CULPEPER’SORIGINAL EPISTLE TO THE READER.
THEENGLISH PHYSICIANENLARGED.
BARBERRY.
WINTER-CHERRIES.
CHICK-PEASE, OR CICERS.
CRAB’S CLAWS.
FLUX-WEED.
ARTICHOKES.
WATER LILY.
MOUSE-EAR.
PEPPERWORT, OR DITTANDER.
THE WALLNUT TREE.
DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SYRUPS, CONSERVES,&c. &c.
SECTION II.The way of making and keeping all necessary Compounds.
THEENGLISH PHYSICIANANDFAMILY DISPENSATORY.
ROOTS.
BARKS.
WOODS AND THEIR CHIPS, OR RASPINGS.
HERBS AND THEIR LEAVES.
FLOWERS.
FRUITS AND THEIR BUDS.
SEEDS OR GRAINS.
TEARS, LIQUORS, AND ROZINS.
JUICES.
THINGS BRED FROM PLANTS.
LIVING CREATURES.
PARTS OF LIVING CREATURES, AND EXCREMENTS.
BELONGING TO THE SEA.
METALS, MINERALS, AND STONES.
A CATALOGUE OF SIMPLESIN THENEW DISPENSATORY.
ROOTS.
HERBS.
FLOWERS.
FRUITS.
SEEDS.
METALS, STONES, SALTS, AND OTHER MINERALS.
SIMPLE DISTILLED WATERS.
SIMPLE WATERS DISTILLED,being digested before-hand.
COMPOUNDS. SPIRIT AND COMPOUND DISTILLED WATERS.
Signs of choler abounding.
TINCTURES.
Tinctura Fragroram.Or Tincture of Strawberries.
PHYSICAL WINES.
PHYSICAL VINEGARS.
Acetum Rosarum.Or Rose Vinegar.
DECOCTIONS.
SYRUPS.
Syrupus Botryos.Or Syrup of Oak of Jerusalem.
PURGING SYRUPS.
Mel Passalatum.Or Honey of Raisins.
ROB, OR SAPA: AND JUICES.
LOHOCH, OR ECLEGMATA.
PRESERVED ROOTS, STALKS, BARKS, FLOWERS, FRUITS.
CONSERVES AND SUGARS.
SUGARS.
SPECIES, OR POWDERS.
Pulvis Cardiacus Magistralis.
ELECTUARIES.
PURGING ELECTUARIES.
PILLS.
Aloe Rosata.
TROCHES.
Trochisci de Carabe.Or, Troches of Amber.
Sief de Thure.Or Sief of Frankincense.
Crocomagma of Damocrates. Galen.
OILS.
OINTMENTS MORE SIMPLE.
OINTMENTS MORE COMPOUND.
Unguentum Refrigerans. Galenus.It is also called a Cerecloath.
CERECLOATHS.
PLAISTERS.
A KEYTOGALEN’S METHOD OF PHYSIC.
SECTION I.
SECTION II.Of the appropriation of Medicines to theseveral parts of the body.
SECTION III.Of the propriety or operation of Medicines.
CULPEPER’S LAST LEGACIES.
1. A general Caution.
7. To purge the Head.
CULPEPER’SORIGINAL EPISTLE TO THE READER.
TAKE
Notice, That in this Edition I have made very many Additions to
every
sheet in the book: and, also, that those books of mine that are
printed of that Letter the small Bibles are printed with, are very
falsely printed: there being twenty or thirty gross mistakes in
every
sheet, many of them such as are exceedingly dangerous to such as
shall venture to use them: And therefore I do warn the Public of
them: I can do no more at present; only take notice of these
Directions by which you shall be sure to know the
True one from the
False.The
first Direction.—The
true one hath this Title over the head of every Book, The Complete
Herbal and English Physician enlarged. The small Counterfeit ones
have only this Title, The English Physician.The
second Direction.—The
true one hath these words, Government and Virtues, following the
time
of the Plants flowering, &c. The counterfeit small ones have
these words, Virtues and Use, following the time of the Plants
flowering.The
third Direction.—The
true one is of a larger Letter than the counterfeit ones, which are
in Twelves,
&c., of the Letter small Bibles used to be printed on. I shall
now speak something of the book itself.All
other Authors that have written of the nature of Herbs, give not a
bit of reason why such an Herb was appropriated to such a part of
the
body, nor why it cured such a disease. Truly my own body being
sickly, brought me easily into a capacity, to know that health was
the greatest of all earthly blessings, and truly he was never sick
that doth not believe it. Then I considered that all medicines were
compounded of Herbs, Roots, Flowers, Seeds, &c., and this first
set me to work in studying the nature of simples, most of which I
knew by sight before; and indeed all the Authors I could read gave
me
but little satisfaction in this particular, or none at all. I
cannot
build my faith upon Authors’ words, nor believe a thing because
they say it, and could wish every body were of my mind in this,—to
labour to be able to give a reason for every thing they say or do.
They say Reason makes a man differ from a Beast; if that be true,
pray what are they that, instead of reason for their judgment,
quote
old Authors? Perhaps their authors knew a reason for what they
wrote,
perhaps they did not; what is that to us? Do we know it? Truly in
writing this work first, to satisfy myself, I drew out all the
virtues of the vulgar or common Herbs, Plants, and Trees, &c.,
out of the best or most approved authors I had, or could get; and
having done so, I set myself to study the reason of them. I knew
well
enough the whole world, and every thing in it, was formed of a
composition of contrary elements, and in such a harmony as must
needs
show the wisdom and power of a great God. I knew as well this
Creation, though thus composed of contraries, was one united body,
and man an epitome of it: I knew those various affections in man,
in
respect of sickness and health, were caused naturally (though God
may
have other ends best known to himself) by the various operations of
the Microcosm; and I could not be ignorant, that as the cause is,
so
must the cure be; and therefore he that would know the reason of
the
operation of the Herbs, must look up as high as the Stars,
astrologically. I always found the disease vary according to the
various motions of the Stars; and this is enough, one would think,
to
teach a man by the effect where the cause lies. Then to find out
the
reason of the operation of Herbs, Plants, &c., by the Stars
went
I; and herein I could find but few authors, but those as full of
nonsense and contradiction as an egg is full of meat. This not
being
pleasing, and less profitable to me, I consulted with my two
brothers, Dr. Reason and Dr. Experience, and took a voyage to visit
my mother Nature, by whose advice, together with the help of Dr.
Diligence, I at last obtained my desire; and, being warned by Mr.
Honesty, a stranger in our days, to publish it to the world, I have
done it.But
you will say, What
need I have written on this Subject, seeing so many famous and
learned men have written so much of it in the English Tongue, much
more than I have done?To
this I answer, neither Gerrard nor Parkinson, or any that ever
wrote
in the like nature, ever gave one wise reason for what they wrote,
and so did nothing else but train up young novices in Physic in the
School of tradition, and teach them just as a parrot is taught to
speak; an Author says so, therefore it is true; and if all that
Authors say be true, why do they contradict one another? But in
mine,
if you view it with the eye of reason, you shall see a reason for
everything that is written, whereby you may find the very ground
and
foundation of Physic; you may know what you do, and wherefore you
do
it; and this shall call me Father, it being (that I know of) never
done in the world before.I
have now but two things to write, and then I have done.1.
What the profit and benefit of this Work is.2.
Instructions in the use of it.1.
The profit and benefit arising from it, or that may occur to a wise
man from it are many; so many that should I sum up all the
particulars, my Epistle would be as big as my Book; I shall quote
some few general heads.First.
The admirable Harmony of the Creation is herein seen, in the
influence of Stars upon Herbs and the Body of Man, how one part of
the Creation is subservient to another, and all for the use of Man,
whereby the infinite power and wisdom of God in the creation
appear;
and if I do not admire at the simplicity of the Ranters, never
trust
me; who but viewing the Creation can hold such a sottish opinion,
as
that it was from eternity, when the mysteries of it are so clear to
every eye? but that Scripture shall be verified to them,
Rom. i. 20: “The
invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his
Eternal
Power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”—And
a Poet could teach them a better lesson;
“
Because
out of thy thoughts God shall not pass,
“
His
image stamped is on every grass.”This
indeed is true, God has stamped his image on every creature, and
therefore the abuse of the creature is a great sin; but how much
the
more do the wisdom and excellency of God appear, if we consider the
harmony of the Creation in the virtue and operation of every
Herb!Secondly,
Hereby you may know what infinite knowledge
Adam had in his
innocence, that by looking upon a creature, he was able to give it
a
name according to its nature; and by knowing that, thou mayest know
how great thy fall was and be humbled for it even in this respect,
because hereby thou art so ignorant.Thirdly,
Here is the right way for thee to begin at the study of Physic, if
thou art minded to begin at the right end, for here thou hast the
reason of the whole art. I wrote before in certain Astrological
Lectures, which I read, and printed, intituled,
Astrological Judgment of Diseases,
what planet caused (as a second cause) every disease, how it might
be
found out what planet caused it; here thou hast what planet cures
it
by Sympathy
and Antipathy;
and this brings me to my last promise,
viz.
Instructions
for the right use of the book.And
herein let me premise a word or two. The Herbs, Plants, &c. are
now in the book appropriated to their proper planets.
Therefore,First,
Consider what planet causeth the disease; that thou mayest find it
in
my aforesaid Judgment of Diseases.Secondly,
Consider what part of the body is afflicted by the disease, and
whether it lies in the flesh, or blood, or bones, or
ventricles.Thirdly,
Consider by what planet the afflicted part of the body is governed:
that my Judgment of Diseases will inform you also.Fourthly,
You may oppose diseases by Herbs of the planet, opposite to the
planet that causes them: as diseases of
Jupiter by herbs of
Mercury, and the
contrary; diseases of the
Luminaries by the
herbs of Saturn,
and the contrary; diseases of
Mars by herbs of
Venus, and the
contrary.Fifthly,
There is a way to cure diseases sometimes by
Sympathy, and so
every planet cures his own disease; as the
Sun and
Moon by their Herbs
cure the Eyes,
Saturn the Spleen,
Jupiter the liver,
Mars the Gall and
diseases of choler, and
Venus diseases in
the instruments of Generation.NICH.
CULPEPER.From
my House in Spitalfields,next
door to the Red Lion,September
5, 1653.TO
HIS DEAREST CONSORTMRS.
ALICE CULPEPER.
My
dearest,THE
works that I have published to the world (though envied by some
illiterate physicians) have merited such just applause, that thou
mayest be confident in proceeding to publish anything I leave thee,
especially this master-piece: assuring my friends and countrymen,
that they will receive as much benefit by this, as by my
Dispensatory, and
that incomparable piece called,
Semiotica Uranica
enlarged, and
English Physician.These
are the choicest secrets, which I have had many years locked up in
my
own breast. I gained them by my constant practice, and by them I
maintained a continual reputation in the world, and I doubt not but
the world will honour thee for divulging them; and my fame shall
continue and increase thereby, though the period of my Life and
Studies be at hand, and I must now bid all things under the sun
farewell. Farewell, my dear wife and child; farewell, Arts and
Sciences, which I so dearly loved; farewell, all worldly glories;
adieu, readers,Nicholas
Culpeper.Nicholas
Culpeper, the Author of this Work, was son of Nicholas Culpeper, a
Clergyman, and grandson of Sir Thomas Culpeper, Bart. He was some
time a student in the university of Cambridge, and soon after was
bound apprentice to an Apothecary. He employed all his leisure
hours
in the study of Physic and Astrology, which he afterwards
professed,
and set up business in Spitalfields, next door to the Red Lion,
(formerly known as the Half-way House between Islington and
Stepney,
an exact representation of which we have given under our Author’s
Portrait), where he had considerable practice, and was much
resorted
to for his advice, which he gave to the poor gratis. Astrological
Doctors have always been highly respected; and those celebrated
Physicians of the early times, whom our Author seems to have
particularly studied, Hippocrates, Galen, and Avicen, regarded
those
as homicides who were ignorant of Astrology. Paracelsus, indeed,
went
farther; he declared, a Physician should be predestinated to the
cure
of his patient; and the horoscope should be inspected, the plants
gathered at the critical moment, &c.Culpeper
was a writer and translator of several Works, the most celebrated
of
which is his Herbal, “being an astrologo-physical discourse of the
common herbs of the nation; containing a complete Method or
Practice
of Physic, whereby a Man may preserve his Body in Health, or cure
himself when sick, with such things only as grow in England, they
being most fit for English Constitutions.”This
celebrated, and useful Physician died at his house in Spitalfields,
in the year 1654. This Book will remain as a lasting monument of
his
skill and industry.
“
Culpeper,
the man that first ranged the woods and climbed the mountains in
search of medicinal and salutary herbs, has undoubtedly merited the
gratitude of posterity.”— Dr. Johnson.
THEENGLISH PHYSICIANENLARGED.
AMARA
DULCIS.CONSIDERING
divers shires in this nation give divers names to one and the same
herb, and that the common name which it bears in one county, is not
known in another; I shall take the pains to set down all the names
that I know of each herb: pardon me for setting that name first,
which is most common to myself. Besides Amara Dulcis, some call it
Mortal, others Bitter-sweet; some Woody Night-shade, and others
Felon-wort.Descript.]
It grows up with woody stalks even to a man’s height, and sometimes
higher. The leaves fall off at the approach of winter, and spring
out
of the same stalk at spring-time: the branch is compassed about
with
a whitish bark, and has a pith in the middle of it: the main branch
branches itself into many small ones with claspers, laying hold on
what is next to them, as vines do: it bears many leaves, they grow
in
no order at all, at least in no regular order; the leaves are
longish, though somewhat broad, and pointed at the ends: many of
them
have two little leaves growing at the end of their foot-stalk; some
have but one, and some none. The leaves are of a pale green colour;
the flowers are of a purple colour, or of a perfect blue, like to
violets, and they stand many of them together in knots: the berries
are green at first, but when they are ripe they are very red; if
you
taste them, you shall find them just as the crabs which we in
Sussex
call Bittersweet,
viz. sweet at first
and bitter afterwards.Place.]
They grow commonly almost throughout England, especially in moist
and
shady places.Time.]
The leaves shoot out about the latter end of March, if the
temperature of the air be ordinary; it flowers in July, and the
seeds
are ripe soon after, usually in the next month.Government
and virtues.] It is
under the planet Mercury, and a notable herb of his also, if it be
rightly gathered under his influence. It is excellently good to
remove witchcraft both in men and beasts, as also all sudden
diseases
whatsoever. Being tied round about the neck, is one of the most
admirable remedies for the vertigo or dizziness in the head; and
that
is the reason (as Tragus saith) the people in Germany commonly hang
it about their cattle’s necks, when they fear any such evil hath
betided them: Country people commonly take the berries of it, and
having bruised them, apply them to felons, and thereby soon rid
their
fingers of such troublesome guests.We
have now showed you the external use of the herb; we shall speak a
word or two of the internal, and so conclude. Take notice, it is a
Mercurial herb, and therefore of very subtile parts, as indeed all
Mercurial plants are; therefore take a pound of the wood and leaves
together, bruise the wood (which you may easily do, for it is not
so
hard as oak) then put it in a pot, and put to it three pints of
white
wine, put on the pot-lid and shut it close; and let it infuse hot
over a gentle fire twelve hours, then strain it out, so have you a
most excellent drink to open obstructions of the liver and spleen,
to
help difficulty of breath, bruises and falls, and congealed blood
in
any part of the body, it helps the yellow jaundice, the dropsy, and
black jaundice, and to cleanse women newly brought to bed. You may
drink a quarter of a pint of the infusion every morning. It purges
the body very gently, and not churlishly as some hold. And when you
find good by this, remember me.They
that think the use of these medicines is too brief, it is only for
the cheapness of the book; let them read those books of mine, of
the
last edition, viz.
Reverius,
Veslingus,
Riolanus,
Johnson,
Sennertus, and
Physic for the Poor.ALL-HEAL.It
is called All-heal, Hercules’s All-heal, and Hercules’s
Woundwort, because it is supposed that Hercules learned the herb
and
its virtues from Chiron, when he learned physic of him. Some call
it
Panay, and others Opopane-wort.Descript.]
Its root is long, thick, and exceeding full of juice, of a hot and
biting taste, the leaves are great and large, and winged almost
like
ash-tree leaves, but that they are something hairy, each leaf
consisting of five or six pair of such wings set one against the
other upon foot-stalks, broad below, but narrow towards the end;
one
of the leaves is a little deeper at the bottom than the other, of a
fair yellowish fresh green colour: they are of a bitterish taste,
being chewed in the mouth; from among these rises up a stalk, green
in colour, round in form, great and strong in magnitude, five or
six
feet in altitude, with many joints, and some leaves thereat;
towards
the top come forth umbels of small yellow flowers, after which are
passed away, you may find whitish, yellow, short, flat seeds,
bitter
also in taste.Place.]
Having given you a description of the herb from bottom to top, give
me leave to tell you, that there are other herbs called by this
name;
but because they are strangers in England, I give only the
description of this, which is easily to be had in the gardens of
divers places.Time.]
Although Gerrard saith, that they flower from the beginning of May
to
the end of December, experience teaches them that keep it in their
gardens, that it flowers not till the latter end of the summer, and
sheds its seeds presently after.Government
and virtues.] It is
under the dominion of Mars, hot, biting, and choleric; and remedies
what evils Mars inflicts the body of man with, by sympathy, as
vipers’ flesh attracts poison, and the loadstone iron. It kills the
worms, helps the gout, cramp, and convulsions, provokes urine, and
helps all joint-aches. It helps all cold griefs of the head, the
vertigo, falling-sickness, the lethargy, the wind cholic,
obstructions of the liver and spleen, stone in the kidneys and
bladder. It provokes the terms, expels the dead birth: it is
excellent good for the griefs of the sinews, itch, stone, and
tooth-ache, the biting of mad dogs and venomous beasts, and purges
choler very gently.ALKANET.Besides
the common name, it is called Orchanet, and Spanish Bugloss, and by
apothecaries, Enchusa.Descript.]
Of the many sorts of this herb, there is but one known to grow
commonly in this nation; of which one take this description: It
hath
a great and thick root, of a reddish colour, long, narrow, hairy
leaves, green like the leaves of Bugloss, which lie very thick upon
the ground; the stalks rise up compassed round about, thick with
leaves, which are less and narrower than the former; they are
tender,
and slender, the flowers are hollow, small, and of a reddish
colour.Place.]
It grows in Kent near Rochester, and in many places in the West
Country, both in Devonshire and Cornwall.Time.]
They flower in July and the beginning of August, and the seed is
ripe
soon after, but the root is in its prime, as carrots and parsnips
are, before the herb runs up to stalk.Government
and virtues.] It is
an herb under the dominion of Venus, and indeed one of her
darlings,
though somewhat hard to come by. It helps old ulcers, hot
inflammations, burnings by common fire, and St. Anthony’s fire, by
antipathy to Mars; for these uses, your best way is to make it into
an ointment; also, if you make a vinegar of it, as you make vinegar
of roses, it helps the morphew and leprosy; if you apply the herb
to
the privities, it draws forth the dead child. It helps the yellow
jaundice, spleen, and gravel in the kidneys. Dioscorides saith it
helps such as are bitten by a venomous beast, whether it be taken
inwardly, or applied to the wound; nay, he saith further, if any
one
that hath newly eaten it, do but spit into the mouth of a serpent,
the serpent instantly dies. It stays the flux of the belly, kills
worms, helps the fits of the mother. Its decoction made in wine,
and
drank, strengthens the back, and eases the pains thereof: It helps
bruises and falls, and is as gallant a remedy to drive out the
small
pox and measles as any is; an ointment made of it, is excellent for
green wounds, pricks or thrusts.ADDER’S
TONGUE OR SERPENT’S TONGUE.Descript.]
This herb has but one leaf, which grows with the stalk a finger’s
length above the ground, being flat and of a fresh green colour;
broad like Water Plantain, but less, without any rib in it; from
the
bottom of which leaf, on the inside, rises up (ordinarily) one,
sometimes two or three slender stalks, the upper half whereof is
somewhat bigger, and dented with small dents of a yellowish green
colour, like the tongue of an adder serpent (only this is as useful
as they are formidable). The roots continue all the year.Place.]
It grows in moist meadows, and such like places.Time.]
It is to be found in May or April, for it quickly perishes with a
little heat.Government
and virtues.] It is
an herb under the dominion of the Moon and Cancer, and therefore if
the weakness of the retentive faculty be caused by an evil
influence
of Saturn in any part of the body governed by the Moon, or under
the
dominion of Cancer, this herb cures it by sympathy: It cures these
diseases after specified, in any part of the body under the
influence
of Saturn, by antipathy.It
is temperate in respect of heat, but dry in the second degree. The
juice of the leaves, drank with the distilled water of Horse-tail,
is
a singular remedy for all manner of wounds in the breast, bowels,
or
other parts of the body, and is given with good success to those
that
are troubled with casting, vomiting, or bleeding at the mouth or
nose, or otherwise downwards. The said juice given in the distilled
water of Oaken-buds, is very good for women who have their usual
courses, or the whites flowing down too abundantly. It helps sore
eyes. Of the leaves infused or boiled in oil, omphacine or unripe
olives, set in the sun four certain days, or the green leaves
sufficiently boiled in the said oil, is made an excellent green
balsam, not only for green and fresh wounds, but also for old and
inveterate ulcers, especially if a little fine clear turpentine be
dissolved therein. It also stays and refreshes all inflammations
that
arise upon pains by hurts and wounds.What
parts of the body are under each planet and sign, and also what
disease may be found in my astrological judgment of diseases; and
for
the internal work of nature in the body of man; as vital, animal,
natural and procreative spirits of man; the apprehension, judgment,
memory; the external senses,
viz. seeing,
hearing, smelling, tasting and feeling; the virtuous, attractive,
retentive, digestive, expulsive, &c. under the dominion of what
planets they are, may be found in my
Ephemeris for the
year 1651. In both which you shall find the chaff of authors blown
away by the fame of Dr. Reason, and nothing but rational truths
left
for the ingenious to feed upon.Lastly.
To avoid blotting paper with one thing many times, and also to ease
your purses in the price of the book, and withal to make you
studious
in physic; you have at the latter end of the book, the way of
preserving all herbs either in juice, conserve, oil, ointment or
plaister, electuary, pills, or troches.AGRIMONY.Descript.]
This has divers long leaves (some greater, some smaller) set upon a
stalk, all of them dented about the edges, green above, and greyish
underneath, and a little hairy withal. Among which arises up
usually
but one strong, round, hairy, brown stalk, two or three feet high,
with smaller leaves set here and there upon it. At the top thereof
grow many small yellow flowers, one above another, in long spikes;
after which come rough heads of seed, hanging downwards, which will
cleave to and stick upon garments, or any thing that shall rub
against them. The knot is black, long, and somewhat woody, abiding
many years, and shooting afresh every Spring; which root, though
small, hath a reasonable good scent.Place.]
It grows upon banks, near the sides of hedges.Time.]
It flowers in July and August, the seed being ripe shortly
after.Government
and virtues.] It is
an herb under Jupiter, and the sign Cancer; and strengthens those
parts under the planet and sign, and removes diseases in them by
sympathy, and those under Saturn, Mars and Mercury by antipathy, if
they happen in any part of the body governed by Jupiter, or under
the
signs Cancer, Sagitarius or Pisces, and therefore must needs be
good
for the gout, either used outwardly in oil or ointment, or inwardly
in an electuary, or syrup, or concerted juice: for which see the
latter end of this book.It
is of a cleansing and cutting faculty, without any manifest heat,
moderately drying and binding. It opens and cleanses the liver,
helps
the jaundice, and is very beneficial to the bowels, healing all
inward wounds, bruises, hurts, and other distempers. The decoction
of
the herb made with wine, and drank, is good against the biting and
stinging of serpents, and helps them that make foul, troubled or
bloody water.This
herb also helps the cholic, cleanses the breast, and rids away the
cough. A draught of the decoction taken warm before the fit, first
removes, and in time rids away the tertian or quartan agues. The
leaves and seeds taken in wine, stays the bloody flux; outwardly
applied, being stamped with old swine’s grease, it helps old sores,
cancers, and inveterate ulcers, and draws forth thorns and
splinters
of wood, nails, or any other such things gotten in the flesh. It
helps to strengthen the members that be out of joint: and being
bruised and applied, or the juice dropped in it, helps foul and
imposthumed ears.The
distilled water of the herb is good to all the said purposes,
either
inward or outward, but a great deal weaker.It
is a most admirable remedy for such whose livers are annoyed either
by heat or cold. The liver is the former of blood, and blood the
nourisher of the body, and Agrimony a strengthener of the
liver.I
cannot stand to give you a reason in every herb why it cures such
diseases; but if you please to pursue my judgment in the herb
Wormwood, you shall find them there, and it will be well worth your
while to consider it in every herb, you shall find them true
throughout the book.WATER
AGRIMONY.It
is called in some countries, Water Hemp, Bastard Hemp, and Bastard
Agrimony, Eupatorium, and Hepatorium, because it strengthens the
liver.Descript.]
The root continues a long time, having many long slender strings.
The
stalk grows up about two feet high, sometimes higher. They are of a
dark purple colour. The branches are many, growing at distances the
one from the other, the one from the one side of the stalk, the
other
from the opposite point. The leaves are fringed, and much indented
at
the edges. The flowers grow at the top of the branches, of a brown
yellow colour, spotted with black spots, having a substance within
the midst of them like that of a Daisy: If you rub them between
your
fingers, they smell like rosin or cedar when it is burnt. The seeds
are long, and easily stick to any woollen thing they touch.Place.]
They delight not in heat, and therefore they are not so frequently
found in the Southern parts of England as in the Northern, where
they
grow frequently: You may look for them in cold grounds, by ponds
and
ditches’ sides, and also by running waters; sometimes you shall
find them grow in the midst of waters.Time.]
They all flower in July or August, and the seed is ripe presently
after.Government
and virtues.] It is
a plant of Jupiter, as well as the other Agrimony, only this
belongs
to the celestial sign Cancer. It heals and dries, cuts and cleanses
thick and tough humours of the breast, and for this I hold it
inferior to but few herbs that grow. It helps the cachexia or evil
disposition of the body, the dropsy and yellow-jaundice. It opens
obstructions of the liver, mollifies the hardness of the spleen,
being applied outwardly. It breaks imposthumes away inwardly: It is
an excellent remedy for the third day ague. It provokes urine and
the
terms; it kills worms, and cleanses the body of sharp humours,
which
are the cause of itch and scabs; the herb being burnt, the smoke
thereof drives away flies, wasps, &c. It strengthens the lungs
exceedingly. Country people give it to their cattle when they are
troubled with the cough, or broken-winded.ALEHOOF,
OR GROUND-IVY.Several
counties give it different names, so that there is scarcely any
herb
growing of that bigness that has got so many: It is called
Cat’s-foot, Ground-ivy, Gill-go-by-ground, and
Gill-creep-by-ground, Turn-hoof, Haymaids, and Alehoof.Descript.]
This well known herb lies, spreads and creeps upon the ground,
shoots
forth roots, at the corners of tender jointed stalks, set with two
round leaves at every joint somewhat hairy, crumpled and unevenly
dented about the edges with round dents; at the joints likewise,
with
the leaves towards the end of the branches, come forth hollow, long
flowers, of a blueish purple colour, with small white spots upon
the
lips that hang down. The root is small with strings.Place.]
It is commonly found under hedges, and on the sides of ditches,
under
houses, or in shadowed lanes, and other waste grounds, in almost
every part of this land.Time.]
They flower somewhat early, and abide a great while; the leaves
continue green until Winter, and sometimes abide, except the Winter
be very sharp and cold.Government
and virtues.] It is
an herb of Venus, and therefore cures the diseases she causes by
sympathy, and those of Mars by antipathy; you may usually find it
all
the year long except the year be extremely frosty; it is quick,
sharp, and bitter in taste, and is thereby found to be hot and dry;
a
singular herb for all inward wounds, exulcerated lungs, or other
parts, either by itself, or boiled with other the like herbs; and
being drank, in a short time it eases all griping pains, windy and
choleric humours in the stomach, spleen or belly; helps the yellow
jaundice, by opening the stoppings of the gall and liver, and
melancholy, by opening the stoppings of the spleen; expels venom or
poison, and also the plague; it provokes urine and women’s courses;
the decoction of it in wine drank for some time together, procures
ease to them that are troubled with the sciatica, or hip-gout: as
also the gout in hands, knees or feet; if you put to the decoction
some honey and a little burnt alum, it is excellently good to
gargle
any sore mouth or throat, and to wash the sores and ulcers in the
privy parts of man or woman; it speedily helps green wounds, being
bruised and bound thereto. The juice of it boiled with a little
honey
and verdigrease, doth wonderfully cleanse fistulas, ulcers, and
stays
the spreading or eating of cancers and ulcers; it helps the itch,
scabs, wheals, and other breakings out in any part of the body. The
juice of Celandine, Field-daisies, and Ground-ivy clarified, and a
little fine sugar dissolved therein, and dropped into the eyes, is
a
sovereign remedy for all pains, redness, and watering of them; as
also for the pin and web, skins and films growing over the sight,
it
helps beasts as well as men. The juice dropped into the ears,
wonderfully helps the noise and singing of them, and helps the
hearing which is decayed. It is good to tun up with new drink, for
it
will clarify it in a night, that it will be the fitter to be drank
the next morning; or if any drink be thick with removing, or any
other accident, it will do the like in a few hours.ALEXANDER.It
is called Alisander, Horse-parsley, and Wild-parsley, and the Black
Pot-herb; the seed of it is that which is usually sold in
apothecaries’ shops for Macedonian Parsley-seed.Descript.]
It is usually sown in all the gardens in Europe, and so well known,
that it needs no farther description.Time.]
It flowers in June and July; the seed is ripe in August.Government
and virtues.] It is
an herb of Jupiter, and therefore friendly to nature, for it warms
a
cold stomach, and opens a stoppage of the liver and spleen; it is
good to move women’s courses, to expel the afterbirth, to break
wind, to provoke urine, and helps the stranguary; and these things
the seeds will do likewise. If either of them be boiled in wine, or
being bruised and taken in wine, is also effectual against the
biting
of serpents. And you know what Alexander pottage is good for, that
you may no longer eat it out of ignorance but out of
knowledge.THE
BLACK ALDER-TREE.Descript.]
This tree seldom grows to any great bigness, but for the most part
abideth like a hedge-bush, or a tree spreading its branches, the
woods of the body being white, and a dark red colet or heart; the
outward bark is of a blackish colour, with many whitish spots
therein; but the inner bark next the wood is yellow, which being
chewed, will turn the spittle near into a saffron colour. The
leaves
are somewhat like those of an ordinary Alder-tree, or the Female
Cornet, or Dogberry-tree, called in Sussex Dog-wood, but blacker,
and
not so long. The flowers are white, coming forth with the leaves at
the joints, which turn into small round berries, first green,
afterwards red, but blackish when they are thorough ripe, divided,
as
it were, into two parts, wherein is contained two small round and
flat seeds. The root runneth not deep into the ground, but spreads
rather under the upper crust of the earth.Place.]
This tree or shrub may be found plentifully in St. John’s Wood by
Hornsey, and the woods upon Hampstead Heath; as also a wood called
the Old Park, in Barcomb, in Essex, near the brook’s sides.Time.]
It flowers in May, and the berries are ripe in September.Government
and virtues.] It is
a tree of Venus, and perhaps under the celestial sign Cancer. The
inner yellow bark hereof purges downwards both choler and phlegm,
and
the watery humours of such that have the dropsy, and strengthens
the
inward parts again by binding. If the bark hereof be boiled with
Agrimony, Wormwood, Dodder, Hops, and some Fennel, with Smallage,
Endive, and Succory-roots, and a reasonable draught taken every
morning for some time together, it is very effectual against the
jaundice, dropsy, and the evil disposition of the body, especially
if
some suitable purging medicines have been taken before, to void the
grosser excrements: It purges and strengthens the liver and spleen,
cleansing them from such evil humours and hardness as they are
afflicted with. It is to be understood that these things are
performed by the dried bark; for the fresh green bark taken
inwardly
provokes strong vomitings, pains in the stomach, and gripings in
the
belly; yet if the decoction may stand and settle two or three days,
until the yellow colour be changed black, it will not work so
strongly as before, but will strengthen the stomach, and procure an
appetite to meat. The outward bark contrariwise doth bind the body,
and is helpful for all lasks and fluxes thereof, but this also must
be dried first, whereby it will work the better. The inner bark
thereof boiled in vinegar is an approved remedy to kill lice, to
cure
the itch, and take away scabs, by drying them up in a short time.
It
is singularly good to wash the teeth, to take away the pains, to
fasten those that are loose, to cleanse them, and to keep them
sound.
The leaves are good fodder for kine, to make them give more
milk.If
in the Spring-time you use the herbs before mentioned, and will
take
but a handful of each of them, and to them add an handful of Elder
buds, and having bruised them all, boil them in a gallon of
ordinary
beer, when it is new; and having boiled them half an hour, add to
this three gallons more, and let them work together, and drink a
draught of it every morning, half a pint or thereabouts; it is an
excellent purge for the Spring, to consume the phlegmatic quality
the
Winter hath left behind it, and withal to keep your body in health,
and consume those evil humours which the heat of Summer will
readily
stir up. Esteem it as a jewel.THE
COMMON ALDER-TREE.Descript.]
This grows to a reasonable height, and spreads much if it like the
place. It is so generally known to country people, that I conceive
it
needless to tell that which is no news.Place
and Time.] It
delights to grow in moist woods, and watery places; flowering in
April or May, and yielding ripe seed in September.Government
and virtues.] It is
a tree under the dominion of Venus, and of some watery sign or
others, I suppose Pisces; and therefore the decoction, or distilled
water of the leaves, is excellent against burnings and
inflammations,
either with wounds or without, to bathe the place grieved with, and
especially for that inflammation in the breast, which the vulgar
call
an ague.If
you cannot get the leaves (as in Winter it is impossible) make use
of
the bark in the same manner.The
leaves and bark of the Alder-tree are cooling, drying, and binding.
The fresh leaves, laid upon swellings, dissolve them, and stay the
inflammation. The leaves put under the bare feet galled with
travelling, are a great refreshing to them. The said leaves,
gathered
while the morning dew is on them, and brought into a chamber
troubled
with fleas, will gather them thereunto, which being suddenly cast
out, will rid the chamber of those troublesome bed-fellows.ANGELICA.To
write a discription of that which is so well known to be growing
almost in every garden, I suppose is altogether needless; yet for
its
virtue it is of admirable use.In
time of Heathenism, when men had found out any excellent herb, they
dedicated it to their gods; as the bay-tree to Apollo, the Oak to
Jupiter, the Vine to Bacchus, the Poplar to Hercules. These the
idolators following as the Patriarchs they dedicate to their
Saints;
as our Lady’s Thistle to the Blessed Virgin, St. John’s Wort to
St. John and another Wort to St. Peter, &c. Our physicians must
imitate like apes (though they cannot come off half so cleverly)
for
they blasphemously call Phansies or Hearts-ease,
an herb of the Trinity,
because it is of three colours; and a certain ointment,
an ointment of the Apostles,
because it consists of twelve ingredients. Alas I am sorry for
their
folly, and grieved at their blasphemy, God send them wisdom the
rest
of their age, for they have their share of ignorance already. Oh!
Why
must ours be blasphemous, because the Heathens and infidels were
idolatrous? Certainly they have read so much in old rusty authors,
that they have lost all their divinity; for unless it were amongst
the Ranters, I never read or heard of such blasphemy. The Heathens
and infidels were bad, and ours worse; the idolaters give
idolatrous
names to herbs for their virtues sake, not for their fair looks;
and
therefore some called this an herb of the
Holy Ghost; others,
more moderate, called it Angelica, because of its angelical
virtues,
and that name it retains still, and all nations follow it so near
as
their dialect will permit.Government
and virtues.] It is
an herb of the Sun in Leo; let it be gathered when he is there, the
Moon applying to his good aspect; let it be gathered either in his
hour, or in the hour of Jupiter, let Sol be angular; observe the
like
in gathering the herbs of other planets, and you may happen to do
wonders. In all epidemical diseases caused by Saturn, that is as
good
a preservative as grows: It resists poison, by defending and
comforting the heart, blood, and spirits; it doth the like against
the plague and all epidemical diseases, if the root be taken in
powder to the weight of half a dram at a time, with some good
treacle
in Carduus water, and the party thereupon laid to sweat in his bed;
if treacle be not to be had take it alone in Carduus or
Angelica-water. The stalks or roots candied and eaten fasting, are
good preservatives in time of infection; and at other times to warm
and comfort a cold stomach. The root also steeped in vinegar, and a
little of that vinegar taken sometimes fasting, and the root
smelled
unto, is good for the same purpose. A water distilled from the root
simply, as steeped in wine, and distilled in a glass, is much more
effectual than the water of the leaves; and this water, drank two
or
three spoonfuls at a time, easeth all pains and torments coming of
cold and wind, so that the body be not bound; and taken with some
of
the root in powder at the beginning, helpeth the pleurisy, as also
all other diseases of the lungs and breast, as coughs, phthysic,
and
shortness of breath; and a syrup of the stalks do the like. It
helps
pains of the cholic, the stranguary and stoppage of the urine,
procureth womens’ courses, and expelleth the after-birth, openeth
the stoppings of the liver and spleen, and briefly easeth and
discusseth all windiness and inward swellings. The decoction drank
before the fit of an ague, that they may sweat (if possible) before
the fit comes, will, in two or three times taking, rid it quite
away;
it helps digestion and is a remedy for a surfeit. The juice or the
water, being dropped into the eyes or ears, helps dimness of sight
and deafness; the juice put into the hollow teeth, easeth their
pains. The root in powder, made up into a plaster with a little
pitch, and laid on the biting of mad dogs, or any other venomous
creature, doth wonderfully help. The juice or the waters dropped,
or
tent wet therein, and put into filthy dead ulcers, or the powder of
the root (in want of either) doth cleanse and cause them to heal
quickly, by covering the naked bones with flesh; the distilled
water
applied to places pained with the gout, or sciatica, doth give a
great deal of ease.The
wild Angelica is not so effectual as the garden; although it may be
safely used to all the purposes aforesaid.AMARANTHUS.Besides
its common name, by which it is best known by the florists of our
days, it is called Flower Gentle, Flower Velure Floramor, and
Velvet
Flower.Descript.]
It being a garden flower, and well known to every one that keeps
it,
I might forbear the description; yet, notwithstanding, because some
desire it, I shall give it. It runs up with a stalk a cubit high,
streaked, and somewhat reddish towards the root, but very smooth,
divided towards the top with small branches, among which stand long
broad leaves of a reddish green colour, slippery; the flowers are
not
properly flowers, but tuffs, very beautiful to behold, but of no
smell, of reddish colour; if you bruise them, they yield juice of
the
same colour, being gathered, they keep their beauty a long time;
the
seed is of a shining black colour.Time.]
They continue in flower from August till the time the frost nips
them.Government
and virtues.] It is
under the dominion of Saturn, and is an excellent qualifier of the
unruly actions and passions of Venus, though Mars also should join
with her. The flowers dried and beaten into powder, stop the terms
in
women, and so do almost all other red things. And by the icon, or
image of every herb, the ancients at first found out their virtues.
Modern writers laugh at them for it; but I wonder in my heart, how
the virtues of herbs came at first to be known, if not by their
signatures; the moderns have them from the writings of the
ancients;
the ancients had no writings to have them from: but to proceed. The
flowers stop all fluxes of blood; whether in man or woman, bleeding
either at the nose or wound. There is also a sort of Amaranthus
that
bears a white flower, which stops the whites in women, and the
running of the reins in men, and is a most gallant antivenereal,
and
a singular remedy for the French pox.ANEMONE.Called
also Wind flower, because they say the flowers never open but when
the wind blows. Pliny is my author; if it be not so, blame him. The
seed also (if it bears any at all) flies away with the wind.Place
and Time.] They are
sown usually in the gardens of the curious, and flower in the
Spring-time. As for discription I shall pass it, being well known
to
all those that sow them.Government
and virtues.] It is
under the dominion of Mars, being supposed to be a kind of
Crow-foot.
The leaves provoke the terms mightily, being boiled, and the
decoction drank. The body being bathed with the decoction of them,
cures the leprosy. The leaves being stamped and the juice snuffed
up
in the nose, purges the head mightily; so does the root, being
chewed
in the mouth, for it procures much spitting, and brings away many
watery and phlegmatic humours, and is therefore excellent for the
lethargy. And when all is done, let physicians prate what they
please, all the pills in the dispensatory purge not the head like
to
hot things held in the mouth. Being made into an ointment, and the
eyelids anointed with it, it helps inflammations of the eyes,
whereby
it is palpable, that every stronger draws its weaker like. The same
ointment is excellently good to cleanse malignant and corroding
ulcers.GARDEN
ARRACH.Called
also Orach, and Arage; it is cultivated for domestic uses.Descript.]
It is so commonly known to every housewife, it were labour lost to
describe it.Time.]
It flowers and seeds from June to the end of August.Government
and virtues.] It is
under the government of the Moon; in quality cold and moist like
unto
her. It softens and loosens the body of man being eaten, and
fortifies the expulsive faculty in him. The herb, whether it be
bruised and applied to the throat, or boiled, and in like manner
applied, it matters not much, it is excellently good for swellings
in
the throat: the best way, I suppose, is to boil it, apply the herb
outwardly: the decoction of it, besides, is an excellent remedy for
the yellow jaundice.ARRACH,
WILD AND STINKING.Called
also Vulvaria, from that part of the body upon which the operation
is
most; also Dog’s Arrach, Goat’s Arrach, and Stinking
Motherwort.Descript.]
This has small and almost round leaves, yet a little pointed and
without dent or cut, of a dusky mealy colour, growing on the
slender
stalks and branches that spread on the ground, with small flowers
set
with the leaves, and small seeds succeeding like the rest,
perishing
yearly, and rising again with its own sowing. It smells like rotten
fish, or something worse.Place.]
It grows usually upon dunghills.Time.]
They flower in June and July, and their seed is ripe quickly
after.Government
and virtues.]
Stinking Arrach is used as a remedy to women pained, and almost
strangled with the mother, by smelling to it; but inwardly taken
there is no better remedy under the moon for that disease. I would
be
large in commendation of this herb, were I but eloquent. It is an
herb under the dominion of Venus, and under the sign Scorpio; it is
common almost upon every dunghill. The works of God are freely
given
to man, his medicines are common and cheap, and easily to be found.
I
commend it for an universal medicine for the womb, and such a
medicine as will easily, safely, and speedily cure any disease
thereof, as the fits of the mother, dislocation, or falling out
thereof; cools the womb being over-heated. And let me tell you
this,
and I will tell you the truth, heat of the womb is one of the
greatest causes of hard labour in child-birth. It makes barren
women
fruitful. It cleanseth the womb if it be foul, and strengthens it
exceedingly; it provokes the terms if they be stopped, and stops
them
if they flow immoderately; you can desire no good to your womb, but
this herb will affect it; therefore if you love children, if you
love
health, if you love ease, keep a syrup always by you, made of the
juice of this herb, and sugar (or honey, if it be to cleanse the
womb), and let such as be rich keep it for their poor neighbours;
and
bestow it as freely as I bestow my studies upon them, or else let
them look to answer it another day, when the Lord shall come to
make
inquisition for blood.ARCHANGEL.To
put a gloss upon their practice, the physicians call a herb (which
country people vulgarly know by the name of Dead Nettle) Archangel;
whether they favour more of superstition or folly, I leave to the
judicious reader. There is more curiosity than courtesy to my
countrymen used by others in the explanation as well of the names,
as
discription of this so well known herb; which that I may not also
be
guilty of, take this short discription: first, of the Red
Archangel.
This is likewise called Bee Nettle.Descript.]
This has divers square stalks, somewhat hairy, at the joints
whereof
grow two sad green leaves dented about the edges, opposite to one
another to the lowermost, upon long foot stalks, but without any
toward the tops, which are somewhat round, yet pointed, and a
little
crumpled and hairy; round about the upper joints, where the leaves
grow thick, are sundry gaping flowers of a pale reddish colour;
after
which come the seeds three or four in a husk. The root is small and
thready, perishing every year; the whole plant hath a strong smell
but not stinking.White
Archangel hath divers square stalks, none standing straight upward,
but bending downward, whereon stand two leaves at a joint, larger
and
more pointed than the other, dented about the edges, and greener
also, more like unto Nettle leaves, but not stinking, yet hairy. At
the joints, with the leaves, stand larger and more open gaping
white
flowers, husks round about the stalks, but not with such a bush of
leaves as flowers set in the top, as is on the other, wherein stand
small roundish black seeds: the root is white, with many strings at
it, not growing downward but lying under the upper crust of the
earth, and abides many years increasing; this has not so strong a
scent as the former.Yellow
Archangel is like the White in the stalks and leaves; but that the
stalks are more straight and upright, and the joints with leaves
are
farther asunder, having longer leaves than the former, and the
flowers a little larger and more gaping, of a fair yellow colour in
most, in some paler. The roots are like the white, only they creep
not so much under the ground.Place.]
They grow almost every where (unless it be in the middle of the
street), the yellow most usually in the wet grounds of woods, and
sometimes in the dryer, in divers counties of this nation.Time.]
They flower from the beginning of the Spring all the Summer
long.Government
and virtues.] The
Archangels are somewhat hot and drier than the stinging Nettles,
and
used with better success for the stopping and hardness of the
spleen,
than they, by using the decoction of the herb in wine, and
afterwards
applying the herb hot into the region of the spleen as a plaister,
or
the decoction with spunges. Flowers of the White Archangel are
preserved or conserved to be used to stay the whites, and the
flowers
of the red to stay the reds in women. It makes the heart merry,
drives away melancholy, quickens the spirits, is good against
quartan
agues, stancheth bleeding at mouth and nose, if it be stamped and
applied to the nape of the neck; the herb also bruised, and with
some
salt and vinegar and hog’s-grease, laid upon a hard tumour or
swelling, or that vulgarly called the king’s evil, do help to
dissolve or discuss them; and being in like manner applied, doth
much
allay the pains, and give ease to the gout, sciatica, and other
pains
of the joints and sinews. It is also very effectual to heal green
wounds, and old ulcers; also to stay their fretting, gnawing, and
spreading. It draws forth splinters, and such like things gotten
into
the flesh, and is very good against bruises and burnings. But the
Yellow Archangel is most commended for old, filthy, corrupt sores
and
ulcers, yea although they grow to be hollow, and to dissolve
tumours.
The chief use of them is for women, it being a herb of
Venus.ARSSMART.The
hot Arssmart is called also Water-pepper, or Culrage. The mild
Arssmart is called dead Arssmart Persicaria, or Peach-wort, because
the leaves are so like the leaves of a peach-tree; it is also
called
Plumbago.Description
of the mild.] This
has broad leaves set at the great red joint of the stalks; with
semicircular blackish marks on them, usually either blueish or
whitish, with such like seed following. The root is long, with many
strings thereat, perishing yearly; this has no sharp taste (as
another sort has, which is quick and biting) but rather sour like
sorrel, or else a little drying, or without taste.Place.]
It grows in watery places, ditches, and the like, which for the
most
part are dry in summer.Time.]
It flowers in June, and the seed is ripe in August.Government
and virtues.] As
the virtue of both these is various, so is also their government;
for
that which is hot and biting, is under the dominion of Mars, but
Saturn, challenges the other, as appears by that leaden coloured
spot
he hath placed upon the leaf.It
is of a cooling and drying quality, and very effectual for
putrified
ulcers in man or beast, to kill worms, and cleanse the putrified
places. The juice thereof dropped in, or otherwise applied,
consumes
all colds, swellings, and dissolveth the congealed blood of bruises
by strokes, falls, &c. A piece of the root, or some of the
seeds
bruised, and held to an aching tooth, takes away the pain. The
leaves
bruised and laid to the joint that has a felon thereon, takes it
away. The juice destroys worms in the ears, being dropped into
them;
if the hot Arssmart be strewed in a chamber, it will soon kill all
the fleas; and the herb or juice of the cold Arssmart, put to a
horse
or other cattle’s sores, will drive away the fly in the hottest
time of Summer; a good handful of the hot biting Arssmart put under
a
horse’s saddle, will make him travel the better, although he were
half tired before. The mild Arssmart is good against all
imposthumes
and inflammations at the beginning, and to heal green
wounds.All
authors chop the virtues of both sorts of Arssmart together, as men
chop herbs for the pot, when both of them are of contrary
qualities.
The hot Arssmart grows not so high or tall as the mild doth, but
has
many leaves of the colour of peach leaves, very seldom or never
spotted; in other particulars it is like the former, but may easily
be known from it, if you will but be pleased to break a leaf of it
cross your tongue, for the hot will make your tongue to smart, but
the cold will not. If you see them both together, you may easily
distinguish them, because the mild hath far broader leaves.ASARABACCA.Descript.]
Asarabacca appears like an evergreen, keeping its leaves all the
Winter, but putting forth new ones in the time of Spring. It has
many
heads rising from the roots, from whence come many smooth leaves,
every one upon his foot stalks, which are rounder and bigger than
Violet leaves, thicker also, and of a dark green shining colour on
the upper side, and of a pale yellow green underneath, little or
nothing dented about the edges, from among which rise small, round,
hollow, brown green husks, upon short stalks, about an inch long,
divided at the brims into five divisions, very like the cups or
heads
of the Henbane seed, but that they are smaller; and these be all
the
flower it carries, which are somewhat sweet, being smelled to, and
wherein, when they are ripe, is contained small cornered rough
seeds,
very like the kernels or stones of grapes or raisins. The roots are
small and whitish, spreading divers ways in the ground, increasing
into divers heads; but not running or creeping under the ground, as
some other creeping herbs do. They are somewhat sweet in smell,
resembling Nardus, but more when they are dry than green; and of a
sharp and not unpleasant taste.Place.]
It grows frequently in gardens.Time.]
They keep their leaves green all Winter; but shoot forth new in the
Spring, and with them come forth those heads or flowers which give
ripe seed about Midsummer, or somewhat after.Government
and virtues.] It is
a plant under the dominion of Mars, and therefore inimical to
nature.
This herb being drank, not only provokes vomiting, but purges
downwards, and by urine also, purges both choler and phlegm: If you
add to it some spikenard, with the whey of goat’s milk, or honeyed
water, it is made more strong, but it purges phlegm more manifestly
than choler, and therefore does much help pains in the hips, and
other parts; being boiled in whey, it wonderfully helps the
obstructions of the liver and spleen, and therefore profitable for
the dropsy and jaundice; being steeped in wine and drank, it helps
those continual agues that come by the plenty of stubborn humours;
an
oil made thereof by setting in the sun, with some laudanum added to
it, provokes sweating (the ridge of the back being anointed
therewith), and thereby drives away the shaking fits of the ague.
It
will not abide any long boiling, for it loseth its chief strength
thereby; nor much beating, for the finer powder provokes vomits and
urine, and the coarser purgeth downwards.The
common use hereof is, to take the juice of five or seven leaves in
a
little drink to cause vomiting; the roots have also the same
virtue,
though they do not operate so forcibly; they are very effectual
against the biting of serpents, and therefore are put as an
ingredient both into Mithridite and Venice treacle. The leaves and
roots being boiled in lye, and the head often washed therewith
while
it is warm, comforts the head and brain that is ill affected by
taking cold, and helps the memory.I
shall desire ignorant people to forbear the use of the leaves; the
roots purge more gently, and may prove beneficial to such as have
cancers, or old putrified ulcers, or fistulas upon their bodies, to
take a dram of them in powder in a quarter of a pint of white wine
in
the morning. The truth is, I fancy purging and vomiting medicines
as
little as any man breathing doth, for they weaken nature, nor shall
ever advise them to be used, unless upon urgent necessity. If a
physician be nature’s servant, it is his duty to strengthen his
mistress as much as he can, and weaken her as little as may
be.ASPARAGUS,
SPARAGUS, OR SPERAGE.Descript.]
It rises up at first with divers white and green scaly heads, very
brittle or easy to break while they are young, which afterwards
rise
up in very long and slender green stalks of the bigness of an
ordinary riding wand, at the bottom of most, or bigger, or lesser,
as
the roots are of growth; on which are set divers branches of green
leaves shorter and smaller than fennel to the top; at the joints
whereof come forth small yellowish flowers, which turn into round
berries, green at first and of an excellent red colour when they
are
ripe, shewing like bead or coral, wherein are contained exceeding
hard black seeds; the roots are dispersed from a spongeous head
into
many long, thick, and round strings, wherein is sucked much
nourishment out of the ground, and increaseth plentifully
thereby.PRICKLY
ASPARAGUS, OR SPERAGE.Descript.]
This grows usually in gardens, and some of it grows wild in
Appleton
meadows in Gloucestershire, where the poor people gather the buds
of
young shoots, and sell them cheaper that our garden Asparagus is
sold
in London.Time.]
For the most part they flower, and bear their berries late in the
year, or not at all, although they are housed in Winter.Government
and virtues.] They
are both under the dominion of Jupiter. The young buds or branches
boiled in ordinary broth, make the belly soluble and open, and
boiled
in white wine, provoke urine, being stopped, and is good against
the
stranguary or difficulty of making water; it expelleth the gravel
and
stone out of the kidneys, and helpeth pains in the reins. And
boiled
in white wine or vinegar, it is prevalent for them that have their
arteries loosened, or are troubled with the hip-gout or sciatica.
The
decoction of the roots boiled in wine and taken, is good to clear
the
sight, and being held in the mouth easeth the toothache. The garden
asparagus nourisheth more than the wild, yet hath it the same
effects
in all the afore-mentioned diseases. The decoction of the root in
white wine, and the back and belly bathed therewith, or kneeling or
lying down in the same, or sitting therein as a bath, has been
found
effectual against pains of the reins and bladder, pains of the
mother
and cholic, and generally against all pains that happen to the
lower
parts of the body, and no less effectual against stiff and benumbed
sinews, or those that are shrunk by cramps and convulsions, and
helps
the sciatica.ASH
TREE.This
is so well known, that time would be misspent in writing a
description of it; therefore I shall only insist upon the virtues
of
it.Government
and virtues.] It is
governed by the Sun: and the young tender tops, with the leaves,
taken inwardly, and some of them outwardly applied, are singularly
good against the bitings of viper, adder, or any other venomous
beast; and the water distilled therefrom being taken, a small
quantity every morning fasting, is a singular medicine for those
that
are subject to dropsy, or to abate the greatness of those that are
too gross or fat. The decoction of the leaves in white wine helps
to
break the stone, and expel it, and cures the jaundice. The ashes of
the bark of the Ash made into lye, and those heads bathed therewith
which are leprous, scabby, or scald, they are thereby cured. The
kernels within the husks, commonly called Ashen Keys, prevail
against
stitches and pains in the sides, proceeding of wind, and voideth
away
the stone by provoking urine.I
can justly except against none of all this, save only the
first,
viz. That Ash-tree
tops and leaves are good against the bitings of serpents and
vipers.
I suppose this had its rise from Gerrard or Pliny, both which hold
that there is such an antipathy between an adder and an Ash-tree,
that if an adder be encompassed round with Ash-tree leaves, she
will
sooner run through the fire than through the leaves: The contrary
to
which is the truth, as both my eyes are witnesses. The rest are
virtues something likely, only if it be in Winter when you cannot
get
the leaves, you may safely use the bark instead of them. The keys
you
may easily keep all the year, gathering them when they are
ripe.AVENS,
CALLED ALSO COLEWORT, AND HERB BONET.Descript.