The English Physitian, B, pp. 10-25

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BALM.

This Herb is so wel known to be an Inhabitant almost in every Garden, that I shal not need to write any Description thereof, although the Vertues thereof which are many may not be omitted.

Vertues and Use.

The Arabian Physitians have extolled the Vertues hereof to the Skyes, although the Greeks thought it not worth mentioning. Serapio saith, It causeth the Mind and Heart to becom merry, and reviveth the Heart fainting into foundlings, especially of such who are over taken in their sleep, and driveth away al troublesom cares and thoughts

[EDGENOTE:] Mind, Heart, Faintings Swonings, Melancholy, Indigestion, Obstruction of the Brain, Heart, Arteries, Venemous Beasts, Mad Dogs, Terms provokes, Toothach, Blood Flux. Mushroms dificulty of breathing, Gout, Liver, Spleen, Women in Child bed, Fainting in travel, Boyls.

out of the mind arising from Melancholly, or black Choller; which Avicen also confirmeth. It is very good to help Digestion, and open Obstructions of the Brain; and hath so much purging quality in it (saith Avicen) as to expel those Melancholly vapors from the Spirits & Blood which are in the Heart and Arteries although it cannot do so in other parts of the Body. Diascorides saith, That the Leaves steeped in Wine, and the Wine drunk, and the Leavs externally applied is a remedy against the sting of Scorpions, and the bitings of mad Dogs, and commendeth the Decoction therof for Women to bath or sit in to procure their Courses; it is good to wash aching Teeth therwith and profitable for those that have the bloody Flux. The Leaves also with a little Nitre taken in Drink, are good against a Surfet of Mushromes, helps the griping pains of the Belly and being made into an Electuary 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 clenseth foul Sores and easeth pains of the Gout: It is good for the Liver and Spleen. A Tansie or Cawdle made with Egs and the Juyce therof while it is yong, putting to it some Sugar and Rosewater is good for Women in Childbed when the After-birth is not throughly avoided, and for their faintings upon, or after their sore travel. The Herb bruised and boyled in a little Wine and Oyl and laid warm on a Boil, will ripen and break it.

It is an Herb of Jupiter and under Cancer, and strengthens Nature much in al its actions; let a Syrup made with the Juyce of it and Sugar, (as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book) be kept in every Gentlewomans house, to releeve the weak stomachs and sick Bodies of their poor sickly Neighbors; as also the Herb kept dry in the Hous that so with other convenient Simples you may make it into an Electuary with Hony according as the Diseas is, and as you shall be taught at the latter end of the Book.

BARBERRY.

The Shrub is so wel known to every Boy and Girl that hath but attained to the age of seven years, that it needs no Description.

Vertues and Use.

Mars owns the shrub, and present it to the use of my Country-men to purge their Bodies of Choller. The inner Rind of the Barberry Tree boyled in White-Wine and a quarter of a pint drunk each morning, is an excellent remedy to clense the Body of Chollick Humors, and free it

[EDGENOTE:] Choller, Scabs, Itch Tetters, Ringworm, Yellow Jaundice, Boyls, Agues, Burning, Scaldings, Apetit lost, Hair.

from such Diseases as Choller causeth, such be Scabs, Itch Tetters, Ringworms, yellow Jaundice, Boils, &c. It is excellent for hot Agues, Burnings, Scaldings, heat of Bloud, heat of the Liver, Bloudy-flux, for the Berries are as good as the Bark, and more pleasing; they get a man a good stomach to his victuals, by strengthning the attractive faculty, which is under Mars, as you see more at large in the latter end of my Ephemeris for the year 1651. The Hair washed with the Ly made of the Ashes of the Tree and Water, "twil make it turn yellow, viz. of Mars his own colour. The Fruit and Rind of the Shrub, the Flowers of Broom and of Heath, or Furz, clens the Body of Choller by Sympathy, as the Flowers, Leaves and Bark of the Peach-Tree do by Antipathy; because these are under Mars, that under Venus.

BARLY.

The continual usefulness hereof hath made al in general so aquainted herewith, that it is altogether needless to describe its several kinds hereof plentifully growing, being yearly sown in this Land. The Vertues whereof take as followeth.

Vertues and Use.

Barly in al the parts and compositions therof (except Malt) is more cooling than Wheat, and a little clensing: and al the Preparations

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therof, as Barly-water and other things made therof, do give great nourishment to persons troubled with Feavers, Agues, and heats in the Stomach.

[DGENOTE:] Feavers, Agues, Stomach, Apostums, Inflamations, Spleen, Ears, Throat, Neck, Kings Evil, Leprosie, Flux, Gout, Itch Eyes.

A Pultis made of Barly Meal or Flower boyled with Vinegar and Honey, and a few dry Figs put into them, dissolveth all hard Imposthums, and aswageth Inflamations being therto applied: And being boyled with Melilot and Chamomel Flowers, and som Linseed, Fenngreek and Rue in Pouder, and applied warm, it easeth the pains in the Sides and Stomach, and windiness of the Spleen. The Meal of Barly and Fleawort boyled in Water, and made into a Pultis with Honey and Oyl of Lillies, applied warm, cureth swellings under the Ears, Throat, Neck and such like: and a Plaister made therof with Tar, Wax & Oyl, helpeth the Kings-Evil in the Throat: Boyled with sharp Vinegar into a Pultis and laid on hot helpeth the Leprosie: Being boyled in red Wine with Pomgranat Rinds and Mirtles, stayeth the Lask or other Flux of the Belly: Boyled with Vinegar and a Quince, it easeth the hot pains of the Gout. Barly flower, white Salt, Honey and Vinegar mingled together, taketh away the Itch speedily and certainly: The Water distilled from the green Barly in the end of May is very good for thos that have Defluxions of humors fallen into their Eyes, and easeth the pains being dropped into them: or White-Bread steeped therein and bound on to the Eyes, doth the same.

GARDEN BAZIL or SWEET BAZIL.

Description.

The greater ordinary Bazil riseth up usually with one upright Stalk diversly branching forth on all sides, with two Leaves at every Joynt, which are somewhat broad and round, yet pointed, of a pale green colour, but fresh, a little snipt about the edges, and of a strong heady scent: The Flowers are smal and white standing at the tops of the Branches, with two smal Leavs at the Joynt, in som places green, in others brown, after which come black Seed. The Root perisheth at the approach of Winter, and therfore must be new sowen every year.

Place.

It only groweth in Gardens.
Time.

It must be sowed late, and flowers in the heat of Summer, being a very tender Plant.

Vertues and Use.

This is the Herb which all Authors are together by the Ears about, and rail at one another like Lawyers: Galen and Diascorides hold it not fitting to be taken inwardly: and Chrysippus rails at it with downright Billingsgate-Rhetorick. Pliny, and the Arabian Physitians defend it.

For mine own part I presently found that speech true;

Non nostrum inter nos tantas componere lites.
And away to Dr. Reason went I, who told me it was an Herb of Mars, and under the Scorpion, and perhaps therfore called Basilicon, and then no mervail if it carry a kind

[EDGENOTE:] Venemous Beasts, Bees, Wasps, Hornets.

of virulent quality with it: Being applied to the place bitten by a venemous Beast, or stung by a Wasp or Hornet, it speedily draws the Poyson to it; Every like draws his like. Myzaldus affirms, That it being laid to rot in Horsdung it wil breed Venemous Beasts. And Hollerius a French Physitian affirms upon his own knowledg, That an acquaintance of his by common smelling to it, had a Scorpion bred in his Brain. Somthing is the matter this Herb and Rue wil not grow together, no nor near one another: And we know Rue is as great an enemy to Poyson as any grows.

To conclude: It expelleth both Birth, and After-birth; and as it helps the deficiency of Venus in one kind, so it spoils al her actions in another. I dare write no more of it.

THE BAY TREE.
This is so wel known that it needs no Description; I shal therfore only write the Vertues therof, which are many.

Vertues and Use.
Galen saith, That the Leaves or Bark do dry and heal very much, and the Berries more than the Leaves: The Bark of the Root is less sharp and hot, but more bitter, and hath some astriction withal, whereby it is effectual to break the Stone, and good to open obstructions of the

[EDGENOTE:] Stone, Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, Dropsie, Poyson, Jaundice, Bees, Wasps, Hornets, Terms provokes, Cause Delivery, Afterbirth, Eyes,Lungs.

Liver, Spleen, and other inward parts, which bring the Dropsie, Jaundice, &c. The Berries are very effectual against al Poyson of venemous Creatures, and the Stings of Wasps and Bees, as also against the Pestilence or other infectious Diseases, and therfore is put into sundry Triacles for that purpose: They likewise procure Womens Courses; and seven of them given to a Woman in sore travel of Child-birth, do cause a speedy delivery, and expel the After-birth; and therfore not to be taken by such as have not gon out their time lest they procure Abortment, or cause Labor too soon: They wonderfully help al cold and rhumatick Distillations from the Brain to the Eyes, Lungs or other parts: And being made into an Electuary with Honey, do help the

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Consumption, old Coughs, shortness of Breath, and thin Rhewms: as also the Meagrim, they mightily expel wind and provoke Urin; help the Mother, and kil the Worms: The Leaves also work the like effects. A

[EDGENOTE:] Coughs, Shortness of Breath, Megrim, Wind, Vertigo, Disury, Mother, Worms, Joynts, Nerves, Arteries, Stomach, Belly, Womb, Ears, Marks in the Skin, Itch, Scabs.

Bath of the Decoction of the Leavs and Berries, is singular good for Women to sit in that are troubled with the Mother, or the Diseases therof, or the stoppings of their Courses, or for the Diseases of the Bladder, pains in the Bowels by wind, and stoppnig of Urin: A decoction likewise of equal parts of Bay-berries, Cummin-Seed, Hysop, Origanum, and Euphorbium, with some Honey, and the Head bathed therwith doth wonderfully help Distillations and Rhewms, and setleth the Pallat of the Mouth into its place. The Oyl made of the Berries is very comfortable in all cold Griefs of the Joynts, Nervs, Arteries, Stomach, Belly, or Womb, and helpeth Palsies, Convulsions, Cramps, Aches, trembling and numness in any part, weariness also, and pains that come by sore travelling: Al griefs and pains likewise proceeding from Wind, either in the Head, Stomach, Back, Belly, or Womb, by anointing the parts affected therwith: And pains in the Ears are also cured by dropping in some of the Oyl, or by receiving into the Ears the warm fume of the Decoction of the Berries through a Funnel. The Oyl takes away marks of the Skin and Flesh by bruises, Fals, &c. and dissolveth the congealed Bloud in them: It helpeth also the Itch, Scabs, and Wheals in the Skin.

I shal but only ad a word or two to what my Friend hath

[EDGENOTE:] Witchcraft.

written, viz. That it is a Tree of the Sun, and under the Coelestial Sign Leo, and resisteth Witchcraft very potently, as also al the evil old Saturn can do to the Body of Man, and they are not a few, for it is the Speech of one, and I am mistaken if it were not Myzaldus, That neither Witch nor Devil, Thunder nor Lightning wil hurt a Man in the place where a Bay-Tree is.

BEANS.

Both the Garden and Field Beans are so wel known that it saveth me labor of writing any Description of them: Their Vertues briefly are as followeth.

The distilled wather of the Flowers of Garden Beans is good to clens the Face and Skin from Spots and Wrinkles, and the Meal or Flower of them, or the smal, doth the same. The Water distilled from the green Husks is held to be very effectual against the Stone, and to provoke Urine.

[EDGENOTE:] Spots, Stone, Disury, Inflamation, Womens Breasts.

Bean Flower is used in Pultisses to asswage Inflamations rising upon Wounds, and the swelling of Womens Breasts caused by the curding of their Milk, and represseth their Milk: The Flower of Beans and Fenugreek mixed with Honey, and applied to Fellons, Boyls, Bruises, or blue Marks by blows, or the Imposthumes in the Kernels of the Ears, helpeth them all: And with Rose Leavs, Frankinsens and the white of an Egg being applied to the Eyes, helpeth them that are swoln, or do water, or have received any blow upon them if used with Wine. If a Bean be parted in two,

[EDGENOTE:] Felons, or Andicoms, Boils, Bruses, Ears, Eyes, Leeches.

the skin being taken away, and laid on the place where a Leech hath been set that bleedeth too much, it staieth the bleeding. Bean Flower boyled to a Pultis with Wine and Vinegar and some Oyl put therto, ceaseth both pain and swelling of the Cods: The Husks boyled in Water to a consumption of a third part therof staieth a Lask: and the Ashes of the Husks made up with old Hogs Greas, helpeth the old pains, contusions and Wounds of the Sinews, the

[EDGENOTE:] Cods swelled, Flux, Pain, Sinews, Sciatica, Gout.

Sciatica, and Gout. The Field Beans have all the aforementioned Vertues as the Garden Beans

Beans eaten are extream windy meat, but if after the Dutch fashion when they are half boyled you husk them, and then stew them (I cannot tell you how, for I never was Cook in al my life) they are wholsomer food.

FRENCH-BEANS.

Description.

The French or Kidney Bean ariseth up at first but with one stalk which afterwards divideth its self into many Arms or Branches, but also weak that if they be not sustained with sticks or poles, they wil lie fruitless upon the ground: at several places of these Branches grow forth long footstalks, with every one of them three broad round and pointed green Leavs at the end of them, towards the tops wherof come forth divers Flowers made like unto Pease Blossoms, of the same colour for the most part that the fruit wil be of, that is to say, white, yellow, red, blackish, or a deep purple; but white is most usual; after which come long and slender flat Pods, some crooked, some straight, with a string as it were running down the Back therof, wherein are contained flattish round fruit made to the fashion of a Kidney; the Root is long and spreadeth with many strings annexed to it, and perisheth every year.

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

This ariseth up with sundry Branches as the other, but runs up higher to the length of Hop-poles, about which they grow twining, but turning contrary to the Sun, having Foot-

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stalks with three Leaves on each as on the other: The Flowers also are in fashion like the other, but many more set together, and of a most Orient Scalet colour. The Beans are larger than the ordinary kind, of a deep Purple colour, turning black when it is ripe and dry: The Root perisheth also in Winter.

Vertues.

The ordinary French Beans are of an easie digestion, they move the Belly, provoke Urin, enlarge the Breast that is straitned with shortness of Breath, engender Sperme, and incite Venery.

[EDGENOTE:] Disury, Shortess of breath, Incite to Venery. A gallant shew.

And the Scarlet-coloured Beans in regard of the glorious beauty of their colour being set near a Quickset Hedg, wil bravely adorn the same, by climing up theron; so that they may be discerned a great way, not without admiration of the beholder at a distance. But they wil go near to kil the Quicksets by cloathing them in Scarlet.

LADIES-BEDSTRAW.

Description.

This ariseth up with divers smal brown and square upright Stalks a yard high or more, somtimes branched forth into divers parts, ful of Joynts, and with diverse very fine small Leaves at every one of them little or nothing rough at al: At the top of the Branches grow many long tufts or branches of yellow Flowers very thick set together, from the several Joynts which consist of four smal Leavs apiece, which smel somwhat strong, but not unpleasant: The Seed is smal and black like Poppy seed, two for the most part joyned together: The Root is reddish with many smal thrids fastned unto it, which take strong hold of the ground and creepeth a little: And the Branches leaning a little down to the ground take Root at the Joynts therof, wherby it is easily encreased.

There is also another sort of Ladies-Bedstraw growing frequently in England, which beareth white Flowers as the other doth yellow; but the Branches of this are so weak that unless it be sustained by the Hedges, or other things near which it groweth it wil lie down on the ground; the Leaves a little bigger than the former, and the Flowers not so plentiful as those; and the Root hereof is also thridy, and abiding.

Place.

They grow in Meadows and Pastures both wet and dry, and by the Hedges.

Time.

They flower in May for the most part, and the Seed is ripe in July and August.

Vertues and Use.

The Decoction of the former of these being drunk is good to fret and break the Stone, and provokes Urin, stayeth inward bleedings, and healeth inward Wounds: The

[EDGENOTE:] Stone, Dysury, Bleeding, Wounds.

Herb or Flower bruised and put up into the Nostrils, stayeth their bleeding likewise: The Flowers and the Herb made into an Oyl by being set in the Sun, and changed after it hath stood ten or twelve daies; or into an Ointment being boyled in Axungia or Sallet-Oyl with some Wax melted therein after it is strained; either the Oyl made therof or the Ointment do help Burnings with Fire, or Scalding with Water: the same also, or the Decoction of the Herb and Flower is good to bath the Feet of Travellers and Lacquies whose long running causeth weariness and stifness in their Sinews and Joynts; If the Decoction be used warm, and the Joynts afterwards anointed with the Ointment. It helpeth the dry Scab, and the Itch in Children: And the Herb with the white Flower is also very good for the Sinews, Arteries, and Joynts to comfort and strengthen them after travel, cold and pains.

[EDGENOTE:] Burnings, Gauled-Feet, Weariness, Stiffness of Joynts, Scabs, Itch.

They are both Herbs of Venus and therfore strengthen the patrs both internal and external which she rules.

BEETS.

Description.

There are two sorts of Beets which are best known generally, and wherof I shal principally intreat at this time. Viz. The White and the Red Beets, and their vertues.

The Common White Beet hath many great Leaves next the ground somwhat large, and of a whitish green colour: The Stalk is great, strong and ribbed, bearing great store of leaves upon it almost to the very top of it: The flowers grow in very long tufts, smal at the ends, and turning down their Heads, which are smal, pale, greenish, yellow Burrs, giving cornered prickled Seed. The Root is great, long and hard, and when it hath given Seed of no use at all.

The Common Red Beet differeth not from the White, but only it is lesser and the Leaves and the Roots are somwhat red: The Leaves are differently red, in som only with red strakes or veins, som of a fresh red, and others of a dark red. The Root hereof is red, spungy and not used to be eaten.

[EDGENOTE:] Clens, Digest, Disury, Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, Vertigo, Venemous Beasts.

The White Beet doth much loosen the Belly, and is of a clensing and digesting quality, and provoketh Urin: The Juyce of it openeth obstructions both of the Liver and Spleen, and is good for the Headaches and swimmings therein, and turnings of the Brain; and is effectual also against al venemous creatures: and applied upon the Temples, stayeth Inflamati-

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ons in the Eyes; it helpeth Burnings being used without Oyl, and with a little Allum

[EDGENOTE:] Brning, St. Anthonies Fire, Wheals, Blisters, Chilblains, Kibes,Itch, Dandriff, Scurff Scabs, Ulcers, Cankers, Baldness.

put to it, is good for St. Anthonies fire. It is also good for al Wheals, Pushes, Blisters, and Blains in the Skin: The Herb boyled and laid upon Chilblains or Kibes, helpeth them: The Decoction therof in Water and some Vinegar healeth the Itch, if bathed therwith, and clenseth the Head of Dandraf, Scurff, and dry Scabs, and doth much good for fretting and running Sores, Ulcers, & Cankers in the Head, Legs, or other parts, and is much commended against Baldness and shedding of Hair.

The red Beet is good to stay the Bloody Flux, Womens Courses, and the Whites, and to help the yellow Jaundice.

[EDGENOTE:] Flux Terms, Stops, Whites, Stinking Breath, Noise in the Ears, Toothach, Smell lost.

The Juyce or the Root put into the Nostrils purgeth the Head, helpeth the nois in the Ears, and the Tooth-ach; the Juyce snuffed up the Nose helps a stinking Breath if the caus lie in the Nose as many times it doth, if any bruis have been there, as also want of smel coming that way.

WATER-BETONY.

Description.

First of the Water-Betony, which riseth up with square hard greenish Stalks, and somtimes brown, set with broad dark green Leavs dented about the edges with notches, somwhat resembling the Leavs of the Wood-Betony, but much larger, two for the most part set at a Joynt. The Flowers are many, set at the tops of the Stalks and Branches, being round bellied, and open at the Brims and divided into two parts, the uppermost being like a Hood, and the lowest like a Lip hanging down, of a dark red colour, which passing away, there comes in their places smal round Heads with smal points in the ends, wherin lie smal and brownish Seeds: The Root is a thick Bush of strings and threds growing from an Head.

Place.

It groweth by Ditchsides, Brooks, and other Water-courses generally through this Land, and is seldom found far from the Waters sides.

Time.

It Flowereth about July and the Seed is ripe in August.

Vertues and Use.

It is of a clensing quality; the Leavs bruised and applied are effectual for all old and filthy Ulcers; and especially if the Juyce of the Leavs be boyled with a little Honey, and tents dipped therin, and the Sores dressed therwith: as also for Bruises or Hurts whether

[EDGENOTE:] Ulcers, Bruises, Sunburning.

inward or outward. The distilled water of the Leaves is used for the same purposes; as also to bath the Face or Hands spotted or blemished, or discolored by Sunburning.

I confess I do not much fancy distilled Waters, I mean such Waters as are distilled cold, some vertue of the Herb they may happliy have (it were a strange thing else) but this I am confident of, that being distilled in a Pewter Stil, as the vulgar and apish fashion is, both Chymical Oyl and Salt is left behind, unless you burn them, and then all is spoiled, Water and al, which was good for as little as can be by such a Distillation. You have the best way of Distillation in my Translation of the London Dispensatory. The Colledg of Physitians having as much skil in Distillations as an Ass hath reading Hebrew.

Water-Betony is an Herb of Jupiter in Cancer and is apropriated more to Wounds and Hurts in the Breast than Wood-Betony which follows.

WOOD-BETONY.

Description.

The Common or Wood-Betony hath many Leavs rising from the root which are somwhat broad and round at the ends, roundly dented about the edges, standing upon long Footstalks, from among which rise up smal, square, slender, but yet upright hairy Stalks, with some Leaves thereon, two apiece at the Joynts, 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, somwhat long and uneven. The Roots are many white threddy strings; the Stalk perisheth, but the Root with some Leavs theron, abides al the Winter. The whole Plant is somwhat smal.

Place.

It groweth frequently in Woods, and delighteth in Shady-places.

Time.

And it flowreth in July, after which, the Seed is quickly ripe, yet in its prime in May.

Vertues and Use.

Antonius Musa Physitian to the Emperor Augustus Caesar, wrote a peculiar Book of the Vertues of this Herb, and amongst other vertues, saith of it, That it preserveth the Lives and Bodies of Men free from the danger of Epidemical Diseases, and from Witchcrafts also: It is found by daily experience to be good for many Diseases; It helpeth those

[EDGENOTE:] Epidemical Diseases, Witchcraft, Apetite, Indigestion, Stomach, Belching, Jaundice, Falling sickness, Palsey, Convulsion, Shrinking of the Sinews, Gout, Dropsie, Frensie, Cough, Cold, Shortness of Breath, Agues of all sorts, Sore Eyes, Worms, Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, Stitches, Pains in the Back and Belly, Terms provokes, Mother, Childbirth, Stone, Toothach, Venemous Beasts, Mad-dogs, Weariness, Bleeding at Mouth and Nose, Pissing & spitting of Blood, Ruptures, Bruises, Wounds, Veins and Sinews, Cuts, Ulcers, Fistulaes, Boyls, Ears.

that loath, or cannot digest their Meat, those that

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have weak Stomachs, or sower belchings, or continual rising in their Stomach, using it familiarly either green or dry; either the Herb, the root, or the Flowers in Broth drunk, or Meat, or made into Conserve, Syrup, Water Electuary, or Pouder as every one may best frame themselvs unto, or as the time or season requireth, taken any of the aforesaid waies. It helpeth the Jaundice, Falling-sickness, the Palsie, Convulsions, or shrinking of the Sinews, the Gout, and those that are inclined to Dropsies, those that have continual Pains in their Head, although it turn to Phrensie. The Pouder mixed with pure Honey is no less available for al sorts of Coughs or Colds, Wheesing or shortness of Breath, Distillations of thin Rhewm upon the Lungues, which causeth Consumptions. The Decoction made with Mead and a little Penyroyal, is good for those that are troubled with putrid Agues, whether Quotidian, Tertian, or Quartan, and to draw down and evacuate the Blood and humors that by falling into the Eyes do hinder the Sight: The Decoction therof made in Wine and taken, killeth the Worms in the Belly, openeth Obstructions both of the Spleen and Liver, cureth Stitches and Pains in the Back, or Sides, the Torments and griping pains of the Bowels, and the wind Chollick: and mixed with Honey purgeth the Belly, helpeth to bring down Womens Courses, and is of especial use for those that are troubled with the falling down of the Mother, and pains therof, and causeth an easie and speedy delivery of Women in Childbirth: it helpeth also to break and expel the Stone either in the Bladder or Kidneys. The Decoction with Wine gargled in the Mouth, easeth the Toothach. It is commended against the sting or biting or Venemous Serpents or Mad Dogs. Being used inwardly and applied outwardly to the place. A dram of the Pouder in Betony taken with a little Honey in some Vinegar, doth wonderfully refresh those that are overwearied by travail; it staieth bleedings at the Mouth or Nose, and helpeth those that piss 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 Juyce applied to any inward hurt or outward green Wound in the Head or Body wil 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 thing gotten into the Flesh: It is no less profitable for old Sores, or filthy Ulcers, yea, though they be Fistulaus and hollow, but some do advise to put in a little Salt to this purpose: Being applied with a little Hogs Lard, it helpeth a Plague-Sore, and other Boyls and Pushes: The fumes of the Decoction while it is warm received by a Funnel into the Ears, easeth the pains of them, destroyeth the Worms, and cureth the running Sores in them. The Juyce dropped into them doth the same. The Root of Betony is displeasing both to the tast and Stomach, whereas the Leavs and Flowers by their sweet and spicy tast, are comfortable both in Meat and Medicine.

There are some of the many Vertues Antony Musa an expert Physitian (for it was not the practice of Octavius Caesar to keep Fools about him) apropriates to Bethony; It is a very precious Herb that's certain, and most fitting to be kept in a mans hous both in Syrup, Conserve, Oyl, Oyntment, and Plaister. The Flowers are usually Conserved.

The Herb is apropriated to the Planet Jupiter, and the Sign Aries.

THE BEECH TREE.

In treating of this Tree, you must understand that I mean the great Mast Beech; which is by way of distinction from that other smal rough sort, called in Sussex, the small Beech; but in Essex, Hornbeam.

I suppose it needless to describe it, being already so wel known to my Countrymen.

Place.

It groweth in Woods amongst Oaks, and other Trees, and in Parks, Forrests, and Chases, to feed Deer; and in other places to fatten Swine.

Time.

It bloometh in the end of April, or begining of May for the most part, and the Fruit is ripe in September.

Vertues and Use.

The Leavs of the Beech-Tree are cooling and binding, and therfore good to be applied to hot Swellings to discuss them: The Nuts do much nourish such Beasts as feed thereon: The Water that is found in the hollow places of decaying Beeches, will cure both Man and Beast of any Scurf, Scab, or running Tetters, if they be washed therwith. You may boyl the Leavs into a Pultis, or make an Ointment of them when time of year serves.

BILBERRIES: Called also (by som) Whorts, and Whortleberries.

Descriptions.

Of these I shal only speak of two sorts, which are commonly known in England, Viz. The Black, and the Red Bilberries. And first of the Black.

[p. 16]

This smal Bush creepeth along upon the ground scarce rising half a yard high, with divers smal dark green Leaves set on the green Branches, not alwaies one against another, and a little dented about the edges: At the foot of the Leaves com forth smal, hollow, pale, blush coloured Flowers, the brims ending in five points, with a reddish threed in the middle, which pass into smal round Berries of the bigness and colour of Juniper Berries, but of a Purple sweetish sharp tast; the Juyce of them giveth a Purplish colour to their Hands and Lips that eat and handle them, especially if they break them. The Root groweth asloop under ground, shooting forth in sundry places as it creepeth: This loseth its Leaves in Winter.

The Red Bilberry, or Whortle-bush, riseth up like the former, having sundry harder Leaves, like the Box-Tree Leaves, green and round pointed standing on the several Branches, at the tops whereof only, and not from the sides as in the former, com forth divers round flowers of a pale red color, after which succeed, round reddish sappy Berries when they are ripe, of a sharp tast: The Root runneth in the ground, as the former; but the Leaves of this abide al Winter.

Place.

The first groweth in Forrests, on the Heaths and such like barren plaaces: The Red grows in the North parts of this Land, as Lancashire, Yorkshire, &c.

Time.

They flower in March and April; and the Fruit of the Black is ripe in June and July.

Vertue and Use.

The Black Bilberries are good in hot Agues and to cool the heat of the Liver and stomach; they do somwhat bind the Belly, and stay Vomitings and Loathings: The Juyce of

[EDGENOTE:] Agues, Stomach, Liver, Vomiting, Apetite lost, Cough, Phtisick, Fluxes.

the Berries made into 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 Whorts are more binding, and stop Womens Courses, spitting of Blood, or any other Flux of Blood or Humors, being used aswel outwardly as inwardly.

BIFOYL, or TWAYBLADE.

Description.

This smal Herb from a Root somewhat sweet, shooting downwards many long strings, riseth up a round green Stalk bare or naked next the ground for an inch, two or three to the middle therof, as it is in age or growth, as also from the middle upward to the Flowers, having only two broad Plantain-like Leaves (but whiter) set at the middle of the Stalk one against another, and compasseth it round at the bottom of them.

Place.

It is a usual Inhabitant in Woods, Copses, and in many other places in this Land.

There is another sort growes in wet grounds and Marshes, which is somwhat differing from the former: It is a smaler Plant, and greener, having somtimes three Leaves; the Spike of Flowers is less than the former, and the Roots of this do run or creep in the ground.

They are much and often used by many to good purpose for Wounds both green and old, and to consolidate or knit Ruptures.

THE BIRCH-TREE.

Description.

This groweth a goodly tall straight Tree, fraught with many Boughes and slender Branches bending downward; the old ones being covered with a discoloured chapped Bark, and the yonger being browner by much: The Leaves at their first breaking out are crumpled, and afterward like the Beech Leaves, but smaler and greener, and dented about the edges: It beareth smal short Catkins, somwhat 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 groweth in Woods.

Vertues.

The Juyce of the Leaves while they are yong, or the distilled Water of them, or the Water that coms out of the Tree, being bored with an Augur and distilled afterwards;

[EDGENOTE:] Stone, sore Mouths.

any of these being drunk for some time together, is available to break the Stone in the Kidnies or Bladder; and is good also to wash sore Mouths.

BIRDS-FOOT.

This smal Herb groweth not above a span high, with many Branches spread on the ground, set with many wings of smal Leaves; The Flowers grow upon the Branches, many smal ones of a pale yellow colour, being set at a head together, which afterwards turn into so many smal joynted Cods with Seeds in them; the Cods well resembling the Claws of smal Birds, whence it took its name.

There is another sort of Birds-Foot in all

[p. 17]

things like the former, but a little larger; the Flowers of a pale whitish red colour, and the Cods distinct by Joynts like 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 feed in the end of Summer.

Vertues and Use.

They are of a drying, binding quality and therby very good to be used in Wound-drinks, as also to apply outwardly for the same purpose. But the latter Birds-foot is found by experience to break the Stones in the Back or

[EDGENOTE:] Dry, Binds Wounds, Stone, Ruptures.

Kidnies, and drive them forth, if the Decoction therof be taken; and it wonderfully helpeth the Rupture, being taken inwardly, and outwardly applied to the place.

All Salts have best operation upon the Ston, as Ointments & Plaisters have upon Wounds; and therfore if you may make a Salt of this for the Stone, the way how to do so many be found in my Translation of the London Dispensatory, and it may be I may give you again in plainer terms at the latter end of this Book.

BISHOPS-WEED.

Description.

Common Bishops-weed riseth up with a round straight Stalk, somtimes as high as a Man, but usually three or four foot high, beset with divers smal, long, and somwhat broad Leavs, cut in som places and dented about the edges, growing one against another, of a dark green colour; having sundry Branches on them, and at the top smal umbels of white flowers, which turn into smal round brown Seed, little bigger than Parsly-seed, of a quick hot scent and tast: The Root is white and stringie, perishing yearly after it hath seeded, and usually riseth again of its own sowing.

Place.

It groweth wild in many places in England and Wales, as between Greenheath and Gravsend.

Vertues.

It digesteth Humors, provoketh Urin and Womens Courses, dissolveth Wind; and being taken in Wine, easeth pains and griping in the Bowels, and is good against the biting of Serpents: It is used to good effect in those Medicins which are given to hinder the poysonful operation of Cantharides upon the passages of the Urin: Being mixed with Honey, and applied to black and blue marks, coming of Blows or bruises, it takes them away: and being drunk or outwardly applied, it abates an high colour, and makes it pale; and the Fumes therof taken with Rozin, or Raisons,

[EDGENOTE:] Disury, Terms provokes, Wind, Chollick, Venemous Beasts, Cantharides, black and blew Spots, High Colour, Mother.

clenseth the Mother.

It is hot and dry in the third degree, of a bitter tast and somthing sharp withal; it provokes Lust to purpose; I suppose Venus owns it.

BISTORT, OR SNAKEWEED.

Description.

This hath a thick, short, knobbed Root, blackish without, and somwhat reddish within, a little crooked or turned together, of an harsh astringent tast, with divers black threds hanging there, from whence spring up every year divers Leaves standing upon long Footstalks, being somwhat broad and long like a Dock-leaf, and a little pointed at the ends, but that it is of a blewish green colour on the upper side, and of an Ash colour gray, and a little purplish underneath, with divers Veins therin; from among which rise up divers smal and slender Stalks, two foot high, and almost naked, and without Leavs, or with very few, and narrow, bearing a spiky Bush of pale Flesh colour'd Flowers, which being past there abideth smal Seed, somwhat 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 Leavs, The Root blackish without, and somwhat whitish within, of an austere binding tast as the former.

Place.

They grow in shadowy moist Woods, and at the foot of Hils, but are chiefly nourished up in Gardens. The narrow leaved Bistort groweth in the North, in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland.

Time.

They Flower about the end of May, and the Seed is ripe about the beginning of July.

Vertues and Use.

Both the Leavs and Roots have have a powerful faculty to resist al Poyson: The Root in Pouder taken in drink expelleth the Venem of the Plague, the smal Pox, Meazles, Purples, or any other infectious Disease, driving it out by sweating: The Root in Pouder or the Decoction therof

[EDGENOTE:] Poyson, Plague, Smal Pocks, Meazles, Purples, Epidemical Diseases. Inward bleeding, Flux, Vomiting Ruptures, Jaundice, Venemous Beasts.

in Wine being drunk, stayeth al manner of inward bleedings or spittings of Blood, and any Fluxes in the Body of either Man or Woman or Vomitings; it is also very available against Ruptures or Burstings or all bruises or fals, dissolving the congealed Blood, and easeth the pains that happen therupon, it also helpeth the Jaundice. The Wa-

[p. 17, i.e. p. 18 (two pages numbered 17)]

ter distilled from both Leavs and Roots is a singular remedy to wash any place bitten or stung by any venemous creature; as also for any of the purposes before spoken of.

And is very good to wash any running Sores or Ulcers. The Decoction of the Root in Wine being drunk, hindreth Abortion or Miscarriage in Child-bearing. The Leavs also kil the Worms in Children, and is a great help for them that cannot keep their Water, if the Juyce of Plantane be added therto. And outwardly applied, much helpeth the

[EDGENOTE:] Ulcers, Abortion, Worms, Diabites, Running of the Reins, Wounds, Bleeding.

Gonorrhea, or Running of the Reins. A dram of the Pouder of the Root taken in the Water thereof, wherein som red hot Iron or Steel hath been quenched is also an admirable help thereto, so as the Body be first prepared and purged from the offensive humors. The Leaves, Seed, or Roots are al very good in Decoctions, Drinks or Lotians, for inward or outward Wounds or other sores: and the Pouder strewed upon any cut or wound in a Vein, stayeth the immoderat bleeding thereof. The Decoction of the Roots in Water whereunto som Pomgranate Pils and Flowers are added, injected into the Matrix, stayeth the access of humors to the Ulcers thereof, and bringeth it to its right place, being fallen down, and stayeth the immoderat flux of the Courses. The Root hereof with Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allum of each a like quantity, beaten smal and made into Past, with some Honey, and a little piece thereof put into an hollow-Tooth, or held between the Teeth if there be no hollowness in them, stayeth the defluxion of Rhewm upon them, which causeth pains, and helps to clense the Head, and avoid much offensive Water. The Distilled Water is very effectual to wash Sores or Cankers in the Nose or any other part, if the Pouder of the Root be applied

[EDGENOTE:] Matrix, Terms stops, Tooth-ach, Head, Cankers, Gums, Inflamations, Almonds of the Ears.

therunto afterwards. It is good also to fasten the Gums, and to take away the heat and inflamations that happen in the Jaws, Almonds of the Throat or Mouth, if the Decoction of the Leavs, Roots, or Seeds be used, or the Juyce of them; but the Roots are most effectual to all the purposes aforesaid.

ONE-BLADE.

Description.

This smal Plant never beareth more than one Leaf, but only when it rises up with its Stalk which thereon beareth another, and seldom more, which are of a bluish green colour, broad at the bottom and pointed with many Ribs or Veins like Plantane: At the top of the Stalk grow many smal white Flowers Star-fashion smelling somthing sweet: after which come smal reddish Berries when they are ripe. The Root is smal, of the bigness of a Rush, lying and creeping under the upper crust of the Earth, shooting forth in diverse places.

Place.

It groweth in moist shadowy, grassie places of Woods in many places of this Realm.

Time.

It flowreth about May, and the Berries be ripe in June, and then quickly perisheth until the next year it springth from the same again.

The Vertues.

Half a dram, or a dram at most of the Roots hereof in Pouder, taken in Wine and Vinegar of each a like quantity, and the party presently laid to sweat, is held to be a sovereign remedy for those that are infected with the Plague, and have a sore upon them, by expelling the Poyson and defending the Heart and Spirits from danger: it is also accounted a singular good Wound-Herb, and therfore used with other Herbs in making such Balms as are necessary or the curing of Wounds, either green or old, and especially if the Nervs or Sinews be hurt.

THE BRAMBLE; or Black-Berry-Bush.

This is so wel known that it needeth no Description. The Vertues therof are as followeth.

Vertues and Use.

The Buds, Leavs and Branches while they are green are of a good use in the Ulcers and putrid sores of the Mouth and Throat, and for the Quinsie; and likewise to heal other fresh Wounds and Sores; but the Flowers & Fruit

[EDGENOTE:] Ulcers, Sores, Quinsie, Wounds, Flux, Bloody flux, Spitting Bloud, Gravel, Stone, Secrets.

unripe are very binding, and so profitable for the Bloudy-flux, Lasks, and are a fit remedy for spitting of Bloud. Either the Decoction or Pouder of the Root being taken is good to break or drive forth Gravel, and the Stone in the Reins and Kidnies. The Leavs and Brambles aswel green as dry, are excellent good Lotions for sores in the Mouth or secret parts: The Decoction of them & of the dried Branches, do much bind the Belly, and are good for the too much flowing of Womens Courses: The Berries or the Flowers are a powerful remedy against the Poyson of the most venemous Serpents, as wel drunk as outwardly applied, helpeth the sores of the Fundament, and the Piles. The Juyce of the Berries mixed with Juyce of Mulberries, do bind more effectually, and help fretting and eating sores and Ulcers whersoever. The Distilled Water of the Branches, Leaves and Flowers, or of the Fruit, is very pleasant in tast, and very effe-

[p. 18, i.e. p. 19 (19 skipped in numbering)]

ctual in Feavers and hot distempers of the Body, Head, Eyes and other parts, and for al the purposes aforesaid. The Leaves boyled in Ly and the Head washed therewith, healeth the Itch and the running sores therof, and maketh the Hair black. The Pouder of the Leaves strewed on cankrous and running Ulcers, doth wonderfully help to heal them. Some

[EDGENOTE:] Terms stops, Poyson, Venemous Beasts. Fundament Piles, Feavers, Head, Eyes, Itch, Scabby Heads.

use to condensate the Juyce of the Leaves, and some the Juyce of the Berries to keep for their use all the year, for the purposes aforesaid.

It is a Plant of Venus in Aries: You shall have Som directions at the latter end of the Book for the gathering of al Herbs and Plants &c. If any ask the reason why Venus is so prickly? Tel them 'tis because she is in the house of Mars.

BLITES.

Description.

Of these there are two sorts commonly known, viz. White and Red. The White hath Leavs somwhat like unto Beets, but smaller, rounder and of a whitish green colour, every one standing upon a smal long Footstalk: The Stalk riseth up two or three foot high with such like Leavs theron: The Flowers grow at the top in long round tufts or clusters, wherein are contained smal and round Seed. The Root is very full of threeds or strings.

The red Blite is in all things like the white, but that his Leavs and tufted heads are exceeding red at first, and after turn more Purplish.

There are other kinds of Blites which grow wild, differing from the two former sorts but little, only the wild are smaler in every part.

Place.

They grow in Gardens, and wild in many places of this Land.

Time.

They seed in August and September.

Vertues and Use.

They are all of them cooling, drying and binding, serving to restrain the Fluxes of Bloud in either man or woman, especially the Red; which also stayeth the overflowing of women's Reds, as the white Blite stayeth the Whites in Women. It is an excellent secret, you cannot wel fail in the use; they are al under the Dominion of Venus.

[EDGENOTE:] Reds and Whites in Women.

There is one other sort of wild Blites, like the other wild kinds, but having long and spike heads of greenish Seed, seeming by the thick setting together to be al Seed.

This sort the Fishes are delighted with, and it is a good and usual Bait; for the Fishes will bite fast enough at them, if you have but wit enough to catch them when they bite.

BORRAGE & BUGLOSS.

These are so wel known to be Inhabitants in every Garden, that I hold it needless to describe them.

Time.

They flower in June and July, and the Seed is ripe shortly after.

Vertues and Use.

They are very Cordial. The Leaves or Roots are to very good purpose used in putrid and Pestilential Feavers, to defend the Heart, and help to resist and expel the Poyson, or the Venom of other Creatures; the Seed is of the like effect; and the Seed and Leavs are good to encrease Milk in Womens Breasts: The Leavs, Flowers and Seed, all, or

[EDGENOTE:] Feavers, Pestilence, Poyson, Venemous Beasts. Milk in Nurses. Melancholy, Ill Bloud.

any of them are good to expel Pensiveness and Melancholly: it helpeth to clarifie the Bloud, and mitigate heat in Feavers. The Juyce made into a Syrup prevaileth much to all the purposes aforesaid, and is put with other cooling, opening, clensing Herbs, to open obstructions, and help the yellow-Jaundice, and mixed with Fumitory, to cool, clens, and temper the Blood, therby it helpeth the Itch, Ringworms, and Tetters, or other spreading Scabs or Sores. The Flowers candied, or made into a Conserve are helping in the former causes, but are chiefly used as a Cordial, and is good for those that are weak with long sickness, and to comsumptions, or troubled with often swoonings or

[EDGENOTE:] Yellow-Jaundice, Itch, Ringworms, Tetters, Scabs, Weakness by long sickness, Consumption, Swooning, Inflamations. Ulcers, sore Mouths & Throat, Cough, Flegm.

passions of the Heart: The Distilled Water is no less effectual to all the purposes aforesaid, and helpeth the redness and inflamations of the Eyes being washed therewith: The dried Herb is never used, but the green; yet the Ashes therof boyled in Mead, or Honyed Water is available against Inflamations and Ulcers in the Mouth or Throat, to wash and gargle it therewith. The Roots of Bugloss are effectual being made into a licking Electuarie, for the Cough, and to condensate thin flegm, and Rhewmatick Distillations upon the Lungs.

They are both Herbs of Jupiter, and under Leo, both great Cordials, great strengthners of Nature.

BLUEBOTTLES.

These are so wel known generally unto my Country men to grow among their Corn, that I suppose it needless to write any Description therof: There are other kinds

[p. 20 (19 skipped in numbering)]

which I purposely omit both in this and others, my intent being only to insist most principally upon the vulgarly known, and commonly growing Flowers and Herbs.

Time.

They Flower and Seed in the Summer Months.

Vertues and Use.

The Pouder or dried Leavs of the Bluebottle, or Cornflower is given with good success to those that are bruised by a fal, or have broken a Vein inwardly, and void much Blood at the Mouth, being taken in the Water of Plantane, Horstail, or the greater Comfry. It is a Remedy, against the Poyson of the Scorpion, and resisteth al other Venoms and Poysons; The Seed or Leavs taken in Wine is very good against the Plague, and al infectious Diseases, and is very good in Pestilential Feavers. The

[EDGENOTE:] Bruises, Broken Veins, Poyson, Plague, Epidemical Diseases, Wounds, Ulcers, Inflamations in the Eyes.

Juyce put into fresh or green Wounds doth quicky soder up the Lips of them together, and is very effectual to heal al Ulcers and Sores in the Mouth: The Juyce dropped into the Eyes, taketh away the heat and inflamation in them. The distilled Water of the Herb hath the same properties, and may be used for all the Effects aforesaid.

BRIONY or WILD VINE.

Description.

The Common white Briony groweth ramping upon the Hedges, sending forth many long rough very tender branches at the beginning with many very rough broad Leavs theron, cut (for the most part) into five partitions, in form very like a Vine Leaf, but smaller, rougher, and of a whitish or hoary green colour, spreading very far, spreading and twining with his smal Claspers (that come forth at the Joynts with the Leavs) very far on whatsoever standeth next it: At the several Joynts also (especially towards the top of the Branches) cometh forth a long Stalk bearing many whitish Flowers, together in a long tuft, consisting of five smal Leaves apiece, laid open like a Star: after which come the Berries, separated one from another more than a Cluster of Grapes, green at the first, and very red when they are through ripe, of no good sent, but of a most loathsom tast provoking Vomit: The Root groweth to be exceeding great with many long Twines or Branches growing from it of a pale whitish colour on the outside, and more white within, and of a sharp, bitter loathsom tast.

Place.

It groweth on Banks, or under Hedges, through this Land the Roots lie very deep.

Time.

It Flowereth in July and August, some earlier and some later than others.

Vertues and Use.

The Roots of the Briony purge the Belly with great Violence, troubling the Stomach, and hurting the Liver, and therfore not rashly to be taken, but being corrected is very profitable for the Diseases of the Head, as Falling-sickness, Giddiness, and Swimmings, by drawing away much Flegm and Rhewmatick humors that oppress the Head, as also the Joynts and Sinews, and is therfore good

[EDGENOTE:] Falling-sickness, Vertigo, Flegm, Palsies, Convulsion, Cramp, Stitches, Dropsies, Gravel, Stone, Obstructions, Womb, Mother, Dead Child, After-birth.

for Palseys, Convulsions, Cramps, and Stitches in the Sides, and the Dropsie; and in provoking Urin it clenseth the Reins and Kidnies from Gravel and the Stone, and consumeth the hardness and swellings therof. The Decoction of the Root in Wine drunk once a week at going to bed, clenseth the Mother, and helpeth the rising, therof, expelleth the dead Child, and Afterbirth, but is not to be used by Women with Child, for fear of abortion; a dram of the Root in Pouder taken in white Wine bringeth down their Courses. An Electuary made of the Roots and Honey, doth mightily clens the Chest of Rotten Flegm, and wonderfully help an old strong Cough, those that are troubled with shortness of Breath, and is very good for them that are brused inwardly, to help to expel the clotted or congealed Blood. The Leavs, Fruit, and Root, do clens old and filthy Sores, are good against al fretting and running Cankers, Gangrenes, and Tetters, and therfore the Berries are by some Country People called Tetter-Berries. The Root clenseth the Skin wonderfully from al black and blew Spots, Freckles, Morphew, Leprosie, foul Scars, or other deformity whatsoever: as also al running Scabs, and Manginess are healed by the Pouder of the dried Root, or the Juyce therof, but especially by the fine white hardned Juyce: The distilled water of the

[EDGENOTE:] Cough, Shortness of Breath, Sores, Cankers, Gangrenes, Tetters, Ringworms, Black Spots, Freckles, Morphew, Leprosie.

Roots worketh the same effects but more weakly. The Root bruised and applied of it self to any place where the Bones are broken, helpeth to draw them forth, as also Splinters and Thorns in the Flesh; and being applied with a little Wine mixed therwith it breaketh Boyls, and helpeth Whitlows on the Joynts.

For al these latter beginning at Sores, Cankers &c. apply it outwardly and take my advice along with you, you shal find in my Translation of the London Dispensatory,

[EDGENOTE:] Broken Bones, Splinters, Thorns, Whitlows, or Nail-wheals, or Andicoms.

among the Preparations at latter end, a Medicin called Focculae Brioniae, take that and use it, you have the way there how to make it, and mix that with a little Hogs Greas or other convenient Oyntment, and use it at your need.

As for the former Diseases where it must be taken inwardly, it purgeth very Violently, and

[p. 21]

needs an abler hand to correct it than most Country people have, therfore it is a better way for them (in my opinion) to let the Simple alone, and take the Compound Water of it, mentioned in my Dispensatory, and that is far more safe, being wisely corrected.

BROOKLIME.

Description.

This sendeth forth from a creeping Root, that shooteth forth strings at every Joynt as it runneth, divers and sundry green Stalks, round and sappy with some branchs on them, somwhat broad, round, deep green, and thick Leavs set by couples theron: from the Bosom wherof shoot forth long Footstalks, with sundry smal blue Flowers on them, that consist of five smal round pointed Leavs apiece.

There is another sort nothing differing from the former, but that it is greater, and the Flowers of a paler blue Colour.

Place.

They grow in smal Standing Waters, and usually neer Watercresses.

Time.

And Flower in June and July, giving Seed the next Month after.

Vertues and Use.

Brooklime and Watercresses are generally used together in Diet Drinks with other things, serving to purge the Blood and Body from ill Humors that would destroy health, and are helpful for the Scurvy: They do also provoke

[EDGENOTE:] Blood purgeth, Ill Humors, Scurvy, Disury, Stone, Terms provokes, Dead child, Swellings, Inflamations.

Urin, and help to break the Stone and pass it away; they procure Womens Courses, and expel the dead Child. Being fried with Butter and Vinegar and applied warm, it helpeth all manner of Tumors or Swellings, and Inflamations.

Such drinks ought to be made of Sundry Herbs according to the Malady offending, I shal give a plain and easie Rule at the latter end of the Book.

BUTCHERS-BROOM.

Description.

The first shoots that sprout from the Root of Butchers-Broom are thick, whitish, and short, somwhat like those of Asparagus, but greater; these rising up to be a foot and an half high are spread into divers Branches, green & somwhat crested with the roundness, tough and flexible, wheron are set somwhat broad and almost round hard Leavs, sharp and prickly pointed at the ends, of a dark green colour, two for the most part set at a place, very close or neer together; about the middle of the Leaf, on the back or lower side from the middle Rib, breaketh forth a smal whitish green Flower consisting of four smal round pointed Leavs standing upon little or no Footstalk, and in the place wherof cometh a smal round Berry, green at the first, and red when it is ripe, wherin are two or three white, hard, round Seeds contained: The Root is thick, white, and great at the Head, and from thence sendeth forth divers thick, white, long, tough strings.

Place.

It groweth in Copses, and upon Heaths and wast grounds, and often times under or neer the Holly-Bushes.

Time.

It shooteth forth his yong buds in the Spring and the Berries are ripe in or about September, The Branches and Leavs abiding green al the Winter.

Vertues and Use.

The Decoction of the Roots made with Wine, openeth Obstructions, provoketh Urin, helpeth to expel Gravel and the Stone, the Strangury, and Womens Courses, as also the yellow Jaundice and the Head-ach; and with some Honey or Sugar put therunto, clenseth the Breast of Flegm, and the Chest of much clammy Humors gathered therin. The Decoction of the Roots drunk, and a Pultis made of the

[EDGENOTE:] Obstructions, Disury, Gravel, Stone, Strangury Terms provokes, Yellow-Jaundice, Headach, Flegm. Broken Bones, Dislocations.

Berries and Leavs being applied, are effectual in knitting and consolidating broken Bones and Parts out of Joynt.

It is called Bruscus in some places, and in Sussex Kneeholly, and Kneeholm. The common way of using it is to boyl the Roots of it and Parsly, and Fennel, and Smallage in white Wine, and drink the Decoction, adding the like quantity of Grass Roots to them; the more of the Roots you boyl the stronger will the Decoction be, it works no ill effects, yet I hope you have wit enough to give the strongest Decoction to the strongest Bodies.

BROOM, & BROOMRAPE.

To spend time in writing a Descripton herof is altogether needless, it being so generally used by all the good Huswifes almost through this Land to sweep their Houses with and therfore very wel known to all sorts of people.

The Broomrape springeth up in many places from the Roots of the Broom, (but more often in fields, by Hedg sides, and on Heaths). The Stalk wherof is of the bigness of a Finger or Thumb, above two Foot high having a show of Leavs on them and many Flowers at

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the top, of a deadish, yellow colour, as also the Stalks and Leavs are.

Place.

They grow in many places of this Land commonly, and as commonly spoyl all the Land they grow in.

Time.

And Flower in the Summer Months, and give their Seed before Winter.

Vertues and Use.

The Juyce, or Decoction of the yong Branches, or Seed, or the Pouder of the Seed taken in Drink, purgeth downwards, and draweth Flegmatick and watery humors from the Joynts, wherby it helpeth the Dropsie, Gout, Sciatica, and the pains in the Hips and Joynts: It also provoketh strong Vomit, and helpeth the pains of the Sides, and swellings of the Spleen, clenseth also the Reins, or Kidneys and Bladder of the Stone, provoketh Urin abundantly, and hindreth the growing again of the Stone

[EDGENOTE:] Flegm, Joynts, Dropsie, Sides, Spleen, Bladder, Kidneys, Stone, Disury, black Jaundice, Agues.

in the Body. The continual use of the Pouder of the Leaves and Seed, doth cure the Black Jaundice: The distilled Water of the Flowers is profitable for al the same purposes; it also helpeth Surfets, and altereth the Fits of Agues, if three or four ounces therof, with as much of the Water of the lesser Centaury and a little Sugar put therin, be taken a little before the fit cometh, and the party be laid down to sweat in their Bed. The Oyl or Water that is drawn from the ends of the green sticks heated in the fire, helpeth the Toothach. The Juyce of the yong Branches made into an Oyment of old Hogs Greas and anointed, Or the yong Branches bruised and heated in Oyl or Hogs Greas, and laid to the Sides pained by wind, as in Stitches, or the Spleen, easeth them in once or twice using it: The same boyled in Oyl is the safest and surest Medicine to kil Lice in the Head or Body of any; and is an especial Remedy for Joynt aches, and swoln Knees that come by the falling down of Humors.

The Broomrape also is not without his Vertues.

[EDGENOTE:] Toothach, Wind, Stitches, Lice, Stone, Disury, Green Wounds.

The Decoction therof in Wine is thought to be as effectual to avoid the Stone in the Kidnies and Bladder, and to provoke Urin, as the Broom it self: The Juyce therof is a singular good help to cure as wel green Wounds, as old and filthy Sores, and malignant Ulcers. The insolate Oyl wherin there hath been three or four Repetitions of Infusion of the top stalks with Flowers strained and cleered, clenseth the Skin of al manner of Spots, Marks and Freckles that arise either by the heat of the Sun, or the Malignity of humors.

As for the Broom (for as yet I know not what to say to Broomrape in the business) but as from Broom, Mars owns it, and it is exceeding prejucidial to the Liver, I suppose by reason of the Antipathy between Jupiter and Mars, therfore if the Liver be disaffected, administer not of it.

BUCK-HORN PLANTANE.

Description.

This being sown of Seed, riseth up at the first with smal, long, narrow hairy dark green Leavs like grass, without any division or gash in them; but those that follow are gashed in on both sides the Leavs into three or four gashes and pointed at the ends resembling the Knags of a Bucks Horn (wherof it took the name) and being well grown round about the Root upon the ground, in order one by another therby rsembling the form of a Star: from among which rise up divers hairy Stalks, about a hand breadth high, bearing every one a smal long spiky Head like to those of the common Plantane, having such like Bloomings and Seed after them. The Root is single, long, and smal, with divers strings at it.

Place.

They grow in dry Sandy grounds, as in Tuttle-Fields by Westminster, and divers other places of this Land.

Time.

They Flower and Seed in May, June, and July, and their green Leavs do in a manner abide fresh al the Winter.

Vertues and Use.

This boyled in Wine and drunk, and some of the Leavs applied to the hurt place, is an excellent remedy for the biting of the Viper or Adder which I take to be one and the same: The same being also drunk helpeth those that are troubled with the Stone in the Veins or Kidnies by cooling the heat of the parts afflicted strengthning them: as also weak Stomachs that cannot retain but cast up their Meat. It stayeth al bleedings at Mouth and Nose, bloody Urin, or the Bloody Flux, and stoppeth the Lask of the Belly and Bowels. The Leavs herof bruised and laid to their sides that have an Ague, suddenly easeth the Fit: and the Leavs and Roots beaten with some Bay Salt and applied to the Wrists, worketh the same effects. The Herb boyled in Ale or Wine and given for some mornings and evenings together, staieth the distillations of hot and sharp Rhewms falling into the Eyes from the Head, and helpeth al sorts of sore Eyes.

[EDGENOTE:] Venemous Beasts, Stone, Stomach, Vomiting, Bleeding, Pissing blood, Flux, Bloody Flux, Agues, Eyes.

Venus challengeth the Dominion of this Herb.

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BUGLE.

Description.

This hath larger Leavs than those of the Selfheal, but els of the same fashion, or rather a little longer, in some green on the upper side, and in others more brownish, dented about the edges, somwhat hairy, as the square Stalk is also, which riseth up to be half a yard high somtimes, with the Leavs set by couples; from the middle almost hereof upwards stand the Flowers together, with many smaler and browner Leaves than the rest on this stalk below, set at distances, and the stalk bare between them, among which Flowers are also smal ones of a bluish, and somtimes of an Ash colour, fashioned like the Flowers of the Ground-Ivy, after which come small, round, blackish Seed. The Root is composed of many strings, and spreadeth upon the ground in divers parts round about.

The White-flowered Bugle differeth not in form or greatness from the former, saving that the Leavs and Stalks are alwaies green and never brown like the other, and that the Flowers therof are very white.

Place.

They grow in Woods, wet Copses, and Fields generally throughout England; but the White flowered Bugle is not so plentiful as the other.

Time.

They flower from May until July, and in the mean time perfect their Seed. The Roots and Leavs next therunto upon the ground abiding all Winter.

Vertues and Use.

The Decoction of the Leavs and Flowers made in Wine and taken dissolveth the congeled Blood in those that are bruised inwardly by a fall or otherwise, and is very effectual for any inward wounds, Thrusts or Stabs in the Body or Bowels, and is an especial help in all Wound-drinks, and for those that are Liver-grown (as they cal it.) It is wonderful in curing all manner of Ulcers and Sores whether new and fresh, or old and inveterate, yea Gangrenes and Fistulaes also, if the Leavs bruised be aplied, or their Juyce used to wash and bath the places. And the same made into a Lotion with some Honey and Allum, cureth all sores of the Mouth or Gums be they never so foul, or of long continuance; and worketh no less powerfully and effectually for such Ulcers and Sores as happen in the secret parts of Men or Women: Being also taken inwardly, and outwardly applied, it helpeth those that have broken any Bone, or have any Member out of joynt. An Ointment made with the Leaves of Bugle,

[EDGENOTE:] Bruises, Falls, Wounds, Scabs, Ulcers, Liver-grown, Gangreans, Fistulaes, Sore Mouths, Gums. Sores in the Secrets, broken bones.

Scabious and Sanicle bruised and boyled in Hogs-Greas, until the Herbs be dry, and then strained forth into a Pot, for such occasions as shal require it is so singular good for all sorts of hurts in the Body, that non that know its usefulness will be without it.

This Herb is belonging to Dame Venus, and if the Vertues of it make you in love with it, (as they wil if you be wise) keep a Syrup of it to take inwardly, and an Ointment and Plaister of it to use outwardly alwaies by you.

The truth is I have known this Herb cure some Diseases of Saturn, of which I thought good to quote one. Many times such as give themselvs much to drinking are troubled with strange Fancies, strange sights in the night-time, and some with Voices, as also with the Diseas Ephialtes or the Mare. I take the reason of this to be (according to

[EDGENOTE:] Mares, Strange Sights in the night.

Fernelius) a Melancholly vapor made thin by excessive drinking strong Liquor, and so flys up and disturbs the Fancy, and breeds imaginations like it self, viz. fearful and troublesom: These I have known cured by taking only two spoonfuls of the Syrup of this Herb, after Supper two hours when you go to bed. But whether this do it by Sympathy or Antipathy is som question; all that know any thing in Astrologie, know that there is a great Antipathy between Saturn and Venus in matter of Procreation, yea such an one, that the barreness of Saturn can be removed by none but Venus, nor the lust of Venus be repelled by none but Saturn: but I am not yet of opinion this is done this way; and my reason is because these vapors though in quality Melancholly, yet by their flying upward seem to be somthing Aeriel, therfore I rather think it is done by Sympathy, Saturn being exalted in Libra the house of Venus.

Selfheal, which follows, is of the same nature, and I am of opinion the same Herb, only differs a little in form according to the difference of place they grow in; this I am sure they work the same effect.

BURNET.

The common Garden Burnet is so well known that it needeth no description. There is another sort which is wild, the description wherof take as followeth.

Description.

The great wild Burnet, hath winged Leavs rising from the Roots like the Garden Burnet, but not so many, yet each of these Leavs are at the least twice as large as the other, and nicked in the same manner about the edges, of a grayish colour on the underside: The Stalks are greater and rise higher, with many such like Leavs set theron, and greater heads at the tops of a brownish green colour, and out of them

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come smal dark purple Flowers, like the former, but greater. The Root is black and long like the other, but greater also: It hath almost neither scent nor tast therin like the Garden kind.

Place.

The first grows frequently in Gardens. The Wild kind groweth in divers Countries of this Land, especially in Huntington & Northampton shires in the Meadows there; as also near London by Pancras-Church, and by a Causey side in the middle of a Field by Paddington.

Time.

They flower about the end of June and beginning of July, and their Seed is ripe in August.

Vertues.

They are accounted to be both of one property, but the lesser is more effectual, because quicker and more Aromatical: It is a friend to the Heart, Liver, and other the principal parts of a mans Body. Two or three of the Stalks with Leavs put into a Cup of Wine, especially Clarret, are known to quicken the Spirits, refresh and cheer the Heart and drive away Melancholly. It is a special help to defend the Heart from noisom vapors, and from Infection of the Pestilence, the Juyce therof being taken in som Drink, and the party laid to sweat thereupon.

[EDGENOTE:] Heart, Liver, Melancholy, Pestilence, epidemical Diseases, Bleeding, Stoppeth Terms and Whites, Belching, Vomiting, Wound, Ulcers, Cankers, Sores, Fluxes.

They have also a drying and an astringent quality, whereby they are available in all manner of Fluxes or Bloud or Humors, to stanch bleedings inward or outward, Lasks, Scourings, the Bloudy-flux, Womens too abundant Courses, the Whites, and the Chollerick belchings and castings of the Stomach; and is a singular good Wound-herb for all sorts of Wounds both of the Head and Body, either inward or outward; for all old Ulcers, or running Cankers and moist sores to be used either by the Juyce or Decoction of the Herb, or by the Pouder of the Herb or Root, or the Water of the Distilled Herb, or Ointment by it self, 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 Pouder inwardly, in Wine or steeled Water, that is, wherin hot Gads of Steel have been quenched. Or the Pouder of the Seed mixed with the Ointments.

This is an Herb the Sun challengeth dominion over, and is a most precious Herb, little inferior to Betony: The continual use of it preservs the Body in health, and the Spirits in vigor; for if the Sun be the preserver of life under God, his Herbs are the best in the World to do it by.

THE BUTTER-BUR.

Description.

This riseth up in February, with a thick Stalk about a foot high, whereon are set a few smal Leavs, or rather pieces, and at the tops a long spiked head of Flowers, of a blush or deep red colour, according to the soil wherin it groweth; and before the Stalk with the Flowers have abidden a month above ground, wil be withered and gone, blown away with the wind; and the Leaves will begin to spring, which being full grown are very large & broad, being somwhat thin and almost round, whose thick red footstalks, about a foot long stand towards the middle of the Leavs: The lower parts being divided into two round parts, close almost one to another, and of a pale green colour, and hoary underneath. The Root is long and spreading under ground, being in some places no bigger than ones Finger, in others much bigger, blackish on the outside & white within, of a bitter and unpleasant tast.

Place and Time.

They grow in low and wet ground by Rivers and Waters side: their Flower (as is said) rising and decaying in February and March, before the Leavs which appear in April.

Vertues and Use.

The Roots hereof are by long experience found to be very available against the Plague and Pestilential Feavers, by provoking Sweat, if the Pouder therof be taken in Wine, it also resisteth the force of any other Poyson.

[EDGENOTE:] Plague, epidemical Diseases. Poyson, Mother, Wheezing, Difficulty of breathing, Disury, Terms provokes, Flat and broad Worms, Blemishes of the skin.

The Root hereof taken with Zedoary and Angelica, or without them, helps the rising of the Mother: The Decoction of the Root in Wine is singular good for those that wheeze much, or are short-winded. It provoketh Urin also and Womens courses, and killeth the flat and broad Worms in the Belly. The Pouder of the Root doth wonderfully help to dry up the moisture of sores that are hard to be cured, and taketh away all spots and blemishes of the skin.

It were wel if Gentlewomen would keep this Root preserved to help their poor Neighbors: It is fit the Rich should help the Poor, for the Poor cannot help themselvs.

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THE BUR-DOCK.

It is so well known even to the little Boys who pul off the Burs to throw and stick upon one another, that I shal spare to write any description of it.

Place.

They grow plentifully by Ditches and Water-sides, and by the high-wales almost every where through this Land.

Vertues and Use.

The Bur Leavs are cooling, moderatly drying, and discussing withal, whereby it is good for old Ulcers and Sores: A dram of the Roots taken with Pine Kernels, helpeth them that spit foul, mattery, and bloudy Flegm: The Leavs applied on the places troubled with the shrinking of the Sinews or Arteries, give much ease: The Juyce of the Leavs, or rather the Roots themselvs given to drink with old Wine doth wonderfully help the bitings of any Serpents: And the Root beaten with a little Salt and laid on the place, suddenly easeth the pain thereof, and

[EDGENOTE:] Cools, Dryes, Ulcers, Sores, Flegm, Sinews, Arteries, Venemous Beast, Mad dogs, Disury, Bladder, Sciatica, Burning, Sores, Cankers, Consumption, Stone, Flux.

helpeth those that are bit with a mad-Dog. The Juyce of the Leavs taken with Honey provoketh Urin, and remedieth the pain of the Bladder. The Seed being drunk in Wine forty daies together, doth wonderfully help the Sciatica. The Leavs bruised with the White of an Egg and applied to any place burnt with Fire, taketh out the Fire, gives sudden ease, and heals it up afterwards. The Decoction of them fomented on any fretting sore or Canker stayeth the corroding quality, which must be afterwards anointed with an Ointment made of the same Liquor, Hogs-Greas, Nitre and Vinegar, boyled together. The Roots may be preserved with Sugar, and taken fasting, or at other times for the said purposes, and for Consumptions, the Ston, and the Lask. The Seed is much commended to break the Stone and cause it to be expelled by Urin; and is often used with other Seeds and things to that purpose.

Venus challengeth this Herb for her own, and by its Leaf or Seed you may draw the Womb which way you pleas, either upward by applying it to the Crown of the Heed, if in case it fal out; or downward in fits of the Mother, by applying it to the Soals of the Feet; Or if you would stay it in its place, apply it to the Navel, and that is one good way to stay the Child in it. See more of it in my Guide for Women.

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