Full text of "The complete herbal : to which is now added, upwards of one hundred additional herbs ... to which are now first annexed, the English physician enlarged, and Key to physic ... forming a complete family dispensatory and natural system of physic ... to which is also added ... receipts, selected from the author's Last legacy to his wife"

"Tr * T&"

GIFT OF

Professor W.A.Setchell

University of California Berkeley

THE

COMPLETE HERBAtr

TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED, UI'WAHDS Of

ONE HUNDRED ADDITIONAL HERBS,

WITH A L'lSl'LAY Of THX1K

iMrturmal an& (Dcciilt Qualities

PHYSICALLY APPLIED TO

THE CURE OF ALL DISORDERS INCIDENT TO MANKIND:

TO WHICH ABE NOW JIEST ANNEXED, THE

ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLAKGED,

AND

KEY TO PHYSIC.

WITH

RULES FOR COMPOUNDING MEDICINE ACCORDING TO THE TRUE SYSTEM OF NATURE.

FORMING A COMPLETE

FAMILY DISPENSATORY AND NATURAL SYSTEM OF PHYSIC.

BY NICHOLAS CULPEPER, M.D.

1O WHICH IS ALSO ADDED,

UPWARDS OF FIFTY CHOICE RECEIPTS,

BEEXCTED TOOH THE ADTBOE's LAST LEfiACI TO HIS WIFE.

A NEW EDITION,
WITH A LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL DISEASES TO WHICH THE HUMAN BODY IS LIABLE,

AND A GENERAL INDEX.
Illustrated by Engravings of numerout British Herbs and Plants, correctly coloured from nature.

" The Lord hath created Medicines out o{ the earth ; and he that is wise will not abhor them." Etc. zzxviii.

LONDON:

THOMAS KELLY, 17, PATERNOSTER ROW.

MDCCCL.

LONDON ;

A. CBOSS, PRINTER, 89, PAUL STBEET,
FIN8BURY.

Agrirn on.y

. \inui-a Dulris ,./ Bitli-r

\ 1 1 1 ; i ; a in 1 1 1 1 s

Avon s

Ar s sin ;i r!

Basil

Arc ban jrel

Bi-i-t s

Bird's Foot

Bishop's Weed

Bistort or Siial<i--\\-< -v<\

"White Brioxiy

H o ra o

Br o o]tlin

Urn nk 1 ; i s in <

, DON.

I' I. ATE 4

Bur do <.

Wall Busies s

Camomile

Carrawav

' ' i- n 1 11 ti i-\-

IV i I il ' ..

< ' < I .mil i 11 <

THOMAS K I-. i.i.N . LONDON.

Chervill

sfool

Coin i'rv

(' ra hs (laws
or I'rcsh w;u<T Soldier

Cleave is

i <> \\ x ] i [ j

Shrill. ' in i|Hr loj I

PL \TF. 6.

Cio-wfoot

Cuclco'w Point

Water Cress

( mlweed

Crosswort

Dill

1) a i s v

Devil I ,

Eringc

I''. I << a tupaiie

Dork

Drag- oiis

Dog-'s l -r;i s s

fool

I' LATE

Foxglove

Flower - de -luc e

Figwort

Fleawort

Fumitorv

Tluelliu

I'l .. S IS I

Fevprf'r-iv

PLATE 9,

Wall Hawkweed.

Harts Tojngue

Mouse-ear

Gentian.

Golden .Rod .

Galhrg-al .

-.11, f I'.VW I

( )i DU iiilsrl

( ' '1-111,1 nili-r

WDON.

Longrooted Hawlcweed

Hearts Ease

riotmds To

Herh Robert -

Marsh. Pennywort

White HorehotmcL

H ' n \> ;\ i

I MM' !<} V f

, ; r k

,s K!-. LtY, '

I . it (K's >1 ;l n I I ('

; , ;i i ! v s 1 1 1 o c k

,' 1

\\.,, t

I .ils r>l I I,.- \';i ||, - v

I'J.ATK IV

L \ULgvro i 1 1

. . t ) v a g e

Loosestrife or Wood.

. Madder

M a r s ji Ma 1 lo \v

I I 111

M ;i N i IT u or i

* ?

\!o u s /'.a ]

Mouse Kar

IK- v w or i

k Mullrju

o t lire \vor i

-r

;

\Vhili- Mullein

i-I. \

cie

Lit or v of tin- \\'M II

I J t i i \v i 1 1 k I c -

Pep pc r-^vnj- t

I * 1 ; v i it i \ i t i

i' i- imi

IM.ATK 1C,

Privet

Queen of tile Me ado

Mcadow Rue

Cress Rocket

Rattle Grass

Roctet Cress

K.-I pi ii r c- Wur I

PI. A I

Meadow Saxifrage

Great Satiicle

Saraptiir e

Garden Sc\irvygras

Sc abious

SHepterds Purse

S .. I rl . f (I N C'Ult't HlIl'J

SI-IT

Mi M 1 1 c i S. i x if'

THOMAS K t- '. 1 . 1 . V I . i > N I > < > N

Ye How Siicco rv

S ol onion's S e a,l

Wild S u_c c ory

Wood S orrel

C oxmnon S orrel

Tr e a c:J.e Mns t ar cl

,. ,

Wild Tea /.N-

(' <it I u 1 1 'i 1 1 i st 1 r

Ve r v a i

Valerian

Viper's B uglo s s

Wbad

Wo ocibine

Wall Flower

> in 1 1 i A .

-.S KK.I.I.V, I.t

CULPEPER'S

ORIGINAL EPISTLE TO THE READER.

Notice, That in this Edition I have made very many Additions to every sheet in the
J- book : and, also, that those books of mine that are printed of that Letter the small Bibles
are printed with, are very falsely . printed : there being twenty or thirty gross mistakes in every
sheet, many of them such as are exceedingly dangerous to such as shall venture to use them : And
therefore I do warn the Public of them : I can do no more at present ; only take notice of these
Directions by which you shall be sure to know the True one from the False.

The first Direction. The true one hath this Title over the head of every Book, THE COM-
PLETE HERBAL AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. The small Counterfeit ones have only thip
Title, THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN.

The second Direction. The true one hath these words, GOVERNMENT AND VIRTUES, following
the time of the Plants flowering, &c. The counterfeit small ones have these words, VIRTUES AND
USE, following the time of the Plants flowering.

The third Direction. The true one is of a larger Letter than the counterfeit ones, which are
in Twelves, &c., of the Letter small Bibles used to be printed on. 1 shall now speak something
of the book itself.

All other Authors that have written of the nature of Herbs, give not a bit of reason why such
an Herb was appropriated to such a part of the body, nor why it cured such a disease. Truly my
own body being sickly, brought me easily into a capacity, to know that health was the greatest of
all earthly blessings, and truly he was never sick that doth not believe it. Then I considered
that all medicines were compounded of Herbs, Roots, Flowers, Seeds, &<:., and this first set me
to work in studying the nature of simples, most of which I knew by sight before ; and indeed
all the Authors I could read gave me but little satisfaction in this particular, or none at all. 1
cannot build my faith upon Authors' words, nor believe a thing because they say it, and could wish
every body were of my mind in this, to labour to be able to give a reason for every thing they
say or do. They say Reason makes a man diner from a Beast ; if that be true, pray what are
they that, instead of reason for their judgment, quote old Authors'? Perhaps their authors knew
a reason for what they wrote, perhaps they did not; what is that to us? Do we know it? Truly
in writing this work first, to satisfy myself, I drew out all the virtues of the vulgar or common

iv EPISTLE TO THE READER.

Herbs, Plants, and Trees, &c., out of the best or most approved authors I had, or could get; and
having done so, I set myself to study the reason of them. I knew well enough the whole world,
and every thing in it, was formed of a composition of contrary elements, and in such a harmony
as must needs show the wisdom and power of a great God. I knew as well this Creation, though
thus composed of contraries, was one united body, and man an epitome of it: I knew those
various affections in man, in respect of sickness and health, were caused naturally (though God
may have other ends best known to himself) by the various operations of the Microcosm ; and I
could not be ignorant, that as the cause is, so must the cure be; and therefore he that would
know the reason of the operation of the Herbs, must look up as high as the Stars, astrologically.
I always found the disease vary according to the various motions of the Stars; and this is enough,
one would think, to teach a man by the effect where the cause lies. Then to find out the reason
of the operation of Herbs, Plants, &c., by the Stars went I ; and herein I could find but few
authors, but those as full of nonsense and contradiction as an egg is full of meat. This not being
pleasing, and less profitable to me, I consulted with my two brothers, DR. REASON and DR.
EXPERIENCE, and took a voyage to visit my mother NATURE, by whose advice, together with the
help of DR. DILIGENCE, I at last obtained my desire ; and, being warned by MR. HONESTY, a
stranger in our days, to publish it to the world, I have done it.

But you will say, What need I have written on this Subject, seeing so many famous and learned
men have written so much of it in the English Tongue, much more than I have done ?

To this I answer, neither GERRARD nor PARKINSON, or any that ever wrote in the like nature,
ever gave one wise reason for what they wrote, and so did nothing else but train up young
novices in Physic in the School of tradition, and teach them just as a parrot is taught to speak;
an Author says so, therefore it is true; and if all that Authors say be true, why do they
centradict one another "? But in mine, if you view it with the eye of reason, you shall see a reason
for everything that is written, whereby you may find the very ground and foundation of Physic;
you may know what you do, and wherefore you do it; and this shall call me Father, it beinj
(that I know of) never done in the world before.

I have now but two things to write, and then I have done.

1. What the profit and benefit of this Work is.

2. Instructions in the use of it,

1. The profit and benefit arising from it, or that may occur to a wise man from it are many ;
so many that should I sum up all the particulars, my Epistle would be as big as my Book ; I shall
quote some few general heads.

First. The admirable Harmony of the Creation is herein seen, in the influence of Stars upon
Herbs and the Body of Man, how one part of the Creation is subservient to another, and all
for the use of Man, whereby the infinite power and wisdom of God in the creation appear; and
if I do not admire at the simplicity of the Ranters, never trust me; who but viewing the
Creation can hold such a sottish opinion, as that it was from eternity, when the mysteries of it
are so clear to every eye ? but that Scripture shall be verified to them, Rom. i. 20 : " The in-
' visible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen, being understood by the

EPISTLE TO THE READER. v

" things that are made, even his Eternal Power and Godhead ; so that they are without excuse."
And a Poet could teach them a better lesson;

" Because out of thy thoughts God shall not pass,
' ' His image stamped is on every grass."

This indeed is true, God has stamped his image on every creature, and therefore the abuse
of the creature is a great sin ; but how much the more do the wisdom and excellency of God
appear, if we consider the harmony of the Creation iri the virtue and operation of every Herb !

Secondly, Hereby you may know what infinite knowledge Adar* had in his innocence, that
by looking upon a creature, he was able to give it a name according to its nature ; and by know-
ing that, thou mayest know how great thy fall was and be humbled for it even in this respect,
because hereby thou art so ignorant.

Thirdly, Here is the right way for thee to begin at the study of Physic, if thou art minded
to begin at the right end, for here thou hast the reason of the whole art. I wrote before in
certain Astrological Lectures, which I read, and printed, intituled, Astrological Judgment of
Diseases, what planet caused (as a second cause) every disease, how it might be found out what
planet caused it ; here thou hast what planet cures it by Sympathy and Antipathy ; and this brings
me to my last promise, viz.

Instructions for the right use of the book.

And herein let me premise a word or two. The Herbs, Plants, &c. are now in the book
appropriated to their proper planets. Therefore,

First, Consider what planet causeth the disease ; that thou mayest find it in my aforesaid
Judgment of Diseases.

Secondly, Consider what part of the body is afflicted by the disease, and whether it lies in
the flesh, or blood, or bones, or ventricles.

Thirdly, Consider by what planet the afflicted part of the body is governed : that my Judgment
of Diseases will inform you also.

Fourthly, You may oppose diseases by Herbs of the planet, opposite to the planet that causes
them : as diseases of Jupiter by herbs of Mercury, and the contrary ; diseases of the Luminaries by
t'le herbs of Saturn, and the contrary ; diseases of Mars by herbs of Venus, and the contrary.

Fifthly, There is a way to cure diseases sometimes by Sympathy, and so every planet cures
his own disease ; as the Sun and Moon by their Herbs cure the Eyes, Saturn the Spleen, Jupiter
the Liver, Mars the Gall and diseases of choler, and Venus diseases in the instruments of Gene-
ration.

NIGH. CULPEPER

From my House in Spitalfields,
next door to the Red Lion,
September^, 1663.

TO HIS DEAREST CONSORT

MRS, ALICE CULPEPER.

MY DEAREST,

THE works that I have published to the world (though envied by some illiterate physicians)
have merited such just applause, that thou mayest be confident in proceeding to publish anything
I leave thee, especially this master-piece : assuring my friends and countrymen, that they will
receive as much benefit by this, as by my Dispensatory, and that incomparable piece, called, Semiotica
Uranica enlarged, and English Physician

These are the choicest secrets, which I have had many years locked up in my own breast. I
gained them by my constant practice, and by them I maintained a continual reputation in the world,
and I doubt not but the world will honour thee for divulging them ; and my fame shall continue
and increase thereby, though the period of my Life and Studies be at hand, and I must now bid all
things under the sun farewell. Farewell, my dear wife and child ; farewell, Arts and Sciences, which
I so dearly loved ; farewell, all worldly glories ; ndieu, readers,

NICHOLAS CULPEPER

NICHOLAS CULPEPER, the Author of this Work, was son of Nicholas Culpeper, a Clergyman, and
grandson of Sir Thomas Culpeper, Bart. He was some time a student in the university of Cambridge,
and soon after was bound apprentice to an Apothecary. He employed all his leisure hours in the
study of Physic and Astrology, which he afterwards professed, and set up business in Spitalfields,
next door to the Red Lion, (formerly known as the Half-way House between Islington and Stepney,
an exact representation of which we have given under our Author's Portrait), where he had conside-
rable practice, and was much resorted to for his advice, which he gave to the poor gratis. Astrological
Doctors have always been highly respected ; and those celebrated Physicians of the early times,
whom our Author seems to have particularly studied, Hippocrates, Galen, and Avicen, regarded
those as homicides who were ignorant of Astrology. Paracelsus, indeed, went farther ; he declared,
a Phvsician should be predestinated to the cure of his patient ; and the horoscope should be inspected,
the plants gathered at the critical moment, &c.

Culpeper was a writer and translator of several Works, the most celebrated of which is his
Herbal, "being an astrologo-physical discourse of the common herbs of the nation ; containing a
complete Method or Practice of Physic, whereby a Man may preserve his Body in Health, or
cure himself when sick, with such things only as grow in England, they being most fit for English
Constitutions."

This celebrated, and useful Physician died at his house in Spitalfields, in the year 1654. This
Book will remain as a lasting monument of his skill and industry.

Culpeper, the man that first ranged the woods and climbed the mountains in search of medicinal and salutary herbs, has
undoubtedly merited the gratitude of posterity." Da. JOHMSOH.

THE

ENGLISH PHYSICIAN

ENLARGED.

AMARA DULCIS.

pONSIDERING divers shires in this na-
*J tion give divers names to one and the
same herb, and that the common name
which it bears in one county, is not known
in another ; I shall take the pains to set
down all the names that I know of each
herb : pardon me for setting that name first,
which is most common to myself. Besides
Amara Dulcis, some call it Mortal, others
Bitter-sweet ; some Woody Night-shade,
and others Felon-wort.

DescriptJ] It grows up with woody stalks
even to a man's height, and sometimes
higher. The leaves fall off at the approach
of winter, and spring out of the same stalk
at spring-time : the branch is compassed
about with a whitish bark, and has a pith in
the middle of it : the main branch branches
itself into many small ones with claspers,
laying hold on what is next to them, as
vines do : it bears many leaves, they grow
in no order at all, at least in no regular
order ; the leaves are longish, though some-
what broad, and pointed at the ends: many
of them have two little leaves growing at
the end of their foot-stalk ; some have but
one, and some none. The leaves are of a

pale green colour ; the flowers are of a pur-
ple colour, or of a perfect blue, like to vio-
lets, and they stand many of them together
in knots : the berries are green at first, but
when they are ripe they are very red ; if
you taste them, you shall find them just as
the crabs which we in Sussex call Bitter-
sweet, viz, sweet at first and bitter after-
wards.

Place. ,] They grow commonly almost
throughout England, especially in moist
and shady places.

Time.'] The leaves shoot out about the
latter end of March, if the temperature of
the air be ordinary ; it flowers in July, and
the seeds are ripe soon after, usually in the
next month.

Government and virtues.~\ It is under
the planet Mercury, and a notable herb of
his also, if it be rightly gathered under his
influence. It is excellently good to remove
witchcraft both in men and beasts, as also
all sudden diseases whatsoever. Being tied
round about the neck, is one of the most
admirable remedies for the vertigo or dizzi-
ness in the head; and that is the reason (as
Tragus saith) the people in Germany com-
monly hang it about their cattle's necks,
when they fear any such evil hath betided

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

them : Country people commonly take the
berries of it, and having bruised them, ap-
ply them to felons, and thereby soon rid
their fingers of such troublesome guests.

We have now showed you the external
use of the herb ; we shall speak a word or
two of the internal, and so conclude. Take
notice, it is a Mercurial herb, and there-
fore of very subtile parts, as indeed all
Mercurial plants are ; therefore take a
pound of the wood and leaves together,
bruise the wood (which you may easily do,
for it is not so hard as oak) then put it in
a pot, and put to it three pints of white
wine, put on the pot-lid and shut it close;
and let it infuse hot over a gentle fire twelve
hours, then strain it out, so have you a
most excellent drink to open obstructions
of the liver and spleen, to help difficulty
of breath, bruises and falls, and congealed
blood in any part of the body, it helps the
yellow jaundice, the dropsy, and black
jaundice, and to cleanse women newly
brought to bed. You may drink a quarter
of a pint of the infusion every morning.
It purges the body very gently, and not
churlishly as some hold. And when you
find good by this, remember me.

They that think the use of these medi-
cines is too brief, it is only for the cheap-
ness of the book; let them read those books
of mine, of the last edition, viz. Reverius,
Veglingus, Riolanus, Johnson, Sennertus,
and Physic for the Poor.

ALL-HEAL.

IT is called All-heal Hercules's All-heal,
and Hercules's Woundwort, because it is
supposed that Hercules learned the herb
and its virtues from Chiron, when he learn-
ed physic of him. Some call it Panay,
and others Opopane-wort.

Descript.'] Its root is long, thick, and
exceeding full of juice, of a hot and biting
taste, the leaves are great and large, and
winged almost like ash-tree leaves, but that

they are something hairy, each leaf con-
sisting of five or six pair of such wings set
one against the other upon foot-stalks, broad
below, but narrow towards the end; one of
the leaves is a little deeper at the bottom
than the other, of a fair yellowish fresh
green colour : they are of a bitterish taste,
being chewed in the mouth ; from among
these rises up a stalk, green in colour,
round in form, great and 'strong in magni-
tude, five or six feet in altitude, with many
joints, and some leaves thereat; towards
the top come forth umbels of small yellow
flowers, after which are passed away, you
may find whitish, yellow, short, flat seeds,
bitter also in taste.

Place.'] Having given you a description
of the herb from bottom to top, give me
leave to tell you, that there are other herbs
called by this name; but because they are
strangers in England, I give only the de-
scription of this, which is easily to be had
in the gardens of divers places.

Time.'] Although Gerrardsaith, that they
flower from the beginning of May to the
end of December, experience teaches them
that keep it in their gardens, that it flowers
not till the latter end of the summer, and
sheds its seeds presently after.

Government and virtues.'] It is under the
dominion of Mars, hot, biting, and choleric;
and remedies what evils Mars inflicts the
body of man with, by sympathy, as vipers'
flesh attracts poison, and the loadstone
iron. It kills the worms, helps the gout,
cramp, and convulsions, provokes urine,
and helps all joint-aches. It helps all cold
griefs of the head, the vertigo, falling-sick-
ness, the lethargy, the wind cholic, obstruc-
tions of the liver and spleen, stone in the
kidneys and bladder. It provokes the
terms, expels the dead birth : it is excellent
good for the griefs of the sinews, itch, stone,
and tooth-ache, the biting of mad dogs and
venomous beasts, and purges choler very
gently.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

ALKANET.

BESIDES the common name, it is called
Orchanet, and Spanish Bugloss, and by
apothecaries, Enchusa.

Descript.] Of the many sorts of this herb,
there is but one known to grow commonly
in this nation ; of which one take this de-
scription : It hath a great and thick root, of
a reddish colour, long, narrow, hairy leaves,
green like the leaves of Bugloss, which lie
very thick upon the ground ; the stalks rise
up compassed round about, thick with
leaves, which are less and narrower than
the former; they are tender, and slender,
the flowers are hollow, small, and of a red-
dish colour.

Placed] It grows in Kent near Rochester,
and in many places in the West Country,
both in Devonshire and Cornwall.

TimeJ] They flower in July and the be-
ginning of August, and the seed is ripe
soon after, but the root is in its prime, as
carrots and parsnips are, before the herb
runs up to stalk.

Government and virtues.'] It is an herb un-
der the dominion of Venus, and indeed one
of her darlings, though somewhat hard to
come by. It helps old ulcers, hot inflam-
mations, burnings by common fire, and St.
Anthony's fire, by antipathy to Mars ; for
these uses, your best way is to make it into
an ointment ; also, if you make a vinegar
of it, as you make vinegar of roses, it helps
the morphew and leprosy ; if you apply the
herb to the privities, it draws forth the dead
child. It helps the yellow jaundice, spleen,
and gravel in the kidneys. Dioscorides
saith it helps such as are bitten by a veno-
mous beast, whether it be taken inwardly,
or applied to the wound; nay, he saith fur-
ther, if any one that hath newly eaten it,
do but spit into the mouth of a serpent, the
serpent instantly dies. It stays the flux of
the belly, kills worms, helps the fits of the
mother. Its decoction made in wine, and

drank, strengthens the back, and eases the
pains thereof: It helps bruises and falls,
and is as gallant a remedy to drive out the
small pox and measles as any is ; an oint-
ment made of it, is excellent for green
wounds, pricks or thrusts.

ADDER'S TONGUE OR SERPENT'S TONGUE.

DescriptJ] THIS herb has but one leaf,
which grows with the stalk a finger's length
above the ground, being flat and of a fresh
green colour ; broad like Water Plantain,
but less, without any rib in it ; from the
bottom of which leaf, on the inside, rises
up (ordinarily) one, sometimes two or
three slender stalks, the upper half whereof
is somewhat bigger, and dented with small
dents of a yellowish green colour, like the
tongue of an adder serpent (only this is as
useful as they are formidable). The roots
continue all the year.

Place.~\ It grows in moist meadows, and
such like places.

Time.'] It is to be found in May or April,
for it quickly perishes with a little heat.

Government and virtues.^ It is an herb
under the dominion of the Moon and Caii-
cer, and therefore if the weakness of the
retentive faculty be caused by an evil in-
fluence of Saturn in any part of the body
governed by the Moon, or under the domi-
nion of Cancer, this herb cures it by sym-
pathy : Itcures these diseases after specified,
in any part of the body under the influence
of Saturn, by antipathy.

It is temperate in respect of heat, but
dry in the second degree. The juice of the
leaves, drank with the distilled water of
Horse-tail, is a singular remedy for all man-
ner of wounds in the breast, bowels, or
other parts of the body, and is given with
good success to those that are troubled
with casting, vomiting, or bleeding at the
mouth or nose, or otherwise downwards.
The said juice given in the distilled water
of Oaken-buds, is very good for women who

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

have their usual courses, or the whites flow-
ing down too abundantly. It helps sore eyes.
Of the leaves infused or boiled in oil, om-
phacine or unripe olives, set in the sun four
certain days, or the green leaves sufficiently
boiled in the said oil, is made an excellent
green balsam, not only for green and fresh
wounds, but also for old and inveterate ul-
cers, especially if a little fine clear turpen-
tine be dissolved therein. It also stays and
refreshes all inflammations that arise upon
pains by hurts and wounds.

What parts of the body are under each
planet and sign, and also what disease may
be found in my astrological judgment of
diseases; and for theinternal workof nature
in the body of man; as vital, animal, natural
and procreative spirits of man ; the appre-
hension, judgment, memory ; the external
senses, viz. seeing, hearing, smelling, tast-
ing and feeling; the virtuous, attractive,
etentive, digestive, expulsive, &c. under
the dominion of what planets they are, may
be found in my Ephemeris for the year 1651.
In both which you shall find the chaff of
authors blown away by the fame of Dr.
Keason, and nothing but rational truths left
for the ingenious to feed upon.

Lastly. To avoid blotting paper with one
thing many times, and also to ease your
purses m the price of the book, and withal
to make you studious in physic ; you have
at the latter end of the book, the way of
preserving all herbs either in juice, con-
serve, oil, ointment or plaister, electuarv
pills, or troches.

AGRIMONY.

Descript.] THIS has divers long leaves

(some greater, some smaller) set upon a

italk, all of them dented about the edges

green above, and greyish underneath, and

Ale hairy withal. Among which arises

up usually but one strong, round, hairy,

brown stalk, two or three feet high, with

smaller leaves set here and there upon it.

At the top thereof grow many small yellow
flowers, one above another, in long spikes;
after which come rough heads of seed, hang-
ing downwards, which will cleave to ami
stick upon garments, or any thing that shall
rub against them. The knot is black, long,
and somewhat woody, abiding many years,'
and shooting afresh every Spring ; which
root, though small, hath a reasonable good
scent.

Place.] It grows upon banks, near the
sides of hedges.

Time.'] It flowers in July and August,
the seed being ripe shortly after.

Government and virtues.'] It is an herb
under Jupiter, and the sign Cancer ; and
strengthens those parts under the planet
and sign, and removes diseases in them by
sympathy, and those under Saturn, Mars
and Mercury by antipathy, if they happen
in any part of the body governed by Jupi-
ter, or under the signs Cancer, Sagitarius or
Pisces, and therefore must needs be good
for the gout, either used outwardly in oil or
ointment, or inwardly in an electuary, or
syrup, or concerted juice: for which see the
latter end of this book.

It is of a cleansing and cutting faculty,
without any manifest heat, moderately
drying and binding. It opens and clean-
ses the liver, helps the jaundice, and is
very beneficial to the bowels, healing all
inward wounds, bruises, hurts, and other
distempers. The decoction of the herb
made with wine, and drank, is good against
the biting and stinging of serpents, and
helps them that make foul, troubled or
bloody water.

This herb also helps the cholic, cleanses
the breast, and rids away the cough.
A draught of the decoction taken warm be-
fore the fit, first removes, and in time rids
away the tartian or quartan agues. The
leaves and seeds taken in wine, stays the
bloody flux ; outwardly applied, being
stamped with old swine's grease, it helps

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

old sores, cancers, and inveterate ulcers, and
draws forth thorns and splinters of wood,
nails, or any other such things gotten in the
flesh. It helps to strengthen the members
that be out of joint: and being bruised and
applied, or the juice dropped in it, helps
foul and imposthumed ears.

The distilled water of the herb is good
to all the said purposes, either inward or
outward, but a great deal weaker.

It is a most admirable remedy for such
whose livers are annoyed either by heat or
cold. The liver is the former of blood, and
blood the nourisher of the body, and Agri-
mony a strengthener of the liver.

I cannot stand to give you a reason in
every herb why it cures such diseases ; but
if you please to pursue my judgment in
the herb Wormwood, you shall find them
there, and it will be well worth your while
to consider it in every herb, you shall find
them true throughout the book.

WATER AGRIMONY.

IT is called in some countries, Water
Hemp, Bastard Hemp, and Bastard Agri-
mony, Eupatorium, and Hepatorium, be-
cause it strengthens the liver.

Descript.'] The root continues along time,
having many long slender strings. The
stalk grows up about two feet high, some-
times higher. They are of a dark purple
colour. The branches are many, growing
at distances the one from the other, the one
from the one side of the stalk, the other
from the opposite point. The leaves are
fringed, and much indented at the edges.
The flowers grow at the top of the branches,
of a brown yellow colour, spotted with
black spots, having a substance within
the midst of them like that of a Daisy : If
you rub them between your fingers, they
smell like rosin or cedar when it is burnt.
The seeds are long, and easily stick to any
woollen thing they touch.

Place.'] They delight not in heat, and

therefore they are not so frequently found
in the Southern parts of England as in the
northern, where they grow frequently: You
may look for them in cold grounds, by ponds
and ditches' sides, and also by running
waters ; sometimes you shall find them grow
in the midst of waters.

Time.'] They all flower in July or August,
and the seed is ripe presently after.

Government and virtues J] It is a plant of
Jupiter, as well as the other Agrimony, only
this belongs to the celestial sign Cancer.
It heals and dries, cuts and cleanses
thick and tough humours of the breast, and
for this I hold it inferior to but few herbs
that grow. It helps the cachexia or evil
disposition of the body, the dropsy and
yellow-jaundice. It opens obstructions of
the liver, mollifies the hardness of the spleen,
being applied outwardly. It breaks impost-
humes away inwardly : It is an excellent
remedy for the third day ague. It provokes
urine and the terms ; it kills worms, and
cleanses the body of sharp humours, which
are the cause of itch and scabs ; the herb
being burnt, the smoke thereof drives away
flies, wasps, &c. It strengthens the lungs
exceedingly. Country people give it to
their cattle when they are troubled with the
cough, or broken- winded,

ALEHOOF, OR GROUND-IVY.

SEVERAL counties give it different names,
so that there is scarcely any herb growing
of that bigness that has got so many: It is
called Cat's-foot, Ground-ivy, Gill-go-by-
ground, and Gill-creep-by-ground, Turn-
hoof, Haymaids, and Alehoof.

Descript.'] This well known herb lies,
spreads and creeps upon the ground,
shoots forth roots, at the corners of tender
jointed stalks, set with two round leaves at
every joint somewhat hairy, crumpled and
unevenly dented about the edges with round
dents; at the joints likewise, with the leaves
towards the end of the branches, come forth

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

hollow, long flowers, of a blueish purple
colour, with small white spots upon the lips
that hang down. The root is small with
strings.

Place.'] It is commonly found under
hedges, and on the sides of ditches, under
houses, or in shadowed lanes, and other
waste grounds, in almost every part of this
land.

Time.~\ They flower somewhat early, and
abide a great while ; the leaves continue
green until Winter, and sometimes abide,
except the Winter be very sharp and cold.

Government and virtues.^ It is an herb of
Venus, and therefore cures the diseases she
causes by sympathy, and those of Mars by
antipathy; you may usually find it all the
year long except the year be extremely
frosty ; it is quick, sharp, .and bitter in taste,
and is thereby found to be hot and dry ; a
singular herb for all inward wounds, exul-
cerated lungs, or other parts, either by itself,
or boiled with other the like herbs ; and
being drank, in a short time it eases all
griping pains, windy and choleric humours
in the stomach, spleen or belly ; helps the
yellow jaundice, by opening the stoppings
of the gall and liver, and melancholy, by
opening the stoppings of the spleen ; ex-
pels venom or poison, and also the plague;
it provokes urine and women's courses ; the
decoction of it in wine drank for some time
together, procures ease to them that are
troubled with the sciatica, or hip-gout : as
also the gout in hands, knees or feet ; if
you put to the decoction some honey and
a little burnt alum, it is excellently good to
gargle any sore mouth or throat, and to
wash the sores and ulcers in the privy parts
of man or woman ; it speedily helps green
wounds, being bruised and bound thereto.
The juice of it boiled with a little honey
and verdigrease, doth wonderfully cleanse
fistu.as, ulcers, and stays the spreading or
eating of cancers and ulcers ; it helps the
itch, scabs, wheals, and other breakings

out in any part of the body. The juice of
Celandine, Field-daisies, and Ground-ivy
clarified, and a little fine sugar dissolved
therein, and dropped into the eyes, is a
sovereign remedy for all pains, redness, and
watering of them ; as also for the pin and
web, skins and films growing over the sight,
it helps beasts as well as men. The juice
dropped into the ears, wonderfully helps
the noise and singing of them, and helps the
hearing which is decayed. It is good to
tun up with new drink, for it will clarify it
in a night, that it will be the fitter to be
drank the next morning; or if any drink
be thick with removing, or any other acci-
dent, it will do the like in a few hours.

ALEXANDER.

IT is called Alisander, Horse-parsley, and
Wild-parsley, and the Black Pot-herb; the
seed of it is that which is usually sold in
apothecaries' shops for Macedonian Pars-
ley-seed.

DescriptJ] It is usually sown in all the
gardens in Europe, and so well known, that
it needs no farther description.

Time.'] It flowers in June and July ; the
seed is ripe in August.

Government and virtues. ~] It is an herb of
Jupiter, and therefore friendly to nature,
for it warms a cold stomach, and opens
a stoppage of the liver and spleen; it is good
to move women's courses, to expel the after-
birth, to break wind, to provoke urine, and
helps the stranguary; and these things the
seeds will do likewise. If either of them
be boiled in wine, or being bruised and
taken in wine, is also effectual against the
biting of serpents. And you know what
Alexander pottage is good for, that you
may no longer eat it out of ignorance but
out of knowledge.

THE BLACK ALDER-TREE

Descript.] Tins tree seldom grows to
any great bigness, but for the most part

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

abideth like a hedge-bush, or a tree spread-
ingits branches, the woods of the body being
white, and a dark red colet or heart ; the
outward bark is of a blackish colour, with
many whitish spots therein ; but the inner
bark next the wood is yellow, which being
chewed, will turn the spittle near into a saf-
fron colour. The leaves are somewhat like
those of an ordinary Alder-tree, or the
Female Cornet, or Dogberry-tree, called in
Sussex Dog-wood, but blacker, and not so
long. The flowers are white, coming forth
with the leaves at thejoints, which turn into
small round berries, first green, afterwards
red, but blackish when they are thorough
ripe, divided, as it were, into two parts,
wherein is contained two small round and
flat seeds. The root runneth not deep into
the ground, but spreads rather under the
upper crust of the earth.

Placed] This tree or shrub may be found
plentifully in St. John's Wood by Hornsey,
and the woods upon Hampstead Heath ; as
also a wood called the Old Park, in Bar-
comb, in Essex, near the brook's sides.

TimeJ] It flowers in May, and the berries
are ripe in September.

Government and virtuesJ] It is a tree of
Venus, and perhaps under the celestial sign
Cancer. The inner yellow bark hereof
purges downwards both choler and phlegm,
and the watery humours of such that have
the dropsy, and strengthens the inward parts
again by binding. If the bark hereof be
boiled with Agrimony, Wormwood, Dodder.
Hops, and some Fennel, v/ith Smallage,
Endive, and Succory-roots, and a reason-
able draught taken every morning for some
time together, it is very effectual against
the jaundice, dropsy, and the evil disposition
of the body, especially if some suitable
purging medicines have been taken before,
to void the grosser excrements : It purges
and strengthens the liver and spleen,
cleansing them from such evil humours and
hardness as they are afflicted with. It is

to be understood that these things are per-
formed by the dried bark ; for the fresh
green bark taken inwardly provokes strong
vomitings, pains in the stomach, and grip-
ings in the belly ; yet if the decoction may
stand and settle two or three days, until the
yellow colour be changed black, it will not
work so strongly as before, but will strengthen
the stomach, and procure an appetite to
meat. The outward bark contrariwise doth
bind the body, and is helpful for all lasks
and fluxes thereof, but this also must be
dried first, whereby it will work the better.
The inner bark thereof boiled in vinegar is
an approved remedy to kill lice, to cure the
itch, and take away scabs, by drying them
up in a short time. It is singularly good to
wash the teeth, to take away the pains, to
fasten those that are loose, to cleanse them,
and to keep them sound. The leaves are
good fodder for kine, to make them give
more milk.

If in the Spring-time you use the herbs
before mentioned, and will take but a hand-
ful of each of them, and to them add an
handful of Elder buds, and having bruised
them all, boil them in a gallon of ordinary
beer, when it is new ; and having boiled
them half an hour, add to this three gallons
more, and let them work together, and drink
a draught of it every morning, half a pint
or thereabouts ; it is an excellent purge for
the Spring, to consume the phlegmatic
quality the Winter hath left behind it, and
withal to keep your body in health, and
consume those evil humours which the heat
of Summer will readily stir up. Esteem it
as a jewel.

THE COMMON ALDER-TREE.

Descript.~\ THIS grows to a reasonable
height, and spreads much if it like the place.
It is so generally known to country people,
that I conceive it needless to tell that which
is no news.

Place and Time."] It delights to grow in

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

moist woods, and watery places ; flowering
in April or May, and yielding ripe seed in
September.

Government and virtues, .] Itis a tree under
the dominion of Venus, and of some watery
sign or others, I suppose Pisces ; and there-
fore the decoction, or distilled water of the
leaves, is excellent against burnings and in-
flammations, either with wounds or without,
to bathe the place grieved with, and espe-
cially for that inflammation in the breast,
which the vulgar call an ague.

If you cannot get the leaves (as in Winter
it is impossible) make use of the bark in the
same manner.

The leaves and bark of the Alder-tree are
cooling, drying, and binding. The fresh
leaves, laid upon swellings, dissolve them,
and stay the inflammation. The leaves
put under the bare feet galled with travel-
ling, are a great refreshing to them. The
said leaves, gathered while the morning dew
is on them, and brought into a chamber
troubled with fleas, will gather them there-
unto, which being suddenly cast out, will
rid the chamber of those troublesome bed-
fellows.

ANGELICA.

To write a discription of that which is
so well known to be growing almost in every
garden, I suppose is altogether needless ;
yet for its virtue it is of admirable use.

In time of Heathenism, when men had
found out any excellent herb, they dedicated
it to their gods ; as the bay-tree to Apollo,
the Oak to Jupiter, the Vine to Bacchus, the
Poplar to Hercules, These the idolaters
following as the Patriarchs they dedicate to
their Saints ; as our Lady's Thistle to the
Blessed Virgin, St. John's Wort to St. John
and another Wort to St. Peter, &c. Our
physicians must imitate like apes (though
they cannot come off half so cleverly) for
they blasphemously call Phansies or Hearts-
ease, an herb of the Trinity, because it is of

three colours ; and a certain ointment, an
ointment of the Apostles, because it consists
of twelve ingredients. Alas I am sorry for
their folly, and grieved at their blasphemy,
God send them wisdom the rest of their
age, for they have their share of igno-
rance already. Oh ! Why must ours be
blasphemous, because the Heathens and
intidels were idolatrous ? Certainly they
have read so much in qld rusty authors, that
they have lost all their divinity; for unless
it were amongst the Ranters, I never read
or heard of such blasphemy. The Heathens
and infidels were bad, and ours worse ; the
idolaters give idolatrous names to herbs for
their virtues sake, not for their fair looks ;
and therefore some called this an herb of
the Holy Ghost; others, more moderate, call-
ed it Angelica, because of its angelical
virtues, and that name it retains still, and all
nations follow it so near as their dialect will
permit.

Government and virtues.'] It is an herb of
the Sun in Leo ; let it be gathered when he
is there, the Moon applying to his good as-
pect ; let it be gathered either in his hour,
or in the hour of Jupiter, let Sol be angu-
lar ; observe the like in gathering the herbs,
of other planets, and you may happen to
do wonders. In all epidemical diseases
caused by Saturn, that is as good a preser-
vative as grows : It resists poison, by de-
fending and comforting the heart, blood,
and spirits ; it doth the like against the
plague and all epidemical diseases, if the
root be taken in powder to the weight of
half a dram at a time, with some good trea-
cle in Carduus water, and the party there-
upon laid to sweat in his bed ; if treacle be
not to be had take it alone in Carduus or
Angelica-water. The stalks or roots can-
died and eaten fasting, are good preserva-
tives in time of infection ; and at other
times to warm and comfort a cold stomach.
The root also steeped in vinegar, and a little
of that vinegar taken sometimes fasting, and

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

the root smelled unto, is good for the same
purpose. A water distilled from the root
simply, as steeped in wine, and distilled in
a glass, is much more effectual than the
water of the leaves ; and this water, drank
two or three spoonfuls at a time, easeth all
pains and torments coming of cold and
wind, so that the body be not bound ; and
taken with some of the root in powder at
the beginning, helpeth the pleurisy, as also
all other diseases of the lungs and breast,
as coughs, phthysic, and shortness of breath;
and a syrup of the stalks do the like. It
helps pains of the cholic, the stranguary and
stoppage of the urine, procureth womens'
courses, and expelleth the after-birth, open-
eth the stoppings of the liver and spleen,
and briefly easeth and discusseth all windi-
ness and inward swellings, The decoction
drank before the fit of an ague, that they
may sweat (if possible) before the fit comes,
will, in two or three times taking, rid it
quite away ; it helps digestion and is a re-
medy for a surfeit. The juice or the water,
being dropped into the eyes or ears, helps
dimness of sight and deafness ; the juice
put into the hollow teeth, easeth their pains.
The root in powder, made up into a plaster
with a little pitch, and laid on the biting of
mad dogs, or any other venomous creature,
doth wonderfully help. The juice or the
waters dropped, or tent wet therein, and put
into filthy dead ulcers, or the powder of the
root (in want of either) doth cleanse and
cause them to heal quickly, by covering the
naked bones with flesh ; the distilled water
applied to places pained with the gout, or
sciatica, doth give a great deal of ease.

The wild Angelica is not so effectual as
the garden ; although it may be safely used
to all the purposes aforesaid.

AMAKANTHUS.

BESIDES its common name, by which it
is best known by the florists of our days,

it is called Flower Gentle, Flower Velure
Floramor, and Velvet Flower.

Descript.~\ It being a garden flower, and
well known to every one that keeps it, I
might forbear the description ; yet, not-
withstanding, because some desire it, I shall
give it. It runs up with a stalk a cubit
high, streaked, and somewhat reddish to-
wards the root, but very smooth, divided
towards the top with small branches, among
which stand long broad leaves of a reddish
green colour, slippery ; the flowers are not
properly flowers, but tuffs, very beautiful
to behold, but of no smell, of reddish colour ;
if you bruise them, they yield juice of the
same colour, being gathered, they keep their
beauty a long time ; the seed is of a shining
black colour.

Time^} They continue in flower from
August till the time the frost nips them.

Government and virtues.^ It is under the
dominion of Saturn, and is an excellent
qualifier of the unruly actions and passions
of Venus, though Mars also should join
with her. The flowers dried and beaten
into powder, stop the terms in women, and
so do almost all other red things. And by
the icon, or image of every herb, the ancients
at first found out their virtues. Modern
writers laugh at them for it ; but I wonder
in my heart, how the virtues of herbs came
at first to be known, if not by their signa-
tures ; the moderns have them from the
writings of the ancients ; the ancients had
no writings to have them from : but to pro-
ceed. The flowers stop all fluxes of blood ;
whether in man or woman, bleeding either
at the nose or wound. There is also a sort
of Amaranthus that bears a white flower,
which stops the whites in women, and the
running of the reins in men, and is a moht
gallant antivenereal, and a singular remedy
for the French pox.

ANEMONE.

CALLED also Wind flower, because they

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

say the flowers never open but when the
wind blows. Pliny is my author; if it
be not so, blame him. The seed also (if it
bears any at all) flies away with the wind.

Place and Tinted] They are sown usually
in the gardens of the curious, and flower in
the Spring-time. As for discription I shall
pass it, being well known to all those that
sow them.

Government and virtues .] It is under the
dominion of Mars, being supposed to be a
kind of Crow-foot. The leaves provoke
the terms mightily, being boiled, and the
decoction drank. The body being bathed
with the decoction of them, cures the leprosy.
The leaves being stamped and the juice
snuffed up in the nose, purges the head
mightily ; so does the root, being chewed in
the mouth, for it procures much spitting,
and brings away many watery and phleg-
matic humours, and is therefore excellent
for the lethargy. And when all is done,
let physicians prate what they please, all
the pills in the dispensatory purge not the
head like to hot things held in the mouth.
Being made into an ointment, and the eye-
lids anointed with it, it helps inflammations
of the eyes, whereby it is palpable, that every
stronger draws its weaker like. The same
ointment is excellently good to cleanse ma-
lignant and corroding ulcers.

GARDEN ARRACH.

CALLED also Orach, and Arage ; it is
cultivated for domestic uses.

DescriptJ] It is so commonly known to
every housewife, it were labour lost to de-
scribe it.

Time.'] It flowers and seeds from June
to the end of August.

Government and virtues^] It is under the
government of the Moon ; in quality cold
and moist like unto her. It softens and
loosens the body of man being eaten, and
fortifies the expulsive faculty in him. The
herb, whether it be bruised and applied to

the throat, or boiled, and in like manner
applied, it matters not much, it is excellently
good for swellings in the throat : the best
way, I suppose, is to boil it, apply the
herb outwardly : the decoction of it, besides,
is an excellent remedy for the yellow jaun-
dice.

ARRACH, WILD AND STINKING.

CALLED also Vulvaria, from that part of
the body upon which the operation is most ;
also Dog's Arrach, Goat's Arrach, and
Stinking Motherwort.

DescriptJ] This has small and almost
round leaves, yet a little pointed and with-
out dent or cut, of a dusky mealy colour,
growing on the slender stalks and branches
that spread on the ground, with small
flowers set with the leaves, and small seeds
succeeding like the rest, perishing yearly,
and rising again with its own sowing. It
smells like rotten fish, or something worse.

PlaceJ] It grows usually upon dunghills.

Time.~\ They flower in June and July,
and their seed is ripe quickly after.

Government andvirtuesJ] Stinking Arrach
is used as a remedy to women pained, and
almost strangled with the mother, by smell-
ing to it ; but inwardly taken there is no
better remedy under the moon for that dis-
ease. I would be large in commendation
of this herb, were I but eloquent. It is an
herb under the dominion of Venus, and un-
der the sign Scorpio ; it is common almost
upon every dunghill. The works of God
are freely given to man, his medicines are
common and cheap, and easily to be found.
I commend it for an universal medicine for
the womb, and such a medicine as will
easily, safely, and speedily cure any disease
thereof, as the fits of the mother, disloca-
tion, or falling out thereof; cools the
womb being over-heated. And let me tell
you this, and I will tell you the truth, heat
of the womb is one of the greatest causes

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

of bard labour in child-birth. It makes
barren women fruitful. It cleanseth the
womb if it be foul, and strengthens it ex-
ceedingly ; it provokes the terms if they be
stopped, and stops them if they flow immode-
rately ; you can desire no good to your
womb, but this herb will affect it ; there-
fore if you love children, if you love health,
if you love ease, keep a syrup always by
you, made of the juice of this herb, and
sugar (or honey, if it be to cleanse the
womb), and let such as be rich keep it for
their poor neighbours ; and bestow it as
freely as I bestow my studies upon them, or
else let them look to answer it another day,
when the Lord shall come to make inquisi-
tion for blood.

ARCHANGEL.

To put a gloss upon their practice, the
physicians call a herb (which country peo-
ple vulgarly know by the name of Dead
Nettle) Archangel ; whether they favour
more of superstition or folly, I leave to the
judicious reader. There is more curiosity
than courtesy to my countrymen used by
others in the explanation as well of the
names, as discription of this so well known
herb; which that I may not also be guilty of,
take this short discription : first, of the Red
Archangel. This is likewise called Bee
Nettle.

Descript.~] This has divers square stalks,
somewhat hairy, at (lie joints whereof grow
two sad green leaves dented about the edges,
opposite to one another to the lowermost,
upon long foot stalks, but without any to-
ward the tops, which are somewhat round,
yet pointed, and a little crumpled and
hairy ; round about the upper joints, where
the leaves grow thick, are sundry gaping
flowers of a pale reddish colour; after which
come the seeds three or four in a husk.
The root is small and thready, perishing
every year ; the whole plant hath a strong
smell but not stinking.

White Archangel hath divers square
stalks, none standing straight upward^ but
bending downward, whereon stand two
leaves at a joint, larger and more pointed
than the other, dented about the edges, and
greener also, more like unto Nettle leaves,
but not stinking, yet hairy. At the joints,
with the leaves, stand larger and more open
gaping white flowers, husks round about
the stalks, but not with such a bush of leaves
as flowers set in the top, as is on the other,
wherein stand small roundish black seeds :
the root is white, with many strings at it,
not growing downward but lying under the
upper crust of the earth, and abides many
years increasing ; this has not so strong a
scent as the former.

Yellow Archangel is like the White in
the stalks and leaves ; but that the stalks
are more straight and upright, and the joints
with leaves are farther asunder, having lon-
ger leaves than the former, and the flowers
a' little larger and more gaping, of a fair
yellow colour in most, in some paler. The
roots are like the white, only they creep not
so much under the ground.

Placed] They grow almost every where
(unless it be in the middle of the street), the
yellow most usually in the wet grounds of
woods, and sometimes in the 1 dryer, in divers
counties of this nation.

Time.~\ They flower from the beginning
of the Spring all the Summer long.

Government and virtues.] The Archangels
are somewhat hot and drier then the sting-
ing Nettles, and used with better success
for the stopping and hardness of the spleen,
than they, by using the decoction of the
herb in wine, and afterwards applying the
herb hot into the region of the spleen as a
plaister, or the decoction with spunges.
Flowers of the White Archangel are pre-
served or conserved to be used to stay the
whites, and the flowers of the red to stay
the reds in women. It makes the heart
merry, drives away melancholy, quickens

-iar

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

the spirits, is good against quartan agues,
stancheth bleeding at mouth and nose, if it
be stamped and applied to the nape of the
neck ; the herb also bruised, and with some
salt and vinegar and hog's-grease, laid upon
a hard tumour or swelling, or that vulgarly
called the king's evil, do help to dissolve or
discuss them ; and being in like manner
applied, doth much allay the pains, and give
ease to the gout, sciatica, and other pains
of the joints and sinews. It is also very
effectual to heal green wounds, and old
ulcers; also to stay their fretting, gnawing,
and spreading. It draws forth splinters,
and such like things gotten into the flesh,
and is very good against bruises and burn- i
ings. But the Yellow Archangel is most
commended for old, filthy, corrupt sores
and ulcers, yea although they grow to be
hollow, and to dissolve tumours. The
chief use of them is for women, it being a
herb of Venus.

ARS SMART.

The hot Arssmart is called also Water-
pepper, or Culrage. The mild Arssmart
is called dead Arssmart Persicaria, or Peach-
wort, because the leaves are so like the
leaves of a peach-tree ; it is also called
Plumbago.

Description of the mild.'] This has broad
leaves set at the great red joint of the
stalks ; with semicircular blackish marks
on them, usually either blueish or whitish,
with such like seed following. The root is
long, with many strings thereat, perishing
yearly ; this has no sharp taste (as another
sort has, which is quick and biting) but
rather sour like sorrel, or else a little drying,
or without taste.

Placed] Ttgrowsinwateryplaces, ditches,
and the like, which for the most part are
dry in summer.

Time.~\ It flowers in June, and the seed
is ripe in August.

Government and virtues.'] As the virtue of
both these is various, so is also their govern-
ment ; for that which is hot and biting, is
under the dominion of Mars, but Saturn,
challenges the other, as appears by that
leaden coloured spot he hath placed upon
the leaf.

It is of a cooling and drying quality,
and very effectual for putrified ulcers in man
or beast, to kill worms, and cleanse the
putrified places. The juice thereof dropped
in, or otherwise applied, consumes all colds,
swellings, and dissolveth the congealed
blood of bruises by strokes, falls, &c. A
piece of the root, or some of the seeds
bruised, and held to an aching tooth, takes
away the pain. The leaves bruised and
laid to the joint that has a felon thereon,
takes it away. The juice destroys worms
in the ears, being dropped into them ; if
the hot Arssmart be strewed in a chamber,
it will soon kill all the fleas ; and the herb
or juice of the cold Arssmart, put to a
horse or other cattle's sores, will drive away
the fly in the hottest time of Summer ; a
good handful of the hot biting Arssmart
put under a horse's saddle, will make him
travel the better, although he were half
tired before. The mild Arssmart is good
against all imposthumes and inflammations
at the beginning, and to heal green wounds.

All authors chop the virtues of both
sorts of Arssmart together, as men chop
herbs for the pot, when both of them are
of contrary qualities. The hot Arssmart
grows not so high or tall as the mild doth,
but has many leaves of the colour of
peach leaves, very seldom or never spotted;
in other particulars it is like the former, but.
may easily be known from it, if yon will
but be pleased to break a leaf of it cross
your tongue, for the hot will make your
tongue to smart, but the cold will not. If
you see them both together, you may easily
distinguish them, because the mild hath far
broader leaves.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

ASARABACCA.

Descript.~\ ASARABACCA appears like
an evergreen, keeping its leaves all the
Winter, but putting forth new ones in the
time of Spring. It has many heads rising
from the roots, from whence come many
smooth leaves, every one upon his foot
stalks, which are rounder and bigger than
Violet leaves, thicker also, and of a dark
green shining colour on the upper side, and
of a pale yellow green underneath, little or
nothing dented about the edges, from among
which rise small, round, hollow, brown
green husks, upon short stalks, about an
inch long, divided at the brims into five
divisions, very like the cups or heads of
the Henbane seed, but that they are smaller;
and these be all the flower it carries, which
are somewhat sweet, being smelled to,
and wherein, when they are ripe, is con-
tained small cornered rough seeds, very
like the kernels or stones of grapes or
raisins. The roots are small and whitish,
spreading divers w r ays in the ground, in-
creasing into divers heads; but not running
or creeping under the ground, as some other
creeping herbs do. They are somewhat
sweet in smell, resembling Nardus, but
more when they are dry than green ; and
of a sharp and not unpleasant taste.

Place!] It grows frequently in gardens.

Time.'] They keep their leaves green all
Winter ; but shoot forth new in the Spring,
and with them come forth those heads or
flowers which give ripe seed about Mid-
summer, or somewhat after.

Government and virtues^] It is a plant un-
der the dominion of Mars, and therefore ini-
mical to nature. This herb being drank, not
only provokes vomiting, but purges down-
wards, and by urine also, purges both cho-
ler and phlegm: If you add to it some spike-
nard, with the whey of goat's milk, or ho-
neyed water, it is made more strong, but it
purges phlegm more manifestly than eholer,

and therefore does much help pains in
the hips, and other parts ; being boiled in
whey, it wonderfully helps the obstruc-
tions of the liver and spleen, and therefore
profitable for the dropsy and jaundice ;
being steeped in wine and drank, it helps
those continual aguesthatcome by theplenty
of stubborn humours; an oil made thereof
by setting in the sun, with some laudanum
added to it, provokes sweating (the ridge
of the back being anointed therewith), and
thereby drives away the shaking fits of the
ague. It will not abide any long boiling,
for it loseth its chief strength thereby ; nor
much beating, for the finer powder pro-
vokes vomits and urine, and the coarser
purge th downwards.

The common use hereof is, to take the
juice of five or seven leaves in a little drink
to cause vomiting ; the roots have also the
same virtue, though they do not operate so
forcibly ; they are very effectual against the
biting of serpents, and therefore are put as
an ingredient both into Mithridite and
Venice treacle. The leaves and roots being
boiled in lye, and the head often washed
therewith while it is warm, comforts the
head and brain that is ill affected by taking
cold, and helps the memory.

I shall desire ignorant people to forbear

the use of the leaves ; the roots purge more

gently, and may prove beneficial to such as

have cancers, or old putrified ulcers, or

j fistulas upon their bodies, to take a dram

! of them in powder in a quarter of a pint of

' white wine in the morning. The truth is,

I fancy purging and vomiting medicines as

little as any man breathing doth, for they

weaken nature, nor shall ever advise them

to be used,' unless upon urgent necessity.

If a physician be nature's servant, it is his

duty to strengthen his mistress as much as

he can, and weaken her as little as may be.

ASPARAGUS, SPARAGUS, OR SPERAGE.

DescriptJ] IT rises up at first with divers

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

white and green scaly heads, very brittle or
easy to break while they are young, which
afterwards rise up in very long and slender
green stalks of the bigness of an ordinary
riding wand, at the bottom of most, or
bigger, or lesser, as the roots are of growth;
on which are set divers branches of green
leaves shorter and smaller than fennel to the
top ; at the joints whereof come forth small
yellowish flowers, which turn into round
berries, green at first and of an excellent
red colour when they are ripe, shewing like
bead or coral, wherein are contained ex-
ceeding hard black seeds; the roots are dis-
persed from a spongeous head into many
long, thick, and round strings, wherein is
sucked much nourishment out of the ground,
and increaseth plentifully thereby.

PRICKLY ASPARAGUS, OR SPERAGE.

DescriptJ] THIS grows usually in gar-
dens, and some of it grows wild in Apple-
ton meadows in Gloucestershire, where the
poor people gather the buds of young
shoots, and sell them cheaper that our gar-
den Asparagus is sold in London.

Time.'] For the most part they flower,
and bear their berries late in the year, or
not at all, although they are housed in
Winter.

Government and virtues.'] They are both
under the dominion of Jupiter. The young
buds or branches boiled in ordinary broth,
make the belly soluble and open, and boiled
in white wine, provoke urine, being stopped,
and is good against the stranguary or diffi-
culty of making water ; it expelleth the
gravel and stone out of the kidneys, and
helpeth pains in the reins. And boiled in
white wine or vinegar, it is prevalent for
them that have their arteries loosened, or
are troubled with the hip-gout or sciatica.
The decoction of the roots boiled in wine
and taken, is good to clear the sight, and
being held in the mouth easeth the tooth-
ache. The garden asparagus nourisheth

more than the wild, yet hath it the same
effects in all the afore-mentioned diseases .
The decoction of the root in white wine,
and the back and belly bathed therewith,
or kneeling or lying down in the same, or
sitting therein as a bath, has been found
effectual against pains of the reins and
bladder, pains of the mother and cholic,
and generally against all pains that happen
to the lower parts of the body, and no less
effectual against stiff and benumbed sinews,
or those that are shrunk by cramps and
convulsions, and helps the sciatica.

ASH TREE.

This is so well known, that time would
be misspent in writing a description of it;
therefore I shall only insist upon the virtues
of it.

Government and virtues. It is governed
by the Sun : and the young tender tops,
with the leaves, taken inwardly, and some
of them outwardly applied, are singularly
good against the bitings of viper, adder, or
any other venomous beast; and the water
distilled therefrom being taken, a small
quantity every morning fasting, is a singular
medicine for those that are subject to dropsy,
or to abate the greatness of those that are
too gross or fat. The decoction of the leaves
in white wine helps to break the stone,
and expel it, and cures the jaundice. The
ashes of the bark of the Ash made into
lye, and those heads bathed therewith
which are leprous, scabby, or scald, they
are thereby cured. The kernels within the
husks, commonly called Ashen Keys, pre-
vail against stitches and pains in the sides,
proceeding of wind, and voideth away the
stone by provoking urine.

I can justly except against none of all
this, save only the first, viz. That Ash-tree
tops and leaves are good against the bitings
of serpents and vipers. I suppose this had its
rise from Gerrard or Pliny, both which hold
that there is such an antipathy between an

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

adder and an Ash-tree, that if an adder be
encompassed round with Ash-tree leaves,
she will sooner run through the fire than
through the leaves : The contrary to which
is the truth, as both my eyes are witnesses.
The rest are virtues something likely, only
if it be in Winter when you cannot get the
leaves, you may safely use the bark instead
of them. The keys you may easily keep
all the year, gathering them when they are
ripe.

AVENS, CALLED ALSO COLEWORT, AND
HERB BONET.

DescriptJ] The ordinary Avens hatii
many long, rough, dark green, winged
leaves, rising from the root, every one made
of many leaves set on each side of the mid-
dle rib, the largest three whereof grow at
the end, and are snipped or dented round
about the edges; the other being small
pieces, sometimes two and sometimes four,
standing on each side of the middle rib
underneath them. Among which do rise
up divers rough or hairy stalks about two
feet high, branching forth with leaves at
every joint not so long as those below, but
almost as much cut in on the edges, some
into three parts, some into more. On the
tops of the branches stand small, pale, yel-
low flowers consisting of five leaves, like
the flowers of Cinquefoil, but large, in the
middle whereof stand a small green herb,
which when the flower is fallen, grows to
be round, being made of many long green-
ish' purple seeds, (like grains) which will
stick upon your clothes. The root consists
of many brownish strings or fibres, smelling
somewhat like unto cloves, especially those
which grow in the higher, hotter, and drier
grounds, and in free and clear air.

Place.'] They grow wild in many places
under hedge's sides, and by the path-ways
in fields ; yet they rather delight to grow in
shadowy than sunny places.

Time.] They flower in May or June for

the most part, and their seed is ripe in Jury
at the farthest.

Government and virtues.] It is governed
by Jupiter, and that gives hopes of a whole-
some healthful herb. It is good for the dis-
eases of the chest or breast, for pains, and
stiches in the side, and to expel crude and
raw humours from the belly and stomach,
by the sweet savour and warming quality.
It dissolves the inward congealed blood
happening by falls or bruises, and the spit-
ting of blood, if the roots, either green or
dry, be boiled in wine and drank ; as also
all manner of inward wounds or outward,
if washed or bathed therewith. The de-
coction also being drank, comforts the heart,
and strengthens the stomach and a cold
brain, and therefore is good in the spring
times to open obstructions of the liver, and
helps the wind cholic ; it also helps those
that haye fluxes, or are bursten, or have a
rupture ; it takes away spots or marks in
the face, being washed therewith. The
juice of the fresh root, or powder of the
dried ra9t, has the same effect with the
decoction. The root in the Spring-time
steeped in wine, gives it a delicate savour
and taste, and being drank fasting every
morning, comforts the heart, and is a
good preservative against the plague, or
any other poison. It helps indigestion,
and warms a cold stomach, and opens
obstructions of the liver and spleen.

It is very safe : you need have no dose
prescribed ; and is very fit to be kept in
every body's house.

BALM.

THIS herb is so well known to be an in-
habitant almost in every garden, that I shall
not need to write any description thereof,
although its virtues, which are many, may
not be omitted.

Government and virtues.] It is an herb of
Jupiter, and under Cancer, and strengthens
nature much in all its actions. Let a syrup

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

made with the juice of it and sugar (as you
shall be taught at the latter end of this
book) be kept in every gentlewoman's house
to relieve the weak stomachs and sick bodies
of their poor sickly neighbours ; as also
the herb kept dry in the house, that so
with other convenient simples, you may
make it into an electuary with honey, ac-
cording as the disease is you shall be taught
at the latter end of my book. The Arabian
physicians have extolled the virtues thereof
to the skies ; although the Greeks thought
it not worth mentioning. Seraphio says,
it causes the mind and heart to become
merry, and revives the heart, faintings and
swoonings, especially of such who are over-
taken in sleep, and drives away all trou-
blesome cares and thoughts out of the mind,
arising from melancholy or black choler ;
which Avicen also confirms. It is very
good to help digestion, and open obstruc-
tions of the brain, and hath so much purg-
ing quality in it (saith Avicen) as to expel
those melancholy vapours from the spirits
and blood which are in the heart and
arteries, although it cannot do so in other
parts of the body. Dioscorides says,
that the leaves steeped in wine, and the
wine drank, and the leaves externally ap-
plied, is a remedy against the stings of a
scorpion, and the bitings of mad dogs ;
and commends the decoction thereof for
women to bathe or sit in to procure their
courses ; it is good to wash aching teeth
therewith, and profitable for those that
have the bloody flux. The leaves also, with
a little nitre taken in drink, are good against
the surfeit of mushrooms, helps the griping
pains of the belly ; and being made into an
electuary, it is good for them that cannot
fetch their breath : Used with salt, it takes
away wens, kernels, or hard swelling in
the flesh or throat ; it cleanses foul sores,
and eases pains of the gout. It is good
for the liver and spleen. A tansy or caudle
made with eggs, and juice thereof while it

is young, putting to it some sugar and rose-
water, is good for a woman in child-birth,
when the after-birth is not thoroughly
voided, and for their faintings upon or m
their sore travail. The herb bruised and
boiled in a little wine and oil, and laid warm
on a boil, will ripen it, and break it.

BARBERRY.

The shrub is so well known by every
boy or girl that has but attained to the
age of seven years, that it needs no des-
cription.

Government and virtues J\ Mars owns the
shrub, and presents it to the use of my
countrymen to purge their bodies of choler.
The inner rind of the Barberry-tree boiled
in white wine, and a quarter of a pint drank
each morning, is an excellent remedy to
cleanse the body of choleric humours, and
free it from such diseases as choler causes,
such as scabs, itch, tetters, ringworms, yel- '
low jaundice, boils, &c. It is excellent for
hot agues, burnings, scaldings, heat of
the blood, heat of the liver, bloody-flux ;
for the berries are as good as the bark, and
more pleasing : they get a man a good
stomach to his victuals, by strengthening the
attractive faculty which is under Mars.
The hair washed with the lye made of
the tree and water, will make it turn yellow,
viz. of Mars' own colour The fruit and
! rind of the shrub, the flowers of broom
' and of heath, or furz, cleanse the body of
choler by sympathy, as the flowers, leaves,
and bark of the peach-tree do by antipathy,
because these are under Mars, that under
Venus.

BARLEY.

The continual usefulness hereof hath
made all in general so acquainted herewith
that it is altogether needless to describe it,
several kinds hereof plentifully growing,
being yearly sown in this land, The virtues
thereof take as follow.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

Government and virtues J] It is a notable
plant of Saturn : if you view diligently its
effects by sympathy and antipathy, you
may easily perceive a reason of them, as
also why barley bread is so unwholesome
for melancholy people. Barley in all the
parts and compositions thereof (except
malt) is more cooling than wheat, and a lit-
tle cleansing : And all the preparations
thereof, as barley-water and other things
made thereof, give great nourishment to
persons troubled with fevers, agues, and
heats in the stomach : A poultice made of
barley meal or flour boiled in vinegar and
honey, and a few dry figs put into them,
dissolves all imposthumes, and assuages
inflammations, being thereto applied,. And
being boiled with melilot and camomile-
flowers, and some linseed, fenugreek, and
rue in powder, and applied warm, it eases
pains in side and stomach, and windiness
of the spleen. The meal of barley and
fleawort boiled in water, and made a poul-
tice with honey and oil of lilies applied
warm, cures swellings under the ears,
throat, neck, and such like ; and a plaister
made thereof with tar, with sharp vinegar
into a poultice, and laid on hot, helps the
leprosy ; being boiled in red wine with
pomegranate rinds and myrtles, stays the
lask or other flux of the belly ; boiled with
vinegar and quince, it eases the pains
of the gout ; barley-flour, white salt, honey,
and vinegar mingled together, takes away
the itch speedily and certainly. The water
distilled from the green barley in the end of
May, is very good for those that have de-
fluctions of humours fallen into their eyes,
and eases the pain, being dropped into
them ; or white bread steeped therein, and
bound on the eyes, does the same.

GARDEN BAZIL, OR SWEET BAZIL.

DescriptJ] The greater of Ordinary Bazil
rises up usually with one upright stalk,
diversly branching forth on all sides, with

two leaves at every joint, which are some-
what broad and round, yet pointed, of a
pale green colour, but fresh ; a little
snipped about the edges, and of astrongheal-
thy scent. The flowers are small and white,
and standing at the tops of the branches,
with two small leaves at the joints, in some
places green, in others brown, after which
come black seed. The root perishes at
the approach of Winter, and therefore must
be new sown every year.

Placed] It grows in gardens.

TimeJ] It must be sowed late, and flowers
in the heart of Summer, being a very tender
plant.

Government andvirtues ] This is the herb
which all authors are together by the ears
about, and rail at one another(like lawyers )
Galen and Dioscorides hold it not fit to be
taken inwardly; and Chrysippus rails at it
with downright Billingsgate rhetoric; Pliny,
and the Arabian physicians defend it.

For my own part, I presently found
that speech true :

Non nostrium inter nos tantas commoner e lifes

And away to Dr. Reason went I, who told
me it was an herb of Mars, and under the
Scorpion, and perhaps therefore called
Basilicon ; and it is no marvel if it carry
a kind of virulent quality with it. Being
applied to the place bitten by venomous
beasts, or stung by a wasp or hornet, it
speedily draws the poison to it ; Every like
draws Ms like. Mizaldus affirms, that,
being laid to rot in horse-dung, it will breed
venomous beasts. Hilarius, a French phy-
sician, affirms upon his own knowledge,
that an acquaintance of his, by common
smelling to it, had a scorpion bred in his
brain. Something is the matter ; this hei b
and rue will not grow together, no, nor near
one another : and we know rue is as great
an enemy to poison as any that grows.

To conclude ; It expels both birth and
after-birth ; and as it helps the deficiency

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

of Venus in one kind, so it spoils all her ac-
tions in another. I dare write no more of it.

THE BAY TREE.

THIS is so well known that it needs no
description : I shall therefore only write
the virtues thereof, which are many.

Government and virtues J\ I shall but only
add a word or two to what my friend has
written, viz., that it is a tree of the sun, and
under the celestial sign Leo, and resists
witchcraft very potently, as also all the evils
old Saturn can do to the body of man, and
they are not a few ; for it is the speech of
one, and I am mistaken if it were not
Mizaldus, that neither witch nor devil,
thunder nor lightning, will hurt a man in
the place where a Bay-tree is. Galen said,
that the leaves or bark do dry and heal
very much, and the berries more than the
leaves ; the bark of the root is less sharp
and hot, but more bitter, and hath some
astriction withal whereby it is effectual to
break the stone, and good to open obstruc-
tions of the liver, spleen, and other inward
parts, which bring the jaundice, dropsy,
&c. The berries are very effectual against
all poison of venomous creatures, and the
sting of wasps and bees ; as also against the
pestilence, or other infectious diseases, and
therefore put into sundry treacles for that
purpose ; they likewise procure women's
courses, and seven of them given to wo-
man in sore travail of child-birth, do cause
a speedy delivery, and expel the after-birth,
and therefore not to betaken by such as have
not gone out their time, lest they procure
abortion, or cause labour too soon. They
wonderfully help all cold and rheumatic
distillations from the brain to the eyes,
lungs or other parts ; and being made into
an electuary with honey, do help the con-
sumption, old coughs, shortness, of breath,
and thin rheums ; as also the megrim. They
mightily expel the wind, and provoke urine;
helps the mother, and kill the worms. The

leaves also work the like effect. A bath of
the decoction of leaves and berries, is
singularly good for women to sit in, that
are troubledwith the mother, orthe diseases
thereof, or the stoppings of their courses,
or for the diseases of the bladder, pains in
the bowels by wind and stoppage of the
urine. A decoction likewise of equal parts
of Bay-berries, cummin seed, hyssop, ori-
ganum, and euphorbium, with some honey,
and the head bathed therewith, wonder-
fully helps distillations and rheums, and
settles the pallate of the mouth into its
place. The oil made of the berries is very
comfortable in all cold griefs of the joints,
nerves, arteries, stomach, belly, or womb,
and helps palsies, convulsions, cramp,
aches, tremblings, and numbness in any
part, weariness also, and pains that come
by sore travelling. All griefs and pains
proceeding from wind, either in the head,
stomach, back, belly, or womb, by anointing
the parts .affected therewith : And pains in
the ears are also cured by dropping in some
of the oil, or by receiving into the ears the
fume of the decoction of the berries through
a funnel. The oil takes away the marks of
the skin and flesh by bruises, falls, &c. and
dissolves the congealed blood in them. It
helps also the itch, scabs, and weals in
the skin.

BEANS.

BOTH the garden and field beans are so
well known, that it saves me the labour of
writing any description of them. The vir-
tues follow.

Government and virtues.^ They are plants
of Venus, and the distilled water of the
flower of garden beans is good to clean the
face and skin from spots and wrinkles, and
the meal or flour of them, or the small beans
doth the same. The water distilled from
the green husk, is held to be very effectual
against the stone, and to provoke urine.
Bean flour is used in poultices to assuage

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

inflammations arising from wounds, and
the swelling of women's breasts caused by
the curdling of their milk, and represses
their milk ; Flour of beans and Fenugreek
mixed with honey, and applied to felons,
boils, bruises, or blue marks by blows, or
the imposthumes in the kernels of the ears,
helps them all, and with Rose leaves,
Frankincense and the white of an egg, being
applied to the eyes, helps them that are
swollen or do water, or have received any
blow upon them, if used with wine. If a
bean be parted in two, the skin being taken
away, and laid on the place where the leech
hath been set that bleeds too much, stays
the bleeding. Bean flour boiled to a poul-
tice with wine and vinegar, and some oil
put thereto, eases both pains and swelling
of the privities. The husk boiled in water to
the consumption of a third part thereof,
stays a lask ; and the ashes of the husks,
made up with old hog's grease, helps the
old pains, contusions, and wounds of the
sinews, the sciatica and gout. The field
beans have all the aforementioned virtues
as the garden beans.

Beans eaten are extremely windy meat ;
but if after the Dutch fashion, when they
are half boiled you husk them and then
stew them (I cannot tell you how, for I
never was a cook in all my life), they are
wholesome food.

FRENCH BEANS.

DescriptJ] THIS French or kidney Bean
arises at first but with one stalk, which
afterwards divides itself into many arms or
branches, but all so weak that if they be not
sustained with sticks or poles, they will be
fruitless upon the ground. At several places
of these branches grow foot stalks, each
with three broad round and pointed green
leaves at the end of them ; towards the
top comes forth divers flowers made like
to pease blossoms, of the same colour for
the most part that the fruit will be of, that

it to say, white, yellow, red, blackish, or of
a deep purple, but white is the most usual;
after which come long and slender flat pods,
some crooked, some straight, with a string
running down the back thereof, wherein is
flattish round fruit made like a kidney ; the
root long, spreads with many strings an-
nexed to it, and perishes every year.

There is another sort of French beans
commonly growing with us in this land,
which is called the Scarlet flower Bean.

This rises with sundry branches as the
other, but runs higher, to the length of hop-
poles, about which they grow twining, but
turning contrary to the sun, having foot-
stalks with three leaves on each, as on the
others ; the flowers also are like the other,
and of a most orient scarlet colour. The
Beans are larger than the ordinary kind,
of a dead purple colour turning black when
ripe and dry ; the root perishes in Winter.

Government and virtues J] These also be-
long to Dame Venus, and being dried and
beat to powder, are as great strengtheners
of the kidneys as any are ; neither is there
a better remedy than it ; a dram at a time
taken in white wine to prevent the stone, or
to cleanse the kidneys of gravel or stoppage.
The ordinary French Beans are of an easy
digestion; they move the belly, provoke
urine, enlarge the breast that is straight-
ened with shortness of breath, engender
sperm, and incite to venery. And the
scarlet coloured Beans, in regard of the
glorious beauty of their colour, being set
near a quickset hedge, will much adorn the
same, by climbing up thereon, so that they
may be discerned a great way, not without
admiration of the beholders at a distance.
But they will go near to kill the quicksets
by cloathing them in scarlet.

LADIES BED-STRAW.

BESIDES the common name above writ-
ten, it is called Cheese-Rennet, because it
performs the same office, as also Gailion,

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Pettimugget, and Maiden-hair ; and by some
Wild Rosemary.

DescriptJ] This rises up with divers
small brown, and square upright stalks, a
yard high or more; sometimes branches
forth into divers parts, full of joints, and
with divers very fine small leaves at every
one of them, little or nothing rough at all;
at the tops of the branches grow many long
tufts or branches of yellow flowers very
thick set together, from the several joints
which consist of four leaves a piece, which
smell somewhat strong, but not unpleasant.
The seed is small and black like poppy
seed, two for the most part joined together:
The root is reddish, with many small threads
fastened to it, which take strong hold of
the ground, and creep a little : and the
branches leaning a little down to the ground,
take root at the joints thereof, whereby it
is easily increased.

There is another sort of Ladies Bed-
straw growing frequently in England, which
bears white flowers as the other doth yel-
lowy but the branches of this are so weak,
that unless it be sustained by the hedges,
or other things near which it grows, it will
lie down to the ground ; the leaves a little
bigger than the former, and the flowers not
so plentiful as these ; and the root hereof is
also thready and abiding.

Placed] They grow in meadow and pas-
tures both wet and dry, and by the hedges, j

Time.'] They flower in May for the most
part, and the seed is ripe in July and
August.

Government and virtues.] They are both
herbs of Venus, and therefore strengthening
the parts both internal and external, which
she rules. The decoction of the former of
those being drank, is good to fret and break
the stone, provoke the urine, stays inward
bleeding, and heals inward wounds. The
herb or flower bruised and put into the
nostrils, stays their bleeding likewise ;
The flowers and herbs being made into and

oil, by being set in the sun, and changed
after it has stood ten or twelve days ; or
into an ointment being boiled in Axunga,
or sallad oil, with some wax melted therein,
after it is strained; either the oil made
thereof, or the ointment, do help burnings
with fire, or scalding with water. The
same also, or the decoction of the herb and
flower, is good to bathe the feet of travellers
and lacquies, whose long running couses
weariness and stiffness in the sinews and
joints. If the decoction be used warm, and
the joints afterwards anointed with oint-
ment, it helps the dry scab, and the itch
in children ; and the herb with the white
flower is also very good for the sinews,
arteries, and joints, to comfort and strength-
en them after travel, cold, and pains.

BEETS.

OF Beets there are two sorts, which are
best known generally, and whereof I shall
principally treat at this time, viz. the white
and red Beets and their virtues.

DescriptJ] The common white beet has
many great leaves next the ground, some-
what large and of a whitish green colour.
The stalk is great, strong, and ribbed, bear-
ing great store of leaves upon it, almost to
the very top of it : The flowers grow in
very long tufts, small at the end, and turn-
ing down their heads, which are small, pale
greenish, yellow, buds, giving cornered
prickly seed. The root is great, long, and
hard, and when it has given seed is of no
use at all.

The common red Beet differs not from
the white, but only it is less, and the leaves
and the roots are somewhat red ; the leaves
are differently red, some only with red stalks
or veins ; some of a fresh red, and others
of a dark red. The root thereof is red,
spungy, and not used tobe eaten.

Government andvirtues.~\ The government
of these two sorts of Beets are far different ;
the red Beet being under Saturn and the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

white under Jupiter ; therefore take the
virtues of them apart, each by itself. The
white Beet much loosens the belly, and
is of a cleansing, digesting quality, and
provokes urine. The juice of it opens
obstructions both of the liver and spleen,
and is good for the head-ache and swim-
mings therein, and turnings of the brain ;
and is effectual also against all venomous
creatures ; and applied to the temples,
stays inflammations of the eyes ; it helps
burnings, being used with oil, and with a
little alum put to it, is good for St. An-
thony's fire. It is good for all wheals,
pushes, blisters, and blains in the skin : the
herb boiled, and laid upon chilblains or
kibes, helps them. The decoction thereof
in water and some vinegar, heals the itch,
if bathed therewith ; and cleanses the head
of dandruff, scurf, and dry scabs, and does
much good for fretting and running sores,
ulcers, and cankers in the head, legs, or
other parts, and is much commended against
baldness and shedding the hair.

The red Beet is good to stay the bloody-
flux, women's courses, and the whites, and
to help the yellow jaundice ; the juice of
the root put into the nostrils, purges the
head, helps the noise in the ears, and the
tooth-ache ; the juice snuffed up the nose,
helps a stinking breath, if the cause lie in
the nose, as many times it does, if any bruise
has been there : as also want of smell
coming that way.

WATER BETONY.

CALLED also Brown-wort, and in York-
shire, Bishop's-leaves.

Degcript,] First, of the Water Betony,
which rises up with square, hard, greenish
stalks, sometimes brown, set with broad dark
green leaves dented about the edges with
notches somewhat resembling the leaves
of the Wood Betony, but much larger too,
for the most part set at a joint. The flowers
are many, set at the tops of the stalks and

branches, being round bellied and open at
the brims, and divided into two parts, the
uppermost being like a hood, and the lower-
most like a hip hanging down, of a dark
red colour, which passing, there comes in
their places small round heads with small
points at the ends, wherein lie small and
brownish seeds ; the root is a thick bush of
strings and shreds, growing from the head.

Placed] It grows by the ditch side,
brooks and other water-courses, generally
through this land, and is seldom found far
from the water-side.

TimeJ] It flowers about July, and the
seed is ripe in August.

Government and virtues^ Water Betony
is an herb of Jupiter in Cancer, and is ap-
propriated more to wounds and hurts in the
breast than Wood Betony, which follows :
It is an excellent remedy for sick hogs. It
is of a cleansing quality. The leaves bruised
and applied are effectual for all old and filthy
ulcers ; and especially if the juice of the
leaves be boiled with a little honey, and
dipped therein, and the sores dressed there-
with ; as also for bruises and hurts, whether
inward or outward. The distilled water ot
the leaves is used for the same purpose ; as
also to bathe the face and hands spotted or
blemished, or discoloured by sun burning.

I confess I do not much fancy distilled
waters, I mean such waters as are distilled
cold ; some virtues of the herb they may
haply have (it were a strange thing else ;)
but this I am confident of, that being dis-
tilled in a pewter still, as the vulgar and
apish fashion is, both chemical oil and salt
is left behind unless you burn them, and
then all is spoiled, water and all, which was
good for as little as can be, by such a dis-
tillation.

WOOD BETONY.

Descript.~\ COMMON or Wood Betony
has many leaves rising from the root,
which are somewhat broad and round at

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

the end, roundly dented about the edges,
standing upon long foot stalks, from among
which rise up small, square, slender, but
upright hairy stalks, with some leaves there-
on to a piece at the joints, smaller than the
lower, whereon are set several spiked heads
of flowers like Lavender, but thicker and
shorter for the most part, and of a reddish
or purple colour, spotted with white spots
both in the upper and lower part. The
seeds being contained within the husks that
hold the flowers, are blackish, somewhat
long and uneven. The roots are many
white thready strings : the stalks perishes,
but the roots with some leaves thereon,
abide all the Winter. The whole plant is
somewhat small.

Placed] It grows frequently in woods,
and delights in shady places.

TimeJ] And it flowers in July; after
which the seed is quickly ripe, yet in its
prime in May.

Government and virtues .] The herb is ap-
propriated to the planet Jupiter, and the
sign Aries. Antonius Musa, physician to
the Emperor Augustus Caesar, wrote a pe-
culiar book of the virtues of this herb ; and
among other virtues saith of it, that it pre-
serves the liver and bodies of men from
the danger of epidemical diseases, and from
witchcraft also ; it helps those that loath
and cannot digest their meat, those that
have weak stomachs and sour belchings, or
continual rising in their stomachs, using it
familiarly either green or dry ; either the
herb, or root, or the flowers, in broth, drink,
or meat, or made into conserve, syrup,
water, electuary, or powder, as every one
may best frame themselves unto, or as the
time and season requires ; taken any of
the aforesaid ways, it helps the jaundice,
falling sickness, the palsy, convulsions, or
shrinking of the sinews, the gout and those
that are inclined to dropsy, those that have
continual pains in their heads, although it
turn to phrensy. The powder mixed with

pure honey is no less available for all sorts
of coughs or colds, wheesing, or shortness
of breath, distillations of thin rheum upon
the lungs, which causes consumptions.
The decoction made with Mead, and a little
Pennyroyal, is good for those that are
troubled with putrid agues, whether quo-
tidian, tertian, dr quartan, and to draw
down and evacuate the blood and humours,
that by falling into the eyes, do hinder the
sight ; the decoction thereof made in wine
and taken, kills the worms in the belly,
opens obstructions both of the spleen and,
liver ; cures stitches, and pains in the
back and sides, the torments and griping
pains in the bowels, and the wind cholic ;
and mixed with honey purges the belly,
helps to bring down women's courses, and
is of special use for those that are troubled
with the falling down of the mother, and
pains thereof, and causes an easy and
speedy delivery of women in child-birth.
It helps also to break and expel the stone,
either in the bladder or kidneys. The de-
coction with wine gargled in the mouth,
eases the tooth-ache. It is commended
against the stinging and biting of venomous
serpents, or mad dogs, being used inwardly
and applied outwardly to the place. A
dram of the powder of Betony taken with
a little honey in some vinegar, does won-
derfully refresh those that are over wearied
by travelling. It stays bleeding at the mouth
or nose, and helps those that void or spit
blood, and those that are bursten or have
a rupture, and is good for such as are
bruised by any fall or otherwise. The
green herb bruised, or the juice applied to
any inward hurt, or outward green wound
in the head or body, will quickly heal and
close it up ; as also any vein or sinews that
are cut, and will draw forth any broken
bone or splinter, thorn or other things got
into the flesh. It is no less profitable for
old sores or filthy ulcers, yea, tho' they be
iistulous and hollow. But some do advise

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

to put a little salt for this purpose, being
applied with a little hog's lard, it helps a
plague sore, and other boils and pushes.
The fumes of the decoction while it is
warm, received by a funnel into the ears,
eases the pains of them, destroys the worms
and cures the running sores in them. The
juice dropped into them does the same.
The root of Betony is displeasing both to
the taste and stomach, whereas the leaves
and flowers, by their sweet and spicy
taste, are comfortable both to meat and
medicine.

These are some of the many virtues
Anthony Muse, an expert physician (for
it was not the practice of Octavius Cesar
to keep fools about him), appropriates to
Betony ; it is a very precious herb, that is
certain, and most fitting to be kept in a
man's house, both in syrup, conserve, oil,
ointment and plaister. The flowers are
usually conserved.

THE BEECH TREE.

In treating of this tree, you must under-
stand, that I mean the green mast Beech,
which is by way of distinction from that
other small rough sort, called in Sussex the
smaller Beech, but in Essex Horn-beam.

I suppose it is needless to describe it,
being already too well known to my coun-
trymen.

Place.~] It grows in woods amongst oaks
and other trees, and in parks, forests, and
chases, to feed deer; and in ether places
to fatten swine.

Timf,~] It blooms in the end of April,
or beginning of May, for the most part,
and the fruit is ripe in September.

Government and virtues, .] It is a plant of
Saturn, and therefore performs his qualities
and proportion in these operations. The
leaves of the Beech tree are cooling and
binding, and therefore good to be applied
to hot swellings to discuss them; the nuts
do much nourish such beasts as feed thereon.

The water that is found in the hollow places
of decaying Beeches will cure both man and
beast of any scurf, or running tetters, if
they be washed therewith; you may boil the
leaves into a poultice, or make an ointment
of them when time of year serves.

BILBERRIES, CALLED BY SOME WIIORTS,
AND WHORTLE-BER1UES.

Descript.~\ OF these I shall only speak
of two sorts which are common in England,
viz. The black and red berries. And first
of the black.

The small bush creeps along upon the
ground, scarcely rising half a yard high,
with divers small green leaves set in the
green branches, not always one against the
other, and a little dented about the edges:
At the foot of the leaves come forth small,
hollow, pale, bluish coloured flowers, the
brims ending at five points, with a reddish
thread in the middle, which pass into small
round berries of the bigness and colour of
juniper berries, but of a purple, sweetish
sharp taste; the juice of them gives a
purplish colour in their hands and lips that
eat and handle them, especially if they
break them. The root grows aslope under
ground, shooting forth in sundry places
as it creeps. This loses its leaves in
Winter.

The Red Bilberry, or Whortle-Bush,
rises up like the former, having sundry
hard leaves, like the Box-tree leaves, green
and round pointed, standing on the several
branches, at the top whereof only, and not
from the sides, as in the former, come forth
divers round, reddish, sappy berries, when
they are ripe, of a sharp taste. The root
runs in the ground, as in the former, but
the leaves of this abide all Winter.

Place.] The first grows in forests, on the
heaths, and such like barren places: the
red grows in the north parts of this land, as
Lancashire, Yorkshire, &c.

Time.] They flower in March and April,

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

and the fruit of the black is ripe in July j
and August.

Government and virtues^] They are under |
the dominion of Jupiter. It is a pity they
are used no more in physic than they are.

The black Bilberries are good in hot agues
and to cool the heat of the liver and
stomach ; they do somewhat bind the belly,
and stay vomiting and loathings; the juice
of the berries made in a syrup, or the pulp
made into a conserve with sugar, is good
for the purposes aforesaid, as also for an old
cough, or an ulcer in the lungs, or other
diseases therein. The Red Worts are more
binding, and stops women's courses, spitting
of blood, or any other flux of blood or
humours, being used as well outwardly as
inwardly.

BIFOIL OR TWABLADE.

Descript.~\ THIS small herb, from a root
somewhat sweet, shooting downwards many
long strings, rises up a round green stalk,
bare or naked next the ground for an inch,
two or three to the middle thereof as it is in
age or growth; as also from the middle up-
wards to the flowers, having only two broad
Plaintain-like leaves (but whiter) set at the
middle of the stalk one against another,
compassing it round at the bottom of them.

PlaceJ] It is an usual inhabitant in
woods, copses, and in many places in this
land.

There is another sort grows in wet
grounds and marshes, which is somewhat
different from the former. It is a smaller
plant, and greener, having sometimes three
leaves ; the spike of the flowers is less than
the former, and the roots of this do run or
creep in the ground.

They are often used by many to good
purpose for wounds, both green and old,
to consolidate or knit ruptures; and well
it may, being a plant of Saturn.

THE BIRCH TREE.

Descript.~\ THIS grows a goodly tall

straight tree, fraught with many boughs, and
slender branches bending downward : the
old being covered with discoloured chapped
bark, and the younger being browner by
much. The leaves at the first breaking out
are crumpled, and afterwards like the beech
leaves, but smaller and greener, and dented
about the edges. It bears small short cat-
skins, somewhat like those of the hazelnut-
tree, which abide on the branches a long
time, until growing ripe, they fall on the
ground and their seed with them.

PlaceJ] It usually grows in woods.

Government and virtues J\ It is a tree of
Venus; the juice of the leaves, while they
are young, or the distilled water of them,
or the water that comes from the tree being
bored with an auger, and distilled after-
wards ; any of these being drank for some
days together, is available to break the
stone in the kidneys and bladder, and is
good also to wash sore mouths.

BIRD'S FOOT.

THIS small herb grows not above a span
high with many branches spread upon the
ground, set with many wings of small leaves.
The flowers grow upon the branches, many
small ones of a pale yellow colour being
set a-head together, which afterwards turn
into small jointed pods, well resembling
the claw of small birds, whence it took its
name. .

There is another sort of Bird's Foot in
all things like the former, but a little larger;
the flowers of a pale whitish and red colour,
and the pods distinct by joints like the
other, but little more crooked ; and the
roots do carry many small white knots or
kernels amongst the strings.

Place.~\ These grow on heaths, and many
open untilled places of this and.

1 'ime.J They flower and seed in the end
of Summer.

Government and virtues^ They belong to
Saturn and are of a drying, binding quality,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

and thereby very good to be used in wound
drinks, as also to^ apply outwardly for the
same purpose. But the latter Bird's Foot
is found by experience to break the stone
in the back or kidneys, and drives them
forth, if the decoction thereof be taken ;
and it wonderfully helps the ruptures, be-
ing taken inwardly, and outwardly applied
to the place.

All sorts have best operations upon the
stone, as ointments and plaisters have upon
wounds: and therefore you may make a
salt of this for the stone; the way how to
do so may be found in my translation of the
London Dispensatory ; and it may be 1
may give you it again in plainer terms at
the latter end of this book.

BISHOP'S-WEED.

BESIDES the common name Bishop's-
weed, it is usually known by the Greek
name Ammi and Ammois; some call it
Ethiopian Cummin-seed, and others Cum-
min-royal, as also Herb William, and Bull-
wort.

Descript^] Common Bishop's-weed rises
up with a round straight stalk, sometimes
as high as a man, but usually three or four
feet high, beset with divers small, long and
somewhat broad leaves, cut in some places,
and dented about the edges, growing one
against another, of a dark green colour,
having sundry branches on them, and at the
top small umbels of white flowers, which
turn into small round seeds little bigger than
Parsley seeds, of a quick hot scent and
taste; the root is white and stringy; perish-
ing yearly, and usually rises again on its
own sowing.

Place.'] It grows wild in many places in
England and Wales, as between Green-
hithe and Gravesend.

Government and virtues. .] It is hot and
dry in the third degree, of a bitter taste,
and somewhat sharp withal; it provokes
lust to purpose ; I suppose Venus owns it.

It digests humours, provokes urine and
women's courses, dissolves wind, and being
taken in wine it eases pains and griping in
the bowels, and is good against the biting
of serpents ; it is used to good effect in
those medicines which are given to hinder
the poisonous operation of Cantharides,
upon the passage of the urine : being
mixed with honey and applied to black
and blue marks, coming of blows or bruises,
it takes them away ; and being drank or
outwardly applied, it abates a high colour,
and makes it pale; and the fumes thereof
taken with rosin or raisins, cleanses the
mother.

BISTORT, OR SNAKEWEED.

IT is called Snakeweed, English Serpen-
tary, Dragon-wort, Osterick, and Passions.

Descript.~] This has a thick short knobbed
root, blackish without, and somewhat red-
dish within, a little crooked or turned
together, of a hard astringent taste, with
divers black threads hanging therefrom,
whence springs up every year divers leaves,
standing upon long footstalks, being some-
what broad and long like a dock leaf, and
a little pointed at the ends, but that it is ot
a blueish green colour on the upper side,
and of an ash-colour grey, and a little pur-
plish underneath, with divers veins therein,
from among which rise up divers small and
slender stalks, two feet high, and almost
naked and without leaves, or with a very
few, and narrow, bearing a spiky bush of
pale-coloured flowers; which being past,
there abides small seed, like unto Sorrel
seed, but greater.

There are other sorts of Bistort growing
in this land, but smaller, both in height
root, and stalks, and especially in the leaves.
The root blackish without, and somewhat
whitish within ; of an austere binding taste,
as the former.

Place.'] They grow in shadowy moist
woods, and at the foot of hills, but are

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

chiefly nourished up in gardens. The nar-
row leafed Bistort grows in the north, in
Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland.

TimeJ] They flower about the end of
May, and the seed is ripe about the begin-
ning of July.

Government and virtues '.] It belongs to
Saturn, and is in operation cold and dry ;
both the leaves and roots have a powerful
faculty to resist all poison. The root, in
powder, taken in drink expels the venom of
the plague, the small-pox, measels, purples,
or any other infectious disease, driving
it out by sweating. The root in powder,
the decoction thereof in wine being drank,
stays all manner of inward bleeding, or
spitting of blood, and any fluxes in the
body of either man or woman, or vomiting.
It is also very available against ruptures,
or burstings, or all bruises from falls, dissolv-
ing the congealed blood, and easing the
pains that happen thereupon ; it also helps
the jaundice.

The water, distilled from both leaves and
roots, is a singular remedy to wash any
place bitten or stung by any venomous
creature; as also for any of the purposes
before spoken of, and is very good to wash
any running sores or ulcers. The decoction
of the root in wine being drank, hinders
abortion or miscarriage in child-bearing.
The leaves also kill the worms in children,
and is a great help to them that cannot keep
their water; if the juice of Plaintain be
added thereto, and outwardly applied, much
helps the ghonorrhea, or running of the
reins. A dram of the powder of the root,
taken in 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 of-
fensive humours. The leaves, seed, or roots,
are all very good in decoction, drinks, or
lotions, for inward or outward wounds, or
other sores. And the powder, strewed upon
any cut or wound in a vein, stays the

immoderate bleeding thereof. The decoc-
tion of the root in water, where unto some
pomegranate peels and flowers are added,
injected into the matrix, stays the immo-
derate flux of the courses. The root there-
of, with pelitory of Spain and burnt alum,
of each a little quantity, beaten small and
into paste with some honey, and a little
piece thereof put into a hollow tooth, or
held between the teeth, if there be no hol-
lowness in them, stays the defluction of
rheum upon them which causes pains, and
helps to cleanse the head, and void much
offensive water. The distilled water is very
effectual to wash sores or cankers in the
nose, or any other part; if the powder of
the root be applied thereunto afterwards.
It is good also to fasten the gums, and to
take away the heat and inflammations that
happen in the jaws, almonds of the throat,
or mouth, if the decoction of the leaves,
roots, or seeds bruised, or the juice of them,
be applied ; but the roots are most effectual
to the purposes aforesaid.

ONE-BLADE.

DescriptJ] THIS small plant never bears
more than one leaf, but only when it rises
up with its stalk, which thereon bears
another, and seldom more, which are of a
blueish green colour, broad at the bottom,
and pointed with many ribs or veins like
Plaintain; at the top of the stalk grow-;
many small flowers star-fashion, smelling
somewhat sweet ; after which comes small
reddish berries when they are ripe. The
root small, of the bigness of a rush, lying
and creeping under the upper crust of the
earth, shooting forth in divers places.

Place.'} It grows in moist, shadowy,
grassy places of woods, in many places of
this realm.

TimeJ] It flowers about May, and the
berries are ripe in June, and then quickly
perishes, until the next year it springs from
the same again.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

Government and virtues.~\ It is a herb of
the Sun, and therefore cordial; half a dram,
or a dram at most, of the root hereof in
powder taken in wine and vinegar, of each
a little quantity, and the party presently
laid to sweat, is held to be a sovereign
remedy for those that are infected with the
plague, and have a sore upon them, by ex-
pelling the poison, and defending the heart
and spirit from danger. It is also accounted
a singular good wound herb, and therefore
used with other herbs in making such balms
as are necessary for curing of wounds,
either green or old, and especially if the
nerves be hurt.

THE BRAMBLE, OR BLACK-BERRY BUSH.

IT is so well known that it needs no
description. The virtues thereof are as
follows :

Government and virtues^] It is a plant of
Venus in Aries. If any ask the reason
why Venus is so prickly ? Tell them it is
because she is in the house of Mars. The
buds, leaves, and branches, while they are
green, are of a good use in the ulcers and
- putrid sores of the mouth and throat, and
of the quinsey, and likewise to heal other
fresh wounds and sores ; but the flowers
and fruit unripe are very binding, and so
profitable for the bloody flux, Tasks, and
are a fit remedy for spitting of blood.
Either the decoction of the powder or of
the root taken, is good to break or drive
forth gravel and the stone in the reins and
kidneys. The leaves and brambles, as
well green as dry, are exceeding good lotions
for sores in the mouth, or secret parts.
The decoction of them, and of the dried
branches, do much bind the belly and are
good for too much flowing of women's
courses ; the berries of the flowers are a
powerful remedy against the poison of the
most venomous serpents ; as well drank as
outwardly applied, helps the sores of the
fundament and the piles ; the juice of the

berries mixed with the juice of mulberries,
do bind more effectually, and helps all fret-
ting and eating sores and ulcers wheresoever.
The distilled water of the branches, leaves,
and flowers, or of the fruit, is very pleasant,
in taste, and very effectual in fevers and hot
distempers of the body, head, eyes, and
other parts, and for the purposes aforesaid.
The leaves boiled in lye, and the head
washed therewith, heals the itch and
running sores thereof, and makes the hair
black. The powder of the leaves strewed
on cankers and running ulcers, wonderfully
helps to heal them. Some use to conden-
sate the juice of the leaves, and some the
juice of the berries, to keep for their use
all the year, for the purposes aforesaid.

ELITES.

DescriptJ] OF these there are two sorts
commonly known, viz. white and red.
The white has leaves somewhat like to
Beets, but smaller, rounder and of a whitish
green colour, every one standing upon a
small long footstalk: the stalk rises up two
or three feet high, with such like leaves
thereon ; the flowers grow at the top in long
round tufts., or clusters, wherein are con-
tained small and round seeds; the root is
very full of threads or strings.

The red Elite is in all things like the
white but that its leaves and tufted heads
are exceeding red at first, and after turn
more purple.

There are other kinds of Elites which
grow different from the two former sorts
but little, but only the wild are smaller in
every part.

Place.'] They grow in gardens, and wild
in many places in this land.

Time.'] They seed in August and Sep-
tember.

Government and virtues.^ They are all
of them cooling, drying, and binding, serv-
ing to restrain the fluxes of blood in either
man or woman, especially the red; which
i

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

also stays the overflowing of the women's
reds, as the white Elites stays the whites
in women. It is an excellent secret ; you
cannot well fail in the use. They are all
under the dominion of Venus.

There is another sort of wild Elites like
the other wild kinds, but have long and
spiky heads of greenish seeds, seeming by '
the thick setting together to be all seed.

This sort the fishers are delighted with, I
and it is good and usual bait; for fishes
will bite fast enough at them, if you have
wit enough to catch them when they bite.

BORAGE AND BUGLOSS.

THESE are so well known to the inhabi-
tants in every garden that I hold it needless
to describe them.

To these I may add a third sort, which
is not so common, nor yet so well known,
and therefore I shall give you its name and
description.

It is called Langue de Bceuf; but why
then should they call one herb by the name
of Bugloss, and another by the name Langue
de Bceuf? it is some question to me, seeing
one signifies Ox-tongue in Greek, and the
other signifies the same in French.

Descript^} The leaves whereof are smaller
than those of Bugloss but much rougher;
the stalks rising up about a foot and a half
high, and is most commonly of a red colour;
the flowers stand in scaly round heads,
being composed of many small yellow
flowers not much unlike to those of Dan-
delion, and the seed flieth away in down
as that doth ; you may easily know the
flowers by their taste, for they are very
bitter.

Place.] It grows wild in many places
of this land, and may be plentifully found
near London, as between Rotherhithe and
Deptford, by the ditch side. Its virtues
are held to be the same with Borage and
Bugloss, only this is somewhat hotter.

Time.~] They flower in June and July,
and the seed is ripe shortly after.

Government and virtuesJ] They are all
three herbs of Jupiter and under Leo, all
great cordials, and great strengthened of
nature. The leaves and roots are to very
good purpose used in putrid and pestilential
fevers, to defend the heart, and help to
resist and expel the poison, or the venom
of other creatures : the seed is of the like
effect ; and the seed and leaves are good
to increase milk in women's breasts; the
leaves, flowers, and seed, all or any of
them, are good to expel pensiveness and
melancholy; it helps to clarify the blood,
and mitigate heat in fevers. The juice
made into a syrup prevails much to all
the purposes aforesaid, and isput, with other
cooling, opening and cleansing herbs to
open obstructions, and help the yellow jaun-
dice, and mixed with Fumitory, to cool
cleanse, and temper the blood thereby ; it
helps the itch, ringworms and tetters, or
other spreading scabs or sores. The flowers
candied or made into a conserve, are help-
ful in the former cases, but are chiefly used
as a cordial, and are good for those that
are weak in long sickness, and to comfort
the heart and spirits of those that are in a
consumption, or troubled with often swoon-
ings, or passions of the heart. The distilled
water is no less effectual to all the purposes
aforesaid, and helps the redness and inflam-
mations of the eyes, being washed there-
with; the herb dried is never used, but the
green; yet the ashes thereof boiled in
mead, or honied water, is available against
the inflammations and ulcers in the mouth
or throat, to gargle it therewith; the roots
of Bugloss are effectual, being made into
a licking electuary for the cough, and to
condensate thick phlegm, and the rheuma-
tic distillations upon the lungs.

BLUE-BOTTLE.

IT is called Syanus, 1 suppose from the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

colour of it; Hurt-sickle, because it turns
the edge of the sickles that reap the corn ;
Blue-blow, Corn-flower, and Blue-bottle.

DescriptJ] I shall only describe that
which is commonest, and in my opinion
most useful; its leaves spread upon the
ground, being of a whitish green colour,
somewhat on the edges like those of Corn-
Scabio.ns, amongst which rises up a stalk
divided into divers branches, beset with
long leaves of a greenish colour, either but
very little indented, or not at all ; the
flowers are of a blueish colour, from whence
it took its name, consisting of an innumera-
ble company of flowers set in a scaly head,
not much unlike those of Knap-weed ;
the seed is smooth, bright, and shining,
wrapped up in a woolly mantle ; the root
perishes every year.

Place. .] They grow in cornfields, amongst
all sorts of corn (pease, beans, and tares
excepted.) If you please to take them up
from thence, and transplant them in your
garden, especially towards the full of
the moon, they will grow more double than
they are, and many times change colour.

TimeJ] They flower from the beginning
of May, to the end of the harvest.

Government and virtues.'] As they are
naturally cold, dry, and binding, so they
are under the dominion of Saturn. The
powder or dried leaves of the Blue-bottle,
or Corn-flower, is given with good success
to those that are bruised by a fall, or have
broken a vein inwardly, and void much
blood at the mouth; being taken in the
water of Plaintain, Horsetail, or the greater
Confrey, it is a remedy against the poison
of the Scorpion, and resists all venoms and
poison. The seed or leaves taken in wine,
is very good against the plague, and all in-
fectious diseases, and is very good in pes-
tilential fevers. The juice put into fresh or
green wounds, doth quickly solder up the
lips of them together, and is very effectual
to heal all ulcers and sores in the mouth.

The juice dropped into the eyes takes away
the heat and inflammation of them. The
distilled water of this herb, has the same
properties, and may be used for the effects
aforesaid.

BRANK URSINE.

BESIDES the common name Brank-
Ursine, it is also called Bear's-breach, and
Acanthus, though I think our English
names to be more proper ; for the Greek
word Acanthus, signifies any thistle what-
soever.

DescriptJ] This thistle shoots forth very
many large, thick, sad green smooth leaves
on the ground, with a very thick and juicy
middle rib; the leaves are parted with
sundry deep gashes on the edges; the leaves
remain a long time, before any stalk ap-
pears, afterwards rising up a reasonable big
stalk, three or four feet high, and bravely
decked with flowers from the middle of the
stalk upwards ; for on the lower part of the
stalk, there is neither branches nor leaf.
The flowers are hooded and gaping, being
white in colour, and standing in brownish
husk, with a long small undivided leaf
under each leaf; they seldom seed in our
country. Its roots are many, great and
thick, blackish without and whitish within,
full of a clammy sap ; a piece of them if
you set it in the garden, and defend it from
the first Winter cold will grow and flourish.

Place J] They are only nursed in the
gardens in England, where they will grow
very well.

Time.'] It flowers in June and July.

Government and virtues] It is an excel-
lent plant under the dominion of the Moon;
I could wish such as are studious would
labour to keep it in their gardens. The
leaves being boiled and used in clysters, is
excellant good to mollify the belly, and
make the passage slippery. The decoction
drank inwardly, is excellent and good for
the bloody-flux : The leaves being bruised,

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

or rather boiled and applied like a poultice
are excellent good to unite broken bones
and strengthen joints that have been put
out. The decoction of eitker leaves or
roots being drank, and the decoction of
leaves applied to the place, is excellent
good for the king's evil that is broken and
runs; for by the influence of the moon,
it revives the ends of the viens which are
relaxed. There is scarce a better remedy to
be applied to such places as are burnt with
fire than this is, for it fetches out the fire,
and heals it without a scar. This is an
excellent remedy for such as are bursten,
being either taken inwardly, or applied to
the place. In like manner used, it helps
the cramp and the gout. It is excellently
good in hectic fevers, and restores radical
moisture to such as are in consumptions.

BRIONT, OR WILD VINE.

IT is called Wild, and Wood Vine, Tamus,
or Ladies' Seal. The white is called White
Vine by some ; and the black, Black Vine.

DescriptJ] The common White Briony
grows ramping upon the hedges, sending
forth many long, rough, very tender
branches at the beginning, with many very
rough, and broad leaves thereon, cut (for
the most part) into five partitions, in form
very like a vine leaf, but smaller, rough, and
of a whitish hoary green colour, spreading
very far, spreading and twining with his
small claspers (that come forth at the joints
with the leaves) very far on whatsoever
stands next to it. At the several joints
also (especially towards the top of the
branches) comes forth a long stalk bearing
many whitish flowers together on a long
tuft, consisting of five small leaves a-piece,
laid open like a star, after which come the
berries separated one from another, more
than a cluster of grapes, green at the first,
and very red when they are thorough ripe,
of no good scent, but of a most loathsome
taste provokes vomit. The root grows to

be exceeding great, with many long twines
or branches going from it, of a pale whitish
colour on the outside, and more white
within, and of a sharp, bitter, loathsome
taste.

Place.~] It grows on banks, or under
hedges, through this land, ; the roots lie
very deep.

TimeJ] It flowers in July and August,
some earlier, and some later than the other.

Government and virtues^] They are furious
martial plants. The root of Briony purges
the belly with great violence, troubling the
stomach and burning the liver, and there-
fore not rashly to be taken ; but being cor-
rected, is very profitable for the diseases
of the head, as falling sickness, giddiness,
and swimmings, by drawing away much
phlegm and rheumatic humours that op-
press the head, as also the joints and
sinews; and is therefore good for palsies,
convulsions, cramps, and stitches in the
sides, and the dropsy, and for provoking
urine; it cleanses the reins and kidneys
from gravel and stone, by opening thje ob-
structions of the spleen, and consume, the
hardness and swelling thereof. The de-
coction of the root in wine, drank once a
week at going to bed, cleanses the mother,
and helps the rising thereof, expels the
dead child ; a dram of the root in powder
taken in white wine, brings down their
courses. An electuary made of the roots
and honey, doth mightily cleanse the chest
of rotten phlegm, and wonderfully help
any old strong cough, to those that are
troubled with shortness of breath, and is
good for them that are bruised inwardly, to
help to expel the clotted or congealed blood.
The leaves, fruit, and root do cleanse old
and filthy sores, are good against all fret-
ting and running cankers, gangrenes, and
tetters and therefore the berries are by
some country people called tetter-berries.
The root cleanses the skin wonderfully
from all black and blue spots, freckles,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

morphew, leprosy, foul scars, or other de-
formity whatsoever ; also all running scabs
and manginess are healed by the powder of
the dried root, or the juice thereof, but
especially by the fine white hardened juice.
The distilled water of the root works the
same effects, but more weakly; the root
bruised and applied of itself to any place
where the bones are broken, helps to draw
them forth, as also splinters and thorns in
the flesh; and being applied with a little
wine mixed therewith, it breaks boils, and
helps whitlows on the joints. For all these
latter, beginning at sores, cancers, &c.
apply it outwardly, mixing it with a little
hog's grease, or other convenient ointment.
As for the former diseases where it must
be taken inwardly, it purges very violently,
and needs an abler hand to correct it than
most country people have.

BROOK LIME, OB WATER-PIMPERNEL.

DescrtptJ] THIS sends forth from a
creeping root that shoots forth strings at
every joint, as it runs, divers and sundry
green stalks, round and sappy with some
branches on them, somewhat broad, round,
deep green, and thick leaves set by couples
thereon ; from the bottom whereof shoot
forth long foot stalks, with sundry small
blue flowers on them, that consist of five
small round pointed leaves a piece.

There is another sort nothing different
from the former, but that it is greater, and
the flowers of a paler green colour.

Place.~] They grow in small standing
waters, and usually near Water-Cresses.

Time.~\ And flower in June and July,
giving seed the next month after.

Government and virlnes.~\ It is a hot and
biting martial plant. Brook-lime and
Water-Cresses are generally used together
in diet-drink, with other things serving to
purge the blood and body from all ill
humours that would destroy health, and
are helpful to the scurvy. They do all

provoke urine, and help to break the stone,
and pass it away; they procure women's
courses, and expel the dead child. Being
fried with butter and vinegar, and applied
warm, it helps all manner of tumours, swel-
lings, and inflammations.

Such drinks ought to be made of sundry
herbs, according to the malady. I shall
give a plain and easy rule at the latter end
of this book.

BUTCHER'S BROOM.

IT is called Ruscus, and Bruscus, Knee-
holm, Kneeholly, Kneehulver, and Petti-
gree.

Descript.~\ The first shoots that sprout
from the root of Butcher's Broom, are
thick, whitish, and short, somewhat like
those of Asparagus, but greater, they rise
up to be a foot and half high, are spread
into divers branches, green, and somewhat
creased with the roundness, tough and flex-
ible, whereon are set somewhat broad and
almost round hard leaves and prickly,
pointed at the end, of a dark green colour,
two at the most part set at a place, very
close and near together ; about the middle
of the leaf, on the back and lower sid )
from the middle rib, breaks forth a small
whitish green flower, consisting of four
small round pointed leaves, standing upon
little or no footstalk, and in the place
whereof comes a small round berry, green
at the first, and red when it is ripe, wherein
are two or three white, hard, round seeds
contained. The root is thick, white and
great at the head, and from thence sends
forth divers thick, white long, tough strings.

Place.~\ It grows in copses, and upon
heaths and waste grounds, and oftentimes
under or near the holly bushes.

TimeJ] It shoots forth its young buds
in the Spring, and the berries are ripe
about September, the branches of leaves
abiding green all the Winter.

Government and virtues] It is a pknt of
K

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Mars, being of a gallant cleansing and
opening quality. The decoction of the
root made with wine opens obstructions,
provokes urine, helps to expel gravel and
the stone, the stranguary and women's
courses, also the yellow jaundice and the
head-ache; and with same honey or sugar
put thereunto, cleanses the breast of phlegm,
and the chest of such clammy humours
gathered therein. The decoction of the
root drank, and a poultice made of the
berries and leaves applied, are effectual in
knitting and consolidating broken bones or
parts out of joint. The common way of
using it, is to boil the root of it, and Parsley
and Fennel and Smallage in white wine, and
drink the decoction, adding the like quan-
tity of Grass-root to them : The more of
the root you boil, the stronger will the de-
coction be; it works no ill effects, yet I
hope jou have wit enough to give the
strongest decoction to the strongest bodies.

BROOM, AND BROOM-RAPE.

To spend time in writing a description
hereof is altogether needless, it being so
generally used by all the good housewives
almost through this land to sweep their
houses with, and therefore very well known
to all sorts of people.

The Broom-rape springs up in many
places from the roots of the broom (but
more often in fields, as by hedge-sides and
on heaths). The stalk whereof is of the
bigness of a finger or thumb, above two
feet high, having a shew of leaves on them,
and many flowers at the top, of a reddish
yellow colour, as also the stalks and leaves
are.

Place.] They grow in many places of
this land commonly, and as commonly
spoil all the land they grow in.

Time.] They flower in the Summer
months, and give their seed before Winter.

Government and virtues] The juice or
decoction of the young branches, or seed,

or the powder of the seed taken in drink
purges downwards, and draws phlegmatic
and watery humours from the joints ; where-
by it helps the dropsy, gout, sciatica, and
pains of the hips and joints; it also pro-
vokes strong vomits, and helps the pains of
the sides, and swelling of the spleen,
cleanses also the reins or kidneys and blad-
der of the stone, provokes urine abundantly,
and hinders the growing again of the stone
in the body. The continual use of the
powder of the leaves and seed doth cure
the black jaundice. The distilled water of
the flowers is profitable for all the same
purposes : it also helps Surfeit, and alters
the fit of agues, if three or four ounces
thereof, with as much of the water of the
lesser Centaury, and a little sugar put there-
in, be taken a little before the fit comes,
and the party be laid down to sweat in his
bed. The oil or water that is drawn from
the end of the green sticks heated in the
fire, helps the tooth-ache. The juice of
young branches made into an ointment of
old hog's grease, and anointed, or the young
branches bruised and heated in oil or hog's
grease, and laid to the sides pained by
wind, as in stitches, or the spleen, ease
them in once or twice using it. The same
boiled in oil is the safest and surest medicine
to kill lice in the head or body of any;
and is an especial remedy for joint aches,
and swollen knees, that come by the falling
down of humours.

The BROOM RAPE also is not witJiout its
virtues.

THE decoction thereof in wine, is thought
to be as effectual to void the stone in the
kidney or bladder, and to provoke urine,
as the Broom itself. The juice thereof is
a singular good help to cure as well green
wounds, as old and filthy sores and malig-
nant ulcers. The insolate oil, wherein there
has been three cr four repetitions of infusion
of the top stalks, with flowers strained and

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

cleared, cleanses the skin from all manner
of spots, marks, and freckles that rise, either
by the heat of the sun, or the malignity of
humours. As for the Broom and Broom-
rape, Mars owns them, and is exceeding
prejudicial to the liver, I suppose by reason
of the antipathy between Jupiter and Mars;
therefore if the liver be disaffected, minis-
ter none of it.

BUCK'S-HORN PLANTAIN.

Descript.~\ THIS being sown of seed,
rises up at first with small, long, narrow,
hairy, dark green leaves like grass, without
any division or gash in them, but those that
follow are gashed in on both sides the
leaves into three or four gashes, and point-
ed at the ends, resembling the knags of a
buck's horn (whereof it took its name), and
being well wound round about the root
upon the ground, in order one by another,
thereby resembling the form of a star, from
among which rise up divers hairy stalks,
about a hand's breadth high, bearing every
one a small, long spiky head, like to those
of the common Plantain having such like
bloomings and seed after them. The root
is single, long and small, with divers strings
at it.

Place.'] They grow in sandy grounds,
as in Tothill-fields by Westminster, and
divers other places of this land.

Time.'] They flower and seed in May,
June, and July, and their green leaves do
in a manner abide fresh all the Winter.

Government and virtues.~\ It is under the
dominion of Saturn, and is of a gallant,
drying, and binding quality. This boiled
in wine and drank, and some of the leaves
put to the hurt place, is an excellent re-
medy for the biting of the viper or adder,
which I take to be one and the same. The
same being also drank, helps those that are
troubled with the stone in the reins or kid-
neys, by cooling the heat of the part af-
flicted, and strengthens them also weak

stomachs that cannot retain, but cast up
their meat. It stays all bleeding both at
mouth or nose ; bloody urine or the bloody-
flux, and stops the lask of the belly and
bowels. The leaves hereof bruised and
laid to their sides that have an ague, sud-
denly ease the fits; and the leaves and roots
applied to the wrists, works the same effect.
The herb boiled in ale and wine, and given
for some mornings and evenings together,
stays the distillation of hot and sharp
rheums falling into the eyes from the head,
and helps all sorts of sore eyes.

BUCK'S HORN.

IT is called Hart's-horn, Herba-stella and
Herba-stellaria, Sanguinaria, Herb-Eve,
Herb-Ivy, Wort-Tresses,and Swine-Cresses.

DescriptJ] They have many small and

weak straggled branches trailing here and

there upon the ground : The leaves are

many, small and jagged, not much unlike

to those of Buck's-horn Plantain, but much

smaller, and not so hairy. The flowers

grow among the leaves in small, rough,

i whitish clusters ; the seeds are smaller and

1 brownish, of a bitter taste.

Placed] They grow in dry, barren, sandy
grounds.

Time.] They flower and seed when the
rest of the Plantains do.

Government and virtues] This is also
under the dominion of Saturn; the virtues
are held to be the same as Buck's-horn
Plaintain, and therefore by all authors it is
joined with it. The leaves bruised and ap-
plied to the place, stop bleeding. The
herbs bruised and applied to warts, will
make them consume and waste in a short
time.

BUGLE.

BESIDES the name Bugle, -it is called
Middle Confound and Middle Comfrey,
Brown Bugle, and by some Sicklewort, and

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Herb-Carpenter ; though in Essex we call
another herb by that name.

Descript.^ This has larger leaves than
those of the Self-heal, but else of the same
fashion, or rather longer; in some green on
the upper side, and in others more brown-
ish, dented about the edges, somewhat hairy,
as the square stalk is also which rises up to
be half a yard high sometimes, with the
leaves set by couples, from the middle
almost, whereof upwards stand the flowers,
together with many smaller and browner
leaves than the rest, on the stalk below set
at distance, and the stalk bare between
them; among which flowers, are also small
ones of a blueish and sometimes of an ash
colour, fashioned like the flowers of Ground-
ivy, after which come small, round blackish
seeds. The root is composed of many
strings, and spreads upon the ground.

The white flowered Bugle differs not in
form or greatness from the former, saving
that the leaves and stalks are always green,
and never brown, like the other, and the
flowers thereof are white.

Place. ] They grow in woods, copses,
and fields, generally throughout England,
but the white flowered Bugle is not so
plentiful as the former.

TimeJ] They flower from May until July,
and in the mean time perfect their seed.
The roots and leaves next thereunto upon
the ground abiding all the Winter.

Government and virtues J] This herb be-
longs to Dame Venus : If the virtues of it
makes you fall in love with it (as they will
if you be wisej keep a syrup of it to take
inwardly, an ointment and plaister of it
to use outwardly, always by you.

The decoction of the leaves and flowers
made in wine, and taken, dissolves the con-
gealed blood in those that are bruised in-
wardly by a fall, or otherwise is very
effectual for any inward wounds, thrusts,
or stabs in the body or bowels ; and it is
an especial help in all wound-drinks, and

for those that are liver-grown (as they call
it.) It is wonderful in curing all manner of
ulcers and sores, whether new and fresh,
or old and inveterate ; yea, gangrenes and
fistulas also, if the leaves bruised and ap-
plied, or their juice be used to Wash and
bathe the place ; and the same made into a
lotion, and some honey and alum, cures
all sores in the mouth and gums, be they
ever so foul, or of long continuance ; and
works no less powerfully and effectually for
such ulcers and sores as happen in the
secret parts of men and women. Being
also taken inwardly, or outwardly applied,
it helps those that have broken any bone,
or have any member out of joint. An
ointment made with the leaves of Bugle,
Scabions and Sanicle, bruised and boiled
in hog's grease, until the herbs be dry, and
then strained forth into a pot for such '
occasions as shall require ; it is so singularly
good for all sorts of hurts in the body, that
none that know its usefulness will be with-
out it.

The truth is, I have known this herb cure
some diseases of Saturn, of which I thought
good to quote one. Many times such as
give themselves much to drinking are
troubled with strange fancies, strange sights
in the night time, and some with voices,
as also with the disease Ephialtes, or the
Mare. I take the reason of this to be
(according to Fernelius) a melancholy
vapour made thin by excessive drinking
strong liquor, and, so flies up and disturbs
the fancy, and breeds imaginations like
itself, viz. fearful and troublesome. Those
I have known cured by taking only two
spoonfuls, of the syrup of this herb after
supper two hours, when you go to bed.
But whether this does it by sympathy, or
antipathy, is some doubt in astrology. I
know there is great antipathy between
Saturn and Venus in matter of procreation;
yea, such a one, that the barrenness of
Saturn can be removed by none but Venus !

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

nor the lust of Venus be repelled by none
but Saturn; but I am not of opinion this
is done this way, and my reason is, because
these vapours though in quality melan-
choly, yet by their flying upward, seem to
be something aerial; therefore I rather think
it is done by antipathy; Saturn being
exalted in Libra, in the house of Venus.

BURNET.

IT is called Sanguisorbia, Pimpinella,
Bipulo, Solbegrella, &c. The common
garden Burnet is so well known, that it
needs no description. There is another sort
which is wild, the description whereof take
as follows:

DescriptJ] The great wild Burnet has
winged leaves arising from the roots like the
garden Burnet, but not so many ; yet each
of these leaves are at the least twice as
large as the other, and nicked in the same
manner about the edges, of a greyish colour
on the under side ; the stalks are greater,
and rise higher, with many such leaves set
thereon, and greater heads at the top, of a
brownish colour, and out of them come
small dark purple flowers, like the former,
but greater. The root is black and long
like the other, but greater also : it has almost
neither scent nor taste therein, like the
garden kind.

Place.~] It first grows frequently in gar-
dens. The wild kind grows in divers
counties of this land, especially in Hunting-
don, in Northamptonshire, in the meadows
there : as also near London, by Pancras
church, and by a causeway-side in the middle
of a field by Paddington.

Time.'} They flower about the end of
June and beginning of July, and their seed
is ripe in August.

Government and virtues] This is an herb
the Sun challenges dominion over, and is
a most precious herb, little inferior to
Betony ; the continual use of it preserves

the body in health, and the spirits in vigour;
for if the Sun be the preserver of life under
God, his herbs are the best in the world to
do it by. They are accounted to be both of
one property, but the lesser is more effectual
because quicker and more aromatic: It
is a friend to the heart, liver, and other
principal parts of a man's body. Two or
three of the stalks, with leaves put into a
cup of wine, especially claret, are known
to quicken the spirits, refresh and cheer the
heart, and drive away melancholy : It is a
special help to defend the heart from noi-
some vapours, and from infection of the
pestilence, the juice thereof being taken in
some drink, and the party laid to sweat
thereupon. They have also a drying and
an astringent quality, whereby they are
available in all manner of fluxes of blood
or humours, to staunch bleedings inward or
outward, lasks, scourings, the bloody -flux,
women's too abundant flux of courses, the
whites, and the choleric belchings and cast-
ings of the stomach, and is a singular
wound-herb for all sorts of wounds, both
of the head and body, either inward or out-
ward, for all old ulcers, running cankers,
and most sores, to be used either by the
juice or decoction of the herb, or by the
powder of the herb or root, or the water of
the distilled herb, or ointment by itself, or
with other things to be kept. The seed is
also no less effectual both to stop fluxes,
and dry up moist sores, being taken in
powder inwardly in wine, or steeled water,
that is, wherein hot rods of steel have been
quenched; or the powder, or the seed
mixed with the ointments.

THE BUTTER-BUR, OR PETASITIS.

Descript.~\ THIS rises up in February,
with a thick stalk about a foot high, where-
on are set a few small leaves, or rather
pieces, and at the top a long spiked head ,
flowers of a blue or deep red colour, ac-

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

cording to the soil where it grows, and be-
fore the stalk with the flowers have abiden
a month above ground, it will be withered
and gone, and blow away with the wind,
and the leaves will begin to spring, which
being full grown, are very large and broad,
being somewhat thin and almost round,
whose thick red foot stalks above a foot
long, stand to wards the middle of the leaves.
The lower part being divided into two round
parts, close almost one to another, and are
of a pale green colour; and hairy under-
neath. The root is long, and spreads under-
ground, being in some places no bigger than
one's finger, in others much bigger, blackish
on the outside, and whitish within, of a
bitter and unpleasant taste.

Place and Time.] They grow in low and
wet grounds by rivers and water sides.
Their flower (as is said) rising and decaying
in February and March, before their leaves,
which appear in April.

Government and virtues.'] It is under the
dominion of the Sun, and therefore is a
great strengthener of the heart, and clearer
of the vital spirit. The roots thereof are
by long experience found to be very avail-
able against the plague and pestilential
fevers by provoking sweat ; if the powder
thereof be taken in wine, it also resists the
force of any other poison. The root hereof
taken with Zedoary and Angelica, or without
them, helps the rising of the mother. The
decoction of the root in wine, is singularly
good for those that wheese much, or are
short-winded. It provokes urine also, and
women's courses, and kills the flat and
broad worms in the belly. The powder of
the root doth wonderfully help to dry up
the moisture of the sores that are hard to be
cured, and takes away all spots and
blemishes of the skin. It were well if
gentlewomen would keep this root preserved,
to help their poor neighbours. It is fit the
rich should help the poor, for the poor can- \
not help themselves.

THE BURDOCK.

They are also called Personata, and
Loppy-major, great Burdock and Clod-bur.
It is so well known, even by the little boys,
who pull off the burs to throw and stick
upon each other, that I shall spare to write
any description of it.

Place.] They grow plentifully by ditches
and water-sides, and by the highways al-
most everywhere through this land.

Government and virtues.'] Venus chal-
lenges this herb for her own, and by its leaf
or seed you may draw the womb which
way you please, either upwards by applying
it to the crown of the head, in case it falls
out ; or downwards in fits of the mother,
by applying it to the soles of the feet ; or
if you would stay it in its place, apply it to
the navel, and that is one good way to stay
the child in it. The Burdock leaves are
cooling, moderately drying, and discussing
withal, whereby it is good for old ulcers and
sores. A dram of the roots taken with
Pine kernels, helps them that spit foul,
mattery, and bloody phlegm. The leaves
applied to the places troubled with the
shrinking of the sinews or arteries, gives much
ease. The juice of the leaves, or rather
the roots themselves, given to drink with
old wine, doth wonderfully help the biting
of any serpents: And the root beaten with
a little salt, and laid on the place, suddenly
eases the pain thereof, and helps those that
are bit by a mad dog. The juice of the
leaves being drank with honey, provokes
urine, and remedies the pain of the bladder.
The seed being drank in wine forty days
together, doth wonderfully help the sciatica.
The leaves bruised with the white of an egg,
and applied to any place burnt with fire,
takes out the fire, gives sudden ease, and
heals it up afterwards. The decoction of
them fomented on any fretting sore, or
canker, stays the corroding quality, which
must be afterwards anointed with an oint-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

ment made of the same liquor, hog's -grease,
nitre, and vinegar boiled together. The
roots may be preserved with sugar, and
taken fasting, or at other times, for the same
purposes, and for consumptions, the stone,
and the lask. The seed is much commended
to break the stone, and cause it to be ex-
pelled by urine, and is often used with
other seeds and things to that purpose.

CABBAGES AND COLEWORTS.

I SHALL spare labour in writing a des-
cription of these, since almost every one
that can but write at all, may describe
them from his own knowledge, they being
generally so well known, that descriptions
are altogether needless.

Place. .] They are generally planted in
gardens.

TimeJ] Their flower time is towards the
middle, or end of July, and the seed is
ripe in August.

Government and virtues] The Cabbages
or Coleworts boiled gently in broth, and
eaten, do open the body, but the second
decoction doth bind the body. The juice
thereof drank in wine, helps those that are
bitten by an adder, and the decoction of the
flowers brings down women's courses :
Being taken with honey, it recovers hoarse-
ness, or loss of the voice. The often eating
of them well boiled, helps those that are
entering into a consumption. The pulp of
the middle ribs of Coleworts boiled in al-
mond milk, and made up into an electuary
with honey, being taken often, is very pro-
fitable for those that are puffy and short
winded. Being boiled twice, an old cock
boiled in the broth and drank, it helps the
pains and the obstructions of the liver and
spleen, and the stone in the kidneys. The
juice boiled with honey, and dropped into
the corner of the eyes, clears the sight,
by consuming any film or clouds beginning
to dim it; it also consumes the cankers
growing therein. They are much com-

mended, being eaten before meat to keep
one from surfeiting, as also from being
drunk with too much wind or quickly to
make a man sober again that was drunk be-
fore. For (as they say) there is such an
antipathy or enmity between the Vine and
the Coleworts, that the one will die where
the other grows. The decoction of Cole-*
worts takes away the pain and ache, and
'allays the swelling of sores and gouty
legs and knees, wherein many gross and
watery humours are fallen, the place being
bathed therewith warm. It helps also old
and filthy sores, being bathed therewith,
and heals all small scabs, pushes, and
wheals, that break out in the skin. The
ashes of Colewort stalks mixed with old
hog's-grease, are very effectual to anoint
the sides of those that have had long pains
therein, or any other place pained with
melancholy and windy humours. This was
surely Chrysippus's God, and therefore he
wrote a whole volume on them and their
virtues, and that none of the least neither,
for he would be no small fool ; He appro-
priates them to every part of the body, and
to every disease in every part : and honest
old Cato (they say) used no other physic.
I know not what metal their bodies were
made of; this I am sure, Cabbages are
extremely windy, whether you take them as
meat or as medicine : yea, as windy meat
as can be eaten, unless you eat bag-pipes or
bellows, and they are but seldom eaten in
our days ; and Colewort flowers are some-
thing more tolerable, and the wholesomer
food of the two. , The Moon challenges the
dominion of this herb.

THE SEA COLEWORTS.

Descript.~\ THIS has divers somewhat
long and broad large and thick wrinkled
leaves, somewhat crumpled about the edges,
and growing each upon a thick footstalks
very brittle, of a greyish green colour,
from among which rises up a strong thick

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

stalk, two feet high and better, with some
leaves thereon to the top, where it branches
forth much; and on every branch stands a
large bush of pale whitish flowers, consist-
ing of four leaves a-piece : The root is
somewhat great, shoots forth many branches
under ground, keeping the leaves green all
the Winter.

P/ace.] They grow in many places upon
the sea-coasts, as well on the Kentish as
Essex shores ; as at Lid in Kent, Colches-
ter in Essex, and divers other places, and
jn other counties of this land.

Time.] They flower and seed about the
dme that other kinds do.

Government and virtues.'] The Moon
claims the dominion of these also. The
broth, or first decoction of the Sea Colewort,
doth by the sharp, nitrous, and bitter qua-
lities therein, open the belly, and purge the
body ; it cleanses and digests more power-
fully than the other kind: The seed hereof,
bruised and drank, kills worms. The leaves
or the juice of them applied to sores or
ulcers, cleanses and heals them, and dis-
solves swellings, and takes away inflam-
mations.

CALAMINT, OR MOUNTAIN-MINT.

DescriptJ] THIS is a small herb, seldom
rising above a foot high, with square hairy,
and woody stalks, and two small hoary
leaves set at a joint, about the height of
Marjoram, or not much bigger, a little dented
about the edges, and of a very fierce or
quick scent, as the whole herb is: The
flowers stand at several spaces of the stalk,
from the middle almost upwards, which are
small and gaping like to those of the Mints,
of a pale bluish colour : After which follow
small, round blackish seed. The root is
small and woody, with divers small strings
spreading within the ground, and dies not,
but abides many years.

It grows on heaths, and up-

lands, and dry grounds, in many places of
this land.

Time.~\ They flower in July and their
seed is ripe quickly after.

Government and virtues.'] It is an herb of
Mercury, and a strong one too, therefore
excellent good in all afflictions of the brain.
The decoction of the herb being drank,
brings down women's courses, and provokes
urine. It is profitable for those that are
bursten, or troubled with convulsions or
cramps, with shortness of breath, or choleric
torments and pains in their bellies or
stomach ; it also helps the yellow-jaundice,
and stays vomiting, being taken in wine.
Taken with salt and honey, it kills all
manner of worms in the body. It helps
such as have the leprosy, either taken in-
wardly, drinking whey after it, or the green
herb outwardly applied. It hinders con-
ception in women, but either burned or
strewed in the chamber, it drives away
venomous serpents. It takes away black
and blue marks in the face, and makes
black scars become well coloured, if the
green herb (not the dry) be boiled in wine,
and laid to the place, or the place washed
therewith. Being applied to the huckle-
bone, by continuance of time, it spends the
humours, which cause the pain of the
sciatica. The juice being dropped into
the ears, kills the worms in them. The
leaves boiled in wine, and drank, provoke
sweat, and open obstructions of the liver
and spleen. It helps them that have a ter-
tian ague (the body being first purged) by
taking away the cold fits. The decoction
hereof, with some sugar put thereto after-
wards, is very profitable for those that be
troubled with the over-flowing of the gall,
and that have an old cough, and that are
scarce able to breathe by shortness of their
wind; that have any cold distemper in their
bowels, and are troubled with the hardness
or the spleen, for all which purposes, both
the powder, called Diacaluminthes, and the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

compound Syrup of Calamint are the most
effectual. Let no women be too busy with
it, for it works very violent upon the femi-
nine part.

CAMOMILE.

IT is so well known every where, that it
is but lost time and labour to describe it.
The virtues thereof are as follow.

A decoction made of Camomile, and
drank, takes away all pains and stitches in
the side. The flowers of Camomile beaten,
and made up into balls with Gill, drive away
all sorts of agues, if the part grieved be
anointed with that oil, taken from the
flowers, from the crown of the head to the
sole of the foot, and afterwards laid to
sweat, in his bed, and that he sweats well.
This is Nechessor, an Egyptian's, medicine.
It is profitable for all sorts of agues that
come either from phlegm, or melancholy,
or from an inflammation of the bowels,
being applied when the humours causing
them shall be concocted; and there is
nothing more profitable to the sides and
region of the liver and spleen than it. The
bathing with a decoction of Camomile
takes away weariness, eases pains, to what
part of the body soever they be applied.
It comforts the sinews that are over-strained,
mollifies all swellings : It moderately com-
forts all parts that have need of warmth,
digests and dissolves whatsoever has need
thereof, by a wonderful speedy property.
It eases all pains of the cholic and stone,
and all pains and torments of the belly,
and gently provokes urine. The flowers
boiled in posset-drink provokes sweat, and
helps to expel all colds, aches, and pains
whatsoever, and is an excellent help to
bring down women's courses. Syrup made
of the juice of Camomile, with the flowers,
in white wine, is a remedy against the
jaundice and dropsy. The flowers boiled
m lye, are good to wash the head, and

comfort both it and the brain. The oil
made of the flowers of Camomile, is much
used against all hard swellings, pains, or
aches, shrinking of the sinews, or cramps,
or pains in the joints, or any other part of
the body. Being used in clysters, it helps
to dissolve the wind and pains in the belly ;
anointed also, it helps stitches and pains in
the sides.

Nechessor saith, the Egyptians dedicated
it to the Sun, because it cured agues, and
they were like enough to do it, for they
were the arrantest apes in their religion
that I ever read of. Bachinus, Bena, and
Lobel, commend the syrup made of the
juice of it and sugar, taken inwardly, to be
excellent for the spleen. Also this is cer-
tain, that it most wonderfully breaks the
stone : Some take it in syrup or decoction,
others inject the juice of it into the bladder
with a syringe. My opinion is, that the
salt of it, taken half a dram in the morning
in a little white or Rhenish wine, is better
than either; that it is excellent for the stone,
appears in this which I have seen tried,
viz., That a stone that has been taken out
of the body of a man being wrapped in
Camomile, will in time dissolve, and in a
little time too.

WATER-CALTROPS.

THEY are called also Tribulus Aquaticus,
Tribulus Lacusoris, Tribulus Marinus,
Caltrops, Saligos, Water Nuts, and Water
Chesnuts.

Descript.~] As for the greater sort oi
Water Caltrop it is not found here, or very
rarely. Two other sorts there are whicl
I shall here describe. The first has a long
creeping and jointed root, sending forth
tufts at each joint, from which joints rise
long, flat, slender, knotted stalks, even to
the top of the water, divided towards the
top into many branches, each carrying
two leaves on both sides, being about two

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

inches long, and half an inch broad, thin
and almost transparent; they look as though
they were torn ; the flowers are long, thick,
and whitish, set together almost like a
bunch of grapes, which being gone, there
succeed, for the most part, sharp pointed
grains all together, containing a small white
kernel in them.

The second differs not much from this,
save that it delights in more clean water;
its stalks are not flat, but round; its leaves
are not so long, but more pointed. A s for
the plaee. we need not determine, for their
name shews they grow in water.

Government and virtues] They are under
the dominion of the Moon, and being made
into a poultice, are excellently good for
hot inflammations, swellings, cankers, sore
mouths and throats, being washed with the
decoction ; it cleanses and strengthens the
neck and throat, and helps those swellings
which, when people have, they say the
almonds of the ears are fallen down. It
is excellently good for the rankness of the
gums, a safe and present remedy for the
king's evil. They are excellent for the stone
and gravel, especially the nuts, being dried.
They also resist poison, and bitings of
venomous beasts.

CAMPION. WILD.

Descript] THE wild White Campion
has many long and somewhat broad dark
green leaves lying upon the ground, and
divers ribs therein, somewhat like plantain,
but somewhat hairy, broader, but not so
long. The hairy stalks rise up in the mid-
dle of them three or four feet high, and
sometimes more, with divers great white
joints at several places thereon, and two
such like leaves thereat up to the top, send-
ing forth branches at several joints also ;
all which bear on several foot-stalks white
flowers at the tops of them, consisting -of
five broad pointed leaves, every one cut in

on the end unto the middle, making them
seem to be two a-piece, smelling somewhat
sweet, and each of them standing in a
large green striped hairy husk, large and
round below next to the stalk. The seed is
small and greyish in the hard heads that
come up afterwards. The root is white and
long, spreading divers fangs in the ground.

The Red wild Campion grows in the same
manner as the White ; but its leaves are not
so plainly ribbed, somewhat shorter, rounder,
and more woolly in handling. The flowers
are of the same form and bigness ; but in
some of a pale, in others of a bright red-
colour, cut in at the ends more finely, which
makes the leaves look more in number than
the other. The seeds and the roots are
alike, the roots of both sorts abiding many
years.

There are forty-five kinds of Campion
more, those of them which are of a phy-
sical use, having the like virtues with those
above described, which I take to be the two
chief kinds.

Place.] They grow commonly through
this land by fields and hedge-sides, and
ditches.

Time] They flower in Summer, some
earlier than others, and some abiding longer
than others.

Government and virtues.] They belong
to Saturn, and it is found by experience,
that the decoction of the herb, either in
white or red wine being drank, doth stay
inward bleedings, and applied outwardly
it does the like ; and being drank, helps
to expel urine, being stopped, and gravel
and stone in the reins and kidneys. Two
drams of the seed drank in wine, purges
the 'body of choleric humours, and helps
those that are stung by scorpions, or other
venomous beasts, and may be as effectual
for the plague. It is of very good use in
old sores, ulcers, cankers, fistulas, and the
like, to cleanse and heat them, by con-
suming the moist humours falling into

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

them and correcting the putrefaction of
humours offending them.

CARDUUS BENEDICTUS.

IT is called Carduus Benedictus, or
Blessed Thistle, or Holy Thistle. I sup-
pose the name was put upon it by some
that had little holiness themselves.

I shall spare a labour in writing a
description of this as almost every one that
can but write at all, may describe them
from his own knowledge.

Time.'] They flower in August, and seed
not long after.

Government and virtues.~\ It is an herb of
Mars, and under the sign of Aries. Now, in
handling this herb, I shall give you a
rational pattern of all the rest ; and if you
please to view them throughout the book,
you shall, to your content, find it true. It
helps swimming and giddiness of the head,
or the disease called vertigo, because Aries
is in the house of Mars. It is an excellent
remedy against the yellow jaundice and
other infirmities of the gall, because Mars
governs choler. It strengthens the attrac-
tive faculty in man, and clarifies the blood,
because the one is ruled by Mars. The
continual drinking the decoction of it, helps
red faces, tetters, and ring-worms, because
Mars causes them. It helps the plague,
sores, boils, and itch, the bitings of mad
dogs and venomous beasts, all which in-
firmities are under Mars; thus you see
what it doth by sympathy.

By antipathy to other planets it cures the
French pox. By antipathy to Venus, who
governs it, it strengthens the memory, and
cures deafness by antipathy to Saturn, A,yho
has his fall in Aries, which rules the head.
It cures quartan agues, and other diseases
of melancholy, and adust choler, by sym-
pathy to Saturn, Mars being exalted in
Capricorn. Also provokes urine, the stop-
ping of which is usually caused by Mars or
the Moon.

CARROTS.

GARDEN Carrots are so well known,
that they need no description ; but because
they are of less physical use than the wild
kind (as indeed almost in all herbs the wild
are the most effectual in physic, as being more
powerful in operation than the garden
kinds,) I shall therefore briefly describe the
Wild Carrot.

DescriptJ] It grows in a manner al-
together like the tame, but that the leaves
and stalks are some what whiter and rougher.
The stalks bear large tufts of white flowers,
with a deep purple spot in ' the middle,
which are contracted together when the
seed begins to ripen, that the middle part
being hollow and low, and the outward
stalk rising high, makes the whole umbel
to show like a bird's nest. The root small,
long, and hard, and unfit for meat, being
somewhat sharp and strong.

Placed] The wild kind grows in divers
parts of this land plentifully by the field-
sides, and untilled places.

Time.'] They flower and seed in the end
of Summer.

Government and virtues.'] Wild Carrots
belong to Mercury, and therefore break
wind, and remove stitches in the sides, pro-
voke urine and women's courses, and helps
to break and expel the stone ; the seed also
of the same works the like effect, and is
good for the dropsy, and those whose bellies
are swelling with wind; helps the cholic,
the stone in the kidneys, and rising of the
mother ; being taken in wine, or boiled in
wine and taken, it helps conception. The
leaves being applied with honey to running
sores or ulcers, do cleanse them.

I suppose the seeds of them perform this

better than the roots; and though Galen

commended garden Carrots highly to break

wind, yet experience teaches they breed it

' first, and we may thank nature for expelling

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

it, not they; the seeds of them expel wind
indeed, and so mend what the root marrs.

CARRAWAY.

It is on account of the seeds principally
that the Carraway is cultivated.

DescriptJ} It bears divers stalks of fine
cut leaves, lying upon the ground, some-
what like to the leaves of carrots, but not
bushing so thick, of a little quick taste in
them, from among which rises up a square
stalk, not so high as the Carrot, at whose
joints are set the like leaves, but smaller
and finer, and at the top small open tufts,
or umbels of white flowers, which turn into
small blackish seed, smaller than the
Anniseed, and of a quicker and hotter
taste. The root is whitish, small and long,
somewhat like unto a parsnip, but with
more wrinkled bark, and much less, of a
little hot and quick taste, and stronger
than the parsnip, and abides after seed-
time.

Place.~\ It is usually sown with us in
gardens.

Time.~\ They flower in June and July,
and seed quickly after.

Government and virtues^] This is also a
Mercurial plant. Carraway seed has a
moderate sharp quality, whereby it breaks
wind and provokes urine, which also the
herb doth. The root is better food than
the parsnip ; it is pleasant and comfortable
to the stomach, and helps digestion. The
seed is conducing to all cold griefs of the
head and stomach, bowels, or mother, as
also the wind in them, and helps to sharpen
the eye-sight. The powder of the seed put
into a poultice, takes away black and blue
spots of blows and bruises. The herb it-
self, or with some of the seed bruised and
fried, laid hot in a bag or double cloth, to
the lower parts of the belly, eases the pains
of the wind cholic.

The roots of Carraway eaten as men do
parsnips, strengthen the stomach of ancient

people exceedingly, and they need not to
make a whole meal of them neither, and are
fit to be planted in every garden.

Carraway comfits, once only dipped in
sugar, and half a spoonful of them eaten in
the morning fasting, and as many after each
meal, is a most admirable remedy, for those
that are troubled with wind.

CELANDINE.

Descript.~] THIS hath divers tender,
round, whitish green stalks, with greater
joints than ordinary in other herbs as it
were knees, very brittle and easy to break,
from whence grow branches with large
tender broad leaves, divided into many
parts, each of them cut in on the edges,
set at the joint on both sides of the
branches, of a dark blueish green colour,
on the upper side like Columbines, and of
a more pale blueish green underneath, full
of yellow sap, when any is broken, of a
bitter taste, and strong scent. At the
flowers, of four leaves a-piece, after which
come small long pods, with blackish seed
therein. The root is somewhat great at the
head, shooting forth divers long roots and
small strings, reddish on the outside, and
yellow within, full of yellow sap therein.

Place."] They grow in many places by
old walls, hedges and way-sides in untilled
places; and being once planted in a garden,
especially some shady places, it will remain
there.

Time.'] They flower all the Summer,
and the seed ripens in the mean time.

Government and virtues .] This is an herb
of the Sun, and under the Celestial Lion,
and is one of the best cures for the eyes ;
for, all that know any thing in astrology,
know that the eyes are subject to the
luminaries; let it then be gathered when tlje
Sun is in Leo, and the Moon in Aries,
applying to this time ; let Leo arise, then
may you make into an oil or ointment,
which you please, to anoint your sore eyes

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

with. I can prove it doth both my own
experience, and the experience of those to
whom I have taught it, that most desperate
sore eyes have been cured by this only
medicine ; and then, I pray, is not this far
better than endangering the eyes by the art
of the needle? For if this does not abso-
lutely take away the film, it will so facilitate
the work, that it might be done without
danger. The herb or root boiled in white
Wine and drank, a few Anniseeds being
boiled therewith, opens obstructions of the
liver and gall, helps the yellow jaundice;
and often using it, helps the dropsy and the
itch, and those who have old sores in their
legs, or other parts of the body. The
juice thereof taken fasting, is held to be of
singularly good use against the pestilence.
The distilled water, with a little sugar and
a little good treacle mixed therewith (the
party upon the taking being laid down to
sweat a little) has the same effect. The
juice dropped into the eyes, cleanses them
from films and cloudiness which darken the
sight, but it is best to allay the sharpness
of the juice with a little breast milk. It is
good in all old filthy corroding creeping
ulcers wheresoever, to stay their malignity
of fretting and running, and to cause them
to heal more speedily : The juice often
applied to tetters, ring-worms, or other such
like spreading cankers, will quickly heal
them, and rubbed often upon warts, will
take them away. The herb with the roots
bruised and bathed with oil of camomile,
and applied to the navel, takes away the
griping pains of the belly and bowels, and
all the pains of the mother; and applied to
women's breasts stays the overmuch flowing
of the courses. The juice or decoction of
the herb gargled between the teeth that ach,
eases the pain, and the powder of the dried
root laid upon any aching, hollow or loose
tooth, will cause it to fall out. The juice
mixed with some powder of brimstone is

not only good against the itch, but takes
away all discolourings of the skin what-
soever : and if it chance that in a tender
body it causes any itchings or inflamma-
tions, by bathing the place with a little
vinegar it is helped.

Another ill-favoured trick have physicians
got to use to the eye, and that is worse than
the needle ; which is to take away the films
by corroding or gnawing medicine. That
I absolutely protest against.

1. Because the tunicles of the eyes are
very thin, and therefore soon eaten asunder.

2. The callus or film that they would eat
away, is seldom of an equal thickness in
every place, and then the tunicle may be
eaten asunder in one place, before the film
be consumed in another, and so be a readier
way to extinguish the sight than to restore
it.

It is called Chelidonium, from the Greek
word Chelidon, which signifies a swallow ;
because they say, that if you put out the
eyes of young swallows when they are in
the nest, the old ones will recover their eyes
again with this herb. This 1 am confident,
for I have tried it, that if we mar the very
apple of their eyes with a needle, she will
recover them again; but whether with this
herb or not, I know not.

Also I have read (and it seems to be
somewhat probable) that the herb, being
gathered as I shewed before, and the
elements draw apart from it by art of the
alchymist, and after they are drawn apart
rectified, the earthly quality, still in rectify-
ing them, added to the Terra damnata (as
Alchymists call it) or Terra Sacratisima (as
some philosophers call it) the elements so
rectified are sufficient for the cure of all
diseases, the humours offending being known
and the contrary element given : It is an
experiment worth the trying, and can do
no harm.

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

THE LESSER CELANDINE, USUALLY
KNOWN BY THE NAME OF PILEWORT
AND FOGWORT.

I WONDER what ailed the ancients to
give this the name Celandine, which re-
sembles it neather in nature nor form; it
acquired the name of Pilewort from its
virtues, and it being no great matter where
I set it down, so I set it down at all, I
humoured Dr. Tradition so much, as to set
him down here.

Descript] This Celandine or Pilewort
(which you please) doth spread many round
pale green leaves, set on weak and trailing
branches which lie upon the ground, and
are flat, smooth, and somewhat shining,
and in some places (though seldom) marked
with black spots, each standing on a long
foot- stalk, among which rise small yellow
flowers, consisting of nine or ten small nar-
row leaves, upon slender foot-stalks, very
like unto Crovvsfoot, whereunto the seed
iJso is not unlike being many small kernels
like a grain of corn sometimes twice as
long as others, of a whitish colour, with
fibres at the end of them.

Place.] It grows for the most part in
moist corners of fields and places that are
near water sides, yet will abide in drier
ground if they be a little shady.

Time.] It flowers betimes, about March
or April, is quite gone by May; so it can-
not be found till it spring again.

Government and virtues.] It is under the
dominion of Mars, and behold here another
verification of the learning of the ancients,
viz. that the virtue of an herb may be
known by its signature, as plainly appears
in this ; for if you dig up the root of it,
you shall perceive the perfect image of the
disease which they commonly call the piles.
It is certain by good experience, that the
decoction of the leaves and roots wonder-
fully helps piles and haemorrhoids, also

kernels by the ears and throat, called the
king's evil, or any other hard wens or
tumours.

Here's another secret for my countrymen
and women, a couple of them together;
Pilewort made into an oil, ointment, or
plaister, readily cures both the piles, or
haemorrhoids, and the king's evil : The
very herb borne about one's body next the
skin helps in such diseases, though it never
touch the place grieved; let poor people
make much of it for those uses ; with this
I cured my own daughter of the king's
evil, broke the sore, drew out a quarter of
a pint of corruption, cured without any
scar at all in one week's time.

THE ORDINARY SMALL CENTAURY.

Descript.] THIS grows up most usually
but with one round and somewhat crusted
stalk, about a foot high or better, branching
forth at the top into many sprigs, and some
also from the joints of the stalks below; the
flowers thus stand at the tops as it were in
one umbel or tuft, are of a pale red, tending
to carnation colour, consisting of five,
sometimes six small leaves, very like those
of St. John's Wort, opening themselves in
the day time and closing at night, after
which come seeds in little short husk, in
forms like unto wheat corn. The leaves are
small and somewhat round; the root small
and hard, perishing every year. The whole
plant is of an exceeding bitter taste.

There is another sort in all things like the
former, save only it bears white flowers.

Place.] They grow ordinarily in fields,
pastures, and woods, but that with the
white flowers not so frequently as the other.

Time.] They flower in July or there-
abouts, and seeds within a month after.

Government andvirtues.] They are under
the dominion of the Sun, as appears in that
their flowers open and shut as the Sun, either
shews or hides his face. This herb, boiled

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

and drank, purges choleric and gross
humours, and helps the sciatica; it opens
obstructions of the liver, gall, and speen,
helps the jaundice, and eases the pains in
the sides and hardness of the spleen, used
outwardly, and is given with very good
effect in agues. It helps those that have
the dropsy, or the green-sickness, being
much used by the Italians in powder for
that purpose. It kill the worms in the
belly, as is found by experience. The
decoction thereof, viz. the tops of the stalks,
with the leaves and flowers, is good against
the cholic, and to bring down women's
courses, helps to avoid the dead birth, and
eases pains of the mother, and is very ef-
fectual in all pains of the joints, as the
gout, cramps, or convulsions. A dram of
the powder taken in wine, is a wonderful
good help against the biting and poison of
an adder. The juice of the herb with
a little honey put to it, is good to clear the
eyes from dimness, mists and clouds that
offend or hinder sight. It is singularly
good both for green and fresh wounds, as
also for old ulcers and sores, to close up the
one and cleanse the other, and perfectly to
cure them both, although they are hollow
or fistulousjthe green herb especially, being
bruised and laid thereto. The decoction
thereof dropped into the ears, cleanses
them from worms, cleanses the foul ulcers
and spreading scabs of the head, and takes
away all frickles, spots, and marks in the
skin, being washed with it ; the herb is so
safe you cannot fail in the using of it, only
giving it inwardly for inward diseases.
It is very wholesome, but not very tooth-
some.

There is beside these, another small
Centaury, which bears a yellow flower ; in
all other respects it is like the former, save
that the leaves are larger, and of a darker
green, and the stalks pass through the midst
of them, as it does in the herb Thorowan.
They are all of them, as I told you, under

the government of the Sun ; yet this, if
you observe it, you shall find an excellant
truth ; in diseases of the blood, use the red
Centaury; if of choler, use the yellow;
but if phlegm or water, you will find the
white best.

THE CHERRY-TREE.

I SUPPOSE there are few but know this
tree, for its fruit's sake ; and therefore
I shall spare writing a description thereof.

Place.~\ For the place of its growth, it
is ofForded room in every orchard.

Government and virtues^} It is a tree of
Venus. Cherries, as they are of different
tastes, so they are of different qualities.
The sweet pass through the stomach and
the belly more speedily, but are of little
nourishment; the tart or sour are more
pleasing to an hot stomach, procure appe-
tite to meat, to help and cut tough phlegm,
and gross humours; but when these are
dried, they are more binding to the belly
than when they are fresh, being cooling in
hot diseases, and welcome to the stomach,
and provokes urine. The gum of the Chery-
tree, desolved in wine is good for a cold,
cough, and horseness of the throat ; mends
the colour in the face, sharpens the eye-
sight, provokes appetite, and helps to break
and expel the stone, and dissolved, the
water thereof is much used to break the
stone, and to expel gravel and wind.

WINTER-CHERRIES.

DescriptJ] THE Winter Cherry has a
running or creeping root in the ground, of
the bigness many times one's little finger,
shooting forth at several joints in several
places, whereby it quickly spreads a great
compass of ground. The stalk rises not
above a yard high, whereon are set many
broad and long green leaves, somewhat
like nightshades, but larger ; at the joints,
whereof come forth whitish flowers made
of five leaves a piece, which afterward*

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

turn into green berries inclosed with thin
skins, which change to be reddish when
they grow ripe, the berry likewise being
reddish, and as large as a cherry ; wherein
are contained many flat and yellowish seeds
lying within the pulp, which being gathered
and strung up, are keep all the year to be
used upon occasions.

Place.'] They grow not naturally in this
land, but are cherished in gardens for their
virtues.

Time.'] They flower not until the middle
or latter end of July ; and the fruit is ripe
about August, or the beginning of Sep-
tember.

Government and virtues^] This also is a
plant of Venus. They are of great use in
physic : The leaves being cooling, may be
used in inflammations, but not opening as
the berries and fruit are ; which by draw-
ing down the urine provoke it to be voided
plentifully when it is stopped or grown hot,
sharp, and painful in the passage; it is
good also to expel the stone and gravel out
of the reins, kidneys and bladder, helping
to dissolve the stone, and voiding it by grit
or gravel sent forth in the urine ; it also
helps much to cleanse inward imposthumes
or ulcers in the reins of bladder, or in those
that void a bloody or foul urine. The
distilled water of the fruit, or the leaves
together with them, or the berries, green or
dry, distilled with a little milk and drank
morning and evening with a little sugar, is
effectual to all the purposes before specified,
and especially against the heat and sharp-
ness of the urine. I shall only mention
one way, amongst many others, which
might be used for ordering the berries, to
be helpful for the urine and the stone ;
which is this : Take three or four good
handfuls of the berries, either green or
fresh, or dried, and having bruised them,
put them into so many gallons of beer or
ale when it is new tunned up : This drink
taken daily, has been found to do much

good to many, both to ease the pains, and
xpel urine and the stone, and to cause the
stone not to engender. The decoction of
the berries in wine and water is the most
usual way; but the powder of them taken
in drink is more effectual.

CHERVIL.

It is called Cerefolium, Mirrhis, and
Mirrha, Chervil, Sweet Chervil, and Sweet
Cicely.

Descript^] The garden Chervil doth at
first somewhat resemble Parsley, but after it
is better grown, the leaves are much cut in
and jagged, resembling hemlock, being a
little hairy and of a whitish green colour,
sometimes turning reddish in the Summer,
with the stalks also ; it rises a little above half
a foot high, bearing white flowers in spiked
tufts, which turn into long and round seeds
pointed at the ends, andblackish when they
are ripe ; of a sweet taste, but no smell,
though the herb itself smells reasonably
well. The root is small and long, and
perishes every year, and must be sown
a-new in spring, for seed after July for
Autumn fails.

The wild Chervil grows two or three feet
high with yellow stalks and joints, set with
broader and more hairy leaves, divided
into sundry parts, nicked about the edges,
and of a dark green colour, which likewise
grow reddish with the stalks ; at the tops
whereof stands small white tufts, of flowers,
afterwards smaller and longer seed. The
root is white, hard, and enduring long.
This as little or no scent.

Place.l The first is sown in gardens for
a sallad nerb ; the second grows wild in
many of the meadows of this land, and by
the hedge sides, and on heaths.

Time,~] They flower and seed early, and
thereupon are sown again in the end of
Summer.

Government and virtues^] The garden
Chervil being eaten, doth moderately warm

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

the stomach.and is a certain remedy ("saith
Tragus) to dissolve congealed or clotted
blood in the body, or that which is clotted
by bruises, falls, &c. The juice or distilled
water thereof being drank, and the bruised
leaves laid to the place, being taken either
in meat or drink, it is good to help to
provoke urine, or expel the stone in the
kidneys, to send down women's courses,
and to help the pleurisy and pricking of
the sides.

The wild Chervil bruised and applied,
dissolves swellings in any part, or the
marks of congealed blood by bruises or
blows, in a little space.

SWEET CHERVIL, OR SWEET CICELY.

DescriptJ] THIS grows very like the
great hemlock, having large spread leaves
cut into divers parts, but of a fresher green
colour than the Hemlock, tasting as sweet
as the Anniseed. The stalks rise up a yard I
high, or better, being creased or hollow,
having leaves at the joints, but lesser ; and
at the tops of the branched stalks, umbels
or tufts of white flowers; after which comes
long crested black shining seed, pointed at
both ends, tasting quick, yet sweet and
pleasant. The root is great and white,
growing deep in the ground, and spreading
sundry long branches therein, in taste and
smell stronger than the leaves or seeds,
and continuing many years.

Place.] This grows in gardens.

Government and virtues.] These are all
three of them of the nature of Jupiter, and
under his dominion. This whole plant,
besides its pleasantness in sallads, has its
physical virtue. The root boiled, and eaten
with oil and vinegar, (or without oil) do
much please and warm old and cold sto-
machs oppressed with wind or phlegm, or
those that have the phthisic or consump-
tion of the lungs. The same drank with
wine is a preservation from the plague. It
provokes women's courses, and expels the

after-birth, procures an appetite to meat,
and expels wind. The juice is good to
heal the ulcers of the head and face ; the
candied root hereof are held as effectual as
Angelica, to preserve from infection in the
time of a plague, and to warm and comfort
a cold weak stomach. It is so harmless,
you cannot use it amiss.

CHESNUT TREE.

It were as needless to describe a tree so
commonly known as to tell a man he had
gotten a mouth ; therefore take the govern-
ment and virtues of them thus :

The tree is abundantly under the do-
minion of Jupiter, and therefore the fruit
must needs breed good blood, and yield
commendable nourishment to the body ;
yet if eaten over-much, they make the
blood thick, procure head ache, and bind
the body ; the inner skin, that covers the
nut, is of so binding a quality, that a scruple
of it being taken by a man, or ten grains
by a child, soon stops any flux whatsoever :
The whole nut being dried and beaten
into powder, and a dram taken at a time,
is a good remedy to stop the terms in
women. If you dry Chesnuts, (only the
kernels I mean) both the barks being
taken away, beat them into powder, and
make the powder up into an electuary with
honey, so have you an admirable remedy
for the cough and spitting of blood.

EARTH CHESNUTS.

THEY are called Earth-nuts, Earth
Chesnuts, Ground Nuts, Ciper-nuts, and
in Sussex Pig-nuts. A description of them
were needless, for every child knows them.

Government and virtues.] They are some-
thing hot and dry in quality, under the
dominion of Venus, they provoke lust
exceedingly, and stir up to those sports she
is mistress of; the seed is excellent good to
provoke urine ; and so also is the root, but
it doth not perform it so forcibly as the seed
o

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

doth. The root being dried and beaten
into powder, and the powder made into
an electuary, is as singular a remedy for
spitting and pissing of blood, as the former
Chesnut was for coughs.

CHICKWEED.

It is so generally known to most people,
that I shall not trouble you with the descrip-
tion thereof, nor myself with setting forth
the several kinds, since but only two or
three are considerable for their usefulness.

Place.'] They are usually found in moist
and watery places, by wood sides, and else-
where.

Time.'] They flower about June, and
their seed is ripe in July.

Government and virtues.'] It is a fine soft
pleasing herb under the dominion of the
Moon. It is found to be effectual as
Purslain to all the purposes whereunto it
serves, except for meat only. The herb
bruised, or the juice applied (with cloths or
sponges dipped therein) to the region of the
liver, and as they dry, to have it fresh ap-
plied, doth wonderfully temperate the heat
of the liver, and is effectual for all impos-
thumes and swellings whatsoever, for all
redness in the face, wheals, pushes, itch,
scabs; the juice either simply used, or boiled
with hog's grease and applied, helps cramps,
convulsions, and palsy. The juice, or
distilled water, is of much good use for all
heats and redness in the eyes, to drop some
thereof into them ; as also into the ears,
to ease pains in them ; and is of good effect
to ease pains from the heat and sharpness
of the blood in the piles, and generally
all pains in the body that arise of heat.
It is used also in hot and virulent ulcers
and sores in the privy parts of men and
women, or on the legs, or elsewhere. The
leaves boiled with marsh-mallows, and
made into a poultice with fenugreek and
linseed, applied to swellings or impos-
thumes, ripen and break them, or assuage

the swellings and ease the pains. It helps
the sinews when they are shrunk by cramps,
or otherwise, and to extend and make them
pliable again by this medicine. Boil a
handful of Chickweed, and a handful of
red rose leaves dried, in a quart of musca-
dine, until a fourth part be consumed ;
then put to them a pint of oil of trotters or
sheep's feet ; let them boil a good while,
still stirring them well; which being strained,
anoint the grieved place therewith, warm
against the fire, rubbing it well with one
hand : and bind also some of the herb (if
you will) to the place, and, with God's
blessing, it will help it in three times
dressing.

CHICK-PEASE, OR CICERS.

Descript.~] THE garden sorts whether
red, black, or white, bring forth stalks a
yard long, whereon do grow many small
and almost round leaves, dented about the
edges, set on both sides of a middle rib ;
At the joints come forth one or two flowers,
upon sharp foot stalks, pease-fashion, either
white or whitish, or purplish red, lighter
or deeper, according as the pease that
follow will be, that are contained in small,
thick, and short pods, wherein lie one or
two pease, more usually pointed at the
lower end, and almost round at the head,
yet a little cornered or sharp ; the root is
small, and perishes yearly.

Place and Time.'] They are sown in gar-
dens, or fields as pease, being sown later
than pease, and gathered at the same time
with them, or presently after.

Government and virtues.'] They are both
under the dominion of Venus. They are
less windy than beans, but nourish more ;
they provoke urine, and are thought to in-
crease sperm; they have a cleansing faculty,
whereby they break the stone in the kid-
neys. To drink the cream of them, being
boiled in water, is the best way. It moves
the belly downwards, provokes women'"

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

courses and urine, increases both milk and | of Jupiter, and therefore strengthens the

seed. One ounce of Cicers, two ounces of
French barley, and a small handful of

Marsh-mallow roots, clean washed and cut,
being boiled in the broth of a chicken, and
four ounces taken in the morning, arid
fasting two hours after, is a good medicine
for a pain in the sides. The white Cicers

part of the body it rules ; let
angular and strong when it is

Jupiter be
gathered ;

and if you give but a scruple (which is but
twenty grains,) of it at a time, either in
white wine, or in white wine vinegar, you
shall very seldom miss the cure of an ague,
be it what ague soever, in three fits, as I

are used more for meat than medicine, yet | have often proved to the admiration both
have the same effect, and are thought more ! of myself and others; let no man despise it

because it is plain and easy, the ways of
God are all such. It is an especial herb

powerful to increase milk and seed. The

wild Cicers are so much more powerful
than the garden kinds, by how much they
exceed them in heat and dryness; whereby
they do more open obstructions, break the
stone, and have all the properties of cutting,
opening, digesting, and dissolving ; and

used in all inflammations and fevers, whether
infectious or pestilential ; or among other
herbs to cool and temper the blood and
humours in the body. As also for all
lotions, gargles, infections, and the like, for

former.

CINQUEFOIL, OR FIVE-LEAVED GRASS}
CALLED IN SOME COUNTIES, FIVE-
FINGERED GRASS.

Descript.~] It spreads and creeps far

this more speedily and certainly than the ! sore mouths, ulcers, cancers, fistulas, and

other corrupt, foul, or running sores. The
juice hereof drank, about four ounces at a
time, for certain days together, cures the
quinsey and yellow jaundice ; and taken for
thirty days together, cures the falling sick-
ness. The roots boiled in milk, and drank, is

upon the ground, with long slender strings j a most effectual remedy for all fluxes in man
like straw berries, which take root again, ! or woman, whether the white or red, as also

and shoot forth many leaves, made of five
parts, and sometimes of seven, dented about
the edges, and somewhat hard. The stalks
are slender, leaning downwards and bear
many small yellow flowers thereon, with
some yellow threads in the middle, standing
about a smooth green head, which, when it
is ripe, is a little rough, and contains small
brownish seeds. The root is of a blackish
brown colours, as big as one's little finger,
but growing long, with some threads
thereat ; and by the small string it quickly
spreads over the ground.

the bloody flux. The roots boiled in vine-
gar, and the decoction thereof held in the
mouth, eases the pains of the toothach.
The juice or decoction taken with a little
honey, helps the hoarseness of the throat,

and is

lungs.

very good for the
The distilled water of

cough

of the
both roots

and leaves, is also effectual to all the
purposes aforesaid ; and if the hands be
often washed therein, and suffered at every
time to dry in of itself without wiping, it
will in a short time help the palsy, or
shaking in them. The root boiled in

Place.'] It grows by wood sides, hedge j vinegar, helps all knots, kernels, hard
sides, the path-way in fields, and in the i swellings, and lumps growing in any
borders and corners of them almost through part of the flesh, being thereto applied ;
all this land. as also inflammations, and St. An-

Time.~\ It flowers in summer, somejthony's fire, all imposthumes, and pain-
sooner, some later. I ful sores with heat and putrefaction,

Government and virtues.'] This is an herb ! the shingles also, and all other sorts of

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

running and foul scabs, sores and itch.
The same also boiled in wine, and applied
to any joint full of pain, ache, or the gout
in the hands or feet, or the hip gout, called
the Sciatica, and the decoction thereof
drank the while, doth cure them, and eases
much pain in the bowels. The roots are
likewise effectual to help ruptures or burst-
ing, being used with other things available
to that purpose, taken either inwardly or
outwardly, or both; as also bruises or
hurts by blows, falls, or the like, and to
stay the bleeding of wounds in any parts
inward or outward.

Some hold that one leaf cures a quo-
tidian, three a tertain, and four a quartan
ague, and a hundred to one if it be not
Dioscorides ; for he is full of whimsies.
The truth is, -I never stood so much upon
the number of the leaves, nor whether I
give it in powder or decoction : If Jupiter
were strong, and the Moon applying to
him, or his good aspect at the gathering,
I never knew it miss the desired effect.

GIVES.

c ALL ED also Rush Leeks, Chives, Civet,
and Sweth.

Government and virtues.~\ I confess I had
not added these, had it not been for a coun-
try gentleman, who by a letter certified
me, that amongst other herbs, I had left
these out ; they are indeed a kind of leeks,
hot and dry in the fourth degree as they
are, and so under the dominion of Mars ;
"if they be eaten raw, (I do not mean raw,
opposite to roasted or boiled, but raw,
opposite to chymical preparation) they send
up very hurtful vapours to the brain, caus-
ing troublesome sleep, and spoiling the
eye-sight, yet of them prepared by the art
of the alchymist, may be made an excellent
remedy for the stoppage of the urine.

CLARY, OR MORE PROPERLY CLEAR-EYE.

Detcript.'] OCR ordinary garden Clary

has four square stalks, with broad, rough,
wrinkled, whitish, or hoary green leaves
somewhat evenly cut in on the edges, and
of a strong sweet scent, growing some near
the ground, and some by couples upon
stalks. The flowers grow at certain dis-
tances, with two small leaves at the joints
under them, somewhat like unto the flowers
of Sage, but smaller, and of a whitish blue
colour. The seed is brownish, and some-
what flat, or not so round as the wild, The
roots are blackish, and spread not far, and
perish after the seed time. It is usually
sown, for it seldom rises of its own sowing.

Place. ~] This grows in gardens.

Time.'] It flowers in June and July, some
a little later than others, and their seed is
ripe in August, or thereabouts.

Government and virtues. ,] It is under the
dominion of the Moon. The seed put into
the eyes clears them from motes, and such
like things gotten within the lids to offend
them, as also clears them from white and
red spots on them. The mucilage of the
seed made with water, and applie3 to
tumours, or swellings, disperses and takes
them away ; as also draws forth splinters,
thorns, or other things gotten into the flesh.
The leaves used with vinegar, either by
itself, or with a little honey, doth help boils,
felons, and the hot inflammation that are
gathered by their pains, if applied before
it be grown too great. The powder of the
dried root put into the nose, provokes
sneezing, and thereby purges the head and
brain of much rheum and corruption. The
seed or leaves taken in wine, provokes to
venery. It is of much use both for men
and women that have weak backs, and
helps to strengthen the reins : used either
by itself, or with other herbs conducing to
the same effect, and in tansies often. The
fresh leaves dipped in a batter of flour,
eggs, and a little milk, and fried in butter,
and served to the table, is not unpleasant
to any, but exceedingly profitable for those

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

that are troubled with weak backs, and the
effects thereof. The juice of the herb put
into ale or beer, and drank, brings down
women's courses, and expels the after-birth.

WILD CLARY.

most blasphemously
because it cures dis-

safer, and easier remedy by a great deal,
than to tear it off with a needle.

CLEAVERS.

WILD Clary is
called Christ's Eye,

eases of the eye. I could wish for my soul,
blasphemy, ignorance, and tyranny, were
ceased among physicians, that they may be
happy, and I joyful.

Descript.] It is like the other Clary, but
lesser, with many stalks about a foot and
a half high. The stalks are square, and
somewhat hairy; the flowers of a bluish
colour ; He that knows the common Clary
cannot be ignorant of this.

Placed] It grows commonly in this nation
in barren places; you may find it plentifully,
if you look in the fields near Gray's Inn,
and near .Chelsea.

Time.'] They flower from the beginning
of June to the latter end of August.

Government and virtues.^ It is something '

-J O

hotter and drier than the garden Clary is,
yet nevertheless under the dominion of the
Moon, as well as that ; the seeds of it being
beat to powder, and drank with wine, is
an admirable help to provoke lust. A de-
coction of the leaves being wlrank, warms
the stomach, and it is a wonder if it should
not, the stomach being under Cancer, the
house of the Moon. Also it helps diges-
tion, scatters congealed blood in any part
of the body. The distilled water hereof
cleanses the eyes of redness, waterishness
and heat : It is a gallant remedy for dim-
ness of sight, to take one of the seeds of it,
and put into the eyes, and there let it re-
main till it drops out of itself, (the pain
will be nothing to speak on,) it will cleanse
the eyes of all filthy and putrified matter ;
and in often repeating it, will take off a
film which covers the sight : a handsomer,

IT is also called Aperine, Goose-shade,
Goose-grass, and Cleavers.

Descript.] The common Cleavers have
divers very rough square stalks, not so big
as the top* of a point, but rising up to be
two or three yards high sometimes, if it
meet with any tall bushes or trees whereon
it may climb, yet without any claspers, or
else much lower, and lying on the ground,
full of joints, and at every one of them
shoots forth a branch, besides the leaves

thereat, which are usually six, set in a round
compass like a star, or a rowel of a spur :
From between the leaves or the joints to-
wards the tops of the branches, come forth
very small white flowers, at every end
upon small thready foot-stalks, which after
they have fallen, there do shew two small
round and rough seeds joined together
which, when they are ripe, grow hard
and whitish, having a little hole on the
side, something like unto a navel. Both
stalks, leaves, and seeds are so rough,
that they will cleave to any thing that will
touch them. The root is small and thready
spreading much to the ground, but die
every year.

Place.~\ It grows by the hedge and ditch-
sides in many places of this land, and is so
troublesome an inhabitant in gardens, that
it ramps upon, and is ready to choak what
ever grows near it.

Time.~\ It flowers in June or July, and
the seed is ripe and falls again in the end
of July or August, from whence it springs
up again, and not from the old roots.

Government and virtues.'] It is under the
dominion of the Moon. The juice of the
herb and the seed together taken in wine,
helps those bitten with an adder, by pre-
serving the heart from Jhe venom. It is
familiarly taken in broth to keep them lean

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

and lank, that are apt to grow fat. The
distilled water drank twice a day, helps the
yellow jaundice, and the decoction of the
herb, in experience, is found to do the same,
and stays lasks and bloody-fluxes. The
juice of the leaves, or they a little bruised,
and applied to any bleeding wounds, stays
the bleeding. The juice also is very good
to close up the lips of green wounds, and
the powder of the dried herb strewed there-
upon doth the same, and likewise helps old
ulcers. Being boiled in hog's grease, it
helps all sorts of hard swellings or kernels
in the throat, being anointed therewith.
The juice dropped into the ears, takes away
the pain of them.

It is a good remedy in the Spring, eaten
(being first chopped small, and boiled well)
in water-gruel, to cleanse the blood, and
strengthen the liver, thereby to keep the
body in health, and fitting it for that change
of season that is coming.

CLOWN'S WOODS

DescriptJ] IT grows up sometimes to
two or three feet high, but usually about
two feet, with square green rough stalks,
but slender, joined somewhat far asunder,
and two very long, somewhat narrow, dark
green leaves, bluntly dented about the
edges thereof, ending in a long point. The
flowers stand towards the tops, compassing
the stalks at the joints with the leaves, and
end likewise in a spiked top, having long and
much gaping hoods of a purplish red colour,
with whitish spots in them, standing in
somewhat round husks, wherein afterwards
stand blackish round seeds. The root is
composed of many long strings, with some
tuberous long knobs growing among them,
of a pale yellowish or whitish colour, yet
some times of the year these knobby roots
in many places are not seen in this plant :
This plant smells somewhat strong.

Place.'] IT grows in sundry counties of
this land, both north and west, and fre-
quently by path-sides in the fields near
about London, and within three or four
miles distant about it, yet it usually grows
in or near ditches.

Time.~] It flowers in June or July, and
the seed is ripe soon after.

Government and virtues.'] It is under the
dominion of the planet Saturn. It is sin-
gularly effectual in all fresh and green
wounds, and therefore bears not this name
for nought. And it is very available in
staunching of blood and to dry up the fluxes
of humours in old fretting ulcers, cankers,
&c. that hinder the healing of them.

A syrup made of the juice of it, is inferior
to none for inward wounds, ruptures of
veins, bloody flux, vessels broken, spitting,
urining, or vomiting blood : Ruptures are
excellent and speedily, ever to admiration,
cured by taking now and then a little of
the syrup, and applying an ointment or.
plaister of this herb to the place. Also, if
any vain be swelled or muscle, apply a
plaister of this herb to it, and if you add
a little Comfrey to it, it will not be amiss.
I assure thee the herb deserves commenda-
tion, though it has gotten such a clownish
name ; and whosoever reads this, (if he try
it, as I have done,) will commend k ; only
take notice that it is of a dry earthy quality.

COCK'S HEAD, RED PITCHING, OR MEDICK
FETCH.

DescriptJ] THIS has divers weak but
rough stalks, half a yard long, leaning
downward, but set with winged leaves,
longer and more pointed than those of
Lintels, and whitish underneath ; from the
tops of these stalks arise up other slender
stalks, naked without leaves unto the tops,
where there grow many small flowers in
manner of a spike, of a pale reddish colour
with some blueness among them ; after
which rise up in their places, round rough,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

and somewhat flat heads. The root is
tough, and somewhat woody, yet lives and
shoots a-new every year.

Place.] It grows upon hedges, and
sometimes in the open fields, in divers
places of this land.

Time.] They flower all the months of
July and August, and the seed ripen in
the mean while.

Government and virtues.] It is under the
dominion of Venus. It has power to rarify
and digest , and therefore the green leaves
bruised and laid as a plaister, disperse
knots, nodes, or kernels in the flesh ; and
if, when dry, it be taken in wine, it helps
the stranguary ; and being anointed with
oil, it provokes sweat. It is a singular food
for cattle, to cause them to give store of
milk ; and why then may it not do the like,
being boiled in ordinary drink, for nurses.

COLUMBINES.

THESE are so well known, growing al-
most in every garden, that I think I may
save the expence of time in writing a de-
scription of them.

Time.] They flower in May, and abide
not for the most part when June is past,
perfecting their seed in the mean time.

Government and virtues.] It is also an
herb of Venus. The leaves of Columbines
are commonly used in lotions with good
success for sore mouths and throats. Tra-
gus saith, that a dram of the seed taken in
wine with a little saffron, opens obstruc-
tions of the liver, and is good for the yellow
jaundice, if the party after the taking
thereof be laid to sweat well in bed. The
seed also taken in wine causes a speedy
delivery of women in childbirth : if one
draught suffice not, let her drink the
second, and it will be effectual : The
Spaniards used to eat a piece of the root
thereof in the morning fasting, many days
together, to help them when troubled with
the stone in the reins or kidneys.

COLTSFOOT.

CALLED also Coughwort, Foals's-foot,
Horse-hoof, and Bull's-foot.

Descript.] This shoots up a slender stalk,
with small yellowish flowers somewhat
earlier, which fall away quickly, and aftei
they are past, come up somewhat round
leaves, sometimes dented about the edges,
much lesser, thicker, and greener than those
of butter-bur, with a little down or frieze
over the green leaf on the upper side, which
may be rubbed away, and whitish or meally
underneath. The root is small and white,
spreading much under ground, so that
where it takes it will hardly be driven
away again, if any little piece be abid-
ing therein ; and from thence spring fresh
leaves.

Place.] It grows as well in wet grounds
as in drier places.

Time.] And flowers in the end of
February, the leaves begin to appear in
March.

Government and virtues.] The plant is
under Venus, the fresh leaves or juice, or
a syrup thereof is good for a hot dry cough,
or wheezing, and shortness of breath. The
dry leaves are best for those that have thin
rheums and distillations upon their lungs,
causing a cough, for which also the dried
leaves taken as tobacco, or the root is very
good, The distilled water hereof simply,
or with Elder flowers and Nightshade, is a
singularly good remedy against all hot agues,
to drink two ounces at a time, and apply
cloths wet therein to the head and stomach,
which also does much good, being applied
to any hot swellings and inflammations :
It helps St. Anthony's fire, and burnings,
and is singularly good to take away wheals
and small pushes that arise through heat ;
as also the burning heat of the piles, or
privy parts, cloths wet therein being there-
unto applied.

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

COMFREY.

THIS is a very common but a very neg-
lected plant. It contains very great virtues.

DescriptJ] The common Great Com-
frey has divers very large hairy green leaves
lying on the ground, so hairy or prickly,
that if they touch any tender parts of the
hands, face, or body, it will cause it to itch ;
the stalks that rise from among them, being
two or three feet high, hollow and cornered,
is very hairy also, having many such like
leaves as grow below, but less and less up
to the top : At the joints of the stalks it is
divided into many branches, with some
leaves thereon, and at the ends stand many
flowers in order one above another, which
are somewhat long and hollow like the
finger of a glove, of a pale whitish colour,
after which come small black seeds. The
roots are great and long, spreading great
thick branches under ground, black on the
outside, and whitish within, short and easy
to break, and full of glutinous or clammy
juice, of little or no taste at all.

There is another sort in all things like
this, only somewhat less, and bears flowers
of a pale purple colour.

PlaceJ] They grow by ditches and
water-sides, and in divers fields that are
moist, for therein they chiefly delight to
grow. The first generally through all the
land, and the other but in some places. By
the leave of my authors, I know the first
grows in dry places.

Time.~\ They flower in June or July,
and give their seed in August.

Government and virtues^] This is an herb
of Saturn, and I suppose under the sign
Capricorn, cold, dry, and earthy in quality.
What was spoken of Clown's Woundwort
may be said of this. The Great Comfrey
helps those that spit blood, or make a
bloody urine. The root boiled in water or
wine, and the decoction drank, helps all
inward hurts, bruises, wounds, and ulcer

of the lungs, and causes the phlegm that
oppresses them to be easily spit forth : It
helps the defluction of rheum from the
head upon the lungs, the fluxes of blood or
humours by the belly, women's immoderate
courses, as well the reds as the whites, and
the running of the reins happening by what
cause soever. A syrup made thereof is
very effectual for all those inward griefs
and hurts, and the distilled water for the
same purpose also, and for outward wounds
and sores in the fleshy or sinewy part of the
body whatsoever, as also to take away the
fits of agues, and to allay the sharpness of
humours. A decoction of the leaves here-
of is available to all the purposes, though
not so effectual as the roots. The roots
being outwardly applied, help fresh wounds
or cuts immediately , being bruised and laid
thereto ; and is special good for ruptures
and broken bones ; yea, it is said to be so
powerful to consolidate and knit together,
that if they be boiled with dissevered pieces
of flesh in a pot, it will join them together
again. It is good to be applied to women's
breasts that grow sore by the abundance
of milk coming into them ; also to repress
the over much bleeding of the haemorrhoids,
to cool the inflammation of the parts there-
abouts, and to give ease of pains. The
roots of Comfrey taken fresh, beaten small,
and spread upon leather, ^and laid upon
any place troubled with the gout, doth
presently give ease of the pains ; and ap-
plied in the same manner, gives ease to
pained joints, and profits very much for
running and moist ulcers, gangrenes, mor-
tifications, and the like, for which it hath
by often experience been found helpful.

CORALWORT.

IT is also called by some Tootlnvort,
Tooth Violet, Dog-Teeth Violet, and
Dentaria.

Descript.'] Of the many sorts of this
herb two of them may be found growing

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

in this nation ; the first of which shoots
forth one or two winged leaves, upon long
brownish foot-stalks, which are doubled
down at their first coming out of the ground;
when they are fully opened they consist
of seven leaves, most commonly of a sad
green colour, dented about the edges, set
on both sides the middle rib one against
another, as the leaves of the ash tree ; the
stalk bears no leaves on the lower half of
it ; the upper half bears sometimes three or
four, each consisting of five leaves, some-
times of three ; on the top stand four or
five flowers upon short foot-stalks, with
long husks ; the flowers are very like the
flowers of Stockgilliflowers, of a pale
purplish colour, consisting of four leaves
a-piece, after which come small pods, which
contain the seed ; the root is very smooth,
white and shining; it does not grow down-
wards, but creeps along under the upper
crust of the ground, and consists of divers
Email round knobs set together ; towards
the top of the stalk there grows some single
leaves, by each of which comes a small
cloven bulb, which when it is ripe, if it be
set in the ground, it will grow to be a root.

As for the other Coralwort, which grows
in this nation, it is more scarce than this,
being a very small plant, much like Crow-
foot, therefore some think it to be one of
the sorts of Crowfoot. I know not where
to direct you to it, therefore I shall forbear
the description.

Place.~\ The first grows in Mayfield in
Sussex, in a wood called High read, and in
another wood there also, called Fox-holes.

TimeJ] They flower from the latter end
of April to the middle of May, and before
the middle of July they are gone, and not
to be found.

Government and virtues.'] It is under the
dominion of the Moon. It cleanses the
bladder, and provokes urine, expels gravel,
and the stone ; it eases pains in the sides
and bowels, is excellently good for inward

wounds, especially such as are made in the
breast or lungs, by taking a dram of the
powder of the root every morning in wine ;
the same is excellently good for ruptures, as
also to stop fluxes ; an ointment made of it
is exceedingly good for wounds and ulcers,
for it soon dries up the watery humours
which hinder the cure.

COSTMARY, OR ALCOST, OR BALSAM
HERB.

THIS is so frequently known to be an
inhabitant in almost every garden, that I
suppose it needless to write a descriptioi
thereof.

Time.'] It flowers in June and July.

Government and virtues.^ It is under the
dominion of Jupiter. The ordinary Cost-
mary, as well as Maudlin, provokes urine
abundantly, and moistens the hardness of
the mother ; it gently purges choler and
phlegm, extenuating that which is gross,
and cutting that which is tough and glu-
tinous, cleanses that which is foul, and
hinders putrefaction and corruption ; it
dissolves without attraction, opens obstruc-
tions, and helps their evil effects, and it is a
wonderful help to all sorts of dry agues.
It is astringent to the stomach, and
strengthens the liver, and all the other in-
ward parts ; and taken in whey works more
effectually. Taken fasting in the morning,
it is very profitable for pains in the head
that are continual, and to stay, dry up, and
consume all thin rheums or distillations
from the head into the stomach, and helps
much to digest raw humours that are
gathered therein. It is very profitable for
those that are fallen into a continual evil
disposition of the whole body, called
Cachexia, but especially in the beginning
of the disease. It is an especial friend and
helps to evil, weak and cold livers. The
seed is familiarly given to children for the
worms, and so is the infusion of the flowers
in white wine given them to the quantity of
Q

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

two ounces at a time; it makes an excellent
salve to cleanse and heal old ulcers, being
boiled with oil of olive, and Adder's tongue
with it, and after it is strained, put a little
wax, rosin, and turpentine, to bring it to a
convenient body.

CUDWEED, OR COTTONWEED.

BESIDES Cudweed and Cottonweed, it is
also Called Chaffweed, Dwarf Cotton, and
Petty Cotton.

DescriptJ} The common Cudweed rises
up with one stalk sometimes, and some-
times with two or three, thick set on all
sides with small, long and narrow whitish
or woody leaves, from the middle of the
stalk almost up to the top, with every leaf
stands small flowers of a dun or brownish
yellow colour, or not so yellow as others ;
in which herbs, after the flowers are fallen,
come small seed wrapped up, with the down
therein, and is carried away with the wind ;
the root is small and thready.

There are other sorts hereof, which are
somewhat less than the former, not much
different, save only that the stalks and
leaves are shorter, so that the flowers are
paler and more open.

Place.'] They grow in dry, barren, sandy,
and gravelly grounds, in most places of
this land.

TimeJ] They flower about July, some
earlier, some later, and their seed is ripe in
August.

Government and virtues^] Venus is Lady
of it. The plants are all astringent, bind-
ing, or drying, and therefore profitable for
deductions of rheum from the head, and to
stays fluxes of blood wheresoever, the de-
coction being made into red wine and
drank, or the powder taken therein. It also
helps the bloody-flux, and eases the tor-
ments that come thereby, stays the immode-
rate courses of women, and is also good for
inward or outward wounds, hurts, and
bruises, and helps children both of bursting

and the worms, and being either drank or
injected, for the disease called Tenesmus,
which is an often provocation to the stool
without doing any think. The green leaves
bruised, and laid to any green wound, stay3
the bleeding, and heals it up quickly. The
juice of the herb taken in wine and milk,
is, as Pliny, saith a sovereign remedy
against the mumps and quinsey; and further
saith, That whosoever shall so take it, shall
never be troubled with that disease again.

COWSLIPS, OR PEAGLES.

BOTH the wild and garden Cowslips are
so well known, that I neither trouble my-
self nor the reader with a description of
them.

Time.~\ They flower in April and May.

Government and virtues.] Venus lays
claim to this herb as her own, and it is
under the sign Aries, and our city dames
know well enough the ointment or distilled
water of it adds beauty, or at least restores
it when it is lost. The flowers are held to
be more effectual than the leaves, and the
roots of little use. An ointment being
made with them, takes away spots and
wrinkles of the skin, sun-burning, and
freckles, and adds beauty exceedingly;
they remedy all infirmities of the head
coming of heat and wind, as vertigo, ephi-
altes, false apparitions, phrensies, falling-
sickness, palsies, convulsions, cramps, pains
in the nerves ; the roots ease pains in the
back and bladder, and open the passages of
urine. The leaves are good in wounds,
and the flowers take away trembling. If
the flowers be not well dried, and kept in
a warm place, they will soon putrefy and
look green : Have a special eye over them ;
If you let them see the Sun ounce a month,
it will do neither the Sun nor them harm.

Because they strengthen the brain and
nerves, and remedy palsies, and Greeks
gave them the name Paralysis. The flowers
preserved or conserved, and the quantity of

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

anutmeg eaten every morning, is a sufficient
dose for inward diseases ; but for wounds,
spots, wrinkles, and sunburnings, an oint-
ment is made of the leaves, and hog's
grease.

CRAB'S CLAWS.

CALLED also Water Sengreen, Knight's
Pond Water, Water House-leek, Pond
Weed, and Fresh- water Soldier.

Descript.'] It has sundry long narrow
leaves, with sharp prickles on the edges of
them, also very sharp pointed ; the stalks
which bear flowers, seldom grow so high as
the leaves, bearing a forked head, like a
Crab's Claw, out of which comes a white
flower, consisting of three leaves, with divers
yellowish hairy threads in the middle ; it
takes root in the mud at the bottom of the
water.

Placed] It grows plentifully in the fens
in Lincolnshire.

Time.'] It flowers in June, and usually
from thence till August.

Government and virtues.^ It is a plant
under the dominion of Venus, and there-
fore a great strengthener of the reins ; it is
excellently good for inflammation which is
commonly called St. Anthony's Fire ; it
assuages inflammations, and swellings in
wounds : and an ointment made of it is
excellently good to heal them ; there is
scarcely a better remedy growing than this
is, for such as have bruised their kidneys,
and upon that account discharge blood ; a
dram of the powder of the herb taken
every morning, is a very good remedy to
stop the terms.

BLACK CRESSES.

Descript.'] IT as long leaves, deeply
cut and jagged on both sides, not much
unlike wild mustard ; the stalk small, very
limber, though very tough : you may twist
them round us you may a willow before they
Urcak. The flowers are very small and yel-

low, after which comes small pods, which
contains the seed.

Place J] It is a common herb, grows
usually by the way-side, and sometimes
upon mud walls about London, but it
delights to grow most among stones and
rubbish.

Time.'] It flowers in June and July,
and the seed is ripe in August and Sep-
tember.

Government and virtues.^ It is a plant of
a hot and biting nature, under the dominion
of Mars. The seed of Black Cresses
strengthens the brain exceedingly, being,
in performing that office, little inferior to
mustard seed, if at all ; they are excellently
good to stay those rheums which may fall
down from the head upon the lungs ; you
may beat the seed into powder, if you
please, and make it up into an electuary
with honey ; so you have an excellent
remedy by you, not only for the premises,
but also for the cough, yellow jaundice and
sciatica. This herb boiled into a poultice,
is an excellent remedy for inflammations ;
both in women's breast, and men's testicles.

SCIATICA CRESSES.

Descript. ] THESE are of two kinds ;
The first rises up with a round stalk about
two feet high, spreads into divers branches,
whose lower leaves are somewhat larger
than the upper, yet all of them cut or torn
on the edges, somewhat like the garden
Cresses, but smaller, the flowers are small
and white, growing at the tops of branches,
where afterwards grow husks with small
brownish seeds therein very strong and
sharp in taste, more than the Cresses of the
garden ; the root is long, white, and woody.

The other has the lower leaves whole
somewhat long and broad, not torn at all,
but only somewhat deeply dented about
the edges towards the ends ; but those that
grow up higher are smaller. The flowers
and seeds are like the former, and so is

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

root likewise, and both root and seeds as
sharp as it.

Place.] They grow in the way-sides in
untilled places, and by the sides of old
walls.

Time.] They flower in the end of June,
and their seed is ripe in July.

Government and virtues.] It is a Saturnine
plant. The leaves, but especially the root,
taken fresh in Summer-time, beaten or made
into a poultice or salve with old hog's grease,
and applied to the places pained with the
sciatica, to continue thereon four hours if it
be on a man, and two hours on a woman ;
the place afterwards bathed with wine and
oil mixed together, and then wrapped with
wool or skins, after they have sweat a little,
will assuredly cure not only the same dis-
ease in hips, knuckle-bone, or other of the
joints, as gout in the hands or feet, but all
other old griefs of the head, (as inveterate
rheums,) and other parts of the body that
are hard to be cured. And if of the former
griefs any parts remain, the same medicine
after twenty days, is to be applied again.
The same is also effectual in the diseases
of the spleen ; and applied to the skin,
takes away the blemish thereof, whether
they be scars, leprosy, scabs, or scurf,
which although it ulcerate the part, yet that
is to be helped afterwards with a salve made
of oil and wax. Esteem this as another

secret.

WATER CRESSES

Descript.] OUR ordinary Water Cresses
spread forth with many weak, hollow, sappy
stalks, shooting out fibres at the joints and
upwards long winged leaves made of sundry
broad sappy almost round leaves, of a
brownish colour. The flowers are many
and white standing on long foot-stalks
after which come small yellow seed, con-
tained in small long pods like horns. The
whole plant abides green in the winter, and
tastes somewhat hot and sharp.

Place.'] They grow, for the most part,
in small standing waters, yet sometimes in
small rivulets of running water.

Time.] They flower and seed in the
beginning of Summer.

Government and virtues.] It is an herb
under the dominirfh of the Moon. They
are more powerful against the scurvy, and
to cleanse the blood and humours, than
Brooklime is, and serve in all the other
uses in which Brooklime is available, as to
break the stone, and provoke urine and
woman's courses. The decoction thereof
cleanses ulcers, by washing them there with,
The leaves bruised, or the juice, is good, to
be applied to the face or other parts troubled
with freckles, pimples, spots, or the like, at
night, and washed away in the morning.
The juice mixed with vinegar, and the fore
part of the head bathed therewith, is very
good for those that are dull and drowsy, or
have the lethargy.

Water-cress pottage is a good remedy to
cleanse the blood in the spring, and help
headaches, and consume the gross humours
winter has left behind ; those that woul d
live in health, may use it if they please ;
if they will not, I cannot help it. If any
fancy not pottage, they may eat the herb
as a sallad.

CROSSWORT.

THIS herb receives its name from the
situation of its leaves.

Descript.] Common Crosswort grows
up with square hairy brown stalks a little
above a foot high, having four small broad
and pointed, hairy yet smooth thin leaves,
growing at every joint, each against other
one way, which has caused the name.
Towards the tops of the stalks at the joints,
with the leaves in three or four rows down-
wards, stand small, pale yellow flowers,"
after which come small blackish round
seeds, four for the most part, set in every
husk. The root is very small, and full of

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

fibres, or threads, taking good hold of the
ground, and spreading with the branches
over a great deal of ground, which perish
not in winter, although the leaves die every
year and spring again anew.

Place,~\ It grows in many moist grounds,
well in meadows as unfilled places, about
London, in Hampstead church-yard, at
Wye in Kent, and sundry other places.

Time.'] It flowers from May all the Sum-
mer long, in one place or other, as they are
more open to the sun ; the seed ripens soon
after.

Government and virtues^] It is under the
dominion of Saturn. This is a singularly
good wound herb, and is used inwardly, not
only to stay bleeding of wounds, but to con-
solidate them, as it doth outwardly any green
wound, which it quickly solders up, and
heals. The decoction of the herb in wine,
helps to expectorate the phlem out oi the
chest, and is good for obstructions in the
breast, stomach, or bowels, and helps a
decayed appetite. It is also good to wash
any wound or sore with, to cleanse and heal
it. The herb bruised, and then boiled
applied outwardly for certain days together,
renewing it often : and in the mean time
the decoction of the herb in wine, taken
inwardly every day, doth certainly cure the
rupture in any, so as it be not too invete-
rate ; but very speedily, if it be fresh and
lately taken.

CROWFOOT.

MANY are the names this furious biting
herb has obtained, almost enough to make
up a Welchman's pedigree, if he fetch no
farther than John of Gaunt, or William the
Conquerer ; for it is called Frog's-foot, from
the Greek name Barrakion : Crowfoot,
Gold Knobs, Gold Cups, King's Knob,
Baffiners, Troilflowers, Polts, Locket Gou-
ions, and Butterflowers.

Abundance are the sorts of this herb,
that to describe them all. would tire the

patience of Socrates himself, but because
I have not yet attained to the spirit of
Socrates, I shall but describe the most
usual.

DescriptJ] The most common Crowfoot
has many thin great leaves, cut into divers
parts, in taste biting and sharp, biting and
blistering the tongue : It bears many
flowers, and those of a bright, resplendent,
yellow colour. I do not remember, that I
ever saw any thing yellower. Virgins, in
ancient time, used to make powder of them
to furrow bride beds ; after which flowers
come small heads, some spiked and rugged
like a Pine- Apple.

Place.'] They grow very common every
where ; unless you turn, your head into a
hedge you cannot but see them as you
walk.

Time.'] They flower in May and June,
even till September.

Government and virtues.^ This fiery and
hot-spirited herb of Mars is no way fit to
be given inwardly, but an ointment of the
leaves or flowers will draw a blister, and
may be so fitly applied to the nape of the
neck to draw back rheum from the eyes.
The herb being bruised and mixed with a
little mustard, draws a blister as well, and
as perfectly as Cantharides, and with far
less danger to the vessels of urine, which
Cantharides naturally delight to wrong ;
I knew the herb once applied to a pesti-
lential rising that was fallen down, and it
saved life even beyond hope ; it were good
to keep an ointment and plaister of it, if it
were but for that.

CUCKOW-POINT.

IT is called Aron, Janus. Barba-aron,
Calve' s-foot, Ramp, Starchwort, Cuckow-
point, and Wake Robin.

DescriptJ] This shoots forth three, four
or five leaves at the most, from one root,
every one whereof is somewhat large and
long, broad at the bottom next the stalk,

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

and forked, but ending in a point, without
a cut on the edge, of a full green colour,
each standing upon a thick round stalk, of a
hand-breadth long, or more, among which,
after two or three months that they begin to
wither, rises up a-bare, round; wliitish green
stalk, spotted and streaked with purple,
somewhat higher than the leaves : At the
top whereof stands a long hollow husk
close at the bottom, but open from the
middle upwards, ending in a point : in the
middle whereof stands the small long pestle
or clapper, smaller at the bottom than at
the top, of a dark purple colour, as the husk
is on the inside, though green without ;
which, after it hath so abided for some time,
the husk with the clapper decays, and the
foot or bottom thereof grows to be a small
long bunch of berries, green at the first,
and of a yellowish red colour when they
are ripe, of the bigness of a hazel-nut ker-
nel, which abides thereon almost until
Winter ; the root is round, and somewhat
long, for the most part lying along, the
leaves shooting forth at the largest end,
which, when it bears its berries, are some-
what wrinkled and loose, another growing
under it, which is solid and firm, with many
small threads hanging thereat. The whole
plant is of a very sharp biting taste, prick-
ing the tongue as nettles do the hands, and
so abides for a great while without altera-
tion. The root thereof was anciently used
instead of starch to starch linen with.

There is another sort of Cuckow-point,
with less leaves than the former, and some
times harder, having blackish spots upon
them, which for the most part abide longer
green in Summer than the former, and
both leaves and roots are more sharp and
fierce than it : In all things else it is like the
former.

P/ace.] These two sorts grow frequently
almost under every hedge-side in many
places of this land.

Time.'] They shoot forth leaves in the

Spring, and continue but until the middle
of Summer, or somewhat later ; their husks
appearing before the fall away, and their
fruit shewing in April.

Government and virtues.^ It is under the
dominion of Mars. Tragus reports, that
a dram weight, or more, if need be, of the
spotted Wake Robin, either fresh and
green, or dried, having been eaten and taken,
is a present and sure remedy for poison and
the plague. The juice of the herb taken to
the quantity of a spoonful has the same
effect. But if there be a little vinegar
added thereto, as well as to the root afore-
said, it somewhat allays the sharp biting
taste thereof upon the tongue. The green
leaves bruised, and laid upon any boil or
plague sore, doth wonderfully help to draw
forth the poison : A dram of the powder of
the dried root taken with twice so much
sugar in the form of a licking electuary, or
the green root, doth wonderfully help those
that are pursy and short-winded, as also
those that have a cough ; it breaks, digests,
and rids away phlegm from the stomach,
chest, and lungs. The milk wherein the
root as been boiled is effectual also for the
same purpose. The said powder taken in
wine or other drink, or the juice of the
berries, or the powder of them, or the wine
wherein they have been boiled, provokes
urine, and brings down women's courses
and purges them effectually after child-
bearing, to bring away the after-birth.
Taken with sheep's milk, it heals the inward
ulcers of the bowels. The distilled water
thereof is effectual to allthe purposes afore-
said. A spoonful taken at a time heals
the itch ; an ounce or more taken a time
for some days together, doth help the rup-
ture : The leaves either green or dry, or the
juice of them, doth cleanse all manner of
rotten and filthy ulcers, in what part of the
body soever ; and heals the stinking sores
in the nose, called Polypus. The water
wherein the root has been boiled, dropped

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

into the eyes, cleanses them from any film
or skin, cloud or mists, which begin to
hinder the sight, and helps the watering
and redness of them, or when, by some
chance, they become black and blue. The
root mixed with bean-flour, and applied to
the throat or jaws that are inflamed, helps
them. The juice of the berries boiled in
oil of roses, or beaten into powder mixed
with the oil, and dropped into the ears,
eases pains in them. The berries or the
roots beaten with the hot ox-dung, and
applied, eases the pains of the gout. The
leaves and roots boiled in wine with a little
oil, and applied to the piles, or the falling
down of the fundament, eases them, and so
doth sitting over the hot fumes thereof. The
fresh roots bruised and distilled with a little
milk, yields a most sovereign water -to
cleanse the skin from scurf, freckles, spots,
or blemishes whatsoever therein.

Authors have left large commendations
of this herb you see, but for my part, I have
neither spoken with Dr. Reason nor Dr.
Experience about it.

CUCUMBERS.

Government and virtues. ~] THERE is o
dispute to be made, but that they are under
the dominion of the Moon, though they are
so much cried out against for their coldness,
and if they were but one degree colder they
would be poison. The best of Galenists
hold them to be cold and moist in the
second degree, and then not so hot as either
lettuce or purslain : They are excellently
good for a hot stomach, and hot liver ; the
unmeasurable use of them fills the body
full of raw humours, and so indeed the un-
measurable use of any thing else doth harm.
The face being washed with their juice,
cleanses the skin, and is excellently good for
hot rheums in the eyes ; the seed is excel-
lently good to provoke urine, and cleanses
the passages thereof when they are stopped:
there is not a better remedy for ulcers in

the bladder growing, than Cucumbers are ;
The usual course is, to use the seeds in
emulsions, as they make almond milk ; but
a far better way (in my opinion) is this ;
When the season of the year is, Take the
Cucumbers and bruise them well, and distil
the water from them, and let such as are
troubled with ulcers in the bladder drink
no other drink. The face being washed
with the same water, cures the reddest
face that is ; it is also excellently good for
sun-burning, freckles, and morphew.

DAISIES.

THESE are so well known almost to every
child, that I suppose it needless to write
any description of them. Take therefore
the virtues of them as follows.

Government and virtues. ,] The herb is
under the sign Cancer, and under the
dominion of Venus, and therefore excellently
good for wounds in the breast, and very
fitting to be kept both in oils, ointments,
and plaisters, as also in syrup. The greater
wild Daisy is a wound herb of good res-
pect, often used in those drinks or salves
that are for wounds, either inward or out-
ward. The juice or distilled water of these,
or the small Daisy, doth much temper the
heat of choler, and refresh the liver, and the
other inward parts. A decoction made of
them and drank, helps to cure the wounds
made in the hollowness of the breast. The
same also cures all ulcers and pustules in
the mouth or tongue, or in the secret parts.
The leaves bruised and applied to the pri-
vities, or to any other parts that are swoln
and hot, doth dissolve it, and temper the heat.
A decoction made thereof, of Wallwort and
Agrimony, and the places fomented and
bathed therewith warm, gives great ease to
them that are troubled with the palsy,
sciatica, or the gout. The same also dis-
perses and dissolves the knots or kernels
that grow in the flesh of any part of the
body, and bruises and hurts that come of

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

falls and blows ; they are also used for rup-
tures, and other inward burnings, with
very good success. An ointment made
thereof doth wonderfully help all wounds
that have inflammations about them, or by
reason of moist humours having access unto
them, are kept long from healing, and such
are those, for the most part, that happen to
joints of the arms or legs. The juice of
them dropped into the running eyes of any,
doth much help them.

DANDELION, VULGARLY CALLED P1SS-
A-BEDS.

DescriptJ] IT is well known to have
many long and deep gashed leaves, lying
on the ground round about the head of the
roots ; the ends of each gash or jag, on
both sides looking downwards towards the
roots ; the middle rib being white, which
being broken, yields abundance of bitter
milk, but the root much more ; from among
the leaves, which always abide green, arise
many slender, weak, naked foot-stalks,
every one of them bearing at the top one
large yellow flower, consisting of many
rows of yellow leaves, broad at the points,
and nicked in with deep spots of yellow in
the middle, which growing ripe, the green
husk wherein the flowers stood turns itself
down to the stalk, and the head of down
becomes as round as a ball : with long
seed underneath, bearing a part of the
down on the head of every one, which
together is blown away with the wind, or
may be at once blown away with one's
mouth. The root growing downwards
exceedingly deep, which being broken off
within the ground, will yet shoot forth again,
and will hardly be destroyed where it hath
once taken deep root in the ground.

Place.'] It grows frequently in all
meadows and pasture-grounds.

Time.'] It flowers in one place or other
almost all the year long.

Government and virtues.] It is under the

dominion of Jupiter. It is of an opening
and cleansing quality, and therefore very
effectual for the obstructions of the liver
gall and spleen, and the diseases that arise
from them, as the jaundice and hypocon-
driac ; it opens the passages of the urine
both in young and old ; powerfully cleanses
imposthumes and inward ulcers in the
urinary passage, and by its drying and
temperate quality doth afterwards heal
them ; for which purpose the decoction of
the roots or leaves in white wine, or the
leaves chopped as pot-herbs, with a few
Alisanders, and boiled in their broth, are
very effectual. And whoever is drawing
towards a consumption or an evil disposi-
tion of the whole body, called Cachexia,
by the use hereof for some time together,
shall find a wonderful help, It helps also
to procure rest and sleep to bodies dis-
tempered by the heat of ague fits, or othe
wise : The distilled water is effectual to
drink in pestilential fevers, and to wash the
sores.

You see here what virtues this common
herb hath, and that is the reason the French
and Dutch so often eat them in the Spring ;
and now if you look a little farther, you
may see plainly without a pair of spec-
tacles, that foreign physicians are not so
selfish as ours are, but more communicative
of the virtues of plants to people.

DARNEL.

IT is called Jam and Wray : in Sussex
they call it Crop, it being a pestilent enemy
among corn.

DescriptJ] This has all the winter long
sundry long, flat, and rough leaves, which,
when the stalk rises, which is slender and
jointed, are norrower, but rough still ; on
the top grows a long spike, composed of
many heads set one above another, con-
taining two or three husks, with a sharp
but short beard of awns at the end ; the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

seed is easily shaken out of the ear, the
husk itself being somewhat rough.

Placed] The country husbandmen do
know this too well to grow among their
corn, or in the borders and pathways of
the other fields that are fallow.

Government and virtues.] It is a malicious
part of sullen Saturn. As it is not without
some vices, so hath it also many virtues.
The meal of Darnel is very good to stay
gangrenes, and other such like fretting and
eating cankers, and putrid sores : It also
cleanses the skin of all leprosies, morphews,
ringworms, and the like, if it be used with
salt and raddish roots. And being used
with quick brimstone and vinegar, it dis-
solves knots and kernels, and breaks those
that are hard to be dissolved, being boiled
in wine with pigeon's dung and Linseed :
A decoction thereof made with water and
honey, and the places bathed therewith, is
profitable for the sciatica. Darnel meal
applied in a poultice draws forth splinters
and broken bones in the fleshc The red
Darnel, boiled in red wine and taken, stays
the lask and all other fluxes, and women's
bloody issues ; and restrains urine that
passes away too suddenly.

DILL.

Descript."] THE common Dill grows up
with seldom more than one stalk, neither
BO high, nor so great usually as Fennel,
being round and fewer . joints thereon,
whose leaves are sadder, and somewhat
long, and so like Fennel that it deceives
many, but harder in handling, and some-
what thicker, and of a strong unpleasant
scent : The tops of the stalks have four
branches and smaller umbels of yellow
flowers, which turn into small seed, some-
what flatter and thinner than Fennel seed.
The root is somewhat small and woody,
perishes every year after it hath borne
seed : and is also unprofitable, being never
put to anv use.

PtaceJ] It is most usually sown in gar-
dens and grounds for the purpose, and is
also found wild in many places.

Government and virtues J\ Mercury has
the dominion of this plant, and therefore to
be sure it strengthens the brain. The Dill
being boiled and drank, is good to ease
swellings and pains ; it also stays the belly
and stomach from casting. The decoction
therefore helps women that are troubled
with the pains and windiness of the mother,
if they sit therein. It stays the hiccough,
being boiled in wine, and but smelled unto
being tied in a cloth. The seed is of more
use than the leaves, and more effectual to
digest raw and vicious humours, and is
used in medicines that serve to expel wind,
and the pains proceeding therefrom. The
seed, being roasted or fried, and used in
oils or plasters, dissolve the imposthumes
in the fundament ; and dries up all moist
ulcers, especially in the fundament ; an oil
made of Dill is effectual to warm or dis-
solve humours and imposthumes, and the
pains, and to procure rest. The decoction
of Dill, be it herb or seed (only if you boil
the seed you must bruise it) in white wine,
being drank, it is a gallant expeller of wind,
and provoker of the terms.

DEVIL'S -BIT.

Descript J] THIS rises up with a round
green smooth stalk, about two feet high,
set with divers long and somewhat narrow,
smooth, dark green leaves, somewhat nipped
about the edges, for the most part, being
else all whole, and not divided at all, or
but very seldom, even to the tops of the
branches, which yet are smaller than those
below, with one rib only in the middle.
At the end of each branch stands a round
head of many flowers set together in the
same manner, or more neatly than Scabions,
and of a bluish purple colour, which
being past, there follows seed which falls
away. The root is somewhat thick, but

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

short and blackish, with many strings,
abiding after seed time many years. This
root was longer, until the devil (as the
friars say) bit away the rest of it for spite,
envying its usefulness to mankind ; for
sure he was not troubled with any disease
for which it is proper.

There are two other sorts hereof, in
nothing unlike the former, save that the
one bears white, and the other bluish-co-
loured flowers.

Place.'] The first grows as well in dry
meadows and fields as moist, in many
places of this land : But the other two are
more rare, and hard to be met with, yet
they are both found growing wild about
Appledore, near Rye in Kent.

Time.'] They flower not usually until
August.

Government and virtues^] The plant is
venereal, pleasing, and harmless. The herb
or the root (all that the devil hath left of
it) being boiled in wine, and drank, is very
powerful against the plague, and all pes-
tilential diseases or fevers, poisons also,
and the bitings of venemous beasts : It
helps also those that are inwardly brui?ed
by any casuality, or outwardly by falls or
blows, dissolving the clotted blood ; and
the herb or root beaten and outwardly
applied, takes away the black and blue
marks that remain in the skin. The de-
coction of the herb, with honey of roses
put therein, is very effectual to help the
inveterate tumours and swellings of the
almonds and throat, by often gargling the
mouth therewith. It helps also to procure
women's courses, and eases all pains of the
mother and to break and discuss wind
therein, and in the bowels. The powder of
the root taken in drink, drives forth the
worms in the body. The juice or distilled
water of the herb, is effectual for green
wounds, or old sores, and cleanses the
body inwardly, and the seed outwardly,
from sores, scurf, itch, pimples, freckles,

morphew, or other deformities thereof,
especially if a little vitriol be dissolved
therein,

DOCK.

MANY kinds of these are so \vell known,
that I shall not trouble you with a desc.ip-
tion of them : My book grows big too fast.

Government and virtues.'] All Docks are
under Jupiter, of which the Red Dock,
which is commonly called Bloodwort,
cleanses the blood, and strengthens the
liver ; but the yellow Dock-root is best to
be taken when either the blood or liver is
affected by choler. All of them have a
kind of cooling (but not all alike) drying
quality, the sorrel being most cold, and the
Blood-worts most drying. Of the Burdock,
I have spoken already by itself. The seed
of most of the other kinds, whether the gar-
dens or fields, do stay lasks and fluxes of
all sorts, the loathing of the stomach
through choler, and is helpful for those that
spit bloodj The roots boiled in vinegar
help the itch, scabs, and breaking out of the
skin, if it be bathed therewith. The dis-
tilled water of the herb and roots have the
same virtue, and cleanses the skin from
freekles, morphews, and all other spots and
discolourings therein.

All Docks being boiled with meat, make
it boil the sooner : Besides Blood-wort is
exceeding strengthening to the liver, and
procures good blood, being as wholesome
a pot herb as any growing in a garden ; yet
such is the nicety of our times, forsooth,
that women will not put it into a pot, be-
cause it makes the pottage black ; pride
and ignorance (a couple of monsters in the
creation) preferring nicety before health.

DODDER OF THYME, EPITHYMUM. AND
OTHER DODDERS.

Descript.~\ THIS first from seed gives
roots in the ground, which shoot forth
threads or strings, grosser or finer as the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

property of the plant wherein it grows,
and the climate doth suffer, creeping and
spreading on that plant whereon it fastens,
be it high or low. The strings have no
leaves at all on them, but wind and in-
terlace themselves, so thick upon a small
plant, that it takes away all comfort of the
sun from it ; and is ready to choak or stran-
gle it. After these strings are risen to that
height, that they may draw nourishment
from that plant, they seem to be broken off
from the ground, either by the strength of
their rising, or withered by the heat of the
Sun. Upon these strings are found clus-
ters of small heads or husks, out of which
shoot forth whitish flowers, which after-
wards give small pale white coloured seed,
somewhat flat, and twice as big as Poppy-
seed. It generally participates of the na-
ture of the plant which it climbs upon ;
but the Dodder of Thyme is accounted the
best, and is the only true Epithymum.

Government and virtues^] All Dodders
are under Saturn. Tell not me of phy-
sicians crying up Epithymum, or that
Dodder which grows upon Thyme, (most
of which comes from Hemetius in Greece,
or Hybla in Sicily, because those moun-
tains abound with Thyme,) he is a phy-
sician indeed, that hath wit enough to
choose the Dodder according to the nature
of the disease and humour peccant. We
confess, Thyme is the hottest herb it usually
grows upon ; and therefore that which
grows upon Thyme is hotter than that
which grows upon cold herbs ; for it draws
nourishment from what it grows upon, as
well as from the earth where its root is, and
thus you see old Saturn is wise enough to
have two strings to his bow. This is ac-
counted the most effectual for melancholy
diseases, and to purge black or burntcholer,
which is the cause of many diseases of the
head and brain, as also for the trembling of
the heart, faintings and swoonings. It is
helpful in all diseases and griefs of the

spleen, and melancholy that arises from the
windiness of the hypochondria. It purges
also the reins or kidneys by urine ; it
opens obstructions of the gall, whereby it
profits them that have the jaundice ; as
also the leaves, the spleen : Purging the
veins of the choleric arid phlegmatic
humours, and helps children in agues, a
little worm seed being put thereto.

The other Dodders do, as I said before,
participate of the nature of those plants
whereon they grow : As that which hath
been found growing upon nettles in the
west-country, hath by experience been
found very effectual to procure plenty of
urine where it hath been stopped or hin-
dered. And so of the rest.

Sympathy and antipathy are two hinges
upon which the whole mode of physic
turns ; and that physician who minds
them not, is like a door off from the hooks,
more like to do a man mischief, than to
secure him. Then all the diseases Saturn
causes, this helps by sympathy, and
strengthens all the parts of the body he
rules ; such as be caused by Sol, it helps by
antipathy. What those diseases are, see
my judgment of diseases by astrology ; and
if you be pleased to look at the herb Worm-
wood, you shall fine a rational way for it.

DOG'S-GRASS, OR COUGH GRASS.

DescriptJ] IT is well known, that the
grass creeps far about under ground, with
long white joined roots, and small fibres
almost at every joint, very sweet in taste,
as the rest of the herb is, and interlacing
one another, from whence shoot forth many
fair grassy leaves, small at the ends, and
cutting or sharp on the edges. The stalks
are jointed like corn, with the like leaves
on them, and a large spiked head, with a
long husk in them, and hard rough seed in
them. If you know it not by this des-
cription, watch the dogs when they are
sick, and they will quickly lead you to it.

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Place.] It grows commonly through this
land in divers ploughed grounds to the no
small trouble of the husbandmen, as also
of the gardeners, in gardens, to weed it out,
if they can ; for it is a constant customer to
the place it get footing in.

Government and virtues.'] 'Tis under the
dominion of Jupiter, and is the most medi-
cinal of all the Quick-grasses. Being
boiled and drank, it opens obstructions of
the liver and gall, and the stopping of
urine, and eases the griping pains of the
belly and inflammations ; wastes the mat-
ter of the stone in the bladder, and the
ulcers thereof also. The roots bruised and
applied, do consolidate wounds. The seed
doth more powerfully expel urine, and
stays he lask and vomiting. The dis-
tilled water alone, or with a little wormseed,
kills the worms in children.

The way of use is to bruise the roots, and
having well boiled them in white wine,
drink the decoction : 'Tis opening but not
purging, very safe : 'Tis a remedy against
all diseases coming of stopping, and such
are half those that are incident to the body
of man ; and although a gardener be of
another opinion, yet a physician holds half
an acre of them to be worth five acres of
Carrots twice told over.

DOVE'S-FOOT, OR CRANE'S-BILL.

Descript.~\ THIS has divers small, round,
pale-green leaves, cut in about the edges,
much like mallow, standing upon long,
reddish, hairy stalks lying in a round con-
pass upon the ground ; among which rise
up two or three, or more, reddish, jointed,
slender, weak, hairy stalks, with some like
leaves thereon, but smaller, and more cut in
up to the tops, where grow many very
small bright red flowers of five leaves
a-piece ; after which follow small heads,
with small short beaks pointed forth, as all
others sorts of those herbs do.

Place.] It grows in pasture grounds, and

by the path-sides in many places, and will
also be in gardens.

Time.] It flowers in June, July, and
August, some earlier and some later ; and
the seed is ripe quickly after.

Government and virtues.^ It is a very
gentle, though martial plant. It is found
by experience to be singularly good for wind
cholic, as also to expel the stone and gravel
in the kidneys. The decoction thereof in
wine, is an excellent good cure for those
that have inward wounds, hurts, or bruises,
both to stay the bleeding, to dissolve and
expel the congealed blood, and to heal the
parts, as also to cleanse and heal outward
sores, ulcers, and fistulas ; and for green
wounds, many do only bruise the herb, and
apply it to the places, and it heals them
quickly. The same decoction in wine
fomented to any place pained with the
gout, or to joint-aches, or pains of the
sinews, gives much ease. The powder or
decoction of the herb taken for some time
together, is found by experience to be sin-
gularly good for ruptures and burstings in
people, either young or old.

DUCK'S MEAT.

THIS is so well known to swim on the
tops of standing waters, as ponds, pools,
and ditches, that it is needless further to
describe it.

Government and virtues.] Cancer claims
the herb, and the Moon will be Lady of it ;
a word is enough to a wise man. It is
effectual to help inflammations, and St.
Anthony's Fire, as also the gout, either
applied by itself, or in a poultice with Bar-
ley meal. The distilled water by some is
highly esteemed against all inward inflam-
mations and pestilent fevers ; as also to
help the redness of the eyes, and swellings
of privities, and of the breasts before they
be grown too much. The fresh herb ap-
plied to the forehead, eases the pains of
the head-ache coming of heat.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

DOWN, OR COTTON-THISTLE.

Descript.] THIS has large leaves lying
on the ground, somewhat cut in, and as it
were crumpled on the edges, of a green
colour on the upper side, but covered with
long hairy wool, or Cotton Down, set with
most sharp and cruel pricks, from the mid-
dle of whose head of flowers, thrust forth
many purplish crimson threads, and some-
times (although very seldom) white ones.
The seed that follows in the heads, lying
in a great deal of white down, is some-
what large, long, and round, like the seed
of ladies thistle, but paler. The root is
great and thick, spreading much, yet it
usually dies after seed-time.

PlaceJ] It grows in divers ditches,
banks, and in corn-fields, and highways,
generally every where throughout the land.

Time^] It flowers and bears seed about
the end of Summer, when other thistles do
flower and seed.

Government and virtues.^ Mars owns
the plant, and manifest to the world, that
though it may hurt your finger, it will help
your body; for I fancy it much for the
ensuing virtues. Pliny and Dioscorides
write, That the leaves and roots thereof
taken in drink, help those that have a crick
in their neck ; whereby they cannot turn
their neck but their whole body must turn
also (sure they do not mean those that have
got a crick in their neck by being under
the hangman's hand.) Galen saith, that
the root and leaves hereof are of a healing
quality, and good for such persons as have
their bodies drawn together by some spasm
or convulsion, as it is with children that
have the rickets.

DRAGONS.

THEY are so well known to every one
that plants them in their gardens, they
need no description ; if not, let them look

down to the lower end of the stalks, and
see how like a snake they look.

Government and virtues.^ The plant is
under the dominion of Mars, and therefore
it would be a wonder if it should want
some obnoxious quality or other: In all
herbs of that quality, the safest way is
either to distil the herb in an alembick, in
what vehicle you please, or else to press
out the juice, and distil that in a glass still,
in sand. It scours and cleanses the in-
ternal parts of the body mightily, and it
clears the external parts also, being exter-
nally applied, from freckles, morphew, and
sun-burning : Your best way to use it ex-
ternally, is to mix it with vinegar ; an oint-
ment of it is held to be good in wounds
and ulcers ; it consumes cankers, and that
flesh growing in the nostrils, which they
call Polypus : Also the distilled water being
dropped into the eyes, takes away spots
there, or the pin and web, and mends the
dimness of sight; it is excellently good against
pestilence and poison. Pliny and Dios-
corides affirm, that no serpent will meddle
with him that carries this herb about, him.

THE ELDER TREE.

I HOLD it needless to write any descrip-
tion of this, since every boy that plays with
a pop-gun will not mistake another tree
instead of Elder : I shall therefore in this
place only describe the Dwarf-Elder,
called also Dead-wort, and Wall-wort.

THE DWARF-ELDER.

Descript.~] THIS is but an herb every
year, dying with his stalks to the ground,
and rising afresh every Spring, and is like
unto the Elder both in form and quality,
rising up with a square, rough, hairy stalks,
four feet high, or more sometimes. The
winged leaves are somewhat narrower than
the Elder, but else like them. The flowers
are white with a dash of purple, standing in
umbels, very like the Elder also, but more
T

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

sweet is scent; after which come small
blackish berries, full of juice while they are
fresh, wherein is small hard kernels, or seed.
The root doth creep under the upper crust
of the ground, springing in divers places,
being of the bigness of one's finger or
thumb sometimes.

Place.'] The Elder-tree grows in hedges,
being planted thereto strengthen the fences
and partitions of ground, and to hold the
banks by ditches and water-courses.

The Dwarf Elder grows wild in many
places of England, where being once gotten
into a ground, it is not easily gotten forth

again.

Time."] Most of the Elder Trees, flower
in June, and their fruit is ripe for the most
part in August. But the Dwarf Elder, or
Wall- wort, flowers somewhat later, and his
fruit is not ripe until September.

Government and virtues.^ Both Elder
and Dwarf Tree are under the dominion of
Venus. The first shoots of the common
Elder boiled like Asparagus, and the young
leaves and stalks boiled in fat broth, doth
mightily carry forth phlegm and choler.
The middle or inward bark boiled in water,
and given in drink, works much more
violently ; and the berries, either green or
dry, expel the same humour, and are often
given with good success to help the dropsy;
the bark of the root boiled in wine, or the
juice thereof drank, Ttorks the same effects,
but more powerfully than either the leaves
or fruit. The juice of the root taken, doth
mightily procure vomitings, and purges the
watery humours of the dropsy. The de-
coction of the root taken, cures the biting
of an adder, and biting of mad dogs. It
mollifies the hardness of the mother, if
women sit thereon, and opens their veins,
and brings down their courses : The berries
boiled in wine perform the same effect ;
and the hair of the head washed therewith
is made black. The juice of the green
leaves applied to the hot inflammations of

the eyes, 'assuages them ; the juice of the
leaves snuffed up into the nostrils, purges
the tunicles of the brain ; the juice of the
berries boiled with honey and dropped
into the ears, helps the pains of them ; the
decoction of the berries in wine, being
drank, provokes urine ; the distilled water
of the flowers is of much use to clean the
skin from sun-burning, freckles, morphew,
or the like ; and takes away the head-ache,
coming of a cold cause, the head being
bathed therewith. The leaves or flowers
distilled in the month of May, and the legs
often washed with the said distilled water,
it takes away the ulcers and sores of them.
The eyes washed therewith, it takes away
the redness and bloodshot ; and the hands
washed morning and evening therewith,
helps the palsy, and shaking of them.

The Dwarf Elder is more powerful than
the common Elder in opening and purging
choler, phlegm, and water ; in helping the
gout, piles, and women's diseases, colours
the hair black, helps the inflammations of
the eyes, and pains in the ears, the biting of
serpents, or mad dogs, burnings and scald-
ings, the wind cholic, cholic, and stone, the
difficulty of urine, the cure of old sores and
fistulous ulcers. Either leaves or bark of
Elder, stripped upwards as you gather it,
causes vomiting. Also, Dr. Butler, in a
manuscript of his, commends Dwarf Elder
to the sky of dropsies, vis. to drink it,
being boil ad in white wine ; to drink the
decoction r mean, not the Elder.

THE ELM TREE.

THIS tree is so well known, growing
generally in all counties of this land, that it
is needless to describe it.

Government and virtues.] It is a cold and
saturnine plant. The leaves thereof bruised
and applied, heal green wounds, being
bound thereon with its own bark. The
leaves or the bark used with vinegar, cures
scurf and leprosy very effectually ; The

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

decoction of the leaves, bark, or root, being
bathed, heals broken bones. The water
that is found in the bladders on the leaves,
while it is fresh, is very effectual to cleanse
the skin, and make it fair; and if cloaths be
often wet therein, and applied to the rup-
tures of children, it heals them, if they be
well bound up with a truss. The said
water put into a glass, and set into the
ground, or else in dung for twenty-five days,
the mouth thereof being close stopped,
and the bottom set upon a layer of ordinary
salt, that the fceces may settle and water
become clear, is a singular and sovereign
balm for green wounds, being used with
soft tents : The decoction of the bark of
the root, fomented, mollifies hard tumours,
and the shrinking of the sinews. The roots
of the Elm, boiled for a long time in water,
and the fat arising on the top thereof, being
clean skimmed off, and the place anointed
therewith that is grown bald, and the hair
fallen away, will quickly restore them
again. The said bark ground with brine
or pickle, until it come to the form of a
poultice, and laid on the place pained with
the gout, gives great ease. The decoc-
tion of the bark in water, is excellent to
bathe such places as have been burnt with
fire.

ENDIVE.

Descript.~\ COMMON garden Endive bears
a longer and larger leaf than Succory, and
abides but one year, quickly running up to
a stalk and seed, and then perishes ; it has
blue flowers, and the seed of the ordinary
Endive is so like Succory seed, that it is
hard to distinguish them.

Government and virlues.~\ It is a fine
cooling, cleansing, jovial plant. The de-
coction of the leaves, or the juice, or the
distilled water of Endive, serve well to cool
the excessive heat of the liver and stomach,
and in the hot fits of agues, and all other
inflammations in any part of the body ; it

cools the heat and sharpness of the urine,
and excoriation in the urinary parts. The
seeds are of the same property, or rather
more powerful, and besides are available
for fainting, swooriings, and passions of the
heart. Outwardly applied, they serve to
temper the sharp humours of fretting ulcers,
hot tumours, swellings, and pestilential
sores ; and wonderfully help not only the
redness and inflammations of the eyes, but
the dimness of the sight also ; they are also
used to allay the pains of the gout. You
cannot use it amiss ; a syrup of it is a fine
cooling medicine for fevers.

ELECAMPANE.

DescriptJ] IT shoots forth many large
leaves, long and broad, lying near the
ground, small at both ends, somewhat soft
in handling of a whitish green on the upper
side, and grey underneath, each set upon
a short footstalk, from among which arise up
divers great and strong hairy stalks, three
or four feet high, with some leaves there-
upon, compassing them about at the lower
end, and are branched towards the tops,
bearing divers great and large flowers, like
those of the corn marigold, both the border
of leaves, and the middle thrum being yel-
low, which turn into down, with long, small,
brownish seeds amongst it, and is carried
away with the wind. The root is great
and thick, branched forth divers ways,
blackish on the outside and whitish within,
of a very bitter taste, and strong, but good
scent, especially when they are dried, no
part else of the plant having any smell.

PlaceJ] It grows on moist grounds, and
shadowy places oftener than in the dry and
open borders of the fields and lanes, and in
other waste places, almost in every county
of this land.

Time.~\ It flowers in the end of June and
July, and the seed is ripe in August. The
roots are gathered for use, as well in the

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Spring before the leaves come forth, as in
Autumn or Winter.

Government and virtues^] It is a plant
under the dominion of Mercury. The fresh
roots of Elecampane preserved with sugar,
or made into a syrup or conserve, are very
effectual to warm a cold windy stomach,
or the pricking therein, and stiches in the
sides caused by the spleen ; and to help the
cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing in
the lungs. The dried root made into pow-
der, and mixed with sugar, and taken, serves
to the same purpose, and is also profitable
for those who have their urine stopped, or
the stopping of women's courses, the pains
of the mother and the stone in the reins,
kidneys, or bladder ; it resists poison, and
stays the spreading of the venom of ser-
pents, as also putrid and pestilential fevers,
and the plague itself. The roots and herbs
beaten and put into new ale or beer, and
daily drank, clears, stengthens, and quick-
ens the sight of the eyes wonderfully. The
decoction of the roots in wine, or the juice
taken-therein, kills and drives forth all man-
ner of worms in the belly, stomach, and
maw; and gargled in the mouth, or the
root chewed, fastens loose teeth, and helps
to keep them from putrefaction ; and being
drank is good for those that spit blood,
helps to remove cramps or convulsions,
gout, sciatica, pains in the joints, applied
outwardly or inwardly, and is also good for
those that are bursten, or have any inward
bruise. The root boiled well in vinegar
beaten afterwards, and made into an oint-
ment with hog's suet, or oil of trotters is an
excellent remedy for scabs or itch in young
or old ; the places also bathed or washed
with the decoction doth the same ; it also
helps all sorts of filthy old putrid sores or
cankers whatsoever. In the roots of this
berb lieth the chief effect for the remedies
aforesaid. The distilled water of the leaves
and roots together, is very profitable to
cleanse the skin of the face, or other parts,

from any morphew, spots, or blemishes
therein, and make it clear.

ERINGO, OR SEA-HOLLY.

Descript.~\ THE first leaves of our ordi-
nary Sea-holly, are nothing so hard and
prickly as when they grow old, being almost
round, and deeply dented about the edges,
hard and sharp pointed, and a little crump-
led, of a bluish green colour, every one
upon a long foot stalk ; but those that grow
up higher with the stalk, do as it were com-
pass it about. The stalk itself is round and
strong, yet somewhat crested, with joints
and leaves set thereat, but more divided,
sharp and prickly; and branches rising
from thence, which have likewise other
small branches, each of them having several
bluish round prickly heads, with many
small jagged prickly leaves under them,
standing like a star, and sometimes found
greenish or whitish : The root grows won-
derfully long, even to eight or ten feet in
length, set with rings and circles towards
the upper part, cut smooth and without
joints down lower, brownish on the outside,
and very white within, with a pith in the
middle ; of a pleasant taste, but much more,
being artificially preserved, and candied
with sugar.

Placed] It is found about the sea coast
in almost every county of this land which
borders upon the sea.

Time.'] It flowers in the end of Sum-
mer, and gives ripe seed within a month
after.

Government and virtues.] The plant is
venereal, and breeds seed exceedingly, and
strengthens the spirit procreative ; it is hot
and moist, and under the celestial Balance.
The decoction of the root hereof in wine,
is very effectual to open obstructions of the
spleen and liver, and helps yellow jaun-
dice, dropsy, pains of the loins, and wind
cholic, provokes urine, and expels the
stone, procures women's courses. The con-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

tinned use of the decoction for fifteen days,
taken fasting, and next to bedward, doth
help the stranguary, the difficulty and stop-
page of urine, and the stone, as well as all
defects of the reins and kidneys ; and if the
said drink be continued longer, it is said
that it cures the stone ; it is found good
against the French pox. The roots bruised
and applied outwardly, help the kernels of
the throat, commonly called the king's evil;
or taking inwardly, and applied to the place
stung or bitten by any serpent, heal it
speedily. If the roots be bruised, and
boiled in old hog's grease, or salted lard,
and broken bones, thorns &c, remaining
in the flesh, they do not only draw them
forth, but heal up the place again, gathering
new flesh where it was consumed. The
juice of the leaves dropped into the ear,
helps imposthumes therein. The distilled
water of the whole herb, when the leaves
and stalks are young, is profitable drank
for all the purposes aforesaid; and helps
the melancholy of the heart, and is avail-
able in quartan and quotidian agues ; as
also for them that have their necks drawn
awry, and cannot turn them without turn-
ing their whole body.

EYEBRIGHT.

DescriptJ] COMMON Eyebright is
small low herb, rising up usually but with
one blackish green stalk a span high, or
not much more, spread from the bottom
into sundry branches, whereon are small
and almost round yet pointed dark green
leaves, finely snipped about the edges, two
always set together, and very thick : At the
joints with the leaves, from the middle up-
ward, come forth small white flowers,
marked with purple and yellow spots, or
Btripes; after which follow small round
heads, with very small seed therein. The
root is long, small and thready at the end.

PlaceJ] It grows in meadows, and grassy
land.

Government and virtues^ It is under the
sign of the Lion, and Sol claims dominion
over it. If the herb was but as much used
as it is neglected, it would half spoil the
spectacle maker's trade ; and a man would
think, that reason should teach people to
prefer the preservation of their natural
before artificial spectacles; which that they
may be instructed how to do, take the vir-
tues of Eyebright as follows.

The juice or distilled water of Eyebright,
taken inwardly in white wine or broth, or
dropped into the eyes for divers days
together, helps all infirmities of the eyes
that cause dimness of sight. Some make
conserve of the flowers to the same effect.
Being used any of the ways, it also helps
a weak brain, or memory. This tunned up
with strong beer, that it may work together,
and drank, or the powder of the dried herb
mixed with sugar, a little Mace, and Fennel
seed, and drank, or eaten in broth ; or the
said powder made into an electuary with
sugar, and taken, has the same powerful
effect to help and restore the sight, decayed
through age ; and Arnoldus de Ville Nova
saith, it hath restored sight to them that
have been blind a long time before.

FERN.

DescriptJ] OF this there are two kinds
principally to be treated of, viz. the Male
and Female. The Female grows higher
than the Male, but the leaves thereof are
smaller, and more divided and dented, and
of as strong a smell as the male ; the vir-
tue of them are both alike, and therefore
I shall not trouble you with any descrip-
tion or distinction of them.

Placed] They grow both in heaths and
in shady places near the hedge-sides in all
counties of this land.

TimeJ] They flower and give their seed
at Midsummer.

The Female Fern is that plant which is
in Sussex, called Brakes, the seed of which
u

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

some authors hold to be so rare : Such a
thing there is I know, and may be easily
had upon Midsummer Eve, and for ought
I know, two or three days after it, if not
more.

Government and virtues.^ It is under the
dominion of Mercury, both Male and
Female. The roots of both these sorts of
Fern being bruised and boiled in Mead,
or honeyed water, and drank, kills both
the broad and long worms in the body,
and abates the swelling and hardness of the
spleen. The green leaves eaten, purge the
belly of choleric and waterish humours
that trouble the stomach. They are dan-
gerous for Women with child to meddle
with, by reason they cause abortions. The
roots bruised and boiled in oil, or hog's
grease, make a very profitable ointment to
heal wounds, or pricks gotten in the flesh.
The powder of them used in foul ulcers,
dries up their malignant moisture, and
causes their speedier healing. Fern being
burned, the smoke thereof drives away
serpents, gnats, and other noisome crea-
tures, which in fenny countries do in the
night time, trouble and molest people lying
in their beds with their faces uncovered ;
it causes barrenness.

OSMOND ROYAL, OR WATER FERN

Descript.~] THIS shoots forth in Spring
time (for in the Winter the leaves perish)
divers rough hard stalks, half round, and
yellowish, or flat on the other side, two feet
high, having divers branches of winged
yellowish green leaves on all sides, set one
against another, longer, narrower, and not
nicked on the edges as the former. From
the top of some of these stalks grow forth
a long bush of small and more yellow,
green, scaly aglets, set in the same manner
on the stalks as the leaves are, which are
accounted the flowers and seeds. The root
is rough, thick and scabby : with a white

pith in the middle, which is called the heart
thereof.

PlaccJ] It grows on moors, bogs, and
watery places, in many parts of this land.

Time.'] It is green all the summer, and
the root only abides in winter.

Government and virtues."] Saturn owns
the plant. This has all the virtues men-
tioned in the former Ferns, and is much
more effectual than they, both for inward
and outward griefs, and is accounted sin-
gularly good in wounds, bruises, or the like.
The decoction to be drank, or boiled into
an ointment of oil, as a balsam or balm,
and so it is singularly good against bruises,
and bones broken, or out of joint, and gives
much ease to the cholic and splenetic
diseases : as also for ruptures or burstings.
The decoction of the root in white wine,
provokes urine exceedingly, and cleanses
the bladder and passages of urine.

FEVERFEW OR FEATHERFEW.

DescriptJ\ COMMON Featherfew has
large, fresh, green leaves, much torn or cut
on the edges. The stalks are hard and
round, set with many such like leaves, but
smaller, and at the tops stand many single
flowers, upon small foot stalks, consisting
of many small white leaves standing round
about a yellow thrum in the middle. The
root is somewhat hard and short, with many
strong fibres about it. The scent of the.
whole plant is very strong, and the taste is
very bitter.

/Vace.] This grows wild in many places
ot the land, but is for the most part nour-
ished in gardens.

TimeJ] It flowers in the months of June
and July.

Government and virtues.^ Venus com-
mands this herb, and has commended it to
succour her sisters (women) and to be a
general strengthener of their wombs, and
remedy such infirmities as a careless mid-
wife hath there caused if thev will but be

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

pleased to make use of her herb boiled in
white wine, and drink the decoction ; it
cleanses the womb, expels the after-birth,
and doth a woman all the good she can
desire of an herb. And if any grumble
because they cannot get the herb in winter,
tell them, if they please, they may make
a syrup of it in summer ; it is chiefly used
for the disease of the mother, whether it be
the strangling or rising of the mother, or
hardness, or inflammation of the same,
applied outwardly thereunto. Or a decoc-
tion of the flowers in wine, with a little Nut-
meg or Mace put therein, and drank often
in a day, is an approved remedy to bring
down women's courses speedily, and helps
to expel the dead birth and after-birth.
For a woman to sit over the hot fumes of
the decoction of the herb made in water or
wine, is effectual for the same ; and in some
cases to apply the boiled herb warm to the
privy parts. The decoction thereof made
with some sugar, or honey put thereto, is
used by many with good success to help
the cough and stuffing of the chest, by
colds, as also to cleanse the reins and
bladder, and helps to expel the stone in
them. The powder of the herb taken in
wine, with some Oxymel, purges both cho-
ler and phlegm, and is available for those
that are short winded, and are troubled
with melancholy and heaviness, or sadness
of spirits. It is very effectual for all pains in
the head coming of a cold cause, the herb
being bruised and applied to the crown of
the head : As also for the vertigo, that is
a running or swimming in the head. The
decoction thereof drank warm, and the
herb bruised with a few corns of Bay salt,
and applied to the wrists before the coming
of the ague fits, doth take them away. The
distilled water takes away freckles, and
other spots and deformities in the face.
The herb bruised and heated on a tile, with
some wine to moisten it, or fried with a
little wine and oil in a frying-pan, and ap-

plied warm outwardly to the places, helps
the wind and cholic in the lower part of
the belly. It is an especial remedy against
opium taken too liberally.

FENNEL.

EVERY garden. affords this so plentifully,
that it needs no description.

Government and virtues J\ One good old
fashion is not yet left off, viz. to boil Fennel
with fish ; for it consumes that phlegmatic
humour, which fish most plentifully afford
and annoy the body with, though few that
use it know wherefore they do it; I suppose
the reason of its benefit this way is because
it is an herb of Mercury, and. under Virgo,
and therefore bears antipathy to Pisces.
Fennel is good to break wind, to provoke
urine, and ease the pains of the stone, and
helps to break it. The leaves or seed,
boiled in barley water and drank are good
for nurses, to increase their milk, and make
it more wholesome for the child, The
leaves, or rather the seeds, boiled in water,
stays the hiccough, and takes away the
loathings which oftentimes happen to the
stomachs of sick and feverish persons and,
allays the heat thereof. The seed boiled in
wine and drank, is good for those that are
bitten with serpents, or have eaten poison-
ous herbs, or mushrooms. The seed and
the roots much more, help to open obstruc-
tions of the liver, spleen, and gall, and
thereby help the painful and windy swel-
lings of the spleen, and the yellow jaundice;
as also the gout and cramps. The seed is
of good use in medicines to help shortness
of breath and wheezing by stopping of the
lungs. It helps also to bring down the
courses, and to cleanse the parts after
delivery. The roots are of most use in
physic drinks, and broth that are taken to
cleanse the blood, to open obstructions of
the liver, so provoke urine, and amend the
ill colour in the face after sickness, and to
cause a good habit through the body.

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Both leaves, seeds, and roots thereof are
much used in drink or broth, to make peo-
ple more lean that are too fat. The dis-
tilled water of the whole herb, or the con-
densate juice dissolved, but especially the
natural juice, that in some counties issues
out hereof of its own accord, dropped into
the eyes, cleanses them from mists and
films that hinder the sight. The sweet
Fennel is much weaker in physical uses
than the common Fennel. The wild Fen-
nel is stronger and hotter than the tame,
and therefore most powerful against the
stone, but not so effectual to encrease milk,
because of its dryness.

SOW-FENNEL, OR HOG's-FENNE L.

BESIDES the common name in English,
Hog's Fennel, and the Latin name Peuci-
danum, is called Hoar-strange, and Hoar-
strong, Sulphur-wort, and Brimstone-wort.

DescriptJ} The common Sow-Fennel
has divers branched stalks of thick and
somewhat long leaves, three for the most
part joined together at a place, among
which arises a crested straight stalk, less
than Fennel, with some joints thereon, and
leaves growing thereat, and towards the
tops some branches issuing from thence;
likewise on the tops of the stalks and
branchesstand divers tufts of yellow flowers,
whereafter grows somewhat flat, thin, and
yellowish seed, bigger than Fennel seed.
The roots grow great and deep, with many
other parts and fibres about them of a
strong scent like hot brimstone, and yield
forth a yellowish milk, or clammy juice,
almost like a gum.

PlaceJ] It grows plentifully in the salt
low marshes near Feversham in Kent.

Time."] It flowers plentifully in July and
August.

Government and virtues.^ This is also an
herb of Mercury. The juice of Sow- Fennel
(saith Dioscorides, and Galen,) used with
vinegar and rose water, or the juice with a

little Euphorbium put to the nose, helps
those that are troubled with the lethargy,
frenzy, giddiness of the head, the falling
sickness, long and inveterate head-aches,
the palsy, sciatica, and the cramp, and
generally all the diseases of the sinews, used
with oil and vinegar. The juice dissolved
in wine, or put into an egg, is good for a
cough, or shortness of breath, and for those
that are troubled with wind in the body.
It purges the belly gently, expels the hard-
ness of the spleen, gives ease to women
that have sore travail in child-birth, and
eases the pains of the reins and bladder,
and also the womb. A little of the juice
dissolved in wine, and dropped into the
ears, eases, much of the pains in them, and
put into a hollow tooth, eases the pain
thereof. The root is less effectual to all
the aforesaid disorders ; yet the powder of
the root cleanses foul ulcers, being put into
them, and takes out splinters of broken
bones, or other things in the flesh, and
heals them up perfectly : as also, dries up
old and inveterate running sores, and is of
admirable virtue in all green wounds.

FIG-WORT, OR XHROAT-WORT.

Descript.~\ COMMON great Fig-wort sends
divers great, strong, hard, square brown
stalks, three or four feet high, whereon grow
large, hard, and dark green leaves, two at
a joint, harder and larger than Nettle
leaves, but not stinking ; at the tops of the
stalks stand many purple flowers set in
husks, which are sometimes gaping and
open, somewhat like thoseof Water Betony;
after which come hard round heads, with
a small point in the middle, wherein lie
small brownish seed. The root is great,
white, and thick, with many branches at it,
growing aslope under the upper crust ot
the ground, which abides many years, but
keeps not his green leaves in Winter.

Place.] It grows frequently in moist

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

and shadowy woods, and in the lower parts
of the fields and meadows.

Time.'] It flowers about July, and the
seed will be ripe about a month after the
flowers are fallen.

Government and virtues.] Some Latin
authors call it Cervicaria, because it is ap-
propriated to the neck ; and we Throat-
wort, because it is appropriated to the
throat. Venus owns the herb, and the
Celestial Bull will not deny it ; therefore
a better remedy cannot be for the king's
evil, because the Moon that rules the dis-
ease, is exalted there. The decoction of the
herb taken inwardly, and the bruised herb
applied outwardly, dissolves clotted and
congealed blood within the body, coming
by any wounds, bruise, or fall ; and is no
less effectual for the king's evil, or any
other knobs, kernel, bunches, or wens
growing in the flesh wheresoever ; and for
the haemorrhoids, or piles. An ointment
made hereof may be used at all times when
the fresh herb is not to be had. The dis-
tilled water of the whole plant, roots and
all, is used for the same purposes, and dries
up the superfluous, virulent moisture of
hollow and corroding ulcers ; it takes away
ill redness, spots, and freckles in the face,
as also the scurf, and any foul deformity
therein, and the leprosy likewise.

PILIPENDULA, OR DROP-WORT.

DescriptJ] THIS sends forth many leaves,
some larger, some smaller, set on each side
of a middle rib, and each of them dented
about the edges, somewhat resembling wild
Tansy, or rather Agrimony, but harder in
handling ; among which rise up one or
more stalks, two or three feet high, with the
leaves growing thereon, and sometimes also
divided into other branches spreading atthe
top into many white, sweet-smelling flowers,
consisting of five leaves a-piece, with some
threads in the middle of them, standing

together in a pith or umble, each upon a
small foot stalk, which after they have been
blown upon a good while, do fall away,
and in their places appear small, round,
chaffy heads like buttons, wherein are the
chaffy seeds set and placed. The root
consists of many small, black, tuberous
pieces, fastened together by many small,
long, blackish strings, which run from one
to another.

Place.] It grows in many places of this
land, in the corners of dry fields and mea-
dows, and the hedge sides.

Time.'] They flower in June and July,
and their seed is ripe in August.

Government and virtues.] It is under the
dominion of Venus. It effectually opens
the passages of the urine, helps the stran-
guary ; the stone in the kidneys or bladder,
the gravel, and all other pains of the blad
der and reins, by taking the roots in pow-
der, or a decoction of them in white wine,
with a little honey. The roots made into
powder, and mixed with honey in the form
of an electuary, doth much help them
whose stomachs are swollen, dissolving and
breaking the wind which was the cause
thereof; and is also very effectual for all
the diseases of the lungs, as shortness of
breath, wheezing, hoarseness of the throat,
and the cough ; and to expectorate tough
phlegm, or any other parts thereabout.

THE FIG-TREE.

To give a description of a tree so well
known to every body that keep it in his
garden, were needless. They prosper very
well in our English gardens, yet are fitter
for medicine than for any other profit which
is gotten by the fruit of them.

Government and virtues.] The tree is
under the dominion of Jupiter. The milk
that issues out from the leaves or branches
where they are broken off, being dropped
upon warts, takes them away. The de-

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

coction of the leaves is excellently good to
wash sore heads with : and there is scarcely
a better remedy for the leprosy than it is.
It clears the face also of morphew, and the
body of white scurf, scabs, and running
sores. If it be dropped into old fretting
ulcers, it cleanses out the moisture, and
brings up the flesh ; because you cannot
have the leaves green all the year, you may
make an ointment of them whilst you can.
A decoction of the leaves being drank in-
wardly, or rather a syrup made of them,
dissolves congealed blood caused by bruises
or falls, and helps the bloody flux. The
ashes of the wood made into an ointment
with hog's grease, helps kibes and chilblains.
The juice being put into an hollow tooth,
eases pain : as also pain and noise in the
ears, being dropped into them ; and deaf-
ness. An ointment made of the juice and
hog's grease, is an excellent remedy for the
bitten of mad dogs, or other venomous
beasts as most are. A syrup made of the
leaves, or green fruit, is excellently good for
coughs, hoarseness, or shortness of breath,
and all diseases of the breast and lungs ; it
is also extremely good for the dropsy and
falling sickness. They say that the Fig
Tree, as well as the Bay Tree, is never
hurt by lightning ; as also, if you tie a bull,
be he ever so mad, to a Fig Tree, he will
quickly become tame and gentle. As for
such figs as come from beyond sea, I
have little to say, because I write not of
exoticks.

THE YELLOW WATER-FLAG, OR FLOWER-
DE-LUCE.

Descript.~\ THIS grows like the Flower-
de-luce, but it has much longer and nar-
rower sad green leaves, joined together in
that fashion ; the stalk also growing often-
times as high, bearing small yellow flowers
shaped like the Flower-de-luce, with three
falling leaves, and other three arched that

cover their bottoms ; but instead of the
three upright leaves, as the Flower-de luce
has, this has only three short pieces stand-
ing in their places, after which succeed
thick and long three square heads, contain-
ing in each part somewhat big and flat
seed, like those of theFlower-de-luce. The
root is long and slender, of a pale brownish
colour on the outside, and of a horseflesh
colour on the inside, with many hard fibres
thereat, and very harsh in taste.

Placed] It usually grows in watery
ditches, ponds, lakes, and moor sides, which
are always overflowed with water.

Time."] It flowers in July, and the seed
is ripe in August.

Government and virtues.] It is under the
dominion of the Moon. The root of this
Water-flag is very astringent, cooling, and
drying ; and thereby helps all lasks and
fluxes, whether of blood or humours, as
bleeding at the mouth, nose, or other parts,
bloody flux, and the immoderate flux of
women's courses. The distilled water of
the whole herb, flowers and roots, is a
sovereign good remedy for watering eyes,
both to be dropped into them, and to have
cloths or sponges wetted therein, and ap-
plied to the forehead : It also helps the
spots and blemishes that happen in and
about the eyes, or in any other parts : The
said water fomented on swellings and hot
inflammations of women's breasts, upon
cancers also, and those spreading ulcers
called Noli me tangere, do much good : It
helps also foul ulcers in the privities of man
or woman ; but an ointment made of the
flowers is better for those external appli-
cations.

FLAX-WEED, OR TOAD-FLAX.

DescriptJ] OUR common Flax- weed has
divers stalks full fraught with long and
narrow ash-coloured leaves, and from. the
middle of them almost upward, stored with

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

a number of pale yellow flowers, of a strong
unpleasant scent, with deeper yellow
mouths, and blackish flat seed in round
heads. The root is somewhat woody and
white, especially the main downright one,
with many fibres, abiding many years,
shooting forth roots every way round about,
and new branches every year.

Place. ] This grows throughout this land,
both by the way sides and in meadows, as
also by hedge-sides, and upon the sides of
banks, and borders of fields.

Time.'] It flowers in Summer, and the
seed is ripe usually before the end of
August.

Government and virtues.^ Mars owns the
herb : In Sussex we call it Gallwort, and
lay it in our chicken's water to cure them
of the gall ; it relieves them when they are
drooping. This is frequently used to spend
the abundance of those watery humours by
urine which cause the dropsy. The decoc-
tion of the herb, both leaves and flowers,
in wine, taken and drank, doth somewhat
move the belly downwards, opens obstruc-
tions of the liver, and helps the yellow
jaundice ; expels poison, provokes women's
courses, drives forth the dead child, and
after-birth. The distilled water of the herb
and flowers is effectual for all the same pur-
poses ; being drank with a dram of the
powder of the seeds of bark or the roots of
Wall- wort, and a little Cinnamon, for cer-
tain days together, it is held a singular re-
medy for the dropsy. The juice of the herb,
or the distilled water, dropped into the eyes,
is a certain remedy for all heat, inflamma-
tion, and redness in them. The juice or
water put into foul ulcers, whether they be
cancerous or fistulous, with tents rolled
therein, or parts washed and injected there-
with, cleanses them thoroughly from the
bottom, and heals them up safely. The
same juice or water also cleanses the skin
wonderfully of all sorts of deformity, as
leprosy, morphew, scurf, wheals, pimples,

or spots, applied of itself, or used with some
powder of Lupines.

FLEA-WORT.

DescriptJ] ORDINARY Flea-wort rises
up with a stalk two feet high or more, full
of joints and branches on every side up to
the top, and at every joint two small, long
and narrow whitish green leaves somewhat
hairy ; At the top of every branch stand
divers small, short scaly, or chaffy heads
out of which come forth small whitish
yellow threads, like to those of the Plan-
tain herbs, which are the bloomings of
flowers. The seed enclosed in these heads
is small and shining while it is fresh, very
like unto fleas both for colour and bigness,
but turning black when it grows old. The
root is not long, but white, hard and woody,
perishing every year, and rising again of
its own seed for diversyears, if it be suffered
to shed : The whole plant is somewhat
whitish and hairy, smelling somewhat like
rosin.

There is another sort hereof, differing not
from the former in the manner of growing,
but only that the stalk and branches being
somewhat greater, do a little more bow
down to the ground : The leaves are some-
what greater, the heads somewhat less, the
seed alike ; and the root and leaves abide
all winter, and perish not as the former.

Placed] The first grows only in gardens,
the second plentifully in fields that are
near the sea.

Time.'] They flower in July or there-
abouts.

Government and virtues. ~\ The herb is
cold, and dry, and saturnine. I suppose
it obtained the name of Flea-wort, because
the seeds are so like Fleas. The seeds fried,
and taken, stays the flux or lask of the
belly, and the corrosions that come by rea-
son of hot choleric, or sharp and malignant
humours, or by too much purging of any
violent medicine, as Scammony, or the

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

like. The mucilage of the seed made with
Rose-water, and a little sugar-candy put
thereto, is very good in all hot agues and
burning fevers, and other inflammations, to
cool the thirst, and lenify the dryness and
roughness of the tongue and throat. It
helps also hoarseness of the voice, and dis-
eases of the breast and lungs, caused by
heat, or sharp salt humours, and the pleu-
risy also. The mucilage of the seed made
with Plantain water, whereunto the yoke of
an egg or two, and a little Populeon are
put, is a most safe and sure remedy to ease
the sharpness, pricking, and pains of the
haemorrhoids or piles, if it be laid on a
cloth, and bound thereto. It helps all in-
dammations in any part of the body, and
the pains that come thei'eby, as the head-
ache and megrims, and all hot imposthumes,
swellings, or breaking out of the skin, as
blains, wheals, pushes, purples, and the
like, as also the joints of those that are out
of joint, the pains of the gout and sciatica,
the burstings of young children, and the
swellings of the navel, applied with oil of
roses and vinegar. It is also good to heal
the nipples and sore breasts of women,
being often applied thereunto. The juice
of the herb with a little honey put into the
ears helps the running of them, and the
worms breeding in them : The same also
mixed with hog's grease, and applied to
corrupt and filthy ulcers, cleanses them
and heals them.

FLUX-WEED.

Descript.~\ IT rises up with a round
upright hard stalk, four or five feet high,
spread into sundry branches, whereon grow
many greyish green leaves, very finely cut
and severed into a number of short and
almost round parts. The flowers are very
small and yellow, growing spike fashion, i
after which eome small long pods, with
small yellowish seed in them. The root is
long and woody, perishing every year.

There is another sort, differing in nothing,
save only it has somewhat broad leaves ;
they have a strong evil saviour, being
smelled unto, and are of a drying taste.

Place.'] They flower wild in the fields
by hedge-sides and highways, and among
rubbish and other places.

Time.'] They flower and seed quickly
after, namely in June and July.

Government and virtues^] This herb is
saturnine also. Both the herb and seed ot
Flux- weed is of excellent use to stay the flux
or lask of the belly, being drank in water
wherein gads of steel heated have been
often quenched ; and is no less effectual
for the same purpose than Plantain or Com-
frey, and to restrain any other flux of blood
in man or woman, as also to consoladate
bones broken or out of joint. The juice
thereof drank in wine, or the decoction of
the herb drank, doth kill 'the worms in the
stomach or belly, or the worms that grow
in putrid and filthy ulcers, and made into
a salve doth quickly heal all old sore*s, how
foul or malignant soever they be. The
distilled water of the herb works the same
effect, although somewhat weaker, yet it
is a fair medicine, and more acceptable to
be taken. It is called Flux- weed because
it cures the flux, and for its uniting broken
bones, &c. Paracelsus extol it to the skies.
It is fitting that syrup, ointment, and
plaisters of it were kept in your house.

FLOWER-DE-LUCE.

IT is so well known, being nourished up
in most gardens, that I shall not need to
spent time in writing a description thereof.

Time.~\ The flaggy kinds thereof have
the most physical uses ; the dwarf kinds
thereof flowers in April, the greater sorts
in May.

Government and virtues^] The herb is
Luner. The juice or decoction of the green
root of the flaggy kind of Fower-de-luce,
with a little honey drank, doth purge and

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

cleanse the stomach of gross and tough
phlegm, and choler therein ; it helps the
jaundice and the dropsy, evacuating those
humours both upwards and downwards ;
and because it somewhat hurts the stomach,
is not to be taken without honey and spike-
nard. The same being drank, doth ease
the pains and torments of the belly and
sides, the shaking of agues, the diseases of
the liver and spleen, the worms of the belly,
the stone in the reins, convulsions and
cramps that come of old humours ; it also
helps those jvhose seed passes from them
unawares : It is a remedy against the
bitings and stingings of venomous crea-
tures, being boiled in water and vinegar
and drank. Boiled in water and drank, it
provokes urine, helps the cholic, brings
down women's courses ; and made up into
a pessary with honey, and put up into the
body, draws forth the dead child. It is
much commended against the cough, to
expectorate rough phlegm ; It much eases
pains in the head, and procures sleep ;
being put into the nostrils it procures
sneezing, and thereby purges the head of
phlegm. The juice of the root applied to
the piles or haemorrhoids, gives much ease.
The decoction of the roots gargled in the
mouth, eases the tooth-ache, and helps the
stinking breath. Oil called Oleum Irinum,
if it be rightly made of the great broad
flag Flower-de-luce and not of the great
bulbous blue Flower-de-luce, (as is used by
some apothecaries) and roots of the same, of
the flaggy kinds, is very effectual to warm
and comfort all cold joints and sinews, as
also the gout and sciatica, and mollifies,
dissolves and consumes tumours and swell-
ings in any part of the body, as also of the
matrix ; it helps the cramp, or convulsions
of the sinews. The head and temples
anointed therewith, helps the catarrh or
thin rheum distilled from thence ; and used
upon the breast or stomach, helps to ex-
tenuate the cold tough phlegm ; it helps

also the pains and noise in the ears, and
the stench of the nostrils. The root itself,
either green or in powder, helps to cleanse,
heal, and incarnate wounds, and to cover
the naked bones with flesh again, that
ulcers have made bare ; and is also very
good to cleanse and heal up fistulas and
cankers that are hard to be cured.

FLUELLIN, OR LLUELLIN.

DescriptJ] IT shoots forth many long
branches partly lying upon the ground,
and partly standing upright, set with al-
most red leaves, yet a little pointed, and
sometimes more long than ronr>d, without
order thereon, somewhat hairy, and of an
evil greenish white colour ; at the joints all
along the stalks, and with the leaves come
forth small flowers, one at a place, upon
a very small short foot-stalk, gaping some-
what like Snap-dragons, or rather like Toad-
flax, with the upper jaw of a yellow colour,
and the lower of a purplish, with a small heel
or spur behind ; after which come forth
small round heads, containing small black
seed. The root is small and thready, dying
every year, and rise? itself again of its
own sowing.

There is another sort of Lluellin which
has longer branches wholly trailing upon
the ground, two or three feet long, and
somewhat more thin, set with leaves there-
on, upon small foot-stalks. The leaves are
a little larger, and somewhat round, and
cornered sometimes in some places on the
edges ; but the lower part of them being
the broadest, hath on each side a small
point, making it seem as if they were ears,
sometimes hairy, but not hoary, and of a
better green colour than the former. The
flowers come forth like the former, but the
colours therein are more white than yellow,
and the purple not so far. It is a large
flower, and so are the seed and seed-ves-
sels. The root is like the other, and
perishes every year.

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Place.~] They grow in divers corn fields,
and in borders about them, and in other
fertile grounds about Southfleet in Kent
abundantly ; at Buchrite, Hamerton, and
Rickmanworth in Huntingdonshire, and in
divers other places.

Tinie.~\ They are in flower about June
and July, and the whole plant is dry and
withered before August be done.

Government and virtues.^ It is a Lunar
herb. The leaves bruised and applied with
barley meal to watering eyes that are hot
and inflamed by defluxions from the head,
do very much help them, as also the fluxes
of blood or humours, as the lask, bloody
flux, women's courses, and stays all man-
ner of bleeding at the nose, mouth, or any
other place, or that comes by any bruise
or hurt, or bursting a vein ; it wonderfully
helps all those inward parts that need con-
solidating or strengthening, and is no less
effectual both to heal and close green
wounds, than to cleanse and heal all foul
or old ulcers, fretting or spreading cankers
or the like. This herb is of a fine cooling,
drying quality, and an ointment or plaister
of it might do a man a courtesy that hath
any hot virulent sores : 'Tis admirable for
the ulcers of the French pox ; if taken in-
wardly, may cure the desease.

FOX-GLOVE.

Descript.'] IT has many long and broad
leaves lying upon the ground dented upon
the edges, a little soft or woolly, and of a
hoary green colour, among which rise up
sometimes sundry stalks, but one very
often, bearing such leaves thereon from the
bottom to the middle, from whence to the
top it is stored with large and long hollow
reddish purple flowers, a little more long
and eminent at the lower edge, with some
white, spots within them, one above another
with small green leaves at every one, but
all of them turning their heads one way,

and hanging downwards, having some
threads also in the middle, from whence
rise round heads, pointed sharp at the ends,
wherein small brown seed lies. The roots
are so many small fibres, and some greater
strings among them ; the flowers have no
scent, but the leaves have a bitter hot
taste.

Placed] It grows on dry sandy ground
for the most part, and as well on the higher
as the lower places under hedge-sides in
almost every county of this land.

Time.'] It seldom flowers before July,
and the seed is ripe in August.

Government and virtues.'] The plant is
under the dominion of Venus, being of a
gentle cleansing nature, and withal very
friendly to nature. The herb is familiarly
and frequently used by the Italians to heal
any fresh or green wound, the leaves being
but bruised and bound thereon ; and the
juice thereof is also used in old sores, to
cleanse, dry, and heal them. The decoc-
tion hereof made up with some sugar or
honey, is available to cleanse and purge
the body both upwards and downwards,
sometimes of tough phlegm and clammy
humours, and to open obstructions of the
liver and spleen. It as been found by
experience to be available for the king's
evil, the herb bruised and applied, or an
ointment made with the juice thereof, and
so used; and a decoction of two handfuls
thereof, with four ounces of Polipody in
ale, has been found by late experience to .
cure divers of the falling sickness, that have
been troubled with it above twenty years.
I am confident that an ointment of it is
one of the best remedies for scabby head
that is.

FUMITORY.

Descript.'] OUR common Fumitory is a
tender sappy herb, sends forth from one
square, a slender weak stalk, and leaning
downwards on all sides, many branches

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

two or three feet long, with finely cut and
jagged leaves of a whitish or rather blueish
sea green colour ; At the tops of the
branches stand many small flowers, as it
were in a long spike one above another,
made like little birds, of a reddish purple
colour, whith whitish bellies, after which
come small round husks, containing small
black seeds. The root is yellow, small, and
not very long, full of juice while it is green,
but quickly perishes with the ripe seed.
In the corn fields in Cornwall, it bears
white flowers.

Place.'] It grows in corn fields almost
every where, as well as in gardens.

Time.~\ It flowers in May, for the most
part, and the seed ripens shortly after.

Government and virtues J] Saturn owns
the herb, and presents it to the world as a
cure for his own disease, and a strengthener
of the parts of the body he rules. If by
my astrological judgment of diseases, from
the decumbiture, you find Saturn author of
the disease, or if by direction from a
nativity you fear a saturnine disease ap-
proaching, you may by this herb prevent
it in the one, and cure it in the other, and
therefore it is fit you keep a syrup of it
always by you. The juice or syrup made
thereof, or the decoction made in whey by
itself, with some other purging or opening
herbs and roots to cause it to work the
better (itself being but weak) is very effec-
tual for the liver and spleen, opening the
obstructions thereof, and clarifying the
blood from saltish, choleric, and adust
humours, which cause leprosy, scabs, tet-
ters, and itches, and such like breakings-
out of the skin, and after the purgings doth
strengthen all the inwards parts. It is also
good against the yellow-jaundice, and
spends it by urine, which it procures in
abundance. The powder of the dried herb
given for some time together, cures melan-
choly, but the seed is strongest in opera-
tion for all the former diseases. The dis-

tilled water of the herb is also of good
effect in the former diseases, and conduces
much against the plague and pestilence,
being taken with good treacle. The dis-
tilled water also, with a little water and
honey of roses, helps all sores of the mouth
or throat, being gargled often therewith.
The juice dropped into the eyes, clears the
sight and takes away redness and other
defects in them, although it procure some
pain for the present, and cause tears.
Dioscorides saith it hinders any fresh
springing of hairs on the eye-lids (after they
are pulled away) if the eye-lids be anointed
with the juice hereof, with Gum Arabic
dissolved therein. The juice of the Fumi-
tory and Docks mingled with vinegar, and
the places gently washed therewith, cures
all sorts of scabs, pimples, blotches, wheals,
and pushes which arise on the face or
hands or any other parts of the body.

THE FURZE BUSH.

IT is as well known by this name, as it is
in some counties by the name of Gorz or
Whins, that I shall not need to write any
description thereof, my intent being to
teach my countrymen what they know not,
rather than to tell them again of that which
is general known before.

Placed] They are known to grow on
dry barren heaths, and other waste, gra-
velly or sandy grounds, in all counties of
this land.

Time.'] They also flower in the Summer
months.

Government and virtues.] Mars owns the
herb. They are hot and dry, and open
obstructions of the liver and spleen. A de-
coction made with the flowers thereof hath
been found effectual against the jaundice,
as also to provoke urine, and cleanse the
kidneys from gravel or stone ingendered
in them. Mars doth also this by sym-
pathy.

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

GARL1CK.

THE offensiveness of the breath of him
that hath eaten Garlick, will lead you by
the nose to the knowledge hereof, and (in-
stead of a description) direct you to the
place where it grows in gardens, which
kinds are the best, and most physical.

Government and virtues.^ Mars owns
this herb. This was anciently accounted
the poor man's treacle, it being a remedy for
all diseases and hurts (except those which
itself breed.) It provokes urine, and women's
courses, helps the biting of mad dogs and
other venomous creatures, kills worms in
children, cuts and voids tough phlegm,
purges the head, helps the lethargy, is a
good preservative against, and a remedy
for any plague, sore, or foul ulcers ; takes
away spots and blemishes in the skin, eases
pains in the ears, ripens and breaks impos-
thumes, or other swellings. And for all
those diseases the onions are as effectual.
But the Garlick hath some more peculier
virtues besides the former, viz. it hath a
special quality to discuss inconveniences
coming by corrupt agues or mineral va-
pours ; or by drinking corrupt and stinking
waters ; as also by taking wolf-bane, hen-
bane, hemlock, or other poisonous and dan-
gerous herbs. It is also held good in hydro-
pick diseases, the jaundice, falling sickness,
cramps, convulsions, the piles or haemorr-
hoids, or other cold diseases. Many au-
thors quote many diseases this is good for;
but conceal its vices. Its heat is very ve-
hement, and all vehement hot things send
up but ill-favoured vapours to the brain.
In coleric men it will add fuel to the fire ;
in men oppressed by melancholy, it will
attenuate the humour, and send up strong
fancies, and as many strange visions to the
head ; therefore let it be taken inwardly
with great moderation ; outwardly you
may make more bold with it.

GENTIAN, FELWORT, OR BALDMONY.

IT is confessed that Gentian, which is
most used amongst us, is brought over from
beyond sea, yet we have two sorts of it
growing frequently in our nation, which,
besides the reasons so frequently alledged
why English herbs should be fittest for
English bodies, has been proved by the
experience of divers physicians, to be not
a wit inferior in virtue to that which comes
from beyond sea, therefore be pleased to
take the description of them as follows.

DescriptJ] The greater of the two hath
many small long roots thrust down fleep
into the ground, and abiding all the Winter.
The stalks are sometimes more, sometimes
fewer, of a brownish green colour, which
is sometimes two feet high, if the ground
be fruitful, having many long, narrow, dark
green leaves, set by couples up to the top ;
the flowers are long and hollow, of a
purple colour, ending in fine corners. The
smaller sort which is to be found in our
land, grows up with sundry stalks, not a
foot high, parted into several small branches,
whereon grow divers small leaves together,
very like those of the lesser Centaury, of a
whitish green colour ; on the tops of these
stalks grow divers perfect blue flowers,
standing in long husks, but not so big as
the other ; the root is very small, and full
of threads.

PlaceJ] The first grows in divers places
of both the East and West counties, and as
well in wet as in dry grounds ; as near
Longfield, by Gravesend, near Cobham in
Kent, near Lillinstone in Kent, also in a
chalk pit hard by a paper-mill not far from
Dartford in Kent. The second grows also
in divers places in Kent, as about South-
fleet, and Longfield ; upon Barton's hills
in Bedfordshire ; also not far from St.
Albans, upon a piece of waste chalky
ground, as you go out by Dunstable way
towards Gorhambury.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

Time.'] They flower in August.

Government andvirtues.]They are under
the dominion of Mars, and one of the
principal herbs he is ruler of. They resist
putrefactions, poison, and a more sure
remedy cannot be found to prevent the pes-
tilence than it is; it strengthens the stomach
exceedingly, helps digestion, comforts the
heart, and preserves it against faintings
and swoonings : The powder of the dry
roots helps the biting of mad dogs and
venomous beasts, open obstructions of the
liver, and restores an appetite for their meat
to such as have lost it. the herb steeped
in wine, and the wine drank, refreshes such
as be over-weary with traveling, and grow
lame in their joints, either by cold or evil
lodgings ; it helps stitches, and griping
pains in the sides ; is an excellent remedy
for such as are bruised by falls ; it provokes
urine and the terms exceedingly, therefore
let it not be given to women with child :
The same is very profitable for such as are
troubled with cramps and convulsions, to
drink the decoction : Also they say it breaks
the stone, and helps ruptures most cer-
tainly : it is excellent in all cold diseases,
and such as are troubled with tough phlegm,
scabs, itch, or any fretting sores and ulcers;
it is an admirable remedy to kill the worms,
by taking half a dram of the powder in a
morning in any convenient liquor; the same
is excellently good to be taken inwardly
for the king's evil. It helps agues of all
sorts, and the yellow jaundice, as also the
bots in cattle ; when kine are bitten on the
udder by any venomous beast, do but
stroke the place with the decoction of any
of these, and it will instantly heal them.

CLOVE GILLIFLOWERS.

It is vain to describe an herb so well
known.

Government and virtues.] They are gal-
lant, fine, temperate flowers, of the nature
and under the dominion of Jupiter; yea, so I

temperate, that no excess, neither in heat,
cold, dryness, nor moisture, can be per-
ceived in them; they are great strengtheners
both of the brain and heart, and will there-
fore serve either for cordials or cephalics,
as your occasion will serve. There is both
a syrup and a conserve made of them alone,
commonly to be had at every apothecary's.
To take now and then a little of either,
strengthens nature much, in such as are in
consumptions. They are also excellently
good in hot pestilent fevers, and expel
poison.

GERMANDER.

DescriptJ] COMMON Germander shoots
forth sundry stalks, with small and some-
what round leaves, dented about the edges.
The flowers stand at the tops of a deep
purple colour. The root is composed of
divers sprigs, which shoots forth a great
way round about, quickly overspreading
a garden.

Place.'] It grows usually with us in
gardens.

Time.] And flowers in June and July.

Government and virtues.] It is a most
prevalent herb of Mercury, and strengthens
the brain and apprehension exceedingly
when weak, and relieves them when droop-
ing. This taken with honey (saith Diosco-
rides) is a remedy for coughs, hardness of
the spleen and difficulty of urine, and
helps those that are fallen into a dropsy,
especially at the beginning of the disease,
a decoction being made thereof when it is
green, and drank. It also brings down
women's courses, and expels the" dead
child. It is most effectual against the poi-
son of all serpents, being drank in wine,
and the bruised herb outwardly applied ;
used with honey, it cleanses old and foul
ulcers ; and made into an oil, and the eyes
anointed therewith, takes away the dim-
ness and moistness. It is likewise good for
the pains in the sides and cramps. The

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

decoction thereof taken for four days
together, drives away and cures both ter-
tain and quartan agues. It is also good
against all diseases of the brain, as con-
tinual head-ache, falling-sickness, melan-
choly, drowsiness and dullness of the spirits,
convulsions and palsies. A dram of the
seed taken in powder purges by urine, and
is good against the yellow jaundice. The
juice of the leaves dropped into the ears
kills the worms in them. The tops thereof,
when they are in flowers, steeped twenty-
four hours in a draught of white wine, and
drank, kills the worms in the belly.

STINKING GLADWIN.

Descript.~\ THIS is one of the kinds of
Flower-de-luce, having divers leaves arising
from the roots, very like a Flower-de-luce,
but that they are sharp-edged on both sides,
and thicker in the middle, of a deeper green
colour narrower and sharper pointed, and
a strong ill-scent, if they be bruised be-
tween the fingers. In the middle rises up
a reasonably strong stalk, a yard high at
least, bearing three or four flowers at the
top, made somewhat like the flowers of the
Flower-de-luce, with three upright leaves,
of a dead purplish ash-colour, with some
veins discoloured in them ; the other three
do not fall down, nor are the three other
small ones so arched, nor cover the lower
leaves as the Flower-de-luce doth, but stand
loose or asunder from them. After they
are past, there come up three square hard
husks, opening wide into three parts when
they are ripe, wherein lie reddish seed,
turns black when it hath abiden long. The
root is like that of the Flower-de-luce, but
reddish on the outside, and whitish within,
very sharp and hot in the taste, of as evil
a scent as the leaves.

Place.] This grows as well in upland
grounds, as in moist places, woods, and
shadowy places by the sea-side in many

places of this land, and is usually nursed
up in gardens.

Time.'] It flowers not until July, and
the seed is ripe in August or September,
yet the husks after they are ripe, opening
themselves, will hold their seed with them
for two or three months, and not shed them.

Government and virtues.] It is supposed
to be under the dominion of Saturn. It is
used by many country people to purge
corrupt phlegm and choler, which they do
by drinking the decoction of the roots;
and some to make it more gentle, do but
infuse the sliced roots in ale ; and some
take the leaves, which serve well for the
weaker stomach : The juice hereof put up,
or snuffed up the nose, causes sneezing,
and draws from the head much corruption ;
and the powder thereof doth the same.
The powder thereof drank in wine, helps
those that are troubled with the cramps and
convulsions, or with the gout and sciatica,
and gives ease to those that have griping
pains in their body and belly, and helps
those that have the stranguary. It is given
with much profit to those that have had
long fluxes by the sharp and evil quality of
humours, which it stays, having first cleansed
and purged them by the drying and bind-
ing property therein. The root boiled in
wine and drank, doth effectually procure
women's courses, and used as a pessary,
works the same effect, but causes abortion
in women with child. Half a dram of the
seed beaten to powder, and taken in wine,
doth speedily cause one to make water
abundantly. The same taken with vine-
gar, dissolves the hardness and swellings
of the spleen. The root is very effectual
in all wounds, especially of the head ; as
also to draw forth any splinters, thorns, or
broken bones, or any other thing sticking
in the flesh, without causing pains, being
used with a little verdigrease and honey,
and the great Centaury root. The same
boiled in vinegar, and laid upon an eruption

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

or swelling, doth very effectually dissolve
and consume them ; yea, even the swell-
ings of the throat called the king's evil ;
the juice of the leaves or roots heals the
itch, and all running or spreading scabs,
sores, blemishes, or scars in the skin,
wheresoever they be.

GOLDEN ROD.

DescriptJ] THIS rises up with brownish
small round stalks, two feet high, and
sometimes more, having thereon many
narrow and long dark green leaves, very
seldom with any dents about the edges, or
any stalks or white spots therein, yet they
are sometimes so found divided at the tops
into many small branches, with divers
small yellow flowers on every one of them,
all which are turned one way, and being
ripe, do turn into down, and are carried
away by the wind. The root consists of
many small fibres, which grows not deep
in the ground, but abides all the winter
therein, shooting forth new branches every
year, the old one lying down to the ground.
Place.~\ It grows in the open places of
woods and copses, an both moist and dry
grounds, in many places of this land.

Time.~\ It flowers about the month of
July.

Government and virtues.] Venus claims
the herb, and therefore to be sure it res-
pects beauty lost. Arnoldus de Villa Nova
commends it much against the stone in the
reins and kidneys, and to provoke urine in
abundance, whereby also the gravel and
stone may be voided. The decoction of
the herb, green or dry, or the distilled
water thereof, is very effectual for inward
bruises, as also to be outwardly applied, it
stays bleeding in any part of the body, and
of wounds ; also the fluxes of. humours,
the bloody-flux, and women's courses ; and
is no less prevalent in all ruptures or burst-
ings, being drank inwardly, and outwardly
applied. It is a sovereign wound herb,

inferior to none, both for the inward and
outward hurts ; green wounds, old sores
and ulcers, are quickly cured therewith.
It also is of especial use in all lotions for
sores or ulcers in the mouth, throat, or privy
parts of man or woman. The decoction
also helps to fasten the teeth that are loose
in the gums,

GOUT-WORT, OR HERB GERRARD.

Descript.] IT is a low herb, seldom rising
half a yard high, having sundry leaves
standing on brownish green stalks by three,
snipped about, and of a strong unpleasant
savour : The umbels of the flowers are
white, and the seed blackish, the root runs
in the ground, quickly taking a great deal
of room.

Place.'] It grows by hedge and wall-
sides, and often in the border and corner ol
fields, and in gardens also.

Time.] It flowers and seeds about the
end of July.

Government and virtues."} Saturn rule it.
Neither is it to be supposed Gout- wort hath
its name for nothing but upon experiment
to heal the gout and sciatica ; as also joint-
aches, and other cold griefs. The very
bearing of it about one eases the pains of
the gout, and defends him that bears it
from the disease.

GROMEL.

OF this I shall briefly describe their
kinds, which are principally used in physic,
the virtues whereof are alike, though some-
what different in their manner and form of
growing.

Descript.~] The greater Gromel grows up
with slender hard and hairy stalks, trailing
and taking root in the ground, as it lies
thereon, and parted into many other small
branches with hairy dark green leaves there-
on. At the joints, with the leaves, come
forth very small blue flowers, and after them
hard stony roundish seed. The root is long

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

and woody, abiding the Winter, and shoots
forth fresh stalks in the spring.

The smaller wild Gromel sends forth
divers upright hard branched stalks, two or
three feet high full of joints, at every one of
which grow small, long, hard, and rough
leaves like the former, but less ; among
which leaves come forth small white flowers,
and after them greyish round seed like the
former ; the root is not very big, but with
many strings thereat.

The garden Gromel as divers upright,
slender, woody, hairy stalks, blown and
cressed very little branched, with leaves
like the former, and white flowers ; after
which, in rough brown husks, is contained
a white, hard, round seed, shining like
pearls, and greater than either the former ;
the root is like the first described, with
divers branches and sprigs thereat, which
continues (as the first doth) all the Winter.

Place .] The two first grow wild in barren
or untilled places, and by the way side
in many places of this land. The last is
a nursling in the gardens of the curious.

Time.'] They all flower from Midsummer
until September sometimes, and in the
mean time the seed ripens.

Government and virtues.^ The herb be-
longs to Dame Venus ; and therefore if
Mars cause the cholic or stone, as usually he
doth, if in Virgo, this is your cure. These
are accounted to be of as singular force as
any herb or seed whatsoever, to break the
stone and to void it, and the gravel either
in the reins or bladder, as also to provoke
urine beingstopped, and to help stranguary.
The seed is of greatest use, being bruised
and boiled in white wine or in broth, or the
like, or the powder of the seed taken there-
in. Two drams of the seed in powder
taken with women's breast milk, is very
effectual to procure a very speedy delivery
to such women as have sore pains in their
travail, and cannot be delivered : The herb
itself, (when the seed is not to be had) either

boiled, or the juice thereof drank, is effec-
tual to all the purposes aforesaid, but not so
powerful or speedy in operation.

GOOSEBERRY BUSH.

CALLED also Feapberry, and in Sussex
Dewberry-Bush, and in some Counties
Wineberry.

Government and virtues J] They are under
the dominion of Venus. The berries, while
they are unripe, being scalded or baked,
are good to stir up a fainting or decayed
appetite, especially such whose stomachs
are afflicted by choleric humours : They are
excellently good to stay longings of women
with child. You may keep them pre-
served with sugar all the year long. The
decoction of the leaves of the tree cools
hot Dwellings and inflammations ; as algo
St. Anthony's fire. The ripe Gooseberries
being eaten, are an excellent remedy to
allay the -violent heat both of the stomach
and liver. The young and tender leaves
break the stone, and expel gravel both from
the kidneys and bladder. All the evil they
do to the body of man is, they are sup-
posed to breed crudities, and by crudities,
worms.

WINTER-GREEN.

Descript.] THIS sends forth seven, eight,
or nine leaves from a small brown creeping
root, every one standing upon a long foot
stalk, which are almost as broad as long,
round pointed, of a sad green colour, and
hard in handling, and like the leaf of a
Pear-tree ; from whence arises a slender
weak stalk, yet standing upright, bearing
at the top many small white sweet-smelling
flowers, laid open like a star, consisting of
five round pointedleaves,with many yellow
threads standing in the middle about a green
head, and a long stalk with them, which in
time grows to be the seed-vessel, which
being ripe is found five square, with a small

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 87

point at it, wherein is contained seed as jit may be seen many months in the year
small as dust. j both green and in flower, and seed ; for it

Placed] It grows seldom in fields, but j will spring and seed twice in a year at
frequent in the woods northwards, viz. in | least, if it be suffered in a garden.
Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Scotland. j Place.] They grow almost every where,

Time.'] It flowers about June and July. 1 as well on tops of walls, as at the foo{
Government and virtues.'] Winter-green | amongst rubbish and untilled grounds, bul
is under the dominion of Saturn, and is a -especially in gardens.
singularly good wound herb, and an espe- j Time.'] It flowers, as was said before, al-
cial remedy for healing green wounds j most every month throughout the year.
speedily, the green leaves being bruised and Government and virtues.'] This hero is
applied, or the juice of them. A salve ! Venus's mistress-piece, and is as gallant
made of the green herb stamped, or the j and universal a medicine for all diseases
juice boiled with hog's lard, or with salad | coming of heat, in what part of the body
oil and wax, and sonic turpentine added j soever they be, as the sun shines upon; it is
to it, is a sovereign salve, and highly ex- { very safe and friendly to the body of man :
tolled by the Germans, who use it to heal jyet causes vomiting if the stomach be af-
all manner of wounds and sores. The herb ; rlicted ; if not, purging : and it doth it with
boiled in wine and water, and given to I more gentleness than can be expected; it is
drink to them that have any inward ulcers j moist, and something cold withal, thereby
in their kidneys, or neck of the bladder, | causing expulsion, and repressing the heat
doth wonderfully help them. It stays all j caused by the motion of the internal parts
fluxes, as the lask, bloody fluxes, women's > in 4 purges and vomits. Lay by our learned
courses, and bleeding of wounds, and takes ; receipts ; take so much Sena, so much
away any inflammations rising upon pains 1 Scammony, so much Colocynthis, so much
of the heart; it is no less helpful for foul i infusion of Crocus Metallorum, c. this
ulcers hard to be cured; as also for cankers j herb alone preserved in a syrup, in a dis-
or fistulas. The distilled water of the herb tilled water, or in an ointment, shall do
effectually performs the same things. i the deed for you in all hot diseases, and,

GROUNDSEL \ ^'^ d '*' *' ^^ ' ^ S P eediI .V'

The decoction of this herb (saith Diosco-

Descript.~\ OUR common Groundsel has rides) made with Avine, and drank, helps
a round green and somewhat brownish | the pains of the stomach, proceeding of
stalk, spreading toward the top into branches, jcholer, (which it may well do by a vomit)
set with long and somewhat nan ow green : as daily experience shews. The juice there-
leaves, cut in on the edges, somewhat like! of taken in dr.ink, or the decoction of it in
the oak-leaves, but less, and round at the } ale, gently performs the same. It is good
nul. At the tops of the branches stand j against the jaundice and falling sickness,
many small green heads, out of which grow ! being taken in wine; as also against dif-
K'veral small, yellow threads or thumbs, i ficulty of making water. It provokes
which are the flowers, and continue many i urine, expels gravel in the reins or kidneys;
days blown in that manner, before it pass* a dram thereof given in oxymel, after some
away into down, and with the seed is j walking or stirring of the body. It helps
carried away in the wind. The root is small j also the sciatica, griping of the belly, the
and thready, and soon perishes, and as ! cholic, defects of the liver, and provokes
toon rises again of its own sowing, so that 'women's courses. The fresh herb boiled

A A

8 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

and made into a poultice, applied to the ! and a gallant remedy for the inflammation

breasts of women that are swollen with pain ! of the lungs and breasts, pleurisy, scabs,

and heal, as also the privy parts of man or I itch, &c. It is under the celestial sign

woman, the seat or fundament, or the ar-| Cancer.

teries, joints, and sinews, when they are i

inflamed and swollen, doth much ease them; j ARTICHOKES.

and used with some salt, helps to dissolve I ,

knots or kernels in any part of the body.! J HE Latin , s cal1 them Ci era, only our

The juice of the herb, or as (Dioscorides j co " e e calls them Artichocus.

saith) the leaves and flowers, with some fine { Gwermaent and virtues.'] They are under

Frankincense in powder, used in wounds ofi the domuuon of Venus, and therefore it is

the body, nerves or sinews, doth singulaily | no marvel the J provoke lust, as indeed

help to heal them. The distilled water of ! the / do, being somewhat windy meat;

the herb performs well all the aforesaid I and ? el the J sta y the involuntary course of

cures, but especially for inflammations or J natural seed m man, which is commonly

the eyes, by reason of the de- ! called nocturnal pollutions. And here I
eum unto them. \ care not g rea "J ^ I quote a little of Galen's

watering of

fluxion of rheum unto them. I care n l g rea HJ ir 1 H uote a lltlle 0| ^ a 'en's

, nonsense in his treatise of the faculties of

HEART S-EASE.

nourishment. He saith, they contain plenty

i : i . i / i i i . *

without danger or Having tneir tongues i ,-.- .

burned through with an hot iron, called an 1 melancholy juice thin choleric blood. But,
herb of the Trinity. It is also called by ! to P>w*lr! this is certain, that the clecoo-
those that are more moderate, Three Faces!? 011 of the root boiled in wine, or the root
in a Hood, Live in Idleness, Cull me to bruised and distilled in wine in an alembic,
you; and in Sussex we call them Fancies. and Dein S drank ' P ur es b ? unne ex ceed-

P/ace.] Besides those which are brought j in S l y-

up in gardens, they grow commonly wild! HART'S-TONGUE.

in the fields, especially in such as are very j

barren: sometimes you may find it on the j Descript.'] THIS has divers leaves arising
tops of the high hills. | from the root, everyone severally, which

Time.'] They flower all the Spring and
Summer long.

Government and virtues.] The herb is

fold themselves in their first springing and
spreading : when they are full grown, are
about a foot long, smooth and green above,

eally saturnine, something cold, viscous, j but hard and with little sap in them, and
and slimy A strong decoction of the herbs 1 streaked on the back, athwart on both sides
and flowers (if you will, you may make itjof the middle rib, with small and some-
intosyrup) is an excellentcure for the French i what long and brownish marks; the bot-
pox, the herb being a gallant antivenereal : | toms of the leaves are a little bowed on
and what antivenereals are the best cure for i each side of the middle rib, somewhat
that disease, far better and safer than to! small at the end. The root is of many
.orment them with the flux, divers foreign! black threads, folded or interlaced together
physicians have confessed. The spirit of; Time.'] It is girrn all the Winter; but
't is excellently good for the convulsions in I new leaves spring every year,
thildren, as also for the falling sickness,! Government and virtues."] Jupiter claims

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. O>

dominion over this herb, therefore it is a j was the father of slander ; Or are men's
singular remedy for the liver, both to j tongues so given to slander one another,
strengthen *!; when weak, and ease it when 5 that they must slander Nuts too, to keep
afflicted, you shall do well to keep it in a! their tongues in use? If any part of the
syrup all the year; For though authors say I Hazel Nut be stopping, it is the husks and
it is green all the year, I scarcely believe it. | shells, and no one is so mad as to eat them
Hart's Tongue is much commended against j unless physically ; and the red skin which
the hardness and stoppings of the spleen j covers the kernel, you may easily pull off
and liver, and against the heat of the liver j Anil so thus have I made an apology for
and stomach, and against lasks, and the j Nuts, which cannot speak for themselves,
bloody-flux. The distilled water thereof is
also very good against the passions of the

heart, and to stay the hiccough, to help

THERE are several sorts of Hawk -weed,

the falling of the palate, and to stay the \ but they are similar in virtues.

bleeding of the gums, being gargled in the
mouth. Dioscorides saith, it is good against

Descript.~\ It has many large leaves
lying upon the ground, much rent or torn

the stinging or biting of serpents. As Tor on the sides into gashes like Dandelion,
the use of it, my direction at the latter end j but with greater parts, more like the
will be sufficient, and enough for those that | smooth Sow Thistle, from among which
are studious in physic, to whet their brains rises a hollow, rough stalk, two or three
upon for one year or two. j feet high, branched from the middle up-

$ ward, Avhereo-n are set at every joint longer

TT A 7 T* T XTTT T * O

| leaves, little or nothing rent or cut, bearing

HAZEL Nuts are so well known to every ton them sundry pale, yellow flowers, con-
body, that they need no description. j sisting of many small, narrow leaves, broad
Government and virtues^ They are under | pointed, and nicked in at the ends, set
the dominion of Mercury. The parted j in a double row or more, the outermost
kernels made into an electuary, or the milk j being larger than the inner, which form
drawn from the kernels with mead or > most of the Hawk-weeds (for there are
honeyed water, is very good to help an old ; many kinds of them) do hold, which turn
cough; and being parched, and a little j into down, and with the small brown-

pepper put to them and drank, digests the;
distillations of rheum from the head. The

ish seed is blown away with the wind. The
root is long and somewhat great, with

dried husks and shells, to the weight of two j many small fibres thereat. The whole plan*
drams, taken in red wine, stays lasks and > is full of bitter-milk.

women's courses, and so doth the red skin j Placed] It grows in divers places about
that covers the kernels, which is more ef- the field sides, and the path-ways in dry

fectual to stay women's courses.

And if this be true, as it is, then why

grounds.

Time.'] It flowers and flies away in thft

* 7 j j

should the vulgar so familiarly affirm, that \ Summer months.

eating nuts causes shortness of breath, than j Government and virtues.^ Saturn owns

which nothing is falser? For, how can that jit. Hawk-weed (saith Dioscorides) is cool-

which strengthens the lungs, cause shortness
of breath ? I confess, the opinion is far
oJder than I am ; I knew tradition was a
friend to error before, but never that he

ing, somewhat drying and binding, and
therefore good for the heat of the stomach,
and gnawings therein ; for inflammations
and the hot fits of agues. The juice thereof

90 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

in wine, helps digestion, discusses wind,! day, it rather shews the superstition of
hinders crudities abiding in the stomach, I those that observe it for the time of its
and helps the difficulty of making water, j flowering, than any great wonder, since

the biting of venomous serpents, and sting-
ing of the scorpion, if the herb be also
outwardly applied to the place, and is very
good against all other poisons. A scruple
of the dried root given in wine and vine-

the like may be found in divers other place*
of this land ; as in Whey-street in Roinney
Marsh, and near unto Nantwich in Che-
shire, by a place called White Green, whore
it flowers about Christmas and May. It

gar, is profitable for those that have the \ the weather be frosty, it flowers not until
dropsy. The decoction of the herb taken ! January, or that the hard weather be over,
in honey, digests the phlegm in the chest : Government and virtues.'] It is a tree o
or lungs, and with Hyssop helps the cough, j Mars. The seeds in the berries beaten to
The decoction thereof, and of wild Sue- j powder being drank in -wine, are held sin-
cory, made with wine, and taken, helps the \ gularly good against the stone, and are good
wind cholic and hardness of the spleen ; it | for the dropsy. The distilled water of the
procures rest and sleep, hinders venery j flowers stay the lask. The seed cleared
and venerous dreams, cooling heats, purges! from the down, bruised and boiled in wine,

the stomach, increases blood, and helps
the diseases of the icins and bladder. Out-
wardly applied, it is singularly good for

and drank, is good for inward tormenting
pains. If cloths or sponges be wet in the
distilled water, and applied to any place

all the defects and diseases of the eyes, used wherein thorns and splinters, or the like,
with some women's milk; and used with! do abide in the flesh, it will notably draw
good success in fretting or creeping ulcers, j them forth.

especially in the beginning. The green 1 And thus you see the thorn gives a medi-
leaves druised, and with a little salt ap- ! cine for its own pricking, and so doth
plied to any place burnt with fire, before j almost every thing else,
blisters do rise, helps them ; as also in- j

flammat ons, St. Anthony's fire, and alii HEMLOCK.

pushes and eruptions, hot and salt phlegm, j

The same applied with meal and fair water* Descript.~\ THE common great Hemlock
in manner of a poultice, to any place af- 1 grows up with a green stalk, four or five
fected with convulsions, the cramp, and j feet high, or more, full of red spots son iv-
such as are out af joint, doth give help and | times, and at the joints very large winged
ease. The distilled water cleanses the skin, Heaves set at them, which are divided into
and takes away freckles, spots, morphew, : many other winged leaves, one set against
or wrinkles in the face. jthe other, dented about the edges, of a sad

\ green colour, branched towards the top,
j where it is full of umbels of while flowers,

IT is not my intention to trouble you t and afterwards with whitish flat seed : The
with a description of this tree, which is so j root is long, white, and sometimes crooked,
well known that it needs none. It is ordi- jand hollow within. The whole plant, ami
ndrily but a hedge bush, although being j every part, has a strong, heady, and ill-
pruned and dressed, it grows to a tree of | savoured scent, much offending the senses
a reasonable height. Place.'] It grows in all counties of this

As for the Hawthorn Tree at Glastonbury, j land, by walls and hedge-sides, in wast
which is said to flower yearly on Christmas- 'grounds and unfilled places.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. til

Time.'] It flowers and seeds in July, or< HEMP

thereabouts.

Government and virtues.'] Saturn claims? Tins is so well known to every good
dominion over this herb, yet I wonder why \ housewife in the country, that I shall not
: t may not be applied to the privities in a | need to write any description of it.
Priapism, or continual standing of the yard, \ Time.] It is sown in the very end 01
t being very beneficial to that disease ; I ; March, or beginning of April, and is ripe
/suppose, my author's judgment was first : in August or September,
upon the opposite disposition of Saturn to j Government and virtuesJ] It is a plant of
Venus in those faculties, and therefore he | Saturn, and good for something else, you
forbade the applying of it to those parts, I see, than to make halters only. The seed
that it might not cause barrenness, or spoil \ of Hemp consumes wind, and by too much
the spirit procreative ; which if it do, yet j use thereof disperses it so much that it
applied to the privities, it stops its lustful j dries up the natural seed for procreation;
thoughts. Hemlock is exceedingly cold, j yet, being boiled in milk and taken, helps
and very dangerous, especially to be taken j such as have a hot dry cough. The Dutch
inwardly. It may safely be applied to in- \ make an emulsion out of the seed, and give
{laminations, tumours, and swellings in any \ it with good success to those that have the
part of the body (save the privy parts) as j jaundice, especially in the beginning of the
also to St. Anthony's fire, wheals, pushes, j disease, if there be no ague accompanying
and creeping ulcers that arise of hot sharp j it, for it opens obstructions of the gall, and
humours, by cooling and repelling the heat; | causes digestion of choler. The emulsion
the leaves bruised and laid to the brow or j or decoction of the seed stays lasks and
forehead aie good for their eyes that are red j continual fluxes, eases the cholic, and allays
and swollen ; as also to take away a pin | the troublesome humours in the bowels,
and web growing in the eye ; this is a tried \ and stays bleeding at the mouth, nose, or

other places, some of the leaves being fried

medicine: Take a small handful of this
herb, and half so much bay salt, beaten
together, and applied to the contrary wrist

with the blood of them that bleed, and so
given them to eat. It is held very good to

of the hand, for 24 hours, doth remove it | kill the worms in men or beasts ; and the
in thrice dressing. If the root thereof be j juice dropped into the ears kills worms in
roasted under the embers, wrapped in dou- j them ; and draws forth earwigs, or other
ble wet paper, until it be soft and tender, { living creatures gotten into them. The de-
and then applied to the gout in the hands 5 coction of the root allays inflammations of
or fingers, it will quickly help this evil, the head, or any other parts : the herb it-

If any through mistake eat the herb Hem-
lock instead of Parsley, or the roots in-

self, or the distilled water thereof doth the
like. The decoction of the root eases the

stead of a Parsnip (both of which it is very | pains of the gout, the hard humours of
like) whereby happens a kind of frenzy, or | knots in the joints, the pains and shrinking
perturbation of the senses, as if they were \ of the sinews, and the pains of the hips
stupid and drunk, the remedy is (as Pliny t The fresh juice mixed with a' little oil and
saith) to drink of the best and strongest ] butter, is good for any place that hath been
pure wine, before it strikes to the heart, or | burnt with fire, being thereto applied
Gentian put in wine, or a draught of vine- 1
gar, wherewith Tragus doth affirm, that he}
cured a woman that had eaten the root. Descnpt.~] OUR, common Henbane ha)

B B

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

veiy large, thick, soft, woolly leaves, lying 'found without it growing by it. Ergo, it
on the ground, much cut in, or torn on the I is an herb of Saturn. The leaves of Hen-
edges, of a dark, ill greyish green colour ; r bane do cool all hot inflammations in ih
among which arise up divers thick and \ eyes, or any other part of the body ; and
short stalks, two or three feet high, spread j are good to assuage all manner of swellings
into divers small branches, with lesser leaves* of the privities, or women's breast, orelse-
on them, and many hollow flowers, scarce \ where, if they be boiled in wine, and either
appearing above the husk, and usually torn | applied themselves, or the fomentation
on one side, ending in five round points, j warm; it also assuages the pain of the gout,
growing one above another, of a deadish the sciatica, and other pains in the joints
yellowish colour, somewhat paler towards \ which arise from a hot cause. And applied
the edges, with many purplish veins | with vinegar to the forehead and temples,
therein, and of a dark, yellowish purple! helps the head-ache and want of sleep in
in the bottom of the flower, with a small \ hot fevers. The juice of the herb or seed,
point of the same colour in the middle, * or the oil drawn from the seed, does the
each of them standing in a hard close husk, Hike. The oil of the seed is helpful for
which after the flowers are past, grow very \ deafness, noise, and worms in the ears,
like the husk of Asarabacca, and some- 1 being dropped therein; the juice of the
what sharp at the top points, wherein is j herb or root doth the same. The decoction
contained much small see"d, very like Poppy {of the herb or seed, or both, kills lice in
seed, but of a dusky, greyish colour. The \ man or beast. The fume of the dried herb,
root is great, white, and thick, branching! stalks and seed, burned, quickly heals
forth divers ways under ground, so like a I swellings, chilblains or kibes in the hands
Parsnip root (but that it is not so white) j or feet, by holding them in the fume therc-
that it has deceived others. The whole plant * of. The remedy to help those that have
more than the root, has a very heavy, ill, j taken Henbane is to drink goat's milk,
soporiferous smell, somewhat offensive. j honeyed water, or pine kernels, with^swect

Place.'] It commonly grows by the way- j wine ; or, in the absence of these, Fennel
sides, and under hedge-sides and walls. 5 seed, Nettle seed, the seed of Cresses,

Time.'] It flowers in July, and springs j Mustard, or Radish ; as also Onions or
again yearly of its own seed. I doubt my Garlic taken in wine, do all help to free
authors mistook July for June, if not for * them from danger, and restore them to their
May. due temper again.

Government and virtues.'] I wonder how j Take notice, that this herb must never
astrologers could lake on them to make this ; be taken inwardly ; outwardly, an oil oint-
an herb of Jupiter; and yet Mizaldus, a j meat, or plaistcr of it, is most admirable
man of a penetrating brain, was of that; for the gout, to cool the vcneral heat of the
opinion as well as the rest ; the herb is in- j reins in the French pox ; to stop the tooth-
deed under the dominion of Saturn, and; ache, being applied to the aching side: to
I prove it by this argument: All the herbs j allay all inflammations, and to help the
which delight most to grow in saturnine diseases before premised,
places, are saturnine herbs. Both Hen- j HEDGE HYSSOP

bane delights most to grow in saturnine |

places, and whole cart loads of it may bet DIVERRS sorts there are of this plant ;
found near the places where they empty the j the first of which is an Italian by birth, and
common Jakes, and scarce a ditch to be j only nursed up here in the gardens of the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 93

curious. Two or three sorts are found com- 1 Bears-foot, Christmas-herb, and Chnstmas-

monly growing wild here, the description | flowers.

of two of which I shall give you. Descript.] It hath sundry fair green

Descript.'] The first is a smooth, low \ leaves rising from the root, each of them
plant, not a foot high, very bitter in taste, \ standing about an handful high from the
with many square stalks, diversly branched \ earth; each leaf is divided into seven, eight,
from the bottom to the top, with divers * or nine parts, dented from the middle of
joints, and two small leaves at each joint, j the leaf to the point on both sides, abiding
broader at the bottom than they are at the I green all the Winter; about Christmas-
end, a little dented about the edges, of a; time, if the weather be any thing temperate,
sad green colour, and full of veins. The I the flowers appear upon foot stalks, also
flowers stand at the joints, being of a fair : consisting of five large, round, white leaves
purple colour, with some white spots in |a-piece, which sometimes are purple towards
them, in fashion like those of dead nettles, i the edges, with many pale yellow thumbs
The seed is small and yellow, and the roots! in the middle; the seeds are divided into
spread much under ground. \ several cells, like those of Columbines.

The second seldom grows half a foot* save only that they are greater; the seeds
high, sending up many small branches, are in colour black, and in form long and
whereon grow many small leaves, set one | round. The root consists of numberless
against the other, somewhat broad, but \ blackish strings all united into one head.
very short. The flowers are like the flowers I There is another Black Hellebore, which
of the other fashion, but of a pale reddish I grows up and down in the woods very like
colour. The seeds are small and yellowish. ? this, but only that the leaves are smaller
The root spreads like the other, neither will \ and narrower, and perish in the Winter,
it yield to its fellow one ace of bitterness. \ which this doth not.

Place.~\ They grow- in wet low grounds, | Place.'] The first is maintained in gar-
and by the water-sides; the last may be j dens. The second is commonly found in
found among the bogs on Hampstead Heath. \ the woods in Northamptonshire.

Time.'] They flower in June or July, i Time.'] The first flowers in December
and the seed is ripe presently after. \ or January ; the second in February or

Government and virtues.'] They are herbs 1 March.

of Mars, and as choleric and churlish as \ Government and virtues.'] It is an herb ot
he is, being most violent purges, especially j Saturn, and therefore no marvel if it has
of choler and phlegm. It is not safe taking | some sullen conditions with it, and would
them inwardly, unless they -be well rectified | be far safer, being purified by the art of the
by the art of the alchymist, and only the j alchymist than given raw. If any have
purity of them given; so used they may be {taken any harm by taking it, the common
very helpful both for the dropsy, gout, I cure is to take goat's milk : If you cannot
and sciatica ; outwardly used in ointments > get goat's milk, you must make a shift with

they kill worms, the belly anointed with it,
and are excellently good to cleanse old and
filthy ulcers

such as you can get. The roots are very
effectual against all melancholy diseases,
especially such as are of long standing, as
! quartan agues and madness; it helps the

BLACK HELLEBORE. \ falling sickness, the leprosy, both the. yel-

i low and black jaundice, the gout, sciatica,
IT is also called Setter-wort, Setter-grass, ( and convulsions ; and this was found out

d4 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

by experience, that the root of that which (stay blood, where or howsoever flowing , it
grows wild in our country, works not so \ speedily heals all green wounds, and is
churlishly as those do which are brought j effectual in old ulcers in the privy parts, or
from beyond sea, as being maintained by j elsewhere. You may persuade yourself
temperate air. The root used as this is true, and also conceive a good reason

for it, do but consider it is an herb of
Venus, for all it hath a man's name.

HERB TRUE-LOVE, OR ONE-BERRY.

a more

a pessary, provokes the terms exceedingly .
also being beaten into powder, and strewed
upon foul ulcers, it consumes the dead
flesh, and instantly heals them; nay, it
will help gangrenes in the beginning.
Twenty grains taken inwardly is a sufficient
dose for one time, and let that be corrected
with half so much cinnamon ; country peo-
ple used to rowel their cattle with it. If a
beast be troubled with a cough, or have
taken any poison, they bore a hole through
the ear, and put a piece of the root in it,
this will help him in 24 hours time. Many
other uses farriers put it to which I
forbear.

HERB ROBERT.

THE Herb Robert is held in great esti-
mation by farmers, who use it in diseases
of their cattle.

DescriptJ] It rises up with a reddish
stalk two feet high, having divers leaves
thereon, upon very long nnd reddish foot-

stalks, divided at the ends into three or
five divisions, each of them cut in on the
edges, which sometimes turn reddish. At
the tops of the stalks come forth divers
flowers made of five leaves, much larger
than the Dove's-foot, and of a more reddish
colour; after which come black heads, as in
others. The root is small and thready,
and smells, as the whole plant, very strong,
almost stinking.

Placed] This grows frequently every
where by the way-sides, upon ditch banks
and waste grounds wheresoever one goes.

Time.~\ It flowers in June and July
chiefly, and the seed is ripe shortly after.

Government and virtues."] It is under the
dominion of Venus. Herb Robert is com- ;

Descript.~\ ORDINARY Herb True-love
has a small creeping root running under the
uppermost crust of the ground, somewhat
like couch grass root, but not so white,
shooting forth stalks with leaves, some
whereof carry no berries, the others do;
every stalk smooth without joints, and
blackish green, rising about half a foot high,
if it bear berries, other wise seldom so high,
shall 1 bearing at the top four leaves set directly
' one against another, in manner of a cross
or ribband tied (as it is called in a true-
loves knot,) which are each of them apart
somewhat like unto a night-shade leaf, but
somewhat broader, having sometimes three
leaves, sometimes five, sometimes six, and
those sometimes greater than in others, in
the middle of the four leaves rise up one
small slender stalk, about an inch high,

bearing at the lops thereof one flower spread
open like a star, consisting of four small
and long narrow pointed leaves of a yellow-
ish green colour, and four others lying
between them lesser than they ; in the mid-
dle whereof stands a round dark purplish
button or head, compassed about with
eight small yellow mealy threads with three
colours, making it the more conspicuous,
| and lovely to behold. This button or head
'in the middle, when the other leaves are
withered, becomes a blackish purple berry,
full of juice, of the bigness of a reasonable
grape, having within it many white seeds.
The whole plant is without any manifest
taste.

Place.'] It grows in woods and copses,

mended not only against the stone, but to \ and sometimes in the corners or bordeis of

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 05

fields, and waste grounds in very many j Hyssop boiled with rue and honey, and

places of this land, and abundantly in the | drank, helps those that are troubled with

woods, copses, and other places about j coughs, shortness of breath, wheezing and

' Chislehurst and Maidslone in Kent. { rheumatic distillation upon the lungs ; taken

Time.'] They spring up in the middle of j also with oxyrnel, it purges gross humours
April or May, and are in flower soon after. ; by stool ; and with honey, kills worms in
The berries are ripe in the end of Mayjthe belly; and with fresh and new figs
and in some places in June. j bruised, helps to loosen the belly, and more

Government and virtues.] Venus owns it; \ forcibly if the root of Flower-de-luce and
the leaves or berries hereof are effectual to j ci esses be added thereto. It amends and
expel poison of all sorts, especially that of j cherishes the native colour of the body,
the aconites; as also, the plague, and other j spoiled by the yellow jaundice; and being
pestilential disorders; Matthiolus saith, that ; taken with figs and nitre, helps the dropsy
some that have lain long in a lingering sick- j and spleen; being boiled with wine, it is
ness, and others that by witchcraft (as it j good to wash inflammations, and takes
was thought) were become half foolish, by? away the black and blue spots and marks

taking a dram of the seeds or berries hereof
in powder every day for 20 days together,
were restored to their former health. The
roots in powder taken in wine eases the
pains of the cholic speedily. The leaves
are very effectual as well for green wounds,

that corne by strokes, bruises, or falls, being
applied with warm water. It is an excellent
medicine for the quinsy, or swellings in
the throat, to wash and gargle it, being
boiled in figs; it helps the tooth-ache, being
boiled in vinegar and gargled therewith.

as to cleanse and heal up filthy old sores \ The hot vapours of the decoction taken by
and ulcers; and is very powerful to discuss j a funnel in at the ears, eases the inflamma-
all tumours and swellings in the privy \ tions and singing noise of them. Being
parts, the groin, or in any part of the body, j bruised, and salt, honey, and cummin seed
and speedily to allay all inflammations, t put to it, helps those that are stung by
The juice of the leaves applied to felons, or ; serpents. The oil thereof (the head being
those nails of the hands or toes that have * anointed) kills lice, and takes away itching
imposthumes or sores gathered together at jof the head. It helps those that have the
the roots of them, heals them in a short \ falling sickness, which way soever it be
space. The herb is not to be described for I applied. It helps to expectorate tough
the premises, but is fit to be nourished in t phlegm, and is effectual in all cold griefs
every good woman's garden. i or diseases of the chests or lungs, being

taken either in syrup or licking medicine.
The green herb bruised and a little sugar
put thereto, doth quickly heal any cut or

HYSSOP.

HYSSOP is so well known to be an inha-
bitant in every garden, that it will save me

green wounds, being thereunto applied.

HOPS.

labour in writing a description thereof. The
virtues are as follow.

Government and virtues.'] The herb is!
Jupiter's,and the sign Cancer. It strengthens! THESE are so well known that they need
nil the parts of the body under Cancer and j no description ; I mean the manured kind,
Jupiter; which what they may be, is found j which every good husband or housewife is
amply described in my astrological judg- \ acquainted with.

ment of diseases. Dioscorides saith, that *. Descript.'] The wild hop grows up as the

c c

96 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

other doth, ramping upoa trees or hedges, {

that stand next to diem, with rough branches { OREHOUND.

and leaves like the former, but it gives; THERE are two kinds of Horehound,
smaller heads, and in far less plenty than } the white and the black The black sort
it, so that there is scarcely a head or two j is likewise called Hen^bit ; but the white
seen in a year on divers of this wild kind,; one is here spoken of.
Avherein consists the chief difference. I)escript.~] Common Horehound grows

Place.'] They delight to grow in low; up with square hairy stalks, half a yard or
moist grounds, and are found in all parts ! two feet high, set at the joints with two
of this land. ground crumpled rough leaves of a sullen

Time.'] They spring not until April, and j hoary green colour, of a reasonable good
flower not until the latter end of June ; the* scent, but a very bitter taste. The flowers
heads are not gathered until the middle or j are small, white, and gaping, set in a rough,
latter end of September. I hard prickly husk round about the joints,

Government and virtues.'] It is under the j [with the leaves from the middle of the
dominion of Mars. This, in physical jslalk upward, wherein afterward is found
operations, is to open obstructions of the Ismail round blackish seed. The root is
liver and spleen, to cleanse the blood, to j blackish, hard and woody, with many
loosen the belly, to cleanse the reins from strings,, and abides many years,
gravel, and provoke urine. The decoc-j Place.'] It is found in many parts of
tion of the tops of Hops, as well of the j this land, in dry grounds, and waste green 1
tame as the wild, works the same effects. > places.

In cleansing the blood they help to curej Time.'] It flowers in July, and the seed
the French diseases, and all manner of i is ripe in August.

scabs, itch, and other breakings-out of the \ Government and virtues.'] It is an herb
body ; as also all tetters, ringworms, and j of Mercury. A decoction of the dried
spreading sores, the morphew and all dis-iherb, with the seed, or the juice of the
colouring of the skin. The decoction of i green herb taken with honey, is a remedy
the flowers and hops, do help to expel I for those that are short-winded, have a
poison that anyone hath drank. Half a | cough, or are fallen into a consumption,
dram of the seed in powder taken in drink, i either through long sickness, or thin dis-
kills worms in the body, brings down 5 filiations of rheum upon the lungs. It helps
women's courses, and expels urine. A syrup * to expectorate tough phlegm from the chest,
made of the juice and sugar, cures the yeM being taken from the roots of Iris or Orris,
low jaundice, eases the head-ache that comes : It is given to women to bring down their
of heat, and tempers the heat of the liver! courses, to expel the after-birth, and to
and stomach, and is profitably given in ! them that have taken poison, or are stung
long and hot agues that rise in choler and I or bitten by venemous serpents. The leaves
blood. Both the wild and the manured j used with honey, purge foul ulcers,, stay
are of one property, and alike effectual in: running or creeping sores, and the growing-
all the aforesaid diseases. By all these : of the flesh over the nails. It also- helps
testimonies beer appears to be better than j pains of the sides. The juice thereof with
ale. i wine and honey, helps to clear die eye-

Mars owns the plant, and then Dr. Rea-*' sight, and snuffed up into- the nostrils,
son will tell you how it performs these j purges away the yellow -jaundice, and -with
actions. ja liitle oil of roses dropped into- the eara,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

eases the pains of them. Galen saith, it Time.] They spring up in April, an
opens obstructions both of the liver and > their blooming catkins in July, seeding fc.

* i .11 11 /* 1 1 1 . A i

spleen, and purges the breast and lungs of
phlegm : and used outwardly it both
cleanses and digests. A decoction of Hore-
houncl (saith Matthiolus) is available for
those that have hard livers, and far such as
have itches and running tetters. The pow-

the most part in August, and then peri*
down to the ground, rising afresh in ti
Spring.

Government and virtues.'] The herb be-
longs to Saturn, yet is very harmless, and
excellently good for the things following:

der hereof taken, or the decoction, kills j; Horsetail, the smoother rather than the
worms. The green leaves bruised, and 'rough, and the leaves rather than the bare,
boiled in old hog's grease into an oint-jis most physical. It its very powerful tir
ment, heals the biting of dogs, abates the; staunch bleeding either inward or outward,
swellings and pains that come by any I the juice or the decoction thereof being
pricking of thorns, or such like means; and [drank, or the juice, decoction, or distilled
used with vinegar, cleanses and heals tetters. water applied outwardly. It also stays all
There is a syrup made of Horehound to be sorts of lasks and fluxes in man or woman-

had at the apothecaries, very good for old
coughs, to rid the tough phlegm ; as also

and bloody urine ; and heals also not only
the inward ulcers, and the excoriation

to void cold rheums from the lungs of old ! the entrails, bladder, &c. but all other sorts

folks, and for those that are asthmatic o-rj of foul, moist and running ulcers, and soon

short-winded. \ solders together the tops of green wounds.

_-,,.. lit cures all ruptures in children. The de-

HOKbEIAlli. . , ' . i- i i

\ coction thereof in wine being drank, pro-

OF that there are many kinds, but I shall j vokcs urine, and helps the stone and stran-
not trouble you nor myself with any large j guary ; and the distilled water thereof drank
description of them, which to do, were {two or three times in a day, and a small
but, as the proverb is, To find a knot in a | quantity at a time, also eases the bowels,
rush, all the kinds thereof being nothing j ant } j s effectual against a cough that comes
else but knotted rushes, some with leaves, | by distillations from the head. The juice
and some without. Take the description of j or distilled water being wanned, and hot
the most eminent sort as follows. \ inflammations, pustules or red whcals, and

The great Horsetail at the other breakings-out in the skin, bein
first Sflrfogilg has heads somewhat like | bathed therewith, doth help them, and doth
thoseof asparagus,and afterwards growtobej n o less 'he swelling heat and inflammation
hard, rough, hollow stalks, jointed at sundry : o f the lower parts in men and women.
places up to the top, a foot high, so made:

as if the lower parts were put into thej HOUSBLEEK on SENCREEN

upper, where grow on each side a bush of \ BOTH these are so well known to my
small long rush-like hard leaves, each part 5 countrymen, that I shall not need to write
resembling a horsetail, from whence it is so j any description of them.
called. At the tops of the stalks cornej Place.] It grows commonly upon walls:
forth small catkins, like those of trees. The and house-sides, and flowers in July,
Toot creeps under ground, having joints at | Government and virtues] It is an herb
sundry places. ? of Jupiter, and it is reported by Mezaldus,

Place.] This (as most of the other sorts | to preserve what it grows upon from fare
iereofj grows in wet grounds. land lightning. Our ordinary Houseleek is

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

>od for all inward heats as well as out-
ward, and in the eyes or other parts of the
body ; a posset made with the juice of
Houseleek, is singularly good in all hot
agues, for it cools and tempers the blood
and spirits, and quenches the thirst; and

which consist of small purplish red leaves
of a dead colour, rising out of the husks
wherein they stand with some threads in
the middle. It has sometimes a white
flower. After the flowers are past, there
comes rough flat seed, with a small pointlc

,| "111 1 1

also good to slay all hot deductions or sharp in the middle, easily cleaving to any gar-
and salt rheums in the eyes, the juice being | ment that it touches, and not so easiH
dropped into them, or into the ears. | pulled off again. The root is black, thick,
It helps also other fluxes of humours in the i and long, hard to break, and full of clammy
bowels, and the immoderate, courses of juice, smelling somewhat strong, of an evil

women. It cools and restrains all other hot
inflammations, St. Anthony's fire, scald-

ings and burnings, the shingles, fretting; land, in waste grounds, and untillecl places,

ulcers, cankers, tettors, ringworms, and the
like ; and much eases the pains of the gout
proceeding from any hot cause. The juice

scent, as the leaves also do.

Place.'] It grows in moist places of this

by highway sides, lanes, and hedge-sides.

Time.'] It flowers about May or June,
and the seed is ripe shortly after.

also takes away worts and corns in the Government and virtues.'] It is a plant
hands or feet, being often bathed therewith, } under the dominion of Mercury. The root

* is very effectually used in pills, as well as
the decoction, or otherwise, to slay all sharp
and thin defluxions of rheum from the head
into the eyes or nose, or upon ihe stomach

and the skin and leaves being laid on them
afterwards. It eases also the head-ache,
and distempered heat of the brain in
frenzies, or through want of sleep, being
applied to the temples and forehead. The
leaves bruised and laid upon the crown or
seam of the head, stays bleeding at the nose
very quickly. The distilled water of the
herb is profitable for all the purposes afore-
said. The leaves being gently rubbed on

or lungs, as also for coughs and shortness
of breath. The leaves boiled in wine (saith
Dioscorides, but others do rather appoint it
to be made with water, and add thereto
oil and salt) molifies or opens the belly
downwards. It also helps to cure the biting

HOUND S TONGUE.

any place stung with neltles or bees, dolh of a mad dog, some of the leaves being also
quickly lake away the pain. \ applied to the wound : The leaves bruised,

or the juice of ihem boiled 111 ^ Js lard,
and applied, helps falling away of the hair,
which comes of hot and sharp humours ;
as also for any place that is scalded or
burnt ; the leaves bruised and laid to any
green wound doth heal it up quickly : the
root baked under the embers, wrapped in
paste or wet paper, or in a wet double cloth,
and thereof a suppository made, and put
up into or applied to the fundament, dolh
very effectually help the painful piles or
hemorrhoids. The distilled waler of the
| herbs and roots is very good to all the pur-

f)escript.~] THE greal ordinary Hound's
Tongue has many long and somewhat
narrow, soft, hairy, darkish green leaves,
lying on the ground, somewhat like unto
Bugloss leaves, from among which rises
up a rough hairy stalk about two feet high,
with some smaller leaves thereon, and
branched at the tops into divers parts, with
a small leaf at the foot of every branch,
which is somewhat long, with many flowers
set along the same, which branch is crooked

or turned inwards before it flowers, and \ poses aforesaid, to be used as well inwardly
opens by degrees as the flowers blow, | to drink, as outwardly to wash any sore

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 99

place, for it heals all manner of wounds and | a-piece, with many yellow threads in ihe
punctures, and those foul ulcers that arise j middle, which being bruised do yield a red-
by the French pox. Mizaldus adds that | dish juice like blood; after which come
the leaves laid under the feet, will keep the | small round heads, wherein is contained
dogs from barking at you. It is called | small blackish seed smelling like rosin.
Hound's-tongue, because it ties the tongues I The root is hard and woody, with divers
of hounds ; whether true, or not, I never j strings and fibres at it, of a brownish colour,
tried, yet I cured the biting of a mad dog j which abides in the ground many years,
with this only medicine. {shooting anew every Spring.

Place.l This grows in woods and copses,

HOLLY, HOLM, OH HULVEK BUSH. as ^ ^ jgj^ ^^ as ^ *

FOR to describe a tree so well known is sun.
needless. Time.'] They flower about Midsummer

Government and virtues."] The tree is j and July, and their seed is ripe in the latter
Saturnine. The berries expel wind, and i end of July or August,
therefore are held to be profitable in the \ Government and virtues.] It is under the
cholic. The berries have a strong faculty } celestial sign Leo, and the dominion of the
with them ; for if you eat a dozen of them! Sun. It may be, if you meet a Papist, he
in the morning fasting when they are ripe j will tell you, especially if he be a lawyer,
arid not dried, they purge the body of gross j that St. John made it over to him by a
and clammy phlegm : but if you dry the ; letter of attorney. It is a singular wound
berries, and beat them into powder, they \ herb; boiled in wine and drank, it heals
bind the body, and stop fluxes, bloody-) inward hurts or bruises ; made into an oint-

1 1 1.1 * mi 11? . i i_ * * i * i 11

fluxes, and the terms in women. The bark
of the tree, and also the leaves, are excel- '
Jently good, being used in fomentations for

ment, it open obstructions, dissolves swell-
ings, and closes up the lips of wounds. The
decoction of the herb and flowers, especi-

brpken bones, and such members as are out j ally of the seed, being drank in wine, with
of joint. Pliny saith, the branches of the! the juice of knot-grass, helps all manner of
tree defend houses from lightning, and men : vomiting and spitting of blood, is good for
from witchcraft. j those that are bitten or stung by any veno-

ST JOHN'S WORT jmous creature, and for those that cannot

t make water. Two drams of the seed of

THIS is a very beautiful shrub, and is! St. John's Wort made into powder, and
u great ornament to our meadows. | drank in a little broth, doth gently expel

DescriptJ] Common St. John's Wort j choler or congealed blood in the stomach,
shoots forth brownish, upright, hard, round ! The decoction of the leaves and seeds
stalks, two feet high, spreading many? drank somewhat warm before the fits of
branches from the sides up to the tops of \ agues, whether they be tertains or quartans,
them, with two small leaves set one against j alters the fits, and, by often using, doth
anothei at every place, which are of a deep ! take them quite away. The seed is much
green colour, somewhat like the leaves of | commended, being drank for forty days
the lesser Centaury, but narrow, and full of | together, to help the sciatica, the falling,
small holes in every leaf, which cannot be 5 sickness, and the palsy,
so well perceived, as when they are held up }

to the light; at the tops of the stalks and j IVY *

branches stand yellow flowers of five leaves \ IT is so we'll known to every child

D D

100 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

almost, to gro\v in woods upon the trees, f and nose, and curing the ulcers and stench
and upon the stone walls of churches, j therein ; the same dropped into the ears
houses, &c. and sometimes to grow alone of} helps the old and running sores of them
itself, though but seldom, j those that are troubled with the spleen,

Time.'] It flowers not until July, and j shall find much ease by continual drinking
the berries are not ripe till Christmas, when | out of a cup made of Ivy, so as the drink
they have felt Winter frosts. \ may stand some small time therein before

Government and virtues.'] It is under the lit be drank. Cato saith, That wine put
dominion of Saturn. A pugil of the flowers, j into such a cup, will soak through it, by
which may be about a dram, (saith Diosco- { reason of the antipathy that is between
corides) drank twice a day in red wine, | them.

helps the lask, and bloody flux. It is an 1 There seems to be a very great antipathy
enemy to the nerves and sinews, being \ between wine and Ivy ; for if one hath got
much taken inwardly, but very helpful j a surfeit by drinking of wine, his speediest
to them, being outwardly applied. Pliny i cure is to drink a draught of the same wine
saith, the yellow berries are good against j wherein a handful of Ivy leaves, being first
the jaundice ; and taken before one be set \ bruised, have been boiled,
to drink hard, preserves from drunkenness, *
and helps those that spit blood; and thatj

the white berries being taken inwardly, ors FOR to give a description of a bush so>
applied outwardly, kills the worms in the; commonly known is needless,
belly. The 'berries are a singular remedy j Placet] They grow plentifully in divers
to prevent the plague, as also to free them j woods in Kent, Warney common near
from it that have got it, by drinking the i Brentwood in Essex, upon Finchley Corn-
berries thereof made in to a powder, for twojmon without Highgate; hard by the New-
er three days together. They being taken j found Wells near Dulwich, upon a Common
in wine, do certainly help to break the I between Mitcham and Croydon, in the
stone, provoke urine, and women's courses. ! Highgate near Amersham in Buckingham.
The fresh leaves of Ivy, boiled in vinegar, [.shire, and many other places,
and applied warm to the sides of those that i Time.'] The berries are not ripe the first
are troubled with the spleen, ache, or stitch i year, but continue green two Summers and
in the sides, do give much ease : The same | one Winter before they are ripe ; at which
applied with some Rosewater, and oil of j time they are all of a black colour, and
Roses, to the temples and forehead, eases | therefore you shall always find upon the
the head-ache, though it be of long con- \ bush green berries ; the berries are ripe
tinuance. The fresh leaves boiled in wine, j about the fall of the leaf,
and old filthy ulcers hard to be cured j Government and mrtues.~] This admirable
washed therewith, do wonderfully help to | solar shrub is scarce to be paralleled for its
cleanse them. It also quickly hoals green j virtues. The berries are hot in the thirl
wounds, and is effectual to heal all burnings | degree, and dry but in the first, being si
and scaldings, and all kinds of exulcera-' most admirable counter-poison, and as great
tions coming thereby, or by salt phlegm or \ a rcsister of the pestilence, as any growing ;
humours in other parts of the body. The j they are excellent good against the biting,
juice of the berries or leaves snuffed up into; of venomous beasts, they provoke urine
the nose, piirges the head and brain of thin j exceedingly, and therefore are very avail-
rheum that makes defluxions into the eyes ; able to dysuries and stranguaries. It is so

AND KNGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ] ?

powerful a remedy against the dropsy, that; on, usually not round as those below, bui
the very lye made of the ashes of the herb j somewhat long, and divided at the edges :
being drank, cures the disease. It provokes | the tops are somewhat divided into long
the terms, helps the fits of the mother, i branches, bearing a number of flowers, set
strengthens the stomach exceedingly, and j round about a long spike one above another,
expels the wind. Indeed there is scarce a; which are hollow and like a little bell of a
better remedy for wind in any part of the 5 whitish green colour, after which come
body, or the cholic, than the chymical oil > small heads, containing very small brownish

drawn from the berries ; such country ;

seed, which falling on the ground, will

people as know not how to draw the chy- 5 plentifully spring up before Winter, if it
mical oil, may c- ntent themselves by eating \ have moisture. The root is round and most
ten or a dozen of the ripe berries every \ usually smooth, greyish without, and white
morning fasting. They are admirably good J within, having small fibres at the head of
for a cough, shortness of breath, and con-Uhe root, and bottom of the stalk,
sumption, pains in the belly, ruptures, \ Placed] It grows very plentifully in

cramps, and convulsions. They give safe
and speedy delivery to women with child,
they strengthen the brain exceedingly, help

many places of this land, but especially in
all the west parts thereof, upon stone and
mud walls, upon rocks also, and in stony

the memory, and fortify the sight by $ places upon the ground, at the bottom of
strengthening the optic nerves; are excel- j old trees, and sometimes on the bodies of
lently good in all sorts of agues ; help the 1 them that are decayed and rotten,
gout and sciatica, and strengthen the lirnbs j Time.'] It usually flowers in the begin
of the body. The ashes of the wood is aining of May, and the seed ripening quickly
speedy remedy to such as have the scurvy, | after, sheds itself; so that about the end e*
to rub their gums with. The berries stay j May, usually the stalks and leaves are
all fluxes, help the haemorrhoids or piles, j withered, dry, and gone until September,
and kill worms in children. A lye made j then the leaves spring up again, and so
of the ashes of the wood, and the body \ abide all winter.

bathed with it, cures the itch, "scabs and : Government and virtues."] Venus chal-
leprosy. The berries break the stone, i lenges the herb under Libra. The juice
procure appetite when it is lost, and are ! or the distilled water being drank, is very
excellently good for all palsies, and falling- [effectual for all inflammations and unnatural
sickness. j heats, to cool a fainting hot stomach, a hot

KIDNEYWORT, OR WALL PEN N YROYAL, j %*>, OT ^ ^^ V^ ^ ^ ^T
OR WALL PENNYWORT. gj? ** ""* ^'^ T K '

j heals pimples, bt. Anthony s nre, and other

Descript.~] IT has many thick, flat, and ! outward heats. The said juice or water
round leaves growing from the root, every I helps to heal sore kidneys, torn or fretted
one having a long footstalk, fastened un- > by the stone, or exulcerated within ; it also
derneath, about the middle of it, and a > provokes urine, is available for the dropsy,
little unevenly weaved sometimes about the $ and helps to break the stone. Bejng used
edges, of a pale green colour, and some-: as a bath, or made into an ointment, it
what yellow on the upper side like a sau-lcools the painful piles or haemorrhoida-
cer ; from among which arise one or more { veins. It is no less effectual to give ease
tender, smooth, hollow stalks half a foot \ to the pains of the gout, the sciatica, and
igh, with two or three small leaves there- 1 helps the kernels or knots in the neck or

102

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

throat, called the king's evil : healing kibes
and chilblains if they be bathed with the
juice, or anointed with ointment made
thereof, and some of the skin of the leaf
upon them : it is also used in green wounds
to stay the blood, and to heal them quickly.

KNAPWEED.

DescriptJ] THE common sort hereof
has many long and somewhat dark green
leaves, rising from the root, dented about
the edges, and sometimes a little rent or
torn on both sides in two or three places,
and somewhat hairy withal ; amongst
which arises a long round stalk, four or five
feet high, divided into many branches, at
the tops whereof stand great scaly green
heads, and from the middle of them thrust
forth a number of dark purplish red thrumbs
or threads, which after they are withered
and past, there are found divers black
seeds, lying in a great deal of down, some-
what like unto Thistle seed, but smaller ;
the root is white, hard and woody, and divers
fibres annexed thereunto, which perishes
not, but abides with leaves thereon all the
Winter, shooting out fresh every spring.

Place."] It grows in most fields and mea-
dows, and about their borders and hedges,
and in many waste grounds also every

here.

Time.'] It usually flowers in June and
July, and the seed is ripe shortly after.

Government and virtues.] Saturn chal-
lenges the herb for his own. This Knap-
weed helps to stay fluxes, both of blood at
the mouth or nose, or other outward parts,
and those veins that are inwardly broken,
or inward wounds, as also the fluxes of the
belly; it stays distillation of thin and sharp
humours from the head upon the stomach
and lungs ; it is good for those that are
bruised by any fall, blows or otherwise, and
w profitable for those that are bursten, and
have ruptures, by drinking the decoction:

of the herb and roots in wine, and applying
the same outwardly to the place. It is
singularly good in all running sores, can-
cerous and fistulous, drying up of the mois-
ture, and healing them up so gently, with-
out sharpness; it doth the like to i mining
sores or scabs of the head or other parts.
It is of special use for the soreness of the
throat, swelling of the uvula and jaws, and
excellently good to stay bleeding, and heal
up all green wounds.

KNOTGRASS.

IT is generally known so well that it
needs no description.

Place.] It grows in every county of
this land by the highway sides, and by
foot-paths in fields ; as also by the sides of
old walls.

Time.'] It springs up late in the Spring,
and abides until the Winter, when all the
branches perish.

Government and virtues.'] Saturn seems
to me to own the herb, and yet some hold
the Sun; out of doubt 'tis Saturn. The
juice of the common kind of Knotgrass
is most effectual to stay bleeding of the
mouth, being drank in steeled or red wine ;
and the bleeding at the nose, to be applied
to the forehead or temples, or to be squirted
up into the nostrils. It is no less effectual
lo cool and temper the heat of the blood
and stomach, and to stay any flux of the
blood and humours, as lasks, bloody-flux,
women's courses, and running of the reins.
It is singularly good to provoke urine, help
the stranguary, and allays the heat that
comes thereby ; and is powerful by urine
to expel the gravel or stone in the kidneys
and bladder, a dram of the powder of
the herb being taken in wine for many
days together. Being boiled in wine and
drank, it is profitable lo those that are stung
or bitten by venemous creatures, and very
effectual to stay all dcfluxions of rheumatic
humours upon the stomach, and kills worms

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. _ 103

in the belly or stomach, quiets inward pains | Time.'] It flowers in May and June,
that arise from the heat, sharpness and cor- i abides after seedtime green all the Winter
ruption of blood and choler. The distilled | Government and virtues."] Venus claims
water hereof taken by itself or with the J the herb as her own. Ladies' Mantle it
powder of the herb or seed, is very effectual j.very proper for those wounds that have in-
to all the purposes aforesaid, and is ac- S flammations, and is very effectual to stay
counted one of the most sovereign remedies : bleeding, vomitings, fluxes of all sorts,
to cool all manner of inflammations, break- ; bruises by falls or otherwise, and helps rup-
ing out through heat, hot swellings and j tures ; and such women as have large
itnposthumes, gangrene and fistulous can- breasts, causing them to grow less and hard
kers, or foul filthy ulcers, being applied 1 being both drank and outwardly applied ;
Of put into them; but especially for all i the distilled water drank for 20 days toge-

,^l 1 * ' . 1.1.11 .* 1 _ _ I

sorts of ulcers and sores happening in the
privy parts of men and women. It helps
all fresh and green wounds, and speedily

ther helps conception, and to retain the
birth ; if the women do sometimes also sit in
a bath made of the decoction of the herb.

heals them. The juice dropped into the | It is one of the most singular wound herbs

ears, cleanses them being foul, and having
running matter in them.

[t is very prevalent for the premises ; as
also for broken joints and ruptures.

LADIES MANTLE.

that is, and therefore highly prized and
praised by the Germans, who use it in all
wounds inward and outward, to drink a de-
coctron thereof, and wash the wounds there-
with, or dip tents therein, and put them
into the wounds, which wonderfully dries
Descript.'] IT has many leaves rising j up all humidity of the sores, and abates in-
from the root standing upon long hairy | flammations tnerein. It quickly heals all
foot-stalks, being almost round, and a little j green wounds, not suffering any corruption
cut on the edges, into eight or ten parts, j to remain behind, and cures all old sores,
making it seem like a star, with so many ; though fistulous and hollow,
corners and points, and dented round about, i

c i- LAVENDER.

of a light green colour, somewhat hard in <

handling, and as it were folded or plaited i BEING an inhabitant almost in every
at first, and then crumpled in divers places, j garden, it is so well known, that it needs no
and a little hairy, as the stalk is also, which \ description.

rises up among them to the height of two j Time.] It flowers about the end of June,
or three feet; and being Aveak, is not able and beginning of July,
to stand upright, but bended to the ground, | Government and virtues."] Mercury owns
divided at the top into two or three small j the herb; and it carries his effects very po-
oranches, with small yellowish green heads, i tently. Lavender is of a special good use
and flowers of a whitish colour breaking out j for all the griefs and pains of the head and
of them ; which being past, there comes a } brain that proceed of a cold cause, as the
small yellowish seed like a poppy seed : I apoplexy, falling-sickness, the dropsy, or
The root is somewhat long and black, with sluggish malady, cramps, convulsions,
many strings and fibres thereat. \ palsies, and often faintings. It strengthens

Place.'] It grows naturally in many pas- { the stomach, and frees the liver and spleen
tures and wood sides in Hertfordshire, i from obstructions, provokes women's courses,
Wiltshire, and Kent, and other places of | and expels the dead child and after-birth,
this land. *The flowers of Lavender steeped in wine,

E E

101 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

helps them to make water that are stopped, j Descript.~] The root is composed of many
or are troubled with the wind or cholic, if {small while threads from whence spring up
he place be bathed therewith. A decoc-i divers long stalks of winged leaves, consist-
tion made with the flowers of Lavender, j ing of round, tender, dark, green leaves,
Hore-hound, Fennel and Asparagus root, j set one against another upon a middle rib,
and a little Cinnamon, is very profitably : the greatest being at the end, amongst
used to help the falling-sickness, and the \ which arise up divers tender, weak, round,
giddiness or turning of the brain: to gar- j green stalks, somewhat streaked, with lon-
gle the mouth with the decoction thereof i ger and smaller leaves upon them ; on the
is good against the tooth-ache. Two j tops of which stand flowers, almost like the
spoonfuls of the distilled water of the j Stock Gillifiowers, but rounder, and not so
flowers taken, helps them that have lost ; long, of a blushing white colour; the seed
their voice, as also the tremblings and pas- > is reddish, and grows to small branches,
sions of the heart, and fain tings and swoon- \ being of a sharp biting taste, and so has the
ing, not only being drank, but applied to ! herb.

the temples, or nostrils to be smelled unlo ; 5 Placed] They grow in moist places, and
but it is not safe to use it where the body is j near to brooksides.

replete with blood and humours, because of; Time.'] They flower in April and May,
the hot and subtile spirits wherewith it is \ and the lower leaves continue green all the
possessed. The chymical oil drawn from \ Winter.

Lavender, usually called Oil of Spike, isofi Government and virtues.'] They are under
so fierce and piercing a quality, that it is ! the dominion of the Moon, and very little
cautiously to be used, some few drops being S inferior to Water Cresses in all their opera-
sufficient, to be given with other things, ; tions ; they are excellently good for tlte
either for inward or outward griefs. i scurvy, they provoke urine, and break the

LAVENDER-COTTON. | stone, and excellently warm a cold and

T i it 'weak stomach, restoring lost appetite, and
IT being a common .garden herb, 1 shall ; - , ,. . '

forbear the description, only tak^ notice, I

that it flowers in June and July. LETTUCE.

Government and virtues.] It is under the* T n i i

, . . ,. T. r J r . . IT is so well known, being generally used

dominion of Mercury. It resists po.son, Sal , ml . llcl ., , that u is fi^ther Deed,

putrefaction, and heals the biting of veno- , ^ (lescription lhe * coi -

mous beasts : A dram of the powder of the 5 . Go|W||JfJC|rf y and J^j The Moon
dried leaves taken every morning fasting , ^^ ^ anfj ^ fg the J reason t , CQo|
stops the running of the reins m men, and , ftnd mo . gten whftt ^ and dr nes / Mars
vhites in women. I he seed bea ten intoj fa because Maps hag hi ^ jn Cftn _

powder, and taken as womi -seed kills the ; .. the .,

aid th .. oo , the he ., t

worms, not only m children , but also in | Sun rmcs j j^^^ whom and the Mo(m
people of nper years ; the like doth the| jg ft tion in the generation of men, as

erb itself, being steeped in milk and the * ^ Jn m ^ Guide for Woincn

milk drank . ; the body bathed w.th the de- ^ . . of Lettuc c mixed or boiled with
coction of it, helps scabs and itch. j Qil Q J f Roscs> app]ie(I to the forchea(1 and

LADIES-SMOCK, OR c uc KG w-FLo\vER. j temples procures sleep, and eases the head-

Tins is a very pretty ornament to the! ache proceeding of an hot cause: Being

sides of most meadows. $ eaten boiled, it helps to loostu the belly.

AIND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

It helps digestion, quenches thirst, in- S groat pools, and standing waters, and scme-
c reuses milk in nurses, eases griping pains in \ times in slow running rivers, and lesser
the stomach or bowels, that come of choler. i ditches of water, in sundry places of this
Applied outwardly to the region of the land.

heart, liver or reins, or by bathing the said

Time.'] They flower most commonly

places with the juice of distilled water, about the end of May, and their seed is
wherein some white Sanders, or red Roses: ripe in August.

are put ; not only represses the heat and 1 Government and rirtaes.'] The herb is
inflammations therein, but comforts and | under the dominion of the Moon, and there-
strengthens those parts, and also tempers* fore cools and moistens like the former.
the heat of urine. Galen advises old men * The leaves and flowers of the Water Lilies
to use it with spice; and where spices are | are cold and moist, but the roots and seeds
wanting, to add Mints, Rochet, and such are cold and dry; the leaves do cool ail
like hot herbs, or else Cilron Lemon, or j inflammations, both outward and inward
Orange seeds, la abate the cold of one and \ heat of agues ; and so doth the flowers
heat of the other. The seed and distilled j also, either by the syrup or conserve;
water of the Lettuce work the same effects ( the syrup helps much to procure rest,
in all things; but the use of Lettuce is j and to settle the brain of frantic per-
chiefly fo r bidden to those thai are short- ; sons, by cooling the hot distemperature
winded, or have any imperfection in the! of the head. The seed as well as the root
Jungs, or spit blood. ; is effectual to slay fluxes of blood or

* humours, either of wounds or of the belly ;

WATER LILY. ., J - f

but the roots are most used, and more ef-

()( these there are two principally noted

factual to cool, bind, and restrain all fluxes

hinds, r/:. the White and the Yellow. 1 in man or woman. The root is likewise

Descript.] The White Lily has very j very good for those whose urine is hot and
large and thick dark green leaves lying on j sharp, to be boiled in wine and water, and
the water, sustained by long and thick j the decoction drank. The distilled water
foot-stalks, that arise from a great, thick, \ of the flowers is very effectual for all the
round, and long tuberous black root j diseases aforesaid, both inwardly taken,
spongy or loose, with many knobs thereon, i and outwardly applied ; and is much com
green on the outside, but as white as snow \ mended to take away freckles, spots, smi-
within, consisting of divers rows of long! burn, and morphew from the face, or otlut
and somewhat thick and narrow leaves, j parts of the body. The oil made of the
smaller and thinner the more inward they J flowers, as oil of Roses is made, is profitably
be, encompassing a head with many yel-lused to cool hot tumours, and to ease the
low threads or thrums in the middle; where, i pains, and help the sores,
after they arc past, stand round Poppy-like i

, ,.,, ,. ,' ', -, , , LILY OF THE VALLEY.

heads, lull or broad oily and bitter seed.

The yellow kind is little different from \ CALLED also Conval Lily, Male Lily,
/he former, save only that it has fewer i and Lily Confancy.

leaves on the flowers, greater and morej Descrii>t.~] The root is small, and creeps

shining seed, and a whitish root, both with- j far in the ground, as grass roots do. The

n and without. The root of both is some- j leaves arc many, against which rises up u

\iat sweet in taste. \ stalk half a foot high, with many white

Place] They are found growing in \ flowers, like little bells with turned edges

106 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

of a strong, though pleasing smell; the; birth. The root roasted, and mixed with a

* iLJ I ^_J %

beriies are red, not much unlike those of
Asparagus.

Placed] They grow plentifully upon
Hampstead-Heath, and many other places
in this nation.

little hog's grease, makes a gallant poultice
to lipen and break plague-sores. The
ointment is excellently good for swellings
in the privities, and will cure burnings and
scaldings without a scar, and trimly deck a

Time.'] They flower in May, and the blank place with hair.

seed is ripe in September.

/-. , T T.. j u LIQUORICE.

(jovemment ana virtues.] It is under thej

dominion of Mercury, and therefore it; Descript.] OUR English Liquorice rises
strengthens the brain, recruits a weak up with divers woody slalks, whereon are
memory, and makes it strong again : The I set at several distances many narrow, long,
distilled water dropped into the eyes, helps I green leaves, set together on both sides of
inflammations there ; as also that infirmity ; the stalk, and an odd one at the end, very
which they call a pin and web. The spirit ; well resembling a young ash tree sprung up
of the flowers distilled in wine, restores lost 5 from the seed. This by many years con-
speech, helps the palsy, and is excellently I tinuance in a place without removing, and
good in the apoplexy, comforts the heart j not else, will bring forth flowers, many
and vital spirits. Gerrard saith, that the -standing together spike fashion, one above
tlowers being close stopped up in a glass, J another upon the stalk, of the form of pease
>ut into an ant-hill, and taken away again \ blossoms, but of a very pale blue colour,
a month after, ye shall find a liquor in the | which turn into long, somewhat flat and
glass, which, being outwardly applied, helps I smooth cods, wherein is contained a small.,
the gout. ground, hard seed : The roots run down ex-

jceeding deep into die ground, with divers
j other small roots and fibres growing with

IT were in vain to describe a plant so I them, and shoot out suckers from the main
commonly known in every one's garden ; | roots all about, whereby it is much increas-
therefore I shall not tell you what they are, Jed, of a brownish colour on the outside,
but what they are good for. sand yellow within.

Government and virtues.'] They are under; Place."] It is planted in fields and gar-
the dominion of the Moon, and by anti- j dens, in divers places of this land, and
pathy to Mars expel poison ; they are ex- j thereof good profit is made,
cellently good in pestilential fevers, the- Government and virtues.'] It is under the
roots being bruised and boiled in wine, and I dominion of Mercury. Liquorice boiled
the decoction drank ; for it expels the > in fair water, with some Maiden-hair and
venom to the exterior parts of the body : j figs, makes a good drink for those that have
The juice of it being tempered with barley j a dry cough or hoarseness, wheezing or
meal, baked, and so eaten for ordinary > shortness of breath, and for all the griefs ol
bread, is an excellent cure for the dropsy : 5 the breast and lungs, phthisic or consump-
An ointment made of the root, and hog's jtions caused by the distillation of sail
grease, is excellently good for scald heads, ! humours on them. It is also good in all
unites the sinews when they are cut, and \ pains of the reins, the stranguary, and heat
cleanses ulcers. The root -boiled in any; of urine: The fine powder of Liquorice
convenient decoction, gives speedy delivery j blown through a quill into the eyes that
to women in travail, and expels the after- ; have a j>in and web (as they call it) 01

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 1C?

rheumatic distillations in them, doth cleanse; to tne tops into great and long branches,
and help them. The juice of Liquorice is|on all which, at the joints, there grow long
as effectual in all the diseases of the breast j and narrow leaves, but broader below, and
and lungs, the reins and bladder, as the | usually two at a joint, yet sometimes three
decoction. The juice distilled in Rose- i or four, somewhat like willow leaves, smooth
water, with some Gum Tragacanth, is a fine: on the edges, and of a fair green colour
licking medicine for hoarseness, wheez- ; from the upper joints of the branches, and
ing, &c. j at the tops of them also stand many yellow

J flowers of five leaves a-piece, with divers

LIVERWORT. * 11 i --171 i,- U

j yellow threads in the middle, Avhich turn

THERE are, according to some botanists, \inlo small round heads, containing small
Upwards of three hundred different kinds \ cornered seeds : the root creeps under
of Liverwort. : ground, almost like coughgrass, but greater,

DescriptJ] Common Liverwort grows ; and shoots up every Spring brownish heads
close, and spreads much upon the ground 1 which afterwards grow up into stalks. It
in moist and shadv places, with many small has no scent or taste, and is only astringent
green leaves, or rather (as it were) sticking < Placed] It grows in many places of the
flat to one another, very unevenly cut in on \ land in moist meadows, and by water sides,
the edges, and crumpled; from among j Time.~\ It flowers from June to August,
which arise small slender stalks, an inch or $ Government and virtues^] This herb is
two high at most, bearing small star-like j good for all manner of bleeding at the
flowers at the top ; the roots are very fine; mouth, nose, or wounds, and all fluxes of
and small. i the belly, and the bloody-flux, given either

Government and virtues."] It is under thej to drink or taken by clysters; it stays also
dominion of Jupiter, and under the sign I the abundance of women's courses ; it is a
Cancer. It is a singularly good herb for; singular good wound-herb for green wounds,
all the diseases of the liver, both to cool i to stay the bleeding, and quickly close
and cleanse it, and helps the inflammations ; together the lips of the wound, if the herb
in any part, and the yellow jaundice like- ; be bruised, and the juice only applied. It
wise. Being bruised and boiled in small ' is often used in gargles for sore mouths, as
beer, and drank, it cools the heat of the | also for the secret parts. The smoak here-
liver and kidneys, and helps the running oft of being bruised, drives away flies and
the reins in men, and the whites in women ; | gnats, which in the night time molest people
it is a singular remedy to stay the spreading } inhabiting near marshes, and in the fenny
of tetters, ringworms, and other fretting and j countries,
running sores and scabs, and is an excellent :

remedy for such whose livers are corrupted ! LOOSESTRIFE ' WITH SPIKED HEADS OF
by surfeits, which cause their bodies to

break out, for it fortifies the liver exceed- j IT is likewise called Grass-polly.
ingly, and makes it impregnable. Dcscript.'] This grows with many woody

LOOSESTRIFE OR WILLOW-HERB. ! J^ 1 ?. f^', ^ rf J inte about three

* feet high at least ; at every one whereof

J)escript.~] COMMON yellow Loosestrife \ stand two long leaves, shorter, narrower,
grows to be four or five feet high, or more, i and a greener colour than the former,
with great round stalks, a little crested, i and some brownish. The stalks are branched
diversly branched from the middle of them i,into many long stems of spiked flowers half

v r

108 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

a fool long, growing in bundles one above } the place covered with a linen cloth doubled
Another, out of small husks, very like the: and anointed with the ointment; and this
spiked heads of Lavender, each of which j is also an approved medicine. It likewise
flowers have five round-pointed leaves of a \ cleanses and heals all foul ulcers, and sores
purple violet colour, or somewhat inclining; whatsoever, and stays their inflammations
to redness ; in which husks stand small j by washing them with the water, and lay-
round heads after the flowers are fallen, f ing on them a green leaf or two in the
wherein is contained small seed. The root i Summer, or dry leaves in the Winter. This
creeps under ground like unto the yellow, I water, gargled warm in the mouth, and
but is greater than it, and so are the heads ] sometimes drank also, doth cure the quinsy,
of the leaves when they first appear out of lor king's evil in the throat. The said
the ground, and more brown than the I water applied warm, takes away all spots,
other. | marks, and scabs in the skin ; and a little

P/ace.] It grows usually by rivers, and of it drank, quenches thirst when it is ex-
ditch-sides in wet ground, as about the treme.
ditches at and near Lambeth, and in many LOVAGE.

places of this land.

Time.'] It flowers in the months of June 1 Descnpt.] IT has many long and green
and July. stalks of large winged leaves, divided into

Government and virtues.'] It is an herb i
of the Moon, and under the sign Cancer;;

many parts, like Smallage, but much larger
and greater, every leaf being cut about the

neither do I know a better preserver of the j edges, broadest forward, and smallest at the
sight when it is well, nor a better cure for {stalk, of a sad green colour, smooth and
sore eyes than Eyebright, taken inwardly, j shining; from among which rise up sundry
and this used outwardly; it is cold in quality, {strong, hollow green stalks, five or six.
This herb is nothing inferior to the for- \ sometimes seven or eight feet high, full of
mer, it having not only all the virtues which \ joints, but lesser leaves set on them than
the former hath, but more peculiar virtues J grow below; and with them towards the
of its own, found out by experience ; as, i tops come forth large branches, bearing at
namely, The distilled water is a .present their tops large umbels of yellow flowers,
remedy for hurts and blows on the eyes, land after them flat brownish seed. Ihe
and for blindness, so as the Christalline ! roots grow thick, great and deep, spreading
humours be not perished or hurt ; and this j much, and enduring long, of a brownish
hath been sufficiently proved true by the! colour on the outside, and whitish within,
experience of a man of judgment, who kept! The whole plant and every part of it smell-
it long to himself as 'a great secret. It! ing strong, and aromatically, and is of a
clearslhe eyes of dust, or any thing gotten I hot, sharp, biting taste,
into them, and preserves the sight. It is j Place.'] It is usually planted in gardens,
also very available against wounds and | where, if it be suffered, it grows huge and
thrusts, being tnade into an ointment in j great.

this manner: To every ounce of the water,! Time.'] It flowers in the end of July,
add two drams of May butter without salt, ; and seeds in August.

and of sugar and wax, of each as much j Government and virtues.'] It is an herb
also; let them boil gently together. Let j of the Sun, under the sign Taurus,
tents dipped into the liquor that remains j Saturn offend the throat (as he always doth
after it is cold, be put into the wounds, and i if he be occasioner of the malady, and m

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 109

Taurus is the Genesis) this is your cure. I is an excellent remedy boiled in beer for
It opens, cures and digests humours, and j broken-winded horses,
mightily provokes women's courses and \

TT if i c *i_ J J ? MADDER.

urine. Half a dram at a time of the dried ;

root in powder taken in wine, doth wonder- * Descript."] GARDEN" Madder shoots
fully warm a cold stomach, helps digestion, | forth many very long, weak, four-square,
and consumes all raw and superfluous * reddish stalks, trailing on the ground a
moisture therein ; eases all inward gripings ^ great way, very rough or hairy, and full of
and pains, dissolves wind, and resists poison i joints: At every one of these joints come
and infection. It is a known and much > forth divers long and narrow leaves, stand-
praised remedy to drink the decoction of j ing like a star about the stalks, round also
the herb for any sort of ague, and to help j and hairy, towards the tops whereof come
the pains and torments of the body and I forth many small pale yellow flowers, after
bowels coming of cold. The seed is effec-j which come small roundheads, green at
tual to all the purposes aforesaid (except j first, and reddish afterwards, but black
r.he last) and works more powerfully. The \ when they are ripe, wherein is contained
distilled water of the herb helps the quinsy } the seed. The root is not very great, but
in the throat, if the rnouth and throat be I exceeding long, running down half a man's
gargled and washed therewith, and helps $ length into the ground, red and very clear,
the pleurisy, being drank three or four j while it is fresh, spreading divers ways,
times. Being dropped into the eyes, itj Placed] It is only manured in gardens,
takes away the redness or dimness of them ; ! or larger fields, for the profit that is made
it likewise takes away spots or freckles in thereof.

the face. The leaves bruised, and fried
with a little hog's lard, and put hot to any
blotch or boil, will quickly break it.

Time.~\ It flowers towards the end of
Summer, and the seed is ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues. ~] It is an herb of

LUNGWORT. jMars. It hath an opening quality, and

J afterwards to bind and strengthen. It is a'
Descript.'] THIS is a kind of moss, that; sure remedy for the yellow jaundice, by

grows on sundry sorts of trees, especially
oaks and beeches, with broad, greyish,
tough leaves diversly folded, crumpled, and
gashed in on the edges, and some spotted

opening the obstructions of the liver and
gall, arid cleansing those parts ; it opens
also the obstructions of the spleen, and
diminishes the melancholy humour. It is

also with many small spots on the upper- ' available for the palsy and sciatica, and
side. It was never seen to bear any stalk | effectual for bruises inward and outward,
or flower at any time. land is therefore much used in vulnerary

Government and virtues.'] Jupiter seems I drinks. The root for all those aforesaid
\:o own this herb. It is of great use to ; purposes, is to be boiled in wine or water,
physicians to help the diseases of the lungs, i as the cause requires, and some honey ami
and for coughs, wheezings, and shor tness of ; sugar put thereunto afterwards. The seed
breath, which it cures both in man and | hereof taken in vinegar and honey, helps
beast. It is very profitable to put into j the swelling and hardness of the spleen,
lotions that are taken to stay the moist | The decoction of the leaves and branches
humours that flow to ulcers, and hinder! is a good fomentation for women that have
their healing, as also to wash all other ulcers! not their courses. The leaves and roots
in the privy parts of a man or woman. It | beaten and applied to any part that is dis-

110 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

coloured with freckles, morphew, the white { with the cough, shortness of breath, the

scurf, or any such deformity of the skin, | yellow jaundice, diseases of the spleen,

cleanses thoroughly, and takes them away. ; stopping of urine, and helps exceedingly to

. J break the stone in the kidneys, (in all which

MAIl).hJN JH.A1K. \ ,. , -f, T ,, T> . i . /v.

\ diseases the Wall Rue is also very effectual.)

~Descnpt.~\ OUR common Maiden-Hair I It provokes women's courses, and stays
doth, from a number of hard black fibres, j "both bleedings and fluxes of the stomach
send forth a great many blackish shining ! and belly, especially when the herb is dry;
brittle stalks, hardly a span long, in many j for being green, it loosens the belly, and
not half so long, on each side set very thick j voids choler and phlegm from the stomach
with small, round, dark green leaves, and j and liver ; it cleanses the lungs, and by
spitted on the back.of them like a fern. ; rectifying the blood, causes a good colour
Place.] It grows upon old stone walls in * to the whole body. The herb boiled in oil

and shady places, and is always green. j head from scurf, and from dry and running

WALL RUE, OR, WHITE MAIDEN-HAIR, f^ 8 ' st ^ s the falling or shedding of the

j hair, and causes it to grow thick, fair, and

Descript.] THIS has very fine, pale green j well coloured; for which purpose some
stalks, almost as fine as hairs, set confusedly j boil it in wine, putting some Smallage seed
with divers pale green leaves on every short j thereto, and afterwards some oil. The
foot stalk, somewhat near unto the colour j Wall Rue is as effectual as Maiden-Hair,
of garden Rue, and not much differing in ; in all diseases of the head, or falling and
form but more diversly cut in on the edges, j recovering of the hair again, and generally
and thicker, smooth on the upper part, j for all the aforementioned diseases : And
and spotted finely underneath. ; besides, the powder of it taken in drink for

Placed] It grows in many places of this I forty days together, helps the burstings in
land, at Dartford, and the bridge at Ash- j children,
ford in Kent, at Beaconsfield in Bucking- j

hamshire, at Wolly in Huntingtonshire, on j GOLDEN MAIDEN HAIR

Framlingham Castle in Suffolk, on the j To the former give me leave to add this,
church walls at Mayfield in Sussex, in and I shall say no more but only describe
Somersetshire, and divers other places of; it to you, and for the virtues refer you to
this land ; and is green in Winter as well as j the former, since whatever is said of them,
Summer. | may be also said of this.

Government and virtues.] Both this and \ Dexcript] It has many small, brownish,
the former are under the dominion of i red hairs, to make up the form of leaves
Mercury, and so is that also which follows i growing about the ground from the root;
after, and the virtue of both are so near j and in the middle of them, in Summer, rise
alike, that though I have described them j small stalks of the same colour, set with very
and their places of growing severally, yet : fine yellowish green hairs on them, and
I shall in writing the virtues of them, join : bearing a small gold, yellow head, less
them both together as follows. : than a wheat corn, standing in a great

The decoction of the herb Maiden-Hair \ husk. The root is very small and thready,
being drank, helps those that are troubled i Place.] It grows in bogs and moorish

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 111

places, and also on dry shady places, as:

to those purposes. The same used by

Hampstead Heaih, and elsewhere. { nurses procures them store of milk. The

i decoction of the seed of any of the common

MALLOWS AND M ARSIIMALLOWS. S iv/r 11 j -11 j *i

J Mallows made in milk or wine, doth mar-

COMMON Mallows are generally so well f vellously help excoriations, the phthisic,
known tha,, they need no description. jj pleurisy, and other diseases of the chest and

Our common Marginal lows have divers | lungs, that proceed of hot causes, if it be
soft hairy white stalks, rising to be three or \ continued taking for some time together,
four feet high, spreading forth many \ The leaves and roots work the same effects,
branches the leaves whereof are soft and j They help much also in the excoriations of
hairy, somewhat less than the other Mallow * the bowels, and hardness of the mother,
leaves, but longer pointed, cut (for the most | and in all hot and sharp diseases thereof,
part) into some few divisions, but deep, j The juice drank in wine, or the decoction
The flowers are many, but smaller also than 5 of them therein, do help women to a speedy
the other Mallows, and white, or tending to? and easy delivery. Pliny saith, that who-
a bluish colour. After which come such i soever takes a spoonful of any of the Mai-
long, lound cases and seeds, as in the others lows, shall that day be free from all diseases
Mallows. The roots are many and long, > that may come unto him ; and that it is
shooting from one head, of the bigness of a ; especially good for the falling-sickness. The
thumb or finger, very pliant, tough, and j syrup also and conserve made of the flowers,
being like liquorice, of a whitish yellow j are very effectual for the same diseases,
colour on the outside, and more whitish \ and to open the body, being costive. The
within, full of a slimy juice, which being ' leaves bruised, and laid to the eyes with
laid in water, will thicken, as if it werea'a little honey, take away the imposthuma-
jelly. \ tions of them. The leaves bruised or rubbed

P/erce.] The common Mallows grow in |upon any place stung with bees, wasps, or
every county of this land. The common ! the like, presently take away the pain,
Marsh-mallows in most of the salt marshes, j red ness, arid swelling that rise thereupon,
from Woolwich down to the sea, both on \ And Dioscorides saith, The decoction of
the Kentish and Essex shores, and in divers the roots arid leaves helps all sorts of poison,
other places of this land. J so as the poison be presently voided by

Time.'] They flower all the Summer | vomit. A poultice made of the leaves
months, even until the Winter do pull them > boiled and bruised, with some bean or bar-

Fdown. * ley flower, and oil of Roses added, is an

Government and virtues.'] Venus owns j especial remedy against all hard tumours
them both. The leaves of either of the land inflammations, or imposthumes, or
sorts, both specified, and the roots also) swellings of the privities, and other parts,
boiled in wine or water, or in broth with land eases the pains of them; as also against
Parsley or Fennel roots, do help to open the ,' the hardness of the liver or spleen, being
body, and are very convenient in hot agues, i applied to the places. The juice of Maj-
or other distempers of the body, to apply | lows boiled in old oil and applied, takes
the leaves so boiled warm to the belly. It | away all roughness of the skin, as also the
not only voids hot, choleric, and other j scurf, dandriff, or dry scabs in the head, or
offensive humours, but eases the pains and i other parts, if they be anointed therewith,
torments of the belly coming thereby ; and ; or washed with the decoction, and preserves
are therefore used in all clysters conducing \ the hair from falling off. It is also effec-

G G

lie THE COMPLETE HERBAL

tual against scaldings and burnings, St. drink, to those that are wounded, and read

Anthony's fire, and all other hot, red, and
painful swellings in any part of the body.

to faint through loss of blood, and applied
the same, mixed with honey and rosin, to

The flowers boiled in oil or water (as every j the wounds. As also, the roots boiled in
one is disposed) whereunto a little honey \ wine to those that have received any hurt
and allum is put, is an excellent gargle to j by bruises, falls, or blows, or had any bone
\vash, cleanse or heal any sore mouth on or member out of joint, or any swelling-
throat in a short space. If the feet be! pain, .or ache in the muscles, sinews or
bathed or washed with the decoction of the ! arteries. The muscilage of the roots, and of
leaves, roots, and flowers, it helps much! Linseed and Fenugreek put together, is much
the defluxions of rheum from the head ; ! used in poultices, ointments, and plaisters,
if the head be washed therewith, it stays j to molify and digest all hard swellings, and
the falling and shedding of the hair. The j the inflammation of them, and to ease pains
green leaves (saith Pliny) beaten with ^ in any part of the body. The seed either
nitre, and applied, draw out thorns or \ green or dry, mixed with vinegar, cleanses
prickles in the flesh, j the skin of morphew, and all other dis-

The Marshmallows are more effectual in ! colour' being boiled therewith in the
all the diseases before mentioned : The
leaves are likewise used to loosen the belly
gently, and in decoctions or clysters to ease

Sun.

You may remember that not long since
there was a raging disease called the bloody-

all pains of the body, opening the strait! flux; the college of physicians not knowing
passages, and making them slippe'ry, where- 1 what to make of it, called it the inside
by the stone may descend the more easily \ plague, for their wits were at Ne plus ultra

and without pain, out of the reins, kidneys,
and bladder, and to ease the torturing pains

about it : My son was taken with the same
disease, and the excoriation of his bowels

thereof. But the roots are of more special i was exceeding great; myself being in the
use for those purposes, as well for coughs, ] country, was sent for up, the only thing
hoarseness, shortness of breath and wheez- j 1 gave him, was Mallows bruised and
ings, being boiled in wine, or honeyed ! boiled both in milk and drink, in two days
water, and drank. The roots and seeds i (the blessing of God being upon it) it cured
hereof boiled in wine or water, are with | him. And I here, to shjew my thankful-
good success used by them that have ex- 1 ness to God, in communicating it to his
coriations in the bowels, or the bloody flux, f creatures, leave it to posterity
by qualifying the violence of sharp fretting i

,, , i ] .1 & MAPI.E TREE.

humours, easing the pains, and healing thej

soreness. It is profitably taken by them j Government and virtues^] IT is under the
that are troubled with ruptures, cramps, or; dominion of Jupiter. The decoction either
convulsions of the sinews ; and boiled in j of the leaves or bark, must needs strengthen
white wine, for the imposthumes by the $ the liver much, and so you shall find it to
throat, commonly called the king's evil, and \ do, if you use it. It is excellently good to
of those kernels that rise behind the ears, } open obstructions both of the liver and
and inflammations or swellings in women's j spleen, and eases pains of the sides thence
breasts. The dried roots boiled in milk j proceeding. *
and drank, is especially good for the chin- 1

\V^ T 1ST "O AT AT? T O I? A 1W

cough. Hippocrates used to give the de-'

'x>ction of the roots, or the juice thereof, to* CALLED also Origanum, Eastward Mar-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. Uo

joram; Wild Marjoram, and Grove Mar-? dry places of this land; but it is not ray
joram. j purpose to insist upon them. The garden

Dfscripi.'] Wild or field Marjoram hath kinds being most used and useful,
a root which creeps much under ground,! Time.~] They flower in the end of Summer,
which continues a long time, sending up j Government and virtues^] It is an herb of
sundry-brownish, hard, square stalks, with | Mercury, and under Aries, and therefore is
smalt dark green leaves, very like those of$an excellent remedy for the brain and other
Sweet Marjoram, but harder, and some- j parts of the body and mind, under the do-
what broader; at the top of the stalks stand minion of the same planet. Our common
tufts of flowers, of a deep purplish red { Sweet Marjoram is warming and comfor-
colour. The seed is small and something ! table in cold diseases of the head, stomach,
blacker than that of Sweet Marjoram, $ sinews, and other parts, taken inwardly, or

Place.'] It grows plentifully in the bor- \ outwardly applied. The decoction thereof
ders of corn fields, and in some copses. \ being drank, helps all diseases of the chest

Time.'] It flowers towards the latter end j which hinder the freeness of breathing, and
of the Summer. ! is also profitable for the obstructions of the

Government and virtues.'] This is also i liver and spleen. It helps the cold griefs
under the dominion of Mercury. It i of the womb, and the windiness thereof, and

strengthens the stomach and head much, i
there being scarce a better remedy growing;

the loss of speech, by resolution of the
tongue. The decoction thereof made with

for such as are troubled with a sour humour 1 some Pellitory of Spain, and long Pepper,
in the stomach; it restores the appetite > or with a little Acorns or Origanum, being
being lost ; helps the cough, and consump- 1 drank, is good for those that cannot make
lion of the lungs; it cleanses the body of {water, and against pains and torments in
choler, expels poison, and remedies the in- j the belly; it provokes women's courses, if
firmities of the spleen ; helps the failings of|it be used as a pessary. r Being made into
venomous beasts, and helps such as have | powder, and mixed with honey, it takes
poisoned themselves by eating Hemlock, | away the black marks of blows, and bruises,

Henbane, or Opium. It provokes urine and

being thereunto applied ; it is good for the

the terms in women, helps the dropsy, and i inflammations and watering of the eyes,
the scurvy, scabs, itch, and yellow jaun-5 being mixed with fine flour, and laid unto
dice. The juice being dropped into the! them. The juice dropped into the ears,
ears, helps deafness, pain and noise in the I eases the pains and singing noise in them,
ears. And thus much for this herb, be- 1 It is profitably put into those ointments
i-ween which and adders, there is a deadly land salves that are warm, and comfort the
antipathy. \ outward parts, as the joints and sinews ;

SWEET MARJORAM $ f T SWellln g S als ' alld P laC6S Ollt f J int '

o w , .t, l Jll A It J U It A M. * m i 1.1 f /v i .1

{ The powder thereof snurred up into the nose

SWEET Marjoram is so well known, provokes sneezing, and thereby purges the
being an inhabitant in every garden, that it | brain ; and chewed in the mouth, draws
is needless to write any description thereof, | forth much phlegm. The oil made thereof,
neither of the Winter Sweet Marjoram, orhs very warm and comfortable to the joints
Pot Marjoram. j that are stiff, and the sinews that are hard,

Place.] They grow commonly in gar itornolify and supple them. Marjoram is
dens; ^some sorts grow wild in the bor- j much used in all odoriferous water, pow-
ers of corn fields and pastures, ia M. n-i ders, &c. thatare for ornament or delight-

114 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

MARIGOLDS I***** d Wn deeP '" ^ ? rOUncl >

forth sundry heads, which taslc sharp,

THESE being so plentiful in every gar- biting on the tongue, and is the hottest and
den, and so well known that they need no j sharpest part of the plant, and the seed
description. tnext unto it being somewhat blackish on

Time.'] They flower all the Summer i the outside, and smelling well.
long, and sometimes in Winter, if it be i Place.'] It is usually kept in gardens with
mild. { us in England.

Government and virti/es.~] It is an herb! Time.'] It flowers and seeds about the
of the Sun, and under Leo. They strengthen \ end of August.

the heart exceedingly, and are very ex- i Government find rirtues.~] It is an herb of
pulsive, and a little less effectual in the small- j Mars. The root of Masterwort is hotter
pox and measles than saffron. The juice \ than pepper, and very available in cold
of Mangold leaves mixed with vinegar, and | griefs and diseases both of ihe stomach and
any not swelling bathed with it, instantly j body, dissolving very powerfully upwards
gives ease, and assuages it. The flowers, ; and downwards. It is also used in a de-
either green or dried, are much used in j coction with wine against all cold rheums,
possets, broths, and drink, as a comforter | distillations upon the lungs, or shortness of
of the heart and spirits, and to expel any \ breath, to be taken morning and evening.
malignant or pestilential quality which i It also provokes urine, and helps to break
might annoy them. A plaister made with !the stone, and expel the gravel from the
the dry flowers in powder, hog's-grease, \ kidneys ; provokes women's courses, and
turpentine, and rosin, applied to the breast, i expels the dead birth. It is singularly good
strengthens and succours the heart infi- * for strangling of the mother, and other such
nitely in fevers, whether pestilential or not. Hike feminine diseases. It is effectual also

\ against the dropsy, cramps, and falling
\ sickness ; for the decoction in wine being

Descript.~\ COMMON Maslerwort has gargled in the mouth, draws down much
divers stalks of winged leaves divided into | water and phlegm, from the brain, purging
sundry parts, three for the most part stand- i and easing it of what oppresses it. It is of
ing together at a small foot-stalk on both 1 a rare quality against all sorts of cold poi-
sides of the greater, and three likewise at ] son, to be taken as there is cause; it pio-
the end of the stalk, somewhat broad, and j vokes sweat. But lest the taste hereof, or
cut in on the edges into three or more j of the seed (which works to the like effect,
divisions, all of them dented about the! though not so powerfully) should be too
brims, of a dark green colour, somewhat | offensive, the best way is to take the water
resembling the leaves of Angelica, but that! distilled both from the herb and root. The
these grow lower to the ground, and on ; juice hereof dropped, or tents dipped there-
lesser stalks; among which rise up two or|in, and applied either to green wounds or
three short stalks about two feet high, and \ filthy rotten ulcers, and those that come by
slender, with such like leaves at the joints! envenomed weapons, doth soon cleanse
which grow below, but with lesser and fewer j and heal them. The same is also very good
divisions, bearing umbels of white flowers, i to help the gout coming of a cold cause.
and after them thin flat blackish seeds, MAUDLIN.

bigger than Dill seeds. Ihe root is some- j
what greater and growing rather side-ways: Descript.'] COMMON Maudlin hath some-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 115

what, long and narrow leaves, snipped about j women's minds should run a gadding,
the edges. The stalks are two feet high, j Also a plaister made of the fruit dried he-
bearing at the tops many yellow flowers set: fore they are rotten, and other convenient
round together and all of an equal height, ] things, and applied to the reins of the back,
in umbels or tufts like unto tansy ; after ! stops miscarriage in women with child,
which follow small whitish seed, almost as j They are powerful to stay any fluxes of
big as wormseed. j blood or humours in men or women ; the

Place and Time.'] It grows in gardens, Heaves also have this quality. The decoc-
and flowers in June and July. j tion of them is good to gargle and wash the

Government and virtues.'] The Virtues } : mouth, throat and teeth, when there is any
hereof -being the same with Costrnary or defluxions of blood to stay it, or of humours,
Alecost, I shall not make any repetition \ which causes the pains and swellings. It
thereof, lest my book grow too big ; but j is a good bath for women, that have their
rather refer you to Costmary for satis- ! courses flow too abundant : or for the piles
faction. * when they bleed too much. If a poultice

(or plaister be made with dried medlars,
| beaten and mixed with the juice of red

Descript.'] THE Tree grows near the roses, whereunto a few cloves and nutmegs
bigness of the Quince Tree, spreading j may be added, and a little red coral also,
branches reasonably large, with longer and j and applred to the stomach that is given to
narrower leaves than either the apple or 5 casting or loathing of meat, it effectually
quince, and not dented about the edges. I helps. The dried leaves in powder strewed
At the end of the sprigs stand the flowers, j on fresh bleeding wounds restrains the
made of five white, great, broad-pointed ; blood, and heals up the wound quickly,
leaves, nicked in the middle with some | The medlar-stones made into powder, and
white threads also; after which comes the ; drank in wine, wherein some Parsley-roots
fruit, of a brownish green colour, being ripe, | have lain infused all night, or a little boiled,
bearing a crown as it were on the top, j do break the stone in the kidneys, helping
which were the five green leaves ; and ; to expel it.
being rubbed off, or fallen away, the head i

of the fruit is seen to be somewhat hollow, j MELLILOT, OR KING s CLAVLR.
The fruit is very harsh before it is mellowed, ; Descript.'] THIS hath many green stalks,
and has usually five hard kernels within it. ', two or three feet high, rising from a tough,
There is another kind hereof nothing dif- j long, while root, which dies not every
fering from the former, but that it hath some : year, set round about at the joints with
thorns on it in several places, which the i small and somewhat long, well-smelling
other hath not ; and usually the fruit is | leaves, set three together, unevently dented
small, and not so pleasant. j about the edges. The flowers are yellow,

Time and Placed] They grow in this \ and well-smelling also, made like other
hurl, and flower in May for the most part, j trefoil, but small, standing in long spikes
and bear fruit in September and October. ; one above another, for an hand breath long

Government and virtues.'] The fruit is old ; or better, which afterwards turn into long
Saturn's, and sure a better medicine he > crooked pods, wherein is contained flat seed,
hardly hath to strengthen the retentive j somewhat brown.

faculty ; therefore it stays Avomen's long- \ Place.'] It grows plentifully in_ many
ings : The good old man cannot endure ; places of

this land, as in the edge of Suffolk

H H

110 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

and in Essex, as also in Huntingdonshire, male Mercury two small, round green
and in other places, but most usually in : heads, standing together upon a short
corn fields, in corners of meadows. foot stalk, which growing ripe, are seeds,

TimeJ] It flowers in June and July, and
is lipe quickly after.

not having flowers. The female stalk is
longer, spike-fashion, set round about with

Government and virtues?] Melilot, boiled j small green husks, Avhich are the flowers,
in wine, and applied, mollifies all hard 5 made small like bunches of grapes, which
tumours and inflammations that happen in \ give no seed, but abiding long upon the
the eyes, or other parts of the body, and \ stalks without shedding. The root is corn-
sometimes the yolk of a roasted egg, or fine | posed of many small fibres, which perishes
flour, or poppy seed, or endive, is added j every year at the first approach of Winter,
unto it. It helps the spreading ulcers inland rises again of its own sowing; and if
the head, it being washed with a lye made j once it is suffered to sow itself, the ground
thereof. It helps the pains of the stomach, ; will never want afterwards, even both sorts
being applied fresh , or boiled with any of* of it.
the aforenamed things; also, the pains of- :
the ears, being dropped into them ; and j

steeped in vinegar, or rose water, it miti-5 HAVING described unto you that which
gates the head-ache. The flowers of Melli- ' is called French Mercury, I come now to
lot or Camomile are much used to be put j shew you a description of this kind also,
together in clysters to expel wind, and ease j Descript."] This is likewise of two kinds,
pains; and also in poultices for the same tmaleand Female, having many stalks slender
purpose, and to assuage swelling tumours \ and lower than Mercury, without any
in the spleen or other parts, and helps in- j branches at all upon them, the root is set

flammations in any part of the body. The
juice dropped into the eyes, is a singularly
good medicine to take away the film or

with two leaves at every joint, somewhat
greater than the female, but more pointed
and full of veins, and somewhat harder in

skin that clouds or dimns the eye-sight, j handling : of a dark green colour, and less
The head often washed with the distilled | denied or snipped about the edges. At
water of the herb and flower, or a lye made : the joints with the leaves come forth longei
therewith, is effectual for those that sud- 1 stalks than the former, with two hairy
denly lose their senses; as also to strengthen ! round seeds upon them, twice as big as
the memory, to comfort the head and brain, > those of the former Mercury. The taste
and to preserve them from pain, and the | hereof is herby, and the smell somewhat
apoplexy. | strong and virulent. The female has much

! harder leaves standing upon longer foot-

FRENCH AND DOG MERCURY. , ^^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ j j^. . ^

De.icriptJ] THIS rises up with a square i the joints come forth spikes of flowers like
green stalk full of joints, two feet high, or \ the French Female Mercury. The roots of
thereabouts, with two leaves at every joint, | them both are many, and full of small
and the branches likewise from both sides of | fibres Avhich run under ground, and mat
the stalk, set with fresh green leaves, some- i themselves very much, not perishing as the
what broad and long, about the bigness of! former Mercuries do, but abide the Win-
the leaves of Bazil, finely dented about the j ter, and shoot forth new branches every
edges ; towards the tops of the stalk and j year, for the old lie down to the ground,
branches, come forth at every joint in the j P/oce.] The male and female French

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 117

Mercury are found wild in divers places of j or the juice rubbed upon warts, takes them
this land, as by a village called Brookland j away. The juice mingled with some vine-
in Rumney Marsh in Kent. i gar, helps all running scabs, tetters, ring-

The Dog Mercury in sundry places of { worms, and the itch. Galen saith, that
Kent also, and elsewhere; but the female j being applied in manner of a poultice to
more seldom than the male. i any swelling or inflammation, it digests the

TirneJ] They flower in the Summer \ swelling, and allays the inflammation, and
months, and therein give their seed. j is therefore given in clysters to evacuate

Government and virtues^ Mercury, they > from the belly offensive humours. The Dog
^ay, owns the herb, but I rather think it is j Mercury, although it be less used, yet may
Venus's, and I am partly confident of it j serve in the same manner, to the same pur-
too, for I never heard that Mercury ever | pose, to purge waterish and melancholy
minded women's business so much : I > humours,
believe he minds his study more. The de- j

coction of the leaves of Mercury, or the I MINT.

juice thereof in broth, or drank with a little |

sugar put to it, purges choleric and waterish j OP all the kinds of Mint, the Spear
humours. Hippocrates commended it j Mint, or Heart Mint, being most usual,
wonderfully for women's diseases, and ap- j 1 shall only describe as follows :
plied to the secret parts, to ease the pains of j Descript.~\ Spear Mint has divers round
the mother; and used the decoction of it, i stalks, and long but narrowish leaves set
both to procure women's courses, and to \ thereon, of a dark green colour. The
expel the after-birth ; and gave the de- 1 flowers stand in spiked heads at the tops
coction thereof with myrrh or pepper, or j of the branches, being of a pale blue
used to apply the leaves outwardly against
the stranguary and diseases of the reins and
bladder. He used it also for sore and

colour. The smell or scent thereof is some-
what near unto Bazil ; it encreases by the
root under ground as all the others do.

watering eyes, and for the deafness and \ Place.] It is an usual inhabitant in gar-
pains in the ears, by dropping the juice j dens; and because it seldom gives any
thereof into them, and bathing them after- \ good seed, the seed is recompensed by

! the plentiful increase of the root, which

wards in white wine. The decoction there- j
of made with water and a cock chicken, is

being once planted in a garden, will hardly

a most safe medicine against the hot fits of|be rid out again.

agues. It also cleanses the breast and lungs | TimeJ] It flowers not until the beginning

of phlegm, but a little offends the stomach. \ of August, for the most part.

The juice or distilled water snuffed up into ; Government and virtues.~\ It is an herb

the nostrils, purges the head and eyes ofjof Venus. Dioscorides saith it hath a

catarrhs and rheums. Some use to drink j healing, binding and drying quality, and

two or three ounces of the distilled water, j therefore the juice taken in vinegar, stays

with a little sugar put to it, in the morning j bleeding : It stirs up venery, or bodily lust;

fasting, to open and purge the body of

gross, viscous, and melancholy humours.

two or three branches thereof taken in the
juice of four pomegranates, stays the hic-

Matthiolus saith, that both the seed of the \ cough, vomiting, and allays the choler. It
male and female Mercury boiled with j dissolves imposthumes being laid to with
Wormwood and drank, cures the yellowy barley-meal. It is good to repress the
jaundice in a speedy manner. The leaves milk injvomen's breasts, and for such as

118

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

have swollen, flagging, or great breasts. { turn to its place, the decoction being gar-
Applied with salt, it helps the biting of angled and held in the mouth.

11 *j.i_ j i i_ j ' i ^r^i_ * M. i*ii ""H7*ii

mad dog; with mead and honeyed water,
it eases the pains of the ears, and takes;

The virtues of the Wild or Horse Mint,
such as grow in ditches (whose description

away the roughness of the tongue, being i I purposely omitted, in regard they are

rubbed thereupon. It suffers not milk to
curdle in the stomach, if the leaves thereof ;
be steeped or boiled in it before you drink
it. Briefly it is very profitable to the
stomach. The often use hereof is a very
powerful medicine to stay women's courses

well known) are serviceable to dissolve wind
in the stomach, to help the cholic, and those
that are short-winded, and are an especial
remedy for those that have vencral dreams
and pollutions in the night, being outwardly
applied. The juice dropped into the ears

and the whites. Applied to the forehead * eases the pains, of them, and destroys the
and temples, it eases the pains in the head, worms that breed therein. They are good
and is good to wash the heads of young I against the venemous biting of serpents,
children therewith, against all manner of 1 The juice laid on warm, helps the king's
breakings-out, sores or scabs, therein. It | evil, or kernels in the throat. The decoction

is also profitable against the poison of ve-
nomous creatures. The distilled water of
Mint is available to all the purposes afore-
said, yet more weakly. But if a spirit
thereof be rightly and chymically drawn,
it is much more powerful than the herb
itself. Simeon Sethi saith, it helps a cold
liver, strengthens the belly, causes digestion,
stays vomits and hiccough; it is good
against the gnawing of the heart, provokes
appetite, takes away obstructions of the

or distilled water helps a stinking breath,
proceeding from corruption of the teeth,
and snuffed up the nose, purges the head.
Pliny saith, that eating of the leaves hath
been found by experience to cure the
leprosy, applying some of them to the face,
and to help the scurf or dandriff of the
head used with vinegar. They are extremely
bad for wounded people ; and they say a
wounded man that eats Mini, his wound
will never be cured, and that is a long day.

liver, and stirs up bodily lust; but therefore

loo much must not be taken, because it i MISSELTO.

makes the blood thin and wheyish, and

turns it into choler, and therefore choleric j Descript.~\ THIS rises up from the branch

persons must abstain from it. It is a safe \ or arm of ihe'tree whereon it grows, with

medicine for the biting of a mad dog, being
bruised with salt and laid thereon. The
powder of it being dried and taken after
meat, helps digestion, and those that are
plenetic. Taken with wine, it helps women
in their sore travail in child-bearing. It is

a woody stem, putting itself into sundry
branches, and they again divided into many
other smaller twigs, interlacing themselves
one within another, very much covered
with a greyish green bark, having two leaves
set at every joint, and at the end likewise,

good against the gravel and stone in the which are somewhat long and narrow, small
kidneys, and the stranguary. Being j at the bottom, but broader towards the end.
smelled unto, it is comfortable for the head i At the knots or joints of the boughs and
and memory. The decoction hereof gar- j branches grow small yellow flowers, which
gled in the mouth, cures the gums and i run into small, round, white, transparent
mouth that are sore, and mends an ill-: berries, three or four together, full of a
savoured breath ; as also the Rue and Cori-i glutinous moisture, with a blackish seed in
ander, causes the palate of the mouth to; each of them, Avhich was never yel known

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLAllUEU. Htf

to spring, being put into the ground, or anyjvrine lees he added thereunto, it works the
where else to grow. [stronger. The Missel to itself of the oak

Place."] It grows very rarely on oaks (as the best) made into powder, and given
with us ; but upon sundry others as well i in drink to those that have the falling sick-

timber as fruit trees, plentifully in woody
groves, and the like, through all this land.

ness, does assuredly heal them, as Matthi-
olus saith: but it is fit to use it for forty

Time.'] It flowers in the Spring-time, ; days together. Some have so highly es-
but the berries are not ripe until October, j teemed it for the virtues thereof, that they
and abides on the branches all the Winter, I have called it Lignum Sanctue Cruets, Wood
unless the blackbirds, and other birds, dojof the Holy Cross, believing it helps the
devour them. Hailing sickness, apoplexy and palsy very

Government and virtues."} This is under speedily, not only to be inwardly taken, but
the dominion of the Sun, I do not question ;> to be hung at their neck. Tragus saith,
and can also take for granted, that which ;' that the fresh wood of any Misselto bruised,

grows upon oaks, participates something of
the nature of Jupiter, because an oak is one
of his trees ; as also that which grows upon

and the juice drawn forth and dropped in
the ears that have imposthurnes in them,
doth help and ease them within a few days.

pear trees, and apple trees, participates ;

c 1 , 5 MONEYWORT, OR HERB TWOPENCE

something or his nature, because he lules;

the tree it grows upon, having no root of j DescriptJ] THE common Moneywort
its own. But why that should have most: sends forth from a small thready root divers

long, weak, and slender branches, lying and
running upon the ground two or three feet
long or more, set with leaves two at a joint

virtues that grows upon oaks I know not,
unless because it is rarest and hardest to
coine by ; and our college's opinion is in

this contrary to scripture, which saith, God's ' one against another at equal distances,
tender mercies are over all his works; and so which are almost round, but pointed at the
it is, let the college of physicians walk as \ ends, smooth, and of a good green colour,
contrary to him as they please, and that is f At the joints with the leaves from the middle
as contrary as the east to the west. Clusiusj forward come forth at every point some-
affirms that which grows upon pear trees to { times one yellow flower, and sometimes
be as prevalent, and gives order, that it i two, standing each on a small foot-stalk,
should not touch the ground after it is \ and made of five leaves, narrow-pointed at
gathered; and also saith, that, being hung; the end, with some yellow threads in the

abjut the neck, it remedies witchcraft.;

middle, which being past, there stand in

Both the leaves and berries of Misselto do; their places small round heads of seed,
heat and dry, and are of subtle parts ; the Place."] It grows plentifully in almost
birdlime doth molify hard knots, tumours, i all places of this land, commonly in moist
and imposthumes; ripens and discusses j grounds by hedge-sides, an'd in the middle
them, and draws forth thick as well as thin {of grassy fields.

humours from the remote parts of the body,{ Time.] They flower in June and July,
digesting and separating them. And being. and their seed is ripe quickly after.
mixed with equal parts of rozin and wax,! Government and virtues^] Venus owns it.
doth molify the hardness of the spleen, and j Moneywort is singularly good to stay all
helps old ulcers and sores. Being mixed -fluxes in man or woman, whether they be
with Sanduric and Orpiment, it helps tojlasks, bloody-fluxes, bleeding inwardly or
draw oft' foul nails : and if quick-lime and -outwardly, or the weakness of the stomach

i r

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

that is given to casting. It is very good j and May; for in June, when any hot
also for the ulcers or excoriations of the \ weather conies, for the most part it is

ungs, or other inward parts. It is exceed-
ingly good for all wounds, either fresh or
green, to heal them speedily, and for all
old ulcers that are of spreading natures.

withered and gone.

Government and virtues."] The Moon owns
the herb. Moon wort is cold and drying
more than Adder's Tongue, and is therefore

For all which purposes the juice of the [held lo be more available for all wounds
herb, or the powder drank in water where-
in hot steel hath been often quenched ; or
the decoction of the green herb in wine, or

both inward and outward. The leaves
boiled in red wine, and drank, stay the
immoderate flux of women's courses, and

water drank, or used to the outward place, | the whites. It also stays bleeding, vomit-
to wash or bathe them, or to have tents j ing, and other fluxes. It helps all blows
dipped therein and put into them, are ef-jand bruises, and to consolidate all frac-
fectual. tures and dislocations. It is good for rup-

tures, but is chiefly used, by most with
other herbs, to make oils or balsams to heal
fresh or green wounds (as I said before)
either inward or outward, for which it is

BIOONWORT.

Descript.] IT rises up usually but wilh
one dark green, thick and flat leaf, stand-
ing upon a short foot-stalk not above two
fingers breadth ; but when it flowers it may
be said to bear a small slender stalk about

excellently good.

Moonwort is an herb which (they say)
will open locks, and unshoe such horses as

four or five inches high, having but one U read upon it: This some laugh to scorn,
leaf in the middle thereof, which is much j and those no small fools neither ; but coun-
divided on both sides into sometimes five i try people, that I know, call it Unshoe the
or seven parts on a side, sometimes more ; i Horse. Besides I have heard commanders

each of which parts is small like the middle
rib, but broad forwards, pointed and round,
resembling therein a half-moon, from whence
it took the name ; the uppermost parts or
divisions being bigger than the lowest.
The stalks rise above this leaf two or three
inches, bearing many branches of small
long tongues, every one like the spiky head
of the adder's tongue, of a brownish colour, j
(which, whether 1 shall call them flowers, or}
the seed, I well know not) which, after they {
Ifave continued awhile, resolve into a mealy
dust. The root is small and fibrous. This
hath sometimes clivers such like leaves as
are before described, with so many branches
or tops rising from one stalk, each divided
from the other.

Place.~\ It grows on hills and heaths,
yet where there is much grass, lor therein
it delights lo grow.

say, that on White Down in Devonshire,
near Tiverton, there were found thirty
horse shoes, pulled off from the feet of the
Earl of Essex's horses, being there drawn
up in a body, many of them being but
newly shod, and no reason known, which
caused much admiration : the herb des-
cribed usually grows upon heaths.

MOSSES.

I SHALL not trouble the reader with
a description of these, since my intent is to
speak only of two kinds, as the most prin-
cipal, viz. Ground Moss and Tree Moss,
both which are very well known.

Place.~\ The Ground Moss grows in our
moist woods, and at the bottom of hills, irj
boggy grounds, and in shadowy ditches
and many other such like places. The Ti(J
Moss grows only on trees.

Time.~\ It is to be found only in April \ Government and virtues.'] All sorts

ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

Mosses an under the dominion of Saturn. $ every joint, which are -somewhat broad and
The Ground Moss is held to be singularly ! long, as if it were rough or crumpled, with
lo break the stone, and to expel and I many great veins therein of a sad green

' colour, and deeply dented about the edges,
and almost divided. From the middle of
the branches up to the tops of them (which

drive it forlh by urine, being boiled in wine
;ind drank. The herb being bruised "and
boiled in water, and applied, eases all in-

flammations and pains coming from an hot ] are long and small) grow the flowers round

cause ; and is therefore used to ease the
pains of the gout.

The Tree Mosses are cooling and binding,
and partake of a digesting and molifying
quality withal, as Galen saith. But each
Moss partakes of the nature of the tree

them at distances, in sharp pointed, rough,
hard husks, of a more red or purple colour
than Balm or Horehound, but in the same
manner or form as the Horehound, after
which come small, round, blackish seeds in
great plenty. The root sends forth a num-

from whence it is taken ; therefore that ofj ber of long strings and small fibres, taking

strong hold in the ground, of a dark yellow-
ish or brownish colour, and abides as the
Horehound does : the smell of the one not
much differs from the other.

Place .] It grows only in gardens with us
in England.

Government and virtues.'] Venus owns the
herb, and it is under Leo. There is no better

the oak is more binding, and is of good effect
to stay fluxes in man or woman ; as also
romiling or bleeding, the powder thereof
being taken in wine. The decoction there-
of in wine is very good for women to be
bathed in, that are troubled with the over-
flowing of their courses. The same being
drank, stays the stomach that is troubled

with casting, or hiccough ; and, as Avicena | herb to take melancholy vapours from the

saith, it comforts the heart. The powder
thereof taken in drink for some time
together, is thought available for the dropsy.
The oil that has had fresh Moss steeped
therein for a time, and afterwards boiled
and applied to the temples and forehead,
marvellously eases the head-ache com-
ing of a hot cause; as also the distillations
of hot rheums or humours in the eyes, or
other parts. The ancients much used it in
their ointments and other medicines against

O ?

heait, to strengthen it, and make a merry,
chearful, blithe soul lhan this herb. It may
be kept in a syrup or conserve; therefore
the Latins called it Cardiaca. Besides, it
makes Avomen joyful mothers of children,
and settles their wombs as they should be,
therefore we call it Motherwort. It is held
to be of much use for the trembling of the
heart, and faintings and swoonings ; from
whence it took the name Cardiaca. The
powder thereof, to the quantity of a spoon-

the lassitude, and to strengthen and com- \ ful, drank in wine, is a wonderful help to
fort the sinews: For which, if it was good I women in their sore travail, as also for the

then, I know no reason but it may be found
<) still.

MOTHERWOUT.

Tins hath a hard, square,

suffocating or risings of the mother, and fqr
these effects, it is likely it took the name of
Motherwort with us. It also provokes
urine and women's courses, cleanses the
chest of cold phlegm, oppressing it, kills
worms in the belly. It is of good use (o

{

orounish, rough, strong stalk, rising three \ warm and dry up the cold humours, .tu
'if four feet high at least, spreading into digest and disperse them that are settled
hany branches, whereon grow leaves on | in the veins, joints, and sinews of the both,
i ich side, with long foot-stalks, two at j and to help cramps and convulsions.

122 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

| stays the fluxes of blood, either at the mouth
Jor nose, and inward bleeding also, for it is

Uescrtpt."] MOUSE-EAR is a low herb, la singular wound herb for wounds both in-
creeping upon the ground by small strings, j ward and outward : It helps the bloody
like the Strawberry plant, whereby it shoots jflux/and helps the abundance of women's
forth small roots, whereat grow, upon the j courses. There is a syrup made of the
ground, many small and somewhat short > juice hereof and sugar, by the apothecaries
leaves, set in a round form together, and | of Italy, and other places, which is of much
very hairy, which, being broken, do give a j account with them, to be given .o those
whitish milk: From among these leaves ! that are troubled with the cough or phthisic,
spring up two or three small hoary stalks {The same also is singularly good for rup-
about a span high, with a few smaller leaves j tures or burstings. The green herb bruised
thereon ; at the tops whereof stands usually ! and presently bound to any cut or wound,

but one flower, consisting of many pale yel-
low leaves, broad at the point, and a tittle

doth quickly solder the lips thereof. And
the juice, decoction, or powder of the dried

dented in, set in three or four rows (the j herb is most singular to stay the malignity

greater uppermost) very like a Dandelion '
flower, and a little reddish underneath about i
the edges, especially if it grow in a dry
ground ; which after they have stood long
in flower do turn into down, which with the
seed is carried away with the wind.

Place J] It grows on ditch banks, and
sometimes in ditches, if they be dry, and in
sandy grounds.

of spreading and fretting cankers and ulcers
whatsoever, yea in the mouth and secret
parts. The distilled water of the plant is
available in all the diseases aforesaid, and
to wash outward wounds and sores, by
applying tents of cloths wet therein.

MUGWORT.
Descript] COMMON Mugwort hath

Time.] It flowers about June or July, \ divers leaves lying upon the ground, very
and abides green all the Winter. j much divided, or cut deeply in about the

Government and virtues.] The Moon owns 1 brims, somewhat like Wormwood, but much
this herb also ; and though authors cry out \ larger, of a dark green colour on the upper
upon Alchymists, for attempting to fix f side, and very hoary white underneath,
quicksilver by this herb and Moonwort, a j The stalks rise to be four or five feel high,
Roman would not have judged a thing by \ having on it such like leaves as those below,
the success ; if it be to be fixed at all, it is j but somewhat smaller, branching forth
by lunar influence. The juice thereof' very much towards the top, whereon are
taken in wine, or the decoction thereof j set very small, pale, yellowish flowers like
drank, doth help the jaundice, although of' buttons, which fall away, and after them
long continuance, to drink thereof morn- \ come small seeds inclosed in round heads
ing and evening, and abstain from other | The root is long and hard, with many small
drink two or three hours after. It is a j fibres growing from it, whereby it takes
special remedy against the stone, and the ; strong hold on the ground ; but both stalks
ormenting pains thereof: as also other tor- | and leaves do lie clown every year, and the
tures and griping pains of the bowels. The j root shoots anew in the Spring. The whole
decoction thereof with Succory and Cen- j plant is of a reasonable scent, and is more
laury is held very effectual to help the J easily propagated by the slips than the
dropsy, and them that are inclining there- } seed.
unto, and the diseases of the spleen. It \ Place "| It grows plentifully in

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

123

laces of this land, by the water-sides ; as j the body, and the unripe binding it, es-
also by small water courses, and in divers j pecially when they are dried, and then they
Other places. i are good to stay fluxes, lasks, and the abun-

TimeJ] It flowers and seeds in the end I dance of women's courses. The bark of
of Summer. j the root kills the broad worms in the body.

Government and virtues.'] This is an herb ; The juice, or the syrup made of the juice of
of Venus, therefore maintains the parts of; the berries, helps all inflammations or sores

the body she rules, remedies the diseases of
the parts that are under her signs, Taurus

- . i i

in the mouth, or throat, and palate of
the mouth when it is tallen down. The

and Libra. Mugwort is with good success 5 juice of the leaves is a remedy against the
put among other herbs that are boiled for } biting of serpents, and for those that have
women to apply the hot decoction to draw | taken aconite. The leaves beaten with
down their courses, to help the delivery of s vinegar, are good to lay on any place that
the birth, and expel the after-birth. As ? is burnt with fire. A decoction made of
also for the obstructions and inflammations \ the bark and leaves is good to wash the

- 1 'mouth and teeth when they ache. If the

of the mother. It breaks the stone, and
opens the urinary passages where they
are stopped. The juice thereof made up
with Myrrh, and put under as a pessary,

root be a little slit or cut, and a small hole
made in the ground next thereunto, in the
Harvest-time, it will give out a certain

works the same effects, and so does the juice, which being hardened the next day,
root also. Being made up with hog's J is of good use to help the tooth-ache, to
grease into an ointment, it takes away wens j dissolve knots, and purge the belly. The
and hard knots and kernels that grow about j leaves of Mulberries are said to slay bleed-
the neck and throat, and eases the pains j ing at the mouth or nose, or the bleeding of
about the neck more effectually, if some \ the piles, or of a wound, being bound unto
Field Daisies be put with it. The herb itself | the places. A branch of the tree taken
being fresh, or the juice thereof taken, is aj when the moon is at the full, and bound to
special remedy upon the overmuch taking | the wrists of a woman's arm, whose courses
of opium. Three drams of the powder of j come down too much, doth stay them in a

the dried leaves taken in wine, is a speedy
and the best certain help for the sciatica.
A decoction thereof made with Camomile
and Agrimony, and the place bathed there-
with while it is warm, takes away the pains
of the sinews, and the cramp.

THE MULBERRY-TREE.

THIS is so well known where it grows,
that it needs no description.

Time.] It bears fruit in the months of
July and August.

short space.

MULLEIrf.

Descript.'] COMMON White Mullein has
many fair, large, woolly white leaves, lying
next the ground, 'somewhat larger than

(dented about the edges. The stalk rises
* up to be four or five feet high, covered over
with such like leaves, but less, so that no
stalk can be seen for the multitude of leaves
\ thereon up to the flowers, which come for th

Government and virtues'] Mercury rules ion all sides of the stalk, without any branches.
he tree, therefore are its effects variable t for the most part, and are many set together
as his are. The Mulberry is of different i in along spike, in some of a yellow colour,
parts ; the ripe berries, by reason of their Jin others more pale, consisting of five round
iweetness and slippery moisture, opening* pointed leaves, which afterwards have small

K K

124 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

round heads, wherein is small brownish | and heal them also. The leaves bruised
seed contained. The root is long, white, i and wrapped in double papers, and covered
and woody, perishing after it hath borne ! with hot ashes and embers to bake a while,
seed. | and then taken forth and, laid warm on any

Place."] It grows by way-sides and lanes, | blotch or boil happening in the groin 01
in many places of this land. j share, doth dissolve and heal them. The

Time.'] It flowers in July or thereabouts. ' seed bruised and boiled in wine, and laid
Government and virtues.'} It is under the i on any member that has been out of joint,
dominion of Saturn. A small quantity of land newly set again, takes away all swel-
the root given in wine, is commended by ; ling and pain thereof.
Dioscoricles, against lasks and fluxes of the *
belly. The decoction hereof drank, is pro- ]

Stable for those that are bursten, and forj Descript.] OUR common Mustard hath
cramps and convulsions, and for those that! large and broad rough leaves, verv much
are troubled with an old cough. The de- * jagged with uneven and unorder! y gashes,
coction thereof gargled, eases the pains of j somewhat like turnip leaves, but less and
the tooth-ache. And the oil made by the $ rougher. The stalk rises to be more than
often infusion of the flowers, is of very good |a foot high, and sometimes two feet high,
effect for the piles. The decoction of the } being round, rough, and branched at the
root in red wine or in water, (if there be \ top, bearing such like leaves thereon as
an ague) wherein red hot steel hath been j grow helow, but lesser, and less divided,
often quenched, doth stay the bloody-flux. and divers yellow flowers one above another
The same also opens obstructions of the > at the tops, after which come small rough
bladder and reins. A decoction of the I pods, with small, lank, flat ends, wherein
leaves hereof, and of Sage, Marjoram, and i is contained round yellowish seed, sharp,
Camomile flowers, and the places bathed \ hot, and biting upon the tongue. The root
therewith, that have sinews stiff with cold; is small, long, and woody when it bears
or champs, doth bring them much ease and | stalks, and perishes every year,
comfort. Three ounces of the distilled i PlaceJ] This grows with us in gardens
water of the flowers drank morning and : only, and other manured places,
evening for some days together, is said to be I Time.'\ It is an annual plant, flowering
the most excellent remedy for the gout. : in July, and the seed is ripe in August.
The juice of the leaves and flowers being j Government and virtues.] It is an excel-
laid upon rough warts, as also the powder * lent sauce for such whose blood wants clari-
of the dried roots rubbed on, doth easily \ tying, and for weak stomachs, being an
take them away, but doth no good to herb of Mars, but naught for choleric
smooth warts. The powder of the dried J people, though as good for such as are
flowers is an especial remedy for those that j aged, or troubled with cold diseases. Ark*
are troubled with the belly-ache, or the; claims something to do with it, therefore it
pains of the cholic. The decoction of the \ strengthens the heart, and resists poison
root, and so likewise of the leaves, is of; Let such whose stomachs are so weak they
great effect to dissolve the tumours, swel-i cannot digest their meat, or appetite it, take-
lings, or inflammations of the throat. The j of Mustard-seed a dram, Cinnamon as much,
seed and leaves boiled in wine, and ap-jand having beaten them to powder, and
plied, draw forth speedily thorns or splin-lhalf as much Mastich in powder, and with
ters gotten into the tlesh, ease the pains, i gum Arabic dissolved in rose-water, mak

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 125

it up into troches, of which they may take j The seed bruised mixed with honey, and
one of about half a dram weight an hour or j applied, or made up with wax, fakes away
two before meals ; let old men and women \ the marks and black and blue spots of
make much of this medicine, and they will j bruises, or the like, the roughness or scab-
either give me thanks, or shew manifest ! biness of the skin, as also the leprosy, and
rnoratitude. Mustard seed hath the virtue \ lousy evil. It helps also the crick in the
ofheat, discussing, ratifying, and drawing { neck. The distilled water of the herb, when
out splinters of bones, and other things of lit is in the flower, is much used to drink
the flesh. It is of good effect to bring | inwardly to help in any of the diseases
Jown women's courses, for the falling-sick- j aforesaid, or to wash the mouth when the
ness or lelhargy, drowsy forgetful evil, to j palate is down, and for the disease of the
use it both inwardly and outwardly, to rub j throat to gargle, but outwardly also for
the nostrils, forehead and temples, to warm 5 scabs, itch, or other the like infirmities, and
and quicken the spirits; for by the fierce j cleanses the face from morphew, spots,
sharpness it purges the brain by sneezing, j freckles, and other deformities,
and drawing down rheum and other vis-j

cous humours, which by their distillations j THE HEDGE-MUSTARD.

upon the lungs and chest, procure coughing, j

and therefore, with some, honey added | Descript.~] THIS grows up usually but
thereto, doth much good therein. The de-i with one blackish green stalk, tough, easy
coction of the seed made in wine, and | to bend, but not to break, branched into
drank, provokes urine, resists the force of i divers parts, and sometimes with divers
poison, the malignity of mushrooms, and | stalks, set full of branches, Avhereon grow
venom of scorpions, or other venomous j long, rough, or hard rugged leaves, very
creatures, if it be taken in time ; and taken ! much tore or cut on the edges in many
before the cold fits of agues, alters, lessens, ! parts, some bigger, and some less, of a
and cures them. The seed taken either by -'dirty green colour. The flowers are small
itself, or with other things, either in an dec- j and yellow, that grow on the tops of the
tuary or drink, doth mightily stir up bodily j branches in long spikes, flowering by de-
lust, and helps the spleen and pains in theigrees ; so that continuing long in flower,
sides, and gnawings in the bowels; and \ the stalk will have small round cods at the
used as a gargle draws up the palate of the ; bottom, growing upright and close to the
mouth, being fallen down ; and also it dis- 1 stalk, while the top flowers yet shew them-
solves the swellings about the throat, if it -selves, in which are contained small yellow
be outwardly applied. Being chewed in! seed, sharp and strong, as the herb is also,
the mouth it oftentimes helps the tooth-ache. |The root grows down slender and woody,
The outward application hereof upon the j yet abiding and springing again every
pained place of the sciatica, discusses the j year.

humours, and eases the pains, as also the? Place.'] This grows frequently in this
gout, and other joint aches ; and is much i land, by 'the ways and hedge-sides, and
and often used to ease pains in the sides or \ sometimes in the open fields,
loins, the shoulder, or other parts of thej TimeJ] It flowers most usually about
ooily, upon the plying thereof to raise j July.

Mistc-rs, and cures the disease by drawing: Government and virtues."] Mars owns this
it to the outward parts of the body. It is \ herb also. It is singularly good in all the
also used to help the falling off the hair J diseases of the chest and lungs, hoarseness

12(J THE COMPLETE HERBAL

of voice : and by the use of the decoction 1

thereof for a little space, those have been; NET. OR CATMINT.

Recovered who had utterly lost their voice,

nd almost their spirits also. The juice; DescnptJ] COMMON Garden Nep shoots
thereof made into a syrup, or licking medi- $ forth hard four-square stalks, with a hoari-
cine, with honey or sugar, is no less effec- ! ness on them, a yard high or more, full of
t.ual for the same purpose, and for all other ! branches, bearing at every joint two broad
coughs, wheeling, and shortness of breath, j leaves like balm, but longer pointed, softer,
The same is also profitable for those that j white, and more hoary, nicked about the
have the jaundice, pleurisy, pains in the } edpes, and of a strong sweet scent. The
back and loins, and for torments in the \ flowers grow in large tufts at the tops of the
belly, or cholic, being also used in clysters. I branches, and underneath them likewise on
The seed is held to be a special remedy ? the stalks many together, of a whitish pur-
figainst poison and venom. It is singularly 1 pie colour. The roots are composed of
good for the sciatica, and in joint-aches, j many long strings or fibres, fastening them-
;jJcers, and cankers in the mouth, throat, or \ selves stronger in the ground, and abide
behind the ears, and no less for the hard- j with green leaves thereon all the winter,
ness and swelling of the testicles, or of j Place.~\ It is only nursed up in our
women's breasts. j gardens.

Time.~] And it flowers in July, or there-
NAILWORT, OR WHITLOW-GRASS. jabouts.

Government and virtues.] It is an herb of

DescriptJ] Tins very small and common > Venus. Nep is generally used for women
herb hath no roots, save only a few strings:! to procure their courses, being laKen in-
neither doth it ever grow to be above a | wardly or outwardly, either alone, or with
hand's breadth high, the leaves are very | other convenient herbs in a decoction to
small, and something long, not much unlike { bathe them, or sit over the hot fumes there-
those of Chickweed, among which rise up j of; and by the frequent use thereof, it takes
divers slender stalks, bearing many white I away barrenness, and the wind, and pains
flowers one above another, which are ex-} of the mother. It is also used in pains of
ceeding small; after which come small j the head coming of any cold cause, catarrhs,
Hat pouches containing the seed, which is I rheums, and for swimming and giddiness
very small, but of a sharp taste. \ thereof, and is of special use for the wind-

Place.'] It grows commonly upon old \ iness of the stomach and belly. It is ef-
stone and brick walls, and sometimes in \ fectual for any cramp, or cold aches, to dis-
gravelly grounds, especially if there be j solve cold and wind that afflict the place,
grass or moss near to shadow it. * and is used for colds, coughs, and short-

Time.] They flower very early in the j ness of breath. The juice thereof drank
year, sometimes in January, and in \ in wine, is profitable for those that are
February; for before the end of April they ' bruised by an accident. The green herb
are not to be found. j bruised and applied to the fundament a id

Government and virtues.'] It is held to be ! lying there two or three hours, eases the
exceedingly good for those imposthumes in \ pains of the piles; the juice also being made
the joints, and under the nails, which they | up into an ointment, is effectual for the
call Whitlows. Felons, Andicorns and Nail- i same purpose. The head washed with a
wheals. [decoction thereof, it takes nway scabs,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 1*27

and may be effectual for other parts of the:; together, stays bleeding at the mouth. The

body also.

seed being drank, is a remedy against the

; stinging of venomous creatures, the biting

NETTLES. \ of mad dogs, the poisonous qualities of

I Hemlock, Henbane, Nightshade, Mandrake,

NETTLES are so well known, that they ;or other such like herbs that stupify or dull
need no description; they may be found j the senses ; as also the lethaigy, especially
by feeling, in the darkest night. I to use it outwardly, to rub the forehead or

Government and virtues. ~\ This is also; temples in the lethargy, and the places
an herb Mars claims dominion over. You 5 stung or bitten with beasts, with a little salt,
know Mars is hot and dry, and you know j The distilled water of the herb is also effec-
as well that Winter is cold and moist ; then i tual (though not so powerful) for the dis-
you may know as well the reason why j eases aforesaid; as for outward wounds
Nettle-tops eaten in the Spring consume; and sores to wash them, and to cleanse the
the phlegmatic superfluities in the body or ; skin from morphew, leprosy, and other
man, that the coldness and moistness of discolourings thereof. The seed or leaves
Winter hath left behind. r \ he roots or $ bruised, and put into the nostrils, stays the
leaves boiled, or the juice of either of them, j bleeding of them, and takes away the flesh
or both made into an electuary with honey \ growing in them called polypus. The juice
and sugar, is a safe and sure medicine to j of the leaves, or the decoction of them, or
open the pipes and passages of the lungs, j of the root, is singularly good to wash either
which is the cause of wheezing and short- 1 old, rotten, or stinking sores or fistulous,
ness of breath, and hrlps to expectorate land gangrenes, and such as fretting, eating,
tough phlegm, as also to raise the impost- \ or corroding scabs, manginess, and itch,
humed pleurisy ; and spend it by spitting ;| in any part of the body, as also green
the same helps the swelling of the almonds j wounds, by washing them therewith, or ap-
of the throat, the mouth -md throat being; plying the green herb bruised thereunto,
gargled therewith. The juice is also effec-jyea, although the flesh were separated from
tual to settle the palate of the mouth in its j the bones; the same applied to our wearied
place, and to heal and temper the inflani-{ members, refresh them, or to place those
malions and soreness of the mouth and ; that have been out of joint, being first set
throat. The decoction of the leaves in ; up again, strengthens, dries, and comforts
wine, being drank, is singularly good to pro- 1 them, as also those places troubled with
voke women's courses, and settle the suf- \ aches and gouts, and the defluxion of
location, strangling of the mother, and all \ humours upon the joints or sinews ; it eases
other diseases thereof; it is also applied out- j the pains, and dries or dissolves the defluc-
wardly with a little myrrh. The same also, j tions. An ointment made of the juice,
or the seed provokes urine, and expels the | oil, and a little wax, is singularly good to
gravel and stone in the reins or bladder, > rub cold and benumbed members. An
often proved to be effectual in many that \ handful of the leaves of green Nettles, and
have taken it. The same kills the worms \ another of Wallwort, or Deanwort, bruised
in children, eases pains in the sides, and; and applied simply themselves to the gout,
dissolves the windiness in the spleen, as : sciatica, or joint aches in any part, hath
also in the body, although others think it; been found to be an admirable help there-
only powerful to provoke venery. The junto.

juice of the leaves taken two or three days ;

L L

I2B THE COMPLETE HERBAL

I mouth and throat that is inflamed : But
NIGHTSHADE. 11.1 ^ ,t i i

J outwardly the juice or the herb or berries,

J)escript.~] COMMON Nightshade hath! with oil of roses and a little vinegar and
an upright, round green, hollow stalk, about | ceruse laboured together in a leaden mortar,
a foot or half a yard high, bushing forth in \ is very good to anoint all hot inflammations
many branches, whereon grow many green j in the eyes. It also doth much good foi
leaves, somewhat broad, and pointed at the j the shingles, ringworms, and in all running
ends, soft and full of juice, somewhat like [fretting and corroding ulcers, applied
unto Bazil, but longer and a little unevenly j thereunto. The juice dropped into th
dented about the edges: At the tops of the! ears, eases pains thereof that arise of hea
slalks and branches come forth three orjor inflammations. And Pliny saith, it is

good for hot swellings under the throat
Have a care you mistake not the deadly

four more white flowers made of five small
pointed leaves a-piece, standing on a stalk

together, one above another, with yellow : Nightshade for this ; if you know it not,
pointels in the middle, composed of four or j you may let them both alone, and take no
five yellow threads set together, which af-jharm, having other medicines sufficient in
terwards run into so many pendulous green | the book,
berries, of the bigness of small pease, full of j
green juice, and small whitish round flat*

seed lying within it. The root is white, | IT is so well known (the timber thereof
and a little woody when it hath given flower; Deing the glory and safety of this nation
and fruit, with many small fibres at it ;; by sea) that it needs no description.
The whole plant is of a waterish insipid j Government and virtues^] Jupiter own*
aste, but the juice within the berries is i the tree. The leaves and bark of the Oak,
some what viscous, and of a cooling and j and the acorn cups, do bind and dry very
binding quality. ;much. The inner bark of the tree, and

PlaceJ] It grows wild with us under our j the thin skin that covers the acorn, are
walls, and in rubbish, the common paths, \ most used to stay the spitting of blood, and
and sides of hedges and fields, as also in | the b!oody-flux. The decoction of that
our gardens here in England, without any \ bark, and the powder of the cups, do stay
planting. j vomitings, spitting of blood, bleeding at

TimeJ] It lies down every year, and
rises up again of its own sowing, but springs

the mouth, or other fluxes of blood, in
men or women ; lasks also, and the noctur-

not until the latter end of April at the >nal involuntary flux of men. The acorn in
soonest. ! powder taken in wine, provokes urinr, and

Government a;;d -virtues."] It is a cold 5 resists the poison of venomous creatures.
Saturnine plant. The common Night-! The decoction of acorns and the bark mad
shade is wholly used to cool hot inflam-jin milk and taken, resists the force of poi-
mations either inwardly or outwardly, Isonous herbs and medicines, as also I he
being no ways dangerous to any that use it, j virulencyof cantharides, when one by eating
as most of the rest of the Nightshades are ; i them hath his bladder exulcerated, and
yet it must be used moderately. The dis- ! voids bloody urine. Hippocrates saith, he
tilled water only of the whole herb is fittest j used the fumes of Oak leaves to women that
and safest to be taken inwardly : The juice j were troubled with the strangling of the
also clarified and taken, being mingled | mother ; and Galen applied them, being
with a little vinesar, is good to wash the; bruised, to cure green wounds. The dis-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 129

tilled water of the Oaken bud, before they j the upper crust of the earth, shooting forth

break out into leaves is good to be used j in divers places.

either inwardly or outwardly, to assuage! Place.'] It grows in moist, shadowy

inflammations, and to stop all manner of land grassy places of woods, in many parts

fluxes in man or woman. The same is f of this land.

singularly good in pestilential and hot! Time.'] It flowers about May, and the

burning fevers; for it resists the force of; berries are ripe in June, and then quickly

the infection, and allays the heat : It cooks j perishes, until the next year it springs from

the heat of the liver, breaking the stone in j the same root again.

the kidneys, and stays women's courses, j Government and virtues.] It is a precious

The decoction of the leaves works the same > herb of the Sun. Half a dram, or a dram

effects. The Avater that is found in the j at most, in powder of the roots hereof taken

hollow places of old Oaks, is very effectual in wine and vinegar, of each equal parts,

against any foul or spreading scabs. The
distilled water (or concoction, which is

and the party laid presently to sweat there-
upon, is held to be a sovereign remedy for

better) of the leaves, is one of the best { those that are infected with the plague, and
remedies that I know of for the whites in \ have a sore upon them, by expelling the
women. j poison and infection, and defending the

| heart and spirits from danger. It is a sin-
' s ' j gularly good wound herb, and is thereupon

ARE so well known that they need no j used with other the like effects in many
description. i compound balms for curing of wounds, be

Government and virtues. ~] Oats fried with \ they fresh and green, or old and malignant,
bay salt, and applied to the sides, take } and especially if the sinews be burnt,
away the pains of stitches and wind in the \

sides or the belly. A poultice made of 5 ORCHIS.

meal of Oats, and some oil of Bays put

i i -i _ *

thereunto, helps the itch and the leprosy,
as also the fistulas of the fundament, and

IT has almost as many several names
attributed to the several sorts of it, as would

dissolves hard imposthurnes. The meal of: almost fill a sheet of paper ; as dog-stones,
Oats boiled with vinegar, and applied, f goat-stones, fool-stones, fox-stones, satiri-
takes away freckles and spots in the face, \ con, cullians, together with many others too
and other parts of the body. j tedious to rehearse.

Descript.l To describe all the several

UiNJc/xJljAIjI^, ,, . J 11 / i

; sorts of it were an endless piece or work ;

DescriptJ] THIS small plant never bears ! therefore I shall only describe the roots
more than one leaf, but only when it rises because they are to be used with some dis-
up with his stalk, which thereon bears j cretion. They have each of them a double
another, and seldom more, which are of a root within, some of them are round, in
blueish green colour, pointed, with many j others like a hand ; these roots alter every
ribs or veins therein, like Plantain. At the ; year by course, when the one rises and
top of the stalk grow many small white j waxes full, the other waxes lank, and perishes
flowers, star fashion, smelling somewhat i Now, it is that which is full which is to be
sweet ; after which come small red berries, ! used in medicines, the other being either of
when they are ripe. The root is small, of the ! no use at all, or else, according to the
bigness of a rush, lying and creeping under \ humour of some, it destroys and disannuls

ISO

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

the virtues of the other, quite undoing what the place with good treacle, and after to
hat doth. roast it well undgr the embers, which, after

Time.'] One or other of them may be { taking away the outermost skin thereof,
found in flower from the beginning of April \ being beaten together, is a sovereign salve
to the latter end of August. \ for either plague or sore, or any ot

Government and virtues.] They are hot
and moist in operation, under the dominion
of Dame Venus, and provoke lust exceed-

i i i i

putrefied ulcer. The juice of Onions is
good for either scalding or burning by fire,
water, or gunpowder, and used with vine-

ingly, -vhich, they say, the dried and ! gar, takes away all blemishes, spots and
withered roots do restrain. They are held j marks in the skin : and dropped in the
to kill worms in children; as also, being: ears, eases the pains and noise of them,
bruised and applied to the place," to heal j Applied also with figs beaten together, helps

the king's evil.

ONIONS.

THEY are so well known, that I need not

to ripen and break imposthumes, and other
sores.

Leeks are as like them in quality, as the
pome-water is like an apple : They are a

spend time about writing a description of; remedy against a surfeit of mushrooms,

| being baked under the embers and taken ,

Government and virtues.] Mars owns { and being boiled and applied very warm,
them, and they have gotten this quality, to help the piles. In other things they have

draw any corruption to them, for if you
peel one, and lay it upon a dunghill, you

the same property as the Onions, although
not so effectual.

ORPINE.

shall find it rotten in half a day, by drawing j
putrefaction to it ; then, being bruised and j
applied to a plague sore, it is very probable | Descript] COMMON Orpine rises up
it will do the like. Onions are flatulent, or j with divers rough brittle stalks, thick set
windy; yet they do somewhat provoke* with fat and fleshy leaves, without any
appetite, increase thirst, .ease the belly and i order, and little or nothing dented about
bowels, provoke women's courses, help the 5 the edges, of a green colour : The flowers
biting of a mad dog, and of other venomous j are white, or whitish, growing in tufts, after
creatures, to be used with honey and rue, j which come small chaffy husks, with seeds
increase sperm, especially the seed of them, j like dust in them. The roots are divers

They also kill worms in children if they i
drink the water fasting wherein they have

thick, round, white tuberous clogs ; and the
plant grows not so big in some places as in

been steeped all night. Being roasted j others where it is found.

under the embers, and eaten with honey or? Place.] It is frequent in almost every

sugar and oil, they much conduce to help | county of this land, and is cherished in

an inveterate cough, and expectorate the i gardens with us, where it grows greater than

.ough phlegm. Ihe juice being snuffed | that which is wild, and grows in shadowy

up into the nostrils, purges the head, and sides of fields and woods.

nelps the lethargy, (yet the often eating Time] It flowers about July, and the

tli em is said to procure pains in the head.) j seed is ripe in August.

It hath been held by divers country people j Government and virtues] The Moon

a great preservative against infection, to eat towns the herb, and he that knows but her

Onions fasting with bread and salt: As j exaltaration, knows what I say is true

ftlso to make a great Onion hollow, filling j Orpine is seldom used in inward medicine*

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 131

with us, although Tragus saith from expe- 1 is also effectual against the venom of any
rience in Germany, that the distilled water j poisonous creature, and the danger that
thereof is profitable for gnawings or excori- * comes to them that have the lethargy, and
utions in the stomach or bowels, or for ul- jis as good against the cough. The distilled
cers in the lungs, liver, or other inward J water of Parsley is a familiar medicine with
parts, as also in the matrix, and helps all ! nurses to give their children when they are
those diseases, being drank for certain days \ troubled with wind in the stomach or belly
together. It stays the sharpness of humours i which they call the frets ; and is also much
in the bloody- flux, and other fluxes in the i available to them that are of great years
body, or in wounds. The root thereof | The leaves of Parsley laid to the eyes that
also performs the like effect. It is used {are inflamed with heat, or swollen, doth
outwardly to cool any heat or inflammation 5 much help them, if it be used with bread or
upon any hurt or wound, and eases the j meal ; and being fried with butter, and ap-
painsof them; as, also, to heal scaldings \ plied to women's breasts that are hard
or burnings, the juice thereof being beaten i through the curdling of their milk, it abates
with some green sallad oil, and anointed. | the hardness quickly ; and also takes away
The leaf bruised, and laid to any green \ black and blue marks coming of bruises or
wound in the hand or legs, doth heal them ! falls. The juice thereof dropped^into the
quickly; and being bound to the throat, (ears with a little wine, eases the pains,
much helps the quinsy ; it helps also rup-j Tragus sets dawn an excellent medicine to
tures and burstenness. If you please to] help the jaundice and falling sickness, the
make the juice thereof into a syrup with; dropsy, and stone in the kidneys, in this
honey or sugar, you may safely take a | manner : Take of the seed of Parsley, Fen-
epoonful or two at a time, (let my author j nel, Annise and Carraways, of each an
say what he will) for a quinsy, and you Bounce; of the roots of Parsley, Burnet,
shall find the medicine pleasant, and the \ Saxifrage, and Carraways, of each an ounce
cure speedy. j an( ] an h-df ; let the seeds be bruised, and

\ the roots washed and cut small ; let them

* Si- 11-1 i 1 {* 1 '

| he all night to steep in a bottle of white

THIS is so well known, that it needs no JAvine, and in the morning be boiled in a
description. | close earthen vessel until a third part 01

Government and virtues.'] It is under the j more be wasted ; which being strained and
dominion of Mercury; is very comfortable* cleared, take four ounces thereof morning
to the stomach ; helps to provoke urine cind (and evening first and last, abstaining from
women's courses, to break wind both in the | drink after 'ii for three hours. This opens
stomach and bowds, and doth a little open j obstructions of the liver and spleen, and
the body, but the root much more. It 'expels the dropsy and jaundice by urine,
opens obstructions both of liver and spleen, *

and is therefore accounted one of the five! PARSLEY PIERT > OR PARSLEY BREAK
opening roots. Galen commended itj STONE.

against the falling sickness, and to provoke I Descript.] THE root, although it be very
nnne mightily ; especially if the roots be Ismail and thready, yet it continues many
boiled, and eaten like Parsnips. The seed 1 years, from which arise many leaves lying
is effectual lo provoke urine and women's i along on the ground, each standing upon
courses, to expel wind, to break the stone,! a long small foot-stalk, the leaves as broad
and case the pains and torments thereof; it I as a man's nail, very deeply denied on the

M M

132 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

edges, somewhat like a parsley-leaf, but of > the seed being ripe about the beginning of

'August, the second year after its sowing;
for if they do flower the first year, the coun-
try people call them Madneps.

a very dusky green colour. The stalks are
very weak and slender, about three or four
fingers in length, set so full of leaves that

they can hardly be seen, either having noj Government and virtues^] The garden
foot-stalk at all, or but very short; the | Parsnips are under Venus. The garden
flowers are so small they can hardly be; Parsnip nourishes much, and is good and
seen, and the seed as small as may be. \ wholesome nourishment, but a little windy,

Place.] It is a common herb throughout! whereby it is thought to procure bodily
the nation, and rejoices in barren, sandy, ; lust ; but it fastens the body much, if much
moist places. It may be found plentifully ! need. It is conducible to the stomach and
about Hampstead Heath, Hyde Park, and j reins, and provokes urine. But the wild
in Tothill-fields. j Parsnips hath a cutting, attenuating, clean-

Time.~\ It maybe found all the Sum-; sing, and opening quality therein. It re-
mer-time, even from the beginning of April jsists and helps the bitings of serpents, eases
to the end of October. i the pains and stitches in the sides, and dis-

Governmeni and virtues.] Its operation | solves wind both in the stomach and bowels,
is, very prevalent to provoke urine, and to j which is the cholic, and provokes urine,
break the stone. It is a very good salladjThe root is often used, but the seed much
herb. It were good the gentry would pickle \ more. The wild being better than the tame,
it up as they pickle up Samphire for their j shews Dame Nature to be the best phy-
use all the Winter. I cannot teach them j sician.
how to do it; yet this I can tell them, it is J

II || mi 1 * v/wWJrAlVOl>IJL.r &

a very wholesome herb. Ihey may alsoj

jeep the herb dry, or in a syrup, if they; Descnpt.") THIS grows with three or
please. You may take a dram of the pow-j four large, spread winged, rough leaves,
derof it in white wine; it would bring away Hying often on the ground, or else raised a
gravel from the kidneys insensibly, and j little from it, with long, round, hairy foot-
without pain. It also helps the stranguary.: stalks under them, parted usually into five

| divisions, the two couples standing each
| against the other ; and one at the end, and

THE garden kind thereof is so well known* each leaf, being almost round, yet some-
(the root being commonly eaten) that I j what deeply cut in on the edges in some*
shall not trouble you with any description Heaves, and not so deep in others, of a whitish
of it. But the wild kind being of more j green colour, smelling somewhat strongly;
physical use, I shall in this place describe ; among which rises up a round, crusted,
it unto you. ; hairy stalk, two or three feet high, with a

Descript.'] The wild Parsnip differs j few joints and leaves thereon, and branched
little from the garden, but grows not so fair ; at the top, where stand large umbels of
and large, nor hath so many leaves, and the {white, and sometimes reddish flowers, and
root is shorter, more woody, and not so fit \ after them flat, whitish, thin, winged seed,
to be eaten, and therefore more medicinal, j two always joined together. The root is

Place.'] The name of the first shews the | long and white, with two or three long
place of its growth. The other grows wild ! strings growing down into the ground,
in divers places, as in the marshes in Roches-; smelling likewise strongly and unpleasant
ter, and elsewhere, and flowers in July;: Place.] It grows in moist meadows,- an 1

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 133

ihe borders and corners of fields, and near; within the stone. It sooner waxes <<ld,
ditches, through this land. land decays, than the Apricot, by much.

Time."] It flowers in July, and seeds in 5 Place.'] They are nursed in gardens aiu.
August. } orchards through this land.

Government and virtues.] Mercury hath | Time.'] They flower in the Spring, and
the dominion over them. The seed thereof, j fructify in Autumn.

as Galen saith, is of a sharp and cutting) Government and virtues.'] Lady Venus
quality, and therefore is a fit medicine for; owns this tree, and by it opposes the ill
a cough and shortness of breath, the falling! effects of Mars, and indeed for children and
sickness and jaundice. The root is avail- j young people, nothing is better to purge
able to all the purposes aforesaid, and Jsjcholer and the jaundice, than the leaves or
also of great use to take away the hard j rlowers of this tree being made into a syrup
skin that grows on a fistula, if it be but | or conserve. Let such as delight to please
scraped upon it. The seed hereof being j their lust regard the fruit ; but such as have
drank, cleanses the belly from tough phleg-Uost their health, and their children's, let

matic matter therein, eases them that are
liver-grown, women's passions of the mother,

them regard what I say, they may safely
give two spoonfuls of the syrup at a time ;

as well being drank as the smoke thereof jit is as gentle as Venus herself. The leaves
received, and likewise raises such as are j of peaches bruised and laid on the belly,
fallen into a deep sleep, or have the lethargy, I kill worms, and so they do also being
by burning it under their nose. The seed j boiled in ale and drank, and open the belly
and root boiled in oil, and the head rubbed 1 likewise ; and, being dried, is a far safer

therewith, helps not only those that are
fallen into a frenzy, but also the lethargy or

medicine to discuss humours. The pow-
der of them strewed upon fresh bleeding

drowsy evil, and those that have been long \ wounds stays their bleeding, and closes
troubled with the head-ache, if it be like- j them up. The flowers steeped all night in
wise used with Rue. It helps also the runn-j a little wine standing warm, strained forth
ing scab and shingles. 'IV; juice of the | in the morning, and drank fasting, dotli
flowers dropped into the ears that run and j gently open the belly, and move it down-
are full of matter, cleanses and heals them, J ward. A syrup made of them, as the syrup

J of roses is made, works more forcibly than

TIIEPEACIITR.E.E *

\ that of roses, for it provokes vomiting, and

Descri})t.~\ A PEACH Tree grows not so j spends waterish and hydropic humours by
great as the Apricot tree, yet spreads! the continuance thereof. The flowers made
branches reasonable well, from whence j into a conserve, work the same effect,
spring smaller reddish twigs, whereon are \ The liquor that dropped from the tree, being
set long and narrow green leaves dented I wounded, is given in the decoction of Colts-
aboul the edges. The blossoms are greater j foot, to those that are troubled with a cough
than the plumb, and of a light purple: or shortness of breath, by adding thereunto
colour; the fruit round, and sometimes as j some sweet wine, and putting some saffron
big as a reasonable Pippin, others smaller, j also therein. It is good for those that are
as also differing in colour and taste, as rus-> hoarse, or have lost their voice; helps all
5Ct, red, or yellow, walerish or firm, with a (defects of the lungs, and those that vomit

Irixe or cotton all over, with a cleft therein | and spit blood. Two drams hereof given
(ike ui i Apricot, and a rugged, furrowed, | in the juice of lemor

lemons, or of radish, is good
great stone within it, and a bitter kernel ) for them that are troubled with the stone,

134 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

the kernels of the stones do wonderfully j much more, and are very good in repelling
ease the pains and wringings of the belly j medicines ; and if the wild sort be boiled
through wind or sharp humours, and help; with mushrooms, it makes them less dan-
to make an excellent medicine for the stone \ gcrous. The said Pears boiled with a little
upon all occasions, in this manner: I take \ honey, help much the oppressed stomach,
fifty kernels of peach-stones, and one hundred \ as all sorts of them do, some more, some
of the kernels of cherry-stones, a handful of\ less : but the harsher sorts do more cool
elder flower* fresh or dried, and three pints ! and bind, serving well to be bound to green
of Muscadel; set them in a close pot into a bed ! wounds, to cool and stay the blood, and heal
of horse-dung for ten days, after zchich distill up the green wound without farther trouble,
in a glass with a gentle fire, and keep it for * orinflammation, asGalen saithhehath found
your use : You may drink upon occasion \ by experience. The wild Pears do sooner
three or four ounces at a time. The milk or \ close up the lipsof green wounds than others,
cream of these kernels being drawn forth i Schola Selerni advises to drink much
Avith some Vervain water and applied to ! wine after Pears, or else (say they) they are
the forehead and temples, doth much help j as bad as poison ; nay, and they curse the
to procure rest and sleep to sick persons j tree for it too ; but if a poor man find his
wanting it. The oil drawn from the kernels, j stomach oppressed by eating Pears, it is but
the temples being therewith anointed, doth j working hard, and it Avill do as Avell as
the like. The said oil put into clysters, \ drinking wine,
eases the pains of the Avind cholic : and \

iU , ,. ,, PELLITORY OF SPAIN.

anointed on the lower part or the belly, j

doth the like, and dropped into the ears, | COMMON Pellitory of Spain, if it be
eases pains in them; the juice of the leaves planted in our gardens, Avill prosper very
doth the like. Being also anointed on the well ; yet there is one sort groAving orclina-
forehead and temples, it helps the megrim,: rily here Avild, Avhich I esteem to be little
and all other pains in the head. If the J inferior to the other, if at all. I shall not

kernels be bruised and boiled in vinegar,
until they become thick, and applied to the
head, it marvellously procures the hair to
groAv again upon bald places, or Avhere it is
too thin.

THE PEAR TREE.

deny you the description of them both.

T)escript.~\ Common Pellitory is a very
common plant, and Avill not be kept in our
gardens Avilhout diligent looking to. The
root goes down right into the ground bear-
ing leaves, being long and finely cut upon
the stalk, lying on the ground, much larger
PEAR Trees are soAvell knoAvn, that they j than the leaves of the Camomile are. At
teed no description. * the top it bears one single large flower at a

Government and virtues.'] The Tree belongs
to Venus, and so doth the Apple tree. For

place, having a border of many leaves,
Avhite on the upper side, and reddish under-

their physical use they are best discerned \ neath, Avith a yelloAV thrum in the middle,
"by their taste. All the sweet and luscious j not standing so close as that of Camomile,
sorts, Avhether manured or wild, do help to i The other common Pellitory Avhich
move the belly dowmvards, more or less. \ groAvs here, hath a root of a sharp biting
Those that are hard and sour, do, on the j taste, scarcely discernible by the taste from
contrary, bind the belly as much, and the) that before described, from whence arise
leaves do so also: Those that are moist do divers brittle stalks, a yard high and more
in some sort cool, but harsh or wild sorts i with narrow leaves finely dented about the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED, l6

edges, standing one above another up to j black, rough seed, which will stick to any
the tops. The flowers are many and white, | cloth or garment that shall touch it. The
standing in tufts like those of Yarrow, with; root is somewhat long, with small fibres
a small yellowish thrum in the middle. } thereat, of a dark reddish colour, which
The seed is very small. j abides the Winter, although the stalks and

Place.'] The last grows in fields by the j leaves perish and spring every year,
hedge sides and paths, almost every where. | Place.~\ It grows wild generally through

Time.'] It flowers at the latter end of j the land, about the borders of fields, and by
June and July. I the sides of walls, and among rubbish. It

Government and virtues.'] It is under the i will endure well being brought up in gar-
government of Mercury, and I am per- j dens, and planted on the shady side,
suaded it is one of the best purgers of the j where it will spring of it own sowing.
brain that grows. An ounce of the juice! Time.'] It flowers in June and July, and
taken in a draught of Muskadel an hour \ the seed is ripe soon after,
before the fit of the ague comes, it will : Government and virtues] It is under the
assuredly drive away the ague at the second: dominion of Mercury. The dried herb
or third time taken at the farthest. Either? Pellitory made up into an electuary with
the herb or root dried and cl.cwed in the; honey, or the juices of the herb, or the de-
mouth, purges the brain of plegma'ie \ coction thereof made up with sugar or
humours; thereby not only easing pains in jhoii3y, is a singular remedy for an old or
the head and teeth, but also hinders the: dry cough, the shortness of breath, and
distilling of the brain upon the lungs and | wheezing in the throat. Three ounces of
eyes, thereby preventing coughs, phthisicks i the juice thereof taken at a time, doth won-
and consumption, the apoplexy and falling! derfully help stopping of the urine, and to
sickness. It is an excellently approved j expel the stone or gravel in the kidneys or
remedjr in the lethargy. The powder of the I bladder, and is therefore usually put among
herb or root being snuffed up the nostrils, J other herbs used in clysters to mitigate
procures sneezing, and. eases the head-ache; j pains in the back, sides, or bowels, pro-
being made into an ointment with hog's : ceeding of wind, stopping of urine, the
grease, it takes away black and blue spots i gravel or stone, as aforesaid. If the bruised
occasioned by blows or falls, and helps both j herb, sprinkled with some Muskadel, be
the gout and sciatica. j warmed upon a tile, or in a dish upon a

few quick coals in a chafing-dish, and ap-

r & Li Lii L\J Li. i. \j if I 11 E* W Alt Li i i . .1 in . i i /v

1 plied to the belly, it works the same effect.

Descript.'] IT rises with brownish, red, 1 The decoction of the herb being drank,
tender, weak, clear, and almost transparent \ eases pains of the mother, and brings down
stalks, about two feet high, upon which 5 women's courses : It also eases those griefs
grow at the joints two leaves somewhat \ that arise from obstructions of the liver,
broad and long, of a dark green colour, j spleen, and reins. The same decoction,
which afterwards turn brownish, smooth on i with a little honey added thereto, is good
the edges, but rough and hairy, as the \ to gargle a sore throat. The juice held a
talks are also. At the joints with the j while in the mouth, eases pains in the teeth,
leaves from the middle of the stalk upwards, \ The distilled water of the herb drank with
where it spreads into branches, stand many j some sugar, works the same effects, and
small, pale, purplish flowers in hairy, rough cleanses the skin from spots, freckles, pur
heads, or husks, after which come small, 5 pies, wheats, sun-burn, morphew, &c. The

H JS

130 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

juice dropped into the ears, eases the noise | There is a greater kind than the ordinary
in them, and takes away the pricking ancHsort found wild with us, which so abides,
shooting pains therein : The same, or the 'being brought into gardens, and differs not
distilled water, assuages hot and swelling { from it, but only in tne largeness of the
imposthumes, burnings and scaldings by Heaves and stalks, in rising higher, and not
fire or water ; as also all other hot tumours ! creeping upon the ground so much. The
and inflammations, or breakings-ouf, of flowers whereof are purple, growing in run-
heat, being bathed often with wet cloths j dies about the stalks like the other,
dipped therein : The said juice made into j 'Place.'] The first, which is common in
a liniment with ceruss, and oil of roses, and j gardens, grows also in many moist and
anointed therewith, cleanses foul rotten ; watery places of this land,
ulcers, and stays spreading or creeping! The second is found wild in effect in
ulcers, and running scabs or sores in chil-j divers places by the highways from London
dren's heads; and helps to stay the hair \ to Colchester, and thereabouts, more abun-
from falling off the head. The said oint-jdantlv than in any other counties, and is
ment, or the herb applied to the fundament, \ also planted in their gardens in Essex,
opens the piles, and eases their pains ; and { Time.'] They flower in the latter end of
being mixed with goats' tallow, helps the i Summer, about August,
gout. The juice is very effectual to cleanse: Government and virtues.'] The herb is
fistulas, and to heal them up safely ; or the; under Venus. Dioscorides sailh, that
herb itself bruised and applied with a little j Pennyroyal makes thin tough phlegm,
salt. It is likewise also effectual to heal j warms the coldness of any part whereto it
any green wound ; if it be bruised and | is applied, and digests raw or corrupt mat-
bound thereto for three days, you shall ; ter ; Being boiled and drank, it provokes
need no other medicine to heal it further. ; women's courses, and expels the dead child
A poultice made hereof with Mallows, and \ and after-birth, and stays the disposition
boiled in wine and wheat bran and bean \ to vomit, being taken in water and vinegar
flour, and some oil put thereto, and ap- i mingled together. And being mingled with
plied warm to any bruised sinews, tendon, i honey and salt, it voids phlegm out of the
or muscle, doth in a very short time restore ; lungs, and purges melancholy by the stool,
them to their strength, taking away the i Drank with wine, it helps such as are bitten
pains of the bruises, and dissolves the con- ; and stung with venomous beasts, and ap-
gealed blood coming of blows, or falls from < plied to the nostrils with vinegar, revives
high places. 5 those that are fainting and swooning.

7 l'he juice of Pellitory of the Wall clarified ; Being dried and burnt, it strengthens the
and boiled in a syrup with honey, and a; gums. It is helpful to those that are trou-
spoonful of it drank every morning by such ! bled with the gout, being applied of itself
as are subject to the dropsy ; if continuing j to the place until it was red ; and applied
that course, though but once a weak, they | in a plaister, it takes away spots or marks
ever have the dropsy, let them but come j in the face; applied with salt, it profits those
to me, and I will cure them gratis. I that are splenetic, or livergrown. The d<-

\ coction doth help the itch, if washed there-
| with. The green herb bruised and put

PENNYROYAL is so well known unto j into vinegar, cleanses foul ulcers, and takes
all, 1 mean the common kind, that it needs taway the marks of bruises and blows about
no description. |the eyes, and a.l discolourings of the face

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 137

by lire, yea, and the leprosy, being drank j The ordinary Female Peony hath as
and outwardly applied : Boiled in wine! many stalks, and more leaves on them than
with honey and salt, it helps the tooth-ache, j the Male; the leaves not so large, but nickea
It helps the cold griefs by the joints, taking! on the edges, some with great and deep,
away the pains, and warms the cold part, \ others with small cuts and divisions, of a
being fast bound to the place, after a ! dead green colour. The flowers are of a
bathing or sweating in a hot house. Pliny \ strong heady scent, usually smaller, and of
adds, that Pennyroyal and Mints together, ! a more purple colour than the Male, with
help faintings, being put into vinegar, and \ yellow thrums about the head, as the Male
smelled unto, or put into the nostrils or | hath. The seed vessels are like horns, as in
mouth. It eases head-aches, pains of the j the Male, but smaller, the seed is black,
breast and belly, and gnawings of the j but less shining. The root consists of many
stomach ; applied with honey, salt, and | short tuberous clogs, fastened at the end of
vinegar, it helps cramps or convulsions of I long strings, and all from the heads of the
the sinews: Boiled in milk, and drank, ill roots, which is thick and short, and of the
is effectual for the cough, and for ulcers i like scent with the Male.

and sores in the mouth; drank in wine it:

Place and Time.'] They grow in gardens,

provokes women's courses, and expels the j and flower usually about May.

dead child, and after-birth. Matthiolusj Government and virtues.'] It is an herb of

saith, The decoction thereof being drank,
helps the jaundice and dropsy, all pains of
the head and sinews that come of a cold

the Sun, and under the Lion. Physicians
say, Male Peony roots are best ; but Dr.
Reason told me Male Peony was best for

cause, and clears the eye-sight. It helps j men, and Female Peony for women, and he
the lethargy, and applied with barley -meal, j desires to be judged by his brother Dr.
helps burnings ; and put into the ears, eases \ Experience. The roots are held to be of
the pains of them. j more virtue than the seed; next the flowers;

MALE AND PEMALE PEONY. | f^^J/f l *"' ^ ^^ ^ *?**. f

| the Male Peony, fresh gathered, having

Descript.'] MALE Peony rises up with j been found by experience to cure the fall-
brownish stalks, Avhereon grow green and \ ing sickness ; but the surest way is, besides
reddish leaves, upon a stalk without any j hanging it about the neck, by which children
particular division in the leaf at ah. The? have been cured, to take the root of the
flowers stand at the top cf the stalks, con- 1 Male Peony washed clean, and stamped
sisting of five or six broad leaves, of a fair j some what small, and -laid to infuse in sack
purplish red colour, with many yellow ; for 24 hours at the least, afterwards strain
threads in the middle standing about the lit, and take it first and last, morning and
head, which after rises up to be the seed } evening, a good draught for sundry days
vessels, divided into two, three, or four j together, before and after a full moon : and
crooked pods like horns, which being full ; this will also cure old persons, if the clis-
ripe, open and turn themselves down back- j ease be not grown too old, and past cure,
wards, shewing with them divers round, especially if there be a due and orderly
black, shining seeds, having also many | preparation of the body with posset-drink
crimson grains, intermixed with black, j made of Betony, &c. The root is also
whereby it makes a very pretty shew. The j effectual for women that are not sufficiently
roots are great, thick and long, spreading \ cleansed after child-birth, and such as are
and running down deep in the ground. j troubled with the mother ; for which like-

138 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

wise the black seed beaten to powder, and | hereof to be bruised, and mixed with old
given in wine, is also available. The black j hog's grease, and applied to the place, and
seed also taken before bed-time, and in j to continue thereon four hours in men, and
the morning, is very effectual for such as in j two hours in women, the place being r.fter-
their sleep are troubled with the disease I wards bathed with wine and oil mixed
called Ephialtes, or Incubus, but we do j together, and then wrapped up with wool
commonly call it the Night-rnare: a disease j or skins, after they have sweat a little. It
which melancholy persons are subject unto: | also amends the deformities or discolour-
It is also good against melancholy dreams. | ings of the skin, and helps to take away
The distilled water or syrup made of the; marks, scars, and scabs, or the foul marks
rlowers, works the same effects that the root! of burning with fire or iron. The juice
and seed do, although more weakly. The > hereof is by some used to be given in ale to
Females is often used for the purpose afore- j drink, to women with child, to procure
said, by reason the Male is so scarce a -them a speedy delivery in travail,
plant that it is possessed by few and those j PERIWINKLE.

great lovers or rarities in this kind.

DescriptJ] THE common sort hereof

PEPPERWORT, OR DITTANDER. j i .1 u -v

Uiath many branches trailing or running

Descript.] OUR common Pepperwortj upon the ground, shooting out small fibres
sends forth somewhat long and broad leaves, j at the joints as it runs, taking thereby hold
of a light blueish green colour, finely | in the ground, and rootelh in divers places,
dented about the edges, and pointed at the! At the joints of these branches stand two
ends, standing upon round hard stalks, small, dark-green, shining leaves, somewhat

three or four feet high, spreading many
branches on all sides, and having many

like bay leaves, but smaller, and with them
come forth also the flowers (one at a joint)

small white flowers at the tops of them, standing upon a tender foot-stalk, being
after which follow small seeds in small j somewhat long and hollow, parted at the
heads. The root is slender, running much! brims, sometimes into four, sometimes into
under ground, an,d shooting up again in : five leaves: The most ordinary sorts are ot
many places, and* both leaves and roots area pale blue colour; some are pure white,
very hot and sharp of taste, like pepper, for i some of a dark reddish purple colour. The
which cause it took the name. j root is little bigger than a rush, bushing in

Place.~] It grows naturally in many 5 the ground, and creeping with his branches
places of this land, as at Clare in Essex ;ifar about, whereby it quickly possesses a
also near unto Exeter in Devonshire; upon \ great compass, and is therefore mos'
Rochester common in Kent ; in Lanca- 5 usually planted under hedges where it may
shire, and divers other places ; but usually \ have room to run.
kept in gardens. Placed] Those with the pale blue, and

TimeJ] It flowers in the end of June, I those with the white flowers, grow in woods
and in July. land orchards, by the hedge-sides, in divci.^

Government and virtues.'] Here is another j places of this land ; but those with the pui-
martial herb for you, make much of it. pie flowers, in gardens only.
Pliny and Paulus ^Egineta say, that Pep- ; Time.'] They flower in March and April
perwort is very successful for the sciatica, \ Government and virtues.'] Venus owns
or any other gout or pain in the joints, or} this herb, and saith, That the leaves eaten
any other inveterate grief: The leaves | by man and wife together, cause love be-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 1

Iween them. The Periwinkle is a great land Northamptonshire; as also near water-
binder, stays bleeding both at mouth and J courses in other places,
nose, if some of the leaves be chewed, j Time.~] It flowers in June and July, and
The French used it to stay women's courses. | the seed is ripe in August.
Dioscorides, Galen, and ^Egineta, com- ; Government and virtues.'] There is not
mend it against the lasks and fluxes of the; a straw to choose between this and St.
belly to be drank in wine. I John's Wort, only St. Peter must have it,

(lest he should want pot herbs; It is of the
ST. PETER'S WORT | same property fo St. John's Wort, but some-

j what weaker, and therefore more seldom

IF Superstition had not been the father j used. Two drams of the seed taken at a
of Tradition, as well as Ignorance the j time in honied water, purges choleric
Mother of Devotion, this herb, (as well as; humours, (as saith Dioscorides, Pliny, and
St. John's Wort) hath found some other j Galen,) and thereby helps those that are
name to be known by ; but we may say of i troubled with the sciatica. The leaves are
our forefathers, as St. Paul of the Athenians, ? used as St. John's Wort, to help those
/ perceive in many things you are too super- j places of the body that have been burnt
stitious. Yet seeing it is come to pass, ; with fire,
that custom having got in possession,!

i / , i Tiiii llJMrJjlvJNJ^-L.

pleads prescription for the name, 1 snail ;

let it pass, and come to the description of j DescriptJ] COMMON Pimpernel hath
the herb, which take as follows. i divers weak square stalks lying on the

- Descript."] It rises up with square up- I ground, beset all with two small and almost
right stalks for the most par.t, some greater ; round leaves at every joint, one against
and higher than St. John's Wort (and good another, very like Chickweed, but hath no
reason too, St. Peter being the greater | foot-stalks ; for the leaves, as it were, com-
apostle, (ask the Pope else;) for though; pase the stalk. The flowers stand singly
God would have the saints equal, the Pope teach by themselves at them and the stalk,
is of another opinion,) but brown in the 1 consistingof fivesmall round-pointed leaves,
same manner, having two leaves at every < of a pale red colour, tending to an orange,
joint, somewhat like, but larger, than St. \ with so many threads in the middle, in whose
John's Wort, and a little rounder pointed, ! places succeed smooth round heads, where-
with few or no holes to be seen thereon, and : in is contained small seed. The root is
having sometimes some smaller leaves rising j small and fibrous, perishing every year,
from the bosom* of the greater, and some^l Placed] It grows almost every where
times a little hairy also. At the tops of two j as well in the meadows and corn-fields,
stalks stand many star-like flowers, with j as by the way-sides, and in gardens, arising
yellow threads in the middle, very like! of itself.

those of St. John's Wort, insomuch that I Time.'] It flowers from May until April,
this is hardly discerned from it, but only by ! and the seed ripens in the mean time, and
the largeness and height, the seed being! falls.

alike also in both. The root abides long, \ Government and virtues.'] It is a gallant
sending forth new shoots every year. { solar herb, of a cleansing attractive quality,

Place."] It grows in many groves, and ? whereby it draws forth thorns or splinters,
email low woods, in divers places of this j or other such like things gotten into the
land, as in Kent, Huntingdon, Cambridge, flesh ; and put up into the nostrils, purges

o o

140 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

the head; and Galen sailh also, they have! along among the leaves; after which come
si drying faculty, whereby they are good to : small and round husks. The root is small
solder the lips of wounds, and to cleanse: and woody, perishing every year,
foul ulcers. The distilled water or juice is! Place.'] It grows more plentifully in
much esteemed by French dames to cleanse | Kent than any other county of this land, as
ihe skin from any roughness and defor- ; namely, in many places on this side Dart-
mity, or discolouring thereof ; being boiled j ford, along to Southfleet, Chatham, and
in wine and given to drink, it is a good j Rochester, and upon Chatham down, hard
remedy against the plague, and othei pes- { by the Beacon, and half a mile from
tilential fevers, if the party after taking it * Rochester, in a field near a house called
be warm in his bed, and sweat for two j Selesys.

hours after, and use the same for twice at! Time.'] It flowers and gives seed in the
least. It helps also all stingings and 'Summer months.

bitings of venomous beasts, or mad dogs, j Government and virtues.'] Mars owns the
being' used inwardly, and applied outward-: herb. The decoction of Ground Pine
ly. The same also opens obstructions of {drank, doth wonderfully prevail against the
the liver, and is very available against the j stranguary, or any inward pains arising
infirmities of the reins : It provokes urine, j from the diseases of the reins and urine,
and helps to expel the stone and gravel land is especially good for all obstructions of
out of the kidneys and bladder, and helps | the liver and spleen, and gently opens
much in all inward pains and ulcers. The: ihe body; for which purpose they were
decoction, or distilled water, is no less ef- i wont in former times to make pills with the
fecf.ual to be applied to all wounds that are j powder thereof, and the pulp of figs. It
fresh and green, or old, filthy, fretting, and \ marvellously helps ail the diseases of the
running ulcers, which it very effectually j mother, inwardly or outwardly applied,
cures in a short space. A little mixed : procuring women's courses, and expelling
with the juice, and dropped into the eyes, > the dead child and after-birth ; yea, it is so
cleanses them from cloudy mists, or thick \ powerful upon those feminine parts, that it
films which grow over them, and hinder > is utterly forbidden for women with child,
the sight. It helps the tooth-ache, being; for it will cause abortion or delivery before
dropped into the ear on a contrary side of j the time. The decoction of the herb in
the pain. It is also effectual to case the' wine taken inwardly, or applied outwardly,
pains of the haemorrhoids or piles. lor both, for some time together, Js also

j effectual in all pains and diseases of tin-
GROUND PINE. OR ciiAMEPiTYs. | jointS) as gouts , ^mps, palsies, S ciatica,and

Deseript.] Otni common Ground Pine 1 aches; for which purpose the pills made
grows low, seldom rising above a hand's i with powder of Ground Pine, and of Her-
breadlh high, shooting forth divers small unodactyls with Venice Turpentine are very
branches, set with slender, small, long, nar-l effectual. The pills also, continued for
row, greyish, or whitish leaves, somewhat \ some time, are special good for those that
hairy, and divided into three parts, many | have the dropsy, jaundice, and for griping
bushing together at a joint, some growing > pains of the joints, belly, or inward parts

from ihe joint of the stalk all* ness. It is a special remedy for the DOISOD

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 141

of the aconites, and other poisonous herbs, , from the head, and stays all manner of
as also against the stinging of any vcno- fluxes, even women's courses, when they
mous creature. It is a good remedy for a : flow too abundantly. It is good to slay
cold cough, especially in the beginning. ' spitting of blood and other bleedings at the
For all the purposes aforesaid, the herb j mouth, or the making of foul and bloody
being tunned up in new drink and drank, \ water, by reason of any ulcer in the reins
is almost as effectual, but far more accepta- \ or bladder, and also stays the too free
ble to weak and dainty stomachs. The { bleeding of wounds. It is held an especial
distilled water of the herb hath the same: remedy for those that are troubled with the
effects, but more weakly. The conserve! phthisic, or consumption of the lungs, or
of the flowers doth the like, which Mat-: ulcers of the lungs, or coughs that come of
thiolus much commends against the palsy. { heat. The decoction or powder of the
The green herb, or the decoction thereof, j roots or seeds, is much more binding for all
being applied, dissolves the harhness of \ the purposes aforesaid than the leaves,
women's breasts, and all other hard swell- \ Dioscorides saith, that three roots boiled in
ings in any other part of the body. The \ wine and taken, helps the tertain agues, and
green herb also applied, or the juice thereof \ for the quartan agues, (but letting the num-
with some honey, not only cleanses putrid, j her pass as fabulous) I conceive the decoc-
stinking, foul, and malignant ulcers and | tion of divers roots may be effectual. The
sores of all sorts, but heals and solders up | herb (but especially the seed) is held to be
the lips of green wounds in any part also. ! profitable against the dropsy, the falling-
Let pregnant women forbear, for it works \ sickness, the yellow jaundice, and stoppings
violently upon the feminine part. } of the liver and reins. The roots of Plan-

I tain, and Pellitory of Spain, beaten into
; powder, and put into the hollow teeth, takes

THIS grows usually in meadows and j away the pains of them. The clarified
fields, and bypath sides, and is so well j juice, or distilled water, dropped into the
known, that it needs no description. j eyes, cools the inflammations in them, and

TimeJ] It is in its beauty about Ji;ne,j takes away th" pm and web; and dropped
and the seed ripens shortly after. unto the ears, eases the pains in them, and

Government and virtues,'] It is true, Mis- { heals and removes the heat. The sanw
aldus and others, yea, almost all astrology- i also with the juice of Houseleek is profitable
physicians, hold this to be an herb of Mars, j against an inflammations and breakings out
because it cures the diseases of the head j of the skin, and against burnings and scald-
and privities, which are under the houses: ings by fire and water. The juice or de-
of Mars, Aries, and Scorpio : The truth is, | coction made either of itself, or other things
it is under the command of Venus, and > of the like nature, is of much use and good
cures the head by antipathy to Mars, and j effect for old and hollow ulcers that are hard
the privities by sympathy to Venus; neither | to be cured, and for cankers and sores in
is there hardly a martial disease but it j the mouth or privy parts of man or woman;
cures. | and helps also the pains of the piles in the

The juice of Plantain clarified and drank j fundament. The juice mixed with oil ot
fur clivers days together, either of itself, or J roses, and the temples and forehead anoint-
in other drink, prevails wonderfully against led therewith, eases the pains of the head
all torments or excoriations in the intestines \ proceeding from heat, and helps lunatic
or bowels, helps the distillations of rheum .* and frantic persons very much; as also die

142 THE COMPLETE HERBAt

biting of serpents, or a mad clog. The; stone. The gum or leaves boiled in vino-
same also is profitably applied to all hot -gar, and applied, kills tetters and ring-
gouts in the feet or hands, especially in the: worms. Matthiolus saith, The oil pre-
beginning. It is also good to be applied i served out of the kernels of the stones, as
where any bone is out of joint, to hinder |oil of almonds is made, is good against the
inflammations, swellings, and pains that ! inflamed piles, the tumours or swellings of
presently rise thereupon. The powder of: ulcers, hoarseness of the voice, roughness
the dried leaves taken in drink, kills worms: of the tongue and throat, and likewise the
of the belly; and boiled in wine, kills | pains in the ears. And that five ounces
worms that breed in old and foul ulcers, j of the said oil taken with one ounce of nurs-
One part of Plantain water, and two parts! kadcl, drives forth the stone, and helps the
of the brine of powdered beef, boiled \ cholic.
together and clarified, is a most sure remedy ;

,- .i- 7 POLYPODY OF TllK OAK.

to heal all spreading scabs or itch in the>

head and body, all manner of tellers, ring- 1 DescriptJ] Tins is a small herb consist-
worms, ihe shingles, and all other running ; ing of nothing but roots and leaves, bearing
and fretting sores. Briefly, the Plantains j neither stalk, flower, nor seed, as it is
are singularly good wound herbs, to heal * thought. It hath three or four leaves
fresh or old wounds or sores, either inward t rising from the root, every one single by
or outward i itself, of about a hand length, are winged,

$ consisting of many small narrow leaves

Tj TT r Q i ^ */

\ cut inlo the middle rib, standing on each

ARE so well known that they need no i side of the stalk, large below, and smallei
description. :upto the top, not dented nor notched at

Government and virtues.'] All Plums are i the edges at all, as the male fern hath, of
under Venus, and are like women, some \ sad green colour, and smooth on the upper
better, and some worse. As there is great \ side, but on the other side somewhat rough
diversity of kinds, so there is in the opera- j by reason of some yellowish flowers set
Iron of Plums, for some that are sweet \ thereon. The root is smaller than one's
moistens the stomach, and make the belly \ little finger, lying aslope, or creeping along
soluble ; those that are sour quench thirsts under the upper crust of the earth, brown-
more, and bind the belly; the moist and : ish on the outside and greenish within, 01
waterish do sooner corrupt in the stomach, j a sweetish harshness in tasle, set with ccr-
but the firm do nourish more, and offend \ tain rough knags on each side thereof,
less. The dried fruit sold by the grocers Uiaving also much mossiness or yellow hair-
under the names of Damask Prunes, do liness upon it, and some fibres underneath it,
somewhat loosen the belly, and being! whereby it is nourished,
stewed, are often used, both in health andj Place.'] It grows as well upon old rotten
sickness, to relish the mouth und stomach,: stumps, or trunks of trees, as oak, beech,
10 procure appetite, and a lillle to open ha/el, willow, or any other, as in the woods
the body, allay cholcr, and cool the i under them, and upon old mud walls, as
stomach. Plum-tree leaves boiled in wine, 'also in mossy, stony, and gravelly places
are good to wash and gargle the mouth and j near unto wood. That which grows upon
hroat, to dry the flux of rheum coming to j oak is accounted the best; but the quantity
the palate, gums, or almonds of the ear. j thereof is scarce sufficient for the common
The gum ot the tree is good to break the use

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 143

Time.'] It being always green, may be \ doth much help it; and applied also to the
gathered for use at any time. \ nose, cures the disease called Polypus, which

Government and virtues.] Polypodium ofjis a piece of flesh growing therein, which
the Oak, that which grows upon the earth ? in time stops the passage of breath through
is best ; it is an herb of Saturn, to purge j that nostril ; and it helps those clefts or
melancholy ; if the humour be otherwise, \ chops that come between the fingers or
chuseyour Polypodium accordingly. Meuse j toes,
(who is called the Physician's Evangelist for 3 POPTAR TR

\ / 1 J* J.I.L& J- HJB |rU.Ir IjAJL i JEHS-Ei

the certainty or his medicines, and the I

truth of his opinion) saith, That it dries up \ THERE are two sorts of Poplars, which
thin humours, digests thick and tough, and \ are most familiar with us, viz. the Black
purges burnt choler, and especially tough ( and White, both which I shall here des-
and thick phlegm, and thin phlegm also, \ cribe unto you.

even from the joints, and therefore good for | Descript.] The White Poplar grows
those that are troubled with melancholy, or j great, and reasonably high, covered with
quartan agues, especially if it be taken in j thick, smooth, white bark, especially the
whey or honied water, or in barley-water, j branches ; having long leaves cut into
or the broth of a chicken with Epithymum, \ several divisions almost like a vine leaf, but
or with Beets and Mallows. It is good for | not of so deep a green on the upper side,
the hardness of the spleen, and for pricking { and hoary white underneath, of a reason-
or stitches in the sides, as also for the cholic: j able good scent, the whole form represent-
Some use to put to it some Fennel seeds, or > ing the form of Collsfoot. The catkins
Annis seeds, or Ginger, to correct that : which it brings forth before the leaves, are
loathing it brings to the stomach, which is i long, and of a faint reddish colour, which
more than needs, it being a safe and gentle j fall away, bearing seldom good seed with
medicine, fit for all persons, which daily | them. The wood hereof is smooth, soft,
experience confirms ; and an ounce of it i and white, very finely waved, whereby it is
may be given at a time in a decoction, if: much esteemed.

there be not Sena, or some other strong * The Black Poplar grows higher and
purger put with it. A dram or two of the | straighter than the White, with a greyish
powder of the dried roots, taken fasting in \ bark, bearing broad green leaves, somewhat
a cup of honied water, works gently, and \ like ivy leaves, not cut in on the edges like
for the purposes aforesaid. The distilled | the White, but whole and dented, ending

water both of roots and leaves, is much
commended for the quartan ague, to be
taken for many days together, as also

in a point, and not white underneath, hang-
ing by slender long foot stalks, which with
the air are continually shaken, like as the

against melancholy, or fearful and trouble- j Aspen leaves are. The catkins hereof are
some sleeps or dreams ; and with some I greater than those of the White, composed
sugar-candy dissolved therein, is good j of many round green berries, as if they

against the cough, shortness of breath, and

were set together in a long cluster, contain-

uheczings, and those distillations of thin ing much downy matter, which being ripe,
rheum upon the lungs, which cause phthi- j is blown away with the wind. The clammy
sicks, and oftentimes consumptions. The \ buds hereof, before they spread into leaves
fresh roots beaten small, or the powder of j are gathered to make Unguentum an
the dried roots mixed with honey, and ap- \ Populneum, and are of a yellowish green
plied to the member that is out of joint, j colour, and somewhat small, sweet, but

p P

144 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

strong. The wood is smooth, tough, and) the White and black of the Garden, and
white, and easy to be cloven. On both j the Erratic Wild Poppy, or Corn Rose,
these trees grows a sweet kind of musk, j Descript.'] The White Poppy hath at
which in former times was used to put into j first four or five whitish green leaves lying
sweet ointments. j upon the ground, which rise with the stalk,

Placed] They grow in moist woods, and \ compassing it at the bottom of them, and
by water-sides in sundry places of this land ; 5 are very large, much cut or torn on the
yet the White is not so frequent as the other. \ edges, and dented also besides : The stalk,

Time.~] Their time is likewise expressed ! which is usually four or five feet high, hath
before : The catkins coming forth before ! sometimes no branches at the top, and
the leaves in the end of Summer. ; usually but two or three at most, bearing

Government and virtues.] Saturn hath \ every one but one head wrapped up in a
dominion over both. White Poplar, saith \ thin skin, which bows down before it is
Galen, is of a cleansing property: The* ready to blow, and then rrsing, and being
weight of an ounce in powder, of the bark j broken, the flowers within it spreading itself
thereof, being drank, saith Dioscorides, is ! open, and consisting of four very large,
a remedy for those that are troubled with { white, round leaves, with many whitish
the sciatica, or the stranguary. The juice \ round threads in the middle, set about a
of the leaves dropped warm into the ears, j small, round, green head, having a crown,
eases the pains in them. The young ! or star-like cover at the head thereof, which
clammy buds or eyes, before they break j growing ripe, becomes as large as a great
out into leaves, bruised, and a little honey ; apple, wherein are contained a great num-
put to them, is a good medicine for a dull ; ber of small round seeds, in several parti-
sight. The Black Poplar is held to be : tions or divisions next unto the shell, the
more cooling than the White, and therefore i middle thereof remaining hollow, and
the leaves bruised with vinegar and applied, | empty. The whole plant, both leaves,
help the gout. The seed drank in vinegar, I stalks, and heads, while they are fresh,
js held good against the falling-sickness, i young, and green, yield a milk when they
The water that drops from the hollow places : are broken, of an unpleasant bitter taste,
of this tree, takes away warts, pushes, j almost ready to provoke casting, and of a
wheals, and other the like breakings-out of | strong heady smell, which being condensed,
the body. The young Black Poplar buds, j is called Opium. The root is white and
saith Matthiolus, are much used by women woody, perishing as soon as it hath given
to beautify their hair, bruising them with ! ripe seed.

fresh butter, straining them after they have! The Black Poppy little differs from the
been kept for some time in the sun. The \ former, until it baers its flower, which is
ointment called Populneon, which is made | somewhat less, and of a black purplish
of this Poplar, is singularly good for all | colour, but without any purple spots in the
heat and inflammations in any part of the I bottom of the leaf. The head of the seed
body, and tempers the heat of wounds. It i is much less than the former, and opens
is much used to dry up the milk of women's j itself a little roundabout the top, under
breasts when they have weaned their j the crown, so that the seed, which is very
children. i black, will fall out, if one turn the head

! thereof downward.
y* The wild Poppy, or Corn Rose, hath lont

OF this I shall describe three kinds, viz. \ and narrow leaves, very much cut in on the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 145

edges into many divisions, of a light green j the Moon. The garden Poppy heads with
colour, sometimes hairy withal. The stalk | seeds made into a syrup, is frequently, and
is blackish and hairy also, but not so tall as * to good effect used to procure rest, and
the garden kind, having some such like : sleep, in the sick and weak, and to stay
leaves thereon to grow below, parted into ; catarrhs and defluxions of thin rheums

three or four branches sometimes, whereon

from the head into the stomach and lungs,

grow small hairy heads bowing down be- ;; causing a continual cough, the fore-runner
fore the skin break, wherein the flower is j of a consumption ; it helps also hoarseness
inclosed, which when it is fully blown open, j of the throat, and when one have lost their
is of a fair yellowish red or crimson colour, \ voice, which the oil of the seed doth like-
and in some much paler, without any spot j wise. The black seed boiled in wine, and
in the bottom of the leaves, having many | drank, is said also to dry the flux of the
black soft threads in the middle, compass- j belly, and women's courses. The empty
ing a small green head, which when it is I shells, or poppy heads, are usually boiled
ripe, is not bigger than one's little finger's j in water, and given to procure rest and
end, wherein is contained much black seeds sleep : so doth the leaves in the same man-
smaller than that of the garden. The root j ner ; as also if the head and temples be
perishes every year, and springs again of i bathed with the decoction warm, or with
its own sowing, Of this kind there is one ; the oil of Poppies, the green leaves or the
lesser in all parts thereof, and differs in j heads bruised and applied with a little
nothing else. 1 vinegar, or made into a poultice with barley-

Place.~] The garden kinds do not natu- 5 meal or hog's grease, cools and tempers
rally grow wild in any place, but all are i all inflammations, as also the disease called
sown in gardens where they grow. \ St. Anthony's fire. It is generally used in

The Wild Poppy or Corn Rose, is plen- j treacle and mithridate, and in all other
tifully enough, and many times too much so | medicines that are made to procure rest
in the corn fields of all counties through this i and sleep, and to ease pains in the head as
land, and also on ditch hanks, and by i well as in other parts. It is also used to
hedge sides. The smaller wild kind is also s cool inflammations, agues, or frenzies, or
found in corn fields, and also in some ! to stay defluxions which cause a cough, or
other places, but not so plentifully as the \ consumptions, and also other fluxes of the
former. j belly or women's courses ; it is also put

Time.] The garden kinds are usually | into hollow teeth, to ease the pain, and hath
.sown in the spring, which then flower about j been found by experience to ease the pains
the end of May, and somewhat earlier, if : of the gout,
they spring of their own sowing. The Wild Poppy, or Corn Rose (as Mat-

The wild kind flower usually from May \ thiolus saith) is good to prevent the falling-
until July, and the seed of them is ripe soon ? sickness. The syrup made with the flower,
after the flowering. j is with good effect given to those that have

Government and virtues ?\ The herb is the pleurisy ; and the dried flowers also,
Lunar, and of the juice of it is made opium; j either boiled in water, or made into powdei
only for lucre of money they cheat you, : and drank, either in the distilled water of
and tell you it is a kind of tear, or some \ them, or some other drink, works the like
such like thing, that drops from Poppies ; effect. The distilled water of the flowers
when they weep, and that is somewhere j is held to be of much good use against
beyond the seas, I know not where beyond | surfeits, being drank evening and morning;

146 THE COMPLETE HERBAL.

It is also more cooling than any of the | parts where pushes, wheals, pimples, S(,
other Poppies, and therefore cannot but | Anthony's tire and the like, break forth ;
be as effectual in hot agues, frenzies, and , if a little vinegar be put to it, and laid to

other inflammations either inward or out- ;

the neck, with as much of galls and linseed

ward. Galen saith, The seed is dangerous ( together, it takes away the pains therein,
to be used inwardly. land the crick in the neck. The juice is

| used with oil of roses for the same causes,

JrUK.!>ljAlJ>l. /^ i i ITI 11

i or tor blasting by lightening, and burnings

GARDEN Purslain (being used as a sal- j by gunpowder, or for women's sore breasts,
lad herb) is so well known that it needs no j and to allay the heat in all other sores or
description; I shall therefore only speak of \ hurts ; applied also to the navels of chil-
its virtues as follows. j dren that stick forth, it helps them ; it is

Government and virtues] Tis an herb of ; also good for sore mouths and gums that
the Moon. It is good to cool any heat in > are swollen, and to fasten loose teeth,
the liver, blood, reins, and stomach, and in \ Camerarius saith, the distilled Avater used
hot agues nothing better : It stays hot and i by some, took away the pain of their teeth,
choleric fluxes of the belly, women's courses,! when a ll other remedies failed, and the
the whites, and gonorrhaea, or running of | thickened juice made into pills with the
the reins, the distillation from the head, * poAvder of gum Tragicanth and Arabic,
and pains therein proceeding from heat, | being taken, prevails much to help those
want of sleep, or the frenzy. The seed is ? that make bloody Avater. Applied to the
more effectual than the herb, and is of sin- ; gout it eases pains thereof, and helps the
gular good use to cool the heat and sharp- j hardness of the sinews, if it come not of the
ness of urine, venereous dreams, snd the j cramp, or a cold cause,
like; insomuch that the over frequent use j
hereof extinguishes the heat and vitue of j

natural procreation. The seed bruised and \ THEY are so well known, that they need
boiled in wine, and given to children, ex- | no description. Of the leaves of Primroses
pels the worms. The juice of the herb is \ is made as fine a salve to heal wounds as
held as effectual to all the purposes afore- > any that I know; you shall be taught to
said ; as also to stay vomitings, and taken i make salves of any herb at the latter end of
with some sugar or honey, helps an old and ; the book: make this as you are taught
dry cough, shortness of breath, and the i there, and do not (you that have any in-
phthisick, and stays immoderate thirst. ; gcnuity in you) see your poor neighbours
The distilled Avater of the herb is used by > go with wounded limbs when an halfpenny
many (as the more pleasing) Avith a little i cost Avill heal them,
sugar to work the same effects. The juice j
also is singularly good in the inflammations f

and ulcers in the sercct parts of man or j Descript.'] Ouu common Privet is carn-
wotnan, as also the boAvels and haemorrhoids, | ed up Avith many slender branches to a
when they are ulcerous, or excoriations in | reasonable height and breadth, to covei
them. The herb bruised and applied to the ! arbours, bowers and banquetting houses,
forehead and temples, allays excessive heat j and brought, Avrought, and cut into so many
(herein, that hinders rest and sleep ; and i forms, of men, horses, birds, &c. Avhich
applied to the eyes, takes away the redness ! though at first supported, groAvs afterwards
and inflammation in them, and those other j strong of itself. It bears long and narrow

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 147

green leaves by the couples, and sweet 1 (as Agrimony hath) somewhat deeply dented
smelling white flowers in tufts at the end of ^ about the edges, of a sad green colour on
the branches, which turn into small black i the upper side, and greyish underneath,

berries that have a purplish juice with them, i

of a pretty sharp scent and taste, somewhat

and some seeds that are flat on the one ! like unto the Burnet, and a leaf hereof put
side, with a hole or dent therein ; into a cup of claret wine, gives also a fine

Place.] It grows in this land, in divers ! relish to it. At the tops of the stalks and
woods. ! branches stand many tufts of small white

Time.] Our Privet flowers in June and i flowers thrust thick together, which smell
July, the berries are ripe in August and { much sweeter than the leaves ; and in their
September. ( places, being fallen, come crooked and

Government and virtues.] The Moon is j cornered seed. The root is somewhat
ladvoflhis. It is little used in physic with j woody, and blackish on the outside, and
us m these times, more than in lotions, to j brownish within, with divers great strings,
vash sores and sore mouths, and to cool land lesser fibres set thereat, of a strong scent,
.nflammations, and dry up fluxes. Yet { but nothing so pleasant as the flowers and

- 1 * . 11.1 * 1 1 * 1 1 1 ' 1

vrtatthiolus saith, ;t serves all the uses for
which Cypress, or the East Privet, is ap-
pointed by Dioscorides and Galen. He

leaves, and perishes not, but abides many
years, shooting forth a-new every Spring.
Place] It grows in moist meadows

further saith, That the oil that is made of: that lie mostly wet, or near the courses ol

the flowers of Privet infused therein, and \ water.

set in the Sun, is singularly good for the in- ; Time] It flowers in some places or

flammations of wounds, and for the head-; other all the three Summer months, that is,

ache, coming of a hot cause. There is a j June, July, and August, and the seed is

sweet water also distilled from the flowers, > ripe soon after.

that is good for all those diseases that need { Government and virtues] Venus claims

cooling and drying, and therefore helps all j dominion over the herb. It is used to stay

fluxesof the belly or stomach, bloody-fluxes, jail manner of bleedings, fluxes, vomitings,

and women's courses, being eithet drank or I and women's courses, also their whites:

applied ; as all those that void blood at the It is said to alter and take away the fits of

mouth, or any other place, and for distilla-
tions of rheum in the eyes, especially if it

the quartan agues, and to make a merry
heart, for which purpose some use the

be used wilh them. \ flowers, and some the leaves. It helps

(speedily those that are troubled with the

QUEEN OF THE MEADOWS, ME ADO w j cholic ; being boiled in wine, and with a

little honey, taken warm, it opens the belly;
but boiled in red wine, and drank, it stays
the flux of the belly. Outwardly applied,

cankerous, or

SWEET, OR MEAD SWEET.

Descript] THE stalks of these are red-

dish, rising to be three feet high, sometimes { it helps old ulcers that are cankero
four or five feet, having at the joints thereof i hollow fistulous, for which it is by many
Jarge winged leaves, standing one above! much commended, as also for the sores in
another at distances, consisting of many ! the mouth or secret parts. The leaves when
and somewhat broad leaves, set on each j they are full grown, being laid on the skin,
side of a middle rib, being hard, rough, or { will, in a short time, raise blisters thereon,
rugged, crumpled much like unto elm leaves, I as Tragus saith. The water thereof helps
having also some smaller leaves with them j the heat and imflammation in the eyes.

Q Q

14ft THE COMPLETE HERBAL

I bi th; for watery humours, Scammony; but

5 f { '11 1*1 .1

\\\ more forcible to bind, use the unripe
Descript.~\ THE ordinary Quince Tree ; Quinces, with roses and acacia, hypocistis,
grows often to the height and bigness of a, 5 and some torrified rhubarb. To take the
reasonable apple tree, but more usually j crude juice of Quinces, is held a preserva-
lower, and crooked, with a rough bark, | live against the force of deadly poison ; for
spreading arms, and branches far abroad, j it hath been found most certainly true, that
The leaves are somewhat like those of the; the very smell of a Quince hath taken away
apple tree, but thicker, broader, and full of; all the strength of the poison of white Helle-
veins, and whiter on the under side, not j bore. If there be need of any outwardly
dented at all about the edges. The flowers! binding and cooling of hot fluxes, the oil
are large and white, sometimes dashed over ; of Quinces, or other medicines that may be
with a blush. The fruit that follows is yel- 1 made thereof, are very available to anoin
low, being near ripe, and covered with ajthe belly or other parts therewith; it like-
white freeze, or cotton ; thick set on the* wise strengthens the stomach and belly,
younger, and growing less as they grow to j and the sinews that are loosened by sharp
be thorough ripe, bunched out oftentimes j humours falling on them, and restrains
in some places, some being like an apple, : immoderate sweatings. The muscilage taken
and some a pear, of a strong heady scent, j from the seeds of Quinces, and boiled in
and not durable to keep, and is sour, harsh, j little water, is very good to cool the he#
and of an unpleasant taste to eat fresh ; | and heal the sore breasts of women. The
but being scalded, roasted, baked, or pre-^same, with a little sugar, is good to lenify
served, becomes more pleasant. J the harshness and hoarseness of the throat,

Place and Time.'] It best likes to grow \ and roughness of the tongue. The cotton
near ponds and water sides, and is frequent! or down of Quinces boiled and applied to
through this land: and flowers not until j plague sores, heals them up: and laid as a
the leaves be come forth. The fruit is ripe; plaister, made up with wax, it brings hah
in September or October. j to them that are bald, and keeps it from

Government and virtues.'] Old Saturn; falling, if it be ready to shed,
owns the Tree. Quinces when they are!

i i ii c n RADDISH, OR HORSE-R ADDISH.

green, help all sorts of fluxes in men or;

women, and choleric lasks, casting, and * THE garden Raddish is so well known,
whatever needs astriction, more than any t that it needs no description,
way prepared by fire; yet the syrup of the: Descript.~] The Horse-Raddish hath its
juice, or the conserve, are much conducible, j first leaves, that rise before Winter, about a
much of the binding quality being con- J foot and a half long, very much cut in or
sumed by the fire; if a little vinegar be- torn on the edges into many parts, of a dark
added, it stirs up the languishing appetite, j green colour, with a great rib in the middle
and the stomach given to casting; some .'after these have been up awhile, other?
spices beingadded, comforts and strengthens j follow, which are greater, rougher, broader
the decaying and fainting spirits, and helps ; and longer, whole and not divided at first,
the liver oppressed, that it cannot perfect j but only somewhat rougher dented about
the digestion, or corrects choler and phlegm, j the edges ; the stalks when it bears flowers
If you would have them purging, put honey ; (which is seldom) is great, rising up with
to them instead of sugar; and if more laxa-; some few lesser leaves thereon, to three or
live, for choler, Rhubarb ; for phlegm, Tur- > four feet high, spreading at the top mar*

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 149

small branches of whitish flowers, made of ; leaves lying on the ground, very much
four leaves a-piece ; after which come small i rent and torn on the sides in many places :
pods, like those of Shepherd's Purse, but | from among which rise up sometimes but
seldom with any seed in them. The root is I one, and sometimes two or three square or
great, long, white and rugged, shooting up j crested blackish or brownish stalks, three
divers heads of leaves, Avhich may be parted ; or four feet high, sometimes branched,
for increase, but it doth not creep in the j bearing divers such-like leaves upon them,
ground, nor run above ground, and is of a i at several distances upon the top, where it
strong, sharp, and bitter taste almost like ! branches forth into many stalks bearing
mustard. \ yellow flowers, consisting of divers leaves,

Place.'] It is found wild in some places, j set as a pale or border, with a dark yellow
but is chiefly planted in gardens, and joys i thrum in the middle, which do abide a
in moist and shadowy places. I great while, but at last are turned into down,

Time.'] It seldom flowers, but when it | and with the small blackish grey seed, are
doth, it is in July. I carried away with the wind. The root is

Government and virtues.'] They are both ; made of many fibres, whereby it is firmly
under Mars. The juice of Horse-raddish s fastened into the ground, and abides many
given to drink, is held to be very effectual I years.

for the scurvy. It kills the worms in chil- \ There is another sort thereof differs from
dren, being drank, and also laid upon the ; the former only in this, that it rises not so
belly. The root bruised and laid to the! high; the leaves are not so finely jagged,
place grieved with the sciatica, joint-ache, j nor of so dark a green colour, but rather
or the hard swellings of the liver and spleen, j somewhat whitish, soft and woolly, and the
doth wonderfully help them all. The dis- i flowers usually paler.

tilled water of the herb and root is more ' Place.~\ They grow, both of them, wild in
familiar to be taken with a little sugar for | pastures, and untilled grounds in many
all the purposes aforesaid. j places, and oftentimes both in one field.

Garden Raddishes are in wantonness by I Time.'] They flower in June and July,
the gentry eaten as a sallad, but they breed J and the seed is ripe in August.
but scurvy humours in the stomach, and 5 Government and virtues.~\ Ragwort is
corrupt the blood, and then send fora phy-l under the command of Dame Venus, and
sician as fast as you can ; this is one cause I cleanses, digests, and discusses. The de-
which makes the owners of such nice palates I coction of the herb is good to wash the
so unhealthful ; yet for such as are troubled I mouth or throat that hath ulcers or sores
with the gravel, stone, or stoppage of urine, \ therein : and for swellings, hardness, or
they are good physic, if the body be strong i imposthumes, for it thoroughly cleanses and
that takes them ; you may make the juice j heals them ; as also the quinsy, and the
of the roots into a syrup if you please, for j king's evil. It helps to stay catarrhs, thin
that use : they purge by urine exceedingly. \ rheums, and defluxions from the head into

RAGWORT I the eyes> . nose ' or lun S. s - The J uice is found

: by experience to be singularly good to heal

IT is called / also St. James'-wort, and \ green wounds, and to cleanse and heal
Stagger-wort, and Stammer-wort, and Se-Ull old and filthy ulcers in the privities, and
grum. j in other parts of the body, as also inward

Descript.] The greater common Ragwort i wounds and ulcers ; stays the malignity of
hath many large and long, dark green ? fretting and running cankers, and hollow

150

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

fistulas, not suffering them to spread far-j Place.'] They grow in meadows and

ther. It is also much commended to help j woods generally through this land.

aches and pains either in the fleshy part, or; Time.] They are in flower from Mid-

m the nerves and sinews, as also the sciatica,
or pain of the hips or knuckle-bone, to
bathe the places with the decoction of the
herb, or to anoint them with an ointment

summer until August be past, sometimes.

Government and virtues.] They are both
of them under the dominion of the Moon
The Red Rattle is accounted profitable to

made of the herb bruised and boiled in old 1 heal up fistulas and hollow ulcers, and to
hog's suet, with some Mastick and Olibanum -stay the flux of humours in them, as also
in powder added unto it after it is strained i the abundance of women's courses, or any
forth. In Sussex we call it Ragweed. j other fluxes of blood, being boiled in red

twine, and drank.

The yellow Rattle, or Cock's Comb, is
OF this there are two kinds which I shall j held to be good for those that are troubled

speak of, viz. the red and yellow.

Descript.~] The common Red Rattle hath
sundry reddish, hollow stalks, and some-

i with a cough, or dimness of sight, if the
herb, being boiled with beans, and some
honey put thereto, be drank or dropped into

times green, rising from the root, lying for the eyes. The Avhole seed being put into
the most part on the ground, some growing i the eyes, draws forth any skin, dimness or
more upright, with many small reddish or \ film, from the sight, without trouble, or
green leaves set on both sides of a middle ! pain,
rib, finely dented about the edges : The
flowers stand at the tops of the stalks and
branches, of a fine purplish red colour, like

small gaping hooks ; after which come
blackish seed in small husks, which lying
loose therein, will rattle with shaking. The

REST HARROW, OR CAMMOCK.

Descript.~\ COMMON Rest Harrow rises
up with divers rough woody twigs half a
yard or a yard high, set at the joints without
order, with little roundish leaves, sometimes

root consists of two or three small whitish { more than two or three at a place, of a

strings with some fibres thereat.

dark green colour, without thorns while

The common Yellow Rattle hath seldom j they are young; but afterwards armed in
above one round great stalk, rising from j sundry places, with short and sharp thorns,
the foot, about half a yard, or two feet high, {The flowers come forth at the tops of the
and but few branches thereon, having two i twigs and branches, whereof it is full

long and somewhat broad leaves set at a! fashioned like pease or broom blossoms, but
joint, deeply cut in on the edges, resembling lesser, flatter, and somewhat closer, of a

the comb of a cock, broadest next to the
stalk, and smaller to the end. The flowers

faint purplish colour; after which come
small pods containing small, flat, round

grow at the tops of the stalks, with some j seed: The root is blackish on the outside,
shorter leaves with them, hooded after the | and whitish within, very rough, and hard
same manner that the others are, but of a j to break when it is fresh and green, and as
fair yellow colour, or in some paler, and in [hard as an horn when it is dried, thrusting
some more white. The seed is contained ; down deep into the ground, and spreading
in large husks, and being ripe, will rattle i likewise, every piece being apt to grow
or make a noise with lying loose in them. again if it be left in the ground.
The root is small and slender, perishing! Place.'] It grows in many places of this
every year. Hand, as well in the arable as waste ground-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. J5I

Time.'] It flowers about the beginning; have; of a sad green colour, from among
or middle of July, and the seed is ripe in; which rise up divers stalks two or three
August. \ feet high, sometimes set with the like leaves,

Government and virtues. ,] It is under the; but smaller and smaller upwards, branched
.dominion of Mars. It is singularly good j from the middle into divers stiff stalks,
to provoke urine when it is stopped, and to | bearing sundry yellow flowers on them,
break and drive forth the stone, which the i made of four leaves a-piece, as the others
powder of the bark of the root taken in wine j are, which afterwards yield them small red-
performs effectually. Matthiolus saith, j dish seed, in small long pods, of a more
The same helps the disease called Herma | bitter and hot biting taste than the garden
Carnosa, the fleshy rupture, by taking the i kinds, as the leaves are also,
said powder for three months together con-| Place.'] It is found wild in divers places
stantly, and that it hath cured some which! of this land.

seemed incurable by any other means than | TimeJ] It flowers about June or July,
by cutting or burning. The decoction j and the seed is ripe in August.

thereof made with some vinegar, gargled in
the mouth, eases the tooth-ache, especially
when it comes of rheum ; and the said de-

Government and virtues.'] The wild Roc-
kets are forbidden to be used alone, in re-
gard their sharpness fumes into the head,

coction is very powerful to open obstruc- ? causing aches and pains therein, and are
tions of the liver and spleen, and other j less hurtful to hot and choleric persons, foi
parts. A distilled water in Balneo Maria, ; fear of inflaming their blood, and therefore
with four pounds of the root hereof first i for such we may say a little doth but a
sliced small, and afterwards steeped in a j little harm, for angry Mars rules them, and
gallon of Canary wine, is singularly good j he sometimes will be restive when he meets
for all the purposes aforesaid, and to cleanse | with fools. The wild Rocket is more strong
the urinary passages. The powder of the ; and effectual to increase sperm and vene-
said root made into an electuary, or lozenges, jrous qualities, whereunto all the seed is
with sugar, as also the bark of the fresh* more effectual than the garden kind. It
roots boiled tender, and afterwards beaten i serves also to help digestion, and provokes
to a conserve with sugar, works the like ; urine exceedingly. The seed is used to cure
effect. The powder of the roots strewed \ the biting of serpents, the scorpion, and the
upon the brims of ulcers, or mixed with I shrew mouse, and other poisons, and expels
any other convenient thing, and applied, * worms, and other noisome creatures that
consumes the hardness, and causes them to \ breed in the belly. The herb boiled or
heal the better. 1 stewed, and some sugar put thereto, helps

ROCKET '^ cou S n * n children, being taken often.

| The seed also taken in drink, takes away

IN regard the Garden Rocket is rather j the ill scent of the arm-pits, increases milk
used as a sallad herb than to any physical $in nurses, and wastes the spleen. The seed
purposes, I shall omit it, and only speak j mixed with .honey, and used on the face,
of the common wild Rocket. The des- : cleanses the skin from morphew, and used
cription whereof take as follows. jwith vinegar, takes away freckles and red-

Descnpt.~] The common wild Rocket! ness in the face, or other parts; and with
has longer and narrower leaves, much more; the gall of an ox, it mends foul scars, black
divided into slender cuts and jags on both land blue spots, and the marks of the small-
sides the middle rib than the garden kinds' pox.

E K

162 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

VIA'TER-ROCKET, OR CRESSES.

Descript.'] WiNTER-Rocket, or Winter- |

have authors made with Roses ! Wnai a
racket have they kept? I shall add, red
Roses are under Jupiter, Damask under

Cresses, hath divers somewhat large sad \ Venus, White under the Moon, and Pro-
green leaves lying upon the ground, torn or j vence under the King of France. The
cut in divers parts, somewhat like unto | white and red Roses are cooling and dry-
Rocket or turnip leaves, with smaller pieces j ing, and yet the white is taken to exceed
next the bottom, and 'broad at the ends, { the red in both the properties, but is seldom
which so abide all the Winter (if it spring; used inwardly in any medicine: The bit-
up in Autumn, when it is used to be eaten) i terness in the Roses when they are fresh,
from among which rise up divers small \ especially the juice, purges choler, and
round stalks, full of branches, bearing many j watery humours; but being dried, and that
small yellow flowers of four leaves a-piece, j heat which caused the bitterness being con-
after which come small pods, with reddish i sumed, they have then a binding and as-
seedinthem. The root is somewhat stringy, jtringent quality: Those also that are not
and perishes every j'ear after the seed is j full blown, do both cool and bind more
ripe. \ than those that are full blown, and the

P/oce.] It grows of its own accord in | white Rose more than the Red. The decoc-
gardens and fields, by the way-sides, in | tion of red Roses made with wine and used,
divers places, and particularly in the next | is very good for the head-ache, and pains
pasture to the Conduit-head behind Gray's Jin the eyes, ears, throat, and gums; as also
Inn, that brings water to Mr. Lamb's con- j for the fundament, the lower part of the
duitin Holborn. > belly and the matrix, being bathed or put

Time.'] It flowers in May, seeds in June, | into them. The same decoction with the
and then perishes. I Roses remaining in it, is profitably applied

Government and virtues.^ This is pro- \ to the region of the heart to ease the in-
fitable to provoke urine, to help stranguary, j flammation therein ; as also St. Anthony's
and expel gravel and stone. It is good for j fire, and other diseases of the .stomach,
the scurvy, and found by experience to bet Being dried and beaten to powder, and
a singularly good wound herb to cleanse in- ; taken in steeled wine or water, it helps to
ward wounds ; the juice or decoction being -stay women's courses. The yellow threads
drank, or outwardly applied to wasli fou'lin the middle of the Roses (which are
ulcers and sores, cleansing them by shai p- j erroneously called the Rose Seed) being
ness, and hindering or abating tue dead * powdered and drank in the distilled water
flesh from growing therein, and healing \ of Quinces, stays the overflowing of women's
them by their drying quality. | courses, and doth wonderfully stay the. de-

} fluctions of rheum upon the gums and teeth,
| preserving them from corruption, and

I HOLD it altogether needless to trouble? fastening them if they be loose, being
the reader with a description of any of these, | washed and gargled therewith, and some
since both the garden Roses, and the Roses \ vinegar of Squills added thereto. The heads
of the briars are well enough known : take j with the seed being used in powder, or in a
therefore the virtues of them as follows ;| decoction, stays the lask and spitting of
And first I shall begin \vith the garden | blood. Red Roses do strengthen the heart,
kinds. i the stomach and the liver, and the reten-

Government and virtues.] What a pother jtive faculty : They mitigate the pains that

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 163

arise from heat, assuage inflammations, !
procure rest and sleep, stay both whites;
and reds in women, the gonorrhea, or runn- 1

of mastich, is very good for the gonorrhea,
and for the looseness of the humours in the
body. The old Conserve mixed with Aro-

ing of the reins, and fluxes of the belly : thejmaticum Rosarum, is a very good cordial

juice of them doth purge and cleanse the!
body from choler and phlegm. The husks
of the Roses, with the beards and nails of

against faintings, swoonings, weakness,
and tremblings of the heart, strengthens,
both it and a weak stomach, helps diges-

the Roses, are binding and cooling, and the! tion, stays casting, and is a very good pre-
distilled water of either of them is good for : servative in the time of infection. The dry
the heat and redness in the eyes, and to \ Conserve, which is called the Sugar of Roses,
stay and dry up the rheums and watering j is a very good cordial to strengthen the
of them. Of the Red Roses are usually made 1 heart and spirits; as also to stay defluc-
many compositions, all serving to sundry j tions. The syrup of dried red Roses
good uses, viz. Electuary of Roses, Con- / strengthens a stomach given to casting,
serve, both moist and dry, which is more j cools an over-heated liver, and the blood in
usually called Sugar of roses, Syrup of dry j agues, comforts the heart, and resists putre-
Roses, and Honey of Roses. The cordial \ faction and infection, and helps to slay
powder called Diarrhoden Abbalis, and j lasks and fluxes. Honey of Roses is much
Aromatica Rosanim. The distilled Water of j used in gargles and lotions to wash sores,
Roses, Vinegar of Roses, Ointment, and Oil j either in the mouth, throat, or other parts,
of Roses, and the Rose leaves dried, are of j both to cleanse and heal them, and to stay
great use and effect. Towrileatlargeof every j the fluxes of humours falling upon them,
one of these, would make my book smell It is also used in clysters both to cool and

too big, it being sufficient for a volume of
itself, to speak fully of them. But briefly,

cleanse. The cordial powders, called
Diarrhoden Abbatis and Aromaticum Ro-

the Electuary is purging, whereof two or j sarum, do comfort and strengthen the heart
three drams taken by itself in some con- land stomach, procure an appetite, help
venient liquor, is a purge sufficient for a \ digestion, stay vomiting, and are very good
weak constitution, but may be increased to ' for those that have slippery bowels, to
six drams, according to the strength of the \ strengthen them, and to dry up their mois-
patient. It purges choler without trouble, j ture. Red Rose-water is well known, and
it is good in hot fevers, and pains of the \ of familiar use on all occasions, and better
head arising from hot choleric humours, j than Damask Rose-water, beingcooling and
and heat in the eyes, the jaundice also, and j cordial, refreshing, quickening the weak
joint-aches proceeding of hot humours. J and faint spirits, used either in meats or
The moist Conserve is of much use, both 1 broths, to wash the temples, to smell at the
binding and cordial ; for until it be about j nose, or to smell the sweet vapours thereof
two years old, it is more binding than i out of a perfuming pot, or cast into a hot
cordial, and after that, more cordial than | fire shovel. It is also of much good use
binding. Some of the younger Conserve! against the redness and inflammations of the
taken with mithridatc mixed together, is \ eyes to bathe them therewith, and the tern-
good for those that are troubled with dis- j pies of the head ; as also against pain and
dilations of rheum from the brain to the \ ache, for which purpose also Vinegar oi
nose, and defluctions of rheum into the i Roses is of much good use, and to procure
eyes ; as also for fluxes and lasks of the | rest and sleep, if some thereof, and Rose-
belly ; and being mixed with the powder * water together, be used to smell unto, or the

154 THK COMPLETE HERBAL

nose and temples moistened therewith, but 5 pound syrup is more forcible in working on
more usually to moisten a piece of a red i melancholic humours; and available against
Rose-cake, cut for the purpose, and heated j the leprosy, itch, tetters, &c. and the French
between a double folded cloth, with a little { disease : Also honey of Roses solutive is
beaten nutmeg, and poppy-seed strewed on j made of the same infusions that the syrup
the side that must lie next to the forehead i is made of, and therefore works the same
and temples, and bound so thereto all night, j effect, both opening and purging, but is
The ointment of Roses is much used against | oftener given to phlegmatic than choleric
heat and inflammations in the head, toanoint: persons, and is more used in clysters than
the forehead and temples, and being mixt f in potions, as the syrup made wilh sugar is.
with Ungnentum Populneum, to procure rest: ; The conserve and preserved leaves of those
it is also used for the heat of the liver, the! Roses are also operative in gently opening
back and reins, and to cool and heal pushes, ; the belly.

wheals, and other red pimples rising in the j The simple water of Damask Roses is
face or other parts. Oil of Roses is not chiefly used for fumes to sweeten things, as
only used by itself to cool any hot swell- ! the dried leaves thereof to make sweet pow-
ings or inflammations, and to bind and stay j ders, and fill sweet bags ; and little use
fluxes of humours unto sores, but is also i they are put to in physic, although they
put into ointments and plaisters that are j have some purging quality ; the wild Roses
cooling and binding, and restraining the i also are few or none of them used in physic,
flux of humours. The dried leaves of the; but are generally held to come near > the
red Roses are used both inwardly and out- \ nature of the manured Roses. The fruit of
wardly, both cooling, binding, and cordial, j the wild briar, which are called Hips, being
for with them are made both Aromaticum, \ thoroughly ripe, and made into a conserve
Rosarum, Diarrhoden Abbatis, and Saccha- \ with sugar, besides the pleasantness of the
rum Rosarum, each of whose properties arej taste, doth gently bind the belly, and stay
before declared. Rose leaves and mint, defluctions from the head upon the stomach,
heated and applied outwardly to the i drying up the moisture thereof, and helps
stomach, stays castings, and very much ; digestion. The pulp of the hips dried into
strengthen a weak stomach; and applied | a hard consistence, like to the juice of the
as a fomentation to the region of the liver: liquorice, or so dried that it may be made
and heart, do much cool and temper them, unto powder and taken into drink, stays
and also serve instead of a Rose-cake (as is {speedily the whites in women. The briar
said before) to quiet the over-hot spirits, \ ball is often used, being made into powder
and cause rest and sleep. The syrup of j and drank, to break the stone, to provoke
Damask Roses is both simpleand compound, {urine when it is stopped, and to ease and
and made with Agaric. The simple solutive \ help the cholic ; some appoint it to be
syrup is a familiar, safe, gentle and easy \ burnt, and then taken for the same purpose,
medicine, purging choler, taken from one j In the middle of the balls are often found
ounce to three or four, yet this is remarkable i certain white worms, which being dried and
herein, that the distilled water of this syrup; made into powder, and some of it drank,
should notably bind the belly. The syrup j is found by experience of many to kill and
with Agaric is more strong and effectual, for j drive forth the worms of the bellj.
one ounce thereof by itself will open the :
body more than the other, and works as!
much on phlegm as choler. The corn-*

AN I) ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 155

ROS4 SOLIS, Oil SUN DFW. ROSEMARY.

IT is likewise called Red-rot, and Youth- OUR garden Rosemary is so well known.
\vort. > that I need not describe it.

Descript.'] It hath, divers small, round, ( Time.'] Ittlowers in April and May with
hollow leaves somewhat greenish, but full of j us, sometimes again in August,
certain red hairs, which make them seem \ Government and virtues.'] The Sun claims
ed, every one standing upon his own foot- \ privilege in it, and it is under the celestial
talk, reddish, hairy likewise. The leaves! Ram. It is an herb of as great use with ur.
are continually moist in the hottest day, > in these days as any whatsoever, not only
yea, the hotter the sun shines on them, the | for physical but civil purposes. The phy-
moister they are, with a sliminess that will \ sical use of it (being my present task) is
rope (as we say,) the small hairs always > very much used both for inward and outward
holding the moisture. Among these leaves ; diseases, for by the wanning and comforr-
rise up slender stalks, reddish also, three or: ing heat thereof it helps all cold diseases,
four fingers high, bearing divers small white both of the head, stomach, liver, and belly
knobs one above another, which are flowers ; ; The decoction thereof in wine, helps the
after which in the heads are contained : cold distillations of rheum into the eyes,
small seeds. The root is a few small hairs. ! and all other cold diseases of the head and

Placed] It grows usually in bogs and brain, as the giddiness or swimmings
wet places, and sometimes in moist woods, j therein, drowsiness or dullness of the mind

Time.'] It flowers in June, and the leaves j and senseslike a stupidness, the dumb palsy,
are then fittest to be gathered. 5 or loss of speech, the lelhary, and fallen-

Government and virtues.'] The Sun rules 5 sickness, to be both drank, and the temples
it, and it is under the sign Cancer. Rose I bathed therewith. It helps the pains in the
Solis is accounted good to help those that ; gums and teeth, by rheum falling into them,
have a salt rheum distilling on their lungs, j not by putrefaction, causing an evil smell
which breeds a consumption, and there- j from them, or a stinking breath. It helps
fore the distilled water thereof in wine is | a weak memory, and quickens the senses,
held fit and profitable for such to drink, | It is very comfortable to the stomach in all
which water will be of a good yellow colour, j the cold griefs thereof, helps both retention
The same water is held to be good for all \ of meat, and digestion, the decoction 01
other diseases of the lungs, as phthisicks, j powder being taken in wine. It is a reined}'
wheezings, shortness of breath, or thecough ; j for the windiness in the stomach, bowels,
as also to heal the ulcers that happen in the | and spleen, and expels it powerfully. It
lungs ; and it comforts the heart and faint- j helps those that are liver-grown, by open-
ing spirits. The leaves, outwardly applied ing the obstructions thereof. It helps dim
to the skin will raise blisters, which has | eyes, and procures a clear sight, the flowers
caused some to think it dangerous to be j thereof being taken all the while it is flower-

taken inwardly ; but there are other things ' ing every morning fasting, with bread and
which will also draw blisters, yet nothing ; salt. Both Dioscorides and Galen say,
dangerous to be taken inwardly. There is That if a decoction be made thereof with
an usual drink made thereof with aqua vitae water, and they that have the yellow jaun-
and spices frequently, and without any j dice exercise their bodies directly after the
offence or danger, but to good purpose I taking thereof, it will certainly cure them,
used in qualms and passions of the heart. J The flowers and conserve made of them,

5 .->

156 THE COMPLETE HER HAL

are singularly good to comfort the heart, j pursued its virtues, you will conclude it
and to expel the contagion of the pestilence; {nothing inferior to that which is brought
to burn the herb in houses and chambers, out of China, and by that time this hath
corrects the air in them. Both the flowers j been as much used as that hath been, the
and leaves are very profitable for women j name which the other hath gotten will be
that are troubled with the whites, if they be i eclipsed by the fame of this ; take there-
daily taken. The dried leaves shred small, j fore a description at large of it as follows :
and taken in a pipe, as tobacco is taken, j Descript.~] At the first appearing out of
helps those that have any cough, phthisic, | the ground, when the winter is past, it hath
or consumption, by warming and drying | a great round brownish head, rising from
the thin distillations which cause those dis- I the middle or sides of the root, which opens
eases. < The leaves are very much used in j itself into sundry leaves one after another,
bathings ; and made into ointments or oil, j very much crumpled or folded together at
are singularly good to help cold benumbed j the first, and brownish : but afterwards it
joints, sinews, or members. The chymical | spreads itself, and becomes smooth, very
oil drawn from the leaves and flowers, is a ( large and almost round, every one standing
sovereign help for all the diseases aforesaid, | on a brownish stalk of the thickness of a
to touch the temples and nostrils with two | man's thumb, when they are grown to their
or three drops for all the diseases of the I fulness, and most of them two feet and
head and brain spoken of before; as also t more in length, especially when they grow
ro take one drop, two, or three, as the case | in any moist or good ground ; and the
tequires, for the inward griefs : Yet must it ' stalk of the leaf, from the bottom thereof to
be done with discretion, for it is very quick | the leaf itself, being also two feet, the breadth
and piercing, and therefore but a little must . thereof from edge to edge, in the broadest
be taken at a time. There is also another j place, being also two feet, of a sad or dark
oil made bv insolation in this manner : t green colour, of a fine tart or sourish taste,
Take what quantity you will of the flowers, i much more pleasant than the garden or
and put them into a strong glass close * wood sorrel. From among these rise up
stopped, tie a fine linen cloth over the \ some, but not every year, strong thick
mouth, and turn the mouth down into i stalks, not growing so high as the Patience,
another strong glass, which being set in the ; or garden Dock, with such round leaves as
sun, an oil will distil down into the lower j grow below, but small at every joint up to
glass, to be preserved as precious for divers ; the top, and among the flowers, which are
uses, both inward and outward, asa sovereign *. white, spreading forth into many branches,
balm to heal the disease before-mentioned, > consisting of five or six small leaves a-piece,
to clear dim sights, and to take away spots, I hardly to be discerned from the white
marks, and scars in the skin. I threads in the middle, and seeming to be all

5 threads, after which come brownish three

RHUBARB, OR REPHONTIC. ^ ^ , jke

Do not start, and say, This grows you | larger, whereby it may be plainly known to
know not how far off: and then ask me, j be a Dock. The root grows in time to be
How it comes to pass that I bring it among! very great, with clivers and sundry great
our English simples? For though the name j spreading branches from it, of a dark
may speak it foreign, yet it grows with us in brownish or reddish colour on the outside,
England, and that frequent enough in our j having a pale yellow skin under it, which
gardens ; and when you have thoroughly \ covers the inner substance or root, which

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 157

rind and skin being pared away, the root
appears of so fresh and lively a colour,

of the stalks being divided into many smaii
branches, bear reddish or purplish flowers,

wilh fresh coloured veins running through j and three-square seed, like unto other
it, that the choicest of that Rhubarb that is j Docks. The root is long, great and yellow,
brought us from beyond the seas cannot ; like unto the wild Docks, but a little redder;
excel it, which root, if it be dried carefully, j and if it be a little dried, shews less store of
and as it ought (which must be in our j discoloured veins than the other does when
country by the gentle heat of a fire, in re- j it is dry.
Hard the sun is not hot enough here to do j

, ,, ,. | GREAT ROUND-LEAVED DOCK, OR BAS-

it, and every piece kept from touching one :

u \ -ii I u . 1 1 ll TARD RHUBARB.

another) will hold its colour almost as well j

as when it is fresh, and has been approved ; JDeteript.] THIS has divers large, round

of, and commended by those who have
oftentimes used them.

Placed] It grows in gardens, and flowers
about the beginning and middle of June,
and the seed is ripe in July.

thin yellowish green leaves rising from the
root, a little waved about the edges, every
one standing upon a reasonably thick and
long brownish footstalk, from among which
rises up a pretty big stalk, about two feet

Time.'] The roots that are to be dried } high, with some such high leaves growing
and kept all the year following, are not to f thereon, but smaller ; at the top whereot
be taken up before the stalk and leaves be j stand in a long spike many small brownish
quite turned red and gone, and that is not [flowers, which turn into a hard three square
until the middle or end of October, and ifj shining brown seed, I ike the garden Patience
they be taken a little before the leaves do j before described. The root grows greater
spring, or when they are sprung up, the j than that, with many branches or great
roots will not have half so good a colour in > fibres thereat, yellow on the outside, arid
them. i somewhat pale ; yellow within, with some

I have given the precedence unto this, j discoloured veins like to the Rhubarb which
because in virtues also it hath the pre-emi- j is first described, but much less than it,
nence. I come now to describe unto you j especially when it is dry.
that which is called Patience, or Monk's \ Place and Time.'] These also grow in
Rhubarb ; and the next unto that, the great j gardens, and flower and seed at or near the
round-leaved Dock, or Bastard Rhubarb, | same time that our true Rhubarb doth, vi/.
for the one of these may happily supply in j they flower in June, and the seed is ripe in
the absence of the other, being not much j July.

unlike in their virtues, only one more j Government and virtues.^ Mars claims
powerful and efficacious than the other. | predominancy over all these wholesome
And lastly, shall shew you the virtues of all herbs : You cry out upon him for an un-
the three sorts. j fortunate, when God created him for your

GARDEN-PATIENCE, OR MONK'S 1UI n . { good (only he is angry with fools.) What

| dishonour is this, not to Mars, but to God
| himself. A dram of the dried root of

Descript.] THIS is a Dock bearing the | Monk's Rhubarb, with a scruple of Ginger
iirirne of Rhubarb for some purging quality j made into powder, and taken fasting in a
therein, and grows up with large tall stalks, j draught or mess of warm broth, purges
set with somewhat broad and long, fair, choler and phlegm downwards very gently
green leaves, not dented at all. The tops j and safely without danger. The seed

158 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

thereof contrary doth bind the belly, and | blood, opening obstructions, and helping
helps to stay any sort of lasks or bloody- J those griefs that come thereof, as the jaun-
flux. The distilled water thereof is very j dice, dropsy, swelling of the spleen, tertain
profitably used to heal scabs; also foul j and daily agues, and pricking pains of the
ulcerous sores, and to allay the inflamma- \ sides; and also stays spitting of blood.
lion of them ; the juice of the leaves or j The powder taken with cassia dissolved,
roots or the decoction of them in vinegar, ! and washed Venice turpentine, cleanses the
is used as the most effectual remedy to heal \ reins and strengthens them afterwards, and
scabs and running sores. j is very effectual to stay the gonorrhea. It

The Bastard Rhubarb hath all the pro- j is also given for the pains and swellings in
perties of the Monk's Rhubarb, but more * the head, for those that are troubled with
effectual for both inward and outward dis- j melancholy, and helps the sciatica, gout,
eases. The decoction thereof without vine- ; and the cramp. The powder of the Rhu-
gar dropped into the ears, takes away the j barb taken with a little mummia and mad-
pains ; gargled in the mouth, takes away f der roots in some red wine, dissolves clotted
the toothache; and being drank, heals the j blood in the body, happening by any fall
jaundice. The seed thereof taken, eases t or bruise, and helps burstings and broken
the gnawing and griping pains of the j parts, as well inward as outward. The oil
stomach, and ta^es away the loathing there- likewise wherein it hath been boiled, works
of unto meat. The root thereof helps the * the like effects being anointed. It is used
ruggedness of the nails, and being boiled in 5 to heal those ulcers that happen in the eyes
wine helps the swelling of the throat, com- | or eyelids, being steeped and strained ; as
monly called the king's evil, as also the j also to assuage the swellings and inflam
swellings of the kernels of the ears. It j mations ; and applied with honey, boiled
helps them that are troubled with ih^ stone, \ in wine, it takes away all blue spots or

provokes urine, and helps the dimness of
the sight The roots of this Bastard Rhu-

marks that happen therein. AVliey or
white wine are the best liquors to steep it

Darb are used in opening and purging diet- j in, and thereby it works more effectual in

drinks, with other things, to open the liver, > opening obstructions, and purgino- the
and to cleanse and cool the blood. stomach and liver. Many do use a little

The properties of that which is called the j Indian Spikenard as the best corrector
English Rhubarb are the same with the I thereof,
former, but much more effectual, and hath i
all the properties of the true Italian Rhu- !

barbs, except the force in purging, wherein Descript.] MRADOW-RWU rises up with
it is but of half the strength thereof, and \ a yellow stringy root, much spreading in
therefore a double quantity must be used : \ the ground, shooting forth new sprouts
it likewise hath not that bitterness and as- | round about, with many herby green stalks,
triction ; in other things it works almost in | two feet high, crested all the length of them,
an equal quantity, which are these: It * set with joints here and there, and many
purges the body of choler and phlegm, being \ large leaves on them, above as well as be-
either taken of itself, made into powder, and How, being divided into smaller leaves,
drank in a draught of white wine, or steeped j nicked or dented in the fore part of them,
therein all night, and taken fasting, or put : of a red green colour on the upper-side,
among other purges, as shall be thought \ and pale .green underneath; Toward the
convenient, cleansing the stomach, liver, and j top of the stalk there shoots forth divers

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 159

ihort branches, on every one whereof stand; often taken in meat and drink, it abates
two, three or four small heads, or buttons, j venery. A decoetion thereof with some
which breaking the skin that incloses them, \ dried dill leaves and flowers, eases all pains
shoots forth a tuft of pale greenish yellow j and torments, inwardly to be drank, and
threads, which falling away, there come in : outwardly to be applied warm to the place
their places small three-cornered cods, I grieved. The same being drank, helps the
wherein is contained small, long and round > pains both of the chest and sides, as also
seed. The whole plant has a strong un- $ coughs and hardness of breathing, the in-
pleasant scent. \ llammations of the lungs, and the torment-

PlaceJ] It grows in many places of this j ing pains of the sciatica and the joints, being
land, in the borders of moist meadows, and | anointed, or laid to the places; as also the
ditch-sides. 5 shaking fits of agues, to take a draught be-

Tlme.~\ It flowers about July, or the be- j fore the fit comes. Being boiled or infused
ginning of August. in oil, it is good to help the wind cholic,

Government and virtitesJ] Dioscorides I the hardness and windiness of the mother,
saith, That this herb bruised and applied, \ and frees women from the strangling or
perfectly heals old sores, and the distilled \ suffocation thereof, if the share and the
water of the herb and flowers doth the like. j parts thereabouts be anointed therewith. It
It is used by some among other pot-herbs \ kills and drives forth the worms of the
to open the body, and make it soluble ; but \ belly, if it be drank after it is boiled in wine
the roots washed clean, and boiled in ale j to the half, with a little honey ; it helps the
and drank, provokes to stool more than the; gout or pains in the joint?, hands, feet or
leaves, but yet very gently. The root I knees, applied thereunto ; ana witn figs it
boiled in water, and the places of the body j helps the dropsy, being bathed therewith :
most troubled with vermin and lice washed \ Being bruised and put into the nostrils, it
therewith while it is warm, destroys ihem i slays the bleeding thereof. It takes away
utterly. In Italy it is good against the i wheals and pimples, if being bruised with a
plague, and in Saxony against the jaundice, {few myrtle leaves, it be made up with wax,
as Camerarius saith. jand applied. It cures the morphew, and

GARDEN-RUE. | ^ ^ ^ S ftS f War , tS > . if boi1 ^

'wine with some pepper and nitre, and the

GARDEN-RUE is so well known by this (place rubbed therewith, and with almond
name, and the name Herb of Grace, that 1 1 and honey helps the dry scabs, or any
shall not need to write any farther descrip- 1 tetter or ringworm. The juice thereof
tion of it, but shall shew you the virtue of it, warmed in a pomegranate shell or rind, and
as follows. dropped into the ears, helps the pains of

Government mid virtues."] It is an herb of them. The juice of it and fennel, with a
the Sun, and under Leo. It provokes urine j little honey, and the gall of a cock put there-
and women's courses, being taken either in i unto, helps the dimness of the eye-sight,
meat or drink. The seed thereof taken in j An ointment made of the juice thereof with
wine, is an antidote against all dangerous ! oil of roses, ceruse, and a little vinegar, and

medicines or deadly poisons. The leaves
taken either by themselves, or with figs and
walnuts, is called Mithridate's counter-poi-

son against the plague, and causes all veno-
mous things to become harmless; being

anointed, cures St. Anthony's fire, and all
running sores in the head : and the stinking
ulcers of the nose, or other parts. The
antidote used by Milhridates, every morn-

ing fasting, to secure himself from any

160 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

poison or infection, was this: Take twenty j ground, about a span long, divided into
leaves of rue, a little salt, a couple of wal- 1 many other smaller parts full or small joints
nuts, and a couple of figs, beaten together ; set very thick together, whereat come forth

into a mess, with twenty juniper berries,
which is the quantity appointed for every :

two very small leaves of a French yellow,
'green coloured branches and all, where

l^Ll i O

day. Another electuary is made thus : : grows forth also a number of exceedingly
Take of nitre, pepper, and cumrnin seed, j small yellowish flowers, scarce to be clis-
of each equal parts ; of the leaves of Rue J cerned from the stalks and leaves, which
clean picked, as much in weight as all the; turn into seeds as small as the very dust,
other three weighed; beat them well toge-The root is very long and small, thrusting
ther, and put as much honey as will make i down deep into the ground. This has
it up into an electuary (but you must first I neither smell nor taste at first, but after-
steep your cummin seed in vinegar twenty j wards has a little astringent taste, without
tour hours, and then dry it, or rather roast j any manifest heat; yet a little bitter and
it in a hot fire-shovel, or in an oven) and is ! sharp withal.

a remedy for the pains or griefs in the chest : Placed] It grows in dry, sandy, and
or stomach, of the spleen, belly, or sides, ; rocky places.

by wind or stitches; of the liver by ob-| Time.~\ It is fresh and green ail the
structions ; of the reins and bladder by the j Summer.

stopping of urine ; and helps also toex-j Government and virtues."] They say Saturn
tenuate fat corpulent bodies. What an in- 1 causes ruptures ; if he do, he does no more
famy is cast upon the ashes of Mithridates, ! than he can cure ; if you want wit, he will
or Methridates (as the Augustines read his ;! teach you, though to your cost. This herb
name) by unworthy people. They that ! is Saturn's own, and is a noble antivene-
deserve no good report themselves, love to j rean. Rupture-wort hath not its name in
give 'none to others, viz. That renowned' vain : for it is found by experience to cure
King of Pontus fortified his body by poison j the rupture, not only in children but also in
against poison. (He cast out devils by Beel- \ elder persons, if the disease be not too in-
zebub, Prince of the devils.) What a sot is j veterale, by taking a dram of the powder
he that knows not if he had accustomed his : of the dried herb every day in wine, or a
body to cold poisons, but poisons would i decoction made and drank for certain days
have dispatched him? on the contrary, if 'together. The juice or distilled water of
not, corrosions would have done it. The j the green herb, taken in the same manner,
whole world is at this present time beholden | helps all other fluxes either of man or
to him for his studies in physic, and he that j woman ; vomitings also, and the gonorrhea,
uses the quantity but of an hazel-nut of that being taken any of the ways aforesaid. It
receipt every morning, to which his name' doth also most assuredly help those that
is adjoined, shall to admiration preserve { have the stranguary, or are troubled with
his body in health, if he do but consider [the stone or gravel in the reins or bladder,
that Rue is an herb of the Sun, and under j The same also helps stitches in the sides,
Leo, and gather it and the rest accord- j griping pains of the stomach or belly, the.
ingly. : obstructions of the liver, and cures the yel-

ilow jaundice; likewise it kills also the
j worms in children. Being outwardly ap-

Descript.'] THIS spreads very many i plied, it conglutinates wounds notably, and
hready branches round about upon the: helps much to stay defluctions of rheum

A1ND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 101

fi-om the head to the eyes, nose, and teeth, I did describe it, they would presently say
being bruised green and bound thereto ; orjl might as well have spared that labour
the forehead, temples, or the nape of the { Its virtue follows.

neck behind, bathed with the decoction of j Government and virtues."] Rye is more
the dried herb. It also dries up the mois-j digesting than wheat; the bread and the
tureof fistulous ulcers, or any othsr that are; leaven thereof ripens and breaks impos-
foul and spreading. : thumes, boils, and other swellings : The

;meal of Rye put between a double cloth,
jand moistened with a little vinegar, and

ALTHOUGH there are many kinds of j heated in a pewter dish, set over a chafing
Rushes, yet I shall only here insist upon { dish of coals, and bound fast to the head
those which are best known, and most i while it is hot, doth much ease the continual
medicinal ; as the bulrushes, and other of; pains of the head. Matthiolus saith, that
the soft and smooth kinds, which grow sot the ashes of Rye straw put into water, and
commonly in almost every part of this land, i steeped therein a day and a night, and the
and are so generally noted, that I suppose j chops of the hands or feet washed therewith,
it needless to trouble you with any des- j doth heal them,
criplion of them : Briefly then take the|
virtues of them as follows:

Government and virtues.'] The seed of j THE herb needs no description, it being
the soft Rushes, (saith Dioscorides and j known generally Avhere it grows.
Galen, toasted, saith Pliny) being drank in ; Place.'] It grows frequently at Walden
wine and water, stays the lask and women's | in Essex, and in Cambridgeshire,
courses, when they come down too abun- Government and virtues.] It is an herb
daily : but it causes head-ache ; it pro- j of the Sun, and under the Lion, and there-
vokes sleep likewise, but must be given j fore you need not demand a reason why it
with caution. The root boiled in water, to j strengthens the heart so exceedingly. Let
the consumption of one third, helps the j not above ten grains be given at one time,
cough. \ for the Sun, which is the fountain of light,

Thus you see that conveniences have j may dazzle the eyes, and make them blind;
their inconveniences, and virtue is seldom I a cordial being taken in an immoderate
unaccompanied with some vices. What t quantity, hurts the heart instead of help-
I have written concerning Rushes, is to j ing it. It quickens the brain, for the Sun
satisfy my countrymen's questions : Are \ is exalted in Aries, as he hath his house in
our Rushes good for nothing? Yes, and as \ Leo. It helps consumptions of the lungs,
good let them alone as taken. There are * and difficulty of breathing. It is excellent
remedies enough without them for any dis- * in epidemical diseases, as pestilence, small-
ease, and therefore as the prqverb is, I care ? pox, and measles. It is a notable expul-
not a rush for them ; or rather they will do \ sive medicine, and a notable remedy for the
you as much good as if one had given you j yellow jaundice. My opinion is, (but I
a Rush. ; have no author for it) that hermodactyls are

1 nothing else but the roots of Saffron dried :

1? ^F V '

Jand my reason is, that the roots of all

THIS is so well known in all the counties | crocus, both white and yellow, purge
of this land, and especially to the country- i phlegm as hermodactyls do ; and if you
people, who feed much thereon, that if I j please to dry the roots of any crocus, neither

102 THE COMPLETE HEKBAL

your eyes nor your taste shall distinguish j with wormwood is good for the bloody-flux,
inem from henuodactyls. } Pliny saith, it procures women's courses.

: and stays them coming down too fast: helps
| the stinging and biting of serpents, and kills

OUR ordinary .garden Sage needs no ? the worms that breed in the ear, and in
description. j sores. Sage is of excellent use to help the

Time.'] It flowers in or about July. j memory, warming and quickening the

Government and virtues.] Jupiter claims *. senses; and the conserve made of the flowers
this, and bids me tell you, it is good for the \ is used to the same purpose, and also for all
liver, and to breed blood. A decoction of j the former recited diseases. The juice of
the leaves and branches of Sage made and J Sage drank with vinegar, hath been of good
drank, saith Dioscorides, provokes urine, ; use in time of the plague at all times,
brings down women's courses, helps to ? Gargles likewise are made with Sage, rose-
expel the dead child, and causes the hair jmary, honey-s.uckles, and plantain, boiled
to become black. It stays the bleeding of j in wine or water, with some honey or allum
wounds, and cleanses foul ulcers. Three 1 put thereto, to wash sore mouths and
spoonfuls of the juice of Sage taken fasting, j throats, cankers, or the secret parts of man
with a little honey, doth presently stay the 5 or woman, as need requires. And with
spitting or casting of blood of them that are I other hot and comfortable herbs, Sage is
in a consumption. These pills are much i boiled to bathe the body and the legs in the
commended ; Take of spikenard, ginger, $ Summer time, especially to warm cold
of each two drams; of the seed of Sage ? joints, or sinews, troubled with the palsy
toasted at the fire, eight drains ; of long * and cramp, and to comfort and strengthen
pepper, twehedrams; all thesebeingbrought; the parts. It is much commended against
into powde T , put thereto so much juice of : the stitch, or pains in the side coming of
Sage as may make them into a mass of; wind, if the place be fomented warm with
pills, taking a dram of them every morning I the decoction thereof in wine, and the
fasting, and so likewise at night, drinking I herb also after boiling be laid warm there-
a little pure water after them. Matthiolus i unto,
saith, it is very profitable for all manner j

of pains in the head coming of cold and j WOOD-SAGE.

rheumatic humours: as aisoforall pains of j

the joints, whether inwardly or outwardly, ; Descript.'] WOOD-SAGE rises up with
and therefore helps the falling-sickness, the i square hoary stalks, two feet high at th* 1
lethargy such as are dull and heavy of j least, with two leaves set at every joint,
spirit, the palsy ; and is of much use in all j somewhat like other Sage leaves, but
defluctions of rheum from the head, and for j smaller, softer, whiter, and rounder, and a
the diseases of the chest or breast. The j little dented about the edges, and smelling
leaves of Sage and nettles bruised together, | somewhat stronger. At the tops of the
and laid upon the imposthume that rises ! stalks and branches stand the flowers, on a
behind the ears, doth assuage it much. ; slender like spike, turning themselves all
The juice of Sage taken in warm water, | one way when they blow, and are of a pale
helps a hoarseness and a cough. The j and whitish colour, smaller than Sage, but
leaves sodden in wine, and laid upon the j hooded and gaping like unto them. The
place affected with the palsy, helps much, j seed is blackish and round ; four usually
if the decoction be drank : Also Sage taken i seem in a husk together : the root is long

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 163

and stringy, with divers fibres thereat, and ! one, and sometimes also two stalks, and
abides many years. i flowers at the foot of a leaf, which are.with-

PlaceJ] It grows in woods, and by j out any scent at all, and stand on the top
wood-sides ; as also in divers fields and : of the stalk. After they are past, come ID
bye-lanes in the land. their places small round berries great at the

Time.'] It flowers in June, July, and >first,and blackish green, tending to blueness
August. I when they are ripe, wherein lie small,

Government and virtues^] The herb is I white, hard, and stony seeds. The root is
under Venus. The decoction of the Wood \ of the thickness of one's finger or thumb,
Sage provokes urine and women's courses:! white and knotted in some places, a flat
It also provokes sweat, digests humours, | round circle representing a Seal, whereof it
and discusses swellings and nodes in the \ took the name, lying along under the upper
flesh, and is therefore thought to be good ! crust of the earth, and not growing down-
against the French pox. The decoction- ward, but with many fibres underneath,
of the green herb, made with wine, is a safe \ Place.'] It is frequent in divers places of
and sure remedy for those who by falls, j this land ; as, namely in a wood two miles
bruises, or blows, suspect some vein to be j from Canterbury, by Fish-Pool Hill, as also
inwardly broken, to disperse and void the j in Bushy Close belonging to the parsonage
congealed blood, and to consolidate the j of Alderbury, near Clarendon, two miles
veins. The drink used inwardly, and the j from Salisbury : in ChefFon wood, on Ches-
herb used outwardly, is good for such as j son Hill, between Newington and Sitting-
are inwardly or outwardly bursten, and is; bourn in Kent, and divers other places in
found to be a sure remedy for the palsy. 5 Essex, and other counties.
The juice of the herb, or the powder there- j Time.'] It flowers about May: The
of dried, is good for moist ulcers and sores j root abides and shoots a-new every year,
in the legs, and other parts, to dry them, | Government and virtues J] Saturn owns
and cause them to heal more speedily. It i the plant, for he loves his bones well. The
is no less effectual also in green wounds, to; root of Solomon's Seal is found by experience
be used upon any occasion. Jto be available in wounds, hurts, and out-

SOLOMON'S SEAL. | " ard s ? res ' to heal and cl , ose U P the H P S !

those that are green, and to dry up and

DescriptJ] THE common Solomon's | restrain the flux of humours to those that
Seal rises up with a round stalk half a yard j are old. It is singularly good to stay
i.igh, bowing or bending down to the| vomitings and bleeding wheresoever, as
ground, set with single leaves one above | also all fluxes in man or woman ; also, to
another, somewhat large, and like the leaves : knit any joint, which by weakness uses to
of the lily-convally, or May-lily, with an \ be often out of place, or will not stay in
eye of bluish upon the green, with some j long when it is set; also to knit and join
ribs therein, and more yellowish under- j broken bones in any part of the body, the
neath. At the foot of every leaf, almost! roots being bruised and applied to the
from the bottom up to the top of the stalk, \ places ; yea, it hath been found by expe-
come forth small, long, white and hollow \ rience, aird the decoction of the root in
pendulous flowers, somewhat like the; wine, or the bruised root put into wine or
flowers of May-lily, but ending in five long i other drink, and after a night's infusion,
points, for the most part two together, at the j strained forth hard and drank, hath helped
end of a long foot-stalk, and sometimes but both man and beast, whose bones hath been

u u

164 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

broken by any occasion, which is the most | are the cause of most of the diseases which
assured refuge of help to people of divers j the frail nature of man is subject to ; both
counties of the land that they can have. It : which might be remedied by a more fre-
is no less effectual to help ruptures and j quent use of this herb. If people would
burstings, the decoction in wine, or the j have sauce to their meat, they may take,
powder in broth or drink, being inwardly j sorhe for profit as well as for pleasure. It
taken, and outwardly applied to ihe place, j is a safe herb, very pleasant both to taste
The same is also available for inward or out- j and stomach, helps digestion, and in some
ward bruises, falls or blows, both to dispel ; sort opening obstructions of the liver and
the congealed blood, and to take away j spleen : provokes urine, and helps thereby
both the pains and the black and blue ; to wash away the gravel and stone engen-
inarks that abide after the hurt. The same : dered in the kidneys or bladder,
also, or the distilled water of the whole 1
plant, used to the face, or other parts of the \

skin, cleanses it from morphew, freckles, 5 THIS herb is by many called Butter-
spots, or marks whatsoever, leaving the | wort.

place fresh, fair, and lovely; for which ( DescriptJ] Ordinary Sanicle sends forth
purpose it is much used by the Italian ! many great round leaves, standing upon
Dames. j long brownish stalks, every one somewhat

5 deeply cut or divided into five or six parts.

SAMlIIIltE. , i i 11*1

: ind some or these also cut in somewhat like

Descript."] ROCK Samphire grows up j the leaf of crow's-foot, or dove's-foot, and
with a tender green stalk about half a yard, j finely dented about the edges, smooth, and
or two feet high at the most, branching | of a dark shining colour, and somewhat
forth almost from the very bottom, and | reddish about the brims; from among
stored with sundry thick and almost round \ which arise up small, round green stalks,
(somewhat long) leaves of a deep green j without any joint or leaf thereon, saving at
colour, sometimes two together, and some- j the top, where it branches forth into flowers,
times more on a stalk, and sappy, and of: having a leaf divided into three or four
a pleasant, hot, and spicy taste. At the j parts at that joint with the flowers, which
top of the stalks and branches stand umbels : are small and white, starting out of small
of white flowers, and after them come large j round greenish yellow heads, many stand-
seed, bigger than fennel seed, yet some- \ ing together in a tui't, in which afterwards
what like it. The root is great, white, and : are the seeds contained, which are small
long, continuing many years, and is of an j round burs, somewhat like the leaves of
hot and spicy taste likewise. I clevers, and stick in the same manner upon

Place.'] It grows on the rocks that art- j any thing that they touch. The root is
often moistened at the least, if npt over- 1 composed of many blackish strings or
flowed with the sea water. \ fibres, set together at a little long head,

Time.'] And it flowers and seeds in the j which abides with green leaves all the Win-
end of July and August. j ter, and perishes not.

Government and virtues.'] It is an herb of j Place.] It is found in many shadowy
Jupiter, and was in former times wont to be i woods, and other places of this land,
used more than now it is ; the more is the) Time.] It flowers in June, and the seed
pity. It is well known almost to every ; is ripe shortly after,
body, that ill digestions and obstructions* Government and virtues.] This is one 01

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 105

Venus's herbs, to cure the wounds or mis- 1 no leaf appears in the Winter. The taste
chiefs Mars inflicts upon the body of man. {hereof is strong and unpleasant ; and so is
It heals green wounds speedily, or any I the smell also.

ulcers, imposthumes, or bleedings inward,* PlaceJ] It grows in moist and wet
also tumours in any part of the body ; for j grounds, by wood-sides, and sometimes in
the decoction or powder in drink taken, | moist places of shadowy groves, as also by
and the juice used outwardly, dissipates j the water side.

the humours : and there is not found any j Time.] It flowers in July, and the seed
herb that can give such present help either is soon ripe, and carried away with the
to man or beast, when the disease falleth j wind.

upon the lungs or throat, and to heal upj Government and virtues.] Saturn owns
putrid malignant ulcers in the mouth, j the herb, and it is of a sober condition, like
throat, and privities, by gargling or wash- j him. Among the Germans, this wound
ing with the decoction of the leaves and ' herb is preferred before all others of the
roots made in water, and a little honey put i same quality. Being boiled in wine, and
thereto. It helps to stay women's courses, I drank, it helps the indisposition of the
and all other fluxes of blood, either by the j liver, and freeth the gall from obstructions ;
mouth, urine, or stool, and lasks of the | whereby it is good for the yellow jaundice
belly ; the ulcerations of the kidneys also, land for the dropsy in the beginning of it
and the pains in the bowels, and gonorrhea, ! for all inward ulcers of the reins, mouth or
being boiled in wine or water, and drank. j throat, and inward wounds and bruises,
The same also is no less powerful to help j likewise for such sores as happen in the
any ruptures or burstings, used both in- ; privy parts of men and women; being steeped
wardly and outwardly : And briefly, it is! in wine, and then distilled, the water there-
as effectual in binding, restraining, conso- $ of drank, is singular!}' good to ease all gnaw-
lidating, heating, drying and healing, as 1 ings in the stomach, or other pains of the
comfrey, bugle, self-heal, or any other of j body, as also the pains of the mother : and
the vulnerary herbs whatsoever. \ being boiled in water, it helps continual

SARACEN'S CONFOUND, OR SARACEN'S N ues ; d * e f aid * e , r ' m l he . S ple

WOUNDWORT. | T atef f thC hCrb diSt ^ led ' ? r ^ jU J Ce r

decoction, are very effectual to heal any

Descript.'] THIS grows sometimes, with : green wound, or old sore or ulcer what-
brownish stalks, and other whiles with j soever, cleansing them from corruption,
green, to a man's height, having narrow j and quickly healing them up: Briefly,
green leaves snipped about the edges, some- ! whatsoever hath been said of bugle or sani-
what like those of the peach-tree, or willow ^ cle, may be found herein,
leaves, but not of such a white green colour. !
The tops of the stalks are furnished wilh j SAUCE-ALONE, OR JACK-BY-THE-HEDOE-

many yellow star-like flowers, standing in;

green heads, which when they are fallen,! Descript.'] THE lower leaves of this are
and the seed ripe, which is somewhat long, j rounder than those that grow towards the
small and of a brown colour, wrapped in J top of the stalks, -and are set singly on a
down, is therefore carried away with the; joint being somewhat round and broad,
wind. The root is composed of fibres set {pointed at the ends, dented also about the <
together at a head, which perishes not in edges, somewhat resembling nettle leaves'
'* inter, -although the stalkjs dry away and \ for the form, but of a fresher green colour,

Ififi THE COMPLETE HERBAL

not rough or pricking: The flowers arc} you all the year, if you love yourself and
white, growing at the top of the stalks one i your ease, and it is a hundred pounds to a
above another, which being past, follow I penny if you do not ; keep it dry, make
small round pods, wherein are contained j conserves and syrups of it for your use, and
round seed somewhat blackish. The root \ withal, take notice that the Summer kind
stringy and thready, perishes every year I is the best. They are both of them hot
after it hath given seed, and raises itself: and dry, especially the Summer kind,
again of its own sowing. The plant, or ; which is both sharp and quick in taste,
any part thereof, being bruised, smells of j expelling wind in the stomach and bowels,
garlic, but more pleasantly, and tastes I and is a present help for the rising of the
somewhat hot and sharp, almost like unto j mother procured by wind ; provokes urine
rocket. and women's courses, and is much corn-

It grows under walls, and by I mended for women with child to take in-

'wardly, and to smell often unto. It cures
tough phlegm in the chest and lungs, and
helps to expectorate it the more easily ;
quickens the dull spirits in the lethargy, the
juice thereof being snuffed up into the
nostrils. The juice dropped into the eyes,
clears a dull sight, if it proceed of thin rold
humours distilled from the brain. The

hedge-sides, and path-ways in fields in
many places.

Time.] It flowers in June, July, and
A u trust.

Government and virtues^] It is an herb of
Mercury. This is eaten by many country
people as sauce to their salt fish, and helps
well to digest the crudities and other cor-

rupt humours engendered thereby. It juiceheated with theoilofRoses, and dropped
warms also the stomach, and causes diges- j into the cars, eases them of the noise and
tion. The juice thereof boiled with honey \ singing in them, and" of deafness also.
is accounted to be as good as hedge mus- \ Outwardly applied with wheat flour, in
tard for the cough, to cut and expectorate \ manner of a poultice, it gives ease to the
the tough phlegm. The seed bruised and < : sciatica and palsied members, heating and

boiled in wine, is a singularly good remedy

wanning them, and takes away their pains.

for the wind colic, or the stone, being drank I It also takes away the pain that comes by
warm : It is also given to women troubled i stinging of bees, wasps, &c.
with the mother, both to drink, and the! SAVINE

seed put into a cloth, and applied while itl

is warm, is of singularly good use. Thej To describe a plant so well known is need-
leaves also, or the seed boiled, is good to be 5 less, it being nursed up almost in every gar-
iied in clysters to ease the pains of the j den, and abides green all the Winter.
.stone. The green leaves are held to be j Government and virtues^] It is under the
good to heal the ulcers in the legs. I dominion of Mars, being hot and dry in

1 the third degree, and being of exceeding

WINTER AND SUMMER SAVOURY. Qf & yery

BOTH these are so well known (being \ If you dry the herb into powder, and mix
entertained as constant inhabitants in our jit with honey, it is an excellent remedy to
gardens) that they need no description. \ cleanse old filthy ulcers and fistulas ; but

Government and virtues.~\ Mercury claims \ it hinders them from healing. The same is
dominion over this herb, neither is there j excellently good to break carbuncles and
H better remedy against the colic and iliac \ plague-sores ; also helps the king's evil,
I assion, than this herb; keep it dry by J being applied to the place. Being spread

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

167

over a piece of leather, and applied to the
navel, kills the worms in the belly, helps
scabs and itch, running sores, cankers, tet-
ters, and ringworms ; and being applied to
the place, may haply cure venereal sores.
This I thought good to speak of, as it may
be safely used outwardly, for inwardly it
cannot be taken without manifest danger.

THE COMMON WHITE SAXIFRAGE.

Descript] THIS hath a few small red-
dish kernels of roots covered with some
skins, lying among divers small blackish
fibres, which send forth divers round, faint
or yellow green leaves, and greyish under-
neath, lying above the grounds, unevenly
dented about the edges, and somewhat
hairy, every one upon a little foot-stalk,
from whence rises up round, brownish,
hairy, green stalks, two or three feet high,
with a few such like round leaves as grow
below, but smaller, and somewhat branched
at the top, whereon stand pretty large white
flowers of five leaves a-piece, with some
yellow threads in the middle, standing in a
ong crested, brownish green husk. After
the flowers are past, there arises sometimes
a round hard head, forked at the top,
wherein is contained small black seed, but
usually they fall away without any seed,
and it is the kernels or grains of the root
which are usually called the White Saxi-
frage-seed, and so used.

Place] It grows in many places of our
land, as well in the lower-most, as in the
upper dry corners of meadows, and grassy
sand y places. It used to grow near Lamb's
conduit, on the backside of Gray's Inn.

Time] It flowers in May, and then
gathered, as well for that which is called
the seed, as to distil, for it quickly perishes
down to the ground when any hot weather
comes.

Government and virtues] It is very ef-
fectual to cleanse the reins aad bladder,
and to dissolve the ttone engendered in

them, and to expel it and the gravel by
urine ; to help the stranguary ; for which
purpose the decoction of the herb or roots
| in white wine, is most usual, or the powder
| of the small kerneliy toot, which is called
the seed, taken in white wine, or in the
same decoction made with white wine, is
most usual. The distilled water of the
\ whole herb, root and flowers, is most fami-
| liar to be taken. It provokes also women's
: courses, and frees and cleanses the stomach
I and lungs from thick and tough phlegm
| that trouble them. There are not many
$ better medicines to break the stone than
I this.

BURNET SAXIFRAGE.

Descript] THE greater sort of our
English Burnet Saxifrage grows up with
divers long stalks of winged leaves, set
| directly opposite one to another on both
{sides, each being somewhat broad, and a
I little pointed and dented about the edges,
! o a sad green colour. At the top of the
alks stand umbels of white flowers, after
| which come small and blackish seed. The
I root is long and whitish, abiding long. Our
i lesser Burnet Saxifrage hath much finer
I leaves than the former, and very small, and
\ set one against another, deeply jagged
| about the edges, and of the same colour as
j the former. The umbels of the flowers are
| white, and the seed very small, and so is
i the root, being also somewhat hot and quick
in taste.

Place] These grow in moist meadows
\ of this land, and are easy to be found being
I well sought for among the grass, wherein
many times they lay hid scarcely to be dis-
cerned.

Time] They flower about July, and
i their seed is ripe in August.

Government and virtues] They are both
| of them herbs of the Moon. The Saxi-
frages are hot as pepper ; and Tragus saith,
by his experience, that they are wholesome
x x

168 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

They have the same properties the pars- j great, white and thick, growing clown deep

leys have, but in provoking urine, and 1 into the ground, and abides many years.

causing the pains thereof, and of the wind : There is another sort of Field Scabious

and colic, are much more effectual, the! different in nothing from the former, but

roots or seed being used either in powder, only it is smaller in all respects.

or in decoctions, or any other way ; and The Corn Scabious differs little from the

likewise helps the windy pains of the first, but that it is greater in all respects,

mother, and to procure their courses, and | and the flowers more inclining to purple,

to break and void the stone in the kidneys, -and the root creeps under the upper crust

to digest cold, viscous, and tough phlegm j of the earth, and runs not deep into the

in the stomach, and is an especial remedy > ground as the first doth.

against all kind of Venom. Castoreurn j Place.'] The first grows more usually in

being boiled in the distilled water thereof, meadows, especially about London every

is singularly good to be given to those that! where.

are troubled with cramps and convulsions. ! The second in some of the dry fields

about this city, but not so plentifully as the
former.

Some do use to make the seeds into comfits
(as they do carraway seeds) which is effec-
tual to all the purposes aforesaid. The The third in standing corn, or fallow
juice of the herb dropped into the most fields, and the borders of such like fields,
grievous wounds of the head, dries up their \ Time.'] They flower in June and July,
moisture, and heals them quickly. Some t and some abide flowering until it be late in

women use the distilled water to take away
freckles or spots in the skin or face ; and
to drink the same sweetened with sugar for
all the purposes aforesaid.

August, and the seed is ripe in the mean

time.

There are many other sorts of Scabious,
but I take these which I have here des-

cribed to be most familiar with us. The
SCABIOUS, THREE SORTS. virtues of both these and the rest, being

Descnpt.~] COMMON field Scabious grows ;

. i i . i i

much alike, take them as follow.

Government and mrtues.'] Mercury owns

up with many hairy, soft, whitish ^green \ the plant. Scabious is very effectual for
leaves, some whereof are very little, if at ] all sorts of coughs, shortness of breath, and
all jagged on the edges, others very much jail other diseases of the breast and lungs,
rent and torn on the sides, and have threads ; ripening and digesting cold phlegm, and
in them, ^ which upon breaking may be I other tough humours, voids them forth by
plainly seen; from among which rise up J coughing and spitting: It ripens also all
divers hairy green stalks, three or four feet {sorts of inward ulcers and impostlunnes ;
high, with such like hairy green leaves on j pleurisy also, if the decoction of the her!)
them, but more deeply and finely divided and j dry or green be made in wine, and drank
branched forth a little : At the tops thereof,; for some time together. Four ounces of
which are naked and bare of leaves for ajthe clarified juice of Scabious taken in the
good space, stand round heads of flowers,] morning fasting, with a dram of mithridate,
of a pale blueish colour, set together in a -or Venice treacle, frees the heart from any
head, the outermost whereof are larger than | infection of pestilence, if after the taking
the inward, with many threads also in the; of it the party sweat two hours in bed, and
middle, somewhat flat at the top, as the \ this medicine be again and again repeated,
head with the seed is likewise ; the root is i if need require. The green herb bruised

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 1

and applied to any carbuncle or plague j grass hath many thick flat leaves, more
sore, is found by certain experience to dis- ; long than broad, and sometimes longer and
solve and break it in three hours space, i narrower ; sometimes also smooth on the
The same decoction also drank, helps the I edges, and sometimes a little waved ; some-
pains and stitches in the side. The decoc-j times plain, smooth and pointed, of a sad
tion of the roots taken for forty days toge- j green, and sometimes a blueish colour,
ther, or a dram of the powder of them j every one standing by itself upon a long
taken at a time in whey, doth (as Malthi- \ foot-stalk, which is brownish or greenish
olus saith) wonderfully help those that are ! also, from among which arise many slender
troubled with running of spreading scabs, j stalks, bearing few leaves thereon like the
tetters, ringworms, yea, although they pro- ] other, but longer and less for the most
ceed from the French pox, which, he saith j part : At the tops whereof grow many
he hath tried by experience. The juice or| whitish flowers, with yellow threads in the
decoction drank, helps also scabs and j middle, standing about a green head, which
breakings-out of the itch, and the like. | becomes the seed vessel, which will be
The juice also made up into an ointment | somewhat flat when it is ripe, wherein is
and used, is effectual for the same purpose. j contained reddish seed, tasting somewhat
The same also heals all inward wounds by I hot. The root is made of many white
the drying, cleansing, and healing quality j strings, which stick deeply into the mud,
therein : And a syrup made of the juice j wherein it chiefly delights, yet it will well
and sugar, is very effectual to all the pur- > abide in the rr.ore upland and drier ground,
poses aforesaid, and so is the distilled water ! and tastes a little brackish and salt even
of the herb and flowers made in due season, ! there, but not so much as where it hath the
especially to be used when the green herb ; salt water to feed upon,
is not in force to be taken. The decoction j PlaceJ] It grows all along the Thames
of the herb and roots outwardly applied,; sides, both on the Essex and Kentish
doth wonderfully help all sorts of hard or 1 shores, from Woolwich round about the
cold swellings in any part of the body, is sea costs to Dover, Portsmouth, and even
effectual for shrunk sinews or veins, and j to Bristol, where it is had in plenty ; the
heals green wounds, old sores, and ulcers, jotherwith round leaves grows in the marshes
The juice of Scabious, made up with the | in Holland, in Lincolnshire, and other
powder of Borax and Samphire, cleanses i places of Lincolnshire by the sea side,
the skin of the face, or other parts of the 1 Descript.~\ There is also another sort
body, not only from freckles and pimples, j called Dutch Scurvygrass, which is most
but also from morphew and leprosy ; the ; known, and frequent in gardens, which has
head washed with the decoction, cleanses it I fresh, green, and almost round leaves rising
from dandriff, scurf, sores, itch, and the 1 from the root, not so thick as the former,

like, used warm. The herb bruised and
applied, doth in a short time loosen, and

yet in some rich ground, very large, even
twice as big as in others, not dented about

draw forth any splinter, broken bone, | the hedges,or hollow in the middle, standing
arrow head, or other such like thing lying Ion a long foot-stalk; from among these
in the flesh. rise long, slender stalks, higher than the for-

mer, with more white flowers at the tops of

SCURVYGRASS. : them, which turn into small pods, and

^smaller brownish seed than the former
Descript.] THE ordinary English Scurvy- [The root is white, small and thready. Thf

170 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

taste is nothing salt at all ; it hath a hot, | the ground, whereby it is made a great tuft
aromatical spicy taste. : in a shorl time.

Time.~] It flowers in April and May,: Place."] It is found in woods and fields
and gives seed ripe quickly after. \ every where.

Government and virtues, .] It is an herb of j TimeJ] It flowers in May, and some-
Jupiter. The English Scurvy grass is more j times in April.

used for the salt taste it bears, which doth ; Government and virtues.'] Here is another
somewhat open and cleanse; but the Dutch ! herb of Venus, Self-heal, whereby when
Scurvygrass is of better effect, and chiefly \ you are hurt you may heal yourself: It is
used (if it may be had) by those that have \ a special herb for inward and outward
the scurvy, and is of singular good effect to > wounds. Take it inwardly in syrups for

cleanse the blood, liver, and spleen, taking

inward wounds : outwardly in unguents,

the juice in the Spring every morning fast- and plaisters for outward. As Self-heal is
ing in a cup of drink. The decoction is j like Bugle in form, so also in the qualities
good for the same purpose, and opens j and virtues, serving for all the purposes

obstructions, evacuating cold, clammy and
phlegmatic humours both from the liver
and the spleen, and bringing the body to a j

whereto Bugle is applied to with good success,
either inwardly or outwardly, for inward
wounds or ulcers whatsoever within the

more lively colour. The juice also helps j body, for bruises or falls, and such like
all foul ulcers and sores in the mouth, | hurts. If it be accompanied with Bugle,
gargled therewith ; and used outwardly, ; Sanicle, and other the like wound herbs,
cleanses the skin from spots, marks, or scars it will be more effectual to wash or inject
that happen therein. j into ulcers in the parts outwardly. Where

i there is cause to repress the heat and sharp-
SELF-HEAL. j ness of humours flowing to any sore, ulcers,

i inflammations, swellings, or the like, or to

Descnpt.~\ THE common Self-heal which ; stay the fluxes of blood in any wound or
is called also Prune!, Carpenter's Herb, | part, this is used with some good success;
Hook-heal, and Sickle-wort, is a small, low, | as also to cleanse the foulness of sores, and
creeping herb, having many small, roundish I cause them more speedily to be healed. It
pointed leaves, like leaves of wild mints, of; is an especial remedy for all green wounds,
a dark green colour, without dents on the j to solder the lips of them, and to keep the
edges ; from among which rise square hairy j place from any further inconveniencies.
stalks, scarce a foot high, which spread! The juice hereof used with oil of roses to
sometimes into branches with small leaves ! anoint the temples and forehead, is very ef-
set thereon, up to the top, where stand | fectual to remove head ache, and the same
brown spiked heads of small brownish j mixed with honey of roses, cleanses and
leaves like scales and flowers set together, | heals all ulcers, in the mouth, and throat,
almost like the heads of Cassidony, which jand those also in the secret parts. And the
flowers are gaping, and of a blueish purple, j proverb of the Germans, French, and
or more pale blue, in some places sweet, \ others, is verified in this, That he needs
but not so in otheis. The root consists of: neither physician nor surgeon that haih Self-
many fibres downward, and spreading i heal and Sanicle to help himself.
strings also whereby it increases. The>
mail stalks, with the leaves creeping on the I
ground, shoot forth fibres taking hold on

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 171

being bound lo the wrists of the hands, and
the soles of the feet, it helps the yellow

THE SERVICE-TREE.

. ., , , i ^ 5 jaundice. The herb being made into a
IT is so well known m the place where j j ui hel inflammatio s and St. An-

it grows that it needs no description. j f h > s fire F The . j bd d d .

Tune.-] It flowers before the end of * ]s ^ ^ > e l / mutter .

May, and the fruit is ripe in October. thereof A ^ ointment be

GoKromorf ami Ate*,] Services when { ^ . u * d iall W( / un(is

they are mellow, are fit to be taken to stay j . the4iead

fluxes, scouring, and casting, yet less than |

medlers. If they be dried before they be j SMALLAGE

mellow, and kept all the year, they may be j

used in decoctions for the said purpose, j THIS . g a]o ye wdl fe and |here _

either to drink, or to bathe the pai t, re- > fore j ^ not yj^ the reader

qumng it ; and are prontao.y used in that | i

: V

manner to stay the bleeding of wounds,: p ^, n ; g natura]] in d and
and of the mouth or nose to be applied to; If ^ in

the forehead and nape of the neck ; and are ; , / f, nr Lnpr VPW WP!)

i i l f* O i vl t 115 i\/ 111C1C \J * *-fj LJC/1 o V Cl V V* dl

Kme.] It abides green all the Winter,

SHEPHERD'S PURSE. and seeds in August.

Government and virtues.] It is an herbol

IT is called Whoreman's Permacety, j Mercury. Smallage is hotter, drier, ami
Shepherd's Scrip, Shepherd's Pounce, Toy- ; much more medicinal than parsley, for it
wort, Pickpurse, and Casework ; much more opens obstructions of the liver

Descript.'] The root is small, white, and ! and spleen, rarefies thick phlegm, and
perishes every year. The leaves are small i cleanses it and the blood withal. It pro-
and long, of a palegreen colour, and deeply j vokes urine and women's courses, and is
cut in on both sides, among which spring! singularly good against the yellow jaundice,
up a stalk which is small and round, con- j tertian and quartan agues, if the juice
taining small leaves upon it even to the top. j thereof be taken, but especially made u
The flowers are white and very small ; after j into a syrup. The juice also put to honey
which come the little cases which hold the > of roses, and barley-water, is very good to
seed, which are flat, almost in the form of $ gargle the mouth and throat of those that
a heart. \ have sores and ulcers in them, and will

Place.'] They are frequent in this nation, > quickly heal them. The same lotion also
almost by every path-side. | cleanses and heals all other foul ulcers and

Time.'] They flower all the Summer I cankers elsewhere, if they be washed there-
long ; nay some of them are so fruitful, that \ with. The seed is especially used to break
they flower twice a year. land expel wind, to kill worms, and to help

Government and virtues.'] It is under theja stinking breath. The root is effectual to
dominion of Saturn, and of a cold, dry, i all the purposes aforesaid, and is held to
and binding nature, like to him. It helps be stronger in operation than the herb, but
all fluxes of blood, either caused by inward j especially to open obstructions, and to rid
or outward wounds; as also flux of the I away any ague, if the juice thereof be taken
belly, and bloody flux, spitting blood, and 1 in wine, or the decoction thereof m wine.
bloody urine, stops the terms in women ;$ used.

v y

17*2 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Government and dtrftits.] It is under the

SOPEWORT, OR BRUISEWORT. I dominion of Venus. Sorrel is prevalent in

I all hot diseases, to cool any inflammation

DescriptJ] THE roots creep under j and heat of blood in agues pestilential or
ground far and near, with many joints j choleric, or sickness and fainting, arising
therein, of a brown colour on the outside I from heat, and to refresh the overspent
and yellowish within, shooting forth in : spirits with the violence of furious or fiery
divers places weak round stalks, full of * fits of agues ; to quench thirst, and procure
joints, set with two leaves a-piece at every janappetitein fainting ordecaying stomachs:
one of them on a contrary side, which are } ! For it resists the putrefaction of the blood,
ribbed somewhat like to plantain, and; kills worms, and is a cordial to the heart,
fashioned like the common field white cam- : which the seed doth more effectually, being
pion leaves, seldom having any branches! more drying and binding, and thereby stays
j'rom the sides of the stalks, but set with j the hot fluxes of women's courses, or of
flowers at the top, standing in long husks j humours in the bloody flux, or flux of the
like the wild campions, made of five leaves | stomach. The root also in a decoction, or
a-piece, round at the ends, and dented in | in powder, is effectual for all the said pur-
the middle, of a rose colour, almost white, I poses. Both roots and seeds, as well as the
sometimes deeper, sometimes paler ; of a ; herb, are held powerful to resist the poison
reasonable scent. of the scorpion. The decoction of the roots

Place.~\ It grows wild in many low and is taken to help the jaundice, and to expel
wet grounds of this land, by brooks and the j the gravel and the stone in the reins or kid-
sides of running waters. j neys. The decoction of the flowers made

TimeJ] It flowers usually in July, and; with wine and drank, helps the black jaun-
so continues all August, and part of Sep-ldice, as also the inward ulcers of the body
ternber, before they be quite spent. .5 and bowels. A syrup made with the juice

Government and virtues."] Venus owns it. ; of Sorrel and fumitory, is a sovereign help
The country people in divers places do use j to kill those sharp humours that cause the
to bruise the leaves of Sopewort, and lay it i itch. The juice thereof, with a little vine-
to their fingers, hands or legs, when they: gar, serves well to be used outwardly for
are cut, to heal them up again. Some 5 the same cause, and is also profitable for
make great boast thereof, that it is diureti-' tetters, ringworms, &c. It helps also to
cal to provoke urine, aud thereby to expel : discuss the kernels in the throat; and the
gravel and the stone in the reins or kidneys, I juice gargled in the mouth, helps the sores
and do also account it singularly good to -therein. The leaves wrapt in a colewort
void hydropical waters : and they no less j leaf and roasted in the embers, and applied
extol it to perform an absolute cure in the 5 to a hard imposthume, botch, boil, or plague
French pox, more than either sarsaparilla, j sore, doth both ripen and break it. The
guiacum, or China can do ; which, how ; distilled water of the herb is of much good
true it is, I leave others to judge. : use for all the purposes aforesaid.

SORREt,. WOOD SORREL.

I
\
\

OUB ordinary Sorrel, which grows in j De&cripl.] Tins grows upon the ground,
gardens, and also wild in the fields, is so having a munluT of leaves coining from
well known, that it needs no description, jthe root made of three leaves, like a trefoil.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 173

but broad at the ends, and cut in the mid-f

iv r 11*1 i i> o v w j. i"i .1 o l Li la

die, of a yellowish green colour, every onej

standing on a long foot-stalk, which at I Sow Thistles are generally so well known ,
their first coming up are close folded togc-? that they need no description,
ther to the stalk, but opening themselves j P/r/ce.] They grow in gardens and
afterwards, and are of a fine sour relish, j manured grounds, sometimes by old walls,
and yielding a juice which will turn red j pathsides of fields, and high ways,
when it is clarified, and makes a mostj Government and virtues^] This and the
dainty clear syrup. Among these leaves j former are under the influence of Venus,
rise up divers slender, weak foot-stalks, j Sow Thistles are cooling, and somewhat
with every one of them a flower at the top, j binding, and are very fit to cool a hot
consisting of five small pointed leaves, star- \ stomach, and ease the pains thereof. The
fashion, of a white colour, in most places, s herb boiled in wine, is very helpful to stay
and in some dashed over with a small show i the dissolution of the stomach, and the milk
of blueish, on the back side only. After; that is taken from the stalks Avhen they are
the flowers are past, follow small round j broken, given in drink, is beneficial to those
heads, with small yellowish seed in them. \ that are short winded, and have a wheez-
The roots are nothing but small strings! ing. Pliny sailh, That it hath caused the
fastened to the end of a small long piece;! gravel and stone to be voided by urine, and
all of them being of a yellowish colour. j that the eating thereof helps a stinking
Place.'] It grows in many places of our j breath. The decoction of the leaves and
land, in woods and wood-sides, where, they j stalks causes abundance of milk in nurses^,
be moist and shadowed, and in other places ! and their children to be well coloured. Thfr
not too much upon the Sun. ! juice or distilled water is good for all hot

TimeJ] It flowers in April and May. j inflammations, wheals, and erputions or
Government and virtues.] Venus owns it. ; heat in the skin, itching of the haemorr-
Wood Sorrel serves to all the purposes that \ hoids. The juice boiled or thoroughly
the other Sorrels do, and is more effectual i heated in a little oil of bitter almonds in the
in hindering putrefaction of blood, and | peel of a pomegranate, and dropped into
ulcers in the mouth and body, and to j the ears, is a sure remedy for deafness, sing-
quench thirst, to strengthen a weak stomach, j ings, &c. Three spoonfuls of the juice
to procure an appetite, to stay vomiting, ! taken, warmed in white wine, and some
and very excellent in any contagious sick- 1 wine put thereto, causes women in travail
ness or pestilential fevers. The syrup made \ to have so easy and speedy a delivery, that
of the juice, is effectual in all the cases 5 they may be able to walk presently after,
aforesaid, and so is the distilled water of It is wonderful good for women to wash
the herb. Sponges or linen cloths wet in \ their faces with, to clear the skin, and giv
the juice and applied outwardly to any hot j it a lustre,
swelling or inflammations, doth much cool I BOTTTHPRV worm

11_1 .1 mi .1 1$ oUUlrl.rjlv.NWUUJD

and help them. Ihe same juice taken and t

gargled in the mouth, and after it, is spit j SOUTHERN Wood is so well known to oe

forth, taken afresh, doth wonderfully help a an ordinary inhabitant in our gardens,

foul stinking canker or ulcer therein. It | that I shall not need to trouble you with

is singularly good to heal wounds, or to: any description thereof.

slay the bleeding of thrusts or scabs in the: Time.] It flowers for the most part in

body. $July and August.

174 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Government and virtues. It is a gallant
mercurial plant, worthy of more esteem

than it hath. Dioscorides sailh, That the
seed bruised, heated in warm water, and
drank, helps those that are bursten, or
troubled with cramps or convulsions of the
sinews, the sciatica, or difficulty in making

SPIGNEL, OB SPIKENARD.

DescriptJ] THE roots of common Spig-
nel do spread much and deep in the ground,
many strings or branches growing from one
head, which is hairy at the top, of a black-
ish brown colour on the outside, and while

water, and bringing down women's courses. I within, from whence rise sundry long stalks
The same taken in wine is an antidote, or! taste, from whece rise sundry long stalks
counter-poison against all deadly poison, I of most fine cut leaves like hair, smallei
and drives away serpents and other venom- j than dill, set thick on both sides of the
ous creatures ; as also the smell of the herb, j stalks, and of a good scent. Among these
being burnt, doth the same. The oil thereof | leaves rise up round stiff stalks, with a few
anointed on the back-bone before the fits of \ joints and leaves on them, and at the tops
agues come, takes them away : It takes j an umbel of pure white flowers ; at the
away inflammations in the eyes, if it be put I edges whereof sometimes will be seen a
with some part of a roasted quince, and! shew of the reddish blueish colour, especi-

boiled with a few crumbs of bread, and ap-
plied. Boiled with barley-meal it takes

ally before they be full blown, and are
succeeded by small, somewhat round seeds,

away pimpels, pushes or wheals that arise! bigger than the ordinary fennel, and of a
in the face, or other parts of the body.! brown colour, divided into two parts, and
The seed as well as the dried herb, is often I crusted on the back, as most of the umbel-
given to kill the worms in children: The jliferous seeds are.

herb bruised and laid to, helps to draw forth I Place.'] It grows wild in Lancashire,
splinters and thorns out of the flesh. The ! Yorkshire, and other northern counties, and
ashes thereof dries up and heals old ulcers, j is also planted in gardens,
that are without inflammation, although by j Government and virtues.] It is an herb of
the sharpness thereof it bites sore, and puts j Venus. Galen saith, The roots of Spignel
them to sore pains ; as also the sores in the | are available to provoke urine, and women's
privy parts of man or woman. The ashes j courses ; but if too much thereof be taken,
mingled with old salladoil, helps those that \ it causes head-ache. The roots boiled in
have hair fallen, and are bald, causing the j wine or water, and drank, helps the stran-
hair to grow again either on the head or jguary and stoppings of the urine, the wind,
beard. Daranters saith, That the oil made j swellings and pains in the stomach, pains
of Southern-wood, and put among theoint- j of the mother, and all joint-aches. It' the
ments that are used against the French dis-j powder of the root be mixed with honey,
ease, is very effectual, and likewise kills | and the same taken as a licking medicine,
lice in the head. The distilled water of the j it breaks tough phlegm, and dries up the
herb is said to help them much that are J rheum that falls on the lungs. The roots an:
troubled with the stone, as also for the dis- | accounted very effectual against the sting-
eases of the spleen and mother. The Ger-f ingor biting of any i enomous creature
mans commend it for a singular wound j '

c . Q . P SPLEENWORT, CETERACH, OR HEARTS

herb, and therefore call it Stabwort. It is \

held by all writers, ancient and modern, j

to be more offensive to the stomach than! Descript.~\ TII E smooth Spleen wort, from

worm-wood. 'a black, thready and bushy loot, sends fort))

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 175

many long single leaves, cut in on both down to the ground, that it seems a pretty
tides into round dents almost to the middle, j bush, set with divers the like divided leaves
tvhich is not so hard as that of polypody, up to the tops, where severally do stand
each division being not always set opposite \ small whitish green heads, set with sharp
nnto the other, cut between each, smooth, ; white pricks (no part of the plant else being
and of a light green on the upper side, and \ prickly) which are somewhat yellowish ;
a dark yellowish roughness on the back, | out of the middle whereof rises the flowers,
folding or rolling itself inward at the first I com posed of many small redaish purple
springing up. (threads ; and in the heads, after the flowers

Place.'] It grows as well upon stone | are past, come small whitish round seed,
walls, as moist and shadowy places, about Hying down as others do. The root is small,
Bristol, and other the west parts plentifully; | long and woody, perishing every year, and
as also on Framlingham Castle, on Bea- Arising again of its own sowing,
consfield church in Berkshire, at Stroud ini Placed] It grows wild in the fields about
Kent, and elsewhere, and abides green all | London in many places, as at Mile-End
the Winter. \ green, and many other places.

Government and virtues.'] Saturn owns it. j Time.'] It flowers early, and seeds in
It is generally used against infirmities of j July, and sometimes in August.
the Spleen : It helps the stranguary, and ! Government and virtues."] This, as almost
wasteth the stone in the bladder, and is; all Thistles are, is under Mars. The seed
good against the yellow jaundice and the I of this Star Thistle made into powder, and
hiccough; but the juice of it in women -drank in wine, provokes urine, and helps
hinders conception. Matthiolus saith, That- to break the stone, and drives it forth. The
if a dram of the dust that is on the back- j root in powder, and given in wine and
side of the leaves be mixed with half a dram j drank, is good against the plague and pes-
of amber in powder, and taken with the* tilence ; and drank in the morning fasting
juice of purslain or plantain, it helps the^ for some time together, it is very profitable
gonorrhea speedily, and that the herb and j for fistulas in any part of the body,
root being boiled and taken, helps fell; Baptista Sardas doth much commend the
melancholy diseases, and those especially > distilled water thereof, being drank, to help
that arise from the French diseases, i the French disease, to open the obstructions
Camerarius saith, That the distilled water \ of the liver, and cleanse the blood from
thereof being drank, is very effectual against | corrupted humours, and is profitable against
the stone in the reins and bladder ; and \ the quotidian or tertian ague,
that the lye that is made of the ashes there- {

of being drank for some time together, $ STRAWBERRIES.

helps splenetic persons. It is used in out-*

ward remedies for the same purpose. THESE are so well known through this

STAR THTSTT P >lancl, that they need no description.

I:\l- I II A3 1 AJ.T/* j m* ~l mi /I H f 1* *t

Ttme.j 1 hey flower in May ordinarily,

Descript.'] A COMMON Star Thistle has and the fruit is ripe shortly after,
divers narrow leaves lying next the ground, { Government and virtues.'] Venus owns the
cut on the edges somewhat deeply into j herb. Strawberries, when they are green,
many parts, soft or a little woo ly, all over j are cool and dry ; but when they are ripe,
green, among which rise up divers weak 1 they are cool and moist: The berries are
stalks, parted into many branches, a'i lying {excellently good to cool the liver, the blood,

z z

170 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

and the spleen, or an hot choleric stomach ; t and for such other defects in them as may
to refresh and comfort the fainting spirits, ! be helped by any outward medicine,
and quench thirst: They are good also for;

SUCCORY, OR CHICORY.

other inflammations ; yet it is not amiss toj

refrain from them in a fever, lest by their j Descript.~\ THE garden Succory halh
putrifying in the stomach they increase: long and narrower leaves than the Endive,
the fits. The leaves and roots boiled | and more cut in or torn on the edges, and
in wine and water, and drank, do like- 1 the root abides many years. It bears also
wise cool the liver and blood, and assuage { blue flowers like Endive, and the seed is
all inflammations in the reins and bladder, j hardly distinguished from the seed of the
provoke urine, and allay the heat and : smooth or ordinary Endive,
sharpness thereof. The same also being* The wild Succory hath divers long leaves
drank stays the bloody flux and women's s lying on the ground, A'ery much cut in or
courses, and helps the swelling of the ; torn on the edges, on both sides, even to the
spleen. The water of the Berries carefully j middle rib, ending in a point ; sometimes
distilled, is a sovereign remedy and cordial ; it hath a rib down to the middle of the
in the panting and beating of the heart, j leaves, from among which rises up a hard,
and is good for the yellow jaundice. The j round, woody stalk, spreading into many
juice dropped into foul ulcers, or they j branches, set with smaller and less divided
washed therewith, or the decoction of the | leaves on them up to the tops, where stand
herb and root, doth wonderfully cleanse j the flowers, which are like the garden kind,
and help to cure them. Lotions and gar- j and the seed is also (only take notice that
gles for sore mouths, or ulcers therein, or in ; the flowers of the garden kind are gone in
the privy parts or elsewhere, are made with ; on a sunny day, they being so cold, that
the leaves and roots thereof; which. is also \ they are not able to endure the beams of the
good to fasten loose teelh, and to heal? sun, and therefore more delight in the shade)
spungy foul gums. It helps also to stay Uhe root is white, but more hard and woody
catarrhs, or defluctions of rheum in the j than the garden kind. The whole plant is
mouth, throat, teeth, or eyes. The juice or i exceedingly bitter.

water is singularly good for hot and red ; PlaceJ] This grows in many places of
inflamed eyes, if dropped into them, or they our land in waste unfilled and barren fields,
bathed therewith. It is also of excellent | The other only in gardens,
property for all pushes, wheals and other; Government and virtues.'] It is an herb of
breakings forth of hot and sharp humours j Jupiter. Garden Succory, as it is more
in the face and hands, and other parts of i dry and less cold than Endive, so it opens
the body, to bathe them therewith, and to } more. An handful of the leaves, or roots
take away any redness in the face, or spots, I boiled in wine or water, and a draught
or other deformities in the skin, and to make thereof drank fasting, drives forth choleric
it clear and smooth. Some use this rnedi- j and phlegmatic humours, opens obstruc-
cine , Take so many Strawberries as you j tions of the liver, gall and spleen ; helps the
shall think fitting, and put them into a dis-> yellow jaundice, the heat of the reins, and
tillatory, or body of glass fit for them, which ! of the urine; the dropsy also ; and those
being well closed, set it in a bed of horse! that have an evil disposition in their bodies,
dung for your use. It is an excellent water! by reason of long sickness, evil diet, &c.
for hot inflamed eyes, and to take away a j which the Greeks call Cachexia. Adccoe-
film or skin that begins to grow over them, j lion thereof made with wine, and drank, is

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

177

very effectual against long lingering agues ; i of choler, thereby preventing diseases
and a dram of the seed in powder, drank in | arising from choleric humours. It expels
wine, before the fit of the ague, helps to j poison much, resists pestilential fevers, being
drive it away. The distilled water of the \ exceeding good also for tertian agues : You
herb and flowers (if you can take them in i may drink the decoction of it, if you please,
time) hath the like properties, and is es- 1 for all the foregoing infirmities. It

is so

pecially good for hot stomachs, and in j harmless an herb, you can scarce use it

as also the

agues, either pestilential or of long con-! amiss: Being bruised and applied to the

tinuance ; for swoonings and passions of \ place, it helps the king's evil, and any other

the heart, for the heat and head -ache in j knots or kernels in the flesh

children, and for the blood and liver. The j piles.

said water, or the juice, or the bruised

leaves applied outwardly, allay swellings,

inflammations, St. Anthony's fire, pushes,!

ENGLISH TOBACCO.

wheals, and pimples, especially used with i
a little vinegar ; as also to wash pestiferous
sores. The said water is very effectual for

sore eyes that are inflamed with redness,
for nurses' breasts that are pained by the
abundance of milk.

The wild Succory, as it is more bitter,

so it is more strengthening to the stomach ] large : scarce standing above the brims of
and liver. I the husks, round pointed also, and of a

{greenish yellow colour. The seed that
follows is not so bright, but larger,

Descript.'] THIS rises up with a round
thick stalk, about two feet high, whereon-
do grow thick, flat green leaves, nothing so
large as the other Indian kind, somewhat
round pointed also, and nothing dented
about the edges. The stalk branches forth,
and bears at the tops divers flowers set on
great husks like the other, but nothing so

STONE-CROP, PRICK-MADAM, OR SMALL-
HOUSELEEK'.

con-

Descript."] IT grows with divers trailing
branches upon the ground, set with many
thick, flat, roundish, whitish green leaves,
pointed at the ends. The flowers stand
many of them together, somewhat loosely.

tained in the like great heads. The roots
are neither so great nor woody ; it perishes
every year with the hard frosts in Winter,
but rises generally from its own sowing.

Placed] This came from some parts of
Brazil, as it is thought, and is more familiar

The roots are small, and run creeping under \ in our country than any of the other sorts ;
ground.

PloceJ] It grows upon the stone walls
and mud walls, upon the tiles of houses and
pent-houses, and amongst rubbish, and in
other gravelly places.

TimeJ] It flowers in June and July, and
the leaves are green all the Winter.

Jearly giving ripe seed, which the others sel-
dom do.

Time.] It flowers from June, sometimes
to the end of August, or later, and the seed
ripens in the mean lime.

Government and virtues."] It is a martial
piant. It is round by good experience to

Government and virtues.] It is under the { be available to expectorate tough phlegm
dominion of the Moon, cold in quality, | from the stomach, chest, and lungs. The
and something binding, and therefore very {juice thereof made into a syrup, or the iiis-
good to stay defluctions, especially such as $ tilled water of the herb drank with some

fall upon the eyes. It stops bleeding, both
inward and outward, helps cankers, and all

i' . . i *

sugar, or without, if you will, or the smoak
taken by a pipe, as is usual, but fainting.

(retting sores and ulcers ; it abates the heat helps to expel worms in tne stomach and

178 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

belly, and to ease the pains in the head, orjor June, and the seed is ripe and blown

away in the beginning of September.

Government and virtues.] A gallant Sa-
turnine herb it is. The root, leaves, young
branches,or bark boiled in wine, and drank,

megrim, and the griping pains in the bowels.
It is profitable for those that are troubled
with the stone in the kidneys, both to ease
the pains by provoking urine, and also to

expel gravel and the stone engendered | stays the bleeding of the haemorrhodical
therein, and hath been found very effectual! veins, the spitting of blood, the too abound-
to expel windiness, and other humours, | ing of women's courses, the jaundice, the
which cause the strangling of the mother. j cholic, and the biting of all venomous ser-
The seed hereof is very effectual to expel j pents, except the asp ; and outwardly ap-
the tooth ache, and the ashes of the burnt) plied, is very powerful against the hardness
herb to cleanse the gums, and make the | of the spleen, and the tooth-ache, pains in
teeth white. The herb bruised and ap- ! the ears, red and watering eyes. The de-
plied to the place grieved with the king's jcoction, with some honey put thereto, is
evil, helps it in nine or ten days effectually, j good to stay gangrenes and fretting ulcers,
Monardus saith, it is a counter poison > and to wash those that are subject to nits
against the biting of any venomous crea--and lice. Alpinus and Veslingius affirm,
ture, the herb also being outwardly applied; That the Egyptians do with good success
to the hurt place. The distilled water is j use the wood of it to cure the French dis-
often given with some sugar before the fit; ease, as others do with lignum vitae or.
of an ague, to lessen it, and take it away in jguiacum ; and give it also to those who
three or four times using. If the distilled j have the leprosy, scabs, ulcers, or the like,
faeces of the herb, having been bruised be- 1 Its ashes doth quickly heal blisters raised
fore the distillation, and not distilled dry, j by burnings or scaldings. It helps the
be set in warm dung for fourteen days, and j dropsy, arising from the hardness of the
afterwards be hung in a bag in a wine; spleen, and therefore to drink out of cups
cellar, the liquor that distills therefrom is j made of the wood is good for splenetic
singularly good to use in cramps, aches, > persons. It is also helpful for melancholy,
the gout and sciatica, and to heal itches, land the black jaundice that arise thereof,
scabs, and running ulcers, cankers, and all |

foul sores whatsoever. The juice is also! GARDEN TANSY.

good for all the said griefs, and likewise to?

kill lice in children's heads. The green j GARDEN Tansy is so well known, that
herb bruised and applied to any green lit needs no description,
wounds, cures any fresh wound or cut! Time.'] It liowers in June and July,
whatsoever: and the juice put into old; Government and virtues.] Dame Venus was
sores, both cleanses and heals them. There | minded to pleasure women with child by this
is also made hereof a singularly good salve herb,fortheregrowsnotanherb,fitterfortheir
to help imposthumes, hard tumours, and i use than this is ; it is just as though it were
other swellings by blows and falls. j out out for the purpose. This herb bruised

I and applied to the naval, stays miscarriages ;

THE TAMARISK TREE. j I know no herb like it for that use : Boiled

Jin ordinary beer, and the decoction drank,

It Is so well known in the place where it i cloth the like ; and if her womb be not as
grows, that it needs no description. ! she would have it, this decoction will make

Time.] It flowers about the end of May, jit so. Let those women that desire chil-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 179

dren love this herb, it is their best com- i and it is true enough, that it will stop the
panion, their husbands excepted. Also it: terms, if worn so, and the whites too, for
consumes the phlegmatic humours, the cold | ought I know. It stays also spitting or
and moist constitution of Winter most; vomiting of blood. The powder of the
usually affects the body of man with, and he r b taken in some of the distilled water,
that was the first reason of eating tansies in | helps the whites in women, but more es-
the Spring. The decoction of the common : pecially if a little coral and ivory in pow-
Tansy, or the juice drank in wine, is a sin- I der be put to it. It is also recommended
o-ular remedy for all the griefs that come 5 to help children that are bursten, and have
by stopping of the urine, helps the stran-:a rupture, being boiled in water and salt,
guary and those that have weak reins and f Being boiled in water and drank, it eases
kidneys. It is also very profitable to dis- \ the griping pains of the bowels, and is good
solve and expel wind in the stomach, belly, ! for the sciatica and joint-aches. The same
or bowels, to procure women's courses, and ; boiled in vinegar, with honey and allum,
expel windiness in the matrix, if it be bruis-jand gargled in the mouth, eases the pains
ed and often smclled unto, as also applied jof the tooth-ache, fastens loose teeth, helps
to the lower part of the belly. It is also the gums that are sore, and settles the
very profitable for such women as are given | palate of the mouth in its place, when it is
to miscarry. It is used also against the j fallen down. It cleanses and heals ulcers
stone in the reins, especially to men. The* in the mouth, or secret parts, and is very
herb fried with eggs (as it is the custom in > good for inward wounds, and to close the
the Spring-time) which is called a Tansy, ; lips of green wounds, and to heal old, moist,
helps to digest and carry downward those land corrupt running sores in the legs or
bad humours that trouble the stomach. \ elsewhere. Being bruised and applied to
The seed is very profitably given to chil- the soles of the feet and hand wrists, it
dren for the worms, and the juice in drink I wonderfully cools the hot fits of agues, be
is as effectual. Being boiled in oil, it is i they never so violent. The distilled water
good for the sinews shrunk by cramps, or ; cleanses the skin of all discolourings there-
pained with colds, if thereto applied. : in, as morphew, sun-burnings, &c. as also

I pimples, freckles, and the like ; and

WILD TANSY, OR SILVER WEED. j . , , ,,

| dropped into the eyes, or cloths wet therein

THIS is also so well known, that it needs land applied, takes away the heat and in-
no description. | flammations in them.

PlaceJ] It grows in every place.

Time.'] It flowers in June and July

Government and miiuesJ] Now Dame: OF these are many kinds growing herein
Venus hath fitted women with two herbs of | England which are so well known, that
one name, the one to help conception, and \ they need no description : Their difference
the other to maintain beauty, and what} is easily known on the places where they
more can be expected of her? What now i grow, viz.

; cmains for you, but to love your husbands, j Place."] Some grow in fields, some in
and not to be wanting to your poor neigh- \ meadows, and some among the corn ; others
hours ? Wild Tansy stays the lask, and all j on heaths, greens, and waste grounds in
the fluxes of blood in men and women,; many places.

which some say it will do, if the green herb* Time.'] They flower in June and August
be worn in the shoes, so it be next the skin ; * and their seed is ripe quickly after.

3 A

180 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Government and virtues.'] Surely Mars i being drank, expels superfluous melancholy
rules it, it is such a prickly business. All \ out of the body, and makes a man as merry
these thistles are good to provoke urine, i as a cricket : superfluous melancholy cause*
md to mend the stinking smell thereof; as i care, fear, sadness, despair, envy, and many
also the rank smell of the arm-pits, or the! evils more besides ; but religion teaches to
whole body ; being boiled in wine and \ wait upon God's providence, and cast our
Irank, and are said to help a stinking! care upon him who cares for us. What a
breath, and to strengthen the stomach. ; fine thing were it if- men and women coula
Piiny saith, That the juice bathed on the j live so? And yet seven years' care and fear
place that wants hair, it being fallen off, : makes a man never the wiser, nor a farlhing
will cause it to grow speedily. : richer. Dioscorides saith, the root borne

THF MFTANPH r ' ' j about one doth the like, and removes all

i diseases of melancholy. Modern writers

Descript.] IT rises up with tender single ; laugh at him ; Let them laugh that Kin : my
hoary green stalks, bearing thereon four or opinion is, that it is the best remedy against
five green leaves, dented about the edges;; all melancholy diseases that grows; they
the points thereof are little or nothing! that please may use it.
prickly, and at the top usually but one head, j

yet sometimes from the bosom of the upper- j OUR LADY s THISTLE.

most leaves there shoots forth another small \ Descript] OUR Lady's Thistle hath
head, scaly and prickly, with many reddish j divers very large and broad leaves lying on
thrumbs or threads in the middle, which | the ground cut in, and as it were crumpled,
being gathered fresh, will keep the colour; but somewhat hairy on the edges, of a white
a long time, and fades not from the stalk a > green shining colour, wherein are many
long time, while it perfects the seed, which \ lines and streaks of a milk white colour,
is of a mean bigness, lying in the down, i running all over, and set with many sharp
The root hath many strings fastened to the | and stiff' prickles all about, among which
head, or upper part, which is blackish, and i rises up one or more strong, round, and
perishes not. j prickly stalks, set full of the like leaves up

There is another sort little differing from | to the top, whereat the end of every branch,
the former, but that the leaves are more ! comes forth a great prickly Thistle-like
green above, and more hoary underneath, j head, strongly armed with prickles, and
and the stalk being about two feet high, | with bright purple thumbs rising out of the
bears but one scaly head, with threads and j middle ; after they are past, the seed grows
seeds as the former. j in the said heads, lying in soft white down,

Place] They grow in many moist mea- j which is somewhat flattish in the ground,
dows of this land, as well in the southern, as j and many strin'gs and fibres fastened there-
in the northern parts. \ unto. All the whole plant is bitter in taste.

Time] They flower about July or : Place] It is frequent on the banks of
August, and their seed ripens quickly after. j almost every ditch.

Government and virtues.] It is under i Time.] It flowers and seeds in June,
Capricorn, and therefore under both Saturn | July, and August.

and Mars, one rids melancholy by sympa- j Government and virtues.] Our Lad/
thy, the other by antipathy. Their virtues'; Thistle is under Jupiter, and thought to be
are but few, but those not to be despised ; i as effectual as Carduus Benedictus for
for the decoction of the thistle in wine {agues, and to prevent and cure the infection

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 181

of the plague : as also to open the obstruc- 1 persons that have their bodies drawn togo-
tions of the liver and spleen, and thereby is i ther by some spasm or convulsion, or other
good against the jaundice. It provokes j infirmities ; as the rickets (or as the college
urine, breaks and expels the stone, and is j of physicians would have it, Rachites, about
good for the dropsy. Il is effectual also for j which name they have quarrelled sufficiently)
the pains in the sides, and many other in-} in children, being a disease that hinders
ward pains and gripings. The seed and; their growth, by binding their nerves,
distilled water is held powerful to all the 5 ligaments, and whole structure of their
purposes aforesaid, and besides, it is often \ body,
applied both outwardly with cloths ori ,

/., .. ,1 THE FULLERS THISTLE, OR TEASLE.

spunges to the region or the liver, to cool;:

the distemper thereof, and to the region oft IT is so well known, that it needs no
the heart, against swoonings and the pas- 1 description, being used with the cloth-
sions of it. It cleanses the blood exceed- j workers.

ingly : and in Spring, if you please to boil j The wild Teasle is in all things like the
the tender plant (but cut off the prickles, ! former, but that the prickles are small, soft,
unless you have a mind to choak yourself) { and upright, not hooked or stiff, and the
it will change your blood as the season I flowers of this are of a fine blueish, or pale
changes, and that is the way to be safe, j carnation colour, but of the manured kind,

> whitish.

THE WOOLLEN, OK, COTTON THISTLE. T>; T T<U fi U

Place.] 1 he first grows, being sown JH

Descript.] THIS has many large leaves ? gardens or fields for the use of clothworkers:
lying upon the ground, somewhat cut in, |The other near ditches and rills of water in
and as >t were crumpled on the edges, of a; many places of this land,
green < olour on the upper side, but covered ; TimeJ] They flower in July, and are ripe
over with a long hairy wool or cotton down, in the end of August.

set with most sharp and cruel. pricks ; from j Government and virtues. ~] It is an herb of
the middle of whose heads of flowers come I Venus. Dioscorides saith, That the root
forth many purplish crimson threads, and \ bruised and boiled in wine, till it be thick,
sometimes white, although but seldom. \ and kept in a brazen vessel, and after spread
The seed that follow in those white downy; as a salve, and applied to the fundament,
heads, is somewhat large and round, re- 'doth heal the cleft thereof, cankers and
sembling the seed of Lady's Thistle, but; fistulas therein, also takes away warts and
paler. The root is great and thick, spread- 1 wens. The juice of the leaves dropped into
ing much, yet usually dies after seed time, j the ears, kills worms in them. The dis-
Place.~] It grows on divers ditch-banks, j tilled water of the leaves dropped into the
and in the corn-fields, and highways, gene- i eyes, takes away redness and mists in them
rally throughout the land, and is often j that hinder the sight, and is often used by
growing in gardens. j women to preserve their beauty, and to take

Government and virtues.'] It is a plant of: away redness and inflammations, and all
Mars. Dioscorides and Pliny write, That \ other heat or discolourings.
the leaves and roots hereof taken in drink, i

help those that have a crick in their neck! j TREACLE MUSTARD.

that they cannot, turn it, unless they turn j DescriptJ] IT rises up with a hard round
their whole body. Galen saith, That the \ stalk, about a foot high, parted into some
roots and leaves hereof are good for such ; branches, having divers soft green leave:-

182 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

long and narrow, set thereon, waved, but j resisting poison, venom and putrefaction,
not cut into the edges, broadest towards the $ It is also available in many cases for which
ends, somewhat round pointed ; the flowers I the common Mustard is used, but somewhat
are white that grow at the tops of the \ weaker.

branches, spike-fashion one above another; | TH BLACR THQ QR SLOE . BUSH>
after which come round pouches, parted in |

the middle with a furrow, having one black- i IT is so well known, that it needs no
ish brown seed on either side, somewhat ! description.

sharp in taste, and smelling of garlick, j Place.'] It grows in every county in the
especially in the fields where it is natural, | hedges and borders of fields.
but not so much in gardens: The roots \ Time.'] It flowers in April, and some-
are small and thready, perishing every year. I times in March, but the fruit ripens after all
Give me leave here to add Mi thridate \ other plums whatsoever, and is not fit to
Mustard, although it may seem more pro- 1 be eaten until the Autumn frost mellow
perly by the name to belong to M, in the j them.

alphabet. Government and virtues.] All the parts of

i the Sloe-Bush are binding, cooling, and

MITHRIDATE MUSTAED. K ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ b!m , in | at ^

rescript.] THIS grows higher than the \ nose and mouth, or any other place; the
former, spreading moreand higher branches, ilask of the belly or stomach, or the bloody
whose leaves are smaller and narrower, j flux, the too much abounding of women's
sometimes unevenly dented about the edges. > courses, and helps to ease the pains of the
The flowers are small and white, growing i sides, and bowels, that come by overmuch
on long branches, with much smaller and : scouring, to drink the decoction of the bark
rounder vessels after them, and parted in ; of the roots, or more usually the decoction
the same manner, having smaller brown 5 of the berries, either fresh or dried. The
seeds than the former, and much sharper in j conserve also is of very much use, and more
taste. The root perishes after seed time, j familiarly taken for the purposes aforesaid,
but abides the first Winter after springing. 5 But the distilled water of the flower first

Place.] They grow in sundry places in * steeped in sack for a night, and drawn
this land, as half a mile from Hatfield, by | therefrom by the heat of Balneum and
the river side, under a hedge as you go tojAnglico, a bath, is a most certain remedy,
Hatfield, and in the street of Peckham on j tried and approved, to ease all manner of
Surrey side. j gnawings in the stomach, the sides and

Time.'] They flower and seed from May | bowels, or any griping pains in any of them,
to August. J to drink a small quantity Avhen the extre-

Government and virtues.'] Both of them \ mity of pain is upon them. The leaves
are herbs of Mars. The Mustards are said j also are good to make lotions to gargle and
to purge the body both upwards and down- 1 wash the mouth and throat, wherein arc
wards, and procure women's courses so ; swellings, sores, or kernels ; and to stay the
abundantly, that it suffocates the birth. ! deductions of rheum to the eyes, or other
It breaks inward imposthumes, being taken parts ; as also to cool the heat and inflam-

inwardly ; and used in clysters, helps the'
sciatica. The seed applied, doth the same.

mations of them, and ease hot pains of the
head, to bathe the forehead and temples

It is an especial ingredient in mithridate; therewith. The simple distilled water of
and treacle, being of itself an antidote j the flowers is very effectual for the said

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 13

purposes, and the condensate juice of the; applied with a little flour and wax to elvil-
Sloes. The distilled water or the green \ dren's navels that stick forth, it helps them,
berries is used also for the said effects.

THYME.

THOROUGH WAX, OR THOROUGH LEAF. : It is in vain to describe an herb so com-

monly known.

Descript.'] COMMON Thorough - Wax \ Government and virtues.'] It is a noble
sends forth a strait round stalk, two feet > strengthener of the lungs, as notable a one
high, or better, whose lower leaves being j as grows ; neither is there scarce a better
of a bluish colour, are smaller and narrower $ remedy growing for that disease in children
than those up higher, and stand close there- j which they commonly call the Chin-cough,
to, not compassing it; but as they grow j than it is. It purges the body of phlegm,
higher, they do not encompass the stalks, land is an excellent remedy for shortness of
until it wholly pass through them, branch- \ breath. It kills worms in the belly, and
ing toward the top into many parts, where? being a notable herb of Venus, provokes
the leaves grow smaller again, every one! the terms, gives safe and speedy delivery
standing singly, and never two at a joint, j to women in travail, and brings away the
The flowers are small and yellow, standing! after birth. It is so harmless you need not
in tufts at the heads of the branches, where : fear the use of it. An ointment made of it
afterwards grow the seed, being blackish, ; takes away hot swellings and warts, helps
many thick thrust together. The root is | the sciatica and dullness of sight, and takes
small, long and woody, perishing every! away pains and hardness of the spleen,
year, after seed-time, and rising again plen-;Tis excellent for those that are troubled
tifully of its own sowing. 'with the gout. It eases pains in the loins

Place."] It is found growing in many land hips. The herb taken any way in-
corn-fields and pasture grounds in this \ wardly, comforts the stomach much, and
land. j expels wind.

f fime.~\ It flowers in July, and the seed j
is ripe in August. j WILD THYME > OR MOTHER Of THYME -

Government and virtues!] Both this and J WILI> Thyme also is so well known, that
the former are under the influence of iit needs no description.
Saturn. Thorough- Wax is of singular good 5 Place.~\ It may be found commonly in
use for all sorts of bruises and wounds either | commons, and other barren places through-
inward or outward ; and old ulcers and 1 out the nation.

sores likewise, if the decoction of the herb. Government and virtue$.~\ It is under the
with water and wine be drank, and the j dominion of Venus, and under the sign
place washed therewith, or the juice of the} Aries, and therefore chiefly appropriated
green herb bruised, or boiled, .either by j to the head. It provokes urine and the
itself, or with other herbs, in oil or hog's I terms, and eases the griping pain of the
grease, to be made into an ointment to serve j belly, cramps, ruptures, and inflamation
all the year. The decoction of the herb, \ of the liver. If you make a vinegar of the
or powder of the dried herb, taken inwardly, 1 herb, as vinegar of roses is made (you may
and the same, or the leaves bruised, and i find out the way in my translation of the
applied outwardly, is singularly good for! London Dispensatory) and anoint the head
all ruptures and burstings, especially in with it, it presently stops the pains thereof
children before they be too old. Being lit is excellently good to be given either in

1 3 B

184 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

phrenzy or lethargy, although they are two j is an ingredient in all antidotes or counter
contrary diseases : It helps spitting and ? poisons. Andreas Urlesius is of opinion
voiding of blood, coughing, and vomiting ; ; that the decoction of this root is no less
it comforts and strengthens the head, j effectual to cure the French pox than Gui-
stomach, reins, and womb, expels trtftd, tacum or China; and it is not unlikely,
and breaks the stone. 'because it so mightily resists putrefaction.

^The root taken inwardly is most effectual

TORMENTIL, Oft SEPTFOIL. , i , . i i,

{to help any tiux or the belly, stomach,

DescripiJ] THIS hath reddish, slender, * spleen, or blood; and the juice wonder-
weak branches rising from the root, lying J fully opens obstructions of the liver and
on the ground, rather leaning than standing* lungs, and thereby helps the yellow jaun-
upright, with many short leaves that stand *dice. The powder or decoction drank, or
closer to the stalk than cinquefoil (to which : to sit thereon as a bath, is an assured remedy
this is very like) with the root-stalk com-* against abortion, if it proceed from the
passing the branches in several places ; but j over flexibility or weakness of the inward
those that grow to the ground are set upon ? retentive faculty ; as also a plaster made
long foot stalks, each whereof are like the j therewith, and vinegar applied to the reins
leaves of cinquefoil, but somewhat long and \ of the back, doth much help not only this,
lesser dented about the edges, many of j but also those that cannot hold their water,
them divided into five leaves, but most the powder being taken in the juice of
of them into seven, whence it is also called j plaintain, and is also commended against
Septfoil ; yet some may have six, and some j the worms in children. It is very powerful
eight, according to the fertility of the soil, -in ruptures and burstings, as also for bruises
At the tops of the branches stand divers * and falls, to be used as well outwardly as
small yellow flowers, consisting of five j inwardly. The root hereof made up with
leaves, like those of cinquefoil, but smaller.; pellitory of Spain and allum, and put into
The root is smaller than bistort, somewhat j a hollow tooth, not only assuages the pain,
thick, but blacker without, and not so red j but stays the flux of humours which causes
within, yet sometimes a little crooked, $ it. Tormentil is no less effectual and
having blackish fibres thereat. i powerful a remedy against outward wounds,

Placed] It grows as well in woods and j sores and hurts, than for inward, and is
shadowy places, as in the open champain* therefore a special ingredient to be used in
country, about the borders of fields in many | wound drinks, lotions and injections, lor
places of this land, and almost in every j foul corrupt rotten sores and ulcers of tho
broom field in Essex. j mouth, secrets, or other parts of the body.

Time.'] It flowers all the Summer long. I The juice or powder of the root put in
Government and virtues.] This is a gallant ! ointments, plaisters, and such things that
herb of the Sun. Tormentil is most ex- \ are to be applied to wounds or sores, is very
cellent to stay all kind effluxes of blood or j effectual, as the juice of the leaves and the
humours in man or woman, whether at j root bruised and applied to the throat or
nose, mouth, or belly. The juice of the haws, heals the king's evil, and eases the
herb of the root, or the decoction thereof, \ pain of the sciatica; the same used with a
taken with some Venice treacle, and the \ little vinegar, is a special remedy against
person laid to sweat, expels any venom or 5 the running sores of the head or other
poison, or the plague, fever, or other con-! parts ; scabs also, and the itch or any such
tagious diseases, as pox, measles, &c. for it I eruptions in the skin, proceeding of salt and

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 185

sharp humours. The same is also effectual i of joint and newly set, and full of pain, do
for the piles or haemorrhoids, if they be! give much case; the seed and juice of the
washed or bathed therewith, or with the! leaves also being rubbed with a little salt
distilled water of the herb and roots. It is j upon warts and wens, and other kernels in
found also helpful to dry up any sharp | the face, eye-lids, or any other part of the
rheum that distills from the head into thef body, will, by often using, take them away,
eyes, causing redness, pain, waterings, itch- j

ing, or the like, if a little prepared tutia, or j MEADOW TREFOIL, OR HONEYSUCKLES.
white amber, be used with the distilled j

water thereof. And here is enough, only j It is so well known, especially by the
remember the Sun challengeth this herb. 5 name of Honeysuckles, white and red, that

i I need not describe them.

Place.-] They grow almost every where

Descript.'] THE greater Turnsole rises
with one upright stalk, about a foot high, or
more, dividing itself almost from the bottom,
into divers small branches, of a hoary colour;

in this land.

Government and virtues.] Mercury hath
dominion over the common sort. Docio-
neus saith, The leaves and flowers are good

at each joint of the stalk and branches grow j to ease the griping pains of the gout, the
small broad leaves, somewhat white and \ herb being boiled and used in a clyster,
hairy. At the tops of the stalks and branches ! If the herb be made into a poultice, and
stand small white flowers, consist/rig of four, i applied to inflammations, it will ease them,
and sometimes five small leaves, set in; The juice dropped in the eyes, is a familiar
order one above another, up< n a small ; medicine, with many country people, to
crooked spike, which turns inw n's like a j take away the pin and web (as they call it)
bowed finger, opening by degrees as the; in the eyes; it also allays the heat and
flowers blow open; after which in their; blood shooting of them. Country people
place come forth cornered seed, four for the j do also in many places drink the juice
most part standing together; the root is j thereof against the biting of an adder ; and
small and thready, perishing every year, 1 having boiled the berb in water, they first
and the seed shedding every year, raises it > wash the place with the decoction, and then
again the next spring. j lay some of the herb also to the hurt place.

Place.'] It grows in gardens, and flowers j The herb also boiled in swine's grease, and
and seeds with us, notwithstanding it is not ; so made into an ointment, is good to apply
natural to this land, but to Ital y, Spain, and ; to the biting of any venomous creature.
France, where it grows plentifully. \ The herb also bruised and heated between

Government and virtues] It is an herb of \ tiles, and applied hot to the share, causes
the Sun, and good one too. Dios-coridcs; them to make water who had it stopt be-
saith, That a good handful of this, which is ; fore. It is held likewise to be good for
called the Great Turnsole, boiled in water, I wounds, and to take away seed. The de-
aiul drank, purges both choler and phlegm ; i coction of the herb and flowers, with th
and boiled with cummin, helps the stone in j seed and root, taken for sometime, helps
the reins, kidneys, or bladder, provokes \ women that are troubled with the whites
urine and women's courses, and causes an \ The seed and flowers boiled in water, and
easy and speedy delivery in child-birth. \ afterwards made into a poultice with some
The leaves bruised and applied to places foil, and applied, helps hard swellings and
pained with the gout, or that have been out limposthumes.

186 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

HEART TREFOIL.

they yield a reddish juice or liquor, some-
what resinous, and of a harsh and stypick
BESIDES the ordinary sort of Trefoil, taste, as the leaves also and the flowers be,

here are two more remarkable, and one of
which may be properly called Heart Tre-
foil, not only because the leaf is triangular,
like the heart of a man, but also because
each leaf contains the perfection of a heart,

although much less, but do not yield such
a clear claret wine colour, as some say it
doth, the root is brownish, somewhat great,
hard and woody, spreading well in the
ground.

and that in its proper colour, viz. a flesh * Place.] It grows in many woods, groves,
colour. |and woody grounds, as parks and forests,

Place.] It grows between Longford and j and by hedge-sides in many places in this
Bow, and beyond Southwark, by the high- j land, as in Hampstead wood, by Ratley in
way and parts adjacent. { Essex, in the wilds of Kent, and in many

Government and virtues.'] It is under the \ other places needless to recite,
dominion of the Sun, and if it were used, itj Time.] It flowers later than St.' John's
would be found as great a strengthener of j or St. Peter's-wort.

the heart, and cherisher of the vital spirits j Government and virtues.] It is an herb of
as grows, relieving the body against faint- 1 Saturn, and a most noble anti-venerean.
ing and swoonings, fortifying it against JTustan purges choleric humours, as St.
poison and pestilence, defending the heart > Peter's-wort, is said to do, for therein it
against the noisome vapours of the spleen, j works the same effects, both to help the
RT TRFFOTT sciatica and gout, and to heal burning by

Jri-AIili IKtiXULL,. J /. . 11 4.1 t i ! i- I

jrire; it stays all the bleedings of wounds,

IT differs not from the common sort, | if either the green herb be bruised, or the
save only in this particular, it hath a white j powder of the dry be applied thereto. It
spot in the leaf like a pearl. It is particu- j hath been accounted, and certainly it is,
larly under the dominion of the Moon, and} a sovereign herb to heal either wound or
its icon shews that it is of a singular virtue j sore, either outwardly or inwardly, and
against the pearl, or pin and web in the j therefore always used in drinks, lotions,
eyes. green wounds, ulcers, or old sores, in all

TUSTAN, OR PARK LEAVES. **** f 8 ' ^ m ^ 3 "J Other sorts of

which the continual experience or former

Descript] IT ' hath brownish shining

ages hath confirmed the use thereof to be

round stalks, crested the length thereof, \ admirably good, though it be not so much
rising two by two, and sometimes three feet j in use now, as when physicians and sur-
high, branching forth even from the bottom, j geons were so Avise as to use herbs more
having divers joints, and at each of them j than now they do.
two fair large leaves standing, of a dark j
blueish green colour on the upper side, and j

of a yellowish green underneath, turning \ Descript.] THIS hath a thick short
reddish toward Autumn. At the top of the \ greyish root, lying for the most part above
stalks stand large yellow flowers, and heads I ground, shooting forth on all other sides
with seed, which being greenish at the first: such like small pieces of roots, which have
and afterwards reddish, turn to be of a > all of them many long green strings and
blackish purple colour when they are ripe, | fibres under them in the ground, whereby
with small brownish seed within them, and j it draws nourishment. From the head of

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. JB7

these roots spring up many green leaves, j virtue against the plague, the decoction
which at first are somewhat broad and long, \ thereof being drank, and the root being
without any divisions at all in them, or dent- j u*ed to smell to. It helps to expel the
ing on the edges ; but those that rise up | wind in the belly. The green herb with
after are more and more divided on each \ the root taken fresh, being bruised and ap-
side, some to the middle rib, being winged, \ plied to the head, takes away the pains and
as made of many leaves together on a stalk, | prickings there, slays rheum and thin dis-
and those upon a stalk, in like manner more! tillation, and being boiled in white wine,
divided, but smaller towards the top than j and a drop thereof put into the eyes, takes
below ; the stalk rises to be a yard high or! away the dimness of the sight, or any pin
more, sometimes branched at the top, with -or web therein. It is of excellent property
many small whitish flowers, sometimes j to heal any inward sores or wounds, and
dashed over at the edges with a pale pur- { also for outward hurts or wounds, and
plish colour, of a little scent, which passing ' drawing away splinters or thorns out of the
away, there follows small browinsh white \ flesh,
seed, that is easily carried away with thc|

rr\t . " 11 .1 VE It VAIN.

wind. The root smells more strong than!
either leaf or flower, and is of more use in

Descript.] THE common Vervain hath

medicines. i somewhat long broad leaves nextthe ground

Place.] It is generally kept with us in | deeply gashed about the edges, and some,
gardens. 5 only deeply dented, or cut all alike, of a

Time.] It flowers in June and July, and j blackish green colour on the upper side,
continues flowering until the frost pull it \ somewhat grey underneath. The stalk is
down. {square, branched into several parts, rising

Government and virtues.] This is under I about two feet high, especially if you
the influence of Mercury. Dioscorides reckon the long spike of flowers at the tops
saith, That the Garden Valerian hath a|of them, which are set on all sides one above
warming faculty, and that being dried and ! another, and sometimes two or three toge-
given to drink it provokes urine, and helps : ther, being small and gaping, of a blue
the stranguary. The decoction thereof \ colour and white intermixed, after which
taken, doth the like also, and takes away 1 come small round seed, in small and some-
pains of the sides, provokes women's courses, j what long heads. The root is small and
and is used in antidotes. Pliny saith, That {long.

the powder of the root given in drink, or ! Place.] It grows generally throughout
the decoction thereof taken, helps all stopp- j this land in divers places of the hedges and
ings and stranglings in any part of the J way-sides, and other waste grounds,
body, whether they proceed of pains in the \ Time.] It flowers in July, and the seed
chest or sides, and lakes them away. The < is ripe soon after.

root of Valerian boiled with liquorice, rai- j Government and mrtues.~\ This is an herb
sins, and anniseed, is singularly good fort of Venus, and excellent for the womb to
those that are short-winded, and for those ; strengthen and remedy all the cold griefs of
that are troubled with the cough, and helps jit, as Plantain doth the hot. Vervain is
to open the passages, and to expectorate j hot and dry, opening obstructions, cleans-
phlegm easily. It is given to those that arc | ing and healing. It helps the yellow jaun-
bitteu or stung by any venomous creature, j dice, the dropsy and the gout; it kills and
being boiled in wine. It is of a special i ex pels worms in the belly, and causes a

3 c

188 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

good colour in the face and body, strengthens; meal into a poultice, it cools kflammations
as well as corrects the diseases of the stomach, j of wounds; the dropping of the vine, when
liver, diid spleen ; helps the cough, wheez-jit is cut in the Spring, which country people
ings, and shortness of breath, and all the: call Tears, being boiled in a syrup, with
defects of the reins and bladder, expelling: sugar, and taken inwardly, is excellent tr>
the gravel and stone. It is held to be good : stay women's longings after every thing
against the biting .of sepents, and other] they see, which is a disease many women
venomous beasts, against the plague, and j with child are subject to. The decoction of
both tertian and quartan agues. It con- Vine leaves in while wine doth the like.
solidates and heals also all wounds, both \ Also the tears of the Vine, drank two or
inward and outward, stays bleedings, and | three spoonfuls at a time, breaks the stone
used with some honey, heals all old ulcers i in the bladder. This is a very good remedy,
and fistulas in the legs or other parts of the * and it is discreetly done, to kill a Vine to
body ; as also those ulcers that happen in \ cure a man, but the salt of the leaves are
the mouth; or use~. with hog's grease, it I held tube better. The ashes of the burnt
helps the swellings and pains of the secret { branches will make teeth that are as black
parts in man or woman, also for the piles; as a coal, to be as white as snow, if you but
or haemorrhoids ; applied with some oil of | every morning rub them with it. It is a
roses and vinegar unto the forehead and most gallant Tree of the Sun, very sympa-
temples, it eases the inveterate pains and'thetical with the body of men, *and that is
ache of the head, and is good for those that | the reason spirit of wine is the greatest cor-
are frantic. The leaves bruised, or the i dial among all vegetables,
juice of them mixed with some vinegar,;
"doth wonderfully cleanse the skin, andj

lakes away morphew, freckles, fistulas, and j BOTH the tame and the wild are so well
other such like inflamations and defor-: known, that they need no description,
mities of the skin in any parts of the body. { Time.'] They flower until the end of
The distilled water of the herb when it is in i July, but are best in March, and the begin-
full strength, dropped into the eyes, cleanses ] ning of April.

them from films, clouds, or mists, that \ Government and virtues.'] They are a fine
darken the sight, and wonderfully strengthens \ pleasing plant of Venus, of a mild nature,
the optic nerves. The said water is very 1 no way harmful. All the Violets are cold
powerful in all the diseases aforesaid, either I and moist while they are fresh and green,
inward or outward, whether they be old I and are used to cool any heat, or distem-
eorroding sores, or green wounds. Thelperature of the body, either inwardly or
dried root, and peeled, is known to be ex-! outwardly, as inflammations in the eyes, in
cellently good against all scrophulous and i the matrix or fundament, in imposthunus
scorbutic habits of body, by being tied toj.also, and hot swellings, to drink the decoc-
the pit of the stomach, by a piece of white; tionof theleavesand flowers made with water
ribband round the neck. |in wine, or to apply them poultice-wise

\ to the grieved places : it likewise eases pains
| in the head, caused through want of sleep;

THE leaves of the English vine (I do not! or any other pains arising of heat, being
mean to send you to the Canaries for a 'applied in the same manner, or with oil of
medicine (being boiled, makes a good lotion j roses. A dram weight of the dried 'eav<^
for sore mouths; being boiled wilh barley i or flower of Violets, but the leaves more

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 189

strongly, doth purge the body of choleric { rough, hairy, or prickly sad green leaves*
numours, and assuages the heat, being \ somewhat narrow; the middle rib for the
taken in a draught of wine, or any other \ most part being white. The flowers stand
drink; the powder of the purple leaves of|at the top of the stalk, branched forth in
he flowers, only picked and dried and I many long spiked leaves of flowers bowing
drank in water, is said to help the quinsy, \ or turning like the turnsole, all opening for

and the falling-sickness in children, espe- :

the most part on the one side, which are

daily in the beginning of the disease. The: long and hollow, turning up the brims a
flowers of the white Violets ripen and clis-i little, of a purplish violet colour in them
solve swellings. The herb or flowers, while \ that are fully blown, but more reddish while
they are fresh, or the flowers when they are! they are in the bud, as also upon their de-
dry, are effectual in the pleurisy, and all ; cay and withering; but in some places of
diseases of the lungs, to lenify the sharp- j a paler purplish colour, with a long poinltl
ness in hot rheums, and the hoarseness of j in the middle, feathered or parted at the
the throat, the heat also and sharpness of; top. After the flowers are fallen, the seeds

urine, and all the pains of the back or reins,
and bladder. It is good also for the liver

growing to be ripe, are blackish, cornered
and pointed somewhat like the head of a

and the jaundice, and all hot agues, to cool \ viper. The root is somewhat great and
the heat, and quench the thirst; but the j blackish, and woolly, when it grows toward
syrup of Violets is of most use, and of better 5 seed-time, and perishes in the Winter,
effect, being taken in some convenient? There is another sort, little differing from
liquor : and if a little of the juice or syrupy the former, only in this, that it bears white J
of lemons be put to it, or a few drops of the j flowers.

oil of vitriol, it is made thereby the more t Place.'] The first grows wild almost
powerful to cool the heat, and quench the I every where. That with white flowers
thirst, and gives to the drink a claret wine! about the castle-walls at Lewis in Sussex,
colour, and a fine tart relish, pleasing to the \ Time.~\ They flower in Summer, and
taste. Violets taken, or made up with j their seed is ripe quickly after,
honey, do more cleanse and cool, and with ; Government and virtues^] It is a most
sugar contrary-wise. The dried flower of! gallant herb of the Sun ; it is a pity it is no
Violets are accounted amongst the cordial | more in use than it is. It is an especial
drinks, powders, and other medicines, es-j remedy against the biting of the Viper, and
pecially where cooling cordials are neces-|all other venomous beasts, or serpents; as
sary. The green leaves are used with other? also against poison, or poisonous herbs,
herbs to make plaisters and poultices to j Dioscorides and others say, That whosoever
inflammations and swellings, and to ease all j shall take of the herb or root before they be
pains whatsoever, arising of heat, and for j bitten, shall not be hurt by the poison of any
the piles also, being fried with yolks of eggs, ; serpent. The root or seed is thought to be
and applied thereto. I most effectual to comfort the heart, and

, j ex pel sadness, or causeless melancholy ; it

! tempers the blood, and allays hot fits of

Dacripl.] THIS hath many long rough j agues. The seed drank in wine, procures
leaves lying on the ground, from among* abundance of milk in women's breasts,
which rises up divers hard round stalks, } The same also being taken, cases the pains
very rough, as if they were thick set with Jin the loins, back, and kidneys. The dis-
prickles or hairs, whereon are set such Ul.-f tilled water of the herb when it is in flower,

190 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

or its chief strength, is excellent to be ap- j ings, comforts and strengthens any weak
plied either inwardly or outwardly, for all ? part, or out of joint; helps to cleanse the
the griefs aforesaid. There is a syrup made ; eyes from mistiness or films upon them,

nereof very effectual for the comforting
the heart, and expelling sadness and melan-
choly.

' ininl'^t HTiH <tinp\vs A pnnm^rvf* msirlp rtf-trm
WALL FLOWERS, OR WINTER GILLI-;-], - .

I flowers, is used for a remedy both for the

and to cleanse the filthy ulcers in the mouth,
or any other part, and is a singular remedy
for the gout, and all aches and pains in the

-. * *

{apoplexy and palsy.

THE garden kind are so well known that?
they need no description.

Descript^] The common single Wall- IT is so well known, that it needs no des-
flowers, which grow wild abroad, have sun-jcription,

dry small, long, narrow, dark .green leaves, j Time.'] It blossoms early before the
set without order upon small round, whitish,! leaves come forth, and the fruit is ripe in
woody stalks, which bear at the tops divers: September.

single yellow flowers one above another, { Government and virtues.'] This is also a
every one bearing four leaves a-piece, and I plant of the Sun. Let the fruit of it be
of a very sweet scent : after which come j gathered accordingly, which you shall find
long pods, containing a reddish seed. The j to be of most virtues while they are green,
roots are white, hard and thready. j before they have shells. The bark of the

Place.'] It grows upon church walls, and j Tree doth bind and dry very much, and the
old Avails of many houses, and other stone Heaves are much of the same temperature:
walls in divers places ; The other sort in j but the leaves when they are older, are heat-
gardens only. ling and drying in the second degree, and

Time.] All the single kinds do flower > harder of digestion than when they are
many times in the end of Autumn ; and if; fresh, which, by reason of their sweetness,
the Winter be mild, all the Winter long, ! are more pleasing, and better digesting in
but especially in the months of February, j the stomach; and taken with sweet wine,
March, and April, and until the heat of the; they move the belly downwards, but being
spring do spend them. But the double! old, they grieve the stomach; and in hot
kinds continue not flowering in that manner' bodies cause the choler to abound and the
all the year long, although they flower very : hcad-ach, and are an enemy to those that
early sometimes, and in some places very ! have the cough ; but are less hurtful to those
late. 5 that have a colder stomach, and are said to

Government and virtues.] The Moon rules \ kill the broad worms in the belly or stomach,
them. Galen, in his seventh book of sim- 1 If they be taken with onions, salt, and
pie medicines, saith, That the yellow Wall- I honey, they help the biting of a mad dog,
flowers work more powerfully than any or the venom or infectious poison of any
of the other kinds, and are therefore of more: beast, &c. Caias Pompeius found in the
use in physic. It cleanses the blood, and j treasury of Mithridales, king of Pontus,
fretteth the liver and reins from obstruc-j when he was overthrown, a scroll of his own
tions, provokes women's courses, expels the; hand writing, containing a medicine against
secundine, and the dead child; helps the I any poison or infection; which is this;
hardness and pain of the mother, and of 1 Take two dry walnuts, and as many good
spleen also; stays inflammations and swell- j figs, and twenty leaves of rue, bruised and

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN -ENLARGED. 191

beaten together with two or three corns of j the green husks being ripe, when they are
salt and twenty juniper berries, which take I shelled from the nuts, and drank with a
every morning fasting, preserves from dan- j little vinegar, is good for the place, so as
ger of poison, and infection that day it is > before the taking thereof a vein be opened.
taken. The juice of the other green husks ! The said water is very good against the
boiled with honey is an excellent gargle for ! quinsy, being gargled and bathed there-
sore mouths, or the heat and inflammations ! with, and wonderfully helps deafness, the
in the throat and stomach. The kernels, j noise, and other pains in the ears. The
when they grow old, are more oily, and ulistilled water of the young green leaves in
therefore not fit to be eaten, but are then! the end of May, performs a singular cure
used to heal the wounds of the sinews, | on foul running ulcers and sores, to be
gangrenes, and carbuncles. The said ker- 1 bathed, with wet cloths or spunges applied
nels being burned, are very astringent, 5 to them every morning,
and will stay lasks and women's courses, ! ,

j ., f ii 5 WOLD, WELD, OR DYEK S WEED.

being taken in red wine, and stay the fall-|

ing of the hair, and make it fair, being! THE common kind grows bushing with
anointed with oil and wine. The green I many leaves, long, narrow and flat upon
husks will do the like, being used in the | the ground ; of a dark blueish green colour,
same manner. The kernels beaten with | somewhat like unto Woad, but nothing so
rue and wine, being applied, help the I Inrge, a little crumpled, and as it were
quinsy; and bruised with some honey, and ; round-pointed, which do so abide the first
applied to the ears, ease the pains and in- 1 year ; and the next spring from among
flammation of them. A piece of the green j them, rise up divers round stalks, 'two or
husks put into a hollow tooth, eases the 1 three feet high, beset with many such like
pain. The catkins hereof, taken before j leaves thereon, but smaller, and shooting
they fall off, dried, and given a dram thereof j forth small branches, which with the stalks
in powder with white wine, wonderfully \ carry many small yellow flowers, in a long
helps those that are troubled with the rising j spiked head at the top of them, where after-
of the mother. The oil that is pressed out! wards come the seed, which is small and
of the kernels, is very profitable, taken in-; black, inclosed in heads that are divided at
wardly like oil of almonds, to help the I the tops into four parts. The root is long,
cholic, and to expel wind very effectually ; } white and thick, abiding the Winter. The
an ounce or two thereof may be taken at i whole herb changes to be yellow, after it
any time. The young green nuts taken | hath been in flower awhile,
before they be half ripe, and preserved with \ PlaceJ] It grows every where by the
sugar, are of good use for those that have \ way sides, in moist grounds, as well as dry,
weak stomachs, or defluctions thereon. The] in corners of fields and bye lanes, and some-
distilled water of the green husks, before; times all over the field. In Sussex and
they be half ripe, is of excellent use to cool j Kent they call it Green Weed,
the heat of agues, being drank an ounce or* Time.'] It flowers in June.

two at a time : as also to resist the infec-
tion of the plague, if some of the same be
also applied to the sores thereof. The

Government and rarities."] Matthiolus saith,
that the root hereof cures tough phlegm,
digests raw phlegm, thins gross humours,

same also cools the heat of green wounds -dissolves hard tumours, and opens obstruc-
and old ulcers, and heals them, being j tions. Some do highly commend it against
bathed therewith. The distilled water of the biting of venomous creatures, to be taken

3 r>

192 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

inwardly and applied outwardly to the 5 bran of Wheat meal steeped in sharp vine-
hurt place; as also for the plague or pes-jgar, and then bound in a linen cloth, and
tilence. The people in some countries of j rubbed on those places that have the scurf,
this land, do use to bruise the herb, and lay j morphew, scabs or leprosy, will take them
it to cuts or wounds in the hands or legs, to : away, the body being; first well purged and
heal them. j prepared. The decoction of the bran of

j Wheat or barley, is of good use to bathe
those places that are bursten by a rupture ;

ALL tne several kinds thereof are so well' and the said bran boiled in good vinegar,
known unto almost all people, that it is all jand applied to swollen breasts, helps them,
together needless to write a description : and stays all inflamations. It helps also
thereof. : the biting of vipers (which I take to be no

Government and virtues.'] It is under \ other than our English adder) and all other
Venus. Dioscondes saith, That to eat the j venomous creatures. The leaves of Wheat
corn of green Wheat is hurtful to the I meal applied with some salt, take away
stomach, and breeds worms. Pliny sailh, j hardness of the skin, warts, and hard knots
That the corn of Wheat, roasted upon an in the flesh. Wafers put in water, and

iron pan, and eaten, are a present remedy

drank, stays the lask and bloody flux, and

for those that arc chilled with cold. The \ are profitably used both inwardly and out-
oil pressed from wheat, between two thick jwardly for the ruptures in children. Boiled
plates of iron, or copper heated, heals all! in water unto a thick jelly, and taken, it
tetters and ring-worms, being used warm ;> stays spitting of blood; and boiled with
and hereby Galen sailh, he hath known mint and butter, it helps the hoarseness of
many to be cured. Mitthiolus commends 5 the throat,
the same to be put into hollow ulcers to heal >

i , i THE WILLOW TREE.

them up, and it is good for chops in the :

hands and feet, and to make rugged skin,' THESE are so well known that they need
smooth. The green corns of Wheat being* no description. I shall therefore only shew
chewed, and applied to the place bitten by ; you the virtues therof.
a mad dog, heals it ; slices of Wheat bread J Government and virtues.^ The Moon
soaked in red rose water, and applied to {owns it. Both the leaves, bark, and the
the eyes that are hot, red, and inflamed, or j seed, are used to stanch bleeding of wounds,
blood-shotten, helps them. Hot bread ap-<and at mouth and nose, spitting of blood,
plied for an hour, at times, for three days * and other flaxes of blood in man or woman,
together, perfectly heals the kernels in thej and to stay vomiting, and provocation there-
throat, commonly called the king's evil, junto, if the decoction of them in wine be
The flour of Wheat mixed with the juice of i drank. It helps also to stay thin, hot, sharp,
henbane, stays the flux of humours to the j salt distillations from the head upon the
joints, being laid thereon. The said meal | lungs, causing a consumption. The leaves
boiled in vinegar, helps the shrinking of the! bruised with some pepper, and drank in
sinews, saith Pliny; and mixed with vine- j wine, helps much the wind cholic. The
gar, and boiled together, heals all freckles, ; leaves bruised and boiled in wine, and
spots and pimples on the face. Wheat! drank, stays the heat of lust in man or
flour, mixed with the yolk of an egg, honey, j woman, and quite extinguishes it, if it be
and turpentine, doth draw, cleanse and heal J long used : The seed also is of the same
any boil, plague, sore, or foul ulcer. The) effect. Water that is gathered from the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 193

Willow, when it flowers, the bark being | fit of it. where those that sow it, cut it three
slit, and a vessel fitting to receive it, is very j times a year.

good for redness and dimness of sight, or j Time.'] It flowers in June, but it is long
films that grow over the eyes, and stay the j after before the seed is ripe,
i he urns that fall into them; to provoke? Government and virtues.'] It is a cold and
urine, being stopped, if it be drank; to clear \ dry plant of Saturn. Some people affirm
the face and skin from spots and discolour- j the plant to be destructive to bees, and
ings. Galen saith, The flowers have an i fluxes them, which, if it be, I cannot help
admirable faculty in drying up humours, jit. I should rather think, unless bees be
being a medicine without any sharpness or j contrary to other creatures, it possesses them
corrosion ; you may boil them in white i with the contrary disease, the herb being
wine, and drink as much as you will, so I exceeding dry and binding. However, if
you drink not yourself drunk. The bark! any bees be diseased thereby, the cure is,
works the same effect, if used in the same I to set urine by them, but set it in a vessel,
manner, and the Tree hath always a bark ; that they cannot drown themselves, which
upon it, though not always flowers ; the | may be remedied, if you put pieces of cork-
burnt ashes of the bark being mixed with j in it. The herb is so drying and binding,
vinegar, takes away warts, corns, and i that it is not fit to be given inwardly. An
superfluous flesh, being applied to the place. \ ointment made thereof stanches bleeding.
The decoction of the leaves or bark in wine, | A plaister made thereof, and applied to the
takes away scurffand dandriff by washing i region of the spleen which lies on the left
the place with it. It is a fine cool tree, the i side, takes away the hardness and pains
boughs of which are very convenient to thereof. The ointment is excellently good
be placed in the chamber of one sick of a | in such ulcers as abound with moisture, and
fever. I takes away the corroding and fretting

1 humours : It cools inflammations, quenches
| St. Anthony's fire, and stays defluxion of

Descript.~] IT hath divers large leaves, { the blood to any part of the body,
long, and somewhat broad withal, like those i

of the greater plntain, but larger, thicker, j ODBINE, OR HONEY-SUCKLES
of a greenish colour, somewhat blue withal.; IT is a plant so common, that every one
From among which leaves rises up a lusty i that hath eyes knows it, and he that hath
stalk, three or four feet high, with divers j none, cannot read a description, if I should
leaves set thereon ; the higher the stalk ! write it.

rises, the smaller are the leaves ; at the top ! Time. They flower in June, and the
it spreads divers branches, at the end of j fruit is ripe in August,
which appear very pretty, little yellow! Government and virtues.'] Doctor Tra-
flowers, and after they pass away like Other j dition, that grand introducer of errors, that
flowers of the field, come husks, long and j hater of truth, lover of folly, and the mortal
somewhat flat withal ; in form they resem- i foe to Dr. Reason, hath taught the common
ble a tongue, in colour they are black, and 1 people to use the leaves or flowers of this
they hang bobbing downwards. The seed : plant in mouth-water, and by long con-
contained within these husks (if it be a little 5 tinuance of time, hath so grounded it in the
chewed) gives an azure colour. The root is \ brains of the vulgar, that you cannot beat it
white and long. $ out with a beetle: All mouth-waters ought

Place.] It is sowed in fields for the bene-l to be cooling and drying, but Honey

194 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Suckles are cleansing, consuming and di- i describe, and the third be critical at; and
gesting, and therefore fit for inflammations ; ; I care not greatly if I begin with the last
thus Dr. Reason. Again if you please,*we j first.

will leave Dr. Reason a while, and come to \ Sea Wormwood hath gotten as many names
Dr. Experience, a learned gentleman, and jasvirtues, (and perhaps one more) Seriphian,
his brother. Take a leaf and chew it in | Santomeon, Belchion, Narbinense, Han-
your moulh, and you will quickly find iUtonicon, Misneule, and a matter of twenty
likelier to cause a sore mouth and throat j more which I shall not blot paper withal,
than to cure it. Well then, if it be not good ; A papist got the toy by the end, and he
for this, What is it good for? It is good for {called it Holy Wormwood ; and in truth
something, for God and nature made I I am opinion, their giving so much holi-
nothing in vain. It is an herb of Mercury, j ness to herbs, is the reason there remains so
and appropriated to the lungs; neither is it j little in themselves. The seed of this
Crab claims dominion over it; neither is itj Wormwood is that which women usually
a foe to the Lion ; if the lungs be afflicted j give their children for the worms. Of all
by Jupiter, this is your cure : It is fitting a j Wormwoods that grow here, this is the
conserve made of the flowers of it were kept $ weakest, but Doctors commend it, and

in every gentlewoman's house ; I know no
better cure for an asthma than this : besides,
it takes away the evil of the spleen, provokes

apothecaries sell it; the one must keep his
credit, and the other get money, and that is
the key of the work. The herb is good for

. i i > i

urine, procures speedy delivery of women | something, because God made nothing in
in travail, helps cramps, convulsions, and j vain : Will you give me leave to weigh
palsies, and whatsoever griefs come of cold { things in the balance of reason ; Then thus ;
or stopping; if you please to make use of I The seeds of the common Wormwood are
it as an ointment, it will clear your skin of ; far more prevalent than the seed of this, to
morphew, freckles, and sun-burnings, or ; expel worms in children, or people of ripe
whatsoever else discolours it, and then the | age ; of both some are weak, some are
maids will love it. Authors say, The | strong. The Seriphian Wormwood is the

flowers are of more effect than the leaves, :
and that is true ; but they say the seeds are
least effectual of all. But Dr. Reason told

weakest, and haply may prove to be fittest
for the weak bodies, (for it is weak enough
of all conscience.) Let such as are strong

me, That there was a vital spirit in every take the common Wormwood, for the others
seed to beget its like; and Dr. Experience I will do but little good. Again, near the sea
told me, That there was a greater heat in the \ many people live, and Seriphian grows
seed than there was in any other part of the * near them, and therefore is more fitting for
plant: and withal, That heat was the mother j their bodies, because nourished by the
of action, and then judge if old Dr. Tradi- \ same air ; and this I had from Dr. Reason,
tion (who may well be honoured for his age, \ In whose body Dr. Reason dwells not, dwells
but not for his goodness) hath not so poi- j Dr. Madness, and he brings in his brethren,
Boned the world with errors before I was j Dr. Ignorance, Dr. Folly, and Dr. Sick-
born, that it was never well in its wits: ness, and these together make way for
since, and thereis a great fear it will die mad. j Death, and the latter end of that man is

| worse than the beginning. Pride was the
j cause of Adam's fall ; pride begat a daugh-

THREE W.ormwoods are familiar with Her, I do not know the father of it, unless
us ; one I shall not describe, another I shall ; the devil, but she christened it, and calle

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 195

it Appetite, and sent her daughter to taste] with many round, woody, hairy stalks from
these wormwoods, who finding this the; one root. Its height is four feet, 01 three at
least bitter, made the squeamish wench \ least. The leaves in longitude are long, in
extol it to the skies, though the virtues ofitj latitude narrow, in colour white, in form
never reached the middle region of the air. | hoary, in similitude likeSouthernwood,only
Its due praise is this; It is weakest, there- j broader and longer; in taste rather salt than
fore fittest for weak bodies, and fitter for: bitter, because it grows so near the salt-
those bodies that dwell near it, than those* water; at the joints, with the Jeaves toward
that dwell far from it ; my reason is, the sea j the tops it bears little yellow flowers; the
(those that live far from it, know when they i root lies deep, ^nd is woods,
come near it) casts not such a smell as the j Common Wormwood I shall not describe,
land doth. The tender mercies of God 1 for every boy that can eat an egg knows it.
being over all his works, hath by his eternal | Roman Wormwood; and why Roman,
Providence, planted Seriphian by the sea- \ seeing it grows familiarly in England? It
side, as a fil medicine for the bodies of those I may be so called, because it is good for a
that live near it. Lastly, It is known to all ] stinking breath, which the Romans cannot

that know any thing in the course of nature,
that the liver delights in sweet things, if so,
it abhors bitter ; then if your liver be weak,
it is none of the wisest courses to plague it

be very free from, maintaining so many
bad houses by authority of his Holiness.

Descript.~] The stalks are slender, and
shorter than the common Wormwood by

with an enemy. If the liver be weak, a } one foot at least ; the leaves are more finely
consumption follows ; would you know the 1 cut and divided than they are, but some-
reason ? It is this, A man's flesh is repaired | thing smaller; both leaves and stalks are
by blood, by a third concoclion, which \ hoary, the flowers of a pale yellow colour ;
transmutes the blood into flesh, it is well it is altogether like the common Worm-

I said, (concoction) say I, if I had said
(boiling) every cook would have understood

wood, save only in bigness, for it is smaller:
in taste, for it is not so bitter; in smell, for

me. The liver makes blood, and if it be it is spicy.

weakened that if it makes not enough, the j Place!] It grows upon the tops of the
flesh wastes ; and why must flesh always be 1 mountains (it seems 'tis aspiring) there 'tis
renewed ? Because the eternal God, when | natural, but usually nursed up in gardens
he made the creation, made one part of it I for the use of the apothecaries in London.
in continual dependency upon another;,' TimeJ] All Wormwoods usually flower
and why did he so ? Because himself only i; in August, a little sooner or later.

is permanent ; to teach us, That we should
not (ix our affections upon what is transi-
tory, but what endures for ever. The re-

Government and virtues,] Will you give
me leave to be critical a little? I must
take leave. Wormwood is an herb of Mars,

suit of this is, if the liver be weak, and can- ; and if Pontanus say otherwise, he is beside
not make blood enough, I would have said, ! the bridge ; I prove it thus : What delights
Sanguify, if I had written only to scholars, ;in martial places, is a martial herb; but
the Seriphian, which is the weakest of! Wormwood delights in martial places (foi
Wormwoods, is better than the best. I have \ about forges and iron works you may gather
oeen critical enough, if not too much. |a cart-load of it,) ergo, it is a martial herb.

Place.] It grows familiarly in England, | It is hot and dry in the first degree, viz.
by the sea-side. | just as hot as your blood, and no hotter. It

Dwcnp/.] It starts up out of the earth, ' { remedies the evils choler can inflict on the

3 E

196 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

body of man by sympathy. It helps the! hob of Mars, is a .present reme 'y tor the
evils Venus and the wanton Boy produce, j biting of rats and mice. Mushrooms (1
by antipathy; and it doth something else J cannot give them the title of Her ba, Fru-
besides. It cleanses the body of cholerjtex, or Arbor) are under the dominion of
(who dares say Mars doth no good?) It; Saturn, ( and take one time with another,
provokes urine, helps surfeits, or swellings I they do as much harm as good ;) if any have
in the belly; it causes appetite to meat, poisoned himself by eating them, Worm-
because Mars rules the attractive faculty in | wood, an herb of Mars, cures him, because
man: The sun never shone upon a better? Mars is exalted in Capricorn, the house of
herb for the yellow jaundice than this; Why! Saturn, and this it doth by sympathy, as it
should men cry out so much upon Mars for \ did the other by antipathy. Wheals, pushes,
an infortunate, (or Saturn either?) Did ; black and blue spots, coming either by
God make creatures to do the creation a | bruises or beatings. Wormwood, an herb
mischief? This herb testifies, that Mars is | of Mars, helps, because Mars, (as bad you
willing to cure all diseases he causes; the Move him, and as you hate him) will not
truth is, Mars loves no cowards, nor Saturn ; break your head, but he will give you a
fools, nor I neither. Take of the flowers ofj plaister. If he do but teach you to know
Wormwood, Rosemary, and Black Thorn, : yourselves, his courtesy is greater than is
of each a like quantity, half that quantity ! discourtesy. The greatest antipathy be-
of saffron; boil this in Rhenish wine, but t ween the planets, is between Mars and
put it not in saffron till it is almost boiled ;\ Venus: one is hot, the other cold; one
This is the way to keep a man's body in f diurnal, the other nocturnal; one dry, the
health, appointed by Camerarius, in his { other moist ; their houses are opposite, one
book intitled Hortus Medicos, and it is a; masculine, the other feminine ; one public,
good one too. Besides all this, Wormwood i the other private ;. one is valiant, the other
provokes the terms. I would willingly j effeminate: one loves the light, the other
teach astrologers, and make them physi-i hates it ; one loves the field, the other sheets:
cians (if I knew how) for they are most \ then the throat is under Venus, the quinsy
fitting for the calling; if you will not believe j lies in the throat, and is an inflammation
me, ask Dr. Hippocrates, and Dr. Galen, 5 there ; Venus rules the throat, (it -being
a couple of gentlemen that our college of -under Tamus her sign.) Mars eradicates
physicians keep to vapour with, not to all diseases in the throat by his herbs (for
follow. In this our herb, I shall give the pat- j wormwood is one) and sends them to Egypt
tern of a ruler, the sons of art rough cast, jou an errand never to return more, this
yet as near the truth as the men of Benja- \ done by antipathy. The eyes are under
min could throw a stone: Whereby, my j the Luminaries; the right eye of a man,
brethren, the astrologers may know by a; and the left eye of a woman the Sun claims
penny how a shilling is coined : As for the j dominion over: the left eye of a man, and
college of physicians, they are too stately to ; the right eye of a woman, are privileges of
college or too proud to continue. They ? the Moon, Wormwood, an herb of Mars
say a mouse is under the dominion of the? cures both; what belongs to the Sun by
Moon, and that is the reason they feed in the \ sympathy, because he is exalted in his
night; the house of the Moon is Cancer;; house; but what belongs to the Moon by
rats are of the same nature with mice, but : antipathy, because he hath his fall in h'-r's.

they are a little bigger ; Mars receives his
fall in Cancer, ergo, Wormwood being an

Suppose a man be bitten or stum; by a
martial creature, imagine a wa-jp, a hornet,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 197

a scorpion, Wormwood, an herb of Mars, j either linen or woolen draper) yet as brave us
gives you a present cure ; that Mars, cho- 1 they looked, my opinion was that the moths
leric as he is, hath learned that patience, to might consume them ; moths are under the
pass by your evil speeches of him, and tells j dominion of Mars; this herb Wormwood be-
you by my pen, That he gives you no af-iing laid among cloaths, will make a molh
tiiction, but he gives you a cure ; you need ! scorn to meddle with the cloaths, as much
not run to Apollo, nor ^Esculapius ; and if! as a lion scorns to meddle with a mouse, or
he was so choleric as you make him to be, \ an eagle with a fly. You say Mars is an-
he would have drawn his sword for anger, jgry, and it is true enough he is angry with
to see the ill conditions of these people i many countrymen, for being such fools to
that can spy his vices, and not his virtues. * be led by the noses by the college of phy-
The eternal God, when he made Mars, t sicians, as they lead bears to Paris garden,
made him for public good, and the sons of : Melancholy men cannot endure to be
men shall know it it in the latter end of the | wronged in point of good fame, and that
world. Et caelum Mars solus babet. You j doth sorely trouble old Saturn, because they
say Mars is a destroyer ; mix a little Worm- i call him the greatest infortunate ; in the
wood, an herb of Mars, with your ink, j body of man he rules the spleen, (and that
neither rats nor mice touch the paper writ- \ makes covetous man so splenetic) the poor
ten with it, and then Mars is a preserver. 5 old man lies crying out of his left side
Astrologers think Mars causes scabs and Father Saturn's angry, Mars comes to him ;
itch, and the virgins are angry with him, \ Come, brother, I confess thou art evil spoken
because wanton Venus told them he de- j of, and so am I ; thou knowest I have my
forms their skins ; but, quoth Mars, my exaltation in thy house, I give him an herb
only desire is, they should know themselves; j of mine, Wormwood, to cure the old man :
my herb Wormwood will restore them to j Saturn consented, but spoke little, and so
the beauty they formerly had, and in that {Mars cured him by sympathy. When
I will not come an inch behind my opposite, | Mars was free from war, (for he loves to be
Venus : for which doth the greatest evil, he j fighting, and is the best friend a soldier
that takes away an innate beauty, and when ! hath) I say, when Mars was free from war,
he has done, knows how to restore it again ? j he called a council of war in his own brain,
or she that teaches a company of wanton j to know how he should do poor sinful man
lasses to paint their faces? If Mars be in \ good, desiring to forget his abuses in being
a Virgin, in the nativity, they say he causes \ called an infortunate. He musters up his
the cholic (it is well God hath set some | own forces, and places them in battalia,
body to pull down the pride of man.) HejOh! quoth he, why do I hurt a poor
in the Virgin troubles none with the cholic,! silly man or woman ? His angel answers
but them that know not themselves (for who I him, It is because they have offended their
knows himself, may easily know all the : God, -(Look back to Adam :) Well, says
world.) Wormwood, an herb of Mars, is a } Mars, though they speak evil of me, I will
present cure for it ; and whether it be most! do good to them ; Death's cold, my herb
like a Christian to love him for his good, or | shall heat them : they are full of ill humours
hate him for his evil, judge ye. I had al- j (else they would never have spoken ill of
most forgotten, that charity thinks no evil.! me;) my herb shall cleanse them, and dry
I wasonce in the Tower and viewed the ward- i them; they are poor weak creatures, my
robe, and there wasagreat many fine clothes: ] herb shall strengthen them ; they are dull
I can give them noother title, for I was never twitted, my herb shall fortify their appre-

J0 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

hen&ions; and yet among astrologers all
this does not deserve a good word : Oh the
patience of Mars!

Felix qvipotuit rcrum cognoscere caucus,
tuque domus snjierum scandere curafacit.
O happy lie that can the knowledge gain,
To know the eternal God made nought in vain.
To this 1 add,

night, the one from Aries, and the olhei
from Scorpio ; give me thy leave by sym-
pathy to cure this poor man with drinking
a draught of Wormwood beer every morn-
ing. The Moon was weak the other day,
and she gave a man two terrible mischiefs,
a dull brain and a weak sight; Mars laid
by his sword, and comes to her; Sister

[ know the reason canseth such a dearth | Moon, said he, this man hath angered thee,

Of knowledge: 'tis because men love theearth. ; but I beseech thee take notice he is but a

* f* 1 **1 1 _" iT "11 * > I 1 I

The other day Mars told me he met with \ wormwood cure him of both infirmities by
Venus, and he asked her, What was the ; antipathy, for thou knowest thou and I can-
reason that she accused him for abusing \ not agree ; with that the ' Moon began to
women ? He never gave them the pox. In \ quarrel; Mars (not delighting much in
il\e dispute they fell out, and in anger \ women's tongues) went away, and did it
parted, and Mars told me that his brother I whether she would or no.

Saturn told him, that an antivenerean
medicine was the best against the pox.

He that reads this, and understands what
he reads, hath a jewel of mre worth than

Once a month he meets with the Moon. ; a diamond ; he that understands it not, is
Mars is quick enough of speech, and the j as little fit to give physick. There lies a
Moon not much behind hand, (neither are \ key in these words which will unlock, (if it
most women.) The Moon looks much i be turned by a wise hand) the cabinet of
after children, and children are much trou- j physick : I have delivered it as plain as I
bled with the worms; she desired a medi- \ durst ; it is not only upon Wormwood as
cine of him, he bid her take his own herb, j I wrote, but upon all plants, trees, and
Wormwood. He had no sooner parted j herbs ; he that understands it not, is unfit
with the Moon, but he met with Venus, and j (in my opinion) to give physic. This shall
she was as drunk as a hog; Alas! poor! live when I am dead. And thus I leave it
Venus, quoth he; What! thou a fortune, * to the world, not caring a farthing whether
and be drunk? I'll give thee antipathetical! they like it or dislike if. The grave equals
cure; Take my herb Wormwood, and thou jail men, and therefore shall equal me with
shall never get a surfeit by drinking. A jail princes; until which time the eternal
poor silly countryman hath got an ague, { Providence is over me : Then the ill tongue
and cannot go about his business: he j of a prating fellow, or one that hath more
wishes he had it not, and so do I ; but 1 j tongue than wit, or more proud than
will tell him a remedy, whereby he shall ; honest, shall never trouble me. Wisdom is
prevent it; Take the herb of Mars, Worm- \justJfied by her children. And so much for
wood, and if infortunes will do good, what! Wormwood,
will fortunes do? Some think the lungs are,*

1 , - c ., ., e .1 J VARUOW, CALLED NOSE-BLEED, MILFOIL

under Jupiter; and ir the lungs then the!

i ,i i AND THOUSALD-LEAL.

breath ; and though sometimes a man gets ;

a slinking brealh, and yet Jupiter is a for-! Descript.'] IT hath many long leaves
tune, forsooth; up comes Mars to him ;t spread upon the ground, finely cu(, and
Gume brother Jupiter, thou knowest I sent \ divided into many small parts 1 It flowers
thee H couple of trines to thv house last J are white, but not all of a whiteness aud

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

190

stayed in knots, upon divers green stalks
which rise from among the leaves.

Place.] It is frequent in all pastures.

Time.] It flowers late, even in the latter
end of August.

Government and virtues.] It is under the
influence of Venus. An ointment of them
cures wounds, and is most fit for such as
have inflammations, it being an herb of
Dame Venus ; it stops the terms in women,
being boiled in white wine, and the decoc-
tion drank ; as also the bloody flux ; the
ointment of it is not only good for green
wounds, but also for ulcers and fistulas,
especially such as abound with moisture.

It stays the shedding of hair, the head being
bathed with the decoction of it; inwardly
taken it helps the retentive faculty of the
stomach : it helps the gonorrhea in men,
and the whites in women, and helps such as
cannot hold their water ; and the leaves
chewed in the mouth eases the tooth-ache ,
and these virtues being put together, shew
the herb to be drying and binding. Achilles
is supposed to be the first that left the vir-
tues of this herb to posterity, having learned
them of this master Chiron, the Centaur;
and certainly a very profitable herb it is in
cramps, and therefore called Militaris.

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, CONSERVES,

HAVING in divers places of this Treatise j
promised you the way of making Syrups, I
Conserves, Oils, Ointments, &c, of herbs, |
roots, flowers, &c. whereby you may have |
them ready for your use at such times when \
they cannot be had otherwise ; I come now
to perform what I promised, and you shall
find me rather better than worse than my ,
word.

That this may be done methodically, |
I shall divide my directions into two grand \
sections, and each section into several chap-
ters, and then you shall see it look with such
a countenance as this is.

SECTION I.

Of gathering, drying, and keeping Simples,
and their juices.

CHAP, i Of leaves ofHerbs y Sfc.
CHAP. n. Of Flowers.
CHAP. in. Of' Seeds.
CHAP. iv. Uf Roots.

CHAP. v. Of Barks.

CHAP. vi. Of Juices.

SECTION II

Of making and keeping Compounds.

CHAP. i. Of distilled waters.

CHAP. ii. Of Syrups.

CHAP. in. Of Juleps.

CHAP iv. Of Decoctions.

CHAP. v. Of Oils.

CHAP, vi Of Electuaries.

CHAP. vn. Of Conserves.

CHAP. vin. Of Preserves.

CHAP. ix. Of Lohochs.

CHAP. x. Of Ointments.

CHAP. xi. OfPlaisters.

CHAP. xn. Of Poultices.

CHAP. xin. Of Troches.

CHAP. xiv. Of Pills.

CHAP. xv. The way of fitting Medi-
cines to Compound Dis-
eases.
Of all these in order.

3 F

200 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

i her apply to a planet of the same triplicity ;

CHAPTER!. t .,, , . ,*

; if you cannot wait that time neither, let
Of Leaves of Herbs, or Trees. j her be with a fixed star of their nature.

1. OF leaves, choose only such as are* 6 - Having well dried them, put them up
green, and full of juice; pick them care-i m brown P a P er ' se u win S the P a Pf r "P hke
Fully, and cast away such as are any way sack, and press them not too hard toge-

declining, for they will putrify the rest : So j ' her > and kee P them m a d T P Iace near tbe

shall one handful be worth ten of those you j e '

buy at the physic herb shops. , 7 ' A 8 for the duratlon f d d herbs,

2. Note what places they most delight ! a ,J ust tje cannot be given, let authors prate
to grow in, and gather them there ; for j their Pjf asure ; * or

Betony that grows in the shade, is far better j lst ' Such as g row "P on dr y g^nds wiU
than that which grows in the Sun, because I keep better than such as grow on moist.
it delights m the shade; so also such herbs j 2dly, Such herbs as are full of juice,
as delight to grow near the water, shall be I wl11 j 1 , 01 kee P s lo u n g M such as are dn er .
gathered near it, though happily you may I 3dl ^ Such herbs as are well dried will

find some of them upon dry ground : Thej kee P longer than such as are slack dried,
Treatise will inform you where every herb Yetyoo may know when they are corrupt-
delights to grow. d by their loss of colour, or smell, or

3 The leaves of such herbs as run up to bo ^' and lf L the be corrupted, reason
seed, are not so good- when they are in! 1 ?" tel j. y o V hat they must needs corrupt
flower as before (some few excepted, the the b d"* of & e P eo .P Ie fat take them.
leaves of which are seldom or never used) . 4 ' Galher a11 leav f s m the hour of **
in such cases, if through ignorance they { P lanet that g overns them '
were not known, or through negligence j CHAPTER u.

forgotten, you had better take the top and j ~ ,. ^

the flowers, then the leaf. / Flowers '

4. Dry them well in the Sun, and not in | 1. THE flower, which is the beauty of the
the shade, as the saying of physicians is ; | plant, and of none of the least use in phy-
for if the sun draw away the virtues of the' sick, grows yearly, and is to be gathered
herb, it must need do the like by hay, by j when it is in its prime.

the same rule, which the experience of every I 2. As for the time of gathering them, let
country farmer will explode for a notable \ the planetary hour, and the planet they
piece of nonsense. | come of, be observed, as we shewed you

5. Such as are artists in astrology, (and | in the foregoing chapter : as for the time of
indeed none else are fit to make physicians) jthe day, let.it be when the sun shine upon
such I advise; let the planet that governs ! them, that so they may be dry ; for, if you
the herb be angular, and the stronger the! gather either flowers or herbs when they are
better ; if they can, in herbs of Saturn, let] wet or dewy, they will not keep.

Saturn be in the ascendant; in the herbs of i 3. Dry them well in the sun, and keep
Mars, let Mars be in the mid heaven, for in | them in papers near the fire, as I shewed
those houses they delight ; let the Moon \ you in the foregoing chapter.
apply to them by good aspect, and let her \ 4. So long as they retain the colour and
not be in the houses of her enemies ; if you ; smell, they are good ; either of them being
cannot well stay till she apply to them, let j gone, so is the virtue also.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 201

i morning; and this idle talk of untruth is so
CHAPTER ill < grounded in the heads, not only of the vul-

Of Seeds. i S ar> but a ' so f tne learned, that a man

| cannot drive it out by reason. I pray let
1. THE seed is that part of the plant \ such sapmongers answer me this argument;

i 1 1 '.I/* 1 . > T /* . I * 1 1 . _1

which is endowed with a vital faculty to
bring forth its like, and it contains poten-

mm * 11 1 . * * .

If the sap falls into the roots in the fall of
the leaf, and lies there all the Winter, then

tially the whole plant in it. i must the root grow only in the Winter.

2. As for place, let them be gathered ; But the root grows not at all in the Winter,
from the place where they delight to grow, j as experience teaches, but only in the

3. Let them be full ripe when they are j Summer: Therefore, If you set an apple-
gathered ; and foiget not the celestial har- j kernel in the Spring, you shall find the root
mony before mentioned, for I have found \ to grow to a pretty bigness in the Summer,
by experience that their virtues are twice as i and be not a whit bigger next Spring,
great at such times as others : " There is \ What doth the sap do in the root all that
an appointed time for every thing under! while? Pick straws? 'Tis as rotten as a
the sun." I rotten post.

The truth is, when the sun declines from
the tropic of Cancer, the sap begins to con-
geal both in root and branch ; when he

4. When you have gathered them, dry
them a little, and but a little in the sun,
before you lay them up.

5. You need not be so careful of keeping j touches the tropic of Capricorn, and ascends
them so near the fire, as the other before- 1 to us-ward, it begins to Avax thin again,
mentioned, because they are fuller of j and by degrees, as it congealed. But to
spirit, and therefore not so subject to j proceed.

corrupt. 3. The drier time you gather the roots

6. As for the lime of their duration, it is j in, the better they are ; for they have the
palpable they will keep a good many years; [less excrementitious moisture in them,
yet, they are best the first year, and this* 4. Such roots as are soft, your best way
I make appear by a good argument. They | is to dry in the sun, or else hang them in
will grow sooner the first year they be set, | the chimney corner upon a string; as for
therefore then they are in their prime ;\ such as are hard, you may dry them any
and it is an easy matter to renew them j where,

yearly. 5. Such roots as are great, will keep

i longer than such as are small ; yet most of
c H A P T E a i v . ; them win keep a year

of Roots. 8< ^ acn roots as are s ft * l * s y ur kest

i way 10 keep them always near the fire, and

1. OF roots, chuse such as are neither ' to take this general rule for it : If in Win-
rotten nor worm-eaten, but proper in their I ler-time you find any of your roots, herbs
taste, colour, and smell; such as exceed i or flowers begin to be moist, as many times
neither in softness nor hardness. |v u sna 'l (f r it is your best way to look to

2. Give me leave to be a little critical \ them once a month) dry them by a verv
against the vulgar received opinion, which gentle fire; or, if you can with convenience
is, That the sap falls down into the roots in Jkeep them near the fire, you may save youi*
the Autumn, and rises again in the Spring, i self the labour

<w men go to bed at night, and rise in thej 7. It is in vain to dry roots that tn:u

202 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

commonly be had, as Parsley, Fennel, j 3. The manner of clarifying it is this :
Plantain, &c. but gather them only for pre-| Put it into a pipkin or skillet, or some sue!
sent need j thing, and set it over the fire ; and when th<

I scum arises, take it off; let it stand over the

j fire till no more scum arise ; when you have

Of Barks. : your juice clarified, cast away the scum as

la thing of no use.

1. BARKS, which physicians use in medi- \ 4. When you have thus clarified it, you
cine, are of these sorts : Of fruits, of roots, j have two ways to preserve it all the year.
of boughs. (!.) When it is cold, put it into a glass,

The barks of fruits are to be taken } anf } pu t so much oil on it as will cover it
when the fruit is full ripe, as Oranges, | to the thickness of two fingers ; the oil will
Lemons, &c. but because I have nothing to \ sw i m at tne top, and so keep the air from
do with exotics here, I pass them without j com ing to purtify it : When you intend to
any more words. | use it, pour it into a porringer, and ifanv

3. The barks of trees are best gathered j O U come out with it, you may easily scum
m the Spring, if of oaks, or such great i t off with a spoon, and put the juice you
trees ; because then they come easier off, j use not into the glass again, it will quickly
and so you may dry them if you please ; j s i n k under the oil. This is the first way. '
but indeed the best way is to gather all ( 2 .) The second way is a little more dit-
barks only for present use. fi cu l t> an d the juice of fruits is usually pre-

4. As for the barks of roots, 'tis thus to j ser ved this way. When you have clarified
be gotten. Take the roots of such herbs as } i t , boil it over the fire, till (being cold) it
have a pith in them, as parsley, fennel, &c. be of the thickness of honey ; This is most
slit them in the middle, and when you have | commonly used for diseases of the mouth,
taken out the pith (which you may easily j an rf j s ca n e d Roba and Saba. And thus
do) that which remains is called (tho' im- j mucn f or the first section, the second follows.
properly) the bark, and indeed is only to be \

used. SECTION II.

CHAPTERVI I ^ e wa y f making and keeping all necessary

Compounds.
Of Juices.

CHAPTER V.

1. J UICES are to be pressed out of herbs ?

when they are young and tender, out of j of distilled Waters.

some stalks and tender lops of herbs and i

plants, and also out of some flowers. 5 HITHERTO we have spoken of medicine!

2. Having gathered the herb, would you | which consist in their own nature, which
preserve the juice of it, when it is very dry | authors vulgarly call Simples, though some-

nil not be worth i times improperly; for in truth, nothing is

(for otherwise the juice will

a button) bruise it very well in a stone mor-

simple but pure elements; all things else

lar with a wooden pestle, then having put;: are compounded of them. We come now
it into a canvas bag, the herb I mean, not t to treat of the artificial medicines, in the
the mortar, for that will give but little juice, j form of which (because we must begin
press it hard in a press, then take the juice j somewhere) we shall place distilled waters
and clarify it. ^in which consider,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 20

1. Waters are distilled of herbs, flowers, { 2. You see at the first view, That this
fruits, and roots. \ aphorism divides itself into three branches,

2. We treat not of strong waters, but of\ which deserve severally to be treated of,
cold, as being to act Galen's part, and not* viz.

Paracelsus's. 1. Syrups made by infusion.

3. The herbs ought to be distilled when \ 2. Syrups made by decoction,
they are in the greatest vigour, and so ought j 3. Syrups made by juice.

the flowers also. j Of each of these, (for your instruction-

4. The vulgar way of distillations which i sake, kind countryman and women) I speak
people use, because they know no better, j a word or two apart.

is in a pewter still ; and although distilled ! 1st, Syrups made by infusion, are usually
watersare the weakest of artificial medicines, j made of flowers, and of such flowers as
and good for little but mixtures of other: soon lose their colour and strength by boil-
medicines, yet they are weaker by ma-ny j ing, as roses, violets, peach flowers, &c.
degrees, than they would be were they dis- j They are thus made : Having picked your
tilled in sand. If I thought it not impos- flowers clean, to every pound of them add
sible, to teach you the way of distilling in j three pounds or three pints, which you will

sand, I would attempt it.

5. When you have distilled your water,
put it into a glass, covered over with a
paper pricked full of holes, so that the ex-
crementitious and fiery vapours may ex-
hale, which cause that settling in distilled

(for it is all one) of spring water, made boil-
ing hot ; first put your flowers into a pew-
ter-pot, with a cover, and pour the water on
them ; then shutting the pot, let it stand by
the fire, to keep hot twelve hours, and
strain it out : (in such syrups as purge) as

waters called the Mother, which corrupt damask roses, peach flowers, &c. the usual,
them, then cover it close, and keep it for { and indeed the best way, is to repeat this
your use. {infusion, adding fresh flowers to the same

6. Stopping distilled waters with a cork, J liquor divers times, that so it may be the
makes them musty, and so does paper, if it? stronger) having strained it out, put the
but touch the water : it is best to stop them { infusion into a pewter bason, of an earthen
with a bladder, being first put in water, and \ one well glazed, and to every pint of it. add
bound over the top of the glass. jtwo pounds of sugar, which being only

Such cold waters as are distilled in a j melted over the fire, without boiling, ano
pewter still (if well kept) will endure a year ; \ scummed, will produce you the syrup you
such as are distilled in sand, as they are j desire.

twice as strong, so they endure twice as! 2dly, Syrups made by decoction are

long. z usually made of compounds, yet may any

en AFTER 11. ? simple herb be thus converted into syrup :

Q/. o jTake the herb, root, or flowers you would

; make into a syrup, and bruise it a little ;

1. A SYRUP is a medicine of a liquid j then boil it in a convenient quantity of
form, composed of infusion, decoction and , spring water ; the more water you boil it
juice. And, 1. For the more grateful taste. ; j n , the weaker it will be ; a handful of the
2. For the better keeping of it: with a cer- j herb or root is a convenient quantity for a
tain quantity of honey or sugar, hereafter \ pint of water, boil it till half the water be
mentioned, boiled to the thickness of new | consumed, then let it stand till it be almost
' lone .V' I cold, and strain it through a woollen cloth,

204 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

letting it run out at leisure : without press- j want help, or such as are in health, and want
ing. To every pint of this decoction add i no money to quench thirst,
one pound of sugar, and boil it over the i 3. Now-a-day it is commonly used-
nre till it come to a syrup, which you may > 1. To prepare the body for purgation,
know, if you now and then cool a little of? 2. To open obstructions and the pores
it with a spoon ; Scum it all the while it! 3. To digest tough humours,
boils, and when it is sufficiently boiled, : 4. To qualify hot distempers, &c. -
whilst it is hot, strain it again through a| 4. Simple Juleps, (for I have nothing to
woollen cloth, but press it not. Thus you i say to compounds here) are thus made;
have the syrup perfected. jTake a pint of such distilled water, as con-

3dly, Syrups made of juice, are usually i duces to the cure of your distemper, which
made of such herbs as are full of juice, and | this treatise will plentifully furnish you
indeed they are better made into a syrup | with, to which add two ounces of syrup,
this way than any other; the operation is j conducing to the same effect; (I shall give
thus : Having beaten the herb in a stone \ you rules for it in the next chapter) mix
mortar, with a wooden pestle, press out the > them together, and drink a draught of it at
juice, and clarify it, as you are taught be- j your pleasure. If you love tart things,
fore in the juices ; then let the juice boil \ add ten drops of oil of vitriol to your pint
away till about a quarter of it be consumed ; ; and shake it together, and it will have a fine
to a pint of this add a pound of sugar, and j grateful taste.

when it is boiled, strain it through a woollen 5 5. All juleps are made for present use;
cloth, as we taught you before, and keep it ; and therefore it is in vain to speak of their
for your use. I duration.

3. If you make a syrup of roots that are j c H A P T E R i v
any thing hard, as parsley, fennel, and grass }

roots, &c. when you have bruised them, j Of Decoctions.

lay them in steep some time in that water j ^ ALL the diffe rence between decoc-
wh.ch you intend to boil them in hot, so wilh ti &nd syrups made . by dec oction, is
the virtue the better come out. j thi Syrup / are F m ade to keep, decoction,

4. Keep your syrups either in glasses or : Qnl ^ * nt use; for * can hardj
stone pots, and stop them not with cork nor keep ft d j coction a week at d f f
bladder, unless you would have the glass ^ the ^^ be h < ha , fso ,

weak, and the syrup lost, only bind paper, 2 Decoctions are made of leaves, roots

I flowers, seeds, fruits or barks, conducing to
. All syrup.s, if well made, continue a j the cufe of the disease make them f or .

year with some advantage ; yet such as are ; are maf]e in the same manner as we shewed
made by mtusion, keep shortest j you in syrups

CHAPTER ii i. 3. Decoctions made with wine last longer

r)f j , than such as are made "with water ; and if

UJ Juleps. y OU ^g y 0ur decoct j on to deanse tin-

1. JULEPS were first invented, as I sup- 1 passages of the urine, or open obstructions,
pose, in Arabia; and my reason is, because! your best way is to make it with white
the word Julep is an Arabic word. ? wine instead of water, because this is pene-

2. It signifies only a pleasant potion, aspirating,
vulgarly used by such as are sick, and: 4-. I)

)ecoctions are of most use in such

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 205

diseases as lie in the passages of the body, 5 fruits or seeds by expression, as oil of sweet
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, passages i and bitter almonds, linseed and rape-seed
of urine and bladder, because decoctions j oil, &c. of which see in my Dispensatory,
pass quicker to those places than any other j 4. Compound oils, are made of oil of

form of medicines.

5. If you will sweeten your decoction
with sugar, or any syrup fit for the occasion
you take it for, which is better, you may,
and no harm.

6. If in a decoction, you boil both roots,

olives, and other simples, imagine herbs,
flowers, roots, &c.

5. The way of making them is this :
Having bruised the herbs or flowers you
would make your oil of, put them into an
earthen pot, and to two or three handfuls of

herbs, flowers, and seed together, let the them pour a pint of oil, cover the pot with
roots boil a good while first, because they \ a paper, set it in the sun about a fortnight
retain their virtue longest ; then the next in \ or so, according as the sun is in hotness ;
order by the same rule, viz. 1. Barks. 2.? then having warmed it very well by the fire,
The herbs. 3. The seeds. 4. The flowers. : press out the herb, &c. very hard in a press,
5. The spices, if you put any in, because \ and add as many more herbs to the same
their virtues come soonest out. i oil; bruise the herbs (I mean not the oil) in

7- Such things as by boiling cause j like manner, set them in the sun as before ;
sliminess to a decoction, as figs, quince- j the oftener you repeat this, thestronger your
seed, linseed, &c. your best way is, after | oil will be ; At last when you conceive it
you have bruised them, to tie them up in a j strong enough, boil both herbs and oil
linen rag, as you tie up calf s brains, and so j together, till the juice be consumed, which
boil them. j you may know by its bubbling, and the

8. Keep all decoctions in a glass close j herbs will be crisp ; then strain it while it
stopped, and in the cooler place you keep j is hot, and keep it in a stone or glass vessel
them, the longer they will last ere they be 5 for your use.
sour. 6. As for chymical oils, I have nothing to

Lastly, The usual dose to be given at one I say here.

time, is usually two, three, four, or fivei 7. The general use of these oils, is for
ounces, according to the age and strength | pains in the limbs, roughness of the skin,
of the patient, the season of the year, the j the itch, &c. as also for ointments and
strength of the medicine, and the quality of; plaisters.

the disease. j 8. If you have occasion to use it for

; wounds or ulcers, in two ounces of oil,

\ dissolve half an ounce of turpentine, the

Of Oils. \ heat of the fire will quickly do it ; for oil

1. OIL Olive, which is commonly known j itself is ^ ens . ive to wounds ' and the tur P en -
by the name of Sallad Oil, I suppose, be- tlne C l uahfies lL

cause it is usually eaten with sallads by: CHAPTER vi.

them that love it, if it be pressed out of j

ripe olives, according to Galen, istempe-i Of Electuaries.

rate, and exceeds in no one quality. PHYSICIANS make more a quoil than

2. Of oils, some are simple, and some are j needs by half, about electuaries. I shall
compound. | prescribe but one general way of makin

3 Simple oils, are such as are made of -them up; as for ingredients, you may

200 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

hem as you please, and as you find occa-| 2. Conserves of herbs and flowers,
Mon, by the last chapter. {thus made: if you make your conserves 01

1. That you may make electuaries when \ herbs, as of scurvy-grass, wormwood, rue,
you need them, it is requisite that you keep ; and the like, take only the leaves and ten-
always herbs, roots, flowers, seeds, &c. j der tops (for you may beat your heart out
ready dried in your house, that so you may j before you can beat the stalks small) and
be. in a readiness to beat them into powder? having beaten them, weigh them, and to
when you need them. | every pound of them add three pounds of

2. It is better to keep them whole than j sugar, you cannot beat them too much,
beaten; for being beaten, they are morej 3. Conserves of fruits, as of barberries,
subject to lose their strength ; because the j sloes and the like, is thus made: First,
air soon penetrates them. { Scald the fruit, then rub the pulp through

3. If they be not dry ei.ough to beat into ! a thick hair sieve made for the purpose,
powder when you need them, dry them by \ called a pulping sieve ; you may do it for
a gentle fire till they are so. i a need with the back of a spoon : then take

4. Having beaten them, sift them through : this pulp thus drawn, and add to it its
a fine tiffany scarce, that no great pieces j weight of sugar, and no more; put it into
may be found in you electuary. ja pewter vessel, and over a charcoal fire;

5. To one ounce of your powder add j stir it up and down till the sugar be melted,
three ounces of clarified honey ; this quan- ; ; and your conserve is made.

tity I hold to be sufficient. If you would i 4. Thus you have the way of making
make more or less electuary, vary your pro- : conserves ; the way of keeping them is in
portion accordingly. i earthen pots.

6. Mix them well together in a mortar, > 5. The dose is usually the quantity of a
and take this for a truth, you cannot mix j nutmeg at a time morning and evening,
them too much. j or (unless they are purging) when you

7. The way to clarify honey, is to set it
over the fire in a convenient vessel, till the
scum risej and when the scum is taken off,

please.

6. Of conserves, some keep many years,
as conserves of roses : other but a year, as

it is clarified. j conserves of Borage, Bugloss, Cowslips and

8. The usual dose of cordial electuaries, i the like.

is from half a dram to two drams; of purg-| 7. Have a care of the working of some
ing electuaries, from half an ounce to an j conserves presently after they are made;
ounce. | look to them once a day, and stir them

p. The manner of keeping them is in a | about conserves of Borage, Bugloss,

pot

10. The time of taking them, is either in

Wormwood, have got an excellent faculty
at that sport.

a morning fasting, and fasting an hour after 5 8. You may know when your conserves
them ; or at night going to bed, three or four ; are almost spoiled by this ; you shall find
hours after supper. !a hard crust at top with little holes in it,

CHAPTER vn. l as though worms had been eating there.

Of Conserves. CHAPTER viii

1. The way of making conserves is two- i QJ- Present*.

fold, one of herbs and flowers, and the other |
of fruits ! OF Preserves arc sundry sorts, and the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 207

operation of all being somewhat different, j you cut it into it, and let it remain until

we. will handle them all apart. These are j you have occasion to use it.

preserved with sugar ; 3. Roots are thus preserved ; First, Scrape

1. Flowers. 3. Roots. i them very clean, and cleanse them frdm the

2. Fruits. 4. Barks. I pith, if they have any, for some roots have
1. Flowers are very seldom preserved ;; not, as Eringo and the like; Boil them in

1 never saw any that I remember, save: water till they be soft, as we shewed you
only cowslip flowers, and that was a great * before in the fruits ; then boil the water you
fashion in Sussex when I was a boy. It is j boiled the root in into a syrup, as we shewed
thus done, Take a flat glass, we call them * you before ; then keep the root whole in the
jat glasses ; strew on a laying of fine sugar, * syrup till you use them,
on that a laying of flowers, and on that t 4. As for barks, we have but few come
another laying of sugar, on that another ; to our hands to be done, and of those the
laying of flowers, so do till your glass be | few that I can remember, are, oranges,
full ; then tie it over with a paper, and in {lemons, citrons, and the outer bark of wal-
a little time, you shall have very excellent j nuts, which grow without side the shell,
and pleasant preserves. jfor the shells themselves would make but

There is another way of preserving | scurvy preserves ; these be they I can re-
flowers ; namely, with vinegar and salt, { member, if there beany more put them
as they pickle capers and broom-buds ; but? into the number.

as I have little skill in it myself, I cannot
teach you.

2 Fruits, as quinces, and the like, are
preserved two ways ;

(1.) Boil them well in water, and then

The way of preserving these, is not all
one in authors, for some aie bitter, some are
hot; such as are bitter, say authors, must
be soaked in warm water, oftentimes chang-
ing till their bitter taste be fled ; But I like

pulp them through a sieve, as we shewed not this way and my reason is this ; Because
you before; then with the like quantity of j I doubt when their bitterness is gone, so is
sugar, boil the water they were boiled in! their virtue also ; I shall then prescribe one
into a syrup, viz. a pound of sugar to a pint {common way, namely, the same with the

of liquor ; to every pound of this syrup,
add four ounces of the pulp ; then boil it

former, viz. First, boll them whole till they
be soft, then make a syrup with sugar and

with a very gentle fire to their right con- (the liquor you boil them in, and keep the
sistence, which you may easily know if you i barks in the syrup.

drop a drop of it upon a trencher ; if iti 5. They are kept in glasses or in glaz'd pots.
l>e enough, it will not stick to your fingers! 6. The preserved flowers will keep a year,
when it is cold. 1 if you can forbear eating of them ; the

(2.) Another way to preserve fruits is! roots and barks much longer,
this; First, Pare off the rind; then cut: 7- This art was plainly and first invented

them in halves, and take out the core: then
noil them in water till they are soft ; if you
Know when beef is boiled enough, you may
easily know when they are ; Then boil the
water with its like weight of sugar into a

for delicacy, yet came afterwards to be of
excellent use in physic ; For,

(1.) Hereby medicines are made pleasant
for sick and squeamish stomachs, which
else would loath them.

\vrup; put the syrup into a pot, and put j (2.) Hereby they are preserved from de-
ihe boiled fruit as whole as you left it when 'caying a long time

3 K

208 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

CHAPTER IX.

Of Lohocks.

1. THAT which the Arabians call Lo-
hocks, and the Greeks Eclegma, the Latins>
ca/1 Linctus, and in plain English signifies
nothing else but a thing to be licked up.

2. They are in body thicker than

mean, not the mortar,) cover it with a
paper and set it either in the sun, or some
other warm place ; three, four, or five days,
that it may melt ; then take it out and boil
it a little ; then whilst it is hot, strain it oui,
pressing it out very hard in a press : to this
grease add as many more herbs bruised as
before ; let them stand in like manner as
long, then boil them as you did the former;

syrup, and not so thick as an electuary. \ If you think your ointment is not strong

3. The manner of taking them is, often to : enough, you may do it the third and fourth
take a little with a liquorice stick, and let it j time yet this I will tell you, the fuller of
go down at leisure. !j mce * ne herbs are, the sooner will your

4. They are easily thus made; Make \ ointment be strong; the last time you boil
a decoction of pectoral herbs, and thetrea-jit, boil it so long till your herbs be crisp,
tise will furnish you with enough, and when j and the juice consumed, then strain it
you have strained it, with twice its weight * pressing it hard in a press, and to every
of honey or sugar, boil it to a lohock ; if j pound of ointment add two ounces of tur-
you are molested with much phlegm, honey { pentine, and as much wax, because grease
is better than sugar ; and if you add a little; is offensive to wounds, as well as oil.
vinegar to it, you will do well ; if not, I hold | 2. Ointments are vulgarly known to be
sugar to be better than honey. j kept in pots, and will last above a year,

5. It is kept in pots, and may be kept a j some above two years,
year and longer.

6. It is excellent for roughness of the j

wind-pipe, inflammations and ulcers of the j Qf Piaisters.

lungs,difficulty of breathing,asthmas,coughs, \

and distillation of humours. .1- THE Greeks made their plaisters of

| divers simples, and put metals into the most
en AFTER x I o f them, if not all ; for having reduced their

/\f /-v , 1 metals into powder, they mixed them with

Of Ointments, rv. , J

\ that ratty substance whereof the rest or the

I. VARIOUS are the ways of making! plaisler consisted, whilst it was thus hot,
ointments, which authors have left to pos-j continually stirring it up and down, lest it
terity, which I shall omit, and quote one > should sink to the bottom; so they con-
which is easiest to be made, and therefore j tinually stirred it till it was stiff; then they
most beneficial to people that are ignorant | made it up in rolls, which when they needed

in physic, for whose sake I write this. It is
thus done.

Bruise those herbs, flowers, or roots, you

for use, they could melt by the fire again.

2. The Arabians made up theirs with
oil and fat, which needed not so long

1J1 UJOV mv^uv*. UVI -/^j 11\/ V^l Oj \fl 1 VJW L.TJ J \f*M \Jll dll VI

will make an ointment of, and to two hand-} boiling,
fuls of your bruised herbs add a pound ofl 3. The Greeks emplaisters consisted of
hog's grease dried, or cleansed from the; these ingredients, metals, stones, divers
skins, beat them very well together in assorts of earth, feces, juices, liquors, seeds,
stone mortar with a wooden pestle, then putf roots, herbs, excrements of creatures, wax,
it into a stone pot, (the herb and grease I 1 rosin, gums.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 209

! stomach is never cold till a man be dead ;
in such a case, it is better to carry troches

Of Poultices.
1. POULTICES are those kind of things

of wormwood, or galangal, in a paper in
his pocket, than to lay a gallipot along with

him.
which the Latin; .call Cataplasmata :, and our \ 4 Th are madethus; At ni ht when

learned fellows, thatif they can read English, | ^ M take two dramg rf ^

thats all call them Cataplasms because ( * anth . t it int o a gallipot, and put
tis a crabbed word few understand; it is in- , f . j; ot :/L.

deed a very fine kind of medicine to ripen

sores.

2, They are made of herbs and roots,
fitted for the disease, and members afflicted,

half a quarter of a pint of any distilled
water fitting for the purpose you would
make your troches for to cover it, and the
next morning you shall find it in such a

jelly as the physicians call mucilage ; With
being chopped small, and boiled m water j [^ m P a / (with a little pa 8 taken)

almost to a jelly ; then by adding a htt e I mak / a ow / er \ nto a t ^ that '
barley meai or meal of lupins and a httle| into ^ ca]]ed troch ^ s
oil, or rough sweet suet, which I hold to be| 5 Havi made th d them in the
better, spread upon a cloth and apply to | shad and \ them in for your
the grieved places. \

3. Their use is to ease pain, to break 5

sores, to cool inflammations, to dissolve j CHAPTJBRXIV.

hardness, to ease the spleen, to concoct > r\f p:ji s

fiumours, and dissipate swellings.

4. I beseech you take this caution along \ 1- THEY are called Pilula, because they
with you; Use no poultices (if you can | resemble little balls ; the Greeks call them
help it) that are of an healing nature, before j Catapotia.

vou have first cleansed the body, because \ 2. It is the opinion of modern physicians,
ihey are subject to draw the humours to that this way of making medicines, was

** 11 1*1 11

them from every part of the body.

invented only to deceive the palate, that

CHAPTER XIII.

so by swallowing them down whole, the
\ bitterness of the medicine might not be

Of Troches \ P erce i ve( ^ or at ^ east ' l might not be unsuf-

| ferable : and indeed most of their pills,

1. THE Latins call them Placentula, or {though not all, are very bitter.

little cakes, and the Greeks Prochikois,\ 3. I am of a clean contrary opinion to
Kukliscoi) and Arliscoi ; they are usually j this. I rather think they were done up in
little round flat cakes, or you may make] this hard form, that so they might be the
them square if you will. j longer in digesting; and my opinion is

2. Their first invention was, that powders j grounded upon reason too, not upon fancy
being so kept might resist the intermission : or hearsay. The first invention of pills was
of air, and so endure pure the longer. -to purge the head, now, as I told you

3. Besides, they are easier carried in the \ before, such infirmities as lie near the pas-
pockets of such as travel ; as many a man sages were best removed by decoctions,
(for example) is forced to travel whose j because they pass to the grieved par*
8ionmch is too cold, or at least not so hot as | soonest ; so here, if the infirmity lies in the
ii should be, which is most proper, for the i head, or any other remote part, the best w&y

210 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

is to use pills, because they are longer in j 1. With the disease, regard the cause,
digestion, and therefore the better able to land the part of the body afflicted; for
call the offending humour to them. ; example, suppose a woman be subject to

4 If 1 should tell you here a long tale of! miscarry, through wind, thus do ;
medicine working by sympathy and anti-j (1.) Look Abortion in the table of dis-
pathy, you would not understand a word of leases, and you shall DC directed by that,
it : They that are set to make physicians | how many herbs prevent miscarriage,
may find it in the treatise. All modern j (2.) Look Wind in the same table, and
physicians know not what belongs to a I you shall see how many of these herbs ey
sympalhetical cure, no more than a cuckow pel wind.

what belongs to flats and sharps in music, These are the herbs medicinal for youi
but follow the vulgar road, and call it a j grief,
hidden quality, because 'tis hidden from the | 2. In all diseases strengthen the part of

eyes of dunces, and indeed none but astro-
logers can give a reason for it ; and physic
without reason is like a pudding without

lat.

6. The way to make pills is very easy,
for with the help of a pestle and mortar,

the body afflicted.

3. In mix'd diseases there lies some dif-
ficulty, for sometimes two parts of the body
are afflicted with contrary humours, as
sometimes the liver is afflicted with choler
and water, as when a man hath both the

and a little diligence, you may make any > dropsy and the yellow-jaundice ; and this

powder into piils, either with syrup, or thesis usually mortal.

jelly I told you before. \ In the former, Suppose the brain be too

* cool and moist, and the liver be too hot and

C-IIArlJ^ivAV. \

.. Ulry ; thus do ;

The way of mumg Medicines according to\ L K head outward i y W arm.

the Came of the Disease, and Parts of the j 2 Accustom yourself to the smell of hot
Body afflicted | herbs>

THIS being indeed the key of the work, j 3. Take a pill that heats the head at night
I shall be somewhat the more diligent in {going to bed.
it. I shall deliver myself thus ; \ 4. In the morning take a decoction that

1. To the Vulgar. I cools the liver, for that quickly passes the

2. To such as study Astrology; or such j stomach, and is at the liver immediately,
as study physic astrologically. \ You must not think, courteous people,

1st, To the Vulgar. Kind souls, I am I that I can spend time to give you examples
sorry it hath been your hard mishap to have j of all diseases ; These are enough to let you
been so long trained in such Egyptian dark- {see so much light as you without art are
ness which to your sorrow may be fell ;\ able to receive; If I should set you to look
The vulgar road of physic is not my prac-latthe sun, I should dazzle your eyes, and
tice, and I am therefore the more unfit to 5 make you blind.

give you advice. I have now published j 2dly, To such as study Astrology, (who
a little book, (GakrisArt of Physic,) which tare the only men I know that are fit to
will fully instruct you, not only in the I study physic, physic without astrology being
knowledge of your own bodies, but also in hike a lamp without oil : you are the men
Ot medicines to remedy each part of it i I exceedingly respect, and such documents
when afflicted ; in the mean season take | as my brain can give you at present (being

* absent from my study) I shall give you.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 211

L Fortify the body with herbs of the: 5. If this cannot well be, make use of the
nature of the Lord of the Ascendant, 'tis no : medicines of the Light of Time
matter whether he be a Fortune or Infortune | 6. Be sure always to fortify the grieved
in this case. i part of the body by sympathetical remedies.

2. Let your medicine be something anti-j 7- Regard the heart, keep that upon the
pathetical to the Lord of the sixth. j wheels, because the Sun is the foundation of

3. Let your medicine be something of \ life, and therefore those universal remedies,
the nature of the sign ascending. \Aurum Potabile, and the Philosopher's

4. If the Lord of the Tenth be strong, j Stone, cure all diseases by fortifying the
make use of his medicines. j heart.

THE

ENGLISH PHYSICIAN

AND

FAMILY DIPENSATORY.

AN ASTROLOGO-PIIYSICAL DISCOURSE OF THE HUMAN VIRTUES IN
THE BODY OF MAN; BOTH PRINCIPAL AND ADMINISTERING.

HUMAN virtues are either PRINCIPAL! TH ? sc P e f this d j 8C ? urse is,To pre-
fer procreation, and conservation; or AD J serve in soundness and vigour, the mind
nrNisxRiNG, for Attraction, p-^ and underetandiog ^ mra ; to stren^en
Retention, or Expulsion. 5 the brain ' preserve the body in health, to

; teach a man to be an able co-artificer, or

Virtues conservative, are Vital, Natural, ! helper of nature, to withstand and expel
and Animal. i Diseases.

By the natural are bred Blood, Choler,
Flegm, and Melancholy.
The animal virtue is Intellective, and Sen-

I shall touch only the principal faculties
both of body and mind ; which being kept
in a due decorum, preserve the body in

sitivr. I health, and the mind in vigour.

The Intellective is Imagination, Judgment, I I shall in this place speak of them only

and Memory. jin the general, as they are laid down to

The sensitive is Common, and Particular. your view in the Synopsis, in the former
The particular is Seeing, Hearing, Smell-' pages, and in the same order.

ing, Tasting, and Feeling. Virtue Procreatme ] The first in order, is

3 i

212 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

the Virtue Procreative : for natural regards > Choler is made of meat more than per-
nol only the conservation of itself, butto|fectly concocted; and it is the spume or
beget its like, and conserve in Species. \ frotli of blood : it clarifies all the humours,

The seat of this is the Member of Gene- i heats the body, nourishes the apprehension,
ration, and is governed principally by the j as blood doth the judgment: It is in quality
influence of Venus. {hot and dry; fortifies the attractive faculty,

It is augmented and encreased by the \ as blood doth the digestive ; moves man to
strength of Venus, by her Herbs, Roots, j activity and valour: its receptacle is the
Trees, Minerals, &c. jg a M> anQl ^ ls under the influence of Mar*.

It is diminished and purged by those of \ Flegm is made of meat not perfectly di-
Mars, and quite extinguished by those of; gested; it fortifiesthe virtue expulsive, makes
Saturn. i the body slippery, fit for ejection ; it fortifies

Obser ve the hour and Medicines of Venus, \ the brain by its consimilitude with it ; ye*
to fortify; of Mars, to cleanse this virtue;; it spoils apprehension by its antipathy toil:
of Saturn, to extinguish it. [It qualifies choler, cools and moistens the

Conservative.'] The conservative virtue is j heart, thereby sustaining it, and the whole
Vital, Natural, Animal. j body, from the fiery effects, which continual

Vital.'] The Vital spirit hath its residence j motion would produce. Its receptacle is
in the heart, and is dispersed from it by the j the lungs, and is governed by Venus, some
Arteries ; and is governed by the influence say by the Moon, perhaps it may be go-
of the Sun. And it is to the body, as the | verned by them both, it is cold and moist in
Sun is to the Creation ; as the heart is in i quality.

the Microcosm, so is the Sun in the Mega- \ Melancholy is the sediment of blood, cold
cosm: for as the Sun gives life, light, and j and dry in quality, fortifying the retentive
motion to the Creation, so doth the heart to 5 faculty, and memory; makes men sobei,
the body; therefore it is called Sol Corporis, j solid, and staid, fit for stud} 7 ; stays the un-
as the Sun is called CorCodi, because their! bridled toys of lustful blood, stays the wan-
operations are similar. : dering thoughts, and reduces them home to

Inimical and destructive to this virtue, ! the centre : its receptacle is in the spleen,
are Saturn and Mars. . and it is governed by Saturn.

The Herbs and Plants of Sol, wonderfully : Of all these humours blood is the chief,
fortify it. jail the rest are superfluities of blood ; yet

Natural.^ The natural faculty or virtue! are they necessary superfluities, for without
resides in the liver,and is generally governed > any of them, man cannot live.
by Jupiter, Quasi Juvans Pater ; its office is Namely; Choler is the fiery superfluities,
to nourish the body, and is dispersed through i Flegm, the Watery; Melancholy, the
the body by the veins. j Earthly.

From this are bred, four particular j Animal.'] The third principal virtue re-
humours, Blood, Choler, Flegm, and Melon- j mains, which is Animal ; its residence is in
choly. \ the brain, and Mercury is the general sig-

Blood is made of meat perfectly con-: nificator of it. Ptolomi/ held the Moon sig-
cocted, in quality hot and moist, governed \ nified the Animal virtue; and I am or
by Jupiter: It is by a third concoction ; opinion, both Mercury and the Moon dis-
transmuted into flesh, the superfluity of it: pose it; and my reason is, 1, Because both
into seed, and its receptacle is the veins, by j oftheminnativities,eitherfortify,orimpedite
which it is dispersed through the body. * it. 2, 111 directions to either, or froiii eithe

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 218

afflict it, as good ones help it. Indeed the
Moon rules the bulk of it, as also the sensi-
tive part of it : Mercury the rational part :

So that it is one of the surest rules to
know a man's own complexion, by hia
dreams, I mean a n an void of distractions,

and that's the reason, if in a nativity the j or deep studies : (this most assuredly shews
Moon be stronger than Mercury, sense many \ Mercury to dispose of the Imagination, as
times over-powers reason; but if Mercury \ also because it is mutable, applying itself to
be strong, and the Moon weak, reason will j any object, as Mercury's nature is to do;) for
be master ordinarily in despite of sense. j then the imagination will follow its old bent;

It is divided into Intellective, and Sen- j for if a man be bent upon a business, his
sitive. : apprehension will work as much when he is

1. Intellective.'] The Intellectual resides j asleep, and find out as many truths by study,
in the brain, within the Pia mater, is govern- | as when the man is awake; and perhaps
ed generally by Mercury. \ more too, because then it is not hindered

It is divided into Imagination, Judgment, j by ocular objects,
and Memory. And thus much for imagination, which is

Imagination is seated in the forepart of
the brain ; it is hot and dry in quality,

governed by Mercury, and fortified by his
influence ; and is also strong or weak in

quick, active, always working ; it receives \ man, according as Mercury is strong or
vapours from the heart, and coins them into i weak in the nativity.

thoughts : it never sleeps, but always is

Judgment is seated in the midst of th

working, both when the man is sleeping and i! brain, to shew that it ought to bear rule ovei
waking; only when Judgment is awake it jail the other faculties: it is the judge of the
regulates the Imagination, which runs at { little world, to approve of what is good,
random when Judgment is asleep, and forms | and reject what is bad; it is the seat of
any thought according to the nature of the j reason, and the guide of actions; so that all
vapour sent up to it. Mercury is out of; failings are committed through its infirmity,
question the disposer of it. j it not rightly judging between a real and

A man may easily perceive his Judg-jan apparent good. It is hot and moist
ment asleep before himself many times, and Jin quality, and under the influence of
then he shall perceive his thoughts run all Jupiter.

Memory is seated in the hinder cell of the
brain, it is the great register to the little

random.

Judgment always sleeps when men do, i

Imagination never sleeps; Memory some- j world ; and its office is to record things
times sleeps when men sleep, and sometimes j either done and past, or to be done,
it doth not: so then when memory is awake, i It is in quality cold and dry, melancholic,
and the man asleep, then memory remem- 1 and therefore generally melancholic men
bers what apprehension coins, and that is a i have best memories, and most cenacious
dream: The thoughts would have been the! every way. It is under the dominion of
same, if memory had not been awake to re-i Saturn, and is fortified by his influence, but
member it. | purged by the luminaries.

These thoughts are commonly (I mean in | 2. Sensitive.'] The second part of the ani-
sleep, when they are purely natural,) framed 1 mal virtue, is sensitive, and it is divided into
according to the nature of the humour, t two parts, common and particular,
called complexion, which is predominate in j Common sense is an imaginary term,
the body; and if the humour be peccant it j and that which gives virtue to all the par-

jticular senses, and knits and unites them

214 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

together within the Pia Mater. It is regu- j It is under the dominion of Venus, some say.
lated by Mercury, (perhaps this is one rea- 1 Mercury : A thousand to one, but it is
son why men are so fickle-headed) and its I under Mercury.

office is to preserve a harmony among the

Ine tour ADMINISTERING VIRTUES are*

scllsea. . , , .

Particular senses are five, mz. seeing,\ attract > digestive, retentive, and expulsive^
hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling. The attractive virtue is hot and dry, hot

These senses are united in one, in the j by quality, active, or principal, and that
brain, by the common sense, but are ope- 1 appears because the fountain of all heat is
ralively distinguished into their several : attractive, viz. the sun. Dry by a quality
seats, and places of residence. i passive, or an effect of its heat ; its office

The sight resides in the eyes, and par- j is to remain in the body, and call for what
ticularly in the christaline humour. It is ; nature wants.

in quality cold and moist, and governed by j It is under the influence of the Sun, say
the luminaries. They who have them weak | authors, and not under Mars, because he ij
in their genesis, have always weak sights;! of a corrupting nature, yet if we cast an
if one of them be so, the weakness pos- i impartial eye upon experience, we shall
sesses but one eye. \ find, that martial men call for meat none of

The hearing resides in the ears; is in j the least, and for drink the most of all other
quality, cold and dry, melancholy, and { men, although many times they corrupt the
under the dominion of Saturn. \ body by it, and therefore I see no reason

The smelling resides in the nose, is in j why Mars being of the same quality with
quality hot and dry, choleric, and that is \ the Sun, should not have a share in the
the reason choleric creatures have so good j dominion. It is in vain to object, that the
smells, as dogs. It is under the influence j influence of Mars is evil, and therefore he
of Mars. \ should have no dominion over this virtue ;

The taste resides in the palate, which is i for then,

placed at the root of the tongue on pur pose j 1. By the same rule, he should have no
to discern what food is congruous for the {dominion at all in the body of man.
stomach, and what not ; as the meseraik I 2. All the virtues in man are naturally
veins are placed to discern what nourish- $ evil, and corrupted by Adam's fall,
inent is proper for the liver to convert into: This attractive virtue ought to be forti-
blood. In some very few men, and butlfied when the Moon is in fiery signs, viz.
a few, and in those few, but in few instances : Aries and Sagitary, but not in Leo, for the
these two tasters agree not, and that is the i sign is so violent, that no physic ought to
reason some men covet meats that make j be given when the Moon is there : (and
them sick, viz. the taste craves them, and I why not Leo, seeing that is the most attrac-
the meseraik veins reject them : In quality : live sign of all ; and that's the reason such
hot and moist, and is ruled by Jupiter. jas have it ascending in their genesis, are

The feeling is deputed to no particular \ such greedy eaters.) If you connot stay till
jrgan, but is spread abroad, over the whole! the Moon be in one of them, let one of them
body ; is of all qualities, hot, cold, dry, and {ascend when you administer the medicine,
moist, and is the index of all tangible' The digestive virtue is hot and moist, and
things; for if it were only hot alone, it? is the principal of them all, the other like
could not feel a quality contrary, viz. cold, 'handmaids attend it.
and this might be spoken of other qualities. J The attractive virtue draws that whi

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 215

should digest, and serves continually to feed Although I did what I could throughout
and supply it. \the whole book to express myself in such a

The retentive virtue, retains the substance ; language as might be understood by a//, and
with it, till it be perfectly digested. \therefore avoided terms of art as much as

The expulsive virtue casteth out, expels \mightbe, Yet, 1. Some words of necessity fall
what is superfluous by digestion. It is \ in which need explanation. 2. It would be
under the influence of Jupiter, and fortified : very tedious at the end of every receipt to repeat
by his herbs and plants, #c. In fortifying jooer and over again, the way of administration
it. let your Moon be in Gemini, Aquary, or \ofthe receipt, or ordering your bodies after zY,
the first half of Libra, or if matters be come : or to instruct you in the mixture of medicines,

to that extremity, that you cannot stay till
that time, let one of them ascend, but both

and indeed would do nothing else but stuff the
book full of tautology.

of them together would do better, always \ To answer to both these is my task at this

provided that the Moon be not in the as- j time.

cendent. I cannot believe the Moon afflicts j To the first : The words which need eX'

the ascendent so much as they talk of, if \plaining, such as are obvious to my eye, are

she be well dignified, and in a sign she : these, thatfollaw.

delights in. 1. To distil in Balno Mariae, is the usual

The retentive virtue is in quality cold and \way of distilling in water. It is no more than
dry ; cold, because the nature of cold is to i to place your glass body which holds the matter
compress, witness the ice ; dry, because the ; to be distilled in a covenient vessel of water,
nature of dry ness, is to keep and hold whatl^en the water is cold (for fear of breaking)
is compressed. It is under the influence of \put a wisp of straw, or the like under is, to keep
Saturn, and that is the reason why usually I it from the bottom, then make the water boil t
Saturnine men are so covetous and tenaci- ! that so the spirit may be distilled forth ; take
ous. In fortifying of it, make use of the I not the glass out till the water be cold again,
herbs and plants, &c. of Saturn, and let the Ifor fear of breaking r It is impossible for a
Moon be inTaz/rusor Virgo, Capricorn is not | man to learn how to do it, unless he saw it
so good, say authors, (I can give no reason I done.

for that neither ;) let not Saturn nor his ill i 2. Monica Hippocrates, Hi ppocrales's
aspect molest the ascendent. j sleeve, is a piece of woolen cloth, new and

The expulsive faculty is cold and moist; j while, sewed together in form of a sugar-loaf,
cold because that compasses the super- > Its use is, to strain any syrup or decoction
fluities ; rnoist, because that makes the body i through, by pouring it into it, and suffering
slippery and fit for ejection, and disposes it j it to run through without pressing or crush-
to it. It is under the dominion of Luna, jing it.
with whom you may join Yerus, because \ 3. Calcination, is a burning of a thing in

she is of the same nature.

Also in whatsoever is before written, of

a crucible or other such convenient vessel
that will endure the fire. A crucible is such

.he nature of the planets, take notice, that j a thing as goldsmiths melt silver in, and
fixed stars of the same nature, work the! founders metals ; you may place it in the
same effect. : midst of the fire, with coals above, below,

In fortifying this, (which ought to be j and on every side of it.

done in all purgations,) let the Moon be in I 4. Filtrition, is straining of a liquid body
Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, or let one of these | through a brown paper : make up the paper
sicrs ascend. \ in form of a funnel, the which having placed

216 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

in a funnel, and the funnel and the paper! so medicines might be more delightful, or at
in it in an empty glass, pour in the liquor; least less burdensome. You may make the
you would filter, and let it run through at its ; mixtures of them in what form you please,
leisure. I only for your better instruction at present,

5. Coagulation, is curdling or hardening : i accept of these few lines.

it is used in physic for reducing a liquid j 1. Consider, that all diseases are cured by
body to hardness by the heat of the fire. \ their contraries, but all parts of the body

6. Whereas you find vital, natural, and j maintained by their likes: then if heat be
animal spirits often mentioned in the virtues \ the cause of the disease, give the cold medi-
or receipts, I shall explain what they be, j cine appropriated to it; if wind, see how
and what their operation is in the body of! many medicines appropriated to that disease
man. j ex pel wind, and use them.

The actions or operations of the animal 2. Have a care you use not such medi-
virtues, are, 1. sensitive, 2. motive. seines to one part of your body which are

The sensitive is, 1. external) 2. internal, {appropriated to another, for if your brain
The external senses are, 1, seeing, 2. hear-] be over heated, and you use such medicines
ing, 3. tasting, 4. smelling, 5. feeling. )as cool the heart or liver, you may make

The internal senses are, I. the Imagination,
to apprehend a thing. 2. Judgment, to judge

bad work.

3. The distilled water of any herb you

of it. 3. Memory, to remember it. * would take for a disease, is a fit mixture

The seat of all these is in the brain. 5 for the syrup of the same herb, or to make

The vital spirits proceed from the heart, ? any electuary into a drink, if you affect
and cause in man mirth, joy, hope, trust, j such liquid medicines best ; if you have not
humanity, mildness, courage, fyc. and their j the distilled water, make use of the decoc-
opposite : viz. sadness, fear, care, sorrow, \ tion.

despair, envy, hatred, stubbornness, revenge, fyc. \ 4. Diseases that lie in the parts of the
by heat natural or not natural. j body remote from the stomach and bowels,

The natural spirit nourishes the body \ it is in vain to think to carry away the cause
throughout (as the vital quickens it, and the j at once, and therefore you had best do it by
animal gives it sense and motion) its office \ degrees; pills,and such like medicines which
is to alter or concoct food into chile, chile are hard in the body, are fittest for such a
into blood, blood into flesh, to form, engen- 1 business, because they are longest before
der, nourish, and increase the body. j they digest.

7- Infusion, is to steep a gross body into! 5. Use no strong medicines, if weak will
one more liquid. I serve the turn, you had better take one too

8. Decoction, is the liquor in which any ; weak by half, than too strong in the least,
thing is boiled. 6. Consider the natural temper of the part

As for the manner of using or ordering; of the body afflicted, and maintain it in that,
the body after any sweating, or purging else you extinguish nature, as the heart is
medicines, or pills, or the like, they will be j hot, the brain cold, or at least the coldest
found in different parts of the work, as also j part of the body.
in the next page. 7- Observe this general rule; That such

The different forms of making up medi-j medicines as arc hot in the first degree are
cines, as some into syrups, others into elec- j most habitual to our bodies, because they
luaries, pills, troches, &c. was partly to j are just of the heat of our blood,
please the diiferent palates of people, that ! 8. All opening medicines, and such as

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 2)7

provoke urine or the menses, or break the j electuaries, as also all pills that have neither
stone, may most conveniently be given in i Diagrydium nor Colocynthus, in them. But
white wine, because white wine of itself is 1 all violent purges require a due ordering of
of an opening nature, and cleanses the \ the body ; such ought to be taken in ihe
reins. I morning after you are up, and not to sleep

9. Let all such medicines as are taken j after them before they are done working, at
to stop fluxes or looseness, be taken before} least before night: two hours after you have
meat, about an hour before, more or less, j taken them, drink a draught of warm posset,
that so they may strengthen the digestion \ drink, or broth, and six hours after eat
and retentive faculty, before the food come j bit of mutton, often walking about the
into the stomach, but such as are subject to 5 chamber ; let there be a good fire in the
vomit up their meat, let them take such \ chamber, and stir not out of the chamber
medicines as stay vomiting presently after I till the purge have done working, or not till
meat, at the conclusion of their meals, that i next day.

so they may close up the mouth of the

Lastly, Take sweating medicines when

stomach ; and that is the reason why usually * you are in bed, covered warm, and in the
men eat a bit of cheese after meat, because j time of your sweating drink posset-drink as
by its sourness and binding it closes the j hot as you can. If you sweat for a fever, boil
mouth of the stomach, thereby staying i sorrel and red sage in your posset-drink,
belching and vomiting. I sweat an hour or longer if your strength will

10. In taking purges be very careful, and j permit, then (the chamber being kept very
that you may be so, observe these rules. \ warm) shift yourself all but your head, about

(1.) Consider what the humour offending \ which (the cap which you sweat in being
is, and let the medicine be such as purges j still kept on) wrap a napkin very hot, to
that humour, else you will weaken nature, > repel the vapours back,
not the disease. I confess these, or many of these direc-

(2.) Take notice, if the humour you would | tions may be found in one place of the
purge out be thin, then gentle medicines will \ book or other, and I delight as little to write
serve the turn, but if it be tough and viscous, > tautology as another, but considering it
then such medicines as are cutting and i might make for the public good, I inserted
opening, the night before you Avould take j them in this place : if, notwithstanding, any
the purge. i will be so mad as to do themselves a mis-

(3.) In purging tough humours, forbear as i chief, the fault is not mine
much as may be such medicines as leave aj
binding quality behind them.

(4.) Have a care of taking purges when j

your body is astringent ; your best way, is': ROOTS,

first to open it by a clyster.

(5.) In taking opening medicines, yon- Acanths, Branca Ursinee. Of bearsbreech,
may safely take them at night, eating but > or brankursine, it is meanly hot and dry,
a little supper three or four hours before, j helps aches and numness of the joints, and is
and the next morning drinking a draught of; of a binding quality, good for wounds and
warm posset-drink, and you need not fear i broken bones. Dioscorides saith, they are
to go about your business. In this manner | profitable for ruptures, or such as are
you may take Lenitive Electuary, Diacatho- \bursten, or burnt with fire, a dram of the
iicon, Vulp of Cassia, and the like gentle! root in powder being taken in the morning

218 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

fasting in a decoction made with the same

oot and water.

vulsions ; both of them resist poison. I
never read any use of the climing birth-

Acori, Veri, Perigrmi, vulgaris, Sfc. See j; wort.
Calamus Aromaticus. I shall not speak c"on-| Artanita, Cyclaminis, $c. Or Sowbread ;
cerning the several sorts of it, one of which [ hot and dry in the third degree, a most
is Water-flag, or Flower-de-luce, which is; violent purge, dangerous; outwardly ap-
hot and dry in the second degree, binds, i plied to the place, it profits much in the
strengthens, stops fluxesW the belly, and i bitings of venomous beasts, also being hung
.immoderate flowing of the menses, a dram about women in labour, it causes speedy
eing taken in red wine every morning. | deliverance. See the Herb.

Allium. Garlic. It is hot and dry in the; Annidinis, Fallanorue, and Saccharines
fourth degree, breeds corrupt blood, yet is | Of common reeds and sugar reeds. The
an enemy to all poisons, and such as are j roots of common reeds applied to the place
bitten by cold venomous beasts, viz. Adders, i draw out thorns, and ease sprains; the
Toads, Spiders, &c. it provokes urine, and | ashes of them mixed with vinegar, take
expels wind. I scurf, or dandrif off from the head, and

Alcanna. Of privet. See the leaves. ; prevent the falling off of the hair, they are

Althtfce. Of Marsh mallows, are meanly j hot and dry in the second degree, according
hot, of a digesting, softening nature, ease j to Galen. *J never read any virtue of the
pains, help bloody fluxes, the stone, and i root of sugar cane.

gravel; being bruised and boiled in milk, : Ari, $c. Of Cuckow-points, or "VVake-
and the milk drank, is a good remedy for gri- \ Robin, hot and dry in the third degree,
pings of the belly, and the bloody flux. If! I know no great good they do inwardly
a fever accompany the disease, boil a hand- 1 taken, unless to play the rogue withal, or
ful of common mallow leaves with a hand-! make sport: outwardly applied, they take
ful of these roots. |off scurf, morphew, or freckles from the

Angelica. Of Angelica; is hot and dry ? face, clear the skin, and ease the pains
in the third degree, strengthens the heart, \ of the gout.

and is good against pestilence and poison,; Ai>depiadis,vincetosid. Of Swallow-wort,
half a dram taken in the morning fasting. : hot and dry, good against poison, and*

Anchusa. Of Alkanet ; cold and dry, Igripings of the belly, as also against the
binding, good for old ulcers. s bitings of mad dogs, taken inwardly.

Anthorce. A foreign root, the counter- j Asari. Of Asarabacca : the- roots are
poison for Monkshood, it is an admirable la safer purge than the leaves, and not so

remedy for the wind cholic, and resists
poison.

violent, they purge by vomit, stool, and
urine ; they are profitable for such as have

Apii. Ofsmallage. See the barks. { agues, dropsies, stoppings of the liver, or
AristolochifB. Of birth wort ; of which are I spleen, green sickness,
three sorts, long, round, and climing: All t Asparagi. Of Asparagus, or sperage :
hot and dry in the third degree. The long, i they are temperate in quality, opening,
oeing drank in wine, brings away both \ they provoke urine, and cleanse the reins
birth and after-birth, and whatsoever a care- 1 and bladder, being boiled in while wine,
ess midwife luith left behind. Dioscorides, \ and the wine drank.

Galen. The round, being drank with wine, ! Asphodeli, Hastte Reiga fam. Of King*
elps (besides the former) stuffings of the! Spear, or Female Asphodel. I know no
uiigs, hardness of the spjeen, ruptures, con- j physical use of Hie roots probably there

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

is, for I do not believe God created any ! in the first degree, cheers the heart, help*
thing of no use. | drooping spirits. Dioscorides.

Asphodeli, Albuci, mitrii. Of male Aspho- { t'Bronitf, fyc. Of Briony both white and
del Hot and dry in the second degree, j black : they are both hot and dry, some
inwardly taken, they provoke vomit, urine, j say in the third degree, and some say but
and the menses: outwardly used in oint- j in the first; they purge flegm and waterv
ments, they cause hair to grow, cleanse j humours, but they trouble the stomach
ulcers, and take away morphew and freckles ^ much, they are very good for dropsies;
from the face. ithe white is most in use, and is good for the

Bardance, $c. Of Bur, Clot-bur, or Bur- ; fits of the mother : both of them externally
dock, temperately hot and dry. Helps ! used, take away freckles, sunburning, and
such as spit blood and matter; bruised and i morphew from the face, and cleanse filthy
mixed with salt and applied to the place, ; ulcers : It is but a churlish purge, but being
helps the bitings of mad clogs. It expels j let alone, can do no harm,
wind, eases pains of the teeth, strengthens ; Buglossi. Of Bugloss : Its virtues are
the back, helps the running of the reins, j the same with Borragr, and the roots of
and the whites, being taken inwardly. $ either seldom used.
Dioscorides, Apuleius. ? Bulbus Vomitoriw. A Vomiting Root :

Behcn. alb. rub. Of Valerian, white and i I never read of it elswhere by this general
red. Mesue, Serapio, and other Arabians, t name.

say they are hot and moist in the latter? Calami Aromatici. Of Aromatical Reed,
end of the first, or beginning of the second \ or sweet garden flag: it provokes urine,
degree, and comfort the heart, stir up lust, j strengthens the lungs, helps bruises, resists
The Grecians held them to be dry in the | poison, &c. being taken inwardly in pow-
second degree, that they stop fluxes, andjder, the quantity of half a dram at a time,
provoke urine. { You may mix it with syrup of vjolets, if

Bellidis. Of Dasies. See the Leaves. |your body be feverish.

Betee, nigrae, alb<e^ rubra. Of Beets, -j Capparum. Capper Roots. Are hot
black, white, and red; as for black Beets' and dry in the second degree, cutting and
*I have nothing to say, I doubt they are as j cleansing : they provoke menses, help
rare a. black swans. The red Beet root I malignant ulcers, ease the toothache, assuage
boiled and preserved in vinegar, makes a j swelling, and help the rickets. See Oil of
fine, cool, pleasing, cleansing, digesting: Cappers.
auce. See the leaves. Cariophillata t fyc. Of Avens, or Herb

Bistorta, 8rc. Of Bistort, or snakeweed,i Bennet. The roots are dry, and something
cold and dry in the third degree, binding : hot, of a cleansing quality, they keep gar-
half a d: am at a time taken inwardly, re- 1 ments from being moth-eaten. See the
sists pestilence and poison, helps ruptures : leaves.

and bruises, stays fluxes, vomiting, and \ Caulium. Of Colewort. I know nothing
immoderate flowing of the menses, helps in- i the roots are good for, but only to bear the
flammations and soreness of the mouth, i herbs and flowers.

and fastens loose teeth, being bruised and j Centrum majoris. Of Centaury the
boiled in white wine, and the mouth washed {Greater. The roots help such as are bur-
with it. Isten, suchas spitblood, shrinking of sinews,

Borraginis. Of Borrage, hot au<l moist | shortness of wind, coughs, convulsions,

3 t

220 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

cramps: half a dram in powder be-|it opens obstructions of the liver, beino
ing taken inwardly, either in muskadel, j boiled in white wine, and the decoctions
or in a decoction of the same roots, j drank ; and if chewed in the mouth it helps
They are either not at all, or very scarce j the tooth-ache. Celandine the lesser is
in England, our centaury is the small cen-jthat which usually we call Pilewort, which
tuary. 5 with us is hot in the first degree ; the juice

CepoK. Of Onions. Are hot and dry j of the root mixed with honey and snuffed
(according to Galen) in the fourth degree :j up in the nose, purges the head, helps the
they cause dryness, and are extremely hurt- j hemorrhoids or piles being bathed with it,
ful for choleric people, they breed but little j as also doth the root only carried about one:
nourishment, and that little is naught: they j being made into an ointment, it helps the
are bad meat, yet good physic for phleg-j king's evil or Scrophula.
matic people, they are opening, and pro-? China, wonderfully extenuates and dries,
voke urine and the menses, if cold be the provokes sweat, resists putrefaction; i>
cause obstructing : bruised and outwardly j strengthens the liver, helps the dropsy and
applied, they cure the bitings of mad dogs, i malignant ulcers, leprosy, itch, and vene-
roasted and applied, they help boils, and j real, and is profitable in diseases coming of
aposthumes : raw, they take the fire out of | fasting. It is commonly used in diet drinks
burnings, but ordinarily eaten, they cause | for the premises.

headache, spoil the sight, dull the senses,* Cichorii. Of Succory; cool and dry in
and fill the body full of wind. > the second degree, strengthens the liver and

Chameleontis albi nigri, $c. Of Chame-j veins, it opens obstructions, stoppings in the
Icon, white and black. Tragus calls the j liver and spleen, being boiled in white wine
carline thistle by the name of white chame- j and the decoction drank,
icon, the root whereof is hot in the second ' Colchici. Of Meadow Saffron. The
degree, and dry in the third, it provokes { roots are held to be hurtful to the stomach,
sweat, kills worms, resists pestilence and { therefore I let them alone,
poison ; it is given with success in pestilen- i Consolidce, majoris, minoris. Consolida
tial fevers, helps the toothache by being j Major, is that which we ordinarily call
chewed in the mouth, opens the stoppings jComfry, it is of a cold quality, yet pretty
of the liver and spleen, provokes urine, and = temperate, so glutinous, that, according to
the menses : give but little of it at a time. \Dioscorides, they will join meat together
by reason of its heat. As for the black j that is cut in sunder, if they be boiled with
chameleon, all physicians hold it to have} it; it is excellent for all wounds, both iu-
a "kind of venomous quality, and unfit to be Sternal and external, for spitting of blood,
used inwardly, Galen, Clusius, Nicander, \ ruptures or burstness, pains in the back, it
Dioscorides, and Mgiwta. Outwardly in j strengthens the reins, it stops the menses,
ointments, it is profitable for scabs, mor-|and helps hemorrhoids. The way to use
phew, tetters, &c. and all things that need (them is to boil them in water and drink the
cleansing. i decoction. Consolida minor, is that we

Chelidony majoris, minoris. Of celandine, ; call Self-heal, and the latins Prunella. See
the greater and lesser : The greater is that j the herb.

which we usually call Celandine: the root : Costi ufaMMgMCJ Of Costus both sorts
is hot and dry, cleansing and scouring, | being roots coming from beyond sea, hot
proper for such as have the yellow jaundice, land dry, break wind, being boiled in oil

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

it \s held to help the gout by anointing the \ the pestilence: it helps the vertigo or
grieved place with it. | swimming of the head, is admirable against

Cucumeris a grestis. Of wild Cucumber ; the bitings of venomous beasts, and such as
roots ; they purge flegm, and that with such j have taken too much opium, as also lor
violence, that I would advise the country 'lethargies, the juice helps hot rheums in the
man that knows not how to correct them, to j eyes ; a scruple of the root in powder is
let them alone. j enough to take at one time.

CinarfE, $c. Of Artichokes. The roots \ Dracontii, Dracunciili. Divers authors
purge by urine, whereby the rank savour of 1 attribute divers herbs to this name. It is
the body is much amended. j most probable that they mean dragons,

Cynoglossa, &>c. Of Hounds-tongue, j the roots of which cleanse mightily, and
Cold and dry: being roasted and laid to! take away proud, or dead flesh, the very
the fundament, helps the hemorrhoids, is ; smell of them is hurtful for pregnant women:

also good for burnings and scaldings.

Curcuma. Of Turmerick, hot in the
third degree, opens obstructions, is pro6ta-

outwardly in >pintments, they tak.e away
scurf, morphew, and sun-burning ; I would
not wish any, unless very well read in physic,

ble against the yellow jaundice, and cold I to take them inwardly. Matthiolus, Dios-
distemper of the liver and spleen, half a j corides.

dram being taken at night going to bed in ! Ebuli. Of Dwarf Elder, Walwort, or
the pulp of a roasted apple, and if you add iDanewort ; hot and dry in the third degree,
a little saffron to it, it will be the better by i the roots are as excellent a purge for the
far. | dropsy as any under the sun. You may

Cyperiutriusque, longi, rotundi. Of Cyprus jtake a dram or two drams (if the patient be
Grass, or English Galanga, both sorts, long j strong) in white wine at a time,
and round : is of a warm nature, provokes; Echij. Of Viper's Bugloss, or wild Bug-
urine, breaks the stone, provokes the menses ; J loss. This root is cold and dry, good for such
the ashes of them (being burnt) are used for'flfs are bitten by venemous beasts, either being
ulcers in the mouth, cankers, &c. boiled in wine and drank, or bruised and applied

Dauci. Of Carrots. Are moderately $ to the place : being boiled in wine and drank,
hot and moist, breed but little nourishment, ) it encreaseth milk in nurses.
and are windy. Ellebori, Veratri, albi nigri. Of Helle-

Dentaria majoris, Sfc. Of Tootlnvort, j bore white and black. The root of white Helle-
toothed violets, or corral wort: they are \bore, or sneezewort, being grated and muffed
drying, binding, and strengthening; 'Ave\upthe nose, causeth sneezing; kills lots and
good to ease pains in the sides and bowels ; ; mice being mixed with their meat.
also being boiled, the decoction is said to } Black Hellebore, Bears-foot or Christmas
be good to wash green wounds and ulcers \ forcer : both this and the former are hot and
with. $dn/ in the third degree. This is neither at

Dictiamni. Of Dittany : is hot and dry I violent nor dangerous as the former.
in the third degree, hastens travail in \ Enulae Campanae Helenij. Of Eiecam-
wotnen, provokes the menses. (See the\pa?ie. It is hot and dry in the third degitt.,
eaves.) ; wholesome for the stomach, resists poison, hclpt

Doronici. Of Doronicurn, a supposed \ old coughs, and sortness of breath, helps rup-
kiud of Wolf's bane : It is hot and dry in ; lures, and provokes lust ; in ointments, it is good
the third degree, strengthens the heart, is ^against scabs and itch.
sovereign cordial, and preservative against! Endivaj, &c. Of Endive, Garden

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

tohich is the root here specified, is held to be \ amorous diseases. You may take half a drum
somewhat colder, though not so dry and cleans- j at a time. Mutthiolus.
ing as that which is mid ; it cools hot stomachs, ; Gentiana. Of Gentian; some call it Fel~
hot livers, amends the blood corrupted by heat, \ wort, and Baldinoney. It is hot, cleansing,
and therefore is good in fevers, it cools the [ and scouring, a notable counterpoison, it opcm
reins, and therefore prevents the stone, it opens \ obstructions, helps the biting ofvenemous beast*,
obstructions, and provokes urine : you may bruise \and mad dogs, helps digestion, and cleanseth
the root, and boil it in while nine, tis very ; (lie bod)/ of raw humours ; the root is profitable,
harmless. \for ruptures, or such as are burst en.

Eringij. Of Eringo or Sea-holly: the

Glycyrrhizae. Of Liquorice; the be*

roots are moderately hot, something drying and i that is grows in England : it is hot and mois
cleansing, bruised and applied to the place ; \ in temperature, helps the roughness of tke
they help the Scroplmla, or disease in the \ zcindpipe, hoarsness, diseases in the kidne ys and
throat called the King's Evil, they break the : bladder, and ulcers in the bladder, it concocts
stone, encrease seed, stir up lust, provoke the \ raw humours in the stomach, helps difficulty of
terms, fyc. * breathing, is profitable for all salt humours ,

Esulae, majoris, minoris. Of Spurge the 1 the root dried and beaten into powder, and the
greater and lesser, they are both (taken in- i powder put into the eye, is a special remedy
wardly) too violent for common use; outwardly \for a pin and web.

in ointments they cleanse the skin, take away* Gramminis. Of Grass, such as in London
tmburning. \ they call couch grass, and Squitch-grass ; m

Filicis, &c. Fearn, of which are two grand \ Sussex Dog-grass. It gallantly provokes
distinctions, viz. male and female. Boili are j urine, and easefh the kidneys oppressed with
hot and dry, and good for the rickets in -chil- \ gravel, gripings of the belly, find difficulty of
dren, and diseases of the spleen, but dangerous \ urine. Let such as are troubled with these
for pregnant women. \ diseases, drink a draught of while wine, wherin

Filipendulae. Of Dropwort. The roots \ these roots (being bruised) have been boiled,
are hot and dry in the third degree, opening, \ for their morning's draught, bruised and ap-
cleansing, yet somewhat binding ; they provoke \ plied to the place, they speedily help green
urine, ease pains in the bladder, and are a good \ wounds. Galen, Dioscorides.
preservative against the falling-sickness. Hermodactyli. Of Ilermodactih. Thei/

Fceniculi. Of Fennel. The root is hot \ are hot and dry, purge flegm, especially froin
and (<ry, some say in the third degree, opening ;| the joints, therefore are good for g<>ttts, and
it provokes urine, and menses, strengthens the \ other diseases in the joints. Their vices are
liver, and is good against the dropsy. j corrected with long pepper, ginger, cinnamon,

Fraxini. Of Asn-tree. I know no great \or mastich. I would not have unskilful people
virtues in physic of the roots. ' too busy with purges.

Galangae, majoris, minoris. Galanga,\ Hyacinthi. Of Jacinths. The roots an
commonly called Galingal, the greater and \ dry in thejirst degree, and cold in the second,
lesser: They are hot and dry in the third \ they stop looseness, bind the belly.
degree, and the lesser are accounted the hotte.r,\ iridis, vulgaris, and Florentine. &c
it strengthens the stomach exceedingly, flnrfj Orris, or Flower-de-luce, both that which
takes away the pains thereof coming of coldl grows with us, and that which comes from
\rrwind; the smell of it strengthens the brain, ; Florence. They are hot and dry in the
t relieves faint hearts, takes away windinessl^ ir ^ degree, resist poison, help shortness

* of the breath, provoke the menses ; ta<;

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 223

Root being green and bruised, takes away \ applied, it helps ulcers in the head, and

blackness and blueness of a stroke, being j amends the ill colour of the face.

applied thereto. Malvce. Of Mallows. They are cool,

Imperitoriee, SfC. Of Master-wort. The j and digesting, resist poison, and help cor-
root is hot and dry in the third degree ; | rosions, or gnawing of the bowels, or any
mitigates the rigour of agues, helps dropsies, \ other part; as also ulcers in the bladder
provokes sweat, breaks carbuncles, and \ See Marsh-mallows.

plague-sores, being applied to them ; it is j Mandragorte. Of Mandrakes. A root
very profitable being given inwardly in I dangerous for its coldness, being cold in the
bruises. \ fourth degree : the root is dangerous.

Isotidis, Glasti. Of Woad. I know no I Mechoachana. Of Mechoacah. It is
great physical virtue in the root. See the 5 corrected with Cinnamon, is temperate yet
Herb. ; drying, purges flegm chiefly from the head

Labri Veneris, Dipsaci. Fullers-Thistle, ; and joints, it is good for old diseases in the
Teazle. The root being boiled in wine till j head, and may safely be given even to fe-
it be thick (quoth Dioscorides) helps by verish bodies, because of its temperature: it
unction the clefts of the fundament, as also ' is also profitable against coughs and pains in
takes away warts and wens. Galen saith, j thereins; as also against venereal complaints;
they are dry in the second degree : and ; the strong may take a dram at a time.
I take it all Authors hold them to be cold j Met, fyc. Spignel. The roots are hot
and dry. Unslacked lime beaten into pow- i and dry in the second or third degree, and
der, and mixed with black soap, takes ! send up unwholesome vapours to the head,
away a wen being anointed with it. Mezerei,$c. Of Spurge, Olive, or Widow-

LactuccE. Of Lettice. I know no phy- ; wail. See the Herb, if you think it worth
sical virtue residing in the roots. 5 the seeing.

Lauri. Of the Bay-tree. The Bark of | Merorum Celci. Of Mulberry Tree. The
the root drunk with wine, provokes urine, j bark of the root is bitter, hot and dry, opens
breaks the stone, opens obstructions of the : stoppings of the liver and spleen, purges
liver and spleen. But according to Dios- 5 the belly, and kills worms, boiled in vine-,
corides is naught for pregnant women. 1 gar, helps the tooth-ache.
Galen. Morsus Diaboli, Succisee, $c. DeviFs-bit,

Lapathi acuti, Oxylapathi. Sorrel, accord- { See the herb.

ing to Galen; but Sharp-pointed Dock, j Norpi Spicte, Indicte, Celticee, fyc. Of
according to Dioscorides. The roots of j Spikenard, Indian, and Cheltic. Cheltic
Sorrel are held to be profitable against the j Nard wonderfully provokes urine. They
jaundice. Of Sharp-pointed Dock; cleanse, | are both hot and dry. The Indian, also
ind help scabs and itch. j provokes urine, and stops fluxes, helps win-

Lcvistici. Of Lovage. They are hot and \ diness of the stomach, resists the pestilence,
dry, and good for any diseases coming of 1 helps gnawing pains of the stomach ; and
wind. \ dries up rheums that molest the head. The

Lilly albi. Of white Lillies. The root: Celtic Spikenard performs the same offices,
is something hot and dry, helps burnings, j though in a weaker measure,
softens the womb, provokes the menses, if j Nemipharis, Nymplue. Of Water-lilies
poik-d in wine, is given with good success | They are cold and dry, and stop lust:
in rotten Fevers, Pestilences, and all dis-j I never dived so deep to find what virtue
eases that require suppuration : outwardly \ the roots have.

3 M

224 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Ononidis, Arrestce Bovis, #c. Of Cam- ' speedy deliverance to women in travail, and
i ock, or Rest-harrow, so called because it j brings away the placenta,
makesjjxen stand still when they are plough- : Poeonioe, maris, fbemellae. Of Peony male

ing. Tne roots are hot and dry in the third
degree; it breaks the stone (viz. the bark
of it.) The root itself, according to Pliny,

and female. They are meanly hot, but more
drying. The root helps women not sufficiently
purged after travail, it provokes the menses, and

helps the falling-sickness; according to i helps pains in the belly, as also in the reins and
Matthiolus, helps ruptures : you may take ; bladder, falling sickness, and convulsions in
half a dram at a time. j children, being either taken inwardly, or hung

Ostrutij. Masterwort, given once before J about their necks. You may take half a dram
under the name of Imperitoria. But I have f at a time, and less for children.
something else to do than to write one j Phu, Valerinae, majoris, minoris. Valc-
thing twice as they did. : rian, or Setwal, greater and lesser. They are

Pastinatfe, Sativce, and silvestris; Garden * temperately hot, the greater provokes urine and
and Wild Parsnips. They are of a tern- 5 the menses, helps the stranguary, stays rheums
perate quality, inclining something to heat : \ in the head, and takes away the pricking pains
The Garden Parsnips provoke lust, and thereof. The lesser resist poison, assuages the
nourish as much and more too, than any \ swelling of the testicles, coming either through
root ordinarily eaten: the wild are morel wind or cold, helps cold taken after sweating or
physical, being cutting, cleansing, and ? labour, wind cholic: outwardly it draws out
opening: they resist the bitings of veno- \thorns, and cures both wounds and ulcers.
mous beasts, ease pains and stitches in the 5 Pimpinellae, &c. Of Bumet. It doth
sides, and are a sovereign remedy against : this good, to bring forth a gallant physical
die wind cholic. \ herb.

Pentafylli. Of Cmqfyl, commonly called \ Plantaginis. Of Plant ane. The root h
Five-leaved, or Five-fmger'd grass : the root \ something dryer than the leaf, but not so cold,
is very drying, but moderately hot: It is lit opens stoppages of the liver, helps thejaun-
admirable against all fluxes, and stops \dice, and ulcers of the reins and bladder. A
blood flowing from any part of the body : \ little bit of the root being eaten, instantly stays
it helps infirmities of the liver and lungs, \pains in the head, even to admiration.
helps putrified ulcers of the mouth, the root ! Polypodij. Of Polypodium, or Fern of
boiled in vinegar is good against the i the Oak. It is a gallant though gentle
shingles, and appeases the rage of any j purger of melancholy ; Also in the opinion
fretting sores. You may safely take half -of Mesue (as famous a physician as ever
a dram at a time in any convenient liquor, j I read for a Galenist,) it dries up ssper-

Petacitce. Of Butter-bur. The roots are j fluous humours, takes away swellings from
hot arid dry in the second degree, they are j the hands, feet, knees, and joints, stitches
exceeding good in violent and pestilential and pains in the sides, infirmities of the
fevers, they provoke the menses, expel poi- j spleen, rickets ; correct it with a few Annis
son, and kill worms. I seeds, or Fennel seeds, or a little ginger,

Peucedani, Fa-niculi porcini. Of Sulphur- | and then the stomach will not loath it.
wort, Hogs-fennel, or Hore-strange. It is ! Your best way of taking it, is to bruise it
very good applied to the navels of children f well, and boil it in white wine till half be
that stick out, and ruptures: held in the j consumed, you may put in much, or little,
mouth, it is a present remedy for the fits of j according to the strength of the diseased, it
the mother : being taken inwardly, it gives { works very safely.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 225

Poiigonati, sigilli Solomonis, $c. Of Solo- 5 ing takes away the virtue of it, and there-
mon's Seal. Stamped and boiled in wine it | fore it is best given by infusion only ; If
speedily helps (beingdrank) all broken bones, * your body be any thing strong, you may
and is of incredible virtue that way ; as also ; take two drams of it at a time being sliced
being stamped and applied to the place, it j thin and steeped all night in white wine, in
soon heals all wounds, and quickly takes away j the morning strain it out and drink the
the black and blue marks of blows, being ; white wine ; it purges but gently, it leaves
bruised and applied to the place, and for a binding quality behind it, therefore dried
hese, I am persuaded there is not a better j a little by the fire and beaten into powder,
medicine under the sun. \ it is usually given in fluxes.

Pom. Of Leeks. They say they are \ Rhaphani. Domesticce and Sylvestris. Of
hot and dry in the fourth degree ; they 1 Raddishes, garden and wild. Garden
reed ill-favoured nourishment at the best, s Raddishes provoke urine, break the stone,
y spoil the eyes, heat the body, cause \ and purge by urine exceedingly, yet breed
troublesome sleep, and are noisome to the \ very bad blood, are offensive to the stomach,
stomach : yet are they good for something S and hard of digestion, hot and dry in
else, for the juice of them dropped into i quality. Wild, or Horse Raddishes, such
the ears takes away the noise of them, mixed i as grow in ditches, are hotter and drier
with a little vinegar and snuffed up the j than the former, and more effectual.

Rhodie Rod. Rose Root. Stamped and
applied to the head it mitigates the pains

.1 /* 1 1 i *

nose, it stays the bleeding of it, they are
better of the two boiled than raw, but
both ways exceedingly hurtful for ulcers in

thereof, being somewhat cool in quality.

the bladder : and so are onions and garlic. j Rhabarbari Monachorum. Monks Rhu-
Prunellorum Silvestrium. Of Sloe-bush, ; barb, or Bastard-Rhubarb, it also purges,
or Sloe-tree. I think the college set this 1 and cleanses the blood, and opens obstruc-
tunongst the roots only for fashion sake, | tions of the liver.

nnd 1 did it because they did. \ liubice tinctorum. Of Madder. It is

Pyrethri Saliva ris, $-c. Pelitory of Spain. ; both drying and binding, yet not without
It is hot and dry in the fourth degree, i some opening quality, for it helps the yel-
chewed in the mouth, it draws away rheum i low jaundice, and therefore opens obstruc-
in the tooth-ache; bruised and boiled in 1 tions of the liver and gall; it is given with
oil, it provokes sweat by unction; inwardly i good success, to such as have had bruises
taken, they say it helps palsies and other > by falls, stops looseness, the hemorrhoids,

cold effects in the brain and nerves.

niiapontici, Rhupontick, or Rhubarb
of Pontus. . It takes away windiuess and

and the menses.

Rtisci. Of Knee-holly or Butchers-
broom, or Bruscus. They are meanly hot

weakness of the stomach, sighings, sobbings, j and dry, provoke urine, break the stone,
spittings of blood, diseases of the liver and i and help such as cannot evacuate urine
spleen, rickets, &c. if you take .a dram at \ freely Use them like grass roots.
a time it will purge a little, but bind much, i Sambuci. Of Elder. I know no wonders
and therefore fit for foul bodies that have ! the root will do.

Sarsce-Pariglia. Of Sarsa-Parilla, or

fluxes.

Rhabarbari. Of Rhubarb. It gently

Bind-weed ; somewhat hot and dry, helpful

purges choler from the stomach and liver, | against pains in the head, and joints; they
opens stoppings, withstands the dropsy, j provoke sweat, and are used familiarly ii;
Hypocondriac Melancholly ; a little boil- 1 drying diet drinks

226 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Satyrtj utriusqiie. Of Satyrion, each sort, i
Thev are hot and moist in temper, provoke!
venery, and increase seed ; each branch
bears two roots, both spongy, yet the one
more solid than the other, which is of most
virtue, and indeed only to be used, for some
say the most spongy root is quite contrary
in operation to the other, as the one in-

called our Ladies-thistles by that name;
the roots of which are drying and bind-
ing, stop fluxes, bleeding, take away
cold swellings, and ease the pains of the
teeth.

Spatula fcrtidce. Stinking Gladon, a kind
of Flower-de-luce, called so for its unsavory
smell. It is hot and dry in the third

creaseth, the other decreaseth. degree ; outwardly they help the king's evil,

Saxifragice alba. Of white Saxifrage, in j soften hard swellings, draw out broken
Sussex we call them Lady-smocks. The ; bones : inwardly taken, they help convul-
roots powerfully break the stone, expel sions, ruptures, bruises, infirmities of the

wind, provoke urine, and cleanse the reins.
A kind of Burnct.

lungs.

Tamarisci. Of Tamaris. See the herbs,

Scabiosa. Of Scabious. The roots either \ and barks,
boiled, or beaten into powder, and so taken, j Tanaceti. Of Tansie. The root eaten,
help such as are extremely troubled with \ is a singular remedy for the gout : the rich
scabs and itch, are medicinal in the trench ] may bestow the cost to preserve it.
disease, hard swellings, inward wounds, \ Thopsi, $c. A venomous foreign root :
being of drying, cleansing, and healing j therefore no more of it.
faculty. Toivnentilla. Of Tormentil. A kind of

Scordij. Of Scordium, or Water-Ger-I Sinqfoil; dry in the third degree, but mode-
mandcr. See the herb. \ rately hot ; good in pestilences, provokes

Scilltf. Of Squills. See vinegar, and j sweat, stays vomiting, cheers the heart, ex -
wine of Squills, in the compound. < pels poison.

Scropularue, $c. Of Figwort. The roots j Trifolij. Of Trefoil. See the herb,
being of the same virtue with the herb, \ Tribuli Aquattci. Of Water Caltrops.
I refer you thither. 1 The roots lie too far under water for me to

Scorzonera. Of Vipers grass. The root ! reach to.

cheers the heart, and strengthens the vital 1 Trachellij. Of Throat-wort : by some
spirits, resists poison, helps passions and ? called Canterbury Bells: by some Coventry
tremblings of the heart, faintness, sadness, | Bells. They help diseases and ulcers in
and melancholy, opens stoppings of the 5 the throat.

liver and spleen, provokes the menses, ease * Trinitatis herbee. Hearts-ease, or Pansies.
women of the fits of the mother, and helps i I know no great virtue they have,
swimmings in the head. Timicis. I shall tell you the virtue when

Seseleos. Of Seseli, or Hartwort. The j I know what it is.

roots provoke urine, and help the falling- > Tripoli}. The root purges flegm, expels
sickness. | poison.

Sisarii secacul. Of Scirrets. They are | Turbith. The root purges flegm, (being
hot and moist, of good nourishment, some- j hot in the third degree) chiefly from the
thing windy, as all roots are; by reason of j exterior parts of the body: it is corrected
which, they provoke venery, they stir up j with ginger, or Ma stich. Let not the vulgar
appetite, and provoke urine. j be too busy with it.

Sconchi. Of Sow-thistles. See the herb j Tuburnwn. Or Toad-stools. Whethe

Spm<B alba, Bedeguar. The Arabians t these be roots or no, it matters rio* much

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 227

for my part I know but little need of them,
either in food or physic.

Victorialis. A foreign kind of Garlick.
They say, being hung about the neck of

AveUanctrum. Of Hazel The rind of
the tree provokes urine, breaks the stone ;
the husks and shells of the nuts, dried and
given in powder, stay the immoderate flux

cattle that are blind suddenly, it helps them ; ( of the menses.

and defends those that bear it, from evil ( Aurantiorum. Of Oranges. Both these,

spirits. \ and also Lemons and Citrons, are of dif-

Swallow-wort, and teazles were handled jferent qualities: the outward bark, viz. what
before. j looks red, is hot and dry, the white is cold

Ulmaria, Reginte, prati, fyc. Mead-sweet, j and moist, the juice colder than it, the seeds
Cold and dry, binding, stops fluxes, and \ hot and dry ; the outward bark is that
the immoderate flowing of the menses : you \ which here I am to speak to, it is somewhat
may take a dram at a time. 5 hotter than either that of Lemons or

Urticce. Of Nettles. See the leaves, j Citrons, therefore it warms a cold stomach

Zedoarite. Of Zedoary, or Setwall. This j more, and expels wind better, but strengthens
and Zurumbet, according to Rhasis, and j not the heart so much.
Mesue, are all one ; Avicenna thinks them \ Berber, $c. Barberries. The Rind of
different: I hold with Mesue; indeed they \ the tree according to Clcesius, being steeped
differ in form, for the one is long, the other | in wine, and the wine drank, purges choler,
round; they are both hot ,and dry in the? and is a singular remedy for the yellow
second degree, expel wind, resist poison, j jaundice. Boil it in white wine and drink
stop fluxes, and the menses, stay vomiting, j it. See the directions at the beginning,
help the cholic, and kill worms ; you may j Cassia Lignea, <$c. It is something more
take half a dram at a time. iily than Cinnamon, yet the virtues being

Zingiberis. Of Ginger. Helps digestion, 1 not much different, I refer you thither.

warms the stomach, clears the sight, and is
profitable for old men: heats the joints, and

Capparis Rod. Of Caper roots. See
the roots.

therefore is profitable against the gout, j Castaitcaritm. Of Chesnuts. The bark

expels wind ; it is hot and dry in ihe second :
degree.

BARKS.

A Pil Rod. Of the roots of Smallage.
Take notice here, that the Barks both of

of the Chesnut tree is dry and binding
and stops fluxes.

Cinnamonum. Cinnamon, and Cassia
Lignea, are hot and dry in the second
degree, strengthens the stomach, help
digestion, cause a sweet breath, resist poi-
son, provoke urine, and the menses, cause
speedy delivery in women to travail, help

this root, as also of Parsley, Fennel, &c. coughs and defluxions of humours upon
is all of the root which is in u^c, neither * the lungs, dropsy, and difficulty of urine,
can it properly be called bark, for it is all j In ointments it takes away red pimples, and
ihe root, the hard pith in the middle ex- j the like deformities from the face. There
repted, which is always thrown away, when { is scarce a better remedy for women in
the roots are used. It is something hotter j labour, than a dram of Cinnamon newly
and drier than Parsley, and more medicinal;) beaten into powder, and taken in white
it opens stoppings, provokes urine, helps! wine.

digestion, expels wind, and warms a coid | Citrij. Of Pome Citrons. The outward
stomach : use them like grass roots. : pill, which I suppose is that which is mean

3 N

228

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

here : It strengthens the heart, resists poi- ! Lauri. Of the Bay-tree. See the root,
son, amends a stinking breath, helps diges- \ Limonum. Of Lemons. The outward
tion, comforts a cold stomach. I peel is of the nature of Citron, but helps

Ebuli Rod. Of the roots of Dwarf-Elder, j jnot so effectually; however, let the poor
or Walwort. See the herbs. | country man that cannot get the other, use

Enulce. Of Elecampane. See the roots. I this.

fisidtf Rad. See the roots. Mandragora Rod. Be pleased to look

Fabarum. Of Beans. Bean Cods (or ; back to the root.

Pods, as we in Sussex call them) being | Myrobalanorum. Of Myrobalans. See
bruised, the ashes are a sovereign renr edy } the fruits.

for aches in the joints, old bruises, gouts, \ Mads. Of Mace. It is hot in the third

1 degree, strengthens the stomach and heart

and sciaticas.

Fceniculi Rad. Of Fennel roots. See

the roots, and remember the observation \ Maceris, $c. It is held to be the inner
given in Smallage at the beginning of the \ bark of Nutmeg-tree, helps fluxes and

exceedingly, and helps concoction.

barks.

Fraaitn Rad. Of the bark of Ash-tree
roots. The bark of the tree, helps the rickets,
is moderately hot and dry, stays vomiting ;
being burnt, the ashes made into an oint-
ment, helps leprosy and other- deformity
of the skin, eases pains of the spleen. You
may lay the bark to steep in white wine for
the rickets, and when it hath stood so for
two or three days, let the diseased child
drink now and then a spoonful of it.

Granatorum. Of Pomegranates. The

spitting of blood.

Petrosdini Rad. Of Parsley root: opens
obstructions, provokes urineand themenses,
warms a cold stomach, expels wind, and
breaks the stone. Use them as grass roots,
and take out the inner pith as you were
taught in smallage roots.

Prunelli Silvestris. Of Sloe-tree. I know
no use of it.

Pinearum putaminae. Pine shucks, or
husks. I suppose they mean of the cones
that hold the seeds; both those and also the

rind cools, and forcibly binds, stays fluxes, i bark of the tree, stop fluxes, and help the
and the menses, helps digestion, strengthens ? lungs.

weak stomachs, fastens the teeth, and are

Querci. Of Oak-tree. Both the bark of

good for such whose gums waste. You the oak, and Acorn Cups are drying and
may take a dram of it at a time inwardly. \ cold, binding, stop fluxes and the menses,
Pomegranate flowers are of the same virtue. $ as also the running of the reins ; have a
Gatrujad. See the wood. : care how you use them before due purging.

Juglandium Virid. Of green Walnuts.
As for the outward green bark of Walnuts,
I suppose the best time to take them is

Rhaphani. Of Radishes. I could never
see any bark they had.

Suberis. Of Cork. It is good for some-

before the Walnuts be shelled at all, and \ thing else besides to stop bottles : being dry
then you may take nuts and all (if they may j and binding, stanches blood, helps fluxes,
properly be called nuts at such a time) you j especeially the ashes of it being burnt,
shall find them exceeding comfortable to ? Pauhts.

the stomach, they resist poison, and arej tiambud, $c. Of Elder roots and
a most excellent preservative against the > branches ; purges water, helps the dropsy,
plague, interior to none : they are admira- j Cort. Medlus Tanmrids. The middle
ble for such as are troubled with consump- J Bark of Tarneris, eases the spleen, helps
lions of the lungs. J the rickets. Use them as Ash-tree bark.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

22H

Tillm. Of Line-tree. Boiled, the water
helps burnings.

Thuris. Of Frankinsenses. I must plead
Ignoramus.

Ulmi. Of Elm. Moderately hot and
cleansing, good for wounds, burns, and
broken bones, viz. boiled in water and the
grieved place bathed with it.

Rhodium. En creases milk in nurses.

Santalum, album, Rubrum,citrmum. White,
red, and yellow Sanders : They are all cold
and dry in the second or third degree : the
red stops defluxions from any part, and
helps inflammations : the white and yellow
(of which the yellow is best) cool the heat
.of fevers, strengthen the heart, and cause
cheerfulness.

Sassafras. Is hot and dry in the second

WOODS AND THEIR CHIPS, OR
RASPINGS.

} degree, it opens obstructions or stoppings,
lit strengthens the breast exceedingly; if it
! be weakened through cold, it breaks the
A Gallochus, Lignum Aloes. Wood of j stone, stays vomiting, provokes urine, and

Aloes ; is moderately hot and dry : a good | is very profitable in the venereal, used in

cordial : a rich perfume, a great strengthener j diet drinks.

to the stomach. Tamaris. Is profitable for the rickets,

Aspalathus. Rose-wood. It is moderately j and burnings.

hot and dry, stops looseness, provokes! Xylobalsamum. Wood of the Balsam

urine, and is excellent to cleanse filthy \ tree, it is hot and dry in the second degree,

according to Galen. I never read any great
virtues of it.

HERBS AND THEIR LEAVES.

ulcers.

Bresilium. Brasil. All the use I know
of it is, to die cloth, and leather, and
make red ink.

Buxus. Box. Many Physicians havej
written of it, but no physical virtue of it.

Cypressus. Cypress. The Wood laid \ A Brotanum, mas, foemina. Southern -
amongst cloaths, secures them from moths, j wood, male and female. It is hot and dry
See the leaves. Jin the third degree, resists poison, kills

Ebenum. Ebony. It is held to clear the f worms ; outwardly in plaisters, it dissolves

ij cold swellings, and helps the bitings of

sight, neing either boiled in wine, or burnt
to ashes.

venomous beasts, makes hair

Guajacum, Lignum vitan Dries, attenu- not above half a dram at a time in powder.

Absinthium, &>c. Wormwood. Its several

ates, causes sweat, resists putrefaction, is
good for the French disease, as also for
ulcers, scabs, and leprosy : it is used in diet

drinks.

Jitiiipcnm. Juniper.

The smoak of the
of

wood, drives away serpents ; the ashes
it made into lie, cures itch, and scabs.

Nephrificum. It is a light wood and
conies from Hispamola ; being steeped in
water, will soon turn it blue, it is hot and
dry in the first degree, and so used as be-
fore, is an admirable remedy for the stone,
and for obstructions of the liver and spleen.

sorts, are all hot and dry in the second or
third degrees, the common Wormwood is
thought to be hottest, they all help weak-
ness of the stomach, cleanse choler, kill
worms, open stoppings, help surfeits, clear
the sight, resist poison, cleanse the blood,
and secure cloaths from moths.

Abngilissa, 8fC. Alkanet. The leaves are
something drying and binding, butinferioi
in virtue to the roots, to which I refer

Acetosa. Sorrel. Is moderately cold

230 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

dry and binding, cuts tough humours, cools ( held to be more cordial ; cools the blood,
the brain, liver and stomach, cools the j helps ulcers in the mouth; hot defluxions
blood in fevers, and provokes appetite. : upon the lungs, wounds, ulcers, &c.

Acanthus. Bears-breech, or Branks j Alcea. Vervain Mallow. The root helps
ursine, is temperate, something moist. See j fluxes and burstness. jEtius, Dioscorides.
the root. Alhum. Garlick. Hot and dry in the

Adiantum, Album, nigrum. Maiden hair, ^ fourth degree, troublesome to the stomach :
white and black. They are temperate, yet j it dulls the sight, spoils a clear skin, resists
drying. White Maiden hair is that we! poison, eases the pains of the teeth, helps
usually call Wall-rue ; they both open ob-jthe bitings of mad dogs, and venomous
structions, cleanse the breast and lungs of\ beasts, helps ulcers, leprosies, provokes
gross slimy humours, provoke urine, help i urine, is exceedingly opening, and profita-
ruptures and shortness of wind. | ble for dropsies.

Adiantum Aurcum Politrycum. Golden j Althcea, fyc. Marsh-Mallows. Aremode-
Maiden-hair. Its temperature and virtues jratelyhotand drier than other Mallows; they
are the same with the former; helps the \ help digestion, and mitigate pain, ease the
spleen ; burned, and lye made with the : pains of the stone, and in the sides. Use
ashes, keeps the hair from falling off the j them as you were taught in the roots, whose
head. j virtues they have, and both together will

Agrimonia, Agrimony. Galen's Eupa- do better.

torium. It is hot and dry in the first degree, j Alsine. Chickweed. Is cold and moist
binding, it amends the infirmities of the! without any binding, assuages swelling,
liver, helps such as evacuate blood instead! and comforts the sinews much ; therefore it
of water, helps inward wounds, opens | is good for such as are shrunk up ; it dis-
obstructions. Outwardly applied it helps $ solves aposthumes, hard swellings, and
old sores, ulcers, &c. Inwardly, it helps j helps mange in the hands and legs, out-
the jaundice and the spleen. Take a dram j wardly applied in a pultis. Galen.
of this or that following, inwardly in white] Alchymilla. Ladies-Mantle. Is hot and
wine, or boil the herb in white wine, and 5 dry, some say in the second degree, some
drink the decoction. Galen, Pliny, Diosco-\ say in the third: outwardly it helps wounds,
rides, Serapio. j reduces women's breasts that hang*down:

Ageretum. Hot and dry in the second de- 5 inwardly, helps bruises, and ruptures, stays
gree, provokes urine and the menses, dries ! vomiting, and the Fluor Albus, and is very
the brain, opens stoppings, helps the green J profitable for such women as are subject to
sickness, and profits such as have a cold, 1 miscarry through cold and moisture,
weak liver; outwardly applied, it takes! Alkanna. Privet hath a binding quality,
away the hardness of the matrix, and fillsj helps ulcers in the mouth, is good against
hollow ulcers with flesh. I burnings and scaldings, cherishes the nerves

Agnus Castus, $c. Chast-tree. The leaves \ and sinews ; boil it in white wine to wash

are hot and dry in the third degree ; expel j
wind, consume the seed, cause chastity
being only borne about one ; it dissolves
swellings of the testicles, being applied to
them, head-ache, and lethargy.

the mouth, and in hog's grease for burnings
and scaldings.

Amaracus, Majorana. Marjoram. Some
say 'tis hot and dry in the second degree,
some advance it to the third. Sweet Mar-

Allajnla. Litjnla, fyc. Wood Sorrel. Itnofam, is an excellent remedy for cold dis-
is of the temperature of other So Tel. aH J ases in the brain, being only smelled to

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 231

helps such as are given to much sighing,! Aquilegia. Columbines: help sore throats,
easeth pains in the bdly, provokes urinej are of a drying, binding quality,
being taken inwardly : you may take a dram j Argentina. Silver- weed, or Wild Tansy
of it at a time in powder. Outwardly in ; cold and dry almost in the third degiee;
oils or salves, it helps sinews that are shrunk ; j stops lasks, tiuxes, and the menses, good
limbs out of joint, all aches and swellings ! against ulcers, the-stone,and inward wounds:
coming of a cold cause. j easeth gripings in the belly, fastens loose

Angelica. Is hot and dry in the third de- j teeth : outwardly it takes, away freckles,
gree; opens, digests, makes thin, strengthens jmorphew, and sunburning, it takes away
the heart, helps fluxes, and loathsomeness i inflammations, and bound to the wrists stops
of meat. It is an enemy to poison and pes- i the violence of the fits of the ague,
tilenee, provokes menses, and brings away i Ai-tanita. Sow- bread: hot and dry in
the placanta. You may take a dram of it j the third degree, it is a dangerous purge:
at a time in powder. ! outwardly in ointments it takes away freckles,

Anagallis, mas,femina. Pimpernel, male \ sunburning, and the marks which the small
and female. They are something hot and | pox leaves behind them : dangerous for
dry, and of such a drying quality that they i pregnant women.

draw thorns and splinters out of the flesh, ] Aristolochia, longa, rotunda. Birth-wort
amend the sight, cleanse ulcers, help in- \ long and round. See the roots,
firmities of the liver and reins. Galen. \ Artemisia. Mugwort : is hot and dry in

Anethum. Dill. Is hot and dry in the 5 the second degree: binding: an herb ap-

-_ _ " . 1 . . 1 / 1 * 1

second degree. It stays vomiting, eases
hiccoughs, assuages swellings, provokes
urine, helps such as are troubled with

propriated to the female sex ; it brings down
the menses, brings away both birth and
placenta, eases pains in the matrix. You

fits of the mother, and digests raw humours, j may take a dram at a time.

Apium. Smallage ; So it is commonly i Asparagus. See the roots,
used ; but indeed all Parsley is called by the \ Asarurn, $c. Asarabacca : hot and dry ;
name of Apium, of which this is one kind, j provokes vomiting and urine, and are good
Itis something hotter and dryer than Parsley, j for dropsies. They are corrected with mace
and more efficacious; it opens stoppings of \ or cinnamon.

the liver, and spleen, cleanses the blood, ' Atriplex, SfC. Orach, or Arrach. It is
provokes the menses, helps a cold stomach ; cold in the first degree, and moist in the
to digest its meat, and is good against the; second, saith Galen, and makes the belly
yellowjaundice. Both Smallage and Clevers, j soluble. Itis an admirable remedy for the
may be well used in pottage in the morning \ fits of the mother, and other infirmities of

the matrix, and therefore the Latins called

instead of herbs.

Aparine. Goose-grass, or Clevers : They
arc meanly hot and dry, cleansing, help
the bi tings of venomous beasts, keep men's
bodies from growing too fat, help the yel-
low jaundice, stay bleeding, fluxes, and

it Vulvaria.

Aricula muris, major. Mouse-ear: hoi
and dry, of a binding quality, it is admira-
ble to heal wpunds, inward or outward, as
also ruptures or burstness : Edge-tools

help green wounds. Dioscorides, Pliny, j quenched in the juice of it. will cut iron
Galen, Tragus. j without turning the edge, as easy as they

Atpergwa odorata. Wood-roof: Cheers i will lead : And, lastly, it helps the swelling

he heart, makes men merry, helps melan-
holy, and opens the stoppings of the liver.

of the spleen, coughs and consumptions, of
the lungs.
3 o

232 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Attractkis hirsuta. "Wild Bastard-saffron, | Betony : hot and dry in the second degree,
Distaff-thistle, or Spindle-thistle. Is dry and ; helps the falling sickness and all head-aches
moderately digesting, helps the biting of! coming of cold, cleanses the breast and
venomous beasts : Mesue saith, it is hot in j lungs, opens stoppings of the liver and
the first degree, and dry in the second, and \ spleen, as the rickets, c. procures appetite,
cleanselh the breast and lungs of tough? helps sour belchings, provokes urine, breaks
rlegm. | the stone, mitigates the pains of the reins

Balsamita, SfC. Costmary, Alecost : See : and bladder, helps cramps,* and convul-
Maudlin. sions, resists poison, helps the gout, such a

Barbnjovis, sedum majus. Houseleek or; evacuate blood, madness and head-ache,
Scngreen: cold in the third degree, pro- j kills worms, helps bruises, and cleanseth
fitable against the Shingles, and other hot ; women after labour : You may take a dram
creeping ulcers, inflammations, St. Anthony's ; of it at a time in white wine, or any other
fire, frenzies ; it cools and takes away corns \ convenient liquor proper against the dis-
from the toes, being bathed with the juice | ease you are afflicted with,
of it, and a skin of the leaf laid over the j Betonica Pauli, Sfc. Paul's Betony, or
place ; stops fluxes, helps scalding and j Male Lluellin, to which add Elath-e, or
burning. | Female Lluellin, which comes afterwards ;

Bardana. Clot-bur, or Bur-dock : tern- \ they are pretty temperate, stop defluxions
perately dry and wasting, something cool- 1 of humours that fall from the head into the
ing; it is held to be good against the shrink-! eyes, are profitable in wounds, help filthy
ing of the sinews; eases pains in the bladder, ! foul eating cankers.

and provokes urine. Also Mizaldus saith, I Betonica Coronana, fyc. Is Clove Gilli-
that a leaf applied to the top of the head of; flowers. See the flowers,
a woman draws the matrix upwards, but | Bellis. Basics : are cold and moist in
applied to the soles of the feet draws it j the second degree, they ease all pains and
downwards, and is therefore an admirable { swellings coming of heat, in clysters they
remedy for suffocations, precipitations, and ! loose the belly , are profitable in fevers and
dislocations of the matrix, if a wise man inflammations of the testicles, they take
have but the using of it. j away bruises, and blackness and blueness ;

Beta, alba, nigra, rubra. Beets, white, j they are admirable in wounds and inflam-
black, and red ; black Beets I have no j mations of the lungs or blood
knowledge of. The white are something} Blitum. Elites. Some say they are cold
colder and moister than the red, both of; and moist, others cold and dry: none
them loosen the belly, but have little or no s mention any great virtues of them,
nourishment. The white provoke to stool, j Borrago. Borrage : hot and moist, com-
and are more cleansing, open stoppings of : forts the heart, cheers the spirits, drives
the liver and spleen, help the vertigo or | away sadness and melancholy, they are
swimming in the head : The red stay fluxes, j rather laxative than binding; help swooning
help the immoderate flowing of the menses, land heart-qualms, breed good blood, help
and are good in the yellow jaundice. ! consumptions, madness, and such as are

BeuedictaCariphylL,a. Avens : hot and : much weakened by sickness,
dry, help the cholic and rawness of thei Bonus Henricus. Good Henry, or all
stomach, stitches in the sides, and take away ! good ; hot and dry, cleansing and scouring,
clotted blood in any part of the body. j inwardly taken it loosens the belly ; out-

Betonica vulgaris. Common Wood j wardly it cleanseth old sores and ulcers.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 238

Botrys. Oak of Jerusalem : hot and dry ; Calamintha, Montana, Pah/stris. Moun-
iu the second degree, helps such as are short- , tain and Water Calamint : For the Watet

winded, cuts and wastes gross and tough
flegm, laid among cloaths they preserve
them from moths, and give them a sweet
sin ell.

Calamint : see mints, than which it is ac-
counted stronger. Mountain Calamint, is
hot and dry in the third degree, provokes
urine and the menses, hastens the birth in

Branca ursina. Bears-breech. } women, brings away the placenta, helps

Brionia, $sc. Briony, white and black ; i cramps, convulsions, difficulty of breathing,
both are hot and dry in the third degree, ! kills worms, helps the dropsy : outwardly
purge violently, yet are held to be whole- \ used, it helps such as hold their necks on
some physic for such as have dropsies, ; one side: half a dram is enough at one time
vertigo, or swimming in the head, falling- 1 Galen, Dioscoridcs, Apuleius.
sickness, &c. Certainly it is a strong, j Calendula. Sfc. Marigolds. The leaves
troublesome purge, therefore not to be tarn- 1 are hot in the second degree, and something
pered with by the unskilful, outwardly in I moist, loosen the belly : the juice held in
ointments it takes away freckles, wrinkles, I the mouth, helps the toothache, and takes
morphew, scars, spots, &c. from the face. \ away any inflammation or hot swelling

Bursa pastoris. Shepherd's Purse, is : being bathed with it, mixed with a little
manifestly cold and dry, though Lobel and j vinegar.

Pena thought the contrary ; it is binding 1 Callitricum. Maiden-hair. SeeAdianthum.
and stops blood, the menses ; and cools in- j Caprisolium. Honey -suckles: The leaves
flammations. \ are hot, and therefore naught for inflam-

Bitglossom. Buglosse. Its virtues are \ mations of the mouth and throat, for which
the same with Borrage. jthe ignorant people oftentime give them:

Bugula. Bugle, or Middle Comfrey ; is < and Galen was true in this, let modern
temperate for heat, but very drying, ex- < writers write their pleasure. If you chew
cellent for falls or inward bruises, for it dis- j but a leaf of it in your mouth, experience
solves congealed blood, profitable for inward j will tell you that it is likelier to cause,
wounds, helps the rickets and other stopp- i than to cure a sore throat, they provoke
ings of the liver ; outwardly it is of wonder- ; urine, and purge by urine, bring speedy
ful force in curing wounds and ulcers, : delivery to women in travail, yet procure
though festered, as also gangreens arid fis- ! barrenness and hinder conception, out-
tulas, it helps .broken bones, and disloca- j wardly they dry up foul ulcers, and cleanse
tions. Inwardly you may take it in powder : the face from morphew, sun-burning and
a dram at a time, or drink the decoction : freckles.

of it in white-wine : being made into an : Cardimcdlus, Sfc. Groundsell. Cold and
ointment with hog's grease, you shall find | moist according to Tragus, helps the cholic,
it admirable in g/een wounds. j and gripings in the belly, helps such as

Bi/phthalmum, Sfc. Ox eye. Matthiolns \ cannot make water, cleanses the reins,
saith they are commonly used for black \ purges choler and sharp humours : the
Hellebore, to the virtues of which I refer, j usual way of taking it is to boil it in water

Buxus. Boxtree: the leaves are hot, dry, with currants, and so eat it. I hold it to be
and binding, they are profitable against the) a wholesome and harmless purge. Outwardly
biting of mad dogs; both taken inwardly jit easeth women's breasts that are swollen
tailed and applied to the place: besides j and inflamed ; as also inflammations of the
they are good to cure horses of the bots. ; joints, nerves, or sinews,

234 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Carditus B. Maria. Our Ladies Thistles. are drying and binding, help dimness of the
They are far more temperate than Cardum <\ sight : help the spleen, preserve from
Benedictus, open obstructions or' the liver, | drunkenness, and help the evil effects of it:
help the jaundice and dropsy, provoke j provoke the menses,
urine, break the stone. Centaurium, majus, minus. Centaury the

Carduus Benedictus. Blessed Thistle, but j greater and less. They say the greater
better known by the Latin name : it is hot| will do wonders in curing wounds : see the
and dry in the second degree, cleansing and I root. The less is a present remedy for the
opening, helps swimming and giddiness in j yellow jaundice, opens stoppings of the
the head, deafness, strengthens the memory, \ liver, gall, and spleen : purges choler, helps
helps griping pains in the belly, kills worms, j gout, clears the sight, purgeth the stomach,
provokes sweat, expels poison, helps in- j helps the dropsy and green sickness. It is
rlammation of the liver, is very good in } only the tops and flowers which are useful,
pestilence and venereal: outwardly applied, J of which you may take a dram inwardly in
it ripens plague-sores, and helps hot swell- j powder, or half a handful boiled in posset-
ings, the bitings of mad dogs and venomous } drink at a time.

beasts, and foul filthy ulcers. Every one ! Centinodium, fyc. Knotgrass : cold in the
that can but make a Carduus posset, knows \ second degree, helps spitting and other
how to use it. Camerarius, Arnuldus vel \ evacuations of blood, stops the menses and
unovanus. \ all other fluxes of blood, vomiting of blood,

Chalhia. See the roots, under the name | gonorrhaea, or running of the reins, weak-
of white Chameleon. I ness of the back and joints, inflammations

Corallina. A kind of Sea Moss : cold, { of the privities, and such as make water by
binding, drying, good for hot gouts, in- 1 drops, and it is an excellent remedy for
flammations : also they say it kills worms, hogs that will not eat their meat. Your

only way is to boil it, it is in its prime about
the latter end of July, or beginning of
August : at which time being gathered it

and therefore by some is called Maw-worm-
seed.

Ciissutha, cascuta, potagralini. Dodder.
See Epithimum. may be kept dry all the year. Brassavolm,

Caryophyllata. Avens, or Herb Bennet, \ Cdmerarius.

hot and dry : they help the cholic, rawness : Caryfolium vulgare et Myrrhis. Common
of the stomach, stitches in the sides, -and great chervil: Take them both together,
stoppings of the liver, and bruises. \ and they are temperately hot and dry, pro-

Cataputia minor. A kind of Spurge. See J voke urine, stir up venery, comfort the
Tythymulus. \ heart, and are good for old people ; help

Cattaria, Nepeta. Nep, or Catmints, j pleurises and pricking in the sides.
The virtues are the same with Calaminth. Capea, Anagallis aquatica. Brooklime,

Cauda Equina. Horse-tail; is of a bind-! hot and dry, but not so hot and dry as
ing drying quality, cures wounds, and is an j Water cresses ; they help mangy horses ;
admirable remedy forsinews that are shrunk : j see Water cresses.

it is a sure remedy for bleeding at the nose, j Ceterach, $c. Spleenwort : moderately
or by wound, stops the menses, fluxes, \ hot, waste and consumes the spleen, inso-
ulcers in the reins and bladder, coughs, j much that Vitruvius affirms he hath known
ulcers in the lungs, difficulty of breathing, j hogs that have fed upon it, that have had

Caulis, Brassica hortensis, sihestris. Cole- . (when they were killed) no spleens at all.
wort, or Cabbages, garden and wild. They I It is excellently good for melancholy people,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

helps the stranguary, provokes urine, and I Cinara, $c Artichokes. They provoke
breaks the stone in the bladder, boil it and j venery, and purge by urine,
drink the decoction; but because a little j Cichorium. Succory, to which add Endive
boiling will carry away the strength of it in j which comes after. They are cold and dry
vapours, let it boil but very little, and let it j in the second degree, cleansing and open-
stand close stopped till it be cold before $ ing ; they cool the heats of the liver, and
you strain it out ; this is the general rule | are profitable in the yellow jaundice, and
for all simples of this nature. j burning fevers ; help excoriations in the

Chamapitys. Ground-pine ; hot in the J privities, hot stomachs ; and outwardly ap-
second degree, and dry in the third, helps j plied, help hot rheums in the eyes,
the jaundice, sciatica, stopping of the liver, * Cicuta. Hemlock: cold in the fourth
and spleen, provokes the menses, cleanses! degree, poisonous: outwardly applied, it
the entrails, dissolves congealed blood, re- , helps Priapismus, the shingles, St. Anthony's
sists poison, cures wounds and ulcers, \fire, or any eating ulcers.
Strong bodies may take a dram, and weak* Clematis Daphnoides, Vinca provinca. Pen-
bodies half a drain of it in powder at a j winkle. Hot in the second degree, some-
time. 1 thing dry and binding ; stops lasks, spitting

Chameemelum, sativum^ sylvestre. Garden \ of blood, and the menses,
and Wild Chamomel. Garden Chamomel, j Consolida major. Comfrey, I do not con-
is hot and dry in the first degree, and as \ ceive the leaves to be so virtuous as the
gallant a medicine against the stone in the i roots.

bladder as grows upon the earth, you may $ Consolida media. Bugles, of which before,
take it inwardly, I mean the decoction of j Consolida minima. Daises,
it, being boiled in white wine, or inject the! Consolida rubra. Golden Rod : hot and
juice of it into the bladder with a syringe. | dry in the second degree, cleanses the reins
It expels wind, helps belchmgs, and potent- j provokes urine, brings away the gravel
ly provokes the menses : used in baths, it j an admirable herb for wounded people to
helps pains in the sides, gripings and > take inwardly, stops blood, &c.
gnawings in the belly. Consolida Regalis, Delphinium. Lark

Chamadris, fyc. Germander : hot and 5 . heels : resist poison, help the bitings of
dry in the third degree ; cuts and brings venomous beasts.

away tough humours, opens stoppings of the Saracenica Solidago. Saracens Confound.
liver and spleen, helps coughs and shortness | Helps inward wounds, sore mouths, sore
of breath, stranguary and stopping of urine, $ throats, wasting of the lungs, and liver,
and provokes the menses ; half a dram is j Coronepus. Buchorn Plantane, or Sea-
enough to take at a time. i plantain : cold and dry, helps the bitings

Chelidonium utrumque. Celandine both

of venomous beasts, either taken inwardly,

sorts. Small Celandine is usually called \ or applied to the wound : helps the cholic,
Pilewort; it is something hotter and dryer j breaks the stone. JEgineta.
than the former, it helps the hemorrhoids j Coronaria. Hath got many English
or piles, bruised and applied to the grief. ,; names. Cottonweed, Cudweed, ChafFweed,
Celandine the greater is hot and dry (they ! and Petty Cotton. Of a drying and bind
say in the third degree) any way used ;{ ing nature ; boiled in lye, it keeps the head
either the juice or made into an oil or oint- from nits and lice; being laid among
ment, it is a great preserver of the sight, \ clothes, it keeps them safe from moths,
and an excellent help for the eyes. i kills worms, helps the bitings of venomous

236

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

coughs of the lungs, and vehement head-
aches.

Cruclata. Crosswort: (there is a kind
of Gentian called also by this name, which

beasts ; taken in a tobacco-pipe, it helps ! it is to poison ; it is an admirable remedy

against wounds and gunshot, wounds made
with poisoned weapons, it draws out splin-
ters, broken bones, &c. The dose from half
a dram to a dram.

I pass by) is drying and binding, exceed- \ Dipsacus, sativ. sylv. Teazles, garden
ing good for inward or outward wounds, and wild, the leaves bruised and applied to
either inwardly taken, or outwardly ap- the temples, allay the heat in fevers, qualify
plied: and an excellent remedy for such I the rage in frenzies ; the juice dropped into
as are bursten. 1 the ears, kills worms in them, dropped into

Crassitla. Orpine. Very good: out-: the eyes, clears the sight, helps redness and
wardly used with vinegar, it clears the skin; I pimples in the face, being anointed with it.
inwardly taken, it helps gnawings of the : Ebulus. Dwarf Elder, or Walwort. Hot
stomach and bowels, ulcers in the lungs, | and dry in the third degree ; waste hard
bloody-flux, and quinsy in the throat, for \ swellings, being applied in form of a
which last disease it is inferior to none, \ poultice; the hair of the head anointed with
take not too much of it at a time, because | the juice of it turns it black ; the leaves

of its coolness.
Crithamus,

Sampire. Hot and dry,

Echium. Viper's-bugloss, Viper's-herb,
Snake bugloss, Wal-bugloss, Wild-bugloss,
several counties give it these several names :
It is a singular remedy being eaten, for the-
biting of venomous beasts : continually

being applied to the place, help inflamma-
tions, burnings, scaldings, the bitings of

helps difficulty of urine, the yellow jaun- mad dogs; mingled with bulls suet is a pre-
dice, provokes the menses, helps digestion, j sent remedy for the gout ; inwardly taken,
opens stoppings of the liver and spleen. I is a singular purge for the dropsy and gout.

Cucumis Asininus. Wild Cucumbers. See
Elaterium.

Cyanus major, minor. Blue bottle, great
and small, a fine cooling herb, helps,

bruises, wounds, broken veins; the juice \ eating of it makes the body invincible against
dropped into the eye, helps the inflamma- j the poison of serpents, toads, spiders, &c.
lions thereof. \ however it be administered ; it comforts the

Cygnoglossam. Hound's-Tongue, cold and i heart, expels sadness and melancholy. The
dry : applied to the fundament helps the $ rich may make the flowers into a conserve,
hemorrhoids, heals wounds and ulcers, and ; and the herb into a syrup, the poor may
is a present remedy against the bitings of j keep it dry , both may keep it as a jewel,
dogs, burnings and scaldings. Empetron, Calcifragra^ Herniaria, $c.

Cypret>sus, Charnoe Cyparissus. Cypress- j Rupture-wort, or Burst-wort. The English
o-ee. The leaves are hot and binding, help j name tells you it is good against ruptures,
-uptures, and Polypus or flesh growing on | and so such as are bursten shall find it, if
the nose. I they please to make trial of it, either in-

Chanuz a/parissus. Is Lavender Cotton, i wardly taken, or outwardly applied to the

*" i i.l 1 I . 1 T . 111

Resists poison, and kills worms.

Disetamnus Crdenis. Dictamny, or Dit- j it forth to be good against the stone, which

tany of Greet, hot and dry, brings away
dead children, hastens delivery, brings away
the placenta, the very smell of it drives

place, or both. Also the Latin names hold

whoso tries shall find true.

Enula Campana. Elicampane. Provok
urine. See the root.

away venomous beasts, so deadly an enemy ; Epitliinium. Dodder of Time, to whic

AND EN GUSH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 237

?dd common Dodder, which is usually that \ Fragaria. Strawberry leaves, are cold,
frhich grows upon flax : indeed every Dod- ; dry, and binding, a singular remedy for
der retains a virtue of that herb or plant j inflammations and wounds, hot diseases in
t grows upon, as Dodder that grows upon j the throat ; they stop fluxes and the terms,
Broom, provokes urine forcibly, and j cool the heat of the stomach, and the in-
loosens the belly, and is moister than that j flammations of the liver. The best way is
which grows upon flax that which grows j to boil them in barley water,
upon time, is hotter and dryer than that ; Fraxinns, &>c. Ash-trees, the leaves are
which grows upon flax, even in the third j moderately hot and dry, cure the bitings of
degree, opens obstructions, helps infirmities j Adders, and Serpents ; they stop looseness,
of the spleen, purgeth melancholy, relieves j and stay vomiting, help the rickets, open
drooping spirits, helps the rickets : That I stoppages of the liver and spleen,
which grows on flax, is excellent for agues | Fumaria. Fumitory : cold and dry, it
in young children, strengthens weak j opens and cleanses by urine, helps such as
stomachs, purgeth choler, provokes urine, j are itchy, and scabbed, clears the skin,
opens stoppings in the reins and bladder. j opens stoppings of the liver and spleen,
That which grows upon nettles, provokes j helps rickets, hypochondriac melancholy,
urine exceedingly. The way of using it is j madness, frenzies, quartan agues, loosens
to boil it in white wine, or other convenient ] the belly, gently purgeth melancholy, and
decoction, and boil it very little. JEtias, < addust choler : boil it in white wine, and
Mesue, Actuarius, Serapio, Avincena. | take this one general rule. All things of a

Eruch. Rocket, hot and dry in the j cleansing or opening nature may be most com-
third degree, being eaten alone, causeth \ modiously boiled in white wine. Remember
head-ache, by its heat procures urine. Galen. I but this, and then I need not repeat it.
Eupatoriutn. See Ageratum. Galega. Goat's-rue : Temperate in

Euphragia. Eyebright is something hot | quality, resists poison, kills worms, helps
and dry, the very sight of it refresheth the j the falling-sickness, resists the pestilence,
eyes ; inwardly taken, it restores the sight, I You may take a dram of it at a time in
and makes old men's eyes young, a dram ; powder.

of it taken in the morning is worth a pair j Gallon. Ladies-bed straw : dry and bind-
of spectacles, it comforts and strengthens | ing, stanches blood, boiled in oil, the oil is
the memory, outwardly applied to the j good to anoint a weary traveller ; inwardly
place, it helps the eyes. j it provokes venery.

TV 7 * _/* " "N S~1 i * O * 1

Filixfcemina.

Filicula, polypidium. J- See the roots.

Gentiana. See the root.

Genista. Brooms : hot and dry in the

Filipendula. j ; second degree, cleanse and open the stomach,

Malahathram. Indian -leaf, hot and dry j break the stone in the reins and bladder,
in the second degree, comforts the stomach \ help the green sickness. Let such as are
exceedingly, helps digestion, provokes \ troubled with heart-qualms or faintings,
urine, helps inflammations of the eyes, forbear it, for it weakens the heart and

secures cloaths from moths.

Fteniculum. Fennel, encreaseth milk in
nurses, provokes urine, breaks the stone,

spirit vital. See the flowers.

Geranium. Cranebill, the divers sorts of
it, one of which is that which is called

eascth pains in the reins, opens stoppings, \ Muscata ; it is thought to be cool and dry,
breaks wind, provokes the menses ; you | helps hot swellings, and by its smell amends
may boil it in white wine. j a hot brain.

238

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Geranium Columbinum. Doves-foot ; helps j milk in nurses, aal outwardly by ointment
the wind cholic, pains in the belly, stone in > helps leprosies.

the reins and bladder, and is good in rup- ; Herniaria. The same with Empetron.
tures, and inward wounds. I suppose these 1 Helxine. Pellitory of the wall. Cold.

moist, cleansing, helps the stone and gravel
the kidnies, difficulty of urine, sore

throats, pains in the ears, the juice

are the general virtues of them all.

Gramen. Grass: See the root.

Gratiola. Hedge-Hyssop, purges water

and fiegm, but works very churlishly, j dropped in them; outwardly it helps the
Gesner commends it in dropsies. {shingles and St. Anthonys fire.

Asphodelus f&m. See the root. Hyppoglossum. Horse-tongue, Tongne-

Hepatica, Lichen. Liverwort, cold and : blade or Double-Tongue. The roots help
dry, good for inflammations of the liver, ; the stranguary, provoke urine, ease the
or any other inflammations, yellow jaundice. 1 hard labour of women, provoke the menses,

Hedera Arborea, Terrostris. Tree and t the herb helps ruptures and the fits of the
Ground-Ivy. Tree-Ivy helps ulcers, burn- ! mother : it is hot in the second degree, dry

11" .111 /Y* ' /* 1 1 " 1 f* 1 * 1 . 1*

ings, scaldings, the bad effects of the spleen ;
the juice snuffed up the nose, purges the
head, it is admirable for surfeits or head-
ache, or any other ill effects coming of
drunkenness. Ground-Ivy is that which
usually is called Alehoof, hot and dry, the
juice helps noise in the ears, fistula's, gouts,
stoppings of the liver, it strengthens the
reins and stops the menses, helps the yellow
jaundice, and other diseases coming of
stoppings of the liver, and is excellent for
wounded people.

Herba Camphorata. Stinking; Ground-

in the first : boil it in white wine.

Hyppolapatliitm. Patience, or Monk's
Rhubarb : see the Root.

Hypposdinum. Alexanders, or Alisan-
ders : provoke urine, expel the placenta,
help the stranguary, expel wind.

Sage either taken inwardly or beaten and
applied plaister-wise to the matrix, draws
forth both menses and placenta.

Hormimim. Clary : hot and dry in the
third degree; helps the weakness in the
back, stops the running of the reins, and
the Fluor Albus, provokes the menses, and

pine, is of a drying quality, and therefore j helps women that are barren through cold-
stops defluxions either in the eyes or upon \ ness or moisture, or both : causes fruitful-

the lungs, the gout, cramps, palsies, aches :
strengthens the nerves.

ness, but is hurtful for the memory. The
^ usual way of taking it is to fry it with but-

Herbu Paralysis, Primula veris.
roses, or Cowslips, which you will. The 5 Hydropiper. Arsmart. Hot and dry,
leaves help pains in the head and joints ; | consumes all coW swellings and blood con-
see the flowers which are most in use. j gealed by bruises, and stripes ; applied to

Herba Paris. Herb True-love, or One- \ the place, it helps that aposthume in the
berry. It is good for wounds, falls, bruises, j joints, commonly called a felon: strewed
aposthumes, inflammations, ulcers in the j in a chamber, kills all the fleas there: this
privities. Herb True-love, is very cold in \ is hottest Arsmart, and is unfit to be given
temperature. You may take half a dram inwardly : there is a milder sort, called

of it at a time in powder.

Herba Roberti, A kind of Cranebill.

Herba venti^ Anemone. Wind-flower. The
juice snuffed up in the nose purgeth the
head, it cleanses filthy ulcers, encreases \ for the gout, being roasted between two

Persicaria, which is of a cooler and milder
quality, drying, excellently good for putri-
fied ulcers, kills worms : 1 had almost for-
got that the former is an admirable remedy

/ .1 * i *

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED,

239

Ules and applied to tne grieved place, and ;
yet 1 had it from Dr. Butler too.

Hysopus. Hysop. Helps coughs, short- 1
ness of breath, wheezing, distillations upon
theiungs: it is of a cleansing quality: kills
worms in the body, amends the whole
colour of the body, helps the dropsy and
spleen, sore throats, and noise in the ears. |
See Syrup of Hysop.

Hyosciamus, $c. Henbane. The white;
Henbane is held to be cold in the third }
degree, the black or common Henbane and j
the yellow, in the fourth. They stupify \
the senses, and therefore not to be taken {
inwardly, outwardly applied, they help!
inflammations, hot gouts : applied to the
temples they provoke sleep.

Hypericon. St. John's Wort. It is as
gallant a wound-herb as any is, either!
given inwardly, or outwardly applied toj
the wound : it is hot and dry, opens stopp- j
ings, helps spitting and vomiting of blood,
it cleanses the reins, provokes the menses,
helps congealed blood in the stomach and
meseraic veins, the falling-sickness, palsy,
cramps and aches in the joints ; you may
give it in powder or any convenient decoc- 1
lion.

Hypoglottis, Laurus, Alexandrina. Laurel |
of Alexandria, provokes urine and thej
menses, and is held to be a singular help to ;
women in travail.

Hypoglossum, the same with Hypoglossum j
before, only different names given by dif-j
ferent authors, the one deriving his name?
from the tongue of ahorse, of which forrnj
the leaf is; the other the form of the little*
leaf, bt cause small leaves like small tongues;
grow upon the greater.

Iberis Cardamantice. Sci atica- cresses. $
I suppose so called because they help the|
Sciatica, or Huckle-bone Gout.

Ingumalis, Asther. Setwort or Shart-j
wort : being bruised and applied, they help !
swellings, botches, and venerous swellings j
io the groin, whence they took their name,

as also inflammation and falling out of the
fundament.

Iris. See the roots.

Isatis, Glastum. Woad. Drying and
binding ; the side being bathed with it, it
easeth pains in the spleen, cleanseth filthy
corroding gnawing ulcers.

Iva Arfhritica. The same with Cairuiepytis

luncw oderatus. The same with Schce-
nanthus.

Labrum veneris. The same with Dipsacus.

Lactuca. Lettice. Cold and moist, cools
the inflammation of the stomach, commonly
called heart-burning: provokes sleep, resists
drunkenness, and takes away the ill effects,
of it; cools the blood, quenches thirst, breeds
milk, and is good for choleric bodies, and
such as have a frenzy, or are frantic. It is
more wholesome eaten boiled than raw.

Logabus, Herba Leporina. A kind of
Trefoil growing in France and Spain. Let
them that live there look after the virtues
of it.

Lavendula. Lavender : Hot and dry in
the third degree : the temples and forehead
bathed with the juice of it; as also the smell
of the herb helps swoonings, catalepsis,
falling-sickness, provided it be not accom-
panied with a fever. See the flowers.

Laure.ola. Laurel. The leaves purge
upward and downward : they are good for
rheumatic people to chew in their mouths,
for they draw forth much water.

Laurus. Bay-tree. The leaves are hot
and dry, resist drunkenness, they gently
bind and help diseases in the bladder, help
the stinging of bees and wasps, mitigate
the pain of the stomach, dry and heal,
open obstructions of the liver and spleen,
resist the pestilence.

Lappa Minor. The lesser Burdock.

Lentiscus. Mastich-tree. Both the leaves
and bark of it stop fluxes (being hot and
dry in the second degree) spitting anc
evacuations of blood, and the falling ou
of the fundament.

240 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Lens palustris. Duckmcat : Cold and ? provoke urine , the young sprouts open
moist in the second degree, helps inflamrna- j stoppings of the liver and spleen, cleanse
tions, hot swellings, and the falling out of I the blood, clear the skin, help scabs and
the fundament, being warmed and applied j itch, help agues, purge choler : they are
to the place. | usually boiled and taken as they eat asparagus,

Lcpidium Piperites. Dittander, Pepper- j but if you would keep them, for they are

wort, or Scar- wort : A hot fiery sharp herb,
admirable for the gout being applied to the

the tooth-ache, and withall leaves a wan
colour in the hand that holds it.

Livisticum. Lovage. Clears the sight,
takes away redness and freckles from the
face.

Libanotis Coronaria. See Rosemary.

excellent for these diseases, you may make
them into a conserve, or into a syrup

place : being only held in the hand, it helps i Lychnitis Coronaria : or as others write

it, Lychnis. Rose Campion. I know no
great physical virtue it hath.

Mads. See the barks.

Magistrantia. $c. Masterwort. Hot and
dry in the third degree : it is good against
poison, pestilence, corrupt and unwhole-

Linaria. Toad-flax, or Wild-flax : hot j some air, helps windiness in the stomach,
and dry, cleanses the reins and bladder, \ causeth an appetite to one's victuals, very
provokes urine, opens the stoppings of the j profitable in falls and bruises, congealed
liver and spleen, and helps diseases coming; and clotted blood, the bitings of mad-dogs;
thereof: outwardly it takes away yellow- ; the leaves chewed in the mouth, cleanse the
ness and deformity of the skin. ', brain of superfluous humours, thereby pro

Lillium convallium. Lilly of the Valley. ? venting lethargies, and apoplexes.
See the flowers. * j Malva. Mallows. The best of Authors

Lingua Cerrina. Hart s-longue : drying j account wild Mallows to be best, and hold
and binding, stops blood, the menses and j them to be cold and moist in the first degree,
fluxes, opens stoppings of the liver and i they are profitable in the bitings of venom-
spleen, and diseases thence arising. The ] ous beasts, the stinging of bees and wasps,
like quantity of Hart's-tongue, Knotgrass ; &c. Inwardly they resist poison, provoke
and Comfrey Roots, being boiled in water, j to stool ; outwardly they assuage hard
and a draught of the decoction drunk every | swellings of the privities or other places; in

morning, and the materials which have
boiled applied to the place, is a notable
remedy for such as are bursten.

Limonium. Sea-bugloss, or Marsh-bug-

clysters they help roughness and fretting of
the entrails, bladder, or fundament ; and so
they do being boiled in water, and the
decoction drank, as I have proved in the
bloody flux.

Majorana. See Amaraeus.

Mandrasora. Mandrakes. Fit for no

loss, or Sea- Lavender; the seeds being very
drying and binding, stop fluxes and the
menses, help the cholic and stranguary.

Lotus urbana. Authors make some flutter j vulgar use, but only to be used in cooling
about this herb, I conceive the best take it | ointments.

to be Trisolium Odoratum, Sweet Trefoyl, j Marrubium, album, nigrum,fcctidum.
which is of a temperate nature, cleanses j Marrubium album, is common Horehound.
the eyes gently of such things as hinder the \ Hot in the second degree, and dry in the
sight, cures green wounds, ruptures, or j third, opens the liver and spleen, cleanses
burstness, helps such as urine blood or are: the breast and lungs, helps old coughs,
bruised, and secures garments from moths. I pains in the sides, ptisicks, or ulceration of

Lupulus. Hops. Opening, cleansing, j the lungs, it provokes the menses, ease*

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

241

hard labour in child-bearing, brings away i stomach, stay vomiting, stop the menses,

help sore heads in children, strengthen the
stomach, cause digestion ; outwardly ap-
plied, they help the bitings of mad-dogs:
Yet they hinder conception.

Memba aquatica. Water Mints : Ease

the placenta. See the syrups.

Marrubium, nigrum, et fcetidum. Black i
and stinking Horehouud, I take to be all i
erne. Hot and dry in the third degree;;
cures the bitings of mad dogs, wastes and {

consumes hard knots in the fundament and S pains of the belly, head-ache, and vomiting,
matrix, cleanses filthy ulcers. i gravel in the kiclnies and stone.

Marum. Herb Mastich. Hot and dry j Methastritm. Horse-mint. I know no

in the third degree, good
and convulsions.

against cramps

difference between them and water mints.
Mercurialis, mas,fcemina. Mercury male

Matricaria. Feverfew. Hot in the third J and female, they are both hot and dry in
degree, dry in the second ; opens, purges ; j the second degree, cleansing, digesting, they
a singular remedy for diseases incident to j purge watery humours, and further concep-
the matrix, and other diseases incident to ition.

women, eases their travail, and infirmities i Mezeretm. Spruge-Olive, or Widdow-
coming after it; it helps the vertigo or dis-i wail. A dangerous purge, better let alone
siness of the head, melancholy sad thoughts : than meddled with.

you may boil it either alone, or with other Millefolium. Yarrow. Meanly cold and
herbs fit for the same purpose, with which binding, an healing herb for wounds,
this treatise will furnish you: applied to i stanches bleeding ; and some say the juice
the wrists, it helps the ague. [snuffed up the nose, causeth it to bleed,

Matrisylva. The same with Caprifolium. \ whence it was called, Nose-bleed ; it

Mdiotus. Melilot. Inwardly taken, pro- :
vokes urine, breaks the Stone, cleanses the
reins and bladder, cutteth and cleanses the
lungs of tough flegm , the juice dropped
into the eyes, clears the sight, into the ears,
mitigates pain and noise there ; the head
bathed with the juice mixed with vinegar,

takes away the pains thereof: outwardly
in pultisses, it assuages swellings in the pri-
vities and elsewhere.

Mellissa. Balm. Hot and dry : out-
wardly mixed with salt and applied to the
neck, helps the King's-evil, bitings of mad
dogs, venomous beasts, and such as cannot

stops lasks, and the menses, helps the
running of the reins, helps inflammations
and excoriations of the priapus, as also
inflammations of wounds. Galen.

Muscus. Mosse. Is something cold and
binding, yet usually retains a smatch of the
property of the tree it grows on; therefore
that which grows upon oaks is very dry and
binding. Serapio saith that it being infused
in Avine, and the wine drank, it stays vomit-
ing and fluxes, as also the Fluor Albus.

Myrtus. Myrtle-tree. The leaves are
of, a cold earthly quality, drying and bind-
ing, good for fluxes, spitting and vomiting of

hold their neck as they should do; inwardly blood ; stop the Fluor Albus and menses.
it is an excellent remedy for a cold and j Nardus. See the root,
moist stomach, cheers the heart, refreshes j Nasturtium, Aquaticum, Hortense. Water
the mind, takes away griefs, sorrow, and (cresses, and Garden-cresses. Garden-
care, instead of which it produces joy and j cresses are hot and dry in the fourth degree,
mirth. See the syrup. Galen, Avicenna. \ good for thes curvy, sciatica, hard swellings,
Mentha saliva. Garden Mints, Spear j yet do they trouble the belly, ease pains of
Mints. Are hot and dry in the third degree, j the spleen, provoke lust. Dioscorides. Water
provoke hunger, are wholesome for the j cresses are hot and dry, cleanse the blood

242 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

help the scurvy, provoke urine and the {travel four days without either meat or
menses, break the stone, help the green-sick- j drink, by only chewing a little of this in

uess, cause a fresh lively colour.

Nasturtium Alhum, Thlaspie. Treacle-
mustard. Hot and dry in the third degree,
purges violently, dangerous for pregnant

their mouths : It eases the body of super-
fluous humours, opens stoppings See the
ointment of Tobacco.

Nummularia. Money -\rort, or Herb

women Outwardly it is applied with profit j Two-pence; cold, dry, binding, helps fluxes,
to the gout. | stops the menses, helps ulcers in the lungs;

Nicorimt. Tobacco. It is hot and dry ! outwardly it is a special herb for wounds,
in the second degree, and of a cleansing ! Nymphea. See the flowers,
nature : the leaves warmed and applied to > ; Ocynum. Basil, hot and moist. The best
the head, are excellently good in inveterate j use that I know of it, is, it gives speedy
head-aches and megrims, if the diseases j deliverance to women in travail. Let them
come through cold or wind, change them \ not take above half a dram of it at a time
often till the diseases be gone, help such 1 1 in powder, and be sure also the birth be
whose necks be stiff: it eases the faults of ! ripe, else it causes abortion,
the breast : Asthma's or head-flegm in the \ Olece folia. Olive leaves : they are hard
lappets of the lungs : eases the pains of the ! to come by here.

stomach and windiness thereof: being heated | Ononis. Restharrow. See the roots,
by the fire, and applied hot to the side, they \ Ophioglossum. Adder's-tongue. The leaves
loosen the belly, and kill worms being ap- j are very drying : being boiled in oil they
plied unto it in like manner : they break j make a dainty green balsam for green
the stone being applied in like manner to * wounds : taken inwardly, they help inward
the region of the bladder : help the rickets, wounds.

being applied to the belly and sides: applied
to the navel, they give present ease to the

Origanum. Origany : a kind of wild
Marjoram ; hot and dry in the third degree,

fits of the mother : they take away cold | helps the bitings of venomous beasts, such
aches in the joints applied to them: boiled, \ as have taken Opium, Hemlock, or Poppy;
the liquor absolutely and speedily cures \ provokes urine, brings down the menses,
scabs and itch: neither is there any betters helps old coughs; in an ointment it helps
salve in the world for wounds than may be ! scabs and itch.

made of it : for it cleanses, fetches out the \ Oxylapathum. Sorrel. See Acetosa.
filth though it lie in the bones, brings up the Papaver, $c. Poppies, white, black, or
flesh from the bottom, and all this it doth : erratick. I refer you to the syrups of each
speedily : it cures wounds made with poi- j Parietaria. Given once before under the
soned weapons, and for this Clusius brings : name of Hehine.

many experiences too tedious here to relate. \ Pastiruea. Parsnips. See the roots.
It is an admirable thing for carbuncles and ! Persicaria. See Hydropiper. This is the
plague-sores, inferior to none: green wounds [milder sort of Arsmart [described there:
'twill cure in a trice : ulcers and gangreens \ If ever you find it amongst the compounds,
very speedily, not only in men, but also in | take it under that notion,
beasts, therefore the Indians dedicated it to \ Pentaphyllium. Cinquefoil: very drying, ,
their god. Taken in a pipe, it hath almost! yet but meanly hot, if at all ; helps ulcers
as many virtues; it easeth weariness, takes! in the mouth, roughness of the wind-pipe"
away the sense of hunger and thirst, pro- j (whence comes hoarsness and coughs, &c.)
vokes to stool: he saith, the Indians will I helps fluxes, creeping ulcers, and the yellow

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 242

jaundice ; they say one leaf cures a quoti- j helps all inward inflammations whatsoever
dian ague, three a tertain, and four a j Porrum. Leeks. See the roois.
quartan. I know it will cure agues without | Primula Veris. See Cowslips, or the
this curiosity, if a wise man have the hand- j Flowers, which you will.
Cng of it ; otherwise a cart load will not j Prunella. Self-heal, Carpenter's-herh,
do it. i and Sicklewort. Moderately hot and dry,

Petroselinum. Parsley. See Smallage. ! binding. See Bugle, the virtues being the

Per Columbinus. See Geranium. \ same.

Persicarium folia. Peach Leaves: they \ Puleghtm. Pennyroyal; hot and dry in
are a gentle, yet a complete purger of j the third degree,; provokes urine, breaks
choler, and disease coming from thence ; 5 the stone in the reins, strengthens women's
(it for children because of their gentleness, i backs, provokes the menses, easeth their
You may boil them in white wine: a hand- \ labour in child-bed, brings away the pla-
tull is enough at a time. j centa, stays vomiting, strengthens the brain,

Pilosella. Mouse-ear : once before and 5 breaks wind, and helps the vertigo,
this is often enough. Pulmonaria, arborea, et SympJnjtrnn macu-

Pithyusa. A new name for Spurge ofilosum. Lung- wort. It helps infirmities of
the last Edition. the lungs, as hoarsness, coughs, wheezing,

Plantago. Plantain. Cold and dry ; an ) shortness of breath, &c. You may boil it
herb, though common, yet let none des- in Hyssop-water, or any other water that
pise it, for the decoction of it prevails strengthens the lungs.

mightily against tormenting pains and ex- Pulicaria. Fleabane ; hot and dry in the
conations of the entrails, bloody fluxes, it $ third degree, helps the biting of venomous
stops the menses, and spitting of blood, j beasts, wounds and swellings, the yellow
phthisicks, or consumptions of the lungs, ; jaundice, the falling sickness, and such as
the running of the reins, and the Fluor j cannot make water; being burnt, the smoak
Albus, pains in the head, and frenzies: out- i of it kills all the gnats and fleas in the
wardly it clears the sight, takes away in- \ chamber ; it is dangerous for pregnant
flammations, scabs, itch, the shingles, and ; women.

all spreading sores, and is as wholesome an * Pynis sylvestris. Wild Pear-tree. I
herb as can grow about any an house. * know no virtue in the leaves.
Tragits, Dioscorides. Pyrola. Winter-green. Cold and dry,

Politcm, $c. Policy, or Pellamountain : j and very binding, stops fluxes, and the
All the sorts are hot in the second degree, | menses, and is admirably good in green
and dry in the third: helps dropsies, the yel- j wounds.

low jaundice, infirmities of the spleen, and \ Qnercus folia. Oak Leaves : Are much
provokes urine. Dioscorides. \ of I he nature of the former, stay the Fluor

Polygmum. Knotgrass. j Albus. See the bark.

Polytricum. Maidenhair. Ranunculus. Hath got a sort of English

f\ 1 T^ 1 f^ 11 1 * "VT" S~\ f* ~WT" * ' 1 -i > i i

Names : Crowfoot, King-kob, Gold-cups,
Gold-knobs, Butter-flowers, &c. they are
of a notable hot quality, unfit to be taken

Portulaca. Purslain: Cold and moist
in the second or third degree: cools hot
stomachs, and it is admirable for one that

hath his teeth on edge by eating sour apples, \ inwardly: If you bruise the roots and apply
it cools the blood, liver, and is good for hot j them to a plague-sore, they are notable
diseases, or inflammations in any of these Uhings to draw the venom to them,
places, stops fluxes, and the menses, and j Raparum folia. If they do mean Turnip

3 it

44 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

leaves, when they are young and tender, ; the boughs stuck about a chamber, wonder-
they are held to provoke urine. I fully cool the air, and refresh such as have

Rosmarirum. llostmary, hot and dry in j fevers ; the leaves applied to the head,
the second degree, binding, stops ihixqs, j help hot diseases there, and frenzies
helps stuffings in the head, the yellow jaun-j ^anjptucMan Marjoram,
dice, helps the memory, expels wind. Seel Snnicula. Sanicle; hot and dry in the
the flowers. Serapio, Dioscorides. i second degree, cleanses wounds and ulcers.

Rosa solis. See the water. Sapoitaria. Sope-wort, or Bruise-wort,

Rosa alba, rubra, Damascena. White, i vulgarly used in bruises and cut fingers,
Red, and Damask Roses. \ and is of notable use in the veneral disease

Rumex. Dock ; All the ordinary sort of j Satureia. Savory. Summer savory is
Docks are of a cool and drying substance, j hot and dry in the third degree, Winter
and therefore stop fluxes; and the leaves j savory is not so hot, both of them expel
are seldom used in physic. : wind.

Rnbus Idteus : Raspis, Raspberries, or ; Sazifragia alba. White Saxifrage, breaks
Hind-berries: I know no great virtues in wind, helps the cholic and stone,
the leaves. Scabiosa, Scabious : hot and dry in the

Rnta. Rue, or Herb of Grace ; hot and j second degree, cleanses the breast and lungs,
dry in the third degree, consumes the seed, i helps old rotten coughs, and difficulty of
and is an enemy to generation, helps dif- j breathing, provokes urine, and cleanses the
ficulty of breathing, and inflammations of: bladder of filthy stuff, breaks aposthumes,
the lungs, pains in the sides, inflammations i and cures scabs and itch. Boil it in white
of the priapus and matrix, naught for preg- ; wine.

nant women: no herb resists poison more. 1 Scariola. An Italian name for Succory.
It strengthens the heart exceedingly, andj Scluvnantlnis. Schcenanth, Squinanth,
no herb better than this in pestilential j or Chamel's hay; hot and binding. It
times, take it what manner you will or can. \ digests and opens the passages of the veins:

Rut a Murfiria. See Adianthum. j surely it is as great an expeller of wind as

Sab'ma. Savin: hot and dry in the third jany is.

degree, potently provokes the menses, expels | Scordium. Water-Germander, hot and
both birth and afterbirth, they (boiled in -dry, cleanses ulcers in the inward parts, it
oil and used in ointments) sta}' creeping provokes urine and the menses, opens
ulcers, scour away spots, freckles and sun- j slopping of the liver, spleen, reins, bladder,
burning from the face ; the belly anointed jand matrix, it is a great counter poison, and
with il kills worms in children. leases the breast oppressed with flegm : see

Sah'ia. Sage: hot and dry in the second \ Diascordium.

or third degree, binding, it stays abortion j Scrophularia. Figwort, so called of
in such women as are subject to come before ScropTwla* the King's Evil, which it cures
their times, it causes fruitfulness, it is sin- J they say, by being only hung about the
gularly good for the brain, strengthens the | neck. If not, bruise it, and apply it to
senses and memory, helps spitting and j the place, it helps the piles or hemorrhoids,
vomiting of blood : outwardly, heat hot Sedum. And all his sorts : see Barba
with a little vinegar and applied to the side, Jovis.
helps stitches and pains in the sides. Senna. It heats in the second degree

Salix. Willow leaves, are cold, dry, and jand dries in the first, cleanses, purges and
binding, stop spitting of blood, and fluxes; [digests; it carries downward both choler,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 245

flegm, and melancholy, it cleanses the! usually found about old ruinous buildings :

brain, heart, liver, spleen ; it cheers the > it is so called because of its virtue in

senses, opens obstructions, takes away dul- j stopping fluxes.

ness of sight, helps deafness, helps melan- j Shinachia. Spinage. I never read any

choly and madness, resists resolution of the $ physical virtues of it.

nerves, pains of the head, scabs, itch, fall- ; Spina Alba. See the root.

ing-sickness, the windiness of it is corrected ! Spica. See Nardtis.

with a little ginger. You may boil half an > Stabe. Silver Knapweed : The virtues

ounce of it at a time, in water or white \ be the same with Scabious, and some think

wine, but boil it not too much ; half an \ the herbs too ; though I am of another

ounce is a moderate dose to be boiled for \ opinion.

any reasonable body. i Stoschas. French Lavender. Cassidony,

Serpillum. Mother-of-Time, with Time ; us a great counterpoison, opens obstructions
;t is hot and dry in the third degree, it pro- 1 of the liver and spleen, cleanses the matrix
vokes the menses, and helps the stranguary \ and bladder, brings out corrupt humours,
or stoppage of urine, gripings in the belly, ; provokes urine.

ruptures, convulsions, inflammation of the | Succisa, Marsus Diaboli. Devil's-bit.
liver, lethargy, and infirmities of the spleen, \ Hot and dry in the second degree: inwardly
boil it in white wine. Mtius, Galen. \ taken, it eases the fits of the mother, and

Sigillum Solomonis. Solomon's seal. See j breaks wind, takes away swellings in the
the root. > mouth, and slimy flegm that stick to the

Smyrnium. Alexander of Crete.

jaws, neither is there a more present remedy

Solatium. Night-shade: very cold and in the world for those cold swellings in
dry, binding ; it is somewhat dangerous ' the neck which the vulgar call the almonds
given inwardly, unless by a skilful hand ;i of the ears, than this herb bruised and
outwardly it helps the Shingles, St. Anthony's \ applied to them,
fire, and other hot inflammations. Suchaha. An Egyptian Thorn. Very

Soldanella. Bindweed, hot and dry in | hard, if not impossible to come by here,
the second degree, it opens obstructions of i Tanacetum. Tansy : hot in the second
the liver, and purges watery humours, and > degree and dry in the third ; the very smell
is therefore very profitable in dropsies, it is of it stays abortion, or miscarriages in
very hurtful to the stomach, and therefore ; women ; so it doth being bruised and ap-
if taken inwardly it had need be well cor- 5 plied to their navels, provokes urine, and
rected with cinnamon, ginger, or annis- j is a special help against the gout,
seed, c. Taraxacon. Dandelion, or to write better

Sonchus levis Asper. Sow-thistles smooth j French, Dent-de-lion, for in plain English,
and rough, they are of a cold, watery, yet it is called lyon's tooth; it is a kind of Sue-

binding quality, good for frenzies, they
increase milk in nurses, and cause the chil-
dren which they nurse to have a good

cory, and thither I refer you.

Tamariscus. Tamiris. It hath a dry
cleansing quality, and hath a notable virtue

colour, help gnawings of the stomach j against the rickets, and infirmities of the
coming of a hot cause; outwardly they } spleen, provokes the menses. Galen, Dios
help inflammations, and hot swellings, cool i corides.
the heat of the fundament and privities. Telephium. A kind of Opine.

Sophi Chirurgorum. Fluxweed : dry ing \ Thlaspi. See Nasturtium.
without any manifest heat or coldness ; it is j Thymbra, A wild Savory.

240 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Tliymum. Thyme. Hot and dry in the
third degree; helps coughs and shortness of!

a digesting, cleansing quality, stops fluxes
and the hemorrhoids, it cures hoarseness,

breath, provokes the menses, brings away ; the cough, and such as are broken winded
dead children and the after birth; purges! Verbena. Vervain: hot and dry, a great
llegm, cleanses the breast and lungs, reins j opener, cleanser, healer, it helps the yellow
and matrix; helps the sciatica, pains in i jaundice, defects in the reins and bladdei,
the breast, expels wind in any part of the ; pains in the head ; if it be but bruised and
body, resists tearfulness and melancholy, j hung about the neck, all diseases in the
continual pains in the head, and is prorita- privities ; made into an ointment it is a
ble for such as have the falling-sickness to j sovereign remedy for old head-aches, as
smell to. -also frenzies, it clears the skin, and causes

Thymfelea. The Greek name for Spurge- 1 a lovely colour.
Olive : Mezereon being the Arabick name. I Voronica. See Betonica Pauli.

Tithymallus, Esula, $c. Spurge. Hot < Violaria, Violet Leaves : they are cool,
and dry in the fourth degree : a dogged j ease pains in the head proceeding of heat
purge, better let alone than taken inwardly: I and frenzies, either inwardly taken, or out-
hair anointed with the juice of it will fall \ wardly applied ; heat of the stomach, or in-

off: it kills fish, being mixed with any
thing that they will eat: outwardly it

flam (nation of the lungs.

Vitis Vimseria. The manured Vine: the

cleanses ulcers, takes away freckles, sun- leaves are binding and cool withal ; the
burning and morphew from the face. j burnt ashes of the sticks of a vine, scour

Tormentilla. See the root. ] the teeth and make them as white as snow;

Trinitalis herba. Pansies, or Heart's-
ease : They are cold and moist, both herbs
and flowers, excellent against inflammations

the leaves stop bleeding, fluxes, heart-
burnings, vomitings ; as also the longings
of pregnant women. The coals of a burnt

of the breast or lungs, convulsions or fall- j Vine, in powder, mixed with honey, doth
ing-sickness, also they are held to be good j make the teeth as white as ivory, which are
for venereal complaints. j rubbed with it.

Trifolium. Trefoil: dry in the third; Vincitoxicum. Swallow-wort. A pultis
degree, and cold : The ordinary Meadow j made with the leaves helps sore breasts, and
Trefoil, cleanses the bowels of slimy humours I also soreness of the matrix,
that stick to them, being used either in \ Virga Pastoris. A third name for Tea-
drinks or clysters; outwardly they takejzles. See Dipsatus.
away inflammations. j Virga Aurea. See Consolida.

Tussilago. Colt's-foot : something cold | Ulmaria. See the root. Meadswcet.
and dry, and therefore good for inflamma- | Umbslicus Veneris. Navil-wort : Cold,
tions, they are admirably good for coughs, j dry, and binding, therefore helps all in-
and consumptions of the lungs, shortness ! flammations ; they are very good for kibed
of breath, &c. It is often used and with \ heels, being bathed with it and a leaf laid
good success taken in a tobacco-pipe, being over the sore.

cut and mixed with a little oil of annis > Urtica. Nettles : an herb so well known,
seeds. See the Syrup of Colt's-foot. j that you may find them by the feeling in

Valeriana. Valerian, or Setwall. See \ the darkest night: they are something hot,
the roots. * not very hot ; the juice stops bleeding ;

Verbascum, Thapsus Barbatus. Mullin, they provoke lust, help difficulty of breath-
or Higtaper. It is something dry, and of\ ing, pleurisies, inflammations of the lungs,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

247

that vfoublesome cough that women call ( Wmter-Gilliflowers, or Wall-flowers, help
the Chincough ; they exceedingly break $ inflammation of the womb, pro\ oke the
the stone, provoke urine, and help such as f menses, and help ulcers in the mouth.

cannot hold their necks upright. Boil j
them in white wine.

TJsnea. Moss ; once before.

FLOWERS.

Honey-suckles, provoke urine, ease the
pains of the spleen, and such as can hardl}
fetch their breath.

Mallows, help coughs.

Red Roses, cool, bind, strengthen both
vital and animal virtue, restore such as are
in consumptions, strengthen. There are

BORAGE, and Bugloss flowers strengthen so many compositions of them which makes
the brain, and are profitable in fevers. ; me more brief in the simples.

Chamomel flowers, heat and assuage j Violets, (to wit, the blue ones,) cool and
swellings, inflammation of the bowels, dis- \ moisten, provoke sleep, loosen the belly,
solve wind, are profitably given in clysters | resist fevers, help inflammations, correct

the heat of choler, ease the pains in the
head, help the roughness of the wind-pipe,
diseases in the throat, inflammations in the
breast and sides, plurisies, open stoppings
of the liver, and help (he yellow jaundice.
Chicory, (or Succory as the vulgar call
it) cools and strengthens the liver, so doth
Endive.

or 'drink, to such as are troubled with the
cholic, or stone.

Stcechea, opens stoppings in the bowels,
and strengthens the whole body.

Saffron powerfully concocts, and sends
out whatever humour offends the body,
drives backinflammations ; applied outward-
ly, encreases venery, and provokes urine.

Clove-Gilliflowers, resist the pestilence, ij Wateo lilies ease pains of the head corn-
strengthen the heart, liver, and stomach, and i ing of choler and heat, provoke sleep, cool
provoke venery. : inflammations, and the heat in fevers.

Schoenanth (which I touched slightly:! Pomegranate-flowers, dry and bind, stop
amongst the herbs) provokes urine potently, i fluxes, and the menses,
provokes the menses, breaks wind, helps j Cowslips, strengthen the brain, senses,
such as spit or vomit blood, eases pains of i; and memory, exceedingly, resist all dis-
the stomach, reins, and spleen, helps drop- ; eases there, as convulsions, falling-sickness,
sies, convulsions, and inflammations of the ;; palsies, c.
womb. Ccntaitry, purgescholerand grosshumours

Lavender-flowers, resist all cold afflic- j helps the yellow jaundice, opens obstruc-
tions of the brain, convulsions, falling-sick- j tions of the liver, helps pains of the spleen,
ness, they strengthen cold stomachs, and j provokes the menses, brings away birth
open obstructions of the liver, they provoke i' and afterbirth,
urine and the menses, bring forth the birth \ Elder flowers, help dropsies, cleanse the

11 1111. 1.1*. / , 1

and placenta.

Hops, open stoppings of the bowels,
and for that cause beer is better than ale.

Balm-flowers, cheer the heart and vital
spirits, strengthen the stomach.

Rosemary^/lowers, strengthen the biain
exceedingly, and resist madness ; clear the
tight.

blood, clear the skin, open stoppings of the
liver and spleen, and diseases arising there-
from.

Bean-flowers, clear the skin, stop humours
flowing into the eyes

Peach-tree flowers, purge choler gently

Broom-flowers, purge water, and are good
in dropsies.

3 s

240 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

The temperature of all these differ either j Cloves, help digestion, stop looseness, pro-
very little or not at all from the herbs. : voke lust, and quicken the sight

The way of using the flowers I did for-! Pepper, binds, expels wind, helps the
bear, because most of them may, and arefcholic, quickens digestion oppressed with
usually made into conserves, of which 3 r ou|cold, heats the stomach
may take the quantity of a nutmeg in the j Quinces. See the Compositions.
morning; all of them may be kept dry aj Pears are grateful to the stomach, dry-
year, and boiled with other herbs conducing j ing, and therefore help fluxes.
to the cures they do. All plums that are sharp or sour, are

| binding, the sweet are loosening.

Cucumbers, cool the stomach, and are

FRUITS AND THEIR BUDS. U ^ 1 *S ainst ulcer j > J. 6 Madder.

Galls, are exceeding binding, help ulcers

Green Figs, are held to be of ill juice, but
the best is, we are not much troubled with

in the mouth, wasting of the gums, ease
the pains of the teeth, help the falling out

them in England ; dry figs help coughs, 5 of the womb and fundament, make the
cleanse the breast, and help infirmities of the 5 hair black.

lungs, shortness of wind, they loose thej Pompions are a cold and moist fruit, of
belly, purge the reins, help inflammations | small nourishment, they provoke urine,
of the liver and spleen; outwardly they dis- | outwardly applied ; the flesh of them helps
solve swellings. ^inflammations and burnings; applied to the

Pine-nuts, restore such as are in con- 'forehead they help inflammations of theeyes.
sumptions, amend the failings of the lungs, \ Melons, have few other virtues,
concoct flegm, and yet are naught for such j Apricots, are very grateful to the stomach,
as are troubled with the head-ache. i and dry up the humours thereof. Peaches

Dates, are binding, stop eating ulcers | are held to do the like.

being applied to them ; they are very good ; Cubebs, are hot and dry in the third de-
for weak stomachs, for they soon digest, and ; gree, they expel wind, and cleanse the
breed good nourishment, they help infir- j stomach of tough and viscous humours, they
mities of the reins, bladder, and womb. lease the pains of the spleen, and help cold

Sebcstens, cool choler, violent heat of the > diseases of the womb, they cleanse the head
stomach, help roughness of the tongue and i of flegm and strengthen the brain, they heat
wind-pipe, cool the reins and bladder. i the stomach and provoke venery.

Raisins of the Sun, help infirmities of the 5 J3ilter dlmo/ids, are hot in the first degree
breast and liver, restore consumptions, | and dry in the second, they cleanse and cut
gently cleanse and move to stool. I thick humours, cieanse the lungs, and eaten

Wabwts, kill worms, resist the pestilence J every morning, they are held to .preserve
(I mean the green ones, not the dry.) ' from drunkenness.

Capers eaten before meals, provoke hun- ] Bay-berries, heat, expel wind, mitigate
ger. ; pain ; are excellent for cold infirmities of

Nutmegs* strengthen the brain, stomach,! the womb, and dropsies,
and liver, provoke urine, ease the pains of! Cherries, are of different qualities accord-
trie spleen, stop looseness, ease pains of the Ung to their different taste, the sweet arc
head, and pains in the joints, strengthen the': quickest of digestion, but the sour arc more
body, take away weakness coming of cold. '1 pleasing to a hot stomach, and procure
and cause a sweet \> eath. .{appetite to one's meat.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

219

, are strengthening to the stomach, ; confident a child of three years old, it' you
binding, and the green are more binding j should give it Raisins of the sun or Cherries
than the rotten, and the dry than the green. | would not ask how it should take them

Olties, cool and bind.

English-currants, cool the stomach, and
are profitable in acute fevers, they quench
thirst, resist vomiting, cool the heat 01

SEEDS OR GRAINS.

choler, provoke appetite, and are good for > Coriander seed, hot and dry, expels wind,
hot complexions. j but is hurtful to the head ; sends up un-

Services, or Checkers are of the nature of; wholesome vapours to the brain, dangerous
Medlars, but something weaker in opera- 1 for mad people.
tion. Fenugreek seeds, are of a softening, dis-

Barberries, quench thirst, cool the heat | cussing nature, they cease inflammations,
of choler, resist the pestilence, stay vomiting \ be they internal or external: bruised and
and fluxes, stop the menses, kill worms, i mixed with vinegar they ease the pains of
hdp spitting of blood, fasten the teeth, and 5 the spleen : being applied to the sides,
strengthen the gums. help hardness and swellings of the matrix,

Strawberries, cool the stomach, liver, and being boiled, the decoction helps scabby
blood, but are very hurtful for such as have j heads.
agues. Lin-seed hath the same virtues with Fenu-

Winter-Cherries, potently provoke urine, [ greek.

and break the stone.

Cassia-fatula, is temperate in quality,
gently purgeth choler and flegm, clarifies
the blood, resists fevers, cleanses the breast
and lungs, it cools the reins, and thereby
resists the breeding of the stone, it provokes
urine, and therefore is exceeding good for
the running of the reins in men, and the
Fluor Albus in women.

All the sorts or Myrobalans, purge the
stomach; the Indian Myrobalans, are held
to purge melancholy most especially, the
other flegm ; yet take heed you use them
Jiot in stoppings of the bowels : they are
coid and dry, they all strengthen the heart,
brain, and sinews, strengthen the'stomach,

Cromwell seed, provokes urine, helps the
cholic eaks the stone, and expels wind.
Boil them in white wine ; but bruise them
first.

Lupines, ease the pains of the spleen,
kill worms and cast them out : outwardly,
they cleanse filthy ulcers, and gangrenes,
help scabs, itch, and inflammations.

Dill seed, encreases milk in nurses, expels
wind, stays vomitings, provokes urine ; yet
it dulls the sight, and is an. enemy to gene-
ration.

Smallage seed, provokes urine and the
menses, expels wind, resists poison, and
eases inward pains, it opens stoppings in
any part of the body, yet it is hurtful for

relieve the senses, take away tremblings and such as have the falling-sickness, and for
heart-qualms. They are seldom used alone, i pregnant women.

Primes, are cooling and loosening. Rocket seed, provokes urine, stirs up lust r

Tamarinds, are cold and dry in the second | encreases seed, kills worms, eases pains oi

degree, they purge choler, cool the blood, j the spleen. Use all these in like manner.

stay vomiting, help the yellow jaundice,: Basil seed: If we may believe Diosco-

quench thirst, cool hot stomachs, and hotjnV/es and Crescentius, cheers the heart, and

livers. j strengthens a moist stomach, drives away

I omit the use of these also as resting 'melancholy, and provokes urine.

250

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Ndtk seed, provokes venery, opens stop- j The seeds of Water-cresses, heat, yet Iron-
pages of the womb, helps inflammations of I ble the stomach and belly ; ease the pains

of the spleen, are very dangerous for
pregnant women, yet they provoke lust
outwardly applied, they help leprosies, scald
heads, and the falling off of hair, as also
carbuncles, and cold ulcers in the joints.
Mustard seed, heats, extenuates, and

draws moisture from the brain
being shaved and anointed with

the head
Mustard,

of the sides and lungs ; purgeth the breast:
boil them (being bruised) in white wine
also.

The seeds of Ammi, or Bishop' s-Keed,
heat and dry, help difficulty of urine, and
the pains of the cholic, the bitings of venom- i
ous beasts ; they provoke the menses, and
purge the womb.

Annis seeds, heat and dry, ease pain, ex-
pel wind, cause a sweet breath, help the ! filthy ulcers, and hard swellings in the
dropsy, resist poison, breed milk, and stop j mouth, it helps old aches coming of cold,
the Fluor Albus in women, provoke venery, i French Barley, is cooling, nourishing, and
and ease the head-ache.

Cardamoms, heat, kill worms, cleanse the
reins, and provoke urine.

Fennel seed, breaks wind, provokes urine
and the menses, encreases milk in nurses.

Cummin seed, heat, bind, and dry, stop

is a good remedy for the lethargy, it helps

breeds milk

Sorrel seeds, potently resist poison, help
fluxes, and such stomachs as loath their
meat.

Succory seed, cools the heat of the blood,

of the 1

; extinguishes lust, opens stoppings

blood, expel wind, ease pain, help the {liver and bowels, it allays the heat of the
bitings of venomous beast: outwardly ap- j body, and produces a good colour, it
plied (viz. in Plaisters) they are of a dis-f strengthens the stomach, liver, and reins.

cussing nature.

Carrot seeds, are windy, provoke lust ex-
ceedingly, and encrease seed, provoke urine
and the menses, cause speedy delivery to
women in travail, and bring away the
placenta. All these also may be boiled in
white wine.

Nigella seeds, boiled in oil, and the fore-
head anointed with it, ease pains in the
head, take away leprosy, itch, scurf, and
help scald heads : Inwardly taken they
expel worms, they provoke urine, and the
menses, help difficulty of breathing.

Stm-esacre, kills lice in the head, I hold it
not fitting to be given inwardly.

Olibanum mixed with as much Barrow's
Grease (beat the Olibanum first in powder)
and boiled together, make an ointment
which will kill the lice in children's heads,
and such as are subject to breed them, will
never breed them. A Medicine cheap,
safe, and sure, which breeds no annoyance
to tbe brain.

Poppy seeds, ease pain, provoke sleep.
Your best way is to make an emulsion of
them with barley Avater.

Mallow seeds, ease pains in the bladder.

Chich-pease, are windy, provoke lust, en-
crease milk in nurses, provoke the menses,
outwardly, they help scabs, itch, and in-
flammations of the testicles, ulcers, &c.

White Saxifrage seeds, provoke urine, ex-
pel wind, and break the stone. Boil them
in white wine.

Hue seeds, helps such as cannot hold
their water.

Lett ice seed, cools the blood, restrains
venery.

Also Gourds, Citnds, Cucumbers, Melons,
Purdain, and Endive seeds, cool the blood,
as also the stomach, spleen, and reins, and
allay the heat of fevers. Use them as you
were taught to do poppy-seeds.

Wormseed, expels wind, kills worms.

Ash-tree Keys, ease pains in the sides,
help the dropsy, relieve men weary with

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 261

Jabour, provoke venery, and make the body \ name you please, is a desperate purge, hurt-
lean. | ful to the body by reason of its heat, windi-

Piony seeds, help the Ephialtes, or the i ness, corroding, or gnawing, and violence
disease the vulgar call the Mare, as also the j of working. I would advise my countrymen
fits of the mother, and other such like in- ! to let it alone ; it will gnaw their bodies as
firmities of the womb, stop the menses, and \ fast as doctors gnaw their purses,
nelp convulsions. Opopanax, is of a heating, molifying :

Broom seed, potently provoke urine, 5 digesting quality,
break the stone. Gum Elemi, is exceeding good for frac-

Citron seeds, strengthen the heart, cheer 1 tures of the skull, as also in wounds, and
the vital spirit, resist pestilence and poison, therefore is put in plaisters for that end.

See Arcens his Liniment.

Tragacanthum, commonly called Gum

TEARS, LIQUORS, AND ROZINS J^ a g anth ' and Gum D rag on, helps coughs,

} hoarseness, and distillations on the lungs.

Laudanum^ is of a heating, mollifying j Bdellium, heats and softens, helps hard
nature, it opens the mouth of the veins, \ swellings, ruptures, pains in the sides, hard-
stays the hair from falling off, helps pains | ness of the sinews.

in the ears, and hardness of the womb. It j Galbanum. Hot and dry, discussing ;
is used only outwardly in plaisters. j applied to the womb, it hastens both birth

Assafcetida. Is commonly used to allay I and after-birth, applied to the navel it stays
the fits of the mother by smelling to \i;\ the strangling of the womb, commonly
they say, inwardly taken, it provokes lust, < called the fits of the mother, helps pains in
and expels wind. \ the sides, and difficulty of breathing, being

Benzoin, or Benjamin, makes a good per- j applied to it, and the smell of it helps the

vertigo or dizincss in the head.

Myrh, heats and dries, opens and softens

fume.

Sanguis Draconis, cools and binds exceed- i
ingly. | the womb, provokes the birth and after-

Aloes, purges choler and flegm, and with \ birth ; inwardly taken, it helps old coughs
such deliberation that it is often given to land hoarseness, pains in the sides, kills worms,
withstand the violence of other purges, it \ and helps a stinking breath, helps the wast-
preserves the senses and betters the appre- \ ing of the gums, fastens the teeth: outwardly
hension, it strengthens the liver, and helps j it helps wounds, and fills up ulcers with
the yellow-jaundice. Yet is naught for such ] flesh. You may take half a dram at a
as are troubled with the hemorrhoids, or? time.

haye agues. I do not like it taken raw. j Mastich, strengthens the stomach exceed-
Sec Aloe Rosata, which is nothing but it : ingly, helps such as vomit or spit blood, it
washed with the juice of roses. 1 fastens the teeth and strengthens the gums,

Manna, is temperately hot, of a mighty | being chewed in the mouth,
dilative quality, windy, cleanses choler'. Frankinsense, and Olibanum, heat and

gently, also it cleanses the throat and
stomach. A child may take an ounce of it
at a lime melted in milk, and the dross
strained out, it is good for them when they
are scabby.

bind, fill up old ulcers with flesh, stop bleed-
ing, but is extremely bad for mad people.

Turpentine, Purges, cleanses the reins,
helps the running of them.

Styrax Calamitis, helps coughs, and dis-

Scamoni/, or Diagridium, call it by which i tillations upon the lungs, hoarseness, want

252 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

of voice, hardness of the womb, but it is j

bad for head-aches LIVING CREATURES.

Awmomcaum, applied to the side, helps {

the hardness and pains of the spleen. Millepedes (so called from the multitude

Camphire, eases pains of the head coining ; of their feet, though it cannot be supposed they
of heat, lakes away inflammations, and cools \have a thousand) sows, hog-lice, w-ood-lice,
any place to which it is applied. [bring bruised and mired with nine, thci/ pr<>-

j voke urine, help the yellow jaundice outwardly
] being boiled in oil, help pains in the ears, a

JUICES ! ( ^'P ^M'g P llt wto them.

The flesh of vipers being eaten, clear the

THAT all juices have the same virtues \sight, helpthevic.es of the nerves, resist poison
with the herbs or fruits whereof they are \ exceedingly, neither is there any better remedy
made, I suppose few or none will deny, I under the sun for their bitings than the head
therefore I shall only name a few of them, \of the viper that bit you, bruised and applied
and that briefly. \ to the place, and the flesh eaten, you need not

Sugar is held to be hot in the first degree, ; eat above a dram at a time, and make it up an
strengthens the lungs, takes away the rough- \you shall be taught in troches of vipers. Neither
ness of the throat, succours the reins and | any comparable to the stinging of bees and
bladder. \wasps, $c. than the same that sting you,

The juice of Citrons cools the blood, j bruised and applied to the place.
strengthens the heart, mitigates the violent ! Land Scorpions cure their own stingings ly
heat of fevers. I the same means ; the ashes of them (being

The juice of Lemons works the same ef- \ burnt) potently provokes urine, and breaks tlie
feet, but not so powerfully. j stone.

Juice of Liquorice, strengthens the lungs, Earth-worms, are an admirable remedy for
helps coughs and colds. j cut nerves being applied to the place ; they pro-

\ voke urine ; see the oil of them, only let me not
\forget one notable thing quoted by Mizaldus,

THINGS BRED FROM PLANTS. \^ hi f l ^That the powder of them put into an

\ hollow tooth, makes it drop out.

These have been treated of before, only two j To draw a tooth without pa\n, Jill fin carth-
exceptcd. The first of which is* j en crucible full of Emmets, Ants, or Pismires,

Agaricus. Agarick: It purges flegm, \ eggs and all, and when you have burned them,
choler, and melancholy, from the brain, nerves, \ keep the ashes, with which if you touch a tooth
muscles, marrow, (or more properly brain) of\ it will fall out.

the back, it cleanses the breast, lungs, liver,\ Eds, being put into wine or beer, and suffered
ttomach, spleen, reins, womb, joints; it provokes \ to die in it, he that drinks it will never endure
urine., and the menses, kills worms, helps pains \ that sort of liquor again.
in the joints, and causes a good colour : it is\ Oystersdp^/icdalivetoapcstilentialswelling,
eery seldom or never taken alone. See Syrup
of Roses with Agarick.

Lastly, Vicus Quircinus, or Miskto of the

draw the venom to them.

Crab-fish, burnt to ashes, and a dram of it
taken every morning helps the bitings of mad

Oak, helps the falling-siclaiess being either \dogs, and all other venomous beasts,
taken inwardly, or hung about one's neck. Swallows, being eaten, clear the sight, the

Cashes of them (being burnt} eaten, present

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 253

from drunkenness, helps sore throats being ap- \ tcr than Castoriurn, raw, to which I refer
plied to them, and inflammations. $ you.

Grass-hoppers, being eaten, ease the cholic,] A Sheep's or Goat's bladder being burnt,
and pains in the bladder. \ and the ashes given inwardly, helps the

Hedge Sparrows, being kept in salt, or dried \ Diabetes.

and eaten raw, are. an admirable remedy for\ A flayed Mouse, dried and beaten into
the stone. \ powder, and given at a time, helps such as

Young Pigeons being eaten, help pains in \ cannot hold their water, or have a Dia/'ctes,
the reins, and the disease called Tenesmus. ; if you do the like three days together.

Iron/, or Elephant's tooth, binds, stops

u i jthe Whites, it strengthens the heart and

5 stomach, helps the yellow jaundice, and
PARTS OF LIVING CREATURES, I makes women fruitful.

AND EXCREMENTS. Those small bones Avhich are found in

| the fore-feet of an Hare, being beaten into

THE brain of Sparrows being eaten, pro- j powder and drank in wine, powerfully pro-
vokes lust exceedingly. * voke urine.

The brain of an Hare being roasted, helps \ Goose grease, and Capons grease, are both
trembling, it makes children breed teeth ; softening, help gnawing sores, stiffness of
easily, their gums being rubbed with it, it? the womb, and mitigate pain,
also helps scald heads, and falling off of j I am of opinion that the suet of a Goat
hair, the head being anointed with it. \ mixed with a little saffron, is as excellent

The head of a young Kite, being burnt j an ointment for the gout, especially the
to ashes and the quantity of a drachm of it | gout in the knees, as any is.
taken every morning in a little Avater, is an j Bears grease stays the falling off of the
admirable remedy against the gout. j hair.

Crab-eyes break the stone, and open \ Fox grease helps pains in the ears,
stoppings of the bowels. J EflttClaws orhoqfs are a sovereign remedy

The lungs of a Jar, well dried, (but not; for the falling sickness, though it be but
burned) is an admirable strengthen^ to 1 worn in a ring, much more being taken in-
the lungs : see the Lohoch of Fox lungs. | wardly ; but saith Mizaldus, it must be the

The liver of a Duck, stops fluxes, and \ hoof of the right foot behind,
strengthens the liver exceedingly. Milk is an extreme windy meat ; there-

The liver of a Frog, being dried and; fore I am of the opinion of Dioscorides, viz.
eaten, helps quartan agues, or as the vulgar : that it is not profitable in head-aches ; yet
call them, third-day agues. j this is for certain, that it is an admirable

Cattdreum resists poison, the bitings of j remedy for inward ulcers in any part ol
venomous beasts ; it provokes the menses, the body, or any corrosions, or excoriations,
and brings forth birth and after-birth ; it j pains in the reins and bladder : but it is
expels wind, eases pains and aches, con- j very bad in diseases of the liver, spleen, the
vulsions, sighings, lethargies ; the smell of j falling-sickness, vertigo, or dissiness in the
it allays the fits of the mother ; inwardly { head, fevers and head-aches ; Goat's milk
given, it helps tremblings, falling-sickness, j is held to be better than Cow's for Hectic
and other such ill effects of the brain and ; fevers, phthisick, and consumptions, and
nerves: A scruple is enough to take at also is Ass's also.
me, and indeed spirit of Caslorium is bet- Whey, attenuates and cleanses both cho-

254

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

ler and melancholy : wonderfully helps
melancholy and madness coming of it;
opens stoppings of the bo \vels ; helps such
as have the dropsy and are troubled with
the stoppings of the spleen, rickets and
hypochondriac melancholy : for such dis-
eases you may make up your physic with
whey. Outwardly it cleanses the skin of
sucli deformities as come through choler or
melancholy, as scabs, itch, morphew, lepro-
sies, &c.

Honey is of a gallant cleansing qua.ity,
exceeding profitable in all inward ulcers in
what part of the body soever; it opens the
veins, cleanses the reins and bladder. > I
know no vices belonging to it, but only it
is . x>n converted into choler.

Wax, softens, heats, and meanly fills
sores with flesh, it suffers not the milk to
curdle in women's breasts ; inwardly it is
given (ten grains at a time) against bloody-
fluxes.

Raw-silk, heats and dries, cheers the
heart, drives away sadness, comforts all the
spirits, both natural, vital and animal

BELONGING TO THE SEA.

Sperma Cati, is well applied outwardly to
eating ulcers, the marks which the small
pox leaves behind them; it clears the sight,
provokes sweat; inwardly it troubles the
stomach and belly, helps bruises, and
stretching of the nerves, and tnerefore is
good for women newly delivered.

Amber-grease, heats and dries, strengthens
the brain and nerves exceedingly, if the
infirmity of them corne of cold, resists pes-
tilence.

Sea-sand, a man that hath the dropsy,
being set up to the middle in it, it draws
out all the water.

Red Coral, is cold, dry and binding,
stops the immoderate flowing of the menses,
bloody-fluxes, the running of the reins, and

I the Fluor Albus, helps such as spit blood,
, it is an approved remedy for the falling
sickness. Also if ten grains of red Coral
be given to a child in a little breast-milk so
soon as it is born, before it take any other
food, it will never have the falling-sickness,
nor convulsions. The common dose is
from ten grains to thirty.

Pearls, are a wonderful strengthener to
Ithe heart, encrease milk in nurses, and
; amend it being naught, they restore such
\ as are in consumptions ; both they and the
I red Coral preserve the body in health, and
resist fevers. The dose is ten grains or
i fewer ; more, I suppose, because it is dear,
: than because it would do harm.

Amber, (viz. yellow Amber) heats and
I dries, therefore prevails against moist dis-
| eases of the head ; it helps violent coughs,
} helps consumption of the lungs, spitting of
| blood, the Fluor Albus ; it stops bleeding
| at the nose, helps difficulty of urine : You
j may take ten or twenty grains at a time.

The Froth of the Sea, it is hot and dry,
I helps scabs, itch, and leprosy, scald heads,
!&c. it cleanses the skin, helps difficulty of
| urine, makes the teeth white, being rubbed
| with it, the head being washed with it, it
| helps baldness, and^trimly decks the head
j with hair.
j

METALS, MINERALS, AND
STONES.

GOLD is temperate in quality, it won-
derfully strengthens the heart and vital
spirits, which one perceiving, very wittily
inserted these verses :

For Gold is cordial ; and that's the reason,
Your raking Misers live so long a season.

However, this is certain, in cordials, it
resists melancholy, faintings, ^woonings,
fevers, failing-sickness, and all such likj
infirmities, incident either to the vital or
animal spirit.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 255

Alum. Heats, binds, and purges ; scours j and consumptions, viz. taken inwardty; for
filthy ulcers, and fastens loose teeth. I this stone is not used to be worn as a jewel;

Brimstone, or flower of brimstone, which ; the powder of it put upon wounds made
is brimstone refined, and the better for \ by venomous beasts, draws out the poison,
physical uses ; helps coughs and rotten j Topaz (if Epiphaniw spake truth) if you
Jegtn; outwardly in ointments it takes away j put it into boiling water, it doth so cool it
.eprosies, scabs, and itch; inwardly it helps j that you may presently put your hands into
yellow jaundice, as also worms in the belly, \ it without harm ; if so, then it cools in
especially being mixed with a little Salt- j flammations of the body by touching them
petre: it helps lethargies being snuffed up Toadstone ; Being applied to the place
in the nose. \ helps the bitings of venomous beasts, and

Litharge, both of gold and silver ; binds 5 quickly draws all the poison to it ; it is
and dries much, fills up ulcers with flesh, i known to be a true one by this ; hold
and heals them. j it near to any toad, and she will make

Lead is of a cold dry earthly quality, oi'j proffer to take it away from you if it be
an healing nature ; applied to the place it j right ; else not. Lemnim.
helps any inflammation, and dries up j Nephritichits lapis; helps pains in the
humours. . I stomach, and is of great force in breaking

Pompholix, cools, dries and binds. j and bringing away the stone and gravel.

Jacynth, strengthens the heart being' Jasper; being worn, stops bleeding, eases

either beaten into powder, and taken in-
wardly, or only worn in a ring.

the labour in women, stops lust, resists
fevers and dropsies. Mathiohis.

Sapphire, quickens the senses, helps such ? Atites, or the stone with child, because
as are bitten by venomous beasts, ulcers in \ being hollow in the middle, it contains
the bowels. 5 another little stone within it, is found in an

Emerald ; called a chaste stone because ! Eagle's nest, and in many other places ;
it resists lust: being worn in a ring, it \ this stone being bound to the left arm of
helps, or at least mitigates the falling sick- j women with child, stays their miscarriage
ness and vertigo; it strengthens the memory, | or abortion, but when the time of their
and stops the unruly passions of men. * labour comes, remove it from their arm,

Ruby (or carbuncle, if there be such a j and bind it to the inside of their thigh, and
stone) restrains lust; resists pestilence; takes J it brings forth the child, and that (almost)
away idle and foolish thoughts, makes men
cheerful. Cardamts.

Granite. Strengthens the heart, but hurts
the brain, causes anger, takes away sleep.

without any pain at all. Dioscorides, Pliny.
Lapis Laztdi, purges melancholy being
taken inwardly; outwardly worn as a jewel,
it msikes men cheerful, fortunate and rich.

Diamond, is reported to make him that \ And thus I end the stones, the virtues o<
bears it unfortunate. \ which if any think incredible, I answer ,

Amethist, being worn, makes men sober j 1. I quoted the authors where I had them.
and steady, keepsrnenfromdrunkennessand j 2. I know nothing to the contrary but why
too much sleep, it quickens the wit, is pro- i it may be as possible as the sound of a
fitablein huntings and fightings, and repels i trumpet is to incite a man to valour; or a
vapours from the head. I fiddle to dancing : and if I have added a

Bezoar, is a notable restorer of nature, j few simples which the Colledge left out,
n great cordial, no way hurtful nor danger- j I hope my fault is not much, or at a least-
DUS is admirably good in fevers, pestilences, j wise, venial.

THE COMPLETE HERBAf

A CATALOGUE OF SIMPLES

IN THE

NEW DISPENSATORY

ROOTS. | Navew, Spikenard, Celtic ana Indian, Water

\ lilies, Rest-harrow, sharp pointed Dock,

College.] Sorrel, Calamus Aromaticus, \ Peony, male and female, Parsnips, garden ar,d
Water-flag, Privet, Garlick, Marsh-mallows, \ wild, Cinqnefoil, Butter-Bit*; Parsley, Hog's
Alcanet, Angelica* Anthora, Smallage, Aron,\ Fennel, Valerian, greater and lesser, Burnet,
Birth-wort long and round, Son-bread, Reeds, \ Land and Water Plantain, Polypodium of the
Asarabacca, Virginian Snakeweed, Swall- Oak, Solomon's Seal, Leeks, PeUitory of Spain,
wort, Asparagus, Asphodel, male and female. \Cinquffoil, Turnips,Raddishes,gardenandzcild,
Burdocks great and small, Behen, or Bazil, ? Rhapontick, common Rhubarb, Monk's l\h it-
Valerian, white and red. Daisies, Beets, * barb, Rose Root, Madder Bruscus. Sopewort,
white, red, and black. Marsh-mallows, Bis- \ Sarsaparilla, Satyrion, male and female, White
tort, Barrage, Briony, white and black, Bugloss, \ Saxifrage, Squills, Figwort, Scorzonera,Eng-
garden and mid. Calamus Aromaticus, Our ; lish and Spanish, Virginian Snake weed, Solo-
Lady's thistles, Avens, Coleworts, Centaury the \ mon's Seal, Cicers, stinking Gladon, Devil's bit,
less. Onions, Chameleon, white and black.\Danddion,Thapsus,Tormentil,Tiirbith,Cdi's-
Cdandine, Pilewprf. China, Succory, Arti-\foot, Valerian, greater and lesser, Vervain,
chokes. Virginian Snakeroot, Comfry greater I SwallatMtoft^ Nettles, Zedoary long and round,
and lesser Contra yerva, Costus, sweet and j Ginger.

bitter. Tnrmerick, wild Cucumbers, Sowbread, \ Culpeper.~] These be the roots the col
Hound's-tongue, Cyprcs, long and round. \ legc hath named, and but only named, and
Toothwort, ithite Dittany, Doronicum, Dra- 1 in this order I hav'e set them down. It

fons, Woody Nightshade, Vipers Bugloss, \ seems the college holds a strange opinion,
mallage, Hellebore, it-hite and black, Endive, \ viz. That it would do an Englishman "a
Elicampane, Eringo, Colt's-foot, Fearn, male \ mischief to know what the herbs in his
and female, Filipendula or Drop-wort, Fennel, \ garden are good for.

white Dittany, Galanga, great and small, j But my opinion is, that those herbs,
Gentian, Liquorice, Dog-grass, Hermodactils. \ roots, plants, &c. which grow near a man,
Swallow wort, Jacinth, Henbane, Jallap, \ are far better and more congruous to his
Master-wort, Orris or Flbwer-de-lnce, both\ nature than any outlandish rubbish what-
English and Florentine, sharp pointed Dock, \ soever, and this I am able to give a reason
Burdock greater and lesser, Lovage, Privet, \ of to any that shall demand it of me, there-
white Lilies, Liquorice, Mallows, Mechoacan,\fore I am so copious in handling of them,
Jallap, Spignel, Mercury, Devil's bit, sweet * vcu shall observe them ranked in this order.

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.

257

1. The temperature of the roots, herbs,; Hot in the fourth degree. Garlick, Onions,
flowers, &c. viz. Hot, cold, dry, moist, j Leeks, Pellitory of Spain.

together with the degree of each quality. Roots temperate in respect of heat, are

2. What part of the body each root, i Bear's breech, Sparagus, our Lady's Thistle,
herb, flower, is appropriated to, viz. head, $ Eringo, Jallap, Mallows, Mechoacan, gar-
throat, breast, heart, stomach, liver, spleen, (den Parsnips, Cinquefoil, Tonnentil.
bowels, reins, bladder, womb, joints, and ; Roots cold in the first degree. Sorrel,
in those which heat those places, and \ Beets, white and red, Comfrey the greater
which rool them. \ Plantai-n, Rose Root, Madder.

3. The property of each simple, as they | Cold inthe second degree. Alcanct, Daisies,
bind, open, mollify, harden, extenuate, {Succory, Hound's tongue, Endive, Jacinlh.
discuss, draw out, suppure, cleanse, gluti-j Cold in the third degree. Bistort and
nate, break wind, breed seed, provoke or \ Mandrakes are cold in the third degree,
stop the menses, resist poison, abate swell- j and Henbane in the fourth.

ings, ease pain. Roots dry in the first degree. Bears-breech,

This I intend shall be my general method ; Burdocks, Redbeets, Calamus Aromaticus.
throughout the simples, which, having \ Pilewort, Self-heal, Endive, Eringo, Jacinth,
finished I shall give you a paraphrase ex- Madder, Kneeholly.

plaining these terms, which rightly con- \ Dry in the second degree. Waterflag,
sidered, will be the key of Galen's way of j Marshmallows, Alkanet, Smallage, Reeds,
administering physic. $ Sorrel, Swallow-wort, Asphodel male, Bazil,

rp / ,, T> t Valerian and Spatling Poppy, accord in & to

1 emperature of the Roots. . i K . w V A T ^ >

| the opinion or the Greeks. Our Lady s

Roots hot in the first degree. Marsh-mal- ; Thistles, Avens, Succory, Hound's tongue
lows, Bazil, Valerian, Spattling, Poppy, \ Cypress long and round, Fennel, Lovage,
Burdocks, Borrage, Bugloss, Calamus j Spignel, Mercury, Devil's bit, Butter-bur,

Aromaticus, Avens, Pilewort, China, Self- ;
heal, Liquorice, Dog-grass, white Lilies,
Peony, male and female, wild Parsnips

Parsley, Plantain, Zecloary.

Dry in the third degree. Angelica, Aron,
Birthwort, long and round, Sowbread,

Parsley, Valerian, great and small, Knee- j tort, Asarabacca, Briony white and black,

holly, Satyrion, Scorzonera, Skirrets.

Carline Thistle, China, Sallendine, Virginian

Hot inthe seconddegree. Water-tiag,Reeds, Snake-root, white Dittany, Doronicuin,
Swallow-wort, Asphodel, male, Carline | Hellebore white and black, Elicampane t
Thistle, Cypress, long and round, Fennel, j FiUipendula, Galanga greater and lesser,
Lovage, Spignel, Mercury, Devil's bit, But-! Masterwort, Orris, English and Florentine,

te'r Bur, Hog's Fennel, Sarsaparilla, Squils,
Zedoary.

Hot in the third degree. Angelica, Aron,
Birthwort long and round, Sowbread,
Asarabacca, Briony, white and black, Sal-
lendine, Virgianian snakeroot, Hemeric,
White Dittany, Doronicum, Hellebore,

Restharrow, Peony male and female, Cin-
quefoil, Hog's Fennel, Sarsaparilla, stink-
ing G laden, Tormentil, Ginger.

Dry in the fourth degree. Garlick, Onions.
Costus, Leeks, Pellitory of Spain.

Roots moist are, Bazil, Valerian, and
Spatling-poppy, according to the Arabian

white and black, Elicampane, FiUipendula, ;: Physicians, Daisies, white Beets, Borrage,

Galanga greater and lesser, Masterwort,
Orris English and Florentine, Restharrow,
stinking Gladen,Turbith, Ginger.

Bugloss, Liquorice, Dog grass, Mallows,
Satvrion, Scorzonera, Parsnips, Skirrets.

25S

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Roots appropriated to several parts of the body. \

)e found out by the ensuing
{ explanation of the terms, and I suppose by

Heat the head. Doronicum, Fennel, \ that means they were found out at first ;
Jallap, Mechoacan, Spikenard, Celtic and j and although I hate a lazy student from
Indian. Peony male and female. { my heart, yet to encourage young students

Neck and throat. Pilewort, Devil's bit Jin the art, I shall quote the.chie of them:

Breast and huigs. Birthwort long and j I desire all lovers of physic to compare
round, Elicampane, Liquorice, Orris Eng- them with the explanation of these rules,
lish and Florentine, Calamus Aromaticus, ; so shall they see how they agree, so may
Cinquefoil, Squills. i they be enabled to find out the properties

Heart. Angelica, Borrage, Bugloss, I of all simples to their own benefit in physic
Carline Thistle, Doronicum, Butter bur, j Roots, bind. Cypress, Bistort, Tormen-
Scorzonera, Tormentil, Zedoary, Bazil, i til, Cinquefoil, Bear's breech, Water-flag,
Valerian white and red. ; Alkanet, Toothwort, &c.

Stomach. Elicampane, Galanga greater; Discuss. Birthwort, Asphodel, Briony,
and lesser, Spikenard, Celtic and Indian, ; Capers, &c.
Ginger, Fennel, Avens, Raddishes. Cleanse. Birthwort, Aron, Sparagus,

Bon-els. Valerian great and small, \ Grass, Asphodel, Celandine, &c.
Zedoary, Ginger. Open Asarabacca, Garlic, Leeks, Onions,

Liver. Smallage, Carline Thistle, Sullen- \ Rhapontick, Turmerick, Carline Thistle,
dine, China, Turmerick, Fennel, Gentian, : Succory, Endive, Fillipendula, Fennel,
Dog-grass, Cinquefoil, Parsley, Smallage, I Parsly, Bruscus, Sparagus, Smallage, Gen-
Asparagus, Rhubarb, Rhapontic, Kneeholly. jtian, &c.

Spleen. Smallage, Carline Thistle, Fern | Extenuate. Orris English and Floren-
male and female, Parsley, Water-flag, j tine, Capers, &c.

. i . TT~I i *-*t --v f-~ t *

Asparagus, round Birthwort, Fennel, Capers,
Ash, Gentian.

age, Asparagus, Burdock, Bazil, Valerian,

Burn. Garlick,
Spain, &c.

Onions, Pellitory of

Reins and Bladder. Marshmallows, Small- i Mollify. Mallows, Marshm allows &c.

Suppur. Marshmallows, Briony, white

Spatling Poppy, Carline Thistle, China, : Lillies, &c.
Cyprus long and round, Fillipendula, Dog! Glutinate. Comfrey, Solomon's Seal,
grass, Spikenard, Celtic and Indian, Parsly, \ Gentian, Birthwort, Daisies, &c.
Knee-holly, white Saxifrage.

Womb. Birthwort long
Galajiga greater and lesser,
and female, Hog's Fennel.

Fundament. Pilewort.

Expel Wind. Smallage, Parsly, Fennel,
and round, \ Water-flag, Garlick, Costus, Galanga.
Peony male j Hog's Fennel, Zedoary, Spikenard Indian,
| and Celtic, &c.

Breed Seed. Waterflag, Eringo, Saty-

Joints. Bear's -breech, Hermodactils, 1 rian, Galanga, &c.

Jallap, Mecoacan, Ginger, Costus.

Roots cool the head. Rose root.

Stomach. Sow Thistles, Endive, Succory,
Bistort.

Liver Madder, Endive, Chicory.

Properties of the Roots.
Although I confess the properties of the

Provoke the menses. Birthwort Asara-
bacca, Aron, Waterflag, white Dittany,
Asphodel, Garlick, Centaury the less,
Cy perus long and round, Costus, Capers,
Calamus Aromaticus, Dittany of Crete,
Carrots, Eringo, Fennel, Parsly, Smallage,
Grass. Elicampane, Peony, Valerian, Knee-
holly, &c-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 259

Sfop the menses. Comfrey, Tormentil, j convenient liquor, is an excellent remedy
Bistort, &c. I for the scurvy ; the powder of it being snuf-

Prowke sweat. Carolina Thistle, China, I led up in the nose, cleanses the hrad of

Sarsaparilla, &c.

Resist poison. Angelica, Garlick, long
Birthwort, Smallage, Doronicum, Costus,
Zedoary, Cyprus, Gentian, Carolina This-

rheum gallantly.

The bark of the black Alder tree purge?
choler and flegm if you make a decoction
with it. Agrimony, Wormwood, Dodder,

tie, Bistort, Tormentil, Swallow-wort,Viper's| Hops, Endive and Succory roots : Parsly
Bugloss, Elicampane, &c. j and Smallage roots, or you may bruise a

Help burnings. Asphodel, Jacinth, white j handful of each of them, and put them in
Lilies, &c. j a gallon of ale, and let them work togetnei :

Ease pains. Waterflag, Eringo, Orris, put the simples into a boulter-bag, and a
Restharrow, &c. ; draught, (half a pint, more or Jess, accord-

Purge choler. Asarabacca, Rhubarb, ; ing to the age of him that drinks it,) being
Rhapontick, Fern, &c. I drunk every morning, helps the dropsy,

Relieve melancholy. Hellebore, white and ; jaundice, evil disposition of the body ; also
black, Polipodium. ! helps the rickets, strengthens the liver and

Purge flegm and watery humours. Squills, spleen ; makes the digestion good, troubles
Turbith, Hermodactils, Jallap, Mecoacan, | not the stomach at all, causes appetite, and
wild Cucumbers, Sowbread, male Asphodel, 5 helps such as are scabby and itchy.
Briony white and black, Elder, Spurge j The rest of the barks that are worth the
great and small. j noting, and the virtues of them, are to be

I quoted some of these properties to \ found in the former part of the book,
teach you the way how to find the rest, j Barks are hot in the first degree. Guaja-
which the explanation of these terms will j cum, Tamarisk, Oranges, Lemons, Citrons,
give you ample instructions in: I quoted j In the second. Cinnamon, Cassia, Lignea,
not all because I would fain have you j Captain Winter's Cinnamon, Frankincense,
studious: be diligent gentle reader. [Capers.

How to use your bodies in, and after* In the third. Mace.

taking purges, you shall be taught by and by.

Barks mentioned by the College are these. | ***** Mandrakes.
College.] Hazel Nuts, Oranges, Bar-] Approbated to parts of the body.

Cold in the first. Oak, Pomegranates.

berries, Birch-tree, Caper roots, Cassia Lignea,
Chestnuts, Cinnamon, Citron Pills, Dwarf-
Elder, Spurgeroots, Alder, Ash, Pomegranates,
Guajacum, Walnut tree,green Walnuts, Laurel,

Heat the head. Captain Winter's Cinna-

mon.

The heart. Cinnamon, Cassia, Lignea,
Citron Pills, Walnuts, Lemon pills, Mace.

Bay, Lemon, Mace, Pomegranates, Man- \ The stomach. Orange pills, Cassia Lig-

drake roots, Mezereon, Mulberry tree roots, jnea, Cinnamon, .Citron pills, Lemon pills,

Sloe tree roots, Pinenuts, Fistick-nuts, Poplar t Mace, Sassafras.

tree, Oak, Elder, Sassafras, Cork, Tamerisk, \ The lungs. Cassia Lignea, Cinnamon,

Lime tree, Frankincense, Elm, Capt. Winter's j Walnuts.

Cinnamon. \ The liver. Barberry-tree, Bay-tree, Cap-

Culpeper.~\ Of these, Captain Winter's j tain Winter's Cinnamon
Cinnamon, being taken as ordinary spice, The spleen. Caper bark, Ash tiee bark,
or half a dram taken in the morning in any 5 Bay tree.

200 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

The reins and bladder. Bay-tree, Sassa- j or Alcost, Burdock greater and lesser , Brook-
fras. ! lime, or' water Pimpernel, Beets white, red, and

The womb. Cassia Lignea, Cinnamon. \ black, Betony of the wood and water. Daises

Cool the stomach. Pomegranate pills. j greater and lesser, Blite, Mercury, Borrage,

Purge choler. The bark of Barberry \ Oak of Jerusalem, Cabbages, Sodonella, Briony
tree. I white and black, Bugloss, Buglesse, Shepherd's

Purge Jlegm and water. Elder, Dwarf- ; Purse, Ox-eye, Box leaves, Calami-nth of the
Elder, Spurge, Laurel. I Mountains and Fens, Ground Pine, Wood-bine,

1 or Honey-suckles, Lady-smocks, Marygolds,

' \ Our Lady's Thistle, Carduus Benedictus,

WOODS \Avens, small Spurge, Horse-tail, Coleworts,

| Centaury the less, Knotgrass, Cervil, Ger-

College.] Firr, Wood of Aloes, Rhodium, \ mander, Camomle, Chamepytis female Southern-
Brazil, Box, Willow, Cypress, Ebony, Guaja- \ wood, Chelene, Pilewort, Chicory, Hemlock,
cum, Juniper, Lentisk, Ncphriticum, Rhodium, j garden and sea Scurvy-grass, Fleawort, Com-
Rosemary, Sanders, white, yellow, and red, \fry great, middle, or bugle, least or Daisies,
Sassafras, Tamarisk \ Sarasens, Confound, Buck-horn, Plantain,

Of these some are hot. Wood of Aloes, : May weed, (or Margweed, as we in Sussex
Rhodium, Box, Ebony, Guajacum, Neph-jcflW it) Orpine, Sampeer, Crosewort, Dodder,
riticum, Rosemary, Sassafras, Tamarisk. j Blue Bottle great and small, Artichokes,

Some cold. As Cypress, Willow, Sanders Houndstone, Cypress leaves, Dandelion, Dit-
white, red, and yellow. \t an y f Treet, Box leaves, Teazles garden and

Rosemary is appropriated to the head,!

wild, Dwarff Elder, Viper's Bugloss, Lluellin,

wood of Aloes to the heart and stomach, \ Smallage, Endive, Elecampane, Horsetail,
Rhodium to the bowels and bladder, Nephri- 1 Lpithimum, Groundsel, Hedge-mustard,

heart and spirits in levers. j tory, Goat's Rue, Lady's Bedstraw, Broom,

For the particular virtues of each, see { Muscatu, Herb Robert, Doves Foot, Cotton-

that part of the book preceding. | weed, Hedge Hyssop, Tree Ivy, Ground Ivy,

I or Ale hoof , Elecampane, Pellitory of the rail/,

- * Liver-wort, Cowslips, Rupture-wort, Hawk-

HFRBS I weed, Monk's Rhubarb, Alexanders, Clary

I garden and wild, Henbane, St. Johns-wort,

College.] Southernwood male and female. \ Horsetongue, or double tongue, Hysop, Sciatica
Wormwood, common, Roman, and such as bear cresses, small Sengreen, Sharewort, IVoad,

Wormseed, Sorrel, wood Sorrel, Maiden-hair
common, while or wall Rue, black and golden
Maudlin, Agrcmony, Vervain, Mallow, Ladies

Reeds, Schtenanth, Chamepitys, Glasswort,
Lettice, Lagobus, Arch-angel, Burdock great
and small, Lavender, Laurel, Bay leaves,

Mantle, Chickweed, Marshmallows, and Pirn- English and Alexandrian, Duckweed, Ditlan-
pernelboth male and female, Water Pimpernel, \ der, or Pepper-wort, Lovage, Privet, Sea bug-
Dill, Angelica, Smallage, Goose-grass, or j loss, Toad fax, Harts-tongue, sweet Trefoil*
Cleavers, ^Columbine, wild Tansie, or Silver I Wood-sorrel, I ]<>*, II illow-herb, Marjoram,
Weed, Mugwort, Asarabacca, Woodroof e,\ common and tree Mallows, Mandrake, Hore-
Arachy Distaff Thistle, Mousear, Costmary, \ hound white and black, Herb Maatich, Fca-

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 261

tie leaves, Garden and water Cresses, Nep, \ tony, Lluellin.
Tobacco, Money-wort, Water Lilies, Bazil, \ Intemperate and hot in the first degree, are.
Olive Leaves, Rest-harrow, Adder's Tongue, \ Agrimony, Marsh-mallows, Goose-grass or
Origanum, sharp-pointed Dock, Poppy, white, \ Cleavers, Distaff Thistle, Borrage, Bugloss,
black, and red, or Erratick, Pellitory of the \ or Lady's Thistles, Avens, Cetrach, Chervil,
Wall, Cinqucfoil, Ars-smart spotted and not! Chamomel, Eyebright, Cowslips, Melilot,
spotted, Peach Leaves, Thoroughwax, Parsley, \ Bazil, Self-heal.

Hart's Tongue, Valeriak, Mouse-ear, Burnet, \ In the second. Common and Roman
small Spurge, Plantain common and Horror j Wormwood, Maudlin, Lady's Mantle,
leaved, Mountain and, Cretick Poky, Knot- j Pimpernel male and female, Dill, Small age,
grass, Golden Maidenhair, Poplar leaves and \ Mugwort, Costmary, Belony, Oak of Jeru-
"buds, Leeks, Pur slain, Silverweed, or wild \sa\em, Marigold, Cuckooflowers, Carduus
Tansy, Horehound white and black, Primroses, \ Benedictus, Centaury the less, Chamepitys,
Self-heal,FieldPellitory,orSneezewort,Penny-\Sc(irvy-gra.ss, Indian Leaf, Broom, Ale-
royal, Fleabane, Lungwort, Winter-green, \ hoof,Alexanders, Double-tongue,orTongue-
Oak leaves and buds, Docks, common rue, \ blade, Archangel, or dead Nettles, Bay
Wall Rue or white Maidenhair, wild Rue, $ Leaves, Marjoram, Horehound, Bawm,
Savin, Osier Leaves, Garden Sage the greater j Mercury, Devil's-bit, Tobacco, Parsley
and lesser, Wild Sage, Elder leaves and buds, 1 Poley mountain, Rosemary, Sage, Sanicle
Marjoram, Burnet, Sanicle, Sopewort, Savory, \ Scabious, Senna, Soldanclla, Tansy, Vei
White Saxifrage, Scabious, Chicory, Schcenanth, j vain, Perewinkle.

Clary, Scordium, Figwort, Houseleek, or\ In the third degree. Southernwood male
Sengreen the greater and lesser, Groundsel, \ and female, Brooklime, Angelica, Briony
Senna leaves and pods, Mother of Time, Solo-\ white and black, Calaminth, Germander,
mon's Seal, Alexanders, Nightshade, Soldo- 1 Sullenciine, Pilewort, Fleabane, Dwarf
nela, Saw-thistles, smooth and rough, Flix-\ Elder, Epithimun, Bank-cresses, Clary,
need, common Spike, Spinach, Hawthorn, i Glassworl, Lavender, Lovage, Herb Mas-
Devil's-bit, Comfry, Tamarisk leaves, Tansy, | tich, Featherfew, Mints, Water-cresses,
Dandelyon, Mullen or Higcaper, Time, Lime \ Origanum, biting Arsmart, called in Lalin
tree leaves, Spurge, Tormentil, common and\ Hydro pi per, (the college confounds this
golden Trefoil, IVood-sorrel, sweet Trefoil, with Pcrsicaria, or mild Arsmart, which is
Colt's-foot, Valerian, Mullen, Vervain, Paid's \ cold (Sneezewort, Pennyroyal, Rue, Savin,
Bettony, Lluelliii, Violets, Tansy, Perewinkles,\ summer and winter Savory, Mother of
Swallou-rrort, golden Rod, Vine leaves, Mead-\Time, Lavender, Spike, Time, Nettles.
sweet, Elm leaves, Naval-wort, Nettles, com-\ In the fourth degree. Sciatica-cresses,
mon and Roman, Archangel, or dead Nettles, j Stone-crop, Dittany, or Pepper- wort, gar-
white and red. j den-cresses, Leeks,. Crowfoot, Rosa Solis,

Culpeper. These be the herbs as the 5 Spurge.

college set down to look upon, we will j Herbs cold in the first degree. Sorrel
see if we can translate them in another \ Wood-sorrel, Arach, Burdock, Shepherd's-
form to the benefit of the body of man. : purse, Pellitory of the wall, Hawk-weed,

Herbs temperate in respect of heat, are : Mallows, Yarrow, mild Arsmart, called
common Maiden-hair, Wall-rue, blark and ? Persicaria, Burnet, Coltsfoot, Violets.

202

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Cold in the second degree, duckweed,! In the fourth degree. Garden-cresses,
wild Tansy, or Silverweed, Daisies, Knot- 1 wild Rue, Leeks, Onions, Crowfoot, Rosa
grass, Succory, Buck-horn, Plantain, Dan- jSolis, Garlic, Spurge,
delyon, Endive, Fumitory, Strawberry | Herbs moist in the Jirst degree. Borrage,
leaves, Lettice, Duck-meat, Plantain, Pur- j Bugloss, Marigolds, Pellitory of the wall,
slain, Willow leaves. j Mallows, Bazil.

In the third degree. Sengreen, or House- \ In the fourth degree. Chickweed, Arach,
leek, Nightshade. ,' Daisies, Lettice, Duckmeat, Purslain, Sow

In the fourth degree. Hemlock, Henbane, \ Thistles, Violets, Water-lilies.

Mandrakes, Poppies. i rr i * , f.i /

TJ L j Jl 4. j A 5 Herbs appropriated to certain parts of the bodt/

Herbs dni m the first decree. Agrimony, ? /

n/r u 11 ni T> i i of man.

Marsh-mallows, Cleavers, Burdocks, Step- s

herds-purse, our Lady's Thistle, Chervil, \ Heat the head. Maudlin, Costmary,
Chamomel, Eye-bright, Cowslips, Hawk- i Betony, Carduus Benedictus, Sullendine,
weed, Tongue-blade, or double tongue, ! Scurvy-grass, Eye-bright, Goat's Rue,
Melilot, mild Arsmart, Self-heal, Senna, \ Cowslips, Lavender, Laurel, Lovage, herb
Flixweed, Coltsfoot, Perewinkle.

Dry in the second degree. Common and
Roman Wormwood, Sorrel, Wood-sorrel,
Maudlin, Lady's mantle, Pimpernel male
and female, Dill, Smallage, wild Tansy,

i * ' * o *

\ Mastich, Feather-few, Melilot, Sncezewort,
Penny-royal, Senna, Mother of Time,

or Silverweed, Mugwort, Distaff Thistle,
Costmary, Betony, Bugle, Cuckooflowers,
Carduus Benedictus, Avens, Centaury the
less, Chicory, commonly called Succory,
Scurvy-grass, Buckhorn, Plantain, Dande-

Vervain, Rosemary.

Heat the throat. Archangel white and
red, otherwise called dead Nettles, Devil's-
bit.

Heat the breast. Maiden-hair, white,
black, common and golden, Distaft" Thistle,
Time, Betony, Calaminth, Chamomel,
Fennel, Indian-leaf, Bay leaves, Hyssop,

lyon, Endive, Indian ueaf, Strawberry Bawm, Horehound, Oak of Jerusalem, Ger-
leaves, Fumitory, Broom, Alehoof, Alex- mander, Melilot, Origanum, Rue, Sabious,
anders, Archangel, or Dead Nettles, white Periwinkles, Nettles.

and red, Bay Leaves, Marjoram, Feather-; Heat the heart. Southernwood male and
few, Bawm, Mercury, Devil's-bit, Tobacco, ; female, Angelica, Wood-roof, Bugloss,
Parsley, Burnet, Plantain, Rosemary, Wil- ; Carduus Benedictus, Borrage, Goat's Rue,
low Leaves, Sage, Santicle, Scabious, Sol- Senna, Bazil, Rosemary, Elecampane,
danella, Vervain. Heat the stomach. Wormwood common

Dry in the third degree. Southernwood, and Roman, Smallage, Avens, Indian leaf,
male and female, Brooklime, Angelica, i Broom, Schenanth, Bay leaves, Bawm,
Briony, white and black, Calamint, Ger- Mints, Parsley, Fennel, Time, Mother of
mander, Chamepitys, Selandine, Pilewort, {Time, Sage.

Fleabane, Epithinum, Dwarf-Elder, Bank \ Heat the liver. Agrimony, Maudlin,
cresses, Clary, Glasswort, Lavender, Lovage 'Pimpernel, male and female, Smallage,
Horehound, Herb Mastic, Mints, Water- ? ^" cfr " Qr " " r Ai^^ci mr- T.<,A*,'* TKictioc

cresses, Origanum, Cinquefoil, hot Arsmart,
Poley mountain, Sneezewort, Penny-royal,
Rue, or herb of Grace, Savin winter and
summer Savory, Mother of Tirne, Laven-
der, Silk, Tansy, Time, Trefoil.

Costmary, or Ale cost, our Lady's Thistles,
Centaury the less, Germander, Chamepytis,
Selandine, Sampier, Fox Gloves, Ash-tree
leaves, Bay leaves, Toad-flax, Hops, Hore-
hound, Water-cresses, Parsley, Poley
Mountain, Sage, Scordium, Senna, Mother

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 263

of Time, Soldanella, Asarabacca, Fennel, j Strawberry leaves, and Water-Li lies.

Hyssop, Spikenard.

Heat tiit bowels. Chamomel, Alehoofe, \

Stomach. Sorrel, Wood sorrel, Succory
Orpine, Dandelyon, Endive, Strawberry

Alexanders. | leaves, Hawkweed, Lettice, Purslain, Sow

Heat the spleen. All the four sorts of | Thistles, Violet leaves.

r i l A _ O 11 _ /~< T . O _ . -_1 ~\\T ..

Maiden-hair, Agrimony, Smallage, Cen- \
taury the less, Cetrach, Germander, Chame-
pitys, Samphire, Fox-glove, Epithimum

Liver. Sorrel, Woodsorrel, Dandelyon.
Endive, Succory, Strawberry leaves, Fumi-
tory, Liverwort, Lettice, Purslain, Night-

Ash-tree, Bay leaves, Toad-flax, Hops, j shade, Water Lilies.
Horehound, Parsley, Poley, Mountain Sage, | Bowels. Fuvnitory, Mallows, Buckthorn,
ScordiumjSenna, Mother of Time,Tamarisk, Plantain, Orpine, Plantain, Burnet.
Wormwood, Water-cresses, HartVtongue. \ Spleen. Fumitory, Endive, Succory,

Heat the reins and bladder. Agrimony, i Lettice.

Maudlin, Marsh-mallows, Pimpernel male | Reins and bladder. Knotgrass, Mallows,
and female, Brooklime, Costmary, Bettony, | Yarrow, Moneywort, Plantain, Endive,
Chervil, Germander, Chamomel, Samphire, j Succory, Lettice, Purslain, Water Lilies,
Broom, Rupture-wort, Clary, Schenanth, \ Houseleek or Sengreen.
Bay-leaves, Toad-flax, Hops, Melilot, i The womb. Wild Tansy, Arrach, Bur-
Water-cresses, Origanum, Pennyroyal, | docks, Willow herb, Mirtle leaves, Money-
Scordium, Vervain, Motherof Time, Rocket, j i wort, Purslain, Sow Thistles, Endive,
Spikenard, Saxifrage, Nettles. * Succory, Lettice, Water Lilies, Sengreen.

Heat the womb. Maudlin, Angelica, j The joints. Willow leaves, Vine leaves,
Mugwort, Costmary, Calaminth, Flea-bane, j Lettice, Henbane, Nightshade, Sengreen or
May-weed, Ormarg-weed, Dittany of Crete, j Houseleek.

Schenanth, Arch-angel or Dead Nettles, \ TT , ,. . ,.

..- ... ,. * TP* -i, 5 Herbs auertns according to propertii, in

Melilot, ieatner-rcw, Mints, UeVit s-oit. j & .. / ?

y-y. Tj-iT) it--' ration, some bind, as

Origanum, Bazil, Pennyroyal, Savin, \

Sage, Scordium, Tansy, Time, Vervain, \ Amomus, Agnus Castus, Shepherd's
Periwinkles, Nettles. i purse, Cypress, Horsetail, Ivy, Bay leaves,

Heat the joints. Cowslips, Sciatica-cresses, j Melilot, Bawm, Mirtles, Sorrel, Plantain,
hot Arsmart, Garden-cresses, Costmary, j Knot-grass, Comf'ry, Cinquefoil, Fleawort,
Agrimony, Chamomel, Saint John's-wort, \ Purslain, Oak leaves, Willow leaves, Sen-
Melilot, Water-cresses, Rosemary, Rue, \ green or Houseleek, &c.
Sage Stechas. Open, as, Garlick, Onions, Wormwood.

Herbs cooling the head. Wood-sorrel, j Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Pellitory of the
Teazles, Lettice, Plantain, Willow-leaves, j Wall, Endive, Succory, &c.
Sengreen or Houseleek, Strawberry-leaves, j Soften. Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Beets,
Violet-leaves, Fumitory, Water Lilies. \ Pellitory of the Wall, Violet leaves, Straw-
Coo/ the throat. Orpine, Strawberry I berry leaves, Arrach, Cypress leaves, Bay
leaves, Privet, Bramble leaves. i leaves, Fleawort, &c.

Breast. Mulberry leaves, Bramble; Harden. Purslain, Nightshade, House-
leaves, Violet leaves, Strawberry leaves, \ leek or Sengreen, Duckmeat, and most
Sorrel, Wood-sorrel, Poppies, Orpine, { other herbs that are very cold.
Moneywort, Plantain, Colt's-foot. Extenuate. Mugwort, Chamomel, Hysop,

Heart. Sorrel, Wood sorrel, Viper's! Pennyroyal, Stoechas, Time, Mother ofTime,
liuglos's, Lettice, Burnet, Violet leaves, t Juniper, &c.

' 3 Y

204 THE COMPLETE -HERBAL

Discuss. Southernwood male and female, St. John's Wort, Marjoran , Horchound
all the four sorts of Maidenhair, Marsh- ; Bawm, Water-cresses, Origanum, B u ; ,i,
mallows, Dill, Mallows, Arrach, Beets, \ Pennyroyal, Poley mountain, Parsley, Small-
Chanioinel, Minis, Melilot, Pelitory of the: age, Rue, Rosemary, Sage, Savin, llartwort,
Wall,Chickweed, Rue, Stcechas, Marjoram, jl'iine, Mother of Time, Scordium, Nettles.

Dnia: Pimpernel, Birthworl, Dittany,* Stop the terms. Shepherd's purse, Straw-
Leeks, Onions, Garlick, and also take this j berries, Mirtles, Water Lilies, Plantain,
general rule, as all cold things bind and ! Houseleek or Sengreen, Com fry, Knotgrass,
harden, so all things very hot are drying. Resist poison. Southernwood, Worm-

Sifppure. Mallows, Marsh-mallows, White; wood, Garlick, all sorts of Maiden hair.
Lily leaves, &c. [Smallage, Bettony, Carduus Bcnedictus,

Cleanse. Pimpernel, Southernwood, j Germander, Calaminth, Alexanders, Car-
Sparagus, Cetrach, Arrach, Wormwood, Uine Thistle, Agrimony, Fennel, Juniper,
Beet, Pellitory of the Wall, Chamepitis, \ Horehound, Origanum, Pennyroyal, Poley-
Dodder, Liverwort, Horehound, Willows mountain, Rue, Scordium, Plantain,
leaves, &c. Discuss swellings. Maiden-hair, Cleavers,

Glutinate Marsh-mallows, Pimpernel,

or Goosegrass, Mallows, Marsh-mallows,

Centaury,Cnamepitis, Mallows, Germander, I Docks, Bawm, Water-cresses, Cmquefoil,
Horsetail, Agrimony, Maudlin, Strawberry j Scordium, &c.

leaves, Woad-chcrvil, Plantain, Cinquefoil, j Ease pain. Dil, AVormwood, Arach,
Com fry, Bugle, Self-heal, Woundwort, \ Chamomel, Gdaminth, Chamepitis, Hen-
Tormentil, Rupture-wort, Knot-grass, i bane, Hops, Hog's Fennel, Parsley, Rose-
Tobacco. | mary, Rue, Marjoram, Mother of Time.

ErpelK-ind. Wormwood, Garlick, Dill.j Herbs Pur sin*

Smallage, Chamomel, Epithimum, Fennel, \

Juniper, Marjoram, Origanum, Savory both \ Choler. Groundsel, Hops, Peach leaves,
winterand summer. Tansy is good to cleanse \ Wormwood, Ceritaury, Mallows, Senna,
the stomach and bowels of rough viscous s Melancholy. Ox-eye, Epithimum, Fumi-
tlegm, and humours that stick to them, \ tory, Senna, Dodder.

which the flegmatic constitution of thej Flegm and water. Briony, white and
winter usually infects the body of man with, | black, Spurge, both work most violently
and occasions gouts and other diseases of land are not fit for a vulgar use, Dwart
like nature and lasting long. This was the| Elder, Hedge Hyssop, Laurel leaves, Mer-
original of that custom toeatTansys in the:cury, Mezereon also purges violently, and
spring; the herb may be made into a con-? so doth Sneezewort, Elder leaves, Senna,
serve with sugar, or boil it in wine and drink j For the particular operations of these, as
the decoction, or make the juice into a syrup j also how to order the body after purges, the
with sugar, which you will. \ quantity to be taken at a time, you have

Herbs breed seed. Clary, Rocket, and i been in part instructed already, and shall
most herbs that are hot and moist, and ; be more fully hereafter,
breed wind.

Provoke the terms. Southernwood, Gar-|

lirk, all the sorts of Maiden hair, Mugworl, j FLOWERS

Wormwood, Bishops-weed, Cabbages, Bet- 5

tony, Centaiiry, Chamomel, Calaminth, j College.] Wormwood, Agnus Castits,
Germander, Dodder, Dittany, Fennel, * Aniaranthits, Dill, Rosemary, Columbines,

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 205

( )rrenges, Balaustins, or Pomegranate Flowers, \ Epithinium, Winter-gilliflowers, or Wall-
Rettony, Barrage, Bugloss, Marigolds, Wood- flowers, Woodbine, or Honey-suckles.

iiine or Honey-suckles, Clove Gilliflowers, Ce it-

Cold in thejirst degree. Mallows, Roses

taury the /ess, Chamomel, Winter Gilliflowers, red, white, and damask Violets.
Succory, Comfry the greater, Saffron, Blue-i In the second. A netnom, or Wind-flower,
bottle great and small, (Synosbatus, Tragus, 1 Endive, Succory, Water-lilies, both white
and Dedonaeus hold our white thorn to be it, : and yellow.

Cordus and Marcel us think it to be Bryars, \ In the third. Balaustins, or Pomegranate
Lugdunensis takes it for the sweet Bryar, flowers.

but what our College takes it for, I know not) j In the fourth. Henbane, and all the sorts
Cytinus, (Dioscorides calls the flowers of the \ of Poppies, only whereas authors say, field
Manured Pomegranates, Cytinus, but Pliny j Poppies, which some call red, others erratick
calls the flowers of the mid hind by that name,) 5 and corn Roses, are the coldest of all the
Fox-glove, Vipers Bugloss, Rocket, L ye- \ others ; yet rny opinion is, that they are
bright, Beans, Fumitory, Broom, Cowslips, \ not cold in the fourth degree.
St. John's Wort, Hi/so>), Jessamine or Shrub, ; Moist in the first degree. Borrage, Bug-
Trefoil, Archangel, or Dead Nettles white \ loss, Mallows, Succory, Endive.
and red, lavender, Wall-flowers, or Winter- \ In the second. Water-lilies, Violets.
Gilliflowers, Privet, Lilies white, and of the \ Dry in the. first degree. Ox-eye, Saffron,
valley, Hops, Common and tree Mallows, \ Chamomel, Melilot, Roses.
Feather-few, Woodbine, or Honey-suckles, \ In the second. Wind-flower. Amomus,
Melilot, Bawm, Walnuts, Water-Lilies white \ Clove-gilliflowers, Rocket, Lavender, Hops,
and yellow, Origanum, Poppies white and red, \ Peony, Rosemary, Spikenard,
or Erraticks, Poppies, or corn Hoses, so called * In the third. Woodbine, or Honey-
because they grow amongst Corn, Peony, \ suckles, Balaustines, Epithimum, German-
Honey-suckles, or Woodbine, Peach-flowers, ; der, Chamepitis.

Primroses, Self-heal, Sloebush, Rosemary \ The temperature of any other flowers not
flowers, Roses, white, damask and red, Sage, \ here mentioned are of the same temperature
Elder, white Saxifrage, Scabious, Siligo, fljwith the herbs, you may gain skill by
think they mean wheat by it, Authors are not searching there for them, you can loose
agreed about it) Steches, Tamarisk, Tansy, \ none.

Mullen or Higtaper. Limetree, Clove Gilli-\ rr .7 * j.- ti, i, j ** * j

4 n n> r t r/- / / n * ; -for the parts of the body, they are appropriated

flowers, Lolt s-joot, Violets, Agnus Cast us, > h t

Dead Nettles white and red.

Citlpeper.~] That these may be a little | The head; as, Rosemary flowers, Self-
explained for the public good : be pleased ? heal, Chamomel, Bettony, Cowslips, Laven-
to take notice | der, Melilot, Peony, Sage, Stcechas.

Some are hot in thejirst degree, as Borrage, | The breast. Bettony, Bawm, Scabious,
Bugloss, Bettony, Ox-eye, Melilot, Cha-|Schoenanth.
.noniel, Stoechas. The heart. Bawm, Rosemary flowers,

Hot in the second degree. Amomus, Saf-| Borrage, Bugloss, Saffron, Spikenard,
ron, Clove-gillittowers, Rocket, Bawm,: The stomach. Rosemary-flowers, Spike-
pikenard, Hops, Schenanth, Lavender, i nard, Schosnanth.
Jasmine, Rosemary. The liver. Centaury, Schacnanth, Elder,

In th". third degree. Agnus Castus, j Bettony, Chamomel, Spikenard

200 THE COMPJ TE HERBAL

The spleen. Bettony, Wall-flowers. | Movers purge clioler. Peach flowers

The reins anil bladder. Bet tony, Marsh \ /Damask Roses, Violets,
mallows, Melilot, Schoenanth, Spikenard. Flegm. .Broom flowers, Elder flowers.

The K-omb. Bettony, Squinanth or Sche- ! If you compare but the quality of the
nanth, Sage, Orris or Flower-de-luce. j flowers with the herbs, and with the expla-

The joints. Rosemary-flowers, Cowslips, \ nation of these terms at the latter end, you
Chamomel, Melilot. jniay easily find the temperature and pro-

r , .j ,. ,j | perty of the rest.

Plovers, as they are cooling, so they cool j I ^ riowers of Qx _ eye bdng boi , cd Jnfo

Tlic head. Violets, Roses, the three sorts j a poultice with a little barley meal, takeaway
of Poppies, and Water-lilies. ; swellings and hardness of the flesh, being

The breast and heart. Violets, Red Roses, j applied warm to the place.

Water-lilies.' { Chamomel flowers heat, discuss, loosen

The stomach. Red Roses, Violets. i and rarif'y, boiled in Clysters, they are ex-

The liter and spleen. Endive, and Succory. ! cellent in the wind cholic, boiled in wine,

Violets. Borrage, and Bugloss, moisten \ and the decoction drunk, purges the reins,

the heart, Rosemary-flowers, Bawm and : break the stone, opens the pores, cast out

Bettony, dry it. | choleric humours, succours the heart, and

,. 5 cases pains and aches, or stiffness coming

According to property, so they bmd.^ \ by travellin ^

Balaiistins. Saffron, Succory, Endive, i The flowers of Rocket used outwardly,
red-roses, Melilot, Bawm ,Clove-gilliflowers, discuss swellings, and dissolve hard tumors,

you may boil them into a poultice, but in-
wardly taken they send but unwholesome

Agnus Castus.

Discuss. Dill, Chamomel, Marsh-mallows,

Mallows, Melilot, Stoechas, &c. j vapours up to the head.

Cleanse. Damask-roses, Elder flowers,: Hops open obstructions of the bowels,
Bean flowers, &c. j liver, and spleen, they cleanse, the body or

Extenuate. Orris, or Flower-de-luce, ! choler and flegm, provoke urine.
Chamomel, Melilot, Stcechas, &c. ; Jasmine flowers boiled in oil, and the

Mollify. Saffron, white Lilies, Mallows, \ grieved place bathed with it, takes away
Marsh-mallows, &c. : cramps and stitches in the sides.

Suppure. Saffron, white Lilies, &c. The flowers of Woodbine, or Honey-

Glntinate. Balaustines, Centaury, &c. \ suckles, being dryed and beaten into pow-

Provoke the terms. Bettony, Centaury, j der, and a dram taken in white wine in the
Chamomel, Schoenanth, Wall-flowers, Bawm I morning, helps the rickets, difficulty H
Peony, Rosemary, Sage. j breathing ; provoke urine, and help the

Stop the terms. Balaustines, or Pome- j stranguary.
granate flowers, Water Lilies. The flowers of Mallows being bruised and

E.rpel wind. Dill, Chamomel, Schoenanth, | boiled in honey (two ounces of the flowers
Spikenard. j is sufficient for a pound of honey ; and

Help burnings. White Lilies, Mallows, j having first clarified the honey before you
Marsh-rnallows. j put them in) then strained out ; this honey

Resist poison. Bettony, Centaury. ! taken with a liquorice stick, is an excellent

Ease pain. Dill, Chamomel, Centaury, j remedy for Cough?, Asthmas, and con-
Melilot, Rosemary. J sumptions of the lungs

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 2(57

| Capers, Nutmegs, dry Walnuts, dry

\ Nuts, Fistick Nuts.
FRUITS. In the Ihird degree. Juniper Berries.

i Cloves, Carpobalsamum, Cubebs, Anacar-
Collfge.] Winter-cherries, Love Apples* dium, bitter Almonds.

Almonds meet and bitter, Anacordia, Oranges, \ In the fourth degree. Pepper, white, black
Hazel Nuts, the oily Nut Ben, Barberries, \ and long, Guinny Pepper.
Capers, Guinny Pepper, Figs, Carpobalsamum, \ Cold in the Jirst degree. The flesh ol
Cloves, Cassia Fistula, Chestnuts, Cherries \ Citrons, Quinces, Pears, Prunes, &c.
black and red, Cicers, white, black and rcd,\ In the second. Gourds, Cucumbers.
Pome Citron*, Coculus Indi, Colocynthis, Cur- \ Melons, Pompions, Oranges, Lemons.
rants, Cornels or Cornelian Cherries, Cubebs, \ Citrons, Pomegranates, viz. the juice oi
Cucumbers garden and wild, Gourds, Cyiwx- \ them, Peaches, Prunes, Galls, Apples.
hatus, Cypress, Cones, Quinces, Dales, Dtrarf- \ In the third. Mandrakes.
Elder, Green Figs, Strawberries, eoniinon and \ In the fourth. Stramonium.
Turkey Galls, Acorns, Acorn Cups, Pome- { Moist in the Jirst degree. The rlesh of
pranates, Gooseberries, Ivy, Herb True-Love, \ Citrons, Lemons, Oranges, viz. the inner
Walnuts, Jujubes, Juniper berries, Baijberries, \ rhind which is white, the outer rhind is hot,
Lemons, Oranges, Citrons, Quinces, Pume- ; In the second. Gourds, Melons, Peaches,
grannies, Lemons, Mandrakes, Peaches, \ Prunes, c.

Stramonium, Apples, garden and wild, or > Dry in the Jirst degree. Juniper Berries.
Crabs and Apples, Musk Melons, Medlars \ In the second. The Nut Ben, Capers,
Mulberries, Myrobalans, Bellericks, Chebs, Pears, Fistick Nuts, Pine Nuts, Quinces,
Emblicks, Citron and Indian. Mirt/e, Berries, \ Nutmegs, Bay berries.
tenter Nuts, Hazel Nuts Chestnuts, Cypress \ In (he third. Cloves, Galls, &c.
Nuts, Walnuts, Nutmegs, Fistick Nuts, \ In the fourth. All sorts of pepper.

to the body of Man, so they
heat the head : as

black, and long Pepptr, Fistick Nuts, Apples] Anacardia, Cubebs, Nutmegs.

and Crabs, Prunes, French and Damask, Sloes, ' The breast. Bitter Almonds, Dates,

J'ears, English Currants, Berries of Purging ; Cubebs, Hazel Nuts, Pine Nuts, Figs,

Thorn, black Berries, Raspberries, Elder i Raisins of the sun, Jujubes.

be*ries, Sebastens, Services, or Checkers, Haw-\ The heart. Walnuts, Nutmegs, Juniper

thorn berries, Pine Nuts, Hater Nuts, Grapes, \ berries.

Gooseberries, Raisins, Currants. The stomach. Sweet Almonds, Cloves,

Culpeper.] That you may reap benefit j Ben, Juniper berries, Nutmegs, Pine Nuts,
by these, be pleased to consider, that they j Olives,
are some of them j The spleen. Capers.

Temperate in respect of heat. Raisins of; The reins and bladder. Bitter Almonds,
the sun, Currants, Figs, Pine Nuts, Dates, ; Juniper Berries, Cubebs, Pine Nuts, Raisin.s
Sebastens. j O f the sun.

Hot in (he Jirst degree. Sweet Almonds, j The womb. Walnuts, Nutmegs, Bay-
Jujubes, Cypress Nuts, green Hazel Nuts, | berries, Juniper berries,
green Walnuts. j Cool the breast. Sebastens, Prunes

Hot in tb" ->"cond degree. The Nut Ben, 1 Oranges, Lemons.

3 z

'. THE COMPLETE HERBAL

The. heart. Oranges, Lemons, Citrons, i Myrobalans of all sorts, especially Chebs,
Pomegranates, Quinces, Pears. j Bellericks and Emblicks, purge flegm very

Thestomach. Quinces, Citruls, Cucumbers, | gently, and without danger.
Gourds, Musk Melons, Pompions, Cherries, | Of all these give me leave to commend
Gooseberries, Cornelian Cherries, Lemons, * only one to you as of special concernment.
Apples, Medlars, Oranges, Pears, English ! which is Juniper berries.
Currants, Cervices or Checkers.

The liver. Those that cool the stomach
and Barberries. S F F D S

The reins and womb. Those that cool the \

stomach, and Strawberries. j College.] Sorrel, Agnus Castns, Marsh-

mallows, Bishop's weed true and common.
By their several operations, some \ Amomus, Dill, Angellica, Annis, Rose-seed,

Bind As the berries of Mirtles, Bar- l^f^' 6 ' Co *? it z ^fiT^ ^^'
berries, Chestnuts, Cornels, or Cornelian \ fl ?' R"^' Bur cks l Vazrl, Barberry
Cherries, Quinces, Galls, Acorns, Acorn- \ C ""' Brunus v Knee-holly, Hemp, Carda-

v_ ii^ i. iv_,_jj ->t^ VAiiiv>^._7. V^^.11U JLA^WI ftlOk -i-l-OV/lll" J J /~l J T* 7*

cups, Medlars, Checkers or Cervices, Pome- ! nwm \ [S r ^ r f *t, Carduus Benedicts,
granates, Nutmegs, Olives, Pears, Peaches. | " 7> 7 ^ * ^istles Bastard Saffron Cara-
Discuss. CapeYs, all the sorts of Pepper. jW Spurge greater and lesser, Colewort*
Extenuate. Sweet and bitter Almonds, m " S ' ^ e / e ''f oj Cherrystones, Chewl
Bayberries, Juniper berries ' Succory, Hemlock, Citrons, Citruls, Garden

aintinnte A,* A ,-n P,, F,t \Sj-grass,Coloc,jnthis,Conander,Samphirt,

Glutinate. Acorns, Acorn Cups, OifcJ'jF 1 " 9 ^
Raisins of the sun, Currants. | tucnmbers garden and wild, Gourds, Qmnc.es,

Expel Wind. Bay berries, Juniper her- i ^ um ?> ^'losbatus, Date-sf-
ries, Nutmegs, all the sorts of Pepper. Engbh, and cretish. Dwarf-,

Breed seed. Raisins of the sun, s'ncct r
Almonds, Pine Nuts, Figs, &c. 1 Fenugreek, Ash-tree keys, Fumitory, Brooms,

Provoke urine. Winte? Cherries. ! G ^ ains / ^radue, Pomegranates, mid Rue.

Provoke the terms. Ivy berries, Capers, &c. J #*?"%?' i h H* nt>ane > St - ^ hn ' s

Stop the terms. Barberries, & c . \ %"* ' H ^ S P ' , Le t tlce > Sharp-pomted-Dock,

Resist poison. Bay berries, Juniper ber-i^f e ' ?*"*. Le " hls > *&> , Le ' H01 ^
ries, Walnuts, Citrons, commonly called | A 'k*-*W'> Lruseed or Flaaweed, Gro,n-
Pome Citrons, all the sorts of Pepper. j wdl > arnel > ^'f ^ejo^Liqnnes, Master-

Ease pain. Bay berries, Juniper berries, j ^ M^ram, Mallows, Mandrakes, Melon,,
Ivy berries, Figs, Walnuts, Raisins, Cur- \Medlars Mez ereo,,, Grom well, sweet Navcw
i-jnfc oil i, ? f 13 * Nigella, the kernels of Cherries, Aimcots, and

rants, all tlie sorts of Pepper. Jn_ _* ,n ; ^ i r>- -n i i>

j reaches, Bazil, Urobus, Rice, Pamck, Popptek

Fruits nurQ-inrr \white and black, Parsnips garden and wild,

t Thorough Wax, Parsley, English and Mace

Choler. Cassia Fistula, Citron M.yro-"donian, Bi/rnet, Pease, Plantain, Peonn, Leeks

1 alans, Prunes, Tamarinds, Raisins. j Purslain, Fleazcott, Turnips, Radishes, Sumach

Melancholy. Indian Myrobalans. | Spurge, Roses, Rue, garden and wild, ll'ornt-

Flegm. Colocynthis and wild Cucumbers j seed, Saxifrage, Succory, Sesami, Hartworl,

purge violently, and therefore not rashly to! common and cretish, Mustard-seed, Alexander^,

be meddled withal: 1 desire my book should ! Nightshade, Steves Ager, Sumach, Treac/t,

be beneficial, not hurtful to the vulgar, but ! Mustard, sweet Trefoil. II heat, both the Jim

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 2G

flour and the bran, and that which starch in The stomach. Annis, Bishop's weed,

made oj\ Vetches or Tares, Violets, Nettles,
common and Roman, the stones of Grapes,
Greek Wheat, or Spelt Wheat

CulpeperJ] That you may receive a little
more benefit by these, than the bare reading
of them, which doth at the most but tell

Amornus, Smallage, Cummin, Cardamoms,
Cubebs, Grains of Paradise,

The liver. Annis, Fennel, Bishop's weed,
Amomus, Smallage, Sparagus, Cummin,
Caraway, Carrots.

The spleen. Annis, Caraway, Water-

you what they are ; the following method \ cresses.

may instruct you what they are good for. The reins and bladder. Cicers, Rocket,

, , ,7 / , , ; Saxifrage, Nettles, Gromwell.

beeds are hot in the first degree. , IT,

Ihe womb. Peony, Rue.

Linseed, Fenugreek, Coriander, Rice, j The joints. Water-cresses, Rue, Mustard -
Gromwell, Lupines. {seed.

In the second. Dill, Smallage, Orobus, : Cool the head. Lettice, Purslain, white
Rocket, Bazil, Nettles. ! Poppies.

In the third. Bishop's Weed, Annis, j The breast. White Poppies, Violets.
Amomus, Carraway, Fennel, (and so I \ The heart. Orange, Lemon, Citron
believe Smallage too, let authors say what | and Sorrel seeds.

they will, for if the herb of Smallage be| Lastly, the four greater and four lesser cold
somewhat hotter than Parsley ; 1 know j seeds, which you may find in the beginning
little reason why the seed should not be so j of the compositions, as also the seed of white
hot) Cardamoms, Parsley, Cummin, Carrots, \ and black Poppies cool the liver and spleen,
Nigella, Navew, Hartwort, Staves Ager. i reins and bladder, womb and joints.

In the fourth. Water -cresses, Mustard- i , ,.

j According to operation some seeds

Cold in the first degree. Barley, &c. Bind, as Rose-seeds, Barberries, Shep-

In the second. Endive, Lettice, Purslain, [ herd's purse, Purslain, &c.
Succory, Gourds, Cucumbers, Melons, \ Discuss. Dill, Carrots, Linseeds, Fenu-
Citruls, Pompions, Sorrel, Nightshade. ! greek, Nigella, &c.

In the third. Henbane, Hemlock, Pop- 1 Cleanse. Beans, Orobus, Barley, Lupines,
pies white and black. j Nettles, c.

Moist in thefirst degree. Mallows, &c. Mollify. Linseed, or Flax seed, Fenu-

Dry in the Jirst degree. Beans, Fennel, ; greek seed, Mallow r s, Nigella.
Fenugreek, Barley, Wheat, c. Harden. Purslain seed, &c.

In the second. Orobus, Lentils, Rice, j Suppure. Linseed, Fenugreek seed, Dar-
Poppies, Nightshade, and the like. ; net, Barley husked, commonly called French

In the third. Dill, Smallages, Bishop's | Barley.

Weed, Annis, Caraway, Cummin, Cori-j Glutinate. Orobus, Lupines, Darnel, &c,
ander, Nigella, Gromwell, Parsley. Expel wind. Annis, Dill, Smallage,

Appropriated to the body of man, and so ^ e j ^^y, Cummin, Carrots, Fennel, Nigella,

J - -'j Parsley, Hartwort, Wormseed.

Heat the head. Fennel, Marjoram, Pepny, ] Breed seed. Rocket, Beans, Cicers, Ash

tree keys.

The breast. Nettles. \ Provoke the menses. Amomus, Sparagus.

The heart. Bazil, Rue, &c. Mustard : Annis, Fennel, Bishop's weed, Cicers, Car-
&' I rots, Smallage, Paisley, Lovago, Hartwort,

-270

THE COMPLETE HERBAL

Rose seeds, Cummin,

Me terms.
Burdock, &c.

Resist poison. Bishop's weed, Annis, i
Smallage, Cardamoms, Oranges, Lemons,:
Citrons, Fennel, &c.

Temperate, as, Juice of Liquorice, white
starch.

Hot in the first degree. Sugar.
In the second. Labdanum.
/// the third. Benzoin, Assafoetida.
Ease pain. Dill, Amomus, Cardamoms, \ Cold in the third degree. Sanguis Draco-
Cummin, Carrots, Orohus, Fenugreek, Din-lnis, Acacia.
seed, Gromwell, Parsley, Panick. i In the third. Ilypocistis.

Assuage swellings. Linseed, Fenugreek /// the fourth. Opium, and yet sonir:
seeds, Marsh-mallows, Mallows, Corian- j authors think Opium is hot because of i Is
der, Barley, Lupines, Darnel, &c. i bitter taste.

Alons and Manna purge choler gently ;
! and Scamon v doth purge choler violently,
; that it is no ways tit for a vulgar man's use,

The College tells you a tale that there are j lor il )rrodcs the B , owels ' PP a ax

i l m S fle ^ m very gently.

such

things n

Renim Natura, as thes

, se,

Gums, Rozins, Balsams, and Juices made i 7// 'f xtc "' ch &"** levigates or makes
lliick viz ? smooth such parts as are rough, syrup ot

S Violets being made thick with it and so

College.] Juices of Wormwood and ]\faitd- : taken on the point of a knife, helps coughs,
////, Acacia, Aloes, Lees of Oil, Assa-feelicla, \ roughness of the throat, wheezing, excoria-
Ralsam of Peru and India; Bdellium, Ben- ; lions of the boAvels, the bloody-flux.
com, Camphire, Caranna, Colophonia, Juice of\ Juice of Liquorice helps roughness of the
Maudlin, Euphorbium, Lees of Wine, Lees of I Trachea Artena, which is in plain English
Oil, Gums of Galbanum, Amoniacum, Anime, j called the windpipe, the roughness of which
Arabick, Cherry Trees, Copal, Elemy, Juni- \ causes coughs and hoarseness, difficulty of
per, Ivy, Plumb Trees, Cambuge, Hypocystis, > breathing, &c. It allays the heat of the

Labdanum, Lacca, Liquid Amber, Manna,

Mastich, Myrrh, Olibanum, Opium, Opopanax,

Pice-bitumen, Pitch of the Cedar of Greece,

Liquid and dry Rozins of Fir-tree, Larch-tree,

Pine tree, Pine-fruit, Mastich. Venice and

Cyprus Turpentine. Sugar, white, red, and

Christaline, or Sugar Candy white and red,

Sagapen, Juniper, Gum, Sanguis Draconis,

Sarcocolla, Scomony, Styrax, Liquid and\ reins and bladder, being weakened : being

Calamitis, Tacha, Mahaccu, Tartar, Frankin- \ beaten into fine powder and put into the

cense, Olibanum, Tragaganth, Birdlime. jeyes, it takes away films that grow over

Culpeper.'] That my country may receive (the sight.

more benefit than ever the college of Phy-j Labdanum is in operation, thickening,
sicians intended them from these, I shall | heating and mollifying, it opens the passap:
treat of them severally. .of the veins, and keeps the hair from falling

1. Of the Juices. off; the use of it is usually external -. being

2. Of the Gums and Rosins. ; mixed with wine, mvrrh, and oil of niirtle>.

stomach and liver, eases pains, soreness and
roughness of the reins and bladder, it
quencheth thirst, and strengthens ihc
stomach exceedingly : It may easily be
carried about in one's pocket, and eat a little
now and then.

Sugar cleanses and digests, takes away
roughness of the tongue, it strengthens the

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 271

and applied like a plaister, it takes away \ Opopanax gently purges flegm
filthy scars, arid the deformity the small: From the prickly Cedar when it is burned
pox leaves behind them ; being- mixed with j comes forth that which, with us, is usually
oil of Roses, and dropped into the ears, it { known by the name of Tar,and is excellently
helps pains there; being used as a pes-!good for unction either for scabs, itch, or
sary, it provokes the menses, and helps I rnanginess, either in men or beasts, as alsc
hardness or stiffness of the womb. It is j against the leprosy, tetters, ringworms, and
sometimes used inwardly in such medicines scald heads.

as ease pains and help the cough : if you | All sorts of Hozins fill up hollow ulcers,
mix a little of it with old white wine and j and relieve the body sore pressed with cold
drink it, it bolh provokes urine and stops \ griefs.

.looseness or fluxes. { The Rozin of Pilch-tree, is that which

Dragons blood, cools, binds, and repels. :is commonly called Burgundy pilch, and

Acasia, and Hyposistis, do the like. \ is something hotter and sharper than the

The juice of Maudlin, or, for want of it j former, being spread upon a cloth is ex-

Costmary, which is the same in effect, and jcellently good for old aches coming of former

better known to the vulgar, the juice is made! bruises or dislocations.

thick for the better keeping of it; first: Pitch mollifies hard swellings, and brings

clarify the juice before you boil it to its due boils and sores to suppuralion, it breaks

thickness, which is something thicker than carbuncles, disperses aposthurnes, cleanses

honey. j ulcers of corruption and fills them with

It is appropriated to the liver, and the j flesh.

quantity of a dram taken every morning, \ Bdellium heats and mollifies, and that very
helps the Cachexia, or evil disposition of S temperately, being mixed with any con-
the body proceeding from coldness of the { venient ointment or plaister, it helps kei-
liver: it helps the rickets and worms injnels in the neck and throat, Scrophula, or
children, provokes urine, and gently (with- j that disease which was called the King's
out purging) disburdens the body of choler { Evil. Inwardly taken in any convenient
and flegm; it succours the lungs, opens ob- 1 medicine, it provokes the menses, and breaks
structions, and resists putri faction of blood, j the stone, it helps coughs and bitings of
Gums are either temperate, as, Lacca, 5 venomous beasts : it helps windiness of the
Elemi, Tragacanth, &c. ; spleen, and pains in the sides thence coming.

Intemperate, and so are hot in the first \ Both outwardly applied to the place and
degree, as Bdellium, Gum of Ivy. j inwardly taken, it helps ruptures or such as

In the second, G'<\\\r<inum, Myrrh, Mastich, are burst, it softens the hardness of the
Frankincense, Olibanum, Pitch, Rozin, i womb, dries up the moisture thereof and
Scyrax j expels the dead child.

In the third. Amoniacum. Bitumen Jadaicum is a certain dry pitch

In the fourth. Euphorbiurn. which the dead sea, or lake of Sodom in India

Gum Arabick is cold. ; casts forth at certain times, the inhabitants

Colophonia and Styrax soften. j thereabouts pitch their ships with it. It is

Gum Arabick and Tragacanth, San- J } of excellent use to mollify the hardness of
darack or Juniper Gum, and Sarcocolla { swellings and discuss them, as also against
bind. ( inflammations ; the smoke of it burnt is

Gum of Cherry trees, breaks the stone.
Styrax provokes the menses.

excellently good for the fits of the mother,
and the falling-sickness : Inwardly taken in
4 A

272 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

wine it provokesthe menses, helps the bitings S tures in the skull and head. See Arceia'
of venomous beasts, and dissolves congealed | liniment.

blood in the body. Gum Lacca being well purified, and (he

Ambergreese is hot and dry in the second j quantity of half a dram taken in any con.
degree, I will not dispute whether it be a ' venient liquor, strengthens the stomach an
Gum or not: It strengthens nature much 'liver, opens obstructions, helps the yelloxv
which way soever it be taken, there are but j jaundice and dropsy ; provokes urine,
few grains usually given of it at a time :! breaks the stone in the reins and bladder,
mixed with a little ointment of Orange; Liquid Amber is not much unlike liquid
flowers, and the temples and forehead ; Styrax: by unction it warms and comforts
anointed with it, it eases the pains of the! a cold and moist brain, it eases all griefs
head and strengthens the brain exceedingly ; j coming of a cold cause, it mightily comforts
the same applied to the privities, helps the | and strengthens a weak stomach, being
fits of the mother; inwardly taken ill anointed with it, and helps digestion ex-
strengthcns the brain and memory, thei ceedingly, it dissolves swellings. It is hot
heart and vital spirit, Wcums cold stomachs, I in the third degree, and moist in the first,
and is an exceeding strengthener of nature

to old people, adding vigour to decayed and

I think it would do the commonwealt
no fiarm if I should speak a word or two o

worn-out spirits : it provokes venery, and I Manna here, although it be no Gum : Icon
makes barren women fruitful, if coldness j fess authors make some nutter about it,
and moisture or weakness be the cause im- 1 what it is, some holding it to be the juice
pediting. of a tree ; I am confident it is the very same

Attqfiehda being smelled to, is vulgarly
known to repress the fits of the mother ;
a. little bit put into an aching tooth, pre-

condensated that our honey-dews here are,
only the contries whence it comes being far
hotter, it falls in great abundance. Let him

sently eases the pain, ten grains of it taken \ that desires reason for it, be pleased lo read
before dinner, walking half an hour after j Butlers book of Bees, a most excellent
it, provokes appetite, helps digestion, \ experimental work, there he shall find rca-
strengthens the stomach, and takes away j son enough to satisfy any reasonable man.
loathing of meat, it provokes lust exceed- ] Choose the driest and whitest; it is a very
ingly and expels wind as much. | gentle purger of choler, quenches thirst,

Borax, besides the virtues it has to solder ! provokes appetite, eases the roughness ot
Gold, Silver, Copper, &c. inwardly given! the throat, helps bitterness in the throat,
in small quantities, it stops fluxes, and the; and often proneness to vomit, it isverygoov.
running of the reins: being in fine powder, ? for such as are subject to be costive to put
and put into green wounds, it cures them at j it into their drink instead of sugar, it hatn
once dressing. j no obnoxious quality at all in it, but may

Gambuge, which the College calls Gutta \ be taken by a pregnant woman without any
Gamba. I know no good of it. \ danger ; a child of a year old may take an

Curanna outwardly applied, i? excellent ; ounce of it at a time dissolved in milk, it
for aches and swellings in the nerves and I will melt like sugar, neither will it be known
ioints : If you lay it behind the ears, it j from it by the taste.

draws back humours from the eyes; applied j ]\li/r'-h is hot and dry in the second degree
to the temples as they usually do Mastich, it J dangerous for pregnant women, it is bitter
Helps the tooth-ache. 'jam! yet held to be good for the ro-.u<hnes?

Gum Elimi, authors appropriate to frac- '<' the throat and wind-pipe ; half a <iium ,f

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 273

it taken at a time helps rheumatic distilla-
tions upon the lungs, pains in the sides ; it ;
stops tluxes, provokes the menses, brings
away both birth and after-birth, softens the

not very easy. It stops defluctions from
the head, if you perfume your cap with the
smoke of it, it helps the headache and
megrim, strengthens the brain, and therefore

hardness of the womb; being taken two \ the sinews.

hou'-s before the fit comes, it helps agues.:: Gum TragagantJt, which the vulgar call

Mathiolus saith he seldom used any other
medicine for the quartan ague than a dram

Gum Dragon, being mixed with pectora.'
Syrups, (which you shall find noted in their

of myrrh given in Muskadel an hour before * proper places) it helps coughs and hoarse-
the fit usually came : if you make it up into \ ness, salt and sharp distillations upon the
pills with treacle, ;md take one of them : lungs, being taken with a liquorice stick,
every morning fasting, it is a sovereign I being dissolved in sweet wine, it helps
preservative against the pestilence, against ! (being drank) gnawing in the bowels, sharp-
the poison of serpents, and other venomous \ ness and f reelings of the urine, which causes
beasts; asingularremedy forastinking breath \ excoriations either in the reins or bladder,
if it arise from putrefaction of the stomach, j being dissolved in milk and the eyes washed
it fastens loose teeth, and stays the shedd- | with it, it takes away weals and scabs that
ing off of the hair, outwardly used it breeds j grow on the eyelids, it is excellently good to
flesh in deep wounds, and covers the naked ! be put in poultice to fodder wounds,
bones with flesh. especially if the nerves or sinews be hurt.

Olibam/m is hot in the second degree, and
dry in the first, you may take a dram of it

Sagapen, dissolved in juice of rue and
taken, wonderfully breaks the stone in the

at a lime, it stops looseness and the run- 1 bladder, expels the dead child and afler-
ning of the reins; it strengthens the memory i birth, clears the sight; dissolved in wine
exceedingly, comforts the heart, expels sad- \ and drank, it helps the cough, and dis-
ness and melancholy, strengthens the heart, jtillalion upon the lungs, and the fits of the
helps coughs, rheums and pleurises ; your j mother; outwardly in oils or ointments, it
best way (in my opinion,) to lake it is lo mix j helps such members as are oul of joint or
it with conserve of roses, and take it in the | over-slretched.
morning fasting. { Galbanum is of the same operation, and

Tac.hamacha is seldom taken inwardly, also taken from the same plant, viz. Fennel,
outwardly spread upon leather, and applied Giant.

to the navel ; it stays the fits of the mother, Gum Arabic, thickens and cools, and cor-
applied lo the side, it mitigates speedily, \ reels choleric sharp humours in the body,
and- in little time quite lakes away the pain j being dissolved in the white of an egg, well
and windincss of ihc spleen ; the truth is, j beaten, it helps burnings, and keeps the
whatsoever ache or swelling proceeds of j place from blistering,
wind or cold raw humours, I know no; Mastich slays fluxes, being laken inwardly
belter plaister coming from beyond sea lhan | any way. Three or four small grams o^
this gum. It strengthens the brain and i Mastich, swallowed at night going to bed,
memory exceedingly, and stops all such j is a remedy for pains in the stomach
defluctions thence as trouble the eyes, ears, j being beaten inlo powder, and mixed wilh
or teeth, it helps the gout and sciatica. | conserve of Roses, il strengthens the stomach,

Gum Coopal, and Gum Anime, are very j stops dislillations upon the lungs, sUiy t
Jike one another both in body and opera- vomiting, and causes a sweet breath; bring
Uon, the former is hard lo come by, the last t mixed with white wine and the moulh

274 THE COMPLETE HERBAL

washed with it, it cleanses the gums of cor- ; being anointed with the same, cools the reins,
ruption, and fastens loose teeth. land seminal vessels, stops the running ot

Frantdncente being used outwardly in the j the reins and Fluor Albus, the moderate use
way of a plaister, heats and binds; being {of Venery, the like it doth if it be drank
applied to the temples, stops the rheums j inwardly with Bettony-water, take but a
that flow to the eyes, helps green wounds, i small quantity of it at a time inwardly, it
and fills hollow ulcers with flesh, stops the j resist poison and bitings by venomous
bleeding of wounds, though the arteries be I beasts; outwardly, applied as before, and
cut; being made into an ointment with} the eyes anointed with it, stops hot rheums
Vinegar and Hog's-grease, helps the itch, i that flow thither.

pains in the ears, inflammations in women's | Opopanax purges thick flegm from the
breasts commonly called agues in the breast;! most remote parts of the body, rir. the
beware of taking it inwardly, lest it cause! brain, joints, hands, and feet, the nerves
madness. ; and breast, and strengthens all those parts

Tin-pent hie is hot in the second degree, it* when they are weak, if the weakness pro-
heals, softens, it discusses and purges, ceed of cold, as usually it doth ; it helps
cleanses the reins, provokes urine. j weakness of the sight, old rotten coughs,

Styrax Calamitis is hot and dry in the i and gouts of all sorts, dropsies, and swell-
second degree, it heals, mollifies, and con- ! ings of the spleen, it helps the stranguary
cocts; being taken inwardly helps the cough, j and difficulty of making urine, provokes
and distillations of the lungs, hoarseness and j the menses, and helps all cold afflictions of
loss of voice, helps the hardness of the ; the wornb ; have a care you give it not to
womb, and provokes the menses. i any pregnant women. The dose is one

Ammoniacum, hot and dry in the third j dram at most, corrected with a little Mastich,
degree, softens, draws, and heats; being clis- j dissolved in Vinegar and outwardly applied
solved in vinegar, strained and applied \ helps the passions of the spleen,
plaister-wise, it takes away carbuncles and ;
hardness in the flesh, it is one of the best;
remedies that I know for infirmities of the j Jn the next ]ace the Co]] te]]s a lale

.pleen, being applied to the left side; being concern ^ Liquid, Jutces, and Tears,
made into an ointment with oil, it is good j which ^ be \ for n( . ^

to anoint the limbs of such as are weary :

a scruple of it being taken in the form of at College.] Vinegar, Juice of Citrons, Juice
pill loosens the belly, gives speedy delivery \of sour Grapes, Oranges, Barberries, Tears of
to women in travail, helps diseases of the j a Birch-tree, Juice of ' Chermes, Quinces, Pome-
spleen, the sciatica and all pains in the I granates. Lemons, Wood-sorrel, Oil of unripe
joints, and have any humour afflicting their | Olives, and ripe Olives, both new and cold, Juice
breast. | of red and Damask Roses, Wine Tears of a

Camphire, it is held by all authority to be j Vine.

cold and dry in the third degree, it is of very i Culpeper."] The virtues of the most of
hin subtile parts, insomuch that bring; these may be found in the Syrups, and are
beaten into very fine powder it will vanquish j few of them used alone,
away into the air, being beaten into powder \
and mixed with oil, and the temples anointed ;
therewith, eases headaches proceeding of!
In at. all inflammations whatsoever, the back/

AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 273

' | broken, and they boiled in spring water,

when the College tells you there are things \ but not scummed at all, for the scum will

o s , py A VTT<J 1 sink of itself, and the water drank for

ureo. or rJUAiM io. j. . . , . , . . ,

i ordinary drink is a most admirable remedy

College.] Agarick, Jews-ears, the berries for consumption ; being bruised and ap-
of Chermes, the Spungy substance of the plied to the place they help the gout, draw
Briar, Moss, Viscus Quercinus, Oak, Apples. I thorns out of the flesh, and held to the nose

CulpeperJ] As the College would have -help the bleeding thereof.

you know this, so would I know what the

chief of them are good for.

Ms-ears boiled in milk and drank, \ Therefore consider that the Collefie ^ ave
helps sore throats. the Apothecaries a cata]ogue Jf what

Moss is cold, dry and binding, therefore j Paris g Uvi ^^ ^ ExcremmU
good for fluxes of all sorts. th ' . k , ,

Misleto of the Oak, it helps the falling I

sickness and the convulsions; being dis- ] College.] The fat, gnase, or suet, of a
erectly gathered and used. Duck, Goose, Eel, Soar, Herron, Thymal-

Oak Apples are dry and binding ; being | lows (if you know where to get it) Dog,
boiled in milk and drank, they stop fluxes! Capon, Beaver, wild Cat, Stork, Coney, Horse
and the menses, and being boiled in vinegar, i Hedge-hog, Hen, Man, Lion, Hare, Pike, or
and the body anointed with the vinegar, ! Jack, (if they have any fat, I am persuaded

'tis worth twelve-pence a grain) Wolf,
Mouse of the mountains, (if you can catch
them) Pardal, Hog, Serpent, Badger, Grey

cures the itch.

Then the College acquaints you, That there jj ^ck Fox, Vulture, (if you can catch

are certain living Creatures called i ^ Al * m G ~' An 8^ D s d &

the hncklebone of a Hare and a Hog, East

College.] Bees, Woodlice, Silk