sometimes to the end of August or later and the seed ripeneth in the mean time The Temperature Tobacco is hot and dry in the second degree and is withall of power to discusse or resolve and to cleanse away filthy humours having also a certain small â—striction and a sâ—upifying or benumming quality and is endued with a certain power to resist poyson The Vertues Though our Tobacco which grows in England be not so strong or sweet as that which cometh from the Indies yet it is found by good experience almost to be as available to expectorate tough phlegm out of the Stomach Chest and Lungs the Juyce thereof being made into a Syrup or the distilled Water of the herb drunk with Sugar or else the smoak taken through a pipe as is usuall but fasting oâ— the whole substance rolled into Pills and swallowed so that whether of the two can be more easily procured may be used The same also helpeth to expell worms in the Stomack and Belly being inwardly or a leaf applyed to the Belly and to ease the pains in the head or Megrim and the griping pains in the bowels It is profitable also for those that are troubled with the stone in the Kidneys both to ease pains and by provoking Urine to expel gravel and the stone ingendred therein and hath been found very effectual to expell windinesse and other humours which cause the strangling of the Muther The seed hereof is much more effectual to ease the pain of the Tooth-ach then any Henbane seed and the ashes of the burnt herb cleanseth the gums and the teeth and maketh them white The herb bruised and applyed to the Kings Evil helpeth it in nine or ten daies effectually It is said also to be effectual to cure the Dropsie by taking four and five ounces of the Juyce fasting which will strongly purge the body both upwards and downwards The distilled water is often given with some Sugar before the fit of an Ague to lessen them and take them away in three or four times using if the distilled Fâ—ces of the herb having being bruised before the distillation and not distilled dry but set in warm dung fourteen dayes and afterwards hung up in a bag in a wine Cellar that liquor that distilleth therefrom is singular good to use for Cramps Aches the Gout and Sciatica and to heal Itches Scabs and running Ulcers Cankers and foul sores whatsoever The Juice is also good for all the said griefs and likewise to kill Lice in Childrens heads The green herb bruised and applyed to any green wound is known to divers to cure any fresh wound or cut wheresoever and the Juyce put into old Sores both cleanseth and healeth them but especially a Salve of it made thus Take of the green Herb three or four handfuls bruise it and put it into a quart of good Oyl of Olives boyl them on a gentle fire untill the Herb grow dry and the Oyl will bubble no longer then strain it forth hard and set it on the fire again adding thereto Wax Roâ—en and Sheeps Tallow or Deares Sewet which you will of each a quarter of a pound of Turpentine two Ounces which being melted put it up for your use This Salve will likewise help Impostumes hard tumours and other swellings by blows of falls CHAP. CVIII Of Sundew or Ros Solis The Names THere is no Greek Name found for this Plant It is called in Latine Ros Solis of divers Rorella and of Lobel Rorida and of some Salsirora and corruptly Rosa Solis as we in English likewise do now and then All which Names are put upon it from the Dew which is alwayes upon it but then especially when the Sun is at the hottest It is called in English Lustworth because Sheep and other Cattle if they do but only tast of it are provoked to Lust It is called also Youthwort and in the Northern parts of our Land they call it the Red Rot because as they think their Sheep feeding thereon run to rot Some call it also Mooregrasse The Kindes There be three Sorts of Sun-dew 1. The greater Sun-dew 2. The lesser sun-dew 3. Sun-dew with long Leaves The Forme It hath divers small round hollow Leaves somewhat greenish but full of certain red hairs which makes them seem red every one standing upon his own foot stalk which is likewise of a reddish colour and hairy The Leaves are continually moyst in the hottest day yea the hotter the Sun shines on them the moyster they are with a certain sliminesse that will rope as we say the small hairs alwayes holding this moysture Among those Leaves rise up small slender stalks reddish also three or four fingers high bearing divers small white knobs one above another which are the Flowers after which in the Heads are certain small Seeds the Root looketh as if it consisted of a few small hairs The Places and Time Thâ—se Plants do usually grow on Bogs and wet places and sometimes in moyst Woods One of the Sorts with round Leaves whether it be the greater or the lesser I cannot say groweth upon Shoâ—â—ver-Hill on that side towards Heddington Quarries near Oxford and likewise upon a Bog in Bagley VVood betwixt Oxford and Abbâ—ngdon In Lancashire in their Mosse Grounds where they dig their turfs there is great store of it also That with Leaves of a span long groweth plentifully in a Bog by Edenderry in Ireland It was sound by Mr. Heaton who gave some of it to Zanchy Sylliard Apothecary in Dublin which he sent to Mr. Parkinson It groweth also in England by Ellesmeere in Shropshire It floweth in May or June and continueth flourishing till August within which time it may be gathered the weather being dry and calm and as near the middle of the day as you can for then it is fullest of Dew wherein the vertue most consisteth The Temperature Some say that it is a searing or caustick Herb and very much biting being hot and dry in the fourth Degree others only that it is sharp and quick yet a little acide drying and binding The Vertues and Signature There is some difference amongst Authours concerning this Herb. Dodonaeus holding it to be an extream biting Herb saith that the distilled water thereoâ—â—annot be taken with safety though the later Physicians have thought it to be â—â— are and singular remedy against the Consumption of the Lungs and especially the distilled water which Parkinson recordeth without any Cavill The same water is held to be good for those also that have salt Rheums distilling on the Lungs which is the cause of a Consumption so that it is not only Therapeuticall or restorative but Prophylacticall or preventionall in this case The said water is available also for all other Diseases of the Lungs as Ptisicks Wheesings shortness of Breath or the Cough as also to heal Ulcers that happen in the Lungs and it comforteth the Heart and fainting Spirits The Leaves outwardly applyed to the Skin will raise Blisters
that proceed from such causes if either the Conserve of the depurate juyce or the Syrup thereof be taken with the Syrup of Violetts The said juyce also or the berries themselves either conserved or preserved is often used for those that loath their meat to procure an Appetite and represse the force of Choler rising from the Liver thereinto and that which passeth into the bowels procuring sharp laskes as the bloody flux c. It helpeth likewise to stay Womens Immoderate courses and if it be taken with a little Sowthernwood-water and Sugar it killeth the Wormes in the body It is good also for those that Spit blood to fasten loose teeth strengthen the gums and coole the inflammations of the palate and throat if the Conserve be dissolved in water mingled with a little Vinegar and a gargle made there of and stayeth Rheums and distillations upon those parts It helpeth likewise to dry up moist Vlcers and to soder up greene The said depurate juice called Wine of Barberies serveth to dissolve many thing Chimically The inner yellow bark of the branches or root hath the Signature of the yellow Jaundise and therefore is with good successe given unto them that have it being boyled and drunke The same laid in steep in white Wine for the space of three houres purgeth wonderfully as 't is said CHAP. CLXVI Of the Curran-Tree The Names IT is more then probable that this Plant was not known to the ancient Greek writers seeing there is no Greek name for it that we can learne It is called Ribes and Ribesius frutex from some Analogy it hath both in respect of the berries and also in the properties with the Ribes of Serapio and not that it is the same Gesner calleth it Ceanothus levis but it is accounted by divers to be a kind of Grossularia who therefore call it Grossularia Rubra Grossularia ultramarina Bauhinus calleth the white sort Grossularia hortensis margaritis similis The black sort is generally called Ribes fructu nigro in English Black Currans as other are Red and White but the White are called Gozell in some parts of Kent The Kinds Of these kind of Currans which are none of those which are sold at the Grocers there be foure sorts of Trees 1. The ordinary red Curran-Tree 2. The great red Curran-Tree 3. The white Curran-Tree 4. The black Curran-Tree The Forme The stemme or stock of the Curran-Tree hath a very thin outer bark which in the red black Curran-Tree is brownish but in the white it is whitish all of them being green underneath and are about the bignesse of a good great staffe wholly without thornes on any branch whereon grow large cornered blackish greene Leaves cut in on the edges into five parts somewhat like a Vine-leafe but a great deale lesse The Flowers come forth at the joynts of the Leaves many together on a long stalke hanging down about a fingers length of an herby colour after which follow round berries all greene at the first but afterwards as they grow ripe they tend to their severall colours and are then cleare and transparent the red are of a little pleasant and tart tast withall the White more Winy and acceptable but both the Leaves and Fruit of the black have a kind of strong evill sent but yet are wholesome although not so pleasant as any of the former and are eaten by many the root is wooddy and spreadeth diversly The Places and Time All these sorts have been found growing naturally wild some in Savoy and Switzerland as Gesner saith and some in Austria as Clusius whence they have been trasplanted into our English Gardens where they beare well They flower in the beginning of April and their fruit is ripe in June and July continuing on the bushes long after they are ripe before they fall or are withered The Temperature All these sorts of Currans are cold and moist and that in the first or second degree and somwhat astringent The Vertues The red and white Currans when they be ripe are very profitable to allay the heat and fainting of the Stomack and to quench thirst and to provoke an appetite and therefore are safely permitted in hot and sharpe Agues for the juice of them tempereth the heat of the Liver and blood and the sharpnesse of Choler and resisteth putrefaction It taketh away likewise the loathing of meat and the weaknesse of the Stomack by much Vomiting for it closeth the mouth thereof and represseth the distemper whereof it is caused It is said also to stop the laske that proceedeth of Choller and the bloody flâ—xe and that it is usefull for the Cough especially the dryed juyce or Rob thereof which is made after this manner Take of the juice of Currans clarified twelve pound boile it halfe away and adde to the remainder old White-Wine five pound consume the third part over a gentle fire taking away the scum as you ought let the rest settle and streine it and with three pound of Sugar boile according to Art till it be somthing thicker then new Honey And being thus made you may take a little on the point of a knife as often as you have occasion to use it for any of the purposes aforesaid The black Currans be used in sauces and so are the Leaves also by many who like the tast and sent of them though others do not I might proceed further in declaring at large how that the fruit of the Raspeberry bush the Service-Tree the Cornell-Tree the Filberd Hazel and Chest-nut-Tree is used for food rather then Physick but because few of them or any other that I have omitted have any eminent Quality profitable to the Stomack I shall only name them here and if occasion serve treat of them in the following part as I have done of some other in the foregoing Onely I shall not think it amisse to specify that most sorts of Graine as Wheat Rye Barly Beanes Pease Oates Rice Lentills c. are usefull for food and so are divers Rootes as Turneps Carrets Parsneps Potatoes Skirrets Onyons Leeks Garlick Radishes c to which may be added Melons Pepons Cucumbers Artichokes c as also divers herbs as Cabbage Coleflowers Beets Lettice Spinage Asparagus Chervaile Alexanders Buglosse Borage Tarragon Bawme Mint Sage Sorrell c some whereof are profitable to the Stomack whereas others by reason of their windinesse are obnoxions thereunto unlesse they be eaten with discretion after they be corrected by the fire and have some Pepper strewed upon them to expell the Wind It will be needlesse to mention them againe to tell you which of them stand most in need of correction for that every good Huswife can tell but if any one desires further to be resolved he shall find most of them handled dispersedly in this book I shall now descend to the Liver for thither is the Chyle conveyed through the Meseraick veines for sangufication and comes next to be rectifiod CHAP. CLXXVII Of Rubarb The
or Corn-rose 4. Wilde Poppy with a white flowre 5. Murry coloured Poppy like the commonest single of the Garden 6. Party coloured Poppy Some spatling as 1. Beheâ— Album or white Battle 2. Elegant spatling Poppy with guilded leaves Others bastard called in Latine Argement As 1. Round headed bastard wilde Poppy 2. Long headed bastard wilde Poppy 3. Yellow wilde bastard Poppy of Waleâ— To trouble you with the Descriptions of every one of these would be tedious I shall therefore describe only the spatling Poppy the others being better known The Forme Spatling Poppy which doth very little resemble any other Poppy but only the Seed and Cod or Bowle wherein the seed is contained hath divers weak tender stalks full of joynts about a foot or half a yard long usually lying on the ground whereon grow many pale whitish green leaves two alwayes let together at the joynts one against another having many times upon the leaves but more often about the joynts of the stalks a certain white frothy substance like unto that is called Cuckow-spittle or Wood-seer at the tops of the stalks upon many slender foot-stalks stand divers white flowers composed of five small leaves a peece with a deep notch in the middle of every one of them standing in a thin loose stripped husk wherein the black seed is afterward contained the root is white and spreadeth in the ground continuing sundry years The Place and Time Many of the Garden-Poppies are to be found in Country Gardens but the yellow horned Poppie groweth upon the sands and banks of the Sea neer unto Rie in Kent in the Isles of Sheppy and Thanet and in many other places along the English Coast with the other wilde Poppies every Corn-field is garnished as also with spatling Poppy which sometimes groweth in Pastures and high-way-sides the Elegant spatling Poppy with guilded Leaves groweth in Womersly field in Yorkshire Argemone groweth in Soâ—â—rsetshire and near South-fleet in Kent The white Corn-Rose groweth amongst the Wheat between Pontfract and Ferry-Bridge They begin flowring in May and continue till the end of July the seed of them is ripe presently after The Roots of all except the spatling Poppy perish every year and spring again either of their own or others sowing The Signature and Vertues The Heads of the Poppies with their Crowns do somewhat represent the Head and Brain and therefore the decoctions of them are used with good successe in several diseases of the Head The Garden Poppy Heads with the seeds made into a Syrup procureth rest and sleep in the sick and weak and stayeth Catarrhs and deâ—luxions of hot thin Rheumes from the head into the stomack and upon the Lungs causing a continual Cough which is the fore-runner of a Consumption The green Knops of Poppy stamped with Barley Meal and a little Barrows-grease and applyed in the form of a Pultis helpeth St. Authoâ—ies fire called Ignis Sacer. The Leaves Knops and Seeds stamped with Vinegar Womans milk and Saffron cureth Erysipelas another kinde of St. Anthonies fire and easeth the Gouâ— mightily and put into the Fundament as a Clyster causeth sleep The seed of black Poppy drunk in Wine stoppeth the Flux of the beâ—ly and the over-much flowing of Womens sicknesse Mr. Culpepper saith that it is the juyce of white Poppy growing in England which they sell for Opium in the Shops though they pretend to have it out of the Eastern Countries where they gather it only from the heads of the great white Poppy but certainly his Pen run before his Wit when he said it grew beyond the Moon for there is no question but that it is so gathered in those parts and should be that which is used in Narcotick Medicines though perhaps for want of it our Meconium which is the juyce of Poppy thickned and is much weaker is sometimes used It is an ingredient of much respect in those great Compositions of Treacle and Mithridate and in other Medicines that are made to procure rest and sleep and to ease the pains of the head as well as other parts or rather to palliate them and make them insensible for the time present It is used also both to cool Inflammations Agues oâ— Phrensies and generally for the same occasions as the seed or any part of the Plant is but if it be taken in too great a quantity it causeth the Lethargy and sometimes killeth and therefore it is to be used with caution inwardly divers have found that applyed to the Gout it hath given much ease and put into hollow teeth ceaseth their pain The Syrup of Meconium or Diacodium which is made of the heads of white and black Poppies a little after the heads are fallen off may safey be given to those which are troubled with hot and sharp Rheums but not to young Children which are froward for if Nurses would keep their own bodies temperate their Children would sleep well enough without it The Syrup made of the Flowers of the red wilde Poppy is with good effect given to those which have a Plurisie the dryed Flowers also either boyled in water or made into Powder and drunk either in the distilled water of tâ—em or in some other drink worketh the like effect the same also is available in all other Cephalicall or Pectorall griefs The distilled water of the said Flowers is held to be of much good use against surfeits to drink it evening and morning it is also more cooling in quality then any other Poppy and therefore cannot but be as effectual in hot Agues Phrensies and other Inflammations either inward or outward but the seed is dangerous to be used inwardly The Syrup aforesaid is thus made Take of the fresh Flowers or red Poppies two pound steep them in four pound of warm Spring-water the next day strain it and boil it into a Syrup with its equall waight of Sugar It cools the blood helps Surfeits and may be safely given in Phrensies Feavers and hot Agues The Seed of Spatling Poppy purgeth Flegme said Galâ—n and causeth vomitings saith Dioscorides being taken in Mead or honyed water and is especially good for those that are troubled with the Falling-Sicknesse It was the head of this Poppy about the time it was in flower which the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it doth foreshew as they conceived the success of their love For these Flowers the tops being closed together with ones fingers seem like little Bladders which being broken against ones other hand make a noyse like unto the Bladders of little Fishes being broken If they gave a good report they concluded they should be succesful if not they presently let fall their suit so superstitious were those people as some in our dayes be The leaves of Argemâ—né or Bastard wilde Poppy stamped and the juyce dropped into the eyes easeth the Inflammation thereof and cureth the Disease in the Eye called Argema whereof it took his name by signature which Disease when it happeneth on the
Rose 11. The double Cinamon Roâ—e 12. The â—g antine or sweet Bryer 13. The Bryer Roâ—e or Hep-Tree 14. The Burner Rose All which I shall as near as I can wrap up into one generall Description by which the whole Family may be distinguished The Forme The Rose hath long stalks of a wooddy substance set or armed for the most part with divers sharp prickles the branches whereof are likewise full of prickles whereon do commonly grow leaves consisting of five parts set upon a middle Rib by couples tâ—e odd one standing at the point of the same every one of them somewhat snipt about the edges â—omewhat rough and of an over-worn green colour from the bosom whereof shoot out pretty big foot-stalks whereon do grow very fair flowers some single some double â—ome white some red some damask some yellow c. for the most part of a very sweet smell having in the middle a few yellow threds or chives which being past there succeedeth a long fruit green at the first red when it is ripe and stuffed with a downy choaking matter wherein is contained Seed as hard as stones The Root is long tough and of a wooddy substance The Places and Time All these sorts of Roses or most of them and perhaps some besides are in the Physick Garden at Oxford and in several Gardens about London The double white Rose doth grow wiâ—d in many hedges of Lancashire in great abundance They flower one or other of them from the end of May till the end of August If the superfluous branches and tops be cut away at the end of their flowring they will sometimes if the Winter be calm flower again in October and after The Temperature Both the white and red Roses are cooling and drying yet the white is taken to exceed the red in both those properties but is â—eldom used inwardly in any Medicine The Red as Galen saith hath a watery substance in it and a warm joyned with two other qualities that is an astringent and a bitter The yellow Chives or threds in the middle as also the nails which when any Syrup or Conserve is to be made are to be cut away do binde more then the Rose it self and are more drying also Mesue sheweth that the Rose is cold in the first Degree and dry in the second compounded of divers parts or substances which yet may be separated namely a watery mean substance and an earthly drying an airy substance likewise sweet and aromatical and an hot also whereof cometh the bitterness the redness perfection and form The bitterness in the Roses when they are fresh especially the juyce purgeth Choler and watry humours but being dryed aâ—d that heat that caused the bitterness being consumed they have a stopping and astringent power Those also that are not full blown do both cool and bind more then those that are full blown and the white Roses more then the red The Vertues The Decoction of Red Roses made with Wine and used is very good for the Head-ach and pains in the Eyes Ears Throat and Gums the fundament also the lower Bowels and the Matrix being bathed or put unto them The same Decoction with the Roses remaining in them is profitably applyed to the Region of the heart to ease the Inflammation therein as also St. Anthonies fire and other Diseases of the stomack Being dryed and beaten to Powder and taken in steeled Wine or water it doth help to stay Womens Courses they serve also for the Eyes being mixed with such other Medicines that serve for that purpose and are sometimes put into those Compositions that are called Anthera The yellow Threds in the middest of the Red Roses especially being powdered and drunk in the distilled water of Quinces stayeth the abundance of Womens Courses and doth wonderfully stay and help Defluxions of Rheum upon the Gums and Teeth and preserveth them from corruption and fasteneth them being loose if they be washed and gargled therewith and some Vineger of Squills added thereunto The heads with Seed being used in Powder or in a Decoction stayeth the Lask and the spitting of blood Red Rose-water being cooling and cordial refreshing and quickning the weak and faint spirits is used either in meats or broths as also to wash the Temples to smell to at the Note or to smell the sweet vapour thereof out of a perfuming Pot or cast on a hot Fireshovel It is also of much good use against the redness and Inflammation of the Eyes to bath them therewith and the Temples of the Head against pain and ach for which purpose Vineger of Roses also is of very good use and to procure rest and sleep if some of it and Rose-water together be smelled unto or if a peece of Red-Rose Cake moistened therewith be cut fit for the Head and heated between a double folded Cloth with a little beaten Nutmeg and Poppy-Seed strewed on the side that must lie next to the Forehead and Temples and bound so thereto for all night The Syrup of Damask-Roses is both simple and compound and made with Agarick The simple solutive Syrup is a familiar safe gentle and easie Medicine purging Choler taken from one ounce to three or four The Syrup with Agarick is more strong and effectual for one ounce thereof will open the Body more then three of the other and worketh as much on Flegm as Choler The Compound Syrup with Hellebore is more forcible in working upon melancholick humours and available against the Itch Tetters c. and the French Disease Also Honey of Roses solutive is made of the same infusion that the Syrup is and worketh the same effect both in opening and purging but is oftner given to Phlegmatick then cholerick persons and is more used in Clysters then in Potions as the Syrup made with Sugar is The Conserve and preserved leaves of these Roses are also operative in gently opening the Belly The simple water of the Damask Roses is much used for fumes to sweeten things as also to put into Pyes and Broths c. as the dryed Leaves thereof to make sweet Powders and fill sweet Bags but are seldom used in Physick although they have some purging quality The wild Roses are few or none of them used in Physick yet are generally held to come near the nature of the manured Roses The fruit of the wild Bryar which are called Heps being throughly ripe and made into a Conserve with Sugar besides the pleasantness of the taste doth gently bind the belly and stay the defluxions from the head upon the stomach drying up the moysture thereof and helping digestion The Pulp of the Heps dryed into a hard consistence like to the juyce of Liquorice or so dryed that it may be made into Powder and taken in drink stayeth speedily whites in Women The Bryar-Ball is often used being made into Powder and drunk to break the stone to provoke Urine when it is stopped and to ease and help the Cholick CHAP. XX. Of
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
fore-head and Temples The same layd-to with Vineger is good against the going out of the Navel and burstings of young Children The water wherein the Seeds have been steeped is good against St. Anthonies fire or Wild-fire The juyce with Honey put into the Ears killeth Worms and stayeth the running thereof It helpeth hot swellings or eruptions of the skin as Blains Wheals and such like as also pains of the Joynts and places out of joynt and the Hip-Gout The same is applyed to Womens Nipples and sore Breasts and that with good successe laying it often thereon Being mixed with Hogs-grease and applyed to foul corrupt and filthy Ulcers and Sores cleanseth and healeth them by cooling the heat and repressing the sharpnesse of the humours flowing unto them The Muscitage of the Seed made in Plancane-water whereunto the Yelk of an Egg or two and a little of the Oyntment called Populeon is put is a most safe and sure Remedy to ease the sharpnesse prickings and pains of the Hemorrhoides or Piles if it be layd on a Cloth and bound thereunto It stayeth the bleeding of the Nose applyed with the juyce of Shepheards-purse and Bole-Armoniack The Herb boyled or the Seeds with the Root and the Fundament bathed therewith or to sit over the hot Liquor easeth the Fenasmus a Disease when one is often provoked to stool without voyding any excrement It taketh away the burning and acrimony of Lime Euphorbium and Cantharides It taketh away the roughnesse of the hair being bathed with the Muscilage thereof Fleawort-Seed keepeth Camphor very well and that by its coldnesse and moysture There is no danger in it if it be wisely and conveniently applyed yet 't is not amisse to give with Cinamon or Mace However in cold and moyst Bodies which have but narrow Entrals it is not safe CHAP. LXI Of Throat-wort The Names PAssing from the Plants appropriated to the Mouth we come to those that do more immediately relate to the Throat amongst which Throatwort by its Name should be none of the meanest The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Trachelium from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the Neck or Throat It is called also in Latine Cervicaria for that it helpeth the Sores of the Neck and Throat either inward or outward It is also called Uvularia because it helpeth the Uvula or Palate of the Mouth which hath the diminitive from Uva for the likenesse unto a Grape when it is swollen and fallen down Others call them Campanula of the likenesse of Flowers unto Bells and therefore called Bell-Flowers Some also call them Rapi sylvestris genus but improperly and Rapunculus or Rapuntium Rampions because they are like unto Rampions and many of them edible as they are We in English call it Throat-wort Canterbury-Bells and sometimes Haskewort The Kindes There are fifteen Sorts of Throat-wort reckoned up by Parkinson 1. Great Throat-wort 2. The great Globe-Rock Throat-wort 3. The lesser Globe-like Rock Throat-wort 4. The greater Mountain Throat-wort 5. Narrow leafed Throat-wort 6. The Rock spiked Throat-wort 7. Thin leafed Throat-wort with spiked Heads 8. Vmbelliferous blew Throat-wort 9. Small Mountain Throat-wort 10. Wild Buglosse leafed Throat-wort 11. The late flowring Throat-wort 12. Gyant Throat-wort or Bell-flowers 13. Bell-flowers with small dented Leaves 14. The Syrian Coventry Bells 15. Round-leafed Throat-wort The Forme Great Throat-wort hath large hairy Leaves of an over-worn green colour somewhat rough and slightly indented about the edges The stalk is also hairy about half a yard high or somewhat better whereon those Leaves are set from the bottom to the top almost after the fashion of Nettles Towards the top upon a short foot-stalk come forth hollow Flowers of a Bell-fashion not unlike to the Coventry-Bells of a purplish blew colour and somewhat hairy within The Root is white thick and long lasting The Places and Time The first groweth in Stow-wood by Oxford on that side next unto Barton in the Ditch on the right hand as you go in and divers other places about that Wood. The Globe-like Throat-worts and those with spiked Heads grow naturally in divers places beyond the Seas as some in Candy some upon Mount Baldus the Alps as also in Germany Italy and Naples A lesser sort of wild Buglosse leaved Throat-wort was found by Bauchinus on the Hills amongst the Switzers The Syrian Coventry Bells were found by Ranwolfius at the foot of Mount Libanus in Syria in the shadowy Woods Gyant Throat-wort groweth in severall places in York-shire And there is a little Throat-wort which groweth near unto the Lanes end that leadeth from Dedington to Oxford about the place where the way turneth from Dedington to Dunstew Many of these sorts and peradventure some others grow in the Physick-Garden at Oxford and Mr. Morgans Garden at Westminster They all flowre in the Moneths of June and July but yet some of them flowre not till all the rest are past and scarce perfect their Seed but are increased by their Root The Temperature These Plants are cold and dry as are most of the Bell-flowers The Vertues The Roots of some of these be sweet in tast and therefore eaten in Sallets either raw or strewed as both the greater and smaller ordinary sorts of Rampions are yet some of them are not so pleasant but more astringent by which quality they are found to be effectuall not only in all Ulcers of the mouth and Throat to gargle and wash them or for the Uvula or Palate of the mouth when it is swollen and fallen down but for all other Sores whether in the secret parts of Man or Woman to be used in a decoction with Honey Wine and Allome or in any other part of the Body for by the faculty of drying and binding they are very profitable for old Sores to restrain the moyst and sharp humours which fret the place and keep them from healing and for green Wounds and Cuts to close up the Lips of them speedily These are all the Vertues that I find as yet attributed to the Throat-worts which though not many yet are pertinent to our present purpose which is sufficient CHAP. LXII Of the Date-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Palma the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Palmulae Dactyli the sheath or skin which encloseth the Flowers is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elat◠and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spatha and some think one kind of Date is called Caryotae and Phaenicobalanis which were also called Regiae because they were fittest for the dyet of Kings Thebanes were the lean dry Dates that had little substance in them The wild or low Palm is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Theophrastus and Chamaeriphes in Latine by Lobel Lugdunensis and Palma humilis also by Matthiolus and Palmitee or Palmito by the vulgar in Italy Spain c. The Greeks also call that head that is used to be eaten 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines
it may from thence be gathered that it is not the dryed juyce of the Herb-Aloes but the odoriferous Wood of this Tree mentioned also in the four and twentieth of Numbers being the Parable of Balaam concerning the beauty of Jacob where he saith How goodly are thy tents O Jacob and thy Tabernacles O Israel As the Valleys are they spread forth as Gardens by the River side as the Trees of Lign-Aloes which the Lord hath planted c. The Kinds Serapio reckoneth up divers sorts of this wood and Ruellius speaketh of four yet Garcias saith that he knew but one sort of true Lignum Aloes that grew in India and that the other sorts which were so called were but Sweet-woods assimulating it or at most but a wild kind The Form I cannot be so exact in the description hereof as I would therefore I must intreat you to accept of what followes Garcias saith that the Tree is like unto an Olive-tree and sometimes greater now an Olive growing in some places is found to be as big as a great Wall-nut-Tree so that hence you may judge of the proportion of it but I cannot meet with any one that ever saw the Flower or fruit Garcias having only the Branches thereof brought unto him to see unless it were Serapio who saith that it beareth small Berries like unto Pepper but red yet Garcias maketh some doubt thereof The Wood is somewhat blackish on the out-side and more gray and somewhat discoloured with Veins within The best is that which is knobbed or in uneven peeces very brittle and breaking short of a bitter tast and small scent untill it be burned but then it yields a most fragrant odour or smell sweating forth an Oily moysture at its first putting into the fire and that with small bubbles which soon vanish away and being put into water it will swim though some affirm the contrary The Places and time The true Lign-Aloes groweth in Malacca and Summatra being both in the East-Indies in places that are very dangerous by reason of the Tigers that haunt those Coasts which is the Reason why the form hath been so little mentioned by the ancient Writers and the time not at all spoken of The Temperature It is hot and dry in the second or as some say in the third Degree astringent and a little bitter and of subtile parts The Vertues Those Powders and Electuaries wherein this Wood is a main Ingredient do strengthen all the inward parts but eâ—peâ—ially the heart which it doth wonâ—eâ—fully corroborate against fainting of the Spirits and cold Diâ—eases of the Heart and in the next place the Brain which it â—â—rengtheneth and dryeth and therefore is useful in the Apopâ—exieâ— Palâ—e Lethargy and loâ—eâ—o memory by stopping the defluxions of rheumatick humour that cause the same It he peth Dysenteries or Lasks and Pâ—euâ—isies and hinders sweâ—ting It doth strengthen a weak and languishing stomach taketh away putre action dryeth up humidity and expelleth Wind. By reason of its bitterness it killeth worms and is put into divers Cordialls and Antidotes It helps also the cold Diseases of the Womb. The extract thereof is good for the fore-mâ—ntioned Diseases It is used outwardly in Fumigations to dry up Rheum and in Quiâ—ts â—or the same purpose A Fumigation thereof some say provoketh the Flowers in Women It is very pâ—ofitabâ—e also to be used in the Diâ—eases of the Liver and Spleen opening the obstructions thereof and strengthening them if as much of the Powder of it as will lie on a Groat be taken fasting three mornings together either in Broth or Wine CHAP. CXXXVII Of Cinamon The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine likewise Cinnamomum and Cinamomum as also Canella and Cassia in English Cinamon Canel and Cassia Garcias saith that the name of Cinamomum was given by those oâ— Ormus that bought it of the Chineses as though it were Châ—na Amomum then which Scaliger in his notes on him saith Nothing could be more unfitâ—y or foolishly spoken for China is but the corrupt pronuntiation of the Portugalls for Sina and what affinity saith he hath Amomum with Cassia Cinamomum being so ancient a word that we find it in sundry â—laces of the Bibâ—e as Exod. 30. 23 Proverbs 7. 17. and Cantic 4. 14. Yet some are of Opinion that Scaliger is too quick and self-conceited and that Garcias his sayings may hold good The Kinds The great distance between Us and those places where the Cinamon groweth hath not suffered any of our rare observers of Simples to continue so long in those parts as to give Us perfect satisfaction concerning the Sorts of it so that there is a great Dispuâ—e whether Cinamon Canell and Cassia be distinct things â—r the same Gerard is of Opinion that Canel and Cinamon are the same and thâ—â— Cassia lignea is a Bastard kind thereof being very like in shew but in sweetness and other circumstances belonging to Cinamon fâ—r inferior The Forme The Tree which hath the Cinamon for his Bark hath a Body about the thiâ—knesse of a Mans Thigh but that which is taken from the smaller Branches is much better then that which is taken from the Body which Branches or Boughs are many and very straight whereon do grow beautiful leaves in shape like those of the Orange-Tree and of the colour of the Bay-leaf not as it hath been reported like unto the leaves of Flags or Flower 〈…〉 uce amongst these pleasant leaves and branches come forâ—h many fair white Flowers which turn into round or black fruit or Berries of the bigness of an Hazel-Nut or the Olive-Berry and of a black colour out of which is pressed an Oyl having no smell till it be chafed between the hands It is covered with a double Bark the innermost whereof is the true and pleasant Cinamon which is taken from the Tree and cast upon the ground in the heat of the Sun which maketh it turn and fold it self round together as may be perceived upon view thereof The Tree being thus peeled recovereth a new Bark in the space of three years and is then ready to be disbarqued as before That Cinamon which hath a pale colour hath not been well dryed in the Sun that of a fair brown colour is best and that which is blackish hath been too much dryed and also hath taken some wet in the time of drying The Places and Time The chiefest places where the Cinamon-tree groweth are Zoâ—lan and Malavar but those of Zeilan are the best they grow in other of the Moluccaes Islands as Java the greater and the lesse and also in Mindanoa for the most part upon Mountains It groweth green Winter and Summer as do all other Trees of the Moluccaes and East-Indies for the most part The Bark is taken off at seasonable times and not without express Licence from the King of the Country The Temperature Cinamon is hot and dry in the third Degree or hot in the third Degree and
wherein it hath been boiled being Gargled in the Mouth stoppeth Rheâ—â—e CHAP. CLXXXI Of Succory The Names UNder the title of Succory three sorts of Plants are comprehended viz Cichory Endive and Dandelyon differing not so much in operation as in forme all which are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek by one general name yet for distinction sake common Succory is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because as it seemes it grew wild there and that which hath broad Leaves Pliny nameth Hedypnois and the bitterer Dioscorides calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies bitternesse in Latine Cichoreum Cicorea Intyâ—us and Intybum all which words are used promiscuously both for Succory and Endive but commonly they are distinguished Dandelion is called Dens Leonis in Latine from the likenesse the jagged Leaves have with a Lyons tooth as also Taraxacon The Kinds The subdivision of these three sorts put together will make tenne 1 Garden Succory 2. Broad Garden Succory 3. Yellow Succory 4. Wild Succory 5. Common Garden Endive 6. Curled Endive 7. Medow Endive 8. Wild Endive 9. Dandelion 10. Succory Dandelion The Forme Common-Garden Succory hath broad Leaves somwhat hairy not much unlike to Endive but narrower and many times deeply cut in on the edges amongst which do rise up stalkes upon which are placed the like Leaves but smaller The staâ—ke divideth it selfe towards the top into many branches whereon do grow little bâ—eâ—v Flowers consisâ—ing of many small Leaves after which followeth white seed The Root is tougâ— long and white of colour continuing many yeares from which as from every part of the Plant doth issue forth white bitter and milky juiâ—e the whole Plant is of a bitter tast likewise The Places and Time The two first are commonly sowen in Gardens yet it is said likewise that they grow by high way-sides and in untilled and barren ground but I suppose that is meant only of the wild sorts though Gerard affirme it of those of the Garden The two first of Endive which are the fifth and sixth in the Catalogue of the Kinds are also Inhabitants of the Garden and no other place that I can find If it be sown in the Spring it quickly cometh up to Flower seedeth in harvest and afterwards dyeth but if it be sown in July it remaineth till Winter and then if it be taken up by the rootes and suffered to lye two houres till it be so tough that it may be wrapped very close together and afterwards buryed in the Earth with the rootes upward it is called Whited Endive and may be taken up at convenient times and used in Sallets all Winter The sorts of Wild-Endive being the seaventh and eighth grow wild in sundry places in England upon untilled barren grounds especially in chalky and stony places flowring in August The ninth and tenth are found almost in every place and Flower almost at all times but especially in March if the cold weather hinder them not The Temperature Endive and Succory are cold and dry in the second degree but the VVild-sorts of them as also of Dandelion are somwhat dryer than those of the Gardens and cleanse and open more by reason of the bitternesse which is joyned with them and in some cases are more effectuall The Vertues The Leaves of the Garden kinds are used both for Meat and Medicine for they may be boyled and eaten with Butter and Vinegar either by themselves or with other Herbs as Lettice Spinage c. or chopped into brothes as other Pot-herbs are The Whited Endive is the most rare and that may be eaten either raw in Sallets or boyled in broth as aforesaid Both Endive and Succory any waies used as long as they be greene do coole the heate of the Liver and by a speciall property do strengthen it and open the obstructions thereof for which vertues they do deserve to be much esteemed For it is a great preservation of health to have the Liver temperate and unstopped seeing it is the place whither the nutriment is sent from the Stomack to be wrought and disposed of for the good of the whole body so that if this part do not rightly performe its offiice which is cheifely to convert the purer part into blood and to send away the rest by those conveyances which are destinated for the purpose all things will not go well It is effectuall also to helpe the stopping of the Gall yellow Jaundise lack of sleepe stopping of Urine hot burning Feavours and great heat of the Stomack A handfull of the Leaves or Roots boyled in Wine or Water and a draught thereof drunk faâ—â—ing dâ—iveth forth Chollerick and Phlegmatick humours helpeth the Dropsy and those that have an evâ—ll disposition in their bodies by reason of long sickneâ—â—e evill dyet c. whereby the nutriment of the body is converted into some predominant humour to the great prejudice of the rest A decoction either of Succory Endive or Dandelion or of all three made with Wine and drunk is very effectuall against long lingering Agues and a dram of the seed in Powder drunk in Wine before the Fit of an Ague helpeth to drive it away and is also available for the Faintings Swooning and Passions of the heart outwardly applyed they serve to allay the sharp humours which are the cause of fretting Ulcers hot Tumors and Swellings and Pestile 〈…〉 Sores and wonderfully help not only the rednesse and inflammations of the Eyes but the dimnesse of the sight also They are also used to allay the paines of the Gout The distilled Water of these Herbes are effectuall for all the purposes aforesaid and being taken Morning and Evening helpeth the straightnesse and stopping of the Breast and is good for VVomen with Child to strengthen them and their senses and likewise for Children that are troubled with Head-ach proceeding or Heat The said water or the juice or the Leaves bruised is very effectuall for Nurses Breasts that are pained with abundance of Milk allayeth Swellings Inflammations St. Anthonies fire Pushes VVheales and Pimples especially used with a little Vinegar as also to wash Pestiferous sores CHAP. CLXXXII Of Alecoast and Maudlin The Names IT will not be improper to put these two herbes together because they have some affinity both in their flowers names and properties The first is called in Latine Costus hortorum for its Greek name I never met with to distinguish it from the Indian Costus which is a Root from whence the electuary Cariocostinum hath its denomination It is also called Balsamita major or Mas Mentha Graeâ—a Saracenica Officinarum Salvia Romana Herba lassulata Herba Sanctae Mariae In English Costmary and Alecoast Maudlin is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi non senescens because the flowers gathered in a fit time wax not old nor decay by age in Latine Costus hortorum minor Mentha Corimbifera and Eupatorium Mesue whence it may be gathered that it is good for the Liver though it be
Womens courses being applyed to the Matrix The distilled Water of the Herb and Roots being brought into a consistence by being mixed with other proper ingredients worketh the same effects and of it selfe it cleanseth the skin of Freckles Morphewes all other Spots and discolourings therein Blood-wort is as wholesome a Potherb as any that growes in a Garden though it be in these dayes used only by those few which know it to be so CHAP. CLXXXIIII Of Sorrell The Names IT is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying sharpe because it is sharp both in tast and forme and some Latine writers call it Oxalis after the ordinary Greek name for it hath others also as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it may be said Metaphorically to pierce the tongue like a Raisor with its sharpnesse of Galen it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Acidum lapathum or Acidus Rumex sowre Dock because it is so very like a Dock in severall respects other Latine-writers call it Acetosa and Acedula for its sharpnesse Rumex hortensis Sheepes Sorrell is called Lapatiolum and Acetosella by divers The Kinds The Sorts of sorrel besides Wood sorrell which I have entreated already are Sixteene 1. Ordinary Sorrell 2. Great Sorrell of Germany 3. Round leafed Sorrell 4. Tuberous rooted Sorrel 5. The greater bulbous Sorrell 6. Small Mountaine round leafed Sorrell 7. Creeping Sorrell with broad Leaves 8. Candy Sorrell 9. Sorrell of Naples 10. Marygold Leafed Sorrell 11. Indian Sorrell 12. Indian Sorrell with swollen huskes 13. Mountaine Welch Sorrell 14. Sheepes Sorrell 15. The smallest Sorrell 16. Tall narrow leafed Sorrell The Form Sorrell hath tender greene Leaves long and full of juice broad and forked as it were at end towards the foot-stalke as those of Spinach and Mercury are of a sharpe sowre tast the stalkes are slender bearing purplish long heads somwhat like those of the Dock described in the former Chapter whereof it is a kind wherein lye three-square shining brown seed like but lesser then the other the root is smaller then any of the Docks but the strings thereof go further into the earth then of any other herb somtimes to the depth of three Cubits as the Lord Bacon witnesseth in his naturall History it abideth a long time without decaying having greene Leaves all the Winter except in the very extremity thereof which often taketh away all or most of its Leaves The Places and Times The ordinary Sorrell groweth commonly in Gardens and so doth the Sorrell with round Leaves The tuberous kinds grow in some places neere unto the water side and the sheepes Sorrell groweth in upland grounds where Sheepe use to frequent The two last grow in some sandy and gravelly grounds and upon the bankes of some ditches As for the rest their places are most of them set down in their titles All of them flower and seed in May and June except the Indian sort which flowreth not till July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Sorrell is cooling and drying in the second degree and by its sowernesse cutteth tough humours The Vertues The juice of Sorrell in the Summer-time is a profitable sawce in many meates and pleasant to the tast especially if some Sugar be added thereunto It cooleth an hot Stomack moveth appetite to meat tempereth the heat of the Liver openeth the stoppings and preventeth the walling thereof and is effectuall in all hot diseases to coole any inflammation and heat of blood in Agues Pestilentiall or Cholerick or other sicknesse and fainting rising from heat and to refresh the Spirits being almost spent with the violence of furious or fiery fits of Agues and to quench the thirst in them for which there is nothing better then Sorrell-Posset drink which may be made by putting the juice to milk when it beginneth to seeth The Leaves eaten in the morning fasting in the time of Pestilence do mâ—rvailously preserve from infection but much more the conserve thereof which is good for all the purposes aforesaid The seeds thereof brayed and drunk with Wine and Water are very wholesome against the Chollick and fretting of the Guttes it stoppeth the hot Fluxes of Womens Courses or of humours in the bloody Flux or Flux of the Stomack and helpeth it when it is annoyed with repletion The roots also in Decoction or in Powder is effectuall for the said purposes and further it helpeth the Jaundise and expelleth Gravell and the Stone from the Kidneys and a decoction of the Flowers made with Wine and drunk helpeth the Black Jaundise as also the inward Vlcers of the body of Bowells The Leaves wrapped up in a Wort Leafe and roasted under the Embers and applyed to any hard Impostume or Tumor Botch Boile or Plague sores both ripeneth and breaketh it and discusseth Kernells in the Throat if applyed in time The juice with a little Vinegar is profitable to bathe those places which are troubled with the Itch Tetter Ringworm St. Anthonies fire c The distilled Water of the herb is of much good use for all the purposes aforesaid killing Wormes and resisting Poyson CHAP. CLXXXV Of Beets The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teutlon and Seutlon ab impulsu quòd facilè excrescat because it cometh up within few dayes after the sowing and afterwards groweth very fast untill it attaine to its bignesse which in â—ome hot Countryes will be three foot in length and of a great breadth It is called Beta in Latine quoniam Figuram Luerae Graecae C dum semine turget referre videtur because the figure of it being in seed is somwhat like the Greeke Letter Beta as Columella hath it It is called also Sicula and Sicla by some because it is supposed that it was first brought out of Sicily viz. The White Beet In this place for want of a fitter I shall speake of Spinage because it deserves not a Chapter by it selfe Ob raritatem in usu medico which made the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being seldom used in Physick yet amongst Sallets and Pot-herbs there be few more common Some Latine Authors call it Spinachia and Spinaccum others Spanachia supposing it grew originally in Spaine and Olus Hispanicum The Kinds There be nine sorts of Beets and but three of Spinage with put together will make up a Dozen 1. The Common white Beet 2. The Common red Beet 3. The Comon greene Beet 4. The Roman red Beet 5. The Italian Beet 6. Prickly Beets of Candy 7. Sea Beets 8. Yellow Beet 9. Flat stalked Beet 10. The greater Spinage with Prickly Seeds 11. Thelesser Spinage with prickly Seeds 12. Spinage with smooth seeds Spinage sometimes beareth no seed but that is only by accident The Form The Common white Beet hath many great Leaves next the Ground of a whitish greene colour the stalke is great strong and ribbed or crested bearing great store of Leaves
forms yet if you break any of them gently you may easily perceive a certaine Sinew in the middest of them which will declare it to be of this sort The Places and Time Chick-weeds some grow among bushes and bryers old Walls gutters of houses and shadowy places some in Woods and by water-sides and others upon Mountaines and rocky places Some of them are greene all the Winter sending forth their flowers in the beginning of Spring and their seeds quickly after others are later not flouring till June and July The Temperature Chickweed is cold and moist and of a waterish substance and therefore it cooleth without any binding or astriction as Galen saith The Vertues As those herbs hitherto appropriated to the Liver are for the most part to be used inwardly so Chick-weed may be applyed outwardly to the Region of the Liver the herb being bruised or Cloathes or Spunges dipped in the juice thereof which may be renewed when they be dry to the great reliefe of those that are greived with the heat of the Liver for it doth coole it wonderfully The Decoction also taken inwardly cooleth and tempereth the blood inflamed in Agues the heat of the Stomack and Liver breaking out into the Lips procureth Appetite being lost or become weake is used in Hectick Feavours and asswageth the heat of the back and Urine It is also effectuall for the Jaundise if it be stamped and streined into stale Ale or White-Wine and dranke first and last for five dayes together The Leaves boiled with Marsh-mallow rootes in Water till they be very soft adding thereunto some Hogs-grease Powder of Fenugreeke and Linseed do make a very good Pultis to be applyed to Swellings or Impostumes for the ripening breaking of them to take away swellings oâ— the Legges or of any part to case members that are shrunke up to comfort Wounds in Sinewy places to defend foule malignant virulent Ulcers from Inflammation during the cure to dissolve those swellings that will not willingly be digested or come to suppuration Being boiled in Vinegar and Salt it is good against the rednesse in the Face Wheales Pushes Itch Scabs St. Anthonies fire c and so is the juice either simply used or boiled with Hogs-grease only and applyed which also helpeth Cramps Convulsions and Palsyes The Juice or distilled-Water is of much good use for all Heat and Rednesse of the eyes if some of it be dropped into them as also into the Eares to ease the paine of them and is of good effect to ease the paines heat and sharpnesse of blood in the Piles and generally all paines in the body that arise of Heat The juice sâ—â—ffed up into the Nose Pâ—rgeth rotten filth from the Head and drunk with Honyed-Wine or Water it purgeth the Belly and is good for the Stone in the Kidneys and the Dropsy It hath all the Vertues of Pellitory of the Wall and of Purslane too saving only that it is not used with meat and therefore it helpeth the Tooth-ach being boyled in Vinegar and the mouth gargled therewith Little birds in Cages especially Linnets are refreshed with it when they loath their meat the lesser sort is called Passerâ—na by some So much for the Liver in particular The Diseases usually proceeding there from are the Jaundise and the Dropsy For the former it will be needlesse to enlarge particularly because there is scarcely a Simple appropriated to the Liver which will not serve for the Jaundise especially the yellow And therefore I shall proceed to those that have a more specifick Vertue for curing the Dropsy for many there be more effectuall for that purpose then any yet spoken of and most of them are remedies for the Jaundise also CHAP. CLXXXIX Of the Elder The Names IT is called by Dioscorides and other Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is a lover of the Brinks and shadowy banks of Rivers and Ditches as the most learned suppose and this name is retained by Paracelsus and the moderne Chymistâ— in whose Writings there is frequent mention of Granorum Actes In Latine it is usually called Sambâ—â—us from Sambyx the first finder of it yet some think that it should rather be called Sabucus from the likenesse that the musicall Instrument called Sabuck or Sambuck hath with its hollow and pith-emptied Rods. The English call it the Elder-Tree the Scot Boor-Tree or Bore Tree perhaps because the pith being done forth it seemeth as if it were bored The Kinds Matthiolus and others speake of Eight kinds thereof 1. Ordinary Elder 2. White berried Elder 3. Jagged Elder 4. Red berried Elder 5. March Elder 6 The Golder Rose or Rose Elder 7. Wall-wort Dane-Wort or Dwarfe Elder which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. humilis Sambucus in Latine Ebulus 8. Jagged Wall-Wort The Form The Elder-Tree which in figure is somewhat like the Ash sendeth forth its Branches very plentifully covered with a Grayish or Ashcoloured Bark as to the outward view under which there is another of a greene colour and under that next to the Wood one that is yellow and succulent within which is contained a white and Fungous Pith the Leaves are somwhat like those of the Wall-Nut-Tree but lesse consisting of five and seaven upon a Stalke a little nicked about the edges of a faire sad green colour but smelling somwhat rank and strong From the tops of the branches do Spring many broad Tufts or umbells of Flowers which by their â—all give place to small round berries first greene then ruddy lastly of a black dark purple colour full of a purplish Winy juice containing in them some small flat Seeds or graines the Root is great and thick spreading farre about of all Wild Plants it is the first that putteth forth his Leaves and the last that sheddeth them The Places and Time There is not a Town nor scarcely a feild where the first groweth not being Planted commonly for Moundes because of its speedy growth The Second was found by Tragus in the Woodes of Germany The Third groweth wild on hills in watery Woods The fourth is not found but in the Gardens of the curious The fifth is found by waters sides and in moorish grounds The sixth is nursed up only in Gardens The seaventh groweth wild in many places as in the Abby Orchard at St. Albans in the feilds between Bloxham and Milton in Oxfordshire and in divers other places most of these sorts Flower about Midsummer but Dane-wort because it riseth out of the ground eâ—ery yeare flowreth not so soone The Fruit of the former is commonly ripe in August that of the last not before September The Temperature Elder is hot and dry in the second and third degree and Danewort would be of the same quality if it were not somwhat hotter The Signature and Vertues The Pith of the Elder being pressed with ones finger doth Pit and receive the Print of them therein as the Legs and Feet of Hydropick persons doe
therefore saith Crollius that excellent Author in his book of Signatures the juice of Elder and the Distilled-Water of Jews-Ears which I have treated of in the seaventy eight Chap â— of this worke upon another occasion though they never grow but upon the Elder-Tree are profitable in the Dropsy which is a Disease for the most part Caused by Coldnesse of the Liver because the Blood-making Faculty being vitiated and corrupted many watery humours fall into the Abdomen or belly between the skin and the flesh for the removing of which Elder is of great Vertue For not only the juice and Water of Jews-Earsâ— but that of the Flowers as also the berries green or dry are often given with good successe to helpe the Dropsy by evacuating great plenty of waterish Humours the barke of the Root also boyled in Wine or the juice or distilled water thereof two Ounces being taken fasting and two houres before Supper worketh the same effect yea more readily then any of the former the juice of the root taken provoketh Vomit mightily and purgeth the Watery humours of the Dropsy but not without trouble to the Stomack The yellow middle or if you will the undermost barke is commended by its Signature for the Yellow Iaunndise by the said Crollius which must therefore be sleeped in Wine with one or two Jewes-Eares of which strained drink a good Draught morning and evening The distilled Water thereof or a Syrup made of its juice may be used to the same purpose For besides that they Open the Belly and Evacuate hurtfull humors the Medicines prepared of this Bark have great Vertue to open all Obstructions Six drops of the Spirit of Elder-salt taken in broth is commended in the Scurvy The decoction of the Root in Wine cureth the Biting of Venemous beasts as also of a mad Dogge and mollifyeth the hardnesse of the Mother if Women sit therein and openeth the Veines and bringeth down the Courses the berries boiled in Wine perform the same effects the Haire of the Head or of any other part washed therewith is made black The juice of the green Leaves applyed to the inflammation of the Eyes asswageth them and the Leaves boiled till they be tender then mixed and beaten with Barly meale asswageth inflammations â—n any other part helpeth places that are burnt with fire or scalded with Water cureth fistulous Ulcers being laid thereupon and easeth the paines of the Gout being beaten and boiled with the tallow of a Bull or Goat and â—â—id warme thereto The Powder of the seeds first prepared in Vinegar and then taken in Wine halfe a dramme at a time for certaine dayes together is a meane to abate and consume the flesh of a corpulent body and to keep it lean Should I give you all the Vertues of Elder at large I should much exceed the usuall Limits of a Chapter and therefore I shall only give you a Breviat of them and referre you to that learned peece of Dr. Martâ—n Blockwich called the Anatomy of Elder where you may satisfy your selfe perfectly of every particular There is hardly a Disease from the Head to the Foot but it cures for besides the Vertues I have allready mentioned it is profitable for the Head-ach for Ravings and Wakings Hypocondriack Mellancholy the Falling-sicknesse the Apoâ—â—exy and Palsy 〈…〉 rrius Toâ—â—h-ach Deafenesse want of smelling Blemishes of the 〈◊〉 and Head Diseases of the mouth and Throat the infirmities of the Lungs Hâ—â—sting and Hearsenesse the Pleurify and Ptisick Womens brests being sore swooning and P 〈…〉 esse in Feavours the Plague Pox Measles Diseases of the Stomack the VVormes and other Diseases of the Gutts the Hemorrhoides the Stone Diseases of the Matrix c Neither is there any part about this Tree without its use The Leaves Berries Seeds Root and Barkes I have allready spoken of Of the flowers are made conserves a Syrup and Hony Water and Spirits Vinegar and Oxy 〈…〉 a Wine Oyle c The young shoots boiled like Asparageâ— and the young Leaves and Stalkes boiled in fat broth draweth forth mightily Choler and tough Phlegme and so do the tender Leaves eaten with Oyle and Salt The VVood serveth to make Skewets for Butchers and divers other things The Pith in the middle of the Stalkes being dryed and put into the holes of hollow and fistulous Ulcers that are ready to close openeth and dilateth the Orifices whereby injections may be use and other remedies applyed for the cure of them and may be used to keep open Issues insteed of a Pease It is said that if a Horse that cannot stale be strucken gently with a Stick hereof and some of the Leaves be bound under his Belly it will make him stale quickly It is said also that if a branch hereof be put into the trench where a Mole is it will either drive him forth or kill him there The Mountaine or Red-berried 〈◊〉 hath the properties that the common Elder hath but much weaker The Marsh Elder is of the like purging quality with the common sort especially the beâ—â—ies or juice of them The Danewort is not only more powerfull then the Elder for all the forementioned purposes but hath particular Vertues that are not in the other or at least are nothing so prevalent The juice of the root of Danewort applyed to the Throat healeth the Quinsy or Kings-Evill the Fundament likewise is stayed from falling down if the juice thereof be put therein The Powder of the Seedes taken in the Decoction of Ground-Pine with a little Cinamon to the quantity of a dram at a time is an approved remedy both for the Gout Joynt-Aches and Sciatica and also for the French disease for it easeth the paines by withdrawing the humors from the places affected and by drawing forth those humors that are fluent peccant and offensive and so doth the Powder of the Root used as aforesaid Wine wherein the root hath been steeped a night seldome faileth to drive away an Ague at the second taking An Oyntment made in May with the Leaves hereof May-butter is highly esteemed by many as a soveraigne remedy for all outward paines Aches and Cramps in the Joynts Nerves or Sinewes for starcknesse and Lamenesse coming by cold or any other Casualty and generally to warme comfort and strengthen all the outward parts being ill affected as also to mollify the hardnesse and to open the obstructions of the Spleene the greived parts being annointed therewith CHAP. CLXXXX Of Soldanella The Names NOtwithstanding the dissimilitude that this Plant hath with any of the Cole-worts yet it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Dioscorides and others whom the Latines following have called Brassica marina not without great oversight in both Neither are some of our English Writers to be excused who follow their Authors to the very heeles and call it Sea Cole-wort But some Latine Authors considering the unreasonablenesse of the former name have called it Soldana Soldanella à consolidando and
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
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
hair which is grey likewise the root is small and long growing downwards into the ground with a tuft of hair at the head thereof and not lying or running under the upper crust thereof as the other wild Anemonies do which is the greatest difference betwixt them The Plant is of no sharpness untill it be bruised between ones fingers and then the Leaves held to the Nose will twinge the nostrills very much The Places and Time The first grows in a close belonging to the Parsonage of Hildersham 6 miles from Cambridgâ— the second in great abundance on a Heach towards Barneck 3 miles from Stamford the third growes also in England but I have not understood the determinate place the fourth should be a D 〈…〉 by his name the fifth grows in Stow Wood two miles from Oxford the sixth upon Cotteswald Hills neer Black Burton very plentifully the two lift are cherished up in Gardens with many others which are best known to them that delight therein The ordinary time to plant Anemonies is most commonly in August some of which perhaps will flower before Winter but most usually in February March or April few or none of them abiding untill May but if you will keep some Roots out of the ground unplanted untill February March or April and plant some at one time and some at another and then those that were planted in February will flower about the middle or end of May and so the rest accordingly after that manner you may have the pleasure of these Plants all the Summer long provided that you keep the Roots neither too dry nor too moist and that they be planted where they may be somewhat shadowed The Temperature Both these sorts as well Pulsatillaes as Anemonies are sharp biting the tongue and of a binding quality but the Pulsatillaes exceed the other in that they exulcerate and eat into the skin in case they be stamped and applyed to any part of the body whereupon they have been taken by some to be of the kinde of Crâ—wfoot which many vagabond Villains apply to their Arms and Legs and pretend that they are burnt or some other misfortune hath happened to them The Vertues There is some other use for Anemonies besides the setting forth of a garden for the Leaves being boyled in White wine and the Decoction drunk provoke the Termes mightily The Leaves and Stalks boyled with clean husked Barly causeth abundance of Milk if Nurses eat thereof The body being bathed with the decoction of them cures the Leprosie The Leaves being stamped and the Juyce snuffed up the nose purgeth the head mightily and so doth the Root being chewed in the mouth for it procureth much spitting and bringeth away many watry and phlegmatick humours yea more than any Pills that are cryed up for that purpose and is therefore excellent for the Lethargy Being made into an Oyntment and the Eye-lids anoynted with it it helps the inflammations of the Eyes whereby it is apparent that the heat of the one draweth out the heat of the other as fire will setch out the fire when any one happens to be burnt if they burn the same place the second time and besides it cleareth the sight by removing any Web or other Spots therein The same Oyntment is excellent good to cleanse malignant and corroding Vlcers Both Anemonies and Pulsatillaes are gathered to put into Flower-pots and to dresse Garlands and to strâ—w windowes withall I might have treated of divers other Plants under this Head but because there be few of them but are good for the Mother and other infirmities of the Womb I shall say no more of them here but reserve them till I come to speak thereof which will be as soon as I have set down some of those that stop the Termes both which were necessary to be mentioned severally for the more methodicall prosecution of what we promised CHAP. CCXCII Of Comfrey The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Symphyâ—um and Symphitum magnum from the wonderfull faculty that it hath in binding and glewing together insomuch that the Latinâ— are not content with the word Symphytum which they sometimes use but call it also Consolida à Consolidaâ—dâ— Consolidare being an obsolete word signifying to sodder or glew together It is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pectos or Pecton but Pliny saith it was called Alus or Alum it hath other names as Solidago Inula rustica Ostâ—â—câ—llon but the most usuall is Symphytum or Consolida major which is in English the greater Consound commonly called Comfrey and of some Knit-back and Black-wort The Kindes Some refer 4 sorts to this kind 1. Common great Comfrey 2. Great Comfry with purple Flowers 3. Comfrey with knobbed Roots 4. Narrow Comfrey of Naples The Forme The common great Comfrey hath divers very large and hairy green leaves lying on the ground so hairy and prickly that it will cause an itching in any tender part of the body which it doth but touch the Stalk that riseth from amongst them being about half a yard or two foot high hollow and cornered or squarish is very hairy also having many such like Leaves as grow below but lesser and lesser toward the top At the joynts of the Stalks it is divided into many Branches with some Leaves thereon at the ends whereof stand many Flowers in order one above another which are somwhat long and hollow like the finger of a glove but much smaller of a pale whitish colour after which cometh small black seed the root is great and long black without but white within short or easie to break and full of a glutinous or clammy juyce of little or no taste at all but of very great vertue The Places and Time The first groweth generally throughout all the Land both by Ditches and Water-sides and in fat fruitful Meadows whence for its usefulnesse it is often-times brought into Gardens by those that understand the least profit that it afforded and so is the â—ecâ—nd which is not so often found as the first to grow naturally though many times it be in severall places the third groweth in Gardens onely with us but is naturall to the Woods of Germany Austria and Hungary the name of the last sheweth whence it is they flower in May and June and give their Seed in July and August or thereabouts The Temperature Comfrey hath a cold quality but not immoderate it dryeth and bindeth in great measure The Vertues It may be observed that those Plants that are effectuall to stop any Flux or inward or outward bleeding are no lesse profitable for stopping of the Termes when they have exceeded their usual time of flowing so that whatsoever is good for the one is good for the other and as I shall speak to some of them here to which purpose I reserved them so I shall refer the Reader back to them which I have spoken to already
of flowring and trutifying is not expressed The Temperature Sanguis Draconis or the Gum of the Dragon-tree is in all probability cold in the second degree and dry in the third and is very astringent The Signature and Vertues If all red things do stop Womens Courses by Signature according to the opinion of some then certainly this Gum may be said to do it thereby there being hardly another Tree in the world unless Mr. Hammonds Flesh-tree which some think is the same that yeildeth a red Juice Amaranthus indeed which is handled in the former Chap is red all over on the out-side and so is the wood of Brasil and Red â—aunders but the juyce of neither of them is so whence it is likely that the Sap which in other plants concocteth only in the Fruit doth in this also concoct in the Body of the Tree which maketh it the more admirable It serveth also to restrain all other Fluxes of Blood or Humours as the Bloody Flux Lasks Whites in women and the Gonorrhea in men bleeding at Nose Mouth or any other part whether internall or external being either inwardly or outwardly used it is said also to help the Strangury and stoppings of the Vrine to fasten loose Teeth and is very avâ—ileable for the Gums that are spungy or troubled with loose flesh It is good also to stay the watering of the Eyes and to help those places that are burnt with fire The Goldsmiths and Painters of Glass use it much in their works the one for an Enamel and to set a Feil under their precious Stones for their greater lustre and the other by Fire to strike a crimson colour into Glass for Windowes or the like Though the Gum only be commended yet no doubt in the natural places or where it groweth both bark and fruit might be applyed for such like Diseases as the Gum is put unto they being also very astringent CHAP. CCCIII. Of the Beech Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oxya and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as some would have it because it is Scissima as Gaza translates it that is in laminas scissilis apt to cleave into Trenchers or the like for though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was so long mistaken for the Beech Tree that Fagus became the common Latin name thereof and so continueth yet Dalaechampius hath plainly detected it to be a kind of Oake whose Acrons are fitter for food than the Mast of Beech the Etymology thereof being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab esca vel esu The Fruit is called in Latin Nuces Fagi Beech-Mast and Buck-Mast in English because Deere delight to feed thereon The Form The Beech Tree groweth to be of a great and tall stature spreading the boughs and brances on every side so that it maketh a very large and pleasant shadow if the said boughs be not lopped off to make it grow upwards covered with a very smooth white bark as the body also is so that any thing may easily be cut thereon whereon are placed many thin smooth broad Leaves almost round but that they are pointed at the end and somewhat finely dented about the edges of a sad green colour as long as they receive nourishment from the Sap but that ceasing they presently turn yellow and fall away The blowings or Catkins are small and yellow like those of the Birch Tree but lesser and of shorter continuance The Fruit is contained in a rough husk somewhat like the Chesnut but not altogetther so prickly and rough brisled which being ripe openeth it self into three parts and sheweth a small three-square Nut covered with a smooth and soft skin browner and lesser by much than the Chesnut under which lieth a sweet white Kernel but of a more astringent quality The Roots be few and short in respect of the bigness of the Tree both for breadth and depth The Places and Time The Beech Tree delighteth to grow in some places more than in other for as in the Chiltorne Country no wood is more familiar so in others not far from it a Beech Tree is a great rarity as in Oxfordshire where there is one growing between Oxford and Baubury which is so famous that it is noted over all that Country and called the Beechen Tree there being scarcely a Traveller that goes by that way but takes especial notice of it yea formerly many went to it though it be somewhat out of the way to cut their names upon its smooth bark so that now it is so full of letters that there is hardly any space left It bloometh in the end of April or the beginning of May for the most part and the Mast or Fruit is ripe in September The Temperature The Leaves of the Beech Tree are cooling and binding but the Nuts are said to be hot and moist in the first degree and yet very astringent The Vertues and Signature The Leaves Bark Buds or Husks of the Beech Tree sodden in Red Wine or Running Water and sitten over by Women whose Courses do flow too abundantly causeth them to cease and maketh the Matrix and Fundament that are fallen downe to return into their place and the Decoction thereof in clean Red Wine with Cinnamon and Sugar being drunk is good for the same purpose The Leaves take away Blisters and that by Signature there being many times divers small Bladders thereupon and being laid to hot Swellings at the beginning do discuss them and are good for Vlcers also being boyled into a Pultis or made into an Oyntment when they are fullest of Vertue The Nuts or fruit are sweet and were in ancient times used for food as the Poets say but now they are esteemed fitter for Deere and Swine to feed upon to fatten them which it doth wonderfully and therefore these Trees are many times planted in Parks Forrests and Chases yet they are not without some use in Physick for they are said to break the Stone and expell it which may be by the Signature of the Nuts themselves which being burned and the Ashes mixed with Hony and applyed is good for a Skald and Scurvy Head when the Haire goeth off which it may be said to do by the Signature of the Husks The Water that is found in the hollow places of decaying Beech-trees will cure both Man and Beast of any Scurf Scab or running Tetters if they be washed therewith The Leaves chewed are good for the diseases of the Gummes and Lips The Wood is smooth and white and therefore profitable for divers uses as to make Cups Dishes and the like and the Ashes thereof are very good to make Glasse as Crescentius writeth CHAP. CCCIV. Of the Hasell-Nut-tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nux Pontica because it was said to be brought at first out of Pontus into Asia and Greece and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nux tenuis sive parva the Small Nut to distinguish it from the Wall-nut It is
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