I shall proceed to the description The Forme The Sassafras-Tree groweth up with a straight Trunk or body smooth and void of boughes till it be of a reasonable height covered with a thick barke of an Ashcolour which is of a very hot quick taste towards the top come forth many goodly branches spreading themselves into a round figure or compasse whereon do grow green Leaves somwhat like those of the Fig-Tree but much lesser of a sweet smell when they be greene but much more when they be dry somewhat resembâ—ing the smell of Fennell of a very sweet taste also The Flowers â—re small and yellow made of threds very like unto the Male Cornell-Tree from whence proceedeth the fruit which groweth clustering together yet set in small cups upon long footstalkes the Roots are not very large neither of any great depth but are covered with a Bark somwhat redder then that of the Tree and are of more force and efficacy then any other parts of it yet the rest are also of very great use The Places and Time This Tree groweth in most parts of the West Indies especially about the Cape of Florida which is not farre from Virginia It keepeth greene all the Winter and Summer long but at what time it flowreth and bringeth forth its ripe fruit I have not yet learned The Temperature The boughes and branches of Sassafras are hot and dry in the second degree the riâ—d is hotter for that it entreth into the third degree of heat and drynesse as may be manifestly perceived in the decoction The Vertues It is to be observed that not only those things that purge watery and Phlegmatick humours are profitable in the Dropsy but those also which have any eminent faculty in drying them up as Sassafras without dispute hath â— and therefore it is used with very good successe in the disease aforesaid foure Oâ—nces thereof being first sleeped foure and twenty houres in a gallon and halfe of Water and afterwards boiled to the one halfe and then strained may be given to the quantity of a good draught morning and evening for certaine dayes together for there is not any thing which will remove such an inveterate disease as the Dropsy at once taking The said Decoction is very effectuall also to open the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen and is profitable in all cold diâ—eases and particularly those cold Rheumes that fall from the Head upon the Tâ—â—th Eyes and Lungs warming and drying up the moisture and strengthning the parts afterwards and therefore is available in Coughs and other cold diseases of the Breast Stomack and Lungs stayeth Vomiting comforteth the weak and feeble Stomack câ—â—sing a good appetite therein by consuming windinesse which is the cheifest cause of crudity and indigestion and maketh sweet a stinking breath but especially the Decoction of the root The fame is commended likewise for its Vertue in expelling the Gravell and Stone wherewith the Kidneys are many times afflicted for provoking Urins and Womens Courses And as for those Women which are barren by reason of the moisture of their Wombs it so warmeth heateth and dryeth the same that it causeth them to conceive speedily It is of good use also in Fevers and tertain and quotidian Agues that are of long continuance as is already intimated It is generally used in all diseases that come of cold raw thin and corrupt humors as the French disease and the like for which distempers it is used in Diet-drinkes with other things and may be given in Powder from a scruple to two scruples The Smell of the Wood or Root expelleth the corrupt and evill Vapours of the Pestilence CHAP. CLXXXXVI Of Palma Christi The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cici and Croton because the seed of it resembles a living Creature which is wont to be in Sheepe and other Cattle called a Tyke It is called also Ricinus in Latine for the same reason yet it hath other names as Palma Christi from the Leaves and Root which do very much imitate a hand and Cataputia major of the Apothecaries because of its properties which are conformable to the Spurges the Oyle whereof is by them called Oleum de Cherva and Oleum Cicinum This is held by Expositors to be the Plant mentioned in Jonah under the name of a Gourd It is called in English Palma Christi or great Spurge in Hebrew Kik and Kikaijon The Kindes There are but three sorts of this Great Spurge left upon record by Authors 1. The more orâ—inary Palma Christi or great Spurge 2. Palma Christi of Syria 3. Palma Christi of America The Forme Palma Christi hath a great round hollow stalke rising to the height of seaven or eight â—oot of a blewish greene colour The Leaves are great and large fashioned like the Leaves of the Fig-Tree but greater resembling the hand of a man with the Fingers spread abroad of a dark greene coloâ—r on the upperside but whitish underneath the flowers are button-like standing on the tops of the branches whiâ—h fall away without bearing Seed but a little lower there break forth other Heads which are rough and three cornered and containe within them a seed like a Tyke of an hot fiery taste out of which in those Countryes where it is naturall is pressed out the aforementioned Oyle The Places and Times The first groweth in Spaine and other hot Countries to a very great bignesse and abideth many yeares but the coldnesse of our Climate will not admit of any large growth because it perisheth every yeare with us yet I have seen â—t in Mr. Balles Garden by Sioâ— house seaven or eight foot-high looking more like unto a Tree then an annuall Plant. The second groweth in Syria and Aegypt and the third in America in Gâ—liscâ— a Province of New Spain from whence the Oyle used in Shops is brought unto us Those that flower with us do it in August but their seed doth seldome come to perfect ripenesse in this Countrey The Temperature The seed of Palma Christi is hot and dry in the third degree The Vertues and Signature Though the seedes of Palma Christi are not to be taken rashly by reason of their violence in purging yet advice being first had they may with Anniseed or Fennelseed be given to strong and able bodies that are troubled with the Dropsy Joynt-aches Gout and Sciatica because they draw Water Phlegme very strongly from the remote parts the Powder of three of them being taken in Whey or New Milk The same may be boyled in the broth of an old Cock and taken for the same purposes The Oyle is used in Glisters to open obstructions to ease paines of the Cholick and windinesse of the Mother and so it doth if the places greived be anointed therewith and some few drops thereof taken in a little Chicken broth that is fat It wonderfully helpeth the cramp being gently rubbed on the places greived therewith for it causeth the Sinews that were shrunk to
others also profitable as Agrimony Betony Dancus Dodder Fumitory Rose-Mary Sage Dill Rue Camomile Bayes Juniper c Some of which I have treated of already and shall treat of the rest when I shall come to the parts to which they are most appropriate I passe now to the Spleen which is the seat of Melancholy and therefore must be purged as also opened and strengthned CHAP. CCI. Of Dodder The Names THat Dodder which groweth upon flax is that which I mean to treat of principally It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the latter Greeks for by the Ancients it was not taken notice of as far as I can understand because tanquam cassis vel r 〈…〉 illud implicat it tangleth about it like a net It is called in Latin also Cassuta and Cassyta and Pâ—dagra Lini and in Shops Cuscuta The Kinds Though there be but one sort of Dodder which groweth upon Flax yet there is a lesser sort also which groweth upon divers plants and taketh its denomination from them That which groweth upon Time is called Epithymum that upon Savory Epithymbrum that upon Nettâ—es Epiurtica that upon Marjerom Epimarjorana that upon the Bramble Epirubus and in English Laced Time Laced Savory c. The Form Dodder riseth out of the ground shooting forth threds or strings grosser or finer as the property of the Plants whereon it groweth and the Climate do suffer creeping and spreading on that Plant whereon it fasteneth be it high or low These strings have no Leaves at all upon them but wind and interlace themselves so thick sometimes that it is ready to strangle it which after they have got good hold break off at bottom receiving nourishment still insensibly from the Plant whereon it is twisted like unto Ivy and thereby partaketh of the nature of the same plants Wheresoever it groweth it puts forth clusters of small Heads or Husks out of which start forth whitish Flowers which afterwards give small pale coloured seed somewhat flat and twice as bigg as Poppy seed The Places and Time I have observed little Dodder to grow upon Flax or Time here in England which makes me suppose that the Dodder of Flax and so of Time which are most in use and sold in the Apothecaries Shops are brought from beyond the Seas for every climate doth not bring them forth alike Those which have been most observed in our Land are that of Nettles which groweth plentifully in Somersetshire and that of Tares or Pulse whereon it groweth so abundantly in some places that the Country people call it Hellweed because they know not how to destroy it It hath been found upon Ferne and other herbs upon Hampsted Heath and upon the Grasse likewise upon Black-Heath in Kent It flowrisheth cheifely in July and August The Temperature Every one of these Dodders do participate somewhat of the nature of the plant whereon it groweth and therefore Dodder of Flax is hot in the first degree and dry in the second Dodder of Time is hot and dry in the third degree c. The Virtues Though the Dodder of Flax is that which is most frequent in Shops yet because that of Time is more proper for the Spleen I shall speak to that first It purgeth Melancholy and adust choller from the Spleen and Hypochonders and therefore it avaiâ—es against Melancholy as also Phlegme from the Brain and Heart and is therefore very proâ—â—table in old and inveterate paines of the Head Swimming of the head Madnesse faintings and the Quartam Ague It is very effectuall also for Hypochondriack passions Schirrues or hardnesse of the Spleen and windinesse thereof stopping oâ— the Kidneys and is very usefull in the Scab and Itch Leprosiâ— Elephancy malignant Ulcers and Cancers as also the French Pox. It cleanâ—eth also the blood very much from Melancholy and adust humors it is profitable in the Jaundies in opening Stoppings of the Gall and Avicen commends it against the Cramp Neither is it of a purging quality onely but strengtheneth also both the Liver and Spleen and helpeth Childrens Agues if a little Worms-Seed be put to it If it be used in any decoction it must be put in last for it will not endure long boâ—â—ing Dodder of Flax is very profitable in Stoppings of the Liver Gall and Spleen cleanseth the blood from Melancholy and is usefull in the Jaundies provokes Urine and cleanseth the Veines of Cholerick and phlegmatick humors especially if it be taken with wormwood and Anniseeds If half a pint or lesse of the decoction be taken with halfe an ounce of Sugar it cures Children of the Agues The seeds drunk with Wine and Sage ease the Sciatica or Hipgowt The distilled water being taken helps the distempers of the Liver and Lungs by cleansing and strengthening them it also cures the Jaundies expells the Stone of the Bladder easeth grippings in the Belly bringeth down the Courses in Women helpeth swellings about the Navell and cures Agues in Children the quantity of two ounces being taken by them but more to those that are stronger Dodder of Nettles and Broom have an especiall quality in provoking Urine where it is stopped or hindered That which grows on Tares though it be most frequent about London is not good for Tares are hard of Digestion bind the Belly and breed thick and Melancholy blood and so doth their Dodder That which groweth upon Brambles and Hopps is speciall good for old Feavers and the Jaundies CHAP. CCII. Of Black Hellebore The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sometimes without the aspiration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because too much of it robs the body of its nourishment by its violent purgation It is called also in Latin Helleborus niger Veratrum quid â—eâ—â—em vertat because it maketh the senses of mad folkes to return unto them a it did the Daughters of Praetus whom Melampos a Shepheard or Southsayer whiâ—â— you will cured of their madnesse herewith and because he was thought to bring it into use it is called Melampodium In English it hath the name of black Hellebore and Christmas-flower because it flourisheth about that time if too much cold weather do not hinder it There is a bastard kind hereof is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pseudohelleborus and Veratrum nigrum adulterinum Bastard black Hellebore as also Consiligo Bearefoot Setterwort and Settergrasse because Husbandmen use to make a hole and put it into the Eare or Dewlap of their cattle which they call Pegging or Settering The Kinds To this kind Eight sorts may be referred 1. The true black Hellebore or Christmas Flower 2. Bastard black Hellebore or Bearesfoot 3. Tresoile Prickly leaved Bearesfoot 4. The greater bastard black Hellebore or Bearsfoot called also Setterwort 5. Fennel Leafed bastard black Hellebore 6. The greater purging Sanicle-like Hellebore 7. Small purging Sanicle-like Hellebore 8. Matthiolus his bastard black Hellebore The Forme The true black Hellebore hath
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
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
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
along the leaves shooting forth at the bigger end which when it beareth its Berries are somewhat wrinkled and loose another growing under it which is solid and firm with many small threds hanging thereat The Place and Time The two first sorts grow frequently under Trees and almost under every hedge side throughout the Land The third is found in some places of Germany Clusius saith the fourth came among divers other Roots from Constantinople the fifth is found in Spain and Portugall the sixth in Italy the seventh in Candy The last in Java and Surrat The four first sorts shoot forth Leaves in the Spring and continue but till the middle of Summer or somewhat later their Hoses or Husks appearing before they fall away and their fruit shewing in August The fifth and sixth do shoot forth their green Leaves in Autumne presently after the first frosts have pulled down the stalks with fruits and abide green all the Winter withering in Summer before which their Husks appear The seventh flowreth with his Hose and Clappers very late even in the warm Countries seldom before October or November and the fruit doth there seldom come to perfection the last flowreth and beareth fruit in the Summer as other Herbs do The Temperature Wake-Robin is hot and dry in the third Degree yet Galen affirmeth that it is more sharp and biting in some Countries then in others The Signature and Vertues The Leaves of Wake-Robin either green or dry or the Juyce of them doth cleanse all manner of rotten and filthy Ulcers in what part of the body soever and helpeth the stinking sores in the Nose called Polypus The water wherein the Roots hath been boyled dropped into the Eyes cleanseth them from any film or skin Clouds or Mists which begin to hinder the sight and helpeth the rednesse or watering of them or when by some chance they become black and blevv The Juyce of the Berries boyled in Oyl of Roses or beaten into Powder and mixed with the Oyl and dropped into the Ears easeth pains in them The Root mixed with Bean-flower and applyed to the Throat or Jawes that are inflamed helpeth them and the Roots or Berries beaten with hot Oxe-Dung and applyed easeth the pains of the Gout Tragus reporteth that a dram or more if need be of the spotted VVake-Robin either green or dryed being beaten and taken is a most present and sure Remedy for Poyson and the Plague The Juyce of the Herb taken to the quantity of a spoonful hath the same effect to which if there be a little Vineger added as also to the Root aforesaid it somewhat allayeth the sharp biting tast thereof upon the Tongue The green Leaves bruised and layd upon any Boyl or Plague-sore doth wonderfully help to draw forth the poyson A dram of the Powder of the dryed Root taken with twice so much Sugar in the form of a licking Electuary or the green Root doth wonderfully help those that are pursie and short winded as also those that have the Cough it breaketh digesteth and riddeth away Flegm from the Stomack Chest and Lungs The milk wherein the Root hath been boyled is effectuall also for the same purpose The said Powder taken in Wine or other drink or the Juyce of the Berries or the Powder of them or the Wine wherein they have been boyled provoketh Urine and bringeth down Womens Courses and purgeth them effectually after Child-bearing to bring away the after-birth and being taken with Sheeps milk it healeth the inward Ulcers of the Bowels The Leaves and Roots also boyled in Wine with a little Oyl and applyed to the Piles or falling down of the Fundament easeth them and so doth the sitting over the hot fâ—mes thereof The fresh Roots bruised and distilled with a little milk yieldeth a most soveraign water to cleanse the skin from skurf freckles spots or blemishes whatsoever therein The fresh Roots cut small and mixed with a Sallet will make excellent sport with a sawcy sharking guest and drive him from his over-much boldness and so will the Powder of the dry Root strewed upon any dainty bit that is given him to eat For either way within a while after the taking it it will so burn and prick his mouth and throat that he shall not be able â—o eat any more or scarce to speak for pain The green leaf biteth the Tongue also To take away the stinging of either give the party so served new milk or fresh butter This Plant should be Venereous by its Signature CHAP. XXXIII Of the Flower de Luce. The Names THe Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Sacra whereupon some have translated it Consecratrix all great and huge things being counted by the Ancients to be Holy but it was called Iris a caelestis Arâ—us similitudine quam flores eâ—us representant from the Rainbow whose various colours the flower thereof doth imitate There have been some heretofore that made a difference between Iris and Ireos according to the Latine verse extant thereof which is this Iris purpureum florem gâ—rit Ireos album but this is an errour proceeding as some suppose from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a white Lilly and by casting away the first letter becomes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by changing the last syllable as if the Lilly and the Iris were all one of which most Authors make a distinction It is called Radâ—x Marica because it is excellent for the Piles and some have called it Radix Naronica of the River Naron by which great store doth grow The knobbed Iris is called of Matthiolus Hermodactylus Verus because the roots are like unto fingers and from him divers did so call it but most erroneously it being a wild kind of flower de luce as Dodonaeus truly affirmeth Gladwin which is a kind hereof also is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Xyris ob Folii similitudinem quasi Rasorium cultrum aut novaculum dixeris because of it Swordlike or sharpedged Leaf and in Latine Spatula or Spathula faetida for Spatha is taken for a sword as Gladium is and I have heard it called Rost Beef for that the leaves being bruised smell somewhat like it The Flowerdeluce is called in English Iris but most commonly Orris The kinds So many of the sorts as I find set down in Parkinsons Theater of Plants I here set down which are eight 1. The greater Broad leafed Flowerdeluce 2. The greater Narrow leafed Flowerdeluce 3. Portingall Flowerdeluce 4. Broad leafed dwarf Fowerdeluce 5. Stinking Gladwine 6. The first broad leafed bulbed Flowerdeluce of Clusius 7. The greater bulbed Flowerdeluce 8. The lesser bulbed Flowerdeluce to which I adde 1. Iris tuberosa the knobbed Flowerdeluce 2. The common Flowerdelucer 3. Water flags or wild Flowerdeluce The Form The Common Flowerdeluce hath long and large flaggy leaves like the blade of a sword with two edges amongst which spring up smooth and plain stalks half
were put into the upper whereat grow on each side a bush of small long Rush like hard leaves each part resembling an Horsetail at the tops of the stalks come forth small Catkins like unto those of Trees the root creepeth under ground having Joynts at sundry places The Places and Time Many of the foresaid sorts grow generally up and down this Land but some of them are not so frequent as others as the smallest and finest Leased Horsetail which groweth in the lower wet grounds in the woods about Highgate not â—ar from London Small party coloured Horsetail or Horsetail Coralline whose leaves being bitten seeme to be composed of Sand from their grating between the teeth groweth on a bog by Smochal a wood nigh Bathe The Stinking Horsetail was found by Mr. William Brown of Magdalen Colledge myself and others in a bog about half a mile from Stockers house in Stow Wood by Oxford by the Road that goeth to Islip You may guesse where the rest grow by their titles they do all spring up with their blackish heads in Aprill and put forth their blooming Catkins in July seeding for the most part in August and then perish down to the ground rising afresh in the Spring The Temperature Horsetail as Galen saith hath a binding faculty with some bitternesse and therefore it doth mightily dry and that without biting The Vertues I know nor where more properly to bestow this plant then in this place it being so effectual to stanch bleedings which most commonly burst forth at the Nose if the Juyce or Decoction thereof be drunk or the Juice Decoction oâ— distilled water applyed outwardly It stayeth also all sorts of Lasks and Fluxes in Man or Woman and pissing of blood it healeth also not only the inward Ulcers and Excoriations of the intralls bladder c. But all other sorts of soul moist and running Ulcers and soon sodereth together the tops of green wounds not suffering them to grow to maturation It cureth also Ruptures in Children quickly but in those that are elder more time is required according to the disposition of the party and the continuance The Decoction hereof in wine being drunk is said to provoke Urine to help the Strangury and the Stone and so doth the distilled water thereof drunk two or three times a day a small quantity at a time as also to ease the paines in the Entralls or Guts and to be effectual against a Cough that cometh by distillation of rheume from the head The Juyce or distilled Water being warmed and hot Inflamma ions Pustules or Red wheales and other such Eruptions in the skin being bathed therewith doth help them and doth no lesse ease the swellings heat and Inflammations of the Fundament and privie parts in Man or Woman and cureth Tetters and Ringworms The fume of it is good to cause children guts to go back into their Body when as through Flux or cold they hang forth and so it stoppeth the immoderate Terms of Women The young buds are dressed by some like Asparagus or being boyled are often bestrewed with flower and fryed to be eaten The smother rather then the Rough and the leafed then the bare is both more used and of better effect in physick CHAP. XXXV Of Shepheards purse The Names THis Plant hath not gotten any name in Greek that I can learn from any Author All Latine Writers that make mention of it call it Bursa or Pera Pastoris and Pastoria Bursa except Gesner who calleth it Thlaspi Fatuum and Castor Durantes Herba Cancri In English it is called Shepheards purse or Scrip from the likenesse the Seed hath with that kind of leatherne bag wherein Shepherds carry their Victualls into the field of some Shepherds pouch and poor mans Parmacety it being in some sort effectual for the same things that Parmacety is and in the North part of England Toywort Pickpurse and Caseweed and of some Clappedepouch The Kinds These were formerly but two sorts of Shepherds purse known but Bauhinus maketh paticular relation of two more which are the second and last so that there are four kinds in all 1. The greater common Shepherds purse 2. Great Shepherds purse with whole leaves 3. Small Shepherds purse 4. Hairy Mountain Shepherds purse The Forme The Common Shepherds purse hath divers small and long leaves somewhat deeply cut-in on both sides like Rocket of a pale green colour most commonly spread upon the Ground amongst which riseth up a small round stalk parted into sererall branches some of which are sometimes about two handfulls high have smaller and lesse divided leaves on them to the tops where grow many white flowers one above another after which follow flat whitish pouches or Seâ—d Vessels small at the bottoms broad at the heads and parted like the Thlasâ— aâ—â—ost in form of an heart in each side whereof lyeth a small brownish yellow sâ—â—d the root is small and white and perisheth after seed-time but ariseth of the scattered seed the same or the next year The Places and Time The greater and lesser sorts that have cut leaves are frequent in every place with us in England but the other two whose leaves are whole do not grow wild here yet in Germany Mompelier and Italy they do as Bauhinus and Thalius affirm They flower and seed all Summer long yea so quick some of them are that they flower and seed twice in every year The Temperature Shepherds purse is cold and dry and very much binding after the Opinion of Ruellius Matthiolus and Dodonaeus but Label and Pena finding a little heat upon the sharp taste of the flowers and seeds do judge it not to be cold at all but drying and astringent The Vertues This Plant also being a stopper of blood doth in a manner require this place because the nose is the Organ through which the blood doth commonly make its way and sometimes continueth so long that unless it be timely prevented it endangereth the life For remedying of which distemper it may be used by holding the hands full of it or by binding it about the neck by using it in meats or by applying it with Vineger and water to the secret parts The decoâ—â—ion thereof drunk stoppeth the Lask the Bloody Flux spitting blood pissing blood the Flowers and all other issues of blood most excellently well howsoever it be taken but especially with red Wine or Plantain water Some do hold that the green Herb bruised and bound to the wrests of the hands and soles of the feet will help the yellow Jaundice the Herb bruised and laid Pultis-wise upon Inflammations St. Anthonies fire or the like represseth them The juyce dropped into mattering or running eares helpeth them it closeth the lips of green wounds and is of great effect being made into a Salve for wounds in the Head The juyce thereof being drunk helpeth the straitness of the breath and the Strangury it stoppeth Rheum and provoketh Urine It is very prevalent against venomous bitings if it
hath a thick short knobbed Root blackish without and somewhat reddish within a little crooked or writhed together of an harsh or astringent tast with divers blackish Fibres growing thereat from whence spring up every year divers Leaves standing upon long foot-stalks being somewhat long and broad very like unto a Dock-Leaf and a little pointed at the ends but that it is crumpled of a blewish green colour on the upper side and of an Ash colour gray and a little Purplish underneath having divers veins therein from among which arise divers small and slender stalks about half a yard high almost naked and without Leaves or with very few narrow ones bearing a spiky bush of pale flesh coloured Flowers which being past there abideth small Seed somewhat like unto Sorrel-Seed but greater The Places and Time The two first grow at the foot of Hills and in shadowy moyst Woods near unto them in many places of Germany and in our Country likewise in moyst and watery places particularly in a Meadow about a stones throw above the Abby Mill at St. Albans about an Acres breadth or somewhat more from the River side where the common Bistort groweth plentifully though it be chiefly nourished in Gardens The fourth groweth in VVestmerland about Crosby in Cumberland about Ravenswaith in York-shire Lancashire and divers other places The third groweth on the high Hills in Silesia and other places The two last are round on the Alps in divers places and the last also amongst the Switzers They all flower about the end of May and the Seed is ripe about the beginning of July The Temperature Bistort is cold and dry in the third Degree and very astringent The Signature and Vertues This Plant hath a double Signature both proceeding from the Roots the one from the colour of the inside of them the other from the writhed or twisted form The bloody colour of the Roots betokeneth that it is effectuall to stay the bleeding of the Nose and all manner of inward bleeding and spitting of blood as also any Fluxes of the body in man or woman and likewise vomiting the Powder of the Root in Wine or the decoction thereof being drunk The juyce hereof being put up into the Nose prevaileth much against the Diâ—ease called Polypus and all other Sores or Cancers that happen in the Nose or any other part but the surest way is first to wash them with the distilled water and afterwards to apply the Powder of the Root thereto It is good also to fasten the Gums and to take away the heat and Inflammation that happen as well in the Jawes Almonds of the Throat or Mouth if the decoction of the Roots Leaves or Seeds be used or the juyce of them The Root of Bistort Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allome of each a like quantity beaten small and made into a Past with Honey a little peece thereof put into an hollow Tooth or holden between the teeth if they be not hollow stayeth the defluxions of Rheum upon them when it is the cause of their pain and helpeth to cleanse the Head and void much offensive matter The wreathed form of the Root is a sign that is good against the bitings of Serpents or Snakes for which it is found to be very effectuall as also for the venoming of Toads Spiders Adders or the like venomous Creatures if the place be washed with the water that is distilled from the Root and Leaves A dram of the powdered Root taken in drink expelleth the Venom of the Plague the small Pox Measels Purples or any other infectious Disease driving it forth by sweating The Powder of the Root or the decoction thereof being drunk is very available against Ruptures or burstings or all bruises or falls whatsoever dissolving the congealed blood and easing the pains that happen thereupon The said decoction being made with Wine and drunk hindereth abortion that is when Women are apt to miscarry in Child-bearing the Leaves kill worms in Children and is a great help to them that cannot keep their water if some juyce of Plantain be put thereto which applyed outwardly doth give much help in the Gonorrhaea or running of the Reins A dram of the Powder of the Root taken in the water thereof wherein some red hot Iron or Steel hath been quenched is also an admirable help thereto so as the body be first prepared and purged from the offensive humours The Leaves Seeds or Roots are all very good in Decoctions Drinks or Lotions for invard or outward wounds or other sores and the Powder strewed upon any Cut or Wound in a vein stayeth the immoderate bleeding thereof The Decoction of the Roots in water whereupon some Pomegranate Pills and Flowers are added injected into the Matrix stayeth the access of humours to the Ulcers thereof and bringeth it to its right place being fallen down and stayeth the immoderate Flux of the Courses The Roots are most used in Physick and will keep good a year or two The Dose in Powder is from a scruple to a dram into Decoction from a drachm to two or three which is made by bruising a sufficient quantity of the root suppose two drachms and boyling it in half a pint of Posâ—et drink till about half be consumed then strain it and give the clearest to be drunk in a morning CHAP. XXXVIII Of Tormentil The Names THough none of the Greek writers have mentioned this herb yet it hath got a Greek name and is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septem et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 folium that is Seven-leaves but not properly it being only one leaf cut into seven divisions For there is a general rule in all Leaves whether of herbs or trees that that which falleth away with the stalk and not in parts and at several times is the leaf though it be winged as that of the Ash Elder Walnut tree c. the great Centory Agrimony Danewort Parsnep Valerian c. is or divided as Trefoil Cinquefoil or Tormentil c. is It is called in Latine Tormentilla quia valet adversus tormenta intestinorum from its vertue in easing the torments of the Guts and Heptaphyllum or Septifolium and of some Stellaria from the form of the leaves though that be a name applyed to other plants of the like form In English Tormentil Setfoil or Seven-leaves The Kinds Formerly there was but one sort of Tormentill known but now there are three 1. Common Tormentil 2. The greater Tormentil 3. Silver leafed Tormentil The Forme The common Tormentil hath many reddish slender weak branches rising from the root lying upon the ground or rather leaning then standing upright with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks as the Cinkfoil doth which this is otherwise somewhat like with the footstalks encompassing the Branches in several places but they that grow next the ground are set upon longer footstalks each whereof are like the leaves of Cinkfoil but somewhat longer and lesser
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
four Leaves riâ—ng from a Root every one singly by themselves of about an hand breadth which are winged consisting of many small narrow Leaves cut into the middle Rib standing on each side of the stalk large below and smaller and smaller up to the top not dented or notched on the edges at all as the Male Fern is of a sad green colour and smooth on the upper side but on the under â—â—de somewhat rough by reason of some yellowish spots â—et thereon The Root is smaller then ones little finger yet long and creeping aslope whereon are certain little knags and holes as are on the tayl of the Fish Polypus The Places and Time There hath been of late dayes such a slaughter of Oaks and other Trees all over this Land that should I nominate any particular place I might thereby seem to be a deâ—eiver I shall therefore tell you in generall that it groweth as well upon old rotten Trunâ—s or stumps of Trees be it Oak Beech Hazeâ— Willow or any other as in the Woods under them and sometimes upon slated Houses and old Walls as upon a Wall and side of an House in Adderbury Church-yard and many other places That of the Oak is reckoned the best but any of the other may be used in ead thereof The Island Polypody groweth in the Island Ilua which is in the Mediteâ—raneâ—n Sea the last in India It being alwayes green and bearing neither Fâ—owâ—e nor Seed may be gathered for use at any time yet it shooteth forth green Leaves only in the Spring The two last lose their leaves in Winter and spring up a fresh again about May. The Temperature It is hot and dry in the second Degree as may be gathered from the sweetish harshness that it hath in the tast The Signature and Vertues The rough spots that are on the under sides of the leaves of Polypody as also the Knags or Exâ—rescences on each side the Roots is a sign that it is good for the Lungs and the exulcerations thereof The distilled water both of Roots and Leaves with some Sugar Candy dissolved therein is good against the Cough shortnesse of Breath and Wheeâ—ngs and thoâ—e distillations of thin Rheum upon the Lungs which cause Ptiâ—icks and oâ—tentiâ—es Consumptions The Herb it selfe taken in decoction broth or infuâ—â—on dryeth up thin humours digeâ—eth tough and thick and purgeth burnt Choâ—er and especially tough and thick flegme and thin flegme also even from the joynts and is therefore good for those that are troubled with melanchoâ—y or Quartan Agues especially if it be taken in Whey or honyed water or in Barley water or in the Broth of a Chicken with Epythymum or with Beets and Mallowes It is alâ—o good for the 〈◊〉 of the Spleen and for prickings or Stitches in the sides as also the Cholick Some use to put to it Fennel-Seeds or Annise-Seeds to correct the â—oâ—thing that it bringeth to the Stomach but it may be taken without by any person at any time and an Ounce of it may be given at a time in a Decoction if there be not Sena or some other strong purger put with it A Dram oâ— two of the Powder of the dryed Roots taken fasting in a Cup of Honyed water worketh gently and for the purposes aforesaid The distilled Water both of Roots and Leaves is much commended for the Quartane Agues to be taken for many dayes together as also against Meâ—ncholy or fearful or troublesome sleeps or dreams The fresh Roots beaâ—â—â— small or the Powder of the dryed Root mixed with Honey and applyed to any Member that hath been out of joynt and is newly set again doth much help to â—â—engthen it Applyed also to the Nose it cureth the Disease called Polypus which is a piece of flesh growing therein which in time sloppeth the passage of breath through that Nostril and it helpeth those clefts or chops that come between the Fingers or Toes Crollius saith that because it hath such rough spots on the backside of the Leaves it healeth all sorts of scabs whatsoever by Signature And here I might tell Mr. Culpepper that the Colledge of Physitians forbid not other Polypody but onely prescribe that of the Oak for the best because every Excrescence or Plant upon a Plant as Polypody commonly is doth participate of the nature of that Tree whereon it groweth And seeing that the Oak is of a more drying or purging quality then any of the other Trees it commonly growes upon therefore the Polypody of the Oaks is best but why do I answer for the learned Colledge who are more able to answer for themselves had they thought their â—â—â—ing Antagonist worth the taking notice of Creeping Oak-Fern hath been by some Apothecaries beyond the Sea mistaken for Polypody to the endangering of those that took it for it hath not that purging quality proper to Polypody but a pernicious operation Yet it is a remedy to take away hairs as Dioscorides saith if the Roots and Leaves be bruised together and applyed after sweating Matthâ—â—lus saith that the Root in Powder with a little Salt and Bran is given to â—orses for the Worms The last viz. White Oak-Fern is moderate in tast somewhat drying and may be safely used instead of the true Maidenhair CHAP. CXVI Of Whortle-Berries The Names THere be severall Sorts of Whortle-Berries whereof that with black-Berries is taken to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus that is Vitis ex parte Idae quam vocant Phalacras 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Vitis being both taken in a large Sense as the word Vine must also be The Latine followeth the Greek in which it is called Vitis Idaea Theophrastl and because all the rest have a resemblance to this they are all called Vites Idaea The fruits are called Vaccinia and therefore some have thought this sort to be the Vaccinia Nigra of Virgil but he putteth his Vaccinia amongst Flowers and not among fruits saying Et nigrae violae sunt â— vaccinia nigra Vitruvius Pliny indeed have a Vaccinium which was used to dye Garments which might very well be this for such a Purple Colour will the juyce hereof give if it be rightly ordered It is also called Myrtillus and by some Myrtillus Germanica because the Physitians and Apothecaries in Germany and thereabouts took them to be true Myrtle-Berries so used them till they were shewed their errour They are called Whorts and Whortle-Berries and Bill-Beries also in the parts about London The Kindes There be nine sorts of Whorts reckoned up by Authours 1. Black Whorts or Bill-Berries 2. The greater Bill-Berry 3. Hungarian black Whorts 4. Red Whorts with Box-Leaves 5. Red Whorts with longer Leaves 6. The Spanish Red Whort 7. The French Honey sweet Whorts 8. The talled red Whorts of Candy 9. The lower Candy red Whorts The Form The small Bush that beareth black Whorts or Bill-berries creepeth along upon the ground scarce rising half a yard high with divers small dark green Leaves
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
with the Gout or Sciatica doth give a great deal of ease The green or dry Leaves boyled in Beer or put therein upon the Tunning up maketh it more wholsom and giveth thereunto a most excellent relish The decoction taken helpeth inward bruises congealed blood strengtheneth the stomack is effectuall for the Suffocation of the Muther The root taken dry or drunk in any Liquor will abate the rage of Lust in young persons The root being used green helpeth such as be Short-winded and those that are troubled with stuffings in their Stomach The Wild Angelica is not so effectuall as the Garden although it may be used for all the purposes aforesaid The root of the garden Angelica is a better substitute in Theriaca Andromachi or Venice Treacle and Mithridate then many others that have been used therein CHAP. CXIX Of Saffron The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin Crocus and Crocum which are the Names used in the shops of Apothecaries in English Saffron The Poets say it was called Crocus from a young man of that name who pining away for the love of Smilax was turned into this Flower Ovid testifying as much in the verse following Et Crocum in parvos versum cum Smilace flores It may not unfitly be called Filius ante patrem or the Father before the Son Because it first putteth forth the Flowers and then the Leaves The Kinds There being but one kind of the true manured Saffron I shall put down five of the more Common wild sorts 1. Wild Saffron flowring early with an Ash-coloured streaked flower 2. Wild yellow Spring Saffron 3. Broad leaved Wild-Spring Saffron with a Purple flower 4. Autumne Wild Saffron with white Flowers 5. Small Wild Saffron The Form The manured true Saffron hath its Flower first rising out of the ground nakedly without any Leaves shortly after which riseth up its long small grassy Leaves seldom bearing Flower and Leaves at once the root is small round and Bulbous The Flower consisteth of six small blew Leaves tending to Purple having in the middle many small yellow strings or threds amongst which are two or three or more thick fat Chives of a fiery colour somewhat reddish of a strong smell when they be dryed but being newly gathered and but rubbed upon ones hand they will make it very yellow The Places and Times Fuchsius saith that heretofore the best Saffron grew upon the Mountaine Corycus in Cicilia and the next to that upon Olympus a Mountaine in Lycia but since the profit that ariseth from this commodity hath been discovered it hath beene planted in Germany and likewise in England in divers places but especially in Cambrigeshire about Walden which is therefore called Saffron-VValden where there be divers feilds full of it It beginneth to Flower in September and presently after the Leaves Spring up and remaine green all the Winter-long dying againe in April when it commonly putteth forth another Crop of Flowers which must be gathered assoon as it is blown or else the Chives in the middle which are the Commodity will perish so that it is allowed to be gathered on the Sabbath day by that strict Sabbatarian Mr. Greenham in his Treatise on that subject because it is conceived that God who hath made the Saffron so to Flower would not that a thing so usefull for mans health should be lost for want of gathering This information I had from my learned friend Mr. Hudson Minister of Putney the place of my abode at the writing hereof The Wild Sorts were brought some out of Italy and some out of Spaine and are growing in divers of our London Gardens they Flower for the most part in Jannuary and February but that with Flowers groweth upon certaine craggy Rocks in Portugall not far from the Sea side which hath been brought over into England also and flowreth in September The Temperature Saffron is a little astringent or binding but his hot quality doth so over rule in it that in the whole essence it is in the number of those herbes which are hot in the second degree and dry in the first therefore it hath also a certain force to concoct which is furthered by the small astriction that is in it as Galen saith The Vertues There is not a better Cordial amongst herbs then Saffron is for it doth much comfort the Heart and recreateth the Spirits and makes them cheerfull that use it and therefore it is called Cor hominis the Heart of man and when we see a man over merry we have a Proverb Dormivit in sacco Croci He hath slept in a bagge of Saffron It expells Venemous Vapors from the Heart and therefore is very usefull in the Plague Pestilence and small Pox strengthneth the stomack preservs the Entralls helpeth Concoction and naturall heat It is called by some Anima Pulmonum because it is very profitable for the Lungs and the Consumption thereof as also for the shortnesse of breath It is likewise very profitable for the Head Stomach Spleen Bladder Womb Animal Vital and Naturall Spirits and is usefull in cold diseases of the Braine and nerves and quickens the memory and senses It is good in the Pleurity openeth the stoppings of the Liver and â—all and therefore is usefull in the yellow Jaundise which it cureth by sigâ—◠〈…〉 e and against Melancholly provoketh Urine and Venus hastneth Child-birth procures a good colour to them that use it It is profitable in sits of the 〈◊〉 especially the Tincture thereof It is best for old persons that are phlegmatick and Melancholick and that in the Winter Season It is outwardly used against the Gout to ease the paine thereof being mixed with the Yolke of an Egge and Oyle of Roses and applyed A Cataplasme of Pulâ— is made of Saffron Milke and the crums of Bread being applyed mollifyeth Tumors and Aposthums it easeth sore Eyes and blood-shotten being used with red-Roses and the white of an Egge being mixed with red-rose-red-Rose-water and Womans Milke it preserveth the Eyes from the small Pox and Measles and being made up in a stay and put under the Throat of one that hath the small-Pox keepeth them from the place which would otherwise be much more troublesome if the life not hazzarded It is used against Erysipelas or Wild-fire and Inflammations it helpeth deafenesse if it be mixed with Oyle of bitter-Almonds and put into the Eare warme or dip black wooll in some of it and put it into the Eares It killeth the Itch and is used in pultisses for the Matrix and Fundament to ease the paine thereof and also for old Swellings and Aches Too much of it causeth the Head-ach offendeth the Brain and Senses brings drowsinesse and hurts the sight it causeth a loathing of the stomack takes away the appetite and provokes laugh 〈…〉 Some write that if two or three drams thereof be taken it brings death it is not safe to give to Women with Child The weight of ten graines of
famous Doctor of Physick whom the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some Bastard Names it hath also as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Hederula and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi Hederula folium the form of the Leaves being like unto Ivy. Ruellius calleth it Hederalis in Latine but it is better known by the Names of Asclepias and Vincetâ—xicum which last is a generall word for any Counter-poyson and commeth from Vincâ— to over-come and Toxicum Poyson It was anciently called Hirundinaria although both the kinds of Chelidonium majus and minus be called Hirundinaria that is Swallon-vvort ab Hirundine from a Swallow because the pointed Cods when they are open and the Silk appeareth out of them do somewhat resemble a Swallow flying Others say from the Seed which is feathered as it were with Down about it In English it is called Svvallovv-vvort and of some Silken Cicely The Kinds There be only three Sorts of Swallow-wort that I can find 1. Swallow-wort with white Flowers 2. Swallow-wort with black Flowers 3. Swallow-wort of Candy The Form The Swallow-wort with white-flowers riseth up with divers slender weake stalkes to be halfe a yard or two foot long not easy to break yet scarce able to stand upright and therefore for the most part leane or lye down upon the ground if they find not some thing to sustaine them and then somtimes they will twine themselves about it whereon are set two leaves at the joynts being somwhat broad and long pointed at the end of a darke green colour and smooth at the edges at the joynts with the Leaves towards the top of the stalkes and at the tops themselves come forth divers small white flowers consisting of five pointed leaves a piece of an heavy sweet sent after wich come small long pods thick above and growing lesse and lesse to the point wherein by small flat brown seed wrapped in a great deale of white silken down which when the pod is ripe openeth of it selfe and sheddeth both seed and cotton upon the ground if it be not carefully gathered the roots are a great bush of many white strings fastned together at the head smelling somewhat strong while they are fresh and green but more pleasant when they are dryed both leaves and stalkes dye down every yeare to the ground and rise a new in the Spring the stalkes at their first coming up being of a blackish brown colour The Places and Time One or two if not all of these sorts grow in the Physick Garden at Oxford but as for their naturall places the two first grow in rough untilled places and on Mountaines in divers places both in France about Narbone Marscilles and Mompelier and in Italy also and in other places The last grow in Candy whence the seed came which being sowne groweth with us They all flower in the moneths of June and July and somtimes not untill August if the yeare be backward and their Cods with seed are ripe about a Moneth after the empty huske abiding on the dry branches when the seed and silk is shed out and fallen on the ground or blown away with the wind The Temperature The rootes of Swallow-wort are hot and dry and have a soveraigne quality against all poysons but in particular against the Apocinum or Dogsbane The Vertues A Dram of the powder of the roots of Swallow-wort taken in Sorrell or Bnglosse water is very effectuall against all the passions of the heart and if a few Citron seeds be taken therewith in the same manner and measure it easeth all the griping paines of the belly It is likewise effectually given to any that are bitten by any venemous beast or stung by any Serpent or other Creature as also against the biting of a mad dog a dram and an halfe of the root being taken in Carduus water for divers dayes together It is taken also in Wine every day against the Plague or Pestilence The decoction of the rootes made with white-Wine taken for divers dayes together a good draught at a time and sweating presently thereupon cureth the Dropâ—y the same also helpeth the Jaundise provoketh Urine and eaâ—eth the Cough and all defects of the Chest and Lungs The powder of the Rootes taken with Peony seed is good against the Falling sicknesse or what Basil seed or the rind of Pome Citrons is good against Melancholy Taken with the roots of White or Bastard Dâ—ttany it killeth and expelleth the Wormes of the Maw and Belly The rootes are very effectually used with other things in Bathes made for women to â—t over to ease all paines of the Mother and bring down their courses The Decoction likewise of the Roots hereof and of Comfrey made with wine is much commended to help those that are bursten or have a rupture and for them that have bin bruised with a fall or otherwise The powder of the root or leaves is no lesse effectuall to cleanse all putrid rotten and filthy Ulcers and soâ—es wheresoever then the Roots of Aristolochia or Birthwort and may safely be used in all Salves Unguents and Lotions made for such purposes instead thereof the one for the other The Leaves and Flowers boyled and made into a pultis applyed to the hard tumors or swellings of womens Breasts cureth them speedily as also such evil sores as happen in the Matrix although they be inveterate or hard to be cured The Down that is found in the Cods of these herbs doth make a softer stuffing for Cushions or Pillows or the like than thistle down which is much used in some places for the like purposes CHAP. CXXVII Of Goates-Rue The Names THis Hearb being unknown to the Antient Authors hath no Greek Name in Latin it is usually called Galega or Ruta Capraria For they that first found it and the vertues gave that Name of Rue thereunto as finding it no lesse effectuall then the Best Rue and Capraria because it is good for Goates Some call it Gralega and some Herba Gallica as Fracastorius and of some Capraria Some with us call it Italian-Vetch but most Commonly Goates Rue The Kinds The Sorts hereof are but two 1. Common Goates Rue 2. Mountain Goats Rue The Forme The Common or most usuall Goates Rue sendeth forth many round hard stalks three or four foot high whereon grow one above another at severall Joynts Long winged Leaves that is many Leaves set one each side of a middle rib which are small yet somewhat broad and long and pointed at the end smooth on the Edges without any dents somewhat like unto the Leaves of Vetches and of a faint green Colour at the topps of the stalks stand many small Leguminous flowers one above another of a pale blewish purple Colour and in some plants pure white after which come small round pods about â—n inch and an half long a little bunched out in some places but nothing so much as the Orobus or Bitter Vetch wherein lie three or four or five small pale seed
and some tame As. 1. Garden Radish 2. Small garden Radish 3. Round Radish 4. Peare fashioned Radish 5. Wild Radish 6. Water Radish The Forme The Garden-Radish sendeth fotth great and large Leaves green rough cut on both sides with deepe gashes not unlike to the Garden Turnep but greater The Stalkes be round and parted into many branches out of which spring many small Flowers of a light purple colour made of foure little Leaves after which come sharp pointed cods puft or blown up towards the Stalk full of a spongious substance wherein is contained the seed of a light brown colour somwhat greater then the seed either of Turnep or Cabbage The roote is grosse long white and sometimes reddish without but white within alwaies and of a sharpe tast The Places and Time The foure first are Inhabitants of the Garden and require a loose ground whiâ—h hath been long manured â—nd is somwhat fat They prosper well in sandy ground which is naturally cold where they are not so subject to worms as in the other The fift groweth upon the borders of bankes and ditches cast up and in the borders of moist feildes â— The sixth groweth in ditches standing-waters and Rivers The Garden kindâ— are sown in February and March and so long till you come to November but the best time for sowing them is June and July for then they yeeld most because then they will not flower nor seed till the next spring when as those that are sown sooner run up to seed presently yet they are more set by in April and May then afterwards The wild kinds flower in June and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Radish doth manifestly heat and dry open and make thin by reason of the biting quality that ruleth in it Galen maketh them hot in the third degree and dry in the second and sheweth that it is rather a sawce then a nourishment The Vertues The rindes of the Roots of Radish steeped in Vinegar and Honey mixed together and taken in a morning fasting and a little after a draught of warme water do drive our Phlegme and other maligne humors of the Stomack by Vomit as often as it is oppressed with them It likewise provoketh Vrine dissolveth clutteted gravell and driveth it forth from the Reines and Bladder if a good draught of the decoction thereof be drunk in the morning It is good against an old Cough to make thine thick and grosse Phlegme which sticketh in the Chest The distilled Water hereof is effectuall for the purposes aforesaid provoking Vrine mightily and driving out Stones from the Kidneys The root also sliced and laid over night in White or Rhenish-Wine and drunk in the morning worketh the same effect The root stamped with Honey and the Powder of a sheepes heart dryed causeth the Haire to grow in a short space The seed also causeth Vomit provoketh Vrine and being drunk with Oxymel or Honyed Vinegar it killeth and driveth forth Worms The Root stamped with Meal of Darnel and a little White-wine Vinegar taketh away all black and blew spots and bruised blemishes of the face The Root boyled in Broth and the decoction drunk is good against an old Cough it moveth VVomens sickness and causeth much milk It is good likewise for the Dropsie the griefs of the Liver and for the Cholick and griping pains of the Belly Being eaten with Mustard it is good against the Lethargy drousiness and forgetfulness It is good also for them that are sick with eating of Toad-stools or Mushromes or Henbane or any other venomous poyson Some eat them raw with Bread instead of other food but being so eaten they yield very little nourishment and that faulty and ill But for the most part they are used as a sawce with meats to procure appetite and so they ingender blood lesse faulty and serve to distribute and disperse the nourishment especially if they be taken after meat yet howsoever they be taken they cause belchings and will make the meat oftentimes to rejolt in the stomack as the Countrey-man said that had eaten Fish fryed with Lamp-Oyl CHAP. CLII. Of the Black Alder-Tree The Names IT is most probable that this Plant came not under the cognitance of any Greek Authour because it is not named by any of them that I can read of The Latines call it Fraugnla quia cito frangitur that is the Branches â—e brittle and easie to break and Aluns nigra baccifâ—ra that it might be known from the Alâ—â—s Vulgaris whose Bark is whitish and the Wood more red and beareth not Berries as this doth Tragus calleth it Faulbaum that is foul Tree of the evill scent and tast The Idea ficus nostra sive Frangula vulgâ— of Lâ—gduâ—ensis differeth not from this although he would have it so to do It is called in English the Black Aller or Alder-tree Of which there is but one kind whose description followeth The Form The Black Aller or Alder-tree riseth seldom to be of any great bigness but for the most part abideth like a Hedge Bush or Tree spreading into branches the wood of the Body being white and of a dark red at the core or heart the outward Bark being of a blackish colour whereon many white spots are noted to be seen but the inner Bark next to the Wood is yellow which being chewed will turn the spittle yellow as much or more then Rubarb near unto a Saffron colour the Leaves are somewhat like unto those of the ordinary Alder-tree or those of the Female Cornel or Dog-berry-tree but blacker and not so long but rather rounder the Flowers are white comming forth at the Joynts with the Leaves which turn into small round Berries green at the first and red afterwards but blackish when they are thorough ripe divided as it were into two parts wherein is contained two small round and star Seeds the Root runneth not deep into the ground but spreadeth rather under the upper crust of the Earth The Places and Time This Tree or Shrub groweth in Woods and Copses that are moyst Mr. Gerard saith that he found great plenty of it in a Wood called St. Johns Wood in the way between Isâ—â—gton and Hornsey on the left hand of the way and in the Woods at Hampstead and other places about London It flowreth in May and the Berries are ripe in September the Leaves appearing in the Spring The Temperature The inner Bark of the Alder-tree which is of the greatest use if not only used in Physick is of a purging and dry quality The Vertues and Signature The inner Bark aforesaid which is of a yellow colour being steeped in Wine or Beere and drunk causeth to vomit vehemently and cleanseth the stomack It doth also purge downward both Choler and Flegme and the watry humours of Hydropick persons and strengtheneth the inward parts again afterwards even as Rubarb doth If it be boyled with Agrimony Worm-wood Dodder Hops and some Fennel and Smallâ—ge Endive and Chicory Roots and a
Galanga 2. The lesser Galanga The Form The Greater groweth to be two cubits high having Leaves folding about the Stalke being somwhat long and narrow at the lower end and pointed at the end somwhat like a Speares head of a sad greene colour on the upper side and paler underneath The flower is white but without any scent the seed is small and neglected the root is somwhat great at the head like a reed and hath beene thought by some to be a kind of Iris being of a blackish colour on the outside and whitish within The lesser ariseth not above a foot high having Leaves like the Mirtle the root is small and bunched firme and somwhat tough red both within and without and smelleth a little sweet or aromaticall The Places and Times The first groweth in Java and Malaber being Countryes of the East-Indies The other in China concerning the time I find not any Author that maketh mention The Temperature Galanga is hot and dry in the second or third degree The Vertues and Signature This Galanga is also set down by the aforementioned Crollins to have the Signature of the Stomack and from thence it hath beene found to be exceeding profitable in all cold diseases of the Stomack by helping its concoction and expelling Wind and Crudities from it and strengthening it if it be boiled in Wine and taken Morning and Evening It doth also very much comfort and strengthen a moyst bram helps the Vertigo or swimming of the Head and avails against the palpitation or beating of the Heart and is very useful in the gnawing of the stomack and easeth the Cholick which proceedeth of Wind and in the Diseases of the Mother and stopping of the Urine and hath a speedy operation to cleanse the passages thereof from slimy flegm and stones gathered therein or in the passages at the neck of the Yard and also to wast and consume any fleshy excrescence in the neck of the Bladder or Yard Besides it not only provoketh to Venery but helpeth Conception so that there cannot be a better thing for those which desire to supply their want of Children for it is profitable for them that have cold Reins and excellent for them that have cold and windy distempers of the Womb. Being boyled in Wine and so taken it helpeth a stinking breath and dissolveth the hardness of the Spleen There be also to be had at the Apothecaries Shops both a Powder and Electuary whose chief Ingredient is Galingall both which prevail against Wind sower belchings and indigestion grosse humors and cold Diseases of the Stomach and Liver You may take half a dram of the powder at a time or two of the Electuary in the morning fasting or an houre before meat If Galingall be drunk with the water or Juyce of Plantane it stoppeth the Bloody-Flux and strengtheneth nature comforteth the Brain and helpeth the trembling of the Heart Both the sorts above-mentioned may be used to good purpose in Meats as well as Medicines but the lesser is both of more use and of greater effect and indeed is to be used only in all the Compositions wherein Galanga is appointed yet when the one is not to be had the other may be and is used The best is full of small holes CHAP. CLXIII Of Cardamomes The Names THey are called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cardamomum in imitation of the Greeks who gave it that denomination from the likeness of it to Amomum and the vertues thereof it being very profitable for that Disease of the Stomack which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the affinity that the veins belonging to the mouth of the stomack have with the heart and because being slit in two it represents the form of the Heart In Shops Grana Paradisi In English Cardamomes after the Greeks but commonly Grains or Grains of Paradise The Kinds Whosoever shall observe the Cuts in Gerard may collect from thence that there are five sorts of Cardamomes 1. The greater Cardamomes of the Arabians 2. The greater Cardamomes of the Shops 3. The middle sort of Cardamomes 4. The lesser Cardamomes 5. The least Cardamomes The Form Cardamomes grow by the report of the learned upon an Herby Plant of the height of one Cubit not unlike in substance to the Herb that beareth Ginger whereupon doth grow a great Cod or Husk in shape like a Fig when it groweth upon the Tree but of a russet colour thrust full of small Seeds or Grains of a dark reddish colour as may be plainly seen when it is divided and of a very hot tast The Places and Time They grow in all the East-Indies from the Port of Calecute unto Cananor it groweth in Malavar in Joa and divers other places They spring up in May being sowen of Seed and bring their fruit to ripeness in September The Temperature Cardamomes are hot and dry in the third Degree having in them an astringent faculty The Vertues The Seeds called Cardamomes or Grains of Paradise are generally received to be of admirable efficacy for that distemper of the stomack called the Cardiack passion in which it is very prevalent and indeed the Cods wherein the Seed is contained have some similitude with the stomack It is also very useful when the stomack is not able to perform the Office of digestion or when the appetite hath any need of provocation and likewise for the suppressing of vomiting when either of them proceed of a cold cause if so be it be only chewed in the mouth and so it draweth forth watery and flegmatick humours both from the Head and Stomack It is in like manner profitable against the Falling-sickness the Sciatica the Cough resolutions of the Sinews Ruptures pains of the Belly killing of Worms and provoking Urine being drunk with Sack and so it not only comforteth and warmeth the weak cold and feeble stomack but helpeth the Ague and riddeth the shaking fits A dram of Cardamome-Seed drunk in Wine with as much Bark of Laurel breaketh the Stone and being mixed with Ale wherein Time and Parsley have been boyled and then strained it is a good remedy for the Chollick It is a good Spice for Women that are troubled with any grief particularly belonging to that Sex It provoketh Urine when it is stopped or passeth with pain resisteth poyson and the sting of Scorpions and other venomous Creatures It expelleth Wind powerfully from other entralls as well as the stomack easeth those that by falls or beatings are bruised and broken and those that are tormented with the Sciatica or Hip-Gout and being boyled in Vinegar or sleeped therein and used it is good against Scabs and Tetters The Powder of it put into the nose comforteth the feeble brain or if it be put with the Oyl of Musk in an Egge-shell till it boyl and then anointed therewith It is said by some to be the chief of all Seeds CHAP. CLXIV Of Pepper The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
because in those dayes they grew hardly any where else and were therefore guarded by a watchfull Dragon which Hercules slew and brought with him some of the said fruit which is by divers Latine Authors called Aurantia à corticis colore aureo and by others Arantia ab Arantiâ oppido Achaiae by some Pomum Narrantium by Dodonaeus Anarantium and by Lobel Malum aureum which name is most suitable to them being Golden apples indeed The flowers of the Orenge are called Napha and the Oyntment made of them Vnguentum ex Naphâ The Kinds There are five sorts of Orenge Trees 1. The ordinary Orenge-Tree 2. The Wild or Crab Orenge-Tree 3. The Apple Orenge 4. The Orenge without Seeds 5. The dwarfe Orenge-Tree The Form The grafted or ordinary mannured Orenge-Tree groweth to a great stature the lower part of which as also of the greater branches are covered with a rough bark but those which are lesser and younger have a smooth green barke whereon are set some few sharpe but short thorns The Leaves are very like in forme to those of the Laurell-Tree but may be easily distinguished if they be bruised betweene ones finger for then they sent forth a sweet smel like unto the peele of the Orenge and likwise by being full of small holes the Flowers are whitish and of a very strong sweet scent The fruit hereof is round with a thick bitter rind of a deepe yellowish red colour having under it a soft white loose substance and under that the juyce is contained in small skins which in some is lesse sower then others The seeds of it do somwhat resemble those of the Lemmon The Places and Times All the sorts above named do grow in the Coasts of Italy and the Islands thereabouts but especially in Spaine about Sivil where the best Orenges grow and are called by us Civil-Orenges under which name the Women in London that sell any comprehend the rest calling them all so be they what they will There be also Orenge-Trees that grow in England in the Gardens of the Earle of Northumberland at Sion-house neere Brainford and of the Lord Lambert at Wimbleton They hold their Leaves alwaies green and beare blossomes greene and ripe fruit all the yeare through but here in England the fruit will be two yeares before it come to perfection And to make it do so the Trees must be set in great Boxes full of earth so that they may be removed into the house in the Winter-time The Temperature Orenges are not wholly of one Temperature for the rind is hot in the first degree and dry in the second the juyce of them is cold in the second degree and dry in the first They are colder or hotter according to their sweetnesse or sowreness for the sowrer the juice is the colder it is and the sweeter the more hot The Vertues Orenge-Peele is as usefull in Physick as any part thereof though it be commonly cast away as if it were good for nothing yet it doth warme a cold Stomack very effectually helping to breake the Wind that molesteth it and causeth cold Phlegme to be voided from thence And being condited or preserved with Honey or Sugar it warmeth the Stomack mendeth a stinking breath and helpeth digestion and is used in Banquets with other sweetmeats being also very effectuall for the strengthing of the Heart and Spirits The juice and inner substance where the juice is is very good against all contagions and corruptions of the aire the Plague and other hot Feavours it comforteth the Heart and especially the Mouth of the Stomack and helpeth the weaknesse thereof It is also profitable against the trembling of the Heart pensive heavinesse and Wambling of the Stomack it restraineth Vomiting and taketh away loathing in Agues and such like diseases it quencheth thirst and so doth the Syrup thereof The seeds withstand all Venome and Poyson and are effectuall also to kill and expell Wormes The Oyntment that is made of the Flowers is often used to anoint the Stomacks of those which are troubled with a Cough making the cold raw Phlegme to expectorate and warming and comforting divers other places of the body The distilled Water of the same Flowers is very odoriferous and therefore fit for perfumes Besides it is good against contagious diseases to drink thereof at sundry times it helpeth also the cold and moist infirmities of the Mother Such simples as serve both for the correction of Meates and Medicaments being thus treated of I shall in the next place write of those that are more alimentall and therefore not improper to be mentioned here beginning with fruits and then proceeding to Roots and Herbes CHAP. CLXVIII Of the Apple-Tree The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Malus and Malum Pomus and Pomum which in English is an Apple The Kinds To reckon up the divers sorts of Apple-Trees and their fruits would take up more roome then we allot for a whole Chapter I shall therefore set down only some of the principall 1 The Summer Peare-maine 2 The Winter Peare-maine 3. The Summer Queening 4. The Winter Queening 5. The Jennetting 6. The pome-Pome-water 7. The great Pippin 8. The small Pippin 9. The Harvy Apple 10. The Gillofloure 11. The Marigoâ—d 12 The John Apple 13. The Paradise Apple 14. The Wilding or Crab of which there is the Towne Crab the greater and lesser white Crab the small Hedge Crabbe The Forme For formality sake only I shall tell you that the Apple-Tree doth generaâ—ly spread his Armes and Branches more then the Peare-Tree but riseth not to that height the Leaves are somwhat round yet pointed at the end and dented about the edges being greene both above and below the Flowers are White with some Red many times mixed with it especially about the edges The Fruit is of divers sizes formes colours tasts c within which being ripe be divers black Kernells the Root goeth straight down with some branches running aslope The Places and Time All the sorts aforesaid and a great many more grow either in Orchards as being mannured or else Wild in Woods and Hedg-rowes especially in Kent Glâ—cester and Herefordshire where they make abundance of Cydar They commonly Flower about April and the fruit of the Summer kinds is ripe about the beginning of July and the rest in September or thereabouts The Temperature Apples are cold and moist in the first degree as Mr. Elliot an ancient English Author alleageth Howbeit there is great difference in Apples for some be sweet some be sowre some be bitter some harsh some be of a mixt temperature both sweet and sowre c The sweet and bitter Apples are inclining to heat the sowre and harsh are cooling and therefore good when the Stomack is weak by the distemperature of Heat The Vertues Though Apples eaten before they be ripe or afterwards immoderately and without preparation are very unwholesome yet being gathered
bloody flux and so doth the root of the true Rubarbe if it be toasted at the fire and drunk with Plantane water or thick red wine The distilled water thereof is very profitably used to heal Scabs as also foul ulcerous sores and to allay the inflammations of them The juyce of the Leaves or roots or the decoction of them in Vinegar is used also as a most effectuall remedy to heaâ—e Scabs and running Sores The two last sorts of Rubarb are seldom used their qualities being more astringent then opening CHAP. CLXXVIII Of Turmerick The Names IT is in uncertain whether this Drug were known to the Grecians or not there being no positive Greek name for it upon record some think it to be the Cyperus Indicus of Dioscorides because it hath the same colour taâ—â— the root being like Ginger but why he should referr it to a Cyperus is somewhat strange the root of that having no such form colour or tast Garcias and Christopherus Acosta call it Crocus Indicus but the Common Latin name is Curcuma borrowed as is most probable from the Arabians who call it Curcum yet this is not the Curcuma of Serapio or Avicen as Matthiolus hath well noted which is no other then the greater Celandine whose root is yellow and therefore the Apothecaries in former times took it for Curcuma and put it into the Composition called Diacurcuma I find but one sort thereof and therefore I shall proceed to the description The Form Turmerick beareth larger thinner Leaves then Millet and of a paler green colour which afterwards when the stalk is grown up do likewise encompasse one another thereupon up to the top What flower or seed it beareth I find no mention The Root is somewhat like Ginger in forme but of a yellow or Saffron colour within and without yet it is not so flat as Ginger but rounder hot in tast and bitterish when it is dry though being fresh the bitternesse thereof cannot be so easily perceived by reason of the moisture that is in it The Places and Time I find not that Turmerick groweth any where but in the East-Endies but that iâ— doth there the names above mentioned do cleerly intimate I can say nothing of the time having not yet met with any Author to direct me in this particular The Temperature Turmerick is hot and dry in the second or as some say in the Third degree The Signature and Vertues If all Roots Flowers and Barks that are yellow do cure the yellow-Jaunders by Signature as it hath bin found experimentally by those who have made tryall of them then certainly Turmerick cannot choose but do it it being so eminently yellow And therefore they do well that use it for the yellow Jaundise which is a distemper commonly proceeding from the Liver so that if it be good for the one it must be consequently for the other as also for the obobstructions of the Gall which is the receptable for that yellow choler which causeth the Jaundise when it cannot be admitted It is very effectuall likewise to open the Stoppings of the Stomack Womb and Bladder and is very good in the Dropsy and Green sicknesse for it openeth all manner oâ— obstructions and heâ—peth to bring down Womens courses It is of very good use also in oâ—d and inveterate griefes and sicknesses and that evill diâ—poâ—ition of the body called Cachexia which is when the whoâ—e nourishment of the body is sent to feed some predominâ—nt humours Neither is it good for men only but for Horses especially when they are troubled with the Yellowes as the expert Farrier can tell you It is used outwardly to take away the haire and is put into thoâ—e Medicines that are made for the Eyes and for the Itch and Scab if some juice of Oranges and the Oyle of the Câ—car or Indian Nâ—t be mixed with it as Gartias saith It is much used to colour dâ—shes cups and such â—ike Woodden-Vessels insteed of Saffron The Indians use it much both to colour and season their meats and broths as we do Saffron in ours it being cheaper and easier to be had amongst them CHAP. CLXXIX Of Agrimony The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eupatorium and Hâ—patorium and so the Latines call it also the first name being given unto it from King Eupator who first â—ound out the Vertues of it the other from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jecur quiâ— Hepati pracipâ—e medâ—tur because it is a chiefe he per to the Liver It is also called Agr 〈…〉 nia of divers which is the name whereby it is best known in Shops Some or her names are also given unto it as Marmorella Concordia Ferraria and Lappa inâ—ersa because the seeds which are rough like burres hang down-wards It is called in English Agrimony and Egrimony The Kindes There be divers sorts of Agrimony Seaven whereof I shall present you with 1 Common Agrimony 2 Sweet smelling Agrimony 3 Bastard Agrimony 4. Hemplike Agrimony 5. The broader Hempâ—ike Agrimony of America 6. Narrow leafed Hemplike Agrimony of New-England 7. Common water Agrimony 8. Water Agrimony of New-England The Forme Common Agrimony hath divers long Leaves made of many set upon a Stalker some greater other smaller all of them dented about the edges greene above somewhat grayish underneath and hairy withall from amongst which doth arise a hard round hairy brown stalke about the height oâ— halfe a yard or more with some smaller Leaves upon it set here and there towards the top whereof grow many small yellow Flowers one above another in long spikes after which come many rough heads of seeds hanging downwards like to small burres which when they be ripe will catch hold and stick upon Garments or upon any hairy Beast that shall rub against them The Root is black long and somwhat wooddy abiding many yeares and shooting a fresh every Spring being also of an indifferent good smell The Place and Time The first groweth in divers pastures and ditches hedges and highway-sides throughout the Land the second is not so common with us being a retainer only with those that are curious but is naturall to Italy in many places the third Columna sound about Naples the fourth is found by the brinkes of ditches in other moist places n and sometimes in upland grounds the fifth and sixth came to us from New England and Virginia the seventh in shallow ponds and plashes of water and such places as have bin overflown by Winter floods the last came from New England but groweth very strongly in our gardens They all flower about July and the Sâ—â—d is Ripe towards the latter end of August The Temperature Agrimony is hot in the first degree but temperate in respect of drynesse so that though it doth moderately bind yet it 〈◊〉 and scowreth and is of subtill parts The Virtues Not onely the Greek name of this Heth but also the continued consent of ancient and
away an Ague the juice thereof being taken in Wine or the decoction made in the said Liquor The smeet Smallage is eaten with great delight as a Sallet wherein both the Leaves and Rootes may be used either raw or boyled It may also be fryed and eaten with meat as Parsly oftentimes is or the dryed herb may be powdered and strewed upon Meat but the Venetians with whom it is in great request do either eat it raw after it is whited with Pepper and Oyle or else a little boyled or stewed The Herb and Root do warme the Stomack causing it to digest meat and expell Wind but the seed much more The Root is to be scraped and sliced and so eaten with Oyle and Vinegar CHAP. CLXXXVII Of Cleavers The Names IT hath gotten many Greeâ— names as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aparine and so it is called in Latine also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the seed of it is like a Navel and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Philâ—â—â—hropos quasi hominis amâ—ns because it is apt to stick upon those mens cloathes which come where it is and it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the same reason also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pliny calleth it Lappa minor saying it is Lappaginis specus because the seeds be rough like little bunes and therefore he calleth it also Asperugo It is called in English Goos-beiriffe Gooseshare Goosegrasse Cleavers or Clivers because they cleave close to garments c and in so Countryes they call the seed Begger lice The Kinds To this sort there be only three Plants that may be referred 1. Common Clevers 2. Smooth Goos-grass 3. Purple-floured Clevers The Common Cleavers hath divers rough square stalks not so big as the tag of a point but full of joynts lying low upon the ground unlesse it meet with a hedge or bush and then it climeth two or three yards high somtimes at every of the joynts it shooteth out a branch besides the Leaves thereat which are usually six set in a round compasse like a Starre or the Rowell of a Spur like unto the smallest Madder the flowers are very little and white pearking on the tops of the branches the seeds are small round and hollow in the mid'st in manner of a Navell set by couples for the most part the root is tender and full of stringes The whole Plant is rough and by its ruggednesse taketh hold on mens vestures and woollen garments as they passe by and being drawn along the tongue it fetcheth blood The Places and Times The first groweth not only by Hedges and Ditches in most places of this Land but also in the Cornefields where it doth somtimes domineere especially amongst the Pease which are many times almost if not altogether choaked by it and somtimes in Gardens where it is a troublesome inhabitant if the seed be suffered to shed The second was brought out of Spaine and the last is a stranger also They flower in June and July and the seed being ripe in August soweth it selfe against the next yeare for the old root perisheth The Temperature Goose-grasse as Galen saith is moderate hot and dry and somewhat of thin parts The Vertues Clevers with such simples as are mentioned in the beginning of the former Chapter or alone by themselves being chopped into Water-gruell and well boyled be very wholesome to be eaten in the Spring at their first coming up for cleansing the blood and strengthening the Liver and fitting the Body for the season that followes by purging away those excrementitious dregs which the Winter hath bred in them especially from those whose bodyes are fat and grosse The distilled water drunk twice a day helpeth the yellow Jaundise and the Decoction of the herb will do the same and also stay Laskes and bloody Fluxes the juice which is pressed out of the seeds Stalkes and Leaves is good to defend Venome from the hearts of those that are bitten by Venemous Beasts if it be drunk in Wine A handfull of Cleavers boiled in a quart of Ale with a little pared Liquorice and some Currants to the one halfe and then streined may be successefully drunk morning and evening for the Cough and removing Phlegme from the Stomack It is also used to stay bleeding the juice or bruised Leaves being applyed to any green Wound and not only to stop the blood but to close up the Lips of it and the powder of the dryed herb strewed thereupon doth the same and likewise helpeth old Ulcers The herb stamped with Swines-grease and applyed to any part that is troubled with the Kings-evill or any other Kernell or Wen wasteth it away and also helpeth those that have their Paps swollen through curded-Milke Being bruised and laid a soake in Spring-water foure and twenty houres it is a good remedy for Scabs or such like Sores if they be bathed with the said water The juice dropped into the Eares taketh away the pain of them Dioscorides reporteth that the Shepherds of his time did use â—he branches hereof to take haires out of Milk and so may our Milk-maides if they want a Strainer CHAP. CLXXXVIII Of Chick-Weed IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it delighted to grow in Woods and shadowy places uch as the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and from thence cometh the Latine name Alsine Some of the Ancients called it Hippia We call it Chickweed and Chicken-weed because Chicken and Birds love to pick the seed thereof The Kinds I shall give you the sorts of Chick-weed as they are marshalled in the Catalogue of Brittish Plants there being at least twenty 1. Great Water Chick-weed 2. Berry bearing Chickweed 3. Chick-weed like long leafed Scurvy-grasse 4. River-Chickweed 5. Germander Chick-weed 6. Fountaine Chickweed 7. Speedwel Chick-weed 8. Ivy Chickweed or small Henbit 9. Great Henbit 10. Mouse Eare Chickweed 11 Great Chick-weed 12. Sea Chick-weed 13. Middle Chick-weed 14. Fine Chickweed 15. The least Chick-weed 16. Creeping Water Chick-weed 17. Srone Chick-weed 18. Right Chick-weed 19. Upright Chick-weed with jagged Leaves 20. Round Leafed Chick-weed or Water Purslane The Forme Chick-weed bringeth forth many Flexible branches full of Joynts which would appeare to be three or four foot-high if it had any bush or such like thing whereon it might take hold as sometimes it hath but commonly wanting somewhat to uphold it through the weaknesse of its stalkes it lyeth on the ground so that it seemeth not so long at every joynt standeth two smooth tender Leaves of a fresh green colour one against the other from which on both sides come forth other branches joynted and set with Leaves in the same manner the flowers which grow on the top of the branches be white much like the flowers of Stitch-wort but lesser in whose places succeed long knops but not great in which the seed is contained The root consisteth of fine little Strings like haires Though there be many Chick-weeds of different
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
Leaves many set together whiâ—h are somewhat long and hollow ending or spreading into four small Leaves of whitish yellow green colour which give place to small round and somewhat long black-berries when they are ripe wherein lyeth a white kernel The Root groweth down deep into the ground and spreadeth likewise tough long white strings somewhat wooddy Both Leafe and Flower both Bark and Root are very hot and sharp in tast heating the mouth and throat of any that shall tast them It keepeth its green Leaves all the Winter as all other Bay-Trees do even in the coldest yeares The Places and Times The First groweth wild not onely by the Lake of Geneva as Gerard or rather Dâ—donâ—ns doth affirm and in other places beyond the Seas but in our own Country also in divers places and particularly between the Hedge and a foot-path that leadeth from St. Albans to Park-Street The other was sent out of Candy as the title testifies The first flowereth very earely in the year even in January or February and sometimes before if the winter be mild The berries are ripe about May or June when the other flowereth or beareth fruit is uncertain seeing it hath not put forth either in this Country The Temperature Spurge Laurell is of a very hot and biting Temperature The Vertues It is reported of this Plant that if the Leaves be gathered with ones hand tending upwards it causeth vomiting if downwards it causeth purging but how true it is I cannot affirm for I never knew it taken inwardly yet I find upon Record that the Leaves purge slymy phlegme and waterish superfluities and are therefore good for the Dropsy and that fourteen or fifteen of the Berries do the like Notwithstanding they are said to purge very violently inflaming and heating the Throat and wringing the Stomack of whosoever shall take thereof and driveth them into divers dangerous diseases howbeit this seemeth to be spoken of the inconsiderate use thereof for it is said that if it be taken advisedly it purgeth phlegme from the Stomack and oftentimes by vomit also it procureth Womens Courses easeth the paines of the Cholick and being chewed in the mouth it draweth down from the Head and Brain much corrupt matter that would offend it And if there be any that understand not what is meant by the word advisedly let them know that it is to be taken after one of these or the like waies The Leaves must be steeped twenty four hours in good strong Vinegar and then dryed and their powder drunk in wine with Anniseeds and Mastick or else boiled in Whey of Sweet milk of broth or a Capon and so taken the dose not exceeding two scruples or one dram The Oyl wherein the fresh Leaves and Berries have been boyled being strained and the belly annointed therewith loosneth it and helpeth the Collick and being annointed on the back and reines provoketh Urine and helpeth the Piles Besides the Berries may be put into a Cataplasme for the Dropsy with Barly and Bean meale Fenugreek root of Wallwort Woormwood and Origan all which are to be sodden in wine and laid over the whole body The Flowers also used in a Glister are much commended for the said disease which is to be made thus Take flowers of Laurell two drams roots of Polypody Agarick of each a dram and half Dodder three drams seeth them in wine or water till the Third part be consumed then take of the Liquor of that decoction one pound of Benedicta Laxativa half a dram of Electuarium nidum two drams and a half Honey of Roses one ounce Oyles of Rue Camomile and flowered Luce of each one ounce of Sal Gemmae a dram and a halfe Commixe them all and make a Gliâ—â—er CHAP. CXCIX Of Toad Flax. The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Osyris as Fuchsius saith in Latin Pseudolinum and Liâ—aria from the resemblance of its Leaves with the true Line or Flax and Urinalis and Urinaria from its effects in provoking Urine Some have called it Esula adulterina from the resemblance it hath with a small kind of Esula or Spurge yet they may easily be distinguished if the stalk or Leaves thereof be broken for one hath milke the other hath not according to that old verse Esula lactescit siâ—e lacte Liâ—aria â—rescit Some have taken it to be the AntirrhiAntirrhinum of Pliny and indeed it seemeth to be a kind of Snapdragon by its flowers yet others will rather have it to be Osyris both of Pliny Dâ—oscorides and Galen whereunto it doth in many things agree There is a kind hereof which is called Scoparia and Herba Studiosorum because Scholers heretofore swept their Studdies with beesomes made thereof and Belvâ—deâ—e of the Italians for the glorious shew that the flower of it makes Some call it Wild-Flax in English but that name doth more properly belong to another kind it is called also Toad-Flax because Toads will some times shelter themselves amongst the branches of it and Flax-weed in Sussex Gallwort The Kinds Though there be many sorts of Flax-weed I shall trouble you but with ten of them 1. Great Toad-flax 2. Sweet purple Toadflax 3. Variable Toad-flax 4. Toad-flax of Valentia 5. White Toad-flax 6. Purple Toad-flax 7. Bushy Toad-flax 8. Golden Toad-flax 9. Broom Toad-flax 10 Sparrowes Toad-flax The Vertues The common Toad-flax is well known to have divers stalkes full fraught with long and narrow bâ—ew Aâ—h coloured Leaves without any footstalke at them like unto those of Flax but the stalkes are not so long from the middle of which up to the top come forth the Flowers which are many of a pale yellow colour of a strong unpleasant scent with deep yellow mouths like the flowers of Snapdragon the seeds which are blackish and flat are inclosed in round heads the Root is somwhat woody and White especially the maine down right one with many fibres thereat abiding many yeares shooting forth rootes every way round about and new branches every yeare The Places and Time Some of these sorts are wild some grow only in Gardens the expressing of their particular places would be to little purpose seeing none but the ordinary sort groweth naturally in our Land for as much as I can learne They flower from June till the end of Summer some of their seed being usually ripe towards the end of August The Temperature Toad flax is hot and dry as may be perceived from its bitternesse and also from the faculty it hath in provoking Urine The Vertues The Common sort of Toad-flax whose description I have set down is that which is most used in Physick It provoketh Urine both when it is stopt as also in those that are troubled with the Dropsy to spend the abundance of those watery humors by Urine which it draweth down wonderfully helping also to wash the Reines and Uritory parts from Gravell or Stones gathered therein and this it doth if the decoction of the Herb both Leaves and
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is in flower when the Vine is the word signifying the Flower of the Vine and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the whitenesse of its flowers In Latine Filipendula from the form of root which is composed of divers tuberous peeces hanging together with black strings like threds yet some write Philipendula following Nicholaus Myrepsus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without taking notice why it is called Filipendula It is called in English also Filipendula and the same Filipendula and Dropwort because it helpeth pissing of by Drops The Kinds I think it will not be amisse to give you the varieties of Dropwort though the Common Filipendula be that which is most used in Physick which are Fourteen in all 1. Common or Ordinary Filipendula 2. Another great Fhilipendula 3. Small Filipendula 4. The most ordinary great Dropwort 5. A smaller sort of Dropwort 6. Candy Dropwort with starr like heads 7. Candy Dropwort with fruitfull heads 8. Lobels Narrow Leaved Enanthe or Dropwort 9. Lobels Hemlock like Euanthe or Dropwort 10. Marsh Dropwort 11. French Dropwort 12. Small Rush like Enanthe or Dropwort 13. Fine small Dropwort of Africa 14. Water Dropwort The Forme Ordinary Filipendula or Dropwort shooteth forth divers long winged Leaves each of them consisting of many small Leaves of different sises set on each side of a middle rib and each of them dented about the Edges somewhat resembling Burnet and Wild Tansy or rather Agrimony or rather participating somewhat of each but differing in somewhat from every one of them as being harder in handling From amongst the said Leaves rise up one or more stalks about a Cubit or two foot high having some such Leaves thereon as grow below and sometimes also divided into other branches spreading at the top into many white sweet smelling Flowers consisting of five Leaves a peice with some threds in the middle standing together in a tuft or umbel upon a small footstalk the seeds are small and black whereupon depend many little knobs or black pellets somewhat like unto those of the female Peony but smaller The Places and Time The first groweth in divers places of this Land both upon and about St. Vincents Rock by Bristow and in a medow neer Sion house by Brainford and by the hedge sides or under bushes in dry fields and medows The second on the tops of very cold mountaines The third in stony rough grounds about Mompelier The places of the rest are â—ome in our own Lands some in others as may be perceived by their names The ninth groweth in the wet and moist furrows of the plowed Lands belonging to Underbrick Commonly called Battersey near London and by the foot-way-side between Greenwich and Eltham about a mile from Colonel Blunts houâ—e towards Eltham The last groweth about the house which was formerly the Bishop of Londons at Fulham The Filipendulâ—as flower in June and July and their â—eed is ripe in August but the rest flower and seed somewhat later The Temperature Dropwort is hot and dry in the third degree opening and cleansing yet alittle binding The Signature and Vertues The roots of severall of the sorts of Dropwort consisting of round tuberous pieces which do somewhat resemble the Stone in a mans Bladder do sign fie that it is an excellent Remedy for the Stone and indeed it is so for it not onely helpeth mightily to break and expell the Stone either in the Kidneys or Bladder and to bring away the Gravell but is also very effectuall to provoke Urine to help the Strangury or pissing by Drops and all other paines of the Reines or Bladder which are either forerunners or Symptoms of the Stone whether you use the Flowers Leaves or Seed but the Roots are most effectuall as having the Signature either taken in Powder or in a decoction with White Wine whereunto a little Honey is added The same bringeth down womens Courses helpeth to expell the After-birth and is good in the Dropsy Jaundise and Falling-Sicknesse The roots made into Powder and mixed with Honey into the Form of in Electuary doth much help them whose Stomacks are swollen breaking and dissolving the wind which was the cause thereof as also is very effectuall for all diseases of the Lungs as shortnesse of breath Wheesings hoarsnesse of the Throat and the Cough and to bring away cold phlegm therefrom or any other part thereabouts Being used in Broths it helpeth the Ache of the Back and Kidneys and also other distempers thereof as also of the Bladder and Urine The said Knots of the Roots being dryed and made into powder are effectuall for Fistulâ—es and hollow sores both inward and outward being bruised before they be dry and applyed to the swellings of the Pills or Haemorrhoides it helpeth them and so do the Leaves which may be used if the root to be be not gotten Divers of other sorts provoke Urine and help the Strangury also But the Hemlock Dropwort is in all cases to be avoided for those that have seen the experience of it do affirme that being taken in sharp sawces it doth well nigh poyson and those that eat of it have bin made giddy in their heads pale in their faces and to stagger and reel like drunken Men. CHAP. CCXXV. Of Gromell The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lithospermum which signifies as much as Stony-seed for the seed is very hard like a Stone in Latine also Lithospermum and Gorgonium Aeginochos and Heraclea in Shops Milium Solis and Granum Solis as some think because of its glistering when the Sun shines upon it but Serapio saith it should be called Misium Soler because the seedes being like those of Millet did grow upon the Mountaine Soler It is called in English Gromell Pearle-Plant and Lâ—chwale Jobs Teares which I intend to treat of also in this Chapter as being Lithospermi species a kind of Gromel be called in Latine Lachryma Job and Jobi and Lachryma Christi of some Diospyros or Jovis Triticum the Leaves hereof being like the Blades of Corne. The Italians when they first had it called it Lachryma simply afterwards Lachryma Christi and since every Country hath added some or other Epithite thereunto most of which are made use of in English some calling it Jobs Teares some Moses Teares some Jobs Drops or Moses drops Christs Teares Our Ladies Teares and some Gromel Reed because Gesner calls it Arundo Lithospermos The Kinds To this kind may be referred these nine sorts 1. Great upright Gromell 2. The greater creeping Gromwell 3. Small wild Gromell 4. Umbelliferous Gromell 5. Small Gromel with tuâ—ted tops like Alkanet 6. Small Corne Gromel 7. The small Germane Gromell or Sparrowort 8. French Gromel with Flaxen Leaves 9. Job's Teares The Form Great upright Gromel which is that which usually groweth in Gardens riseth up with divers upright slender wooddy hairy brown and crested stalles very little or not branched at all whereon do grow without order
being drunk is good for the Back and Bladder provoketh Urine mightily and freeth the inward parts from Obstructions and the Chervil taken in meat or drink worketh the same effects being taken either as meat or Medicine for it may be and is often eaten as a fallet whilst it is young pleasing the Palate with its good relâ—ish and warming the Stomack also and therefore it is very much uâ—ed amongst the French and Dutch in Lâ—blollies of stewed herbes in the eating whereof they much delight Tragus saith it is a certaine remedy to dissolve congealed or clotted blood in the body and so it doth likewise the blood that is caked by any bruises falles or the like It is also held very effectuall to send down Womens Courses and to help the Pleurisy and prickings of the sides which it doth by Signature also and to provoke sleep sweetly the decoction being taken The wild Chervill bruised and applyed dissolveth Swellings in any part of the body and taketh away black and blew markes happening by bruises or blowes in a short space and also easeth the Collick and paine of the belly Both Dioscorides and Galen do say that Scandix or Shepherds-Needle is good both for the Stomack and Belly being either eaten raw or boiled Being made into drink and taken it is good for the Nephriticall diseases before mentioned as also for the Liver and bindeth a loose Belly The seed being taken with Vinegar presently stayeth the Hicket and used in an Oyntment it helpeth the parts that are burnt with fire Pliny saith that the roote of Pâ—cteâ— Vâ—â—ris which is the Latine name of this Horb being beaten with Mallowes draweth forth Spliâ—â—ers or any other thing sticking in the flesh which is signified by the seâ—ds which are like unto Splinters CHAP. CCXXXI Of Brooke-Lime The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Anagallis Aquatica because it is a kind of Pimpernel commonly growing by the Water sides and in the Water where it is not deepe It is called also 〈◊〉 from the German word 〈◊〉 Diverâ— Authors have taken it to be Siâ—â— of Dioscorides but very eâ—â—oniously that being our Water Parsâ—â—p and not much unlike the Garden Parsâ—â—â— this whereof we now treat being more like on Purslane as you shall here an one yet that also hath its name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 calculâ—â—que 〈◊〉 from the Vertue it hath in those distempers we are now upon and therefore for want of a fitter place I shall put them together in this Chapter The Kindes Of Brâ—â—ke-Liâ—e and Water-Parsâ—ep there he Eleâ—en form 1. Common Brooke-lime 2. The greater Brooke-lime 3. Great Water Pimpernell 4. Small round leafed Water Pimpernell 5. Lobels third Water Pimpernell 6. Long Chick-weed leafed water Pimpernell 7. Narrow leafed water Pimpernel 8. The greater Water Parsnep 9. The lesser Water Parsnep 10. Another Water Parsnep with narrow Leaves 11. The quick or impatient Cresse The Form Common Brooke-lime groweth with flat thick stalkes which are round and parted into divers branches having on them thick smooth and broad Leaves somwhat like unto those of Purslaine but of a deeper greene colour set by couples upon the stalkes The flowers grow upon small long tender foot-stalkes which thrust themselves out of the bosome of the Leaves of a perfect blew colour not unlike in sorme to the Leaves of the Land-Pimpernel consisting of five small round pointed Leaves a peece shortly after which commeth the Seed whose forme hath not beene observed The Roote is white low creeping with fine strings fastened thereunto at every joynt The Places and Times The three first and the fifth are often found in our own Land growing in small standing Waters the fourth and seaventh in Germany in the like places the eight in Germany the ninth in divers pooles and watery ditches of our own Land the two last have been found with us also They do all flower in June and July most commonly giving their seed the next Moneth after The Temperature Brooke-lime and Water Pimpernel are both of a moist faculty as Tragus saith yet others say dry Water Parsnep is also of a heating faculty The Signature and Vertues Crollius saith that Pursâ—ane which I appropriate to the Teeth hath the Signature of the Reines and I know not why I may not as well say that Brooke-limes whose Leaves are not unlike those of the former may have the same I am sure that all Authors that write of it say that it is very effectuall to break the Stone in the Reines and Bladder and to passe it away by Urine which it provoketh also being stopped to helpe the Strangury and the inward Scabs of the Bladder the Leaves being stamped and strained and the juice given to drink in Wine It helpeth likewise to procure VVomens Courses and to expell the Dead Birth and is very profitable in the Dropsy It is many times used with Water-Cresses and other things in Diet drinkes to purge and cleanse the blood from those ill humours that would overthrow the health thereof especially if it be taken in the Spring-time when the blood is most active and so it is very helpfull for the Scurvy also and therefore Country people when they cannot easily get Scurvy-grasse do use Brookelime insteed thereof Being fryed with Butter and Vinegar and applyed warme it helpeth all manner of tumours and swellings and St. Anthonies fire also if it be often renewed The herb boiled maketh a good fomentation for Swollen Legs and the Dropsy The Leaves boiled and stamped in a stone Mortar with the powder of Feny-greek Linseed the roots of Marsh Mallowes and some Hogs-grease unto the forme of a Pultis taketh away any swelling in the Legs or Armes which is also powerfull in defending Wounds that are ready to fall into Apostemation that no humour or accident shall happen thereunto Farriers use it likewise about Horses to take away swellings and to heale the Scab and other like diseases in them Water parsnep provoketh Urine and Womens Courses and breaketh and expelleth both the Stone in the Kidneys and the Dead birth CHAP. CCXXXII Of the Havv-thorne The Names IT being so much controverted by Authors concerning the true Greek name of this Shrub I shall not undertake to decide it but pâ—â—e it by without giving it any The Laâ—ine name hâ—th also beene in diâ—putation but â—â—e â—oâ—t judicious of these later times have determined that the Spina appendix Plâ—â—â—â— which he somtimes calleth Spina simpâ—y can be no other then this Haw thorne which is called also in English Hedg-thorne White-thorne May and Mâ—y buâ—h because our ordinary sort commonly flowreth in May never after though somtimes before The Kinds Antiquity was acquainted but with one sort hereof yet now there be three taken notice of 1. The ordinary Haw-thorne 2. The â—ow Haw-thorne 3. Englands Haw-thorne which is in all parts like the common sort but that it flowreth twice in a yeare to the great admiration of some wise and judicious
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
the Region of the Stomack it much comforteth and strengtheneth it against castings and other passions thereof proceeding from sharp defluxions thereon Being beaten with some dry figs it mollifieth the bardnesse of tumors and of the Testicles and consumeth the Polypus which is a troublesome excrescence growing in the Nose the same also boiled in Vinegar and made up with the Meale of Lupins causeth rugged nailes to fall away and helpeth the Tooth-ach if the decoction onely be often gargled in Mouth the same also taketh away the Morphew freckles and other Spots of the skin The Nuts boyled in Wine and the Haire washed therewith causeth it to grow black and if the Ashes of them be mixed with the powder of a Mules hoofe and the Oyle of Myrtles it will stay the falling of it The small raspings or fillings of the Wood taken in Wine provoketh Womens Courses helpeth venomous bitings and procureth a good colour and the Wood or any other part thereof being burnt driveth away gâ—ats and other such like troublesome Flyes and is destructive to all manner of Vermine whether the Leaves be laid amongst any kind of seedes to keep them from being eaten with Wormes or the Wood in Wardrobes to preserve Garments from Mothes and therefore Chests and boxes made thereof are extreamely desired by those that have them not and highly prized by them that are possessors of them the Wood it selfe which is of a reddish colour is so firme and durable so free from corruption and Wormes that it is not hurt by rottennesse cobwebs or any other infirmities that often happen to other kinds of Wood. The Oyle wherein the fruit or Leaves have been sodden doth strengthen the Stomack â—tayeth Vomiting the flux of the belly or Lask and cureth the excoriation or going off of the skin from the secret parts CHAP. CCXXXV Of Kidney-Wort or Venus Navel-Wort The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cotysedon from the likenesse it hath with a Sawcer or Navel and therefore the Latines do not only call it Cotyledon or Umbilicus Veneris but Acetabulum also which signifies a Sawcer It is also call Scatum cali Scutellum Terrae Umbilicus Hortus Veneris and Herba Coxendicum In English Navel-wort of the Earth for its figure Venus Navel-wort quia contecta genitalia nudat et ad amatoria utitur as Dioscorides saith Hipwort for that it easeth the paines of the Hippes and other Joynts and Kidney-wort because it helpeth the Kidneys and Wall Penniwort because the Leaves are as round as a Penny and not much broader The Kinds To this kind may be referred these five sorts 1. Ordinary Kidney-wort or Wall penny-wort 2. Spotted Kidney-wort or the Princes Feathers 3. Small Kidney-wort with poundish Leaves 4. Small Kidney-wort with party coloured Flowers 5. Marsh Penny-wort The Form Ordinary Navel-wort for that is the most usuall name that I know hath many thick fat and round Leaves every one having a short footstalke fastened about the middle thereof and a little unevenly waved somtimes about the edges of a pale greene colour and somwhat hollow on the upper side like a Spoone or Sawcer from among which one or more tender smooth hollow stalks arise almost halfe a foot high with two or three small Leaves thereon not so round as those below but somwhat long and divided at the edges the tops are somtimes divided into long branches bearing a number of pendulous flowers set round about a long spike one above another which are hollow like a little bell of a whitish colour after which come small heads wherein are contained small brownish seed The root is round like an Olive and most usually smooth yet sometimes rugged or knobbed grayish without and white within having many small fibres thereat The Places and Time The first groweth plentifully in divers places of this Land as at Northampton Bristoll Bath and Oxford especially about Merton Colledge there both within and without upon the old Garden Wall that is next the feilds and in other places upon mud walles and amongst the stones and somtimes about old Trees the second in Portugall the third and fourth upon the Rocky and Stony places of the Switzers and upon the hill called Hortus dei neere Mompelier the last in wet grounds Marshes and Bogges and patticularly in a Vaâ—e or Bogge belonging to Stow-Wood neere Oxford The first flowereth about the beginning of May quickly perfecting its seed and then perishing till September aâ—out which time it springeth up afresh and abideth all Winter the second about the middle of May the three next in June and July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Ordinary Navel-wort is moist and cold somwhat astringent and a little bitter withall whereby it cooleth repelleth cleanseth and dâ—scusseth the other sorts are held to be cooling and somwhat more binding except the last which is hot and not to be used The Vertues and Signature To drink the juice or the distilled Water of Kidney-wort in a small quantity of White Wine is of very great operation to heale sore Kidneys torne or fretted by the Stone or exulcerated within with a deale of ease and so it provoketh Urine and is available for the Dropâ—y helpeth to break the stone as also to coole those parts that are inflamed by the paines thereof and to ease the wringing paines of the Bowells and the bloody-Flux Some say that Rootes and Leaves eaten in substance worketh the effects aforesaid and if I should say they do it by Signature I think it would be no false doctrine for the Root hath the figure of the stone if you observe it The said juice or distilled Water being drunk is very effectuall for all inflammations and unnaturall heats to coole a fainting hot Stomack or a hot Liver or the Bowells as also for Pimples Rednesse St. Anthonies fire and other outward inflammations if the bruised Herb be applyed outwardly or the place bathed with the juice or the distilled Water thereof It is also singular good to coole the painfullnesse of the Piles or Hemorrhoidall Veines the juice being used as a Bath unto them or made into an Oyntment It is no lesse effectuall to ease the paines of the hot Gout and Sciatica which is a paine in the Hips and for this reason it is called Herba Coxendicum or Hip-wort and it is also available for the inflammations and Swellings of the Cods It helpeth the Kernells or Knots in the Neck or Throat called the Kings-Evill healeth Kibes and Chilblaines if they be bathed with the juice or anointed with an Oyntment made thereof and some of the Skin of the Leafe laid upon them It is also used in greene Wounds to stay the blood and to heale them quickly Those that have consecrated the Fore-head to modesty the Eare to Memory the Knee to mercy have assigned the Navel to be the Seat of Luxury or Love and therefore the Leafe hereof having the Signature of the Navel is very prevalent
Leek cometh up like unto an Onyon but that the Onyon bringeth up his seed with it green hollow like Leaves flattish on the one side and with a ridge or crest on the back-side of a smell and tast somewhat like unto the Onyon also if they be suffered to grow uncut whether they be removed or not then in the second or third year after their sowing they will send forth a round and slender stalk even quite throughout but not hollow or bigger in the middle like the Onyon bearing at the top an head of purplish flowers and black seed after them so very like unto Onyon-seed that it is hard to distinguish them The Root is long and white with abundance of white Fibres hanging thereat The Places and Time The naturall places of none of the aforesaid sorts are any where expressed as I can find except the Vine Leek which groweth by it selfe in Vineyards and neer unto Vines in hot Regions whereof it took its name but are planted in Gardens in other Countrys as well as in England especially in Egypt where they were formerly in great estimation There Leeks may be sowne in March and April and then they will be fit to be removed in September the ground being first prepared with Cow-dâ—ng that they may grow the bigger Cives being once planted do continue many years suffering the extreamest cold of the Winter The Vine Leek beareth its green leaves in Winter and withereth away in the Summer The Temperature Leeks are hot and dry in the third degree and of very subtile parts especially their juyce The Vertues Though Leeks eaten raw doe yeeld very bad nourishment hurt the eyes ingender black melancholly blood and are therefore most hurtfull for those that are inclined thereunto as also for those that are Cholerick because it increaseth that humour also cause terrible dreames hurt the Sinews through their sharpnesse as also the teeth and gums yet after they are boyled all the evill qualities are taken away so that they are profitable both for meat and medicine Pottage made with them are very wholesome not onely for those that are oppressed with phlegme but for those also that are afflicted with the Chollick or the Stone But for the Chollick they be more effectuall being used thus Take unset Leeks blades and all chop them small boyl them in good White-Wine with May Butter or other fresh Butter if that be not to be had untill the Wiâ—e be in a manner wasted away then lay them abroad between a clean linnen cloth plaisterwise and so apply them to the Belly of the Patient as hot as he can endure it which being cold apply another and this do if need be three or four times together and he shall assuredly be eased thereby And for the Stone take unset Leeks in the Month of June shred them small and distill them sun the Water for a month or two and drink morning and evening a good draught for this looseneth the Costive belly helpeth the pain of the Hips purgeth the Kidneys and Bladder provoketh Urine and expelleth the Stone For which purpose some cut Leeks in small peeces dry them in an Oven or against the Fire and make them into powder which they use oftentimes in their drink Besides the seeds are very effectuall to kill Worms in children so are the Leeks themselves the blades being stamped with vinegar and applyed to the stomack of the Patient as he sitteth in his warm bed Or else stamp unset Leeks Rosemary and Plantane of each a like quantity seeth them in Malmsey and apply them to the Navel They are also held to free the Chest and Lungs from much corruption and rotten phlegme that sticketh fast therein and hard to be avoided as also for them that through hoarsnesse have lost their Voyce if they be either takeen raw or boiled with broth of Barly or some such other supping fit and conducing thereunto and being baked under hot embers they are an excellent remedy against a surfet of Mushromes The green blades of leeks being boyled and applyed warm to the Hemeroids or Piles when they are swoln and painful do cause an abundance of ease The juyce drunk with honey is profitable against the bitings of venemous beasts and likewise the leaves stamped and laid theâ—eupon The same juyce with vinegar Franckinsence and milk or oyl oâ— Râ—ses dropped into the ears mitigateth their pain and ceaseth the noyse in them Two drams of the seed with the like weight of Myrtle berries being drunk stoppeth the spitting of blood which hath continued a long time The same pâ—t into Wine not only preserveth it from sowring but also correcteth that which is sowr and bringeth it right again as divers report It is also recorded that the juyce thereof being drunk is very available for the bleeding at the Nose and at Mouth but care must be had that it be not taken in too great a quantity for then it is rank poyson especially if it be taken alone and therefore it is best to mix a little of it with wine or beer and so take it If they be boyled and eaten often by such Women as are young and yet have no children it will make them fruitfull and it increaseth lust in men The juyce of unset Lâ—eks is very much commended for green wounds They have been formerly of freqâ—ent 〈◊〉 for food in this as well as in other Countryes especially in Lent time but noâ— forsooth our dainty Age is grown so fine mouthed that they are eaten only bâ—â—hose poorer sort and scarcely by them yet the Gentlemen of Walâ—s have them in great regard both for their feeding and to wear in their Haâ—s upon Sâ— Davids day yea In Russia Muscovy and Turky the very Nobility do observe to have them among their dishes at their Tables CHAP. CCLVI. Of Horse Reddish The Names IT is called in Latine for it hath no Greek name that I can find Raphanus Rusticorum and by Lobel Raphanus Rusticanus by Matthiolus Raphanus Vulgaris Rusticanus by Dodonaeus Raphanus Magnus Radicula magna by Brunfelsius Armoracia aut Raphanus by Tragus Gesner Raphanus major Cordus upon Dioscorides Leonicerus cals it Thlâ—spi majus magnum and Baubinus was partly of his mind for he calleth it Raphanus Rusticanus Thlâ—spi alterum Dioscoridis so great is the diversity of Authors concerning the name of this Plant which could never have happened if Dioscorides or any of the Ancients had set it down Yet there is but one sort hereof and therefore I shall passe to the Description The Forme Horse Radish riseth out of the ground with long Leaves narrow also and very much cut in on the edges or as it were torne into many parts of a darke green colour with a great rib in the midle but after these have bin up a while others follow which are greater rougher broader and longer whole and not divided as the first but onely somewhat roundly dented about the edges It seldome
being used with some oyl of Roses Being dissolved in Wine and those places washed therewith that have any scar or deformity thereon it doth wonderfully alter the colour and evill sight thereof and maketh them to be well coloured again Either the Gum or the Leaves and branches boyled in Lye and the head washed therewith doth cleanse it from Scabs Scurfe or Dâ—ndraff growing thereon and cureth also all running and watering sores and Ulcers in the Legs or other parts of the Body The Oyl made thereof worketh the like effects and is also good for any hardnesse or ach to anoint the breasts of those that are much troubled with a cough A Tent dipped therein and put up into the Nose is a good remedy for the Pose or Polypus as also for the falling sicknesse the back-bone being anointed therewith The Pomanders Chaines and Bracelets that are made of Ladanum Cubâ—bs Mace and Greek-pitch are effectuall to warm the brain and to dry up all cold Rhewmes and defluxions thereof being worn about one Both the Male and the Female Cistus are also effectuall to strengthen the Belly and Stomack both against scowrings and vomitings whether with blood or without of what sort soever they be and also to stop Womens Courses flowing inordinately the Leaves and young shoots or buds but especially the flowers being steeped or gently boyled in red Wine and drunk The same that is the Flowers do quickly heal any burning or scalding being applyed in a Searecloth and being bruised and laid to any green wound iâ— closeth the lips thereof and restraineth the bleeding thereof Old and filthy Ulcers being washed with the decoction of the Leaves and young Shootes boyled in Wine are dryed up and healed thereby for though they be cankâ—ous eating or spreading it will wonderfully and quickly stay those fretting moist humours which follow them The distilled Water of the Leavs and Flowers is of the like efficacy and may be applyed to any part as often as there is any need of drying binding and strengthening The Dwarfe Cistus is likewise commended for all manner of Fluxes the decoction of the Herb and Root being taken which is also very effectuall to wash sore mouths and the Ulcers that happen in or about the privy parts of Men or Women It is no lesse profitable in other Ulcers of the Bâ—dy or Legges which are long kept from healing by the falling down of moist and sharp humours then the other Cistus and so likewise for green wounds It is also effectuall for any burstings as Câ—mfrâ—y and likewise for the strengthening of weak joynts or any binding property whereunto any Comfrâ—y may be applyed Besides it quickly healeth the biting or stinging of any venemous Creature being bruised and applyed thereunto especially if the party bitten or stung take also of the juvce or the decoction thereof in Wine the distilled water of the Herb is held to beautify the skin of the Face by taking away Freckles Sâ—nburn Morphew c. from thence and cleanseth the hands or other part of the body being discoloured CHAP. CCLX Of the Black-Thorn or Sloe-Bush The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coccymelea agria and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agriococymelea and the fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agriococcymelon because â—â— is a kind of a wild Plum as the Bullets also is They of Asia call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 piumnum as Galen saith whence happily the word Prunum may be derived and therefore the Tree or Bâ—sh may be called Prunus sylvestris in Latine and Prunellus yet Virgil in the fourth book of his Georgicks calleth it Spinus in these words Et spinus jam pruna serentes We call it commonly the Sloe-Tree in English and the fruit Sloes The Kindes Though there be but one sort of Sloes yet there be four sorts of Bâ—lleis which it will not be amisse to set downe here because they do not much differ 1 The Shepway Bulleis 2 The ordinary black Bulleis 3 The ordinary white Bulleis 4 The flushing Bâ—lleis to which I shall also adde another wild Plum which some call Skegges The Forme The Black-Thorn never groweth to the greatnesse of a Tree but alwayes abideth as a hedge bush yet in some places higher then other rising up usually with divers stems from the Roots branched forth into many boughes armed with good store of strong short and sharp thorns set with and besides the smal daâ—k green leaves finely dented about the edges whereon do grow at the time of the year many very white Flowers composed of five leaves after the same manner as they do on other Plum-Trees with divers white threds tipt with yellow in the middle after which follows the round fruit which continueth green a long while yet at length becometh black but never very bigge of an exceeding harsh tast before they are ripe yet afterwards the harshnesse is somewhat abated The Root is great and woody spreading under ground and shooting forth again in divers places The Places and Time The Sloes and Skegges grow in Hedges and Copses of most parts of this Land being oftentimes planted to make the divisions and fences of enclosed places onely the Bulleis are commonly found nearer home in Orchards or Closes They all flower early as in March or April be the weather never so hard yet ripen not their fruit till the Autumne frosts have bitten them The Temperature All the parts of the Sloe Bush are binding cooling and drying The Vertues The juyce of the fruit of Sloes being also a Substitute of Acacia and more often used then any other in most of our Apothecaries Shops must be likewise effectuall for all kinds of Lasks and Fluxes of blood both in Men and Women or else it would not be used insted thereof yet divers conceive that the condensate juyce of Sumack or Myrtles is more answerable to the qualities of Acacia then that of Sloes which hath only the binding quality thereof and therefore better but indeed it were to be wished that Substitutes were not so much affected for certainly they cannot but be deficient or excessive in some quality or other and that the things themselves which we want onely through our owne negligence might be more diligently sought after The decoction of the Bark of the Root or more usually the decoction either fresh or dryed performeth the like effects and helpeth to ease the pains in the sides bowels and guts that come by overmuch scowring or loosnesse The conserve is also of very much use and most familiarly taken for the purposes aforesaid The distilled water of the flowers steeped one night in Sack and drawne therefrom in a body of glasse is a most certain and approved Remedy to ease all manner of gnawings in the Stomack the sides and bowels or any griping pains in either of them to drink a small quantity when they are troubled therewith Good store of Sloes stamped and put into an earthen pot with new Ale and so drunk helpeth
the 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
Belly downwards provoketh Womens Courses as well as Vrine and encreaseth both Milke and Seed one Ounce of Cicers two Ounces of French Barly and an handfull of Marsh mallow Roots washed clean and sliced being boyled in the broth of a Chicken and foure Ounces taken in a morning without eating any thing within two hours after is a good remedy for a pain in the Sides CHAP. CCLXXII Of Rocket The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euzomon ob gratiam non ob suavitatem in jure obsoniis condiendis for its savory not for its sweet tast in seasoning Meat and Broth and Eruca in Latin quia velicando Linguam quasi erodat because if it be eaten alone raw it is so corrosive that it will make the tongue barne which is no token of sweetnesse which commonly accompanyes temperate things but of much heat and strength The Kinds There are thirteen severall sorts of Rocket mentioned by Authors 1 Roman Garden Rocket with white seed 2 Great Garden Rocket 3 Great Rocket of America 4 The more Common wild Rocket 5 Small ill smelling wild Rocket 6 Small wild Rocket of Mompelier 7 Small hoary wild Rocket 8 Blew flowred Rocket 9 Narrow leafed wild Rocket 10 English Sea Rocket 11 Candy Sea Rocket 12 Square Codded Rocket 13 Italian Sea Rocket The Formes The more common Wild Rocket is most effectuall for the present purpose and therefore omitting the Description of those that be before it I shall only describe that it hath long narrow and very much divided Leavs with slender cuts and gashes or jags on both sides of the middle rib of a sad overworne green colour when it groweth on the ground but when it groweth upon high wals as I have often seen it they are of a fresh though somewhat dark green colour from amongst which rise up divers stiffe Stalks about a foot high sometimes set with the like Leaves but smaller and smaller as they grow neerer to the top branched from the middle into divers lesser stalks bearing sundry yellow Flowers on them made of foure Leavs a peece as the others are which afterward yeeld small reddish seed in little long pods of a bitter and hot biting tast somewhat like unto that Milke which is burnt too as they call it and so are the Leaves The Root is small but somewhat woody enduring divers years if I mistake not The Places and Time The two first have been Inhabitants of the Garden so long that their naturall places are forgotten the third came from that part of America called Canada the fourth groweth very plentifully about the Abbey of St Albans on every side upon the Wals thereof and divers other Wals thereabouts that are of any standing it being either the nature of the Mortar thereabouts to produce it or else the seeds are carried upon them by the wind or rather by Birds some of the other grow with us also but divers of them belong to others Countreys so that we have them not unlesse it be in the Gardens of some that are curious they flower about June and July and their seed is ripe in August The Temperature Rocket is hot and dry in the third degree and therefore it is seldome eaten alone unlesse it be in some cases The Vertues All the sorts of Rocket but especially the wild kind which I have described are very effectuall to quicken and stir up Nature where it is dull or not sufficiently active for generatiâ—n upon which account it was very famous in Virgils time who in his Poem called Moretum maketh mention of it in these Words Et Venerem revccans Eruca morantem and is so likewise amongst the modern Italians who call it Rocket gentle by which Epithite some understand any thing that maketh one quick and ready to jest lasciviously as this herb doth yet some will have it to be so called because it is more pleasant and gentle in tast then the wild kind which is more strong and efficacious it serveth also to helpe digestion and provoketh Vrine exceedingly the herb boyled or stewed and some Sugar put thereto helpeth the Cough in Children being often taken the Seed moveth to Venus as much or more then the Herb and is also good against the biting of the Shrew Mouse and other venemous Creatures and it expelleth the Worms out of the Body being taken in drinke it doth away the ill scent of the Armâ—pts encreaseth Milke in Nurses and wasteth the Spleene being mixed with Honey and applyed it cleanseth the skin from Spots Morphew and other discolourings thereof and used with Vinegar it taketh away Freckles and rednesse in the Face and other parts and with the gall of an Oxe it amendeth foul Scars blacke and blew Spots and the marks of the small Pocks The roots boyled in Water and then stamped and applyed helpeth any griefe that cometh of Ruptures Splinters Fractures or unplacing of joynts The Leaves are fittest to be eaten with Lettice Purslaine and such like Sallet herbes to take away the coldnesse of them for being eaten alone they heat too much and cause the Headach CHAP. CCLXXIII Of Mustard The Names IT is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Napy by Aristophanes and others that use the Attick Dialect but more commonly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sinapi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is offensive to Eyes making them water if any one be too busie with it It is also called in Latin Sinapi and Sinapis in imitation of the Greek in English Senvie but most commonly Mustard The Kinds To this Kind six sorts may properly be referred 1 Ordinary Mustard 2 Broad leafed Mustard 2 Small wild Mustard 4 Small Mustard of Mompelâ—r 5 Wild Mustard of Naples 6 Sea Mustard of Egypt The Forme The ordinary Mustard groweth up with many long rough Leaves jagged with uneven and unorderly gashes somewhat like a Turnep but a great deale lesser of an overworn greene colour and sharpe taste from whence ariseth up a stalk two or three foot high which divideth it selfe into severall branches whereon doe grow divers pale yellow Flowers in a great length together which turne into small and long Pods wherein is contained blackish seed inclining to rednesse of a fiery sharpe tast much exceeding that of the Leaves the Root is tough and white running deepe into the ground with many small Fibres thereat perishing yearly yet if it be suffered to shed the seed from thence it will sow it selfe without any more adoe The Places and Time The first though it be sowne by divers for their private uses in their Gardens and Oâ—chards yet the same is found wild also abroad in many places especially in Gâ—ocisteâ—shire about Tâ—wxbury where they grind it and make it up into ballâ— which are brought to London and other remote places as being the best that the world affords The second groweth in Gardens only But the third is found in the borders of fields and also in the low rills
use in â—â—king Cordage We in English call it Hâ—mpâ— and sometimes Welsh Paâ—slâ—â— and Nâ—â—k weed but these are but Nick Nâ—mes The Kindes Though custome hath caused the barâ—en Hempâ— to be called the Female and that which beares Sâ—â—d to be the Male yet I see no reason for it they being from the same Seed and therefore must be of the same kind howsoever there be two sorts hereof 1 Common Hemp. 2 Virginian Hempe The Forme The common Hemp which is that which is manured both Male and Female riseth up out of the ground after the same manner neither can they be distinguished till they come to be well growne and then the Female as they call it which is ripe and must be pulled first is easily knowne from the other by the fewnesse of its Leaves which are smaller and of a lighter green colour then the other but the Male hath the stronger stalks with a more bushy head and greater Leaves of a dark green colour The Female beareth flowers and no feed followeth the Male beareth seed without any shew of flowers and endureth longer before it be ripe They both rise up to be five or six foot high if the ground wherein they grow be rank but not otherwise with many Leaves set thereon at distances which are subdivided into divers others yet standing upon one foot stalk somewhat like unto the Leaves of Bastard Hellebore or Bears foot but more dented about the edges The seed is contained in divers husked bunches coming from the bottom of the Leaves which being prepared and make fit to be threshed it cometh forth being almost round with a somewhat hard shell under which lieth a kernell of a white substance The Roots are made of many strong strings which take fast hold in the ground so that they are very troublesome to pull up unlesse the ground be mellow or presently afâ—er rain yet they die and perish every year The Places and Time The first is sowne in most Counties of this Land but not so frequently in some as in others yet wheresoever it â—is it delights in a well dunged and watery soyle which must be either plowed or digged deep or else it thriveth not It is sowne in March or April and riseth out of the ground within few dayes after it is committed thereunto making its way through Cloth Shooe Soales or any such thing that lies over it The Female Hemp is ripe in July and therefore called Summer Hemp the Male in September when the Winter approacheth and therefore it is called Winter Hemp. The Temperature There be some that speak Hemp to be cold and dry but the major part of Writers are of opinion that it is hot and dry The Vertues The Seed of Hemp used frequently is good for those which are troubled with a thorn in the flesh for besides that it consumeth windinesse it doth so much disperse it that it dryeth up the naturall Seed of procreation therewith Being boyled in Milk and taken it helpeth such as have a dry and hot Cough as Tragus saith An Emulsion made of the Seed is given with good successe to those that have the Jaundise especially in the beginning of the disease if there be no Ague accompanying it for it openeth the Obstruction of the Gall and causeth digestion of Choller therein A decoction of the said Seed stayeth Laskes and Fluxes that are continuall easeth the pains of the Chollick and allayeth the troublesome humours in the Bowels An Hempseed Posset with some Nutmeg procureth Sleep being taken bedward The Leaves fryed with some of the blood of those who bleed exceedingly and eaten stayeth the issuing out thereof whether it be at the Mouth Nose or any other place The juyce of the Leaves are held to be very effectuall to kill worms either in Man or Beast and being dropped into the eares it killeth the worms that are in them and draweth forth Eare-wigs or other living Creatures gotten into them The decoction of the Root allayeth Inflammations in the Head or any other parts and so doth the Herb it self or the distilled Water thereof The said decoction easeth the pains of the Gout the hard tumors or knots in the joynts the pains and shrinking of the Sinewes and the pains of the Hip The fresh juyce mixed with a little Oyl and Butter is good for any place that hath been burnt with fire being thereto applyed Notwithstanding these Vertues it is said to be hard of digestion hurtfull to the Head and Stomack and breedeth ill blood and juyce and in the body if it be taken without discretion Concerning the gathering shocking threshing watering peeling or stripping braking dressing and spinning of Hemp I dare not be too particular lest I should be contradicted by every Country Huswife every of which doth very well know that the Summer Hemp affordeth most Teere as they call it and maketh the siner Cloth for Shirts Smocks Aprons Table Cloths and such like necessary uses and that the Winter Hemp hath in it more Hards which being Spun serveth for Sheets Dresser-Cloths and the like The Cordage that is made of the rough Hemp is not altogether inconsiderable for by it Ships are guided Bels are rung Rogues are kept in awe Beds are corded c. Nay the Rags of the old Cloth that is made of Hemp serve to make Paper which is as usefull a commodity as any whatsoever And if there be any one that is not sufficiently satisfied with these uses of Hemp and Hempseed let them read the Works of John Taylor the Water Poet who hath written very much in the praise of Hempseed CHAP. CCLXXXII Of the Water Lillie The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Nymphaea because it loveth to grow no where but in the Water which the Greeks sometimes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though that word hath other significations also or rather from the Story though fabulous for many of purplants have received names upon such accounts of the Nymph which pind away for the love of Hercules and was changed hereinto It is called by the Apothecaries Nenuphar by Apuleius Mater Herculara Algapalustris Papaver palustre Clavus Veneris and Digitus by Maâ—cellus Clava Hâ—rculis Some have called it in English the Water Rose as well as the Water Lilly The Kindes Of the Water Lillies both white and yellow there be seven sorts 1 The great common white water Lilly 2 The lesser white water Lilly 3 Small white water Lilly commonly called Froybit 4 The great white water Lilly of Egypt 5 The great yellow water Lilly 6 The smaller yellow water Lilly 7 Small yellow water Lilly with lesser flowers The Forme The great common white water Lilly hath very large round Leaves in the shape of a buckler thick fat full of juyce and of a dark green colour which standing upon long round and smooth foot-stalks full of a sponglous substance alwayes flote upon the water seldome or never growing above it from
amongst which there rise up from the Root other thick and great stalks like unto the foot-stalks of the Leaves each of them sustaining one onely large white flower thereon green on the out side but exceeding white within confisting of divers rowe of long and somewhat thick and narrow Leaves smaller and thinner the more inward they be with many yellow threds or thrums in the middle standing about a small head which after the leaves are fallen of becometh like unto a Poppy Head containing in it broad blackish Oyly and glittering seed of a bitter tast The Roots be round long and tuberous with many knobs thereat like Eyes of substance loose and spongy of colour black without and white within out of which groweth a multitude of strings by which it is fastened in the ground under the bottom of the Water The Places and Time All the sorts of Water Lillies except the fourth whose name sheweth its place also do grow in most parts of England where there be any standing pooles great ditches or small slow running Rivers in every of which they are frequent and sometimes in large Rivers which run pretty quick They flower in the Months of May and June and their feed is ripe in August The Temperature The Leaves and Flowers of the Water Lillies are cold and moist but the Root and Seed are cold and dry The Vertues The Seed and Root of the Water Lilly whether white or yellow but principally the yellow being boyled in Water is of wonderfull efficacy to coole bind and restrain and therefore the said decoction cannot but be exceeding good for those who shall endeavour to preserve themselves from Lechery and uncleannesse for it not onely stoppeth the involuntary passage of Sperme in Sleep commonly called Nocturnall pollution but is so powerfull in this particular that the frequent use hereof extinguisheth even the very Motions to venery and so doth the Root and Seed used in meat or drink or the Root only bruised and applyed to the genitals or the green Leaves laid upon the Region of the back either of which wayes it is available also for the Gonorrhea or running in the Reines and the whites or any other flux in Man or Woman but especially if it be boyled in thick red wine and drunk The said Root is very good for those whose Urine is hot and sharp to be boyled in Wine or Water and the decoction thereof drunk The Leaves do cool all Inflammations and both the outward and inward heats of Agues the decoction thereof being drunk or bathed with They are also very effectuall to expell the secondine or After birth whereof they have the Signature as the learned Crolliâ—â— observeth Both the simple and compound Syrupes which are made of white water Lilly flowers and may be had at the Apothecaries are fine and cooling they allay the heat of Choller provoke Sleep settle the brains of Frantick persons by cooling the hot distemperature of the head as they do the distempers of other parts as the Heart Liver Reines and Matrix proceeding of Heat and so doth the Conserve made of the said flowers The distilled Water of the said flowers is very effectuall for all the diseases aforesaid both inwardly taken and outwardly applyed and is very much commended for the taking away of Freckles Spots Sunburn and Morphew from the skin in the Face or any other part of the Body and so doth the Root being stamped with Water and applyed often to the discoloured part which being applyed to Wounds stancheth the blood and being mixed with Tar it cureth the naughty scurfe of the Head The oyl made of the flowers as the Oyl of Roses is made cureth the Head-ach causeth sweet and quiet sleep and putteth away all Venerous dreams and taketh down the standing of the Yard the Head and privities being annointed therewith and is profitable also to coole hot tumors and the inflammations of Ulcers and Wounds neither doth it onely ease but also heal them CHAP. CCLXXXIII Of Hemlock The Names IT is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Conion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à circumvertendâ— because it did so intoxicate the brain of those that took the juyce thereof that they presently fell a staggering or else every thing seemed to them to turn round but though that which grew in Greece would do so yet that which we have is not so powerfull howbeit I shall not wish any one to try It is called in Latinâ— Cicuta which some will have to be so denominated quod velut cutem circumcircâ— habeat because it is covered with a double Skin In English Hemlock Hemlock Kex and of some Herb Bennet though not truly The Kinds To this kind may be referred these seven sorts 1 The common great Hemlock 2 Foolish Hemlock or Counterfeit Parsley 3 The greatest Hemlock 4 White wild Hemlock 5 Red wild Hemlock 6 Marsh or water Hemlock 7 Bulbous rooted wild Hemlock The Forme The common great Hemlock groweth up with a hollow green stalk two or three foot high of a dark green colour and sometimes spotted whereupon at severall joynts are set very large winged Leaves which are subdivided in many others that are lesser dented about the edges of a dark green colour also branching out it selfe towards the top into several umbels or spoky tufts of white flowers after which followeth the seed of a pale green colour and flattish when it is ripe The Root is long white and sometimes crooked and hollow within the whole Plant is very unsavoury and therefore offensive to the Senses especially to that of smelling The Places and Time The first groweth in most Countrys by Walls and Hedge sides especially in stinking and corrupt places and therefore it is frequently found in such ditches which are made for the conveyance of any noysome excrements or wherein dead Dogs and Cats and other Carrion is used to be cast this poysonous Plant drawing unto it and feeding upon the maligne juyce and nourishment which those places plentifully afford The second is found in Gardens as well as other places where it is sometimes mistaken for Parsly by those that are ignorant of Herbs The third is said to be found onely in Gardens about these parts The fourth and fifth are frequent in the moist Grounds and Marshes of France and besides the Waters there The sixt is not altogether a stranger to our owne Rivers sides especially to the Thames The last is best known to be of Hungaria and Austria They differ not much in their time for all of them flower and seed in July or thereabouts The Temperature Hemlock is held to be cold in the fourth degree by Galen and others yet many are of opinion that the Hemlock that groweth in England is not so cold as that which the Ancients make mention of The Vertues Though the Hemlock that grew in Greece and thereabouts were pernicious to be applyed to the Privities for the restraining of Lust because they made those members to
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