be eminent for healing green Wounds yet not for all other diseases as those names import The Forme Clownes Wound-wort groweth up with slender four square green rough Stalks to the height of halfe a yard or two foot surrowed in a little upon every square the joynts standing somewhat farre a sunder with two very long and somewhat narrow dark green Leaves bluntly dented about the Edges and sharp pointed at the end the flowers stand towards the top compassing the stalkes at the joynts as those of Horehound doe but it endeth in a spiked top which Horehound doth not having long and much open gaping hoods of a purplish red colour with whitish spots in them standing in somewhat rough huskes wherein afterwards stand blackish round seeds The root is composed of many long strings with some tuberous long knobs commonly growing amongst them of a pale yellowish or whitish colour the whole plant is of a strong smell somewhat like unto Stinking Horehound The Places and Time Clownes Allheale groweth frequently in most of the Countries of this Land by the sides of severall brooks and ditches and sometimes by the Path-sides and Borders of fields It floureth in August and bringeth its seed to perfection about the end of September The Temperature This kind of Sideritis is hot in the second degree and dry in the first and withal of an earthy quality The Vertues The Leaves of Clownes Wound-wort stamped with Swines grease and applyed unto green Woundes in manner of a Pultis doth heale them in a short time according to the first intention that is by closing up the lips of them without drawing or bringing them to Suppuration or Matter in such absolute manner that it is hard for any one that hath not had the experience thereof to believe It is also very availeable in stanching of bloud and to dry up the Fluxes of humors in old fretting Vlcers Cancers c. that hinder the healing of them Neither is it excellent onely for outward but also for inward Wounds Ruptures of veines bloudy flux spitting pissing or vomiting bloud a syrupe being made thereof and taken now and then a little and so Ruptures or burstings of the belly are speedily even to admiration cured if a Plaister of the Herb or an oyntment of the same be applyed to the place The said Plaister being applyed to any veine that is swollen or Muscle that is cut helpeth it and if there be a little Comfry added to it it will be so much the better CHAP. CCCXXXIV Of Arsmart The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hydropiper i. e. Piper aquaticum because one kind of it hath a burning taste like Pepper and Hydropiper in Latine sometimes but generally Perficaria quod folia â—jus Perfica foliis similia sunt because the leaves of it are like unto those of the Peach-tree yet some make this distinction calling the mild or gentle sort Perficaria simply and the other Hydropiper five Perficaria urens in English Water Pepper and Arsmart and in some Countries Red-knees and of some Culrage and Cyderach The Kindes There be foure Sorts of Arsmart growing in our owne Country 1. Dead or Spotted Arsmart 2. Small creeping Arsmart 3. Codded Arsmart or Touchme not 4. Biting Arsmart or Water Pepper The Forme The â—ild or Spotted Arsmart groweth up with Leaves of a middle size both for length and breadth set at the great red joynts of the Stalkes with blackish spots upon them many times almost like a halfe moone but not alwayes the flowers grow in long Spiky heades either of a blush or whitish colour which falling away blackish â—lat seed come in their places The root is long with many fibres thereat perishing yearly this hath no biting tast as the Water Pepper hath which is exceeding hot but is rather like sowre Sorrell or else a little drying or without tast the way of distinguishing one from an other is to breake a leafe of it crosse ones tongue for the biting sort will make the tongue to smart and so will not the other The Places and Time The first groweth very common almost every where in moist and watery Plashes and neer to the brims of Rivers Ditches and running Brooks and sometimes in those Corn-fields that are subject to moisture in the Winter time The second groweth also within the confines of our Countrey and so doth the third but the place thereof is not particularly expressed and therefore some Physick Garden is the surest place to finde them the last is found in like places with the first but not so frequently and is to be known from iâ— by the red spots which it sometimes hath as also by the Diagnostick I have already set down They flower in June and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature The â—ildâ— or dead Arsmart as it is called is cold and something dry but the Biting Arsmart is hot and dry yet not so hot as Pepper according to Galen The Vertues and Signature The Leaves and Stalkes of the Dead Arsmart being stamped and applyed to green or fresh Wounds doe cool and comfort them exceedingly and keep them from â—â—postumation and inflaâ—mation and so doth the juice of them being dropped thereinto Being applyed in like manner it consumeth all cold swellings and taketh away black and blew markes of the Skin by dissolving the congealed blood happening upon bruises strokes fallâ— c. which is signified by the black spots which are upon the Leaves and being laid to a Joynt that hath a Felon thereon it taketh it away by Signature also A piece of the Root or some of the Seed bruised and held to an aking tooth taketh away the pâ—ine The Juice of it being dropped into the Eares destroyeth the Wormes that are in them and so it is good against deafenesse Two dâ—amms of the powder of the herb taken with a little Vinegar openeth the obstructions of the Liver Being stamped with Wine and applyed to the Matrix it bringeth unto Women their monthly Courses If it be stamped with Rue and Wormwood and all of them fryed together with Butter or Suet and applyed to the Stomach or Bâ—lly it killeth the Wormes in them When a Womans Belly is great and she not with Childe let her boyl of Arsmart Rue and Hyssâ—p of each one handfull in a quart of Ale to the one halfe and drinke thereof first and last it will reduce it to its just measure The distilled Water of the herb mingled with an Oxe Gall and a little Oyle of Spike being annointed upon any place that is troubled with the Gout and a blew woollen cloth laid upon it taketh away the pain thereof Two spoonfulls of the said Water with one of Aqua Vitae being nointed on any place troubled with an Ach for five or sixe dayes taketh it quite away It is said that if a handfull of Arsmart wetted in Water be applyed to a Wound or Sore and afterwards buried in moist ground as the herb rotteth so
third is not very frequent in our Land but the last is more rare yet it hath been sowen in our Gardens in April and not before and was ripe in the beginning or middle of August The usuall time for the ordinary sort being in March as to the sowing and the latter end of August as to the mowing The Temperature Barly is cooling and drying in the first Degree It hath also a little abstersive or cleansing quality and doth dry somewhat more then Bean Meal The Vertues The Meal of Barley and Fleawort being boyled in water and made into a Pultis with Honey and Oyl of Lillies applyed warm cureth Tumours under the Ears Throat Neck and such like places A Plaister thereof with Tar Wax and Oyl helpeth the hard swellings of the Throat called the Kings Evill A Pultis made of Barley Meal or Flower boyled with Vinegar and Honey and a few dry Figs put unto them dissolveth all hard Impostumes and excrescences upon the Eye-lids growing in the form of a Barley Corn by Sâ—gnature and asswageth Inflammations also being applyed And being boyled with Melilote and Camomile Flowers and some Linseed Fennigreek and Rue in Powder and applyed warm it easeth the pains in the sides and stomack and the windinesse of the Spleen boyled with sharp Vinegar into a Pultis and layd on hot helpeth the Leprosie being boyled in red Wine with Pomegranat Rinds and Myrtills it stayeth the Lask or other Flux of the Belly boyled with Vinegar and a Quince it easeth the hot pains of the Gout Barley Flower white Salt Honey and Vinegar mingled together is used by divers to take away the Itch speedily and certainly The distilled water of green Barley stilled in the end of May is very good for those that have Defluxions in the Eyes to stay the humours and to ease the pains being dropped into them or white bread layd to steep therein and bound thereto doth the same All the preparations of it as Barley-water and other things made thereof do give great nourishment to persons troubled with Feavers Agues and Heats in the Stomach French Barley is much used in pectorall Diseases or Diseases of the Breast helpeth the sharpnesse of the Throat and increaseth Milk especially boyled with Fennel It provoketh Urine and is very profitable in Choletick Feavers if it be thus administred Take two Ounces of French-Barley boyl it in two fresh waters then boyl it again in a quart of water adding half an Ounce of Licorish and an handful of Violet Leaves and as many Strawberry Leaves to a pint or a pint and a half strain it and put thereto of Syrup of Violets two Ounces or for the poorer sort you may sweeten it with a little Sugar It is used outwardly to soften hard swellings and is good for Inflammations and sorenesse of the Throat being boyled alone or with other fitting Herbs and the Mouth and Throat washed therewith Take Mallowes Violet Beets black Hellebore Fumitory of each three handfuls of French Barley six handfulls boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water for a Bath and use it against the Scab Itch c. you shall find it very effectuall CHAP. LXXII Of Garlick The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Allium which last name the Apothecaries do commonly use Some say 't is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Rudis Rosa because of its strong scent offending the Nose Allium also seemeth to have its Originall from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. exilire because of its growth which is so speedy that it 's said as it were to leap Galen and others have called it Theriaca Rusticorum the Country Mans Treacle We in English call it Garlick Some of this kind are called Scorodoprassum and Moly The Kinds There are 12 sorts of Garlick mentioned by Authours 1. Common Garlick 2. Crow-Garlick 3. Ramsons spotted or Snake-Garlick 4. Great Turky Garlick 5. Great Turky Garlick with a bulbed and twining head 6. Clusius his first leafed Hungarian Moly 7. Sweet smelling Hungarian Moly 8. Purple round headed Mountain Moly 9. Purplish headed Moly of Africa 10. The small Italian white Moly 11. Indian Moly 12. Ramsons The Forme Omitting the Description of Garden Garlick because it is so common I shall give you that of the wild or Crow Garlick which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Snakes Garlick It hath small tough long Leaves like Rushes but not so round smooth and hollow within Amongst which riseth up a naked stalk round slippery hard and sound on the top whereof after the Flowers be gone grow little Seeds made up in a round cluster like small Kernells having the smell and tast of Garlick Instead of a Root there is a bulbe or round head without any Cloves at all The Places and Time Garlick is seldom sowen of Seed but planted in Gardens of the small Cloves which are commonly set in March Some on St. Peters day knit the blades together in a knot that it may head the better and is gathered not long after The Crow-Garlick groweth in fertile Pastures in all parts of England particularly in a Field called the Mantels on the back side of Islington by London The rest are peculiar to divers Countries as Germany Hungary France Spain Italy Turkey and our Land also flowring in Summer and Seeding after The Temperature It is hot and dry in the fourth Degree and raiseth Blisters being applyed to the skin The Vertues Garlick being eaten heateth the Body maketh thin thick and grosse humours cutteth such as are tough and clammy digesteth and consumeth them it also openeth Obstructions or stoppings and is an enemy to cold poyson and to the biting of venomous Beasts It taketh away the roughnesse of the Throat also helpeth an old Cough provoketh Urine killeth Worms expelleth Wind helpeth the Cholick cures the Dropsie proceeding of a cold Cause provoketh the Courses in Women and stirreth up Venus and Lust but dryeth the Seed of Generation and is most excellent for a cold and moyst stomach and to stir up naturall heat An old Man by lying in the cold in the Winter season had almost lost the innate or naturall heat of his stomach and his appetite was even decayed after many hot Medicines used in vain at length was cured with Garlick and Honey It is a good preservative against the contagious and pestilent Air. A Decoction thereof made with Origanum and Wine being drunk killeth Worm-Lice and Nits It is profitable against the biting of a mad Dog and for such as are inclined to the Palsie for shortnesse of breath and to dry up Rheum and also for the cold Head-ach It is commended against the Consumption of the Lungs pissing of blood and for such as cannot hold their water The distilled water is good for the same Diseases and for the Quinsie The milk wherein Garlick hath been boyled is good for worms in Children or two
going away of the Sunne The flowers are somwhat large and white consisting of eight Leaves smelling very sweet having foure small white threds standing in the middle about a little knob which afterward groweth to be the fruit which is like a Kidney-Beane-cod when it is ripe but much larger wherein is contained a black substance or pulp amongst which the seed lyeth having divers strings running through it of a sharpe sweet tast very pleasing to the Palate and Stomack the seed is square and somwhat flat The Places and Time This Tree is by most supposed to grow in India yet others say it groweth in Arabia whence the fruit is brought into the Indies It continueth greene all the Winter but at what time it giveth its flowers and ripe fruit is not recorded The Temperature Tamarinds are cold and dry in the second degree or in the beginning of the third The Vertues The two former Simples being hot are to be used in cold affects of the Spleene and therefore I have set down this next which is cold which may be used in the hot distempers thereof for the Pulpe of Tamarinds openeth the Obstructions of the Spleene as well as Liver and taken with Borage Water it quickneth the Spirits dulled by Melancholy and somwhat mitigateth the fits of the Phrensy and Madnesse It purgeth Choler and adust humors and is therefore beneficiall in acute Feavers stayeth Vomiting cooleth Inflammations of the Liver and Stomack and also of the reines and back and helpes the running of the Reines It is profitable against all breakings out of the skin which arise from heat of the blood or from Salt or sharp Water running between the flesh and the skin Scab Itch Leprosy and such like It doth stay all Rheumes and distillations being taken with some Sugar and the Water of Maiden-haire It doth exceedingly quench thirst if an Ounce thereof be dissolved in faire Water and a little Sugar mixed therewith or taken of it selfe expelleth hot or burning Agues and procureth an appetite It is excellent in Erysipilas or Wild-fire bleeding of the Nose arising from Choler and Womens fluxes as also the Yellow Jaundise Both Leaves and Pulpe applyed outwardly do coole all hot Inflammations and Wheales Pimples and such like CHAP. CCIV. Of Spleene-Wort or Milt-Wast The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asplenium and Splenium as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scolopendrium and Scolopendra the two first Names being given unto it quia Splenem juvat because it helpes the Spleene the later from the likenesse it hath with that rough Creature called the beare Worme which Anglers somtimes use Theophrastus calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the likenesse it hath with Ferne as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Galen translateth Mula herba The Arabians call it Ceterach which is the name by which it is best known in shops but it is called also Spleene-wort Milt-wast and Scale-ferne The rough Spleene-wort is called Asplenium silvestre Asplenium magnum Scrutiopteris Lonchitis aspera Longina â—t Calabrina In English Rough Spleene-wort or Milt-wast The Kinds I think I may without falshood reckon up Nine sorts of Spleene-wort the Mules Ferne being a kind thereof 1. Smooth Spleen-wort 2. The greater rough Spleen-wort 3. The smaller rough Spleen-wort 4. Bastard rough Spleen-wort 5. Island rough Spleen-wort 6. The greater Mules ferne 7. The lesser Mules ferne 8. Strong Mules-ferne 9. Mules-Ferne with divided Leaves The Form Spleen-wort hath many Leaves which after they attaine to their full growth want but little of a span long jagged of cut upon both sides even almost to the middle ribbe every Cut or jagge being as it were halfe round whereby it is known from the rough Spleen-wort which is slashed on the edges quite to the middle ribbe not one cut over against another but one besides the other set in severall orders being slippery and green on the upperside and of a darke yellowish roughnesse underneath which is conceived to be the seed at its first coming up it foldeth and rouleth it selfe inwards as Ferne commonly doth with many haires growing on the outside so that it lookes like unto the rough Beare Worme before remembred the root is small black and rough much platted or interlaced having neither stalke nor flower The Places and Time The first groweth as well upon Stone walles as Rockes and in moist and shadowy places of this land especially in the Westerne parts at Bristow Bath Welles and Salisbury on Framingham Castle-Walles on the Church of Beckensfield in Barkshire Strowd in Kent c The second groweth in the moist Moores of Italy the third and fourth in moist Groves both there and in Germany and with us upon Hampsteed-Heath the fift in Ilva an Island of the Tirrhene Sea The natural places of the foure last are shadowy Rocks and moist hollow places where little heat of the Sunne commeth They all continue greene both Winter and Summer The Temperature These plants are hot and dry in the first degree of very thin and subtile parts The Signature and Vertues The learned Crollius amongst the Signatures of parts doth set down Ceterach which is the first kind above mentioned to have the Signature of the Spleen and that therefore it is profitable for all the diseases and infirmities thereof especially those that cause it to grow big and there it is called Miltwast for it diminisheth it not onely in men but in beasts also for Vitruvius saith that the swine in Candy where there is store thereof by feeding thereon were found without Spleens and it is said also that when Asses are oppressed with Melancholy they eate thereof and so ease themselves of the Swelling of the Spleen It is effectuall also for the yellow Jaundise and consequently for the stoppings of the Liver and to stay the Hicket which is a distemper which happens not seldome to the mouth of the Stomack It helpeth the Srangury and Stone in the Bladder causing it to moulder and passe away without any great pain but the use of it in women hindereth Conception and is therefore to be avoided by them that desire Children If a dram of the dust scraped from the Backside of the Leaves be mixed with half a dram of Amber in powder and taken with the juyce of Purslane or Plantain it will help the running of the Reines speedily It helpeth Melancholy diseases also and those which rise from the French disease if the herb and root be boiled and taken but they must not be boyled very long for then the strength will evaporare especially of the Leaves The distilled water is good against the Stone both in the Reines and Bladder and the Lye made of the Ashes thereof being drunk for sometime together helpeth Spleenetick persons for which purpose the herb may be boiled a little and applied warm to the Region of the Spleen CHAP. CCV Of Harts-Tongue The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 Phyllitis quasi foliosa because it hath many long Leaves growing without any stalk which name is sometimes given it by the Latines but they call it also Lingua Cervina from the similitude it hath with an Hearts-Tongue which is the name that the English have taken up In former times the Apothecaries called it Scolopendrium but that error is now sufficiently manifested and left The Kinds The sorts of Harts-Tongue which I find mentioned by Authors are three 1. Ordinary Hearts-Tongue 2. Iagged Hearts-Tongue which is also called Finger Ferne and Finger Hearts-Tongue because the tops of the leaves thereof are divided into parts like unto the Fingers of a mans hand 3. Branched Hearts-Tongue according to Alphinus The Form Ordinary Hearts-Tongue hath divers Leaves rising from the Root every one severall which at their first springing up are crumpled and foâ—ded as Spleenwort and Fern are at theirs but after they have spread themselves to their full proportion they almost a foot long smoth and green above but hard or with little sap in them and straked on the back overthwart on both sides of the middle rib with small and somewhat long brownish marks the bottoms of the Leaves are a little bowed on each side of the middle rib somewhat narrow with the length and somewhat small at the end the root is of many black threds folded or interlaced together The Places and Time The first groweth in shadowy places and moist stony vallies in the Western parts and is much planted in Gardens in every Country by those that have delight in Physicall herbs The second groweth upon Ingleborough hills and divers other mountaines in the North of England It beareth no flower but is green all the year long bringing forth new Leaves in the Summer time The Temperature Hearts-Tongue is of a binding and drying faculty but whether it be hot or cold is set down by few and those disagree concerning it The Signature and Vertues Crollius writeth also that Hearts-Tongue hath the Signature of the Spleen as indeed it very manifestly hath being in Figure somewhat long as the Leafe of this herbe is Neither hath it this Signature for nothing for there is no Simple whatsoever that is more effectuall for all the Diseases of the Mâ—lt then this is for if it be loose or too much opened this bringeth it to its right temper and so likewise if it be swollen hard or stopped the decoction thereof in Wine being drunk and the herb it self after it is boyled laid to the greived place It is also commended against the hardnesse and stopping of the Liver and against the heat both of it and the Stomack It is very good likewise to stop lasks and the bloody Flix Spitting of blood the Termes and all other Fluxes Posset drink made of the Milk wherein it hath been boiled drunk warm or sodden in water till the Third part be boiled away and afterwards streined and one part thereof drunk with two parts of good white wine it expelleth the Stone and Gravell The like quantity of Hearts-Tongue Knot-grasse and Comfrey Roots being boiled in Water and a draught of the decoction drunk every morning and the Materialls which are taken out thereof applyed to the place is a notable remedy for such as are burst It is profitable also in the Jaundise Kings-Evill and against the bitting of Venemous beasts The herb or juyce applyed doth cleanse Wounds and Ulcers very wonderfully The distilled Water is commended by divers against the passion of the Heart to stay the Hicket to help the Falling of the Pallate and to stay the bleeding of the Gummes if the mouth be gargled therewith Mr. Culppeper commendeth the Syrupe thereof for strengthening the Liver which may be allowed of but the hardnesse of his beliefe as to the growing of it green all the year sheweth him to be one very little versed concerning the times of Plants and silly also in doubting of that which he himself saith Authors much more skillfull then himself do affirm CHAP. CCVI. Of Fern. The Names THe Male kind is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pteris and Pterion without any composition the Leavâ—s thereof being like unto the wings of birds Nicander calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is Filâ—x mas in Latine The Female is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thelypteris and Nymphaapteris In Latin Fâ—lix Foemina in English Brake and Common Fern. There is a third kind which is called in Latin for it had no Greek name Osmunda Regalis of the Singular properties therein it hath other Latin names also as Filicastrum Filix florida or florescens Filix palustris or Aquaâ—â—ca c. It is called in English Osmund Ferne Osmundum the Waterman Osmund Royall and St. Christophers herb The Kinds Under the generall appellation of Fern are comprehended these seven sorts 1. The Common male Fern 2. The prickly male Fern 3. Sweet smelling Fern 4. Common Female Fern 5. Dented Female Fern 6. Sharp Female Fern 7. Osmund or Water Fern. The Forme The Common Male Fern sendeth forth divers hard rough unbranched stalkes of winged Leaves naked towards the bottom for a little space but afterwards hath many Leaves on each side up to the tops with one at the end not fully opposite each of them being deeply nicked on the Edges of a paâ—e green coulor hard and without sap broadest at the bottom and smallest towards the Top. It hath no flower yet Mr. Parkinson affirmes that it hath seed growing on the back side of the Leaves in the form of certain brownish small spots by the falling of which it is increased and so are all other sorts of Ferns and Capillary herbs whereby it appears that they were in an Error which held that it had no seed not knowing or at least not taking notice of the place in Genesis Chap. 11. 12. The root hereof is made of many thick black threads descending from a brown scaly thick head The Places and Time The first groweth on Heathes and open places of hills and sometimes in woods and shadowy places by the sides of fields more or lesse in every Country of this Land the second groweth in the like places also but very rarely the third in the Forrest of Savernake in Wiltshire The fourth groweth more frequently then the male on barren heaths and shady hedge-sides c. The fifth and sixth grow rather on moist rockes in the shaded hills the last groweth on bogs moors and watery places in severall Countries of this Land as on Hampsted heath and by an hedge-side in a medow on the left hand of the way that goes from St. Albans to Windridge c. The Leaves of all these sorts periâ—h commonly in the Winter but shoot up new from the root in the Spring which at their first rising are brownish and folded round The seed of the former six which groweth on the back
because I find not any Greek or Latin Author that treates of it being unknown to all the transmarine Doctors before Lobel came to us who called it Percepier Anglorum which first word Percepier is derived from Percepierre signifying in French as much as Lâ—thon-tribon in Greek Saxifraga Petrifindula an obsolete word and Câ—lculum frangens in Latine which is Pierce-stone or Break-stone in English and Anglorum is added because it is thought to be peculiar to our Country Some call it Parsley-Pert and deâ—ive it from Pâ—tra but it is more properly Parsly Break-stone becauâ—e of its eminent â—aculties to that purpose Though there be but one sort hereof which might have been placed amongst the other Knot-grasse whereof it is a kind yet because it is somwhat different and is peculiar to our Country I have given it a Chapter by it selfe The Form Break-stone Parsly groweth with many Leaves spread upon the ground each standing upon a small long foot-stalke and being as broad as the naiâ—e of a mans finger or thumb very much jagged on the edges which maketh it to seeme somewhat like unto a Parsly leafe whereof came the name but of an overworn or dusky greene colour from amongst which there rise up weake and slender stalkeâ— about two or three fingers long set full of the like Leaves but smaller up to the tops that almost no part of the stalke can be seene amongst these Leaves come forth very small greenish yellow flowers scarce to be discerned where afterwards groweth the seed as small as that of the Knot-grasse The root is very small and threddy abiding divers yeares if it grow in a place that is liketh The Places and Time Parsly-pert groweth in those fields that are plowed up for Corne both at the same time with the Corne and also when they are fallow in most Countryes of this Land that ever I came into though Gerard and Parkinson make as if it were a Plant growing in few places It is to be found all the Spring Summer and Harvest even from April to the end of October yet it must be in severall places for that which groweth in the open and Sunny places will flourish first but that which is shadowed will continue longest The Temperature It is as I conceive of the same Temperature with Knot-grasse The Vertues Parsly Break-stone hath not its name for nothing for it is found to be a singular remedy to provoke Urine when it is stopped wholly or passeth away by drops with paine or unsensibly without pain expelleth store of Gravel in those that breed it and the stone also in the Reines or Kidneyes in washing it down by the abundant passage of the Urine and helpeth also to expell it out of the Bladder if it be not grown too great for the passages and if it be it is very probable that the abundance of Urine brought down into the Bladder by the Vertue of it even whilst it abideth there will work so much upon the stone therein confirmed and grown great that it will wast by degrees by causing it to be avoided in Gravell with the Urine And that it may performe these operations with the better successe you may take of the juice of the herb about three Ounces and mix it with so much White Wine as is fit to make a Posset the drink whereof taken in a pretty quantity morning and evening to which you may if you please adde Mother of time and some Camomile which is a good way Or you may boile the Herbs aforesaid in Wine or if that cannot be had in Water and drink it but I hope you will have the wit to streine it first The powder also of the dryed herb to the quantity of a dramme or lesse in White-Wine or in other drink where Wine is wanting taken first and last for divers dayes and the distilled Water drunk with a little Sugar in the same manner worketh the forementioned effects and so doth this Composition which came originally from a poore Country man who with good successe ministred it to divers sorts of people Take of the dryed herb of Parsly-pert and Mous-eare Bay-berries Turmarick and Cloves the seed of the Burdock the seed of Hep or the Bryar berries and the seeds of Fenugreek of each one Ounce of the Stone in an Oxes Gall twenty foure graines weight let all these be beaten into fine Powder and kept in a dry box or pot to use upon occasion whereof the quantity to be taken at a time is from halfe a dram to a dram as the age and necessity of the patient shall require There be divers who conceiving themselves inclined to the stone eat it familiarly as a Sallet Herb and pickle it up also like Sampire to eat in Winter when the greene herb cannot be gotten CHAP. CCXXIII. Of Saxifrage The Names IT is called in Latine Saxifraga or Saxifragia for to the Greek Writers it was altogether unknown as farre as we can gather they having left no name for it from its efficacy in breaking the Stone in England Saxifrage and Breakstone So much for the names in generall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there being 〈◊〉 that do it also though not so effectually I shall speak of them more particularly in the kindes The Kinds Because the best Saxifrage that is growes in England I shall trouble you with no forreine sorts we having nine or ten sorts of our own which for their Vertues not for their formes I shall put together 1. English Saxifrage so called because it groweth more plentifully in England then in any other Country 2. Mr. Goodrers Marsh-Saxifrage so called because he first discovered it in a marshy place 3. Lobels West-Country Saxifrage because Lâ—bâ—l found it in the Westerne parts of this Land 4. White Saxifrage so called from the colour of the flowers to distinguish it from the former 5. Golden Saxifrage from the Golden colour of the Leaves 6. The greater Burnet Saxifrage so called because it hath Leaves somwhat like Burner 7. The middle Burnet Saxifrage 8. The lesser Burnet Saxifrage 9. Saxâ—frage with Chickweed Leaves The Forme English Saxifrage White Saxifrage Golden Saxifrage and burnet Saxifrage be of so different Formes that it will be necessary that I describe them one aâ—ter another English or Medow Saxifrage which is known to divers by the name of Medow Parsly groweth with many very green winged Leaves somwhat like unto those of Fenneâ— but thicker and broader so like unto Medow Hart-wort of Mompelier that it made Parkinson joyne it next thereunto from amongst the said Leaves riâ—e up divers creâ—ed stalkes of a Cubit high having thereupon divers smaller stalkes of winged Leaves also finely cut but somwhat harsh to the feeling and bearing at the top spoky rundells or umbells beâ—et with white flowers tending a little to yellow which give place unto seeds like unto the Common Fennell â—eed both for forme and greatnesse but of a browner colour and small tast The root is thick black without
Bladder is the Bladder Nut-Tree which is therefore said to be effectuall to help those which are troubled with the Stone in the Bladder but because it is without any other Vertue unlesse it be to provoke Venery as some affirme having withall divers evill Qualities whereby they are loathsome and overturne the Stomacks of them that eate them I shall passe it by without any description at all only tell you that it is called Nux Vesicaria in Latine supposed to be the Staphylodendron of Pliny Some call it Pistacium Germanicum because they call it by the same name they do the Pistake whereof Scaliger taketh it to be a kind So much I thought good to say of it because it growes in Gardens and Fields in divers places of this land CHAP. CCXXVIII Of Dogs-grasse or Quich-grasse The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agrostis that is Gramen simply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is of most use In Latine Gramen Caninum and Gramen Caninum medicatum by Lobel following Pliny herein who first called it Canaria quasi à Caniâ—â—â—inventa because Dogges when they are sick at the Stomack do naturally eat hereof fall to their Vomit and are well and therefore others have called it Cynagrostis and Dens Canis from the forme wherein it first appeareth We call it in English Dogs-grasse because Dogs feed thereon Quich-grasse and Couch-grasse from the nature of the rootes which ly so close in the ground that they cannot be got out unlesse the ground be broken up with a Spade The Latine word Gramen is derived à Gradiendo from spreading it selfe for it will overâ—â—â—ne a place speedily The Kindes You may guesse by the severall sorts of Quich-grasse what a huge number of Grasses there be in all this being a subordinate kind and yet hath sixteene under it 1. Common Quich-grasse 2. Quich-grasse with a more spread Panickle 3. The lesser Quich-grasse with a sparsed tuft 4. Low bending Quich-grasse 5. Low bending Quich-grasse of Mompelier 6. A small sweet grasse like Quich-grasse 7. Common bulbed and knotted Quich-grasse 8. Knobbedgrasse with a small round spike 9. Double bulbed 10. The bulbed Grasse of Aleppo 11. The Sicilian Bulbed Grasse 12. Sea spiked Dogs-grasse or Quich-grasse 13. Sea Quich-grasse 14. Sea Dogs-grasse with long roots 15. Sea spiked Dogs-grasse of Mompelier 16. Rough Sea Dogs-grasse The Forme Common Quich-grasse is well known both by Gardiners and Husbandmen to creepe farre about under the ground with long white joynted Rootes and small fibres almost at every joynt very sweet in tast as the rest of the herb is and interlacing one another from whence shoote forth first one and afterwards many faire and long grassy Leaves small at the ends and cutting and sharpe at the edges the Stalkes are joynted like corne with the like Leaves on them and a long spiked Head with long husks on them and hard rough seed in them The Places and Times The first is too common both in Gardens and Ploughed feilds for the Gardeners and Husbandmens store though not for such Physitians as Mr. Culpepper who holds halfe an Acre of it worth five of Carrots or Corne the second and third are nothing so frequent and are more naturall to sandy and chalky grounds the three next are likewise found in feilds that have been Ploughed but ly fallow at present The seaventh is found in some Ploughed Feilds and Medowes of this Land the eighth neere Basil the ninth in Spaine the tenth neere Aleppo the eleaventh neere Verona the three next on our Sea-Coasts especially in Kent the fifteenth about Mompelier and Narbone the last about Venice They flourish most in the Summer but their Rootes endure the hardest Winters The Temperature Dogs-grasse is cold in the first degree and moderate in coldnesse and moisture but the seed is much more cold and dry of some tenuity of parts and somewhat harsh The Vertues and Signature All the sorts of Grasse especially those of Quich-grasse are very effctuall to open the passages of Urine being stopped as also to wast the gravel of the Stone in the Bladder and the Ulcers thereof but that sort which is knobbed is held to be most proper because it hath a kind of Signature And if I should say that some of the other sorts cure the Wormes by Signature I should not say amisse for the rootes of some of them are very like those beds of Wormes which we somtimes see voided from men the juice thereof mixed with Honey and the Powder of Southernwood and taken in drink for Children the juice mingled with an Oxe-Gall and a cloth dipped therein and laid to the Navell will be sufficient and for this purpose the Dogs also eat it who after the taking thereof have been observed to void many Being boiled in white wine and drunk it openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Gall and easeth the griping paines of the Belly and Inflammations The Roots bruised and applyed are very effectuall for Consolidating Wounds The seed doth more powerfully expell Urine and stayeth the Lask and Vomitings The distilled Water by it self or with a little wormseed killeth the Wormes in Children The way of using it for the diseases of the Reines and Bladder which I forgot to expresse after the Signature is onely to bruise the Roots and having well boiled them in white wine to drink the decoction yet after the benefit of making Water is obtained the decoction must be made in water CHAP. CCXXIX Of Butchers Broom The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oxymyrsine which is as much as Acuta Myrtus in Latine and Prickly Myrtle in English as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myrtus Sylvestris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myrtacantha Myrtus Spinosa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 murina Spina and of Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Centromyrrhine Pliny saith that it was called in his time Chamaemyrsine and Acaron or rather Aceron which is one of the Bastard Names by all which we may gather that it was taken for the wild Myrtle but falsly for that which was accounted so amongst the Ancients is like unto the manured kind with prickly Leaves and therefore Pliny misâ—ooke when he attributed the faculties of the one to the other It is called in Latine Ruscus and Ruscum and in Shops Bruscus and of some Ruscus Bruscus by Onomaâ—opaeia because of the Russeling noise it maketh when it is moved and of some as Marcellus saith Scopa Regia We call it in English Knee-holme Kneeâ—â—lver Kneeholly Pettigree and Ruscus Bruscus The Kinds Butchers Broom at its first coming up sendeth forth thick whitish short Shoots somewhat like unto those of Asparagus but greater which thing to be about a foot high are spread into divers green branches which are a little crested tough pâ—â—ant and flexible whereon are set somwhat broad and allmost hard Leaves sharp and prickly pointed at the ends of a dark green colour and somewhat like unto Myrtle Leaves
two for the most part set at a place very close or near together about the middle of the Leafe on the back or lower side from the middle Rib breaketh forth a small whitish green flower consisting of four small round pointed Leaves standing upon little or no foot-stalk in the place whereof cometh a small round berry green at the first and red when it is ripe wherein are conteined two or three white hard round seeds The Root is thick white and great at the Head and from thence sendeth forth divers thick white long tough strings The Places and Time Butchers Broom groweth plentifully in divers Copses Heaths and wast grounds of this Land especially upon Hampsted Heath four miles from London and in divers parts of Kent Essex and Bark-shire where Holly-bushes grow for under them they are oftentimes found It shooteth forth its young Buds in the Spring the berries being ripe in or about September and the branches or Leaves abiding all the Winter The Temperature The Roots of Butchers Broom which are of greatest vertue and use are temperatly hot and dry also in a mean with a thinnesse of Essence The Signature and Virtues Though Butchers Broom cannot be said to have the Signature of the Reines and Bladder or the Stone in them yet it may as well be said to have the Signature of that pricking pain that is left in them as often as the Stone or Gravell moves just as if thornes were put into the passages of the Urine as Carduus Benedictus to signifie its efficacy in curing the paines of the sides by the prickles that grow thereon and therefore the Decoction of the Roots made with Wine is very profitable to open Obstructions to provoke Urine and to amend the strong smell thereof it being one of the sive opening or diureticall Roots expressed in the London Dispensatory for it helpeth to expell Gravell and the Stone and consequently from those tormenting paines which seeme as if those parts were peirced through with Needles It is also of great operation in the Strangury bringeth down Womens monthly Courses and being taken with some Honey or Sugar it cleanseth the Breast of Phlegme and the Chest of much Clammy humors gathered therein The same effects are attributed to the Leaves and Berries by Dioscorides The juyce of the Leaves taken with Sugar helpeth Spitting of blood and cleanseth the Womb. Halfe a Ounce of the Roots with the like quantity of Annise-seed and Fennel-seed made into powder and halfe an Ounce of Sugar mixed therewith and as much of it taken in posset drink or white wine as will lye on a Shilling is very available against Wind and gripings of the Belly The decoction of the Roots drunk and a Pultis made of the Berries and Leaves being applyed are effectuall in knitting and consolidating broken Bones or parts out of Joynt The juyce thereof taketh away the stinke of the mouth and Gums being washed therewith and the powder of the root cleanseth wounds and preventeth a Gangrene being strewed therein The Leaves stamped and boiled with rose-Rose-water and a little Wine and applyed unto the secret parts of a man helpeth the Inflammations thereof The young shoots are in some places eaten in Sallets after that manner as Asparagus are The full grown branches were formerly used to make Beesoms to sweep the house whence it was called Scopa Regia but now it is used by few unlesse it be Butchers who make cleane their stalls defend their meat from the flyes therewith which is the reason why it is called Butchers Broom It hath been used to preserve Martlemasse-beof and Bacon from the mice eating and so it may be still by those that have the command of both The most effectuall way of using it in the Diseases of the Reines and Bladder is to boile the Roots of it and Parsly Fennell Smallage and Grasse of each a like quantity in White wine and to drink the decoction respect being had to the strength of the Patient otherwise it is possible that so many cleansing things may make some Excoriation or fretting in the passages of the Urine these many diureticall roots being put together CHAP. CCXXX Of Chervill The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chaerephyllum either because it delighteth to grow with many Leaves or because they cause joy gladnesse which name the Latines partly follow it being called Chaerophyllum by Columella and is likely to be the Carophyllum of Pliny but the most common name it hath is Cerefolium or Châ—rifolium being a mongrell Word composed both of Greek and Latine It is called in English by no other name that I know then Chervill for Myrrhis Sweet Chervill and Sweet Cicely is another plant which I have already treated of different from this in many respects as I could shew if I thought it needfull but I think what I have said may suffice The Kinds Of this Chervill I find but two sorts 1. Garden Chervill To which I may add Shepheards-needle or mock Chervill The Form The Garden Chervill doth at the first coming up somewhat resemble Parsly but after it is better grown the Leaves are very much cut in and jagged resembling Hemlocks so much that some have mistaken one for the other yet they may easily be distinguished if you smell unto them being a little hairy and of a whitish green colour and sometimes turning reddish in Summer with the Stalkes also It riseth above halfe a yard high though Parkinson say but halfe a foot bearing white Flowers in spotted Tufts which turne into long and round seed sharply pointed at the ends and blackish when they are ripe of sweet tast but of no smell whereas the herb it self smelleth reasonable well which Hemlock doth not The root is small and long and perisheth every year yet being once sown and suffered to seed and that seed suffered to sow it self it will put you to no further trouble unlesse it be to weed it out lest it encroach upon its neighbours territories The Places and Time The first groweth in Gardens and is a good Sallet herb at the first coming up yet after a while it growes strong and unpleasant The second groweth wild in Vineyards and Orchards beyond the Sea and in divers places of our own Land The last is to be found in most Corne-Fields in England If that of the Garden be sowne early the seed will be ripe in June and Jluy which being suffered to â—â—ll or sown againe presently will rear up a new Crop for Autumn-Sallâ—â—s the other two flower early and seed accordingly The Temperature Chervill is of a temperate heat and moderate drynesse Shepherds Needle is hot and dry in the later end of the second degree The Signature and Vertues The sharp pointed seeds of Chervill and Shepherds-Needle may be said to signifie the Vertues they have in easing the pricking paines of the Stone in the Reines and Bladder for the juyce or distilled water of either of them
and Children If an Angel of Gold of the same weight or pure leaf Gold be steeped four and twenty houres in three or four ounces of the â—aid juyce being very pure and some of it given in a Cup of Wine with a little powder of Angelica Root unto any infected with the plague though dangerously sick if there be any hope or likelyhood of recovery it will help him The said juyce is singular good to quench thirst in hot Feavers and so is the Posset drink made thereof It is of good use likewise at Sea in long Voyages to put into their Beverage to keep them from the Scurvy whereunto Seamen and passengers are subâ—ect if the Voyage be long and to quench their thirst when they come into hot Countries The water that is distilled in Glasse from the inward pulp or substance of the Lemons provoketh Urine breaketh and expelleth the Stone being drunk cleareth the Skin from all Freckles Spots and other marks in the face or in any part of body helpeth also the running Scab and killeth Lice in the bead the wormes in the Hands or Nose and pushes and wheales in the skin The rind or peele of the Lemmon being put into Tarts and Sawces giveth unto them an excellent relish and doth correct the Stench of the mouth whether it come by taking Tobacco or otherwise especially if it be dryed It may safely be used to all purposes which the rind of the Citron is coming somewhat near to it in properties though in a weaker degree The seeds of these are likewise almost as effectuall as those of Ciâ—rons to preserve the Heart and Vitall Spirits from poyson to resist the infection of the Plague or Poxes or any other contagious disease to kill the wormes in the Stomack provoke womens courses cause aâ—â—rtion having a digesting and drying quality fit to dry up and consume moist huâ—ors both inwardly in the body and outwardly in any moist or running Ulcers and Sores The juyce of the said fruit is very necessary for Dyers who spend much thereof in striking sundry dainty colours which will never be well done without it and is used also by Laundresses to get Iron mouldes and all manner of sâ—ainâ—s out of the purest Linnen for which they find it very effectuall Though some perhaps may covet after the sweetest Lemmons because they are more delicious and gratefull to the Palate yeâ— for any of the purposes aforementioned as also to make Lemmon Beer the sowre Lemmon is most proper being more â—ooling in Physick and operative for other businesses because it is more abstersive CHAP. CCXXIIII Of the Cypresse Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cyparittâ—s and Cyparissus either 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the branches of it grow so eaven that one would think it were formed by Art or from Cyparissus who as it is said was turned into the Cypresse tree or from the City Cyparissus near unto which a great multitude of these trees do grow Some imagine that the Gopher 〈◊〉 whereof the Arke of Noah is said to be made was the Wood of this Tree and indeed there is some probability for it there being no Wood whatsoever so durable or lesse subject to rottennesse though it continue in a wet or damp place as appeares by what Thevet reporteth who saw as he saith at Damiate in Egypt a Cypresse Chest that was digged tenfoot out of a moorish ground not having one jot of corruption about it though it is thought to have laine there many years It is called in Latine Cypressus either from Cyparissus or from the â—and Cyprâ—s where they grow plentifully Virgil maketh mention of Froâ—◠〈…〉 reâ— which the Commentator conceives was this Cypresse tree which was used in those dayes and is in these by the gentiler sort at funeralls to signifie that the remembrance of the present solemnity ought to endure a long while The fruit is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine Pilula Cupressi Nuces Cupressi and Galbuli in shops Nuces Cupressi In English Cyprâ—sse Nuts or Clogs This Tree was formerly dedicated to Pluto which might be a reason also why it was used at funeralls The Kinds The sorts of the Cypresse tree are said to be three 1. The Ordinary Cypresse Tree 2. The wild Cypresse Tree 3. The Cypresse Tree of America The Forme The Ordinary Cypresse Tree hath a long thick and straight body whereupon many slender branches do grow which do not spread abroad like the branches of other Trees but grow up with the body yet not equally so that it imitateth the fashion of a Spiâ—e Steeple being broad below and picked towards the top the body and armes are covered with a reddish bark the Leaves are ever green but lose much of their Verdure in winter which the next spring restoreth being somewhat long slender and flattish round parted very much and somewhat resembling Savinâ— of a resâ—nous sent and strong tast the flowers are small and yellow growing here and there amongst the boughes after which cometh the fruit which is close and hard at first of a russet brown colour but cloven and opening into many parts when it is ripe in which is conteined small brownish seed the root spreadeth much but not very deep The Places and Time The first groweth in Eastern Countries and in many of the Isles of the Mediterranean Sea as Rhodes Candy formerly called Creet where it groweth very plentifully of its own accord beaâ—ing ripe fruit from September almost all the Winter The second by Jupiter Ammons Temple and in other parts of Cyrâ—ne the last in the Northern parts of America I speake of the naturall places for there be but few that are Ignorant how familiar they are now in moâ—â— Garâ—ens about London The Temperature The fruit and Leaves of the Cypresse Tree are dry in the third degree having neither heat nor bitting sharpnesse yet by its adstringency it doth resolve and consume humidities in putrid Ulcers The Vertues The Leaves of Cypresse boiled in sweet wine or Meade doth help the Stangury and difficulty of making water and the powder of the Leaves with a little Myrrh and wine helpeth thoâ—e fluxes that fall on the Blaâ—der and provoketh Urine being stopped The said decoction helpeth the Covgh and shortnesse of breath if it be taken in a small draught divers mornings fasting and so it is good for the fluxes of the belly or stomack bleedâ—ngs and Spitting of blâ—od as also the Rupture if some of the fresh Leaves be well bound to the place which thing the fruit or Nuts do performe more effectually The Leaves bruised and â—aid unto fresh wounds doth not onely stanâ—h the extraordinary bleeding of them but consolidateth them also and used by themselves or with Barly meale it helpeth St. Anthonies fire creeping Ulcers and Carbunâ—les the sores and Ulcers of the privy parts in man or woman and the inflammations of the Eyes and applyed to
Vulgar call Weedes and indeed there is a great deale of prettynesse in every one of them if they be narrowly observed yet divers of them are so pernicious to Corne and other things of greater use and value by their strangling qualities that the names above mentioned have not been given them without some reason CHAP. CCXLVIII Of Centory The Names IT is divided into two kinds a greater and a lesser which might be treated of in two distinct Chapters yet for their names sakes and somwhat for their qualities I shall joyne them in one though of different forms The greater is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Centaurium magnum which is generally affirmed to have received its name from Chiron the Centaure who healed himselfe herewith after that he had wounded his foot by the fall of one of Hercules's Arrowes out of his hand when he received Hercuâ—es as â—iâ—â—ueâ— and therefore of some was â—aâ—ed 〈◊〉 It hath formerly though falsely been called Rha Pont cum and uâ—â—â— insteed thereof that being a kind of Rubaâ—be The lesser is caâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek Centaurium parvum and minus in Latine and Centaurea as also â—â—râ—s for the extraordinary bitternesse thereof and Febrâ—fuga of cuâ—ing Feaâ—â—â—â—â—gh that name properly belong to another Plant calâ—ed Feaveâ—ew of â—â—â—e also Multiradâ—x but why I know not Dioscorides saith it was calâ—ed Limâ—â—n and Pliny Libadâ—oâ— because it â—oveth to grow in moiâ—â— places yet in our Country it loveth to grow in dry places also It is called in English Small Century and the lesser Centory The Kinds Of these two kinds above named there be Eleaven sorts foure of the greater and seaven oâ— the lesser 1. The Common Great Centory 2. The Pyrenean gâ—eat Centory 3. The great Centory of Portugall 4. The great yellow Centory 5. The red ordinary small Centory 6. White flowered Centory 7. Small spiked Centory 8. Small yellow Centory 9. Small yellow thorough leased branched Centory 10. Small yellow unbranched Centory 11. The least yellow Centory The Form Though I have set the greatest Centory foremost for his greatnesse sake yet the lesser being thaâ— at whose Vertues I cheifely aâ—â—e take the description thereof as followeth The red ordinary small Centory groweth most commonly but with â—â—â— round and somwhat creâ—â—ed stalke not above halfe a foot high at most that eâ—er I saw branching forth at the top into many sprigs and some also from the joynts of the stalkes below At the extremities of the branches there stand as it weâ—e in an Umbell or tuâ—t divers small flowers of a pale red colour tending to a Caâ—â—tion consisting of six but usually of five small Leaves somwhat like unto those of St. Johns-wort which in the day time when the Sun shineth open themselves and towards the evening shut themselves againe after which cometh the seed in little short Huskes in for â—e like unto Wheat Cornes but much lesser The Leaves are small and somwhat round like unto those of St. Johns-wort but lesser The root is small and hard The Places and Time The first and third grow upon the Alpes and Mount Baldus the name of the second will discover its place the fourth is a naturall of Mount Baldus also the â—â—ft is found almost every where in fields pastures and woods as in a field by Oxford highway from Baubury not farre from Beechen Tree and in a place called New-paâ—â—ure in the Common fields of Adderbury East not farre from the high way side and in some of Walton grounds which are on the other side the River Charwell and other places that I could name the sixth is not so frequent the seaventh about Momâ—eâ—â—er and neere unto Padoâ— upon the Euganean Hilles the eighth in a field next Sr. Francis Carew's house in Kent at Beddington neere Croydâ—â— and in many other places where the other sorts are somtimes found and removed into the Gardens of the curious where some of the greater sorts may be also seene They do all flower about July and give their seed in August only the Portugall kind is seldom brought to flower in our Country much lesse to seed The Temperature The great Centory is hot and dry in the third degree The lesser is hot and dry in the second degree and very bitter The Vertues and Signature Both the Centories are commended for gripings in the Belly yet because the lesser it most effectuall to that purpose I shall set down the Vertues thereof The decoction thereof being made in Wine Ale or posset drink is very available in severall diseases of the Belly as the Chollick Costivenes Wormes and the like purging Phlegme and Choler and provoking Sweat It is given with very good successe to those that are perplexed with Agues for it openeth the stoppings of the Liver Gall and Spleene helping the Jaundise which the yellow sort doth by Signature for that especially purgeth Choller as the white doth Phlegme and Water and the Red cleanseth the Blood maketh thin both it and the humors by the cleansing and bitter qualities It is usefull in the Sciatica helpeth those that have the Dropsy and the green sicknesse for it bringeth down the Courses of women It helpeth also to avoid the Dead Birth and helpeth the paines of the Mother and is very effectuall in all paines of the Joynts as the Gout Cramp or Convulsions Being boiled in White Wine or Ale with Liquorice and strained and drunk Morning and Evening it openeth the Obstructions of the Chest and Lungs and a little Sugar-Candy added it is a good Remedy against Hoarsnesse and the Ptisick The decoction of the tops of the Stalkes with the Leaves and flowers which are most in use being taken inwardly and the boyled Herb that is taken forth applyed ovtwardly helpeth both the paines of the sides and hardnesse of the Spleene A dram of the powder thereof taken in Wine is a wonderfull good help against the bitting and poyson of any Venemous Creatures Being boiled in Water and drunk it provoketh Appetite cleanseth the Stomack and Breast purgeth the Back and Reines and healeth whatsoever is amisse in them The juyce of the Herb mixed with a little Honey is good to cleare the Eâ—â—s 〈◊〉 Dimnesse mists or Clouds that hinder the sight and is singular good â—or green or fresh wounds and also for old Ulcers and Sores to close up the one and to cleanse the other and perfectly cure them both although they be fistulous and hollow the green Herb especially being bruised laid to The decoction thereof being dropped into the Eares cleanseth them from wormes cleanseth â—he foule Ulcers and spreading Scabs of the Head and taketh away Freckles Spots and Markes in the skin being washed therewith The greater Centory is appropriated especially to Wounds because it helpeth those that spit blood or bleed much at the Mouth two drams at the Root in powder taken in Wine or Water Neither is the Root but the whole Plant very available also in
beareth flowers but when it doth the Stalk whereon they grow is great rising up with some few lesser Leaves thereon to the height of three or four foot spreading at the top many small branches of whitish flowers consisting of four Leaves a peece after which come small pods like unto those of the lesser Shepheards purse but seldome with any seed in them the root is long and thick white of colour in tast sharpe and biting the tongue somewhat like Pepper The Places and Time Mountaine Radish for so it is sometimes called is cheifly planted in Gardens where it joyeth most in a moist and shaddowy place yet it groweth naturally in divers parts of this Land as at Namp-â—wich in Châ—shire in a place called the Milne-Eye and also at a small Village near London called Hâ—gâ—â—don in the feild next unto the farme house by the way leading to Kings land Iâ— so seldome beareth seed or flowereth that some have affirmed that it beareth neither yet sometimes it doth flower in July or August and the seed is ripe in September but the common way of propagating it is by the root for it shooteth up divers heads which may be parted for increase either in the Spring or Autumne The Temperature Horse Reddish is hot and dry in the third degree being of a drying clensing and somewhat digesting quality The Vertues Of all things that are given to Children for the Wormes Horse Reddish is not the least effectuall for it killeth and expelleth them whether the juice of the green root or powder of the dry root be given in Wine or other convenient liquor or an Oyntment be made thereof and the Belly of the Child be anointed therewith The Leaves boyled in Wine with a little Oyl Olive added thereunto and laid to the grieved parts in manner of a Pultis do mollify and take away the hard swellings of the Liver and Milt and being applyed to the bottom of the belly is a remedy for the Strangury and so are the Roots sliced thin and eaten with meat as a saâ—â—ce having some vinegar put thereto as also for the chollick It is also a good remedy in strong Bodies for the Cough Tissick and other diseases of the Lungs as also to procure Womens courses that are stopped being boyled in honey and vinegar into an Electuary it also is often given before the fit of the Quartan Ague to alter the course which it doth by provoking vomiting and sweating the juyce given in drink is held to be very effectuall for the Scâ—rvey The Root bruised and laid to the place grieved with the Sâ—iatica gout Joynt-ach or the hard swelling of the Liver and Spleen doth wonderfully help them all And if any think or find it too strong for their stomacks or that it hurteth their head or causeth sharp and sower belchings the distilled Water of the Leaves and Roots may be taken with a little Sugar for all the purposes aforesaid without any disturbance at all The Root is commonly used amongst the Germans and sometimes by Gentlemen with us also for sauce to eat Fish with and other Meats as Mustard is and so it heateth the Stomach more and causeth better digestion then Mustard notwithstanding whatsoever some have written as if it were too strong for ordinary Stomacks CHAP. CCLVII Of Sumack The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the red or Scarlet colour of the seed which is therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying no more but Red Pliny calleth it also Rhus in Latine saying that it hath not any pure Latine Name yet Gaza translateth it Fluida supposing it to come from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fluo for no reason at all Some call it Rhus simply without any Epither as Matthiolus c. Others with one as Rhus Coriaria because the Coriers use it about their Leather and Rhus Obsoniorum because it is used about sauce the shops call it Sumack and so do We in English The Kindes To this kind may be referred these five sorts and not improperly 1 Coriare Sumack 2 Virginian Sumack 3 Mirtle leafed Sumack 4 Venice Sumack 5 Sweet Gall. The Forme Coriars Sumack groweth in our Gardens to be two or three yards high spreading sundry branches with larg winged Leaves that is having many set on both sides of a middle rib somewhat like unto Elder which are soft and hairy with a red sinew running through the middle of every of them at the ends of the branches come forth large spiked clusters of whitish Flowers which afterwards become reddish round and flat seed like unto Lentils with an outward skinny husk The Root is hard and woody not growing very deep nor much spreading the Wood is whitish but dyeth black The Places and Time The first groweth in Syria Pontus Italy and Spain where for its profit it is carefully manured the place of the second may be known by its name the third groweth about Mompelier and divers other places the fourth in Savoy and on the Apenine Hils the last by old Windsor Park-Corner in Sussâ—x Hartford-shire and Kent as well as beyond the Sea They flower for the most part in July and their seed is ripe in Autumne The Temperature Both the Leaves fruit and seed of Sumack are cold in the second and dry in the third degree being also of a very binding quality The Signature and Vertues The Reddish colour of the seeds of Sumack did teach those that found out the Vertues of Plants by their Signatures that it is good for the bloody flâ—x which is a distemper of the Belly with exulceration and excoriation so that blood is voided whereunto great paines with gripings are joyned and upon this account it is prescribed generally by all those that meddle with the cures of diseases as also for stopping all other Fluxes of the Belly the inordinate Courses of Women the Whites also and all other Immoderate Issues of blood whatsoever the Leaves being either boyled in Wine and drunk or the seed eaten in Sawces with Meat or the decoction set in some convenient place as the Case of a Close Stool whence the fume may powerfully ascend into the bodies of those that are thus diseased and the said decoction maketh the Hair black that is washed therewith The leaves and seeds may be used severall other ways for the said Fluxes as in Broths Baths Gilsters c. The said decoction of the Leaves and Seed in Wine doth also close up the Stomacks of those that are much given to vomiting and being mixed with vinegar and a little honey it is good against Gangrenes and Cankers The juyce that is gotten out of the dryed Leaves by boyling them in water being kept boyling till it have the consistence of Honey helpeth the roughnesse of the tongue and throat and performeth all those effects for which Lycium is commended The seed is likewise boyled in Water and the decoction thereof evapored to the thicknesse of honey
and helpeth Suffusions or Spots in the Eyes being mixed with Honey and dropped in It cures the stinging of venemous Beasts being applyed and the swelling of the Spleen being laid on as a Plaister A Perfume thereof and of Goats horn is not onely good for the Mother but prevents or much mitigates the Fit of the Falling Sicknesse if the party's head be held over it when the Fit is a coming It helpeth the Toothach being put into an hollow Tooth It is exceeding powerfull to expell Wind not onely in Men but also in Horses when they are over-subject thereunto These are the vertues of Assa faetida which is the true and onely Laser or Laserpitium of the Ancients as Garcias saith that it is so accepted generally by the Arabians in India who say they err mightily that make them differing It is given from half a Scruple to a Dram in powder if it be very dry but if not it must be dissolved in Honey or Wine and so taken yet Women with Child and such as have very hot and dry bodies must avoid it The Assa dulcis is now a dayes quite lost and forgotten being not brought into these parts neither are the Salks Leaves or Roots of Laserwort to be seen with us The Vertues of the two last are not yet discovered that I can finde CHAP. CCCXI. Of Cow-parsnep The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sphondyllum and Spondylium being derived as some think from Spondyle which signifieth a Flie of a very stinking smell like unto this Herb Tragus Cordus and others call it Branca Vrsina and Fuchsius Acanthus vulgaris sive Germanica and therefore the Apothecaries in high and low Germany did commonly use it in Clysters instead of Beares-breech It is called in English Cow-parsnep and Meadow-parsnep but some Countrey people call it Hog-weed because Hogs feed upon it with a great deal of greedinesse The Kindes There be five sorts of Cow-parsneps some of which have been made known to the world but of later dayes 1. Ordinary Cow-parsnep 2. The great Cow-parsnep of Germany 3. Jagged Cow-parsnep of our own Land 4. Small Mountain Cow-parsnep 5. Smooth Mountain Cow-parsnep The Form The Ordinary Cow-parsnep groweth with divers large spread rough winged Leaves lying either upon the ground or else touching it within a very little yet sometimes they stand more upright upon their long thick and roundish hairy Foot-stalks parted commonly into five divisions the two couples standing each against other and the odde one at the end each division or leaf being almost round yet cut intâ— the edges somwhat deeply in divers of them but not so deep in others of a whitish green colour and of somewhat a strong scent from amongst the Leaves riseth up a round crested hairy Stalk two or three foot high with some few Joynts and Leaves thereat like the former but lesser branched also at the â—op whereon divers Umbels of somewhat large and white flowers do commonly stand yet sometimes they are a little reddish after which cometh the Seed which is flat whitish thin and winged two of them being alwayes joyned together The Root is long and white somewhat like to that of Henbanâ— growing down into the ground with two or three long strings thereat having also somewhat a strong and unpleasant smell The Places and Time The first groweth not onely in the corners of Meadows and in the borders of Fields but in the Meadows and Fields themselves many times amongst the Corn whence the Husband-men pull them forth and bring them home to their Hogs being very acceptable to them as also to other Cattle neither do they count their Hay or Straw much the worse if it be amongst them it being good Fodder for Cowes and therefore called Cow-parsnep as well as for other Cattle the second is an Inhabitant of Germany the third being of our own Land was found by Dr. Bowl in Shropshire the fourth on the Alpâ—s of Austria the fifth and last on the Alpes of Basil They do all flower in July and seed in August The Temperature Cow-parsnep is of a manifest warme Temperature The Seed as Galen saith is of a sharpe and cutting quality The Vertues The Seed of Cow-parsnep being either boyled in Wine and drunk or powdred and so taken therein is commended as a good Remedy for Womens passions of the Mother and so it cleanseth the Belly from tough phlegmatick matter abiding therein and easeth them that are Liver-grown The smoak also of the Seed bâ—ing burned and received underneath is effectuall for the Mother and being burned under the Nose it helpeth such as are fallen into a deep sleep or have thâ— Lâ—tâ—argy The Root being boyled in Oyle and the Head rubbed therewith heâ—pâ—th not onely those that have the Lethargy or Drowsy Evil but those that have the Frensy or Waking Evil if I may so call it notwithstanding they are so contrary and those that of a long time have been troubled with the Head-ach if it be likewise used with Rue and so it is good for Ringwormes and Tetters the â—unning Scab and the Shingles The Seed is effectuall for those that are troubled with a Cough or shortnesse of Breath the Falling Sicknesse or the Jaundise The Root is of the like quality and available for the said purpose and besides it is of great use to take away the hard callous skin that groweth on a Fistula if it be scraped upon it The Leaves are profitable to consume and dissolve cold swellings if they be bruised and applyed thereto The Juyce of the Flowers being dropped into the Eares that are full of Matter and run cleanseth and healeth them â—he poor people of Polonia and Lit 〈…〉 ia do boyl the Seeds and Leaves hereof in water and by putting a little Yest or Barm thereunto make of it a Liquor which they drink as familiarly as we do Beer CHAP. CCCXII Of Birth-wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is good both to facilitate the Birth and to purge all impurity that may be in the Womb after delivery The Latines following the Greek do likewise call it Aristolochia besides which it hath none other Latine name but those which are corrupt yet coming thence also as Pistolochia and Aristologia In English it is called Birth-wort from the effects before mentioned The Kindes There are eight sorts hereof reckoned up by Bauhinus in his Pinax though perhaps not translated Verbatim 1. The more ordinary round rooted Birth-wort 2. Another round rooted Birth-wort 3. The true long rooted Birth-wort 4. Spanish long Birth-wort 5. The running rooted Birth-wort 6. Spanish climing Birth-wort 7. The bushy rooted Birth-wort 8. Ever-green bushy rooted Birth-wort of Candy The Forme The more ordinary round rooted Birth-wort sendeth forth divers long trailing square Stalks a foot long or thereabouts with few or no branches but with many round yellowish green Leaves
Tree the more it is beaten the more Nuts it bears and therefore good Husbands after they have beaten down the Nuts do with long Poles beat the empty boughs of the Tree and I have observed that those Trees which have grown in the streets have been full when those which have growen in the back sides have had scarce any which I could impute to nothing else but that those in the street were beaten and throwen at more then the other they blossom early before the leaves come forth and the fruit is ripe in September except St. Johns Wall-nut which ripeneth not till October The Temperature Dodonaeus is of Opinion that the fresh Nuts are cold and moist but Euchsius saith they are drying in the first degree and heating in the second the bark of the Tree doth binde and dry very much and the leaves are near of the same temperature but when the Nuts are old they are hot and dry in the â—econd degree and of thin parts and of harder digestion then when they are fresh which by reason of their sweetnesse are more pleasant and better digesting in the stomack The Signatures and Vertues Wall-nuts have the perfect Signature of the Head The outer husk or green Covering represent the Pericranium or outward skin of the skull whereon the hair groweth and therefore salt made of those husks or barks are exceeding good for wounds in the head The inner wooddy shell hath the Signature of the Skull and the little yellow skin or Peel that covereth the Kernell of the hard Meninga Pia Mater which are the thin scarfes that envelope the brain The Kernel hath the very figure of the Brain and therefore it is very profitable for the Brain and resists poysons For if the Kernel be bruiâ—ed and moystned with the quintessence of Wine and laid upon the Crown of the Head it comforts the brain and head mightily If the Peels be taken off they are thought to be good for the stomack and somewhat loosing the belly and mixt with Sugar they do nourish temperately whilest they are new but when they begin to grow old they grieve the Stomack and cause in hot bodies choler to abound and the Head-ach and are an enemy to those which have a Cough but they aâ—e lesse hurtfull to those which have colder stomacks and are said to kill the broad Worms in the stomack or belly They are reckoned in Schâ—la Salerni for one of those 〈◊〉 things which are good against poyson Allia Ruta Pyra Raphanus â—um Theriâ—câ— Nuâ—s Hac sunt A 〈…〉 tum contra mortale ventuum And true it is that two dry Wall-nuts and as many Figs and twenty leaves of Rue bruised and beaten together with two or three Coâ—â—s of salt were King Mithridates Medicine against poyson which afteâ— he had long used daily at last he sought to poyson himself but could not And no marvel for the water of green Wall-nuts taken about Midsummer being drunk two or three ounces cooleth and resisteth the Pestilence And the water of the outer Husks of Wall-nuts being not rotten distilled in September is given to drink against the Plague with a little Vinegar as a certain experiment and the juyce of the same boyled up with Honey is an excellent gâ—â—gle for â—â—re mouths the heat and inflammations in the throat or stomack Though the old Kernels are not so fit to be eaten yet they are used to heal the wounds of the sinews Gangrens and Carbuncles and being mixed with Figs and Rue they cure old Ulcers of the Breasts and other cold Imposthumes with Rue and Oyl they are good to be laid to the Quinsie The leaves with Boars grease stayeth the hair from falling and maketh it fair the like also will the green husks do used in like manner A peece of the green husk put into an hollow Tooth easeth the pains thereof Some use the green husks and sometimes the young red leaves dryed and made into powder instead of Pepper to season their meat but if some dryed Sage in Pouder be put into it it will give a seasoning and relish not to be despised of poor folks The Oyl of Wall-nuts made in such manner as Oyl of Almonds maketh smooth the hands and face and taketh away scales and scurf black and blew marks that come of blowes and bruises and taken inwardly it helpeth the Collick and expelleth Wind very effectually Besides it is far better for the Painters use to illustrate a white colour than Linseed Oyl which deadeth it and is of singular good use to be laid on gilded works The young green Nuts before they be half ripe preserved whole in Sugar are not onely a dainty Junket among other of the like nature but are good for those that have weak stomacks and defluxions thereon It is averred by some that if a Wall-nut be put into the belly of a Chicken it will cause it to be roasted a great deal the sooner The Rind of the root having the upper part scraped of being made into powder and tempered with Vinegar if it be strained two or three times till it be somewhat thin and clear and drunk liberally cureth the Ague and cleanseth the body very much CHAP. II. Of the Piony The Names THe Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines also Peonia and Dulcisida in Shops Pionia in English Piony or Peony and of some Chessesâ— It hath also many Bastard names as Râ—sâ— Fatuina Herba Câ—sta Hasta Regia Rosa Asinarum of some Luxaria or Luxaria Peonia because it cureth those which have the Falling-sicknesse whom most men do call Lunatici or Lunatick It is called Paonia from Paon a famous Physician who doubtless found out some of the Vertues and admired them but Glycysidâ— or Dulcisidâ— from the red grains in the Pomgranat which in Greek are called Sida with which it hath some resemblance It is also called Dactyluâ— Idaâ—â— the 〈◊〉 roots thereof being like to Dactyli Idâ—i which are certain precious stones of the form of a mans finger growing in the Isle of Candy It is likewise called Aglaophôtis or brightly-shining taking its name from the shining rednesse of the red grains or seeds which are of the colour of Scarlet of which there are many fabulous traditions but I shall forbear to mention them The Kindâ— The Sorts of Pionyes which I have met with are in number 11. 1. The male Piony 2. The Female Piony 3. Double Red Piony 4. The double white Pyony 5. The Spanish Dwarf Piony 6. Columbine leafed Pyony 7. The party coloured Piony 8. The female white Piony 9. The female yellow Piony 10. The doubtful female Piony 11. Certain single and double female Pionies that sprang with Clusâ—â—â— of the seed of the double Red which is not 〈…〉 all All these forts except the female are Plants so scarce that they are possessed but by a few and those great Lovers of Rarities in this kinde and therefore I shall trouble you onely with the description of that
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
smal yellow knobs or bunches set at severall distances from whence arise many small leaves growing in clusters thick together like tassells which fall away at the approach of Winter and gain fresh every spring which is peculiar only to this Tree of all the Rosen bearing Trees The blossoms are very beautiful and delectable being of an excellent fine Crimson Colour and very sweet which afterwards turn into small soft Cones like unto Cypresse Nuts while they are close but longer then they being made up of a multitude of thin Scales like leaves under which ly small seeds having a thin filme growing on them very like to the wings of Bees or Wasps the substance of the wood is very hard of colour somewhat red especially that which is in the middle and very profitable for works of long continuance Yet that report that the wood of the Larch Tree cannâ—â— be set on fire is false it being preferred before all other wood for all 〈…〉 thes work and for Miners to melt the Ore of Mettal because it holdeth fire longest and strongest by reason of the Rosen that is in it The Agarick which groweth on this Tree is a kind of Mushrome or Excrescence not such as is upon other Trees but covered with a hard blackish bark which being cut and pared away that which is underneath is whiter softer more loose and pongy then any other of the Mushromes that is the best which may easily be broken and is light and in the first taste sweet hard and well compact that which is heavy blackish containing in it little threds like sinews is counted pernicious and deadly The liquid Rosen that proceedeth from this Tree is very like in colour and substance to the whiter honey as that of Athens or Spain which notwithstanding issueth not forth of it self but runneth out of the Stock of the Tree when it hath been bored to the very heart with a great and long Augur or Wimble It is commonly called Venice Turpentine though the true Turpentine issue from the tree Terebinthus The figure of this Larch Tree with the Agarick growing upon it you may see lively represented either in Gerrard or Parkinson The Place and Time The Larch Tree groweth in many woods about Trent and Brixia in Italy and neer the river Benacus and Padus and in Galatia a Province of Asia as Dioscorides and Galen do record and in Agaria a countrey of Sarmatia from whence the Agarick took the name in Silesia also Moravia Lusatia As the Agarick is gathered in most of these places so is the Turpentine but especially from the woods about Trent Of all the Cone trees this only is found with out leaves in the Winter in the Spring grow fresh Leaves out of the same knobs from which the former did fall The Cones are to be gathered before winter so soon as the leaves are gone for after the scales are loosed and opened and the seeds drop away The Rosen or Turpentine is to be gathered in the hottest part of the Summer and the Agarick towards the latter end of the year but in November and December especially The Temperature The leaves bark fruit and kernel are of a dry and binding temperature The Agarick is hot in the first degree and dry in the second It cutteth maketh thin cleanseth taketh away obstructions and stoppings of the Entrails and purgeth by stool The Rosen of this Tree is moister then any other Rosen and without either that sharpnesse or biting which some of the others have The Signature and Vertues Agarick whose copped form holds out the Signature of the Head being boyled in Lye with other Cephalical helps comforteth the brain and memory very much It is good for the giddinesse of the head if it be washed therewith as also to stay the rheums and catarrhs thereof and cleanseth it much from scurfe and Dandraffe being taken with the syrup of Vinegar it is good against the pains and swimmings of the head or the falling sickness It purgeth phlegme Choler and Melancholy from the Brain Nerves Muscles Marrow of the Back it cleanseth the Breast Lungs Liver Stomach Spleen Reins Womb Joynts it provokes Urine and the Terms kills Worms helps pains in the Joynts and causeth a good colour It is very seldom or never taken alone because it doth somewhat trouble the stomach and therefore I shall set down a receipt or two The first is the syrup of Roses solutire with Agarick Take of Agarick cut thin an ounce Ginger two drachâ—â—s Sal Gem. one drach Polypodium bruised 2. ounces sprinkle them with white Wine and steep them two daies over warm Ashes in a pound and a half of the infusion of Damask Roses and with two pound of Sugar boyl it into a Syrup It cureth the yellow I amdies proceeding of obstructions and is a sure remedy for Agnes and cold shakings which are caused of thick and cold humors It purgeth phlegme from the Head relieves the senses oppressed by it it provokes the Terms in Women it purgeth the stomach and Liver and provoketh Urine All the aforesaid vertues are attributed to the Pills of Hierâ— with Agarick which are made as followeth Take of Species Hiera Picâ—a Agarick of each half anounce Aloes one ounce Hony Roses so much as is sufficient to make into a Masse according to Art Of this you may safely take a scruple at night going to bed having eat a light supper three hours before and you may safely go about your businesse the next day for it will work very gently and therefore you may continue taking it a week together for it will not work much the first time and consequently affect little Some give it only with Oxymel which is a syrup made with Vinegar and Honey and so it cureth all sorts of Agues either Tertians or Quotidians easeth the griping pains of the stomach and belly or such as have had falls or bruises or are bursten bellyed all which actions it chiefly performeth by purging those gross and vitious humors that trouble the parts and Members of the Body and are causes of all these diseases It is good against shortnesse of breath the inveterate cough of the Lungs the Ptisick Consumption and those that spit blood Half a drach or two scruples being taken in Wine either by infusion or the powder is an Antidote against all Poysons and cureth the bitings of Serpents very quickly It is applyed also outwardly for the same purpose The Rosen or Turpentine of this Tree taken to the quantity of an ounce will gently open the belly and more to the stool provoke Urine cleanse the Reins Kidneys and Bladder and helpeth to break and avoid the gâ—avel and stone and easeth those which have the stone if it be first washed with Plantane or Rose Water then made in Pills with the powder of white Amber Red Coral Mastick and a little Camphir it doth wonderfully help to purge and cleanse the reins and stop the running of them Being taken with honey it
of them are in Temperature dry little or nothing hot but astringent and are accounted as profitable for the paines of the head as any plant that is except Betony They are excellent good against any Joynt-aches as the Palâ—y and paines of the Sinews as theit names do import The decoction of the roots are good for the stone in the Kidneys and Bladder the juyce of the leaves for members that are loose and out of joynt or inward parts that are hurt râ—nt or broken A drachm and a half of the dryed roots of field Primrose gathered in the Autumne purgeth by Vomit very forcibly but safely waterish humouâ—s choler and flegme in such manner as Asara bacca doth A conserve made with the flowers of Cowslips and Sugar prevaileth wonderfully against the Palsy Convulsions Cramps and all diseases of the Sinews if the quantity of a Nutrneg be taken every morning An oyntment made of the leaves and Hogs grease healeth wounds and taketh away Spots Wrinkles and Sunburning and so doth the distilled water of the flowers As divers Ladies Gentlewomen and she Cittizens whether wives or widdows know well enough The roots of Primrose stamped and strained and the juyce snifted into the Nose with a quill or such like purgeth the brain and qualifieth the pain of the Megrim An Oyntment made with the Juice of Cowslips and oyl of Linseed cureth all scaldings and burnings with fire water or otherwise The flowers of Primt 〈…〉 sodden in Vinegar and applyed do heal the Kings Evil healeth also the Almonds of the Ears and Palate if you Gargarize the party with the decoction thereof The leaves and flowers of Primroses boyled in Wine and drunk are good against all diseases of the Breast and Lungs and will draw any thorn splinter or bone out of the flesh The Bears eares according to their name Sanicle are no lesse powerful for healing then the former as also for the Palsy and Rupture called Enterocele if for some reasonable space it be put in drinks or boyled by it self The roots also of Bears-ears are in great request amongst those that use to hunt after Goats and Robucks upon the Alpes and high mountains and for the strengthening of the head then when they passe by fearful precipices and steep places in following their game that Giddinesse and swimming of the brain may not seise upon them CHAP. XII Of the Lilly of the Vally The Names THe Latines have named it Lilium Convallium Gesner doth think it to be Callionymum It is called in English Lilly of the Vally or the Convall Lilly May Lillies Wood Lillies and in some places Liriconfancy or Lilly Confancy Fuschius saith that Ephemerum non Lethale and Lilium Convallium are the same The Kinds Of this Lilly I find but two sorts 1. Lilly-Convally with white flowers 2. Lilly-Convally with red flowers The Forme The Lilly of the Valley hath leaves somewhat like unto other white Lillies or rather like unto the leaves of the smallest water Plantain among which doth a slender and small stalk spring up in the top of which grow forth little small white flowers like little bells with turned edges and of a pleasant smell which being past there come small red berries much like the berries of Asparagus wherein the seed is contained The root is small and slender creeping farre abroad in the ground The Place and Time It groweth plentifully upon Hamstead-heath four miles from London near to Lee in Essex and on Bushy heath thirteen miles from London in Bagly wood which is two or three miles from Oxford not far from the way to Abingdon and many other places in vallies and on the sides of hills For its great commodity and beauty it is brought and planted in Gardens where it prospereth best if it be set in a moist ground and shadowy place It floureth in May and the fruit is ripe in September The Temperature and Vertues The Lillies of the Valley are hot and dry of Temperature according to Gerrard and Sennertus yet Hill in his Art of Gardening saith that they are cold and moist I assent rather to the former opinion though there may be some reason given for the later also The flowers be more effectual then the Herb and the root passeth the flowers in vertue It cureth the Apoplexy by Signature for as that disease is caused by the dropping of humours into the principall Ventricles of the brain so the flowers of this Lilly hanging on the plants as if they were drops are of wonderful use herein if they be distilled with Wine and the quantity of a spoonfull thereof drunk and so it restoreth speech to them that have the dumb Palsy And is good against the Gout comforteth the heart and Vitall Spirits strengthens the brain recrutes a weak memory and makes it strong again The distilled water dropped into the Eyes helps inflammations there is also that infirmity which is called the Pin and Web. The flowers steeped in New Wine and drunk doth help those which are pained with a trembling of the heart or other members it stops the passages of the Leprosy beginning that the same spread no further abroad Also it doth take away the scabbe and ring-Worm anointed thereupon and the sooner if you wash them sundry times with the water The water also asswageth the swellings of the stingings of Bees and Wasps if it be applyed to the part Take the flowers and steep them in New Wine for the space of a moneth which being finished take them out again and distill the wine five times over in a Limbeck This wine is more precious then Gold for if any one that is troubled with the Apoplexy drink thereof with six grains of Pepper and a little Lavander water they shall not need to fear it that moneth It ceaseth the Cholick it comforteth the brain and helpeth the Impostume in the hinder part thereof Six ounces of the water of the flowers helpeth those that are poysoned or bit with a mad Dog and being drunk fourty daies it doth away the falling Scknesse The same water drunk helpeth the Strangury the pricking about the heart and inflammation of the Liver and stayeth excessive Menstrues Gerrard saith That a Glasse being filled with the flowers of May Lillies and set in an Ant-hill with the mouth close stopped for a months space and then taken out you shall find a Liquor in the Glasse which being outwardly applyed helps the Gout very much CHAP. XIII Of Misselto The Names THe last thing that I shall treat of as appropriated to tâ—e diseases of the Brain as the Falling Sicknesse Apoplexy â—alsy c. is Misselto which is called by Dioscorides and so is the Birdlime made thereof but Theophrastus calls it who saith also that in Eubaa it is called Stelis and in Arcadia Hyphear In Latine it is called Viscus and Viscum and so is also the Birdlime made of the Berries Ion the Poet call it Sâ—dor Quercus Because it groweth on Trees from their own superfluous
Hair as Alopecia Ophiasis c. beginning with the Quince-Tree which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Malus Cydonia Cotonea It beareth the Name of Malus Cydonia à Cydone Cretae oppido unde primum advecta because it was brought first from Cydon a Town in Crete and Cotonea as some think from the down which groweth upon the Fruit which is called Cotton as Fuchsius writeth by which name Cato first called it and Pliny after him The Spaniards call it Membrillâ—o Marmello from whence come the word Marmalade The Kindes Columella setteth down three sorts of this fruit 1. Struthia Great ones 2. Chrysomela Gold Colour 3. Mustea Early ones but little but in our dayes there are four or five sorts of Trees which are known by the names following 1. Our ordinary Quince-Tree 2. The Portugall Quince 3. The Barbary Quince 4. The Lyons Quince 5. The Brunswick Quince The Forme The ordinary Quince-Tree groweth oftentimes to the height and bigness of a reasonable Apple-Tree but more usually lower and crooked with a rough Bark spreading Arms and Branches far abroad the Leaves are somewhat round and like those of the Apple-Tree but thicker harder fuller of Veins and white on the under side not dented at all about the Edges the Flowers are large and white sometimes dasht over with a blush the fruit that followeth is first green and then yellow when the white Freese or Cotton wherewith it is covered is rubbed off which groweth lesse as the fruit ripeneth bunched out oftentimes in some places some being liker an Apple some like a Pear of a strong heady sent and not durable to keep and is soure harsh and of an unpleasant taste to eat raw but being scalded roasted baked or preserved becommeth very pleasant The Place and Time The Place of every one save the first is expressed already which best likes to grow near Ponds and Water sides and is frequent through the Land but beareth not 〈◊〉 the place where it groweth be somewhat moyst It flowreth not till after the leaves put forth and that is about the end of March or the beginning of April the fruit is commonly ripe about the beginning of October The Temperature Quinces have a cold and earthy faculty in them and by reason of their 〈◊〉 binding they moysten the body lesse then other fruits for they are cold in â—â—e first and dry in the second degree When they are green they help all sortâ— of Fluxes in Man or Woman and whatsoever needeth astriction The Signature and Vertues The Down of Quinces doth in some sort resemble the hair of the Head the Decoction whereof is very effectual for the restoring of Hair that is fallen off by the French Pox and being made up with Wax and laid on as a Plaster it bringeth Hair to them that are bald and keepeth it from falling if it be ready to shed It healeth Plague-sores if it be boyled in Wine and applyed to them The Syrup of the Juyce of Quinces strengthens the heart and stomach stayes loosness and vomiting relieves languishing Nature for loosness take a spoonfull of it before meat for vomiting after meat for others purposes it is to be taken in the morning and may be then taken for these also It helpeth the Liver also when it is so opprest that it cannot perfect digestion and correcteth Choler and Flegme If you would have Quinces purging put Honey to them instead of Sugar and if more laxative add for Choler Rubarb for Flegme Tuâ—bith for watry humors Scammony but if more forcibly to binde use the unripe Quinces with Roâ—es and Acacia or Hypocistis and some torrefied Rubarb The Juyce of raw Quinces is held as an Antidote against the force of deadly poyson not suffering it to have any force in the body for it hath been often found to be most certain true that the very smell of a Quince hath taken away all the strength of the poyson of white Hellebore which the Hunters of Spain and Navarre make to kill wilde Beasts by dipping their Arrow-Heads therein It is also certain that if Quinces be brought into an house where Grapes are hung up to be kept dry all the year they will assuredly rot If there be need of any outward binding and cooling of any hot Fluxes the Oyl of Quinces or other Medicines that may be made thereof are very available to anoint the Belly or other parts therewith It likewise strengtheneth the Stomach and Belly and the Sinews which are loosed by sharp humours falling on them and restraineth immoderate sweatings The Mucilage taken from the Seeds and Quinces boyled a little in water is very good to cool the heat and heal the sore breasts of Women the same with a little Sugar is good to lenifie the harshness and hoarsness of the throat and roughness of the Tongue The Marmalade of Quinces is toothsom as well as wholsom and therefore I cannot blame such Gentlewomen which are seldom without it in their Closets CHAP. XV. Of Mosses IT may seem strange to any one that considereth not our Method that we should so much deviate from the common Roads which other Herbarists use to trace as to treat of the Quince-Tree and Mosse next to one another there being in their Opinion so little Similitude between them Yet because it cures the Diseases of the Hair as the former doth and doth a little resemble the Down growing on Quinces I shall handle it next The Names Mosse in generall is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in the Attick Tongue Sphagnum Hypnum and Pliny thereupon in one place calleth it in Latine Bryon Sphagnum and in another place Sphagnos sive Phacos sive Bryon but it is in Latine usually called Muscus and properly betokeneth any Herb that is composed of hairs or thred instead of Leaves the Arabians and Apothecaries call it Vsnea The Greeks which seldom gave any thing a name without a Reason called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it giveth ease to the Entrails The Kindes The Sorts of these are very numerous Parkinson reckons up thirty and treats of them in severall Chapters It would be somewhat tedious and to little purpose to repeat them all I shall therefore for brevity sake set down those which I finde to be useful and let the rest alone and the first is Our common ground-Mosse 2. Cupp-Mosse 3. Club-Mosse 4. Oak-Mosse 5. Apple-Tree Mosse 6. Mosse of a Dead Mans Skull Neither of these want a Description so much as the Club-Mosse because it desires to be known in these times wherein there is so much dead Wine which it is said in short time to recover I shall therefore describe that The Forme Club-Mosse or Wolfs-Claw Mosse which is in Latine called Muscus clavatus sive Lycopodium groweth close upon the ground among Bushes and Brakes to the length of six or eight foot consisting as it were of many hairy Leaves set
sweeter relish and a shorter crisp tast in eating The Place and Time Some of these sorts of Fennel grow in hot Countries as Italy Spain Candy c. and some of them are sowen in Gardens amongst us though the Climate altereth even the best and sweetest The common sort flowreth in June and July and the Seed is ripe in the end of August but the strange sorts do not perfect their Seed unless the year be kindly It is to be sowen in the end of February and that in sunny places and somewhat stony The Temperature There be different opinions concerning the temperature of this Plant. One saith it is hot and dry in the second degree but most affirm it to be hot in the third and dry only in the first Gerard saith that the Seed is hot and dry in the third Degree The Vertues The distilled water of Fennel dropped into the Eyes clense them from all enormities rising therein but the condensate Juyce dissolved or as some take it the natural Juyce or Gum that issueth out thereof of its own accord in hot Countries doth cleanse the Eyes from mists and films that hinder the Eye-sight Some for this purpose take the green stalks of Fennel and holding them to the fire in Autumne while they are green cause a certain Juyce or Liquor to drop from them which they apply to the Eyes as holding it to be more effectuall then either the condensate Juyce or naturall Gum. And some yet more neatly make a water to clear the Eye-sight in this manner They powder some white Sugar Candy very finely and put that Powder into the hollow green stalk of Fennel while it groweth a foot above the ground so that it be between two joynts which having remained therein two or three dayes and the hole covered and bound close over that no rain get in they open it at the lower joynt having first placed a good peece of soft wax made a little hollow gutter-wise under the hole which may serve to carry the liquor from falling down the stalk into a Vessel or thing set of purpose thereto to receive it Neither is it only good for the Eys but for many other uses It is used to lay upon Fish and other viscous meats to digest the crude Phlegmatick quality thereof and to boil it with them and the seed is oftentimes put in bread to break wind and to make a long breath It provoketh Urine and easeth the pains of the Stone and helps to break it and being boyled in Barley water and drunk it is good for Nurses to increase their milk and to make it the wholsomer for their Nurse-Children The leaves boyled in water but much more the seed stayeth the Hickock and taketh away that loathing which often happeneth to the stomacks of sick or feavourish persons and allayeth the heat thereof The seed boyled in Wine is good for them that are bitten by Serpents or have eaten poysonous â—â—erbs or Mushromes the Seed and the Root much more helpeth to open the obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Gall and thereby much conduceth to all the Diseases arising from them as the painful and windy swellings of the Spleen and yellow Jaundies as also the Gout and Cramp The seed is of good use in pectorall Medicines and those which help the shortness of the breath and wheesings by obstructions of the Lungs it helpeth also to bring down the Courses and to cleanse the parts after delivery The Roots are of most use in Physick Drinks and Broths that are taken to cleanse the blood to open the obstructions of the Liver to provoke Urine to amend the evill colour or complexion in the face after long sickness and to cause a good colour and a good habit throughout the whole body Fennell both Leaves and Seeds or roots are much used in drinks and broths for those that are grown fat to abate their unweldinesse and make them more gaunt and lank The sweet Fennel by reason of its sweetnesse is much weaker then the ordinary which is better for all the Physicall purposes aforesaid And therefore they do but deceive themselves and others that use the sweet Fennel Seed in compositions as thinking it better when as it is much weaker by want of the bitternesse which is most operative The Juyce killeth the worms in the ears if it be dropped therein The wild Fennel is stronger and hotter then the tame and therefore more powerfull against the stone but not so effectual to increase milk because of its dryness Let them that live in those Countryes where there be any Serpents or Snakes have a care they wash their Fennel before they use it because they delight much to be amongst it it is thought that they make use of it to preserve their Eyesight Fennel roots are one of the five opening roots the other four being Smallage Asparagus Parsly Kneeholly or Butchersbroom called in Latine Ruscus Bruscus CHAP. XVIII Of Vervain The Names IT is Called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hiera botané id est Herba sacra for so it was reputed amonst them as also amongst the Romans for with it they purged their houses and made clean the Table of Jupiter before the Sacricrificiall Banquets were set there on And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peristereon because Pidgeons love to be about it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying a Pidgeon In Latine Verbena quasi Herbena or Herba bona Verbenaca Matricalis Columbaria Columbaris or Columbina Exupera Martialis Herculania and Ferraria and of others Vervena in English Vervain and in some Countries Holy herb Mercuries moist blood Juno's tears and in others Pidgeon-grasse because Pidgeons eat thereof as is supposed to clear their Eye sight For Epxlication of that place in Terence Ex ara verbenas hinc sume The later Herbarists and Writers do conceive that the Poet in that place speaking after his countrey Phrase for Menander hath Mirtles out of whom this was translated understandeth such herbs as lay there which were also called Sagmina and not Vervain only The Kindes 1. Common or upright Vervain 2. Bending or Female Vervain 3. Vervain of Peru. 4. Round headed creeping Vervain The Forme The Common Vervain that is familiar to our Country hath divers Leaves towards the bottom of middle fise deeply gashed at the bottom of them the other part being deeply dented about the edges and some only deeply dented and cut all alike something like unto an Oaken Leaf those that grow higher are lesser all of them being of a dark green Colour on the upper side and somewhat gray underneath the stalk is square and branched into divers parts rising to be about half a yard high with a Spike of Flowers on the top which are set on all sides thereof one above another and sometimes two or three together being small and gaping of a whitish colour and some Purple and blew intermixt after which come small round seed in small and somewhat long heads the Root is small
Rose 11. The double Cinamon Roâ—e 12. The â—g antine or sweet Bryer 13. The Bryer Roâ—e or Hep-Tree 14. The Burner Rose All which I shall as near as I can wrap up into one generall Description by which the whole Family may be distinguished The Forme The Rose hath long stalks of a wooddy substance set or armed for the most part with divers sharp prickles the branches whereof are likewise full of prickles whereon do commonly grow leaves consisting of five parts set upon a middle Rib by couples tâ—e odd one standing at the point of the same every one of them somewhat snipt about the edges â—omewhat rough and of an over-worn green colour from the bosom whereof shoot out pretty big foot-stalks whereon do grow very fair flowers some single some double â—ome white some red some damask some yellow c. for the most part of a very sweet smell having in the middle a few yellow threds or chives which being past there succeedeth a long fruit green at the first red when it is ripe and stuffed with a downy choaking matter wherein is contained Seed as hard as stones The Root is long tough and of a wooddy substance The Places and Time All these sorts of Roses or most of them and perhaps some besides are in the Physick Garden at Oxford and in several Gardens about London The double white Rose doth grow wiâ—d in many hedges of Lancashire in great abundance They flower one or other of them from the end of May till the end of August If the superfluous branches and tops be cut away at the end of their flowring they will sometimes if the Winter be calm flower again in October and after The Temperature Both the white and red Roses are cooling and drying yet the white is taken to exceed the red in both those properties but is â—eldom used inwardly in any Medicine The Red as Galen saith hath a watery substance in it and a warm joyned with two other qualities that is an astringent and a bitter The yellow Chives or threds in the middle as also the nails which when any Syrup or Conserve is to be made are to be cut away do binde more then the Rose it self and are more drying also Mesue sheweth that the Rose is cold in the first Degree and dry in the second compounded of divers parts or substances which yet may be separated namely a watery mean substance and an earthly drying an airy substance likewise sweet and aromatical and an hot also whereof cometh the bitterness the redness perfection and form The bitterness in the Roses when they are fresh especially the juyce purgeth Choler and watry humours but being dryed aâ—d that heat that caused the bitterness being consumed they have a stopping and astringent power Those also that are not full blown do both cool and bind more then those that are full blown and the white Roses more then the red The Vertues The Decoction of Red Roses made with Wine and used is very good for the Head-ach and pains in the Eyes Ears Throat and Gums the fundament also the lower Bowels and the Matrix being bathed or put unto them The same Decoction with the Roses remaining in them is profitably applyed to the Region of the heart to ease the Inflammation therein as also St. Anthonies fire and other Diseases of the stomack Being dryed and beaten to Powder and taken in steeled Wine or water it doth help to stay Womens Courses they serve also for the Eyes being mixed with such other Medicines that serve for that purpose and are sometimes put into those Compositions that are called Anthera The yellow Threds in the middest of the Red Roses especially being powdered and drunk in the distilled water of Quinces stayeth the abundance of Womens Courses and doth wonderfully stay and help Defluxions of Rheum upon the Gums and Teeth and preserveth them from corruption and fasteneth them being loose if they be washed and gargled therewith and some Vineger of Squills added thereunto The heads with Seed being used in Powder or in a Decoction stayeth the Lask and the spitting of blood Red Rose-water being cooling and cordial refreshing and quickning the weak and faint spirits is used either in meats or broths as also to wash the Temples to smell to at the Note or to smell the sweet vapour thereof out of a perfuming Pot or cast on a hot Fireshovel It is also of much good use against the redness and Inflammation of the Eyes to bath them therewith and the Temples of the Head against pain and ach for which purpose Vineger of Roses also is of very good use and to procure rest and sleep if some of it and rose-Rose-water together be smelled unto or if a peece of Red-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
Celandine The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from a supposition that the Antients had that with this Herb Swallows do restore sight to their young ones though their Eyes be put out which Opinion is condemned as vain and false by Aristotle and Celsus from him who shew that the young ones of Doves Partridges Swallows c. will recover of themselves without any thing done unto them Yet I find that many Authours question not the truth of the story for Crollius and divers others do report how that Doves make use of Vervein Swallows of Celandine Linnets of Eye-bright and Hawks of Hawk-weed for the recovery of their own and their young ones sight The Latine also followeth the Greek and in it it is called Chelidonium majus Hirundnaria major and we in English great Celandine and of some Swallow-wort and Tetterwort for its efficacy in curing Tetters The Kinds Parkinson treats of Pilewort in the same Chapter with Celandine which are no more alike then Chalk and Cheese neither in Leaf nor Flower only because it is called Chelidonium minus from an error of Dioscorides who saith that it springeth when Swallows come in and withereth at their going away when as it springeth before Swallows come and vanisheth long before their departure Therefore I shall not mention that any more here but shall set down the kinds of the greater Celandine which I find to be three 1. Common great Celandine 2. Jagged Celandine 3. Great Celandine of Canada The Form Common Celandine hath divers tender round whitish green stalks with greater Joynts then other Herbs ordinarily have like unto knees very brittle and easie to break from whence grow branches with large tender long Leaves divided into many parts each of them cut-in on the edges set at the joynts on both sides of the branches of a dark blewish green colour on the upper side like Columbines and of a more pale blewish green underneath full of a yellow sap when any part is broken of a bitter tast and strong scent at the tops of the branches which are much divided grow gold yellow Flowers of four Leaves a peece after which come small long pods with blackish seed therein the root is thick and knobby with some threds annexed thereto which being broken or bruised yieldeth a sap or juyce of the colour of Gold The Places and Times The common sort groweth in many places by old Walls by the hedges and way sides in untilled places and being once planted in a Garden especially in some shady place it will hardly be gotten out The second is not known to grow naturally but is received into Gardens for the variety The third in Canada as the Title sheweth The two first sorts flower all the Summer long and the seed ripeneth in the mean time but the last flowreth very late and bringeth not its seed to perfection in this Country The Temperature The ordinary great Celandine is manifestly hot and dry and that in the third Degree and withall scoureth and cleanseth effectually The Signature and Vertues Though Aristotlc will not admit that this Herb cureth the Eys of young Swallows yet it hath been proved by experience that it is one of the best cures for mens Eyes that is for the juyce dropped into the Eyes clenseth them from films and clowdiness which darken the sight but it is best to allay the sharpnesse of it with a little Breast-Milk Mr. Culpepper saith that the Oyl or Oyntment is most effectual if it be anointed upon sore Eyes and that it is far better then endangering the Eyes with a Needle The Herb or Roots boyled in White-wine and drunk a few Annlseeds being boyled therewith openeth Obstructions of the Liver and Gall helpeth the yellow Jaundice by Signature which is plainly signified by the yellow juyce and after often using it helps the Dropsie and the Itch and those that have old sores in their Legs or other parts of the Body The juyce thereof taken fasting is held to be of singular good use against the Plague or Pestilence and so is the distilled water also with a little Sugar but especially if a little good Treacle be mixed therewith and they upon the taking lie down to sweat a little It is good in old filthy corroding creeping Ulcers whatsoever to stay the stelalignity of fretting and running and to cause them to heal the more speedily The juyce often applyed to Tetters Ring-worms or other such like spreading Cancers will quickly heal them and rubbed oft on Warts will take them away The Herb with the Roots bruised and heated with the Oyl of Camomile and applyed to the Navel taketh away both the griping pain in the Belly and Bowels as all the pains of the Mother and applyed to Womens Breasts that have their Courses over much stayeth them The Juyce or Decoction of the Herb gargled between the teeth that ake taketh away the pain and the Powder of the dryed Root layd upon an aking hollow or loose Tooth will as some say cause it to drop out The Juyce mixed with Powder of Brimstone is not only good to anoint those places which are troubled with the Itch but taketh away all discolourings of the skin whatsoever be they spots of marks or bruises stripes or wounds the Morphew also Sun-burning or any the like and if by chance in a tender body it cause any Itching or Inflammation it is soon helped if the place be but bathed with a little Vineger Matthiolus saith that if the green Herb be worn in the shooes of them that have the yellow Jaundies so as their bare feet may tread thereon it helpeth them CHAP. XXI Of Rue or Herb Grace The Names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Name which the Greeks give unto this Herbe which is the last in the forementioned verse and is so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à coagulando because it doth as it were condense the generative faculty by its heat and drynesse and is therefore said to abate carnal lust Yet Schola Salerni maketh a difference between men and women for they say Ruta viris coitum minuit mulieribus auget Because the nature of Women is waterish and cold and Rue heateth and dryeth therefore say they it stirreth them more to carnal lust but it diminisheth the nature of men which is of temperature like unto the air which is hot and moist Dioscorides saith that what we call Ruta montana was in his time called Moly montanum and the root of the Assyrian wild kind Moly for the likenesse thereunto being black without and white within And Ruta in Latine of Ruo for the violent fierce vapours it sendeth forth causing itching blisters c. In English Rue Herbe Grace and Herb of Grace for the many good uses it may be put to It is without doubt a most wholesome herb though bitter and strong and could dainty Palates brook the taste and use thereof it would work singular effects being skilfully and
cut-in on the edges and of a strong sweet scent growing some near the ground and some by couples upon stalks The Flowers grow at certain distances with two small Leaves at the Joynts under them somewhat like unto the Flowers of Sage but smaller and of a very whitish or black blew Colour the Seed is brownish and somewhat flat or not so round as the wild the Roots are blackish and spread not far and perish after the Seed-time it is most usuall to save it for the Seed seldom riseth of its own shedding The Place and Time The first is planted only in Gardens and so is the second in the Western parts of Europe both on this side and beyond the Alps by the judgement of the best Authours The third was brought by Paludanus into these parts out of Syria The fourth is wilde in many places of Germany The fifth is wilde in our Country upon dry banks almost every where and by the way sides The sixth Clusius first found in the Meadows near Sopronium in Hungary The seventh was sent out of Italy and it is likely is originally of that Country The eighth grew with Clusius of the Seed he received out of Spain but yet as he saith he found it likewise near the riding place at Greenwich The ninth groweth in Hungary almost every where in their Vineyards and by the way sides The tenth grew of the Seed which was sent out of Candy The eleventh both at Mompelâ—er and in Candy The twelfth throughout Hungary in great plenty and in Austria and in many other places The last as Dioscorides saith on Mount Ida in Phrygia and Messenia but of late dayes gathered from some of the Hills of Greece and Illyria that are near the Sea I have seen Colus Jovis c. Jupiters distaffe and the Aethiopian Clary grow both in the Physick Garden at Oxford and that at Westminster The Temperature and Vertues Clary is hot and dry in the third Degree The Seed thereof but especially the wilde sort called Oculus Christ of its effects from helping the Diseases of the Eys is used to be put into the Eys to clear them from any Moats or other such like things as are gotten within the Lids to offend them as also to cleanse them of all filthy and putrified matters wherewith the Eys are wont to be infested and to take away white and red spots out of them If the Seed be finely powdered searsed and mixed with Honey and applyed to the Eys it taketh away the dimness of them The mucilage of the Seed of either sort made with water and applyed to Tumours or Swellings disperseth and taketh them away and also draweth forth Splinters Thorns or other things gotten into the flesh The Leaves used with Vineger either by it self or with a little Honey doth help hot Inflammations as also Biles Felons and hot Inflammations gathered by their pains if it be applyed before they are grown too great The Powder of the dryed Leaves put into the Nose provoketh sneesing and thereby purgeth the Head and Brains of much Rheum and corruption It provoketh to Venery either the Seed or Leaves taken in Wine It is in much use to help to strengthen the Reins either used by it self or with other Herbs that conduce to the same effect and in Tansies often or the fresh Leaves fryed in Butter being first dipped in a Batter of Flower Eggs and a little Milk served as a dish to the Table is not unpleasant to any but especially profitable to those Men or Women that have weak backs It is used in Italy to be given for Women that are batten through a cold and moyst disposition to heat and dry up that moysture and to help them to be fruitful it helpeth the Stomack oppressed with cold flegme and purgeth the Head of Rheum and much corruption but the over-much use hereof offendeth the Head and is hurtful for the Brain and memory It bringeth down Womens desired sickness and expelleth the Secondine or after-birth Yellow Clary or Jupiters Distaffe is hot and drying and the juyce of it is of speciall good use to cleanse and heal foul Ulcers The Aethiopian Clary is commended for the roughness of the Throat and to help to expectorate the rotten and purulent matter in the Plurisie or in other Coughs either the Decoction of the Root drunk or made into an Electuary with Honey Dioscorides saith also that it is good for those which are troubled with the Sciatica The Leaves of wild Clary are good to be put into Pottage and Broth amongst other Herbs for they scatter congealed blood warm the stomack and help the dimness of the Eyes CHAP. XXIV Of Hawk-weed The Names THis is the last Plant that I shall treat of as appropriated to the Eyes and it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Accipiter an Hawk because Hawks are said to sharpen their Eyes with the Juyce of this Herb and for the same Reason it is called Hawk-weed in English In Latine it is called Hieracium and Accipitrina Gaza calleth it Porcellia It is called also Lampuca and by some Hypochaeris and Hyoseris The Kinds Parkinson who thinketh that such a multitude of Varieties in form pertaining to one Herb is not to be found again in Rerum natura divideth the Hawk-weeds into nine Ranks which with the particulars comprehended under every one of them would if only named make this Chapter extend its limits I shall content my self only with those I find mentioned in the Phytologia Britannica which I conceive to be the usuallest sorts growing within these Dominions and they are 1. Rough Hawk-weed or yellow Succory for all of them are numbered amongst the Succories by some 2. Dandelyon Hawk-weed 3. Succory Hawk-weed 4. Endive Hawk-weed 5. Rough Mountain Hawk-weed 6. Long rooted Hawk-weed 7. Great Hawk-weed 8. Hares Lettice or little Hawk-weed yellow Devills bit 9. Little Mountain Hawk-weed 10. Black Hawk-weed with more cut Leaves The Forme Hawk-weed hath divers Leaves of no great size lying on the ground much rent or torn on the sides into many gashes somewhat like unto Dandelyon from among which ariseth a hollow rough stalk of about half a yard or two foot high at the most that ever I saw oranched from the middle upward wherein are set at every Joynt â—esser Leaves but not so much indented as the former bearing at their top sundry pale yellow Flowers consisting of many small narrow Leaves broad pointed and nicked in at the ends set in a double Roe or more the â—â—er most being larger then the inner which form most of the Hawk-weeds do hold which turn into Down and with the small brownish Seeds is blown away with the winde The Root is long and white with many small fibres thereat The whole Plant is full of bitter milk The Places and Time The kind of Herbs do grow in untilled places near unto the borders of Corn-fields in Meadows High-wayes Woods Mountains and
Hilly places and many times near unto the brinks of Ditches They flower for the most part all the Summer long some sooner and others later The Temperature The kinds of Hawkeweed are cold and dry and somewhat binding The Signatures and Vertues Hawkeweed Argemoné which I touched when I spake of the Poppies Marigolds Anemonies Scabious and wild Tansy which I shall have more occasion to mention hereafter do cure the Eyes by Signatures as they say who have studied them and indeed they are all of them very good for the preserving and recovery of the sight by removing the many diseases which afflict that part more then any other because it is more tender and more imployed being the Organ of the most busied Sense to those that have it The Juice of Hawkeweed being mingled with the milk of a Woman and dropped into the â—yes is singular good for all defects and diseases of the Eyes and so is the diâ—â—led Water used in the same manner It is also used with good successe in fretting or creeping ulcers especially in the beginning The green herb bruised and with a little Salt applyed to any place burnt with fire before blisters do arise helpeth them as also Inflammations St. Anthonies fire and all Pushes and Eruptions Heat and Salt Phlegme The same applyed with Meal and fair Water in manner of a Pultis to any place affected with Convulsions and the Cramp or such as are out of Joynt doth give ease and help the Juice thereof in wine helpeth digestion discusseth Wind hindereth Crudities abiding in the Stomach and helpeth the difficulty of making water the biting of Venemous Serpents and Sting of the Scorpion if the herb be also outwardly applyed to the place and helpeth all other Poysons except that of Cerussa or those that hurt the Bladder or kill by strangling A Scruple of the dryed Juice given in Wine and Vinegar is profitable for those that have the Dropsie The Decoction of the herb taken with Honey digesteth thin Phlegme in the Chest or Lungs and with Hysop helpeth the Cough Being boyled in Wine with a like quantity of wild Succory and taken it helpeth the wind Cholick and hardnesse of the Spleen it procureth rest and sleep hindereth Venery and Venereous Dreams cooleth heats purgeth the Stomach encreaseth blood and helpeth the Diseases of the Reins and Bladder The distilled water is of good use in many of the diseases aforesaid besides those of the Eyes and the face washed therewith cleanseth the skin and taketh away freckles and spots the Morphew and other blemishes in the skin and helpeth to take away the wrinckles in the face also The Juice of the Rough Dande-lyon like Hawkeweed is singular good for the Pleurisy if it be taken in drink CHAP. XXV Of Asarabacca THe Plants appropriated to the Eyes being thus dispatched we come next to some that are good for the Ears for it would be a piece of Injustice to take all the Care for the former and to neglect the latter though I indeed scarce find any plant good for the Ears but is so likewise for the Eyes Amongst which Asarabacca is none of the meanest whose Names are as follow The Names Pliny thought that it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in ornatum non veniens because it was not used in Garlands but the Text of Dioscorides is flat against him for he saith it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a sweet herb used in Garlands It is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Asarum and Nardus sylvestris or Nardus Rustâ—ca and as Macer saith Vulgago as by his Verse appeareth Est Asarum Graecé Vâ—lgago dicta Latinis The former times thought Asarum and Baccharis to be one herb and therefore they called it Asara baccara which name is continued in Spain and other places and with us even to this day but the descriptions of them being so diverse it is fit this mâ—stake should be taken notice of and amended The Kindes The sorts hereof are three 1. Common Asarabacca 2. Virginian Asarabacca 3. Bastard Asarum of Matthiolus The Forme Asarabacca hath many Heads rising from the Roots from whence come many smooth Leaves every one upon his own footstalk which are rounder and bigger then Violet Leaves thicker also smoother and of a darker green shining colour on the upperside and of a paler yellow green underneath little or nothing dented about the Edges from among which arise small round hollow brownish green husks upon stalks of about an inch long divided at the brims into five divisions very like the Cups or Heads of the Henbane seed but that they are smaller and these be all the flowers it hath which being smelled unto are somewhat sweet and wherein when they are ripe are contained small cornered rough seeds very like the kernels or stones of Grapes or Raisins The roots are small and whitish spreading diverse waies in the ground and increasing into divers heads but not running or creeping under the ground as some other creeping herbs do They are somewhat sweet in smell resembling Nardus but more when they are dry then green and of a sharp but not unpleasant Taste The Place and Time The first groweth naturally under Trees and upon shady Hills in Pontus Phrygia and other places and is frequent in Gardens amongst us The title sheweth the place of the second It is said that the third is found upon some Mountains of Bohemia and likewise in Somersetshire here in England The first and second keep their green Leaves all the Winter but shoot forth new in the Spring and with them come forth those Heads or Flowers which give ripe seed about Midsummer or somewhat after the other doth follow much the same course The Temperature The Leaves of Asarabacca are hot and dry with a purging quality joyned thereunto yet not without a certain kind of astriction or binding The roots are also hot and dry yea more then the leaves they are of thin and subtil parts they procure Urine provoke the Termes and are like in faculty as Galen saith to the roots of Acorns but somewhat more forcible yet they may be promiscuously used one for another The Signature and Vertues By the Leaves of Asarabacca the Ears of a man are in some sort represented and it is found by experience that a Conserve may be made of the flowers of this Plant which being eat doth very much strengthen and encrease both hearing and memory The memory is also holpen and the Head and Brain that is ill affected by taking cold comforted if the Leaves and Roots be boyled in Lee and the head often washed therewith while it is warm The Common use hereof is to take the juyce of five or Seaven Leaves in a little drink which not only provoketh Vomiting but purgeth downward and by Urine also purging both Choler and Phlegme if you add to it some Spikenard and the whey of Goats Milk or Honyed water
in them and healeth Ulcers there if there be any The young clammy buds or eyes before they break out into leaves bruised and a little Honey put to them is a good Medicine for a dull sight by Signature An ounce of the bark in Powder being drunk saith Dioscorides in wine 't is likely is a remedy for those that are troubled with the Sciatica or Srangury and Serenus is of the same Judgment The black Poplar is held by some to be more cooling then the white and therefore they have with much profit applyed the leaves bruised with Vinegar to places troubled with the Gout and so do the young leaves and buds made into an Ointment with May-butter the seed is held to be good against the falling sicknesse if it be drunk in Vinegar That water that droppeth from the hollow places of the black Poplars doth take away Warts Pushes Wheales and other the like breakings out in the body The young black Poplar Buds saith Matthiolus are used by women to beautifie their hair bruising them with fresh butter and straining them after they have been for some time kept in the Sun The Ointment called Populeon is singular good for any heat or inflammation in any part of the Body and to temper the heat of wounds It is used also to dry up the Miâ—k in Womens Breasts after their delivery and when they have weaned their Children The Aspen leaves are somewhat weaker then those of the black Poplar yet the quantity being augmented they are used for the same purposes CHAP. XXIX Of Nightshade The Names SOme of the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but others and that more usually 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine Solanum and Solatrum Uva Lupina and Uva Vulpâ—s Cuculus and Morella Pliny saith it was also called Strumam and Cucubalus but they are thought bastard names and not proper to this plant In English Nightshade Morrel Petty-Morrel and in some places Hounds berries There is a sort hereof which is called Dwale or deadly Nightshade by reason of its pernicious and excesse cold quality and is therefore not to be used but by a skilfull hand but the Common or Garden Nightshade is not dangerous being heretofore planted in Gardens as other herbs for food wherefore it was called Solanum hortense or Garden Nightshade but is now no where used but Physically and is cast out of Gardens The Kinds Dioscorides reckoneth up four sorts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hortense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vesicarium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Somniferum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Manicum which are by a later Writer distinguished into ten kinds 1. Common Nightshade 2. Red berried common Nightshade 3. Sleepy Nightshade 4. The true sleepy Nightshade of the Ancient Writers 5. Sleepy Nightshade of another sort 6. Dwale or Deadly Nightshade 7. Hoary Indian Nightshade 8. Red Nightshade or Redweed of Virginia 9. The great Marvel of Peru. 10. The small Mervail of Peru which is a kind of Nightshade besides which there are divers other sorts that I may have occasion to mention elsewhere The Forme The Common Nightshade hath a somewhat upright round green hollow stalk and about a foot high bushing forth into many Branches whereon grow many dark green leaves somewhat broad and pointed at the ends soft and full of juyce larger then the leaves of Basil else somewhat like and a little unevenly dented about the edges at the tops of the stalks and branches come four or five or more white flowers made of five small pointed leaves a piece standing on a stalk together one by or above another with yellow pointells in the middle composed of four or five yellow threds set together which afterwards turn into so many pendulous green berries of the bigness of a small pease full of green Juyce and small whitish round flat seed lying within it the root is white and a little woody when it hath given flower and fruit with many small fibres at it the whole plant is of a waterish insipid taste but the Juyce within the Berries is somewhat viscous like unto a thin mucilage and is of a coolng and binding quality The Place and Time Common Night-shade groweth without planting under old walls and in rubbish by the common Paths and sides of Hedges and Fields and sometimes in Gardens out of which it is cast as a weed Dwale or deadly Night-shade groweth not only in the Woods of Germany but in divers places in our own Land as in the Castle-yard of Framingham in Suffolk in Cambridge-shire Essex c. The rest are strangers and not to be found unless it be in the better sort of Gardens as the Physick Garden at Oxon that at Westminster c. The first and the second die every year and rise of their own sowing the rest dye down to the ground in Winter and shoot afresh in the spring They do not spring out of the ground untill it be late in the year as not untill the latter end of April at the soonest They flowre in Summer even till the beginning of Autumne and then the fruit ripeneth The Temperature Galen saith in his Book of the faculties of simple Medicines that Garden Night-shade is used for those infirmities that have need of cooling and binding for these two qualities it hath in the second degree which thing also he affirmeth in his Book of the faculties of nourishments where he saith that there is no Pot-herb which we use to eat that hath so great astriction or binding as Night-shade hath and therefore Physicians do worthily use it and that seldom as a nourishment but alwayes as a Medicine Dwale is cold even in the fourth Degree The Signature and Vertues The Berries of Night-shade having some similitude with a Bladder are of excellent use to provoke Urine and to expel the stone especially the Seeds contained in them being drunk with White-wine It is commonly used to cool hot Inflammations either inwardly or outwardly being no way dangerous to any that shall use it as the rest of the Night-shades are if it be used moderately for the often taking thereof in too great a quantity procureth the Frenzy the remedy whereof is to take good store of warm honyed water The Juyce dropped into the Ears easeth the pains thereof that arise of heat or Inflammation The distilled water only of the whole Herb is fittest and safest to be taken inwardly The Juyce also clarified and mingled with Vineger is a good Gargarisme for the mouth and throat that is inflamed But outwardly the Juyce of the Herb or Berries with Oyl of Roses and a little Vineger and Cerusse laboured together in a leaden Mortar is very good to anoint all hot Inflammations in the Eys It doth also much good for the Shingles Ringworms and in all running fretting and corroding Ulcers and in moist Fistulaes if the juyce be made up with some Hens-Dung and applyed thereto A Pessary dipped in the Juyce and put up into the Matrix stayeth
the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses A Cloth wet therein and applyed to the Testicles or Cods upon any swelling therein giveth much ease as also to the Gout which commeth of hot and sharp humours The deadly Night-shade is very dangerous to be taken inwardly as might be shown by some lamentable instances yet if the Temples and forehead be a little bathed with the Juyce of Leaves and a little Vineger it procureth rest and sleep when it is hindered by hot fits of Agues or other distemperature and taketh away the pain of the head proceeding of a hot cause The Leaves bruised or their Juyce may be applyed to such hot Inflammations as St. Anthonies fire the Shingles and all other fiery or running Cankers to cool and stay the spreading CHAP. XXX Of Sow-Fennel or Hoggs-Fennel The Names THe Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Peucedanus and Peucedanum as some take it of the pitchy scent it carrieth from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth a Pitch Tree and others of the Pine Tree whose Leaves are like it call it Pinastellum as Apuleius It is also called Faeniculum Porcinum but by Tabermontanus Cauda porcina for the likeness that is between it and an Hoggstail We in English call it Hoggs-Fennel or Sow-Fennel from the Latine Hore-strange and Hore-strong Surphurwott or Brimst one-wort from the yellow Sap or Liquor which quickly waxeth hard or dry smelling not much unlike Brimstone called Sulphur The Kinds Of Sow-Fennel there be three sorts 1. Common Sow-Fennel 2. Small Sow-Fennel 3. Great Sow-Fennel of Italy The Forme The common Sow-fennel hath divers branched stiff stalks full of knees of somewhat thick and long leaves almost like the leaves of the wild Pine three for the most part joyned together at a place amongst which riseth a crested straight stalk lesse then Fennel with some joynts thereon and leaves growing thereat and toward the top some branches issuing from thence likewise on the tops of the stalks and branches stand divers tufts of yellow Flowers where after grow somewhat flat thin and yellowish Seeds almost twice as big as Fennel-Seed The Root groweth great and deep with many other parts and Fibres about them of a strong scent like melted Brimstone yielding forth a yellowish milk or clammy juyce somewhat like a Gum and having also at the top of it about the superficies of the Earth a certain bush of hair of a brown Colour amongst which the leaves and stalks do spring forth The Place and Time The first groweth in good plenty in the salt low Marshes a little by Feversham in Kent near unto the Haven upon the banks thereof and the Meadows adjoyning on the South side of a Wood belonging to Waltham at the Nase in Essex by the High-way-side also at Whitstable in Kent in a Medow near the Sea-side The second was found on St. Vincents Rock by Bristow by Label as he setteth it down in his Adversaria p. 331. and in Hungary and Austria by Clusius The last groweth naturally upon the Sea-Coast of Mount Pelier in France and in divers places in Italy They all flower and seed in the end of Summer that is in July and August The Temperature These Herbs especially the yellow Sap of the Roots is hot in the second and dry in the beginning of the third Degree The Vertues As Night-shade being a cold Plant was good for such distempers of the Ears as happen by reason of heat so this Hog-Fennel being of a hot temperature is very effectual for such griefs as happen to the Ears upon a cold cause if a little of the juyce be dissolved in Wine and dropped into the Ears The same according to Dioscorides and Galen used with Vineger and rose-Rose-water or the juyce with a little Euphorbium put to the Nose helpeth those that are troubled with the Lethargy the Phrensie the turning of the brain or dissiness of the head the Falling-Sickness long and inveterate Head-ach the Palsie the Sciatica and the Cramp and generally all the Diseases of the Nerves and Sinews if it be used with Oyl and Vineger The juyce dissolved in Wine or put into an Egg is good for the Cough and shortness of breath and for those that are troubled with wind and tormenting pains in the body It purgeth the belly gently and dissolveth the wind and hardness of the spleen it giveth ease to those Women that have sore travel in Child-birth and easeth the pains both of Bladder and Reins and womb also A little of the concrete juyce put into an hollow Tooth ceaseth the pains thereof and the Root worketh to the like effect but more slowly and lesse The dryed Powder of the Root being put into foul Ulcers of hard curation clenseth them throughly removeth any splinters of broken bones or other things in the flesh and healeth them up perfectly and likewise bringeth-on old and inveterate sores to cicatrising it is also put into such salves as serve to heat or warm any place Pliny recordeth the vertue hereof in divers places the Root being drunk in Wine with the Seed of the Cypress-Tree in powder easeth the strangling of the Mother but some use to burn it and by the smell thereof giveth ease thereunto the juyce helpeth the burstings of Children and their Navels when they stick forth the Root is of so great force in green Wounds and Sores that it draweth out the Quitture from the very bones By the Signature of this Plant it should cause hair to grow apace where the places wanted it or were deprived for so doth Thapsia or scorching Fennel which hath lesse similitude then this CHAP. XXXI Of Sow-Thistles The Names NExt to Sow-Fennel I have placed Sow-Thistles which amongst others hath a vertue that it is very soveraign for the Ears with which I shall finish the Plants appropriated to them It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod salubrem fundat succum The Latines also call it Sonchus which is divided into Asperum and Laevem and into Asperiorem Laeviorem We in English call them Prickly and Smooth Sow-thistles and sometimes Haâ—es Lettice which because of their like Vertue I have Joyned together They are called of divers Cicerbita Lactucella and Lacterones of Apulelus Lactula Leporina of some Brassica Lepâ—rina or Hares-Coleworts Palatium Leporis and some have it Leporum Cubile The Kindes To reckon up all the sorts of these that are to be found in other Herbals would not be to much purpose and therefore I shall content my self to mention those only which I find in the Phytologia Britannica being in number Eight 1. Tree-Sow-Thistle 2. Wall or Ivy-leafed Sow-Thistle 3. Lesser Prickly Sow-Thistle 4. An Elegant Sow Thistle with a white flower having yellow in the middle 5. Narrow leafed Sow-Thistle 6. Broad leafed Sow-Thistle 7. Prickly Sow-Thistle 8. Common Sow-Thistle which last I shall only describe The Form The Common Sow-Thistle is well known to rise up with a round â—ollow stalk two
or three foot high or more sometimes if it grow in good grounds and Gardens as uâ—ually it doth set with many long and much torn leaves of a whitish green colour not having that roughnesse or those sharp prickles on them which some of them have branching forth towards the top into divers branches bearing pale yellow flowers which passe away into a down and with the seed into the wind The root groweth down right and hath many fibres thereat perishing likewise every year and raising its self of its own â—owing and is plentifull in giving Milk which is somewhat pleasanter and not so bitter as that of the prickly ones The Places and Time All the Sow-Thistles above named grow in unmanured as well as in manured soyls some in Gardens and Orchards where the leaves are usually lesser and lesser divided than in the rough and unmanured grounds and sometimes by and upon old walls the pathsides of fields and highwaies but the first is seldom seen save in the Gardens of Herbarists and the fourth groweth only in Yorkeshire and Cheshire naturally They do flower and shed their seed from Midsummer or thereabout all the Summer long and sometimes till August be past The Temperature The Sow Thistles as Galen writeth are of a mixt temperature for they consist of a watery and earthy Substance cold and likewise binding The Signature and Vertues Least any one should think Nightshade too cool or Sow-Fennel too hot I have added Sow Thistle as being more moderate as long as they are young and tender and being so they are eaten familiarly by those beyond the Seas but the roots are much more esteemed by them being very tender and sweet The Juyce boyled or throughly heated with a little oyl of bitter Almonds in the Pill of a Pomgranate is a sure remedy for deafnesse and singings and all other diseases in the Ears and it is said that the herb bruised and bound upon Warts will quickly take them away The herb bruised or the Juice is profitably applyed to all hot inflammations in the Eyes or wheresoever else and Pustules Wheales Blisters or other the like Eruptions of heat in the Skin as also for the heat and itchings of the Hemorrhoïdes or Piles and the heat and sharpnesse of humours hapning in the secret parts of man or woman The distiâ—ed water of the herb is not only effectual for all diseases aforesaid to be taken inwardly with a little Sugar which Medicine the dantiest Stomach that is will not refuse or outwardly by applying Cloathes or Spunges wetted therein it is likewise wonderfully good for women to wash their faces to clear the skin and give a lustre thereunto The herb it self is very fit to cool an hot Stomach and to ease the gnawing paines thereof and are therefore eaten by some as Sallet herbs in Winter and Spring being boyled in wine it is very helpfull to stay the dissolutions of the Stomach and the milk that is taken from the stalks when they are broken given in drink is beneficial to those that are short winded and have a wheesing withal Erisistratus saith Pliny did therewith cause the gravel and stone to be voided by Urine and saith that the eating thereof helpeth a stinking breath The Juyce thereof to the quantity of three spoonfuls taken in Wine warmed and some Oyl put thereto causeth Women in Travel of Child to have so easie and speedy delivery that they may be easie to walk presently after the said juyce taken in warm drink helpeth the Strangury or pissing by drops and pains in making water The decoction of the Leaves and stalks given to Nurses causeth abundance of milk and maketh their Childrens faces to be well coloured and is good for those whose milk doth curdle in the Breasts and this it doth by signature When Sowes have Piggs they do most greedily desire it because they know by a certain natural inflinct wherewith most Brutes are indued that it doth very much increase their milk and for that Reason I conceive it is called by the name of Sow-Thistle CHAP. XXXII Of Wake-Robin or Cuckow-point THe two last parts to which I did endeavour to appropriate such Plants as were fittest for the remedying the distempers thereof were the Eyes and the Ears I come now to the Nose and shall begin with an Herb that not only helpeth it but the parts aforesaid which Janus like hath respect to what goes before and what comes after The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Arum and of some Pes Vituli because the Leaf hath some resemblance with a Calves-foot Some also call it Dracontea minor and Serpentaria minor Others again from the Figure of the Pestle or Clapper in the middle of the Hose call it Sacerdotis Penis and Canis Priapus Others Aron and Barba-Aron In English Wake-Robin Cuckows-Pintle Priests-Pintle Ramp Buckrams and of some Starchwort because formerly Linnen was starched with it and pure white Starch is made of the Root of it but such as is hurtful to the hands of the Landresse that useth it for it choppeth blistereth and maketh the hands rough and rugged and withall smarting There is a kind of Arum which is called Arâ—sarum or Friars Cowle The Kindes Parkinson in his Chapter of Arum reckoneth up these eight sorts 1. Common-Wake-Robin without spots 2. Spotted Wake-Robin 3. Round leafed Wake-Robin 4. Wake-Robin of Constantinople 5. Broad leafed Friars Cowl 6. Long or narrow leafed Friars Cowl 7. The Egyptian Culcas or Wake-Robin with a rounder and longer Root 8. Dioscorides and Theophrastus their Egyptian Bean whose Root was called Colocasia which he sets down to confute the mistake of those who take Arum and Colocasia to be the same The Forme Common Wake Robin shooteth forth some few Leaves from the Root every one of which is somewhat large and long broad at the bottom next the stalk and forked but ending in a point without any dent or cut on the edges of a full green colour each standing upon a thick round stalk of a hands breadth long or more among which after two or three moneths that they begin to wither riseth up a bare round whitish green stalk spotted and straked with Purple somewhat higher then the Leaves at the top whereof standeth a long hollow â—ose or Husk close at the bottom but open from the middle upwards ending in a point in the middle standeth a long slender Pestle or Clapper smaller at the bottom then at the top of a dark Purple colour as the husk is on the inside though green without which after it hath so abidden for some time the husk with the Clapper decayeth and the foot or bottom thereof groweth to be a long slender bunch of Berries green at the first and of a yellowish red colour when they are ripe of the bigness of an Hazel Nut Kernel which abideth thereon almost till winter The Root is round and somewhat long for the most part lying
a yard long or longer bearing flowers towards the top compact of six leaves joyned together whereof three that stand upright are bent inward one toward another and in those leaves that hang downwards there are certain rough and hairy Welts growing or rising from the nether part of the leaf upward almost of a yellow colour The Roots be long thick and knobby with many hairy threds hanged thereat but being dry it is without them and white The Places and Time These Fowerdeluces aforementioned and many more though they grow naturally in Africa Greece Italy and France and some in Germany yet they are nursed up in the Cardens of those who are lovers of such varieties Gladwin groweth wild in many places as in woods and shaddowy places near the Sea here in England and so doth the Water Flowerdeluce in moist meddows and in the borders and brinks of rivers ponds and standing Lakes but though it be natural to such places yet being planted in Gardens it prospereth weâ—â— The dwarâ—e kind of Flag Flowerdeluces flower in April the greater in May and the bulbous sorts not until June the Gladwin not till July The Seed is ripe in the end of August or beginning of September yet the husks after they are ripe will hold their seeds with them two or three moneths and not shed them The Temperature The Roots of the Flowerdeluce when they are green and full of Juyce are hot almost in the fourth degree but when it is dry it is hot only in the third yet then it burneth the throat and mouth of such as tast thereof It offendeth the stomach and causeth blood to be voided if given in too great a Dose and to weak persons It is not safe to be taken by Women with child because it bringeth down the courses yea a Pessary made of the Juyce with Honey and put up into the body bringeth away the birth therefore it is not safe to give it alone but with good Correctives In gripings of the bowels give it with Mastick in the Joynt gout with Castor in the Dropsie with Honey of Roses in diseases of the Liver with Rubarbe Juyce of Agrimony c. The Signature and Vertues The Juyce of the Root of the Common Fowerdeluce being first extracted afterwards set a while to clear and then put up into the Nostrills provoketh sneesing and thereby purgeth the head of flegme so that though some one may say this plant is not proper to the Nose yet as long as it may be appropriated to the head we are not quite out of our Sphear for it easeth the pain of the head and procureth Rest if it be applyed with Rose Cake and Vinegar it cleanseth spots in the Eyes and helpeth watry Eyes by cleansing them The Roots are effectual to warm and comfort all cold Joynts and Sinewes as also to ease the Gout and Sciatica and mollifieth dissolveth and consumeth all Scrophulous tumours and swellings by Signature especially made into an Oyl called Oleum Irinum which oyl also helpeth the Cramp and Convulsion the rheum that is cold and distilling from the head and being nointed on the breast it helpeth to extenuate or make thin tough and cold phlegm making it more easy to spit out it helpeth the stench of the Nostrils the pain and noise in the Ears and much easeth the painful Piles The root it self green or in powder doth cleanse heal and incarnate wounds and covers with flesh the naked bones which Ulcers have made bare and is also good to cleanse and heal up Fistulaes and Cancers that are hard to be cured It helpeth the pains and swellings of the Cods if it be thus used Take of the roots in powder half an ounce Cinamom and Dill of each two drachms Saffron a scruple mix them well together lay them on a Scarlet Cloth moistned in White wine and apply it warm to the Cods The green roots bruised and applyed to black and blew marks in the skin taketh them away and all other discolouring of the skin whether Morphew or the like but it is better to apply it with red Rose water and a little Lin-Seed Oyl ot oyl of Parmacity in manner of a Pultis Moreover a decoction of the roots gargled in the Mouth easeth the Tooth-ach and helpeth a strong or stinking breath Being mixed with a little Honey and drunk it purgeth and cleanseth the stomach of gross and tough phlegme and choler therein it likewise helpeth the Jaundice and the Dropsie by evacuating those humours both upward and downwards it easeth also the paines of the belly and sides the shaking of Agues the diseases of the Liver and Spleen the Worms in the belly the Stone in the Reins Convulsions or Cramps that come of cold humours and helpeth those whose seed passeth from them unawares It is a remedy against the bitings and stingings of venemous Creatures being boyled in water and Vinegar and drunk being boyled in Wine and drunk it provoketh Urine and the Cholick An Electuary made hereof called Dia-ireos Solomonis is very good for the Lungs and helps cold infirmities of them as Asthmaes Coughs difficulty of breathing c. You may take it with a Liquoris stick or on the point of a knife a little of it at a time and often CHAP. XXXIIII Of Hors-tail The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Hippuris in Latine also by divers Equâ—setum or Cauda Equina which is the same with Hippuris of the forme oâ— an Horsetail which the stalk of leaves being turned downwards doth resemble By other names it is likewise called as Equinalis and by Pliny Equâ—sclis and of some Salix Equina and Sangu nalis from the powerfull efficâ—cy it hath to stench blood and of others Asprella because of its ruggednesse which hath not formerly been unknown to Country Houâ—wives who with the rougher kind hereof called in English Shavegrass did as now with Elder Leaves but more effectually scowre their Pewter Brass and Woodâ—en Vessels and therefore it hath been by some of them called Pewterwort but I think that piece of thriftinesse with many other are laid aside which might profitably be revived if they knew it Of some it is called Ephedra Anabasis and Caucon Fletchers also and Combe makers polish their work therewith The Kindes There be hereof fourteen sorts mentioned by modern Writers 1. The greater Marsh Horsetail 2. Broad leafed Horsetail 3. Small Marsh Horsetail 4. Barren Marsh Horsetail 5. The smallest and finest leafed Horsetail 6. Many headed Horsetail 7. Rush or naked Horsetail 8. Branched Rush Horsetail 9. Small party coloured Horsetail 10. Stinking Horsetail 11. The great Meadow Horse-tail 12. Corn Horsetail 13. Wood Horsetail 14. Mountain Horsetail of Candy The Form The greater Horsetail that groweth in wet grounds at the first springing hath heads somewhat like to those of Asparagus and after grow to be hard rough hollow stalks joynted at sundry places up to the top a foot high so made as if the lower part
and dented about the edges many of them having five divisions some six most seaven and sometimes though seldom eight according to the fertility of the soil At the tops of the branches stand divers small yellow flowers consisting of five leaves like those of Cinkfoil but smaller The root is smaller then Bistort somewhat thick tuberous or knobby blackish without and reddish within as the former sometimes a little crooked having many blackish fibres The Places and Times The common sort groweth not only in Woods and shadowy places but also in pastures and Closes lying open to the Sun Great plenty of it is to be found in Pray Wood near St. Albans and in a Close that lyeth between the Week and Stafford Lane near Heddington in Oxfordshire where the biggest roots that ever I saw grow The second groweth amongst the Helvetians or Switzers as also in the county of Tirol The last groweth upon the Alps in divers rocky or stony places as also upon the Pyrenaean mountains and among the Savoyards likewise The Temperature The root of Tormentil doth mightily dry and that in the third degre and is of thin parts it hath in it but little heat and is of a binding quality and therefore it must not be given to dry bodies nor to such as are very costive The Signature and Vertues The rednesse of the inside of the root of Tormentil is an eminent token that it is most excellent to stay all kinds of fluxes of blood or humours in Man or Woman whether at Nose Mouth Belly or any wound in the Veins or elsewhere It provokes sweat expells poison and is good to cure wounds the herb root and water are in use It is much used in the Pestilence and other malignant diseases as small Pox Measels Purples and spotted Feavers driving forth by sweat any contagion especially if the Flux of the belly be joyned with these diseases It is uâ—e 〈…〉 in Catarrhes to dry up the rheums and in the French diseases and generally for all other things that Bistort is good for and may be used for the same The distilled Water of Tormentil taken in a morning fasting is excellent against Venom or any contagion and is a good preservative in time of infection The Dose is two or three Ounces the same taken morning and evening cures all inward Ulcers in the Body stayeth the Fluxes of the Belly especially in the Dysentery or bloody Flux It doth comfort the brain heart and stomach liver and spleen as also the whole body and cureth most agues The best way to still the water is to steep the herb all night in Wine and then distill it Balneo Mariae The water thus distilled taken with some Venice Treacle and the party laid presently to sweat will certainly by Gods help expel any Venom or Poison the Plague Feaver c. For it is an ingredient of speciall respect in all Antidotes or Counterpoisons The powder of the dryed root made up with the white of an Egg in the form of a little cake and baked upon an hot Tile will stay all fluxes restrain all cholerick belchings and much vomiting with loathings in the stomach The Leaves and Roots being bruised and applyed dissolve all Knots Kernels and Hardnesse gathered about the Ears throat and Jawes and the Kings Evil. The same also easeth the pains of the Sciatica or Hipgout by straining the sharp humours that flow thereto the Juyce of the Leaves and roots used with a little Vinegar is a special remedy against running sores of the head or other parts scabs also and the itch or any such eruptions in the skin proceeding of salt and sharp humours The same also is effectual for the Piles or Hemorrhoids if they be washed and bathed therewith or with the distilled Water of the Herb or Roots It is found also helpful to dry up any sharp Rheum that distilleth from the head into the Eyes causing rednesse pain waterings Itchings or the like if a little prepared Tutia or white Amber be used with the distilled water hereof CHAP. XXXIX Of Cinckfoile The Names COme we next to Cinckfoile not only for the likeness of properties that is between it and Tormentill but of the outward face and form of the Plant as you shall hear hereafter It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Pentaphyllum Quinque-folium à numero foliorum in English Cinckfoil and Cinckfield and Five finger grasse or Five leaved Grasse The Kindes The sorts of Cinckfoile are very numerous an exact account whereof we shall not labour for those nine reckoned up by Gerard being sufficient for our present purpose 1. Great Cinckfoil 2. Common Cinckfoil 3. Purple Cinckfoil 4. Marish Cinckfoil 5. Stone Cinckfoil 6. Upright Cinckfoil 7. Wall Cinckfoil 8. Hoary Cinckfoil 9. Wood Cinckfoil The Form Common Cinckfoil spreadeth and creepeth far upon the ground with long slender strings like Strawberries which take Root again and shoot forth many Leaves made of five parts and sometimes of seaven dented about the edges and somewhat hard The stalks are slender leaning downwards and bear many small yellow Flowers thereon with some yellow threds in the middle standing about a smooth green head which when it is ripe is a little rough and containeth small brownish seeds The Root is of a blackish brown colour seldom so big as ones little finger but growing long with some threds thereat and by the small strings quickly spreading it self abroad The Places and Time The first groweth in Switzerland naturally and is nursed up in some of our â—ardens The second groweth by high-way-sides and in low and moyst Meadows The third groweth in the Woods of Clavena and Narbon The fourth in a Marish Ground adjoyning to the Land called Bourn Pondes half a mile from Colchester The fifth groweth upon Beestone Castle in Cheshire The sixth upon Brick and Stone-walls about London The seaventh on the Alps of Rhetia near Clavena The eighth in the hollowness of Peakish Mountains and dry gravelly Valleys The last groweth in Woods The Plants do flowre from the beginning of May to the end of June The Temperature The Roots of Cinckfoil especially the two last do vehemently dry and that in the third Degree but without biting for they have very little apparent heat of sharpness The Vertues Common Cinckfoil is held to be effectuall for all the purposes whereunto Bistort and Tormentill is applyed as well for preserving against venomous and infectious Creatures and Diseases in each respect as in keeping from putreâ—action for binding and restraining Fluxes either of blood or humours which are excessive especially bleeding at the Nose which it performeth if the juyce be drunk in Ale or red Wine or the Roots or Leaves applyed to the Nose Some hold that one Leaf cures a Quotidian three a Tertian and four a Quartan which is a meer whimsey but the truth is if you give a scruple of it which is twenty grains at a time either in White-wine or White-wine-Vinegar
also to the Navels of Children that stick forth it helpeth them The distilled water of the Herb is used by many as the more pleasing with a little Sugar for many of the samâ— effects Camerarius saith that it taketh away the pains of the teeth when â—ll other Remedies fail and that the thickened juyce made in Pills with the Powder of Gum-Tragacanth and Arabick being taken prevaileth much to help those that make a bloody water CHAP. XLV Of Golden-Rod The Names IT hath no Greek Name that I can learn In Latine it is called Aurea Virgâ— because the branches are like a Golden Rod. Anguillara thought it might bâ— the Leucographis of Pliny because it is said in the description thereof that â—t is found sometimes with white strakes in the Leaves but why Tabermontanus should take it to be Symphitum Petreum is not known In English Golden Rod. The Kindes All the sorts hereof that I can find are but three 1. The ordinary Golden Rod. 2. Arnold of Villa Nova or the new Town his Golden Rod. 3. Golden Rod of America The Forme The Golden Rod that is most common to our Country riseth up with brownish small round stalks about half a yard high or higher if it grow in a fat soil or in a Garden having thereon many narrowish and long dark green Leaves very seldom with any nicks or dents about the edges and as seldom with any strakes or white spots therein and yet sometimes and in some places they are so to be found divided at the tops into many small branches with divers small yellow Flowers on every one of them which are turned one way and being ripe do turn into down and are carryed away with the wind the Root consisteth of many small Fibres which grow not deep into the ground but abideth all the winter therein shooting forth new branches every year the old ones dying down to the ground The Places and Time The first groweth in divers places of this Land in the open places of Woods and Copses both in moyst and dry grounds but especially in Hampsteed-VVood near unto the Gate that leadeth out of the Wood unto a Village called Kentish-Town not far from London in a Wood by Rayleigh in Essex in Southfleet also and in Swanscombe-Wood near Gravesend The second is not so frequent yet that is found also in some places of Hampsteed-VVood though sparingly The last came from America as the Title shews The first flowreth later then the second which is about July and the other in the beginning or middle of August the last also flowreth very late The Temperature Golden Rod is hot and dry in the second Degree it cleanseth with a certain astriction or binding quality The Vertues This Herb is of especiall use in all Lotions for Sores or Ulcers in the mouth and throat or in the privy parts of Man or Woman The decoction thereof likewise helpeth to fasten the teeth that are loose in the Gums It is much commended also against the stone in the Reins and Kidneys and to provoke Urine in abundance whereby the gravel or stone engendered in the uritory parts by raw and tough flegmatick humours may be washed down into the bâ—adder from growing into a stone in those parts and thence may be avoided with the Urine the decoction of the Herb green or dry or the distilled water thereof is very effectuall for inward bruises as also to be outwardly applyed the same also stayeth bleedings in any part of the body and of wounds also and the Fluxes of the menstruall Courses in Women and the Fluxes of the belly and humours as also the bloody Flux in Man or Woman it is no lesse prevalent in all Ruptures or burstings to be both drunk and outwardly applyed it is the most soveraign wound-Hearb of many and can do as much therein as any both inwardly for wounds and hurts in the body and for either green wounds quickly to cure them or old sores and Ulcers that are hardly to be cured which often come by the Flux of moyst humours thereunto and hinder them from healing Gerard saith that the dry Herb that came from beyond the Seas was formerly sold for half a Crown an Ounce but since it was found to be so plentiful on Hampsteed-Heath and other places in England no man will give half a Crown for an hundred weight of it And here I may take an occasion as Gerrard doth to specifie the inconstancy and sudden mutability of the people of this Age who esteem no longer of any thing how precious soever it be then whilst it is strange and rare verifying that common Proverb Far fetcht and deâ—r bought is good for Ladies Neither are many Physicians to be justified in this particular who though they have found an approved Medicine and perfect Remedy near home against any Disease yet not contented with that they will seek for new farther off and by that means many times hurt more then help And this is one Reason that Mr. Culpepper inveighs I will not say how justly against the Colledge of Physitians who chuse rather to make use of forraign Plants then those of our own growing CHAP. LXVI Of Scurvy-grasse The Names FRom the mouth in generall let us come somewhat more particularly to speak of such Plants as serve to cure the Disease thereof called the SCVRVY One of the chief whereof is Scurvy-Grasse which is thought to have been unknown to the ancient Greek Writers because they name it not And though some imagine it to be Plinies Britannica yet Gerard and Parkinson who were curious compares of Simples are both of Opinion that it cannot be it The more modern Latine Writers call it Cochlearia from the similitude the Leaf hath with a Spoon being round as well as hollow It is called in English Scurvy-grasse and Scruby-grasse and sometimes though but seldom Spoon-wort after the Latine name The Kindes The Sorts hereof are foure 1. Common Scurvy-Grasse 2. The great Dutch or Garden Scurvy-Grasse 3. Small Dutch Scurvy-Grasse 4. The least Scurvy-Grasse The Forme The great Dutch or Garden Scurvy-Grasse which is most known and frequent in Gardens hath divers fresh green and almost round Leaves rising from the Root nothing so thick as the common sort yet in some places as in a rich strong dunged ground very large even twice so big as in others nothing at all dented about the edges and sometimes a little hollowed in the middle and round pointed of a sad green colour every one standing by it self upon a long foot-stalk from among these rise up divers long slender weak stalks of about a foot in length thick beset on each side with small white Flowers at the tops of them which turn into small pods with little brownish Seeds the Root is white small and threddy the tast of it is somewhat bitterish The Places and Time The first groweth along by the Thâ—mes both on the Essex and Kentish shores so far as the brackish Sea-water commeth even
are most common Nature or rather the God of Nature having placed those things we most need even before our Eyes It flowreth in June and July The Temperature VVild Tansie especially the Root of it is dry almost in the third Degree hahaving in it very little heat apparent and withall a binding faculty And therefore Fuschius saith that some Writers have been much mistaken in affirming it to be moyst for no other Reason but because it grows in moyst places For then Water-Cresses which are dry in the third Degree must be moyst also which no one dares be so impudent as to affirm And certainly had they but considered its astringency which is a certain token of drynesse they could not have concluded otherwise For Galen in his fourth Book of the faculties of simple Medicines saith that astringents have in them some earthly quality and are consequently drying The Vertues and Signature Wild Tansie boyled in Vinegar with Honey and Allum and gargled in the mouth easeth the Tooth-ach fasteneth loose Teeth helpeth the Gums that are sore and setleth the Palat of the mouth in its place when it is fallen down It cleanseth and healeth the Ulcers in the mouth or secret parts and is very good for inward wounds and to close the lips of green wounds as also to heal old moyst corrupt running Sores in the Leggs or elsewhere Being boyled in Wine and drunk it stoppeth the Lask the Bloody Flux and all other Fluxes of blood either in Man or Woman which some say it will also do if the green Herb be worn in the shooes so it be next the skin and it is true enough that it will stop the Terms if worn so and it may be the Whites also which the Powder of the dryed Herb will assuredly do if it be taken in some of the distilled water but more especially if a little Corall and Ivory in Powder be put to it Moreover it stayeth spitting or vomiting of blood and is much commended to help Children that are bursten and have a Rupture being boyled in water and Salt Being boyled in Wine and drunk it easeth the griping pains of the Bowels and is good for the Sciatica and Joynt-Aches Being bruised and applyed to the Soles of the Feet and the Hand-wrists it wonderfully cooleth the hot fits of the Agues be they never so violent The distilled water dropped into the Eys or Cloaths wet therein and applyed taketh away the heat and Inflammations in them by Signature the Flower of it representing the Apple of the Eye The said water cleanseth the skin of all discolourings therein as Morphew Sun-burning c. as also Pimples Freckles and the like but the Leaves steeped in White-wine or Butter-milk is far better but the best way of all is to steep it in strong White-wine-Vineger the face being often bathed or washed therewith CHAP. LX. Of Flea-wort The Names I shall conclude this Subject concerning the mouth and the parts thereof with Fleawort which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Pulicaria and Herba Pulicaria in Shops Psyllium in English Flea-wort All which Names were given to it for the same Reason 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Pulex in Latine signifying a Flea yet not because it driveth away Fleas if it be brought green into an House but because the Seed is like unto Fleas that were it not in respect of motion you could hardly distinguish them by sight It is of some called Fleabane but improperly there being another Pulicaria called Conyza which driveth away Fleas The Kindes The Ancients knew but one sort of Flea-wort but later times have discovered foure 1. The ordinary Flea-wort 2. The greater ever-green Flea-wort 3. Indian Flea-wort with dented Leaves 4. Small Flea-wort The Forme The ordinary Flea-wort riseth with a stalk two foot high or more full of Joynts and Branches on every side up to the top and at every joynt two small long and narrow whitish green Leaves somewhat hairy At the tops of every branch stand divers small short scaly or chaffy heads out of which come forth small whitish yellow threds like to those of the Plantane Herbs which are the bloomings or Flowers The Seed inclosed in those Heads is small and shining while it is fresh very like unto Fleas both for colour and bignesse but turning black when it groweth old The Root is not long but white hard and wooddy perishing every year and rising again of its own Seed for divers years if it be â—uffered to shed The whole Plant is somewhat whitish and hairy smelling somewhat like Rozin The Places and Time The first groweth in the Fields and untilled places of Spain and Italy but with Us no where but in Gardens The second groweth in the Fields that are near the Sea The third is thought to come out of the Indies The last is naturally of Egypt or Arabia All these Flea-worts flowre in July or thereabouts with Us but in their natural places all the Summer long yet the last is the latest with Us. The Temperature Galen and Serapio do record that the Seed of Flea-wort which is chiefly used in Medicine is cold in the second Degree and temperate in moysture and drynesse The Vertues The Muscilage or infusion of the Seeds of Flea-wort being made with Rose-water or Barley-water and taken with Syrup of Violets Syrup of Roses or Sugar purgeth Cholet and thick flegme and is useful in hot burning Feavers in great thirst and helps to lenifie the drynesse of the mouth and throat it helpeth also the hoarsnesse of the Voyce and Diseases of the Breast and Lungs caused by heat as the Plurisie and such like It helpeth all Inflammations of the Head and all hot pains of the Joynts The Muscilage of the Seed made into an Electâ—ary with Marmalade of Quinces with Popyy-Seed and Sugar Pellets or Sugar Candy and so taken doth temper rhe heat and roughnesse of the Throat and Tongue and stayeth hot Fluxions or Rheums flowing down In hot burning Agues it quencheth thirst and abates heat being taken with Syrup of Violets or Barley-water and purgeth also Choler gently The Seeds torrifyed or dryed and taken with Plantane water stayeth the Flux of the Belly and helpeth the corrosions or gripings thereof that come by reason of hot Cholerick sharp and malignant humours or by the super purgation or over-working of any violent Medicine such as Scammony or the like The Seeds being kept on the Tongue easeth the Cough and helpeth the drynesse thereof proceeding from heat It doth so wonderfully cool saith Fernelius that being cast into hot boyling water it presently cooleth it The Seeds bruised or the Herb and mixed with the juyce of Housleek or Night-shade easeth the hot Gout and hot Apostumes being thereunto applyed mingled with Oyl of Roses and Vineger it cureth hot Swellings in the Joynts and Apostumes behinde the Eate with Vineger or Oyl of Violets it helpeth the pain of the head if it be applyed to the
fore-head and Temples The same layd-to with Vineger is good against the going out of the Navel and burstings of young Children The water wherein the Seeds have been steeped is good against St. Anthonies fire or Wild-fire The juyce with Honey put into the Ears killeth Worms and stayeth the running thereof It helpeth hot swellings or eruptions of the skin as Blains Wheals and such like as also pains of the Joynts and places out of joynt and the Hip-Gout The same is applyed to Womens Nipples and sore Breasts and that with good successe laying it often thereon Being mixed with Hogs-grease and applyed to foul corrupt and filthy Ulcers and Sores cleanseth and healeth them by cooling the heat and repressing the sharpnesse of the humours flowing unto them The Muscitage of the Seed made in plancane-Plancane-water whereunto the Yelk of an Egg or two and a little of the Oyntment called Populeon is put is a most safe and sure Remedy to ease the sharpnesse prickings and pains of the Hemorrhoides or Piles if it be layd on a Cloth and bound thereunto It stayeth the bleeding of the Nose applyed with the juyce of Shepheards-purse and Bole-Armoniack The Herb boyled or the Seeds with the Root and the Fundament bathed therewith or to sit over the hot Liquor easeth the Fenasmus a Disease when one is often provoked to stool without voyding any excrement It taketh away the burning and acrimony of Lime Euphorbium and Cantharides It taketh away the roughnesse of the hair being bathed with the Muscilage thereof Fleawort-Seed keepeth Camphor very well and that by its coldnesse and moysture There is no danger in it if it be wisely and conveniently applyed yet 't is not amisse to give with Cinamon or Mace However in cold and moyst Bodies which have but narrow Entrals it is not safe CHAP. LXI Of Throat-wort The Names PAssing from the Plants appropriated to the Mouth we come to those that do more immediately relate to the Throat amongst which Throatwort by its Name should be none of the meanest The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Trachelium from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the Neck or Throat It is called also in Latine Cervicaria for that it helpeth the Sores of the Neck and Throat either inward or outward It is also called Uvularia because it helpeth the Uvula or Palate of the Mouth which hath the diminitive from Uva for the likenesse unto a Grape when it is swollen and fallen down Others call them Campanula of the likenesse of Flowers unto Bells and therefore called Bell-Flowers Some also call them Rapi sylvestris genus but improperly and Rapunculus or Rapuntium Rampions because they are like unto Rampions and many of them edible as they are We in English call it Throat-wort Canterbury-Bells and sometimes Haskewort The Kindes There are fifteen Sorts of Throat-wort reckoned up by Parkinson 1. Great Throat-wort 2. The great Globe-Rock Throat-wort 3. The lesser Globe-like Rock Throat-wort 4. The greater Mountain Throat-wort 5. Narrow leafed Throat-wort 6. The Rock spiked Throat-wort 7. Thin leafed Throat-wort with spiked Heads 8. Vmbelliferous blew Throat-wort 9. Small Mountain Throat-wort 10. Wild Buglosse leafed Throat-wort 11. The late flowring Throat-wort 12. Gyant Throat-wort or Bell-flowers 13. Bell-flowers with small dented Leaves 14. The Syrian Coventry Bells 15. Round-leafed Throat-wort The Forme Great Throat-wort hath large hairy Leaves of an over-worn green colour somewhat rough and slightly indented about the edges The stalk is also hairy about half a yard high or somewhat better whereon those Leaves are set from the bottom to the top almost after the fashion of Nettles Towards the top upon a short foot-stalk come forth hollow Flowers of a Bell-fashion not unlike to the Coventry-Bells of a purplish blew colour and somewhat hairy within The Root is white thick and long lasting The Places and Time The first groweth in Stow-wood by Oxford on that side next unto Barton in the Ditch on the right hand as you go in and divers other places about that Wood. The Globe-like Throat-worts and those with spiked Heads grow naturally in divers places beyond the Seas as some in Candy some upon Mount Baldus the Alps as also in Germany Italy and Naples A lesser sort of wild Buglosse leaved Throat-wort was found by Bauchinus on the Hills amongst the Switzers The Syrian Coventry Bells were found by Ranwolfius at the foot of Mount Libanus in Syria in the shadowy Woods Gyant Throat-wort groweth in severall places in York-shire And there is a little Throat-wort which groweth near unto the Lanes end that leadeth from Dedington to Oxford about the place where the way turneth from Dedington to Dunstew Many of these sorts and peradventure some others grow in the Physick-Garden at Oxford and Mr. Morgans Garden at Westminster They all flowre in the Moneths of June and July but yet some of them flowre not till all the rest are past and scarce perfect their Seed but are increased by their Root The Temperature These Plants are cold and dry as are most of the Bell-flowers The Vertues The Roots of some of these be sweet in tast and therefore eaten in Sallets either raw or strewed as both the greater and smaller ordinary sorts of Rampions are yet some of them are not so pleasant but more astringent by which quality they are found to be effectuall not only in all Ulcers of the mouth and Throat to gargle and wash them or for the Uvula or Palate of the mouth when it is swollen and fallen down but for all other Sores whether in the secret parts of Man or Woman to be used in a decoction with Honey Wine and Allome or in any other part of the Body for by the faculty of drying and binding they are very profitable for old Sores to restrain the moyst and sharp humours which fret the place and keep them from healing and for green Wounds and Cuts to close up the Lips of them speedily These are all the Vertues that I find as yet attributed to the Throat-worts which though not many yet are pertinent to our present purpose which is sufficient CHAP. LXII Of the Date-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Palma the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Palmulae Dactyli the sheath or skin which encloseth the Flowers is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elat◠and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spatha and some think one kind of Date is called Caryotae and Phaenicobalanis which were also called Regiae because they were fittest for the dyet of Kings Thebanes were the lean dry Dates that had little substance in them The wild or low Palm is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Theophrastus and Chamaeriphes in Latine by Lobel Lugdunensis and Palma humilis also by Matthiolus and Palmitee or Palmito by the vulgar in Italy Spain c. The Greeks also call that head that is used to be eaten 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines
Ounces of the water may be given morning and evening for a week together if need be The Decoction thereof used for a Bath or Fume to sit over brings down the Flowers and after-Birth It cureth the bitings of mad Dogs or the bitings of any other venomous Creature being bruised with Rue and applyed it taketh away the Morphew Tetters and cures scabbed Heads in Children Dandraffe and Scurf tempered with Honey and the parts anointed therewith The ashes of Garlick being strowed in Ulcers healeth them The smell of Garlick driveth away venomous Creatures and applyed with Figs and Cummin it cures the bitings of the Mouse called a Shrew A Clove of Garlick put into an hollow Tooth that aketh easeth the pain thereof or stamp it with Saffron or Pepper and hold it between the Teeth being bruised and applyed to the Throat it helpeth the Quinsey and swelling thereof The juyce mixed with Saffron and Goose-grease cures the noyse of the Ears being put therein Garlick burned and the ashes mingled with Honey and layd to black and blew marks after bruises taketh them away and helpeth wild-fire and Scabs being bruised and applyed They usually cure the Pip in Poultry with Garlick and being given to Cocks it maketh them to overcome in fighting Notwithstanding all these Vertues raw Garlick eaten too liberally maketh the Eyes dim offendeth and hurteth the stomack causeth thirst hurteth the Kidneys heateth and burneth the blood yieldeth no nourishment to the body and is hurtful to young men and to such as are hot and cholerick and in hot seasons It hurteth Women with Child and such as give suck The juyce of Garlick if it be taken in any great quantity is ranck poyson yet the flesh and all being eaten together moderately is good for such as are cold and moyst and abound with flegmatick grosse and tough humours for old persons and in cold seasons The best way of preparing it for food is to boyl it throughly and to eat it with Oyl Vinegar or such like CHAP. LXXIII Of Liquorice The Names THe Greeks called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Dulcis Radix the Apothecaries Liqueritia Both the Greek and Latine names are derived from the sweetnesse of the Root without dispute Theophrastus in his ninth Book of his History of Plants calleth it Radix Scythica because it groweth very plentifully in Scythia about the Lake Maeotis There be that call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it driveth away thirst if it be held in the mouth There is also a wild sort hereof called Glanx Leguminosa sive Glycyrhiza silvestris Liquorice vetch The Kindes To this kind four sorts may be referred 1. Common Liquorice 2. Dioscorides his Liquorice 3. The most common Liquorice Vetch 4. Another Liquorice Vetch The Forme Common Liquorice riseth up with divers wooddy stalks whereon are set at severall distances many narrow long green Leaves set together on both sides of the stalk and an old one at the end very well resembling a young Ash-Tree sprung up from the Seed This by many years continuance in a place without removing and not else will bring forth Flowers many standing together Spike-Fashion one above another upon the stalks of the forme of Pease Blossoms but of a very pale blew Colour which turn into long somewhat flat and smooth Cods wherein is contained small round hard seed the root runneth down a great way into the ground with divers other smaller roots and Fibres growing with them and shoot out succours from the main roots all about whereby it is much increased of a brownish colour on the outside and yellow within The Places and Time The first sort of liquorice groweth wild in many places of Germany and chiefly about Noremberg but it is not comparable to that which is planted with Us in Gardens here in England being the best in the world even by the confession of those who so much extol out-landish plants of which there is great profit to be made as diligent Gardners can tell you yet now it beginning to become common is not half so profitable as formerly many more places being stored therewith The second in France Spain Italy and in some few gardens here in Enland but flowreth late with Us and seedeth as late if at all The third groweth in many places of this Land as about Cambridge in Claringdon Park by Salisbury and in Butlers close at Adderbury Towns end as you go to Banbury The last groweth only in Germany that I can heareof They flower in July and the Seed is ripe in September The Temperature Liquorice is temperate in heat and moisture and therefore familiar to the Temperature of Mans body as also in that it is sweet and hath a little astriction joyned to it notwithstanding the bark thereof is somewhat bitter and hot but this must be scraped away when it is used the fresh root when it is full of Juyce doth moisten more then dry The Vertues The Root of Liquorice is good against the rough harshnesse of the Throat and Breast it openeth the Pipes of the Lungs when they be stuffed or stopped and ripeneth the Cough and bringeth forth Phlegm The Rob or juyce of Liquorice made according to Aâ—t and hardned into a Lump which is called Succus Liqueritiae serveth well for the purposes aforesaid being holden under the tongue and there suffered to melt and is profitable also against the heat of the Mouth and Stomach and quencheth thirst and is good for green wounds being laid thereupon Moreover with the Juyce of Liquorice Ginger and other Spices with some Wheaten flower Gingerbread is made which is also very good against a Cough and all infirmities of the Breast and Lungs The same is drunk with the Wine of Raisins against the distempers of the Liver and Chest Scabs or Sores of Bladder and diseases of the Kidneys Liquorice boyled in fair water with some Maidenâ—air and Figs maketh a good drink for those that have a dry Cough to digest Phlegme and to expectorate it or hoarsness Wheesing Shortnesse of Breath and for all griefs of the Breast and Lungs Ptisick or Consumptions caused by the distillation of Salt humours on them it is good also in all pains of the Reins the Strangury and heat of the Urine The Scythians are said by chewing this in their mouths to keep themselves from thirst in their long Journeys through the deserts for ten or twelve daies and stayeth hunger also Liquorice boyled in water with a little Cinnamon added to it serveth instead of drink in many places especially if it be set to work with Barm as Beer is and then tunned up and will grow clear strong and heady in time as Beer will do The fine powder of Liquorice blown through a quill into the Eyes that have a Pin and Web as they call it or Rheumatick distillations into them doth cleanse them and help them The Juyce of Liquorice dissolved in Rose Water with some Gum Tragacanth is a fine Lohoch or
though they were covered with Ashes and is usually with Us called Jacobaea marina maritima Sea-Ragwort in English and Rag-weed by some Country people from the raggednesse of the Leaf The Kindes Of Ragwort there be nine sorts 1. The Greater common Ragwort 2. The lesser common Ragwort 3. The first Hungarian broad leafed Ragwort 4. The other broad-leafed Hungarian Ragwort 5. Smooth leafed Ragwort 6. Round leafed hoary Ragwort 7. The common Sea-Ragwort 8. The lesser Sea-Ragwort 9. Broad leafed Sea-Ragwort The Form The greater common Rag-wort hath many large and long dark green Leaves lying on the ground very much rent and torn on the sides into many peeces from among which riseth up sometimes but one and sometimes two or three square or crested blackish or brownish stalks two or three foot high sometimes branched bearing divers such like leaves upon them at severall distances unto the tops where it brancheth forth into many stalks bearing yellow Flowers consisting of divers Leaves set as a pale or border with a dark yellow thrum in the middle which do abide a great while but in the end growing full ripe are turned into down which with the small blackish gray Seed is carryed away with the wind the Root is made of many Fibres some greater and others lesser whereby it is firmly fastned into the ground and abideth many years The Place and Time The two first Sorts grow wild in pastures and untilled Grounds in many places and both together in one Field often times the three next grow in Hungary and Austria the sixth grew in some parts of France but it is not expressed where the seaventh groweth on our own Coasts not far from the Sea in the Isles of Sheppey and Thanet and along the Kentish shore in many places the eighth groweth on the Mediterranean Sea-shore of Italy and other places as by the Sea side in Zeland the last is mentioned by Bauhinus but he expresseth not the place where it groweth Divers of them are nursed up by divers Herbarists and are to be seen in the Physick-Gardens at Oxford and Westminster They flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature Ragwort is hot and dry in the second Degree as some think with some bitternesse joyned therewith and therefore cleanseth digesteth and discusseth The Vertues The Decoction of Ragwort is very much commended to wash the Mouth or Throat that have Ulcers and Sores therein and for swellings hardnesse or impostumations for it throughly cleanseth and healeth them as also the Quinsey and the Kings Evill It doth help to stay Catarrhes thin Rheums and Defluxions from the Head into the Eyes Nose or Lungs The Juyce is found by continuall experience to be singular good both to heal green wounds and to cleanse and heal all old and filthy Ulcers as well in the Privities as in other parts of the Body and inward Wounds and Ulcers also and stayeth the malignity of fretting or running Cankers and hollow Fistulaes not suffering them to spread further It is much commended also to help Aches and pains either in the fleshy parts or in the Nerve and Sinews as also the Sciatica or pain of the Hips or Huckle-bone to bathe the places with the decoction of the Herb or to anoint them with an Oyntment made of the Herb bruised and boyled in old Hogs-Suet with some Mastick and Olibanum in Powder added unto it after it is strained forth and not before for otherwise it would be to little or no purpose It is held also to be a certain remedy to help the Staggers in Horses and upon that account some call it Stagger-wort and indeed it is not without a Signature thereof the unevennesse of the edges of the Leaves being like unto those uneven motions which Horses make in that Disease CHAP. LXXVI Of Plantaine The Names THE generall appellation that the Greeks have bestowed upon this excellent Simple is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arnoglossum which they were enduced to do from the form which it doth somewhat represent to wit of a Lambs Tongue It is called in Latine Plantage â—uâ—to à Plantâ vocabulo as if this were the Plant of Plants as indeed it is It is divided also by the Greeks into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Latines call Septinervia and Quinquenervia the first having seven Ribbes Nerves or Veines the other five The generall English name is Plantaine but that which the Greeks call Eptaneuron we call Way-bred because it commonly breeds by the way sides and that which they call Pentaneuron we call Ribbewort and Ribbewâ—rt Plantaine the Latines calling it Plantago angustifolia from the narrownesse of the Lease as they do the other Latif 〈…〉 because it is broader The Kindes The sorts of Plantaine which are most remarkable are ten 1 Common Wayâ—â—ed or Plantaine 2 The greatest Plantaine 3 Hoary Plantaine 4 Rose Plantain 5 Besome Plantaine or Plantaine with spoky tufts 6 The greater Ribwort or Ribwort Plantaine 7 The lesser Ribwort 8 Rose Ribwort 9 Great Water Plantaine 10 Dwarfe Water Plantaine The Forme The common Waybred beareth many fair broad and almost round Leaves saving that they are a little pointed at the end with seven ribs or sinews in most of them running from the one end of the Leafe to the other of a saddish green colour on the upperside but more inclining to yellow underneath from amongst which do rise up divers small slender stalks of about a foot high naked and bare of Leaves up to the top whereon groweth a blackish green spike or scaly head with blossomes like unto those of Corne after which cometh the seed which being small is enclosed in those little husks The Root is made of many white little strings whereby it taketh fast hold in the ground The Places and Time The first groweth by those wayes and paths that are made through Pastures and Meadowes in most places of this Land The second about Mompelier The third is of our owne Land but not so frequently as the first The fourth groweth in St. John Danvers his Garden at Chelsey The sixth and seventh grow very plentifully in Meadowes Fieldes and sometimes in Gardens without invitation or welcome though they be as usefull as any there The eight is found also in this Land but so rarely that it is taken into the best Gardens The two last grow in silent Rivers and standing Waters They flower in the Summer Months of May June and July The Temperature All the sorts of Plantaine are cold and dry in the second degree The Roots and Seed which is of subtile parts are not altogether so cold as the Leaves The Signatures and Vertues Although Plantaine be beneficiall to all the parts of the Body both inward and outward yet because the Mouth is the first part whereinto it is commonly received I have appropriated thereunto and the rather because it hath the Signature of the Tongue which is not only expressed by
the outward Forme thereof but also by the Sinewes and Veine that run thorough it And therefore it availeth very much in divers diseases of the Tongue whether they happen from wounds as biting cutting or the like or from inflammations of that or any other part adjacent as the Mouth Gums Throat c. as also from the Cankers or any other eating sore the decoction juyce or water thereof being often gargled in the mouth or especially a little Vinegar Honey and Allome being mixed therewith The juyce or Herb stayeth the bleeding of the Nose or the bleeding of wounds The clarified Juyce or Water thereof droppâ—d into the eye cooleth the heat thereof as also the Pin and Web thereof and dropt into the eares easeth the pains therein and helpeth deafnesse The same with the juyce of House-leeke is very profitably applyed against all inflammation and breakings out of the skin and against burnings or scalding by Fire or Water The juyce mixed with the Oyl of Roses and the Temples and Forehead annointed therewith easeth the pains of the head proceeding from heat and helpeth frantick and lunatick persons very much as also the biting of Serpents or a madde Dogge The clarified juyce drunk for divers dayes together by it selfe or with some other liquor is wonderfull good to stay spitting of blood and all other bleedings at the Mouth when a vein is broken at the mouth of the Stomack and is likewise effectuall to heal any Ulcer in the Reines or Bladder when bloody or foul water proceedeth therefrom It is held also an especiall remedy for those that have the Consumption of the Lungs or that are troubled with any Ulcer in that part or that have Coughs that come with Heat The same also is commended very much against all torments and frettings in the Guts stayeth the Courses and all other manner of Fluxes as well in Man as Woman The decoction or powder of the Root or Seed is much more binding then the Herbe whereby it helpeth Agues The seed made into powder and mixed with the yolk of an Egge and some wheaten flower and made into a Cake and baked doth stay vomiting or any other Flux or rising in the Stomack The herb but especially the Seed is likewise held to be profitable against the Dropsie Falling-Sicknesse Yellow Jaundise and the stoppings of the Liver or Reines The powder of the dryed Leavs taken in warm drink or Posset drink killeth worms in the Belly The juyce of the Leaves mixed with oyl of Roses is profitably applyed to all hot Gouts in the Hands or Feet especially in the beginning to cool the heat and represse the humors It is also good to be applyed where any bone is out of Joynt to hinder Inflammations Swellings and pains which will arise presently thereupon A decoction of the Leaves killeth Worms that breed in old and foul Ulcers One part of Plantaine-Water and two parts of the brine of powdered beefe boyled together and clarified is a most sure remedy to heal all spreading Scabs and Itch in the Head or Body all manner of Tetters or Ringwormes the Shingles and all other running and fretting sores The Leaves laid upon any place where the skin is scratched of skinneth it again whether it be newly done or not and being made into a Salve with Oyl Wax and Turpentine it cureth deep wounds though the Sinews and Veins be cut asunder whereof it hath the Signature The juyce alone or stamped with Vinegar and applyed to the Feeet that surbated sore and swollen with travell bringeth them again to their right temper CHAP. LXXVII Of Columbines The Names THere is great contesting amongst Authors concerning this Plant whether it were known to the Ancients or not One will have it to be the Pothos of Theophrastus another his Diosanthos another would have it to be the Isopyrum of Dioscorides but Cornutus affirms point blanck that it was not knowne It is generally called by the Writers of a later date Aquileia Aquilina Aquilegia because the folds of the Leaves do somewhat resemble those Pipes called Aquileges which were made as Pliny mentions for the conveying of water which they also contain in them as Cornuâ—us seemeth to inferre especially from that sort of his which came from Canada That this Plant should have likenesse of properties with wild Oâ—tes called in Greek Aegilops seemeth to be altogether improbable It knows no other English name but Columbines The Kindes To set forth the varieties of Columbines according to their colours would be the Task of a Florish I shall only give you those which have different Termes and they are six 1 Single Columbines 2. Double Columbines 3 Double inverted Columbines 4 Rose Columbines 5 Degenerate Columbines 6 Columbines of Virginia The Forme The Columbine hath divers pretty large spread Leaves standing upon stalks about a foot long wheÌ„ they are at their full growth every one being divided into divers parts with large indentures upon the edges of a dark blewish green colour a little resembling Celandine from amongst which arise stalks sometimes two or three foot high divided usually into many branches bearing one long divided leaf at the lower joynt above which the flowers grow every one standing on a long stalk consisting of five hollow Leaves crooked or horned at the ends and turning backwards The flowers being past there arise small long Cods four or five together wherein are contained black shining seedes The Roots are thick and round for a little space within the ground they abide many years sending forth their Leaves in the beginning of the Spring I mentioned not the colour of the flowers because they are so variable The Places and Time The first sort hath been found to grow wild in the woody mountains of Germany but with us they are found only in Gardens as the rest are their place being otherwise unknowne only that of the last which was brought from Virginia by that industrious searcher after rarities Mr. Tredescant the elder They flower commonly about the end of April and the beginning of May perish before the end of June only the Virginian kind flowreth a Month sooner then ordinary The Temperature Columbines are said to be temperate in respect of coldnesse and drynesse and moderately digesting The Vertues Every good Housewife in the Country is hardly now to learne that Columbine Leaves have in them a faculty wherey they are found very effectuall if they be boyled in Milk and given to those that are troubled with sore Mouths oâ— Throats but there be other wayes of using them for the like purposes as for the Kanker Red gum Quinsie Kings-evill c. For the Water Canker in the Mouth drink the seed For the Quinsie drink the seeds often with good Ale or stamp the seeds and herbs with Honey and take it with milk or drink It is good for young Children to drink it against the Red gum To help the Struma or painfull swelling in the Throat called the Kings evill seeth
burn but especially that which groweth by the Sea-side When the Hoggs were troubled with tuberous Baggs of corruption about their Necks the Country people were formerly wont to give them of the Herb Impious boyled in Milk or the like and they observed that which soever of them refused to take it would assuredly die CHAP. LXXVIII Of Jewes Eares The Names AMongst other Simples there is an Excressence of the Elder or Bore-tree which I shall treat of a part from the Tree it self and with it put a period to those things that are appropriated to the Throat it being of so great use for this part whereas the Elder it self is available to many others Notwithstanding I think that the Grecians took so little notice of it that they scarcely afforded it a Name It is called in Latine Fungus Sambucinus and Auricula Juda some having supposed the Elder-tree to be that whereon Judas hanged himself and that ever since these Mushromes like unto Eates have grown thereon which I will not perswade you to believe It is called in English Jewes Eares the Mushrome of the Elder by some the Gelly and by others the Sponge growing upon the Elder The Kinds My Lord Bacon in his naturall History saith that Jewes-Eâ—res grow upon other Trees besides the Elder as the Ash Fir c. but I suppose he was mistaken There are sometimes growing on those Trees certaâ—n Mushromes but like to Jewes-Eares neither in form nor vertue and therefore not to be called by that Name The Forme This Excrescence called Jewes-Eares is a soft and limber Mushrome which while it is fresh is not very thick but transparent and of a blackish colour of differing forms and sizes for some will be swolne and puffed up in one place more then in another having some resemblance to a Mans Eare some thin on the edge and thick in the middle and some two or three growing together all of them being dryed become of a blackish gray colour and then may be kept a whole year or more safe without spoyling to be used as you need The Places and Times Jewes-Eares grow as I said upon the Elder-tree but not so frequently upon them in other places as upon those that are planted upon Cony-Boroughs for their shadow and shelter I understand not but they may be found there at any time of the Year The Temperature Gerard saith that the jelley of the Elder otherwise called Jewes-Eares hath a binding and drying quality The Vertues Dr. Martin Blochwich Physician-Ordinary of Oshatin in his ingenious Tract called the Anatomy of Elder saith that even common Country Women so soon as they suspect any Disease in the Throat of their young Children they steep the Sponge of Elder in their Drink and when it is swelled they therewith carefully wipe away all the filth of the Palat Gums and Tongue It is likewise used for the same purpose being boyled in Ale or Milk with Columbine Leaves and with a little Pepper and Pellitory of Spain in Powder it helpeth to put up the Uâ—â—la or Palat of the Mouth being fallen down Take of the water or Decoction of Elder-Flowers wherein a little Elder-Honey hath been mixed and add thereunto some Leaves of Self-heal and a Jewes Eare or two and you will find it a sure Experiment for the Quinsey And a Lohoch or licking of the Rhob of Elder inspislated with Sugar with some pulverised Jewes-Eares added thereunto is commodious The distilled water of Jewes-Eares is very profitable for the Dropsie according to Crâ—lliâ—s de signaturis rerâ—â— and a drink made by sleeping three whole dryed Umbels of Elder Flowers and two Jewes-Eares very well dryed in two quarts of White-wine if it be used and no other drink the tumour will vanish away suddenly An handful of Jewes-Eares infused in a quart of the Spirit of Wine and a full draught thereof given to one that is troubled with the suffocation of the Matrix in the time of her fit cureth her The Powder of the Grains of Elder being mixed with an equall part of Jewes-Eares is commended in spitting blood CHAP. LXXIX Of Elecampane The Names HAving appropriated severall Simples to the inside and outside of the Throat the Breast comes next in Order to be provided for both internally and externally to which there is nothing more proper then Elecampane which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Helenium also in Latine and of some Inula and Enula and Enula Campana some think it took the name from the tears of Helen from whence it sprung which is a Fable others say it was so called because Helen first found it available against biting and stingings of venemous Beasts and others think it took its name from the Island Helena where the best was found to grow We in English call it Elecampane generally yet in some Countries of this Land it is called Sabwort and Horse-heal The Kindes To this Plant which otherwise would be single do some refer the Flowers of the Sun as 1. The greater flower of the Sâ—â— 2. The lesser flower of the Sun 3. The Male flower of the Sun 4. The Marigold Sun flower The Forme Elecampane shooteth forth many large leaves lying neer the ground which are long and broad but small at both ends somewhat soft in handling of a whitish green on the upper side and gray underneath each set upon a short footstalk From amongst which riâ—e â—p divers great and strong hairy stalks two or three foot high with some leaves thereon compassing them about at the lower ends and are branched towards the tops bearing divers great and large flowers like unto those of the flower of the Sun of which it is said to be a kind as I said before both the border of the leaves and the middle Thrum being yellow which is not wholly converted into large seed as in the flower of the Sun but turneth into Down with some long small brownish seed among it and is carried away with the wind the Râ—â—t is great and thick branched forth divers waies blackish on the outside and white within of a very bitter taste but good sent especially when it is dryed no part else of the plant having any smell The Places and Time This is one of the Plants whereof England may boast as much as any for there growes none better in the world then in England let Apothecaries and Druggeists say what they will It groweth in Meadows that are fat and fruitful as in Parsons Meadow by Adderbury as I have been told and in divers other places about Oxfordshire It is found also upon the Mountains and shadowy places that be not altogether dry it groweth plentifully in the fields on the left hand as you go from Dunstable to Puddle hill Also in an Orchard as you go from Colâ—râ—â— to Ditton Ferry which is in the way from London to Windsor and in divers places in Wales particularly in the Orchard of Mr. Peter Piers at Guieruigron neer St. Asaphs The
Vine which bears abundance of fruits to perfection The Fox Grape and the red and white Muscadine Grape set against the South and well ordered bear store of good fruit They are not ripe here till September but sooner in the hotter Countries The Raisin of the Sun-Vine groweth as I suppose in Spain and about Damascus and Smyrna for thence are they brought into these parts and therefore so called The Vine that beareth Currans groweth about Corinth and therefore they are called Uvae Corinthiacae and in the Isle of Lante The wild Vine of Europe groweth in many places of Italy France and Germany the other wild sorts are expressed in their Titles These wild sorts flowre later then the other and their fruit is ripe later The Temperature The Vine hath in it divers differing and contrary properties some cold some hot some sweet some sowre some mild and some sharp some moystening and some drying The tender and clasping Branches of the Vine and the Leaves do cool and mightily bind And as Grapes are divers in tast so they are in quality for soure Grapes are cold and moyst and sweet Grapes are hot and moyst Raisins be hot in the first Degree and moyst in the second being stoned they open the Breast and Liver and loosen the belly but eaten with stones they bind The Vertues Many things there are that proceed of Grapes besides what I have mentioned already as Must Lora Cute Argel Lees c. which have their severall uses at some of which I may chance to touch but my purpose is to shew you how proper dryed Grapes or Raisins are to help Coughs hoarsnesse of the Throat shortnesse of wind toughnesse of flegme causing it to be expectorated more easily and do lenifie sharp and nauseous humours that offend the mouth of the stomach a decoction being made of them and Liquorice Maiden-hair Colts-foot c. They serve likewise to open the stoppings of the Liver Spleen and Bladder and taken by themselves they nourish much by reason of their thick sweet and temperate substance whereby also they stay not long nor putrifie in the Stomach but withstand putrifaction and concoct raw humours as Galen writeth and for this purpose they may well be eaten fasting the stones being first taken out And â—ot crudity or rawnesse of the stomach Mr. Eliot by his own report never found any thing better then Rubarb chewed with Currans of small Raiâ—ins yet by the judgment of Arnoldus they cause oppilations of the Spleen though they be good for the breast and Reins and so saith Schola Salerni Passula â—on Spleni tussi valet bona reni and therefore some think that Rubarb may be better eaten with great Raisins These being bruised and applyed the stones taken out with Rue in manner of a Poultis it helpeth Warts Carbuncles Corns in the feet the Gangrene and the Gout They take away loose Nails being applyed Being mixed with a little Cumminseed in powder and Oyl of white Liâ—â—ies it asswageth the swelling of the Cods They are hurtful to hot and Cholerick persons if they eat too largly of them If Grapes newly gathered be eaten they trouble the belly and fill the stomach with wind but if they be kept two or three daies after they be gathered till the husk be somewhat asswaged they nourish the better and are lesse laxative neither do they inflate so much as saith Arnoldus Ripe Grapes and sweet do nourish much and make one fat as Galen proveth by experience of some Vinedressers that fed thereon but the fat so gotten soon weareth away because it is not firm and fast but loose and overmoist White wine is good to be drunk before meat preserveth the body and pearceth quickly into the bladder but upon a full stomach it rather maketh oppilations or stoppings because it doth swiftly drive down meat before it be digested Claret Wine doth greatly nourish and warm the Body and is wholsome with meat especially unto Phlegmatick people but very unwholsom for young childâ—en as Galen saith because it heateth above nature and hurteth the head RedWine stoppeth the belly corrupteth the blood breedeth the Stone is hurtful to old people and good for few but such as are troubled with the lask bloody flix or any other loosenesse of the body Sack hath been used of a long time to be drunk after meat to cause meat the better to digest but common experience hath found it more beneficial to the stomach to be drunk before meat Likewise Malmesie Muscadine Tent and such sweet wines have been used before meat to comfort the cold and weak stomach especially being taken fasting but Sack is much better and warmeth more effectuall if it be taken moderately but all wine taken inordinately relaxeth the siâ—ews bringeth with it the Palsey falling sicknesse to the aged it bringeth hot Feavers Phrensy and Lechery consumeth the Liver and other of the inward partâ— Moreover excessive drinking wine dishonoureth Noblemen beggereth those which otherwise might have had sufficient and more have been destroyed with furfeiting therewith then with the cruell Sword The Juce of the green leaves branches and tendrels of the Vine drunken is good for those that vomit or spit blood for the bloody flix and women with child that vomit over much The kernel within the Grapes boiled in water and drunk hath the same effect CHAP. LXXXII Of Reeds but especially of the Sugar Cane or Reed The Names A Reed called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Calamus and Harundo or Arundo as some write it whereof the Mas according to Theophrastus is the Nastos farcta the solid or stuffed Reed and the Faemina the hollow But I suppose the Sugar Reed was not known to the Greek Writers for we find no name that it hath in Greek the Latines have called it Arundo Saccharina with this additament Indica because it was first known or came from India Of some it is called Calamus Saccharatus in English Sugar-Cane The Sugar that is made of them is called Saccharum Sacchar Succharum Mel Arundiâ—aceum mel Cannae that is Hony of the Cane The white Juyce or Liquor dryed or hardned in the Sun was called by the ancient Latine Writers Sal Indum and Saccharum Indum which was used before Sugar was made out of the Canes by boyling The Kindes Pliny numbereth up five and twenty sorts of Reeds most of which are known to Us onâ—y by the dry Canes therefore I shall mention those which are propet to these neer climates together with the Sugar Reed which for its sweetness deserves the first place 1. The Sugar Cane or Reed 2. Our common Reed 3. Finger Reed 4. The Spanish Reed or Cane 5. The stript or party coloured Reed 6. Low branched Reed 7. The small writing Reed 8. The Arrow or Dart Reed 9. The greater solid Reed 10. The lesser solid Reed 11. The Thorny Reed 12. The Flowring Reed The Forme The Sugar Cane is a pleasant and
sharp withall and somewhat clammy when they are ripe flat as it were at the lower end next the stalk whose skin is thicker and harder then a Plum and the stone within it is small firm and solid long round and solid like unto an Olive or Cornelian Cherry-stone both for form and hardnesse All the Branches both greater and smâ—ller are armed with Thorns two alwayes at a joynt whereof the one is long sâ—â—ong sharp pointed and straight and the other crooked both of them of a blackiâ—â— red colour like unto the elder Branches The Roots are long and firm in the Ground The Places and Time The first groweth naturally in Africa Egypt Arabia and Syria and those more Easterly Countries from whence as Pliny saith it was brought into Italy and planted there in his time by Sextus Rampinius in the latter end of Caesar Augustus his Raign which now a dayes is very frequent not only in many Gardens and Orchards of Italy but of Provence in France also It is so tender that it cannot endure long in our Countrey by reason of the cold The other likewise was brought into Italy in these later times from Syria where it is only to be seen and but with a few that are lovers of rarities The last groweth wild in the Fields by the Hedges not far from Verona abundantly as Pena saith They all shoot forth in April at which time the Seeds or Stones are to be set and sowen for increase They flowre in May and their fruit is ripe in September the Leaves falling off shortly after The Temperature Jujubes are temperate in heat and moysture The Vertues They open the Body and gently purge Choler and cleanse the Blood according to Actuarius and Simeon Sethi especially when they are fresh yet Matthiolus following the Opinion of Avicen denyeth that they have any purging quality in them at all But all Authours do agree that they cool the heat and sharpnesse of the Blood and therefore hold them to be good in hot Agues and to help them that have a Cough by bringing away tough flegme and are very profitable also for other Diseases of the Chest and Lungs as shortnesse of breath hot Rheums and Distillations proceeding from hot humours They are also to good purpose used to cleanse the Reins and Bladder from Gravel in making the passages slippery they also stay Vomitings procured by sharp humours But they are hard of digestion nourish very little and do not easily passe through the stomach and are therefore used in decoctions with other Ingredients fitting for the foresaid griefs CHAP. LXXXIV Of the Sebesten or Assyrian Plum-Tree The Names THere are also to be had at the Apothecaries Shops a certain kind of Plums called by them Sebestens in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à muccoso fructus lentore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enim muccum significat The Tree whereon this Fruit groweth is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Myxos for the Tree and Myxa and Myxaria for the Fruit. It is thought as Ruellius saith that the Syrians in honour of Augustus called them Sebastae from whence the Arabians called them Sebesten The Kindes The Sorts hereof are two 1. The Sebesten or Assyrian Plum-Tree 2. The wild Sebesten-Tree The Forme The Sebesten-tree groweth somewhat lower then the Plum-tree covered with a whitish Bark the Branches are green whereon grow rounder thicker and harder Leaves then those of the ordinary Plum-Tree the blossoms are white consisting of five Leaves a peece growing many together on a stalk which afterwards turn into small Berries rather then Plums of a blackish green colour when they are ripe every one standing in a little Cup of a sweet tast and glutinous and clammy substance and a very thick skin within which lyeth a three square hard stone with a thick Shell and a small Kernel these are gathered and layd in the Sun whereby they grow wrinckled and so they are kept and brought over unto us in Boxes The Places and Time The first groweth in Syria and is but planted in Egypt as Alpinus saith and from thence were brought into Italy in Pliny his time which were grafted on the Service Tree and do now grow in many places there in their Orchards it is so tender not enduring the cold with us that we can as hardly keep it as cause it to spring the Shell of the Stone being so thick and the Kernel so small The other as Alpinus seemeth to aver growth in Egypt naturally They flowre in May and their Fruit is gathered in September The Temperature Sebestens are temperately cold and moyst and have a thick clammy substance The Vertues They are very effectuall to lenifie or make smooth the hoarsnesse and roughnesse of the Throat which is caused by sharp humours which descend from the Head into the Wine-pipe galling it and fretting it so that unlesse there be means used to stop them and to prevent the Throat from corroding they will run down abundantly and with great force making the Patient to breath with great difficulty Neither are Sebestens good only for the Throat but also do very much help the Cough and wheesings of the Lungs and Distillations upon them by lenifying the passages and causing much flegme to be avoided They also give ease to them that are troubled with pains in their sides and marvellously helpeth those that are troubled with the sharpnesse of their Urine proceeding from Cho 〈…〉 or salt flegme they also drive forth the long worms of the Belly By the judgement both of the Arabians and Greek Physitians they open the body in the fame manner or rather more by reason of the Muscilaginesse in them than Damask Primes yet more when they are green and lesse when they are dry yet the decoction of them or the infusion of them in broth although dryed worketh effectually They serve to cool any intemperate heat of the Stomach or Liver and therefore are good in hot Agues and to purge Choler whereof they come 〈◊〉 saith that he hath found often by his experience that ten drams or twelve at the most of the pulp of Sebestans taken from the Skins and Stones worketh as well and to as good purpose as the pulp of Cassia fistula There is a kind of Birdlime made of these fruits by boyling them a little in water to take away their Skins and Stones and after boyling them more to a consistence the which as M 〈…〉 saith was used in V 〈…〉 to catch Birds but Alpinus saith they use it in Egypt as a Plaister to dissolve hard tumours or swellings CHAP. LXXXV Of Scabious The Names IT hath no Greek Name unless it be as some think that Herb which Aetius calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but few dare venter to say it is the same because there is nothing but the bare Name without any Description extant in him yet the Greek word signifieth Scabies in Latine It took the name of Scabiâ—sa
with Ale or Beer and given to one that is suspected to have lost her maidenhead if it remain with her she is a maid otherwise not If you give Hens some dry Nettles broken small with their meat in Winter it will make them lay eggs all the Winter more plentifully It is said also that if the herb be rubbed on the privities of female beasts that will not suffer the males to cover them it will cause them the more willingly to suffer them to do it The oyl of Roses or Sallet Oyl boyled with the juyce or the juyce of the Leaves themselves is a present Remedy to take away the stinging of Nettles To all the purposes aforesaid the Roman Nettle is held the most effectual yet where it cannot be had the others are in a degree next it as effectual Nettle tops are usually boyled in Pottage in the Spring time to consume the Phlegmatick superfluities in the body of Man that the coldnesse and moisture of the Winter hath left behind CHAP. LXXXVIII Of Turneps The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gongyle ob rotunditatem figuraeradicis because of the roundnesse of the root for the Greeks did call every thing that was made round after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is called in Latine Rapum and Rapa which is commonly used in shops and every where else The Lacedemonians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Beetians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Athaeneus reporteth We English Turnep and Rape The Kinds There be sundry sorts of Turneps some wild some of the Garden some with round roots globe fashion others ovall or Pear-fashion some great and some of a smaller sort I shall mention only these four following 1. The great round Turnep 2. The little round Turnep 3. The long Turnep 4. The Orenge coloured Turnep The Forme The Turnep hath long rough and green leaves cut or snipt about the edges with deep gashes The stall divideth it self into sundry branches or arms bearing at the top small flowers of a yellow colour and sometimes of a light purple which being past there do succeed long Cods full of small blackish seed like Rape seed The root is round like a bowle and sometimes a little stretched out in length growing very shallow in the ground and oftentimes shewing it self above the Surface of the Earth The Places and Time The Turnep prospereth well in a leight loose and fat earth and so loose as Petrus Crescentius sheweth that it may be turned almost into dust it groweth in divers fields and Gardens in most places of England The other sorts are not so common as the first yet those that are ever awhit delighted with rarities of this nature have them growing in their Gardens It is not convenient that the ground where they are to be sowen be digged so deep as for other things or if it be the Gardner would do well to tread the ground before he sow them for then will they head the better They may be sown in any Moneth from March to October but they are commonly sown in April and May as also in the end of August They flower and seed the second year after they are sown for those that flower the same year that they are sown are a degenerate kind causing frensy and giddinesse of the brain for a season wherefore are by some called Madneps The Temperature The bulbous or knobbed root which is properly called Rapum or Turnep hath given the name to the plant whilst it is raw for so it is sometimes eaten especially by the poor people in Wales is windy and ingendreth cold and grosse blood but being boyled it cooleth lesse yea so little as that it cannot be perceived to cool at all yet it is moist and windy The Vertues and Signature The Decoction of Turneps is good against the Cough and hoarsnesse of the voice being drunk in the evening with a little Sugar or a quantity of clarified honey The Syrup of Turneps being extracted by baking them mixed with life Hony hony of Roses or Sugar a Spoonful thereof taken at night about bedtime worketh the same effect and is good for those that have a vein Broken Dioscorides writeth that the Turnep it self being stamped is with good successe apaplyed to the Kibed heeles and also that Oyl of Roses boyled in an hollow Tuâ—nep under the hot Embers doth cure the same The young or tender shoots or springs of Turneps at their first coming forth of the ground boyled and eaten is a delicate Sallet which provoketh Urine The seed is mixed with counter poysons and Treacles and being drunk it is a remedy against poyson They of the low countries do give the oyl which is pressed out of the seed against the afterthrows of women newly brought a bed and also do administer it to young children against the worms which it both killeth and driveth forth The Oyl mixed with water doth allay the fervent heat and rugged nesse of the skin it availeth not a little how they be prepared for being boyled in water alone or with meat is most moist and sooner descendeth and maketh the body more soluble but being roasted or baked it ingendreth lesse wind and yet it is not altogether without wind but howsoever they be dressed they yeeld more norishment then the raw they provok Urine increase natural seed and milk in womens breasts by Signature there being a neer resemblance between a womans breast and a Turnep And now I think it will not be amisse to turn my stile from the in side of the breast to the out side and because the breasts of VVomen are more subject to indisposition then mens I shall set down some plants which may be serviceable upon that account CHAP. LXXXIX Of Ladies-Mantle The Names ALthough Branfelsius and others have thought this Plant to be Leontopodium or Lions foot being deceived by the name because divers Nations have so called it from the form or likenesse of the Leaf yet it cannot be gathered that it was known to Dioscorides or any of the ancient Greek Writers It is usually called in Latine Alchymella by most Writers because as some think the Alchymists gave mighty Commendations of it It is called also of Matthiolus Lugdunensis and others Stellaria from the form of the Leaf that with the corners resembles a Star but there are divers others Herbs called Stellaria by severall Authours and some also call this â—es Leonis and Pata Leonis others call it Sanicula major for the Vertues of it which are like unto Sanicle Cordus calleth it Drosera Drosium Psiadeion from the Germans name Sinnaw because the hollowish Leaf will contain the Drops of Dew We in English call it our Ladies Mantle from the prettynesse of the Leaf and great Sanicle and of some Lions Foot or Lions Paw The Kinds The Sorts are but two 1. Common Ladies Mantle 2. Cinquefoile Ladies Mantle The Forme Common Ladies Mantle hath many Leaves rising from the
shall therefore mention those that follow reserving the Marsh Mallowes and its kinds for another Chapter upon another occasion 1. The common Mallow with purplish Flowers 2. The Purplish Mallow with white Flowers 3. Small wild Mallow 4. Single Garden Hollihocks 5. Double Hollihocks 6. French curled Mallowes 7. Fine cut or Vervain Mallowes 8. A strange Mallow called Malva Rosa by Mr. Brown The Forme The common Mallow is so well known as also the Hollihocks that the description of either of them is not so necessary as that of the Vervain Mallow being lesse taken notice of The lower Leaves of it are soft and green somewhat like unto the wild common Mallow Leaves but lesser and more cut in on the edges besides the denting but those that grow up higher upon the stalk whose bark may be broken in the threds like Hemp and is sometimes near as high as the ordinary wild kind is are more cut in and divided somewhat like unto Vervain the Flowers hereof are of a paler purple colour then the common Mallow but in most not so much divided into several Leaves and laid so open but abiding more close or lesse spread and without those stripes oftentimes being smooth and somewhat shining the Seed and Seed Vessels are like the common Mallow the Root also is long tough and white but somewhat more wooddy The Places and Time The first is known to grow every where but the second with white Flowers is more rate growing but in few places as about Ashford and other places in Kent and at Thrapstone in North 〈…〉 c. The third is found under Walls and Hedges in many places The fourth fifth and sixth are Inhabitants of Gardens and so is the seaventh which is found in the Fields also about St. Albans c. The last was shewed me by Mr. Ball in his Garden near Sion House which came with some other Seeds from beyond the Seas They flower about June and July The Temperature The wild Mallows have a certain moderate heat and moystnesse withall The Juyce thereof is slimy clammy or giuing the which are to be preferred before the Garden Mallow or Hollihock but the French Mallow is generally holden to be the wholsomest and as Gerard thinks is that which Hesiod commends It easily descendeth not only because it is moyst but also by reason it is slimy The Vertues Although Mallowes are commonly said to mollifie the belly and make it soluble yet there are other things more effectuall to that purpose I shall therefore appropriate it to the Breasts or Paps of women for it not onely procureth great store of Milk in the Breasts of those Nurses that eare it being boyled and buttered as other herbes commonly are or shred into their pottage but also asswageth the hardnesse of them being boyled and applyed unto them warme as also all other hard Tumors Inflammations of Impostums and swelling of Cods and other parts and easeth the paines of them and likewise the hardnesse of the Liver and Spleen being applyed to the places especially if a Pultis be made by adding some Bean or Barly flower or Oyle of Roses to them The Leaves and Roots also boyled in wine or water or in broth with parsley or Fennell Roots doth help to open the Body and is very convenient in hot Agues or other distempers of the body for by its mollilying quality it not onely voideth hot cholerick or other offensive humors but easeth the paines and torments that come by the stoppings of the belly and to that end the boyled leaves are applyed warm to the Belly and it is used in Clisters for the same purpose The Decoction of the seed of any of the Common Mallowes made in milk or wine doth marvellously help Excoriations of the Bowells Ptisick Pleuresie and other diseases of the Chest and Lungs that proceed of hot causes if it be continued taking for some time together The Leaves and Roots work the same effects The juice drunk in wine or the Decoction made in wine doth help women to an easy speedy delivery The Leaves bruised and laid to the Eys with a little Hony taketh away the Impostumation of them The Leaves rubbed upon any place stung with Bees Waspes or the like taketh away the pains rednesse swelling thereof The juice of Mallows boyled in old Oyl applyed taketh away all roughnesse of the skin as also the falling of the haire the Scurse Dandraffe or Dry-Scabs in the head or other parts if they be anointed therewith or washed with the Decoction the same also is effectuall against Scaldings or Burnings and to help wild-fire and all other hot red and painfull swellings in any part of the body The Flowers boyled in water and a little Honey added is a good Gargle for any sore mouth or throat If the feet be bathed with the Decoction of the Leaves Roots and Flowers it helpeth the flowing down of Rhume from the head which rose out of the Stomack the green leaves beaten with Nitre and applyed draweth out thornes or pricks out of the flesh The roots being made clean from the earth and washed and at the end a little â—cotched with a knife and then rubbed hard upon the teeth taketh a way sliminesse of them and maketh them very white The Vervain-Mallow is thought to be most effectuall for burstings or ruptures and the bâ—oody sâ—ix and also for the shrinking of the Sinewes and Cramp The diuilled water hereof being made when it is in flower worketh the same effects but more weakely yet it is much commended in hot Agues and Feavers Plâ—ny saith that whosoever shall take a spoonefull of the juyce of any of the Mallowes shall for that day be free from all diseases and it is especiall good for the Falling-Sicknesse The Syrup also and Conserve made of the flowers are very effectuall to the same diseases and for Costivenesse The young leaves may be eaten as a Sallet with Salt and Vineger and so the Nurses may eat them CHAP. XCIV Of Dill. The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quód citó crescat from its speedy growing for though it be late before it come up a month or two after Fennell to which it is very like yet it perfecteth its feed as much before it and then fades away And this in my opinion is the likeliest Etymology yet others thinke it to be so called quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est invictum quia câ—bi appetentiam excitâ—â— because it provokes appetite or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is Congressus â—â—â—tio Venerea for which the Antients held it very eâ—â—ectuall It is called in Latin Anethum Anetum In English Dill Aâ—et The Kindes Though there were but one sort of Dill known formerly yet in these latter times two other sorts have been found out as 1. Common Garden Dill. 2. Great Wild Dill 3. Small Wild Dill. The Forme The Common Dill groweth up with seldom more then one stalk
shooting two or three branches almost of an equall bignesse which is sweet in tast and therefore much used to be eaten The Places and Time The first groweth in the Physick Garden in Oxford and divers other Gardens The second seaventh eleventh and twelfth grow also in England but I find not the particular place expressed The Peach-leafed Bell-flowre which is the last save one groweth in the Garden of my most honoured Friend John Cartwright Esquire at his Mannour of Aino on the Hill in Northamptonshire The last groweth plentifully between Selbury Hill and Beacon Hill in the way to Bathe The rest are strangers some of them growing in Candy others in Italy and some in Germany c. They flowre all the Summer long some abiding long and lasting untill in Autumn cold dewes do take them away others being sooner spent The Temperature The Roots of these are of a cold Temperature and somewhat binding yet scarce exceed the first Degree The Signature and Vertues The Roots and Leaves of Rampions being broken as I said before do send forth a very white milky Juyce which is an apparant Signature that they being so temperate are available for the engendring of store of Milk in Nurses Breasts which without controversie they do effectually procure The Roots of all the Sorts of Rampions and so likewise some of Bell-flowers especially if they have any greater Roots then the ordinary stringy ones are used for Sallets either â—old with Vinegar Oyl and Pepper or boyled and strewed with Butter or Oyl and some black or long Pepper cast on them either way or any way else they are familiar to the stomach stirring up the appetite and by reason of their temperate quality cause a good digestion The Roots beaten small and mixed with some Meal of Lupines cleanseth the skin from spots marks or other discolourings The distilled water of the whole Plants Roots and all performeth the same and maketh the place very splendent and clear Sure these useful Plants were not known to Mr. Culpepper to grow in England but he fearing them to be outlandish to which he was a professed Enemy very ignorantly omitted them when as he hath busied himself about those that are lesse useful This I wrote the rather because I would have you take notice of Rampions and endeavour to propagate them CHAP. XCVI Of Periwinckle The Names IT is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek because it bringeth forth stalks which creep like those of the Vine called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Daphnoidas because the Leaves are somewhat like though lesser then those of the Bay-Tree It is called also Clematis Daphnoides in Latine but it is most commonly known by the name of Vinca Pervinca both in Shops and else-where Pliny calleth it also Camaedaphne and Centunculus though there be other Plants to whom those names do more properly belong In English Pervinkle Peruinkle and Periwinckle The Kinds There be divers Sorts or Kinds of Periwinckle whereof some be greater others lesser some with white Flowers others Purple and double and some of a fair blew Sky Colour The Forme The common Sort of Periwinckle hath many Branches trailing or running upon the ground shooting out small Fibres at the Joynts as it runneth taking thereby hold in the ground and rooteth in divers places At the Joynts of these branches stand two small dark green shining Leaves somewhat like Bay-leaves but smaller as I said before and with them come also the Flowers one at a joynt standing upon a tender Foot-stalk being somewhat long and hollow parted at the brims sometimes into four sometimes into five leaves of a pale blew coâ—our The Root is not much bigger then a Rush bushing in the ground and creeping with his Branches far about whereby it quickly possesseth a great compasse and is therefore most usually planted under hedges where it may have room to run up upon the sticks which it doth encompasse and bind over and over and is perhaps from thence called Vinca Per winca The Places and Time The first groweth on the north west side of St. Albans under an hedge encompassing a field sometimes in the occupation of Mr. Pollard and in Kingsland neer Paradise The other sorts are found only in the Gardens of those that are delighted with such pretty sorts of Varieties The flowers of them do flourish in March Aprill and May and oftentimes later The Temperature Periwinckle is somewhat hot but within the second Degree and likewise something dry and astringent The Vertues Perhaps it may seem very strange to many that I should appropriate this Plant to the Breasts for the breeding of Milk when as the greater part of Herbarists ascribe no such Vertue to it But to me it is sufficient that I have for my President that famous Herbarist Spigelius who in his second Book and fourth Chapter treating of those things that generate Milk saith There are also some Herbs as well hot as cold which although they breed little blood and are of small nourishment yet they cause great plenty of milk as Lettice Cabbage and Periwinckle which being boyled in water or the Broth of Meat doth recall the defect of Milk into the Breasts though they nourish little or nothing at all which actions they perform rather by an occult specifick vertue then any manifest quality The other properties that it hath are that it stayeth bleeding both at Mouth and Nose if some of the Leaves be chewed and the French do use it to stay their menstruall Courses Dioscorides Galen and Aegineta commend it against the Lasks and Fluxes of the Belly to be drunk with Wine and being chewed it easeth the pains of the Teeth It is likewise good against the biting of Adders being bruised and applyed to the place especially if the infusion thereof in Vinegar be taken inwardly Parkinson saith it is a tradition with many that a wreath made hereof and worn about the Legs defendeth them from the Cramp by which words he seemeth in my judgement to doubt of the truth thereof but indeed he needed not so to do for I knew a friend of mine who was very vehemently tormented with the Cramp for a long while which could be by no means eased till he had wrapped some of the Branches hereof about his Legs and other parts that we afflicted Mr. Culpepper writeth that Venus owns this Herb and saith That the Leaves eaten by Man and Wife together cause love which is a rare quality indeed if it be true CHAP. XCVII Of Lettuce The Names THe Garden Lettuce is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of the Pythagoreans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Latine Lactuea sativa à lactei succi copia from the plenty of Milk that it hath and causeth When the Leaves of this kind are curled or crompled it is called of Pliny Lactuca crispa and of Columella Lactuca Ceciliana in English curled or crumpled Lettuce The Cabbage Lettuce is commonly called Lactuca capitata and Lactuca sessilis
and Vinegar and some Oyl put thereto ceaseth both the pain and swelling of the Cods and being taken inwardly it stirreth up Lust in those which cannot use the act of Generation because of the sluggish impotency and weakness of their Members which it doth by Signature a Bean very much resembling the Nut of a Mans yard and that was the Reason that Pythagoras so much condemned them their windiness causing Lust which he endeavoured to suppress If fryed Beans be boyled with Garlick and daily taken as meat it helpeth inveterate Coughs almost past cure the hoarsneâ— of the voyce and the Impostumes in the Breast The Husks of them boyled good while in water that is to the thirds stayeth the Lask and the ashes of the said Husks made up with old Hogs-grease helpeth the old pains contusions anâ— wounds of the Sinews the Sciatica also and the Gout Though the Faba veterum be without doubt that true Bean which Dâ—oscorides Galen and other Greek Authours intended when they set down the aforesaid Remedies yet our ordinary Bean-flowre is as proper for all those purposes and may be used to as gooâ— effect CHAP. CII Of Lentills The Names THere is another Sort of Pulse which may be appropriated to the same purpose which the Grecians called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phacos and in Latine Lens Lenticula Pliny saith Lib. 18. Chap. 12. that the Etymon thereof seemeth to be taken quasi lenis dicta sit lenitatisque significationem habet aquanimitatem fieri vescentibus eâ It is seldom used for Mans meat here in England and therefore I cannot justifie any such operation it hath unless he meant it of Cattle who are much pleased with it and for their Food it is sowed in divers Countries In Hampshire they leave out the first syllable and call it Tills and in Oxfordshire Dills The Kinds Of these Lentills I find but three Sorts 1. The greater Lentills 2. Spotted Lentills 3. The lesser Lentill The Forme The greater Lentill hath sundry slender weak Branches somewhat hard two foot long from whence shoot forth at severall places long stalks of small winged Leaves that is many on each side of a middle Rib without any odd one at the end for the middle Rib of each stalk endeth in a small clasper the Flowers are small and rise from between the leaves and the stalks two for the most part at the end of a long foot-stalk of a sad reddish purple colour somewhat like to those of Vetches after which come small short and somewhat flat Cods within which are contained two or three flat round smooth Seeds of a pale yellowish ash colour the Root is fibrous and perisheth yearly The Places and Time The first even beyond the Seas is onely sowne in the Fields as other manured pulses are and so likewise in some places of our Land but doth seldom come to maturity with us if the season be not kindly and dry The second is wild in Portugall The last is most common in England and is sowne in severall Counties thereof being the most pleasant and acceptable The Temperature Galen saith that Lentills hold a mean between hot and cold yet do they dry in the second degree the outer Skin being binding and the inner meat also which is a little harsh and bindeth the Body yet the outer Skin much more it is saith he of contrary qualities for the first decoction thereof doth not bind but loosen the body and therefore they that would have it to bind cast away the first water and use the second which stayeth Lasks and strengtheneth the stomack and all the inward parts Lentils husked saith he lose with their shells the strength of binding and the other qualities that follow it and then nourish more then those that are not husked yet so give they a thick and evill nourishment and slowly passe away neither do they stay Fluxes and Dysenteries as those that are not husked The Vertues The Seeds of the Lentils boyled in Sea-water and applyed to Womens Breasts that are ready to burst through abundance of Milk or have it curdled within them by any cold distemper bringeth them again into good temper It is good also to bind and stay Lasks and Fluxes but with other binding Herbs as Purslane Red Beets Myrtles Dryed Roses Pomegranate Rindes Medlars Servises c. taken with Vinegar they are the more powerful The Decoction thereof with Wheat-flowre applyed easeth the Gout used with Honey it closeth up the lips of Wounds and cleanseth foul Sores being boyled in Vinegar it dissolveth Knots and Kernels and being boyled with Quinces Melilote and a little rose-Rose-water put thereto it helpeth the Inflammations of the Eys and Fundament but for the chaps thereof which need a stronger Medicine it is boyled with dryed Roses and Pomegranate Rindes adding a little Honey to it It likewise stayeth those creeping Cankers that are ready to turn to a Gangrene putting thereto some Sea-water and so it is good for Wheals and running and watering Sores St. Anthonies Fire Kibes c. being used with Vinegar The Decoction thereof is a good lotion for Ulcers either in the mouth privy parts or Fundament adding a few Rose Leaves and Quinces But to eat Lentills or the broth made of them too largely as Galen saith breedeth the Leprosie and Cankers for grosse thick Meat is fit to breed melancholy humours yet it is profitably given to those that are of a watery disposition and evill affected thereby but it is utterly forbidden to those that have dry Constitutions it is also hurtful to the sight dulling it by drying up the moysture and is not convenient for Women that want their Courses but is good for those that have them in too much abundance Dioscorides further addeth that it breedeth troublesome Dreams and is hurtful to the Head the Lungs and the Sinews CHAP. CIII Of Lillies The Names THe Lilly is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lilium also Rosa Junonis or Junoes Rose because it is reported that it came of her Milk that fell upon the ground For the Poets feign that Hercules whom Jupiter had by Alcumena was put to Junoes Breasts whilest she was asleep and after the sucking there fell away abundance of Milk and that one part was spilt in the Heavens and the other on the Earth and that of this sprang the Lilly and the Circle in Heaven called Lactens Circulus or the milky way or otherwise in English The way to Watling-street Thus much for the white Lilly As for the other Sorts which are many I shall only put down some of them The Kindes Though there be divers Sorts of Lillies yet I shall only set down these 1. The white Lilly 2. The white Lilly of Constantinople 3. The gold red Lilly 4. The red Lilly 5. The fiery red Lilly 6. The great Mountain Lilly 7. The small Mountain Lilly 8. The red Lilly of Constantinople 9. The Persian Lilly 10.
Engâ—ish Butterwort and Butter-Root because of the Oylinesse of the Leaf which seemeth to have Oyl or Butter alwayes upon it The Country people do think their Sheep will catch the Rot if for hunger they should eat thereof and therefore they call it the White Rot as they do Rot Solis the Red Rot as I have said before The Kindes There be divers Herbs that the learned Writers have entituled Sanicle as Avens Bears-Eares Corall-worâ— but that which I here at present treat of is Sanicle properly so called of which there be five sorts 1. Ordinary Sanicle 2. Butterwort or Yorkshire Sanicle 3. Spotted Sanicle 4. Beares Eare Sanicle 5. The Shrub-Sanicle of America The Form Ordinary Sanicle sendeth forth many Leaves of a middle size somewhat deeply cut or civided into five or six parts and some of them cut-in also sometimes standing upon brownish foot-stalks of about an handful long and somewhat like unto the broader Leaves of the broadest sort of Anemonies but â—neâ—y dented about the edges smooth and of a dark green shining colour and sometimes reddish about the brims from among which riseth up small round green stalks without any joynt or leaf thereon saving at the top where it brancheth forth into Flowers having a leaf divided into three or four parts at that joynt with the Flowers which are small and white starting out of small round greenish yellow heads many standing together on a tuft in which afterwards are the Seeds contained which are small round rough Burs somewhat like the Seeds of Cleavers and stick in the same manner upon any thing that they touch the Root is composed of many black strings of Fibres set together at a little long head which abideth with the green Leaves all the Winter The Places and Time I have seen the first grow by Oxford in Stow-Wood in severall places amongst the Bushes and likewise by St. Albans under an Hedge that groweth between the Trench that went about old Verulam and the way Windridge The second which hath little likenesse with the first but only for its healing vertue being composed of foure or five fat Leaves lying flat on the ground of a yellowish colour groweth in a moyst bottom belonging to the same Wood and is commonly found upon sundry bogs in the West Country and Wales but chiefly in Yorkshire The third distereth not much from the first only the Leaves are not so deeply cut in and they are full of Red Spots It groweth and so doth the fourth upon all the Austrian and Stirian Hills in the shadowy places of them whence they have been brought into our English Physick Gardens as into that at Oxford and that at Westminster also The last came from the back part of Virginia called Canada The first and second flowre not untill June and their Seed is ripe soon after The two next flowre much eâ—rlyer and sometimes again in Autumne The last flowreth in July The Temperature Sanicle is bitter in tast and thereby is heating and drying in the second degree and it is astringent also The Signature and Vertues The Spotted Sanicle not only seemeth to have the Signature of the Lungs but is so effectuall for them that there is not any Heâ—b sound that can give such present help either to Man or Beast when any Diâ—ease falleth upon the Lungs It is exceeding good to heal all green Wounds speedily or any Ulcers Impostumes or Bleedings inwardly to which the Lungs are more subject then any other part it being fullest of blood because of its continuall motion and plenty of heat proceeding from thence as also from the Viâ—inity and neerness of the heart And for these purposes the ordinary Sanicle is as effectuall as the other which doth wonderfully help those that have any Tumoâ—s in any part of their Bodies for it represseth and dissipateth the humours if the decoction or juyce thereof be taken or the Powâ—eâ— in â—â—ink and the Juyce â—â—ed outwardly It is a â—o veâ—y good to â—eal up all the putrid maâ—ignant Ulcers in the Mouth Throat anâ— Pâ—â—â—ties by gâ—â—gâ—ing or washing them with the Decoction of the Leaves anâ— Root made in water and a little Honey put thereto It he peth to stay Women Coâ—â—ses and all other Fluxes of Blood either by the Mouth Urine or Stool and Lasks oâ— the Belly the Ulcerations of the Kidneys alâ—o and the pains in the Bâ—wells and the Gonorrhea or running of the Reins being boyled in Wine oâ— Water and drunk The same also is no lesse powerful to heâ—p any Ruptures or Burstings used both inwardly and outwardly and briefly it is effectuall in binding restraining consolidating heating drying and healing as any of the Consounds whiâ—h are Comfrey Bugle Self-heal or other Vulnerary Herbs whatâ—oeveâ—â—o that He that hath Sanicle to help himself needeth neither Physician nor Chyrurgion Butterwort is also a vulnerary Herb and of great eâ—eem with many as well for the Rupture in Children as to heal green Wounds the Country people which live where it groweth do use to rub it upon their hands when they are chapt by the Wind or when their Kines Udders are â—woln by the biting of any viâ—â—lent Worm or Vermine or otherwise hurt chapt or rift The poorer â—oâ—t of people in Wales make a Syrup thereof as is of Roses and therewith purge themselves and their Children they put it likewise in their Broths for the â—ame purpoâ—e which purgeth flegm effectually they also with the Heâ—b and Butter make â—n Oyntment singular good against the Obstructions of the Liver as hath been experimently affirmed by some Physitians of good account CHAP. CXV Of Polypodie The Names THere are divers conjectures why the Grecians called this Herb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some conceive it to be derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 multus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pes because the many small narrow Leaves resemble the feet of the Polypus others à cavernosis acetabulis seu cirris Polyporum from the holes in the Root which are like to the holes that are in the said Fish others quia polypum sanat because it cures the Disease in the Nose called Polypus It is likewise called in Latine Polypodium and Filicula quasi parva filix and Filicularis herba for its likeness with Ferne In English Oak-Fern and VVall-Fern according to their places of growth but generally Polypody Yet there is another sort of OakFern called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dryopteris that is Filix querna which Oribasius calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bryopteris quasi Filix Muscosa Mosse-Fern of its growing on the Mosse on Trees The Kinds Of Polypody under which both that of the Wall and the Oak-Fern are included there be six sorts 1. Common Polypody of the Oak 2. Small Polypody 3. Island Polypody 4. Indian Polypody 5. Creeping Oak-Fern 6. White Oak-Fern The Forme Common Polypody of the Oak is a small Herb consisting of nothing but Roots and Leaves bearing neither Flower nor Seed It hath three of
set on the green branches not alwayes one against another and a little dented about the edges At the foot of the Leaves come forth small hollow pale blush coloured Flowers the brims ending in five points with a reddish thred in the middle which passe into small round Berries of the bigness and colour of Juniper-Berries but of a Purple sweetish sharp tast the juyce of them giveth a Purplish colour to the hands and lips of them that handle and eat them especially if they break them containing within them divers small Seeds The Root groweth aslope under the surface of the ground shooting forth in sundry places as it creepeth This loseth its Leaves in the Winter but the red kind retaineth them The Places and Time The first groweth in many Heaths Woods and barren hilly places in this Land as Hampstead-Heath Finchley and St. Johns Wood not far from London and in sundry other places The first red sort in the Northern parts as Northumberland Lancashire and York-shire on the Hills c. The rest grow in Hungaria Bavaria and Germany and in other Countries also The sixth Clusins found in Spain The seaventh groweth as Lâ—â—el saith on every of the Hills in Provence of France The two last in Candy They all flower in March and April and the fruit of the black is ripe in June and July the other later The Temperature The Bill-berries do cool in the second Degree and do a little bind and dry withall The Vertues The Berries aforesaid are an excellent Medicine for those that are troubled with an old Cough or with an Vlcer in the Lungs or other Disease thereof but if they be eaten by those that have a cold or weak stomack they will much offend and trouble it and therefore the Juyce of the Berries made into a Syrup or the pulp of them made into a Conserve with Sugar will be more familiar to such and help those pains the cold fruit procured and being thus prepared they will be the more effectuall in hot Agues and to cool the heat of the Stomach and Liver and do somewhat bind the Belly and stay castings and loathings with the juyce of the Berries Painters to colour Paper and Cards do make a kind of Purple blew colour putting thereto some Allome and Galls whereby they can make it lighter and sadder as they please And some poor folks as Tragus sheweth do take a Pot full of the juyce strained whereunto an Ounce of Allome four spoonfulls of good Wine-Vinegar and a quarter of an Ounce of the wast of the Copper forgings being put together and boyled all together into this liquor whilest it is reasonable but not too hot they put their Cloth Wool Thred or Yarn therein letting it lie for a good while which being taken out and hung up to dry and afterwards washed with cold water will have the like Turky blew colour and if they would have it sadder they will put thereto in the boyling an Ounce of broken Gauls Gerard saith that he hath made of the juyce of the red Berries an excellent Crimson colour by putting a little Allom thereto The red Whorts are taken to be more binding and therefore to be used in stopping Lasks and Womens Courses spitting of blood and any other Flux of blood or humours as well outwardly as inwardly CHAP. CXVII Of Sweet Cicely The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as well as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Myrrhis and Myrrha likewise in Latine in imitation of the Greek and also because of its pleasant savour being somewhat like unto Myrrhe Pliny saith that some called Myrrhis by the name of Smirnisusa and others Myrrha yet some have it Smyrrhiza from the likeness unto S 〈…〉 ium Some also call iâ— Caerefolium magnum and some Cicutaria from the likeness of the Leaves and of some Conilaus We in England also call it Myrrhis Sweet Chervill great Chervill sweet Cicely and sweet Fern. The Kindes There be five Sorts of Sweet Chervill 1. The ordinary Garden sweet Chervil 2. The lesser sweet Chervill 3. Wild sweet Chervill 4. Wild sweet Chervill of England 5. Wild sweet Chervill of Naples The Form The ordinary Garden Sweet Chervill which is so like Hemlock that many have mistaken it for the same yet it groweth not so high but hath large spread Leaves cut into divers parts tasting as sweet as the Anniseed that riseth to be two foot high or better being crested or hollow having the like Leaves at the Joynts but lesser and at the tops of the branched stalks umbels or tufts of whiâ—e Flowers after which come large long-crested black-shining Seed pointed at both ends tasting quick yet sweet and pleasant like the Leaf or Anniseed the Root is great and white growing deep in the ground and spreading sundry long Branches therein in tast and smell stronger then the Leaves or Seed and continuing many years The Places and Time The first is planted in divers Gardens here in England in Germany also though it be thought by some to grow wild in the fields of that Country which the 3d sort may haply do with them as well as with us in England near unto the ditch sides and other water courses The second is a naturall of Geneva and the parts thereabouts as Lobel saith but was sent also by Aicholzius from Vienna to Norunberg to Camerarius as he saith and is likely to be naturall of those parts also The fourth was found by Columna upon some of the Hills in Naples The last hath been seen growing in some wast places of this Land These Herbs do flower in May and their Seed is ripe in July The Temperature Galen saith that Myrrhis that is Sweet Cicely is hot in the second degree with some tenuity of parts The Vertues The Root of the ordinary Garden sweet Chervill boyled in the broth wherein flesh hath been sodden doth cleanse the breast from flegm and all corruption and is very good for such as be lean and weak or falling into a consumption of the Lungs to make them strong and â—usty It is likewise good to help the Pâ—isick if it be boyled but in Beer Being drunk with Wine it provoketh Womens Courses it expelleth the dead Child and After-birth and purgeth Women after their deliverance it provoketh Urine and is good against all venomous bitings If the Root be sliced and â—aid to sâ—eep in White-wine all night and drunk in the morning with Sugar it wiâ—l give the party that taketh it three or four stools It procureth an appetite to meat and helpeth to expell wind The juyce with Powder of burnt Allom healeth the Ulcers of the Head and Face and killeth the Canker in the Mouth or Throat being annointed therewith The Candid Roots of this Chervill are held as effectuall as Angelica to preserve the spirits from infection in the time of a Plague as also to warm and comfort a cold weak stomach Both Leaves Seeds and Roots are so fine
and pleasant in Sallets as there is no Herb comparable unto it and giveth a better rellish to those it is put with the Seeds while they are fresh and green sliced and put among other Herbs make them tast very pleasant the Root boyled and eaten with Oyl and Vinegar or without Oyl if any one mislike it doth much please and warm a cold or old stomack oppressed with flegm or wind and those that have the Ptisick and Consumption of the Lungs The Lungs and the particular Diseases thereof being thus spoken to I shall descend unto the Heart which is the first thing in a Man that lives and the last that dies upon the wel-fare whereof the wel-fare of all other parts depends and therefore especially to be provided for so that I shall muster up a little Regiment of Simples to defend it from those poysonous enemies which would otherwise assault it to the endangering of the whâ—le Microcosme And I shall begin with Angelica because it relates both to that which goes before and that which comes after CHAP. CXVIII Of Angelica The Names IT is not yet known whether any of the Ancients knew this Herb or by what name the Greeks did call it however it hath gained many worthy names of the Latine Writers for some have called it Sancti Spiritus radix and have been blamed for it already others Lacuna and Dodonaeus thinketh it to be some kind of Laserpitium some have taken it to be Smyrnium and some Panax Heracleum but generally it is called Angelica for the rare smell and Angel-like properties therein and that name it retains still all Nations following it so near as their Dialect will permit The Kinds Former times knew but two sorts hereof but now there are sound out two more 1. Garden Angelica 2. Wild Angelica 3. Mountaine Wild Angelica 4. The great Water Angelica The Forme The Garden Angelica hath divers large and fair spread and winged Leaves half a yard long or better sometimes made of many great and broad ones set usually one against another on a middle rib of a pale but fresh green Colour and dented about the edges from among which usually riseth but oâ—e round hollow stalk being very thick and four or five foot high with divers great joynts and Leaves set on them whose foot-stalks do compasse the main stalk at the bottom and from thence also towards the top come forth branches with the like but lesser Leaves at them and at their tops large round spread umbels of white flowers after which cometh the seed which is somewhat flat thick short and whitish two alwayes set together as is usuall in all these umbelliferous plants and a little crested on the round seed the root groweth great and wooddy when it flowreth with many great long branches to it but perisheth after seed which being suffered to fall of its own accord will more certainly grow then that which is gathered and sown by hand at any other time The Places and Time The first is very Common in our English Gardens and was brought hither as is conceived from beyond the Seas or from the Rocks not far from Barwick upon which it groweth It is found in great plenty in Norway and in an Island of the North call Iceland where it groweth very high and is eaten of those that come into that Country for want of other food the bark being pilled off It groweth likewise in divers mountains of Germany and especially of Bohemia The second Sort is wild both in many places of Essex Kent and neer Kentish-Town by London and in other places The third groweth on divers mountains of Germany and Hungary The last is not onely naturall to grow in watery ditches but in moist grounds also in most places of England They flower in Iuly and August whose roots for the most part do perish after the seed is ripe and therefore they which desire to preserve them must keep it from seeding by cutting off the Leaves to Still and so both the root and plant may be continued divers years together The Temperature Angelica especially that of the Garden is hot and dry some put it in the second and others in the third degree howsoever it openeth attenuateth or maketh thin digesteth and procureth sweat The whole plant both Leaf and Seed and Root is of an excellent pleasant scent and tast very comfortable being not fierce or sharp but rather sweet and giveth a most delicate relish when it is tasted or used the Leaves be the weakest and some hold the seed to be next and the root to be the strongest especially being not ready to grow up for stalk The Vertues If the Root of Angelica be taken in powder to the weight of half a dram at a time with some good Treacle in Carduus water or if treacle be not at hand take the root alone in Carduus or Angelica water and sweat thereupon it reâ—steth poyson by defending the Heart the blood and spirits and giveth heat and Comfort to them and it doth the like against the Plague and Infection of the Pestilence and so do the stalks or roots candyed and eaten fasting at such times and also at other times to warme and Coâ—â—ort a cold and old stomack The root also steeped in Vinegar and a little of that Vinegar taken sometimes fasting and the root smelled unto are both good Preservatives also for the same purpose A water distilled from the Root simply or steeped in Wine and distilled in glasse is much more effectuall then the water of the leaves and this water drunk two or three spoonfulls at a time eaâ—eth all paines and torments coming of Cold and Wind so as the body be not bound and some of the root taken in powder at the beginning helpeth the Plâ—urisie and all other diseases of the Lungs and Breast as Coughs Pthisick and Shortnesse of breath and a Syrup of the stalks doth the like It helpeth likewise the torments of the Colick the Strangury and stopping of the Urin procureth womens Courses expelleth the Afterbirth openeth the obstructions oâ— the Liver and spleen and briefly easeth and discusseth all inward tumors and windinesse The decoction drunk before the fit oâ— an Ague that they may sweat if possible before the fit come will in two or three times taking rid it quite away it helps digestion and is a remedy for a surfit The juyce or the water being dropped into the eyes or eares helps dimnesse of sight and deafnesse and the juyce put into an hollow Tooth easeth the paines The roots in powder made up into a Plaister with a little pitch and laid on the biting of a mad dog or any other Venemous Creature doth wonderfully help The juyce or the water dropped or Tents wet therein and put into old filthy deep Ulcers or the powder of the Root in want of either doth cleanse them and cause them to heale quickly by covering the naked Bones with flesh The distilled water applyed to places pained
Saffron the kernells of Wallnuts two ounces Figs two ounces Mithâ—idate one dram and a few Sage Leaves stamped together with a sufficient quantity of Pimpernell water and made into a masse or lump and kept in a Pot for your use and thereof twelve graines given in the morning fasting preserveth from the Pestilence and expelleth it from those that are infected Infinite advantage hath been made of this commodity by those that Planted it there being no Saffron comparable to the English but now it is manured by so many that it is not so profitable as formerly CHAP. CXX Of Borage The Names IT is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euphrosyne ab efficienda animi voluptaâ—â— from causing mirth Apulâ—â—us said that Buglossum meaning our Borage was called by them of Luca Corragâ— quod cordis affectibus medetur because it is very Cordiall which by the alteration of one letter is Borrage and from thence as is supposed came the name Borrage which is not found in any of the ancient Writers whom I can perceive to make little or no difference between it and Buglosse but rather that it is the same that was formerly so called yet we have them growing in distinct formes in our Gardens The Kinds And of Borage commonly so called I find five sorts 1. Garden Borage with blew Flowers 2. Garden Borage with white Flowers 3. Everlasting Borage 4. Small creeping Borage 5. Small wild Borage The Forme And because the first Garden Borrage is so well known I shall describe the Everlasting Borage which hath very many broad Leaves rough and hairy of a black darke green colour amongst which rise up stiffe hairy stalkes whereupon do grow faire blew Flowers ripe seed and buds for new Flowers all at once whereupon it is called Everlasting and that very properly because it lasteth both Summer and Winter and is seldom without Flowers buds ripe or unripe seed whereby it greatly increaseth The roote is very durable The Places and Time The first groweth in most Gardens and there increaseth very much after it is once sown the second and third are not so common yet found in divers Gardens of those that affect rarities the last in Germany as Lobel saith and in Naples as Columna saith and in Kent if Mr. Parkinson mistake not The fourth came to us out of the Low-Countrys and prospereth well in the Physick-Garden at Oxfora they do all Flour in the moneths of June and July except the Creeping Borage which Lobel saith flowâ—eth both in the Spring and in August and their seed doth ripen quickly after both ripe seed Flowers may at one time be gathered from many of them The Temperature The Garden kinds are temperate and accounted rather hot and moist in the first degree then cold and yet for their cordiall properties are often used amongst other cold herbs as conducing to the like effect The Vertues The Leaves Flowers and Seeds of Borage all or either of them are very Cordiall and helpe to expell sadnesse and melancholy arising without manifest cause whereof came the saying Ego Borrago gaud a semper ago I Bo rage bring allwaies Courage It helpeth also to clarify the blood is to very good purpose used in all putrid or Pestilentiall Feavers to de end the Heart and to help to reâ—st and expell the poyson or the venome of other Creatures The juice made into a Syrup prevaileth much to all the purposes aforesaid and is also put with other cooling opening and clensing herbs to open obstructions and to help the yellow Jaundise to coole and clense the blood and temper the heate and sharpnesse thereof especially with Fumitory and thereby to helpe the Itch Ring-wormes or Tetters or other spreading Scabs or Sores that arise from adust and sharp humors and for that purpose is put into the Syrupus Byzantinus which worketh to the same effect The Conserve made of the Flowers or the Flowers candyed are helping also in those causes but are chiefely used as a Cordiall and good for those that have been long sick or in a Consumption to comfort the Heart and Spirits and is thereby good for those that are troubled with often swouning or passions of the Heart The distilled Water is no lesse effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid and the eyes washed therewith helpeth the rednesse or inflamation of them The dryed Herb is almost uselesse yet the Ashes thereof boiled in Meade or Honyed water is available against Inflammations Ulcers in the mouth or Throat to wash and gargle it therewith The green Leaves and stalkes with the Flowers on them are frequently used in the summer-time to be put in Wine or Beere for the comforting the Heart and giving a better rellish thereunto Syrup made of the Juice of Borage and Sugar having some of the powder of the Heart-bone or a Hart put into it is good against swouning the Cardiack passion of the Heart against melancholly and the falling sicknesse The wild Borage is somwhat hotter and dryer and is very neere the property of Vipers Buglosse which differeth little from what hath been already said of Borage as you shall heare hereafter CHAP. CXXI Of Violets The Names THe Garden Violet is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Viola purpurea by Dioscorides and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Viola nigra and Melanion by Theophrastus Some would have the name to come from Io whom Jove transformed into a Cow because she fed on them cheifly Others from certain Nymphes of Jonia who first gave of the Flowers to Jupiter for a presenâ—â— others think it to be derived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasiâ—re aut primum prorumpere veris enim praevia est Viola because it is one of the first herbs that flowreth The Latines call it Viola Martia and Herba Violaria Heartsâ—ease which is also a kind of Violet is called in English Pansyes as also Love in idlenesse Call me to you and Three faces under a hood in Latine Viola Tricolor c of the three colours therein The Kinds There are many sorts of Violets 1. Single purple Violets 2. Single white Violets 3. Double purple Violets 4. Double white Violets 5. Upright Violets 6. Smal narrow Leafed Violets 7. Mountaine Violets with jagged Leaves 8. Yellow Violets of Virginia 9. Yorkeshire striped red Violets 10. Wild Violets 11. Garden Pansyes 12. Wild Pansyes or Hearts-ease The Forme The description of the ordinary Garden Violets being needlesse I shall set down that of the upright Violet which groweth a foot-high or neere upon with hard upright stalkes which yet bend down againe their tops having two Leaves somwhat round set at each joynt but longer and more dented about the edges then the Garden kinds at which joynts with the Leaves on both sides of the stalkes commeth forth a larger Flower and more spread open then it being more like a Pansye but of a pale purplish colour almost as sweet as the Violet as Matthiolus but without scent as Lobel saith The Names
it hardly giveth any good Seed although the two former do plentifully The Temperature Baulm is hot and dry in the second degree having also a purging quality therein with some tenuity of parts The Signature and Vertues The Leaves of this Herb have also the Signature of the Heart and accordingly it is very much commended for the passions of the heart For Serapio saith it is the property of Baulm to cause the mind and the heart to become merry to revive the fainting heart falling into Swoonings to strengthen the weakness of the Spirits and Heart and to comfort them especially such who are troubled in their sleep to drive away all troublesome cares and thoughts out of the mind whether those passions arise from melancholy or burnt flegme which Avicen also confirmeth It is good for a cold stomach to help digestion and to open the obstruction of the Brain as also among other things for the Plague the water thereof but especially the Conserve of the Flowers being used It provoketh Womens Courses helpeth a stinking breath and is good for the rising of the Mother A Decoction of Baulm made in Wine and drunk is good against Venom and Poyson helpeth the griping pains of the Belly and is good for them that cannot take their breath unless they hold their necks upright being taken in a Lohock oâ— licking Electuary The Syrup of Baulm is likewise a good Cordiall and strengtheneth the heart and stomach resisteth Melancholy and is very profitable in burning and contagious Feavers A Cawdle made with the juyce hereof while it is young together with Eggs and some rose-Rose-water and Sugar put thereto is often given to Women in Child-bed when the After-birth is not throughly avoided and for their faintings upon or after their sore Travels The Herb bruised and boyled in a little Wine and Oyl and laid warm on a Boyl will ripen and break it used with Salt it taketh away Wens Kernels or hard swellings in the flesh or Throat it cleanseth foul Sores and easeth the pains of the Gout The juyce thereof used with a little Honey is a good remedy for the dimness of the sight and to take away the mistiness of the Eyes It is used in Bathes amongst other warm Herbs to comfort the Joynts and Sinews It is a good remedy against the sting of Scorpions or other venomous Creatures and against the stinging of Bees as also against the bitings of Dogs The Decoction thereof is good for Women to bathe or sit in to procure their Courses and for those that have the bloody Flux as also to wash the Teeth therewith when they are full of pain It is very often put into Oyls or Salves to heal green Wounds It is very necessary for those that keep Bees to have this Herb planted near them both to have their Hives rubbed therewith which will not only keep them together but draw others for they love very much to suck and feed upon it as its name importeth CHAP. CXXV Of Marigolds The Names IT is not certainly known by what name the Greeks called this Plant. Some think it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but I think that name doth more properly belong to the Corn Marigold the Flower of that comming nearer to a golden colour then that of the Garden though there be some of the Garden that are near that colour also It is called in Latine Calendula because it hath been observed to flower most about the Calends of every moneth and it is so called of the Shops also Of some Caltha and Caltha Poetarum whereof Columella and Virgil do write It is thought to be Gromphena Plinii In English Marigolds and Ruds The Kinds There be near upon twenty sorts of Marigolds yet I shall trouble you with no more then ten at this time 1. The greatest double Marigold 2. The greater double Marigold 3. The smaller double Marigold 4. The double Globe-Marigold 5. The straw-coloured double Marigold 6. The single Marigold 7. The fruitful Marigold 8. Jack an Apes on Horse-back 9. Mountain Marigold 10. The wild Marigold The Form The greatest double Marigold hath many large fat broad Leaves springing immediately from a fibrous or threddy Root the upper side of the Leaves are of a deep green and the lower side of more light or shining green among which rise up stalks somewhat hairy and also somewhat joynted and full of a spongious pith The Flowers growing on the top are beautiful round very large and double something sweet with a certain strong smell of a light Saffron colour or like pure Gold from the which follow a number of long crooked Seeds especially the outmost or those that stand about the edges of the Flower which being sowen commonly bring forth single Flowers whereas contrariwise those Seeds in the middle are lesser and for the most part bring forth such Flowers as that was from whence it was taken The Places and Times All the Sorts afore-named are Inhabitants of the Garden except the two last whose naturall places of being may be discovered by their Titles They flower from April even unto Winter and in Winter also if it be warm and therefore some have called it Flos omnium mensium supposing it to flower throughout every moneth in the year The Temperature The Flower of the Marigold is of temperature hot almost in the second Degree especially when it is dryed The Vertues and Signature The Flowers of Marigolds comfort and strengthen the Heart exceedingly provoke sweat and Womens Courses and expell the After-birth withstand poyson and Venery are good in pestilent and contagious Feavers as also in the Jaundise and are very expuâ—sive and little lesse effectuall in the small Pox and Meazles then Saffron The Conserve made of the Flowers taken morning and evening helpeth the trembling of the heart and is very useful in the time of Pestilence when the Air is corrupted The Flowers either green or dryed are used much in Possets Broths and Drinks as a comforter of the Heart and Spirits and to expell any Malignant or Pestilentiall quality that might annoy them especially amongst the Dutch where they are sold by the penny The Juyce helpeth the Tooth-ach the pained Tooth being washed therewith and if Warts be rubbed therewith it taketh them away The said juyce mixed with Vinegar and any hot swelling bathed with it instantly giveth ease and asswageth it A Plaister made of the dry Flower in Powder Hogs-grease Turpentine and Rosin and applyed to the Breast strengthens and succours the Heart infinitely in Feavers whether Pestilentiall or not Pestilentiall A fume of the Decoction used hot helpeth to expell the Secondine or After-birth The juyce dropped into the Ears killeth Worms The diâ—iâ—led water is good for many of the purposes aforesaid and also helpeth red and watery Eyes being washed therewith which it doth by Signature as Crollius saith CHAP. CXXVI Of Swallow-wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab Aesculapio from Aesculapius that
like unto a Vetch The root is white and wooddy spreading well in the ground and abiding divers yeares The Places and Time The first groweth in divers Gardens of this Land as in the Physick Gardens so often mentioned and very plentifully in a Garden at St. Albans not farr from the Prison sometimes in the possession of Dr. Arris who was a great admiâ—er of the same for its Cordia vertues It groweth Naturally by the way sides of moist fields and Meadows both in Italy Savoy and other places and hath also bin found some years since in the Meadows by Linton in Cambridgeshire The other is said onely to grow upon the tops of mountaines They flower in the end of Iune and Iuly and the seed is ripe in August The Temperature Goates Rue is said to be of a mean Temperature between hot and cold The Vertues There is not any Plant more effectuall to preserve the heart from Palpitations tremblings and sownings and against Melanchosicke Vapours oppressing it then Goates Rue which is a great Preservative also against the bitings or stings of any venemous Creatures yea those Italians as Pena and Lobel say and others that use to gather Vipers will use it rather then the Beast-Treacle to defend themselves from being bitten or stung by them or to preserve them from any other infection and therefore eat it continually as other Hearbs in Sallets or otherwise in their meates and broths It is likewise very powerfull against any poyson taken inwardly the Pestilence or any infectious or pestilentious Feavers or diseases that break forth into spots or marks as the Measells Purples and the Small-Pox in all which it is admirable both to preserve from infection and cure those that are infected to take every morning some of the juyce thereof as also to eat the Hearb it self every morning fasting but it will be the more effectuall if the juyce be taken with a little good Treacle and some Tormentill Roots in powder mixed with Carduus Benedictus water or with some Vinegar and fine Bolearmonick and Treakle in the said Water and presently to sweat two houres thereupon which it causeth in some sort it self A spoonfull of the juyce given in a morning fasting is very effectuaâ—l to kill the wormes in Children or the Hearb it self fryed with a little Oyl of bitter Almonds and laid hot unto the Navill as also to help the Falling-Sicknesse before it grow strong and old upon them It is very profitably applyed to the belly pained with the griping of the wind and Collick being fryed and laid-to warme In the same manner laid unto plague Sores before they be broken it either disperseth them yet defending the heart not striking it inwardly or draweth them forth and healeth them It is also effectually applyed with Vinegar to Gangrenes running Ulcers and Sores to stay the malignity in their fretting and spreading and to defend the vitall Spirits from danger Some use a Syrupe made of the juyce and some of the distilled water as a more familiar Medicine to take upon all occasions inwardly for all the purposes aforesaids And some use to make an Oyle of the Flowers digested in the Sun by often repetitions of infusion to annoint the wrests of the hands where the pulse is felt as also the region of the heart to defend it from the diseases aforesaid and danger of infection It is no lesse effectuall for Sheep Goates and other Cattell by the experiments that Goat-heards have made herewith The Mountain Goates-Rue is held almost as effectuall against poyson and the pestilence as the former CHAP. CXXVIII Of Vipers-Grasse The Names IT was found and the Vertues thereof discovered but of late dayes by a Mauritanian bondslave who holpe divers that were bitten of that Venemous Beast or Viper as it is called by others which they of Catalonia where they breed in abundance call in their Language Escuersos from whence Scorzonera is derived with the juyce of this Herb and the root given them to eate which both took away the poyson and healed the bitten place very quickly when Treacle and other things would do no good which ever since hath grown in estimation both against Venome and other diseases also It is called in Lattin Viperaria Viperina or Serpentaria but most Commonly Scorzonera which name is generally given it by all Nations We in English call it Scorzonera and Vipers-grasse The Kinds I find Ten Sorts of Vipers-grasse rekonned up by Authors 1. Common Vipers grasse 2. Dwarfe Vipers grasse 3. Spanish Vipers grasse 4. Dwarfe Spanish Vipers grasse 5. The greater Hungarian broad leafed Vipers grasse 6. The Dwarfe Hungarian Vipers grasse 7. The small Hungarian Vipers grasse 8. Purple Vipers grasse 9. Tall Narrow Leaved purple Vipers grasse 10. Vipers grasse of Sclavony The Forme The first of the Vipers grasses hath long broad leaves fat or full bodyed uneven about the edges sharp pointed with an high swoln rib down the middle and of an overworn green colour tending to that of Woad amongst which riseth up a stiffe stalk smooth and plaine of two cubits high whereon do grow such leaves as those next the ground The flowers stand on the top of the Stalks consisting of many small yellow leaves thick thrust together very double like unto those of Tragopogon or Goates-beard whereof most think it to be a kind The Root is long thick very brittle continueth many yeares yeelding great increase of roots black without white within and yeeldeth a milky juyce as do the leaves also like unto the Goates-beards The Places and time Many of the Sorts aforesaid are to be found in the Gardens of some Physitians and Apothecaries who know the worth of them as also in the Physick Gardens at Oxford and Westminster but especially the two first The Third and Fourth in Spain as their titles do declare The fifth in many places of Germany Bohemia and Hungary The Sixth on the hills by Baden in Germany The Seventh in many of the same places with the Fifth The Eighth and Ninth on a small hill nigh unto Stampfen which is two Duch miles from Posonium a chief Citty in Hungary The last in Illyria or Sclavony as Alpinus saith They do all flower in May and their seed is ripe before the end of June The Temperature Vâ—pers-Grasse is thought not to exceed the first Degree of heat and moysture which are the predominant qualities The Vertues and Signature The water of this Herb distilled in Glasses or the Root it self taken is good against the passions and tremblings of the heart and also against swounings sadness and melancholy the same also is a present remedy against all contagious Feavers for by causing sweat the infection is evaporated and the sick person restored The Root preserved and taken fasting â—or the said water drunk for some dayes together doth open the obstructions of the Liver Spleen and other inward parts as also helpeth to bring down Womens Courses and to ease the suffocation or other Diseases of
singular Vertues that it hath in English Holy Thistle and Blessed Thistle but more commonly Carduus Benedictus according to the Latine name Some excellently seen in the knowledge of Simples have made it a kind of Wild Bastard Saffron called in Latine Attractilis and in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because Women in old time were wont to use the stiffe stalk thereof pro fuso colo for a Spindle or a Distaffe It is named also Fucus agrestis and Colus rustica and the Women in Greece as Petrus Bellonius reporteth call Attractylis by a corrupt name Ardactyla even at this day Divers call it Carthamus Sylvestris Cnicus Sylvestris in English Wild Bastard Saffron The Kinds The Sorts hereof as you have already heard are two 1. Carduus Benedictus or the Blessed Thistle 2. Attractylis or Wild Bastard Saffron The Form Carduus Benedictus or Blessed Thistle hath round rough and plyable stalks which being parted into divers Branches do lie flat on the ground the leaves are jagged round about and full of harmless prickles on the edges the heads on the tops of the stalks are set with prickles and invironed with sharp pricking Leaves out of which standeth a yellow Flower the Seed is long and set with white hairs at the top like a Beard the Root is white and parted into strings the whole Herb Leaves and Stalks and also the Heads are covered with a soft and thin Down The Places and Time The first groweth naturally in Lemâ—os which is an Island of the Mediterraâ—ean Sea in the Champion grounds thereof as Petrus Bellonius testifieth It is diligently cherished in Gardens in these Northern parts The second groweth in Candy and in divers Provinces and Islands of Greece and also in Languedock and is entertained in our English Gardens The first flowreth in July and August at which time it is especially to be gathered for Physicall uses for then it will remain good a year or longer Attractylis is very late before it flowreth and seedeth The Temperature As Carduus Benedictus is bitter so it is also hot and dry in the second Degree and withall cleansing and opening Attractylis doth dry and moderately digest as Galen teacheth The Signature and Vertues By the Prickles upon the Stalks and Leaves of Carduus are clearly signified that the herb it self is an excellent remedy for the Pleurisie and Stâ—â—ches wherewith the sides are somtimes distempered if the Decoction in posset drink or the distilled water thereof be taken It helpeth also the swimming of the head strengtheneth the memory and is a good remedy against ceaâ—nesse killeth wormes provoketh Urine and the Courses and driveth out gravel and cleanseth the Stomack It is most excellent in Pestilent Feavers and all contagious Diâ—eases for it expelleth out by sweat all noxious or ill humours It is very good in any kind of Ague either the decoction thereof being taken or half a dram of the Powder in Posset-drink before the fit commeth for divers fits if need require and sweat after it It is very available likewise against Venome and poyson Though the distilled water is useful for the aforesaid Diseases yet the decoction is much better The extract thereof is good against the French Pox and the Quartan Ague The green Herb bruised and applyed is good against hot swellings as Wild-fire Plague-Sores Botches and it is good also to be laid upon the bitings of mad Dogs Serpents Spiders Bees or Wasps or any other venomous Creature The Powder stoppeth blood at the Nose being applyed The juyce thereof cleareth the sight being put into the Eyes and taketh away the redness of them and so doth the water Being bruised with a little Hogs-grease and a little Wheat mixed therewith it cures stubborn and rebellious Ulcers if it be applyed thereto It is used against the Gangrene also For all which notable effects it hath been called Omnimorbia that is a Salve for every Sore CHAP. CLX Of our Ladies Thistle The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if divers Authours be not mistaken being as is generally supposed that Plant that Dioscorides mentioneth under that name It is called in Latine Carduus Lacteus and Carduus Mariae in English Our Ladies Thistle or the Striped Milky Thistle Some think it to be Leucacantha or Spina Alba of the Antients others take it to be Leucographis Plinii Brunfelfius calleth it Carduus Albus and Camaeleon Matthiolus and Lobel Carduus Lacteus some Carduus Argentatus and Carduus Ramptarius others Carduus Leucographus and Silybum and Acanon Theophrasti The Kinds Although formerly there have been but one sort hereof known to the Herbarists yet of late by the diligent search and observation of some that have been curious there are found of them three in all 1. The common Ladies Thistle 2. Great milky Thistle of a year 3. The small Spanish milk-Thistle The Form The Common Ladies Thistle hath divers very large and broad leaves lying on the ground cut in and as it were crumpled but somewhat hairy on the edges and of a white green shining colour wherein are many lines and strakes of a milky white colour running all over and set with many sharp and stiffe prickles round about amongst which rise up one or more strong round and prickly stalks set full of the like leaves up to the top where at the end of every branch commeth forth a great prickly Thistle-like head strongly armed with pricks and with bright Purple Thrums rising out of the middle of them after they are past the Seed groweth in the said heads lying in a great deal of fine soft white Down which is somewhat flattish and shining large and brown the Root is great spreading in the ground with many strings and small Fibres fastened to them All the whole Plant is bitter in taste and therefore supposed not to be without good effects The Places and Time The first is frequent in many parts of this Realm and particularly in St. Georges Fields near London in great abundance The Seed whereof the second and likewise the last came were brought out of Spain by Guillaume Boel It is thought that the last is the same that Camerarius saith he picked out of Epithyâ—â—â— and that Ranwolsius gave him brought out of Syria because the Seed and Leaves are so very much alike They flower and seed in June July and August when other sorts of Thistles do The Temperature Our Ladies Thistle is hot and dry in the second Degree and bindeth moderately especially the Roots The Signature and Vertues There are upon this Plant also many prickles and therefore it is good for the Stitches of the side and other Diseases thereof by Signature if the Decoction or Powder thereof be taken It is also very effectuall for Agues and to prevent and cure the infection of the Plague as also to open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and thereby is good against the Jaundies It provoketh Urine breaketh and expelleth the Stone and is
the Itch and the Leprosie as also the Fistulaes of the Fundament and dissolveth hard Impostumes the Meal of Oats boyled with Vinegar and applyed taketh away freckles and spots in the face or other parts of the Body Oat-meal is usually given in Broth to bind those that have a Lask or other Flux and with Sugar is to good effect given to those that have a Cough or Cold. Oat-meal-Cawdle is a food for those that are newly brought to bed and for others to whom a very spare dyet is commended I forgot to tell you in the names that they are called Avena vesca à vescendo becauâ—e it is used as I said in many Countries to make sundry sorts of bread as in Lancashire where it is their chiefest Bread-corn for Jannocks Haver-Cakes Tharffe-Cakes and those which are generally called Oaten-Cakes and for the most part they call the Grain Haver whereof they also make Malt and thereof make their drink and are thereby sustained and live in as good health and strength of body as those that live on Wheat only whereby we may well perceive that it hath a warming quality rather then a cold in nourishment howsoever it may be cooling in Medicament Oat-meal is not good to be eaten raw especially by young Maids for it will make them look like a Cake of Tallow especially if she eat it in a morning and drink a draught of strong Vinegar after it which they are too apt to do Naked Oats are so called because they are fit for use as soon as they be threshed without the help of Mill. In Norfolk and Suffolk where they are most plentiful the good Houswives that delight not to have store of any thing but from hand to mouth do when they want Oat-meal for their present use go into the Barn and rub forth with their hands so much as will serve their turn not willing to provide for to morrow but to let the morrow provide for it self as the Scripture saith CHAP. CLXV Of Valerian The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nardus agrestis or Sylvestris because it is in smell and faculty like unto Nardus and in Latine Valeriana a multis quibus valet facultatibus Some also call it Thericaria because it is a speciall Ingredient in Treacle and Herba Benedicta of Paracelsus it is called Terdina The ordinary sort is generally called both in Shops and of all other Phu majus and Valeriana major hortensis in English the great Garden Valerian and of some Capons-Tail and Set-wall yet Setwall properly is that Zedoaria or Zerumbeth that groweth in Malaver Calecut and Cananor being places of the East-Indies and not in any of these Christian Countries The Kinds Of Valerians there may be found these fifteen Sorts 1. The great Valerian 2. A Mountain kind of great Valerian 3. Knobbed Valerian of Candy 4. Broad-leafed wild Valerian of the Alps. 5. Small wild Valerian of the Alps. 6. Summer Valerian 7. Indian Valerian 8. Narrow-leafed red Valerian 9. Rocky Valerian 10. Small Valerian of a year 11. Red Valerian 12. Greek Valerian 13. Small Valerian 14. Greater wild Valerian 15. Lesser wild Valerian The Form The great Valerian hath a thick short grayish Root lying for the most part above ground shooting forth on all sides other such like small peeces or Roots which have all of them many long and great strings or Fibres under them in the ground whereby it draweth nourishment from the Heads of these Roots spring up many green leaves which at the first are somewhat broad and long without any division at all in them or denting on the edges but those that rise up after are more and more divided on each side some to the middle Rib being winged as made of many Leaves together on a stalk and those upon the stalk in like manner are more divided but smaller toward the top then below the stalk riseth to be two or three foot high sometimes branched at the top with many small whitish Flowers sometimes dashed over at the edges with a pale purplish colour of a small scent which passing away there followeth small brownish white Seed that is easily carried away with the wind The Root smelleth more strong then either Leaf or Flower and is likewise of more use in Medicine The Places and Time The first is said by Dioscorides to grow in Pontus in the wet ground of Mountaines and other moist places and is generally kept in our Gardens The second is found in Savoy as Camerarius saith The third grew in Candy The fourth upon the mountaines of Austria and Stiria and so doth the fift also The seaventh is said to come from mexico The Eighth was gathered on mount Baldus The ninth Fabius Columna found on the mountains in Naples The tenth groweth onely in the Gardens of the Curious the naturall place being unknown The Eleventh groweth about Monpelier in France The Twelfth Thirteenth are known to grow no where but in Gardens The two last grow commonly in Marshes and wet medows by rivers and water sides in our own Country They do all flower in the Summer-months of June and July and the Indian kind sooner if it be saved betime and continue flowring till the Frosts come and so doth the Summer or Annuall kind also The Temperature Valerian being green hath very little heat but the roots when they are dryed are hot and dry in the first or second degree The Vertues The Garden Valerian being dryed and given in drink doth take away the pains of the sides provoketh Vrine and helpeth the Strangury and the Decoction thereof taken doth the like also and procureth Womens Courses and is used in Antidotes The same helpeth all Stranglings and Choakings arising in any part whether be they because of the Pains in the Chest or Sides and taketh them away The root boyled with Liquorice Raisins and Annise-Seed is Singular for those which are short-Winded and have the Cough and helpeth to open the passages and to cause Phlegme to be easiely Spit out It is given to those that are bitten or stung by any venemous Creature being taken in wine and is of speciall vertue against the Plague and expelleth Wind in the Belly The green Herb and root being bruised and applyed to the head taketh away the paines and prickings therein stayeth Pheumes and thin Distillations and being boyled in white wine and a drop thereof put into the eye taketh away the dimnesse of the sight or any Pin Haw or Web therein It is of excellent property to heale any inward sores or wounds and draweth any Splintor or Thorn out of the flesh The decoction of the Root of the Lesser Valerian is stronger to resist Poyson and infections then the greater as Matthiolus Saith It is very profitably applyed to asswage the swelling of the Cods caused of cold or wind if the fumes or vapours of the decoction thereof made with wine be applyed warm unto them
Leaves new sprung out of the ground The Kinds Gâ—rard reckoneth up fifteen Sorts of Daffodills as 1. Purple circlâ—d Daffodill 2. Timely Purple-ringed Daffodill 3. More timely Purple-ringed Daffiodil 4. The very hasty flowring Daffodill 5. The late flowring small Daffodill 6. Primrose Pearls or the common white Daffidill 7. French Daffodill 8. Italian Daffodill 9. The double white Daffodil of Constantinople 10. Milk-white Daffodill 11. Rush Daffodill 12. Late flowring Bush-Daffodill 13. The Persian Daffodill 14. The great Winter Daffodill 15. Small Winter-Daffodill The sixth sort of Daffodil is that which is most common in Country Gardens the description whereof followeth The Form The common Daffodill hath long fat and thick leaves full of a slimy juyce among which riseth up a bare thick stalk hollow within and full of juyce The Flower groweth at the top of a yellowish white colour with a yellow Crown or Circle in the middle The Root is white and of a Bulbus or Onyon fashion yet not without divers effects by which it is propagated The Places and Times The Daffodills with Purple Coronets do grow wild in sundry places of France but chiefly in the Meadows of Burgundy and Switzerland The Rush-Daffodill groweth wild in Spain among Grasse and other Herbs in some watery places But it mattereth not much to seek out their places of growing wild seeing they are most of them to be found in our English Gardens about London and elsewhere The common white Daffodill groweth wild in fields and sides of Woods in the West parts of England They flower for the most part in the spring that is from the beginning of February unto the end of April The Persian and Winter-Daffodills do flower in September and October The Temperature The Roots of Narcissus are said to be hot and dry in the second Degree The Vertues Besides the Ornamentall use of Daffodils for decking Garlands and Houses in the Spring-time it hath many Physicall properties amongst which there is none more eminent then that the Roots thereof do move Vomit whether they be eaten or drunken and being stamped and strained and given in drink they help the Cough and Cholick and those that be entred into a Ptisick If two drams of the Root newly gathered be boyled in Wine or Water with a littâ—â— Anniseed or Fennel-seed and a little Ginger and drunk it driveth forth by stoâ— tough and clammy Flegme and to help all Diseases that come thereof The same taken with Honey and the Seed of Nettles purgeth the Disease which causeth those spots in the Body called Ephelis and Alphus And their qualities in drying are so wonderful that they glew together very great wounds as also rifts gashes or cuts that happen about the veins sinews and tendons They have also a certain wiping cleansing and attracting faculty Being stamped with Honey and applyed Plaister-wise they help them that are burnt with fire and are effectuall for the great wrenches of the Ancles the Aches and pains of the joynts The same stamped with Barrows-grease and Leaven of Rye-bread hasteneth to suppuration hard Impostumes which are not otherwise easily brought to ripeness Being stamped with the Meal of Cocle and Honey it draweth forth Thorns and stubs out of any part of the Body and being mingled with Vinegar and Nettle-seed it taketh away Lentills and spots in the face There are besides the sorts aforementioned the double yellow Daffodill and the common yellow Daffodilly which purge by stool tough and flegmatick humours and also waterish and is good for them that are full of crudities especially if there be added thereto a little Anniseed and Ginger which will correct the churlish hardness of the working The distilled water of Daffodils doth cure the Palsie if the Patient be bathed and rubbed with the said liquor by the fire as hath been proved by that diligent searcher of nature Mr. Nicholas Belson CHAP. CLVI Of White Hellebore The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without the aspiration quòd cibum corporis cripiat because it deprives the Body of nourishment in Latine also Elleborus albus Elleborum and also Helleborus and Helleborum and Veratrum album Veratrum quòd mentem vertat or rather à verando because it cureth them that are counted mad which were formerly called Veratores and Veraculi and album to distinguish it from the black this being white in respect of that In English 't is called Hellebore and Neese-wort because it provoketh Neesing The Kinds And of this Hellebore there are eight varieties that present themselves 1. Ordinary white Hellebore or Neesing Root 2. The early white Hellebore with dark red Flowers 3. The great wild Hellebore or our Ladies Slipper 4. The small white Hellebore with a white Flower 5. The small white Hellebore with blush Flowers 6. Wild white Hellebore with whitish green Flowers 7. Wild white Hellebore with dark red Flowers 8. Variable wild white Hellebore The Forme The ordinary white Hellebore riseth at the first out of the ground with a great round whitish green head which growing up openeth it self into many goodly fair large greâ—â— Leaves plaited as it were with eminent Ribs all along the Leaves compassing 〈◊〉 another at the bottom from the middle whereof riseth up a strong round stalk with divers such Leaves but smaller to the middle thereof from whence to the top it is divided into many branches having many small yellowish or whitish green Star-like Flowers all along upon them which after turn into small long three-square whitish Seed standing naked without any husk to contain them the Root is reasonable thick and great at the head having a great many white strings running down deep into the ground whereby it is strongly fastened The Places and Times The two first sorts grow in sundry places of Germany and Austria as Clusius saith as also in some Islands of Russia where as Tradescant the elder saith the ordinary sort groweth exceeding plentifully And if I mistake not of this sort was that Hellebore that grew in Anticyra so abundantly that if any one seemed to be troubled with melancholy it was presently proverbially said unto him Naviga Anticyram intimating that there was Hellebore enough to cure him the other sorts grow many of them in our own Land as well as beyond Sea namely the third fourth and sixth especially the third in a Wood called Helks in Lancashire near the Borders of York-shire The first flowreth before the second though it spring earlier out of the ground being not in Flower untill the end of July the rest flower about May some earlier and some later The Temperature The Root of white Hellebore is hot and dry in the third degree The Vertues The Root aforesaid taken without preparation of the Body worketh very strongly and churlishly provoking extream vomiting yet that being dieted by the advice of some learned Physician without whom the medling with it will prove dangerous it is good for
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-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
Names I Find no Author that setteth down the Greek name of this Simple and I suppoâ—e the reason is because it is of later invention it being not that PaÌ„â— which Dioscorides mentioneth but brought out of China and called so from the River Rha on whose bankes it is said very plentifully to grow The Common Latine name is Rhabarbarum the reason whereof whosoever desires to know may read much thereof in Parkinsons Herball and be unresolved when he hath done The Kinds Of Rubarb there be six sorts 1. The True Rubarb 2. Bastard Rubarb 3. Monkes Rubarb 4. China Rubarb 5. The broader Elecampane leafed Rubarb 6. The narrower Elecampane leafed Rubarb The Form The True Rubarb riseth out of the ground in the Spring-time with a great round brownish head which openeth it selfe into sundry Leaves one after another very much crumpled together at the first and brownish but after they have spread themselves to a very large round compasse they become smooth being supported by a brownish stalk of the thicknesse of ones Thumb when they are at the biggest and about halfe a yard in length the Leafe also from edge to edge being neere the same breadth of a sad or darke greene colour of a fine sowre tast exceeding that of the Garden or Wood-sorrell amongst which there ariseth though not every yeare a strong thick stalk about a foot higher then the Leaves that grow below and like unto them but lesser at every joynt up to the top and among the Flowers which be white spreading forth into many branches and consisting of five or six small white Leaves a peice hardly to be discerned from the white threds in the middle after which come brownish three square seeds like unto those of other Dockes whereof it is a kind The root which will grow to be very great is of a darke brownish or reddish colour on the outside with a pale yellow skin under it covering the inner substance or root which being pared away the root appeareth of so fresh and lively a colour with fresh coloured Veins running through it that no Rubarb whatsoever can excell it which being dryed carefully by the gentle heat of a fire and every piece kept from touching one another it will hold its colour well and is commended by those that have made tryall of it The Places and Time The first as it is reported grew in Thracia whence it was brought to Venice and from thence to us the seed being sent by Dr. Lister to Mr. Parkinson who husbanded it so well that it grew and in two or three yeares brought forth much seed by which he furnished many of his friends Yet I find it growing very rarely and that in no great quantity not remembring that ever I saw it before the writing hereof but only in the Physick Garden at Oxon and in the Garden of one Cudymion Campion of Wansworth in the County of Surrey The second groweth naturally upon the hills not farre from Caria in Germany as also neere Friburg in Switzerland on the Mountaines in Austria groweth also plentifully in many of our Gardens where it is sowen The thâ—rd groweth about Lausannâ— in Savoy as Tragus saith but only in Gardens with us The fourth groweth in China as the name expresseth and is that as the Apothecaries pretend that is made use of in shops because they may have the greater price â—or it although that of England is as effectuall for many purposes The fift is to be found on Mount Baldus neere Verona in Italy and on the hills in Switzerland and the last came out of Italy also These sorts flower in June and the seed is ripe in July The Rootes which are for use must not be taken up till the Stalk and Leaves be quit withered and gone which will be in October for should they be taken before or after the Leafe begins to put forth they would lose much of their colour The Temperature Rubarb is hot and dry in the second degree of a mixt substance partly airy thin and purging partly grosse and earthy whereby it is binding and drying The Monkes Rubarb which is also dry but cooling is not so frequently used as formerly since the Bastard Rubarb hath been so plentifull The Vertues Rubarb is so effectuall for the Liver that it is called the Life Soul Heart and Treacle of the Liver purging from thence Choler Phlegme and watery humours and is therefore usefull in Cholerick and long continued Feavours in the Jaundies Green sicknesse Dropsy Stoppings of the Liver as also against the hardnesse thereof and intemperate coldnesse being taken of it selfe made into Powder and drunk in a draught of White-Wine fasting after it hath been steeped therein all night or put among other purges as shall be thought convenient It is likewise good against the Windinesse Wambling and Weaknesse of the Stomack and all paine thereof the Crampe gnawing and griping of the Belly Kidneys and Bladder the Ach of the Breasts and Mother the Sciatica spitting of blood Sobbing Hicket the bloody Flux and Lasks and all Stingings and venomous bitings one dram thereof being taken in Hydromel or Honyed Water The Powder taken with Cassia dissolved and a little washed Venice Turpentine clenseth the Reines and strengtheneth them afterwards and is very effectuall to stay the running of the Reines or Gonorrhea It is also given for paines and swellings of the Head for those that are troubled with Melancholy and helpeth the Gout The Powder of Rubarb taken with a little Mummia and madder Rootes in some red-Wine dissolveth clotted blood in the body hapning by any fall or bruise and healeth burstings and broken parts as well inward as outward The Oyle likewise wherein it hath beene boyled worketh the like effects being anointed It is used to heale the Ulcers that happen in the Eyes and Eyelids being steeped in White-Wine or any other convenient Liquor and then strained as also to asswage swelling and inflammations and applyed with Honey or boyled in Wine it taketh away all black and blew spots or markes that happen therein Whey or White-Wine are the best Liquors to to steep it in and thereby it worketh more effectually in opening Obstructions and purging the Liver and Stomack many do use a little Indian Spiknard as the best Corrector thereof The Seed of Bastard Rubarbe easeth the gnawing and griping paines of the Stomack and taketh away the loathing thereof The Root of it helpeth the Ruggednesse of the Nailes and being boyled in Wine it helpeth the Kings-evil as also the Swellings of the Kernells of the Eares It helpeth them that are troubled with the stone provoketh Vrine and helpeth the dimnesse of the sight It is also used in opening and purging Diet Drinkes with other things to open the Liver and to cleanse and coole the blood The Root of Monkes Rubarbe purgeth likewise but not so forcibly as either of the former The Seed therof contrarily doth bind the belly and helpeth to stay Laskes and the
modern Writers backed with daily experience do sufficiently testifie that it is appropriated to the Liver both for the opening the obstructions thereof and then for cleansing and strengthening it so that there is no plant so 〈…〉 raly applicable for all diseases that proceed from the Liver as this For it helpeth the Iaundisâ— both black and yellow being boyled in Wine or Water with other ingredients that correct and strengthen the Liver as Horehound Elecampone Buglosse Rubarb Lign-Aloes c. And so likewise for the severall kinds of Dropsies it is frequently used in Diet Drinks It is good also for the Bowels and healeth their inward woundings bruises or hurts and quaâ—iâ—â—eth aâ—l inward distempeâ— that grow therein being boiled in wine and drunk and so it is effectual for those that are stung or bitten by Serpents and helps them that have soul troubled and bloody waters making them to pisse clear very â—peediâ—y and is usefull in long continued fluxeâ— of the Liver eâ—pecially in old people It is good 〈◊〉 the Srangury and helpeth also the Collick the pâ—th the Cougâ— câ—eâ—nâ—th the Breast A dâ—light of the Decoction taken beâ—ore the fit of an Ague first removes â— and afterwards rids it quire away the Leaves and Seeds 〈◊〉 the bloody flux being taken in Wine The Roots or Leaves boiâ—ed in Wine helpe such as have the Palsy It is accounted a good Herb as questionlesse it is against the Spleen being stopt as also against the Pestilence and biting of a mad Dog The Leaves and root are good for those which are troubled with the Green Sicknesse The distilled water of the Herb is good for all the said purposes but worketh not altogether so effectually as the Decoction thereof Being stamped with Hogs-grease and applyed it helpeth old Sores Cancers and inveterateâ— Ulcers for it cleanseth them and afterwards healeth them and so it draweth forth the corrupt â—â—ater that sometimes happeneth to gather under the Nailes and easeth the aking and maketh the â—ailes to grow againe in case they come off Being used after the some manner it draweth forth thornes Splinters of Wood or such like when they are gotten into the flesh The juyce dropped into impostumated ears causeth them to send forth that which opprâ—sseth them and being mingled with Vinegar it taketh away warts being laid thereunto The distilled water cureth Ulcers and 〈◊〉 of the mouth and throat being gargled or washed therewith The Hemplikâ—â—grimour it good for many of the purposes aforesaid and further it provoketh Urine and the naturall Courses of women and boyled with Fumitory in Whey drunk it helpeth Scabs the Itch which proceeds of salt sharp humors especially if the juice be â—ixed with Vinegar and the outward parts be bathed therewith The Juâ—ce being drunk is held to be very effectuall for curing the Leprosy if it be taken in the beginning and to kill the Wormes if the Leaves be but steeped in drink and taken The â—moak of the herb being burnt drives away Gnats Plyes Wasps c If Countrey people give it to their Cattle when they are troubled with the Cough or broken-Wâ—nded it will cure them and it is said that Deere being wounded cure themselves by eating hereof Mr. Culpepper who seldome hit the Naile on the head as to the matter of Plants attributes the Vertues of Water-Hampe to Water Agrimony which are two distinct things as those which are acquainted with simples can easily tell CHAP. CLXXX Of Liver-Wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lichen either because of its vertue in curing the Tetter or Ring-Worme which the Greeks call Lichen or for that it doth as it were â—ick thoâ—e stones whereon it groweth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying to sick It is called also Lichen in Lâ—tine and aâ—so Jecoraria either from the simiâ—itude that the 〈◊〉 thereof have with the Fibres of the Liver which is the Signature thereof or else from helping the diseases of the Liver or both Some call it Heâ—patica but that name is more uâ—ually understood of the noble Liver-Wort which is prized more for pâ—eâ—ure to the senses then for helping any disease The Kinds Though the Common Liver-wort be that which is of most use yet I shall according to my custome give you all the sorts thereof which are seaven 1 Common ground Liver-wort 2. Small-ground Liver-wort 3 Cluster-headed Liverwort 4 Liver-wort with a hooded head 5. Small Liver-wort with skinny Heeles 6. The smallest Liver-wort without Stalkes 7. Corke or Archal or Darbyshire Liver-wort The Forme The Common-Liver-wort groweth close and spreadeth much upon the ground and stony places which many sad greene Leaves lying or rather as it were sticking flat one unto another very unevenly cut in on the edges and crumpled from among which rise small slender Stalks an inch or two high at the most bearing small start-like flowers at the tops the Roots are very fine and small whereby it liveth The Places and Time They all grow in moist and shadowy places somtimes upon the ground as the Common sort doth in the Garden of John Smith by Adderbury Church-Yard sometimes at the heads of Springs as it doth at Runghill-well in the Mill-mead of the Town aforesaid and somtimes upon the stones of the inside of Welles as it doth in the Physick Garden at Oxâ—n Corck or Archall groweth upon the Free-stones of the Mountaines in Darbyshire It is greene all the yeare long and bringeth forth its Flowers oftentimes in June and July The Temperature Liver-wort must needs be cold and dry and somewhat binding for the growing in moist places maketh it col and upon stones maketh it dry and astringent The Signature and Vertues That rare discoverer of Signatures Oswald Crollius treating of those plants that are proâ—â—table to the Liver by Signature sets down this both for the â—miâ—itude the Fibres of this Plant and those of the Liver have one with another and the eminent Vertues it hath in all distempers of the Liver and therefore is put into Dyet-drink with Mayden haire Agrimony Harts-Tongue c to coole and cleanse it as often as occasion serves and heâ—peth also inflammations in any part and the yellow Jaundise likewise Or being bruised and boyâ—ed alone in small beere and drunk it cooleth the heat of the Liver and Kidneys and helpes the running of the Reines in Men and the Whites in Women It is likewise very good in the Hectick Feavour and in all other Feavours and Agues proceeding of Choâ—er as also in the Scab Tetter and all other unkind heates proceeding from the Liver as Whiteloves blaines blisters c taking away the cause of them if it be taken inwardly and boyled in Posset-drink and taken it helpeth bleeding at the nose which being suffered to coole quencheth the inflammations of the Tongue Being stamped with Hogs-greafe and applyed it healeth all manner of Sores but especially Tetters Ringwormes and other fretting Ulcers for which it is a singular remedy The water
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-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
in all his parts hot and dry exceeding the third degree especially of heat of great force in cleansing and scouring by reason whereof it purgeth and draweth forth not only Cholerick and Phlegmatick humors but watery also The Signature and Vertues Because Bryony is said by Crollius to have the Signature of the Dropsy therefore I have appropriated it thereunto And indeed though being taken alone it purgeth the belly with great violence troubling the Stomack and burning the Liver yet being corrected by adding unto it Ginger Cinamon Quince or such like it is very profitable therein for it draweth away Water abundantly both by Vomit and stoole a scruple or two of the Powder of the dryed root with a third part of Cinamon and Ginger being drunk in a little White-Wine The juice decoction Syrupe and Electuary may be used for the same purpose Now because every one knoweth not the way of gathering the juice I shall here set it down In April make a deep overthwart cut or gash into a Briony root taking away the Earth first from it put in a Goose-quill a little under the slit sloping the quill at the end which you must thrust into the root but first make a hole with your knife to get in the quill and so you may gather great store of the Water of Briony placing a receiver under the quill for the making of the compound Water of Briony a spoonfull whereof taken by those that are troubled with fits of the Mother easeth them it potently expells the After-birth and cleanseth the Womb exceedingly It is likewise profitable in the Falling-sicknesse Palsy Apoplexy Swimming of the Head other diseases of the Braine by a specifick Vertue that it hath in drawing away Phlegme and Rheumatick humours that oppresse thoâ—e parts It provoketh Urine and cleanseth the Reines and Kidneys from Gravell and Stone openeth the obstructions of the Spleen and consumeth the hardnesse and sweâ—ing thereof A scruple of the Root in Powder being taken in White-Wine bringeth down Womens Courses but is not to be used by Women with Child for feare of abortion An Eâ—ectuary made oâ— the Rootes with Honey oâ— Sugar is â—ingulaâ— good for them that are short-Winded troubled with an old Cough paine in the fides and for such as are hurt or bruiâ—ed inwardly by any fall for it â—issolveth and expelleth the cloâ—ted or congealed blood The Root is good against the biting of any Vâ—â—tmous Creature and killeth Wormes in the body It is good in the Kâ—ngs-Evill the juice being taken with equall parts of Wine and Honey The Faecula or Dregs thereof are uâ—ed for the aforesaid Diseases five or ten graines being taken at a time It also scowreth the Skin and taketh away Wrinkles Freckles Sun-burning black-markes Spots and Scarres of the Face if it be boiled in Oyle till it be consumed and so it taketh away black and blew spots which come of Stripes or Falls and dissolveth new swellings The Root bruised and applyed of it selfe to any place where the bones are broken helpeth to draw them forth Being stamped with Wine and applyed it breaketh Boiles and helpeth Whit-loavs that grow about the Rootes of the Nailes It cleanseth the skin from the Morphew Leprosy all running Scabs and Manginesse if a bath be made thereof or the juice applyed thereunto The berries may be used for the same purpose and the distilled Water though not so strong as the former is used for Freckles and Spots in the Face A Pessary made of the Root bringeth down the Courses in VVomen and bringeth forth the After-birth and Dead-Child and a Bathe made hereof cleanseth the VVomb the party sitting therein CHAP. CLXXXXII Of Mechoacan and Jalap The Names MEchoacan is of later Invention and therefore hath no Greek name It is called in Latine Mechoacanna Mechoacana Mechoaca Mechoaca Peruviana Mechoacanum Indicum because it is brought from a place in the Province of New Spaine called Mechoacan neere the Ciâ—ty Mexâ—co as also Rhabarbarum album and Rhabarbarum Mechoacanum to distinguish it from Rubarb to which it is like in effects which caused the name in English it is called Mechoacan Mechoaca and Indian Briony because the Root of it hath some likenesse with that or White Briony Jalap also came from the Indies and hath its name from a place there called Chelapa or Calapa It hath gotten many other names besides most of which are derived from the former as Gelapum Gelapo Jalapium Jalapa Jalappa Jalappium Gialapa Mechoacanna nigra Salapa Xalapa Zaqualtipan Rhabarbarum nigrum and Brionia Mechoacan nigricans It is called in English Jalap or blaâ—k Mechoacan The Kinds Of these Mechoacans there are three sorts mentioned by Authors 1. The Mechoacan of Peru. 2. The Wild Mechoacan 3. Black Mechoacan or Jaâ—ap The Form The Mechoacan of Peru as it groweth in these parts sendeth forth long branches of a dark grayish colour winding about whatsoever is next them and therefore Poles are set for them to run upon The Leaves are somewhat broad-pointed at the ends like unto those of black Briony saving that they are thinner and harder in handling seeming so dry as if they had no juice in them The flowers which are many and stand in long clusâ—ers are of a sullen yellow colour in the Indies of the bignesse of an Orenge flower in the warmer Countries of Europe of a dark whitish colour but with us it was never known to flower by reason of the coldnesse of the Climate the Root groweth to be as great as any Briony root almost without either tast or smell having Circles in it when it is cut as may be perceived by the dry root which is brought over to us and may easily be brought into powder The Places and Time Concerning the Place and Time I need adde no more than what I have said in the names and description The Temperature Both white and black Mechoacan are hot in the first degree and dry in the second consisting of an airy substance and subtiâ—e parts as also of an earthly quality The Signature and Vertues Mechoacan as well as Briony hath the Signature of the Dropsy and is found to be very usefull therein for it draweth away wateâ— and phâ—egâ—e and also â—â—rengtheneth the Liver and inward parts working without any hurtâ—ull quaâ—ity moâ—estation or griping contrary to Briony and moâ—â— other purgative Medicines so that it may be given to old men Children Women with Chiâ—d and weake persons without any offence Notwithstanding it is not of that eâ—â—eeme it was at its first coming amongst us though the Vertues are the same so much do people regard the novelty more than the goodnesse of a thing It is also profitable in a long continued Head-ach clensing the braine and Nerves and purging those Rheumatick distillations and humors that are in them It helpeth all paines whatsoever in the Joynts and those of the Bladder and Reines by provoking Urine and by that faculty which it hath in expelling Wind it easeth thâ— Cholick and
the year which do helpe to stirr up an appetite to meat to help Obstructions of the Spleen and to provoke Urine The Broom Rape is commended by some to be as good as Asparagus taken when they are young and eaten either raw or boyled but they are somewhat bitter The decoction thereof in wine is thought to be as effectuall to avoid the stone in the Kidnies and Bladder and to provoke Urine as the Broom it self The juyce thereof is Singular good to cure as well green wounds as old and filthy sores and malignant Ulcers Being put into oyle Olive and set in the Sun for certain dayes it taketh away all Spots Lentiles Freckles Pimples Wheales and Pushes from the face or any part of the body being anointed therewith All the lesser sorts have the same qualities and may be conducible to the same diseases but some stronger some weaker But the most effectuall of all the Brooms is the Spanish kind which hath not onely all the properties aforesaid very exactly but others also It purgeth both upwards and downwards especially the seed which being taken to the quantity of a dram in Meade or honyed water purgeth by vomit as Hellebore doth yea without trouble or danger An Oxymel or Syrupe made of the Flowers Seed and Vinegar often used breaketh healeth all Impostumes of the Spleen by causing the corrupt matter to void it self and draweth humors from the Joynts CHAP. CXCIV Of the Ash-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin Fraxinus quia facilè frangiâ—ur because the boughs of it are easily broken The seed or rather the inner kernel therof is called Lingua Avis and Lingua Passerina from the form thereof being like unto a Birds Tongue in English Ash-Keyes and of some Kitkeyes and Peter keyes The Tree is called the Ash because its barke is of the colour of Ashes The wild Ash which I here add because of its name is very probable to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Fraxinus montana of Theophrastus which Pliny calleth Ornus of some Orneoglossum Fraxinus sylvestris Fraxinea arbor Fraxinus aucuparia because Boyes and Fowlers use the Berries as Baites to catch Blackbirds Thrushes c. In the English the Wild Ash but more generally Traxinus bubula the Quicken-Tree The Kinds There be no more sorts then what I have already mentioned viz. 1. The Common great Ash 2. The wild Ash or Quicken-tree The Forme The Ash commonly riseth up with a straight body sometimes to a very great thickness but commonly of a middle sise and is covered with a smooth barke of a grayish colour spreading reasonable wel and bearing long winged Leavs consisting of others which stand by couples one over against another the uttermost onely being excepted which standeth alone all which are long narrow gentle of a pale green colour and dented about the Edges at sundry joynts with the Leaves cometh forth a bunch of flowers and after them a bunch of seeds commonly called keyes tasting somewhat strong and hot in the mouth there be sometimes small round Balls called Apples growing therein but not in every place The timber of it contrary to the branches is strong and tough and therefore is much used in Coaches Carts Ploughes and other instruments of Husbandry but especially to make Pikes for Souldiers The Places and Times The Ash for its usefulnesse both for Timber and Firewood is planted generally throughout the whole Land both in high and Low grounds yet experience tells us that it thriveth best in moist low grounds and by meddow sides The Quicken-Tree groweth in the Woods by High-Gate and in divers other parts And particularly amongst Trees in the walk between Shaford and Gorehambery The Balles or Apples of the Ash come forth in the end of Winter the leaves and flowers of both in the Spring and the seed and fruit is ripe in September The Temperature The Leaves and Bark of the Ash-Tree are dry and moderately hot the seed is hot and dry in the second degree The Vertues There is scarce any part about the Ash but is good for the Dropsy The Leaves and Bark with the tender Crops boiled in Wine and drunk are excellent for it for they purge Water and so doth the Water that is distilled from the Leaves Barke or Seed The young Rootes also boiled in Ale and a draught thereof drunk morning and evening is profitable for the same The said Leaves and Bark boiled in Wine and drunk do likewise open and comfort the Lâ—ver and Spleene and ease the paines and Stitches of the sides and so will they do being boiled in Oyle and applyed to them outwardly and being used in the same manner it is singular good against the biting of the Viper Adder or any other venemous beast to which purpose the seed may also be drunk in Wine according to that Verse of Serenus Fraxineum semen cum Bacchi rore bâ—bendum est The Leaves and Barke are reported to stop the Belly and being boiled with Vinegar and Water do stay Vomiting if they be laid upon the Stomack Three or foure Leaves taken in Wine every morning constantly doth make those leane which are fat and keepeth them from grossnesse which begin to wax fat and so doth the distilled Water of the Keyes a small quantity taken every morning The Decoction of the Leaves in White Wine helpeth to break the Stone and expell it and cureth the Jaundise The seeds having their Huskes taken off prevaile against Stitcâ—â—s and paines in the sides proceeding of Wind and the Stone by provoking Urine They are commended also for the Rickets to increase naturall seed to stir up bodily lust especially being powdered with Nutmegs and drunk The Lye which is made of the ashes of the barke cureth those Heads which are Leprous Scabby or Scal'd being bathed therewith The Leaves of the Wild Ash boiled in Wine are good against the paines in the sides the stoppings of the Liver and asswageth the bellies of those which have the Tympany or Dropsy CHAP. CLXXXXV Of the Sassafras or Ague-Tree The Names THe use of this Ingredient is of late Invention therefore it were in vaine to seek for the Greek name It is called in Latine Sassafras which is also the French and Spanish name but why they called it so is unknown yet the French were the first that discovered the Vertues of it to the Christian world For at their being neere the Florida they got Agues and Swellings in their Legges which as I conceive was the Dropsy and other diseases by lying on the ground and intemperate dyet which they used for which they could get no cure untill they had learned the use of this Tree from the Natives who call it Pavame and Winanke All other Countryes call it Sassafras and amongst them the English who call it also the Ague-Tree from its Vertue in healing the Ague There is hereof but one kind and therefore
flowers in Wine be taken and drunk And so it doth somwhat move the Belly downwards openeth the obstructions of the Liver and helpeth the yellow Jaundise expelleth Poyson provoketh Womens Courses driveth forth the After-birth and Dead-Child The distilled Water of the Herb and Flowers is effectuall for all the same purposes and in especiall being drunk with a dramme of the powder of the seeds or bark of the root of Wall-wort and a little Cinamon for certaine dayes together is held to be a singular remedy for the Dropsy to spend the Water and humors the juice of the herb or distilled Water dropped into the eyes is a certaine remedy for all heate inflammations and rednesse in the Eyes The juice or distilled Water put into foule Ulcers whether they be cancrous or fistulous with tents rouled therein or the parts washed or clensed herewith by the spirting of it into them cleareth them throughly from the bottome and healeth them up safely The same juice or water doth likewise cleanse the skin of all manner of deformity as the Lepry Morphew Scurfe Wheales Pimples or any other spots or markes therein applyed of it selfe or with some powder of Lupines for which purpose Pliny saith that the Women of his time made a kind of sope of it Culpepper saith that being laid in the Water that Chickens drink it relieves them when they are drooping CHAP. CC. Of Organy or Bastard Majerom The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Origanus concerning the Etymology of which word there be divers opinions Some will have it so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying a Mountaine and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gaudium because it joyeth very much in Mountainous and craggy places others from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to see and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cleare because it cleareth the Eyes others will have it to come from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be cold from whence comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which by adding unto it becomes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but then it must be by Antiphrans too for it is not cold but hot It is called or rather sirnamed Heracleotâ—cum from Heraclea a Citty of Pontus where is groweth plentifully Oâ—itâ—s because Asses and Tragoriganum because Goats are mightily taken with it of divers Cunila in shops Origanum Hispanicum in English Organy and Bastard Marjerom from the likenesse it hath with the true The Kindes Authors make mention of divers sorts hereof but those that are best known in these dayes are foure 1. Organy or Bastard Marjerom 2. White Organy of Greece 3. The greater White Organy 4. Wild Organy The Forme Bastard Marjerom riseth up with divers hard round reddish greene stalkes spreading forth into branches whereon are set sundry Leaves by couples at the Joynts being somewhat round and of a whitish greene colour very like unto Marjerom but larger whiter and harder or rougher in handling at the tops of the branches stand such like scalie heads as Marjerom hath but longer from whence come small whitish purple flowers and afterwards small brownish seed The whole Plant is of a sweet smell and sharpe biting tast like unto Marjerom but that it is higher hotter and sharper The Places and Time It is very likely that not only Greece but Candy and Spaine do naturally bear these soâ—ts of Bastard Marjerome but which of them is more proper to this or that place is uncertaine It is commonly about the end of August or beginning of September before they put forth their tops or heads in our Country so that their Flowers or at least their Seed â—eldome come to maturity with us The Temperature All the Sorts of Organies do cut attenuate or make thin dry and heat and that in the third degree as Galen saith who affirmeth that the First is oâ— more efficacy then the Third and the last which is sold in Shops then either of them The Vertues The Decoction of Organy in White Wine is given with very good successe to those which have the Dropsy the Vertue thereof lying not â—o much in the purging as in the drying quality of it It is given also with Figs for the same purpose as also to them that are bursten or have a rupture and to thoâ—e which are troubled with Convulsions or Cramps The dryed Herb or juice taken in Honeyed Water purgeth downwards Melancholy and Cholerâ—ck humours â—ithout danger It is used with Honey as a Lohoc or â—icking Medicine against an old Cough and the Stuffing of the Lungs The Decoction thereof is very profitable to thoâ—e that have the Itch or are Scâ—bbed and Mangy and those that have Jaundâ—se are much holpen by it if they take it whiâ—est they be in a bath made thereof also the same with a few Cloves and Sugar heâ—peth those which have the Hickets exceedingly openeth the Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Womb and an other stoppings provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and is good for such as have foure belchings or be troubled with a squeamish Stomack The same is good also for those that are bitten with Serpents or Venemous Beasâ—s and for such as have taken Hemlock or Opium With Syrup of Vinegar it is good for thoâ—e that have taken Poyson or the root of Cholchicum Ephemeron The juice of the greene Herb healeth the swellings of the almonds of the Eares the Ulcers oâ— the Mouth it draweth forth Phlegme by the Nostrils if it be infused in the Oyle of Flowerdeluce and being used with Milk it easeth the paines of the Eares The Powder thereof mixed with a little Salt-Peter and Honey made into the manne of a thin electuary and the teeth rubbed often therewith will make theâ— white and firme It is used in Spaine for the seasoning of Anchoves for it â—iveth to them an excellent rellish being made up therewith Tyme may be used â—or the same purposes when the other cannot be gotten Both which with Penniroyal Calamint and such other dry herbes being strewed both upon and under those which are afflicted with Hydropicall humors are very profitable for them for it is marvellous to see how much these dry them up whil'st the parties are asleep These are the Simples I have judged most proper for the Liver and in particular for the Dropsy to which I might adde these which follow Sagapenum which is the Gum of Ferula when it groweth in Media as I have said already in the Chapter of Feâ—â—ell Giant the pills whereof are profitable in the said disease Turbith which is a root brought from beyond Sea and purgeth Water very violently Elaterium which is the juice of Wild-Cucumbers dryed doth the same Euphorbium Spurge Coloquintida Carthamuâ— Thymaelea Mezereon c are violent purgers so that though they be appropriated to the Dropsy yet I shall not commend them unto ordinary people but desire them to leave them to those that are very skillfull and content themselves with those I have purposely spoken to at large Besides which there be
side of the Leafe is ripe about Midsummer but the seventh hath a long bush of small and more yellowish green scaly Agletts as it were which are accounted as the Flower and seed grow in up in July or there abouts The Temperature Fern is of a hot and dry quality and also bitter and somewhat binding The Vertues The Roots of any of the above named Ferns being bruised and boiled in Meade or honeyed water abateth the swelling and hardnesse of the Spleen and killeth both broad and long wormes in the belly The green Leaves eaten are said to open the belly and move it downwards purging both cholick and watery humors but it troubleth the Stomack and causeth barrennesse in Women The Roots being bruised or boiled in Oyle or Hogs-grease maketh a very good oyntment to heale wounds punctures or pricks in any part which is good also against bruises and strengtheneth those bones which are either broken or out of Joynt and giveth much ease to the Cholick and Splenetick diseases if the parts greived be anointed therewith especially those of the water Ferne whose decoction may be taken inwardly for the same purposes It restoreth strength to the Sinews a basket full of the Leaves being boiled in good store of Water and every part at least that which is afflicted bathed therein and therefore may be good for the Palsy which is a resolution of the Sinews The powder of the root used in foule Ulcers dryeth up their malignant moisture and causeth their speedier healing It is excellent good for the Rickets in Children a dyet drink being made of it and other capillary herbs and given often It is an Ingredient in the Oyntment called Unguentum Agrippa which is good to anoint the Bellies of such as have the Dropsy The smoake of it being burned driveth away Serpents gnats and other noisome Creatures from those places which are molested with them I read that in Warwickshire the good Houswives use the Female Ferne instead of Sope making it up about Mid-Summer in balls which when they will use they burn untill it become blewish and then lay it a side to dissolve into powder like Lime which will do the deed In France as in Dutchy of Main c. a kind of a thick or dark coloured green glasse is made of the Ashes of Fern and the like might be done in England if it be not put to that use already CHAP. CCVII. Of Capers The Forme IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Capparis also in Latin we in England call them Capperis Caper and Capers according to the Greek and Latin which all Nations follow as neer as their Dialect will permit yet Gaza the Interpreter of Theophrastus calleth it Inturis and Pliny seemeth to thinke it was the Cynosbatos of Dioscorides which was indeed the bastard name thereof in those times Hereunto is added Capparis fabago sive Leguminofa Bean Capers The Kinds Unto this kind there may without any great breach of affinity be referred these five sorts 1. Rough Leaved Thorny Capers 2. Thorny Capers with pointed Leaves 3. Egyptian Capers without thorns 4. Great Capers of Arabia 5. Bean Capers The Form The Caper is a prickly shrub sending forth divers long weak trailing wooddy stalkes lying round about upon the ground unlesse they be propped up which are full of sharp prickly thornes like hooks as the bramble at each joynt whereof come forth two round Leaves like those of Asara Bacca opposite one unto another from whence Springeth also a small round head upon a pretty long foot-stalke for the flower which being gathered before it open pickled up in Barrels with great Salt is the Caper in use amongst us but being let alone putteth forth four white sweet smelling Leaves with four other green ones as the husk wherein they stand having many yellowish threds and a long pestle in the middle which groweth to be the fruit and is when it is ripe long and round like any Olive or Acorn conteining divers hard brown seeds like unto Grape-kernels The root is long and wooddy and covered with a thick bark or rind which is much used in Physick The Places and Times The two first grow in Italy Spaine and some parts of France without manuring but that with pointed Leaves is not so frequent as the other The third groweth in Egypt as the title declareth the fourth in Arabia the fifth in the Low Countries The stalkes of the two first perish every Winter shooting forth new Stalkes and Leaves in the Spring and Flowring shortly after but their fruit is not ripe untill September the other two have the same times of flowring and fructifying but keep their old Leaves yet shooting forth some fresh ones every Spring the last flowereth and seedeth in the end of Summer The Temperature The bark of the root of Capers consisteth of various qualities for first it is extream bitter next sharp then sower by the bitternesse it cleanseth purgeth and cutteth by the sharpnesse it heateth cutteth and digesteth and by the Sowernesse it contracteth thickneth and bindeth The Capers themselves are hot and of thin parts The Vertues Galen whose skill in Physick was inferior to none saith the barke of the Roots of Capers is a Medicine above all others available for the hardnesse of the Spleen whether it be applyed outwardly of it self or mixed with other things to anoint the place or the roots boyled in Vinegar or Oxymel and taken inwardly or the powder of the root mixed with the said Decoction and taken for it is certaine that it purgeth grosse and Slimy humors not onely by Urine but by Stool also and many times it bringeth away with it congealed corrupted blood and thereby giveth much ease to those that are troubled with the Gouts or Palsies with the Sciatica or Hipgout weaknesse of the Sinews and for women that have their Courses Stopped to procure them The same made in a Pultis and applyed is an especiall Remedy to help foul Ulcers for it cleanseth and dryeth them mightily and is also good for hard Swellings under the Eares and the Kings-Evill It draweth also from the Head and other parts those offensive humors which are the Originall cause of the Rickets Ruptures Convulsions and Cramps and thereby giveth much ease The said Roots boiled in Oyle and dropped into the Eares easeth the paines and killeth the Wormes breeding in them The Capers being washed from the Salt and steeped in Vinegar and so eaten are both meat and Medicine for they cause appetite open the stopping of the Liver and Milt and consume cold Phlegme in the Stomack being boiled in Vinegar they help the Tooth-ach and so doth the dryed Bark of the Root which decoction serveth also to clense all manner of filth of the skâ—n all filthy sores and white scurfe and hard-swellings The Oyle that is made of Capers is of very good use against the paines of the sides and Spleene against Hypocondriack Melancholy the Rickets c
the afflicted part being bathed therewith by a good fire The three last sorts are of very little or no use amongst us CHAP. CCVIII Of the Tamariske-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying infinitus from the abundance of little Leaves wherewith it is adorned In Latine also Myrica and Tamarix but of divers Tamarisus which cometh from the Hebrew word Tamarik signifieth Abstersio quia magnam abstergendvim habet of its great force in clensing The Kinds Heretofore there were only two sorts of Tamariske known one great and bearing Galles the other small and bearing none but now there are five sorts found out which belong to this kind 1. The French or finer leafed Tamarisk 2. The Germaine or broader Leafed Tamarisk 3. White Tamarisk 4. Aegyptian Tamarisk which beareth Galles 5. Sea Tamarisk The Forme The French or finer Leafed Tamarisk which I take to be that which groweth most ordinarily in England attaineth not to any great bignesse in this Country though in others it is said to have the bignesse of a great thick and tall-Tree with many spreading slender branches whose Bark is somewhat thick and rugged of a dark reddish colour the younger shootes being reddish at the first green afterwards and blackish when they are dry but the Leaves as long as they be growing are of a whitish green colour crisped as it were somwhat like unto Heath but finer and smaller The flowers grow spike fashion being purplish at the first but white when they are blown open consisting of five Leaves a peece which turn into down with the small seed in them and falleth away as that of the Willow and Poplar doth The Places and Time The first groweth by the Rivers sides and in other moist and gravelly places not only in Narbone and about Mompelier in France but in divers parts of Spain also The second groweth in Germany as well neere unto the River of Rhene as about that of Danubius yet not without some difference The third did grow in the Garden of one Mr. Ward at his house at Boram in Essex The fourth in Arabia Aegypt and the places thereabouts The last groweth upon the Sea Coasts in Flanders They flower about the end of May or in June and the seed is ripe and blown away in the beginning of September The Temperature Tamarisk as Galen saith hath a cleansing and cutting quality and manifestly drying it is also somewhat astringent or binding especially the fruit and Bark The Vertues The Root or Leaves or young branches of Tamarisk being boyled in Wine or Vinegar drunk and applyed outwardly also is a very powerfull remedy against the hardnesse of the Spleene The Leaves boiled in Wine and drunk driveth forth Melancholly helpeth Spitting of Blood and the excessive flowing of the termes the bleeding of the Hemorrhodiall Veines and other Fluxes the Jaundâ—se and all other griefes that come of Obstructions The Root sodden with Raisins and drunk helpeth the Lepry because it cleanseth and healeth the Milt whereof the Lepry commeth The Bark and Leaves boyled in Wine and the Mouth and Teeth gargled therewith helpeth the Tooth-ach and being dropped into the Eares it helpeth the paines thereof and is good for the rednesse and watering of the Eyes The said Decoction is also good to wash those that are subject to Nits and Lice and being mixed with a little honey it is effectuall to stay Gangrens and fretting Ulcers A Bath made by boyling a good quantity of the Leaves in store of Water being sat in by those Women whose Matrix is in danger of falling down through loosenesse fasteneth it and the ashes of the Wood applyed to the place stoppeth the excessive flowing thereof The Wood is said to be so powerfull to consume the Spleene that those Hogs which have beene served in Troughes made thereof have beene found without Spleens and therefore it is more then probable that if those which are Splenetick should constantly drink out of Cannes Piggins or Cups made thereof they would find it effectuall for their Disease The Ashes of the Wood made into a Lye with Water is of good use for many of the purposes aforesaid as also to help those blisters which are raised by burning or scalding of fire or water The Aegyptians use the Wood hereof to cure the French disease Leprosy Scabs pushes Ulcers and the like It is available also to help the Dropsy arising from the Hardnesse and Obstructions of the Spleene as also for Melancholy and the black Jaundise that ariseth thereof especially the Bark with the Barks of Ash and Ivy infused in Beere or Ale and drunk Some in cases of necessity use Heath or Ling insteed of Tamarisk CHAP. CCIX. Of Germander The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chamaedrys which in English is as much as a dwarfe Oak the Leaves of it being somwhat like to those of the great Oake In Latine Trissago and Trixago and of some Querculaminor yet Chamaedrys is more frequent then either of them in shops or elsewhere in English Germander or English Treacle Tree Germander is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Teucrium in Latine à Teucro inventore from one Teucer which first found out the vertues of it in English Tree Germander and upright Germander The Kindes Of both these kinds we may reckon Eighteen sorts 1. The common Germander 2. Great Germander 3. Germander of Naples 4. Jagged Germander or with fine cut Leaves 5. Thorny Germander of Candy 6. Mountaine Germander 7. Rock Germander 8. The greater Bastard Germander 9. The smaller Bastard Germander 10. The least Bastard Germander 11. Common Wild Germander 12. Narrow Leased wild Germander 13. Jagged base Germander of Austria 14. Wild Spanish Germander with fine â—ut Leaves 15. The more common Tree Germander 16. Tree Germander of Candy 17. Tree Germander of Spaine 18. Unsavory-Tree Germander of the Alpes The Form Common Germander shooteth forth very many branches lying on the ground which are tough hard and wooddy spreading themselves here and there whereupon are placed small Leaves sniâ—â— about the edges like the teeth of a Saw and therefore of some called Serratula though improperly resembling the shape of an Oaken Leafe as I said before The flowers are of a purple colour very small standing close to the Leaves towards the top of the branches The seed is little and black the root slender and full of strings which by spreading themselves a great way round about cause it to be very plentifull in a short space where it is once set The Places and Time To set down the places of all the sorts abovenamed would be to little purpose seeing that none of them grow naturally in England save the Eleaventh sort which groweth almost every where I shall therefore referre you to the Gardens of those that delight in Varieties of this Nature where it is probable you may find many of them Some of them flower
upon Mountaines it hath somtimes the Epithite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 joyned to it in the Greek but more usually Montanum in Latine We in English call it Poley and Poley Mountaine The Kinds And of these Poleys there many be reckoned nine sorts 1. Our ordinary Poley Mountaine 2. Small Spanish upright Poley Mountaine 3. Small French Poley Mountaine 4. Creeping purple Poley Mountaine 5. The smallest creeping white flowred Poley Mountaine 6. Spike Leafed Poley Mountaine 7. Candy Poley with hoary broad Leaves 8. Upright narrow leased Candy Poley 9. The small African dwarfe Poley The Form The ordinary Poley Mountaine is a small low Plant having divers white or hoary round hard branches scarce a foot high whereon are set divers long and small hoary Leaves overlaid as it were with a yellowish white Down somewhat dented about the edges with two alwaies set together on the stalkes as they gâ—ow up at the tops whereof grow forth whitish or hoary yellowish heads thrusting out many small pale coloured flowers and in some places more yellow standing in hoary huskes the seed is small and blackish which it seldome perfecteth in our Land and therefore we slip the branches which being set will grow very well as often as we desire to increase it the whole plant smelleth sweet somwhat strong and quick withall The Places and Time These Plants grow not naturally in England and therefore I shall referre you to the Gardens for them as the Physick Garden at Oxford and that at Westminster where you may find divers of them They do most of them flower in July and August yet some later then others The Temperature Poley is dry in the third degree and hot in the end of the second of a loathsome bitter tast The Vertues Though this Simple be not commonly to be had in the feilds nor in every Garden yet at the Apothecaries shop it may be had at no great expence It is very effectuall to free all the inward parts from obstructions especially the Spleene and Liver which it doth through the bitternesse wherewith it is qualified it being the nature of all bitter things to open Obstructions Neither doth it only open the stopping of the Spleene but helpeth all other diseases thereof or proceeding from it as the swelling thereof the Jaundise and the Dropsy being boiled in Vinegar and Water and the Decoction thereof drunk It is also of wonderfull efficacy to resist Poyson and therefore it is alwaies put into Mithridate Treacle and all other Antidotes or Counterpoysons and to help those that are stung or bitten with Venemous Creatures the Decoction of the herb being drunk whilst it is warme nay it is so Antipatheticall to all Vermine that the fumigation or smoak thereof being burnt drives them away and so doth the herb being strewed or laid in those places that are subject thereunto It moveth the belly and bringeth down the feminine courses and doth consolidate or soder up close the Lips of cuts or wounds if it be applyed to them greene and being dry it healeth grievous sores or Ulcers and this the lesser kind doth best performe which is that also which is used in Mithridate Venice Treacle and the like Notwithstanding all these good qualities it troubleth the Stomack and causeth some paines in the head somtimes CHAP. CCXII. Of Lupines The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thermos in Latine Lupinus Plautus called Lupinus Aurum Comicum because in his time they were used instead of money in such Comedies as had any shew of payment in any Scene thereof But that they were not used for Currant money upon other occasions may be gathered from that Verse of Horace Nec tamen ignorent quid distant ara Lupinis Which sheweth that Counters and Counterfeit monies were easily to be distinguished from true and Currant Coyne In English they are usually called Lupines after the Latin Name yet some call them Fig-beanes after the Dutch name because they are flat and round as a Fig that is pressed and others Flat-beans for the same reason Some have called the yellow Lupine Spanish Violets and other foolish names have been given it as Virginia Roses and the like The Kinds There be Eleaven severall sorts of Lupines 1. The white-Garden Lupine 2. The greater blew Lupine 3. The lesser blew Lupine 4. The smallest blew Lupine 5. The blew Sea Lupine 6. The spotted white Lupine 7. The yellow Lupine 8. The Arabian Lupine 9. A middle sort of great blew Lupine 10. Blush flowered Lupine 11. Lupinus flore obsoleto The Form The white Garden Lupine riseth up with a great round stalk hollow and somewhat woolly with divers branches whereon grow upon long Foot-stalkes many broad Leaves divided into five seven or Nine parts or smaller Leaves equally standing round about as it were in a Circle of a whitish green colour on the upper side and more woolly underneath the Flowers stand many together at severall Joynts both of the greater stalk and the branches like unto Beanes and of a white colour in some places and in others of a very bleak blew tending to white after the flowers are past there come in their places long broad and flat rough Cods wherein are contained round and flat seed yellowish on the inside and covered with a rough white skin and very bitter in tast the roots are not very great but full of small fibres whereby it fasteneth it self strongly in the ground yet perisheth every year as all the rest of these kinds do which differ little from this but onely in the colour of their Flowers for which they are cheifely desired The Places and Time All the sorts above named do grow in the Gardens of those that are curious Lovers of these delights here in England but the first came from Greece where it was anciently cherished for food the Great blew Lupine from Caramania beyond Persia the lesser blew and the yellow sort from Spaine They flower in June and July and their seed is ripe quickly after The Temperature Lupines by reason of their bitternesse do open digest dissolve and cleanse but being steeped some dayes in water they lose their bitterneâ—â—e The Signature and Vertues The Lupine is said by Crollius to have the Signature of the Spleen and therefore the decoction therefore is profitable for those that are Splenetick to which may also be added Rue and Pepper that it may be the pleasanter and more effectuall The said Decoction helpeth to kill and expell all manner of Wormes if it be drunk in a Morning fasting and so doth the Meale hereof taken with Honey or with Water and Vinegar or tempered with an Oxe gall and laid to the navell whilst the party is fasting Though taken often and without preparation they breed grosse and rude humours being hard of digestion and slow in passing thorow the belly yet being steeped and afterwards dryed beaten and taken with some Vineâ— as they cleanse the Stomack help digestion and provoke Appetite
The decoction aforesaid provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and iâ— it be taken with Myrâ—he it expelleth the dead Child A decoction or Lye made with Lupines with Worm-Wood Centaury and Bay Salt added thereto stayeth the spreading and running of a Gangreen being applyed thereto very hot with Cloath or Tow. The simple decoction thereof cleanseth all Scabbes Morphew Cancers Tetters and creeping or running Ulcers and Sores and boiled in Lye it cleanseth the Head from Ulcers Scurfe c. It also cleanseth the face and taketh away the markes that the Pox do leave after their healing and all other markes and black and blew Spoâ—â— in the skin especially if the Meale of Lupines the Gall of a Goate some juyce of Lemmons and sugred Alloâ—â— be made into the form of a soft oyntment and the face anointed therewith going to bed as many women know very well The said Meale being boiled in Vinegar and applyed taketh away pimples and discusseth hard swellings breaketh Carbunkles and Impostumes the burning of the husks driveth away Gâ—ats Flyes c. To these which help the Spleen might be added many other as the Orebus or bitter Vitch Wall flowers Time Coltick Spicknard c. But these are reserved for other parts whereunto they are also serviceable Many also of those handled in the aforegoing part of this work are effectuall for the diseases of this part but because it stands not with our conveniency to treat of every thing that is good for every part when we come to every part that it is good for for then we must treate of the same thing over and over again Therefore the Reader is desired not to be over Strict in censuring these Appropriations because of the diversity of virtues wherewith every plant is endued and because every part may share of the benefit proceeding from some of them And now I shall proceed to the Reines and give you some that may be properly referred to them as also for the Bladder and Stone because most of these plants which are good for the one are good for the other and because the Strangury and Difficulty of making Water proceeds somtimes from the indisposition of these parts and sometimes the indisposition of these parts proceed from the Stone that is the Difficulty of making water some-times causeth the Stone and somtimes the Stone causeth Difficulty of making water I shall speak of all those together which rectifie the Reines and Bâ—â—dder provoke Urine help the Stone and Strangury without any Transition all I have finished what I shall hold necessary for all the purposes aforesaid CHAP. CCXIII. Of Asparagus The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asparagus and according to the Atticks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aspharagus yet by its Etymology which is either quia ex asperis virguetis ligitur as Varro or quód in asperá vitgulta nascitur as Pompeius the Grammarian would have it it seemeth to have its originall from the Latin which many other Plants have being afterwards made Greek by some of the Later writers in that Language Galen saith that the first budding of any herb that was used to be eaten after it sprung from the seed was called Asparagus as in Cabbage Lettice c. But that being most usually eaten at that time hath got the name peculiarly to it self It is called also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it provoketh lust and Corruda in Latin from Corruo becauâ—e it quickly decyayeth after it is ripe and Sperage Asparagus and Sparagus in English The Kinds There be five sorts of Asparagus 1. Garden Asparagus 2. Sea or wild Asparagus with thicker Leaves 3. Wild Asparagus with sharp Leaves 4. Prickly Rock Asparagus 5. Asparagus with cruel sharp thornes The Forme Garden Sparagus riseth up at the first with divers whitish green scaly heads very brittle or easie to breake while they are young which afterward rise up into very long and slender green Stalks some bigger and some lesser according to the growth of the Roots and the fertility of the ground wherein it is planted but commonly of the bignesse of an ordinary riding Wand at the bottome and as high as a man almost on which are set diveâ—s branches of green Leaves shorter and smaller then Fennel to the top at the Joynts whereof come forth small mossy yellowish flowers which turn into round berries gâ—een at the first and of an excellent red colour like unto beads of Corall when they are ripe wherein are contained black seeds of an exceeding hardnesse The roots are dispersed from a spongious head into many long thick and round strings whereby it sucketh much nourishment out of the ground and sendeth forth many heads therefrom The Places and Time The first groweth usually in Gardens but it is supposed to be the same with the second which groweth in many low Meadows of this Land both in Essex Lincoln and Gloucestershire and that the alteration is made onely by transplanting The third groweth in stony and rocky places neer Salamanca in Spaine The fourth in many stony and ragged places both in Spaine Portugal and Candy the last is very plentifull in the rough and uneven waies about Lisbone The bare tender shootes of Sperage Spring up most familiarly in Aprill then it is that they are most fit for Sallets They flower in June and July and bear their berries late in the year The Temperature The root of Garden Sparagus as also of the wild do cleanse without any manifest heat or drynesse The Signature and Vertues The buds branches or Roots of Asparagus especially of the wild being boiled in Wine do provoke Urine being stopped yea even in those which are troubled with an hardnesse or Difficulty to make water or the Strangury when it cometh by Drops and to expell gravell and the stone out of the Kidnyes which it doth by the Signature which the hardnesse of the seed holdeth forth and helpeth all other paines in the Reines and Back being taken inwardly or the Back and the Belly bathed therewith Being boiled in White Wine or Vinegar it is good for those that have their Arteries loosned or are troubled with the Hip-gout Yellow-Jaundise Falling-Sicknesse the Mother dimnesse of sight and the Tooth-ach if it be gargled in the mouth warme The same also healeth the paines of the breast Stomack and bowells and taken every morning fasting for certain days together it stirreth up bodily lust both in Man Woman The seed is held to be very effectuall also for the purposes aforesaid especially if a good quantity of the Rootes and it be boiled in good store of Water and put into a large vessell where a man may stand or sit up to the middle at least for so it hath beene found effectuall against the paines of the Reines and Bladder the Mother and Cholick and generally against all those grievous torments that happen to the lower parts of the body neither is it lesse effectuall to
it is dissolved often mixed with pectorall Syrupes honey or juyce of Liquorish to help the Cough or Hoarnesse in the Throat salt and sharp distillations upon the Lungs being taken is an Electuary or put under the tongue gently to distill down and so it taketh away the roughnesse of the tongue which happeneth in many diseases The said Gum is also used in Medicines for the Eyes to allay the heat and sharpnesse of hot rheumes falling into them and being mingled with milk it taketh away white spots growing in the black of the Eyes the itching also of them and wheâ—â—es and scabs that grow upon the Eye-Lids Being somewhat torrefied or dryed â—â— the â—â—re and mixed with the juce or Wine of Quinces and used in a G 〈…〉 er it is good against the bloody Flix Being boyled in Wine with Stechads and drunk it warmeth and cleanseth the breast and Stomack bowels being afflicted with any cold the Cholick the stopping of the Milt and Urine It cleanseth the face and maketh it white if it be steeped a night in Rose water and in the morning a little Borace or Champhire be put thereto and the face be washed therewith It is very effectuall for the sores and chaps of the Mouth Lips and Hands and also for Ulcers in any part being dissolved in Rose water strained some white starch mixed therewith and the place annointed the Muccilage mixed with Honey doth the same and is good for the Leprosy The powder of it is profitable for those that have broken a veine or are troubled with the Craâ—p if it be taken in broth Besides these Physicall uses it serveth to make artificiall beads of which Bracletts are compoâ—ed and it is used many times as a kind of Starch or Glew to bind or stiffen things withall and to make Gentlewomens haire lye in order The roots of the Poterion boyled in Wine and drunk are profitable against the poyson of the red Toad and being made in a Pultis and applyed to any of the Nerves or Sinews that are wounded cut or hurt doth heale them and soâ—â—er them together are also all other kinds of Wounds and Cutts the said decoction of the Roots in Wine a also effectuall for the said purposes to be drunk and for inward Wounds or Veines that are broken Gum Arabick is effectuall for many of the purposes aforesaid but especially for defending the Reines and Bladder from those frettings that cause bloody Urine CHAP. CCXVII Of Spiknard The Names IT is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nardus in Greek from Naarda a City of Syria near unto Euphrares as Lobel doth conjecture and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Nardi Spica which is the generall Name of the Indian sort called also Nardus Indica to put a distinction between it and the Celtick and Mountain Spicknard The Celtick Spiknard is supposed by very good Authors to be the Saliunca that Virgil makes mention of in his Eclogues which is more likely because the Vallesians in whose Country it chiefely groweth call it Selliga The Kinds There be Eight sorts of Spiknard 1. Mountain French Spiknard 2. Mountainâ— French Spiknard with tufted Flowers 3. Knobbed mountain Spiknard 4. Long tuberous Mountain Spiknard 5. Bastard French Spiknard 7. Indian Spiknard 6. Italian Spiknard 8. Unsavoury Spiknard The Form Mountain French Spiknard creepeth upon the ground under the loose Leaves and mosse with small long and hard slender roots covered with many short small dry Leaves like Scales sending forth in divers places as it creepeth and spreadeth here and there small blackish fibres whereby it is nourished at the head whereof stand sundry small buttons or heads from which spring many small narrow and somewhat thick green Leaves not divided or dented at all smallest at the bottome and broadest towards the end which change yellow in the end of Summer amongst these Leaves rise up sometimes more and somtimes but one slender stalk without any Leaves thereon at the top whereof stand many small whitish flowers like unto the smallest sorts of Valerian every one upon a slender foot-stalk which afterwards bring small seed like unto them also the whole plant is sweet and more aromaticall then the Indian Spicknard hotter also and sharper in tast then any other sort The Places and Time It may be gathered by the names of most of them to what Country they are naturall and therefore I shall trouble you no farther with the places They all flower and flourish in the summer months of June July and August some earlyer and some latter then others The Temperature Dioscorides saith that the true Indian Spiknard is of an heating and drying faculty and there is no doubt but the other sorts are so likewise seeing they agree very much in their properties or vertues The Vertues All the sorts of Spiknard but especially the Celrick or French Spicknard are of very good use to provoke Urine and to ease the exceeding great paines of the Stone in the Reines or Kidnyes if they be drunk with cold water and so they are profitable to those that have a loathing of their meat swellings or gnawings in their stomacks as also for them that are Liver grown and for them that have the yellow Jaundise It dryeth up the Flux or humors both in the Head and breast and is a speciall Ingredient in Mithridate and other Antidotes against vemone and poyson The decoction used as a Bath for Women to sit in or over in a seat fit for the purpose taketh away the Inflammations of the Mother but to women with Child it is forbidden because it procureth much disquiet and may forceâ— their Courses beyond either their time or conveniency The Oyle made thereof doth both warme those places that are cold and maketh the humors more subtill that were thick and congealed before digesteth those that are crude and raw and also moderatly dryeth and bindeth those that were too loose or flexible and hereby worketh powerfully in all the cold griefes and windinesse of the Head and braine of the Stomack Liver Spleen Reines and Bladder and of the Mother Being â—nuâ—â—ed up into the Nostrills it purgeth the Brain of much Rheume gathered therein and causeth both a good colour and favour to the whole body Being steeped in Wine for certain dayes afterwards distilled in Balneo calâ—do the Water hereof is very usefull in all cold indiâ—poâ—itions of the Members taken inwardâ—y or applyed outwardâ—y for it coâ—nâ—oâ—ten the braine helpeth to stay thin distillations and the cold paines of the Head as also the shaking of the Palsey It helpeth also all passions of the Heart as faintings and 〈…〉 ning◠〈◊〉 the Coâ—lick likewise two or three spoonefulls being taken It is commonly laid up in a new earthen Vessell for Eye Medicines being first made into Powder and then into round Cakes or trochiskes with Wine which being conveniently applyed represse and stay the humors that offend them Being drunk with Wine it helpeth those that are stung or bitten
by any venemous Creature CHAP. CCXVIII Of the Sweet-smelling Flagge The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acorus and Acorum quia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 medetur because it heâ—peth to cleare a dimme Eye-sight which names are used in Latine also yet some have given it others as Radix nautica Singentiana or unguentis petita And because this is used commonly for Calamus Aromaticus by the Apothecaries though they be different things the one being a Flagge and the other a Reed I shall put them together It is called Calamus Aromaticus and odoratus which in my judgment signify the same though Parkinson maketh a difference but the result of his discourâ—e is that Aroma is a Drugge that hath a strong smell no matter whether it be sweet or no and he instances in Myrrhe and Galbanum in which signification Odor is also taken for we have commonly bonus Odor and malus Odor a sweet and a stinking scent according to the Epithet that is joyned with it and I believe this may be a reason of those suppositions that the Antients counted those things sweet which are not sweet to us This is that Calamus mentioned in the 30 of Exodus verse 23. The Kinds Though Acorus and Calamus Aromaticus may not properly be said to be of the same kinds yet I shall put them together and one more 1. The sweet smelling Flag or Calamus of the Shops 2. The supposed true Syrian or Arabian Aromaticall Reed 3. Matthiolus his Aromaticall Reed The Forme The sweet smelling Flagge hath many Flaggy long and narrow fresh greene Leaves two foot long a piece yet many times somwhat brownish towards the bottome the one rising or growing out of the side of another in the same manner that other Flagges or Flowerdeluces do thin on both sides and ridged or thick in the middle the longest for the most part standing in the midst all of them smelling very sweet which dye every yeare yet when they are dead they keep their smell new ones rising in their steed the next Spring after it hath grown three or four yeares in a place it putteth forth a round head like unto the Catkin of the Hasel-nut-Tree growing upright of a length and thicknesse of one finger of a purplish green colour out of which shoot forth paâ—e whitish flowers consisting of four small Leaves a peice nothing so well sented as the Leaves falling away quickly without giving seed the root is thick and long somewhat like to that of the Garden Valerian of a sweet sent and and somewhat a bitter tast The Places and Times The first groweth in Turky as also in Russia and the places thereabouts naturally in moist places whence it hath been brought into a few of our Gardens The second in Aegypt as also by the lake of Gennesareth in Judea and in divers places also of Syria and Arabia The third is suppoâ—ed by Matthiolus and others to grow in India Syria and Judaea The sweet smelling Flagge beareth its Catkin in July or August The Temperature The Rootes of Acorus are hot and dry in the second degree and of thin and subtill parts The Virtues The decoction of the rootes of the Sweet smelling Flagge being made with Wine and drunk doth not only provoke Urine but is also very profitable for all the diseases of the Reines and Bladder cleansing and waâ—â—ing all the superfluities in them without any hurt or danger it helpeth to ease the paines of the sides Liver and breast as also those of the Collick and Cramp it recovereth thoâ—e that are bursten and bitten with Venomous Creatures and waâ—eth the Spleene The Root is very much used in divers Electuaries and Antiâ—otes against all Venome Poyson and infection as in that called Diacorum Mithridate c Being taken fasting every morning for some time together it is a speciall remedy for a stinkâ—ng breath A dram of the powder of the Root with as much Cinnamon taken in a draught of Worm-wood wine is singular good to comfort and strengthen a cold weak Stomack The whole Rootes preserved either in Sugar or Honey are effectual also for the same purposes but these that are preserved greene are more desired then those that being dry are steeped and afterwards preâ—erved The juice dropped into the eyes dryeth the Rheumes therein and cleareth the sight taking away films or such like that may offend them The hot fumes of the decoction made in Water and taken in at the mouth through a Funnel are excellent to help them that are troubled with a Cough The Rootes bruised and boiled in Wine and applyed warme to the Testicles that are swollen dissolveth the Tumour and easeth the paines it likewise mollifyeth hard swellings in any other part of the body It is used amongst other things to make sweet Powders and Water Calamus Aromaticus if the true can be had is as good if not better for many of the purpoâ—es aforesaid and is moreover avaleiable to procure Womens Courses and to remedy the fits of the Mother CHAP. CCXIX. Of Cyperus or English Galanga The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cyperus from the round forme of the Root which is like a small Boxe or Vessell in Latine also Cyperus and Juncus triangularis and angulosus to distinguish between it and the Juncus laevis or vulgaris ordinary rushes It somtimes beareth four square stalkes and then it is called Juncus quadratus In English many do call it Gallinga or Gallingale because the rootes of one sort of it are somwhat like to those of the small Gallinga It is called also as commonly Cyperus and sweet Cyperus after the Greek and Latine names The Kindes To this kind may be referred these five sorts 1. The more common round rooted sweet Cyperus 2. The greater Assyrian sweet Cyperus 3. The lesser Assyrian round rooted sweet Cyperus 4. The ordinary sweet Cyperus or English Galanga 5. The most delicate sweet Cyperus or Rush-nut The Forme The more common round rooted sweet Cyperus shooteth forth many heads of long and narrow Leaves somwhat ridged in the middle every lease seeming thereby to be three square of a sweet scent amongst these Leaves rise many smooth square Stalkes about three foot high stuffed with a white pith without any knot or joynt therein unto the tops where there stand a few short Leaves and many small panicles or chaffy greene spikes of small Leaves above them which after containe within them the seed the root is composed of many long and round blackish brown small rootes fastned together by long strings of the bignesse of small Olives of a sweet scent even while they are greene but much more when they are dry and of a bitter tast somwhat like unto Galanga The Places and Time None of these sorts grow in England unlesse it be in the Gardens of those that delight in rarities in the Physick Garden at Oxford Westminster c. Yet
white within and of a good savour White Saxâ—frage groweth with divers round faint or yellowish greene Leaves but grayish underneath spread upon the ground unevenly dented about the edges and somwhat hairy every one upon a little footstalke from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy greene stalke about a foot-high with a few such like round Leaves as grow below but smaller somwhat branched at the top whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five Leaves a peece with some yellow Threds in the middle standing in a long crested brownish greene husk which being past there ariseth somtimes a round hard head biforked at the top wherein is contained small blackish seed the Root is compact of a number of black strings whereunto are fastned many small reddish graines or round rootes about the bignesse of Pepper-cornes which are used in Medicine and called by the Apothecaries white Saxifrage seed and is that which is truly meant by though not so truly said of it Golden Saxifrage is most like unto the before described yet it differeth therefrom in that the Leaves are not hairy but somwhat thicker and of a darker greene colour amongst which rise up Stalkes in handfull high with such Leaves on them as grow below two at a Joynt but three at the top of all whereas also at the Joynts do come forth very small gold yellow flowers not easily observed and seldome seen with them because they fall away so quickly after which come small round heads wherein is contained small round reddish seed the Root is compâ—â—ed of a number of small strings or Fibres Burnet Saxifrage groweth up with divers stalkes of winged Leaves set one against another each being somewhat broad and a little pointed and dented about the edges of a sad greene colour at the tops of the stalkes stand 〈…〉 s of white flowers after which comes small and blackish seed The root is long and whitish The Places and Time The first groweth almost in every Medow and therefore it is called Medow Parsly yet it somtimes growes in up and ground the second was found by Mr. Goodyer on a boggy ground below the red Well of Welling borough in Norhamptonshire the third by Lobel between Chipnam and Marleborough in the High-way between London and Bristow on a Chalky Hill the fourth groweth very pâ—entifully in a feild immediately below the Abby Orchard at St. Albons anâ— in many other places the silt in moist and marish places about Bath and Wâ—lles and in the Moores by Boston and Wisbich in Lincolneshire the sixth seventh and eâ—ght grow in divers Meadows and Pastures-grounds of this Land the last groweth upon barren hills and sometimes upon Walls The first flowreth from the beginning of May to the end of August the second and third â—omwhat later the fourth in April or May at the furthest when it is gathered for that which is called the seed as well as to distill for it perisheth soon after the fifth in March and April the rest about July and their Seed is ripe in August The Temperature All the aforementioned sorts are hot and dry in the third degree except the Golden Saxifrage which is cold of temperature as the tast declareth The Vertues and Signature The seeds and rootes of Saxifrage or Medow Parsly boiled in White-Wine and the dâ—â—oction drunk breaketh the Stone in the Bladder and Kidnâ—es hel 〈…〉 the strangury and cauâ—eth one to make Water freely which also bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth the Secondine and dead Child The root dryed and maâ—e into Powder and halfe a dram or a dram taken with Sugar comfoâ—teth and warmeth the Stomack cureth the gnawâ—ngs and griping paines oâ— the belly caleth the Cholick also and expelleth Wind. The Cheshire Women put it amongst the Râ—mnes that they put into their Cheese as a Country-man of theirs reporteth The distilled Water is much in use with Nurses to give unto their Children against the stopping of their Urine and to ease the griping paines in their belly which they usually calâ— the Frets It is used outwardly in Bathes and Fomentations to provoke Urine and to ease the paines of the Belly proceeding from Wind. The seed or rather the root of the white Saxifrage cureth the Stone by signature as the learned Crâ—llius hath observed and is singular good against the strangury and stoppings of the Kidneys and Bladder the Powder of them being drunk in Wine or the decoction made of them The distilled Water of the whole herb rootes and flowers which is as effectuall in a manner is familiarly taken by those that have need thereof for any of the purposes aforesaid as also to clense the Stomack and Lungs from tough and thick Phlegme that troubleth it and causeth it more easily to be avoided It is not probable that the Golden Saxifrage hath any operation upon the Stone because of its insipide tast unlesse it be by a specifick Vertue yet I mentioned it because it is esteemed as a rarity The Burnet Saxifrages have the same properties that the others have both in provoking Urine and easing the paines thereof as also in expelling Wind and helping the Cholick the roots or seed being used in Powder decoction or any other way which are likewise effectuall for the windy paines of the Mother to procure Womens Courses to break and avoid the stone in the Kidneys and to digest cold viscous and tough Phlegme in the Stomack and is an especiall remedy against all kind of Venom The rootes hereof dryed are as hot as Pepper and may be used for the same being much more wholesome as Tragus saith The same in Powder with the Powder of the Seeds and Sugar purgeth the braine helpeth the Tooth-ach restoreth lost speech and is good for Convulsions Cramps Apoplexies and cold feavers and so is the distilled water wherein Castoreum hath been boiled which is profitable also for the Palsy and many other cold griefes The same drunk with wine and Vinegar cureth the Plague and being holden or chewed in the mouth it preserveth from the Infection when the aire is corrupted The seed made into Comfits like unto those of Caraway are effectuall for all the purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water sweetned with Sugar though not in so powerfull a manner as the former which water also beautifieth the face by cleansing it from all Spots and Freckels and leaving a good colour The juyce of the Leaves doth the same and being dropped into the grievous wounds of the Head or any other place dryeth up the moisture and healeth them quickly The distilled water alone or with Vinegar being put into the eyes cleareth the sight exceedingly I conceive I have given to every sort its due properties notwithstanding I find all or most of them attributed to Saxifrage in general and no doubt when one sort is not to be had the other may serve as substitutes they being promiscuously used by divers CHAP. CCXIII. Of Dropwort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
long hard rough sharp pointed narrow greene Leaves at the tops of the stalkes stand divers small white flowers in rough brown huskes wherein after they are past is contained a white hard stony round shining seed like unto Pearles the root is long and hard or somwhat wooddy with divers branches and fibres thereat which perisheth not every yeare as the stalkes do The Places and Time The first groweth in Gardens as I said before whither it was brought out of Italy or the parts of France next unto it where it groweth wild The second and third grow wild in many places of our Land in barren grounds whether tilled or untilled and somtimes in those which are fruitfull also The fourth groweth as Lobel saith in the descent of the Valley of Ostia in Piedmont The sixt as the same Author affirmeth groweth in Corne-grounds by the way from Bristol to Bath The seaventh in the Corne-feilds of Germany The eight about Mompelier in France The last groweth naturally in Candy Rhodes Syria and other Easterne Countryes being brought thence into our Gardens where it groweth well The Gromels do all flower from Midsummer to September the seed ripening in the meane time but the seed of Jobs Teares seldome come to perfection with us unlesse it be sown betimes and the Summer prove very hot The Temperature The seeds of Gromel are hot and dry in the second degree and so are those of Jobs Teares The Signature and Vertues The seeds of Gromel by their stony hardnesse have given our fore-Fathers to understand that they are of singular force to break the Stone and to avoid it and also the Gravel either in the Reines or Bladder and if it be made use of in these dayes it will be found as effectuall as any other Seed or Herb whatsoever for the said purposes as also to provoke Urine being stopt and to help the Strangury being bruised and boiled in white Wine or Broth or the powder of it drunk in raw White-Wine or in broth or the like but the most pleasant safe and effectuall way is to make a Barly creame with the Kernells of the four greater cold seeds and the seeds of Gromel by boyling them in Barly water and to take thereof in the morning fasting for three dayes together when you are troubled with any of the aforesaid griefes The said seeds being bruised and laid to steepe all night in White-Wine with some Fennell Parsly and Sena and then boyled in a stone Vessell strained and sweetned with Sugar and drunk the next morning is a good medicine to purge Phlegme and Choler to open and cleanse the Reines and Bladder and to expell wind exceedingly Two drammes of the seed in Powder taken with the Milk of a Woman is very effectuall to procure a speedy delivery to such Women as have sore paines in their Travel and cannot be delivered as have been found true by divers as Matthiolus saith Being mixed with other ingredients it helpeth the Running of the Reines The Herb it selfe when the seed is not to be had being boyled in White-Wine and the decoction thereof or else the juice of it being drunk worketh the same effects but not so powerfully nor speedily and a Bath wherein some of it hath been boyled being sate in is much commended for an outward remedy Of Jobs Teares the most exquisite Crollius who taketh notice of the former also saith thus Lacrhyma Jobbaa ad deturbandâ—s calculos nunquam satis landata that is Jobs-Teares can never be sufficiently commended for expelling the Stone then doubtlesse it performeth the other effects usually annexed if the Powder or decoction of the seeds be taken as aforesaid The said seeds are used by Papists beyond Sea to number their Prayers and by others for beads Bracelets c. CHAP. CCXXVI Of Onions The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Poets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the Antients were wont to shut their Eyes as often as they eat them lesf they should make them Water It is called in Latine Cepa and Cepe from Caput as some think because of the greatnesse of their head and Unio because the root is single not giving off-setts for increase as other bulbous roots do The old writers have given it Sirnames from the place where it grew as Cypria Sardia Cretica Samothracia and Ascalonia from whence comes our English word Scallions which are set Onyons the lesser sort whereof are by some called Chibouls from the French name Sâ—boula The Kinds There be divers sorts of Onyons half a dozen whereof I shall here present you with 1. The Ordinary flat white Onyon 2. The long white Onion 3. The flat red Onion 4 The long red Onyon 5. The Strasborough Onion whose outside onely is red 6. St. Omers Onion called by some but corruptly St. Thomas Onion The Form The Onion for the description is generall hath divers long green hollow Leaves seeming half flat amongst which riseth up a great round hollow stalk bigger in the middle then any where else at the top whereof standeth a close round head covered at the first with a thin skin which breaketh when the head is grown and sheweth forth a great Umbell of white Flowers which turne into black seed but then the head is so heavy that the stalk cannot sustain it and therefore it must be upheld from falling to the ground lest it rot and perish the root of every one is round in some greater in some lesser in some flatter in others longer in some sharp and strong in others milder and more pleasant some being so pleasant that they may be eaten as an Apple The Places and Time All the sorts of Onions are Inhabitants of the Garden and prosper best in that ground which is well digged and dunged I know not whether they grew naturally or in Gardens about Ascalon a City of Judea but that they were formerly very plentifull in those parts I am verily perswaded Those that are sown for store should be sown in February or before the latter end of March at the furthest in the increase of the Moon and are to be gathered about August when the blades begin to be flagged towards the roots Those which are for seed must be set at the same time when the former are sown yet it seldome comes to perfection in our own Country most of the seed we use coming from beyond the Seas The Temperature Onions are hot and dry in the fourth degree as Galen affirmeth The juyce is of a thin watery substance and if it be taken in any great quantity it is rank poyson but the rest is of thick parts and may be eaten with little or no danger The Signature and Vertues White wine wherein a sliced onyon hath been steeped all night being drunk in the morning and the party walke an hour after it is a good Remedy for the Stone which its Signature doth demonstrate as Crollius noteth as
also to provoke Urine and Womens Courses They are used also to provoke Appetite ease the paines of the belly and to help the bitâ—ng of a mad Dog or other venemous Creatures especially if it be mixed with a little Honey and Rue The water wherein sliced Onions have been steeped all night killeth the wormes in Children Being rosted under the Embers and eaten with Honey and Sugar and Oile they help an old Cough by cutting the tough Phlegme and causing it easily to be Spit forth It is counted by many a good preservatiue against infection to take Onions fasting with bread and Salt but I dare not subscribe to their Opinion because they do rather draw then expeâ—l Corruption and therefore their externall use seemeth to be better especially if a great Onyon being made hollow and the place filled up with good Treakle be roasted well under the Embers and after the taking away of the outermost skin be beaten together and applyed to any Plague sore or putrid Ulcer for so it is likely to be a Soveraigne Remedy Being sliced and dipped in the juyce of Sorrell and given to one that is sick of a Tertian Agne to eat it taketh away the fit in once or twice so taking them The continued use especially of the seed thereof increaseth the naturall seed and stirreth upbodily lust The juyce â—nuffed up into the Nostrills purgeth the Head and helpeth the Lethargy and is good also for scalding or burning by fire Water or Gunpowder and being used with Vinegar it taketh away all blemishes Spots and marks in the skin and dropped into the Eares easeth the paines and noise in them Applyed also with Figs beaten together with them it helpeth to ripen and break Iâ—postumes and other Sores especially being first rosted in Embers stamped with Salt Rue and Honey and so they are good for the biting of a Mad Dog being laid thereunto The luyce of Onions mixed with the decoction of Pennyroyall and a Cloath wet therein and applyed easeth the Gout The juyce mixed with Honey and a bald Head annoâ—nted therewith causeth the haire to grow again They provoke the Hemorrhoâ—des or Pils being laid unto them either by themselves or stamped with Vinegar They helpe Kibes being rosted and applyed with Butter or Hâ—gs-grease To tender and delicate Bodies young men and cholerick persons the too often or immoderate use is many times hurtful especially if they be raw for they breed ill humors in the Stomack in flame the blood increase thirst cause drousinesse and the headach hurt the sight and dull and disturbe the memory and understanding by their sharpnesse and windinesse yet unto the Bodies of labouring Men who receive some benefit by earning their bread with the sweat of their browes they are seldom offensive so true is that of the Poet Labor omnia vincit Improbus the humors that they breed in others being in them spent by their hard Labour CHAP. CCXXVII Of Winter Cherries The Names IT may be called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for it is a kind of Solanum nay in Latine it is called Solanum Halicacabum and Vesicatorium by Pliny either of the Bladder wherein the Berry groweth or of the Vertues against the diseases of the Bladder and Stone The Arabians call it Alkakengi which name the Shops retaine Brunfelsius calleth it his Saxifraga quarta terming it Rubra for which Epithet there is more colour then for Filipendula that it should be so called It is called Winter Cherry in English because it flourisheth in the Winter and the fruit is like a Cherry The Forme I find but three sorts of Winter-Cherryes that which is called Halicacabum Petegrinum or the Black Winter-Cherry perishing at the very first approach of Winter and therefore and for other reasons ought not to be so called 1. The Ordinary Winter-Cherry 2. Virginian Winter Cherries 3. Upright Indian Winter-Cherries The Forme The Winter-Cherry sendeth forth a stalke which groweth to be a Cubit or two foot high whereupon are set many broad and long greene Leaves somwhat like unto the Leaves of Night-shade whereof it seemeth to be a kind as I said before but larger at the joynts whereof come forth whitish flowers made of five Leaves a peece which after turne into greene berries inclosed with thin skins or bladders which change to be reddish when they grow ripe the berry being likewise reddish and as large as a Cherry wherein are contained many flat and yellowish seeds lying within the Pulpe The root runneth or creepeth in the ground somtimes as big as ones little finger shooting forth at severall Joynts in severall places whereby it quickly overspreadeth a great compasse of ground The Places and Time Though the first be only to be found in Gardens or in other places whither it hath beene cast forth from thence here in England yet in some Countryes it groweth naturally by the hedg sides in moist and shadowy places the second came from Virginia the last groweth also in the West Indies They flower in August and are fittest to be gathered in October yet some of them continue longer and being strung up they may be kept all the yeare to be used upon occasion The Temperature VVinter Cherries are thought to be cold and dry and of subtill parts The fruit Openeth but the Leaves do only coole and therefore are good in inflammations The Vertues and Signature Having given you severall Plants that had the Signature of the Stone I come in the laâ—t place to shew you one or two that have the Signature both of the stone and bladder which the VVinter Cherry doth very much reâ—emble and is therefore of great use by opening the Uritory parts and drawing down the Urine to provoâ—e it to be avoided plentifully when it is stopped and is good also to expell the Stone and Bladder out of the Reines Kidneys and Bladder helping to dissolve the Stone and avoiding it by greet or Gravell sent forth in the Urine it helpeth much also to clense inward Impostumes or Ulcers in the Reines or Bladder or in those that avoid a bloody or foule Urine two or three handfulls of the berries being bruised and put into two or three Gallons of new Wine or Ale assoone as it is tunned up there to continue till the Wine or Ale be sit to be drunk but the decoction of the Berries in Wine or Water is the most usuall way to be taken yet the powder of them taken in drink or broth is held to be more effectuall It helpeth the yellow Jaundise also by opening the passages of the Gall and Liver and expelling it by Urine The diuilled Water of the Fruit or the Leaves together with them or the berries greene or dry distilled with a little Milk is effectuall for all the purposes before specified if it be drunk morning and evening with a little Sugar and in speciall against the heat and sharpnesse of the Urine The other Plant whose fruit beareth the Signature of the Stone in the
men The Forme The Common Haw-thorne usually groweth to be but a Shrub or Hedg-bush with divers shootes armes and branches whereon are set in â—ivers places sharp thornes and faire shining Leaves somwhat broad and cut in on the edges into divers parts the flowers are many standing together comming forth both at the â—op of the branches and the upper joynts with the Leaves onâ—â—â—â—ng of five white Leaves a peece with divers white threds in the middle tipt with red and of a very pleasant sweet scent after which come the fruit being roundish berries greene at the first but of a lively red colour when they are ripe consisting of a soft sweet and certaine whitish seed the root groweth deepe into the ground of a very hard and durable substance The Place and Time The first groweth generally throughout the whole Land where any Hedges be the second in Germanâ— in some of the Gardens of those that love rarities not differing from the ordinary kind save that the fruit thereof is as yellow as Saffron the last at Glastenbury Abby and in Whey-street or rather High-street in Rumney Marsh and neere unto Nautwich in Cheshire by a place called White-green The two first flower in May and their fruit is ripe in September or thereabouts the last both in May and about Christmas sooner or later as the temperature of the weather will permit having at the same time both greene and ripe berries The Temperature The Leaves Flowers and fruit of the Haw-thorne are supposed to be drying and binding The Signatures and Vertues The powder of the Berries or the seeds in the Berries being given to drink in Wine is genâ—rally held to be a singular good Remedy against the Stone which is signified by the Stones or seeds which they cheifely consist of and so it is reported to be good for the Dropsy The flowers steeped three dayes in Wine and afterwards distilled in Glasse and the water thereof drunk is a Soveraign Remedy for the â—leurisy and for inward tormenting paines such as those of the Stone are which is also signified by the prickles that grow on this Tree The water of the Flowers distilled after the ordinary way stayeth the Flux or Lask of the belly the seeds cleared from the down bruised and boiled in wine and drunk perfoâ—meth also the same effect The said distilled water of the Flowers is not onely cooling but drawing also for it is found by good experience that if Cloathes and Spunges be wet in the said water and applyed to any place whereinto thornes Splinters c. have entered and be there abiding it will notably draw them forth so that the Thorne gives a medicine for its own pricking as many other things beâ—ides do if they were observed The Bark stamped with Red Wine and fryed with Boares grease and applyed hot worketh the effect before mentioned The ripe Berries are the best sustenance that many birds have in the Winter and they are good food for Hoggs and therefore the Swineheards do beat them down for them The Wood hath many convenient uses as making of Mounds If you would have a living Mound plant the Setts if a dead one make a hedge with them and it will out last two that is made of any other wood though it be troublesome to lay on the fire yet it will burn excellent well and last longest of any fewell especiall the Roots CHAP. CCXXXIII Of the Lemmon-Tree The Names IT is not likely that either this Tree or its fruit were known to the Ancient Greeks or Latins there being no mention of it in any of their writings but by modern Authors and in these dayes it is called Malus Limonia and the fruit Limons The Spaniards amongst whom it is most plentifull call the tree Limera and the fruit Limas All other Nations follow the Latin as near as their Dialect will permit The Kinds Of Lemmon-trees I find six sorts upon record 1. The ordinary Lemon-tree 2. The thin rinded sowre Lemmon 3. The round Lemmon-tree 4. The greater sweet Lemmon-tree 5. The Sivill Lemmon 6. The wild Lemmon-tree The Form The Lemmon-tree in hot Countryes where it principally delighteth grows to the stature of a lusty tall tree with great armes and slender branches but in this Land it is content with the compasse of a box filled with earth which standing upon legges may be carried up and down so that you may conceive it doth not attain to the bignesse of that in hotter Countries the branches are armed with long and greenish thornes the Leaves are long and somewhat like unto that soâ—t of the Bay-tree Leaves which is commonly called the Lawrell â—ented about the edges with a shew of very small holes in them but lesse then the Orenâ—e Leaves have of a very good sent the flowers grow at the Leaves all along the branches being somewhat longer then those of the Orenge maâ—e of five thiâ—k white Leaves with some threds in the middle and of a sweet sent also the fruit that followeth is somewhat long and round with a paller yellow rind the Orenge or Citron somewhat uneven or rugged somewhat bitter in tast but of a sweet smell the pulpe is white and lesser in quantity then eirher of the other in the middle whereof is contained a more soft spungy pulpe fullpulp of sower juyce it hath such like seed as the Citron amongst it but smaller and somewhat longeâ— if it be heedfully marked though they may seeme both alike at first sight The Places and Time Spaine is the place which furnishes us with Lemmons yet we have some of the Trees growing in our own Land as at Zion house by Brainford and at Wâ—mbleton house in the County of Surrey The Trees in Spain are seldom seen without ripe fruit and half ripe and small young and green and blossomes all at once and those with us have the same but not so frequently yet are alwaies green The Temperature Lemmons are not wholly of one temperature for the rind is hot in the first degree and dry in the second the juyce of them is cold in the second degree and dry in the first The Vertues and Signature The Lemmon with the prickles wherewith the tree is fortified do not altogether insignificantly expresse the Stone in the Reines and Bladder and the prickâ—ng paines that do accompany it and therefore an Ounce and half of the juyce of unripe Lemmons being taken with a little Malmesy helpeth to cleanse expell the Stone out of the Kidneys Or if the party grieved do but drink the juyce of Lemmons next his heart in a morning three times in a week he shall find it of good effect and I think it would do no body else any great harm if he take it in a Cup of White or Rhenish wine with Sugar and so it strengtheneth the heart stomack and head resisteth poyson expelleth Melancholy and maketh the breath sweet It likewise killeth and driveth forth the Wormes of the belly both from men
The Herb boiled in Ale or wine and given for some Mornings and Evenings together stayeth the Distillations of hot and sharp Rheums falling into the Eyes from the Head and helpeth all manner of accidents that happen to the Eyes Wart Cresses which are called in Latine Coronopus Râ—ellii and Nasturtium Verrucarium because the seed of it beareth the perfect Signature of the Warts upon a mans hand will consume and take away Warts in a short time the herb being bruised and applyed and so it stoppeth blâ—â—ding most effectually having all the Virtues which are attributed to the former CHAP. CXXXIX Of Sampire The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crithmum which is the usuall Latin name also yet Petrus Crescentius calleth it Crethmum and Rincum marinum It is also called Feniculum marinum which name the Italians and French follow as neer as their Dialect will permit in shops Creta marina especially beyond Sea In English Sampier and Sampire because it grows upon rocks and Sea Fennell because it somewhat resembles our ordinary Fennell The Kinds To this kind may be referred these four sorts 1. Ordinary Rock Sampire 2. The greater Rock Sampire 3. Thorny Sampire or Sea Parsnep 4. Golden Flowered Sampire The Forme Ordinary Rock Sampire groweth up with a tender green stalk not above halfe a yard or two foot high at the most branching forth almost from the very bottome and stored with sundry thick almost round and somewhat long Leaves of a deep green colour sometimes three together and sometimes more on a stalk being full of sap and of a pleasant hot or spicy tast at the topps of the stalkes and branches stand Umbells of white flowers after them come large seed bigger then Fennell yet somewhat alike the root is great white and long continuing many yeares and is both of a delightfull and pleasant smell and tast The Places and Time The first groweth on the Rocky Cliffes at Dover Winchelsey by Rye and about Southampton and the West and North West of England but especially in the Isle of Wight where there is so great plenty that it is gathered yet not without danger for some have ventured so farr upon the craggy precipices that they have fallen down and broken their nets ' so that it might be said they paid For their sawce and afterwards being pickled up is sent to London and other places The second groweth likewise upon Rocks that are moistened if not somtimes overflown with the Sea water The third near the Sea upon the sands between Whitstable and the Isle of Thanet by Sandwich and by the Sea near VVestchester The last in the miry Marsh in th Isle of Shepey by the way from the Kings Ferry to Sherland house Rock Sampire flourisheth in May and June and must be gathered to be kept in pickle in the beignning of August They all flower and seed in the end of July and August The Temperature Sampire is conceived to be hot and dry in the second degree and of a cleansing or scouring faculty The Vertues Of all the Sawces which are very many there is none so pleasant none so familiar and agreeable to mans body as Sampire both for digestion of Meates breaking of the Stone and voiding of Gravell in the Reines and Bladder It provoketh Urine also and Womens Courses and prevailes against the Jaundâ—se the Leaves seeds and Roots being boiled in Wine and drunk and so it openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleene and all other stoppings of the intralls whatsoever from whence and from ill digestion moâ—â— of the diseases whereunto the fraile Nature of man is subject are caused so that it is great pitty that it is no more in use It is very pleasant both to the Taste and Stomack not only by the Saltnesse but by the Spicynesse in it likewise whereby it is very available to whet a dull Stomack It is eaten raw as well as boyled by those which live where it growes but the best way is to boile it in water till it be tender and then pickled up in a Barrell with a convenient Liquor made of Vinegar Water and Salt it will be fit for ones own occasions at any time or to present to a freind as usually it is or to sell CHAP. CCXL Of Fraxinella or False white Dittany The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chamaemelium which signifies as much as Fraxina humilis or the low or dwarfe Ash because of the resemblance of its winged Leaves to those of the young Ash and therefore it is called in Latine Fraxinella being a diminutive of Fraxinus Yet some do call it Dictamus albus or Dictamnus albus and Diptamus albus to distinguish it from the Dictamnus Creticus which is a farre differing Plant. Some would have it to be Tragium of Dioscorides but besides other differences it yeeldeth no juicy Milke as Tragium is said to doe We in English do either call it Fraxinella and Bastard Dittany from the Latine Dictamus being also a corrupted word but it is more properly to be called False white Dittany then Bastard Dittany because there is another Plant to which the name of Pseudo dictamnus doth more properly belong and therefore a distinct Epithet is necessary to avoid confusion The Kindes But if this Fraxinella be called False white Dittany it must not take its denomination from the flowers for of the four sorts there is but one that hath a white Flower 1. Fraxinella with a reddish Flower 2. Fraxinella with a red Flower 3. Fraxinella with a white Flower 4. Fraxinella with an Ash coloured Flower The Form Fraxinella is a very goodly Plant rising up with divers round hard brownish stalks neere two foot high the lower parts whereof are furnished with many winged Leaves somwhat like unto Liquorice or a small young Ash-Tree consisting of seaven nine or eleaven Leaves set together which are somwhat large and long hard and rough in handling the two first of a darke but the two later of a fresher greene colour and of an unpleasant strong or resinous sent the upper parts of the stalkes are furnished with many flowers growing spike fashion at certaine distances one above another consisting of five long Leaves a peece whereof foure that stand on the two sides are somwhat bending upwards and the fift hanging down but turning up the end of the leafe a little againe having in the middle a tassell of five or six long threds that bow down with the lower Lease and turne up also the ends againe with a little freese or thrum at the end of every one after the flowers are past arise hard stiffe rough clammy husks horned or pointed at the end foure or five standing together somwhat like the seed Vessels of Columbines but greater thicker and harder wherein is contained round shining black seed greater then any Columbine seed by much the root is white large
all sorts of wounds and Ulcers to dry sodder cleanse and heale them and should be a principall Ingredient in all Wound drinks and Injections Yet it is effectuall in many other Cases also for the Roots thereof being steeped in wine and drunk or the powder thereof given in wine is good for such as have the Dropsy or Jaundise or are troubled with the stoppings of the Liver It is also used for Ruptures Crampes and Pleurisies and for an old Cough shortnesse of breath and other diseases of the Lungs Gripings in the Belly and paines of the Mother Being scraped and put up as a Pessary it procureth womens Courses and causeth the Dead Birth to be avoided the juyce thereof used after the same manner worketh the like Effects It helpeth the Strangury and pissing by drops as also the Stone if the decoction or Powder thereof be taken and the juyce injected The decoction or juyce of the Root or a dram of the powder thereof drunk and the wound washed therewith taketh away the paine and danger of the bitings or Stingings of Venemous Creatures It helpeth to sharpen the Eye sight if it be steeped in Water and dropped into them CHAP. CCXLVIII Of Lovage The Names IT hath no Greek Name that I can meet with It is called in Latin Levisticum which is the proper and onely Latine Name thereof Ligusticum being a far different plant although some being deceived with the vicinity of the name have taken them to be both one The Kinds As the Names of Lovage are but few so the sorts are not many for of it I find but two 1. Ordinary Lovage 2. The Lovage of Germany The Forme Ordinary Lovage hath many long and great stalkes of large winged Leaves divided into many parts like Smallage but much larger of a sad green colour smooth and shining every Leafe being cut about the edges and broader forward then towards the Stalke The Stalkes that arise from thence are diverse and of different proportions according to the goodnesse or badness of the Soile wherein they grow as also to their time of continuance for though in a fat soile where it hath grown long they attaine unto the height of five or six foot yet if the ground be barren or the herb but newly set they seldome exceed three or four answerable whereunto is the bignesse of them being green and hollow set with lesser leaves then those that grow below towards the tops of these come forth other smaller branches bearing at their tops large Umbels of yellow Flowers which turne into flat brounish seed somewhat like the seed of Angelica The root groweth large both in length and thicknesse being of a brownish colour without side and white within The whole Plant smelleth strong and in tast is both hot sharp and biting The Places and Time Both the sorts are Inhabitants in the Gardens of those that love Physicall herbs especially and sometimes in the Garden of those that understand it not the first being common to divers Countryes the second proper to Germany yet neither of them are found wild in any part of Europe if they be any where else The root in continuance of time spreadeth much for it endureth long and sendeth forth every yeare new stalkes which hold the Flowers in the end of July and the seed in August The Temperature Lovage is hot and dry in the third degree and is of thin parts also The Vertues Halfe a dram of the dryed Root of Lovage in powder taken in Wine doth wonderfully warm a cold Stomach helping digestion and consuming all superfluous moisture and raw humours therein as also in the Guts and therefore it easeth all inward gripings and paines both of the Stomach and Belly as also by dissolving wind and expelling it effectually which is an utter enemy to them both and it is commended for resisting poyson and infection that may assault either of them or any other part The said Root boiled in Wine or Barly-water cleanseth the Lungs openeth the passages of the Vrine provoketh Womens Courses mightily and healeth inward Wounds Being bruised in a Mortar before it be dryed and steeped for twelve houres in faire Water then strained and two or three spoonfuls drunk first and last morning and evening asswageth any drought or great desire to drink when no ordinary liquor will do it and this it performeth by a specifick property for the Root is well known to be hot To drink the Decoction of the herbe for any sort of Ague and to help the cold paines and torments of the Body and Bowels comming of cold was not long since a known and much practised Remedy but the present Age which forgets every thing that should do it goood knowes none such as far as I can under-stand The seeds drunk in White-wine fasting either in powder or boyled therein and strained doth purge both upwards and downwards and being used in Glisters it easeth the Gout in the feet Being steeped a night in Wine or else boiled therein and drunk it provoketh the Termes and expelleth the Dead-child and likewise opens the stoppings of the Spleen but because the seeds be very strong the like weight of Annise and Fennel may be mixed with them to qualifie them And to be briefe the seeds are as effectuall to all purposes as any other part of it and worketh more powerfully in Womens diseases The distilled water of the herb helpeth the Quinsey in the Throat if the Mouth and Throat be gargled and washed therewith and helpeth the Pleurisy being drunk three or four times Being dropped into the Eyes it taketh away the rednesse and dimnesse of them It likewise taketh away the spots or freckles of the Face The Leaves bruised and fryed with a little Hogs-lard and laid to any botch or boyl will quickly break it and being boyled in water and bathed therein it provoketh Vrine expelleth the Stone and healeth the inward parts Being applyed three or four times with Rue and Honey to the Knees of those that are troubled with pain in them it is a good expedient for the removing thereof The people of Germany and of this and other Countreys also in former times used both the Root in Powder and the seed to season their Meats and Brothes and found them as effectuall to comfort and warm the Stomack but now a dayes whatsoever is not farre fetched will hardly please The green roots pickled with salt and vinegar are a good sawce for those that are troubled with wind but if they be preserved with sugar they are more acceptable to the Palate CHAP. CCXLIX Of Tansey The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Athanasia peradventure from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying sine morte or non moriens that is immortall because the yellow Flowers gathered in due time will continue very lively a long while It is also called Athanasia in Latine Tanacetum corruptly taken as Fuschius imagineth for Tagetes or Apuleius his Arthemisia Tragantes yet I
the Description The Forme Rice cometh up in a manner like unto wheat but that the stalks seldome exceed a yard in height and the Leaves are much thicker which come forth at the joynts as those of the Reed do at the top whereof groweth a bush or tuft spiked yet spread into branches sending forth purplish blossomes standing a part each from one another after which cometh the seed inclosed in a brown straked husk and an awn or beard at the end of every one of them as Barly hath which beink husked or hulled is very white blunt at both ends but not altogether so big or long as Wheat The Root is like unto that of other grain perishing every year after it hath brought its seed to its full bignesse as other Grain doth The Places and Time Rice is usually sold heere in England by the Druggists and others that deal in the like Commodities but it is brought to them by the Merchants out of divers parts as the East-Indies where it is their chiefest food as you shall hear anon from Syria Aethiopia and Africa and not only from thence but from Spaine Italy and Germany to all which places it was brought from the East Indies where it groweth most naturally in Fenny and waterish places being sowne in the Spring and gathered about the middle or end of Autumne The Temperature It is somewhat binding and drying but otherwise it is very temperate scarcely exceeding in heat or cold The Vertues The use of Rice is very much commended by the Physitians of all Ages to stay the I asâ—s and Fluxes of the Belly as well as the Stomack and is prescribed by those even of later times for the same purpose as also for the Hemorrhoides or Piles especialiy if it be a little parched before it be used and afterwards boyled in Milk wherein hot Steele or hot Stones have been quenched But if that be not sufficiently effectuall for the Flux there may be pottage made thereof after this manner Take a good handful of Oaken bark and boyl it in a gallon of running Water to the 〈…〉 half or thereabouts then straining it and suffering it to cool take half a pound of Jordan Almonds and beat them in a Mortar with Hulls and all on afterwards strain them with the aforesaid Water and so with Rice make Pottage O 〈…〉 it blanched Almonds be stamped with Rosewater and strained into Rice broth pottage or milk it is also very good for the Flux and so is the Flower or Meal taken either in a Potion or Glister The ordinary sort of Rice pottage made with Rice well steeped and boyled in Water and good Milk and spiced with Sâ—gar and Cinnamon is very pleasant and easy of digestion and is thought to encrease the naturall seed as Matthiolus writeth The fine flower hereof mixed with yolks of egges which being fryed with fresh butter and eat morning and evening helpeth the bloody Flux The same is put into Cataplasmes that are applyed to repell humours that fall to any place and may be conveniently applyed to Women breasts to stay Inflammations but it must be at the beginning Being boyled in running Water and the face washed therewith taketh away pimples spots and other deformities thereof It is without question very excellent and wholesome food for the East Indians whose generall feeding it is do live more free from sicknesse and longer then others that meddle not with it sometimes they boyl the grain till it be plump and tender but not broken having a little green Ginger and Pepper and Butter put to it and sometimes they boyl the peeces of flesh or Hens and other Foul cut in peices in their Rice which dish they call Pillaw being as they order it an excellent and well tasted Food They have many other dishes wherein Rice is an ingredient as in Catcheree Dupiatcâ— and Mangee-real as the Portugals call it which signifies as much as Food for a King They eat it likewise with their Fish and please themselves much therewith When Sr. Thomas Row was sent Ambassadour from England to the Great Magul he and Mr. Terry his Chaplain were entertained by Asaph Chan the greatest Favourite in all that Empire the Ambassadour had threescore and ten dishes Asaph Chan threescore Mr. Terry fifty in most of which were Rice presented some white some yellow some green some purple as also in their Jelâ—ies and Culices The meaner sort of people also eat Rice boyled with their Green-Ginger and a little Pepper after which they put Butter into it but this is their principall dish and but seldome eaten of them being to them as Rost-meat is to poor folkes amongst us And so much for the great estimation that Rice hath in the East Indies which is indeed the wholesomest grain that grows though not so much in use amongst us CHAP. CCLXIV Of Flix-Weed The Names IT hath no pure Greek name set down by any Author that I can find yet those Latine names that it hath obtained are many of them composed of Greek as well as Latine as Pseudonasturtium sylvestre Sophia Chirurgorum and Thalietrum or Thalictrum but not truly for that name belongeth to the Rubarbe that growes in our Medowes It is called Pseudonasturtium sylvâ—stre because it pertaines to the Family of the wild Crâ—sses but why it is called Sophia Chirurgorum I know not unlesse it be the Sophia Paracelsi wherewith the Paracelsians pretend to do wonders in uniting broken bones and healing old sores yet though the matter be disputable it is generally called and knowne by the name of Sophia Chirurgorum In English it is called Flix-Weed from the Vertues that it hath to cure the Flix The Kindes And because Flix-weed is said to be of the Family of wild Cresses I shall adde one or two more thereunto so that there is 1 Common Flix-weed 2 Broad leafed Flix-weed 3 Narrow leafed wild Cresses 4 Spanish wild Cresses The Formes Flix-weed riseth up with a round upright hard stalke half a yard or two foot high but seldome more spread into sundry branches whereon do grow many Leaves of an overworn grayish green colour sinely cut and divided into a number of fine jagges like unto those of the Worm-wood commonly called Roman The Flowers which are small and of a dark yellow colour do grow in a spiked fashion upon the tops of the spriggy branches after which come very small long Pods with much small yellowish seed in them The Root is long and woody perishing every year yet if it be suffered to seed and shed it will not faile you of many appearances for one the next year The Places and Time The three first grow very frequently by Hedge-fides High-wayes upon old Walls and amongst rubbish in most places of this Land especially the first The last hath been found only in the Kingdome of Valentia in Spain They Flower from the beginning of June to the end of September the seed ripening in the meane while The Temperature Flix-weed is said
away there succeed round heads which is smal and of a brownish colour The Root consisteth of a great number of fibres or stringes which being fastened to the bottome of the stalk feedeth it with sufficient nutriment in the Summer but not in the Winter for then the stalk perisheth The Places and Time The first groweth in our Land as frequently as any Plant whatsoever by Brooks and other Water-courses but is seldome found for from the Water side unlesse it hath been purposely removed into a Garden or so The second groweth in the like places of Germany about Basil and will abide in Gardens if it be brought thither for rarity sake They flower in July and August and their seed is ripe shâ—rtly after The Temperature It is said that Water-Betony is hot and dry but the operations that proceed therefrom do speak it rather to be of a cold quality The Vertues Mr. Langbam a well experienced and industrious Practitioner of Physick in his Garden of Health doth in divers places of that Chapter which he writes concerning Water-Betony commend it for the Piles or Hemorrhoides whether the Root be eaten or stamped and applyed thereunto or the Leaves and Seed-cases bruised and applyed outwardly likewise or the Powder of it drunk or strewed thereon The Leaves Stalkes Seed Root or Juyce are likewise good to wast and dissolve any other swelling or hardnesses in any part whatsoever being stamped with Vinegar and applyed Morning Noon and Night The leavs only stamped and applyed to old rotten corrupt spreading and fretting sores and Pocks healâ—th them and Canckers also being applyed with Salt The juyce being pressed forth of the whole herb and drunk helpeth those that spit blood or are troubled with any Flux or excesse of Flowers or bleeding at the Nose and driveth out the botch in the Throat A dram of the seed drunk in Wine is effectuall to expell all sorts of Wormes out of the Belly or parts adjacent and so it is a remedy against venemous bitings The said seed taken in Wine with Myrrhe and Pepper is very good for the Sciatica The Leaves or Seed-cases bruised and applyed unto fresh sores healeth and skinneth them and so it doth rotten sores swellings and Lepry and so doth the juyce of the whole Herb and Root taken in May and kept in a close glasse for your use which must be ordered in this manner as often as need is Take thereof with Wax and Oyl of each a like quantity which boyled till it be an Oyntment will be fit for the purpose The juyce boyled with a little Honey and tents dipped therein are very effectual to cure such sores as are dressed therewith whether they be old or fresh and is good for bruises and hurts whether inward or outward The herb alone sodden in Spring Water quencheth all unkind heats without danger and exceedeth all other Medicines for the Lepry Scab Itch Boyles Wheales Pushes c. and the stamped Leaves and Creame are used for the same purposes The distilled Water of the Leaves is available for many of the like uses as also to bath the face and hands that are discoloured by the sun or have any spots or blemishes thereon as also for any rednesse or high colour of the face The said Water or the juyce of the Leaves mixed with a little Brimstone and Salt-Peter taketh away the ach of the eyes and the seed mixed with honey and applyed to the forehead stoppeth the running of them and the juyce of it and Comfrey removeth the dulnesse of them Those parts which serve for Nutrition being thus spoken to as also those that are subservient to them I shall now without saying any thing more of such Plants as might be referred to the last Transition passe unto those parts which are ordained for Generation and first I shall speak of such Simples as provoke Lust Secondly of such as abate Lust Thirdly of such as provoke Womens Courses Fourthly of such as stop Womens Courses Fifthly of such as help the Disease called the Mother and other effects of the Wombe Sixthly of such as are profitable for Ruptures And Seventhly of such as help the Diseases of the Privy Members to every of which Heads I shall appropriate divers Plants and speak to them in order And first to those which provoke Lust of which there may be some occasion to persons that are married and destitute of Children single persons having more need to observe the next head then this CHAP. CCLXVII Of the Artichocke Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scolymus of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cactos of Theophrastus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cynara and Cinara of divers others which last name is by the Poets derived either from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Canis because when King Locrus enquired of the Oracle where he should build a Citty the Oracle answered in that place where he should be bit by the Leg with a Wooden Dog who hurting his Leg with a wild Articoock as he passed by understood that that was the Woodden Dog which the Oracle meant and so he built the City there where it grew Or from Cinara who being a fair Maid was turned into an Artichock It is called also in Latine Cinara and so one would have it to be originally so deriving it a Cinerâ— either because it delighteth to be danged with Ashes or because the Leaves are of an Ash colour The Kindes There be severall sorts of Artichocks 1 The red Artichock 2 The white Artichock 3 The French Artichock 4 The Thistle Artichock 5 The Chardon 6 The wild Artichock of Candy The Formes The Artichock hath divers great large and long hollowed Leaves much cut in or as it were torn on both the edges of a whitish green colour from whence riseth up a strong thick and round stalk covered many times with a thin skin like unto down bearing at the top one scaly head somewhat like unto a Pine Apple at first but afterwards the scales become more separated yet in the best kinds they stare not much being either of a reddish brown whitish or greenish colour in some broad at the ends in others sharp or prickly after the said head hath been suffered to stand a long while in some there will break forth at the top thereof many blewish purple thrums or threads under which groweth the seed amongst the choaky or downy substance in the middle of the head and under that the edible substance which is most commended The Root spreadeth it selfe in the ground reasonable well yeelding divers heads of Leaves or suckers whereby it is increased if so be the head be cut of before it flower otherwise it will hardly abide the next Winter The Places and Time The two first have been so long planted in Gardens that their naturall place is no where expressed by any Author The third seemeth by its name to have been brought out of France to us but whether
them forth but healeth up the place again gathering new flesh where it was consumed The juyce of the Leaves dropped into the eares helpeth the Imposthumes therein The distilled water of the whole Herb when the Leaves are young is profitably drunk for all the diseases aforesaid as also to cause Mirth by driving melancholy from the heart to help Quartane and Quotidian Agues and those that have their Necks so drawn awry that they cannot stir them unlesse they move their whole Bodies The young and tender shoots are eaten of divers where they grow plentifully being almost as available to provoke Lust as the Rootes CHAP. CCLXIX Of Potatoes The Names IT is not probable that I should shew you by what names the ancient Greek and Latine Writers did call these kinds of Plants they being as I suppose knowne to neither of them being brought of later years from the Indies so that I hope it will be sufficient to tell you how the Moderne Writers have called them Clusius calleth the Spanish Potatoes which are those in most request now amongst us Battata Camotes Amotes and Ignanes or as some write it Inhames Those of Virginia are called Battata and Battatas Virginiana sive Virginianorum Papas Papus and Pappus Those of Canada which we in English call Jerusalem Artichocks because the Root being boyled is in taste like the bottom of an Artichock are called by Pelleterius Heliotropium Indicum tuberosum by Columna Flos Solis Farnesianus sive Aster Peruvianus tuberosus The Names and Kinds being thus mixed together I shall proceed to the description of those that are called Spanish Potatoes because they are most for our purpose as being most respected The Vertues The Spanish Potatoes rise up with many long branches which by reason of their weight and weaknesse lie trailing on the ground whereon are set at severall distances broad and in a manner three square Leaves somewhat like unto those of the Winter Cherry of a dark green colour the two sides thereof being broad and round and the end pointed reasonable close together The Roots for we have not read either of the seed or flower are firm sweet and very many like in shape and form unto Asphodell Roots but much greater and longer of a pale brown colour on the outside but white within set together at one head The Places and Time The Potatoes which we call Spanish because they were first brought up to us out of Spaine grew originally in the Indies where they or at least some of this kind serve for bread and have been planted in many of our Gardens wherein they decay rather then increase but the soyle of Ireland doth so well agree with them that they grow there so plentifully that there be whole fieldes overrun with them as I have been informed by divers Souldiers which came from thence The Names of the second and third do sufficiently speak their places yet it will not be amisse to tell you that the last came from Canada and not from Jerusalem notwithstanding some ignorant people that have them growing in their Gardens with us call them Artichocks of Jerusalem The first beareth its green Leaves all the Summer which perish with the Stalke at the first approach of great frosts The second thrusteth forth its Leaves in the beginning of May the flowers bud forth in August and the fruit is ripe in September The last flower about the latter end of Summer and the Roots are fit to be taken up from the time that the Stalke is withered until it spring again which is the greatest part of the Winter The Temperature The Leaves of Potatoes are hot and dry as may plainly appear by the taste but the Roots are of a temperate quality The Vertues Which way soever Potatoes be dressed they comfort nourish and strengthen the Body procuring bodily lust and that with greedinesse Some onely roast them under the Embers to take away their windynesse and then eat them after they are peeled Others having roasted them and peeled them as before put them into Sack with a little Sugar or without and so they are delicate to be eaten They are used also to be baked with Marrow Sugar Spice and other things in Pyes which are a costly and dainty dish for the Table And some there be that preserve and candy them as they do divers other things and so ordered they are very delicate and fit to accompany other sweet Meats when a Banquet is presented The Virginia Potatoes may be dressed after any of the aforesaid wayes but they are not altogether so delicate as the former The Potatoes of Canada called Jerusalem Artichocks as I said were of great account when they were first received amongst us but by reason of their great increasing they are become common and consequently despicable especially by those which think nothing good unlesse it be deer but if any one please to put them into boyling Water they will quickly become tender so that being peeled sliced and stewed with bâ—tter and a little Wine they will be as pleasant as the bottome of an Artichocke CHAP. CCLXX. Of Skirret The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Sisarum and Siser in Latine being the saâ—e Root which Tiberius the Emperour so much loved that he commanded it to be conveyed unto him from Gelduba a Castle in Germaâ—â— standing about the River Rhene as Pliny reporteth divers of the later Herbâ—rists do call it Servillum or Chervillum and Servilla and we in English Skiriet and Skiâ—wort they being much mistaken who think Siser to be a Parsnep The Kindes There be but two sorts of Skirrets and one of them must be fetched as far as Aegypt 1 The Common Skirret 2 Skirrets of Aegypt or white Carrots The Forme The Common Skirret hath sundry stalks of winged leaves which are composed of many others oppositely set upon a middle rib and every one snipt about the edges somewhat like unto those of the Parsnep but that they are smaller and further set a sunder being also smoother and greener from amongst which riseth up the stalk not much above half the height of the Parsnep bearing at the tops umbels of white flowers which afterwards turn into small dark seed somewhat bigger and darker then Parsley-seed The Root is composed of divers small long lesser Roots meeting together in one head like the Aâ—phodill banched out and uneven or rugged of a whitish colour even on the outside but more white within having in the middle of the Root a long small hard pith or string which no other Root that either hath been or now is edible hath besides it The Places and Time The naturall places of the first is in Narbone which is almost forgotten through its long continuance in Gardens where the second groweth not being found wild in Aegypt by grand Cairo as Raâ—wolsius saith Some sow them of seed amongst their Onions in February or March which is as good alway for them as for Parsneps for
use in â—â—king Cordage We in English call it Hâ—mpâ— and sometimes Welsh Paâ—slâ—â— and Nâ—â—k weed but these are but Nick Nâ—mes The Kindes Though custome hath caused the barâ—en Hempâ— to be called the Female and that which beares Sâ—â—d to be the Male yet I see no reason for it they being from the same Seed and therefore must be of the same kind howsoever there be two sorts hereof 1 Common Hemp. 2 Virginian Hempe The Forme The common Hemp which is that which is manured both Male and Female riseth up out of the ground after the same manner neither can they be distinguished till they come to be well growne and then the Female as they call it which is ripe and must be pulled first is easily knowne from the other by the fewnesse of its Leaves which are smaller and of a lighter green colour then the other but the Male hath the stronger stalks with a more bushy head and greater Leaves of a dark green colour The Female beareth flowers and no feed followeth the Male beareth seed without any shew of flowers and endureth longer before it be ripe They both rise up to be five or six foot high if the ground wherein they grow be rank but not otherwise with many Leaves set thereon at distances which are subdivided into divers others yet standing upon one foot stalk somewhat like unto the Leaves of Bastard Hellebore or Bears foot but more dented about the edges The seed is contained in divers husked bunches coming from the bottom of the Leaves which being prepared and make fit to be threshed it cometh forth being almost round with a somewhat hard shell under which lieth a kernell of a white substance The Roots are made of many strong strings which take fast hold in the ground so that they are very troublesome to pull up unlesse the ground be mellow or presently afâ—er rain yet they die and perish every year The Places and Time The first is sowne in most Counties of this Land but not so frequently in some as in others yet wheresoever it â—is it delights in a well dunged and watery soyle which must be either plowed or digged deep or else it thriveth not It is sowne in March or April and riseth out of the ground within few dayes after it is committed thereunto making its way through Cloth Shooe Soales or any such thing that lies over it The Female Hemp is ripe in July and therefore called Summer Hemp the Male in September when the Winter approacheth and therefore it is called Winter Hemp. The Temperature There be some that speak Hemp to be cold and dry but the major part of Writers are of opinion that it is hot and dry The Vertues The Seed of Hemp used frequently is good for those which are troubled with a thorn in the flesh for besides that it consumeth windinesse it doth so much disperse it that it dryeth up the naturall Seed of procreation therewith Being boyled in Milk and taken it helpeth such as have a dry and hot Cough as Tragus saith An Emulsion made of the Seed is given with good successe to those that have the Jaundise especially in the beginning of the disease if there be no Ague accompanying it for it openeth the Obstruction of the Gall and causeth digestion of Choller therein A decoction of the said Seed stayeth Laskes and Fluxes that are continuall easeth the pains of the Chollick and allayeth the troublesome humours in the Bowels An Hempseed Posset with some Nutmeg procureth Sleep being taken bedward The Leaves fryed with some of the blood of those who bleed exceedingly and eaten stayeth the issuing out thereof whether it be at the Mouth Nose or any other place The juyce of the Leaves are held to be very effectuall to kill worms either in Man or Beast and being dropped into the eares it killeth the worms that are in them and draweth forth Eare-wigs or other living Creatures gotten into them The decoction of the Root allayeth Inflammations in the Head or any other parts and so doth the Herb it self or the distilled Water thereof The said decoction easeth the pains of the Gout the hard tumors or knots in the joynts the pains and shrinking of the Sinewes and the pains of the Hip The fresh juyce mixed with a little Oyl and Butter is good for any place that hath been burnt with fire being thereto applyed Notwithstanding these Vertues it is said to be hard of digestion hurtfull to the Head and Stomack and breedeth ill blood and juyce and in the body if it be taken without discretion Concerning the gathering shocking threshing watering peeling or stripping braking dressing and spinning of Hemp I dare not be too particular lest I should be contradicted by every Country Huswife every of which doth very well know that the Summer Hemp affordeth most Teere as they call it and maketh the siner Cloth for Shirts Smocks Aprons Table Cloths and such like necessary uses and that the Winter Hemp hath in it more Hards which being Spun serveth for Sheets Dresser-Cloths and the like The Cordage that is made of the rough Hemp is not altogether inconsiderable for by it Ships are guided Bels are rung Rogues are kept in awe Beds are corded c. Nay the Rags of the old Cloth that is made of Hemp serve to make Paper which is as usefull a commodity as any whatsoever And if there be any one that is not sufficiently satisfied with these uses of Hemp and Hempseed let them read the Works of John Taylor the Water Poet who hath written very much in the praise of Hempseed CHAP. CCLXXXII Of the Water Lillie The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Nymphaea because it loveth to grow no where but in the Water which the Greeks sometimes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though that word hath other significations also or rather from the Story though fabulous for many of purplants have received names upon such accounts of the Nymph which pind away for the love of Hercules and was changed hereinto It is called by the Apothecaries Nenuphar by Apuleius Mater Herculara Algapalustris Papaver palustre Clavus Veneris and Digitus by Maâ—cellus Clava Hâ—rculis Some have called it in English the Water Rose as well as the Water Lilly The Kindes Of the Water Lillies both white and yellow there be seven sorts 1 The great common white water Lilly 2 The lesser white water Lilly 3 Small white water Lilly commonly called Froybit 4 The great white water Lilly of Egypt 5 The great yellow water Lilly 6 The smaller yellow water Lilly 7 Small yellow water Lilly with lesser flowers The Forme The great common white water Lilly hath very large round Leaves in the shape of a buckler thick fat full of juyce and of a dark green colour which standing upon long round and smooth foot-stalks full of a sponglous substance alwayes flote upon the water seldome or never growing above it from
divers Physitians that Camphire is cold and dry in the third degree but others esteem it to be hot because of its bitternesse and strong scent The Vertues Though the faculty which Camphire hath in extinguishing Venery be denyed by Scaliger who writes thus We have certain experience that Camphire doth not extinguish Venery for saith he a young Man did the feat lustily although he had a peece thereof in his hand He saith also that he tryed it upon a Bitch that went too proud to whom he gave and applyed it all the wayes he could devise but all in vain for Coivit concepit peperit Yet this experience is not sufficient for when it is said Camphire extinguisheth Lust it is not so to be understood as if by one act or by using it outwardly once or twice it should prevaile but it is to be often used both inwardly and outwardly and then it will be found wonderfull effectuall to that purpose It is also very available for the running of the Reines and likewise against the Whites in Women and also for the rising of the Mother being dissolved in Balme water by the help of a blanched Almond without which or some other Oyly or viscous thing as a Syrupe or the like it will not cold water having little or no power to make it relent It resisteth Putrifaction and Venome and is therefore frequently used in the time of the Pestilence both to defend those that are not infected from it and to expell it from those that are and to fortify the Heart in that as well as in Feavers and all other contagious diseases being taken either in Electuary Powder or Potion c. It cooles the heat of the Liver and Back and is good for all manner of inflammations which it is said to do by accident in drawing hot vapours and humours away and so discussing them in the same manner as Linseed-Oyle Vernix and such like doth cure burning for of its proper nature it is held to be altogether hot It helpeth the paines of the Head and the heat thereof if it be mixed with yellow Saunders and Red-Rose Water and the Temples and Forehead bathed therewith It stoppeth blood that floweth out of the Nosthrils if it be smelled to and refresheth the braine It is used with good successe against St. Anthonies fire and so it is against heat and inflammations of the eyes It is good in Wounds and Ulcers to abate the heat in them and is of much use among Women to beautify their face and is usefull also for Men that are troubled with heat and Pimples in their Faces Being applyed to the Reines or Testicles with the juyce of Nightshade it correcteth the Lust of the Flesh when it is inordinate and is good for single Persons to preserve their chastity It easeth the pains of the Teeth that are hollow being put thereinto and for this purpose the Oyl is very excellent Being put into a peice of fine Linnen or Tafâ—ecy and hanged about the Neck it cures Agues especially in Children and that by a specifick Vertue It is also good to recover the sense of smelling to those that have lost it and to preserve from infection in times of contagion When it is set on fire it will not suddenly quench though it be cast into Water and therefore it is used with other things to make Wildfire as they call it Notwithstanding the Vertues aforesaid it is not safely given to such as have weak Heads or Stomacks or to such as abhor the smell thereof for it causeth the Head-ach and taketh away Sleep neither is it to be given in Cholerick diseases And when neither of these affects do hinder 't is not safe to give above five or six grains of it at the most except it be in the Pestilence or such like disease CHAP. CCLXXXV Of Tutsan The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and also Androsaemum in Latine from the colour of the juyce which is in the Flowers resembling Mans blood for so the Greek word signifies Some have called it also Dionysia and others Siciliana and Herba Siciliana because it was thought to grow no where naturally but in Sicily It is called in English Tutsan from the French who call it Toutsaine and that properly because it is an excellent Wound herb Some call it also Parke Leaves because it is familiar to Woodes and Parkes The Kinds There be four sorts of Tutsan mentioned by Authors 1 Common Tutsan or Parke Leaves 2. Matthiolus his Tutsan 3 Tutsan of Naples 4 Stinking Tutsan The Forme Common Tutsan groweth up with brownish shining round stalkes chamsered or crested hard and woody being for the most part two foot high branching forth even from the bottom and having divers joynts at each of which stand two fair large Leaves of a dark blewish green colour on the upper side but somewhat yellowish underneath turning reddish toward the Autumne yet abiding on the branches all the Winter at the tops whereof stand larg yellow flowers which give place to Heads of Seed being at the first greenish then reddish and at last of darkish purple colour when they are full ripe wherein are contained not only small brownish seed but a reddish juyce or liquor like unto blood of a reasonable scent but of an harsh or stiptick tast as the Leaves also and Flowers be though in a lower degree The Root is brownish somewhat great hard and woody spreading well in the ground and of long continuance The Places and Time There are very few Woods Groves or woody Grounds as Parkes and Forrests where the first doth not grow whence it is brought by divers into their Gardens both because it is a gentile and an usefull plant The second is found about Bristow Bath and other parts of the West Country The third groweth Southward of Naples upon the Hills Cirinola The last groweth by the Waters side in Candy and upon Mount Baldus as Pona saith They flower in July and August and the Berries with the seeds are ripe in September The Temperature Tutsan moderately heateth and dryeth yet the seed is endued with an abstersive quality The Vertues The Leaves and Flowers of Tutsan are said to restrain those fleshly Motions wherewith divers are infested not onely when they are eaten but also when they are taken in drink or strewed under one but the seed much more being tosted and rubbed and then eat or drunk and Mr. Culpeper saith also they are Antivenereâ—ll and I think therein he speakes truth Castory being boyled in the juyce of Tutsan and drunk helpeth also that passion of the privy members called Gonorrhea which is an excretion or shedding of the Seed or Sperme against the Patients will caused either by some violent disease as the Falling Sicknesse Convulsion or Cramp or else by some overstraining of the body with lifting of extraordinary heavy burdens by which a flux or weaknesse of the retentive Vertue in the spermatick Vessels is sometimes procured and
upon other occasions as Sheepherds purse Strawberries Mirtles Water-lillies Plantaine Housleek Knotgrasse c. The way of using it for the distempers aforesaid is to boyl the roots in Water or Wine to drink the decoction and so it helpeth those that spit blood or that bleed at the mouth or that make a bloody Vrine and is very soveraign also for all inward hurts bruises and wounds and the ulcers of the Lungs The same also drunk stayeth the falling downe of Rheume from the head to the lungs the Fluxes of humours or blood by the belly and stoppeth not onely the Reds which are the mouthly Flowers of Women but the Whites also which is a continual distillation or flux of the Matrix proceeding from abundance of phlegmatick humours that oppresse the whole body and therefore it may not be stopped untill those evil humours be purged but that being done there is not a better remedy than this Decoction as also for the running of the Reines happening by what course soever The Syrup that is made of the said Roots is very effectual for all inward griefs and hurts aforesaid and the distilled Water may be used for the same though not so effectually and is usefull for outward Wounds and Sores in the fleshy or sinewy part of the body wheresoever The Decoction of the Leaves also â—s in some sort effectual for all the said purposes Camerarius saith that two ounces of the juyce being taken by one that is troubled with the Lethargy it restoreth him The said Roots bruised and applyed in the manner of a Plaister to any fresh or greene Wound or Cut helpeth the same immediately by glewing the lips of them together yea they are so glutinative that they will fasten together pieces of meat that have been cut asunder making them all into one lump if they be boyled in a pot therewith it must therefore be of especiall good use in all manner of Ruptures the decoction or Syrup taken inwardly and the Roots stamped and applyed to the place in the form of a Plaister The said Plaister is good to be applyed to Womens breasts that grow sore by much flowing into them as also to stop the over-much bleeding of the Hemorrhoides to cool the Inflammation and to give ease to such pains as happen thereabouts Being applyed after the same manner upon a piece of Leather as it may be also in the form â—r cases to any place that is troubled with the Gout it taketh away the pain presently and so it giveth ease to pained joynts and profiteth very much for running aâ—d mâ—st Vlcers Gangrenâ—s Mortifications and the like The powder of the dryed Root and Cynamon doth consolidate the Matrix of any one when it happeneth to be torn by sore travail in Child-birth CHAP. CCXCIII Of Mouseare The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myosota from whence these Herbs are generally called Myosotis but two of them especially the rest being more commonly called in Latin P 〈…〉 sella which is a kind of barbarous name put thereon because of its hairyness It is also called Auricula Muris for that resemblance that the Leaves have with the Eare of a Mouse as the Greek name doth likewise intimate Some call the greater sort Grim the Collier in English the middle sort Mouseare and the lesser sort â—corpion-Mouseare The Kindes To this kinde may be referred these seven sorts 1. The Common Mouseare 2. Great Mouseare 3 Codded Mouseare 4. Common upright Mouseare 5. Another upright Mouseare 6. Mouseare-Scorpion-grass 7. Water-Scorpion-grass The Forme The Common Mouseare is a low Herb creeping upon the ground by small strings or wires somewhat after the manner that the Strawberry-plant doth whereby it shooteth forth and increaseth each string taking root again after it hath run but a very little way and sending forth many small and somewhat short Leaves set in a round form together hollowish in the middle where they are broadest of an hairy colour all over as well above as below and very hairy resembling in many things the Eare of a Mouse which being broken do give a white Milk from amongst these Leaves spring up divers small hairy Stalks about an handfuâ—l long coming forth at the joynts of the Wires where there grow also divers Leaves but smaller than the former one at a place as the Flowers also do consisting of many pale yellow Leaves broad at the poynts and a little dented in set in three or four rowes the greater outermost and the smaller inward very like a Dandelyon flower but lesser being a little reddish underneath about the edges especially if it grow in dry ground turning at length into a certain Down which the wind carrieth away with the seed to boot The root is small and thredy The Places and Time The first groweth in most Pasture grounds of this Land especially if the soyl be but a little sandy the second doth sometimes grow in the like places but more usually upon Walls as upon Queenes Colledge wall in Oxford the third is also found in this Land growing in the borders of some Fields the fourth upon the banks of Ditches and in them also if they be dry the fifth upon dry barren Heaths especially upon Hamstead Heath where it is very plentifull the sixth is common upon the dry banks of ditches and the last will grow in ditches amongst the mud though there be some water in them as in the ditch between the two Waters next the Holly-bush at Oxford by the Cawsway that leads to Botly They abide green all the Winter and flower in June and July The Temperature Mouseare is hot and dry and of a clensing binding and consolidating quality The Vertues The juyce of Mouseare in Wine or the decoction thereof drunk is of very great force to stay the abundance of Wâ—meâ—s Courses as also the Whites and all other Fluxes of blood whether at the Mouth or Nose or by Stoole and all inward bleedings also the same is very availeable to help the Jaundise although of long câ—ntinuance to drink thereof morning and evening but then other drink must be abstained from two or three hours after and so it is often used as a speciall remedy against the Stone and other paines of the Bowels Being taken in like manner before the Fit of a Quartane Ague it is said to keep back and lessen the fit very much and by use of it to take it quite away The Decoction thereof with Succory and Centory is held very effectuall to help the Dropsie and them that are inclining thereto as also the diseases of the Spleen A Syrupe made of the juyce of Mouseare and Sugar is very usefull for such are as troubled with the Cough or Ptisick and helpeth exceedingly all Ruotures or Burstings if a spoonfull or two thereof be taken at a time The green Herb bruised and presently bound to any fresh Cut or Wound doth quickly bring together the Lips thereof for it is a singular good
Wound herb as well for outward as inward Wounds â—he Juyce or Decoction of the green or the powder of the dryed â—erb is most singular to stay the malignity of spreading or fretting Cancers or Vlcers wheresoever as well those in the Mouth as Secret parts of Men and Women The distilled Water is likewise very availeable in all the Diseases aforesaid as also to wash Wounds and outward Sores to dio the Tents wet Cloatheâ— therein that are to be applyed thereunto If Sheep be suffered to feed long in any such pâ—ace or pasture where Mouseare groweth in any plenty it maketh them to become very costive or stopped as the Sheepherds call it and therefore they are or should be carefull to keep them away from such places lest they grow sick and lean and die quickly as by the carelesnesse or ignorance of some young Sheepherds they sometimes do If hot Iron or Steele or any Instrument made thereof be quenched in the juyce of this Herb it hardeneth it so much that nothing can go beyond it And it is said that if it be given to any Horse that is to be shooed the Smith cannot hurt him CHAP. CCXCIV. Of Yarrow The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stratiotes Chiliophyllos Stratiotes because â—ouldiers heretofore made great use thereof to heale their Wounds having as is â—upposed learned â—he vulnerary qualiâ—y hereof from Achiâ—es that famous Disciple of Chiron who with one kinde hereof healed the Wounds of Telephâ—â— which hath ever since been called Achâ—llea and is by some used promiscuously for any sort of Yarrow though others restrain it to one only And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is added unto it as an Epithete to distinguish it from Water-Housleek or Fresh Water-Souldier which is called Stratiotes Potamâ—iâ—s setting forth thereby the great number of its Leaves And hence it is called in Latine Millefolium à foliorum multitudine a certain number being put for an uncertain but sure it is it hath abundance Some have also called it Supercilium Veneris Acrum and Acrum Sylvaticum in English Milfoile Yarrow and of some Nose-bleed by Antiphrasis as I conceive because being put into the Nose it stayeth the bleeding thereof The Kindes There be many sorts of Milfoile both of the Land and of the Water of each whereof I shall put down some 1. Common Yarrow or Mâ—lfoile 2. Yarrow with a red Flower 3. Yellow Milfoile 4. Achilles yellow Wâ—undwort 5. Achilles sweet Woundwort both which being most like Milfoile are by divers referred to this kinde 6. Ordinary VVater-yarrow 7. Small Water-Milfoile 8. Hooded Water-Milfoile 9. Crowfoot-Milfoile The Forme The Common Yarrow hath many long Leaves lying upon the ground which are subdivided or finely cut into so many small parts that it exceedeth the small Leaves even of the finest Tansey every one of which is a little jagged about the edges from among which do rise up two Stalks being round and green with such like winged Leaves as those below but smaller and finer the nearer they grow to the tops where stand many Flowers which are small and White upon a Tuft or Umbel close together each Flower being composed of five small round-pointed Leaves with a little yellowish Thrum in the middle of smell somewhat strong but not unpleasant being rubbed in the hand the Root consisteth of many long white strings which it sendeth forth both deep and spreading The Places and Time The first is very frequent in Pastures and upland Meadow grounds where the second groweth also but much more rarely The fourth fifth and sixth be strangers yet for their affinity and name-sakes I have put them down though they be conceived to grow in France and Italy The four last grow in the very Water some more frequently than others The hooded Water-Milfoile hath been seldome found but about Oxford they doe all flower in June July August or thereabouts The Temperature Yarrow is meanly cold and somewhat binding therefore it must be somewhat dry also The Vertues and Signature The decoction of Yarrow made in White-wine and drunk is an excellent remedy for the stopping of Womens Courses also and so it helpeth the Bloudy Flux or a good quantity thereof boyled in store of Water being made into a Bath and sate in or over performeth the same It is likewise very good to close up the stomacks of those who through weaknesse of the retentive faculty that should be in the mouth of the Stomack doe disgorge or vomit up whatsoever they put thereinto A draught thereof drunk before the Fit of an Ague and so for two or three Fits together is a good Medicine for it The Juyce of the Herb and Flowers taken either in Goats Milk or the distilled Water of the said Herb stayeth the running of the Reyns in men but it will be more effectuall if a little powder of Coral Amber and Ivory be put thereto An Oyntment that may be made hereof is not onely good for green Wounds but also for Vlcers and Fistulaes especially such as abound with moisture which it may be said to do by Signature the many Incisions that are upon the Leaves resembling those of Wounds or if your fancy will have it be more like unto Haire it stayeth the shedding thereof the head being bathed with the decoction thereof or anoynted with the oyle of it The powder of it being dryed taken in Comfrey or Plaintain-water is of excellent use to stay inward bleedings and being strewed upon any fresh wound that will not cease bleeding it stoppeth it immediately and so it doth the bleeding at the Nose being put thereinto The Juyce thereof put into the Eyes takeâ—h away the blood and rednesse therein and the root or green leaves chewed in the mouth ease the pains of the teeth An ounce of powder of the dryed Herb and Flowers with a dram of fine Bolearmoniack put to it taken three dayes together fasting in a draught of Milk is wonderfully commended by Matthiolus against pissing of blood If the Juyce or the Decoction be injected with a Syringe it cureth the inward excoriations of the Yard coming by reason of Pollutions or extreme flowing of the Seed although any Inflammation or Swelling should be caused thereby as hath been proved by some single or unmarried persons who have been very much oppressed upon this account CHAP. CCXCV. Of Medesweet The Names IT is called in Latin for it hath no Greek name that I can meet with Vlmaria à folâ—â—rum Vlmi similitudine from the similitude that is between the Leaves of this Plant and those of Elme but it is better known to most by the name of Regina Prati which Appellation hath been given unto it because in what Meadow soever it growes it is more perspicuous than any of the rest as also for the divers good qualities that are therein and therefore we call it Queen of the Meadowes as well as Medâ—sweet Some have called it Barba and Barbula Caprae and Barba
following sorts 1. Common Medow Trefoile with Purple Flowers 2. White flowred Medow Trefoile 3. Heart Trefoile or spotted Snaile Trefoile 4. Smooth upright narrow leafed Birds foot Trefoile 5. Great codded Trefoile 6. Small codded Trefoile 7. Roundheaded Trefoile 8. Green flowred Trefoile 9. Strawberry or Bladder Trefoile 10. Hop Trefoile 11. Little yellow Trefoile 12. The great Purple Trefoile 13 Knotted Trefoile 14. White Dwarfe Trefoile 15. Burgundy Trefoile or Medick Fodder 16. Yellow-horn Trefoile 17. Smooth Starry Trefoile 18. Marish Trefoile or Buckes Beans 19. Purplewort or Purplegrasse called in Latine Quadrifolium fuscum being as it seems rather a four leafed then a three leafed grasse The Forme Medow Trefoile shooteth up stalks about an handful long and sometimes longer round and somewhat hairy yet for the most part leaning towards the ground whereon grow Leaves consisting of three joined together one standing a little from another of which those that are next the ground and roots are rounder and those which grow higher are longer having for the most part in the midst a white spot like an half Moon from amongst which rise up stalkes of Flowers somewhat longer then the Leaves bearing many deep Purple Crimson flowers together in a tuft rising smaller up to the top which turn into little cods with small seed in them the root spreadeth much and endureth long The Places and Time The two first grow more frequently in Medowes then any of the rest yet there be others that grow there also some in one Countrey and some in another The third groweth in a Field between Longford and Bow as also beyond Southwarke in the right way from London to Croyden and the parts adjacent The eighth in Mr. Stonehouse his Orchard at Darfield The seventeenth groweth in divers Fenny and Moorish places The last groweth in divers Countrey Gardens as well as in the Gardens of the curious who also entertain divers of the other sorts They flower and flourish from May to August The Temperature Medow Trefoile both Leaves and Flowers are thought by some to be câ—oling and binding but others thinke them to be of a digesting and sâ—ppurating quality and there is no doubt but the rest do in some sort follow the Temperature of this The Vertues and Signature The Decoâ—tion of Medow Trefoile with its Flowers Seeds and Roots taken for some time helpeth Women that are troubled with the Whites and consequently the extraordinary over-flowing of their ordinary courses it being more then probable that what is availeable for the fiâ—st is profitable for the second because the first is harder to be cured The Decoction of the Leaves and Fâ—owers having some Honey put thereto and used in a Clyster easeth the fretting paines of the Guts and bringeth forth tough and slimy humors that cleave to the Guts The said Leaves boyled with a little Barrowes grease and used as a Pultis taketh away hot swellings and Inflammations The juice especially of that which is spotted upon the Leaves being strained and dropped into the Eyes or mixed with a little Honey and applyed is a familiar Medicine with divers to take away the Pin and Web as they call it in the Eyes by Signature and so it ceaseth the pain and Inflammation of them when they are bloud-shotten The said Juice is also held to be very available against the biting of an Adder being drank the herbe also being boiled in Water and the place washed with the decoction and then some of the herbe laid to the hurt place also and so is the herbe boiled in Swines grease and made into an oyntment The herbe also bruised and heated between two Tiles and applyed hot to the Share causeth them to make Water who had it stopped before It is held likewise to be good for wounds and to take away Scarres The Burgundy Trefoile called also Foenum Burgundiacum Burgundy Hay and Meddick Fodder is conceived by divers to be that which Dioscorides commends for its cooling property as also that whose Oyle as Aâ—icen saith is very effectuall against the trembling of the Heart An Oyle drawn out from the Seed as it is done from Almonds is said to be good for the Stone In those Countreys where it groweth plentifully it is found so powerfull to fatten Cattle that they are faine to be stinted lest they should grow so fat that suffocation shâ—uld ensue If the March Trefoile be the Isopyrum of Dioscorides as some suppose it to be then the Seed thereof is good against the Cough and other griefes of the Breast or Chest for as Galen saith it cleanseth and cutteth tough and grosse humors and maketh them the easier to be expectorate or spit forth it is also good to purge and cleanse the Liver and to help those that spit blood The Leaves of Purplewort stamped and the Juice given in drinke is very confidently administred and that with good successe not onely to Children but to others also that have the disease called in English the Purples which it doth by Signature And if the Heart Trefolle were used it would be found to be a great strengthner of the Heart and cherisher of the Vitall Spirits relieving the body against Faintings and Swoonings fortifying it against Poysons Pestilence and defending the Heart against the noisome vapors of the Spleen for it resembleth the heart both in forme and colour and surely it hath no so eminent Signatures for nothing CHAP. CCXCIX Of Moneywort The Names IT is called in Latine for Greek name it hath none that I can meet with in any Author Nummularia of the round forme of the Leafe somewhat like unto Money and Serpentaria because it is reported that if Serpents be hurt or wounded they doe recover themselves with this herbe Fuschsius calleth it Centummorbia from its wonderfull efficacy in healing Vlcers and green wounds and Tabermontanus would have it named Hirundinaria because as Swallowes doe usually fly close to the ground so this Plant cleaveth close to the Earth It is called in English Herb two pence Two-penny grasse but usually Money-wort The Kindes Though Moneywort seemeth to be of different sorts because it groweth to be of severall sizes yet that is to be impated to the fertility or â—â—â—rility of the soile they enjoy howsoever there be two sorts thereof 1. Common Moneywort 2. Small Moneywort with purplish Flowers The Forme The Common Moneywort sendeth forth divers long weak and slender branches lying and running upon the ground set with two Leaves at each joynt opposite one to another at equall distances which are almost as round as a penny but that they are a little pointed at the ends smooth and of yellowish green colour at the joynts with the Leaves from the middle forward come forth at the joynts sometimes one and sometimes two yellow flowers standing each upon a small footstalâ—e being composed of five narrow leaves pointed at the ends with some yellow threds in the middle which being past there stand in their places small round heads
of joynts a cubit high or thereabouts with two Leaves at every joynt and branches likewise from both sides the Stalks with fresh green Leaves somewhat broad and long withall about the bignesse of the Leaves of Basil finely dented about the edges In the Male at the joynts towards the tops of the Stalks and Branches come forth two small round green Heads standing together upon a short foot-stalk which growing ripe are the Seeds not having any Flower In the Female the Stalk is longer spike-fashion set round about with small green Husks which are the Flowers made like small branches of Grapes which give no Seed but abide long upon the Stalks without shedding The Root is composed of many small Fibres perishing every Winter rising again the next year of its own sowing if the seed of the male be permitted to shed and so the ground will be for ever furnished with both sorts of it for they both rise from the Seed of the Male in the same manner as Hemp and could not be distinguished one from another but by their Seed and Flowers The Places and Time The French Mercury groweth as well wild in divers places of the English Dominions as by a Village called Brookland in Rumney Marsh in Kent and by the Sea-side in the Isle of Wight as in Gardens where it is sometimes sown The Dogs-Mercury groweth by the Hedge-sides in most places of this Land also the Female being not so frequent as the Male but the Childs or Childing-Mercury groweth wild about Mompelier in France and in Spain and Italy and is a Sojourner in some of our Gardens They all flourish and seed in the Summer save the Childes Mercury which flowreth so late with us that it hardly beareth ripe Seed The Temperature Mercury is hot and dry yet not above the second degree it hath a cleansing faculty and a digesting quality also as Galen saith The Vertues Hipocrates whose skill in Physick was incomparable as appears by his learned Aphorismes doth very much commend the use of the French Mercury for Womens diseases for if it be applyed to the Secret parts by way of fomentation it easeth the pains of the Mother and if the Decoction thereof be used it procureth the Terms and expelleth the After-birth as also for the Stangury and diseases of the Reines and Bladder the decoction thereof with Myrrhe or Pepper being taken inwardly or the Leaves applyed outwardly or both He used it also for sore and watring Eys and for Deafness and pains in the Ears by dropping the juyce thereof into them and bathing them afterwards in White Wine The decoction of the Leaves or the juyce of them taken in broth or drink with as much Sugar put to it as will sweeten it purgeth cholerick and watrish Humours The decoction thereof made with Water and a Cock chicken is a most safe Medicine for the hot fits of the Ague â—t also cleanseth the Breast and Lungs of Phlegm but a little offendeth the Stomach The juyce or distilled water thereof snuffed up into the Nostrils purgeth the Head and Eyes of Catarrhes and Rheums Two or three ounces of the distilled water with a litle Sugar put to it and drunk in the morning fasting is used by some as a good Medicine to open and purge the Body of grosse viscous mâ—lancholy humours Matthiolus saith that both the Seed of the Male and Flowers of Female Mercury boyled with Wormwood and drunk cureth the Yellow Jaundise in a speedy manner The Leaves or the Juyce rubbed upon Warts taketh them away The Juyce mingled with some Vinegar helpeth all running Scabs Tetters Ringworms and the Itch. Being applyed in manner of a Pultis to any Swelling or Inflammation it digesteth and spendeth the humours which were the cause thereof and so helpeth it It is frequently used with other things to evacuate the Belly from offensive humours being given in a Clister Though Dog-mercury he less used because it is more common yet it may serve to purge waterish and melancholy Humours in the same manner as the former and also for other the said uses It is said of Childing Mercury that if the Male thereof be taken by a Woman three dayes together after conception and that her Courses be past she shall bring forth a Male Child but if she take of the Female it shall be a Girle and the same is said of the French Mercury but my Wife never tryed either of them CHAP. CCCXIV Of Madder The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Etruthrodanum and Eruthedanum from the red colour of the root and Rubia Tinctorum in Latine because Dyers make use thereof to colour Wooll as Leather-dressers also do to colour their Leather which is the name that the Shops use also yet Nicander calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Schyrium in Greek and others call it Rubâ—a in Latin without any addition The Kindes There be six kindes of Madder growing in our ownd Land 1. Red Madder commonly called Garden Madder 2. Wild Madder 3. Wild Madder with long Leaves 4. Sea Madder 5. Dwarf Madder 6. Little field Madder The Forme The manured or Garden Madder shooteth forth many Stalks which stand upright at their first coming up and so likewise if they be kept cut but if they be permitted to grow they become long weak and trailing upon the ground a great way unlesse they grow by some hedge and then they will climb thereon being four-square very rough and full of Joynts at every of which come forth divers long and somewhat narrow Leaves standing about the Stalks somewhat like the râ—well of a Spuâ— being very rough also neer unto the tops whereof do come forth many small pale yellow Flowers after which come small round heads green at the first and reddish afterward but black when they are ripe wherein are contained the Seed The Root is not so great as long creeping very far as well downwards as about the surface of the Earth fat full of substance and of a red and very clear colour whilst it is fresh The Places and Time The first though it be commonly manured for the great profit that is made thereof yet it groweth wild not onely upon S. Vincents Rock neer Bristoll and in the Hedges about Ruthland in Wales the second is natural also to some parts of this Land and so is the third which groweth in divers places of Dorset-shire the fourth groweth likewise in our own Country so do the two last They flower in June and July chiefly and the Seed of all of them is ripe in August or thereabout except the Sea kind which seldom perfecteth its Seed with us The Temperature Madder roots are hot in the second degree and dry in the third and have an opening quality and also an astringent property The Vertues and Signature The Decoction of Madder made in Wine and drunk doth not onely bring down the Courses in Women and provoke Vrine but bringeth away the
is not likely that this Commodity should have any Greek name the Ancients never having any knowledge of that part of the World The West Indians from whence it first came call it Guayacan and from thence it is called in Latine Guajacum by some Lignum Indicum Lignum Sanctum and Lignum Vitae In English Pockwood for its excellency in curing the French Pox and sometimes Indian Packwood because it is brought from the West Indies The Kindes I finde three sorts of Guajacum mentioned by some later Writers 1. The true Guajacum or Indian Pockwood 2. A West-Indian tree like Guajacum 3. A differing Indian Guajacum The Forme This Tree whereof Guajacum is the wood groweth to be of the bignesse of an Oake with a reasonable thick greenish gummy barke spread with sundry Armes and Branches both great and small and on them winged Leaves set by coupâ—es one against another which are but small thick hard and round almost with divers veines in them abiding alwaies green upon the branches at the joynts and ends of the branches come forth many flowers standing in a tuft together every one upon a long footstalke consisting of sixe whitish yellow Leaves not very great with some threds in the middle which afterwards turne into flat yellowish gristly fruit of the fashion of the seed Vessel of Thlaspi or else oâ— Shepheardâ— purse with two divisions likewise having in the one side a grâ—stly seed almost as hard as horne the other being for the most part empty hanging down together by their long foot-stalkes it yeeldeth also a Gumme or Rosiâ— of a darke colour which will easily burne The Places and Time All the three sorts of Guajacum grow in the West Indies and the first especially about Sâ—anto Doâ—ingo whence this disease was originally brought to the King of Spaines Campe which was at Naples in the yeare 1493. he being then treating of peace with the French King whose Army was thereabouts also and in a short time after infected with it The French-men thought that they got it by accompanying with the Spaniards as indeed they did and therefore they called it the Spanish Scab yet the â—paniards thought that the French had given it to them and they called it the French Poxe Others called it the Disease of Naples because it arose in those Coasts as they supposed when as truly it came from the West Indies and therefore some call it the Measells of the Indies Whence Monardâ—â— observes that God Almighty would so have it that as these Poxe came from those parts so should a Remedy be brought thence also Diseases and their Remedies commonly arising in the same Climate which is a wonderful Act of Providence The Temperature Guajacum or Pockwood is hot and dry in the second degree and hath a cleansing faculty The Vertues The principall Prerogative and Excellencie of Guajacum is that it is the best remedy in the world for those kind of Poâ—ks for it provoketh Sweate resisteth contagion and putrefaction and cleanseth the Blood and strengthneth the Liver which is a part many times affected in this disease the decoction of the Wood being made and used after this manner Take of Guajacum a pound of the bark thereof two ounces steep them in twelve or foureteen pints of Spring Water foure and twenty houres then boyl them to seaven or eight pints straine it and give thereof a good draught morning and evening and let the party sweat upon it and if you adde two ounces of Liquorish or more and some Anniseed it will be much more pleasant to take This decoction which was first discovered by an Indian to a Spaniard who had suffered great paines by the Poxe is good also in the Dropsie Falling-Sicknesse shortnesse of Breath in Catarrhs Rheumes and cold distiâ—ations of the Lungs or other parts Coughâ—s and Consumptions the Gout Sciâ—tica and all other Joynt-Aâ—hes and for cold Phlegmatick humors for the diseases of the Bladder and Reines and for all long and lingring diseases proceeding from cold and moist Causes for it openeth the stoppings of the Liver and Spleene warms and comforts the stomach and entralls and is good in Scabbes Itch Shinglâ—s Leprosie and the like as also in Fevers horrible Apostumations and swellings of the Belly the Jaundise c. It maketh the teeth white and firme if they be often washed with the decoction thereof The Barke is also given in the aforesaid Diseases from halfe a dram to a dram in powder and the Gum also is sometimes used but the Wood is of greatest use The best kinde whereof is the blâ—cker or browner for the yellow is but the Sap as it were the former being in a manner all Heart yet it is all firm hard close and heavy so that it will sink in water more thâ—n Ebony It is not so good for hot and dry bodies as it is in cold and moist and therefore for hot diseases use the more Water and the lesse Wood and for cold griefs more Wood and less Water CHAP. CCCXXVIII Of China The Names IT is called in Latine for Greek name it never had any China because the Root thereof was first brought from China which is a Country of the Orientall Indies and therefore also it is that it is called China Radix or Chinaea Radix in English as in divers other Languages it is called China but the Chineses call it Laâ—patan the Arabians and Persians Chophchina The Kindes The sorts of China that I finde mentioned are two 1. The true China Root 2. Bastard China The Forme The China groweth up with many prickly Branches of a reasonable great bignesse liâ—e unto Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed winding it self about Trees and hath divers Leaves growing on them like unto broad Plantane Leaves what Flower or Seed it beareth I finde not mentioned by any The Root is like to the root of a great Reed sometimes flattish sometimes round not smooth but bunched and knotty reddish for the most part on the out-side and whitish or sometimes a little reddish on the in-side the best is solid and firm and somewhat weighty fresh and not worm-eaten and without any taste The Places and Time It groweth not onely in China Malabar Cochin Cranganor Tanor and other places of the East Indies but also in the West Indies as Monardus saith Though the time be not expressed by any Author that I have met with yet I conceive it continueth green all the year long as divers other Plants there growing do As for the duration of the Root it will keep good many years The Temperature It is immoderately hot and very drying The Vertues The Root called China is not onely commended but daily proved to be most effectual in the French Dâ—sease the decoction thereof being made and given in manner following Take of China Root cut thin in slices one ounce and an half put into it a Gallon of faire Water and let it stand covered a night and a day then boyle it
become halfe foolish by wanting their wits and senses The Leaves dryed and given in powder to drink have the like operation yet in a weaker manner It is thought also that the Berries will procure Sleep being taken at night in Drink The Roots being made into powder and taken in Wine easeth the pain of the Cholick in a short space Crollius saith that the black Berries of the Herb-Paris have the Signature of the Apple of the Eye and therefore the Oyle Chymically extracted from thence is a Remedy so effectuall for all the diseases of the Eyes that it is called by some Anima Oculorum the soule of the Eye It was formerly thought to be very poysonous but Pena and Lobel by their experiments upon two Dogs found not onely that it was not dangerous but that it was effectual to expel the most deadly operation of Sublimatum and Arsenick Having now passed through the three Regions of Mans Body and taken notice of the principall parts thereof together with the Simples thereunto appropriated I come at last by the assistance of God to the Limbes to whose particular Maladies I should have spoken distinctly as I have hitherto to many particular distempers but the time not permitting by reason that the Printer is like to tarry if I make not the more hast I am compelled to be as briefe as I can and therefore I shall onely handle some principall Woundhearbes because the Limbes are more Subject to Wounds then any other part and so conclude CHAP. CCCXXXII Of St. Johns-wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 super imagines Spectra dominium habeat and therefore some of the Latines as Superstitious as the ancient Greekes have called it Fuga Daemonum supposing it to drive away Devils of which opinion was Paracelsus who called it Solterrestris the terrestriall sunne for the Sun in the firmament doth by its light as some suppose cause all the Spirits of darknesse to vanish so doth this saith he because it is principall of the Solar plants growing upon the Earth It is called Hypericum also in Latine and some call it Perforata or Pâ—rosa from the many holes that are to be seen in the Leaves being held against the light The Kindes I find but seven sorts of Salut Johns wort and therefore I shall put them all down 1. Common Saint Johns wort 2. Small upright Saint Johns wort 3. Small creeping Saint Johns wort 4. Round leafed Saint Johns wort 5. Great woolly Saint Johns wort 6. Small creeping woolly Saint Johns wort 7. Indian Saint Iohns wort with white Flowers The Forme The Common Saint Iohns wort shooteth forth brownish upright hard round stalkes about halfe a yard high spreading divers branches from the sides up to the tops of them having two small leaves set one against another at every place which are of a deep green colour somewhat like unto the leaves of the lesser Centory but narrower and full of holes in every leafe which cannot be so well perceives unlesse they be held up to the light at the tops of the stalks and branches stand yellow flowers made of five leaves a piece with many yellow threds in the middle which being bruised yeeld a reddish juice like bloud after which come small round heads wherein is contained small blackish seed smelling like Rosin the Râ—ot is hard and woody with divers strings and Fibres at it and of a brownish colour which abideth in the ground many yeeres though the stalkes perish every winter The Places and Time The fâ—are first grow in Woods and Copses and divers other places in the borders of fields and higher pasture-grounds in most places of this Land the fift was found neere Salamanca and Valentia in Spaine the sixt is found many times in our owne Countrey the last came from the West-Indies They doe all begin to flower about Midsummer and may therefore haply be called Saint Iohns wort and their seed for the most part is ripe in the end of Iuly and August The Temperature Saint Iohns wort is hot and dry and of thin parts as Galen saith The Signature and Vertues The little holes whereof the leaves of Saint Iohns wort are full doe resemble the pores of the skin and therefore it is profitable for all hurts and wounds that can happen thereunto and also for inward bruises aswell of the bodie and flesh as of the Joynts and Skin if it be made into an Oyle Oyntment or Salve bathe or lotion and used outwardly or boyled in Wine and drunke It hath power to open obstructions to dissolve tumors to consolâ—date or sodder together the Lips of Wounds and to strengthen the parts that are weake and feeble The decoction of Herb and flowers but especially of the seed made in Wine and drunke or the seed made into powder and drunke with the juice of Knot-grasse helpeth all manner of spitting and vomiting of bloud be it by any veine broken inwardly by bruises falls or the like The same helpeth those that are bitten or stung by any venemous Creature and is good for those that are troubled with the Stone in the Kid-neys or cannot make Water and provoketh Womens Courses Two drams of the seed made into powder and drunke in a little broth doth gently expell Choler or congealed bloud in the Stomach The Decoction of the Leaves and Seeds being drunk somewhat warme before the Fits of Agues whether they be quotidians tertians or quartans doth alter the fits and by often using doth drive them quite away The seed is much commended being drunke for fourty dayes together to help the Sciatica the Falling Sicknesse and the Palsy The Oyle of St. Johns-wort is excellent for old Sores and Vlcers aswell as green Woundes in the Legs or else where as also for cramps and aches in the joynts and paines in the Veines and burnings by fire and so is the Juice of the green Leaves being applyed or the powder of the herb strewed thereon CHAP. CCCXXXIII Of Clownes Woundwort The Names IT is thought of some to be of later invention than to have any Greek name yet it is very probable that though the vertues hereof were not throughly discovered till of late it was not onely known formerly but called also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as being a kind thereof because it is of so great efficacy to cure those wounds that are made with Iron and upon this account Thalius calleth it as is supposed Sideritis prima which he termeth gravis admodum odoris It is called in Latine Sideritis Anglica strumosâ radice and Panax Coloni because a Countryman cut his Leg to the bone with a Sithe and healed himself within seaven dayes with nothing but this herb and a little Hoggsgrease made into the forme of a Pultis and for the same reason it is called Clownes Woundwort in English and by some Clownes Alheale but neither Panax nor Allheale doe properly agree with it for though it
some of them being sometimes brownish the stalkes are branched into many long stemmes of spiked Flowers half a foot long growing in â—undles one above another out of small Huskes very like unto the spiked Heads of Lavender every of the flowers consisting of five round pointed Leaves of a Purple Violet colour tending to rednesse in which Huskes after the flowers are fallen the seed is contained the root creepeth under-ground almost like Couch-grasse but greater and shooteth up every Spring brownish heads which afterward growing up into Stalkes doe smell like Câ—â—led Apples whilest they are young The Places and Time The first groweth usually by Rivers and Ditches sides and in wet grounds in every Countrey of this Land almost the others grow in the like places but not so frequently but that which is most rare is the Yellow Willow herbe with double flowers which groweth by Kings Langley in Hartford shire Any of these being brought into Gardens doe prosper well enough as the Câ—amaenerion of Rosebay Willow herbe also doth though it grow not naturally in England June and July are the ordinary months wherein they flower yet some of them stay till August The Temperature All the sorts of Lysimachia are hot and dry and of an exceding binding quality The Vertues The distilled Water of Willow herb whether it be the yellow sort or that which I have described which is more common is exceeding soveraign for green Wounds whether they happen in the Body or Limbs if to every ounce of Water there be taken two drams of May Butter without Salt and of Sugar and Wax each as much also gently boyled together til it become to be an Oyntment and then let Tents be dipped in the Liquor that remaineth after it is cold and put into the Wounds and the place covered with a linnen Cloath doubled and anointed with the Ointment It likewise cleanseth and healeth all foule Vlcers and Sores whatsoever or wheresoever and stayeth their inflammations by washing them with the Water and laying on them a green Leafe or two in Summer or dry ones in the Winter The distilled Water aforesaid is a present Remedy for hurts and blowes on the Eyes and for blindnesse if the Christalline humor or Sight it so if be not perished or spoiled as hath been often proved and it is also of as good use to cleer the Eyes of Dust or any other thing gotten into them and preserveth the Sight The said Water gargled warm in the Mouth and sometimes drunk also doth cure the Quinsey and Kings-Evill in the Throat The same being warmed and the Skin washed therewith taketh away all Spots Markes and Scarres thereof and a little of it drank quencheth the thirst extraordinarily And not onely this but the Yellow sorts also are good for all manner of Bleeding at the Mouth or Nose or of Wounds and stayeth all manner of Fluxes of the Belly or the Bloudy Fluxe given either to drink or taken in a Clister it stayeth also the abundance of Womens Courses If the herb he bruised and the juice onely applyed to green Wounds it stayeth the bleeding and quickly closeth together the Lips of them The decoction or the distilled Water thereof is often used in Gargles for sore Mouths as also to â—ath the secret parts withall as often as there is any Sore or Vlcer there arising The smoak of the Stalkes being burned driveth away Serpents or any other venemous Creature as Pliny saith and the people in the Fenny Countreyes can testifie that it driveth away the Flyes and Gnats that would otherwise molest them in the night season CHAP. CCCXXXIX Of the Daisy The Names IT is called in Latine for it is a question whether the Greeks ever knew it Bellis à bello as some think quasi Bellis praesidium because it is usefull in War to heal the Souldiers Wounds for which reason some have called it Consolida also other have thought that it was called Bellis from the Adjective Bellus signifying pretty for it hath indeed a pretty Flower if it be marked some of the sorts especially The greater sort is called by Bruâ—selsius Bupthalmus and Oculus Bovis and by Tabermontanus Bellium majus by others Consolida media Vulnerariorum yet most commonly it is called Bellis major the lesser sort being called Bellis minor Consolida minor and Herba Morgarita In English the greater and lesser Daisy the greater is also called Maudlin and Maudlin-wort The Kindes There be divers sorts of Daisyes as well in our Gardens as growing beyond the Seas yet because the time will not permit me to enquire after them I shall give you onely those that grow naturally with us they being of greatest use for our intended purpose and they are three 1. The Great Daisyes which some call Or-Eyes and White Moons 2. The middle sort of Daisyes 3. The little Daisy The Forme The Great Daisy hath very many narrow and round-pointed Leaves next the ground cut in on both sides making them to seem almost like unto those of the Oak from amongst which do grow up somewhat high Stalks with divers Leaves thereon but smaller and lesser divided than the lower at the tops whereof grow large Flowers each upon severall long foot stalks consisting of many white and narrow Leaves as the Pale or Border and the yellow Thrummes in the middle of little or no scent whose Seed which is somewhat long is blown away with the Wind The Root is bush of white Strings which abide many Winters shooting forth new Leaves in the Spring if the cold weather hath killed the old The Places and Time The first which is Great Daisy Oxe Eye or White-Moone groweth almost every where by the hedge sides in the borders of fields and other wast ground and many times in meadowes that lye any thing high the second groweth in the like places but not so frequently the place of the third can hardly be mistook for it groweth upon every Common and other place almost The two first flower in May and June and then must be gathered for they last not long but the last beginneth to flower in the Spring and holdeth on most part of the Summer The Temperature Daisyes are held by most to be cold and dry which are the qualities which are required in Wound herbs yet Dâ—donam saith they be cold and moist which no body else doth allow of The Vertues The Leaves of the great Daisy or Mandlinwort made up into an Oyntment or Salve with Wax Oyl and Turpentine is most excellent for Wounds especially those wherin there is any inflammation and which are hardly brought to digestion or maturation as those weeping Wounds made in the Elboes Knees or other Joynts and it is often used in Decoction or Drinks as well as outwardly for the same or the like purposes as fractures in the Head and deep wounds in the Breast The said Decoction being drunk cureth all Vlcers and Pustles in the Mouth or Tongue or in the Secret parts
which proceed from the heat of the Liver and therefore in such cases the Juyce or distilled Water of either sort doth much temper the heat of Choler and refresheth the Liver and other inward parts The Leaves bruised and applyed to the Cods or any other parts that are swoln and hot doth dissolve the swelling and temper the heat A Decoction made hereof with Walwort and Agrimony and the places fomented and bathed therewith warm giveth great ease to them that are troubled with the Palsy Sciatica or other Gout The same also disperseth dissolveth the Knots and Kernels that grow in the Flesh belonging to any part of the Body the bruises hurts that come of falls blows The Juyce Decoction or distilled Water is drunk to very good purpose against the Rupture or any inward Burstings The juyce of them or the distilled water dropped into the Eyes cleareth them and taketh away the watering of them The little Daisyes when the greater cannot so well be gotten may be used with good successe for all the purposes aforesaid as also to help Agues the decoction of them in Wine or Water being drunk It is said that the Roots hereof being boyled in Milk and given to little Puppies will not suffer them to grow great CHAP. CCCXL Of Speedwell The Names IT must be divided into two sorts viz. Male and Female before I can give you the names thereof The Greek name of the Male is unknown if ever it had any but in Latine it is called Veronica mas and Bâ—tonica Pauli in English Speedwell and Pauls Betony and of some Fluellen yet that name is thought to belong more properly to the Female kind which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elatine in Latine Veronica famina because a Shentleman of Wales whose Nose was so neer eating off by the French Pox that the Doctors gave order to cut it off being cured by the use of this Herb onely to honour the Herb for saving her Nose whole gave it one of her own Country names Lluellin or Fluellin it being before called Female Speedwell which name it retaineth also The Kindes Of the Male and Female Speedwel there be eight sorts 1. The Common Speedwell 2. Speedwel with white Flowers 3. Great Speedwel or Fluellin 4. Little Fluellin or smooth Fluellin 5. The smallest Fluellin 6. Female Fluellin or Speedwel 7. Cornered Fluellin with blew Flowers 8. Sharp-pointed Fluellin The Forme The Common Speedwell hath divers soft Leaves about the breadth of a two-pence extending themselves in length also but not very much of a hoary green colour a little dented about the edges and somewhat hoary also set by couples at the joynts of the hairy brownish Salks which lean down to the ground never standing upright but shooting forth roots as they lye upon the ground at divers joynts much after the same manner that Nummularia or Moneywort doth the Flowers grow one above another at the tops being of a blewish purple colour and sometimes though seldome white after which come small flat husks wherein the Seed which is small and blackish is contained the Root is composed of very many Fibres The Places and Time All these Plants which I have named are said to grow within the Dominions of England those which are Outlandish being omitted The first groweth in divers Countreys of this Land upon dry Banks and Wood-sides and other places where the ground is sandy and particularly in Prey-wood by St. Albans very plentifully where there be a great many good Simples besides the third was found upon St. Vincents Rock neer Bristoll by Mr. Goodyer the fifth in a Field neer unto Barâ— Elmes in Surrey the other three grow in divers Corn-fields about Southfleet in Kent abundantly as also about Buckworth Hamerton and Richwersworth in Huntingdon-shire and in divers other places They flower in June and July and their Seed is ripe in August that of the Female kind withering presently after The Temperature The Male Speedwell is temperatly hot and dry the bitternesse thereof shewing so much The Female though it be bitter is held to be cooling yet no lesse drying than the former The Vertues Both the Male and the Female Speedwell are Wound-herbs of very good note The Male is singular to heale all fresh Wounds and Cuts in the Flesh speedily closing the Lips of them together and not suffering them to gather corruption and Salve being made therewith as also with Wax Oyl and Turpentine and applyed outwardly and the decoction of it in Wine taken inwardly and so it is no lesse effectual for spreading Tetters or for foul or old fretting or running Sores or Vlcers that have been of long continuance and therefore the harder to cure It stayeth the bleeding of Wounds or other Fluxes of Blood in any other part and dissolveth all tumors and swellings especially those of the Neck It is also held to be a special Remedy for the Plague and all pestilentiall Feavers and infectious Diseases for it expelleth the venome and poyson from the Heart and afterwards strengtheneth it and maketh it able to resist all noysome vapours if a Dramme or two of the herb in powder be given with a dramme of good Treacle in a small draught of Wine and the party be laid to sweat and so doth the decoction thereof in Wine or the distilled Water thereof given in some Wine It helpeth the Memory easeth all swimmings turnings and other paines of the Head and maketh Barren Women become fruitful as it is said It cleanseth the blood from corruption and therefore it helpeth the Leprosie as no worse than a French King making tryall thereof found to be true as it is reported The decoction of the Herb in water or the powder thereof being dry and given in its own distilled water is singular good in all manner of Coughs and diseases of the Breast and Lungs and it hath the same operation upon Sheep and therefore Sheepherds make use of it by adding a little Salt thereto It openeth the obstructions of the Liver and Spleen helpeth the yellow Jaundise cleanseth the exulcerations of the Reines and Bladder and also of the Mother and of inward and outward Wounds being inwardly and outwardly used for the Spleen and Wounds but inwardly onely for the rest It provoketh Vrine and helpeth thereby to break the Stone and is very profitable for the Back and Reins The distilled water of the Herb onely or after it hath been steeped in Wine twelve hours doth wonderfully help in the Plague Consumption Cough and all other the diseases before-mentioned as also to wash Wounds Sores therewith the same doth wonderfully help all Itches Scabs Scurf Tetters Morphew and all discolourings of the Skin as Freckles Spots and Scarrs a little Coperas being dissolved therein and bathed therewith the said Water defendeth Garments from Moths a little Allom being dissolved therein and sprinkled upon them The Leaves of the Female Speedwell or Fluellin being bruised and applyed with Barly Meale
gently till about half the Water be consumed strain it and give about four ounces thereof in bed for divers mornings together if need be The said Decoction is also profitable in Agues whether quotidian or intermittent or pestilential Feavers and also Hecticks and Consumptions to rectifie the evil disposition of the Liver the inveterate paines in the Head and Stomack which it also strengtheneth to dry up Rheumes to help the Jaundise and Ruptures in Children or others by drying up the humours which is the cause thereof The Palsie also may be cured by it and so may the diseases of the Joynts as the Gout Sciatica and the Nodes also or hard bunches that sometimes grow upon the Joynts It is useful also in the ulcers of the Yard Scabs Leprosie Scirrous and watry Tumors and is good in all cold and melancholy griefes but especially in the Dropsie and Greene Sicknesse Some say it provokes Lust which is very likely but it is not to be used in hot and dry bodyes for to such it is very hurtfull It is also sliced into thin pieces and boyled in broth being bound up together with a Chicken in a Linnen cloath The dose to be put therein is from two drammes to four drammes CHAP. CCCXXIX Of Prickly Bindweed and Sarsa parilla The Names Iâ—t is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Smilax aspera to distinguish it from the other sorts of Smilax of which there be four besides this viz. two Trees and two Herbs the first of the two Trees is Smilax Arcadum a soft Oake the other is Smilax simply and by that is meant the Yâ—w-tree the first of the two Herbs is Smilax lavis smooth Bindweed the other is Smilax hortensis the French or Kidney Beane Gaza in his translation of Theophrastus calleth it Hedera Cilicia because the Leaves thereof are somewhat like Ivy and the Hetruscians call it Hedera spinâ—sa because of its prickles the Spaniards call it Zarsa parilla or Sarsa parilla which signifieth a small or little Vine whereunto it is like and therefore when they saw the like in Peru they called it by the same name so that it is generally so termed at this day in most Languages yet some write it Sarca parillia The Kindes Three sorts of prickly Bindweed desire a room in this place 1. Prickly Bindweed with red Berries 2. Prickly Bindweed with black Berries 3. Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed of Peru which is the most useful and therefore I shall describe it as well as I can The Forme Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed of Peru springeth up with many branches winding themselves about the poles that are stuck in the ground about them for to climb on having some tender pricks like thorns growing on them especially at the joynts it hath divers very green Leaves like unto Bindweed but longer and cornered like Ivy leaves the Flowers are great and white every one as big as a middle sized dish which opening in the morning doth sade at night from whence the Spaniards are said to call it Buenas Noches that is good night Clusius saith that he had a small branch with three heads of seed thereon the largest that ever he saw of that kinde for it had five leaves a piece every one almost an inch broad and long which seemed to be the cup of the Flower and Fruit every head which was three-square and skinny had within three round Seeds as big as great Pease of a smoaky or brownish colour The Root like that of Smilax aspera is down right and full of joynts or knots from which shoot other roots or strings which in the Indies grow to be great and long The Places and Time The two first grow in Italy Spain and other the warmer Countreys throughout Europe and Asia but the third is found onely in the Western Indies as Peru Virginia and divers other places the goodness or badness whereof is caused from the fertility or barrennesse of the ground whereon it grows so that the Honduras being very fertile bringeth forth the best They flower and fructifie timely enough in the warmer Climats but in ours they soon perish if there be not a care to keep them from the Frost and cold in Winter but where a convenient place is provided to set them in they will continue as I have seen the true Sarsa parilla if I mistake not in the Garden house of the Lord Laâ—bert at Wimbleton growing in a poâ— The Temperature Sarsa parilla is hot and dry in the first or second degree of thin parts and provoketh sweat The Vertues The Decoction of Sarsa parilla or the prickly Bindweed of Peru is of great force to cure those that are troubled with the French Pox being made and administred after the way which I shall here prescribe Take of Sarsa parilla four ounces cut it into small parts and afterwards infuse it into ten pints of hot water for the space of foure and twenty hours then boyl it being close covered till it be neere half consumed then being strained give a good draught thereof morning and evening It I mean the said Decoction is of very great use in Rheumes Gouts cold diseases of the Head and Stomacâ— and expelleth Wind both from the Stomach and Mother It helpeth all manner of Aches in the Sinews and Joynts all running Sorâ—s in the Legs all cold Swellings Tâ—â—ters or Ringwormes and all manner of Spots and foulnesse of the Skin It is also good in the Catarrhe or distillation from the head being sharp and salt in Cancers not ulcerate and in Tumors which are hard to be dissolved and it hath been found by experience to be very good for the Kings Evil a dram of the powder of Sarsa with the powder of Ruseus or Butchers-Broom being taken in White wine or Ale for forty dayes together The same powder having a just quantity of Tamariâ—k added thereto is a good remedy in the tumour of the Spleen The roots of the other rough Bindweeds are also used by divers of the learned and judicious instead of Sarsa parilla with good successe for Sarsa doth not purge the body of humours manifestly as other purgers do being generally held to spend them by its dryness and diâ—phorâ—tical quality rather than by heat or by going to stool It is given as an Antidâ—te against all sorts of poysonous or venemous things A dozen or sixteen of the Berries beaten to powder and given in Wine procureth Vrine when it is stopped The distilled water of the Flowers being drunk worketh the same effect cleanseth the Reynes and asswageth inward inflammations If the Eyes be washed therewith it taketh away all heat and rednesse in them and if the sorâ—s of the Legs be washed therewith it healeth them throughly Sarsa parilla iâ— not convenient to be given to those whose Livers are over-hot nor to such as have Agues CHAP. CCCXXX Of Star-wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in