The English Physitian, G-H, pp. 57-68
[p. 57]
GARLICK.
The offensivenes of the breath of him that hath eaten
Garlick will leade you by the Nose to the knowledg hereof,
and (instead of a description (direct you to the place
wher it groweth in Gardens, which kinds are the best and
most phisical.
Vertues and Use.
This was antiently accounted the Poormans Treacle, it
beeing a remedy for all diseases or hurts (except those
which it self breeds). It provoketh Urine and womens
Courses, helpeth the biting of a Mad Dog and of other
Venemous Creatures, killeth Worms in
[EDGENOTE:] Urine, Terms provokes, Mad Dogs, Venemous
Beasts, Worms.
[p. 58]
Children, cutteth and
avoydeth tough flegm purgeth the head, helpeth the
Lethargie, is a good preservative against, a remedy for
any Plague sore, or foul Ulcer: taketh away spots and
blemishes in the Skin, easeth pains of the eares ripeneth
and breaketh Impostumes or other swellings: And for all
these diseases the Onyons are also effectual; But the
Garlick hath some more peculiar vertues besides the
former: viz. It hath a speciall quality to discuss the
inconveniences coming by corrupt Agues or Mineral Vapours
or by drinking corrupt and stinking waters; as also by
taking of Wolfbane, Henbane, Hemlock, or other poysonfull
and dangerous herbs. It is also held good in Hydropick
diseases, the Jaundice, falling-sickness, Cramps,
Convulsions, the piles or Hemorrhoids or other cold
diseases.
[EDGENOTE:] Lethargy, Flegm, Pestilence, Apostums, Mineral
vapors, Stinking Vapors, Henbane, Hemlock, Wolfbane,
Dropsie, Cramps, Convulsions, Falling-sickness.
My Author quotes here many diseases this is good for,
but conceals its vices: its heat is very vehement, and al
vehement hot things send up but ill favor'd vapors to the
brain; in chollerick men 'twil ad fuel to the fire, in men
oppressed by melancholly t'wll attenuate the humor and
send up strange fancies and as strange visions to the
head, therfore let it be taken inwardly with great
moderation, outwardly you may make more bold with it.
Mars owns the herb.
GERMANDER.
Description.
Common Germander shooteth forth sundry stalks with
small and somwhat round leavs, dented about the edges:
The Flowers stand at the tops, of a deep purple colour:
The Root is composed of divers sprigs, which shoot forth a
great way round about, quickly over spreading a ground.
Place.
It groweth usually with us in Gardens.
Time.
And flowreth in June or July.
Vertues and Use.
This taken with Honey (saith Dioscorides) is a remedy
for Coughs for hardnes of the Spleen, and difficulty of
Urin, & helpeth those that are fallen into a Dropsie,
especially at the beginning of the disease, a Decoction
being made therof when it is green & drunk: It also
bringeth down Womens Courses and expelleth the dead child:
[EDGENOTE:] Cough, Spleen, Disury, Dropsie, Terms provokes,
Dead child, Poyson, Ulcers, Cramps, Agues, Falling
sickness, Headach, Melancholy, dulness of Spirit,
Convulsion, Palsey, Yellow Jaundice, Worms.
It is most effectual against the poyson of al Serpents,
being drunk in Wine and the bruised herb outwardly applyed
used with Honey, it clenseth old and foul Ulcers, and made
into an Oyl and the Eyes anoynted therwith, taketh away
their dimness and moystness: It is likewise good for the
paines in the sides: and Cramps. The Decoction thereof
taken for some daies together, driveth away and cureth
both Tertian and Quartan Agues. It is also good against
all diseases of the brain as continual Headach
Falling-sickness, Melancholly, Drowsines and Dulnes of
spirit, Convulsions and Palseys. A dram of the seed taken
in Pouder purgeth by Urine and is good against the yellow
Jaundice. The Juyce of the leaves dropped into the eares
killeth the worms in them: The tops therof when they are
in flower steeped twenty four hours in a draught of white
Wine and drunk, killeth wormes in the belly.
It is a most prevalent Herb of Mercury, and strengthens
the brain and apprehention exceedingly; you may see what
humane vertues are under Mercury in the latter end of my
Ephemeris for 1651. Strengthen them when weak, relieve
them, when drooping, by this Herb.
STINKING GLADWIN.
Description.
This is one of the kinds of Flower-de-luces, having
divers Leavs rising 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 of a strong ill
scent if they be bruised between the fingers: In the
midle riseth up a reasonable strong Stalk a yard high at
least, beareth 3 or 4 Flowers at the top made somwhat 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
the three other smal ones are 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, wherin lie reddish seed, turning black when
it hath abidden long: The Root is like that of the
Flower-de-luce but reddish on the outside, and whitish
within, very sharp and hot in tast, of as evil a scent as
the leavs.
Place.
This groweth as well on the upland grounds as also in
moist places, in woods and shadowy places by the Sea side
in many places of this Land, and is usually nursed up in
Gardens.
Time.
It flowreth not until July, and the seed is ripe in
August or September, yet the Huskes after they are ripe
opening themselves, will hold their seeds within them for
2 or 3 Months, and not shedd them.
Vertues and Use.
It is used by many countrey people to purge corrupt
tough Flegm and Choller which they
[p. 59]
do by drinking the
decoction of the Root, and some to make it work more
gently do but infuse the sliced roots in Ale, and some
take the leavs wch serveth wel for the weaker stomachs.
[EDGENOTE:] Flegm, Choller, Head, Cramp, Convulsion, Gout,
Sciatica, Belly-ach, Strangury, Fluxes.
The Juyce herof put up, or snuffed up the nose causeth
neezing, & draweth from the head much corruption; & the
pouder therof doth the same: The Pouder therof drunke in
wine, helpeth those that are troubled with Cramps, and
Convulsion or wth the Gout or Sciatica and giveth ease to
those that have any griping pains in their body or belly,
and helpeth those that have the Strangury: It is given
wth much profit to those that have had long Fluxes by the
sharp & evil quality of humors, which it stayeth having
first clensed & purged them by the drying and binding
property therin. The Root boyled in wine and drunk doth
effectually procure womens courses, and used as a Possary
worketh the same effect, but causeth Abortion in women
with child. Half a dram of the seed beaten to pouder and
taken in wine doth speedily caus one to pis which otherwis
[EDGENOTE:] Terms provokes, Disury, Spleen, Wounds,
Splinters, Thorns, broken Bones, Kings Evil, Itch, Scabs,
Blemishes in the Skin.
cannot: The same taken with vinegar, dessolveth the
hardnes & swellings of the spleen. The Root is very
effectual in all Wounds, and specially of the head, as
also to draw forth any splinters, Thornes, Broken bones,
or any other thing sticking in the flesh without causing
pain, being used with a little Verdigreese and Honey, and
the great Centaury Root: The same boyled in Vinegar and
laid upon any Tumor or Swelling, doth very effectually
dissolve and consume them, yea even the swellings of the
Throat called the Kings evil. The Juyce of the Leavs and
Roots healeth the Itch and all running or spreading Scabs
or Sores, and Blemishes or Scars in the Skin wheresoever
they be.
GOLDEN ROD.
Description.
This riseth up with brownish smal round Stalks two foot
high and somtimes more, having thereon many narrow and
long dark greene leaves very seldom with any dents about
the edges, or any strakes or white spots therin, yet they
are somtimes so found; divided at the tops into many small
branches, with divers small yellow flowers on every one of
them, all which are turned one way, and being ripe do turn
into down & are caried away with the wind. The Root
consisteth of many small fibres which grow not deep in the
ground, but abideth all the winter therin, shooting forth
new branches every yeer, the old ones dying downe to the
ground.
Place.
It groweth in the open places of woods and Copses both
moyst and dry grounds in many places of this Land.
Time.
It Flowreth about the Month of July.
Vertues and Use.
Arnoldus de villa nova, commendeth it much against the
Stone in the Reins and Kidneys, and to provoke Urine in
abundance, whereby also the Gravel or Stone may be
avoided. The Decoction of the Herb green or dry, or the
[EDGENOTE:] Stone, Gravel, Disury, Wounds, Flux, Bloody
Flux, Terms stops, Ruptures.
distilled Water therof is very effectual for inward
Bruises, as also to be outwardly applied, it stayeth
bleedings in any part of the Body, and of Wounds also, the
[EDGENOTE:] Ulcers, Sore Mouth & Throat, Teeth loos, Beauty
lost.
Fluxes of Humors, the Bloody Flux, and Womens Courses; and
is no less prevalent in all Ruptures or Burstings, being
drunk inwardly and outwardly applied. It is a Soveraign
Wound Herb, inferior to none, both for inward and outward
Hurts, green Wounds and old Sores and Ulcers are quickly
cured therewith. It is also of especial use in all
Lotions for Sores or Ulcers in the Mouth, Throat, or privy
parts of Man or Woman: The Decoction also helpeth to
fasten the Teeth that are loos in the Gums.
Venus claims the Herb, and therefore to be sure, it
restores Beauty lost.
GOUTWORT, or HERB-GERRARD.
Description.
This is a low Herb seldom rising half a yard high,
having sundry Leavs standing on brownish green Stalks by
threes, snipped about, and of a strong unpleasant favour.
The Umbels of Flowers are white, and the Seed blackish,
the Root runneth in the Ground, quickly taking up a great
deal of room.
Place.
It groweth by Hedg and Wall sides, and often in the
borders or Corners of Fields, and in Gardens also.
Time.
It Flowreth, and Seedeth about the end of July.
Vertues and Use.
Goutwort had not his name for nothing, but upon good
experience to help the cold Gout, and Sciatica, as also
Joynt aches, and other cold Griefs.
[EDGENOTE:] Gout, Sciatica, Joynts.
The very bearing of it about one, easeth the pains of
the Gout, and defends him that bears it from the Disease.
[p. 60]
GROMEL.
Of this I shall briefly describe three kinds which are
principally used in Physick, the Vertues whereof are
alike, though somwhat different in their manner and form
of growing.
Description.
The greater Gromel groweth up with slender hard and
hairy Stalks trailing and taking Root in the ground as it
lieth thereon, and parted into many other smaller Branches
with hairy dark green Leavs thereon. At the Joynts with
the Leavs come forth very smal blew Flowers, and after
them hard stony roundish Seed. The Root is long and woody
abiding the Winter and shooting forth fresh Stalks in the
Spring.
The smal wild Gromel sendeth forth divers upright hard
branched Stalks two or three foot high, full of Joynts, at
every of which growth smal, long, hard, and rough Leavs,
like the former but lesser, among which Leavs come forth
small white Flowers, and after them grayish round Seed
like the former. The Root is not very long, but with many
Strings thereat.
The Garden Gromel hath divers upright slender woody
hairy Stalks brown and crested, very little branched, with
Leavs like the former, and white Flowers, after which in
rough brown Husks is contained a white hard round Seed
shining like Pearls, & greater than either of the former:
The Root is like the first described, with divers Branches
and Strings thereat, which continueth (as the first doth)
all Winter.
Place.
The two first grow wild in barren or untilled places,
and by the way sides in many places of this Land. The
last is a Nursling in the Gardens of the curious.
Time.
They all Flower from Midsummer unto September somtimes,
and in the mean time the Seed ripeneth.
Vertues and Use.
These are accounted to be of as singular force as any
other Herb or Seed whatsoever, to break the Stone, and to
avoid it and the Gravel either in the Reins or Bladder; as
also to provoke Urine being stopped, and to help the
Strangury. The Seed is of greatest use, being bruised and
boiled in white Wine, or in Broth, or the like, or the
Pouder of the Seed taken therin: Two drams of the Seed in
Pouder taken with Womens Breast-Milk, is very effectual to
procure a speedy Delivery to such Women as have sore pains
in their Travail and cannot be delivered. The Herb it
self (when the Seed is not to be had) either boyled or the
Juyce therof drunk, is effectual to all the purposes
aforesaid but not so powerful or speedy in operation.
[EDGENOTE:] Stone, Gravel, Strangury, Travail in Women.
The Herbe belongs to Dame Venus, and therfore if Mars
caus the Chollick or Stone, as usually he doth if in
Virgo, this is your cure.
WINTER GREEN.
This sendeth forth 7. 8. or 9 Leaves from a smal
brownish creeping Root, every one standing upon a long
Footstalk, which are almost as broad as long, round
pointed, of a sad green colour and hard in handling, and
like the Leaf of a Pear-tree, from whence ariseth a
slender weak Stalk, yet standing upright, bearing at the
top many smal, white and sweet smelling Flowers, laid open
like a Star, consisting of five round pointed Leavs, with
many yellowish threds standing in the middle, about a
green Head, and a long stile with them, which in time
groweth to be the Seed Vessel, which being ripe is found
five square with a smal point at it, weerin is contained
Seed as small as dust.
Place.
It groweth seldom in the Fields, but frequently in the
Woods Northwards, viz. In Yorkshire, Lancashire, and
Scotland.
Time.
It Flowreth about June or July.
Vertues and Use.
Winter-Green is a singular good Wound Herb and an
especial Remedy for to heal green Wounds speedily, the
[EDGENOTE:] Wounds.
green Leavs being brused and applied, or the Juyce of
them: A Salve made of the green Herbs stamped or the Juyce
boyled with Hogs Lard, or with Sallet Oyl and Wax, and
some Turpentine added unto it, is a Soveragn Salve, and
highly extolled by the Germans who much use it to heal all
manner of Wounds and Sores. The Herb boyled in Wine and
Water and given to drink to them that have any inward
Ulcers in their Kidneys or Neck of the Bladder, doth
[EDGENOTE:] Ulcers, Kidneys, Bladder, Flux, Bloody flux,
Terms stops, Inflamations, Cankers, Fistulaes.
wonderfully help them: It staieth also all Fluxes whether
of Blood or Humors, as the Lask, bloody Flux, Womens
Courses, and bleeding of Wounds, and taketh away any
Inflamation rising upon pains of the Heart. It is no less
helpful for foul Ulcers hard to be cured, as also for
Cankers or Fistulaes. The distilled Water of the Herb
doth effectually perfrom the same things.
[p. 61]
GROUNDSEL.
Description.
Our common Groundsel hath a round green, and somwhat
brownish Stalk spread toward the top into Branches, set
with long and somwhat narrow green Leavs cut in on the
edges, somwhat like the Oak Leavs, but lesser and round at
the ends; at the tops of the Branches stand many smal
green Heads, out of which grow small yellow threds or
thrums, which are the Flowers, and continue many daies
blown in that manner before it pass away into Down, and
with the Seed is carried away in the wind. The Root is
smal and threddy, and soon perisheth, and as soon riseth
again of its own sowing, so that it may be seen many
Months in the Yeer, both green, and in Flower and Seed,
for it will Spring and Seed twice in a yeer at least if it
be suffered in a Garden.
Place.
This groweth almost every where, as wel on the tops of
Walls as at the foot among Rubbish, and untilled grounds,
but especially in Gardens.
Time.
It Flowreth as is said before, almost in every Month
through the yeer.
Vertues and Use.
The Decoction of the Herb (saith Dioscorides) made with
Wine and Drunk helpeth the pains in the Stomach proceeding
of Choller (which it may well do by a Vomit, as daily
experience sheweth) the Juyce hereof taken in Drink, or
the Decoction of it in Ale, gently performeth the same:
It is good against the Jaundice and Falling-sickness being
taken in Wine, as also against difficulty of making Water,
it provoketh Urin, expelleth Gravel in the Reins or
Kidneys; a dram thereof given in Oximel, after some
walking or stirring the Body; It helpeth also the
Sciatica, griping of the Belly and the Chollick, helpeth
the defects of the Liver, and provoketh Womens Courses.
The fresh Herb boyled and made into a Pultis and applied
to the Breasts of Women that are swollen with pain and
heat, as also to the privy parts of Man or Woman, the
Seat, or Fundament, or the Arteries, Joynts, and Sinews
when they are inflamed and swoln, doth much eas them: and
used with some Salt helpeth to dissolve Knots or Kernels
in any part of the Body. The Juyce of the Herb, or (as
Dioscorides saith) the Leavs and Flowers with some fine
Frankincense in Pouder, used in Wounds of the Body, Nervs,
or Sinews, doth singularly help to heal them: The
Distilled water of the herb performeth well all the
aforesaid Cures, but especially for Inflamations or
watering of the Eyes by reason of the Defluxion of Rhewm
into them.
[EDGENOTE:] Choller in the Stomach, Yellow Jaundice,
Falling-sickness, Disury, Gravel, Sciatica, Chollick,
Liver, Terms provokes, Womens Breasts, Privy parts,
Arteries, Joynts & Sinews over heated, Kernels, Wounds in
the Sinews, Inflamations in the Eyes.
This Herb is Venus her Mrs. piece, and is as gallant an
Universal Medicine for all Diseases coming of heat
whatsoever they be, or in what part of the Body soever
they lie, as the Sun shines upon; 'tis very safe and
friendly to the Body of Man, yet causeth Vomiting if the
Stomach be afflicted, if not, it purging, and it doth it
with more gentleness than can be expected. 'Tis moist and
somwhat cold withal, thereby causing expulsion, and
repressing the Heat caused by the motion of the internal
parts in Purges and Vomits, Lay by your Learned Receipts,
Take so much Senna, so much Scammony, so much Colocynthis,
so much Infusion of Crocus Metallorum, &c, This Herb
alone preserved in a Syrup, in a distilled Water, in an
Oyntment shal do the deed for you in all hot Diseases, and
it shall do it, 1. Safely, 2. Speedily.
HARTS-TONGUE.
Description.
This hath divers Leavs rising from the Root every one
severally which fold themselvs in their first springing
and spreading; when they are full grown are about a foot
long, smooth and green above, but hard and with little Sap
in them, and straked on the back athwart on both sides of
the middle Rib, with smal and somwhat long brownish marks;
the bottoms of the Leavs are a little bowed on each side
of the middle Rib somwhat narrow with the length, and
somwhat smal at the end. The Root is of many black
threds, folded or interlaced together.
Time.
It is green all the Winter, but new Leavs spring every
yeer.
Vertues and Use.
Harts-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 therof is also very good
against the Passions of the Heart, and to stay the
Hiccough, to help the falling of the Pallat, and stay the
bleeding of the Gums being gargled in the mouth.
Dioscorides saith it is good against the stinging or
biting of Serpents.
[EDGENOTE:] Spleen, Liver, Flux, Bloody flux, Hiccough,
Gums, Venemous Beasts.
Jupiter claims Dominion over this Herb, therfore is a
singular Remedy for the Liver, both to strengthen it when
weak, and eas it
[p. 62]
when afflicted, ' tis no matter by what
you should do well to keep it in a Syrup all the yeer, for
though my Author say 'tis green all the yeer, I scarce
beleev it.
As for the use of it, my Directions at latter end will
be sufficient, and enough for those that are studious in
Physick to whet their Brains upon for one year or two.
THE HAZEL NUT.
These ar so well known to every Boy, that they need no
Description.
Vertues and Use.
The parched 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 drunk digesteth the Distillations
of Rhewm from the Head: The dried Husks and Shels to the
weight of two drams taken in red Wine, staieth Lasks, and
Womens Courses, and so doth the red Skin that covers the
Kernels which is more effectual to stay Womens Courses.
[EDGENOTE:] Cough, Phtisick, Flux, Terms stops.
And if this be true as it is, then why should the
Vulgar so familiarly affirm, that eating Nuts causeth
shortness of Breath than which nothing is falser, for how
can that which strengthens the Lungues cause shortness of
breath? I confess the Opinion is far older than I am, I
knew Tradition was a Friend to Errors before, but never
that he was the Father of Slanders, or are mens tongues so
given to slandering one another that they must slander
Nuts too, to keep their tongues in use? If any thing of
the Hazel Nut be stopping 'tis the Husks and Shels, and no
body is so mad to eat them unless Physically, and the red
Skin which covers the Kernel which you may easily pull
off. And thus have I made an Apology for Nuts which
cannot speak for themselves.
HAWKWEED.
Description.
This hath many large hairy leaves lying on the ground,
much rent or torn on the sides into many gashes like
Dandelion but with greater parts more like the smooth sow
Thistle from among wth ariseth a hollow rough stalk two or
three foot high branched from the middle upward, wherin
are set at every Joynt longer leaves, little or nothing
rent or cut in, bearing at their tip sundry pale, yellow
Flowers consisting of many small narrow leavs, broad
pointed and nicked in at the ends, set in a double row or
more, the outermost beeing larger than the inner, which
form most of the Hawkweeds (for there are many kinds of
them) do hold, which turne into down, and with the small
brownish seeds, is blown away with the wind: The Roote is
long somwhat greater with many small fibres thereat. The
whole is full of bitter milke.
Place.
It groweth in divers places about Field sides, and the
path waies in dry grounds.
Time.
It flowreth & flies away in the Sumer Months.
Vertues and Use.
Hawkweed (saith Dioscorides) is cooling somwhat drying
and binding, and therfore good for the heat of the
stomach, and gnawings therein, for Inflamations and the
hot fits of Agues. The Juice therof in wine helpeth
digestion, discusseth wind, hindreth crudities abiding in
the stomack, and helpeth the difficulty of making Water,
the biting of Venemous Serpents, and sting of the
Scorpion, if the herb be also outwardly applyed to the
place, and is very good against all other Poysons. A
scruple of the dryed Juyce given in wine and vinegar is
[EDGENOTE:] Cools, Dries, Binds, Gnawing in the Stomach,
Inflamations, Agues, Crudity, Disury, Venemous Beasts,
Poyson, Dropsie, Flegm, Chollick, Spleen, Watching, Lust
stops, Venerious Dreams, Reins, Bladder, Eyes, Ulcers,
Burnings, Inflamations, St. Anthonies Fire, Heat, salt
Flegm, Convulsion, Cramp, Freckles, Spots, Morphew,
Wrinkles.
profitable for those that have the Dropsie. The decoction
of the Herb taken with Honey, digesteth thin flegm in the
chest or lungs, and with Hysop helpeth the cough. The
Decoction therof and of wild Succory made with wine and
taken helpeth the wind chollick and hardness of the
spleen, it procureth rest and sleep, hindereth venery and
venereous dreams, cooleth, heats, purgeth the stomach,
encreaseth blood, & helpeth the diseases of the Reins and
Bladder. Outwardly applied it is singular good for all
the defects and diseases of the eyes, used with some
womens Milke, and is used wth good success in fretting or
creeping ulcers, especially in the beginning. The green
Herb bruised and with a little Salt applyed to any place
burnt with fire before blisters do arise, helpeth them, as
also inflamations St. Anthonies fire and al Pushes, and
eruptions, heat, and salt Flegm. The same applyed with
Meal and salt water in manner of a Poltis to any place
affected with convulsions and the Cramp or such as are out
of Joynt doth give help and ease. The distilled water
clenseth the skin and taketh away freckles, Spots, the
Morphew or Wrinkles in the face.
THE HAWTHORN.
It is not my intent to trouble you with a Description
of this Tree which is so well known that it needeth none.
[p. 63]
It is ordinarily but a Hedg Bush, although being pruned
and dressed it groweth to be a Tree of a reasonable
height.
As for the Hawthorn tree at Glastenbury, which is said
to flower yearly on Christmas Day, it rather shews the
superstition of those who observe it for the time of its
Flowring, than any great wonder, sith the like may be
found in diverse other places of this land, as in
Whey-street in Rumney Marsh, and neer unto Nantwiche in
Cheshire by a place called White-Green, where if the
Winter be milde they will be white blossomes all over
before and about Christmas, as in May, if the weather be
frosty, it Flowreth not until January, or that the hard
weather be over.
Vertues and Use.
The Berries or the seed in the Berries beaten to pouder
and drunk in wine, are held singular good against the
stone and are good for the dropsy. The distilled water of
the Flowers stayeth the lask. The seeds cleared from the
Down, bruised and boyled in wine & drunk is good for
inward tormenting pains: If cloathes and spunges be wet
in the said distilled water and applyed to any place
wherin thornes, splinters or the like do abide in the
Flesh, it will notably draw them forth.
[EDGENOTE:] Stone, Dropsie, Flux, Inward pains, Splinters,
Thorns.
And thus you see the thorn gives a medicine for his own
pricking, and so doth almost every thing else.
HEMLOCK.
Description.
The Common great Hemlock groweth up with a green stalk
four or five foot high or more, ful of red spots somtimes,
and at the Joynts very large winged leavs set at them
which are divided into many other winged leaves, one set
against another dented about the edges, of a sad green
colour branched towards the top where it is full of Umbles
of white Flowers, and afterwards with whitish flat Seed:
The Root is long, white, and somtimes crooked and hollow
within, the whol Plant and every part hath a strong,
heady, and ill favor'd scent, much offending the Senses.
Place.
It groweth in all Countries of this Land by Wals and
Hedges sides, in wast Grounds and untilled places.
Time.
It Flowreth and Seedeth in July, or there abouts.
Vertues and Use.
Hemlock is exceeding cold and very dangerous,
especially to be taken inwardly: It may safely be applied
to Inflamations, Tumors, and Swelling in any part of the
Body (save the Privy parts) as also to St. Anthonies fire
Wheals, Pushes, and creeping Ulcers that rise of hot sharp
Humors, by cooling and repelling the heat. The Leavs
bruised and laid to the Brow or Forehead, is good for
their Eyes that are red and swollen, as also to take away
a Pin and Web growing in the Eye, this is a tried
Medicine; Take a smal Handful of the Herb and half so much
Bay Salt beaten together, and applied to the contrary
Wrest of the Hand for twenty four Hours, doth remove it in
thrice dressing. If the Root hereof be roasted under the
Embers, wrapped in double wet Papers, until it be soft and
tender, and then applied to the Gout in the Hands or
Fingers it will quickly help this evil. If any shall
through mistake eat the Herb Hemlock instead of Parsly, or
the Root instead of a Parsnip (both which it is very like)
whereby hapneth a kind of Phrensie, or Perturbation of the
senses, as if they were stupified or drunk, The Remedy is
as Pliny saith, to drink of the best and strongest pure
Wine, before it strike to the Heart, or Gentian put into
Wine or a draught of good vinegar, wherewith Tragus doth
affirm that he cured a Woman that had eaten the Root.
[EDGENOTE:] Inflamations, St. Anthonies Fire, Tetters,
Ringworms, Eyes, Pin and web, Gout, Lechery.
Saturn claims Dominion over the Herb, yet I wonder why
it may not be applied to the privities in a Priapismus, or
continual standing of the Yard, it being very beneficial
for that Disease; I suppose my Authors Judgment was first
upon the opposit Disposition of Saturn to Venus in those
Faculties, and therfore he forbid the applying of it to
those parts that it might not caus Barrenness, or spoil
the Spirit Procreative, which if it do, yet applied to the
Privities it stops lustful thoughts.
HEMP.
This is so well known to every good Huswife in the
Country, that I shal not need to write any Description of
it.
Time.
It is sown in the end of March, or beginning of April,
and is ripe in August or September.
Vertues and Use.
The Seed of Hemp consumeth Wind, and by the much use
thereof disperseth it so much that it drieth up the
natural Seed for Procreation; yet being boyled in Milk and
taken, helpeth such as have a hot dry Cough. The Dutch
make an Emulsion out of the Seed, and give it with good
success to those that have the Jaundice, especially in the
[EDGENOTE:] Wind, Cough, Jaundice, Gall, Choller.
beginning of the Disease if there be no Ague accompanying
it, for it
[p. 64]
openeth Obstructions of the Gall, and causeth
digestion of Choller. The Emulsion or Decoction of the
Seed staieth Lasks and continual Fluxes, easeth the
Chollick, and allayeth the troublesom Humors in the
Bowels, and staieth bleeding at the Mouth, Nose, or other
place, some of the Leavs being fried with the Blood of
that bleed, and so given them to eat. It is held very
good to kill the Worms in man or Beast, and the Juyce
dropped into the Ears killeth Worms in them, and draweth
forth Earwigs, or other living Creatures gotten into them.
[EDGENOTE:] Flux, Chollick, Bleeding, Worms, Earwigs,
Inflamation, Gout, Sinews shrunk.
The Decoction of the Root allayeth Inflamations in the
Head or any other parts; the Herb it self, or the
Distilled Water thereof doth the like: The Decoction of
the Roots easeth the pains of the Gout, the hard Tumors,
or Knots in the Joynts, the pains and shrinking of the
Sinews, and the pains of the Hips: The fresh Juyce mixed
with a little Oyl and Butter, is good for any place that
hath been burnt with fire being thereto applied.
It is a Plant of Saturn, and good for something els you
see than to make Halters only.
HENBANE.
Description.
Our common Henbane hath very large, thick, soft, wooly
Leavs lying upon the ground, much cut in or torn on the
edges of a dark ill grayish green colour, among which rise
up divers thick & short Stalks two or three foot high,
spread into divers smaller Branches with lesser Leavs on
them, and many hollow Flowers scarce appearing above the
Husks, and usually torn on the one side, ending in five
round points growing one above another, of a deadish
yellow colour, somwhat paler toward the edges, with many
purplish Veins therein, and of a dark yellowish purple in
the bottom of the Flower, with a smal pointel of the same
colour in the middle, each of them standing in hard close
Husk, which after the Flower is past, groweth very like
the Husk of Asarabacca, and somwhat sharp at the top
Points, wherein is contained much smal Seed very like
Poppy Seed, but of a dusky grayish colour. The Root is
great, white and thick, branching forth divers waies under
ground, so like a Parsnip Root (but that it is not so
white) that it hath deceived divers. The whol Plant more
than the Root hath a heavy ill soporiferous smell somwhat
offensive.
Place.
It commonly groweth by the way sides, and under Hedg
sides and Wals.
Time.
It Flowreth in July, and springeth again yeerly of its
own Seed.
I doubt my Author mistook July for June, if not for
May.
Vertues and Use.
The Leavs of Henbane do cool all hot Inflamations in
the Eyes or any other part of the Body; and are good to
asswage all manner of Swellings of the Cods or Womens
Breasts, or els where, if they be boyled in Wine, and
either applied themselves or the Fomentation warm; it also
asswageth the pain of the Gout, the Sciatica and all other
pains in the Joynts which arise from an hot caus. And
applied with Vinegar to the Forehead and Temples, helpeth
the Headach and want of sleep in hot Feavers. The Juyce
of the Herb or Seed, or the Oyl drawn from the Seed doth
the like. The Oyl of the Seed is helpful for the
Deafness, Nois, and Worms in the Ears, being dropped
therein; the Juyce of the Herb, or Root doth also the
same. The Decoction of the Herb, or Seed, or both,
killeth Lice in Man and Beast. The fume of the dried Herb
Stalks and Seed burned, quickly healeth Swellings,
Chilblains, or Kibes in the Hands or Feet, by holding them
in the fume thereof. The Remedy to help those that have
taken Henbane is to drink Goats Milk, Honyed Water or Pine
Kernels, with Sweet Wine: or in the absence of these,
Fennel Seed, Nettle Seed, the Seed of Cresses, Mustard, or
Radish, as also Onions, or Garlick taken in Wine, do all
help to free them from danger, and restore them to their
due temper again.
[EDGENOTE:] Inflamation, Cods, Womens Breasts, Gout,
Sciatica, Joynts, Watching, Deafness, Noise in the Ears,
Chilblains, Kibes, French Pox.
Take notice that this Herb must never be taken
inwardly, outwardly, an Oyl, Oyntment, or Plaister of it,
is most admirable for the Gout, to cool the Venerial heat
of the Reins in the French Pox, to stop the Toothach being
applied to the aching side, to allay all Inflamations, and
to help the Diseases before premised.
I wonder in my Heart how Astrologers could take on them
to make this an Herb of Jupiter, and yet Mizaldus, a man
of a penetrating Brain, was also of this Opinion as wel as
the rest, the Herb is indeed under the Dominion of Saturn,
and I prove it by this Argument.
All the Herbs which delight most to grow in Saturnine
places, are Saturnine Herbs.
But Henbane delights most to grow in Saturnine places,
and whol Cart loads of it may be found neer the places
where they empty the common Jakes, and scarce a stinking
Ditch to be found without, it growing by it.
Ergo 'tis an Herb of Saturn.
[p. 65]
HERB ROBERT.
Description.
This riseth up with a reddish stalk two foot high,
having divers leaves thereon upon very long and reddish
footstalkes, divided at the ends into three or five
divisions, each of them cut in on the edges some deeper
then others, and all dented likewise about the edges,
which often tims turn reddish: At the tops of the stalk
come forth divers flowers made of five leavs, much larger
than the Doves foot, and of a more reddish colour after
which come beak heads as in others: The Roote is small
and threddy, and smelleth as the whole plant very strong,
almost stinking.
Place.
This groweth frequently every where by way sides, upon
ditch banks, and wast grounds whersoever one goeth.
Time.
It flowreth in June and July chiefly, and the seed is
ripe shortly after.
Vertues and Use.
Herb Robert is commended not only against the stone,
but to stay bloud, where or howsoever flowing; it speedily
healeth all green wounds, and is effectual in old ulcers
in the privy parts or else where.
[EDGENOTE:] Stone, Bleeding, Terms stops, Wounds, Ulcers in
the Privities.
You may perswade your self this is true and also
conceive a good reason for it, if you doe but consider
'tis an herb of Venus for al it hath gotten a mans name.
HERB TRUE-LOVE,
or
ONE-BERRY.
Description.
The ordinary Herb True-love, hath a small creeping Root
running under the upper crust of the ground, somwhat like
a Coutchgrass Root but not so white, shooting forth stalks
with leavs, some wherof carry no berries, though others
do, every stalk smooth without Joynts and blackish green,
rising about half a foot high if it bear berries otherwise
seldom so high, bearing at the top four leaves set
directly one against another in maner of a Cross or a
Riband tied (as it is called) on a True-loves Knot: which
are each of them a part: somwhat like unto a Nightshade
Leav, but somwhat broader, having somtimes but three
Leavs, sometimes five, sometimes six, and these somtimes
greater than in others. In the middle of the four Leavs
riseth up one smal slender Stalk about an inch high,
bearing at the top thereof one Flower spread open like a
Star consisting of four small and narrow long pointed
Leavs of a yellowish green colour, and four other lying
between them lesser than they; in the middle wherof
standeth a round dark purplish Button or Head, compassed
about with eight smal yellow Mealy threds, with three
colours make it the more conspicuous and lovely to behold:
This Button or Head in the middle, when the other Leavs
are withered, becometh a blackish Purple Berry full of
Juyce of the bigness of a reasonable Grape, having within
it many white Seeds: The whol Plant is without any
manifest tast.
Place.
It groweth in Woods and Copses, and somtimes in the
corners or borders of Fields and wast Grounds in very many
places of this Land; and abundantly in the Woods, Copses,
and other places about Chisselhurst and Maidstone in Kent.
Time.
They spring up in the middle of April or May, and are
in Flower soon after; The Berries are ripe in the end of
May, and in some places in June.
Vertues and Use.
The Leavs or Berries hereof are effectual to expel
poyson of all sorts, especially that of the Aconites, as
also the Plague, and other Pestilential Diseases. Some
have been holpen therby saith Mathiolus, that have lien
long in a lingring sickness, and others that by Witchcraft
(as it was thought) were become half foolish, by taking a
[EDGENOTE:] Poyson, Pestilence, Feavers, Witchcraft,
Chollick, Wounds, Ulcers, Swellings in the Groyn, Cods,
and Privities, Inflamations, Aposthumes.
dram of the Seeds or Berries hereof in Pouder every day
for twenty daies together, they were restored to their
former health. The Roots in Pouder taken in Wine easeth
the pains of the chollick speedily: The Leavs are very
effectual as well for green Wounds, as to clens and heal
up old filthy Sores and Ulcers; and is very powerful to
discuss all Tumors, and Swellings in the Cods, privy
Parts, or Groyn, or in any part of the Body, and speedily
to ally all Inflamations. The Leavs or their Juyce
applied to Felons, or those Nails of the Hands or Toes
that have Imposthumes or Sores gathered together at the
Roots of them, healeth them in short space.
The Herb is not to be described for the premises, but
is fit to be nourished in every good Womans Garden.
Venus owns it.
[p. 66]
HYSOP.
This is so well known to be an Inhabitant in every
Garden, that it wil save me Labor in writing a Description
thereof. The Vertues are as followeth.
Vertues and Use.
Dioscorides saith that Hysop boyled with Rue and Honey,
and drunk, helpeth those that are troubled with Coughs,
shortness of breath, wheesing, and Rhewmatick
Distillations upon the Lungs: Taken also with Oximel, it
purgeth gross Humors by the Stool; and with Honey killeth
Worms in the Belly; and with fresh or new Figs bruised,
helpeth to loosen the Belly, and more forcibly if the Root
of Flower-de-luce and Cresses be added therto. It
amendeth and cherisheth the Native colour of the Body
spoiled by the yellow Jaundice, and being taken with Figs
and Nitre helpeth the Dropsie and the Spleen. Being
boyled with Wine, it is good to wash Inflamations: and
taketh away black and blew Spots and Marks that come by
Strokes, Bruises, or Fals, being applied with warm Water.
[EDGENOTE:] Cough, Shortness of breath, Wheesing, Gross
Humors, Worms, yellow Jaundice, Dropsie, Spleen,
Inflamations, black and blue spots, Quinsie, Toothach,
Noise in the Ears, Venemous Beasts, Lice, Itching of the
Head, Falling-sickness, Wounds.
It is an excellent Medicine for the Quinsie, or Swelling
in the Throat, to wash and gargle it, being boyed with
Figs. It helpeth the Toothach, being boyled in Vinegar,
and gargled therwith. The hot Vapors of the Decoction
taken by a Funnel in at the Ears, easeth the Inflamations
and singing nois of them: Being bruised and Salt, Honey,
and Cummin Seed put to it, it helpeth those that are stung
by Serpents. The Oyl thereof being anoynted killeth Lice,
and taketh away Itching of the Head: It helpeth those
that have the Falling-sickness which way soever it be
applied: It helpeth to expectorate tough Flegm, and is
effectual in al cold Griefs, or Diseases of the Chest and
Lungs, being taken either in a Syrup or licking Medicine.
The green Herb bruised and a little Sugar put thereto,
doth quickly heal any cut, or green Wound, being therunto
applied.
The Herb is Jupiters, and the Sign Cancer; It
strengthens all the parts of the Body under Cancer and
Jupiter, which what they be may be found amply discoursed
of in my Astrological Judgment of Diseases.
HOPS.
These are so well known that they need no Description,
I mean the manured kind which every good Husband or
Huswife is acquainted with.
The wild Hop groweth up as the other doth, ramping upon
Trees or Hedges that stand next unto them, with rough
branches, and Leavs like the former; but it giveth smaller
Heads & in far less plenty than it, so that there is
scarce a Head or two seen in a year on divers of this wild
kind; wherein consisteth the chief difference.
Place.
They delight to grow on low moist grounds, and are
found in all parts of this Land.
Time.
They spring not up until April, and Flower not until
the latter end of June, the heads are not gathered until
the middle or latter end of September.
Vertues and Use.
This Physical operation is to open Obstructions of the
Liver and Spleen to clens the Blood, to loosen the Belly,
to clens the Reins from Gravel, and provoke Urine. The
Decoction of the tops of Hops, as well of the tame as the
wild, worketh the same effects. In clensing the Blood
they help to cure the French Disease, and al manner of
Scabs, Itch, and other breakings out in the Body, as also
al Tetters, Ringworms, and spreading Sores, the Morphew,
and all discolourings of the Skin. The Decoction of the
[EDGENOTE:] Obstructions, Liver, Spleen, Blood, Reins
clenseth, French Pox, Scabs, Itch, Tetters, Ringworms,
Morphew, Poyson, Worms, Terms provokes, Disury, yellow
Jaundice, Liver, Stomach, Agues.
Flowers and tops, do help to expel poyson that any one
hath drunk: Half a dram of the Seed in Pouder taken in
drink, killeth Worms in the Body, bringeth down Womens
Courses, and expelleth Urin: A Syrup made of the Juyce
and Sugar, cureth the yellow Jaundice, easeth the Headach
that comes of Heat, and tempereth the heat of the Liver
and Stomach, and is profitably given in long and hot Agues
that rise of Choller and Blood. Both the wild and the
manured are of one property, and alike effectual in al the
aforesaid Diseases.
By all these Testimonies, Beer appears to be better
than Ale.
Mars owns the Plant, and then Dr. Reason will tell you
how it performs these actions.
HOREHOUND.
Discription.
Common Horehound groweth up with square hoary Stalks,
half a yard or two foot high, set at the Joynts with two
round crumpled rough Leavs, of a sullen hoary green
colour, of a reasonable good scent, but a very bitter
tast: The Flowers are smal, white and gaping, set in
rough, hard, prickly Husks, round about the Joynts with
the leaves from the middle of the Stalk upwards, wherein
afterwards is found smal round blackish Seed. The root is
blackish, hard, and
[p. 67]
woody, with many strings thereat, and
abideth many years.
Place.
It is found in many parts of this Land, in dry grounds
and wast green places.
Time.
It Flowreth in or about July, and the Seed is ripe in
Augst.
Vertues and Use.
A Decoction of the dried Herb with the Seed, or the
Juyce of the green Herb taken with Honey, is a Remedy for
those that are pursie or short winded, or have a Cough or
are fallen into a Consumption either through long
sickness, or thin Distillations of Rhewm upon the Lungs.
It helpeth to expectorate tough Flegm from the Chest,
being taken with the Roots of Iris or Orris. It is given
to Women to bring down their Courses, to expel the
Afterbirth, and to them that have sore and long Travails,
as also to those that have taken Poyson, or are stung or
bitten by Venemous Serpents: The Leavs used with Honey
purge foul Ulcers stay running or creeping sores, and the
growing of the Flesh over the Nails. It also helpeth
[EDGENOTE:] Difficulty of breath, Cough, Consumption,
Flegm, Terms provokes, Afterbirth, Weariness, Poyson,
Venemous Beasts, Ulcers, Sides, Eyes, Yellow Jaundice,
Ears, Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen. Liver, Itch,
Tetters, Worms, Dogs bitings, Womens Breasts, Thorns,
Asthmaes.
pains of the sides. The Juyce thereof with Wine and Honey
helpeth to cleer the Eyesight, and snuffed up into the
Nostrils, purgeth away the yellow Jaundice, and with a
little Oyl of Roses dropped into the Ears easeth the pains
of them. Galen saith it openeth Obstructions both of the
Liver and Spleen, purgeth the Breast and Lungues of Flegm;
and used outwardly, it both clenseth and digesteth. A
decoction of Horehound (saith Mathiolus) is available for
those that have bad Livers, and for such as have Itches
and running Tetters; The Pouder hereof taken, or the
Decoction, killeth Worms. The green Leavs bruised and
boyled in old Hogs Greas unto an Oyntment, healeth the
biting of Dogs abateth the Swellings of Womens Breasts,
and taketh away the Swelling and Pains that come by any
pricking of Thorns, or such like means, and used with
Vinegar it clenseth and healeth Tetters. There is a Syrup
made of Horehound to be had at the Apothecaries, very good
for old Coughs, to rid the tough Flegm, as also to avoid
cold Rhewm from the Lungs of old Folks, and for those that
are Asmatick or short winded.
HORSTAIL.
Description.
Of this there are many kinds, but I shall not trouble
you not my self with any large Description of them, which
to do, were but as the Proverb is, to find a knot in a
Rush; All the kinds hereof being nothing else but knotted
Rushes, some with Leavs and some without: Take the
Description of the most eminent sort as followeth.
The greater Horstail at the first springing hath Heads
somwhat like those of Asparagus, and after grow to be
hard, rough, hollow Stalks, joynted at sundry places up to
the top, a foot high, so made as if the lower part were
put into the upper, whereat grow on each side a Bush of
smal, long, Rush-like hard Leavs, each part resembling a
Hors Tail (from whence it was so called). At the tops of
the Stalks come forth smal Catkins like to those of Trees.
The Root creepeth under ground having Joynts at sundry
places.
Place.
This (as most of the other sorts hereof) groweth in wet
grounds.
Time.
They spring up in April, and their blooming Catkins in
July, seeding for the most part in August, and then perish
down to the ground, rising afresh in the Spring.
Vertues and Use.
Horstail, the smoother rather than the rough, and the
Leaved rather than the Bare are most Physical. It is very
powerful to stanch bleedings whersoever, either inward or
outward, the Juyce or Decoction, or distilled Water
applied outwardly: It staieth also al sorts of Lasks and
Fluxes in Man or Woman, and the pissing of Blood, and
healeth also not only the inward Ulcers, and excoriations
of the Entrails, Bladder, &c. but al other sorts of foul,
moist, and running Ulcers, and soon sodereth together the
tops of green Wounds; It cureth also Ruptures in Children.
[EDGENOTE:] Bleeding, Flux, Terms stops, Pissing Blood,
Inward Ulcers, Excoriations of the Bladder, Ulcers,
Wounds, Ruptures, Disury, Stone, Strangury, Cough,
Inflamations, Pimples, Red Faces.
The Decoction hereof in Wine being drunk provoketh Urin,
and helpeth the Stone and the Strangury; and the distilled
Water thereof drunk two or three times in a day, a smal
quantity at a time; as also easeth the Intrails or Guts,
and is effectual against a Cough that cometh by
distillation from the Head. The Juyce or distilled Water
being warmed, and hot Inflamations, Pustules, or red
Wheals, and other breakings out in the Skin, being bathed
therewith doth help them, and doth no less eas the
Swellings, heat, and Inflamations of the Fundament or
Privy parts in Man or Woman.
The Herb is belonging to Saturn yet is very harmless,
and excellent good for the Premises.
[p. 68]
HOUSLEEKS, or SENGREEN
These are so wel known unto my Country Men that I shal
not need to write any Description of them.
Place.
It groweth commonly on Walls and Hous sides, and
flowreth in July.
Vertues and Use.
Our ordinary Housleek is good for all inward heats, as
wel as outward, and in the Eyes or other parts of the
Body: A Posset made with the Juyce of Housleek is
singular good in al hot Agues, for it cooleth and
tempereth the Blood and Spirits, and quench the thirst;
and is also good to stay al hot Defluxions of sharp and
salt Rhewms in the Eyes, the Juyce being dropped into
them, or into the Ears helpeth them; It helpeth also other
Fluxes of Humors into the Bowels, and the immoderate
Courses of Women. It cooleth and restraineth also all
other hot Inflamations. St. Anthonies Fire, Scaldings and
Burnings, the Shingles, fretting Ulcers, Cankers, Tetters,
Ringworms and the like, and much easeth the pain of the
Gout proceeding from an hot caus. The Juyce also taketh
away Warts and Corns in the Hands or Feet, being often
bathed therewith, and the Skin of the Leavs being laid on
[EDGENOTE:] Heat, Eyes, Agues, Thirst, Salt Rhewms, Ears,
Terms stops, Fluxes, Inflamations, St. Anthonies Fire,
Burnings, Scaldings, Tetters, Ringworms, Corns on the
Hands and Feet, Headach, Frenzy, Watching, Bleeding,
Nettles, Bees, &c.
them afterwards. It easeth also the Headach, and
distempered heat of the Brain in Phrensies, or through
want of sleep, being applied to the Temples and Forehead.
The Leavs bruised and laid upon the Crown or Seam of the
Head staieth bleeding at the Nose very quickly. The
distilled Water of the Herb is profitable for all the
purposes aforesaid: The Leavs being gently rubbed on any
place stung with Nettles or Bees, doth quickly take away
the Pain.
It is an Herb of Jupiter, and it is reported by
Myzaldus to preserve, it grows upon from Fire and
Lightning.
HOUNDSTONGUE.
Description.
The great ordinary Houndstongue hath many long and
somwhat narrow, soft, hairy darkish green Leavs, lying on
the ground somwhat like unto Bugloss Leavs, from among
which riseth up a rough hairy Stalk about two foot high,
with some smaller Leavs thereon, and branched at the top
into divers parts, with a smal Leaf at the Foot of every
Branch, which is somwhat long, with many Flowers set along
the same, which Branch is crooked or turned inwards before
it Flowreth and openeth by degrees as the Flowers do blow,
which consist of four smal purplish red Leavs of a dead
colour, scarce rising out of the Husk wherein they stand,
with some threds in the middle: It hath somtimes a white
Flower. After the Flowers are past there cometh rough
flat Seed, with a smal pointel in the middle, easily
cleaving to any Garment that is toucheth, and not so
easily pulled off again: The root is black, thick, and
long, hard to break, and ful of a clammy Juyce, smelling
somwhat strong, of an evil scent as the Leavs also do.
Place.
It groweth in most places of this Land, in wast
grounds, and untilled places by high way sides, Lanes, and
Hedg sides.
Time.
It Flowreth about May and June, and the Seed is ripe
shortly after.
Vertues and Use.
The Root is very effectually used in Pills, as wel as
in Decoctions, or otherwise, to stay al sharp and thin
Defluxions of Rhewm from the Head into the Eyes or Nose,
or upon the Stomach or Lungs, as also for Coughs or
shortness of breath. The Leavs boyled in Wine (saith
Dioscorides) but others do rather appoint it to be made
[EDGENOTE:] Eyes, Nose, Stomach, Lungs, Shortness of
breath, Mad Dogs.
with Water, and to ad thereto Oyl and Salt, mollifieth or
openeth the Belly downwards; it also helpeth to cure the
biting of a mad Dog, some of the Leavs being also applied
to the Wound: The Leavs bruised, or the Juyce of them
boyled in Hogs Lard, and applied, helpeth the falling away
of the Hair which cometh of hot and sharp humors; as also
for any place that is scalded or burnt: The Leavs bruised
and laid to any green Wound doth heal it up quickly. The
Root baked under the Embers wrapped in Past, or wet
Papers, or in a wet double Cloth, and thereof a
Suppository made and put up into, or applied to the
Fundament, doth very effectually help the painful Piles or
Hemorrhoids. The distilled Water of the Herb and Roots,
is very good to al the purposes aforesaid, to be used as
wel inwardly to drink, as outwardly to wash any sore
places, or it healeth al manner of Wounds and Punctures
and those foul Ulcers that arise by the French Pox.
[EDGENOTE:] Scaldings, Burnings, Hemorrhoids, Wounds,
Ulcers, French Pox.
Mizaldus ads to this, that the Leavs laid under the
Feet wil keep the Dogs from barking at you, Houndstongue
becaus it tries the Tongue of Hounds, whether it be true
or not I never tried yet I have cured the biting of a mad
Dog with this only Medicine.
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