fetcht and deâ—r bought is good for Ladies Neither are many Physicians to be justified in this particular who though they have found an approved Medicine and perfect Remedy near home against any Disease yet not contented with that they will seek for new farther off and by that means many times hurt more then help And this is one Reason that Mr. Culpepper inveighs I will not say how justly against the Colledge of Physitians who chuse rather to make use of forraign Plants then those of our own growing CHAP. LXVI Of Scurvy-grasse The Names FRom the mouth in generall let us come somewhat more particularly to speak of such Plants as serve to cure the Disease thereof called the SCVRVY One of the chief whereof is Scurvy-Grasse which is thought to have been unknown to the ancient Greek Writers because they name it not And though some imagine it to be Plinies Britannica yet Gerard and Parkinson who were curious compares of Simples are both of Opinion that it cannot be it The more modern Latine Writers call it Cochlearia from the similitude the Leaf hath with a Spoon being round as well as hollow It is called in English Scurvy-grasse and Scruby-grasse and sometimes though but seldom Spoon-wort after the Latine name The Kindes The Sorts hereof are foure 1. Common Scurvy-Grasse 2. The great Dutch or Garden Scurvy-Grasse 3. Small Dutch Scurvy-Grasse 4. The least Scurvy-Grasse The Forme The great Dutch or Garden Scurvy-Grasse which is most known and frequent in Gardens hath divers fresh green and almost round Leaves rising from the Root nothing so thick as the common sort yet in some places as in a rich strong dunged ground very large even twice so big as in others nothing at all dented about the edges and sometimes a little hollowed in the middle and round pointed of a sad green colour every one standing by it self upon a long foot-stalk from among these rise up divers long slender weak stalks of about a foot in length thick beset on each side with small white Flowers at the tops of them which turn into small pods with little brownish Seeds the Root is white small and threddy the tast of it is somewhat bitterish The Places and Time The first groweth along by the Thâ—mes both on the Essex and Kentish shores so far as the brackish Sea-water commeth even
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
Blood caused by bruises or falls and helps the bloody Flux An oyntment made of the Juyce of Hogs grease is as excellent a Remedy for the biting of a mad Dog or any venemous Creature as any is A Syrup made of the leaves or green fruit is excellent good for Coughs Hoarseness or shortnesse of Breath and all diseases of the Breast and Lungs Some say that the Fig Tree as well as the Bay tree is never hurt by Lightning as also that a Bull if he be never so mad being tyed to a Fig tree will become tame and gentle and that it prospereth the better if Rue be set neer unto it The blew Fig is no doubt of the same operation with the white to all purposes but the fruit commeth most to maturity with us and is eaten as a pretty Junket with Salt and Pepper for unlesse they be so eaten or some Wine drunk after them to digest them they passe not quickly out of the Stomach but putrifie therein and do sometimes put the party eating them in danger of a Feaver Dry Figs also immoderately eaten do engender Crude and windy humours in the Body and soon corrupt in the Stomach whereby they cause Itch Scab and breed Lice also They hurt such as have the Cholick and windy diseases and that have hot Livers and Cholerick Stomachs they are best for old Phlegmatick persons and in cold and moist seasons They are commonly eaten with Almonds and so they cleanse the Breast and Lungs the better by a special Vertue they have Two or three Figs slit and laid all night in Aqua Vitae are very good for those that are pursy and short winded if taken in the morning CHAP. LXXV Of Hyssop The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which as some think takes its name quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia super vultus affunditur because the face being washed with the Decoction or distilled water thereof is made fairer it being of a very abstersive quality And therefore David Prayes God to purge him with Hyssop and in Schola Salerni it is commended for the same purposes in these words Vultibus eximium fertur praestare colorem It is called in Latine Hyssopus and of Us Hyssop The Kinds I find fifteen sorts of Hyssop set down by Parkinson 1. Ordinary Garden Hyssop 2. White Hyssop 3. Golden or yellow Hyssop 4. Russet Hyssop 5. Double Hyssop 6. Broad leafed Hyssop 7. Jagged or dented Hyssop 8. Musked Hyssop 9. Red flowered Hyssop 10. Dwarf Spanish Hyssop 11. Tufted Hyssop 12. Curled Hyssop 13. Mountain wild Hyssop 14. Narrow leafed Hyssop 15. Round Leafed Hyssop The Forme The Common Garden Hyssop is a plant that riseth sometimes to be about a foot high with many woody branches but render at the tops whereof are set at certain distances sundry small long and narrow green Leaves at the tops of the stalks stand blewish purple gaping flowers in spiked heads one row above another after which follow the seed which is small and blackish the root is somewhat wooddy with many threddy strings The whole plant is of a strong sweet sent and is fit to be strewed in windows and such places The Places and Time Our common Hyssop groweth naturally upon the hills of Romania about Verona and neer unto mount Baldus The Dwarfe kind in Spain and the mountain wild kind on the hills in many places of Germany and as Matthiolus saith on the hill Salvatia in the Country of Goritia the rest are nursed up in the gardens of those that are Lovers of curious Simples They do all flower in June and July and their seed is ripe in the beginning or middle of August The Temperature Hyssop is hot and dry in the third degree and therefore must needs be of thin parts It cutteth and breaketh tough Phlegme it ratifieth or maketh thin that which is thick and gross it openeth that which is stopped and cleanseth that which is corrupt The Vertues A Decoction made of Rue and Honey being drunk doth help those that are troubled with Coughs shortnesse of Breath Wheesings and rheumatick Distillations upon the Lungs taken also with Oxymel or water and Hony it purgeth gross humours by the stool and with Honey killeth Worms in the Belly It amendeth the native colour of the Body spoiled by the yellow Jaundise helpeth the Dropsie and the Spleen if it be taken with Figs and Nitre It is good in the Falling Sickness provokes Urine expels Wind and brings down Womens Courses and easeth sharp fits of Agues The Distilled water is good for the same diseases especially those that proceed from a cold if the quantity of a quarter of a pint be warmed and drunk with Sugar at night when one goes to bed but the Decoction as also the Syrup is more effectuall It taketh away black and blew spots and marks that came by stroaks bruises or falls being boyled and the places bathed therewith It is an excellent medicine for the Quinsie to wash and gargle the Throat being boyled with Figs it helpeth the Tooth-ach being boyled in Vinegar and the mouth gargled therewith the hot Vapours of the Decoction taken by a Funnel in at the Ears easeth the Inflammations of them and as Mesue saith the singing noise of them also Being bruised and Salt Honey and Cummin-Seed put to it it helpeth those that are stung by Serpents The green Herb bruised and a little Sugar put to it doth quickly heal any green Wound or Cut in the Hand or else-where The Oyl thereof killeth Lice and taketh away the itching of the Head if it be anointed therewith It helpeth those that have the Falling Sicknesse which way soever it be applyed It helpeth to expectorate tough flegme and is effectuall in all cold griefs or Diseases of the Chest and Lungs being taken either in a Syrup or licking Medicine There is also a Wine made of Hyssop named Hyssop-Wine which is good for the purposes aforesaid and there may be Hyssop-Ale made after the manner of Sage-Ale by adding an Ounce or two of good Liquorice CHAP. LXXVI Of Ragwort The Names IT hath no Greek name being an Herb but of later knowledge for if it had been formerly known we should find it mentioned by some ancient Greek or Latine Authour or other which we cannot do unlesse you would as some do refer it to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Erigerum of Dâ—oscorides which the Latines caâ— Senecio and therefore Lobel calleth it Jacobaea Senecio Tragus Matthiolus and others call it Flos Sti Jacobi and Herba Sti Jacobi Dodonaeus and the latest Writers Jacobaea for what cause I know not unlesse it be because it flourishrisheth about St. Iames-tide Some have taken the Sea kind to be Arthemisia Marina or a species of it because the diviâ—â—on of the Leaves is somewhat like the Arthemisia vulgaris Others call it Cineraria Argentea from the whitenesse of the Leaves which shew like silver or as
are good for weak and macerated persons or such as are lean They open and cleanse the breast provoke spitting and are good in the Pleurisy and shortnesse of Breath they open the passages of Urine cleanse the Kidnyes and provoke sleep They increaâ—e geniture or seed both in men and Women open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and help the sight Being blanched and dryed that they may be made in powder which taken by it self or with other things stayeth the looseness of the belly Bitter Almonds open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen cleanse the Lungs from grosse tough phlegme cleanse the Kidnyes and provoke Urine They take away flatulent or windy humours in the body and provoke the Courses in Women Being taken with Amylum or Starch and Mints they are good against spitting of Blood and taken with water they are good for paines in the back and the Inflammation of the Lungs They preserve from drunkennesse if five or six be eaten in a morning fasting The Oyl of bitter Almonds being taken killeth Worms helpeth the paines Suffocations and tortions of the Womb. Being drunken with wine it mitigateth the Cough and brings away the stone or gravel in the kidnyes It is reported that if bitter Almonds be given to a Fox he dieth presently after The oyl both of bitter and sweet Almonds is good to cleanse the skin from roughnesse and spots but the bitter is most effectual Being mixed with Oyl of Roses and Oyl of Capers and the Spleen anointed therewith it helpeth the hardnesse thereof It cures deafnesse and noise in the Ears if it be dropped into them and helpeth the Scurfynesse of the head and the sores thereof If the Temples be anointed therewith it easeth the paines of the head and brings rest or boyl bitter Almonds with vinegar of Roses and Rose Leaves and apply it to the Temples Being bruised with Hony they are good against the biting of a mad dog The powder of the Almond Cakes after the Oyl is pressed from them doth cleanse the hands or skin in any place better then Sope. If the Oyl be mixed with Hony powder of Liquorice Oyl of Roses and White wax and the eyes therewith anointed it clears them and helps the dimness thereof CHAP. LXXXI Of the Vine The Names THe manured Vine is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Vitis Vinifera and sativa or culta the wild is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Vitis sylvestris Vitis à vino vel quia invâ—tetur ad uvaa pariendas dicitur but there is another Vitis sylvestris of the Grecians that is the Clematis urons of the Latines by some and Amara-dulcis by others when as this is called Labrusca to cause it to be known asunder the juyce of the unripe Grapes of the manured Vine or rather of the Grapes of the wild Vine which come not to ripenesse are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek Omphacium Agresta in Latine in English Varjuice The Grapes when they are dryed in the Sun are called Uvae passae and Passulae Solis Raisins the Juyce or Liquor pressed out of the ripe Grapes is called Vinum Wine the Kernels are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acini the Dregs or setling of the Wine are called Vini faces Wine Lees while they are moyst but being dryed is called â—artarum Tartar or Argol the distilled Wine is called Spiritus Vini Spirit of Wine and the Lees distilled Aquavita In the wild Vine the Flowers are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Oenanthe that is Vini flos in Latine which was of much use in former times but now is wholly neglected The Kinds There is so great a variety of Vines that are manured that it would require a large recitall but studying brevity I shall only mention five Sorts with the chiefest Grapes not because there be more sorts of Grapes then Vines but because there be many Sorts of manured Vines 1. The Manured Vine 2. The Vine with thin cut Leaves like Parsley which is a manured Vine but differeth from the former in the Leaf 3. The wild Vine of Europe 4. The wild Vine of Virginia 5. The wild Vine of Canada The chiefest Grapes are 1. The Damasco white Grape which is the true Uva zibeba that the Apot becaries should use in sundry of their Compositions 2. The Muscadine Grape both white and red 3. The Frontignack or Musk Grape 4. The party coloured Grape 5. The Raisin of the Sun Grape 6. The Curran Grape which dryed are those the Grocers sell 7. The small early black Grape 8. The black Grape of Orleance 9. The Grape without stones To which I add the starved or hard Grape and the Fox Grape The Forme The manured Vine in places where it hath stood long and thrived hath a great stem as big as ones Arm sleeve and all spreadding without end or measure if it be suffered many slender weak branches that must be sustained from falling down the young being red and the old of a dark colour with a pith in the middle at the sundry joynts whereof grow severall large broad green Leaves cut into five Divisions and dented also about the edges at the joynts likewise against the Leaves come forth long twining tendrells clasping or winding about whatsoever it may take hold of at the bottoms of the Leaves come forth clusters of small greenish yellow Flowers and after them Berries thick set together in bunches of severall forms greatnesse colour and tast in some the clusters are close in others more open some round others long and some tending to a square some likewise are very small as the Currah Grape others great and some a mean between both some again are white others black or blewish or red or particoloured within which there are usually one two or three kernels for tast some sweet some sowre some mixt according to the Clymate wherein they grow They that keep their Vines in the best manner do keep them low and cut them often both Winter and Summer yet if they be pruned later then February they loose their nourishment with weeping but in October and November is the best time and being thus dressed they grow better take up lesse room bringing their Grapes both fairer and sweeter The Places and Time It is true that manured Vines are planted every where but there is much difference in what Soil and Climate they grow for though the Vine that groweth in the Canary Islands is the same with that at Malaga and Sheris yet the one still excelleth the other in sweetnesse and strength And though many of our Vines be of the same kind with those in France yet they seldom come to maturity to make so good Wine as theirs our Country being colder however I have heard of Wine made in England of Grapes growing in Mrs. Pits Garden at Harrow on the Hill But the Vine which is thought fittest for our Clymate is the Parsley
shall therefore mention those that follow reserving the Marsh Mallowes and its kinds for another Chapter upon another occasion 1. The common Mallow with purplish Flowers 2. The Purplish Mallow with white Flowers 3. Small wild Mallow 4. Single Garden Hollihocks 5. Double Hollihocks 6. French curled Mallowes 7. Fine cut or Vervain Mallowes 8. A strange Mallow called Malva Rosa by Mr. Brown The Forme The common Mallow is so well known as also the Hollihocks that the description of either of them is not so necessary as that of the Vervain Mallow being lesse taken notice of The lower Leaves of it are soft and green somewhat like unto the wild common Mallow Leaves but lesser and more cut in on the edges besides the denting but those that grow up higher upon the stalk whose bark may be broken in the threds like Hemp and is sometimes near as high as the ordinary wild kind is are more cut in and divided somewhat like unto Vervain the Flowers hereof are of a paler purple colour then the common Mallow but in most not so much divided into several Leaves and laid so open but abiding more close or lesse spread and without those stripes oftentimes being smooth and somewhat shining the Seed and Seed Vessels are like the common Mallow the Root also is long tough and white but somewhat more wooddy The Places and Time The first is known to grow every where but the second with white Flowers is more rate growing but in few places as about Ashford and other places in Kent and at Thrapstone in North 〈…〉 c. The third is found under Walls and Hedges in many places The fourth fifth and sixth are Inhabitants of Gardens and so is the seaventh which is found in the Fields also about St. Albans c. The last was shewed me by Mr. Ball in his Garden near Sion House which came with some other Seeds from beyond the Seas They flower about June and July The Temperature The wild Mallows have a certain moderate heat and moystnesse withall The Juyce thereof is slimy clammy or giuing the which are to be preferred before the Garden Mallow or Hollihock but the French Mallow is generally holden to be the wholsomest and as Gerard thinks is that which Hesiod commends It easily descendeth not only because it is moyst but also by reason it is slimy The Vertues Although Mallowes are commonly said to mollifie the belly and make it soluble yet there are other things more effectuall to that purpose I shall therefore appropriate it to the Breasts or Paps of women for it not onely procureth great store of Milk in the Breasts of those Nurses that eare it being boyled and buttered as other herbes commonly are or shred into their pottage but also asswageth the hardnesse of them being boyled and applyed unto them warme as also all other hard Tumors Inflammations of Impostums and swelling of Cods and other parts and easeth the paines of them and likewise the hardnesse of the Liver and Spleen being applyed to the places especially if a Pultis be made by adding some Bean or Barly flower or Oyle of Roses to them The Leaves and Roots also boyled in wine or water or in broth with parsley or Fennell Roots doth help to open the Body and is very convenient in hot Agues or other distempers of the body for by its mollilying quality it not onely voideth hot cholerick or other offensive humors but easeth the paines and torments that come by the stoppings of the belly and to that end the boyled leaves are applyed warm to the Belly and it is used in Clisters for the same purpose The Decoction of the seed of any of the Common Mallowes made in milk or wine doth marvellously help Excoriations of the Bowells Ptisick Pleuresie and other diseases of the Chest and Lungs that proceed of hot causes if it be continued taking for some time together The Leaves and Roots work the same effects The juice drunk in wine or the Decoction made in wine doth help women to an easy speedy delivery The Leaves bruised and laid to the Eys with a little Hony taketh away the Impostumation of them The Leaves rubbed upon any place stung with Bees Waspes or the like taketh away the pains rednesse swelling thereof The juice of Mallows boyled in old Oyl applyed taketh away all roughnesse of the skin as also the falling of the haire the Scurse Dandraffe or Dry-Scabs in the head or other parts if they be anointed therewith or washed with the Decoction the same also is effectuall against Scaldings or Burnings and to help wild-fire and all other hot red and painfull swellings in any part of the body The Flowers boyled in water and a little Honey added is a good Gargle for any sore mouth or throat If the feet be bathed with the Decoction of the Leaves Roots and Flowers it helpeth the flowing down of Rhume from the head which rose out of the Stomack the green leaves beaten with Nitre and applyed draweth out thornes or pricks out of the flesh The roots being made clean from the earth and washed and at the end a little â—cotched with a knife and then rubbed hard upon the teeth taketh a way sliminesse of them and maketh them very white The Vervain-Mallow is thought to be most effectuall for burstings or ruptures and the bâ—oody sâ—ix and also for the shrinking of the Sinewes and Cramp The diuilled water hereof being made when it is in flower worketh the same effects but more weakely yet it is much commended in hot Agues and Feavers Plâ—ny saith that whosoever shall take a spoonefull of the juyce of any of the Mallowes shall for that day be free from all diseases and it is especiall good for the Falling-Sicknesse The Syrup also and Conserve made of the flowers are very effectuall to the same diseases and for Costivenesse The young leaves may be eaten as a Sallet with Salt and Vineger and so the Nurses may eat them CHAP. XCIV Of Dill. The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quód citó crescat from its speedy growing for though it be late before it come up a month or two after Fennell to which it is very like yet it perfecteth its feed as much before it and then fades away And this in my opinion is the likeliest Etymology yet others thinke it to be so called quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est invictum quia câ—bi appetentiam excitâ—â— because it provokes appetite or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is Congressus â—â—â—tio Venerea for which the Antients held it very eâ—â—ectuall It is called in Latin Anethum Anetum In English Dill Aâ—et The Kindes Though there were but one sort of Dill known formerly yet in these latter times two other sorts have been found out as 1. Common Garden Dill. 2. Great Wild Dill 3. Small Wild Dill. The Forme The Common Dill groweth up with seldom more then one stalk
neither so high nor so great usually as Fennell being round and with fewer joynts thereon whose Leaves are sadder and sometimes longer and so like Fennell that it deceives many but harder in handing and somewhat thicker of a stronger scent also and not altogether so pleasant the tops of the stalks have fewer branches and smaller umbells of yellow flowers which turn into small seed somewhat flatter and thinner then Fennell seed but of a stronger and not so pleasant a tast The Root is small and wooddy perishing every year after it hath born seed and is at no time put to any use The Places and Time The first is most usually sowed in Gardens and grounds for the purpose yet it hath been found wild in some places It may be sowen about the beginning of April and then haply it may come up about the end thereof but where it is once sowed and the Seeds suffered to shed it will come up of its own accord yet not till about the time aforesaid it being a wise Plant and not willing to venter abâ—oâ—d till the Winter be gone It bringeth forth its Flowers in July and Seeds iâ— August The second as is said hath been found in Sicilia and so the last likewise The Temperature Gerard and Parkinson differ about the Temperature and Vertues of this Plant. Gerard saith Dill and he quoteth Galen for it is hot in the end of the second Degree and dry in the beginning of the same or in the end of the fâ—rst Degree Parkâ—nson saith it is hot in the third degree and dry in the second but when it is dryed it is hot in the third whence he upon seeming suppoâ—tion of Galens concludes and after him Mr. Pemel and Mr. Culpepper the two first contradicting and the other omitting the lactiâ—ick vertues which notwithstanding do reside in this herb The Vertues Though the forementioned Authours deny that Dill hath the Vertue of procuring Milk in the Breasts of Nurses yet Dâ—oscorides that Oracle of Herbarism affirming it I durst not follow them but searching some other Authours I find them to differ also though they allow of its lactifick Vertue for Mr. Barrow in his Method of Physick treating of those things that procure milk saith that Rocket Fennell Dill and Parsley will do it whilest they are green for they being dryed do heat and dry more then they ought to do Mr. Gerard saith the decoction of the tops of Dill dryed and likewise of the Seed being drunk ingendâ—eâ—h Milk in the Breasts of Nurses which I conceive it might do though it were hot and dry in the third Degree for why may not Dill have this faculty as well as the Seeds of Nigella which are likewise hot and dry in the third degree which Parkinson grants without scruple But it matters not much of what quality it be of so it be endued with a specifick quality to draw milk into the Breasts as it seems this hath And though it be probable that it breedeth not much blood from whence milk proceeds yet stirring up the Appetite to other food that doth it it may be said to do it So much for breeding of Milk Now for its other vertues The decoction of the Herb and Seeds provoketh Urine expelleth wind easeth pains and swellings in the Body stayeth vomiting and the Hickops for which last purpose it will be more effectuall if it be boyled in Worm-wood-Wine or Wine with a few branches of Worm-wood and red Rose Leaves the stomach bathed therewith but if the Seed be only boyled in Wine or Beere then tyed in a Cloth so smelâ—ed it will stay them if they be not too violent Being boyled in Wine drunk it is good to strengthen the Brain and stop the loosnesse of the Belly to stir up Venery so doth the green Herb yet either of them taken often or in any great quantity doth very much dull the Eye-sight and dryeth up the naturall Sperm The decoction thereof helpeth Women that are troubled with the pains and windinesse of the Muthes if it be put into the Case of a close Stool Wiâ—ker Chair or some such hollow thing that the fume thereof may ascend upward the more effectually The Seed is of more use then the Leaves although they be much used to rellish Condiments as pickled Cucumbers c. and is more effectuall to digest raw and viscous humours and is used in all Medicines that serve to expell wind and ease torments and pains thereof The Seed being roasted or fryed and used in Oyls or Plaisters dissolveth the Apostumes in the Fundament dryeth all Ulcers especially in the secret parts and likewise those sub praeputio though they be old and of long continuance Oyl wherein Dill Seed or Dill hath been boyled procureth sleep and is effectuall to warm the Brains and Stomach and Belly either of them being anointed therewith to resolve humours and Impostumes or hard Tumors and to ease pain CHAP. XCV Of Rampions The Names SOme call these Rapunculi and Rapuntia Gesner Dodonaeus and others call them Rapa Sylvestria which though they have but little likenesse at all with Rapum the Turnep but in the ediblenesse of the Root yet the name is a diminutive thereof Others call them Campanula of the form of the Flowers being like little Bells Columna taketh Rapunculus minor to be the Erinus of Nicander and Dioscorides and the other Rapunculi to be kinds thereof Maâ—hiolus taketh Campanula Persici folio to be the Phyteuma of Dioscorides and Casalpinus calleth the Rapunculus Spicatus sive Alepecuroides Phyteuma foliis Rapunculi chiefly because the Heads with Seed have holes in them as Dioscorides saith the Phyteuma hath They are called in English Rampions some being Garden Rampions some wild Rampions and some Bell-flowers The Kindes Of Rampions Parkinson reckoneth up no lesse then seaventeen Sorts 1. Garden Rampions 2. Long Foxtail Rampions 3. Round Foxtail Rampions 4. Bush-headed Rampions which are also of three Sorts 5. Candy Rampions 6. The lesser Steeple Belflowre 7. Wood Rampions 8. Wood Rampions with great Flowers 9. Sullen broad leafed Bell-flowre 10. The least broad leafed Bell-flowre 11. Wild field Bell-flowers 12. Small wild Bell-flowers 13. Flax leafed Bell-flower 14. Small yellow Bell-flowers 15. Time leafed Bell-flower 16. Ivy leafed Bell-flower 17. Rock Rampions to which I shall add the Peach leafed Bell-flower and the horned Rampions The Form The Rampions that are usually kept in Gardens are accounted a lesser kind then many of the others that grow wild and lying upon the ground with divers small and long round pointed pale green Leaves before it run up to stalks which spread divers such Leaves thereon but smaller to the top where break forth sundry pale Purplish Flowers ending in five points like unto the Flowers of Throatwort but much smaller having also such like heads with small brownish Seed therein The Root is small and white and giveth milk being broken as all the rest of the Plant doth
famous Doctor of Physick whom the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some Bastard Names it hath also as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Hederula and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Hederula folium the form of the Leaves being like unto Ivy. Ruellius calleth it Hederalis in Latine but it is better known by the Names of Asclepias and Vincetâ—xicum which last is a generall word for any Counter-poyson and commeth from Vincâ— to over-come and Toxicum Poyson It was anciently called Hirundinaria although both the kinds of Chelidonium majus and minus be called Hirundinaria that is Swallon-vvort ab Hirundine from a Swallow because the pointed Cods when they are open and the Silk appeareth out of them do somewhat resemble a Swallow flying Others say from the Seed which is feathered as it were with Down about it In English it is called Svvallovv-vvort and of some Silken Cicely The Kinds There be only three Sorts of Swallow-wort that I can find 1. Swallow-wort with white Flowers 2. Swallow-wort with black Flowers 3. Swallow-wort of Candy The Form The Swallow-wort with white-flowers riseth up with divers slender weake stalkes to be halfe a yard or two foot long not easy to break yet scarce able to stand upright and therefore for the most part leane or lye down upon the ground if they find not some thing to sustaine them and then somtimes they will twine themselves about it whereon are set two leaves at the joynts being somwhat broad and long pointed at the end of a darke green colour and smooth at the edges at the joynts with the Leaves towards the top of the stalkes and at the tops themselves come forth divers small white flowers consisting of five pointed leaves a piece of an heavy sweet sent after wich come small long pods thick above and growing lesse and lesse to the point wherein by small flat brown seed wrapped in a great deale of white silken down which when the pod is ripe openeth of it selfe and sheddeth both seed and cotton upon the ground if it be not carefully gathered the roots are a great bush of many white strings fastned together at the head smelling somewhat strong while they are fresh and green but more pleasant when they are dryed both leaves and stalkes dye down every yeare to the ground and rise a new in the Spring the stalkes at their first coming up being of a blackish brown colour The Places and Time One or two if not all of these sorts grow in the Physick Garden at Oxford but as for their naturall places the two first grow in rough untilled places and on Mountaines in divers places both in France about Narbone Marscilles and Mompelier and in Italy also and in other places The last grow in Candy whence the seed came which being sowne groweth with us They all flower in the moneths of June and July and somtimes not untill August if the yeare be backward and their Cods with seed are ripe about a Moneth after the empty huske abiding on the dry branches when the seed and silk is shed out and fallen on the ground or blown away with the wind The Temperature The rootes of Swallow-wort are hot and dry and have a soveraigne quality against all poysons but in particular against the Apocinum or Dogsbane The Vertues A Dram of the powder of the roots of Swallow-wort taken in Sorrell or Bnglosse water is very effectuall against all the passions of the heart and if a few Citron seeds be taken therewith in the same manner and measure it easeth all the griping paines of the belly It is likewise effectually given to any that are bitten by any venemous beast or stung by any Serpent or other Creature as also against the biting of a mad dog a dram and an halfe of the root being taken in Carduus water for divers dayes together It is taken also in Wine every day against the Plague or Pestilence The decoction of the rootes made with white-Wine taken for divers dayes together a good draught at a time and sweating presently thereupon cureth the Dropâ—y the same also helpeth the Jaundise provoketh Urine and eaâ—eth the Cough and all defects of the Chest and Lungs The powder of the Rootes taken with Peony seed is good against the Falling sicknesse or what Basil seed or the rind of Pome Citrons is good against Melancholy Taken with the roots of White or Bastard Dâ—ttany it killeth and expelleth the Wormes of the Maw and Belly The rootes are very effectually used with other things in Bathes made for women to â—t over to ease all paines of the Mother and bring down their courses The Decoction likewise of the Roots hereof and of Comfrey made with wine is much commended to help those that are bursten or have a rupture and for them that have bin bruised with a fall or otherwise The powder of the root or leaves is no lesse effectuall to cleanse all putrid rotten and filthy Ulcers and soâ—es wheresoever then the Roots of Aristolochia or Birthwort and may safely be used in all Salves Unguents and Lotions made for such purposes instead thereof the one for the other The Leaves and Flowers boyled and made into a pultis applyed to the hard tumors or swellings of womens Breasts cureth them speedily as also such evil sores as happen in the Matrix although they be inveterate or hard to be cured The Down that is found in the Cods of these herbs doth make a softer stuffing for Cushions or Pillows or the like than thistle down which is much used in some places for the like purposes CHAP. CXXVII Of Goates-Rue The Names THis Hearb being unknown to the Antient Authors hath no Greek Name in Latin it is usually called Galega or Ruta Capraria For they that first found it and the vertues gave that Name of Rue thereunto as finding it no lesse effectuall then the Best Rue and Capraria because it is good for Goates Some call it Gralega and some Herba Gallica as Fracastorius and of some Capraria Some with us call it Italian-Vetch but most Commonly Goates Rue The Kinds The Sorts hereof are but two 1. Common Goates Rue 2. Mountain Goats Rue The Forme The Common or most usuall Goates Rue sendeth forth many round hard stalks three or four foot high whereon grow one above another at severall Joynts Long winged Leaves that is many Leaves set one each side of a middle rib which are small yet somewhat broad and long and pointed at the end smooth on the Edges without any dents somewhat like unto the Leaves of Vetches and of a faint green Colour at the topps of the stalks stand many small Leguminous flowers one above another of a pale blewish purple Colour and in some plants pure white after which come small round pods about â—n inch and an half long a little bunched out in some places but nothing so much as the Orobus or Bitter Vetch wherein lie three or four or five small pale seed
dry in the second Cassia ligâ—ea is hot and dry in the third degree The first is of subtill parts and very Aromaticall The Vertues The distilled water of Cinamon comforteth the heart and vitall parts corroborateth and strengtheneth the Stomach Brain Nerves and other cold parts of the Body it easeth the pains of the Wind-Cholick provokes the Courses and Urine hasteneth the Birth it preventeth and correcteth putrefaction of humours resisteth poyson stayeth vomiting and helpeth nauseousness of the Stomach It is frequently used in Cardiack passions or passions of the heart fainting of the Spirits and in trembling of the heart It causeth sweetness of breath and brings a good colour in the face it strengtheneth the retentive faculty of all the parts by drying up and consuming the moysture thereof It is used in the Dropsie and Cough proceeding of moysture In brief it avails in all cold Diseases of the Head Stomack and Womb and is most convenient for cold and moyst Bodies and is much used in Lasks or loosness of the Body to ease the pains and frettings of the â—uts and Intralls The Oyl drawn Chymically prevaileth against the pains of the Breast comforteth the Stomack causeth good digestion and being mixed with some Honey taketh away spots from the face being anointed therewith Cassia Ligâ—ea comforteth the Stomack Liver and all the principall parts openeth Obstructions or stoppings diâ—peâ—seth grosse humours repelleth wind provokes Urine and VVomens Courses and doth much faciâ—itate or hasâ—en the Birth Being cast on Coals and the smoke taken at the Nose dryeth up Rheums and Catarrhs that proceed from coâ—d and moyst humours Also a sustumigation thereof helpeth the pain of the VVomb and the stoppings thereof Being mixed with Honey and applyed it dissolveth swellings and hard tumours A decoction hereof with VVhite-wine and Rose-water is commended against the â—â—inking of the Arm-holes if the plaâ—e be bathed therewith and the same is good to wash sore mouths and Gums Both this and Cinâ—mon are more useful in VVinter then in Summer CHAP. CXXXVIII Of Vipers Buglosse The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Echium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alcâ—biadion and Alcibion or Alcâ—bâ—acum of the first under thereof who being bitten by a Viper gathered this Herb and chewing it swallowing down the juyce and appâ—ying the rest of the Herb to the bitten place freed himâ—eâ—f from danger Apulcius saith it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theriorrâ—â—on Viperearadâ—x an◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the form of the Seed whiâ—h as Dioscorides saith is like the head of a Viper and thereof took the name Echium yet some others say from the efâ—ects in the Roots to cure the bitings of the Serpent or which is as likely because the stalks are speâ—kled like a Serpents Skin in Latine also Echium of most Authours yet of some Buglossum sylvestre Vâ—perinum The Kinds The Sorts of Vipers Buglosse are twelve 1. The common Vipers Buglosse 2. VVhite flowred Vipers Bugâ—osse 3. Red flowred Vipers Buglosse 4. Vipers Buglosse with darâ— reddish purpâ—e Flowers 5. Red flowred Vipers Bugâ—osse of Candy 6. Spotted Vipers Buglosse of Candy 7. Dwarf yellow Vipers Buglosse 8. The least yellow Bastard Vipers Buglosse 9. The small white Vipers Bugâ—osse 10. Small Spanish Vipers Bugâ—osse with Spurrs 11. Hoary white Vipers Buglosse of Candy 12. Bâ—ack Vipers Buglosse of Candy The Forme The Common Vipers Buglosse hath many long rough Leaves lying on the ground from among which rise up divers hard round stalks very rough as if they were thick set with prickles or hairs having many black spots on them also â—ike unto the Skin of a Viper whereon are set such like long rough hâ—irâ— or prickly sad green leaves somewhat narrow the middle Rib for the most part being white the Flowers stand at the tops of the stalks branched forth into many spiked leaves of Flowers bowing or turning like the Turne-sole all of them opening for the most part on the one side which are long and hollow turning up the brims a little of a Purplish Violet colour in them that are fully blown but more reddish while they are in the Bud and not blown open as also upon their decay and withering but in some places of a paler Purple colour with a long poinâ—el in the middle feathered or pointed at the top after the Flowers are fallen the Seeds growing to be ripe and enclosed in round heads are blackish cornered and pointed somewhat like unto the Head of a Viper the Root is somewhat great and blackish and wooddy when it groweth toward Seed-time and perisheth in the VVinter The Places and Time The first groweth wild almost every where The second about the Castle-walls of Lewes in Sussex The third and fourth in Hungary and Austria The fifth and sixth in Candy The seventh and tenth in Spain The eighth and ninth on the Hills in the Kingdom of Naples as Columna reporteth The eleventh and twelâ—th in Candy They all flowre in Summer and their Seed is ripe quickly after The Temperature These Herbs are cold and dry of Temperature The Vertues and Signature The Roots or Seeds of Vipers Buglosse are very effectuall to comfort the heart and to expel sadness and melancholy proceeding from no externall or apparent cause It tempers the Blood and allayeth hot fits of the Agues The Seed drunk in Wine procureth abundance of Milk in Womens Breasts easeth the pains in the Loins Back and Kidneys It is likewise as you have heard an especiall remedy against the bitings of Vipers and all other Serpents or venemous Creatures as also against Poyson and poysonful Herbs It is added by Dâ—oscorides and others that whosoever shall take of the Herb or Root before they be bitten shall not be hurt by the poyson of any Serpent the Signature both of the stalk and Seed holding out much to this purpose The distilled water of the Herb when it is in Flower or his chiefest strength is excellent to be applyed either inwardly or outwardly for all the griefs aforesaid There is a Syrup made hereof very effectuall for the comforting of the heart and expelling sadness and melancholy which is made in this manner Take of the clarified juyce of common Vipers Buglosse four pound of fine Sugâ—r three pound of the infusion of the Flowers thereof one pound boyl these gently to the consistence of a Syrup and keep them for use Having thus spoken to divers Simples appropriated to the Lungs and Heart which are the Principall Intralls of the middle Region I shall now set down some of those which are available for Stitches and other distempers of the sides before I descend into the Abdomen or lower Region and first CHAP. CXXXIX Of Carduus Benedictus The Names NEither Carduus Benedictus or the Blessed Thistle or the Vertues were known to the Physitians of old time and therefore you must not expect the Greek name It is called in Latine Carduus Benedictus and that worthily for the
good for the Dropsie The Root is good for those that are troubled with the Lask and the Bloody Flix it stayeth bleedings wasteth away cold swellings easeth the pain of the Teeth if they be washed with the decoction thereof The Seed is held to be as effectuall if not more for the purposes aforesaid as also for the Cramp and so is the distilled water which besides is often applyed both inwardly to drink and outwardly with Cloaths or Spunges to the Region of the Liver to cool the distemperature thereof and to the Region of the Heart against swounings and passions of it The tender leaves having the prickles taken off and eaten with other Herbs are exceeding good to cleanse the blood in the Spring-time and the young stalks peeled and dressed as the stalks of the other Chardons and wild Artichokes are good meat especially for Nurses to increase their milk which it doth by Signature also CHAP. CXLI Of Camomile The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus and of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the whitenesse of the flowers an◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod Maliod 〈…〉 〈◊〉 of the scâ—â—t of an Apple or Quince It is called by some also in Latin Lauco 〈…〉 and Ambomis but most generally Chamâ—â—lum and of some Ch 〈…〉 illa as it it in the Apothecaries shops Some call the Garden C 〈…〉 be both single and double C 〈…〉 lum Ronanum adoratius nobile thinking them to be sweeter then the wild kind which last by manuring will have a good scent as the former Mayweed which is a kind hereof is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cynanthemis and Cynobotane that is Camomilla Canina and Canina herba in Latin Cotula Cotula Fatida and Cotulanâ—n Fatida in English Mayweed with a strong and no scent and of Country people Mathern The Kinds Of Camomile and May-weed there be ten sorts 1. Ordinary Camomile 2. Naked Camomile 3. Double flowred Camomile 4. Small Camomile of Africa 5. Great Spanish Camomile 6. Sweet Spanish Camomile 7. Small hoary Spanish Camomile 8. Unsavoury Mountaine Camomile 9. Stinking May-weed 10. May-weed without any scent The Form Our Ordinary Camomile is well known to all to have many small trailing branches set with very fine Leaves bushing and spreading thick over the ground taking root still as it spreadeth the tops of the Branches have white flowers with yellow thrums in the middle very like unto Feather-few but more soft and gentle in handling which give a small white seed not observed by many and being cast into the ground will grow as other seed doth the whole Herb is of a very sweet scent The Places and Time Ordinary Camomile groweth wild familiarly in many places of this Land as on Putney Heath neer the Wind-Mill and upon Barnes Common in Surry and else where The May-weed that stinketh not groweth many times amongst the Corn as the stinking sort very Commonly doth The Naked and Double sort grow onely in Gardens The fourth was found by Boel in Africa by Tunis The fifth sixth and seventh in divers places of Spain The Eighth in sundry places of Spain also They all flower in Summer but some earlier then others The Temperature Camomile saith Galen is hot and dry in the first degree and of thin parts it is of force to digest slacken and rarify it healeth moderately and dryeth little The Vertues The decoction of Camomile made and drunk helpeth all panes and stitches in the side the Chollick Stone and wind in the Belly or Stomach and expelleth tough and clammy Phlegme as also cold Humors provoketh sweat brings down the Courses in Women and provokes Vrine It is very profitable for Agues that come of Phlegme or Melancholy or from an Inflammation of the Bowels and for the Hypocâ—ondres that is the sides and that part where the Liver and Spleen lyâ— there can be nothing more acceptable then it The bathing of a decoction of Camomile taketh away wearinesse and easeth paines to what part soever of the body it be applyed besides it comforteth the Sinewes that are overstreined and mollifieth all swellings It moderately comforteth all parts that have need of warmth and digesteth and dissolveth whatsoever hath need thereof by a wonderfull speedy property The flowers boyled in Posset drink provoketh sweat and helpeth to expell colds aches and paines wheresoever the 〈◊〉 iâ—â—n excellent help to bring down womens courses A Syrup made of the juyce of double Camomile saith Baubiâ—â—s but Garden Camomile say Pena and Lobel with the flowers and white wine is a remedy against the Jaundise and dropsie that cometh by the evill disposition of the Spleen The Lye where in the flowers have been boyled is very good to wash the head and to comfort both it and the brain It is said that a Stone which hath been taken out of the body of a man being wrapped in Camomile will in a short time dissolve whence it may be gathered that it is excellent for the Stone if the Syrup or decoction thereof betaken or else a dram of the Salt of it in a little white or Rhenish wine in a morning The Egyptians were wont to use the Oyle made of the Flowers against all Agues by annointing the patient from Head to Foot therewith which is also very available for the externall uses aforesaid May-weed is often used with good successe for the same purposes that Camomile is especially the ordinary sort They are both put into Glysters but especially Camomile CHAP. CXLII Of Sweet Trefoile or Balsam The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but whether it be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is some diversity of opinions amongst Authors Most of the best sort take it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Discorides in Latin Lotus satius or Vrbana yet Matthiolus taketh it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lotus silvestris and so do Anguillara and Castor Durantes but Fuschius saith that the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latins Frifolium Odoratum which is the name by which it is best known both in Latin and English For if it be gathered and kept dry in the house it doth in some sort retain the scent it had growing but against rainy weather it smelleth so strong that some have desired to lay it in their Chamber to be as it were their Almanack to shew them the weather It is called of many women now a dayes Balsam for the Singular healing properties it hath The Kindâ—s Unto this kind are referred thâ—se Four sorts 1. Sweet Trefoile or Balsam â— Strong Smelling Claver 3. Strong smelling Claver of America 4. Claver â— America The Forme The Sweet Trefoile riseth up with one strong round whiâ—ish stalk about halfe a yard or two foot high spreading forth many branches on all sides where about are set many Leaves with long foot
I shall proceed to the description The Forme The Sassafras-Tree groweth up with a straight Trunk or body smooth and void of boughes till it be of a reasonable height covered with a thick barke of an Ashcolour which is of a very hot quick taste towards the top come forth many goodly branches spreading themselves into a round figure or compasse whereon do grow green Leaves somwhat like those of the Fig-Tree but much lesser of a sweet smell when they be greene but much more when they be dry somewhat resembâ—ing the smell of Fennell of a very sweet taste also The Flowers â—re small and yellow made of threds very like unto the Male Cornell-Tree from whence proceedeth the fruit which groweth clustering together yet set in small cups upon long footstalkes the Roots are not very large neither of any great depth but are covered with a Bark somwhat redder then that of the Tree and are of more force and efficacy then any other parts of it yet the rest are also of very great use The Places and Time This Tree groweth in most parts of the West Indies especially about the Cape of Florida which is not farre from Virginia It keepeth greene all the Winter and Summer long but at what time it flowreth and bringeth forth its ripe fruit I have not yet learned The Temperature The boughes and branches of Sassafras are hot and dry in the second degree the riâ—d is hotter for that it entreth into the third degree of heat and drynesse as may be manifestly perceived in the decoction The Vertues It is to be observed that not only those things that purge watery and Phlegmatick humours are profitable in the Dropsy but those also which have any eminent faculty in drying them up as Sassafras without dispute hath â— and therefore it is used with very good successe in the disease aforesaid foure Oâ—nces thereof being first sleeped foure and twenty houres in a gallon and halfe of Water and afterwards boiled to the one halfe and then strained may be given to the quantity of a good draught morning and evening for certaine dayes together for there is not any thing which will remove such an inveterate disease as the Dropsy at once taking The said Decoction is very effectuall also to open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and is profitable in all cold diâ—eases and particularly those cold Rheumes that fall from the Head upon the Tâ—â—th Eyes and Lungs warming and drying up the moisture and strengthning the parts afterwards and therefore is available in Coughs and other cold diseases of the Breast Stomack and Lungs stayeth Vomiting comforteth the weak and feeble Stomack câ—â—sing a good appetite therein by consuming windinesse which is the cheifest cause of crudity and indigestion and maketh sweet a stinking breath but especially the Decoction of the root The fame is commended likewise for its Vertue in expelling the Gravell and Stone wherewith the Kidneys are many times afflicted for provoking Urins and Womens Courses And as for those Women which are barren by reason of the moisture of their Wombs it so warmeth heateth and dryeth the same that it causeth them to conceive speedily It is of good use also in Fevers and tertain and quotidian Agues that are of long continuance as is already intimated It is generally used in all diseases that come of cold raw thin and corrupt humors as the French disease and the like for which distempers it is used in Diet-drinkes with other things and may be given in Powder from a scruple to two scruples The Smell of the Wood or Root expelleth the corrupt and evill Vapours of the Pestilence CHAP. CLXXXXVI Of Palma Christi The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cici and Croton because the seed of it resembles a living Creature which is wont to be in Sheepe and other Cattle called a Tyke It is called also Ricinus in Latine for the same reason yet it hath other names as Palma Christi from the Leaves and Root which do very much imitate a hand and Cataputia major of the Apothecaries because of its properties which are conformable to the Spurges the Oyle whereof is by them called Oleum de Cherva and Oleum Cicinum This is held by Expositors to be the Plant mentioned in Jonah under the name of a Gourd It is called in English Palma Christi or great Spurge in Hebrew Kik and Kikaijon The Kindes There are but three sorts of this Great Spurge left upon record by Authors 1. The more orâ—inary Palma Christi or great Spurge 2. Palma Christi of Syria 3. Palma Christi of America The Forme Palma Christi hath a great round hollow stalke rising to the height of seaven or eight â—oot of a blewish greene colour The Leaves are great and large fashioned like the Leaves of the Fig-Tree but greater resembling the hand of a man with the Fingers spread abroad of a dark greene coloâ—r on the upperside but whitish underneath the flowers are button-like standing on the tops of the branches whiâ—h fall away without bearing Seed but a little lower there break forth other Heads which are rough and three cornered and containe within them a seed like a Tyke of an hot fiery taste out of which in those Countryes where it is naturall is pressed out the aforementioned Oyle The Places and Times The first groweth in Spaine and other hot Countries to a very great bignesse and abideth many yeares but the coldnesse of our Climate will not admit of any large growth because it perisheth every yeare with us yet I have seen â—t in Mr. Balles Garden by Sioâ— house seaven or eight foot-high looking more like unto a Tree then an annuall Plant. The second groweth in Syria and Aegypt and the third in America in Gâ—liscâ— a Province of New Spain from whence the Oyle used in Shops is brought unto us Those that flower with us do it in August but their seed doth seldome come to perfect ripenesse in this Countrey The Temperature The seed of Palma Christi is hot and dry in the third degree The Vertues and Signature Though the seedes of Palma Christi are not to be taken rashly by reason of their violence in purging yet advice being first had they may with Anniseed or Fennelseed be given to strong and able bodies that are troubled with the Dropsy Joynt-aches Gout and Sciatica because they draw Water Phlegme very strongly from the remote parts the Powder of three of them being taken in Whey or New Milk The same may be boyled in the broth of an old Cock and taken for the same purposes The Oyle is used in Glisters to open obstructions to ease paines of the Cholick and windinesse of the Mother and so it doth if the places greived be anointed therewith and some few drops thereof taken in a little Chicken broth that is fat It wonderfully helpeth the cramp being gently rubbed on the places greived therewith for it causeth the Sinews that were shrunk to
flowers in Wine be taken and drunk And so it doth somwhat move the Belly downwards openeth the obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundise expelleth Poyson provoketh Womens Courses driveth forth the After-birth and Dead-Child The distilled Water of the Herb and Flowers is effectuall for all the same purposes and in especiall being drunk with a dramme of the powder of the seeds or bark of the root of Wall-wort and a little Cinamon for certaine dayes together is held to be a singular remedy for the Dropsy to spend the Water and humors the juice of the herb or distilled Water dropped into the eyes is a certaine remedy for all heate inflammations and rednesse in the Eyes The juice or distilled Water put into foule Ulcers whether they be cancrous or fistulous with tents rouled therein or the parts washed or clensed herewith by the spirting of it into them cleareth them throughly from the bottome and healeth them up safely The same juice or water doth likewise cleanse the skin of all manner of deformity as the Lepry Morphew Scurfe Wheales Pimples or any other spots or markes therein applyed of it selfe or with some powder of Lupines for which purpose Pliny saith that the Women of his time made a kind of sope of it Culpepper saith that being laid in the Water that Chickens drink it relieves them when they are drooping CHAP. CC. Of Organy or Bastard Majerom The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Origanus concerning the Etymology of which word there be divers opinions Some will have it so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying a Mountaine and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gaudium because it joyeth very much in Mountainous and craggy places others from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to see and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cleare because it cleareth the Eyes others will have it to come from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be cold from whence comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which by adding unto it becomes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but then it must be by Antiphrans too for it is not cold but hot It is called or rather sirnamed Heracleotâ—cum from Heraclea a Citty of Pontus where is groweth plentifully Oâ—itâ—s because Asses and Tragoriganum because Goats are mightily taken with it of divers Cunila in shops Origanum Hispanicum in English Organy and Bastard Marjerom from the likenesse it hath with the true The Kindes Authors make mention of divers sorts hereof but those that are best known in these dayes are foure 1. Organy or Bastard Marjerom 2. White Organy of Greece 3. The greater White Organy 4. Wild Organy The Forme Bastard Marjerom riseth up with divers hard round reddish greene stalkes spreading forth into branches whereon are set sundry Leaves by couples at the Joynts being somewhat round and of a whitish greene colour very like unto Marjerom but larger whiter and harder or rougher in handling at the tops of the branches stand such like scalie heads as Marjerom hath but longer from whence come small whitish purple flowers and afterwards small brownish seed The whole Plant is of a sweet smell and sharpe biting tast like unto Marjerom but that it is higher hotter and sharper The Places and Time It is very likely that not only Greece but Candy and Spaine do naturally bear these soâ—ts of Bastard Marjerome but which of them is more proper to this or that place is uncertaine It is commonly about the end of August or beginning of September before they put forth their tops or heads in our Country so that their Flowers or at least their Seed â—eldome come to maturity with us The Temperature All the Sorts of Organies do cut attenuate or make thin dry and heat and that in the third degree as Galen saith who affirmeth that the First is oâ— more efficacy then the Third and the last which is sold in Shops then either of them The Vertues The Decoction of Organy in White Wine is given with very good successe to those which have the Dropsy the Vertue thereof lying not â—o much in the purging as in the drying quality of it It is given also with Figs for the same purpose as also to them that are bursten or have a rupture and to thoâ—e which are troubled with Convulsions or Cramps The dryed Herb or juice taken in Honeyed Water purgeth downwards Melancholy and Cholerâ—ck humours â—ithout danger It is used with Honey as a Lohoc or â—icking Medicine against an old Cough and the Stuffing of the Lungs The Decoction thereof is very profitable to thoâ—e that have the Itch or are Scâ—bbed and Mangy and those that have Jaundâ—se are much holpen by it if they take it whiâ—est they be in a bath made thereof also the same with a few Cloves and Sugar heâ—peth those which have the Hickets exceedingly openeth the Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Womb and an other stoppings provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and is good for such as have foure belchings or be troubled with a squeamish Stomack The same is good also for those that are bitten with Serpents or Venemous Beasâ—s and for such as have taken Hemlock or Opium With Syrup of Vinegar it is good for thoâ—e that have taken Poyson or the root of Cholchicum Ephemeron The juice of the greene Herb healeth the swellings of the almonds of the Eares the Ulcers oâ— the Mouth it draweth forth Phlegme by the Nostrils if it be infused in the Oyle of Flowerdeluce and being used with Milk it easeth the paines of the Eares The Powder thereof mixed with a little Salt-Peter and Honey made into the manne of a thin electuary and the teeth rubbed often therewith will make theâ— white and firme It is used in Spaine for the seasoning of Anchoves for it â—iveth to them an excellent rellish being made up therewith Tyme may be used â—or the same purposes when the other cannot be gotten Both which with Penniroyal Calamint and such other dry herbes being strewed both upon and under those which are afflicted with Hydropicall humors are very profitable for them for it is marvellous to see how much these dry them up whil'st the parties are asleep These are the Simples I have judged most proper for the Liver and in particular for the Dropsy to which I might adde these which follow Sagapenum which is the Gum of Ferula when it groweth in Media as I have said already in the Chapter of Feâ—â—ell Giant the pills whereof are profitable in the said disease Turbith which is a root brought from beyond Sea and purgeth Water very violently Elaterium which is the juice of Wild-Cucumbers dryed doth the same Euphorbium Spurge Coloquintida Carthamuâ— Thymaelea Mezereon c are violent purgers so that though they be appropriated to the Dropsy yet I shall not commend them unto ordinary people but desire them to leave them to those that are very skillfull and content themselves with those I have purposely spoken to at large Besides which there be
others also profitable as Agrimony Betony Dancus Dodder Fumitory Rose-Mary Sage Dill Rue Camomile Bayes Juniper c Some of which I have treated of already and shall treat of the rest when I shall come to the parts to which they are most appropriate I passe now to the Spleen which is the seat of Melancholy and therefore must be purged as also opened and strengthned CHAP. CCI. Of Dodder The Names THat Dodder which groweth upon flax is that which I mean to treat of principally It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the latter Greeks for by the Ancients it was not taken notice of as far as I can understand because tanquam cassis vel r 〈…〉 illud implicat it tangleth about it like a net It is called in Latin also Cassuta and Cassyta and Pâ—dagra Lini and in Shops Cuscuta The Kinds Though there be but one sort of Dodder which groweth upon Flax yet there is a lesser sort also which groweth upon divers plants and taketh its denomination from them That which groweth upon Time is called Epithymum that upon Savory Epithymbrum that upon Nettâ—es Epiurtica that upon Marjerom Epimarjorana that upon the Bramble Epirubus and in English Laced Time Laced Savory c. The Form Dodder riseth out of the ground shooting forth threds or strings grosser or finer as the property of the Plants whereon it groweth and the Climate do suffer creeping and spreading on that Plant whereon it fasteneth be it high or low These strings have no Leaves at all upon them but wind and interlace themselves so thick sometimes that it is ready to strangle it which after they have got good hold break off at bottom receiving nourishment still insensibly from the Plant whereon it is twisted like unto Ivy and thereby partaketh of the nature of the same plants Wheresoever it groweth it puts forth clusters of small Heads or Husks out of which start forth whitish Flowers which afterwards give small pale coloured seed somewhat flat and twice as bigg as Poppy seed The Places and Time I have observed little Dodder to grow upon Flax or Time here in England which makes me suppose that the Dodder of Flax and so of Time which are most in use and sold in the Apothecaries Shops are brought from beyond the Seas for every climate doth not bring them forth alike Those which have been most observed in our Land are that of Nettles which groweth plentifully in Somersetshire and that of Tares or Pulse whereon it groweth so abundantly in some places that the Country people call it Hellweed because they know not how to destroy it It hath been found upon Ferne and other herbs upon Hampsted Heath and upon the Grasse likewise upon Black-Heath in Kent It flowrisheth cheifely in July and August The Temperature Every one of these Dodders do participate somewhat of the nature of the plant whereon it groweth and therefore Dodder of Flax is hot in the first degree and dry in the second Dodder of Time is hot and dry in the third degree c. The Virtues Though the Dodder of Flax is that which is most frequent in Shops yet because that of Time is more proper for the Spleen I shall speak to that first It purgeth Melancholy and adust choller from the Spleen and Hypochonders and therefore it avaiâ—es against Melancholy as also Phlegme from the Brain and Heart and is therefore very proâ—â—table in old and inveterate paines of the Head Swimming of the head Madnesse faintings and the Quartam Ague It is very effectuall also for Hypochondriack passions Schirrues or hardnesse of the Spleen and windinesse thereof stopping oâ— the Kidneys and is very usefull in the Scab and Itch Leprosiâ— Elephancy malignant Ulcers and Cancers as also the French Pox. It cleanâ—eth also the blood very much from Melancholy and adust humors it is profitable in the Jaundies in opening Stoppings of the Gall and Avicen commends it against the Cramp Neither is it of a purging quality onely but strengtheneth also both the Liver and Spleen and helpeth Childrens Agues if a little Worms-Seed be put to it If it be used in any decoction it must be put in last for it will not endure long boâ—â—ing Dodder of Flax is very profitable in Stoppings of the Liver Gall and Spleen cleanseth the blood from Melancholy and is usefull in the Jaundies provokes Urine and cleanseth the Veines of Cholerick and phlegmatick humors especially if it be taken with wormwood and Anniseeds If half a pint or lesse of the decoction be taken with halfe an ounce of Sugar it cures Children of the Agues The seeds drunk with Wine and Sage ease the Sciatica or Hipgowt The distilled water being taken helps the distempers of the Liver and Lungs by cleansing and strengthening them it also cures the Jaundies expells the Stone of the Bladder easeth grippings in the Belly bringeth down the Courses in Women helpeth swellings about the Navell and cures Agues in Children the quantity of two ounces being taken by them but more to those that are stronger Dodder of Nettles and Broom have an especiall quality in provoking Urine where it is stopped or hindered That which grows on Tares though it be most frequent about London is not good for Tares are hard of Digestion bind the Belly and breed thick and Melancholy blood and so doth their Dodder That which groweth upon Brambles and Hopps is speciall good for old Feavers and the Jaundies CHAP. CCII. Of Black Hellebore The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sometimes without the aspiration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because too much of it robs the body of its nourishment by its violent purgation It is called also in Latin Helleborus niger Veratrum quid â—eâ—â—em vertat because it maketh the senses of mad folkes to return unto them a it did the Daughters of Praetus whom Melampos a Shepheard or Southsayer whiâ—â— you will cured of their madnesse herewith and because he was thought to bring it into use it is called Melampodium In English it hath the name of black Hellebore and Christmas-flower because it flourisheth about that time if too much cold weather do not hinder it There is a bastard kind hereof is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pseudohelleborus and Veratrum nigrum adulterinum Bastard black Hellebore as also Consiligo Bearefoot Setterwort and Settergrasse because Husbandmen use to make a hole and put it into the Eare or Dewlap of their cattle which they call Pegging or Settering The Kinds To this kind Eight sorts may be referred 1. The true black Hellebore or Christmas Flower 2. Bastard black Hellebore or Bearesfoot 3. Tresoile Prickly leaved Bearesfoot 4. The greater bastard black Hellebore or Bearsfoot called also Setterwort 5. Fennel Leafed bastard black Hellebore 6. The greater purging Sanicle-like Hellebore 7. Small purging Sanicle-like Hellebore 8. Matthiolus his bastard black Hellebore The Forme The true black Hellebore hath
side of the Leafe is ripe about Midsummer but the seventh hath a long bush of small and more yellowish green scaly Agletts as it were which are accounted as the Flower and seed grow in up in July or there abouts The Temperature Fern is of a hot and dry quality and also bitter and somewhat binding The Vertues The Roots of any of the above named Ferns being bruised and boiled in Meade or honeyed water abateth the swelling and hardnesse of the Spleen and killeth both broad and long wormes in the belly The green Leaves eaten are said to open the belly and move it downwards purging both cholick and watery humors but it troubleth the Stomack and causeth barrennesse in Women The Roots being bruised or boiled in Oyle or Hogs-grease maketh a very good oyntment to heale wounds punctures or pricks in any part which is good also against bruises and strengtheneth those bones which are either broken or out of Joynt and giveth much ease to the Cholick and Splenetick diseases if the parts greived be anointed therewith especially those of the water Ferne whose decoction may be taken inwardly for the same purposes It restoreth strength to the Sinews a basket full of the Leaves being boiled in good store of Water and every part at least that which is afflicted bathed therein and therefore may be good for the Palsy which is a resolution of the Sinews The powder of the root used in foule Ulcers dryeth up their malignant moisture and causeth their speedier healing It is excellent good for the Rickets in Children a dyet drink being made of it and other capillary herbs and given often It is an Ingredient in the Oyntment called Unguentum Agrippa which is good to anoint the Bellies of such as have the Dropsy The smoake of it being burned driveth away Serpents gnats and other noisome Creatures from those places which are molested with them I read that in Warwickshire the good Houswives use the Female Ferne instead of Sope making it up about Mid-Summer in balls which when they will use they burn untill it become blewish and then lay it a side to dissolve into powder like Lime which will do the deed In France as in Dutchy of Main c. a kind of a thick or dark coloured green glasse is made of the Ashes of Fern and the like might be done in England if it be not put to that use already CHAP. CCVII. Of Capers The Forme IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Capparis also in Latin we in England call them Capperis Caper and Capers according to the Greek and Latin which all Nations follow as neer as their Dialect will permit yet Gaza the Interpreter of Theophrastus calleth it Inturis and Pliny seemeth to thinke it was the Cynosbatos of Dioscorides which was indeed the bastard name thereof in those times Hereunto is added Capparis fabago sive Leguminofa Bean Capers The Kinds Unto this kind there may without any great breach of affinity be referred these five sorts 1. Rough Leaved Thorny Capers 2. Thorny Capers with pointed Leaves 3. Egyptian Capers without thorns 4. Great Capers of Arabia 5. Bean Capers The Form The Caper is a prickly shrub sending forth divers long weak trailing wooddy stalkes lying round about upon the ground unlesse they be propped up which are full of sharp prickly thornes like hooks as the bramble at each joynt whereof come forth two round Leaves like those of Asara Bacca opposite one unto another from whence Springeth also a small round head upon a pretty long foot-stalke for the flower which being gathered before it open pickled up in Barrels with great Salt is the Caper in use amongst us but being let alone putteth forth four white sweet smelling Leaves with four other green ones as the husk wherein they stand having many yellowish threds and a long pestle in the middle which groweth to be the fruit and is when it is ripe long and round like any Olive or Acorn conteining divers hard brown seeds like unto Grape-kernels The root is long and wooddy and covered with a thick bark or rind which is much used in Physick The Places and Times The two first grow in Italy Spaine and some parts of France without manuring but that with pointed Leaves is not so frequent as the other The third groweth in Egypt as the title declareth the fourth in Arabia the fifth in the Low Countries The stalkes of the two first perish every Winter shooting forth new Stalkes and Leaves in the Spring and Flowring shortly after but their fruit is not ripe untill September the other two have the same times of flowring and fructifying but keep their old Leaves yet shooting forth some fresh ones every Spring the last flowereth and seedeth in the end of Summer The Temperature The bark of the root of Capers consisteth of various qualities for first it is extream bitter next sharp then sower by the bitternesse it cleanseth purgeth and cutteth by the sharpnesse it heateth cutteth and digesteth and by the Sowernesse it contracteth thickneth and bindeth The Capers themselves are hot and of thin parts The Vertues Galen whose skill in Physick was inferior to none saith the barke of the Roots of Capers is a Medicine above all others available for the hardnesse of the Spleen whether it be applyed outwardly of it self or mixed with other things to anoint the place or the roots boyled in Vinegar or Oxymel and taken inwardly or the powder of the root mixed with the said Decoction and taken for it is certaine that it purgeth grosse and Slimy humors not onely by Urine but by Stool also and many times it bringeth away with it congealed corrupted blood and thereby giveth much ease to those that are troubled with the Gouts or Palsies with the Sciatica or Hipgout weaknesse of the Sinews and for women that have their Courses Stopped to procure them The same made in a Pultis and applyed is an especiall Remedy to help foul Ulcers for it cleanseth and dryeth them mightily and is also good for hard Swellings under the Eares and the Kings-Evill It draweth also from the Head and other parts those offensive humors which are the Originall cause of the Rickets Ruptures Convulsions and Cramps and thereby giveth much ease The said Roots boiled in Oyle and dropped into the Eares easeth the paines and killeth the Wormes breeding in them The Capers being washed from the Salt and steeped in Vinegar and so eaten are both meat and Medicine for they cause appetite open the stopping of the Liver and Milt and consume cold Phlegme in the Stomack being boiled in Vinegar they help the Tooth-ach and so doth the dryed Bark of the Root which decoction serveth also to clense all manner of filth of the skâ—n all filthy sores and white scurfe and hard-swellings The Oyle that is made of Capers is of very good use against the paines of the sides and Spleene against Hypocondriack Melancholy the Rickets c
the third in Africa the fift in many places of Italy in wet grounds it is uncertaine whether the sixt came from the Indies or Italy the seaventh is to be found neere Anguilara in Italy the eight groweth in divers places both of Spaine and France the ninth in Province of France the last in Candy whence divers have beene brought to us and planted in the Gardens of the curious as the eight sort is in the Garden of Mr. Ball by Sion house They flourish in July and August and continue flouring till the frost kills the stalkes but the root continuing sendeth forth new ones the next spring at which time the Rootes are fittest to be taken up for use The Temperature Marsh-Mallows are moderately hot but dry in the first or second degree being endued also with a moâ—lifying or softening Nature the roots and seeds are more dry anâ— of thinner parts The Virtues For fear that either Asparagus or Parsly or the parts of them should through often use by too much câ—eansing or heat cause any Excoriation or other distemper in any of the parts as they passe along as possibly they may and so likewise divers that follow I would desire those that shall be afflicted with any of these diseases to take notice that Marsh Mallowes by the slimy viscous juyce wherewith they abound are of excellent use to remedy the Excoriations or frettings in those or any other parts as the Gutts Reines Bladder Yard c. Neither is this the onely excellency that it hath in this case but it is effectuall as any whatsoever for the Stone for it openeth the straight passages and maketh them slippery whereby it may descend easily out of the Reines and Bladder and to ease the torturing pain coming thereby the Decoction or the Syrupe thereof being taken which is good also for the gripings of the belly the Diseases of the Breast and Lungs as Coughes Hoarsenesse of the Throat and Voice Pleurâ—sy and the like It is likewise very beneficiall to those that are troubled with Ruptures the Sciatica the Cramp or Convulsion of the Sinews The dryed roots boiled in Milk and drunk are good for the Chine-Cough The roots boiled in Wine are good for such as have fallen and bruised themselves and for those that have any bone or member out of Joynt and for such as have any swelling pain or ache in the Muscles Sinews or Arteries of the Body and cures such as are stung with Bees or the like and the distilled water is good for the foresaid purposes The Leaves and Roots are effectuall in decoctions for Glisters to ease the griping of the Belly and the paines of the Kidnyes and Bladder Being boyled in Wine and applyed they help Impostumes of the Throat the Kings-Evil and those Kernells behind the Eâ—râ—s as also Inflammations and swellings in Womens breasts The Muccilage of the Roots and of Lin-seed and Fenygreek put together is much used in Pultisâ—â— Oyntments and Plaisters that serve to mollifie and digest all hard tumors and inflammations and to ease paines in any part of the Body The seed green or dry mixed with Vinegar cleanseth the Skin of the Morphew and all other discolourings thereof The Root boiled in Vinegar and holden in the mouth easeth the Tooth-ach The Leaves laid to with Oyle help burnings and Scaldings and are good against the bitings of Men and Dogs and against the stinging of Bees and Wasps The Oyntment of Marsh Mallows either simple or Compound doth mollifie heat and moisten and is very usefull in the Pleurisy and other paines of the sides and breast The Dose of the Syrupe is a spoonfull or two in Milke Posset drink or Wine which being taken in a Morning fasting is most effectuall for all the griefs aforementioned CHAP. CCXVI Of Goates Thorne The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tragacantha from the sharp form of the bush whose thornes as it groweth do represent a Goates beard It may be called in Latin Spina Hirci but it is known better by the name of Tragacantha which name also is given to the Gum which is gathered from the roots being cut or broken in the heat of Summer The Apothecaries call it Gummi Tragacanthae in Latin and Gum Dragant in English There is a kind hereof called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek because it joyes in places where water is and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is profitable to the Nerves or Sinews The Kinds Bauhinus hath made five sorts of Goates Throne adding Pimpinella Spinosa or Thorny Burnet for one which doth not properly belong to this kind and therefore I shall set down but four 1. The true Goates-thorn 2. Poterion or the small Goats-Thorne 3. The yellow Syrian Goats-Thorne 4. Purple Syrian Goats-Thorne The Forme The true Goates thorne is a small bushy plant rising up with many tough woody stemmes not much above a cubit or two-foot high divided into many slender branches covered with hoarinesse set with divers long white thornes in a double row amongst which rise up divers Leaves which being small long and round like unto a little wing are set over against one another on each side of a middle rib abiding all the Winter yet falling off at such times as the Spring doth bring fresh ones At the tops of the branches amongst the Leaves come forth the Flowers which are of a whitish yellow colour fashioned somewhat like unto the Flowers of a Trefoile after which come small short upright white Cods wherein are contained small whitish cornered seed The root is very great and long spreading much and farr in the ground which being broken or wounded with some Iron toole yeildeth a certain liquor which by the heat of the sun is presently turned into a tough pure shinning white gum shrivelling up it self into small crooked peices tasting somewhat sweet The Places and Time Though the two first grow in Candy and about Marselles and Mompelier in France and the two latter in Syria yet the Gum that we are to make use of is to be had at every Apothecaries shop In their naturall places they flower and seed in the beginning of Autumne but with us they do neither being very choise and tender to keep The Temperature Gum Dragant which is that part of the plant which is easiest to be come by in England hath an Emplastick or daubing quality by reason whereof it dulleth or allayeth the sharpnesse of the humors and doth also somewhat dry The Vertues Besides March Mallows the Gumme of the Goates thorne called Tragacantha or Gum Dragagant is also good against the fretting of the Urine either in Reines or Bladder or any other of those cleansing Medicines which are given to provoke it a dram thereof being dissolved in sweet wine and drunk especially if some Harts-horne burnt and washed and a little of the best Allom be mixed therewith and so it is available for the growing paines in the Guts and bowels also It is likewise when
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
and spreading many waies under ground if it stand long the whole Plant is more pleasant to the sight then to the smell The Places and Time The naturall places of the sorts aforementioned are in divers parts both of Germany and Italy and that with the white flower about Frank-ford yet they grow with us in our Gardens as in the Physick Gardens at Oxford and that at Westminster and in the Gardens of divers others that are delighted with rarities of this Nature They flower in June and July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature The Root of Fraxinella or the false white Dittany is hot and dry in the second degree it is of a wasting attennating and opening faculty The Vertues A dram or two of the powder of the roots of Fraxinella taken in wine or broth is very much commended against the Strangury provoketh Urine breaketh the Stone in the Bladder and driveth it forth and so doth the seed taken in the quantity of a dram The same are very effectuall to open obstructions to bring down Womens Courses and to clense that which is soule and contagious It is also a very great preservative both against Poyson and the Venome of Serpents and other Poysonfull Creatures and against the Pestilence and other contagious diseases and is good to kill the Wormes of the belly It warmeth and cleanseth the matrix expelleth the dead Child and After-birth if the part be fumigated with it and Penniroyall or taken in Wine it easeth the paines or torments in the inward parts or bowells and healeth inward hurts and wounds it is much commended against the Epilepsy or falling sicknesse and other cold griefes of the head and braines and is held to be of great use against the French disease to use it with the decoction of Guaiâ—â—m or Pock-wood The Leaves and the juice thereof taken after the same sort worketh the same effects though not so powerfully and being applyed outvvardly it dravveth Thornes and Splinters out of the flesh CHAP. CCXLI. Of Allheale The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Panaces or Panax because it is a Panacaea or remedy for many diseases which names are in use also amongst the Latins Some call it Panax Herculeum supposing Hercules to be the first founder of it but others would rather have it Panax Heracleum from Heraclea a Citty in Candy and though the name Panaxris referred to many pâ—ants as Origanum Sylvestre Centaurium magnum c. yet to this onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is called in English Hercules Allheale and Hercules Wound wort and Allheale simply The Kindes To this Kind may be referred these seaven sorts 1. Ordinary Allheale of Hercules 2. The true Allheale of Hercules 3. American Allheale of Hercules supposed to be the true Laserwort with shining Leaves 4. Costus-like All-heale 5. The Hungarian Allheale of Hercules 6. The Cluster berry Allheale of America 7. Sweet sented Allheale of America The Forme Hercules Wound-wort spreadeth many large winged Leaves round about upon the ground most of them two foot long consisting of four five or six couples of rough winged Leaves set one against another on a round great foot-stalk furrowed on the upper side each of them likewise consisting of three or four couple of rough but large faire fresh yellowish green Leaves and one at the end all of them finely dented about the Edges tasting a little hot and biting and yeilding forth a yellowish juyce in the Summer called Opopanax much more gummy hot and bitter then the Leaves from which riseth a strong great round green stalk four or five foot high or more with some joynts and Leaves thereat and a few branches towards the top breaking forth into small yellow umbells of flowers which afterward give whitish yellow flat short seed The root is somewhat great and groweth deep into the ground The Places and Time The first is thought to grow in some Places of Italy but I am sure it did grow in the Physick Garden at Oxford and doth still if I be not mistaken as also at the Physick Garden at Westminister and in some other Gardens The second groweth in Naples as Matthiolus saith on the Apennine-hills also and the Sea Coasts by Siena The third came from America is the name of it importeth The fourth as Matthiolus saith groweth on Mount Garganus in Apulia The fifth in Tartaria and Hungaria The two last in America They all flower and seed in the end of Summer The Temperature The juyce or Gum which is of greatest use is hot in the third degree and dry in the second being of a heating mollifying and digesting quality the bark of the root is heating and drying likewise but in a meaner degree having withall a little cleansing property The Vertues The juyce or Gum of Allheale which it is called in shops and of many writters also Opopanax being drunk in honeyed Water or Wine helpeth tâ—e Itchings and sores in the Bladder and is good for the Strangury also and difficuâ—ty in making water It is endued with a speciall property also to purge thick and clammy Phlegme from the more remote parts as the Braine Nerves sensitive parts joynts and breasts and therefore it is profitable for any cold dâ—sease incident to any of those parts as in the Palsy weaknesse of sight old Cough shortnesse of breath Sciaticâ— and in other kinds of Gout It is good for Convulsions and Cramps as also against Windinesse in the Sides Belly Womb or in any other places and therefore it helpeth Stitches the hardnesse of the Spleene the strangling of the Mother bringeth down VVomens Courses and brings away also the Mola or Lumpe of flesh bred in the Womb. It expelleth wormes helpeth the biting of a â—ad Dâ—gge and is good against the poyson of other venemous Creatures Dissolved in Wine and given it helps the Dropsy and taken in Vinegar one hour before the Fit cometh it takes away the cold Fit of an Ague eâ—pecially if some of it be dissolved with the juyce of Smallage and Oyle of Dill and the ridge of the back annointed therewith It is good after falls and bruises to dissolve any congealed blood eâ—pecially in Cold bodies and where no Feaver is Being dissolved wiâ—h Vinegar the juyce of Smallage applyed to the Region of the Spleen softeneth the hardness of it a plaisterg made thereof dissolveth the Kings-Evâ—ll and hard Nodes of the Joynts as also any Plague sore botch or Bile especially being dissolved in Vinegar applyed with the pulp of Raisins in the Sun it eaâ—eth any kind of Gout If the mouth be washed with a decoction of Vinegar made with it it easeth the paine in the Teeth or if it be a hollow tooth let it be stopped with a peece Some commend it against the dimnesse of sight being mixed with other things It is very availeable to cure old Ulcers and Fistulaes and to breed good flesh especially where the bones are bare
together of Sinewes if the powder of them be taken in White Wine The oyle which is made of them or the juyce pressed out of them cureth black and blew Markes that come by blowes digesting wasting away the congealed blood that is gathered together in any place it taketh away Scabs and wheales in the skin and helpeth the Itch also especially if a little Quicksilver be tempered therewith till it be mortified it comforteth all cold griefes of the Joynts Nerves Arteries Stomack Belly and Womb so that it helpeth Palsies Convulsions Cramps Aches tremblings and benummednesse in any part wearinesse also and paines of the Limbs wherewith they are many times afflicted which use to travell through wet and dirt by anointing the part affected therewith Some of the said Oyle or the Decoction of the Berries is very convenient to be put into such Clisters which tend to the breaking of wind and easing the torments of the wind Cholick which it performeth even to admiration The said Oyle or juyce of the Berties helpeth the ach and deafnesse of the Eares being dropped thereinto The Leaves may be used to many of the purposes aforesaid yet the ordinary use of them is to boile them in Beer as also to dresse fish with especially Eeles leaving a dainty rellish helping to warm the Stomack and digesting those crudities which they are apt to breed of themselves A bath of the decoction of the Leaves and Betries is of great advantage in womens diseases both for the Mother and other diseases of the Womb as the Stopping of the Courses c. And so likewise for the diseases of the Bladder as the Strangury c. All these Virtues belong to the common Bayes which besides their Ornamentall uses they performe the three last serving onely for the pleasure of those that are taken with the rarity of them and not for any Physicall use that I can learn and therfeore I shall say no more of them CHAP. CCXLIII Of Holly The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agria by Theophrastas and seemeth to be derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 immitis vel ferox because of the abundance of prickles wherewith it is commonly armed Gaza the interpreter of Theophrastus calleâ— it Aquifolium in Latine yet Agrifolâ—um is a word no lesse but rather more in use then the former as being somwhat more agreeable though at best it be but a Mongrell word We call it Holly or Holme and Hulver in English The Kinds There may be said to be three sorts of Holly 1. The Holly-Tree without prickles 2. The Holly-bush with prickly-Leaves 3. The Holly bush with yellow Berries Yet there be some that affirme that with and that without prickles to be the same having prickles when it is young and low but when it growes old and becommeth great it loseth all the prickles except that at the end and somtimes that also The Forme The Holly that groweth naturally in the fields doth seldome exceed the bignesse of a Bush yet being pâ—anted in Orchards or Closes as I have many times seene it it groweth to the bignesse of a lusty-Tree all in one entire body and not sending forth many shoots from the roote as those which grow natuâ—ally usually do the outer bark whereof is not of so darke a greene colour as that of the lesser bushes but inclining rather to white having under that another vvhich is white also the Leaves are set on the stalks and branches on short foot-stalkes being somvvhat broad hard thick and long smooth shining and of a very fresh yellovvish greene colour not cut round about the edges into round notches or dents and every point of them very sharp and prickly as those of the Bushes are but even on the edges and vvithoug any prickles unlesse perhaps there be one at the end the flowers grovv close to the stalks many of them coming out together round about neere unto the foot of the Leaves each consisting of foure whitish Leaves with four threds in the middle standing about a greene round head which groweth to be small red berries with a little Crown at the top in which is contained four small three-cornered seeds with hard shells but sweet kernells within them though very small The root goeth deep into the ground The Places and Time The first as is said is planted in Orchards and Closes in Oxfordshire and other places where very little or no Holly groweth wild The second groweth very plentifully in divers Woods and Hedg-rowes in the Counties of Buckingham Hartford and Surrey and other places The last groweth in Wilt-shire by VVarder Castle which belongeth to the Lord Arundel They all flower in June but the berries grow not untill the end of October or after being in their greatest beauty about Christmasse because of the berries the Leaves also abiding greene all the Winter The Temperature The Berries of Holly are hot and dry and of thin parts helping to break Wind as Dodonaeus saith The Vertues and Signature It will not be amisse in this place to take notice of the different nay contrary operations of divers Simples which will purge when they are fresh and greene and bind when they be dryed as may be instanced in Holly berries ten or twelve of which being fresh and taken inwardly do help the Collick purging also by stoole grosse clammy and phlegmatick humours which they may very well do by reason of their moisture and slipperynesse but being dryed and so deprived of their former lubricity they bind the belly and stay Dysenteries and Fluxes being beaten to Powder and drunk either in Wine or Broth which the dryed Barke doth also performe and that more effectually The decoction of the Rootes but especially of the Barke of the Root as Matthiolus saith being applyed by way of somentation to those places that have been put out of Joynt doth help them much both to mollify and discusse the hardnesse and tumors which they are subject to and also to consolidate the broken bones An handfull of the Berries boiled in a Pint of Ale to the one halfe which being streined and a little Butter put thereto is a good remedy for the Stone and stoppage of Urine five or six spoonfulls thereof taken at once and this it may be said to do by the Signature which may be gathered from the hardnesse of the seed The powder of the Leaves dryed in an Oven and the pricks taken off being drunk in Ale is commended against the Stitches and pricking paines of the side which the prickles growing on the Leaves do also signify The Sap or juice that droppeth out of the Wood being laid on the fire being dropped into the Eares of those which are inclined to deafenesse removeth that infirmity The Birdlime that is made of the Barke of Holly by putting it into a hole made in moist foggy ground and covering it with boughes of Trees and some earth over them till it be rotten and putrified which will be within
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
conceive it more probable to come though not without some corruption from Athanâ—sia it being called in French Tanaisie and Athanasie from whence our English word â—ansey came without doubt The Kindes Of Tansey there be these seven sorts 1 Ordinary Tansey 2 Double English Tansey or curled Tansey 3 Party-coloured Tansey 4 Woolly Tansey 5 Small white Tansey 6 Mountain Tansey 7 Unsavoury Tansey The Forme Though ordinary and curled Tansey be two sorts yet one description may serve them both for either of them have many hard green Leaves or rather wings of Leaves many small ones being set one against another all along a middle rib or stalk and snipt about the edges in one sort the Leaves stand closer and thicker and somewhat crumpled which hath caused it to be called double or curled Tansey and in the other more thinner and straglingly set like as those of the wild Tansey are It riseth up with many hard stalkes bearing at the tops of them certaine clustered tufts of gold yellow flowers like Buttnos as Camomile Feaverfew and Maudlin doe which being gathered in their prime will not quickly wither the seed is small and as it were chaffy the Root creepeth under ground and shooteth up again in divers places The whole herb is bitter in tast and of a strong smell yet very comfortable to the Senses The Places and Time All the sorts abovementioned are cherished in Gardens either for their Vertues or their rarity howbeit many of them are not without their naturall places of growing for the first groweth by the hedges and ditches sides and in the borders of fields in divers Countreys beyond the Sea The fourth groweth about Mompelier and other places The fift groweth in divers places both of Germany and Italy The sixth upon the Alpes amongst the Switzers The last also groweth in divers Countreys beyond the Seas The Root endureth long sending forth its green Leaves in March and April and its Flowers in June and July and sometimes later The Temperature Tansey is said to be hot in the second degree and dry in the third That without smell is hot and dry but in a lesser degree then the former The Vertues The Decoction of the ordinary Garden Tansey or the juice thereof drunk in Wine or Beer is very profitable to dissolve and expell Wind in the Stomach Belly or Bowels and to kill and expell the Wâ—rmes and so doth the seed which is a singular and approved Medicine for the same in what sort soever it be taken and therefore it is that Tanseys were so frequent not long since about Easter being so called from this Herb Tansey though I think the Stomach of those that eat them late are so squeamish that they put little or none of it into them having altogether forgotten the reason of their Originall which was to purge away from the Stomack and Guts the Phlegme engendered by eating of Fish in the Lent Season when Lent was kept stricter then now it is whereof Worms are soon bred in them that are thereunto disposed besides other humours which the moist and cold constitution of Winter most usually infects the body of Man with and this I say is the reason why Tanseys were and should be now more used in the Spring then at any other time of the year though many understand it not and some simple people take it for a matter of superstition so to do The Decoction before mentioned is a singular remedy for all the griefes that come by stopping of the Urine helpeth the Strangury and those that have weak Reines and Kidneys procureth Womens Courses and expelleth the windinesse of the Matrix If it be bruised and often smelled unto as also applyed to the lower part of the Belly it is very profitable for such Women as are apt to miscarry in Child-bearing to cause them to go out their full time It is also used against the Stone in the Reines with good successe especially if it be given to Men. Being boyled in Sallet Oyle after it hath been stamped it is very good against the pain and shrinking of the Sinewes by the Cramp or other distemper if applyed to the part affected It is said also that the Root preserved with Sugar is profitable for them that have the Gout if they take thereof fasting for many dayes together It is one of the six things that are reckoned up in Schola Salerni to be good for the Palsey and not without reason for it avoideth phlegme and dryeth the Sinews by whose resolution the Palsey is caused CHAP. CCL Of Lavender-Cotten The Names IT is doubted whether the Greeks had any knowledge of this Plant yet some have called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if they had and their reason is because the Leaves thereof are somewhat like to the Leaves of the Cypresse Tree It is also called Chamaecyparissus in Latine but divers of the most judicious of the Latine Writers take it as Matthiolus doth to be the true Abrotanum faemina of Dioscorides Sancolina we call it generally in English Lavender-Cotten The Kindes There are nine sorts hereof to be reckoned up 1 Ordinary Lavender-cotton 2 Great Lavender Cotten 3 French Lavender Cotten 4 Fine Lavender Cotten 5 Rosemary Leafed Lavender Cotten 6 Small Rosemary Leafed Lavender Cotten 7 Small green Lavender Cotten 8 Creeping Lavender Cotten 9 Strange Lavender Cotten The Forme The ordinary Lavender Cotten hath many wooddy but brittle branches hoary or of a whitish colour whereon are set many Leaves which are little long and four-square dented or notched upon every edge and whitish also at the tops of the branches stand naked Stalks bearing on every one of them a yellow head or Flower like unto Tansey or Maudeline but greater then either of them of a gold yellow colour abiding so a along time upon the Stalkes and being kept dry likewise after which commeth small dark coloured seed the Root is woody and spreadeth abroad with many hard fibres The whole Plant is very comely to behold especially if it be artificially ordered of a strong sweet scent but no way displeasing unlesse it be in the tast which is bitter The Places and Time Though none of the forementioned Plants grow naturally with us yet many of them are to be found in the Gardens of those that are curious Conservers of rare Plants howbeit it will not be amisse to tell you that the first groweth of its owne accord in Germany The second in divers places of Narbone in France The fourth fifth and sixth about Salamanca in Spaine The last is supposed to come from Egypt the places of the rest are not yet knowne They do all or most of them flower in Iuly and August The Temperature The seed of Lavender Cotten and so likewise the herb is hot and dry in the third Degree The Vertues Every Woman also can tell that Lavender Cotten stamped and strained with Milk taken fasting after it hath been a little warmed by the fire is an
beareth flowers but when it doth the Stalk whereon they grow is great rising up with some few lesser Leaves thereon to the height of three or four foot spreading at the top many small branches of whitish flowers consisting of four Leaves a peece after which come small pods like unto those of the lesser Shepheards purse but seldome with any seed in them the root is long and thick white of colour in tast sharpe and biting the tongue somewhat like Pepper The Places and Time Mountaine Radish for so it is sometimes called is cheifly planted in Gardens where it joyeth most in a moist and shaddowy place yet it groweth naturally in divers parts of this Land as at Namp-â—wich in Châ—shire in a place called the Milne-Eye and also at a small Village near London called Hâ—gâ—â—don in the feild next unto the farme house by the way leading to Kings land Iâ— so seldome beareth seed or flowereth that some have affirmed that it beareth neither yet sometimes it doth flower in July or August and the seed is ripe in September but the common way of propagating it is by the root for it shooteth up divers heads which may be parted for increase either in the Spring or Autumne The Temperature Horse Reddish is hot and dry in the third degree being of a drying clensing and somewhat digesting quality The Vertues Of all things that are given to Children for the Wormes Horse Reddish is not the least effectuall for it killeth and expelleth them whether the juice of the green root or powder of the dry root be given in Wine or other convenient liquor or an Oyntment be made thereof and the Belly of the Child be anointed therewith The Leaves boyled in Wine with a little Oyl Olive added thereunto and laid to the grieved parts in manner of a Pultis do mollify and take away the hard swellings of the Liver and Milt and being applyed to the bottom of the belly is a remedy for the Strangury and so are the Roots sliced thin and eaten with meat as a saâ—â—ce having some vinegar put thereto as also for the chollick It is also a good remedy in strong Bodies for the Cough Tissick and other diseases of the Lungs as also to procure Womens courses that are stopped being boyled in honey and vinegar into an Electuary it also is often given before the fit of the Quartan Ague to alter the course which it doth by provoking vomiting and sweating the juyce given in drink is held to be very effectuall for the Scâ—rvey The Root bruised and laid to the place grieved with the Sâ—iatica gout Joynt-ach or the hard swelling of the Liver and Spleen doth wonderfully help them all And if any think or find it too strong for their stomacks or that it hurteth their head or causeth sharp and sower belchings the distilled Water of the Leaves and Roots may be taken with a little Sugar for all the purposes aforesaid without any disturbance at all The Root is commonly used amongst the Germans and sometimes by Gentlemen with us also for sauce to eat Fish with and other Meats as Mustard is and so it heateth the Stomach more and causeth better digestion then Mustard notwithstanding whatsoever some have written as if it were too strong for ordinary Stomacks CHAP. CCLVII Of Sumack The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the red or Scarlet colour of the seed which is therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying no more but Red Pliny calleth it also Rhus in Latine saying that it hath not any pure Latine Name yet Gaza translateth it Fluida supposing it to come from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fluo for no reason at all Some call it Rhus simply without any Epither as Matthiolus c. Others with one as Rhus Coriaria because the Coriers use it about their Leather and Rhus Obsoniorum because it is used about sauce the shops call it Sumack and so do We in English The Kindes To this kind may be referred these five sorts and not improperly 1 Coriare Sumack 2 Virginian Sumack 3 Mirtle leafed Sumack 4 Venice Sumack 5 Sweet Gall. The Forme Coriars Sumack groweth in our Gardens to be two or three yards high spreading sundry branches with larg winged Leaves that is having many set on both sides of a middle rib somewhat like unto Elder which are soft and hairy with a red sinew running through the middle of every of them at the ends of the branches come forth large spiked clusters of whitish Flowers which afterwards become reddish round and flat seed like unto Lentils with an outward skinny husk The Root is hard and woody not growing very deep nor much spreading the Wood is whitish but dyeth black The Places and Time The first groweth in Syria Pontus Italy and Spain where for its profit it is carefully manured the place of the second may be known by its name the third groweth about Mompelier and divers other places the fourth in Savoy and on the Apenine Hils the last by old Windsor Park-Corner in Sussâ—x Hartford-shire and Kent as well as beyond the Sea They flower for the most part in July and their seed is ripe in Autumne The Temperature Both the Leaves fruit and seed of Sumack are cold in the second and dry in the third degree being also of a very binding quality The Signature and Vertues The Reddish colour of the seeds of Sumack did teach those that found out the Vertues of Plants by their Signatures that it is good for the bloody flâ—x which is a distemper of the Belly with exulceration and excoriation so that blood is voided whereunto great paines with gripings are joyned and upon this account it is prescribed generally by all those that meddle with the cures of diseases as also for stopping all other Fluxes of the Belly the inordinate Courses of Women the Whites also and all other Immoderate Issues of blood whatsoever the Leaves being either boyled in Wine and drunk or the seed eaten in Sawces with Meat or the decoction set in some convenient place as the Case of a Close Stool whence the fume may powerfully ascend into the bodies of those that are thus diseased and the said decoction maketh the Hair black that is washed therewith The leaves and seeds may be used severall other ways for the said Fluxes as in Broths Baths Gilsters c. The said decoction of the Leaves and Seed in Wine doth also close up the Stomacks of those that are much given to vomiting and being mixed with vinegar and a little honey it is good against Gangrenes and Cankers The juyce that is gotten out of the dryed Leaves by boyling them in water being kept boyling till it have the consistence of Honey helpeth the roughnesse of the tongue and throat and performeth all those effects for which Lycium is commended The seed is likewise boyled in Water and the decoction thereof evapored to the thicknesse of honey
being used with some oyl of Roses Being dissolved in Wine and those places washed therewith that have any scar or deformity thereon it doth wonderfully alter the colour and evill sight thereof and maketh them to be well coloured again Either the Gum or the Leaves and branches boyled in Lye and the head washed therewith doth cleanse it from Scabs Scurfe or Dâ—ndraff growing thereon and cureth also all running and watering sores and Ulcers in the Legs or other parts of the Body The Oyl made thereof worketh the like effects and is also good for any hardnesse or ach to anoint the breasts of those that are much troubled with a cough A Tent dipped therein and put up into the Nose is a good remedy for the Pose or Polypus as also for the falling sicknesse the back-bone being anointed therewith The Pomanders Chaines and Bracelets that are made of Ladanum Cubâ—bs Mace and Greek-pitch are effectuall to warm the brain and to dry up all cold Rhewmes and defluxions thereof being worn about one Both the Male and the Female Cistus are also effectuall to strengthen the Belly and Stomack both against scowrings and vomitings whether with blood or without of what sort soever they be and also to stop Womens Courses flowing inordinately the Leaves and young shoots or buds but especially the flowers being steeped or gently boyled in red Wine and drunk The same that is the Flowers do quickly heal any burning or scalding being applyed in a Searecloth and being bruised and laid to any green wound iâ— closeth the lips thereof and restraineth the bleeding thereof Old and filthy Ulcers being washed with the decoction of the Leaves and young Shootes boyled in Wine are dryed up and healed thereby for though they be cankâ—ous eating or spreading it will wonderfully and quickly stay those fretting moist humours which follow them The distilled Water of the Leavs and Flowers is of the like efficacy and may be applyed to any part as often as there is any need of drying binding and strengthening The Dwarfe Cistus is likewise commended for all manner of Fluxes the decoction of the Herb and Root being taken which is also very effectuall to wash sore mouths and the Ulcers that happen in or about the privy parts of Men or Women It is no lesse profitable in other Ulcers of the Bâ—dy or Legges which are long kept from healing by the falling down of moist and sharp humours then the other Cistus and so likewise for green wounds It is also effectuall for any burstings as Câ—mfrâ—y and likewise for the strengthening of weak joynts or any binding property whereunto any Comfrâ—y may be applyed Besides it quickly healeth the biting or stinging of any venemous Creature being bruised and applyed thereunto especially if the party bitten or stung take also of the juvce or the decoction thereof in Wine the distilled water of the Herb is held to beautify the skin of the Face by taking away Freckles Sâ—nburn Morphew c. from thence and cleanseth the hands or other part of the body being discoloured CHAP. CCLX Of the Black-Thorn or Sloe-Bush The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coccymelea agria and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agriococymelea and the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agriococcymelon because â—â— is a kind of a wild Plum as the Bullets also is They of Asia call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 piumnum as Galen saith whence happily the word Prunum may be derived and therefore the Tree or Bâ—sh may be called Prunus sylvestris in Latine and Prunellus yet Virgil in the fourth book of his Georgicks calleth it Spinus in these words Et spinus jam pruna serentes We call it commonly the Sloe-Tree in English and the fruit Sloes The Kindes Though there be but one sort of Sloes yet there be four sorts of Bâ—lleis which it will not be amisse to set downe here because they do not much differ 1 The Shepway Bulleis 2 The ordinary black Bulleis 3 The ordinary white Bulleis 4 The flushing Bâ—lleis to which I shall also adde another wild Plum which some call Skegges The Forme The Black-Thorn never groweth to the greatnesse of a Tree but alwayes abideth as a hedge bush yet in some places higher then other rising up usually with divers stems from the Roots branched forth into many boughes armed with good store of strong short and sharp thorns set with and besides the smal daâ—k green leaves finely dented about the edges whereon do grow at the time of the year many very white Flowers composed of five leaves after the same manner as they do on other Plum-Trees with divers white threds tipt with yellow in the middle after which follows the round fruit which continueth green a long while yet at length becometh black but never very bigge of an exceeding harsh tast before they are ripe yet afterwards the harshnesse is somewhat abated The Root is great and woody spreading under ground and shooting forth again in divers places The Places and Time The Sloes and Skegges grow in Hedges and Copses of most parts of this Land being oftentimes planted to make the divisions and fences of enclosed places onely the Bulleis are commonly found nearer home in Orchards or Closes They all flower early as in March or April be the weather never so hard yet ripen not their fruit till the Autumne frosts have bitten them The Temperature All the parts of the Sloe Bush are binding cooling and drying The Vertues The juyce of the fruit of Sloes being also a Substitute of Acacia and more often used then any other in most of our Apothecaries Shops must be likewise effectuall for all kinds of Lasks and Fluxes of blood both in Men and Women or else it would not be used insted thereof yet divers conceive that the condensate juyce of Sumack or Myrtles is more answerable to the qualities of Acacia then that of Sloes which hath only the binding quality thereof and therefore better but indeed it were to be wished that Substitutes were not so much affected for certainly they cannot but be deficient or excessive in some quality or other and that the things themselves which we want onely through our owne negligence might be more diligently sought after The decoction of the Bark of the Root or more usually the decoction either fresh or dryed performeth the like effects and helpeth to ease the pains in the sides bowels and guts that come by overmuch scowring or loosnesse The conserve is also of very much use and most familiarly taken for the purposes aforesaid The distilled water of the flowers steeped one night in Sack and drawne therefrom in a body of glasse is a most certain and approved Remedy to ease all manner of gnawings in the Stomack the sides and bowels or any griping pains in either of them to drink a small quantity when they are troubled therewith Good store of Sloes stamped and put into an earthen pot with new Ale and so drunk helpeth
the pain of the breast and the decoction of the Bark in water being drunk is good against pissing in Bed The Bark boyled in water till it be black and thick with Rye meal and Honey added thereunto is available to consume the dead flesh which keepeth wounds oftentimes from healing and cureth the Cankers being applyed The Leaves are good to make Lotions to gargle and wash the mouth and throat as often as they are troubled with swellings sores or Kernels and to stay the distillations of Rhewme into the eyes or other parts as also to coole the heat and inflammation of them and to ease hot pains of the Head the Forehead and Temples being bathed therewith The distilled water of the green Berries is also used for the same effects and so is the water that is distilled from the Flowers only The Mosse that groweth on the Black Thorn draweth Prickles and Thorns out of the Flesh and this it may be said to performe by the Signature which is represented by the Thornes growing on the Bush CHAP. CCLXI Of the Bramble The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Batus in Latine Rubus and Sentis and also Veâ—res whereof Ovid maketh mention speaking how the Hare hides himselfe from the Dogs therein after this manner Aut lepori qui vepre latens â—â—stilia cernit Ora canum Of divers it is called Cynosbatus but not properly saith one for Cynosbatus is generally taken for the wild Rose though there be divers that would have the wild Rose to be Cynâ—rrhodos and this Cynosbatus and this is most consonant to Reason It is called by us in English the Bramble or the Black-Berri-bush and the fruit Black-Berries which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some have made Vatina in Latine id est Mora Rubi they are called in Shops Mora bali and of some Mora bassi The Kindes All the sorts that are referred hereunto are nine 1. the common Bramble oâ— Black-berry-Bush 2. the small lower ground Bramble 3. sweet mountaine Bramble or Raspis 4. the Dew-berry or Winberry 5. the stony Bramble or rock Raspis 6. our English Knot-berry 7. the Welsh Knot-berry or Lancashire Cloud-berry 8. the Knot-berry of Norway 9. another Knot-berry of Norway The Formes The common Bramble shooteth forth many ribbed branches of a very great length yea so long sometimes that they by reason of their weakness also bend to the ground and sometimes take root againe all thick set with sharp and crooked thorns with leaves likewise growing upon long and prickly Foot-stalks by three and three together which are hard as it were crumpled having smal pricks under the midle ribb of a dark green colour above and grayish underneath which seldome fall away till the extremity of the Winter be past as the Country-Men do observe and the new be ready to succeed them the flowers come forth very plentifully at the end of the branches consisting of five whitish leaves dasht with a little carnation with small threds in the midle which giveth place to the fruit standing every one at some little distance and is made up of severall small graines set together somewhat like unto the Raspis or Mul-berry of a perfect black color and sweet tast when they be ripe but till then they are first green and then reddish harsh and very unpleasant the root groweth to be very great and full of knots The Places and Time The first groweth in every hedge almost the second by hedges and wood-sides and sometimes amongst the ploughed lands in divers parts of this Land the third groweth on hills and in high grounds the fourth is frequent in Cheshire Yorkâ—shire and Lancashire the fift in the rocky and stony places of Huntingdon and Nottinghamshire and in divers parts of Kent and the Islle of Thanet the sixth upon Ingleborough Hill which is one of the highest Hills in England vea so high that it seemeth at least to touch the clouds and therefore some call the fruit thereof Cloudberryes as they do the next whose places may be discovered by their names as the two last may also be They all flower about July and their berries are ripe in September or thereabouts The Temperature The Buds Leaves flowers fruit and root of the Bramble are all of a great binding quality especially the unripe fruit and that more when they have been kept a while then when they are fresh The Vertues and Signature The flowers and unripe fruit of the Bramble are of very great use and prosâ— also for those that are vexed with the bloody-flux Lask and weaknessâ— of the parts coming by either of them which is signified both by the colour of the berries when they are red and also by the crooked thorns which will cause the blood to follow no otherwise then the Exulceration of the Gâ—â—s which accompanieth the bloâ—dy flâ—x and by the same signature it helpeth the spitting of bloâ—d if the decoction thereof be drunk The Bâ—ds Leaves and Branches whilst they are green are of good use in the Ulcers and pâ—â—rid sores of the Mouth and Throat and for the Qâ—insy and likewise to heal other fresh wounds and sores The decoction or powder of the Root being â—â—ken is good to break or drive forth Gravell and the Stone in the Reines and Kidneys The Leaves as well dry as green are good to make Lotions both for sores of the Moâ—th and also of the secret parts The decoction of them and of the dryed branches do much bind the Belly and are good for the too much flowing of Womens Courses The Berries or the Flowers are a powerfull remedy against the poysâ—n of the most venemous Serpents and to help the sores of the Fundament and the Piles whereof they may be said to have the Signature The juyce of them boyled with honey is very good against all hot Ulcers and swellings of the mouth Gâ—â—s Uvula or Palate and Almonds of the â—hroat The said juyce mixed with the juyce of Mulberries do bind more effectually and help fretting and eating sorâ—s and Ulcers wheresoever The same being taken alone or mixed with Hypecistis and Honey is a remedy for Heart burning as some call it which is a gnawing of the Stomack through Choller as also for the Passions of the heart and faintings The distilled Water of the Branches Leaves and Flowers or of the fruit is very pleasant both to the smell and tast and may be given to those that are in hâ—t Feavers and other distemperature of heat in the Body as in the Head Eyes Liver Hands c. and also for the purposes aforesaid The Leaves boyled in Lye and the head washed therewith doth not only allay the itching thereof but the mattering and running sores also and maketh the hair to become black The powder of the Leaves strewed upon Cancrous or running Ulcers are very effectuall for the healing of them The condensate juyce of the Leaves as also of the Berries may be kept all
away there succeed round heads which is smal and of a brownish colour The Root consisteth of a great number of fibres or stringes which being fastened to the bottome of the stalk feedeth it with sufficient nutriment in the Summer but not in the Winter for then the stalk perisheth The Places and Time The first groweth in our Land as frequently as any Plant whatsoever by Brooks and other Water-courses but is seldome found for from the Water side unlesse it hath been purposely removed into a Garden or so The second groweth in the like places of Germany about Basil and will abide in Gardens if it be brought thither for rarity sake They flower in July and August and their seed is ripe shâ—rtly after The Temperature It is said that Water-Betony is hot and dry but the operations that proceed therefrom do speak it rather to be of a cold quality The Vertues Mr. Langbam a well experienced and industrious Practitioner of Physick in his Garden of Health doth in divers places of that Chapter which he writes concerning Water-Betony commend it for the Piles or Hemorrhoides whether the Root be eaten or stamped and applyed thereunto or the Leaves and Seed-cases bruised and applyed outwardly likewise or the Powder of it drunk or strewed thereon The Leaves Stalkes Seed Root or Juyce are likewise good to wast and dissolve any other swelling or hardnesses in any part whatsoever being stamped with Vinegar and applyed Morning Noon and Night The leavs only stamped and applyed to old rotten corrupt spreading and fretting sores and Pocks healâ—th them and Canckers also being applyed with Salt The juyce being pressed forth of the whole herb and drunk helpeth those that spit blood or are troubled with any Flux or excesse of Flowers or bleeding at the Nose and driveth out the botch in the Throat A dram of the seed drunk in Wine is effectuall to expell all sorts of Wormes out of the Belly or parts adjacent and so it is a remedy against venemous bitings The said seed taken in Wine with Myrrhe and Pepper is very good for the Sciatica The Leaves or Seed-cases bruised and applyed unto fresh sores healeth and skinneth them and so it doth rotten sores swellings and Lepry and so doth the juyce of the whole Herb and Root taken in May and kept in a close glasse for your use which must be ordered in this manner as often as need is Take thereof with Wax and Oyl of each a like quantity which boyled till it be an Oyntment will be fit for the purpose The juyce boyled with a little Honey and tents dipped therein are very effectual to cure such sores as are dressed therewith whether they be old or fresh and is good for bruises and hurts whether inward or outward The herb alone sodden in Spring Water quencheth all unkind heats without danger and exceedeth all other Medicines for the Lepry Scab Itch Boyles Wheales Pushes c. and the stamped Leaves and Creame are used for the same purposes The distilled Water of the Leaves is available for many of the like uses as also to bath the face and hands that are discoloured by the sun or have any spots or blemishes thereon as also for any rednesse or high colour of the face The said Water or the juyce of the Leaves mixed with a little Brimstone and Salt-Peter taketh away the ach of the eyes and the seed mixed with honey and applyed to the forehead stoppeth the running of them and the juyce of it and Comfrey removeth the dulnesse of them Those parts which serve for Nutrition being thus spoken to as also those that are subservient to them I shall now without saying any thing more of such Plants as might be referred to the last Transition passe unto those parts which are ordained for Generation and first I shall speak of such Simples as provoke Lust Secondly of such as abate Lust Thirdly of such as provoke Womens Courses Fourthly of such as stop Womens Courses Fifthly of such as help the Disease called the Mother and other effects of the Wombe Sixthly of such as are profitable for Ruptures And Seventhly of such as help the Diseases of the Privy Members to every of which Heads I shall appropriate divers Plants and speak to them in order And first to those which provoke Lust of which there may be some occasion to persons that are married and destitute of Children single persons having more need to observe the next head then this CHAP. CCLXVII Of the Artichocke Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scolymus of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cactos of Theophrastus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cynara and Cinara of divers others which last name is by the Poets derived either from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Canis because when King Locrus enquired of the Oracle where he should build a Citty the Oracle answered in that place where he should be bit by the Leg with a Wooden Dog who hurting his Leg with a wild Articoock as he passed by understood that that was the Woodden Dog which the Oracle meant and so he built the City there where it grew Or from Cinara who being a fair Maid was turned into an Artichock It is called also in Latine Cinara and so one would have it to be originally so deriving it a Cinerâ— either because it delighteth to be danged with Ashes or because the Leaves are of an Ash colour The Kindes There be severall sorts of Artichocks 1 The red Artichock 2 The white Artichock 3 The French Artichock 4 The Thistle Artichock 5 The Chardon 6 The wild Artichock of Candy The Formes The Artichock hath divers great large and long hollowed Leaves much cut in or as it were torn on both the edges of a whitish green colour from whence riseth up a strong thick and round stalk covered many times with a thin skin like unto down bearing at the top one scaly head somewhat like unto a Pine Apple at first but afterwards the scales become more separated yet in the best kinds they stare not much being either of a reddish brown whitish or greenish colour in some broad at the ends in others sharp or prickly after the said head hath been suffered to stand a long while in some there will break forth at the top thereof many blewish purple thrums or threads under which groweth the seed amongst the choaky or downy substance in the middle of the head and under that the edible substance which is most commended The Root spreadeth it selfe in the ground reasonable well yeelding divers heads of Leaves or suckers whereby it is increased if so be the head be cut of before it flower otherwise it will hardly abide the next Winter The Places and Time The two first have been so long planted in Gardens that their naturall place is no where expressed by any Author The third seemeth by its name to have been brought out of France to us but whether
Belly downwards provoketh Womens Courses as well as Vrine and encreaseth both Milke and Seed one Ounce of Cicers two Ounces of French Barly and an handfull of Marsh mallow Roots washed clean and sliced being boyled in the broth of a Chicken and foure Ounces taken in a morning without eating any thing within two hours after is a good remedy for a pain in the Sides CHAP. CCLXXII Of Rocket The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euzomon ob gratiam non ob suavitatem in jure obsoniis condiendis for its savory not for its sweet tast in seasoning Meat and Broth and Eruca in Latin quia velicando Linguam quasi erodat because if it be eaten alone raw it is so corrosive that it will make the tongue barne which is no token of sweetnesse which commonly accompanyes temperate things but of much heat and strength The Kinds There are thirteen severall sorts of Rocket mentioned by Authors 1 Roman Garden Rocket with white seed 2 Great Garden Rocket 3 Great Rocket of America 4 The more Common wild Rocket 5 Small ill smelling wild Rocket 6 Small wild Rocket of Mompelier 7 Small hoary wild Rocket 8 Blew flowred Rocket 9 Narrow leafed wild Rocket 10 English Sea Rocket 11 Candy Sea Rocket 12 Square Codded Rocket 13 Italian Sea Rocket The Formes The more common Wild Rocket is most effectuall for the present purpose and therefore omitting the Description of those that be before it I shall only describe that it hath long narrow and very much divided Leavs with slender cuts and gashes or jags on both sides of the middle rib of a sad overworne green colour when it groweth on the ground but when it groweth upon high wals as I have often seen it they are of a fresh though somewhat dark green colour from amongst which rise up divers stiffe Stalks about a foot high sometimes set with the like Leaves but smaller and smaller as they grow neerer to the top branched from the middle into divers lesser stalks bearing sundry yellow Flowers on them made of foure Leavs a peece as the others are which afterward yeeld small reddish seed in little long pods of a bitter and hot biting tast somewhat like unto that Milke which is burnt too as they call it and so are the Leaves The Root is small but somewhat woody enduring divers years if I mistake not The Places and Time The two first have been Inhabitants of the Garden so long that their naturall places are forgotten the third came from that part of America called Canada the fourth groweth very plentifully about the Abbey of St Albans on every side upon the Wals thereof and divers other Wals thereabouts that are of any standing it being either the nature of the Mortar thereabouts to produce it or else the seeds are carried upon them by the wind or rather by Birds some of the other grow with us also but divers of them belong to others Countreys so that we have them not unlesse it be in the Gardens of some that are curious they flower about June and July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Rocket is hot and dry in the third degree and therefore it is seldome eaten alone unlesse it be in some cases The Vertues All the sorts of Rocket but especially the wild kind which I have described are very effectuall to quicken and stir up Nature where it is dull or not sufficiently active for generatiâ—n upon which account it was very famous in Virgils time who in his Poem called Moretum maketh mention of it in these Words Et Venerem revccans Eruca morantem and is so likewise amongst the modern Italians who call it Rocket gentle by which Epithite some understand any thing that maketh one quick and ready to jest lasciviously as this herb doth yet some will have it to be so called because it is more pleasant and gentle in tast then the wild kind which is more strong and efficacious it serveth also to helpe digestion and provoketh Vrine exceedingly the herb boyled or stewed and some Sugar put thereto helpeth the Cough in Children being often taken the Seed moveth to Venus as much or more then the Herb and is also good against the biting of the Shrew Mouse and other venemous Creatures and it expelleth the Worms out of the Body being taken in drinke it doth away the ill scent of the Armâ—pts encreaseth Milke in Nurses and wasteth the Spleene being mixed with Honey and applyed it cleanseth the skin from Spots Morphew and other discolourings thereof and used with Vinegar it taketh away Freckles and rednesse in the Face and other parts and with the gall of an Oxe it amendeth foul Scars blacke and blew Spots and the marks of the small Pocks The roots boyled in Water and then stamped and applyed helpeth any griefe that cometh of Ruptures Splinters Fractures or unplacing of joynts The Leaves are fittest to be eaten with Lettice Purslaine and such like Sallet herbes to take away the coldnesse of them for being eaten alone they heat too much and cause the Headach CHAP. CCLXXIII Of Mustard The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Napy by Aristophanes and others that use the Attick Dialect but more commonly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sinapi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is offensive to Eyes making them water if any one be too busie with it It is also called in Latin Sinapi and Sinapis in imitation of the Greek in English Senvie but most commonly Mustard The Kinds To this Kind six sorts may properly be referred 1 Ordinary Mustard 2 Broad leafed Mustard 2 Small wild Mustard 4 Small Mustard of Mompelâ—r 5 Wild Mustard of Naples 6 Sea Mustard of Egypt The Forme The ordinary Mustard groweth up with many long rough Leaves jagged with uneven and unorderly gashes somewhat like a Turnep but a great deale lesser of an overworn greene colour and sharpe taste from whence ariseth up a stalk two or three foot high which divideth it selfe into severall branches whereon doe grow divers pale yellow Flowers in a great length together which turne into small and long Pods wherein is contained blackish seed inclining to rednesse of a fiery sharpe tast much exceeding that of the Leaves the Root is tough and white running deepe into the ground with many small Fibres thereat perishing yearly yet if it be suffered to shed the seed from thence it will sow it selfe without any more adoe The Places and Time The first though it be sowne by divers for their private uses in their Gardens and Oâ—chards yet the same is found wild also abroad in many places especially in Gâ—ocisteâ—shire about Tâ—wxbury where they grind it and make it up into ballâ— which are brought to London and other remote places as being the best that the world affords The second groweth in Gardens only But the third is found in the borders of fields and also in the low rills
upon other occasions as Sheepherds purse Strawberries Mirtles Water-lillies Plantaine Housleek Knotgrasse c. The way of using it for the distempers aforesaid is to boyl the roots in Water or Wine to drink the decoction and so it helpeth those that spit blood or that bleed at the mouth or that make a bloody Vrine and is very soveraign also for all inward hurts bruises and wounds and the ulcers of the Lungs The same also drunk stayeth the falling downe of Rheume from the head to the lungs the Fluxes of humours or blood by the belly and stoppeth not onely the Reds which are the mouthly Flowers of Women but the Whites also which is a continual distillation or flux of the Matrix proceeding from abundance of phlegmatick humours that oppresse the whole body and therefore it may not be stopped untill those evil humours be purged but that being done there is not a better remedy than this Decoction as also for the running of the Reines happening by what course soever The Syrup that is made of the said Roots is very effectual for all inward griefs and hurts aforesaid and the distilled Water may be used for the same though not so effectually and is usefull for outward Wounds and Sores in the fleshy or sinewy part of the body wheresoever The Decoction of the Leaves also â—s in some sort effectual for all the said purposes Camerarius saith that two ounces of the juyce being taken by one that is troubled with the Lethargy it restoreth him The said Roots bruised and applyed in the manner of a Plaister to any fresh or greene Wound or Cut helpeth the same immediately by glewing the lips of them together yea they are so glutinative that they will fasten together pieces of meat that have been cut asunder making them all into one lump if they be boyled in a pot therewith it must therefore be of especiall good use in all manner of Ruptures the decoction or Syrup taken inwardly and the Roots stamped and applyed to the place in the form of a Plaister The said Plaister is good to be applyed to Womens breasts that grow sore by much flowing into them as also to stop the over-much bleeding of the Hemorrhoides to cool the Inflammation and to give ease to such pains as happen thereabouts Being applyed after the same manner upon a piece of Leather as it may be also in the form â—r cases to any place that is troubled with the Gout it taketh away the pain presently and so it giveth ease to pained joynts and profiteth very much for running aâ—d mâ—st Vlcers Gangrenâ—s Mortifications and the like The powder of the dryed Root and Cynamon doth consolidate the Matrix of any one when it happeneth to be torn by sore travail in Child-birth CHAP. CCXCIII Of Mouseare The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myosota from whence these Herbs are generally called Myosotis but two of them especially the rest being more commonly called in Latin P 〈…〉 sella which is a kind of barbarous name put thereon because of its hairyness It is also called Auricula Muris for that resemblance that the Leaves have with the Eare of a Mouse as the Greek name doth likewise intimate Some call the greater sort Grim the Collier in English the middle sort Mouseare and the lesser sort â—corpion-Mouseare The Kindes To this kinde may be referred these seven sorts 1. The Common Mouseare 2. Great Mouseare 3 Codded Mouseare 4. Common upright Mouseare 5. Another upright Mouseare 6. Mouseare-Scorpion-grass 7. Water-Scorpion-grass The Forme The Common Mouseare is a low Herb creeping upon the ground by small strings or wires somewhat after the manner that the Strawberry-plant doth whereby it shooteth forth and increaseth each string taking root again after it hath run but a very little way and sending forth many small and somewhat short Leaves set in a round form together hollowish in the middle where they are broadest of an hairy colour all over as well above as below and very hairy resembling in many things the Eare of a Mouse which being broken do give a white Milk from amongst these Leaves spring up divers small hairy Stalks about an handfuâ—l long coming forth at the joynts of the Wires where there grow also divers Leaves but smaller than the former one at a place as the Flowers also do consisting of many pale yellow Leaves broad at the poynts and a little dented in set in three or four rowes the greater outermost and the smaller inward very like a Dandelyon flower but lesser being a little reddish underneath about the edges especially if it grow in dry ground turning at length into a certain Down which the wind carrieth away with the seed to boot The root is small and thredy The Places and Time The first groweth in most Pasture grounds of this Land especially if the soyl be but a little sandy the second doth sometimes grow in the like places but more usually upon Walls as upon Queenes Colledge wall in Oxford the third is also found in this Land growing in the borders of some Fields the fourth upon the banks of Ditches and in them also if they be dry the fifth upon dry barren Heaths especially upon Hamstead Heath where it is very plentifull the sixth is common upon the dry banks of ditches and the last will grow in ditches amongst the mud though there be some water in them as in the ditch between the two Waters next the Holly-bush at Oxford by the Cawsway that leads to Botly They abide green all the Winter and flower in June and July The Temperature Mouseare is hot and dry and of a clensing binding and consolidating quality The Vertues The juyce of Mouseare in Wine or the decoction thereof drunk is of very great force to stay the abundance of Wâ—meâ—s Courses as also the Whites and all other Fluxes of blood whether at the Mouth or Nose or by Stoole and all inward bleedings also the same is very availeable to help the Jaundise although of long câ—ntinuance to drink thereof morning and evening but then other drink must be abstained from two or three hours after and so it is often used as a speciall remedy against the Stone and other paines of the Bowels Being taken in like manner before the Fit of a Quartane Ague it is said to keep back and lessen the fit very much and by use of it to take it quite away The Decoction thereof with Succory and Centory is held very effectuall to help the Dropsie and them that are inclining thereto as also the diseases of the Spleen A Syrupe made of the juyce of Mouseare and Sugar is very usefull for such are as troubled with the Cough or Ptisick and helpeth exceedingly all Ruotures or Burstings if a spoonfull or two thereof be taken at a time The green Herb bruised and presently bound to any fresh Cut or Wound doth quickly bring together the Lips thereof for it is a singular good
not Blite a kinde of Amaranthus yet because Amaranthus is better known in these dayes than Blite and of more efficacy for our present purpose therefore I have set it in the Front 1. The common purple Flower-gentle 2. The neat lesser purple Flower-gentle 3. Spotted or variable Flower-gentle 4. The greater Fleuramor or purple Flower-gentle 5. The green Flower-gentle of New-England 6. Crimson-velvet Flower-gentle 7. Crested Flower-gentle 8 Great white Blite 9. Small wild white Blite 10. Small wild red Blite 11. Wild Blite with much seed The Forme The Common purple Flower-gentle riseth up wiâ—h a stalk a Cubit high and sometimes higher which is straked or chamfered along the fame yet towards the Roâ—t it is very smooth and of a reddish colour dividing it self towards the top into small branches about which stand long leaves broad sharp pointed soft slippery of a green colouâ— and tending to reddish the Flowers are long spiky soft and gentle tufts of haires many as it were growing together broad at the bottom and small up at the top Pyramis or Steeple fashion very brave to look upon but without any smell at all which being bruised yeildeth a Juyce of almost the same colour the seed lyeth scattered in the tufts aforesaid being small and somewhat black but glittering the root â—â—short and full of strings perishing every Winter The Places and Time All the sorts of Amaranthus are strangers by Extraction some coming from the Eastern Countreys as Persia Syria Arabia c. others from the Western as New England and the West Indies yet some of them are pretty well naturalized being common in our Gardens and the rest are to be seen in the Gardens of the curious as in that of John Tradâ—scaâ—â— at Lambeth c. The sorts of Blites are found wild in divers places of our own Land The Amaranthus beareth its gallant tufts oâ— spâ—kes in August for the most part yet some perfect them not untill September The Blite flourisheth all the Summer long seeds about August or September and continues green all the Winter in which it differeth from the former The Temperature Flower gentle is held to be of a binaiâ—g faculty and consequently to be cold and dry but Blite is cold and moist in the second degree The Signature and Vertues The Flowers of Amaranthus dryed and beaten into power stops the Termes in Women and that by Signature if it be put into Wine and Honey boyled together and drunk and so it is effectual for the perillous Flux of blood continual pain of the Belly wâ—th often scouring and spitting of blood bleeding at the Nose and also for the Whites in Women The said Flower boyled in Wine and the Decoction drunk is available against all venemous bitings the Sciatica distilling of the Vrine and Ruptures The Herb boyled in Wine and the Fundament fomented therewith taketh away the painful Piles and restraineth their bleeding and stayeth the often going to the Stoole the Herb being also applyed The Root held in the Mouth ceaseth the pains of the Teeth and being stamped and made into an Oyntment with May-butter it asswâ—geth all Inflammations The Herb being boyled and applyed is a speedy Remedy for any Bruise The dryed Herb keepeth Garments from the Wormes and Moaths if it be said amongst them Blites are used amongst the poorer sort of people in France for food but they yeild to the body small nourishment as Galâ—n saith and by often eating bâ—come obnoâ—ious by causing Vâ—miting and Fluxes of the Belly with exceeding gripings The Physicall use of them is to restrain the Fluxes of blood either in Man or Woman especially the Red which it doth by Signature as the white sort doth the Whites in Women The White Bleet with much â—â—ed which is therefore called All-seed of some is a very acceptable bait unto Fishes as hath been proved by experience Some Old Wives will not suffer any Blites to be put into their Pottage for fear of hurting their Eyâ— sight CHAP. CCCII Of the Dragon-Tree The Names IT is called in Latin Drace Arbor from its strange manner of growing as I conceive for being altogether unknown to Dâ—â—scorides and the rest of the ancient Greek and Latine Authors there is no Greek name for it but onely for the Gum or Rosin which they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without expressing whether it came from Herb or Tree or was a mineral of the Earth and it is probable it was because they knew not The said Gum is sometimes called â—innabaris also in Latin but most commonly Sanguis Draconis and thereupon Pliny Solinus and also Monardus have set it down for a truth that it was the blood of a Dragon or Serpent crushed to death by the weight of the dying Elephant falling upon him after that he had received his mortall wound from him and that both their bloods mingled together was the true Sanguis Deaconis but certainly it was so called from the bloody colour that it is of being nothing else but a meer Gum. It is called in English Dragons tears and Dragons blood The Forme The Dragon Tree groweth not like a Sugar soaf as I said in my former Book but riseth as high as the Pine Tree with a great body rugged bark ful of chaps clifts hearing 8 or 9 great Arms equally spreading from the trunk bare for a cubits length and then thrusting forth three or four more lesser branches yet as thick as ones arm bearing onely at the tops of them divers long and narrow Leaves joyned together at the bottom and encompassing another as those of the Flower de-Luce do each of them being a cubit in length and an inch in breadth but growing narrower and narrower towards the top till it be pointed with the thick middle rib that runneth through the same reddish about the edges and sharp like the Iris Leaves abiding alwayes green as most of the trees in those parts do from among the Leaves at thâ— heads come forth certain foot-stalks about a foot long divided into little branches whereon do grow at divers spaces I suppose first Flowers though not observed divers fruits or beâ—â—ies in little clusters each of them like unto a small Cherry of a sowrish or tart tast and of a yellowish colour when they are râ—pâ— with a stone and kernell within them very like unto a Cherry-stone Out of this tree being slâ—t or bored cometh forth a thick dark red Gum or Rosin which hardeneth quâ—ckly and will melt at the fire and flame also if it be cast therein which being bruised sheweth a very orient red crimson or bloody colour the wood of the trunk is so hard and firm that it will scarcely admit cutting but the yonger branches are not so hard The Places and Time This Tree grâ—weth both in the â—anary Islands and in that of Madera and in Brasil aâ—so where it groweth to be of a goodly stature It flourisheth and grows greâ—n all the year as I have said but the time
called in Latine Corâ—lus and Nux Avellana it being at first called Abellina from the Country where it was first taken notice of which since hath received some alteration Some have called it Nux Prenestina and Heracleotica we call the manured kinde the Filberd and the wild kinde the Hasel Nut Wood Nut or Small Nut-Tree The Kindes The two chief kindes aforementioned are distinguished or subdivided into divers others as 1. The ordinary Filberd 2. The red Filberd 3. The long Filberd 4. Filberds of Macedonia or Constantinople 5. The great Wood Nut or Hasel Nut. 6. The lesser Hasel Nut. 7. Virginian Hasel Nut. The Forme The Ordinary Filberd-tree groweth to be pretty tall and big but seldome to any great bulk or size with divers suckers or sprouts from the roots if they be permitted to grow and spread into divers branches covered with a brownish speckled thin outer bark under which there is a greener bearing large or crâ—mpled Leaves somewhat like unto those of Alder dented about the edges of a sad green colour above and greyish underneath The Catkins which seem to supply the place of Flowers upon this and divers other Trees because they have no other appeare presently after the Leaves are fallen off in November or thereabouts which are then firm and close of a reddish yellow colour but towards the Spring they become more yellow and fall away at the coming forth of the Leaves or a little before The Nuts break forth in divers places of the Stalks sometimes single but commonly in clusters three four five or more together each inclosed in a husk which is at first of a green colour but afterwards brown which reacheth beyond the Nuts and is parted at the end into sundry jags the Nut within is much longer than the Wood Nut yet round withall with a brownish thin shell on the out-side and a white peeling covering the Kernel within which is white and hard and of a very sweet and pleasant taste The Places and Time The three first are usually planted in Gardens and Orchards but are not all alike common for the red sort is not altogether so frequent as the other the fourth should come out of Greece by its name but it is now visible in some of our English Gardens as at the lower end of Mrs. Pollards Garden by the house where Mr. Ditchfield lives in St. Albans The fifth and sixth are conceived to come of the same kinde onely the fifth groweth in Orchards and so is bigger than that which groweth wild in the Woods The name of the last speaks its native Countrey The fruit is ripe in August or September at the farthest The Temperature Hasell Nutts newly gathered are hot and moist in the first degree but after they have been kept a while they are hot and dry The Signature and Vertues The Skins that cover the Nut Kernels being taken in Wine to the quantity of a Dramme are very effectuall also to stay Womens Courses especially those of the red Filbeard which have the Signature of them The dryed Husks and Shells to the weight of two drammes taken in Red Wine doth the same and stayeth the Lask likewise and so doth the Milk that is drawn from the Kernells and likewise the Catkins The parched Kernels made into an Electuary is very good to help an old Cough and being parched and a little Pepper put to them and drunk it digesteth the distillation of Rheume from the Head A Decoction of the inner rind of the Branches being made in small Ale and taken first and last for nine or ten dayes together is a speciall remedy for the Strangury Nuts eaten alone in toâ— great a quantity are by no means commended for they are said to be hard of digestion to fill the stomach with wind to cause vomiting and the Head-ach especially when they be old for then they are worse than they are being newly gathered yet if any one be so much taken with them that he cannot refrain them let him eat Raisons together with them that so the moisture of the one may qualifie the drynesse of the other and this hath been an ancient custome as Schola Salerni teacheth in the following Verse Sumâ—ro sic mot est uncibussociando racâ—mos as also to eat them after Fish instead of Cheese thereby to hinder the ingendering of Phlegme which is thus expressed Post pisces Nuces post Carnes Caseus â—â—sii To say no more of those Simples that are appropriated for restraining the Naturall Courses of Women as also the Whites I shall now proceed to those that are serviceable for the Mother and divers other distempere of the Womb amongst which you shall finde but few which do not provoke the Terms also and therefore I made some Reference of such to this Head CHAP. CCCV Of Motherwort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Cardiâ—ca in Latine because it is good against the infirmities of the Heart as the trembling thereof Swounings c. It was unknown to the antient Writers as is supposed because there is some clutter amongst the latter about it for Dodonaeus took it to be a Sideritis Tragus to be a Wilde Bawme Bruâ—felsius to be a Marrubium Mas Anguillara to be Lycopsis or Branca lupina and Bauchinus calleth it Marrabium fortè primum Theophrasti c. But We in English call it Motherwort and not without good reason for it is of great vertue to help the Mother as well as the Heart and therefore some have thought that Matricaria which is usually put for Feaversew would better sort with it The Forme Motherwort groweth with hard square brownish rough strong Stalkes rising to be two or three foot high and sometimes more spreading into many branches whereon grow Leaves on each side with long foot-stalkes two at every joynt which are somewhat broad and long rough as it were and crumpled with many great veines that shew themselves therein of a sad green colour and so deeply dented about the edges that they may be said almost to be torn or divided from the middle of the branches up to the top of them doe grow the Flowers round about them at distances in sharp-pointed rough hard huskes somewhat after the manner of Bawm or rather of Horehound of which some would have it to be a kinde being of the same forme though of a more red or Purple colour after which come small round blackish Seeds in great plenty which being suffered to shed filleth all the places about it with its off-spring so that there needeth no care of propagation The Root is compact of many small strings The whole Plant is of a very â—anke smell and bitter taste The Places and Time Motherwort delighteth to grow among rubbish and by the sides of Walls and Hedges beyond the Seas in divers places but hardly with Us unlesse it be in Gardâ—ns where it hath been sown or planted It flourisheth flowreth and Seedeth from the Spring till Winter and then
the Leaves and Stalkes perish but the Root endureth The Temperature Motherwort is hot and dry in the second degree being also of a cleansing or binding Faculty The Vertues There is hardly a more effectuall herb for the Wemb then Motherwort for it not onely helpeth the Suffocations or Stranglings of the Mother but is wonderfully usefull to Women in their sore Travell the powder thereof to the quantity of a Spoonfull being taken in Wine and therefore it hath not its name for nothing But because the Patient when the fit of the Mother is upon her is most commonly incapable of taking any thing inwardly or of being placed over or in any decoction though that also be prescribed as effectuall therefore the best way of using it will be by applying foments and little baggs thereof warmed to the bottome of the Belly and Share then which there is scarcely a more present remedy especially if Camomile Wormwood Penniroyall Lovage and other strong-sented herbes be used therewith The said powder taken as aforesaid provoketh Vrine and Womens Courses and is right good against the trembling of the Heart the Cramp Convulsion and Palsey for seeing it is a bitter herb and consequently hot and dry it doth thereby cut extenuate and discusse those grosse humors that are setled in the Veines Joynts and Sinewes of the Body And in case any squeamish palate should refuse it because of its bitternesse it may be made into a Syrupe and Conserve and so it driveth melancholly vapours from the Heart and maketh one merry cheerfull and blithe It is also availeable to clense the breast from Phlegme to open the obstructions and stoppings of the Entrailes and to kill all kinde of Wormes in the Belly Moreover it is commended for healing green wounds and serping them from impostumation and inflammation stopping the blood and curing them if it be bruised and applyed It is also a Remedy against certain diseases in Cattlâ— as the Cough Murren c. CHAP. CCCVI Of Feaverfew The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parâ—henium because it is effectual for distempers of the Wombe to which even Virgâ—ns are sometimes subject and in Latine Matricaria for the same reason but it is more commonly called Febrifuga quia Febres fugat from its vertue in expelling Feavers and Agues and thence comes the word Feaverfew yet some call it Featherfew and Fedderfew Galen saith that in his time Parthenium was called Anthemis Helxine Linozostis and Amaracus The Kindes There are said to be eight sorts of Feaverfew 1. Common Feaverfew 2. Naked Feverfew 3. Double Feverfew 4. Sweet Feverfew 5. Unsavoury Feverfew 6 Fine leafed Feverfew 7. Mountaine Feverfew of Clusius 8. Small Sea Feaverfew The Forme Common Feaverfew groweth with many large fresh green Leaves very much torne or cut in on the Edges from amongst which rise up two or three hard Stalkes beset round with many such like Leaves but somewhat smaller at the tops whereof stand many single flowers upon severall small footstalkes consisting of many small white Leaves standing round about a yellow thrum in the middle What Seed it beareth hath not been observed but that it hath Seed may appeare from hence that wheresoever the flowers are suffered to shed there it increaseth very plentifully yet it must needs be very small The Root is somewhat hard tough and short having divers strings thereat The whole Plant iâ— of a strong smell and bitter taste The Places and Time The first groweth wilde by divers Walls and Hedges yet it is more frequent in Gardens where it is little esteemed because it requires no great tendance The second was found in Essex and is now nursed in the Gardens of the curious as the third also is as in the Garden of Mr. Tradescant at Lambeth c. The rest are Strangers and therefore it will be to little purpose to expresse their places They are in flower the greatest part of Summer The Temperature Feaverfew is hot and dry in the third degree or hot in the third degree and dry in the second being withall of a purging cleansing and opening faculty The Vertues The Decoction of the flowers of Feaverfew or the Herb it self made in Wine is exceeding effectuall for the diseases of the Mother whether it be the rising of the Mother or the hardnesse or inflammations of the same especially if a little Nutmeg or Mace be put therein and drunk often in a day and so it bringeth down Womens Courses also with speed and warmeth those parts oppressed by stoppings or cold as also helpeth to expell the dead Childe and the Secondine or Alter-birth To sit over the hot fumes of the Decoctâ—on of the herb made in Water or Wine is likewise effectuall for the same purposes and sometimes when the Patient is in her fit of the Mother and cannot be made to sit orderly nor take any thing inwardly the boiled herbes may be applyed warme to the privy parts The Juice hereof with the Juice of Motherwort being dranke in old Ale with grosse Pepper is also a good Medicine to prevent the fits of the Mother A decoction thereof taken with some Sugar or Honey helpeth the Cough and stuffing of the Chest by Cold as also to clense the Râ—ines and Bladder by expelling the Stone from them The pouder of the Herb taken in Wine with some Syrupe of Vinegar purgeth both Choller and Phlegme and is availeable for those that are pursie or short winded as also for those that are troubled with Melancholâ— or Sadnesse It is very effectuall for all paines in the Head coming of a cold cause the herbe being bruised and applyed to the Crown of the Head and particularly for the Swimming of the Head It is also very good against the Winde in the Stomack being taken inwardly and so it is frequently given before the fits of Agues the herb being also bruised with a few Cornes of Bay-salt and applyed to the Wrists It iâ— likewise profitable in the Dropsie and helpeth such as are impotent as to the matter of precreation if it proceed of a cold or moist cause for it is hurtfull to very hot and dry bodies and if any one chance to take too great a Dose of Opium it is a good remedy to prevent the danger that may ensue Being bruised and heated on a Tile after it is moistned with a little Wine or fryed with a little Oyle and Wine in a Frying pan and applyed warme to the Stomack and Belly helpeth the griping paines of Winde and the â—holick The distilled Water is usefull to take away Spots Freckles and other deformities of the skin CHAP. CCCVII Of Catmint or Nep. The Names IT is thought that the Greeks had not the knowledge of this Herbe because we finde no Greek name for it upon Record but though they might not have the happinesse to enjoy the benefit of so usefull a Simple yet the Latines who have added much to what hath been derived unto them doe call it
with a Syrleâ—g the other being rubbed and held to the Nostrills that the smell thereof might cause the Wombe which flyeth from whatsoever is noysome and followeth that which is sweet and pleasant to returne into its place and therefore those that are subject to this disease must avoid the smelling unto sweet things but not their contraries And taken inwardly it is commended as an Universall Medicine for the Wombe both easily safely and speedily curing â—ny disease thereof as the fits of the Mother Dislocation or falling oâ—â— thereout It cools the Womb being over-heated which is said to be a cause of hard Labour in Childe-birth It makes barren Women fruitfull cleanseth the Womb if it be foul and strengthneth it exceedingly it provokes the Termes if they be stopped stops them if they flow immoderately all this it might be said to do by Signature and therefore it were good for those that are usually troubled with distempers of this nature to have alwaies by them a Syrupâ— made of the Juyce of this herb Sugar for that is best unless it be to cleanse the Womb and then Honey is better It killeth also the Worms that breed in the Sores of Horses other Cattle But to returne to the Garden Arach It may be boyled and eaten as other Sallet herbs are and so it openeth the Belly and maketh it soluble which it doth by that nitrous quality that it hath and so it doth being used as a pot-herbe in broth The Seed being drunk with Mead or honyed Water is a remedy against the Yellow Jaundise whence it is also thought to be good to open the stoppings of the Liver and the herb eaten helpeth the heat thereof The said Seed boyled in water without any Salt having some oyle of Nuts put thereto causeth an easie Vomit and sometimes purgeth also It is said to be profitable for those that have taken Cantharides and it standeth with reason the lubricity or oylinesse of it hindering the corroding quality of them The Decoction of the Herb being drunk and the Herb it â—elâ— being applyed outwardly is an excellent Remedy for Swellings in the Throat It cooleth both Apostumes and St. Anthony's Fire and dissolveth Tumor being applyed thereto either fresh or boyled Being applyed with Nâ—â—ar and Vinegar it easeth the pains of the Gout and cureth rough and scabbed Nailes by loosening them without pain and so it doth being boyled with Honey The Sea Arach â—â— of like property with that of the Garden onely being somewhat saâ—â—ish it purgeth more and helpeth those that have the Dropsie The common wilde Araâ—â—â—es are neer as cold as the Garden sorts but more drying serving chiefly for Inflammations being applyed outwardly thereunto but Goosefoot is held to be much colder and therefore more warily to be applyed being held to be dangerous if not deadlâ— to be taken inwardly for it is certainly knowne that it hath killed 〈◊〉 CHAP. CCCX Of Laserwort and its Assa faetida The Names LAserwort is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Silphium in Latine Laser and Laserpitium in English Laserwort Magydare The Gum that issueth out of the same is called Lacer but that which is gathered from those plants that are gathered in Media and Syria is called Assa and Asa by the Arabian Physitians from whence our Apothecaries have many of their names it hath faetida added to it to distinguish it from another sort thereof which is called Assa duâ—cis which is sweeter than the other yet both of them very strong scented insomuch that the Germans call the former Teuffelzdrech that is Diaboli stercus Devils-durt or dung The Kindes Besides the Laserwort of the Ancients there be two others 1. The true Laserwort of the Ancients 2. French Laserwort 3. Alpinus his Laserwort The Forme The true Laserwort of the Ancients is said to grow with a Stalk as big as Ferula or 〈◊〉 Gyant the Leaves are like unto the common Smallage and of an unpleasant savour The Flowers grow at the tops of the Stalks tuft-fashion like Ferula or Fennell which being past there succeed broad and flat Seeds like Angelica seedâ— of a good savour and of the colour The Roots are many coming from â—ne head or chief root and are covered over with a thick and fat bark there floweth out of them being scarrified or cut a strong liquor which being dryed is very medicinable that which groweth in Cyrent and Africa is said to send forth Laser and Assa dulcis and that which groweth in Media and Syria sendeth forth Assa salida as I said before The Places and Time The first groweth not onely in the places already expressed but also in Armenia and Lybia and other Eastern Countreys the second was found about Marsellâ—â— in France the third was first taken notice of in Cardinall Bembâ—'s Garden Those that grow of them in this part of the world do flower about Midsummer The Temperature The Laserwort is said to be hot and dry in the third degree but the Assa faetida which is onely brought to us in these dayes doth somewhat exceed the Leaves and Roots in heat The Vertues Assa faetida if it be but smelled unto is very profitable for women that are troubled with the rising of the Mother and divers other diseases of the Wombe and therefore it were requisite that those that are so troubled should weare it about their Necks being sewed in Silk Linnen or some such thing It brings down the Courses of Women and expells the Secundine or After-birth being taken with Pepper and Myrrhe It is usefull in Diseases of the Breast Nerves and Braine and being taken in a Egge that is soft it helps Hoarsenesse and given with Oxymel it helpeth the Cough Jaundise and Dropsie Given with Vinegar of Squilles or Wine and Honey boyled together it helps the Falling-sicknesse Being given in Wine or Angelica-water it helpeth against Venome and Poyson of venemous Beasts where any are stung therewith It cures the Quartane Ague and Feaâ—ers of long continuance taken with Oxymel or Syrup of Vinegar it dissolveth coagulated Milk in Womens Breasts it killeth Wormes and expelleth Wind. It is used also to take away loathing for which it is effectuall as appeares by the story of one that for a tryall tasted thereof in a cold time of the yeare and after a little walking he found himselfe possessed both in his Head Armes and Body with a gentle Sweet and shortly after he found his body better disposed to his dinner than at other times before and digesting it better and for this purpose it is commonly used by the Indians as also to strengthen the weaknesse of the Stomack and to provoke to Venery If it be mingled with Rue Niter and Honey it breaketh Carbuncles and Pestilentiall Sores being therunto applyed and in the same manner it helpeth Cornes and draweth them forth Being applyed with Garlick and the White of an Egg it helps Felons and White-flawes of the Fingers It clears the Sight
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
resisteth putrefaction and digesteth them exceedingly yet it being so hot and dry is altogether unapt for consolidating or healing them The said powder mixed with Cream or the green Leaves boiled in Cream and annointed on the heads of Children which have Scabbs running or dry Sores cleanseth them throughly and healeth them as also Saint Anthonies fire The fresh Leaves bruised and laid upon running and fretting Cancers and the like as Tetters Ring-wormes c. killeth and destroyeth them The powder of the Leaves mixed with Honey taketh away all Spots and Freckles from the Face or Body being applyed thereunto and so it helpeth the Blisters of the Yard that are gotten by dealing with unclean Women after they have been bathed with the Decoction of the Leaves as the Powder of the Leaves being strewed thereupon doth also Being given to Horses or other Cattle in their drink it is effectuall for the Botts and the smoak thereof burned cureth Hens that have gotten the Pippe The distilled Water thereof helpeth those that have the Worms and is effectual also for them that have a giddinesse in their Braines The same doth cleanse the Skin from Spots and Markes and other deformities therein CHAP. CCCXX Of the Birch-tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Semuda by Theophrastus by others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Semus and Semos in Latine Betula and sometimes Betulla from the old Verbe Batuo signifying to beate because it was and is often used for that purpose The Forme The Birch Tree groweth in many places to be a goodly tall streight tree fraught with many boughs other slender branches bending downwards the elder being covered with a discoloured rough chapped barke but those that are younger are browner by much having under them another fine white thin rinde or barke The Leaves at their first breaking out are crumpled but afterwards they become somewhat smoother not much unlike those of the Beech-Tree but smaller and greener with dents about the Edges It beareth small and short Catkins somewhat like to those of the Hasel Nut tree which abide on the branches a long time wherein the seed is contained but at length falls to the ground The Places and Time Though the Birch Tree grow frequently in some Countries yet in others it is very rare as is in some parts of Oxford and Northampton-shires where they are set in Gardens as rarities as in the Garden of my much honoured Friend John Cartwright Esquire at his house in Aino I remember once as I rid through little Brickhill in Buckingham-shire which is a Town standing upon London Road between Dunstable and Stony Stratford every Signe-post in the town almost was bedecked with green Birch so that in that Countrey it seems to be very plentiful The Catkins come forth in Aprill and the Leaves soon after but the Seed is not ripe untill September The Temperature The Leaves of the Birch Tree are thought to be cooling but the Barke and Catkins are hot The Signature and Vertues The inner barke of the Birch-tree saith the said Crollius whom I quoted in the Chapter immediately going before hath the Signature of the Matrix with the bloudy veines thereof and therefore the decoction thereof provoketh Womens Courses expelleth the After-birth and carrieth away all manner of superfluity from the Wombe The juyce of the Leaves while they are young or the distilled Water of them or the Water that cometh out of the Tree being bored with an Auger taken either before or after it is distilled againe is held to be very availeable to break the Stone in the Kidneyes or Bladder and is also good to wash sore mouthes for which purposes a Lye made of the inner barke of the Birch-tree is likewise effectuall The civill uses whereunto the Birch-tree serveth are many as for the punishment of Children both at home and at School for it hath an admirable influence upon them to quiet them when they are out of Order and therefore some call it Make-peace The old Roman Magistrates had it born in bundles before them as an Ensigne and Instrument of Justice to be executed upon petty Offenders it is used also to Hoop Caskes binde Fagots make Besomes c. Having thus dispatched these Simples which are appropriated to the Wombe I passe on now to those that are availeable for Ruptures which Disease is caused by the breaking or loosening of the Rim or Filme of the Belly so that the Guts fall into the Cods It happeneth most commonly to young Children and those of the Male-kinde yet sometimes Females and elder persons are troubled therewith so that it will be very requisite to speak of some particular Plants that are very effectuall for this purpose CHAP. CCCXXI. Of Rupturewort The Names IT is uncertaine whether any of the ancient Greek Writers knew this herbe because we have no Greek name left for it that we can affirm to be the true and therefore I shall wave it It is called in Latine Polygonum minus by Matthiolus and Castor Durantes Herba Cancri minor by Cordus in his Scholiastes and Millegrana in his History of Plants Epipactis by Anguillara Herba Turca by Lobel and Casalpinus but the name which is best known and most used by the Writers of this present age is Herniaria being so called from its efficacy in curing the Rupture called Hernia It is also called in English Rupture-wort or Burstwort because it cureth those that are bursten The Kindes Though some joyn the sorts of Rupture-wort with those of Knot-grasse whereof they are kindes yet for their names and vertues sakes we have reserved them for this Chapter and there be four sorts of them 1. Common Rupture-wort 2. The greater Rupture-wort of Africa 3. Rupture-wort with longer Leaves 4. Indian Rupture-wort The Forme Common-Rupturewort groweth with very many threddy branches spread round upon the ground about a span long divided into many other smaller parts full of small joynts set very thick together whereat come forth two very small Leaves of a fresh green colour as the Branches also are whereat there do grow forth also a number of exceeding small yellowish flowers scarce to be discerned from the Stalks and Leaves which turn into Seeds as small as dust The Root is long and small thrusting down deep into the ground the tast hereof is scarce perceivable at the first yet after a while a little astringent taste without any manifest heat yet a little bitter and sharp withall may be perceived therein The Places and Time The first groweth in many places of our own Land as well as in others in dry barren grounds where it will be small and in the moister places also but not boggy or moorish that are not shadowed and is for its usefulnesse brought into Physick-Gardens of the greatest note the second groweth in Africa neer Tunis the third in the dry chaâ—k or stony grounds of Kent and other Countreys the fourth in America as
some of them being sometimes brownish the stalkes are branched into many long stemmes of spiked Flowers half a foot long growing in â—undles one above another out of small Huskes very like unto the spiked Heads of Lavender every of the flowers consisting of five round pointed Leaves of a Purple Violet colour tending to rednesse in which Huskes after the flowers are fallen the seed is contained the root creepeth under-ground almost like Couch-grasse but greater and shooteth up every Spring brownish heads which afterward growing up into Stalkes doe smell like Câ—â—led Apples whilest they are young The Places and Time The first groweth usually by Rivers and Ditches sides and in wet grounds in every Countrey of this Land almost the others grow in the like places but not so frequently but that which is most rare is the Yellow Willow herbe with double flowers which groweth by Kings Langley in Hartford shire Any of these being brought into Gardens doe prosper well enough as the Câ—amaenerion of Rosebay Willow herbe also doth though it grow not naturally in England June and July are the ordinary months wherein they flower yet some of them stay till August The Temperature All the sorts of Lysimachia are hot and dry and of an exceding binding quality The Vertues The distilled Water of Willow herb whether it be the yellow sort or that which I have described which is more common is exceeding soveraign for green Wounds whether they happen in the Body or Limbs if to every ounce of Water there be taken two drams of May Butter without Salt and of Sugar and Wax each as much also gently boyled together til it become to be an Oyntment and then let Tents be dipped in the Liquor that remaineth after it is cold and put into the Wounds and the place covered with a linnen Cloath doubled and anointed with the Ointment It likewise cleanseth and healeth all foule Vlcers and Sores whatsoever or wheresoever and stayeth their inflammations by washing them with the Water and laying on them a green Leafe or two in Summer or dry ones in the Winter The distilled Water aforesaid is a present Remedy for hurts and blowes on the Eyes and for blindnesse if the Christalline humor or Sight it so if be not perished or spoiled as hath been often proved and it is also of as good use to cleer the Eyes of Dust or any other thing gotten into them and preserveth the Sight The said Water gargled warm in the Mouth and sometimes drunk also doth cure the Quinsey and Kings-Evill in the Throat The same being warmed and the Skin washed therewith taketh away all Spots Markes and Scarres thereof and a little of it drank quencheth the thirst extraordinarily And not onely this but the Yellow sorts also are good for all manner of Bleeding at the Mouth or Nose or of Wounds and stayeth all manner of Fluxes of the Belly or the Bloudy Fluxe given either to drink or taken in a Clister it stayeth also the abundance of Womens Courses If the herb he bruised and the juice onely applyed to green Wounds it stayeth the bleeding and quickly closeth together the Lips of them The decoction or the distilled Water thereof is often used in Gargles for sore Mouths as also to â—ath the secret parts withall as often as there is any Sore or Vlcer there arising The smoak of the Stalkes being burned driveth away Serpents or any other venemous Creature as Pliny saith and the people in the Fenny Countreyes can testifie that it driveth away the Flyes and Gnats that would otherwise molest them in the night season CHAP. CCCXXXIX Of the Daisy The Names IT is called in Latine for it is a question whether the Greeks ever knew it Bellis à bello as some think quasi Bellis praesidium because it is usefull in War to heal the Souldiers Wounds for which reason some have called it Consolida also other have thought that it was called Bellis from the Adjective Bellus signifying pretty for it hath indeed a pretty Flower if it be marked some of the sorts especially The greater sort is called by Bruâ—selsius Bupthalmus and Oculus Bovis and by Tabermontanus Bellium majus by others Consolida media Vulnerariorum yet most commonly it is called Bellis major the lesser sort being called Bellis minor Consolida minor and Herba Morgarita In English the greater and lesser Daisy the greater is also called Maudlin and Maudlin-wort The Kindes There be divers sorts of Daisyes as well in our Gardens as growing beyond the Seas yet because the time will not permit me to enquire after them I shall give you onely those that grow naturally with us they being of greatest use for our intended purpose and they are three 1. The Great Daisyes which some call Or-Eyes and White Moons 2. The middle sort of Daisyes 3. The little Daisy The Forme The Great Daisy hath very many narrow and round-pointed Leaves next the ground cut in on both sides making them to seem almost like unto those of the Oak from amongst which do grow up somewhat high Stalks with divers Leaves thereon but smaller and lesser divided than the lower at the tops whereof grow large Flowers each upon severall long foot stalks consisting of many white and narrow Leaves as the Pale or Border and the yellow Thrummes in the middle of little or no scent whose Seed which is somewhat long is blown away with the Wind The Root is bush of white Strings which abide many Winters shooting forth new Leaves in the Spring if the cold weather hath killed the old The Places and Time The first which is Great Daisy Oxe Eye or White-Moone groweth almost every where by the hedge sides in the borders of fields and other wast ground and many times in meadowes that lye any thing high the second groweth in the like places but not so frequently the place of the third can hardly be mistook for it groweth upon every Common and other place almost The two first flower in May and June and then must be gathered for they last not long but the last beginneth to flower in the Spring and holdeth on most part of the Summer The Temperature Daisyes are held by most to be cold and dry which are the qualities which are required in Wound herbs yet Dâ—donam saith they be cold and moist which no body else doth allow of The Vertues The Leaves of the great Daisy or Mandlinwort made up into an Oyntment or Salve with Wax Oyl and Turpentine is most excellent for Wounds especially those wherin there is any inflammation and which are hardly brought to digestion or maturation as those weeping Wounds made in the Elboes Knees or other Joynts and it is often used in Decoction or Drinks as well as outwardly for the same or the like purposes as fractures in the Head and deep wounds in the Breast The said Decoction being drunk cureth all Vlcers and Pustles in the Mouth or Tongue or in the Secret parts
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
The decoction aforesaid provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and iâ— it be taken with Myrâ—he it expelleth the dead Child A decoction or Lye made with Lupines with Worm-Wood Centaury and Bay Salt added thereto stayeth the spreading and running of a Gangreen being applyed thereto very hot with Cloath or Tow. The simple decoction thereof cleanseth all Scabbes Morphew Cancers Tetters and creeping or running Ulcers and Sores and boiled in Lye it cleanseth the Head from Ulcers Scurfe c. It also cleanseth the face and taketh away the markes that the Pox do leave after their healing and all other markes and black and blew Spoâ—â— in the skin especially if the Meale of Lupines the Gall of a Goate some juyce of Lemmons and sugred Alloâ—â— be made into the form of a soft oyntment and the face anointed therewith going to bed as many women know very well The said Meale being boiled in Vinegar and applyed taketh away pimples and discusseth hard swellings breaketh Carbunkles and Impostumes the burning of the husks driveth away Gâ—ats Flyes c. To these which help the Spleen might be added many other as the Orebus or bitter Vitch Wall flowers Time Coltick Spicknard c. But these are reserved for other parts whereunto they are also serviceable Many also of those handled in the aforegoing part of this work are effectuall for the diseases of this part but because it stands not with our conveniency to treat of every thing that is good for every part when we come to every part that it is good for for then we must treate of the same thing over and over again Therefore the Reader is desired not to be over Strict in censuring these Appropriations because of the diversity of virtues wherewith every plant is endued and because every part may share of the benefit proceeding from some of them And now I shall proceed to the Reines and give you some that may be properly referred to them as also for the Bladder and Stone because most of these plants which are good for the one are good for the other and because the Strangury and Difficulty of making Water proceeds somtimes from the indisposition of these parts and sometimes the indisposition of these parts proceed from the Stone that is the Difficulty of making water some-times causeth the Stone and somtimes the Stone causeth Difficulty of making water I shall speak of all those together which rectifie the Reines and Bâ—â—dder provoke Urine help the Stone and Strangury without any Transition all I have finished what I shall hold necessary for all the purposes aforesaid CHAP. CCXIII. Of Asparagus The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asparagus and according to the Atticks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aspharagus yet by its Etymology which is either quia ex asperis virguetis ligitur as Varro or quód in asperá vitgulta nascitur as Pompeius the Grammarian would have it it seemeth to have its originall from the Latin which many other Plants have being afterwards made Greek by some of the Later writers in that Language Galen saith that the first budding of any herb that was used to be eaten after it sprung from the seed was called Asparagus as in Cabbage Lettice c. But that being most usually eaten at that time hath got the name peculiarly to it self It is called also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it provoketh lust and Corruda in Latin from Corruo becauâ—e it quickly decyayeth after it is ripe and Sperage Asparagus and Sparagus in English The Kinds There be five sorts of Asparagus 1. Garden Asparagus 2. Sea or wild Asparagus with thicker Leaves 3. Wild Asparagus with sharp Leaves 4. Prickly Rock Asparagus 5. Asparagus with cruel sharp thornes The Forme Garden Sparagus riseth up at the first with divers whitish green scaly heads very brittle or easie to breake while they are young which afterward rise up into very long and slender green Stalks some bigger and some lesser according to the growth of the Roots and the fertility of the ground wherein it is planted but commonly of the bignesse of an ordinary riding Wand at the bottome and as high as a man almost on which are set diveâ—s branches of green Leaves shorter and smaller then Fennel to the top at the Joynts whereof come forth small mossy yellowish flowers which turn into round berries gâ—een at the first and of an excellent red colour like unto beads of Corall when they are ripe wherein are contained black seeds of an exceeding hardnesse The roots are dispersed from a spongious head into many long thick and round strings whereby it sucketh much nourishment out of the ground and sendeth forth many heads therefrom The Places and Time The first groweth usually in Gardens but it is supposed to be the same with the second which groweth in many low Meadows of this Land both in Essex Lincoln and Gloucestershire and that the alteration is made onely by transplanting The third groweth in stony and rocky places neer Salamanca in Spaine The fourth in many stony and ragged places both in Spaine Portugal and Candy the last is very plentifull in the rough and uneven waies about Lisbone The bare tender shootes of Sperage Spring up most familiarly in Aprill then it is that they are most fit for Sallets They flower in June and July and bear their berries late in the year The Temperature The root of Garden Sparagus as also of the wild do cleanse without any manifest heat or drynesse The Signature and Vertues The buds branches or Roots of Asparagus especially of the wild being boiled in Wine do provoke Urine being stopped yea even in those which are troubled with an hardnesse or Difficulty to make water or the Strangury when it cometh by Drops and to expell gravell and the stone out of the Kidnyes which it doth by the Signature which the hardnesse of the seed holdeth forth and helpeth all other paines in the Reines and Back being taken inwardly or the Back and the Belly bathed therewith Being boiled in White Wine or Vinegar it is good for those that have their Arteries loosned or are troubled with the Hip-gout Yellow-Jaundise Falling-Sicknesse the Mother dimnesse of sight and the Tooth-ach if it be gargled in the mouth warme The same also healeth the paines of the breast Stomack and bowells and taken every morning fasting for certain days together it stirreth up bodily lust both in Man Woman The seed is held to be very effectuall also for the purposes aforesaid especially if a good quantity of the Rootes and it be boiled in good store of Water and put into a large vessell where a man may stand or sit up to the middle at least for so it hath beene found effectuall against the paines of the Reines and Bladder the Mother and Cholick and generally against all those grievous torments that happen to the lower parts of the body neither is it lesse effectuall to
where The flowers and Burres come forth in July and August and the seed is ripe in September The Butter-burre flowreth in February or March but the flowers with the Stalke will be withered and blown away within the space of a Month before the Leaves appear which is commonly in Aprill The Temperature The Leaves of the Burdock doe coole and dry very moderately but the root is something hot The Butter-burre is hot and dry in the second degree and of thin parts The Vertues The Leaves of the greater Burdock are said to be of great efficacy for bringing the Matrix into its right place whensoever it shall be out of it for if it be fallen down the Leaves laid upon the Crown of the head will draw it up and if it should rise higher then is meet as oftentimes it doth if it be laid to the Soles of the Feet it fetcheth it down and being applyed to the Navel it suffereth it to stir neither way so that it must needs be an excellent remedy for suffocations c. The said Leaves are good to be laid upon old Sores and Vlcers and being applyed on places troubled with the shrinking of the Sinewes or Arteries they give much ease as also to the Gout Being bruised with the White of an Egge and applyed to any place burnt with fire it taketh out the Fire gives sodaine Ease and heales it up afterwards and so it doth Kibed heels The Decoction of them fomented on any fretting sore or Cancer stayeth the corroding quality but then it must be afterwards annointed with an Oyntment made of the same Liquor Hogsgrease Nitre and Vinegar boiled together The Juice of them or rather the roots themselves given to drinke with old Wine doth wonderfully helpe the bitings of Serpents and the Root beaten with a little Salt and laid on the place suddainly easeth the paine thereof and helpeth those that are bitten by a mad Dog The Juice of the said Leaves taken with Honey provoketh Vrine and remedieth the pain of the Bladder and the seed is much commended to break the Stone and to cause it to be expelled by Vrine and is often used with other Seeds and things to that purpose as also for Stiches in the side and the Sciatica being drank many dayes together The roots may be preserved with Sugar and taken fasting or at other times for the said purposes and for Consumptions the Stone and the Lask A dram of the Roots taken with Pine Kernells helpeth them that spit foul mattery and bloudy flegme by reason of an Vlcer of the Lungs or the like The root clean picked and washed stamped and streined with Malmsey helpeth the running of the Reines in Men and the Whites in Women and strengthneth the back if there be added thereto the yolkes of Eggs the powder of Acornes and Nutmegs brewed and mixed together and drunk first and last The young Stalks being peeled and eaten raw with Salt and Pepper or boiled in the broth of fat Meat is not only pleasant to be eaten but increaseth seed and stirreth up bodily Lust The roots of the Butterburre taken with Zedoary and Angelica or without them are of great force against the Suffocation of the Mother provoke Womens Courses expell Vrine and kill the flat and broad Wormes in the Belly The said Roots are by long experience found to be very available against the Plague and Pestilentiall Feavers by provoking Sweat and if the powder thereof be taken in Wine it also resisteth the force of any other poyson The Decoction of the Root in Wine being taken is singular good for those that wheese much and are short-winded The powder of the Root doth effectually heal all naughty Vlcers or fretting Sores and running or moist wounds the powder being cast into or on them An Oyle made of the said Root is good against all shaking and cold Feavers being applyed before the Fit it scoureth away all the filthinesse of the Skin and is good for the extreame coldnesse of the joynts and Sinewes It is said to cure the Farcion in Horses being given inwardly or applyed outwardly CHAP. CCCIX Of Arach or Orach The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because is cometh up and groweth great very speedily it is called also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysolachanum from the yellow flowers which it beareth for which reason it is called Aureum Olus in Latine but the Latine name by which it is best known is Atriplex yet that which we principally aime at in this place is that stinking sort which Cordus calls Garosmus because it smelleth like the stinking Fish called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some call it Vulvaria for a like reason but most Atriplex olida or foetida in English Stinking Arach and Notchweed Dogs Arach Geats Arach and Stinking Motherwort The Kindes There be severall sorts of Arach of which we shall reckon up about a dozen 1. The white Garden Arach 2. The Purple Garden Arach 3. The red berried Arach 4. Wilde Arach with small Berries 5. Wilde Arach with flat Rose-like Berries 6. Stinking Arach 7. Creeping Sea Arach 8. Narrow leafed Sea Arach 9. The greater common wilde Arach 10. Narrow-leafed wilde Arach 11. Goose-foot or Sowbane 12. Wilde Arach with so much Seed that it is called All-seed The Forme The white Garden Arach hath divers Leaves standing upon their severall Foot-stalkes broad at the bottome ending in two points like an Arrow with two feathers at the head and small pointed at the end of the Leafe of a whitish yellow green colour and as it were strewed over with Flowre or Meale especially while they are young the Stalke likewise is Mealy or rather Sandy bearing many branches with small yellow flowers on them which turne into small leafy Seeds the rest groweth somewhat deep into the ground with many small Fibres fastened thereto yet it fadeth away as soon as it hath born seed The Places and Time The two first are known to grow in no other place but in Gardens the third came out of Spain as it hath been supposed the fourth from a hill of Narbone in France the fifth groweth under the Walls of Mompelier the seventh and eighth upon the Sea coasts of our own Land almost every where the seaventh was found about Rochel the sixth groweth usually upon the Dunghills yet it is taken into some Gardens of note the rest are found by Walls Hedges and Ditches in divers places of this Land They flower and seed from June till the end of August The Temperature Garden Arach 〈…〉 old in the first degree and moist in the second participating of â— watry quality aâ—â—ost wholly with little earthy parts therein and lesse astr 〈…〉 The Vertues The Garden but especially the stinking sort of Arach is recorded to be of great operation in the distempers of the Mother the Juice of the first being 〈…〉 rted into the prâ—â—y parts of Women