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THE
COMPLETE HERBAL,
TO WHICH 18 NOW ADDED, UPWARDS 0»
ONE HUNDRED ADDITONAL HERBS,
WITH A DISPLAY OP THEIB
fflUOicinul aiio <Dccult <!9ualitie0;
PHYSICALLY APPLIED TO
THE CURE OF ALL DISORDERS INCIDENT TO MANKIND:
TO WHICH ARE NOW FIRST ANNEXED, THB
ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED,
AKD
KEY TO FHYSIC,
WITH
RULES FOR COMPOUTiIDING MEDICINE ACCORDING TO THE TRUE SYSTEM OF NATURE.
ronMINO A COMPLETE
FAMILY DISPENSATORY, AND NATURAL SYSTEM OF PHYSIC.
BY NICHOLAS CULPEPER, M.D.
TO WHICH 13 ALSO ADDED
U7WAB.BS OF FZFTV CXXOICS RECEIPTS,
SELECTED FROM THE AUTHOIl's LAST LEGACY TO HIS WIPE.
A NEW EDITION,
WITH A LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL DISEASES TO WHICH THE HUMAN BODY IS LIABLE,
AVn A OBSrERAIi ZMBSX.
lUuttraied by Engraving! qf numerous British Herbs and Plants, correcttij cohmred from \atun.
"Ih* Lord hath ore«ted Medicines out of the Earth ; and he that is wise will not abhor them." — Ecc. xixviii. 4.
LONDON:
THOMAS KELLY, 17, PATERNOSTER ROW.
MDCCCXXXV.
J. nADDOK, PriDtcr, Ca.ik Strccl, Plnibul^.
CULPEPERS
ORIGINAL EPISTLE TO THE READER.
npAKE Notice, That in this Edition I have made very many Additions to every sheet in the
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 thes?
Directions by which you shall be sure to know the true True one from the Fake.
TJie 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 this 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. I 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, &c., 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. I
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 differ 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 enongh 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 Stai'S 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 Dn.
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 xoritten on this Subject, seeing so many famous and learned
men have written so much of it in the English Tongiie, 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
contradict one another ? But in mine, if you view it with the eye of reason, you shall see a reason
for every thing that is written, whereby you may find the very gi'ound and foundation of Physic ;
you may know what you do, and wherefore you do it ; and this shall call me Father, it being
(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 benefits 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 vievnng 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 in the virtue and operation of every Herb ?
Secondly, Hereby you may know what infinite knowledge Adam 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 Lectm-es, which I read, and printed, intituled. Astrological Judginent 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 ciures it by Sympathy and Antipathy ; and this brings
me to my last promise, viz.
Instructions for the right use of the hook.
And herein let me premise a word or two. The Herbs, Plants, &c. are now in the book ap-
propriated 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 aflflicted by the disease, and whether it lies in
the flesh, or blood, or bones, or ventricles.
Thirdly, Consider by what planet the afilicted part of the body is governed : that my Judg-
ment 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 the 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.
NICH. CULPEPER.
From my House in Spitalfields,
next door to the Red Lion,
Septembers, 1653.
TO HIS DEAREST CONSORT,
MRS. ALICE CULPEPER.
My DEAREST,
THE works that I have pubhshed to the world (though envied by some illiterate physicians)
have merited such just applause, that thou mayest be confident in proceeding to pubUsh any
thing I leave thee, especially this master-piece ; assuring my fiiends 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 ; adieu, 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 Cam-
bridge, and soon after was bound apprentice to an Apothecary. He employed all his leisure hours
in the study of Pliysic and Astrology, which he afterwards professed, and set up business in Spital-
fields, 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 considerable 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 tc have particularly studied, Hippocrates, Galen, and
Avicen, regarded those as homicides who were ignorant of Astrology. Paracelsus, indeed, wenl
farther ; he declared, a Phj'^ician 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 ; contaiiung a complete
Method or Practice of Physic, whereby a Man may preserve his Body m Health, or cure himself
when sick, with such things only as grow in England, they being most fit for English Constitu-
tions."
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 climed the mountains in search of medicinal and salutary herbs,
has undoubtedly merited the gratitude of posterity." — Dr. Johnson.
THK
ENGLISH PHYSICIAN
ENLARGED.
I green colour ; the flowers are of a purple
AMARA DULCIS. I ^^j^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^ p^^^^^^ ^j^^^ ,.,,g ^^ ^j^j^^g^
(CONSIDERING divers shires in this na-j and they stand many of them together in
tit)n give divers names to one and the 1 knots : the berries are green at first, but
same herb, and that the common name | when they are ripe they are very red ; if
which it bears in one county, is not known « you taste them, you shall find them just as
in another; I shall take the pains to set | the crabs which we in Sussex call Bitter-
down all the names that I know of each J sweet, viz. sweet at first and bitter after-
herb: pardon me for setting that name first, | wards.
which is most common to myself. Besides \ Place.^ The}? grow commonly almost
Amara Dulcis, some call it Mortal, others I throughout England, especially in moist
Bitter-sweet ; some Woody Night-shade, i and shady places.
and others Felon-wort. » Time.'] The leaves shoot out about the
Descript.'] It grows up with woody stalks \ latter end of March, if the temperature of
even to a man's height, and sometimes! the air be ordinary ; it flowers in July, and
higher. The leaves fall off at the approach of \ the seeds are ripe soon after, usually in the
winter, and spring out of the same stalk at* next month.
spring-time: the branch is compassed about! Government and virtues.'] It is under the
with a whitish bark, and has a pith in the ! planet ]\f ercury, and a notable herb of his
middle of it : the main branch branches 1 also, if it be rightly gathered under his in-
itself into many small ones with claspers, j fluence. It is excellently good to remove
laying hold on what is next to them, as | witchcraft both in men and beasts, as also
vines do : it bears many leaves, they grow j all sudden diseases whatsoever. Being tied
in no order at all, at least in no regular \ round about the neck, is one of the most ad-
order : the leaves are longish, though some- I mirable remedies for the vertigo or dizziness
what broad, and pointed at the ends: many | in the head; and that is the reason (as
of them have two little leaves growing at the \ Tragus saith) the people in Germany coro-r
end of their foot stalk; some have but one, | monly hang it about their cattle's necks,
and some none. The leaves are of a pale ; when they fear any such evil hath betided
\
2
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 ail
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 or Avhite
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 3'ou a
most excellent drink to open obstructions
of the liver and spleen, to help difficulty
of breath, bruises and fails, 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 lo bed. You may drink a quarter
of a pint of the infusion every morning.
It purges the body very gently, and not
churlislily as some hold. And when you
find good by this, remember me.
'J'hey 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,
Veslingus, Riolarms, Johnson^ Sennertus, and
Vhjsicfor the Poor.
ALL-HEAL.
It is called All-heal, Kercules's All-heal,
and Hercules's Wound-wort, 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.
Descnpl.'] Its root is long, thick, and ex-
ceeding full of juice, of a hoi and biting
taste, the leaves are great and large, and
winged almost like ash-tree leaves, but that
they are something haiiy, 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.l 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, 1 give only the des-
cription or this, which is easily to be had
in the gardens of divers places.
Time. ] Although Gerrard saith, thai they
flower from the beginning of May to the
end of Decembei, experience teaches them
that keep it in their gardens, that it flowers
not till the latter end of the Summer, and
sheds its seed presently after.
Gorcernment and virtues.] It is under the
dominion of Mars, hot, biting, and choleric;
and remedies what evils Mars inflicts the
body of man with, V)y 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.
3
ALKANET.
Besides the common name, it is called
Orchanet, and Spanish Bugloss, and by
apothecaries, Enchusa.
DescriptJ\ 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
drank, strengthens the back, and eases the
pains thereof: It helps bruises and falls, and
is as gallant a remedy to drive out the
yinall pox and measles as any is ; an oint-
|jnent made of it, is excellent for green
* wounds, pricks or thursts.
ADDEU'STONGUE, OR SERPENT's TONGUE*
Descript.'] This herb has but one leaf,
which grows with the stalk a Cnger's length
above the ground, being flat and of a fresh
very thick upon the ground ; the stalks rise j green colour; broad like Water Plantain,
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.
Place.~\ It grows in Kent near Rochester,
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
and in many places in the West Country, \ tongue of an adder serpent (only this is as
both in Devonshire and Cornwall. \ useful as they are formidable.) The roots
Time.'] 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
continue all the year.
Flace.'] It grows in moist meadoAvs, and
such like places.
Time.'] It is to be found in May or April,
for it quickly perishes with a little heat.
Government a7id virtues.] It is an herb un- 1 Government and virtues.] It is an herb
der the dominion of Venus, and indeed one » under the dominion of the Moon and Can-
of her darlings, though somewhat hard to jeer, and therefore if the weakness of the
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
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 : It cures 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
c
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
have their usual courses, or the whites flow- ; At the top thereof grow many small yelloAV
ing down too abundantly. It helps sore eyes. | flowers, one above another, in long spikes ;
Of the leaves infused or boiled in oil, om- j after which come rough heads of seed, hang-
phacine or unripe olives, set in the sun four | ing downwards, which will cleave to and
certain days, or the green leaves suflSciently \ stick upon garments, or any thiiig that shall
boiled in the said oil, is made an excellent j rub against them. The knot is black, long,
green balsam, not only for green and fresh j and somewhat woody, abiding many >ears,
wounds,butalso foroldandinveterate ulcers, ; and shooting afresh every Spring ; which
especially if a little fine clear turpentine be | root, though small, hath a reasonable good
dissolved therein. It also stays and re- 5 scent.
freshes all inflammations that arise upon j Place.'] It grows upon banks, near the
pains by hurts and wounds. 1 sides of hedges.
What parts of the body are under each \ Time.'] It flowers in July and August, the
planet and sign, and also what disease may j seed being ripe shortly after,
be found in my astrological judgment of; Government and virtues.] It is an herb
diseases; and for ihe internal work of nature! under Jupiter, and the sign Cancer; and
in the body of man; as vital, animal, natural | strengthens those parts under the planet
and procreative spirits of man ; the appre- j and sign, and removes diseases in them by
hension, judgment, memory ; the external i sympathy, and those under Saturn, Mars
senses, viz. Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasl-land Mercury by antipathy, if they happen
ing and feehng; the virtuous, attractive, \ in any part of the body governed by Jupi-
retentive, digestive, expulsive, &c. under j ter, or under the signs Cancer, Sagitqrius or
the dominion of what planets they are, may | Pisces, and therefore must needs be good
be found in my Ephemeris for the year 1651. \ for the gout, either used outwardly in oil or
In both which you shall find the chaff of j ointment, or inwardly in an electuary, or
authors blown away by the fame of Dr. I syrup, or concerted juice: for which see the
Reason, and nothing but rational truths left | latter end of this book,
for the ingenious to feed upon | It is of a cleansing and cutting faculty
Lastly. To avoid blotting paper with one I without any manifest heat, moderately
thing many times, and also to ease your ! drying and binding. It opens and clean-
purses in the price of the book, and withal Ises the liver, helps the jaundice, and is
to make you studious in physic; you have! very beneficial to the bowels, healing all
at the latter end of the book, the way of unward wounds, bruises, hurts, and other
preserving all herbs either in juice, con- 1 distempers. The decoction of the herb
serve, oil, ointment or plaister, electuary, ! made with wine, and drank, is good against
pills, or troches. \ the biting and stinging of serpent?, and
AGRIMONY.
I helps them that make foul, troubled or
} bloody water.
Descript.] This has divers long leaves; This herb also helps the cholic, cleanses
(some greater, some smaller) set upon ajthe breast, and rids aA»ray the cough,
stalk, all of them dented about the edges, ; A draught of the decoction taken warm be-
green above, and greyish underneath, and \ fore the fit, first removes, and in time rids
a little hairy withal. Among which arises > away the tertain or quartan agues. The
up usually but one strong, round, hairy, ; leaves and seeds taken in wine, stays the
brown stalk, two or three feet high, with | bloody flux ; outwardly applied, being
smaller leaves set here and there upon it. | stamped with old swines' grease, it helps
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. &
old sores, cancers, and inveterate ulcers, and j therefore they are not so frequently found
draws forth thorns and splinters of wood, | in the southern parts of England as in the
nails, or any other such things gotten in the | northern, where they grow frequently : You
flesh. It helps to strengthen the members j may look for them in cold grounds, by ponds
tliat be out of joint: and being bruised and i and ditches' sides, and also by running
applied, or the juice dropped in it, helps j waters ; sometimes you shall find them grow
foul and imposthumed ears. i in the midst of waters.
The distilled water of the herb is good j Time.'] They all flower m July or August,
to all the said purposes, either inward or | and the seed is ripe presently after,
outward, but a great deal weaker. | Government and virtues^ It is a plant of
It is a most admirable remedy for such | Jupiter, as well as the other Agrimony, only
whose livers are annoyed either by heat or 5 this belongs to the celestial sign Cancer,
cold. The liver is the former of blood, and jit heals and dries, cuts and cleanses
blood the nourisher of the body, and Agri- j thick and tough humours of the breast, and
mony a strengthener of the liver. I for this I hold it inferior to but few herbs
I cannot stand to give you a reason in | that grow. It helps the cachexia or evil
every herb why it cures such diseases ; but ; disposition of the body, the dropsy and
if you please to pursue my judgment in j yellow-jaundice. It opens obstructions ot
the herb Wormwood, you shall find them ! the liver, mollifies the hardness of the spleen,
there, and it will be well worth your while j being applied outwardly. It breaks impost-
to consider it in every herb, you shall find i humes away inwardly : It is an excellent
them true throughout the book. 5 remedy for the third day ague. It provokes
I urine and the terms ; it kills worms, and
WATER AGRIMONY. J , .u u j i? l, u u- l
\ cleanses the body ot sharp humours, which
It is called in some countries. Water j are the cause of itch and scabs ; the herb
Hemp, Bastard Hemp, and Bastard Agri- 1 being burnt, the smoke thereof drives away
mony, Eupatorium, and Hepatorium, be- j flies, wasps, &c. It strengthens the lungs
cause it strengthens the liver {exceedingly. Country people give it to
Descript.'] The root continues a long time, j their cattle when they are troubled with the
"having many long slender strings. The \ cough, or broken- winded.
stalk grows up about two feet high, some- f
U- U rry, „„ „/■„ J^*!,' „^1 » ALEHOOF, OR GROUND-IVl'.
tames higher. 1 hey are ot a dark purple j '
colour. The branches are many, growing! SEVERALCOunties give it different names,
at distances the one from the other, the one « so that there is scarcely an herb growing of
from the one side of the stalk, the other | that bigness that has got so many : It is
from the opposite point. The leaves are \ called Cat's-foot, Ground-ivy, Gill-go-by-
fringed, and much indented at the edges. | ground, and Gill-creep-by-ground, Turn-
The flowers grow at the top of the branches, i hoof, Hay maids, and Alehoof.
ot a brown yellow colour, spotted withj Descript.'] This well known herb lies,
black spots, having a substance within 'spreads and creeps upon the grounds
the midst of them like that of a Daisy: If ! shoots forth roots, at the corners of tendet
you rub them between your fingers, they j jointed stalks, set with two round leaves at
small like rosin or cedar when it is burnt. | every joint somewhat hairy, crumpled and
The seeds are long, and easily stick to any I unevenly dented about the edges with round
woollen thing they touch. I dents; at the joints likewise, with the leaves
Place.] They delight not in heat, and i towards the end of the branches, come forth
6
THE COMl'LETE HERBAL
hollow, long flowers, of a blucish ])urple •
colour, with small white spots upon the lijjs ;
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 tlower 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 virtuesi\ 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 thej
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-;
aerated lungs, or other parts, either by itself, j
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 thej
yellow jaundice, by opening the stoppings \
of the gall and liver, and melancholy, by j
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 come honey and
a little burnt allum, it is excellently good to \
gargle any sore mouth or throat, and to;
wash the sores and ulcers in the privy parts I
of man or woman ; it speedily helps green ^
wounds, being bruised and bound thereto. I
The juice of it boiled with a little honey |
and verdigrease, doth wonderfully cleanse;
fistulas, ulcers, and stays the spreading or ;
eating oi' cancers and ulcers ; it helps i
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
well. «4kins and films gnawing over the sight
it helps beasts as well as men. The juice
dropped into the ears, Avonderfullj helps
the noise and singing of them, and helps the.
hearing which is decayed. It is good to
tun up wilh new drink, for it will clarify it
in a night, that it will be the fitter to be
drank the next morning ; oi if any drink
be thick with removing, or any other acci-
dent, it will do the like in a few hours
>ILEXANDER.
It is called Alisander, Horse-parsley, and
W ild-parsley, and the Black Pot-herb ; the
seed of it is that which is usually sold in
apothecaries' shops for Macedonion Pars-
ley-seed.
Descript.l It is usually sown in all the
gardens in Europe, and so well known, that
it needs no farther description.
Tme.~\ 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 womens' 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.'] This 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-
ing its branches, thewoods of the body being
white, and a dark red colet or heart ; the
outward bark is of a blackisli 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-lreet 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 the joints, 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.
Place.l 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.
Time.'] It flowers in May, and the berries
ire ripe in September.
Government and virtues.'] 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
thedropsy, and strengthens the inward parts
again by binding. If the bark hereof be
boiled with Agrimony , Wormwood , Dodder,
Hops and some Fennel, with 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 voia 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 bett-er.
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
raore, 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
ir.oist woods, and watry places ; flowering j three colonrs. And a certain ointment, an
in April or May, and yielding ripe seed in i ointment of the Apostles, because it consists
September. : of twelve ingredients : Alas, I am sorry for
Government and virtues.'] It is a tree under | their folly, and grieved at their blasphemy,
the dominion of Venus, and of some watry j God send them wisdom the rest of their
sign or other, I suppose Pisces ; and there- | age, for they have their share of igno-
fore the decoction, or distilled water of the | ranee already. Oh ! Why must ours lie
leaves, is excellent against burnings and in- | blasphemous, because the Heathens and
flammations, either with wounds or without, 1 infidels were idolatrous? Certainly they
to bathe the place grieved with, and espe- J have read so much in old rusty authors, that
cially for that inflammation in the breast, \ they have lost all theij divinity ; for unless
which the vulgar call an ague. | it were amongst the Ranters, I never read
If you cannot get the leaves (as in Winter \ or heard of such blasphemy. The Heathens
it is impossible) make use of the bark in the j and infidels were bad, and ours worse; the
same manner. | idolators give idolatrous names to herbs for
The leaves and bark of the Alder-tree are their virtues sake, not for their fair looks;
cooling, drying, and binding. The fresh and therefore some called this an herb of
leaves laid upon swellings dissolve thejn, the Holy Ghost; others more moderate call-
and stay the inflammations. The leaves \ ed it Angelica, because of its angelical
put under the bare feet galled with travell- virtues and that name it retains still, and all
ing, are a great refreshing to them. The nations follow it so near as their dialect will
said leaves gathered while the morning dew permit.
is on them, and brought into a chamber Government and vi7-tues.'] It is an herb of
troubled with fleas, will gather them there- the Sun in Leo ; let it be gathered when he
unto, which being suddenly cast out, will ; 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-
I lar ; observe the like in gathering the herbs,
I of other planets, and you may happen to
To write a description of that which is I do wonders. In all epidemical diseases
so well known to be growing almost in every I caused by Saturn, that is as good a preser-
garden, I suppose is altogether needless ; | vative as grows : It resists poison, by de-
yet for its virtue it is of admirable use. | fending and comforting the heart, blood.
In time of Heathenism, when men had I and spirits ; it doth the like against the
found out any excellent herb, they dedicated I plague and all epidemical diseases, if the
it to their gods ; as the Bay -tree to Apollo, | root be taken in powder to the Aveight of
the Oak to Jupiter, the Vine to Bacchus, the \ half a dram at a time, with some good trea-
Poplar to Hercules. These theidolatoisj cle in Carduus water, and the party there-
following as the Patriarchs they dedicate to I upon laid to sweat in his bed ; if treacle be
their Saints; as our Lady's Thistle to th©! not to be had, take it alone in Carduus or
Blessed Virgin, St. John's Wort to St. John, | Angelica-water. The stalks or roots can-
and another Wort to St. Peter, &c. Our | died and eaten fasting, are good preserva-
pnysicians must imitate liKe apes (^though j tives in time of infection ; and at other
ihey cannot come ofl" half so cleverly) for s times to warm and comfort a cold stomach,
they blasphemously call Phansies or Hearts-.^ The root also steeped in vinegar, and a little
ease, an herb of' the Trinity, because it is of; of that vinegar taken sometimes fasting, and
rid the chamber
fellows.
of those troublesome bed-
ANGELICA.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 9
the root smelled unto, is good for the same | it is called Flower Gentle, Flower Velurc,
purpose. A water distilled from the root j Floramor, and Velvet Flower,
simply, as steeped in wine, and distilled inj Descript.'] It being a garden tlower, and
a glass, is much more effectual than the | well known to every one that keeps it, I
water of the leaves ; and this water, drank i might forbear the description ; yet, not-
two or three spoonfuls at a time, easeth all \ withstanding, because some desire it, I shall
pains and torments coming of cold and 1 give it. It runs up with a stalk a cubit
■wind, so that the body be not bound ; and \ high, streaked, and somewhat reddish to-
taken with some of the root in powder at j ward the rool^ but rery smooth, divided
the beginning, helpeth the pleurisy, as also » towards the top with small branches, among
all other diseases of the lungs and breast, [which stand long broad leaves of a reddish
as coughs, phthysic, and shortness of breath; I green colour, slippery; the flowers are not
and a syrup of the stalks do the hke. It ; properly flowers, but tuffs, very beautiful
helps pains of the cholic, the stranguary and | to behold, but of no smell, of reddish colour;
stoppage of the urine, procureth womens' I if you bruise them, they yield juice of the
courses, and expelleth the after-birth, open- i same colour, being gathered, they keep their
eth the stoppings of the liver and spleen, j beauty a long time; the seed is of a shining
and briefly easeth and discusseth all windi- > black colour.
ness and inward swellings. The decoction \ Time.'] They continue in flower from
drank before the fit of an ague, that they | August till the time the frost nip them.
ina.y sweat (if possible) before the fit comes, | Government and virtues.] It is under the
will, in two or three times taking, rid it | dominion of Saturn, and is an excellent
quite away ; it helps digestion and is a re- \ qualifier of the unruly actions and passions
medy for a surfeit. The juice or the water j of Venus, though Mars also should join
being dropped into the eyes or ears, helps ; with her. The flowers dried and beaten
dimness of sight and deafness; the juice | into powder, stop the terms in women, and
put into the hollow teeth, easeth their pains. \ so do almost all other red things. And by
The root in powder, made up into a plaister \ the icon, or imageof every herb, the ancients
with a little pitch, and laid on the biting of ? at first found out their virtues. Modern
mad dogs, or any other venomous creature, I writers laugh at them for it ; but I Avonder
doth wonderfully help. The juice, or the | in my heart, how the virtues of herbs came
water dropped, or tents Avet therein, and put * at first to be known, if not by their signa-
into filthy dead ulcers, or the powder of the | tures ; the moderns have them from the
root (in Avant of either) doth cleanse and ; Avritings of the ancients ; the ancients had
cause them to heal quickly, by covering the \ no writings to have them from : but to pro-
naked bones with flesh ; the distilled water I ceed. The flowers stop all fluxes of blood ;
applied to places pained Avith the gout, or; whether in man or Avoman, bleeding eitiier
sciatica, doth give a great deal of ease. I at the nose or Avound. There is also a sort
The wild Angelica is not so effectual as; of Amaranthus that bears a white flower,
the garden; although it may be safely usedjAvhich stops the whites in women, and the
to all the purposes aforesaid. \ running of the reins in men, and is a most
5 gallant antivenereal, and a singular remedy
AMARANTHUS. | for the Frcnch pox.
D-„. •* u 1-- 1- -.1 ANEMONE.
xiEsiDEs Its common name, by which itj
is best knoAvn by the florists of our days, s Ca lled also Wind Flower, because th^y
10
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
SJiy the flowers never open but when the
wind blows. PHny 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 Time.~\ They are sown usually
m the gardens of the curious, and flower in
the Spring-time. As for description 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 Aiage; it is
cultivated for domestic uses.
Descript.'] 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 qualitv 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
I applied, it matters not much, it isexcellently
I good for swellings in the throat : the best
I way, I suppose is to boil it, apply the
I herb outwardly : the decoction of it besides
I is an excellent remedy for the yellow jaun
I dice.
ARRACH, WILD AND STINKING.
Called also Vulvaria, from that part ox
the body, upon which the operation is most;
also Dog's Arrach, Goat's Arrach, and
Stinking Motherwort.
Descript.] 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 rott-en fish, or something worse.
Place.] It grows usually upon dunghills.
Time.] They flower in June and July,
and their seed is ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues.] 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
PLATE
CiH-dcii Arnirli
Ave US
Basil
Ars sTTiari
Bed!
VeUow Fj(>dstriivv
\\'llilc BciiKtraw
Watr-r B'lim%
THOMA.S KKLLV. LOiviDON. 1835.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
11
of hard 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 incpiisi-
tion for blood.
ARCHANGEL.
To put a gloss upon their practice, the
physicians call an 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 coimtrymen used by
others in the explanation as well of the
names, as description of this so well known
herb; Avhich that I may not also be guilty of,
take this short description: first, of the Red
Archangel. This is likewise called Bee
Nettie.
DescriptJ] This has divers square stalks,
somewhat hairy, at the 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
sinell but not stinking.
White Archangel hath divers scjuare
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 man^
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 fail
yellow colour in most, in some paler. The
roots are like the white, only they creep not
so much under the ground.
Place.li They grow almost every where,
(unless it be in the middle of the street) the
yellow most usually in the wet grounds ot
woods, and sometimes in the dryer, in divers
counties of this nation.
Time.'l They flower from the beginning
of the Spring all the Summer long.
Government and virtues.'] The Archangels
are somcAvhat hot and drier than 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
12 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
the spirits is good against quartan agues, ; Government and virtues.'] As the virtue of
stanchelh bleeding at mouth and nose, if it | both these is various, so is also their govem-
be stamped and applied to the nape of the i ment ; for that which is hot and biting, is
neck; the herb also bruised, and with some! under the dominion of Mars, but Saturn
salt and vinegar and hog's-grease, laid upon ? challenges the other, as appears by thai
an hard tumour or swelling, or that vulgarly j leaden coloured spot he hath placed upon
called the king's evil, do help to dissolve or j the leaf.
discuss them; and being in like manner; It is of a cooling and drying quality,
applied, doth much allay the pains, and give | and very effectual for putrined ulcers in man
ease to the gout, sciatica, and other pains | or beast, to kill worms, and cleanse the
of the joints and sinews. It is also very j putrified places. The juice thereof dropped
effectual to heal green wounds, and old | in, or otherwise applied, consumes all cold
ulcers ; also to stay their fretting, gnawing \ swellings, and dissolveth the congealed
and spreading. It draws forth splinters, ; blood of bruises by strokes, falls, &c. A
and such like things gotten into the flesh, j piece of the root, , or some of the seeds
and is very good against bruises and bur- 1 bruised, and held to an aching tooth, takes
nings. But the yellow Archangel is most \ away the pain. The leaves bruised and
commended for old, filthy, corrupt sores ; laid to the joint that has a felon thereon,
and ulcers, yea although they grow to be j takes it away. The juice destroys worms
hollow ; and to dissolve tumours. The \ in the ears, being dropped into them ; if
chief use of them is for women, it being an c the hot Arssmart be strewed in a chamber,
herb of Venus. ; it will soon kill all the fleas ; and the herb
I or juice of the cold Arssmart, put to a
ARSSMART. | horsc, or other cattle's sores, will drive away
\ the fly in the hottest time of Summer ; a
The hot Arssmart is called also Water- 1 good handful of the hot biting Arssmart
pepper, or Culrage. The mild Arssmart | put under a horse's saddle, will make him
iscalleddead Arssmart Persicaria, or Peach- 1 travel the better, although he were half
wort, because the leaves are so like the } tired before. The mild Arssmart is good
leaves of a peach-tree ; it is also called | against all imposthumes and inflammations
Plumbago. { at the beginning, and to heal green wounds.
Description of the mild.'] This has broad I All authors chop the virtues of both
leaves set at the great red joint of the i sorts of Arssmart together, as men chop
stalks ; with semicircular blackish marks \ herbs for the pot, when both of them are
on them, usually either blueish or whitish, | of contrary quahties The hot Arssmart
with such like seed following. The root is I grows not so high or tall as the mild doth,
long, with many strings thereat, perishing i but has many leaves of the colour of
yearly ; this has no sharp taste (as another s peach leaves, very seldom or never spotted ;
sort has, which is quick and biting) but 1 in other particulars it is hke the former, but
rather sour like sorrel, or else a little drying, \ may easily be known from it, if you will
or without taste. \ but be pleased to break a leaf of it cross
Place.] It grows in watery places, ditches, | your tongue, for the hot will make your
and the like, which for the most part are \ tongue to smart, but the cold will not. If
dry in Summer. , 5 you see them both together, you may easily
Time.] It flowers in June, and the seed j distinguish them, because the mild hatli fin-
is ripe in August. I broader leaves.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
18r
ASARABACCA.
Descrtpt.j Asarabacca appears like^
an evergreen, keeping ks leaves all the|
Winter, but putting forth new ones in the
time of Spring. It has many heads rising
trom 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 i
are somewhat sweet, being smelled to |
and v/herein, Avhen they are ripe, is con- 1
tained small cornered rough seeds, very \
like the kernels or stones of grapes or
raisins. The roots are small and whitish,
spreading divers ways in the ground, m-
creasing into divers heads ; but not running |
or creeping under the ground, as some other I
creeping herbs do. They are somewhat
sweet in smell, resembling Nardus, but
more when they are dry than green ; and
ot a sharp and not unpleasant taste.
FlaceJ] It grows frequently in gardens.
Time.l 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 xm-tues.l It is a plant
under the dominion of Mars, and therefore
inimical to nature. This herb being drank,
not only provokes vomiting, but purges
downward, and by urine also, purges both
choler and flegm : If you add to it some ^
spikenard, with the v/hey of goat's milk, or I
honeyed water, it is made more strong, but \
it purges flegm more manifestly thani
choler, and therefore does much help pains
in the hips, and other parts ; being boiled
in whey, they wonderfully help the ob-
structions of the liver and spleen, and there-
fore profitable for the dropsy and jaundice:
being steeped in wine and drank, it helps
those continual agues that come by the plenty
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,
foritloseth its chief strength thereby ; nor
much beating, for the finer powder pro-
vokes vomits and urine, and the coarser
purgeth downAvards.
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 eflfectuaJ 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
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 there
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 speraop..
DescriptJ] It rises up at first with divers
14 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
white and green scaly heads, very brittle or i more than the Avild, yet hath it the same
easy to break while they are young, which \ effects in all the afore-mentioned diseases :
afterwards rise up in very long and slender | The decoction of the roet in Avhite wine,
green stalks of the bigness of an ordinary I and the back and belly bathed therewith,
riding wand, at the bottom of most, or \ or kneeling or lying down in the same, or
bigger, or lesser, as the roots are of growth; 5 sitting therein as a bath, has been found
on which are set divers branches of green \ effectual against pains of the reins and
leaves shorter and smaller than fennel to the : bladder, pains of the mother and cholic,
top ; at the joints whereof corae forth small ; and generally against all pains that happen
yellowish flowers, which turn into round j to the lower parts of the body, and no less
berries, green at first, and of an excellent 5 effectual against stiff and benumbed sinews,
red colour when they are ripe, shewing like i or those that are shrunk by cramps and
bead or coral, wherein are contained ex- \ convulsions, and helps the sciatica,
ceeding hard black seeds, the roots are dis- ;
persed from a spongeous head into many |
long, thick, and round strings, wherein is| This is so well knoAvn, that time would
sucked much nourishmentoutof the ground, } be mispent in writing a description of it ;
and increaseth plentifully thereby. 5 therefore I shall only insist upon the virtues
PRICKLY ASPARAGUS, OR SPERAGE. i^ W ^ ; .< T T* ' j
t Government and virtues.] It is governed
Descript.~\ This grows usually in gar- j by the Sun: and the young tender tops,
dens, and some of it grows wild in Apple- [with the leaves taken inwardly, and some
ton meadows in Gloucestershire, where the \ of them outwardly applied, are singularly
poor people gather the buds of young I good against the bitings of viper, adder, or
shoots, and sell them cheaper than our gar- i any other venomous beast ; and the water
den Asparagus is sold in London. i distilled therefrom being taken, a small
Time.] For the most part they flower, J quantity every morning fasting, is a sifigular
and bear their berries late in the year, or 5 medicine for those that are subject to drops}',
not at all, although they are housed in I or to abate the greatness of those that are
Winter. | too gross or fat. The decoction of the leaves
Government and virtues.l They arc both ; in white wine helps to break the stone,
under the dominion of Jupiter. The young 5 and expel it, and cures the jaundice. The
buds or branches boiled in ordinary broth, I ashes of the bark of the Ash made into
make the belly soluble and open, and boiled \ lye, and those heads bathed therewith
inwhitewine, provoke urine, being stopped, j which are leprous, scabby, or scald, they
and IS good against the stranguary or diffi- \ are thereby cured. The kernels within the
culty of making water ; it expelleth the | husks, commonly called Ashen Keys, pre-
gravel and stone out of the kidneys, and \ vail against stitches and pains in the sides,
helpeth pains in the reins. And boiled in j proceeding of wind, and voideth away the
white wine or vinegar, it is prevalent for i stone by provoking urine,
them that have their arteries loosened, or' I can justly except against none of all
are troubled with the hip-gout or sciatica, i: this, save only the first, viz. That Ash-tree
The decoction of the roots boiled in wine ' tops and leaves are good against the bitings
and taken, is good to clear the sight, and i of serpents and vipers. I suppose this had its
being held in the mouth easeth the tooth- ixise from Gerrard or Pliny, both which hold,
ache. The garden asparagus nourisheth iiThat there is such an antipathy between an
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 15
adder and an Ash-tree, that if an adder be i tne most part, and their seed is ripe in July
encompassed round with Ash-tree leaves, j at the farthest.
she will sooner run through the fire than > Government and virtuesJ] It is governed
through the leaves : The contrary to which \ by Jupiter, and that gives hopes of a whole-
is the truth, as both my eyes are witnesses. I some healthful herb. It is good for the dis*
The rest are virtues something likely, only i eases of the chest or breast, for pains, and
if it be in Winter when you cannot get the \ stitches in the side, and to expel crude and
leaves, you may safely use the bark instead i raw humours from the belly and stomach,
of them. The keys you may easily keep \ by the sweet savour and warming quality
all the year, gathering them when they are | It dissolves the inward congealed blood
ripe. i happening by falls or bruises, and the spit-
5 ting; of blood, if the roots, either green oi'
AVENS, CALLED ALSO COLEWORT, AND 5 i ® i u 1 J • " J J ^,1 „ 1
' ' i dry, be boiled m wme and drank ; as also
! all manner of inward wounds or outward,
Descript.'] The ordinary Avens hath \ if washed or bathed therewith. The de-
many long, rough, dark green, winged {coctionalsobeing drank, comforts the heart,
leaves, rising from the root, every one made | and strengthens the stomach and a cold
of many leaves set on each side of the rnid-i brain, and therefore is good in the Spring
die rib, the largest three whereof grow at | time to open obstructions of the liver, ai\d
tlie end, and are snipped or dented round \ helps the wind cholic ; it also helps those
about the edges ; the other being small | that have fluxes, or are bursten, or have a
pieces, sometimes two and sometimes four, j rupture ; it takes away spots or marks in
standing on each side of the middle rib i the face, being washed therewith. The
underneath them. Among which do rise j juice of the fresh root, or powder of the
up divers rough or hairy stalks about two | dried root, has the same effect with the
feet high, branching forth with leaves at | decoction. The root in the Spring-time
every joint not so long as those below, but 5 steeped in wine, gives it a delicate savour
almost as much cut in on the edges, some ; and taste, and being drank fasting every
into three parts, some into more. On the \ morning, comforts the heart, and is a
tops of the branches stand small, pale, yel- j good preservative against the plague, or
low flowers, consisting of five leaves, like; any other poison. It helps indigestion,
the flowers of Cinquefoil, but large, in the i and warms a cold stomach, and " opens
middle whereof stand a small green herb, 5 obstructions of the liver and spleen,
which when the flower is fallen, grows to \ It is very safe : you need have no dose
be round, being made of many long green- 1 prescribed ; and is very fit to be kept in
ish purple seeds (like grains) Avhich will \ every body's house,
stick upon your clothes. The root consists j
of many brownish strings or fibres, smelling s
somewhat like unto cloves, especially those j This herb is so well known to be an in-
which grow in the higher, hotter, and drier | habitant almost in every garden, that I shall
grounds, and in free and clear air. ; not need to write any description thereof,
P/ace.] They grow wild in many places j although its virtues, which are many, may
under hedge's sides, and by the path-ways J not be omitted.
in fields ; yet they rather delight to grow in ; Government and virtues^ It is an herb of
shadowy than sunny places. \ Jupiter, and under Cancer, and strengthens
Tirne-I They flower in May or June for \ nature much in all its actions. Let a syrup
16
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-
mg 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-llux. 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 swellings 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-bed,
: when the after-birth is not thoroughly
; voided, and for their faintings upon or in
: their sore travail. The herb bruised and
! boiled in a little wine and oil, and laid warm
i on a boil, will ripen it, and break it.
i BARBERRY
The shrub is so Avell known by every
boy and girl that has but attained to the
age of seven years, that it needs no des-
cription.
: Government and virtues.^ Mars owns the
i shrub, and presents it to the use of my
i 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-liux;
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 13'^e 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.
I The continual usefulness hereof hath
J 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. 17
Government and virtues.~\ It is a notable | two leaves at every joint, which are some-
plant ot" Saturn: if you view diligently its; what broad and round, yet pointpd, of" a
efFects by sympathy and antipathy, you 1 pale green colour, but fresh ; a httle snipp-
may easily perceive a reason of them; as |ed about the edges, and of a strong healthy
also why barley bread is so unwholesome! scent. The flowers are small and white,
for melancholy people. Barley in all the ; and standing at the tops of the branches,
parts and compositions thereof (except; with two small leaves at the joints, in some
malt) is more cooling than wheat, and a lit-? places green, in others brown, after which
tie cleansing : And all the preparations | come black seed. The root perishes at
thereof, as barley-water and other things \ the approach of Winter, and therefore must
made thereof, give great nourishment to \ be new sown every year,
persons troubled with fevers, agues, and| Place.'] It grows in gardens,
heats in the stomach : A poultice made oi\ Time.] It must be sowed late, and flowers
barley meal or flour boiled in vinegar and > in the heart of Summer, being a very tender
honey, and a few dry figs put into them, | plant.
dissolves all imposthmnes, and assuages; Government a7id virtues.] This is the herb
inflammations, being thereto applied. And ; which all authors are together by the ears
being boiled with melilot and camomile- 1 about, and rail at one another (like lawyers.)
flowers, and some linseed, fenugreek, and | Galen and Dioscorides hold it not fit to be
rue in powder, and applied warm, it eases ; taken inwardly ; and Chrysippus rails at it
pains inside and stomach, and windiness ; with downright Billingsgate rhetoric; Plmy,
of the spleen. The meal of barley and \ and the Arabian physicians, defend it.
fleawort boiled in water, and made a poul- 1 For my own part, I presently found
tice with honey and oil of lilies applied | that speech true ;
warm, cures swellings under the ears, \ -kt , • • . . . t^
^1 ' , 1 ,=,•, , , . ^ ^ I JSon nostrmm inter nos tantas componere ittcs.
throat, neck, and such like ; and a plaister ! ^
made thereof with tar, with sharp vinegar | And away to Dr. Reason went I, who told
into a poultice, and laid on hot, helps the j me it was an herb of Mars, and under tlie
leprosy ; being boiled in red wine with ; Scorpion, and perhaps therefore called
pomegranate rinds, and myrtles, stays \ Basilicon, and it is no marvel if it carry
the lask or other flux of the belly; boiled I a kind of virulent quality with it. Bemg
with vinegar and quince, it eases the pains 5 applied to the place bitten by venomous
of the gout; barley-flour, white salt, honey, | beasts, or stung by a wasp or hornet, it
and vinegar mingled together, takes away | speedily d'raws the poison to it ; Mvery like
the itch speedily and certainly. The water ; draws his like. Mizaldus affirms, that,
distilled from the green barley in the end of | being laid to rot in horse-dung, it will breed
May, is very good for those that have de- 1 venomous beasts. Hilarius, a French ph}'^-
fluctions of humours fallen into their eyes, I sician, affirms upon his own knowledge,
and eases the pain, being dropped into | that an acquaintance of his, by common
them : or white bread steeped therein, and | smelling to it, had a scorpion bred in his
bound on the eyes, does the same. j brain. Something is the matter ; this herb
1 and rue will not grow together, no, nor near
GARDEN BAZIL, OR SWEET BAZTL. i .1 j 1 •
' I one another : and we know rue is as great
Deseript.] The greater or ordinary Bazilian enemy to poison as any that grows.
rises up usually with one upright stalk,! To conclude: It expels both birth and
diversly branching forth on all sides, with 1 after-birth ; and as it helps the deficiency
18
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
of Venus in one kind, so it spoils all her ac- j leaves also work the like effects, A bath of
tions in another. I dare write no more of it. t the decoction of the leaves and berries, is
THE BAY TREE. | singularly good for women to sit in, that
i are troubled with the mother, or the diseases
This is so well known that it needs no | thereof, or the stoppings of their courses,
description: I shall therefore only write I or for the diseases of the bladder, pains in
the virtues thereof, which are many. { the bowels by wind and stopping of the
Government and virtues.'] I shall but only I urine. A decoction likewise of equal parts
add a word or two to what my friend has \ of Bay-berries, cummin seed, hyssop, ori-
written, viz. that it is a tree of the sun, and 1 ganum, and euphorbium, with some honey,
under the celestial sign Leo, and resists \ and the head bathed therewith, wonder-
witchcraft very potently, as also all the evils | fully helps distillations and rheums, and
old Saturn can do to the body of man, and i settles the pallate of the mouth into its
they are not a few; for it is the speech of | place. The oil made of the berries is very
one, and I am mistaken if it were not I comfortable in all cold griefs of the joints,
Mizaldus, that neither witch nor devil, I nerves, arteries, stomach, belly, or womb,
thunder nor lightning, will hurt a man in I and helps palsies, convulsions, cramp,
the place where a Bay-tree is. Galen said, } aches, tremblings, and numbness in any
that the leaves or bark do dry and heal j part, weariness also, and pains that come
very much, and the berries more than the | by sore travelling. All griefs and pains
leaves ; the bark of the root is less sharp 1 proceeding from wind, either in the head,
and hot, but more bitter, and hath some | stomach, back, belly, or womb, by anointing
astriction withal whereby it is effectual to \ the parts affected therewith : And pains in
break the stone, and good to open obstruc- 1 the ears are also cured by dropping in some
tions of the liver, spleen, and other inward |of the oil, or by receiving into the ears the
parts, which bring the jaundice, dropsy, i fume of the decoction of the berries through
&c. The berries are very effectual against I a funnel. The oil takes away the marks oi
all poison of venomous creatures, and the \ the skin and flesh by bruises, falls, &c. and
sting of wasps and bees ; as also against the \ dissolves the congealed blood in them. It
pestilence, or other infectious diseases, and helps also the itch, scabs, and weals in
therefore put into sundry treacles for that the skin,
purpose ] They likewise procure women's I
courses, and seven of them given to a wo- \ b a s-
man in sore travail of child-birth, do cause | Both the garden and field beans are so
a speedy delivery, and expel the after birth, j well known, that it saves me the labour of
and therefore not to be taken by such as have | writing any description of them. The vir-
not gone out their time, lest they procure \ tues follow.
abortion, or cause labour too soon. They > Government and virtues.'] They are plants
wonderfully help all cold and rheumatic 1 of Venus, and the distilled water of the
distillations from the brain to the eyes, I flower of garden beans is good to clean the
lungs or other parts ; and being made into \ face and skin from spots and wrinkles, and
.in electuary with honey, do help the con- 1 the meal or flour of them, or the small beans
sumption, old coughs, shortness of breath, ] doth the same. The water distilled from
and thin rheums ; as also the megrim. They \ the green husks, is held to be very effectual
mightily expel the wind, and provoke urine; {against the stone, and to provoke urine,
help the mother, and kill the worms. The 5 Bean flour is used in poultices to assuage
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
19
inflammations arising from wounds, and : is to say, white, yellow, red, blackish, or of
tlie swelling of women's breasts caused by \ a deeper purple, but white is the most usual ;
tlie curdling of their milk, and represses \ after which come long and slender flat pods,
their milk ; Flour of beans and Fenugreek i some crooked, some straight, with a string
mixed with honey, and applied to felons, i running down the back thereof, wherein is
boils, bruises, or blue marks by blows, or • flattish round fruit made like a kidney ; the
the imposthumes in the kernels of the ears, : root long, spreads with many strings an-
helps them all, and with Rose leaves, I nexed to it, and perishes every year.
Frankincense and the white of an egg, being! There is another sort of French beans
applied to the eyes, helps them that are | commonly growing with us in this land,
swollen or do water, or have received any | which is called the Scarlet flower Bean,
blow upon them, if used with wine. If a| This rises with sundry branches as the
bean be parted in two, the skin being taken | other, but runs higher, to the length of hop-
away, and laid on the place where the leech j poles, about which they grow twining, but
hath been set that bleeds too much, stays | turning contrary to the sun, having foot-
the bleeding. Bean flour boiled to a poul- \ stalks with three leaves on each, as on the
tice with wine and vinegar, and some oil \ other ; the flowers also are like the other,
put thereto, eases both pains and swelling \ and of a most orient scarlet colour. The
of the privities. The husks boiled in water to j Beans are larger than the ordinary kind,
the consumption of a third part thereof, \ of a dead purple colour turning black when
stays a lask ; and the ashes of the husks, | ripe and dry ; the root perishes in Winter,
made up with old hog's grease, helps the | Government and virtues.~\ These also be-
old pains, contusions, and wounds of the long to Dame Venus, and being dried and
sinews, the sciatica and gout. The field beat to powder, are as great strengtheners
beans have all the aforementioned virtues ass of the kidneys as any are; neither is there
the garden beans. ; a better remedy than it ; a dram at a time
Beans eaten are extremely windy meat ; j taken in white wine to prevent the stone, or
but if after the Dutch fashion, when they | to cleanse the kidneys of gravel or stoppage,
are half boiled you husk them and then j The ordinary French Beans are of an easy
stew them, (I cannot tell you how, for I \ digestion ; they move the belly, provoke
never was a cook in all my life) they are | urine, enlarge the breast that is straight-
wholesome food. 1 ened with shortness of breath, engender
\ sperm, and incite to venery. And the scar-
FRENCH BEANS. i,*^ , i -n • 1 „f *U 1 •
I let coloured Beans, m regard or the glon-
DescnptJ] This French or Kidney Beaujous beauty of their colour, being set near
arises at first but with one stalk, which | a quickset hedge, will much adorn the
afterwards divides itself into many arms or \ same, by climbing up thereon, so that they
branches, but all so weak that if they be 5 may be discerned a great way, not without
not sustained with sticks or poles, they will | admiration of the beholders at a distance,
be fruitless upon the ground. At several \ But they will go near to kill the quicksets
places of these branches grow foot stalks, j by cloathing them in scarlet,
each with three broad round and pointed} „„„.,„
1 ^ 4^u 1 J? *u y J \ LADIES BED-STRAW.
green leaves at the end or them ; towards {
tlie top comes forth divers flowers made like \ Besides the common name above writ-
to pease blossoms, of the same colour fori ten, it is called Cheese-Rennet, ber.ause it
the most part that the fruit will be of; that | performs the same office, as also Gailion,
G
20 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Pettimugget, and Maiden-hair; and by some I oil, by being set in the sun, and changed
Wild Rosemary. J after it has stood ten or twelve days ; or
Descript.] This rises up with divers • into an ointment being boiled in Aiunga,
small brown, and square upright stalks, a \ or sallad oil, with some wax melted therein,
yard high or more ; sometimes branches | after it is strained ; either the oil made
forth into divers parts, full of joints, and | thereof, or the ointment, do help burnino-s
with divers very fine small leaves at every ; with fire, or scalding with water. The
one of them, little or nothing rough at all ; : same also, or the decoction of the herb and
at the tops of the branches grow many long j flower, is good to bathe the feet of travellers
tufts or branches of yellow flowers very \ and lacquies, whose long running causes
thick set together, from the several joints ; weariness and stiffness in the sinews and
which consist of four leaves a piece, which .joints. If the decoction be used warm, and
smell somewhat strong, but not unpleasant. ; the joints afterwards anointed with oint-
The seed is small and black hke poppy J ment, it helps the dry scab, and the itch
seed, two for the most part joined together : \ in children ; and the herb with the white
The root is reddish, Avith many small threads \ flower is also very good for the sinews,
fastened to it, which take strong hold of| arteries, and joints, to comfort and strengthen
the ground, and creep a little : and the i them after travel, cold, and pains,
branches leaninsi; a little down to the ground, ;
• o ^ \ BEETS
take root at the jomts thereof, whereby it i
is easily encreased. j Of Beets there are two sorts, which are
There is another sort of Ladies Bed- 1 best known generally, and whereof I shall
straw growing freq\iently in England, which 1 principally treat at this time, viz. the white
bears white flowers as the other doth yel- j and red Beets, and their virtues,
•ow ; but the branches of this are so weak, 5 Descript.'] The common white Beet has
that unless it be sustained by the hedges, J many great leaves next the ground, sonie-
or other things near which it grows, it will j what large and of a whitish green colour,
lie down to the ground ; the leaves a little | The stalk is great, strong, and ribbed, bear-
bigger than the former, and the flowers not > ing great store of leaves upon it, almost to
so plentiful as these; and the root hereof is » the very top of it: The flowers grow in
also thready and abiding. 1 very long tufts, small at the end, and turu-
Place^^ They grow in meadows and pas- i ing down their heads, which are small, pale
tures both wet and dry, and by the hedges. ; greenish, yellow buds, giving cornered
Time.'] They flower in May for the most > prickl}^ seed. The root is great, long, and
part, and the seed is ripe in July and ; hard, and when it has given seed is of no
August. i use at all.
Government and virtues.] They are both | The common red Beet differs not from
herbs of Venus, and therefore strengthening \ the white, but only it is less, and the leaves
the parts both internal and external, which \ and the roots are somewhat red ; the leaves
she rules. The decoction of the former of I are differently red, some only with red stalks
those being drank, is good to fret and break | or veins ; some of a fresh red, and others
the stone, provoke urine, stays inward : of a dark red. The root thereof is red,
bleeding, and heals inward wounds. The j spungy, and not used to be eaten,
herb or flower bruised and put into thej Gcrvemment mid virtues.] The government
nostrils, stays their bleeding likewise : \ of these two sorts of Beets are far different ;
The flowers and herbs being made into an \ the red Beet being under Saturn and the
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
21
while under Jupiter; therefore take the:
virtues of thein apart, each by itself. The!
white Beet much loosens the belly, and \
is of a cleansing, digesting quality, and j
provokes urine. The juice of it opens?
obstructions both of the liver and spleen, |
and is good for the head-ache and swim- |
rnings therein, and turnings of the brain ; j
and is effectual also against all venomous $
creatures ; and applied to the temples, |
stays inflammations in the eyes; it helps |
burnings, being used with oil, and with a I
little alum put to it, is good for St. An-;
ihony's fire. It is good for all wheals, |
pushes, blisters, and blains in the skin : the I
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 j
much good for fretting and running sores, t
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-
fiux, 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 i
the nose, as many times it does, if any bruise |
has been there : as also want of smell |
coming that way. j
WATER BETONY. \
Called also Brown-wort, and in York-|
shire, Bishop's-leaves. I
Descript.'] 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 somewtiat rcsemblingthe leaves «
of the Wood Betony, but nmch larger too,
for the most part set at a joint The flowers
are wjany, 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 hke a hood, and the lower-
most hke 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.
Place.] It grows by the ditch side,
brooks, and other water-courses, generally
through this land, and is seldom found far
from the water-side.
Time-I It flowers about July, and the
seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.] Water Belonv
is an herb of Jupiter in Cancer, and is ap-
propriated more to wounds and hurts in the
breasts 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 tlie
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 of
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 Ht 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 lef^ 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.
! Descnpt.'] Common or Wood Betony
(has many leaves rising from the root,
t which are somewhat broad and round at
22
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 stalk perishes,
but the roots with some leaves thereon,
abide all the Winter. The whole plant is
somewhat small.
P/oce.] 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-l 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 belchmgs, 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
I Pennyroyal, is good for those that are
J troubled with putrid agues, whether quo-
; tidian, tertian, or quartan, and to draw
I down and evacuate the blood and humours,
jthat by falling into the eyes, do hinder the
I sight; the decoction thereof made in wine
I and taken, kills the worms in the belly,
! opens obstructions both of the spleen and
1 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 veins 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
fistulous and hollow. But some do advise
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 2:i
to put a little salt for this purpose, being j Tlie water that is found in the hollow places
applied with a little hog's lard, it helps a|of decaying Beeches will cure both niau
plague sore, and other boils and pushes. > and beast of any scurf, or running tetters.
The fumes of the decoction while it is | if they be washed therewith ; you may boil
warm, received by a funnel into the ears, j the leaves into a poultice, or make an omt-
eases the pains of them, destroys the i ment of them when time of year serves,
worms and cures the running sores in |
. mu • • 1 1 • i U J J BILBERRIES, CALLED BY SOME WHORTS,
them. Ihe luice dropped into them does? '
. rrVi X r n . • r 1 ■ A.ND WHORTLE-BERRIES.
the same. 1 he root or Betony is displeas- ;
ing both to the taste and stomach, whereas; Descript.] Of these I shall only speak
the leaves and flowers, by their sweet and j of two sorts which are common in England,
spicy taste, are comfortable both to meat ; viz. The black and red berries. And first
and medicine. j of the black.
TJiese are some of the many virtues | The small bush creeps along upon the
Anthony Muse, an expert physician, (for it ; ground, scarcely rising half a yard high,
was not the practice of Octavius Cesar to! with divers small green leaves set in the
keep fools about him) appropriates to \ green branches, not always one against the
Betony ; it is a very precious herb, that is j other, and a little dented about the edges:
certain, and most fitting to be kept in a | At the foot of the leaves come forth small,
man's house, both in syrup, conserve, oil, | hollow, pale, bluish coloured flowers, the
ointment and plaister. The flowers are ; brims ending at five points, with a reddish
usually conserved. ? thread in the middle, which pass into small
I round berries of the bigness and colour of
THE BEECH TREE. }•• l- u ^ C l ^-l
• jumper berries, but or a purple, sweetish
In treating of this tree, you must under- J sharp taste; the juice of them gives a
stand, that I mean the green mast Beech, | purplish colour in their hands and lips that
which is by way of distinction from that ! eat and handle them, especially if they
other small rough sort, called in Sussex the | break them. The root grows aslope under
smaller Beech, but in Essex Horn-beam. ; ground, shooting forth in sundry places
I suppose it is needless to describe it, las it creeps. This loses its leaves in
being already too well known to my coun- j Winter,
trymen. | The Red Bilberry, or Whortle-Bush,
Place.'] It grows in woods amongst oaks | rises up like the former, having sundry
and other trees, and in parks, forests, and ; hard eaves, like the Box-tree leaves, green
chases, to feed deer ; and in other places to; and round pointed, standing on the several
fatten swine. | branches, at the top whereof only, and not
Time.'] It blooms in the end of April, ; from the sides, as in the former, come forth
or beginning of May, for the most part, 5 divers round, reddish, sappy berries, when
and the fruit is ripe in September. | they are ripe, of a sharp taste. The root
Government and vii-tues.] It is a plant off runs in the ground, as in the former, but
Saturn, and therefore performs his (jualitiesi the leaves of this abide all Winter.
and proportion in these operations. The | Place.] The first grows in forests, on the
leaves of the Beech tree are cooling and ; heaths, and such like barren places : the
binding, and therefore good to be applied I red grows in the north parts of this land, as
lo hot swellings to discuss them ; the nuts ; Lancashire, Yorkshire, &c.
do much nourish such beasts as feed thereon. < Time.] They flower in March and April,
24
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
and the fruit of the black is ripe in July
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 vomitings 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 downward 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-
ward to the flowers, having only two broad
Piaintain-like leaves (but whiter) set at the
middle of the stalk one against another,
compassing it round at the bottom of them. ;
Place-I 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 our
are crumpled, and afterwards like the beech
leaves, but smaller and greener, and dented
about the edges. It bearo small short
cat-skins, somewhat like those of the hazel-
nut-tree, which abide on the branches a
long time, until growing ripe, they fall on
the ground, and their seed with them.
Place. ^ It usually grows in woods.
Government and virtues^ It is a tree of
Venus the juice of the leaves, while the v
are young, or the distilled water of theni,
or the water that comes from the tree beinu;
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.
I
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 resent-
bling 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 red
colour, and the pods distinct by joints hke
the other, but a 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 land.
Time.'] They flower and seed in the end
of Summer.
Government and virtues.] They belong to
Saturn, and are of a drying, binding quality;
P I.. A T 1-.
^N
Bii-(is Foot
Bisliojj's Wopil
Hisiori m- SiiEiTievi-eetl
"Whii e briour
Br (jokliiixe
Hiic)vs-Jioi-ii IMjiii 1 ii ill
h ji) Ilk 1 'rs iiic
IWu.- Uoi I I
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
i.5
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 rupture, 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 I
may give you it again in plainer terms at
the latter end of this book.
BISHOP S-WEED.
Besides the common name Bis-hop's- ;
weed, it is usually known by the Greek;
name Ammi and Ammois; some aili it
Ethiopian Cummin-seed, and others Cum-
min-royal, as also Herb William, and Bull-
wort.
Descripti] 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.l 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
hist to purpose ; I suppose Venus owns it.
It digests humours, provokes urine ana
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 an 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 spring 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 of
' a blueish green colour on the upper side,
: and of an ash-colour grey, and a little pur-
i plish underneath, with divers veins therein,
; from among which rise up divers small and
I slender stalks, two feet high, and almost
i naked and without leaves, or with a very
; few, and narrow, bearing a spiky bush of
I pale-coloured flowers ; which being past,
I 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 tiills, but are
26
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
chiefly nourished up in gardens. The nar-
row leafed Bistort grows in the north, in
Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland.
Time.'] 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 ;
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 litde quantity, beaten small and
into paste with some honey, and a little
ONE-BLADE.
both the leaves and roots have a powerful \ piece thereof put into an hollow tooth, or
faculty to resist all poison. The root in j held between the teeth, if there be no hol-
powder taken in drink expels the venom | lowness in them, stays the defluction of
of the plague, the small-pox, measels, pur- 1 rheum upon them which causes pains, and
pies, or any other infectious disease, driv- $ helps to cleanse the head, and void much
ing it out by sweating. The root in powder, : offensive water. The distilled water is very
the decoction thereof in wine being drank, \ effectual to wash sores or cankers in the
stays all manner of inward bleeding, or \ nose, or any other part ; if the powder of
spitting of blood, and any fluxes in the j the root be applied thereunto afterwards,
body of either man or woman, or vomiting. | It is good also to fasten the gums, and to
It is also very available against ruptures, ; take away the heat and inflammations that
or burstings, or all bruises from falls, dissolv- \ happen in the jaws, almonds of the throat,
ing the congealed blood, and easing the 1 or mouth, if the decoction of the leaves,
pains that happen thereupon ; it also helps \ roots, or seeds bruised, or the juice of them
the jaundice. 1 be applied ; but the roots are most effectual
The water distilled from both leaves and ; to the purposes aforesaid,
roots, is a singular remedy to wash anyj
place bitten or stung by any venomous \
creature; as also for any of the purposes | Descript.'] Tins small plant never bears
before spoken of, and is very good to wash j more than one leaf, but only when it rises
any running sores or ulcers. The decoction 5 up with its stalk, which thereon bears
of the root in wine being drank, hinders | another, and seldom more, which are of a
abortion or miscarriage in child-bearing. I blueish green colour, broad at the bottom.
The leaves also kill the worms in children, \ and pointed with many ribs or veins like
and is a great help to them that cannot keep I Plaintain ; at the top of the stalk grow
their water; if the juice of Plaintain be | many small flowers star-fashion, smelHng
added thereto, and outwardly applied, much I somewhat sweet; after which comes small
helps the ghonorrhea, or running of the | reddish berries when they are ripe. The
reins. A dram of the powder of the root I root small of the bigness of a rush, lying
taken in Avater thereof, wherein some red | and creeping under the upper crust of the
hot iron or steel hath been quenched, is also \ earth, shooting forth in divers places,
an admirable help thereto, so as the body j Place.l It grows in moist, shadowy,
be first prepared and purged from the of- ; grassy places of woods, in many places of
fensive humours. The leaves, seed, or roots | this realm.
are all \'eiy good in decoctions, drinks or; Time.'] It flowers about May, and the
lotions, for inward or outward wounds, or! berries are ripe in June, and then quickly
other sores. And the powder strewed upon I perishes, until the next year it springs from
any cut or wound in a vein, stays the ; the same again.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 27
Government and virtues.'] It is an herb of| berries mixed with the juice of mulberries,
tlie Sun, and therefore cordial ; half a dram, j do bind more effectually, and hdp all fret-
or a dram at most, of the root hereof in | ting and eatingsores and ulcers wheresoever,
powder taken in wine and vinegar, of each | The distilled Avater of the branches, leaves,
a little quantity, and the party presently i and flowers, or of the fruit, is very pleasant
aid to sweat, is held to be a sovereign | in taste, and very effectual in fevers and hot
remedy for those that are infected with the j distempers of the body, head, eyes, and
plague, and have a sore upon them, by ex- \ other parts, and for the purposes aforesaid,
pelling the poison, and defending the heart \ The leaves boiled in lye, and the head
and spirits from danger. It is also accounted \ washed therewith, heals the itch and
a singular good wound herb, and therefore \ running sores thereof, and makes the hair
used with other herbs in making such balms j black. The powder of the leaves strewed
as are necessary for curing of wounds, \ on cankers and running ulcers, wonderfully
either green or old, and especially if the \ helps to heal them. Some use to conden-
nerves be hurt. | sate the juice of the leaves, and some the
Ijuice of the berries, to keep for their use
all (he year, for the purposes aforesaid.
THE BRAMBLE, OR liLACK-BEKlir BUSH, i
BLITES.
It is so well known that it needs no,
description. The virtues thereof are as|
follows: I Descript?^ Of these there aie two sorts
Government and virtues.'] It is a plant cf 5 commonly known, viz. w^hite and red,
Venus in Aries. If any ask the reason \ The white has leaves somewhat like to
why Venus is so prickly ? Tell them it is I Beets, but smaller, rounder and of a whitish
because she is in the house of Mars. The \ grten colour, every one standing upon a
buds, leaves, and branches, while they are! small long footstalk : the stalk rises up two
green, are of a good use in the ulcers and; or three feet high, with sujh hke leaves
putrid sores of the mouth and throat, and j thereon; the flowers grow at the top in long
of the quinsey, and likewise to heal other Ground tufls or clusters, wherein are con-
fresh wounds and sores ; but the flowers \ tained small and round seed ; the root is
and fruits unripe are very binding, and so j very full of threads or strings,
profitable for the bloody flux, lasks, and ; The red Blite is in all things like the
are a fit remedy for spitting of blood, j white, but that his leaves and tufted heads
Either the decoction of the powder or of I are exceeamg red at first, and after turn
the root taken, is good to break or drive ; more purple.
forth gravel and the stone in the reins andi There are other kinds of Elites which
kidneys. The leaves and brambles, as | grow different from the two former sorts
well green as dry, are exceeding good lotions^ but little, but only the wild are smaller in
for sores in the mouth, or secret parts. \ every part.
The decoction of them, and of the dried j Flace^ They grow in gardens, and wild
branches, do much bind the belly and are ; in many places in this land,
good for too much flowing of women's \ Time.] They seed in August and Sep-
courses ; the berries of the flowers are a tember.
powerful remedy against the poison of the; Gwemment and virtues.] They are all
most venomous serpents ; as well drank as \ of them cooling, drying, and binding, serv-
outwardly applied, helps the sores of the \ ing to restrain the fluxes of blood in either
fundament and the piles ; the juice of the \ man or woman, especially the red ; which
1
Its
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
also stays the overflowing of the women's
reds, as the white Bhtes slays the whites
m 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,
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 Languc de Bceuf; but why
then should they call one herb by the name
of Bugloss, and another by the name Langiie
de Bmuf? it is some (juestion to me, seeing
one signifies Ox-tongue in Greek, and the
other signifies the same in French.
DescriptJ] 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
flovv'ers by their taste, for they are very
bitter.
Place-I It grows wild in many places
of this land, and may be plentifully found
near London, as between Rotherhithe and
Dcptford, 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 virtues.^ They are all
three herbs of Jupiter and under Leo, all
great cordials, and great strengtheners 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
eflfects ; and the seed and leaves are good
to increase milk in women's breasts ; the
i 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 is put, 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 tlie itch, ringworms and tetters, or
other spreading scabs or sores. The flowers
candied or made into a conserve, are hejp-
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 efl^ectual 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 cou^, and to
condensate thick phlegm, and the rheuma-
tic distillations upon the lungs.
BLUE-BOTTLE.
It is called Syanus, I suppose from tlie
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
29
colour of It: Hurt-sickle, because it turns | The juice dropped into the eyes lakes away
the edge of the sickles that reap the corn ;| the heat and inllanniuition of them. The
Blue-blow, Corn flower, and Blue-bottle. | distilled water of this herb, has the same
Descript.'] I shall only describe that | properties, and may be used for the etfect«;
jvhich is commonest, and in my opinion | aforesaid,
most useful; its leaves spread upon the I -„„,..„
, 1 . ,. 1 •^- I 1 ; BRANK URSINE.
ground, bemg or a wlntish green colour, |
somewhat on the edges like those of Corn- | Besides the common name Brank-
Scabions, amongst which rises up a stalk | Ursine, it is also called Bear's-breech, and
divided into divers branches, beset with | Acanthus, though I think our English
long leaves of a greenish colour, either but ■ names to be more proper; for the Greek
very little indented, or not at all ; the j word Acanthus, signifies any thistle what-
flowers are of a blueish colour, from whence | soever.
it took its name, consisting of an innumera- \ Descript.'] This thistle shoots forth very
ble company of flowers set in a scaly head, | many large, thick, sad green smooth leaves
not much unlike those of Knap-weed ; the | on the ground, with a very thick and juicy
seed is smooth, bright, and shining, wrapp- I middle rib; the leaves are parted with
ed up in a wooly mantle ; the root perishes j sundry deep gashes on the edges; the leaves
every year. \ remain a long time, before any stalk ap-
i'lace?^ They grow in corn fields, amongst I pears, afterwards rise? up a reasonable big
all sorts of corn, (pease, beans, and tares \ stalk, three or four feet high, and bravely
excepted.) If you please to take them up | decked with flowers from the middle of the
from thence, and transplant them in your ^ stalk upwarcls ; for on the lower part of the
garden, especially towards the full of I stalk, there is neither branches nor leaf,
the moon, they Avill grow more double than I The flowers are hooded and gaping, being
they are, and many times change colour. > white in colour, and standing in brownish
Time.'] They flower from the beginning | husks, with a long small undivided leaf
of May, to the end of harvest. | under each leaf; they seldom seed in our
Government and virtues.'] As they are ; country. Its roots are many, great and
naturally cold, dry, and binding, so they 'j thick, blackish without and whitish within,
are under the dominio-n of .Saturn. The | full of a clammy sap ; a pioce of them if
powder or dried leaves of the Blue-bottle, | you set it in the garden, and defend it from
or Corn flower, is given with good success ^^ the first Winter cold, will grow and flourish,
to those that are bruised by a fall, or have i Place.] They are only nursed in the
broken a vein inwardly, and void much | gardens in Englan.-^, where they will grow
blood at the mouth; being taken in the ; very well.
water of Plantain, Horsetail, or the greater \ Time.] It flowers in June and July.
Comfrey, it is a remedy against the poison ; Governmtnt and virtues.] It is an exccl-
of the scorpion, and resists all venoms and | lent plant under the dominion of the Moon;
poison. The seed or leaves taken in wine, ; I could wish such as are studious would
is very good against the plague, and all in- i labour to keep it in their gardens. The
fectious diseases, and is very good in pes- \ leaves being boiled and used in clysters, is
tilential fevers. The juice put into fresh or | excellent good to molify the belly, and
green wounds, doth quickly solder up the tmake the passage slippery. The decoction
lips of them together, and is very effectual j drank inwardly, is excellent and good for
to heal all ulcers and sores in the mouth. ' the bloody-flux : The leaves being bruised.
80 THE COMPLETE HERBAL.
or rather boiied and applied like a poultice \ be exceeding great, with many long twines
are excellent good to unite broken bones ^ or branches going from it, of a pale whitish
and strengthen joints that have been put ; colour on the outside, and more white
5
out. The decoction of either leaves or J within, and of a sharp, bitter, loathsome
r(X»ts being drank, and the decoction of | taste.
leaves applied to the place, is excellent | Place.^ It grows on banks, or under
good for the king's evil that is broken and : hedges, through this land ; the roots he
runs J for by the influence of the moon, : very deep.
it revives the ends of the veins which are I Time.~\ It flowers in July and August,
relaxed. There is scarce a better remedy to | some earlier, and some later than the other,
be applied to such places as are burnt with :' Government and virtuesi] They are furious
frre than this is, for it fetches out the fire, ; martial plants. The root of Briony purges
and heals it without a scar. This is an 5 the belly with great violence, troubling the
excellent remedy for such as are bursten, | stomach and burning the liver, and there-
being either taken inwardly, or applied to | fore not rashly to be taken ; but being cor-
the place. In like manner used, it helps i rected, is very profitable for the diseases
the cramp and the gout. It is excellently |of the head, as falling sickness, giddiness,
good in hectic fevers, and restores radical i and swimmings, by drawing away much
moistxire to such as are in consumptions, I phlegm and rheumatic humours that op-
> press the head, as also the ioints and
BRIONY, OR WILD VINE. \^. i • Vu r i r i •
\ smews ; and is thereiore good lor palsies,
It is called Wild, and Wood Vine, Tamus, ; convulsions, cramps, and stitches in the
or Ladies' Seal. The white is called White ; sides, and the dropsy, and for provoking
Vine by some ; and the black. Black Vine.
Des'cript.'] 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
urine ; it cleanses the reins and kidneys
from gravel and stone, by opening the ob-
structions of the spleen, and consumes the
hardness and swelling thereof The de-
coction of the root in wine, drank once a
week at going to bed, cleanses the mother,
the most part) into five partitions, in form | and helps the rising thereof, expels the
very like a vine leaf, but smaller, rough, and 1 dead child ; a dram of the root in powder
of a whitish hoary green colour, spreading | taken in white wine, brings down their
very far, spreading and twining with his > courses. An electuary made of the roots
small claspers (that come forth at the joints i and honey, doth mightily cleanse the chest
with the leaves) very far on whatsoever ; of rotten phlegm, and Avonderfully help
stands next to it. At the several joints j any old strong cough, to those that are
also (especially towards the top oif the \ troubled with shortness of breath, and is
branches) comes forth a long stalk bearing j good for them that are bruised inwardly, to
many whitish flowers together on a long I help to expel the clotted or congealed blood,
tuft, consisting of five small leaves a-piece, | The leaves, fruit, and root do clean»ie old
laid open like a star, after which come the \ and filthy sores, are good against all fret-
berries separated one from another, more ; ting and running cankers, grangrenes, and
than a cluster of grapes, green at the first, ; tetters, and therefore the beiries are by
and very red when they are thorough ripe, I some country people called tettei'-l)erries.
of no good scent, but of a most loathsome \ The ""oot cleanses the skin Avonderfully
taste provokes vomit. The root grows to »^ from all black and bjue sj>ots, freckles,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
31
morphew, leprosy, foul scars, or other de-
forniity whatsoever ; also all running scabs
and nianginess 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 moie 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 ail 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 il; must
be taken inwardly, it purges very violently,
and needs an abler hand to correct it than
most country people have.
BROOK LIME, OR WATER-PIMPERNEL.
Descript.l 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 pice.
There is another sort nothing different:
from the former, but that it is greater, and i
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. i
Government and virtues.] It is a hot and i
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 i
are helpful to the scurvy. They do all |
> provoke urine, and help to break the stone,
I 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, KneehoUy, 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 a half high, are spread
inlo divers branches, green, and somewhat
creassed 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 for the most part set at a place, very
close and near together ; about the middle
of the leaf, on the back and lower side
from the middle rib, breaks forth a small
whitish green flower, consisting of four
small round pointed leaves^? standing upon
little or no foot-stalk, 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 crfpses, and upon
heaths and waste grounds, and oftentimes
under or near the holly bushes.
Time.'] 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 plant of
ta THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Mnrs, being of a gallant cleansing and j or the powder of the seed taken in drink,
opening quality. The decoction of the ; purges downwards, and draws phlegmatic
root made with wine opens obstructions, « and watery humours from the joints, where-
provokes urine, helps to expel gravel and | by it helps the dropsy, gout, sciatica, and
(he stone, the stranguary and women's $ pains of the hips and joints ; it also pro-
courses, also the yellov\^ jaundice and the ; vokes strong vomits, and helps the pain^i of.
head-ache ; And with some honey or sugar I the sides, and swelling of the spleen,
put thereunto, cleanses the breast of phlegm, ; cleanses also the reins or kidneys and blad-
and the ck^st of such clammy humours |der of the stone, provokes urine abundantly,
gathered therein. The decoction of the i and hinders the growing again of the stone
root drank, and a poultice made of the j in the body. Tlie continual use of the
berries and leaves applied, are effectual in j powder of the leaves and seed dotli cure
knitting and consohdating broken bones or ; the black jaundice. The distilled water of
parts out of joint. The common way of | the flowers is profitable for all the same
using it, is to boil the root of it, and Parsley j purposes : it also helps surfeits, and alters
and Fennel and Smallage in Avhitewine, and ^ the fit of agues, if three or four ounces
drink the decoction, adding the like (juan- j thereof, with as much of the water of the
tity of Grass-root to them : The more of | lesser Centaury, and a little sugar put there-
the root you boil, the stronger will the de- ; in, be taken a little before the fit comes,
coction be; it works no ill effects, yet 1 1 and the party be laid down to sweat in his
hope you have wit enough to give the | bed. The oil or water that is drawn from
strongest decoction to the strongest bodies. | the end of the green sticks heated in the
I fire, helps the tooth-ache. The iuice of
BROOM, AND BROOM-RAPE. < u I, 1 • ^ • . ^ £■
' 5 young branches made into an omtment of
To spend time in writing a description | old hog's grease, and anointed, or the young
hereof is altogether needless, it being so j branches bruised and heated in oil or hog's
generally used by all the good housewives | grease, and laid to the sides pained bv
almost through this land to sweep their ^ wind, as in stitches, or the spleen, ease
houses with, and therefore very well known j them in once or twice using it. The same
to all sorts of people. | boiled in oil is the safest and surest medicine
The Broom-rape springs up in many I to kill lice in the head or body of any ;
places from the roots of the broom (but \ and is an especial remedy for joint aches,
more often in fields, as by hedge-sides and land swollen knees, that come by the falling
on heaths.) The stalk whereof is of the \ down of humours.
Ijigness of a finser or thumb, above twoirjiT.^ ^„ „ . „„ 7 • 4. ^j. ^ ^
^ * , . , 1 . ^ 1 r 1 .1 ilne BROOM RAPE atso IS not without ns
leet iiigh, havmg a shew of leaves on them, j ,•
and many flowers at the top, of a reddish \
yellow colour, as also the stalks and leaves | The decoction thereof in wine, is thought
are. \ to be as effectual to void the stone in the
P/flce.] They grow in many places of 5 kidney or bladder, and to provoke urine,
this land commonly, and as commonly | as the Broom itself The juice thereof is
spoil all the land they grow in. J a singular good help to cure as well green
Time.~\ They flower in the Summer 5 wounds, as old and filthy sores and malig-
raonths, and give their seed before Winter. ; nant ulcers. The insolate oil, wherein there
Government and virtues.'] The juice or! has been three or four repetitions of infusion
decction of the youijg branches, or seed, j of the top stalks, with flowers strained and
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
38
BUCK S-HORN PLANTAIN.
cleared, cleanses the skin from all manner I stomachs that cannot retain, but cast up
of spots, marks, and freckles that rise either J their meat. It stays all bleeding both at
by the heat of tlie sun, or the malignity of! mouth or nose ; bloody urine or the bloody-
humours. As for tlte Broom and Broom- \ flux, and stops the lask of the belly and
rape,Mars owns them, and is exceeding pre- 1 bowels. The leaves hereof bruised and
judicial to the liver; I suppose by reason 1 laid to their sides that have an ague, sud-
of the antipathy between Jupiter and Mars, j denly eases the fit ; anr" the leaves and roots
therefore if the liver be disaffected, minister ; applied to the wrists, works the same effects,
none of it. | The herb boiled in ale and wine, and given
I for some mornings and evenings together,
I stays the distillation of hot and sharp
Descnpt.'] This being sown of seed, | rheums falling into the eyes from the head,
rises up at first wiili small, long, narrow, ? and helps all sorts of sore eyes,
hairy, dark green leaves like grass, without |
any division or gash in them, but those that j buck's horn.
follow are gashed in on l.oth sides the [ i n j tt .> i. xj u 4. n j
leaves into three or four gashes, and pointed ! „ \'' called Hart s-horn, Herba-stella, and
at the ends, resembling the knags of a buck's j S^'^f w ""; Sangumana Herb-Eve,
horn, (whereof k took its name) and being \ Herb-Ivy Wort-Tresses, and Swme-Cresses
well wound round about the root upon the I ^'''l'P*\ They have many small and
ground, in order one by another, thereby ^ T '*'^g§'!"^ '''^"^^S' ^'^^i'^S ^^'^ ^"*^
resembling the form of a star, from among I '^^'^ "Pon the ground : The leaves are
which rise up divers hairy stalks about a 1 "^^"/' smaU and jagged, not much unlike
hand's breath high, bearing every one a ^o those of Buck s-horn Plantain but much
small, long spiky head, like to those of the P'"''"''''' '^''^ T T •^- u ^"""^T
common Plantain, having such like bloom- 1 S''^^^ ^T""^ the leaves in small, rough,
ings and seed after them. The root is ! r^'^'"^ ?^"'?'"\'. ^^e seeds are smaller and
single, long and small, wkh divers strings brownish, of a bitter taste
g^ -j ° I Flace.j 1 hey grow in dry, barren, sandy
Place.'] They grow in sandy grounds, as \ g^o"."*^^- rru a j j i, *i
in To hill fields by Westminster, and divers \ ^'""fl l^""^ ^""^f ^°^ *^ ^^"^ *^
other places of this land. f rest of the Plantains do.
Time.-] They flower and seed in May,l Government and urtv.es.^ rms is
- - I under the dominion or baturn ; the virtues
iare held to be the same as Buck's-horn
This is alsr)
June, and July, and tiieir green leaves do
in a manner abide fresh all the Winter. . t,, . i , r- i. n i
Government and virtues.l It is under the \ Plantain, and therefore by all authors it is
dominion of Saturn, and is of a gallant, P^-"?"^ ''''^^^*- The leaves bruised and ap-
dryvng, and binding quahty. This boiled P^^t^ /« .^^^ "P^Y' ^^op bleeding. The
in wine and drank, and some of the leaves j^^'^' ^^^"^'^ ^"^ ^PP^l^^ *° '^^'*'' T'"
put to the hurt place, is an excellent i
remedy 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 veins or kid-
neys, by cooling the heat of the part af-
herbs bruised and
make them consume and waste in a short
BUGLE.
Besides the name Bugle, it is called
Middle Confound and Middle Comfrev,
flicled, and strengthens them ; also weak 1 Brown Bugle, and by some Sicklewort, and
|i • THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Herb-Carpenter ; though in Essex we call i for those that are liver-grown (as they ca,
another herb by that name. jit.) It is wonderful in curing all manner o
Descript.'] This has larger leaves than ; ulcers and sores, whether new and fresh
those of the Self-heal, but else of the same | or old and inveterate; yea, gangrenes and
fashion, or rather longer ; in some green on | fistulas also, if the leaves bruised and ap-
the upper side, and in others more brown- j [)lied, or their juice be used to wash and
ish, dented about the edges, somewhat hairy, \ bathe the place, and the same made into a
as the square stalk is also which rises up to | lotion, and some honey and alum cures
be half a yard high sometimes, with the jail sores in the mouth and gums, be they
leaves set by couples, from the middle j never so foul, or of long continuance ; ana
almost, whereof upwards stand the flowers, j works no less powerfully and effectually for
together with many smaller and browner; such ulcers and sores as happen in the
leaves than the rest, on the stalk below set | secret parts of men and women. Being
at distance, and the stalk bare between \ also taken inwardly, or outwardly applied,
them ; among which flowers, are also small ; it helps those that have broken any bone,
ones of a blueish and sometimes of an ash | or have any member out of joint. An
colour, fashioned like the flowers of Ground- i ointment made with the leaves of Bugle,
ivy, after which come small, round blackish 5 Scabious and Sanicle bruised and boiled
seeds. The root is composed of many | in hog's grease, until the herbs be dry, and
strings, and spreads upon the ground. | then strained forth into a pot for such
The white flowered Bugle differs not in ; occasions as shall require; it is so singularly
form or greatness from the former, saving^ good for all sorts of hurts in the body, that
that the leaves and stalks are always green, ' none that know its usefulness will be with-
and never brown, like the other, and the > out it.
flowers thereof are white. | The truth is, I have known this herb cure
Flace.~\ They grow in woods, cops'cs, | some diseases of Saturn, of which 1 thoughi
and fields, generally throughout England, i good to quote one. Many times such as
but the white flowered Bugle is not so \ give themselves nmch to drinking are
plentiful as the former. ; troubled with strange fancies, strange sights
Time.'] They flower from May untiljuly, 1 in the nighttime, and some Avith voices,
aiiju in the mean time perfect their seed. las also with the disease Ephialtes, or the
The roots and leaves next thereunto upon | Mare. I take the reason of this to be
the ground abiding all the Winter. i (according to Fernelius) a melancholy
Government and "drtiies.'] This herb be- 1 vapour made thin by excessive drinking
ioags to Dame Venus : If the virtues of it j strong liquor, and so flies up and disturbs
make you fall in love witli it (as they will | the fancy, and breeds imaginations like
if you be wise) keep a syrup of it to take; itself, viz. fearful and troublesome. Those
inwardly, an ointment and plaister o^' it 1 1 have know cured by taking only two
to use outwardly, always by you. 1 spoonful^ of the syrup of this herb after
The decoction of the leaves and flowers 1 supper two hours, when you go to bed.
n:ade in wine, and taken, dissolves the con- 1 But whether this does it by sympathy or
gea-ltd blood in those that are bruised in- 1 antipathy, is some doubt in astrology. I
wardly by a fall, or otherwise is very; know there is great antipathy between
effectual for any inward wounds, thursts, j Saturn and Venus in matter of procreation ;
or stabs in the body or bowels ; and it is ; yea, such a one, that the barrenness oi
{ n especial help in all wound-drinks, and ^ 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 uj)\vard, 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.
Descript.'] 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 great also : it has almost
neither scent nor taste therein, like the gar-
den kind.
Place.l 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 liondon, by Pancras
churrh,and by a causeway-side in the middle
of afield by Paddington.
Time.l They flower about the end of
June, and beginning of July, and their seed
is ripe in August.
Gofvemment 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 lite under
: God, his herbs are the best in the world to
: do it by. They are accounted to be both ot
i 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 invvard or
outward, lasks, scourings, the bloody-flux,
women's too abundant flux of courses, the
whites, and the choleric belchings and cast-
I ings of the stomach, and is a singular
5 wound-herb for all sorts of wounds, both
\ of tne 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
I mixed with the ointments.
X
\
\
\ THE BUTTER-BUR, OR PETASITIS.
X
I Descript.'\ This rises up in February,
i with a thick stalk about a foot high, where-
I on are set a few small leaves, or rather
I pieces, and at the tops a long spiked head ;
I flowers of a blue or deep red colour, ac-
86
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
cording to the soil where it grows, and be- 1-
fore the stalk with the flowers have abiden l
THE BURDOCK.
a month above ground, it will be witnered \ They are also called Personata, and
and gone, and blow away with the wind, j Loppy-major, great Burdock and Clod-bur,
and the leaves will begin to spring, which | It is so well known, even by the little boys,
being full grown, are very large and broad, l who pull off the burs to throw and stick
being somewhat thin and almost round, ; upon each other, that I shall spare to wiite
whose thick red foot stalks above a foot > any description of it.
long, stand towards the middle of the leaves, j Place.l They grow plentifully by ditches
The lower part being divided into two round | and water-sides, and by the highways al-
parts, close almost one to another, and are | most every where through this land,
of a pale green colour ; and hairy under- i Government and virtues.'] Venus chak
neath. The root is long, and spreads under lenges this herb for her own, and by its leat
ground, being in some places no bigger than ■ or seed you may draw the womb which
ones finger, in others much bigger, blackish i way you please, either upwards by applying
on the outside, and whitish within, of a it to the crown of the head, in case it falls
bitter and unpleasant taste. out ; or downwards in fits of the mother.
Place and Time.'] They grow in low and ; by applying it to the soles of the feet ; or
Avet grounds by rivers and water sides. ; if you would stay it in its place, apply it to
Their flower (as is said) rising and decaying j the navel, and that is one good way to stay
in February and March, before their leaves, i the child in it. The Burdock leaves are
which appear in April. cooling, moderately drying, and discussing
Government and vii-tues.] It is under the withal, whereby it is good for old ulcers and
dominion of the Sun, and therefore is a; sores. A dram of the roots taken with
great strengthener of the heart, and clearer ! Pine kernels, helps them that spit foul,
of the vital spirits. The roots diereof are ; mattery, and bloody phlegm. The leaves
by long experience found to be very avail- ; applied to the places troubled with the
able against the plague and pestilential shrinkingof the sinewsor arteries, givemuch
fevers by provoking sweat; if the powder lease. The juice of the leaves, or rather
thereof be taken in wine, it also resists the i the roots themselves, given to drink with
force of any other poison. The roothereof i old wine, doth wonderfully help the biting
taken with Zedoary and Angelica, or without \ of any serpents : And the root beaten with
them, helps the rising of the mother. The I a little salt, and laid on the place, suddenly
decoction of the root in wine, is singularly i eases the pain thereof, and helps those that
good for those that wheese much, or are \ are bit by a mad dog. The juice of the
short winded. It provokes urine also, and 1 leaves being drank with honey, provokes
women's courses, and kills the flat and I urine, and remedies the pain of the bladder,
broad worms in the belly. The powder of 1 The seed being drank in wine forty days
the root doth wonderfully help to dry up \ together, doth wonderfully help the sciatica,
the moisture of the sores that are hard to be The leaves bruised with the white of an egg,
cured, and takes away all spots and i and applied to any place burnt with fire-
blemishes of the skin. It were well if takes out the fire, gives sudden ease, and
gentlewomen would keep this root preserved, heals it up afterwards. The decoction of
to help their poor neighbours. It is Jit the them fomented on any fretting sore or
rich should help the poor, for the wor caimot canker, stays the corroding quality, which
help themselves. I must be afterwards anointed with an oint-
Burdo fit
Butter bur
Wall BuE-loss
Bu^le
Camoniilo
rravvav
f eiUilury
l\'il(l Carrot
Co la ji flint-
Tn.O.VtAS KKl,r.Y, LONDON. 1835.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
87
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 ades-|
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. j
Time.'l Their flower time is towards the I
middle, or end of July, and the seed is j
ripe in August. j
Government and virtues.^ The Cabbages ?
or Coleworts boiled gently in broth, and |
eaten, do open the body, but the second j
decoction doth bind the body. The juice I
thereof drank in wine, helps those that are \
bitten bj' an adder, and the decoction of the |
flowers brings down women's courses : f
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-j
mond milk, and made up into an electuary \
"with honey, being taken often, is very pro- 1
fitable for those that are puffy and short I
winded. Being boiled twice, an old cock I
boiled in the broth and drank, it helps the ?
pains, and the obstructions of the hver 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 cloud beginning j
to dim it; it also consumes the canker I
growing therein. They are much com-|
mended, being eaten before meat to keep
one from surfeiting, as also from being
drunk with too much wine, or quickly to
make a man sober again that is 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 swellings 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, Cabbao;es 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 footstalk,
very brittle, of a greyish green colour,
from among which rises up a strong thick
38
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
stalk, two feet high, and belter, 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
soniewhat grea', shoots forth many branches
under ground, keeping the leaves green all
the winter.
Place.'] 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
in other counties of this land.
Time.'] They flower and seed about the
time 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 qual-
ities 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.
Descript.] This is a small herb, seldom
rising above a foot high, with square hairy,
and woody stalks, and two small hoary
leaves set a.t 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 stalks,
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.
Place.'] It grows on heaths, and up-
lands, and dry grounds in many aces 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 Diacnluminthes, and the
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 39
compound Syrup of Calaminl are the most ; comfort both it and the brain. The oil
effectual. Let no woman be too busy with made of the flowers of Camomile, is much
it, for it works very violent upon the femi- used against all hard swellings, pains or
nine part. aches, shrinking of the sinews, or cramps,
oi pa'.ns in the joints, or any other part of
CAMOMILE. the body. Being used in clysters, it helps
to dissolve the wind and pains in the belly ;
It is so well known every where, that it j anointed also, it helps stitches and pains in
is but lost time and labour to describe it. 1 the sides.
The virtues thereof are as follow. \ Nechessor saith, the Egyptians dedicated
A decoction made of Camomile, and | it to the Sun, because it cured agues, and
drank, takes away all pains and stitches in > they Avere like enough to do it, for they
the side. The flowers of Camomile beaten, ! were the arrantest apes in their religion
and made up into balls with Gill, drive away ; that I ever read of. Bachinus, Bena, and
all sorts of agues, if the part grieved be \ Lobel, commend the syrup made of the
anointed with that oil, taken from the ^uice of it and sugar, taken inwardly, to be
flowers, from the crown of the head to the | excellent for the spleen. Also this is cer-
sole of the foot, and afterwards laid to | tain, that it most wonderfully breaks the
sweat in his bed, and that he sweats well. 1 stone: Some take it in syrup or decoction.
This is Nechessor, an Egyptian's, medicine. | others inject the juice of it into the bladder
It is profitable for all sorts of agues that i with a syringe. My opinion is, that the
corne either from phlegm, or melancholy. | salt of it, taken half a dram in the morning
or from an inflammation of the bowels, | in a little white or Rhenish wine, is better
being applied when the humours causing j than either; that it is excellent for the stone,
them shall be concocted ; and there is I appears in this which I have seen tried,
nothing more profitable to the sides and t viz. That a stone that has been taken out
region of the liver and spleen than it. The I of the body of a man being wrapped in
bathing with a decoction of Camomile 1 Camomile, will in time dissolve, and in a
takes away weariness, eases pains, to what \ little time too.
part of the body soever they be applied. \
It comforts the sinews that are over-strained, : water-caltrops.
molifies all swellings : It moderately com- \
forts all parts that have need of warmth, j They are called also Tribulus Aquaticus,
digests and dissolves whatsoever has need | Tribulus Lacusoris, Tribulus, Marinus,
thereof, by a wonderful speedy property. \ Caltrops, Saligos, Water Nuts, and Water
It eases all pains of the cholic and stone, jChesnuts.
and all pains and torments of the belly, \ Descript.'] As for the greater sort of
and gently provokes urine. The flowers | Water Caltrop it is not found here, or very
boiled in posset-drink provokes sweat, and ; rarely. Two other sorts there are which
help to expel all colds, aches and pains \ I shall here describe. The first has a long
whatsoevei", and is an excellent help to \ creeping and joinied root, sending forth
bring down women's courses. Syrup made I tufts at each joint, from which joints rise
of the juice of Camomile, with the flowers I long flat, slender knotted stalks, even to
in white wine, is a remedy against the \ the top of the water, divided towards the
jaundice and dropsy. The flowers boiled j top into many branches, each carrying
in lye, are good to wash the head, and I two leaves on both sides, being about two
M
40 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
inches Jong, and half an inch broad, thin ( on the end unto the middle, making them
and almost transparent, they look as though j seem to be two a-piece, smelling somewhat
they were torn ; the flowers arie long^ thick | sweet, and each of them standing in a
and whitish, set together almost like a \ large green striped hairy husk, large and
bunch of grapes^ which being gone, there I round below next to the stalk : The seed is
succeed, for the most part, sharp pointed] small and greyish in the hard heads thai
grains all together, containing a small white | come up afterwards. The root is white and
kernel in them. >long, spreading divers fangs in the ground.
The second differs not nmch from this, ) The Red wild Campion grows in the same
save that it dehghts in more clear water ;| manner as the White, but its leaves are not
its stalks are not flat, but round ; its leaves 5 so plainly ribbed, somewhat shorter, rounder,
are not so long, but more pointed ; As for 5 and more woolly in handling. The flowers
tiie place we need not determine, for their j are of the same form and bigness ; but in
name shews they grow in water. i some of a pale, in others of a bright red
Govennnent and virtues.'] They are under | colour, cut in at the ends more finely, which
the dominion of the Moon, and being made | makes the leaves look more in number than
into a poultice, are excellently good for hot ; the other. The seeds and the roots are.
inflammation's, swellings, cankers, sore \ alike, the roots of both sorts abiding many
mouths and throats, being washed with the i years.
decoction ; it cleanses and strengthens the \ There are forty-five kinds oi Campion
neck and throat, and helps those swellings? more, those of them which are of a phy-
which when people have, they say the ; sical use, having the like virtues with those
almonds of their ears are fallen down. 1 1 ■; above described, which I take to be the two
is excellently good for the rankness of thet chief kinds.
gums, a safe and present remedy for the I Place.] They grow commonly through
king's evil. They are excellent for the stone : this land by iields and hedge-sides, and
and gravel, especially the nuts, being dried, j ditches.
They also resist poison, and bitings of! Time.] They flower in Summer, some
venomous beasts. 5 earlier than others, and some abiding longer
\ than others.
CAMPION, WILD. •': Govermnent and tiriues.] They belong
) to Saturn, and it is found by experience,
Descript.] The wild White Campion -that the decoction of the herb, either in
has m^ny long and somewhat broad dark ! white or red wine being drank, doth stay
green leaves lying u-pon the ground, and tinward bleedings, and applied outwardly,
divers ribs therein, somewhat like plantain,'jit does the like ; and being drank, helps
but somewhat hairy, broader, but not so .to expel urine, being stopped, and gravel
long: The hairy stalks rise up in the mid- 1 and stone in the reins and kidneys. Two
die of them three or four feet high, and! drams of the seed drank in wine, purges
sonietimes more, with divers great white ; the body of choleric humours, and helps
joints at several places thereon, and two ; those that are stung by scorpions, or other
such like leaves thereat up to the top, send- 1 venomous beasts, and may be as effectual
ing forth branches at several joints also : \ for the plague. It is of very good use in
All which bear on several foot-stalks white I old sores, ulcers, cankers, fistulas, and the
flowers at the tops of them, consisting of; like, to cleanse and boat them, by oon-
five broad pointed leaves, every one cut in ■ suming the moist humours falling into
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
4t
U^cm and correcting the putrefaction of
humours offending them.
CARDUUS BENEDICTUS.
or
It is called Carduus Benedictus,
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.
Tme.'] They flower in August, and seed
not long after.
Government and virtues. It is an herb of
Mars, and under the sign 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 i
governs choler. It strengthens the attrac- 1
live faculty in man, and clarifies the blood, >
because the one is ruled by Mars. The*
continual drinking the decoction of it, lielps >
red faces, tetters, a-nd ring-worms, because I
MaKs causes them. It helps the plague, *
sores, boils, and itch, the bitings of mad \
dogs and venomous beasts, all which in- 1
firmities are under Mars ; thus you see \
what it doth by sympathy. I
By antipathy to other planets it cures the |
French pox. By antipathy to Venus, who i
governs it, it strengthens the memory, and |
cures deafness by antipathy to Saturn, who j
has his fall in Aries, which rules the head. 1
It cures (juartan agues, and other diseases j
of melancholy, and adust choler, by sym-<
pathy to Saturn, Mars being exalted inf
Capricorn. Also provokes urine, the stopp-j
ing 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 most effectual in physic, as being more
powerful in operation than the garden
kinds,) I shall therefore briefly describe the
Wild Carrot.
Descript.'] It grows in a manner al-
together like the tame, but that the leaves
and stalks are somewhat 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 roots small,
long, and hard, and unfit for meat, being
somewhat sharp and strong.
Place.^ The wild kind grows in divers
parts of this land plentifully by the field-
sides, and untilled places.
Time.l They flower and seed in the end
of Sunnner.
Government and virtues^ Wild Carrots
belong to Mercury, and therefore break
wind, and remove stitches in tlie 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 swollen 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
42
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
it, not they ; the seeds of them expel wind
indeed, and so mend what the root marrs.
CAKRAWAY.
It is on account of the seeds principally
that the Carraway is cultivated.
Descript.'] It bears divers stalks of fine
cut leavies, lying upon the ground, some-
>v^hat like to the leaves of carrots, but not
t)ushing 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.
Tme.~\ They flower in June and July,
and seed quickly after.
Gorvemment 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 m
sugar, and half a spoonful of them eaten in
the morning fasting, and as many after ea-^.h
meal, is a most admirable remedy, for those
that are troubled with wind.
CELANDINE.
Descript.'] This hath divers lender,
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 ot
a more pale blueish green underneath, full
of yellow sap, when any is broken, of a
bitter taste, and strong scent. A\, 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.
J Voce.] 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 S-un, and under the celestial Lion,
and is one of the best cures f6r 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 the
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.
43
with : I can prove it doth both my own | not only good against the itch, but takes
experience, and the experience of those to away all discolourings of the skin what-
whom I have taught it, that most desperate | soever : and if it chance that in a tender
sore eyes have been cured by this only \ body it causes any itchings or inflainma-
medicine ; and then, I pray, is not this far \ tions, by bathing the place with a little
better than endangering the eyes by the art! vinegar it is helped.
of the needle? For if this does not abso- | Anotherill-favouredtrick have physicians
lutely take away the film, it will so facilitate | got to use to the eye, and that is worse than
the work, that it might be done without I the needle ; which is to take away the films
danger. The herb or root boiled in white \ by corroding or gnawing medicines. That
Wine and drank, a few Anniseeds being 1 1 absolutely protest against,
boiled therewith, opens obstructions of thei 1. Because the tunicles of the eyes are
liver and gall, helps the yellow jaundice ; | very thin, and therefore soon eaten asunder,
and often using it, helps the dropsy and the ^ 2. The callus or film that they would eat
itch, and those who have old sores in their | away, is seldom of an equal thickness in
legs, or other parts of the body. The \ every place, and then the tunicle may be
juice thereof taken fasting, is held to be of I eaten asunder in one place, before the film
singularly good use against the pestilence. | be consumed in another, and so be a readier
The distilled water, with a little sugar and 1 way to extinguish the sight than to restore
a litde good treacle mixed therewith (the j it.
party upon the taking being laid down to | It is called Chelidonium, from the Greek
sweat a little) has the same effect. The I word Chelidon, which signifies a swallow ;
iuice dropped into the eyes, cleanses them I because they say, that if you put out the
from films and cloudiness which darken the I eyes of young swallows when they are in
sight, but it is best to allay the sharpness \ the nest, the old ones will recover their eyes
of the juice with a litde breast milk. It is | again with this herb. This I am confident,
good in all old filthy corroding creeping | for I have tried it, that if we mar the very
ulcers wheresoever, to stay their malignity \ apple of their eyes with a needle, she will
of fretting and running, and to cause thetn | recover them again ; but whether with this
to heal more speedily : The juice often | herb or not, I know not.
apphed to tetters, ring-worms, or other such | Also I have read (and it seems to be
like spreading cankers, will quickly heal | somewhat probable) that the herb, being
them, and rubbed often upon warts, will \ gathered as I shewed before, and the
take them away. The herb with the roots \ elements draw apart from it by art of the
bruised and bathed with oil of camomile, | alchymist, and after they are drawn apart
and applied to the navel, takes away the'j rectified, the earthly quality, still in rectify-
griping pains in the belly and bowels, and i ing them, added to the Terra damnata (as
all the pains of the mother ; and applied to 5 Alchymists call it) or Terra Sacratissima (as
women's breasts,stays the overmuch flowing t some philosophers call it) the elements so
of the courses, "^he juice or decoction of {rectified are sufficient for the cure of all
the herb garglea between the teeth thatach, | diseases, the humours offending being known,
eases the pain, and the powder of the dried \ and the contrary element given : It is an
root laid upon any aching, hollow or loose | experiment worth the trying, and can do
tooth, will cause it to fall out. The juice | no harm.
mixed with some powder of brimstone is i
44
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
THE LESSER CELANDINE, USU ALL Y | ^f^™f'' ^^/''^ ^^'"^ ^"^[ ^^^^O^t* Called the
KNOWN BY THE NAME OF PILE WOKT ( ^"'S ' ^''^^ ""^ ^"^ O^^^^^" ^ard wenS Or
AND FOGWOIIT. 5 tUIIUJUrs.
i Here s another secret for my countrymen
I WONDER what ailed the ancients to j and women, a couple of them together;
give this the name Celandine, which re-|Pilewort made into an oil, ointment, or
serables it neither in nature nor form; itjplaister, readily cures both the piles', or
acquired the name of Pilewort from its | haemorrhoids, and the king's evil: The
virtues, and it being no great matter wheiej very herb borne about one's body next the
I set it down, so I set it down at all, 1 1 skin helps in such diseases, though it never
humoured Dr. Tradition so much, as to set j touch the place grieved ; let poor people
him down here. | make much of it for those uses ; with this
Descript.'] This Celandine or Pilewort 5 1 cured my own daughter of the king's
(which you please) doth spread many round \ evil, broke the sore, drew out a quarter of
pale green leaves, set on weak and trailing a pint of corruption, cured without any
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
scar at all in one week's time.
THE ORDINARY SMALL CENTAURY.
Descript.'] This grows up most usually
but Avitli one round and somewhat crusted
stalk, about a foot high or better, branching
forth at the top into many sprigs, and soine
like unto Crowsfoot, whereunto the seed | also from the joints of the stalks below ; the
also is not unlike being many small kernels I flowers thus stand at the tops as it were in
like a grain of corn sometimes twice as I one umbel or tuft, are of a pale red, tending
long as others, of a whitish colour, with x to carnation colour, consisting of five,
fibres at the end of them. j sometimes six small leaves, very like those
Place.'] It grows for the most part in ; of St. John's Wort, opening themselves in
moist corners of fields and places that are \ the day time and closing at night, after
near water sides, yet will abide in drier \ which come seeds in little short husks, in
ground if they be but a little shady. i form like unto wheat corn. The leaves are
Time.] It flowers betimes, about March ^ small and somewhat round ; the root small
or April, is quite gone by May ; so it can- 1 and hard, perishing every year. The whole
not be found till it spring again. i plant is of an exceeding bitter taste.
GovemmeTit and virtues.] It is under the I There is another sort in all things like the
dominion of Mars, and behold here another ; former, save only it bears white flowers,
verification of the learning of the ancients, \ Place^ They grow ordinarily in fields.
iMz. 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
pastures, and woods, but that with the
white flowers not so frequently as the other
Time.] They flower in July or there-
abouts, and seed within a month after.
Government and virtiies^ 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, Doiled
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
46
and drank, purges choleric and gross ;' the government of the Sun ; yet this, if
humours, and helps the sciatica ; it opens 5 you observe it, you shall find an excellent
obstructions of the liver, gall, and speen, \ truth ; in diseases of the blood, use the red
lielps the jaundice, and eases the pains in > Centaury ; if of choler, use the yellow ;
the sides and hardness of the spleen, used | but if phlegm or water, you will find the
outwardly, and is given with very good | white best,
effect in agues. It helps those that have the cherry-tkee.
the dropsy, or the green-sickness, being :
much used by the Italians in powder for> I suppose tnere are few but know this
that purpose. It kills the worms in the | tree, for its fruit's sake ; and therefore
belly, as is found by experience. The 1 1 shall spare writing a description thereof,
decoction thereof, viz. the tops of the stalks, \ Place.'] For the place of its growth, it
with the leaves and flowers, is good against | is afforded room in every orchard,
the cholic, and to bring down women's \ Government and virtues.'] It is a tree of
courses, helps to void the dead birth, and i Venus. Cherries, as they are of different
eases pains of the mother, and is very ef- 5 tastes, so they are of different qualities,
fectual in all old pains of the joints as the I The sweet pass through the stomach and
gout, cramps, or convulsions. A dram of | the belly more speedily, but are of little
the powder taken in wine. Is a wonderful I nourishment ; the tart or sour are more
good help against the biting and poison of j pleasing to an hot stomach, procure appe-
an adder. The juice of the herb with \ tite to meat, and help to cut tough phlegm,
a little honey put to it, is good to clear the j and gross humours ; but when these are
eyes from dimness, mists and clouds that | dried, they are more binding to the belly
offend or hinder sight. It is singularly I than when they are fresh, being cooling in
good both for green and fresh wounds, as I hot diseases, and welcome to the stomach,
also for old ulcers and sores, to close up the | and provoke urine. The gum of the Cherry-
one and cleanse the othei, and perfectly to | tree, dissolved in wine is good for a cold,
cure them both, although they are hollow | cough, and hoarseness of the throat; mends
or fistulous; the green herb especially, being I the colour in the face, sharpens the eye-
bruised and laid thereto. The decoction I sight, provokes appetite, and helps to break
thereof dropped into the ears, cleanses! and expel the stone, and dissolved, the
them from worms, cleanses the foul ulcers | water thereof is much used to break the
and spreading scabs of the head, and takes | stone, and to expel gravel and wind,
away all freckles, spots and marks in the | winter-cherries.
skin, being washed with it ; the herb is so|
safe you cannot fail in the using of it, only I Descript.'] The Winter Cherry has a
fiving it inwardly for inward diseases. | running or creeping root in the ground, of
t is very wholesome, but not very tooth- i the bigness many times of one's little finger,
some. j shooting forth at several joints in several
There is beside these, another small | places, whereby it quickly spreads a great
Centaury, which bears a yellow flower ; in f compass of ground. The stalk rises not
all other respects it is like the former, save \ above a yard high, whereon are set many
that the leaves are larger, and of a darker | broad and long green leaves, somewhat
green, and the stalks pass through the midst I like nightshades, but larger ; at the joints
of them, as it does in the herb Thorowan. j whereof come forth whitish flowers made
They are all of them, as I told you, under* of five leaves a piece, which afterwards
46
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
turn into green berries inclosed with thin
skins, which change to be reddish when
thej grow ripe, the berry hkewise 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 kept all the year to be
used upon occasion.
Place.'] They grow iiot 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 or bladder, or in those
that void a bloody or foul urine. The
distilled water of the ft'uit, 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 dailv has been found to do much
good to many, both to ease the pains, and
expel 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
andjagged,resemblinghemlock,beingalittle
hairy and of a whitish green colour, some-
times 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, and blackish 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
I 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 stand small white tufts, of flowers,
afterwards smaller and longer seed. The
root is white, hard, and enduring long.
This has little or no scent.
Place.] The first is sown in gardens for
\ a sallad herb ; the second grows wild in
\ many of the meadows of this land, and by
I 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 moderatel y warm
PLATt: 3.
Chervil!
Com fry
Cleavers
Coltsfoot
(' oluiiilj J nc
Crats Clavffs
or Fresh water Soldier
Shnih Cint^uefoil
THOMAS KELl.Y. i^ONnON. 18.'i5.
Cow slip
Costmary
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 47
the stomach, and is a certain remedy (saith * after-birth, procures an appetite to meat,
Tragus) to dissolve congealed or clotted; and expels wind. The juice is good to
blood in the body, or that which is clotted i heal the ulcers of the head and face ; the
by bruises, falls, &c. The juice or distilled | candied root hereof are held as effectual as
water thereof being drank, and the bruised | Angelica, to preserve from infection in the
leaves laid to the place, being taken either \ time of a plague, and to Avarni and com-
in meat or drink, it is good to help to pro- » fort a cold weak stomach. It is so harm-
voke urine, or expel the stone in the kid- ; less, you cannot use it amiss,
nays, to send down women's courses, and rHP^xTn-r t,. ..
to help the pleurisy and prickmg of the^
sides. It were as needless to describe a tree so
The wild Chervil bruised and applied, commonly known as to tell a man he had
dissolves swelHngs in any part, or the ' gotten a mouth ; therefore take the govern-
marks of congealed blood by bruises or j ment and virtues of them thus :
blows, in a little space. I The tree is abundantly under the do-
I minion of Jupiter, and therefore the fruit
SWEET CHERVIL, OR SWEET CICELY. | ^^^^^ „^^^^ ,^^^^^ ^^^^ ^,^^^^ ^^^ ^.^j^
Descriptr\ This grows very like the » commendable nourishment to the body;
great hemlock, having large spread leaves \ yet if eatpn over-much, they make the
cut into divers parts, but of a fresher green \ blood thick, procure head ache, and bind
colon r than the Hemlock, tasting as sweet | the body; the inner skin, that covers the
as the Anniseed. The stalks rise up a yard I nut, is of so binding a quality, that a
high, or better, being creased or hollow, | scruple of it being taken by a man, or ten
having leaves at the joints, but lesser ; and \ grains by a child, soon stops any flux what-
at the tops of the branched stalks, umbels j soever : The whole nut being dried and
or tufts of while flowers; after which comes i beaten into powder, and a dram taken at
long crested black shining seed, pointed at < a time, is a good remedy to stop the terms
both ends, lasting quick, yet sweet and* in women. If you dry Chesnuts, {only the
pleasant. The root is great and white, \ kernels I mean) both the barks being taken
growing deep in the ground, and spreading I away, beat them into powder, and make
sundry long branches therein, in taste and | the powder up into an electuary with honey,
smell stronger than the leaves or seeds, and j so have you an admirable remed}'^ for the
continuing many years. | cough and spitting of blood.
Place.! This grows in gardens. «
ry ^ J ., T rru 11 f EARTH CHESNUTS.
(jovemment and tnrtnes.] Inese are all;
three of them of the nature of Jupiter, and ; They are called Earth-nuts, Earth
under his dominion. This whole plant, ; Chesnuts, Ground Nuts, Ciper-nuts, and in
besides its pleasantness in sallads, has its j Sussex Pig-nuts. A description of them
physical virtue. The root boiled, and eaten \ were needless, for every child knows thero.
with oil and vinegar, (or without oil) do | Government and virtues.^ They are some-
much please and warm old and cold sto- \ thing hot and dry in quality, under the
machs oppressed with wind or phlegm, or 5 dominion of Venus, they provoke lust
those that have the phthisic or consump- 1 exceedingly, and stir up to those sports she
tion of the lungs. The same drank with Hs mistress of; the seed is excellent good to
wine is a preservation from the plague. It \ provoke urine ; and so also is the root, but
provokes women's courses, and expels the I it doth not jjerform it so forcibly as the seed
o
48
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
doth. The root being dried and beaten
into powder, and the powder made into «n
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 tlie 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
K leasing herb under the dominion of the
loon. 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 dipj)ed therein) to the region of the
Jiver, 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 sharp-
ness 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 Avith fenugreek and
linseed, apphed to swellings or impos-
thumes, ripen and break them, or assuage
the swellings and case the pam". It he][)S
the sinews when they are shrunk by cramps,
or otherwise, and to extend and make them
pliable again b}' this medicine. Boil a
handful of Chick weed, and a handful of
red rose leaves dried, in a (juart of musca-
dine, until a fourth part be consumed :
tlien put to them a pint of oil of trotters or
sheep's feet ; let them boil a good while,
stillstirring 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, oil 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. I'hey 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 vvay. It moves
the belly downwards, provokes Avomen's
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
49
courses and urine, increases both milk and
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, and
lasting two hours after, is a good medicine
for a pain in the sides. The white Cicers
are used more for meat than medicine, yet
have the same effect, and are thought more
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 obstruciions, break the
stone, and have all the properties of cutting,
opening, digesting, and dissolving ; and
this more speedily and certainly than the
former.
CINQUEFOTL, OR FIVE-LEAVED GRASS",
CALLED IN SOME COUNTIES, FIVE-
FINGERED GRASS.
Descript.l It spreads and creeps far
uj)on the ground, with long slender strings
like straw berries, which take root again,
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.
Place.'] It grows by wood sides, hedge
sides, the path-way in fields, and in the
borders and corners of them almost through
all this land.
Time.'] It flowers in summer, some
sooner, some later.
Government and virtues.'] This is an herb
; of Jupiter, and therefore strengthens the
part of the body it rules ; let Jupiter be
angular and strong when it is 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
have often proved to the admiration both
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
used in all inflammations and fevers, whether
infectious or pestilential ; or among other
herbs to cool and temper the blood and
Immours in the body. As also for all lotions,
gargles, infections, and the like, for 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 sickness.
The roots boiled in milk, and drank, is a
most effectual remedy for all fluxes in man
or woman, whether the white or red, as also
the bloody flux. The roots boiled in vine-
gar, and the decoction thereof held in
the mouth, eases the pains of the tooth-
ach. The juice or decoction taken with
a little honey, helps the hoarseness of
the throat, and is very good for the cough
of the lungs. The distilled water of 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
vinegar, helps all knots, kernels, hard
swellings, and lumps growing in any
I part of the flesh, being thereto applied ;
}as also inflammations, and St. An-
Uhony's fire, all imposthumes, and pain-
|ful sores with heat and putrefaction,
ithe shingles also, and all other sorts of
50
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
running and foul scabs, sores and itch. I
The same also boiled in wine, and applied I
to any joint full of pain, ache, or the gout j
in the hands or feet, or the hip gout, called J
the Sciatica, and the decoction thereof j
drank the while, doth cure them, and eases J
much pain in the bowels. The roots arej
likewise effectual to help ruptures or burst- $
mgs, 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 1
stay the bleeding of wounds in any parts \
inward or outward. •
Some hold that one leaf cures a quo-|
tidian, three a tcrtain, and four a quartan |
ague, and a hundred to one if it be notj
Dioscorides ; for he is full of whimsies. |
The truth is, I never stood so much upon |
the number of the leaves, nor whether 1 1
give it in powder or decoction : If Jupiter I
were strong, and the Moon applying to|
him, or his good aspect at the gathering, |
I never knew it miss the desired effect. >
GIVES. !
Called also Rush Leeks, Chives, Civet, I
and Sweth. |
Government and virtues."] I confess I had 5
not added these, had it not been for a coun- 1
try gentleman, who by a letter certified |
me, that amongst other herbs, I had left$
these out ; they are indeed a kind of leeks, 1
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, I
opposite to roasted or boiled, but raw,;
opposite to chymical preparation) they send |
up very hurtful vapours to the brain, caus- \
Jng troublesome sleep, and spoiling thej
eye-sight, yet of them prepared by the art |
of the alchymist, may be made an excel- ;
lent remedy for the stoppage of the urine. \
LARir, OR MORE PROPERLY CLEAR-EYE. j
Descript.'] Our 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 usuall}'
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 applied 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 eithei
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 thof^e
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
6i
that are troubled with weak backs, and the \ safer, and easier remedy by a great deal,
effects thereof. The juice of the herb put i than to tear it off Avith a needle,
into ale or bear, and drank, brings down
women's courses, and expels the after-birth. :
CLEAVERS.
WILD CLARY.
Wild Clary is most blasphemously
called Christ's Eye, because it cures dis-
eases of the eye. I could wish for my soul,
blasphemy, ignonance, 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.
Tlace.'] It grows commonly in this na-
tion 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
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 drank, 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 aiso called Aperine, Goose-share,
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 ever}'' 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 tlie ground, but dies
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 jn wine,
helps those bitten with an adder, by pre-
serving the heart from the venom. It is
familiarly taken in broth to keep them lean
52
THE COMPLErE 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 greed wounds, and
the powder of the dried herb strewed there-
upon doth the same, and likev/ise helps
old ulcers. Being boiled in hog's grease.
It helps all sorts of hard swellings or ker-
nels in the throat, being anointed there-
with. 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 wood
Descnpt^l 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 after-
wards 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.J^ 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, even 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 vein 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 it; only
take notice that it is of a dry earthy quality.
cock's head, red fitching, or me-
dick fetch.
Descript.'] 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 hves and
shoots a-new every year,
PlaceJ] It grows upon hedges, and ^
sometimes in the open fields, in divers ;
places of this land. •
Time.'] They flower all the months o\'\
July and August, and the seed ripen \n\
the mean while. \
Government and virtues!] It is under the |
dominion of Venus. It has power to rarity |
and digest , and therefore the green leaves 1
bruised and laid as a plaister, disperse »
knots, nodes, or kernels in the flesh ; and j
if, when dry, it be taken in wine, it helps j
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, 5
being boiled in ordinary drink, for nurses.
COLUMBINES.
These are so well known, growmg al-|
most in every garden, that I think I may 1
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, 1
perfecting their seed in the mean time. |
Government and virtues.] It is also anj
herb of Venus. The leaves of Columbines \
are commonly used in lotions with good
success for sore mouths aTid throats. Tra-
gus saith, that a dram of the seed taken m
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, Foal's-foot,
Horse-hoof, and Bull's-foot.
Descript.] This shoots up a slender stalk,
with small yellowish floweis somewhat
earlier, which fall away quickly, and after
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 ffom 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 hotagues,
to drink two ounces at a time, and apply
cloths wet therein to the head and stomach,
whidi also does much good, being applied
to an}' 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.
54 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
}of the lungs, and causes the phlegm that
^ /k "fkf *E TO X* 'V % CJ J. O
I oppresses them to be easily spit forth : It
This is a very common but a very neg- helps the defluction of rheum from the
lected plant. It contains very great virtues. | head upon the lungs, the fluxes of blood or
Descript.'] The common Great Com- i humours by the belly, women's immoderate
frey has divers very large hairy green leaves 5 courses, as well the reds as the whites, and
lying on the ground, so hairy or prickly, 5 the running of the reins, happening by what
that if they touch any tender parts of the j cause soever. A syrup made thereof is
hands, face, or body, it will cause it to itch; I very effectual for all those inward griefs
the stalks that rise from among them, being land hurts, and the distilled water for the
two or three feet high, hollow and cornered, } same purpose also, and for outward wounds
is very hairy also, having many such like | and sores in the fleshy or sinewy part of the
leaves as grow below, but less and less up j body whatsoever, as also to take away the
to the top: At the joints of the stalks it is > fits of agues, and to allay the sharpness of
divided into many branches, with some : humours. A decoction of the leaves here-
leaves thereon, and at the ends stand many | of is available to all the purposes, though
flowers in order one above another, which j not so effectual as the roots. The roots
are somewhat long and hollow like the J being outwardly applied, help fresh wounds
finger of a glove, of a pale whitish colour, > or cuts immediately, being bruised and laid
after which come small black seeds. The ? thereto ; and is special good for ruptures
roots are great and long, spreading great; and broken bones; yea, it is said to be so
thick branches under ground, black on the | powerful to consolidate and knit together,
outside, and whitish within, short and easy 1 that if they be boiled Avith dissevered pieces
to break, and full of glutinous or clammy I of flesh in a pot, it will join them together
juice, of little or no taste at all. ? again. It is good to be applied to women's
There is another sort in all things like; breasts that grow sore by the abundance
this, only somewhat less, and bears flowers ; of milk coming into them ; also to repress
of a pale purple colour. ; the over much bleeding of the haemorrhoids.
Place.'] They grow by ditches and ' to cool the inflammation of the parts there-
water-sides, and in divers fields that are^abouts, and to give ease of pains. The
moist, for therein they chiefly delight to ,; roots of Comffey taken fresh, beaten small,
grow. The first generally through all the \ and spread upon leather, and laid upon
land, and the other but in some places. By j any place troubled with the gout, doth
the leave of my authors, I know the first \ presently give ease of the pains ; and ap-
giows in dry places. i plied in the same manner, gives ease to
Time.'] They flower in June or July, \ pained joints, and profits very much for
and give their seed in August. | running and moist ulcers, gangrenes, mor-
GovernmeiU and virtues^ This is an herb | tifications, and the like, for which it hath
ot Saturn, and I suppose under the sign j by often experience been found helpful.
Capricorn, cold, dry, and earthy in quality cor alwort.
What was spoken of Clowns Woundwort!
may be said of this. The Great Comfrey | It is also called hv some Toothvvon,
helps those that spit blood, or make ajToolh Violet, Dog-Teeth Violet, and
bloody irine. The root boiled in water or » Dentaria.
wine, and the decoction drank, helps all| Descript.] Of the many sorts of this
inward hurts, bruises, wounds, and ulcers | herb two of them may be found growing
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 55
in this nation ; the first of which shoots ! wounds, especially such as are made in the
forth one or two winged leaves, upon long j breast or lungs, by taking a dram of the
brownish foot-stalks, which are doubled '^ powder of the root every morning in wine:
down at their first coming out of the ground ; : the same is excellently good for ruptures, as
when they are fully opened they consist * also to stop fluxes ; an ointment made of it
of seven leaves, most commonly of a sad j is exceedingly good for wounds and ulcers,
green colour, dented about the edges, set \ for it soon dries up the watery humours
on both sides the middle rib one against ; which hinder the cure,
another, as the leaves of the ash tree ; the j
; , , ' 1 ,T 1 , ,„ ^ COSTMARY, OR ALCOST, OR BALSAM
stalk bears no leaves on the lower half ot| herb
it ; the upper half bears sometimes three or j
four, each consisting of five leaves, some-1 This is so frequently known to be an
times of three; on the top stand four or j inhabitant in almost every garden, that I
five flowers upon short foot-stalks, with j suppose it needless to write a description
long husks ; the flowers are very like the ; thereof.
flowers of Stockgilhflowers, of a pale | Time.'] It flowers in June and July,
purphsh colour, consisting of four leaves \ Government and virtues.'] It is under the
a-piecc, after which come small pods, which ^ dominion of Jupiter. The ordinary Cost-
contain the seed ; the root is very smooth, I mary, as well as Maudlin, provokes urine
white and shining ; it does not grow down- 1 abundantly, and moistens the hardness of
wards, but creeps along under the upper \ the mother ; it gently purges choler and
crust of the ground, and consists of divers j phlegm, extenuating that which is gross,
small round knobs set together ; towards j and cutting that Avhich is tough and glu-
the top of the stalk there grows some single Itinous, cleanses thai which is foul, and
leaves, by each of which comes a small | hinders putrefaction and corruption ; it
cloven bulb, which when it is ripe, if it be | dissolves without attraction, opens obstruc-
set in the ground, it will grow to be a root, j tions, and helps their evil effects, and it is a
As for the other Coralwort, which grows | wonderful help to all sorts of dry agues,
in this nation, it is more scarce than this, | It is astringent to the stomach, and
being a very small plant, much like Crow- < strengthens the liver, and all the other in-
foot, therefore some think it to be one of » ward parts; and taken in whey works more
the sorts of Crowfoot. I know not where | effectually. Taken fasting in the morning,
to direct you to it, therefore I shall forbear 1 it is very profitable for pains in the head
the description. \ that are continual, and to stay, dry up, and
Flace^ The first grows in Mayfield in \ consume all thin rheums or distillations
Sussex, in a wood called Highread, and in | from the head into the stomach, and helps
another wood there also, called Fox-holes. I much to digest raw humours that are
Time.] They flov/er from the latter end \ gathered therein. It is very profitable for
of April to the middle of May, and before ; those that are fallen into a continual evil
the middle of July they are gone, and not \ disposition of the whole body, called
to be found. \ Cachexia, but especially in the beginning
Government and virtues.] It is under the \ of the disease. It is an especial friend and
dominion of the Moon. It cleanses the j help to evil, weak and cold livers. The
bladder, and provokes urine, expels gravel, ; seed is famiharly given to children for the
and the stone ; it eases pains in the sides \ worms, and so is the infusion of the flowers
and bowels, is excellently good for inward \ in white wine given them to the quantity of
56
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
two ounces at a lime; it makes an excellent « and the worms, and being either drank oi
salve to cleanse and heal old ulcers, being > injected, for the disease called Tenesmus,
boiled with oil of olive, and Adder's tongue j which is an often provocation to the stool
with it, and after it is strained, put a little j without doing any thing. The green leaves
wax, rosin, and turpentine, to bring it to a | bruised, and laid to any green wound, stays
convenient body. | tlie bleeding, and heals it up quickly. The
__ I juice of the herb taken in wine and milk,
CUDWEED, OR COTTONWEED. U ^y • , . , '
' . P^' ^^ -rhny saith, a sovereign remedy
Besides Cudweed and Cottonweed, it is ; against the mumps and quinsey; and further
also Called Chaffweed, Dwarf Cotton, and ; saith. That whosoever shall so take it, shall
Petty Cotton. \ never be troubled with that disease again.
Descript.'] The commo^n Cudweed rises \
• M ^ -* .. II ,• J \ COWSLIPS, OR PEAGLES.
up with one stalk sometimes, and some-| '
times with two or three, thick set on all ■ Both the wild and garden CoAvslips are
sides with small, long and narrow whitish \ so well known, that I neither trouble my-
or woody leaves, from the middle of the | self nor the reader with a description of
stalk almost up to the top, with every leaf! them.
stands small flowers of a dun or brownish | Time.l They flower in April and May.
yellow colour, or not so yellow as others ; 5 Government mid virtues.l Venus lays
in which herbs, after the flowers are fallen, j claim to this herb as her own, and it is
come small seed wrapped up, Avith the down \ under the sign Aries, and our city dames
therein, and is carried away with the wind ; j know well enough the ointment or distilled
the root is small and thready. j water of it adds beauty, or at least restores
There are other sorts hereof, which are | it when it is lost. The flowers are held to
somewhat less than the former, not much \ be more effectual than the leaves, and the
different, save only that the stalks and { roots of little use. An ointment being
leaves are shorter, so that the flowers are | made with them, takes away spots and
paler and more open. \ wrinkles of the skin, sun-burning, and
Place.'] They grow in dry, barren, sandy, j freckles, and adds beauty exceedingly;
and gravelly grounds, in most places of | they remedy all infirmities of the head
this land. I coming of heat and wind, as vertigo, ephi-
Time.'] They flower about July, some Jakes, false apparitions, phrensies, falling-
earlier, some later, and their seed is ripe in \ sickness, palsies, convulsions, cramps, pains
August. ; in the jierves ; the roots ease pains in the
Government and virtues.'] Venus is Lady I back and bladder, and open the passages of
of it. The plants are all astringent, bind- 1 urine. The leaves are good in wounds,
ing, or drying, and therefore profitable for sand the flowers take away trembling. If
defluctions of rheum from the head, and to i the flowers be not well dried, and kept in
slay fluxes of blood wheresoever, the de- \ a warm place, they will soon putrefy and
coction being made into red wine and | look green : Have a special eye over them,
drank, or the powder taken therein. It also \ If you let them see the Sun once a month,
helps the bloody-flux, and eases the tor- j it will do neither the Sun nor them harm
ments that come thereby, stays the immode- 1 Because they strengthen the brain and
rate courses of women, and is also good for | nerves, and remedy palsies, the Greeks
mward or outward wounds, hurts, and i gave them the name Paralysis. The flowers
bruises, and helps children both of burstings x preserved or conserved, and the quantity of
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
57
a nutmeg 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. 5
Called also Water Sengreen, Knight's
Pond Water, Water House-leek, Pond
Weed, and Fresh-water Soldier.
Descripi.^ 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.
Place.'] It grows plentifully in the fens
in Lincolnshire.
Time.'] It flowers in June, and usually
from thence till August.
Governmeitt and virtues^ It is a plant
under the dominion of Venus, and there- :
fore a great strengthener of the reins ; it is i
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> ft y^ery good remedy to
stop the terms.
BLACK CRESSES.
Descript.] It has 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 as you may a willow before they
break. The flowers are very small and yel-
low, after which comes small pods, which
contain the seed.
Place.] 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 breasts, 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 toi n
on the edges, somewhat like the garden
Cresses, but smaller, the flowers are smail
and white, growing at the tops of branches,
where afterwards groAv 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
58
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.
Governmait 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
oe on a man, and two hours on a woman ;
the place afterwards bathed with wine and
oil mixed together, and then wrapped Avith
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, x^nd 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
ihey 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.
WATEn CRESSE&
r>escript.] 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 pait,
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 dominion 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
women's courses. The decoction thereof
cleanses ulcers, by washing them therewith.
The leaves bruised, or the juice, is good, to
be applied to tlie 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 would
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
PLATK 6.
Crowfoot
Ciiclrow Point
Water Cress
Ciidwped
Cross"vvort
Bill
V an deli on
Devils Bit
THOMAS KKT.LV. LOTsib OK. lo;i.S.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 69
fibres, or threaas, taking good hold of the | patience of Socrates himself, but because
ground, and spreading with the branches:! have not yet attained to the spirit or
over a great deal of ground, which perish ; Socrates, I shall but describe the most
not in winter, although the leaves die every I usual,
year, and spring again anew. I Descript.'] The most common Crowfoot
Place.'] It grows in many moist grounds, 5 has many thin great leaves, cut into divers
as well meadows as untilled places, about \ parts, in taste biting and sharp, biting and
London, in Hampstead church-yard, at ; blistering the tongue: It bears many
Wye in Kent, and sundry other places. \ flowers, and those of a bright, resplendent.
Time.'] It flowers from May all the Sum- yellow colour. I do not remember, that I
mer long, in one place or other, as they are ever saw any thing yellower. Virgins, in
more open to the sun ; the seed ripens soon i ancient time, used to make powder of them
after. . to furrow bride beds ; after which flowers
Government and virtues.] It is under the i come small heads, some spiked and rugged
dominion of Saturn. This is a singularly j like a Pine-Apple.
good wound herb, and is used inwardly, | Place.] They grow very common every
not only to stay bleeding of wounds, but to \ where ; unless you turn your head into a
consolidate them, as it doth outwardly any } hedge, you cannot but see them as you
green wound, which it quickly solders up, and \ walk
heals. The decoction of the herb in wine, | Time."] They flower in May and June,
helps to expectorate the phlegm out of the \ even till September.
chest, and is good for obstructions in the; Government and virtues.'] This fiery and
breast, stomach, or bowels, and helps a | hot-spirited herb of Mars is no way fit to
decayed appetite. It is also good to wash | be given inwardly, but an ointment of the
any wound or sore with, to cleanse and heal \ leaves or flowers will draw a blister, and
it. The herb bruised, and then boiled, ; may be so fitly applied to the nape of the
applied outwardly for certain days together, \ neck to draw back rheum from the eyes,
renewing it often: and in the mean time j The herb being bruised and mixed with a
the decoction of the herb in wine, taken! little mustard, draws a blister as Avell, and
inwardly every day, doth certainly cure the j as perfectly as Cantharides, and with far
rupture in any, so as it be not too invete- \ less danger to the vessels of urine, which
rate ; but very speedily, if it be fresh and 1 Cantharides naturally delight to wrong :
lately taken. i I knew the herb once applied to a pesti-
CROWFOOT jlential rising that was fallen down, and it
1 saved life even beyond hope ; it were good
Many are the names this furious biting I to keep an ointment and plaister of it, if it
herb has obtained, almost enough to makei were but for that,
up a Welshman's pedigree, if he fetch not
farther than John of Gaunt, or William the 1 cuckow-point.
Conqueror; for it is called FrogVfoot, from | It is called Aron, Janus, Barba-aron,
the Greek name Barrakion : Crowfoot, \ Calve's-foot, Ramp, Starchwort, Cuckow-
Gold Knobs, Gold Cups, King's Knob, 5 point, and Wake Robin.
Baffiners, Troilflowers, Polts, Locket Gou-| Descript.] This shoots forth three, four,
tions, and Butterflowers. \ or five leaves at the most, from one root,
Abundance are the sorts of this hero, | every one whereof is somewhat large and
that to describe them all, would tire the | long, broad at the bottom next the stalk,
R
60
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, whitish 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,
Placer\ 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, havingbeen 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 has 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 all the 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.
.61
into the eyes, cleanses them from any film
or skin, cloud or mists, whicli 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-tlour, 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 iundament, 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.
G'acernment and wtues^ There is no
dispute to be made, but that they are under
the dominion of the Moon, though they are
so much cried out against for tlieir 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 ir.
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 Avater 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 morphcw.
DAISIES.
These are so well known almost to every
child, that I suppose it needless to write
any description of them. Take theiefore
the virtues of them as follows.
Gvcerninent and virtues.'\ The herb is
undei the sign Cancer, and under the
dominion of Veims,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 Daisv, 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 toany other parts thatareswolri and
hot, doth dissolve it, and temper the heat.
A decoction made thereof, of Wall wort 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
62
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
hem, 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 f^f any,
doth much help them.
DANDELION, VULGARLY CALLED PISS-
A-BEDS.
Descript.^ 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 mea-
dows 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 verj
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 other-
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.
Descript.] This has all the wmter long,
sundry long, flat, and rough leaves, which,
when the stalk rises, which is slender and
jointed, are narrower, 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
63
seed is easily shaken out of the ear, the
nusk itself beino; somewhat rough.
PlaceJ] Thj country husbandmen do
know this loo 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
eatmg cankers, and putrid sores : It also
cleanses the skin of all leprosies, morphews,
ringworms, and the like, if it be used Avith
salt and raddish roots. And beinsr 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 flesh : 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
so high, nor so great usually as Fennel,
being round and fevver 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 any use.
Place.] It is most usually sown in gar-
dens and grounds for the purpose, and is
also found wild in many places.
Gcyvernment and virtues.] 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 Avindiness of the mother, it
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 therdrom. 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.] 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, beiiig
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 Scabious,
and of a bluish purple colour, which
being past, there follows seed which falls
away. The root is somewhat thick, but
s
64 THE CUMPI.RTE HERBAL
short and blackish, with many strings, « morphew, or other deformities thereof,
abiding after seed time many years. This | especially if a little vitriol be dissolved
root was longer, until the devil (as the! therein.
friars say) bit away the rest of it for spite, |
envying its usefulness to mankind; fori dock.
sure he was not troubled with any disease; Many kinds of these are so well known,
for which it is proper. | that I shall not trouble you with a descrip-
There are two other sorts hereof, in \ tion of them : My book grows big too fast,
nothing unlike the former, save that the | Government and virtues Ji All Docks are
one bears white, and the other bluish-colour- \ under Jupiter, of wiiich the Red Dock,
ed flowers. I which is commonly called Bloodwort,
Placc-I The first grows as well in dry 'cleanses the blood, and strengthens the
meadows and fields as moist, in many ! liver ; but the yellow Dock-root is best to
places of this land : But the other two are ; be taken when either the blood or liver is
more rare, and hard to be met with, yet* affected by choler. All of them have a
they are both found growing wild about j kind of cooling (but not all alike) drying
Appledore, near Rye in Kent. \ quality, the sorrel being most cold, and the
Time.'] They flower not usually until { Blood-worts most drying. Of the Burdock,
August. ; I have spoken already by itself. The seed
Government and virtues.] The plant is 5 of most of the other kinds, whether the gar-
venereal, pleasing, and harmless. The herb J dens or fields, do stay lasks and fluxes of
or the root (all that the devil hath left ofi all sorts, the loathing of the stomach through
it) being boiled in wine, and drank, is very i choler, and is helpful for those that spit
powerful against the plague, and all pes- \ blood. The roots boiled in vinegar help
tilential diseases or fevers, poisons also, ; the itch, scabs, and breaking out of the
and the bitings of venemous beasts: It i skin, if it be bathed therewith. The dis-
helps also those that are inwardly bruised ; tilled water of the herb and roots have the
by any casuality, or outwardly by falls or 5 same virtue, and cleanses the skin from
blows, dissolving the clotted blood ; and * freckles, morphews, and all other spots and
the herb or root beaten and outwardly \ discolourings therein.
applied, takes away the black and blue ; All Docks being boiled with meat, make
marks that remain in the skin. The de- 1 it boil the sooner : Besides Blood-wort is
coction of the herb, with honey of roses | exceeding strengthening to the liver, and
put therein, is very effectual to help the \ procures good blood, being as wholesome
inveterate tumours and swellings of the j a pot-herb as any growing in a garden; yet
almonds and throat, by often gargling the j such is the nicety of our times, forsooth,
mouth therewith. It helps also to procure | that women will not put it into a pot, be-
women's courses, and eases all pains of the | cause it makes the pottage black ; pride
mother and to break and discuss wind land ignorance (a couple of monsters in the
therein, and in the bowels. The powder of! creation) preferring nicety before health.
the root taken in drink, drives forth the
worms in the body. The juice or dis-
tilled water of the herb, is effectual for
green wounds, or old sores, and cleanses | Descript.] This first from seed gives
the body inwardly, and the seed outwardly, \ roots in the ground, which shoot forth
from sores, scurf, itch, pimples, freckles, * threads or strings, grosser or finer, as the
I DODDER OF THYME, EPITHYMUM. ANT
\ OTHER DODDERS.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
65
properly of the plant wherein it grows,
and the cUmate 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 fiowers, which after-
Avards 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 mfues.] 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 burnt choler,
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 and phlegmatic
humfjurs, 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 find a rational way for it.
dog's-grass, or cough grass.
Descript.'] 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.
66
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Place.'] It grows common] y through this | b_y the path-sides in many places, and will
land in divers ploughed grounds to the no j also be in gardens.
small trouble of the husbandmen, as alsol Time.] It flowers in June, July, and
of the gardeners, in gardens, to weed it out, I August, some earlier and some later ; and
if they can ; for it is a constant customer to | the seed is ripe quickly after,
the place it gets footing in. s Government and virtues.'] It is a very
Government and virtues.] ^Tis under the : gentle, though martial plant. It is found
dominion of Jupiter, and is the most medi- \ by experience to be singularly good for wind
cinal of all the Quick-grasses. Being j cholic, as also to expel the stone and gravel
boiled and drank, it opens obstructions of; in the kidneys. The decoction thereof in
the liver and gall, and the stopping of j wine, is an excellent good cure for those
urine, and eases the griping pains of the | that have inward wounds, hurts, or bruises,
belly and inflammations ; wastes the mat- » both to stay the bleeding, to dissolve and
ter of the stone in the bladder, and the « expel the congealed blood, and to heal the
ulcers thereof also. The roots bruised and | parts, as also to cleanse and heal outward
applied, do consolidate wounds. The seed i sores, ulcers, and fistulas ; and for green
doth more powerfully expel urine, and \ wounds, many do only bruise the herb, and
stays the lask and vomiting. The dis- 1 apply it to the places, and it heals them
tilled water alone, or with a little wormseed, \ quickly. The same decoction in wine
kills the worms in children. i fomented to any place pained with the
The way of use is to bruise the roots, and I gout, or to joint-aches, or pains of the
having well boiled them in white wine, | sinews, gives much ease. The powder or
drink the decoction : 'Tis opening but not | decoction of the herb taken for some time
purging, very safe : 'Tis a remedy against i together, is found by experience to be sin-
all diseases coming of stopping, and such 5 gularly good for ruptures and burstings in
are half those that are incident to the body \ people, either young or old.
of man ; and although a gardener be of 1
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 CRANES-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 com-
pass upon the ground ; among which rise
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
up two or three, or more, reddish, jointed, I applied by itself, or in a poultice with Bar-
slender, weak, hairy stalks, with some likelley meal. The distilled water by some is
leaves thereon, but smaller, and more cut in | highly esteemed against all inward inflam-
up to the tops, where grow many very | mations and pestilent fevers ; as also to
small bright red flowers of five leaves a- \ help the redness of the eyes, and swellings
piece ; after which follow small heads, with \ of privities, and of the breasts before they
small short beaks pointed forth, as all other 1 be grown too much. The fresh herb ap-
sorts of those herljs do. 5 plied to the forehead, eases the pains of
Place.] It grows in pasture grounds, and j the head-ache coming of heat.
PLATE 7.
Erin J
Eye"briglir
Elecampane
Dock
Drag- ons
Doo"'s Gra
Drop wort
Dove's Fool
Bloody Dock
THOMAS KKLLY. LONDON. 1«35.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
67
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.
Place.'] 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 manifests 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 afiirm, that no serpent will meddk
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 stalk,
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
08 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
sweet in scent; after which come small | the eyes, assuages them; the iuice of the
blackish berries, full of juice while they are {leaves snuffed up into the nostrils, purges
liesh, wherein is small hard kernels, or seed. } the tunicles of the brain ; the juice of the
The root doth creep unerd the upper crust ! berries boiled with honey and dropped
of the ground, springing in divers places, \ into the ears, helps the pains of them ; the
being of the bigness of one's finger or | decoction of the berries in wine, being
thumb sometimes. J drank, provokes urine ; the distilled water
Pl-ace.l The Elder tree grows in hedges, I of the flowers is of much use to clean the
being planted there to strengthen the fences \ skin from sun-burning, freckles, morphew,
and partitions of ground, and to hold the | or the like ; and takes away the head-ache,
banks by ditches and water-courses. | coming of a cold cause, the head being
The Dwarf Elder grows wild in many ^ bathed therewith. The leaves or flowers
places of England, where being once gotten \ distilled in the month of May, and the legs
into a ground, it is not easily gotten forth 5 often washed with the said distilled water,
again. i it takes away the ulcers and sores of them.
Time.'] Most of the Elder Trees, flower | The eyes Avashed therewith, it takes away
in June, and their fruit is ripe for the mostUhe redness and bloodshot ; and the hands
part in August. But the Dwarf Elder, or | washed morning and evening therewith,
Wall-wort, flowers somewhat later, and his \ helps the palsy, and shaking of them,
firuit is not ripe until September. * The Dwarf Elder is more powerful than
Government and virtues.] Both Elder and j the common Elder in opening and purging
Dwarf Tree are under the dominion ofjcholer, phlegm, and water; in helping the
Venus. The first shoots of the common < gout, piles, and women's diseases, colours
Elder boiled like Asparagus, and the young \ the hair black, helps the inflammations ol
leaves and stalks boiled in fat broth, doth \ the eyes, and pains in the ears, the biting ol
mightily carry forth phlegm and choler. ; serpents, or mad dogs, burnings and scald-
The middle or inward bark boiled in water, jings, thcM'ind cholic, cholic, and stone, the
and given in drink, works much more \ difficulty of urine, the cure of old sores and
violently ; and the berries, either green or i fistulous ulcers. Either leaves or bark of
dry, expel the same humour, and are often ; Elder, stripped upwards as you gather it,
given with good success to help the dropsy;! causes vomiting. Also, Dr. Butler, in a
the bark of the root boiled in wine, or the ; manuscript of his, commends Dwarf Elder
)uice thereof drank, works the same effects, > to the sky for dropsies, viz. to drink it,
but more powerfully than either the leaves | being boiled in white wine ; to drink the
or fruit. The juice of the root taken, doth \ decoction I mean, not the Elder,
mightily procure vomitings, and purges the | ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^
watery humours or the dropsy. Ihe de-j
coction of the root taken, cures the biting | This tree is so well known, growing
of an adder, and biting of mad dogs. It \ generally in all counties of this land, that it
mollifies the hardness of the mother, if i is needless to describe it.
women sit thereon, and opens their veins, i Government and virtues.] It is a cold and
and brings down their courses : The berries | saturnine plant. The leaves thereof bruised
boiled in wine perform the same effect ;| and apphed, heal green wounds, being
and the hair of the head washed therewith j bound thereon with its own bark. The
is made black. The juice of the green 1 leaves or the bark used with vinegar, cures
leaves applied to the hot inflammations of! scurf and leprosy very effectually : The
AJSD ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
69
decoction of the leaves, bark, or root, being 5 cools the heat and sharpness of the urine,
bathed, heals broken bones. The water
that is found in the bladders on the leaves,
and excoriation in the urinary parts. The
seeds are of the same property, or rather
while it is fresh, is very effectual to cleanse | more powerful, and besides are available foi
the skin, and make it fair; and if cloaths be j fainting, swoonings, and passions of the
often wet therein, and applied to the rup- \ heart. Outwardly applied, they serve to
tures of children, it heals them, if they be \ temper the sharp humours of fretting ulcers.
■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 foeces may settle and water
become clear, is a singular and sovereign
halm for green wounds, being used with \
soft tents : The decoction of the bark of;
tlie root, fomented, mollifies hard tumours, i
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 an 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.l Common garden Endive
bears a longer and larger leaf than Succory,
and abides but one year, quickly run.ning
up to a stalk and seed, and then perishes ;
it has blue fliowers, and the seed of the
ordinary Endive is so like Succory seed,
that it is liard to distinguish them
hot tumours, swellings, and pestilential
sores ; and wonderfully help not on]y 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.
Descript.l 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 rise
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.
P/flce.] It grows on moist grounds and
Government and virtues^ It is a fine | shadowy places oftener than in the dry and
cooling, cleansing, jovial plant. The de- \ open borders of the fields and lanes, and in
coction of the leaves, or the juice, or the \ other waste places, almost in every county
distilled water of Endive, serve well to cool \ of this land.
the excessive heat of the liver and stomach, > Time.'] It flowers in the end of June and
and in the hot fits of agues, and all other! July, and the seed is ripe in August. The
inflammations in any part of the body ; it ; roots are gathered for use, as well in the
70
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Spring before the leaves come forth, as in | from any morphew, spots, or blemishes
Autumn or Winter. I therein, and make it clear
Government and tnrtues.'] It is a plant 1
under the dominion of Mercury. The fresh | eringo, or sea-holly.
roots of Elecampane preserved with sugar, ? Descript.'] The first leaves of our ordi-
or made into a syrup or conserve, are very i nary Sea-Holly, are nothing so hard and
effectual to warm a cold windy stomach, j prickly as when they grovv old, being almost
or the pricking therein, and stitches in the ; round, and deeply dented about the edges,
sides caused by the spleen ; and to help the i; hard and sharppointed,andalittlecrump]ed,
cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing in » of a bluish green colour, every one upon
the lungs. The dried root made into pow- 1 a long foot stalk ; but those that grow up
der, and mixed with sugar, and taken, serves I higher with the stalk, do as it were compass
to the same purpose, and is also profitable | it about. The stalk itself is round and
for those who have their urine stopped, or ; strong, yet somewhat crested, with joints
the stopping of women's courses, the pains I and leaves set thereat, but more divided,
of the mother, and the stone in the reins, 1 sharp, and prickly ; and branches rising
kidneys, or bladder; it resists poison, and | from thence, which have likewise other
stays the spreading of the venom of ser- 1 small branches, each of ihem having several
pents, as also putrid and pestilential fevers, \ bluish round prickly heads, with many
and the plague itself. The roots and herbs » small jagged prickly leaves under them,
beaten and put into new ale or beer, and | standing like a star, and sometimes found
daily diank, clears, strengthens, and quick- 1 greenish or whitish : The root grows won-
ens the sight of the eyes wonderfully. The | derfully long, even to eight or ten feet in
decoction of the roots in wine, or the juice \ length, set with rings and circles toward the
taken therein, kills and drives forth alU upper part, cut smooth and without joints
manner of worms in the belly, stomach, and I down lower, brownish on the outside, and
maw; and gargled in the mouth, or the | very white within, with a pith in the middle;
root chewed, fastens loose teeth, and helps | of a pleasant taste, but much more, being
to keep them from putrefaction ; and beingj artificially p4'eserved, and candied with
drank is good for those that spit blood, j sugar.
helps to remove cramps or convulsions, 1 Piace.'\ It is found about the sea coast
gout, sciatica, pains in the joints, applied j in almost every county of this land which
outwardly or inwardly, and is also good for | borders upon the sea.
those that are bursten, or have any inward | Time.l It flowers in the end of Sum-
bruise. The root boiled well in vinegar jmer, and gives ripe seed within a month
beaten afterward, and made into an oint- 1 after.
ment with hog's suet, or oil of trotters, is an 1 Government and virtues.^ The plant is
excellent remedy for scabs or itch in young 1 venereal, and breeds seed exceedingly, and
or old ; the places also bathed or washed | strengthens the spirit procreative ; it is hot
ivith the decoction doth the same ; it also | and moist, and \mder the celestial Balance,
helps all sorts of filthy old putrid sores or 5 The decoction of the root hereof in wine,
cankers whatsoever. In the roots of this \ is very effectual to open obstructions of the
herb lieth the chief effect for the remedies i spleen and liver, and helps yellow jaun-
aforesaid. The distilled water of the leaves » dice, dropsy, pains of the loins, and wind
and roots together, is very profitable tojcholic, provokes urine, and expels the
cleanse the skin of the face, or other parts, | stone, procures women's courses. The con-
AND ENGLISH FiJ\SICIAN ENLARGED.
7J
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 11 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 taken 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 Avas consumed. The
juice of the leaves dropped into the ear,
helps imposthurnes therein. The distilled
water of the whole herb, when the leaves
and stalks are young, is profitably 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 thera witliout turn-
ing their whole body.
EYEBRIGHT.
Descript.^ Common Eyebright is a
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
stripes; after which follow small round
heads, with very small seed therein. The
root is long, small and thready at the end.
Place.'] It grows in meadows, and grassy
places in this land.
Government and virtues.] It is under the
sign of the Lion, and Sol claims dominion
over it. If the herb Avas 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 litde 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 Villa Nova
saith, it hath restored sight to them that
have been blind a long time before.
FERN.
De^cript^ 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.
Tlace^ They grow both in heaths and
in shady places near the hedge-sides in all
counties of this land.
Time^ They flower and give their seed
\ at Midsummer.
i The Female Fern is that plant which is
' in Sussex, called Brakes, the seed of which
u
7« THE COMPLETE HERBAL
some authors hold to be so rare : Such a \ pith in the middle, which is called the heart
thing there is I know, and may be easily \ thereof.
nad upon Midsummer Eve, and for ought i Place.'] It grows on moors, bogs, and
I know, two or three days after it, if not j watery places, in many parts of this land,
more. ■ | Time.'] It is green all the summer, and
Government and virtues.] It is under the | the root only abides in winter.
<lominion of Mercury, both Male and | Government and virtues.] Saturn OAvns
Female. The roots of both these sorts of | the plant. Tliis has all the virtues men-
Fern being bruised and boiled in Mead, ^ioned in the former Ferns, and is much
or honeyed water, and drank, kills both i more effectual than they, both for inward
the broad and long worms in the body, | and outward griefs, and is accounted sin-
and abates the swelling and hardness of the j gularly good in wounds, bruises, or the like,
spleen. The green leaves eaten, purge the I The decoction to be drank, or boiled into
belly of choleric and waterish humours I an ointment of oil, as a balsam or balm,
that trouble the stomach. They are dan- 1 and so it is singularly good against bruises,
gerous for women with child to meddle | and bones broken, or out of joint, and gives
with, by reason they cause abortions. The j much ease to the cholic and splenetic
roots bruised and boiled in oil, or hog's | diseases : as also for ruptures or burstings,
grease, make a very profitable ointment to | The decoction of the root in white wine,
heal wounds, or pricks gotten in the flesh. \ provokes urine exceedingly, and cleanses
The powder of them used in foul ulcers, | the bladder and passages of urine,
dries up their malignant moisture, and \
K . J- 'u r ^ 1? „ U^- FEVERFEW, OR FEATHERFEW.
causes their speedier heahng. lern being '
burned, the smoke thereof drives away I Descript.] Common Featherfew has
serpents, gnats, and other noisome crea- \ large, fresh, green leaves, much torn or cut
Cures, which in fenny countries do, in the | on the edges. The stalks are hard and
night time, trouble and molest people lying | round, set with many such like leaves, but
in their beds with their faces uncovered; it j smaller, and at the tops stand many single
causes barrenness. | flowers, upon small foot stalks, consisting
\ of many small white leaves standing round
OSMOND ROYAL, OR WATER FERN. | about a ycllow thrum in the middle. The
\ root is somewhat hard and short, with many
Descript.] This shoots forth in spring | strong fibres about it. The scent of the
time (for in the Winter the leaves perish) whole plant is very strong, and the taste is
divers rough hard stalks, half round, and \ very bitter.
yellowish, or flat on the other side, two feet \ Place.] This grows wild in many places
high, having divers branches of winged yel- 1 of the land, but is for the most part nourish-
lowish green leaves on all sides, set one I ed in gardens.
against another, longer, narrower, and not j Time.] It flowers in the months of June
nicked on the edges as the former. From} and July.
the top of some of these stalks grow forth | Government and virtues.] Venus com-
a long bush of small and more yellow, |mands this herb, and has commended it to
green, scaly aglets, set in the same manner j succour her sisters (women) and to be a
on the stalks as the leaves are, which are ^ general strengthener of their wombs, and
accounted the flowers and seeds. The root | remedy such infirmities as a careless mid-
is rough, thick and scabby: with a white 5 wife hath there caused ; if they will but be
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
73
pleased to make use of her herb boiled in \ plied warm outwardly to the places, helps
white wine, and drink the decoction ; it j the wind and cholic in the lower part of
cleanses ihe womb, expels the after-birth, | the belly. It is an especial remedy against
and doth a woman all the good she can | opium taken too liberally,
desire of an herb. And if any grumble | fennel.
because they cannot get the herb in winter, \
tell them, if they please, they may make | Every garden affords this so plenti-
a syrup of it in summer ; it is chiefly used | fully, that it needs no description,
for the disease of the mother, whether it be | Government and virtues.'] One good old
the strangling or rising of the mother, or r fashion is not yet left off, viz. to boil Fennel
hardness, or inflammation of the same, \ with fish ; for it consumes that phlegmatic
applied outwardly thereunto. Or a decoc- 1 humour, which fish most plentifully afford
tion of the flowers in wine, with a little Nut- | and annoy the body Avith, though few that
meg or Mace put therein, and drank often in \ use it know wherefore they do it; I suppose
a day, is an approved remedy to bring I the reason of its benefit this way is, because
down women's courses speedily, and helps lit is an herb of Mercury, and under Virgo,
to expel the dead birth and after-birth, land therefore bears antipathy to Pisces.
For a woman to sit over the hot fumes of | Fennel is good to break wind, to provoke
the decoction of the herb made in water or; urine, and ease the pains of the stone, and
wine, is effectual for the same; and in some « helps to break it. The leaves or seed,
cases to apply the boiled herb warm to the | boiled in barley water and drank are good
privy parts. The decoction thereof made, \ for nurses, to increase their milk, and make
with some sugar, or honey put thereto, is I it more wholesome for the child. The
used by many with good success to help I leaves, or rather the seeds, boiled in water,
the cough and stuffing of the chest, by | stays the hiccough, and takes away the
colds, as also to cleanse the reins and I loathings Avhich oftentimes happen to the
bladder, and helps to expel the stone in i stomachs of sick and feverish persons, and
them. The powder of the herb taken in | allays the heat thereof. The seed boiled in
wine, with some Oxymel, purges both cho- « wine and drank, is good for those that are
ler and phlegm, and is available for those I bitten with serpents, or have eaten poison-
that are short winded, and are troubled with |ous herbs, or mushrooms. The seed, and
melancholy and heaviness, or sadness off the roots much more, help to open obstruc-
spirits. It is very eftectual for all pains in | tions of the liver, spleen, and gall, and
the head coming of a cold cause, the herb I thereby help the painful and windy swel-
being bruised and applied to the crown of flings of the spleen, and the yellow jaundice;
the head : As also for the vertigo, that is a | as also the gout and cramps. The seed is
lunning or swimming in the head. The | of good use in medicines to help shortness
decoction thereof drank warm, and the i of breath and wheezing by stopping of the
herb bruised with a few corns of Bay salt, 1 lungs. It helps also to bring down the
and applied to ♦he wrists before the coming J courses, and to cleanse the parts after
of the ague fits, doth take them away. The | delivery. The roots are of most use in
distilled water takes away freckles, and | physic drinks, and broth that are taken to
other spots and deformities in the face. J cleanse the blood, to open obstructions of
The herb bruised and heated on a tile, with | the liver, so provoke urine, and amend the
some wine to moisten it, or fried with a \ ill colour in the face after sickness, and to
little wine and oil in a fryiug-jian, and ap- ■ cause a
good
habit
through
the body.
74
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 Js 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-FENNEL.
Besides the common name in English,
Hog's Fennel, and the Latin name Peuci-
danuni, is called Hoar-strange, and Hoar-
strong, Sulphur- wort, and Brimstone- wort.
Descript.^ 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
branches stand 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.
Place.'] 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 THROAT-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 slinking ; at the tops of the
stalks stand many purple flowers set in
husks, which are sometimes gaping and
open, somewhat like those of 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,
grovving aslope under the upper crust of
the ground, which abides many years, but
keeps not his green leaves in Winter.
Place.] It grows frequently in moist
['LATE 8.
Foxe-love
Flower - de -lia c e
Figwort
Fleavrort
FxiiTiitory
Fl-uellin
Fomxel
Fl ajcwee d
Fcvpi-few^
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
75
and shadowy woods, and in the lower parts \ together in a pitli or umble, each upon a
of the fields and meadows. ; small foot stalk, which after they have been
Time.'] It Howers about July, and the i blown upon a good while, do fall away,
seed will be ripe about a month after the \ and in their places appear small-, round,
flowers are fallen. ; chaffy heads like buttons, wherein are the
Government and virtues.'] Some Latin ; chaffy seeds set and placed. The root
authors call it Cervicaria, because it is ap- j consists of many small, black, tuberous
propriated to the neck ; and we Throat- \ pieces, fastened together by many small,
wort, because it is appropriated to the j long, blackish strings, which run from one
throat. Venus owns the herb, and the | to another.
Celestial Bull will not deny it; therefore? Place.'] It grows in many places of this
a better remedy cannot be for the king's Hand, in the corners of dry fields and mea-
evil, because the Moon that rules the dis- ^ dows, and the hedge sides,
ease is exalted there. The decoction of the \ Time.] They flower in June and July,
herb taken inwardly, and the bruised herb j and their seed is ripe in August,
applied outwardly, dissolves clotted and | Government and virtues.] It is under the
congealed blood within the body, coming! dominion of Venus. It effectually opens
by any wounds, bruise, or fall ; and is no | the passages of the urine, helps the stran-
less effectual for the king's evil, or any \ guary ; the stone in the kidneys or bladder,
other knobs, kernels, bunches, or wens \ the gravel, and all other pains of the blad-
growing in the flesh wheresoever ; and for | der and reins, by taking the roots in pow-
tne haemorrhoids, or piles. An ointment! der, or a decoction of them in white wine;
made hereof may be used at all times when pvith a little honey. The roots made into
the fresh herb is not to be had. The dis- j powder, and mixed with honey in the form
tilled water of the whole plant, roots and of an electuary, doth much help them
all, is used for the same purposes, and dries \ whose stomachs are swollen, dissolving and
up the superfluous, virulent moisture of breaking the wind which was the cause
hollow and corroding ulcers; it takes away thereof ; and is also very effectual for all
all redness, spots, and freckles in the face, the diseases of the lungs, as shortness of
as also the scurf, and any foul deformity breath, wheezing, hoarseness of the throat,
therein, and the leprosy likewise. and the cough ; and to expectorate tough
phlegm, or any other parts thereabout.
FILIPENDULA, OR DROP-WORT.
\ THE FIG-TREE.
Descript.] This sends forth many leaves, |
some larger, some smaller, set on each side | To give a description of a tree so well
of a middle rib, and each of them dented | known to every body that keeps it in his
about the edges, somewhat resembling wild \ garden, were needless. They prosper very
Tansy, or rather Agrimony, but harder in | well in our English gardens, yet are fitter
handling ; among which rise up one or \ for medicine than for any other profit
more stalks, two or three feet high, with the I which is gotten by the fruit of them,
leaves growing thereon, and sometimes also ; Gweimment and virtues.] The tree is
divided into other branches spreading at the under the dominion of Jupiter. The milk
top into many white, sweet-smelling flowers, that issues out from the leaves or branches
consisting of five leaves a-piece, with some where they are broken off", being dropped
threads in the middle of them, standing : upon warts, takes them away. The de-
76
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
coclion of the leveas is excellently good to s cover their bottoms ; but instead of the
wash sore heads with : and there is scarcely i three upright leaves, as the Flower-de-luce
a better remedy for the leprosy than it is. : has, this has only three short pieces
It clears the face also of morphew, and the 1 standing in their places, after which succeed
body of white rcurf, scabs, and running! thick and long three square heads, con-
sores. If it be dropped into old fretting I taining in each part somewhat big and flat
ulcers, it cleanses out the moisture, and j seed, like those of the Flower-de-luce. The
brings up the flesh; because you cannot | root is long and slender, of a pale brownish
have the leaves green all the year, you may > colour on the outside, and of a horseflesh
make an ointment of them whilst you can. i colour on the inside, with many hard fibres
A decoction of the leaves being drank in- \ thereat, and very harsh in taste,
wardly, or rather a syrup made of them, | Place.l It usually grows in watery
dissolves congealed blood caused by bruises j ditches, ponds, lakes, and moor sides, which
or falls, and helps the bloody flux. The ^ are always overflowed with water,
ashes of the wood made into an ointment i Time.'] It flowers in July, and the seed
Avith hog's grease, helps kibes and chilblains. | is ripe in August.
The juice being put into an hollow tooth, \ Government and virtues.'] It is under the
eases pain ; as also pain and noise in the \ dominion of the Moon. The root of this
ears, being dropped into them; and deaf- 1 Water-flag is very astringent, cooling, and
ness. An ointment made of the juice and
Jiog's grease, is an excellent remedy for the
biting 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
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.
is also extremely good for the dropsy and | both to be dropped into them, and to have
falling sickness. They say that the Fig j cloths or sponges wetted therein, and ap-
Tree, as well as the Bay Tree, is never | plied to the forehead: It also helps the
hurt by lightning ; as also, if you tie a bull, | spots and blemishes that happen in and
be he ever so mad, to a Fig Tree, he will » about the eyes, or in any other parts : The
quickly become tame and gentle. As foresaid water fomented on swellings and hot
such figs as come from beyond sea, 1 1 inflammations of women's breasts, upon
have little to say, because I write not of cancers also, and those spreading ulcers
exoticks. ; called Noli me tangere, do much good : It
\ helps also foul ulcers in the privities of man
THE YELLOW WATER-FLAG, OR FLOW£R-}or womau ; but an ointment made of the
DE-LUCE. I flowers is better for those external applica-
; tions.
Descript.j This grows like the Flower- 1"
de-luce, but it has much longer and nar- 5
rower sad green leaves, joined together in j
that fashion ; the stalk also growing often- 1 Descript.] Our common Flax-weed
times as high, bearing small yellow flowers | has divers stalks full fraught with long and
shaped like the Flower-de-luce, with three | narrow ash-coloured leaves, and from the
falling leaves, and other three arched that j middle of them almost upward, stored with
FLAX-WEED, OR TOAD-FLAX.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
7T
a number of pale yellow flowers, of a strong \
unpleasant scent, with deeper yellow mouths, I
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. I
Government and virtues.] Mars owns the |
herb : In Sussex we call it Gallwort, and 1
lay it in our chicken's water to cure them off
the gall ; it relieves them when they are |
drooping. This is frequently used to spend |
the abundance of those watery humours by i
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 efi^ctual for all the same pur- \
poses ; being drank with a dram of the |
powder of the seeds of bark or the roots of j
Wall-wort, and a little Cinnamon, for certain ;
days together, it is held a singular remedy
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
v/onderfully of all sorts of deformity, as
leprosy, morphew, scurf, wheals, pimples,
or spots, applied of itself, or used with some
powder of Lupines.
FLEA-WOBT.
Descript.] 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 inclosed in these heads
is small and shining while it is fresh, very
hke 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 divers years, 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.
Place.] The first grows only in gardens,
the seccond 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
m
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
like. The mucilage of the seed made with |
Rose-water, and a little sugar-candy piit|
thereto, is very good in all hot agues and J
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 vt)ice, 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 yolk of?
an egg or two, and a little Populeon are i
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-
tlammations in any part of the body, and |
the pains that come thereby, as the head- i
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 cor- i
rupt and filthy ulcers, cleanses them and
heals them.
There is another sort, differing in nothing,
save only it has somewhat broad leaves ;
they have a strong evil savour, 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 of
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 consolidate
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 sores, how
foul or malignant soever they be. The
distilled water of the herb works the same
effects, 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 extols it to the
skies. It is fitting that syrup, ointment,
and plaisters of it were kept in your houses.
FLOWER-DE-LUCE.
FLUX-WEED.
Descript.] It rises up with a round up-
right 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,
after which come small long pods, with
small yellowish seed in them. The root is
long and woody, perishing every year.
It is so well known, being nourished up
in most gardens, that I shall not need to
spend time in Avriting a description thereof.
Ttme.] The flaggy kinds thereof have
i the most physical uses ; the dwarf kinds
thereof flower in April, the greater sorts in
May.
Government and virtues.] The herb is
i Lunar. The juice or decoction of the green
■ root of the flaggy kind of Flower-de-luce,
with a little honey drank, doth purge and
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
I»
cleanse the stomach of gross and tough | also tlie pains and noise in the ears, and
phlegm, and choler therein ; it helps the i the stench of the nostrils. The root itself,
jaundice and the dropsy, evacuating those I either green or in powder, helps to cleanse,
humours both upwards and downwards ;f heal, and incarnate wounds, and to cover
and because it somewhat hurts the stomach, I the naked bones with flesh again, that
is not to be taken without honey and spike- i ulcers have made bare ; and is also very
nard. The same being drank, doth ease \ good to cleanse and heal up fistulas and
the pains and torments of the belly and \ cankers that are hard to be cured,
sides, the shaking; of agues, the diseases of;
,1 ,• , , =" ^,° r4.u u '1 ' FLUELLIN, OR LLUELLIN.
the liver and spleen, the worms of the beily, !
the stone in the reins, convulsions and | Descript.'] It shoots forth many long
cramps that come of old humours ; it also ^ branches partly lying upon the ground,
helps those whose seed passes from them | and partly standing upright, set with al-
unawares : It is a remedy against the ; most red leaves, yet a little pointed, and
bitings and stingings of venomous crea- \ sometimes more long than round, without
tures, being boiled in water and vinegar j order thereon, somewhat hairy, and of an
and drank. Boiled in water and drank, it j evil greenish white colour; at the joints all
provokes urine, helps the cholic, brings « along the stalks, and with the leaves come
down women's courses ; and made up into | forth small flowers, one at a place, upon
a pessary with honey, and put up into the j a very small short foot-stalk, gaping some-
body, draws forth the dead child. It is j what hke Snap-dragons, or rather like Toad-
nmch commended against the cough, to i flax, with the upper jaw of a yellow colour,
expectorate rough phlegm ; it much eases \ and the lower of a purplish, with a small heel
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
or spur behind ; after which come forth
small round heads, containing small black
seed. The root is small and thready, dying
every year, and rises 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
bulbous blue Flower-de-luce, (as is used by | a little larger, and somewhat round, and
some apothecaries) and roots of the same, of I cornered sometimes in some places on the
the flaggy kinds, is very effectual to warm 1 edges ; but the lower part of them being
and comfort all cold joints and sinews, as \ the broadest, hath on each side a small
also the gout and sciatica, and mollifies, I point, making it seem as if they were ears,
dissolves and consumes tumours and swell- 1 sometimes hairy, but not hoary, and of a
ings in any part of the body, as also of the \ better green colour than the former. The
matrix ; it helps the cramp, or convulsions 1 flowers come forth like the former, but the
of the sinews. The head and temples I colours therein are more white than yellow,
anointed therewith, helps the catarrh or | and the purple not so far. It is a large
thin rheum distilled from thence ; and used j flower, and so are the seed and seed-ves-
upon the breast or stomach, helps to ex- ! sels. The root is like the other, and
tenuate the cold tough phlegm ; it helps \ perishes every year.
80
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Place.] They grow in divers corn fields, \ and hanging downwards, having some
and in borders about them, and in other j threads also in the middle, from whence
fertile grounds about Southfleet in Kent \ rise round heads, pointed sharp at the ends,
abundantly ; at Buchrite, Hamerton, and | wherein small brown seed lies. The roots
Richmanworth in Huntingdonshire, and in 1 are so many small fibres, and some greater
divers other places. j strings among them ; the flowers have no
Time.] They are in flower about June! scent, but the leaves have a bitter hot
and July, and the whole plant is dry and I taste,
withered before August be done. j Place.] It grows on dry sandy ground
Government and virtues,] It is a Lunar \ for the most part, and as well on the higher
lierb. The leaves bruised and applied with \ as the lower places under hedge-sides in
barley meal to watering eyes that are hot | almost every county of this land,
and inflamed by defluxions from the head, > Time.] It seldom flowers before July,
do very much help them, as also the fluxes | and the seed is ripe in August,
of blood or humours, as the lask, bloody: Government and virtues.] The plant is
flux, women's courses, and stays all man- under the dominion of Venus, being of a
ner of bleeding at the nose, mouth, or any gentle cleansing nature, and withal very
other place, or that comes by any bruise \ friendly to nature. The herb is familiarly
or hurt, or bursting a vein ; it wonderfully ? and frequently used by the Italians to heal
helps all those inward parts that need con- 1 any fresh or green wound, the leaves being
solidating or strengthening, and is no less I but bruised and bound thereon; and the
effectual both to heal and close green j juice thereof is also used in old sores, to
wounds, than to cleanse and heal all foul | cleanse, dry, and heal them. The decoc-
or old ulcers, fretting or spreading cankers ? tion hereof made up with some sugar or
or the like. This herb is of a fine cooling, | honey, is available to cleanse and purge
drying quality, and an ointment or plaister i the body both upwards and downwards,
of it might do a man a courtesy that hath | sometimes of tough phlegm and clammy
any hot virulent sores : 'Tis admirable for \ humours, and to open obstructions of the
the ulcers of the French pox ; if taken in- \ liver and spleen. It has been found by
wardlv, may cure the disease. \ experience to be available for the king's
!evil, the herb bruised and applied, or an
ointment made with the juice thereof, and
I so used ; and a decoction of two handfuls
Descript.] It has many long and broad I thereof, with four ounces of Pohpody in
leaves lying upon the ground dented upon \ ale, has been found by late experience to
the edges, a little soft or woolly, and of a 1 cure divers of the falling sickness, that have
hoary green colour, among which rise up \ been troubled with it above twenty years,
sometimes sundry stalks, but one very \ I am confident that an ointment of it is
often, bearing such leaves thereon from the \ one of the best remedies for a scabby head
bottom to the middle, from Avhence to the | that is.
top it is stored with large and long hollow! vriMTTORY
reddish purple flowers, a little more long;
and eminent at the lower edge, with some; Descript.] Our common Fumitory is a
white spots within them, one above another 5 tender sappy herb, sends forth from one
with small green leaves at every one, but | square, a slender weak stalk, and leaning
all of them turning their heads one way, | downwards on all sides, many branches
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
81
two or three feet long, with fineiy 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, with 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-I It flowers in May, for the most
part, and the seed ripens shortly after.
Government and virtues.] 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 ai
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, let-
ters, and itches, and such like breakings-
out of the skin, and after the purgings doth
strengthen all the inward 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 lime 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
efi'ect 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
iwith 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 an}'
description thereof, my intent being to
teach my countrymen what they know not,
rather than to tell them again of that which
is generally known before.
Place."] They are known to grow on dry
barren heaths, and other waste, gravelly
or sandy grounds, in all counties of this
land.
T\me.] They also flower in the Summer
' months.
[ Government and virtues.] Mars owns the
iherb. They are hot and dry, and open
; obstructions of the liver and spleen. A de-
'. coction made with the flowers thereof liatli
'been found effectual against the jaundice,
as olso to provoke urine, and cleanse the
[kidneys from gravel or stone ingendered
tin them. Mars doth also this by sym-
I pathy.
82
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
GARLICK.
The offensiveness of the breath of him
that hath eaten Garhek, 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 peculiar
virtues besides the former, viz. it hath
a special quality to discuss inconveniences
coming by corrupt agues or mineral vapours;
or by drinking corrupt and stinking waters;
as also by taking wolf-bane, hen-bane,
hemlock, or other poisonous and danger-
ous 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 authors
quote many diseases this is good for ; but
conceal its vices. Its heat is very vehement,
and all vehement hot things send up but
ill-favoured vapours to the brain. In cho-
leric 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 5
make more bold with it. ^
\
\ GENTIAN, PELWORT, 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 whit inferior in virtue to that which
comes from beyond sea, therefore be pleased
to take the description of them as follows.
Descript.'] The greater of the two hath
many small long roots thrust down deep
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.
Place.~\ 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.
PLATE 9.
Wall Hawkweed.
Haj-t's Tojigu
Moxise ear Hawicweed .
Gentian. .
Goid.en Rod .
Galing-al.
Clove Gilliflower.
Groundsel ,
Germander .
THOMAS KF,X.LY. LONDON. l«3i.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
83
Time.'] They flower in August.
Government and virtues.] 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 taintings
and svvoonings : Tlie 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 gallant,
fine, temperate flowers, of the nature and
under the dominion of Jupiter; yea, so
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,
Descripf.'] 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 viiiues.] 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 rem-edy 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
84
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.
DescriptJ] 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.
PlaceJ] 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 mondis, 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 diank 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 nmch 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
abuRdantly. 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 any tumour
li
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
85
(3r swelling, doth very effectually dissolve
and consume thera ; 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, where-
soever they be.
GOLDEN ROD.
Descript."] 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 Avhich 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.l It grows in the open places of
woods and copses, on both moist and dry
grounds, in many places of this land.
TimeJ\ It flowers about the month of
July.
Govemme7it 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,
J 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
I parts of man or woman. The decoction
I 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 of
fields, and in gardens also.
Time.] It flowers and seeds about the
end of July.
Government and virtues.] Saturn rules 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.
Op this 1 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-
I on. At the joints, with the leaves, come
j forth very small blue flowers, and after them
I hard stony roundish seed. The root is long
86 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
and woody, abiding the Winter, and shoots \ boiled, or the juice thereof drank, is eflb
forth fresh stalks in the spring. { tual to all the purposes aforesaid, but not &
The smaller wild Gromel sends forth ; powerful or speedy in operation,
divers upright hard branched stalks, two or |
threefeethigh, jull of joints, atevery oneofj gooseberry bush.
which grow small, long, hard and rough j Called also Feapberry, and in Sussex
leaves hke the former, but less ; among t j^^^^^^^^^^^j^ ^^^ -^ ^^^^ Counties
which leaves come forth small white flowers, | Wingj^erry
and after them greyish round seed like the | Government and virtues.-] They are under
former; the root is not very big, but with tjj^g j^^^-^i^j^ ^f y^^^^ 'rj,^^ ^^^.^1^3^ ^^^^^
many strings tliereat. ithev are unripe, being scalded or baked,
The garden Gromel has divers upright l^^^-^^^ ^^ ^Ij^. ^ fainting or decayed
slender, woody, hairy stalks, blown and ; ^ ^^,^ especially such whSse stomachs
cressed, very httle branched with leaves) J^^^j^^^^ [^ l^^l^^i^ j^^^^^^^. ^hey are
hke the former, jind white flowers; aften x^ellently good to stay longings of women
which, m rough brown husks, IS contained ;^^i^,^ child. You may kSep them pre-
a white, hard, round seed shining hke | ^^^.^.^^1 ^^-^^ ^,1 ^j^^ ^ ^^^^
pearls, and greater than either the former ; ; decoction of the leaves of the tree cools
the root IS like the first described, witMj^^^ swellings and inflammations; as also
divers branches and sprigs thereat which t g^. Anthony's fire. The ripe Gooseberries
continues (as the first doth) all the Winter. ; ^^j^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^„ excellent remedy to
Place.] The two first grow wild m barren I ^„-^^^ ^.-^^^^^ 1,^^, ^^^^1^ ^^ ^^e stomach
or unfilled places, and by the way side|^^^| jj^^^ r^^^^ ^, ^^^ ^^^^^^, 1^^^,^,,
m many places of this land ihe last isj j^j.^.^,^ the stone, and expel gravel both from
a nursling in the gardens of the curious. | ^^^ j-i^neys and bladder. All the evil they
Time.-] They all flower from Midsummer j^^ ^^ ^l^^ body of man is, they are sup-
until September sometimes, and in the; ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^j.^jjijigg^ ^^^^ by crudities,
mean time the seed ripens. | worms
Government and virtues.] The herb belongs >
to Dame Venus; and therefore if Mars| winter-gueen'.
cause the cholic or stone, as usually hej
doth, if in Virgo, this is your cure. These | Descript.] This sends forth seven, eight,
are accounted to be of as singular force as I or nine leaves from a small brown creeping
any herb or seed whatsoever, to break the | root, every one standing upon a long fool
stone and to void it, and the gravel either | stalk, which are almost as broad as long,
in the reins or bladder, as also to provoke } round pointed, of a sad green colour, and
urine being stopped, and to help stranguary. > hard in handling, and like the leaf of a
The seed is of greatest use, being bruised | Pear-treo ; from whence arises a slender
and boiled in white wine or in broth, or the j weak stalk, yet standing upright, bearing
like, or the powder of the seed taken there- j at the top many small white sweet-smelling
in. Two drams of the seed in powder 5 flowers, laid open like a star, consisting of
taken with women's breast milk, is very j five round pointed leaves, with many yellow
effectual to procure a very speedy delivery 1 threads standing in the middle about a green
to such women as have sore pains in their j head, and a long stalk with them, which iu
travail, and cannot be delivered : The herb ; time grows to be the seed-vessel, which
itself, (when the seed is not to be had) either 5 being ripe is found five square, with a small
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 8?
point at it, wherein is contained seed as \ it may be seen many months in the year,
(anall as dust. I both green and in tiower, and seed ; for it
Place.'] It grows seldom in fields, but : 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, las well on tops of walls, as at the foot.
Government and virtues.] Winter-green \ amongst rubbish and untilled grounds, but
is under the dominion of Saturn, and is a | especially in gardens.
singularly good wound herb, and an espe- | 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 herb 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 | and universal a medicine for all diseases
juice boiled with hog's lard, or with salad j coming of heat, in what part of the body
oil and wax, and some turpentine added 5 soever they be, as the sunshines 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 i yet causes vomiting if the stomach be af-
all manner of wounds and sores. The herb ! flicted ; if not, purging : and it doth it with
boiled in wine and water, and given to ; more gentleness than can be expected; it is
drink to them that have any inward ulcers | 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 1 caused by the motion of the internal parts
fluxes, as the lask, bloody fluxes, women's s in purges and vomdts. Lay by our learned
courses, and bleeding of wounds, and takes > receipts ; take so much Sena, so much
away any inflammations rising upon pains t 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 \ 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. 5 the deed for you in all hot diseases, and,
\ shall do it, 1, Safely ; 2, Speedily,
j The decoction of this herb (sailh Diosco-
Descrift.] Our common Groundsel has > rides) made with wine, and drank, helps
a round green and somewhat brownish , the pains of the stomach, proceeding of
stalkjspreading toward the top into branches, ; choler, (which it may well do by a vomit)
set with long and somewhat nan ow green I as daily experience shews. The juice there-
leaves, cut in on the edges, somewhat like I of taken in drink, or the decoction of it in
the oak-leaves, but less, and round at the | ale, gently performs the same. It is good
end. At the tops of the branches stand \ against the jaundice and falling sickness,
many small green heads, out of which grow \ being taken in wine ; as also against dif-
several small, yellow threads or thumbs, ; ficulty of making Avater. 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 5 a dram thereof given in oxynicl, after some
away into down, and with \ the seed is • walking or stirring of the body. It helps
carried away in the wind. The root is small : also the sciatica, griping of the belly, the
and thready, and soon perishes, and as Acholic, defects of the liver, and |)rovokes
soon rises again of its own sowing, so that i women's courses. The fresh herb boiled,
A A
m THE COMPLETE HERBAL
and made into a poultice, applied to the land a gallant remedy for the inflammation
brejists of women that are swollen with pain \ of the lungs and breasts, pleurisy, scabs,
and heal, as also the privy parts of man or! itch, &c. It is under the celestial sign
woman, the seat or fundament, or the ar- i Cancer. "
teries, joints, and sinews, when they aret
inflamed and swollen, doth much ease tl>em;| artichokes.
and used with some salt, helps to dissolved . m i /t
knots or kernels in any part of the bodyJ i"^ ^^*^"f ^^\ ^'^T ^"'^^^' ""^^ °^^
The juice of the herb, or as (Dioscorides I ^^'ifg^ ^^"^ t^^^m Artichocus
saith) the leaves and flowers, with some fine \ ^ Government and virtues.} They are under
Frankincense in powder, used in wminds ofi^^^^ dommion of Venus, and therefore it is
the body, nerves or sinews, doth singularly \ ^^ ''"arvel if they provoke lust, as mdeed
help to heal them. The distilled water of ^'^7 do bemg somewhat wmdy meat;
the herb performs well all the aforesaid | ^''^ ^^^.^ *^7 ^^3^ *^^ ^"^".l""^!^^)' course of
cures, but especially for inflammations orj^^^^^^'f' seed m man which is commonly
watering of the eyes, by reason of the de J ^^"^'^ nocturnal pollutions And here I
fluxion of rheum unto them. \ ^^re not greatly if I quote a httle of Galeti's
♦ nonsense m his treatise or the faculties of
heart's-ease. I nourishment. He saith, they contain plenty
This is that herb which such physicians!?*' ^^°*^"^ juice, (which notwithstanding
as are licensed to blaspheme by authority,!.^ ^^" scarcely believe, of which he saith
without danger of having their tongues \ '^ engendered melancholy juice, and of that
burned through with an hot iron, called an j melancholy juice thin choleric biood. But,
herb of the Trinity. It is also called by 1*" proceed; this is certain, that the decoc-
those that are more moderate, Three Faces 1 f ^". °^^ *^^/^«t .^o^Jed ^ wine, or the root
in a Hood, Live in Idleness, Cull ine to P^^^/'^ed and distilled m wine m an alembic,
you; and in Sussex we call them Fancies. !*"^ ^^^"g ^''^"^' P^^^^^ ^y ""'^^ exceed-
FlaceJ] Besides those which are brought 1 ^"S'^'
up in gardens, they grow commonly wildj hart's-tongue.
in the fields, especially in such as arc very \
barren: sometimes you may find it on the 1 Descript.'] This has divers leaves arising
tops of the high hills. | from the root, every one severally, which
Time.'] They flower all the Spring and | fold themselves in their first springing and
Summer long. | spreading : when they are full grown, are
Government and virtues.'] The herb is I about a foot long, smooth and green above,
really saturnine, something cold, viscous, I 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 itiof the middle rib, with small and some-
intosyrup)is anexcellentcure 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 that antivenereals are the best cure for I each side of the middle rib, somewhat
that disease, far better and safer than to I small at the end. The root is of many
torment them with the flux, divers foreign | black threads, folded or interlaced together
physicians have confessed. The spirit of; Time."] It is green all the Winter ; but
it is excellently good for the convulsions in | new leaves spring every year.
children, as also for the falling sickness, 5 Government arid virtues.] Jupiter claims
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
m
dominron over this herb, therefore it is a
singular remedy for the liver, both to
strengthen 't when weak, and ease it when
afflicted, you shall do well to keep it in a
syrup all the year ; For though authors say
it is green all the year, I scarcely believe it.
Hart's Tongue is much commended against
the hardness and stoppings of the spleen
and liver, and against the heat of the liver
and stomach, and against lasks, and the
bloody-flux. The distilled water thereof is
also very good against the passions of the
heart, and to stay the hiccough, to help
the falling of the palate, and to stay the
bleeding of the gums, being gargled in the
mouth. Dioscorides saith, it is good against
the stinging or biting of serpents. As for
the use of it, my direction at the latter end
•will be sufficient, and enough for those that
are studious in physic, to whet their brains
upon for one year or two.
HAZEL-NUT.
Hazel Nuts are so well known to every
body, that they need no description.
Government and virtues^ They are under
the dominion of Mercury. The parted
kernels made into an electuary, or the milk
drawn from the kernels with mead or
honeyed water, is very good to help an old
cough; and being parched, and a little
pepper put to them and drank, digests the
distillations of rheum from the head. The
dried husks and shells, to the weight of two
drams, taken in red wine, stays lasks and
women's courses, and so doth the red skin
that covers the kernels, which is more ef-
fectual to stay women's courses.
And if this be true, as it is, then why
shoiild the vulgar so familiarly affirm, that
eating nuts causes shortness of breath, than
which nothing is falser ? Eor, how can that
which strengthens the lungs, cause shortness
of breath ? I confess, the opinion is far
older than I am ; I knew tradition was a
friend to error before, but never that he
was the father of slander; Or are men's
tongues so given to slander one another,
that they must slander Nuts too, to keep
their tongues in use ? If any part of the
Hazel Nut be stopping, it is the husks and
shells, and no one is so mad as to eat them,
unless physically ; and the red skin which
covers the kernel, you may easily pull off".
And so thus have I made an apology for
Nuts, which cannot speak for themselves.
HAWK-WEED.
There are several sorts of Hawk -weed,
but they are similar in virtues.
Descript.^ It has many large leaves
lying upon the ground, much rent or torn
on the sides into gashes hke Dandelion,
but with greater parts, more like the
smooth Sow Thistle, from among which
rises a hollow, rough stalk, two or three
feet high, branched from the middle up-
ward, whereo-n are set at every joint longer
leaves, little or nothing rent or cut, bearing
on them sundry pale, yellow flowers, con-
sisting of many small, narrow leaves, broad
pointed, and nicked in at the ends, set
in a double row or more, the outermost
being larger than the inner, which form
most of the Hawk-weeds (for there are
many kinds of them) do hold, which turn
into down, and with the small brown*
ish seed is blown away with the wind. The
root is long and somewhat great, with
many small fibres thereat. The whole plant
is full of bitter-milk.
Place.'] It grows in divers places about
the field sides, and the path-ways in dry
grounds.
Time.] It flowers and flies away in the
Summer months.
Government and virtues.] Saturn owns
it. Hawk-weed (saith Dioscorides) is cool-
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, | flowering, than any great wonder, since
the biting of venomous serpents, and sting- 1 the like may be found in divers other places
ing of the scorpion, if the herb be also | of this land ; as in Whey-street in Romney
outwardly applied to the place, and is very j Marsh, and near unto Nantwich in Che-
good against all other poisons. A scruple | shire, by a place called White Green, where
of the dried root given in wine and vine- 1 it flowers about Christmas and May. If
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 tlie phlegm in the chest ; Government and virtues.'] It is a tree of
or lungs, and with Hyssop helps the cough. \ Mars. The seeds in the berries beaten to
The decoction thereof, and of wild Sue- 1 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 j for the dropsy. The distilled water of the
procures rest and sleep, hinders venery | flowers stav 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 land drank, is good for inward tormenting
the diseases of the leins and bladder. Out- j pains. If cloths or sponges be wet in the
wardly applied, it is singularly good for! 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 wilh |do abide in the flesh, it will notably draw
good success in fretting or creeping ulcers, \ them forth.
especially in the beginning. The green I And thus you see the thorn gives a medi-
leaves hruised, and with a little salt ap-lcine for its own pricking, and so dotJi
plied to any place burnt with fire, before « almost every thing else,
blisters do rise, helps them ; as also in- 1
flammat'ons, St. Anthony's fire, and all j hemlock.
pushes and eruptions, hot and salt phlegm. |
The same applied with meal and fair water? Dcscript.'] The common great Hemlock
in manner of a poultice, to any place af- \ grows up with a green stalk, four or five
fected with convulsions, the cramp, and i feet high, or more, full of red spots some-
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, ofa sad
HAWTHORN | grccH colour, branched towards the lop,
I where it is full of umbels of white flowers,
It is not my intention to trouble you j and afterwards ^vith whitish flat seed : The
with a description of this tree, which is so \ root is long, white, and sometimes crooked,
well known that it needs none. It is ordi- \ and hollow within. The Avhole plant, and
narily but a hedge bush, although being! every part, has a strong, heady, and i^^
pruned and dressed, it grows to a tree of 5 savoured scent, much offending the senses
;i reasonable height. \ Place.'] It grows in all counties of this
As for the Hawthorn Tree at Glastonbury, I land, by walls and hedge-sides, in waste
which is said to flower yearly on Christmas- 'grounds and untilled places.
PLATE 10.
X. onfLroot cd. HaTwlcw^eed
Heart s Eas e
Hounds Toil,
gTie
Hert RoTaext
Mnrsh Pennywort
White Horeh-ound
Heu.l>aiic
Tmielove
HeiailoclE
THOMAS KEl.l.Y. l.OZsIDOi. 1835.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 01
Time.] It flowers and seeds in Julv, or 4
, , -' ^ - ' J 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, fhat I shall noi
it may not be applied to the privities in a \ need to write any description of it.
Priapism, or continual standing of the yard, I Time.] It is sown in the very end of
it 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 \ Government and virtues.] It is a plant of
Venus in tiiose faculties, and therefore he 1 Saturn, and good for something else, you
forbade the applying of it to those parts, 1 sec, than to make halters only. The seed
that it might not cause barrenness, or spoil j of Hemp consumes wind, and by too much
the spirit procrealive ; which if it do, yet \ use thereof disperses it so much that it
applied to the privities, it stops its lustful \ dries up the natural seed for procreation ;
thoughts. Hemlock is exceedingly cold, \ yet, being boiled in milk and taken, helps
and very dangerous, especially to be taken \ 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
fiammations, tumours, and swellings in an}' \ it with good success to those that har e the
part of the body (save the privy parts) as 1 jaundice, especially in the beginning of the
also to St. Anthony's fire, wheals, pushes, | disease, if there be no ague accompanying
and creeping ulcers that arise of hot sharp | it, for it opens obstructions of the gall, and
humours, by cooling and repelling the heat; I causes digestion of choler. The emulsion
the leaves bruised and laid to ihe brow or | or decoction of the seed stays lasks and
forehead aie good for their eyes that are red | 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
medicine : Take a small handful of this \ other places, some of the leaves being fried
herb, and half so much bay salt, beaten | with the blood of them that bleed, and so
together, and applied to the contrary wrist J 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- 1 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 Hern- | self, or the distilled water thereof doth the
look instead of Parsley, or the roots in- j 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 1 knots in the joints, the pains and shrinking
perturbation of the senses, as if they were i of the sinews, and the pains of the hips,
stupid and drunk, the remedy is (as Pliny x The fresh juice mixed with a little oil and
saith) to drink of the best and strongest j 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 di'aught of vine- 1 n t«jp
gar, wherewith Tragus doth affirm, that he j henbane.
cured a woman that had eaten the root. ' Descnpt^ Our common Henbane has
B B
92
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
very large, thick, soft, woolly leaves, lying ; found without it growing by it. Ergo, it
on the ground, much cut in, or torn on the | is an herb of Saturn. The leaves of Hei.-
pdges, of a dark, ill greyish green colour ;, bane do cool all hot inflammations in the
among which arise up divers thick and 1 eyes, or any other part of the body; and
short stalks, two or three feet high, spread
into divers small branches, with lesser leaves
on them, and many hollow flowers, scarce
appearing above the husk, and usually torn
on one side, ending in five round points,
growing one above another, of a deadish
are good to assuage all manner of swellings
of the privities, or women's breast, or else-
where, if they be boiled in wine, and either
applied themselves, or the fomentation
warm ; it also assuages the pain of the gout,
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 hvith vinegar to the forehead and temples,
therein, and of a dark, yellowish purple | helps the head-ache and want of sleep in
m
?
the bottom of the flower, with a small'ihot fevers. The juice of the herb or seed,
point of the same colour in the middle, i or the oil drawn from the seed, does the
each of them standing in a hard close husk, I like. The oil of the seed is helpful for
which after the flowers are past, grow very | deafness, noise, and worms in
like the husk of Asarabacca, and some- x being dropped therein ; the
what sharp at the top points, wherein is herb or root doth the same. The decoction
contained muchsmallseed, very like Poppy of the herb or seed, or both, kills lice in
the ears,
juice of the
seed, but of a dusky, greyish colour. The
root is great, white, and thick, branching
forth divers ways under ground, so like a
Parsnip root (but that it is not so while)
that it has deceived others. The whole plant
more than the root, has a very heavy, ill,
man or beast. The fume of the dried herli,
stalks and seed, burned, quickly heals
swellings, chilblains or kibes in the hands
or feet, by holding them in the fume there-
of. The remedy to help those that have
taken Henbane is to drink goat's milk.
soporiferous smell, somewhat offensive. | honeyed water, or pine kernels, with sweet
Place.'] It commonly grows by the way- 1 wine ; or, in the absence of these. Fennel
sides, and under hedge-sides and walls. jseed. Nettle seed, the seed of Cresses,
Time.l It flowers in July, and springs | 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. idue temper again.
Government and virtues?^ I w^onder how | Take notice, that this herb must never
astrologers could lake on them to make this ; be taken inwardly ; outwardly, an oil oinl-
an herb of Jupiter; and yet Mizaldus, ajment, or plaister of it, is most admirable
man of a penetrating brain, was of that? for the gout, to cool the veneral heat of the
opinion as well as the rest ; the herb is in- \ 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-| ^^^^^ ^^^.^^^^^
bane delights most to grow m saturnmej
places, and whole cart loads of it may be| Diverrs sorts there are of this plant;
found near the places where they empty the \ the first of which is an Italian by birth, and
conimon Jakes, and scarce a ditch to be { only nursed up here in the gardens of the
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
98
curious. Two or three sorts are found com- 1
monly growing wild here, the description |
of two of which I shall give you. »
Descript.'] The first is a smooth, lowf
plant, not a foot high, very bitter in taste, \
with many square stalks, diversly branched 1
from the bottom to the top, with divers^
joints, and two small leaves at each joint, »
broader at the bottom than they are at the \
end, a little dented about the edges, of a;
sad green colour, and full of veins. The I
flowers stand at the joints, being of a fair x
purple colour, with some white spots in |
them, in fashion like those of dead nettles. \
The seed is small and yellow, and the roots I
spread much under ground. \
The second seldom grows half a footj
high, sending up many small branches, >
whereon grow many small leaves, set one |
against the other, somewhat broad, but|
very short. The flowers are like the flowers i
of the other fashion, but of a pale reddish |
colour. The seeds are small and yellowish. \
The root spreads like the other, neither will \
it yield to its fellow one ace of bitterness. I
Placed] They grow in wet low grounds, \
and by the water-sides ; the last may be j
found among the bogs on Hampstead Heath.
Time.'] They flower in June or July, \
and the seed is ripe presently after. |
Government and virtues.] They are herbs I
o£ Mars, and as choleric and churlish as \
he is, being most violent purges, especially \
of choler and })hlegm. It is not safe taking |
them inwardly, unless they be well rectified *
by the art of the alchymist, and only the |
purity of them given ; so used they may be \
very helpful both for the dropsy, gout, |
and sciatica ; outwardly used in ointments |
they kill worms, the belly anointed with it, |
and are excellently good to cleanse old and I
filthy ulcers \
BLACK HELLEBORE. \
S
\
It is also called Setter-wort, Setter-grass, \
Bear's -foot, Christmas-herb, and Christmas-
flowers.
Descript.] It hath sundry fair green
leaves rising from the root, each of them
standing about an handful high from the
earth; each leaf is divided into seven, eight,
or nine parts, dented from the middle of
the leaf to the point on both sides, abiding
green all the Winter; about Christmas-
time, if the weather beany thing temperate,
the flowers appear upon foot stalks, also
consisting of five large, round, white leaves
a-piece, which sometimes are purple towards
the edges, with many pale yellow thumbs
in the middle ; the seeds are divided into
several cells, like those of Columbines,
save only that they are greater ; the seeds
are in colour black, and in form long and
round. The root consists of numberless
blackish strings all united into one head.
There is another Black Hellebore, which
grows up and down in the woods very like
this, but only that the leaves are smaller
and narrower, and perish in the Winter,
which this doth not.
Place.] The first is maintained in gar-
dens. The second is commonly found in
the woods in Northamptonshire.
Time.] The first flowers in December
or January ; the second in February or
March.
Government and virtues.] It is an herb of
Saturn, and therefore no marvel if it has
some sullen conditions with it, and would
be far safer, being purified by the art of the
alchymist than given raw. If any have
taken any harm by taking it, the common
cure is to take goat's milk : If you cannot
get goat's milk, you must make a shift with
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
falling sickness, the leprosy, both the yel-
low and black jaundice, the gout, sciatica,
and convulsions; and this was found out
94
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
by experience, that the root of that which $
grows wild in our country, works not so I
churhshly as those do which are brought \
from beyond sea, as being maintained by \
a more temperate air. The root used as j
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 shall
forbear.
HERB ROBERT.
The Herb Robert is held in great esti-
mation by farmers, who use it in diseases
of their cattle.
Descript.] 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
live 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.
Tlace.~\ This grows frequently every |
where by the way -sides, upon ditch Vjanks |
and waste grounds wheresoever one goes. \
Time^ It flowers in June and Julyj
chiefly, and the seed is ripe shortly after. |
Government and virtues^ It is under the |
dominion of Venus. Herb Robert is com- j
mended not only against the stone, bat to 5
stay blood, where or howsoever flowing , it
speedily heals all green wounds, and is
effectual in old ulcers in the privy parts, or
elsewhere. You may persuade yourself
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.
Descript.'] Orbinary 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, otherwise seldom so high,
'oearing 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 tops 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,
and sometimes in the corners or borders of
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
1)5
fields, and waste grounds in very many s Hyssop boiled with rue and honey, and
p»laces of this land, and abundantly in the j drank, helps those that are troubled with
woods, copses, and other places about « coughs, shortness of breath, wheezing and
Chislehurst and Maidstone in Kent. « rheumatic distillation upon the lungs; taken
Time.'\ They spring up in the middle of I also with oxymel, 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 May, ; the belly ; and with fresh and new figs
and in some places in June. | bruised, helps to loosen the belly, and more
Government and virtues.^ Venus owns it; I forcibly if the root of Flower-de-luce and
the leaves or berries hereof are effectual tojcies^es be added thereto. It amends and
expel poison of all sorts, especially that of | cherishes the native colour of the body,
the aconites; as also, the plague, and other | spoiled by the yellow jaundice; and being
pestilential disorders; Mattbiolus saith, that 5 taken with figs and nitre, helps the dropsy
some that have lain long in a lingering sick- 1 and spleen; being boiled with wine, it is
ness, and others that by witchcraft (as it I 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 I that come by strokes, bruises, or falls, being
in powder every day for 20 days together, | applied with warm water. It is an excellent
were restored to their former health. The j medicine for the quinsy, or swellings in
roots in powder taken in wine eases the i the throat, to wash and gargle it, being
pains of the cholic speedily. The leaves I boiled in figs; it helps the tooth-ache, being
are very efl^ectual as well for green wounds, s 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 { a funnel in at the ears, eases the inflamma-
all tumours and swellings in the privy i tions and singing noise of them. Being
parts, the groin, or in any part of the body, I bruised, and salt, honey, and cummin seed
and speedily to allay all inflammations. [ put to it, helps those that are stung by
The juice of the leaves applied to felons, or 4 serpents. The oil thereof (the head being
those nails of the hands or toes that have i anointed) kills lice, and takes away itching
imposthumes or sores gathered together at j of the head. It helps those that have the
the roots of them, heals them in a short j falling sickness, which way soever it be
space. The herb is not to be described fori applied. It helps to expectorate tough
the premises, but is fit to be nourished in | phlegm, and is effectual in all cold griefs
every good woman's g^arden.
HYSSOP.
! or diseases of the chests or lungs, being
; taken either in syrup or licking medicine,
I The green herb bruised and a little sugar
Hyssop is so Avell known to be an inha-lput thereto, doth quickly heal any cut or
bilant in every garden, that it will save me | green wounds, being thereunto applied,
labour in writing a description thereof. The j
virtues are as follow. \ hops.
Gove7vitne?it and virtues.'] I'he herb is \
Jupiter's,and the sign Cancer. It strengthens 5 These are so well known that they need
all the parts of the body under Cancer and | no description ; I mean the manured kind,
Jupiter; which what they may be, is found j which every good husband or housevi^ife is
amply described in my astrological judg- 1 acquainted wi
inent of diseases. Dioscorides saith, that ' Descript.l '
th.
ipt.] The wild hop grows up as the
c c
96
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
other doth, ramping upon trees or hedges,
that stand next to them, with rough branches
and leaves hkc the former, but it gives
smaller heads, and in far less, plenty than
it, so that there is scarcely a head or two
seen in a year on divers of this wild kind,
wherein consists the chief difference.
Flace.^ They delight to grow in low
moist grounds, and are found in all parts
of this land.
Time.^ They spring not until April, and
flower not until the latter end of June ; the
heads are not gathered until the middle or
latter end of September.
Governme?d and virtues.'\ It is under the
dominion of Mars. This, in physical
operations, is to open obstructions of the
liver and spleen, to cleanse the blood, to
loosen the belly, to cleanse the reins from
gravel, and provoke urine. The decoc-
tion of the tops of Hops, as well of the
tame as the wild, works the same effects.
In cleansing the blood they help to cure
the French diseases, and all manner of
scabs, itch, and other breakings-out of the
body ; as also all tetters, ringworms, and
spreading sores, the morphew and all dis-
colouring of the skin. The decoction of
the flowers and hops, do help to expel
poison that any one hath drank. Half a
dram of the seed in powder taken in drink,
kills worms in the body, brings down
women's courses, and expels urine. A syrup
made of the juice and sugar, cures the yel-
low jaundice, eases the head-ache thatcomes
of heat, and tempers the heat of the liver
and stomach, and is profitably given in
long and hot agues that rise in choler and
blood. Both the wild and the manured
are of one property, and alike effectual in
all the aforesaid diseases. By all these
testimonies beer appears to be better than
ale.
Mars owns the plant, and then Dr. Rea-
son will tell you how it performs these
actions.
HOREHOUND.
There are two kinds of Horehound.
the white and the black The black sor
is likewise called Hen-bit ; but the white
one is here spoken of
Descript.'] Common Horehound grows
up with square hairy stalks, half a yard or
two feet high, set at the joints with tv/o
round crumpled rough leaves of a sullen
hoary green colour, of a reasonable good
scent, but a very bitter taste. The flovvers
are small, white, and gaping, set in a rough,
hard prickly husk round about the joints,
with the leaves from the middle of the
stalk upward, wherein afterward is found
small round blackish seed. The root is
blackish, hard and woody, with many
strings, and abides many years.
Place.l It is found in many parts of
this land, in dry grounds, and waste green
places.
7/w/e.] It flowers in July, and the seed
is ripe in August.
Government and virtues^ It is an herl
of Mercury. A decoction of the dried
herb, with the seed, or the juice of tlu
green herb taken with hone}'^, is a remed)
for those that are short-winded, have a
cough, or are fallen into a consumption,
either through long sickness, or thin dis-
tillations of rheum upon the lungs. It helps
to expectorate tough phlegm from the chest,
being taken from the roots of Iris or Orris.
It is given to women to bring down their
courses, to expel the after-birth, and to
them that have taken poison, or are slung
or bitten by venemous serpents. The leaves
used with honey, purge foul ulcers, stay
running or creeping sores, and the growing
of the flesh over the nails. It also helps
pains of the sides. The juice thereof with
wine and honey, helps to clear the eye-
sight, and snuffed up into the nostrils,
purges away the yellow-jaundice, and with
a little oil of roses dropped into the ears,
A]SD ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 9/
eases the pains of them. Galen saith, it| Time.'} They spring up in April, and
opens obstructions both of the liver and j their blooming catkins in July, seeding for
spleen, and purges the breast and lungs of | the most part in August, and tl\en perish
phlegm : and used outwardly it both i down to the ground, rising afresh in the
cleanses and digests. A decoction of Hore- \ Spring,
hound (saith Matthiolus) is available fori Gaoemment and virtues.'] The herb be-
those that have hard livers, and for such as \ longs to Saturn, yet is very harmless, and
have itches and running tetters. The pow- j excellently good for the things following:
der liereof taken, or the decoction, kills 1 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 is very powerful to
nient, heals the biting of dogs, abates the | staunch bleeding either inward or outward,
swellings and pains that come by any | the juice or the decoction thereof being
pricking of thorns, or such like nieans; 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 land bloody urine ; and heals also not only
coughs, to rid the tough phlegm; as also | the inward idcers, and the excoriation oi
to void cold rheums from the lungs of old) the entrails, bladder, &c. but all other sorts
folks, and for those that are asthmatic or | of foul, moist and running ulcers, and soon
short-winded. J solders together the tops of green wounds,
„^„„^^.^^ I It cures all ruptures in children. The de-
HORSETAIL. ) .• .1 r • • 1 • ,1
I coction thereof in wme being drank, pro-
Of that there are many kinds, but I shall \ vokes urine, and helps the stone and stran-
not trouble you nor myself with any large jguary; and the distilled water thereof drank
description of them, which to do, were j 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 | and is 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 1 or distilled water being warmed, and hot
the most eminent sort as follows. j inflammations, pustules or red wheals, and
Descript.] The great Horsetail at the j other breakings-out in the skin, being
first springing has heads somewhat like | bathed therewith, doth help them, and doth
thoseofasparagus,and afterwards growtobej no less the swelling heat and inflammation
hard, rough, hollow stalks, jointed at sundry ? of 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 the! houseleek or sengkeen
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 \ countrymen, that I shall not need to write
resembling a horsetail, from whence it is so | any description of them,
called. At the tops of the stalks come^^ Place.'] It grows commonly upon walls
forth small catkins, like those of trees. The j and house-sides, and flowers in July,
root creeps under ground, having joints at$ Government and virtues.] It is an herb
sundry places. s of Jupiter, and it is reported by Mczaldus,
Place^^ This (as most of the other sorts ; to preserve what it grows upon from fire
hereofj grows in wet grounds. Und lightning. Our ordinary Houseleek is
98
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
good for all inward heats as well as out- which consist of small purplish red leaves
ward, and in the eyes or other parts of the of a dead colour, rising out of the husks
body; a posset made with the juice of » wherein they stand with some threads in
Houseleek, is singularly good in all hot! the middle. It has sometimes a white
agues, for it cools and tempers the blood | flower. After the flowers are past, there
and spirits, and quenches the thirst ; and \ comes rough flat seed, with a small pointle
also good to stay all hot deductions or sharp \ in the middle, easily cleaving to any gar-
and salt rheums in the eyes, the juice being >ment tliat it touches, and not so easily
dropped into them, or into the ears. | pulled oft' again. The root is black, thick,
Jt 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 I scent, as the leaves also do.
inflammations, St. Anthony's fire, scald- 1 Place.'] It grows in moist places of this
ings and burnings, the shingles, fretting i land, in waste grounds, and untillect places,
ulcers, cankers, tettors, ringworms, and the! by highway sides, lanes, and hedge-sides,
like ; and much eases ihe pains of the goutj Time.] It flowers about May or June,
proceeding from any hot cause. The juice | and the seed is ripe shortly after,
also takes away worts and corns in thej Government and virtues.'] It is a plant
hands or feet, being often bathed therewith, \ under the dominion of Mercury. The root
and the skin and leaves being laid on them 1 is very effectually used in pills, as well as
afterwards. It eases also the head-ache, \ the decoction, or otherwise, to stay all sharp
and distempered heat of the brain in and thin defluxions of rheum from the head
frenzies, or t-tirough want of sleep, being ; into the eyes or nose, or upon the stomach
applied to the temples and forehead. The ; or lungs, as also for coughs and shortness
leaves bruised and laid upon the crown or; of breath. The leaves boiled in wine (saith
seam of the head, stays bleeding at the nose i Dioscorides, but others do rather appoint it
very quickly. The distilled water of the : to be made with water, and add thereto
herb is profitable for all the purposes afore- 1 oil and salt) molifies or opens the belly
said. The leaves being gently rubbed on
downwards. It also helps to cure the biting
any place stung with nettles or bees, doth | of a mad dog, some of the leaves being also
quickly take away the pain. t applied to the wound : The leaves bruised,
i or the juice of them boiled in hog's lard,
J and applied, helps falling away of the hair,
Descript.~\ The great ordinary Hound's i 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 '^louble cloth,
and thereof a suppository made, and put
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 j up into or applied to the fundament, doth
a small leaf at the foot of every brancli,; verj effectually help the painful pfles or
which is somewhat long, with man}'^ flowers i heemorrhoids. The distilled water of the
set along the same, which branch is crooked « herbs and roots is very good to all the pur-
er turned inwards before it flowers, and \ poses aforesaid, to be used as well inwardly
opens by degrees as the flowers blow, 5 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 the
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 I small rownd heads, wherein is contained
dogs from barking at you. It is called I small blackish seed smelling like rosin.
Hound's-tongue, because it ties the tongues: The root is hard and woody, with divers
of hounds ; whether true, or not, I never | strings and fibres at it, of a brownish colour,
tried, yet I cured the biting of a mad dog « which abides in the ground many years,
..,;»u *k;„ «„Kr r^-.^A,r,ir,r. I shooting anew every Spring.
: Place.l This grows in woods and copses,
as Avell those that are shady, as open to the
sun.
Time.'] They flower about Midsummer
and July, and their seed is ripe in the latter
end of July or August.
Government and virtues.] It is under the
celestial sign Leo, and the dominion of the
Sun. It may be, if you meet a Papist, he
will tell you, especially if he be a lawyer,
that St. John made it over to him by a
letter of attorney. It is a singular wound
herb ; boiled in wine and drank, it heals
inward hurts or bruises ; made into an oint-
with this only medicine
HOLLY, HOLM, OR HULVEB BUSH.
For to describe a tree so well known is
needless.
Government and virtues.] The tree is
Saturnine. The berries expel wind, and
therefore are held to be profitable in the
cholic. The berries have a strong faculty
with them ; for if you eat a dozen of them
in the morning fasting when they are ripe
and not dried, they purge the body of gross
and clammy phlegm : but if you dry the
berries, and beat them into powder, they
bind the body, and stop fluxes, bloody
fluxes, and the terms in women. The bark ment, it open obstructions, dissolves swell-
of the tree, and also the leaves, are excel- jings, and closes up the lips of wounds. The
iently good, being used in fomentations for j decoction of the herb and flowers, especi-
broken 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. 1 those that are bitten or stung by any veno-
, Imous creature, and for those that cannot
ST. JOHNS WORT. i^^ ^^,^^^^ rj.^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^
This is a very beautiful shrub, and is j St. John's Wort made into powder, and
a great ornament to our meadows. \ drank in a little broth, doth gently expel
Descript.] Common St. John's Wort ^ choler or congealed blood in the stomach,
shoots forth brownish, upright, hard, round I 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: alters the fits, and, by often using, doth
another at every place, which a-re 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 i
to the light ; at the tops of the stalks and \
branches stand yellow flowers of five leaves | It is so well known to every child
D D
100 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
almost, to grow in woods upon the trees, f and nose, and curing the ulcers and stench
and upon the stone walls of churches, | therein ; the same dropped into the ears,
houses, &c. and sometimes to grow alone ofi 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 | 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
Govemmtnt and virtues!] It is under the | it be drank. Cato saith. That wine put
dominion of Saturn, A pugil of the flowers, | into such a cup, will soak through it, by
which may be about a dram, (saith Diosco- j reason of the antipathy that is between
corides) drank twice a day in red wine, i them.
helps the lask, and bloody flux. It is an j There seems to be a very great antipathy
enemy to the nerves and sinews, being | between wine and Ivy ; for if one halh got
much taken inwardly, but very helpful | a surfeit by drinking of wine, his speediest
to them, being outwardly applied. PHny jcure is to drink a draught of the same wine
saith, the yellow berries are good against ; 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 that | juniper bush.
the white berries being taken inwardly, or; 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 | Flace^ 'I'hey grow plentifully in divers
to prevent the plague, as also to I'ree them \ woods in Kent, Warney connnon near
from it that have got it, by drinking the I Brentv/ood in Essex, upon Finchley Com-
berries thereof made into a powder, for two I mon without Highgate ; hard by the New-
er three days together. They being taken | found Wells near Dulwich, upon a Common
in wine, do certainly help to break the! between Mitcham and Croydon, in the
stone, provoke urine, and women's courses. 1 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 \ Time.] The berries are not ripe the first
are troubled with the spleen, ache, or stitch | year, but continue green two Summers and
in the sides, do give much ease : The same j one Winter before they are ripe ; at which
applied with some Rosewater, and oil of | 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- 1 bush green berries ; the berries are ripe
tinuance. The fresh leaves boiled in Avine, I about the fall of the leaf,
and old filthy ulcers hard to be cured x Government and virtues.] This admirable
washed therewith, do wonderfully help to ; solar shrub is scarce to be paralleled for its
cleanse them. It also quickly heals green ? virtues. The berries are hot in the third
wounds, and is effectual to heal all burnings I degree, and dry but in the first, being a
and scaldings, and all kinds of exulcera-l most admirable counter-poison, and as great
tions coming thereby, or by salt phlegm or | a resister of the pestilence, as any growing ;
humours in other parts of the body. The j they are excellent good against the bitings
juice of the berries or leaves snuffed up into 5 of venomous beasts, they provoke urine
the nose, purges the head and brain of thin \ exceedingly, and therefore are very avail-
rheum that makes defluxions into the eyes ; able to dysuries and stranguaries. It is so
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 10!
powerful a remedy against the dropsy, that ; on, usually not round as those below, but
the very lye made of the ashes of the herb ; somewhat long, and divided at the edges :
being drank, cures the disease. It provokes 1 the tops are somewhat divided into long
ihe terras, helps the fits of the mother, | 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; whitish green colour, after which come
body, or the cholic, than the chymical oil j 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- ; plentifully spring up before Winter, if it
mical oil, may content themselves by eating I have moisture. The root is round and most
ten or a dozen of the ripe berries every I usually smooth, greyish without, and white
morning fasting. They are admirably good ; within, having small fibres at the head of
for a cough, shortness of breath, and con- ; the root, and bottom of the stalk,
sumption, pains in the belly, ruptures, j Place.'] It grows very plentifully in
cramps, and convulsions. They give safe | many places of this land, but especially in
and speedy delivery to women with child, I all the west parts thereof, upon stone and
they strengthen the brain exceedingly, help | 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- ; old trees, and sometimes on the bodies of
lently good in all sorts of agues ; help the i them that are decayed and rotten,
gout and sciatica, and strengthen the limbs | 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 or
to rui) their gums with. The berries stay | May, usually the stalks and leaves are
all fluxes, help the haemorrhoids or piles, ; withered, dry, and gone until September,
and kill worms in children. A lye made i 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 xiiiues.] 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. | heats, to cool a fainting hot stomach, a hot
\ liver, or the bowels : the herb, iuice, or dis-
KIDNEYWORf, OR WALL PENNYROYAL, | ^jj,^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ OUtwardly applied,
OR WALL PENNYWORT. j heals pimplcs, St. Authon/s fire; and Other
Descript.] It has many thick, flat, and ! outward heats. The said juice or water
round leaves growing frotn the root, every * 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 J and helps to break the stone. Being used
edges, of a pale green colour, and some- j as a bath, or made into an ointment, it
what yellow on the upper side like a sau- 1 cools the painful piles or haeraorrhoida.
cer ; from among which arise one or more 5 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
high, with two or three small leaves there- \ 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 I
thereof, and some of the skin of the leaf |
upon them: it is also used in green wounds j
to stay the blood, and to heal them quickly. |
KNAPWEED. I
DescriptJ] The common sort hereof j
has many long and somewhat dark green x
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 Avhereof 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 -vvithered
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, Avith-
out sharpness; it doth the like to lunning
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.
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 J^ It grows in most fields and mea-
dows, and about their borders and hedges, \
and in many Avaste grounds also every'
where.
Time.~\ It usually flowers m 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 5
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 i
and lungs ; it is good for those that are \
bruised by any fall, blows or otherwise, and \
is profitable for those that are bursten, and |
have ruptures, by drinking the decoction |
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 tlie heat of the blood
and stomach, and to stay any flux of the
blood and humours, as lasks, bloody-flux,
women's courses, and rutining of the reins.
It is singularly good to provoke urine, help
the stranguary, and allays the heat that
comes thereby ; and is powerful bj' 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 to those that are stung
or bitten by venemous creatures, and very
effectual to slay all defluxions of rheumatic
humours upon the stomach, and kills worms
r.I.ATI:'. II,
"^ ""
Kn i\ p^\'c (' (I
l.iidvs Mantle
L ad-s'Siuo rit
Sea Lavendei
Waicr Lils
-.itj Lio r ic c
■strife Of WlUow licrl)
Live I- Wort
LUv of tltp V'nU
'iliUMAH KKLI.V. L0;NB0N . 1835 .
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
lod
in tne belly or stomach, quiets inward pains |
that arise from the heat, sharpness and cor- \
ruption of blood and choler. The distilled I
water hereof taken by itself or with the \
powder of the herb or seed, is very effectual |
to all the purposes aforesaid, and is ac- I
counted one of the most sovereign remedies :
to cool all manner of inflammations, break- j
ing out through heat, hot swellings and |
imposthumes, gangrene and fistulous can-
kers, or foul filthy ulcers, being applied
or put into them ; but especially for all
sorts of ulcers and sores happening in the
privy parts of men and women. It helps
all fresh and green wounds, and speedily
heals them. The juice dropped into the!
ears, cleanses them being foul, and having i
running matter in them. i
It is very prevalent for the premises ; as i
also for broken joints and ruptures.
ladies' mantle.
Descript.'] It has many leaves rising
from the root standing upon long hairy
foot-stalks, being almost round, and a little
cut on the edges, into eight or ten parts,
making it seem like a star, with so many
corners and points, and dented round about,
of a light green colour, somewhat hard in
handling, and as it were folded or plaited
at first, and then crumpled in divers places,
and a little hairy, as the stalk is also, which
rises up among then) to the height of two
or three feet ; and being weak, is not able
to stand upright, but bended to the ground,
divided at the top into two or three small
Oranches, with small yellowish green heads,
and flowers of a whitish colour breaking out
of them ; which being past, there comes a
small yellowish seed like a poppy seed :
The root is somewhat long and black, with
many strings and fibres thereat.
Place.'] It grows naturally in many pas-
tures and wood sides in Hertfordshire,
Wiltshire, and Kent, and other places of
this land.
Time.'] It flowers in May and June,
abides after seedtime green all the Winter
Govemmtnt and virtues.] Venus claims
the herb as her own. Ladies' Mantle it
very proper for those wounds that have in-
flammations, and is very effectual to stay
bleeding, vomitings, fluxes of all sorts,
bruises by falls or otherwise, and helps rup-
tures ; and such women as have large
breasts, causing them to grow less and hard
being both drank and outwardly applied ;
the distilled water drank for 20 days toge-
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.
It is one of the most singular wound herbs
that is, and therefore highly prized and
praised by the Germans, who use it in all
wounds inward and outward, to drink a de-
coction thereof, and wash the wounds there-
with, or dip tents therein, and put them
into the wounds, which wonderfully dries
up all humidity of the sores, and abates in-
flammations tnerein. It quickly heals all
green wounds, not suffering any corruption
to remain behind, and cures all old sores,
ihough fistulous and hollow.
LAVENDER.
Being an inhabitant almost m every
garden, it is so well known, that it needs no
description.
Time.] It flowers about the end of June,
and beginning of July.
Government and virtues.] Mercury owns
the herb; and it carries his effects very po-
tently. Lavender is of a special good use
for all the griefs and pains of the head and
brain that proceed of a cold cause, as the
apoplexy, falling-sickness, the dropsy, or
sluggish malady, cramps, convulsions,
palsies, and often faintings. It strengthens
the stomach, and frees the liver and spleen
from obstructions, provokes women's courses,
and expels the dead child and after-birth.
The 'flowers of Lavender steeped in wine,
£ £
104 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
helps them to make water that are stopped, i Descript.'\ The root is composed of many
or are troubled with the wind or cholic, if j small while threads from whence spring up
the place be bathed therewith. A decoc- > divers long stalks of winged leaves, consist-
tion made with the flowers of Lavender, | ing of round, tender, dark, green leaves,
Hore-hound, Fennel and Asparagus root, | 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- 1 green stalks, somewhat streaked, with lon-
gle the mouth with the decoction thereof*, ger and smaller leaves upon them ; on the
is good against the tooth-ache. Two I tops of which stand flowers, almost like the
spoonfuls of the distilled water of the | Stock Gilliflowers, but rounder, and not so
flowers taken, helps them that have lost j long, of a blushing Avhite colour; the seed
their voice, as also the tremblings and pas- 1 is reddish, and grows to small branches,
sions of the heart, and faintin^s and swoon- \ being of a sharp biting taste, and so has the
ing, not only being drank, but applied to 5 herb.
the temp'ies, or nostrils to be smelled unto ; ; Place.'] They grow in moist places, and
but it is not safe to use it where the body is i near to brooksides.
replete with blood and humours, because of; Time.'] They flower in April and May,
the hot and subtile spirits wherewith it island the lower leaves continue green all the
possessed. The chymical oil drawn from i Winter.
Lavender, usually called Oil of Spike, is of: 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 | inferior to Water Cresses in all their opera-
sufficient, to be given with other things, 5 tions ; they are excellently good for the
either for inward or outward griefs. i scurvy, they provoke urine, and break the
LAVENDER-COTTON. intone, and excellently warm a cold and
T , • J V- u T 1 II 'weak stomach, restormg lost appetite, and
It bemg a common garden herb, 1 siia].l| u 1 i- *•
forbear the description, only take notice, 5
that it flowers in June and July. j lettuce.
Government and virtues:] It is under the ; j^ j^ ^^ ^^^jl ^^ ^^ generally used
dominion of Mercury. It resists poison, { ^ ^ g^j,^^_j^^^j^ ^^^^ j^ ^^ altogether need-
putrefaction, and heals the biting of veno- j^^^ ^^ ^^^-^^ description theFeof
mous beasts : A dram of the powder of the 5 Q,^,,,,„,,^t and virtues.] The Moon
dried leaves taken every morning fasting ; ^^^^^^ ^j^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^-^^ the reason they cool
stops the runmng of the reins in men, and ,^^j ^^^^^^^^ ^^l^^^ 1^^^^ ^^^ dryness Mars
whites in women. The seed beaten into | ^^^^^^j ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ j^^^ j^i^ ^^,1 -^ Can-
powder, and taken as worm-seed, kilsthe:^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^,^^ ,^^.^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^
worms, not only in children but also in|g^^^ ^^,^^ ■ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^j^^ ^^^
people o nper years ; the like doth the>.^ ^ reception in the generation of men, as
herbitselt being steeped in milk and the| ^^ ^^^ ^^^ i„ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^Nomen.
milk drank; the body bathed with the de- fj,^^^ --^^ of Lettuce mixed or boiled with
coction of It, helps scabs and itch. | qjj ^^ j^^^^^^ ^pp,i^^ ^^ ^^^ forehead and
LADIES-SMOCK, OR cucKO w-FLo WER. 5 tcmplcs procurcs slccp, and cascs the hcad-
This is a very pretty ornament to the 5 ache proceeding of an hot cause: Being
sides of most meadows. 1 eaten boiled, it helps to loosen the belly.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
105
It helps digestion, quenches thirst, in-
creases milk in nurses, eases griping pains in
the stomach or bowels, that come of choJer.
Applied outwardly to the region of the
heart, liver or reins, or by bathing the said
places with the juice of distilled water,
wherein some white Sanders, or red Roses
are put ; not only represses the hc^at and
inflammations therein, but comforts and
strengthens those parts, and also tempers
the heat of urine. Galen advises old men
to use it with spice ; and where spices are
wanting, to add Mints, Rochet, and such
like hot herbs, or else Citron Lemon, or
Orange seeds, to abate the cold of one and
heat of the other. The seed and distilled
water of the Lettuce work the same effects
in all things ; but the use of Lettuce is
chiefly forbidden to those that are short-
winded, or have any imperfection in the
lungs, or spit blood.
WATER LILY.
Of these there are two principally noted
kinds, viz. the White and the Yellow.
Descript.'] The White Lily has very
large and thick dark green leaves lying on
the water, sustained by long and thick
foot-stalks, that arise from a great, thick,
round, and long tuberous olack root
spongy or loose, with many knobs thereon,
green on the outside, but as white as snow
within, consisting of divers rows of long
and somewhat thick and narrow leaves,
smaller and thinner the more inward they
be, encompassing a head with many yel-
low threads or thrums in the middle; where,
after they are past, stand round Poppy-like
heads, full of broad oily and bitter seed.
The yellow kind is little different from
the former, save only that it has fewer
leaves on the flowers, greater and more
shining seed, and a whitish root, both with-
in and without. The root of both is some-
what sweet in taste.
Place.'\ They are found growing in
great pools, and standing waters, and some-
times in slow running rivers, and lesser
ditches of water, in sundry places of this
land.
Time.'] They flower most commonly
about the end of May, and their seed is
ripe in August.
Government and virtues.'] The herb is
under the dominion of the Moon, and there-
fore cools and moistens like the former.
The leaves and flowers of the Water Lilies
are cold and moist, but the roots and seeds
are cold and dry ; the leaves do cool all
inflammations, both outward and inward
heat of agues ; and so doth the flowers
also, either by the syrup or conserve;
the syrup helps much to procure rest,
and to settle the brain of frantic per-
sons, by coohng the hot distemperature
of the head. The seed as well as the root
is effectual to stay fluxes of blood or
humours, either of wounds or of the belly ;
but the roots are most used, and more ef-
fectual to cool, bind, and restrain all fluxes
in man or woman. The root is likewise
very good for those whose urine is hot and
sharp, to be boiled in wine and Avater, and
the decoction drank. The distilled water
of the flowers is very effectual for all the
diseases aforesaid, both inwardly taken,
and outwardly applied ; and is much com-
mended to take away freckles, spots, sun-
burn, and morphew from the face, or other
parts of the body. The oil made of the
flowers, as oil of Roses is made, is profitably
used to cool hot tumours, and to ease the
pains, and help the sores.
LILY or THE VALLEY.
Called also Conval Lily, Male Lilyi
and Lily Confancy.
Descript.] The root is small, and creeps
far in the ground, as grass roots do. The
leaves are many, against which rises up a
stalk half a foot high, with many white
flowers, like little bells with turned edges
106 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
of a strong, though pleasing smell ; the j birth. The root roasted, and mixed with a
berries are red, not much unlike those of I little hog's grease, makes a gallant poultice
Asparagus.
to lipen and break plague-sores. The
Place.'] They grow plentifully upon: ointment is excellently good for swellings
Ham pstead- Heath, and many other places; in the privities, and will cure burnings and
in this nation. scaldings without a scar, and trimly deck a
Time.'] They flower in May, and the ^ blank place with hair,
seed is ripe in September. j
Government and virtues i] It is under the j liquorice.
dominion of Mercury, and therefore it; Descript.] Our English Liquorice rise?,
strengthens the brain, recruits a weak [ up with divers woody stalks, whereon are
memory, and makes it strong agam : The | set at several distances many narrow, lomy,
distilled water dropped into the eyes, helps | 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 I from the seed. This by many years con-
speech, helps the palsy, and is excellently 1 tinuance in a place without removing, and
good in the apoplexy, comforts the heart > not else, will bring forth flowers, many
and vital spirits. Gerrard saith, that the | standing together spike fashion, one above
flowers being close stopped up in a glass, \ another upon the stalk, of the form of pease
put 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 | smooth cods, wherein is contained a small,
the gout. I round, hard seed : The roots run down ex-
WHiTE LILIES | cccdiug deep into die ground, with divers
I other small roots and fibres growing with
It were in vain to describe a plant so! 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, led, of a brownish colour on the outside,
but what they are good for. | and yellow within.
Goveimment and virtues.] They are under ! Tlace.] It is planted in fields and gar-
the dominion of the Moon, and by anti-idens, in divers places of this land, and
pathy to Mars expel poison ; they are ex- \ 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 : | figs, makes a good drink for those that have
The juice of it being tempered with barley | a dry cough or hoarseness, wheezing or
meal, baked, and so eaten for ordinary [shortness of breath, and for all the griefs of
bread, is an excellent cure for the dropsy : j the breast and lungs, phthisic or consump-
An ointment made of the root, and hog's Itions caused by the distillation of sail
grease, is excellently good for scald heads, x humours on them. It is also good in all
unites the sinews when they are cut, and I pains of the reins, the stranguary, and heat
cleanses ulcers. The root boiled in any i of urine : The fine powder of Liquorice
convenient decoction, gives speedy delivery ; blown through a quill into the eyes that
to women in travail, and expels the after- i have a pin and web (as they call it) oi
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
107
rheumatic distillations in them, doth cleanse
and help them. The juice of Liciuorice is
as eft'ectual in all the diseases of the breast
and lungs, the reins and bladder, as the
decoction. The juice distilled in Rose-
water, with some Gum Tragacanth, is a fine
licking medicine for hoarseness, wheez-
ing, &c.
LIVERWORT.
There are, according to some botanists,
upwards of three hundred different kinds
of Liverwort.
Descript.'\ Common Liverwort grows
close, and spreads much upon the ground
in moist and shady places, with many small
green leaves, or rather (as it were) sticking
flat to one another, very unevenly cut m on
the edges, and crumpled ; from among
which arise small slender stalks, an inch or
two high at most, bearing small star-like
flowers at the top ; the roots are very fine
and small.
Government and virtues^ It is under the
dominion of Jupiter, and under the sign
Cancer. It is a singularly good herb for
all the diseases of the liver, both to cool
and cleanse it, and helps the inflammations
in any pari, and the yellow jaundice like-
wise. Being bruised and boiled in small
beer, and drank, it cools the heat of the
liver and kidneys, and helps the running of
the reins in men, and the whites in women ;
it is a singular remedy to stay the spreading
of tetters, ringworms, and other fretting and
running sores and scabs, and is an excellent
remedy for such whose livers are corrupted
by surfeits, which cause their bodies to
break out, for it fortifies the liver exceed-
ingly, and makes it impregnable.
LOOSESTRIFE OR WILLOW-HERB.
Descript.'] Common yellow Loosestrife
grows to be four or five feet high, or more,
with great round stalks, a little crested,
diversly branched from the middle of them
to the tops into great and long branches,
on all which, at the joints, there grow long
and narrow leaves, but broader below, and
usually two at a joint, yet sometimes three
or four, somewhat like willow leaves, smooth
on the edges, and of a fair green colour
from the upper joints of the branches, and
at the tops of them also stand many yellow
flowers of five leaves a-piece, with divers
yellow threads in the middle, which turn
into small round heads, containing small
cornered seeds : the root creeps under
ground, almost like coughgrass, but greater,
and shoots up every Spring brownish heads
which afterwards grow up into stalks. It
has no scent or taste, and is only astringent.
Place.'] It grows in many places of this
land in moist meadows, and by water sides.
Time.] It flowers from June to August.
Goternment and virtues.] This herb is
good for all manner of bleeding at tlie
mouth, nose, or wounds, and all fluxes of
the belly, and the bloody-flux, given either
to drink or taken by clysters ; it stays also
the abundance of women's courses ; it is a
singular good wound-herb for green wounds,
to stay the bleeding, and quickly close
together the lips of the wound, if the herb
be bruised, and the juice only applied. It
is often used in gargles for sore mouths, as
also for the secret parts. The smoak here-
of being bruised, drives away flies and
gnats, which in the night time molest people
inhabiting near marshes, and in the fenny
countries.
LOOSESTRIFE, WITH SPIKED HEADS OF
FLOWERS.
It is likewise called Grass-polly,
Dcscript.'] This grows with many woody
square stalks, full of joints, about three
feet high at least ; at every one whereof
stand two long leaves, shorter, narrower,
and a greener colour than the former,
and some brownish. The stalks are branched
into many long stems of spiked flowers half
F F
108
THE COxMPLETE HERBAL
LOVAGE.
a foot long, growing in bundles one above | the place covered with a linen cloth doubled
another, out of small husks, very like the i and anointed with the ointment ; and this
spiked heads of Lavender, each of which \ 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 \ by washing them with the water, and lay-
round heads after the flowers are fallen, | 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, | 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 I or king's evil in the throat. The said
the ground, and more brown than the x water applied warm, takes away all spots,
o*-"6r. ; marks, and scabs in the skin ; and a little
Place.'] It grows usually by rivers, and j 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 I
places of this land. I
Time.'} It flowers in the months of June j Descnpt.j It has many long and green
and July. ? stalks of large winged leaves, divided into
Government and virtues.] It is an herb | many parts, like Smallage, but much larger
of the Moon, and under the sign Cancer; I and greater, every leaf being cut about the
neither do I know a better preserver of the | 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, 5 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- 1 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 t grow below; and with them towards the
of its own, found out by experience ; as, \ tops come forth large branches, bearing at
namely, The distilled water is a present I their tops large umbels of yellow flowers,
remedy for hurts and blows on the eyes, i and after them flat brownish seed. The
and for blindness, so as the Christallinei roots grow thick, great and deep, spreading
humours be not perished or hurt; and thislmiich, and enduring long, of a brownish
hath been sufficiently proved true by the i 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
clears the eyes of dust, or any thing gotten i hot, sharp, biting taste.
into them, and preserves the sight. It is | Place.] It is usually planted in gardens,
also very available against wounds and | where, if it be suffered, it grows huge and
thrusts, being made into an ointment in | 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, i' and seeds in August.
and of sugar and wax, of each as muchj Government and vi7iiies.] It is an herb
also; let them boil gently together. Let J of the Sun, under the sign Taurus. If
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 Hf he be occasioner of the malady, and in
l'T.A-[K 12.
Liui.s'v\"oi-t
-uova g; t»
T.oosestrife ,,r Wooa "\ViUo-vr-herli
Maidenliavr
Field l>lH_ddcM-
Mm-sJi Mulloiv
MnjTp;ol(l
ililUut
Mhs I frwoi-l
THOMAS KEl.l
• ^ I.OMION. 1835
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED
109
Taurus is the Genesis) this is your cure. | is an excellent remedy boiled in beer for
It opens, cures and digests humours, and | broken-winded horses,
miehtilv provokes women's courses and \
P "^TT ir- 1 .. i- J? iU J ■ J ' MADDER.
urme. Haifa dram at a time or the dried \
root in powder taken in wine, doth wonder- 1 Descript.'] Garden" Madder shoots
fully warm a cold stomach, helps digestion, | forth many very long, weak, four-square,
and consumes all raw and superfluous i reddish stalks, traiUng 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 I forth divers long and narrow leaves, stand-
praised remedy to drink the decoction of! ing like a star about the stalks, round also
the herb for any sort of ague, and to help i 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 round heads, green at
tual to all the purposes aforesaid (except « first, and reddish afterwards, but black
the last) and works more powerfully. The i when they are ripe, wherein is contained
distilled water of the herb helps the quinsy j the seed. The root is not very great, but
in the throat, if the mouth and throat be | 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, it I Place.l 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 i thereof.
the face. The leaves bruised, and fried | Time.'] It floAvers towards the ena of
with a little hog's lard, and put hot to any | Summer, and the seed is ripe quickly after.
blotch or boil, will quickly break it. \ Government and virtues.] It is an herb of
LUNGWORT. Mars. It hath an opening quality, and
I 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 sfindry sorts of trees, especially | opening the obstructions of the liver and
oaks and beeches, with broad, greyish, | gall, and cleansing those parts ; it opens
tough leaves diversly folded, crumpled, and j also the obstructions of the spleen, and
gashed in on the edges, and some spotted ? diminishes the melancholy humour. It is
also with many small spots on the upper- 1 available lor 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
Govei-nmejit and virtues.] Jupiter seems \ drinks. The root for all those aforesaid
to <iwn 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, j as the cause requires, and some honey and
and for coughs, wheezings, and shortness 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 • 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 thai ha.ve
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.arid app(lied .tQ,,9,p^^.p^9,rtj|;|]^^, '^.^M"
110
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
coloured with freckles, morphea, the while
scurf, or any such deformity of the skin,
cleanses thoroughly, and takes them away.
MAIDEN IIAIU.
Vescript.'] Ouii common Maiden-Hair
doth, from a number of hard black fibres,
send forth a great many blackish shining-
brittle stalks, hardly a span long, in many
not half so long, on each side set very thick
■with small, round, dark green leaves, and
spitted ou the back of them like a fern.
riace.^ It grows upon old stone walls in
the West parts in Kent, and divers other
places of this land ; it delights likewise to
grow by springs, wells, and rocky moist
and shady places, and is always green.
WALL RUE, OR, WHITE MAIDEN-HAIR.
Descript.'] This has very fine, pale green
stalks, almost as fine as hairs, set confusedly
with divers pale green leaves on every short
foot stalk, somewhat near unto the colour
of garden Rue, and not much differing in
form but more diversly cut in on the edges,
and thicker, smooth on the upper part,
and spotted finely underneath.
Place.l It grows in many places of this
land, at Dartford, and the bridge at Ash-
ford in Kent, at Beaconsfield in Bucking-
hamshire, at Wolly in Huntingtonshire, on
Framlingham Castle in Suffolk, on the
church Avails at Mayfield in Sussex, in
Somersetshire, and divers other places of
this land ; and is green in Winter as well as
Summer.
Government and virtues.~\ Both this and
the former are under the dominion of
Mercury, and so is that also Avhich follows
after, and the virtue of both are so near
alike, that though I have described them
and their places of growing severally, yet
I shall in writing the virtues of them, join
them both together as follows.
The decoction of the herb Maiden-Hair
being drank, helps those that are troubled
with the cough, shortness of breath, the
yellow jaundice, diseases of the spleen,
stopping of urine, and helps exceedingly to
break the stone in the kidneys, (in all which
diseases the Wall Rue is also very effectual.)
It provokes women's courses, and stays
both bleedings and fluxes of the stomach
and belly, especially when the herb is dry ;
for being green, it loosens the belly, and
voids choler and phlegm from the stomach
and liver ; it cleanses the lungs, and by
rectifying the blood, causes a good colour
to the whole body. The herb boiled in oil
of Camomile, dissolves knots, allays swell-
ings, and dries up moist ulcers. The lye
made thereof is singularly good to cleanse the
i head from scurf, and from dry and running
5 sores, stays the falling or shedding of the
; hair, and causes it to grow thick, fair, and
5 well coloured ; for Avhich purpose some
> boil it in wine, putting some Smallage seed
I thereto, and afterwards some oil. The
I Wall Rue is as effectual as Maiden-Hair,
in all diseases of the head, or falling and
recovering of the hair again, and generally
for all the aforementioned diseases : And
besides, the powder of it taken in drink for
forty days together, helps the burstings in
children.
GOLDEN MAIDEN HAIR
To the former give me leave to add this,
and I shall say no more but only describe
it to you, and for the virtues refer you to
the former, since whatever is said of them,
may be also said of this.
Descript.'] It has many small, brownish,
I red hairs, to make up the form of leaves
? growing about the ground from the root;
and in the middle of them, in Summer, rise
small stalks of the same colour, set with very
fine yellowish green hairs on them, and
bearing a small gold, yellow head, less
than a wheat corn, standing in a great
husk. The root is very small and thready.
Place.] It grows in bogs and moorish
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED
111
places, and also on dry shady places, as
Hampstead Healh, and elsewhere.
MALLOWS AND M ARSHMALLOWS.
Common Mallows are generally so well
known tha., they need no description.
Our common Marshmallows have divers
soft hairy white stalks, rising to be three or
four feet high, spreading forth many
branches., the leaves whereof are soft and
hairy, somewhat less than the other Mallow
leaves, but longer pointed, cut (for the most
part) into some few divisions, but deep.
The flowers are many, but smaller also than
the other Mallows, and white, or tending to
a bluish colour. After which come such
long, round cases and seeds, as in the other
Mallows. The roots are many and long,
shooting from one head, of the bigness of a
thumb or finger, very pliant, tough, and
being like liquorice, of a whitish yellow
colour on the outside, and more whitish
within, full of a slimy juice, which being
laid in water, will thicken, as if it were a
jelly.
Place.'] The common Mallows grow in
every county of this land. The common
Marsh-mallows in most of the salt marshes,
from Woolwich down to the sea, both on
the Kentish and Essex shores, and in divers
other places of this land.
Time.] They flower all the Summer
months, even until the Winter do pull them
down.
Government and virtues.] Venus owns
them both. The leaves of either of the
sorts, both specified, and the roots also
boiled in wine or water, or in broth with
Parsley or Fennel roots, do help to open the
body, and are very convenient in hot agues,
or other distempers of the body, to apply
the leaves so boiled warm to the belly. It
not only voids hot, choleric, and other
offensive humours, but eases the pains and
torments of the belly coming thereby ; and
are therefore used in all clysters conducing
to those purposes. The same used by
nurses procures them store of milk. The
decoction of the seed of any of the common
Mallows made in milk or wine, doth mar-
vellously help excoriations, the phthisic,
pleurisy, and other diseases of the chest and
lungs, that proceed of hot causes, if it be
continued taking for some time together.
The leaves and roots work the same effects.
They help much also in the excoriations of
the bowels, and hardness of the mother,
and in all hot and sharp diseases thereof.
The juice drank in wine, or the decoction
of them therein, do help women to a speedy
and easy delivery. Pliny saith, that who-
soever takes a spoonful of any of the Mal-
lows, shall that day be free from all diseases
that may come unto him ; and that it is
especially good for the falling-sickness. The
syrup also and conserve made of the flowers,
are very effectual for the same diseases,
and to open the body, being costive. The
leaves bruised, and laid to the eyes with
a little honey, take away the imposthuma-
tionsofthern. The leaves bruised or rubbed
upon any place stung with bees, wasps, or
the like, presently take away the pain,
redness, and swelling that rise thereupon.
And Dioscorides saith, The decoction of
the roots and leaves helps all sorts of poison,
so as the poison be presently voided by
vomit. A poultice made of the leaves
boiled and bruised, with some bean or bar-
ley flower, and oil of Roses added, is an
especial remedy against all hard tumours
and inflammations, or imposthumes, or
swellings of the privities, and other parts,
and eases the pains of them; as also against
the hardness of the liver or spleen, being
applied to the places. The juice of Mal-
lows boiled in old oil and applied, takes
away all roughness of the skin, as also the
scurf, dandriff, or dry scabs in the head, or
other parts, if they be anointed therewith,
or washed wfth the decoction, and preserves
the hair from falling off. It is also efFec-
G o
.112 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
tual «igainst scaldings and burnings, St. | drink, to those that are wounded, and read v
Anthony's fire, and all other hot, red, and j to faint through loss of blood, and applied
painful swellings in any part of the body. | the same, mixed with honey and rosin, to
The flowers boiled in oil or water (as every | the wounds. As also, the roots boiled in
one is disposed) whereunto a little honey j wine to those that have received any hurt
and allum is put, is an excellent gargle to | by bruises, falls, or blows, or had any bone
wash, cleanse or heal any sore mouth or | or member out of joint, or any swelling-
throat in a short space. If the feet be I pain, or ache in the muscles, sinews or
bathed or washed with the decoction of the I 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 \ to molify and digest all hard swellings, and
the falling and shedding of the hair. The ! the inflammation of them, and to ease pains
green leaves (sailh 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. | the skin of morphew, and all other dis-
The Marshmallows are more effectual in! colourings, being boiled therewith in the
all the diseases before mentioned : The | Sun.
leaves are likewise used to loosen the belly \ You may remember that not long since
gently, and in decoctions or clysters to ease \ 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 slippery, 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, | about it: My son was taken with the same
and bladder, and to ease the torturing pains x disease, and the excoriation of his bowels
thereof But the roots are of more special j was exceeding great; myself being in tl.e
use for those purposes, as well for coughs, | country, was sent for up, the only thing
hoarseness, shortness of breath and wheez- i I gave him, was Mallows bruised and
ings, being boiled in Avinc, 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
Jiereof boiled in wine or water, are with! him. And I here, to shew my thankful-
good success used by them that have ex-Jness to God, in communicating it to his
coriations in the bowels, or the bloody flux, | creatures, leave it to posterity
by qualifying the violence of sharp fretting | maple tree
humours, easing the pains, and healing the j
soreness. It is profitably taken by them | Government and virtues^ Ii 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 | proceeding,
and drank, is especially good for the chin- | ^^^^^ marjoram.
cough. Hippocrates used to give the de-;
coction of the roots, or the juice thereof, to| Called also Origanum, Eastward Mar-
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 113
jorani; "Wild Marjoram, and Grove Mar- 1 dry places of this land; but it is not my
joram. | purpose to insist upon them. The garden
Descript.'] Wild or field Marjoram hath • kinds being most used and useful,
a root which creeps much under ground,! Time.1 Theyflower in the end of Summer,
which continues a long time, sending up | Government and virtues.'] It is an herb of
sundry-brownish, hard, square stalks, with | Mercury, and under Aries, and therefore is
small dark green leaves, very like those ofjan excellent remedy for the brain and other
Sweet Marjoram, but harder, and some- \ 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- I 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. I 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, | the loss of speech, by resolution of the
there being scarce a better remedy growing! tongue. ^^^ decoction thereof made with
for such as are troubled with a sour humour i 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- j drank, is good for those that cannot make
tion of the lungs; it cleanses the body of | water, and against pains and torments in
choler, expels poison, and remedies the in- i the belly ; it provokes women's courses, if
firmities of the spleen; helps the bitings of|it be used as a pessary. '"Being made into
venomous beasts, and helps such as have | powder, and mixed with honey, it takes
poisoned themselves by eating Hemlock, j 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 | 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 I 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- jit is profitably put into those ointments
tween which and adders, there is a deadly \ and salves that are warm, and comfort the
antipathy. | outward parts, as the joints and sinews ;
5 for swellings also, and places out of joint.
SWEET MARJORAM. J r^^^ powdcr thereof snuffed 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, J forth much phlegm. The oil made thereof,
neither of the Winter Sweet Marjoram, or 5 is very warm and comfortable to the joints
Pot Manoram. \ that are stiff", and the sinews that are hard,
Tlace.] They grow commonly in gar \ to molify and supple them. Marjoram is
dens; some sorts grow wild in the bor- 1 much used in all odoriferous water, pow-
ders of corn fields and pastures, in sun- ; ders, &c. thatare for ornament or delight-
114 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
„,„,„^^^^ {than down deep in the ground, shooting
MARIGOLDS. t /• . i i i i- i i *
; forth sundry heads, which taste sharp,
These being so plentiful in every gar- 5 biting on the tongue, and is tlie hottest and
den, and so well known that they need no i sharpest part of the plant, and the seed
description. inext unto it being somewhat blackish on
Time.'] They flower all the Summer | the outside, and smelling well,
long, and sometimes in Winter, if it be I Place.'] It is usually kept in gardens with
mild. I us in England.
Government and virtues.] 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- j Government and virtues.] It is an herb of
pulsive, and a little less effectual in the small-} Mars. The root of Masterwort is hotter
pox and measles than saffron. The juice ; than pepper, and very available in cold
of Marigold leaves mixed with vinegar, and | griefs and diseases both of the stomach and
any noi swelling bathed with it, instantly | 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 I coction with wine against all cold rheums,
possets, broths, and drink, as a comforter I 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, \ expels the dead birth. It is singularly good
strengthens and succours the heart infi- 1 for strangling of the mother, and other such
nitely in fevers, whether pestilential or not. \ like feminine diseases. It is effectual also
J against the dropsy, cramps, and falling
MASTERWORT.
I sickness; for the decoction in wine being
Descript.] Common Masterwort 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- $ and easing it of what oppresses it. It is of
ing together at a small foot-stalk on both \ a rare quality against all sorts of cold poi-
sides of the greater, and three likewise at j 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 | of the seed (which works to the like eflect,
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 1 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 j envenomed weapons, doth soon cleanse
which grow below, but with lesser and fewer | and heal them. The same is also very good
divisions, bearing umbels of white flowers, | to help the gout coming of a cold cause,
and after them thin, flat blackish seeds, ;
, . M TAll ;\ rri, * • \ SWEET MAUDLIN.
bigger than Dill seeds. 1 he root is some- 1
what greater and growing rather side- ways! Descript.] Common Maudlin hath some-
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED
115
what, long and narrow leaves, snipped about I women's minds should run a gadding
the edges. The stalks are two feet high, \ 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 | They are powerful to stay any fluxes of
big as wormseed. | blood or humours in men or women ; the
Place and Time.'] It grows in gardens, I leaves also have this quality. The decoc-
and flowers in June and July. I 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 Costmary or ; defluxions of blood to stay it, or of humours,
Alecost, I shall not make any repetition 1 which causes the pains and swellings. It
thereof, lest my book grow too big ; but | is a good bath for women, that have their
rather refer you to Costmary for satis- J courses floAV too abundant : or for the piles
faction.
THE MEDLAR.
Descript^ The Tree grows near the
bigness of the Quince Tree, spreading
branches reasonably large, with longer and
narrower leaves than either the apple or
quince, and not dented about the edges.
At the end of the sprigs stand the flowers,
made of five white, great, broad-pointed
leaves, nicked in the middle with some
white threads also ; after which comes the
fruit, of a brownish green colour, being ripe,
bearing a crown as it were on the top,
which were the five green leaves ; and
being rubbed off', or fallen away, the head
of the fruit is seen to be somewhat hollow.
The fruit is very harsh before it is mellowed,
and has usually five hard kernels within it.
There is another kind hereof nothing dif-
fering from the former, but that it hath some
thorns on it in several places, which the
other hath not ; and usually the fruit is
small, and not so pleasant.
Time and Tlace.] They grow in this
land, and flower in May for the most part,
and bear fruit in September and October.
Government and virtues.'] The fruit is old
Saturn's, and sure a better medicine he
nardly hath to strengthen the retentive
faculty; therefore it stays women's long-
The good old man cannot endure
mgs
5 when they bleed too much. If a poultice
I or plaister be made with dried medlars,
beaten and mixed with the juice of red
roses, whereunto a few cloves and nutmegs
may be added, and a little red coral also,
and applied to the stomach that is given to
casting or loathing of meat, it effectually
helps. The dried leaves in powder strewed
on fresh bleeding wounds restrains the
blood, and heals up the wound quickly.
The medlar-stones made into powder, and
drank in wine, wherein some Parsley-roots
have lain infused all night, or a little boiled,
do break the stone in the kidneys, helping
to expel it.
MELLILOT, OE KING's CLAVER.
Descript.] This hath many green stalks,
two or three feet high, rising from a tough,
long, while root, which dies not every
year, set round about at the joints with
small and somewhat long, well-smelling
leaves, set three together, unevenlly dented
about the edges. The flowers are yellow,
and well-smelling also, made like other
trefoil, but small, standing in long spikes
one above another, for an hand breath long
or better, which afterwards turn into long
crooked pods, wherein is contained flat seed,
somewhat brown.
Place.] It grows plentifully in many
places of this land, as in the edge of Suflfolk
H U
116 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
and in Essex, as also in Huntingdonshire, » male Mercury two small, round green
and in other places, but most usually in j heads, standing together upon a short
corn fields, in corners of meadows. ifoot stalk, which growing ripe, are seeds
Time.'] It flowers in June and July, and j not having tiewers. The female stalk is
is lipe quickly after. longer, spike-fashion, set round about with
Government and virtues.'] Melilot, boiled 1 small green husks, which are the flowers
in wine, and applied, moHifies 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 com-
sometimes the yolk of a roasted egg, or fine; posed of many small fibres, which perishes
flour, or poppy seed, or endive, is added 5 every year at the first approach of Winter,
unto it. It helps the spreading ulcers in | and rises again of its own sowing; and if
the head, it being washed with a lye made \ once it is sufi'ered 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; andj ercurt.
steeped in vinegar, or rose water, it miti-; Having described unto you that which
gates the head-ache. The flowers of Melli- i is called French Mercury, I come now to
lot or Camomile are much used to be put ^ shew you a description of this kind also,
together in clysters to expel wind, and easej Descript.'] This is likewise of two kinds,
pains; and also in poultices for the same | maleand Female,having many slalksslender
purpose, and to assuage swelling tumours | and lower than Mercury, without any
in the spleen or other parts, and helps in- 1 branches at all upon them, the root is set
flammations in any part of the body. The \ with two leaves at every joint, somewhat
juice dropped into the eyes, is a singularly | greater tba-n the female, but more pointed
good medicine to take away the film or ♦ and full of veins, and somewhat harder in
skin that clouds or dimns the eye-sight. } handling: of a dark green colour, and less
The head often washed with the distilled i 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, I 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. * u j ..i, * ii i i ^ r
} stalks, and the stalks are also longer ; from
Descript.'] 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, I them both are many, and full of small
and the branches likewise from both sides of >j fibres which run under ground, and mat
the stalk, set with fresh green leaves, some- 1 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 | ter, and shoot forth new branches every
edges; towards the tops of the stalk and : year, for the old lie down to the ground,
branches, come forth at every joint in the | Place."] The male and female French
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
in
Mercury are found wild in divers places of
this land, as by a village called Brookland
in Rumney Marsh in Kent.
The Dog Mercury in sundry places of|
Kent also, and elsewhere ; but the female '
more seldom than the male.
Time.'] They flower in the Summer
months, and therein give their seed.
Government and virtues.l Mercury, they
say, owns the herb, but I rather think it is
Venus's, and I am partly confident of it
too, for I never heard that Mercury ever
minded women's business so much : I
believe he minds his study more. The de-
coction of the leaves of Mercury, or the
juice thereof in broth, or drank with a little I
sugar put to it, purges choleric and waterish I
humours. Hippocrates commended it
wonderfully for women's diseases, and ap-
plied to the secret parts, to ease the pains of
the mother ; and used the decoction of it,
both to procure women's courses, and to
expel the after-birth ; and gave the de-
coction thereof with myrrh or pepper, or
used to apply the leaves outwardly against
the stranguary and diseases of the reins and \
bladder. He used it also for sore and;
watering eyes, and for the deafness and |
pains in the ears, by dropping the juice j
thereof into them, and bathing them after- 1
wards in white wine. The decoction there- 1
of made with water and a cock chicken, is \
a most safe medicine against the hot fits of
agues. It also cleanses the breast and lungs
of phlegm, but a little offends the stomach.
The juice or distilled water snuffed up into
the nostrils, purges the head and eyes of
catarrhs and rheums. Some use to drink
two or three ounces of the distilled water,
with a little sugar put to it, in the morning \
fasting, to open and purge the body of
gross, viscous, and melancholy humours.
Matthiolus saith, that both the seed of the
male and female Mercury boiled with
Wormwood and drank, cures the yellow;
jaundice in a speedy manner. The leaves
or the juice rubbed upon warts, takes them
away. The juice mingled with some vine-
gar, helps all running scabs, tetters, ring-
worms, and the itch. Galen saith, that
being applied in manner of a poultice to
any swelling or inflammation, it digests the
swelling, and allays the inflammation, and
is therefore given in clysters to evacuate
from the belly offensive humours. The Dog
Mercury, although it be less used, yet may
serve in the same manner, to the same pur-
pose, to purge waterish and melancholy
humours.
MINT.
Of all the kinds of Mint, the Spear
Mint, or Heart Mint, being most usual,
I shall only describe as follows :
Descript.~\ Spear Mint has divers round
stalks, and long but narrowish leaves set
thereon, of a dark green colour. The
flowers stand in spiked heads at the tops
of the branches, being of a pale blue
colour. The smell or scent thereof is some-
what near unto Bazil ; it encreases by the
root under ground as all the others do.
Place.^ It is an usual inhabitant in gar-
dens; and because it seldom gives any
good seed, the seed is recompensed by
the plentiful increase of the root, which
being once planted in a garden, will hardly
be rid out again.
Time.] It flowers not until the beginning
of August, for the most part.
Government and virtues,] It is an herb
of Venus. Dioscorides saith it hath a
healing, binding and drying quality, and
therefore the juice taken in vinegar, stays
bleeding : It stirs up venery, or bodily lust;
two or three branches thereof taken in the
juice of four pomegranates, stays the iiic-
cough, vomiting, and allays t^e choler. It
dissolves imposthumes being laid to with
barley-meal. It is good to repress the
milk in women'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 a ; gled and held in the mouth,
mad dog ; with mead and honeyed water, | The virtues of the Wild or Horse Mint,
it eases the pains of the ears, and takes \ such as grow in ditches (whose description
away the roughness of the tongue, being \ I purposely omitted, in regard they are
rubbed thereupon. It suffers not milk to well knoAvn) are serviceable to dissoive wind
curdle in the stomach, if the leaves thereof ^ in the stomach, to help the cholic, and those
be steeped or boiled in it before you drink that are short-winded, and are an especial
it. Briefly it is very profitable to the \ remedy for those that have veneral dreams
stomach. The often use hereof is a very \ and pollutions in the night, being outwardly
powerful medicine to stay women's courses | 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, j worms that breed therein. They are good
and is good to wash the heads of young against the venemous biting of serpents,
children therewith, against all manner of The juice laid on Avarm, 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- or distilled water helps a stinking breath,
nomous creatures. The distilled water of proceeding from corruption of the teeth.
Mint is available to all the purposes afore- \ and snuffed up the nose, purges the head,
said, yet more weakly. But if a spirit Pliny saith, that eating of the leaves hath
thereof be rightly and chymically dra^vn, been found by experience to cure the
it is much more powerful than the herb leprosy, applying some of them to the face,
itself. Simeon Sethi saith, it helps a cold ; and to help the scurf or dandriff of the
liver, strengthens the belly, causes digestion, \ head used with vinegar. They are extremely
stays vomits and hiccough; it is good bad for wounded people; and they say a
against the gnawing of the heart, provokes , wounded man that eats Mint, his wound
appetite, takes away obstructions of the I will never be cured, and that is a long day
liver, and stirs up bodily lust ; but therefore |
too much must not be taken, because itj misselto.
n)akes the blood thin and wheyish, and |
turns it into choler, and therefore choleric i DescriptJ] Tins rises up from the branch
persons must abstain from it. It is a safe lor arm of the tree whereon it grows, with
medicine for the biting of a mad dog, being I a woody stem, putting itself into sundry
bruised with salt and laid thereon. The 1 branches, and they again divided into many
powder of it being dried and taken after! other smaller twigs, interlacing themselves
meat, helps digestion, and those that are lone within another, very much covered
splenetic. Taken Avith Avine, it helps Avomen « Avith a greyish green bark, having two leaves
in their sore travail in child-bearing. It is \ set at every joint, and at the end likcAvise,
good against the gravel and stone in the | which are somcAvhat long and narroAv, small
kidneys, and the stranguary. Being i at the bottom, but broader tOAvards the end.
smelled unto, it is comfortable for the head! At the knots or joints of the boughs and
and memory. The decoction hereof gar- ; branches grow small yellow floAvers, Avhich
gled in the mouth, cures the gums and j run into small, round, Avhite, transparent
mouth that are sore, and mends an ill- j berries, three or four together, full of a
savoured breath ; as also the Rue and Cori- 1 glutinous moisture, AA'ith a blackish seed in
ander, causes the palate of the mouth to | each of tliem, which Avas never yel knoAvn
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
119
to spring, being put into the ground, or any ;
where else to grow. \
Placed] It grows very rarely on oaks ?
with us ; but upon sundry others as well I
tin)ber as fruit trees, plentifully in woody |
groves, and the like, through all this land. I
TzV/e.] It flowers in the Spring-time, ;
but the berries are not ripe until October, ;
and abides on the branches all the Winter, 5
unless the blackbirds, and other birds, do I
devour them. i
Government and virtues.'\ This is under}
the dominion of the Sun, I do not question; '
and can also take for granted, that which |
grows upon oaks, participates something oi\
the nature of Jupiter, because an oak is one |
of his trees ; as also that which grows upon |
pear trees, and apple trees, participates |
something of his nature, because he rules t
the tree it grows upon, having no root of |
its own. But why that should have most :
virtues that grows upon oaks I know not,
unless because it is rarest and hardest to
come by ; and our college's opinion is in
this contrary to scripture, which saith, God's
tender mercies are over all his works ; and so \
it is, let the college of physicians walk as {
contrary to him as they please, and that is I
as contrary as the east to the west. Clusius |
affirms that which grows upon pear trees to \
be as prevalent, and gives order, that itj
should not touch the ground after it is|
gathered ; and also saith, that, being hung i
about the neck, it remedies witchcraft. I
Both the leaves and berries of Misselto do i
heat and dry, and are of subtle parts ; the 1
birdlime doth molify hard knots, tumours, 1
and imposthumes ; ripens and discusses \
them, and draws forth thick as well as thin 5
humours from the remote parts of the body, |
digesting and separating them. And being I
mixed with equal parts of rozin and wax, ;
doth molify the hardness of the spleen, and |
helps old ulcers and sores. Being mixed >
mth Sandaric and Orpiment, it helps to \
draw off foul nails ; and if quick-lime and;
wine lees be added thereunto, it works the
stronger. The Misselto itself of the oi\k
(as the best) made into powder, and given
in drink to those that have the falling sick-
ness, does assuredly heal them, as Matthi-
olus saith : but it is fit to use it for forty
days together. Some have so highly es-
teemed it for the virtues thereof, that they
have called it Lignum Sandia Crucis, Wood
of the Holy Cross, believing it helps the
falling sickness, apoplexy and palsy very
speedily, not only to be inwardly taken, but
to be hung at their neck. Tragus saith,
that the fresh wood of any Misselto bruised,
and the juice drawn forth and dropped in
the ears that have imposthumes in them,
doth help and ease them within a few days.
MONEYWORT, OR HERB TWOPENCE
Descript.'] The common Moneywort
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
one against another at equal distances,
which are almost round, but pointed at the
ends, smooth, and of a good green colour.
At the joints with the leaves from the middle
forward come forth at every point some-
times one yellow flower, and sometimes
two, standing each on a small foot-stalk,
and made of five leaves, narrow-pointed at
the end, with some yellow threads in the
middle, which being past, there stand in
their places small round heads of seed.
Pluce.l It grows plentifully in almost
all places of this land, commonly in moist
grounds by hedge-sides, and in the middle
of grassy fields.
TimeJ] They flower in June and July,
and their seed is ripe quickly after.
Government and virtues.'] Venus owns it
Moneywort is singularly good to stay all
fluxes in man or woman, Avhether they be
lasks, bloody-fluxes, bleeding inwardly or
outwardly, or the weakness of the stomach
I r
120
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
MOONWORT.
that is given to casting. It is very good | and May ; for in June, when any hot
also for the ulcers or excoriations of the ? weather comes, for the most part it is
lungs, or other inward parts. It is exceed- \ withered and gone.
ingly good for all wounds, either fresh or t Government and virtues.^ The Moon owns
green, to heal them speedily, and for all j the herb. Moonwort is cold and drying
old ulcers that are of spreading natures, pnore than Adder's Tongue, and is therefore
For all which purposes the juice of the j held lo be more available for all wounds
herb, or the powder drank in water where- j both inward and outward. The leaves
in hot steel hath been often quenched ; or } boiled in red wine, and drank, stay the
the decoction of the green herb in wine or j immoderate flux of women's courses, and
water drank, or used to the outward place, j the whites. It also stays bleeding, vomit-
to wash or bathe them, or to have tents Hng, and other fluxes. It helps all blows
dipped therein and put into them, are ef- 1 and bruises, and to consolidate all frac-
fectual. \ tures and dislocations. It is good for rup-
J tures, but is chiefly used, by most with
i 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
excellently good.
J, , ^ , Moonwort is an herb which (they say)
be said to bear a small slender stalk about | will open locks, and unshoe such horses as
four or five inches high, having but onejtread upon it: This some laugh to scorn,
leaf in the middle thereof, which is much \ 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 ; ; Horse. Besides I have heard commanders
each of which parts is small like the middle ^ say, that on White Down in Devonshire,
rib, but broad forwards, pointed and round, ; near Tiverton, there were found thirty
resembling therein a half-moon,fromwhence< horse shoes, pulled off from the feet of the
it took the name; the uppermost parts or | Earl of Essex's horses, being there drawn
divisions being bigger than the lowest, i up in a body, many of them being but
The stalks rise above this leaf two or three } newly shod, and no reason known, which
inches, bearing many branches of small j caused much admiration : the herb des--
long tongues, every one like the spiky head cribed usually grows upon heaths,
of the adder's tongue, of a brownish colour, ;
(which, whether I shall call them flowers, or j
the seed, I well know not) which, after they j^ I shall not trouble the reader witli
have continued awhile, resolve into a mealy | a description of these, since my intent is to
dust. The root is small and fibrous. This | speak only of two kinds, as the most prin-
hath sometimes divers such like leaves as Icipal, viz. Ground Moss and Tree Moss,
are before described, with so many branches \ both which are very well known,
or tops rising from one stalk, each divided 1 FlaceJ] The Ground Moss grous in our
from the other. | moist woods, and at the bottom of hills, in
PlaceJ] It grows on hills and heaths, j boggy grounds, and in shadowy ditches,
yet where there is much grass, for therein j and many other such like places. The Tree
it delights to grow.
Moss grows only on trees.
Time.^ It is to be found only in April \ Gaver7iment and virtue^-l All sorts of
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
i§l
Mosses art- under the dominion of Saturn, i every joint, which are somewhat broad and
The Ground Moss is held to be singularly \ long, as if it were rough or crumpled, with
good to break the stone, and to expel and j many great veins therein of a sad green
drive it forth by urine, being boiled in wine \ colour, and deeply dented about the edges,
and drank. The herb being bruised and i and almost divided. From the middle of
boiled in water, and applied, eases all in- 1 the branches up to the tops of them (which
flammations and pains coming from an hot | are long and small) grow the flowers round
cause; and is therefore used to ease the | them at distances, in sharp pointed, rough,
pains of the gout. I hard husks, of a more red or purple colour
The Tree Mosses are cooling and binding, | than Balm or Horehound, but in the same
and partake of a digesting and molifying [ manner or form as the Horehound, after
(juality withal, as Galen saith. But each I which come small, round, blackish seeds in
Moss partakes of the nature of the tree f great plenty. The root sends forth a num-
from whence it is taken ; therefore that of\ ber of long strings and small fibres, taking
the oak is more binding, and is of good effect strong hold in the ground, of a dark yellow-
to stay fluxes in man or woman ; as also ish or brownish colour, and abides as the
vomiting or bleeding, the powder thereof i' Horehound does : the smell of the one not
being taken in wine. The decoction there- much differs from the other,
of in wine is very good for women to be; Place.'] It grows only in gardens with us
bathed in, that are troubled with the over- in England.
flowing of their courses. The same being Government and virtues.'] Venus owns the
drank, stays the stomach that is troubled ; herb, and it is under Leo. There is no better
with casting, or hiccough ; and, as Avicena | herb to take melancholy vapours from the
saith, it comforts the heart. The powder | heart, to strengthen it, and make a merry,
thereof taken in drink for some time 1 chearful, blithe soul than this herb. It may
together, is thought available for the dropsy. I be kept in a syrup or conserve; therefore
The oil that has had fresh Moss steeped > the Latins called it Cardiaca. Besides, it
therein for a time, and afterwards boiled \ makes women joyful mothers of children,
and applied to the temples and forehead, | and settles their wombs as they should be,
marvellously eases the head-ache com- \ therefore we call it Motherwort. It is held
ing of a hot cause ; as also the distillations | to be of much use for the trembhng of the
of hot rheums or humours in the eyes, or | heart, and faintings and swoonings ; from
other parts. The ancients much used it in | whence it took the name Cardiaca. The
their ointments and other medicines against | powder thereof, to the quantity of a spoon-
the lassitude, and to strengthen and com- 1 ful, drank in wine, is a wonderful help to
fort the sinews : For which, if it was good | women in their sore travail, as also for the
then, I know no reason but it may be found I suffocating or risings of the mother, and for
so still. 1 these effects, it is likely it took the name of
I Motherwort with us. It also provokes
MOTHERWORT. | urine and Avomen's courses, cleanses the
I chest of cold phlegm, oppressing it, kills
[hscript.] This hath a hard, square, | worms in the belly. It is of good use to
brownish, rough, strong stalk, rising three } warm and dry up the cold humours, to
or four feet high at least, spreading into i digest and disperse them that are settled
many branches, whereon grow leaves on | in the veins, joints, and sinews of the body,
each side, with long foot-stalks, two at | and to help cramps and convulsions.
122 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
MOUSE-EAR i ^^y^ ^^^ ^"^P "^ blood, either at the mouth
i or nose, and inward bleeding also, for it is
Descript.'] Mouse-ear is a low herb, } a singular wound herb for wounds both in-
creeping upon the ground by small strings, | ward and outward : It helps the bloody
like the Strawberry plant, whereby it shoots [flux, and helps the abundance of women's
forth small roots, whereat grow, upon the \ 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 \ account with them, to be given to those
whitish milk : From among these leaves \ that are troubled with the cough or phthisic,
spring up two or three small hoary stalks I The same also is singularly good for rup-
about a span high, with a few smaller leaves | 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- 1 doth quickly solder the lips thereof. And
low leaves, broad at the point, and a httle | the juice, decoction, or powder of the dried
dented in, set in three or four rows (the | herb is most singular to stay the malignity
greater uppermost) very like a Dandelion | of spreading and fretting cankers and ulcers
flower, and a little reddish underneath about | Avhatsoever, yea in the mouth and secret
the edges, especially if it grow in a dry j parts. The distilled water of the plant is
ground ; which after they have stood long 5 available in all the diseases aforesaid, and
in flower do turn into down, which with the t to wash outward wounds and sores, by
seed is carried away with the wind. j applying tents of cloths wet therein.
Place.'] It grows on ditch banks, and I
sometimes in ditches, if they be dry, and in j * •
sandy grounds. \ Descript.~\ Common Mugwort hath
Time.'l It flowers about June or July, \ divers leaves lying upon the ground, very
and abides green all the Winter. \ much divided, or cut deeply in about the
Government and virtues.'] The Moon owns j 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 5 side, and very hoary white underneath,
quicksilver by this herb and Moonwort, a | The stalks rise to be four or five feet 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 | 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 s 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 as fibres growing from it, whereby it takes
special remedy against the stone, and the ; strong hold on the ground ; but both stalks
tormenting pains thereof: as also other tor- » and leaves do lie down every year, and the
tures and griping pains of the bowels. The x root shoots anew in the Spring. The whole
decoction thereof with Succory and Cen- 1 plant is of a reasonable scent, and is more
taury is held very effectual to help the | 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 many
Pl.ATi-, J3.
«V^*f
Moon wort
Field iJoitse Kai
Tellow- Moaiey wort
BlHft M.iUe
Mother AVort
Miig wort
Wliite .Nlilll.-ii
^^^^^t^■ Must ill-,]
THOMAS KEJ.l.Y, l^O.NDON. TR1
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
123
places of this land, by the water-sides ; as
also by small water courses, and in divers
other places.
Time.'] It flowers and seeds in the end
of Summer.
Government and virtues.] This is an herb
of Venus, therefore maintains the parts of
the body she rules, remedies the diseases of
the parts that are under her signs, Taurus
and Libra. Mugwort is with good success
put among other herbs that are boiled for
women to apply the hot decoction tu draw
down their courses, to help the delivery of
the birth, and expel the after-birth. As
also for the obstructions and inflammations
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,
works the same effects, and so does the
root also. Being made up with hog's
grease into an ointment, it takes away wens
and hard knots and kernels that grow about
the neck and throat, and eases the pains
about the neck more effectually, if some
Field Daisies be put with it. The herb itself
being fresh, or the juice thereof taken, is a
special remedy upon the overmuch taking
of opium. Three drams of the powder of
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.
Government and virtues ] Mercury rules
the tree, therefore are its effects variable
as his are. The Mulberry is of different
parts ; the ripe berries, by reason of their
sweetness and slippery moisture, opening
the body, and the unripe binding it, es-
pecially when they are dried, and then they
are good to stay fluxes, lasks, and the abun-
dance of women's courses. The bark of
the root kills the broad worms in the body.
The juice, or the syrup made of the juice of
the berries, helps all inflammations or sores
in the mouth, or throat, and palate of
the mouth when it is fallen down. The
juice of the leaves is a remedy against the
biting of serpents, and for those that have
taken aconite. The leaves beaten with
vinegar, are good to lay on any place that
is burnt with fire. A decoction made of
the bark and leaves is good to wash the
mouth and teeth when they ache. If the
root be a little slit or cut, and a small hole
made in the ground next thereunto, in the
Harvest-time, it will give out a certain
juice, which being hardened the next day,
is of good use to help the tooth-ache, to
dissolve knots, and purge the belly. The
leaves of Mulberries are said to stay bleed-
ing at the mouth or nose, or the bleeding of
the piles, or of a wound, being bound unto
the places. A branch of the tree taken
when the moon is at the full, and bound to
the wrists of a woman's arm, whose courses
come down too much, doth stay them in a
short space.
MULLEIJ^r.
Descript.] Common White Mullein has
many fair, large, woolly white leaves, lying
next the ground, somewhat larger than
broad, pointed at the end, and as it were
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
on all sidesof the stalk, without any branches
for the most part, and are many set together
in a long spike, in some of a yellow colour,
in others more pale, consisting of five round
pointed leaves, which afterwards have small
K K
124 THE COMPLE TE HERBAL
round heads, wherein is small brownish \ and heal them also. The leaves bruised
seed contained. The root is long, white, | 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, I blotch or boil happening in the groin of
in many places of this land. | 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 | on any member that has been out of joint,
dominion of Saturn. A small quantity of; and newly set again, takes away all swel-
the root given in wine, is commended by i ling and pain thereof.
Dioscorides, against lasks and fluxes of the I
belly. The decoction hereof drank, is pro- \ mustard.
fitable for those that are bursten, and for| Descript.] Our common Mustard hath
cramps and convulsions, and for those that! large and broad rough leaves, very much
are troubled with an old cough. The de- Ijagged with uneven and unorderly gashes,
coction thereof gargled, eases the pains of | somewhat like turnip leaves, but less and
the tooth-ache. And the oil made by theh'ougher. The stalk rises to be more than
oflen infusion of the flowers, is of very good I 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 1 top, bearing such like leaves thereon as
an ague) wherein red hot steel hath been j grow below, but lesser, and less divided,
often quenched, doth stay the bloody-flux. ;and divers yellow flowers one above anothei
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 | 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 J is small, long, and woody when it bears
or cramps, doth bring them much ease and \ stalks, and perishes every year,
comfort. Three ounces of the distilled i Place.] 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 J 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 Governmerit and virtues.] It is an excel-
laid upon rough warts, as also the powder | lent sauce tor such whose blood wants clari-
of the dried roots rubbed on, doth easily |fying, and for weak stomachs, being an
take them away, but doth no good to 5 herb of Mars, but naught for choleric
smooth warts. The powder of the dried \ people, though as good for such as are
flowers is an especial remedy for those that j aged, or troubled with cold diseases. Aries
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 oft Let such whose stomachs are so Aveak they
great effect to dissolve the tumours, swel-t cannot digest their meat, or appetite it, take
hngs, or inflammations of the throat. The* of Mustard-seed a dram. Cinnamon as much,
seed and leaves boiled in wine, and ap- ; and having beaten them to powder, and
plied, draw forth speedily thorns or splin- ; half as much Mastich in powder, and with
ters gotten into the tlesh, ease the pains, \ gum Arabic dissolved in rose-v^ater, make
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
125
it up into troches, of which they may take
one of about half a dram weight an hour or
two before meals ; let old men and women
make much of this medicine, and they will
either give me thanks, or shew manifest
ingratitude. Mustard seed hath the virtue
of heat, discussing, ratifying, and drawing
out splinters of bones, and other things of
the flesh. It is of good effect to bring
'lown women's courses, for the falling-sick-
ness or lethargy, drowsy forgetful evil, to \
use it both inwardly and outwardly, to rub >
the nostrils, forehead and temples, to warm *
and quicken the spirits; for by the fierce |
sharpness it purges the brain by sneezing, i
and drawing down rheum and other vis-j
cous humours, which by their distillations |
upon the lungs and chest, procure coughing, »
and therefore, with some, honey added '|
thereto, doth much good therein. The de-|
coction of the seed made in wine, and J
drank, provokes urine, resists the force of S
poison^ the malignity of mushrooms, and <
venom of scorpions, or other venomous i
creatures, if it be taken in time ; and taken 5
before the cold fits of agues, alters, lessens, I
and cures them. The seed taken either by-
itself, or with other things, either in an elec- ^
tuary or drink, doth mightily stir up bodily \
lust, and helps the spleen and pains in the :
sides, and gnawings in the bowels; and
used as a gargle draws up the palate of the ;
mouth, being fallen down ; and also it dis- \
solves the swellings about the throat, if it!
be outwardly applied. Being chewed in \
the mouth it oftentimes helps the tooth-ache. |
The outward application hereof upon thej
pained place of the sciatica, discusses the |
humours, and eases the pains, as also theJ
gout, and other joint aches ; and is much \
and often used to ease pains in the sides orj
loins, the shoulder, or other parts of the|
body, upon the plying thereof to raise |
blisters, and cures the disease by drawing:
it to the outward parts of the body. It is \
also used to help the falling off the hair. J
The seed bruised mixed with honey, and
applied, or made up with wax, takes away
the marks and black and blue spots of
bruises, or the like, the roughness or scab-
biness of the skin, as also the leprosy, and
lousy evil. It helps also the crick in the
neck. The distilled water of the herb, when
it is in the flower, is much used to drink
inwardly to help in any of the diseases
aforesaid, or to wash the mouth when the
palate is down, and for the disease of the
throat to gargle, but outwardly also for
scabs, itch, or other the like infirmities, and
cleanses the face from morphew, spots,
freckles, and other deformities.
THE HEDGE-MUSTARD.
Descript.'] This grows up usually but
with one blackish green stalk, tough, easy
to bend, but not to break, branched into
divers parts, and sometimes with divers
stalks, set full of branches, whereon grow
long, rough, or hard rugged leaves, very
much tore or cut on the edges in many
parts, some bigger, and some less, of a
dirty green colour. The flowers are small
and yellow, that grow on the tops of the
branches in long spikes, flowering by de-
grees ; so that continuing long in flower,
the stalk will have small round cods at the
bottom, growing upright and close to the
stalk, while the top flowers yet shew them-
selves, in which are contained small yellow
seed, sharp and strong, as the herb is also.
The root grows down slender and woody,
yet abiding and springing again every
year.
Place.'] This grows frequently in this
land, by the ways and hedge-sides, and
sometimes in the open fields.
Time.'] It flowers most usually about
July.
Gffcemment and virtues^ Mars owns this
herb also. It is singulaHy good in all the
diseases of the chest and lungs, hoarseness
?J^ /r'r^^ THE COMPLETE HERBAL
of voice : and by the use of the decoction i
thereof for a Httle space, those have beenj nep, or catmint.
• recovered who had utterly lost their voice, \
and almost their spirits also. The juice | Descript.'] Common Garden Nep shoots
thereof made into a syrup, or licking medi- 5 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
tual for the same purpose, and for all other ; branches, bearing at every joint two broad
coughs, whee.iing, and shortness of breath, {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 | ed<yes, 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. | branches, and underneath them likewise on
The seed is held to be a special remedy ; the stalks many together, of a whitish pur-
ngainst poison and venom. It is singularly | pie colour. The roots are composed of
good for the sciatica, and in joint-aches, j many long strings or fibres, fastening them-
ulcers, and cankers in the mouth, throat, or | selves stronger in the ground, and abide
behind the ears, and no less for the hard- x with green leaves thereon all the winter,
ness and swelling of the testicles, or ofi Place.^ It is only nursed up in our
women's breasts. {gardens.
: Time.'] And it flowers in July, or there-
NAILWORT, OR WH TTLOW-GRASS. | abouts.
} Government and vi7iues.~\ It is an herb of
Descript.'] 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-
iieither doth it ever grow to be above a » wardly or outwardly, either alone, or with
hand's breadth high, the leaves are very j other convenient herbs in a decoction to
small, and soiuething long, not much unlike \ bathe them, or sit over the hot fumes there-
those of Chickweed, among which rise up | of; and b}^ 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 Avhich come smalll the head coming of any cold cause, catarrhs,
flat pouches containing the seed, which is 1 rheums, and for swimming and giddiness
very small, but of a sharp taste. j thereof, and is of special use for the wind-
Place.] It grows commonly upon oldjiness 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 | 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 \ 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 I bruised by an accident. The green herb
are not to be found. 5 bruised and applied to the fundament, and
. Government and virtues.] It is held to be I lying there two or three hours, eases tlie
exceedingly good for those imposthumes in i pains of the piles; the juice also being made
the joints, and under the nails, Avhich they \ up into an ointment, is effectual for the
call Whidows, Felons, Andicorns and Nail- \ same purpose. The head Avashed with a
wheals, s decoction thereof, it takes away scabs
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
127
and may be effectual for other parts of the i
body also. |
j
NETTLES. i
Nettles are so well known, that the3' ;
need no description ; they may be found |
by feeling, in the darkest night. |
Govemmetit and virtues.^ This is also ;
an herb Mars claims dominion over. You •
know Mars is hot and dry, and you know |
as well that Winter is cold and moist ; then j
you may know as well the reason why \
Nettle-tops eaten in the Spring consume;
the phlegmatic superfluities in the body or ;
man, that the coldness and moistness of
Winter hath left behind. 1 he roots or
leaves boiled, or the juice of either of them,
or both made into an electuary with honey
and sugar, is a safe and sure medicine to
open the pipes and passages of the lungs,
which is the cause of wheezing and short-
ness of breath, and helps to expectorate
tough phlegm, as also to raise the impost-
humed pleurisy ; and spend it by spitting;
the same helps the swelling of the almonds
of the throat, the mouth and throat being
gargled therewith. The juice is also effec-
tual to settle the palate of the mouth in its
place, and to heal and temper the inflam-
mations and soreness of the mouth and
throat. The decoction of the leaves in
wine, being drank, is singularly good to pro-
voke women's courses, and settle the suf-
focation, strangling of the mother, and all
other diseases thereof; it is also applied out-
wardly with a little myrrh. The same also,
or the seed provokes urine, and expels the
gravel and stone in the reins or bladder,
often proved to be effectual in many that
have taken it. The same kills the worms
in children, eases pains in the sides, and
dissolves the windiness in the spleen, as
also in the body, although others think it
only powerful to provoke venery. The
juice of the leaves taken two or three days
together, stays bleeding at the mouth. The
seed being drank, is a remedy against the
stinging of venomous creatures, the biting
of mad dogs, the poisonous qualities of
Hemlock, Henbane, Nightshade, Mandrake,
or other such like herbs that stupify or dull
the senses; as also the lethaigy, especially
to use it outwardly, to rub the forehead or
temples in the lethargy, and the places
stung or bitten with beasts, with a little salt.
The distilled water of the herb is also effec-
tual (though not so powerful) for the dis-
eases aforesaid ; as for outward wounds
and sores to wash them, and to cleanse the
skin from morphew, leprosy, and other
discolourings thereof The seed or leaves
bruised, and put into the nostrils, stays the
bleeding of them, and takes away the flesh
growing in them called polypus. The juice
of the leaves, or the decoction of them, or
of the root, is singularly good to wash either
old, rotten, or stinking sores or fistulous,
and gangrenes, and such as fretting, eating,
or corroding scabs, manginess, and itch,
in any part of the body, as also green
wounds, by washing them therewith, or ap-
plying the green herb bruised thereunto,
yea, although the flesh were separated from
the bones ; the same applied to our wearied
members, refresh them, or to place those
that have been out of joint, being first set
up again, strengthens, dries, and comforts
them, as also those places troubled with
aches and gouts, and the defluxion of
humours upon the joints or sinews ; it eases
the pains, and dries or dissolves the defluc-
tions. An ointment made of the juice,
oil, and a little Avax, is singularly good to
rub cold and benumbed members. An
handful of the leaves of green Nettles, and
another of Wall wort, or Dean wort, bruised
and applied simply themselves to the gout,
sciatica, or joint aches in any part, hath
been found to be an admirable help there-
unto.
L L
128
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
NIGHTSHADE.
Desci'ipf.'] Common Nightshade hath
an upright, round green, hollow stalk, about
a foot or half a yard high, bushing forth in
many branches, whereon grow many green
leaves, somewhat broad, and pointed at the
ends, soft and full of juice, somewhat like
unto Bazil, but longer and a little unevenly
dented about the edges : At the tops of the
stalks and branches come forth three or
four more white flowers made of five small
pointed leaves a-piece, standing on a stalk
together, one above another, Avith yellow
pointels in the middle, composed of four or
five yellow threads set together, which af-
terwards run into so many pendulous green
berries, of the bigness of small pease, full of
green juice, and small whitish round flat
seed lying within it. The root is white,
and a little woody when it hath given flower
and fruit, with many small fibres at it ;
The whole plant is of a waterish insipid
taste, but the juice within the berries is
somewhat viscous, and of a cooling and
binding quality.
Place."] It grows wild with us under our
walls, and in rubbish, the common paths,
and sides of hedges and fields, as also in
our gardens here in England, without any
planting.
Time-I It lies down every year, and
rises up again of its own sowing, but springs
not until the latter end of April at the
soonest.
Government and virtues^ It is a cold
Saturnine plant. The common Night-
sbade is wholly used to cool hot inflam-
mations either inwardly or outwardly,
being no ways dangerous to any that use it,
as most of the rest of the Nightshades are ;
yet it must be used moderatel3^ The dis-
tilled water only of the whole herb is fittest
and safest to be taken inwardly : The juice
also clarified and taken, being mingled
with a little vinegar, is good to wash the
mouth and throat that is inflamed : But
outwardly the juice of the herb or berries,
with oil of roses and a little vinegar and
ceruse laboured together in a leaden mortar,
is very good to anoint all hot inflammations
in the eyes. It also doth much good for
the shingles, ringworms, and in all running,
fretting and corroding ulcers, applied
thereunto. The juice dropped into the
ears, eases pains thereof that arise of heat
or inflammations. And Pliny saith, it is
good for hot swellings under the throat
Have a care you mistake not the deadly
Nightshade for this ; if you know it not,
you may let them both alone, and take no
harm, having other medicines sufficient m
the book.
THE OAK.
It is so well known (the timber thereor
Deing the glory and safety of this nation
by sea) that it needs no description.
Government and virtues^ Jupiter owns
the tree. The leaves and bark of the Oak,
and the acorn cups, do bind and dry very
much. The inner bark of the tree, and
the thin skin that covers the acorn, are
most used to stay the spitting of blood, and
the bloody-flux. The decoction of that
bark, and the powder of the cups, do stay
vomitings, spitting of blood, bleeding at
the mouth, or other fluxes of blood, in
men or women ; lasks also, and the noctur-
nal involuntary flux of men. The acorn in
powder taken in Avine, provokes urine, and
resists the poison of venomous creatures.
The decoction of acorns and the bark made
in milk and taken, resists the force of poi-
sonous herbs and medicines, as also the
virulency of cantharides, when one by eating
them hath his bladder exulcerated, and
voids bloody urine. Hippocrates saith, he
I used the fumes of Oak leaves to women that
I were troubled with the strangling of the
\ mother ; and Galen applied them, being
I bruised, to cure green wounds. The dis-
Blrtc!k Mustaxtl
roiixiiidix Kittli.t slxade
Deadly Nightslicide
Nrn
Na ilv^or t
(.) 1" \i i n *-
Cow 1' a r s 1 1 i I
Rink pHi-slcv
^VilcI i'ar sjitji
'I UOMAS KK1.U1, 1.0Nl)n\-. 1633.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
129
tilled water of the Oaken bud, before tliey
break out into leaves is good to be used
either inwardly or outwardly, to assuage
inflammations, and to stop all manner of
fluxes in man or woman. The same is
singularly good in pestilential and hot
burning fevers ; for it resists the force of
the infection, and allays the heat : It cools
the heat of the liver, breaking the stone in
the kidneys, and stays women's courses.
The decoction of the leaves works the same
effects. The water that is found in the
hollow places of old Oaks, is very effectual
against any foul or spreading scabs. The
distilled water (or concoction, which is
belter) of tlie leaves, is one of the best
remedies that I know of for the whites in
women.
OATS,
Are so well known that they need no
description.
Goroernment and virtues^] Oats fried v/ith
bay salt, and applied to the sides, take
away the pains of stitches and Avind in the
sides or the belly. A poultice made of
meal of Oats, and some oil of Bays put
thereunto, helps the itch and the leprosy,
as also the fistulas of the fundament, and
dissolves hard imposthumes. The meal of
Oats boiled with vinegar, and applied,
takes away freckles and spots in the face,
and other parts of the body.
ONE BLADE.
Descript^ This small plant never bears
more than one leaf, but only when it rises
up with his stalk, which thereon bears
another, and seldom more, which are of a
blueish green colour, pointed, with many
ribs or veins therein, like Plantain. At the
[top of the stalk grow many small white
'flowers, star fashion, smelling somewhat
sweet ; after which come small red berries,
when they are ripe. The root is 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,
and grassy places of woods, in many parts
of this land.
Time.'] It flowers about May, and the
berries are ripe in June, and then quickly
perishes, until the next year it springs from
the same root again.
Government and virtues.] It is a precious
herb of the Sun. Half a dram, or a dram
at most, in powder of the roots hereof taken
in wine and vinegar, of each equal parts,
and the party laid presently to sweat there-
upon, is held to be a sovereign remedy for
those that are infected with the plague, and
have a sore upon them, by expelhng the
poison and infection, and defending the
heart and spirits from danger. It is a sin-
gularly good wound herb, and is thereupon
used with other the like effects in many
compound balms for curing of wounds, be
they fresh and green, or old and malignant,
and especially if the sinews be burnt.
ORCHIS.
It has almost as many several names
attributed to the several sorts of it, as would
almost fill a sheet of ppper ; as dog-stones,
goat-stones, fool-stones, fox-stones, satiri-
con, cullians, together with many others too
tedious to rehearse.
Descript.'] To describe all the several
sorts of it were an endless piece of work ;
therefore I shall only describe the roots,
because they are to be used with some dis-
cretion. They have each of them a double
root within, some of them are round, in
others like a hand ; these roots alter every
year by course, when the one rises and
waxes full, theotherwaxeslank, and perishes.
Now, it is that which is full which is to be
used in medicines, the other being either of
no use at all, or else, according to the
humour of some, it destroys and disannuls
J 30
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
the virtues of the other, quite undoing what
that doth.
Time.'] One or other of them may be
found in flower from the beginning of April
to the latter end of August.
Government and virtues.'] They are hot
and moist in operation, under the dominion
of Dame Venus, and provoke lust exceed-
ingl}', 'vhich, they say, the dried and
Avithered roots do restrain. They are held
to kill worms in children; as also, being
bruised and applied to the place, to heal
tlie king's evil.
, ONIONS.
They are so well known, that I nee(^ not,
spend time about writing a description of;
Government and virtues.] Mars owns :
them, and they have gotten this quality, to ;
draw any corruption to them, for if you i
peel one, and lay it upon a dunghill, 3'ou i
shall find it rotten in half a day, by drawing 1
putrefaction to it ; then, being bruised and i
# applied to a plague sore, it is very probable I
• ♦it Avill do the like. Onions are flatulent, or j
windy ; yet they do somewhat provoke •
appetite, increase thirst, ease the belly and i
bowels, provoke women's courses, help the j
biting of a mad dog, and of other venomous i
creatures, to be used with honey and rue, |
increase sperm, especially the seed of them, j
They also kill worms in children if they |
drink the water fasting wherein they have j
been steeped all night. Being roasted ■
under the embers, and eaten with honey or |
sugar and oil, they much conduce to help i
an inveterate cough, and expectorate thej
tough phlegm. The juice being snuffed i
up into the nostrils, purges the head, and i
helps the lethargy, (yet the often eating'
them is said to procure pains in the head.) j
It hath been held by divers country people]
a great preservative against infection, to eat !
Onions fasting with bread and '^alt : As;
aJso to make a great Onion hollow, filling j
the place with good treacle, and after to
roast it well under the embers, which, after
taking away the outermost skin thereof,
being beaten together, is a sovereign salve
for either plague or sore, or any other
putrefied ulcer. The juice of Onions is
good for either scalding or burning by fire,
water, or gunpowder, and used with vine-
gar, takes away all blemishes, spots and
marks in the skin : and dropped in the
■ears, eases the pains and noise of them.
Applied also with figs beaten togetner, helps
to ripen and break imposthumes, and other
sores.
Leeks are as like them in quality, as tl^e
pome-water is like an apple : They are a
remedy against a surfeit of mushroom?,
being baked under the embers and taken ,
and being boiled and applied very warm,
help the piles. In other things they have
the same property as the Onions, although
not so effectual.
ORPINE.
Descript.] Common Orpine rises up
with divers rough brittle stalks, thick set
with fat and fleshy leaves, without any
order, and little or nothing dented about
the edges, of a green colour : The flowers
are white, or whitish, growing in tufts, after
which come small chaffy husks, with seeds
like dust in them. The roots are divers
thick, round, white tuberous clogs ; and the
plant grows not so big in some places as in
others where it is found.
Place.] It is frequent in almost every
county of this land, and is cherished in
gardens with us, where it grows greater than
that which is wild, and grows in shadowy
sides of fields and woods.
Time.] It flowers about July, and the
seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues^ The Moon
owns the herb, and he that knows but her
exaltaralion, knows what I say is true
Orpine is seldom used in inward medicines
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
131
with us, although Tragus saith from expe-
rience in Germany, that the distilled water
thereof is profitable for gnawings or excori-
ations in the stomach or bowels, or for ul-
cers in the lungs, liver, or other inward
parts, as also in the matrix, and helps all
those diseases, being drank for certain days
together. It stays the sharpness of humours
in the bloody- flux, and other fluxes in the
body, or in wounds. The root thereof
also performs the like efllect. It is used
outwardly to cool any heat or inflammation
upon any hurt or wound, and eases the
pains of them ; as, also, to heal scaldings
or burnings, the juice thereof being beaten
with some green sallad oil, and anointed.
The leaf bruised, and laid to any green
wound in the hand or legs, doth heal them
quickly ; and being bound to the throat,
much helps the quinsy ; it helps also rup-
tures and burstenness. If you please to
make the juice thereof into a syrup with
honey or sugar, you may safely take a
spoonful or two at a time, (let my author
say what he will) for a quinsy, and you
shall find the medicine pleasant, and the
cure speedy.
PARSLEY.
This is so well known, that it needs no
description.
Government and virtues.~\ It is under the
dominion of Mercury ; is very comfortable
to the stomach ; helps to provoke urine and
women's courses, to break wind both in the
stomach and bowels, and doth a little open
the body, but the root much more. It
opens obstructions both of liver and spleen,
and is therefore accounted one of the five
opening roots. Galen commended it
against the falling sickness, and to provoke
urine mightily ; especially if the roots be
boiled, and eaten like Parsnips. The seed
IS effectual lo provoke urine and women's
courses, to expel wind, to break the stone,
and ease the pains and torments thereof ; it
is also effectual against the venom of anj
poisonous creature, and the danger that
comes to them that have the lethargy, and
is as good against the cough. The distilled
water of Parsley is a familiar medicine with
nurses to give their children when they are
troubled with wind in the stomach or belly
which they call the frets ; and is also much
available to them that are of great years
The leaves of Parsley laid to the eyes that
are inflamed with heat, or swollen, doth
much help them, if it be used with bread or
meal ; and being fried with butter, and aji-
plied to women's breasts that are hard
through the curdling of their milk, it abates
the hardness quickly ; and also takes away
black and blue marks coming of bruises or
falls. The juice thereof dropped into the
ears with a little wine, eases the pains.
Tragus sets down an excellent medicine to
help the jaundice and falling sickness, the
dropsy, and stone in the kidneys, in this
manner : Take of the seed of Parsley, Fen-
nel, Annise and Carraways, of each an
ounce; of the roots of Parsley, Burnet,
Saxifrage, and Carraways, of each an ounce
and an half ; let the seeds be bruised, and
the roots washed and cut small ; let them
lie all night to steep in a bottle of white
wine, and in the morning be boiled in a
close earthen vessel until a third part or
more be wasted ; which being strained and
cleared, take four ounces thereof morning
and evening first and last, abstaining from
drink after it for three hours. This opens
obstructions of the liver and spleen, and
expels the dropsy and jaundice by urine.
PARSLEY PIERT, OR PARSLEY BREAK
STONE.
Descript.'] The root, although it be very
small and thready, yet it continues many
years, from which arise many leaves lying
along on the ground, each standing upon
a long small foot-stalk, the leaves as broad
as a man's nail, very deeply dented on the
132 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
edges, somewhat like a parsley-leaf, but of 5 the seed being ripe about the beginning ojf
a very dusky green colour. The stalks are August, the second year after its sowing;.
very weak and slender, about three or four for if they do flower the first year, the coun-
fingers in length, set so full of leaves that try people call them Madneps.
they can hardly be seen, either having no 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 I 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 bs found plentifully i need. It is conducible to the stomach and
about Hampstead Heath, Hyde Park, and | reins, and provokes urine. But the wild
in Tothill-fields. j Parsnips hath a cutting, attenuating, clean-
2me.] 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. 5 the pains and stitches in the sides, and dis-
Governmeni and virtues.] Its operation j 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 sallad jThe root is often used, but the seed much
herb. It were good the gentry would pickle I more. The wild being better than the tame,
it up as they pickle up Samphire for their \ shews Dame Nature to be the best phy-
use all the Winter. I cannot teach them | sician.
how to do it; yet this I can tell them, it ist „ „
, 1 "^ , , ,TiL 1 I cow PARSNIPS.
a very wholesome herb. Ihey may also
keep the herb dry, or in a syrup, if they | De.<<cript.] This grows with three or
please. You may take a dram of the pow-| four large, spread winged, rough leaves,
derof itin white wine; it would bring awa^' | lying often on the ground, or else raised a
gravel from the kidneys insensibly, and Uittle from it, with long, round, hairy foot-
without pain. It also helps the stranguary.j stalks under them, parted usually into five
; divisions, the two couples standing each
J against the other ; and one at the end, and
The garden kind thereof is so well known leach 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 : leaves, and not so deep in others, of a whitish
of it. But the wild kind being of more | 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
Descripl.] The wild Parsnip differs | 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 theiAvhite, 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. : 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 I strings growing down into the grounoi
m divers places, as in the marshes in Roches-; smelling likewise strongly and unpleasant
t^r, and elsewhere, and flowers in July ; J Place.l It grows in moist meadows, ana
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
I3:J
b
the borders and corners of fields, and near |
ditchcs; through this land. »
Time-I It Sowers in July, and seeds in j
August.
Government and vbiue.s.'] Mercury hath
the dominion over them. The seed thereof,
as Galen saith, is of a sharp and cutting
quality, and thero^ore is a fit medicine fori
a cough and shortness of breath, the falling j
sickness and jaundice. The root is avail- \
able to all the purposes aforesaid, and is|
also of great use to take away the hard j
skin that grows on a fistula, if it be butj
scraped upon it. The seed hereof being*
drank, cleanses the belly from tough phleg-t
nvatic matter therein, eases them that are I
liver-grown, women's passions of the mother, |
as well being drank as the smoke thereof?
received, and likewise raises such as arej
fallen into ;i decj) sleep, or have the lethargy, I
by burning it under their nose. The seed .;
and root boiled in oil, and the head rubbed
tlierewith, lielps not only those that are
fallen into a frenzy, but also the lethargy or
drowsy evil, and those that have been long
troubled with the head-ache, if it be like-|
wise used with Rue. It helps also the runn- J
ing scab and shingles. Ine juice of the|
Howers dropped into the ears that run and |
are full of matter, cleanses and heals them. {
s
THE PEACH TREE. }
Desc.ript.'] A peach Tree grows not so;
great as the Apricot tree, yet spreads |
branches reasonable well, from whence j
spring smaller reddish twigs, whereon are!
set long and narrow green leaves dented I
about the edges. The blossoms are greater \
than the plumb, and of a light purple;
colour; the fruit round, and sometimes asj
Dig as a reas()nal)le Pippin, others smaller,!
as also differing in colour and taste, as rus-;
set, red, or yellow, waterish or firm, with a
frize or cotton all over, with a cleft therein
like an Apricot, and a rugged, fiurowed,
great stone within it, and a bitter kernel
within the stone. It sooner waxes old,
and decays, than the Apricot, by much.
Place.'] They are nursed in gardens and
orchards through this land.
Time.'] They flower in the Spring, and
fructify in Autumn.
Government and virtues.] Lady ^'^enus
owns this tree, and by it opposes the i!l
effects of Mars, and indeed for children and
young people, nothing is better to purge
choler and the jaundice, than the leaves or
flowers of this tree being made into a syrup
or conserve. Let such as delight to please
their lust regard th.e fruit ; but such as have
lost tiieir health, and their children's, let
them regard what I sa}', they may salciy
give two spoonfuls of the syrup at a time ;
it is as gentle as Venus herself The leaves
of peaches bruised and laid on the belly,
kill worms, and so they do also being
boiled in ale and drank, and open the belly
likewise ; and, being dried, is a far safer
medicine to discuss humours. The pow-
der of them strewed u{)on fresh bleeding
wounds stays their bleeding, and closes
them up. The flowers steeped all night in
a little wine standing warm, strained forth
in the morning, and drank fasting, dotli
gently open the belly, and move it down-
ward. A syrup made of them, as the syrup
of roses is made, works more forcibly than
that of roses, for it provokes vomiting, and
spends waterish and hydropic humours by
the continuance thereof The flowers made
into a conserve, work the same cflect.
The li(iuor that dropped fronj the tree, being
wounded, is given in the decoction of CoKs-
foot, to those that are troubled with a cough
or shortness of breath, by adding thereunto
some sweet wine, and putting some saffron
also therein. It is good for those that are
hoarse, or have lost their voice; helps all
defects of the lungs, and those that vomit
and sj)it blood. Two drams hereof given
in the juice of lemons, or of radish, is good
for them that are troubled with the stone.
134
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
the kernels of the stones do wonderfully
ease the pains and wringings of the belly
through wind or sharp humours, and help
to make an excellent medicine for the stone
upon all occasions, in this manner : I take
fifty kernels of peach-stones, and one hundred
of the kernels of cherry-stones, a handful of
elder flowers fixsh or dried, and three pints
of Miiscadel ; set them in a close pot into a bed
of horse-dung for ten days, after zohich distil
in a glass with a gentle fire, and keep it for
your use : You may drink upon occasion
three or four ounces at a time. The milk or
cream of these kei^nels being drawn forth
Avith some Vervain water and applied to
the forehead and temples, doth much help
to procure rest and sleep to sick persons
wanting it. The oil drawn from the kernels,
the temples being therewith anointed, doth
the like. The said oil put into clysters,
eases the pains of the wind cholic : and
anointed on the lower part of the belly,
doth the like, and dropped into the ears,
eases pains in them ; the juice of the leaves
doth the like. Being also anointed on the
forehead and temples, it helps the megrim,
and all other pains in the head. If the
kernels be bruised and boiled in vinegar,
until they become thick, and applied to the
head, it marvellously procures the hair to
grow again upon bald places, or where it is
too thin.
THE PEAR TREE.
Pear Trees are so well known, that they
need no description.
Government and virtues^ The Tree belongs
to Venus, and so doth the Apple tree. For
their physical use they are best discerned
by their taste. All the sweet and luscious
sorts, whether manured or wild, do help to
move the belly downwards, more or less.
Those that are hard and sour, do, on the
contrary, bind the belly as much, and the
leaves do so also : Those that are moist do
in siome sort cool, but harsh or wild sorts
much more, and are very good in repelling
medicines ; and if the wild sort be boiled
with mushrooms, it makes them less dan-
gerous. The said Pears boiled with a .ittle
honey, help much the oppressed stomach,
as all sorts of them do, some more, some
less : but the harsher sorts do more cool
and bind, serving well to be bound to green
wounds, to cool and stay the blood, and heal
up the green wound without farther trouble,
or inflammation, as Galen saithhehath found
by experience. The Avild Pears do sooner
close up the lips of green wounds than others.
Schola Selerni advises to drink much
wine after Pears, or else (say they) they are
as bad as poison ; nay, and they curse the
tree for it too ; but if a poor man find his
stomach oppressed by eating Pears, it is but
working hard, and it will do as well as
drinking wine.
PELLITORY of SPAIN.
Common Pellitory of Spain, if it be
planted in our gardens, will prosper very
well ; yet there is one sort growing ordina-
rily here wild, which I esteem to be little
inferior to the other, if at all. I shall not
deny you the description of them both.
Descript-I Common Pellilory is a very
common plant, and will not be kept in our
gardens without 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
than the leaves of the Camomile are. At
the top it bears one single large flower at a
place, having a border of many leaves,
white on the upper side, and reddish under-
neath, with a yellow thrunj in the middle,
not standing so close as that of Camomile.
The other common Pellitory which
grows here, hath a root of a sharp biting
taste, scarcely discernible by the taste from
that before described, from whence arise
divers brittle stalks, a yard high and more
with narrow leaves finely dented about the
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ISt
edges, standing one above another up to | black, rough seed, whiLh will stick to an^
the tops. The flowers are many and white, | cloth or garment that shall touch it. The
standing in tufts like those of Yarrow, with 5 root is somewhat long, with small fibre
a small yellowish thrum in the middle. \ thereat, of a dark reddish colour, whicl
The seed is very small. | abides the Winter, although the stalks anc
Place.'] The last grows in fields by the I 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| the land, about the borders of fields, and bv
June and July. j the sides of walls, and among rubbish. It
Government and virtues.'] It is under the} will endure well being brought up in gnr-
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 ; 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 1 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! Pell itory made up into an electuary with
the herb or root dried and chewed in the; honey, or the juices of the herb, or the de-
mouth, purges the brain of plegmatic \ coction thereof made up witji sugar or
humours; thereby not only easing pains inUiou?}', is a lingular 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 1 derfully help stop^ping of the urine, and to
sickness. It is an excellently approved j expel the stone or gravel in the kidneys or
remedj'^ in the lethargy. The powder of the | bladdei-, 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 I ceeding of wind, stopping of urine, the
grease, it takes away black and blue spots \ 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. ' | warmed upon a tile, or in a dish upon a
^^„„ ^„ ^„r, ,., .^^ 'f'S^v quick coals in a chafing-dish, and ap-
PELLITORY OF THE WALL. \ ,• ,^^ ^i, i^ \\ • ^ i ?i /r '.
^ plied to the belly, it works the same effect.
Descript.] It rises with brownish, red, I The decoction of the herb being drank,
tender, weak, clear, and almost transparent I eases pains of the mother, and brings down
stalks, about two feet high, upon which I women's courses : It also eases those griefs
grow at the joints two leaves somewhat j 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 | 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
stalks are also. At the joints with the | while in the mouth, eases pains in the teeth,
leaves from the middle of the stalk upwards, i The distilled water of the herb drank with
where it spreads into branches, stand many > 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^ ; pies, wheals, sun-burn, morphew,&c. The
N N
136
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
juice dropped into the ears, cases the noise
in them, and takes away the pricking and
shooting pains therein : The same, or the
distilled water, assuages hot and swelling
imposthumes, burnings and scaldings by
fire or water ; as also all other hot tumours
and inflammations, or breakings-out, of
heat, being bathed often with wet cloths
dipped therein : The said juice made into
a liniment with ceruss, and oil of roses, and
anointed therewith, cleanses foul rotten
ulcers, and stays spreading or creeping
ulcers, and running scabs or sores in chil-
dren's heads ; and helps to stay the hair
from falling off the head. The said oint-
ment, or the herb applied to the fundament,
opens the piles, and eases their pains ; and
being mixed with goats' tallow, helps the
gout. The juice is very effectual to cleanse
fistulas, and to heal them up safely ; or the
herb itself bruised and applied with a little
salt. It is likewise also effectual to heal
any green wound ; if it be bruised and
bound thereto for three days, you shall
need no other medicine to heal it further.
A poultice made hereof with Mallows, and
boiled in wine and wheat bran and bean
flour, and some oil put thereto, and ap-
plied warm to any bruised sinews, tendon,
or muscle, doth in a very short time restore
them to their strength, taking away the
pains of the bruises, and dissolves the con-
gealed blood coming of blows, or falls from
high places.
The juice of Pellitory of the Wall clarified
and boiled in a syrup with honey, and a
spoonful of it drank every morning by such
as are subject to the dropsy ; if continuing
that course, though but once a weak, they
ever have the dropsy, let them but come
to me, and I will cure them gratis.
PENNYROYAL.
Pennyroyal is so well known unto
all, 1 mean the common kind, that it needs
no description.
I There is a greater kind than the ordinary
Isort found wild with us, which so abides,
.•being brought into gardens, and differs not
(from it, but only in the largeness of the
\ leaves and stalks, in rising higher, and not
I creeping upon the ground so much. The
I flowers whereof are purple, growing in run-
I dies about the stalks like the other.
I Place.l The first, which is common in
\ gardens, grows also in many moist and
; watery places of this land.
I The second is found wild in effect in
j divers places by the highAvays from London
5 to Colchester, and thereabouts, more abun-
jdantly than in any other counties, and is
also planted in their gardens in Essex.
Time.'] They flower in the latter end of
Summer, about August.
Government and virtues^ The herb is
under Venus. Dioscorides sailh, that
Pennyro3'al makes thin tough phlegm,
warms the coldness of any part whereto it
is applied, and digests raw or corrupt mat-
ter ; Being boiled and drank, it provokes
women's courses, and expels the dead child
and after-birth, and stays the disposition
to vomit, being taken in water and vinegar
mingled together. And being mingled with
honey and salt, it voids phlegm out of the
lungs, and purges melancholy by the stool.
Drank with wine, it helps such as are bitten
and stung' with venomous beasts, and ap-
plied to the nostrils with vinegar, revives
those that are fainting and swooning.
Being dried and burnt, it strengthens the
gums. It is helpful to those that are trou-
bled with the gout, being applied of itself
to the place until it was red ; and applied
\ in a plaister, it takes away spots or marks
; in the face; applied with salt, it profits those
i that are splenetic, or livergrown. The de-
icoction doth help the itch, if washed ihere-
jwith. The green herb bruised and put
j into vinegar, cleanses foul ulcers, and ta!ke$
i away the marks of bruises and blows about
i the eyes, and ad discolourings of the face
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
137
by fire, yea, and the leprosy, being drank |
and outwardly applied: Boiled in wine 5
with honey and salt, it helps the tooth-ache. 1
It helps the cold griefs by the joints, taking!
away the pains, and warms the cold part, |
being fast bound to the place, after a|
bathing or sweating in a hot house. Pliny \
adds, that Pennyroyal and Mints together, |
help faiintings, being put into vinegar, and \
smelled unto, or put into the nostrils or|
mouth. It eases head-aches, pains of the |
breast and belly, and gnawings of the{
stomach; applied with honey, salt, and;
vinegar, it helps cramps or convulsions of j
the sinews: Boiled in milk, and drank, it|
is effectual for the cough, and for ulcers |
and sores in the mouth; drank in wine itl
provokes women's courses, and expels thej
dead child, and after-birth. Matthiolusj
saith, The decoction thereof being drank, |
helps the jaundice and dropsy, all pains of!
the head and sinews that come of a cold j
cause, and clears the eye-sight. It helps I
the lethargy, and applied with barley -meal, \
helps burnings ; and put into the ears, eases
the pains of them.
MALE AND FEMALE PEONY.
S
s
t
Descript.'] Male Peony rises up withj
brownish stalks, whereon grow green and I
reddish leaves, upon a stalk without any \
particular division in the leaf at all. The!
flowers stand at the top of the stalks, con- j
sisting of five or six broad leaves, of a fair I
purplish red colour, with many yellow 5
threads in the middle standing about the!
head, which after rises up to be the seed ;
vessels, divided into two, three, or four!
crooked pods like horns, which being full ;
ripe, open and turn themselves down back- 5
wards, shewing with them divers round, !
black, shming seeds, having also many |
crimson grains, intermixed with black, |
whereby it makes a very pretty shew. The l
roots are great, thick and long, spreading!
and running down deep in the ground. !
The ordinary Female Peony hath as
many stalks, and more leaves on them than
the Male; the leaves not so large, but nicked
on the edges, some with great and deep,
others with small cuts and divisions, of a
dead green colour. The flowers are of a
strong heady scent, usually smaller, and of
a more purple colour than the Male, with
yellow thrums about the head, as the Male
hath. The seed vessels are like horns, as in
the Male, but smaller, the seed is black,
but less shining. The root consists of many
short tuberous clogs, fastened at the end of
long strings, and all from the heads of the
roots, which is thick and short, and ol' the
like scent with the Male.
Place and Time-I They grow in gardens,
and flower usually about May.
Governinent and virtues.~\ It is an herb of
the Sun, and under the Lion. Physicians
say, Male Peony roots are best ; but Dr.
Reason told me Male Peony was best for
men, and Female Peony for women, and he
desires to be judged by his brother Dr.
Experience. The roots are held to be of
more virtue than the seed ; next the flowers ;
and, last of all, the leaves. The roots of
the Male Peony, fresh gathered, having
been found by experience to cure the fall-
ing sickness ; but the surest way is, besides
hanging it about the neck, by which children
have been cured, to take the root of the
Mile Peony washed clean, and stamped
somewhat small, and laid to infuse in sack
for 24 \ours at the least, afterwards strain
it, and take it first and last, morning and
evening, a good draught for sundry days
together, before and after a full moon : and
this will also cure old persons, if the dis-
ease be not grown too old, and past cure,
especially if there be a due and orderly
preparation of the body with posset-drink
made of Betony, &c. The root is also
effectual for women that are not sufficiently
cleansed after child-birth, and such as are
troubled with the mother ; for which like-
J3«
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 | hog's grease, and applied to the place, and
seed also taken before bed-time, and in ^ to continue thereon four hours in men, and
the morning, is very effectual for such as in > two hours in women, the place being after-
their sleep are troubled with the disease ! wards bathed with wine and oil mixed
called Ephialtes, or Incubus, but we do -together, and then wrapped up with wool
commonly call it the Night-mare: a disease | or skins, after they have sweat a little. It
which melancholy persons are subject unto : I 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
flowers, works the same effects that the root j 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- 1 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 i t>r.T, twtt^ttt i.
great lovers of rarities in this kind. \
? DescriptJ] The common sort hereof
PEPPERWORT, OR DITTANDER. 5 u 4.U u 1 * T
' I hath many branches trailing or running
Descript.'] Our common Pepperwortj upon the ground, shooting out small fibres
sends forth somewhat long and broad leaves, | at the joints as it runs, taking thereby hold
of a light blueish green colour, finely i 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 1 like bay leaves, but smaller, and with them
branches on all sides, and having many | 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 \ somewhat long and hollow, parted at the
heads. The root is slender, running much I brims, sometimes into four, sometimes into
under ground, and shooting up again in i five leaves : The most ordinary sorts are oi
many places, and both leaves and roots are x a pale blue colour ; some are pure white,
very hot and sharp of taste, like pepper, for \ some of a dark reddish purple colour. The
which cause it took the name. root is little bigger than a rush, bushing in
Place.'] It grows naturally in many the ground, and creeping with his branches
places of this land, as at Clare in Essex ; I far about, whereby it quickly possesses a
also near unto Exeter in Devonshire; upon | great compass, and is therefore most
Rochester common in Kent ; in Lanca- ! usually planted under hedges where it may
shire, and divers other places ; but usually \ have room to run.
kept in gardens. \ Place.'] Those with the pale blue, and
Time.] It flowers in the end of June, \ those with the white flowers, grow in woods
and in July. I and orchards, by the hedge-sides, in divers
Government and virtues.'] Here is another \ places of this land ; but those Avith the pur-
martial herb for you, make much of it. • pie flowers, in gardens only.
Pliny and Paulus ^gineta 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 le^^ves | by man and wife together, cause love be-
PLJ^TE 15.
Pellitory of l lie Wall
Jr^imperiiel
\Viiiio I'^oppy
P e r i^vv inlc] e
Plaixtaioi
Pepper-'W'or t
Corji Rcjse Poppv
THOMA.S KELLY. LONDON - 1635 .
P X unx c s e
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
139
tween them. The Periwinkle is a great;
hinder, stays bleeding both at mouth and
nose, if some of the leaves be chewed.
The French used it to stay women's courses.
Pioscorides, Galen, and JEgineta, com-
mend it against the lasks and fluxes of the
belly to be drank in wine.
[
I
ST. PETER S WORT
If Superstition had not been the father
of Tradition, as well as Ignorance the
Mother of Devotion, this herb, (as well as
St. John's Wort) hath found some other
name to be known by ; but we may say of
our forefathers, as St. Paul of the Athenians,
I perceive in many things you are too super-
stitious. Yet seeing it is come to pass,
that custom having got in possession,
pleads prescription for the name, I shall
let it pass, and come to the description of
the herb, which take as follows.
Descript-I It rises up with square up-
right stalks for the most part, some greater
and higher than St. John's Wort (and good
reason too, St. Peter being the greater
apostle, (ask the Pope else ;) for though
God would have the saints equal, the Pope
is of another opinion,) but brown in the
same manner, having two leaves at every
joint, somewhat like, but larger, than St.
John's Wort, and a little rounder pointed,
with few or no holes to be seen thereon, and
having sometimes some smaller leaves rising
from the bosom of the greater, and some^
times a little hairy also. At the tops of two
stalks stand many star-like flowers, with
yellow threads in the middle, very like
those of St. John's Wort, insomuch that
this is hardly discerned from it, but only by
the largeness and height, the seed being
alike also in both. The root abides long,
sending forth new shoots every year.
Place."] It grows in many groves, and
small low woods, in divers places of this
land, as in Kent, Huntingdon, Cambridge,
and Northamptonshire: as also near water-
courses in other places.
Tw/ze.] It flowers in June and July, and
the seed is ripe in August.
Government and virtues.'] There is not
a straw to choose between this and St.
John's Wort, only St. Peter must have it,
lest he should want pot herbs ; It is of the
same property of St. John's Wort, but some-
what weaker, and therefore more seldom
used. Two drams of the seed taken at a
time in honied water, purges choleric
humours, (as saith Dioscorides, Pliny, and
Galen,) and thereby helps those that are
troubled with the sciatica. The leaves are
used as St. John's Wort, to help those
places of the body that have been burnt
with fire.
PIMPERNEL.
Descript.l Common Pimpernel hath
divers weak square stalks lying on the
ground, beset all Avith two small and almost
round leaves at every joint, one against
another, very like Chickweed, but hath no
foot-stalks ; for the leaves, as it were, com-
pase the stalk. The flowers stand singly
each by themselves at them and the stalk,
consistingof five small round-pointed leaves,
of a pale red colour, tending to an orange,
with so many threads in the lAiddle, in whose
places succeed smooth round heads, where-
in is contained small seed. The root is
small and fibrous, perishing every year.
Place.'] It grows almost every where
as well in the meadows and corn-fields,
as by the way-sides, and in gardens, arising
of itself.
Time.'} It flowers from May until, April,
and the seed ripens in the mean time, and
falls.
Government and virtues^ It is a gallant
solar herb, of a cleansing attractive quality,
whereby it draws forth thorns or splinters,
or other such like things gotten into the
flesh ; and put up into the nostrils, purges
o o
uo
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
ihehead ; and Galen saith also, they have | along among the leaves; after which come
a 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 I Place.'] It grows more plentifully in
much esteemed by French dames Lo cleanse | Kent than any other county of this land, as
the skin from any roughness and defor- > namely, in many places on this side Dart-
mity, or discolouring thereof ; being boiled » ford, along to Southfleet, Chatham, and
in wine and given to drink, it is a good | Rochester, and upon Chatham down, hard
remedy against the plague, and other pes- 1 by the Beacon, and half a mile from
tilential fevers, if the party after taking it i Rochester, in a field near a house called
be warm in his bed, and sweat for twojSelesys.
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, i Gwernment and virtues^ Mars owns the
being used inwardly, and applied outward-? herb. The decoction of Ground Pine
ly. The same also opens ol:>structions of {drank, doth wonderfully prevail against the
the liver, and is very available against the | stranguary, or any inward pains arising
infirmities of the reins : It provokes urine, i from the diseases of the reins and urine,
and helps to expel the stone and gravel | and 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 \ the body ; for which purpose they were
decoction, or distilled water, is no less ef- ; wont in former times to make pills with the
lecf.ual to be appHed to all wounds that are | powder thereof, and the pulp of figs. It
fresh and green, or old, filthy, fretting, and j 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 i 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 ease the I wine taken inwardly, or applied outwardly,
pains of the haemorrhoids or piles. jor both, for some time together, is also
1 effectual in all pains and diseases of the
GROUND riNE, OR CHAMEPiTYS. | joints, as gouts,cramps, palsics, sciatica, and
Descript.] Our common Ground Pine laches; for which purpose the pills made
grows low, seldom rising above a hand's j with powder of Ground Pine, and of Her-
breadth high, shooting forth divers small | modactyls with Venice Turpentine are very
branches, set with slender, small, long, nar- 1 effectual. The pills also, continued for
row, greyish, or whitish leaves, somewhat ^ some time, are special good for those thai
hairy, and divided into three parts, manyUiave the dropsy, jaundice, and for griping
bushing together at a joint, some growing ^ pains of the joints, belly, or inward parts
scatteringly upon the stalks, smelling some- 1 It helps also all diseases of the brain, pro-
what strong, like unto rozin : The flowers \ ceeding of cold and phlegmatic humoui"s
are small, and of a pale yellow colour, | and distillations, as also for the falling sick-
growing from the joint of the stalk all | ness. It is a special remedy for the poison
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
14]
t
of the aconites, and other poisonous herbs, j
as also against the stinging of any veno-|
mous creature. It is a good remedy for a |
cold cough, especially in the beginning. |
For all the purposes aforesaid, the herbj
being tunned up in new drink and drank,!
is almost as effectual, but far more accepta-|
hie to weak and dainty stomachs. The!
distilled water of the herb hath the samej
effects, but more weakly. The conserve |
of the flowers doth the like, Avhich Mat-?
thiolus much commends against the palsy, 5
The green herb, or the decoction thereof, |
being applied, dissolves the harhness of^
women's breasts, and all other hard swell- \
ings in any other part of the body. The \
green herb also applied, or the juice thereof!
with some honey, not only cleanses putrid, j
stinking, foul, and malignant ulcers and \
sores of all sorts, but heals and solders up '5
the lips of green wounds in any part also. I
Let pregnant women forbear, for it works 1
violently upon the feminine part. \
PLANTAIN. I
I
Tins grows usually in meadows and <
fields, and by path sides, and is so well
known, that it needs no description.
llme.l It is in its beauty about June,
and the seed ripens shortly after.
Government and virtues.^ It is true, Mis-
aldus and others, yea, almost all astrology-
physicians, hold this to be an herb of Mars,
because it cures the diseases of the head
and privities, which are under the houses
of Mars, Aries, and Scorpio : The truth is,
it is under the command of Venus, and
cures the head by antipathy to Mars, and
the privities by sympathy to Venus; neither
is there hardly a martial disease but it
cures.
The juice of Plantain clarified and drank
for divers days together, either of itself, or
in other drink, prevails wonderfiilly against
all torments or excoriations in the intestines
or bowels, helps the distillations of rheum
from the head, and stays all manner of
fluxes, even women's courses, when hey
flow too abundantly. It is good to stay
spitting of blood and other bleedings at the
mouth, or the making of foul and bloody
water, by reason of any ulcer in the reins
or bladder, and also stays the too free
bleeding of wounds. It is held an especial
remedy for those that are troubled Avith the
phthisic, or consumption of the lungs, or
ulcers of the lungs, or coughs that come of
heat. The decoction or powder of the
roots or seeds, is much more binding for all
the purposes aforesaid than the leaves.
Dioscorides saith, that three roots boiled in
wine and taken, helps the tertain agues, and
for the quartan agues, (but letting the num-
ber pass as fabulous) I conceive the decoc-
tion of divers roots may be effectual. The
herb (but especially the seed) is held to be
profitable against the dropsy, the falling-
sickness, the yellow jaundice, and stoppings
of the liver and reins. The roots of Plan-
tain, and Pcllitory of Spain, beaten into
powder, and put into the hollow teeth, takes
away the pains of them. The clarified
juice, or distilled water, dropped into the
eyes, cools the inflammations in them, and
takes away the pin and web; and dropped
i..to the ears, eases the pains in them, and
helps and removes the heat. The same
also with thejuice of Houseleek is profitable
against all inflammations and breakings out
of the skin, and against burnings and scald-
ings by fire and water. The juice or de-
coction made either of itself, or other things
of the like nature, is of much use and good
effect for old and hollow ulcers that are hard
to be cured, and for cankers and sores in
the mouth or privy parts of man or woman;
and helps also the pains of the piles in the
fundament. The juice mixed with oil of
roses, and the temples and forehead anoint-
ed therewith, eases the pains of the head
proceeding from heat, and helps lunatic
and frantic persons very much ; as also the
142
THE COMPLETE HERB/\L
biting of serpents, or a mad dog. The
same also is profitably applied to all hot
gouts in the feet or hands, especially in the
beginning. It is also good to be applied
uhere any bone is out of joint, to hinder
intlammations, swellings, and pains that
presently rise thereupon. The powder of
the dried leaves taken in drink, kills worms
of the belly ; and boiled in wine, kills
worms that breed in old and foul ulcers.
One part of Plantain water, and two parts
of the brine of powdered beef, boiled
together and clarified, is a most sure remedy
lo heal all spreading scabs or itch in the
head and body, all manner of tetters, ring-
worms, the shingles, and all other running
and fretting sores. Briefly, the Plantains
are singularly good Avound herbs, to heal
fresh or old wounds or sores, either inward
or outward
PLUMS.
Are so well known that they need no
description.
Government and virtues.'] All Plums are
under A'^enus, and are like women, some
better, and some worse. As there is great
diversity of kinds, so there is in the o})era-
tion of Plums, for some that are sweet
moistens the stomach, and make the belly
soluble ; those that are sour quench thirst
more, and bind the belly ; the moist and
waterish do sooner corrupt in the stomach,
but the firm do nourish more, and offend
less. The dried fruit sold by the grocers
under the names of Damask Prunes, do
somewhat loosen the belly, and being
stewed, are often used, both in health and
sickness, to relish the mouth and stomach,
to procure appetite, and a little to open
the body, allay choler, and cool the
stomach. Plum-tree leaves boiled in wine,
are good to wash and gargle the mouth ancl
chroat, to dry the flux of rheum coming to
thCj palate, gums, or almonds of the ear.
The gum of the tree is good to break the
stone. The gum or leaves boiled in vme-
gar, and applied, kills tetters and ring-
worms. Matthiolus saith, The oil pre-
served out of the kernels of the stones, as
oil of almonds is made, is good against the
inflamed piles, the tumours or swellings of
ulcers, hoarseness of the voice, roughness
of the tongue and throat, and likewise the
pains in the ears. And that five ounces
of the said oil taken with one ounce of mus-
kadcl, drives forth the stone, and helps the
cholic.
POLYPODY OF THE OAK.
Descript.'] Tnis is a small herb consist-
ing of nothing but roots and leaves, bearing
neither stalk, flower, nor seed, as it is
thought. It hath three or four leaves
rising from the root, every one single by
itself, of about a hand length, are winged,
consisting of many small narrow leaves
cut into the middle rib, standing on each
side of the stalk, large below, and smallei
up to the top, not dented nor notched at
the edges at all, as the male fern hath, of
sad green colour, and smooth on the uppei
side, but on the other side somewhat rough
by reason of some yellowish flowers set
thereon. The root is smaller than one's
little finger, lying aslope, or creeping along
under the upper crust of the earth, brown-
ish on the outside and greenish within, of
a sweetish harshness in taste, set with cer-
tain rough knags on each side thereof,
having also much mossiness or yellow hair-
iness upon it, and some fibres underneath it,
whereby it is nourished.
Place.'] It grows as well upon old rotten
stuni))s, or trunks of trees, as oak, beech,
hazel, willow, or any other, as in the woods
under them, and upon old mud walls, as
also in mossy, stony, and gravelly places
near unto wood. That which grows upon
oak is accounted the best ; but the quantity
thereof is scarce suflScient for the common
use
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
143
i ■
Time.1 It being always green, may be |
gathered for use at any time. |
Government and virtues.'] Poly podium ofj
the Oak, that which grows upon the earth ?
is best ; it is an herb of Saturn, to purge I
melancholy ; if the humour be otherwise, \
chuseyourPolypodium accordingly. Meuse I
(who is called the Physician's Evangelist for »
the certainty of his medicines, and the!
truth of his opinion) saith, That it dries up \
thin humours, digests thick and tough, and i
purges burnt choler, and especially tough \
and thick phlegm, and thin phlegm also, |
even from the joints, and therefore good for I
those that are troubled with melancholy, or \
quartan agues, especially if it be taken in |
whey or honied water, or in barley-water, \
or the broth of a chicken with Epithymum, |
or with Beets and Mallows. It is good for >
the hardness of the spleen, and for pricking |
or stitches in the sides, as also for the cholic: |
Some use to put to it some Fennel seeds, or >
Annis seeds, or Ginger, to correct that:
loathing it brings to the stomach, which is I
more than needs, it being a safe and gentle \
medicine, fit for all persons, which daily |
experience confirms; and an ounce of it I
may be given at a time in a decoction, if;
there be not Sena, or some other strong i
purger put with it. A dram or two of the \
powder of the dried roots, taken fasting in \
a cup of honied water, works gently, and {
for the purposes aforesaid. The distilled |
water both of roots and leaves, is much \
commended for the quartan ague, to be \
taken for many days together, as also \
iBgainst melancholy, or fearful and trouble- j
[Some sleeps or dreams ; and with some \
Isugar-candy dissolved therein, is good |
[against the cough, shortness of breath, and j
Iwheezings, and those distillations of thin \
[rheum upon the lungs, which cause phthi- I
[sicks, and oftentimes consumptions. The \
[fresh roots beaten small, or the powder ofj
he dried roots mixed with honey, and ap- 1
)lied to the member that is out of joint, |
doth much help it ; and applied also to the
nose, cures the disease called Polypus, which
is a piece of flesh growing therein, which
in time stops the passage of breath through
that nostril; and it helps those clefts or
chops that come between the fingers or
toes.
THE POPLAR TEEE.
There are two sorts of Poplars, which
are most familiar with us, viz. the Black
and White, both which I shall here des-
cribe unto you.
Descript.] The White Poplar grows
great, and reasonably high, covered with
thick, smooth, white bark, especially the
branches ; having long leaves cut into
several divisions almost like a vine leaf, but
not of so deep a green on the upper side,
and hoary white underneath, of a reason-
able good scent, the whole form represent-
ing the form of Coltsfoot. The catkins
which it brings forth before the leaves, are
long, and of a faint reddish colour, which
fall away, bearing seldom good seed with
them. The wood hereof is smooth, soft,
and white, very finely waved, whereby it is
much esteemed.
The Black Poplar grows higher and
straighter than the White, with a greyish
bark, bearing broad green leaves, somewhat
like ivy leaves, not cut in on the edges like
the White, but whole and dented, ending
in a point, and not white underneath, hang-
ing by slender long foot stalks, which with
the air are continually shaken, like as the
Aspen leaves are. The catkins hereof are
greater than those of the White, composed
of many round green berries, as if they
were set together in a long cluster, contain-
ing much downy matter, which being ripe,
is blown away with the wind. The clammy
buds hereof, before they spread into leaves,
arc gathered to make Unguentum and
Populneum, and are of a yellowish green
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 \ the Erratic Wild Poppy, or Corn Rose,
these trees grows a sweet kind of musk, | Descript.'] The White Poppy hath at
which in former times was used to put into | first four or five whitish green leaves lying
sweet ointments. 5 upon the ground, which rise with the stalk.
Place.'] They grow in moist woods, and \ compassing it at the bottom of them, and
by water-sides in sundry places of this land ; s are very large, nmch 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 I which is usually four or five feet high, hath
before : The catkins coming forth before x 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 x 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 ri-sing, and being
weight of an ounce in powder, of the bark | broken, the flowers within it spreading itself
thereof, being drank, saith Dioscorides, is « open, and consisting of four wry large,
a remedy for those that are troubled with x 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, ? 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 | growing ripe, becomes as large as a great
out into leaves, bruised, and a little honey J apple, Avherein are contained a great num-
put to them, is a good medicine for a dull ; 'oer 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 x middle thereof remaining hollow, and
the leaves bruised with vinegar and applied, I empty. The whole plant, both leaves,
help the gout. The seed drank in vinegar, i stalks, and heads, while they are fresh,
is 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, lakes away warts, pushes, ■ 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, \ 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 alM colour, but without any purple spots in the
heat and "mflammations in any part of the | bottom of the leaf. The head of the seed
body, and tempers the heat of wounds. It | is much less than the former, and opens
is much used to dry up the milk of women's 5 itself a little round about the top, under
breasts when they have weaned their I the crown, so that the seed, which is very
children. j black, will fall out, if one turn the head
I thereof downward.
*'°^^^' i The wild Poppy, or Corn Rose, hath long
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 .ight green \ 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 j 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- I causing a continual cough, the fore-runner
fore the skin break, wherein the flower is | of a consumption ; it helps also hoarseness
inclosed, which when it is fully blown open, | 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 \ 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- I belly, and women's courses. The empty
ing a small green head, which when it is ; shells, or po])py heads, are usually boiled
ripe, is not bigger than one's litde finger's ; 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 I heads bruised and applied with a little
nothing else. i vinegar, or made into a poultice with barley-
Place.'] The garden kinds do not natu- | 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. j 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 J medicines that are made to procure rest
in the corn fields of all counties through this ; 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 j 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. ; belly or women's courses ; it is also put
Tiine-I 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
they spring of their own sowing.
The wild kind flower usually from May
until July, and the seed of them is ripe soon
after the flowering.
Gircernment and virtues.^ The herb is
Lunar, and of the juice of it is made opium;
only for lucre of money they cheat you,
and tell you it is a kind of tear, or some
such like thing, that drops from Poppies
when they weep, and that is somewhere
of the gout.
The 'Wild Poppy, or Corn Rose (as Mat-
thiolus saith) is good to prevent the falling-
sickness. The syrup made with the floAver,
is with good effect given to those that have
the pleurisy ; and the dried flowers also,
either boiled in water, or made into powder
and drank, either in the distilled water of
them, or some other drink, works the like
effect. The distilled water of the flowers
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 COMPLKi'E HERBAL.
It is also more cooling than any of the
other Poppies, and therefore cannot but
be as effectual in hot agues, frenzies, and
other inflammations either inward or out-
ward. Galen saith, The seed is dangerous
to be used inwardly.
PURSLAIN.
parts where pushes, wheals, pimples, St,
Anthony's tire and the like, break forth ;
if a little vinegar be put to it, and laid to
the neck, witli as much of galls and linseed
togetlier, it takes away the pains therein,
and the crick in the neck. The juice is
used with oil of roses for the same causes,
I or for blasting by lightening, and burnings
Garden Purslain (being used as a sal-| by gunpowder, or for women's sore breasts,
lad herb) is so well known that it needs no| 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. | dren that stick forth, it helps them ; it is
Government and vi7iiies.'\ Tis an herb of j 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 water used
hot agues nothing better : It stays hot and i by some, took away the pain of their teeth,
cholericfluxesof the belly, women's courses, I when all 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, j powder 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 water. Applied to the
more effectual than the herb, and is of sin- j 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 | cramp, or a cold cause,
like ; insomuch that the over frequent use j
hereof extinguishes the heat and yitue of | PRrMROSES.
natural procreation. The seed bruised and \ They are so well known, that they need
boiled in wine, and given to children, ex
pels the worms. The juice of the herb is
held as effectual to all the purposes afore-
said ; as also to stay vomitings, and taken
with some sugar or honey, helps an old and
no description. Of the leaves of Primroses
is made as fine a salve to heal wounds as
any that I know; you shall be taught to
make salves of any herb at the latter end of
5 the book : make this as you are taught
dry cough, shortness of breath, and the » there, and do not (you that have any in-
phthisick, and stays immoderate thirst, j genuity in you) see your poor neighbours
The distilled water of the herb is used by > go with wounded limbs when an halfpenny
many (as the more pleasing) with a little \ cost will heal them,
suo'ar to work the same effects. The juice \
also is singularly good in the inflammations |
and ulcers in the serect parts of man or j Descript.l Our common Privet is cam-
woman, as also the bowels and haemorrhoids, 5 ed up with many slender branches to a
Avhen they are ulcerous, or excoriations in \ reasonable height and breadth, to cover
them. The herb bruised and applied to the I arbours, bowers and banquetting houses,
forehead and temples, allays excessive heat \ and brought, Avrought, and cut into so many
therein, that hinders rest and sleep ; and j forms, of men, horses, birds, &c. which
applied to the eyes, takes away the redness \ though at first supported, grows afterwards
and inflammation in them, and those other ^ strong of itself. It bears long and narrow
i'LATi: 16 .
Privr t
Queen of tlic- Mradovr
Mc a dow Rue
Cress Rockp
Rattle Grass
Rocket CreKs
Hrt ^wor r
Rapture Wort
Saffron.
THOMAS KKl-I.V. L0N110N l«-\r.
A>JD ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
in
green leaves by the couples, and sweet
smelling v.hite flowers in tufts at the end of
the branches, which turn into small black
berries that have a purplish juice with them,
and some seeds that are tlal on the one
side, with a hole or dent therein
Place.'} It grows in this land, in divers
woods.
Time.'] Our Privet flowers in June and
July, the berries are ripe in August and
September.
Government and virtues.'] The Moon is
ladv of this. It is little used in physic with
us in these times, more than in lotions, to
wash sores and sore mouths, and to cool
inflammations, and dry up fluxes. Yet
Matthiolus saith, it serves all the uses for
which Cypress, or the East Privet, is ap-
pointed by Dioscorides and Galen. He
further saith. That the oil that is made of
the flowers of Privet infused therein, and
set in the Sun, is singularly good for the in-
flammations of wounds, and for the head-
ache, coming of a hot cause. There is a
sweet water also distilled from the flowers,
that is good for all those diseases that need
cooling and drying, and therefore helps all
fluxesof the belly or stomach, bloody-fluxes,
and women's courses, being either drank or
applied ; as all those that void blood at the
mouth, or any other place, and for distilla-
tions of rheum in the eyes, especially if it
be used with them.
QUEEN OP THE MEADOWS, MEADOW
SWEET, OR MEAD SWEET.
Descript.] The stalks of these are red-
Hsh, rising to be three feet high, sometimes
four or five feet, having at the joints thereof
llarge winged leaves, standing one above
mother at distances, consisting of many
md somewhat broad leaves, set on each
side of a middle rib, being hard, rough, or
rugged, crumpled much likeuntoelm leaves,
laving also some smaller leaves with them
(as Agrimony hath) somewhat deeply dented
about the edges, of a sad green colour on
the upper side, and greyish underneath,
of a pretty sharp scent and taste, somewhat
like unto the Burnet, and a leaf hereof put
into a cup of claret wine, gives also a fine
relish to it. At the tops of the stalks and
branches stand many tufts of small white
flowers thrust thick together, which smell
much sweeter than the leaves ; and in their
places, being fallen, come crooked and
cornered seed. The root is somewhat
woody, and blackish on the outside, and
brownish within, with divers great strings,
and lesser fibres set thereat,of a strong scent, '
but nothing so pleasant as the flowers and
leaves, and perishes not, but abides many
years, shooting forth a-new every Spring.
Place.] It grows in moist meadows
that lie mostly wet, or near the courses ol
water.
Time.] It flowers in some places or
other all the three Summer months, that is,
June, July, and August, and the seed is
ripe soon after.
Government and virtues.] Venus claims
dominion over the herb. It is u^ed to stay
all manner of bleedings, fluxes, vomitings,
and women's courses, also their whites :
It is said to alter and take away the fits of
the quartan agues, and to make a merry
heart, for which purpose some use the
flowers, and some the leaves. It helps
speedily those that are troubled with the
cholic; being boiled in wine, and Avith 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,
it helps old ulcers that are cankerous, or
hollow fistulous, for which it is by many
much commended, as also for the sores in
the mouth or secret parts. The leaves when
they are full grown, being laid on the skin,
will, in a short time, raise blisters thereon,
as Tragus saith. The Avater thereof helps
the heat and imflammation in the eyes.
Q Q
148 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
THE QUINCE TREE. I ^1^^' ^r eatery humours, Scammony ; but
}ir more lorcibJe to bind, use the unripe
Desc7-ipt.'] The ordinary Quince Tree ; Quinces, with roses and acacia, hypocistis,
grows often to the height and bigness of a | 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, : tive against the force of deadly poison; for
spreading arms, and branches far abroad. iit hath been found most certainly true, that
The leaves are somewhat like those of the I the very smell of a Quince hath taken away
apple tree, but thicker, broader, and full of I all the strength of the poison of white Helle-
veins, and whiter on the under side, not | bore. If there be need of any ouiwardly
dented at all about the edges. The flowers i 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-i made thereof, are very available to anoint
low, being near ripe, and covered with a \ the belly or other parts therewith ; it like-
white freeze, or cotton ; thick set on the 5 wise strengthens the stomach and belly,
younger, and growing less as they grow to I 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, I immoderate sweatings. The muscilage taken
and some a pear, of a strong heady scent, | from the seeds of Quinces, and boiled in a
and not durable to keep, and is sour, harsh, | little water, is very good to cool the heat
and of an unpleasant taste to eat fresh ; > and heal the sore breasts of women. The
but being scalded, roasted, baked, or pre- 1 same, with a little sugar, is good to lenify
served, becomes more pleasant. j the harshness and hoarseness of the throat.
Place and Time.l It best likes to grow \ and roughness of the tongue. The cotton
near ponds and water sides, and is frequent I or down of Quinces boiled and applied to.
through this land : and flowers not until | plague sores, heals them up : and laid as a
tlie leaves be come forth. The fruit is ripe | plaister, made up with wax, it brings hair
in September or October. | to them that are bald, and keeps it from
Government and virtues.l Old Saturn | falling, if it be ready to shed,
owns the Tree. Quinces when they are! , ,
U A u ^ c J3 • < RADDISH, OR HORSE-RADDISH.
green, help all sorts or fluxes m men or; '
women, and choleric lasks, casting, audi The garden Raddish is so well known,
whatever needs astriction, more than any j that it needs no description,
way prepared by fire ; yet the syrup of the '^ Descript.l The Horse-Raddish hath its
juice, or the conserve, are much conducible, '^ 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, > green colour, with a great rib in the middle;
and the stomach given to casting ; some | after these have been up a while, others
spices beingadded, comforts and strengthens | 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 | but only somewhat rougher dented about
the digestion, or corrects choler and phlegm, i the edges ; the stalks when it bears flowers
If you would have them purging, put honey J (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
tive, for choler, Rhubarb ; for phlegm, Tur- j four feet high, spreading at the top many
I
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
149
small branches of whitish flowers, made of
four leaves a-piece ; after which come small
pods, like those of Shepherd's Purse, but
seldom with any seed in them. The root is
great, long, white and rugged, shooting up
divers heads of leaves, which may be parted
for increase, but it doth not creep in the
ground, nor run above ground, and is of a
strong, sharp, and bitter taste almost like
mustard.
Place.'] It is found wild in some places,
but is chiefly planted in gardens, and joys
in moist and shadowy places.
Time.l It seldom flowers, but when it
doth, it is in July.
Gavemment and virtues.~\ They are both
under Mars. The juice of Horse-raddish
given to drink, is held to be very effectual
Ibr the scurvy. It kills the worms in chil-
dren, being drank, and also laid upon the
belly. The root bruised and laid to the
place grieved with the sciatica, joint-ache,
or the hard swellings of the liver and spleen,
doth wonderfully help them all. The dis-
tilled water of the herb and root is more
familiar to be taken with a little sugar for
all the purposes aforesaid.
Garden Raddishes are in wantonness by
the gentry eaten as a sallad, but they breed
but scurvy humours in the stomach, and
corrupt the blood, and then send for a phy-
sician as fast as you can ; this is one cause
Avhich makes the owners of such nice palates
so unhealthful ; yet for such as are troubled
with the gravel, stone, or stoppage of urine,
they are good physic, if the body be strong
that takes them ; you may make the juice
of the roots into a syrup if you please, for
that use : they purge by urine exceedingly.
K AG WORT.
It is called also St. James'-wort, and
Stagger-wort, and Stammer-wort, and vSe-
grum.
Descript.'] The greater common Ragwort
hath many large and long, dark green
leaves lying on the ground, very much
rent and torn on the sides in many places :
from among which rise up sometimes but
one, and sometimes two or three square or
crested blackish or brownish stalks, three
or four feet high, sometimes branched,
bearing divers such-like leaves upon them,
at several distances upon the top, where it
branches forth into many stalks bearing
yellow flowers, consisting of divers leaves,
set as a pale or border, with a dark yellow-
thrum in the middle, which do abide a
great while, but at last are turned into down,
and with the small blackish grey seed, are
carried away with the wind. The root is
made of many fibres, whereby it is firmly
fastened into the ground, and abides many
years.
There is another sort, thereof differs from
the former only in this, that it rises not so
iiigh ; the leaves are not so finely jagged,
nor of so dark a green colour, but rather
somewhat whitish, soft and woolly, and the
flowers usually paler.
Place-I They grow, both of them, wild in
pastures, and untilled grounds in many
places, and oftentimes both in one field.
Time.'l They flower in June and July,
and the seed is ripe in August.
Goxernment a?ul viriaes.] Ragwort is
under the command of Dame Venus, and
cleanses, digests, and discusses. The de-
coction of the herb is good to wash the
mouth or throat th&t hath ulcers or sores
therein : and for swellings, hardness, or
imposthumes, for it thoroughly cleanses and
heals them ; as also the quinsy, and the
king's evil. It helps to stay catarrhs, thin
rheums, and defluxions from the head into
the eyes, nose, or lungs. The juice is found
by experience to be singularly good to heal
green wounds, and to cleanse and heal
all old and filthy ulcers in the privities, and
in other parts of the body, as also inward
wounds and ulcers ; stays the malignity of
fretting and running cankers, and hollow
150
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
fistulas, not suffering them to spread far-; Flace."] They grow in meadows and
ther. Il is also much commended to help | woods generally through this land,
aches and pains either in the fleshy part, or i Time.] They are in flower from Mid-
in the nerves and sinews, as also the sciatica, i summer until August be past, sometimes,
or pain of the hips or knuckle-bone, to^ Government and virhies.'] They are both
bathe the places with the decoction of the
herb, or to anoint them with an ointment
made of the herb bruised and boiled in old
hog's suet, with some Mastick andOlibanum
in powder added unto it after it is strained
forth. In Sussex we call it Ragweed.
RATTLE GRASS.
of them under the dominion of the Moon,
The Red Rattle is accounted profitable to
heal up fistulas and hollow ulcers, and to
stay the flux of humours in them, as also
the abundance of women's courses, or any
other fluxes of blood, being boiled in red
i wine, and drank.
5 The yellow Rattle, or Cock's Comb, is
Of this there are two kinds which I shall { held to be good for those that are troubled
speak of, wz. the red and yellow. | with a cough, or dimness of sight, if the
Descript.'] The common Red Rattle hath | herb, being boiled with beans, and some
sundry reddish, hollow stalks, and some- 1 honey put thereto, be drank or dropped into
times green, rising from the root, lying for';! the eyes. The whole 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 I pain,
rib, finely dented about the edcres : The I
flowers stand at the tops of thettalks and i| ^^^"^ harrow, or cammock.
branches, of a fine pin-piish red colour, like: Descript.l Common Rest Harrow rises
small gaping hooks; after which come? up with divers rough woody twigs half a
blackish seed in small husks, which lying! yard or a yard high, set at the joints without
loose therein, will rattle with shaking. The; 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. . jdark green colour, without thorns while
The common Yellow Rattle hath seldom {they are young; but afterwards armed in
above one round great stalk, rising from \ 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 ; 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 i lesser, flatter, and somewhat closer, of a
the comb of a cock, broadest next to the; faint purplish colour; after which come
stalk, and smaller to the end. The flowers I small pods containing small, flat, round
grow at the tops of the stalks, with some \ seed : The root is blackish on the outside,
shorter leaves with them, hooded after the j and whitish within, very rough, and hard
same manner that the others are, but of a| to break when it is fresh and green, and as
fair yellow colour, or in some paler, and in 1 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, Avill rattle | 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. ; land, as well in the arable as waste ground-
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 151
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
Aut^ust. \ 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 | 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 | are, which afterwards yield them small red-
performs effectually. Matthiolus saith, 1 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 \ kinds, as the leaves are also,
said powder for three months together con-i Place.] It is found wild in divers places
about June or July,
stantly, and that it hath cured some which I of this land.
seemed incurable by any other means than \ Time^ It flowers
by cutting or burning. The decoction \ and the seed is ripe in August.
thereof made with some vinegar, gargled in \ Government and virtues.] The wild Roc-
the mouth, eases the tooth-ache, especially | kets are forbidden to be used alone, in re-
when it comes of rheum ; and the said de-|gard their sharpness fumes into the head,
coction is very powerful to open obstruc- 1 causing aches and pains therein, and are
tions of the liver and spleen, and other ! less hurtful to hot and choleric persons, foi
parts. A distilled water in Balnea Maria, \ fear of inflaming their blood, and therefore
with four pounds of the root hereof first? for such we may say a Httle doth but a
sliced small, and afterwards steeped in a » little harm, for angry Mars rules them, and
gallon of Canary wine, is singularly good | 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 madeintoanelectuary,or lozenges, I rous qualities, whereunto all the seed is
with sugar, as also the bark of the fresh I more effectual than the garden kind. It
roots boiled lender, and afterwards beaten ; serves also to help digestion, and provokes
to a conserve with sugar, works the like j urine exceedingly. The seed is used to cure
effect. The powder of the roots strewed I the biting of serpents, the scorpion, and the
upon the brims of ulcers, or mixed with x 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 x breed in the belly. The herb boiled or
heal the better. | stewed, and some sugar put thereto, helps
J the cough in children, being taken often.
I The seed also taken in drink, takes away
In regard the Garden Rocket is rather | 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 | mixed with honey, and used on the face,
of the common wild Rocket. The des- i cleanses the skin from morphew, and used
cription whereof lake as follows. 1 with vinegar, takes away freckles and red-
Descript^ The common wild Rocket I 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.
fi B
152
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
„ „^„,,^^ ^., „,.^.„„o Ihave authors made with Roses! What a
V'INTER-ROCKET, OR CRESSES. | , , , i x3 t u ii jj i
I racket have they kept? 1 shall add, red
Desci'ipt.'] WiNTER-Rocket, or Winter- 5 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 jvence under the King of France, The
cut in divers parts, somewhat like unto \ Avhite and red Roses are cooling and dry-
Rocket or turnip leaves, with smaller pieces |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 I used inwardly in any medicine : The bit-
up in Autumn, when it is used to be eaten) *, 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 | 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 5 sumed, they have then a binding and as-
seed in them. The root is somewhat stringy, I tringent quality : Those also that are not
and perishes every year after the seed is i full blown, do both cool and bind more
ripe. I than those that are full blown, and the
Place.^ 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 I in 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
duit in Holborn. \ belly and the matrix, being bathed or put
Time.'] It flowers in May, seeds in June, | into them. The same decoction with the
Roses remaining in it, is profitably applied
to the region of the heart to ease the in-
flammation therein ; as also St. Anthony's
fire, and other diseases of the ncomach.
Being dried and beaten to powder, and
taken in steeled wine or water, it helps to
stay women's courses. The yellow threads
the middle of the Roses (which are
and then perishes
Government and virtues.] This is pro-
fitable to provoke urine, to help stranguary,
and expel gravel and stone. It is good for
the scurvy, and found by experience to be
a singularly good wound herb to cleanse in-
ward wounds ; the juice or decoction being
drank, or outwardly applied to wash fou"
ulcers and sores, cleansing them by shaip-
ness, and hindering or abatmg Ine dead
flesh from growing therein, and healing
them by their drying quality.
ROSES.
I HOLD it altogether needless to trouble
the reader with a description of any of these,
since both the garden Roses, and the Roses
of the briars are well enough known : take
therefore the virtues of them as follows ;
And first I shall begin Avith the garden
kinds.
in
erroneously called the Rose Seed) being
powdered and drank in the distilled water
of Quinces, stays theoverflowingof women's
courses, and doth wonderfully stay the de-
fluctions of rheum upon the gums and teeth,
preserving them from corruption, and
fastening them if they be loose, being
washed and gargled therewith, and some
vinegar of Squills added thereto. The heads
with the seed being used in powder, or in a
decoction, stays the lask and spilling o*"
blood. Red Roses do strengthen the hearts
the stomach and the liver, and the reten-
Government and virtues.] What a pother | tive faculty : They mitigate the pains that
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
163
arise from heal, assuage inflammations, of mastich, is very good for the gonorrhea,
procure rest and sleep, stay both whites and for the looseness of the humours in the
and reds in women, the gonorrhea, or runn- body. The old Conserve mixed with Aro-
ing of the reins, and fluxes of the belly : the: maticum Rosarum, is a very good cordial
juice of them doth purge and cleanse the! against faintings, swoonings, weakness,
body from choler and phlegm. The husks i and tremblings of the heart, strengthens,
of the Roses, with the beards and nails of both it and a weak stomach, helps diges-
the Roses, are binding and cooling, and thejtion, 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 lis a very good cordial to strengthen the
of them. Of the Red Roses are usually made j heart and spirits; as also to stay defluc-
many compositions, all serving to sundry | tions. The syrup of dried red Roses
good uses, viz. Electuary of Roses, Con- 1 strengthens a stomach given to casting,
serve, both moist and dry, which is more | cools an over-heated liver, and the blood in
usually called Sugar of roses. Syrup of dry | agues, comforts the heart, and resists putre-
Roses, and Honey of Roses. The cordial \ faction and infection, and helps to slay
powder called Diarrhoden Abbaiis, and i lasks and fluxes. Honey of Roses is much
Aromatka Rosarum. The distilled Water of? used in gargles and lotions to wash sores,
Roses, Vinegar of Roses, Ointment, and Oil | either in the mouth, throat, or other parts,
of Roses, and the Rose leaves dried, are of | both to cleanse and heal them, and to stay
great use and effect. To writeatlargeof every | 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 sufiicient for a volume off cleanse. The cordial powders, called
itself, to speak fully of them. But briefly, I Diarrhoden Abbatis and Aromaticum Ro-
the Electuary is purging, whereof two or > sarum, do comfort and strengthen the heart
three drams taken by itself in some con- 1 and stomach, procure an appetite, help
venienl liquor, is a purge sufficient for a j digestion, stay vomiting, and are very good
weak constitution, but may be increased to J for those that have slippery bowels, to
six drams, according to the strength of the i strengthen them, and to dry up their mois-
patient. It purges choler without trouble, | 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, | 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. ! and faint spirits, used either in meats or
The moist Conserve is of much use, both x broths, to wash the temples, to smell at the
binding and cordial ; for until it be about i nose, or to smell the sweet vapours thereof
two years old, it is more binding than j out of a perfuming pot, or cast into a hot
cordial, and after that, more cordial than jfire siiovel. It is also of much good use
binding. Some of the younger Conserve | against the redness and inflammations of the
taken with mithridate mixed together, is \ eyes to bathe them therewith, and the tem-
good for those that are troubled with dis-iples of the head ; as also against pain and
lillations of rheum from the brain to the 5 ache, for which purpose also Vinegar of
nose, and defluctions of rheum into the | 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 TFIK COMPLETE HERBAL
nose and temples moistened therewith, but! pound syrup is more forcible in working on
more usually to moisten a piece of a red j 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 j disease : Also honey of Roses solutive is
beaten nutmeg, and poppy-seed strewed on | made of the same infusions that the syrup
the side that must lie next to the forehead ; is made of, and therefore works the same
and temples, and bound so thereto all night. \ 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, to anoint ; persons, and is more used in clysters than
the forehead and temples, and being mixt | in potions, as the syrup made with sugar is.
with Unguentum 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 \ 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- 1 the dried leaves thereof to make sweet pow-
ings or inflammations, and to bind and stay \ 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 i have some purging quality ; the wild Roses
cooling and binding, and restraining the | also are few or none of them used in physic,
fllux of humours. The dried leaves of the | but are generally held to come near the
red Roses are used both inwardly and out- j nature of the manured Roses. The fruit ot
wardly, both cooling, binding, and cordial, I the Avild briar, which are called Hips, being
for with them are made both Aromaticiim^ \ thoroughly ripe, and made into a conserve
Rosariim, Diarrhoden Abbatis, and Saccha- \ with sugar, besides the pleasantness of the
rum Rosarum, each of whose properties are | 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 i liquorice, or so dried that it may be made
and heart, do much cool and temper them, { into powder and taken into drink, stays
and also serve instead of a Rose-cake (as is i speedily the whites in women. The briar
said before) to quiet the over-hot spirits, I ball is often used, being made into powder
and cause rest and sleep. The syrup of| and drank, to break the stone, to provoke
DamaskRoses isbothsimpleand 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 j certain white worms, which being dried and
herein, that the distilled water of this syrup 1 made into powder, and some of it drank,
should notably bind the belly. The syrup | is found by experience of many to kill and
with Agaric is more strong and effectual, for \ drive forth the worms of the belly,
one ounce thereof by itself will open the ;
body more than the other, and works as |
much on phlegm as choler. The com-|
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
155
ROSA SOLIS, OR SUN DFW.
It is likewise called Red-rot, and Youlh-
wort.
Descript.'] It hath, divers small, round,
hollow leaves somewhat greenish, but full of
certain red hairs, which make them seem
red, every one standing upon his own foot-
stalk, reddish, hairy likewise. The leaves
are continually moist in the hottest day,
yea, the hotter the sun shines on them, the
moister they are, with a sliminess that will
rope (as we say,) the small hairs always
holding the moisture. Among these leaves
rise up slender stalks, reddish also, three or
four fingers high, bearing divers small white
knobs one above another, which are flowers ;
after which in the heads are contained
small seeds. The root is a few small hairs.
Place.~\ It grows usually in bogs and
wet places, and sometimes in moist woods.
Time.'] It flowers in June, and the leaves
are then fittest to be gathered.
Government and 'Virtues^ The Sun rules
it, and it is under the sign Cancer. Rose
Solis is accounted good to help those that
have a salt rheum distilling on their lungs,
which breeds a consumption, and there-
fore the distilled water thereof in wine is
held fit and profitable for such to drink,
which water will be of a good yellow colour.
The same water is held to be good for all
other diseases of the lungs, as phthisicks,
wheezings, shortness of breath, or thecough ;
as also to heal the ulcers that happen in the
lungs ; and it comforts the heart and faint-
ing spirits. The leaves, outwardly applied
to the skin will raise blisters, which has
caused some to think it dangerous to be
taken inwardly ; but there are other things
which will also draw blisters, yet nothing
dangerous to be taken inwardly. There is
an usual drink made thereof with aqua vitae
and spices frequently, and without any
offence or danger, but to good purpose
used in qualms and passions of the heart.
ROSEMARY.
Our garden Rosemary is so well known,
that I need not describe it.
Time.'] It flowers in April and May with
us, sometimes again in August.
Government and virtues.] The Sun claim.H
privilege in it, and it is under the celestial
Ram. It is an herb of as great use with u5
in these days as any whatsoever, not only
for physical but civil purposes. The phy-
sical use of it (being my present task) is
very much used both for inward and outward
diseases, for by the warming and comfort-
ing heat thereof it helps all cold diseases,
both of the head, stomach, liver, and belly.
The decoction thereof in wine, helps the
cold distillations of rheum into the eyes,
and all other cold diseases of the head and
brain, as the giddiness or swimmings
therein, drowsiness or dullness of the mind
and senses like a stupidness, the dumb palsy,
or loss of speech, the lethary, and fallen-
sickness, to be both drank, and the temples
bathed therewith. It helps the pains in the
gums and teeth, by rheum falling into them,
not by putrefaction, causing an evil smell
from them, or a stinking breath. It helps
a weak memory, and quickens the senses.
It is very comfortable to the stomach in all
the cold griefs thereof, helps both retention
of meat, and digestion, the decoction oi
powder being taken in wine. It is a remedy
for the windiness in the stomach, bowels,
and spleen, and expels it powerfully. It
helps those that are liver-grown, by open-
ing the obstructions thereof. It helps dim
eyes, and procures a clear sight, the flowers
thereof being taken all the while it is flower-
ing every morning fasting, with bread and
salt. Both Dioscorides and Galen say.
That if a decoction be made thereof with
water, and they that have the yellow jaun-
dice exercise their bodies directly after the
taking thereof, it will certainly cure them.
The flowers and conserve made of them,
s s
156
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
are singularly good to comfort the heart,
and to expel the contagion of the pestilence ;
to burn the herb in houses and chambers,
corrects the air in them. Both the flowers
and leaves are very profitable for women
that are troubled with the whites, if they be
daily taken. The dried leaves shred small,
and taken in a pipe, as tobacco is taken,
helps those that have any cough, phthisic,
or consumption, by warming and drying
the thin distillations which cause those dis-
eases. The leaves are very much used in
bathings ; and made into ointments or oil,
are singularly good to help cold benumbed
joints, sinews, or members. The chymical
oil drawn from the leaves and flowers, is a
sovereign help for all the diseases aforesaid,
to touch the temples and nostrils with two
or three drops for all the diseases of the
head and brain spoken of before ; as also
ro take one drop, two, or three, as the case
tequires, for the inward griefs : Yet must it
be done with discretion, for it is very quick
and piercing, and therefore but a little must
be taken at a time. There is also another
oil made by insolation in this manner :
Take what quantity you will of the flowers,
and put them into a strong glass close
stopped, tie a fine linen cloth over the
mouth, and turn the mouth down into
another strong glass, which being set in the
sun, an oil will distil down into the lower
glass, to be preserved as precious for divers
uses, both inward and outward, as a sovereign
balm to heal the disease before-mentioned,
to clear dim sights, and to take away spots,
marks, and scars in the skin.
RHUBARB, OR REPHONTIC.
Do not start, and say. This grows you
know not how far off : and then ask me.
How it comes to pass that I bring it among
our English simples ? For though the name
may speak it foreign, yet it grows with us in
England, and that frequent enough in our
ga,rdens ; and when you have thoroughly
pursued its virtues, you will conclude it
nothing inferior to that which is brought
out of China, and by that time this hath
been as much used as that hath been, the
name which the other hath gotten will be
eclipsed by the fame of this ; take there-
fore a description at large of it as follows ;
Descript.'] At the first appearing out of
the ground, when the winter is past, it hath
a great round brownish head, rising from
the middle or sides of the root, which opens
itself into sundry leaves one after another,
very much crumpled or folded together at
the first, and brownish : but afterwards it
spreads itself, and becomes smooth, very
large and almost round, every one standing
on a brownish stalk of the thickness of a
man's thumb, when they are grown to their
fulness, and most of them two feet and
more in length, especially when they grow
in any moist or good ground ; and the
stalk of the leaf, from the bottom thereof to
the leaf itself, being also two feet, the breadth
thereof from edge to edge, in the broadest
place, being also two feet, of a sad or dark
green colour, of a fine tart or sourish taste,
much more pleasant than the garden or
wood sorrel. From among these rise up
some, but not every year, strong thick
stalks, not growing so high as the Patience,
or garden Dock, with such round leaves as
grow below, but small at every joint up to
the top, and among the flowers, which are
white, spreading forth into many branches,
consisting of five or six small leaves a-piece,
hardly to be discerned from the white
threads in the middle, and seeming to be all
threads, after which come brownish three
square seeds, like unto other Docks, but
larger, whereby it may be plainly known to
be a Dock. The root grows in time to be
very great, with divers and sundry great
spreading branches from it, of a dark
brownish or reddish colour on the outside,
having a pale yellow skin under it, which
covers the inner substance or root, which
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
167
rind and skin being pared away, the root I of the stalks being divided into many small
appears of so fresh and lively a colour, | branches, bear reddish or purplish flowers,
with fresh coloured veins running through i and three-square seed, like unto other
it, that the ciioicest of that Rhubarb that is I Docks. The root is long, great and yellow,
brought us from beyond the seas cannot I like unto the wild Docks, but a little redder;
excel it, which root, if it be dried carefully, | and if it be a little dried, shews less store of
and as it ought (which must be in our discoloured veins than the other does when
country by the gentle heat of a fire, ipi re- it is dry.
gard the sun is not hot enough here to do ,
it, and every piece kept from touching one
another) will hold its colour almost as well
as when it is fresh, and has been approved Descript.'] This has divers large, round
of, and con)mended by those who have thin yellowish green leaves rising from the
oftentimes used them. root, a little waved about the edges, everv
Place.l ^^ grows in gardens, and flowers one standing upon a reasonably thick and
about the beginning and middle of June, long brownish footstalk, from among which
and the seed is ripe in July.
GREAT ROUND-LEAVED DOCK, OR BAS-
TARD RHUBARB.
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 j thereon, but smaller ; at the top whereof
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 1 flowers, which turn into a hard three square
until the middle or end of October, and if; shining brown seed, likethe garden Patience
they be taken a little before the leaves do \ before described. The root grows greater
spring, or when they are sprung up, the I ihaa that, with many branches or great
roots will not have half so good a colour in | fibres thereat, yellow on the outside, and
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- Hs first described, but much less than it,
nence. I come now to describe unto you | especially when it is dry.
that which is called Patience, or Monk's | Place and 2Vwe.] 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, j same time that our true Rhubarb doth, viz.
for the one of these may happily supply in 1 they flower in June, and the seed is ripe in
the absence of the other, being not much I July.
unlike in their virtues, only one more | Government and virtues.1 Mars claims
powerful and efficacious than the other. 1 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. | fortunate, when God created him for your
GARDEN-PATIENCE, OR monk's i,„^, J good (only he is angry with fools.) What
g ^j^jj I 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
name of Rhubarb for some purging quality | made into powder, and taken fasting in a
therein, and grows up with large tall stalks, > draught or mess of warm broth, purges
set with somewhat broad and long, fair, | choler and phlegm downwards very gently
im-pn !pnvp« nnt ri,,nto,i of nil Tlic tops | and safely without danger. The seed
green leaves, not dented at all.
158
THE COMPLETE HERBAL.
thereof contrary doth bind the belly, and
helps to stay any sort of lasks or bloody-
flux. The distilled water thereof is very
profitably used to heal scabs ; also foul
ulcerous sores, and to allay the inflamma-
tion of them ; the juice of the leaves or
roots or the decoction of them in vinegar,
is used as the most effectual remedy to heal
scabs and running sores.
The Bastard Rhubarb hath all the pro-
perties of the Monk's Rhubarb, but more
effectual for both inward and outward dis-
eases. The decoction thereof without vine-
gar dropped into the ears, takes away the
pains ; gargled in the mouth, takes away
the tooth ache ; and being drank, heals the
jaundice. The seed thereof taken, eases
the gnawing and griping pains of the
stomach, and takes away the loathing there-
of unto meat. The root thereof helps the
ruggedness of the nails, and being boiled in
wine helps the swelling of the throat, com-
monly called the king's evil, as also the
swellings of the kernels of the ears. It
helps them that are troubled with the stone,
provokes urine, and helps the dimness of
the sight. The roots of this Bastard Rhu-
barb are used in opening and purging diet-
drinks, with other things, to open the liver,
and to cleanse and cool the blood.
The properties of that which is called the
English Rhubarb are the same with the
former, but much more effectual, and hath
all the properties of the true Italian Rhu-
barbs, except the force in purging, wherein
it is but of half the strength thereof, and
therefore a double quantity must be used :
it likewise hath not that bitterness and as-
triction ; in other things it Avorks almost in
an equal quantity, which are these: It
purges the bodyof choler and phlegm, being
either taken of itself, made into powder, and
drank in a draught of white wine, or steeped
therein all night, and taken fasting, or put
among other purges, as shall be thought
convenient, cleansing the stomach, liver, and
I blood, opening obstructions, and helping
I those griefs that come thereof, as the jaun-
I dice, dropsy, swelling of the spleen, tertain
and daily agues, and pricking pains of the
sides; and also stays spitting of blood.
The powder taken with cassia dissolved,
i and washed Venice turpentine, cleanses the
I reins and strengthens them afterwards, and
it is very effectual to stay the gonorrhea. It
is also given for the pains and swellings in
the head, for those that are troubled with
I melancholy, and helps the sciatica, gout,
I and the cramp. The j)owder of the Rhu-
I barb taken with a little mummia and mad-
I der roots in some red wine, dissolves clotted
I blood in the body, happening by any fall
I or bruise, and helps burstings and broken
I parts, as well inward as outward. The oil
I likewise Avherein it hath been boiled, works
I the hke effects being anointed. It is used
5 to heal those ulcers that happen in the eyes
i or eyelids, being steeped and strained ; as
j also to assuage the swellings and inflam-
I mations ; and applied with honey, boiled
■ in wine, it takes away all blue spots or
marks that happen therein. Whey or
white wine are the best liquors to steep it
in, and thereby it works more effectual in
I opening obstructions, and purging the
I stomach and liver. Many do use a little
i Indian Spikenard as the best corrector
\ thereof.
MEADOW-RUE.
J Descript.'\ Meadow-rwu rises up with
I a yellow stringy root, much spreading in
\ the ground, shooting forth new sprouts
1 round about, with many herby green stalks,
I two feet high, crested all the length of them,
I set with joints here and there, and many
I large leaves on them, above as well as be-
X low, being divided into smaller leaves,
I nicked or dented in the fore part of them,
{ of a red green colour on the upper-side,
I and pale green underneath ; Toward the
\ lop of the stalk there shoots forth divers
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
159
short branches, on every one whereof stand j often taken in meat and drink, it abates
two, three or four small heads, or buttons, | venery. A decoction 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 | and torments, inwardly to be drank, and
threads, which falling away, there come in | outwardly to be applied warm to the place
their places smdl three-cornered cods, | grieved. The same being drank, helps the
wherein is contained small, long and round 1 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. I flammations of the lungs, and the torment-
Place-I It grows in many places of this | ing pains of the sciatica and the joints, being
land, in the borders of moist meadows, and 1 anointed, or laid to the places ; as also the
ditch-sides. \ shaking fits of agues, to take a draught be-
Titne.'l 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,
Govei-nment and virtues.'] Dioscorides j 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. \ 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 {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 knees, applied thereunto ; and with figs it
boiled in water, and the places of the body \ 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 them I stays the bleeding thereof It takes away
utterly. In Italy it is good against the | 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 Cowerarm saith. land applied. It cures the morphew, and
1 takes away all sorts of warts, if boiled in
GARDEN-RUE. \ . m'' i -^ 1,1
} Wine with some pepper and nitre, and the
Garden-rue is so well known by this j place rubbed therewith, and Avith 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, 1 warmed in a pomegranate shell or rind, and
as follows. 'dropped into the ears, helps the pains of
Govemmetit and virtues.'] It is an herb of | them. The juice of it and fennel, with a
the Sun, and under Leo. It provokes urine | little honey, and the gall of a cock put there-
and women's courses, being taken either in junto, helps the dimness of the eye-sight.
meat or drink. The seed thereof taken in i An ointment made of the juice thereof with
wine, is an antidote against all dangerous i oil of roses, ceruse, and a little vinegar, and
medicines or deadly poisons. The leaves j anointed, cures St. Anthony's fire, and all
taken either by themselves, or with figs and running sores in the head : and the stinking
walnuts, is called Mithridate's counter-poi- ulcers of the nose, or other parts. The
son against the plague, and causes all veno- antidote used by Mithridates, every morn-
mous things to become harmless; being
Jing
fasting,
T
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- j many other smaller parts full of small joints
nuts, and a couple of tigs, beaten together | set very thick together, whereat come forth
into a mess, with twenty juniper berries, I two very small leaves of a French yellow,
which is the quantity appointed for every I green coloured branches and all, where
day. Another electuary is made thus : | grows forth also a num6er of exceedingly
Take of nitre, pepper, and cummin seed, | small yellowish flowers, scarce to be dis-
of each equal parts ; of the leaves of Rue ? 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 | neither smell nor taste at first, but after-
steep your cummin seed in vinegar twenty » wards has a little astringent taste, without
four hours, and then dry it, or rather roast; any manifest heat; yet a little bitter and
it in a hot fire-shovel, or in an oven) and is s sharp withal.
a remedy for the pains or griefs in the chest I Place.~\ 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- 1 Time.'] It is fresh and green ail the
structions ; of the reins and bladder by the | Summer.
stopping of urine ; and helps also toex-| Government a7id virtues.'] They say Saturn
tenuate fat corpulent bodies. What an in- J causes ruptures ; if he do, he does no more
famy is cast upon the ashes of Mithridates, I 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 \ rean. Rupture-wort hath not its name in
give none to others, viz. That renowned 5 vain : for it is found by experience to cure
King of Pontus fortified his body by poison
against poison. (He cast out devils by Beel-
zebub, Prince of the devils.) What a sot is
he that knows not if he had accustomed his
body to cold poisons, but poisons would
have dispatched him ? on the contrary, if
not, corrosions would have done it. The
whole world is at this present time beholden
to him for his studies in physic, and he that
uses the quantity but of an hazel-nut of that
receipt; every morning, to which his name
the rupture, not only in children but also in
elder persons, if the disease be not too in-
veterate, by taking a dram of the powder
of the dried herb every day in wine, or a
decoction made and drank for certain days
together. The juice or distilled water of
the green herb, taken in the same manner,
helps all other fluxes either of man or
woman; vomitings also, and the gonorrhea,
being taken any of the ways aforesaid. It
doth also most assuredly help those that
is adjoined, shall to adn)iration preserve | have the stranguary, or are troubled with
his body in health, if he do but consider
that Rue is an herb of the Sun, and under
Leo, and gather it and the rest accord-
ingly.
RUPTURE-WORT.
Descript^ This spreads very many
thready branches round about upon the
the stone or gravel in the reins or bladder.
The same also helps stitches in the sides,
griping pains of the stomach or belly, the
obstructions of the liver, and cures the yel-
low jaundice ; likewise it kills also the
worms in children. Being outwardly ap-
plied, it conglutinates wounds notably, and
helps much to stay defluctions of rheum
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
161
from the head to the eyes, nose, and terth, 1 did describe it, they would presently say,
being bruised green and bound thereto ; or s I 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 | Government and virtues."] Rye is more
the dried herb. It also dries up the mois- 1 digesting than wheat ; the bread and the
ture of fistulous ulcers, or any other that are 1 leaven thereof ripens and breaks impos-
foul and spreading. | thumes, boils, and other swellings : The
jj^ j.g jmeal of Rye put between a double cloth,
jand moistened with a little vinegar, and
Although there are many kinds of {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 while it is hot, doth much case the continual
medicinal ; as the bulrushes, and other of | pains of the head. Matthiolus saith, that
the soft and smooth kinds, which grow sol the ashes of Rye straw put into water, and
commonly in almost every part of this land, | 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- 1 doth heal them,
cription of them : Briefly then take thel
virtues of them as follows : saffron.
Government and virtues.^ The seed of j The herb needs no description, it being
the soft Rushes, (saith Dioscorides and j known generally where 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- 1 of the Sun, and under the Lion, and there-
vokes sleep likewise, but must be given : fore you need not demand a reason why it
with caution. The root boiled in water, to | strengthens the heart so exceedingly. Let
the consumption of one third, helps the 1 not above ten grains be given at one time,
cough. I for the Sun, which is the fountain of light,
Thus you see that conveniences have i may dazzle the eyes, and make them blind;
their inconceniences, and virtue is seldom! a cordial being taken in an immoderate
unaccompanied with some vices. What 1 quantity, hurts the heart instead of help-
I have written concerning Rushes, is to | 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 x and diflSculty of breathing. It is excellent
remedies enough without them for any dis- x in epidemical diseases, as pestilence, small-
ease, and therefore as the proverb 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*, yellow jaundice. My opinion is, (but I
a Rush, \ have no author for it) that hermodactyls are
I nothing else but the roots of Saffron dried ;
^^^'" 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- 1 phlegm as hermodactyls do ; and if yon
people, who feed much thereon, that if 1 1 please to dry the roots of any crocus, neither
102
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
your eyes nor your taste shall distinguish | with wormwood is good for the bloody-flux.
ihem from hermodactyls
J Pliny saith, it procures women's courses,
SAGE.
I and stays them coming down too fast: helps
1 the stinging and biting of serpents, and kills
Our ordinary garden Sage needs no • the worms that breed in the ear, and in
description. | sores. Sage is of excellent use to help the
Time.'] It flowers in or about July. 1 memory, warming and quickening the
Government and virtues.'] Jupiter claims t 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 • 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 i Gargles likewise are made with Sage, rose-
expel the dead child, and causes the hair | mary, honey-suckles, and plantain, boiled
to become black. It stays the bleeding of | in wine or water, with some honey or allum
wounds, and cleanses foul ulcers. Three \ put thereto, to wash sore mouths and
spoonfuls of the juice of Sage taken fasting, | throats, cankers, or the secret parts of man
with a little honey, doth presently stay the i 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 | boiled to bathe the body and the legs in the
commended ; Take of spikenard, ginger, i Summer time, especially to warm cold
of each two drams; of the seed of Sage noints, or sinews, troubled with the palsy
toasted at the fire, eight drams ; of long | and cramp, and to comfort and strengthen
pepper,twelvedrams; all these beingbrought I the parts. It is much commended against
the stitch, or pains in the side coming of
windj if the place be fomented warm with
the decoction thereof in wine, and the
herb also after boiling be laid warm there-
unto.
WOOD-SAGE.
into powder, put thereto so much juice of
Sage as may make them into a mass of
pills, taking a dram of them every morning
fasting, and so likewise at night, drinking
a little pure water after them. Matthiolus
saith, it is very profitable for all manner?
of pains in the head coming of cold and \
rheumatic humours : as aiso for all pains of ^
the joints, whether inwardly or outwardly, , Desa-ipt.] Wood-sage rises up with
and therefore helps the falling-sickness, the > square hoary stalks, two feet high at the
lethargy such as are dull and heavy of | least, with two leaves set at every joint,
spirit, the palsy ; and is of much use in all I somewhat like other Sage leaves, but
defluctions of rheum from the head, and for \ smaller, softer, whiter, and rounder, and a
the diseases of the chest or breast. The | 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 i 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 | and whitish colour, smaller than Sage, but
leaves sodden in wine, and laid upon the * hooded and gaping like unto them. The
place affected with the palsy, helps much, { 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
abides many years.
Place.'] It grows in woods, and by
wood-sides ; as also in divers fields and
bye-lanes in the land.
Time.'] It flowers in June, July, and
August.
Government and virtues.] The herb is
one, and sometimes also two stalks and
flowers at the foot of a leaf, which are with-
out any scent at all, and stand on the top
of the stalk. After they are past, come in
their places small round berries great at the
first, and blackish green, tending to blueness
when they are ripe, wherein lie small,
white, hard, and stony seeds. The root is
under Venus. The decoction of the Wood j 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, I round circle representing a Seal, whereof it
and discusses swellings and nodes in the I took the name, lying along under the upper
flesh, and is therefore thought to be good I 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, I this land ; as, namely in a wood two miles
bruises, or blows, suspect some vein to be from Canterbury, by Fish-Pool Hill, as also
inwardly broken, to disperse and void the in Bushy Close belonging to the parsonage
congealed blood, and to consolidate the | of Alderbury, near Clarendon, two miles
veins. The drink used inwardly, and the | from Salisbury : in Cheffon wood, on Ches-
lierb used outwardly, is good for such as | son Hill, between Newington and Sitting-
are inwardly or outwardly bursten, and is I bourn in Kent, and divers other places in
found to be a sure remedy for the palsy. $ Essex, and other counties.
The juice of the herb, or the powder there- 1 Time.] It flowers about May: The
of dried, is good for moist ulcers and sores | root abides and shoots a-new every year,
in the legs, and other parts, to dry them, J Government and virtues.] 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 byexperience
be used upon any occasion. \ to be available in wounds, hurts, and out-
, I ward sores, to heal and close up the lips of
SOLOMONS SEAL. L, .1 ^ 1 * j J
I those that are green, and to dry up and
Desa-ipt.] The common Solomon's i restrain the flux of humours to those that
Seal rises up with a round stalk half a yard
high, bowing or bending down to the
ground, set with single leaves one above
another, somewhat large, and like the leaves
of the lily-convally, or May-lily, with an
eye of bluish upon the green, with some
ribs therein, and more yellowish under-
neath. At the foot of every leaf, almost
from the bottom up to the top of the stalk,
come forth small, long, white and hollow
pendulous flowers, somewhat like the
flowers of May-lily, but ending in five long
points, for the most part two together, at the
end of a long foot-stalk, and sometimes but
are old. It is singularly good to stay
vomitings and bleeding wheresoever, as
also all fluxes in man or woman ; also, to
knit any joint, which by Aveakness uses to
be often out of place, or will not stay in
long when it is set ; also to knit and join
broken bones in any part of the body, the
roots being bruised and applied to the
places ; yea, it hath been found by expe-
rience, an-d the decoction of the root in
wine, or the bruised root put into wine or
other drink, and after a night's infusion,
strained forth hard and drank, hath helped
both man and beast, whose bones hath been
V V
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 i the frail nature of man is subject to; both
counties of the land that they can have. ItiAvhich might be remedied by a more fre-
is no less effectual to help ruptures and \ quent use of this herb. If people would
burstings, the decoction in wine, or the | have sauce to their meat, they may take
powder in broth or drink, being inwardly * some for profit as well as for pleasure. It
taken, and outwardly applied to the place. \ is a safe herb, very pleasant both to taste
The same is also available for inward or out- 5 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 | spleen : provokes urine, and helps thereby
both the pains and the black and blue; to wash away the gravel and stone engen-
niarks that abide after the hurt. The same j dered in the kidneys or bladder,
also, or the distilled water of the Avholej
plant, used to the face, or other parts of the \
skin, cleanses it from morphew, freckles, 5 Tins herb is by many called Butter-
spots, or marks whatsoever, leaving the | wort.
place fresh, fair, and lovely; for which | Descript.'] Ordinary Sanicle sends forth
purpose it is much used by the Italian ! many great round leaves, standing upon
Dames. \ long brownish stalks, every one somewhat
\ deeply cut or divided into five or six parts,
SAMPHIRE. 5 J r- a i ^- u\ri
; and some or triese also cut in somcAvhat 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, i 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, audi 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 i 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 \ round greenish yellow heads, many stand-
seed, bigger than fennel seed, yet some- ting together in a tult, in whicii 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 5 round burs, somewhat like the leaves ol
hot and spicy taste likewise. Iclevers, and stick in the same manner upon
F/flce.] It grows on the rocks that are > any thing that they touch. The root is
often moistened at the least, if not over- ; composed of many blackish strings or
flowed with the sea water, \ fibres, set together at a little long head,
7\meJ] And it flowers and seeds in the i which abides with green leaves all the Win-
end of July and August. ? ter, and perishes not.
Government and virtues^ It is an herb of | Flace.'] It is found in many shadowy
Jupiter, and was in former times wont to be t woods, and other places of this land.
used more than now it is ; the more is the j Time.'] It flowers in June, and the seed
pity. It is well known almost to every ; is npe shortly after,
body, that ill digestions and obstructions * Gotcmment and virtues.] This is one ot
■I.AIK. i7.
Me a do w S a xif r e
age
Great Saxiicle
Sainptur e
Car den Scxirvygr ass
Sc abious
Sheplierd!s Purse
Saiacrus Couiourid
Seli-Ueal
BvirtLft S.axifra
:a^e
THOMAS 'kKLLY. LONDON^ 18S6 .
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
1G5
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 j the smell also.
ulcers, imposthumes, or bleedings inward,! Place.^ It grows in moist and wet
also tumours in any part of the body; fori 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 | 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 manor beast, when the disease falleth > wind.
upon the lungs or throat, and to heal up | Government and virtues-l 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- 1 him. Among the Germans, this wound
ing with the decoction of the leaves and j herb is preferred before all others of the
roots made in Avater, and a little honey put? 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 i 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, | and for the dropsy in the beginning of it;
and the pains in the bowels, and gonorrhea, I for all inward ulcers of the reins, mouth or
being boiled in wine or water, and drank, j du'oat, and inward wounds and bruises.
The same also is no less powerful to help'''
any ruptures or burstings, used both in-
wardly and outwardly : And briefly, it is
as effectual in binding, restraining, conso-
lidating, heating, drying and healing, as
comfrey, bugle, self-heal, or any other of
the vulnerary herbs whatsoever.
SARACEN s
CONFOUND, OR
WOUNDWORT.
SARACEN S
Descript.'] This grows sometimes, Avilh
brownish stalks, and other whiles with
green, to a man's height, having narrow
likewise for such sores as happen in the
privy parts of men and women ; being steeped
in wine, and then distilled, the water there-
of drank, is singularlj' good to ease all gnaw-
ings in the stomach, or other pains of the
body, as also the pains of the mother : and
being boiled in water, it helps continual
agues ; and the said water, or the simple
water of the herb distilled, or the juice or
decoction, are very effectual to heal any
green wound, or old sore or ulcer what-
soever, cleansing them from corruption,
and quickly healing them up : Briefly,
whatsoever hath been said of bugle or sani-
cle, may be found herein.
green leaves snipped about the edges, some
what like those of the peach-tree, or willow
leaves, but not of such a white green colour. \ ^ ,r^^^ ^
rpi . P ,, .1, f • I. J -.1 J SAUCE-ALONE, OR J ACK-B Y-THE-HEDGE-
Ihe tops or the stalks are lurmshed with? '
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, \ rounder than those that grow towards the
small and of a brown colour, wrapped in | 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
"Winter, although the stalks dry away and i for the form, but of a fresher green colour.
160
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
not rough or pricking : The flowers are
white, growing at the top of the stalks one
above another, which being past, follow
small round pods, wherein are contained
round seed somewhat blackish. The root
stringy and thready, perishes every year
after it hath given seed, and raises itself
again of its own sowing. The plant, or
any part thereof, being bruised, smells of
garlic, but more pleasantly, and tastes
somewhat hot and sharp, almost like unto
rocket.
Place-I It grows under walls, and by
hedge-sides, and path-ways in fields in
many places.
Time.'] It flowers in June, July, and
August.
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
warms also the stomach, and causes diges-
tion. The juice thereof boiled with honey
is accounted to be as good as hedge mus-
tard for the cough, to cut and expectorate
the tough phlegm. The seed bruised and
boiled in wine, is a singularly good remedy
for the wind colic, or the stone, being drank
warm : It is also given to women troubled
with the mother, both to drink, and the
seed put into a cloth, and applied while it
is warm, is of singularly good use. The
leaves also, or the seed boiled, is good to be
used in clysters to ease the pains of the
stone. The green leaves are held to be
good to heal the ulcers in the legs,
WINTER AND SUMMER SAVOURY.
Both these are so well known (being
entertained as constant inhabitants in our
gardens) that they need no description.
Government and virtues^ Mercury claims
dominion over this herb, neither is there
a detter remedy against the colic and iliac
passion, than this herb; keep it dry bjj
you all the year, if you love yourself and
your ease, and it is a hundred pounds to a
penny if you do not ; keep it dry, make
conserves and syrups of it for your use, and
withal, take notice that the Summer kind
is the best. They are both of them hot
and dry, especially the Summer kind,
which is both sharp and quick in taste,
expelling wind in the stomach and bowels,
and is a present help for the rising of the
mother procured by Avind ; provokes urine
and women's courses, and is much com-
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 expectoraie 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 ej'es,
clears a dull sight, if it proceed of thin cold
humours distilled from the brain. The
juiceheated with theoilofRoses, and dropped
into the ears, eases them of the noise and
singing in them, and of deafness also.
Outwardly applied with wheat flour, in
manner of a poultice, it gives ease to the
sciatica and palsied members, heating and
warming them, and takes away their pains.
It also takes away the pain that comes by
stinging of bees, wasps, &c.
SAVINE
To describe a plant so well known is need-
less, it being nursed up almost in every gar-
den, and abides green all the Winter.
Government and virtues^ It is under the
dominion of Mars, being hot and dry in
the third degree, and being of exceeding
clean parts, is of a very digesting quality.
If you dry the herb into powder, and mix
it with honey, it is an excellent remedy to
cleanse old filthy ulcers and fistulas ; but
it hinders them from healing. The same is
excellently good to break carbuncles and
plague-sores; also helps the king's evil,
being applied to the place. Being spread
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
167
over a piece of leather, and applied to thej
navel, kills the worms in the belly, helps i
•xabs 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.l This hath a few small red- I
dish kernels of roots covered with somet
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 I
below, but smaller, and somewhat branched I
at the top, whereon stand pretty large white j
flowers of five leaves a-piece, with some \
yellow threads in the middle, standing in a
long crested, brownish green husk. After |
the flowers are past, there arises sometimes \
a round hard head, forked at the top, i
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- 1
frage-seed, and so used. \
Place.'} It grows in many places of ourj
land, as well in the lower-most, as in thej
upper dry corners of meadows, and grassy |
sandy places. It used to grow near Lamb's |
conduit, on the backside of Gray's Inn. |
Time-I 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 i
comes. {
Government and virtues.'] It is very ef- \
fectual to cleanse the reins and bladder, i
anri *Q dissolve the stone 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 kernelly root, 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
and lungs from thick and tough phlegm
that trouble them. There are not many
better medicines to break the stone than
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
little pointed and dented about the edges,
of a sad green colour. At the top of the
stalks stand umbels of white flowers, after
which come small and blackish seed. The
root is long and whitish, abiding long. Our
lesser Burnet Saxifrage hath much finer
leaves than the former, and very small, and
set one against another, deeply jagged
about the edges, and of the same colour as
the former. The umbels of the flowers are
white, and the seed very small, and so is
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
well sought for among the grass, wherein
many times they lay hid scarcely to be dis-
cerned.
Titne.] They flower about July, and
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- 1 great, white and thick, growing clown deep
leys have, but in provoking urine, and | 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 i The Corn Scabious differs little from the
likewise helps the Avindy 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, i and the root creeps under the upper crust
to digest cold, viscous, and tough phlegm \ of the earth, and runs not deep into the
in the stomach, and is an especial remedy i ground as the first doth.
against all kind of venom. CastoreumI 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
Some do use to make the seeds into comfits j about this city, but not so plentifully as the
(as they do carraway seeds) which is effec- 1 former.
tual to all the purposes aforesaid. Thej The third in standing corn, or fallow
juice of the herb dropped into the most I 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 I August, and the seed is ripe in the mean
freckles or spots in the skin or face ; and j time.
to drink the same sweetened with sugar fori There are many other sorts of Scabious,
all the purposes aforesaid. 1 but I take these which I have here des-
i cribed to be most familiar with us. The
SCABIOUS, THREE SORTS. | virtucs of both thcsc and the rest, being
\ much alike, take them as follow.
Desc^ipt.] Common field Scabious grows \ Government and virtites.] Mercury owns
up with many hairy, soft, whitish green | the plant. Scabious is very effectual for
leaves, some whereof are very little, if at jail sorts of coughs, shortness of breath, and
all jagged on the edges, others very much j all other diseases of the breast and lungs,
rent and torn on the sides, and have threads 5 ripening and digesting cold phlegm, and
in them, which upon breaking may be j other tough humours, voids them forth by
plainly seen ; from among Avhich rise up I coughing and spitting : It ripens also all
divers hairy green stalks, three or four feet j sorts of inward ulcers and imposthumes ;
high, with such like hairy green leaves on 1 pleurisy also, if the decoction of the herb
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 mithridale,
of a pale blueisli colour, set together in a; or Venice treacle, frees the heart from any
head, the outermost whereof are larger than j infection of pestilence, if after the taking
the inward, with many threads also in thej of it the party sweat two hours in bed, and
middle, somewhat flat at the top, as the I this medicine be again and again rejjcated,
head with the seed is likewise ; the root is ; if need require. The green herb bruised
ri.ATK 10.
^ ello>v S uc c or
Suloiiioii's Seal
"W'ild Sixccori
Spi^-iifi
Woo(.L S u rrcl
C ominoxi S orrcl
SiTiallaere
Sow Thistle
T1-^r\XT^« ve-i
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
169
and applied to any carbuncle or plague
sore, is found by certain experience to dis-
solve and break it in three hours space.
The same decoction also drank, helps the
pains and stitches in the side. • The decoc-
tion of the roots taken for forty days toge-
ther, or a dram of the powder of lhen>
taken at a time in whey, doth (as Malthi-
olus saith) wonderfully help those that are
troubled with running of spreading scabs,
tetters, ringworms, yea, although they pro-
ceed from the French pox, which, he saith
he hath tried by experience. The juice or
decoction drank, helps also scabs and
breakings-out of the itch, and the like.
The juice also made up into an ointment
and used, is effectual for the same purpose.
The same also heals all inward wounds by
the drying, cleansing, and healing quality
therein : And a syrup made of the juice
and sugar, is very effectual to all the pur-
poses aforesaid, and so is the distilled water
of the herb and flowers made in due season,
especially to be used when the green herb
is not in force to be taken. The decoction
of the herb and roots outwardly applied,
doth wonderfully help all sorts of hard or
cold swellings in any part of the body, is
effectual for shrunk sinews or veins, and
heals green wounds, old sores, and ulcers.
The juice of Scabious, made up with the
powder of Borax and Samphire, cleanses
the skin of the face, or other parts of the
body, not only from freckles and pimples,
Jaut also from morphew and leprosy ; the
lead washed with the decoction, cleanses it
from dandriff, scurf, sores, itch, and the
like, used warm. The herb bruised and
ipplied, doth in a short time loosen, and
Iraw forth any splinter, broken bone,
[arrow head, or other such like thing lying
lin the flesh.
SCITRV YGRASS.
Dcscripf.] The ordinary English Scurvy-
grass hath many thick flat leaves, more
long than broad, and sometimes longer and
narrower ; sometimes also smooth on the
edges, and sometimes a little waved ; some-
times plain, smooth and pointed, of a sad
green, and sometimes a blueish colour,
every one standing by itself upon a long
foot-stalk, which is brownish or greenish
also, from among which arise many slender
stalks, bearing few leaves thereon like the
other, but longer and less for the most
part : At the tops whereof grow many
whitish flowers, with yellow threads in the
middle, standing about a green head, which
becomes the. seed vessel, which will be
somewhat flat when it is ripe, wherein is
contained reddish seed, tasting somewhat
hot. The root is. made of many white
strings, which stick deeply into the mud,
wherein it chiefly delights, yet it will well
abide in the ir.ore upland and drier ground,
and tastes a little brackish and salt even
there, but not so much as where it hath the
salt water to feed upon.
Place.l It grows all along the Thames
sides, both on the Essex and Kentish
shores, from Woolwich round about the
sea costs to Dover, Portsmouth, and even
to Bristol, where it is had in plenty ; the
other with round leaves grows in the marshes
in Holland, in Lincolnshire, and other
places of Lincolnshire by the sea side.
Descript.l There is also another sort
called Dutch Scurvygrass, which is most
known, and frequent in gardens, which has
fresh, green, and almost round leaves rising
from the root, not so thick as the former,
yet in some rich ground, very large, even
twice as big as in others, not dented about
the hedges, or hollow in the middle, standing
on a long foot-stalk ; from among thest;
rise long, slender stalks, higher than the for-
mer, with more white flowers at the tops of
them, which turn into small pods, and
smaller brownish seed than the former.
The root is white, small and thready. The
no THE COMPLETE HERBAL
lUll
(aste is nothing salt at all ; it hath a hot, jthe ground, whereby it is made agieat
aromatical spicy taste. I in a short time.
Tme.'] It flowers in April and May, j Place.] It is found in woods and fields
and gives seed ripe quickly after. | every where.
Government a}7d virtues.'} It is an herb of j Titne.'j It flowers in May, and some-
Tupiter. The English Scurvy grass is more; 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 I 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 I inward wounds: outwardly in unguents,
the juice in the Spring every morning fast- land plaisters for outward. As Self-heal is
ing in a cup of drink. The decociion is \ like Bugle in form, so also in the qualities
good for the same purpose, and opens* and virtues, serving for all the purposes
obstructions, evacuating cold, clammy and I whereto Bugle is applied to with good success,
phlegmatic humours both from the liver (either inwardly or outwardly, for inward
and the spleen, and bringing the body to a | wounds or ulcers whatsoever within the
more lively colour. The juice also helps! 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, 5 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. jinto ulcers in the parts outwardly. Where
I there is cause to repress the heat and sharp-
SELF-HEAL. | ncss of humours flowing to any sore, ulcers,
I inflammations, swellings, or the like, or to
Descript.'] Th e common Self-heal which ; stay the fluxes of blood in any wound or
is called also Prunel, 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 \ cause them more speedily to be healed. It
pointed leaves, like leaves of wild mints, of i is an especial remedy for all green wounds,
a dark green colour, without dents on the i to solder the lips of them, and to keep the
edges ; from among which rise square hairy | 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 5 fectual to remove head ache, and the same
brown spiked heads of small brownish | 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 | and 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 hath Self-
many fibres downward, and spreading s heal and Sanicle to help himself.
strings also whereby it increases. The x
small stalks, with the leaves creeping on the|
ground, shoot forth fibres taking hold on
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 171
I being bound to the wrists of the hands, and
THE SERVICE-TREE. | the solcs of the feet, it helps the yellow
■ _ . 1,, • *!, 1 „ „i iiaundice. The herb bein^ made into a
It is so well known in the place where^J ^ ^^^ inflammations and St. An-
,t grows that n needs no description. > ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ .^^ ^^. ^^^ ^^ ^^^^
Ttme.-] It flowers before the end of ^j^^ / j^^^j^ ^j^^ J j^ ^^j^^ ^^7^^^^^^.
Mav, and the rruit is ripe in October. J. ^ur aj^* v,
^xajr, a.iiu ..i.v. , ., r*, c- • 1, Unes thcreot. A good ointment may be
Government and mrtuesA Services, when °i -• .. r n j • n j
vjui/o,#»«c/.i «/.« ^^,-', ^, ' ^ » made or It for all wounds, especially wounds
they are mellow, are fit to be taken to stay \ .^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^ •'
fluxes, scouring, and casting, yet less than I
medlers. If they be dried before they be smallage
mellow, and kept all the year, they may be |
used in decoctions for the said purpose,! rr • i n i „ j*i,
T, J • , . u ..1- *u y I This IS also very well known, and there-
either to drmk, or to bathe the parts re- ^^^ j ^^^^^^ ^^^ J^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^.^^^
qmring it ; and are profitably used in that | ^^^^^ • j^^ ^^^^^.^f
manner to stay the bleeding or wounds,: t»i n t^ ^ n • j j
\ c\i \u * u ^i;^^ f^ Place^ It grows naturally in dry and
and of the mouth or nose to be applied to ^^^^ ^ J ^^^ .^ j^ ^^ ^^^^^ .-^
the forehead and nape of he neck ; and are ^^^^^ /^ ^^^^ ^ ^^„ ^
under the dominion or oaturn. 5 ^. n t* u- i n *u« -ni;,'.,*
I Ttme.j It abides green all the Winter,
shepherd's PUESE. 1 and secds in August.
I Government and virtues.] Itisanherboi
It is called Whoreman's Permacety, i Mercury. Smallage is hotter, drier, and
Shepherd's Scrip, Shepherd's Pounce, Toy-; much more medicinal than parsley, for it
wort, Pickpurse, andCasewort. Imuch more opens obstructions of the liver
Descript.'] The root is small, white, and I and spleen, rarefies thick phlegm, and
perishes every year. The leaves are small | cleanses it and the blood withal. It pro-
and long, of a pale green colour, and deeply | 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 up
The flowers are white and very small ; after > 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 j gargle the mouth and throat of those that
a heart. jhave sores and ulcers in them, and will
Place.l They are frequent in this nation, I 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. ; and expel wind, to kill worms, and to help
Government and virtues.] It is under the I a stinking breath. The root is effectual to
dominion of Saturn, and of a cold, dry, | 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 ! especially to open obstructions, and to rid
or outward wounds; as also flux of the | away any ague, if the juice thereof betaken
belly, and bloody flux, spitting blood, and | in wine, or the decoction thereof in wine
bloody urine, stops the terms in women ; * used.
Y Y
172 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
: Government and virtues.'] It is under the
soPEWORT, OK BRUiSEwoRT. I dominion of Venus. Sorrelis prevalent in
I all hot diseases, to cool any inflammation
De.script.'] The roots creep under i and heat of blood in agues pestilential or
ground far and near, with many joints | choleric, or sickness and fainting, arising
theiein, of a brown colour on the outside Hrom 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 j 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
from the sides of the stalks, but set with; 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 1 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, 5 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 ? the gravel and the stone in the reins or kid-
sides of running waters, jneys. The decoction of the flowers made
Time.] It flowers usually in July, and: with wine and drank, helps the black jaun-
so continues all August, and part of Sep- ; dice, as also the inward ulcers of the body
tember, before they be quite spent. ;and bowels. A S3'rup made with the juice
Government and virtues.] Venus owns it. i of Sorrel and fumitory, is a sovereign help
The country people in divers places do use | to kill those sharp humours that 6ause 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 '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 j discuss the kernels in the throat; and the
gravel and the stone in the reins or kidneys, | 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 | leaf and roasted in the embers, and applied
extol it to perform an absolute cure in the ; to a hard imposthunie, botch, boil, or plague
French pox, more than either sarsaparilla, | sore, doth both ripen and break it. The
guiacum, or China can do ; which, how I distilled water of the herb is of much good
true it is, I leave others to judge. 5 use for all the purposes aforesaid.
x
SORREL. J WOOD SORREL.
V
Ooa ordmary Sorrel, which grows inj T)e.<icript.] This grows upon the ground,
gardens, and also wild in the fields, is so* having a number of leaves coming from
well known, that it needs no description, ithe root made of three leaves, like a trefoil.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. ITS
sow THISTLE.
but broad at the ends, and cut in the mid- 1
die, of a yellowish green colour, every one i
standing on a long foot-stalk, which atj Sow Thistles are generally so well known^
their first coming up are close folded toge-|that they need no description.
ther to the stalk, but opening themselves 5 Place.'] 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 most? Government and vii'tuesJ] This and the
dainty clear syrup. Among these leaves | former are under the influence of Venus,
rise up divers slender, weak foot-stalks, | Sow Thistles are cooling, and somewhat
with every one of ihem a flower at the top, \ binding, and are very fit to cool a hot
consisting of five small pointed leaves, star- i stomach, and ease the pains thereof. The
fashion, of a white colour, in most places, \ herb boiled in Avine, is very helpful to stay
and in some dashed over with a small show! the dissolution of the stomach, and the milk
of blueish, on the back side only. After { that is taken from the stalks when 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 jing. Pliny saith, That it hath caused the
fastened to the end of a small long piece ; 1 gravel and stone to be voided by urine, and
all of them being of a yellowish colour. uh;it the eating thereof helps a stinking
PZcfce.] It grows in many places of our | breath. The decoction of the leaves and
land, in woods and wood-sides, where they i stalks causes abundance of milk in nurses,
be moist and shadowed, and in other places > and their children to be well coloured. The
not too much upon the Sun. ;.j"jice or distilled water is good for all hot
Time.] It flowers in April and May. j inflammations, wheals, and erputions or
Governinent and virtues.] Venus owns it. ; heat in the skin, itching of the haemorr-
Wood Sorrel serves to all the purposes thatjhoids. The juice boiled or thoroughly
the other Sorrels do, and is more effectual j 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, | ings, &c. Three spoonfuls of the juice
to procure an appetite, to stay vomiting, I taken, warmed in white wine, and some
and very excellent in any contagious sick- | 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! 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 give
the juice and applied outwardly to any hot j it a lustre,
swelling or inflammations, doth much cool 5
__ J L 1 .1 rrii • • I I J 5 SOUTHERN WOOD
nnd help them. Ihe same juice taken andt
gargled in the mouth, and after it is spitt Southern Wood is so well known to be
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 s any description thereof.
stay the bleeding of thrusts or scabs in the \ Time.] It flowers for the most part in
body. I 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
■water, and bringing down Women's courses.
The same taken in wine is an antidote, or
counter-poison against all deadly poison,
and drives away serpents and other venom-
ous creatures ; as also the smell of the herb,
being burnt, doth the same. The oil thereof
anointed on the back -bone before the fits of
agues come, takes them away : It takes
away inflammations in the eyes, if it be put
with some part of a roasted quince, and
boiled with a few crumbs of bread, and ap-
plied. Boiled with barley-meal it takes
away pimpels, pushes or wheals that arise
in the face, or other parts of the body.
The seed as well as the dried herb, is often
given to kill the worms in children : The
herb bruised and laid to, helps to draw forth
splinters and thorns out of the flesh. The
ashes thereof dries up and heals old ulcers,
that are without inflammation, although by
the sharpness thereof it biles sore, and puts
them to sore pains ; as also the sores in the
privy parts of man or woman. The ashes
mingled with old sallad oil, helps those that
have hair fallen, and are bald, causing the
hair to grow again either on the head or
beard. Daranters saith. That the oil made
of Southern- wood, and put among the oint-
ments that are used against the French dis-
ease, is very effectual, and likewise kills
lice in the head. The distilled water of the
herb is said to help them much that are
troubled with the stone, as also for the dis-
eases of the spleen and mother. The Ger-
mans commend it for a singular wound
herb, and therefore call it Stabwort. It is
held by all writers, ancient and modern,
to be more offensive to the stomach than
worm-wood.
SPIGNEL, OB SPIKENARD.
Descript.'] The roots of common Spig-
i nel do spread much and deep ]n the ground,
j 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
within, from whence rise sundry long stalks
\ taste, from whece rise sundry long stalks
\ of most fine cut leaves like hair, smallei
; than dill, set thick on both sides of the
I stalks, and of a good scent. Among these
I leaves rise up round stiff stalks, with a few
^joints and leaves on them, and at the tops
j an umbel of pure white flowers ; at the
I edges whereof sometimes will be seen a
; shew of the reddish blueish colour, especi-
ially before they be full blown, and are
I succeeded by small, somewhat round seeds,
i bigger than the ordinary fennel, and of a
I brown colour, divided into two parts, and
I crusted on the back, as most of the umbel-
i liferous seeds are.
1 Place.'] It grows wild in Lancashire,
! Yorkshire, and other northern counties, and
I is also planted in gardens.
I Government and virtues.^ It is an herb of
\ Venus. Galen saith. The roots of Spignel
» are available to provoke urine, and women's
\ courses ; but if too much thereof be taken,
I it causes head-ache. The roots boiled in
i wine or water, and drank, helps the stran-
I guary and stoppings of the urine, the wind,
j swellings and pains in the stomach, pains
J of the mother, and all joint-aches. If the
I powder of the root be mixed with honey,
5 and the same taken as a licking medicine,
i it breaks tough phlegm, and dries up the
\ rheum that falls on the lungs. The roots are
I accounted very effectual against the sting-
X
X
s
X
ing or biting of any a enomous creature
X SPLEENWORT,
CETERACH,
lONGUE.
OR HEART S
I Descript i] The smooth Spleen wort, from
• a black, thready and bushy root, sends forth
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 175
many long single leaves, cut in on both j down to the ground, that it seems a pretty
sides into round dents almost to the middle, \ bush, set with divers the like divided leaves
which 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! composed of many small redoish purple
springing up. (threads ; and in the heads, alter the flowers
P/flce.] It grows as well upon stoneware 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- i rising again of its own sovving.
consfield church in Berkshire, at Stroud in I Place.'] It grows wild in the fields about
Kent, and elsewhere, and abides green all | London in many places, as at Mile-End
the Winter. I green, and many other places.
Government and virtues.'] Saturn owns it. 5 Tme.] 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 5 all Thistles are, is under Mars. The seed
good against the yellow jaundice and the \ of this Star Thistle made into powder, and
hiccough ; but the juice of it in women | drank in Avine, provokes urine, and helps
hinders conception. Matthiolus saith, Thatj to break the stone, and drives it forth. The
if a dram of the dust that is on the back- 1 root in powder, and given in wine and
side of the leaves be mixed with half a dram \ 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 5 for some time together, it is very profitable 5
gonorrhea speedily, and that the herb and \ for fistulas in any part of the body,
root being boiled and taken, helps all } Baptista Sardas doth much commend the
melancholy diseases, and those especially \ distilled water thereof, being drank, to help
that arise from the French diseases, j 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 I 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- 1
of being drank for some time together, | strawberries.
helps splenetic persons. It is used in out-»
ward remedies for the same purpose. I These are so well known through this
STAR THISTLE. 5 land, that they need no description.
\ Time.] They flower in May ordinarily,
Descript.'] A common Star Thistle has j 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! herb. Strawberries, when they are green,
many parts, soft or a little woo'ly, all over? are cool and dry; but when they are ripe,
green, among which rise up divers weak > they are cool and moist : The berries are
stalks, parted into many branches, all lying \ excellently good to cool the liver, the blood,
z z
176
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
and the spleen, or an hot choleric stomach ;
to refresh and comfort the fainting spirits,
and quench thirst : They are good also for
other inflammations ; yet it is not amiss to
refrain from them in a fever, lesl by their
putrifying in the stomach they increase
the fits. The leaves and roots boiled
in wine and water, and drank, do like-
wise cool the liver and blood, and assuage
all inflammations in the reins and bladder,
provoke urine, and allay the heat and
sharpness thereof. The same also being
drank staj's the bloody flux and women's
courses, and helps the sweUing of the
spleen. The water of the Berries carefully
distilled, is a sovereign remedy and cordial
in the panting and beating of the heart,
and is good for the yellow jaundice. The
juice dropped into foul ulcers, or they
washed therewith, or the decoction of the
herb and root, doth wonderfully cleanse
and help to cure them. Lotions and gar-
gles for sore mouths, or ulcers therein, or in
ihe privy parts or elsewhere, are made with
the leaves and roots thereof; which is also
good to fasten loose teeth, and to heal
spungy foul gums. It helps also to stay
catarrhs, or defluctions of rheum in the
mouth, throat, teeth, or eyes. The juice or
Waiter is singularly good for hot and red
inflamed eyes, if dropped into them, or they
bathed therewith. It is also of excellent
property for all pushes, wheals and other
breakings forth of hot and sharp humours
in the face and hands, and other parts of
the body, to bathe them therewith, and to
take away, any redness in the face, or spots,
or other deformities in the skin, and to make
it clear and smooth. Some use this medi-
cine , Take so many Strawberries as you
shall think fitting, and put them into a dis-
tillatory, or body of glass fit for them, which
being well closed, set it in a bed of horse
dung for your use. It is an excellent water
for hot inflamed eyes, and to take away a
film or skin lhat begins to grow over them,
i and for such other defects in them as may
i be helped by any outward medicine.
5 SUCCORY, OR CHICORY.
I Descript.'] The garden Succory hath
; long and narrower leaves than the Endive,
1 and more cut in or torn on the edges, and
i the root abides many years. It bears also
I blue flowers like Endive, and the seed is
hardly distinguished from the seed of the
smooth or ordinary Endive.
The wild Succory hath divers long leaves
lying on the ground, very much cut in or
torn on the edges, on both sides, even to the
middle rib, ending in a point ; sometimes
it hath a rib down to the middle of the
leaves, from among which rises up a hard,
round, woody stalk, spreading into many
branches, set with smaller and less divided
leaves on them up to the tops, where stand
the flo'.vers, which are like the garden kind,
and the seed is also (only take notice that
the flowers of the garden kind are gone in
on a sunny day, they being so cold, that
they are not able to endure the beams of the
sun, and therefore more delight in the shade)
the root is white, but more hard and woody
than the garden kind. The whole plant is
exceedingly bitter. *
Place.'] This grows in many places of
our land in waste untilled and barren fields.
The other only in gardens.
Government and virtues.'] It is an herb of
Jupiter. Garden Succory, as it is more
dry and less cold than Endive, so it opens
more. An handful of the leaves, or roots
boiled in wine or water, and a draught
thereof drank fasting, drives forth choleric
and phlegmatic humours, opens obstruc-
tions of the liver, gall and spleen ; helps the
yellow jaundice, the heat of the reins, and
of the urine ; the dnpsy also ; and those
that have an evil disposition in their bodies,
by reason of long sickness, evil diet, &c.
which the Greeks call Cachexia. A decoc-
tion thereof made with wine, and drank, is
AND ENGLISH PHiSlCIAN ENLARGED.
177
very effectual agninst long lingering agues ;
and a dram of the seed in powder, drank in
wine, before the fit of the ague, helps to
drive it away. The distilled water of the
herb and flowers (if you can take them in
time) hath the like properties, and is es-
pecially good for hot stomachs, and in
agues, either pestilential or of long con-
tinuance ; for svvoonings and passions of
the heart, for the heat and head-ache in
children, and for the blood and liver. The
said water, or the juice, or the bruised
leaves applied outwardly, allay swellings,
inflammations, St. Anthony's fire, pushes,
wheals, and pimples, especially used with
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
and liver.
STONE-CROP, PRICK-MADAM, OR SMALL-
HOUSELEEK.
Descripi.^ 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.
The roots are small, and run creeping under
ground.
Place.'] 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.
Time.'] It flowers in June and July, and
the leaves are green all the Winter.
Government and virtues.] It is under the
dominion of the Moon, cold in quality,
and something binding, and therefore very
good to stay defluctions, especially such as
fall upon the eyes. It stops bleeding, both
inward and outward, helps cankers, and all
fretting sores and ulcers ; it abates the heat
of choler, thereby preventing diseases
arising from choleric humours. It expels
poison much, resists pestilential fevers, being
exceeding good also for tertian agues : You
may drink the decoction of it, if you please,
for all the foregoing infirmities. It is so
harmless an herb, you can scarce use it
amiss : Being bruised and applied to the
place, it helps the king's evil, and any other
knots or kernels in the flesh ; as also the
piles.
ENGLISH TOBACCO.
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
large : scarce standing above the brims of
the husks, round pointed also, and of a
greenish yellow colour. The seed that
follows is not so bright, but larger, con-
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.
Place.] This came from some parts of
Brazil, as it is thought, and is more familiar
in our country than any of the other sorts;
early 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 time.
Government and virtues.] It is a martial
plant. It is found by good experience to
be available to expectorate tough phlegm
from the stomach, chest, and lungs. The
juice thereof made into a syrup, or the dis-
tilled water of the herb drank with some
sugar, or without, if you will, or the smoak
taken by a pipe, as is usual, but fainting;,
helps to expel worms in the stomach and
*•
178
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
belly, and to ease the pains in the head, or
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
therein, and hath been found very eftectual
to expel windiness, and other humours,
which cause the strangling of the mother.
The seed hereof is very effectual to expel
the tooth ache, and the ashes of the burnt
herb to cleanse the gums, and make the
teeth white. The herb bruised and ap-
plied to the place grieved with the king's
evil, helps it in nine or ten days effectually.
Monardus saith, it is a counter poison
against the biting of any venomous crea-
ture, the herb also being outwardly applied
to the hurt place. The distilled water is
often given with some sugar before the fit
of an ague, to lessen it, and take it away in
three or four times using. If the distilled
feeces of the herb, having been bruised be-
fore the distillation, and not distilled dry,
be set in warm dung for fourteen days, and
afterwards be hung in a bag in a wine
cellar, the liquor that distills therefrom is
singularly good to use in cramps, aches,
the gout and sciatica, and to heal itches,
scabs, and running ulcers, cankers, and all
foul sores whatsoever. The juice is also
good I'oy all the said griefs, and likewise to
kill lice in children's heads. The green
herb bruised and applied to any green
wounds, cures any fresh wound or cut
whatsoever : and the juice put into old
sores, both cleanses and heals them. There
is also made hereof a singularly good salve
to help miposthumes, hard tumours, and
other swellings by blows and falls.
THE TAMARISK TREE.
It is SO well known in the place where it
grows, that it needs no description.
'fime.] It flowers about the end of May,
or June, and the seed is ripe and blown
away in the beginning of September.
Government and virtues.'] A gallani Sa-
turnine herb it is. The root, leaves, young
branches,or bark boiled in wine, and drank,
stays the bleeding of the liEemorrhodical
veins, the spitting of blood, the too abound-
ing of women's courses, the jaundice, the
cholic, and the biting of all venomous ser-
pents, except the asp ; and outwardly ap-
plied, is very powerful against the hardness
of the spleen, and the tooth-ache, pains in
the cars, red and watering eyes. The de-
coction, with some honey put thereto, is
good to stay gangrenes and fretting ulcers,
and to wash those that are subject to nits
and lice. Alpinus and Veslingius affirm.
That the Egyptians do with good success
use the wood of it to cure the French dis-
ease, as others do with lignum vitje or
guiacum ; and give it also to those who
have the leprosy, scabs, ulcers, or the like.
Its ashes doth quickly heal blisters raised
by burnings or scaldings. It helps the
dropsy, arising from the hardness of the
spleen, and therefore to drink out of cups
made of the wood is good for splenetic
persons. It is also helpful for melancholy,
and the black jaundice that arise thereof.
GARDEN TANSY.
Garden Tansy is so well known, that
it needs no description.
TimeJ] It flowers in June and July.
Government and mrtues.'\ Dame Venus was
minded to pleasure women with child by this
herb,for there grows not an herb, fitter for their
use than this is ; it is just as though it were
cut out for the purpose. This herb bruised
and applied to the naval, stays miscarriages;
I know no herb like it for that use : Boiled
I in ordinary beer, and the decoction drank,
idoth the like ; and if her womb be not as
? she would have it, this decoction will make
1 it so. Let those women that desire chil-
I
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
179
dren love this herb, it is their best com-
panion, their husbands excepted. Also it
consumes the phlegmatic humours, the cold
and moist constitution of Winter most
usually affects the body of man with, and
that was the first reason of eating tansies in
the Spring. The decoction of the common
Tansy, or the juice drank in wine, is a sin- \
gular remedy for all the griefs that come
by slopping of the urine, helps the stran-
guary and those that have weak reins and
kidneys. It is also very profitable to dis-
solve and expel wind in the stomach, belly,
or bowels, to procure women's courses, and
expel windiness in the matrix, if it be bruis-
ed and often smelled unto, as also applied
to the lower part of the belly. It is also
very profitable for such women as are given
to miscarry. It is used also against thej
stone in the reins, especially to men. The
herb fried with eggs (as it is the custom in
the Spring-time) which is called a Tansy,
helps to digest and carry downward those
bad humours that trouble the stomach.
The seed is very profitably given to chil-
dren for the worms, and the juice in drink
is as effectual. Being boiled in oil, it is
good for the sinews shrunk by cramps, or
pained with colds, if thereto applied.
WILD TANSY, OR SILVER WEED.
This is also so well known, that it needs*
no description. |
Place-I It grows in every place. |
Time.'] It flowers in June and July |
GoveiTiment and virtues.] Now Dame J
Venus hath fitted women with two herbs of >^
one name, the one to help conception, and |
the other to maintain beauty, and what'j
more can be expected of her? What nowi
remains for you, but to love your husbands, $
and not to be wanting to your poor neigh- 1
hours ? Wild Tansy stays the lask, and all *
the fluxes of blood in men and women,
which some say it will do, if the green herb
be worn in the shoes, so it be next the skin ; ^
and it is true enough, that it will stop the
terms, if worn so, and the whites too, for
ought I know. It stays also spitting or
vomiting of blood. The powder of the
he''b taken in some of the distilled water,
helps the whites in women, but more es-
pecially if a little coral and ivory in pow-
der be put to it. It is also recommended
to help children that are bursten, and have
a rupture, being boiled in water and salt.
Being boiled in water and drank, it eases
the griping pains of the bowels, and is good
for the sciatica and joint-aches. The same
boiled in vinegar, with honey and allum,
and gargled in the mouth, eases the pains
of the tooth-ache, fastens loose teeth, helps
the gums that are sore, and settles the
palate of the mouth in its place, when it is
fallen down. It cleanses and heals ulcers
in the mouth, or secret parts, and is very
good for inward wounds, and to close the
lips of green wounds, and to heal old, moist,
and corrupt running sores in the legs or
elsewhere. Being bruised and applied to
the soles of the feet and hand wrists, it
wonderfully cools the hot fits of agues, be
they never so violent. The distilled water
cleanses the skin of all discolourings there-
in, as morphew, sun-burnings, &c. as also
pimples, freckles, and the like ; and
dropped into the eyes, or cloths wet therein
and applied, takes away the heat and in-
flammations in them.
THISTLES.
Of these are many kinds growing here in
England which are so well known, that
they need no description : Their difference
is easily known on the places where they
grow, viz.
Place.] Some grow in fields, some in
meadows, and some among the corn ; others
on heaths, greens, and waste grounds in
many places.
Time.] They flower in June and August,
and their seed is ripe quickly after.
3 A
180
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Government and virtues.l Surely Marsj
rules it, it is such a prickly business. All i
these thistles are good to provoke urine,?
and to mend the stinking smell thereof; as J
also the rank smell of the arm-pits, or the \
whole body ; being boiled in wine and ;
drank, and are said to help a stinking!
breath, and to strengthen the stomach, i
Pliny saith, That the juice bathed on the|
place that wants hair, it being fallen off,
will cause it to grow speedily.
THE MELANCHOLY THISTLE.
Descript.^ It rises up with tender single
hoary green stalks, bearing thereon four or
five green leaves, dented about the edges ;
the points thereof are little or nothing
prickly, and at the top usually but one head,
yet sometimes from the bosom of the upper-
most leaves there shoots forth another small
head, scaly and prickly, with many reddish
thrumbs or threads in the middle, which
being gathered fresh, will keep the colour
a long time, and fades not from the stalk a
long time, while it perfects the seed, which
is of a mean bigness, lying in the down.
The root hath many strings fastened to the
head, or upper part, which is blackish, and
perishes not.
There is another sort little diflFering from
the former, but that the leaves are more
green above, and more hoary underneath,
and the stalk being about two feet high,
bears but one scaly head, with threads and
seeds as the former.
Place.'l They grow in many moist mea-
dows of this land, as well in the southern, as
in the northern parts.
Time.'] They flower about July or
August, and their seed ripens quickly after.
Government and virtues.'] It is under
Capricorn, and therefore under both Saturn
and Mars, one rids melancholy by sympa-
thy, the other by antipathy. Their virtues
are but few, but those not to be despised
fbr the decoction of the thistle in wine
being drank, expels superfluous melancholy
out of the body, and makes a man as merry
as a cricket ; superfluous melancholy causes
care, fear, sadness, despair, envy, and many
evils more besides ; but religion teaches to
wait upon God's providence, and cast our
care upon him who cares for us. What a
fine thing were it if men and women could
live 30 ? And yet seven years' care and fear
makes a man never the wiser, nor a farthing
richer. Dioscorides saith, the root borne
about one doth the like, and removes all
diseases of melancholy. Modern writers
laugh at him ; Let them laugh that win : my
opinion is, that it is the best remedy against
all melancholy diseases that grows; they
that please may use it.
OUR lady's THISTLE.
Descript.] Our Lady's Thistle hath
divers very large and broad leaves lying on
the ground cut in, and as it were crumpled,
but somewhat hairy on the edges, of a white
green shining colour, wherein are many
lines and streaks of a milk white colour,
running all over, and set with many sharp
and stiff" prickles all about, among which
rises up one or more strong, round, and
prickly stalks, set full of the like leaves up
to the top, where at the end of every branch,
comes forth a great prickly Thistle-like
head, strongly armed with prickles, and
with bright purple thumbs rising out of the
middle ; after they are past, the seed grows
in the said heads, lying in soft white down,
which is somewhat flattish in the ground,
and many strings and fibres fastened there-
unto. All the whole plant is bitter in taste.
Place.] It is frequent on the banks of
almost every ditch.
Time.] It flowers and seeds in June,
July, and August.
Government and virt^ies.] Our Lady^s
Thistle is under Jupiter, and thought to be
as effectual as Carduus Benedictus for
agues, and to prevent and cure the iniection
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 181
of the plague : as also to open the obstruc- : persons that have their bodies drawn toge-
tions of the liver and spleen, and thereby is | ther by some spasm or convulsion, or other
good against the jaundice. It provokes | infirmities ; as the rickets (or as the college
urine, breaks and expels the stone, and is^of physicians would have it, Rachites, about
good for the dropsy. It is effectual also for \ which name they have quarrelled sufficiently)
the pains in the sides, and many other in- i in children, being a disease that hinders
ward pains and gripings.; The seed and j their growth, by binding their nerves,
distilled water is held powerful to all the! ligaments, and whole structure of their
purposes aforesaid, and besides, it is often | body,
applied both outwardly with cloths or; ,
•^' , ,, /^, ■• . ,', THE FULLERS THISTLE, OR TEASLE.
spunges to the region or the liver, to cool: '
the distemper thereof, and to the region of* 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- « workers.
ingly : and in Spring, if you please to boil | The wild Teasle is in all things like the
the tender plant (but cut off the prickles, i 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
changes, and that is the way to be safe.
THE WOOLLEN, OR, COTTON THISTLE.
flowers of this are of a fine blueish, or pale
carnation colour, but of the manured kind,
whitish.
Place.^ The first grows, being sown in
Descript.'\ This has many large leaves I gardens or fields for the use of clothworkers :
lying upon the ground, somewhat cut in, sThe other near ditches and rills of water in
and as it were crumpled on the edges, of a; many places of this land,
green c olour on the upper side, but covered t Time.'] 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 ; Government and virtues.] It is an herb of
the middle of whose heads of flowers come ; Venus. Dioscorides saith. That the root
forth many purplish crimson threads, and i 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. | the ears, kills worms in them. The dis-
Place.] It grows on divers ditch-banks, t tilled water of the leaves dropped into the
and in the corn-fields, and highways, gene-; eyes, takes away redness and mists in them
rally throughout the land, and is often \ that hinder the sight, and is often used by
growing in gardens. ; 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 J other heat or discolourings.
the leaves and roots hereof taken in drink, i
1, 1 *U 4.1 X I- • 1 • xi • 1 » TREACLE MUSTARD.
tielp those that have a crick in their neck, ;
that they cannot turn it, unless they turn j Descript.] 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 leaves.
182
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
long and narrow, set thereon, waved, but
not cut into the edges, broadest tovvards the
ends, somewhat round pointed ; the flowers
are white that grow at the tops of the
branches, spike-fashion, one above another;
after which come round pouches, parted in
the middle with a furrow, having one black-
ish brown seed on either side, somewhat
sharp in taste, and smelling of garlick,
especially in the fields where it is natural,
but not so much in gardens : The roots
are small and thready, perishing every year.
Give me leave here to add Mithridate
Mustard, although it may seem more pro-
perly by the name to belong to M, in the
alphabet.
MITHRIDATE MUSTARD.
Descript.l This grows higher than the
former, spreading moreand higher branches,
whose leaves are smaller and narrower,
sometimes unevenly dented about the edges.
The flowers are small and white, growing
on long branches, with much smaller and
rounder vessels after them, and parted in
the same manner, having smaller brown
seeds than the former, and much sharper in
taste. The root perishes after seed time,
but abides the first Winter after springing. >
resisting poison, venom and putrefaction.
It is also available in many cases for which
the common Mustard is used, but somewhat
weaker.
THE BLACK THORN, OR SLOE-BUSH.
It is so well known, that it needs no
description.
P/flce.] It grows in every county in the
hedges and borders of fields.
Time.^ It flowers in April, and some-
times in March, but the fruit ripens after all
other plums whatsoever, and is not fit to
be eaten until the Autumn frost melloAv
them.
I Government and virtitesJ] All the parts of
f the Sloe-Bush are binding, cooling, and
\ dry, and all effectual to stay bleeding at the
I
nose and mouth, or any other place ; the
lask of the belly or stomach, or the bloody
flux, the too much abounding of women's
courses, and helps to ease the pains of the
sides, and bowels, that come by overmuch
scouring, to drink the decoction of the bark
of the rools, or more usually the decoction
of the berries, either fresh or dried. The
conserve also is of very much use, and more
familiarly taken for the purposes aforesaid.
But the distilled v/ater of the flower first
Place.'l They grow in sundry places in
this land, as half a mile from Hatfield, by
the river side, under a hedge as you go to
Hatfield, and in the street of Peckham on
Surrey side.
Time^ They flower and seed from May
to August.
steeped in sack for a night, and drawn
therefrom by the heat of Balneum and
Anglico, a bath, is a most certain remedy,
tried and approved, to ease all manner of
gnawings in the stomach, the sides and
bowels, or any griping pains in any of them,
I to drink a small quantity when the extre-
Goveimment and virtues.'] Both of them \ mity of pain is upon them. The leaves
are herbs of Mars. The Mustards are said \ also are good to make lotions to gargle and
to purge the body both upwards and down
wards, and procure women's courses so
abundantly, that it suffocates the birth.
It breaks inward imposthumes, being taken
inwardly ; and used in cl^'sters, helps the
sciatica. The seed applied, doth the same.
wash the mouth and throat, wherein are
swellings, sores, or kernels ; and to stay the
defluctions of rheum to the eyes, or other
parts ; as also to cool the heat and inflam-
mations of them, and ease hot pains of the
head, to balhe the forehead and temples
It is an especial mgredient in mithridate I there tvith. The simple distilled water of
and treacle, being of itself an antidote [the flowers is very effectual for the said
P1.ATE. 19
Tr e a c le Miis t ar d-
T ULs t a n ■
Tlioxougb- ^Va-3
To otlL-vvort
Tr eioil
T<.) rn\einil
I.avlvH 'riTia tic
\ViId Teazle
Cnttou Thistle
THOMAS KKi:,UV. I^ONUON. 1655.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
ia3
purposes, and the condensate juice of the|
Sloes. The distilled water of the green j
berries is used also for the said effects. s
\
THOROUGH WAX, OR THOROUGH LEAF. |
Descript.'] Common Thorough - Wax |
sends forth a strait round stalk, two feetj
high, or better, whose lower leaves being |
of a bluish colour, are smaller and narrower \
than those up higher, and stand close there-
to, not compassing it ; but as they grow
higher, they do not encompass the stalks,
until it wholly pass through them, branch- j
ing toward the top into many parts, where 5
the leaves grow smaller again, every one|
standing singly, and never two at a joint. \
The flowers are small and yellow, standing \
in tufts at the heads of the branches, where ;
afterwards grow the seed, being blackish, ;
many thick thrust together. The root is |
small, long and woody, perishing every j
year, after seed-time, and rising again plen-
tifully of its own sowing.
Place.1 ^^ ^^ found growing in many
corn-fields and pasture grounds in this
land.
Time.'] It flowers in July, and the seed |
is ripe in August. |
Government and virtues.'] Both this and j
the former are under the influence ofj
Saturn. Thorough-Wax is of singular good i
use for all sorts of bruises and wounds either |
inward or outward ; and old ulcers and \
sores likewise, if the decoction of the herb
with water and wine be drank, and the
place washed therewith, or the juice of the
green herb bruised, or boiled, either by
itself, or with other herbs, in oil or hog's
grease, to be made into an ointment to serve
all the year. The decoction of the herb,
or powder of the dried herb, taken inwardly,
and the same, or the leaves bruised, and
applied outwardly, is singularly good for
all ruptures and burstings, especially in
children before they be too old. Being!
applied with a httle flour and wax to chil-
dren's navels that stick forth, it helps them.
THYME.
It is in vain to describe an herb so com-
monly known.
Government and virtues.] It is a noble
strengthener of the lungs, as notable a one
as grows ; neither is there scarce a better
remedy growing for that disease in children
which they commonly call the Chin-cough,
than it is. It purges the body of phlegm,
and is an excellent remedy for shortness of
breath. It kills worms in the belly, and
being a notable herb of A'^enus, provokes
the terms, gives safe and speedy delivery
to vvomen in travail, and brings away the
after birth. It is so harmless you need not
fear the use of it. An ointment made of it
takes away hot swellings and warts, helps
the sciatica and dullness of sight, and takes
away pains and hardness of the spleen.
Tis excellent for those that are troubled
with the gout. It eases pains in the loins
and hips. The herb taken any way in-
wardly, comforts the stomach much, and
expels wind.
WILD THYME, OR MOTHER OF THYME,
Wild Thyme also is so well known, that
it needs no description.
Place.] It may be found commonly in
commons, and other barren places through-
out the nation.
Government and virtues.] It is under the
dominion of Venus, and under the sign
Aries, and therefore chiefly appropriated
to the head. It provokes urine and the
terms, and eases the griping pain of the
belly, cramps, ruptures, and inflamation
of the liver. If you make a vinegar of the
herb, as vinegar of roses is made (you may
find out the way in my translation of the
London Dispensatory) and anoint the head
with it, it presently stops the pains thereof
It is excellently good to be given either in
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 j 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, I effectual to cure the French pox than Gui-
stomach, reins, and womb, expels wind, \ acum or China ; and it is not unlikely,
and breaks the stone. \ because it so mightily resists putrefaction.
TORMENTIL, OR SEPTFOIL. \^\ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^"^^'^i'^'^ \T'' f^'^'^'u
jto help any tlux or the belly, stomach,
Descript.'] This hath reddish, slender, i spleen, or blood; and the juice wonder-
weak branches rising from the root, lying | fully opens obstructions of the liver and
on the ground, rather leaning than standing Hungs, and thereby helps the yellow jaun-
upright, with many short leaves that stand j 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- 1 against abortion, if it proceed from the
passing the branches in several places ; but | over fl'exibility or weakness of the inward
those that grow to the ground are set upon i retentive faculty ; as also a plaster made
long foot stalks, each whereof are like the I 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 | 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 \ 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 | inwardly. The root hereof made up with
leaves, like those of cinquefoil, but smaller, i 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 \ 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. \ powerful a remedy against outward wounds,
P/ace.'\ It grows as well in woods and | 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 I wound drinks, lotions and injections, for
places of this land, and almost in every | foul corrupt rotten sores and ulcers of the
broom field in Essex. » mouth, secrets, or other parts of the body,
Time.l It flowers all the Summer long. iThe juice or powder of the root put in
Government and virtues.'] This is a gallant 1 ointments, plaisters, and such things that
herb of the Sun. Tormentil is most ex- 1 are to be applied to wounds or sores, is very
cellent to stay all kind of fluxes of blood or | effectual, as the juice of the leaves and the
humours in man or woman, whether at i root bruised and applied to the throat or
nose, mouth, or belly. The juice of the | jaws, heals the king's evil, and eases the
herb of the root, or the decoction thereof, j pain of the sciatica; the same used with a
taken with some Venice treacle, and die I little vinegar, is a special remedy against
person laid to sweat, expels any venom or uhe running sores of the head or other
poison, or the plague, fever, or other con- 1 parts ; scabs also, and the itch or any such
tagious diseases, as pox, measles, &c. for it 1 eruptions in the skin, proceeding of salt and
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
185
sharp humours. The same is also effectual
for the- piles or haemorrhoids, if they be
washed or bathed therewith, or with the
distilled water of the herb and roots. It is
found also helpful to dry up any sharp
rheum that distills from the head into the
eyes, causing redness, pain, waterings, itch-
ing, or the like, if a little prepared tutia, or
Avhite amber, be used with the distilled
water thereof. And here is enough, only
remember the Sun challengeth this herb.
TURNSOLE, OR HELIOTROPIUM.
Desc7-ipt.'] 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;
at each joint of the stalk and branches grow
small broad leaves, somewhat white and
hairy. At the tops of the stalks and branches
stand small white flowers, consisting of four,
and sometimes five small leaves, set in
order one above another, upon a small
crooked spike, which turns inwards like a
bowed finger, opening by degrees as the
flowers blow open ; after which in their
place come forth cornered seed, four for the
most part standing together; the root is
small and thready, perishing every year,
and the seed shedding every year, raises it
again the next spring.
PlaceJ] It grows in gardens, and floAvers
and seeds with us, notwithstanding it is not
natural to this land, but to Italy, Spain, and
France, where it grows plentifully.
Government and virtues.'] It is an herb of
the Sun, and good one too. Dio^coridcs
saith. That a good handful of this, which is
called the Great Turnsole, boiled in Avater,
and drank, purges both choler and phlegm;
and boiled with cummin, helps the stone in
the reins, kidneys, or bladder, provokes
urine and women's courses, and causes an
easy and speedy delivery in child-birth.
The leaves bruised and applied to places
pained with the gout, or that have been out
I of joint and newly set, and full of pain, do
I give much case; the seed and juice of the
heaves also being rubbed with a little salt
I upon warts and wens, and other kernels in
\ the face, eye-lids, or any other part of the
I body, will, by often using, take them away.
j MEADOW TREFOIL, OR HONEYSUCKLES.
i
>
It is SO well known, especially by the
name of Honeysuckles, white and red, that
I need not describe them.
Place.'] They grow almost every where
in this land.
Government and virtues.] Mercur^'^ hath
dominion over the common sort. Dodo-
neus saith. The leaves and flowers ate good
to ease the griping pains of the gout, the
herb being boiled and used in a clyster.
If the herb be made into a poultice, and
applied to inflammations, it will ease them.
The juice dropped in the eyes, is a familiar
medicine, Avith many country people, to
take away the pin and web (as they call it)
in the eyes ; it also allays the heat and
blood shooting of them. Country people
do also in many places drink the juice
thereof against the biting of an adder ; and
having boiled the berb in water, they first
wash the place with the decoction, and then
lay some of the herb also to the hurt place.
The herb also boiled in swine's grease, and
so made into an ointment, is good to apply
to the biting of any venomous creature.
The herb also bruised and heated between
tiles, and applied hot to the share, causes
them to make water who had it stopt be-
fore. It is held likewise to be good for
wounds, and to take away seed. The de-
coction of the herb and flowers, with the
seed and root, taken for some time, helps
women that are troubled with the whites.
The seed and flowers boiled in water, and
afterwards made into a poultice with some
oil, and applied, helps hard swellings and
imposthumes.
186
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
HEART TREFOIL.
I they yield a reddish juice or liquor, some*
I 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 | although much less, but do not yield such
which may be properly called Heart Tre- 1 a clear claret wine colour, as some say it
foil, not only because the leaf is triangular, | doth, the root is brownish, somewhat great,
like the heart of a man, but also because hard and woody, spreading well in the
each leaf contains the perfection of a heart, 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,
Flace.^ It grows between Longford and : and by hedge-sides in many places in this
Bow, and beyond Southwark, by the high- 1 land, as in Hampstead wood, by Ratley in
way and parts adjacent. I Essex, in the wilds of Kent, and in many
Government and virtiies.l It is under the { other places needless to recite,
dominion of the Sun, and if it were used, it| Time.'] It flowers later than St. John's
would be found as great a strengthener of I or St. Peter's-wort.
the heart, and cherislier of the vital spirits ; 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 1 Peter's-wort is said to do, for therein it
ao-ainst the noisome vapours of the spleen. | works the same effects, both to help the
I sciatica and gout, and to heal burning by
PEARL trefoil. \ n , , » ,, ', ,, ^. c ^ j-'
I nre ; it stays all the bieedmgs or 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! powder of the dry be applied thereto. It
spot in the leaf like a pearl. It is particu- \ halh 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 I sore, either outwardly or inwardly, and
against the pearl, or pin and web in the J therefore always used in drinks, lotions,
eyes. I green wounds, ulcers, or old sores, in all
\ balms, oils, ointments, or any other sorts of
TUSTAN, OR PARK LEAVES. J u- u \i, ^' i • c c
' I which the continual experience or rornier
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 | in use now, as when physicians and sur-
high, branching forth even from the bottom, | geoiis were so wise as to use herbs more
having divers joints, and at each of them \ than now they do.
two fair large leaves standing, of a dark!
,7.7 ^ , 4.U J a\ garden valerian.
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 ofthe I greyish root, lying for the most part above
stalks stand large yellow flowers, and heads! ground, shooting forth on all other sides
with seed, which being greenish at the first 5 such like small pieces of roots, which have
and afterwards reddish, turn to be of a t all of them many long green strings and
blackish purple colour when they are ripe, i fibres under them in the ground, whereby
with small brownish seed within them, and | it draws nourishment. From the head of
PLAT£ 20
Vervain
^^5^
«:>«»
-^>^*.-
Vale
Vipers Buglo
g loss
Wo ad
Wo odbuic
WaU Flower
Wormwood
Sea Worm-\vood_
Varr o\
THOMAS KT:ULV. i.OJXDON. 1635.
■m_
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
187
these roots spring up many green leaves,
which at first are somewhat broad and long,
without any divisions at all in them, or dent-
ing on the edges ; but those that rise up
afte^ are more and more divided on each
side, some to the middle rib, being winged,
as made of many leaves together on a stalk,
and those upon a slalk, in like manner more
divided, but smaller towards the top than
below ; the stalk rises to be a yard high or
more, sometimes branched at the top, with
many small whitish flowers, sometimes
dashed over at the edges with a pale pur-
plish colour, of a little scent, which passing
away, there follows small browinsh white
seed, t"hat is easily carried away with the
wind. The root smells more strong than
either leaf or flower, and is of more use in
medicines.
Place.~\ It is generally kept with us in
gardens.
Time.l It flowers in June and July, and
continues flowering until the frost pull it
down.
Government and virtues."] This is under
the influence of Mercury. Dioscorides
saith, That the Garden Valerian hath a
warming faculty, and that being dried and
given to drink it provokes urine, and helps
the stranguary. The decoction thereof
taken, doth the like also, and takes away
pains of thesides, provokes women's courses,
and is used in antidotes. Pliny saith. That
the powder of the root given in drink, or
the decoction thereof taken, helps all stopp-
ings and stranglings in any part of the
body, Avhether they proceed of pains in the
chest or sides, and takes them away. The
root of Valerian boiled with liquorice, rai-
sins, and anniseed, is singularly good for
those that are short-winded, and for those
that are troubled with the cough, and helps
to open the passages, and to expectorate
phlegm easily. It is given to those that are
bitten or stung by any venomous creature,
being boiled in wine. It is of a special
virtue against the plague, the decoction
thereof being drank, and the root being
used to smell to. It helps to expel the
wind in the belly. The green herb with
the root taken fresh, being bruised and ap-
plied to the head, takes away the pains and
prickings there, stays rheum and thin dis-
tillation, and being boiled in white wine,
and a drop thereof put into the eyes, takes
away the dimness of the sight, or any pin
or web therein. It is of excellent property
to heal any inward sores or wounds, and
also for outward hurts or wounds, and
drawing away splinters or thorns out of the
flesh.
VERVAIN.
Descript.'] The common Vervain hath
somewhat long broad leaves next the ground
deeply gashed about the edges, and some
only deeply denied, or cut all alike, of a
blackish green colour on the upper side,
somewhat grey underneath. The stalk is
square, branched into several parts, rising
about two feet high, especially if you
reckon the long spike of flowers at the tops
of them, which are set on all sides one above
another, and sometimes two or three toge-
ther, being small and gaping, of a blue
colour and white intermixed, after which
come small round seed, in small and some-
what long heads. The root is small and
long.
Place.l It grows generally throughout
this land in divers places of the hedges and
way-sides, and other waste grounds.
Time.l It flowers in July, and the seed
is ripe soon after.
Government and virtues.~\ This is an herb
of Venus, and excellent for the womb to
strengthen and remedy all the cold griefs of
it, as Plantain doth the hot. Vervain is
hot and dry, opening obstructions, cleans-
ing and healing. It helps the yellow jaun-
dice, the dropsy and the gout ; it kills and
expels worms in the belly, and causes a
3c
183
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
good colour in the face and body, strengthens
as well as corrects the diseases of the stomach,
liver, and spleen ; helps the cough, wheez-
ings, and shortness of breath, and all the
meal into a poultice, it'cools inflammations
of wounds; the dropping of the vine, when
it is cut in the Spring, which country people
call Tears, being boiled in a syrup, with
defects of the reins and bladder, expelling I sugar, and taken inwardly, is excellent to
the gravel and stone. It is held to be good j 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 | with child are subject to. The decoction of
both tertian and quartan agues. It con- » Vine leaves in white 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 i and it is discreetly done, to kill a Vine to
body ; as also those ulcers that happen in i cure a man, but the salt of the leaves are
the mouth ; or used with hog's grease, it I held to be better. The ashes of the burnt
helps the swellings and pains of the secret
parts in man or woman, also for the piles
or haemorrhoids ; applied with some oil of
roses and vinegar unto the forehead and
temples, it eases the inveterate pains and
ache of the head, and is good for those that
frantic. The leaves bruised, or the
are
juice of them mixed with some vinegar,
doth wonderfully cleanse the skin, and
lakes away morphew, freckles, fistulas, and
other such like inflamations and defor-
mities of the skin in any parts of the body. \
branches will make teeth that are as black
as a coal, to be as white as snow, if you but
every morning rub them with it. It is a
most gallant Tree of the Sun, very sympa-
thetical with the body of men, and that is
the reason spirit of wine is the greatest cor-
dial among all vegetables.
VIOLETS.
Both the tame and the wild are so well
known, that they need no description.
Time.'] They flower until the end of
The distilled water of the herb when it is in > 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
darkenthesight,andwonderfullystrengthens I pleasing plant of Venus, of a mild nature,
the optic nerves. The said water is very \ no way harmful. All the Violets are cold
powerful in all the diseases aforesaid, either | and moist while they are fresh and green,
inward or outward, whether they be old | and are used to cool any heal, or distem-
corroding sores, or green wounds. The \ perature of the body, either inwardly or
dried root, and peeled, is known to be ex- : outwardly, as inflammations in tlie eyes, in
cellently good against all scrophulous and \ the matrix or fundament, in imposthumes
scorbutic habits of body, by being tied to j also, and hot swellings, to drink the decoc-
the pit of the stomach, by a piece of white | tionof the leaves and flowers made with water
ribband round the neck. : in wine, or to apply them poultice-wise
\ to the grieved places : it likewise eases pains
i in the head, caused through want of sleep ;
The leaves of the English vine (I do not j 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 > roses. A dram weight of the dried 'eaves
for sore mouths ; being boiled with 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*
humours, and assuages the heat, being | somewhat narrow ; the middle rib for the
taken in a draught of wine, or any other | most part being Avhite. The flowers stand
drink ; the powder of the purple leaves of | at the top of the stalk, branched forth m
the flowers, only picked and dried and many long spiked leaves of flowers bowing
drank in Avater, is said to help the quinsy, | or turning like the turnsole, all opening for
and the falling-sickness in children, espe- j the most part on the one side, Avhich are
cially in the beginning of the disease. The long and hollow, turning up the brims a
flowers of the white Violets ripen and dis-| little, of a purplish violet colour in them
solve swellings. The herb or flowers, while t 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- 1 a paler purplish colour, with a long pointel
ness in hot rheums, and the hoarseness of sin 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, | growing to be ripe, are blackish, cornered
and bladder. It is good also for the liver | 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 \ blackish, and woolly, when it grows toward
syrup of Violets is of most use, and of better | 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
of lemons be put to it, or a few drops of the I flowers.
oil of vitriol, it is made thereby the more? Place.'] The first grows wild almost
powerful to cool the heat, and quench the I every Avhere. That with white flowers
thirst, and gives to the drink a claret wine 5 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 tiiken, or made up with | their seed is ripe quickly after,
honey, do more cleanse and cool, and with I Goveimment and virtues.] It is a most
sugar contrary-wise. The dried flower of j gallant herb of the Sun ; it is a pity it is no
Violets are accounted amongst the cordial I more in use than it is. It is an especial
drinks, powders, and other medicines, es- 5 remedy against the biting of the Viper, and
pecially where cooling cordials are neces- 1 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 \ Dioscorides and others say. That Avhosoever
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
, I expel sadness, or causeless melancholy; it
VIPERS BUGLOSS. ^ . JT *i ui i j ii v, * /* ^
{tempers the blood, and allays hot fits of
DescripL] This hath many long rough* 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, eases the pains
very rough, as if they were thick set with j in the loins, back, and kidneys. The dis-
prickles or hairs, whereon are set such like 5 tilled water of the herb when it is in flower,
190 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
or its chief strength, is excellent to be ap- 1 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,
hereof very effectual for the comforting I and to cleanse the filthy ulcers in the mouth,
the heart, and expelling sadness and melan- 1 or any other part, and is a singular remedy
choly. J for the gout, and all aches and pains in the
,,r.^^ T,^«„r^T>r. ^ T, „r^^r™,^x. ^^^^x ? joiuts aud siucws. A conserve made of the
WALL FLOWERS, OR WINTER GILLI-}"!, . ■. n j u ^i. r .u
x.TrtTirr.T>c i flowers, is used for a remedy both for the
} apoplexy and palsy.
The garden kind are so well known that!
they ne?d no description. | the wallnut tree.
JbescriptJ] The common single Wall- } It is so well known, that it needs no des-
flowers, which grow wild abroad, have sun- j cription.
dry small, long, narrow, dark green leaves, | 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, I 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 | 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. | before they have shells. The bark of the
' Place.'] h grows upon church walls, and | Tree doth bind and dry very much, and the
old walls of many houses, and other stone \ leaves are much of the same temperature :
walls in divers places ; The other sort in 1 but the leaves when they are older, are heat-
gardens only. i ing 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, | 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 | head-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. ithat 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- \ If they be taken with onions, salt, and
pie medicines, saith. That the yellow Wall- 1 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 I treasury of Mithridales, king of Pontus,
fretletli the liver and reins from obstruc- { 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 j 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 | 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- 1 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 openea
taken. The juice of the other green husks \ The said water is very good against the
boiled with honey is an excellent gargle for I quinsy, being gargled and bathed there-
sore mouths, or the heat and inflammations 5 with, and wonderfully helps deafness, the
in the throat and stomach. The kernels, | noise, and other pains in the ears. The
when they grow old, are more oily, and I distilled 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- | bathed, with wet cloths or spunges applied
nels being burned, are very astringent, \ to them every morning,
and will stay lasks and women's courses, { ,
, . , I :' 1 • J » *u ru \ WOLD, WELU, OE DYERS WEED.
bemg taken m red wine, and stay the fall- 1
ing of the hair, and make it fair, being; The common kind grows bushing with
anointed with oil and wine. The green | 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 | large, 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 < 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 | leaves thereon, but smaller, and shooting
they fall off", dried, and given a dram thereof j forth small branches, Avhich 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 | 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- 5 black, inclosed in heads that are divided at
wardly like oil of almonds, to help the | 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; whole herb changes to be yellow, after it
any time. The young green nuts taken i hath been in flower awhile,
before they be half ripe, and preserved with \ Place.'\ It grows every where by the
sugar, are of good use for those that have i way sides, in moist grounds, as well as dry,
weak stomachs, or defluctions thereon. The j in corners of fields and bye lanes, and some-
distilled water of the green husks, before Itimes all over the field. In Sussex and
they be half ripe, is of excellent use to cool \ Kent they call it Green Weed,
the heat of agues, being drank an ounce or 5 Time.^ It flowers in June,
two at a time: as also to resist the infec-| Government and virtues.'] Matthiolus saith,
tion of the plague, if some of the same be | that the root hereof cures tough phlegm,
also applied to the sores thereof. The {digests raw phlegm, thins gross humours,
same also cools the heat of green wounds j dissolves hard tumours, and opens obstruc-
and old ulcers, and heals them, being jtions. Some do highly commend it agains'
bathed therewith. The distilled water of| the biting of venomouscreatures, to be taken
3 P
192
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
inwardly and applied outwardly to the;
hurt place ; as also for the plague or pes- ?
tilence. The people in some countries of j
this land, do use to braise the herb, and lay
it to cuts or wounds in the hands or legs, to
heal them.
WHEAT.
All tne several kinds thereof are so well \
known unto almost all people, that it is all |
together needless to write a description J
thereof. j
Gmentment and virtues.'] It is under |
V^enus. Dioscorides saith. That to eat the |
corn of green Wheat is hurtful to the|
stomach, and breeds worms. Pliny sailh, |
That the corn of Wheat, roasted upon an |
iron pan, and eaten, are a present remedy \
for those that are chilled with cold. The
oil pressed from wheat, between two thick
plates of iron, or copper heated, heals all
tetters and ring- worms, being used warm ;
and hereby Galen sailh, he hath known
many to be cured. Mitthiolus commends
the same to be put into hollow ulcers to heal
them up, and it is good for chops in the
hands and feet, and to make rugged skin
smooth. The green corns of Wheat being
chewed, and applied to the place bitten by
a mad dog, heals it ; slices of Wheat bread
soaked in red rose water, and applied to
the eyes that are hot, red, and inflamed, or j
blood-shotten, helps them. Hot bread ap- j
plied for an hour, at times, for three days|
together, perfectly heals the kernels in the \
throat, commonly called the king's evil. |
The flour of Wheat mixed with the juice ofi
henbane, stays the flux of humours to the |
joints, being laid thereon. The said meal |
boiled in vinegar, helps the shrinking of the I
sinews, saith Pliny; and mixed with vine- J
gar, and boiled together, heals all freckles, \
spots and pimples on the face. Wheat!
flour, mixed with the yolk of an egg, honey, 5
and turpentine, doth draw, cleanse and heal 5
any boil, plague, sore, or foul ulcer. The I
bran of Wheat meal steeped in sharp vine-
gar, and then bound in a linen cloth, and
rubbed on those places that have the scurf,
morphew, scabs or leprosy, will take them
away, the body being first well purged and
prepared. The decoction of the bran ot
Wheat or barley, is of good use to bathe
those places that are bursten by a rupture ;
and the said bran boiled in good vinegar,
and applied to swollen breasts, helps them,
and stays all inflamations. It helps also
the biting of vipers (which I take to be no
other than our English adder) and all other
venomous creatures. The leaves of Wheat
meal applied with some salt, take away
hardness of the skin, warts, and hard knots
in the flesh. Wafers put in water, and
drank, stays the lask and bloody flux, and.
are profitably used both inwardly and out-
wardly for the ruptures in children. Boiled
in water unto a thick jelly, and taken, it
slays spitting of blood ; and boiled with
mint and butter, it helps the hoarseness of
the throat.
THE WILLOW TREE,
These are so well known that they need
no description. I shall therefore only shevr
you the virtues therof.
Government and virtues?^ The Moon
owns it. Both the leaves, bark, and the
seed, are used to stanck bleeding of wounds,
and at mouth and nose, spitting of blood,
and other fluxes of blood in man or woman,
and to stay vomiting, and provocation there-
unto, if the decoction of them in wine be
drank. It helps also to stay thin, hot, sharp,
salt distillations from the head upon the
lungs, causing a consumption. The leaves
bruised with some pepper, and drank in
wine, helps much the wind cholic. The
leaves bruised and boiled in wine, tind
drank, stays the heat of lust in man or
woman, and quite extinguishes it, if it be
long used : The seed also is of the same
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.
food for redness and dimness of sight, or \ Time.] It flowers in June, but it is long
Inis that grow over the eyes, and stay the j after before the seed is ripe,
iheums that fall into them; to provoke? Government a7id virtues.] It is a cold and
urine, being stopped, if it be drank; to clear $ dry plant of Saturn. Some people afiirm
the face and skm from spots and discolour- \ 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 I 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, sol exceeding dry and binding. However, if
you drink not yourself drunk. The bark I any bees be diseased thereby, the cure is,
works the same effect, if used in the same | to set urine by them, but set it in a vessel,
manner, and the Tree hath always a bark j 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 |in it. The herb is so drying and binding,
vinegar, takes away warts, corns, and 1 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 dandrifl'by washing | region of the spleen which lies on the left
the place with it. It is a fine cool tree, the j 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 j in such ulcers as abound with moisture, and
fever. I takes away the corroding and fretting
I humours : It cools inflammations, quenches
J St. Anthony's fire, and stays defluxion of
Descript.'] It hath divers large leaves, \ the blood to any part of the body.
]ons, and somewhat broad withal, like those i
,. fu .. 1 . • u t 1 tU- ] ^ WOODBINE, OR HONEY-SUCKLES
of the greater plntam, but larger, thicker, ; '
of a greenish colour, somewhat blue withal. 5 It is a plant so common, that every one
From among which leaves rises up a lusty ; 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* fruit is ripe in August,
which appear very pretty, little yellow! Government and virtnes.l Doctor Tra-
flowers, and after they pass away like other | dition, that grand introducer of errors, that
flowers of the field, come husks, long and i hater of truth, lover of folly, and the mortal
somewhat flat withal ; in form they resem- 1 foe to Dr. Reason, hath taught the common
ble a tongue, in colour they are black, and j 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 ; 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. 5 out with a beetle: AH mouth-waters ought
Place.^ It is sowed in fields for the bene- 1 to be cooling and drying, but Honey
194
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Buckles are cleansing, consuming and di- 1 describe, and the third be critical at; and
gesting, and therefore fit for inflammations ; 5 1 care not greatly if I begin with the last
thus Dr. Reason. Again if you please, we* first.
will leave Dr. Reason a while, and come to I Sea JVormwood hath gotten as many names
Dr. Experience, a learned gentleman, and |asvirtues, (and perhaps one more) Seriphian,
his brother. Take a leaf and chew it in | Santomeon, Beichion, Narbinense, Han-
your mouth, and you will quickly find itjtonicon, Misneule, and a matter of twenty
likelier to cause a sore mouth and throat? more which I shall not blot paper Avithal.
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 j I am opinion, their giving so much holi-
nothing in vain. It is an herb of Mercury, ; 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 it | Wormwood is that which women usually
a foe to the Lion ; if the lungs be afflicted ; give their children for the worms. Of all
by Jupiter, this is your cure : It is fitting a i Wormwoods that grow here, this is the
conserve made of the flowers of it were kept J weakest, but Doctors commend it, and
in every gentlewoman's house ; I know no | apothecaries sell it; the one must keep his
better cure for an asthma than this : besides, 1 credit, and the other get money, and that is
it takes away the evil of the spleen, provokes I the key of the work. The herb is good for
urine, procures speedy dehvery 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 5 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 1 strong. The Seriphian Wormwood is the
flowers are of more effect than the leaves, weakest, and haply may prove to be fittest
and that is true ; but they say the seeds are for the weak bodies, (for it is weak enough
least effectual of all. But Dr. Reason told: 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; 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
plan,t: and withal. That heat was the mother? their bodies, because nourished by the
of action, and then judge if old Dr. Tradi- 1 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,
soned the Avorld with errors before I was x Dr. Ignorance, Dr. Folly, and Dr. Sick-
born, that it was never Avell in its wits? ness, and these together make way for
since, andthereis a great fear it will die mad. i Death, and the latter end of that man is
I worse than the beginning. Pride was the
WORM WOOD. I ^j^^gg Qf Adam's fall ; pride begat a daugh-
Three Wormwoods are familiar with iter, 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 calie I
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
195
it Appetite, and sent her daughter to taste
these wormwoods, who finding this the
least bitter, made the squeamish wench
extol it to the skies, though the virtues of it
never reached the middle region of the air.
Its due praise is this ; It is weakest, there-
fore fittest for weak bodies, and fitter for
those bodies that dwell near it, than those
that dwell far from it ; my reason is, the sea
(those that live far from it, know when they
come near it) casts not such a smell as the
land doth. The tender mercies of God
being over all his works, hath by his eternal
Providence, planted Seriphian by the sea-
side, as a fit medicine for the bodies of those
that live near it. Lastly, It is known to all
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
with an enemy. If the liver be weak, a
consumption follows ; would you know the
reason ? It is this, A man's flesh is repaired
by blood, by a third concoction, which
transmutes the blood into flesh, it is well
I said, (concoction) say I, if I had said
(boiling) every cook would have understood
me. The liver makes blood, and if it be
weakened that if it makes not enough, the
flesh wastes ; and why must flesh always be
renewed ? Because the eternal God, when
he made the creation, made one part of it
in continual dependency upon another ;
and why did he so ? Because himself only
is permanent ; to teach us. That we should
not fix our affections upon what is transi-
tory, but what endures for ever. The re-
sult of this is, if the liver be weak, and can-
not make blood enough, I would have said,
Sanguify, if I had written only to scholars,
the Seriphian, which is the weakest of
Wormwoods, is better than the best. I have
been critical enough, if not too much.
Place.'] It grows familiarly in England,
by the sea-side.
Descript.'] It starts up out of the earth,
with many round, woody, hairy stalks from
one root. Its height is four feet, oi three at
least. The leaves in longitude are long, in
latitude narrow, in colour Avhite, in form
hoary, in similitude likeSouthernwood.only
broader and longer; in taste rather salt than
bitter, because it grows so near the salt-
water; at the joints, with the leaves toward
the tops it bears little yellow flowers; the
root lies deep, ind is woods.
Common Wormwood I shall not describe,
for every boy that can eat an egg knows it.
Komaji Wormwood; and why Roman,
seeing it grows familiarly in England ? It
may be so called, because it is good for a
stinking breath, which the Romans cannot
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
one foot at least ; the leaves are more finely
cut and divided than they are, but some-
thing smaller ; both leaves and stalks are
hoary, the flowers of a pale yellow colour ;
it is altogether like the common Worm-
wood, save only in bigness, for it is smaller;
in taste, for it is not so bitter; in smell, for
it is spicy.
Place.] It grows upon the tops of the
mountains (it seems 'tis aspiring) there 'tis
natural, but usually nursed up in gardens
for the use of the apothecaries in London.
Time.] All Wormwoods usually flower
in August, a little sooner or later.
Government and virtues^ Will you give
me leave to be critical a little.'' I must
take leave. Wormwood is an herb of Mars,
and ifPontanus say otherwise, he is beside
the bridge ; I prove it thus : What delights
in martial places, is a martial herb ; but
Wormwood delights in martial places (foi
about forges and iron works you may gather
a cart-load of it,) ergo, it is a martial herb.
It is hot and dry in the first degree, viz.
just as hot as your blood, and no hotter. It
remedies the evils choler can inflict on the
3 £
196 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
body of man by sympathy. It helps the \ herb of Mars, is a present remedy for die
evils Venus and the wanton Boy produce, | biting of rats and mice. Mushrooms (I
by antipathy ; and it doth something else | cannot give them the title of Herba, 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 wi th another,
provokes urine, helps surfeits, or swellings Uhey 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
herbfor 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 5 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 of i 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, butj.tween the planets, is between Mars and
put it not in saffron till it is almost boiled ; j Venus: one is hot, the other cold; one
This is the way to keep a man's body in j diurnal, the other nocturnal; one dry, the
health, appointed by Cainerarius, in his | other moist ; their houses are opposite, one
book intitled Hortiis Medicus, and it is a j masculine, the other feminine ; one public,
good one too. Besides all this. Wormwood j the other private ; one is valiant, the other
provokes the terms. I would willingly jefleminate: 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 i then the throat is under Venus, the quinsy
fitting for the calling; if you will not believe! 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 j under Tainus her sign.) Mars eradicates
physicians keep to vapour \y^ith, not to j 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, > on an errand never to return more, this
yet as near the truth as the men of Benja- 1 done by antipathy. The eyes are under
min could throw a stone: Whereby, my > 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 I 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 x the Moon, Wormwood, an herb of Mars
^ay 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 Uympathy, 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 her's.
they are a little bigger; Mars receives his | Suppose a man be bitten or stung by a
fitU in Cancer, ergo. Wormwood being an 1 martial creature, imagine a wasp, a hornet.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 197
a scorpion, Wormwood, an herb of Mars, | either linen or woolen draper) jet as brave as
gives you a present cure ; that Mars, cho- | they looked, my opinion Avas that the mollis
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 I dominion of Mars; this herb Wormwood be-
you by my pen, That he gives you no af-iing laid among cloaths, Avill make a moth
fliction, but he gives you a cure; you need 'scorn to meddle with the cloalhs, as much
not rim to Apollo, nor iEsculapius ; and if: as alien scorns to meddle with a mouse, or
he was so choleric as you make him to be, i an eagle with a fly. You say Mars is an-
he would have drawn his SAvord for anger, sgry, and it is true enough he is angry widj
to see the ill conditions of these people s 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, 'si cians, 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 thepvronged in point of good fame, and that
world. Et caelum Mars solus babet. You jdolh sorely trouble old Saturn, because they
say Mars is a destroyer ; mix a little Worm- j call him the greatest infortunate; in the
wood, an herb of Mars, with your ink, I 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. | 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, 1 Come, brother, I confess thou art evil spoken
because wanton Venus told them he de- 1 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; | of mine. Wormwood, to cure the old man :
my herb Wormwood will restore them to | 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 | fighting, and is the best friend a soldier
that takes away an innate beauty, and when I hath) I say, when Mars was free from Avar,
be has done, knows how to restore it again ^ \ he called a council of Avar in his OAvn brain,
or she that teaches a company of Avanton 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 Avell God hath set some 1 own forces, and places them in battalia,
body to pull down the pride of man.) HetOh! quoth he, Avhy do I hurt a poor
in the Virgin troubles none Avith the cholic, 1 silly man or Avoman ? His angel answer?
but them that knoAv not themselves (for Avho I him, It is because they have offended theii
knows himself, may easily knoAv all the; God, (Look back to Adam:) Well, says
world.) Wormwood, an herb of Mars, is a I Mars, though they speak evil of me, I will
jresenl cure for it; and whether it be most! do good to them; Death's cold, my herb
ike a Christian to love him for his good, or I shall heat them : they are full of ill humours
lata him for his evil, judge ye. 1 had al- j (else they Avould never have spoken ill of
most forgotten, that charity thinks no evil.! me;) my herb shall cleanse them, and dry
Iwasonce in the Tower and viewed the ward- uhem ; they are poor Aveak creatures, my
robe, and there wasagreat many fine clothes: I herb shall strengthen them ; they are dull
I can give them no other title, for I was never twitted, my herb shall fortify their appro-
I9B
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
hensions ; and yet among astrologers all | niglit, the one from Aries, and the other
this does not deserve a good word : Oh the \ from Scorpio ; give me thy leave by sym-
pathy to cure this poor man with drinking
i a draught of Wormwood beer every morn-
j 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
Moon, said he, this man hath angered thee,
\ but I beseech thee take notice he is but a
patience of Mars !
Felix qui potuil rernm cognoscere caucas,
Inque domus superum scandere curafacit.
0 happy he that can the knowledge gain,
To know the eternal God made nought in vain.
To this 1 add,
1 know the reason canseth such a dearth
Of knowledge; 'tis because men love the earth. ^
X fool ; prithee be patient, I will with my herb
The other day Mars told me he met with x wormwood cure him of both infirmities by
Venus, and he asked her. What was the | antipathy, for thou kno west 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
the dispute they fell out, and in anger j women's tongues) went away, and did it
parted, and Mars told me that his brother | whether she would or no.
Saturn told him, that an anlivenerean I He that reads this, and understands what
medicine was the best against the pox. | he reads, hath a jewel of more worth than
a diamond ; he that understands it not, is
as little fit to give physick. There lies a
Once a month he meets with the Moon.
Mars is quick enough of speech, and the|
Moon not much behind hand, (neither are | key in these words which will unlock, (if it
most women.) The Moon looks much | be turned by a wise hand) the cabinet of
after children, and children are much trou- 1 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, x I wrote, but upon all plants, trees, and
•Wormwood. He had no sooner parted | herbs ; he that understands it not, is unfit
with the Moon, but he met with Venus, and I (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, I to the world, not caring a farthing whether
and be drunk? I'll give thee antipathetical? they like it or dislike it. The grave equals
cure ; Take my herb Wormwood, and thou \ all men, and therefore shall equal me with
never get a surfeit by drinking. A I all princes; until which time the eternal
silly countryman hath got an ague, \ Providence is over me : Then the ill tongue
cannot go about his business: he j of a prating fellow, or one that hath more
he had it not, and so do I ; but I \ tongue than wit, or more proud than
shall
poor
and
wishes
will tell him a remedy, whereby he shall | honest, shall never trouble me. Wisdom is
prevent it ; Take the herb of Mars, Worm- \ justified by her children. And so much for
Avood, and if infortunes will do good, what I Wormwood.
will fortunes do? Some think the lungs are ^^^^^^ ^\^^^^ nose-bleed, milfoil
under Jupiter; and if the lungs then the! ^^^ thousald-leal.
breath ; and though sometimes a man gets |
a stinking breath, and yet Jupiter is a for- 1 Descript.] It hath many long leaves
tune, forsooth ; up comes Mars to him ; | spread upon the ground, finely cut, and
Come brother Jupiter, thou knowest I sent | divided into many small parts* It flowers
thee a couple of trines to thy house last ^ are white, but not all of a whiteness, and
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
199
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 tlie 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,
4-c. ^c.
Having in divers places of this Treatise |
promised you the way of making Syrups, \
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- i
ters, and then you shall see it look with such x
a countenance as this is. \
SECTION I. I
Of gathering, drying, and keeping Sim,pleSy\
and their juices.
CHAP. I Of leaves of Herbs, &;c.
CHAP. II. Of Flowers.
CHAP. III. Of Seeds.
CHAP. IV. Of Roots.
CHAP. v. Of Barks.
CHAP. VI. Of Juices.
SECTION II
Of making and keeping Compounds.
CHAP.
CHAP.
CHAP.
CHAP.
CHAP,
CHAP.
CHAP,
CHAP.
CHAP.
CHAP.
CHAP.
CHAP.
CHAP.
CHAP.
CHAP.
Of distilled waters.
Of Syrups,
Of Juleps.
Of Decoctions.
Of Oils.
Of Electuaries.
Of Conserves,
Of Preserves.
Of Lohochs.
Of Ointments.
Of Plaisters,
Of Poultices.
Of Troches.
Of Pills.
The way of fitting Medi-
cines to Compound Dis-
eases.
Of all these in order.
I.
II,
m.
IV.
v.
VI
VII,
VIII
IX.
X.
XI.
XII,
XIII
XIV,
XV,
3 F
200
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
CHAPTER I.
Of Leaves of Herbs, or Trees.
Of leaves, choose only such as
t her apply to a planet of the same Iriplicity ;
\ if you cannot wait that time neither, let
\ her be with a fixed star of their nature.
^j.g| 6. Having well dried them, put them up
green, and full of juice; pick them care-i^" ^^^^^^^ V'^^er, sewing the paper up like
fully, and cast away such as are any way K.^^^*^' ^"^ P^^ss them not too hard toge-
declining, for they will putrify the rest : So j^^^'"' ^"'^ '^^^T them m a dry place near the
shall one handfulbe worth ten of those you} ^^ a r i i • i- ^ ■
buy at the physic herb shops. \ ' * ^^ ^^"^ ^^^ duration of dried herbs,
2. Note what places they most delight PJ"^'^ *j"^e cannot be given, let authors prate
to grow in, and gather them there ; for j ^^^^ p^easure ; tor,
Betony that grows in the shade, is far better J , 1st. Such as grow upon dry grounds will
than that which grows in the Sun, because i •^^^P'^^"^'^ than such as grow on moist,
it delights m the shade ; so also such herbs | 2dly, Such herbs as are full of juice,
as delight to grow near the water, shall be \ "^^^ "o^ ^^^P ^^ lo"g as such as are drier,
gathered near it, though happily you may , ^dly. Such herbs as are well dried wdl
find some of them upon dry ground : The t^^p longer than such as are slack dried.
Treatise will inform you where every herb \e'^3[ou may know when they are corrupt-
delights to grow p"' ^y t"^^'" l°ss of colour, or smell, or
3. The leaves "of such herbs as run up to! botli; ,and if they be corrupted, reason
seed, are not so good when they are in j ^ u^L^- ^^".'^J.''* ^^^^ T^\ "^^"^^ T'^'P*
flower as before (some few excepted, the p^^^ ^o^'^f ^^ t^o^e people that take them,
leaves of which are seldom or never used) , ^^ father all leaves in the hour of that
in such cases, if through ignorance they | P^^"^^ ^^^^ governs them,
were not known, or through negligence \
forgotten, you had better take the top and j
the flowers, then the leaf.* {
4. Dry them well in the Sun, and not in 1 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 I when it is in its prime.
the same rule, which the experience of every \ 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) i the 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 I gather either flowers or herbs when they are
better ; if they can, in herbs of Saturn, let j wet or dewy, they will not keep.
Saturn be in the ascendant ; in the herbs of 5 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 retam 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 * gone, so is the virtue also.
CHAPTER II
Of Flowers.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
201
CHAPTER III
Of Seeds.
i morning; and this idle talk of untruth is so
grounded in the heads, not only of the vul-
gar, but also of the learned, that a man
I cannot drive it out by reason. I pray let
1. The seed is that part of the plant | such sapmongers answer me this argument;
which is endowed with a vital faculty toi If the sap falls into the roots in the fall of
bring forth its like, and it contains poten- 1 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, | as experience leaches, but only in the
3. Let them be full ripe when they are j Summer : Therefore, If you set an apple-
gathered ; and forget not the celestial har- 1 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 limes as others : " There is
an appointed time for every thing under
the sun."
4. When you have gathered them, dry
them a little, and but a little in the sun,
before you lay them up
m the root all that
'Tis as rotten as
a
What doth the sap do
while? Pick straws?
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
5. You need not be so careful of keeping | touches the tropic of Capricorn, and ascends
them so near the fire, as the other before-' to us-ward, it begins to wax thin again,
mentioned, because they are fuller of land by degrees, as it congealed. But to
spirit, and therefore not so subject to | proceed.
corrupt. j 3- The drier time you gather the roots
6. As for the lime of their duration, it is jin, 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
sooner the first year they be set, < the chimney corner upon a string ; as for
then they are in their prime ; i such as are hard, you may dry them any
matter to renew them \ where.
I 5. Such roots as are great, will keep
I longer than such as are small ; yet most of
\ them will keep a year.
. \ 8. SiJch roots as are soft, it is your best
j way to keep them always near the fire, and
^ as are neither i to take this general rule for it : If in Win-
rotten nor worm-eaten, but proper in their | ler-time you find any of your roots, herbs
taste, colour, and smell; such as exceed ^ or flowers begin to be moist, as many limes
neither in softness nor hardness. | you shall (for 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 very
against the vulgar received opinion, which | gentle fire; or, if you can with convenience
is, That the sap falls down into the roots in \ keep them near the fire, you may save your-
the Autumn, and rises again in the Spring,! self the labour
as men go to bed at night, and rise in the) 7. It is in vain to dry roots that may
will grow
therefore
and it is an easy
yearly.
1. Of
CHAPTER IV,
Of Roots.
roots, chuse such
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-l Put it into a pipkin or skillet, or some such
sent need \ thing, and sei it over the fire ; and when the
\ scum arises, take it off; let it stand over the
CHAPTERV I ^j,g jju jjQ more scum arise ; when 3'ou have
Of Barks. {your juice clarified, cast away the scum as
\a thing of no use.
1. Barks, which physicians use in medi- 1 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. I (1.) When it is cold, put it into a glass,
2. The barks of fruits are to be taken | and put so much oil on it as will cover it
when the fruit is full ripe, as Oranges, I to the thickness of two fingers ; the oil will
Lemons, &c. but because 1 have nothing to | swim at the top, and so keep the air from
do with exotics here, I pass them without ; coming to purtify it : When you intend to
any more words. { use it, pour it into a porringer, and if any
3. The barks of trees are best gathered 5 oil come out with it, you may easily scum
in the Spring, if of oaks, or such great Ht off with a spoon, and put the juice you
trees ; because then they come easier off, | use not into the glass again, it will quickly
and so you may dry them if you please ; ? sink 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 dif-
barks only for present use. ^ | ficult, and the juice of fruits is usually pre-
4. As for the barks of roots, 'tis thus to | served this way. When you have clarified
be gotten. Take the roots of such herbs as | it, 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 \ and is called Roba and Saba. And thus
do) that which remains is called (tho' im-|niuch for the first section, the second follows,
properly) the bark, and indeed is only to be \
Jised. I SECTION II.
i The wail of makino; and keepins all necessary
CHAPTER VI. J -I impounds.
, Of Juices. I
1 nil CHAPTERV.
1. Juices are to be pressed out or herbs ?
when they are young and tender, out of i Of distilled Waters.
some stalks and tender lops of herbs and «
plants, and also out of some flowers. I Hitherto we have spoken ot medicines
2. Having gathered the herb, would you | which consist in their own nature, which
preserve the juice of it, when it is very dry i authors vulgarly call Simples, though some-
(for otherwise the juice will not be worth I times improperly; for in truth, nothing ia
a button) bruise it very well in a stone mor- \ simple but pure elements ; all things else
tar with a wooden pestle, then having put \ are compounded of them. We come now
it into a canvas bag, the herb I mean, not i to treat of the artificial medicines, in the
the mortar, for that will give but little juice, I form of which (because we must begin
press it hard in a press, then take the juice \ somewhere) we shall place distilled waters :
and clarify it. ',in which consider,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
203
1. Waters are distilled of herbs, flowers,
fruits, and roots.
2. We treat not of strong waters, but of
cold, as being to act Galen's part, and not
Paracelsus's.
3. The herbs ought to be distilled when
thej are in the greatest vigour, and so ought
the flowers also.
4. The vulgar way of distillations which
people use, because they know no better,
is in a pewter still ; and although distilled
waters are the weakest of artificial medicines,
and good for little but mixtures of other
medicines, yet they are weaker by many
degrees, than they would be were they dis-
tilled in sand. If I thought it not impos-
sible, to teach you the way of distilling in
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
waters called the Mother, which corrupt
them, then cover it close, and keep it for
your use.
6. Stopping distilled waters with a cork,
makes them musty, and so does paper, if it
but touch the water : it is best to stop them
with a bladder, being first put in water, and
bound over the top of the glass.
Such cold waters as are distilled in a
pewter still (if well kept) will endure a year;
such as are distilled in sand, as they are
twice as strong, so they endure twice as
long.
CHAPTER II.
Of Syrups.
1. A Syrup is a medicine of a liquid
form, composed of infusion, decoction and
juice. And, 1. For the more grateful taste.
2. For the better keeping of it: Avith a cer-
tain quantity of honey or sugar, hereafter
mentioned, boiled to the thickness of new
honey.
2. You see at the first view, That this
aphorism divides itself into three branches,
which deserve severally to be treated of,
viz.
1. Syrups made by infusion.
2. Syrups made by decoction.
3. Syrups made by juice.
Of each of these, (for your instruction-
sake, kind countrymen and women) I speak
a word or two apart.
1st, Syrups made by infusion, are usually
made of flowers, and of such flowers as
soon lose their colour and strength by boil-
ing, as roses, violets, peach flowers, &c.
They are thus made : Having picked your
flowers clean, to every pound of them add
three pounds or three pints, which you will
(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
damask roses, peach flowers, &c. the usual,
and indeed the best way, is to repeat this
infusion, adding fresh flowers to the same
liquor divers times, that so it may be the
stronger) having strained it out, put the
infusion into a pewter bason, of an earthen
one well glazed, and to every pint of it add
two pounds of sugar, which being only
melted over the fire, without boiling, and
scummed, will produce you the syrup you
desire.
2dly, Syrups made by decoction are
usually made of compounds, yet may any
simple herb be thus converted into syrup:
Take the herb, root, or flowers you would
make into a syrup, and bruise it a little ;
then boil it in a convenient quantity of
spring water ; the more water you boil it
in, the weaker it will be ; a handful of the
herb or root is a convenient quantity for a
pint of water, boil it till half the water be
consumed, then let it stand till it be almost
cold, and strain it through a woollen cloth,
3g
204
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
letting it run out at leisure : without press- \
ing. To every pint of this decoction add
one pound of sugar, and boil it over the
lire till it come to a syrup, which you may
know, if you now and then cool a little of
*t with a spoon : Scum it all ihe while it
boils, and when it is sufficiently boiled,
whilst it is hot, strain it again through a
woollen cloth, but press it not. Thus you
have the syrup perfected.
3dly, Syrups made of juice, are usually
made of such herbs as are full of juice, and
indeed they are better made into a syrup
this way than any other; the operation is.
thus : Having beaten the herb in a stone \
mortar, with a wooden pestle, press out the »
juice, and clarify it, as you are taught be- j
fore in the juices ; then let the juice boil {
away till about a quarter of it be consumed ; I
to a pint of this add a pound of sugar, and j
when it is boiled, strain it through a woollen i
cloth, as we taught you before, and keep it
for your use.
3. If you make a syrup of roots that are
any thing hard, as parsley, fennel, and grass
roots, &c. when you have bruised them,
lay them in steep some time in that water
which you intend to boil them in hot, so will
the virtue the better come out. \
4. Keep your syrups either in glasses or :
stone pots, and stop them not with cork nor!
bladder, unless you would have the glass!
break, and the syrup lost, only bind paper ;
about the mouth. »
5. All syrups, if well made, continue a»
year with some advantage ; yet such as are I
made by infusion, keep shortest \
want help, or such as are in health, and want
no money to quench thirst.
3. Now-a-day it is commonly used-
1. To prepare the body for purgation.
2. To open obstructions and the pores
3. To digest tough humours.
4. To qualify hot distempers, &c.
4. Simple Juleps, (for I have nothing to
say to compounds here) are thus made;
Take a pint of such distilled water, as con-
duces to the cure of your distemper, which
this treatise will plentifully furnish you
with, to which add two ounces of syrup,
conducing to the same effect ; (I shall give
you rules for it in the next chapter) mix
them together, and drink a draught of it at
your pleasure. If you love tart things,
add ten drops of oil of vitriol to your pint;
and shake it together, and it will have a fine
grateful taste.
5. All juleps are made for present use ;
and therefore it is in vain to speak of their
duration.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER III.
Of Juleps.
1. Juleps were first invented, as I sup-i
pose, in Arabia ; and my reason is, because I
the word Julep is an Arabic word. ?
2. It signifies only a pleasant potion, as |
is vulgarly used by such as are sick, and \
Of Decoctions.
1. All the difference between decoc-
tions, and syrups made by decoction, is
this ; Syrups are made to keep, decoctions
only for present use; for you can hardly
keep a decoction a week at any time ; if
the weather be hot, not half so long.
2. Decoctions are made of leaves, roots,
flowers, seeds, fruits or barks, conducing to
the cure of the disease you make them for ;
are made in the same manner as we shewed !
you in syrups.
3. Decoctions made with wine last longer \
than such as are made with Avater ; and if
you take your decoction to cleanse thei
passages of the urine, or open obstructions,
your best way is to make it with white j
wine instead of water, because this is pene-
trating.
4. Decoctions are of most use in such
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
205
diseases as lie in the passages of the body, | fruits or seeds by expression, as oil of sweet
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, passages land bitter almonds, linseed and rape-seed
of urine and bladder, because decoctions oil, &c. of which see in my Dispensatory,
pass quicker to those places than any other 4. Compound oils, are made of oil of
form of medicines. : olives, and other simples, imagine herbs,
5. If you will sweeten your decoction flowers, roots, &c.
■with sugar, or any syrup fit for the occasion 5. The Avay of making them is this :
you take it for, which is better, you may. Having bruised the herbs or flowers you
and no harm. * would make your oil of, put them into an
6. If in a decoction, you boil both roots, earthen pot, and to two or three hand fiils 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, wz. 1. Barks. 2. j then having warmed it very well by the fire,
The herbs. 3. The seeds. 4. The flowers, j 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. » oil; bruise the herbs (I mean not the oil) in
7. Such things as by boiling cause 1 like manner, set them in the sun as before ;
sliminess to a decoction, as figs, quince- 1 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 « strong enough, boil both herbs and oil
linen rag, as you tie up calfs brains, and sol together, till the juice be consumed, which
boil them. I you may know by its bubbling, and the
8. Keep all decoctions in a glass close | herbs will be crisp ; then strain it while it
stopped, and in the cooler place you keep | is hot, and keep it in a stone or glass vessel
them, the longer they will last ere they be | for your use.
sour. J 6. As for chymical oils, I have nothing to
Lastly, The usual dose to be given at one 5 say here,
time, is usually two, three, four, or five? 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 \ the itch, &c. as also for ointments and
strength of the medicine, and the quality of I plaisters.
the disease. \ 8. If you have occasion to use it for
I wounds or ulcers, in two ounces of oil,
CHAPTERv. I (jjggQiyg ]^aif ajj ounce of turpentine, the
Of Oils. \ heat of the fire will quickly do it ; for oil
1 f\ r\v u- u ■ ^ 1.1 I itself is offensive to wounds, and the turpen-
1. Oil Olive, which IS commonly known I . ,w. . ' ^
by the name of Sallad Oil, I suppose, be-j^'"^ qualities it.
cause it is usually eaten with sallads by s
them that love it, if it be pressed out of I
ripe olives, according to Galen, is tempe- 1
rate, and exceeds in no one quaUty. \
2. Of oils, some are simple, and some are I needs by half, about electuaries. I shall
compound. \ prescribe but one general way of making
3 Simple oils, are such as are made of > them up; as for ingredients, you may very
CHAPTER VI
Of Electuaries.
Physicians make more a quoil than
206
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
them as you please, and as you find occa- \ 2. Conserves of herbs and flowers, are
sion, by the last chapter. j thus made : if you make your conserves of
1. That you may make electuaries when \ herbs, as of scurvy-grass, wonnwood, rue,
you need them, it is requisite that you keep i and the like, take only the leaves and ten-
always herbs, roots, flowers, seeds, &c. |dertops (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. I every pound of them add three pounds of
2. It is better to keep them whole than | sugar, you cannot beat them too much,
beaten ; for being beaten, they are more I 3. Conserves of fruits, as of barberries,
subject to lose their strength ; because the | 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 enough to beat into I a thick hair sieve made for the purpose,
powder when you need them, dry them by j 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 5 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. « a pewter vessel, and over a charcoal fire ;
5. To one ounce of your powder add | 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 | 4. Thus you have the way of making
make more or less electuary, vary your pro- 5 conserves ; the way of keeping them is in
portion accordingly. j 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 | nutmeg at a time morning and evening,
them loo much. j or (unless they are purging) when you
7. The way to clarify honey, is to set it j please.
over the fire in a convenient vessel, till the | 6. Of conserves, some keep many years,
scum rise, and when the scum is taken off", | as conserves of roses : other but a year, as
it is clarified. \ conserves of Borage, Bugloss, Cowslips and
8. The usual dose of cordial electuaries, i the like.
is from half a dram to two drams; ofpurg-| 7. Have a care of the working of some
ing electuaries, from half an ounce to an | conserves presently after they are made ;
ounce. \ look to them once a day, and stir them
9. The manner of keeping them is in a | about conserves of Borage, Bugloss,
pot
\ Wormwood, have got an excellent faculty
10. The time of taking them, is either in | at that sport.
a morning fasting, and fasting an hour after ; 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. 5 a hard crust at top with little holes in it,
5 as though worms had been eating there.
CHAPTER VII.
Of Conserves,
1
1. The way of making conserves is two-
fold, one of herbs and flowers, and the other
of fruits.
CHAPTER VIII
Of Preserves.
Of Preserves are sundry sorts, and the
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 207
operation of all being somewhat different, | you cut it into it, and let it remain until
wt; will handle them all apart. These are! you have occasion to use it.
preserved with sugar ; i 3. Roots are thus preserved ; First, Scrape
1. Flowers. 3. Roots. 1 them very clean, and cleanse them from the
2. Fruits. 4. Barks. \ pith, if they have any, for some roots have
1. Flowers are very seldom preserved ; j not, as Eringo and the like ; Boil them in
I never saw any that I remember, save t water till they be soft, as we shewed you
only cowslip flowers, and that was a great j before in the fruils ; then boil the water you
fashion in Sussex when I was a boy. It is \ boiled the root in into a syrup, as we shewed
thus done. Take a flat glass, we call them x 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 | 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 \ nuts, which grow without side the shell,
and pleasant preserves. I for the shells themselves would make but
There is another way of preserving! scurvy preserves; these be they lean re-
flowers ; namely, with vinegar and salt, | member, if there be any more put them
as they pickle capers and broom-buds ; but ; into the number.
as I have little skill in it myself, I cannot! The way of preserving these, is not all
teach you. | one in authors, for some aie bitter, some are
2 Fruils, as quinces, and the like, are | hot ; such as are bitter, say authors, must
preserved two ways ; | be soaked in warm water, oftentimes chang-
(1.) Boil them well in water, and then | ing till their bitter taste be fled ; But I like
pulp them through a sieve, as we shewed j not this way and my reason is this ; Because
you before ; then with the like quantity of 1 1 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 Avith the
of liquor ; to every pound of this syrup, \ former, viz. First, boil them whole till they
add four ounces of the pulp ; then boil it | be soft, then make a syrup with sugar and
with a very gentle fire to their right con- 1 the liquor you boil them in, and keep the
sistence, which you may easily know if you | barks in the syrup.
drop a drop of it upon a trencher ; if it I 5. They are kept in glasses or in glaz'd pots,
be enough, it will not stick to your fingers 1 6. The preserved flowers will keep a year,
when it is cold. ! if you can forbear eating of them ; tbe
(2.) Another way to preserve fruits is I roots and barks much longer,
this; First, Pare off the rind; then cut I 7- This art was plainly and first invented
them in halves, and take out the core: then » for delicacy, yet came afterwards to be of
boil them in water till they are soft ; if you t excellent use in physic ; For,
know when beef is boiled enough, you may | (1.) Hereby medicines are made pleasant
easily know when they are ; Then boil the | for sick and squeamish stomachs, which
water with its like weight of sugar into a | else would loath them,
syrup; put the syrup into a pot, and put| (2.) Hereby they are preserved from de-
the boiled fruit as whole as you left it when * caying a long time
3 H
208 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
CHAPTER IX.
\ mean, not the mortar,) cover it with a
I paper and set it either in the sun, or some
Of Tohocks i other warm place ; three, four, or five days,
•^ ' \ that it may melt ; then take it out and boil
1. That which the Arabians call Lo-|it a little ; then whilst it is hot, strain it out,
hocks, and the Greeks Eclegma, the Latins | pressing it out very hard in a press : to this
cail Linctus, and in plain English signifies I grease add as many more herbs bruised as
nothing else but a thing to be licked up. | before; let them stand in like manner as
2. They are in body thicker than a {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 Avith a liquorice stick, and let it| time • yet this I will tell you, the fuller of
go down at leisure. | juice the 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 the trea- I it, boil it so long till your herbs be crisp,
tise will furnish you with enough, and when \ 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 | pound of ointment add two ounces of tur-
you are molested with much phlegm, honey | pontine, and as much wax, because grease
is better than sugar; and if you add a little sis offensive to wounds, as well as oil.
vinegar to it, you will do well ; ifnot, Ihold| 2. Ointments are vulgarly known to be
sugar to be better than honey. | kept in pots, and will last above a year,
5. It is kept in pots, and may be kept a | some above two years,
year and longer. !
6. It is excellent for roughness of the | c ii a p t e r x i .
wind-pipe, intlammations and ulcers of ihej Qf Ploisters.
lungs,difl[iculty of breathing,asthmas,coughs, \
and distillation of humours. | 1- The Greeks made their plaisters of
I divers simples, and put metals into the most
c H A P T E R X } of them, if not all ; for having reduced their
Of Ointments. I metals into powder, they mixed them with
"^ ' Ithat fatty substance whereof the rest of the
I. Various are the ways of making! plaister 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 j should sink to the bottom; so they con-
. which is easiest to be made, and therefore jtinually 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 \ for use, they could melt by the fire again.
thus done. | 2. The Arabians made up theirs with
Bruise those herbs, flowers, or roots, you \ oil and fat, which needed not so long
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 theUhese 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 put \ roots, herbs, excrements of creatures, wax,
it into a stone pot, (the herb and grease I » rosin, gums.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
209
C II A P T E II X I I . I
Of Poultices. \
1. Poultices are those kind of things |
which the Latins call Cataplasmata, and our$
learned fellows, thatif they can readEnglish, i
that's all. call them Cataplasms, because!
'tis a crabbed word few understand; it is in- \
deed a very fine kind of medicine to ripen |
sores. i
2. They are made of herbs and roots, |
fitted for the disease, and members aflSieted, \
being chopped small, and boiled in water I
almost to a jelly ; then by adding a little i
barleymeal, or meal of lupins, and a little i
oil, or rough sweet suet, which I hold to bei
better, spread upon a cloth and apply to \
the grieved places. \
3. Their use is to ease pain, to break!
sores, to cool inflammations, to dissolve
hardness, to ease the spleen, to concoct
humours, and dissipate swellings.
4. I beseech you take this caution along
with you ; Use no poultices (if you can
help it) that are of an healing nature, before
you have first cleansed the body, because
thej' are subject to draw the humours to
them from every part of the body.
CHAPTER XIII.
stomach is never cold till a man be dead ;
in such a case, it is better to carry troches
of wormwood, or galangal, in a paper in
his pocket, than to lay a gallipot along with
him.
4. They are made thus ; At night when
you go to bed, take two drams of fine gum
tragacanth ; put it into a gallipot, and put
half a quarter of a pint of any distilled
water fitting for the purpose you would
niake your troches for to cover it, and the
next morning you shall find it in such a
jelly as the physicians call mucilage ; With
this you may (with a little pains taken)
make a powder into a paste, and that paste
into cakes called troches.
5. Having made them, dry them in the
shade, and keep them in a pot for your
use.
CHAPTER XIV.
Of Troches.
1. The Latins call them Placentida, or
little cakes, and the Greeks Prochikois,
Kukliscoi, and Artiscoi ; they are usually
little round flat cakes, or you may make
them square if you will.
2. Their first invention was, that powders
being so kept might resist the intermission
of air, and so endure pure the longer.
3. Besides, they are easier carried in the
pockets of such as travel ; as many a man
(for example) is forced to travel whose
stomach is too cold, or at least not so hot as
it should be, which is most proper, for the
\
Of Pills.
1. TiiEY are called Pilulae, because they
resemble little balls ; the Greeks call them
Catapofia.
2. It is the opinion of modern physicians,
that this way of making medicines, was
invented only to deceive the palate, that
so by swallowing them down whole, the
bitterness of the medicine might not be
perceived, or at least it might not be unsuf-
ferable : and indeed most of their pills,
though not all, are very bitter.
3. I am of a clean contrary opinion to
this. I rather think they were done up in
this hard form, that so they might be the
longer in digesting ; and my opinion is
grounded upon reason too, not upon fancy,
or hearsay. The first invention of pills was
to purge the head, now, as I told you
before, such infirmities as lie near the pas-
sages were best removed by decoctions,
because they pass to the grieved part
soonest ; so here, if the infirmity lies in the
head, or any other remote part, the best way
210
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
is to use pills, because they are longer in
digestion, and therefore the better able to
call the offending humour to them.
4. If I should tell you here a long tale of!
medicine working by sympathy and anti-
pathy, you would not understand a word of
it : They that are set to make physicians
may find it in the treatise. All modern
1. With the disease, regard the cause,
and the part of the body afflicted ; for
example, suppose a woman be subject to
miscarry, through wind, thus do ;
(1.) Look Abortion in the table of dis-
eases, 'and you shall be directed by that,
how many herbs prevent miscarriage.
(2.) Look Wind in the same table, and
physicians know not what belongs to a i you shall see how many of these herbs ex-
sympathetical cure, no more than a cuckow j pel wind.
what belongs to flats and sharps in music, : These are the herbs medicinal for your
but foflow the vulgar road, and call it a | grief
hidden quality, because 'tis hidden from the | 2. In all diseases strengthen the part of
eyes of dunces, and indeed none but astro- 1 the body afflicted.
logers can give a reason for il ; and physic | 3. In mix'd diseases there lies some dif-
without reason is like a pudding without I ficulty, for sometimes two parts of the body
fat. I are afflicted with contrary humours, as
6. The way to make j)ills is very easy, | sometimes the liver is afflicted with choler
for with the help of a pestle and mortar, > and water, as when a man hath both the
and a little diligence, you may make any 5 dropsy and the yellow-jaundice ; and this
powder into pills, either with syrup, or the I is usually mortal.
jelly I told you before. \ In the former, Suppose the brain be too
CHAPTERxv. 1 ^°^' ^"'^ moist, and the liver be too hot and
_, „ . T, r J- • ' 7 1 ^^y > t^»us do ;
The way of mixing Medianes according to\ ^ -^ ^^^^ head outwardly warm.
ihe Cause oj the Disease, and Parts of the | ^ Accustom yourself to the smell of hoi
Body afflicted , herbs.
This being indeed the key of the work, 1 3. Take a pill that heats the head at night
I shall be somewhat the more diligent in j going to bed.
it. I shall deliver myself thus ; | 4. In the morning take a decoction ihat
1. To the Vulgar. ; cools the liver, for that quickly passes the
2. To such as study Astrology; or such | stomach, and is at the liver immediately,
as study physic astrologically. j You must not think, courteous people,
1st, To the Vulgar. Kind souls, I am j that I can spend time to give you examples
sorry it hath been your hard mishap to have » 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 felt ; I able to receive; If I should set you to look
The vulgar road of physic is not my prac- \ at the sun, I should dazzle your eyes, and
tice, and I am therefore the more unfit to \ make you blind.
give you advice. I have now published i 2dly, To such as study Astrology, (who
a little book, (^Gfl/en's^r^ q/P^T/sic,^ which} are 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 {like a lamp without oil : you are the men
fit medicines to remedy each part of it 1 1 exceedingly respect, and such documents
when afflicted; in the -mean season take J as my brain can give you at present (being
these few rules to stay your stomachs. > absent from my study) I shall give you.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
211
5. If this cannot well be, make use of the
medicines of the Light of Time
6. Be sure always to fortify the grieved
part of the body by sympathetica! remedies.
7. Regard the heart, keep that upon the
wheels, because the Sun is the foundation of
Let your medicine be something of | life, and therefore those universal remedies,
the nature of the sign ascending. i Aurum Potabile, and the Philosopher's
4. If the Lord of the Tenth be strong, i Stone, cure all diseases by fortifying the
make use of his medicines. I heart.
1 Fortify the body with herbs of the
nature of the Lord of the Ascendant, 'tis no
matter whether he be a Fortune or Infortune
in this case.
2. Let your medicine be something anti-
pathetical to the Lord of the sixth
o
THE
ENGLISH PHYSICIAN
AND
FAMILY DIPENSATORY.
AN ASTROLOGO-PHYSICAL DISCOURSE OF THE HUMAN VIRTUES IN
THE BODY OF MAN; BOTH PRINCIPAL AND ADMINISTERING.
Human virtues are either principal
for procreation, and consei'vation ; or ad-
MfNiSTRiNG, for Attraction, Digestion,
detention, or Erpulsion.
Virtues conservative, are Vital, Natural,
and Animal.
By the natural are bred Blood, Choler,
Flegm, and Melancholy.
The animal virtue is Intellective, and Sen-
sitive.
The Intellective is Imagination, Judgment,
and Memory.
The sensitive is Common, and Particular.
The particular is Seeing, Hearing, Smell-
ing, Tasting, and Feeling.
The scope of this discourse is. To pre-
serve in soundness and vigour, the mind
and understanding of man ; to strengthen
the brain, preserve the body in health, to
teach a man to be an able co-artificer, or
helper of nature, to withstand and expel
Diseases.
I shall touch only the principal faculties
both of body and mind ; which being kept
in a due decorum, preserve the body in
health, and the mind in vigour.
I shall in this place speak of them only
in the general, as they are laid down to
your view in the Spiopsis, in the former
pages, and in the same order.
Virtue Procreative'] The first in order, is
3 I
212 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
the Virtue Procreative : for natural regards i Choler is made of meat more than per-
nol only the conservation of itself, buttojfectly concocted; and it is the spume or
,beget its like, and conserve in Species. \ froth of blood : it clarifies all the humours,
., The seat of this is tlie Member of Gene- 5 heats the body, nourishes the apprehension,
ration, and is governed principally by the las 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, | activity and valour: its receptacle is the
Trees, Minerals, &c. jgallj and it is under the influence of Mar^i.
It is diminished and purged by those of 5 Flegm is made of meat not perfectly di-
Mars, and quite extinguished by those of Igested; it fortifiesthe virtue expulsive,mal<es
Saturn. j the body slippery, fit for ejection; it fortifies
Observe the hour and Medicines of Fe/n/s, I the brain by its consimilitude with it ; yet
to fortify; of Mars, to cleanse this virtue;- it spoils apprehension by its antipathy to it:
of Saturn, to extinguish it. | It qualifies choler, cools and moistens the
Consei-vative.'] The conservative virtue is | heart, thereby sustaining it, and the whole
Vital, Natural, Animal. | body, from the fiery eflfects, which continual
Vital.'] The Vital spirit hath its residence 5 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 5 verned by them both, it is cold and moist in
Sun is to the Creation ; as the heart is in \ 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 \ and dry in quality, fortifymg tiie retentive
motion to the Creation, so doth the heart to I faculty, and memory ; makes men sober,
the body; therefore it is called Sol Corporis, \ solid, and staid, fit for study ; stays the Un-
as the Sun is called Cor Cali, because their | bridled toys of lustful blood, stays the wan-
operations are similar. I 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 j 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 ; itsofSce is | Namely; Choler is the fiery superfluities,
to nourish the body, and is dispersed through! Flegm, the Watery; Melancholy, the
the body by the veins. | Earthly.
From this are bred four particular! Animal.'] The third principal virtue re-
humours, Blood, Choler, Flegm, and Melon- 1 mains, which is Animal ; its residence is in
chohj. \ the brain, and Mercury is the general sig-
Blood is made of meat perfectly con- i nificator of it. Ptolonn/ he\d the Moon sig-
cocted, in quality hot and moist, governed I nified the Animal virtue ; and I am of
by Jupiter: It is by a third concoction : opinion, both Mercury nnd 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 i of theminnativities,either fortify, orimpedite
which it is dispersed through the body. ^ it. 2, 111 directions to either, or from either.
i
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 218
afflict it, as good ones help it. Indeed the J So that it is one of the surest rales to
Mooji rules the bulk of it, as also the sensi- i know a man's own complexion, by his
tive part of it : Mercury the rational part : | 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 \ 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- 1 for if a man be bent upon a business, his
«itive. ■ apprehension will work as much when he is
1. Intellective.^ The Intellectual resides I asleep, and find out as many truths by study,
in the brain, within the Pia mater, is govern- 5 as when the man is awake ; and perhaps
ed generally by Mercury. jmore too, because then it is not hindered
It is divided into Imagination, Judgment, | by ocular objects,
and Memory. \ And thus much for imagination, which is
Imagination is seated in the forepart of | governed by Mercury, and fortified by his
the brain; it is hot and dry in quality, i influence ; and is also strong or weak in
quick, active, always working; it receives i man, according as Mercury is strong or
vapours from the heart, and coins them into x weak in the nativity.
thoughts : it never sleeps, but always is \ Judgment is seated in the midst of the
Avorking, both when the man is sleeping and \ brain, to shew that it ought to bear rule over
waking; only when Judgment is awake it | all the other faculties: it is the judge of the
regulates the Imagination, which runs at j little world, to approve of what is good,
random when Judgment is asleep, and forms I and reject what is bad; it is the seat ot
any thought according to the nature of the \ reason, and the guide of actions; so that all
vapour sent up to it. Mercury is out of I failings are committed through its infirmity,
question the disposer of it. \ it not rightly judging between a real and
A man may easily perceive his Judg-|an apparent good. It is hot and moist
ment asleep before himself many times, and | in quality, and under the influence ot
then he shall perceive his thoughts run nt\ Jupiter.
random. | Memory is seated in the hinder cell of the
Judgment always sleeps when men do, j brain, it is the great register to the little
Imagination never sleeps ; Memory some- ^ world ; and its office is to record things
times sleeps when men sleep, and sometimes | either done and past, or to be done,
it doth not: so then when memory is awake, \ 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 tenacious
dream: The thoughts would have been the; every wa}'. 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. j 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 I mal virtue, is sensitive, and it is divided into
according to the nature of the humour, ? 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 il \ and that which gives virtue to all the par-
is always so. { ticular senses, and knits and unites ihem
214 , THE COMPLETE HERBAL
together within the Pia Mater. It is regu- \ It is under the dominion of Venus, some say,
lated by Mercury, (perhaps this is one rea- \ Mercury : A thousand to one, but it Is
son why men are so fickle-headed) and its j under Mercury.
office is to preserve a harmony among the i mi c
ggjjggg ^ ^ & 5 Ihe four ADMINISTERING VIRTUES are.
Particular senses are five, viz. seeing,\"*^''"''*''''* '^'Sestive, retentive, and expuM^^^
hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling. \ The attractive virtue is hot and dry, hot
These senses are united in one, in the | by quality, active, or principal, and that
brain, by the common sense, but are ope- {appears because the fountain of all heat is
ratively distinguished into their several | attractive, viz. the sun. Dry by a quality
seats, and places of residence. : passive, or an eiFect of its heat ; its office
The sight resides in the eyes, and par- 1 is to remain in the body, and call for what
ticularly in the christaline humour. It is 5 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 j authors, and not under Mars, because he is
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- j impartial eye upon experience, we shall
sesses but one eye. i find, that martial men call for meat none of
The hearing resides in the ears; is in | the least, and for drink the most of all other
quality, cold and dry, melancholy, and j men, although many times they corrupt the
under the dominion of Satwn. x body by it, and therefore I see no reason
The smelling resides in the nose, is in 5 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 \ dominion. It is in vain to object, that the
smells, as dogs. It is under the influence } influence of Mars is evil, and therefore he
of Mars. j should have no dominion over this virtue ;
The taste resides in the palate, which is | for then,
placed at the root of the tongue on purpose | 1. By the same rule, he should have no
to discern what food is congruous for the j dominion at all in the body of man.
stomach, and what not ; as the meseraik j 2. All the virtues in man are naturally
veins are placed to discern what nourish- 1 evil, and corrupted by .4rfam's fall,
ment is proper for the liver to convert into x This attractive virtue ought to be forti-
blood. In some very few men, and but ? fied 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 | 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 j why not Leo, seeing that is the most attrac-
the meseraik veins reject them: In quality 5 tive sign of all; and that's the reason such
hot and moist, and is ruled by Jupiter. \ as have it ascending in their genesis, are
The feeling is deputed to no particular \ such greedy eaters.) If you connot stay till
organ, 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 rfiges/we virtue is hot and moist, and
things ; for if it were only hot alone, it j 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. { The attractive virtue draws that which it
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED
215
should digest, and serves continually to feed
and supply it.
The retentive virtue, retains the substance
Avithit, till it be perfectly digested.
The expulsive virtue casteth out, expels
what is superfluous b>
digestion.
It
is
this
eX'
are
Although I did what I could throughout
the whole book to express myself in such a
language as might he understood by all, and
therefore avoided terms of art as much as
, might be. Yet, 1. Some words of necessity fall
\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 \of the receipt, or ordering your bodies after if,
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 \a7id indeed would do nothing else but stuff the
that time, let one of them ascend, but hoih\book full of tautology.
of them together would do better, always \ To answer to both these is my task at
provided that the Moon be not in the as- 1 time.
cendent. I cannot believe the Jt/oo?i afflicts | To the first : The words which need
the ascendent so much as they talk of, if \ plaining, such as are obvious to my eye,
she be well dignified, and in a sign she \ these that follaw.
delishts 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 | 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 dryness, is to keep and hold wh^atxwhen the water is cold (for fear of breaking)
is compressed. It is under the influence ofypid a wkp of straw, or the like under is, to keep
Saturn, and that is the reason why usually | it from the bottom, then make the water boil.
Saturnine men are so covetous and tenaci-\ that so the spirit may be distilled forth ; take
ous. In fortifying of it, make use of ihexnot the glass out till the zeater be cold again^
herbs and plants, &c. of Saturn, and let the \for fear of breaking : It is impossible for a
Moon be mTaurus or Virgo, Capricorn h nol\mati to learn how to do it, unless he saw it
so good, say authors, (I can give no reason \done.
for that neither ;) let not Saturn nor his ill! 2. Manica Hippocrates. Hippocrates's
aspect molest the ascendent. I sleeve, is a piece of woolen cloth, new and
The expulsive faculty is cold and moist; | while, sewed together in form of a sugar-loaf,
cold because that compasses the super- j Its use is, to strain any syrup or decoction
fiuities ; moist, because that makes the body I through, by pouring it into it, and suffering
slippery and fit for ejection, and disposes it|it to run through without pressing or crush-
to it. It is under the dominion of Luna, j ing it.
with whom you may join Yerus, because | 3. Calcination, is a burning of a thing in
she is of the same nature. a crucible or other such convenient vessel
Also in whatsoever is before written, of that will endure the fire. A crucible is such
the nature of the planets, take notice, that 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 \ and on every side of it.
done in all purgations,) let the Moon be in j 4. Filtrition, is straining of a liquid body
Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, or let one ofthesej through a brown paper: make up the paper
signs ascend. \ in form of a funnel, the which having placed
3k
216
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
in a funnel, and the funnel and the paper J 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. ! only for your better instruction at present,
5. Coagulation, is curdling or hardening : | accept of these few lines.
it is used in physic for reducing a liquid] 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 ; maintained by their likes: then if heat be
animal spirits often mentioned in the virtues x the cause of the disease, give the cold medi-
or receipts, I shall explain what they be, cine appropriated to it; if wind, see how
and what their operation is in the body of many medicines appropriated to that disease
man. expel 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.
The sensitive is, 1. external, 2. internal.
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, 1. the Imagination, \ bad work.
to apprehend a thing, 'i. Judgment, tojudgel 3. The distilled water of any herb you
of it. 3. Memory, to remember it. pvould 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, | such liquid medicines best ; if you have not
humanity, mildness, courage, ^c. and their J the distilled water, make use of the decoc-
opposite : viz. sadness, fear, care, sorrow, \ tion.
despair, envy, hatred, stubbornness, revenge, SfC. \ 4. Diseases that lie in the parts of the
by heat natural or not natural. \ 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 \ 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
X cines to one part of your body which are
appropriated to another, for if your brain
is to alter or concoct food into chile, chile
into blood, blood into flesh, to form, engen-
der, nourish, and increase the body.
7- Infirsion, is to steep a gross body into
one more liquid.
8. Decoction, is the liquor in which any
thing is boiled.
As for the manner of using or ordering
the body after any sweating, or purging
are hard in the body, are fittest for such a
business, because they are longest before
they digest.
5. Use no strong medicines, if weak Avill
serve the turn, you had better take one too
weak by half, than too strong in the least
6. Consider the natural temper of the part
of the body afflicted, and maintain it in that,
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 > part of the body.
in the next page. i 7- Observe this general rule; That such
The different forms of making up medi- 1 medicines as are hot in the first degree are
cines, as some into syrups, others into elec-|most habitual to our bodies, because they
tuaries, pills, troches, &c. was partly to J are just of the heat of our blood,
please the different palates of people, that J 8. All opening medicines, and such as
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
217
provoke urine or the menses, or break thej
stone, may most conveniently be given in ;
white wine, because white wine of itself is ;
of an opening nature, and cleanses ihej
reins. I
9. Let all such medicines as are taken j
to stop fluxes or looseness, be taken before \
meat, about an hour before, more or less, \
that so they may strengthen the digestion j
and retentive faculty, before the food come j
into the stomach, but such as are subject to !
vomit up their meat, let them take such!
medicines as stay vomiting presently after!
meat, at the conclusion of their meals, that
so they may close up the mouth of the
stomach ; and that is the reason why usually
men eat a bit of cheese after meat, because
by its sourness and binding it closes the
mouth of the stomach, thereby staying
belching and vomiting.
10. In taking purges be very careful, and
that you may be so, observe these rules.
(L) Consider what the humour offending
is, and let the medicine be such as purges
that humour, else you will weaken nature,
not the disease.
(2.) Take notice, if the humour you would
purge out be thin, then gentle medicines will
serve the turn, but if it be tough and viscous,
then such medicines as are cutting and
opening, the night lx;fore you would take
the purge.
(3.) In purging lough humours, forbear as
much as may be such medicines as leave a
binding quality behind them.
(4.) Have a care of taking purges when
your body is astringent ; your best way, is
first to open it by a clyster.
(5.) In taking opening medicines, you
may safely take them at night, eating but
a little supper three or four hours before,
and the next morning drinking a draught of
warm posset-drink, and you need not fear
to go about your business. In this manner
you may take Lenitive Elect uartj, Diacatho-
iicun, Pulp of Cassia, and the like gentle
electuaries, as also all pills that have neither
Diagrydium nor Coloci/nt/ms, in them. But
all violent purges require a due ordering of
the body ; such ought to be taken in the
morning after you are up, and not to sleep
after them before they are done working, at
least before night: two hours after you have
taken them, drink a draught of warm posset-
drink, or broth, and six hours after eat a
bit of mutton, often walking about the
chamber; let there be a good fire in the
chamber, and stir not out of the chamber
till the purge have done working, or not till
next day.
Lastly, Take sweating medicines when
you are in bed, covered warm, and in the
time of your sweating drink posset-drink as
hot as you can. If you sweat for a fever, boil
sorrel and red sage in your posset-drink,
sweat an hour or longer if your strength will
permit, then (the chamber being kept very
warm) shift yourself all but your head, about
which (the cap which you sweat in being
still kept on) wrap a napkin very hot, to
repel the vapours back.
I confess these, or many of these direc-
tions may be found in one place of the
book or other, and I delight as little to write
tautology as another, but considering it
might make for the public good, I inserted
them in this place : if, notwithstanding, any
will be so mad as to do themselves a mis-
chief, the fault is not mine
ROOTS.
Acanihs, Brancce Ursinai. Of bearsbreech,
or brankursine, it is meanly hot and dry,
helps aches and Bumness of the joints, and is
of a binding quahty, good for wounds and
broken bones. Dioscorides sailh, they are
profitable for ruptures, or such as are
bnrsten, or burnt with fire, a dram of the
root in powder being taken in the morning
218
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
fasting, in a decoction niiule with the same I vulsions ; both of them resist poison. I
root and water. i never read any use of the climing birth-
Acori, Veri, Perigrini, vulgaris, 8fc. See i: wort.
Calamus Arojnaticiis. I shall not speak con-| Artanita;, Cydaminis, SfC. 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 j violent purge, dangerous; outwardly ap-
hot and dry in the second degree, binds,; plied to the place, it profits much in the
strengthens, stops fluxes of the belly, audi bitings of venomous beasts, also being hung
immoderate flowing of the menses, a dram about women in labour, it causes speedy
being taken in red wine every morning. \ deliverance. See the Herb.
Allium. Garlic. It is hot and dry in the J Arundinis, FallanoriiE, and Saccharince,
fourth degree, breeds corrupt blood, yet isjOf common reeds and sugar reeds. The
an enemy to all poisons, and such as are | roots of common reeds applied to the place
bitten by cold venomous beasts, viz. Adders, j draw out thorns, and ease sprains ; the
Toads, Spiders, &c. it provokes urine, and | ashes of them mixed with vinegar, take
expels wind. j scurf, or dandrif off from the head, and
Alcannce. Of privet. See the leaves. 5 prevent the falling off of the hair, they are
AlthcBce. Of Marsh mallows, are meanly | hot and dry in the second degree, according
hot, of a digesting, softening nature, ease to Gale?!. I never read any virtue of the
pains, help bloody fluxes, the stone, and t root of sugar cane.
gravel ; being bruised and boiled in milk, i Ari, SfC. Of Cuckow-points, or Wake-
and the milk drank, is a good remedy for gri-j Robin, hot and dry in the third degree,
pings of the belly, and the bloody flux. If II 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- 1 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, I of the gout.
and is good against pestilence and poison,! Asclepiadis,vincetoxici. Of Swallow-wort,
half a dram taken in the morning fasting, j hot and dry, good against poison, and
Anchiisce. Of Alkanet; cold and dry, Igripings of the belly, as also against the
binding, good for old ulcers.
I bitings of mad dogs, taken inwardly.
Anthorce. A foreign root, the counter- i 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 | violent, they purge by vomit, «tool, and
poison. I urine ; they are profitable for such as have
Apii. Of smallage. See the barks. 5 agues, dropsies, stoppings of the liver, or
AristolochicB. Of birthwort; of which are! spleen, green sickness.
three sorts, long, round, and climing : All | Asparagi. Of Asparagus, or sperage:
hot and dry in the third degree. The long, t they are temperate in quality, opening,
being drank in wine, brings away both j they provoke urine, and cleanse the reins
birth and after-birth, and whatsoever a care- j and bladder, being boiled in white wine,
Jess midwife hath left behind. Dioscorides, \ and the wine drank.
Galen. The round, being drank with wine, \ Asphodeli, Hastee Reiga foem. Of Kings
helps (besides the former) stuffings of the | Spear, or Female Asphodel. I know no
lungs, hardness of the spleen, ruptures, con- \ physical use of tlie roots ; probably there
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 219
I is, for I do not believe God created any | in the first degree, cheers the heart, helps
I thing of no use. I drooping spirits. Dioscorides.
Asphodeli, Albuci, murii. Of male Aspho-| Bronice, Spc. Of Briony both white and
del. Hot and dry in the second degree, | black : they are both hot and dry, some
inwardly taken, they provoke vomit, urine, | say in the third degree, and some say but
and the menses: outwardly used in oint- 1 in the first ; they purge flegm and watery
ments, they cause hair to 'grow, cleanse | humours, but they trouble the stomach
ulcers, and takeaway morphew and freckles; much, they are very good for dropsies;
from the face. '« the white is most in use, and is good for the
Bardanoe, tf-c. Of Bur, Clot-bur, or Bur- : fits of the mother : both of them externally
dock, temperately hot and dry. Helps I used, take away freckles, sunburning, and
such as spit blood and matter; bruised and|morphew from the face, and cleanse filthy
mixed with salt and applied to the place, j ulcers : It is but a churlish purge, but being
helps the bitings of mad dogs. It expels | 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, ; the same with Borrage, and the roots of
and the whites, being taken inwardly. | either seldom used.
Dioscoi'ides, Apuleius. \ Bulbus Vomitoritis. A Vomiting Root:
Behen. alb. rub. Of Valerian, white and 1 1 never read of it elswhere by this general
red. Mesne, Serapio, and other Arabians, I 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. I 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, and i der, the quantity of half a dram at a time,
provoke urine. \ You may mix it with syrup of violets, if
Bellidis. Of Dasies. See the Leaves. | your body be feverish.
Belce, nigree, albce^ rubra. Of Beets, \ Capparum. Capper Roots. Are hot
black, white, and red ; as for black Beets I and dry in the second degree, cutting and
I have nothing to say, I doubt they are as i cleansing : they provoke menses, help
rare as black swans. The red Beet rootjmalignant ulcers, ease the toothache, assuage
boiled and preserved in vinegar, makes a | swelling, and help the rickets. See Oil of
fine, cool, pleasing, cleansing, digesting \ Cappers.
sauce. See the leaves. | Cariophillalee, SfC. Of Avens, or Herb
Bistortce, <f-c. Of Bistort, or snakeweed, \ 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-< ments from being moth-eaten. See the
sists pestilence and poison, helps ruptures ; leaves.
and bruises, stays fluxes, vomiting, and | Caidium. Of Colewort. I know nothing
immoderate flowing of the menses, helps in- 1 the roots are good for, but only to bear the
flammations and soreness of the mouth, | herbs and flowers.
and fastens loose teeth, being bruised and j Centrurii majoris. Of Centaury the
boiledin white wine, and the mouth washed I Greater. The roots help such as are bur-
with it. I sten, suchas spitblood, shrinking of sinews,
Borraginis. Of Borrage, hot and moist j shortness of wind, coughs, convulsions,
3 L
220 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
cramps: half a dram in powder be-|it opens obstructions of the Hver, beinc
ing taken inwardly, either in muskadel,| 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-ithat which usually we call Pilewort, which
tuary. « with us is hot in the first degree ; the juice
Cepce. Of Onions. Are hot and dry *^ of the root mixed with honey and snuffed
(according to Galen) in the fourth degree :| up in the nose, purges the head, helps the
they cause dryness, and are extremely hurt-| hemorrhoids or piles being bathed with it,
ful for choleric people, they breed but little | 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 &rop/«»/a.
matic people, they are opening, and pro-j China, wonderfully extenuates and dries,
yoke urine and the menses, if cold be the ; provokes sweat, resists putrefaction; it
cause obstructing: bruised and outwardly 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 Ireal, 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 j 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
Chamekontis albi nigri, ^c. Of Chame- | veins, it opens obstructions, stoppings in the
leon, white and black. Tragus calls theiliver and spleen, being boiled in white wine
carline thistle by the name of white chame- \ and the decoction drank,
leon, the root whereof is hot in the second \ Colchici. Of Meadow Saffron. The
degree, and dry in the third, it provokes 1 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 Consolida, majoris, minoris. Consolida
tial fevers, helps the toothache by being | Major, is that which we ordinarily call
chewed in the mouth, opens the stoppings iComfry, 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 in-
a kind of venomous quality, and unfit to betternal and external, for spitting of blood,
used inwardly, Galen, Clusius, Nicander, \ ruptures or burstness, pains in the back, it
Dioscorides, and Mgineta. Outwardly in j strengthens the reins, it stops the menses,
ointments, it is profitable for scabs, mor-jand 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. \ decoction. Consolida minor, is that we
Chelidonij majoris, minoris. Of celandine, | call Self-heal, and the latins Prunella. See
the greater and lesser: The greater is that | the herb.
which we usually call Celandine : the root > Costi utriusque. 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.
221
it is held to help the gout by anointing the
grieved place with it.
Cucumeris a grestis. Of* wild Cucumber
roots ; they purge flegni, and that with such
violence, that I would advise the country
man that knows not how to correct them, to
let them alone.
CinarcB, Sj-c. Of Artichokes. The roots
purge by urine, whereby the rank savour of
the body is much amended.
Cynoglossce, Sfc. Of. Hounds-tongue,
Cold and dry : being roasted and laid to
the fundament, helps the hemorrhoids, is
also good for burnings and scaldings.
Ciircumce. Of Turmerick, hot in the
third degree, opens obstructions, is profita-
ble against the yellow jaundice, and cold
distemper of the liver and spleen, half a
dram being taken at night going to bed in
the pulp of a roasted apple, and if you add
a little saiFron to it, it will be the belter by
lar.
Cypenutriusqiie, longi, rotundl. Of Cyprus
Grass, or English Galanga, both sorts, long
and round : is of a warm nature, provokes
urine, breaks the stone, provokes the menses ;
the ashes of them (being burnt) are used for
ulcers in the mouth, cankers, &;c.
Dauci. Of Carrots. Are moderately
hot and moist, breed but little nourishment,
and are windy.
Dentaria majoris, 8fc. Of Toothwort,
toothed violets, or corralvvort : they are
drying, binding, and strengthening; are
good to ease pains in the sides and bowels ;
also being boiled, the decoction is said to
be good to wash green wounds and ulcers
with.
Didiamni. Of Dittany : is hot and dry
in the third degree, hastens travail in
women, provokes the menses. (See the
leaves.)
Doronici. Of Doronicum, a supposed
kind of Wolf's bane : It is hot and dry in
the third degree, strengthens the heart, is a
covercign cordial, and preservative against
the pestilence: it helps the vertigo or
swimming of the head, is admirable against
the bi tings of venomous beasts, and such as >
have taken too much opium, as also for
lethargies, the juice helps hot rheums in the
eyes ; a scruple of the root in powder is
enough to take at one time.
Dracontii, DracunculL Divers authors
attribute divers herbs to this name. It is
most probable that they mean dragons,
the roots of which cleanse mightily, and
take away proud, or dead flesh, the very
smell of them is hurtful for pregnant women:
outwardly in ointments, they take awa}'
I scurf, morphew, and sun-burning ; I would
; not wish any, unless very well read in physic,
I to take them inwardly. Matthiolus, Dios-
\ corides.
I Ebuli. Of Dwarf Elder, Walwort, or
I Danewort ; hot and dry in the third degiee,
\ the roots are as excellent a purge for the
(dropsy as any under the sun. You may
I take a dram or two drams (if the patient be
i strong) in white wine at a time.
; Ecliij. Of Viper's Bugloss, or wild Bug-
; loss. This root is cold and dry, good for such
\ as are bit ten by venemoits beasts, either being
j boiled in wine and drank, or bruised and applied
j to the place : being boiled in wine and drank,
I it encreaseth milk in nurses.
i Ellebori, Veratri, albi nigri. Of Helle-
\ bore white a?id black. The root of white Helle-
i bore, or sneezewort, being grated and snuffed
\ tip the nose, causeth sneezing; kills rats mid
\ mice being mixed with their meat.
\ Black Hellebore, Bears-foot or Christmas
\fiower : both this and the former are hot and
J dry in the third degree. This is neither so
violent nor dangerous as the former.
Enulae Campanae Helenij. Of Elecam-
pane. It is hot and dry in the third degree,
wholesome Jor the stomach, resists poison, helps
old coughs, and sortness of breath, helps rup-
tures, and provokes lust ; in ointments, it is good
against scabs and itch.
Endivas, &c. Of Endix^e, Garden Endive,
222 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
which is the root here specified, is held to be \ amorous diseases. You may take half a dram
sotnezehat colder, though not so dry and cleans- j at a time. Matlhiolus.
ing as that which is wild ; it cools hot stomachs, \ Gentiana. Of Gentian; some call it Fel-
hot livers, amends the blood corrupted by heat„ i wort, and Baldmoney. It is hot, cleansing^
and therefore is good in fevers, it cools the \ and scouring, a notable counterpoison, it opens
rei7is^ and therefore prevents the stone, it opens \ obstructions, helps the biting ofvenemous beasts^
obstructions, and prorcokes urine: youmay brinse\and mad dogs, helps digestion, and cleansefh
the root, and boil it in white wine, 'tis vei-y \ the body of raw humours ; the root is profitable
harmless. \for ruptures, or such as are bursten.
Eringij. Of Eringo or Sea-holly: thex Glycyrrhizee. Of Liquorice; the best
roots arc moderately hot, something drying and \ that is grows in England : it is hot and moist
cleansing, brtiised and applied to the place ; I in temperature, helps the roughness of the
they help the Scrophula, or disease in the mndpipe, hoarsness, diseases in the kidneys and
throat called the King's Evil, they break the x bladder, and ulcers in the bladder, it concocts
stone, encrease seed, stir up lust, provoke the x raw humours in the stotnach, helps difficulty of
terms, ^^c. \ breathing, is profitable for all salt humours ,
Esulffi, inajoris, minoris. Of Spurge the] the root dried and beaten iido powder, and the
greater and lesser, they are both {taken in- \ powder put into the eye, is a special remedy
wardly) too violent for common use; outwardly I for a pin and web.
in ointments they cleanse the skin, take away | Gramminis. Of Grass, such as in London
sunburning. \ they call couch grass, and Squitch-grass ; in
Filicis, &c. Fearn, of which are two grand xS[i?,sex Dog-grass. It gallantly provokes
distinctions, viz. male and female. Both are | urine, and easeth the kidneys oppressed mth
hot and dry, and good for the rickets in chil- 1 gravel, gripings of the belly, and diffictdty 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 white wine, wherin
Filipendulee. 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 ; tkey provoke i plied to the place, they speedily help great
urine, ease pains in the bladder, and are a good
preservative against the falling-sickness.
Foeniculi. Of Fennel. The root is hot
and dry, some say in the third degree, opening;
it provokes urine, and menses, strengthens the
liver, and is good against the dropsy.
Fraxini. Of Ash-tree. I know no great
virtues in physic of the roots.
Galangae, majoris, minoris. Galanga,
commonly called Galingal, the greater and
lesser : They are hot and dry in the third
degree, and the lesser are accounted the hotter.
wounds. Galen, Dioscorides.
Hermodactyli. Of Hennodactils. They
are hot and dry, purge flegm, especially from
the joints, therefore are good for gouts, and
other diseases in the joints. Their vices art
corrected with long pepper, ginger, cinnamon,
or mastich. I would not have unskilfid people
too busy with purges.
Hyacinthi. Of Jacinths. The roots art
dry in the first degree, and cold in the second,
they stop looseness, bind the belly.
Iridis, vulgaris, and Florenline, Sec.
'U strengthens the stomach exceedingly, o/j<i I Orris, or Flower-de-luce, both that which
lakes away the pains thereof coming of co/d| grows with us, and that which comes from
sjrmnd; the smell of it strengthens the brain, i Florence. They are hot and dry in the
U relieves faint hearts, takes away windiness\ third degree, resist poison, help shortness
of the womb, heats the reins, and provokes \oi the breath, provoke the menses; th
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 | amends the ill colour of the face.
applied thereto. j Malvoe. Of Mallows. They are cool,
Imperitoria, ^c. Of Master- Avort. The \ and digesting, resist poison, and help cor-
root is hot and dry in the third degree ; j rosions, or gnawing of the bowels, or any
mitigates the rigour of agues, helps dropsies, I other part; as also ulcers in the bladder,
provokes sweat, breaks carbuncles, and x See Marsh-mallows.
j)lague-sores, being applied to them ; it is | Mandragorce. Of Mandrakes. A root
very profitable being given inwardly in ; dangerous for its coldness, being cold in the
bruises. I fourth degree : the root is dangerous.
Isotidis, Glasti. Of Woad. I know no \ 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
Lahri Veneris, Dipsaci. Fullers-Thistle, \ and joints, it is good for old diseases in the
Teazle. The root being boiled in wine till « head, and may safely be given even to fe-
it be thick (quoth Dioscorides) helps by j 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; asalsoagainstvenerealcomplaints;
they are dry in the second degree : and s the strong may take a dram at a time.
I take it all Authors hold them to be cold s Mci, 4^c. Spignel. The roots are hot
and dry. Unslacked lime beaten into pow- j 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. j Mezerei,SfC. Of Spurge, Ohve, or Widow-
Lactuca. Of Lettice. I know no phy- ; wail. See the Herb, if you think it worth
sical virtue residing in the roots. | the seeing.
Lauri. Of the Bay-tree. The Bark of | Merorum Celci. Of Mulberry Tree. The
the root drunk Avith wine, provokes urine, j bark of the root is bitter, hot and dry, opens
breaks the stone, opens obstructions of the 5 stoppings of the liver and spleen, purges
liver and spleen. But according to Dios- \ the belly, and kills worms, boiled in vine-
corides is naught for pregnant women. \ gar, helps the tooth-ache.
Galen. 1 Morsiis Diaboli, Succisae, SfC. Devil's-bit,
Lapathi aciiti, Oxylapatki. Sorrel, accord- | See the herb,
ing to Galen; but Sharp-pointed Dock, | Norpi Spicce, Indicce, Celticce, S^-c. Of
according to Dioscorides. The roots of { Spikenard, Indian, and Cheltic. Cheltic
Sorrel are held to be profitable against the | Nard wonderfully provokes urine. They
jaundice. Of Sharp-pointed Dock; cleanse, | are both hot and dry. The Indian, also
and help scabs and itch. | provokes urine, and stops fluxes, helps win-
Levistici. Of Lovage. They are hot and ; diness of the stomach, resists the pestilence,
dry, and good for any diseases coming oft helps gnawing pains of the stomach; and
wind. I dries up rheums that molest the head. The
Lillij albi. Of white Lillies. The root! Celtic Spikenard performs the same offices,
is something hot and dry, helps burnings, | though in a weaker measure,
softens the womb, provokes the menses, if j Nenupharis, Nymphce. Of Water-lilies,
boiled in wine, is given with good success > They are cold and dry, and stop lust :
in rotten Fevers, Pestilences, and all dis- $ I never dived so deep to find what virtue
eases that require suppuration : outwardly $ the roots have.
3 M
224
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Ononidis, Arrestee Bovis, ^'C. Of Cam-
mock, or Rest-harrow, so called because it
makes oxen stand still when they are plough-
ing. The roots are hot and dry in the third
degree ; it breaks the stone (viz. the bark
of it.) The root itself, according to Pliny,
helps the falling-sickness ; according to
MaUhiolus, helps ruptures : you may take
half a dram at a time.
Oslrutij. Masterwort, given once before
under the name of Imperitoria. But I have
something else to do than to Avrite one
thing twice as they did.
Pastinatce, Sativce, and silvestris. Garden
and Wild Parsnips. They are of a tem-
perate quality, inclining something to heat :
The Garden Parsnips provoke lust, and
nourish as much and more too, than any
root ordinarily eaten : the wild are more
physical, being cutting, cleansing, and
opening : they resist the bitings of veno-
mous beasts, ease pains and stitches in the
sides, and are a sovereign remedy against
the wind cholic.
Pentafylli. Of Cinqfyl, commonly called
Five-leaved, or Five-finger'd grass : the root
is very drying, but moderately hot : It is
admirable against all fluxes, and stops
blood flowing from any part of the body :
it helps infirmities of the liver and lungs,
helps putrified ulcers of the mouth, the root
boiled in vinegar is good against the
shingles, and appeases the rage of any
fretting sores. You may safely take half
a dram at a time in any convenient liquor.
Petacitce. Of Butter-bur. The roots are
hot and dry in the second degree, they are
exceeding good in violent and pestilential
fevers, they provoke the menses, expel poi-
son, and kill worms.
Peucedani, Faniculi porcini. Of Sulphur-
wort, Hogs-fennel, or Hore-strange. It is
very good applied to the navels of children
that stick out, and ruptures : held in the
mouth, it is a present remedy for the fits of
the mother : being taken inwardly, it gives
I speedy deliverance to women in travail, and
i brings away the placenta.
: Poeonioe, maris, foemellae. Of Peotn/ male
? a7id female. They are jueanly hot, but more
I drying. The root helps women not sufficiently
I purged after travail, it provokes the menses, and
I helps pains in the belly, as also in the reins and
j bladder, falling sickness, and convulsions in
1 children, being either taken inwardly, or hung
J about their necks. You may take half a dram
I at a time, and less for children.
Phu, Valerinae, majoris, minoris. Vale-
rian, or Setwal, greater and lesser. They are
temperately hot, the greater provokes urine and
the menses^ helps the stranguary^ stays rheums
in the head, and takes away the pricking pains
thereof. The lesser resist poison, assuages the
swelling of the testicles, coming either through
wind or cold, helps cold taken after sweating or
labour, zdnd cholic : outwardly it draws out
thorns, and cures both wounds and ulcers.
Pimpinellae, &c. Of Burnet. It doth
this good, to bring forth a gallant physical
I herb.
\ Plantaginis. Of Plaidane. The root is
I something dryer than the leaf, but not so cold,
it opens stoppages of the liver, helps the jaun-
dice, and ulcers of the reins and bladder. A
little bit of the root being eaten, instantly stays
pains in the head, even to adt?iiration.
Polypody. Of Polypodium, or Fern of
the Oak. It is a gallant though gentle
purger of melancholy ; Also in the opinion
of Mesne (as famous a physician as ever
I I read for a Galenist,) it dries up super-
\ fluous humours, takes away swellings from
I the hands, feet, knees, and joints, stitches
I and pains in the sides, infirmities of the
I spleen, rickets ; correct it with a few Annis
I seeds, or Fennel seeds, or a little ginger,
i and then the stomach will not loath it.
; Your best way of taking it, is to bruise it
1 well, and boil it in white wine till half be
I consumed, you may put in much, or little,
I according to the strength of the diseased, it
I works very safely.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 225
Po/igotwti, sigilli Solomonis, ^-c. Of Solo- 1 ing takes away the virtue of it, and there-
inon'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 I 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
these, I am persuaded there is not a better j a little by the fire and beaten into poAvdcr,
medicine under the sun. | it is usually given in fluxes.
Porri. Of Leeks. They say they are | Rhaphani, Domesticoe and Sylvestris. Of
hot and dry in the fourth degree ; they I Raddishes, garden and wild. Garden
breed ill-favoured nourishment at the best, x Raddishes provoke urine, break the stone,
they 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 \ and hard of digestion, hot and dry in
else, for the juice of them dropped into j quality. Wi^^s <^^ 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 ; than the former, and more effectual,
nose, it stays the bleeding of it, they are Rhodie Rod. Rose Root. Stamped and
better of the two boiled than raw, but applied to the head it mitigates the pains
both ways exceedingly hurtful for ulcers in thereof, being somewhat cool in quality,
the bladder : and so are onions and garlic. | Rhabarhari Monachorum. Monks Rhu-
Prunellorutn Silvestrium. Of Sloe-bush, ; barb, or Bastard-Rhubarb, it also purges,
or Sloe-tree. I think the college set this ; and cleanses the blood, and opens obstruc-
amongst the roots only for fashion sake, 1 tions of the liver,
and I did it because they did. i Riibice tindonim. Of Madder. It is
Pyrethri Salivaris, ^^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 | low jaundice, and therefore opens obstruc-
in the tooth-ache; bruised and boiled in ; tions of the liver and gall; it is given with
oil, it provokes sweat by unction; inwardly | 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.
RhaponticL Rhupontick, or Rhubarb
of Pontus. It takes away windiness and
and the menses.
Rusci. Of Knee-holly or Butchers-
broom, or Bruscus. They are meanly hot
weakness of the stomach, sighings, sobbings, i and dry, provoke urine, break the stone,
spittings of blood, diseases of the liver and 1 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, \ Sambuci. Of Elder. I know no wonders
and therefore fit for foul bodies that have I the root will do.
fluxes. I Sarsce-ParigUce. Of Sarsa-Parilla, or
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 in
Hypocondriac Melancholly ; a little boil- 1 drying diet drinks
for the gout : the rich
226 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Satyrij utriusque. Of Satyrion, each sort, j called our Ladies-thistles by that name ;
Thev are hot and moist in temper, provoke 1 the roots of which are drying and bind-
venery, and increase seed ; each branch 1 ing, stop fluxes, bleeding, take away
bears two roots, both spongy, yet the onej cold swellings, and ease the pains of the
more solid than the other, which is of most | teeth.
virtue, and indeed only to be used, for some | Spatula fcctidce. Stinking Gladon, a kind
say the most spongy root is quite contrary | of Flower-de-luce, called so for its unsavory
in operation to the other, as the one in- 1 smell. It is hot and dry in the third
creaseth, the other decreaseth. | degree; outwardly they help the king's evil,
Saxifragia albce. Of white Saxifrage, in \ soften hard swellings, draw out broken
Sussex we call them Lady-smocks. The I bones : inwardly taken, they help convul-
roots powerfully break the stone, expel i sions, ruptures, bruises, infirmities of the
wind, provoke urine, and cleanse the reins, j lungs.
Sangidsorha. A kind of Burnet. \ Tamttrisci. Of Tamaris. See the herbs,
Scabiosa. Of Scabious. The roots either | and barks,
foiled, or beaten into powder, and so taken, I Tanaceti. Of Tansie. The root eaten,
neJp such as are extremely troubled Avith ! is a singular remedy
scabs and itch, are medicinal in the french i may bestow the cost to preserve it
disease, hard swellings, inward wounds, \ Thapsi, ^c. A venomous foreign root :
being of a drying, cleansing, and healing I therefore no more of it.
faculty. I Tormentillee. Of Tormentil. A kind of
Scordij. Of Scordium, or Water-Ger- 1 Sinqfoil ; dry in the third degree, but mode-
mander. See the herb. | rately hot ; good in pestilences, provokes
ScillcE. Of Squills. See vinegar, and | sweat, stays vomiting, cheers the heart, ex-
wine of Scjuills, in the compound. ^ pels poison.
ScropnlaricB, SfC. Of Figwort. The roots | TrifoUj. Of Trefoil. See the herb,
being of the same virtue with the herb, | Tribuli Aqiiatici. Of Water Caltrops.
I refer you thither. \ The roots lie too far under water for me to
Scorzoneree. Of Vipers ^rass. The root | reach to.
cheers the heart, and strengthens the vital \ Trachellij. Of Throat-wort : by some
spirits, resists poison, helps passions and ! called Canterbury Bells: by some Coventry
trembhngs of the heart, faintness, sadness, i Bells. They help diseases and ulcers in
and melancholy, opens stoppings of the { the throat.
liver and spleen, provokes the menses, ease \ Trinitatis herbce. Hearts-ease, or Pansies,
women of the fits of the mother, and helps x I know no great virtue they have,
swimmings in the head. } Tunicis. I shall tell you the virtue when
Seseleos. Of Seseli, or Hartwort. The 1 1 know what it is.
roots provoke urine^ and help the falling- | Tripolij. The root purges flegm, expels
sickness. \ poison.
Sisari, secacul. Of Scirrets. They are ^ Turbith. The root purges flegm, (being
hot and moist, of good nourishment, some- \ 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 \ with ginger, or Mastich. Let not the vulgarf
appetite, and provoke urine. \ be too busy with it.
Sconchi. Of Sow-thistles, See the herb, j Tvhirnum. Or Toad-stools. Whether
Spinee albce, Bedegiiar. The Arabians i these be roots or no, it matters not 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
cattle that are blind suddenly, it helps them ;
and defends those that bear it, from evil
spirits.
Swallow-wortj and teazles were handled
before.
Ulmaria, Regi7iie, prati, ^c. Mead-sweet.
Cold and dry, binding, stops fluxes, and
the immoderate flowing of the menses : you
may take a dram at a time.
IJrticcB. Of Nettles. See the leaA^es.
Zedoaria. Of Zedoary, or Setwall. This
and Ziirumbet, according to Rhasis, and
Mesne, are all one ; Avicenna thinks them
different : I hold with Mesne ; indeed they
diflfer in form, for the one is long, the other
round ; they are both hot ,and dry in the
second tlegree, expel wind, resist poison,
stop fluxes, and the menses, stay vomiting,
help the cholic, and kill worms ; you may
take half a dram at a time.
Zi/igiberis. Of Ginger. Helps digestion,
warms the stomach, clears the sight, and is
profitable for old men : heats the joints, and
therefore is profitable against the gout,
expels wind ; it is hot and dry in the second
degree.
BARKS.
A Pil Rod. Of the roots of Sn milage.
Take notice here, that the Barks both of
this root, as also of Parsley, Fennel, &c.
is all of the root which is in use, neither
can it properly be called bark, for it is all
the root, the hard pith in the middle ex-
cepted, Avhich is always thrown away, when
the roots are used. It is something hotter
and drier than Parsley, and more medicinal ;
it opens stoppings, provokes urine, helps
digestion, expels wind, and warms a cold
stomach : use them like grass roots.
Avellanarum. 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
of the menses.
Aurantiontm. Of Oranges. Both these,
\ and also Lemons and Citrons, are of dif-
I ferent quaUties : the outward bark, viz. what
I looks red, is hot and dry, the white is cold
I and moist, the juice colder than it, the seeds
hot and dry; the outward bark is that
1 which here I am to speak to, it is somewhat
I hotter than either that of Lemons or
I Citrons, therefore it warms a cold stomach
I more,and expels wind better, but strengthens
I not the heart so much.
} Berber, SfC. Barberries. The Rind of
I the tree according to Clcesius, bemg steeped
1 in wine, and the wine drank, purges choler,
I and is a singular remedy for the yellow
j jaundice. Boil it in white wine and drink
I it. See the directions at the beginning.
I Cassia Lignea, ^c. It is something more
j oily than Cinnamon, yet the virtues being
I not much different, I reft r you thither.
1 Capparis Rad. Of Caper roots. See
I the roots.
I Castanearum. Of Chesnuts. The bark
of the Chesnut tree is dry and binding,
and stops fluxes.
Cinnamonwn. 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
coughs and defluxions of humours upon
the lungs, dropsy, and difficulty of urine.
X In ointments it takes away red pimples, and
!the like deformities from the face. There
is scarce a better remedy for women in
[labour, than a dram of Cinnamon newly
t beaten into powder, and taken in white
I wine.
I Citrij. Of Pome Citrons. The outward
; pill, which I suppose is that which is meant
' 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- \ Limoniim. Of Lemons. The outward
tion, comforts a cold stomach. | peel is of the nature of Citron, but helps
Ebuli Rad. Of the roots of Dwarf-Elder, | not so effectually ; however, let the poor
or Walwort. See the herbs. country man that cannot get the other, use
Eniihe. Of Elecampane. See the roots, this.
Esidce Rad. See the roots. Mandragora Rad. Be pleased to look
Fabarum. Of Beans. Bean Cods (or back to the root.
Pods, as we in Sussex call them) being* Myrobalanoriim. Of Myrobalans. See
bruised, the ashes are a sovereign reiiedy Ithe fruits.
for aches in the joints, old bruises, gouts, | Macis. Of Mace. It is hot in the third
and sciaticas. 1 degree, strengthens the stomach and heart
Fcenicidi Rad. Of Fennel roots. See | exceedingly, and helps concoction,
the roots, and remember the observation 1 Maceris, Sj-c. It is held to be the inner
given in Smallage at the beginning of the bark of Nutmeg-tree, helps fluxes and
barks. spitting of blood.
Fraxini Rad. Of the bark of Ash-tree Retroselini Rad. Of Parsley root: opens
roots. The bark of the tree, helps the rickets, obstructions, provokes urine and the menses,
is moderately hot and dry, stays vomiting ; I warms a cold stomach, expels wind, and
being burnt, the ashes made into an oint-j breaks the stone. Use them as grass roots,
ment, helps leprosy and other deformity and take • out the inner pith as you were
of the skin, eases pains of the spleen. Youi taught in smallage roots,
may lay the bark to steep in white wine for Pninelli Silvestris. Of Sloe-tree. I know
the rickets, and when it hath stood so for no use of it.
two or three days, let the diseased child Pinearum putamhiae. Pine shucks, or
drink now and then a spoonful of it. husks. I suppose they mean of the cones
Granatorum. Of Pomegranates. The ' that hold the seeds; both those and also the
rind cools, and forcibly binds, stays fluxes, ; 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. I cold, binding, stop fluxes and the menses,
Pomegranate flowers are of the same virtue. I as also the running of the reins; have a
Gatrujaci. See the wood. i care how you use them before due purgmg.
Juglandium Virid. Of green Walnuts. | Rhaphani. Of Radishes. I could never
As for the outward green bark of Walnuts, | see any bark they had.
I suppose the best time to take them is? 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 \ and binding, stanches blood, helps fluxes,
properly be called nuts at such a time) you \ especeially the ashes of it being burnt,
shall find them exceeding comfortable to\Paidus.
the stomach, they resist poison, and arej Sambuci, Sj-c. Of Elder roots and
a most excellent preservative against the | branches ; purges water, helps the dropsy,
plague, inferior to none : they are admira- 1 Coii. Mtdiiis Tamaricis. The middle
ble for such as are troubled with consump- 1 Bark of Tameris, eases the spleen, helps
lions of the lungs. ^ the rickets. Use them as Ash-tree bark.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
229
Tillm. Of Line-tree. Boiled, the water
helps burnings.
Thuris. Of Frankinsenses.
Ignoramus
Ulmi.
cleansing,
Of Elm. Moderately hot
good for wounds, burns,
broken bones, viz. boiled in water and
grieved place bathed with it.
thei
WOODS AND THEIR CHIPS, OR
RASPINGS.
Rhodium. Encreases milk in nurses.
Santalum, album, Rtibrum,citrinum. White,
I must plead \ red, and yellow Sanders : They are all cold
and dry in the second or third degree : the
and i red stops defluxions from any part, and
and I helps inflammations : the white and yellow
(of which the yellow is best) cool the heat
of fevers, strengthen the heart, and cause
cheerfulness.
I Sassafras. Is hot and dry in the second
j degree, it opens obstructions or stoppings,
jit strengthens the breast exceedingly; if it
{ be weakened through cold, it breaks the
of i stone, stays vomiting, provokes urine, and
used
m
A Gallochus, Lignum Aloes. Wood
Aloes ; is moderately hot and dry : a good \ is very profitable in the venereal
cordial : a rich perfume, a great strengthener | diet drinks,
to the stomach. | Tamaris. Is profitable for the rickets,
Aspalathus. Rose-wood. It is moderately | 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,
ulcers. \ according to Galen. I never read any great
Bresilium. Brasil. All the use I know | virtues of it.
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 5 A Brotanum, mas, fcemina. Southern
HERBS AND THEIR LEAVES.
amongst cloaths, secures them from moths. > wood, mule and female. It is hot and dry
See the leaves. i in the third degree, resists poison, kills
Ebenum. Ebony. It is held to clear the j worms ; outwardly in plaisters, it dissolves
sight, being either boiled in wine, or burnt j cold swelhngs, and helps the bitings of
to ashes. | venomous beasts, makes hair grow : take
G^iajacum, Lignum vital Dries, attenu- 1 not above half a dram at a time in powder,
ales, causes sweat, resists putrefaction, isj Absinthium, Sfc. AVormwood. Its several
good for the French disease, as also for | sorts, are all hot and dry in the second or
ulcers, scabs, and leprosy: it is used in diet! third degrees, the common Wormwood is
drinks. | thought to be hottest, they all help weak-
Juniperus. Juniper. The smoak of the | ness of the stomach, cleanse choler, kill
wood, drives away serpents; the ashes of | worms, open stoppings, help surfeits, clear
it made into lie, cures itch, and scabs. \ the sight, resist poison, cleanse the blood,
Nephfiticum. It is a light wood and j and secure cloaths from moths,
comes from Hispaniola ; being steeped inj Abugilissa, SfC. Alkanet. The leaves are
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.
something drying and binding, but inferior
in virtue to the roots, to which I refer
you.
Acctosa. 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. 1 upon the lungs, wounds, ulcers, &c.
Acanthus. Bears-brecch, or Branks j Alcea. Vervain Mallow. The root helps
ursine, is temperate^ something moist. See | fluxes and burstness. Mtius, Dioscurides.
the root. j Allium. Garlick. Hot and dry in the
Adianlum, 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 j poison, eases the pains of the teeth, helps
usually call Wall -rue ; they both open ob-jthe bitings of mad clogs, and venomous
structions, cleanse the breast and lungs of | beasts, helps ulcers, leprosies, provokes
gross slimy humours, provoke urine, help ; urine, is exceedingly opening, and profita-
ruptures and shortness of wind. \ ble for dropsies.
Adiantum Au7xum Politrt/cum. Golden | Althcea, ^-c. Marsh-Mallows. Are mode-
Maiden-hair. Its temperature and virtues jratelyhotand drierthan other Mallows; they
are the same with the former ; helps the | help digestion, and mitigate pain, ease the
spleen ; burned, and lye made %nth the i pains of the stone, and in the sides. Use
ashes, keeps the hair from falling off the | them as you were taught in the roots, whose
head. i virtues they have, and both together will
Agrimonia Agrimony. Galen's Eupa- do heUev.
torium. It is hot and dry in the first degree, { 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 j and comforts the sinews much ; therefore it
of water, helps inward wounds, opens lis good for such as are shrunk up ; it dis-
obstructions. Outwardly applied it helps 5 solves aposthumes, hard swellings, and
old sores, ulcers, &c. Inwardly, it helps \ helps mange in the hands and legs, out-
the jaundice and the spleen. Take a dram \ wardly applied in a pultis. Galen.
of this or that following, inwardly in white j Alchymilla. Ladies-Mantle. Is hot and
wine, or boil the herb in white wine, and \ dry, some say in the second degree, some
drink the decoction. Galen, Pliny, Diosco- 1 say in the third: outwardly it helps wounds,
rides, Serapio. j reduces women's breasts that hang down :
Ageretum. Plot and dry in the second de- \ 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 x profitable for such women as are subject to
sickness, and profits such as have a cold, \ miscarry through cold and moisture,
weak liver; outwardly applied, it takes I Alkanna. Privet hath a binding quality,
away the hardness of the matrix, and fills! helps ulcers in the mouth, is good against
hollow ulcers with flesh. | burnings and scaldings, cherishes the nerves
Agnus Castus, SfC. Chast-tree. The leaves I and sinews ; boil it in white wine to wash
are hot and dry in the third degree ; expel | the mouth, and in hog's grease for bummgs
wind, consume the seed, cause chastity land scaldings.
being only borne about one ; it dissolves 1 Ajuaraciis, Majorana. Marjoram. Some
swellings of the testicles, being applied to j say 'tis hot and dry in the second degree,
them, head-ache, and lethargy. | some advance it to the third. Sweet Mar-
AUajula, Lujula, ^. Wood Sorrel. It|joram, is an excellent remedy for cold dis-
is of the temperature of other Sorrel, and | eases in the brain, being only smelled to
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
231
helps such as are given to much sighing,
easeth pains in the belly, provokes urine,
being taken inwardly : you may take a dram
of it at a time in powder. Outwardly in
oils or salves, it helps sinews that are shrunk ;
limbs out of joint, all aches and swellings
coming of a cold cause.
Angelica. Is hot and dry in the third de-
gree; opens, digests, makes thin, strengthens |
the heart, helps fluxes, and loathsomeness \
of meat. It is an enemy to poison and pes- >
tilence, provokes menses, and brings away
the placanta. You may take a dram of it
at a time in powder.
AnagalUs, mas,femina. Pimpernel, male
and female. They are something hot and
dry, and of such a drying quality that they
draw thorns and splinters out of the flesh,
amend the sight, cleanse ulcers, help in-
firmities of the liver and reins. Galen.
Anethiim. Dill. Is hot and dry in the
second degree. It stays v(jmiting, eases
hiccoughs, assuages swellings, provokes
urine, helps such as are troubled with »
lits of the mother, and digests raw humours, i
Apium. Smallage ; So it is commonly
used ; but irideed all Parsley is called by the
name of Apium, of which this is one kind.
Itis something hotter and dryer than Parsley,
and more efiicacious ; it opens stoppings of^
[the liver, and spleen, cleanses the blood, \
[provokes the menses, helps a cold stomach |
[to digest its meat, and is good against thej
iyellowjaundice. Both Smallage and Clevers, |
[may be well used ia pottage in the morning |
[instead of herbs.
Aparine. Goose-grass, or Clevers : They
[are meanly hot and dry, cleansing, help
[the bitings of venomous beasts, keep men's
[bodies from growing too fat, lielp the yel-
now jaundice, stay bleeding, fluxes, and 1
lielp green wounds. Dioscorides, Pliny, \
"^alen, Tragus. I
Aspergula odorata. Wood-roof: Cheers!
the heart, makes men merry, helps melan-1
Jholy, and opens the stoppings of the liver. \
Aquilegia. Columbines: help sore throats,
are of a drying, binding quality.
Argentina. Silver-weed, or Wild Tansy
cold and dry almost in the third degiee;
stops lasks, fluxes, and the menses, good
against ulcers, the stone, and inward Avounds:
easeth gripings in the belly, fastens loose
teeth : outwardly it takes away freckles,
morphew, and sunburning, it takes away
inflammations, and bound to the wrists stop's
the violence of the fits of the ague.
Artanita. Sow- bread: hot and dry in
the third degree, it is a dangerous purge :
outwardly inointments ittakesaway freckles,
sunburning, and the marks which the small
pox leaves behind them : dangerous for
pregnant women.
Aristolochia, longa, rotunda. Birth- wort
long and round. Sec the roots.
Artemisia. Mugwort : is hot and dry in
the second degree : binding : an herb ap-
propriated to the female sex; it brings doAvn
the menses, brings away both birth and
placenta, eases pains in the matrix. You
may take a dram at a timr.
Asparagus. See the roots.
Asarum, ^c. Asarabacca : hot and dry ;
provokes vomiting and urine, and are good
for dropsies. They are corrected with mace
or cinnamon.
Atriplex, ^c. Orach, or Arrach. It is
cold in the first degree, and moist in the
second, saith Galen, and makes the belly
soluble. It is an admirable remedy for the
fits of the mother, and other infirmities of
the matrix, and therefore the Latins called
it Vulvaria.
Aricula maris, inajor. Mouse-ear : hot
and dry, of a binding quality, it is admira-
ble to heal wounds, inward or outward, as
also ruptures or burstness : Edge-tools
quenched in the juice of it. will cut iron
without turning the edge, as easy as they
will lead : And, lastly, it helps the swelling
of the spleen, coughs and consumptions, of
the lunffs.
3 o
232
THE COMPLETE HERliAL
Attradivis hirsuta. Wild Bastard-saffron,
Dist a iT- thistle, or Spindle-thistle. Is dry and
moderately digesting, helps the biting of|
venomous beasts : Mesne sajth, it is hot in
the first degree, and dry in the second, and
clean seth the breast and lungs of tough
flegm.
Balsamita, ^. Costmary, Alecost : See
Maudlin.
Barbajovis, sedum majus. Houseleek or
Sengreen : cold in the third degree, pro-
fitable against the Shingles, and other hot
creeping ulcers, inflammations, St. Anthony s
fire, frenzies ; it cools and takes away corns
from the toes, being bathed with the juice
of it, and a skin of the leaf laid over the
place; stops fluxes, helps scalding and
burning.
Bardana. Clot-bur, or Bur-dock : tem-
perately dry and wasting, something cool-
ing ; it is held to be good against the shrink-
ing of the sinews; eases pains in the bladder,
and provokes urine. Also Mizaldus saith,
that a leaf applied to the top of the head of
a woman draws the matrix upwards, but
applied to the soles of the feet draws it
downwards, and is therefore an admirable
remedy for suffocations, precipitations, and
dislocations of the matrix, if a wise man
have but the using of it.
Beta, alba, nigra, rubra. Beets, white,
black, and red ; black Beets I have no
knowledge of The white are something*
colder and moister than the red, both of:
them loosen the belly, but have little or no j
nourishment. The white provoke to stool, |
and are more cleansing, open stoppings of;
the liver and spleen, help the vertigo ov\
swimming in the head : The red stay fluxes, I
help the immoderate flowing of the menses, 1
and are good in the yellow jaundice. \
Beuedicta CariphylLa-a. Avens : hot and J
dry, help the cholic and rawness of the>
stomach, stitches in the sides, and take awa}' 5
clotted blood in any part of the body. i
Betonica vulgaris. Common or Wood i
Betony : hot and dry in the second degree,
helps the falling sickness and all head-aches
coming of cold, cleanses the breast and
lungs, opens stoppings of the liver and
spleen, as the rickets, &c. procures appetite,
helps sour belchings, provokes urine, breaks
the stone, mitigates the pains of the reins
and bladder, helps cramps, and convul-
sions, resists poison, helps the gout, such as
evacuate blood, madness and head-ache,
kills worms, helps bruises, and cleanseth
women after labour : You may take a dram
of it at a time in white wine, or any other
convenient liquor proper against the dis-
ease you are afflicted with.
Betonica Pauli, Sfc. Paul's Betony, or
Male Lluellin, to which add Elaine, or
Female Lluellin, which comes afterwards ;
they are pretty temperate, stop defluxions
of humours that fall from the head into the
eyes, are profitable in wounds, help filthy
foul eating cankers.
Betonica Coronana, ^. Is Clove Gilli-
flowcrs. See the flowers.
Bellis. Dasies : are cold and moist in
the second degree, they ease all pains and
swellings coming of heat, in clysters they
loose the belly , are profitable in fevers and
inflammations of the testicles, they take
away bruises, and blackness and blueness ;
they are admirable in wounds and inflam-
mations of the lungs or blood
Blitiim. Blites. Some say they are cold
and moist, others cold and dry : none
mention any great virtues of them.
Borrago. Borrage : hot and moist, com-
forts the heart, cheers the spirits, drives
away sadness and melancholy, they are
rather laxative than binding; help swooning
and heart-qualms, breed good blood, help
consumptions, madness, and such as are
much weakened by sickness.
Bonus Henricus. Good Henry, or all
good ; hot and dry, cleansing and scouring;
inwardly taken it loosens the belly ; out-
wardly it cleanseth old sores and ulcers.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
233
Botrys. Oak of Jerusalem : hot and dry
in the second degree, helps such as are short-
winded, cuts and wastes gross and tough
flegm, laid among cloaths they preserve
them from moths, and give them a sweet
smell.
Branca ursina. Bears-breech.
Brionia, Sfc. Briony, Avhite and black ;
both are hot and dry in the third degree,
purge violently, yet are held to be whole-
some physic for such as have dropsies,
vertigo, or swimming in the head, falling-
sickness, &c. Certainly it is a strong,
troublesome purge, therefore not to be tam-
pered with by the unskilful, outwardly in
ointments it takes away freckles, wrinkles,
morphew, scars, spots, &c. from the face.
Bursa pastoris. Shepherd's Purse, is
manifestly cold and dry, though Lobel and
Pena thought the contrary ; it is binding
and stops blood, the menses ; and cools in-
flammations.
Buglossom. Buglosse. Its virtues are
the same with Borrage.
Bugula. Bugle, or Middle Comfrey ; is
temperate for heat, but very drying, ex-
cellent for falls or inward bruises, for it dis-
solves congealed blood, profitable for inward
wounds, helps the rickets and other stopp-
ings of the liver ; outwardly it is of wonder-
ful force in curing wounds and ulcers,
though festered, as also gangreens and fis-
tulas, it helps broken bones, and disloca-
tions. Inwardly you may take it in powder
a dram at a time, or drink the decoction
of it in white-wine : being made into an
ointment with hog's grease, you shall find
it admirable in green wounds.
Bnphthalmum, Sfc. Ox eye. Matthiolus
saith they are commonly used for black
Hellebore, to the virtues of which I refer.
Buxiis. Boxtree: the leaves are hot, dry,
and binding, they are profitable against the
biting of mad dogs ; both taken inwardly
boiled and applied to the place : besides
they are good to cure horses of the bots.
Calamintha, Montana, Palustris. Moun-
tain and Water Calamint : For the AVater
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
women, brings away the placenta, helps
cramps, convulsions, difficulty of breathing,
kills Avornis, helps the dropsy : outwardly
used, it helps such as hold their necks on
one side: half a dram is enoueh at one lime.
Galen, Dioscorides, Apiileius.
Calendula. Sfc. Marigolds. The leaves
are hot in the second degree, and something
moist, loosen the belly : the juice held in
the mouth, helps the toothache, and takes
away any inflammation or hot swelling
being bathed with it, mixed Avith a little
vmegar.
Callitricum. Maiden-hair. SecAdianfJunn.
CaprisoUinn. Honey -suckles : The leaves
are hot, and therefore naught for inflam-
mations of the mouth and throat, for which
the ignorant people oftentime give them :
and Galen was true in this, let modern
writers write their pleasure. If you chew
but a leaf of it in your mouth, experience
will tell you that it is likelier to cause,
than to cure a sore throat, they provoke
urine, and purge by urine, bring speedy
delivery to women in travail, yet procure
barrenness and hinder conception, out-
wardly they dry up foul ulcers, and cleanse
the face from morphew, sun-burning and
freckles.
Cardtmcellus, S^c. Groundsell. Cold and
moist according to Tragus, helps the cholic,
and gripings in the belly, helps such as
cannot make water, cleanses the reins,
purges choler and sharp humours : the
usual way of taking it is to boil it in water
with currants, and so eat it. I hold it to be
awholesomeand harmless purge. Outwardly
it easeth women's breasts that are swollen
and inflamed ; as also inflammations of the
joints, nerves, or sinews. Mghieta.
x\
2d4 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Carduus B. Matna. Our Ladies Thistles, j are drying and binding, help dimness of the
Tliey are far more temperate than Carduus \ sight : help the spleen, preserve from
Benedidus, open obstructions of the liver, | drunkenness, and help the evil effects of it:
help the jaundice and dropsy, provoke I provoke the menses,
urine, break the stone. i Centaurium^ majus, minus. Centaury the
Carduus Benedktus. Blessed Thistle, but \ 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 5 root. The less is a present remedy for the
opening, helps swimming and giddiness in | yellow jaundice, opens stoppings of the
the head, deafness, strengthens thememorj^ \ 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- 1 helps the dropsy and green sickness. It is
iianmiation of the liver, is very good in i only the tops and flowers which are useful,
pestilence and venereal: outwardly applied, ; of which you may take a dram inwardly in
it ripens plague-sores, and helps hot swell- 1 powder, or half a handful boiled in posset-
ings, the bitings of mad dogs and venomous i drink at a time.
beasts, and foul filthy ulcers. Every one | Ceutinodium, <^c. Knotgrass : cold in the
that can but make a Carduus posset, knows ! second degree, helps spitting and other
how to use it. Camerarius, Aniuldus vel \ evacuations of blood, stops the menses and
anovanus. \ all other fluxes of blood, vomiting of blood,
Chalina. See the roots, under the name i gonorrheea, or running of the reins, Aveak-
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- \ drops, and it is an excellent remedy for
flammations : also they say it kills worms, | hogs that will not eat their meat. Your
and therefore by some is called Maw-worm- j only way is to boil it, it is in its prime about
seed. {the latter end of July, or beginning of
Cussutha, cascuta, potagralini. Dodder. | August : at which time being gathered it
See EpitJmnuyn. 1 may be kept dry all the year. Brassavolus,
Caryophyllata. Avens, or Herb Bennet, \ Camerarius.
hot and dry : they help the cholic, rawness : Can[f'olium vidgare 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 | voke urine, stir up venery, comfort the
Tyfhymulus. \ heart, and are good for old people ; help
Cattaria, Nepeta. Nep, or Catmints. ! pleurises and pricking in the sides.
The virtues are the same with Calaminth. i Ccepea, 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 ;
admirableremedy for sinews that are shrunk: \ see Water cresses.
it is a sure remedy for bleeding at the nose, j Ceterach, ^. Spleenwort : moderately
or by wound, stops the menses, fluxes, « hot, waste and consumes the spleen, inso-
ulcers in the reins and bladder, coughs, | much that Vitruvius affirms he hath known
ulcers in the lungs, difficulty of breathing. | hogs that have fed upon it, that have had
Caulis, Brassica hortensis, silvestris. Cole- 1 (when they were killed) no spleens at all.
wort, or Cabbages, garden and wild. They [ It is excellently good for melancholy people.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
235
helps the stranguary, provokes urine, and
breaks the stone in the bladder, boil it and
drink the decoction ; but because a little
boiling will carry away the strength of it in
vapours, let it boil but very little, and let it
stand close stopped till it be cold before
you strain it out ; this is the general rule
for all simples of this nature.
Chayiapitys. Ground-pine; hoi in the
second degree, and dry in the third, helps
the jaundice, sciatica, stopping of the liver,
and spleen, provokes the menses, cleanses
the entrails, dissolves congealed blood, re-
sists poison, cures wounds and ulcers.
Strong bodies may take a dram, and weak
bodies half a dram of it in powder at a
time.
Chamcemelum, sativum^ sylvestre. Garden
and Wild Chamomel. Garden Chamorael,
is hot and dry in the first degree, and as
gallant a medicine against the stone in the
bladder as grows upon the earth, you may
[take it inwardly, I mean the decoction of
it, being boiled in white wine, or inject the
juice of it into the bladder with a syringe.
It expels wind, helps belchings, and potent-
ly provokes the menses : used in baths, it
helps pains in the sides, gripings and
gnawings in the belly.
Chamadris, ^c. Germander: hot and
dry in the third degree ; cuts and brings
away tough humours, opens stoppings of the
Hver and spleen, helps coughs and shortness
of breath, stranguary and stopping of urine,
and provokes the menses ; half a dram is
enough to take at a time.
Chelidonium utrumque. Celandine both
sorts. Small Celandine is usually called
Pilewort ; it is something hotter and dryer
than the former, it helps the hemorrhoids
or piles, bruised and applied to the grief.
Celandine the greater is hot and dry (they
say in the third degree) any way used ;
either the juice or made into an oil or oint-
ment, it is a great preserver of the sight,
and an excellent help for the eyes.
I Cinara, ^c. Artichokes. They provoke
I venery, and purge by urine.
I Cichorium. Succory, to which add Endive
I which comes after. They are cold and dry
i in the second degree, cleansing and open-
I ing ; they cool the heats of the liver, and
I are profitable in the yellow jaundice, and
I burning fevers ; help excoriations in the
privities, hot stomachs ; and outwardly ap-
plied, help hot rheums in the eyes.
Cicuta. Hemlock : cold in the fourth
degree, poisonous : outwardly applied, it
j helps Friapismus, the shingles, St. Anthony's
Yfire, or any eating ulcers,
r Clematis Daphnoides^ Vinca provmca. Peri-
winkle. Hot in the second degree, some-
thing dry and binding ; stops lasks, spitting
of blood, and the menses.
Consolida major. Comfrey, I do not con-
i ceive the leaves to be so virtuous as the
I roots.
\ Consolida media. Bugles, of which before.
I Consolida miriima. Daises.
1 Consolida rubra. Golden Rod : hot and
\ dry in the second degree, cleanses the reins,
(provokes urine, brings away the gravel:
i an admirable herb for wounded people to
I take inwardly, stops blood, &c.
I Consolida Regalis, Delphinium. Lark
\ heels : resist poison, help the bitings of
I yenomous beasts.
I Saracenica Solidago. Saracens Confound.
^ Helps inward wounds, sore mouths, sore
' throats, wasting of the lungs, and liver.
Coronepus. Buchorn Plantane, or Sea-
plantain : cold and dry, helps the bitings
of venomous beasts, either taken inwardly,
1 or applied to the wound : helps the cholic,
I breaks the stone. Mgineta.
I Cormaria. Hath got many English
I names. Cottonweed, Cudweed, Chaff'weed,
i and Petty Cotton. Of a drying and bind-
j ing nature ; boiled in lye, it keeps the head
\ from nits and lice ; being laid among
1 clothes, it keeps them safe from moths,
i kills worms, helps the bitings of venomous
3 p
2;i6
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
beasts ; taken in a tobacco-pipe, it helps it is to poison ; it is an admirable remedy
coushs of the lungs, and vehement head- ' against wounds and gunshot, wounds made
aches.
Cruciata. Crosswort : (there is a kind
of Gentian called also by this name, which
I pass by) is drying and binding, exceed-
ing good for inward or outward wounds,
either inwardly taken, or outwardly ap-
■plied : and an excellent remedy for such
as are bursten.
with poisoned weapons, it draws out splin-
ters, broken bones, &c. The dose from half
a dram to a dram.
Dipsacus, sativ. sylv. Teazles, garden
and wild, the leaves bruised and applied to
the temples, allay the heat in fevers, qualifj-
the rage in frenzies ; the juice dropped into
\ the ears, kills worms in them, dropped into
Crossula. Orpine. Very good : out- s the eyes, clears the sight, helps redness and
wardly used with vinegar, it clears the skin; s pimples in the face, being anointed with it.
inwardly taken, it helps gnawings of the ! Ebtilus. Dwarf Elder, or Walwort. Hot
stomach and bowels, ulcers in the lungs, j 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. I being applied to the place, help inflamma-
Crithamus, S^-c. Sampire. Hot and dry, | 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, | sent remedy for the gout ; inwardly talcen,
opens stoppings of the liver and spleen. I is a singular purge for the dropsy and gout.
Galen. \ Echium. Viper's-bugloss, Viper's-herb,
Cucumis Asininus. Wild Cucumbers. See Snake bugloss, Wal-bugloss, Wild-bugloss,
Elaterium. " several counties give it these several names ;
Cyanus major, minor. Blue bottle, great j It is a singular remedy being eaten, for the
and small, a fine cooling herb, helps, I biting of venomous beasts : continually
bruises, wounds, broken veins; the juice ^ eatingof it makesthebodyinvincible against
dropped into the eye, helps the inflamma- | the poison of serpents, toads, spiders, &c.
lions thereof. i however it be administered ; it comforts the
Cygnoglossam. Hound's-Tongue, cold and x 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 lierb 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, Calafragra, Hemiaria, SfC.
Cypressus, Chamoe Cyparissiis. Cypress- \ Rupture-wort, or Burst-wort. The English
tree. The leaves are hot and binding, help \ name tells you it is good against ruptures,
ruptures, 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-
Chama cyparissus. Is Lavender Cotton. \ wardly taken, or outwardly applied to the
Resists poison, and kills worms. \ place, or both. Also the Latin names hold
Disetamnus CretenJs. Dictamny, or Dit- i it forth to be good against the stone, which
tany of Creet, hot and dry, brings away | whoso tries shall find true,
dead children, hastens delivery, brings away | Enula Campana. Elicampane. Provokes
the placenta, the very smell of it drives t urine. See the root,
away venomous beasts, so deadly an enemy j Epithimum. Dodder of Time, to w^ich.-
AND ENGTJSH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 237
add common DocJder, which is usually that | Fragaria. Strawberry leaves, are cold,
which grows upon flax : indeed every Dod- ; dry, and binding, a singular remedy for
der retains a virtue of that herb or plant | inflammations and wounds, hot diseases in
it grows upon, as Dodder that grows upon \ the throat ; they stop fluxes and the terms.
Broom, provokes ui'ine forcibly, and » cool the heat of the stomach, and the in-
loosens the belly, and is moister than that i flammations of the liver. The best way is
which grows upon flax • that which grows \ to boil them in barley water,
upon time, is hotter and dryer than that | Fraxinus, S^c. Ash-trees, the leaves are
which grows upon flax, even in the third \ moderately hot and dry, cure the bitings of
degree, opens obstructions, helps infirmities i Adders, and Serpents ; they stop looseness,
of the spleen, purgeth melancholy, relieves ; 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 j Fumaria. Fumitory : cold and dry, it
in young children, strengthens Aveak \ opens and cleanses by urine, helps such as
stomachs, purgeth choler, provokes urine, | are itchy, and scabbed, clears the skin,
opens stoppings in the reins and bladder. » opens stoppings of the liver and spleen.
That which grows upon nettles, provokes \ helps rickets, hypochondriac melancholy,
urine exceedingly. The way of using it is | 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
Mesne, Actuarius, Serapio, Avincena. \ take this one general rule. All things of a
Eriich. Rocket, hot and dry in the j cleansing or opening nature may he most com-
third degree, being eaten alone, causeth ! inocliously hailed in white wine. Remember
head-ache, by its heat procures urine. Galen. \ but this, and then I need not repeat it.
Siipatorium. 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 5 the falling-sickness, resists the pestilence,
eyes ; inwardly taken, it restores the sight, \ You may take a dram of it at a time in
and makes old men's eyes young, a dram i powder.
of it taken in the morning is Avorth a pair j Galion. Ladies-bed straAv: dry and bind-
of spectacles, it comforts and strengthens \ ing, stanches blood, boiled in oil, the oil is
the memory, outAvardly applied to the > good to anoint a weary traveller ; inwardly
place, it helps the eyes. | it provokes venery
Filix foemina.
Filicula, polypidium. J- See the roots.
Filipendula.
1
Gentiana. See the root.
Geinsta. Brooms : hot and dry in the
second degree, cleanse and open thestomach.
Malahathram. Indian leaf, hot and dry | break the stone in the reins and bladder,
ni the second degree, comforts the stomach \ help the green sickness. Let such as are
exceedingly, helps digestion, provokes \ troubled Avith heart-qualms or faintings.
urine, helps inflammations of the eyes.
secures cloaths from moths. spirit vital. See the floAvers
Fceniculum. Fennel, encreaseth milk in
forbear it, for it Aveakens the heart and
Geranium. Cranebill, the divers sorts of
nurses, provokes urine, breaks the stone, \ it, one of Avhich is that which is called
easeth pains in the reins, opens stoppings, ^ Muscata; it is thought to be cool and dry,
breaks Avind, provokes the menses; you j helps hot swellings, and by its smell amends
may boil it in Avhite Avjne. ja hot brain.
238
THE COxMPLETE HERBAL
Geranium Columbinum. Doves-foot ; heljjs
the wind cholic, pains in the belly, stone in
the reins and bladder, and is good in rup-
tures, and inward wounds. I suppose these
are the general virtues of them all.
Gramen. Grass : See the root.
Gratiola. Hedge-Hyssop, purges water
and flegm, but works very churlishly.
GesTier commends it in dropsies.
Asphodelus fccjn. See the root.
Hepatica, Lichen. Liverwort, cold and
dry, good for inflammations of the liver,
or any other inflammations, yellow jaundice.
Hedera Arborea, Terrostris. Tree and
Ground-Ivy. Tree-Ivy helps ulcers, burn-
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-
pine, is of a drying quality, and therefore
stops defluxions either in the eyes or upon
the lungs, the gout, cramps, palsies, aches :
strengthens the nerves.
Ilerbu Paralysis, Primula veris. Prim-
roses, or Cowslips, which you will. The
leaves help pains in the head and joints ;
see the flowers which are most in use.
Herba Paris. Herb True-love, or One-
berry. It is good for wounds, falls, bruises,
aposthumes, inflammations, ulcers in the
privities. Herb True-love, is very cold in
temperature. You may take half a dram
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
I milk in nurses, and outwardly by ointment
*, helps leprosies.
J Herniaria. The same with Empetron.
\ Helrine. Pellitory of the wall. Cold,
j moist, cleansing, helps the stone and gravel
in the kidnies, difficulty of urine, sore
throats, pains in the ears, the juice being
dropped in them ; outwardly it helps the
I shingles and St. Anthony sjire.
I Hyppoglossum. Horse-tongue, Tongue-
: blade or Double-Tongue. The roots help
; the stranguary, provoke urine, ease the
I hard labour of women, provoke the menses,
I the herb helps ruptures and the fits of the
\ mother : it is hot in the second degree, dry
in the first : boil it in white wine.
Hyppolapathum. Patience, or Monk's
Rhubarb : see the Root.
Hypposclinum. Alexanders, or Alisan-
; ders : provoke urine, expel the placenta,
help the stranguary, expel wind.
Sage either taken iuAvardly or beaten and
applied plaister-wise to the matrix, draws
forth both menses and placenta.
Horminum. 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
helps women that are barren through cold-
: ness or moisture, or both : causes fruitful-
ness, but is hurtful for the memory. The
usual way of taking it is to fry it with but-
: ter, or make a tansy with it.
Hydropiper. Arsmart. Hot and dry,
consumes all coJd swellings and blood con-
gealed by bruises, and stripes; apphed to
the place, it helps that aposthume in the
I joints, commonly called a felon : strewed
I in a chamber, kills all the fleas there : this
I is hottest Arsmart, and is unfit to be given
' inwardly : there is a milder sort, called
Persicaria, which is of a cooler and milder
quality, drying, excellently good for putri-
ned ulcers, kills worms : I had almost for-
got that the former is an admirable remedy
for the gout, being roasted between two
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
230
tiles and applied to the grieved place, and
yet 1 had it from Dr. Butler too.
Hysopus. Hysop. Helps coughs, short-
ness of breath, wheezing, distillations upon
the lungs: it is of a cleansing quality : kills
worms in the body, amends the Avhole
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
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 to
the Avound : it is hot and dry, opens stopp-
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-
tion.
Hypoglottis^ Laurus, Alexandrina. Laurel
of Alexandria, provokes urine and the
menses, and is held to be a singular help to
women in travail.
Hypoglossum, the same with Hypoglossum
before, only different names given by dif-
ferent authors, the one deriving his name
from the tongue of a horse, of which form
the leaf is ; the other the form of the little
leaf, because small leaves like small tongues
grow upon the greater.
Iberis Cardamantice. Sciatica -cresses.
T suppose so called because they help the
Sciatica, or Huckle-bone Gout.
Ingunialis., Asther. Setwort or Shart-
wort: being bruised and applied, they help
swellings, botches, and venerous swellings
in the groin, whence they took their name,
; as also inflammation and falling out of the
X fundament.
I J/75. See the roots.
I 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 Cayncepytis,
Iimcus oderatm. The same with Schce-
7xanth.us.
Lahrum veneris. The same with Dipsacus.
Lactuca. Lettice. Cold and moist, cools
I the inflammation of the stomach, commonly
\ called heart-burning: provokes sleep, resists
I drunkenness, and takes away the ill effects,
I of it; cools the blood, quenches thirst, breeds
I milk, and is good for choleric bodies, and
I such as have a frenzy, or are frantic. It is
I more wholesome eaten boiled than raw.
j Logabus, Herba Leporina. A kind of
[Trefoil growing in Fraiice and Spain. liCt
j them that live there look after the virtues
of it.
Lavendida. Lavender : Hot and dry in
the third degree : the temples and forehead
bathed with the juice of it; as also the smell
I of the herb helps swoonings, catalepsis,
I falling-sickness, provided it be not accom-
I panied with a fever. See the flowers.
I Laureola. Laurel. The leaves purge
I upward and downward : they are good for
I rheumatic people to chew in their mouths,
f for they draw forth much water,
j Law'iis. Bay-tree. The leaves are hot
land dry, resist drunkenness, they gently
I bind and help diseases in the bladder, help
I the stinging of bees and wasps, mitigate
« the pain of the stomach, dry and heal,
I open obstructions of the liver and spleen,
I resist the pestilence.
I Lappa Minor. The lesser Burdock,
i Lentiscus. Mastich-tree. Both the leaves
I and bark of it stop fluxes (being hot and
I dry in the second degree) spitting and
I evacuations of blood, and the falling out
^ of the fundament.
3q
240 THE COMPLETE PIERBAL
Lens palustris. Duckmeat : Cold and | provoke urine , the young sprouts open
moist in the second degree, helps inflamina- ; stoppings of the Hver and spleen, cleanse
tions, hot swellings, and the falling out of I the blood, clear the skin, help scabs and
the fundament, being Avarmed and applied J itch, help agues, purge choler: they are
to the place. \ usually boiledandtakenastheyeatasparagus,
Lcpidium Piperites. Dittander, Pepper- \ but if you would keep them, for they are
wort, or Scar-wort : A hot fiery sharp herb, j excellent for these diseases, you may make
admirable for the gout being applied to the i them into a conserve, or into a syrup,
place : being only held in the hand, it helps j Lychnitis Coronaria : or as others write
the tooth-ache, and withall leaves a wan jit. Lychnis. Rose Campion. I know no
colour in the hand that holds it. | great physical virtue it hath.
Livisticum. Lovage. Clears the sight, ! Macis. See the barks,
takes away redness and freckles from the ? Magistrantia. SfC. Masterwort. Hot and
face. 1 dry in the third degree : it is good against
Libanotis Coronaria, See Rosemary. ; poison, pestilence, corrupt and unwhole-
Linaria. Toad-flax, or Wild-flax: hot I 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 \ profitable in falls and bruises, congealed
liver and spleen, and helps diseases coming j 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. i brain of superfluous humours, thereby pre-
lAllium convallium. Lilly of the Valley. 5 venting lethargies, and apoplexes.
See the flowers. 5 Malva. Mallows. The best of Authors
Lingua Cervina. Hart's-tongue : drying ' account wild Mallows to be best, and hold
and binding, stops blood, the menses and | them to be cold and moist in the first degree,
fluxes, opens stoppings of the liver and ( they are profitable in the bitings of venom-
spleen, and diseases thence arising. The I ous beasts, the stinging of bees and wasps,
like quantity of Hart's-tongue, Knotgrass j &c. Inwardly they resist poison, provoke
and Comfrqy Roots, being boiled in water, 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 clysters they help roughness and fretting of
boiled applied to the place, is a notable
the entrails, bladder, or fundament ; and so
remedy ibr such as are bursten. they do being boiled in water, and the
Limonium. Sea-bugloss, or Marsh-bug- ; decoction drank, as I have proved in the
loss, or Sea-Lavender; the seeds being very ; bloody flux.
drying and binding, slop fluxes and the : Majorana. See Amaraeus.
menses, help the cholic and stranguary. \ Mandragora. Mandrakes. Fit for no
Lotus urhana. Authors make some flutter j vulgar use, but only to be used in cooling
about this herb, I conceive the best take it J ointments.
to be Trisolium Odoratum, Sweet Trefoyl,| Marruhium, album, nigrum, fxtidum.
which is of a temperate nature, cleanses* Marrubium album, '\&com\\\onHovQ\\o\\x\d.
the eyes gently of such things as hinder the 5 Hot in the second degree, and dry in the
sight, cures green wounds, ruptures, or | 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, | the lungs, it provokes tlie menses, eases
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
241
hard labour in child-bearing, brings away
the placenta. Sfee the syrups.
Marrubium, nigrum, et fcetidum. Black
and stinking Horehouud, I take to be all
one. Hot and dry in the third degree ;
cures the bitings of mad dogs, wastes and
consumes hard knots in the fundament and
matrix, cleanses filthy ulcers.
Marum. Herb Mastich. Hot and dry
in the third degree, good against cramps
and convulsions.
Matricaria. Feverfew. Hot in the third
degree, dry in the second ; opens, purges ;
a singular remedy for diseases incident to
the matrix, and other diseases incident to
women, eases their travail, and infirmities
coming after it ; it helps the vertigo or dis-
siness of the head, melancholy sad thoughts :
you may boil it either alone, or with other
herbs fit for the same purpose, with which
this treatise will furnish you : apphed to
the wrists, it helps the ague.
Matrisylva. The same with Caprifolium.
Meliotus. Melilot. Inwardly taken, pro-
vokes urine, breaks the Stone, cleanses the
reins and bladder, cuttetti 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
hold their neck as they should do; inwardly
it is an excellent remedy for a cold and
moist stomach, cheers the heart, refreshes
the mind, takes away griefs, sorrow, and
care, instead of which it produces joy and
mirth. See the syrup. Galen, Avicenna.
Mentha sativa. Garden Mints, Spear
Mints. Are hot and dry in the third degree,
provoke hunger, are wholesome for the
j 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 aquaiica. Water Mints : Ease
\ pains of the belly, head-ache, and vomiting,
I gravel in the kidnies and stone.
I Methastrum. Horse-mint. I know no
j difference between them and water mints,
j Mercurialis, mas,fcemina. Mercury male
} and female, they are both hot and dry in
i the second degree, cleansing, digesting, they
I purge watery humours, and further concep-
Ition.
I Mezereon. Spruge-Olive, or Widdow-
\ wail. A dangerous purge, better let alone
[than meddled with.
I Millefolium. Yarrow. Meanly cold and
[bindingj an healing herb for wounds,
i stanches bleeding ; and some say the juice
I snuffed up the nose, causeth it to bleed,
{Whence it was called. Nose-bleed; it
j stops lasks, and the menses, helps the
j running of the reins, helps inflammations
land excoriations of the priapus, as also
I inflammations of wounds. Galen.
\ Mmcus. 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
j 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
• blood ; stop the Fluor Albus and menses.
; Nardus. See the root.
I Nasturtium, Aqiiaticum, Hortense. Water
\ cresses, and Garden-cresses. Garden-
I cresses are hot and dry in the fourth degree,
} good for thes curvy, sciatica, hard swellings,
j yet do they trouble the belly, ease pains o
< the spleen, provoke lust. Dioscorides. Water-
I cresses are hot and dry, cleanse the bloodi
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- 1 drink, by only chewing a little of tJiis in
iiess, cause a fresh lively colour. I their mouths : It eases the body o*^ super-
Nasturtium Alhum, Thlaspie. Treacle- 1 fluous humours, opens stoppings See the
mustard. Hot and dry in the third degree, i ointment of Tobacco.
purges violently, dangerous for pregnant! Nummularia. Money-wort, or Herb
women. Outwardly it is applied with profit j Two-pence; cold, dry, binding, helps fluxes,
to the gout. I stops the menses, helps ulcers in the lungs ;
Nicoiimi. Tobacco. It is hot and dry s 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 ' Ocyjium. Basil, hot and moist. The l)est
the head, are excellently good in inveterate | use that I know of it, is, it gives speedy
head-aches and megrims, if the diseases | 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 | 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 \ Oka; folia. Olive leaves : they are iiard
lappets of the lungs : eases the pains of the I to come by here.
stomach and windiness thereof: being heated J 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- \ 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, j wounds.
being applied to the belly and sides: applied I Origanum. Origany: a kind of wild
to the navel, they give present ease to the > Marjoram ; hot and dry in the third degree,
fits of the mother : they take away cold I helps the bi tings of venomous beasts, such
aches in the joints applied to them : boiled, i 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 better; 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- 1 Parietaria. Given once before under the
soned weapons, and for this Clusius brings ? name of Hekine.
many experiences too tedious here to relate. | Pastimea. Parsnips. See the roots.
It is an admirable thing ibr carbuncles and | Persicaria. See Hydropiper. This is the
plague-sores, inferior to none: green wounds | milder sort of Arsmart 1 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 dryings
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- 1 (whence comes hoarsness and coughs, &c.)
vokes to stool : he saith, the Indians will I helps fluxes, creeping ulcers, and the yellow
I
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 243
jaundice ; they say one leaf cures a quoti- | helps all inward inflammations whatsoever,
dian ague, three a lertain, and four a ; Foninn. Leeks. See the roots,
quartan. I know it will cure agues without | Primula Veris. See Cowslips, or the
this curiosity, if a Avise man have the hand- | Flowers, Avhich you will,
ling of it ; otherwise a cart load will not < Frunella. Self-heal, Carpenter's-herb,
do it. ; and Sicklewort. Moderately hot and dry,
Fetroseiinum. Parsley. See Smallage. ; binding. See Bugle, the virtues being the
Ter Columbinus. See Geranium. \ same.
Persicanum folia. Peach Leaves : they = Pulegium. Pennyroyal; hot and dry in
are "a gentle, yet a complete purger ofuhe third degree; provokes urine, breaks
choler, and disease coming from thence ; | the stone in the reins, strengthens Avomen's
fit for children because of their gentleness. ; backs, provokes the menses, easeth their
You may boil them in white wine: a hand- \ labour in child-bed, brings away the pla-
full is enough at a time. j centa, stays vomiting, strengthens the brain,
Pilosella. Mouse-ear : once before and x breaks wi-nd, and lielps the vertigo,
this is often enough. ; Pulmonaria, arborea, et Symphyhnn macu~
Pithyusa. A new name for Spurge oVxlosum. Lung- wort. It helps infirmities of
the last Edition. | the lungs, as hoarsness, coughs, wheezing,
Plantago. Plantain. Cold and dry ; an j 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
coriations of the entrails, bloody fluxes, it | third degree, helps the biting of venomous
stops the menses, and spitting of blood, \ beasts, wounds and swellings, the j^ellow
phthisicks, or consumptions of the lungs, i jaundice, the falling sickness, and such as
the running of the reins, and the Fluor ; cannot make water; being burnt, the smoak
Albus, pains in the head, and frenzies: out- j 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 j women.
all spreading sores, and is as wholesome an ; Pyrus sylvestris. Wild Pear-tree. I
herb as can grow about any an house. | know no virtue in the leaves.
Tragus, Dioscoricles. i Pyrola. Winter-green. Cold and dry,
Polvum, SfC. Policy, or Pellamountain : | 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- | wounds.
low jaundice, infirmities of the spleen, and \ Quercus folia. Oak Leaves : Are much
provokes urine. Dioscorides. \ of (he nature of the former, stay the Fluor
Polygonum. Knotgrass. \ Albus. See the bark.
Polytricum. Maidenhair. . \ Ranunculus. Hath got a sort of English
Portulaca. Purslain: Cold and moist j Names : Crowfoot, King-kob, Gold-cups,
in the second or third degree : cools hot : Gold-knobs, Butter-flowers, &c. they are
stomachs, and it is admirable for one that of a notable hot quality, unfit to be taken
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
diseases, or inflammations in any of these
them to a plague-sore, they are notable
things to draw the venom to them.
places, stops fluxes, and the menses, and j Raparum folia. If they demean Turnip
3 B
244
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
leaves, when they are young and tender,;
they are held to jjrovoke urine. |
Jiosmarirum. Rosemary, hot and dry in I
the second degree, binding, stops fluxes, "
helps stuffings in the head, the yellow jaun- |
dice, helps the memory, expels wind. See |
the flowers. Seropio, Dioscortdes. \
Kosa solis. See the water. ;
Rosa alba, j'libra, Damascena. White, 1
Red, and Damask Roses. x
Rumex. Dock ; All the ordinary sort of j"
Docks are of a cool and drying substance, |
and therefore stop fluxes ; and the leaves
are seldom used in physic.
Rtibus Idaeus: Raspis, Raspberries, or
Hind-berries : I know no great virtues in
the leaves.
Ruta. Rue, or Herb of Grace ; hot and
dry in the third degree, consumes the seed,
and is an enemy to generation, helps dif-
ficulty of breathing, and inflammations of
the lungs, pains in the sides, inflammations
of the priapus and matrix, naught for preg-
nant women: no herb resists poison more, j
It strengthens the heart exceedingly, and \
no herb better than this in pestilential |
tmies, take it what manner you will or can. \
Ruta Muraria. See Adianthum. \
Sab'ma, Savin: hot and dry in the third |
degree, potently provokes the menses,expels \
both birth and afterbirth, they (boiled in '
oil and used in ointments) stay creepmg
ulcers, scour away spots, freckles «nd sun-
burning from the face ; tlie belly anointed
with It kills worms in children. \
Salvia. Sage: hot and dry in the second \
or third degree, binding, it stays abortion ;
in such women as are subject to come before \
their times, it causes fruitfulness, it is sin-|
gularly good for the brain, strengthens the \
senses and memory, helps spitting and!
vomiting of blood : outwardly, heat hot |
with a little vinegar and applied to the side, |
helps stitches and pains in the sides. |
Salir. Willow leaves, are cold, dry, and j
binding, stop spitting of blood, and fluxes; \
the boughs stuck about a chamber, wonder-
fully cool the air, and refresh such as have"
fevers ; the leaves applied to the head,
help hot diseases there, and frenzies
Sampsucum. Marj oram .
Simicula. Sanicle; hot and dry in the
second degree, cleanses wounds and ulcers.
Saponaria. Sope-wort, or Bruise-wort,
vulgarly used in bruises and cut fingers,
and is of notable use in the veneral disease.
Satureia. Savory. Summer savory is
hot and dry in the third degree, Winter
savory is not so hot, both of them expel
wind.
Sazifragia alba. White Saxifrage, breaks
wind, helps the cholic and stone.
Scabiosa. Scabious : hot and dry in the
second degree, cleanses the breast and lungs,
helps old rotten coughs, and difficidty of
breathing, provokes urine, and cleanses the
bladder of filthy stuft", breaks aposthumes,
and cures scabs and itch. Boil it in white
wine.
Scariola. An Italian name for Succory.
SchKnantkus. Schoenanth, Squinanth,
or Chamel's hay ; hot and binding. It
digests and opens the passages of the veins:
surely it is as great an expeller of wind as
any is.
Scordium. Water-Germander, hot and
dry, cleanses ulcers in the inward parts, it '
provokes urine and the menses, opens
stopping of the liver, spleen, reins, bladder,
and matrix, it is a great counter poison, and
eases the breast oppressed with flegm : see
Diascordium.
Scrophidaria. Figwort, so called of
Scrophula^ the King's Evil, which it cures
they say, by being only hung about the
neck. If not, bruise it, and apply it to
the place, it helps the piles or hemorrhoids.
Sedurn. And all his sorts : see Barba
Jovis.
Senna. It heats in the second degree
and dries in the first, cleanses, purges, and
digests ; it carries downward both choler,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
240
flegm, and melancholy, it cleanses the!
brain, heart, liver, spleen ; it cheers the ;
senses, opens obstructions, takes away dul- 1
ness of" sight, helps deafness, helps mclan- |
choly and madness, resists resolution of the i
nerves, pains of the head, scabs, itch, fall- <
ing-sickncss, the windiness of it is corrected I
with a little ginger. You may boil half an |
ounce of it at a time, in waler or white \
wine, but boil it not too much ; half an i
ounce is a moderate dose to be boiled for j
any reasonable body. \
Serpillum. Mother-of-Time, Avith Time ; 5
It is hot and dry in the third degree, it pro- 1
v'okes the menses, and helps the stranguary |
or stoppage of urine, gripings in the Tjelly, ;
ruptures, convulsions, inllammation of the \
liver, lethargy, and infirmities of the spleen, \
boil it in white wine. JEtim, Galen. \
Sigilluni Solomoms. Solomon's scah See
the root.
Smyrnium. Alexander of Crete.
Solanum. Night-shade : very cold and
dry, binding ; it is somewhat dangerous
given inwardly, unless by a skilful hand ;
outwardly it helps the Shingles, 5'^. Anthony s
fire, and other hot inflammations.
Soldanella. Bindweed, hot and dry in
the second degree, it opens obstructions of
the liver, and purges watery humours, and
is therefore verj^ profitable in dropsies, it is
very hurtful to the stomach, and therefore
if taken inwardly it had need be well cor-
rected with cinnamon, ginger, or annis-
seed, &c.
Sonchiis levis Asper. Sow-thistles smooth
and rough, they are of a cold, watery, yet
binding quality, good for frenzies, they
increase milk in nurses, and cause the chil-
dren which they nurse to have a good
colour, help gnawings of the stomach
coming of a hot cause; outwardly they
help inflammations, and hot swellings, cool
the heat of the fundament and privities.
Soplii Cliirurgonim. Fluxweed : drying
without any manifest heat or coldness ; it is
usually found about old ruinous buildings :
it is so called because of its virtue "in
stopping fluxes.
Shinachia. Spinage. I never read any
physical virtues of it.
Spina Alba. See the root.
Spica. See Narclus.
Stabe. Silver Knapweed : The virtues
be the same with Scabious, and some think
the herbs too ; though I am of another
opinion.
Stadias. French Lavender. Cassidony,
is a great counterpoison, opens obstructions
of the liver and spleen, cleanses the matrix
and bladder, brings out corrupt humours,
provokes urine.
Succisa, Marsus DiaboU. Devil's-bit.
Hot and dry in the second degree: inwardly
taken, it eases the fits of the mother, and
breaks wind, takes away swellings in the
mouth, and slimy flegm that stick to the
jaws, neither is there a more present remedy
in the world for those cold swellings in
the neck which the vulgar call the almonds
of the ears, than this herb bruised and
applied to them.
Suchaha. An Egyptian Thorn. Very
hard, if not impossible to come by here.
Tanacetum. Tansy : hot in the second
degree and dry in the third ; the very smell
of it stays abortion, or miscarriages in
women ; so it doth being bruised and ap-
plied to their navels, provokes urine, and
is a special help against the gout.
Taraxacon. Dandelion, or to write better
French, Dent-de-lion, for in plain English,
it is called lyon's tooth ; it is a kind of Suc-
cory, and thither I refer you.
Tamariscus. Tamiris. It hath a dry
cleansing quality, and hath a notable virtue
against the rickets, and infirmities of the
spleen, provokes the menses. Galen, Dws-
corides.
Telephium. A kind of Opine.
Thlaspi. See Nastiiritmn.
Thymbra. A wild Savory.
246
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Thymum. Thyme. Hot and dry in the
third degree; helps coughs and sliortness of
breath, provokes the menses, brings away
dead children and the after birth ; purges
tlegm, cleanses the breast and lungs, reins
and matrix ; helps the sciatica, pains in
the breast, expels wind in any part of the
body, resists fearfulness and melancholy,
continual pains in the head, and is profita-
ble for such as have the falling-sickness to
smell to.
Thymcelea. The Greek name for Spurge-
Olive : Mezereon being the Arabick name.
Tithymallus, Esiila, SfC. Spurge. Hot
and dry in the fourth degree : a dogged
purge, better let alone than taken inwardly:
hair anointed with the juice of it will fall
oft": it kills fish, being mixed with any
thing that they will eat : outwardly it
cleanses ulcers, takes away freckles, sun-
burning and morphew from the face.
Tormentilla. See the root.
Trinitaiis herba. Pansies, or Heart's-
ease : They are cold and moist, both herbs
and flowers, excellent against inflammations
of the breast or lungs, convulsions or fall-
ing-sickness, also they are held to be good
for venereal complaints.
Trifolium. Trefoil : dry in the third
degree, and cold : The ordinary Meadow
Trefoil, cleanses the bowelsof slimy humours
that stick to them, being used either in
drinks or clysters; outwardly they take
away inflammations.
Tussilago. Colt's-foot : something cold
and dry, and therefore good for inflamma-
tions, they are admirably good for coughs,
and consumptions of the lungs, shortness
of breath, &c. It is often used and with
good success taken in a tobacco-pipe, being
cut and mixed with a little oil of annis
seeds. See the Syrup of Colt's-foot.
Valeriana. Valerian, or Setwall. See
the roots.
Verbasciim, Thapsiis Barbatiis. Mull in,
or Higtaper, It is something dry, and of
a digesting, cleansing quality, stops fluxes
and the hemorrhoids, it cures hoarseness,
the cough, and such as are broken winded
Verbena. Vervain: hot and dry, a great
opener, cleanser, healer, it helps the yelloAv
jaundice, defects in the reins and bladder,
pains in the head ; if it be but bruised and
hung about the neck, all diseases in the
privities ; made into an ointment it is a
sovereign remedy for old head-aches, as
also frenzies, it clears the skin, and causes
a lovely colour.
Voronica. See Betonica Fault.
Violaria. Violet Leaves : they are cool,
ease pains in the head proceeding of heat
and frenzies, either inwardly taken, or out-
wardly applied ; heat of the stomach, or in-
flammation of the lungs.
Vitis Vinise7'ia. The manured Vine: the
leaves are binding and cool withal ; the
burnt ashes of the sticks of a vine, scour
the teeth and make them as white as snow ;
the leaves stop bleeding, fluxes, heart-
burnings, vomitings ; as also the longings
of pregnant women. The coals of a burnt
Vine, in powder, mixed with honey, doth
make the teeth as white as ivory, which are
rubbed with it.
Vincitoxicum. Swallow-wort. A pultis
made with the leaves helps sore breasts, and
also soreness of the matrix.
Virga Pastoris. A third name for Tea-
zles. See Dipsatus.
Virga Aiirea. See Consolida.
Ulmaria. See the root. Meadsweet.
Umbslicus Veneris. Navil-wort : Cold,
dry, and binding, therefore helps all in-
flammations ; they are very good for kibed
heels, being bathed with it and a leaf laid
over the sore.
Urtica. Nettles : an herb so well known,
that you may find them by the feeling in
the darkest night : they are something hot,
not very hot ; the juice stops bleeding ;
they provoke lust, help difficulty of breath-
ing, pleurisies, inflammations of the lungs,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
247
that troublesome cough that wouien call
the Chincough ; they exceedingly break
the stone, provoke urine, and help such as
cannot hold their necks upright. Boil
them in white Avine.
Usnea. Moss ; once before.
FLOWERS.
Borage, and Bugloss flowers strengthen
the brain, and are profitable in fevers.
Chamomel flowers, heat and assuage
swellings, inflammation of the bowels, dis-
solve wind, are profitably given in clysters
or drink, to such as are troubled with the
cholic, or stone.
StcEchea, opens stoppings in the bowels,
and strengthens the Avhole body.
Saffroii powerfully concocts, and sends
out whatever humour ofl:'ends the body,
drives back inflammations ; applied outward-
ly, encreases venery, and provokes urine.
Clove-Gilliflowers^ resist the pestilence,
sU'engthen the heart, liver, and stomach, and
j)rovoke venery.
Schcenanth (which I touched slightly
amongst the herbs) provokes urine potently,
provokes the menses, breaks wind, helps
such as spit or vomit blood, eases pains oi'
the stomach, reins, and spleen, helps drop-
sies, convulsions, and inflammations of the
womb.
Lavender-Jlowers, resist all cold afflic-
tions of the brain, convulsions, falling-sick-
ness, they strengthen cold stomachs, and
open obstructions of the liver, they provoke
urine and the menses, bring forth the birth
and placenta.
Hops, open stoppings of the bowels,
and for that cause beer is better than ale.
Balm-jlowers, cheer the heart and vital
spirits, strengthen the stomach.
Hosemary-jiowers, strengthen the brain
exceedingly, and resist madness ; clear the
sight.
j Winter-GUlijiouers, or Wall-flowers, help
'inflammation of the womb, provoke the
I menses, and help ulcers in the mouth.
I Honeysuckles, provoke urine, ease the
; pains of the spleen, and such as can hardly
j 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
so many compositions of them which makes
me more brief in the simples.
Violets, (to wit, the blue ones,) cool and
moisten, provoke sleep, loosen the belly,
resist fevers, hel}) 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, plinisies, open stoppings
of the fiver, and help the yellow jaundice.
Cliicon/, (or Succory as the vulgar call
it) cools and slrenglhcns the liver, so doth
Endive.
lyatev lilies ease j)ains of the head com-
ing of choler nnd heal, jorovoke sleep, cool
inriamnialions, and the heat in fevers.
Foinegraiialc-Jlouers, dry and bind, stop
fluxes, and the menses.
Cowslips, strengthen the brain, sense*,
and memory,' c.\ceedingly, resist all dis-
eases ihere, as convulsions, Iklling-sickness,
palsies, &c.
Ccntaun/, purgescholerand grosshumours
helps the yellow jaundice, opens obstruc-
tions of the liver, helps pains of the spleen,
provokes the menses, brings away birth
I and afterbirth.
I Elder fiowcrs, help dropsies, cleanse the
I blood, clear the skin, open stoppings of the
I liver and spleen, and diseases arising there-
I from.
Bean-flowers, clear the skin, stop humours
flowing into the eyes
Peach-tree flowers, purge choler gently
Broam-flowers, purge water, and are gw)d
I in dropsies.
3 s
2 to
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
The temperature of all these differ either | Cloves, help digestion, stop looseness, pro-
very little or not at all from the herbs. I 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 areicholic, quickens digestion oppressed with
usually made into conserves, of which 3^ou \ cold, heats the stomach,
may take the quantity of a nutmeg in the | Quinces. See the Compositions,
morning; all of them may be kept dry ai Pears are grateful to the stomach, dry-
year, and boiled Avith other herbs conducing | ing, and therefore help fluxes.
to the cures they do. | All plums that are sharp or sour, are
I binding, the sweet are loosening.
^^^^^^^ I Cvciimbers, cool the stomach, and are
FRUITS AND THEIR BUDS. U^o^ ^g^^"'^ ulcers in the bladder
\ Galls, are exceedmg bmdmg, help ulcers
Grcm JVgs, are held to be of ill juice, but I in the mouth, wasting of the gums, ease
the best is, we are not much troubled with* the pains of the teeth, help the falling out
them in England; dry figs help coughs, « of the womb and fundament, make the
cleanse the breast, and help infirmities of the 5 hair black.
Iimgs, shortness of wind, they loose thej Pompions are a cold and moist fruit, of
belly, purge the reins, help inflammations I small nourishment, they provoke urine,
of the liver and spleen ; outwardly they dis- \ outwardly applied ; the flesh of them helps
solve swellmgs. I inflammations and burnings; applied to the
Pine-nuts, restore such as are in con- 5 forehead they help inflammations of theeyes.
sumptions, amend the failings of the lungs, Melons, have few other virtues,
concoct flegm, and yot are naught for such Apricots^) are very grateful to the stomach,
as are troubled Avith the head-ache. x 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 j Cuhehs, are hot and dry-in the third de-
for weak stomachs, for they soon digest, and i gree, they expel Avind, and cleanse the
breed good nourishment, they help infir-jstomachof tough and viscous humours, they
mities of the reins, bladder^ and Avomb. lease the pains of the spleen, and help cold
Sebestejis, cool choler, violent heat of the J diseases of the Avomb, they cleanse the head
stomach, help roughness of the tongue and ' of flegm and strengthen the brain, they heat
wind-pipe, cool the reins and bladder. i the stomach and provoke venery.
Paisins of the Sun, help infirmities of thei Bitter ^Imonds^ 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. | thick humours, cleanse the lungs, and eaten
W'ff/m/^s, kill Avorms, resist the pestilence, | every morning, they are held to preserve
(I mean the green ones, not the dry.) j from drunkenness.
Copers eaten before meals, provoke hun- 1 Bay-herries, heat, expel Avind, mitigate
gcr. I pain ; are excellent for cold infirmities of
Nutmegs^ strengthen the brain, stomach, 5 the Avomb, and dropsies,
and liver, provoke urine, ease the pains ofj C^em'e.s. are of different qualities accord-
the spleen, stop looseness, ease pains of the | ing to their different taste, the sweet are
head, and pains in the joints, strengthen the'; quickest of digestion, but tliC sour are more
body, take away Aveakncss coming of cold.'l pleasing to a hot stomach, and procure
and cause a SAveet breath. J appetite to one's meat.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
249
would not ask how it should take them.
Me(^/ors,are strengthening to the stomach, I confident a child of three years old, it' you
binding, and the green are more binding! should give it Raisins of the sun or Cherries,
than the rotten, and the dry than the green.
Olives, cool and bind.
English-currants, cool the stomach, and
are profitable in acute fevers, they quench
thirst, resist vomiting, cool the heat of
SEEDS OR GRAINS.
\
choler, provoke appetite, and are good for j Coriander seed, hot and dry, expels wind,
hot complexions. | but is hurtful to the head ; sends up un-
Services, or Checkers are of the nature of I wholesome vapours to the brain, dangerous
Medlars, but something weaker in opera- 1 for mad people,
tion. I Fenugreek seeds, are of a softening, dis-
Barbcrries, (quench thirst, cool the heat | cussing nature, they cease iniiammations,
of choler, resist the pestilence, stay vomiting I be they internal or external: bruised and
and fluxes, stop the menses, kill worms, j mixed with vinegar they ease the pains of
help spitting of blood, fasten the teeth, and ! the spleen : being applied to tie sides,
strengthen the gums. \ help hardness and swellings of the matrix,
Si^rflts^^emes, cool the stomach, liver, and I being boiled, the decoction helps scabb};
blood, but are very hurtfulfor such as have! heads,
agues. } Lin-seed hath the same virtues with Fenu-
Winter-Cherries, potently provoke urine, I greek,
and break the stone. t Gromuell seed, provokes urine, helps the
Cassia-Jistula, is temperate in quality, | cholic, breaks the stone, and expels wind,
gently purgeth choler and flegm, clarifies Boil them in white Avine ; but bruise them
the blood, resists fevers, cleanses the breast \ first.
and lungs, it cools the reins, and thereby \ Lupines, ease the pains of the spleen,
resists the breeding of the stone, it provokes | kill worms and cast them out : outwardly,
urine, and therefore is exceeding good for j they cleanse filthy ulcers, and gangrenes,
the running of the reins in men, and the? help scabs, itch, and inflammations.
Fluor Albus in women. | Dill seed, encreases milk in nurses, expels
All the sorts or Myrohalans, purge the i wind, stays vomitings, provokes urine ; yet
stomach; the Indian Myrobalans, are held | it dulls the sight, and is an enemy to gene-
to purge melancholy most especially, the | ration.
other flegm ; yet take heed you use them j S?nallage seed, provokes urine and the
not in stoppings of the bowels : they are? menses, expels wind, resists poison, and
cold and dry, they all strengthen the heart, | eases inward pains, it opens stoppings in
brain, and sinews, strengthen the stomach, ? 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. } pregnant women.
Prunes, are cooling and loosening. | Rocket seed, provokes urine, stirs up lust.
Tamarinds, are cold and dry in the second \ encreases seed, kills worms, eases pains of
degree, they purge choler, cool the blood, | the spleen. Use all these in like manner,
stay vomiting, help the yellow jaundice,! Basd seed: If Ave may believe Diosco
quench thirst, cool hot stomachs, and hot I rides and Crescentius, cheers the heart, and
livers. | strengthens a moist stomach, drives aAvay
I omit the use of these also as resting ^ melancholy, and provokes urine.
250
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Ndtle seed, provokes vcnery, opens stop-
pages of the womb, helps inflammations of
of the sides and lungs ; purgeth the breast:
boil them (being bruised) in white wine
also.
The seeds of Amnii, or Bishop' s-weed,
heat and dry, help difficulty of urine, and
the pains of the cholic, the bitings of venom- 1
ous beasts ; they provoke the menses, and '
purge the womb.
^iinis seeds, heat and dry, ease pain, ex-
pel Avind, cause a sweet breath, help the I
dropsy, resist poison, breed milk, and stop |
the Fluor Albus in women, provoke venery, \
and ease the head -ache. s
Cardatnoms, 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
blood, expel wind, ease pain, help the
bitmgs of venomous beast : outwardly ap- \
plied (viz. in Plaisters) they are of a dis- '
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,
Stavesacre, kills lice in the head, I hold it :
not fitting to be given inwardly.
Olibamim mixed with as much Barrow's ■
Grease (beat the Olibanum first in powder)
and boiled together, make an ointment'
which Avill kill the lice in children's heads,
and such as are subject to breed them, will i
never breed them. A Medicine cheap,
safe, and sure, which breeds no annoyance
to the brain.
The seeds of Water-cresses^ heat, yet trou-
ble the stomach and belly ; ease the pains
of the spleen, are very dangerous for
pregnant women, yet they provoke lust-
outAVardly 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 : the head
being shaved and anointed with Mustard,
is a good remedy for the lethargy, it helps
filthy ulcers, and hard swellings in the
mouth, it helps old aches coming of cold.
French Barley, is cooling, nourishing, and
breeds milk
Sorrel seeds, potently resist poison, help
fluxes, and such stomachs as loath their
meat.
Succory seed, cools the heat of the blood,
extinguishes lust, opens stoppings of the
liver and bowels, it allays the heat of the
body, and produces a good colour, it
strengthens the stomach, liver, and reins.
Poppy seeds, ease pain, provoke sleep.
Your best way is* to make an emulsion of
them with barley water.
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.
Rue seeds, helps such as cannot hold
their water.
Lettice seed, cools the blood, restrains
venery.
Also Gourds^ Citnds, Cucumbers, Melons,
Purslain, 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.
Wormse^d, expels wind, kills worms.
Ash-tree Keys, ease pains in the sides,
help the dropsy, relieve men wear/ with
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED
251
labour, provoke vcnery, and make the body ; name you please, is a desperate purge, hurt-
lean. ' I ful to the body by reason of its heat, windi-
Piojjy seeds, help the Ephialtcs, or the j ness, corroding, or gnawing, and violence
disease the vulgar call the INIare, as also the : of working. I would advise my countrymen
fils of the mother, and other such like in- 1 to let it alone; it will gnaw their bodies as
tirmities of the womb, stop the menses, and \ fast as doctors gnaw their purses,
help convulsions. \ Opopanax, is of a heating, molifying :
Broom seed, potently provoke urine, \ digesting quality,
break the stone. ? Gum Elemi, is exceeding good for frac-
Citron seeds, strengthen the heart, cheer I tures of the skull, as also in wounds, and
the vital spirit, resist pestilence and poison, j therefore is put in plaisters for that end.
j See Arceus his Liniment.
'^^^^^ 1 Tragacanthum^ commonly called Gum
TEARS, LIQUORS, AND roZINS. i ^^^S^"*^' ^"'^ ,^r.-^'?g«"' ^^'P^ T^^^'
' ^ ' > hoarseness, and distillations on the lungs.
Laudanum^ is of a heating, mollifying; BflelUum, 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 sincAvs.
in the ears, and hardness of the womb. It I Galbanum. Hot and dry, discussing ;
is used only outwardly in plaisters. | applied to the womb, it hastens both birth
Assafoetida. Is commonly used to allay j and after-birth, applied to the navel it stays
the fits of the mother by smelling to it; 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. I the sides, and difficulty of breathing, being
Benzoin, or Benjamin, makes a good per- 1 applied to it, and the smell of it helps the
fume. I vertigo or diziness in the head.
Sanguis Draconis, cools and binds exceed- 1 Myrh, heats and dries, opens and softens
ingly. I the womb, provokes the birth and after-
Aloes, purges choler and flegm, and with 1 birth ; inwardly taken, it helps old coughs
such deliberation that it is often given to | and hoarseness, pains in the sides, kills Avorms,
withstand the violence of other purges, it ! and helps a stinking breath, helps the wast-
preserves the senses and betters the appre- ling of the gums, fastens the teeth: outwardly
hension, it strengthens the liver, and helps \ it helps wounds, and fills up ulcers with
the j'^ellow-jaundice. Yet is naught for such \ flesh. You may take half a dram at a
as are troubled with the hemorrhoids, or 1 time.
have agues. I do not like it taken raw. \ 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. I fastens the teeth and strengthens the gums,
Manna, is temperately hot, of a mighty j being chewed in the mouth,
dilative quality, windy, cleanses choler | Frankinsense, and Olibaniim, heat and
gently, also it cleanses the throat and | bind, fill up old ulcers with flesh, stop bleed-
stomach. A child may take an ounce of it | ing, but is extremely bad for mad people,
at a lime melted in milk, and the dross | Turpentine, Purges, cleanses the reins,
strained out, it is good for them when they | helps the running of them,
are scabby. > Styrax Calamitis, helps coughs, and dis-
Scammy, or Diagridium, call it by which j tillations upon the lungs, hoarseness, want
3t
252
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
LIVING CREATURES.
of voice, hardness of the womb, but it is |
l)ad for head-aches. 'i
Ammonicaum, apphed to the side, helps \
the hardness and pains of the spleen. I Millepedes (so called from ihe multitude
Camphire, eases pains of the head coming \ of their feet^ though it cannot he supposed they
of heat, takes away inflammations, and cools j/zflft'e a thousand) sows, hog-lice, wood-lice,
any place to which it is applied. ^^being bruised and mired zcitli wine, they pro-
J voice urine, help the yellow jaundice • oiUwardly
being boiled in oil, help pains in the ears, a
JUICES.
That all juices have the same virtues
with the herbs or fruits whereof they are
made, I suppose few or none will deny,
therefore I shall only name a few of them,
and that briefly.
Sugar is held to be hot in the first degree,
strengthens the lungs, takes away the rough-
ness of the throat, succours the reins and
bladder.
drop being put into them.
The flesh of vipers being eaten, clear the
sight, help the vices of the nerves, resist poismi
exceedingly, iieither is there any better remedy
under the sun for their bitings than the head
of the viper that bit you, bruised and applied
to the place, and the flesh eaten, you need not
eat above a drain at a time, and make it up as
you shall be taught in troches of vipers. Neither
any comparable to the stinging of bees and
wasps, c*\'c. than the same that sting you.
The juice of Citrons cools the blood, \ bruised and applied to the place.
strengthens the heart, mitigates the violent! Land Scorpions cure their own stingings > y
heat of fevers. 1 the same means ; the ashes of them (being
The juice of Lernons works the same ef-^, burnt) potently provokes urine, and breaks the
feet, but not so powerfully. \ stone.
Juice of Liquorice, strengthens the lungs, ; Earth-worms, are an admirable remedy for
helps coughs and colds.
THINGS BRED FROM PLANTS.
I 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,
': which is, Tliat the powder of them pid into an
\ hollow tooth, makes it drop oid.
These have been treated of before, only two i To draw a tooth without pa\n,fllan earth-
excepted. The first of which is, \ en crucible full of Emmets, Ants, or Pismires,
Agaricus. Agarick : It purges fiegm, \ eggs and all, and when you have burned them,
clioler, and melancholy, frofn the brain, nerves, \ keep the ashes, with which if you touch a tooth
muscles, marrow, (or more properly brain) of\ it will fall oid.
ihe back, it cleanses the breast, lungs, liver,\ Eeh, beitig put i?ito wine or beer, and sufered
stomach, 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 I that sort of liquor again,
in the joints, and causes a good colour : it is\ Oy?,\QT?, applied alive to a pestilential swelling,
very seldom or never taken alone. See Syrup draw the venom to them,
of Roses with Agarick. Crab-fish, burnt to ashes, and a dram of it
Lastly, Vicus Quircinus, or Misleto of the ; taken every maiming helps the bitings of mad
Oak, helps the falling-sickness being either \ dogs, and all other venomous beasts.
taken inwardly, or hung about one's neck.
Swallows, being eaten, clear the sight, the
ashes of them (being burnt) eatm, preserve
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 253
from drunkenness^ helps sore throats being ap- \ tcr than Castoriuin, raw, to which I refer
, plied to them, and injiammations. \ jou.
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 on admirable remedy for \ A flayed Mouse dried and beaten into
the stone. i powder, and given at a time, helps such as
Young Pigeons being eaten, help pains in • cannot hold their water, or have a Diabetes,
the reins, and the disease called Tenesmus. \ if you do the like three days together.
; Ivori/, or Elephant's tooth, binds, stops
' I the Whites, it strengthens the heart and
5 stomach, helps the yellow jaundice, and
P \RTS OF LIVING CREATURES, \ makes women fruitful.
AND EXCREMENTS. , Those small bones which- 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. j voke urine.
The brain of an Hare being roasted, helps ; Goo.se grease, and Capons grease, are both
trembling, it makes children breed teeth I 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 | I am of opinion that the suet of a Goat
hair, the head being anointed with it. I mixed with a little saffron, is as excellent
The head of a young X?Ve, being burnt | 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 water, is an | Bears grease stays the falling off of the
admirable remedy against the gout. j hair.
Crab-eyes break the stone, and open | Po,r .ore^se helps pains in the ears,
stoppings of the bowels. ♦ Elk'sClaws or hoofs are a sovereign remedy
The lungs of a Fox, well dried, (but not ; for the falling sickness, though it be but
burned) is an admirable strengdiener to iM^orn 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 J hoof of the right foot behind,
strengthens the liver exceedingly. j Milk is an extreme windy meat ; there-
Th© liver of a Frog, being dried and i fore I am of the opinion of Dioscorides, viz.
eaten, helps quartan agues, or as the vulgar t that it is not profitable in head-aches ; yet
caW them, third-day agues. | this is for certain, that it is an admirable
Castoreum resists poison, the bitings of! remedy for inward ulcers in any part of
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-| very bad in diseases of the liver, spleen, the
vulsions, sighings, lethargies; the smell of | falling-sickness, vertigo, or dissiness in the
it allays the fits of the mother; inwardly 5 head, fevers and head -aches ; Goat's milk
given, it helps tremblings, falling-sickness, \ 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.
■ time, and indeed sjiirit of Caslorium is bet- 1 Whey, attenuates and cleanses botli cho-
I
254 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Icr and melancholy: wonderfully helps | the Fluor Albus, helps such as spit blood,
"' it is an approved remedy for the falling
sickness. Also if ten grains of red Coral
melancholy and madness coming of it;
opens stoppings of the bowels ; helps such
as have ihe dropsy and are troubled with ; be given to a child in a little breast-milk so
the stoppings of the spleen, rickets and
soon as it is born, before it take any other
hypochondriac melancholy: for such dis- food, it will never have the falling-sickness,
eases you may make up your physic with | nor convulsions. The conmion dose is
whey. Outwardly it cleanses the skin of | from ten grains to thirty,
such deformities as come through choler or s Pearls^ are a wonderful strengthener to
melancholy, as scabs, itch, morphew, lepro- \ the heart, encrease milk in nurses, and
sies, &c. I amend it being naught, they restore such
Honey is of a gallant cleansing quality, las are in consumptions; both they and the
exceeding profitable in all inward ulcers in « red Coral preserve the body in health, and
what part of the body soever; it opens the « resist fevers. The dose is ten grains or
veins, cleanses the reins and bladder. I i fewer; more, I suppose, because it is dear,
know no vices belonging to it, but only it I than because it would do harm,
is soon converted into choler. | Amber, (viz. yellow Amber) heats and
JVax, softens, heats, and meanly fills ; dries, therefore prevails against moist dis-
sores with flesh, it. suffers not the milk to I eases of the head ; it helps violent coughs,
curdle in women's breasts ; inwardly it is | helps consumption of the lungs, spitting of
given (ten grains at a time) against bloody- j blood, the Fluor Albus ; it stops bleeding
fluxes. I at the nose, helps difficulty of urine : You
Raw-silk, heats and dries, cheers the \ may take ten or twenty grains at a time,
heart, drives away sadness, comforts all the \ The Froth of the Sea, it is hot and dry,
spirits, both natural, viUil and animal 1 helps scabs, itch, and leprosy, scald heads,
1 &c. it cleanses the skin, helps difficulty of
■ I urine, makes the teeth white, being rubbed
BELONGING TO THE SEA. bf '\ '\^, ^^^^^ ^7^. 7'^f^, '''f f ' ']
I helps baldness, and trimly decks the head
Sperm a Cati, is well applied outwardly to 1 with hair,
eating ulcers, the marks which the small |
pox leaves behind them; it clears the sight, | '
provokes sweat; inwardly it troubles the! METALS, MINERALS, AND
stomach and belly, helps bruises, and | STONES
stretching of the nerves, and tnerefore is?
good for women newly delivered. I GOLD is temperate in (Quality, it won-
^?«6e;'-grease, heats and dries, strengthens I derfully strengthens the heart and vital
the brain and nerves exceedingly, if the | spirits, which one perceiving, very wittily
infirmity of them come of cold, resists pes- 1 inserted these verses :
tilence. | Por Gold is cordial ; and that's the reason,
Sea-saild, a man that hath the dropsy, 1 Your raking Misers live so long a season,
being set up to the middle in it, it draws! However, this is certain, in cordials, it
out all the water. | resists melancholy, faintings, 3woonings,
Red Coral, is cold, dry and binding, J fevers, falling-sickness, and all such like
stops the immoderate flowing of the menses, Hnfirmities, incident either to the vital or
bloody-fluxes, the running of the reins, and [animal spirit.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 266
Alum. Heats, binds, and purges ; scours i and consumptions, viz. taken inwardly; for
iilthy ulcers, and fastens loose teeth. I tliis 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 \ Topaz (if Epiphatmis spake truth) if you
flegm; outwardly in ointments it takes away i put it into boiling water, it doth so cool it
leprosies, scabs, and itch; inwardly it helps \ 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- i flammations of the body by touching them,
petre: it helps lethargies being snuffed up j Toadstone; Being applied to the place
in the nose. \ helps the bitings of venomous beasts, and
Litharge, both of gold and silver; binds Mpickly 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. M* "^^^^ ^^ ^"^ toad, and she will make
Lead is of a cold dry earthly quality, of | proffer to take it away from you if it be
an healing nature; applied to the place it » right; else not. Lemnim.
helps any inflammation, and dries up | Neph-itichus lapis ; helps pains in the
humours. j stomach, and is of great force in breaking
Vompholix, cools, dries and binds. | 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- the labour in women, stops lust, resists
wardly, or only worn in a ring. fevers and dropsies. Mathiohis
Sapphire, quickens the senses, helps such
Atiies, or the stone with child, because
as are bitten by venomous beasts, ulcers in \ being hollow in the middle, it contains
the bowels. \ 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- women with child, stays their miscarriage
ness and vertigo; it strengthens the memory, I or abortion, but when the time of their
and stops the unruly passions of men. | labour comes, remove it from their arm,
Rubi/ (or carbuncle, if there be such a j and bind it to the inside of their thigh, and
stone) restrains lust; resists pestilence; takes .* it brings forth the child, and that (almost)
away idle and foolish thoughts, makes men
cheerful. Cardanus.
Granite. Strengthens the heart, but hurts
the brain, causes anger, takes away sleep.
Diamond, is reported to make him that 1 And thus I end the stones, the virtues oi
which if any think incredible, I answer
bears it unfortunate.
and steady, keeps men fromdrunkennessand
without any pain at all. Dioscorides, Tliny.
Lapis Lazuli, purges melancholy being
taken inwardly ; outwardly worn as a jewel,
it makes men cheerful, fortunate and rich.
Amethist, being Avorn, makes men sober 1. I quoted the authors where I had them.
2. I know nothing to the contrary but why
too much sleep, it quickens the wit, is pro- it may be as possible as the ?ound of a
fitable in huntings and fightings, and repels trumpet is to incite a man to valour ; or »
vapours from the head. ^ fiddle to dancing : and if I have added a
Bezoar, is a notable restorer of nature, \ few simples which the Colledge left out,
a great cordial, no way hurtful nor danger- 1 1 hope ray fault is not much, or at a least-
ous is admirably good in fevers, pe&tilences, | wise, venial.
3 IT
250
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
A CATALOGUE OF SIMPLES
IN THE
NEW DISPENSATORY.
ROOTS.
Colle<Te.] Sorrel, Calamus Aromaticus,
Water-Jiag, Privet, GarlicJc, Marsh-mallows,
Alcanet, Angelica, Anthora, Smallage, Aran,
Birth-uort long and round. Sowbread, Reeds,
Asarabacca, Virginian Snakeweed, Swall-
wort. Asparagus, Asphodel, male and female:
Hw'docks great and small, Behen, or Bazil,\
Valerian, white and red. Daisies, Beets,
white, red, and black. Marsh-mallows, Bis-
tort,Barrage, Briony^white and black, Bugloss,
garden and mid. Calamus Aromaticus, Our
Lady's thistles, Avens, Coleworts, Centaury the
less. Onions, Chameleon, white and black.
Celandine, Pilewort. China, Succory, Arti-
chokes. Virginian ^n^kevoot, Comfry greater
and lesser Contra yerva, Costus, street and
hitter. Turmerick, wild Cucumbers, Sowbread,
Hound' s-tongue. Cypres, long and round.
Toothwort, white Dittany, Doronicum, Dra-
gons, Woody Nightshade, Vipers Bugloss,
Smallage, Hellebore, xvhite and black. Endive,
Elicampane, Eringo, Colt's-foot, Fearn, male
and female, Filipendula or Drop-wort, Fennel,
white Dittany, Galanga, great and small,
Gentian, Liquorice, Dog-grass, Hermodactils.
Swallow wort, Jacinth, Henbane, Jallap,
Master-wort, Orris or Flower-de-luce, both
English and Florentine, sharp pointed Dock,
Burdock greater and lesser, Lovage, Privet,
white Lilies, Liquorice, Mallows, Mechoacan,
Jallap, Spignel, Mercury, Devil's bit, sweet
\\Navew, Spiicenard, Celtic ana Indian, Wafer
ylilies, Rest-harrow, sharp pointed Dock,
V Peony, male and female. Parsnips, garden and
\ wild, Cinquefoil, Bidter-Bw, Parsley, Hog'i
\ Fennel, Valerian, greater and lesser, Burnet,
I Land and Water Plantain, Polypodium of the
i Oak, Solomons Seal, Leeks, Pellitory of Spain,
^ Cinquefoil, Tumips,Raddishes,gardenandmld,
Rhapontick, common Rhubarb, Monk's Rhu'
barb. Rose Root, Madder Br-uscus. Sopewort,
Sarsaparilla, Satyrion, male and female. White
Saxifrage, Squills, Figwort, Scorzonera, Eng-
lish and Spanish, Virginian Snake weed, Solo-
mon's Seal, Cicers, stinking Gladon, Devil's bit.
Dandelion, Thapsus, Tormentil, Turbith, Cclt's-
\foot. Valerian, greater and, lesser. Vervain,
Swallow-wort, Nettles, Zedoary long and round.
Ginger,
Culpeper.1 These be the roots the col -
lege hath named, and but only named, and
in this order I have set them down. It
seems the college holds a strange opinion,
viz. That it would do an Englishman a
mischief to know what the herbs in his
garden are good for.
But my opinion is, that those herbs,
roots, plants, &c. which grow near a man,
are far better and more congruous to his
nature than any outlandish rubbish what-
soever, and this I am able to give a reason
» of to any that shall demand it of me, there-
\ fore I am so copious in handling of them,
j you shall observe them ranked in this order.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
257
1. The temperature of the roots, herbs,
flowers, &c. viz. Hot, cold, dry, moist,
together with the degree of each quahty.
2. What part of the body each root,
herb, flower, is appropriated to, viz. head,
tlu'oat, breast, heart, stomach, Uver, spleen,
bowels, reins, bladder, womb, joints, and
in those which heat those places, and
which cool them.
3. The propert}' of each simple, as they
bind, open, mollify, harden, extenuate,
discuss, draw out, suppure, cleanse, gluti-
nate, break wind, breed seed, provoke or
stop the menses, resist poison, abate swell-
ings, ease pain.
This I intend shall be my general method
throughout the simples, which, having
finished I shall give you a paraphrase ex-
plaining these terms, which rightly con-
sidered, will be the key of Galen's way of
administering physic.
Temperature of the Roots.
Roots hot in the first degree. Marsh-mal-
lows, Bazil, Valerian, Spattling, Poppy,
Burdocks, Borrage, Bugloss, Calamus
Aromaticus, Avens, Pilewort, China, Self-
heal, Liquorice, Dog-grass, white Lilies,
Peony, male and female, wild Parsnips,
Parsley, Valerian, great and small. Knee-
holly, Satyrion, Scorzonera, Skirrets.
Hot in the second degree. Water-flag,Reed s,
Swallow-wort, Asphodel, male, Carline
Thistle, Cypress, long and round. Fennel,
Lovage, Spignel, Mercury, Devil's oit. But-
ter 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,
white and black, Elicampane, Fillipendula,
Galanga greater and lesser, Masterwort,
Orris English and Florentine, Restharrow,
stinking Gladen, Turbith, Ginger,
Hot in the fourth degree. Garlick, Onions,
Leeks, Pellitory of Spain.
Roots temperate in respect of heat, arc
Bear's breech, Sparagus, our Lady's Thistle,
Eringo, Jallap, Mallows, Mechoacan, gar-
den Parsnips, Cinquefoil, Tormentil.
Roots cold in the first degree. Sorrel,
Beets, white and red, Comfrey the greater.
Plantain, Rose Root, Madder.
Cold inthe second degree. Alcanet, Daisies,
Succory, Hound's tongue. Endive, Jacinth.
Cold in the third deg'>'ee. Bistort and
Mandrakes are cold in the third degree,
and Henbane in the fourth.
Roots dry in the first degree. Bears-breech,
Burdocks, Redbeets, Calamus Aromaticus,
Pilewort, Self-heal, Endive, Eringo, Jacinth,
Madder, Kneeholly.
Dry in the second degree. Waterflag,
Marshmallows, Alkanel, Smallage, Reeds,
Sorrel, Swallow- wort. Asphodel male, Bazil,
Valerian and Spatling Poppy, according to
the opinion of the Greeks. Our Lady's
Thistles, Avens, Succory, Hound's tongue..
Cypress long and rovmd. Fennel, Lovage,
Spignel, Mercury, Devil's bit. Butter-bur,
Parsley, Plantain, Zedoary.
Dry in the third degree. Angelica, Aron,
Birthwort, long and round. Sowbread, Bis-
tort, Asarabacca, Briony white and black,
Carline Thistle, China, Sallendine, Virginian
Snake-root, white Dittany, Doronicum,
Hellebore white and black, Elicampane,
Fillipendula, Galanga greater and lesser,
Masterwort, Orris, English and Florentine,
Restharrow, Peony male and female, Cin-
quefoil, Hog's Fennel, Sarsaparilla, stink-
ing Gladen, 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
Phj'sicians, Daisies, white Beets, Borrage,
Bugloss, Liquorice, Dog grass. Mallows,
Satyrion, Scorzonera, Parsnips, Skirrets.
258
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Roots appropriated to several parts of the body.
Heat the head. Doronicum, Fennel,
Jallap, Mechoacan, Spikenard, Celtic and
Indian. Peony male and female.
Neck and throat. Pilewort, Devil's bit.
Breast and lungs. Birthwort long and
round, Elicampane, Liquorice, Orris Eng-
lish and Florentine, Calamus Aromaticus,
Cinquefoil, Squills.
Heart. Angelica, Borrage, Bugloss,
Carline Thistle, Doronicum, Butter bur,
Scorzonera, Tormentil, Zedoary, Bazil,
Valerian white and red.
Stomach. Elicampane, Galanga greater
and lesser, Spikenard, Celtic and Indian,
Ginger, Fennel, Avens, Raddishes.
Bowels. Valerian great and small,
Zedoary, Ginger.
Liver. Smallage, Carline Thistle, Sullen-
dine, China, Turmerick, Fennel, Gentian,
Dog-grass, Cinquefoil, Parsley, Smallage,
Asparagus, Rhubarb, Rhapontic, Kneeholly.
Spleen. Smallage, Carline Thistle, Fern
male and female. Parsley, Water-flag,
Asparagus, round Birthwort, Fennel, Capers,
Ash, Gentian.
Reins and Bladder. Marshmallows, Small-
age, Asparagus, Burdock, Bazil, Valerian,
Spatling Poppy, Carline Thistle, China,
Cyprus long and round, Fillipendula, Dog
grass. Spikenard, Celtic and Indian, Parsly,
Knee-holly, white Saxifrage.
Womb. Birthwort long and round,
Galanga greater and lesser. Peony male
and female. Hog's Fennel.
Fundament. Pilewort.
Joints. Bear's -breech, Hermodactils,
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
simples may be found out by the ensuing
explanation of the terms, and I suppose by
that means they were found out at first ;
and although I hate a lazy student from
my heart, yet to encourage young students
in the art, I shall quote the .chie of them :
I desire all lovers of physic to compare
them with the explanation of these rules,
so shall they see how they agree, so may
they be enabled to find out the properties
of all simples to their own benefit in physic
Roots, bind. Cypress, Bistort, Tormen-
til, Cinquefoil, Bear's breech, Water-flag,
Alkanet, Toothwort, &c.
Discuss. Birthwort, Asphodel, Briony,
Capers, &c.
Cleanse. Birthwort, Aron, Sparagus,
Grass, Asphodel, Celandine, &c.
Open. Asarabacca, Garlic, Leeks, Onions,
Rhapontick, Turmerick, Carline Thistle,
Succory, Endive, Fillipendula, Fennel,
Parsly, Bruscus, Sparagus, Smallage, Gen-
tian, &c.
Extenuate. Orris English and Floren-
tine, Capers, &c.
Bum. Garlick, Onions^ Pellitory of
Spain, &c.
Mollify. Mallows, Marshmallows &c.
Suppur. Marshmallows, Briony, white
Lillies, &c.
Glutinate. Comfrey, Solomon's Seal,
Gentian, Birthwort, Daisies, &c.
Lapel Wind. Smallage, Parsly, Fennel,
Water-flag, Garlick, Costus, Galanga.
Hog's Fennel, Zedoary, Spikenard Indian,
and Celtic, &c.
Breed Seed. Waterflag, Eringo, Saty-
rian, Galanga, &c.
Provoke the menses. Birthwort Asara-
bacca, Aron, Waterflag, white Dittany,
Asphodel, Garlick, Centaury the less,
Cyperus 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.
250
Stop the menses. Comfrey, Tornientil,
Bistort, &c.
Provoke sweat. Carolina Thistle, China,
Sarsaparilla, &c.
Resist poison. Angelica, Garlick, long
Birth wort, Smallage, Doronicum, Costus,
Zecloary, Cyprus, Gentian, Carolina This-
tle, Bistort, Tormentil,S\vallow-wort,Viper's
Bugloss, Elicampane, &c.
Help bw-nings. Asphodel, Jacinth, white
Lilies, &c.
Ease pains. Waterflag, Eringo, Orris,
Restharrow, &c.
Purge choler. Asarabacca, Rhubarb,
Rhapontick, Fern, &c.
Relieve melancholy. Hellebore, white and
black, Polipodium,
Purge fiegm and watery humours. Squills,
Turbith, Hermodactils, Jallap, Mecoacan,
wild Cucumbers, Sowbread, male Asphodel,
Briony white and black, Elder, Spurge
great and small.
I quoted some of these properties to
teach you the way how to find the rest,
which the explanation of these terms will
give you ample instructions in : I quoted
not all because I would fain have you
studious : be diligent gentle reader.
How to use your bodies in, and after
taking purges, you shall be taught by and by.
Barks meiUioned by the College are these.
College.] Hazel Nuts, Oranges, Bar-
berries, Birch-tree, Caper roots. Cassia Lignea,
Chestnuts, Cinnamon, Citron Pills, Dwarf-
Elder, Spurge roots, Alder, Ash, Pomegranates,
Guajacum, Walnut tree,green Walnuts, Laurel,
Bay, Lemon., Mace, Pomegranates, Man-
drake roots, Mezereon, Mulberry tree roots.
Sloe tree roots, Pinenuts, Fistick-nuts, Poplar
tree, Oak, Elder, Sassafras, Cork, Tamerisk,
Lime tree. Frankincense, Elm, Capt. ■ Winters
Cinnamon.
Culpeper.'] Of these. Captain Winter's
Cinnamon, being taken as ordinary spice,
or half a dram taken in the morning in any
I convenient liquor, is an excellent remedy
I for the scurvy; the powder of it being snuf-
I fed up in the nose, cleanses the head of
rheum gallauth'.
The bark of the black Alder tree purges
choler and flegm if you make a decoction
5 with it. Agrimony, Wormwood, Dodder,
I Plops, Endive and Succory roots : Parsly
i and Smallage roots, or you may bruise a
handful of each of them, and put them in
a gallon of ale, and let them work together:
put the simples into a boulter-bag, and a
I draught, (half a pint, more or less, accord-
! ing to the age of him that drinks it,) being
I drunk every morning, helps the dropsy,
{jaundice, evil disposition of the body ; also
I helps the rickets, strengthens the liver and
I spleen ; makes the digestion good, troubles
1 not the stomach at all, causes appetite, and
I helps such as are scabby and itchy.
I The rest of the barks that are worth the
I noting, and the virtues of them, are to be
\ found in the former part of the book.
I Barks are hot in the first degree. Guaja-
|cum. Tamarisk, Oranges, Lemons, Citrons.
I Li the second. Cinnamon, Cassia, Lignea,
I Captain Winter's Cinnamon, Frankincense,
I Capers.
In the third. Mace.
Cold in the first. Oak, Pomegranates.
In the third. Mandrakes.
Appropriated to parts of the body.
Heat the head. Captain Winter's Cinna-
mon.
The heart. Cinnamon, Cassia, Lignea,
Citron Pills, Walnuts, Lemon pills, Mace.
The stomach. Orange pills, Cassia Lig-
nea, Cinnamon, Citron pills, Lemon pills,
Mace, Sassafras.
The lungs. Cassia Lignea, Cinnamon,
Walnuts.
The liver. Barberry-tree, Bay-tree, Cap-
tain Winter's Cinnamon
The spleen. Caper bark, Ash tiee bark.
Bay tree.
I
2G0 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
The reins and bladder. Bay-tree, Sassa- \ or Alcost, Burdock greater and lesser, Brook-
fras- I lime, or water Pimpernel, Beets white, red, and
The womb. Cassia Lignea, Cinnamon. | black, Betmy of the wood and water. Daises
Cool the stomach. Pomegranate pills. \ greater and lesser, Blite, Mercury, Borrage,
Purge choler. The bark of Barberry j Oak of Jerusalem, Cabbages, Sodonella, Briony
ee. I white and black, Bugloss, Buglesse, Shepherd's
Purge flegm and water. Elder, Dwarf- 5 Purse, Ox-eye, Box leaves, Calaminth of the
Elder, Spurge, Laurel. > Mountains and Fens, Ground Pine, Wood-bine,
lor Honey-suckles, Lady-smocks, Mary golds,
'^^'^^^^^^ \Our Lady's Thistle, Carduus Benedictus,
WOODS \ ^'^^"*» ^^^^^^ Spurge, Horse-tail, Coleworts,
\ Centaury the less. Knotgrass, CejtH, Ger-
College.] Firr, Wood of Aloes, 'Rhodium,\mander,Camojnle,Cha7nepytis female Southern-
Brazil, Box, Willow, Cypress, Ebony, Guaja- \ wood, Chelene, Pilewort, Chicory, Hemlock,
cum. Juniper, Lentisk, Nephriticum, Rhodium, | garden and sea Scurvy-grass, Fleawort, Com-
Rosemary, Sanders, white, yellow, and red, \fry great, middle, or bugle, least or Daisies,
Sassafras, Tamarisk \ Sarasens, Co? found. Buck-horn, Plantain,
Of these some are hot. Wood of Aloes, \ May weed, (or Margweed, as we in Sussex
Rhodium, Box, Ebony, Guajacum, Neph- 1 call it) Orpine, Sampeer, Crosewort, Dodder,
riticum, Rosemary, Sassafras, Tamarisk. \ Blue Bottle great and small. Artichokes,
Some cold. As Cypress, Willow, Sanders 5 Houndstone, Cypress leaves. Dandelion, Dit-
white, red, and yellow. \ tany of Treet, Box leaves. Teazles garden and
Rosemary is appropriated to the head, | wild, Dzcarff Elder, Viper's Bugloss, Lluellin,
wood of Aloes to the heart and stomach, 5 Smallage, Endive, Elecampane, Horsetails
Rhodium to the bowels and bladder, Nephri- 1 Epithimum, Groundsel, Hedge-mustard,
ticum totheliver. spleen, reins and bladder, i5p?^rge. Agrimony, Maudlin, Eye-bright,
Sassafras to tlie breast, stomach and bladder, i Orpine, Fennel, Sampeer, Fillipendida, Indian
Tamarisk to the spleen, Sanders cools the | leaf Strawberry leaves. Ash tree leaves, Fiimi-
heart and spirits in fevers. | lory. 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,
\or Alehoof, Elecampane, Pellitory of the wall,
■ ^.Liver-wort, Cowslips, Rupture-wort, Hawk-
H F R "R S jtset'rf. Monk's Rhubarb, Alexanders, Clary
\ garden and wild, Henbane, St. John's-wort,
College.] Southernwood male and female. \ Horsetongue, or double tongue, Hysop, Sciatica
Wormwood, common, Roman, and such as bear | cresses, small Sengreen, Sharewort, Woad,
Wormseed, Sorrel, wood Sorrel, Maiden-hair \ Reeds, Scheenanth, Chamepitys, GlasswoH,
convnon, white or wall Rue, black and golden \ Lettice, Lagobus, Arch-angel, Burdock great
Maudlin, Agremony, Vervain, Mallow, Ladies j and small. Lavender, Laurel, Bay leaves.
Mantle, Chickweed, Marshmallozcs, and Pim- \ English and Alexandrian, Duckweed, Dittan-
pernel both male and female, JVater Pimpernel, x der, or Pepper-wort, Lavage, 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, Hops, Willow-herb, Marjoram,
Weed, Mugwort, Asarabacca, Woodroofe, \ common and tree Mallows, Mandrake, Hoie-
Arach, Distaff Thistle, Mousear, Costmary, \ hound white and black. Herb Mastich, Fea-
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED, 261
therfew, Woodbine, Melilot^ Bazpm garden and \ golden Maiden-hair, Wood roof, Bugle,
water, Mints,Horse-7nints,Mercury^Mezereon,\Go'dl'?, Rue, Hari's-tongue, sweet Trefoil,
Yarrow^ Devil's-bit, Moss, sweet Chivil, Mir- \ Flixweed, Cinquefoil, Trefoil, Paul's Bet-
tle leaves. Garden and water Cresses, Nep, \ tony, Lluellin.
Tobacco, Money-wort, Water Lilies, Bazil, \ Intemperate and hot in the first degree, arc
Olive Leaves, Rest-harrow, Adder s Tongue, \ Agrimony, Marsh-mallows, Goose-grass or
Origanum, sharp-pointed Dock, Poppy, wliite, \ Cleavers, Distaff Thistle, Borrage, Bugloss,
black, and red, or Erratick, Pellitory of the \ or Lady's Thistles, Avens, Cetrach, Chervil,
Wall, Cinquefoil, Ars-smart spotted and not { Chamoniel, 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 worrozy I Wormwood, Maudlin, Lady's Mantle,
leaved^ Mountain and Cretick Foley, JiC«o^- j Pimpernel male and female. Dill, Smallage,
grass. Golden Maidenhair, Poplar leaves and ; Mugwort, Costmary, Belony, Oak of Jeru-
buds. Leeks, Pu?-slain, Silverweed, or mld\?,Q\e.vn, Marigold, Cuckootlowers, Cardnus
Tansy, Horehound white and black. Primroses, \ Benedictus, Centaury the less, Chamepit^'^s,
Self-heal, FieldPellitory, or Sneezewort,Pen7iy-\ ScuTvy-gvass, 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, i Leaves, Marjoram, Horehound, Bawni,
Savin, Osier Leaves, Garden Sage the greater '^M.evcury, Devil's-bit, Tobacco, Parsley,
and lesser. Wild Sage, Elder leaves and buds, i Poley mountain, Rosemary, Sage, Sanicle,
Marjoram, Burnet, Sanicle, Sopezwrt, Savory, { Scabious, Senna, Soldanella, Tansy, ^'^cr-
White Saxifrage, Scabious, Chicory, Schcenanth, \ vain, Perewiukle.
Clary, Scordium, Figwort, Ilouseleek, or\ In the third degree. Southernwood ni.\Ie
I Sengreen the greater and lesser. Groundsel, \ and female, Brooklime, Angelica, Briony
Senna leaves and pods. Mother of Time, Solo^x white and black, Calaminth, Germander,
mon's Seal, Alexanders, Nightshade, ^oWa- < Sullendine, Pilewort, Fleabane, Dwaif
nela. Sow-thistles, smooth and rough, Flix-lFjlder, Epithimun, Bank-cresses, Clary,
f weedy common Spike, Spinach, J/oaf/jora, 5 Glassworl, Lavender, Lovage, Herb Mas-
Devil's-bit, Comfry, Tamarisk leaves. Tansy, \ tich, Featherfew, Mints, Water-cresses,
Dandelyon, Midlen or Higcaper, Time, izme s Origanum, biting Arsmart, called in Laliii
tree leaves. Spurge, Tormentil, common a7?c?| Hydropiper, (the college confounds this
golden Trefoil, Wood-sorrel, sweet Trefoil, <■ with Fersicaria, or mild Arsmart, which is
Colt's-foot, Valerian, Mullen, Vervain, Poii/'s j cold (Sneezewort, Pennyroyal, Rue, Savin,
Bettony, Lluellin, Violets, Tansy, Ferewinkles,\^\immer and winter Savory, Mother oi
~ Swallote-wort, golden Rod, Vine leaves, Mead-{Time, Lavender, Spike, Time, Nettles.
sweet. Elm leaves. Naval-wort, Nettles, com-\ In the fourth degree. Sciatica-cresses,
ifion and Roman, Archangel, or dead Nettles, I Stone-crop, Dittany, or Pepper-wort, gar-
whife and red. \ den-cresses. Leeks, Crowfoot, Rosa Solis,
Culpeper. These be the herbs as the ; Spurge,
college set down to look upon, we will ^ 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. ; puvse, Pellitory of the wall. Hawk-weed,
Herbs temperate in respect of heat, ff/-e ; Mallows, Yarrow, mild Arsmart, called
common Maiden-hair, Wall-rue, bla^-.k and i Fersicaria, Burnet, Coltsfoot, Violets,
I
262
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Cold in the second degree. Chickvveed, i In the fourth degree. Garden-cresses,
wild Tansy, or Silverweed, Daisies, Knot- \ wild Rue, Leeks, Onions, Crowfoot, Rosa
grass. Succory, Buck-horn, Plantain, Dan- \ Solis, Garlic, Spurge.
delyon, Endive, Fumitory, Strawberry j Herbs moist in the first degree. Borrage,
leaves, Lettice, Duck-meat, Plantain, Pur- \ Bugloss, Marigolds, Pellitory of the wall,
slain, Willow leaves. 1 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.
tr 7 J ' • il X \. J A • \ Herbs appropriated to certain parts of the body
Herbs dry in trie first degree. Agrimony, { rr r „ r j a
Marsh-mallows, Cleavers, Burdocks, Shep- \
of man.
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. Mastich, Feather-few, Melilot, Sneezewort,
Dry in the second degree. Common and Penny-royal, Senna, Mother of Time,
Roman Wormwood, Sorrel, Wood-sorrel, Vervain, Rosemary.
Maudlin, Lady's mantle. Pimpernel male Heat the throat. Archangel white and
and female. Dill, Smallage, wild Tansy, red, otherwise called dead Nettles, Devil's-
or Silverweed, Mugwort, Distaff Thistle, } bit.
Costmary, Betony, Bugle, Cuckooflowers,
Heat the breast. Maiden-hair, white,
Carduus Benedictus, Avens, Centaury the black, common and golden, Distaff Thistle,
less, Chicory, commonly called Succory, Time, Betony, Calaminth, Ciiamomel,
Scurvy-grass, Buckhorn, Plantain, Dande- Fennel, Indian-leaf, Bay leaves. Hyssop,
lyon. Endive, Indian Leaf, Strawberry Bawm, Horehound, Oak of Jerusalem, Ger-
leaves, Fumitory, Broom, Alehoof, Alex- mander, Melilot, Origanum, Rue, 5abious,
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-j 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 'j Pimpernel, male and female, Smallage,
Horehound, Herb Mastic, Mints, Water- 1 Costmary, or Ale cost, our Lady's Thistles,
cresses, Origanum, Cinquefoil, hot Arsmart, Centaury the less. Germander, Chamepytis,
Poley mountain, Sneezewort, Penny-royal, Selandine, Sampler, Fox Gloves, Ash-tree
Rue, or herb of Grace, Savin winter and i leaves. Bay leaves. Toad-flax, Hops, Hore-
summer Savory, Mother of Tinje, Laven- 1 hound, Water-cresses, Parsley, Poley
der. Silk, Tansy, Time, Trefoil. \ Mountain, Sage, Scordium, Senna, Mother
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
263
of Time, Soldanella, Asarabacca, Fennel, \ Strawberry leaves, and Water-Lilies.
Hyssop, Spikenard. | Statnach. Sorrel, Wood sorrel. Succory,
Heat tht bowels. Chamomel, Alehoofe, I Orpine, Dandelyon, Endive, Strawberry
Alexanders. | leaves, Hawkweed, Lettice, Purslain, Sow
Heat the spleen. All the four sorts of | Thistles, Violet leaves.
Maiden-hair, Agrimony, Smallage, Cen- i Liver. Sorrel, Woodsorrel, Dandelyon,
laury the less, Cetrach, Germander, Chame- | Endive, Succory, Strawberry leaves, Fumi-
pitys, Samphire, Fox-glove, Epithimum, j tory. Liverwort, Lettice, Purslain, Night-
Ash-tree, Bay leaves, Toad-flax, Hops, | shade. Water Lilies.
Horehound, Parsley, Foley, Mountain Sage, \ Bowels. Fumitory, Mallows, Buckthorn,
Scordium, Senna, Mother of Time,Tamarisk, I Plantain, Orpine, Plantain, Burnet.
Wormwood, Water-cresses, Hart's-tongue. j Spleen. Fumitory, Endive, Succory,
Heat the reins and bladder. Agrimony, | Lettice.
Maudlin, Marsh-mallows, Pimpernel male 5 Reins and bladder. Knotgrass, Mallows,
and female, Brooklime, Costmary, Bettony, | Yarrow, Moneywort, Plantain, Endive,
Chervil, Germander, Chamomel, Samphire, | Succory, Lettice, Purslain, Water Lilies,
Broom, Rupture-wort, Clary, Schenanth, | Houseleek or Sengreen.
Bay-leaves, Toad-flax, Hops, Melilot, | The womb. Wild Tansy, Arrach, Bm*-
Water-cresses, Origanum, Pennyroyal, j docks. Willow herb, Mirtle leaves, Money-
Scordium, Vervain, Motherof Time, Rocket, I wort, Purslain, Sow Thistles, Endive,
Spikenard, Saxifrage, Nettles. | Succory, Lettice, Water Lilies, Sengreen.
Heat the womb. Maudlin, Angelica, | The joints. Willow leaves. Vine leaves,
Mugwort, Costmary, Calaminth, Flea-bane, i Lettice, Henbane, Nightshade, Sengreen or
May-weed, Ormarg-weed, Dittany of Crete, | Houseleek.
Schenanth, Arch-ansel or Dead Nettles, I tt ? 7, • t . . •
Melilot, Feather-fewt Mints, Devifs-bit ^^^^* «^^^^"^ according to property, m ope^
Origanum, Bazil, Pennyroyal, Savin, ration, some bind, as
Sage, Scordium, Tansy, Time, Vervain, j Amomus, Agnus Castus, Shepherd's
Periwinkles, Nettles. 5 purse. Cypress, Horsetail, Ivj', Bay leaves,
Heat the joints. Cowslips, Sciatica-cresses, | Melilot, Bawm, Mirtles, Sorrel, Plantain,
hot Arsmart, Garden-cresses, Costmary, | Knot-grass, Comfry, Cinquefoil, Fleawort,
Agrimony, Chamomel, Saint John's-wort, | Purslain, Oak leaves. Willow leaves, Sen-
Melilot, Water-cresses, Rosemary, Rue, I green or Houseleek, &c.
Sage Stechas. I 0/jen, as, Garlick, Onions, Wormwood.
Herbs cooling the head. Wood-sorrel, | Mallows,' Marsh-mallows, Pellitory of the
Teazles, Lettice, Plantain, Willow-leaves, \ Wall, Endive, Succory, &c.
Sengreen or Houseleek, Strawberry-leaves, j Soften. Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Beets,
Violet-leaves, Fumitory, Water Lilies. I Pellitory of the Wall, Violet leaves, Straw-
Cool the throat. Orpine, Strawberry | berry leaves, Arrach, Cypress leaves. Bay
leaves. Privet, Bramble leaves. \ leaves, Fleawort, &c.
Breast. Mulberry leaves. Bramble i 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 lPennyroyal,Stcechas,Time,MotherofTinae,
Bugloss, Lettice, Burnet, Violet leaves, \ Juniper, &c.
» 3 Y
264
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Discuss. Southernwood male and female, > St, John's Wort, Marjoram, Horehound
all the four sorts of Maidenhair, Marsh- 1 Bawrn, Water-cresses, Origanum, Bazi,
mallows, Dill, Mallows, Arrach, Beets, |Pennyrojal,Po]ej mountain, Parsley, Small-
Chamomel, Mints, Melilot, Pelitory of the > age, Rue, Rosemary, Sage, Savin, Harlwort,
Wall,Chickweed, Rue, Stoechas, Marjoram. JTime, Molher of Time, Scordium, Nettles.
Draw. Pimpernel, Birthworl, Dittany, | Stop the tei-ms. Shepherd's purse, Straw-
Leeks, Onions, Garlick, and also lake this | berries, Mirtles, Water Lilies, Plantain,
general rule, as all cold things bind and I Houseleek or Sengreen, Comfry, Knotgrass,
harden, so all things very hot are drying. | Resist poison. Southernwood, Worra-
Suppure. Mallows,Marsh-mallows, White! wood, Garlick, all sorts of Maiden hair,
Lily leaves, &c. J Smallage, Bettony, Carduus Benedictus,
Cleanse. Pimpernel, Southernwood, I Germander, Calaminth, Alexanders, Car-
Sparagus, Cetrach, Arrach, Wormwood, \ hne Thistle, Agrimony, Fennel, Juniper,
Beet, Pellitory of the Wall, Chamepitis, \ Horehound, Origanum, Pennyroyal, Poley-
Dodder, Liverwort, Horehound, Willow i mountain. Rue, Scordium, Plantain,
leaves, &c. 5 Discuss swellings. Maiden-hair, Cleavers,
Gbitinate Marsh-mallows, Pimpernel,
or Goosegrass, Mallows, Marsh-mallows,
Centaury,Chamepitis,Mallows,Germander, I Docks, BaAvm, Water-cresses, Cinquefoil,
Horsetail, Agrimony, Maudlin, Strawberry ; Scordium, &c.
leaves, Woad-chervil, Plantain, Cinquefoil, I Ease pain. Dil, WormAvood, Arach,
Comfry, Bugle, Self-heal, Woundwort, 1 Chamomel, Csilaminth, Chamepitis, Hcn-
Tormentil, Rupture-wort, Knot-grass, j bane. Hops, Hog's Fennel, Parsley, Rose-
Tobacco, j mary, Rue, Marjoram, Mother of Time.
Expel wind. Wormwood, Garlick, Dill, Herbs Funrino:
Smallage, Chamomel, Epithimum, Fennel, | ° ^'
Juniper, Marjoram, Origanum, Savory both I Choler. Groundsel, Hops, Peach leaves,
winterand summer. Tansy is good to cleanse | Wormwood, Centaury, Mallows, Senna,
the stomach and bowels of rough viscous j Melancholy. Ox-eye, Epithimum, Fumi-
flegm, 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 | and are not fit for a vulgar use, Dwarf
like nature and lasting long. This was the \ Elder, Hedge Hyssop, Laurel leaves, Mer-
original of that custom to eat Tansys in theicury, Mezereon also purges violently, and
spring ; the herb may be made into a con- 1 so doth Sneezewort, Elder leaves. Senna,
serve with sugar, or boil it in wine and drink | 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
Avith sugar, which you will. I quantity to be taken at a time, you have
Herbs breed seed. Clary, Rocket, and j been in part instructed already, and shall
most herbs that are hot and moist, and | be more fully hereafter,
breed wind. \ '
Frovoke the terms. Southernwood, Gar-| —
lick, all the sorts of Maiden hair, Mugwort, |
Wormwood, Bishops-weed, Cabbages, Bet- \
tony, Centaury, Chamomel, Calaminth,
FLOWERS.
Germander, Dodder, Dittany, Fennel,
College.]
' AmaranthiiSy
Wormwood, Agnus Castiu,
Dill, Rosemary, Columbines,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
2C5>
Orrenges, Balaustms, or Pomegranate Flowers, \ Epithimum, Winter-gilliflowers, or Wall-
Bettony, Borrage, Bugloss, Marigolds, Wood- 1 flowers, Woodbine, or Honej-suckles.
bine or Hojwy -suckles. Clove GiUiflowers, Cen- Cold iri the first degree. Mallows, Roses
taury the less^ Chamomel, Winter Gillifiowers, red, white, and damask Violets.
Succory, Comfry the greater, Saffron, Blue- In the second. Aneniom, or Wind-flower,
bottle great and small, (Synosbatus, Tragus, Endive, Succory, Water-lilies, both white
and Dedonaeus hold our white thorn to be it, j and yellow.
Cordus and Marcelus think it to be Bryars, \ In the third. Balaustins, or Pomegranate
Lugdunensis takes it for the sweet J5fr?/or, : flowers.
but what our College takes it for, I know not) x 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 | Poppies, which some call red, others er rati ck
calls the flowers oj the wild kind by that name,) \ and corn Roses, are the coldest of all the
Fox-glove, Vipers Bugloss, Rocket, Eye- \ others ; yet my opinion is, that they are
bright. Beans, Fumitory, Broom, Cowslips, | not cold in the fourth degree.
St. John's Wort, Hysop, Jessamine or Shrub, \ Moid in the first degree. Borrage, Bug-
Trefoil, Archangel, or Dead Nettles white \ loss. Mallows, Succory, Endive.
and red. Lavender, Wall-flowers, or Winter- 1 In the second. Water-lilies, Violets.
Gilliflowers, Privet, Lilies white, and of the\ Dry in the first degree. Ox-eye, Saffron,
x)alley. Hops, Common and tree Mallows, \ Chamomel, Melilot, Roses.
Feather-few, Woodbine, or Honey -suckles, \ In the second. Wind-flower, Amomus,
Melilot, Bawrn, Walnuts, Water-Lilies a'A^Vej Clove-gilliflowers, Rocket, Lavender, Hops,
and yellow. Origanum, Poppies white and red, \ Peony, Rosemary, Spikenard.
or Erraticks, Poppies, or corn Roses, so called I In the third. Woodbine, or Honey-
because they grow amongst Com, Peony, \ suckles, Balaustines, Epithimum, German-
Honey-suckles, or Woodbine, Peach-flowers, i der, Chamepitis.
Primroses, Self-heal, Sloebush, Rosemary I 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, f/jwith the herbs, you may gain skill bj
think they mean wheat by it. Authors are 7iot i searching there for them, you can loose
agreed about it) Steches, Tamarisk, Tansy, \ none.
Mullen or His-taper. Limetree, Clove Gilli-l -r, ,, ^ /> .i t i .1 • j
flowers, Colt's-foot, Violets, Agnus c«,^„,, | ^or ^^e p«r^5 0/ /Ae 6orf^, ^% ore ^pproym./^ec/
Dead Nettles zahite and red. \
to, some heat
Culpeper.'] That these may be a little) The head; as, Rosemary flowers, Self-
explained for the public good: be pleased 5 heal, Chamomel, Bettony, Cowslips, Laven-
to take notice jder, Melilot, Peony, Sage, Stoechas.
Some are hot in the first degree, as Borrage, \ The breast. Bettony, Bawm, Scabious,
Bugloss, Bettony, Ox-eye, Melilot, Cha- \ Schoenanth.
momel, Stoechas. \ The heart. Bawm, Rosemary flowers.
Hot in the second degree. Amomus, Saf-i Borrage, Bugloss, Saffron, Spikenard,
fron, Clove-gilliflowers, Rocket, BaAvm, J The stomach. Rosemary-flowers, Spike-
Spikenard, Hops, Schenanth, Lavender, I nard, Schoenanth.
Jasmine, Rosemary. \ The liver. Centaury, Schacnanth, Elder,
In the third degree. Agnus Castus, | Bettony, Chamomel, Spikenard.
20G THE COMPLETE HERBAL
The spleen. Bctton}', Wall-flowers. \ Flowers purge choler. Peach flowers
The reins and bladder. Bettony, Marsh | Damask Roses, Violets,
mallows, Melilol, Schoeiiantli, Spikenard. | Flegm. Broom flowers, Elder floAvers.
The womb. Bettony, Squinanth or Sche-J If you compare but the quality of the
nanth, Sage, Orris or Flower-de-luce. j flowers with the herbs, and with the exphv-
The joints. Rosemary-flowers, Cowslips, | nation of these terms at the latter end, you
Chamomel, Melilot. ; may easily find the temperature and pro-
Flowers, as they are cooling, so they cool \ ^^'r^lf^^ll.T'f Qx-eye being boiled into
The head. Violets, Roses, the three sorts \ a poultice with a little barley meal, takeaway
of Poppies, and Water-lilies. j swellings and hardness of the flesh, being
The breast and heart. Violets, Red Roses, ; applied warm to the place.
Water-lilies. I Chamomel flowers heat, discuss, loosen
The stomach. Red Roses, Violets. 5 and rarify, boiled in Clysters, they are ex-
Theliver and spleen. Endive, and Succory. 5 cellent in the wind cholic, boiled in wine,
Violets, Borrage, and Bu gloss, 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
^ ,• , , ,7 , . , J eases pains and aches, or stiffness coming
According to property, so they bind. lb t- -ll" y
Balaustins, Saffron, Succory, Endive, \ The flowers of Rocket used outwardly,
red-roses, Melilot, Bawm ,Clove-gilliflowers, 1 discuss swellings, and dissolve hard tumors,
Agnus Castus. i you may boil them into a poultice, but in-
Discuss. DiH, Chamomel, Marsh-mallows, ;W^rdly taken they send but unwholesome
Mallows, Melilot, Stoechas, &c. i vapours up to the head.
Cleanse. Damask-roses, Elder flowers, : Hops open obstructions of the bowels,
Bean flowers, &c. I liver, and spleen, they cleanse, the Itody of
Extenuate. Orris, or Flower-de-luce, } choler and flegm, provoke urine.
Chamomel, Melilot, Stoechas, &c. » Jasmine flowers boiled in oil, and the
Mollify. Saffron, white Lilies, Mallows, | grieved place bathed with it, takes awaj
Marsh-mallows, &c. i cramps and stitches in the sides.
Suppure. Saffron, white Lilies, &c. \ The flowers of Woodbine, or Honey-
Glutinate. Balaustines, Centaury, &c. I 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 of
Peony, Rosemary, Sage. f breathing ; provoke urine, and help the
Stop the terms. Balaustines, or Pome- 1 stranguary.
granate flowers. Water Lilies. | The flowers of Mallows being bruised and
Eipel wind. Dill, Chamomel, Schoenanth, | boiled in honey (two ounces of the flowers
Spikenard. jis sufficient for a pound of honey; and
Help burnings. White Lilies, Mallows, having first clarified the honey before you
Marsh-mallows, 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, remedy for Coughs, Asthmas, and con-
Melilot, Rosemary. sumptions of the lungs.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 267
\ Capers, Nutmegs, dry Walnuts, dry Haztl
\ Nuts, Fistick Nuts.
FRUITS. I Li the Ihird degree. Juniper Berries,
X Cloves, Carpobalsamuni, Cubebs, Anacar-
College.] Winter-cherries, Love Apples, | dium, bitter Almonds.
Almonds sweet and hitter^ Anacardia, Oranges, | Li the fourth degree. Pepper, white, black
Hazel Nuts, the oily Nut Ben, JSwrie/r/es, | and long, Guinny Pepper.
Capers, Guinny Pepper, Figs, Carpobalsamuni, \ Cold in the Jirst degree. The flesh of
Cloves, Cassia Fistula, Chestnuts, CAern'es I Citrons, Quinces, Pears, Prunes, «&c.
black ami red, Cicers, white, black and red, \ In the second. Gourds, Cucumbers,
Pome Citrons, Coculus Indi, Colocynthis, Cur- \ Melons, Pompions, Oranges, Lemons,
rants. Cornels or Cornelian Cherries, Cubebs, \ Citrons, Pomegranates, tjz. the juice of
Cucumbers garden and wild. Gourds, C?/??os- | them. Peaches, Prunes, Galls, Apples.
batus. Cypress, Cones, Quinces, Dates, Dzmrf- \ In the third. Mandrakes.
Elder, Green Figs, Strawberries, common and \ In the fourth. Stramonium.
Turkey Galls, Acorns, Acorn Cups, Pome- \ Moist in the Jirst degree. The flesh of
granates. Gooseberries, Ivy, Herb True-Love, \ Citrons, Lemons, Oranges, viz. the inner
Walnids, Jujubes, Juniper berries, Bayberries, | rhind which is white, the outer rhind is hot,
Lemons, Oranges, Citrons, Quinces, Pome- ; In the second. Gourds, Melons, Peaches,
granates. Lemons, Mandrakes, Peaches, \ Prunes, &c.
Stramonium, Apples, garden and wild, or 5 Dry in the first degree. Juniper Berries.
Crabs and Apples, Musk Melons, Medlars j In the second. The Nut Ben, Capers,
Mulbei-ries, Myi-obalans, Bellericks, Chebs, Pears, Fistick Nuts, Pine Nuts, Quinces,
Emblicks, Citron and Indian, Mirtle, Berries, * Nutmegs, Bay berries.
water Nuts, Hazel Nuts, Chestmds, Cypress \ In th^ third. Cloves, Galls, &c.
Nuts, Walnuts, Nutmegs, Fistick Nds, \ In the fourth. All sorts of pepper.
Vomiti7ig Nuts, Olives pickled in brine. Heads x . • , 1 ^ ^1. 1 1 ^ itr .1
of white and black Poppies, Pompions, Peaches,\^' "PPropnated [0 fe body of Man, so they
French or Kidney Beans, Pine, Cones, white \ ''^^^ ^^'' ^'"'^ •' "'
black, and long Pepper, Fistick Nuts, Apples \ Anacardia, Cubebs, Nutmegs.
and Crabs, Prunes, French and Damask, Sloes, \ The breast. Bitter Almonds, Dates,
Pears, English Currants, Berries of Purging J Cubebs, Hazel Nuts, Pine Nuts, Figs,
Thorn, black Berries, Raspberries, Elder \ Raisins of the sun. Jujubes.
henries, Sebastens, Services, or Checkers, Haw-\ The heart. Walnuts, Nutmegs, Juniper
thorn berries. Pine Nuts, Water Nuts, Grapes, \ berries.
Gooseberries, Raisins, Currants. \ The stomach. Sweet Almonds, Cloves,
Culpeper.'] That you may reap benefit i Ben, Juniper berries, Nutmegs, Pine Nuts,
by these, be pleased to consider, that they j Olives,
are some of them | The spleen. Capers.
Temperate in respect of heat. Raisins of j The reins and bladder. Bitter Almonds,
the sun. Currants, Figs, Pine Nuts, Dates, | Juniper Berries, Cubebs, Pine Nuts, Raisins
Sebastens. I of the sun.
Hot in the first degree. Sweet Almonds, I The womb. Walnuts, Nutmegs, Bay-
Jujubes, Cypress Nuts, green Hazel Nuts, » berries. Juniper berries,
green Walnuts. \ Cool the breast. Sebastens, Prunes,
Hoi in the second degree. The Nut Ben, \ Oranges, Lemons.
3 z
268
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
The heart. Oranges, Lemons, Citrons, I Myrobalans of all sorts, especially Chebs,
Pomegranates, Quinces, Pears. \ Bellericks and Emblicks, purge flegm very
Thestomach. Quinces, Citruls, Cucumbers, | gently, and without danger.
Gourds, Musk Melons, Pompions, Cherries, I 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 j which is Juniper berries.
Currants, Cervices or Checkers. 1
The liver. Those that cool the stomach \ ■
and Barberries. |
The reins and womb. Those that cool the |
stomach, and StraAvberries. {
SEEDS.
5 College.] Sorrel, Agnus Castus, Marsh-
\ mallows, Bishop's weed true and common.
By their several operations, some \ Amomus, Bill, Angellica, Annis, Rose-seed,
Bind As the berries of Mirtles, Bar- l^"'f^^^^'' <^«^«'«^^>f» ^g«™P' ^^«^^'
berries. Chestnuts, Cornels, or Cornelian 1 ^1*' ^T^''^ burdocks Bazil Barberries,
Cherries, Quinces, Galls, Acorns, Acorn- 1 ^""'"' Bruscus or Knee-holly Hemp, Carda-
cups. Medlars, Checkers or Cervices, Pome- \ ^noms greater and lesser, Cardmis Benedictus,
granates, Nutmegs, Olives, Pears, Peaches, j ^'"" "^"f^ ' Thistles Bastard Saffron Cara-
Discuss. Captrs, all the sorts of Pepper, h"-^' ^FfSe greater and lesser, Coleworts
Extenuate. Sweet and bitter Almonds, ?'"'''''' ^''t/^^f '^^.p^'^^^^^^^^^^^ ^''^7^'
ivberries. .Tuniner berries. . '\Succory, Hemlock, Citrons, Citruls, Gar dai
Bayberries, Juniper berries.
Ghdinate. Acorns, Acorn Cups, Dates,
Baisins of the sun, Currants.
Expel Wind. Bay berries. Juniper ber-
ries, Nutmegs, all the sorts of Pepper.
Breed seed. Raisins of the sun, sweet
Almonds, Pine Nuts, Figs, &c.
Provoke mine. Winter Cherries
Sciirvy-gi-ass, Colocynthis, Coriander, Samphire,
Cucumbers garden and wild. Gourds, Quinces,
Cummin, Cynosbatm, Date-stones, Carrots
English, and cretish, Dwarf-Elder, Endive,
Rocket, Hedge Mustard, Orobus, Beans, Fennel,
\ Fenugreek, Ash-tree keys, Fumitory, Brooms,
\ Grains of Paradise, Pomegranates, wild Rue,
Pro7oke ^r;ems."lvy be7rTesVcapers,&c. | f^^'^'^^ers, Barley, white Henbane, St John's
Stop the terms. Barberries, &c. \ (P'^' ^^f^. Letjice Sharp-pointed-Dock,
Resist poison. Bay berries. Juniper ber- 1 t/T' ,^«"^'^^'. ^^f ^^' Lo^^ge, Lemons,
Ties, Wabuts, Citrons, commonly called 1 ^t^^^'^^^f^^Tr^" v f^^^^^^
Pome Citrons, all the sorts of Pepper. \ ""^'"l ^'^'l'^' ^""'J; J/'eJoil, Lupines, Master-
Ease pain. Bay berries. Juniper berries, j ^^^^^^ Marjoram, Mallows, Mandrakes, Melons,
Ivy berries. Figs, Walnuts, Raisins, Curl H^'^^^r%; ^T^ ^r"" ' 7 f"'Z
rams, all the sorts of Pepper. \ ^^^f «' ^^' ^';Z f ^n • '''"'^ ^-Ti'
^^ I reaches, Bazil, Orobus, Rice, Panick, Poppies
\ white and black, Parsnips garden and wild,
J Thorough Wax, Parsley, English and Mace-
Choler. Cassia Fistula, Citron Myro-'i donian, Burnet, Pease,Plantain, Peony, Leeks,
balans. Prunes, Tamarinds, Raisins. | Purslain, Fleazeort, Turnips, Radishes, Sumach
Melancholy. Indian Myrobalans. i Spurge, Roses, Rue, garden and wild, Worm-
Flegm. Colocynthis and wild Cucumbers j seed. Saxifrage, Succory, Sesami, Hartwort,
purge violently, and therefore not rashly to \ common and cretish, Mustard-seed, Alexanders,
be meddled withal: 1 desire my book should ! A%AMaf/e, Steves Ager, Sumach, Treacle,
be beneficial, not hurtful to the vulgar, but • Mustard, sweet Trefoil, Wheat, both the Jine
Fruits purging.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 209
flour and the bran, and that which starch is \ The stomach. Annis, Bishop's weed,
made of. Vetches or Tares, Violets, Nettles, Amomus^Smallage, Cummin, Cardamoms,
common and Rotnan, the stones of Grapes,
Greek Wheat, or Spelt Wheat
Cidpeper.'] Tliat you may receive a little
more benefit by these, than the bare reading i Caraway, Carrots
of them, which doth at the most but tell
Cubebs, Grains of Paradise,
The liver. Annis, Fennel, Bishop's weed,
Amomus, Smallage, Sparagus, Cummin,
Tfie spleen. Annis, Caraway, Water-
you what they are ; the following method I cresses.
may instruct you what they are good for. j The reins and bladder. Cicers, Rocket,
t, , t ^ • j7 r ^ J i Saxifrage, Nettles, Gromwell.
beeds are hot m the first degree. j Uewomb. Peony, Rue.
Linseed, Fenugreek, Coriander, Rice, > The Joints. Water-cresses, Rue, Mustard-
Gromwcll, Lupines. jseed.
In the second. Dill, Smallage, Orobus, i Cool the head. Lettice, Purslain, white
Rocket, Bazil, Nettles. \ Poppies.
In the third. Bishop's Weed, Annis, i The breast. White Poppies, Violets.
Amomus, Carraway, Fennel, (and so I i The heart. Orange, Lemon, Citron
believe Smallage too, let authors say what; and Sorrel seeds.
they will, for if the herb of Smallage he\ Lastly,thefourgreaterand four lesser cold
somewhat hotter than Parsley; I knoAvi seeds, which you may find in the beginning
little reason why the seed should not be so | 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. } reins and bladder, womb and joints.
In the fourth. Water -cresses. Mustard- 1 a r ^ ^- j
^ ^ I According to operation some seeds
Cold in thefirst degree. Barley, &c. i Bind, as Rose-seeds, Barberries, Shep-
In the second. Endive, Lettice, Purslain, ! herd's purse, Purslain, &c.
Succory, Gourds, Cucumbers, Melons, I Discuss. Dill, Carrots, Linseeds, Fenu-
Citruls, Pompions, Sorrel, Nightshade. I greek, Nigella, &c.
In the third. Henbane, Hemlock, Pop- ^ Cleanse. Beans, Orobus, Barley, Lupines,
pies white and black. » Nettles, &c.
Moist in thefirst degree. Mallows, &c. » Mollify. Linseed, or Flax seed, Fenu-
Dry in the first degree. Beans, Fennel, | greek seed. Mallows, Nigella.
Fenugreek, Barley, Wheat, &c. \ Harden. Purslain seed, &c.
In the second. Orobus, Lentils, Rice, ^ Suppure. Linseed, Fenugreek seed, Dar-
Poppies, Nightshade, and the like. jnel. Barley husked, commonly called French
In the third. Dill, Smallages, Bishop's i Barley.
Weed, Annis, Caraway, Cummin, Cori-1 Glutinate. Orobus, Lupines, Darnel, &c,
ander, Nigella, Gromwell, Parsley. } Expel xmnd. Annis, Dill, Smallage,
A • A J A ^1. 1 J r 1^1 |Carawav,Cummin,Carrots, Fennel, Nigella,
Appropriated to the body of man, and so they | p^^^j^^; Hartwort, Wormseed. ^
Heat the head. Fennel, Marjoram, Peony, [ Breed seed. Rocket, Beans, Cicers, Ash-
&c. I tree keys.
The breast. Nettles. \ Provoke the menses. Amomus, Sparagus,
The heart. Bazil, Rue, &c. Mustard : Annis, Fennel, Bishop's weed, Cicers, Car-
seed, &c. I rots, Smallage, Parsley, Lovage, Hartwort,
270
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Break the stone Mallows, Marsh-mal- j ^.^^^^^^^ j^ .^^^ ^^ j^ -^^ ^^^, ^;„-,^ ,, ^^^,,^
lows, Gromwell, &c. |
Stop the terms. Rose seeds. Cummin, I Temperate, as. Juice of Liquorice, white
Burdock, &c. | starch.
Resist poison. Bishop's weed, Annis, I Hot in the Jirst degree. Sugar.
Smullage, Cardamoms, Oranges, Lemons, | In the second. Labdanum.
Citrons, Fennel, &;c. | In the third. Benzoin, Assafoetida.
Ease pain. Dill, Amomus, Cardamoms, I Cold in the third degree. Sanguis Draco-
Cummin, Carrots, Orobus, Fenugreek, Lin- \ nis, Acacia,
seed, Gromwell, Parsley, Panick. j In the third. Hypocistis.
Assuage swellings. Linseed, Fenugreek \ In the fourth. Opium, and yet some
seeds, Marsh-mallows, Mallows, Corian- 1 authors think Opium is hot because of its
der, Barley, Lupines, Darnel, &c. i bitter taste.
I Aloes and Manna purge choler gently;
_____ I and Scamony doth purge choler violently,
I that it is no ways fit for a vulgar man's use.
The College tells you a tale that there are | ^«^ '^ S?'-^°^^^ "^^ ^r^^'- ^popoanax
such things in Rerum Natura, as these, P"J,^f', ^^f"^ r'>' S^"^^^" • , .
r- T) • 15 1 IT- 1 I Jyhite starch gently levigates or makes
Gums, Rozms, Balsams, and Juices made , ■> \ * u r
. 1 • , • I smooth such parts as are rough, syrup ot
viz.
■1 Violets being made thick with it and so
College.] Juices of Wonnnood and Maud- \ taken on the point of a knife, helps coughs,
////, Acacia, Aloes, Lees of Oil, Assa-foetida, \ roughness of the throat, wheezing, excoria-
Balsam of Peru and India ; Bdellium, Ben- | tions of the bowels, the bloody-flux.
zoin, Camphire, Caranna, Colophonia, Juice of\ Juice of Liquorice helps roughness of the
Maudlin, Eiiphorhium, Lees of Wine, Lees of\Trachea Arteria, which is in plain English
Oil, Gums of Galbanum, Amoniacum, ^??w»e, | called the windpipe, the roughness of which
Arahick, Cherry Trees, Copal, Elemy, Jimi- \ causes coughs and hoarseness, difficulty of
per. Ivy, Plumb Trees, Camhuge, Hypocystis, j breathing, &c. It allays the heat of the
Labdanum, Lacca, Liquid Amber, Manna, stomach and liver, eases pains, soreness and
Mastich, Myrrh, Olibanum, Opium, Opopanax, roughness of the reins and bladder, it
Pice-bitumen, Pitch of the Cedar o/' Greece, quencheth thirst, and strengthens the
Liqidd and dry Rozins of Fir-tree, Larch-tree, \stom'd.ch. 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
Sarcocolla, Scamony, Styrax, Liquid and \ reins and bladder, being weakened : being
Calamitis, Tacha, Mahacca, Tartar, Frankin- \ beaten into fine powder and put into the
r\i-, m .1 -n- 11- i •. . 1 _ ^_. £1 4.1 1.
Pine tixe. Pine-fruit, Mastich. Venice and
Cyprus Turpentine. Sugar, white, red, and
Christaline, or Sugar Candy white and red,
Sagapen, Jumper, Gum, Sangids Draconis,
cense, Olibanum, Tragaganth, Birdlime.
eyes, it takes away films that grow over
Culpeper-I That my country may receive \ the sight
more benefit than ever the college of Phy- 1 Labdanum is in operation,
sicians intended them from these, I shall 1 heating and mollifying, it opens the passage
treat of them severally. I of the veins, and keeps the hair from falling
1 . Of the Juices. I off; the use of it is usually external : being
2. Of the Gums and Rosins. \ mixed with wine, myrrh, and oil of mirtles,
thickening.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED
271
and applied like a plaister, it takes away
filthy scars, and tlie deformity the small
pox leaves behind them ; being mixed with
oil of Roses, and dropped into the ears, it
helps pains there ; being used as a pes-
sary, it provokes the menses, and helps
hardness, or stiffness of the womb. It is
sometimes used inwardly in such medicines
as ease pains and help the cough : if you
mix a little of it Avith old white wine and
drink it, it both provokes urine and stops
looseness or fluxes.
Dragons blood, cools, binds, and repels.
Acasia, and Hyposistis, do the like.
The juice of Maudlin, or, for want of it
Costmary, which is the same in effect, and
better known to the vulgar, the juice is made
thick for the better keeping of it ; first
clarify the juice before you boil it to its due
thickness, which is something thicker than
honey.
It is appropriated to the liver, and the
quantity of a dram taken every morning,
helps the Cachexia, or evil disposition of
tlie body proceeding from coldness of the
liver: it helps the rickets and worms in
children, provokes urine, and gently (with-
out purging) disburdens the body of choler
and flegm; it succours the lungs, opens ob-
structions, and resists putrifaction of blood.
Gums are either temperate, as, Lacca,
Elemi, Tragacanth, &c.
Intemperate, and so are hot in the first
degree, as Bdellium, Gum of Ivy.
In the second, Galbanum, Myrrh, Mastich,
Frankincense, Olibanura, Pitch, Rozin,
Sty rax
In the third. Amoniacum.
In the fourth. Euphorbium.
Gum Arabick is cold.
Colophonia and Styrax soften.
Gum Arabick and Tragacanth, San-
darack or Juniper Gum, and SarcocoUa
bind.
Gum of Cherry trees, breaks the stone.
Styrax provokes the menses.
\ Opopanax gently purges flegm
I From the prickly Cedar when it is burned
I comes forth that which, with us, is usually
I known by the name of Tar, and is excellently
.'good for unction either for scabs, itch, or
manginess, either in men or beasts, as alsc
against the leprosy, tetters, ringworms, and
scald heads.
All sorts of Rozins fill up hollow ulcers,
and relieve the body sore pressed with cold
I griefs.
I The Rozin of Pilch-tree, is that which
5 is commonly called Burgundy pitch, and
lis something hotter and sharper than the
\ former, being spread upon a cloth is ex-
I cellentlygood for old aches coming of former
I bruises or dislocations.
J Pitch mollifies hard swellings, and brings
I boils and sores to suppuration, it breaks
; carbuncles, disperses aposthumes, cleanses
ulcers of corruption and fills them Avith
flesh.
Bdellium heats and mollifies, and that very
5 temperately, being mixed with any con-
I venient ointment or plaister, it helps ker-
X nels in the neck and throat, Scrophula, or
I that disease which was called the King's
\ Evil. Inwardly taken in any convenient
\ medicine, it provokes the menses, and breaks
I the stone, it helps coughs and bitings of
I venomous beasts : it helps windiness of the
I spleen, and pains in the sides thence coming.
t Both outwardly applied to the place and
I inwardly taken, it helps ruptures or such as
are burst, it softens the hardness of the
womb, dries up the moisture thereof and
expels the dead child.
Bitumen Jadaicum is a certain dry pitch
which the dead sea, or lake of Sodom in India
casts forth at certain times, the inhabitants
thereabouts pitch their ships with it. It is
of excellent use to mollify the hardness of
swellings and discuss them, as also against
\ inflammations ; the smoke of it burnt is
I excellently good for the fits of the mother,
I and the falling-sickness : Inwardly taken in
* 4 A
272 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
wine it provokes the menses, helps the bitings i tures in the skull and head. See Arceus'
of venomous beasts, and dissolves congealed ? liniment.
blood in the body. | Gmn Lacca being Avell purified, and the
Ambergreese is hot and dry in the second > quantity of half a dram taken in anv con
degree, I will not dispute Avhether it be a venient liquor, strengthens the stomach ana
Gum or not : It strengthens nature nmch liver, opens obstructions, helps tlic yellow
which way soever it be taken, tliere are but 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 .^wier is not nmch unlike liquid
flowers, and the temples and forehead | Styrax: by unction it warms and comforts
anointed with it, it eases the pains of lhe|a cold and moist brain, it eases all griefs
head and strengthens the brain exceedingly ; | 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 it | anointed with it, and helps digestion ex-
strengthens the brain and memory, thes ceedingly, it dissolves swellings. It is hoi
heart and vital spirit, Wcu ms cold stomachs, \ in the third degree, and moist in the first,
and is an exceeding strengthener of nature | I think it would do the commonwealth
to old people, adding vigour to decayed and I no narm if I sliould speak a word or two of
worn-out spirits : it provokes venery, and I Manna here, although it be no Gum : I con-
makes barren women fruitful, if coldness | fess authors make some flutter about it,
and moisture or weakness be the cause im-i what it is, some holding it to be the juice
pediting. \ of a tree ; I am confident it is the very same
^ssafatula being smellcd to, is vulgarly i condensatcd that our honey-dews here are,
known to repress the fits of the mother ; i only the contries whence it comes being far
a little bit put into an aching tooth, pre-: hotter, it falls in great abundance. Let him
scntly eases the pain, ten grains of it taken | that desires reason for it, be pleased to read
before dinner, walking half an hour aficr\ Butler s book of Bees, a most excelleni
it, provokes appetite, helps digestion,} experimental work, there he shall find rea-
sfrengthens the stomach, and takes away I son enough to satisfy any reasonable man.
■loathing of meat, it provokes lust exceed- 1 Choose the driest and Avhitest ; it is a very
ingly and expels wind as much. | gentle purger of choler, quenches thirst,
Borax, besides the virtues it has to solder I provokes appetite, eases the roughness ot
Gold, Silver, Copper, &c. inwardly given Uhe throat, helps bitterness in the throat,
in small quantities, it stops fluxes, and the: and often proneness to vomit, it is very good
running of the reins : being in fine powder, I for such as are subject to be costive to put
and put into green wounds, it cures them ati it into their drink instead of sugar, it hath
once dressing. x no obnoxious quality at all in it, but may
Gambiige, which the College calls Guttax betaken by a pregnant woman without any
Gamba. I know no good of it. \ danger ; a child of a year old maj' take an
Caramm outwardly applied, is excellent ; ounce of it at a time dissolved in milk, it
for aches and swellings in the nerves and \ will melt like sugar, neither will it be known
I'oints : If you lay it behind the ears, it | from it by the taste.
draws back humours from the eyes; applied | Myrrh 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 ,
lielps the tooth-ache. j and yet held to be good for the roughness
Ctim Elimi, authors appropriate to frac- ^ of the throat and wind-pipe : half a drama
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
273
It taken at a time helps rheumatic distilla- I
lions upon the lungs, pains in the sides ; it
Stops fluxes, provokes the menses, brings ?
away both birth and after-birth, softens the |
hardness of the womb ; being taken two |
hours before the fit comes, it helps agues.
Mathiolus saith he seldom used any other
medicine for the quartan ague than a dram
of myrrh given in Muskadel an hour before |
the fit usually came ; if you make it up into \
pills with treacle, and take one of them j
every morning fasting, it is a sovereign i
preservative against the pestilence, against i
the poison of serpents, and other venomous i
beasts; asingularremedy forastinkingbreath \
if it arise from putrefaction of the stomach, |
it fastens loose teeth, and stays the shedd- 1
ing off of the hair, outwardly used it breeds \
flesh in deep wounds, and covers the naked 1
bones with flesh. |
Olibanum is hot in the second degree, and I
dry in the first, you may take a dram of it |
at a time, it stops looseness and the- run- |
ning of the reins; it strengthens the memory 1
exceedingly, comforts the heart, expels sad- }
ness and melancholy, strengthens the heart, >
helps coughs, rheums and pleurises ; your \
best way (in my opinion,) to take it is to mix i
it with conserve of roses, and take it in the \
morning fasting. |
Tachamacha is seldom taken inwardly, I
outwardly spread upon leather, and applied I
to the navel ; it stays the fits of the mother, \
applied to the side, it mitigates speedily, i
and in little time quite takes away the pain |
and windiness of the spleen ; the truth is, j
whatsoever ache or swelling proceeds ofj
wind or cold raw humours, I know no!
better plaister coming from beyond sea than I
this gum. It strengthens the brain and i
memory exceedingly, and stops all such *;
defluctions thence as trouble the eyes, ears, |
or teeth, it helps the gout and sciatica. \
Gi(m Coopal, and Gum Anime, are very |
like one another both in body and opera- i
lion, the former is hard to come by, the last •
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
the sinews.
Gum Tragaganth, which the vulgar call
Gum Dragon, being mixed with pectoral
Syrups, (which you shall find noted in their
proper places) it helps coughs and hoarse-
ness, salt and sharp distillations upon the
lungs, being taken with a liquorice stick,
being dissolved in sweet wine, it helps
(being drank) gnawing in the bowels, sharp-
ness and freetings of the urine, which causes
excoriations either in the reins or bladder,
being dissolved in milk and the ej'es washed
with it, it takes away weals and scabs that
grow on the eyelids, it is excellently good to
be put in poultice to fodder wounds,
especially if the nerves or sinews be hurt.
Sagapen, dissolved in juice of rue and
taken, wonderfully breaks the stone in the
bladder, expels the dead child and after-
birth, clears the sight; dissolved in wine
and drank, it helps the cough, and dis-
tillation upon the lungs, and the fits of the
mother; outwardly in oils or ointments, it
helps such members as are out of joint or
over-stretched.
Galbanum is of the same operation, and
also taken from the same plant, viz. Fennel,
Giant.
Gum Arabic, thickens and cools, and cor-
rects choleric sharp humours in the body,
being dissolved in the white of an egg, well
beaten, it helps burnings, and keeps the
place from blistering.
Mastich stays fluxes, being taken inwardly
any way. I'hree or four small grains of
Mastich, swallowed at night going to bed,
is a remedy for pains in the stomach :
being beaten into powder, and mixed with
conserve of Roses, it strengthens the stomaclv
stops distillations vipon the lungs, slays
vomiting, and causes a sweet breath; bring
mixed with white wine and the mouth
2T4 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
washed with it, it cleanses the gums of cor- i being anointed with the same, cools the reins,
ruption, and fastens loose teeth. land seminal vessels, stops the running ot
Frankhicense being used outwardly in the ; the reins and Fluor Albus, the moderate use
way of a plaister, heats and binds; being} of Vcnery, the like it doth if it be drank
applied to the temples, stops the rheums \ inwardly with Bettony-water, take but a
that flow to the eyes, helps green wounds, i small quantity of it at a lime inwardly, it
and fills hollow ulcers with flesh, stops the I resist poison and bitings by venomous
bleeding of wounds, though the arteries be ; beasts ; outwardly, applied as before, and
cut; being made into an ointment with j 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, vix. the
beware of taking it inwardly, lest it cause! brain, joints, hands, and feet, the nerves
madness. 5 and breast, and strengthens all those parts
Turpentine 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. | weakness of the sight, old rotten coughs,
Styrax Calamitis is hot and dry in the | and gouts of all sorts, dropsies, and swell-
second degree, it heals, mollifies, and con- lings of the spleen, it helps the stranguary
cocts; being taken inwardly helps the cough, sand difficulty of making urine, provokes
and distillations of the lungs, hoarseness and | the menses, and helps all cold afflictions of
loss of voice, helps the hardness of the j the womb ; have a care you give it not to
Avomb, 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 dis- 1 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; !=^5^5=
remedies that I know for infirmities of the j j^ ^j^^ „^^^ ,^^^ ^^^ College tells you a tale
spleen, bemg applied to the left side; bemgj concerning Liquid, Juices, and Tears,
made into an oin ment with oil, it is good | ^^j^-^j^ ^^^\^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^.^
to anoint the limbs or such as are weary : | r r ^
a scruple of it being taken in the form of a \ 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 o? \he\ a Birch-tree, Juice of Chermes, Quinces, Pome-
spleen, the sciatica and all pains in \he\ granates, Lemons, Wood-sorrel, Oil of unripe
loints, and have any humour afl^icting their | Olives, and ripe Olives, both new and cold, Jmce
breast. | of red and Damask Roses, Wine Tears of a
Camphire, it is held by all authority to be { Vine.
cold and dry in the third degree, it is of very | Culpeper.'] The virtues of the most of
thin subtile parts, insomuch that being 5 these may be found in the Syrups, and are
beaten into very fine powder it will vanquish | few of them used alone,
away into the air, being beaten into powder t
and mixed with oil, and the temples anointed j
therewith, eases headaches proceeding of*
heat, all inflammations whatsoever, the back;
AND ENGLISH PPIYSICIAN ENLARGED. ' 2T4
i broken, and they boiled in spring water.
Then the College tells you there are things 1^"^ not scummed at all. for the scum will
bred of PLANTS. i^^". ^^^^"' ^"" ^'^^ water drank for
I ordinary drink is a most admirable remedy
College.] Agarick, Jews-ears, the berries \ for consumption ; being bruised and ap-
qf Chermes, the Spungy substance of the \ plied to the place they help the gout, draw
Briar, Moss, Viscus Quercinus, Oak, Apples. \ 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,
Jews-ears boiled m milk and drank, | therefore consider that the College gave
helps sore throats. ? ^1^^ Apothecaries a catalogue of what
Moss IS cold, dry and binding, therefore p^^,^ ^^. jj^- ^^, ^ Excrements
good for fluxes of all sorts. 5 tK^,, rv;.,ot b^^^ ; +i • i
° Misleto of the Oak, it helps the falling | '^"^ "^"'^ ^""P '" '^'^'' ^''"P^-
sickness and the convulsions, being dis- 1 College.] The fat, grease^ or suet, of a
erectly gathered and used. ; Duck, Goose, Eel, Boar, Herron, Thymal-
Oak Apples are dry and binding; he\ng\lows (if you know where to get it) Dog,
boiled in milk and drank, they stop ^\\\q^\ Capon, Beaver, uildCat, Stork, Coney, Horse
and the menses, and being boiled in vinegar, \ Hedge-hog, Hen, Man, Lion, Hare, Pike, or
and the body anointed with the vinegar, I Jack, (if they have any fat, I am persuaded
cures the itch. j'tis worth twelve-pence a grain) Wolf,
^^^^ I Mouse of the motintains, (if you can catch
■ ithem) Pardal, Hog, Serpent, Badger, Grey
Then the College acquaints you. That there ijf brock Fox, Vtdture, (if you can catch
are certain living Creatures called | jhein) Album Gm.um, Anghce, Dog's dimg,
* I the hucklebone of a Hare and a Hog, East
College.] Bees, Woodlice, Silkworms, \ and West Bezoar, Butter not salted atul salted.
Toads, Crabs of the Rivef , little Puppy Dogs, | stone taken out of a mans bladder. Vipers
Grass-hoppers, Cantharides, Cothanel, Hedge- \flesh, fresh Cheese, Castorium, white, yellozc,
hogs. Emmets or Ants, Larks, Swallows, and ; and Virgi?is Wax, the brain of Hares and
their young ones, Horse-leeches, Snails, Earth- j Sparrows, Crabs' Claws, the Bennet of a
xuorms. Dishwashers or Wagtails, House > Lamb, a Kid, a Hare, a Calf, and a Horse,
Sparrows and Hedge Sparrows, Frogs, Scineus, | the heart of a Bullock, a Stag, Hog, and
Jband Scorpions, Moles, or Monts, Tortoise of \ a Wether, the horn of an Elk, a Hart,
the Woods, Tenches, Vipers and Foxes. \ a Bhinoceros, an U?iicorn, the skull of a man
CulpeperJ That part of this crew of \ killed by a violent death, a Cockscomb, the
Cattle and some others which they have not j tooth of a Bore, an Elephant, and a Sea-horse,
been pleased to learn, may be made bene- 1 Ivory, or Elephant's Tooth, the skin a Snake
ficial to your sick bodies, be pleased to I hath cast off, the gall of a Hawk, Bullock, a
understand, that 1 she Goat, a Hare, a Kite, a Hog, a Bull,
Bees being burnt to ashes, and a lye made j a Bear, the cases of Silk-worms, the liver of a
with the ashes, trimly decks a bald head | Wolf, an Otter, a Frog, Isinglass, the guts
being washed with it. \ of a Wolf and a Fox, the milk of a she Ass,
Snails with shells on their backs, being \ a she Goat, a Woman, an Ewe, a Heifer,
first washed from the dirt, then the she\h\ East and West Bezoar, the stone in the head of
4 B
276 ' THE COMPLETE II RRBAL
a Crab, and a Perch, if there be any stone in i
an Ox Gall, stone in the bladder of a Man, 1 PETALS, STONES, SALTS, AND
the Jaw of a Pike or Jack, 1 earls, the marrow | Ol'HER MINEKA LS.
oj the Leg oj a oheep, U.i, Uoat, otag, Caij, I
common and virgin Ihneij, Musk, Mnmmy, a \ Ver-de-grease, Scales of Brass, JEtitis,
Swallow's nest. Crabs Eyes, the Omentum or\Alana Terra, Alabaster,' Alectorions, Alum
call of a Lamb, Ram, IVether, Calf, the ; Seisile and Roach Amethist, Amianth, Amphe-
nhites,yolks, andshells of lien's Eggs, Emmet's \ lites. Antimony, leaves and filings of Silver,
Eg£[S,bone of a Stag's heart, anOx leg, Ossepicr, \ Quick Silver, Lapis, Armenius, native Aysenic,
the inner skin of a Hen's Gizzard, the wool of [both white and red, artificial Arseinc, white
Hares, the feathers of Partridges, that which \ and realgar, Argilla, Astei'ia, leaves and fil~
liees make at the entrance of the hive, the | ings of Gold, Belemites, Berril, Role-armenick,
pizzle of a Stag, of a Bull, Fox Lungs, > Borrax, Toad-stone, Lapis Calaminatis, Cad-
fasting spUlle, the blood of a Pigeon, of a \ mia. Lime quick and quenched. Vitriol, white.
Cat, of a h£ Goat, of a Hare, of a Partridge, \ blue, and green. Steel, Borrax, Chrisolite,
nf a Sow, of a Bull, of a Badger, of a Snail, \ Chrisopus, Cynabris, native and artificial.
Silk, Whey, the suet of a Bullock, of a Stag, \ Whetstones, Chalk, white and green. Crystal,
nf a he Goat, of a Sheep, of a Heifer, Spenna- \ Diphriges, the rust, dust, scales, and fakes of
reti, a Bullock's spleen, the skin a Snake hath \ h-on. Granite, Mortar, ruch as nails are
cast of, the excrements of a Goose, of a Dog, \ daubed zrith, Hcmatitis, Heliotropium, Jacinth,
of a Goat, of Pigeons, of a stone Horse, of a \ Hyber, JSlicius, Jasper, Lapis Judacious,
ilen, of Swallozrs, of a Hog, of a Lleifer, the \ Tiles, Lapis Lazuly, Lapis Lincis, Lithan-
ancle of a Hare, of a Sow, Cobwebs, Water \ thrax. Litharge of Silver and Gold, Load-
thells, as Blatta Bazantia, Buccince, Crabs, j stone, Marchusite, or fire stone Marble, Red
Cockles, Dentalis, Entalis, Mother of Pearl, \ Lead, native and artificial. Miss, Naptha,
Mytuli Purpura, Os sepice, Umbilious Mart- j Lapis Nephriticus, Nitre, Oaker yelloxv and
nus, the testicles of a Horse, a Cock, the hoof\red. Onyx, Opalus, Ophytes, Ostcocoila Lead
of an Elk, of an Ass, a Bullock, of a Horse, of\ white and black. Plumbago, Pompholix, Mar-
a L.yon, the urine of a Boar, of a she Goat. ichasife. Realgar, Ruby, red Oaker, Sal
Culpeper.'] The liver of an Hedge-hog j Armoniach, Sal Gem, and salt Nitre, Saphyr
being dried and beaten into powder and $ «?/(/ Sardine, Sclenitis, Flints, Emerald,
drank in vvine, strengthens the reins exceed- * Smiris, Sori, Spodium, Pewter, Brimstone,
ingly, and helps the dropsy, convulsions, j quick and common, Talth, Earth oj Cimolia,
and the falling sickness, together v/^ith all ; Sames, Lemnos, Sylesia, Topas, Alana, Terra,
fluxes of the bowels. \ Tutty, Vitriol, white, blue, and green.
The liver being in like manner brought I p^.^^.^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^/^^^. , ^^ ^,^^,,^y-.^.^ ^^
into powder, strengthens the liver exceed- ; hidden
ingly, and helps the dropsy. \
' " I By a way manifest, they are hot, tn the
Then the College tells you these things may i/rs^ degree. Hemetitis, Pyritis, Lopis
be taken from the SEA, as 1 Asius, thyiris, Smyres, Lapis Schistus.
College.] Amber-grease, Sea-water, 5er/-j Precious stones cold, arc in the first degree,
sand. Bitumen, Amber uhite and yellow, Je/, | Jacinth, Saphyr, Emerald, Cristal, Lapis
Carlince, Coral, white and red. Foam of the \ Samius, Lapis Phrigius.
Sea, Spunge, Stone Pumice, Sea salt, Spunges, \ In the second degree. Ruby, Carbuncle,
Amber. ; Granite, Sardony
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 277
In the fourth' degree. Diamond. | Pumice-stone being beaten into powder
In respect of property, they bind, as Lapis \ and the teeth rubbed with it, cleanses them.
Asius, Nectius, Geodes-, Pumice-stone. \ Dioscorides.
Emolient , as Alabaster, Jet, Lapis Thra-{ Jet, it is of a softening and discussing
«us. I nature, it resists the fits of the mother.
Stupify : as Memphitis, Jasper, Ophites. | Lapis Arabicns being beaten into powder,
Cleanse : as Lapis Arabicus. x and made into an ointment helps the
Glutinate: as Galaclitis, Melitcs. | hemorrhoids.
Scarify: as Morochtus. \ Osiracites, a dram of it taken in powder
Break the stone: as Lapis Lyncis, Lapis | provokes the menses; beingtaken after that
Judaicus, Lapis Sponge. |, purgation, causes conception, also being
Retaifi the fruit in the womb : as ^Etitis, i made into an ointment, helps inflammations
Jasper. | of the breast.
Prorvoke the menses. Ostracites. \ Myexis being borne about one takes away
Ci u • 1- 7-77 „ * . r„„ t-u^.. \ pains in the reins, and hinders the breeding
otones altering by a hidden property (as they I'^f.^. ^
;/ *! \ _ i oi tne stone.
call it, J are X t ■ ^ ■ i i i ^
^ \ Lapis Armenius purges melancholy, and
Bezoar, Topaz, Lapis Colubrinus, Toad- I also causes A'omiting, I hold it not very
stone. Emerald, Alectorius, Calcidonius, \ safe for our English bodies, and therefore
Amethist, Saphyr, Jasper, Lapis Nephri- U will speak no more of it.
ticus. Lapis Tibernum, Lapis, Spongites, | t- y ^- r ^ ■ rr
the stone found in the maw of a SwaTlow, Explanation of certain Vacuations.
Load-stone, Lapis Vulturis, Merucius, The five opening Roots.
Coral, Iiynturius, Jet, iEtites, the stones of I Smallage, Sparagus, Fennel, Parsley, Knec-
Crabs, Amber, Crystal, &c. ! holly.
The Loadstone purges gross humours. ^ The two opening Roots.
Lapis Armenius and Lapis Laztdi, purge » Fennel, Parsley.
melancholy. | The five emolient Herbs.
Pyrites heat and cleanse, take away ! Marsh-mallozcs, Mallows, Beets, Mercury,
dimness of sight. Dioscorides. Lapis Asius \ Pellitory of the Wall, Violet Leaves.
binds and moderately corrodes and cleanses I The five Capillary Herbs,
filthy ulcers, and fills them up with flesh ; | Maidenhair, Wall Rue, Ccirach, Hart's-
being mixed with honey, and applied to the | tongue, Politricum.
place, is an admirable remedy for the gout, i The four cordial Flowers.
Chrystal being beaten into very fine pow- i Barrage, Bugloss, Roscs^ Violets.
der, and a dram of it taken at a time helps I The four greater hot Seeds, Carminative,
the bloody-flux, stops the Fluor Albus, and | or breaking wind,
increases milk in Nurses. Mathiolus. \ Annis, Carraway, Cummin, Fennel.
Lapis Satnius is cooling and binding, it is | The four lesser hot seeds,
very comfortable to the stomach, but it 5 Bishop's weed, Amomus, Smallage, Carrot*
dulls the senses, helps fluxes of the eyes 5 The four greater cold seeds,
and ulcers. | Citrul, Cucumber, Gourds, Melon.
Geudetes binds and drys, being beaten i The four lesser cold seeds,
inlo powder and mixed with water, and 5 Succory, Endive, Lettice, Purslain.
applied to the place, takes away in- j Five fragments of precious stones,
flammalions of the Testicles. * Granite, Jacinth, Sapphire,Sardine,Emer aid
278
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
The right worshipful, the College of Phj- \
sicians of London in their New Dispen- \
satory give you free leave to distil these \
common waters that follow, but they i
never intend you should know what they \
are good for. |
SIMPLE DISTILLED WATERS. |
Of fresh Roots of »
Uriony, Onions, Elecampane, Orris, or\
Flower-de-luce^ Turnips. j
Of flowers and buds ot
Southernwood, both sorts of Wormwood,
Wood Sorrel, Lady s-Mantle, Marsh-mallows,
Angelica, Pimpernel with purple flowers
Smallage, Columbines, Spa7-agus, Mouse-ear,
Borrage, Shepherd's Purse, Calatninth, Wood-
bine or Honey-suckles, Carduus Benedictus,
our Lady's Thistles, Knotgrass, Succorv,
Dragons, Colt's-foot, Fetmel, Goat's Rue,
Grass, Hyssop, Lcttice, Lavage, Toad-flax,
Hops, Marjoram, Mallows, Horehound, Fea-
therfew, Bazum, Mints, Horse-mints, Water
Cresses, English Tobacco, white Poppies-
Pellatory of the Wall, Parsley, Pla7itain,
Purslain, Self-heal, Pennyroyal, Oak leaves.
Sage, Scabious, Figwort or Throatwort, House-
leek, or Sengreen, the grea er and lesser Mother
of Time, Nightshade, Tansy, Tormentil,
Valerian.
Of Flowers of
Oranges, (if you can get them) Blue-bot-
tle the greater. Beans, Water-Lilies, iMvender,
Nut-tree, Cowslips, Sloes, Rosemary, Roses
white, damask, and red, Satyrien, Lime-tree,
Clove-gilliflowers, Violets.
Of Fruits of
Oranges, Black Cherries, Pome Citrons,
Quinces, Cucumbers, Strawberries, Winter
Cherries, Lemons, Rasberries, unripe Walnuts,
Apples.
Of parts of living Creatures and their ex-
crements
Lobsters, Cockles, or S7iails, Hartshorn,
Bullocks dung made in May, Swallows, Earth-
worms, Magpies, Spawn of Frogs.
SIMPLE WATERS DISTILLED.
being digested before-hand.
Of the fresh Roots of Nettles.
Of the leaves of Agrimony, wild Tansy,
or Silverweed, Mugwort, Bettony, Mari-
golds, Chamomel, Chamepitys, Celandine,
Pilewort, Scurvy-grass, Comfry the greater,
Dandelyon, Ash-tree leaves, Eyebright,
Fumitory, Alehoof, or ground Ivy, Horse-
tail, St. John's Wort, Yarrow, Moneywort,
Restharrow, Solomon's Seal, Res solis, Rue,
Savin, Saxifrage, Hart's tongue, Scordium,
Tamarisk, Mullin, Vervain, Paul's Bettony,
Mead-sweet, Nettles.
Of the Flowers of Mayweed, Broom,
Cowslips, Butter-bur, Peony, Elder.
Of the berries of Broom, Elder.
Culpeper.'] Then the College gives you
an admonition concerning these, which
being converted into your native language,
is as follows.
We give you warning that these common
waters be better prepared for time to
come, either in common stills, putting
good store of ashes underneath, the roots
and herbs being dryer, &c. or if they be
full of Juice, by distilling the juice in a
convenient bath, that so burning may be
avoided, which hitherto hath seldom
been. But let the other Herbs, Flowers,
or Roots, be bruised, and by adding
Tartar, common salt, or leven be
digested, then putting spring Avater to
them, distil them in an Alembick with
its refrigeratory, or Worm, till the
change of the taste shew the virtue to be
drawn off; then let the oil (if any) be
separated from the water according to
art.
Into the number of these waters may be
ascribed.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
279
The Tears of Vines, the hquor of the t Waters concocting flegm in the head, are
Birch-tree, May dew. I Beltony, Sage, Marjoram, Chamomel,
Culpeper.'] That my country may receive I Fennel, Cahimintli, Ilosemary-llowers,
the benefit of these waters, I shall first j Primroses, Eye-bright,
shew the temperatures, secondly, the vir- 1 In the breast and lungs. Maiden-hair,
tues of the most usual and most easy to | Bettony, Ilysop, Horehounfj, Carduus
come by : If any should take exceptions I Benedictus, Scabious, Orris, or Flower-de-
that I mention not all, I answer first, 1 1 luces, Ba^v'nl, Self-heal, Sec.
mention enough. Secondly, who ever I In the heart. Bawm, Rosemary,
makes this objection, they shew extreme | In the stomach. Wormwood, Mints,
inp-ratitude ; for had I mentioned but only | Fennel, Chervil, Time, Mother of Time,
one, I had revealed more to them than ever \ Marigolds.
the College intended they should know, or I In the liver. Wormwood, Centaury,
give me thanks for doing. | Origanum, Marjoram, Maudlin, Coslmary,
The qualities and appropriation of the 5w«o/e | ^g""\^^">'' ^^""^j-
Distilled ffaters.
Simple distilled waters either cool or
heat : such as cool, either cool the blood
or choler.
Waters cooling the blood. Leltice, Pur-
slain, Water Lilies, Violets, Sorrel Endive,
Succory, Fumitory.
Waters cooling and repressing choleric humours,
or vapours in the head.
Nightshade, Lettice, Water Lilies, Plan-
tain, Poppies, viz. The flowers both of
white black and red Poppies, black Ciieries
In the spleen. Water-cresses, Wormwood.
Calaminth.
In the reins and bladder Rocket, Nettles,
Saxifrage, Pellitory of the Wall, Alicam-
pane, Burnet.
In the womb. Mugwort, Calaminth,
Penny-royal, Savin, Mother of Time,
I" Lovage.
Waters concocting Melancholy in the head,
J are
Hops, Fumitory.
The breast and
lungs.
The breast.
The heart.
Violets, Poppies 5 Rosemary
Bawm, Carduus Benedictus.
Borrage, Bugloss, Bawm,
all three sorts, Colt's-foot,
In the heart. Sorrel, Quinces, Water
Lilies, Roses, Violets, green or unripe
Walnuts.
In the stomach. Quinces, Roses, Violets,
Nightshade, Houseleeks, or Sengreen, Let-
tice, Purslain.
The liver. Endive, Chicory, Hops.
The spleen. Dodder, Hart's-tongue,
Tamarisk, Time.
Having thus ended the appropriation,
I shall speak briefly of the virtues of dis-
tilled waters.
Lettice water cools the blood when it is
In the liver. Endive, Succory, Night- j over-heated, for when it is not, it needs no
shade, Purslain, Water Lilies. J cooling : it cools the head and liver, stays
In the reins and bladder. Endive, Sue- 1 hot vapours ascending to the head, and
cory, Winter Cherries, Plantain, Water \ hinders sleep ; it (|uenches immoderate
Lilies, Strawberries, Houseleek or Sen- i thirst, and breeds milk in nurses, distil it in
green, black Cherries. | May.
In the nomb. Endive, Succory, Lettice, | Purslain water cools the blood and liver,
Water Lilies, Purslain, Roses. j quenches thirst, helps such as spit blood,
Simple Avaters which are hot, concoct | have hot coughs, or pestilences.
either flegm or melancholy.
\ The distilled water of water Lily-flowers
4 c
280 THE COIMPLETE HERBAL
i •
cools the blood and the bowels, and all I The water of Dw^?7/ec?Q«w?ces strengthens
internal parts of the body; helps such as 1 the heart and stomach exceedingly, stays
have the yellow jaundice, hot coughs and | vomiting and fluxes, and strengthens the
pleurisies, the head-ache, coming of heat, \ retentive faculty in man.
fevers pestilential and not pestilential, as j Damask Rose water cools, comforts, and
also hectic fevers. | strengthens the heart, so doth Red Rose-
The water of Violet flowers, cools the \ water, only with this difference, the one h
blood, the heart, liver and lungs, over- i binding, the other loosening ; if your body
healed, and quenches an insatiable desire \ be costive, use Damask Rose water, be-
of drinking, they are in their prime about; cause it is loosening: if loose, use red,
the latter end of March, or beginning of | because it is binding.
April, according as the year falls out. ; White Rose water is generally known to
The water of Sorrel cools the blood, i be excellent against hot rheums, and in-
heart, liver, and spleen : If Venice Treacle | flammations in the eyes, and for this it is
be given with it, it is profitable in pestilen- 1 better than the former,
tial fevers, distil it in May. 5 The water of Red Poppy flowers, called
Endive and Succory water are excellent \ by many Corn-roses, because they grow so
against heat in the stomach ; if you take ; frequently amongst corn, cools the blood
an ounce of either (for their operation is « and spirits over-heated by drinking or
the same) morning and evening, four days | labour, and is therefore excellent in surfets.
one after another, they cool the liver, and i Green JValmiis gathered about the latter
cleanse the blood : they are in their prime J end of June or Jidy, and bruised, and so
in May. i stilled, strengthen the heart, and resist tl>e
Fumitory water is usual with the city I pestilence,
dames to wash their faces with, to take away ; Plantain water helps the headache ; being
morphey, freckles, and sun-burning; in- 1 dropped into the ear it helps the tooth-ache,
wardly taken, it helps the yellow jaundice 5 helps the phthisicks, dropsy and fluxes,
and itch, cleanses the blood, provokes i and is an admirable remedy for u.cers in
sweat, strengthens the stomach, and cleanses i the reins and bladder, to be used as com-
the body of adust humours: it is in its jmon drink : the herb is in its prime in J/07/,
prime in May and June. 5 Strawberry water cools, quenches thirst,
The water of Nightshade helps pains in I clarifies the blood, breaks the stone, helps
the head coming of heat. Take heed you i all inward inflammations, especially those
distil not the deadly Nightshade instead ofiin the reins, bladder and passages of the
the common, if you do, you may make \ urine ; it strengthens the liver and helps
mad work. Let such as have not wit I the yellow jaundice.
enough to know them asunder, have wit I The distilled water of Dog grass, or
enough to let them both alone till they do. 5 Couch grass, as some call it, cleanses tlw
The water of white Poppies extinguishes | reins gallantly, and provokes urine, opens
all heat against nature, helps head-aches j obstructions of the liver and spleen, and
coming of heat, and too long standing in \ kills worms,
the sun. Distil them in June or July. \ Black Cherry water provokes urine, helps
Colt's-foot water is excellent for burns to \ the dropsy. It is usually given in diseases
wash the place with it; inwardly taken it t of the brain, as convulsions, falhng-sick-
helps Phthisicks and other diseases inci \ ness, palsy and apoplexy,
dent to the lungs, distil them in Mo?/ or Jwwe.; Betony is in its prime in May, the dis-
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
281
tilled water thereof is very good for such
as are pained in their heads, it prevails
against the dropsy and all sorts of fevers •
it succours the liver and spleen, and helps
want of digestion and evil disposition of
the body thence arising ; it hastens travail
in women with child, and is excellent
against the bitings of venomous beasts.
Distil Sage whilst the flowers be on it,
the water strengthens the brain, provokes the
menses, helps nature much in all its actions.
Marjoram is in its prime in June, dis-
tilled ■W^ter is excellent for such whose
brains are too cold, it provokes urine, heats
the womb, provokes the menses, strengthens
the memory and helps the judgment, causes
an able brain.
Distil Camomel water about the beginning
of June. It eases the cholick and pains
in the belly ; it breaks the stone in the
reins and bladder, provokes the menses,
expels the dead child, and takes away pains
in the head.
Fennel water strengthens the heart and
brain ; dilates the breast, the cough, pro-
vokes the menses, encreases milk in nurses,
and if you wash your eyes with it, it clears
the sight.
The Hooses of the fore feet of a Cow
dried and taken any away, encrease milk
in nurses, the smoke of them drives away
mice. Mizaldiis.
Calaminth water heats and cleanses the
womb, provokes the menses, and eases the
pains of the head, distil it in May.
The distilled water of Rosemary flowers,
helps such as are troubled v/ith the yellow
Jaundice, Asthmas, it cleanses the blood,
helps concoction, strengthens the brain
and body exceedingly.
Water of i\\e flowers of Lilies of the valley,
strengthens the brain and all the senses.
The water of Cowslip flowers helps the
palsey ; takes away pains in the head, the
vertigo and megrim, and is exceeding good
for pregnant women.
The eyes being washed every morning
with Eyebright water, most strangely clears
and strengthens the sight.
Maidenhair distilled in May, the water
cleanses both liver and lungs, clarifies the
blood, and breaks the stone.
Hyssop water cleanses the lungs of flegrn,
helps coughs and Asthmas, distil it in
August.
The water of Hore-hound, helps the cough
and straitness of the breast ; it strengthens
the breast, lungs and stomach, and liver,
distil it in June.
Carduus water succours the head,
strengthens the memory, helps such as are
troubled with vertigoes and quartan agues ,
it provokes sweat, strengthens the heart,
and all other fevers of choler. It is in
its prime in May and June.
Scabious water helps pleurises and pains,
and pricking in the sides ; Aposthumes,
coughs, pestilences, and straitness of the
breast.
Water of Flower-de-luce is very profitable
in dropsies, an ounce being drank con-
tinually every morning and evening ; as
also pains and torments in the bowels.
Bawm water distilled in May, restores
memory, it quickens all the senses,
strengthens the brain, heart, and stomach,
causes a merry mind and a sweet breath.
The water of Comfrey solders broken
bones, being drank, helps ruptures, out-
wardly it stops the bleeding of wounds,
they being washed with it.
Wormwood water distilled cold, about the
end of May, heats and strengthens the
stomach, helps concoction, slays vomiting,
kills worms in the stomach and bowels, it
mitigates the pains in the teeth, an-d is pro-
fitably given in fevers of choler.
Jlf?/?^ water strengthens the stomach, heljjs
concoction and stays vomiting, distil it in
the latter end of May, or beginning of
June, as the year is in forwardness or back-
wardness, observe that in all the rest.
282
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Chervil water distilled about the end of!
May, helps ruptures, breaks the stone, dis-i
solves congealed blood, strengthens the!
]\eart and stomach •
The water of Mother of Time strengthens \
the brain and stomach, gets a man a good i
stomach to his victuals, provoke urine and i
the menses, heats the womb. It is in its ;
prime about the end of June. j
The water of Marigold flowers is appro- 1
priated to most cold diseases of the head, j
eyes, and stomach : they are in their vigour i
when the Sun is in the Lion.
Tlie distilled water of Centaury comforts i
a cold stomach, helps in fever of choler, it;
kills Avorms, and provokes appetite.
Maudlin and Costmary water distilled in
May or June, strengthens the liver, helps
the yellow jaundice, opens obstructions,
and helps the dropsy.
Water-cresses distilled in March, the
water cleanses the blood, and provokes
urine exceedingly, kills worms, outwardly
mixed with honey, it cleai's the skin of mor-
phew and sunburning.
Distil Nettles when they are in flower, the
Avater helps coughs and pains in the bowels,
provokes urine, and breaks the stone.
Saxifrage water provokes urine, expels
wind, breaks the stone, cleanses the reins
and bladder of gravel, distil them when
they are in flower.
The water of Pellitory of the Wall, opens
obstructions of the liver and spleen, by
drinking an ounce of it every morning;
it cleanses the reins and bladder, and eases
the gripings of the bowels coming of wind.
Distil it in the end of May, or beginning
of June.
Cinquefoil water breaks the stone, cleanses
the reins, and is of excellent use in putri-
fied fevers. Distil it in May.
The water of Radishes breaks the stone,
cleanses the reins and bladder, provokes
the menses, and helps the yellow jaundice.
Elicampane water strengthens the stomach
and lungs, provokes urine, and cleanses
the passages of it from gravel.
Distil Burnet in May or June, the water
breaks the stone, cleanses the passages of
urine, and is exceeding profitable in pes-
tilential times.
Mugwort water distilled in Ma} , is ex-
cellent in coughs and diseases proceeding
from stoppage of the menses, it warms the
stomach, and helps the dropsy.
Distil Penny-royal when the flowers are
upon it : the water heats the womb gallant-
ly, provokes the menses, expels tRe after-
birth ; cuts, and casts out thick and gross
humours in the breast, eases pains in the
bowels, and consumes flegm.
The water of Lavage distilled in Ma}',
eases pains in the head, and cures ulcers in
the womb being washed with it ; inwardly
taken it expels wind, and breaks the stone.
The tops of Hops when they are young,
being distilled, the water cleanses the blood
of melancholy humours, and therefore helps
scabs, itch, and leprosy, and such like dis-
eases thence proceeding ; it opens obstruc-
tions of the spleen, helps the rickets, and
hypochondriac melancholy.
The water of Barrage and Bugloss dis-
villed when their flowers are upon them,
strengthens the heart and brain exceed-
ingly, cleanses the blood, and takes away
sadness, griefs and melancholy.
Dodder Avater cleanses the liver and
spleen, helps the yellow jaundice.
Tamarisk water opens obstructions, and
helps the hardness of the spleen, and
strengthens it.
English Tobacco distilled, the water is ex-
cellently good for such as have dropsy, to
drink an ounce or two every morning ; it
helps ulcers in the mouth, strengthens the
lungs, and helps such as have asthmas.
The water of Dwarf Elder, hath the
same effects.
Thus you have the virtues of enough of
cold waters, the use of which is for mix-
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 283
tures of other medicines, whose operation 5 cold and flegm, chilliness of the spirits,
is the same, for they are very seldom given i &c.
alone : If you delight most in liquid medi- > But that my countrymen may not be
cines, having regard to the disease, and part j mistaken in this, I shall give them some
of the body afflicted by it, these will fur- 1 symptoms of each complexion how a man
nish you with where withal to make them i may know when it exceeds its due limits,
so as will please your pallate best. \ Signs of choler abounding.
5 Leanness of body, costiveness, hollow
^^^^^ ? eyes, anger without a cause, a testy dispo-
COMPOUNDS. SPIRIT AND COM- j f ^°"' 3^^"°™' ^^ ^^^ '''.^"' ^^"^™5^^
POUND DISTILLED WATERS. \ ^^^, throat, pricking pains in the head, the
^ pulse swifter and stronger than ordinary,
Culpeper.l Before I begin these, Is theurinehighercoloured,thinner and bright-
thought good to premise a few words: They^er, troublesome sleeps, much dreaming of
are all hot in operation, and therefore not \ fire, lightning, anger, and fighting.
to be meddled with by people of hot con- 1 Signs of blood abounding.
stitutions when they are in health, for fear \ The veins are bigger (or at least they
of fevers and adustion of blood, but for i seem so) and fuller then ordinary ; the skin
people of cold constitutions, as melancholy I is red, and as it were swollen ; pricking
and flegmatic people. If they drink of^ pains in the sides, and about the temples,
them moderately now and then for recrea- 1 shortness of bieath, head-ache, the pulse
tion, due consideration being had to the; great and full, urine high coloured and
part of the body which is weakest, they \ thick, dreams of blood, &c.
may do them good : yet in diseases of J Signs of melancholy abounding.
melancholy, neither strong watersnor sack i Fearfulness without a cause, fearful and
is to be drank, for they make the humour | foolish imaginations, the skin rough and
thin, and then up to the head it flies, where ; swarthy, leanness, want of sleep, frightful
It fills the brain with foolish and fearful j dreams, sourness in the throat, the pulse
imaginations. \ very weak, solitariness, thin clear urine,
2. Let all young people forbear them j often sighing, &c.
whilst they are in health, for their blood is J Sig7is of flegm abounding.
usually hot enough without them. \ Sleepiness, dulness, slowness, heaviness,
3. Have regard to the season of the year, I cowardhness, forgetfulness, much spitting
so shall you find them more beneficial in \ much superfluities at the nose, little appe-
Summer than in Winter, because in suin-itite to meat and as bad digestion, the skin
mer the body is always coldest within, and \ whiter, colder and smoother than it was
digestion weakest, and that is the reason | want to be ; the pulse slow and deep : the
why men and women eat less in Summer | urine thick and low coloured : dreams of
tlian in Winter. \ rain, floods, and water, &c.
Thus much for people in health, which j These things thus premised, I come to
drink strong waters for recreation. \ the matter.
As for the medicinal use of them, it shall \ The first the College presents you with,
be shewed at the latter end of every receipt, 1 is
only in general they are (due respect had ; Spiritus et Aqua Absinthis minus Composita.
to the humours afflicting, and part of the \ Or, Spirit and water of Wormwood, the
body afflicted) medicinal for diseases of J lesser composition.
4 D
284
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
College.] Take of the leaves of diyed
Wormwood two pounds, Annis seeds, half
a pound : steep them in six gallons of small
wine twenty four hours, then distil them
in an Alembick, adding to every pound of
the distilled water two ounces of the best
Sugar.
Let the two first pound you draw out be
called Spirit of Wormwood, those which
follow, Wormwood water the lesser com-
position.
Culpeper.] I like this distinction of the
College very well, because what is first
stilled out, is far stronger than the rest,
and therefore very fitting to be kept by
itself: you may take which you please,
according as the temperature of your body, \
either to heat or cold, and the season of
year requires.
It hath the same virtues Wormwood
hath, only fitter to be used by such whose
bodies are chilled by age, and whose
natural heat abates. You may search the
herbs for the virtues, it heats the stomach,
and helps digestion.
The College.] After the same manner
(only omitting the Annis seeds) is distilled
spirit and water of Angelica, both Herb
and Root, Bawm, Mints, Sage, &c. the
Flowers of Rosemary, Clary, Clove-gilli-
flowers, &c. the seeds of Caraway, &c.
Juniper-berries, Orange Pills, Lemons,
Citrons, &c. Cinnamon, Nutmegs, &c.
Spirituset Aqua Ahsynthii magis composita.
Or spirit and water of Wormwood, the
greater composition.
The College.] Take of common and
Roman Wormwood, of each a pound ;
Sage, Mints, Bawm, of each two handfuls ;
the Roots of Galanga, Ginger, Calamus,
Aromaticus, Elecampane, of each three
drachms ; Liquorice, an ounce. Raisins of
the Sun stoned, three ounces, Annis seeds,
and sweet Fennel seeds, of each three
drachms; Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmegs, of
each two drachms ; Cardamoms, Cubebs,
of each one drachm : let the tnings be
cut that are to be cut, and the things
be bruised that are to be bruised, all of
them infused in twenty four pints of
Spanish wine, for twenty four hours, then,
distilled in an Alembick, adding two
ounces of white sugar to every pint of
distilled water.
Let the first pint be called Spirit of
Wormwood the greater composition.
Culpeper.] The opinion of Authors is.
That it heats the stomach, and streno^thens
it and the lungs, expels wind, and helps
digestion in ancient people.
Spiritus et Aqua Angelica magis composita.
Or Spirit and water of Angelica, the
greater composition.
The College.] Take of the leaves of
Angelica eight ounces, of Carduus Bene-
dictus six ounces, of Bawm and Sage, of
each four ounces, Angelica seeds six
ounces ; sweet Fennel seeds nine ounces.
Let the herbs, being dryed, and the seeds
be grossly bruised, to whicli add of the
species called Aromaticum Rosarum, and
of the species called Diamoschu Dulce, of
each an ounce and a half, infuse them
two days in thirty two pints of Spanish
Wine, then distil them with a gentle fire,
and with every pound mix two ounces of
suo;ar dissolved in Rose-water.
Let the three first pounds be called by the
name of Spirit, the rest by the name of water.
Culpeper.] The chief end of composing
this medicine, was to strengthen the heart
and resist infection, and therefore is very
wholesome in pestilential times, and for
such as walk in stinking air.
I shall now quote you their former
receipt in their former dispensatory.
Angelica water the greater composition.
The College. Take of Angelica two
pounds, Annis seed half a pound. Corian-
der and Caraway seeds, of each four ounces,
Zedoary bruised, three ounces : steep tliem
twenty four hours in six gallons of small
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 285
wine, then draw out the spirit, and sweeten \ being tyed up in a rag, be hung into the
it with sugar. \ aforementioned spirit.
Culpeper.~\ It comforts the heart, \ CulpeperJ] I could wish the Apothecaries
cherishes the vital spirits, resists the pes- ; would desire to be certified by the College,
tilence, and all corrupt airs, which indeed j \. Whether the gallon of Lavender
are the natural causes of epidemical dis- i flowers must be filled by heap, or by strike,
eases, the sick may take a spoonful of it in I 2. Next, whether the flowers must be
any convenient cordial, and such as are in ; pressed down in the measure or not. 3.
health, and have bodies either cold by » How much must be drawn off in the first
nature, or cooled by age, may take as much 5 distillation. 4. Where they should get
either in .the morning fasting, or a little | Orange leaves and flowers fresh gathered,
before meat. \ 5. What they mean by convenient diges-
Spiritus Lavendula compositus Matthice. \ tion. 6. Where you shall find Borrage,
Or compound spirit of Lavender. Matthias, j Bugloss, and Cowslips, flowering together.
The College.^ Take of Lavender flowers ; that so you may have them all fresh ac-
one gallon, to which pour three gallons of j cording to their prescript, the one flowering
the best spirits of wine, let them stand \ in the latter end of April, and beginning of
together in the sun six days, then distil \ May, the other in the end of June, and
tliem with an Alembick with this refrige- j beginning of July. 7. If they can make a
ratory. \ shift to make it, how, or which way the
Take of the flowers of Sage, Rosemary, | virtues of it will countervail the one half of
and Bettony, of each one handful ; the I the charge and cost, to leave the pains and
flowers of Borrage, Bugloss, Lilies of the i trouble out.
Valley, Cowslips, of each two handfuls : ; Spiritus Castorii.
let the flowers be newly and seasonably 5 Or Spirit of Castoreum.
gathered, being infused in one gallon of | The College.'] Take of fresh Castoreum
the best spirits of wine, and mingled with I four ounces. Lavender flower an ounce,
the foregoing spirit of Lavender flowers, | the tops of Sage and Rosemary, of each
adding the leaves of Bawm, Feather-few, f half an ounce. Cinnamon six drams. Mace,
and Orange tree fresh gathered; the flowers i Cloves, of each two drachms, spirits of
of Stcechas and Orange tree, i^aj^ berries, > Wine rectified, six pounds, digest them
of each one ounce. After convenient diges- \ in a phial filled only to the third part, close
tion distil it again, after which add Citron i stopped with cork and bladder in warm
pills the outward bark, Peony seed husked, \ ashes for two days, then distilled in Balneo
of each six drams, cinnamon. Mace, ; Marise, and the distilled water kept close
Nutmegs, Cardamoms, Cubebs, yellow ; stopped.
Sanders, of each half an ounce. Wood of \ Culpeper.'] By reason of its heat it is
Aloesonedram,thebest Jujubes, the stones I no ways fit to be taken alone, but mixed
being taken out, half a pound, digest them ; with other convenient medicines appro-
six weeks, then strain it and filter it, and | priated to the diseases you would give it
add to it prepared Pearls two drams, I for, it resists poison, and helps such as are
Emeralds prepared a scruple, Ambergrease,
Musk, Saffron, of each half a scruple,
red Roses dryed, red Sanders, of each half
an ounce, yellow Sanders, Citron Pills,
dryed, of each one dram. Let the species
bitten by venomous beasts : it causes
speedy delivery to women in travail, and
casteth out the Placenta : it helps the fits of
the mother, lethargies and convulsions, being
mixed with white wine, and dropped into
280
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
the ears, it helps deafness ; if stopping be?
the cause of it, the dcse to be given in-|
wurdly is between one dram, and half a|
dram, according to the strength and age of!
the patient. i
Aqua Petasitidis composita. \
Or, compound water of Butter-bur. j
The College.'] Taiic of the fresh roots ■
of Butter-bur bruised, one pound and a ;
half, the roots of Angelica and Masterwort, \
of each half a pound, steep them in ten 5
pints of strong Ale, then distil them till j
the change of the taste gives a testimony \
that the strength is di'awn out. |
CulpeperJ] This water is very effectual |
being mixed with other convenient cor- 1
dials, for such as have pestilential fevers : \
also a spoonful taken in the morning, may \
prove a good preservative in pestilential |
times : it helps the fits of the mother, and \
such as are short winded, and being taken \
inwardly, dries up the moisture of such '
sores as are hard to be cured.
^qtia Rapliani Composita.
Or Compound water of Radishes.
The College.] Take of the leaves of both
sorts of Scurvj^-grass, of each six pound,
having bruised them, press the juice out of
them, with which mix of the juice of brook-
lime, and Water-cresses, of each one pound
and a half, of the best white wine, eight
pounds, twelve whole Lemons, pills and all,
fresh Briony roots four pound,the roots of wild
Radishes two pound, Captain Winter's Cin-
namon half a pound. Nutmegs four ounces,
steep them altogether, and then distil them \
Culpeper.] I fancy it not, and so I leave |
it; I suppose they intended it for purga-|
tion of women in child-bed. \
Aqua Peonice Composita. |
Or Compound water of Peony. j
The Collei>:e.] Take of the flowers off
Lilies of the Valley, one pound : infuse I
them in four gallons of Spanish wine so long \
till the following flowers may be had fresh. \
Take of the fore-named flowers half a.1
pound. Peony flowers four ounces : steep
them together fourteen days, then distil
them in Balneo Marice till they be dry : in
the distilled liquor infuse again male Peony
roots gathered in due time, two ounces and
a half, white Dittany, long Birthwort, of
each half an ounce, the leaves of Misselto
of the Oak, and Rue, of each two handfuls.
Peony seeds husked, ten drams. Rue seeds
three drams and a half, Castoreum two
scruples, Cubebs, Mace, of each two
drachms. Cinnamon an ounce and a half,
Squills prepared, three drachms, Rosemary
flowers six pugils, Arabian Staechas, Laven-
der, of each four pugils, the flowers of
Betony, Clove-gilli-flowers, and Cowslips,
of each eight pugils, then adding four
pound of the juice of black Cherries, dis-
til it in a glass till it be dry.
Aqua Bezoartica.
Or Bezoar Water.
College.'] Take of the leaves of Celan-
dine, roots and all, three handfuls and a
half, Rue two handfuls, Scordium four
handfuls. Dittany of Crete, Carduus, of
each one handful and a half, Zedoary and
Angelica roots, of each three drams. Citrons
and Lemon pills, of each six drams, Clove-
gilliflowers one ounce and a half. Red
Rose, Centaury the less, of each two drams.
Cinnamon, Cloves, of each three drams,
Venice Treacle three ounces, Mithridates
one ounce and a half, Camphire two
scruples. Troches of Vipers two ounces.
Mace two drams. Wood of Aloes half an
ounce, Yellow Sanders one dram and a
half, Carduus seeds one ounce, Citron seeds
six drams, let them be cut and infused in
spirits of Wine, and Malaga Wine, of each
three pound and a half. Vinegar of Clove-
gilliflowers. Juice of Lemons, of each one
pound, and distilled in a glass still in Balneo
Maria, after it is half distilled off, the
residue may be strained through a linen
cloath, and be reduced to the thickness of
Honey, and called the Bezoartic extract.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLAPGED.
28T
Ciilpeper.^ Extracts have the same vir-|
tues with the waters they are made from, ;
only the different form is to please thej
palates of such whose fancy loathes any one i
particular form. |
This Bezoar water strengthens the heart, x
arteries, and vital spirits: It provokes sweat, |
and is exceeding good in pestilential fevers, j
in health it withstands melancholy and I
consumptions, and makes a merry, blithe,;
chearful creature. Of the extract you may |
lake ten grains at a time, or somewhat i
more, if your body be not feverish, half ^
a spoonful of water is sufticient at a time, ^
and that mixed with other cordials or medi- ;
cines appropriated to the disease that trou- \
bles you. \
Aqua el Spuritus Lambricorum, magistralis. \
Or Water and Spirit of Earthworms. |
College^ Take of Eaith worms wellj
cleansed, three pound, Snails, with shells |
on their backs cleansed, two gallons, beat!
them in a mortar, and put them into a con-
venient vessel, adding stinging Nettles,
roots and all, six handfuls, wild Angelica,
four handfuls, brank Ursine, seven hand-
fuls. Agrimony, Bettony, of each three
handfuls, Rue one handful, common Worm- 1
wood two handfuls, Rosemary flowers six |
ounces. Dock roots ten ounces, the roots of |
Sorrel five ounces, Turmerick, the inner!
bark of Barberries, of each four ounces, \
Fenugreek seeds two ourices, Cloves three?
ounces, Hart's-horn, Ivory in gross pow-;
dor, of each four ounces. Saffron three |
drams, small spirits of Wine four gallons s
and a half, after twenty-four hours infusion, i
distil them in an alembick. Let the four!
first pounds be reserved for spirit, the restj
for water. |
Culpeper.'] 'Tis a mess altogether, it|
may be they intended it for an universal |
medicine. j
Aqua Gentiance compositte. \
Or Gentian Water compound. |
College.'] Take of Gentain roots sliced,'
one pound and a half, the leaves and
tiowers of Centaury the less, of each four
ounces, steep them eight days in twelve
pounds of white Wine, tlien distil diem in
an alembick.
Ciilpepe7\'] It conduces to preservation
from ill air, and pestilential fevers : it opens
obstructions of the liver, and helps such as
they say are liver-grown ; it eases pains in
the stomach, helps digestion, and eases such
as have pains in their bones by ill lodging
abroad in the cold, it provokes appetite,
and is exceeding good for the yellow jaun-
dice, as also for prickings or stitches in the
sides : it provokes the menses, and expels
both birth and placenta : it is naught for
pregnant Avomen. If there be no fever, you
may take a spoonful by itself; if there be,
you may, if you please, mix it Avith some
cooler medicine appropriated to the same
use you would give it for.
Aqua Gilbtiiii.
Or Gilbert's Water.
College.'] Take of Scabious, Burnet,
Dragons, Bawm, Angelica, Pimpernel,
with purple flowers, Tormenlil, roots and
all, of each two handfuls, let all of them,
being rightly gathered and prepared, be
steeped in four gallons of Canary Wine,
still off three gallons in an alembick, to
which add three ounces of each of the
cordial flowers, Clovc-gilliflowers six
ounces. Saffron half an oimce, Turmerick
two ounces, Galanga, Bazil seeds, of each
one dram, Citron pills one ounce, the seed
of Citrons and Carduus, Cloves of each
five ounces, Hart's-horn four ounces, steep
them twenty four hours and then distil
them mBolneo Mavue: to the distilled water
add Pearls prepared, an ounce and a half,
red Coral, Crabs eyes, Avhite Amber, of each
two drams, Crabs claws, six drams, Bezoar,
Ambergrease, of each two scruples, steep
them six weeks in the sun, in a vessel well
slopped, often shaking it, then filter it, (you
may keep the powders for Spicord. temp.)
4£
288
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
by xnixing twelve ounces of Sugar candy,
with six ounces of red Rose-water, and four
ounces of spirit of Cinnamon with it.
Culpeper.'^ I suppose this was invented
for a cordial to strengthen the heart, to
relieve languishing nature. It is exceed-
ing dear. I forbear the dose, they that
have money enough to make it themselves,
cannot want time to study both the virtues
and dose : I would have gentlemen to be
studious.
Aqua cordialis frigida Saxenice
leaves of Scordium four handfuls, old
Venice Treacle, Mithridates, of each eight
ounces, Canary Wine twelve pounds.
Vinegar six pounds, juice of Lemons two
pounds, digest them two days, either in
Horse-dung, or in a bath, the vessel being
close shut, then distil them in sand ; in the
distillation you may make a Theriacal ex-
traction.
Culpeper.l This water is exceeding good
in all fevers, especially pestilential; it
I expels venomous humours by sweat; it
College.'] Take of the juice of Borrage, ! strengthens the heart and vitals; it is
Bugloss, Bawm, Bistort, Tormentil, Scor-
dium, Vervain, sharp-pointed Dock, Sorrel,
Goat's Rue, Mirrhis, Blue Bottle great and
small, Roses, Marigolds, Lemon, Citrons,
of each three ounces, white Wine Vinegar
one pound, Purslain seeds two ounces, \
an
admirable counter-poison, special good for
such as have the plague, or are poisoned, or
bitten by venomous beasts, and expels
virulent humours from such as have the
venereal disease. If you desire to know
more virtues of it, see the virtues of Venice
Citron and Carduus seeds, of each half an \ Treacle. The dose is from a spoonful to
ounce. Water Lily flowers two ounces, | an ounce.
Aqua Brio7iia composita.
Or Briony Water compound.
College.] Take of the juice of Briony
roots, four pounds, the leaves of Rue and
Mugwort, of each two pounds, dryed Savin
three handfuls, Featherfew, Nep, Penny-
royal, of each two handfuls, Bazil, Dittany,
the flowers of Borrage, Bugloss, Violets,
Clove-gilliflowers, of each one ounce,
Diatrion Sentalon six drams : let all of
them, being rightly prepared, be infused
three days, then distilled in a glass still :
to the distilled Liquor add earth of Lemnos,
Siletia, and Samos, of each one ounce and
an half, Pearls prepared with the juice of! of Crete, of each one handful and a half^
Citrons, three drams, mix them, and keep 1 Orange pills four ounces, Myrrh two
them together. \ ounces, Castoreum one ounce, Canary Wine
Culpeper.] It mightily cools the blood, | twelve pounds, digest them four days in a
and therefore profitable in fevers, and all \ convenient vessel, then still them in Balnto
diseases proceeding of heat of blood : it ; Maria : About the middle of the distilla-
provokes sleep. You may take half an \ tion strain it out, and make an Hysterical
ounce at a time, or two drams if the party | extraction of the residue,
be weak. { Culpeper.] A spoonful of ii taken,
Aqua Theriacalis. | eases the fits of the mother in women that
Or Treacle Water. i have them ; it potently expels the after-
College.] Take of the juice of green *{ birth, and clears the body of what a mid-
Walnuts, four pounds, the juice of Rue i wife by heedlessness or accident hath left
three pounds, juice of Carduus, Marigolds, \ behind ; it cleanses the womb exceedingly,
and Bawm, of each two pounds, green 5 and for that I fancy it much, take not above
Petasitis roots one pound and a half, the \ a tasterful at a time, and then in the mor-
roots of Burs one pound, Angelica and j ning fasting, for it is of a purging quality.
Master-wort, of each half a pound, the \ and let pregnant women forbear it.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
289
Aqua Imperialis. \ Carduus water, in a glass, close stopped,
Or Imperial Water. 5 and set it in the sun of bath for a fortnight,
The College.'] Take of dried Citron, and j often shaking it, then distil it in Bahieo Maria.
Orange pi-lls, Nutmegs, Cloves, Cinnamon, | Let the two first pounds be kept by them-
of each two ounces, the roots of Cypress, | selves for use, and the remainder of the dis-
Orris, Florentine, Calamus Aromaticus, | tillation by itself : Lastly, mix one ounce
of each one ounce, Zedoary Galanga, | of Julep of Alexandria, and a spoonful of
Ginger, of each half an ounce, the tops oh Cinnamon water with each pound.
Lavender and Rosemary, of each two j CulpcperJ] Aqua Protheriacalis, signifies
nandfuls, the leaves of Bay, Marjoram, j a Avater for Treacle, so then if you put
Bawm, Mints, Sage, Thyme, of each one 1 Diascoridum to it, it is a water for Diasco-
handful, the flowers of white and Damask | ridum ; well then, we will take it for a
Roses fresh, of each half a handful. Rose- | general water for all physick.
Avaterfour pounds, white Wine eight pounds, | Aqua Caponis.
let all of them be bruised and infused | Or Capon Water,
twenty four hours, then distil them accord- 1 College.'] Take a Capon the guts being
ing to art. | pulled out, cut in pieces, the fat being
Culpeper.] You must distil it in a bath, | taken away, boiled in a sufficient quantity
and not in sand: Itcomfortsand strengthens ; of spring-Avater in a close vessel, take of
the heart against faintings and SAvoonings, | this broth three pounds. Borrage and
and is held to be a preservative against | Violet- Avater, of each a pound and a half;
consumptions and apoplexies. You may | Avhite Wine one pound, red rose leaves tAvo
take half a spoonful at a time. | drams and an half, the floAvers of Borrage,
Aqua Mirabilis. | Violets and Bugloss, of each one dram,
College.] Take of Cloves, Galanga, | pieces of bread, hot out of the oven, half
Cubebs, Mace, Cardamoms, Nutmegs, i a pound. Cinnamon bruised, half an ounce.
Ginger, of each one dram. Juice of Cclan- \ distil it in a glass still according to art.
dine half a pound, spirits of Wine one| Culpeper.] The simples are most of
pound, white Wine three pounds, infuse I them appropriated to the heart, and m
ihem twenty -four hours, and draw off tAVO > truth the composition greatly nourishes and
pounds with an alembick. | strengthens such as are in consumptions,
Culpeper] The simples also of this, i and restores lost strength, either by fevers
regard the stomach, and therefore the Avater | or other sickness : It is a sovereign remedy
heats cold stomachs, besides authors say it \ for hectic fevers, and Marasmos, which
preserves from apoplexies, and restores 1 is nothing else but a consumption coming
lost speech. \ from them. Let such as are subject to
Aqua Protheriacalis. \ these diseases, hold it for a jcAvel.
College.] Take of Scordium, Scabius, 1 Aqua Limacum Magistr.
Carduus, Goat's Rue, of each tAvo handfuls, \ Or Water of Snails.
Citron and Orange pills, of each tAVO ounces, J College.] Take of the juice of Ground
the seeds of Citrons, Carduus, Hartwort, *^ Ivy, Colt's-foot, Scabious, Lungwort, of
Treacle, Mustard, of each one ounce, the > each one pound and a half, the juice of
flowers of Marigolds and Rosemary, of j Purslain, Plantain, Ambrosia, Paul's Bet-
each one handful, cut them, and bruise ; tony, of each a pound, Hog's blood, Avhite
iheni grossly, then infuse them in four | Wine, of each four pounds. Garden Snails,
pounds of white Wine, and two pounds of | two pound, dried Tobacco leaves eight.
290
' THE COMPLPyrE HERBAL
powder of Liquorice two ounces, of Ele-
campane half an ounce, of Orris an ounce,
Cotton seeds an ounce and a half, the
greater cold seeds, Annis seeds of each six
drams. Saffron one dram, the flowers of
red Roses, six pugils, of Violets and Bor-
rage, of each four pugils, steep them three
days warm, and then distil them in a glass
still, in sand.
Culpeper.l It purges the lungs of flegm
and helps consumptions there. If you
should happen to live Avhere no better nor
readier medicine can be gotten, you may
use this.
Aqua Scordii composila.
Or Compound Water of Scordium.
College^] Take of the juice of Goat's
Rue, Sorrel, Scordium, Citrons, of each one
pound, London Treacle, half a pound,
steep it three days, and distil it in sand.
Culpeper.'] A tasterful taken in the
morning, preserves from ill airs.
Aqua Maria.
College^ Take of Sugar Cand}' a pound,
Canary Wine six ounces. Rose Water four
ounces ; boil it well into a Syrup, and add
to it Imperial water two pounds, Amber-
§reese, Musk, of each eighteen grains,
afFron fifteen grains, yellow Sanders in-
fused in Imperial water, two drams; make
a clear water of it.
Aqua Papaveries composita.
Or Poppy Water compound.
College.'] Take of red Poppies four pounds,
sprinkle them with white Wine two pounds,
then distil them in a common still, let the
distilled water be poured upon fresh flowers
and repeated three times ; to which dis-
tilled water add two Nutmegs sliced, red
Poppy flowers a pugil, Sugar two ounces,
set it in the sun to give it a pleasing sharp-
ness ; if the sharpness be more than you
would have it, put some of the same water
to it which was not set in the sun.
Aqua Juglandium composita.
Or Walnut Water compound.
1 College.] Take of green Walnuts a
: pound and an half, Radish roots one
! pound, green Asa rabacca six ounces. Radish
I seeds, six ounces. Let all of them, being
i bruised, be steeped in three pounds of white
I Wine for three days, then distilled in a
j leaden still till they be dry.
TINCTURES.
Ti7ictura Croci.
Or Tincture of Saffron.
College.] Take two drams of Saffron,
eight ounces of Treacle water, digest them
six days, then strain it.
Culpeper.] See the virtues of Treacle
water, and then know that this strengthens
the heart something more, and keeps
melancholy vapours thence by drinking a
spoonful of it every morning.
Tinctura Castorii.
Or Tincture of Castoreum.
College^ Take of Castoreum in powder
half an ounce, spirit of Castoreum half a
pound, digest them ten days cold, strain it,
and keep the Liquor for Tincture.
Culpeper.] A learned invention! ^Tis
something more prevalent than the spirit.
Tinctura Fragroram^
Or Tincture of Strawberries.
College.] Take of ripe Wood-straw-
berries two pounds, put them in a phial,
and put so much small spirits of Wine to
them, that it may overtop them the thick-
ness of four fingers, stop the vessel close,
and set it in the sun two days, then strain
it, and press it but gently ; pour this spirit
to as many fVesh Strawberries, repeat this
six times, at last keep the dear liquor for
your use.
Culpeper.] A fine thing for Gentlemen
that have nothing eke to do with their
money, and it will have a lovely look to
; please their eyes.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
29]
Tinctura Scordii.
Or Tincture of Scordium.
College^ Take of the leaves of Scor-?
dium gathered in a dry time, half a pound J
digest them in six pounds of small spirits of |
Wine, in a vessel well slopped, for three j
days, press them out gently, and repeat the \
infusion three times, and keep the clarified \
liquor for use. \
So is made Tincture of Celandine, Rest- 1
harrow, and Rosa-solis. |
Cidpepe?'.'] See the herbs for the vir-|
tues, and then take notice that these are I
better for cold stomachs, old bodies. |
Tinctura Theriacalis viilgo Aqua Theriacalis \
Ludg. per infus. \
Or Tincture of Treacle. |
College.'] Take of Canary Wine often |
times distilled. Vinegar in which half an |
ounce of Rue seeds have been boiled, two|
pounds choice treacle, the best Mithridate, |
of each half a pound ; mix them and set «
them in the sun, or heat of a bath, digest \
them, and keep the water for use. I
Tinctura Cinnamoni, vulgo. Aqua Clareta I
Cinnam. I
Or Tincture of Cinnamon. \
Codege.~\ Take of bruised Cinnamon %
two ounces, rectified spirits of Wine two \
pounds, infuse them four days in a large |
glass stopped with cork and bladder, shake |
it twice a day, then dissolve half a pound |
of Sugar Candy by itself in two pounds of I
Rose water, mix both liquors, into which
hang a nodule containing, Ambergris half
a scruple, Musk four grains.
Tinctura Viridis.
Or a green Tincture.
College.'] Take of Verdigris, half an
ounce, Auripigmentum six drams. Alum
three drams, boil them in a pound of white
Wine till half be consumed, adding, after it
is cold, the Avater of red Roses, and Night-
shade, of each six ounces.
Culpeper.] This was made to cleanse
ulcers, but I fancy it not.
Aqua Aluminosa Magistralis,
College^ Take of Plantain and red
Rose Avater, of each a pound, roch Alum
and Subhmatum, of each two drajris ; let
the Alum and Sublimatum, being in pow-
der, boil in the waters, in a vessel with a
narrow mouth till half be consumed, when
it has stood five days, strain it.
PHYSICAL WINES.
Vinmn Ahsynthitis.
Or Wormwood Wine.
College^ Take a handful of drietl
Wormwood, for every gallon of Wine, stop
it in a vessel close, and so let it remain in
steep: so is prepared wine of Rosemary
flowers, and Eye-bnght.
Cidpeper.] It helps cold stomachs,
breaks wind, helps the wind cholic,
strengthens the stomach, kills worms, and
helps the green sickness.
Rosemary-flower Wine, is made after the
same manner. It is good against all cold
diseases of the head, consumes flegm,
strengthens the gums and teeth.
Eye-bright Wine is made after the same
manner. It wonderfully clears the sight
being drank, and revives the sight of elderly
men : A cup of it in tJjc morning is worth
a pair of spectacles.
All other Wines are prepared In the same
manner.
The best way of taking any of these
Wines is, to drink a draught of them every
morning. You may, if you find your body
old or cold, make Wine of any other herb,
the virtues of which you desire ; and make
it and take it in the same manner.
Vinum Cei'ossorum Nignrum.
Or Wine of Black Cherries.
College.] Take a gallon of Black Cherries,
keep it in a vessel close stopped till it
begin to work, then filter it, and an ounce
of Sugar being added to every pound, let
4 F
•ii92
THE COMPLETE HERBAL.
it pass through Hippocrates' sleeve, and
keep in a vessel close stopped for use.
Vinum Helleboratum.
Or Helleborated Wine.
' College. ~\ Take of white Hellebore cut
small, four ounces, Spanish Wine two
pounds, steep it in the sun in a phial close
stopped, in the dog days, or other hot
weather.
Vinum Kiihellum.
College.'] Take of Stibium, in powder,
one ounce, Cloves sliced two drams, Claret
Wine two pounds, keep it in a phial close
shut.
Vinum Benedictnm.
College.'] Take of Crocus Metallorum,
in powder, one ounce. Mace one dram,
Spanish Wine one pound and an half, steep
it.
Vinum Aiitimoniale,
Or Antimonial Wine.
College.] Take of Regulus of Antimony,
in powder, four ounces, steep it in three
pounds of white Wine in a glass well stopped,
after the first shaking let the Regulus settle.
Culpeper.] These last mentioned are
vomits, and vomits are fitting medicines for
but a few, the mouth being ordained to
take in nourishment, not to cast out ex-
crements, and to regulate a man's body in
vomiting; and doses of vomits require a
deeper study in physic, than I doubt the
generality of people yet have; I omit it
therefore at this time, not because I grudge
it my country, but because I would not
willingly have them do themselves a mis-
chief, I shall shortly teach them in -what
diseases vomits may be used, and then, and
not till then, the use of vomits.
Vinum Scilliticum.
Or Wine of Squills.
College^ Take of a white Squill of the
mountains, gathered about the rising of the
dog star, cut it in thin pieces, and dried for
a month, one pound, put it in a glass bottle,
and pour to it eight pounds of French AVine,
and when it hath stood so four days, take
out the Squill.
The virtues of this are the same with
I Vinegar of Squills, only it is hotter.
PHYSICAL VINEGARS.
Acetuyn distillation.
Or distilled Vinegar.
College.] Fill a glass or stone alembick
with the best Vinegar to the third part,
separate the flegm Avith a gentle fire, then
encrease the fire by degrees, and perform
the work.
Acetum Hosarum.
Or Rose Vinegar.
College^ Takeof red Rose buds, gathered
in a dry time, the whites cut off, dried in
the shade three or four days, one pound.
Vinegar eight sextaries, set them in the suu
forty days, then strain out the Roses, and
repeat the infusion with fresh ones.
After the same manner is made Vinegar
of Elder flowers, Rosemary' flowers, and
Clove-gilliflowers.
Culpeper.] For the virtues of all Vine-
gars, take this one only observation. They
carry the same virtues with the flowers
whereof they are made, only as we said of
Wines, that they were better for cold bodies
then the bare simples whereof they are
made ; so are Vinegars for hot bodies.
Besides, Vinegars are often, nay, most com-
monly used externally, viz. to bathe the
place, then look amongst the simples, and
see Avhat place of the body the simple is
appropriated to, and you cannot but know
both what Vmegar to use, and to what place
to apply it,
Acetum Scilliticum.
Or Vinegar of Squils.
College.] Take of that part of the Squill
which is between the outward bark and the
bottom, cut in thin slices, and placed thirty
or forty days in the sun or some remiss
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
293
heat, then a pound of them (being cut
small with a knife made of ivory or some
white wood) being put in a vessel, and six
pounds of Vinegar put to them ; set the ves-
sel, being close stop[)ed, in the sun thirty or
forty days, afterwards strain it, and keep it
for use.
Culpeper.'] A little of this medicine
being taken in the morning fasting, and
Avalking half an hour after, preserves the
body in health, to extreme old age, (as
Satiius tried, who using no otiier medicine
but this, lived in perfect health till one
hundred and seventeen years of age) it
makes the digestion good, a long wind,
a clear voice, an acute sight, a good colour,
it suffers no offensive thing to remain in the
body, neither wind, ilegm, choler, melan-
choly, dung, nor urine, but brings them
forth; it brings forth filth though it lie in
the bones, it takes away salt and sour
belchings, though a man be never so licen-
tious in diet, he shall feel no harm: It hath
cured such as have the phthisic, that have
been given over by all Physicians : It cures
such as have the falling sickness, gouts, and
diseases and swellings of the joints: It takes
away the hardness of the liver and spleen.
We should never have done if we should
reckon up the particular benefits of this
medicine : Therefore we commend it as a
wholesome medicine for soundness of
body, preservation of health, and vigour of
mind. Thus Galen.
tectum Theriacale, Norimberg.
Or Treacle Vinegar.
College.'] Take of the roots of Celandine
the greater, one ounce and a half: the roots
of Angelica, Masterwort, Gentian, Bistort,
Valerian, Burnet, white Dittany, Elecam-
pane, Zedoary, of each one dram, of Plan-
tain the greater one dram and a half, the
leaves of Mousear, Sage, Scabious, Scor-
dium, Dittany of Crete, Carduus, of each
half an handful, barks and seeds of Citrons,
of each half a dram, Bole Amoniac one
dram. Saffron three drams, of these let the
Saffron, Hart's-horn, Dittany, and Bole,
be tied up in a rag, and steeped with the
things before mentioned, in five pints of
Vinegar, for certain days by a temperate
heat in a glass Avell stopped, strain it, and
add six drams of the best Treacle to it,
shake it together, and keep it for your use.
Acetiim Theriacale.
Or Treacle Vinegar.
College^ Add to the description of
Treacle water, Clove-gilliflowers two ounces,
Lavender flowers an ounce and a half,
Rose, and Elder flower Vinegar, of each
four pounds, digest it without boiling, three
days, then strain it through Hippocrates'
sleeve.
Culpeper.] See Treacle Water for the
virtues, only this is more cool, a little more
fantastical.
DECOCTIONS.
Decochan commune pro clystere.
Or a common Decoction for a Clyster.
College.'] Take of Mallows, Violets,
Pellitory, Beets, and Mercury, Chamomel
flowers, of each one handful, sweet Fennel
seeds half an ounce. Linseeds two drams,
boil them in a sufficient quantity of com-
mon water to a pound.
Culpeper^ This is the common decoc-
tion for all clysters, according to the qua-
lity of the humour abounding, so you may
add what Simples, or Syrups, or Electuaries
you please ; only half a score Linseeds,
and a handful of Chamomel flowers are
added.
Decoctum Epythimi.
Or a Decoction of Epithimum.
College^ Take of My robalans, Chebs,
and Inds, of each half an ounce, Stoechas,
Raisins of the sun stoned, Epithimum,
Senna, of each one ounce, Fumitory half
an ounce, Maudlin five drams, Polipodium
294 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
six drams, Turbith half an ounce, Whey 5 Decoctum Tr-umaticum.
made with Goat's milk, or Heifer's milk four j College.'] Take of Agrimony, Mugwort
pounds, let them all boil to two pounds, ! wild Angelica, St. John's Wort, Mousear,
the Epithimum excepted, which boil but: of each two handfuls. Wormwood half a
a second or two, then take it from the fire, i handful, Southernwood, Bettony, Bugloss,
and add black Hellebore one dram and i Comfrey the greater and lesser, roots and
an half, Agerick half a dram, Sal. Gem. 1 all, Avens, both sorts of Plantain, Sanicle,
one dram and an half, steep them ten hours, | Tormentil with the roots, the buds of Bar-
then press it strongly out. • berries and Oak, of each a handful, all
Cti/peper.'] It purges melancholy, as 5 these being gathered in May and June
also cholcr, it resists madness, and all [and dihgently dried, let them be cut and
diseases coming of melancholy, and there- j put up in skins or papers against the time
fore let melancholy people esteem it as a! of use, then take of the foi'enamed herbs
jewel. {three handfuls, boil them in four pounds of
Dtcoditm SetmcB Gereonis. \ conduit water and two pounds of white
Or a Decoction of Senna. i Wine gently till half be consumed, strain it,
College^ Take of Senna two ounces, j and a pound of Honey being added to it,
Pollipodium half an ounce, Guiger one > let it be scummed and kept for use.
dram, Raisins of the sun stoned two| Culpeper.'] If sight of a medicine will
ounces, Sebestens, Prunes, of each twelve, \ do you good, this is as like to do it as any
the flowers of Borrage, Violets, Roses, and 1 1 know.
Rosemary, of each two drams, boil them in \
four pounds of water till half be consumed, i . ■
Culpeper.'] It is a common Decoction j ax7'i>TTl3C
for any purge, by adding other simples or i o x Iv U x o.
compounds to it, according to the quality i
of the humour you would have purged, I ^^^^^^^
yet, in itself, it chiefly purges melancholy. { ATTFRING SYRUPS
Decoctum Pectorale. . \
Or a Pectoral Decoction. $ Culpeper.] Reader, before we begin
College.] Take of Raisins of the sun | with the particular Syrups, I think good to
stoned, an ounce, Sebestens, Jujubes, of | advertise thee of these few things, which
each fifteen. Dates six. Figs four, French | concern the nature, making, and use of Syrups
Barley one ounce. Liquorice half an ounce, ^ in general. 1. A Syrup is a medicine of
Maiden-hair, Hyssop, Scabious, Colt's-foot, \ a liquid body, compounded of Decoction,
of each one handful, boil them in threes Infusion, or Juice, with Sugar or Ilonej^
pounds of water till two remain. * and brought by tlie heat of the fire, into
Culpeper.] The medicine is chiefly ap- 1 the thickness of Honey. 2. Because all
propriated to the lungs, and therefore \ Honey is not of a thickness, understand
•causes a clear voice, a long wind, resists I new Honey, which of all other is thinnest.
*'.oughs, hoarseness, asthmas, &c. You 1 3. The reason why Decoctions, Infusion^,
rtiay drink a quarter of a pint of it every 5 Juices, are thus used, is. Because thereby,
morning, without keeping to any diet, for \ First, They will keep the longer. Secondly,
it purges not. 5 They will taste the better. 4 In boiling
I shall quote some Syrups fitting to be | Syrups have a gi-eat care of their just con-
mixed with it, when I come to the Svrups. |sistence, for if you boil them too much
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 295
they will candy, if too little, they will sour. | Sijntpus de Aceiosus simpler.
5. All simple Syrups have the virtues of j Or Syrup of Vinegar simple,
the simples they are made of, and are far' College.'} Take of clear Water four
more convenient for weak people, and \ pounds, white Sugar five pounds, boil them
delicate stomachs. jin a glazed vessel over a gentle fire, scum-
Sijnipus de Absintlm simplex. \ ming it till half the water be consumed, then
Or Syrup of Wornuvood smiple. \ by putting in two pounds of white Wine
The College.] Take of the clarified Juice | Vinegar by degrees, perfect the Syrup,
of common Wormwood, clarified Sugar, ofj Culpeper.'] That is, only melt the Sugar
each four pounds, make it into a Syrup ac- 1 with the Vinegar over the fire, scum it, but
cording to art. After the same manner, | boil it not.
are prepared simple Syrups of Betony, | Syrupus Acetosus simplicior.
Borrage, Bugloss, Carduus, Chamomel, | Or Syrup of Vinegar more simple.
Succory, Endive, Hedge-mustard, Straw- 1 College.'] Take of white Sugar five
berries, Fumitory, Ground Ivy, St. John's ; pounds, white Wine Vinegar two pounds.
Wort, Hops, Mercury, Mousear, Plantain, ; by melting it in a bath, make it into a
Apples, Purslain, Rasberries, Sage, Scabi- i Syrup.
ous, Scordium, Houseleek, Colt's-foot, 5 Culpeper.] Of these two Syrups let every
Paul's Bettony, and other Juices not sour. 5 one use which he finds by experience to be
Culpeper.] See the simples, and then | best ; the difference is but little. Thej^
vou may easily know both their virtues, and 5 both of them cut flegm, as also tough,
also that they are pleasanter and fitter for * hard viscous humours in the stomach; they
delicate stomachs when they are made into I cool the body, quench thirst, provoke urine.
Syrups. I and prepare the stomach before the taking
Sijrupus de Ahsinthio Compositus. I of a vomit. If you take it as a preparative
Or Syrup of Wormwood compound. I for an emetic, take half an ounce of it when
College.] Take of common Wormwood | you go to bed the night before you intend
meanly dry, half a pound, red Roses two | it to operate, it will work die easier, but if for
ounces, Indian Spikenard three drams, 5 any of the foregoing occasions, take it with
old white Wine, juice of Quinces, of each la liquorice stick,
two pounds and an half, steep them a whole? Si/riipus Acetosus compositus.
day in an earthen vessel, then boil themj Or Syrup of Vinegar compound,
gently, and strain it, and by adding two I College.] Take of the roots of Smallage,
pounds of sugar, boil it into a Syrup accord- 1 Fennel, Endive, of each three ounces, the
ing to art. \ seeds of Annis, Smallage, Fennel, of each
Culpeper.] Mesue is followed verbatim | one ounce, of Endive half an ounce, clear
in this; and the receipt is appropriated to5 Water six pounds, boil it gently in an earthen
cold and flegmatic stomachs, and it is an | vessel till half the water be consumed, then
admirable remedy for it, for it strengthens I strain and clarify it, and with three pounds
both stomach and liver, as also the instru-jof Sugar, and a pound and a half of white
ments of concoction, a spoonful taken in | Wine Vinegar, boil it into a Syrup,
the morning, is admirable for such as have | Culpeper.] This in my opinion is a
a weak digestion, it provokes an appetite to \ gallant Syrup for such whose bodies are
one's victuals, it prevails against the yellow I stuffed either with flegm, or tough humour?,
jaundice, breaks wind, purges humours by j for it opens obstructions or stoppings both
urine. ' of the stomach, liver, spleen, and reins ;
4 o
298 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
it cuts and brings away tough flegm and j four hours in three ounces of white Wine,
choler, and is therefore a special remedy | Radish and Fumitory water, of each two
for such as have a stuffing at their stomach J pounds, then boil it away to one pound
Si/riipus dc Jgno Casto. \ eight ounces, let it settle, in four ounces of
Or Syrup of Agnus Castus. j which, whilst it is warm, dissolve by itself
College.'] Take of the seeds of Rue and | Gum Ammoniacum, first dissolved in white
Hemp, of each half a dram, of Endive, j Wine Vinegar, two ounces, boil the rest
Lettice, Purslain, Gourds, Melons, of each \ with a pound and an half of white sugar
two drams, of Flea wort half an ounce, of i into a Syrup, adding the mixtures of the
Agnus Castus four ounces, the flowers of I Gum at the end.
Water Lilies, the leaves of Mints, of each ! Culpeper.'] It cools the liver, and opens
half a handful, decoction of seeds of Lentils, 5 obstructions both of it and the spleen, helps
and Coriander seeds, of each half an ounce, i old surfeits, and such like diseases, as scabs,
three pounds of the decoction, boil them ; itch, leprosy, and what else proceed from
all over a gentle fire till two pounds be con- \ the liver over heated. You may take an
sumed, add. to the residue, being strained, } ounce at a time,
two ounces of juice of Lemons, a pound \ Syriipus de Artemisia.
and a half of white sugar, make it into a < Or Syrup of Mugwort.
Syrup according to art. \ College!] Take of Mugwort two hand-
Cidpeper.] A pretty Sj'rup, and good for | fuls. Pennyroyal, Calaminth, Origanum,
little* I Bawm, Arsmart, Dittany of Crete, Savin,
Syrupus de Althcea. \ Marjoram, Germander, St. John's Wort,
Or Syrup of Marsh-malloAvs. I Camepitis, Fcatherfew with the flowers.
College.] Take of roots of Marsh-raal- \ Centaury the less, Rue, Bettony, Bugloss,
lows, two ounces, the roots of Grass Aspara- : of each a handful, the roots of Fennel,
gus, Liquorice, Raisins of the Sun stoned, i Smallage, Parsley, Sparagus, Bruscus,
of each half an ounce, the tops of Mallows, > Saxifrage, Elecampane, Cypress, Madder,
Marsh-mallows, Pellitory of the Wall, \ Orris, Peony, of each an ounce, Juniper
Burnet, Plantain, Maiden-hair white and > Berries, the seeds of Lovage, Parsle}',
black, of each a handful, red Cicei's an I Smallage, Annis, Nigella, Carpobalsanmm
ou!:ce, of the four greater and four lesser ; or Cubebs, Costus, Cassia Lignea, Carda-
cold seeds, of each thiee drams, boil them $ moms. Calamus Aromaticus, the roots of
in six pounds of clear Water till fourremain, I Asarabacca, Pellitory of Spain, Valerian,
which being strained, boil into a syrup with \ of each half an ounce, being cleansed, cut,
four pounds of white sugar. \ and bruised, let them be infused twenty-
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling, opening, j four hours in fourteen pounds of clear water,
slipery Syrup, and chiefly commendable for I and boiled till half be consumed, being
the cholic, stone, or gravel, in the kidneys \ taken off" from the fire, and rubbed between
or bladder. \ your hands whilst it is warm, strain it, and
Syrupus de Ajmnoniaca. \ with honey and sugar, of each two pounds.
Or Syrup of Ammoniacum, \ sharp Vinegar four ounces, boil it to a Syrup,
College?^ Take of Maudlin and Cetrach, and perfume it Avith Cinnamon and Spike-
of each four handfuls, common Wormwood nard, of each three drams,
an ounce, the roots of Succory. Sparagus, Culpeper.] It helps the passion of the
bark of Capei roots, of each two ounces, \ matrix, and retains it in its place, it dis-,
after due preparation steep them twenty- 1 solves the coldness, wind, and pains thereof;
A^D ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
297
it strengthens the nerves, opens the pores, I jaundice. You may take them with a
corrects the blood, it corrects and provokes sLiquorice stick, or take a spoonful in the
morning fasting.
tlie menses. You may take a spoonful of
it at a time.
St/rupiis de Betoiiica composifus.
Or Syrup of Bettony compound.
College.^ Take of Bettony three hand-
fuls, Marjoram four handfuls and a half,
Thyiiie,red Roses, of each a handful, Violets,
Stoeclias, Sage, of each half a handful, the
seeds of Fennel, Annis, and Animi, of ea.ch
Syrvpus Botrijos.
Or Syrup of Oak of Jerusalem.
College.'] Take of Oak of Jerusalem,
Hedge-mustard, Nettles, of each two hand-
fuls, ColtVfoot, one handful and a half,
boil them in a suflicient quantity of clear
water till half be consumed ; to two pounds
of the Decoction, add two pounds of the
half an ounce, the roots of Peons, Poly- i Juice of Turnips baked in an oven in a
podium, and Fennel, of each five drams, ' close pot, and with three pounds of white
boil them in six pounds of river Avater, to \ sugar, boil it into a Syrup,
three pounds, strain it, and add juice of Culpeper.'] This Syrup was composed
Bettony two pounds, sugar three pounds against coughs, shortness of breath, and
and a half, make it into a Syrup. other the like infirmities of the breast pro-
Culpeper.'] It helps diseases coming of; ceeding of cold, for which (if you can get
cold, both in the head and stomach, as also \ it) you may take it with a Liquorice stick,
such as come of wind, vertigos, madness ; | Sjimpiis Capillorum Veneris.
it concocts melancholy, it provokes the ; Or Syviip of Maiden-hair,
menses, and so doth the simple Syrup more | College.'] Take of Liquorice two ounces,
than the conlpound. \ Maiden-hair five ounces, steep them a
Syrupiis Byzantinxis, simple. {natural day in four pounds of warm water,
College.] Take of the Juice of the leaves | then after gentle boiling, and strong strain-
oF Endive and Smallage, of each two pounds, | ing, with a pound and a half of fine sugar
of Hops and Bugloss, of each one pound, hnake it into a Syrup,
boil them together and scum them, and to | Culpeper.] It opens stoppings of the
the clarified liquor, add four pounds of | stomach, strengthens the lungs, and helps
white sugar, to as much of the juices, and | the infirmities of them. This maybe taken
Avith a gentle fire boil it to a Syrup. j also either with a Liquorice stick, or mixed
Syrupus Byzantimis, compound. | with the Pectoral Decoction like Syrup of
College.] Take of the Juices so ordered | Coltsfoot,
as in the former, four pounds, in which boil \ Syrupus Cardiacus, vel Jidcpum Cardiacum.
led Roses, two ounces. Liquorice half an
ounce, the seeds of Annis, Fennel, and
Smallage, of each three drams. Spikenard
Or a Cordial Syrup.
College.] Take of Rhenish Wine two
pounds. Rose Water two ounces and a half.
Iwodrams, strain it, and to the three pounds I Cloves two scruples. Cinnamon half a
remaining, add two pounds of Vinegar, | dram. Ginger two scruples. Sugar three
four pounds of Sugar, make it into a syrup j ounces and a half, boil it to the consistence
according to art. \ of a Julep, adding Ambergris three
Culpeper.] They both of them (viz. j grains. Musk one grain,
both Simple and Compound) open stopp-| Culpeper.] If you would have this Julep
ings of the stomach, liver, and spleen, help | keep long, you may put in more sugar,
tlie rickets in children, cut and bring | and yet if close stopped, it will not ea.si]y
away tough flegm, and help the yellow | corrupt because it is made up only of Wine,
208
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
indeed the wisest way is to order the quan-
tity of sugar according to the palate of
him that takes it. It restores such as are
iii consumptions, comforts the heart,
cherishes the drooping spirits, and is of an
opening quahty, thereby carrying away
those vapours which might otherwise annoy
the brain and heart: You may take an
ounce at a time, or two if you please.
Syrupus injusionis florimi Cariophillorum.
Or Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers.
College^ Take a pound of Clove-gilli-
flowers, the whites being cut off, infuse them
a whole night in two pounds of water, then
with four pounds of sugar melted in it,
make it into a Syrup without boiling.
Culpeper^ This Syrup is a fine tem-
perate Syrup : it strengthens the heart,
liver, and stomach ; it refreshes the vital
spirits, and is a good cordial in fevers ;
and usually mixed with other cordials, you
can hardly err in taking it, it is so harm-
less a Syrup.
Syrupiis de Cinnamomo.
Or Syrup of Cinnamon.
College^ Take of Cinnamon grossly
bruised, four ounces, steep it in white
Wine, and small Cinnamon Water, of each
half a pound, three days, in a glass, by a
gentle heat ; strain it, and Avith a pound
and a half of sugar, boil it gently to a
Syrup.
CulpeperJ] It refreshes the vital spirits
exceedingly, and cheers both heart and
stomach languishing through cold, it helps
digestion exceedingly, and strengthens the
whole body. You may take a spoonful at
a time in a cordial.
College.'] Thus also you may con-
veniently prepare Syrups (but only with
white Wine,) of Annis seeds, sweet Fennel
seeds. Cloves, Nutmegs, Ginger, &c
Syrupus Acetositatk Citriorum.
Or Syrup of Juice of Citrons..
College^ Take of the Juice of Citrons,
strained without expression, and cleansed,
a pound. Sugar two pounds, make it into
a Syrup like Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers.
CidpeperJ] It prevails against all dis-
eases proceeding from choler, or heat of
blood, fevers, both pestilential, and not
pestilential; it resists poison, cools the
blood, quenches thirst, cures the vertigo,
or dizziness in the head.
College.'] After the same manner is
made Syrups of Grapes, Oranges, Bar-
berries, Cherries, Quinces, Lemons, Wood-
sorrel, Mulberries, Sorrel, English Currants,
and other sour Juices.
Cidpeper.] If you look the simples you
may see the virtues of them : they all cool
and comfort the heart, and strengthen the
stomach, Syrup of Quinces stays vomiting,
so doth all Syrup of Grapes.
Syrupiis Corticum Citriorum.
Or Syrup of Citron Pills.
College^ V-dke, of fresh yellow Citron
Pills five ounces, the berries of Chermes,
or the juice of them brought over to us,
two drams, Spring Water four pounds,
steep them all night, boil them till half be
consumed, taking off the scum, strain it,
and with two pounds and a half of sugar
boiled it into a Syru, : Jet half of it be
without Musk, but perfume the other hair
with three grains of Musk tied up in a rag.
Culpeper.'y It strengthens the stomach,
resists poison, strengthens the heart, and
resists the passions thereof, palpitation,
faintings, swoonings ; it strengthens the
vital spirits, restores such as are in con-
sumptions, and hectic fevers, and strengthens
nature much. You may take a spoonful
at a time.
Syrupus e Corcdliis simplex.
Or Syrup of Coral simple.
College.] Take of red Coral in very fine
powder four ounces, dissolve it in clarified
juice of Barberries in the heat of a bath,
a pound, in a glass well stopped with wax
and cork, a digestion being made three or
four days, pour off what is dissolved; put
A^T> ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
209
in fresh clarified juice, and proceed as be-
fore, repeat this so often till all the coral
be dissolved ; lastly, to one pound of this
juice add a pound and a half of sugar, and
boil it to a Syrup gently.
Si/riqms e Coralliis compositus.
Or Syrup of Coral compound.
College.'] Take of red Coral six ounces,
in very fine powder, and levigated upon
a marble, add of clarified juice of Lemons,
the flegm being drawn off in a bath, sixteen
ounces, clarified juice of Barberries, eight
ounces, sharp white Wine Vinegar, and juice
of Wood-sorrel, of each six ounces, mix them
together, and put them in a glass stopped
with cprk and bladder, shaking it every
day till it have digested eight days in a
bath, or horse dung, then filter it, of which
take a pound and a half, juice of Quinces
half a pound, sugar of Roses twelve ounces,
make them into a Syrup in a bath, adding
Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers sixteen ounces,
keep it for use, omitting the half dram of
Ambergris, and four grains of Musk
till the physician command it.
Ctilpeper.l Syrup of Coral both simple
and compound, restore such as are in con-
sumptions, are of a gallant cooling nature,
especially the last, and very cordial, good
for hectic fevers, it stops fluxes, the run-
ning of the reins, and the Fluor Albus, helps
such as spit blood, and such as have the
falling-sickness, it stays the menses. Half
a spoonful in the morning is enough.
Sy7'iipus Cydoniorum.
Or Syrup of Quinces.
Co//e^e.] Take of the Juice of Quinces
clarified six pounds, boil it over a gentle fire
till half of it be consumed, scumming it,
adding red Wine three pounds, white sugar
four pounds, boil it into a Syrup, to be per-
fumed with a dram and a half of Cinnamon,
Cloves and G'nger, of each two scruples.
Cnlpeper.'] It strengthens the heart and
stomach, stays looseness and vomiting,
relieves languishing nature : for looseness,
I take a spoonful of it before meat, for
\ vomiting after meat, for both, as also for
I the rest, in the morning.
X Si/riipiis cle Ei'ysimo.
j Or Syrup of Hedge-mustard.
I College.'] Take of Hedge-nmstard, fresh,
I six handfuls, the roots of Elecampane,
I Colt's-foot, Liquorice, of each two ounces,
I Borrage, Succory, Maiden-hair, of each a
I handful and a half, the cordial flowers,
I Rosemary and Bettony, of each half a hand-
\ ful, Annis seeds half an ounce. Raisins of
i the sun stoned, two ounces, let all of them,
/ being prepared according to art, be boiled
in a sufficient quantity of Barley Water
and Hydromel, with six ounces of juice of
Hedge-mustard to two pounds and a half,
the which, with three pounds of sugar, boil
it into a Syrup according to art.
Culpepcr.] It was invented against
cold atflictions of the breast and lungs, as
asthmas, hoarseness, &c. You may take
it either with a Liquorice stick, or which is
better, mix an ounce of it with three or
four ounces of Pectoral Decoction, and
drink it off" warm in the morning.
Syriipus cle Fumaria.
Or Syrup of Fumitory.
College.] Take of Endive, common
I Wormwood, Hops, Dodder, Hart's-tongue,
I of each a handful, Epithimum an ounce
j and a half, boil them in four pounds of
1 water till half be consumed, strain it, and
add the juice of Fumitory a pound and a
half, of Borrage and Bugloss, of each half
a pound, white sugar four pounds, make
them into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] The receipt is a pretty cou-
cocter of melancholy, and therefore a
\ rational help for diseases arising thence,
j both internal and external, it helps diseases
of the skin, as Leprosies, Cancers, Warts,
Corns, Itch, Tetters, Ringworms, Scabs, &c.
and it is the better to be liked, because of
its gentleness. It helps surfeits exceedingly,
\ cleanses, cools, and strengthens the liver,
4h
300
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
and causes it to make good blood, and good |
blood cannot make bad flesh. I commend |
this receipt to those whose bodies are sub- 1
ject to scabs and itch. If you please you |
may take two ounces by itself every morn-
ing-
Syrupus de Glycyrrhiza.
Or Syrup of Liquorice.
College.'] Take of green Liquorice, >
scraped and bruised, two ounces, white j
Maiden-hair an ounce, dryed Hyssop half?
an ounce, steep these in four pounds of hot |
water, after twenty-four hours, boil it till ;
half be consumed, strain it, and clarify it, «
and with Honey, Penids, and Sugar, of each \
eight ounces, make it into a Syrup, adding, ;
before it be perfectly boiled, red Rosej
Water six ounces.
Culpeper.] It cleanses the breast and |
lungs, and helps continual coughs and |
pleurisies. You may take it with a I
Liquorice stick, or add an ounce of it or I
more to the Pectoral Decoction. 1
Syrupus Granatorum cum Aceto ; •vulgo, |
Oxysaccharum simplex.
Or Syrup of Pomegranates with Vinegar.
College^ Take of white sugar a pound
and a half, juice of Pomegranates eight
ounces, white Wine Vinegar four ounces,
boil it gently into a Syrup. \
Culpeper.'] Look the virtues of Pome-i
granates among the simples. |
Syrupus de Hyssopo. |
Or Syrup of Hyssop. I
College.] Take eight pounds of Spring |
Water, half an ounce of Barley, boil it!
about half an hour, then add the Roots of |
Smallage, Parsley, Fennel, Liquorice, ofl
each ten drams. Jujubes, Sebestens, of each 1
fifteen. Raisins of the sun stoned, an ounce I
and a half, Figs, Dates, of each ten, thej
seeds of Mallows and Quinces, Gum Tra-|
gacanth tied up in a rag, of each three;
drams, Hyssop meanly dryed, ten drams, |
Maiden-hair six drams, boil them together, |
yet so, tliat the roots may precede the fruits, \
the fruits the seeds, and the seeds the herbs,
about a quarter of an hour ; at last, five
pounds of water being consumed, boil the
other three (being first strained and clari-
fied) into a Syrup with two pounds and a
half of sugar.
Culpeper.] It mightily strengthens the
breast and lungs, causes long wind, clears
the voice, is a good remedy against coughs.
Use it like the S3'rup of Liquorice.
Syrupus Ivce arthritica:, sive Chamcepityos.
Or Syrup of Chamepitys.
College.] Take of Chamepitys, two hand-
fuls. Sage, Rosemary, Foley Mountain,
Origanum, Calaminth, wild Mints, Penny-
royal, Hyssop, Thyme, Rue, garden and
wild, Bettony, Mother of Thyme, of each a
handful, the roots of Acorns, Birthwort long
and round, Briony, Dittany, Gentian,
Hog's Fennel, Valerian, of each half an
ounce, the roots of Smallage, Asparagus,
Fennel, Parsley, Bruscus, of each an ounce,
Pellitory of Spain, an ounce and a half,
Stcechas, the seeds of Annis, Ammi, Cara-
way, Fennel, Lovage, Hartwort, of each
three drams. Raisins of the sun two ounces,
boil them in ten pounds of water to four,
to which add honey and sugar, of each two
pounds, make it into a Syrup to be per-
fumed with Sugar, Nutmegs, and Cubebs,
of each three drams.
Sy^mpus Jujuhinus.
Or Syrup of Jujubes.
College.] Take of Jujubes, Violets, five
drams. Maiden-hair, Liquorice, French
Barley, of each an ounce, the seeds of
Mallows five drams, the seeds of white
Poppies, Melons, Lettice, (seeds of Quinces
and Gum Tragacanth tied up in a rag)
of each three drams, boil them in six
pounds of rain or spring water till half be
consumed, strain it, and with two pounds
of sugar make it into a Syrup,
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling Syrup,
very available in coughs, hoarseness, and
pleurisies, ulcers of the lungs and bladder.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
301
as also in all inflammations whatsoever.
You may take a spoonful of it once in three
or four hours, or if you please take it with
a Liquorice stick.
Syrupus de Meconio, sive Diacodium.
Or Syrup of Meconium, or Diacodium.
College.'] Take of white Poppy heads
with their seeds, gathered a little after the
flowers are fallen off, and kept three days, j
eightounces, black Poppy heads (so ordered) \
six ounces, rain Water eight pounds, steep |
them twenty-four hours, then boil and press |
them gently, boil it to three pounds, and \
with twenty -four ounces of sugar boil it
into a Syrup according to art.
Syrupus de Meconio compositus.
Or Syrup of Meconium compound. |
College.'] Take of white and black j
Poppy heads with their seeds, fifty drams, I
Maiden-hair fifteen drams, Jujubes thirty, \
the seeds of Lettice, forty drams, of Mai- 5
lows and Quinces tied up in a rag, a dram {
and a half. Liquorice five drams, water!
eight pounds, boil it according to art, strain |
it, and to three pounds of Decoction add |
Sugar and Penids, of each one pound, make |
it into a Syrup. \
Culpeper.] Meconium is nothing else but \
the juice of English Poppies boiled till it I
be thick : It prevails against dry coughs, I
phthisicks, hot and sharp gnawing rheums, s
and provokes sleep It is an usual fashion
for nurses when they have heated their milk j
by exercise or strong liquor (no marvel then \
if their children be froward) then run forj
Syrup of Poppies, to make their young
ones sleep. I would fain have that fashion
left, therefore I forbear the dose; let
nurses keep their own bodies temperate, and
their children will sleep well enough, never |
fear.
Syrupus Melissophylli.
Or Syrup of Bawm.
College.] Take of the Bark of Bugloss
roots, an ounce, the roots of white Dittany,
Cinquefoil, Scorzonera, of each half an
ounce, the leaves of Bawm, Scabious,
Devil's-bit, the flowers of both sorts of
Bugloss, and Rosemary, of each a handful,
the seeds of Sorrel, Citrons, Fennel, Car-
duus, Bazil, of each three drams, boil them
in four pounds of water till half be con-
sumed, strain it, and add three pounds of
white sugar, juice of Bawm and Rose
Water, of each half a pound, boil them to
a Syrup, the which perfume with Cinnamon
and yellow Sanders, of each half an ounce
Culpeper.] It is an excellent cordial,
and strengthens the heart, breast, and
stomach, it resists melancholy, revives the
spirits, is given with good success in fevers,
it strengthens the memory, and relieves
languishing nature. You may take a spoon-
full of it at a time.
Syrupus de Mentha.
Or Syrup of Mints.
College^ Take of the juices of Quinces
sweet and between sweet and sour, the juice
of Pomegranates sweet, between sweet and
sour, and sour, of each a pound and a half,
dried Mints half a pound, red Roses two
ounces, lei them lie in steep one day, then
boil it half away, and with four pounds of
sugai boil it into a Syrup according to art:
perfume it not unless the Physicians com-
mand.
Culpeper.] The Syrup is in quality bind-
ing, yet it comforts the stomach rhuch,
helps digestion, stays vomiting, and is as
excellent a remedy against sour or offensive
belchings, as any is in the Dispensatory.
Take a spoonful of it after meat.
Syrupus de Mucilaginibus.
Or Syrup of Mussilages.
College^ Take of the seeds of Marsh-
mallows, Mallows, Quinces, of each an
ounce. Gum Tragacanth three drams, let
these infuse six hours in warm Decoction of
Mallows, white Poppy seeds, and Winter
Cherries, then press out the Mussilage to
an ounce and an half, with which, and
three ounces of the aforesaid Decoction,
802
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
and two ounces of sugar, make a Syrup;
according to art. \
Ciilpepcr.'] A spoonful taken by itself, |
or in anj convenient liquor, is excellent for i
any sharp corroding humours be they in |
what part of the body soever, phthisicks, |
bloody-flux, stone in the reins or bladder, ?
or ulcers there : it is excellent good for ;
such as have taken purges that arc too|
strong for their bodies, for by its sli])pery i
nature it helps corrosions, and by its eool- 1
ing helps inflammations. |
Si/}^upus Myrtimis. \
Or Syrup of Myrtles. \
College^ Take of Myrtle Berries twoj
ounces and an half, Sanders white and red, ;
Sumach, Balaustines, Barberry stones, red 1
Roses, of each an ounce and a half, Med- 1
lars half a pound, bruise them in eighth
pounds of water to four, strain it, and add \
juice of Quinces and sour Pomegranates, |
of each six ounces, then with three pounds j
of sugar, boil it into a Syrup.
Culpeper^ The Syrup is of a very bind-
ing, yet comforting nature, it helps such as
spit blood, all fluxes of the belly, or corro-
sions of the internal parts, it strengthens the
retentive faculty, and stops immoderate i
flux of menses. A spoonful at a time is \
the dose. |
Syrupus Flormn Nymphee simplex. \
Or Syrup of Water-Lily flowers, simple. I
College.'] Take of the whitest of whiter
Water-Lily flowers, a pound, steep them in 5
tliree pounds of warm water six or seven \
hours, let them boil a little, and strain them x
out, put in the same weight of flowers again }
the second and third time, when you have t
strained it the last time, add its weight of}
sugar to it, and boil it to a Syrup. j
Syrupus Florum 'Nymphce compositm. \
Syrup of Water-Lily flowers compound. |
College:] Take of white Water-Lily j
flowers half a pound, Violets two ounces, \
Lettice two handfuls, the seeds of Lettice, |
Purslain, and Gourds, of each half an ounce, \
boil them in four pounds of clear water
till one be consumed, strain it, and add half
a pound of red Rose water, white sugar
four pounds, boil it into a Syrup according
to art.
Culpeper^ They are both fine cooling
Syrups, allay the heat of choler, and pro-
voke sleep, they cool the body, both head,
heart, liver, reins, and matrix, and there-
fore are profitable for hot diseases in either,
you may take an ounce of it at a time when
your stomach is empty.
Syrupus de Papavere Erralico, site Rubro.
Or Syrup of Erratic Poppies.
College.] 'J ake of the fresh flowers of
red Poppies two pounds, steep them in
four pounds of warm sj^ring water, the next
day strain it, and boil it into a Syrup with
its equal weight in sugar.
Culpeper.] The Syrup cools the blood,
helps surfeits, and may safely be given in
frenzies, fevers, and hot agues.
Syrupus de Pilosella.
Or Syrup of Mousear.
College.] Take of Mousear three hand-
fuls, the roots of Lady's- mantle an ounce
and an half, the roots of Comfrey the
greater. Madder, white Dittany, Tormentil,
Bistort, of each an ounce, the leaves ot
AVintergreen, Horsetail, Ground Ivy, Plan-
tain, Adder's Tongue, Strawberries, St.
John's Wort Avith the flowers, Golden Rod,
Agrimony, Bettony, Burnet, Avens, Cinque-
foil the greater, red Coleworts, Balaustines,
red Roses, of each a handful, boil them
gently in six pounds of Plantain Water to
three, then strain it strongly, and when it is
settled, add Gum Tragacanth, the seeds of
Fleawort, Marsh-mallows and Quinces,
made into a Mussilage by themselves in
Strawberry and Bettony Water, of each
three ounces, white sugar two pounds, boil
it to the thickness of honey.
Culpnper.] It is drying and healing, and
therefore good for ruptures.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
JJ03
Synipus infusionis ficn'um Pceonia.
Or Syrup of the infusion of Peony flowers.
College J] It is prepared in the same
manner as Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers.
Syrupus de Pceotiia compositus.
Or Syrup of Peony compound.
College.'] Take of the Roots of both _
sorts of Peony taken up al the full Moon, 5
cut in slices, and steeped in white Wine;
a whole day, of each an ounce and an halfJ
Contra Yerva half an ounce, Siler Moun- |
tain six drams, Elk's Claws an ounce. Rose- \
mary with the flowers on, one handful, ;
Bettony, Hyssop, Origanum, Chamepitys, |
Rue, of each three drams. Wood of Aloes, \
Cloves, Cardamoms the less, of each two j
drams. Ginger, Spikenard, of each a dram, I
Stoechas, Nutmegs, of each two drams and |
an half, boil them after one day's warm j
digestion, in a sufficient quantity of distilled 1
water of Peony roots, to four pounds, in |
which (being strained through Hippocrates \
sleeve) put four pounds and an half of
while sugar, and boil it to a Syrup.
Culpeper.l It helps the falling-sickness,
and convulsions.
Si/nipus de Pomis aderans.
Or Syrup of Apples.
College.] Take four pounds of the juice
of sweet scented Apples, the juice of Bug-
Joss, garden and wild, of Violet leaves.
Rose Water, of each a pound, boil them
together, and clarify them, and with six
pounds of pure sugar, boil it into a Syrup
according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling Syrup
for such whose stomachs are overpressed
with heat, and may safely be given in
fevers, fot it rather loosens than binds :
it breeds good blood, and is profitable in
hectic fevers, and for such as are troubled
with palpitation of the heart, it quenches
thirst admirably in fevers, and stays hic-
coughs. You may take an ounce of it at
41 time in the morning, or when you need.
Synipus de Prasio.
Or Syrup of Horehound.
College.'] Take of white Horehound
fresh, two ounces. Liquorice, Polipodium
of the Oak, Fennel, and Smallage roots,
of each half an ounce, white Maiden-hair,
Origanum, Hyssop, Calaminth, Thyme,
Savory, Scabious, Colt's-foot, of each six
drams, the seeds of Annis and Cotton, of
each three drams. Raisins of the sun stoned
two ounces, fat Figs ten, boil them in eight
pounds of Hydromel till half be consumed,
boil the Decoction into a Syrup with honey
and sugar, of each two pounds, and per-
fume it with an ounce of the roots of Orris
Florentine.
Ctdpeper.] It is appropriated to the
breast and lungs, and is a fine cleanser to
purge them from thick and putrified flegm,
it helps phthisicks and coughs, and diseases
subject to old men, and cold natures.
Take it with a Liquorice stick.
Synipus de quinq. Radicibits.
Or Syrup of the five opening Roots.
College.] Take of the roots of Smallage,
Fennel, Parsley, Bruscus Sparagus of
each two ounces, spring Water, six pounds,
boil away the third part, and make a Syrup
with the rest according to art, with three
pounds of sugar, adding eight ounces of
white Wine Vinegar, towards the latter
end.
Culpepcr.] It cleanses and opens very
well, is profitable against obstructions, jjro-.
vokes urine, cleanses the body of flegm,
and is safely and profitably given in the
beginning of fevers. An ounce at a time
upon an empty stomach is a good dose.
Synipus Raphani.
Or Syrup of Radishes.
College.] Take of garden and wild
Radish roots, of each an ounce, the roots
of white Saxifrage, Lovage, Bruscus,
Eringo, Rest-harrow, Parsley, Fennel, of
each "half an ounce, the leaves of Bettony,
Burnet, Pennyroyal, Nettles, AVater-cresses,
4 I
304
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Samphire, Maiden-hair, of each one hand-
ful, Winter Cherries, Jujubes, of each ten,
the seeds of Bazil, Bur, Parsley of Mace-
donia, Hartwort, Carraway, Carrots, Crom-
well, the bark of the root of Bay-tree, of
each two drams, Raisins of the sun stoned,
Liquorice, of each six drams, boil them in
twelve pounds of water to eight, strain it,
and with four pounds of sugar, and two
pounds of honey, make it into a Syrup,
and perfume it with an ounce of Cinnamon,
and half an ounce of Nutmegs,
CidpeperJ\ A tedious long medicine for
the stone.
Sy7-upus Regius, alias Julapium Akxandrinum.
Or Julep of Alexandria.
Collcge.~\ Boil four pounds of Rose-
water, and one pound of white Sugar into
a Julep. Julep of Roses is made with
Damask Rose water, in the \ery samej
manner.
Culpeper.'] Two fine cooling drinks in
tlie heat of summer.
Syrupus de Rosis siccis.
Or Syrup of dried Roses.
College.^ Make four pounds of spring
water hot, in which infuse a pound of dried
Roses, by some at a time, press them out^
and with two pounds of sugar, boil it into^
a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.'] Syrup of dried Roses, strength-
ens the heart, comforts the spirits, binds
the body, helps fluxes, and corrosions, or
gnawings of the bowels, it strengthens the
stomach, and stays vomiting. You may
take an ounce at a time, before meat, if for |
fluxes ; after meat if for vomiting.
Syrupus Scabiosce.
Or Syrup of Scabious.
College^ Take of the roots of Elecam-
pane, and Polypodium of the Oak, of each
two ounces. Raisins of the sun stoned an
ounce, Sebestens twenty, Colt's-foot, liUng-
wort. Savory, Calaminth, of each a hand-
ful and an half, Liquorice, Spanish Tobacco,
oi each half an ounce, the seeds of Nettles
and Cotton, of each three drams, boil thetn
all (the roots being infused in white Wine
the day before) in a suflicicnt quantity of
Wine and AVater to eight ounces, strain if,
and adding four ounces of the Juice ot
Scabious, and ten ounces of sugar, boil it
to a Syrup, adding to il twenty drops of oil
of sulphur.
Cidpeper.] It is a cleansing Syrup ap-
propriated to the breast and lungs, when
you perceive them oppressed by flegm,
crudites, or stoppings, your remedy is to
take now and then a spoonful of this Syrup,
it is taken also Avith good success by such
as are itchy, or scabby.
Syrupus de Scolopendno.
Or Syrup of Hart's-tongue.
College.^ Take of Hart's-tongue three
handfuls, Polypodium of the Oak, liie
roots of both sorts of Ikigloss, bark of the
roots of Capers and Tamcrisk, of each two
ounces, Hops, Dodder, Maiden-hair, Bawni,
of each two handfuls, boil them in nine
pounds of Spring water to five, and strain
it, and with four pounds of white sugar,
make it into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper.] It helps the stoppings of
melancholy, opens obstructions of the liver
and spleen, and is profitable against splen-
etic evils, and therefore is a choice remedy
for the disease which the vulgar call the
rickets, or liver-grown: A spoonful in u
morning is a precious remedy for children
troubled with that disease. Men that are
troubled with the spleen, which is known
by pain and hardness in their left side, may
take three or four spoonfuls, they shall find
this one receipt worth the price of the whole
book.
Sympus de Stcechade.
Syrup of Stcechas
College^ Take of Stocchas flowers four
ounces, Rosemary flowers half an ounce.
Thyme, Calaminth, Origanum, of each an
ounce and an half, Sage, Bcttony, of each
half an ounce, the seeds of Rue, Peony, und
AND ENGLISH PIIVSICIAM LNLARGF.D.
30A
fennel, of each three drams, spring water I
ten pounds, boil it till half be consumed, 1
and with honey and sugar, of each two i
pounds, boil it into a Syrup, which perfume
with Cinnamon, Ginger, and Calm as
Aromaticus, of each two drams tied up in I
a rag. i
Syrupus cle Symphyto. |
Or Syrup of Comfrey. \
College^] Take of roots and tops of*
Comfrey, the greater and lesser, of each J
three handfuls, red Roses, Bettony, Plantain, \
Burnet, Knot grass. Scabious, Colt's foot,]
of each two handfuls, press the juice out of |
them all, being green and bruised, boil it, |
scum it, and strain it, add its weight of"|
sugar to it that it may be made into a Syrup, |
according to art.
Culpeper.'] The Syrup is excellent for
all inward wounds and bruises, excoriations, :
vomitings, spittings, or evacuation of blood,
it unites broken bones, helps ruptures, and
stops the menses : You cannot err in taking
of it.
Syrupus Violariim.
Or Syrup of Violets.
College^ Take of Violet flowers fresh I
and picked, a pound, clear water made?
boiling hot, two pounds, shut them up close |
together into a new glazed pot, a whole [
day, then press them hard out, and in two |
pounds of the liquor dissolve four pounds j
and three ounces of white sugar, take away I
the scum, and so make it into a Syrup with- \
out boiling. Syrup of the juice of Violets, \
is made with its double weight of sugar, like |
the former. |
Culpeper^ This Syrup cools and moistens,' |
and that very gently, it corrects the sharp- \
ness of choler, and gives ease in hot vices of i
the breast, it quenches thirst in acute fevers, I
and resist the heat of the disease; it com- j
forts hot stomachs exceedingly, cools the |
liver and heart, and resists putrefaction, j
pestilence, and poison. \
College.^ Julep of Violets is made of ■
the water of Violet tlowers and sugar, like
Julej) of Roses.
Culpeper.'] It is cooling and pleasant.
PURGING SYRUPS.
Syrupus lie Cichovio cum Khubarbaro.
Or Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb.
College.'] Take of whole Barley, the
roots of Smallage, Fennel, and Sparagus,
of each two ounces. Succory, Dandelyon,
Endive, smooth Sow-thistles, of each two
handfuls, Lettuce, Liverwort, Fumitory,
tops of Hops, of each one handful, Maiden-
hair, white and black, Cetrachs, Liquorice,
winter Cherries, Dodder, of each six drams,
to boil these take sixteen pounds of spring
water, sti'ain the liquor, and boil in it six
pounds of white sugar, adding towards the
end six ounces of Rhubarb, six drams of
Spikenard, bound up in a thin slack rag
the which crush often in boiling, and so
make it into a Syrup according to art.
Culpeper^ It eleanses the body of venem-
ous humours, as boils, carbuncles, and the
like ; it prevails against pestilential fevers,
it strengthens the heart and nutritive virtue,
purges by stool and urine, it makes a man
have a good stomach to his meat, and pro-
vokes sleep. But by my author's leave,
I never accounted purges to be proper
physic in pestilential fevers ; this I believe,
the Syrup cleanses the liver well, and is
exceeding good for such as are troubled
with hypocondriac melancholy. The strong
may take two ounces at a time, the weak,
one, or you may mix an ounce of it with
the Decoction of Senna.
Syrupus de Eptthymo.
Or Syrup of Epithimum.
College.] Take of Epithimum iwenty
drams, Mirobalans, Citron, and Indian of
each fifteen drams, Emblicks, Belloricks,
Polypodium. Liquorice Agrick, Thyme,
Calaminlh. Bugloss, Stoechas of each six
306 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
drains, Dodder, Fumitory, ot each ten | Culpener.] The Syrup is a coohng purge,
drams, red Roses, Annis-seeds and sweet j and tends to rectify the distempers of the
Fennel seeds of each two drams and an | blood, it purges choler and melancholy, and
naif, sweet Prunes ten. Raisins of the sun ; therefore must needs be effectual both in
stoned four ounces. Tamarinds two ounces \ yellow and black jaundice, madness, scurf,
and an half, after twenty-four hours infusion \ leprosy, and scabs, it is very gentle. The
in ten pints of spring water, boil it away jdose is from one ounce to three, according
to six, then take it from the fire and strain; as the body is in age and strength. An
it, and with five pounds of fine sugar boil jounce of it in the morning is excellent for
it inty Syrup according to art. i such children as break out in scabs.
Culpeper.'] It is best to put in the Dod-| Syriipus de Pomis magistralis
der, St(Echas and Agarick, towards the Or Syrup of Apples magisterial,
latter end oi the Uecoction. It purges melan-| >-, ,, n m i c\ r ■ i ^t,
choly, and other humours, it strengthens! .^«%^-] Take of the Juice and Water
the stomach and liver, cleanses the bSdy of i ^.^ ^PP'^^ °^ ,^,f ,^ ^ P°""^ ^"^ •-»" l^^lf,
addust choler and addust blood, as also ofi ^^ ^^^ ^f ^^^^'^ ^^ ^°"Jg« and Bug-
salt humours, and helps diseases proceeding j'^^' J^f^^ "'"f «""^^^' Senna half a
from these, as scabs, itch, tetters, ringworms" P?""^' 1""^' ^ ' """^ '-T* ^^""?^ r'^''
leprosy, &c. A man may take two ounces f ^^^'^ ^^^^'^ f ^™«' ^P\^^™T "'^.^''"'l'
at a time, or add one ounce to the DecocJ ^7, «""^^^' ^^^"^'^' ^•^^^^'"^,' «^^*f ^^
tion of Epithimum. j ^'^^^ ^ °™' ^'"g*^''' ^^^^' f ^^^^ ^^^^
Syripus e Floribus Persiconm. f^V^P^^^/ C-nnainon two scruples, Saffron
Or Syrup of Peach-flowers. ^"'^ ^ ^'^^"' "^^"f t"" .^^ubarb and Cin-
College.-] Take of fresh Peach-flowers I r"""" f Pf' "^ ^3^ ^%^^f' ^ white Wine and
. ^ ] t ti 111 • xi } Juice oi Apples, or each two ounces, let
a pound, steep them a Avhole day in three; ,, ,, . ii c V . j l i
^,,,„i i> I 4.1 u I 1....1 ,} all the rest, the aaiiron excepted, be steeped
pounds or warm water, then boil a little and I • ,, ^tt \ , • i ^m--^"
Ttro;^ u ^..t „«..„,. ^ *i.\ ;..f • ^ *■ 1 1" the Waters above mentioned, and the
strain it out, repeat this infusion five times; , , , • , . . i' i i •
:« tk^ oo., ^ i;^.;,^,. ■ t\ r. i r i- i i next dav put in the luices, which being
in the same liquor, in three pounds of which! , -ii"*^ j i-^ il -r
1- „ 1 „ . , ' 1 1 1 If r 5 boiled, scummed, and strained, then with
dissolve two pounds and an half or sugar!/. ' /• i • i -, • •
and boil it into a Syrup. ^ ! S""' °""^^1/^^ ^y^^*^ i"^^': ^^'\ '^ '"^^ ?
Culpeper.-] It is a gentle purger ofl^^^P' ^f'^^^^^S^'^t 7" '" 'V.k"^^
,.K^i«/^ ..„a\^ u • • r ^I up in a hnen rag, the infusion of the Rhu-
clioler, and may be given even in fevers toi. ^ , , • i I'^j ,. .u i ,.. j
draw away the sharp^holeric humours. ^^'^ being adckd at the latter end.
Syrupus de Pomis purgans \ Culpeper.-] Out of doubt this is a gallant
Or Syrup of Apples purging. I ^^:;"P *° .P^^'S^^ ^^^^^^ ^"^ melancholy,
r' n n fF 1 ^ r +1 • r i and to resist madness.
College.] lake of the juice of sweet i „ _, ,
smelling Apples two pounds, the juice of I Synipus de Rhubarbaro.
Borrage and Bugloss of each one pound I ^r Syrup of Rhubarb.,
and an half. Senna two ounces, Annis seeds ! College.] Take of the best Rhubarb and
half an ounce, SaftVon one dram, let the; Senna of each two ounces and an half.
Senna be steeped in the juices twenty-four ; Violet flowers a handful. Cinnamon one
hours, and after a boil or two strain it, i dram and an half, Ginger half a dram,
and with two pounds of white sugar boil j Bettony, Succory and Bugloss Water of
it to a Syrup according to art, the saffron ; each one pound and an half, let them be
being tied up in a rag, and often crushed | mixed together warm all night, and in the
in the boiling. | morning strained and boiled into a Syrup,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 3(>7:
with two pounds of white sugar, adding
towards the end four ounces of Syrup of
Roses.
Culpeper.'] It cleanses choler and melan-
choly very gently, and is therefore fit for
children, old people, and weak bodies.
You may add an ounce of it to the Decoc-
provokes the menses, purges the stomach
and liver, and provokes urine.
Sijriipus Rosaceus solutivus cum Helleboro.
Or Syrup of Roses solutive with Hellebore.
College.'] Take of the bark of all the
Myrobalans, of each fourounces, bruise them
tion of Epithinmm or to the Decoction of j f^'^' ^"^ '*^^P ?\"^ twenty-four hours
SgQ^g ' t in twelve pounds of the jnfusion of Roses
Of Syrup of Roses solutive. i i? ^• '^^^^°"/. °""^^^'
Collesre.] Take of Spring Water boiling ^ I? h"f """"""' Citron seeds Liquonce,
hot four pounds. Damask Rose leave? !?[ ," ^°"\«""^^^' '^'^ bark of black
fresh, as many as the water will contain; | ?'f^"?, T' ^'^ "^'T'^ W^"" ^""'"'^
1 » *u • 4. 1 u • • V ■ i P^'^t ot the liquor gently exha e, strain it
Jet them remain twelve hours in infusion, ' T j -^u £ a l- '^^ anam u,
close stonned • then nress them out nnrl nnt • . ^'''^^ ^^'^ pounds ot sugar, and sixteen
Close stopped then press them out and put . ^^.^^^^ ^^ Rhubarb tied up in a linen rag,
in fresh Rose leaves; do so nine times in the ! ^ i •» ■ » c "p i" <» uncu idg,
same liquor, encreasing the quantity of the i "^^rV i ^ ^jnip according to art.
Roses as the liquor encreases which will be L,,r^^'^'7^ ^\^ ^^/"P' ^^^^'^ "«^^'
almost by the third part every time : \ P"^' "^"'^"^^«'^' '^''''' '^^^"^'''
Take six parts of this liquor, and with four I ^1/^^'^ Rosaceus solutivus cum Senna.
parts of white sugar, boil it to a Syrup I Or Syrup of Roses solutive with Senna,
according to art. I ^ College.] Take of Senna six ounces.
Culpeper.] It loosens the belly, and ! Caraway, and sweet Fennel seeds, of each
gently brings out choler and flegm, but ! ^^ree drams, sprinkle them with white Wine,
leaves a binding quality behind it. J ^^^^ '"^"se them two days in three pounds
Syrirpiis e succo Rosarum. \ o^ the infusion of Roses aforesaid, then
Or Syrup of the Juice of Roses. I strain it, an.d with two pounds of sugar boil
College.] It is prepared without steep- j '* into a Syrup,
ing, only with the juice of Damask Roses « Culpeper.] It purges the body of cKoler
pressed out, and clarified, and an equal \ ^"^ melancholy, and expels the relics a
proportion of sugar added to it. I disease hath left behind it; the dose is from
Culpeper^ This is like the other. 1 one ounce to two, you may take it in a
Syrupus Rosaceus solutivus cum Jgarico. \ Decoction of Senna, it leaves a binding
Or Syrup of Roses solutive with Agarick. [ quality behind it.
■ College.] Take of Agarick cut thin an : Syrupus de Spitia Cervina.
ounce. Ginger two drams, Sal. Gem. one 1 Or Syrup of Purging Thorn,
dram, Pblipodium bruised two ounces,! College.] Take of the berries of Purging
sprinkle them with white Wine and steep j Thorn, gathered in September, as many as
them two days over warm ashes, in a pound I you will, bruise them in a stone mortar, and
and an half of the infusion of Damask I press out the juice, let the fourth part of it
Roses prescribed before, and with one | evaporate away in a bath, then to two
pound of sugar boil it into a Syrup accord- \ pounds of it add sixteen ounces of white
ing to art. | sugar, boil it into a Syrup, which perfume
Culpeper.] It purges flegm from the j with Mastich, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Anni-
head, relieves the senses oppressed by it, ! seeds in fine powder, of each three drams.
\ 4 K
308
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
SYRUPS MADE WITH VINEGAR
AND HONEY.
Mel ^nthosalum.
Or Honey of Rosemary Flowers.
College^ Take of fresh Rosemary
flowers a pound, clarified Honey three
pounds, mix them in a glass witli a narrow
mouth, set them in the sun, keep them for
use.
Culpeper.'\ It hath the same virtues with
Rosemary flowers, to which I refer you,
only by reason of the Honey it may be
somewhat cleansing.
Mel Helleboratiim.
Or Honey Helleboratcd.
College.'] Take of wiiile Hellebore roots
bruised a pound, clear AVatcr fourteen
pounds, after three days infusion, boil it
till half be consumed, then strain it dili-
gently, and with three pounds of Honey,
boil it to the thickness of Honey.
Mel Mercitriale.
Or Honey of Mercury.
College.] Boil three pounds of the juice
of Mercury, with two pounds of Honey to
the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] It is used as an emollient in
clysters.
Mel Mororum, vel Dinnioron.
Or Honey of Mulberries.
College^ Take of the juice of Mulberries
and Blackberries, before they be ripe,
gathered before the sun be up, of each a
pound an a half. Honey two pounds, boil
them to their due thickness.
Culpeper.] It is vulgarly known to be
good for sore mouths, as also to cool in-
flammations there.
Alel Nuceum, alias, Diacarion et Diaimcum.
Or Honey of Nuts.
College?] Take of the juice of the out-
ward bark of green Walnuts, gathered in
the dog days two pounds, boil it gently till
I it be thick, and with one pound of Honey,
boil it to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] It is a good preservative in
pestilential times, a spoonful being taken
as soon as you are up.
Mel Passalatum.
i Or Honey of Raisins.
\ College.] Take of Raisins of the sun
I cleansed from the stones two pounds, steep
5 them in six pounds of warm water, the next
5 day boil it half away, and press it strongly,
I and with two pounds of Honey, let the
♦ expressed li([Uor boil to its thickness.
5 Culpeper.] It is a pretty pleasing medi-
5 cine for such as are in consumptions, and
J are bound in body.
X Mel Rosatum commune, she Fnliatum.
I Or conmion Honey of Roses.
\ College^ Take of red Roses not quite
I open two pounds. Honey six pounds, set
I them in the sun according to art.
\ Mel Rosatum Colatum.
\ Or Honey of Roses strained.
I College^ Take of the best clarified
{Honey ten pounds, juice of fresh red Roses
lone pound, set it handsomely over the fire,
>and when it begins to boil, put in four
pounds of fresh red Roses, the whites being
cut off; the juice being consumed by boil-
ing and stirring, strain it and keep it for
use.
Culpeper.] They are both used for dis-
eases in the mouth.
Mel Rosatum solulivum.
Or Honey of Roses solutive.
! College^] Take of thti often infusion of
; Damask Roses five pounds. Honey rightly
1 clarified four j)ounds, boil it to the thick-
; ness of Honey.
Culpeper.
\n
It is used as a laxative
'i clysters, and some use it to cleanse wounds.
5 College.] After the same manner is pre-
I pared Honey of the infusion of red Roses.
I Mel scilliticwn.
\ Or Honey of Squils.
; College.] Take one Squil full of juice.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
309
cut in bits, and put it in a glass vessel, the ■
mouth close stopped, and covered with a |
skin, set in the sun forty days, to wit, twenty \
before and after the rising of the dog star, i
then open the vessel, and take the juice |
which lies at the bottom, and preserve it 5
with the best Honey. |
College.l Honey of Violets is prepared •
like as Honey of Roses. 5
Oxymel, simple. \
College.'\ Take of the best Honey four!
pounds, clear Water and white Wine Vine- 1
gar, of each two pounds, boil them in an |
earthen vessel, taking the scum off with \
a wooden scummer, till it be come to the I
consistence of a Syrup. I
Culpcpcr^ It cuts tiegm, and it is a good 1
preparative against a vomit. I
Oxymel compound. \
College.'] Take of the Bark of the Rootj
of Fennel, Smallage, Parsley, Bruscus, I
Asparagus, of each two ounces, the seeds of
Fennel, Smallage, Parsley, Annis, of each
one oimce, steep them all (the roots being
first cleansed and the seeds bruised) in six
pounds of clear Water and a pound and a
half of Wine Vinegar, the next day boil it
to the consumption of the third part, boil \
the rest being strained, with three pounds |
of Honey into a liquid Syrup according to \
art. \
Culpeper.] First having bruised the roots |
and seeds, boil th in the water till half |
be consumed, then strain it and add the:
Honey, and when it is almost boiled enough, |
add the Vinegar. |
Oxymel Helleboratum. i
Or Oxymel Helleborated. I
College.] Take of Rue, Thyme, Dittany j
of Crete, Hyssop, Pennyroyal, Horehound, j
Carduus, the roots of Celtick, Spikenard;
without leaves, the inner bark of Elders, ofj
each a handful. Mountain Calaminth two i
pugils, the seeds of Annis, Fennel, Bazil,i
Roman Nettles, Dill, of each two drams, j
the roots of Angelica, Marsh-mallows, Aron, '
S(juills prepared, Birthwort, long, round,
and climbing,Turbith, English Orris, Costus,
Polypodium, Lemon pills, of each an
ounce, the strings of black Hellebore, •
Spurge, Agerjck, added at the end of the '
Decoction, of each two drams, the bark of
white Hellebore half an ounce, let all of
them being dried and bruised, be digested
in a glass, or glazed vessel close stopped,
in the heat of the sun, or of a furnace,
Posca, made of equal parts of Water and
Vinegar, eight jwunds, Sapa two ounces,
three days being expired, boil it little more
than half away, strain it, pressing it gently,
and add to the liquor a pound and a half
of Honey Roses, wherein two ounces of
Citron pills have been infused, boil it to
the thickness of Honey, and perfume it
with Cloves, Saffron, Ginger, Galanga,
Mace, of each a dram.
Oxymel Julianizaiis.
College.] Take of the Bark of Caper
roots, the roots of Orris, Fennel, Parslej',
Bruscus, Chicory, Sparagus, Cypress, of
each half an ounce, the leaves of Harts-
tongue, Schtenanth, Tamarisk, of each half
a handful, sweet Fennel seed half an ounce,
infuse them in three pounds of Posca, which
is something sour, afterwards boil it till half
be consumed, strain it, and with Honey and
sugar clarified, of each half a pound, boil it
to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper.] This medicine is very open-
ing, very good against Hypocondriac melan-
choly, and as fit a medicine as can be for
that disease in children called the Rickets.
College^ Oxymel of Squills simple, is
made of three pounds of clarified Honey ;
Vinegar of Squills two pounds, boil them
according to art.
Culpeper.] It cuts and divides humours
that are tough and viscous, and therefore
helps the stomach and bowels afflicted by
such humours, and sour belchings. If you
take but a spoonful in the morning, an able
body will think enough.
3 JO THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Oxymel ScUlitkinn compositus. 5 infirmities, weaknesses, or failings thereof,
OrOxjmelof Squills compound. |as want of voice, difficulty of breathing,
Colkge.'\ Take of Origanum, dried i coughs, hoarseness, catharrs, &c. The way
Hyssop, Thyme, Lovage, Cardamoms the 5 of taking it is with a Liquorice-stick, or if
less, Stoechas, of each five drams, boil them \ you please, you may add an ounce of it to
in three pounds of Water to one, strain it \ the Pectoral Decoction before mentioned,
and with two pounds of Honey, Honey oi\ Syrup of Poppies, the lesser composition.
Raisins half a pound, juice of Briony five | College^ Take of the heads of white
ounces. Vinegar of Squills a pound and a | Poppies and black, when both of them are
half, boil it, and scum it according to art. ; green, of each six ounces, the seeds of
CulpeperJ] This is good against the fall- j Lettice, the flowers of Violets, of each one
ing-sickness. Megrim, Head-ache, Vertigo, } ounce, boil them in eight pints of water till
or swimming in the head, and if these be! the virtue is out of the heads; then strain
occasioned by the stomach as many times 5 them, and with four pounds of sugar boil
they are, it helps the lungs obstructed by \ the liquor to a Syrup,
humour, and is good for women not well! Synipof Poppies, the greater composition.
cleansed after labour, it opens the passage \ College.'] Take of the heads of both
of the womb. | white and black Poppies, seeds and all, of
Syrup of Purslain. Mesue. | each fifty drams, Maiden-hair, fifteen drains.
College.'] Take of the seeds of Purslain \ Liquorice, five drams. Jujubes, thirty by
grossly bruised, half a pound, of the juice of I number, Lettice seeds, forty drams, of the
Endive, boiled and clarified, two pounds, j seeds of Mallows and Quinces, (tied up in
S«:gar two pounds, Vinegar nine ounces, > a thin linen cloth) of each one dram and
infuse the seeds in the juice of Endive -an half, boil these in eight pints of water
twenty -four hours, afterwards boil it half | till five pints be consumed, when you have
away with a gentle fire, then strain it, and \ strained out the three pints remaining, add
boil it with the sugar to the consistence ofito them, Penids and white sugar, of each
a Syrup, adding the Vinegar towards the: a pound, boil them into a Syrup according
latter end of the decoction. ; to art.
Culpeper.] It is a pretty cooling Syrup,! Culpeper.] All these former Syrups of
fit for any hot disease incident to the I Poppies provoke sleep, but in that, I desire
stomach, reins, bladder, matrix, or li\ er ; | they may be used with a great deal of cau-
it thickens flegm, cools the blood, and pro-jt'on and wariness: such as these are not
vokes sleep. You may take an ounce of it | fit to be given in the beginning of fevers,
at a time when you have occasion. |nor to such whose bodies are costive, yet to
Compound Syrup of Colt's-foot. Renod. | such as are troubled with hot, sharp rheums,
College^ Take six handfuls of green \ you may safely give them : The last is ap-
Colt's-foot, two handfnls of Maiden-hair, | propriated to the lungs ; It prevails against
one handful of Hyssop, and two ounces of | dry coughs, phthisicks, hot and sharp gnaw-
Liquorice, boil them in four pints, either of jing rheums, and provokes sleep. It is an
rain or spring water till the fourth part be i usual fashion for nurses when they have
consumed, then strain it, and clarify it, to 'heated their milkbyexercise or strong liquor
which add three pounds of white sugar, 5 then run for Syrup of Poppies to make
boil it to the perfect consistence of a Syrup. \ their young ones sleep. I would fain have
Culpeper.] The composition is appro-jthat fashion left off, therefore I forbear the
priated to the lungs, and therefore helps the 5 dose : Let nurses keep their own bodies
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
311
temperate, and their children will sleep ; the sun, or the fire, that it is capable ol
well enough, | being kept safe from putrefaction. 2. Its
Svrup of Eupatorium (or Maudlin.) Mesue. juse was first invented for diseases in the
College^ Take of the Roots of Smallage,j mouth. 3. It is usually made, in respect
Fennel, and Succory, of each two ounces, | of bod y, somewhat thicker than new Honey.
Liquorice, Schaenanth, Dodder, Worm- 1 4. It may be kept about a year, little more
wood, Roses, of each six drams. Maiden- 1 or less.
hair, Bedeguar, or instead thereof, the roots • Tiob sive Sana, simplex.
of Carduus Mariae, Suchaha or instead i Or Simple Rob, or Sapa.
thereof the roots of Avens, the flowers or| College.'] Take of Wine newly pressed
roots of Bugloss, Annis seeds, sweet Fennel | from white and ripe Grapes, boil it over a
seeds, Ageratum, or Maudlin, of each five \ gentle fire to the thickness of Honey,
drams. Rhubarb, Mastich, of each three? Ci/lpeper.'] Whenever you read the
drams. Spikenard, Indian leaf, or instead of | word Rob, or Sapa throughout the Dispen-
it put Roman spike, of each two drams, i satory, simply quoted in any medicine with-
boil them in eight pints of Water till the 5 out any relation of what it should be made,
third part be consumed, then strain the | this is that you ought to use.
Decoction, and with four pounds of sugar, | Rob de Barberis.
clarified juice of Smallage and Endive, of I Or Rob of Barberries,
each half a poimd, boil it into a Syrup. l College.'] Take of the juice of Barberries
Culpeper.] It amends infirmities of the | strained as much as you will, boil it by it-
liver coming of cold, opens obstructions, helps j self Cor else by adding half a pound of sugar
the droj)sy, and evil state of the body ; it | to each pound of juice) to the thickness of
extenuates gross humours, strengthens the I Honey.
liver, provokes urine, and is a present sue- ? Culpeper.] It quenches thirst, closes
cour for hypocondriac melancholy. You the mouth of the stomach, thereby staying
may take an ounce at a time in the morning, | vomiting, and belching, it strengthens
it opens but purges not. j stomachs weakened by heat, and procures
Honey of Emblicks. Augustanus. | appetite. Of any of these Robs you may
College!] Take fiftyEmbliclcMyrobalans, jtake a little on the point of a knife when
bruise them and boil them in three pints of | you need,
water till two be consimied, strain it, and | Rob de Cerasis.
with the like weight of Honey, boil it into \ Or Rob of Cherries,
a Syrup. | College^ Take of the juice of red
Culpeper.] It is a fine gentle purger both | Cherries somewhat sbwerish, as much as
of flegm and melancholy : it strengthens the | you will, and with half their weight in sugai
brain and nerves, and senses both internal | boil them like the former,
and external, helps tremblings of the heart, I Culpeper] See the virtue af Cherries ;
slays vomiting, provokes appetite. Y'on { and there you have a method to keep them
may take a spoonful at a time.
I all the year.
Kob de Comis. "
I Or Rob of Cornels.
5 College^ Take of the juice of Cornels
Itwo pounds, sugar a pound and an half
Culpeper.] 1. Rob, or Sapa, is the juice | boil it according to art.
<»f' a fruit, made thick by the heat either of » Culpeper.] Of these Cornel trees «ire
4 L
ROB, OR SAPA : AND JUICES.
312 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
two sorts, male and female, the fruit of the | Betony, only in the last, the sugar and juice
male Cornel, or Cornelian Cherry is here to ; must be equal in weight.
he used. The fruit of male Cornel, binds j Suca/s Glycyrrhizce simplex.
exceedingly, and therefore good in fluxes; | Or Juice of Liquorice simple,
and the immoderate flowing of the mens'^s. \ College.^ Infuse Liquorice Rootsclcansed
Roh Cydoniorum. land gently bruised, three days in Spring
Or Rob of Quinces. I Water, so much that it may ovei-top tlx-
College.'] Take of the clarified juice of j roots the breadth of three fingers, then boil
Quinces, boil it till two parts be consumed \ ^t a little, and press it hard out, and boil the
and with its equal weight in sugar boil it M'q^or with a gentle fire to its due thickness.
into a Rob 1 Culpcper.'] It is vulgarly known to be
Mim vel Gelatina Eorundcm. jS'^o^ against coughs, colds, &c. and a
/\ T 11 r /-v • 5 siren gthner or the lungs.
r. „ -1 %'^f^^ ?^ 1 Quinces. s ^ g^^^^^^ Glycyrrhizce compositns.
College.] Take of the juice of Quinces q^. j^-^^ ^f Liquorice compound,
clarified twelve pounds, bod it half away. College.] Take of the water of tender
and add to the remainder, old Avhite Wine^Q^i^igj^^^g'^^f Scabious, of each four pounds,
five pounds, consume the third part over a | English Liquorice scraped and bruised two
gentle fire, taking away the scum (all you| 'j'^^^^ ^^-^^ tl^^^ by degrees till they be
ought) let the rest settle, and strain it, and 1^^^^^ ^j^^^ o^t the H strongly in
with three pounds of sugar boil it accord- 1 .^ p^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^-^^^ ^^d three pounds of juice
ing to art. | of Hyssop, and dry it away in the sun in a
Culpcper.] Both are good for weak and \ ^^^^^^ ^j^^th^^ ^ggg^l
indisposed stomachs. ^, . , ! Culpeper.] The virtues are the same with
College.] Rob of sour Plums is made as | ^.j^g fonner
Rob of Quinces, the use of sugar is indif- 1 ^^;^^,^ Pronorum Sylvestrmn.
fcrent in them both , . , Or Juice of Sloes, called Acacia.
Rob of English Currants IS made in the College.] Take of Sloes hardly ripe,
same manner, let the jmce be clarified. | ^^^ ^j^g ■ -^^ a„d ^nal^e it thick in a
Culpeper.] The virtues are the same with \ \y^i^
Rob of Barberries. ^ I Culpeper.] It stops fluxes, and procures
Roh Baccarum Sambuci \ appetite.
Or Rob of Elder Berries. \ College] So are the Juices of Worm-
College.] Take of the juice of Elder j wood, Maudlin, and Fumitory made thick,.
Berries, and make it thick with the help of I to wit, the herbs bruised while they be
a gentle fire, either by itself, or a quarter of | tender, and the juice pressed out and after
its weight in sugar being added. tit be clarified, boil over the fire to its just
Culpeper.] Both Rob of Elder Berries, | thickness,
and Dv/arf-Elder, are excellent for such:
whose bodies are inclining to dropsies,*
neither let -them neglect nor despise it.j lOHOCH, OR ECLEGMATA
Ihey may take the quantity or a nutmeg;
each morning, it will gently purge the watery j Cidptper.] Because this word also is un-
humour. ; derstood but by few, we will first explain
College.] In the same nianner is made | what it is. 1. The word Lohoch is an Ara-
Rob of Dwarf- Elder, Junipers, and Paul's jbick word, called in Greek Eckgma, in
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 3J8
Latin Linctus, and signifies a thing to be | troubled with pleurises to take now and tlien
licked up. 2. It is in respect of body, : a little of it.
something thicker than a Syrup, and not so | Lolioch e Passtilis.
thick as an electuary. 3. Its use was I Or Lohoch of Raisins,
againstthe roughness of the windpipe, dis- J College.'] Take of male Peony roots,
eases, and inflammations of the lungs, dif- i Liquorice, of each half an ounce, Hyssop,'
ficulty of breathing, colds, coughs, &c. | Bawm, Hart's-tongue, or Cetrach, of each'
4. Its manner of reception is with a Liquo- 1 half a handful, boil them in Spring Water,
rice stick, bruised at the end, to take up | and press them strongly, and by adding a'
some and retain it in the mouth, till it melt I pound of Raisins bruised, boil it again,
of its own accord. pressing it through a linen cloth, then with
Lohoch de Farfara. a pound of white sugar, make it into a
Or Lohoch of Coltsfoot. | Lohoch according to art.
College.-] Takeof Colts-foot roots cleans- \ ^''^P'P^!'-'] I* l^ ^^ry good against coughs,
ed eight ounces. Marsh-mallow roots four \ consumptions of the lungs and other vices
ouncSs cleansed, boil them in a sufficient h^ the breast and is usually given to chil-
quantity of water, and press the pulp out!^/^'' for such diseases, as also for convul-
through a sieve, dissolve this again in the 1'^^"'"''"'* fallmg-sickness.
Decoction, and let it boil once or twice, \ ^ t ,^''^f' ^^^L"'"-
then take it from the fire, and add two| ^ „ ^J.^ Z^!- ^^"^"^s- ,
pounds of white sugar, Honey of Raisins \ ^'\S'-^ Takeof Pine-nuts, fifteen drams,
fourteen ounces, juice of Liquorice 1,^0 = J.^^^^^ f '"^"f'^' ^^^,'^' ^"^^ f "^'^^ 7««t«''
drams and an half, stir them stoutly with a ! ^"™ ^^'l'^.'^'^ '^"^ Iragacanth, powder and
wooden pestle, mean season sprinkle in Saf- ir.^^ "^ Liquorice, white Starch Maidcn-
frcn and Cloves, of each a simple, Cinna-i^T' ^^"1^''"°'^' °^ ^^^^^ *7 drams the
mon and Mace, of each two scruples, make iP"^P "^ ^""^J seven een drams, biller
them into a Lohoch according to art. | ^''"""'^^ f.' 2^'^'" ^"^^ ,^" ^^\ ^«"^>^ °
Culpcper.] It was invented for the cough. ^^^^^"^' ''^'^^ Sugar-candy, fresh Butter, of
T I. 1. J -n \ each two ounces. Honey one pound and an
Lohoch de Papaverr. \ j^^jf^ ^j^^^,^^ ^^e Gums in so much Decoc-
Or Lohoch of Poppies. | tion of Maiden-hair as is sufficient ; let the
College.'] Take while Poppy seeds twenty | rest be mixed over a gentle fire, and stirred,
four drams, sweet Almonds blanched injthat so it may be made into a Lohoch.
Rose Water, Pine-nuts cleansed, Gum Ara- j Culpeper.] The medicine is excellent for
bick and Tragacanth, of each ten drams, \ continual coughs, and difficulty of breath-
juice of Liquorice an ounce, Starch three |ing, it succours such as are asthmatic, for it
drams, the seeds of Lettuce, Purslain, | cuts and atenuates tough humours in the
Quinces, of each half an ounce, SaFron at breast.
dram, Penids four ounces, Syrup of Mcco- 1 Lohoch de Portidaca.
nium three pounds, make it into a Lohoch \ Or Lohoch of Purslain.
according to art. I College^ Take of the strained Juice o
Culpeper^ It helps salt, sharp and thin 5 Purslain two pounds, Troches of Tciya
distillations upon the lungs, it allays the | Lc/wuatwo drams, Troches ofAmbcr, Gum.
fury of such sharp humours, which occasion ; Arabic. Dragon's-blood of each one dram,
both roughness of the throat, want of sleep, \ Lapis Hematilis, the wool of a Hare toasted,
and fevers; it is excellent for such as are j of each two scruples, white Sugar one
314 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
pound, mix them together, that so you may I Lohoch ScilUticum.
make a Lohoch of them. i Or Lohoch of Squils.
Culpeper.] The medicine is so binding I College.'] Take three drams of a Squil
that it is better let alone than taken, unless | baked in paste, Orris Roots two drams,
in inward bruises when men spit blood, then I Hyssop, Hore-hound, of each one dram.
you may safely take a little of it. | Saffron, Myrrh, of each half a dram, Honey
Lohoch e Pulmone Vulpis. \ *Y^ ounces arjd an half, bruise the Squil,
r\ T ^ I f. T^ T j after It IS baked, m a stone mortar, and after
Or Lohoch of Fox Lungs. it hath boiled a walm ortwo with the Honey,
College:] Take of Fox Lungs rightly jp^^ j^ ^^ie rest of the things in powder,
prepared, jmce of Liquorice, Maiden-hair, | diligently stirring it, and make it into a
Annis-seeds, sweet Fennel seeds, of each I Lohoch according to art.
equal parts. Sugar dissolved in Colt's-foot, \ Eclegma of Squils. Mesne,
and Scabious Water, and boiled into a j College.] Take of the juice of Squils
Syrup, three times their weight; the restla^d Honey, both of them clarified, of earh
being in fine powder, let them be put to ituyvo pounds, boil them together according
and strongly stirred together, that it may be j j^ ^rt to the consistence of Honey,
made into a Lohoch according to art. | Culpeper.] For the virtues of it see Vine-
Culpeper.] It cleanses and unites ulcers g^v of Squils, and Oximel of Squils, only
in the lungs and breast, and is a present | this is more mild, and not so harsh to the
remedy in phthisicks. i throat, because it hath no Vinegar in it, and
Lohoch sanum et Expertum. j therefore is far more fitting for Asthmaes,
Or a sound and well experienced Lohoch. \ and such as are troubled with difficulty of
College.] Take of dried Hyssop and! breathing, it (mts and carries away humours
Calaminth, of each half an ounce. Jujubes, ; from the breast, be they thick or thin, and
Sebestens, the stones being taken out, fifteen j wonderfully helps indigestion of victuals,
Raifiins of the Sun stoned, fat Figs, Dates, $ and eases pains in the breast, and for this,
of each two ounces. Linseed, Fenugreek 1 1 quote the authority of Galen.
seed, of each five drams. Maiden-hair one ' Lohoch of Coleworts. Gordonius.
handful, Annis-seeds, sweet Fennel seeds, \ College.] Take one pound of the juice
Orris Roots cut. Liquorice, Cinnamon, of; of Coleworts, clarified Saffron three drams,
each an ounce, boil them according to art \ clarified Honey, and Sugar, of each half a
in four pounds of clear water till half be | pound, make of them a Lohoch according
consumed, and with two pounds of Penidslto art.
boil it into a Syrup, afterwards cut and { Culpeper.] It helps hoarseness, and loss
bruise very small Pine-nuts five drams, sweet i of voice, eases surfeits and head -ache coming
Almonds blanched, Liquorice, Gum Tra- \ of drunkenness, and opens obstructions of
gacanth and Arabick, white Starch of each I the liver and spleen, and therefore is good
three drams, let these be put into the Syrup | for that disease in children called the rickets
when it is off the fire, and stir it about?
swiftly with a wooden pestle till it look white.
Culpeper.] It succors the breast, lungs, PRESERVED ROOTS, STALKS,
throat, oppressed by cold ;t restores thej BARKS, FLOWERS, FRUITS,
voice lost by reason ot co'd, ard attenuates »
thick and gross humours in the breast and j College.] Tak*? of Eringo Roots as many
lungs. 5 as you will, cleanse them without and within,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
3I<5
the pith being taken out, steep them two
days in clear water, shifting the water soine-
times, then dry them with a cloth, then
' take their equal weight in white Sugar, and
as much Rose-water as will make it into a
Syrup, which being almost boiled, put in
the roots, and let them boil until the mois-
ture be consumed, and let it be brought to
the due body of a Syrup. Not much un-
like to this are preserved the roots of Acorus,
Angelica, Borrage, Bugloss, Succory, Ele-
campane, Burnet, Satyrion, Sicers, Comfrey
the greater, Ginger, Zedoary. Take of the
stalks of Artichokes, not too ripe, as many
as you will, and (coiUrary to the roots) take
only the pith of these, and preserve them
with their equal weight in sugar, like the
former. So is prepared the stalks of
Angelica, Burs, Lettuce, &c. before they be
too ripe. Take of fresh Orange pills as \
many as you will, take away the exterior!
yellowness, and steep them in spring water \
three days at the least, often renewing the |
water, then preserve them like the former. <
In like manner are Lemon and Citron pills \
preserved. Preserve the flowers of Citrons, \
Oranges, Borrage, Primroses, with Sugar, j
•iccording to art. Take of Apricots asi
many as you will, take away the outer skin |
and the stones, and mix them with their I
like weight in sugar, after four hours take '
tliem out, and boil the Sugar without any
other Liquor, then put them in again, and
boil them a little. Other Fruits may be
preserved in the same manner, or at
least not much unlike to it, as whole Bar-|
berries. Cherries, Cornels, Citrons, Quinces, \
Peaches, common Apples, the five sorts of j
Myrobalans, Hazel Nuts, Walnuts, Nut-^
megs, Raisins of the Sun, Pepper brought |
green from India, Plums, garden and wild!
Pears, Grapes. Pulps are also preserved, |
as Barberries, Cassia Fistula, Citrons, 5
Cinosbatus, Quinces, and Sloes, &c, Take|
oi Barberries as many as you will, boil 1
them in spring water till they are tender, j
then having pulped them through a sieve,
that they are free from the stones, boil it
again in an earthen vessel over a gentle fire,
often stirring them for fear of burning, till
the watery humour be consumed, then mix
ten pounds of sugar with six pounds of this
pulp, boil it to its due thickness. Broom
buds are also preserved, but with brine and
vinegar, and so are Olives and Capers.
Lastly, Amongst the Barks, Cinnamon,
amongst the flowers, Roses, and Marigolds,
amongst the fruits. Almonds, Cloves, Pine-
nuts, and Fistick-nuts, are said to be pre-
served but with this difference, they are
encrusted with dry sugar, and are more
called confects than preserves.
CONSERVES AND SUGARS.
College.'] Conserves of the herbs of
Wormwood, Sorrel, Wood-sorrel, the flowers
of Oranges, Borrage, Bugloss, Bettony,
Marigolds, the Tops of Carduus, the Flowers
of Centaury the less, Clove-gilJiflowers,
Germander, Succory, the Leaves of Scurvy-
grass, the flowers of Comfrey the greater,
Citratiae, Cinosbati, the roots of Spurge,
herbs and flowers of Eye-bright, the tops
of Fumitory, Goat's-rue, the flowers of
Broom not quite open. Hyssop, Lavender,
white Lilies, Lilies of the Valley, Marjoram,
Mallows, the tops of Bawm, the leaves of
Mints, the flowers of Water Lilies, red
Poppies, Peony, Peaches, Primroses, Roses,
the leaves of Rue, the flowers of Sage, Elder
Scabious, the leaves of Scordium, the
flowers of Limetree, Coltsfoot, Violets, with
all these are conserves made with their tn^bk;
proportion of white sugar ; yet note, that
all of them must not be mixed alike, some
of them must be cut, beaten, and gently
boiled, some neither cut, beaten nor boiled
and some admit but one of them, which
every artist in his trade may find out by
this premonition and avoid error.
4 M
316 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
; Culpepe.r.'] The title shews you the vir-
SUGARS. jtuesofit.
5 oaccnannn remdium,
Diacodium Solidum, site Tabulaium. \ Or Sugar Penids
College.'] Take of white Poppy heads, j College.'} Are prepared of sugar dis-
meanly ripe, and newly gathered, twenty, i solved in spring water by a gentle fire, and
steep them in three pounds of warm spring j the whites of Eggs diligently beaten, and
water, and the next day boil them until the ; clarified once, and again whilst it is boiling,
virtue is out, then strain out tlie liquor, and ; then strain it and boil it gently again, till
with a sufficient quantity of good sugar, > it riseup in great bubbles, and being chewed
boil it according to art, that you may make j it stick not to your teeth, then pour it upon
it up into Lozenges. I a marble, anointed with oil of Almonds,
Culpeper. The virtues are the same with ; (let the bubbles first sink, after it is removed
the common Diacodium, viz. to provoke Urom the fire) bring back the outsides of it
sleep, and help thin rheums in the head, 5 to the middle till it look like Larch rosin,
coughs, and roughness of the throat, and ; then, your hands being rubbed with white
may easily be carried about in one's pocket, i starch, you may draw it into threads eithei
Saccharmn tahulatum simplex, etperlatum. > short or long, thick or thin, and let it coo]
Or Lozenges of Sugar both simple and \ in what form you please.
pearled. \ Ciiipeperi] 1 ren)cmber country people
College/] The Hrst is made by pouring ; were wont to take them for coughs, and they
the sugar upon a marble, after a sufficient \ are sometimes used in other compositions.
boiMng in half its weight in Damask Rose- Confectio de Thvre.
Water : And the latter by adding to every ; Or Confection of Frankincense,
pound of the former towards the latter entl i College^ Take Coriander seeds prepared
of the decoction. Pearls, prepared anti \ half an ounce. Nutmegs, white Frankin-
bruised, half an ounce, with eight or ten j cense, of each three drams, Liquorice,
leaves of gold. | Mastich, of each two drams, Cubebs, Hart's-
Culpeper.'] It is naturally cooling, ap- • horn prepared, of each one dram, conserve
})ropriated to the heart, it restores lost 1 of Red roses an ounce, white Sugar as much
strength, takes away burning fevers., and j as is sufficient to make it into mean bits,
false imaginations, (I mean that with Pearls, ' Culpeper.] 1 cannot boast much of the
for that without Pearls is ridiculous) it hath | rarity nor virtues of this receipt.
the same virtues Pearls have,
Saccharum Tahulatum composiium.
Or Lozenges of Sugar compound.
College.] Take of choice Rhubarb four
scruples, Agarick Trochiscated, CoralHns,
burnt Hart's-horn, Dittany of Crete, Worm- 1
Saccharum Rosatum.
Or Sugar of Roses.
College.] Take of red Rose eaves, the
whites being cut off, and speedily dried in
the sun an ounce, white Sugar a pound,
melt the Sugar in Rose-water and Juice of
seed and Sorrel seed, of each a scruple, | Roses of each two ounces which being con
Cinnamon, Zedoary, Cloves, Saffron, of each ; sumed by degrees, put in the Rose leaves in
half a scruple, white Sugar a pound, dis-i powder, mix them, put it upon a marble,
solved in four ounces of Wormwood Water, ) and make it into Lozenges according to art
Wormwood Wine, an ounce, Cinnamon j Culpeper.] As for the virtues of this, it
Water a spoonful, with the fo renamed pow- i strengthens weak stomachs, weak nearts,
ders make it into Lozenges according to art. * and weak brains, restores such as are m
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 317
consumptions, restores lost strength, stays \ oriential Bezoar, of each half an ounce,
fluxes, eases pains in the head, ears and | powder of the black tops of Crab's claws*
eyes, helps spitting, vomiting, and urining i the weight of them all, beat them into powl
of blood ; it is a fine commodity for a man x der, which may be made into balls with
in a consumption to carry about with him, j jelly, and the skins which our vipers have
and eat now and then a bit. | cast off, warily dried and kept for use.
^____^ : Culpeper.] 'J'his is that powder they
j ordinarily call Gascoigns powder, there nt^
SPECIES, OR POWDERS. Hl^'T^ receipts of it, of which this is none
I of the worst, four, or five, or six grains is
Aromaticiim Carijophyllatum. \ excellently good i n a fever to be taken i n a n v
College.'] Take of Cloves seven drams, | cordial, for it cheers the heart and vital
Mace, Zedoary, Galanga the less, yellow | spirits exceedingly, and makes them iui-
Sanders, Troches, Diarrhodon, Cinnamon, I pregnable.
wood of Aloes, Indian Spikenard, long \ Species Conliales Temperata.
Pepper, Cardamoms the less, of each a dram, I College.'] Take of wood of Aloes, Spodium
Red Roses four ounces, Gallia Moschata, | of each a dram, Cinnamon, Cloves, bone of
Liquorice, of each two drams, of Indian 5 a Stag's-heart, the roots of Angelica, A vei is,
leaf, Cubebs of each two scruples, beat them | and Tormentil, of each a dram and an hall',
all diligently into powder. j Pearls prepared six drams, raw Silk toasteW,'
Culpeper.'] This powder strengthens the I both sorts of Coral of each two drams,
heart and stomach, helps digestion, expels Jacinth, Emerald, Samphire, of each half a
wind, stays vomiting, and cleanses the dram. Saffron a scruple, the leaves of gold
stomach of putrified humors. :and silver, of each ten, make them into
Aromaticiim Rosatinn. 5 powder according to art.
College.] Take of Red Roses exungu- j Culpeper.] It is a great cordial, a great
lated fifteen drams, Li(}uorice seven drams, | strengthener of the heart, and brain,
wood of Aloes, yellow Sanders, of each { Diocalmninthe Simple.
three drams. Cinnamon five drams. Cloves, | College.] Take of Mountain Calaminth,
Mace, of each two drams and an half, Gum | Pennyroyal, Origanum, the seeds of Mace-
Arabic and Tragacanlh, of each eight | donian Parsley, common Parsley, and
scruples. Nutmegs, Cardamoms the less, i Hartwort, of each two drams, the seeils of
Galanga of each one dram, Indian Spike- I Smallage, the tops of Thyme of each half
nard two scruples, make it into a powder to i an ounce, the seeds of Lovage, black
be kept in a glass for use. 5 Pepper, of each an ounce, make them into
Culpeper.] It strengthens the brain, ; powder according to art.
heart and stomach, and all such internal ; Culpeper.] It heats and comforts cold
members as help towards decoction, it helps j bodies,cuts thick and gross flegm, provokes
digestion, consumes the watery excrements ♦ urine and the menses. I confess this differs
of the bowels, strengthens such as are pined • something from Galen, but is better for oui
away by reason of the violence of a disease, j bodies in my opinion than his. It expels
and restores such as are in consumption. J wind exceedingly, you may take half a
Pulvus ex chelus Cancrorum compositus. l dram of the powder at a time. Tliere is
Or Powder of Crab's claws compound, j nothing surer than that all their powders
College.] Take of Pearls prepared. Crab's > will keep better in Electuaries than they
eyes, red Coral, white Amber, Hart's-horn, 'will in powders, and into such a body, you
SUi THE COMPLETE HERBAL
ma}^ make it with two pound and an half of | ounce, Sugar-candy, Diatragacanthum
white sugar dissolved in rose water. j frigidum, of each two drams, make ihem
Diacalamintha compound. \ into powder.
College.'] Take of Diacalamintha simple, I Culpeper.'] I do not mean the Diatraga-
half an ounce, the leaves of Horehound, | canthum frigidum, for that is in powder
Marjoram, Bawm, Mugwort, Savin dried, j before. It comforts the breast, is good in
of each a dram, Cypress roots, the seeds oi"; colds, coughs, and hoarseness. You may
Maddir and Rue, Mace, Cinnamon, of each j mix it with any pectoral Syrups which are
two scruples, beat them and mix tliem • appropriated to the same, diseases, and so
diligently into a powder according to art. « take it Avith a Liquorice stick.
Culpeper .] This seems to be more ap- i Dialacca.
propriated to the feminine gender than the I College. Take of Gum-lacca, prepared
former, viz. to bring down the terms, to x Rhubarb, Schaenanth, of each three drams,
bring away the birth, and after-birth, to ; Indian Spikenard, Mastich, the juice oif
purge them after labour, yet it is dangerous I Wormwood and Agrimony, made thick, the
for pregnant women. 5 seeds of Smallage, Annis, Fennel, Ammi,
Diajiisum. \ Savin, bitter Almonds, Myrrh, Costus, or
College.] Take of Annis seeds two | Zedoary, the roots of Maddir, Asarabacca,
ounces and an half. Liquorice, Mastich, of | Birthwort long and round, Gentian, Saffron,
each an ounce, the seeds of Caraway, Fen- i Cinnamon, dried Hyssop, Cassia Lignea,
nel, Galanga, Mace, Ginger, Cinnamon, of j Bdellium, of each a dram and an half, black
each five drams, the three sorts of Pepper, \ Pepper, Ginger, of each a dram, make them
Cassia Lignea, mountain Calaminth, Pel- i into powder according to art.
litory of Spain, of each two drams, Carda-j Culpeper.] It strengthens the stomach
moms the greater. Cloves, Cubebs, Indian ; and liver, opensobstructious, helps dropsies,
Spikenard, Saffron, of each a dram and an | yellow jaundice, provokes urine, breaks
half, make them into powder. I the stone in t!,e reins and bladder. Half a
Culpeper.] It is chiefly appropriated to \ dram is a moderate dose, if the patient be
the stomach, and helps the cold infirmities 5 strong they may take a dram in white Wine,
thereof, raw, flegm, wind, continual coughs, ; Let pregnant women forbear it.
and other such diseases coming of cold, i Pulvis Cardiacus Magistralis.
Youmay safely take a dram of the electuary i College.] Take of East Bezoar, bone of
at a time. You may make an electuary of ja Stag's-heart, of each a dram and an half,
it with its treble weight of clarified Honey. ' Magisterium, of white and red Coral, white
Pnlvis Radicum Ari composicus. | Amber, Magisterium of Pearl, HartVhorn,
Or Powder of Aron Roots compound. -Ivory, Bole-amoniac, Earth of Germany,
College.] Takeof Aron Roots two ounces, I Samos and Lemnos, ElkVclaw. Tormenti)
of common Water Flag, and Burnet, of each i roots, of each a dram. Wood of Aloes,
one ounce, Crab's eyes, half an ounce, > Citron peels, the roots of Angelica and
Cinnamon three drams, salt of Wormwood,; Zedoary, of each two scruples, leaves of
and Juniper, of each one dram, make them \ Gold twenty. Ambergris one scruple. Musk
into powder. I six grains, mix them and make them into
Culpeper.] And when you have done j powder.
tell me what it is good for. i Cidpeper.] It is too dear for a vulgar
Diaireos simple. \ purse, yet a mighty cordial and great
College.] Take of Orris roots half an i strengthenerofthe heart and vitals in fevers.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 319
Diamargarkon frigidum. i the electuary, two drams is the dose: The
College.] Take of the four greater cold Uinie of taking it is, in the inorniug fasting,
seeds, the seeds of Purslain, wliite Poppies, | Diamonchu Amantm
Kiulive, Sorrel, Citrons, the three Sanders,! College.'] Is prepared by adding to the
Wood of Aloes, Ginger, red Roses exun-jforenamed Wormwood, dried Roses, of each
gulatcd, the flowers of Water-lilies, Bug- 1 three drams, i\loes half an ounce. Cinnamon
loss, Violets, the berries of Mirtles, bone in I two drams and an half, Custonuni and
a Stag'sh eart. Ivory, Contra yerva, Cinna- \ l/ovage, of each one dram, niane them into
mon of each one dram, both sorts of Coral, \ powder.
of each half a dram, Pearls three drams, | Culpeper.'] Besides the virtues of th^-
Camphire six grains, make them into pow-j former, it purges the stomach ot putnfied
der according to art. Observe that the four i humours,
greater cold seeds, and the Poppy seeds,! Specia Dianthiis.
are not to be added before the powder be; College.] Take of Rosemary flowers an
recjuired by physician for use. Do so by I ounce, red Boses, Violets, Liciuorice, of
,the other powder in the composition of j each six drams. Cloves, Indian Spikenard,
which these powders are used. > Nutmegs, Galanga, Cinnamon, Ginger,
Culpeper.] Authors hold it to be re- i Zedoary,' Mace, Wood of Aloes, Carda-
storative in consumptions, to help such as | moms the less, the seeds of Dill and Anis,
are in hectic fevers, to restore strength lost, | of each four scruples, make them into pow-
to help coughs, asthmaes, and consump- \ der according to art.
tions of the lungs, and restore such as have I Culpeper.] It strengthens the heart and
laboured long under languishing or piningl helps the passions thereof, at causes a joyful
diseases. \ and cheerful mind, and strengthens such as
Diamoschu Didce. \ have been weakened by long sickness, it
Take of Saflron, Galanga, Zedoary, : strengthens cold stomachs, and helps diges-
Wood of Aloes, Mace, of each two drams,] tion notably. The dose is half a dram, you
Pearls, raw Silk toasted, white Amber, red J may make it into an electuary with honey.
Coral prepared, Gallia Moschata, Bazil, of > and take two drams of that at a time,
each two d rams and an half. Ginger, Cubebs, \ Diapemlion.
Long Pepper, of each a dram and an half, | College.] Take of Penides two ounces.
Nutmegs, Indian leaf or Cinnamon, Cloves, 5 Pine-nuls, sweet Almonds blanched, white
of each one dram. Musk two scruples, make i Poppy seeds, of each three drams and a,
them into powder according to art. • scruple, (Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger, which
Culpeper."] It wonderfully helps cold \ three being omitted, it is a Diapendion
afflictions of the brain, that come without j without spices) juice of Liquorice, Gum
a lever, melancholy and its attendants, viz. j Tragacanth and Arabic, white Starch, the
sadness without a cause, vertigo or dizinessjfour greater cold seeds husked, of each a
in the head, falling-sickness, palsies, resolu-idram and an half, Camphire seven grains,
tion of ihenervesjconvulsions, heart-qualms, ; make them into powder,
afflictions of the lungs, and difficulty of: Culpeper.] It hel[)s the vices of the
breathing. The dose of the powder is half breast, coughs, colds, hoarseness, and con-
adram, or two scruples, or less; according sumptions of the lungs, as also such as spit
to the age or strength of him or her that matter. You may mix it with any pectoral
lakes it. M^«?/t' appoints it to be made into! syrup, and take it with a Liquorice slick,
an electuary with clarified honey, and of? if you fancy the powder best, but if the
4 N
320
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
electuary, you may take a dram of it upon i Cucumbers and Gourds, of each two drams,
a knife's point at any time when the cough I Penids three ounces, Campiiire lialf a
\ scruple, make of them a powder according
I to art. Also you may make an electuary
comes.
Dimrhoclon Ahbalis
ColkfTf.'] Take of Sanders white and | of them with a sufficient (juantity of Syrup
Ted, of each two drams and an half, Gum \ of Violets, but have a care of what was told
I'ragacanth, Anibic, Ivory of each two » you before of the seeds.
scruples. Asarabacca roots, Mastich, Indian \ Culpeper.~\ Make up into an electuary.
Sj)ikcnard, Cardamoms, Licpiorice, Saffron, I It helps the faults of the breast and lungs
AVood of Aloes, Cloves, Gallia Moschata, \ coming of heat and dryness, it helps con-
Annis and sweet Fennel seeds, Cinnamon, | sumptions, leanness, inflammations of the
Ilhubarb, Bazil seeds, Barberry seeds, the j sides, pleurises, &c. hot and dry coughs,
seeds of Succory, Purslain, the four greater | roughness of the tongue and jaws
cold seeds cleansed, white Poppy seeds, of | Diatrion Pipenon
eachascruple. Pearls, bone of a Stao-'s-heart} n u -[ 'v \ r .1 .1 ^ e
c 1 1 '1/. 1 1 15 * i LoUeseA Jake of the three sorts of
or each hair a scruple, red Roses exun- x ^ -^ l- 11 a r,\
, , , I .I 1 r< ! 1 eppers, of each six drams and ntteen
gulated, one ounce and three drams, Cam- J • i • 1 ti r>- r l
®i- . , ,, ■ , ' , 5 "-rams, Anmsseeds, ihyme, Gjnger, or each
phire seven ";rains, make them mto powder J® . , . ,1 • . ® 1
^ V ^ u s one dram, beat them mto gross powder,
accordm^ to art. x r> 1 t t. i » »i . 1 1
ri 1 -[ 1^ 1 41 • 1 I 1 .. r: LulpevcrA J I heats the stomach and
LulpeperA It cools tlie violent heat of ? 1 • 1 u ir i • j
1 , ^ \ -• 1 ^ , , -wi r 5 expels wmd. Hali a dram m powder, or
the heart and stomach, as also or the liver, ' ' , • 1 . /,■ 'r- / 1
1 J , • • *i I J ^ two drams m electuary (tor so haleii who
Juno's, and spleen, eases pams m the body,? ,• ,. •. • \ -^ . u 1
? .• c • • • * xu u 1 u I was author 01 il, appomts it to be made
and most mhnmties commo; to the body by J -^u 1 n 1 1 ca ■ . ...
The dose of the powder is
with clarified honey, a sufficient (juantity)
if age and strength permit, if notj half so
a dram, and two ounces of the elec- | 9- iii^^i *i.i u
y. , ,. , ., Ill- J much, IS a suiTicicnt dose, to be taken be-
, mto which with sus^ar dissolved m | ^ ^ r ^ 1 ^ ^i \ 1 1 i. 1
' ® » fore meat, ir to heat the stomach and help
digestion ; after meat, if to expel wind.
Diatrion Santalon.
reason of heat,
half;
tuary,
Rose-water you may make it.
Diospoliticum.
College J^ Take of Cummin seeds steeped j
in vinegar and dried, long Pepper, Rue| College.'] Take of all the sorts of Sanders,
leaves, of each an ounce. Nitre half an | red Roses, of each three drams, Rhubarb,
ounce, make them into powder. | Ivory, Juice of Licpiorice, Purslain seeds,
Ciilpeper.'] It is an admirable remedy | of each two drams and fifteen grains, white
Jbr such whose meat is putrified in their ; Starch, Gum Arabic, Tragacanth, the seeds
stomachs, it helps cold stomachs, cold | of Melons, Cucumbers, Citruls, Gourds,
belchings and windy. You may take half | Endive, of each a dram and an half, Cair-
a dram after meat, either in a spoonful ofjphire a scruple, make them into powder
Muskadel, or in a Syrup of Mirtles or | according to art.
Quinces, or any Cordial Water whose effects i Culpeper.'] It is very profitable agjiinst
is the same. i the heat of the stomach and liver, besides.
Species Diatragacauthi frigidi. \ it wonderfully heljis such as have the yellow
College.'] Take of Gum Tragacanth two I jaundice, and consumptions of the lungs,
ounces. Gum Arabic an ounce and two | You may safely take a dram of the powder,
drams, whiteStarchhalfanounce,Li(iuorice, t or two drams of the electuary in themornin
tiie seeds of Melons and white Poppies, of j fasting, for most of these powder will kee
each three drain.s, the. seeds of Citruls, ; better by half in electuaries.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
S*21
Pubis Haly. \ tive against it, and the pestilence, as one
College.'] Take of white Poppy seeds h^all usually read of.
len drams, white Starch, Gum Arabic and j Uosate Novelle.
Tragacanth, of each three drams, the seeds j College.'] Take of red Roses, Liquorice,
of Purslain, Marsh-mallows, Mallows, ofiof each one ounce, one dram, two scruples
each five drams, Cucumbers, Melons, | and an half, Cinnamon two drams, two
Gourds, Citruls, Quinces of each seven | scruples, and two grains. Cloves, Indian
drams, Ivory, Liquorice, of each three j Spikenard, Ginger, Galanga, Nutmegs,
drams, Penids the weight of them all, make jZedoary, Styrax, Calamitis, Cardamoms,
them into powder according to art. ; Parsley seeds, of each one scruple eio-ht
Culpeper.] It is a gallant cool powder, | grains, beat them into powder,
fit for all hot imperfections of the breast | Culpeper.] It quenches thirst, and stays
and lungs, as consumptions, pleurisies, &c. | vomiting, and the author saith it helps hot
Your best way is to make it into a soft ; and dry stomachs, as also heat and dryness
electuary with Syrups of Violets, and take j of the heart, liver, and lungs, (yet is the
it a.s Diatragacaiithum frigidtim. « powder itself hot,) it strengthens the vital
Lcetificans. J spirits, takes away heart-qualms, it pro-
College.l Take the flowers of Clove-bazil, | ^o^^^s sweat, and strengthens such as have
or the seeds thereof. Saffron, Zedoary, laboured under long chronical diseases.
"WoodofAloes,Cloves,Citron pills, Galanga, 2 You may take a dram of the electuary
Mace, Nutmegs, Styrax Calamitis, of each livery morning, if with clarified Honey you
two drams and an half. Ivory, Annis seeds, \ P'^^^^ *« "^^l^^ "^ ^"^0 «"ch a body.
Thyme, Epithimum, of each one dram, \ Piilvus Thuraloes
bone of a Stag's heart. Pearls, Camphire, i College^ Take of- Frankincense one
of each half a dram, leaves of Gold andj^lram. Aloes half a dram, beat them into
Silver, of each half a scruple, make it into
powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It causes a merry heart, a
good colour, helps digestion, and keeps
powder.
Culpeper.] And when you have occa-
sion to use" it, mix so much of it with the
white of an egg, (beat the white of the egg
back old age. You may mix half a dram j well first) as will make it of the thickness or
of it to take at one time, or less if you Honey, then dip the wool of a Hare in it,
please, in any cordial Syrup, or cordial | and apply it to the sore or part that bleeds,
electuary appropriated to the same uses, i binding it on.
Pulvis Saxonicus. \ Pulvis Hermidactylorum composttus.
College.] Take of the roots of both sorts
of Angelica, Swallow-wort, garden Valerian,
Polipodium of the Oak, Marsh-mallows,
Nettles, of each half an ounce, the bark of
German Mezereon, two drams, twenty grains j
of herb True-love, the leaves of the same, ;
Or Powder of Hermodactils compound.
College^ Take of men's bones burnt,
Scammony, Hermodactils, Turbith, Sena,
Sugar, of each equal parts, beat them into
powder.
Pubis Se7}ce composttus major.
roots and all, thirty six, the roots beingjOr Powder of Sena the greater composition,
steeped in vinegar and dried, beat it all j College?^ Take of the seeds of Annis,
into powder. } Carraway, Fennel, Cummin, Spikenard,
Culpeper.] It seems to be as great an | Cinnamon, Galanga, of each half an ounce,
expeller of poison, and as great a preserva- 1 Liquorice, Gromwell, of each an ounce.
3"22 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Sena, the weight of them all, l^eat it into* keep it, you may encrease the quantity
Dowder. j analogically.
Culpeper.'] That this receipt is gallantly j The greater cordial Pozi'der. Fern,
composed no-ne can deny, and is an excel- \ College.l Take of the roots of Tomientil,
lent purge for such whose bodies as are -Dittany, Clove-gilliflowers, Scabious, the
troubled with the wind cholic, or stoppage I seed of Sorrel, Coriander prepared, Citron,
either of guts or kidneys, two drams I Card uus Benedictus, Endive, Rue, of each
taken in white Wine will work sufficiently 1 one dram, of the three sorts of Sanders,
with any ordinary body. Let weak men | (white, red, and yellow,) Been, white ar.d
and children take less, keeping within doors, i red (or if you cannot get them, take tlie
and warm. I roots of Avens and Tormentil, in their
Pulvis Sena compositus minor. j stead) Roman Doronicum, (a kind of woK-
Or Powder of Sena, the lesser composition. I J^^^e) Cinnamon, Cardamoms, Saffron, the
College^ Take of Sena two ounces, P^^^'^^^s of both sorts of Bugloss, (viz. Bor-
Cremor Tartar half an ounce, Mace two i ^age and Bugloss,) red Roses, and Water-
scruples and an half,
each a dram and an half,
beatitinto powder according to art. nemi,ieu <^oih., rt:ans, £,nieraia, ja(
Culpeper.-] This powder purges melan- j ^^^"'^e of each one scruple, raw
choly: and cleanses the head. jtorrified, (dried or roasted by the fire,)
j^. I Bole-amoniac, Earth or Lemnos, or each
^ „ T rr> I ^^^^"5* j half a dram, Camphire, Ambers;ris, Musk,
College.] Take of Sena, Cremor lar- „ u • • u * *i -^ i
c^ \ ^ r^\ n- ! of each six grains, beat them into powder
tar, of each two ounces. Cloves, Cinnamon, ,. . ®„^. ' j -.l • i ^- ^ ,. •
^\ . • /• u . 1 -Tk- » according to art, and with eigh times their
Galanga, Ammi, or each two drams, Dia-; • i ^ • i % _ r i j • u
.,.»',,» ' u ^ •.. • * J J weight in white sugar, dissolved in Kose-
cndium halt an ounce, beat it into powder 5 ° i *u ■ * t
J. , ^ ' ^ 5 water, you may make them into Lozenges,
according to art. >-c ^
r\ 1 • r T>i J ; ir you please.
Dintm-btth mth Rhubarb. | Culpeper.'] Both this and the former
College.] Take of lurbith, Hermo- powder, are apj)ropriated to the heart, (as
dactils, of each an ounee, Rhubarb ten | j^g ^jti^, gi,.,^) i^efore they do strengthen
nrams,Diacrydium half an ounce, Sanders | ^^at, and the vital spirit, and relieve Ian-
red and while, Violets, Ginger, of each a | ^^jsj^i^g natuj-e All these are cordial
dram and an half, Mastich, Annis seeds, ; po^^^ers, and seldom above half a dram of
Cinnamon, Saffron, of each half a 'Iram, Lj^^^jj.^ given at a time,
make it into powder I ^ Powder for such as are bruised by a fall.
Culpeper.} 1 his also purges flegm andj r^^^^ Augustan Physicians,
choler. Once more let me desire such as: College.'] Take of Terra sigillata, San-
are unskilful in the rules of physic, not to | j^ Draconis, Mummy of each two drams,
meddle with purges of this nature (unless jg^rji^acpti ,^„g ,1,^,^^ beat them into
prescribed by a skilful Physician) lest they \ powder according to art.
do themselves more mischief in half an hour, \ Culpeper.] You must beat the rest into
than they can remove in half a > ear. j powder, and then add the Spermaceti to
The lesser cordial Powder. Fernelius. ) them afterwards, for if you put the Sperma-
College.] Take of Hart's-horn, Unicorn's j ceti and the rest all together and go to beat
iiorn, Pearls, Ivory, of each six grains beat j them in that fashion, you may as soon beat
tbem into fine powder. If you mean to | the mortar into powder, as the simpler.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
32$
Indeed your best way is to beat them se-'-l
veraJly, and then mix them altogether, which i
Deing done, makes you a gallant medicine ;
for the infirmities specified in the title, a
dram of it taken in Muskadel and sweating
after it. .
Species Eleduarii Dyacymini. Nicholaus. \
College.^ Take of Cummin seeds infused \
a natural day in Vinegar, one ounce and
one scruple. Cinnamon, Cloves, of each two
drams and an half, Galanga, Savory,
Calaminth, of each one dram and two
scruples, Ginger, black Pepper, of each two
drams and five grains, the seeds of Lovage,
and Ammi, (Bishop's- weed,) of each one
dram and eighteen grains, long Pepper one
dram. Spikenard, Nutmegs, Cardamoms, of
each two scruples and an half, beat them
and keep them diligently in powder for your
use.
Culpeper-I It heats the stomach and
bowels, expels wind exceedingly, helps the
wind cholic, helps digestion hindered by
cold or wind, is an admirable remedy for
wind in the bowels, and helps quartan
agues. The powder is very hot, half a dram
is enough to take at one tune, and too much
if the patient be feverish, you may take it
in white Wine. It is in my opinion a fine
composed powder.
Species Electuarii Diagalatigce. Mesne.
College.'] Take of Galanga, wood of
Aloes, of each six drams. Cloves, Mace,
seeds of Lovage of each two drams. Ginger,
long and white Pepper, Cinnamon. Calamus
Aromaticus of each a dram and an half,
Calaminth, and Mints dried. Cardamoms
the greater, Indian Spikenard, the seeds of
Smallage, Annis, Fennel, Caraway, of each
one dram, beat them into powder according
to art. Also it may be made into an elec-
tuary with white sugar dissolved in Malaga
wme, or twelve times the weight of it of
clarified Honey,
Culpeper.'] Mesne quotes it only as an elec-
tuary, which he saith prevails against wind,
sour belchings, and indigestion, gross
humours and cold afflictions of the stomach
and liver. You may take half a dram of the
powder at a time, or two of the electuary
in the morning fasting, or an hour before
meat. It helps digestion exceedingly,
expels wind, and heats a cold stomach.
Species Electuarii Diatnargariton Calidi.
Avicenna.
College.] Take of Pearls and Pellitory of
the Wall, of each one dram, Ginger,
Mastich, of each half an ounce, Doronicum,
Zedoary, Smallage seeds, both sorts of
Cardamoms, Nutmegs, Mace, of each two
drams, Been of both sorts, (if they cannot
be procured take the roots of Avens and
Tormentil) black and long Pepper of each
three drams, beat them into powder and
keep them for your use.
Culpeper.] This (quoth Avicenna) is ap-
propriated to women, and in them to dis-
eases incident to their matrix ; but his rea-
sons I know not. It is cordial and heats
the stomach.
Lithontribon Nicholaus, according to
Fernelius.
College.] Take of Spikenard, Ginger,
Cinnamon, black Pepper, Cardamoms,
Cloves, Mace, of each half a dram, Costus,
Liquorice, Cypress,Tragacanth,Germander,
of each two scruples, the seeds of Bishop's-
weed, (Ammi,) Smallage, Sparagus, Bazil,
Nettles, Citrons, Saxifrage, Burnet, Cara-
way, Carrots, Fennel, Bruscus, Parsley of
Macedonia, Burs, Seseli, (or Hartwoit,)
Asarabacca, of each one dram. Lapis
Spongiae, Lyncis, Cancri, Judaici, of each
one dram and an half. Goat's blood pre-
pared an ounce and half, beat them all into
powder according to art.
Culpeper.] It heals the stomach, and.
helps want of digestion coming through
cold, it eases pains in the belly and loins,
the Illiac passion, powerfully breaks the
stone in die reins and bladder, it speedily
helps the cholic, stranguary, and disury.
4
o
324
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
The dose is from a dram to half a dram,
take it either in white Wine, or decoction of
herbs tending to the same purposes.
Fleres Arconticon. Nicholaus.
College.^ Take of Cinnamon, Cloves,
Galanga,Wood of Aloes, Indian Spikenard,
Nfutmegs, Ginger, Spodium, Schoenanthus,
Cypress, Roses, Violets of each one dram,
Liclian Leaf or Mace, Liquorice, Mastich,
Styrax Calamitis, Marjoram, Costmary, or
Water-mints, Bazil, Cardamoms, long and
white Pepper, Myrtle berries, and Citron
pills, of each half a dram and six grains,
Pearls, Been white and red, (or, if they be
wanting, take the roots of Avens and Tor-
mentil in their stead) red Coral, torrified
Silk, of each eighteen grains, Musk six
grains, Camphire four grains, beat them,
into powdei according to art, and with ten'
times their weight in sugar dissolved in
Bawm water, you may make them into an
electuary.
CulpeperJ] It is exceedingly good for
^ad, melancholy, lumpish, pensive, grieving,
vexing, pining, sighing, sobbing, fearful,
careful spirits, it strengthens weak stomachs
exceedingly, and help such as are prone to
Vain tings and swoonings, it strengthens such
as are weakened by violence of sickness, it
helps bad memories, quickens all the senses,
strengthens the brain and animal spirits,
helps the falling-sickness, and succours
such as are troubled with asthmas, or other
cold afflictions of the lungs. It will keep
best in an electuary, of which you may take
a dram in the morning, or more, as age and
strength requires.
yi Preservative Powder against the Pestilence.
Montagnam.
College.'] Take of all the Sanders, (white,
red, and yellow,) the seeds of Bazil, of each
an ounce and an half. Bole Amoniac, Cin-
namon, of each an ounce, the roots of
Dittany, Gentian, and Tormentil, of each
bvo drams and an half, the seeds of Citron
and Sorrel, of each two drams, Pearls,
Saphire, bone of a Stag's heart, of each
one dram, beat them into powder accord-
ing to art.
Culpeper."] The title tells you the virtue
of it, besides, it cheers the vital spirits, and
strengthens the heart. You may take half
a dram every morning either by itself, or
mixed with any other convenient composi-
tion, whether Syrup or Electuary.
Diaturbith the greater, mthoiit Rhubarb.
College.] Take of the best Turbith an
ounce, Diagridium, Ginger, of each half an
ounce. Cinnamon, Cloves, of each two
drams, Galanga, long Pepper, Mace, of each
one dram, beat them into powder, and with
eight ounces and five drams of while sugar
dissolved in Succory Water, it may be made
into an electuary.
Ciilpeper.] It purges flegm, being rightly-
administered by a skilful hand. I fancy it
not.
A Pozcrler for ihe Worms.
College.] Take of Wormseed, four
ounces, Sena, one ouncr:. Coriander seeds
prepared, Hart's-horn, of each half a dram,
Rhubarb half an ounce, dried Rue, two
drams, beat them into powder.
Ciilpeper.] I like this powder very well,
the quantity (or to write more scholastically,
die dose) must be regulated according to
the age of the patient, even from ten grains
to a dram, and the manner of taking it by
their palate. It is something purging.
ELECTUARIES.
Antidotvs Analeptica.
College^ Take of red Roses, Liquorice,
of each two drams and five grains. Gum
Arabic and Tragacanth, of each two drams
\ and two scruples, Sanders Avhite and red,
• each four scruples, juice of Liquorice, white
Starch, the seeds of white Poppies, Purslain,
Iiettuce,and Endive, of each threedrams, the
four greater cold seeds husked, of Quinces^
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 325
Mallows, Colton, Violets, Pine-nuts, fistic! towards the end, Cinnamon bruised half an
Nuts, sweet Almonds, pulp of Sebcstens, of jounce, strain it, and with two pounds of
each two drams. Cloves, Spodium, Cinna-| white sugar, boil it to the thickness of a
mon, of each one dram. Saffron five grains, j Syrup, putting in, m powder, Cinnamon, a
Penids half an ounce, bein<?; beaten, make? dram. Nutmegs, half a scruple, Musk three
them all into a soft electuary with three j grains. Ambergris, two and thirty grains,
times their weight in Syrup of Violets. jten leaves of Gold, Spirit of Vitriol four
Culpeper.] It restores consumptions, and ; drops, and so make it into an electuary
hectic fevers, lost strength, it nourishes | according to art.
much, and restores radical moisture, opens | Culpeper.'] It opens obstruction of the
the pores, resists choler, takes away coughs, i liver and spleen, helps cold rheums or de-
quenches thirst, and resists fevers. You | fluxions from the head to the luno-s, or
may take an ounce in a day, by a dram at | teeth, or eyes, it is excellent in coughs, and
a time, if you please. : other cold afflictions of the lungs and
Confectio Alkermes. | breast, it helps digestion, expels wind and
College.'] Take of the juice of Apples, i the gravel of the kidneys, it provokes the
Damask Rose-water, of each a pound and \ menses, warms and dries up the moisture of
an half, in which infuse for twenty-four | the womb, which is many times the cause
hours, raw Silk four ounces, strain it j of barrenness, and is generally a helper of
strongly, and add Syrup of the berries of | all diseases coming of cold, raw thin
Chernis brought over to us, two pounds, \ humours, you may take half a dram at a
Sugar one pound, boil it to the thickness of j time in the morning.
Honey; then removing it from the fire? Electuarium de Bacc/s Latiri.
whilst it is warm, add Ambergris cut small, | Or Electuary of Bay-berries,
half an ounce, which being well mingled, j Co/Zeot.] TakeoftheleavesofdriedRueten
put in these things following in powder, | drams, the seeds of Ammi,Cuniinin,Lovage,
Cinnamon, Wood of Aloes, of each six | Origanum, Nigella, Caraway, Carrots,
drams. Pearls prepared, two drams, Leaf- j Parsley, bitter Almonds, Pepper black and
Gold a dram. Musk a scruple, make it up I long, wild Mints, Calamus Aromaticus,
according to art. : Bay-berries, Castorium of each two drams,
Culpeper.] Questionless this is a great i Sagapenum half an ounce, Opopanax three
cordial, and a mighty strengthener of the* drams, clarified Honey a pound and an
heart, and vital spirits, a restorer of such as t half, the things to be beaten; being beaten,
are in consumptions, a resister of pesti-|and the Gums dissolved in Wine, make it
lences and poison, a relief to languishing | into an electuary according to art.
nature, it is given with good success in^ Culpeper.] It is exceeding good either in
fevers, but give not too much of it at a j the cholic, or Iliac passion, or any other
a time, lest it prove too hot for the body, \ disease of the bowels coming of cold or
and too heavy for the purse. You may ; wind, it generally eases pains in the bowels,
mix ten grains of it with other convenient? You may give a dram in the morning fast-
cordials to children, twenty or thirty tojing, or half an oiuice in a clyster, according
men. \ as the disease is.
Electuarium e Sassaphras. | Viacapparit.
College^ Take of Sassafras two ounces, > College. Take of Caper? ^our ounce^
common Water three pounds, boil it to the I Agrimony Roots, Nigella seeds, S(|uiis.
consumption of the third part, adding, [Asarabacca, Centaury, black Pepper, Small.
326
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
age, Thyme of each an ounce. Honey three
times their weight, make it into an electuary
according to art.
Culpcper.'] The}' say it helps infirmities
of the spleen, and indeed the name seems to
promise so much, it may be good for cold
bodies, if they have strength of nature in
them.
Diacimmmomum.
College.^ Take of Cinnamon fifteen
drama, Cassia Lignea, Elecampane roots,
of each half an ounce, Galanga, seven
drams. Cloves, long Pepper, both sorts of
Cardamoms, Ginger, Mace, Nutmegs,
Wood of Aloes, of each three drams, Saffron,
one dram. Sugar five drams. Musk two
scruples, adding according to the prescript
of the Physician, and by ad ding three pounds
eight ounces of clarified Honey, boil it and
make it into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.^ Diaci?mamomum, or in plain
English, A composition of Cinnamon, heats
the stomach, causes digestion, provokes the
menses, strengthens the stomach and other
parts that distribute the nourishment of the
body, a dram of it taken in the morning
fasting, is good for ancient people and cold
bodies, such as are subject to dropsies and
diseases of fiegm, or wind, for it comforts
and strengthens nature much. If you take
it to help digestion, take it an hour before
meat, do so in all things of like quality.
Diacorallio7i.
College.^ Take of Coral white and red,
Bole-amoniac, Dragon's-blood, of each one
dram. Pearls half a dram. Wood of Aloes,
red Roses, Gum Tragacanth, Cinnamon, of
each two scruples, Sanders white and red,
of each one scruple, with four times its
weight in sugar dissolved in small Cinna-
mon Water, make it into an electuary,
according to art.
Cnlpeper.^ It comforts and strengthens
the heart exceedingly, and restores such as
are in consumptions, it is cooling, therefore
good in hectic fevers, very binding, and
therefore stops fluxes, neither do I know i,
better medicine in all the dispensatory tor
such as have a consumption accompanied
with looseness. It stops the menses and
Fluor Albus. Take but a dram at a time
every morning, because of its binding
quality, except you have a looseness, for
then you may take so much two or three
times a day.
Diacoi'um,.
College^ Take of the roots of Cicers,
Acorus, or Calamus Aromaticus, Pine-nuts,
of each a pound and a half, let the Cicers
roots, being cleansed, cut, boiled, and
pulped, be added to ten pounds of clarified
honey, and boiled, (stirring it) to its just
thickness, then being removed from the
fire, add the Acorus roots beaten, the Pine-
nuts cut, and these following in powder.
Take of black Pepper an ounce, long Pepper,
Cloves, Ginger, Mace, of each half an
ounce. Nutmegs, Galanga, Cardamons, of
each three drams, mix them Avith the roots
and Honey into an electuary according toart.
Culpeper.'j The electuary provokes lust,
heats the brain, strengthen? the nerves,
quickens the senses, causes an acute wit,
eases pains in the head, helps the falling-
sickness and convulsions, coughs, catharrs,
and all diseases proceeding from coldness-
of the brain. Half a dram is enough to
take at one time, because of its heat.
Peony is an herb of the suji, the roots of
it cure the falling-sickness.
Diacydonium simple.
College.'] Take of the flesh of Quinces
cut and boiled in fair water to a thickness,
eight pounds, white sugar six pounds, boil
it to it just thickness.
Diacydonium with Species
College.'] Take of the juice of Quinces,
Sugar, of each two pounds, white Wine
Vinegar half a pound, added at the end of
the decoction, it being gently boiled, and the
scum taken away, add Ginger two ounces,
white Pepper ten drams and two scnioles.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENXABjGED.
327
bruise them grossly, and boil it again to the
tliickness of Honey.
Diacydonium compound. Magisterial.
College.^ Take of white Sugar six pounds,
Spring Water four pounds, clarify them
well with the white of an egg, scumming
them, then take of ripe Quinces cleansed
from the rind and seeds, and cut in four
quarters, eight pounds, boil them in the
foregoing Syrup till they be tender, then
strain the Syrup through a linen cloth,
vocata Anglice, Boulter ; boil them again to
a jelly, adding four ounces of white wine
Vinegar towards the end ; remove it from
tlie fire, and whilst it is warm put in these
following species in powder. Ginger an
ounce, white Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmegs,
of each two drams, keep it for use.
Culpeper.^ The virtues of all these three
are, they comfort the stomach, help diges-
tion, stays vomiting, belchings, &c. stop
fluxes and the menses. They are all harm-
less, you may take the quantity of a nut-
meg of them at a time, before meat to help
digestion and fluxes, after meat to stay
vomiting, in the morning for the rest.
Confedio de IhjacintJio.
College?^ Take of Jacinth, red Coral,
Bole-amoniac, Earth of Lemnos, of each
half an ounce, the berries of Chermes, the
Roots of Tormentil and Dittany, the seeds
of Citrons, Sorrel, and Purslain, Saffron,
Myrrh, red Roses exungulated, all the sorts
of Sanders, bone of a Stag's heart. Hart's -
liorn. Ivory prepared, of each four scruples.
Samphire, Emerald, Topaz, Pearls, raw
Silk, leaves of Gold and Silver, of each two
scruples, Camphire, Musk, Ambergris, of
each five grains, with Syrup of Lemons
make it into a confection according to art.
Cidpeperl It is a great cordial and
cx)ol, exceeding good in acute fevers and
pestilences, it mightily strengthens and
cherishes the heart. Never above half a
dram is given at a time, very seldom so
much.
Antidotum Hawagogum.
College.'] Take of Lupines husked two
drams, black Pepper five scruples and six
grains. Liquorice four scruples, long Birth-
wort, Mugwort, Cassia Lignea, Macedonian
Parsley seed, Pellitory of Spain, Rue seed,
Spikenard, Myrrh, Pennyroyal, of each two
scruples and fourteen grains, the seeds of
Smallage, Savin, of each two scruples and
thirteen grains, Centaury the greater, Cre-
tish Carrots, Nigella, Caraway, Annis,
j Cloves, Alum, of each two scruples. Bay
leaves one scruple, one half scruple, and
three grains, Schaenanth one scruple and
thirteen grains, Asarabacca, Calamus Arouia-
ticus, Amomum, Centaury the less, the seed
of Orrach, Peony, Fennel, of each one
scruple and six grains, wood of Aloes, a
scruple and fourteen grains. Cypress,
Elecampane, Ginger, CapparrootSjCunmiin,
Orobus, of each one scruple, all of them
being beaten into very fine powder, let
them be made into an electuary according
to art, with four times their weight in sugar,
let it stand one month before you use it
Cidpeper-I It provokes the menses, brings
away both birth and after-birth, the dead
child, purges such as are not sufficiently
purged after travail, it provokes unne,
breaks the stone in the bladder, helps the
stranguary, disury, iskury, &c. helps in-
digestion, the cholic, opens any stoj)pings in
the body, it heats tlie stomach, purges the
liver and spleen, consumes wind, stays
vomiting", but let it not be taken by preg-
nant women, nor such people as have the
hemorrhoids. The dose is from one dram
to two drams.
Diasatt/rion.
Colltge'.] Take of "Satyrion roots three
ounces. Dates, bitter Almonds, Indian
1 Nuts, Pine nuts, Festick nuts, green Ginger,
! Eringo roots preseived, of each one ounce,
1 Ginger, Cloves, Galanga, Pepper long and
I black, of each three drams. Ambergris
lone scruple. Musk two scruples, Penins
4 i>
328
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
four ounces, Cinnamon, Saffron, of each
half an ounce, Malaga Wine three ounces,
Nutmegs, Mace, Grains of Paradise, of
each two drams. Ash-tree keys, the belly
and loins and Scinks, Borax, Benjamin^ of
each three drams, wood of Aloes, Cardamoms,
of each two drams, the seeds of Nettles and
Onions, the roots of Avens, of each a dram
and and half, with two pounds and an half
of Syrup of green Ginger, make them into
an electuary according to art.
Eleduarmn Diaspermaion.
College.'] Take of the four greater and
lesser cold seeds, the seeds of Asparagus,
Burnet, ;^azil, Parsley, Winter Cheiries, of
each two drams, Gromwell, Juice of Liquo-
rice, of each three drams. Cinnamon, Mace,
of each one dram, with eight times their
weight in white Sugar dissolved in Marsh-
mallows water, make it into an electuary
according to art.
Culpeper.'] It breaks the stone, and pro-
v^kes urine. Men may take half an ounce
at a time, and children half so much, in
water of any herb or roots, &c. (or decoc-
tion of them) that break the slone.
Micleta.
College.l Take of the barks of all the
Myrobalans torrified, of each two drams
and an half, the seeds of Water-cresses,
Cummin, Annis, Fennel, Ammi, Caraway,
of each a dram and an half, bruise the
seeds and sprinkle them with sharp white
wine Vinegar, then beat them into powder,
and add the Mirobalans, and these things
that follow, Spodium, Balaustines, Sumach,
Mastich, Gum Arabic, of each one dram
and fifteen grains, mix them together, and
with ten ounces of Syrup of Myrtles, make
them into an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It gently eases the bowels of
the wind cnolic, wringing of the bowels,
infirmities of the spleen, it stops fluxes, the
hemorrhoids, as also the menses.
Eleduarium Pectorale.
Or a Pectoral Electuary.
College.] Take of the juice of Liquorice,
sweet Almonds, Hazel-Nuts, of each half
an ounce. Pine-nuts an ounce, Hysop,
Maidenhair, Orris, Nettle seeds, round
Birthwort, of each a dram and an half,
black Pepper, the seeds of Water-cresses,
the roots of Elecampane, of each half a
dran). Honey fourteen ounces, make them
into an electuary according to art
Culpeper.] It strengthens the stomach
and lungs, and helps the vices thereof. Take
it with a Liquorice stick.
Theriaca Diatessaron.
College.] Take of Gentain, Bay-berries,
Myrrh, round Birthwort, of each twoounces.
Honey two pounds, make them into an
electuaiy according to art.
Culpeper.] This is a gallant electuary.
It wonderfully helps cold infirmities of the
brain, as convulsions, falling-sickness, dead
J palsies, shaking palsies, &c. As also the
{Stomach, as pains there, wind, want of
\ digestion, as also stoppings of the liver,
I dropsies, it resists the pestilence and poison,
; and helps the bitings of venomous beasts.
J The dose is from half a dram to two drams,
according to the age and strength of the
patient, as also the strength of the diseases:
you may take it either in the morning, or
when urgent occasion calls for it.
Diascordium.
College.] Take of Cinnamon, Cassia
Lignea, of each half an ounce, Scordium,
an ounce, Dittany of Crete, TormentiJ,
Bistort, Galbanum, Gum Arabic, of each
half an ounce. Opium one dram and an
half. Sorrel seeds one dram and a half,
Gentain half an ounce, Bole-amoniac an
ounce and an half. Earth of Lemnos half
an ounce, long Pepper, Ginger, of each two
drams, clarified Honey two pounds and an
half. Sugar of Roses one pound, Canary
Wine ten ounces, make them into an elec-
tuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a wed composed elec-
tuary, something appropriated lo the nature
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 3S9
of women, for it provokes the mensem, | cold infirmities of the brain, and stoppins
hastens labour, helps their usual sickness | of the passage of the senses, (viz. hearinir,
at the time of their lying in; I know nothing -seeing, smelling, &c.) by cold, it expels
better, it stops fluxes, mightily strengthens wind, helps the cholic, provokes appetite to
the heart and stomach, neither is so hot one's victuals, it helps ulcers in the bladder,
but it may safely be given to weak people, if Go/m say true, as also difficulty of urine,'
and besides provokes sleep. It may safely it casts out the dead child, and helps such
be given to young children ten grains at (women as cannot conceive by reason o«
a time, ancient people may take a dram j cold, it is an admirable remedy for melan-
or more. It is given as an excellent cor- j choly, and all diseases of the body coming
dial in such fevers as are accompanied with j through cold, it would fill a whole sheet of
want of sleep. 1 paper to reckon them all up particularly.
Mithridate. 5 You may take a scruple or half a dram in
College.'] Take of Myrrh, Saffron, j the morning, and follow your business, two
Agarick, Ginger, Cinnamon, Spikenard, | drams will make you sweat, yea one dram
Frankincense, Treacle, Mustard seeds, of? if your body be weak, for then two drarns
each ten drams, the seeds of Hartwort, > may be dangerous because of its heat.
Opobalsamum, or oil of Nutmegs by ex- \ r>i i o
^ ■ cj u ^1 Ox 1 /-. '^ "^^1 1 1 Fay Ionium Jrersicum.
pression, ochenanth, Stoechas, Costus, Gal- ' ^ ,, t ^ , r- i ■ t^
banum,Turpentine, long Pepper, Castorium, I ^f'f-\. ^^\^^ "'Y^ f^PP^'"' *^'^
juice of Hypocistis, Styrax, Calamitis, 1??^^'^ °^ ^^'t^^5i^^^"^'°^f ^^^^^^ ^'•a"^'«»
Opopanax, Indian leaf, or for want of itjpP'"^' Earth of Lemnos, of each ten drams.
Mace, of each an ounce. Cassia Lignea,^^P' ^^"'^l'*"^^^5T'''^?''i^T'''.^"^^
Foley Mountain, white Pepper, Scordium. i Castorium Indian Spikenard Euphorbium
theseeds of Carrots of Crete, Carpobalsamum \ Prepared, Pelhtory of Spain, Pearls, Amber
or Cubebs, Troch, Cypheos, Bdelium, of J ^e^o^^'J' ^^'^Sf ^"P^"^' Troch, Rainach of
each seven drams, Celtic Spikenard, Gum i ^^S,^ ^ ^'^"?' Caniphire a scruple, with their
Arabic, Macedonian Parsley seeds. Opium, j ^^^^^^ '"^S^* ^" Honey of Roses, make it
Cardamoms the less. Fennel seed, Gentian, ^"*" f electuary according to art.
red Rose leaves. Dittany of Crete, of each \ Culpeper.-] It stops blood flowing from
five drams, Annis seeds, Asarabacca, Orris j f^ . P^'"^ ^[ ^^^ ^^^^' *^ ^"imoderate
Acorus, the greater Valerian, Sagapen, ofl^^^''"S .«^. ^^^ ?lf ^'j *^f hemorrhoids in
each three drams, Meum Acacia, the bellies \ f"^"' ^'P^[.V"f ^^ ^'^°^' ^'""^^^ Auxes, and
of Scinks, the tops of St. John's Wort, of ^ P''!^^'^^^^^ ^'J '"f ^"°"^^" ^^ '^'^ ^"^J^^*
each two drams aid an half, Malaga Wine, \ ^° ""^^^^'"^ = ^^^ *^^ "^^* '"^^^^P*-
so much as is sufficient to dissolve the juices ; Phylomum Romanum.
and gums, clarified Honey the treble weight j College^ Take of white Pepper, Avhite
of all, the wine excepted, make them into I Henbane seeds, of each five drams. Opium
an electuary according to art. Itwo drams and an half. Cassia Lignea a
CutpeperJ] It is good against poison j dram and an half, the seeds of Smallage a
and such as have done themselves wrong by I dram. Parsley of Macedonia, Fennel,
taking filthy medicines, it provokes sweat, j Carrots of Crete, of each two scruples and
it helps continual waterings of the stomach, | five grains, SaflTron a scruple and an half,
uicers in the body, consumptions, weakness | Indian Spikenard, Pellitory of Spain,
of the limbs, rids the body of cold humours, j Zedoary fifteen grains. Cinnamon a dram
and diseases coming of cold, it remedies | and an half, Euphorbium prepared, Myr/ h,
College.
330 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Castorium, of each a dram with their treble | Rhapontic, Stoechas, Horehound, Macedo-
weight in clarified Honey, make it into an \ nian Parsley seed, Calaminth, Cypress,
electuary. {Turpentine, the roots of Cinqu^foyl and
Electuarium de Ovo. \ Ginger, of each six drams, Poley Mountain,
Or electuary of Eggs. jChamepitis, Celtic Spikenard, Aniomus,
] Take a Hen's Egg new laid, 1 Styrax Calamitis, the roots of Meum, the
and the white being taken out by a small j tops of Germander, the roots of Rhapontic
hole, fill up the void place with Saffron, ! Earth of Lemnos, Indian Leaf, Chalcitis
leaving the yolk in, then the hole being \ burnt, or instead thereof Roman Vitriol
stopped, roast it in ashes till the shell begin j burnt, Gentian roots. Gum Arabic, the juice
to look black, take diligent heed the Saffron > of Hypositis, Carpobalsamum or Nutmegs,
burn not, for then is the whole medicme i or Cubebs, the seeds of Annis, Cardamoms,
spoiled, then the matter being taken out j Fennel, Hartwort, Acacia, or instead there-
dry, if 'SO that it may be beaten into powder > of the juice of Sloes made thick, the seeds
and add to it as much powder of whitejof Treacle Mustard, and Ammi, the tops of
Mustard seed as it weighs. Then take the j St. John's Wort, Sagapen, of each four
roots of white Dittany and Tormentil, of; drams, Castorium, the roots of long Birth-
each two drams. Myrrh, Hart's-horn, Peta- \ wort. Bitumen, Judaicum, Carrot seed,
si tis roots, of each one dram, the roots ofjOpopanax, Centaury the less, Galbanum, of
Angelica and Burnet, Juniper Berries, 1 each two drams, Canary Wine enough to
Zedoary, Camphire of each half an ounce, i dissolve what is to be dissolved. Honey the
mix them all together in a mortar, then add | treble weight of the dry species, make them
Venice Treacle the weigh of them all, stir i into an Electuary according to art.
them about with a pestle three hours ' Cidpeper.'] It resists poison, and the
together, putting in so much Syrup of j bitings of venomous beasts, inveterate head-
Lemons, as is enough to make it into an ; aches, vertigo, deafness, the falling-sickness,
electuary according to art. | astonishment, apoplexies, dulness of sight,
Cidpeper.'] A dram of it given at a time, I want of voice, asthmaes, old and new
is as great a help in a pestilential fever as a i coughs, such as spit or vomit blood, such as
man shall usually read of in a Galenist. x can hardly spit or breathe, coldness of the
It provokes sweat, and then you shall be; stomach, wind, the cholic, and illiac passion,
taught how to use yourself. If years do hhe yellow jaundice, hardness of the spleen,
not permit, give not so much. | stone in the reins and bladder, difficulty of
Theriaca Andromachi. \ urine, ulcers in the bladder, fevers, dropsies.
Or Venice Treacle. I leprosies, it provokes the menses, brings
College.'] Take of Troches of Squilsi forth birth and after-birth, helps pains in
forty-eight drams, Troches of Vipers, long i the joints, it helps not only the body, but
Pepper,OpiumofThebes,Magma,Hedycroi lalso the mind, as vain fears, melancholy,
dried, of each twenty-four drams, red|&c. and is a good remedy in pestilential
Roses exungulated. Orris, Illirick, juice of j fevers. You may take half a dram and go
Liquorice, the seeds of sweet Navew, labout your business, and it will do you
Scordium, Opobalsamum, Cinnamon, I good if you have occasion to go in ill airs,
Agerick, of each twelve drams, Myrrh, or in pestilent times, if you shall sweat under
Costus, or Zedoary, Saffron, Cassia Lignea, ; it, as you»- best way is, if your body be not
Indian Spikenard, Schenanth, Pepper white | in health, then take one dram, or between
and black, Olibanum, Dittany of Crete, '' one and two, or less than one, according as
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 331
age and strength is, if you cannot take this I and clarified, make it into an electuar,
or any other swaiting medicine by itself, | according to art.
mix it with a little Carduus or Dragon's « Ctdpcpei:'] It is exceeding good against
water, or Angelica water, which in my i cold diseases of the stomach, liver, or
opinion is the best of the three. | spleen, corruption of humours and putre-
Theriacca Londmensis. \ faction of meat in the stomach, ill favoured
Or London Treacle. j S,^'""'' .^^ ^^^^ ^«'1>;' f ["P«>c«, cold faults in
„ ,, -, ™ 1 r rr > ^ ! thc rcms and bladder, provokes unne.
College.] Take of Harts-horn two ^ake a dram in the morning,
ounces, the seeds of Citrons, borrel, Feony, | °
Bazil, of each one ounce, Scordium, Coral- \ -— — -^
liana, of each six drams, the roots of Angelica, i
Tormentil, Peony, the leaves of Dittany,? PURGING ELECl'UARIES.
Bay-berries, Juniper-berries, of each half! Benedida Laxativa
an ounce, the flowers of Rosen,ary,Mari- 1 College^ Take of choice Turbith ten
golds. Clove Gdhflowers, the tops of Saint :^rams,Diacridium, bark of Spurge Roots
John s Wort Nutmegs Saffi-on, of each j prepared, Hermodactils, Red Roses, of each
threedrams, the Roots of Gentian, Zedoary, I fl^g ^^^^^^ Cloves, Spikenard, Ginger,
Ginger, Mace, Myrrh, the leaves of Scabi- \ saffron, long Pepper, Ai!iomus, or for want
ous. Devil s-bit, Carduus of each two drams, | ^f ^^ Calamus Aromalicus, Cardamoms the
Cloves, Opium, of each a dram, Malaga : j^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^f Smallage, Parsley, Fennel,
Wine as much as is sufticient with their U^pj^ragus, Bruscus, Saxifrage, Groinwell,
treble weight in Honey, mix them accord- 1 Caraway, sal. gem. Galanga, Mace, of each
mg to art. j a dram, with their treble weight of clarified
C«//^e;,er.J The receipt IS a pretty cor- 1 Honey: make them into an electuary
dial, resists the pestilence, and is a good ; according to art. Also you may kec.) the
antidote in pestilential times, it resists poi- ; ^i^^ i^^^jf j^ your shops,
son, strengthens cold stomachs, helps diges- i Cidpeper^ It purges flegm, chiefly from
tion, crudities of the stomach. A mani^he joints, also it purges the reins and
may safely take two drams of it in a \ bladder
morning, and let him fear no harm. | * Caryocostimim.
Diacrocima. j College.'] Take of Cloves, Costus, or
College.] Take of Saffron, AsarabaccafZedoary, Ginger, Cummin, of each two
loots, the seeds of Parsley, Carrots, Annis,i drams, Hermodactils, Diacridium, of each
Smallage, of each half an ounce. Rhubarb, j half an ounce: with their double weight of
the roots of Meum, Indian Spikenard, of j Honey clarified in white wine, make them
each six drams. Cassia Lignea, Costus, > into an electuary according to art.
Myrrh, Schenanth, Cubebs, Madder roots, \ Culpeper!] Authors say it purges iiot
the juices of Maudlin, and Wormwood j rheums, and takes away inflammations in
made thick, Opobalsamum, or oil of Nut- 1 wounds, I assure you tiic electuary works
megs, of each two drams, Cinnamon, | violently, and may safely be 2;ivon m clysters.
Calamus Aromaticus, of each a dram and land so you may give two or three drams at
an half, Scordium, Cetrach, juice of Liquo- 1 a time, if the patient be strong. For taken
rice, of each two drams and an half, Traga- v otherwise it would kill a horse \.rnm privilegtc-
canth a dram, with eight times their weight $ Cassia Extracfa pro Clysteribus.
in white sugar, dissolved in Endive water, | Or Cassia extracted for Clysters.
• 4 0
332
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
College.'] Take of the leaves of Violets,
iMallows, Beets, Mercury, Pellitory of the
Wall, Violet flowers, of each a handful,
boil them in a sufficient quantity of water,
the benefit of which let the Cassia be ex-
tracted, and the canes washed ; then take
of this Cassia so drawn, and boil it to its
consistence, a pound, Sugar a pound and a
half, boil them to the form of an electuary
according to art.
Culpeper.] You may lake it in white
Wine, it is good for gentle bodies, for if your
body be hard to work upon, perhaps it will
not work at all ; it purges the reins gallantly,
and cools them, thereby preventing the
stone, and other diseases caused by their
heat.
Eleduarium Amarum Magistrale majiis:
Or the greater bitter Electuary.
College.'] Take of Agarick, Turbith,
Species Hiera Simplex, Rhubarb, of each
one dram, ch(jice Aloes unwashed two
drams, Ginger, Crystal of Tartar, of each
two scruples. On is, Florentine, sweet
Fennel seeds, of each a scruple, Syrup of
Roses solutive as much as is sufficient to
make it into an electuary according to art.
Eleduarium Amarum minus.
Or the lesser bitter Electuary.
College.] Take of Epithimum half an
ounce, the roots of Angelica three drams,
of Gentian, Zedoary, Acorus, of each two
drams. Cinnamon one dram and an half.
Cloves, Mace, Nutmegs, Saffron, of each
one dram, Aloes six ounces, with Syrup of
Fumitory, Scabious and Sugar so much as
is sufficient to make it into a soft electuary.
Culpeper.] Both tiiese purge choler, the
former flegm, and this melancholy, the
former works strongest, and this strengthens
most, and is good for such whose brains are
annoyed. You may take half an ounce of
the former, if yaur body be any thing
strong, in white Wine, if very strong an
ounce, a reasonable Vjody may take an
ounce of the latter, the weak less. I would
not have the unskilful too busy about
purges without advice of a physician.
Diacassia ziilh Mamia.
College.] Take of Damask Prunes two
ounces, Violet flowers a handful and an
half, Spring Water a pound an an half, boil
it according to art till half be consumed.,
strain it, and dissolve in the decoction six
ounces of Cassia newly drawn, sugar of
Violets, Syrup of Violets, of each four
ounces, Pulp of Tamarinds an ounce. Sugar
Candy an ounce and an half. Manna two
ounces, mix them, and make them into an
electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cool purge for
such as are bound in the body, for it works
gently, and without trouble, it purges choler,
and may safely be given in fevers coming of
choler : but in such cases, if the body be
much bound, the best way is first to
administer a clyster, and then the next
morning an ounce of this will cool the body,
and keep it in due temper.
Cassia extracta sine soliis Sena.
Or Cassia extracted Avithout the leaves of
Sena.
College.] Take twelve Prunes, Violet
flowers a handful, French Barley, the seed
of Annis, and bastard Saffron, Polypodium
of the Oak, of each five drams. Maiden-
hair, Thyme, Epithimum, of each half a
handful. Raisins of the Sun stoned half an
ounce, sweet Fennel seeds two drams, the
seeds of Purslain, and Mallows, of each
three drams, Liquorice half an ounce, boil
them in a sufficient quantity of water, strain
them and dissolve in the decoction, pulp of
Cassia two pounds, of Tamarinds an ounce,
Cinnamon three drams. Sugar a pound,
boil it into the form of an electuary.
Cassia extracta cum soliis Sena.
Or Cassia extracted with the leaves of Sena.
College.] Take of the former receipt
tv/o pounds, Sena in powder two ounces,
mix them accordino-to art.
Culpeper^ This is also a fine cool gentle
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
aaa
purge, cleansing the bowels of choler and
melancholy without any griping, very fit
for feverish bodies, and yet the former is
gentler than this. They both cleanse and
cool the reins ; a reasonable body may take
an ounce and an half of the former, and an
ounce of the latter in white Wine, if they
keep the house, or their bodies be oppressed
with melancholy, let them take half the
quantity in four ounces of decoction of
Epithimum.
Diacarthamum.
, College.'] Take of Diatragacanthum
frigidum, half an ounce, pulp of preserved
Quinces an ounce, the inside of the seeds of
Bastard Saffron half an ounce. Ginger two
drams, Diacrydium beaten by itself three
drams, Turbith six drams, Manna two
ounces, Honey of Roses solutive. Sugar
Candy, of each an ounce, Hermodactils half
an ounce. Sugar ten ounces and an half,
make of them a liquid electuary according
to art.
Diaphcenicon.
College^ Take of the pulp of Dates
boiled in Hydromel, Penids, of each half
a pound, sweet Almonds blanched, three
ounces and an half, to all of them being
bruised and mixed, add clarified Honey
two pounds, boil them a little, and then
strew in Ginger, long Pepper, Mace, Cin-
namon, Rue leaves, the seeds of Fennel and
Carrots, of each two drams, Turbith four
ounces, DJacridium an ounce and an half,
make of them an electuary according to
art.
Culpeper.'l I cannot believe this is so
profitable in fevers taken downwards as
authors say, for it is a very violent purge.
Diapnmiim Lenitive.
College^ Take one hundred Damask
Prunes, boil them in water till they be soft,
then pulp them, and in the liquor they were
boiled in, boil gently one of Violet flowers,
strain it, and with two pounds of sugar boil
it to a Syrup, then add half a pound of the
aforesaid pulp, the pulp of Cassia, and
Tamarinds, of each one ounce, then mix
with it these powders following : Sanders
white and red, Spodium, Rhubarb, of each
three drams, red Roses, Violets, the seeds
of Purslain, Succory, Barberries, Gum
Tragacanth, Liquorice, Cinnamon, of each
two drams, the four greater cold seeds, of
each one dram, make it into an electuary
according to art.
Cvlpeper.'] It may safely, and is with
good success, given in acute, burning, and
all other fevers, for it cools much, and
loosens the body gently : it is good in agues,
hectic fevers, and Mirasmos. You may
take an ounce of it at a time, at night when
you go to bed, three hours after a light
supper, neither need you keep your cham-
ber next day, unless the weather be very
cold, or your body very tender.
Diaprunum solutive.
College.] Take of Diaprunum Lenitive
whilst it is warm, four pounds, Scammony
prepared two ounce and five drams, mix
them into an electuary according to art.
Seeing the dose of Scammony is increased
according to the author in this medicine,
you may use a less weight of Scammony if
you please.
Catholicon.
College.] Take of the pulp of Cassia
and Tamarinds, the leaves of Sena, of each
two ounces, Polypodium, Violets, Rhubarb,
of each one ounce, Annis seeds, Penids,
Sugar Candy, Liquorice, the seeds of
Gourds, Citruls, Cucumbers, Melons, of
each two drams, the things to be bruised
being bruised, take of fresh Polypodium
three ounces, sweet Fennel seeds six drams,
boil them in four pounds of water till the
third part be consumed, strain it, and Avith
two pounds of sugar, boil the decoction to
the thickness of a Syrup; then with the
pulps and powder make it into an elec-
tuary according to art.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling purge foe
334
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
any part of the body, and very gentle, it
may be given (an ounce, or half an ounce
at a time, according to the strength of the
patient) in acute, or peracute diseases, for it
gently loosens the belly, and adds strength,
it helps infirmities of the liver and spleen,
gouts of all sorts, quotidian, tertian, and
quartan agues, as also head -aches. It is
usually given in clysters. If you like to
take it inwardly, you may take an onnce at
night going to bed ; in the morning drink
a draught of hot posset drink and go about
your business.
Elect liar ium de Citro Solutivum.
Or Electuary of Citrons, solutive.
College.'] Take of Citron pills preserved,
conserves of the flowers of Violets and
Bugloss, Diatragacanthuni frigidum, Dia-
crydium, of each half an ounce, Turbith
five drams. Ginger half a dram, Sena six
drams, sweet Fennel seeds O'ne dram, white
sugar dissolved in Rose-water, and boiled
according to art, ten ounces, make a solid
electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] Here are some things very
cordial, others purge violently, both put
together, make a composition no way pleas-
ing to me; therefore I acconutit a pretty
receipt, good for nothing.
Electuariiim Elescor>h.
College.'] Take of Diacrydium, Turbith,
of each six drams, Cloves, C'innamon, Gin-
ger, Myrobalans, Emblicks, Nutmegs,
Polypodium, of each two drams and an
half, Sugar six ounces, clarified Honey ten
ounces, make it into an electuary according
to art.
Culpeper.l It purges choler and flegm,
and wind from all parts of the body, helps
pains of the joints and sides, the cholic, it
cleanses the reins and bladder, yet I advise
you not to take too much of it at a time, for
it works pretty violently, let half an ounce
be the most, for such whose bodies are
strong, always remembering that you had
better ten times take too little, than once
too much ; you may take it in white wnie,
and keep yourself warm. If you Avould
have my opinion of it, I do not like it.
Coiifectio Hamech.
College.] Take of the bark of Citron,
Myrobalans two ounces, Myrobalans,
Chebs and blacks, Violets, Colocynthis,
Polypodium of the Oak, of each one ounce
and an half. Wormwood, Thyme, of each
half an ounce, the seeds of Annis, and
Fennel, the flowers of red Roses of each
three drams, let all of them being bruised,
be infused one day in six pounds of Whey,
then boiled till half be consumed, rubbed
with your hands and pressed out : to the
decoction add juice of Fumitory, pulp of
Prunes, and Raisins of the Sun, of each
half a pound, white Sugar, clarified Honey,
of each one pound, boil it to the thickness
of Honey, strewing in towards the end.
Agarick trochiscated, Sena of each two
ounces. Rhubarb one ounce and an half
Epi»thimum one ounce, Diacrydium six
drams. Cinnamon half an ounce. Ginger
two drams, the seeds of Fumitory and
Annis, Spikenard, of each one dram, make
it into an electuary according to art.
Cidpeper.] The receipt is chiefly appro-
priated ai a purge for melancholy and salt
Tlegm, and diseases thence arising, as scabs,
itch, leprosies, cancers, infirmities of the
skin, it purges adust humours, and is good
against madness, melancholy, forgetfulness,
vertigo. It purges very violently, and is
not safe given alone. I would advise the
unskilful not to meddle with it inwardly:
You may give half an ounce of it in clys-
ters, in melancholy diseases, which com-
monly have astringency a constant com-
panion with them.
Eleduarinm Leniimim.
Or Lenitive Electuary.
College.] Take of Raisins of the Sun
stoned, Polypodium of the Oak, Sena, of
each two ounces. Mercury one handful and
an half. Jujubes, Sebestens, of each twenty,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 335
Maidenhair, Violets, French Barley, of each \ in powder, and so make it into an electuary
one handful, Damask Prunes stoned, j according to art.
Tamarinds of each six drams. Liquorice ; Culpeper.'] It purges choler, and is good
half an ounce, boil them in ten pounds of | in tertian agues, and diseases of the joints,
water till two parts of the three be con- j it purges violently, therefore let it be warily
sumed; strain it, and dissolve in the decoc- { given.
tion, pulp of Cassia, Tamarinds, and fresh i Hiera Picra simple.
Prunes, Sugar of Violets, of each six ounces, I College.'] Take of Cinnamon, Xylobal-
Sugar two pounds, at last add powder of'samum, or wood of Aloes, the roots of
Sena leaves, one ounce and an half, Annis > Asarabacca, Spikenard, Mastich, Saffron,
seeds in powder, two drams to each pound i ot each six drams, Aloes not Avashed twelve '
of electuary, and so bring it into the form ; ounces and an half, clarified Honey four
of an electuary according to art. ; pounds and three ounces, mix them into an
Culpeper.'] It gently opens and molifies \ electuary according to art. Also you may
the bowels, brings forth choler, flegm, and t keep the species by itself in your shops,
melancnoly, and that without trouble, it is ; Culpeper.'] It is an excellent remedy for
cooling, and therefore is profitable in pleu- 1 vicious juices which lie furring the tunicle
risies, and for wounded j)eople : A man of; of the stomach, and such idle fancies and
reasonable strength may take an ounce {symptoms which the brain suffers thereby,
of it going to bed, which will work next \ whereby some think they see, others that
morning. , 'hey hear strange things, especially when
Electnarivm Passulatwn. \ they are in bed, and between sleeping and
Colleire.] Take of fresh Polypodium r;;a'^'"g • besidp/'"^' it very gently purges
roots three ounces, fresh Marsh-mallow! ^^e belly, and helps such women as are not
roots, Sena, of each two ounces, Annis^^ffi^'^^tly P"':^^^ after their travail,
seeds two drams, steep them in a glazed I „ ^ ^^^,^ ^[!^ Aganck.
vessel, in a sufficient (luantity of spring! College.] Take of species Hiera, simple
water, boil them according to art; strain it 1^^'t^out Aloes, Agarick trochiscated, of
and with pulp of Raisins of the Sun half ai^^ch half an ounce. Aloes not washed one
pound, white Sugar, Manna, of each four!""^^ e. clarified Honey six ounces, mix it,
ounces, boil it to the thickness of a Cydo- j^"^ "^^^^ '* '"to a" electuary according to
niate, and renew it four times a year. I >, t t i i i •
Culpeper.] It gentlv purges both choler | , Culpeper.] Look but to the virtues of
and melancholy, cleanses the reins and i ^ganck and add them to the virtues of the
bladder, and therefore is good for the stone = ^^^"^^^ ''eceipl, so is the business done with-
and gravel in the kidneys. \ «"* ^"y further trouble.
; Hiera Logadit.
Electuarmm e succo Rosarum. i College.] Take of Colociuintida, Poly-
Or Electuary of the Juice of Roses. j podium, of each two drams, Euphorbium,
College.] Take of Sugar, the juice of | Poley mountain, the seeds of Spurge, of
red Roses clarified, of each a pound and j each one dram and an half, and six grains,
four ounces, the three sorts of Sanders of | Wormwood, Myrrh, of eiach one dram and
each six drams, Spodium three drams, I twelve grains. Centaury the less, Agarick,,
Diacydonium twelve drams, Camphire aj Gum Ammoniacum, Indian leaf or Mace,
scruple, let the juice be boiled with the {Spikenard, Squills prepared, Diacrydium
sugar to its just thickness, then add the rest * of each one dram. Aloes, Thyme Ileritian-
4 u
3;jG THE COMPLETE HERBAL
der, Cassia Lignea, Bdellum, Horehound, \ half an ounce, filings of steel prepared wilii
of each one scruple and fourteen grains, j Vinegar twenty drams, let the Myrobalans
Cinnamon, Oppopanax, Castorium, long i be roasted with fresh butter, let the rest, being
Birlhwort, the three sorts of Pepper, j powdered, be sprinkled with oil of sweet
Sagapen, Saffron, Parsley of each twodrams,t Almonds, then add Musk one dram, and
Hellebore black and white, of each six pvith their treble Aveight in Honey, make it
grains, clarified Honey a pound and a half, ^ into an electuary according to art.
mix them, and make of them an electuary j Cidpeper.'] It helps the immoderate;
according to art. Let the species be kept i flowing of the menses in women, and the
dry in your shops, \ haemorrhoids in men, it helps Aveakness of
Cidpeper.'] It takes away by the roots [the stomach, and restores colour lost, it
daily evils coming of melancholy, falling- j frees the body from crude humours, and
sickness, vertigo, convulsions, megrim, | strengthens the bladder, helps melancholy,
leprosies, and many other infirmities; for J and rectifies the distempers of the spleen,
my part I should be loth to take it inwardly | You may take a dram in the morning, or
unless upon desperate occasions, or in ? two if your body be any thing strong,
clysters. It may well take away diseases \ Tripkera sohUive.
by the roots, if it takes away life and all. \ College.'] Take of Diacrydium, ten
Hiera Diacolocynthidos. 5 drams, Turbith, an ounce and an half.
College.] Take of Colocynthis, Agarick, i Cardamoms the less, Cloves, Cinnamon,
Germander, white Horehound, Stoechas, of j Honey, of each three drams, yellow San-
each ten drams, Opopanax, Sagapen, Parsley s ders, Liquorice, sweet Fennel seeds, of each
seeds, round Birlhwort roots, white Pepper j half an ounce. Acorns, Schcenanth, of each
of each five drams. Spikenard, Cinnamon, 1 a dram, red Roses, Citron pills preserved.
Myrrh, Indian leaf or Mace, Saffron, ofjof
each three drams, Violets two drams.
each four drams, bruise the Gums in a \ Penids four ounces, white Sugar half
mortar, sift the rest, and with three pounds I pound. Honey clarified in juice of Apples
of clarified honey, three ounces and five | one pound, make an electuary according to
drams, make it into an electuary according | art.
to art, 5 Cidpeper.] The Diacrydium and Tur-
Culpeper.] It helps the falling-sickness, I bith, are a couple of untoward purges, the
madness, and the pain in the head called I rest are all cordials,
Kephalalgia, pains intlie breastand stomach \ Athanasia Mithridatia. Galen,
whether they come by sickness or bruises, ; College.] Take of Cinnamon, Cassia,
pains in the loins or back-bone, hardness of! Schcenanth, of each an ounce and an half,
womens breasts, putrefaction of meat in the | Saflron, Myrrh, of each one ounce, Costus
stomach, and sour belchings. It is butiSpignel, (Meum,) Acorus, (Water-flag
used seldom and therefore hard to be gotten. 1 perhaps they mean. See the root in the
Triphera the greater. | Catalogue of Simples,) Agarick, Scordiuni,
College.] Take of Myrobalans, Chebs, \ Carrots, Parsley, of each half an ounce,
Bellericks, Inds and Emblicks, Nutmegs, i white Pepper eleven grains. Honey so much
of each five drams, Water-cress seeds, ! as is suflficient to make it into an electuarj'
Asarabacca roots, Persian Origanum, or \ according to art.
else i>ittapy of Crete, black Pepper, Oli- 1 Cidpeper.] It prevails against poison,
oanum, Apimi, Ginger, Tamarisk, Indian | and the bitings of venomous beasts, and
Nard, Squinanth, Cypress roots of each 1 helps such whose meat putrifies in their
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
337
stomach, stays vomiting of blood, helps i Calamitis two drams and an half. Sugar
old coughs, and cold diseases in the liver, I dissolved in Hyssop water, and clarified
spleen, bladder, and matrix. The dose is I Honey, of each twice the weight of all the
half a dram. I rest, make them into an electuary accord-
Electuarium scoriafeni. Rhasis. j ing to art.
College.'] Take of the flakes of Iron in- 1 Cnlpeper.] The electuary is chiefly ap-
fused in Vinegar seven days and dried, | propriated lo the lungs, and helps cold in-
three drams, Indian Spikenard, Schoenanth, | firmities of them, as asthmaes, coughs, dif-
Cypress, Ginger, Pepper, Bishop's weed, I ficulty of breathing, &c. You may take it
Frankincense, of each half an ounce, I with a Liquorice stick, or on the point of
Myrobalans, Indian Bellericks, and Em- 1 a knife, a httle of it at a time, and often,
blicks. Honey boiled with the decoction I Diasaiyrion. Nich.
of Emblicks, sixteen ounces, mix them | College^ Take of the roots of Satyrion
together, and make of them an electuary. | fresh and sound, garden Parsnips, Eringo,
Culpeper.'] The medicine heats the spleen j Pine-nuts, Indian Nuts, or if Indian Nuts,
gently, purges melancholy, eases pains in | be wanting, take the double quantity of
the stomach and spleen, and strengthens I Pine-nuts, Fistic-nuts, of each one ounce
digestion. People that are strong may take | and an half. Cloves, Ginger, the seeds of
half an ounce in the morning fasting, and | Annis, Rocket, Ash Keys, of each five
weak people three drams. It is a good | drams. Cinnamon, the tails and loins of
remedy for pains and hardness of the|Scincus,theseedsof Bui bus Nettles, of each
spleen. | two drams and an half, Musk seven grains,
Confedio Humain. Mesua. of the best sugar dissolved in Malaga Wine,
College.l Take of Eyebright two ounces, three pounds, make it into an electuary
Fennel seeds five drams. Cloves, Cinnamon, ; according to art.
Cubebs, long Pepper, Mace, of each one I Culpeper.] It helps weakness of the
dram, beat them all into powder, and with I reins and bladder, and such as make water
clarified Honey one pound, in which boil t with diflSculty, it provokes lust exceedingly,
juice of Fennel one ounce, juice of Celan-jand speedily helps such as are impotent in
dine and Rue, of each half an ounce, and I the acts of Venus. You may take two
with the powders make it up into an elec- 1 drams or more at a time,
tuary. I Matthiolus's great antidote against Poisott
Culpeper."] It is chiefly appropriated to 1 and Pestilence.
the brain and heart, quickens the senses, | College.] Take of Rhubarb, Rhapontic,
especially the sight, and resists the pesti- \ Valerian roots, the roots of Acorus, or
lence. You may take half a dram if your | Calamus Aromaticus, Cypress, Cinquefoyl,
body be hot, a dram if cold, in the morning i Tormentil, round BirthAvort, male Peony,
fasting. I Elecampane, Costus, Illirick, Orris, white
Diaireos Solomonis. Nich. | Chamelion, or Avens, of each three drams,
College.] Take of Orris roots one ounce, | the Roots of Galanga, Masterwort, white
Pennyroyal, Hyssop, Liquorice, of each six I Dictamni, AngeHca, Yarrow, Fillipendula
drams, Tragacanth, white Starch, bitter j or Dropwort, Zedoary, Ginger, of each
Almonds, Pine-nuts, Cinnamon, Ginger, | two drams, Rosemary, Gentian, Devil's-bit,
Pepper, of each three drams, fat Figs, the I of each two drams and an half, the seeds
pulp of Raisins of the Sun, and Dates, ofjof Citrons, and Agnus Castus, the berries
each three drams and an half, Styrax, |of Kcrmes, the seeds of Ash-tree, Sorrel*
338
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
wild Parsnips, Navew, Nigella, Peony the
male, Bazil, Hedge Mustard, (Irio) Treacle
Mustard, Fennel, Bishop's-weed, of each
two drams, the berries of Bay, Juniper,
and Ivy, Sarsaparilla, (or for want of it the
double weight of Cubebs,) Cubebs, of each
one dram and an half, the leaves of Scor-
dium, Germander, Chamepitys, Centaury
the less, Stoechas, Celtic Spikenard, Cala-
niinth, Rue, Mints, Bctony, Vervain,
Scabious, Carduus Benediclus, I^iwm, of
each one dram and an half. Dittany of
Crete three drams, Maijoram, St. John's
Wort, Schoenanth, Horehound, Goats Rue,
Savin, Burnet, of each two drams. Figs,
Walnuts, Fislic-nuts, of each three ounces,
Emblicks, Myrobalans half an ounce, the
flowers of Violets, Borrage, Bugloss, Roses,
Lavender, Sage, Rosemary, of each four
scruples, Saffron llncedrams. Cassia Lignea,
ten drams, Cloves, Nutmegs, Mace, of each
two drams and an half, black Pepper, long
Pepper, all the three sorts of Sanders, wood
of Aloes, of each one dram and an half,
Hart's-horn half an ounce, Unicorn's-horn,
or in its stead, Bezoar stone, one dram,
bone in a Stag's heart. Ivory, Slag's pizzle,
Castoreum, of each four scruples. Earth of
Lemnos three drams, Opium one dram and
an half, Orient Pearls, Emeralds, Jacinth,
red Coral, of each one dram and an half.
Camphire two drams,Gum Arabic, Mastich,
Frankincense, Stjrax, Turpentine, Saga-
penum, Opopanax, Laserpitium, or Myrrh,
of each two drams and an half. Musk,
Ambergris, of each one dram, oil of Vitriol
half an ounce, species cordiales temperatae,
Diamargariton, Diamoscu, Diambra, Elec-
tuarij de Gemmis, Troches of Camphire,
of Squills, of each two drams and an half,
Troches of Vipers two ounces, the juice of
Sorrel, Sow Thistles, Scordium, Vipers Bug-
loss, Borrage, Bawm, of each half a pound,
Hypocistis two drams, of the best Treacle
and Mithridate, of each six ounces, old
Wine three pounds, of the best Sugar, or
choice Honey eight pounds six ounces.
These being all chosen and prepared with
diligence and art, let them be made into an
electuary just as Treacle or Mithridate is.
CulpeperJ] The title shews you the scope
of the author in compiling it, I believe it is
excellent for those uses. The dose of this
is foom a scruple to four scruples, or a dram
and an half: It provokes sweating abun-
dantly, and in this or any other sweating
medicine, order your body thus: Take it in
bed, and cover yourself warm, in your
sweating, drink posset-drink as hot as you
can, if it be for a fever, bail Sorrel and red
Sage in posset-drink, sweat an hour or two if
your strength will bear it, then the chamber
being kept very warm, shift yourself all but
your head, about which (your cap which
you sweat in being kept on) wrap a hot
napkin, which will be a means to repel the
vapours back. This I hold the best method
for sAvcaling in levers and pestilences, in
which this electuary is very good. I am
very lolli to leave out this medicine, which
if it were stretched out, and cut in thongs,
would reach round the Avorld.
Requies. Nicholaus.
College.'] Take of red Rose leaves, the
whites being cutoff, blue Violets, of each
three drams. Opium of Thebes, dissolved
in Wine, the seeds of white Henbane,
Poppies white and black, the roots of Man-
drakes, theseeds of Endive, Purslain, garden
Lettuce, Psyllium, Spodium, Gum Traga-
canth, of each two scruples and five grains.
Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Ginger, of each a dram
and an half, Sanders, yellow, white, and
red, of each a dram and an hajf, Sugar
tnree times their weight, dissolved in Rose-
water : mix them together, and make of
them an electuary according to art.
Culpeper.] I like not the receipt taken
inwardly.
Electuarium Regince Coloniens.
College.'] Take of the seeds of Saxifrage
and Gromwell, juice of Liquorice, of each
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 3^
half an ounce, the seeds of Caraway, | Pilulce Aggregntivai.
Annis, Smallage, Fennel, Parsley of Mace- I College.'] Take of Citron, Myrobalans,
donia. Broom, Carrots, Bruscus, Asparagus, \ Rhubarb, of each half an ounce, juice of
Lovage, Cummin, Juniper, Rue, Siler i Agrimony and Wormwood made thick, of
Mountain, the seeds of Acorus, Pennyroyal, leach two drams, Diagridiuni five drams,
Cinquefoyl, Bayberries, of each two drams, 1 Agarick, Colocynthis, Polypodium of each
Indian Spikenard, Schoenanth, Amber, itwodrams,Turbith, Aloes, of each six drams,
Valerian, Hog's Fennel, Lapis Lincis, of jMastich, red Roses, Sal. Gem. Epithymum,
each a dram and an half, Galanga, Ginger, | Annis, Ginger, of each a dram, with Syrup
Turbith, of each two drams, Sena an ounce, | of Damask Roses, make it into a mass
Goat's blood prepared half an ounce, mix | according to atrt.
them together : first beat them into powder, \ Culpeper.'] It purges the head of choler,
then make them into an electuary accord- 1 flegm and melancholy, and that stoutly : it
ing to art, with three times their weight in ; is good against quotidian agues, and faults
Sugar dissolved in white Wine, | in the stomach and liver, yet because it is
Culpeper.] It is an excellent remedy for I well corrected if you take but half a dram
the stone and wind cholic, a dram of it | at a time, and keep yourself warm, I sup-
taken every morning : I assure such as are \ pose you may take it without danger,
troubled with such diseases, 1 commend it ? Pilulee Alcephongina.
to them as a jewel. j College.'] Take of Cinnamon, Cloves,
Cardamoms the less. Nutmegs, Mace, Cala-
■ musArornaticuSjCarpobalsamum, or Juniper
berries, Squinanth, Wood of Aloes, yellow
J Sanders, red Roses dried. Wormwood, of
PILLS.
^ , T T,.,, • /-I 1 11 J ^ each half an ounce, let the tincture betaken
Culpeper.-] Pills m Greek are called, . ^^^ ^j. ^^ y^^. j ^^^-^^^^ -^ .^.^
Kaopotm, lu Latin P^/«/^ : which signifies , ^^^. ^,^^ ^^^ J geing close stopped ; in
little bans, because they are made up in such . ^^^.^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^.^ ^.^^- being strained,
a form, that thay may be the better swallow- «, ^j^^^^^;^ ^j^^^ ^^^ ,,^^ ^^^.^^ |^j ^,j^,
ed down, by reason of the offensiveness of | ^^j^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^jl^j^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^g j^.^,f
tneir taste. ^^^ ounce. Saffron two drams. Balsam of
PiluliB de Aganco. « Peru one dram, the superfluous liquor being
Or Pills of Agarick , consumed, either over hot ashes, or a batli,
Collegel] Take of Agarick three drams, j bring it into a mass of pills,
our own blue Orris roots, Mastich, Hore- 5 Culpeper^ It cleanses both stomach ami
hound, of each one dram, Turbith five J brain of gross and putrified humours, and
drams. Species Hiera Picra half an ounce, | sets the senses free when they are thereby
Colocynthis, Sarcocol, of each two drams, j troubled, it cleanses the brain offended by
Myrrh one dram, Sapa as much as is suf- 1 ill humours, wind, &c. helps vertigo and
ficient to make it into a mass according to i head-aches, and strengthens the brain ex-
art. I ceedingly, helps concoction, and strengthens
Culpeper.] It was invented to cleanse ; the stomach, one dram taken at night going
the breast and lungs of flegm, it works 5 lo bed, will work gently next day: if the
pretty strongly. Half a dram at a time ? party be weak, you may give less, if strong
(keeping yourselfwarm,) cannot well do you J more. If you take but half a dram, you
Aarni, unless your body be very weak. 5 may go abroad the next day: but if yon take
4s.
UO THE COMPLETE HERBAL
a dram, you may keep the house ; there i Filnla Cochiee, the greater.
can be no harm in that. j College.'] Take of Species, Hiera Picra,
FilulcE de Aloe Lota. >ten drams, Troch, Alhandal, three drams
Or Pills of washed Aloes. |and an half, Diacrydium two drams and
College.'] Take of Aloes washed with [an half, Turbith, Stoechas, of each five
juice of red Roses, one ounce, Agarick three \ drams, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup
drams, Mastich two drams, Diamoscu | of Stcechas, make it into a mass, according
Dulce half a dram. Syrup of Damask-roses, | to art.
so much as is sufficient to make it into a i Culpcper.] It is held to purge the head,
mass according to art. 5 but it is but a dogged purge at best, and
Culpeper.] It purges both brain, stomach, | must be given only to strong bodies, and
bowels, and eyes of putrified humours, and J but half a dram at a time, and yet with
also strengthens them. Use these as the j great care,
succeeding. \ Pihilts Cochice, the less.
Aloe Rosata. i College.] Take of Aloes, Scammony,
College.] Take of Aloes in powder four | Colocynthis, of each one ounce, with equal
ounces, juice of Damask Roses clarified one j parts of Syrup of Wormwood, and of purg-
pound, mix them and digest them in the; ing thoin, make it into a mass according to
sun, or in a bath, till the superfluous liquor | art.
be drawn off, digest it, and evaporate it| Pihila de Cynoglosso.
four times over, and keep the mass. 5 Or Pills of Hound's-tongue.
Culpeper.] It is a gallant gentle purger of} College.] Take of the Roots of HoundV-
choler, frees the stomach from superfluous i tongue dried, white Henbane seed. Opium
humours, opens stoppings, and other infir- ; prepared, of each half an ounce, Alyrrh
mities of the body proceeding from cholerjsix drams, Ohbanum five drams, Saffron,
and flegm, as yellow jaundice, &c. and | Castoreum, Styrax, Calauiitis, of each one
strengthens the body exceedingly. Take a| dram and an half, with Syrup of Stoechas,
scruple, or half a dram at night going to | make it into a mass.
bed, you may walk abroad, for it will hardly I Culpeper.] It stays hot rheums that fall
work till next day in the afternoon. \ down upon the lungs, therefore is good in
Pilulee Aureee. > phthisics, also it mitigates pain, a scruple is
College^ Take of Aloes, Diacrydium, I enough to take at a lime going to bed, and
of each five drams, red Roses, Smallage|too much if your body be weak: have a
seeds, of each two drams and an half, the I care of opiates for fear they make you sleep
seeds of Annis and Fennel, of each one i your last,
dram and an half, Mastich, Saffron, Troch, I Filidce ex Duobi/s.
Alhandal, of each one dram, with a sufficient I Or Pills of two things,
quantity of Honey Roses, make it into aj College.] Take of Colocynthis, and
mass according to art. iScamony, of each one ounce, oil of Cloves
Culpeper.] They are held to purge the! as much as is sufficient to malax them well,
head, to quicken the senses, especially thej then with a little Synip of purging Thorn,
sight, and to expel wind from the bowels, | make it into a mass.
but works something harshly. Haifa dram* Pihdce de Frnpatorio.
is the utmost dose, keep the fire, take them? Or Pills of Eupatorium.
in the morning, and sleep after them, they J College.] Take of the juice of Maudlin,
will v/ork before noon. and Wormwood made thick, Citron, Myro-
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
341
balans, of each three drams, Rhubarb three | dram and an half, Avith the Syrup of the
drams and an half, Mastich one dram, Aloes j juice of Coleworts made with honey, make it
five drams, Saffron half a dram, Syrup of i into a mass according to art.
the juice of Endive, as much as is sufficient? CulpeperJ] They are good against the
to make it into a mass. I gout, and other cold afflictions of the joints
Culpeper.^ It is a gallant gentle purge, j These are more moderate by half than
and strengthening, fitted for such bodies as I Filulce Fatida, and appropriated to the
are much weakned by disease of choler. ; same diseases.
The author appropriates it to such as have | Pilula de Hiera cum Agarico.
tertian agues, the yellow jaundice, ob-1 Or Pills of Hiera with Agarick,
structions or stoppings of the liver; half a| College^] Take of Species Hiera Picra,
dram taken at night going to bed, will work | Agarick, of each half an ounce. Aloes one
with an ordinary body, the next day by » ounce. Honey Roses so much as is sufficient
noon. I to make it into a mass according to art.
PHiiCiB Fcetidce. \ Pilidce Imperiales.
Or Stinking Pills. \ Or Imperial Pills.
College.'] Take of Aloes, Colocynthis, | College.'] Take of Aloes two ounces,
Ammoniacum,Sagapen, Myrrh, Rue-seeds, j Rhubarb one ounce and an half, Agarick,
Epithymum, of each five drams, Scamony I Sena, of each one ounce. Cinnamon three
three drams, the roots of Turbilh half an I drams, Ginger two drams. Nutmegs, Cloves,
ounce, the roots of Spurge the less prepared, \ Spikenard, Mastich, of each one dram .
Hermodactils of each two drams. Gingers with Syrup of Violets, make it into a mass
one dram and an half, Spikenard, Cinnamon, | according to art.
Saffron, Castoreum, of each one dram, Cidpeper.] It cleanses the body of mixt
Euphorbium prepared two scruj)les, dissolves humours, and strengthens the stomach, ex-
the Gums in juice of Leeks, and with ceedingly, as also the bowels, liver, and
Syrup made with the juice of Leeks and | natural spirits : it is good for cold natures.
Sugar, make it into a mass. I and cheers the spirits. The dose is a scruple
Cidpeper.] They purge gross and raw | or half a dram, taken at night,
tlegm, and diseases thereof arising ; gouts | Pilidie de Lapide Lazuli.
of all sorts, pains in the back-bone, andj Or Pills of Lapis Lazuli,
other joints : it is good against leprosies, | Colkge.] Take of Lapis Lazuli in pow-
and other such like infirmities of the skin, i der and well Avashed, five drams, Epithy-
I fancy not the receipt much. | mum, Polypodium, Agarick, of each an
Pilula de Hermodadilis. ounce, Scamony, black Hellebore roots
Or Pills of Hermodactils. | Sal. Gem. of each two drams and an half;
College.] Take of Sagapcn six drams, I Cloves, Annis seeds, of each half an ounce,
• Opopanax three drams, mell them in warm j Species Hiera simple fifteen drams.
juice of Coleworts, so much as is sufficient,
then strain it through a convenient rag,
afterwards boil it to a mean thickness, then
take of Hermodactils, Aloes, Citron, Myro-
balans, Turbith,Coloquintida,soft Bdellium,
of each six drams, Euphorbium prepared,
the seeds of Rue and Smallage, Castoreum,
with
make it
Syrup of the juice of Fumitory
into a mass according to art.
Cidpeper.] It purges melancholy very
violently.
PihdcB Maori.
College^ Take of Aloes two ounces,
Mastich half an ounce, dried Marjoram two
Sarcocol, of each three drams, Saflrron one drams, Salt of Wormwood one dram, make
S42
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
them all, being in powder, into amass ac-;the Gums being dissolved in clarified juice
cording to art with juice of Colewoits and \ of Coleworts, with Syrup of the juice of
Sugar, so much as is sufiicient. j Coleworts, make them into a mass accord-
Culpeper.'] It strengthens both stomach { ing to art.
and brain, especially the nerves and mus- 1 Culpeper.'] It helps tremblings, palsies,
cJes, and eases them of such humours as I gouts of all sorts, cleanses the joints, and i»
afflict them, and hinder the motion of the 1 helpful for such as are troubled with cold
body, they open obstructions of the liver I afflictions of the nerves. It works violently,
and spleen, and takes away diseases thence \ Pilulte Rudii.
coming. | Co//ege.] Take of Coloquintida six drams,
Piliila MastichincE. \ Agarick, Scaniony, the roots of black Helle-
Or Mastich Pills. | bore, and Turbith, of each half an ounce.
College^ Take of Mastich two ounces, | Aloes one ounce, Diarrhodon Abbatis half
Aloes four ounces, Agarick, Species Hiera '| an ounce, let all of them (the Diarrh. Abbatis
simple, of each one ounce and an half, j excepted) be grossly bruised, and infused
with Syrup of Wormwood, make it into a \ eight days in the best spirits of Wine in a
mass according to art. < vessel close stopped, in the sun, so that the
Culpeper] They purge very gently, but 'liquor may swim at top the breadth of six
siiengthen much, both head, brain, eyes, | fingers : afterwards infuse the Diarrhodon
belly, and reins. \ Abbatis in the same manner four days in
Pilula Mechoacanee. \ Aqua vita?, then having strained and
Or Pills of Mechoacan. | pressed them hard, mix them both together.
College.] Take of Mechoacan roots half I casting the dross away, and draw off the
an ounce, Turbith three drams, the leaves • moisture in a glass Alembick, and let the
of Spurge steeped in Vinegar and dried, | thick matter remain in a mass,
the seeds of Walwort, Agarick trochiscated, I Culpeper.] It cleanses both head and
of each two drams. Spurge roots prepared, \ body of choler, flegm, and melancholy : it
Mastich, of each one dram and an half, must not be taken in any great quantity.
Mace, Cinnamon, Sal. Gem. of each two half a dram is sufficient for the strongest
scruples, beat them into powder, and with body.
white Wine, bring them into a mass. When j Pilulce Russi.
itisdry, beat it into powder, and with Syrup I College.] Take of Aloes two ounces,
made with the juice of Orris roots and sugar, I Myrrh one ounce. Saffron half an ounce,
make it the second time into a mass for j with Syrup of the juice of Lemons, make
pills. jit into a mass according to art.
Culpeper.] They purge flegm very | Culpeper.] A scruple taken at night
violently. 1 going to bed, is an excellent preservative in
PilulcB de Opopanace. \ pestilential limes ; also they cleanse the
Or Pills of Opopanax. | body of such humours as are gotten by sur-
College.] Take of Opopanax, Sagapen, | feits, they strengthen the heart, and weak
Bdellium, Ammoniacum, Hermodactils, \ stomachs, and work so easily that you need
Coloquintida, of each five drams. Saffron, | not fear following your business the next
Castoreum, Myrrh, Ginger, white Pepper, j day.
Cassia Lignea, Citron, Myrobalans, of each | Pilula sine Quibus. '
one dram, Scamony two drams, Turbith j Or Pills without which
half an ounce, Aloes an ounce and an half, : College.] -Take of washed Aloes fourteen
AISD ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
313
firsms, Scammony prepared six drams, of each two drams, Aloes five drams, Agaric
Agarick, Rhubarb, Sena, of each half ansa dram and an half, long Birthwort half a
ounce, Wormwood, red Roses exungulated,j dram, with Syrup of Wormwood make it
Violet flowers, Dodder, Maslich, of each | into a mass.
one dram, salt of Wormwood, of each halfi Cidpepei\'] It amends the evil state of a
a dram, with Syrup of the juice of Fennel j woman's body, strengthens conception, and
made with Honey, make it into a mass | takes away what hinders it ; it gently purges
according to art. | choler and flegni, and leaves a binding,
Cutpeper.'] It purges flegm, choler, and | strengthening quality behind it.
melancholy from the head, makes the sight j Fihilie ex Tribiis.
and hearing good, and gives ease to a bur- 1 Or Pills of three things.
dened brain. ^ College.'] Take of Mastich two ounces,
Piluhe Stomachue. | Aloes four ounces, Agarick, Hiera simple,
Or Stomach Pills. j of each an ounce and an half, Rhubarb two
College.'] Take of Aloes six drams, jounces, Cinnamon two drams, with Syrup of
Mastich, red Roses, of each two drams, \ Succory, make it into a mass according to
with Syrup of Wormwood, make it into a | art.
n)ass according to art. | Cidpeper.] They gently purge choler,
Ciilpepe?-] They cleanse and strengthen the land help diseases thence arising, as itch,
stomach,they cleanse but gently, strengthen I scabs, wheals, &c. They strengthen the
much, help digestion. | stomach and liver, and open obstructions, as
Pilidce Stomachict own Gunmii. | also lielp the yellow jaundice.
Or Stomach Pills with Gums. | Pilulce Turpeti Anrete.
College.] Take of Aloes an ounce, Sena ? College.] Take of Turbith two ounces,
five drams, Gum Amoniacum dissolved in | Aloes an ounce and an half, Citron MyrO'
Elder-flowerVinegarhalfanounce,Mastich,t balans ten drams, red Roses, Mastich, of
Myrrh, of each a dram and an half. Saffron, (each six drams. Saffron three drams, beat
salt of Wormwood, of each half a dram, | them all into powder, and with Syrup of
with Syru{) of purging Thorn, make it into* Wormwood bring them, into a mass,
a mass according to art. | Culpeper.] They purge choler and flegm,
Cidpeper.] They work more strongly ^ and that with as much gentleness as can be
than the former.
Pdidce e Styrace.
Or Pills of Styrax.
College^ Take of Styrax
Olibanum, Myrrh, juice of
\ desired ; also they strengthen the stomach
land liver, and help digestion.
Laudanum.
Calamitis, ; College.] Take of Thebane Opium ex-
Liquorice, I tracted in spirit of Wine, one ounce, Safiron
Opium, of each half an ounce, with Syrup I alike extracted, a dram and an half, Cas-
of white Poppies, make it into amass ac-|torium one dram: let them be taken in
cording to art. ' tincture of half an ounceof species Diambrae
Cidpeper.] They help such as are i newly made in spirit of Wine, add to them
troubled with defluxion of rheum, coughs, | Ambergris, Musk, of each six grains,
and provoke sleep to such as cannot sleep | 'oil of Nutmegs ten dro[)s, evaporate the
for coughing.
}
moisture away in a bath, and leave the
Pdul(B . de Siiccino. x mass.
Or Pills of Amber j Culpeper.] It was invented (and a gal-
College.] Take of white Amber, Mastich, I lant invention it is) to mitigate violent
' 4 T
344
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
pains, stop the fumes that trouble the brain
in fevers, (but beware of Opiates in the be-
ginning of fevers) to provoke sleep, take not
above two grains of it at a time, going to
bed : if that provoke not sleep, the next
niglit you may make bold with three. Have
a care how you be too busy with such
medicines, lest you make a man sleep to
doom's-day.
Nepenthes Opiaium.
College.'] Take of tincture of Opium
made first with distilled Vinegar, then with
spirit of Wine, SatFron extracted in spirit of
Wine, oi' each an ounce, salt of Pearl and
Coral, of each half an ounce, tincture of
species Diambrae seven drams, Ambergris
one dram : bring them into the form of Pills
by the gentle heat of a bath.
Culpeper.] The operation is like the
former.
PilulcB Assaireth. Avicenna.
College.'] Take of Species Hiera Picra
Galeni one ounce, Mastich, Citron Myro-
bklans, of each half an ounce. Aloes two
ounces, the Syrup of Stoechas as much as
is sufficient, make of them a mass accord-
mg to art.
Culpeper.] It purges choler and flegm,
and strengthens the whole body exceed-
ingly, being very precious for such whose
bodies are weakened by surfeits, or ill diet,
to take half a dram or a scruple at night
going to bed.
Pills of Bdellium. Mesue.
College.] Take of Bdellium ten drams,
Myrobalans, Bellericks, Emblicks, and
Blacks, of each five drams, flakes of Iron,
Leek seeds, of each three drams, Choncula
V'^eneris burnt. Coral burnt. Amber, of each
a dram and an half, Pearls half an ounce,
dissolve the Bdellium in juice of Leeks and
•vvith so much Syrup of juice of Leeks as is
sufficient, make it into a mass according to
art.
; seldom used, and therefore arc hardl}' to be
' had.
Pills of Ixluiharh. IMesue.
Colkge^^ Take of choice Rhubarb three
drams, Citron Myrobalans, Trochisci Diarr-
hodon, of each three drams and an half,
ijuice of Liijuorice, and juice of Worm-
\ wood, Mastich, of each one dram, the seeds
I of Smallage and Fennel, of each half a
jdran). Species Hiera Picra simp. Galeni,
I ten drams, with juice of Fennel not clarified,
I and Honey so much as is sufficient, make it
I into a mass.
; Culpeper^ It purges choler, opens ob-
istructions of the liver, helps the yellow
i jaundice, and dropsies in the beginning,
i strengthens the stomach and lungs.
I Pilulce Arabica. Nicholaus.
\ College.] Take of the best Aloes four
i ounces, Briony roots, Myrobalans, Citrons,
jChebs, Indian Bellerick, and Emblick,
I Mastich, Diagrydium, Asarabacca, Roses,
iof each an ounce, Castorium three drams,
j Saffron one dram, with Syrup of Worm-
5 wood, make it into a mass according to art.
\ Culpeper.] It helps such women as are
not sufficiently purged in their labour, helps
to bring away what a careless midwife hatli
left behind, purges the head, helps head-
ach, megrim, vertigo, and purges the
stomach of vicious humours.
Pilulce Arthriticce. Nicholaus.
College^ Take of Hermodactils, Turbith,
Agarick, of each half an ounce, Cassia
liignea, Indian Spikenard, Cloves, Xylobal-
sanmn), or Wood of Aloes, Carpobalsamum
or Cubebs, Mace, Galanga, Ginger, Mas-
1 tich, Assafoetida, the seeds of Annis, Fennel,
; Saxifrage, Sparagus, Bruscus, Roses, Grom-
jwell, Sal. Gem. of each two drams, Scam-
|mony one ounce, of the best Aloes, the
1 weight of them all, juice of Chamepitys
I made thick with sugar, so much as is suf-
ificient: or Syrup of the juice of the same.
I so much as is sufficient to make it into a
Culpeper.] Both this and the former are I mass.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
34j
Ctilpeper.] It helps the gout, and other i age, Schaenanthus, Mastich, Asarabacca
pains in the joints, comforts and strengthens
both brain and stomach, and consmues dis-
eases whose original comes of flegm.
Filula; Cochioe with Helebore.
CoUege.'l Take of the powder of the
roots, Cloves, Cinnamon, Cassia Lignea,
Saffron, Mace, of each two drams, Myro-
balans, Citrons, Chebuls, Indian Bellerick,
and Emblick, Rhubarb, of each half an
ounce, Agarick, Sena, of each five drams,
Pills before prescribed, the powder of the | Aloes Succotrina, the weight of them all :
bark of the roots of black Hellebore, one | with Syrup of the juice of Fennel make
ounce : make it into a mass with Syrup ofjit into a mass according to art.
Stoechas according to art. i Culpeper.'] It purges mixt humours
Pills of Fumitory. Aviceiina. i from the head, and clears it of such excre-
Colkge.'] Take of Myrobalans, Citrons, i| ments as hinder the sight.
Chebs, and Indian Diagrydium, of each \ puis of Spurge. Fernelius.
five drams, Aloes seven drams; let all of| College.-] Take of the bark of the roots
g brmsed, be thrice moistened !f g ^^^ ^^ ^1^^ j^^^^ ^^^^^^^ twenty-four
of Fumitory, and thrice suffered ^^^^^.^^^,^^5^^^^^^^ • j^^ of Purslain, two
them beins
with juice
to dry, then brought into a mass with Syrup
of Fumitory.
Culpeper.-] It purges melancholy. Be
not too busy with it I beseech you.
Pihdee Indce. Mesne out of Haly.
College.] Take of Indian Myrobalans,
black Hellebore, Polypodium of the Oak,
of each five drams, Epithymuin, Stoechas,
of each six drams, Agarick, Lapis Lazuli
often washed troches Alhandal, Sal Indi, of
each half an ounce, juice of Maudlin made
thick, Indian Spikenard, of each two drams,
Cloves one dram, Species Hiera Picra
J*
drams, grains of Palma Christi terrified,
by number, forty. Citron Myrobalans one
dram and an half. Germander, Chamepitys,
Spikenard, Cinnamon, of each two scruples,
being beaten into fine powder with an ounce
of Gum Tragacanth dissolved in Rose
Water, and Syrup of Roses so much as is
sufficient, let it be made into a mass.
Pills of Euphorbium. Mesne.
College.] Take of Euphorbium, Colo-
cynthis, Agarick, Bdellium, Sagapenum,
of each two drams. Aloes five drams, with
simplex Galeni, twelve drams, with juice of : ^^^"P "^^^^ "^ the juice of Leeks, make it
8mallage, make it into a mass according to j "^^'^ ^ mass
art.
Cidpeper.] Itwonderfully prevails against
afflictions coming of melancholy, cancers
which are not ulcerated, leprosy, evils of
tfie mind coming of melancholy, as sad-
ness, fear, &c. quartan agues, jaundice,
pains and infirmities of the spleen.
Pilulee Lucis Majorcs. Mesue.
College^ Take of Roses, Violets, Worm- j per half a dram, Sapa so much as is siif-
v/ood, Colocynthis, Turbith, Cubebs, Gala- j ficient to make it into a mass according to
mus Aromaticus, Nutmegs, Indian Spike-; art.
iiard, Epithimum, Carpobalsamum, or| Culpeper^ It is appropriated to such as
nstead thereof. Cardamoms, Xylabalsamum, : have phthisicks, and such as spit blood, but
or Wood of Aloes, the seeds of Seseli or \ ought to be newly made, a scruple is suf-
Hartwort, Rue, Annis, Fennel and Small- j ficient taken going to bed.
Culpeper.] The Pills are exceeding good
for dropsies, pains in the loins, and gouts
coming of a moist cause. Take not above
half a dram at a time and keep the house
PilulcB Scribonii.
College.] Take of Sagapen, and Myrrh,
of each two drams. Opium, Cardamoms,
Castorium, of each one dram, white Pep-
JilC
THE COMPLEIE HERBAL
TROCHES.
Trochisci de Absinthio.
Or Troches of Wormwood.
College.'] Take of red Roses, Wormwood
leaves, Annis seeds, of each two drams,
juice of Maudlin made thick, the roots of
Asarabacca, Rhubarb, Spikenard, Smallage
seeds, bitter Almonds, Mastich, Mace, of
each cne dram, juice of Succory so much
as is sufficient to make it into troches ac-
cording to art. ,
Culpeper."] They strengthen the stomach
exceedingly, open abstructions, or stopp-
ings of the belly and bowels : strengthen
digestion, open the passages of the liver,
help the yellow jaundice, and consume
watery superfluities of the body. They are
somewhat bitter, and seldom taken alone ;
if your pallate aifect bitter things, you may
take a dram of them in the morning : They
cleanse the body of choler, but purge not,
or not to any purpose.
Agaricus Trochiscatus.
Or Agarick Trochiscated.
College.l Take of Agarick sifted and
powdered, three ounces, steep it in a suf-
ficient (juantity of white Wine, in which
two drams of ginger have been infused, and
make it into troches.
Trochisci Albi. Rhasis.
Or white Troches.
College^ Take of Ceruss washed in
Rosewaterten drams, Sarcocol three drams,
white Starch two drams, Gum Arabic and
Tragacanth, of each one dram, Camphire
half a dram, either Avith Rosewater, or
women's milk, or make it into troches ac-
cording to art.
Trochisci Alexiterii.
College^ Take of Zedoary roots, pow-
der of Crab's Claws, of eacli one dram,
and an half, the outward Citron preserved
and dried, Angelica seeds. Pills, of each
one dram, Bole-amoniac half a dram.
with their treble weight in sugar make them
into powder, and with a sufficient quantity
of Mussilage of Gum Tragacanth, made
into treacle water distilled, make it into
paste, of which make troches.
Culpeper^ This preserves the body from
ill airs, and epidemical diseases, as the pes-
tilence, small pox, (Sec. and strengthens the
heart exceedingly, eating now and then a
little : you may safely keep any troches in
your pocket, for the drier you keep them,
the better they are.
Trochisci Alhandal.
College^ Take of Coloquintida freed
from the seeds and cut small, and rubbed
with an ounce of oil of Roses, then beaten
into fine powder, ten ounces, Gum Arabic,
Tragacanth, Bdellium, of each six drams.
Steep the Gums three or four days in a suf-
ficient quantity of Rose-water till they be
melted, then with the aforesaid pulp, and
part of the said mussilage, let them be
dried in the shadow, then beaten again,
and with the rest of the mussilage, make it
up again, dry them and keep them for use.
Citlpepcr-I They are too violent for a
vulgar use.
Trochisci AlipttB MoschaicB.
College.] Take of Labdanum bruised
three ounces, Styrax Calamitis one ounce
and an half, Benjamin one ounce, Wood of
Aloes two drams. Ambergris one dram,
Camphire half a dram. Musk half a scruple,
with a sufficient quantity of Rose-Avater,
make it into troches according to art.
Cidpeper.] It is singularly good for such
as are asthmatic, and can hardly fetch their
breath ; as also for young children, whose
throat is so narrow that they can hardly
swallow down their milk.
Trochisci A Ikehevgi.
Or Troches of Winter-cherries.
College^ Take of Winter Cherries three
drams. Gum Arabic, Tragacanth, Oliba-
num, Dragan's-blood, Pine-nuts, bitter
Almonds, white Styrax, juice of Liquorice,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED 847
Bole-ammoniac, white Poppy seeds, of each | half, Camphire half a dram ; v/ith IManna
six drams, the seeds of Melons, Cucumbers, j dissolved in juice of Barberries, make thcnj
Citruls, Gourds, of each three drams and an > into troches according to art.
half, the seeds of Smallage and white Hen- 1 Culpeper.'] They wonderfully cool the
bane, Amber, Earth of Lemnos, Opium, | heat of the liver, reins, and bladder, breast,
of each two drams, with juice of fresh ; and stomach, and stop looseness, cools the
Winter-Cherries, make them into troches \ heat of fevers.
according to art. i Trochisci de Camphora.
Culpeper.'] They potently provoke urine, | Or, Troches of Camphire.
and break the stone. Mix them with other i College.] Take of Camphire half a dram,
medicine of that nature, half a dram at a | Saffron two drams, white Starch three
time, or a dram if age permit. i I drams, red Roses, Gum Arabic, and Tra-
Trochiscl Bechici aloi, vel^ liotida pectoralcs. \ gacanth. Ivory, of each half an ounce, the
Or, Pectoral Rolls. > seeds of Cucumbers husked, of Purslain,
College!] Take of white Sugar one pound,; Liquorice, of each an ounce, with mussi-
white Sugar Candy, Penids, of each four;lage of the seeds of Fleawort, drawn in
ounces. Orris Florentine one ounce, Liquo-| Rose-water, make them into troches,
rice six drams, while Starch one ounce and ; Culpeper.] It is exceeding good in hum-
an half, with a sufficient (luantity of mus- I ing fevers, heat of blood and choler, together
silage of Gum Tragacanth made in Rose j with hot distempers of the stomach and
Water, make them into small troches. > liver, and extreme thirst coming thereby.
You may add four grains of Ambergris, | also it is good against the yellow jaundice,
and three grains of Musk to them, if occa-i phthisics, and hectic fevers,
sion serve. 5 Trochisci de Capparibus.
Trochisci Bechici nigri. \ Or, Troches of Capers.
College.] Take of juice of Licjuorice, I College.] Take of the bark of Caper
white Sugar, of each one dram. Gum Tra-; roots, the seeds of Agnus Caslus. of each
gacanth, sweet Almonds blanched, of each j six drams, Ammoniacum half an ounce, the
six drams, with a sufficient quantity of: seeds of Water Cresses and Nigella, the
mussilage of Quince seeds, made thick with! leaves of Calaminth and Rue, the roots of
Rose Water. Make them into troches ac-jAcorus and long Birthwort, the juice of
cording to art. | Maudlin made thick, bitter iVImonds, of
Culpeper.] Both this and the former \ each two drams, Hart's-tongue, the roots of
will melt in ones mouth, and in that manner | round Cypress, Madder, Gum Lac. of each
to be used by such as are troubled with 1 one dram : being bruised let them be niade
coughs, cold, hoarseness, or want of voice. ! into troches according to art, with Ammo-
The former is most in use, but in my opinion, * niacum dissolved in Vinegar, and boiled to
the latter is most effectual. | the thickness of Honey.
Trochisci de Barberis. | Culpeper.] They open stop[)ings of the
Or, Troches of Barberries. | liver and spleen, and help diseases thereof
College.] Take of juice of Barberries, \ coming ; as rickets, hypochondriac melan-
and Liquorice made thick, Spodium, Pur- j choly, &c. Men may take a dram, chil-
slain seeds, of each three drams, red Roses, 5 dren a scruple in the morning.
six drams, Indian Spikenard, Saffron, white \ Trochisci de Carabe.
Starch, Gum Tragacanth, of each a dram,: Or, Troches of Amber.
Citrul seeds cleansed three drams and an ' College.] Take of Amber an ounce,
i V
j54« THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Flarl's-horn burnt, Gum • Arabic burnt, | in a mortar, add the powders, and with new
red Coral burnt, Tragacanth, Acacia, Hypo- 1 juice make it into troches.
cistis, Balaustincs, Mastich, Gum Lacca : Culpeper.'] Obstructions, or stoppings,
washed, black Poppy seeds roasted, of each x and swelling above nature, both of the liver
two drams and two scruples. Frankincense, j and spleen, are cured by the inward taking
Saffron, Opium, of each two drams, with a | of these troches,and diseases thereof coming,
sufficient quantity of mussilage of the seeds ? as yellow and black jaundice, the beginning
of Fleawort drawn in Plantain Water, make : of dropsies, &c.
them into troches according to art. \ Troches of Gallia Moschata.
Culpeper.'] They were invented to stop \ College.'] Take of Wood of Aloes five
fluxes of blood in any part of the body, the ;' drams. Ambergris three drams. Musk one
menses, the haemorrhoids or piles; they also 5 dram, with mussilage of Gum Tragacanth
help ulcers in the breast and lungs. The j made in Rose Water, make it into troches
dose is from ten grains to a scruple. j according to art.
Trochisci Cypheos, for Mithridale. \ Culpeper.] They strengthen the brain
College.] Take of pulp of Raisins of the 1 and heart, and by consequence botli vital
Sun, Cypress, Turpentine, of each three | and annual spirits, and cause a sweet breath,
ounces. Myrrh, Squinanth, ofeach an ounce I They are of an extreme price, therefore I
and an half. Cinnamon half an ounce, ; pass by the dose.
Calamus Aromaticus nine drams, the roots j Trochisci Gordonii.
of round Cypress, and Indian Spikenard, j College.] Take of the four greater cold
Cassia Lignea, Juniper berries, 13delhum, | seeds husked, the seeds of Avhite Poppies,
Aspalthus or Wood of Aloes, two drams | Mallows, Cotton, Purslain, Quinces, Mirtles,
and an half. Saffron one dram, clarified ; Gum Tragacanth, and Arabic, Fistic-nuls,
Honey as much as is sufficient, Canary $ Pine-nuts, Sugar-candy, Penids, Liquorice,
Wine a little : let the Myrrh and Bdellium ; French-barley, mussilage of Fleawort seeds,
be ground in a mortar with the wine, to the ; sweet Almonds blanched, of each two
thickness of liquid Honey, then add the i drams. Bole-ammoniac, Dragon's-blood,
Turpentine, then the pulp of Raisins, then i Spodium, red Roses, Myrrh, of each half
the powders : at last with the Honey, let > an ounce, with a sufficient ((uantity of
them all be made into troches. j Hydromel, make it into troches according
Culpeper.] It is excellently good against ; to art.
inward ulcers in what part of the body ; Culpeper.] They are held to be very
soever they be. It is chiefly used in com- i good in ulcers of the bladder, and all othet
positions, as Treacle and Mithridate. i inward ulcers whatsoever, and ease fevers
Trochisci de Eupatorio. \ coming thereby, being of a fine cooling.
Or Troches of Maudlin. ; slippery heating nature.
College.] Take of the juice of Maudlin \ Trochisci Hedichroi, (Galen) for Treacle.
made thick. Manna, ofeach an ounce, red ; College.] Take of Aspalthus, or yellow
Roses half an ounce, Spodium three drams i Sanders, the leaves of Mastich, the roots of
and an half. Spikenard three drams, Rhu- 5 Asarabacca, of each twodrams, Rhupontic,
barb, Asarabacca roots, Annis seeds, ofeach I Castus, Calamus Aromaticus, Wood ol
two drams. Let the Nard, Annis seeds, j Aloes, Cin^namon, Squinanth, Opobalsamum
and Roses, be beaten together, the Spodium, ; or oil of Nutmegs by expression, of each
Asarabacca, and Rhubarb by themselves, j three drams. Cassia Lignea, Indian I^eaf 01
then mix the Manna and juice of Maudlin < Mace, Indian Spikenard, Myrrh, Saffron.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. * 319
of each six drams, Amoinus, or Cardamoms I Sagapen, Opopanax, of each two drams,
the less, an ounce and an half, Mastich a; dissolve the Gums in Wine wherein Mug-
dram, Canary Wine as much as is sufficient. ! wort hath been boiled, or else Juniper-ber-
Let the Myrrh be dissolved in the wine, | ries, then add the rest, and with juice of
then add the Mastich and SatFron well \ Mugwort, make it into troches according
beaten, then the Opobalsamum, then the | to art.
rest in powder, and with the wine, makej Culpeper.'] They provoke the menses,
them up into troches, and dry them gently, land that with great case to such as have
Culpeper.'] They are very seldom or | them come down with pain. Take a dram
never used but in other compositions, yet | of them beaten into powder, in a spoonful
naturally they heat cold stomachs, help i or two of Syrup of Mugwort, or any other
digestion, strengthen the heart and brain. | composition tending to the same purpose
Trochisci Hysterici. \ Sief de Pliimbo.
College.] Take of Asafcetida, Galbanum, | Or Sief of Lead,
of each two drams and an half, Myrrh twoj College.] Take of licad burnt and washed,
drams, Castoreum a dram and an half, the ! Brass burnt. Antimony, Tutty washed,
roots of Asarabacca and long Birthwort, j Gum Arabic and Tragacanth of each an
the leaves of Savin, Featherfew, Nep, ofjounce. Opium half a dram, with Rose-v/ater,
each one dram, Dittany half a dram, with I make them, being beaten and sifted, into
either the juice or decoction of Rue, make I troches,
it into troches according to art. \ Trochisci Poli/ida Jlndrom.
Culpeper^ These are applied to the \ College.] Take of Pomegranate flowers
foeminine gender, help fits of the mother, | twelve drams. Roach Album three drams,
expel both birth and after-birth, cleanse Frankincense, Myrrh, of each half an ounce,
women after labour, and expel the relics of J Chalcanthum two drams, Bull's gall six
a careless midwife. j drams. Aloes an ounce, with austere Wine,
Trochisci de Ligno Aloes. ; or juice of Nightshade or Plantain, make
Or Troches of Wood of Aloes. ; them into troches according to art.
College.] Take of Wood of Aloes, red | Ctdpeper.] They are very good they say,
Roses, of each two drcims, Mastich, Cinna-'< being outwardly apj)lied, both in green
mou. Cloves, Indian Spikenard, Nutmegs, « wounds and ulcers. I fancy them not.
Parsnip seed. Cardamoms the greater and | Trochisci de Rhubarbaro.
lessen, Cubebs, Gallia Moschata, Citron ; Or Troches of Rhubarb.
Pills, Mace, of each one dram and an half, j College.] Take of Rhubarb ten drams,
Ambergris, Musk, of each half a scruple, jjuiceof Maudlin made thick, bitter Almonds,
with Honey of Raisins make it into troches. ! of each half an ounce, red Roses three
Ctdpeper.] It strengthens the heart, | drams, the roots of Asarabacca, Madder,
stoniach,and liver, takes away heart-qualms, t Indian Spikenard, the leaves of Worm-
faintings, and stinking breath, and resists j wood, the seeds of Annis and Smallage, of
the dropsy. | each one dram, with Wine in which Worm-
Trochisci e Mirrha. \ wood hath been boiled, make them into
Or Troches of Myrrh. | troches according to art.
College.] Take of Myrrh three drams, ; Culpeper.] They gently cleanse the liver,
the Meal of Lupines five drams, Madder | help the yellow jaundice, and other diseases
roots, the leaves of Rue, wild Mints, Dittany > coming of choler and stoppage of the
of Crete, Cummin seeds, Asafcetida, liver.
350
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Trochisci tie Saiitalis.
Or Troches of Sanders.
College.^ Take of the three Sanders, of
each one ounce, the seeds of Cucumbers,
Gourds, Citruls, Purslain, Spodium, of each
half an ounce, red Roses seven drams, juice
of Barberries six drams, Bole-ammoniac half
an ounce, Camphire one dram, Avith Pur-
slain Water make it into troches.
Cutpeper.'] The virtues are the same with
troches of Spodium, both of them harmless.
Trochisci da Scilla ad Theriacam.
Or Troches of Squils, for Treacle.
College.~\ Take a Squil gathered about
the beginning of July, of a middle bigness,
and the hard part to which the small roots
stick, wrap it up in paste, and bake it in an
oven, till the paste be dry, and the Squil
tender, which you may know by piercing it
with awooden skewer, orabodkin, then take
it out and bruise it in a mortar, adding to
every pound of the Squil, eight ounces of
white Orobus, or red Cicers in powder, then
make it into troches, of the weight of two
drams a piece, (your hands being anointed
with Oil of Rosfcs) dry them on the top of
the house, opening towards the South, in
the shadow, often turning them till they be
well dry, then keep them in a pewter or glass
vessel.
Trochci of Spodium.
College.'] Take of red Roses twelve
drams, Spodium ten drams, Sorrel seed six
drams, the seeds of Purslain and Coriander,
steeped in Vinegar and dried, pulp of
Sumach, of each two drams and an half,
Avhite Starch roasted,Balaustines, Barberries,
of each two drams. Gum Arabic roasted
one d^am and an half, with juice of unripe
Grapes, make it into troches.
Culpeper.~\ They are of a fine cooling
binding nature, excellent in fevers coming
of choler, especially if they be accompanied
with a looseness, they also quench thirst.
Trochisci de terra hemnia.
Or Troches of Earth of Lemnos.
College!] Take of Earth of Lemnos,
Bole-ammoniac, Acacia, Hypocystis, Gum
Arabic toasted. Dragon's blood, while
Starch, red Roses, Rose seeds. Lap. Hema-
titis, red Coral, Amber, Balaustines, Spo-
dium, Purslain seeds a little toasted, Oliba-
num, Hart's-horn burnt. Cypress Nuts,
Saffron of each two drams, black Poppy
seeds, Tragacanth, Pearls, of each one dram
and an half, Opium prepared one dram,
with juice of Plantain, make it into troches.
Sief de Thure.
Or Sief of Frankincense.
College.] Take of Frankincense, Lap
Calaminaris, Pompholix, of each ten drams,
Cyrus forty drams, Gum Arabic, Opium, of
each six drams, with fair water make it into
balls : dry them and keep them for use.
Trochisci e Violis colutivi.
Or Troches of Violets solutive.
College.] Take of Violet flowers meanly
dry, six drams, Turbith one ounce and an
half, juice of Liquorice, Scammony, Manna,
of each two drams, with Syrup of Violets,
make it into troches.
Cidpeper.] They are not worth talking
of, much less Avorth cost, the cost and labour
of making.
Trochisci de Viper a ad Theriacum.
Or 7'roches of Vipers, for Treacle.
College.] Take of the flesh of Vipers,
the skin, entrails, head, fat, and tail being
taken a^vay, boiled in water with Dill, and
a little salt, eight ounces, white bread twice
baked, grated and sifted, two ounces, make
it into troches, your hands being anointed
with Opobalsamum, or Oil of Mutmegs by
expression, dry them upon a sieve turned
the bottom upwards in an open ])lace, often
turning them till they are well dried, then
put them in a glass or stone pot glazed,
stopped close, they will keep a year, yet is
it far better to make Treacle, not long after
you have made them.
Culpeper.] They expel poison, and are
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 351
c^xcellently good, by a certain sympathetica! j You can scarce do amiss in takin<. them if
virtue, for such as are bitten by an atlder. | they please but your palate "
nochisci deAgno Casio : Trochisci Dior hodon.' Mcsue
Or Irochcs ot Agnus Castus. \ n n i r,, , ,. , ^*^""«
College] Take of the seeds of Agnus Ip^^^'''*:^ % ■'} ^'^^ Jlowers of red
Castus,' Lettuce, red Rose flowers, Balaus- j ^T'"' ^^ T'' '^P'^'"^''^' ^^°"^' ^^'^^^e*^'
tins, of each a dram, Ivory, white Amber, S f ''''' .""^ Liquorice tiiree drams,
Bole-amn)oniac washed in knotgrass Watei'iJf,-T.""^ ?'''™' ^^^'■''" ''^^^' ^ d'"^'"'
two drams. Plantain seeds four scruples, i fS'''^ ^T t''^'^'^h ''''^^'' *^''^'" "P '"*"
Sassafras two scruples, with mussilage of! *'°^^f '''''\ ''^''^ ^^^"« according to art.
Quince see<ls, extracted in water of Waiter- ! ^"^P'P'^-J ^^^J wonderfully ease fevers
lily flowers, let them be made into troches. \ ZT^l ^^'"' '•' "^Tl^T ^"^^^''' ^S"^''
Cidpepcr? Verv pretty troches ,,„a '^'"'''' t"' P''""' "' *^' ^'"^•
good for little ' ' ; irodusci de Lacca. Mesue.
Trochisci Akxilerii. Renodteus. 5 College.'] Take of Gum Lacca cleansed.
College.] Take of the roots of Gentian,!*"^ J"'^"^ o^' Liquorice, Maudlin, Worni-
Torrnentil, Orris Florentine, Zedoary, ofj"'°"'^'' ^"f' Barberries, all made thick,
each two drains^ Cinnamon, Clove% Mace, \ ^""barb, long Birthwort, Costus, Asara-
of each halt a dram, Angelica roots three! ^^'^^^' '^'"^r Almonds, Madder, Annis,
drams, Coriander seeds prepared, Roses, ofP"'^"^©^' Schasnanth, of each one (Irani,
each one dram, dried Citron pills twodrams, \ ^^^^" the decoction of Birthwort, Schananth,
beat them all into powder, and with juice of I "'■ the juice of Maudlin, or Wormwood, ■
Liquorice softened in Hippocras, six "ounces, j "^^^ them into troches according to art.
make them into soft paste, which you may \ Cidpepcr.] It helps stoppings of the l»er
form into either troches or small rolls, which I ^"'^ spleen, and fevers thence comintr, it
you please. expels wind, purges by urine, and resists
Cnlpeper.] It preserves and strengthens | "^"^psics.
the heart exceedingly, helps fiiintings andj Pastilli Adronis. Galen,
failings of the vital spirits, resists poison! College.] Take of Pomegranate flowers
and the pestilence, and is an excellent- ten drams. Copperas twelve drams, unripe
medicine for such to carry about them whose? Galls, Birthwort, Frankincense, of each an
bccasions arc to travel in pestilential places I ^'""ce, Alum, Myrrh, if each half an ounce,
and corrupt air, only taking a very smalh Misy two drams, with eighteen ounces of
quantity now and then. I austere Wine, make it into troches accord-
troches of Amiis seed. Mesue. jingtoart.
College.] Take of Annis seeds, the juice | Culpepcr.] This also is appropriated to
of Maudlin made thick, of each two drams, j wounds, ulcers, and fistulas, it clears the
tlie seeds of Dill, Spikenard, Mastich, I ears, and represses all excressences of flesh,
Indian leaf or Mace, the leaves of AVorm- > cleanses the filth of the bones.
U'ood,Asarabacca,Smallage,bitterx'\linonds, I Trochisci Musce. Galen,
of each half a dram, Aloes two drams, juice ; College.] Take of Alum, Aloes, Copperas,
of Wormwood so much as is sufficient to | Myrrh, of each six drams, Crocomawma
make it into troches according to art. -Saffron, of each three drams, Pomegranale
Culpeper.] They open obstructions of: flowers half an ounce, Wine and Honey, oj
the liver, and that very gently, and therefore | each so much as is sufficient to make it up
diseases coming thereof, help quartan agues. \ into troches according to art.
4 X
352
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Culpeper.'] Their use is the same with the »j much as is sufficient to make it into troches
!( (Hner . ; accord i ng to art.
Crocomagma of Damocrates. Galen. i Culpeper.'] Thej help pains in the
College.-] Take of Saffron an hundred ; ftomach, and indigestion, the iUiac passion,
drams, red Roses, Myrrh.ofeachfifty drams, hectic fevers, and dropsies, m the beginning,
white Starclj, Gum, of each thirty drams, 5 ^nd cause a good colour
* Irocmsct DiacoraUion. Galen.
College.'] Take of Bole-ammoniac, red
Coral, of each an ounce, Balaustines, Terra
Lemnia, white Starch, of each half an ounce,
! Hypocistis, the seeds of Henbane, Opium,
Wine, so much as is sufficient to make it
into troches.
Culpeper.] It is very expulsive, heats and
strengthens the heart and stomach.
Trochisci Ramich. Mesne. i c ' i ,. i • • i-Di * • „ ^ i
\ or eacli two drams, juice or riantain so much
College.] Take of the jmce of Sorrel Lig i^ sufficient to make them into troches
sixteen ounces, red Rose Leaves, an ounce, jaccordino- to art.
Myrtle Berries two ounces, boil them a little j Cidpeim:] These also stop blood, help
together, and strain them, add to the decoc- j ^he bloody flux, stop the menses, and are
tion. Galls well beaten, three ounces, boilja sreat help to such whose stomachs loath
them again a little, then put in these follow- \ t^;,-,, viatuals. 1 fancy them not.
ing things, in fine powder : take of red s Trochisci Diaspermaton. Galen.
Roses an ounce, yellow Sanders, ten drams, j College.] Take of the seeds of Smallage,
Gum Arabic an ounce and an half, Sumach, ; ^^^i }3ishop's weed, of each an ounce, Annis
Spodium, of each an ounce. Myrtle berries | .^j^ j Fennel seeds, of each half an ounce,
four ounces. Wood of Aloes, Cloves, Mace,|Q i^,j^,^ C^^gsia Lignea, of each two drams,
Nutmegs, of each half an ounce, sour Grapes | ...jjIj ,.^5^ water, make it into troc hes accord-
seven drams^mix them all together, and letj^,-,o. ^^ art.
them dry upon a stone, and grind them \ Ictdpeper:] These also bind, ease pain,
again into powder, and make them into : hf.]p th^ pleurisy,
small troches with one dram of Camphire, I Hcemoptoici Pastilli. Galen,
and so much Rose Water a.s is sufficient, x College.] Take of white Starch, Balaus-
and perfume them with fifteen grains of | ^i^^^^ garth of Samos, juice of Hypocystis,
Musk
Culpeper."] They strengthen the stomach,
heart, and liver, as also the bowels, they
help the cholic, and fluxes of blood, as also
bleeding at the nose if you snuff up the
powder of them, disburden the body of
salt, fretting, choleric humours. You may
carry them about you, and take them at
your pleasure.
Troches of Roses. Mesne.
College.] Take of red Roses half an
ounce. Wood of Aloes two drams, Mastich,
a dram and an half, Roman Wormwooil,
Cinnamon, Indian Spikenard, Cassia Lignea,*
Schoenanth, of each one dram, old Wine, j
and decoction of the five opening roots, so|
Gum, Saffron, Opium, of each two drams,
with juice of Plantain, make them into
troches according to art.
Culpeper.] The operation of this is like
the former.
Troches of Agarick,
College.] Take of choice Agarick three
ounces, Sal. Gem. six drams. Ginger two
drams, with Oxymel simplex, so much as
is sufficient, make it into troches according
to art.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
353
OILS.
I
SIMPLE OILS BY EXPRESSION.
Oil of Sweet Almonds.
College.'] Take of Sweet Almonds not
cornipicd, as many as you Avill, cast the
shells away, and blanch them, beat them in
a stone mortar, beat them in a double vessel,
and press out the oil without heat.
Ciilpeper.'] It helps roughness and sore-
ness of the throat and stomach, helps
pleurisies, encreases seed, eases coughs and
hectic fevers, by injection it helps such
whose water scalds them ; ulcers in the
bladder, reins, and matrix. You may
either take half an ounce of it by itself, or
mix it with half an ounce of Syrup of Violets,
and so take a spoonful at a time, still shak-
ing them together when you take them :
only take notice of this, if you take it in-
wardly, let it be new drawn, for it will be
sour in three or four days.
Oil of bitter Almonds. ■
College.'] It is made like Oil of sweet
Almonds, but that you need not blanch
them, nor have such a care of heat in press-
ing out the oil.
Culpeper."] It opens stoppings, helps such
as are deaf, being dropped into their ears,
it helps the hardness of the nerves, and takes
away spots in the face. It is seldom or
never taken inwardly.
Oil of Hazel Nuts.
College.'] It is made of the Kernels,
cleansed, bruised, and beat, and pressed like
Oil of sweet Almonds.
Culpeper.] You must put them in a
vessel (viz. a glass, or some such thing) and
stop them close that the water come not to
them when you put them into the bath.
The oil is good for cold affliictions of the
nerves, the gout in the joints, &c.
College.] So is Oil of Been,
megs, and Oil of Mace drawn.
Oleum Caryinum.
College.] Is prepared of Walnut Kernels,
in like manner, save only that in the making
of this sometimes is required dried, old, and
rank Nuts.
Oleum Chrysomelinum,
College.] Is prepared in the same manner
of Apricots, so is also Oils of the Kernels of
Cherry stones. Peaches, Pine-nuts, Fistic
Nuts, Prunes, the seeds of Oranges, Hemp,
Bastard Saffron, Citrons, Cucumbers,
Gourds, Citruls, Dwarf Elder, Henbane,
Lettuce, Flax, Melons, Poppy, Parsley,
Radishes, Rape, Ricinum, Sesani, Mus-
tard seed, and Grape stones.
Culpeper] Because most of these Oils
are out of use, I took not the pains to cjuote
the virtues of them ; if any wish to make
them, let them look to the simples, and there
they have them ; if the simples be not to be
found in this book, there are other plentiful
medicines conducing to the cure of all usual
diseases ; which are —
Oil of Hays.
College^ Take of Bay-berries, fresh and
ripe, so many as you please, bruise tl.em
sufficiently, then boil them in a sufficient
quantity of water till the Oil swim at top,
Avhich separate from the water, and keep
for your use.
Culpeper.] It helps the cholic, and is a
sovereign remedy for any diseases in any
part of the body coming either of wind or
cold.
College^ Common Oil of Olives, is
pressed out of ripe olives, not out of the
stones. Oil of Olives omphacine, is pressed
out of unripe olives.
Oil of Yolks of Eggs.
College.] Boil the yolks till they be hard,
and bruise them with your hand or wilh a
pestle and mortar ; beat them in an earthen
vessel glazed until they begin to froth,
stirring them diligently that they burn not.
a54
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
being hot, put them in a linen bag, and |
sprinkle them with Aromatic \^'ine, and I
press out the oil according to art. |
Cidpeper.'\ It is profitable in fistulas, |
and malignant ulcers, it causes the hair toj
grow, it clears the skin, and takes away de- 1
formities thereof, viz, tetters, ringworms, |
morphew, scabs. I
SIMPLE OILS BY INFUSION AND
DECOCTION.
Oil of Rosej omphacine. ^
College^ Take of red Roses before they |
be ripe, bruised in a stone mortar, four!
ounces, oil Omphacine one pound, set them \
in a hot sun, in a glass close stopped, a whole j
week, shaking them every day, then boil
them gendy in a bath, press them out, and
put in others, use them in like manner, do
so a third time : then keep the Oil upon a
pound of juice of Roses.
Oil cf Roses complete.
Is made in the same manner, with sweet
and ripe oil, often washed, and red Roses
fully open, bruised, set in the sun, and |
boiled gently in a double vessel, only let
the third infusion stand in the sun forty
days, then keep the roses and oil together.
In the same manner is made Oil of Worm-
wood, of the tops of commoT^ ^\'ormwood
thrice repeated, four ounces, and three
pounds of ripe oil ; only, the last time put in
four ounces of the juice of Wormwood,
which evaporate away by gentle boiling.
Oil of Dill : Of the flowers and leaves of
Dill four ounces, complete oil, one pound,
thrice repeated.
Oil of Castoreum : Of one ounce of Cas- \
toreum oil one pound, Wine four ounces, %
which must be consumed with the heat ol a j
bath. I
Oil of Chamomel (which more than one |
call Holy) of complete oil, and fresh Cha-^
momel flowers, the little white leaves taken »
away, cut, bruised, and the vessel covered
Avith a thin linen cloth, set in the sun,
pressed out, and three times repeated.
Oil of Wall-flowers, as oil of Dill.
Oil of Quinces: Of six parts of oi-
Omphacine, the meat and juice of Quinces
one part, set them in the sun fifteen days in
a glass, and afterwards boil them four hours
in a double vessel, press them out, and re-
new them three times.
Oil of Elecampane : Of ripe oil, and the
roots of Elecampane bruised, and their
juice, of each one part, and of generous
Wine half a part, which is to be evaporated
away.
Oil of Eupliorbii/m : Of six drams of
Euphorbium, Oil of Wall-flowers, and sweet
Wine, of each five ounces, boiling it in a
double vessel till the Wine be consumed.
Oil of Ants : Of winged Ants infused in
four times their weight of sweet oil, set in
the sun in a glass forty days, and then
strain it out.
Oil, or Balsam of St. John's Wort simple,
is made of the oil of seeds beaten and
pressed, and the flowers being added, and
rightly set in the sun.
Oil of Jesmine, is made of the flowers of
Jesmine, put in clear oil, and set in the sun
and afterwards pressed out.
Oil of Orris, made of the roots of Orris
Florentine one pound, purple Orris flowers
half a pound : boil them in a double vessel
in a sufficient quantity of decoction of Orris
Florentine, and six pounds of sweet oil, put-
ing fresh roots and flowers again and again ;
the former being cast away as in oil of
Roses.
Oil of Earthworms, is made of half a
pound of Earthworms washed in white AVine,
ripe Oil two pounds, boiled in a double
vessel with eight ounces of good white Wine
till the Wine be consumed.
Oil of Marjoram is made with four
ounces of the herb a little bruised, white
Wine six ounces, ripe oil a pound, mixed
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGKD.
3,15
together, let them be set in the sun repeated i
three times ; at hist boiled to the consump- \
tion of the Wine. |
OU of Mastich, is made of oil of Roses I
omphacineone pound, Mastich threeounces, |
Wine four ounces: boil them m a double |
vessel to the consumption of the Wine. i
Oil of Melilol is made with the tops of the j
herb like oil of Chamomel, |
Oil of Mints is made of the herb and oil j
omphacine, as oil of Roses. 5
Oil of Mirtles, is made of Mirtle berries ;
bruised and sprinkled with sharp Wine one \
part, oil omphacine three parts ; set it in the |
sun twenty-four days, and in the interim \
berries I
m
and
thrice n;newed, boiled,
pressed out.
Oil of Daffodils is made as oil
Nard Oil is made of three
the
of Roses. I
IS made oi tnree ounces off
Spikenard, sweet oil one pound and an |
half, sweet white Wine and clear water, of {
each two ounces and an half, boiled to the
consumption of the moisture.
Oil of Water-lilies, is made of fresh white
Water-lily flowers, one part, oil omphacine
three parts, repeating the flowers as in oil
of Roses.
Oil of Tobacco is made of the juice of
Tobacco, and common oil, of each equal
parts boiled in a bath.
Oil of Poppies, is made of the flowers,
heads, and leaves of garden Poppies, and oil
omphacine, as oil of Dill. I
Oil of Poplars, is made of the buds off
the Poplar tree three parts, rich white Wine |
four parts, sweet oil seven parts ; first let the 1
buds be bruised, then infused in the Wine |
and oil seven days, then boiled, then pressed I
out. 1
Oil of Rue, is made of the herb bruised,}
and ripe oil, like oil of Roses.
Oil of Savin is made in the same manner.
So also is Oil of Elder flowers made.
Oil of Scorpions, is made of thirty live
Scorpions, caught when the sun is in the
lion ; oil of bitter Almonds two pounds, let
them be set in the sun, and after forty days
strained.
Oleum Cicj'onium, is made of wild
Cucumber roots, and their juice, of each
equal parts ; with twice as much ripe oil,
boil it to the consumption of the juice.
Oil of Nightshade, is made of tlie berries
of Nightshade ripe, and one part boiled in
ripe oil, or oil of Roses three parts.
Oil of Styrax, is made of Styrax and
sweet white Wine, of each one part, ripe
oil four parts gently boiled till the Wine be
consumed.
Oil of Violets, is made of oil omphacine,
and Violet flowers, as oil of Roses.
Oil of Vervain, is made of the herb and
oil, as oil of Mints
Culpeper.'] That most of these Oils, if
not all of them, are used onlv externallj', is
certain ; and as certain that they retain the
virtues of the simples whereof they are
made, therefore the ingenious might help
themselves.
COMPOUND OILS BY INFUSION
AND DECOCTION.
Oleum Benedictum.
Or Blessed Oil.
College.'] Take of the roots of Carduus
and Valerian, of each one ounce, the flowers
of St. John's Wort two ounces. Wheat one
ounce and an half, old Oil four ounces,
Cypress Turpentine eight ounces. Frankin-
cense in powder two ounces, infuse the roots
and flowers, being bruised, in so much while
Wine as is sufficient to cover them, after
two days' infusion put in the Oil with the
Wheat, bruised, boil them together till the
Wine be consumed ; then press it out, and
add the Frankincense and Turpentine, then
boil them a little, and keep it.
Culpeper.'] It is appropriated to cleanse
and consolidate wounds, especially in the
head.
4 Y
356
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Oleum de Capparibus.
Or, Oil of Capers.
College^ Take of the bark of Caper
roots an ounce, bark of Tamarisk, the leaves
of the same, the seeds of Agnus Castus,
Cetrach, or Spleenwort, Cypress roots, of
each two drams, Rue one dram, oil of ripe
Olives one pound, white Wine Vinegar, and
white Wine, of each two ounces, cut them
and steep them, and boil them (two days
i)eing elapsed) gently in a bath, then the
Wine and Vinegar being consumed, strain
it, and keep it.
Culpeper.l The oil is opening, and heat-
ing, absolutely appropriated to the spleen,
hardness and pains thereof, and diseases
coming of stoppings there, as hypocondriac
melancholy, the rickets, &;c.
Oil of Castoreiim compound.
College.^ Take of Castoreum, Styrax
Calamitis, Galbanum, Euj)horbium, Opo-
panax. Cassia Lignca, Saifron, Carpobal-
samum or Cubebs, Spikenard, Costus, of
each two drams. Cypress, Squinanth, Pep-
perlongand black. Savin, Pellitory of Spain,
of each two drams and an half, ripe Oil four
pounds, Spanish Wine two pounds, the five
first excepted, let the rest be prepared as
they ought to be, and gently boiled in the
Oil and Wine, until the Wine be consumed,
mean time the Galbanum, Opopanax, and
Euphorbium beaten in fine powder, being
dissolved in part of the Wine, and strained,
let them be exquisitely mixed with it (while
the oil is warm) by often stirring; the boil-
ing being finished, put in the Styrax and
Castoreum.
Culpeper.'l The virtues are the same with
the simple.
Oleum Castinum.
College.'] Take of the roots of bitter
Castus two ounces, Cassia Lignea one ounce,
the tops of Marjoram eight ounces, being
bruised, steep them two days in twelve
ounces of sweet white Wine ; then with
three pounds of sallad oil washed in white
Wine, boil it in Babieo Maria till the Win?
be consumed.
Culpeper.'] It heats, opens obstructions,
strengthens the nerves, and all nervous parts,
as muscles, tendons, ligaments, the ventricle;
besides these, it strengthens the liver, it
keeps the hairs from turning grey, and gives
a good colour to the body. I pray you
lake notice that this and the following oils,
(till I give you warning to the contrary)
are not made to eat.
Oleum Crocinum,
Or, Oil of Saffron.
College.] Takeof Saffron, Calamus Aro-
maticus, of each one ounce. Myrrh, half an
ounce. Cardamoms nine drams, steep ihem
six days, (the Cardamoms excepted, which
are not to be put in till the last day,) in nine
ounces of Vinegar, the day after put in a
pound and an half of washed oil, boil it
gently according to art, till the Vinegar, be
consumed, then strain it.
Culpeper^ It helps pains in the nerves,
and strengthens them, mollifies their hard-
ness, helps pains in the matrix, and causes
a good colour.
J Oil of Euphorbium.
\ College.] Take of Stavesacre, Sopeworl,
of each half an ounce, Pellitory of Spain
six drams, dried Mountain Calaminl one
ounce and an half, Castus two drams, Cas-
toreum five drams, being bruised, let theiii
be three days steeped in three pounds and
an half of Wine, boil them with a pound
I and an half of Oil of Wall-flowers, adding
I half an ounce of Euphorbium, before the
I Wine be quite consumed, and so boil it
\ according to art.
\ Cidpeper.] It hath the same virtue, only
! something more effectual than the simple.
Oleum Excestrense,
Or, Oil of Exeter.
College.] Take of the leaves of Worm-
wood, Centaury the less, Eupatorium, Fen-
I nel. Hyssop, Bays, Marjoram, Bawm, Nep,
I Pennyroyal, Savin, Sage, Thyme, of each
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 351
fourounces. Southernwood, Betony,Chanie- 1 Culpeper.'] Sec the simple oil of St.
pit_ys, Lavender, of each six ounces, Rose- j John's Wort, than which tiiis is stronger,
niary one pound, the flowers of Chamomel, Oleum Hyperici mogis compositum.
Broom, white Lilies, Elders, the seeds of Or, Oil of St. John's Wort more compound
Cunnnin, and Fenugreek, the roots of Helle- College.'] Take of white Wine three
bore black and white, the bark of Ash and pounds, tops of St. John's Wort ripe and
Lemons, of each four ounces, Euphorbium, ; gently bruised, four handfiJs, sleep them
Mustard, Castoreum, Pellitory of Spain, of j two days in a glass, close stopped, boil thetn
each an ounce. Oil sixteen pounds. Wine > in a bath, and strain them strongly, repeat
three pounds, the herbs, flowers, seeds, aid : the infusion three times, having strained it
Euphorbium being bruised, the roots, barks, ; the third time, add to every pound of de-
and Castoreum cut, all of them infused I coction, old Oil four pounds, Turpentine
twelve hours in the Wine and Oil, in a warm t six ounces, oil of Wormwood three ounces,
bath, then boiled with a gentle fire, to t'iie; Dittany, Gentian, Carduus, Tormentil, Car-
consumption of the Wine and moisture, | line, or Cordus Maria, Calamus Aromaticus,
strain the Oil and keep it. $ all of them bruised, of each two drams,
Ciilpeper."] Many people by catching! Earth-worms often washed in white Wine
bruises when they are young, come to feel ! two ounces, set it in the sun five or six weeks,
it when they are old : others by catching; then keep it close stopped,
cold, catch a lameness in their limbs, toj Culpeper.] Besides the virtue of the sim-
both Avhicli I commend this sovereign oil to i pie oil of St. John's Wort, which this per-
bathe their grieved members with. \ forms more effectually, it is an excelJenl
Oleum Hirundinum, \ remedy for old bruises, aches, and sprains.
Or, Oil of Swallows. » Oleum Irimnn,
College.'] Take of whole Swallows six-j Or, Oil of Orris,
teen, Chamomel, Rue, Plantain the greater ♦ College.] Take of the roots of Orris
and lesser. Bay leaves, Pennyroyal, Dill, | Florentine, three pounds four ounces, the
Hyssop, Rosenjary, Sage, Saint John's Wort, I flowers of purple Orris fifteen ounces,
Costmary, of each one handful, common j Cypress roots six ounces, of Elecampane
Oil four pounds, Spanish Wine one pound, ? three ounces, of Alkanel two ounces, Cin-
make it up according to art. ; namon, Spikenard, Benjamin, of each one
Culpeper.] Both this and the former are | ounce : let all of them, being bruised as
apjiropriated to old bruises and pains thereof | they ought to be, be steeped in the sun, or
coming, as also to sprains. J other hot place, in fifteen pounds of old oil,
Oleum Hyperici compositum. | and four pounds and an half of clear water,
Or, Oil of St. John's W^ort compound. > after the fourth day, boil them in Balneo
College.] Take of the tops of St. John's \ Mariae, the water being consumed, when it
Wort four ounces, steep them three whole | is cold, strain it and keep it.
days in a pound of old Sallad Oil, in the heat I Culpeper] The effects are the same with
either of a bath, or of the sun, then press | the simple, only 'tis stronger,
them out, repeat the infusion the second or j Oleum Marjoranee.
third time, then boil them till the wine hex Or, Oil of Marjor.m.
almost consumed, press them out, and by I College.] Take of Marjoram four hand-
adding three ounces of Turpentine, and one 1 fuls. Mother of Thyme two handfuls, the
scruple of Saff'ron, boil it a little and keep i leaves and berries of Myrtles one handfiil,
it. i Southernwood, Water Mints, of each half
358
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
an handful, being cut, bruised, and put in a
glass, three pounds of Oil Omphacine being
put to it, let it stand eight days in the sun,
or in a bath, close stopped, then strain it
out, in the oil put in fresh simples, do. so the
third time, the oil may be perfected accord-
ing to art.
CulpeperJ] It helps weariness and dis-
eases of the brain and nerves, coming of
cold ; it helps the dead palsy, the back (viz.
the region along the back bone) being
anointed with it ; being snuffed up in the
nose, it helps Spasmus cynicus, which is a
wrying the mouth aside ; it helps noise in
the ears being dropped into them, it pro-
vokes the menses, and helps the biting of
venomous beasts ; it is a most gallant oil to
strengthen the body, the back being anointed
with it ; strengthcris the muscles, they being
chafed with it ; helps head-ache, the fore-
head being rubbed with it.
Moschelceum,
Or, Oil of Musk.
College.~\ Take two Nutmegs, Musk one.
dram, Indian leaf or Mace, Spikenard,
Costus, Mastich, of each six drams, Styrax
Calamitis, Cassia Lignea, Myrrh, Saffron,
Cinnamon, Cloves, Carpobalsamum or
Cubebs, Bdellium, of each two drams, pure
Oil three pounds, Wine three ounces, bruise
them as you ought to do, mix them, and let
them boil easily, till the Wine beconsumed,
the Musk being mixed accordins to art after
it is strained.
Culpeper.~\ It is exceeding good against
all diseases of cold, especially those of the
stomach, it helps diseases of the sides, they
being anointed with it, the stranguary, cho-
lic, and vices of the nerves, and afflictions
of the reins.
Oleum Nardinum,
Or, Oil of Nard.
College.^ Take of Spikenard threeounces.
Marjoram two ounces. Wood of Aloes,
Calamus Aromaticus, Elecampane, Cypress,
Bay leaves, Indian leaf or Mace, Squinanth,
Cardamoms, of each one ounce and a half,
bruise them all grossly, and steep them in
water and wine, of each fourteen ounces,
Oil of Sesamin, or oil of Olives, four pounds
and an half, for one day : then perfect the
oil by boiling it gently in a double vessel.
Oleum Populeum. Nicholaus.
College.^ Take of fresh Poplar buds
three pounds. Wine four pounds, common
Oil seven pounds two ounces, beat the Pop-
lar buds very well, then steep them seven
days in the oil and wine, then boil them in
a double vessel till the wine be consumed,
(if you infuse fresh buds once or twice be-
fore you boil it, the medicine will be the
stronger,) then press out the oil and keep it.
Culpeper.~\ It is a fine cool oil, but the
ointment called by that name which follows
hereafter is far better.
OINTMENTS MORE SIMPLE.
Unguentum, album.
Or, white Ointment.
College.'] Take of Oil of Roses nine
ounces, Ceruss washed in Rose-water and
diligently sifted, three ounces, white Wax
two ounces, after the wax is melted in the
oil, put in the Ceruss, and make it into an
ointment according to art, add two drams of
Camphire, made into powder with a few
drops of oil of sweet Almonds, so will it be
camphorated.
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling, drying
ointment, eases pains, and itching in wounds
and ulcers, and is an hundred times better
with Camphire than without it.
Unguentum, Egyptiacum.
College.'] Take of Verdigris finely pow-
dered, five parts. Honey fourteen parts,
sharp Vinegar seven parts, boil them to a
just thickness, and a reddish colour.
Culpeper.] It cleanses filthy ulcers and
fistulas forcibly, and not without pain, it
takes away dead and proud flesh, and dries.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
350
Ungiientum Anodynum, < ounce, Oil five ounces, powder the Oliba-
Or, an Ointment to ease pain. num and Myrrh, and the rest being melted,
ColkgeJ] Take of Oil of white Lilies, | make it into an ointment according to art.
Bix ounctMi, Oil of Dill, and Chamomel, of j Basilicon, the less.
each two ounces. Oil of sweet Almonds one | College.'] Take of yellow Wax, fat Roiiin,
ounce, Duck's grease, and Hen's gieasc, of | Greek Pitch, of each half a pound, Oil nine
each two ounces, white Wax three ounces, jounces : mix them together, by melting
mix them according to art. j them according to art.
Culpeper.'] Its use is to assuage pains in 5 Culpeper.'] Both this and the former,
any part of the body, especially such as | heat, moisten, and digest, procure matter in
come by inflammations, whether in wounds \ wounds, I mean l)rings the filth or corrupted
or tumours, and for that it is admirable. | blood from green wounds : they dense and
Unguentiim ex Apio. ! ease pain.
Or, Ointment of Smallage. \ Ointment of Bdellium.
College.'] Take of the juice oi' Smallage j College.] Take of Bdellium six drams,
one pound, Honey nine ounces, Wheat 1 Euphorbium, Sagapen, of each four drams,
ounces, boil then) to a just! Castoreum three drams. Wax fifteen drains,
I Oil of Elder or Wall-flowers, ten drams,
very ; the Bdellium, and Sagapen being dissolved
i in water of wild Rue-, let the rest be united
> hv the heat of a bath.
flower three
thickness.
Culpeper.'] It is a very fine, and
gentle cleanser of wounds and ulcers.
Liniment of Gum Elemi.
I by
JJnguentum
de Cake.
College.] Take of Gum Elemi, Turpen-
tine of the Fir-tree, of each one ounce and| Or, Ointment of Chalk,
anhalf, old Sheep's Suetcleansed twoounces, I College.] Take of Chalk washed, seven
old Hog's grease cleansed one ounce : mix i limes at least, half a pound, Wax three
them, and make them into an ointmentjounces, Oil of Roses one pound, stir them all
diligently in a leaden mortar, the
accordino; to art.
1
together
Culpeper.] It gently cleanses and fills up j wax being first melted by a gentle fire in a
an ulcer witli flesh, it being of a mild nature, i sufl!icient quantity of the prescribed oil
and friendly to the body. I Culpeper.] It is exceeding good in burn-
Unguentum Aureum. \ ings and scaldings.
College.] Take of yellow Wax half ai Unguentum Dialtha.
pound, common Oil two pounds, Turpen- \ Or, Ointment of Marsh-mallows,
tine two ounces, Pine Ro2in,Colophonia, of j College.] Take of common Oil four
each one ounce and an half. Frankincense, | pounds, mussilage of Marsh-mallow roots,
Mast.ich, of each one ounce. Saffron one | Linseed, and Fenugreek seed two pounds :
dram, first melt the wax in the oil, then thej boil them together till the watry part
Turpentine being added, let them boil \ of the mussilage be consumed, then add
together; having done boiling, put in the j Wax half a pound, Rozin three ounces,
rest in fine powder, (let the Saffron be the | Turpentine an ounce, boil them to the con-
them I sistence of an ointment, but let the mussilage
I be prepared of a pound of fresh roots
j bruised, and half a pound of each of the
Pine I seeds steeped, and boiled in eight pounds oi
Tur- 1 spring water, and then pressed out. See
one * the compound.
4 z
last) and by diligent stirring, make
into an ointment according to art.
Basilicon, the greater.
College.] Take of white Wax,
Rozin, Heifer's Suet, Greek Pitch,
pentine, Olibanurn, Mynh, of each
360 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Unguentiim Diapomphobjgos. \ Unguentum de minw sive ruhrum Camphora
College.-] Take of Oil of Nightshade j Or, Ointment of red Lead,
sixteen ounc(:s, white Wax, washed Ceruss, i College.-] Take of Oil of Roses one
ot each four drams. Lead burnt and washed, j |„^ ^^ j^^lf .^^j ^.^^ ,,^,^^ ^^
romphohx prepared, of each two ounces, 5 t a * n '
V, I- ^ ,.'$ Litharge two ounces, Ceruss one ounce ana
pure ±rankincense one ounce: brine them v ir m *.. ..i i r^ \ ..
" ^ ,u c c ^^ . 1^1 lu^ 1.11^,111 ^j^ halt, lutty tliree drams, Camphire two
into the lorni of an ointment accordintr to ^ j w i u ii- i
o J drams. Wax one ounce and an half, make it
^T , -1 mi- , l•^^ • r i J into au ointmeut according to art, lu a PCS"
Culpeper.] Ihis much difi-enng from the j jj^ ^„j ^^^^j^^. ^^^^^ „f i^f^^j I
former, you shall have that inserted at latter | Culpeper.] This ointment is as drying as
^^ea'se y^^ ^'^Y "se which jou | ^ ,„J4all\isually read of one, and withal
TT , n y 5 cooling, therefore good for sores, and such
Vftguentum Emlatum. \ ^^ ^^^ troubled with defluctions.
Ur, Uintment of Elecampane. % tt ^ at- ,• ^ ,
T Co/%e.] Take of Elecampane roots! Unguentum e ^icottona, sen Peto.
boiled in Vinegar, bruised and pulped, one! ^'^ Ointment of Tobacco,
pound, Turpentine washed in their decoc-i College.] Take of Tobacco leaves bruised,
lion, new Wax, of each two ounces, old ; two pounds, steep them a whole night in
Hog's grease salted ten ounces, old oil four I red Wine, in the morning boil it in fresh
ounces, common salt one ounce, add the j Hog's grease, diligently washed, one pound,
Turpentine to the grease, wax, and oil, being; till the Wine be consumed, strain it, and
melted, as also the pulp and salt being | add half a pound of juice of Tobacco,
finely powdered, and so make it into ani^^ozin four ounces, boil it to the consump-
ointjnent according to art. i tion of the juice, adding towards the end,
Unguentum Enulatum cum Mercurio. 1 round Birthwort roots in powder, two
Or, Ointment of Elecampane with Quick- 1 ounces, new Wax as much as is sufficient
silver, i to make it into an ointment according to
College."] Is made of the former oint-jart.
ment, by adding two ounces of Quick-silver, I Culpeper.] Itwould takeawholc summer's
killed by continual stirring, not only with I <^'<^y to write the particular virtues of this
spittle, or juice of Lemons, but with all the; ointment, and my poor Genius is too weak
Turpentine kept for that intent, and part of | to give it the hundredth part of its due
the grease, in a stone mortar. {praise: It cures tumours, imposthumes,
Culpeper.] My opinion of this ointment, i wounds, ulcers, gun-shot, stinging with
is (briefly) this : It was invented for the : nettles, bees, wasps, hornets, venomous
Itch, without quick-siher it will do no good, \ beasts, wounds made with poisoned arrows,
with quick-silver it may do harm. ; &c.
Unguentum Laurinum commune. \ Unguentum Nutrttum, seu Trifarmacum
Or, Ointment of Bays common. | Cdlege.] Take of Litharge of Gold
College.] Take of Bay leaves bruised I finely powdered, half a pound. Vinegar
one pound. Bay berries bruised half a lone pound. Oil of Roses two pounds, grind
pound. Cabbage leaves four ounces. Neat's- \ the Litharge in a mortar, pouring to it
foot Oil five pounds, Bullock's suet two ; sometimes Oil, sometimes Vinegar, till by
pounds, boil them together, and strain them, | continual stirring, the Vinegar do no more
that so it may be made into an ointment! appear, and it come to a whitish ointment,
according to an. ' Culpeper.] It is of a cooling, drying
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 301
nature, good for itching of wounds, and I it not and keep it for use; then warm it
«uch like deformities of the skin. j little again and wash it with fresh Rose-
Unguentum Ophthalmicum. \ water, adding to each pound twelve drops
Or, An Ointment for the Eyes. \ of oil of Lignum Rhodium.
CoUege.l Take of Bole-ammoniac washed j Culpeper.] Its general use is, to soften
in Rose water, one ounce. Lapis Calaminaris 1 and supple the roughness of the skin, and
washed in Eye bright Water, Tutty pre- j take away the chops of the lips, hands,
pared, of each two drams. Pearls in very | face, or other parts,
fine powder half a dram, Camphire half aj JJnguentum Potahile.
scruple. Opium five grains, fresh Butter | College^ Take of Butter without salt,
washed in Plantain Water, as much as is a pound and an half. Spermaceti, Madder,
suflficient to make it into an ointment ac- Tormentil roots, Castoreum, of each half an
cording to art. Jounce: boil them as you ought in a suf-
Culpeper.] It is exceeding good to stop ; ficient tiuantity of Wine, till the Wine be
hot rheums that fall down into the eyes, the I consumed, and become an ointment,
eyelids being but anointed with it. | Culpeper.'] I know not what to make
Unguentujii ex Oxylapatho. lofil.
Or, Ointment of sharp-pointed Dock. \ Urigueiitum liesinum.
College.'] Take of the roots of sharp- 1 College.'] Take of Pine Rozin, or Rozin
pointed Dock boiled in Vinegar until they | of the Pine-tree, of the purest Turpentine,
be soft, and then pulped. Brimstone washed i yellow Wax washed, pure Oil, of each
in juice of Lemons, of each one ounce and > equal parts : melt them into an ointment
an half. Hog's grease often washed in juice > according to art.
of Scabious, half a poimd, Unguentum | Culpeper.] It is as pretty a Cerecloth for
Populeon washed in juice of Elecampane, J* a new sprain as most is, and cheap,
half an ounce : make them into an oint- : Unguentum Romtum.
ment in a mortar. j Or, Ointment of Roses.
Culpeper.] It is a wholesome, though j College.] Take of fresh Hog's grease
troublesome medicine for scabs and itch. | cleansed a pound, fresh red Roses half a
Unguentum e Plumbo. \ pound, juice of the same three ounces, make
Or, Ointment of Lead. j it into an ointment according to art.
College.] Tvike of Lead burnt accord- j Culpeper.] It is of a fine cooling nature,
ing to art. Litharge, of each two ounces, | exceeding useful in all gallings of the skin,
Ceruss, Antimony, of each one ounce, Oil ; and frettings, accompanied with choleric
of Roses as much as is sufficient : make it I humours, angry pushes, tetters, ringworms,
into an ointment according to art. jit mitigates diseases in the head con)ing ot
Culpeper.] Take it one time with another, j heat, as also the intemperate heat of the
it will go neer to do more harm than good. | stomach and liver.
Uugitentum Pomatum. \ Desiccativum Rubrum.
College.] Take of fresh Hog's grease) Or, a drying Red Ointment,
three pounds, fresh Sheep's suet nine ounces, I College.] Take of the oil of Roses oin-
Pomewater pared and cut, one pound and ^ phacine a pound, white Wax five ounces,
nine ounces, Damask Rose-water sixounces, I which being melted and put in a leaden
the roots of Orris Florentine grossly bruised : moitar, put in the Earth of Lenmos or
six drams, boil them in Balneo Marice till j Bole-ammoniac, Lapis Calaminaris, of each
the Apples be soft, then strain it, but press | four ounces, Litharge of Gold, Ceruss, of
362 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
eanli three ounces, Camphire one dram, \ Tapsivalentia.
make it into an ointment according to art. I College.'] Take of the juice of Mullen,
Culpeper.'] It binds and restrains fluxes : Hog's grease, of each as much as you will,
of humours. | let tlic grease be cleansed and cut in pieces,
Unguentum e Solano. land beat it with the juice, pressed and
Or, Ointment of Nightshade. j strained as you did the former ointment,
College.] Take of juice of Nightshade, phen keep it in a convenient vessel nine or
Litharge washed, of each five ounces, ^en days, then beat it twice, once with fresh
Ceruss washed eight ounces, white Wax iJ"'ce, until it be green, and the second time
seven ounces, Frankincense in powder ten i without juice beaten well, pouring off what
drams, oil of Roses often washed in water p tliscoloured, and keep it for use.
two pounds, make it into an ointment ac- \ _ Japsimel.
cordino- to art. j College.] lake of the juice of Celan-
Culpeper.'] It was invented to take away ; ^1'"^ and Mullen, of each one part, clarified
inflammations from wounds, and to keep ; Honey, two parts, boil them by degrees till
people from scratching of them when they 1 ^l^*^^ J^'^e be consumed, adding (the physi-
are almost well. 1 "^'^^ prescribing) Vitriol, burnt Alum, burnt
r^ r\- ^ . r rr 1* i I»k, and boil it again to an ointment ac-
Or, Ointment of iutty. \ ,. ^ ^ *=>
_ „ ^ ' , . ^ -' , \ cording to art.
College.] lake vA Iutty prepared two!
ounces, Lapis Calaminaris often burnt and J .
quenched in Plantain Water an ounce, \
make them, being finely powdered, into an \ OINTMENTS MORE COMPOUND.
ointment, with a pound and an half of oint- \ Unguentum Agrippa.
ment of Roses ,- i • • ! College.] Take of Briony roots two
Culpeper.] It is a cooling, drying oint- ^^^^^5^ ^l^^ ^^^^^ of .^jj^ Cucumbers one
mem, appropriated to the eyes, to dry up | ^^^^ g 51,^ j^^if ^ ^^^^^^ f^^^^ E^^ U^j^
hot and salt humours that flow down thither, \ Q^ris roots, three ounces, the roots of male
the eyelids being anmnted with it. | Fern, dwarf Elder, water Caltrops, or Aaron,
Valentia Scahioste. [of each two ounces, bruise them all, being
Collegel] Take of the juice of green | fresh, and steep them six or seven days in
Scabious, pressed out with a screw, and four pounds of old oil, the whitest, not rank,
strained through a cloth. Hog's grease, of then boil them and press them out, and in
each as much as )"ou will, heat the Hog's the oil melt fifteen ounces of white Wax,
grease in a stone mortar, not grind it, putt- land make it into an ointment according to
ing in the juice by degrees for the more) art.
commodious mixture and tincture, after-} Culpeper.] It purges exceedingly, and
wards set it in the sun in a convenient ves- 1 is good to anoint the bellies of such as have
sel, so as the juice may overtop the grease, {dropsies, and if there be any humour of
nine days being passed, pour off thedis-jflegm in any part of the body that you
coloured juice, and beat it again as before, ; know not how to remove (provided the part
putting in fresh juice, set it in the sun again t be not loo tender) you may anoint it with
five days, which being elapsed, beat it j this; but yet be not too busy with it, for I
again, put in more juice, after fifteen days; tell you plainly it is not very safe,
more, do so again, do so five times, after | Ungue7itu?n Amarum.
which, keep it in a glass, or glazed vessel. \ Or, A bitter Ointment.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
863
College.'] Take of Oil of Rue, Savin, j Ungiieiitum Cifrhum.
Mints, Wormwood, bitter Almonds, of each : Or, A Citron Ointment.
one ounce and an half, juice of Peach ; College.'] Take of Borax an ounce,
flowers and leaves, and Wormwood, of each I Camphire a dram, white Coral half an
half an ounce, powder of Rue, Mints, i ounce. Alum Plume an ounce. Umbilicus
Centaury the less, Gentian, Tormentil, of | Marinus, Tragacanth, white Starch, of
each one dram, the seeds of Coleworts, the | each three drams, Crystal, Dcntalis Utalis,
pulp of Colocynthis, of each two drams, ! Olibanum, Niter, white Marble, of each
AloesHepatic, three drams, meal of Lupines I two drams, Gersa Serpentaria an ounce,
half an ounce, Myrrh washed in Grass jCeruss six ounces. Hog's grease not salted,
water a dram and an half. Bull's Gall an | a pound and an half, Goat's suet prepared,
ounce and an half, with a sufficient quan-|an ounce and an half, Hen's fat two ounces
tity of juice of Lemons, and an ounce and | and an half. Powder the things as you
an half of Wax, make it into an ointment | ought to do both together, and by them-
according to art. 1 selves, melt the fats being cleansed in a
Unguenhim Apostolorum. \ stone vessel, and steep in them two Citrons
Or, Ointment of the Apostles. \f f "^ean bigness cut in bits, in a warm
„ „ T rn 1 r rp ,.• 11 ^ bath, after a whole week stram it, and put
Collese.] Take of lurpentme, yellow |. V , , i _ .. i • i
_,, o, J . r ^ u V » ^ in the powders by degrees, amongst which
Wax, Ammoniacum, or each lourteen , ^ ^i ^r> u- j is u .u i »
' ' , ,,. ,. ' ^ r\vu 'let the Camphire and Borax be the last,
drams, long Birthwort roots, OJibanum,} ^- ^i j u • *u • * *k ^ i
",',.' o, 1 • J Tv/r u /-ii istir them, and bring them into the form of
Bdellium, of each six drams, Myrrh, Gil-|^^ ointment
banum, of each half an ounce, Opopanax, | Uunauentum Martiatum.
Verdigris, of each two drams, Liitharge
nine
to
i- ^., , 1 ^T. W College.] lake of fresh Bay leaves three
ine drams, Oil two pounds, Vinegar enough i i r^ i d ^ j i
r. , ' , ^ ^ 1 •* • * • 4. } pounds. Garden Rue two pounds and an
D dissolve the Gums, make It into an oint. U^,^ Marjoram two pounds. Mints a
lent according to art. ^ | ^^^^^^^ g^ J^^ Wormwood, Costmary, Bazil,
ment
Ctdpeper.]
dead flesh
It consumes corrup ano ^ ^^ ^^^j^ j^^-j^. ^ ^^^ ^ g^,,^^, ^.^ ^
and makes flesh soft which is | ^^^^ jj^^^ \^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ j^j^,^^
hard. It cleanseswounds. ulcers, and fistulas, a^.^^ J^ ^^^^ ^^ ,^/ ^^ ^^^^ ^^.^
and restores flesh where it is wanting. j^^^.^^^,^ ^^1 ^^^ ^^^ p^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^,^^|
TJnguentum Catapsoras. \ ought, make an ointment according to art.
College.] Take of Ceruss washed in Pur- 5 Culpcper.] It is a great slrengthener of
slain water, then in Vinegar wherein wild! the head, it being anointed with it; as also
Rhadish roots have been steeped and j of all the parts of the body, especially the
pressed out. Lapis Calami naris, Chalcilis, | nerves, muscles, and arteries,
of each six drams, burnt Lead, Goat's Ungiientum Mastichinum.
blood, of each half an ounce. Quick-silver Or, An Ointment of Mastich.
sublimated an ounce, the juice of House-; College.] Take of the Oil of Mastich,
leek. Nightshade, Plantain, of each two '; Wormwood, and Nard, of each an ounce,
ounces. Hog's grease cleansed three pounds, j Mastich, Mints, red Roses, red Coral, Cloves,
Oil of Violets, Poppies, Mandrakes, of| Cinnamon, Wood of Aloes, Squinanth, of
each an ounce : first let the sublimate and each a dram, wax as much as is sufficient
exungia, then the oils, juices, and powders, | to make it into an ointment according to
be mixed, and so made into an ointment \ art.
according to art. Culpeper.] This is like the former, and
5 A
3G4 THE COMPLETE HERBAL
not a whit infeiior to it; it strengthens the | in Violet Water six ounces, oil of Sw^et
stomach being anointed with it, restores I Almonds four ounces, oil of Chamomel
appetite and digestion. Before it was called ; and Violets, white Wax, of each three
a stomach ointment. | ounces, Hen's and Duck's greese, of each
TJngiienium NeapoUtanum, | two ounces, Orris roots two drams, Saflroa
College.'] Take of Hog's grease washed | half a dram : The two last being finely
in juice of Sage a pound. Quick-silver x powdered, the rest melted and often washed
strained through leather, four ounces, oil of; in Barley or Hyssop water, make an oint-
Bays, Chamomel, and Earthworms, of each I ment of them according to art.
two ounces, Spirit of Wine an ounce, yellow | Ctdpeper.'] It strengthens the breast and
Wax two ounces, Turpentine washed in • stomach, eases the pains thereof, helps
juice of Elecampane three ounces, powder $ pleuriscs and consumptions of the lungs,
of Chamepitys and Sage, of each two 1 the breast being anointed with it.
drams, make them into an ointment accord- I Unguent um Remmptivnm.
ing to art. j College.'] Take of Hog's grease three
Culpeper.] A learned art to spoil people: | ounces, the grease of Hen's, Geese, and
hundreds are bound to curse such oint-| Ducks, of each two ounces, Oesipus half
raents, and those that appoint them. 5 an ounce, oil of Violets, Chamomel, and
Unguentum Nervinum \ Dill, fresh Butter a pound, white Wax six
Colkgei] Take of Cowslips with the i ounces, nmssilage of Gum Tragacanlh,
flowers. Sage, Chamepitys, Rosemary, | Arabic, Quince seeds, Lin-seeds, Marsh-
Lavender, Bay with the berries, Chamomel, \ mallow roots, of each half an ounce. Let
Rue, Smallage, Melilot with the flowers, | the mussilagcs be made in Rose water, and
Wormwood, of each a handful. Mints, « adding the rest, make it into an ointment
Betony, Pennyroyal, Parsley, Centaury the « according to art.
less, St. John's Wort, of each a handful, } Culpeper.] It mightily molifies \vithout
oil of Sheep's or Bullock's feet, five pounds, j any manifest heat, and is therefore a fit
oil of Spike half an ounce. Sheep's or j ointment for such as have agues, asthmas,
Bullock's Suet, or the Marrow of either, two i hectic fevers, or consumptions. It is a
pounds : the herbs being bruised and \ good ointment to ease pains coming by in-
boiled with the oil and suet, make it into an ? flammations of vvounds or aposthumes,
ointment according to art. ; especially such as dryness accompanies, an
Culpeper.] It is appropriated to the 5 infirmity wounded people are many times
nerves, and helps their infirmities coming of > troubled with. In inward aposthumes, as
cold, as also old bruises, make use of it in I pleurises, one of them to anoint the ex-
dead palsies, chilliness or coldness of par-i ternal region of the part, is very benefical.
ticular members, such as the arteries per-; Unguentum Splmichnicum .
form not their office to as they ought ; for » College.] Take of oil of Capers an
wind anoint your f)elly with it ; for want of jounce, oil of white Lillies, Chamomel,
digestion, your stomach; for the cholic, your I fresh Butter, juice of Briony and Sow-
belly ; for whatever disease in any part of 1 bread, of each half an ounce, boil it to the
the body comes of cold, esteem this as ajconsumptionof the juice, add Ammoniacum
jewel. {dissolved in Vinegar, two drams and an
Unguentum Tectorale. | half, Hen's grease, Oesypus, Marrow of a
Or, A Pectoral Ointment. | Call's Leg, of each half an ounce,, powder
College.'] Take of fresh Butter w'ashed ' of the bark of the roots of Tamaris and
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
365
Capers, Fern roots, Cetrach, of each a drain, ;
the seeds of Agnus Castuus, and Broom, ;
of each a scruple, with a sufficient quantity j
of Wax, make it into an ointment accord- 1
ing to art, \
Unguentum Splanchmcinn Magistrale. \
College.'] Take of the bark of Caper 5
roots six drams, Briony roots, Orris Floren-;
tine, powder of sweet Fennel seeds, Ammo- \
niacum dissolved in Vinegar, of each half!
an ounce, tops of Wormwood, Chamomel I
tlowers, of each a dram, ointment of the|
juice and of tlowers of Oranges, of each six
drams, oil of Orris and Capers, of each an
ounce and an half: the things which ought!
being powdered and sifted, the rest dili-|
gently mixed in a hot mortar, make it into
an ointment according to art.
Culpeper.'] Both these ointments are
appropriated to the spleen, and eases the
pains thereof, the sides being anointed with
them. I fancy not the former.
Unguentum e Succis.
Or, Ointment of Juices.
College.'] Take of the juice of Dwarf- j
Elder eight ounces, of Smallage and Parsley, \
of each four ounces. Wormwood and Orris, |
of each five ounces, common Oil half a|
pound, oil of white Lilies ten ounces, of I
Wormwood and Chamomel, of each six |
ounces, the fat of Ducks emd Hens, of each |
two ounces, boil them together with a gentle |
fire till the juice be consumed, then strain |
it, and with seven ounces of white Wax, \
ind a little white Wine Vinegar, make it;
into an ointment according to art. |
See Unguentum ex Succis Aperitivis. |
Unmientum Sumach. \
College.] Take of Sumach, unripe Galls, '
Myrtle l;erries, Balaustines, Pomegranate!
Pills, Acorn Cups, Cypress Nuts, Acacia, I
Mastich, of each ten drams, white Wax 5
five ounces, oil of Roses often Avashed in
Alum water, a pound and ten ounces, make;
a fine powder of the things you can, and |
fcteep them four whole days in juice of Med- \
lars and Services, of each a sufficient quan-
tity, then dry them by a gentle fire, and
with the oil and wax boil it into an oint-
ment.
Culpeper.'] It is a gallant drying and
binding ointment. Besides, the stomach
anointed with it, stays vomiting, and the
belly anointed with it stays looseness, if
the fundament fall out, when you have put
it up again anoint it Avith this ointment, and
it will fall out no more. Do the like by the
womb if that fall out.
Ointment of Marsh-mallows, compound
Nicholaus.
College.] Take of Marsh-mallow roots
two pounds, the seeds of Flax and Foenu-
greek, of each one pound, pulp of Squills
half a pound. Oil four pounds. Wax one
pound. Turpentine, Gum of Ivy,Galbanum,
of each two ounces, Colophonia, Rozin, ot
each half a pound : Let the roots be well
washed and bruised, as also the Linseed,
Foenugreek seed, and Squills, then steep
them three days in eight pints of water, the
fourth day boil them a little upon the fire,
and draw out the mussilage, of which take
two pounds, and boil it with the oil to the
consumption of the juice, afterwards add
the Wax, Rozin, and Colophonia, when
they are melted, add the Turpentine, after •
wards theGalbanum and Gum of Ivy, dis-
solved in Vinegar, boil them a little, and
having removed them from the fire, stir them
till they are cold, that so they may be well
incorporated.
Ciilpeper.] It heals and moistens, helj^s
pains of the breast coming of cold and
pleurises, old aches, and stitches, and
softens hard swellings.
Unguentum Diapompholigos nihili.
Nicholaus.
College.] Take of Oil of Roses sixteen
ounces, juice of Nightshade six ounces, let
them boil to the consumption of the juice,
then add white Wax five ounces, Ceruss
washed two ounces, liCad burnt and washed,
S66
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Pompholix prepared, pure Frankincense, i Culpeper.'] The belly beina anointed
of each an ounce, let them be brought into | with it kills the worms,
the form of an ointment according to art. j
Culpeper.'] It cools and binds, drys, and | ==-
stays tluxes, either of blood or humours in I
wounds, and fills hollow ulcers with flesh. \
XJnguentum Refrigerans. Galenus. ^
It is also called a Cerecloath. «
College.'] Take of white Wax fou.'j
ounces. Oil of Roses omphacine one pound, \
melt it in a double vessel, then pour it outj
into another, by degrees putting in cold |
water, and often pouring it out of one vessel i
into another, stirring it till it be white, last!
of all wash it in Rose water, adding a little |
Rose Water, and Rose Vinegar. I
Culpeper.] It is a fine cooling thing, to x
cure inflammations in wounds or tumours. |
Ungnentum e Siiccis Aperitivis primum. \
Foesius. I
College.] Take of the juice of Smallage, \
Endive, Mints, Wormwood, common \
Parsley, Valerian, of each three ounces, oil ;
of Wormwood and Mints, of each half a ;
pound, yellow Wax three ounces, mix them \
together over the fire, and make of them an i
ointment. |
Culpeper.] It opens stoppages of thej
stomach and spleen, eases the rickets, the j
breast and sides being anointed with it. \
An Ointment for the Worms. Fcesius. |
College.] Take of oil of Rue, Savin, |
Mints, Wormwood, and bitter Almonds, \
of each an ounce and an half, juice of thej
flowers or leaves of Peaches, and Worm-j
wood, of each half an ounce, powder of|
Rue, Mints, Gentian, Centaury the less, |
Tormentil, of each one dram, the seeds of J
Coleworts, the pulp of Colocynthis, of each |
two drams. Aloes Hepatic, three drams, the;
meal of Lupines half an ounce. Myrrh ^
washed in grass water a dram aiid an half, I
Bull's Galls an ounce and an half, with \
juice of Lemons, so much as is sufficient, I
and an ounce and an half of Wax, make it|
into an ointment according to art. 5
CERECLOATHS
Ceratum de Galbano.
Or, Cerecloath of Galbanum.
College.] Take of Galbanum prepared,
an ounce and an half, Assafoetida half an
ounce. Bdellium a dram. Myrrh two drams,
Wax two ounces. Carrot seeds a scruple,
Featherfew, Mugwort, of each half a dram,
dissolve the Gums in Vinegar, and make it
a cerecloath according to art.
Culpeper.] Being applied to the belly
of a woman after labour, it cleanses her of
any relicts accidently left behind, helps
the fits of the mother, and other accidents
incident to women in that case.
Ceratum Oesypatum.
College^ Take of Oesypus ten ounces,
Oil of Chamomel, and Orris, of each half
a pound, yellow Wax two pounds, Rozin a
pound, Mastich,Ammoniacum, Turpentine,
of each an ounce. Spikenard two drams
and an half, Saflron a dram and an half,
Styrax Calamitis half an ounce, make them
into a cerecloath according to art.
Culpeper^ It molifies and digests hard
swellings of the liver, spleen, womb, nerves,
joints, and other parts of the body, and is a
great easer of pain.
Ceratum Santalinum.
College.] Take of red Sanders, ten
drams, white and yellow Sanders, of each
six drams, red Roses twelve drams. Bole-
ammoniac seven drams, Spodium four
drams, Camphire two drams, white Wax
washed thirty drams. Oil of Roses ompha-
cine six ounces : make it into a cerecloath
according to art.
Culpeper.] It wonderfully helps hot in-
firmities of the stomach, liver, and other
parts, being but applied to them.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
3C7
PLAISTERS.
Emplastrum ex Amrrmniaco.
Or, A Plaister of Ammoniacum.
College^ Take of Ammoniacum, Branj
well sifted, of each an ounce, Ointment of |
Marsh-mallows, Melilot plaister compound, \
roots of Briony, and Orris in powder, oH
?each half an ounce, the fat of Ducks, {
Geese, and Hens, of each three drams, x
Bdellium, Galbanum, of each one dram and I
an half, Per-Rozin, Wax, of each five!
ounces, oil of Orris, Turpentine, of each |
half an ounce, boil the fats and oil withj
mussilage of Lin-seed, and Fenugreek seed, |
of each three ounces, to the consumption of j
the mussilage, strain it, and add the Wax, |
Rozin, and Turpentine, the ointment ofj
Marsh-mallows with the plaister of Melilot ;|
when it begins to be cold, put in thej
Ammoniacum, dissolved in Vinegar, then
the Bdellium in powder, with the rest of the
powders, and make it into a plaister accord-
iug to art.
Culpeper.'] It softens and assuages hard |
swellings, and scatters the humours oftend- \
ing, applied to the side it softens the hard- 1
ness of the spleen, assuages pains thence >
arising.
Emplastrum e Bacciis Luiiri,
Or, A Plaister of Bay-berries.
College.'] Take of Bay-berries husked,!
Turpentine, of each two ounces, Frankin- ?
cense, Mastich, Myrrh, of each an ounce, |
C^'press, Costus, of each half an oimce, J
Honey warmed and not scummed, four!
ounces : make it into a plaister according to |
art. I
Culpeper.] It is an excellent plaister to I
ease any pains coming of cold or wind, in :
any part of the body, whether stomach, |
liver, belly, reins, or bladder. It is anj
excellent remedy for the cholic and wind in |
the bowels.
Emplastrum Barbarum Magnum.
College^ Take of dry Pitch eight pounds,
yellow Wax six pounds and eight ounces,
Per-Rozin five pounds and four ounces.
Bitumen, Judaicum, or Mummy, four
pounds. Oil one pound and an half. Ver-
digris, Litharge, Ceruss, of each three
ounces. Frankincense half a pound, Roach
Alum not burnt, an ounce and an half,
burnt, four ounces, Opopanax, scales ot
Brass, Galbanum, of each twelve drams.
Aloes, Opium, Myrrh, of each half an
ounce. Turpentine two pounds, juice ot
Mandrakes, or else dried bark of the root,
six drams. Vinegar five pounds : Let the
Litharge, Ceruss, and Oil, boil to the thick-
ness of Honey, then incorporate with them
the Pitch, being melted with Bitumen in
powder ; then add the rest, and boil them
according to art, till the vinegar be con-
sumed, and it stick not to your hands.
Culpeper.'] It helps the bitings of men
and beasts, eases inflammations of wounds,
and helps infirmilies of the joints, and gouts
in the beginning.
Emplastrum de Betonica.
Or, A Plaister of Betony.
College.] Take of Betony, Burnet, Agri-
mony, Sage, Pennyroyal, Yarrow, Coinfrey
the greater. Clary, of each six ounces,
Frankincense, Mastich, of each three
drams. Orris, round Birthwort, of each six
drams, white Wax, Turpentine, of each
eight ounces, Per-Rozin six ounces, Gunw
Elemi, Oil of Fir, of each two ounces, while
Wine three pounds : bruise the herbs, boil
them in the Wine, then strain them, and add
the rest, and make them into a plaister ac-
cording to art.
Culpeper.] It is a good plaister to unite
the skull when it is cracked, to draw ou4
pieces of broken bones, and cover the
bones with flesh : It draws filth from the
bottom of deep ulcers, restores flesh lost,
cleanses, digests, and drys.
5b
THE CO\JPLETE HERBAL
Emplastnrm C^sarus. jed, and made into an emplaister according
Colkire.l Take of red Roses one ounce 1 to art.
and an half, Bistort roots, Cypress Nuts, all | Catagmaticum the second.
the Sanders, Mints, Coriander seeds, of | College^ Take of the roots of Comfrey
each three drams, Mastich half an ounce, [the greater. Marsh-mallows, Misselto of the
Hypocistis, Acacia, Dragon's blood, Earth! Oak, of each two ounces, Platain, Chame-
of Lenmos. Bole-ammoniac, red Coral, of
each two drams. Turpentine washed in
Plantain water four ounces. Oil of Roses
three ounces, white Wax twelve ounces,
Per-Rozin ten ounces. Pitch six ounces,
the juice of Plantain, Houseleek, and Or-
the Wax, Rozin
jjme, of each an ounce, ^..^ ,,c.a, ^»wz..ii,
and Pitch being melted together, add the
Turpentine and Oil, then the Hypocistis 1 ounces, boil it to the consistence of
and Acacia dissolved in the juices, at last j emplaister, then add yellow Wax
pitys, St. John's Wort, of each a handful,
boil them in equal parts of black Wine,
and Smith's Water till half be consumed,
strain it, and add mussilage of Quince seeds
made in Tripe water, Oil of Mastich and
Roses, of each four ounces, boil it to the
consumption of the humidity, and having
strained it, add Litharge of Gold four
an
four
the powders, and make it into a plaisler jounces. Turpentine three ounces, Colophonia
according to art. ! six drams. Ship Pitch ten ounces, powders
Culpeper."] It is of a fine, cool, binding, ! of Balaustincs, Roses, Myrtles, Acacia, of
strengthening nature, excellently good to | each half an ounce, Mummy, Androsamum,
repel hot rheums or vapours that ascend \ Mastich, Amber, of each six drams, Bole-
up to the head, the hair being shaved off, i ammoniac fine flowers, Frankincense, of
and it applied to the crov/n. ; each twelve drams. Dragon's blood two
Emplastrum Catagmaticum tJieJirst. ounces : make it into a plaister according
College.'] Takeof juice of Marsh-mallow to art.
roots six ounces, bark of Ashtree roots, and Culpeper.'] Both this and the former are
their leaves, the roots of Comfrey the greater binding and drying, the former rules will
and smaller with their leaves, of each two • instruct you in the use.
ounces. Myrtle Berries an ounce and an i Emplastrum Cephalkum
half, the leaves of Willow, the tops of St. | Or, A Cephalic Plaister.
John's Wort, of each an handful and an | College.] Take of Rozin two ounces,
half, having bruised them, boil them together | black Pitch one ounce, Labdanum,Turpen-
in red Wine, and Smith's Water, of each | tine, flower of Beans, and Orobus, Dove's
two pound, till half be consumed, strain it, \ dung, of each half an ounce, Myrrh, Mas-
and add Oil of Myrtles, and Roses c npha- ! tich, of each one dram and an half. Gum
cine, of each one pound and an half, Goat's | of Juniper, Nutmegs, of each two drams,
suet eight ounces, boil it again to the con- 1 dissolve the Myrrh and Labdanum in a hot
sumption of the decoction, strain it again, ; mortar, and adding the rest, make it into a
and add Litharge of Gold and Silver, red I plaister according to art. If you will have
Lead, of each four ounces, yellow Wax one| it stronger, add the powders, Euphorbium,
pound, Colophonia half a pound, boil it to | Pellitory of Spain, and black Pepper, of
the consistance of a plaister, then add Tur- 1 each two scruples.
pentine two ounces. Myrrh, Frankincense, | Culpeper.] It is proper to strengthen the
Mastich, of each half an ounce, Bole- | brain, and repel such vapours as annoy it,
ammoniac. Earth of Lemnos, of each one land those powders being added, it dries up
ounce, stir them about well till they beboil- Uhe superfluous moisture thereof, and cases
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
309
tlie eyes of hot scalding vapours that annoy *
them. s
Emplastrum de Cerussa. \
Or, A Plaister of Ceruss. \
College.'] Take of Ceruss in fine powder, |
;white Wax, Sallad Oil, of each three ounces, '^
add the Oil by degrees to the Ceruss, and i
boil it by continual stirring over a gentle |
fire, till it begin to swell, then add the Wax |
cut small by degrees, and boil it to its just t
consistence. |
Culpeper.'] It helps burns, dry scabs, and v
hot ulcers, and in general whatever sores;
abound with moisture. j
Emplastrum ex Ciciita cum Ammoniaco.
Or, A Plaister of Hemlock with
Ammoniacum.
College.'] Take of the juice of Hemlock
four ounces. Vinegar, of Squills, and
Ammoniacum, of each eight ounces, dissolve
the Gum in the juice and Vinegar, after a I
due infusion, then strain it into its just con-|
bistence according to art. >
Culpeper.] I suppose it was invented to >
mitigate the extreme pains, and allay the j
inflammations of wounds, for which it is 5
very good : let it not be applied to any ;
principal part. !
Emplastrum. c cnista Panis.
Or, A Plaister of a crust of Bread.
College.] Take of Mastich, Mints, Spo- \
dium, red Coral, all the Sanders, of each |
one dram, Oil of Mastich and Quinces, of |
each one dram and an half, a crust of Bread \
toasted, and three times steeped in red Rose i
Vinegar, and as often dried, Labdanum, of ^
each two ounces, Rozin four ounces, Styrax |
Calamitis half an ounce, Barley meal five!
drams : make them into a plaister accord- ;
ing to art. \
Culpeper^ I shall commend this for a>
good plaister to strengthen the brain as any |
is in the Dispensatory, the hair beings
shaved off, and it applied to the crown ; also |
bemg applied to the stomach, it strengthen.** !
it, helps digestion, stays vomiting and putre-
faction of the meat there.
Emplastrum e Cymino.
Or, A Plaister of Cummin.
College.] Take of Cummin-seed, Bay-
berries, yellow Wax, of each one pound,
Per-Rozin two pounds, common Rozin
three pounds, Oil of Dill half a pound :
mix them, and make them into a plaister.
Culpeper.] It assuages swellings, takes
away old a(;hes coming of bruises, and ap-
plied to the belly, is an excellent remedy
for the wind cholic. This I have often
proved, and always with good success.
Emplastmm Diacalciicos.
College.] Take of Hog's grease fresh and
purged from the skins two pounds, oil of
Olives omphacine. Litharge of Gold beaten
and sifted, of each three pounds, white
Vitriol burnt and purged four ounces : let
the Litharge, grease, and oil boil together
with a gentle fire, with a little Plantain
water, always stirring it, to the consistence
of a plaister, into which (being removed
from the fire) put in the Vitriol and make it
into a plaister according to art.
Culpeper^ It is a very drying, binding
plaistei, profitable in green wounds tohinder
putrefaction, as also in pestilential sorcfs
after they are broken, and ruptures, and
also in burnings and scaldings.
Diachylon simple.
College!] Take of nmssilage of Linseed,
Fenugreek seed. Marsh-mallow roots, of
each one pound, old Oil three pounds: boil
it to the consumption of the mnssilagc,
strain it, and add Litharge of Gold in fine
powder, one pound and an half: boil them
with a little water over a gentle fire always
stirring them to a just thickness.
Culpeper.] It is an exceeding good
remedy for all swellings without pain, it
softens hardness of the liver and spleen, it
is very gentle.
Diachylon Ireatum.
College.] Add one ounce of Orris in
8T0
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
powder to every pound of Diachylon sim-
ple.
Diachylon Magnum.
Cfllegc-I Take of mussilage of Raisins,
fat Figs, Mastich, Mallow-roots, Linseeds,
and Fenugreek-seeds, Bird-liine, the juice
of Orris and Squills, of each twelve drams
and an half, CEsypus or oil of Sheep's feet
an ounce and an half, Oil of Orris, Chamo-
mel. Dill, of each eight ounces, litharge of
Gold in fine powder one pound. Turpentine
three ounces, Per-Rozin, yellow Wax, of
each two ounces, boil the oil with the mus-
silages and juices to the consumption of the
humidity, strain the oil from the faces, and
by adding the Litharge boil it to its con-
sistence; then add the Rozin and Wax;
lastly, it being removed from the fire, add
the Turpentine, Qisypus and Birdlime,
make of them a plaister by melting them
according to art.
Culpeper.'] It dissolves hardness and in-
flammations.
Diachylon magnum cum Gummi.
College^ Take of Bdellium, Sagapenum,
Amoniacum, of each two ounces, dissolved
in Wine, and added to the mass of Diachy-
lon magnum : first boil the gums being dis-
solved, to the thickness of Honey.
Culpeper'l This is the best to dissolve
hard swellings of all the three.
Diachylon compositum, sive Emplaisti-um e
Miissilaginibus.
Or, A Plaister of Mussilages.
CollegeJ] Take of mussilages of the
middle bark of Elm, Marsh-mallow roots.
Linseed, and Fenugreek seed, of each four
ounces and an half, oil of Chamomel, Lilies,
and Dill, of each an ounce and an half,
Ammoniacum, Galbanum, Sagapen, Opo-
panax, of each half an ounce, new Wax
twenty ounces, Turpentine two ounces.
Saffron two drams, dissolve the Gums in
Wine, ana make it into a plaister according
»o art.
Culpeper,'] It ripens swellings, and
breaks them, and cleanses them when they
are broken. It is of a most excellent ripen-
ing nature.
Emplaistrum Diaphanicon hot.
Take of yellow Wax two
ounces, Per-Rozin, Pitch, of each four
ounce*s, Oil of Roses and Nard, of each one
ounce, melt them together, and add pulp of
Dates made in Wine four ounces, flesh of
Quinces boiled in red Wine an ounce, then
the powders following: take of Bread
twice baked, steeped in Wine and dried,
two ounces, Mastich an ounce. Frankin-
cense Wormwood, red Roses, Spikenard,
of each two drams and an half, Wood of
Aloes, Mace, Myrrh, washed Aloes, Acacia,
Troches of Gallia Moschata, and Earth of
Lemnos, Calamus Aromaticus, of each one
dram, Labdanum three ounces, mix them
and make them into a plaister according to
art.
Culpeper.'] It strengthens the stomach
and liver exceedingly, helps fluxes, apply
it to the places grieved.
Diaphoenicon cold.
College^ Take of Wax four ounces. Ship
Pitch five ounces, Labdanum three ounces
and an half. Turpentine an ounce and an
half, Oil of Roses one ounce, melt these,
and add pulp of Dates almost ripe, boiled
in austere Wine four ounces, flesh of
Quinces in like manner boiled. Bread twice
baked often steeped in red Wine and dried,
of each an ounce, Styrax Calamitis, Acacia,
unripe Grapes, Balaustines, yellow Sanders,
troches of Terra Lemnia, Myrrh, Wood of
Aloes, of each half an ounce, Mastich, red
Roses, of each an ounce and an half, austere
Wine as much as is sufKcient to dissolve the
juices, make it into a plaister according to
art.
Culpeper^ It strengthens the belly and
liver, helps concoction in those parts, and
distribution of humours, stays vomitinii and
fluxes.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
371
Emplastrum Divmnm.
Or, A Divine Plaster.
Cidpepcr.'] I found this receipt in an
old manuscript Avritten in the year 1513.
College.'] Take of Loadstone four ounces, the quantity of the ingredients very little
Ammoniacum three ounces and three altered.
drams. Bdellium two ounces, Galbanum, ^ Plaster of Gnm Elemi.
Myrrh, of each ten drams, Olibanum nine College.'] Take of Gum Elemi three
drams, Opopanax, Mastich, long Birlhwort, ounces, Per Rozin, Wax, Ammoniacum,
Verdigris, of each an ounce. Litharge, j of each two ounces. Turpentine three
common Oil, of each a pound and an half, jounces and an half, Mall aga Wine so much
new Wax eight ounces: let the Litharge injas is sufficient: boil it to the consumption
fine powder be boiled with the oil to a | of the Wine, then add the Ammoniacum
thickness, then add the Wax, which being | dissolved in Vinegar.
melted, take it from the fire, add the Gums I Cnlpeper.'] The operation is the same
dissolved in Wine aiitl Vinegar, strain it, j with ^rceus Lin-iment.
then add the Myrrh, Mastich, Frankin- ; A Flakier of Lapis Calaminaris.
cense, Birthwort, and Loadstone in powder, > College.'] Take of Lapis Calaminaris
last of all the Verdigris in powder, and | prepared an ounce, Litharge two ounces
make it into a plaster according to art. | Ceruss half an ounce, Tutty a dram, Tur-
Culpeper."] It is of a cleansing nature, | pentine six drams, white Wax an ounce
exceeding good against malignant ulcers, land an half, Stag's Suet two ounces, Frank-
it consumes corruption, engenders new) incense five drams, Mastich three drams,
flesh, and brings them to a scar. | Myrrh two "drams, Camphire a dram and
Emplastrum Epispasticum. Ian half, make it up according to art.
College.] Take of Mustard seed, Euphor- j Emplastrum ad Herniam.
bium, long Pepper, of each one dram and x College.] Take of Galls, Cypress Nuts,
an half, Stavesacre, Pellitory of Spain of s Pomegranate Pills, Balaustines, Acacia,
each two drams, Ammoniacum, Galbanum, I the seeds of Plantain, Fleawort, Water-
Phellium, Sagapen, of each three drams, i cresses, Acorn Cups, Beans torrified. Birth-
whole Cantharides five drams. Ship Pitch, i wort long and round. Myrtles of each half
Rozin, yellow Wax, of each six drams, | an ounce. Let these be powdered, and
Turpentine as much as is sufficient to make | steeped in Rose Vinegar four days, then
it into a plaster. Uorrified and dried, then take of Comfrey
Cidpeper.] Many people use to draw j the greater and lesser. Horsetail, Woad,
blisters in their necks for the tooth ache, or i Cetrach, the roots of Osmond Royal, Fearn,
for rheums in their eyes ; if they please to \ of each an ounce. Frankincense, Myrrh,
lay a plaster of this there, it will do it. 5 Aloes, Mastich, Mummy, of each two
Emplastrum a nostratibus, Flos Unguentorum \ ounces. Bole-ammoniac washed in Vinegar,
Dictum. JLap, Calaminaris prepared. Litharge of
Or, Flower of Ointments. ' Gold, Dragon's blood, of each three ounces.
College.] Take of Rozin, Per Rozin, | Ship Pitch two pounds. Turpentine six
yellow Wax, Sheep's Suet, of each half a jounces, or as much as is sufficient to make
pound, Olibanum four ounces. Turpentine x it into a plaster according to art.
two ounces and an half. Myrrh, Mastich, \ Culpeper.] The plaster is very binding
of each an ounce, Camphire two drams,
white Wine half a pound, boil them into a
plaster.
and knitting, appropriated to ruptures or
burstens, as the title of it specifies, it
[strengthens the reins and womb, slays
c
5
872
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
abortion, it coiisolidates wourds, and helps | Emplastrum de Meliloto compositum.
all diseases coming of cold and moisture, j Or, A Plaster of Melilot compound.
Emplastrum Hystericum. \ College.'] Take of Melilot flowers six
College^ Take of Bistort roots one | drams, Chaniomel flowers, the seeds of
pound, Wood of Aloes, yellow Sanders, | Fenugreek, Bay berries husked, Marsh-
Nutmegs, Barberry Kernels, Rose seeds, \ mallow roots, the tops of Wormwood and
of each one ounce, Cinnamon, Cloves, j Marjoram, of each three drams, the seeds
Squinanth, Chamomel flowers, of each half; of Smallage, Ammi, Cardamoms, the roots
an ounce. Frankincense, Mastich, Aliptajof Orris, Cypress, Spikenard, Cassia Ligne^,
Moschata, Gallia Moschata, Styrax Cala-|of each one dram and an half, Bdellium
mitis, of each one dram, Mosch half a dram, | five drams : beat them all into fine powder,
yellow Wax one pound and an half, Tur-| the pulp of twelve Figs, and incorporate
pentine half a pound, Moscheeleum four | them with a pound and an half of Melilot
ounces, Labdanum four pounds. Ship Pitch \ plaster simple, Turpentine an ounce and an
three pounds : let the Labdanum and Tur- 1 half, Ammoniacum dissolved in Hemlock
pentine be added to the Pitch and Wax, | Vinegar, three ounces, Styrax five drams,
being melted, then the Styrax, lastly the | oil of Marjoram, and Nard, of each half
rest in powder, and sifted, that they may | an ounce, or a sufficient quantity, make it
be made into a plaster according to art. | into a plaster with a hot mortar and pestle,
Cvlpeper.] The plaster being applied to I without boiling,
the navel, is a means to withstand the fits of | Culpeper.] It mollifies the hardness of
the mother in such women as are subject to | the stomach, liver, spleen, bowels, and other
them, by retaining the womb in its place. | parts of the body : it wonderfully assuages
Etnplastrum de Mastich. 1 pain, and eases hypochondriac melancholy,
Or, A Plaster of Mastich.
\
and the rickets.
College.'] Take of Mastich three ounces, \ Emplastrum de minio compositum.
Bole-ammoniac washed in black Wine, an | Or, A Plaster of red Lead compound,
ounce and an half, red Roses six drams, \ College.] Take of Oil of Roses ompha^
Ivory, Myrtle Berries, red Coral, of each j cine twenty ounces, oil of Mastich two
half an ounce. Turpentine, Colophonia, 1 ounces, Suet of a Sheep and a Calf, of each
Tachamahacca, Labdanum, of each two
half a pound. Litharge of Gold and Silver^
ounces, yellow Wax half a pound, Oil of! red Lead, of each two ounces, a taster full
Myrtles four ounces : make it into a plaster of Wine : boil them by a gentle fire con-
according to art. tinually stirring it till it grow black, let the
Culpeper.] It is a binding plaster, fire be hottest towards the latter end, then
strengthens the stomach being applied to it, \ add Turpentine half a pound, Mastich two
and helps such as loath their victuals, or ounces, Gum Elemi one ounce, white Wax as
cannot digest it, or retain it till it be much as is sufficient : boil them a little, and
digested. make them into a plaster according to art.
Emplastrum de Meliloto Simplex. Ctdpeper.] It potently cures wounds.
Or, A Plaster of Melilot simple. i old malignant ulcers, and is very drying. .
College.] Take of Rozin eight pounds, \ Emplastrum de minio Simplicius.
yellow Wax four pounds. Sheep's Suet two Or, A Plaster of red Lead simple,
pounds : these being melted, add green College.] Take of red Lead nine ounces,
Melilot cut small, five pounds : make it Oil of red Roses one pound and an hal^^
into a plaster according to art. white Wine Vinegar six ounces, boil it
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
373
into the perfect body of a plaster. It is
prepared without Vinegar, thus: take of red
Lead one pound, Oil of Roses one pound
and an half. Wax half a pound, make it
into a plaster according to art.
Cidpeper.'} It is a fine cooling healing
plaster, and very drying.
Emplastrum Metroproptoticon.
College.'] Take of Mastich one ounce
and an half, Galbanum dissolved in red
Wine and strained, six drams, Cypress Tur-
pentine two drams, Cypress Nuts, Galls, of
each one dram and an half, oil of Nutmegs
by expression one dram, Musk two grains
and an half. Pitch scraped off from old
ships two drams and an half; beat the Gal-
banum, Pitch, Turpentine, and Mastich
gently in a hot mortar and pestle, towards
the end, adding the Oil of Nutmegs, then
the rest in powder, last of all the Musk
mixed with a little Oil of Mastich upon a
marble, and by exact mixture make them
into a plaster.
Emplastrum Nerviniim.
College.l Take of Oil of Chamomel and
Roses, of each two ounces, of Mastich,
Turpentine, and Linseeds, of each an ounce
and an half. Turpentine boiled four ounces,
Rosemary, Bettony, Horsetail, Centaury the
less, of each a handful. Earth-worms washed
and cleansed in Wine three ounces, tops
of St. John's Wort a handful, Mastich, Gum
Elemi, Madder roots, of each ten drams.
Ship-pitch, Rozin, of each an ounce and
an half. Litharge of Gold and Silver, of
each two ounces and an half, red Lead two
ounces, Galbanum, Sagapen, Ammoniacum,
of each three drams; boil the roots, herbs,
and worms, in a pound and an half of Wine
till half be consumed, then press them out,
and boil the decoction again with the Oils,
Suets, Litharge, and red Lead, to the con-
sumption of the Wine: then add the Gums
dissolved in Wine, afterwards the Turpen-
tine, Rozin, Pitch, and Mastich, in powders
and make them into a plaster accordmg to
art.
Culpeper.'] It strengthens the brain and
nerves, and then being applied to the back,
down along the bone, it must needs add
strength to the body.
Emplastrum Oxycroceum.
College.'] Take of Saffron, Ship-pitch,
Colophonia, yellow Wax, of each four
ounces. Turpentine, Galbanum, Ammonia-
cum, Myrrh, Olibanum, Mastich, of each
one ounce and three drams. Let the Pitch
and Colophonia be melted together, then
add the Wax, then (it being removed from
the fire) the Turpentine, afterwards the
Gums dissolved in Vinegar, lastly the Saf-
fron in powder, well mixed with Vinegar,
and so make it into a plaster according to
art.
Culpeper.] It is of a notable softening
and discussing quality, helps broken bones,
and any part molested with cold, old aches,
stiffness of the limbs by reason of wounds,
ulcers, fractures, or dislocations, and dis-
sipates cold swellings.
Emplastrum Stepha7iiaion.
College."] Take of Labdanum half an
ounce, Styrax, Juniper Gum, of each two
drams. Amber, Cypress, Turpentine, of
each one dram, red Coral, Mastich, of eacli
half a dram, the flowers of Sage, red
Roses, the roots of Orris Florentine, of
each one scruple, Rozin washed in Rose-
water half an ounce, the Rozin, Labdanum^
Juniper Gum, and Turpentine, being gently
beaten in a hot mortar, with a hot pestle,
'jf-Tinkling in a few drops of red Wine till
tlnjy are in a body; then put in the pow-
ders, and by diligent stirring make them
into an exact plaster.
Emplastrum Sticticw/K
College.] Take of Oil of Olives six
ounces, yellow Wax an ounce and an half,
Litharge in powder four ounces and an
half, Ammoniacum, Bdellium, of each half
an ounce, Galbanum, Opopanax Oil of
374
THE COMPLETE HERBAL.
Bays, Lapis Calamlnaris, both sorts of
Birthwort, Myrrh, Frankincense, of each
two drams, pure Turpentine an ounce. Let
the Oil, Wax, and Litharge be boiled toge-
ther till it stick not to your fingers, then the
mass being removed from the fire and cooled
a little, and the Gums dissolved in white
Wine Vinegar, which evaporate away by
boiling, strain it strongly, then add the
powders, Turpentine, and Oil of Bays, that
it may be made into a plaster according to
art.
Culpeper.'] It strengthens the nerves,
draws out corruption, takes away pains and
aches, and restores strength to members that
have lost it : the last is most effectual.
Emplastrum Stomachicum Magistrale.
Or, A Stomach Plaster.
College. ~\ Take of Mints, Wormwood,
Stoechas, Bay leaves, of each a dram, Mar-
joram, red Roses, yellow Sanders, of each
two drams, Calamus Aromaticus, Wood of
Aloes, Lavenderfiowers, Nutmegs, Cubebs,
Galanga, long Pepper, Mace, of each a
dram, Mastich three drams, Cloves two
drams and an half, Oil of Mints an ounce ^
and an half, Oil of Nard an ounce. Oil of |
Spike a dram, Rozin, Wax, of each four
ounces, Labdanum three ounces, Styrax
half an ounce : make it into a plaster.
Culpeper.l Both this and the other of
that name which you shall have by and by,
strengthen the stomach exceedingly, help
digestion and stay vomiting.
Emplastrum Ceroma, or, Ceroneum.
Nich. Alex.
College.~\ Take of Pitch scraped from a
Ship that hath been a long time at Sea,
yellow Wax, of each seven drams, Saga-
penum six drams, Ammoniacum, Turpen-
tine, Colophonia, Saffron, of each four
drams, Aloes, Olibanum, Myrrh, of each
three drams, Styrax Calamitis, Mastich,
Opopanax, Galbanum, Alum, the seeds of i
Fenugreek, of each two drams, the settlings >
or faces of liquid Styrax, Bdellium, of each
one dram, Litharge half a dram.
Culpeper.^ It is of a gentle emolient
nature, prevails against stoppings of the
stomach, coming of cold, hardiiess of the
spleen, coldness of the liver and matrix.
Emplastrum Gratia Dei. Nich.
Or the Grace of God.
College.'] Take of Turpentine half a
pound, Rozin one pound, white Wax four
ounces, Mastich an ounce, fresh Betony,
Vervain, and Burnet, of each one handful.
Let the herbs, being bruised, be sufficiently
boiled in white Wine, the liquor pressed
out, in which let the Wax and Rozin be
boiled to the consumption of the liquor :
being taken from the fire, let the Turpentine
be mixed with it ; lastly the Mastich in
powder, and so make of them a plaster
according to art.
Culpeper.~\ It is excellent good in wounds
and green ulcers, for it keeps back inflam-
mations, cleanses and joins wounds, fills up
ulcers with flesh.
Emplastrum de Janua, or of Betony.
Nicholaus.
College.'] Take of the juice of Betony,
Plantain, and Smallage, of each one pound,
Wax, Pitch, Rozin, Turpentine, of each
half a pound, boil the Wax and Rozin in
the juices with a gentle fire, continually
stirring them till the juice be consumed ;
then add the Turpentine and Pitch, con-
tinually stirring it till it be brought into the
consistence of a plaster according to art.
Emplastrum Isis Epigoni. Galen.
College.] Take of yellow Wax an hun-
dred drams. Turpentine two hundred drams,
scales of Copper, Verdigris, round Birth-
wort, Frankincense, Sal-ammoniac, Ammo-
niacum, burnt brass of each eight drams,
burnt Alum six drams. Aloes, Myrrh, Gal-
banum, of each an ounce and a half, old
Oil one pound, sharp Vinegar so much as
is sufficient. Let the metals be dissolved
in the sun with the Vinegar, then put iu
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
375
those things that may be melted, last of all \
the powders, and make them all into an I
emplaster. }
Culpeper.'] Galen appropriates it to the !
head, and ulcers there. I know no reason \
but why it may as well serve for other parts |
of the body. |
A Plaster of Mastich. Nich. Alex. |
College.^ Take of Mastich, Ship Pitch, |
Sagapenum, Wax, of each six drams, \
Ammoniacum, Turpentine, Colophonia, i
Saffron, Aloes, Frankincense, Myrrh, of!
each three drams, Opopanax, Galbanum, |
Styrax, Calamitis, Alum, (Rondeletius ap-
points, and we for him) Bitumen, Fenu-
greek, of each two drams, the feces of
Liquid Styrax, Bdellium, Litharge, of each
half a dram : Let the Litharge, being beaten
into powder, be boiled in a sufficient quan-
tity of water ; then add the pitch, which
being melted, add the Wax and Ammoni-
acum, afterwards let the Sagapenum, Opo-
panax, and Galbanum be put in ; then the |
Styrax and Feces being mixed with the \
Turpentine, last of all the Colophonia,
Mastich, Frankincense, Bdellium, Alum,
Myrrh, and Fenugreek in powder : let
them be made into a plaster.
Culpeper.'] It strengthens the stomach,
and helps digestion.
Emplastrum Nigrum. August. Called in
High Dutch Stichstaster.
College.] Take of Colophonia, Rozin,
Ship Pitch, white Wax, roman Vitriol,
Ceruss, Olibanum, Myrrh, of each eight
ounces, Oil of roses seven ounces. Oil of
Juniper Berries three ounces. Oil of Eggs
two ounces. Oil of Spick one ounce, white
Vitriol, red Coral, Mummy, of each two
ounces, Earth of Lemnos, Mastich, Dragon's
blood, of each one ounce, the fat of an
Heron one ounce, the fat of Pimullus three
ounces. Load stone prepared, two ounces,
Earthworms prepared, Camphire, of each
one ounce ; make them into a plaster ac-
cording to art,
Culpeper.] It is very good in green
wounds and shootings.
b D
A KEY
TO
GALEN'S METHOD OF PHYSIC.
The general use of physic. \ the whole ground and foundation of physic)
I SHALL desire thee, whoever thou art, i are totally led astray by Tradition.
that intendest the noble (though too much» It is the manifest qualities of medicines
abused) study of physic, to mind heedfully ; that here I am to speak to, and you may be
ihese following rules ; which being well un-i pleased to behold it in this order.
derstood, shew thee the Key of Galen and {
Hippocrates their method of physic : he \ •
that useth their method, and is not heedful
of these rules, may soon cure one disease,
and cause another more desperate.
That thou mayest understand what
intend, it is to discover in a general way of j
the manifest virtues of medicines. 1 Section. 3
I say of the manifest virtues, and qualities, |
viz. Such as are obvious to the senses,?
especially to the taste and smell : for it 1
hath been the practice of most Physicians,
in these latter ages as well as ours, to say, :
when they cannot give, nor are minded to
»;tudy a reason, why an herb, plant, &c "
I|
Section. 1. Of the Temperature of
Medicines.
Section. 2. Of the appropriation of
Medicines.
Of the Properties of Medicines
SECTION I.
Of the Temperature of Medicines.
Herbs, plants, and other medicines mani-
hath such an operation, or produces such an j festly operate, either by heat, coldness, dry-
effect in the body of man : It doth it by an i ness, or moisture, for the world being com-
hidden quality, for they not minding the ; posed of so many qualities, they and only
wholecreation,asoneunitedbody,not know- i they can be found in the world, and tlie
ingwhatbelongstocfstro/i>j/?//f«Ge,notregard- 1 mixtures of them one with another,
ing that excellent harmony the only wise | But that they may appear as clear as the
God hath made in a composition of con- j sun when he is upon the meridian, I shall
traries (m the knowledge of which consists I treat of them severally, and in this order
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 377
1. Of Medicines temperate. \ and vigour, and may be used without dan-
2. Of Medicines hot. Iger, or fear of danger, by considering whch
3. Of Medicines cold. \ part of the body is weak, and using such
4. Of Medicines moist. 1 temperate medicines as are appropriated to
5. Of Medicines dry. \ that part.
5 Of Medicines hot.
Of Medicines Temperate. i The care of the ancient Physicians was
If the world be composed of extremes, | such that they did not labour to hide from,
then it acts by extremes, for as the man is, | but impart to posterity, not only the teni-
so is his work: therefore it is impossible j perature of medicines in general, but also
that anv medicine can be temperate, but; their degrees in temperature, that so the
may be reduced to heat, cold, dryness, or 1 distempered part may be brought to its
moisture, and must operate, (I niean such as j temperature, and no further; for all things
operate by manifest quality) by one of these, | which are of a contrary temperature, con-
because there is no other to operate by, and j duce not to cure, but the strength of the
that there should be such a temperate mix- 1 contrariety must be observed, that so the
lure, so exquisitely of these qualities in any \ medicine may be neither weaker nor strong-
medicine, that one of them should not | er, than just to take away the distemper;
manifestly excel the other, I doubt it is a j for if the distemper be but meanly hot, and
system too rare to find. j you ^PP'j ^ medicine cold in the fourth
Thus then I conclude the matter to be, | degree, it is true, you may soon remove that
those Medicines are called temperate (not | distemper of heat, and bring another of
because they have excess of temperature | cold twice as bad. Galen, de simp, med.facul.
at all in them) which can neither be said, \li0.3. cap. 12.
to heat nor cool so much as will amount to ; Then, secondly. Not only the distemper
the first degree of excess, for daily expe- ; itself, but also the part of the body dis-
rience witnesses that they being aflded to \ tempered nmst be heeded ; for if the head
medicines, change not their qualities, they i be distempered by heat, and you give such
make them neither hotter nor colder. i medicines as cool the heart or liver, you will
Their ust. They are used in such dis- 1 bring another disease, and not cure the
eases where there is no manifest distemper \ former.
of the first qualities, viz. heat and cold, > The degrees then of temperature are to
for example ; In obstruction of the bowels, • be diligently heeded, which antient physi-
where cold medicines might make the ob- | cians have concluded to be four in the quali-
btruction greater, and hot medicines cause a | ties, viz. heat and cold, of each we shall
fever. 5 speak a word or two severally.
In fevers of flegm, where the cause is | Of Medicines hot in the Jirst degree.
cold and moist, and the effect hot and dry; x Those are said to be hot in the first de-
in such, use temperate medicines which may Igree, which induce a moderate and natural
neither encrease the fever by their heat, I heat to the body, and to the parts thereof;
nor condensate the flegm by their coldness. | either cold by nature, or cooled by accident.
Besides, because contraries are taken ; by which natural heat is cherished when
away by their contraries, and every like > weak, or restored when wanting,
maintained by its like, they are of great: Effect 1. The first cflFect then of medi-
use, to preserve the constitution of the body \ cines hot in the first degree, is, by their
temperate, and the body itself in strength » sweat and temperate heat to reduce the
S78
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
body tons natural heat, as the fire doth thel
external parts in cold weather, unless the!
affliction of cold be so great that such mild ;
medicines will not serve the turn. i
Effect 2. The second effect is, the miti- \
gation of pain arising from such adistemper, \
and indeed this effect hath other medicines, »
some that are cold, and some that are hotter |
than the first degree, they being rationally |
applied to the distemper. These medicines \
the Greeks call Anodyna, and shall be spo- 1
ken of in their proper places. In thisj
place let it suffice that medicines hot in the|
first degree, make the offending humours j
thin, and expel them by sweat, or insensible I
transpiration, and these of all others are 5
most congruous or agreeable to the body of {
man, for there is no such equal temperature j
of heat and cold in a sound man, but heatj
exceeds, for we live by heat and moisture, |
and not by cold. i
Medicines then which are hot in the first \
degree, are such as just correspond to the \
natural heat of our bodies ; such as are j
hotter or colder, are more subject to do mis- 1
chief, being administered by an unskilful
hand, than these are, because of their con- 1
Irariety to nature ; whereas these are grate- *
ful to the body by their moderate heat. |
Effect 3. Thirdly, These take away \
weariness, and help fevers, being outwardly i
applied, because they open the pores of the |
skin, and by their gentle heat prepare the x
humours, and take away those fuliginous \
vapours that are caused by fevers. I
Discommodities!] Yet may discommo- 5
dities arise by heedless giving even of these, I
which I would have young students in phy-|
sic to be very careful in, lest they do more |
mischief than they are aware of, viz. It is \
possible by too much use of them, to con- \
sume not only what is inimical in the body, i
but also the substance itself, and the strength |
of the spirits, whence comes faintings, and j
sometimes death: besides, by applying j
them to the parts of the body they are not
appropriated to, or by not heeding Avell the
complexion of the patient, or the natural
temper of the part of' the body afflicted, for
the heart is hot, but the brain temperate.
Effect 4. Lastly, Medicines hot in the
first degree, cherish heat in the internal
parts, help concoction, breed good blood,
and keep it good in temper, being bred.
Of Medicines hot in the second degree
These are something hotter than the
natural temper of a man.
Use, Their use for such whose stomachs
are filled with moisture, because their
faculty is too hot and dry ; they take awa_y
obstructions or stoppings, open the pores
of the skin, but not in the same manner
that such do as are hot in the first degree^
for they do it without force, by a gentle heat^
concocting, and expelling the humours, by
strengthening and helping nature in the
work ; but these cut tough humours, and
scatter them by theii* own force and power
when nature cannot.
Of Medicines hot in the third degree.
Those which attain the third degree ot
heat, have the same faculties with those
before mentioned ; but as they are hotter,
so are they more powerful in their opera-
tions, for they are so powerful in heating
and cutting, that if unadvisedly given they
cause fevers. Use. Their use is to cut
tough and compacted humours, to provoke
sweat abundantly ; hence it comes to pass
they all of them resist poison.
Of Medicines hot in the fourth degree.
Those medicines obtain the highest degree
of heat, which are so hot that they burn the
body of a man, being outwardly applied to
it, and cause inflammations, or raise blisters,
as Crowfoot, Mustard-seed, Onions, &c.
Of these more hereafter.
Of cooling Medicines.
Physicians have also observed four de
grees of coldness in medicines, which I shall
briefly treat of jn order.
AND ENGLISH I'HYSICIAN ENLARGED.
379
Of Medicines cold in the first degree. | in the second or third degree, always let
Those medicines which are least cold of j tlie remedy correspond to the just propor-
all, obtain the first degree of coldness ; and \ tion of the affliction.
I beseech you take notice of this, that see- | Use 3. Thirdly, Sometimes the spirits
ing our bodies are nourished by heat, and | are moved inordinately through heal, thence
we live by heat, therefore no cold medi- { follows immoderate watchings, if not de-
cines are friendly to the body, but what ^ privation of the senses, this also n)ust be
good they do our bodies, they do it by re- \ remedied with cold medicines, for cold
moving an unnatural heat, or the body I stops the pores of the skin, makes the
heated above it natural temper. \ humours thick, represses sweat, and keeps
The giving then of cold medicines to a | up the spirits from fainting,
man in his natural temper, the season ofj Qf Medicines cold in the fourth degree.
the year also being but moderately hot, ex- l^^^j^^ r^^^ ^^e of medicines cold in the
tmgmshes natural heat in the body of man. ^^^^^^ degree, is, To mitigate desperate and
Yet have these a necessary use m them^gj^^j^g^t p^^i^s, stupifying the senses, when
too, though not so frequent as hot medi- \ ^^ ^^^^^ ^.^^^gg ^.^^ ^ye taken to save life :
cines have; and that may be the reason | ^f ^j^^ ^^^ ^^ ^yhjgl^ j^^re hereafter
why an all wise God hath furnished us with ^^ moistening Medicines.
hot herbs and plants, &c. than -^ u.-^ rj
\ Ihere can be no such dmerence found
far more
""'^'se 1. Their use is first, in nourishment, ! amongst moistening medicines, that they
that so the heat of food may be qualified, | ^^^^"Id surpass the second degree. For see-
and made for a weak stomach to digest. \ '^S ^H medicines are either hot or cold,
Use 2. Secondly, To restrain and assuage i "either heat nor cold, seeing they are ex-
the heat of the bowels, and to cool thr^^tremes, can consist with moisture,
medicines
nor
can consist with moisture, for the
blood in fevers. I ^^^i^"^^ jj "?' ^'^e^tber condensates it.
Therefore if the distemper of heat be but j ^«^- ^ Phy losophers therefore call mois-
centle, medicines cold in the first degree! ture and dryness, /,«.sm;e qualities yet have
will suffice; also children, and such people! they their operation hkewise; for moist
whose stomachs are weak, are easily hurt? "jedicines lenifies and make slippery, ease
bv cold medicines I ^^e cough, and help the roughness of the
Of Medicines cold in the ^cond and third throat. These operations are proper to
vj/ ^xcuei. . g^ J medicines moist in the first degree.
Usel. Such whofe stomachs are strong, I Those which are moister, take away
may easily bear such medi- "^turally strength help he sharpness of
- the second degree, and humours make both blood and spirits
find much help by thicker, looses the belly, and fits it for pur-
tliem • as also bv such as are cold in theigati^"'. . . ,. . c .u ^
... , ,-^ i 'j'fiejjnnioderate or indiscreet use of them
ridS^X ^X^:L!l^^ dulls the body and makes it unfit for action,
heat of choler is assuaged. | Of drying Medicines.
Use 2. Also they are outwardly applied \ Drying medicines have contrary faculties
to hot swellings, due consideration being j to these, viz. To consume moisture, stop
had, that if the inflammation be not great, I fluxes, and make such parts dry as are
use those that are less ; if the inflammation I slippery, they make the body and members
be vehement, make use of medicines cold | firm, when they are weakened by too much
5 £
and livers hot
cines as are cold
in cases of extremity
in
380
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
nioisturc, that so they may perform their
proper functions.
Yet although the members be strengthen-
ed by drying medicines, ihey have not-
withstanding their own proper moisture in
them, which ought to be conserved, and not
destroyed, for without it they cannot con-
sist : If then this moisture be consumed by
using, or rather over use of drying medi-
cines, the members can neither be nourish-
ed, nor yet perform their proper actions.
Such medicines as are dry in the third
degree, being unadvisedly given, hinder
the parts of the body they are appropriated
to, of their nourishment, and by that means
brings them into consumption.
Besides, There is a certain moisture in
the body of man, which is called radical
moisture, which being taken away, the parts
must needs die, seeing natural heat and life
also consists in it, and this may be done by
too frequent use of medicines dry in the
fourth degree : And it may be this was the
reason of Galen's writing, that things dry
in the fourth degree, must of necessity burn ;
which is an effect of heat, and not of dry-
ness, unless by burning, Galen means con-
suming the radical moisture.
The use then of drying medicines, is only
lo such bodies, and parts of the body, as
abound with moisture, in which observe
these rules.
1. If the moisture be not exteme, let not
the medicine be extremely drying.
3. Let it be proper to the part of the
body afflicted, for if the liver Idc afflicted
by moisture, and you go about to dry the
brain or heart, you may sooner kill than
cure.
Thus have we briefly spoken of the first
qualities of medicines, and in the general
only, and but briefly, because we shall
always touch upon them in the exposition
of the other qualities, in which you must
always have an eye to these.
SECTION IL
Of the appropriation of Medicines to the
several parts of the body.
That the qualities and use of these medi-
cines may be found out, and understood
by every one, and so my country reap the
benefit of my labour, they shall find them
presented to their view in this order.
Medicines appropriated.
1.
To the head.
2.
To the breast and lungs
3.
To the heart.
4.
To the stomach.
5.
To the liver.
6.
To the spleen.
7.
To the reins and bladder.
8.
To the womb.
9.
To the Joints.
CHAPTER I.
Of Medicines appropriated to the head.
By [lieadi is usually understood all that
part of the body which is between the top
of the crown, and the uppermost joint oi
the neck, yet are those medicines properly
called Cephalical, which are appropriated
to the brain, not to the eyes, ears, nor
teeth; neither are those medicines which are
proper to the ears, proper also to the eyes,
therefore (my intent being to write as plain
as I can) I shall subdivide this chapter into
these parts.
Medicines appropriated
1. To the brain.
2. To the eyei
3. To the mouth, and nostrils.
4. To the ears.
5. To the teeth.
For what medicines are appropriated .lo
an unruly tongue, is not m my power ui
present to determine.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
sai
Of Medicines appropriated to the brain.
Before we treat of medicines appropriated
to the brain, it is requisite that we describe
what the nature and affection of the brain :
IS.
The brain which is the seat of appre-
hension, judgment, and memory, the origi-
nal of sense and motion, is by nature tem-
perate, and if so, then you will grant me
that it may easily be afflicted both by heat
^nd cold, and it is indeed more subject to
affliction by either of them, than any other
part of the body, for if it be afflicted by
heat, sense and reason, it is immoderately
moved, if by cold, they languish, and are
dulled, to pass by other symptoms which
invade the head, if the brain be altered
from its proper temper.
Also this is peculiar to the brain, that it
is delighted or offended by smells, sights,
and sounds, but I shall meddle no further
with these here, because they are not medi-
cines.
Cephalical Medicines may be found out
from the affections of the brain itself The
brain is usually ojipressed with moisture in
such afflictions ; therefore give such medi-
cines as very gently v/arm, cleanse, cut, and
dry : but withal, let them be such as are
appropriated to the head, such as physi-
cians say (by an hidden quality) strengthen
the brain.
Again, if you consider the situation of
the brain, 3'ou shall find it placed in the
highest part of the body, therefore it is
easily afflicted with hot vapours: this
punishes a man with watching and head-
ache, as the former did with sottishness and
sleepiness, in such cases use such Cephalecs
as gently cool the brain.
To make Cephalecs of Narcoticks, or
stupifying medicines, is not my intent, for
I am confident they are inimical both to
brain and senses. Of these, and such
jnedicines as also purge the brain, I shall
speak by and by. To return to my purpose.
Some Cephalics purge the brain, some
heat it, some cool it, some strengthen it ;
but how they perform this of^ce peculiarly
to the brain, most physicians confess thcv
could neither comprehend by reason, nor
describe by precepts, only thus, they do it
by an hidden quality, either by strengthen-
ing the brain, thereby descending it from
diseases, or by a certain antipathy between
them and the diseases incident to the brain.
Lastly, For the use of Cephalics, ob-
serve, if the brain be much afflicted, you
cannot well strengthen it before you have
purged it, neither can you well purge the
brain before you have cleansed the rest of
the body, it is so subject to receive the
vapours up to it ; give cooling Cephalics
when the brain is too hot, and hot Cephalics
when it is too cold.
Beware of using cooling medicines to
the brain when the crisis of a disease is
near : how that time may be known, I shall
(God assisting me) instruct you hereafter,
let it suffice now, that according as the dis-
ease afflicting your head is, so let your
remedy be.
Of Medicines appropriated to the eyes.
Take such medicines as are appropriated
to the eyes under the name of (Ocular
Medicines) I do it partly to avoid multipli-
city of words, and partly to instruct my
countrymen in the terms of art belonging
to physic, (I would have called them
[Ophthalmics] had not the word been trou-
blesome to the reading, much more to the
understanding of a countryman) as I even
now called such medicines \Ccphalics'] a$
were appropriated lo the brain.
Ocular medicines are two-fbld, viz. sucli
as are nferred to the visive virtues, and such
as are referred to the eyes themselves.
Such as strengthen the visive virtue or
the optick nerves which convey it to the
eyes (say Doctors) do it by an hidden
virtue, into the reason which no man can
dive, unless they should fetch it from the
382
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
similitude of the substance : And jet tlicy ;
say a Goat's liver conduces niuch to make \
one see in the night, and they give this|
reason, because Goats see as well in the \
night as in the day. Yet is there no affi-
nity in temperature nor substance between
the liver and the eyes : However Astro-
logers know well enough that all herbs, j
plants, &e. that are under the dominion of j
either sun or moon, and appropriated to j
the head, be they hot or cold they strengthen $
the visive virtue, as Eyebright, which is hot i
Lunaria, or Moonwort which is cold. 1
As for what appertains to the constitu
tion of the eyes themselves, seeing they are
exact in sense, they will not endure the
least inconvenience, therefore such medi-
cines as are outwardly applied to them
(for such medicines as strengthen the visive
virtues are always given inwardly) let them
neither hurt by their hardness nor gnawing
quality, nor be so tough that they should
stick to them. Therefore let ocular medi-
cines be neither in powders nor ointments,
because oil itself is oiTensive to the eyes,
and how pleasing powders are to them,
you may perceive yourself by just going
into the dust.
Medicines appropriated to the mouth and nose.
Apply no stinking medicine to a disease
in the nose, for such offend not only the
nose, but also the brain ; neither administer
medicines of any ill taste to a disease in the
mouth, for that subverts the stomach, be-
cause the tunicle of the mouth and of the i
stomach is the same : and because both |
mouth and nostrils are ways by which thej
brain is cleansed, therefore are they in-j
fected with such vices as need almost con- \
tinual cleansing, and let the medicines 3'ou ^
apply to them be either pleasant, or at|
least, not ingrateful. \
Medicines appropriated to the ears. |
The ears are easily afflicted by cold,!
because they are always open, therefore |
thejr require hot medicines. And because *
tliey are of themselves very dry, therefore
they require medicines which dry much.
Medicines appropriated to the teeth.
Vehement heat, and vehement cold, are
inimical to the teeth, but they are most of
all offended by sharp and sour things, and
the reason is, because they have neither
skin nor flesh to cover them, they delight in
such medicines as are cleansing and bind-
ing, because they are troubled with de-
fluxions and rheums upon every light oc-
casion ; and that's the reason the common
use of fat and sweet things, soon rots the
teeth.
CHAPTER II,
Of Medicines appropriated to the breast
and lungs.
The medicines appropriated to the breast
and lungs, you shall find called all along
by the name of [pectorals'] that's the term
Physicians give them, when you heat them
talk of pectoral Syrups, pectoral rows, or
pectoral Ointments.
They are divers, some of which regard
the part afflicted, others the matter afllict-
ing.
But although sometimes in ulcers of the
lungs, we are forced to use binding medi-
cines, to join the ulcer, yet are not these
called pectorals, because binding medicines
are extreme hurtful to the breast and lungs,
both because they hinder one's fetching his
breath, and also because they hinder the
avoiding that flegm by which the breast is
oppressed.
Such medicines are called pectorals,
which are of a lenifying nature.
Besides, Those which make thin matter
thicker are of two sorts, viz. Some aie mild
and gentle, which may safely be administed,
be the matter hot or cold which offendeth ;
others are very cold, which are used only
when the matter offending is sharp.
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 30.3
But because such medicines as conduce | will easily grant nie, that it is the property
to the cure of the phthisics (which is an! of cordials to administer to the heart in these
ulceration of the lungs, and the disease 1 particulars.
usually called, the consumption of the i Of Cordials, some cheer the mind, some
hmgs,) are also reckoned in amongst pec- \ strengthen the heart, and refresh the spirits
toral,s it is not amiss to speak a word or | thereof, being decayed,
two of them. | Those which cheer the mind, are not one
In the cure of this disease are three | and the same ; for as the heart is variously
things to be regarded. disturbed, either by anger, love, fear, hatred,
1. To cut and bring away the coHcre/ec? | sadness, &c. So such things as flatter
blood. I lovers or appease the angry, or comfort the
2. To cherish and strengthen the lungs. fearful, or please the hateful, may well be
3. To conglutinate the ulcer. $ called cordials ; for the heart, seeing it is
And indeed some particular simples will | placed in the middle between the brain
perform all these, and physicians confess I and the liver, is wrought upon by reason, as
it ; which shews the wonderful mystery the ; well as by digestion, yet these, because
all-wise God hath made in the creation, | they are not medicines, are beside my pre-
that one and the same simple should per- j sent scope.
form two contrary operations on the same | And although it is true, that mirth, love,
part of the body ; for the more a medicine 1 &c. are actions, or motions of the mind,
cleanses, the more it congluti nates. | not of the body ; yet many have beer.
To conclude then. Pectoral Medicines 1 induced to think such affections may be
are such as either cut and cleanse out the \ wrought in the body by medicines,
compacted humours from the arteries of the \ The heart is chiefly afflicted by too much
lungs, or make thin defluxions thick, or | heat, by poison, and by stinking vapours,
temper those that are sharp, help the rough- 1 and these are remedied by the second sort
ness of the wind-pipe, or are generally ; of cordials, and indeed chiefly belong to
lenitive and softening, being outwardly ap- jour present scope,
plied to the breast. | According to these three afflictions, viz
\
I
1. Excessive heat.
2. Poison.
CHAFI^ER m. I , . 3 Melancholy vapours
i Are three kmds of remedies which suc-
Of Medicines appropriated to the heart. \ cour the afflicted heart.
These are they which are generally given | Such as
under the notion of Cordials; take them j 1. By their cooling nature mitigate the heaf
under that name here. ^. of fevers.
The heart is the seal of the vital spirit, the \ 2. Resist poison.
fountain of life, the original of infused heat, | 3. Cherish the vital spirits when they lan-
and of the natural affections of man. \guish.
So then these two things are proper to the \ All these are called Cordials,
heart. I 1- Such as cool the heart in fevers, ^e»
1. By its heat to cherish life throughout { is not every thing that cooleth cordial, foi
ihe body. llead is colder than gold, yet is not lead
2. To add vigour to the affections. | cordial as gold is, some hold it cordial by
And if these be proper to the heart, you a hidden quality, others by reason.
6 F
384
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
2. Such as resist poison; there is a two- 1 1. Appetite lost,
ibid resisting of poison. ; 2. Digestion weakened.
1. Bj/ an antipathy between the medicine \ 3. The retentive faculty corrupted.
und poison. \ When the appetite is lost, the man feels
2. By a sympathy between the medicine and I no hunger when his body needs nourish-
the heart. | inent.
Of the first we shall speak anon, in a| When digestion is weakened it is not
chapter by itself. The latter belongs to | able to concoct the meat received into the
this chapter, and they are such medicines, i stomach, but it putrifies there,
wjiose nature is to strengthen the heart, and \ When the retentive faculty is spoiled the
fortify it against the poison, as Rue, Ange- 1 stomach is not able to retain the food till it
lica, &c. For as the operation of the for- be digested, but either vomits it up again,
mer is upon tiie poison, which afflicteth the? or causes fluxes.
heart, so the operation of the latter is upon j Such medicines then as remedy all these,
the heart afflicted by the poison. jare called stomachicals. And of tlv?m in
To this class may be referred all such | order. '
medicines as strengthen the heart either by \ \. Such as provoke appetite are usually
a&tral influence, or by likeness of substance, j of a sharp or sourish taste, and yet wiihal
if there be such a likeness in medicines, \ of a grateful taste to the palate, for although
for a Bullock's heart is of like substance | loss of appetite may proceed from divers
to man's, yet I question whether it be cor- \ causes, as from clioler in the stomach, or
dial or not. i putrefied humours or the like, yet such
3. And lastly. Such as refresh the spirits, \ things as purge this choler or humours, are
and make them lively and active, both i properly called OrecZ/'cArs, not stomachicals ;
because they are appropriated to the office, \ the former strengthen appetite after these
and also because they drive stinking and tare expelled.
melancholy vapours from the heart, for as | 2. Such medicines help digestion as
the animal spirit be refreshed by fragrant j strengthen the stomach, either by convc-
smells, and the natural spirits by spices, Anient heat, or aromatic (viz. spicy) faculty,
so are the vital spirits refreshed by all such ; by hidden property, or congruity of nature,
medicines as keep back melancholy vapours • 3. The retentive faculty of the stomach
from the heart, as Borrage, Bugloss, Rose- \ is corrected by binding medicines, yet not
mary. Citron Pills, thecompositions of them, j by all binding medicines neither, for some
and many others, which this treatise will ; of them are adverse to the stomach, but
amply furnish you with. \ by such binding medicines as are appro-
. J priated to the stomach.
CHAPTFR TV i For the use of these.
v^nxii i£jix i\. ^ jj^^ Y, Use not such medicines as pro-
Of Medicine$ appropriated to the stomach. \ voke appetite before you have cleansed the
By stomachi I mean that ventricle which | stomach of what hinders it.
contains the food till it be concocted intoi Use 2. Such medicines as help digestion,
chyle. jgive them a good time before meat that sr
Medicines appropriated to the stomach | they may pass to the bottom of the stomach,
are usually called stomachicals. |(for the digestive faculty lies there,) before
The infirmities usually incident to the | the food come into it.
stomach are three. | Use 3. Such as strengthen the retentive
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 385
faculty, give them a little before meat, if | And thus much for the hver, the office of
to stay fluxes, a little after meat, if to stay ' which is to concoct chyle, (which is a white
vomiting. substance the stomach digests the food into)
■ into blood, and distributes it, by the veins,
CHi^PTER V ^^ ^^^"^^ P^^*^ ^^ ^^ body, whereby the
' : body is nourished, and decaying flesh re-
Of Medicines appropriated to the liver. x stored.
Be pleased to take these under the name | ____^
of Hepatics, for that is the usual namej |
physicians give them, and these also are of; CHAPTER VL
three sorts. j Of Medicines appropriated to the spleen.
1. Some the liver is delighted in. | In the breeding of blood, are three ex-
2. Others strengthen it. jcrements most conspicuous, viz. urinCf
3. Others help its vices. ~ \choler, 'dnd melanchohj.
The palate is the seat of taste, and its I The proper seat of choler is in the gall,
office is to judge what food is agreeable to i The urine passeth down to the reins or
ihe stomach, and what not, by that is both \ kidneys, which is all one.
the quality and quantity of food for the| The spleen takes the thickest or melan-
stomach discerned: the very same office I choly blood to itself,
the meseraik veins perform to the liver. | This excrement of blood is twofold : for
Sometimes such food pleases the palate | either by excessive heat, it is addust, and
which the liver likes not (but not often) | this is that the Latins call AtruBilis: or
and therefore the meseraik \ em?, refuse it, i else it is thick and earthly of itself, and this
und that is the reason some few men fancy i properly is called melancholy humour,
buch food as makes them sick after the; Hence then is the nature of splenica!
eating thereof. - j medicines to be found out, and by these
1. The liver is delighted exceedingly with I two is the spleen usually afflicted for ^/ra
sweet things, draws them greedily, ^nd\bilis, (I know not what distinct English
digests them as swiftly, and that is the reason ; name to give it) many times causes mad-
honey is so soon turned into choler. jness, and pure melancholy causeth obstruc-
2. Such medicines strengthen the liver, itions of the bowels, and tumours, whereby
as (being appropriated to it) very gently ; the concoction of the blood is vitiated,
bind, for seeing the office of the liver is to > and dropsies many times follow,
concoct, it needs some adstriction, that so ! Medicines then peculiar to the spleen
both the heat and the humour to be con- 1 must needs be twofold also, some appro-
cocted may be stayed, that so the one slip • priated to Atra hilis, others to pure melan-
not away, nor the other tie scattered. |choly; but of purging either of them, I
Yet do not hepatical medicines require | shall omit till I come to treat of purging in
so great a binding faculty as stomachicals do, | a chapter by itself.
because the passages of the stomach are; 1. Such medicines are splenical, vvhich
more open than those of the liver by which by cooling and raoi-stening temper Atra
It either takes in chyle, or sends out h\ood\bilis: let not these medicines be too cold
to the rest of the body, therefore medicines \ neither, for there is no such heat in Atra
that are very binding are hurtful to \hc\hilis as there is in choler, and therefore it
]iver, and cither cause obstructions, or hin-i needs no such excessive cooling: amongst
tier the distribution of the blood, or both. J the number of these are such as avc men-
386
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
tioned amongst the cordials to repel melan-
choly vapours from the heart, such temper
and assuage the malice of Atra hilts.
2. Those medicines are also splenical,
by Avhich melancholy humours are cor-
rected and so prepared, that they may the
more easily be evacuated : such medicines
are cutting and opening, and they differ
from hepalicals in this that they are no
ways binding; for the spleen being no ways
addicted to concoction, binding medicines
do it harm, and not good.
3. Sometimes the spleen is not only ob-
structed, but also hardened by melancholy
humours, and i« such cases emolient medi-
cines may be well called splenicals, not
such as are taken inwardly, for they operate
upon the stomach and bowels, but such as
are outwardly applied to the region of the
spleen.
And although sometimes medicines, are
outwardly applied to hardness of the liver,
yet they differ from splenicals, because they
are bmding, so are not splenicals.
such, that they abhor all binding medicines,
because they cause stoppage of urine.
Take notice, that the reins and bladder
being subject to inflammations endure not
very hot medicines.
Because the bladder is further remote
from the centre of the body than the kidnies
are, therefore it requires stronger medicines
than the kidnies do, left the strength oi
the medicine be spent before it be come to
the part afflicted.
CHAPTER, VII.
Of Medicines appropriated to the reins and
bladder.
The office of the reins is, to make a
separation between the blood and the urine ;
to receive this urine thus separated from
the blood, is the bladder ordained, which
is of a sufficient bigness to contain it.
Both these parts of the body officiating
about the urine, they are both usually af-
flicted by the vices of the urine.
1. By stones.
2. By hijiammation.
3. By thick hitmours.
Medicines appropriated to the reins and
bladder are usually called Nephriticals, and
are threefold ; some cool, others cut gross
humours, and a third sort breaks the stone.
In the use of all these, take notice, that
the constitution of the reins and bladder L«
CHAPTER VIII.
Of Medicines appropriated to the womb.
These, physicians call Hystericals, and to
avoid multiplicity of words, take them in
this discourse under that notion.
Take notice that such medicines as pro-
voke the menses, or stop them when they
flow immoderately, are properly hystericals,
but shall be spoken to by and by in a chap-
ter by themselves.
As for the nature of the womb, it seems
to be much like the nature of the brain and
stomach, for experience teacheth that it is
deliiihted with sweet and aromatical medi-
cines, and flies from their contraries.
For example: a woman being troubled
with the fits of the mother, which is dra^r
ing of the womb upward, apply sweet things,
as Civet, or the like, to the place of concep-
tion, it draws it down again ; but apply
stinking things to the nose, as Assafoetida, nr
the like, it expels it from it, and sends it
down to its proper place.
CHAPTER IX.
Of Medicines appropriated to the joints.
The joints are usually troubled with
cephahc diseases, and then are to be cure
by cephalic medicines.
Medicines appropriated to the joints, are
called bv the name Arthritical medicines.
The joints, seeing they are very nervous,
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
3frr
require medicines which are of a heating I
and drying nature, with a gentle binding, j
and withal, such as by pecuHar virtue are ;
appropriated to them, and add strength to |
them. It is true, most cephahcs do so, yet j
because the joints are more remote from the |
centre, tliey require stronger medicines.
For removing pains in the joints this is
the method of proceeding.
Pains is either taken away or eased, for
the true cure is to take away the cause of
the pain, sometimes the vehemeacy of the
pain is so great that you must be forced to
use Anodines (for so pliysicians call such
medicines as ease pain) before you can
meddle with the cause, and this is usually
when the part pained is inflamed, for those
medicines which take away the cause of
pain being very hot, if there be any in-
flannnation in the part pained, you must
abstain from them till the inflammation be
taken away.
SECTION HI.
Of the propriety or operation of Medicines. \
CHAPTER I.
Of Emolient Medicines.
The various mixtures of heat, cold, dry-
ness, and moisture in simples, must of
necessity produce variety of faculties, and
operations in them, which now we come to
treat of, beginning first at emolients.
What is hard, and what is soft, most men
know, but few are able to express. Phy-
losophers define that to be hard which
yields not to touching, and soft to be the
contrary. An emolient, or softening medi-
cine is one which reduceth a hard substance
lo its proper temperature.
But to leave phylosophy, and keep to
physic : physicians describe hardness to be
two-fold.
1. A distention or stretching of a part by
too much fulness.
2. Thick humours which are destitute of
heat, growing hard in that part of the body
into which they flow.
So many properties then ought emolient
medicines to have, viz. To moisten what is
dry, to discuss what is stretched, to warm
what is congealed by cold ; yet properly,
that only is said to mollify which reduceth
a hard substance to its proper temperature.
Dryness and thickness of humours being
the cause of hardness, emolient medicines
must of necessity be hot and moist; and
although you may peradventure find some
of them dry in the second or third degrees,
yet must this dryness be tempered and
qualified with heat and moisture, for reason
will tell you that dry medicines make hard
parts harder.
Mollifying medicines are know, 1. by
their taste, 2. by their feeling.
1, In taste, they are near unto sweat, but
fat and oily ; they are neither sharp, nor
austere, nor sour, nor salt, neither do they
manifest either binding, or vehement heat,
or cold to be in them.
2. In feeling you can j)erceive no rough-
ness, neither do they stick to your fingers
like Birdlime, for they ought to penetrate
the parts to be mollified, and therefore many
times if occasion be, are cutting medicints
mixed with them.
CHAPTER n
Of hardening Medicinti,.
Galen in Lib. 5. dc Simple, Med. Facult.
Cap. 10. determines hardening medicines to
be cold and moist, and he brings some argu-
ments to prove it, against which other phy-
sicians contest.
I shall not liere stand to quote tlie dis-
pute, only take notice, that if sofieaing
medicines be hot and moist (as we shewed
5g
aaa
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
even now) then hardening medicines must
needs be cold and dry, because they are
contrary to them.
The universal course^ of nature will prove
it, for dryness and moisture are passive
qualities, neither can extremeties consist in
moisture as you may know, if you do but
consider that dryness is not attributed to
the air, nor water, but to the fire, and earth.
2. The thing to be congealed must needs
be moist, therefore the medicine congealing
must of necessity be dry, for if cold be
joined with dryness, it contracts the pores,
that so the humours cannot be scattered.
Yet you must observe a difference be-
tween medicines drying, making thick,
hardening, and congealing, of which dif-
ferences, a few words will not do amiss.
1. Such medicines are said to dry, which
draw out, or drink up the moisture, as a
spunge drinks up water.
2. Such medicines are said to make thick,
as do not consume the moisture, but add
dryness to it, as you make syrups into
u thick electuary by adding powders to
them.
3. Such as congeal, neither draw out the
moisture, nor make it thick by adding dry-
ness to it, but contract it by vehement cold,
as water is frozen into ice.
4. Hardness diflers from all these, for the
parts of the body swell, and are filled with
flegmatic humours, or melancholy blood,
which at last grows hard.
That you may clearly understand this,
observe but these two things.
1. What it is which worketh.
2. What it worketh upon.
That which worketh is outwardly cold.
That which is wrought upon, is a certain
thickness and dryness, of humours, for if
the humour were fluid as water is, it might
properly be said to be congealed by cold,
but not so properly hardened. Thus you
see cold and dryness to be the cause of
hardening. This hardening being so far from
being usefulj that it is obnoxious to the
body of man. I pass it without more
words. I suppose when Galen wrote of
hardening medicines, he intended such as
make thick, and therefore amongst them he
reckons up Fleawort, Purslain, Houseleek,
and the like, which assuage the heat of the
humours in swellings, and stops subtil and
; sharp defluxions upon the lungs ; but of
I these more anon.
CHAPTER IIL
Of Loosening Medicines.
By loosening here, I do not mean purg-
ing, nor that which is opposite to astrin-
gency ; but that which is opposite to
stretching : I knew not suddenly what fitter
English name to give it, than loosening or
laxati jn, which latter is scarce English.
The members are distended or stretched
divers ways, and ought to be loosened by as
many, for they are stretched sometimes by
dryness, sometimes by cold, sometimes by
repletion or fullness, sometimes by swell-
ings, and sometimes by some of these joined
together. I avoid terms of art as much as
I can, because it would profit my country
but little, to give them the rules of physic
in such English as they understand not.
I confess the opinion of ancient physi-
cians hath been various about these loosen-
ing medicines. Galen's opinion was, that
theymight be referred either to moistening,or
heating, or mollifying, or evacuating medi-
cines, and therefore ought not to be referred
to a chapter by themselves.
It is likely they may, and so may all other
medicines be referred to heat, or coldness,
or dryness, or moisture:' but we speak not
here of the particular properties of medi-
cines, but of their joined properties, as they
heat and moisten.
Others, they question how they can be dis-
tinguished from such as mollify, seeing such
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
sm
as are loosening, and such as are emolient. ;
are b(»th of them hot and moist. ,
To that, thus : stretching and loosening \
are ascribed to the moveable parts of the
body, as to the nmscles and their tendons,
to the ligaments and MembrmKB ; but soft-
ness and hardness to such parts of the body
as may be felt with the hand : I shall make
dear by a similitude, Wax is softened, being !
hard, but Eiddle-strings are loosened being ;
stretched. And if you say that the dif-j
ference lying only in the parts of the body \
is no true ditFerence, then take notice, that ;
such medicines which loosen, are less hot, ;
and more moistening, than such as soften, \
for they operate most by heat, these by |
moisture. j
The truth is, I am of opinion the dif-
ference is not much, nay, scarce sensible,
between emolient and loosening medicines ;
only I quoted this in a chapter by itself,
not so much because some authors do, as
because it conduceth to the increase of
knowledge in physic, for want of which, this
poor nation is ahnost spoiled.
The chief use of loosening medicines is
in convulsions and cramps, and such like
infirmities which cause distention or stretch-
ing.
They are known by the very same marks
and tokens that emolient medicines are.
CHAPTER IV.
Of drawing Medicints.
The opinion of physicians is, concerning
these, as it is concerning other medicines,
viz. Some draw by a manifest quality, some
by a hidden, and so (quoth they) they draw
to themselves both humours and thorns, or
splinters that are gotten into the flesh ; how-
ever this is certain, they are all of them hot,
and of thin parts ; hot because the nature
of heat is to draw off thin parts that so they
may penetrate to the humours that are to
to be drawn out.
Their use is various, viz.
Use 1. That the bowels may be disbur-
dened of corrupt humours.
2. Outwardly used, by them the offend-
ing humour (I should have said the peccant
humour, had 1 written only to scholars,) is
called from the internal parts of the body
to the superfices.
3. By them the crisis of a disease is much
helped forward.
4. Theyareexceedingly profitable to draw
forth poison out of the body.
5. Parts of the body over cooled are
cured by these medicines, viz. by applying
them outwardly to the place, not only be-
cause they heat, but also because they draw
the spirits by which life and heat are
cherished, to the part of the body Avhich is
destitute of them : you cannot but know
that many times parts of the body fall away
in flesh, and their strength decays, as in
some persons arms or legs, or th6 like, the
usual reason is, because the vital spirit
decays in those parts, to which use such
plaisters or ointments asareattractive(which
is the physical term for drawing medicines)
for they do not only cherish the parts by
their own proper heat, but draw the vital
and natural spirits thither, whereby they
are both quickened and nourished.
They are known almost by the same
tokens that attenuating medicines are, see-
ing heat ; and thinness of parts is in them
both, they differ only in respect of cpiantity,
thinness of parts being most proper to at-
tenuating medicines, but attractive medi-
cines are hotter.
CHAPTER V.
Of disciissive Medicines.
The nature of discussing (or sweating)
medicines is almost the same with attractive,
for there are no discussive medicines but
are attrac'tive, nor scarce any attractive
medicine but is in some measure or othei
390
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
discussing. The difference then is only
this; that discussive medicines are hotter
than attractive, and therefore nothing else
need be written of their nature.
Use. Their use may be known even from
iheir very name ; for diseases that come by
repletion or fulness, are cured by evacution
or emptying ; yet neither blood nor gross
humours are to be expelled by sweating, or
insensible transpiration (as they call it)
but the one requires blood-letting, the other
purgation, but scrostis or thin humours and
filthy vapours, and such like superfluities,
are to be expelled by sweat, and be wary
in this too, for many of them work violently,
and violent medicines are not rashly to be
given.
Caution 2. Besides, swellings are sometimes
made so hard by sweating medicines, that
afterwards they can never be cured ; for
what is thin being by such medicines taken
away, nothing but what is perfectly hard
remains : If you fear such a thing, mix
emolients with them.
Caut. 3. Again, sometimes by using dis-
cussives, the humours offending (which
physicians usually call the peccant humours)
is driven to some more noble part of ihe
body, or else it draws more than it dis-
cussseth ; in such cases, concoct and at-
tenuate the matter offending before you go
about to discuss it.
From hence may easily be gathered at
what time of the disease discussive medi-
cines are to be used, viz, about the declin-
ing of the disease, although in diseases
arising from heat of b.ood, we sometimes
use them in the encrease and state of them.
They are known by the same marks and
tokens attenuating medicines are, viz. by
their burning and biting quality, they being
very hot, and of thin parts, void of any
biting quality, therefore they contract not
the tongue in tasting of them.
CHAPTER VL
\ Of repelling Medicines.
I Repelling medicines are of contrary
i operation to these three last mentioned, viz
! attenuating, drawing, and discussive medi-
: cines: It is true, there is but liltle difference
I between these three, some hold none at all ;
I and if you Avill be so nice, you may oppose
I them thus. And so medicines making
\ thick, correspond to attenuating medicines,
or such as make thin, repelling medicines
are opposed to such as draw, and such as
retain the humours and make them tough,
are opposite to such as discuss, some hold
I this niceness needless.
2. The sentence of authors about repul-
sive medicines is various.
For seeing an influx ion may be caused
many ways, a repulsive hath got as many
definitions.
For such things as cool, bind, stop, and
make thick, stay influxions, and therefore
repulsives are by authors opposed, not only
to attractives, but also to attenuating, and
discussing medicines.
But properly such things are called re-
I pulsives, Avhich do not only stay influxions,
I (for so do such medicines which stop and
I make thick) but such as drive the humours
I flowing to, or inherit in the place, to some
I other place.
J The truth is, binding is inherent to repuU
jsives, so is not coldness nor making thick :
I Yet such as are V)inding, cold and thin in
j operation, are most effectual.
I Your taste will find repulsives to be, tart,
5 or sharp, or austere, with a certain binding
i which contracts the tongue.
I Use 1. Their use is manifold, as in hot
: tumours, head-aches, or the like.
1 Use 2. By these in fevers are the vapours
\ driven from the head, Vinegar of Roses is
\ notable.
* Time of giving. They arc most coiiuno-
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. at)l
dious in the beginning and encrease of a | Besides, of cleansing medicines, some arc
disease, for then influxions most prevail. I of a gentler nature, some are more vehement
But seeing that in the cure of tumours : 'Iliese are not known one and the san)e
there are two scopes, 1. That that which | way ; for some are sweet, some salt, and
tiows to it may be repelled. 2. That that j some bitter.
which is already in it may be discussed;! The use of cleansing is external, as the
repulsives are most commodiously used in : use of purges are internal,
ilie beginning, discussives in the latter end. 5 They are used to cleanse the sanies and
In the middle you may mix them, with j other filth of ulcers, yea, and to consume
this proviso, that repulsives exceed in the | and eat away the flesh itself, as burnt Alum,
beginning, discussives in the latter end. i precipitate. Sec.
Caution 1. If the matter offending be of ; When these must be used, not only the
a venomous quality, either abstain from re- ; effects of the ulcers, but also the tempera-
pulsives altogether, or use purging first, lest » ture of the body will tell you.
the matter fly to the bowels and prove dan- \ For if you see either a disease of fulness,
gerous, especially if the bowels be weak. I which our physicians call [Plethora] or cor-
2. Also forbear repulsives, if the pain be \ rupted humours which they call [CacoclujiiHi]
great. \ you must empty the body of these, viz,
3. Lastly, Have a care lest by repulsives \ fulness by bleeding, and corrupt humours,
you contract the pores so much, that the 5 or evil slate of the body, by purging before
matter cannot be removed by discussives. \ you use cleansing medicines to the ulcer,
j__;«^ I else your cure will never proceed prospcr-
I ously.
CHAPTER VII.
Of chamijis; Medicines. , ^,
Cleansing uicdicinescanneithcrbcdcfined 5 <^n/vri j-^it v 111,
by heat, nor coldness, because some of both \ Of Emplasters.
sorts cleanse. | By Emplasters, here, I do mean things
A cleansing medicine, then, is of a ter- I gluti native, and they are quite contrary to
rene quality, which takes away the filth | things cleansing.
w'nh it, and carries it out. j They are of a far more glutinous and
Definition^ Here, to avoid confusion, a J tenacious substance,
difference must be made between washing. They differ from things stopj)ing because
and cleansing. | they do not stop the pores so much, as stick
A thing which washeth, carries away by | to them like Birdlime,
fluxion, as a man washeth the dirt off from a | They have a certain glutinous heat, tcm-
ihinf. ;pered both with coldness and moisture.
A cleansing medicine by a certain rough- { From these plasters take their names,
ness or nitrous quality, carries away the! Their taste is either none at all, or not
compacted filth with it. i discernablc whether hot or cold, but fat,
This also is the difference between cleans- | insipid, or without taste, or sweet, and vis-
ing and discussing medicines, the one makes 5 cous in feeling.
thick humours thin, and so scatters them, ; Their use is to stop flowing of blood, and
but a cleansing medicine takes th'^ most ! other fluxes, to cause suppuration, to con-
tenacious humour along with it, without jtinue the heat, that so tumours may be
any alteration. » ripened.
•^ 5h
892
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
Also they are mixed with other medi-
cines, that they may the better be brought
into the form of an emplaster, and may
stick the better to the members.
CHAPITER IX.
Oj siippvitng Medicines.
These have a great affinity with emohents,
Jike to them in temperature, only emolients
are somewhat hotter.
Yet is there a difference as apparent as
the sun when he is upon the meridian, and
the use is manifest. For,
Emohents are to make hard things soft,
but what suppures, rather makes a genera-
tion than an alteration of the humour.
N.atural heat is the efficient cause of
suppuration, neither can it be done by any
external means.
Therefore such things arc said to suppure,
which by a gentle heat cherish the inbred
heat of man.
This is done by such medicines which
are not only temperate in heat, but also by
a gentle viscosity, fill up or stop the pores,
tiiat so the heat of the part affected be not
scattered.
For although such things as bind hinder
the dissipation of the spirits, and internal
heat, yet they retain not the moisture as
suppuring medicines properly and especially
do.
The heat then of suppuring medicines is
like the internal heat of our bodies.
As things then very hot, are ingrateful
either by biting, as Pepper, or bitterness :
in suppuring medicines, no biting, no bind-
ing, no nitrous quality is perceived by the
taste, (I shall give you better satisfaction
both in this and others, by and by.)
For reason will tell a man, that such things
hinder rather than help the work of nature
in maturation.
Yet it follows not from hence, that all
suppuring medicines are grateful to the
taste, for many things grateful to the taste
provokes vomiting, therefore why may not
the contrary l)e.^
The most frequent use of suppuration is,
to ripen Fhlegjnona, a general term physi-
cians give to all swellings proceeding of
blood, because nature is very apt to help
such cures, and physic is an art to help,
not to hinder nature.
The time of use is usually in the height
of the disease, when the flux is stayed, as
also to ripen matter that it may be the
easier purged away.
CHAPTER X.
Of Medicines provoking urine.
The causes by which urine is suppressed
are many.
1. By too much drying, or sweating, it
may be consumed.
2. By heat or inflammation of the reins,
or passages whereby it passes from the
reins, il may be stopped by compression.
Urine is the thinnest part of blood, sepa-
rated from the thickest part in the reins.
If then the blood be more thick and vis-
cous than ordinary, it cannot easily be sepa-
rated without cutting and cleansing medi-
cines.
This is for certain, that blood can neithei
be separated nor distributed without heat.
Yet amongst diureticks are some cold
things, as the four greater cold seeds. Win-
ter-cherries, and the like.
Although this seem a wonder, yet it may
be, and doth stand with truth.
For cool diureticks, though they further
not the separation of the blood one jot,
yet they cleanse and purge the passages of
the urine.
Diureticks then are of two sorts :
1. Such as conduce to the separation of
the blood.
2. Such as open the urinal passages.
The former are biting (and are known by
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
30a
their taste) very liot ana cutiing, whence
they penetrate to the reins, and cut the
gross hunionrs there.
Bitter things, although they be very hot,
and cut gross humours, yet are they of a
more dry and terrene substance than is
convenient to provoke urine.
Hence then we may safely gather, that
bitter things are not so moist nor penetrat-
ing, as s'.'ch as bite like Pepper.
Let them not then exceed the first degree
unless the ulcer be very moist.
Their difference are various, according
to the part wounded, which ought to be
restored with the same flesh.
The softer then, and tenderer the place
is, the gentler let the medicines be.
CHAPTER XL
Of Medici7ies breeding flesh.
Tlere are many things diligently to be
observed in the cures of wounds and ulcers,
which incur and hinder that the cure cannot
be speedily done, nor the separated parts
reduced to their natural state.
Viz. Fluxes of blood, inflammation,
hardness, pain, and other things besides our
present scope.
Our present scope is, to shew how the
cavity of ulcers may be filled with flesh.
Such medicines are called Sarcoficks.
This, though it be the work of nature,
yet it is helped forward with medicines,
that the blood may be prepared, that it may
the easier be turned into flesh. .
These are not medicines which breed
good blood, nor which correct the intem-
perature of the place afflicted, but which
defend the blood and the ulcer itself from
corruption in breeding flesh.
For nature in breeding flesh produceth
two sorts of excrements, viz. scrosus
humours, and purulent dross.
Those medicines then which cleanse and
consume, these by drying are said to breed
flesh, because by their helps nature per-
forms that office.
Also take notice that these medicines are
not so drying that they should consume the
blood also as well as the sanies, nor so cleans-
ing that thf5y should consume the flesh with
the dross,
CHAPTER XH.
Of glutinalive Medicines.
That is the true cure of an ulcer Avhich
joins the mouth of it together.
That is a glutinative medicine, which
couples together by drying and binding,
the sides of an ulcer before brought together.
These require a greater drying faculty
than the former, not only to consume what
flows out, but what remains liquid in the
flesh, for liquid flesh is more subject to flow
abroad than stick to together.
The time of using them, any body may
know without teaching, viz. when the ulcer
is cleansed and filled with flesh, and such
symptoms as hinder are taken away.
For many times ulcers must be kept open
that the sanies, or fords that lie in them
may be purged out, whereas of themselves
they would heal before.
Only beware, lest by too nmch binding
you cause pain in tender parts.
CHAPTER XIIL
Of Medicines resisting poison.
Such medicines are called Mexiteria, and
Alexipharmaca, which resist poison.
Some of these resist poison by astral in-
fluence, and some physicians (though but
few) can give a reason for it.
These they have sorted into three ranks :
1. Such as strengthen nature, that so it
may tame the poison the easier.
2. Such as oppose the poison by a con-
trary quality.
894
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
3. Such as violently tliurst it out of j If thou dost but observe the nature and
doors. i motion of the venom, that will be thy best
Such as strengthen nature against poison, | instructor,
either do it to the body universally, or else! In the stomach it requires vomiting, in
strengthen some particular part thereof ;|the blood and spirits, sweating, if the body
For many times one particular part of be plethoric, bleeding, if full of evil humours,
the body is most afflicted by the poison, purging.
suppose the stomach, liver, brain, or any
other part : such as cherish and strengthen
those parts, being weakened, may be said to
resist poison.
Such as strengthen the spirits, strengthen
all the body.
Sometimes poisons kill by their quality,
und then are they to be corrected by their
:ontraries.
They which kill by cooling are to be
Lastly, The cure being ended, strengthen
the parts afflicted.
CHAPTER XIV.
Of purging Medicines
Much jarring hath been amongst phy-
sicians about purging medicines, namely,
emedfed"by"heTfmg,'' a^nd"Jife contmry^ h^^^^er they draw the humours to them by
they which kill by corroding, are to be f.^^^^J^" ^"^^^X' ^^^^^^^ ^\P'«^ English is,
cured by lenitives, such as Temper their *^^^ '^""^^ "°^ ^°J' «^ ''!}^'^^' t^iey per-
acrimonv ^ "^ ° ^^ ^ manifest quality, viz,
by induration, orcoa-j!'/. ^^^^*' ^'•^"^'^' coldness, or moisture:
•^ Mt is not my present scope to enter the hsts
of a dispute about the business, neither
seem it such an hidden thing to me that
every like should draw its like, only to
Those which kill
gulation, require culting medicines
Also because all poisons are in motion,
neither stay they in one till they have seized
and oppressed the fountain of life, therefore l^*^y V'^'" »»i<juiu uui
^1 1 ' • V ] ti f u * . make the matter as pi
they have invented another faculty to stayt ,. . , - "
- •' . J . •> \ divide
ain as I can, I sub-
this chapter into these following
their motion, viz. terrene and emplastic. j
For they judge, if the poison light upon M '
these medicines, they embrace them round
with a viscous quality.
Also they say the ways and passages arej
stopped by such means, to hinder their pro- \
ceeding; take Terra Lemnia for one. :
Truly if these reasons be good, which 1 \
leave to future time to determine, it may bej
done for little cost. I
Some are of opinion that the safest way | exceeding cautious in it too, what the matter
is to expel the poison out of the body, so* offending is, what part of the body is af-
soon as may be, and that is done by vomit, 1 flicted by it, and which is the best way to
or purge, or sweat. '] bring it out.
You need not question the time, but do | Only here, by the way, first, have a care of
it as soon as may be ; for there is no parly- | giving vomits, for they usually work more
ing with poison. | violently, and afflict the body more than
Letvomitingbethefirst, purging the next, I purges do, therefore are nol fit for weak
and sweating the last. This is general. But, » bodies ; be sure the matter offending lie in
Cautions concerning purging.
Of the choice of purging medicines.
Of the time of talcing them.
4. Of the correcting of them.
5. Of the manner of purging.
Cautions concerning purging.
In this, first consider diligently, and be
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
39d
the tunicle of the stomach, else is a vomit !
given in vain. |
Vomits are more dangerous for women f
than men, especially such as are either with
child, or subject to the fits of the mother.
What medicine is appropriated to the
purging of such a humour, for seeing the
offending matter is not alike in all, the
purging medicine ought not to be the same
to all. I shall speak more of this anon.
As also of the divers ways whereby medi-
cines draw out or cast out humours, viz.
by lenifying, cleansing, provoking nature
to expulsion, and (which is stranger than
the doctor's hidden quality) some purge by
binding, but indeed, and in truth, such as
are properly called purging medicines,^
which, besides these faculties, have gotten
another, by Avhich they draw or call out
the humours from the most remote parts of
the body, whether these do it by heat or by
an hidden quality, physicians are scarce'
able to determine, it being very well known
to modern physicians, though the ancients
denied it, that many cold medicines purge.
There is this faculty in all the purges of
Galen's model, (because he gives the whole
simple which must needs "consist of divers
qualities, because the creation is made up ot
and consists by an harmony of contraries)
there is (I say) this faculty in all purges of
that nature, that they contain in them a
substance which is inimical both to the
stomach and bowels, and some are of
opinion this doth good, namely, provokes
nature the more to expulsion ; the reason
might be good if the foundation of it were
so, for by this reason nature herself should
purge, not the medicine, and a physician
should help nature in her business and not
hinder her. But to forbear being critical,
this substance which I told you was inimi-
cal to the stomach, must be corrected in
every purge.
CULPEPERS LAST LEGACIES,
Select Medicinal Aphorisms and Receipts, for many diseases our frail
natures are incident to.
1. A general Caution. JAVOuld keep your brain clear, keep your
LET such as love their heads or brains, \ stomach clean.
either forbear such things as are obnoxious 3. For a rheum in the Head, and the Palsy.
to the brain, as Garlick, Leeks, Onions, Take a red Onion, and bruise it well,
beware of surfeiting and drunkenness. : and boil it in a little Verjuice, and put
2. To purge the Head. '' thereto a little clarified honey, and a great
The head is purged by Gargarisms, of spoonful of good Mustard, when it is well
which Mustard, in my opinion, is excel- boiled, raise the sick upright, and let him
lent, and therefore a spoonful of Mustard | receive the smell up his nose twice a day,
put into the mouth, is excellent for one that ^whilst it is very hot.
is troubled with the lethargy : also the head I 4. For a rheum in the Head.
js purged by sneezing; but be sure if youj Boil Pimpernel well in Wine, and drink
5 I
396
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
a draught of the Wine in the evening, hot,
but in the morning cold.
5. Another.
Stew Onions in a close pot, and bathe the
nead and mouth, and nose therewith.
6. For the falling off of the Hair.
Beat Linseeds very well, and mix them
with Sallad-oil ; and when you have well
mixed them, anoint the head therewith, and
in three or four times using it will help you.
7. To purge the Head.
Chew the root of Pellitory of Spain, and
chew it on both sides of thy mouth, and as
the rheum falls down into thy mouth, spit it
out, but retain the root there slill, till you
think the head is purged enough for that
time.
FOR THE EYES, AND THEIR IMPEDIMENTS.
8. For Eyes that are blasted.
Only wear a piece of black Sarcenet be-
fore thy eyes, and meddle with no medi-
cine ; only forbear wine and strong drink.
9. An excellent water to clear the Sight.
Take of Fennel, Eyebright, Roses, white,
Celandine, Vervain and Rue, of each a
handful, the liver of a Goat chopt small, in-
fuse them well in Eyebright-water, then dis-
til them in an alembic, and you shall have a
water will clear the sight beyond comparison.
10. For a hurt in the Eye zmth a stroke.
Take Agrimony, and bruise it very well,
and temper it with white Wine, and the
white of an egg : spread it pretty thick
upon a cloth, like a plaster, and apply it
to the outside of the eye- lid, and, altliough
it be almost out, it will cure it.
11. To draw rheum back from the Eyes.
Take an egg and roast it hard, then pull
off the shell, and slit it in two, and apply it
hot to the nape of the neck, and thou shall
find ease presently.
12. For the web in the Eye.
Take the gall of a hare, and clarified
honey, of each equal proportions : mix
ihem together, and lay it to the web.
j FOR THE EARS, AND THEIR IMPEDIMENTS.
I 13. For pain in the Ears.
J Drop a little oil of sweet Almonds into
{ the ear, and it easeth the pain instantly .
(and yet oil of bitter Almonds is our doctor's
common remedy.)
14. For an imposthume in the Ear.
Boil some milk, and put it into a stone
pot with a narrow mouth, and hold the sore
ear over the pot whilst the milk is very hot,
that the vapour of the milk may ascend into
the ear : this is an often approved remedy
to take away the pain, and break the im-
posthume. ^
FOR THE NOSE, AND ITS INFIRMITIES.
15. For Polypus ; or a fleshy substance grow-
ing in the Nose.
Take the juice of Ivy, and make a tent
with a little cotton, the which dip in the
juice and put it up in the nostril.
l6. To cleanse the Nose.
Snuff up the juice of red Beet-root; it
will cleanse not only the nose, but also the
head, this is a singular remedy for such as
are troubled with hard congealed stuff in
their nostrils.
17. For bleeding at the Nose.
Bind the arms and legs as hard as you
can with a piece of tape-ribboning; that,
perhaps, may call back the blood.
18. For a Canker in the Nose.
Boil strong ale till it be thick, if the Can-
ker be in the outside of the nose, spread it
as a j)laster, and apply it ; if in the inside,
make a tent of a linen rag, and put it up
I the nostril.
I 19. Another for the Polypus.
\ The water of Adder's-tongue snuffed up
J the nose, is very good : but it were better, in
my opinion, to keep a rag continually
moistened with it in the nose.
20. For bleeding at the Nose.
I Take Amber and bruise into gross powder
\ put it upon a chafing-dish of coals, and re-
I ceivethe smoke upintothe nose with a funnel
I 21. Another.
\ When no other means will slop the
AND ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED.
397
bleeding at the nose, it has been known;
that it hath been slopped by opening a*
vein in the. ear.
OF THE MOUTH, AND ITS DISEASES.
22. A Caution.
OF THE GUMS, AND THEIR INFIRMITIES.
29. For a Scurvy in the gums.
j Take Clwes, and boil them in Rose-
i water, then dry them, and beat them to
I powder, and rub the gums with the powder,
land drink the decoction in the morning
Whosoever Avould keep their mouth, or > fasting an hour after it. Use red Rose-
tongue, or nose, or eyes, or ears, or teeth, | water, for that is the best,
from pain or infirmities, let them often use | 30. For rotting and consuming of the gums
sneezing, and such gargarisms as they were ; Take Sage-water, and wash your mouth
instructed in a preceding chapter; for, in- j with it every morning, and afterwards rub
deed, most of the infirmities, if not all, which I your mouth with a Sage-leaf,
infest those parts, proceed from rheum. I OF THE FACE, AND ITS INFIRMITIES.
23. For extreme heat of the Mouth. ; 31. The cause.
Take Rib-wort, and boil it in red Wine, ; It is palpable, that the cause of redness
and hold the decoction as warm in your land breaking out of the face, is a venomous
mouth as you can endure it.
24. For a Canker in the Mouth.
Wash the mouth often with Verjuice.
OF THE TEETH, AND THEIR MEDICINES.
25. A Caution.
I
matter, or filthy vapours ascending from
the stomach towards the head ; where
meeting with a rheum or flegm thence des-
cending, mix with it, and break out in
the face. Therefore let the first intention of
cure be to cleanse the stomach.
If you will keep your teeth from rotting, | 32. Caution negative.
oraching,washyour mouth continually every j Let such as are troubled with red faces,
morning with juice of Lemons, and after- 1 abstain from salt meats, salt fish and her-
wards rub your teeth either with a Sage-leaf, I rings, drinking of strong beer, strong waters
or else with a Uttle Nutmeg in powder ; also \ or Wine, Garlick, Onions, and Mustard,
wash your mouth with a little fair water i 33. For a face full of red pimples.
after meats ; for the only way to keep | Dissolve Camphire in Vinegar, and mix
teeth sound, and free from painj is to keep jit, and the Vinegar with Celandine-water,
them clean. I and wash the face with it : this cured a
26. To keep Teeth white. I n^aid in twenty days, that had been trou-
Dip ahttle piece of white cloth in Vine- 1 Wed with the infirmity half so many years
gar of Quinces, and rub your guins with it, 1 34. To take away the marks of the small pox.
for it is of a gallant binding quality, and I Take the juice of Fennel, heat it luke-
not only makes the teeth white, but also I warm, and when the small Pox are well
strengthens the gums, fastens the teeth, and j scabbed, anoint the face with it divers times
also causeth a sweet breath. | i" a day, three or four days together.
27. To fasten the Teeth. \ OF THE THROAT, AND ITS INFIRMITIES.
Seethe the roots of Vervain in old Wine, I 35. J caution.
and wash your teeth often with them, and it | Diseases in the throat, most commonly
will fasten them. j proceed of rheum descending from the head
28. For the Tooth-ache. \ upon the trachea artena, or wind-pipe ; in
Take the inner rind of an Elder-tree, and j such cases there is many times no other
bruise it, and put thereto a little Pepper, and | cure than first to purge the body of flegm.
make it into balls, and hold them between | and then the head of rheum, as you were
the teeth that ache. taught in the first chaoter.
398
THE COMPLETE HERBAL
36. For hoarseness. \ 43. Another.
Take of sugar so much as will fill a com- 1 Let such as have weak stomachs, avoid
mon taster, then put so much rectified spirit I all sweet things, as honey, sugar, and the
of Wine to it as will just wet it, eat this up I like; milk, cheese and all fat meats: let
at night going to bed, use this three or four | him not eat till he is hungry, nor drink be-
times together. \ fore he is dry ; let him avoid anger, sadness,
37. Another. \ much travel, and all fryed meats : let him
If the body be feverish, use the former | not vomit by any means, nor eat when he is
medicine as before, only use Oil of sweet | hot
Almonds, or for want of it, the best Sailed- 1 44. For moisture of the Stomach.
oil instead of spirit of Wine. | Take a drachm of Galanga, in powder,
38. Another. | every morning in a draught of that Wine
Take Penny-royal, and seethe it in runn- [ you like best.
ing water, and drink a good draught of the| 45. For heat of the Stomach.
decoction at night going to bed, with a little* Swallow four or five grains of Mastich
sugar in it. | every night going to bed.
^9.FortheQmnsey. OF THE LITER, AND ITS INFIRMITIES,
lake notice that bleeding is good in all j
inflammations, therefore in this. \ 40. A caution.
It were very convenient that a syrup, and | If the liver be too hot, it usually proceeds
an ointment of Orpine were always ready | from too much blood, and is known by
in the house for such occasions ; for I know redness of urine, the pulse is swift, the veins
no better remedy for the Quinsey, than to great and full, the spittle, mouth, andtongue,
drink the one, and anoint the throat with the \ seem sweeter than they used to be : the cure
other. ! is letting blood in the right arm.
OF WOMEN'S BREASTS. THEIR INFIRMITIES j 4?. To causc the Liver well to digest
AND CURES. I Take Oil of Wormwood, and so much
40. For sore Breasts. \ Mastich in powder as will make it into a
Take a handful of Figs, and stamp them | poultice, lay it warm to your right side,
well till the kernels are broken, then temper | 48. A caution.
them with a little fresh grease, and apply! Ifthe liver be stopped, the face will SAvell,
them to the breast as hot as the patient can | and yOu shall be as sure to have a pain in
endure; it will presently take away the I your right side, as though jou had it there
anguish, and if the breast will break, it will | already.
break it, else it will cure it without breaking. $ 49. For stoppage of the Liver.
41. An inward medicine for a sore Breast, j Use Garden-thyme in all your drinks and
Let her drink either the juice or decoc- j broaths, it will prevent stoppages before
tion of Vervain : it were fit that syrup were! they come, and cure them after they are
made of it to keep all the year. | come.
OF THE STOMACH, AND ITS INFIRMITIES. \ 50. For the liver.
42. A caution. \ The liver of a Hare dryed, and beaten
Infirmitiesof the stomach usually proceed Hnto powder, cures all the diseases of the
from surfeiting.
liver of man
FINIS.
PlilMUl) IlY J. HADDON,
Vatlie Stmt Fifu6itrv
lA, u^t^etrn^
GENERAL INDEX
TO THE
ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED,
AND
GALEN'S KEY TO PHYSIC.
Adder's Tongue, or Serpent's
Tongue, 3
Agrimony, 4
Water, 5
Alder Tree, the black, 6
the common, 7
Alelioof, or Grouud-Ivy, 5
Alexander, fi
Alkanet, 3, 218
Ail-Heal, 2
Amara Dulcis, or Bitter Sweet, 1
Amaranthus, 9
Anemone, 9
Angelica, 8, 218
Anthorce, 218
Archangel, 11
Arrach, garden, 10
wild and stinking, 10
Ars-smart, 12
Artichokes, 88, 221
Asarabacca, 13, 218
Ash Tree, 14, 222
Asparagus, 213
prickly, 14
or Sperage, 218
Asphodel, Female, or King's
Spear, 218
Male, 219
Avens, Colewort, or Herb Bo-
net, 16
Avens, or Herb Bennet, 219
Balm, 215
Barks, 259
appropriated to parts of
the body, 259
Barberry, 16
Barks, 202
Barks, 227
Barley, 16
Bay Tree, 18, 223
Bazil,garden,orSweetBazil, 18
Beans, 18
Beans, French, 19
Bearsbreach, or Brank Ursine,
29, 217
Bed-straw, Ladies, 19
Beech Tree, 23
Beets, 20
Beets, black, white, and red,
219
Betony, Water, 21
Wood, ib.
Bifoil, or Twoblade, 24
Bilberries, Wliorts, or Whor-
tleberries, 23
Birch Tree, 24
Bird's Foot, 24
Birth wort, 218
Bisliop's-Weed, 25
Bistort, or Snakeweed, 25, 219
Bitter Sweet, 1
Blade, One, 26
Elites, 27
Blue Bottle, 28
Borrage, 219
Borrage and Bugloss, 28
Bramble, or Blackberry Bush,
27 .
Brank Ursine, 29
Briony, or Wild Vine, 30
Briony, white and black, 219
Brooklime, or Water Pimper-
nel, 31
Broom and Broora-rape, 32
Buck's horn Plantain, 33
ib.
Bugle, 33
Bugloss, 219
Bulbus Vomitorius, 219
Bur, Clot-bur, or Burdock, 219
Burdock, 36
Burnet. 35, 224, 226
Butcher's Broom, 31
Butter-bur, 224
Butter-bur, or Petasitis, 35
Cabbages and Coleworts, 37
Calamint, or Mountain Mint, 38
Caltrops, Water, 39, 216
Cammock, or Rest-harrow, 223
Camomile, 39
Campion Wild, 40
Caper Roots, 219
Carduus Benedictus, 41
Carraway, 42
Carrots, 41, 221
Celandine, 42
lesser, 44
Celandine, the greater and les-
ser, 220
Centaury, ordinary small, 44
Centaury, the greater, 219
Cerecloths, 366
Chameiion, white and black,
220
Cherries, Winter, 45
Cherry-Tree, 45
Chervil, 46
Sweet, or Sweet Cicely,
47
Chesnut-Tree, 47
Chesnuts, Earth, ib.
Chickweed, 48
Cliick-pease, or Cicers, ib.
China, 220
Cinquefoil, 224
Cinquefoil, orFive-leavedGrass,
49
Cives, 50
Clary, or Clear Eye, 50
Wild, 50
Cleavers, 51
Clown's Woodwort, 52
Cock's Head, Red Pitching, or
Medick Fetch, 52
Colewort, 219
Coleworts, Sea, ib.
Coltsfoot, 53
Columbines, 53
Comfrey, 54, 220
Compounds, Spirit and Com-
pound Distilled Waters,
283
Conserves, 206
Conserves and Sugars, 315
(loralwort, 54
Costmary, or Alecost, or Bal-
sam Herb, 55
Costus, both sorts, 220
Cowslips, or Peaglcs, 56
Crab's Claws, or Fresh Water
Soldier, 57
Creatures, Living, 252
Creatures, part of Living and
Excrements, 253
Cresses, black, 57
Sciatica, ib.
Water, 58
Crosswort, 58
Crowfoot, 59
Cuckow Point, ib.
Cuckow-points, or Wake-robin,
218
Cucumber-roots, wild, 221
Cucumbers, 61
Cudweed, or Cottou-wced, 56
Daisies, 61,219
Dandelion, vulgarly called Piss
a-beds, 62
Darnel, 62
Decoctions, 204, 293
Devil's Bit, 63, 223
Dill, 63
Distilled Waters, Simples, 278
beincr
digested before hand, 278
Dittany, 221
Dock, 64
Dodder of Thyme, Epithymun,
&c. 64
Dog's Grass, or Cough Grass,
65
Doronicum, 221
Dove's-Foot, or Crane's-Biil, 66
Down, or Cotton Thistle, 67
Dracunculi,221
Dragons, 67
Dronwort, 222
Duck's Meat, 66
Dwarf Elder, Walwort, or
Dane wort, 221
Elder, 225
Elder Tree, 67
Dwarf, 67
Elecampane, 69, 221
Electuaries, 205
Electuaries, 324
purging, 33
Elm Tree, 68
GENERAL INDEX.
Emplasiers, 391
Enaive, 69
Endive, Garden Endive, 221
Eringo, or Sea Holly, 70, 222
Eyebright, 71
Fennel, 73, 222
Sow, or Hog's Fennel,
47
Fern, 71
Water, or Osmond Royal,
72
Male and Female, 222
of the Oak, 224
Feverfew, or Fetherfew, 72
Fig-wort, 226
Fig-wort, or Throat-wort, 74
Fig Tree, 75
Filipendula, or Drop-Wort, 75
Flag, Yellow Water, or Flower-
de-luce, 76
Flax-weed, or Toad Flax, 76
Flea- Wort, 77
Flower-de-luce, 78
Flowers, 200, 247
264
appropriated to certain
parts of the body, 265
Fluellin, or Lluellin, 79
Fluxweed, 78
Fox-Gloves, 80
Fresh-water Soldier, or Crab's
Claws, 57
Fruits, 267
appropriated to the body
of man, 267
——— by their several opera-
tions, bind, &c., 268
purging, 208
and their buds, 248
Fuller's ThisUe, 223
Fumitory, 80
Furze Bush, 81
Galanga, or Galingal, 222
Galanga, English, long and
round, 221
Galen's Method of Physic, Key
to, 376
Garlick, 82, 218, 227
Gentian, 222
Gentian, Felwort, or Baldmony,
82
Germander, 83
Gilliflowers, Clove, 83
Ginger, 227
Gladon, Stinking, 226
Gladwin, Stinking, 84
Golden Rod. 85
Gooseberry Bush, 86
Gout- wort, or HerbGerrard, 85
Grass, 222
Green, Winter, 86
Gromel, 85
Groundsel, 87
Gums, Rosins, Balsams, and
Juices, 270
Hart's Tongue, 88
Hawk-weed, 88
Hawthorn, 90
Hazel-Nut, 89
Heart's Ease, 88
Heart's-ease, or Pansies, 226
Hedge Hyssop, 92
Hellebore, black, 93
Hellebore, wiiite and black, 221
Hemlock, 90
Hemp, 91
Henbane, 91
Herb Robert, 94
True-Love, or One Berry,
94
Herbs, 260
appropriated to certain
parts of the body of man,
262
■ altering according to pro-
perty, 263
purging, 264
Herbs or Trees, of the leaves
of, 200
and their Leaves, 229
Hermodactils, 222
Holly, Holm, or Hulver Bush,
99
Hops, 95
Horehound, 96
Horsetail, 97
Hound's Tongue, 98, 221
Houseleek, or Sengreen, 97
Hyssop, 95
Ivy, 99
Jacinth's, 222
John's Wort, St., 99
Juniper Bush, 100
Juices, 202, 252
Juleps, 204
Kidney Wort, or Wall Penny-
royal, or Wall Penny-
wort, 101
Knapweed, 102
Knotgrass, ib.
Knee-holly, or Butcher's-broom,
or Bruscus, 225
Ladies' thistles, 220
Mantle, 103
Smock, 104
Lavender, ib.
Cotton, 104
Leeks, 225
Lettice, 223
Lettuce, 104
Lilies, Water, 223
Lilies, White, 106, 223
Lily, Water, 105
of the Valley, ib.
Liquorice, 106, 222
Liverwort, 107
Loiiochs, 208
Loosestrife,orW^illow- herb, 1 07
with spiked heads
of flowers, ib.
Lovage, 108, 223
Lungwort, 109
Madder, 109, 225
Maidenhair, 110
white, or Wa.]\
Rue, ib.
Golden, ib.
Mallows, 223
Mandrakes, ib.
Maple Tree, 112
Marigolds, 114
Marjoram, wind, 112
sweet, 113
Marsh-mallows, 218
Masterwort, 114,223,224
Maudlin, Sweet, 1 14
Mead-sweet, 227
Mechracah, 223
ftledicines, method of mixing,
210
on tlie Temperature
of, 376
Temperate, 377
Hot, ib.
Hot in the first de-
gree, ib.
second de-
gree, 378
gree, ib.
fourth de-
fourth de-
gree, ib.
Cooling, 378
cool in the first de-
gree, 379
second and
third degree, ib.
cold in the fourth de-
gree, 379
mois^tening, ib.
drying, ib.
of the appropriation
of the several parts of the
body, 380
appropriated to the
Head, ib.
382
- Brain, ib.
— Eyes, ib.
— Mouth & Nose,
ib.
— Ears, ib.
— Teeth, ib.
— Breast & lungs.
der, 386
- Heart, 383
- Stomach, 384
■ Spleen, ib.
■ Reins and Blad-
. Womb, ib.
Joints, ib.
Propriety or
operation of, 387
Hardening, ib.
Loosening, 388
Drawing, 389
Discussive, ib.
Repelling, 390
Medicines, appropriated to the
Liver, 385
Cleansing, 391
Suppuring, 392
-Provoking urine,
- Breeding flesh.
ib.
393
son, ib.
■ Glutinative, ib.
■ Resisting poi-
Purging, 394
Medlar, 115
Melilot, or King's Claver, 1 15
Mercury, French and Dog, 116
Dog, ib.
Metals, Minerals, and Stones,
254
Metals, Stones, Salts, and other
Minerals, 276
Mints, 117
Misselto, 118
Mithridate Mustard, 182
Money-wort, or Herb Two-
pence, 119
Monk's Rhubarb, 225
Moonwort, 120
Mosses, 120
Motherwort, 121
Mouse-ear, 122
Mug wort, 122
Mulberry Tree, 123, 223
Mullein, ib.
Mustard, 124
Hedge, 125
Nail wort,orWliitlow-grass, 126
Nep, or Catmint, ib.
Nettles, 127, 227
Nightshade, 128
Oak, 128
Oats, 129
Oils, 205
Oils, 353
Simple Oils, by expres-
sion, ib.
Infusion and
Decoction, 354
Compound Oils by Infu-
sion and Decoction, 355
Ointments, 208
Ointments, more simple, 358
more compound, 362
One Blade, ib.
Onions, 130, 220
Orchis, 129
Orpine, ib.
Orris, or Flower-de-luce, 222
Parsley, 131
Piert, or Parsley
Breakstone, ib.
Parsnips, 132
Cow, ib.
garden and wild, 224
Peach Tree, 133
Pear Tree, 134
Pellitory of Spain, 134,225
GENERAL INDEX.
Pellitory of tlie Wall, 135
Peony, male and female, 224
Pennyroyal, 136
Peony, mate and female, 137
Pepperwort, or Dittander, 138
Periwinkle, 13S
Peter's Wort, at. 139
Pimpernel, 139
Physic, a Key to Galen's Me-
thod of. 376
the general use of, ib.
of the temperature, ib.
Pills, 209, 339
Pine, Ground, 140
Plaisters, 208, 367
Plantain, 141, 224
Plants, things bred from, 252
Plums, 142
Polypody of the Oak, 142
Poplar 'I'ree, 143
Poppy, 144
Poultices, 209
Preserved llcots. Stalks, Barks,
Flowers, Fruits, 314
Preserves, 206
Primroses, 146
Privet, 146, 218
Purslain, 146
Queen of the Meadows, or
Meadow Sweet, 147
Quince Tree, 148
Radishes, garden and wild, 225
Ragwort, 149
Rest-Harrow,orCamonack, 150
Rattle Grass, 150
Receipts, General Caution, 395
— to purge the Head, ib.
for a Rheum in the
Head, and the Palsy, ib.
ib. 396
for the falling off of
the Hair, ib.
to purge the Head, ib.
for Eyes that are blast-
ed, ib.
Excellent Water to
clear the Sight, ib.
for a hurt in the Eye
with a stroke, ib.
to draw Rheum back
from the Eyes, ib.
foraWebintheEye, ib.
pain in tiie Ears, ib.
an Imposthume in the
Ear, ib.
Polypus, or a fleshy
substance growing in the
Nose, ib.
bleeding attheNose,ib.
a Canker in the Nose,
ib.
• another for the Polypus,
• extreme heat of the
Mouth, 397
— for a Canker in the
ib.
Mouth, ib.
Receipts,tokeepTeeth white, ib.
fasten the Teeth, ib.
for the Tooth-ache, ib.
Scurvy in the Gums, ib.
for rotting and con-
suming of the Gums, ib.
(iie cause of Infirmities
in the Face, ib.
for a Face full of red
pimples, ib.
to take away the marks
of Small Pox, ib.
caution concerning the
Infirmities of the Throat.ib.
for Hoarseness, 398
for the Quinsey, ib.
for Sore Breasts, ib.
-inward Medi-
cine for, ib
for Moisture of the Sto-
mach, ib.
for the heat of the Sto-
mach, ib.
to cause the Liver well
to digest, ib.
a Caution, ib.
for a stoppage of the
Liver, ib.
for the Liver, ib.
Reed, Aromatical, 219
Reeds, common and sugar, 218
Rhadish, or Horse Rhadish,148
Rhapontick, or Rhubarb of Pon-
lus, 225
Rhubarb, 225
Rhubarb, or Repliontic, 156
Monk's or garden
Patience, 157
Bastard ,
or great
Round-leaved Dock, ib.
Rocket, 151 .
Winter,or Cresses, 152
Roots, 201, 217, 256
Temperature of, 257 ■
appropriated to several
parts ot the body, 258
properties of, ib.
Rosa Solis, or Sun Dew, 155
Rosemary, ib.
Rose Root, 225
Roses, 152
Rue, Meadow, 158
Garden, 159
Rupture-wort, 160
Rushes, 161
Rye, ib.
Saffron, Meadow, 220
Saffron, 161
Sage, JC2
Wood.ib.
Samphire, 164
Sanicle, ib.
Saracen's Confound, or Sara-
cen's Wound- wort, 165
Sarsaparilla.or Bind-weed, 225
Satyrion, 226
Sauce- alone, or Jack by the
Hedge-side, 165
Savine, 166
Savory .Winter and Summer, ib.
Saxifrage, the common white,
167
— Burnet, ib.
white, or Lady-
Smocks, 226
Scabious, ib.
Scabious, three sorts, 161
Scinits, 226
Scordlum, or Water-German-
der, ib.
Scurvy grass, 169
Sea, things belonging to, 254
Seeds, 201
or Grains, 249, 268
according to their ope-
ration, bind, &c. 269
Self-heal, 170
Service Tree, 171
Seseli, or Hartwort, 226
Shepherd's Purse, 171
Sloe-bush, or Sloe-tree, 225
Smallage, 171,218
Solomon's Seal, 163, 225
Sope-wort, or Bruise-wort, 172
Sorrel, ib.
Wood, ib.
Sow Thistles, 173
Southern-wood, ib.
Sorrel, 223
Sowbread, 218
Sow-thistles, 226
Species, or Powders, 317
Spignel, 223
Spig^el, or Spikenard, 174
Spikenard, 223
Spleenwort, Ctterach, or Hart's
Tongue, ib.
Spurge, greater and lesser, 222
Spurge, Olive, or Widow-wail,
222
Squills, 226
Star-'ihistle, 175
Stone-Crop, Prick-Madam, or
small Houseleek, 177
Strawberries, 175
Swallow-wort, 218, 227
Succory, 220
Succory, or Chicory, 176
Sugars, 316
Sulphur-wort, Hog's-fennel, or
Hore-strange, 224
Syrups, 203, 294
altering, 294
purging, 305
made with Vinegar and
Honey, 308
Tamaris, 226
Tamarisk Tree,
Tansie, 226
Tansy, garden, 178
Tansy, Wild, or Silver Weed,
179
Tears, Liquors, and Ro.<i!ns,
251
Teazle, 223
Thistles, 179
Melancholy, 180
our Lady's, ib.
Woollen or Cotton,
181
-Fuller's, or Teazle, ib.
Thorn, black, or Sloe Bush, 182
Thorougli Wax, or Thorough
Leaf, 183
Throat-wort, 226
Thyme, 123
Wild, or Mother of
Thyme, ib.
Tinctures, 290
Toad-stools, 226
Tobacco, English, 177
Tooth wort, 221, 54
Tormentil, 226
Tormentil, or Septfoil, 184
Treacle Mustard, 181
Trefoil, 226
Trefoil, Meadow, or Honey-
suckles, 115
Heart, 186
Pearl, ib.
Troches, 209, 346
Turbith, 226
Turmerick, 221
Turnsole, or Heliotropium, 224
Tustan, or Park Leaves, 186
Valerian, white and red, 219
Valerian, or Setwell, greater
and lesser, 224
Valerian, garden, 186
Vervain. 187
Vine, 188
Vinegars, Physical, 292
Violets, 188
Viper's Bugloss, 189
or Wild Bug
loss, 221
Viper's Grass, 226
Wall Flowers, or M'inttr Gill-
flowers, 190
Walnut Tree, ib.
Water-flag, or Flower-de-luce,
218
Waters, distilled, 202
Weld, Wold, or Dyer's Weed,
191
Wheat, 192
Willow Tree, ib.
Wines, Physical, 291
Wood, 193
193, 223
Woodbine,orHoney-suckle8,ib
Woods, 260
Woods, and their Chips or
Rapeings, 229
Wormwood, 194
Yarrow, Nose-bleed, Milfoil, or
Thousand Leaf, 198
Zedoary, or Setwall, 227
A LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL DISEASES.
Aboition, (to prevent). Sage 244.
Taiisey 245
Aclies in the joints. Of Beans 228, 274
Auues. Archangel 11. Biick's-horn-
plantain 33, 2Sl. Camomile 39.
Pellitory 134. Rleadow-sweet 147
Dry. Maudlin 114. Lovage 108
Hot. Mallows 111, 302.'^ Wild
Tansey 179
■ Quartan, rumilory 237. Cinque-
foil 242
Almonds of the Ears. Devil's-bit 245
Anthony's Fire. Crab's-claws 57.
Duck's-meat 66. UawK-weed 89
Appetite, (to restore). Wild Marjo-
ram 112. Masterv.on 240, 29,1
Apoplexy. Lavender 103. Lilyofihe
Valley 105
Asthma. Woodbine 193. Lungwort
109, 313, 346
Blood, (to cleanse). Nettles 127,281,
282. Hops 240
Bloody Flux. Amarantlius 9. Mal-
lows 112. Blackberry 27. Brank
Ursine 29. Clown's-wood 52
Blows, (black and blue, marks of).
Daisies 232. Of Solomon's-seal 225
Bo Is. Barberry 16. Cuckow-point
5.'. Wheat 192
Eowels, (obstructions of;. Stachea
217. Hops 247, 346
Bruin, (to stiengtheii). Rosemary 247.
Cowslips 347. Kutmegs 248, 272,
273, 281, 324
Bruises. Bishop's-wped 25. Chervil
46. Solomon's-seal 163
Burns. Burdock 36. Houud's-tongue
98, 359
Cancers. Asarabacca 13. Briony 30.
Yellow-water Flag 76. Cinquefoil49
C;inkers. Dragons 67. Flower-de-
luce 78. Winter-green 86
Chcst,(diseasesof).SweetMarjorarall3
Chilblains. Henbane 91
Chin-Cough. Thyme 183
Chnlic. Ail-Heal 2. Dove's-foot 6G.
Mullein 123. Osmond Royal 72
Chops of the hands, &c. Pomatum 361
Cokis. Nep 126. Juice of Liquorice
312
Consumption. Sweet-Chervil 47,
246, 289, 293, 316. Plantain 141.
Pine-Nuts 248, 275
Convulsions. Down 67. Pansies
246, 328
Corns. Houseleek97,232. Willowl92
Coughs. Angelica 8. Garlick 82.
Hore-hound 96
Cramp. Mug-wort 122. Mullein
123. Sage 162
Diabetes (an involuntary discharge of
urine) 253
Dimness of Sight. Pearl-trefoil 180.
Vervain 187. Mellilot 115. Va-
leri;m 186
Dizziness of the Head Sweet Marjo-
ram 113, 298. Sow-fennel 74.
Rosemary 155
Dropsy. IClder 67, 221. Bay 248,
2f)4. Juniper 100. Flax-weed 76.
Pellitory of the Wall 135
Ears. F'ig-Tree 75. Ale-hoof 5.
Sow Thistle 173, 396
Eyes. F.ye-bright 71, 396. Hawk-
weed 89. Wild Clary 51. Ratlle-
g/ass 150. Beets 20
— — (inflammations of). Violets 188.
/. Anemone 9. Groundsel 87
Keiniings. Balm 15. Endive 69.
Penny-royal 136 Heart Trefoil 186
Face, 397. Beans 18
Falling Sickness. Elk's-claws 253.
Mallows 111. Masterwort 114
Felons of the Finger. Amara-dulcis 1.
True Love 94. Nailwort 126
Fevers. Endive 69. Flea-wort 77.
Master-wort 114. Marigolds 1 14,
333
(Pestilential). Butter-burr 35.
Elecampane 69. Clove-gilliflowers
83
(Putrid). Borage 28
Fistulas, 351. Bugle 33. Winter-
green 86. Cow-parsnips 132. Cam-
pion Wild 40
Fits. Wild Arrach 10
Flux. Bistort 25. Flux-weed 78.
Rhubaib of Pontus 225
Fundament falling. 239, 365. Duck-
meat 240
Gout. Comfrey 54. Sciatica-cresses
57. Gout-wort 85. Elm 68
Gravel. Asparagus 13. Butcher's-
broom 31. Parsley-piert 131
Gums. 397
Head. 343, 395. Gives 50. Fever-
few 72. Flower-de-luce 78. Pelli-
tory 134. Roses 153
Ache. Beets 20. Duck's-meat
66. Ivy 99. Privet 146
Bald. White-lilies 106. Wall-
Kue no, 396
Scabby. Fox-glove 80. Knap-
weed 102. Nep 126
Scald. White-Lilies 106
Heart-Burn. Vine 246
(to strengthen). 284, 287, 289,
298, 318, 326, 349
(palpitation of;. Syrup of Apples
303
Hic-cough. Mint 117
Hoarseness. Fig-tree 75. Liquorice
106. Peach-tree 133
Imposthumes. Barley 16. Chick-
weed 48. Dandelion 62, 360
Indigestion. Avens 15. Ragwoitl49.
Samphire, 164 319,374
Inflammations. Arssmart 12. Sea-
Coleworts 37. Cinquefoil 49.
Black Cresses 57
in the sides. Violets 247
Infection, (to preserve from). Scabi
ous 168. Bay 18
Itch. Black-alder 6. Celandine 42
Stinking-gladwin 84. Juniper 100
Jaundice. Agrimony 4. Ash 14.
Carduus Benedict 41
Yellow. Wormwood 196.
Measles.
Termentil 184.
(to drive out).
Saffron 161
Alkanet 2.
Barberries 227
King's-evil. Wheat 192
Leprosy. Nigella 250
Lice, (in the head, to kill). Staves-
acre 250. Olibanum 250
Liver. 398. Siige 162. Strawberries
175. Maple-tree 112
(inflammation of). WildThymel 83
(obstructions of J. Rhubarb 157,
225. Parsley 131. Columbines
53. Liver-wort 107. Alexander 6
(to strengthen). Cleavers 51.
Costmary 55. Dock 64. Hart's-
tongue 88
Looseness, (to stop). Cloves 248
Lungs. Lungwort 109. Water Agri-
mony 5. Nettles 127. F'ilipendula
75. Scabious 168
(inflammation of). Garden Rue
159, 244. Heart's-ease 88
(ulcers of). Money-wort 119.
Horehound 240
Marigolds 114
Melancholy. Melancholy-thfslle 180.
Germander 83. Vipers Bugloss
189. Mother-wort 121, 294. Bur-
net 35. Dodder 64, 345
Memory, (to strengthen). Olibanum
273, 281. Sage 244
Menses, (to provoke). Bdellium 271,
258, 269. Marjoram 281, 274
(to stop). 259, 264, 270, 299,
305. Tansy 179
Milk, (to increase in Nurses). Fennel
237. Of Vipers Bugloss 221, 250
Miscarriage, (good against). Ladies'
Mantle. Tansey 178
Mouth. 397
Nervous Complaints. Privet 230,
356, 363
Head-ache. Lily of the Val-
ley 105. Plantain 224
Nose. 396
(bleeding at). Fluellin 79.
Houseleek 97. Periwinkle 138
Pain in the Bowels. Mouse-ear 122.
Of Marsh-mallows 218, 281
in the Side. Chick-pease 48.
Coral.wort 54. Gentian 82
in the Stomach. Rupture wort
160. Spignel 174. Black-thorn
182, 273
Palsies. Cowslips 56. Juniper 100.
Lavender 103, 328, 342, 395
Piles. Lesser Celandine 44. Colt's-
foot 53. Stone-crop 171
Pleurisies. Lohochoi Poppies 313,321
I^oison, (to expel). White Lilies 106.
Master-wort 114. Rue 244, 337
Polypus. Polypody 142, 396
Purging. Flowers 266
Fruits 268
Herbs 264
Syrups 305
Cudweed 56. Hyssop 95.
Ragwort 149. Black-
Syrup Hart's-
Celan-
Quinsey.
Orpine 130
berry 27
Rickets. Fearn 222.
tongue 304, 309
Ring-worm. Savine 166.
dine 42. Barberry 16
Ruptures. Rupture-wort 236. Tho-
rough wax 183. Tormentil 184.
Consolida-Major 220
Scrophula. Celandine 220. Eringo222
Scurvy. Scurvy-grass 169. Water-
cresses 58. Winter Rocket 152.
Cuckoo Flower 104, 259
Scurf, (or running tetters). Beech 23.
Plantain 141
Shingles. Plantain 243
Shortness of Breath. Angelica 8.
Calamint 38. Hyssop 95. Pelli-
tory of the Wall 136
Skin, (to clear). Madder 109. Of
Cuckow-points 218. Vervain 246
Sleep, (to procure). Poppy 144. Let-
tuce 104, 310
SmallPox. Marigolds 114. SaffronlG!
Sore Breasts. Purslain 146. Quince
148, 398
— Eyes. Buck's-horn-plantnin 33.
Succory 176. Celaridine42. Loose-
strife 108
— Head. Garden Rue 159. Tor-
mentil 184
— Mouih. Blue-bottle 28. Birch
24. Golden Rod 84
— Throat. Saniclel64. Self-heal
170, 393. Saracen's Confound 165
Sprains. 357, 361
Spring Medicine. Lady's-thislle 180.
Nettles 127
Stings and Venomous Bites. Bazil 17.
John's-worl 99. Bay 18. Eringo
70. Rocket 151
Stomach, Mint 117. Lovage 108,398
(inflammations of). Wallnut-
Tree 190
(obstructions of). Cross-wort
58. Rhubarb 157, 297, 317, 343
(to strengthen). Gentian 82.
Mustard 124. Roses 152. Wood-
sorrel 172, 280, 374
Stone. Ash 14. Bird's-foot 24.
Broom 32. Burdock 36. Camo-
mile 39. Parsley-piert 131, 253
Surfeits. Liver-wort 107, 280
Sweat, (to provoke). 259, 281, 325,
329, 338
Swellings. Common Alder 7. Sea-
Coleworts 37. Chick-weed 48
in the Throat. Water Cal-
trops 39. Devil's-bit 63. S. Glad-
win 84
Teeth, (to draw without pain). 252
■ (to fasten). Mastich 251.
Bistort 219. Silver-weed 231
(to whiten). Vine 246, 397
Teething of Children. 253
Tooth-ache. Tobacco 177. Wild
Tansy 179. Henbane 91, 397
Tumours. Cives 50. Hemlock 90.
Lesser Celandine 42. True Love
91,
359, 360
(hard).
Misselto 118.
Mallows ill
(hot). Water Lily 105
Ulcers. Centaury 44. Coral-wort
54. Bistort 25. Archangel 11.
Alehoof 5
Venereal Disease. Sope-wort 244
Voice, (to restore). 310, 314, 347
Vomit Antimonial Wine 292
Vomiting, (to stay). Lady's Mantle
103, 304, 311, 321, 327
Warts. Buck's-horn 33. Houseleek
97. Poplar 143
Wens. Turnsole 185. Fuller's This-
tle 223
Wheezing. Liquorice 106. Hyssop
95. Lungwort 109
Whitlows. Nail-wort 126
Wind. Bishop's-weed 25. Carra-
way 42. Dill 63. Fennel 73.
Hemp 91, 264, 323
in the Stomach. Lovage 108.
Thyme 183. Mint 118. Rose-
mary 155. Garden Tansy 178
Womb, (cold infirmities of). Bay-
berries 248
(diseases of). Wild Arrach 10,
Feverfew 72, 365
(inflammationsof). SchQ?nantli247
Women's Diseases. DogMercury 116.
Moses 120. Mugwort 122, 231
in Labour. Cinnatnon 227.
Hore-hound 240. Penny-royal 2 1 3
Worms. Dog's-grass 65. Wormwood
195. Calamint 38, 324. Arssmart
12. Butter-bur 35. Centau-y 44.
Lavender-cotton 104
Wounds. Adder's-tongue 3. Bifoil
24. Primroses 140. Burnet 35.
One Blade 26. Bistort 25. Moon-
wort 120. Lupines 249
in the Head. Shepherd's -purse
171
Loudon : Piiated liy J. HaJJon Castle Streel, Fiiis'iciry.
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